Original subtitles

[Legend of the Magnate]

[Episode 29]

I'll just ask you one thing—

they're not asking you to do

something heinous, right?

No.

Then, do it!

I was a soldier when I was young.

When you're on the battlefield,

turning back to run only gets you killed faster.

You're exposing your back to the enemy.

The only way to survive

is to charge forward!

I, Chang Si, fear nothing.

My daughter is well settled now.

What do I have left to fear?

Old Madam Gu,

worrying won't help.

I

have traveled far and wide,

and throughout my journey,

I learned only one thing:

there's always a way out when you face difficulties.

Come on,

everyone, raise your glasses.

Let's eat and drink our fill first.

We'll deal with it when the time comes!

Mr. Chang.

You truly have a heroic spirit.

I don't usually drink,

but today I'll join you for one.

Wishing our eldest son the best of luck.

That's right.

Come on.

Even prisoners on death row

get a last meal.

Old Madam Gu,

I apologize,

but I'm going to start eating.

Come on, let's eat.

Aren't you hungry?

Why aren't you eating?

We're not married yet.

I don't want to die.

Let me sing a little tune for everyone.

Alright!

The lonely king grows drunk in the Peach Blossom Palace.

Bravo!

Han Sumei was born with beauty.

[Wedding]

I didn't expect them to prepare all this

with such care.

They want you to risk your life for them—

of course, they'd be attentive.

My life already belongs to you.

They can't have it.

Such a smooth talker.

As husband and wife, we share the same fate.

Even if I

really offend them someday

and they cut off my head— even if I become a ghost—

I'd still want to be with you.

If this lifetime isn't enough,

then I'll follow you into the next.

♪ Rain falls along the silent corridor, stirring a flood of memories ♪

The whole family is counting on you

to bring them home.

♪ Listen as entwined destinies unfold, line by line ♪

We...

still have a long, long future ahead together.

♪ I never wondered how long my life would last ♪

Wait a moment.

♪ Only a trace of moonlight lingers in my heart ♪

[Wedding]

♪ The wind brushes past the old eaves on a cool night ♪

♪ Look, the lanterns sway and cast shadow of our overlapping silhouettes ♪

Pacification Commissioner Gu of Liangjiang

weds tonight!

♪ Don't ask how long the journey will take ♪

All others, stay away!

Those people...

Those people...

They have to let the whole world know.

♪ I only hope that when we meet again, you'll have fared well ♪

-Congratulations to Mr. Gu -Congratulations to Mr. Gu

-and Madam Gu— -and Madam Gu—

-may you grow old together! -may you grow old together!

♪ Names being etched and centered in the time ♪

-May Mr. Gu have a prosperous career, -May Mr. Gu have a prosperous career,

-and Madam Gu stay forever young! -and Madam Gu stay forever young!

♪ A goose flying across the barren plains, carrying the setting sun's last light ♪

♪ The rain soaks the paper umbrella; the red mark on my sleeve spreads ♪

Going to all this trouble for such nonsense.

♪ My heart races so fast like a surging sea ♪

♪ Longing sweeps through like starlight ♪

♪ Even when hair turns grey, we'll still gaze at each other, fingers entwined ♪

♪ The Milky Way spans the west window ♪

[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office, Nanjing]

[Clear Rivers and Ringing Shrines]

Please, Mr. Gu.

His Excellency has arrived!

[Righteous and Diligent]

-Greetings, Your Excellency. -Greetings, Your Excellency.

Please, no formalities.

[Rui Lin, Viceroy of Liangjiang]

Is Mr. Gu here?

This student is here.

You call yourself a student, not a subordinate?

Why is that?

Trying to cozy up to me?

I'm merely a commoner.

I dare not call myself

Your Excellency's subordinate.

But I've long heard that you're

a senior scholar of the Hanlin Academy

and a renowned master of Neo-Confucianism

throughout the court.

I may have been stripped of my official title,

but I've always considered myself a scholar.

Therefore,

I call myself a student.

Having no official title...

is nothing to be ashamed of.

Did Confucius or Mencius

have official titles?

I do appreciate what you said, though.

Yes.

Speaking of Neo-Confucianism,

[Righteous and Diligent]

it is truly

a profound and all-encompassing philosophy.

Mencius said,

"The difference between humans and beasts is slight—

it lies in preserving heavenly principles and restraining human desires."

The chaos in Jiangnan

is precisely because Neo-Confucianism has declined here.

[Righteous and Diligent]

Zeng Xiangxiang finished the war,

dusted off his hands,

and went to take up an official position at court.

Yet he left behind such a mess

for me to clean up.

Hundreds of thousands of troops

are stationed in the Liangjiang region,

demanding food and supplies from me.

That's what I call beastly.

Your Excellency.

The silver we transported

from the capital

has been delivered today.

Might I ask when the title deeds for the salt fields

and salt shops in Jiangnan

can be transferred to us?

Mencius said,

"Why speak of profit?"

See? See?

Even Mencius said it.

Stop fixating on that bit of salt.

Wait a little longer.

-Your Excellency. -Your Excellency.

Your subordinate has an idea.

Those salt fields

we fought bloody battles to reclaim

could be partially distributed

to the soldiers below to manage as a reward.

Otherwise,

the soldiers will complain

that what they risked their lives for

is only enriching

these profiteers,

and they'll surely bear a grudge.

Profiteers?

You mean our family's title deeds

were all stolen or seized?

So many common people have died—

who knows if your deeds

are even genuine?

It's just a handful of salt fields.

Are they even enough to allocate?

Who gets them and who doesn't?

[Righteous and Diligent]

Confucius once said,

"The issue is not

scarcity but unequal distribution."

Your Excellency...

Stop wasting my time with this nonsense.

Stand down.

Your Excellency, but...

But what?

The imperial court is watching with wide eyes,

hoping for the army to disband.

And the army?

Everyone in the army is watching eagerly,

hoping to get paid soon

so they can go home,

buy houses and land, and find wives.

Their eyes are red with anticipation.

If you keep them here

to run those salt fields,

how are we supposed to disband them?

What kind of idea is that?

Stand down.

After more than 10 years of war,

[Righteous and Diligent]

the army is poor,

and the common people... are even poorer.

I know

you all

don't want to mistreat

your soldiers who fought so hard.

You want to pay them as soon as possible

so they can return home to their sons and grandchildren.

That's why

I've invited young master Li Qin

and Mr. Gu here—

these young business elites—

to give us some advice.

Only when Nanjing prospers

and the people have money in their pockets

[Righteous and Diligent]

can we collect taxes.

That's the right approach.

How could we take money from the people?

Besides,

Li Wantang, known as Li Million from the capital,

is a good friend of mine.

He sent his son here to do business,

buying salt fields.

That's a blessing for the Liangjiang region.

From now on, none of you shall

speak like this again

and make things difficult for him.

-Yes. -Yes.

Your Excellency is wise.

Your Excellency.

Please sit down.

Come on.

Have a seat.

Sit.

They say you're a remarkable figure.

What insights can you offer me?

I've heard bits and pieces

about Your Excellency's difficulties.

I wonder what Your Excellency intends to do.

Tell me first,

what are your thoughts

on doing business?

I see business as...

the Great Way.

You're wrong, mister.

Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—

merchants stand at the bottom.

Confucius said,

"The small man comprehends profit,

while the superior man comprehends righteousness."

Your Excellency is wrong.

What did you just say?

I said, Your Excellency is wrong.

Business

is nothing more than buying and selling.

Back then, Confucius and Mencius

traveled tirelessly throughout the world,

and what was that for?

Of course, it was

to save all people under heaven

and establish moral authority.

Then how did they save the people

and establish this moral authority?

It was nothing more than persuading rulers of various states

and peddling their political ideas.

Your Excellency yourself used the word "peddling."

Wasn't that already business?

That's sophistry.

Without trade,

goods couldn't circulate throughout the world,

and people would still be born

and die in the same place, living in caves.

Isn't business

the Great Way?

Strong ships and powerful cannons,

the gains and losses of states,

and the rise and fall of nations—

all depend on this.

So how can you say business

isn't important?

If you put it that way,

I suppose...

you have a point.

In that case,

businessmen

are just like scholars,

both seekers of the Way.

There's no real difference.

For scholars,

seeking office is the lesser path,

while saving the world is the greater path.

For merchants,

pursuing wealth is the lesser path,

while enriching the world is the greater path.

This student, though lacking in talent,

has a heart

that yearns to follow the greater path.

Anyone can speak grand words.

I've heard plenty of them.

Tell me your true intentions first.

When I first entered the business world,

I thought everything in this world

was merely a tool for profit.

I believed that keeping one's word,

following through on promises,

and ensuring both parties benefit

was the greater path.

But merely "both parties"

is too narrow.

It's like two armies at war—

those who care only about winning a city or a fortress

aren't true generals.

Just as when I was a tea merchant—

only after seeing the tea trade across the province

and even the entire nation

did I know

how I should pursue this path myself.

Only then could I see the big picture.

But now...

now my thoughts

have changed somewhat.

I wonder,

why limit oneself to one profession

or focus on just one business?

Since arriving in Nanjing,

I've witnessed devastation everywhere

and people struggling to survive.

And I think

this is a good business opportunity.

If possible,

I would like to assist Your Excellency

in managing Jiangnan

and planning for the nation.

Audacious young man,

you truly are an audacious young man.

Even I wouldn't dare

speak so boldly about managing Jiangnan.

However, such ambition

is indeed commendable.

Don't just be someone

who talks.

I must see actual results.

If you want results,

Your Excellency will need to follow my instructions.

Follow your instructions?

Young man,

that's quite a bold request.

I came to Jiangnan

not for wealth or position.

Your Excellency has brought

my entire family here as hostages.

I only ask

that they return home safely.

You really

don't want money or position?

What use are position and wealth anyway?

I only fear that one day,

your forces will fall into chaos again,

the people of Jiangnan will suffer terribly,

and my hometown will be destroyed once more—

then there will truly be no hope left.

Neither the country nor the people

can bear such devastation.

In times of chaos,

what use

are position

or wealth?

Very well.

I'll trust you this once.

As long as I can

truly manage Jiangnan

as you say

and restore production,

I don't mind

following your lead.

[Loyal to the Country, Just in Duty]

Hurry, hurry!

Prepare the palanquins!

His Excellency and Lord Gu are going out!

[Loyal to the Country, Just in Duty]

Are they going to the camp?

Who told you that?

Don't ask questions!

Just follow orders.

[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

His Excellency is going to the Qinhuai River with Mr. Gu...

On official duty!

[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

-Your Excellency! -Your Excellency!

Go back.

Go back now.

I don't need you to follow us.

Go back!

Let's go.

What should we...

Well...

Let's go back.

[Su's Flower Shop]

Stop.

Well,

M-Mr. Gu,

well...

What is it, Your Excellency?

Don't call me "Your Excellency" here.

If you keep calling me that,

before nightfall,

the entire city of Nanjing will know

that I visited the Qinhuai River.

It's a disgrace to my scholarship and my position.

I'm

a scholar of Neo-Confucianism.

Are you trying to ruin me?

So many of them.

All of these are that kind of place?

Which one shall we visit?

Are you asking me?

You think I've been here before?

I study Neo-Confucianism,

which emphasizes "don't look at impropriety."

This one then.

No,

the girls there are quite dull.

No, no, no.

Then you decide.

This one.

This one.

That one.

Go knock on the door.

[Yicui House]

Coming, coming.

[Yicui House]

Are you a regular or a new patron?

How would you like to enjoy yourself?

[Yicui House]

I know nothing about this.

I don't know what to ask.

I don't know either.

How would I know?

I follow "don't look at impropriety," remember?

Well, if that's the case,

perfect.

I haven't even unpacked yet.

I'll just take my luggage and go back to Anhui.

You brat,

you're ruining me, you know that?

Let me ask you—

can we really make money from this?

If we can't, you can take my head.

Right now, hundreds of thousands of troops

are waiting for their pay

as if

sitting on pins and needles.

This isn't helping me—

it's helping you.

Fine!

Come on!

We want girls! Hurry up!

Call them all out.

I'm here for the tea and entertainment.

Two taels of silver for each girl,

seven candareens for the maids,

and five candareens for the male attendants.

Start me off with four dried and four fresh dishes

and eight fruit platters.

Oh, and

have the girls pick

their best songs to sing.

Hurry up!

Yes, sir!

Come on,

everyone, tidy up quickly!

Quickly, move it!

A big spender is here!

Coming!

Hurry!

-Coming! -Coming!

How do we ask for girls?

-Coming! -Coming!

I don't know.

You don't know?

You must be in the business.

Do you have any girls from Lizhou?

You're quite the connoisseur, sir.

I wouldn't dare lie to you, sir.

We have two.

If I were a few years younger,

I'd want to

serve you properly myself.

Go. Away with you!

Yes, sir!

Please wait a moment!

Master of Neo-Confucianism—

you truly live up to your reputation.

I must have

lost my mind,

coming out to fool around with you.

My lifelong reputation...

Mark my words,

sooner or later, this will reach the Emperor's ears.

Here come the girls!

Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen.

Quickly, quickly.

Attend to our guests!

Sir, please have some tea.

Okay, okay.

They say the "Eight Beauties of Qinhuai"

are like fairies beyond the mortal world.

But looking at it now,

the place is like a muddy ditch.

-Sir. -Sir.

If you had come 10 years ago,

we would've dazzled your eyes.

But nowadays,

it's really not what it used to be.

Then let me ask you,

can we still take a ride on a pleasure boat now?

Pleasure boat...

You can take a ride,

but... they're terribly old

and extremely dirty.

Go clean one up.

Since we're already here today,

we must take a boat ride.

Don't underestimate this gentleman here.

Liangjiang is under his...

My friend, my friend,

with the little money we have,

let's not pretend we're rich around here.

If you want to ride on a pleasure boat, then do it.

Why bring up that nonsense?

Hurry up, hurry up!

Go prepare the boat!

Yes, sir!

Girls, serve them well!

-Start singing! -I'll kill you if you bring that up again!

Come on, sir, have a seat.

A straight purple bamboo rising tall…

Just drinking like this is boring.

I can't anymore,

I can't drink anymore.

I absolutely can't.

Alright, alright.

I can't drink anymore.

Really, I can't drink anymore.

I can't drink anymore.

It's all covered in dirt.

It tastes earthy.

What is all this stuff...

Come on, keep drinking!

Well, my friend,

my good friend,

aren't you going to help me out?

So heartless?

I've already drunk

nearly two jin, right?

You said to come here for fun,

but you're not even participating.

You deserve a penalty. Drink.

No, no!

You, you brat!

He really drank it!

Look at you.

Don't catch a cold.

Fill it up again.

Fill it.

Another cup.

Alright.

Another cup. Come on.

Miss.

Sit down.

-Sir, let me fill your cup! -Sir!

One more, one more.

Alright, Alright.

-One more cup, one more. -Alright.

You sing very well.

Who taught you?

Sir,

my mother taught me.

Where is your mother?

My mother...

passed away this spring.

I had no money for her burial,

so I could only store her coffin

at a temple.

When I earn enough money,

I'll give her a proper burial.

Your mother...

What was her name?

She was called the Grande Dame.

"Grande Dame?"

Someone actually had that name?

You're young, so you wouldn't know.

This Grande Dame—if we're

talking about 10 years ago—

oh my, she was extraordinary.

You could spend hundreds of taels

and still might not catch a glimpse of her.

A peerless beauty.

What a pity.

Indeed.

Well, Your Ex...

You!

I just heard

that this singing girl's

mother

went by the Grande Dame.

She was the top courtesan here 10 years ago.

Rich men spent hundreds of taels

and still might not get to see her even once.

I don't have that much money.

Even with money, you can't see her now.

She's dead.

It happened this spring.

Dead?

Why tell me about someone who's dead?

Seriously... Come on.

Her coffin is still at a temple.

The daughter has no money for the burial.

Why don't you show some kindness

and pay for it?

-Yes, sir! -You have a kind heart.

You're right.

I'll do as you say.

Since that's the case,

why not go all the way

and write an elegiac couplet for her?

What do you think?

I can't compose one.

Thank you, Master, for your generous help

in burying my mother.

May your nobility last for all generations,

and your fortune and longevity be boundless.

Yes.

-Thank you, sir. -Thank you, sir.

My friend...

Let me discuss it with my friend.

Come on, let's talk over there.

Prepare paper and ink!

Right away!

Move the dishes, move them.

Can we discuss this first?

I'm...

Don't disturb me.

I'm composing the elegiac lines.

Can we think about it after we go back?

Think about it at home?

Have you forgotten

what you said earlier?

Fine!

Come on!

Come on.

For the Grande Dame,

the first line is,

"Life, however grand, is but a fleeting dream."

And

for the second line,

"Let the dame's soul now rest in peace."

Good.

Very good.

Come on.

[Life]

Paying for the burial

and writing an elegiac couplet—

this is kindness to the deceased,

a great deed that accumulates merit.

My good sir,

[Dame]

you've got

such a brilliant mind!

You can even

read my mind?

Good.

[Rest in Peace]

My friend,

excellent calligraphy!

This style of writing and the elegiac couplet you composed

[Life, however grand, is but a fleeting dream]

go perfectly together!

[Let the dame's soul now rest in peace]

However, there's just one small issue.

What's wrong with it?

You haven't signed it yet.

How should I sign it?

Write your name.

No way.

Have you forgotten what I said?

What...

What did you say?

You must follow all my orders.

You need money to disband the troops.

The money. Don't you want it anymore?

Then I'll write your name,

okay?

I'm begging you.

Write my name?

Why would I have brought you here then?

Only with your signature,

your name,

will this elegiac couplet have value.

It has value, you say?

Of course it does.

Give me another reason.

On the way here,

I spoke with many officers.

They've been fighting for over a decade,

and they're restless, with eyes red and burning,

ready to riot and rebel.

If they storm into

your office

with guns and swords pointed at you,

at that moment,

neither Confucius nor Mencius

will be able to protect you.

Even a steel neck won't help you then.

Shut up!

Come on.

[Rui]

[Rui Lin]

Alright!

Lay the plank and make for shore!

Let's go back!

These characters...

What do these say?

Rui Lin.

Well...

Thank you, Your Excellency, for your calligraphy!

There's no heavenly principle here.

Let's go back!

[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

The Viceroy and Lord Gu

went to the Qinhuai River yesterday.

It's written in black and white.

They can't deny it.

Everyone...

Yesterday...

[Clear Rivers and Ringing Shrines]

Gu.

Come on, come on.

Come here.

[Clear Rivers and Ringing Shrines]

Where did you go?

Nowhere.

I just came to report for duty.

They said

you went to the Qinhuai River last night

with the Viceroy of Liangjiang.

Is that true?

It is.

I didn't know you had such interests.

Food and sex are human nature.

What's the big deal?

So it's true then.

Truth is truth.

[Clear Rivers and Ringing Shrines]

His Excellency is not feeling well today!

If anyone has business,

please submit a written report!

Also...

Mr. Gu, please come with me.

His Excellency specifically asked to see you.

Yes.

Lord Gu...

Your Excellency.

You...

Y-You're going to be the death of me.

I've already convinced myself

hundreds of times not to kill you.

Are you deliberately coming here

to d-drag me through the mud?

I didn't want to come.

You forced me to come.

I must have lost my mind.

No, I just...

What's wrong?

"What's wrong?"

You have the nerve to ask me?

Shouldn't you

explain yourself to me?

What am I supposed to explain?

Explain...

Tell me,

what exactly are you trying to do?

A-And where's the money you mentioned?

Well, Your Excellency is well-read.

Don't you know

which patron saint is

worshiped in all the brothels in the country?

Well, isn't that...

The classics even mention this?

They actually do.

Confucius, in his lifetime,

praised very few people.

Among them was the Prime Minister of Qi,

Guan Zhong, also known as Guanzi.

Stop showing off.

Just tell me.

Back then, Qi was remote and sparsely populated,

so Guan Zhong established a women's quarter.

That women's quarter

was just like what we have now at the Qinhuai River.

And the result?

Within three years,

the capital, Linzi, became prosperous,

with crowds of people everywhere.

I know Your Excellency is a master of Neo-Confucianism.

You uphold the principle, "Preserve heavenly principles

and suppress human desires."

But in matters under heaven,

if you go against human desires,

you can't accomplish anything.

The Qinhuai River has always been

a place where scholars and refined gentlemen linger.

So I'd like to ask Your Excellency

to allocate

100,000 taels from the treasury.

First,

to dredge the Qinhuai River.

Second, to provide interest-free loans

to those brothels

so the girls there

can buy more hairpins and jewelry,

fabrics,

fine food, and tea snacks.

Then we need to spread

this news quickly.

Once word spreads among merchants and travelers,

they'll come in droves.

With more people coming,

more business being done,

and more circulation,

won't the tax revenue increase as well?

By then, Your Excellency,

you won't have to worry about collecting money.

What nonsense is that?

Using government funds

to lend to those houses of pleasure?

If those censors find out about this

and submit memorials against me,

what will become of me?

Those memorials would merely

accuse you of indulging in wine and women.

Isn't that preferable to having chaos everywhere?

That's one way to look at it.

But all the officials

are watching.

How can I, a respected master of Neo-Confucianism,

act out of line like this?

Tell me clearly

what you're really planning.

We haven't earned a single coin,

and now you want 100,000 taels?

No way.

Gaozi once said,

"Food and sex are human nature."

All people in the world

care about nothing but food and sexual desires.

I believe

that once we revive the pleasure quarters along the Qinhuai River,

within a year,

the vitality of Nanjing

will gradually recover.

Ridiculous.

Restoring vitality through those women?

What else then?

Renovating the examination hall

and printing a few Confucian classics?

Will that revive anything?

Your Excellency,

we agreed from the beginning

to manage Jiangnan together.

If so, we must adopt

a business perspective.

Business is

nothing more than the outflow and inflow of money.

If you truly agree to this,

you'll demonstrate to the whole world

your determination

to restore normal life here.

First, revitalize the market

and fill everyone's stomachs.

The investment is small,

but the returns are great.

One hundred thousand taels will be effective

and will also make a statement.

Your Excellency,

don't you think it's a good deal?

Really?

Speaking of which,

when I visited

some brothels with Your Excellency yesterday,

it truly opened my eyes.

Can Your Excellency teach this student

some of those terms and jargon?

Enough, enough.

Let's not discuss this topic anymore.

Fine, I'll approve this money.

Your Excellency has the heart of a Bodhisattva.

Since that's the case,

I'd like to ask Your Excellency to allocate another sum.

Isn't that enough already?

People will say

I came to Nanjing as an official

only to spend all the money

on businesses along the Qinhuai River—

wouldn't that be utterly humiliating?

Not at all, not at all.

The second allotment of funds I'm requesting

is for two things.

First,

to gather the finest woodblock carvers from across the country,

rebuild the academy here,

and carve the "Complete Library of the Four Treasuries."

Second,

to resume the imperial examinations this year

and renovate the examination halls.

It's the way of civil and martial governance—

alternating between tension and relaxation.

How much money would that require?

Also 100,000 taels.

It's like cutting a big watermelon in half.

Half for you.

Half for you.

And nothing left for me.

Then I'll just spread my wings.

Fly away to buy another one.

Mr. Liao, Mr. Chang,

practicing kung fu?

Let's go inside to practice internal energy.

I...

Miss Liao.

What, am I a ghost?

All of you are running away at the sight of me.

Tell me,

what on earth is going on?

Why does everyone who sees me

have that expression?

Where do you think you're going?

Tell me quickly.

What exactly happened?

-Mr. Gu is back! -Mr. Gu is back!

-Mr. Gu! -Mr. Gu!

-Good fortune and peace to you, Mr. Gu! -Good fortune and peace to you, Mr. Gu!

-Wait, why are you... -Mr. Gu.

It's me.

I'm from Henian House.

I'm from Taoye House!

We're from Shuiming House!

We're from Hongxue House!

Alright.

Don't touch me, don't touch me.

I know you.

I know you all.

Why have you all gathered here

to see me?

No need to massage, no need.

What's this all about?

My good sir,

why are you being

so distant with us all of a sudden?

-That's right! -Exactly!

The other day, you came to drink with us,

enjoying yourself

and telling all sorts of jokes—

why are you acting so formal all of a sudden?

-Yes. -Indeed!

Don't talk nonsense!

When did I

tell so many jokes?

Get to the point.

Mr. Gu,

we've come this time

for just one thing.

Along the Qinhuai River,

hundreds of sisters

sent us here as representatives

to kowtow to you properly.

If it weren't for you and His Excellency

looking after our business

and writing an elegiac couplet for the Grande Dame,

we would've all

starved to death long ago.

-That's right. -Exactly.

-Indeed. -Yes.

The Viceroy of Liangjiang

has even allocated silver for us

to repair our houses.

Tomorrow,

they'll start dredging the Qinhuai River!

Wouldn't you say

this is like being blessed by a living Bodhisattva?

-Yes. -Indeed!

-A pleasure Bodhisattva! -Yes.

-Our great benefactor! -Indeed.

When I go back,

I'll set up a longevity tablet for you

and place it alongside the tablet

of our good sir, Guan Zhong.

Come on, come on!

Thank you, Mr. Gu.

-Thank you, sir. -Thank you, sir.

Please get up, get up!

Please get up!

Just call him Guan Zhong.

Don't say "my good sir."

Address him properly.

And there's no such thing as a pleasure Bodhisattva,

only living ones.

Alright, you're absolutely right.

We've

kowtowed

and will leave after saying what we came to say.

We know

you're newly married.

Our presence here

must be inconvenient for you, right?

And we know you're an honest and upright official.

Therefore,

we've prepared some rouge

for your wife

and your mother,

along with face powder

and some fabric.

Please don't refuse.

If you refuse,

you're looking down on us.

-Yes, exactly. -Yes.

Don't be nervous.

All 160 brothels

along the Qinhuai River—

the girls have all agreed

to keep the back doors of the houses open for you day and night!

Even if you don't bring a single coin,

we'll take care of you for the rest of your days!

-For the rest of your days! -For the rest of your days!

Alright, alright.

Thank you, thank you all.

Please go back now.

Look, everyone,

Mr. Gu hasn't been drinking,

so he's being shy!

-Indeed! -Yes!

It's perfectly normal for a real man to enjoy

the company of courtesans!

-That's right! -Exactly!

-Do come often! -Please come often!

Remember to visit our Henian House.

Come to our Taoye House!

Yu'er.

Doing embroidery?

How did you,

a woman who wields weapons,

suddenly start embroidering?

There's food saved for you in the kitchen.

I've already eaten.

I've made tea for you too.

You're so thoughtful.

What's this?

A list of gifts sent to you.

Didn't I tell you?

We can't accept gifts

from anyone.

Why don't you listen?

Mother wants you to read the gift list.

[Gift List]

Ten boxes of

agarwood bracelets, carved with

hollowed-out swastika patterns.

Six gold-inlaid jade peach-shaped hairpins.

A pair of

rose-tourmaline twist-pattern bracelets.

One long gold-inlaid white jade hairpin.

A pair of gold-inlaid

spring water green jade peach-shaped rings.

One hundred...

Virility Pills.

These were sent by people from the brothels, right?

What kind of gift is this?

Do I look like someone who needs such pills?

Finish reading the list first.

Sixty pieces of

erotic paintings, large and small.

A complete set of The Sexual Arts of the Bedchamber.

There's no way to explain this now.

Yu'er.

Um, Yu'er.

Yu'er!

Stop embroidering.

Talk to me,

okay?

If you're really going to

deal with those officials every day

while I only know how to handle weapons,

ride horses, and shoot arrows,

wouldn't that embarrass you?

You should hire a tutor

to teach me reading, writing,

embroidery, and cooking,

so I won't end up being sent back to Shanxi by you.

Who told you these things?

Aren't they clearly trying to drive us apart?

Who said it? I'll go find them!

Why are you being so fierce?

I said it.

What's wrong?

Just keep practicing with these things.

When you're with me,

you don't need to put yourself through all this.

If you really want to learn to read and write,

I'll teach you.

There's no one under heaven

who could teach you better than I can,

right?

I knew it.

The moment I walked in, everyone who saw me

acted like they'd seen a ghost.

And you were smiling at me.

Take it.

I know you're angry inside.

Just let it out.

When you feel better, I feel better too.

As husband and wife,

we don't hold things in like others do.

Everyone's been saying lately

that you've been visiting brothels along the Qinhuai River every day,

and I didn't believe it.

Of course you shouldn't believe them.

Did you go then?

I went for one day.

If I told you

that I went there on official duty,

would you believe me?

Would you really believe that yourself?