Original subtitles

[Strange Chronicles of Tang]

[Episode 16]

[Just and Selfless]

I remember now.

Back then, the Crimson Pact was scattered among civilians,

but in Chang'an,

there was indeed a contact point.

Although I've never been there,

I believe

it was located where the Relief-from-Woes Shop is.

Mr. Fei,

you're just a doctor.

You have no connection to the Crimson Pact.

You shouldn't know so much.

Yes, yes.

[Just and Selfless]

Right, right.

From beginning to end,

Ruiqiu was never involved in

the evil deeds of the Relief-from-Woes Shop.

She was just

an unfortunate woman.

Xijun.

Did you tell her

that I intended to release her?

She doesn't want to leave.

I dance the Rain Master's Dance

to find relief from my woes.

But now...

they're all dead.

My woes can no longer be relieved.

I have no desire to dance on stage anymore.

If even this prison cannot hold me,

then death is my only path.

Perhaps

Ruiqiu will never

forget all of this.

But maybe she can get back on her feet

and return to Xiuzhen District as the Madam Master of Rain.

For now, though,

it's better to let her

stay in Yongzhou Prison.

[Fair Winds and Gentle Rains]

Without the Master of Rain,

Xiuzhen District isn't a big deal.

After all, other districts have Masters of Rain.

When it rains,

surely some drops must fall

in Xiuzhen District, too.

It's just that

no one will be here

to lead our dances anymore.

How will we find Relief-from-Woes now?

Exactly!

I haven't danced for so long

and my whole body aches.

I can't feel happy, even for a moment.

Though the dancing was good,

it was far inferior to Ruiqiu's.

Magistrate Xin, your words

sound rather resentful.

This is my last complaint.

I'm still a magistrate,

but I've been demoted

to the most remote county in Bashu.

As you can see,

I'm about to depart.

Xin, are you going alone...

without any attendants?

Do you think I'm a corrupt official?

I have no money,

and I'm going to such a remote place,

who would want to follow me?

However,

having served as an official in Chang'an

has made my life worthwhile.

The essence of being an official

is to serve the people.

Though I haven't done well,

I've tried my best.

The anxieties I once harbored

have vanished with today's demotion—

all gone like smoke.

My two friends,

I bid you farewell.

Xin, with what you said,

you have earned my newfound respect.

The journey to Bashu is long and arduous.

Xin,

safe travels.

Safe travels.

[Fair Winds and Gentle Rains]

[Poets' Contest in a Tavern]

[Relief-from-Woes Shop]

[To Tianchi]

[Life Borrower]

[Celestial Polo]

[The Liugong Song]

[Selling Myself for My Father's Burial]

[Selling Myself for My Father's Burial]

[Selling Myself for My Father's Burial]

Who helped you write these characters?

[Selling Myself for My Father's Burial]

I wrote it myself.

[Wannian County Assistant Magistrate, Su Wuming]

At such a young age,

you can write such beautiful characters.

What's the use of knowing how to write?

A good coffin costs nearly 1,000 coins.

I don't have that.

[Selling Myself for My Father's Burial]

Sir,

please buy me

to be your servant.

I don't need any servants,

but our Tang Empire

needs more scholars.

Take this money.

It's enough to buy a coffin.

After your father's burial,

use what remains for your education.

It seems the people

need more than just food and clothing.

They need some savings

to handle unexpected events.

Study hard in the future

and earn your scholarly honors.

May you help our Tang Empire

achieve true prosperity.

Benefactor, please tell me your name.

Wuming.

Please, benefactor, do tell me your name.

My name really is Wuming.

Go take care of your important matters now.

[Yiwei Eatery]

Official Lu is busy with official duties today,

so I'll treat you on his behalf.

This is a popular summer delicacy

in Chang'an,

called Scholar Tree Leaf Cold Noodles.

Try it.

It's delicious!

These noodles are made with Scholar Tree leaf juice,

cooked and then rinsed in cold water,

topped with vegetables and meat sauce.

Thank you, Su,

for introducing me to this Chang'an delicacy.

Ma,

congratulations on your promotion to Deputy Director of the Palace Secretariat,

[Hanzhou Judicial Advisor, Ma Meng]

managing the Emperor's carriages and attire,

[Deputy Director of the Palace Secretariat, Ma Meng]

overseeing the Imperial Wardrobe, Imperial Kitchen, Imperial Pharmacy,

and three other departments.

This is truly wonderful news!

I had hoped

that coming to the capital would allow me to learn from you and Lu

about the art

of solving crimes and catching criminals.

I never expected

to end up managing miscellaneous palace affairs.

This shows the Emperor's trust in you.

Being specially promoted from eighth rank to fourth rank

is something many people would dream of.

To be honest,

when our current Emperor

was serving as the Deputy Governor of Luzhou,

I was the Judicial Officer

under his command.

When we were in Hanzhou,

you never mentioned this.

We only crossed paths for a few months.

I thought His Majesty

had long forgotten me.

Our Emperor

values old relationships.

This time,

he must have recognized your talents.

Your career path

is looking infinitely bright.

But I only want

to be a Constable.

By the way,

I heard that recently

the man known as the World's Best Coroner,

Geng Wushang,

died from strychnine poisoning.

What happened?

Can you tell me about it?

Strychnine—how is it used as a medicine,

and what can make it a poison?

I'm very curious.

Gentlemen.

You two clearly look wealthy.

Our restaurant's Gulou Pastry

is the most famous in Chang'an.

Shall I serve one to you both?

What is a Gulou Pastry?

It's a delicacy from the west.

A large stuffed flatbread

with layers of lamb filling

spread evenly inside the bread,

sprinkled with pepper and fermented beans between layers,

topped with sesame seeds,

brushed with ghee,

and then baked.

I see you're an expert.

Su,

I must apologize.

While in Hanzhou Prefecture,

I didn't treat you to this delicacy.

No matter.

It's not too late to try it in Chang'an.

Our shop

makes only 10 Gulou Pastries daily,

all reserved for officials and nobles.

But today one customer didn't show up,

so we have one left.

Shall I bring it for you both?

Hold on.

Let me ask first.

How much is one?

I'll give you a discount.

90 coins for one.

90 coins...

Ma,

perhaps we should come back another time.

Too expensive for you?

Lamb prices have gone up again.

One Gulou Pastry

requires over half a kilo of lamb.

The ghee and pepper

are not cheap either.

It's not about the price.

I'm just short on funds today.

Why invite guests if you can't afford it?

Come back!

That leftover Gulou Pastry of yours,

we don't want it.

Tomorrow,

make 10 fresh ones for me.

Extra pepper,

extra lamb.

Tomorrow?

What time will you come?

I'll prepare them in advance.

After they're ready,

deliver them directly to Wannian County Office.

I'm treating it to County Sheriff Su here.

County Sheriff?

I apologize for my rudeness earlier.

Ma,

please put your money away.

No need to get upset with him.

No,

I must order 10 Gulou Pastries.

I insist on treating you.

After all,

I've been consulting you.

Consider it my thanks.

But I can't eat that many.

Five of them, then.

You can share with your colleagues.

The other five,

deliver to Yongzhou Prefecture Office.

It'll be my treat to

Judicial Officer Lu Lingfeng.

These are all big shots.

Noted.

Su.

Strychnine.

You must be hungry.

Are you asking me?

Yes.

But I don't know you.

As long as I know you.

You can

have this.

It's the aroma of lamb,

and the fragrance of cheese.

Could it be Gulou Pastry?

You really know your food.

Take it.

It really is Gulou Pastry.

The victim was a beggar.

No one knows his name.

He died in a terrible way.

His body and limbs were put together,

bent into a bow shape.

It looks like he was poisoned by strychnine.

I've sent someone to get Coroner Su Chan

to examine the body.

What is this?

It smells delicious.

It's similar to the Gulou Pastry we had the other day.

You know what,

it really smells like it.

Mr. Su,

it's the delicacy

your friend had specially delivered

that day.