All language subtitles for Swords_into_Plowshares_Episode_34

af Afrikaans
ak Akan
sq Albanian
am Amharic
ar Arabic
hy Armenian
az Azerbaijani
eu Basque
be Belarusian
bem Bemba
bn Bengali
bh Bihari
bs Bosnian
br Breton
bg Bulgarian
km Cambodian
ca Catalan
ceb Cebuano
chr Cherokee
ny Chichewa
zh-CN Chinese (Simplified)
zh-TW Chinese (Traditional)
co Corsican
hr Croatian
cs Czech
da Danish
nl Dutch
en English
eo Esperanto
et Estonian
ee Ewe
fo Faroese
tl Filipino
fi Finnish
fr French
fy Frisian
gaa Ga
gl Galician
ka Georgian
de German
el Greek
gn Guarani
gu Gujarati
ht Haitian Creole
ha Hausa
haw Hawaiian
iw Hebrew
hi Hindi
hmn Hmong
hu Hungarian
is Icelandic
ig Igbo
id Indonesian
ia Interlingua
ga Irish
it Italian
ja Japanese
jw Javanese
kn Kannada
kk Kazakh
rw Kinyarwanda
rn Kirundi
kg Kongo
ko Korean
kri Krio (Sierra Leone)
ku Kurdish
ckb Kurdish (Soranî)
ky Kyrgyz
lo Laothian
la Latin
lv Latvian
ln Lingala
lt Lithuanian
loz Lozi
lg Luganda
ach Luo
lb Luxembourgish
mk Macedonian
mg Malagasy
ms Malay
ml Malayalam
mt Maltese
mi Maori
mr Marathi
mfe Mauritian Creole
mo Moldavian
mn Mongolian
my Myanmar (Burmese)
sr-ME Montenegrin
ne Nepali
pcm Nigerian Pidgin
nso Northern Sotho
no Norwegian
nn Norwegian (Nynorsk)
oc Occitan
or Oriya
om Oromo
ps Pashto
fa Persian
pl Polish
pt-BR Portuguese (Brazil)
pt Portuguese (Portugal)
pa Punjabi
qu Quechua
ro Romanian
rm Romansh
nyn Runyakitara
ru Russian
sm Samoan
gd Scots Gaelic
sr Serbian
sh Serbo-Croatian
st Sesotho
tn Setswana
crs Seychellois Creole
sn Shona
sd Sindhi
si Sinhalese
sk Slovak
sl Slovenian
so Somali
es Spanish Download
es-419 Spanish (Latin American)
su Sundanese
sw Swahili
sv Swedish
tg Tajik
ta Tamil
tt Tatar
te Telugu
th Thai
ti Tigrinya
to Tonga
lua Tshiluba
tum Tumbuka
tr Turkish
tk Turkmen
tw Twi
ug Uighur
uk Ukrainian
ur Urdu
uz Uzbek
vi Vietnamese
cy Welsh
wo Wolof
xh Xhosa
yi Yiddish
yo Yoruba
zu Zulu
Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:09,900 --> 00:00:15,600 ♫ Raising the wine cup, I toast to the boundless sky ♫ 2 00:00:16,266 --> 00:00:21,100 ♫ In talks and laughters are vast mountains and rivers. ♫ 3 00:00:22,666 --> 00:00:27,233 ♫ Love and hate, debt and feuds, have all dissolved. ♫ 4 00:00:28,533 --> 00:00:33,100 ♫ Where's my soul's hometown and my kindred spirits? ♫ 5 00:00:35,566 --> 00:00:40,133 ♫ Seasons rolling by, we dream for harvest. ♫ 6 00:00:41,966 --> 00:00:46,533 ♫ Warriors and warhorses howl across the sky. ♫ 7 00:00:48,333 --> 00:00:52,900 ♫ If only I could turn into the wind, ♫ 8 00:00:53,866 --> 00:01:01,266 ♫ to blow away all the pain in mortal coil. ♫ 9 00:01:01,266 --> 00:01:05,266 ♫ I toast to the blue sky, to courage in solitude, ♫ 10 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:09,066 ♫ to migrating gooses, to boats heading home. ♫ 11 00:01:09,066 --> 00:01:14,766 ♫ With even three thousand days and nights, ♫ 12 00:01:16,233 --> 00:01:23,433 ♫ Will it be enough to drain this cup I toast to peace? ♫ 13 00:01:26,133 --> 00:01:29,933 [Swords into Plowshares] 14 00:01:31,033 --> 00:01:33,000 [Episode 34] 15 00:01:33,433 --> 00:01:34,166 Your Majesty. 16 00:01:34,266 --> 00:01:40,466 Now, the Yellow River's Golden Embankment in Chanzhou, is to be completed soon 17 00:01:41,700 --> 00:01:43,833 The Marquis of Taiyuan, Guo Rong, 18 00:01:44,933 --> 00:01:48,900 has rendered great service to the state and brought benefits to the common people. 19 00:01:49,866 --> 00:01:51,700 He should be recalled to court 20 00:01:52,566 --> 00:01:55,700 to assume a major responsibility. 21 00:01:57,900 --> 00:02:00,633 Your Majesty, Chanzhou borders Yexia 22 00:02:01,233 --> 00:02:02,700 and is a key location in Hebei. 23 00:02:04,133 --> 00:02:07,366 It's garrison commander should not be changed lightly. 24 00:02:11,033 --> 00:02:11,533 Your Majesty, 25 00:02:13,433 --> 00:02:15,333 Minister Wang's words are gravely mistaken. 26 00:02:15,933 --> 00:02:19,733 In the military, rewards and punishments are paramount. Merit must be rewarded. 27 00:02:19,733 --> 00:02:22,033 Unclear rewards and punishments lead to disaster. 28 00:02:22,666 --> 00:02:25,266 According to Minister Wang's words, the generals of Yexia, 29 00:02:25,633 --> 00:02:30,166 even if they achieve the greatest merits, would spend their entire lives risking their lives in the army, 30 00:02:30,166 --> 00:02:31,066 unable to leave. 31 00:02:31,566 --> 00:02:34,066 If so, what would become of military morale? 32 00:02:34,700 --> 00:02:36,900 It's merely a stretch of embankment. 33 00:02:38,866 --> 00:02:39,900 Minister Fan Zhi, 34 00:02:40,466 --> 00:02:41,933 you exaggerate. 35 00:02:43,700 --> 00:02:44,333 Your Majesty, 36 00:02:45,633 --> 00:02:50,566 The great river's Golden Embankment has not been repaired since the time of Later Tang's Zhuangzong. 37 00:02:51,533 --> 00:02:53,533 This has led to annual floods. 38 00:02:54,100 --> 00:02:59,933 In the sixth year of Tianfu, the capital region was flooded. The water level reached four feet from the capital's walls. 39 00:02:59,933 --> 00:03:03,766 People were displaced, with countless casualties. 40 00:03:04,733 --> 00:03:05,360 [Li Gu, Commissioner of the Three Fiscal Agencies] Now, 41 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:08,333 [Li Gu, Commissioner of the Three Fiscal Agencies] the Marquis of Taiyuan has rebuilt the Golden Embankment. 42 00:03:08,333 --> 00:03:09,700 [Li Gu, Commissioner of the Three Fiscal Agencies] This year's summer flood 43 00:03:09,700 --> 00:03:11,733 [Li Gu, Commissioner of the Three Fiscal Agencies] no longer posed a threat from the great river. 44 00:03:12,733 --> 00:03:17,600 For twenty years, the capital has not dared to open its gates during the summer flood season. 45 00:03:18,633 --> 00:03:19,766 Such merit 46 00:03:20,033 --> 00:03:22,666 cannot be compared even to conquering a state. 47 00:03:23,533 --> 00:03:26,633 You yourself have managed waterworks for over a decade, 48 00:03:27,266 --> 00:03:30,500 so you consider flood control the foremost achievement under heaven. 49 00:03:31,266 --> 00:03:33,433 If the Marquis of Taiyuan is rewarded today, 50 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:34,800 then tomorrow, 51 00:03:36,533 --> 00:03:38,666 how should the Emperor reward you? 52 00:03:39,166 --> 00:03:39,766 I am tired. 53 00:03:40,700 --> 00:03:41,233 Ministers, 54 00:03:42,100 --> 00:03:42,933 you may leave. 55 00:03:47,700 --> 00:03:50,033 We respectfully see Your Majesty off. 56 00:04:01,500 --> 00:04:04,400 Regarding Feng Dao's proposal today, 57 00:04:05,666 --> 00:04:07,000 were you aware of this in advance? 58 00:04:08,833 --> 00:04:09,400 Yes. 59 00:04:11,100 --> 00:04:13,666 Then why didn't you tell me earlier? 60 00:04:14,133 --> 00:04:17,166 Because of this, I faced such embarrassment in court. 61 00:04:18,066 --> 00:04:21,100 If I had told you, would you have refrained from opposing it? 62 00:04:21,100 --> 00:04:21,466 Well... 63 00:04:22,633 --> 00:04:25,033 This... this empire is yours. 64 00:04:26,433 --> 00:04:29,600 If you insist and issue an edict ordering Rong to return directly, 65 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:31,133 Could I... could I have stopped you? 66 00:04:33,166 --> 00:04:33,633 Yes. 67 00:04:35,133 --> 00:04:36,266 I do oppose that 68 00:04:37,233 --> 00:04:38,166 Rong become the heir. 69 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:42,333 But that doesn't mean I object to his return to the capital. 70 00:04:43,233 --> 00:04:46,133 The one who must be Emperor is you, not me. 71 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:47,600 Jun, 72 00:04:48,466 --> 00:04:50,566 now you remember I am the Emperor. 73 00:04:52,100 --> 00:04:53,400 Do you usually think of that? 74 00:04:55,133 --> 00:04:56,400 You wanted to be in charge, 75 00:04:57,166 --> 00:04:58,633 I let you be in charge. 76 00:04:59,833 --> 00:05:01,433 You wanted to appoint officials, 77 00:05:01,433 --> 00:05:02,466 I let you appoint them. 78 00:05:03,633 --> 00:05:07,633 You were already Chief of the Privy Council, and still wanted to be Chancellor. 79 00:05:07,633 --> 00:05:08,533 I let you become one. 80 00:05:09,666 --> 00:05:10,933 You keep saying 81 00:05:12,300 --> 00:05:13,833 this empire belongs to my family. 82 00:05:16,500 --> 00:05:17,633 Where is my family? 83 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:19,466 Do I have a family? 84 00:05:21,300 --> 00:05:23,630 A family with one hundred and sixty-eight people! 85 00:05:29,833 --> 00:05:32,333 Men and women, old and young, servants and maids, 86 00:05:32,466 --> 00:05:35,166 all together, one hundred and sixty-eight lives, 87 00:05:35,300 --> 00:05:36,733 died, and covered in blood. 88 00:05:38,900 --> 00:05:40,533 You say this empire is my family's. 89 00:05:41,133 --> 00:05:42,566 Where is my family? 90 00:05:46,633 --> 00:05:48,300 What is so good about being Emperor? 91 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:52,366 Can it compare to having parents, a wife, and children? 92 00:05:55,166 --> 00:05:57,666 Emperors usually call themselves 'the Solitary One'. 93 00:05:57,666 --> 00:06:00,933 I, this Emperor, am the widowed, orphaned, solitary, and lonely one. 94 00:06:00,933 --> 00:06:02,366 Look through the history books, Jun. 95 00:06:04,366 --> 00:06:06,233 Has there ever been an Emperor as desolate as I? 96 00:06:07,866 --> 00:06:10,700 All of you, a few old comrades, 97 00:06:11,033 --> 00:06:12,766 one Lady Dong, and one Rong, 98 00:06:13,233 --> 00:06:14,466 you are all I have left. 99 00:06:19,066 --> 00:06:20,800 Since you mentioned Rong, 100 00:06:22,700 --> 00:06:24,666 then today, I won't address you as Your Majesty. 101 00:06:25,500 --> 00:06:26,166 Wei, 102 00:06:28,266 --> 00:06:29,500 I urge you one more time. 103 00:06:38,500 --> 00:06:41,566 You have not yet reached the age of the Lord of Taiyuan back then. 104 00:06:42,533 --> 00:06:44,666 Hurry and take more consorts. 105 00:06:45,533 --> 00:06:48,666 You must leave behind a biological son who can inherit the throne. 106 00:06:49,533 --> 00:06:51,333 It's true that, 107 00:06:51,600 --> 00:06:53,133 Rong is a good boy. 108 00:06:53,900 --> 00:06:54,966 But in his veins, 109 00:06:55,266 --> 00:06:59,166 he carries the surname Chai, not Guo. 110 00:07:00,033 --> 00:07:01,700 Do not think it is the same. 111 00:07:02,466 --> 00:07:05,166 From the very root, it is a different matter. 112 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,933 The affair of Tang's Mingzong was not so long ago. 113 00:07:09,133 --> 00:07:10,833 The warning is clear before us. 114 00:07:12,033 --> 00:07:14,066 You must see this clearly. 115 00:07:14,500 --> 00:07:17,833 Do not let a few sweet words from a junior cloud your judgment. 116 00:07:19,366 --> 00:07:23,300 This realm is your family's, it belongs to the Guo lineage. 117 00:07:23,500 --> 00:07:25,633 It cannot be ceded to those named Chai. 118 00:07:25,700 --> 00:07:27,000 Do you understand? 119 00:07:31,066 --> 00:07:32,766 The empire, the realm... 120 00:07:35,266 --> 00:07:36,766 What use are they to me? 121 00:07:38,733 --> 00:07:42,466 My wife is gone, my son is gone, my daughter is gone, my son-in-law is gone too. 122 00:07:42,466 --> 00:07:43,300 All gone. 123 00:07:43,500 --> 00:07:47,766 What use is a jade seal or an imperial robe to me? 124 00:07:51,300 --> 00:07:51,833 Wei. 125 00:07:52,333 --> 00:07:52,766 Wei. 126 00:08:06,533 --> 00:08:08,660 Being a soldier, living on rations... 127 00:08:10,333 --> 00:08:14,000 I was born to endure hardship and toil. 128 00:08:16,866 --> 00:08:19,566 But that should not have involved my family. 129 00:08:25,033 --> 00:08:25,700 Wei. 130 00:08:28,700 --> 00:08:29,900 You're drunk. 131 00:08:32,633 --> 00:08:34,133 Go and rest now. 132 00:08:38,266 --> 00:08:39,000 I will now 133 00:08:41,133 --> 00:08:42,233 take my leave. 134 00:09:02,233 --> 00:09:02,700 Lord. 135 00:09:11,733 --> 00:09:13,333 His Majesty is drunk. 136 00:09:15,300 --> 00:09:16,800 Take good care of him. 137 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:19,900 Do not let him catch a chill. 138 00:09:20,633 --> 00:09:21,066 Understood. 139 00:09:54,533 --> 00:09:55,066 Your Majesty. 140 00:09:57,066 --> 00:10:00,866 Kuangyin. 141 00:10:00,866 --> 00:10:03,200 Originally, you were to follow Rong to Chanzhou, 142 00:10:05,666 --> 00:10:07,766 but I kept you here to serve in the Imperial Guard. 143 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:10,066 I may have hindered your path. 144 00:10:12,466 --> 00:10:13,333 I dare not think so. 145 00:10:14,300 --> 00:10:16,766 Wherever I serve, it is in your service. 146 00:10:18,666 --> 00:10:19,566 You and your father, 147 00:10:20,666 --> 00:10:21,966 are both in the Imperial Guard. 148 00:10:24,300 --> 00:10:25,833 Father and son fighting side by side... 149 00:10:27,633 --> 00:10:28,900 It is just like that. 150 00:10:30,866 --> 00:10:31,900 I kept you here, 151 00:10:33,700 --> 00:10:34,533 because I know 152 00:10:35,866 --> 00:10:37,933 you and Rong are just like brothers. 153 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:41,033 Brotherhood is good. 154 00:10:43,066 --> 00:10:45,233 As long as there is no strife, 155 00:10:45,233 --> 00:10:46,366 they can even hunt tigers, 156 00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:48,600 and break metal. 157 00:11:02,133 --> 00:11:04,700 I wish to trouble you 158 00:11:06,700 --> 00:11:08,800 to take a message to Rong. 159 00:11:12,233 --> 00:11:13,166 Tell him, 160 00:11:15,266 --> 00:11:16,133 I would like 161 00:11:18,366 --> 00:11:19,600 he go back home for a meal. 162 00:11:31,633 --> 00:11:33,333 From the time he joined the army, 163 00:11:33,700 --> 00:11:37,133 Zhao Kuangyin had seen many princes in armor, bearing swords. 164 00:11:38,033 --> 00:11:43,066 But he had never seen a prince like Guo Rong, wearing dark work clothes, covered from head to toe in mud. 165 00:11:44,433 --> 00:11:47,066 This sole heir of the Later Zhou Emperor 166 00:11:47,333 --> 00:11:51,733 spent his days toiling and sweating on the worksite, repairing and dredging. 167 00:11:54,066 --> 00:11:58,633 For years, the endless strife between military governors and the frequent change of regimes 168 00:11:58,633 --> 00:12:01,266 left governments with no will to maintain river works. 169 00:12:01,266 --> 00:12:04,100 Consequently, the people living along the Yellow River 170 00:12:04,100 --> 00:12:08,500 suffered yearly from floods threatening cities, destroying homes and drowning fields. 171 00:12:09,833 --> 00:12:13,866 This river, which nurtured the heartland of the Central Plains dynasties, 172 00:12:14,233 --> 00:12:19,433 incessantly posed a question of conscience to every ruler of these dynasties. 173 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:21,266 Your Majesty, 174 00:12:22,133 --> 00:12:25,333 I am aged and plagued by illness. 175 00:12:26,433 --> 00:12:30,000 I beg to retire and return to the woods in my old age. 176 00:12:30,533 --> 00:12:33,566 I implore Your Majesty to grant this request. 177 00:12:36,066 --> 00:12:39,600 My lord, you are a statesman of four dynasties with great prestige, 178 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:40,700 the head of the court, 179 00:12:41,700 --> 00:12:42,800 the pillar of the state. 180 00:12:47,133 --> 00:12:50,066 The world has been torn by disorder for so long. 181 00:12:50,066 --> 00:12:50,800 For even a moment, 182 00:12:52,733 --> 00:12:54,033 we cannot be without you, my lord. 183 00:12:56,466 --> 00:12:57,730 If you speak of retiring, 184 00:12:58,433 --> 00:12:59,366 I too wish to retire. 185 00:13:01,233 --> 00:13:02,333 But it is merely a wish. 186 00:13:03,666 --> 00:13:04,400 We 187 00:13:06,333 --> 00:13:08,166 must all work hard and bear our duties. 188 00:13:15,833 --> 00:13:16,300 My lord. 189 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:17,100 Your Majesty. 190 00:13:26,933 --> 00:13:27,400 Rong. 191 00:13:32,033 --> 00:13:32,766 I'm here. 192 00:13:33,533 --> 00:13:36,633 From this day forward, you are relieved of your duties on the riverbank. 193 00:13:37,433 --> 00:13:39,933 You will enter the Secretariat-Chancellery to learn state affairs. 194 00:13:39,933 --> 00:13:44,233 Lord Feng has long served at the imperial court, his prestige profound. 195 00:13:44,233 --> 00:13:47,266 You must treat him as your teacher. 196 00:13:48,766 --> 00:13:50,600 I obey the decree. 197 00:14:12,833 --> 00:14:13,300 Your Majesty, 198 00:14:16,133 --> 00:14:18,833 the Secretariat-Chancellery is the pivotal organ of the court. 199 00:14:19,533 --> 00:14:21,766 Appointing the right people is the foremost task. 200 00:14:21,766 --> 00:14:25,766 Fan Zhi and Li Gu don't have enough seniority and prestige, and neglect their royal duties. 201 00:14:26,633 --> 00:14:31,266 They fail to assist the Emperor in pacifying the realm, or steady the officials and govern the land. 202 00:14:32,133 --> 00:14:34,666 I request to send Fan Zhi out as Prefect of Xiangzhou 203 00:14:34,666 --> 00:14:36,866 and Li Gu out as Prefect of Xuzhou. 204 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,800 Replace them with Hanlin Academician Chen Guan and Acting Prefect of Kaifeng, Yan Kan, 205 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:43,933 to participate in government affairs 206 00:14:43,933 --> 00:14:46,066 I humbly request Your Majesty to grant your approval. 207 00:14:50,433 --> 00:14:51,133 Jun, 208 00:14:53,233 --> 00:14:54,833 today is the Cold Food Festival. 209 00:14:56,300 --> 00:14:58,800 All government offices are meant to observe a day of rest. 210 00:15:00,033 --> 00:15:01,533 Could anything be so urgent 211 00:15:02,466 --> 00:15:04,133 that it cannot wait until tomorrow? 212 00:15:06,533 --> 00:15:07,133 Your Majesty. 213 00:15:07,133 --> 00:15:07,933 Jun, 214 00:15:10,866 --> 00:15:13,266 The realm has only just settled down not long ago. 215 00:15:14,433 --> 00:15:15,900 Can we not stir up more trouble? 216 00:15:16,666 --> 00:15:17,766 You are the Emperor. 217 00:15:19,100 --> 00:15:21,900 You know an Emperor cannot act merely on personal whim. 218 00:15:24,366 --> 00:15:27,833 The great chaos has been the way of the world for decades. 219 00:15:28,366 --> 00:15:31,166 It is not that anyone who wishes for peace can simply have it. 220 00:15:33,300 --> 00:15:38,533 Those who were unwilling to act decisively now have trees growing on their graves. 221 00:15:38,533 --> 00:15:39,600 In times like these, 222 00:15:40,133 --> 00:15:42,200 no one is fated to be an Emperor of peace. 223 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:48,533 You may leave. 224 00:15:56,033 --> 00:15:57,566 I take my leave. 225 00:16:16,900 --> 00:16:18,333 He still refuses to yield. 226 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:21,200 Lord, 227 00:16:22,933 --> 00:16:24,433 before I ascended the throne, 228 00:16:26,633 --> 00:16:28,333 my friends and I shared everything. 229 00:16:32,066 --> 00:16:33,333 Now that I am Emperor, 230 00:16:34,933 --> 00:16:36,666 my friends have all drifted apart. 231 00:16:37,666 --> 00:16:39,533 Lord, you have served four dynasties. 232 00:16:39,533 --> 00:16:40,566 Tell me, 233 00:16:41,533 --> 00:16:42,400 why is this? 234 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:44,933 Your Majesty, 235 00:16:48,633 --> 00:16:49,433 that's because, 236 00:16:51,133 --> 00:16:53,233 there is only one Emperor in the world. 237 00:16:55,433 --> 00:16:58,433 Thus, an Emperor has no private friends. 238 00:16:59,866 --> 00:17:01,733 When you were a subject, 239 00:17:02,766 --> 00:17:05,400 you could have friends and comrades. 240 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:08,166 Now, as Emperor, 241 00:17:08,733 --> 00:17:10,266 all under heaven, 242 00:17:11,100 --> 00:17:14,633 are your subjects, your children. 243 00:17:14,933 --> 00:17:17,633 They are all your friends and comrades. 244 00:17:19,033 --> 00:17:22,033 You cannot show favoritism. 245 00:17:22,566 --> 00:17:26,766 Your former friends will thus harbor resentment in their hearts. 246 00:17:27,900 --> 00:17:30,233 If you wish to be a peaceful Emperor, 247 00:17:31,133 --> 00:17:36,366 the matter of Minister Wang is merely the first hurdle. 248 00:17:42,566 --> 00:17:43,300 By decree: 249 00:17:44,033 --> 00:17:44,566 We, 250 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:47,900 heeding Heaven's Mandate and ruling the four seas, 251 00:17:47,900 --> 00:17:51,433 deem that governance of the state must be based on virtue and ability, 252 00:17:51,433 --> 00:17:52,966 and guided by loyalty and integrity. 253 00:17:53,533 --> 00:17:58,866 Wang Jun, Chief of the Privy Council, Left Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Chancellor of Secretariat, 254 00:17:59,300 --> 00:18:02,766 had minor merits in the past, once entrusted with heavy responsibilities. 255 00:18:02,766 --> 00:18:05,500 However, his recent conduct has been erratic and perverse. 256 00:18:05,500 --> 00:18:08,300 Abusing power and acting recklessly, he has failed his duty as a minister. 257 00:18:08,300 --> 00:18:12,533 Yet, Wang Jun shows no remorse or reform, causing chaos in court affairs and unrest. 258 00:18:12,900 --> 00:18:15,066 Therefore, he is stripped of all his titles and posts. 259 00:18:15,066 --> 00:18:18,933 He is demoted to Military Officer of Shangzhou, and must leave the capital immediately. 260 00:18:18,933 --> 00:18:22,866 In this new post, he must discipline himself and be diligent, fulfilling his duties, 261 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:25,866 to repay imperial grace and bring peace to the people. 262 00:18:25,866 --> 00:18:29,000 Should he fail to correct his past wrongs and repeat his mistakes, 263 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:31,733 the law of the land is clear, and I dare not show favoritism. 264 00:18:32,333 --> 00:18:34,630 Let the responsible authorities carry this out. 265 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:40,666 It has finally come to this. 266 00:18:44,533 --> 00:18:45,633 Back in Taiyuan, 267 00:18:47,533 --> 00:18:50,833 Jun had the nickname "the Scholar". He was open-minded about everything, 268 00:18:51,766 --> 00:18:53,000 He also had a chivalrous spirit. 269 00:18:54,133 --> 00:18:55,366 On every day off, 270 00:18:56,733 --> 00:19:00,000 he would take a jar of wine from the storehouse, 271 00:19:01,833 --> 00:19:03,766 and invite all our comrades for a feast. 272 00:19:05,633 --> 00:19:08,000 [Lady Dong, Guo Wei's concubine] The ancients said, 273 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:11,900 "It's better to be a dog in peaceful times than a man in chaotic times." 274 00:19:12,766 --> 00:19:14,633 This wretched world, 275 00:19:16,300 --> 00:19:17,533 is constantly at war. 276 00:19:19,266 --> 00:19:24,000 If the people of the world cannot attain peace, how can civil and military officials hope to achieve it? 277 00:19:26,433 --> 00:19:28,566 My entire family died, leaving no one behind. 278 00:19:29,100 --> 00:19:30,733 Even if one becomes the Emperor, 279 00:19:31,900 --> 00:19:32,966 what meaning does it hold? 280 00:19:34,733 --> 00:19:36,066 That day, Jun said to me, 281 00:19:37,866 --> 00:19:38,600 "This world, 282 00:19:39,933 --> 00:19:41,600 is still far from peace." 283 00:19:42,866 --> 00:19:43,666 In these times, 284 00:19:44,866 --> 00:19:47,500 no one has the fate of a peaceful Emperor. 285 00:19:48,666 --> 00:19:50,166 A peaceful Emperor... 286 00:19:52,233 --> 00:19:54,733 Emperor Taizong of Tang was an Emperor. 287 00:19:54,733 --> 00:19:57,566 He brought peace at the age of thirty-five. 288 00:19:59,300 --> 00:20:00,900 I am now fifty years old. 289 00:20:02,033 --> 00:20:02,733 How pitiful! 290 00:20:04,533 --> 00:20:05,566 For fifty years, 291 00:20:06,566 --> 00:20:08,166 I have never seen 292 00:20:09,533 --> 00:20:12,533 what a peaceful year even looks like. 293 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:18,866 What's wrong? 294 00:20:20,933 --> 00:20:22,400 I'll go fetch more wine and dishes. 295 00:20:24,033 --> 00:20:25,730 You two, father and son, have a good talk. 296 00:20:34,133 --> 00:20:38,333 Some matters can no longer be as they were in the past. 297 00:20:40,033 --> 00:20:41,033 Which matters? 298 00:20:41,933 --> 00:20:44,566 Achieving a peaceful and prosperous age is no easy task. 299 00:20:44,566 --> 00:20:48,833 Rather than wallowing in self-pity here, it's better to tackle things one by one, and get them done. 300 00:20:49,566 --> 00:20:50,600 How to do it? 301 00:20:51,733 --> 00:20:52,266 First, 302 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:53,900 cease court disputes. 303 00:20:55,033 --> 00:20:56,666 Given the current dire situation, 304 00:20:57,766 --> 00:21:00,766 we, as compatriots, should not engage in internal strife. 305 00:21:01,233 --> 00:21:05,033 Whether civil or military officials, as long as they serve the court wholeheartedly, 306 00:21:05,033 --> 00:21:08,033 even the imperial family should prioritize the greater good, 307 00:21:08,033 --> 00:21:09,900 and endure what must be endured. 308 00:21:09,900 --> 00:21:10,466 Continue. 309 00:21:11,733 --> 00:21:12,266 Second, 310 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:14,533 control Military Governors' elite soldiers. 311 00:21:14,533 --> 00:21:18,730 Most of the chaos stems from the arrogance of these elites, who overthrow their superiors, 312 00:21:18,730 --> 00:21:20,433 and even replace the ruling dynasty. 313 00:21:20,433 --> 00:21:25,200 Father, you are now master of the world. There should be no division between inner and outer. 314 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:29,466 The elites of the various military governors must be gradually integrated into the Imperial Guard. 315 00:21:29,466 --> 00:21:32,266 Incidents of Baima Station and Xingjiao Gate— I know these stories. 316 00:21:32,266 --> 00:21:32,933 Third: 317 00:21:33,533 --> 00:21:35,333 Advance civil governance. 318 00:21:35,333 --> 00:21:39,100 All great eras in history relied on cultural and educational work. 319 00:21:39,100 --> 00:21:43,133 In court administration, we should use more civil officials who can accomplish things. 320 00:21:43,866 --> 00:21:44,800 The central court 321 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:47,333 should not be dominated by military men. 322 00:21:48,633 --> 00:21:49,300 Fourth: 323 00:21:49,766 --> 00:21:51,300 Curb the military governors. 324 00:21:51,300 --> 00:21:53,100 The world has been split apart too long. 325 00:21:53,100 --> 00:21:56,066 Prefectures and commanderies constantly war and annex one another. 326 00:21:57,200 --> 00:21:58,833 The state's foundation is weakened, 327 00:21:59,433 --> 00:22:01,100 and the people endure displacement. 328 00:22:01,733 --> 00:22:03,566 A vast dream indeed. 329 00:22:05,333 --> 00:22:05,966 It is a dream, 330 00:22:06,866 --> 00:22:07,866 but we must dare to dream it. 331 00:22:09,066 --> 00:22:09,700 Fifth: 332 00:22:10,066 --> 00:22:11,833 Plan for unification. 333 00:22:11,833 --> 00:22:12,566 The world is vast. 334 00:22:13,333 --> 00:22:15,933 State taxes, agriculture, water conservancy, 335 00:22:16,233 --> 00:22:17,900 education, relief, commerce— 336 00:22:18,266 --> 00:22:19,966 these are all the court's duties. 337 00:22:20,666 --> 00:22:24,566 If the court cannot do them, or do them well, how can we speak of unification? 338 00:22:24,566 --> 00:22:28,133 The court's decrees are mere useless paper to those military governors. 339 00:22:29,266 --> 00:22:30,533 Consider the yearly floods. 340 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:35,566 Taming it is harder than reaching heaven, because upstream are the Guanzhong garrisons, 341 00:22:36,066 --> 00:22:38,900 midstream the breakaway Northern Han, and downstream... 342 00:22:39,466 --> 00:22:41,200 just last month, Murong Yanchao was there. 343 00:22:42,100 --> 00:22:45,700 Not to mention Southern Tang, Western Shu, Wuyue, and other such states. 344 00:22:45,700 --> 00:22:47,000 Each has its own separate rule. 345 00:22:47,666 --> 00:22:49,533 If the world cannot be unified, 346 00:22:50,100 --> 00:22:52,700 then what we call an Emperor, meaning Son of Heaven, 347 00:22:53,900 --> 00:22:56,000 is just a better-fed military governor. 348 00:22:56,266 --> 00:22:59,133 There are so many tasks. One generation cannot finish them all. 349 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:00,566 We must rely on effort. 350 00:23:01,766 --> 00:23:02,300 Father, 351 00:23:03,533 --> 00:23:06,600 if we cannot, like Emperor Taizong, bring peace at thirty-five, 352 00:23:07,466 --> 00:23:08,733 then we strive for forty-five. 353 00:23:08,733 --> 00:23:09,333 Fifty-five. 354 00:23:09,633 --> 00:23:10,333 Sixty-five. 355 00:23:11,233 --> 00:23:15,066 If one generation cannot finish, then two generations, three generations. 356 00:23:15,066 --> 00:23:19,233 As long as each generation continues, we will eventually give this world back a golden age of peace. 357 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:30,833 General of the Left Gate Guard, Prefect of Chanzhou, 358 00:23:31,533 --> 00:23:35,333 Military Governor of the Zhenning Army, Marquis of Taiyuan, Guo Rong, 359 00:23:35,733 --> 00:23:39,033 possesses great literary talent, and is courageous beyond compare. 360 00:23:39,033 --> 00:23:43,800 He repaired the great river, and governed the people, easing their livelihood. 361 00:23:44,300 --> 00:23:48,633 He is appointed Prefect of Kaifeng, Chancellor of the Central Secretariat, 362 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:52,900 concurrently Merit Commissioner, and granted authority over all military affairs. 363 00:23:52,900 --> 00:23:54,233 He is enfeoffed as Prince of Jin. 364 00:23:55,033 --> 00:23:57,466 May he not disgrace this most impartial appointment. 365 00:23:58,066 --> 00:24:01,200 Let this be proclaimed far and wide, that all may hear it. 366 00:24:01,533 --> 00:24:03,666 Let the responsible authorities carry this out. 367 00:24:04,500 --> 00:24:07,500 I kowtow in gratitude for Your Majesty's heavenly grace. 368 00:24:17,666 --> 00:24:18,366 Chancellery: 369 00:24:18,766 --> 00:24:25,200 Deputy Director of the Secretariat, Chancellor, and Commissioner of the Three Fiscal Agencies, Li Gu, 370 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:29,833 is appointed Inspector of the Six Residences in Jiangnan, in Wuyue prefectures. 371 00:24:30,700 --> 00:24:34,600 Remonstrance Officer and Kaifeng Prefecture Judicial Officer Wang Pu, 372 00:24:34,866 --> 00:24:38,466 Chief Commander of the Imperial Guards, Zhao Kuangyin, 373 00:24:38,466 --> 00:24:41,333 are appointed Deputy Inspector of the Six Residences. 374 00:24:41,333 --> 00:24:45,066 They shall pacify the southeast area, to manifest the court's sincere intent. 375 00:24:45,066 --> 00:24:47,100 You all have long been known for your loyalty. 376 00:24:47,633 --> 00:24:51,500 Let this be proclaimed, that all may hear it. Let the responsible authorities carry this out. 377 00:24:51,500 --> 00:24:53,366 We obey the decree. 378 00:24:56,400 --> 00:24:59,933 Li Gu's mission to Southern Tang and Wuyue this time, 379 00:25:00,833 --> 00:25:03,466 is to cease warfare, forge alliances, 380 00:25:04,400 --> 00:25:05,266 and promote trade. 381 00:25:05,833 --> 00:25:08,333 [Eastern Palace Guard Officer] Years of war, compounded by natural disasters, 382 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:12,033 [Eastern Palace Guard Officer] have left local granaries more than half empty. 383 00:25:13,466 --> 00:25:17,233 His Majesty intends to recuperate and build strength, to cease fighting. 384 00:25:17,233 --> 00:25:23,533 Huainan, Jiangnan, and Wuyue have been the land of fish and rice since the time of the two Jin dynasties. 385 00:25:24,933 --> 00:25:31,166 If grain from the south can be shipped north, the court's situation in the coming two years will be much easier. 386 00:25:32,100 --> 00:25:36,333 The lords have been divided for nearly a century. The realm must ultimately be unified. 387 00:25:36,900 --> 00:25:38,633 This journey south is also 388 00:25:38,633 --> 00:25:43,100 [Wang Pu] to observe the customs and bearing of the southern people. 389 00:25:43,100 --> 00:25:45,900 The Li clan of Southern Tang and the Qian clan of Wuyue— 390 00:25:47,666 --> 00:25:50,666 if they can submit to the king's rule without resorting to arms, 391 00:25:51,500 --> 00:25:52,600 nothing could be better. 392 00:25:53,733 --> 00:25:55,700 [Western Palace Guard Officer] This matter 393 00:25:55,700 --> 00:25:57,233 [Western Palace Guard Officer] is likely not easy. 394 00:25:57,233 --> 00:25:58,500 I know it is not easy. 395 00:25:59,866 --> 00:26:02,433 That is why I have Mr. Wang and Kuangyin 396 00:26:03,100 --> 00:26:07,500 accompany Li Gu on this journey south, to observe the situation. 397 00:26:08,100 --> 00:26:09,733 Observe not just the court, 398 00:26:10,766 --> 00:26:11,833 but also the common folk. 399 00:26:12,666 --> 00:26:16,000 A state's strength lies not only in its arms, 400 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:18,433 but more in its people's hearts. 401 00:26:19,900 --> 00:26:22,233 If the people in Jiangnan favor the Li clan, 402 00:26:22,233 --> 00:26:23,733 and in Wuyue favor the Qian clan, 403 00:26:24,500 --> 00:26:25,933 even if their armies are weak, 404 00:26:26,700 --> 00:26:30,433 the court should treat them kindly and await change. 405 00:26:32,266 --> 00:26:32,766 Therefore, 406 00:26:34,033 --> 00:26:36,533 Mei and Bin shall also go. 407 00:26:37,500 --> 00:26:42,133 Bring back to me the true state of affairs in Wuyue and Southern Tang. 408 00:26:44,533 --> 00:26:45,166 Understood. 409 00:27:00,300 --> 00:27:02,566 I told you to go and rest early. 410 00:27:03,333 --> 00:27:04,966 I don't need anyone attending to me here. 411 00:27:19,233 --> 00:27:20,100 Stay up less late. 412 00:27:21,333 --> 00:27:24,400 [Lady Fu, Guo Rong's wife] Work is never finished. 413 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:26,100 Build your body to be stronger, 414 00:27:27,100 --> 00:27:29,200 and strive to add a few more years to your life. 415 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:31,433 You make it sound so easy. 416 00:27:33,100 --> 00:27:34,200 The times are hard. 417 00:27:35,100 --> 00:27:37,733 Even the imperial family can fall into ruin without a good end. 418 00:27:37,733 --> 00:27:40,566 Father wants to build a century of peace and prosperity. 419 00:27:40,566 --> 00:27:45,300 From the court down to the prefectures and counties, there are countless matters waiting to be handled. 420 00:27:52,200 --> 00:27:55,666 When Luojia was alive, she could always understand these difficulties. 421 00:27:56,566 --> 00:27:57,833 She never spoke such angry words to me. 422 00:27:58,833 --> 00:27:59,733 Your words, my King, 423 00:28:00,833 --> 00:28:01,900 I do not wish to hear. 424 00:28:03,933 --> 00:28:04,800 The times are hard. 425 00:28:05,766 --> 00:28:07,300 Is it only your family that is broken? 426 00:28:10,400 --> 00:28:14,200 You lost your wife of first marriage, and I too lost my young husband. 427 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:16,566 We are both lost souls in this world. 428 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:18,500 Who does not know the other's heart? 429 00:28:26,033 --> 00:28:26,666 Guo Rong, 430 00:28:31,333 --> 00:28:33,133 If you think I am not as good as Lady Liu, 431 00:28:33,666 --> 00:28:34,900 then just say it plainly. 432 00:28:35,466 --> 00:28:40,933 I will return to my parents' home with pregnancy. At least there will be a peaceful meal. 433 00:28:40,933 --> 00:28:44,400 I only said one thing, and you reply with so many complaints. 434 00:28:46,733 --> 00:28:49,133 On our wedding day two years ago, I already told you: 435 00:28:49,133 --> 00:28:49,766 I, Guo Rong, 436 00:28:49,766 --> 00:28:50,966 am a man whose heart is dead. 437 00:28:51,666 --> 00:28:54,033 Unlike the young master of the Li family, 438 00:28:54,033 --> 00:28:54,933 in this life, 439 00:28:55,566 --> 00:28:57,933 it is unlikely I will ever live well again. 440 00:28:57,933 --> 00:28:59,566 If you seek wealth and peace, 441 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:01,533 I am truly not a good match. 442 00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:10,466 But what did you say before? 443 00:29:11,266 --> 00:29:12,966 We are just two unfortunate people 444 00:29:13,533 --> 00:29:15,400 huddling together for warmth. 445 00:29:15,866 --> 00:29:17,500 I regret it now, is that not allowed? 446 00:29:18,633 --> 00:29:19,000 You... 447 00:29:19,700 --> 00:29:20,266 King, 448 00:29:20,766 --> 00:29:23,800 Zhao Kuangyin, Chief of the Imperial Guards, requests an audience. 449 00:29:42,700 --> 00:29:43,960 Greetings, Great King. 450 00:29:48,100 --> 00:29:51,000 We are comrades. No need for such formality. 451 00:29:52,666 --> 00:29:55,666 To keep calling you by nickname would be rather inappropriate now. 452 00:29:56,866 --> 00:29:57,666 Enough of that. 453 00:29:59,133 --> 00:30:01,966 Coming here so late, if you don't have urgent business, 454 00:30:02,433 --> 00:30:03,866 then hurry back and get some sleep. 455 00:30:04,666 --> 00:30:06,100 We set off south tomorrow. 456 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:07,266 May I ask you, 457 00:30:07,933 --> 00:30:08,633 is the court 458 00:30:09,300 --> 00:30:10,633 planning a southern campaign? 459 00:30:27,866 --> 00:30:28,900 Who told you that? 460 00:30:33,566 --> 00:30:36,233 I wasn't intended to think about it, 461 00:30:36,233 --> 00:30:39,300 but today, the things you said at Kaifeng Prefecture, 462 00:30:39,933 --> 00:30:42,533 I've been turning them over, and it all feels somewhat strange. 463 00:30:44,533 --> 00:30:45,266 Strange? 464 00:30:46,700 --> 00:30:48,200 Southern Tang is one thing. 465 00:30:49,766 --> 00:30:50,700 But in Wuyue, 466 00:30:51,433 --> 00:30:52,966 it's Hongchu who's in charge now. 467 00:30:53,500 --> 00:30:57,233 If there were anything you worry, speaking openly wouldn't matter. 468 00:30:57,233 --> 00:31:01,366 Yet you deliberately mentioned none of it, sticking only to formal pleasantries. 469 00:31:11,833 --> 00:31:13,633 As expected, I couldn't hide it from you. 470 00:31:17,666 --> 00:31:19,860 So a southern campaign is truly coming? 471 00:31:22,733 --> 00:31:23,266 Look at this. 472 00:31:26,900 --> 00:31:28,233 This is Mr. Wang's writing. 473 00:31:28,833 --> 00:31:29,433 Read it. 474 00:31:33,933 --> 00:31:37,766 The disorder of the late Tang lay in the weakness of imperial authority. 475 00:31:37,766 --> 00:31:42,500 The scourge of the military governors stemmed from the excessive power of frontier commanders. 476 00:31:42,500 --> 00:31:47,033 Since the Zhenguan era onward, the primary criterion for appointment has been administrative skill. 477 00:31:47,033 --> 00:31:50,000 Moral was neglected, and serious governance became an empty name. 478 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:53,766 Control over the Secretariat was effective, but oversight of the regions was not. 479 00:31:55,733 --> 00:31:58,700 The sovereign's reliance on frontier commanders was not without cause. 480 00:31:58,700 --> 00:32:02,930 The court's practice of enfeoffing military governors would also cause bad consequences. 481 00:32:09,066 --> 00:32:12,266 I have been reading the Admonitions of Duke Wei Zheng. 482 00:32:13,766 --> 00:32:17,300 One who is illiterate cannot govern the officials. 483 00:32:18,633 --> 00:32:22,700 One who does not study history cannot understand the cycles of rise and fall. 484 00:32:25,133 --> 00:32:30,066 The issue of military governors and local rulers has always been an intractable knot. 485 00:32:30,066 --> 00:32:35,760 Ever since the First Emperor replaced the Duke of Zhou's feudal system with commanderies and counties, 486 00:32:35,760 --> 00:32:36,833 this knot was there. 487 00:32:38,133 --> 00:32:39,366 In this vast China land, 488 00:32:40,200 --> 00:32:41,466 a single dispatch 489 00:32:42,100 --> 00:32:46,533 from Guanzhong or Henan to Guangzhou or Quanzhou 490 00:32:47,100 --> 00:32:49,100 would take a fast horse two months. 491 00:32:51,233 --> 00:32:53,566 If sent to Qianzhong or the Baiyue lands, 492 00:32:54,066 --> 00:32:55,800 it might take over half a year. 493 00:32:57,066 --> 00:33:01,933 Thus, it is not a question of whether the court is willing to establish military governors, 494 00:33:02,933 --> 00:33:06,733 but rather that some places naturally have military governors. 495 00:33:10,766 --> 00:33:12,033 It is the force of circumstance. 496 00:33:13,700 --> 00:33:14,400 How can tactics 497 00:33:15,133 --> 00:33:16,266 halt it? 498 00:33:18,300 --> 00:33:20,966 In the early Han, there were no such things as provinces. 499 00:33:22,333 --> 00:33:23,333 The Prefect, 500 00:33:24,666 --> 00:33:27,933 was merely an official for inspection and impeachment. 501 00:33:29,200 --> 00:33:29,766 However, 502 00:33:30,566 --> 00:33:32,833 once this system lasted long enough, 503 00:33:32,833 --> 00:33:35,900 it eventually led to the establishment of thirteen provinces, 504 00:33:36,733 --> 00:33:38,033 akin to feudal states. 505 00:33:39,400 --> 00:33:40,900 The court could not control them. 506 00:33:42,133 --> 00:33:44,966 The chaos of the Three Kingdoms truly originated from this. 507 00:33:45,833 --> 00:33:51,500 The Wei and Jin dynasties curtailed the power held by inspectors and governors, 508 00:33:52,733 --> 00:33:55,033 but still had to bestow 509 00:33:55,700 --> 00:33:58,700 white banners and yellow axes upon military commanders, [white banners and yellow axes: represent military authority] 510 00:33:58,766 --> 00:34:00,866 allowing them to govern the regions. [white banners and yellow axes: represent military authority] 511 00:34:01,666 --> 00:34:04,900 Over time, they amassed military power and acted autonomously. 512 00:34:05,033 --> 00:34:08,266 The chaos of the Sixteen Kingdoms also stemmed from this. 513 00:34:09,866 --> 00:34:10,600 In the early Tang, 514 00:34:11,566 --> 00:34:13,766 though prefectures and commanderies were established, 515 00:34:14,566 --> 00:34:17,066 they ultimately could not resist this trend 516 00:34:18,633 --> 00:34:22,000 and even gave rise to offices like the military governor. 517 00:34:23,133 --> 00:34:23,800 Your Majesty, 518 00:34:25,100 --> 00:34:26,033 if you wish to change this, 519 00:34:27,466 --> 00:34:29,500 you must first alter the underlying trend. 520 00:34:30,666 --> 00:34:31,400 Otherwise, 521 00:34:32,133 --> 00:34:35,166 laws and tactics are merely minor arts. 522 00:34:36,866 --> 00:34:37,966 Within a hundred years, 523 00:34:38,833 --> 00:34:39,900 there may be no trouble, 524 00:34:40,866 --> 00:34:41,966 but after five dynasties, 525 00:34:43,333 --> 00:34:45,066 it will surely become a calamity. 526 00:34:48,066 --> 00:34:49,300 What is to be done? 527 00:34:50,900 --> 00:34:53,933 If Your Majesty lacks long-term foresight, 528 00:34:53,933 --> 00:34:58,766 then reducing the vassals' power is merely drinking poison to quench thirst. 529 00:35:00,066 --> 00:35:01,466 You may manage it for the present, 530 00:35:02,566 --> 00:35:03,900 but not for future generations. 531 00:35:05,233 --> 00:35:07,900 If Emperor Taizong of Tang had employed enfeoffment, 532 00:35:10,033 --> 00:35:12,100 could he have avoided the chaos of later times? 533 00:35:12,900 --> 00:35:13,766 He could not. 534 00:35:14,666 --> 00:35:15,566 Why is that? 535 00:35:16,233 --> 00:35:18,233 The Duke of Zhou's enfeoffment 536 00:35:18,233 --> 00:35:21,900 was to transform wild frontier lands into core territories of the Central Plains. 537 00:35:22,933 --> 00:35:26,066 Emperor Gaozu of Han's enfeoffment was to turn impoverished wastelands 538 00:35:26,066 --> 00:35:28,133 into lands governed with non-interference. 539 00:35:28,133 --> 00:35:30,033 But Emperor Taizong of Tang's enfeoffment 540 00:35:30,233 --> 00:35:33,533 was to carve up the national territory to enfeoff princes and meritorious officials, 541 00:35:34,500 --> 00:35:38,900 merely bequeathing a source of calamity, with little achieved in governance and transformation. 542 00:35:40,066 --> 00:35:42,666 If Emperor Wen had possessed great wisdom, 543 00:35:43,533 --> 00:35:47,033 enfeoffing Prince Wei to the Baiyue and East Sea, 544 00:35:47,833 --> 00:35:51,133 enfeoffing Gaozong to the frontier of Yanji, 545 00:35:51,166 --> 00:35:51,633 then 546 00:35:52,733 --> 00:35:55,666 the Zhenguan era would have seen no Xuanwu Gate Rebellion, 547 00:35:55,666 --> 00:35:58,466 the glorious Tang would have had no An-Shi Rebellion. 548 00:35:58,633 --> 00:36:02,500 Only this kind of enfeoffment reveals its true purpose. 549 00:36:04,166 --> 00:36:05,200 Yet, 550 00:36:06,866 --> 00:36:08,366 with Prince Wei's favored status, 551 00:36:09,333 --> 00:36:12,100 sending him to the southeast with little actual power. 552 00:36:13,433 --> 00:36:14,300 Emperor Taizong 553 00:36:15,500 --> 00:36:16,400 could not bear it. 554 00:36:18,100 --> 00:36:19,433 But if we do not weaken the vassals, 555 00:36:21,300 --> 00:36:22,933 how can the realm be unified? 556 00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:26,266 How can the warfare cease? 557 00:36:27,500 --> 00:36:28,633 How can the people, 558 00:36:30,466 --> 00:36:32,033 live in peace, health, and prosperity? 559 00:36:32,900 --> 00:36:33,533 Your Majesty, 560 00:36:34,133 --> 00:36:36,433 weakening the vassals is not the fundamental way. 561 00:36:38,700 --> 00:36:40,300 Nor does it mean they cannot be weakened. 562 00:36:43,800 --> 00:36:47,266 The so-called reduction of vassals does not mean weakening every vassal we see. 563 00:36:48,533 --> 00:36:52,300 Whom to weaken and whom not, why to weaken, why not to weaken— 564 00:36:53,300 --> 00:36:54,466 this is a profound study. 565 00:36:55,300 --> 00:36:56,633 I ask for your guidance, Rong. 566 00:36:57,800 --> 00:37:00,930 Reducing vassals is the state's foremost important matter. 567 00:37:04,166 --> 00:37:05,300 The Qian clan of Wuyue, 568 00:37:06,033 --> 00:37:09,666 since Qian Liu seized control of the southeast, for fifty years, 569 00:37:10,066 --> 00:37:12,700 has served the court well and diligently paid tribute. 570 00:37:12,700 --> 00:37:16,333 They can protect their borders and pacify their people. 571 00:37:16,333 --> 00:37:20,333 Even if the current ruler were not Hongchu, there would be no hurry to weaken them. 572 00:37:21,866 --> 00:37:23,633 But as for the Li clan of Southern Tang, 573 00:37:24,700 --> 00:37:29,500 the Li family has proclaimed itself emperor, like Yuan Shu at the end of the Eastern Han. 574 00:37:29,733 --> 00:37:31,866 Thus all should join in condemning them. 575 00:37:33,566 --> 00:37:38,633 But that also depends on whether the matter of transporting southern grain north can be accomplished. 576 00:37:38,633 --> 00:37:41,566 Therefore, reducing vassals depends not only on the situation, 577 00:37:42,066 --> 00:37:43,633 but also on communications. 578 00:37:43,633 --> 00:37:44,433 Communications? 579 00:37:45,100 --> 00:37:48,000 If the people and merchants can interact without hindrance, 580 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:49,900 trading goods and facilitating commerce, 581 00:37:50,733 --> 00:37:51,566 over time, 582 00:37:52,300 --> 00:37:54,833 even the incompatible will become one. 583 00:37:54,833 --> 00:37:55,666 Conversely, 584 00:37:56,700 --> 00:38:00,100 if the two sides are isolated, with no contact between officials and people, 585 00:38:00,500 --> 00:38:01,366 over time, 586 00:38:02,466 --> 00:38:04,133 separation becomes custom and precedent. 587 00:38:05,166 --> 00:38:08,900 That land and its people will truly no longer belong to the central authority. 588 00:38:10,900 --> 00:38:13,000 Therefore, on this southern journey, 589 00:38:13,633 --> 00:38:15,833 we first discuss communications with Hongchu. 590 00:38:17,433 --> 00:38:18,366 Hongchu, 591 00:38:19,866 --> 00:38:21,566 surely has his own difficulties as well. 592 00:38:30,866 --> 00:38:31,400 Reduce the army? 593 00:38:32,733 --> 00:38:33,433 Reduce the army. 594 00:38:33,933 --> 00:38:34,433 Whom to reduce? 595 00:38:44,866 --> 00:38:45,800 Reduce how many? 596 00:38:46,466 --> 00:38:47,700 And under what pretext? 597 00:38:54,933 --> 00:38:55,800 Reporting to you, Lord. 598 00:38:57,066 --> 00:38:58,400 Since the third year of Changxing, 599 00:38:59,066 --> 00:39:01,700 [Shen Yin] Wuyue has had thirteen Companies of troops. 600 00:39:01,700 --> 00:39:05,233 Among them, eight Companies were established when King Wusu raised his army. 601 00:39:05,233 --> 00:39:06,233 Five were added later. 602 00:39:06,633 --> 00:39:09,500 During King Wenmu's reign, the Imperial and Personal Guard were established, 603 00:39:09,500 --> 00:39:14,133 including Zhongzhi, Kuangwu, Cifei, Left and Right Halls, Yue Cavalry and so, twenty-four in total. 604 00:39:14,533 --> 00:39:16,833 King Zhongxian established three new companies. 605 00:39:17,733 --> 00:39:21,900 In addition, there are the Liaoqian Company guarding the seawall and the Taihu Lake dike, 606 00:39:22,933 --> 00:39:28,466 the Zhedong and Zhexi, two major Land Offices responsible for cultivation, construction, and military settlements, 607 00:39:29,400 --> 00:39:32,166 the Ruijin Company responsible for repairing armor and weapons, 608 00:39:32,566 --> 00:39:35,033 the Louchuan Company responsible for repairing warships, 609 00:39:35,466 --> 00:39:37,533 The Chejia Company responsible for repairing vehicles. 610 00:39:37,900 --> 00:39:41,333 And also, the three Zizhong Companies responsible for transporting supplies. 611 00:39:41,933 --> 00:39:44,100 In total, it's forty-eight companies. 612 00:39:44,100 --> 00:39:47,733 Troop, two hundred and forty thousand, three thousand, five hundred and eighty-one men. 613 00:39:48,466 --> 00:39:51,366 This military reduction will include the old eight companies, 614 00:39:51,366 --> 00:39:53,066 and the five established at the founding. 615 00:39:53,333 --> 00:39:54,266 All will be disbanded. 616 00:39:54,900 --> 00:40:01,633 The two major Land Offices, their affiliated officers will be transferred to the Ministry of Revenue as subordinates. 617 00:40:02,133 --> 00:40:04,000 The soldiers will all be disbanded. 618 00:40:04,733 --> 00:40:08,800 The Ruijin, the Louchuan, and the three Zizhong Companies will merge into the Ministry of War. 619 00:40:08,800 --> 00:40:10,533 The Chejia into the Ministry of Works. 620 00:40:11,066 --> 00:40:14,033 In total, twenty-one Companies will be disbanded, reducing troop strength by 621 00:40:14,233 --> 00:40:16,566 eighty-seven thousand, three hundred and twenty-one men. 622 00:40:17,033 --> 00:40:18,966 Do you also intend to destroy Wuyue? 623 00:40:26,733 --> 00:40:28,466 Does the King know what soldiers are? 624 00:40:29,700 --> 00:40:30,933 Without the old eight companies, 625 00:40:32,166 --> 00:40:33,466 there would be no Wuyue. 626 00:40:34,633 --> 00:40:36,700 Without these soldiers, 627 00:40:37,633 --> 00:40:42,800 the old king would have been nothing but a fish and salt peddler struggling for life on the mudflats. 628 00:40:43,266 --> 00:40:45,800 And I would have been nothing but a filthy butcher 629 00:40:45,933 --> 00:40:48,100 in Chang'an, slaughtering pigs and sheep. 630 00:40:48,900 --> 00:40:49,900 In this chaotic age, 631 00:40:50,533 --> 00:40:51,833 human life is as cheap as grass. 632 00:40:52,466 --> 00:40:54,800 Soldiers are the foundation of the realm. 633 00:40:55,466 --> 00:40:55,933 Soldiers, 634 00:40:56,533 --> 00:41:00,000 are the ballast stone for our Wuyue's peaceful time. 635 00:41:01,033 --> 00:41:02,100 Without soldiers, 636 00:41:03,100 --> 00:41:04,300 or with weak soldiers, 637 00:41:05,333 --> 00:41:06,400 let alone the realm, 638 00:41:08,833 --> 00:41:09,733 the future, 639 00:41:10,633 --> 00:41:11,466 even now, 640 00:41:13,666 --> 00:41:16,800 the Li family of Southern Tang to the north will pounce fiercely upon us. 641 00:41:19,233 --> 00:41:21,766 With sharp teeth and claws, bite by bite, 642 00:41:22,266 --> 00:41:25,333 they will devour this paradise southeastern land until nothing remains. 643 00:41:26,100 --> 00:41:27,633 There will be no more state of Wuyue. 644 00:41:34,833 --> 00:41:38,633 Not only your family, but the entire Qian clan 645 00:41:39,466 --> 00:41:41,500 will be left with nowhere to bury their dead. 646 00:41:42,900 --> 00:41:43,400 Is that 647 00:41:44,233 --> 00:41:45,300 truly so? 648 00:41:46,566 --> 00:41:48,200 Does the King doubt my words? 649 00:41:51,400 --> 00:41:52,400 I am asking: 650 00:41:53,133 --> 00:41:57,366 Can today's old eight companies still serve as Wuyue's protective barrier? 651 00:42:01,333 --> 00:42:01,800 Yin, 652 00:42:05,533 --> 00:42:09,333 according to the inner guard roster, what is the listed strength of the old eight companies? 653 00:42:10,433 --> 00:42:13,833 Thirty-one thousand, eight hundred and eighty-two. 654 00:42:15,466 --> 00:42:16,533 How many are actually present? 655 00:42:17,666 --> 00:42:22,500 According to inspections by the Inner Guard Surveillance Office, the actual number is 656 00:42:22,833 --> 00:42:24,600 eleven thousand and fifty-four men. 657 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:27,666 Vacancies, 658 00:42:28,233 --> 00:42:28,900 ghost soldiers, 659 00:42:29,633 --> 00:42:30,233 false accounts. 660 00:42:31,500 --> 00:42:32,833 The three great military evils, 661 00:42:33,033 --> 00:42:33,700 are you 662 00:42:34,233 --> 00:42:35,333 all unaware? 663 00:42:44,700 --> 00:42:45,966 Lord, 664 00:42:46,800 --> 00:42:48,000 can such an army, 665 00:42:49,300 --> 00:42:51,600 still serve as our Wuyue's protective barrier? 666 00:43:24,433 --> 00:43:27,400 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles stretch towering mountains. ♫ 667 00:43:27,900 --> 00:43:30,866 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles run surging rivers. ♫ 668 00:43:31,433 --> 00:43:34,400 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles cry warhorses. ♫ 669 00:43:34,900 --> 00:43:39,000 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles there are emotions unspoken. ♫ 670 00:43:39,933 --> 00:43:42,900 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, flowers are blooming along the road. ♫ 671 00:43:43,400 --> 00:43:46,366 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, gooses are returning to the north. ♫ 672 00:43:46,933 --> 00:43:49,900 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, we stand through storms. ♫ 673 00:43:50,400 --> 00:43:54,500 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, we hope for a safe return. ♫ 674 00:43:58,700 --> 00:44:01,366 ♫ Tens of thousands of miles is not enough, ♫ 675 00:44:01,966 --> 00:44:04,866 ♫ for a lifetime's sorrows and joys. ♫ 676 00:44:05,500 --> 00:44:08,166 ♫ Tens of thousands of miles is not enough, ♫ 677 00:44:08,766 --> 00:44:11,666 ♫ for the endless seas and rivers. ♫ 678 00:44:12,466 --> 00:44:15,133 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫ 679 00:44:15,733 --> 00:44:18,633 ♫ love will overcome all barriers. ♫ 680 00:44:19,333 --> 00:44:20,633 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫ 681 00:44:21,300 --> 00:44:25,033 ♫ we are together in life and death. ♫ 682 00:44:25,966 --> 00:44:29,000 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles. ♫ 683 00:44:32,700 --> 00:44:35,733 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles. ♫ 684 00:44:39,633 --> 00:44:40,966 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫ 685 00:44:41,333 --> 00:44:42,766 ♫ the moon shines in the boundless world. ♫ 686 00:44:43,100 --> 00:44:46,333 ♫ My heart has its hometown to return. ♫ 687 00:44:46,533 --> 00:44:47,866 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫ 688 00:44:48,233 --> 00:44:49,666 ♫ who is the one crossing the waves with me, ♫ 689 00:44:50,000 --> 00:44:53,233 ♫ with our hearts unrepentant, through countless lifetimes. ♫ 690 00:44:53,433 --> 00:44:54,866 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫ 691 00:44:55,133 --> 00:44:56,666 ♫ oceans and lands witness that♫ 692 00:44:56,900 --> 00:44:59,666 ♫ the world will be safe and sound. ♫ 693 00:45:00,066 --> 00:45:03,100 ♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫ 694 00:45:11,266 --> 00:45:15,433 ♫ my heart is unchanging. ♫ 53881

Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.