Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Go East]

[Episode 11]

According to the files,

your parents died in a desert storm

on their way back from their mission to Yanle.

But curiously,

it happened during the time of military mutiny in Yanle,

when Long Tuqi helped the new king ascend the throne.

What are you trying to say?

Your parents' deaths may not be an accident.

Besides, Deputy Envoy Kang is a trusted aide of Long Tuqi.

There's a good chance he knows what happened back then.

I've lost interest in this answer

many years ago.

Running away from it won't solve the problem.

The twinge will always be there,

making you toss and turn in agony.

I know how you got through

every day these years.

Wang Kunwu.

Don't be so full of yourself.

I'm not you.

You won't understand me.

Father.

Father.

Father, I really don't understand.

Please teach me...

Father.

Father! Father!

Father!

Father!

Father!

Yuan Mo.

It's me.

Are you okay?

You had a nightmare.

You kept calling Father just now.

I'm okay.

Go to sleep.

Is the reason why you don't want to teach me Go

that you don't want to think of your father?

Actually, it's a good thing that

you remember what your father looks like, right?

At least you've met your parents,

and you could dream of them.

I don't even know

what my parents look like.

I can't dream of them even if I want to.

Drink something warm.

Thank you.

All right, lie down.

You had some wine.

Be careful not to catch a cold.

[Ministry of Rites]

Deputy Envoy Kang, please.

Please.

What are you doing here?

The West Court isn't allowed to participate in the negotiation.

I just want to come along for the ride.

Don't make trouble. Leave now.

What trouble? I'm not leaving.

Leave now. Don't...

I'm not leaving. I want to listen.

No. I'm not leaving.

Wang.

Look how comfortable you are.

You even have a chair to sit on when eavesdropping.

Why are you here too?

Yuchi asked me to come.

Where is she?

Who asked you to come?

I have to keep an eye on them.

Deputy Envoy Kang is not easy to deal with.

If anything goes wrong,

I must be prepared.

How can I take notes

when you are making such a fuss next to me?

Just do your thing.

We'll just listen. We won't get in your way.

It'll just be the three of us. No one else.

-Come out. -What?

Come out!

Shen?

It's such an important negotiation.

I have to be here to learn.

Come on.

-Come on. -Everyone is here now.

There's no one else.

Everyone's here, right?

Yes, just the four of us.

We're all here.

Ji?

That's all.

I'm the last one.

Come on.

Where are we? I didn't miss anything, did I?

No, no, no.

This is utterly unacceptable.

It won't matter that we eavesdrop a little.

That's right. It won't matter.

Please have a taste of this Pre-Qing Ming Tea, Deputy Envoy Kang and dear fellows.

The aroma of the mountain and wilderness is perfectly preserved.

Vice Minister An.

This is how we drink it in Yanle.

But unfortunately, Young Master Long won't be able to drink it anymore.

The state of Yong is deeply sorry for Young Master Long's death.

For the sake of the friendship between Yong and Yanle,

Yong is willing to make compensations

as our consolation to Viceroy Long's grief.

No amount of compensation

can bring back Young Master Long's life.

But it can bring back tea, silk and porcelain,

which the people of Yanle have been yearning for.

Deputy Envoy Kang, you came here for the barter between the two countries.

Besides, the past grudges

have been written off by you, Deputy Envoy Kang.

I believe the following negotiation

will go smoothly.

I hope so.

I have something important to discuss with Deputy Envoy Kang next.

Mr. Yu.

Yes.

Take everyone aside

so that we can have a discussion in detail.

Yes.

Please, Deputy Envoy Kang.

After the pleasantries,

things are about to get real, right?

Vice Minister An said he'd make compensations to Yanle.

Does that mean he'll concede?

Yanle is a desert land,

and the people there have a nomadic way of life.

They purchase a large amount of tea and grain

from Yong every year.

This year, there's been a bumper crop of tea,

and the price is already low.

Vice Minister An will deliberately

provide Yanle with

lower tea taxes and prices, I suppose.

But the grain and warhorses

are the tough nut to crack later in the negotiation.

That's right.

Do you still want to eavesdrop or not?

Okay.

Be quiet if you want to.

Okay.

Be quiet.

The tea shipped to Yanle this year

will be free of all taxes.

In addition, we can reduce the price by another 10%.

10%?

Yanle's Viceroy's son died such a miserable death in Changle.

Is this your so-called compensation?

The past is in the past.

It's not appropriate

to keep talking about it, don't you think?

The point is that you aren't showing any sincerity.

But you're the one who didn't show your sincerity in the first place.

Last year, Yanle sold us 3,000 warhorses.

Why do you only offer us 2000 warhorses

for the same price this year?

Don't think that

Yong can only buy warhorses from Yanle.

Yuluo's merchants are always on call.

Then go buy from Yuluo's merchants.

The jade of Yuluo State is unmatched indeed.

But when it comes to warhorses,

theirs are a far cry from ours.

I didn't expect that

the people of Yong State would have such a bad taste.

We may as well drop the negotiation.

Yanle has tens of thousands of warhorses.

Do you have enough forage for them for the winter?

If you don't sell them to Yong,

you'll have to solicit grain from the people forcibly.

Aren't you afraid of causing a riot?

Who do you think you are

to openly discuss our state's important matter?

Forget it.

As you wish.

I...

Since we are already here,

we should try to be sincere to each other.

How about this?

Let's each take a step back.

What do you think?

Mr. Yu.

A 10% discount on tea is my limit.

I'm your senior. I'll make the call.

That won't do, Mr. Yu.

We've already helped them lower the price.

Xiuyi, can't you calm down?

I can't calm down. We'll lose money if we lower the price any further.

Sit down.

Mr. Yu.

Sit down!

Retainer An is young and impulsive.

Please forgive him for disturbing you.

As for the price of tea,

I'll ask the imperial court

for another 10% discount.

Another 10% discount?

In that case,

we can also give you more discount on warhorses.

But it can't be lower than this.

Okay.

We'll take this price.

Plus the forage of this amount.

Hey.

How much?

How should you take this down?

This is the minimum amount of forage.

Otherwise, I won't be able to report to Deputy Envoy Kang.

Then the level of warhorses must be raised.

Don't push your luck.

If you disagree,

don't even think about getting any grain from us.

The discount on tea will be cancelled as well.

I...

This is also for the benefit of your country.

Winter is coming in Yanle.

Please think twice for your country.

Fine.

We can agree on

the numbers.

But we have a small request.

Yanle and Yong State are separated by thousands of miles of sand.

We need an oasis

as our resting place.

We request

this oasis

as the place for us to trade horses.

[Yueying]

If it's for the convenience of horse trading,

I think...

How about this?

It's almost lunch time.

Why don't we take a rest?

We also need to ask our seniors for their permission.

Yong is such a big state,

yet you still have to ask for your seniors' permission for such a trivial matter?

If you can't even agree to this,

we won't give you any extra warhorses.

Since the number of warhorses has been agreed on,

the negotiation should be considered a success, right?

Probably.

But what's with the oasis?

Have you checked the geo- and hydro-logical conditions of the oasis?

Yes, repeatedly.

That oasis is small.

It can only be used to provide water for horses.

There should be no conspiracy in this.

[Friends from Afar]

We need to be more careful.

Send people to visit the envoys from different countries near the oasis

and inquire information of the oasis in detail.

This year, the weather in various regions across Yanle has been abnormal,

and there's a severe crop failure.

Maybe it's because the disaster is serious

that they had to reach an agreement with us as soon as possible.

What do you think?

I think Xiuyi was born to do this.

I mean,

we played "good cop, bad cop" in the negotiation

and coordinated very well.

It's possible that

the envoys of Yanle just know when to stop

and want to rush to sign the deal.

There must be something strange about things going wrong.

Vice Minister An.

Deputy Envoy Kang.

I just received an urgent order from Viceroy Long,

asking me to return to Yanle immediately.

The warhorse trade is very important.

How about we sign the agreement as soon as possible?

We may not see each other again any time soon.

We're more than happy to sign the contract as soon as possible.

But I believe you've all had a long day.

In order to do the honors,

we'll hold a banquet tonight to send you off, Mr. Kang.

How about we sign the contract

before you depart tomorrow?

Why do you have to dilly-dally?

But...

Fine.

I'm going back to Yanle Hall to rest then.

At first, I was only 50% suspicious.

But since they kept urging me, now it's been increased to 70%.

Lord Yanle is bedridden.

Long Tuqi is a warrior,

yet he has to manage court affairs now.

He needs assistance from his trusted Deputy Envoy Kang.

It's not surprising that he was urgently summoned back to Yanle.

Xiuyi, you are young indeed.

The barter between the two countries is surely important,

but the more anxious they are,

the more we can't let them lead our pace.

Yes. Right.

[West Court]

Everyone.

We've asked all over the West Market.

They all said it's just an ordinary oasis.

I just came back from visiting my father.

My father and Mr. Huang have been guarding the border for years.

They've dealt with quite a lot of people from Yanle.

They didn't see anything fishy about this.

Shen and I asked

the foreign merchants who have been to the oasis,

and they all said there's no problem.

Is it possible that we overthought?

Here, have some sugar cake.

Think while eating.

I just bought it in the West Market. It's still warm.

Every time I eat something sweet,

I come up with some good ideas.

Here, Sis.

Tell me.

Who understands what the people of Yanle think the best?

What do you mean?

As the saying goes,

the enemy of an enemy is a friend.

Then Yanle has countless enemies.

The nearby states, Yuluo and Yueying,

both hate Yanle's guts.

That's good.

We can go and ask the envoys of these countries.

But the banquet is about to begin.

Time is running out.

An.

The map isn't changing.

You can't see anything that's not on it no matter how closely you look.

I've checked carefully.

That oasis is small and shallow.

There are several bigger and better water sources around.

Yanle wouldn't have chosen such a place

if they were up to something.

Not necessarily.

What do you West Court have in mind?

Foreign affairs are too important to be taken lightly.

Please hold off their request in the banquet,

Vice Minister An.

Give us some more time.

Can you afford it

if you delay the negotiation between the two countries?

Retainer An.

Aren't you known for your capability?

It shouldn't be difficult for you

to stall it for a short while in the banquet, Retainer An, right?

This is a banquet between two states.

Do you think it’s like

the West Court's parties in the backyard of Sifang Pavilion?

Retainer An.

Let me remind you.

This national negotiation is led by the East Court.

The West Court is helping you get rid of the hidden danger.

If there's really something wrong with it

and you let it go,

you should know what the consequences will be.

You...

All right. Enough.

Calm down, you two.

It's all for our country.

How can you talk like this in front of...

Tell me the truth.

Did you find anything new?

Not yet.

It’s not as simple as it seems.

Please give the West Court two more hours.

I believe you.

Go now.

[Friends from Afar]

This banquet is specially held for the envoy delegation of Yanle.

Are you refusing to give us the honor of having you, Deputy Envoy Kang?

Vice Minister An.

Viceroy Long sent another urgent order,

asking us to go back immediately.

Besides, Young Master Long just died.

We're not in the mood to enjoy feasting.

Then the barter agreement between the two countries

can also be held off until next year.

Deputy Envoy Kang.

Yong and Yanle are thousands of miles away from each other.

No matter how urgent it is, you can still have a meal with us.

Please don't fail our sincerity

to Yanle's envoy delegation.

All right, all right.

We'll sign the contract right after the banquet.

Now you can have a seat at ease, right, Deputy Envoy Kang?

Please sit.

Come on.

Everyone, long time no see.

-Please. -Come on.

Come on.

Here.

[Deputy Envoy of Yueying]

To be honest,

since I started working at Sifang Pavilion,

I've never had a good drink

since I had to negotiate with the people of Yanle.

[Deputy Envoy of Yuluo]

Ms. Yuchi,

you were also there during the negotiation with Yanle?

Of course.

All these years,

Yueying has suffered a lot because of them.

The people of Yanle have always been greedy.

I wonder what kind of unreasonable request

[Deputy Envoy of Xiyuan]

they proposed to Yong this time.

Don't worry. The people of Yanle

dare not be presumptuous when negotiating with Yong.

They behaved very well this time.

They've agreed to most of the terms,

and their request isn't too much either.

What request is it?

They just want a small oasis.

Vice Minister An.

There's a poem in Yong State which goes,

although today's banquet is great,

it'll still come to an end.

I can't drink anymore.

I think we should call it a day.

The night is still young.

Why are you in such a hurry, Deputy Envoy Kang?

Vice Minister An.

I can't disobey the order of Viceroy Long.

I think we should sign it as soon as possible...

Deputy Envoy Kang.

Before you depart,

I have a small wish.

Go ahead.

I've long heard that Deputy Envoy Kang is the Go Master of Yanle State,

and you haven't had any rival in years.

Yong is the birthplace of Go.

I know a little about Go too.

I wonder if I may have the honor

to have a game of Go with you, Deputy Envoy Kang.

I've heard a lot about Deputy Envoy Kang's Go skills, too.

I've been longing

to learn a few tricks from you.

Vice Minister An.

You either sign the agreement,

or let me depart for the journey.

Why do we have to play Go at this kind of time?

Retainer An.

It's indeed hasty of you to propose it

in front of so many people.

Haven't you heard?

The only game that Deputy Envoy Kang lost in his life

was when he competed with

the late Sifang Envoy, Yuan Hanjing.

Is that true?

Pardon me.

Vice Minister An.

It's understandable that Deputy Envoy Kang

doesn't want to play Go in the state of Yong.

After all, if he loses another game,

the title of Go Master will be...

I see.

Then I won't force you.

Just drink up your wine, everyone.

How ridiculous!

Bring it on.

How could Yong State look down upon Yanle like that?

Deputy Envoy Kang.

I...

Fine.

But I never play meaningless games.

If Yong State wins,

we can give you another 10% discount on horses

in the barter agreement.

But if I win,

Yong State must lower the tea price by another 10%.

What do you think?

Vice Minister An.

What do you say? You don't dare?

Servants.

Set up the Go borad.

Deputy Envoy Kang.

Please enlighten me.

Retainer An.

Please.

Left 7, up 3.

Left 3, down 6.

Although Xiuyi is young and impulsive,

-Right 7, up 3. -he listens.

He knows Kang Yunhai is a Go fanatic,

so he came up with this idea to buy time.

That's a brilliant idea.

Although it's a good idea,

Yuan Mo and the others still have to be fast.

With his skills, Xiuyi won't last long.

Left 9, up 3.

Right 3, up 3.

Right 2, up 5.

The other two deputy envoys couldn't hold their liquor.

I've asked someone to send them back.

When the deputy envoy of Yuluo heard about the oasis,

he was so frightened that he even spilled his wine.

There must be something wrong here.

Yanle and Yuluo are both neighbours and sworn enemies.

As long as it's beneficial to Yanle,

Yuluo won't be happy to see it.

Ah Shu.

Ms. Yuchi.

I'm too drunk.

I have to leave.

You...

We have a few questions for you.

Tell us the truth.

What's with the oasis?

How would I know

about Yanle's affairs?

If you don't tell the truth,

the oasis will soon be Yanle's.

If Yanle grows bigger,

it'll be a disaster to Yuluo.

As a citizen of Yuluo,

are you just going to

watch this happen?

Left 3, down 5.

Right 4, up 3.

Right 5, up 4.

Right 5, up 3.

Right 6, up 4.

Right 6, up 3.

An Xiuyi is so bad at Go.

He's about to lose.

Then why are you still standing here?

Hurry up and help him.

You're good at Go, aren't you?

How many times have I told you?

I haven't played Go for a long time.

Yuchi and the others went to see Director Bai.

We have to buy her more time.

I'll go.

You?

Are you crazy?

You aren't even familiar with the Go board.

Teach me then.

I...

Don't you think it's too late?

If what that person from Yuluo said is true,

are we just going to watch Long Tuqi get what he wants?

Right 4, up 8.

Right 3, down 6.

Left 8, down 4.

So hesitant.

The playstyle of the young generation of Yong

is really eye-opening.

Retainer An.

The outcome of this game seems to be obvious.

Even if you delay it any longer, it won't help.

Why don't we end it here?

An Xiuyi.

You haven't lost yet.

Don't panic.

Don't hesitate.

Make a move upper left.

A true gentleman should keep silent while watching a game.

I'm a crumb,

not a gentleman.

Vice Minister An.

Please throw this person out.

No need.

I'd like to see

what she has up her sleeve.

Young lady.

Why don't you take his place and play?

Please.

Great move.

Nice.

This is a great move.

I didn't expect that after so many years,

I could see the game Yuan Hanjing created back then again.

Young lady.

Do you know Hanjing?

I don't.

But this...

I'm not the one who made the move either.

It was him who taught me.

He taught you?

I didn't expect that.

What are you looking at? I'm talking about you.

Yuan Mo!

Who is this?

I didn't expect that

you would recognize my father's game, Deputy Envoy Kang.

It's really you.

Back then, I was obsessed with Go

and played with your father many times.

Although we're of different status,

he's still an old friend of mine in the game of Go.

Since you're the son of my old friend,

I have something that

I'm sure you'd like to see.

Yuan Mo.

This is the Go board carved by your father himself.

I heard it was a birthday gift for his son.

There're words engraved under the board.

God bless my son.

Don't startle the gods and ghosts.

Father.

I'm done.

You're going on a mission tomorrow.

I'm not in the mood of playing anymore.

We promise you, Son.

We'll be back on your birthday next year.

Your father will

carve a jade Go board and a set of jade Go pieces for you

as your birthday gift, okay?

I'd never lie to you, Son.

Pinky swear.

Pinky swear.

Pinky swear.

Why do you have my father's things?

It was an unclaimed object that

Yanle's Dragon Cavalry found in the desert.

Now I'm its owner.

Yanle always honors the strong.

If you want this,

you have to beat me in a game of Go.

Give it to me.

You...

Give it to me!

Please.

Hanjing passed away many years ago.

I've always been upset

that I lost to him back then.

I didn't expect that I'd have a chance

to redeem myself today.

Please.

Yuan Mo.

Don't get distracted.

Think about what your father taught you.

Don't think of anything else

on the Go board.

You need to know how to find a way out of an impasse.

How could this be?

How is that possible?

My father used to tell me

only by fully concentrating on the game of Go

can I find a way out of an impasse.

I didn't understand it, and I couldn't do it.

I didn't understand until now that

only by forgetting about the result

and enjoying playing the game

can I

turn impossible

into possible on such a small Go board.

I lost.

This is bad.

Deputy Envoy Kang.

You win some, you lose some.

You still deserve the title of Go Master

in the state of Yanle.

In that case,

I'll claim the Go board.

Of course.

Not only the Go board is yours,

but we'll also lower the price of warhorses by another 10%.

Vice Minister An.

Since I've played the game of Go

and agreed to all your terms,

don't you think it's time to take the agreement out?

Let's sign the agreement immediately.

We need to hurry back to Yanle.

[Friends from Afar]

Vice Minister An.

Please.

Hold on.

Vice Minister An.

There's something wrong with this agreement.

How dare you, a retainer, talk nonsense here?

Director Bai of Literature Hall is here.

He has something important to report.

Vice Minister An, Deputy Envoy Kang.

Greetings.

Ministry of Rites is a place for two states to negotiate important affairs.

Vice Minister An.

Isn't Director Bai at the wrong place?

I'm just a pedantic scholar.

I do know nothing about foreign affairs.

I heard that Yanle

is obsessed with a humble oasis in the desert.

I looked through history books,

and I want to verify it with Deputy Envoy Kang in person.

Yanle and Yuluo have always been neighbours.

Yanle is more powerful,

but since Yuluo is in control of

the biggest oasis on the trade route,

Yanle hasn't been able to do anything to Yuluo.

However, one month ago,

a major event

that's about to change the fate of the two states happened.

The Bulu River of Yuluo State which flows through Yanle and Yuluo

flooded this summer.

A rare river diversion happened.

What's that about?

Director Bai.

I was just guessing.

I don't know if it's right.

But is it possible that

after the river diversion,

the oasis that Yanle asks for

will become the biggest water source

in the desert.

Therefore, they'll be in full control of

the chokepoint of the 10-thousand-mile trade route.

Exactly.

Whoever controls the water source in the desert

will have dominance over the trade route.

Yanle wants Yong

to acknowledge the ownership of the oasis.

By then, all countries will surely attack Yong.

This will force Yong

to fight against all countries.

You're framing Yanle.

Director Bai is a great scholar of the time

and is respected by the people.

How dare you accuse him?

The key of friendship between two countries is sincerity.

It's really disappointing that

your country has been scheming like this.

Yanle has done everything we could

in the negotiation with Yong.

The oasis is originally a no man's land which is shared by many countries.

Who dares to have objection?

Whoever has any objection will have to fight Yanle.

Fight us!

Come on, let's fight!

Bring it on!

If you threaten to start a war,

it will only bring misery to the people of all states.

That's right.

How about our state, Yong, take the lead

to gather all nations

to discuss it?

There's no room for discussion.

Alright.

I didn't expect Yanle to have such an attitude.

Then, as far as I'm concerned,

the barter between the two countries should be put on hold.

Advisor Ma.

How dare you!

Vice Minister An.

Looks like your state misunderstood us.

Yanle didn't know about the Bulu River diversion

that Director Bai just mentioned.

How can the two states give up barter

just because of some misunderstanding?

Isn't that so, Vice Minister An?

The barter between the two states is very important.

There's no need to hurry.

I suggest Deputy Envoy Kang

travel day and night to get back to Yanle

and ask for Viceroy Long's order.

This way, you can give Yong a satisfactory answer.

[Yanle Hall]

Yuan Mo from Sifang Pavilion is here.

What? You want to play another game with me?

I was ordered to bring the new barter agreement

here for you to have a look, Deputy Envoy Kang.

You may leave now.

I, Yuan Mo,

have something else that I want to ask you, Deputy Envoy Kang.

Let me guess.

Is it related to your parents?