Original subtitles

[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty III: To Chang'an]

[Episode 28]

Finally got it after waiting for so long.

Yes.

Their products are simply the best.

This place?

In my mentor Master Di's book,

he mentioned this Sifang Cane Shop.

[Sifang Cane Shop]

It's the only shop in the capital

that specializes in selling

all kinds of canes.

Let's go.

Young lady, what are you buying?

Oh, you've got company.

Sir, sorry to disturb your rest.

We'd like to buy a...

Fengli cane.

What cane?

A Fengli cane.

[Owner of Sifang Cane Shop Song Weng]

What is that?

Never heard of it.

Money is not an issue for us.

How many do you want?

You have many?

Those are rare treasures

that can summon whatever you point at.

I know.

How much for one?

100 coins.

Too expensive?

I can give you a discount if you buy more.

I can even lower the price for just one.

After all,

for a beautiful lady like you,

I should give special treatment.

Wait.

Are your Fengli canes genuine?

Of course they are.

Each one

has been used by a Fengli beast.

Just a moment.

If you want all of these,

you can have them for 500 coins.

Forget it. Let's go.

Stop!

Everything I said is true.

Let me ask you,

do you know quality when you see it?

Of course I do.

You do?

Then take a whiff.

What's wrong?

Seems you really do know your stuff.

Let me tell you,

these dozens of Fengli canes I have

are all genuine.

Each one

has been urinated on by a Fengli beast.

It really has the smell of Fengli fluid,

and it's quite strong.

So these are Fengli canes?

How did you get these Fengli canes?

That's easy.

Just have the Fengli beast

urinate on them and that's it.

So you own

Fengli beasts?

Of course I do.

How much for a Fengli beast?

You're from the county office.

These Fengli beasts are on the Court of the Imperial Treasury's

prohibited sales list.

You're testing me

to extort me.

Look at me,

do I look like someone from the county office?

I'm not.

I just want to buy a Fengli beast

to treat my elderly relative's head ailment.

Then just buy some Fengli fluid

for them.

I have some here.

Here, a whole jar of it.

How much do you want?

But think carefully before you decide.

This one's expensive,

10,000 coins per tael.

How much?

Your Fengli cane is so cheap.

Why is this one so expensive?

How can you compare them?

These few pieces of broken wood

are good for nothing.

All those talk

about killing beasts and evil with one point,

and summoning good things

with another point

are just lies.

What I have here

is truly something special.

What is rheumatism?

It's when your body goes numb

and becomes paralyzed.

After using this stuff,

you'll be able to walk swiftly again.

So, is 10,000 coins still expensive?

Is it?

It's so expensive, does anyone buy it?

Whether people buy it or not

is none of your business. Really.

Yongzhou Prefecture Office is on the case. Answer truthfully.

I just said

I wasn't from the county office.

I didn't say she wasn't.

Just answer his question truthfully.

Young lady, this is

really a century-old shop.

This shop was opened

when I was 80 years old.

This year marks exactly 100 years.

You're 180 years old?

I didn't come to hear your tall tales.

Tell me the truth.

What I mean is,

in the first few decades after opening,

someone did come and pay high prices

for the Fengli fluid.

Though my shop is in a remote location,

it was once crowded with customers.

I don't know who

came up with

a prescription for rheumatism.

How despicable of them

to cut off my livelihood.

So this jar

has been sealed for over a decade,

and no one has shown any interest.

That's why the urine scent

is so strong.

No, no!

I mean medicinal fragrance!

You're saying in the past decade or so,

you haven't sold it even once?

No, never sold it.

Look at all the dust on this jar.

This person is cunning.

It doesn't sound like the truth.

See?

The officer is suspicious of you.

Well, there's no choice then.

We'll have to take you to Yongzhou Prefecture's

Judicial Official

for questioning.

No, no!

These old bones of mine

can't handle such trouble.

I have it!

I've recorded every customer's purchase

in my ledger.

I'll bring it to you right away.

I'll...

I'll get it for you right away.

If you find any important clues,

don't forget to credit me.

Of course.

He escaped.

The situation below is unclear. We need to be careful.

We can't just

watch him get away.

Such an impatient temperament.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

I think he's over there.

What kind of place is this?

If that old man is really over 100 years old,

wouldn't he have fallen apart just now?

Chang'an is vast and encompasses everything.

It's normal to find extraordinary people

in the city.

According to my mentor's records,

the Sifang Cane Shop

has been open for more than 70 years.

The shopkeeper has long been over 100 years old.

From Master Di's records?

That must have been over a decade ago.

Could it be that

the shopkeeper is really some ancient demon?

Stop!

I'll kill you!

Run if you dare!

Go ahead, run!

Looking for someone?

I know all of Chang'an's

most skilled assassins.

I know the cheapest ones too.

Get lost.

Sir.

The House of Sorrow has a new top courtesan.

Let's go for a drink.

Young lady, are you here at the Ghost Market

to look for work?

The House of Sorrow is a good place.

Many officials and nobles have visited lately.

They're very generous,

and you have a chance to marry

into a good family this way.

Get lost.

This old man

escaped to the Ghost Market.

It'll be hard to find him now.

Why did he run away?

Should I not have

scared him with my sword?

He must have done something illegal

and is afraid of officials.

Perhaps

he really did sell Fengli beasts before.

Does he really have Fengli beasts?

Of course. If not,

where did he get those Fengli canes

and fluids?

Being able to uncover

the Wei family's merit-record pillar

must have been heaven's will.

It's also your ancestors' blessing.

That's why they were discovered.

Wei,

I'm late.

Lu,

Miss Pei.

Chancellor Cui.

Official Lu.

Since everyone is here,

let's take our seats.

Master Cui of Qinghe, please take the seat of honor.

You are a minister in the court,

you should sit in the place of honor.

We won't consider official ranks today.

You should have the seat of honor.

I'll just sit beside you.

Gentlemen,

let's offer this seat

to Official Lu.

This...

This isn't appropriate.

No need to decline.

As a member of the Lu family of Fanyang,

it's most fitting for you to sit there.

It's fitting.

Yes, it's fitting.

Fitting.

I'll respectfully comply.

Miss Pei came with Lu,

so she should sit next to him.

Everyone, please be seated.

Alright.

This way.

Please.

Please.

Please.

Today, Wei Tao of the capital is hosting a family banquet.

Everyone present, regardless of age

or gender,

is from a noble family.

Let me introduce everyone in turn.

-This... -Wei Tao.

Just have everyone introduce themselves.

As for me,

you may call me

Master Cui of Qinghe.

Lu Lingfeng of Fanyang.

Cui Shi of Boling.

Pei Xijun of Hedong.

Wang Dezhao of Taiyuan.

Zheng Ying of Xingyang.

Wang Boyu of Langya.

Li Shiyue of Zhaojun.

Yang Xuan of Hongnong.

Liu Gongda of Hedong.

Xiao Bang of Lanling.

Gao Tai of Bohai.

Everyone,

please enjoy.

Madam, they've started the banquet.

When should we invite the guests to view the merit-record pillar?

I'll go prepare now.

The merit-record pillar...

Jia, you look especially beautiful today.

Drink this tea.

You'll look more beautiful with each sip.

Have her drink the tea.

Make sure she finishes it all.

Understood.

Miss, please drink your tea.

The merit-record pillar...

Our Wei family's merit-record pillar

reach to the clouds!

[Wei family of Jingzhao, Wei Jia]

After several rounds of drinks,

I'd like to say a few words.

Today, you are our most honored guest.

We'd like to hear your insights.

In the Later Han Dynasty, the great scholars,

Yuan An of Runan,

and Yang Zhen of Hongnong

studied classics diligently when out of the office,

and feared no power when in court.

The prestigious families of Runan and Hongnong

thus became renowned throughout the land.

For four generations after,

they served as pillars of the state.

During the Three Kingdoms period,

the Wei, Shu, and Wu Kingdoms

had rulers from humble origins.

But the officials who held real power,

like Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang, and Lu Xun,

all hailed from prestigious families.

It was said that the Cui and Lu families were inseparable.

Lu Lingfeng, please continue.

Chen Qun of Yingchuan

established the

Nine-Rank Official System in Wei.

The Sima family of Henei

then unified the Three Kingdoms.

Official Lu, you're too kind.

Well, allow me.

During the Eastern Jin,

the Wang and Ma families shared power.

The Wang, Xie, Yuan, and Xiao families represented the South,

while the North had the Cui, Lu, Zheng, and Wang families.

Xie An achieved victory at Fei River,

and Cui Hao unified the North.

So many talents of that time

were the glory of our noble families.

But by the early Sui Dynasty,

they abolished the Nine-Rank Official System

and established the imperial examination.

Sons of noble families seeking official positions

had to take these examinations.

They left their hometowns,

causing their ancestral lands to fall into ruin.

With family members scattered

and genealogical records lost,

the glory was gone.

Therefore,

today's banquet is of great significance.

We view the Wei family's merit-record pillar

to remind us of our ancestors' glory,

and remind future generations

not to sink into decline.

Well said!

The dynasty of the Li family from Longxi

was fortunate to have you

as their chancellor.

Master Cui, you're too kind.

Master Cui,

best not let those words spread.

Sheriff Wei,

can we see your family's newly unearthed

merit-record pillar now?

Of course.

Servants,

send for my wife.

Then I invite Master Cui, Chancellor Cui,

and Brother Lu

to unveil the merit-record pillars.

No.

The family treasure of the Wei family of Jingzhao

should be unveiled by you, Wei Tao.

Very well.

Then I invite my wife to join me.

Look!

This is the glory of the Wei family!

The Wei and Du families from the South have been close for generations.

Sheriff Wei, I heard your wife

is from the Du family of Jingzhao.

Thank you all for honoring us with your presence

[Wei Tao's wife, Ju Niang]

to witness

our Wei family treasure together.

This is also the honor

of the Wei family of Jingzhao.

My husband and I thank you all.

To have a merit-record pillar unearthed

is truly fortunate!

Is this a merit-record pillar from the Wei-Jin period?

It's at least a relic from the Northern Dynasties.

Miss Pei has a discerning eye.

It is indeed from the Northern Dynasties.

Wonderful!

It's just a pity

that the character 'Wei' is missing.

Have you gone to the excavation site

to search thoroughly

and dig around?

We haven't found it yet.

But I believe

what belongs to the Wei family will eventually return.

Well said.

County Sheriff Wei, I've heard your wife is virtuous

and very knowledgeable.

Why not invite her

to read what's written on this merit-record pillar

for all of us to hear?

Chancellor Cui,

I dare not follow your command.

This pillar is the Wei family's treasure.

The inscription should be read by my husband

to all of you gentlemen.

Truly a lady from a noble family

with sound mannerisms and reasoning.

Wei Tao.

The Wei family of ministers

was the most prominent clan of the three regions.

Our ancestor, Wei Meng,

lived for generations in Qi and Lu.

He studied Zhou rituals and the Book of Documents,

and passed down Lu's poetry.

Our family's scholarly tradition

was renowned throughout the land.

When Wei Xian became chancellor,

he assisted Emperors Zhao and Xuan

and was granted the title of Marquis of Fuyang.

Later, he moved to Chang'an.

The family nurtured generations of high officials and marquises

in the Han and Wei-Jin period, producing many notable figures.

During the Southern and Northern Dynasties,

in the South there was Wei Rui,

and in the North there was Wei Xiaokuan.

They were both pillars of the state.

From the west of Xiao Mountain

to the lands within Hangu Pass,

it was the most prominent clan, nurturing ministers for generations.

Among noble families,

none surpassed the Wei clan.

Excellent!

Let us drink three cups

to honor the Wei ancestors.

Excellent!

Let's drink heartily!

My wife,

join me in paying respects to our guests.

Servants!

Bring wine!

Wei.

Congratulations, Wei.

Thank you.

You are the daughter of Vice Minister Pei,

Xijun, aren't you?

Before I was married,

during spring outings by the Qu River,

we played polo together.

I remember now.

I was still young then.

Juniang,

you were outstanding on the polo field.

It's wonderful to meet again.

Let's visit each other often.

Certainly.

-Come on. -Please.

Please.

The merit-record pillars

placed at the family gate

record the merits of ancestors.

The left pillar is called "Fa,"

and the right pillar is called "Yue."

Therefore, "Fayue" is often used

to refer to noble families.

I was born into the Wei family of Jingzhao.

I am a lady from a noble family.

I cannot marry a merchant.

I cannot marry a merchant.

I shouldn’t marry a businessman!

Sister-in-law.

Jia...

I shouldn’t marry a businessman.

-I shouldn’t marry a businessman. -I’m sorry. My sister is still sick.

Please forgive us.

Servants, take her back.

No!

The merit-record pillar is here.

I've disgraced the Wei family.

I've disgraced the Wei family!

I should kill myself!

Such madness.

Take her back immediately!

I am from the Wei family of Jingzhao.

I am a woman of noble birth.

-I shouldn’t marry a businessman. -Jia!

Sister-in-law, I was wrong.

Official Lu.

Let me toast you specially.

Chancellor Cui, I should be the one toasting you.

It's all the same.

The wind is gentle and the moon is bright today.

Join me for a walk in the courtyard.

Alright.

Official Lu, how was the banquet?

I'm glad

to have attended the banquet tonight.

I feel the same way.

Wei Tao's sudden invitation

was my suggestion.

Surprised?

It is somewhat unexpected.

The Wei family's discovery of their merit-record pillar

is not just the Wei family's affair.

It's also a grand event for Chang'an,

and moreover,

a celebration for all noble families of the Tang Empire.

However,

families like Wei and Du,

compared to our Cui and Lu families,

still fall short.

You know this

very well.

People say Cui and Lu

are the most prestigious families of our time.

Cui and Lu.

Where there's Lu, there's Cui,

and vice versa.

I've had a few drinks today,

and I have some heartfelt words.

Would you like to hear them?

Please speak freely, Chancellor Cui.

Miss!

Let go of me! I won't!

Xijun, I've troubled you.

Not at all.

I met Miss Wei

when I was young, too.

Yes.

She was there that spring day by the Qu River.

What illness does she have now?

It's what common people call madness.

Have you consulted a doctor?

Of course we have.

We even got medicine prescribed.

But it barely helps.

She can't handle any shock.

Strong emotions of any kind affect her.

I have a friend.

He's a disciple of the Medicine King, Sun Simiao.

Back in Luoyang,

he cured the princess of the human-faced flower poison.

If you trust me,

I can invite him another day

to treat Miss Wei Jia.

That would be wonderful.

On behalf of my sister,

I thank you in advance, Xijun.

You're too kind.

In today's Chang'an,

there's talk of Su and Lu.

Do you know about it?

That person is very cunning.

He always uses the empire

and Di Renjie as a front to control you,

all to achieve his personal gain.

You must be careful.

Chancellor Cui, you may have some

misunderstandings about Su Wuming.

He always gives people

the impression of being indifferent to fame and fortune.

But in reality,

his heart is full of hypocrisy.

He's not the same kind of person as our families,

who are educated in classics.

You and I

are elite nobles.

We must be true to our inner ideals.

In my eyes,

the emperor is not important.

You should know

that the current emperor

was once my neighbor.

If I had wanted,

when the emperor ascended the throne,

I could have become a new noble.

I didn't do that.

Because

I am not the villain people say I am,

nor have I attached myself to the princess

to gain power for myself.

My ideal is to be like Cui Hao,

the great minister of Northern Wei,

and establish

a court where scholarship

and nobility are united.

Of course,

he ultimately failed.

But I'm still striving for it.

Once successful,

His Majesty will merely be a figurehead.

While the affairs of state

will be managed by us nobles.

Just like in the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

By then,

the talented men from our Cui, Lu, Zheng, and Wang families

can take turns governing.

Our families

have held high positions for centuries.

We certainly know better than His Majesty

how to govern the country

and bring peace to the people.

Scholarship

and nobility united in one court.

That's right.

What makes nobility precious?

First,

it's the unbroken tradition of family learning.

Just like our families.

It brings me comfort

that you came to the banquet today.

Since the Proscription of the Partisan Families in Eastern Han,

for these 500 years,

the fate of all noble families

has been tied together.

We should have been of one mind long ago.

Don't you agree?

What I've told you tonight

are all words from the bottom of my heart.

In my heart,

Cui and Lu outweigh everything else,

including the Tang Emperor,

and even the princess I've always followed,

who holds great power.

Dynasties may change,

but those enjoying good reputations

are not them.

It's we who will never fall

on the imperial path.

Isn't that so?

Many of your words

are greatly agreeable wth me.

However,

why are you telling me all this?

You should know His Majesty's character.

He's wary of people like us.

What he wants

is to hold absolute power

and cast us nobles aside.

But if the princess replaces him,

she might delegate power to us.

Moreover,

the princess is your birth mother.

Whether from filial duty

or from the perspective

of noble families' ideals,

you should make a choice.

As for which side to stand with,

you should know in your heart.

A mere Judicial Official title

is too humble for the Lu family of Fanyang.

To become a general or chancellor

and govern the nation on behalf of His Majesty,

that is your future, Lu Lingfeng.

The master of this house, Wei Tao,

though now only a county sheriff,

comes from a noble background.

In the future,

he will be someone we can use.

[Wei Mansion]

Wei, are you all right?

I'm fine.

Sorry, I drank too much today.

Lu, Miss Pei.

It's my honor to have you both

visit my humble home.

I'm truly grateful.

You're too kind, Wei.

It's an honor to view

the Wei family's merit-record pillar

and recall the glory of the noble families.

Farewell.

Farewell.

Farewell.

Dragging me out in the middle of the night...

I'm Boss Fei now,

and the Chicken Master of Tang.

How can we come to the Ghost Market,

such a dark place?

Stop rambling.

According to my mentor Master Di's book,

that old shop owner

is surnamed Song.

He claims to be 180 years old.

I don't believe it.

But if that shop has been open for 100 years,

then he must be at least 120.

And that cane shop is connected to the Ghost Market

via a secret passage.

You've been around the Ghost Market for decades,

haven't you heard about it?

Actually, no.

But there are a few old monsters

who are over 100 years old.

They mostly hang around the Earth God Temple.

The Ghost Market has an Earth God Temple?

Sure enough, bringing Mr. Fei along

will show us where to look.

Of course.

Wait, that's not right.

In the Ghost Market,

at this hour and this location,

it should be bustling with life.

I'll go ask around.

Wait here,

and don't mess around.

Especially you.

Even if you're a secret agent of Yongzhou Prefecture,

you can't just draw your sword

whenever you want.

Yes, I'll listen to you, Mr. Fei.

I must catch that shop owner.

He got away

right under my nose.

It really infuriates me.

You're still too young.

Such a temper.

Good to be young.

The Ghost Market nowadays

is full of strange happenings.

What's wrong?

The Ghost Market now even has

a Zoroastrian temple.

A Zoroastrian temple?

See?

It's stealing all the attention

from the Earth God Temple.

I heard that in recent days,

it's been very lively over there.

Why don't I

take you there to check it out?

Sounds good.

Let's go.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

Why are you elbow-locking me again?

Just behave.

Where to? It's here.

I only found these two.

Maybe

you shouldn't go, Yingtao.

Not bad, Fei.

Of course.

This Ghost Market is

my kingdom, Fei Yingjun's domain!

Mr. Fei, you're so capable,

why don't you help me

find the shop owner?

You think I can't find him?

Go on in.

This reverse psychology on Fei

really works.

Let's go.

What's wrong?

Why are you so sad?

My father has been missing for days.

No sign of him, dead or alive.

How can I not be sad?

What about you?

I... I'm here looking for my brother.

Where does your brother do business?

In the West Market. He sells spices.

Is your father also a merchant?

Father owns the largest

fabric business in the East Market.

I've already prayed to the Zoroastrian god

at the Buzheng District for protection.

But it seems completely useless,

so I came to the Ghost Market

to seek divine protection again.

Shi Qiansui.

Who's there?

Su Wuming pays his respects to the High Priest.

Su Wuming?

Didn't we just meet today

at the Buzheng District?

Did you

forget about me already?

You followed me?

Not at all.

It's just a coincidence.

High Priest, you truly deserve your title as

the leader of the An Society.

Not only are you the biggest spice merchant

in both East and West Markets,

you also receive a salary from the court,

and you even managed to build

a Xian temple here in the Ghost Market to collect money.

You're truly impressive.

I didn't build this temple.

The merchants of the Ghost Market

built it on their own initiative.

I came today

not to collect money,

but to pray sincerely.

They say in the Ghost Market,

one can get closer to the spirits of the dead.

And all these proceeds

will be donated to the An Society

to take care of the funeral arrangements

for those merchants who died tragically.

So you're saying,

besides Hua Fu, Ma Kui,

and He Qian,

other merchants have died too?

Here, take a look for yourself.

[Qin Zhiyuan, Jewelry Merchant] [Zhao Shisi, Silk Merchant]

There are actually 6 people?

Yes.

They all disappeared within the last 10 days.

The High Priest's Office compiled this list.

Besides their names,

it also shows their occupations,

approximate time of disappearance,

and the district they were

last seen in.

Why didn't you mention this

at the Buzheng District today?

That guy from the Lu family of Fanyang,

I don't trust him.

What's wrong with him?

At the end of the day, those nobles

despise us merchants.

Where has Mr. Fei

gone?

The Ghost Market is so big.

Where should we look?

Did you bring the map of Chang'an districts?

Yes, I did.

What would you two like to eat?

Just borrowing your lamp.

Xingdao, Anren, Anyi.

Shanhe, Da'an, Chonghua.

Hua Fu died in Fengle District.

[Fengle District]

Ma Kui died in Jinggong District.

[Jinggong District]

He Qian died in Yanzuo District.

[Yanzuo District]

[Imperial City] [Fengle District] [Jinggong District] [Yanzuo District] [Tongji District]

[West Market] [Yanping Gate]

[East Market] [Yanxing Gate]

[Imperial City] [Mingde Gate]

[Anbei Gate] [Mingde Gate] [Qixia Gate]

[Tongji District]

[Imperial City]

[Noble]

Yingtao, Tongji District, now.

I've already sent Liu, Jia, and Luo

to search for bodies in the other districts on the map.

Su Wuming.

You've become quite impressive.

Chang'an is so vast,

yet you somehow know where murders have occurred.

We've been running for hours.

Say something, will you?

I'm getting bored.

It's past curfew. Who goes there in the night?

We're from the Yongzhou Prefecture Office.

Tonight's password,

Chentaoxie.

Xiangji Temple.

So it's Mr. Su.

You know me?

During the Black Tea case investigation,

I was a minor soldier under the General.

I had the honor to participate,

and now I'm a captain.

So you're an old acquaintance.

You should continue your patrol.

I need to continue my investigation.

So you're investigating another case.

Do you need assistance?

No, no need.

Farewell.

Su Wuming.

Horses.

Right, I completely forgot about that.

Could I borrow two horses?