Original subtitles

Joy of Life 2

Does such a firearm exist in this world?

It's different

The young mistress brought it out

- Brought from where? - The Temple

Brought from the Temple?

Would it still be missing key components?

- Destroyed - By whom?

You don't need to know that

What you need to do

is to use it to prepare and protect Fan Xian

And then?

Can you repair it?

I won't be the one repairing it

Protecting Fan Xian is a secret.

I won't tell.

-Including my brother? -Yes.

Why choose me?

In this world,

what matters most to you?

Of course, it's my brother.

That's the reason.

Just leaving like that?

Did you understand what Lord Fan said?

I don't know either

-See you tonight -See you tonight

Goodbye...

Hurry...

See you tonight.

See you later...

- What's that? - I see these merchants all heading to that... outside area

Releasing pigeons, I don't know what it means

I said let's take one to examine

Are they sending messages to the capital?

The matters in the mountains must be reported to the capital

But why?

Aren't they the bosses themselves?

Can't they decide whether to buy treasury bonds or not?

A rootless tree cannot stand firm

You mean they all have backing behind them?

Obviously

Then I'll let it go

You're not allowed to hurt it now, you...

Fang Xu, you're really something.

You even got to speak on stage.

You bet!

Sis, let me tell you this.

Fan Xian's approach is impressive, sure.

But I've never even heard of it.

But think about it this way.

If even I haven't heard of it,

would those merchants understand?

All those fancy terms Fan Xian uses -

national destiny, wealth accumulation -

those officials... merchants don't get it at all.

Only two words move them:

"The Crown."

Now you're getting cocky.

Shouldn't I be proud?

Though proud as I am,

something feels missing.

Actually, I'm a bit worried.

Worried about what?

I thought that

just mentioning the Emperor

would scare them into paying up.

But you said if word gets back to the capital...

What then?

This treasury debt scheme is unprecedented.

What if by chance...

it violates imperial law? What then?

No problem.

That's a relief.

You proposed the second phase.

"The Emperor's word is law" - your words.

If anything goes wrong,

we'll just hand you over as the scapegoat.

He can't just keep this bottled up.

I'm actually helping him.

This is...

No... absolutely not.

We're on good terms now.

Right, definitely not.

Treasury debt?

How could that be illegal?

Of course it is.

What treasury debt?

Since the founding of our Great Qing nation,

we've never heard of such a thing.

This rebellious son is utterly audacious.

Sharing royal debts?

Utterly absurd and unforgivable by national law.

As the saying goes:

"If the child isn't taught, it's the father's fault."

If you ask me,

we should first arrest Fan Xian,

then remove me from my ministerial position.

Our family discipline is corrupt.

I've no face left to serve as an official.

I might as well retire to Danzhou.

Director Chen, wake up.

You're angry—why call me?

About the treasury debt...

You must have an opinion.

I can't oversee it.

Blind to it?

The inner treasury's finances aren't under the Inspection Committee's jurisdiction.

-Can't manage it. -Not the inner treasury.

Treasury debt.

How novel.

Never heard of it.

Truly unprecedented.

The concept of treasury debt has never existed since ancient times.

According to Daqing's laws,

there's no provision for treasury debt.

But if punishment is to be meted out,

there's no legal basis for it.

This novel situation...

What does Second Brother think?

Replying to Your Highness,

this official is still in self-reflection,

daring not leave without His Majesty's summons,

let alone comment on state affairs.

Speak freely.

No laws to follow,

no precedents to trace,

it's entirely at the imperial discretion.

Everyone is here, please follow me.

Where is His Majesty?

I don't know.

You don't know? Then where are you taking us?

The royal garden.

The royal garden in the dead of night? For what?

Moving flowers.

Eunuch Hou

Are you certain this is His Majesty's decree?

Lord Fan, this old servant wouldn’t dare—

to forge His Majesty’s verbal command!

What’s all this about?

Just moving flowers.

Just the few of us?

Where are the servants?

His Majesty had already decreed—

This area here

No palace servants are allowed near

Minister Fan, your efforts are appreciated.

The Chrysanthemum Appreciation Festival is held every three years.

Previously, it was always held at the Hanging Temple, correct?

That is indeed the case.

These aren't particularly rare flowers.

Why are we being asked to deliver them personally?

Because His Majesty enjoys them.

His Majesty wants to convey to us...

that he attaches great importance to this Chrysanthemum Appreciation Festival.

Then why is he telling us this now?

I remember previous festivals weren't scheduled for this time of year.

The date has been changed.

Changed to when?

In the coming days.

The exact date will be determined later.

Waiting for what?

Waiting for Young Master Fan to return to the capital from Cang Mountain.

Why does the festival depend on Fan Xian's return?

That's what His Majesty said.

So His Majesty values the festival...

but its timing depends on Fan Xian's return to the capital.

Your Highness, you're absolutely right.

His Majesty wants to remind us...

that while the festival is important...

Fan Xian...

is even more important.

Could it have been left behind in the capital and not brought out?

I personally took it off the carriage and placed it in your room.

Such a large box...

How could it just disappear like that?

What was in the box?

Something from the temple.

Brought out from the temple?

A divine weapon?

If fully assembled, it would indeed be a peerless divine weapon.

- Missing parts? - The main component is gone.

Nothing else is missing.

Only that one box is missing.

That means the thief at least knew what it was.

Not many people know about this item.

Who?

Sir, over there—someone's here.

Impressive skills—I didn't even notice.

Old Wang, protect Wan'er.

Understood.

Teacher

Baby

Commander Jing

Didn't you return to camp?

Black Cavalry Military Order

Guard Cang Mountain, protect the Commissioner

Shadow?

Wang Qinian is quite alert.

Turns out they're all from the Inspection Office.

Are you all here for a team-building event?

What is "team-building"?

Our household has many new terms.

You'll get used to it.

Teacher, what brings you to Cang Mountain?

Aren't you the one who's here?

Young Master Fan

Did you lose something?

Were you eavesdropping at my door?

I think it's Fifth Master

What do you mean?

He's been secretly following you

He just wants to spar with Fifth Master

Young Master Fan

You've received Fifth Master's personal teachings

There's no harm in us having a match

Don't move

Move and I'll poison you

So everything's fine now?

It should be fine now

Stand down

Just pretend we're not here

Then you pretend I'm not here either

Everyone's being so mysterious.

Let's go, Teacher. We're already at Cang Mountain. Come to my place for late-night snacks.

Wrong way, it's this direction.

Wait a moment...

I need to tell you something.

I went to Jiangnan to investigate a murder case.

After the killer arrived in the capital,

they completely vanished.

Two possibilities: either it's the Five Lords,

What's the other possibility?

Someone is hiding

this criminal in the capital.

Not even the Inspection Committee can find traces?

Of course.

With such capability,

how many in the capital could do this?

No, this is also a clue.

I came to Cang Mountain to stay with you for a few days.

This case is quite bizarre.

When I return to the capital, I'll investigate along these lines.

I originally wanted

to see you only after getting results.

I operate in the shadows.

Teacher...

Your wife's tuberculosis...

You've nearly nursed her back to health.

After returning,

one pill per day.

When the medicine is finished,

the root cause will be cured.

A long and happy marriage.

The Emperor wants to see, and so do I.

Why don't you retire? I'll take care of you.

Nonsense.

I'm serious.

Enough.

A Grandmaster is hiding in the capital.

If I don't uncover them,

I won't be able to rest.

Teacher...

Stop nagging.

Hurry up and give me a disciple's child.

When they grow up,

I'll teach them poison techniques.

I'm going back.

Promise me you won't risk your life.

Don't worry.

I'm more afraid of death than you are.

Uncle Wuzhu

Did you take the box?

Follow me

You've been sitting here all along, and no one noticed you?

That's true

Who are you?

Uncle

Shadow seems very interested in you

He's been wanting to fight you

Not interested

Uncle, what exactly are you looking for?

Is there something inside?

Miss once lived in Cangshan

My mother hid it?

It should have been destroyed

Just like this box

My mother destroyed this herself. Why?

Following the rules

Objects that transcend eras must not remain

Whose rules? The Temple's?

- Probably - "Probably"?

I forgot

If that's the case...

Why not destroy everything?

Then why did she leave these three?

Items that transcend time

Cannot be left in this rebooted world

The course of history shouldn't be influenced

But you're different

You're a mistake

"A mistake"?

You belong to this world

Yet also originate from the past

You're an error

A glitch

An unknown variable

And a logical loophole

These were the young mistress's exact words

So those memories of mine...

Could they be from the Temple?

I don't know

I'm just repeating

The young mistress left you a lifeline

Fix it

You have three chances to change fate

How to fix it?

Go to Jiangnan

Go to the Three Great Workshops

These three workshops are the foundation of the Imperial Treasury.

Everyone knows that.

The Imperial Treasury was originally built upon these three workshops.

All those novel goods from previous years

came from Jiangnan.

Let me ask you,

who controls these three workshops now?

Of course it's the Ming family of Jiangnan.

The Mings have always followed the Eldest Princess's lead.

Would they really hand over the workshops?

Even if the Mings are the wealthiest in Jiangnan,

they can't defy an imperial decree.

They won't openly defy it,

but what and how they surrender

is a matter of tactics.

We're all merchants here -

surely you understand?

So Fan Xian taking over the Treasury

has an uncertain future.

Exactly, we mustn't be fooled by him.

If we buy any treasury bonds,

how will he repay them later?

Well said, we absolutely won't buy.

Then we'll...

sleep here tonight and leave tomorrow.

Only turtles would buy them.

- Right, only turtles! - Only turtles!

- Turtles! - Come...

These are products ahead of their time.

What's in these workshops that can even repair this?

You'll have to see for yourself.

I must go to Jiangnan eventually.

I need to reclaim my mother's legacy.

Why weren't these two kept together originally?

Couldn't they just be placed in this box?

The young mistress left this for you,

but didn't actually want you to fix it.

Why?

When the temple alters fate

The future will bear its mark

I genuinely didn't understand this part

When temple artifacts are overused

In future years

You will eventually go to the temple

This seems too idealistic

I'll wait for you at Jiangnan

Only then will you have the confidence to face a Grandmaster

Using this against a Grandmaster?

That's just bullying

Not necessarily

What do you mean?

Even with this, we might not defeat a Grandmaster?

Exactly

Grandmasters are human too

How can one evade this era-defying weapon?

Do I seem normal to you?

Those who become Grandmasters

Are no longer bound by mortal conventions

Doesn't that make them monsters?

Pretty much

Word from the palace: His Majesty wants Fan Xian to return to the capital.

to attend the Chrysanthemum Festival together.

What about the treasury debt?

His Majesty didn't mention it.

Have you heard?

About the Chrysanthemum Festival?

The Chrysanthemum Festival is just for leisure.

Waiting for Fan Xian...

They probably value his literary talent.

Right... exactly.

Poetry and verses are just trivial skills.

After all, he can't handle the responsibility of the Imperial Treasury.

-Yeah... -You're just...

Me? I need to use the restroom.

As for me, I need to take a morning stroll.

-Go ahead... -See you...

Right... this way...

Didn't you go for a walk?

Is this your family's outhouse?

I have to admire you, how did your walk lead you here?

Absolutely correct

You...

Young Master Fan

Make sure you keep the promised fifty thousand taels for me.

I'll go back and get the money right now.

I'll return with it today.

What are you doing here?

What did you say yesterday?

This bastard... this...

This bastard

He bought treasury bonds

Goodbye...

Alright, it's nothing

Wan'er, wipe your hands

Brother, I feel like these numbers don't add up.

Maybe someone didn’t bring enough silver notes and went home to fetch more.

I did a rough calculation.

It’s way over twenty million taels.

The quantity is limited, and there’s a premium.

We sold out—all thanks to you.

The treasury bonds have all been distributed.

Why aren’t you happy?

In the end, they chose to buy treasury bonds

only because His Majesty invited me to admire the flowers.

His Majesty’s favor means boundless prospects.

By choosing to share the debt,

this way,

you’ll essentially become their backer.

Right.

It’s a kind of investment, after all.

But none of them truly understand

what the treasury debt really means

National fortune is tied to currency

This shows that the meaning of wealth

has far exceeded previous limitations

Brother

I've been thinking about what you said these past few days

You mentioned the relationship between Qing Kingdom and wealth

Isn't it more complicated than just national fortune?

There seems to be another connection

These merchants trust treasury bonds because the Emperor values you

so they choose to believe in treasury bonds

and believe in the Imperial Treasury's future

So what they value isn't just you

but the Emperor

They value the royal family's credit

- It's Qing Kingdom's credit - Exactly

Gold and silver are ultimately limited

while Qing Kingdom's credit is the foundation of currency

Right...

Not just Qing Kingdom

Northern Qi's credit also represents its wealth

So a nation's credit equals wealth

National credit...

is wealth

is the foundation of currency

Then what's missing between them?

Currency

Credit

Let's go out

Let him think about it here alone

Currency, wealth

Credit

Wealth

Currency

Credit

What's wrong with Sisi?

He's seen a new world.

This kid is truly a genius in commerce.

Both of you are.

It's different.

I have different memories.

In a way, it's like cheating.

If we switched places, at least in commerce,

I wouldn't have his insight.

In this regard, he's better than me.

That's a good thing.

Wan'er, I'm sorry.

- What's wrong? - We probably can't stay at Cang Mountain much longer.

Of course.

His Majesty is waiting for you to return for the Chrysanthemum Festival.

I've prepared for so long,

but in the end,

it's still up to his word.

That's the Emperor for you.

Since ancient times, he's been the center of the world.

After the flower viewing festival ends,

let's go to Jiangnan together.

Me too?

Back then, my mother founded three great workshops in Jiangnan.

To this day, they remain the foundation of the imperial treasury.

These are all traces she left in this world.

I think...

I should see them with you.

National credit is linked to currency

Balancing these two

requires an institution

But I've never seen such an institution

So what should this institution be called?

Find a musket and practice your aim

Your hands are steady, you've got potential

Protecting Fan Xian is a secret mission

You want me to protect my brother against a Grandmaster?

Not just resist

But to kill him

Killing a Grandmaster

Or perhaps killing me

How long are they going to stand there?

If you dare disturb them,

I’ll poison you.

Tell me,

Will Wu Yi appear today?

Whether he appears or not…

What kind of sparring is this?

You’re no match for him.

Winning or losing doesn’t matter.

You’re a martial artist—how can you not understand?

I’m not a martial artist.

Then what are you?

I’m his teacher.

So do you see him as a disciple,

or as a son?

It seems we won't be able to meet Lord Wu today

I'll return to the capital first

Be careful

If Wuzhu is truly the murderer

No one in this world would survive

Disciple or son

Isn't it the same?

What's wrong?

What did you see?

Nothing.

Good work.

What is this?

It's... it's nothing

I saw everything

You bought a musket?

Yeah

Is someone bullying you?

No

I'm just interested in it myself

That's good, just be careful when using it.

Where's Sisi?

He's been acting distracted lately.

He's here.

Brother, sister.

Coming...

- Time to go. - Indeed, everyone's waiting for you.

No, sis, what I meant was I should go to Northern Qi now.

"To Northern Qi"?

I've discussed it with brother, and mother has agreed too.

Have you figured out what the trade manager should do?

I've been thinking about it.

And it's becoming clearer.

I've been pondering your words these past few days.

Things like national credit and monetary foundations...

I feel that between these,

there must be a shop to regulate the balance.

If this shop were opened in Qing Kingdom,

we probably wouldn't even know how it failed.

It must be opened in Northern Qi.

Northern Qi has just lost a major war,

with industries waiting to be rebuilt—it's the perfect opportunity.

I can seize this opportunity.

This shop would be unprecedented.

I'm pioneering something unprecedented in history

At the very least, we'll make some money

But on a grander scale

The fate of the entire Northern Qi dynasty

rests in your little brother's hands

Have you thought of a name?

Yes... I'd like your opinions too

You see... rice shops are called 'rice houses'

cloth shops are 'fabric houses'

Ours deals with money

'Money House' would be too blunt

Too vulgar

Money is essentially silver, right?

Therefore

Let's call it 'Fan House'

Then why mention silver?

No... what I mean is...

Since we're making history

Our Fan family should leave our mark, shouldn't we?

Immortalized in history

We can reconsider the name

'Fan House' isn't good

How about 'Leisure House'?

'Or House'

'Track House'

Never mind... I'll think about it on the road

Brother, you know

I'm incredibly excited right now

It's like I've finally

discovered my purpose in life

This is what they call life's purpose

Yes, I've found my life's calling

Sir, it's the imperial guards.

This is the one who blocked me

Black Cavalry standing by

Ready to charge at any moment

Don't... these are the imperial guards

The Emperor's personal army

No need to worry

The Black Cavalry is the world's strongest army, they'll never lose

No...is this what I'm worried about?

That's Old Wang's intention

Assaulting the royal guards is a serious crime

The Dean's orders

The Cangshan mission follows the Commissioner's command

The Black Cavalry only obeys military orders

Someone's coming, someone's coming!

Isn't this person also an acquaintance?

Lord Fan

Long time no see

Commander Gong is on duty at the imperial palace

Why are you leaving the city today?

By His Majesty's decree

I'm leaving the palace on official business

Then I wish Commander Gong a smooth journey

What's the matter? Should we make way for you?

His Majesty's order

We request Young Master Fan to accompany us

You came looking for me right after I descended Cang Mountain

Your information network is quite efficient

I only know how to follow orders

The rest is beyond my understanding

So what's the plan? Shall Commander Gong lead the way while we follow?

No need for such a grand procession

Young Master Fan alone will suffice

They call it an imperial decree

Is there an edict?

This small?

An oral decree from His Majesty

Where we can save, we save

Our Emperor truly practices frugality

Lord Fan

Please

Master Fan

This is the royal family's traditional flower-viewing site

Built on a cliff, standing suspended in mid-air

This is the legendary

Hanging Temple

This is the earliest one in Qing Kingdom

It's said

to have been built by ascetics devoted to the Divine Temple

brick by brick, tile by tile

Though all temples in the world

are built to worship the legendary Divine Temple

only the true Divine Temple

stands apart from the rest

The power of the masses

is also remarkable

Young Master Fan still values more...

people

Of course

Otherwise how could it be called the mortal world?

The Chrysanthemum Appreciation Festival is in a few days

Our task

is to transport these upstairs

Then what's my purpose here?

His Majesty said

these pots

you must personally carry upstairs

Is there something special about these pots?

I don't know

I'm just following orders

Once every three years?

It has become a tradition.

If someone has ill intentions,

this is their chance.