Original subtitles

♫ Raising the wine cup, I toast to the boundless sky ♫

♫ In talks and laughters are vast mountains and rivers. ♫

♫ Love and hate, debt and feuds, have all dissolved. ♫

♫ Where's my soul's hometown and my kindred spirits? ♫

♫ Seasons rolling by, we dream for harvest. ♫

♫ Warriors and warhorses howl across the sky. ♫

♫ If only I could turn into the wind, ♫

♫ to blow away all the pain in mortal coil. ♫

♫ I toast to the blue sky, to courage in solitude, ♫

♫ to migrating gooses, to boats heading home. ♫

♫ With even three thousand days and nights, ♫

♫ Will it be enough to drain this cup I toast to peace? ♫

[Swords into Plowshares]

[Episode 26]

Palace Attendant, Inspector Grand Commandant,

Chancellor, Co-Commissioner of the Grand Marshal’s Headquarters.

Hongzong,

is reverently diligent and meritorious, steadfast and measured.

Thus, in accordance with the late King's behest,

he is temporarily ordered to adjudicate, assist, and receive the seal, acting as Regent of the Two Armies.

We humbly request Heaven's will to grant approval,

to comfort the people,

so that Wuyue may be governed, and people here may find peace,

glory will be brought to this corner.

Be diligent! Be reverent!

Let all know and understand my deepest intent.

Let the authorities implement it.

The Kingdom cannot be without a ruler for a single day.

Your subject, upholding the late King's instruction, requests the Palace Attendant

to act as Regent of the Two Armies' Military Governors,

and Commissioner of the Grand Marshal’s Headquarters, with supreme authority over all military affairs.

My virtue is shallow. I cannot bear the weight of military and state affairs.

I must ask lords to select another worthy and wise person.

The late King entrusted the soldiers and people of the thirteen prefectures to you, Seventh Prince.

You must not belittle yourselves,

betraying decades of your fathers' and grandfathers' toil.

You all remain silent.

Do you think that

the late King's instruction just conveyed is false?

Upholding the late King's instruction, we request the Palace Attendant

to act as Regent of the Two Armies' Military Governors,

and Commissioner of the Grand Marshal’s Headquarters, with supreme authority over all military affairs.

Upholding the late King's instruction, we request the Palace Attendant

to act as Regent of the Two Armies' Military Governors,

and Commissioner of the Grand Marshal’s Headquarters, with supreme authority over all military affairs.

I, Zhao Kuangyin, by order of the Left Gate Guard General, seeks an audience with the Left Guard Senior General.

The Second Prince, Liu Chengyou, saw Zhao Kuangyin from afar

walking into his elder brother Liu Chengxun's residence, and felt a twinge of unease in his heart.

The Left Guard Senior General Liu Chengxun was the Later Han Emperor Liu Zhiyuan's legitimate eldest son.

Having followed his father in campaigns since childhood, he enjoyed widespread support.

What are the Military Commissioner's instructions?

He says that regarding major court affairs, the real power lies below, not above.

It's with the blue and green robes, not the vermilion and purple ones.

Regarding personnel changes for the fifth rank and above, with His Majesty and Lord Feng present,

it's not appropriate for you, Prince, to speak too much.

Did Rong have anything else to say?

Rong has always been cautious.

He didn't say anything else.

Kuangyin, you're a seasoned soldier by now, right?

I'm ashamed to say, I joined the army at fourteen.

It's been six years now, and I'm still only a Battalion Commander.

What is there to be ashamed of?

It is merely your father avoiding suspicion.

As long as he holds the position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard,

you, within the Imperial Guard, will not be promoted .

The decree of investiture was issued not long ago.

Before Left Guard General's residence being changed to the Prince of Wei's residence, it will still take some time.

His Majesty, in his great grace, has allowed me to follow the old precedent of the early Tang,

establishing a Personal Guards and a Inner Guards.

The position of Commander of Personal Guards has not yet been decided.

Kuangyin, are you interested?

Kuangyin,

did the Prince of Wei promise you the post of Commander of the Personal Guards?

I originally wanted to decline, but I was afraid of offending him.

It's good to be cautious.

He

is not only the Prince of Wei,

nor is he merely the Left Guard General.

He is also the Prefect of Kaifeng and a Chief Minister.

This signifies the intention to name an heir.

That makes him the Crown Prince.

Among His Majesty's sons,

no one can compete with him.

But...

The Military Commissioner and Rong are still waiting for me to return.

If the Prince of Wei insists on appointing you, Commissioner Guo cannot refuse to let you go.

Enough.

Kuangyin,

this is your blessing and your good fortune.

What's wrong?

Just lie there. I'll go out and take a look.

Is it true?

It is true.

Father, what happened?

An hour ago,

the Prince of Wei passed away.

Father!

Those are the personal guards of the Palatine!

Halt!

Dismount!

Chief.

Your subordinate, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard,

Zhao Hongyin, has arrived as ordered.

[Yang Bin, Chief of the Privy Council] His Majesty and the Empress's carriage will arrive shortly.

[Yang Bin, Chief of the Privy Council] Your troops are to guard the perimeter.

Understood.

Yang Guangyi, guard East Street.

Wang Zhengzhong, guard South Street.

Understood.

Kuangyin,

secure the area around Zhou Bridge.

Understood.

The Emperor arrives!

Your Majesty,

Empress.

[Li Sanniang, Liu Zhiyuan's Empress] The dead cannot be revived.

Your Majesty bears the weight of the realm.

I urge you to moderate your grief and preserve your health.

In times like these,

which family hasn't held several funerals?

What is there that I cannot accept?

Chengxun,

is twenty-six years old.

He has got married,

and had children.

It cannot be considered a premature death.

My eldest son

was ultimately not blessed with good fortune.

A true man,

when he's alive should feast from five tripods;

when he dies, should be boiled in five tripods.

This is the world's most sacred instrument of power,

and also, Second Prince, the lives of your entire family.

You have immense audacity!

If Your Majesty lacked audacity,

a year ago, he would have become a subject of the Khitans.

That old scoundrel Feng Dao, if he lacked audacity,

at this moment,

would probably still be on the northern steppes,

wrapped in a sheepskin, drinking wind and eating snow.

In these times,

those with great audacity are the ones who can manipulate the world.

Those with little audacity,

are all dead.

That's a man from the Imperial Guard.

The young whelp from Zhao Hongyin's family.

What should I do?

Please teach me, Uncle.

Your father is the Emperor.

His heart must hold the entire realm.

His joys, angers, likes, and dislikes should be difficult for ordinary people to fathom.

The Empress is a loving mother.

She plans for the sake of her children.

What she likes

are children who are filial and value sentiment.

A few days ago when I saw the Prince of Wei,

he still had a ruddy complexion, and his voice was full of vigor.

He was swinging a mace weighing over ten catties with a fierce whoosh.

It didn't seem like he would fall suddenly ill.

Silent!

Want to get yourself killed?

I understand the stakes.

Eldest Brother...

Eldest Brother!

Heaven envies talent!

Second Prince!

Sister,

Your Majesty,

Second Prince has cried himself unconscious!

[Zhang'an Port Fishing Village, Taizhou]

Tomorrow is the official day of the ceremony.

The Zhang'an Trading Office will close for the day.

The rites of farewell to family and ancestors will be conducted on the ship.

Since your elders cannot attend in person,

your second brother, can perform the proxy family ceremony.

The groom wears red, the bride wears blue.

Facing the sea, you will perform the fan-removing ceremony.

As for door games, ritual scattering, the vows, bridal blessings, binding the hair, shared wine,

all must wait until the bridal procession is complete and we arrive at the Linhai Prefectural Office.

Steward Xue, two more families have sent congratulatory gifts.

Two full large carts.

The usual rules apply. Gold, silver, pearls, jade exceeding one hundred taels must be returned.

All kinds of utensils and vessels must be carefully inspected.

If the style or quantity exceeds regulations, they must also be returned.

This...

Please wait a moment, lady.

I will return shortly.

Attend to your duties. Do not mind me and Chengyou.

Understood.

This way.

The wedding procession carriages total forty-eight vehicles and one hundred sixteen horses.

The newlyweds' carriage requires a team of six.

But it is difficult to find six horses with identical coats.

I'm in capable. Despite searching the entire county,

I only find three black and three white, a barely passable match.

Reduce it to a team of three.

The Emperor uses six;

lords use four.

For a wedding procession, what matters is sincerity,

not putting on a display or flaunting wealth.

I respectfully obey your command.

Such matters should be left to the stewards.

Now,

you are the Administrative Officer of a prefecture, a seventh-rank official of the court.

You have many pressing duties.

How do you have the leisure to manage such trivialities?

The most important administrative task in Taizhou at present is your wedding, Prince.

I am not the court's Administrative Officer.

I am your Administrative Officer, Prince.

In fifteen years of officialdom, what the court has given me

is merely two terms as Registrar and one as Military Officer.

And I,

paid for them all in solid coin.

It was a transaction.

I owe the court and the Great King no kindness.

But I do to you, Prince.

Do not speak such words again.

I speak the truth.

I do not often speak the truth.

There is a difference between a household retainer and a state official.

Prince,

the wedding attire has finally been completed.

Please try it on for fit.

Let me try.

Now,

although the journey is short, be sure to attend to every detail.

Food and drink must not be neglected.

If we delay Prince's auspicious hour,

the fault will be ours.

Rest assured, Prefect.

Shen,

the Prince is about to depart for Ninghai to fetch his bride.

All the officials of the prefecture are seeing him off, yet you sit here so calmly.

Why should I be unsettled?

I am not the one fetching the bride.

Official duties must not be neglected, but neither should they override human sentiment.

Have not the others already gone to see him off?

To the Prince, Ge Qiang is merely a subordinate official.

From Ninghai to Fuzhou, and to this place and moment,

the Prince has treated you with the courtesy due a national talent.

The Prince treats me as a national talent; I shall repay him as a national talent.

Matters of greeting and seeing off are for you gentlemen to handle.

Be careful!

Elder Sister.

Do you feel wronged?

Why do you ask that?

Marriage is a lifelong matter,

how can it be so rushed?

You've been holding these words back for days, haven't you?

Why haven't you said them to him?

Ever since brother-in-law returned to Taizhou, he's been consumed by official duties day and night,

sleeping no more than two or three hours a day.

Since you see that,

you shouldn't say such things.

Some principles, if you can understand them, then I certainly can too.

Elder Sister.

Principles are one thing.

But you are my own elder sister.

Even if brother-in-law is of royal lineage,

our Sun family does not care about that.

To outsiders,

he has always been the imperial younger brother, a pillar of the state.

But only I know,

he is still that pitiful man on the walls of Bianliang,

lost and disheartened, wavering and without a plan.

Chengyou.

We are family.

From now on, do not say such things again.

Elder Sister.

Elder Sister.

You stole the family's command flag for him, and offended Mother.

You offended Uncle too.

You've offended the whole family, every last one of us.

And now,

you're marrying alone.

Tell me,

do you truly feel no grievance?

Chengyou.

Have you ever seen a road a hundred li long, lined with white bones on both sides?

Have you ever seen hundreds of thousands of refugees, with no food, gathered beneath city walls?

Have you ever seen rebel soldiers enter a city, and women and children with nowhere to turn for help?

Elder Sister...

I have.

Before I left Huanglong Island,

I always thought, how can there be so many wrongs in this world?

When Mother dumped me to his side, I thought again,

why me?

Why should I repay our elder brother's debt of gratitude?

But now I understand.

These things are nothing.

In this world,

there are far more wrongs than this.

But Mother said...

The foolish things Mother did,

she naturally didn't want me to do them again.

Actually,

when Mother sent me to his side,

she told me,

"If he ever wrongs you, I will not hesitate to cut off the Qiantang River again before I let him have any peace."

But it's unnecessary.

If he truly wrongs me,

I won't need anyone to demand justice for me.

My own husband,

I'll deal with him myself.

Elder Sister.

Elder Sister!

Elder Sister!

If you change two more outfits, your grandson will be born before we get there!

Alright, alright.

I'm ready now.

What's so funny?

The one getting married isn't your daughter.

Excellent!

Elder Sister, today,

you finally have a bit of that mother-in-law's matriarch air,

aren't you?

Congratulations, Grand Master!

Very well!

Weigh anchor!

Set sail!

Let's find the bridegroom for our wedding money!

Yes! Let's go!

Weigh anchor!

Hoist the sails!

[Kaifeng Prefecture, Bianliang City]

The Prince of Wei has passed away, the heir's position lies vacant.

The foundation of the state is unsettled, causing unrest inside and outside.

We implore Your Majesty, for the sake of all living beings,

to nurture your precious health, and thus bring peace to court and country.

My eldest son was filial,

and had the people's support.

He was simply without fortune.

And I...

I too am without fortune.

In my sixtieth year, I became the Emperor in a time of chaos,

yet I have lost my son.

We beg Your Majesty to moderate your grief.

Today, I have invited Lord Feng and you esteemed ministers here

because there is one matter I wish to discuss with you all.

I am considering...

to summon the Prince of Taiyuan from Hedong

back to the capital.

Your Majesty! That is absolutely inadvisable!

Your Majesty, all your sons are now grown men.

Why entrust major affairs of state, internal and external, to a brother?

Lord Feng,

Master Su,

what is your opinion?

I believe this matter requires careful deliberation.

Chengyou, your opinion?

Father...

Your son...

Your son...

Your Majesty, the princes are the root and lifeblood of the state.

To question a prince in this manner puts him in an awkward position.

I, Su Fengji, Councilor,

urge Your Majesty to appoint the Second Prince,

the General of the Left Xiaowei Guard, as Crown Prince!

Minister Su's proposal...

does that represent your own wish?

Your Majesty, the matter of the state's foundation is of supreme importance.

It is not for subjects to speak of it presumptuously.

We should follow the convention.

What conbention?

I, Yang Bin, Chief of the Privy Council and Councilor,

petition to enfeoff the Second Prince, Liu Chengyou, as the Prince of Zhou,

appoint him as Prefect of Kaifeng, and Grand Councillor.

I, Su Fengji, petition to enfeoff the Second Prince as the Prince of Zhou,

appoint him as Prefect of Kaifeng, and Grand Councillor.

I, Li Ye, Palatine Officer, petition to enfeoff the Second Prince, Liu Chengyou, as the Prince of Zhou,

appoint him as Prefect of Kaifeng, and Grand Councillor.

Master Su,

what is your view?

I believe Lord Feng's words are correct.

As His Majesty is unwell, the chief ministers should stand guard in the palace.

That is only proper.

In these special times, a curfew should be imposed in and around the capital.

All military forces, internal and external, and every gate of the city,

must be placed under strict guard to prevent any disorder.

Instruct the Inner Eunuch Office to clean up the side hall of the Zide Palace.

We can make do there for the night, and make more arrangements tomorrow.

Yes.

I shall go and arrange it at once.

Tomorrow is the first day of the month.

As the Emperor is unwell, the grand court assembly is canceled.

However, an edict to suspend court must still be issued, for which we must rely on you, Lord Feng.

I am old now,

and weary.

Since you gentlemen will be guarding the palace,

I will not be able to keep you company.

That boy, Chengyou, has no confidence in himself.

To hand over this chaotic, tumultuous world

into his hands...

Fortune or calamity is hard to foresee.

Then don't give it to him.

The sacred vessel of state

is not gold, pearls, or jewels.

Nor antiques or curios.

It is a blade that kills,

a fire that consumes.

If one's backbone is weak yet insists on grasping it,

what it demands is not merely the lives of one family or clan.

My ministers...

have deeply disappointed me.

Your heart is governed by yourself, not by others.

What my ministers think of is naturally their own glory, rank, and position.

The moment those from Taiyuan entered the capital, their merit in securing the throne would vanish.

Such words

should never have been taken to heart.

We fought side by side.

We are old comrades who've rubbed along for decades.

Yet when time comes,

each one,

has his own schemes and calculations.

Only Lord Feng

retains some sense of the common good.

If you ask me,

this position of Emperor

was never any good to begin with.

It's not as pleasant as our earlier years in Taiyuan,

when life was more comfortable.

These are private words between us.

If the civil and military officials at court,

and also Chengyou,

could all think this way,

then that would be

our family's great fortune.

The peach tree is young and elegant;

Brilliant are its flowers.

This young lady is going to her future home;

And will order well her chamber and house.

The peach tree is young and elegant; ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles♫

Abundant will be its fruit. ♫ stretch towering mountains. ♫

This young lady is going to her future home; ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles run surging rivers. ♫

And will order well her household. ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles♫

The peach tree is young and elegant; ♫ cry warhorses. ♫

Luxuriant are its leaves. ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles ♫

This young lady is going to her future home; ♫ there are emotions unspoken. ♫

And will order well her family.

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, flowers are blooming along the road. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, gooses are returning to the north. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, we stand through storms. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, we hope for a safe return. ♫

♫ Tens of thousands of miles is not enough, ♫

♫ for a lifetime's sorrows and joys. ♫

The auspicious ceremony is now complete, ♫ Tens of thousands of miles is not enough, ♫

a fine match is thus joined. ♫ Tens of thousands of miles is not enough, ♫

Affection deep as the lovebird's, ♫ for the endless seas and rivers. ♫

you shall respect each other as honored guests. ♫ for the endless seas and rivers. ♫

Auspicious, like the locust and the unicorn, ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

may it flourish in his descendants. ♫ love will overcome all barriers. ♫

With united in heart and virtue, ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

may you harmonious in family. ♫ we are together in life and death. ♫

Enemy attack!

I'll go look!

What day is this?

To pull such a prank?

You want to die?

Prefect, reporting.

Ships at sea.

Wasn't the port closed today?

Warships.

War... warships?

It's Uncle!

He's come to take us back.

No matter.

At worst, I'll go back to the island with you and apologize to your mother.

Let her beat, kill, or punish me— I'll accept any punishment.

Stop talking nonsense! This is Huanglong Island's internal matter.

You're an outsider.

From today, am I still an outsider?

Elder Sister!

Look at Mother's attire.

It's so strange.

I've never seen her wear such clothing before.

A nine-dian, three-winged crown?

I've only seen drawings in the Six Codes.

I doubt even the imperial palace in Bianliang possesses a genuine one anymore.

Your family is truly wealthy.

Be quiet!

This girl,

why has she put down her fan?

On such an auspicious day, with no care for attracting evil influences!

Three swift skiffs!

They can even startle the Jinling Navy.

What kind of evil spirit could stand up to that weight?

It's a joyous day.

I won't get angry.

I told you not to bring warships!

Not to bring warships!

That's part of my dowry gift for Taizhen!

Enough.

Stop right here.

Lower sails! Drop anchor!

Why are they anchoring?

I'm going to kneel.

Will you kneel too?

Ancestral spirits above, your unfilial daughter prays here.

Marriage is set, fate ascends, confirming our pledge.

Humbly following your kind command, I dared not act alone.

I will sweep the graves in all seasons, make offerings at all festivals,

stick to the way of husband and wife, and the sincere bonds of human relations.

I only inform our ancestors: May our household be pure and bright,

sheltered by your abundant virtue, our family's path prosperous and smooth.

The tea!

Uncle is on the ship too.

A toast to Uncle.

Uncle has journeyed from afar.

Please accept a cup of fresh tea from your son-in-law.

After all my planning...

I overlooked this detail.

How do we have this tea?

Can't blame you, Sister.

When you and brother-in-law married, Father and Mother were already gone.

From this day forth,

you two must

understand and support each other,

respect and love one another.

May your descendants be many and flourishing, conducting yourselves as models...

with shared hearts until white-haired old age, supporting each other through all trials.

I will remember Uncle's instructions

and never dare forget them.

Esteemed Mother-in-law above,

your honorable family has a daughter.

I seek her as my bride.

Please, Mother-in-law, accept a cup of fresh tea from your son-in-law.

What were my lines again?

Weren't you reciting them all night?

I forgot.

I have them prepared for you.

So many?

You have only this one daughter.

Henceforth,

you must be kind, loving, and prudent,

serve your husband well, respect and attend to your parents-in-law,

manage the household affairs, nurture and educate the children.

Be wholehearted and devoted,

never betraying this marriage alliance.

Speak up!

Hold fast to good intentions!

Scrupulously follow the feminine virtues,

bringing benefit and harmony to the family.

Mother's kind words, your daughter will remember well.

From now on, I can no longer offer morning and evening respects, or fulfill my filial duties at your knees.

I only wish Mother robust health and peace,

and a long life of a hundred years.

Mother-in-law, set your heart at ease.

In this life, your son-in-law will absolutely never let Taizhen

suffer the slightest hunger or cold, or harbor the tiniest grievance or resentment.

If I break this vow,

may both man and god strike me down.

This... this is a joyous occasion.

Isn't that a bit... inauspicious?

Great fortune and great prosperity!

Great fortune! Great prosperity!

Well, the lad has a conscience.

He spoke a few pretty words, and that counts as having a conscience?

I recall that back then, that "someone" also said

they would never fail you, even unto death.

If you don't know how to talk, then don't!

No one thinks you're mute!

This kid,

is your nephew-in-law now.

Yes.

He's also that someone's son.

You shut up!

On such a joyous day, all you do is speak inauspicious nonsense!

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles stretch towering mountains. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles run surging rivers. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles cry warhorses. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles there are emotions unspoken. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, flowers are blooming along the road. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, gooses are returning to the north. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, we stand through storms. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, we hope for a safe return. ♫

♫ Tens of thousands of miles is not enough, ♫

♫ for a lifetime's sorrows and joys. ♫

♫ Tens of thousands of miles is not enough, ♫

♫ for the endless seas and rivers. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ love will overcome all barriers. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ we are together in life and death. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ the moon shines in the boundless world. ♫

♫ My heart has its hometown to return. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ who is the one crossing the waves with me, ♫

♫ with our hearts unrepentant, through countless lifetimes. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ oceans and lands witness that♫

♫ the world will be safe and sound. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ my heart is unchanging. ♫