1
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[Strange Chronicles of Tang]

2
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[Episode 16]

3
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[Just and Selfless]

4
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I remember now.

5
00:00:56,610 --> 00:00:58,940
Back then, the Crimson Pact
was scattered among civilians,

6
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but in Chang'an,

7
00:01:00,060 --> 00:01:01,920
there was indeed a contact point.

8
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Although I've never been there,

9
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I believe

10
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it was located
where the Relief-from-Woes Shop is.

11
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Mr. Fei,

12
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you're just a doctor.

13
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You have no connection
to the Crimson Pact.

14
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You shouldn't know so much.

15
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Yes, yes.

16
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[Just and Selfless]

17
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Right, right.

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From beginning to end,

19
00:01:28,570 --> 00:01:29,670
Ruiqiu was never involved in

20
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the evil deeds
of the Relief-from-Woes Shop.

21
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She was just

22
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an unfortunate woman.

23
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Xijun.

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Did you tell her

25
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that I intended to release her?

26
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She doesn't want to leave.

27
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I dance the Rain Master's Dance

28
00:01:47,620 --> 00:01:49,150
to find relief from my woes.

29
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But now...

30
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they're all dead.

31
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My woes can no longer be relieved.

32
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I have no desire
to dance on stage anymore.

33
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If even this prison cannot hold me,

34
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then death is my only path.

35
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Perhaps

36
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Ruiqiu will never

37
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forget all of this.

38
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But maybe she can get back on her feet

39
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and return to Xiuzhen District
as the Madam Master of Rain.

40
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For now, though,

41
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it's better to let her

42
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stay in Yongzhou Prison.

43
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[Fair Winds and Gentle Rains]

44
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Without the Master of Rain,

45
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Xiuzhen District isn't a big deal.

46
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After all,
other districts have Masters of Rain.

47
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When it rains,

48
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surely some drops must fall

49
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in Xiuzhen District, too.

50
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It's just that

51
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no one will be here

52
00:02:44,740 --> 00:02:46,020
to lead our dances anymore.

53
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How will we find Relief-from-Woes now?

54
00:02:47,540 --> 00:02:48,420
Exactly!

55
00:02:48,550 --> 00:02:49,910
I haven't danced for so long

56
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and my whole body aches.

57
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I can't feel happy, even for a moment.

58
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Though the dancing was good,

59
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it was far inferior to Ruiqiu's.

60
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Magistrate Xin, your words

61
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sound rather resentful.

62
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This is my last complaint.

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I'm still a magistrate,

64
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but I've been demoted

65
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to the most remote county in Bashu.

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As you can see,

67
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I'm about to depart.

68
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Xin, are you going alone...

69
00:04:17,649 --> 00:04:19,480
without any attendants?

70
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Do you think I'm a corrupt official?

71
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I have no money,

72
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and I'm going to such a remote place,

73
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who would want to follow me?

74
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However,

75
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having served as an official in Chang'an

76
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has made my life worthwhile.

77
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The essence of being an official

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is to serve the people.

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Though I haven't done well,

80
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I've tried my best.

81
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The anxieties I once harbored

82
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have vanished with today's demotion—

83
00:04:50,350 --> 00:04:52,220
all gone like smoke.

84
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My two friends,

85
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I bid you farewell.

86
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Xin, with what you said,

87
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you have earned my newfound respect.

88
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The journey to Bashu is long and arduous.

89
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Xin,

90
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safe travels.

91
00:05:08,270 --> 00:05:10,100
Safe travels.

92
00:05:16,860 --> 00:05:26,030
[Fair Winds and Gentle Rains]

93
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[Poets' Contest in a Tavern]

94
00:06:42,180 --> 00:06:42,770
[Relief-from-Woes Shop]

95
00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:44,250
[To Tianchi]

96
00:06:44,280 --> 00:06:45,640
[Life Borrower]

97
00:06:45,670 --> 00:06:48,200
[Celestial Polo]

98
00:06:48,230 --> 00:06:50,470
[The Liugong Song]

99
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[Selling Myself for My Father's Burial]

100
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[Selling Myself for My Father's Burial]

101
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[Selling Myself for My Father's Burial]

102
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Who helped you write these characters?

103
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[Selling Myself for My Father's Burial]

104
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I wrote it myself.

105
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[Wannian County Assistant Magistrate,
Su Wuming]

106
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At such a young age,

107
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you can write such beautiful characters.

108
00:07:26,460 --> 00:07:28,590
What's the use of knowing how to write?

109
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A good coffin costs nearly 1,000 coins.

110
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I don't have that.

111
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[Selling Myself for My Father's Burial]

112
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Sir,

113
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please buy me

114
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to be your servant.

115
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I don't need any servants,

116
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but our Tang Empire

117
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needs more scholars.

118
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Take this money.

119
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It's enough to buy a coffin.

120
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After your father's burial,

121
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use what remains for your education.

122
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It seems the people

123
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need more than just food and clothing.

124
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They need some savings

125
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to handle unexpected events.

126
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Study hard in the future

127
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and earn your scholarly honors.

128
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May you help our Tang Empire

129
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achieve true prosperity.

130
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Benefactor, please tell me your name.

131
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Wuming.

132
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Please, benefactor, do tell me your name.

133
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My name really is Wuming.

134
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Go take care
of your important matters now.

135
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[Yiwei Eatery]

136
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Official Lu is busy
with official duties today,

137
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so I'll treat you on his behalf.

138
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This is a popular summer delicacy

139
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in Chang'an,

140
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called Scholar Tree Leaf Cold Noodles.

141
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Try it.

142
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It's delicious!

143
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These noodles are made
with Scholar Tree leaf juice,

144
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cooked and then rinsed in cold water,

145
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topped with vegetables and meat sauce.

146
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Thank you, Su,

147
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for introducing me to this Chang'an delicacy.

148
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Ma,

149
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congratulations on your promotion to
Deputy Director of the Palace Secretariat,

150
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[Hanzhou Judicial Advisor,
Ma Meng]

151
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managing the Emperor's carriages
and attire,

152
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[Deputy Director of
the Palace Secretariat, Ma Meng]

153
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overseeing the Imperial Wardrobe,
Imperial Kitchen, Imperial Pharmacy,

154
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and three other departments.

155
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This is truly wonderful news!

156
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I had hoped

157
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that coming to the capital would allow me
to learn from you and Lu

158
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about the art

159
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of solving crimes and catching criminals.

160
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I never expected

161
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to end up managing
miscellaneous palace affairs.

162
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This shows the Emperor's trust in you.

163
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Being specially promoted from
eighth rank to fourth rank

164
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is something many people would dream of.

165
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To be honest,

166
00:09:46,870 --> 00:09:48,620
when our current Emperor

167
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was serving
as the Deputy Governor of Luzhou,

168
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I was the Judicial Officer

169
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under his command.

170
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When we were in Hanzhou,

171
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you never mentioned this.

172
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We only crossed paths for a few months.

173
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I thought His Majesty

174
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had long forgotten me.

175
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Our Emperor

176
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values old relationships.

177
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This time,

178
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he must have recognized your talents.

179
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Your career path

180
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is looking infinitely bright.

181
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But I only want

182
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to be a Constable.

183
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By the way,

184
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I heard that recently

185
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the man known as the World's Best Coroner,

186
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Geng Wushang,

187
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died from strychnine poisoning.

188
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What happened?

189
00:10:27,660 --> 00:10:28,990
Can you tell me about it?

190
00:10:29,030 --> 00:10:31,030
Strychnine—how is it used
as a medicine,

191
00:10:31,030 --> 00:10:32,630
and what can make it a poison?

192
00:10:32,780 --> 00:10:34,630
I'm very curious.

193
00:10:38,910 --> 00:10:39,570
Gentlemen.

194
00:10:39,670 --> 00:10:41,330
You two clearly look wealthy.

195
00:10:41,470 --> 00:10:43,150
Our restaurant's Gulou Pastry

196
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is the most famous in Chang'an.

197
00:10:44,900 --> 00:10:46,500
Shall I serve one to you both?

198
00:10:47,420 --> 00:10:48,820
What is a Gulou Pastry?

199
00:10:49,170 --> 00:10:50,830
It's a delicacy from the west.

200
00:10:50,990 --> 00:10:52,530
A large stuffed flatbread

201
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with layers of lamb filling

202
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spread evenly inside the bread,

203
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sprinkled with pepper
and fermented beans between layers,

204
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topped with sesame seeds,

205
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brushed with ghee,

206
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and then baked.

207
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I see you're an expert.

208
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Su,

209
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I must apologize.

210
00:11:09,230 --> 00:11:10,110
While in Hanzhou Prefecture,

211
00:11:10,110 --> 00:11:12,110
I didn't treat you to this delicacy.

212
00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:13,840
No matter.

213
00:11:14,630 --> 00:11:16,670
It's not too late to try it in Chang'an.

214
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Our shop

215
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makes only 10 Gulou Pastries daily,

216
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all reserved for officials and nobles.

217
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But today one customer didn't show up,

218
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so we have one left.

219
00:11:25,660 --> 00:11:27,030
Shall I bring it for you both?

220
00:11:27,030 --> 00:11:27,660
Hold on.

221
00:11:27,990 --> 00:11:28,920
Let me ask first.

222
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How much is one?

223
00:11:31,870 --> 00:11:33,270
I'll give you a discount.

224
00:11:33,510 --> 00:11:34,780
90 coins for one.

225
00:11:35,820 --> 00:11:36,940
90 coins...

226
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Ma,

227
00:11:38,820 --> 00:11:41,250
perhaps we should come back another time.

228
00:11:41,540 --> 00:11:42,800
Too expensive for you?

229
00:11:42,990 --> 00:11:44,510
Lamb prices have gone up again.

230
00:11:44,510 --> 00:11:45,630
One Gulou Pastry

231
00:11:45,990 --> 00:11:47,850
requires over half a kilo of lamb.

232
00:11:47,900 --> 00:11:49,480
The ghee and pepper

233
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are not cheap either.

234
00:11:51,470 --> 00:11:52,900
It's not about the price.

235
00:11:53,350 --> 00:11:56,820
I'm just short on funds today.

236
00:11:57,900 --> 00:12:00,060
Why invite guests if you can't afford it?

237
00:12:00,060 --> 00:12:00,660
Come back!

238
00:12:02,700 --> 00:12:05,150
That leftover Gulou Pastry of yours,

239
00:12:05,540 --> 00:12:06,470
we don't want it.

240
00:12:07,110 --> 00:12:07,710
Tomorrow,

241
00:12:08,300 --> 00:12:09,700
make 10 fresh ones for me.

242
00:12:09,750 --> 00:12:10,820
Extra pepper,

243
00:12:10,940 --> 00:12:11,870
extra lamb.

244
00:12:14,150 --> 00:12:14,870
Tomorrow?

245
00:12:15,230 --> 00:12:16,420
What time will you come?

246
00:12:16,420 --> 00:12:17,940
I'll prepare them in advance.

247
00:12:17,940 --> 00:12:19,140
After they're ready,

248
00:12:19,230 --> 00:12:21,420
deliver them directly
to Wannian County Office.

249
00:12:21,420 --> 00:12:24,010
I'm treating it to
County Sheriff Su here.

250
00:12:24,270 --> 00:12:25,270
County Sheriff?

251
00:12:26,300 --> 00:12:28,870
I apologize for my rudeness earlier.

252
00:12:29,700 --> 00:12:30,270
Ma,

253
00:12:30,540 --> 00:12:32,070
please put your money away.

254
00:12:32,140 --> 00:12:33,740
No need to get upset with him.

255
00:12:34,180 --> 00:12:34,700
No,

256
00:12:34,820 --> 00:12:35,820
I must order 10 Gulou Pastries.

257
00:12:35,820 --> 00:12:37,220
I insist on treating you.

258
00:12:37,390 --> 00:12:37,990
After all,

259
00:12:38,180 --> 00:12:39,640
I've been consulting you.

260
00:12:39,820 --> 00:12:41,390
Consider it my thanks.

261
00:12:41,580 --> 00:12:43,180
But I can't eat that many.

262
00:12:43,780 --> 00:12:44,840
Five of them, then.

263
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You can share with your colleagues.

264
00:12:48,900 --> 00:12:49,760
The other five,

265
00:12:50,420 --> 00:12:52,110
deliver to Yongzhou Prefecture Office.

266
00:12:52,110 --> 00:12:53,500
It'll be my treat to

267
00:12:53,700 --> 00:12:55,430
Judicial Officer Lu Lingfeng.

268
00:12:55,870 --> 00:12:57,660
These are all big shots.

269
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Noted.

270
00:13:02,230 --> 00:13:02,750
Su.

271
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Strychnine.

272
00:13:25,270 --> 00:13:26,330
You must be hungry.

273
00:13:27,630 --> 00:13:28,840
Are you asking me?

274
00:13:28,940 --> 00:13:29,420
Yes.

275
00:13:30,100 --> 00:13:31,560
But I don't know you.

276
00:13:31,780 --> 00:13:33,060
As long as I know you.

277
00:13:33,990 --> 00:13:34,540
You can

278
00:13:35,350 --> 00:13:36,270
have this.

279
00:13:38,990 --> 00:13:40,490
It's the aroma of lamb,

280
00:13:41,230 --> 00:13:43,020
and the fragrance of cheese.

281
00:13:45,060 --> 00:13:46,580
Could it be Gulou Pastry?

282
00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:48,630
You really know your food.

283
00:13:49,180 --> 00:13:49,920
Take it.

284
00:13:54,110 --> 00:13:55,570
It really is Gulou Pastry.

285
00:14:03,990 --> 00:14:05,030
The victim was a beggar.

286
00:14:05,030 --> 00:14:05,990
No one knows his name.

287
00:14:05,990 --> 00:14:07,110
He died in a terrible way.

288
00:14:07,110 --> 00:14:08,230
His body and limbs were put together,

289
00:14:08,230 --> 00:14:09,390
bent into a bow shape.

290
00:14:09,390 --> 00:14:11,150
It looks like he was poisoned
by strychnine.

291
00:14:11,150 --> 00:14:12,540
I've sent someone to get Coroner Su Chan

292
00:14:12,540 --> 00:14:13,670
to examine the body.

293
00:14:27,820 --> 00:14:28,550
What is this?

294
00:14:32,580 --> 00:14:33,630
It smells delicious.

295
00:14:33,630 --> 00:14:36,560
It's similar to the Gulou Pastry
we had the other day.

296
00:14:37,780 --> 00:14:38,580
You know what,

297
00:14:38,580 --> 00:14:39,980
it really smells like it.

298
00:14:40,300 --> 00:14:40,910
Mr. Su,

299
00:14:41,150 --> 00:14:42,270
it's the delicacy

300
00:14:42,420 --> 00:14:43,420
your friend had specially delivered

301
00:14:43,420 --> 00:14:44,310
that day.