Original subtitles

[Legend of the Magnate]

[Episode 4]

Mr. Chang.

You've worked hard.

I had heard before coming

that the matters you handled beyond the pass

went smoothly.

Please allow me to express my respects.

Thank you for asking.

Finally made it back before the New Year.

Tonight,

I'll treat everyone.

We have matters of great importance,

but no need to bring them up now.

The government offices are already closed.

After the Lantern Festival, I'll have Heizi

go to the draft bank to settle the accounts.

If you have anything else to ask,

go ahead and say it all.

I wouldn't dare. I wouldn't dare.

You're a respected senior.

If there's anything you need, just give the word.

I'll come to your residence anytime to serve you.

Old Chang.

When are you going to return

the two acres of salt fields

you stole from my ancestors?

You old coffin stuffing,

I'm talking to you!

You mean those two acres of salt fields

belong to your family?

Yeah!

They belong to my family,

to my ancestors,

to my forefathers!

They've been ours since the Ming Dynasty.

You stole them!

You robbed them!

Hey, what are you smirking at?

I'm smirking because...

Buddy, you're so smart.

So those two acres of salt fields really belong to your family?

Do you think I, Li Laizi,

would lie about this?

So who did Mr. Chang buy

those two acres of salt fields from?

From the government, of course.

Well, in that case.

even if they need to be returned,

Mr. Chang should return them to the government,

and you should then claim them from the government.

That's the proper way to handle it.

Since when

does this concern you?

Mind your own business!

Tell me.

If someone surnamed Zhu

suddenly appears,

claiming everything under heaven belongs to his family,

would His Majesty give it to him

or not?

You keep

demanding your ancestral property from the Ming Dynasty.

So enthusiastic about the previous dynasty—

Mr. Chang,

I think this person

looks like a rebel.

W-Who are you calling a rebel?

You've got some nerve.

You're trying to restore the old order

and overthrow the current one.

Mr. Chang,

let's write a petition

and send it to the magistrate.

Let's make it an imperial case,

have him escorted to the capital

and flayed alive at Caishikou.

Wait.

Y-You're talking nonsense.

W-Why should I be flayed alive?

You dare to sue over goods

sold by the government,

claiming they were stolen or robbed from you.

That equals calling

the government a thief.

Good heavens.

With that one remark,

you've insulted all the emperors of the Qing Dynasty

since they entered the pass

and established their rule.

Who should be flayed alive if not you?

No, no.

T-There's something so serious

behind this?

Wang Tiangui is setting me up!

Don't talk nonsense.

What does this have to do

with our master?

Hey.

You had me do you a favor,

paid me a few lousy coins,

and nearly got me flayed alive for it.

You heartless lot!

J-Just you wait!

This isn't over!

And the magistrate

is backing this kind of rebel?

After the Lantern Festival,

I think it's best to file a formal complaint

and get some answers.

Young man,

may I ask who you are?

He's my distant nephew.

On this trip beyond the pass,

he knew the way well,

so I brought him back with me.

From now on, he'll be

more involved in our family affairs.

Sir, you don't sound like

a local.

You have a bit of a Huaiyang accent.

Yes.

I'm from Huizhou.

I wasn't any good at studying,

so I'm now learning business from Mr. Chang.

Please kindly offer your guidance.

Certainly.

With pleasure.

I came here today

specially for this agreement.

You should know

the rules of draft banks, Mr. Chang.

Money is like an iron threshold,

and people are like the filling in a bun.

Doesn't matter whether it's the New Year or not—

when it's due,

it must be paid.

I just arrived,

and you're already here collecting debts.

Even the King of Hell

doesn't rush like this.

Heizi has already

settled the accounts today.

The silver ingots are sitting right there.

Tell Wang Tiangui

to come get the money himself with his cart.

I'm off to have a drink

with my men.

Mr. Chang. Mr. Chang.

Mr. Chang!

Hold on a moment.

Mr. Chang.

Please take a good look.

[Borrowed 1,000 taels in full under Wang Tiangui's name by agreement]

That money

is not enough.

How much short?

I'll run a couple extra loads after the New Year to cover it.

[Loan Agreement] [Borrower: Chang Si, Lender: Wang Tiangui]

Just charge interest on it.

Giving me trouble at a time like this,

do you think it's fun?

[Loan Agreement] [Borrower: Chang Si, Lender: Wang Tiangui]

Mr. Chang.

I wouldn't dare cause you trouble.

Please look carefully.

This agreement states

it was established at the magistrate office last October.

[5% interest, interest compounds, repayment due within this year][Stated]

His Worship vouched for it himself.

The interest is 5%,

and it compounds.

Besides,

if it isn't repaid in full within this year,

your house will be mortgaged to Master.

Even if it's short by the slightest bit,

it will still be considered unsettled.

[Repay in full by this year, or ancestral house will be mortgaged to Wang Tiangui]

Mr. Chang.

I'm only here to get your clear answer.

If you agree,

I'll have someone come by tomorrow to clear out your house for you.

Master

wants to spend the New Year here.

If you don't agree,

I'll leave right away.

Tomorrow, His Worship

will send people here to seal your door.

So,

what would you like me

to tell Master?

In this freezing weather

and during the New Year period,

where do you expect me to stay?

Out on the street?

Mr. Chang, well,

I can't think of any solution for you.

What's the rush?

It's not due yet.

What do you mean it isn't due?

It's stated right here,

"within this year."

It's only New Year's Eve tomorrow.

Any day before the first day of the New Year

still counts as this year.

So what?

The shops are all boarded up

and the government offices are all sealed.

What, do you shit gold or piss silver

so you can just produce money out of nowhere?

Do we have to throw you out onto the street

on New Year's Eve?

Is that what you want?

That's how the agreement was made.

It's written in black and white on paper.

Butler.

Just do as it says.

Please leave now.

You...

Fine.

Fine.

I'll give you one more day.

I'd like to see

how this money

will fall from the sky!

I'm so useless.

I fell into Wang Tiangui's trap.

I'm such a fool.

I'm probably the dumbest person

in this world.

Mr. Chang,

now is not the time for self-blame.

Let's discuss what to do.

What's there to discuss?

Distant nephew my foot.

Chang Si's family

has always been small.

I've never heard of

any young members.

That Old Chang

was quick to explain.

It's obvious he was hiding something.

He said this youngster

knew the way beyond the pass,

and he's teaching him how to do business.

If you ask me, that person

doesn't seem like a scholar,

but he doesn't

look like a merchant either.

70% scholarly, 30% rogue.

He has a Huaiyang accent,

but it will take some time

to verify.

Keep investigating.

Anyway,

whoever dares to ruin my plans,

I'll expose those monsters

for what they truly are!

Before the New Year,

all our men

returned safely.

A toast to that!

Cheers!

Bottoms up!

To Mr. Chang.

Come on, to Mr. Chang!

-To Mr. Chang. -To Mr. Chang!

Cheers! A toast to you.

We'd like to toast you.

Cheers.

Bottoms up.

Thank you for your hard work.

Drink up.

-Alright. -Alright.

Patriarch.

Alright.

Enjoy your drink.

Father,

take it easy with the drinking.

Why are you trying to outdrink everyone?

It's alright.

Come on, Heizi.

Come on.

Let's go toast our men.

Come on, fill it up.

Come on, guys!

-Mr. Chang. -Mr. Chang.

Mr. Chang is coming to toast us.

-Come on. -Guys!

Time for a toast!

Alright!

See?

It's the same every year.

He always gets hammered on New Year's Eve.

You've been with me for most of your life.

In past years, he drank to celebrate.

But this year...

I'm afraid he'll get drunk a bit sooner.

Those who joined later,

working in the horse gang...

What happened?

Wang Tiangui's butler

was here with an agreement,

asking Mr. Chang to give up his house.

Didn't we already pay him?

We still owe 718 taels.

I'll get Father back here.

What's the use of drowning his sorrows in alcohol?

Sit.

Do you have a solution?

-No. -Then why add to the trouble?

Let's drink up together!

-Bottoms up! -Bottoms up!

Come on, Heizi.

Look.

If Mr. Chang had any solution,

would he be

drinking so much?

Thank you all for your hard work, guys.

I'll drink first to show my respect.

Come on, drink up.

Let's all drink up together!

Let's drink up together! Cheers!

Bottoms up!

Come on, Heizi.

Come on.

Fill it up. Fill it up.

One more.

Getting kicked out of our home

on New Year's Eve...

I'll figure something out tomorrow morning

and find us a place to stay,

so Father won't feel too bad.

Gu.

Sorry about this.

You guys saved my life.

Don't worry.

I'll think of something.

What if there's no solution?

Then we'll sleep on the street.

I've already left Ningguta.

For me,

anywhere is a better place.

Good wine should be enjoyed properly.

Guys,

drink up, drink up!

Alright.

I'll help Patriarch

inside to rest for a while.

D-Drink to your heart's content.

I-I'm not drunk.

Let's have a drink together.

Scooch over.

Come on, don't cry.

How can I think of a solution when you're like this?

Then...

Then I'll go somewhere else.

That's not what I meant.

Come take a walk with me.

Get some fresh air.

Show me around a bit.

Let's go.

Time to grab the gold ingots!

Hurry up and grab some!

You got some!

I want some too!

Come on, over here!

When did you start traveling with the horse gang

alongside Mr. Chang?

When I was younger than this kid,

about 3 or 4.

My mother passed away early.

I kind of grew up

swaying back and forth in carriages.

That sounds nice.

When I was little,

I just studied in my village.

The first time I traveled far

was to the provincial capital for the provincial exam.

After that,

I went to the capital for the imperial exam,

and then, I went to Ningguta.

I really wish I could be like you,

traveling everywhere.

After being on the road for so long,

you really start to miss staying at home.

My father also said

later, he'd hang up his whip,

sell the caravan,

and enjoy his retirement at home.

Does it snow often where you're from?

Very rarely.

My family are tea farmers.

There's a tea mountain over there.

If someday

I can go back,

I'll definitely treat you to

the best tea from our Huizhou.

That sounds wonderful,

but I'm afraid I won't have such luck.

You...

Just consider me babbling.

Gu,

you're a lucky man blessed by heaven.

You'll definitely make it back.

I'm certainly blessed.

It's thanks to the care your family gave me

that I've lived to this day.

Don't worry.

The house matter will turn out fine too.

There's an outbreak of equine disease on the Horqin Grasslands.

Those in front, make way!

His Highness needs to hire a horse gang

to deliver medicine.

Move aside!

Who's willing to go?

Make way!

Move aside!

There's an outbreak of equine disease on the Horqin Grasslands.

His Highness needs to hire a horse gang

to deliver medicine.

Who's willing to go?

I've long heard that

Pingyao is the wealthiest in the region.

It's so late,

yet there are still so many people doing business.

Those in front, make way!

That's just how Pingyao is.

Lots of horse gangs, draft banks,

and pawnshops.

Children

who aren't cut out for studying

are sent early to learn business.

It's a pity I'm not a boy.

Otherwise, I could also

help my father with his business.

There's an outbreak of equine disease on the Horqin Grasslands.

His Highness needs to hire a horse gang

to deliver medicine.

Who's willing to go?

Come on, make way!

Ms. Chang.

Move aside! Don't block the way.

I've thought of a solution

to our current predicament.

Are you interested?

Those princes on the grasslands

have started fighting.

I heard they're fighting over pastures.

They've sent people specifically to buy medicine.

They've already paid

and are leaving tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Even if I agreed to go tomorrow,

my gang wouldn't go along with it.

That's right.

With all this chaos,

once we get there,

we won't even be able to speak their language.

Exactly.

No, thank you.

You are...

I'm Chang Si's daughter.

I've been looking for Mr. Chang.

Is he here?

He's drinking

with his gang.

I'm Mr. Chang's nephew.

Mr. Chang asked me to deliver a message:

this business deal,

he's taking it.

Mr. Chang is truly remarkable!

Probably

he really dares to go.

Come here.

This is not a matter to joke about.

I'm not joking.

Do you know where you'll be heading?

Heading west this season,

[Manager of the Horse Gang Office]

you have to cross the Black Water Marsh

and climb the Duozhe Mountains.

Those mountains are so high

that even birds can't fly over them.

Today we invited so many

horse gang people here,

yet no one dares to take the job.

I'll just pacify that Mongolian

and try somewhere else

tomorrow.

You don't believe

I can speak for Mr. Chang?

This way, please.

[Horse Gang Office]

Come on.

[Horse Gang Office]

Liuzi, go sweep the stable.

Especially over there, clean it thoroughly.

It's cold, so add extra fodder.

Mr. Zeng.

Check the horseshoes

and get someone to help you.

Alright!

Please take a look carefully.

This agreement states

[If not repaid in full within this year, ancestral house mortgaged to Wang Tiangui]

if it isn't repaid in full within this year,

[Loan Agreement] [Borrower: Chang Si, Lender: Wang Tiangui]

your house will be mortgaged to Master.

How much short?

718 taels.

[500 taels]

Yu'er!

Father.

You're awake.

Where did this money

come from?

Everyone.

There's something

I must tell you all.

Mr. Chang still owes money

for this house.

If we can't pay the full amount today,

Wang Tiangui will take it away,

and Mr. Chang and his family

will be out on the streets.

What's happening?

I took the liberty

of accepting a job to deliver medicinal herbs

to the Horqin Grasslands.

Please have a seat, you two.

Have you talked business before?

Just play it by ear.

Have a good talk.

Hanlong, right?

I'll talk with you.

Any conditions I can agree to,

Mr. Chang Si will certainly agree to as well.

I know Mr. Chang.

[Mongolian Traveling Merchant: Hanlong]

He used to travel to western Mongolia quite often.

Our prince knows him too.

He's a good man.

Come on,

have a drink.

You're a real man.

You can really hold your liquor.

Here.

Here.

Here.

All the Han merchants

are received by me.

From now on,

just treat me as one of your own.

Sure.

Thank you for your hospitality.

I still don't know

what medicine you're planning to deliver.

Father.

Say something, please.

Why are you just pacing around without saying a word?

Is this the solution you came up for me?

It wasn't me.

It was Gu.

He...

He...

He...

He...

He's never even worked with a horse gang!

He's just a scholar.

How could you agree to his plan?

If I didn't agree,

what, should we just wait

to be kicked out tonight?

Where are we going to get that much money?

I've never been to western Mongolia,

and I don't know much about that place.

But there's a saying from my hometown.

It goes "1,000 miles or 10,000 miles,

as long as you start walking, you'll eventually reach your destination."

It means

no matter how far the journey is,

as long as you take the first step,

you'll definitely reach your destination!

This money is like a hot potato!

There's a war going on in Horqin.

It's too dangerous to go there!

Didn't you say it yourself

that fortune favors the brave?

You must be lying to me.

He doesn't know business at all.

How could he possibly have closed this deal?

I taught him.

This won't do.

60 days at most.

Well...

When I traveled with my father in summer,

it took at least two and a half months.

Exactly.

And that was in summer.

This time,

with snow and wind,

plus climbing the Duozhe Mountains

and crossing the Black Water Marsh,

and on the road,

we may not even be able to find an inn.

I'd say it's impossible.

What do you mean by that?

This deadline was set by His Highness.

Let alone His Highness,

even if it's God himself demanding it,

what can we do?

We're not deities after all.

Please find someone else.

I'm leaving.

Bro, bro, wait!

Since we're talking business,

we need to negotiate, right?

Sit, sit.

Since you've drunk

the Mongols' wine,

that makes you a brother of the Mongols.

Let's settle this matter quickly

so I can report back sooner,

right?

As for the timing,

at most I can give you an extension of 10 more days.

Just travel faster.

As for the horse gang's travel fee,

I can pay a bit more.

Well...

Since

you can pay higher travel fees,

I think God

will also show us some favor.

If this medicine

can't be delivered

before the hot weather sets in

and we lose the battle,

the pastures

and the women

will all be gone.

When that happens, His Highness

will surely have my head.

So you're saying

whether you get to keep your head

depends on whether

our horse gang travels fast enough.

Here's the thing.

Those in our gang

will be hard to convince.

It's the New Year after all.

Nobody wants to risk

their lives out there.

Unless...

Before they leave,

we give them an advance payment.

No, no, no.

To put their minds at ease.

And you'll be the one to pay this money.

Bro,

your way of negotiation is improper.

Improper?

Improper.

If you're dead,

who are you going to talk rules with?

Let me tell you what the real rule is:

get the medicine delivered as quickly as possible,

your people stay safe,

my people stay safe—

first make sure

your head stays on your shoulders.

Only then will you have a life to spend whatever money you earn.

That is the greatest rule

under heaven.

You two

are quite the negotiators.

Add 20% to the travel fee,

and I'll go with you.

That's right!

I'm not married anyway.

I'll just make some money so I can get myself a wife.

What are you laughing at?

Mr. Chang makes the call on this matter.

You have no say in this!

Mr. Chang.

-Mr. Chang. -Mr. Chang.

Mr. Gu's decision

is my decision.

Come here.

Today, I, Chang Si,

am facing some difficulties.

Let me just say one thing:

whether you help me or not,

I'll be grateful either way.

In our circle, we value

keeping our word

and standing by our promises.

Today,

I'm asking for your help.

I'm not backing down.

Mr. Chang, we'll go too.

-Mr. Chang, we'll go too. -I'll go too.

After the meal,

everyone go home

and talk to your families.

I won't believe promises made now.

Come back after your families

have given their approval.

Your travel fees

will all be increased by 20%.

Thank you, Mr. Chang.

Mr. Chang, you're so generous!

-Thank you, Mr. Chang. -Thank you, Mr. Chang.

Please sit.

Liuzi.

Mr. Chang.

You're getting married after we come back.

I'm waiting to have a drink at your wedding.

No problem. No problem.

Come on, let's eat.

Come on.

Let's eat.

Mr. Chang.

My dear Mr. Chang.

You've honored us with your presence.

I apologize for not greeting you properly.

I should have been the one to visit you

and pay my respects in person.

Waiting for you to kick me out of my own home?

Mr. Chang.

That phrase "kick out"

is not appropriate.

Everyone knows that you, Mr. Chang,

are a respected elder

here in Pingyao.

Besides,

we've been doing business for so many years.

I'm a man

who always abides by the rules.

I just didn't want to break the rules

and make you unhappy, Mr. Chang.

Mr. Chang,

about tonight's matter,

I've made a decision.

How about our two families get together

and celebrate the New Year joyfully?

After the Lantern Festival,

you can sell off

your caravan business.

You should invest in some salt fields instead.

That's the real business.

This is...

[400 taels]

Notes from the Four Major Banks.

Let's settle the accounts.

Wang Tiangui.

God is watching up there.

I, Chang Si, haven't broken any agreement.

Go have these verified.

[Payment to Chang Si: 1,000 taels of silver]

Mr. Chang.

Getting this money

didn't cause you any hardship, did it?

Living in this world,

who doesn't face hardships?

Just sign it.

[Borrower: Chang Si]

[Payment to Chang Si: 1,000 taels of silver]

Mr. Chang,

here's the remaining payment for the small shop

and your previous property deed.

They've been ready for quite some time.

Please accept them.

My congratulations then, Mr. Chang.

I wish you an early happy new year.

Wish you great prosperity

and thriving business.

If you ever need anything

from our small shop,

just say the word.

I wish you prosperity as well.

Sure, sure.

Do some good deeds and accumulate some virtue.

Before you die,

have a child or two.

As the saying goes,

a grave is like an earthen bun,

and the person inside is the filling.

You may have mountains of gold and silver while alive,

but after death,

you won't even have someone to burn incense for you.

Being a poor ghost

won't be pleasant.

I'm leaving.

You...

Master, please calm down.

Your hands got cold.

Calm down please.

Chang Si!

I'll kill you!

He dared to call me childless!

I'll kill him!

And...

And that guy next to him.

He clearly doesn't look like

a scholar.

No.

He has the appearance

of a scholar.

I smelt something.

That scent of his was a bit strange.

Go investigate him.

Hurry up and investigate him!

Please calm down.

With auspiciousness, we travel the world.

Wealth keeps us safe.

With auspiciousness, we travel the world.

[Jixiang Caravan][Chang]

Wealth keeps us safe.

Guys,

let's hit the road!

[Medicine]

Mr. Gu,

I didn't expect

you to close a deal

on your very first try at business.

I'm truly impressed.

On this journey,

[Ying Xun]

we'll be traveling for a long time.

Let's take our time to discuss business strategies.

Of course.

I hope this is the last time

we have to travel so far.

Master.

That foreign monk

is quite a good painter.

I gave him 5 taels of silver.

He's easily impressed

and kept thanking me profusely.

By the way, Master.

I found out something

that will surely please you.

This man

is surnamed Gu,

and his name is Gu Pingyuan.

He followed them here from Ningguta.

Ningguta?

That has been our dynasty's

place of exile for over 200 years.

Could he be...

Who knows?

Ningguta.

[Duozhe Mountains]

Let's go!

Those in the back, follow up!

Let's go!

One!

Two!

[Medicine]

Push!

One!

Two!

Push!

Push!

Guys,

once we get past this windy pass, it'll be better!

After crossing the mountains, we'll rest in the valley!

Let's all push harder!

One, two, push!

One!

One, two!

Push!

Hurry!

One, two!

Push! Push!

Faster!

Once we get past this slope,

it'll be easier!

After crossing the mountains, we'll rest in the valley!

Put your backs into it!

Here, have more.

No, no more.

This whets your appetite.

I've never been able to handle spicy food since childhood.

Even this level of spiciness,

I only built up the tolerance for it back in Ningguta.

Actually, I still haven't gotten used to

eating this pot helmet flatbread.

You know what?

The elders say this pot helmet flatbread

was the Qin Dynasty soldiers' rations.

The soldiers

would mix flour with water

and roll it into a big flatbread,

placing it over their helmets

and cooking it directly

over the fire.

It wasn't very large,

but it was filling,

which is why

it got the name "pot helmet flatbread."

You won't find knowledge like this

in books.

That's right.

Is your leg hurting, Patriarch?

It's fine.

Heizi.

Tomorrow morning,

send two men ahead to clear the path.

This blizzard

won't stop anytime soon.

If the path isn't cleared properly,

the main group shouldn't move.

But we're moving so slowly

that we're already behind schedule

by 2 days.

Human life is the most precious thing under heaven.

So what if we're behind the schedule by 2 days?

I'll be the one cracking the whip.

What are you afraid of?

We can't afford even the slightest mishap.

Alright, I'll go make arrangements.

How was your holiday?

Just so-so.

The war in the south is getting intense.

The imperial court is raising rents and taxes under various pretexts.

Food from the south cannot be transported here.

Once the weather gets cold,

more people will starve to death this year than in previous years.

I came to tell you

the time has come.

In the south,

the biggest problem isn't the military situation,

but the economy.

The imperial court has been defeated so many times,

but each time, they managed to

rebuild their army immediately.

Why could they do that?

It's because they have taxes,

draft banks,

and pawnshops.

Money

is completely useless

if it doesn't circulate.

I've been tasked

to reorganize the financial circulation in Jiangnan.

Running draft banks and pawnshops

requires skilled personnel.

In that case,

I really need to make a trip to Shanxi.

That place

is the treasury of the Qing Dynasty.

The Eight Major Shanxi Merchant Families have been

prospering there since the previous dynasty.

For 300 years, they've accumulated wealth.

And now,

they've even monopolized the draft banking business.

After the New Year,

you'll open your own draft banks and pawnshops

in the Pingyao area

under the Li family name,

mainly to recruit talent.

Didn't I say

no one is allowed to come in even if the sky falls?

Father.

Ms. Su is here too, right?

Ms. Su.

Father.

What are you doing here?

How did you know

Ms. Su was here?

Zhang Guangfa is cleaning up the back door with some people.

Tonight,

he's guarding it himself.

So I knew

there must be an important guest

visiting our family tonight.

Is execution and confiscation coming too slowly

for you?

I...

Young Master Li.

She's calling me.

Ms. Su.

Where are you planning to go?

I'll go with you.

I'm going to the Pingyao area.

Your Li family is going to establish

your own draft banks and pawnshops,

and your father will personally accompany me.

There's no need

to trouble my father with this.

I'll go in his place.

Father,

I'll pave a way for you,

so as to prevent any potential damage

to your reputation.

What do you know, you little kid?

In this world,

who would ever make way for others?

I...

If you can really

hold on for a year

in Shanxi,

that would be quite an achievement.

Do you dare to go, young man?

If I'm allowed to go,

I'll definitely put down roots there.

Children of Shanxi merchants

learn business from childhood.

They start as errand boys, sweeping floors and pouring water.

Without decades of experience,

how could anyone possibly

take the position of a shopkeeper there?

Just look at you.

Anyone can tell you're just

a spoiled rich kid

playing around.

No, Father, I...

I actually think

it would be good for Young Master Li to go.

The renowned

Li Wantang making a move

would stir up too much attention.

Many things

would become difficult to handle.

Thanks a lot.

Father,

this time, I'll definitely control

my bad habits

and work diligently

to make something of myself in Shanxi.

If you can get my business done,

I'll give you the heads of Shanxi's Eight Families

as a reward.

Just a few shops

won't cause any major embarrassment.

Young Master Li,

there's another interesting matter

I should tell you about.

Your old friend

is currently in Pingyao.

Who?

That scholar from Ningguta,

Gu Pingyuan.

Gu Pingyuan escaped to Shanxi?

How did you know?

I have plenty of informants.

That Gu guy,

I need to find a way

to bring him over here.

Heaven created

such a talented person,

yet he's fallen to such a state.

If this imperial court doesn't fall,

there truly is no justice.

There are plenty of talented people in this world.

That guy

is nothing but

a fugitive exile.

What kind of talent is that?

Ms. Su, you're exaggerating.

You know him?

I don't.

My son mentioned him once.

How could he possibly

have escaped alive?

Yes, I'm puzzled too.

When I get to Shanxi,

I'll ask him.

Your status is noble.

How could you associate with an exile?

Well, Ms. Su herself is a reb...

You mean rebel?