Original subtitles

[Legend of the Magnate]

[Episode 28]

They're here.

[Gu's Mansion]

Congratulations!

Congratulations, congratulations!

To the groom!

To the bride!

May you live in harmony

and prosperity for a hundred years.

To the groom!

Look to the heavens,

the three stars of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity have arrived.

The star of Fortune comes with joy,

blessings descend from jade vessels,

fortune flows like the endless East Sea,

and endures like the evergreen pines of South Mountain.

Congratulations to Mr. Gu and Madam Gu

on your joyous union!

Mr. Gu and Madam Gu,

may you grow old together.

First bow to heaven and earth.

Second bow to the parents.

Serve tea.

This bracelet

and the hairpin you're wearing are a pair.

They were both left to me

by his father years ago.

Keep them safe.

Don't let them be separated again.

Got it?

Understood, Mother.

Husband and wife bow to each other.

The ceremony is complete.

Excellent, excellent!

Congratulations.

To the bridal chamber.

Congratulations!

May you have a hundred years of happiness together.

Congratulations to Mr. Gu and Madam Gu.

May your marriage last a hundred years.

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

Congratulations, Mr. Gu.

Why don't you sit down, Yu'er?

Help me.

I can't even see in front of me.

Can you help me take this off?

It's too heavy.

My goodness.

It's like wearing a water bucket on your head.

It was so heavy.

My neck was about to break.

If I had known getting married would be this tiring,

I wouldn't have done it.

What are you looking at?

If I had known you'd be this beautiful,

I would have married you much sooner.

Welcome. Come in, please.

[Gu's Mansion]

[Boundless Blessings and Children]

Excellent!

Excellent!

Very good!

Congratulations, congratulations!

Excellent!

Announcement!

[Blessings and Auspiciousness]

Announcement!

The Prince's Guardian and Royal Appraiser,

also the Imperial Diarist,

Drafter of Imperial Edicts,

Acting Minister of War, and Commander of Jiangning,

is bestowed with the Imperial Purple-Gold Belt.

[Blessings and Auspiciousness]

Marshal Jiu

has come in person to offer congratulations,

along with a box of imperial porcelain,

a pair of imperial "Fortune & Longevity" calligraphy scrolls,

a complete set of white jade tableware,

and a full set of gold-inlaid zitan wood furniture.

[Blessings and Auspiciousness]

Here comes the master.

I'm not late, am I?

Bridegroom.

I heard about what you did

in Shanghai.

It's very much to my liking.

Let me ask you.

You remember the favor you owe me, right?

I do.

There's something now

that needs your involvement.

Can you handle it or not?

Of course he will agree.

You're entrusting me with an important task.

I'm just afraid I'm not capable enough.

May I ask what the matter is?

Here we go again.

All this pretentious nonsense.

Marshal Jiu's order

must be a matter of national importance.

I'm afraid I'm not capable enough.

Don't make promises on my behalf.

Anxious, are you?

I need you to save the world.

Are you up for it?

I never thought I'd be able to enjoy

such an occasion at my old age.

Heaven has truly been kind to me.

Mr. Gu here...

You got it wrong.

That's right.

You're calling him Mr. Gu again.

-He's your son-in-law now. -Exactly.

Son-in-law.

Whatever I call him, the meaning is the same.

People are all born and raised the same way.

No need for so many formalities.

This Mr. Gu of mine

has the spirit of a true hero.

Whether as my friend

or as my son-in-law,

he's a blessing to me.

That's right.

The war is over,

but look at the state of Nanjing city now.

The Confucius Temple is overgrown with vegetation.

The Qinhuai River has turned into a stinking ditch.

The once bustling Confucian temple

is now covered with thorns and vines.

We'll let

the future generation judge this war for its rights and wrongs.

The most urgent task now

is to improve the situation in Nanjing.

So how exactly should we proceed?

The Liangjiang government office

needs someone with a clean background

with no connections to any faction.

He must also have official status and understand business.

He needs to properly manage

the Seven Provinces of Jiangnan.

Especially Nanjing,

which has significant importance both domestically and internationally.

We must at least make people say that

since the imperial court has reclaimed Nanjing,

the lives of common people

have improved from before.

We certainly can't have people saying

that Nanjing, under the imperial court's control,

has become even worse.

Yes.

But does this person

have to be me?

Mr. Gu, you're being too modest.

This is exactly what makes him clever.

Always waiting until others have praised him enough

before he's willing to respond.

That's not the case.

I just feel that

I lack experience.

If I were to

take charge of this situation,

I'm afraid I wouldn't command respect

and would become a laughingstock.

Then tell me,

who else could win everyone's respect?

For example, Li Wantang from the capital,

Wu Caishen from Zhejiang,

Jin Wencai from Shanxi,

and Li Zhongdeng, the famous tea merchant.

Aren't they all better than me?

His words sound better than

those sung on stage.

Since you know them so well,

how much do you know about

the stories behind these people?

I've lost my mood for drinking.

Have a good chat with him.

Don't see me out.

[Wedding]

When he says not to see him out, then don't.

Don't make trouble.

Look at his guards.

Even the lowest-ranked one

is a second-rank official wearing an Imperial Yellow Jacket.

Those people you just mentioned

wouldn't even catch his attention.

How laughable.

Then tell me,

who else is more powerful?

Easy.

Why didn't you mention the Emperor

or Empress Dowager?

It seems you still don't understand

what business is really about.

Please enlighten me.

Fine.

Let me explain it to you clearly.

Fill my cup.

Li Million

has the Sixth Prince as his backer.

Wu Caishen is backed by the Left Minister.

As for Li Zhongdeng, he only rules a single province

and won't amount to much.

Jin Wencai is decent,

but they say he's sickly.

What a sharp tongue you have,

insulting all the heroes of the land.

Marshal Jiu simply doesn't want

the varying forces and the imperial court

to interfere in Nanjing's matters.

But he doesn't have business skills,

so he has to seek out talented people.

The current Viceroy of Liangjiang, Rui Lin,

has just been transferred here

and has no money.

Jiu is pressuring him

to release the funds for demobilizing the troops.

Having hundreds of thousands of soldiers stationed outside the city

is like waiting for a powder keg to blow up.

You need to help him

solve this problem as a merchant.

I'm afraid that even if I

sacrifice everything,

I still can't contain this powder keg.

You're scared?

Of course I am.

I have my mother and wife.

Of course I'm scared.

Just give us a date

and someone will

escort you to Nanjing.

Whether you can do it or not,

you can decide after you see the situation.

Aren't you

from the other side?

When did you

join Marshal Jiu's forces?

You've been quite bold lately.

Taking advantage of being a newlywed

and showing no respect to me.

Join Jiu's forces?

Dream on.

I was only 12 when I entered the palace.

But I wouldn't serve the Emperor

and ran away when I had to.

As for Jiu,

he's not even qualified to wash my feet.

Stop asking about my business.

See you in Nanjing.

Congrats.

Brother.

You're really something.

This is the first time I've seen Marshal Jiu

being so polite to someone.

You're something else.

After this,

all officials in the country

will bow down to you

and be scared out of their wits.

I don't look for trouble;

trouble finds me.

They want me to be the advisor

to Rui Lin, the Viceroy of Liangjiang.

That's like grabbing food from a hot oil pot.

It's putting you on the hot seat.

This job is no good.

Exactly.

Report!

Master Li Wantang from Beijing

has sent Mr. Li Qin to offer congratulations

and present a complete set of gifts.

Pingyuan, I wish you good fortune.

Mr. Li, good fortune to you.

Please come in.

I've come to demand an explanation.

Why didn't you tell me about your wedding?

Couldn't spare a wedding drink for me?

How stingy of you.

I thought

[Blessings and Auspiciousness]

it was just a modest wedding.

Why trouble you to come

all the way from the capital for this?

I planned to treat you to a drink

when we meet again in the future.

I came in a hurry this time.

If my gifts aren't adequate,

I'll make it up to you next time.

That's all trivial.

-Hello, Mr. Li. -Hello, Mr. Li.

Last time in Shanghai,

you did me such a huge favor.

I hope it didn't cause you trouble.

What are you saying?

Of course it caused me trouble.

That's why I've been

feeling guilty all this time.

In this world, there aren't many things

that can satisfy everyone.

We can't just do anything

for the sake of making money.

Helping you made me happy.

If my father had won,

I would have felt uncomfortable.

Why so?

If all businesses

depended on currying favor with the powerful,

wouldn't that discourage

businesspeople everywhere?

For those words alone,

we should have a proper drink.

By the way,

your father doesn't know

you're here with gifts, does he?

He knows.

Father.

Where are you sending me this time?

If it's not urgent, don't bother me.

Busy or not, you have to go.

Give this to him

and pass along a few words.

Who's getting married?

Gu Pingyuan.

Gu... Gu Pingyuan?

Is that strange?

Remember this.

If you can't beat this man,

find a way to become his friend.

And you,

tell him.

He'd better not go to Nanjing if he can.

Go now.

Also, take a look at

what kind of woman

a man like him would choose as his wife.

Got it.

You're giving me too much credit.

How could someone insignificant like me

possibly earn the favor

of a great merchant like your father?

Actually, several times when I barely escaped death,

he was the one who let me go.

I should be the one giving him gifts.

To have barely escaped death

is a good thing.

There are some things I can't figure out either.

Why don't you take me

to greet your wife?

Just a brief greeting at the door will do.

Otherwise, I wouldn't know what to say

when my father asks.

Let's go. I'll take you there.

Greetings, Madam.

I'm here to pay my respect.

Greetings, Mr. Li.

We're buddies;

our relationship is naturally different from others.

Go on in

and chat for a while.

Here.

You're so great.

I knew you'd be hungry.

Smells good?

Tastes good?

It's so good.

Take your time.

Give me a hug.

Enjoy your meal.

If you want more, just tell me.

I'll steal more from the kitchen for you.

Steal, you say.

Who is it?

Mr. Gu,

your buddy Li Qin is leaving

and wants to say goodbye to you.

Okay. I'll be right there.

I'll just have a quick word with him

and be right back.

Go ahead.

Don't just sleep after eating.

Wait for me.

I know.

A moment of spring night is worth a thousand taels.

Did I

interrupt your romantic evening?

What nonsense.

A true friend is worth more than gold.

Did Marshal Jiu visit you?

They want me

to be the advisor to Ruilin,

the Viceroy of Liangjiang.

Is that what you wanted to ask about?

The situation in Nanjing is very complicated now.

That place is extremely dangerous right now.

All factions are active there.

Half of the land is conquered.

Who wouldn't want to get involved

and get a piece of the pie?

But Marshal Jiu,

after years of bloody battles,

would never willingly give up his interests.

I think he's pushing someone like you,

who fears nothing,

to take the fall.

How vicious.

Your Li family

also wants a foothold in Nanjing?

Of course.

My father was entrusted by His Highness

to take control of the southern salt administration.

It's a juicy piece of meat after all.

The salt administration is the foundation

of the empire's wealth.

Taking control of it

is indeed a brilliant move.

Before I came, my father

left this matter to me.

Success is

my only option.

So you have to give me some leeway.

Okay.

I promise you.

I don't really

buy your words.

But you saying it

at least honors our brotherhood.

Why don't you believe me?

After I took this assignment,

I thought about it seriously.

Marshal Jiu has his eye on you

and wants to use you.

My father knows that.

The reason he assigned

the salt administration matters to me

isn't because he truly trusts me,

but because he thinks putting me here

will make it harder

for you to do your job.

These people are using us as pawns.

But there's something

I want to tell you.

Even if someday

we brothers truly become

enemies,

business is business.

I won't harm you.

I won't either.

I was afraid you weren't full enough.

So I got you two more.

I'm done eating.

Don't tell anyone else

that I ate so much.

Wow, you're quite particular.

You left just 1 of everything for me.

Didn't you say you wouldn't let me sleep?

Yes.

What for?

What for?

What are we staying up for?

I don't know.

What for?

What for?

What for?

What for?

You tell me what for.

What for?

What for?

I don't know.

What for?

I don't know.

What for?

I don't know what we're supposed to do.

Who is it?

Is she inside?

What are you talking about?

You got the wrong person.

Will this ever end?

His Highness is here.

Which His Highness?

Your Highness.

Have you forgotten the warriors

of Horqin?

Go, hurry.

My goodness, Your Highness!

[Spring Breeze of Yi River]

Everyone, you're all here.

Your Highness.

What brings you here?

I just came from the capital.

I met with the Emperor.

I heard you were getting married.

Why didn't you

tell my wife and me?

Have you forgotten about us?

Never. Not even for a single day.

May Your Highness and Her Ladyship

have endless blessings and grow old together.

Is this guy treating you well?

I've brought the Horqin warriors

with me.

I'll leave them here

to take good care of you

so no one will bully you.

Gosh.

Your Highness, what are you saying?

How would I dare bully Yu'er?

Besides,

these warriors are the brothers

who escorted me back to Anhui.

[Spring Breeze of Yi River]

How could I order them around?

I've come from so far away,

how about giving me a warm welcome?

Gosh, where are my manners?

I'll go prepare the banquet.

Pingwen.

What's going on?

I don't know.

A group of people arrived

claiming to work for His Highness.

- They even drove away the cook. -Your Highness, you're here.

Your Highness,

please go to the small tent nearby

to change your clothes.

This way, please.

Aren't my clothes fine as they are?

You're wearing Han clothing.

[Gu's Mansion]

For our princess's wedding,

you cannot dress like this.

His Highness would be displeased.

When it's in the bottle,

it's as tranquil as plain water.

When poured into a glass for you,

it becomes a liquor fierce as a tiger.

Our songs ring out loud.

And friendship runs deep.

Please have a drink.

What's sealed in the bottle

is the warmth of friendship.

What fills the glass offered to you

is the depth of brotherhood.

Our songs ring out loud.

And friendship runs deep.

Please have a drink.

When it's in the bottle,

it's as tranquil as plain water.

When poured into a glass for you,

it becomes a liquor fierce as a tiger.

Our songs ring out loud.

And friendship runs deep.

Please have a drink.

What's sealed in the bottle

is the warmth of friendship.

What fills the glass offered to you

is the depth of brotherhood.

Our songs ring out loud.

And friendship runs deep.

Please have a drink.

When it's in the bottle,

it's as tranquil as plain water.

When poured into a glass for you,

it becomes a liquor fierce as a tiger.

Our songs ring out loud.

And friendship runs deep.

Please have a drink.

[Gu's Mansion]

When it's in the bottle,

it's as tranquil as plain water.

When poured into a glass for you,

it becomes a liquor fierce as a tiger.

Our songs ring out loud.

And friendship runs deep.

Please have a drink.

What's sealed in the bottle

is the warmth of friendship.

What fills the glass offered to you

is the depth of brotherhood.

Our songs ring out loud.

And friendship runs deep.

Please have a drink.

When it's in the bottle,

it's as tranquil as plain water.

When poured into a glass for you,

it becomes a liquor fierce as a tiger.

Our songs ring out loud.

And friendship runs deep.

Please have a drink.

What's sealed in the bottle

is the warmth of friendship.

What fills the glass offered to you

is the depth of brotherhood.

Our songs ring out loud.

And friendship runs deep.

Please have a drink.

When it's in the bottle,

it's as tranquil as plain water.

When poured into a glass for you,

it becomes a liquor fierce as a tiger.

Our songs ring out loud.

And friendship runs deep.

Please have a drink.

They dance so well.

I'm truly impressed.

I didn't drink myself to death, did I?

You're finally alive?

Where is His Highness?

He left the next day.

He wants us

to visit Horqin again next year.

Sounds good.

I'll wait until next year to die then.

Do you remember

how you cried while hugging His Highness that day?

I didn't, did I?

No one could understand what you were saying.

It took several people to pull you away.

You're making this up, aren't you?

Why do I recall that

I passed out early

and just collapsed?

His Highness even promised you his sword.

He also said he'd make you Horqin's...

Baturu.

What Turu?

Baturu.

It means

warrior.

Some warrior I am.

You've been drunk for a day.

Eat something. Here.

Don't make me eat now.

I feel terrible.

My father said

eating a little would sober you up.

Be good.

My whole body is

in turmoil.

One bite and I'll throw up.

Take one bite

and I'll let you

hug me.

Give it here.

Have another bite.

[Gu's Mansion]

[Spring Breeze of Yi River]

Mother.

Here.

Don't just say it's good.

Tell me if there's any problem.

I'll make adjustments.

So I'll know exactly what to do next time.

Alright.

I'm not that picky.

I cooked too much lately,

but it's really not my fault.

Who knew in this house

I'd be the only real man left standing.

Look at

Mr. Chang,

Mr. Liao,

and my brother.

They barely had a few drinks

before they all passed out.

Just eat your food.

I've been eating leftovers for days.

Let them sleep a little longer.

You're awake.

Pingyuan.

Come eat now.

Mother, how long was I out for?

Three days.

You must be starving.

Eat quickly.

Yu'er cooked today.

Look at you.

Getting that drunk.

You've made history with how drunk you were.

Your snoring was so loud that

the whole village could hear it.

I'm done eating.

Slow down.

No one's fighting you for it.

Did you make this?

Your cooking skills are good.

So you can taste things now?

I remember you told me

I could hug you for every bite I take.

Your memory works fine when it suits you.

A moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold...

I've lost out completely.

I brought a wife home

and slept for 3 days straight.

Wife.

My dear wife.

What are you doing?

How did I not notice before

that you're so...

So what?

Shameless.

In front of you,

what do I need shame for?

What I mean is

tonight, no matter what,

we'll have our wedding night.

Our wedding night?

I'd like to see who dares to stop me.

Mr. Gu!

Sir!

Who are you looking for?

I'm Commander Zhang Erhu

of the Tiger Battalion.

Paying my respects to you, Sir.

I'm not any kind of Sir.

You don't need to bow like this.

Please rise.

Sir, you are the Imperial Pacification Commissioner.

Have you forgotten?

His Excellency sent us here.

He said that although you hold no official position,

you have a noble status.

He ordered us not to be disrespectful.

We were afraid of being improper,

so we posted men to keep watch

until you sobered up.

Only then did we brothers

dare to come in and pay our respects.

You're from the Liangjiang Viceroy's Office?

His Excellency is waiting

for you in Nanjing.

Let's leave after you finish eating,

Mr. Gu.

You're going out?

Why didn't you tell me?

Wait,

where am I supposed to go?

We're escorting you to Nanjing, of course.

Didn't you promise His Excellency

that you'd start work 3 days after your wedding?

It's been 3 days now.

How can I just leave? I...

I need to prepare first.

May I ask

what preparations you need?

My men can help you.

Well, you see,

I just got married

and I have a big family,

I can't just leave whenever I want.

His Excellency has instructed us on this.

He said that you are a filial son.

So no matter what,

we're to bring your entire family

to Nanjing with you.

This way, you won't miss your parents

and be unable to focus on your work.

We'll be waiting outside.

When you finish eating,

just let us know.

We'll depart immediately.

My respects to you, Sir.

My respects, Sir.

So...

No chance for our wedding night?

No chance to even kill myself.

Gentlemen,

it's just one more day and night

before we reach Jiangning.

You don't need to stand here like this.

It must be tiring.

Go in and rest.

Mr. Gu.

Standing guard for you

is not tiring.

My mother thinks you're tired.

She specifically instructed me

to insist that you gentlemen

go and rest in the cabin.

Refreshments have been prepared in the cabin.

Relax and have a good chat.

We'll arrive soon.

Alright.

-Alright. -Alright.

Then you take the first shift.

Please.

Where are you from, General Li?

I'm from Liuyang.

Liuyang, I see.

Mr. Gu,

in Nanjing,

hundreds of thousands of troops are stranded.

The imperial court wants to disband them,

but can't pay their wages.

The resentment among the men

is growing stronger by the day.

Mr. Gu,

these soldiers have fought bloody battles for 10 years.

They're not ordinary civilians.

Even we commanders

are afraid.

Jiangning

is about to become a powder keg, isn't it?

That's why

we need a master strategist

to manage and stabilize the situation.

When we brothers set out,

we were instructed

that if you lost even a single hair,

all four of us brothers

would have to pay with our lives.

You all know perfectly well

that you're pushing me into a fire pit.

Right now,

the morale of the troops is quite unstable, isn't it?

Indeed.

It's been almost a year without pay.

But Sir,

no one really wants to rebel.

However, if pushed too hard,

men accustomed to bloodshed

might cause chaos again.

It's frightening just to think about it.

That must not happen.

When I was in Shanghai before,

I saw those foreigners with their powerful warships and cannons.

They were like wild beasts,

ready to devour anyone they chose.

Our country has been weak for so long.

If another conflict happens,

the entire nation will be finished.

I

will do everything in my power.

Sir, you have such a compassionate heart.

The four of us brothers

will ensure your safety

even if

it costs our lives.

May you succeed in all your endeavors, Mr. Gu.

May I succeed, indeed.

Alright, hopefully that comes true.

I know you've been drunk

the past few days, Sir.

Today,

you'll consummate your marriage on board.

I've specially prepared

an opera troupe and a drum band

to set the mood for you, Sir.

How do you know everything?

That's not necessary.

Sir.

Not necessary!

Sir.

Let me taste it.

Why is this so sour?

What is this?

Fruit juice?

Sir,

this is pear juice.

It's for rinsing your mouth after eating.

That's enough.

You don't need to wait on us anymore.

And you all.

You may go.

Yes.

Come, Mother.

Have some chicken.

Mr. Chang,

this is for you.

This piece is bigger,

for Mr. Liao.

Everyone else, please help yourself.

What's wrong

with all of you?

Look at this spread.

Chicken, duck, fish, shrimp, and goose.

Were they your relatives?

Even if they were, they're cooked now.

Eat up.

Be quiet

if you have nothing good to say.

Everyone is looking so gloomy

like you've boarded a pirate ship.

You've ruined my appetite.

Pingyuan.

What trouble have you gotten into?

I don't know.

Such humble words and lavish gifts.

It seems

they want to buy your life.

If they only wanted my life,

that would be fine.

But they've gone too far.

They're betting my whole family's lives.

Whose life?

Don't you know

I'm going to Nanjing

to handle something?

I know.

Aren't you going to Nanjing

to be an official?

It's not that.

If this matter is handled well,

we can all return alive.

But if it's not handled well,

all of us here

will be beheaded.

Gosh.

Pingyuan.

I don't understand.

When others become officials,

they make fortunes

and marry several concubines.

But you?

You've put my head

on the line too.

One year ago...

Rogue soldiers passed through the village.

Everyone in the village

hid in the caves.

The soldiers loitered for more than 10 days.

Everyone had nothing to eat or drink,

and it was so cold.

But we didn't dare to light a fire.

That time,

dozens of children and elderly people

fell asleep and never woke up again.

They starved to death.

Life isn't ours to control.

Heaven takes it whenever it wants.

But wasn't that because of the war?

So, why now...

Do you regret it?

Son-in-law,

I just want to ask you one question.

Are they asking you

to do anything immoral?

No.