1
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{\an8}[Legend of the Magnate]

2
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{\an8}[Episode 9]

3
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Master Jin.

4
00:01:51,310 --> 00:01:52,120
Madam Jin.

5
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Manager Li.

6
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Manager Li.

7
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Manager Li.

8
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You're here.

9
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You're here.

10
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{\an8}[Kindhearted and Serene]

11
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Please sit down.

12
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I am the eldest son of the Kang family,
Kang Suyuan.

13
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Nice to see you all.

14
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{\an8}[Kindhearted and Serene]

15
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The fact that you've come today

16
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to help the Kang family out of this crisis

17
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is a great kindness.

18
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I won't thank each of you individually.

19
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Over the years,

20
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the Kang family's business

21
00:02:36,650 --> 00:02:38,050
has been smooth sailing,

22
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which made us arrogant enough

23
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to take on anything.

24
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This time, we accepted a court assignment

25
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to transport military supplies.

26
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We thought we could make a good profit,

27
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but inexplicably,

28
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a sudden fire burned everything to ashes.

29
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My father, in his distress,

30
00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:55,740
coughed up blood and died.

31
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I'm here in mourning clothes
to auction off our family property.

32
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What a disgrace of a son.

33
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But the country is at war,

34
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and people are dying by the thousands.

35
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If the military supplies problem
isn't solved,

36
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who knows how many more

37
00:03:09,030 --> 00:03:10,889
widows and orphans there will be.

38
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What are my troubles compared with that?

39
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So I invited you all here today

40
00:03:16,030 --> 00:03:17,520
to bid together.

41
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{\an8}[Kindhearted and Serene]

42
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Here are all the Kang family's lands,

43
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houses,

44
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and shops,

45
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stretching from Shanxi to Shaanxi

46
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and down to Sichuan.

47
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There are about 40,000 mu
of good farmland,

48
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217 shops,

49
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and 3 large restaurants.

50
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{\an8}[Kang Family's Property]

51
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{\an8}[Total value: 7 million taels of silver]

52
00:03:44,840 --> 00:03:46,169
All our assets are here.

53
00:03:47,150 --> 00:03:48,349
If anyone has doubts,

54
00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:50,520
please come forward and take a look.

55
00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:52,009
With so much property,

56
00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:54,189
wouldn't it be better
to borrow money instead?

57
00:03:54,189 --> 00:03:55,560
Would the Eight Families

58
00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:57,289
really stand by and do nothing?

59
00:03:58,520 --> 00:03:59,409
Madam.

60
00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:01,120
Allow me to speak.

61
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Actually,

62
00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:09,449
these assets

63
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came from my ancestor,

64
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who failed in his studies,

65
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switched to learning a craft

66
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and failed again,

67
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and later found

68
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a petty clerk's job in the army camp,

69
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earning only a few maces a month.

70
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Later,

71
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he was put in charge of transporting goods

72
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for the army

73
00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:26,870
and met many heroes

74
00:04:26,870 --> 00:04:28,389
from all over the country.

75
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My great-grandfather
was generous, righteous,

76
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and a man of his word.

77
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Though he was physically weak,

78
00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:36,329
everyone respected him
as a true man of honor.

79
00:04:36,750 --> 00:04:38,079
Later, several friends

80
00:04:38,158 --> 00:04:40,120
pooled money
to open an escort agency for him,

81
00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:42,579
and that's when
he suddenly became wealthy.

82
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As the old saying goes,

83
00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:48,189
"a gentleman's fortune
lasts only three generations."

84
00:04:48,189 --> 00:04:50,120
Today marks the third generation.

85
00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:52,600
Although the Eight Families
take care of each other,

86
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my great-grandfather once vowed that

87
00:04:54,310 --> 00:04:56,110
he would never burden his peers.

88
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So today,

89
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I ask friends from all over to make way.

90
00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:03,829
Even if the Kangs
can't do business anymore,

91
00:05:03,870 --> 00:05:05,470
we must not lose our dignity.

92
00:05:06,949 --> 00:05:08,279
That's all I have to say.

93
00:05:11,629 --> 00:05:12,959
Please place your bids.

94
00:05:16,389 --> 00:05:17,750
Whoever can buy the Kang family

95
00:05:17,750 --> 00:05:19,149
will be quite something.

96
00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:20,240
So how will

97
00:05:20,310 --> 00:05:22,310
the Eight Families rank from now on?

98
00:05:22,509 --> 00:05:23,680
Who knows?

99
00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:26,959
Everyone,

100
00:05:27,269 --> 00:05:28,360
I'll start.

101
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Six million taels.

102
00:05:31,430 --> 00:05:32,029
Thank you.

103
00:05:33,430 --> 00:05:34,629
Seven million taels!

104
00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:36,490
Nine million taels!

105
00:05:36,750 --> 00:05:37,120
Thank you.

106
00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:38,379
Eleven million taels!

107
00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:40,689
Why aren't you bidding?

108
00:05:41,069 --> 00:05:42,399
I don't want the hassle.

109
00:05:43,509 --> 00:05:44,720
Our family already has so many shops

110
00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:46,649
that we can barely manage them all.

111
00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:47,430
You have no idea.

112
00:05:47,430 --> 00:05:49,290
The more money, the more trouble.

113
00:05:49,509 --> 00:05:51,110
That's a clever way to put it.

114
00:05:52,069 --> 00:05:52,829
If I were truly clever,

115
00:05:52,829 --> 00:05:54,158
I wouldn't even be here.

116
00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:56,439
Thirteen million taels!

117
00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:58,370
Fourteen million taels!

118
00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:01,800
Everyone,

119
00:06:02,949 --> 00:06:04,040
enjoy your meal.

120
00:06:05,189 --> 00:06:07,199
The auction won't end

121
00:06:07,269 --> 00:06:08,800
until this banquet is over.

122
00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:10,629
Everyone might as well take a look

123
00:06:10,220 --> 00:06:12,779
{\an8}[Kindhearted and Serene]

124
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and think it over carefully.

125
00:06:17,269 --> 00:06:18,009
Ms. Su,

126
00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:20,000
why aren't you competing with them?

127
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My money doesn't grow on trees.

128
00:06:22,189 --> 00:06:24,430
Who wants to compete with them like that?

129
00:06:24,430 --> 00:06:25,089
So you can't

130
00:06:25,120 --> 00:06:26,189
win the property.

131
00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:27,819
Must it be about money?

132
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He's quite foolish.

133
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There are

134
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lots of things in this world

135
00:06:32,430 --> 00:06:33,889
more valuable than money.

136
00:06:34,750 --> 00:06:36,079
You'll see soon enough.

137
00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:40,000
More valuable things?

138
00:06:52,170 --> 00:06:55,339
{\an8}[Kindhearted and Serene]

139
00:07:04,040 --> 00:07:05,100
Congratulations.

140
00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:07,600
Should I congratulate you now

141
00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:08,930
or wait a little longer?

142
00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:10,870
Congratulate me for what?

143
00:07:10,870 --> 00:07:13,470
For successfully joining
the Eight Families.

144
00:07:13,920 --> 00:07:15,120
Don't be ridiculous.

145
00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:17,040
There are plenty of rich people.

146
00:07:17,040 --> 00:07:18,699
Didn't you hear what she said?

147
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There are things

148
00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:21,589
more important than money.

149
00:07:23,069 --> 00:07:23,800
What things?

150
00:07:24,629 --> 00:07:25,430
Human lives.

151
00:07:41,269 --> 00:07:42,199
Someone's dead!

152
00:07:42,750 --> 00:07:43,680
Murder!

153
00:07:44,069 --> 00:07:45,158
Murder!

154
00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:46,850
Someone is dead!

155
00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:48,040
This...

156
00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:50,480
Here too!

157
00:07:51,310 --> 00:07:52,158
Here too!

158
00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:54,509
Here too!

159
00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:55,649
Mr. Zhang is dead.

160
00:07:55,649 --> 00:07:57,050
Manager Qin is also dead.

161
00:07:59,408 --> 00:08:00,000
Clean it up

162
00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:00,959
and report to the government.

163
00:08:00,959 --> 00:08:02,160
Everything was fine.

164
00:08:02,860 --> 00:08:04,259
Why are there deaths now?

165
00:08:04,300 --> 00:08:05,110
Everyone.

166
00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:06,160
Everyone.

167
00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:09,009
Please stay calm.

168
00:08:09,350 --> 00:08:11,449
A few friends are drunk.

169
00:08:11,620 --> 00:08:12,959
No one is dead. I promise.

170
00:08:12,959 --> 00:08:14,769
{\an8}[Kindhearted and Serene]

171
00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:15,120
Please continue enjoying your drinks.

172
00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:16,430
Don't listen to the servants' nonsense.

173
00:08:16,430 --> 00:08:17,000
Please.

174
00:08:17,069 --> 00:08:18,000
Please.

175
00:08:19,589 --> 00:08:20,639
Drink up.

176
00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:22,310
Make a decision already!

177
00:08:22,310 --> 00:08:23,240
Just decide who's the buyer

178
00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:24,420
and we'll leave!

179
00:08:24,529 --> 00:08:25,790
We'll do it right away.

180
00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:27,300
Here, have a drink.

181
00:08:27,629 --> 00:08:28,490
What happened?

182
00:08:28,829 --> 00:08:30,160
Mr. Zhang from Hangzhou

183
00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:31,680
and his bodyguards are dead.

184
00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:33,080
The Li family from Huzhou,

185
00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:34,668
and the Wang family from Suzhou.

186
00:08:34,668 --> 00:08:36,480
All those who made a bid just now are...

187
00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:37,149
Yes.

188
00:08:37,899 --> 00:08:40,019
Everyone who made a bid is dead.

189
00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:43,740
She's from the south.

190
00:08:47,049 --> 00:08:47,960
I'm sure she's going to

191
00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:49,159
drag our family down.

192
00:08:49,990 --> 00:08:51,850
We need to find a way to fight back.

193
00:09:02,110 --> 00:09:02,870
Ms. Su.

194
00:09:04,870 --> 00:09:05,870
My boss ordered me

195
00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:07,320
to make absolutely sure

196
00:09:07,320 --> 00:09:08,509
I secure the Kang family's property.

197
00:09:08,509 --> 00:09:09,840
Could you let me take it?

198
00:09:12,110 --> 00:09:14,169
Those people died horribly just now.

199
00:09:15,269 --> 00:09:15,870
It was you?

200
00:09:18,649 --> 00:09:19,200
You're not planning

201
00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:20,600
to join them, are you?

202
00:09:24,279 --> 00:09:24,720
No.

203
00:09:29,789 --> 00:09:30,580
I think

204
00:09:30,909 --> 00:09:33,240
someone is trying
to force the Eight Families to death,

205
00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:34,769
wanting to take everything

206
00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:36,340
without paying a coin.

207
00:09:37,870 --> 00:09:39,480
Was it done by people from the underworld?

208
00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:40,409
I don't think so.

209
00:09:41,269 --> 00:09:42,409
They don't have

210
00:09:42,750 --> 00:09:44,320
that kind of power.

211
00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:46,720
We should stay put

212
00:09:47,269 --> 00:09:49,330
and let the culprit show themselves.

213
00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:53,090
Dead people!

214
00:09:53,389 --> 00:09:54,870
There really are dead people!

215
00:09:54,870 --> 00:09:56,330
Make up your mind already!

216
00:09:57,549 --> 00:09:58,149
Everyone!

217
00:09:58,269 --> 00:09:58,870
Everyone!

218
00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,240
Today I'm selling
the Kang family's assets.

219
00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:04,169
I truly don't know why people died.

220
00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:05,679
We're not doing a deal

221
00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:07,000
where we die!

222
00:10:07,629 --> 00:10:08,159
Let's go!

223
00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:09,629
Let's go!

224
00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:11,320
Every-

225
00:10:12,029 --> 00:10:13,509
Get back!

226
00:10:14,909 --> 00:10:16,200
-Sit down!
-Sit down!

227
00:10:30,509 --> 00:10:31,840
By His Highness's order,

228
00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:32,919
no one drinking here today

229
00:10:32,919 --> 00:10:34,049
is allowed to leave!

230
00:10:34,789 --> 00:10:36,509
If the Kang family's property isn't sold

231
00:10:36,509 --> 00:10:38,320
and the military supplies
can't be delivered,

232
00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:39,779
you can all prepare to die!

233
00:10:40,549 --> 00:10:41,679
Sit down, all of you!

234
00:10:42,909 --> 00:10:44,169
Continue the bidding!

235
00:10:59,029 --> 00:10:59,950
Seven million taels.

236
00:10:59,950 --> 00:11:01,330
{\an8}[Kindhearted and Serene]

237
00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:02,149
Manager Li,

238
00:11:02,669 --> 00:11:04,000
since they're all dead,

239
00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:05,669
I'll follow your bid.

240
00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:06,669
Okay.

241
00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:08,259
Alright, alright.

242
00:11:09,029 --> 00:11:09,629
Alright.

243
00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:11,600
Clever.

244
00:11:17,789 --> 00:11:18,990
Eight million taels.

245
00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:21,100
Ten million taels.

246
00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:25,960
Young man,

247
00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:28,200
you look unfamiliar.

248
00:11:29,389 --> 00:11:30,870
As long as you know it, that's enough.

249
00:11:30,870 --> 00:11:32,470
It's not unfamiliar, right?

250
00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:37,860
Eleven million taels!

251
00:11:38,919 --> 00:11:40,269
Everyone, I'll place a bid too.

252
00:11:40,269 --> 00:11:40,870
I'd like to see

253
00:11:40,870 --> 00:11:42,330
if I will get killed today.

254
00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:49,399
Fourteen million taels!

255
00:11:51,029 --> 00:11:52,360
Fifteen million taels!

256
00:11:53,870 --> 00:11:55,129
No matter what you bid,

257
00:11:55,269 --> 00:11:57,129
I'll always add another million.

258
00:11:57,360 --> 00:11:58,480
Everyone, forgive me.

259
00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:00,120
I must win today.

260
00:12:05,389 --> 00:12:06,049
Hurry up!

261
00:12:06,360 --> 00:12:07,159
Any more bids?

262
00:12:10,120 --> 00:12:11,379
Twenty million taels!

263
00:12:16,389 --> 00:12:17,120
What?

264
00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:20,360
Is Li Baiwan's family in the capital

265
00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:21,759
not eligible?

266
00:12:29,029 --> 00:12:30,830
You're joining too, aren't you?

267
00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:32,320
Yes.

268
00:12:33,389 --> 00:12:34,450
Quite lively here.

269
00:12:36,789 --> 00:12:38,789
But you're not go to do this...

270
00:12:39,789 --> 00:12:41,120
to me and Mr. Gu, are you?

271
00:12:42,389 --> 00:12:43,440
What are you trying to do?

272
00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:44,960
I'm thinking the same as you.

273
00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:46,620
I want to snatch this bargain.

274
00:12:50,440 --> 00:12:52,039
Didn't you say you'd help me?

275
00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:54,389
Come on.

276
00:12:56,879 --> 00:12:58,210
What was your bid again?

277
00:12:58,509 --> 00:12:59,320
Twenty million taels.

278
00:12:59,320 --> 00:12:59,870
Twenty...

279
00:12:59,870 --> 00:13:01,070
Twenty-one million!

280
00:13:04,549 --> 00:13:05,889
Twenty-five million!

281
00:13:08,269 --> 00:13:09,669
Twenty-six million!

282
00:13:10,360 --> 00:13:11,870
Even if you boiled Wang Tiangui's bones
into oil,

283
00:13:11,870 --> 00:13:13,730
you couldn't get that much money.

284
00:13:14,149 --> 00:13:15,549
I have it in my draft bank.

285
00:13:16,909 --> 00:13:17,970
I'll lend it to him.

286
00:13:18,750 --> 00:13:20,480
I'm doing this for your father.

287
00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:21,789
Why are you interfering?

288
00:13:21,789 --> 00:13:22,629
Spending 26 million

289
00:13:22,629 --> 00:13:23,820
can make you happy?

290
00:13:24,509 --> 00:13:26,039
Do you know what I want most?

291
00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:28,279
I want to see you and my father

292
00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:30,059
defeated just once.

293
00:13:34,389 --> 00:13:35,269
Childish.

294
00:13:47,470 --> 00:13:48,559
Mr. Gu, right?

295
00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,259
Please come over here.

296
00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:52,840
Everyone,

297
00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:54,840
if there are no objections,

298
00:13:55,929 --> 00:13:57,659
the Kang family's property...

299
00:13:58,840 --> 00:14:00,299
now belongs to Taiyufeng.

300
00:14:06,549 --> 00:14:07,350
Manager Kang,

301
00:14:07,460 --> 00:14:09,480
26 million taels is a large sum.

302
00:14:09,909 --> 00:14:12,120
Please allow me
to settle it within 10 days.

303
00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:12,720
Thank you.

304
00:14:15,440 --> 00:14:16,840
With so much money,

305
00:14:17,629 --> 00:14:18,830
why did you kill them?

306
00:14:19,279 --> 00:14:20,509
Madam, what are you thinking?

307
00:14:20,509 --> 00:14:21,610
I didn't kill them.

308
00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:22,750
Good.

309
00:14:23,149 --> 00:14:24,029
From now on, Taiyufeng

310
00:14:24,029 --> 00:14:25,960
will be part of the Eight Families.

311
00:14:26,029 --> 00:14:27,690
Congratulations, Mr. Gu.

312
00:14:30,120 --> 00:14:31,179
Congratulations.

313
00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:35,299
His Highness has arrived!

314
00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:38,480
Why is His Highness here?

315
00:14:48,909 --> 00:14:49,769
Your Highness.

316
00:14:55,399 --> 00:14:57,000
The rebels are running rampant,

317
00:14:56,840 --> 00:15:00,080
{\an8}[Prince Shen]

318
00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:00,509
and the imperial court
is pressing urgently.

319
00:15:00,509 --> 00:15:02,110
Without money and supplies,

320
00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:03,840
the army can't be sustained.

321
00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:06,769
You can't afford to take the blame.

322
00:15:07,149 --> 00:15:08,720
I am selling off my family property.

323
00:15:08,720 --> 00:15:09,360
Within 10 days,

324
00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:11,289
I'll repay the military supplies.

325
00:15:11,789 --> 00:15:12,840
Ten days?

326
00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:15,120
Is this what the Eight Families do?

327
00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:19,480
The country is in crisis,

328
00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:21,440
yet you're all here haggling.

329
00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:24,649
The imperial court says I'm

330
00:15:25,509 --> 00:15:26,820
too soft-hearted.

331
00:15:27,909 --> 00:15:29,370
Well, I have no choice now.

332
00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:30,840
Lock them all up.

333
00:15:32,110 --> 00:15:33,480
At least I'll have something to report.

334
00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:34,070
Yes!

335
00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:34,980
Take them away!

336
00:15:39,029 --> 00:15:40,750
If you don't pay within 3 days...

337
00:15:40,750 --> 00:15:41,259
-Go!
-Go!

338
00:15:41,259 --> 00:15:42,659
None of you will survive.

339
00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:44,250
Hurry up!

340
00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:44,690
Move!

341
00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:45,120
Hurry!

342
00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:46,179
Move it!

343
00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:46,639
Move!

344
00:15:47,029 --> 00:15:47,389
Move!

345
00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:47,909
Go!

346
00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:48,389
Move!

347
00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:49,720
Go!

348
00:15:51,909 --> 00:15:53,570
You think having a bit of money

349
00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:55,340
makes you humans?

350
00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:56,360
To me,

351
00:15:57,669 --> 00:16:00,169
you're nothing.

352
00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:01,120
Move!

353
00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:02,600
Hurry!

354
00:16:04,029 --> 00:16:04,600
Move!

355
00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:05,669
Hurry!

356
00:16:12,629 --> 00:16:13,240
Well?

357
00:16:13,870 --> 00:16:15,049
Your brother's head

358
00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:16,740
will fall faster than his hat.

359
00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:22,600
Gu...

360
00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:01,460
It's gone sour.

361
00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:07,858
Stop drinking—it's spoiled.

362
00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:10,838
Sour or not, it's still food.

363
00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:19,720
Mr. Gu,

364
00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:21,200
tell them

365
00:17:21,750 --> 00:17:23,400
you're not one of the Eight Families.

366
00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:25,000
You don't need to suffer here.

367
00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:25,750
I told them,

368
00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:27,200
but they wouldn't listen.

369
00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:27,750
They think

370
00:17:27,750 --> 00:17:29,480
since I bought the Kang family's property,

371
00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:31,339
I'm one of the Eight Families now.

372
00:17:31,480 --> 00:17:33,480
Let's face this hardship together.

373
00:17:33,829 --> 00:17:35,160
I'm afraid by tomorrow,

374
00:17:35,509 --> 00:17:36,720
even this spoiled porridge will be gone.

375
00:17:36,720 --> 00:17:37,920
Would you like a bowl?

376
00:17:39,190 --> 00:17:42,660
{\an8}[Wanyuandang]

377
00:17:41,509 --> 00:17:43,069
I came to take over Shanxi.

378
00:17:48,509 --> 00:17:49,240
With the way they run things—

379
00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:51,299
small operations, small ambitions—

380
00:17:51,829 --> 00:17:53,559
they can't keep their footing.

381
00:17:53,829 --> 00:17:54,509
Before I came,

382
00:17:54,509 --> 00:17:55,640
I told His Highness.

383
00:17:57,069 --> 00:17:59,069
I'm opening a draft bank right here.

384
00:17:59,789 --> 00:18:01,480
I've already thought of the name.

385
00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:03,640
It will be called Taiping Bank.

386
00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:05,640
From Pingyao,

387
00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:07,900
it will spread to all the nearby counties

388
00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:09,720
and eventually across
the entire Qing Empire.

389
00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:11,809
Taiping Bank will be a big pouch,

390
00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:13,240
swallowing every draft bank

391
00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:14,349
in Pingyao.

392
00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:16,680
It's a fine business.

393
00:18:17,789 --> 00:18:19,319
The Li family in the capital

394
00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:21,640
will take over the draft bank business.

395
00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:24,549
Three million taels in ransom
for each family?

396
00:18:24,549 --> 00:18:26,549
Isn't that bleeding the locals dry?

397
00:18:27,029 --> 00:18:28,960
How could he even come up with that?

398
00:18:29,269 --> 00:18:30,150
The imperial court
has been asking us for money

399
00:18:30,150 --> 00:18:31,549
quite a lot over the past few years.

400
00:18:31,549 --> 00:18:33,029
Have they won any battles?

401
00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:35,000
Just wait till I get out.

402
00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:36,400
I have connections with a few people

403
00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:37,599
in the Grand Council.

404
00:18:37,829 --> 00:18:40,349
I'll buy myself an imperial censor
and impeach him!

405
00:18:40,349 --> 00:18:41,880
Mr. Sun, don't be angry.

406
00:18:42,960 --> 00:18:43,920
In this situation,

407
00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:45,509
without paying, none of us is getting out.

408
00:18:45,509 --> 00:18:46,349
How will you ever get the chance

409
00:18:46,349 --> 00:18:47,269
to buy yourself an imperial censor

410
00:18:47,269 --> 00:18:48,200
and impeach him?

411
00:18:48,829 --> 00:18:49,970
He's the famous

412
00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:51,240
Prince of the Iron Helmet.

413
00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:52,970
His words can shake mountains.

414
00:18:53,160 --> 00:18:54,819
You think you can impeach him?

415
00:18:55,349 --> 00:18:56,410
You've got a point.

416
00:18:56,789 --> 00:18:58,650
I'm just curious about one thing.

417
00:18:58,829 --> 00:19:00,630
At the Jinyang Villa gathering,

418
00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:02,269
all the people we invited

419
00:19:02,269 --> 00:19:04,029
are from the major banks in Shanxi.

420
00:19:04,029 --> 00:19:05,630
How did they know so clearly?

421
00:19:05,720 --> 00:19:06,880
They blocked the door

422
00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:08,210
and arrested everyone.

423
00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:09,589
I don't think

424
00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:11,839
this is as simple as it looks.

425
00:19:20,029 --> 00:19:20,720
Father,

426
00:19:21,029 --> 00:19:21,829
you're here.

427
00:19:28,029 --> 00:19:28,680
Well now.

428
00:19:29,390 --> 00:19:30,789
It all depends on you now.

429
00:19:32,200 --> 00:19:33,000
You two talk.

430
00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:40,640
Why are you always hanging around

431
00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:41,880
with that exile?

432
00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:45,160
You already know what we've been doing?

433
00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:46,309
We created a storefront pawning

434
00:19:46,309 --> 00:19:47,910
and a door-to-door pawning.

435
00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:48,680
We've turned Pingyao

436
00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:49,589
upside down.

437
00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:50,960
It was truly satisfying.

438
00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:52,160
You may be satisfied,

439
00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:54,109
but who will take the blame for harboring

440
00:19:54,109 --> 00:19:54,680
an exile?

441
00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:56,240
That won't fall on you.

442
00:19:56,269 --> 00:19:57,000
Don't worry.

443
00:19:57,400 --> 00:19:58,369
Just tell me,

444
00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:00,509
why did you really come here?

445
00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:11,880
I sincerely apologize

446
00:20:11,880 --> 00:20:13,700
for the inconvenience.

447
00:20:16,349 --> 00:20:18,069
His Highness asked me to check

448
00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:19,680
whether you ate well.

449
00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:26,680
You are all his guests.

450
00:20:27,509 --> 00:20:28,200
If there's anything lacking

451
00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:29,799
lacking in our hospitality,

452
00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:31,509
please forgive us.

453
00:20:32,069 --> 00:20:34,789
Your prince is too kind.

454
00:20:38,269 --> 00:20:39,349
I don't have

455
00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:40,609
3 million taels.

456
00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:42,690
All my money is invested in tea.

457
00:20:44,269 --> 00:20:45,240
Go confiscate my household

458
00:20:45,240 --> 00:20:46,640
with an imperial decree.

459
00:20:46,829 --> 00:20:47,829
I'm not qualified

460
00:20:47,829 --> 00:20:48,880
to be His Highness's guest.

461
00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:50,480
I don't have that much money.

462
00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:52,940
About this matter,

463
00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:55,130
we've already spoken to His Highness.

464
00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:55,930
However,

465
00:20:56,069 --> 00:20:57,869
His Highness has a noble status.

466
00:20:58,309 --> 00:20:59,289
If he takes back

467
00:20:59,589 --> 00:21:00,640
what he said,

468
00:21:00,829 --> 00:21:02,440
he'll lose face, won't he?

469
00:21:03,309 --> 00:21:04,160
The money in our draft banks

470
00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:05,789
belongs to the people of Shanxi.

471
00:21:05,789 --> 00:21:07,190
If it's all taken at once,

472
00:21:07,269 --> 00:21:08,869
how will the people survive?

473
00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:10,000
The imperial court

474
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:11,400
has already lost Jiangnan.

475
00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:12,400
Now they want Shanxi

476
00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:13,660
to fall into chaos too?

477
00:21:16,079 --> 00:21:17,130
Young man,

478
00:21:18,109 --> 00:21:19,400
you look unfamiliar.

479
00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,079
May I know your name?

480
00:21:23,349 --> 00:21:24,349
Everyone in this room

481
00:21:24,349 --> 00:21:25,349
has only one name—

482
00:21:26,069 --> 00:21:27,109
Silver.

483
00:21:27,269 --> 00:21:28,269
Nickname: Ingot.

484
00:21:29,240 --> 00:21:30,039
That's right.

485
00:21:30,829 --> 00:21:31,509
Sir,

486
00:21:32,349 --> 00:21:34,000
stop pretending to be polite.

487
00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:35,160
State your terms.

488
00:21:36,269 --> 00:21:36,789
Fine.

489
00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:40,000
This time, His Highness brought

490
00:21:40,109 --> 00:21:41,769
a draft bank from the capital,

491
00:21:42,069 --> 00:21:43,789
planning to station it in Shanxi

492
00:21:43,789 --> 00:21:46,230
to manage the army's grain and funds.

493
00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:48,160
If you can't raise

494
00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:49,619
the 3 million taels,

495
00:21:50,069 --> 00:21:52,200
that draft bank can pay on your behalf.

496
00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:55,880
You just need to sign
and stamp your names.

497
00:21:58,160 --> 00:21:58,869
As for

498
00:21:59,069 --> 00:22:00,480
when you repay it,

499
00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:05,119
you may discuss that among yourselves.

500
00:22:05,309 --> 00:22:06,230
Robbers.

501
00:22:06,349 --> 00:22:07,349
Strange things happen every year,

502
00:22:07,349 --> 00:22:08,789
but this year is overflowing with them.

503
00:22:08,789 --> 00:22:10,519
Pingyao now has a Wanyuandang,

504
00:22:10,549 --> 00:22:11,480
said to be owned

505
00:22:11,549 --> 00:22:13,750
by the son of Li Baiwan from the capital.

506
00:22:13,829 --> 00:22:16,029
And now there's another big draft bank.

507
00:22:17,509 --> 00:22:18,480
Our Eight Families

508
00:22:18,480 --> 00:22:20,029
need a total of 24 million taels,

509
00:22:20,029 --> 00:22:20,829
and they do in fact have it.

510
00:22:20,829 --> 00:22:22,680
How can they be so rich?

511
00:22:23,240 --> 00:22:24,069
Could it be

512
00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:26,529
the God of Wealth himself has arrived?

513
00:22:28,269 --> 00:22:29,349
Madam Jin,

514
00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:30,789
this draft bank

515
00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:34,160
belongs to Mr. Li, Li Wantang.

516
00:22:34,509 --> 00:22:35,970
It's called Taiping Bank.

517
00:22:36,160 --> 00:22:38,819
If you all accept this account

518
00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:40,490
and are willing to sign,

519
00:22:40,829 --> 00:22:42,019
I guarantee

520
00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:44,059
you'll be released

521
00:22:44,269 --> 00:22:45,400
immediately.

522
00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:52,509
This Li Baiwan

523
00:22:52,750 --> 00:22:53,960
is too ruthless.

524
00:22:54,829 --> 00:22:56,890
Just to establish himself in Shanxi,

525
00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:57,829
there's no need

526
00:22:57,829 --> 00:22:59,569
to ruin all of us.

527
00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:01,000
What is this?

528
00:23:02,109 --> 00:23:03,910
Using officials to pressure us?

529
00:23:05,829 --> 00:23:07,089
Since that's the case,

530
00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:08,640
you can

531
00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:10,859
keep drinking your porridge!

532
00:23:23,200 --> 00:23:23,789
Father,

533
00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:25,809
is this really okay?

534
00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:28,769
You...

535
00:23:30,069 --> 00:23:30,789
Just be good.

536
00:23:30,789 --> 00:23:31,990
Don't cause trouble.

537
00:23:32,269 --> 00:23:33,720
As long as you can watch and learn

538
00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:34,650
from a distance,

539
00:23:35,440 --> 00:23:36,640
that's all I ask.

540
00:23:37,400 --> 00:23:37,859
Father,

541
00:23:38,750 --> 00:23:40,000
I believe businessmen

542
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:40,960
should keep their word.

543
00:23:40,960 --> 00:23:41,960
What you're doing

544
00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:43,440
is robbery,

545
00:23:43,509 --> 00:23:44,640
bullying with power,

546
00:23:44,640 --> 00:23:45,480
kicking people when they're down—

547
00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:46,609
it's unscrupulous!

548
00:24:17,509 --> 00:24:18,569
My good son,

549
00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:21,480
I think you

550
00:24:21,480 --> 00:24:23,349
should just go back, study hard,

551
00:24:23,400 --> 00:24:25,259
and try to earn an official title.

552
00:24:28,480 --> 00:24:29,940
Trying to be a good person?

553
00:24:32,089 --> 00:24:36,930
{\an8}[Loan Ledger of Taiyufeng,
Eighth Year of the Xianfeng Reign]

554
00:24:35,029 --> 00:24:37,480
How much silver did His Highness get

555
00:24:38,720 --> 00:24:40,480
from Taiping Bank that made him

556
00:24:40,549 --> 00:24:41,720
pull off this stunt?

557
00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:45,859
No one really knows, I think.

558
00:24:46,589 --> 00:24:47,700
I just feel that

559
00:24:48,069 --> 00:24:50,200
you've barely joined the Eight Families,

560
00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:52,400
and already encountered such trouble.

561
00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:03,750
It's fake.

562
00:25:04,400 --> 00:25:05,920
Fake? What's fake?

563
00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:08,390
Which businessman

564
00:25:09,160 --> 00:25:11,000
would keep all their money

565
00:25:11,029 --> 00:25:13,039
in one place?

566
00:25:13,269 --> 00:25:14,480
Besides,

567
00:25:15,069 --> 00:25:16,869
which draft bank

568
00:25:17,109 --> 00:25:18,269
could even come up with

569
00:25:18,269 --> 00:25:21,109
3 million taels in cash?

570
00:25:22,829 --> 00:25:25,269
I think the demand for silver
is just a pretext.

571
00:25:25,269 --> 00:25:26,880
Taiping Bank wants to

572
00:25:26,920 --> 00:25:28,480
take over all the business

573
00:25:28,509 --> 00:25:29,920
of our draft banks

574
00:25:30,029 --> 00:25:31,559
for themselves.

575
00:25:31,829 --> 00:25:33,309
That's their real goal.

576
00:25:34,029 --> 00:25:36,720
Once these wealthy families
of the Eight Families

577
00:25:36,720 --> 00:25:38,309
sign the loan,

578
00:25:39,029 --> 00:25:40,160
they'll be as good as

579
00:25:40,509 --> 00:25:42,829
meat on someone's board.

580
00:25:43,589 --> 00:25:45,349
This Li Baiwan...

581
00:25:47,349 --> 00:25:48,849
is quite cunning.

582
00:26:11,890 --> 00:26:13,400
Is His Highness coming?

583
00:26:14,799 --> 00:26:16,089
I don't know.

584
00:26:19,160 --> 00:26:19,880
Everyone,

585
00:26:19,920 --> 00:26:21,400
please forgive me.

586
00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:23,000
I had no choice

587
00:26:23,029 --> 00:26:25,220
but to meet you in prison.

588
00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:28,250
Li Wantang?

589
00:26:29,829 --> 00:26:30,589
Mr. Li,

590
00:26:30,640 --> 00:26:32,069
are you here to mock us?

591
00:26:32,269 --> 00:26:33,200
I wouldn't dare.

592
00:26:35,109 --> 00:26:37,039
We're all in the same line of trade.

593
00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:38,680
I just came to see

594
00:26:38,750 --> 00:26:40,170
if I could be of any help.

595
00:26:42,740 --> 00:26:43,509
You could.

596
00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:45,480
Hurry and tell His Highness

597
00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:46,640
to release us.

598
00:26:47,269 --> 00:26:48,589
We didn't kill anyone
or set fire to anything.

599
00:26:48,589 --> 00:26:49,589
Keeping us here?

600
00:26:50,549 --> 00:26:51,589
How undignified.

601
00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:56,029
Since ancient times,
officials have had two mouths—

602
00:26:56,029 --> 00:26:58,490
the words from the two mouths
are different.

603
00:26:58,509 --> 00:27:00,440
Reasoning with them doesn't work.

604
00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:03,349
I can pay the 24 million taels first

605
00:27:03,349 --> 00:27:04,420
to help you

606
00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:07,109
escape this disaster.

607
00:27:07,589 --> 00:27:08,589
What do you think?

608
00:27:09,269 --> 00:27:10,910
What a show of power.

609
00:27:11,880 --> 00:27:13,529
The whole Qing Empire

610
00:27:13,720 --> 00:27:15,380
only makes this much in a year.

611
00:27:16,269 --> 00:27:18,130
What exactly are you trying to do?

612
00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:23,869
Times are tough, Madam.

613
00:27:25,509 --> 00:27:26,930
Those of us in business

614
00:27:27,160 --> 00:27:29,210
need to work together even more.

615
00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:30,680
I've been in the capital

616
00:27:30,680 --> 00:27:32,809
for too long, rarely visiting Shanxi,

617
00:27:33,029 --> 00:27:34,269
but I still have

618
00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:35,640
some influential connections

619
00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:37,200
at the imperial court.

620
00:27:39,750 --> 00:27:40,829
Consider this 3 million taels

621
00:27:40,829 --> 00:27:43,920
as my entry into the Eight Families.

622
00:27:44,509 --> 00:27:45,549
If you have any obstacles

623
00:27:45,549 --> 00:27:47,279
to overcome,

624
00:27:47,480 --> 00:27:48,210
Taiping Bank

625
00:27:48,549 --> 00:27:50,789
will help smooth them over.

626
00:27:52,509 --> 00:27:53,789
I'm not trying to take over

627
00:27:53,789 --> 00:27:54,960
the Eight Families.

628
00:27:55,720 --> 00:27:58,259
It's out of respect for your predecessors,

629
00:27:58,920 --> 00:28:00,720
offering my humble assistance.

630
00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:05,349
That's a bit much.

631
00:28:06,269 --> 00:28:08,130
That's not the right way to see it.

632
00:28:15,880 --> 00:28:16,509
Fine.

633
00:28:17,309 --> 00:28:18,720
If you don't agree,

634
00:28:19,549 --> 00:28:21,349
I'll just return to the capital.

635
00:28:21,480 --> 00:28:22,069
Fine.

636
00:28:22,829 --> 00:28:23,269
Fine.

637
00:28:23,960 --> 00:28:26,029
But the military situation is urgent,

638
00:28:26,029 --> 00:28:28,400
and His Highness has a fiery temper.

639
00:28:30,109 --> 00:28:31,440
When I came, he said,

640
00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:34,200
"The Eight Families"

641
00:28:34,269 --> 00:28:36,490
"hold King Li's Treasure."

642
00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:39,720
"Why won't they let go of
a little profits?"

643
00:28:41,549 --> 00:28:42,750
"It's infuriating."

644
00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:44,789
King Li's Treasure?

645
00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:46,480
Every child in Shanxi

646
00:28:46,480 --> 00:28:47,509
grows up knowing this story,

647
00:28:47,509 --> 00:28:48,109
right?

648
00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:48,789
Yes.

649
00:28:49,109 --> 00:28:50,640
You actually believe that?

650
00:28:52,589 --> 00:28:53,269
Weren't you here

651
00:28:53,269 --> 00:28:54,799
for King Li's Treasure too?

652
00:28:56,829 --> 00:28:59,559
Back then,
King Li's army was incredibly fierce.

653
00:29:00,240 --> 00:29:01,480
They came out of the Qinling Mountains,

654
00:29:01,480 --> 00:29:03,160
passed through the Taihang Mountains,

655
00:29:03,160 --> 00:29:05,819
broke through Tongguan Pass,
flooded Kaifeng,

656
00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:07,890
swept across the Yellow River,

657
00:29:08,029 --> 00:29:09,960
and conquered the Central Plains.

658
00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:10,480
But what happened

659
00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:12,210
after they got all that wealth?

660
00:29:13,789 --> 00:29:15,309
The generals indulged in pleasure,

661
00:29:15,309 --> 00:29:16,589
the soldiers feared death,

662
00:29:16,589 --> 00:29:17,670
and in the end

663
00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:19,480
they came to a mysterious downfall.

664
00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:20,539
What was it all for?

665
00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:22,539
That's truly a terrible omen.

666
00:29:24,309 --> 00:29:27,000
Those words are really insightful.

667
00:29:31,170 --> 00:29:33,750
You're... Gu Pingyuan?

668
00:29:40,440 --> 00:29:40,920
Yes.

669
00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:45,400
My son mentions you often.

670
00:29:50,309 --> 00:29:52,549
Your words show great insight.

671
00:29:53,720 --> 00:29:54,440
However,

672
00:29:55,109 --> 00:29:56,970
that's a scholar's perspective.

673
00:29:57,160 --> 00:29:59,509
If you want to go into business
in the future,

674
00:29:59,509 --> 00:30:01,680
that would be a big mistake.

675
00:30:02,480 --> 00:30:03,279
What mistake?

676
00:30:07,109 --> 00:30:08,269
Gold and silver

677
00:30:08,720 --> 00:30:10,589
are public tools of the world.

678
00:30:11,309 --> 00:30:13,309
They carry no inherent good or evil.

679
00:30:13,720 --> 00:30:15,049
People are responsible

680
00:30:15,240 --> 00:30:16,569
for their own mistakes.

681
00:30:17,240 --> 00:30:18,440
Blaming money itself

682
00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:19,750
makes no sense.

683
00:30:22,349 --> 00:30:24,660
There is no money that cannot be used,

684
00:30:26,789 --> 00:30:28,720
no person that cannot be employed.

685
00:30:33,349 --> 00:30:34,269
Remember that.

686
00:31:13,109 --> 00:31:15,640
I, Li Wantang,
pay respects to Your Highness.

687
00:31:16,549 --> 00:31:18,000
Your plan didn't work.

688
00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:42,460
The imperial court

689
00:31:43,750 --> 00:31:46,269
ordered me to go to Shandong
to suppress the rebellion,

690
00:31:46,269 --> 00:31:48,019
but I keep delaying my advance.

691
00:31:48,640 --> 00:31:50,539
If I hold up
the imperial court's important matters,

692
00:31:50,539 --> 00:31:51,670
who takes the blame,

693
00:31:52,069 --> 00:31:53,269
you or me?

694
00:31:57,029 --> 00:31:57,980
Your Highness.

695
00:31:59,640 --> 00:32:01,900
These merchants are extremely cunning.

696
00:32:02,269 --> 00:32:03,869
If we don't wait long enough,

697
00:32:03,880 --> 00:32:05,509
this won't succeed.

698
00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:08,579
Each of them

699
00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:11,920
is well-connected
with powerful officials at court.

700
00:32:11,920 --> 00:32:13,559
If they find a censor

701
00:32:13,750 --> 00:32:16,200
and report me for bleeding the locals dry,

702
00:32:17,480 --> 00:32:18,880
I won't be able to handle it.

703
00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:19,740
Your Highness.

704
00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:22,160
I'm a businessman.

705
00:32:23,269 --> 00:32:25,069
I understand businessmen best.

706
00:32:25,750 --> 00:32:26,720
These wealthy people

707
00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:28,720
may look generous from the outside,

708
00:32:29,160 --> 00:32:30,150
but deep down,

709
00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:32,650
every single one of them is stingy.

710
00:32:32,829 --> 00:32:35,029
Their money
is practically glued to their ribs.

711
00:32:35,029 --> 00:32:37,000
When you really ask them to hand it over,

712
00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:39,000
you'd need a pair of pliers
to pull it out,

713
00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:40,400
with the strength

714
00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:42,059
of ripping out their tendons.

715
00:32:43,309 --> 00:32:44,440
Three million taels

716
00:32:45,400 --> 00:32:47,000
won't come that easily.

717
00:32:52,640 --> 00:32:54,069
If you don't push them

718
00:32:54,109 --> 00:32:56,220
to the brink,

719
00:32:56,269 --> 00:32:58,960
you'll never get what you want.

720
00:33:01,720 --> 00:33:02,880
Does...

721
00:33:08,829 --> 00:33:10,630
King Li's Treasure really exist

722
00:33:12,400 --> 00:33:13,200
in this world?

723
00:33:21,509 --> 00:33:22,710
Your Highness, look.

724
00:33:23,680 --> 00:33:24,789
Pingyao and Taigu

725
00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:28,859
are the birthplaces of Shanxi's wealth.

726
00:33:29,029 --> 00:33:30,109
In terms of transportation,

727
00:33:30,109 --> 00:33:32,000
this region is surrounded by mountains.

728
00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:34,920
As for resources,
there are no gold or silver mines.

729
00:33:35,349 --> 00:33:36,200
As for talents,

730
00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:38,259
the people here are honest and plain,

731
00:33:38,269 --> 00:33:41,000
with no long tradition of doing business.

732
00:33:41,720 --> 00:33:43,720
Yet right after the Ming dynasty fell,

733
00:33:43,720 --> 00:33:46,829
these two places suddenly became rich.

734
00:33:48,000 --> 00:33:48,829
Now look here.

735
00:33:50,589 --> 00:33:52,250
These are Taihang Mountains.

736
00:33:52,309 --> 00:33:53,920
King Li fled along this route,

737
00:33:53,920 --> 00:33:56,049
spreading out from here to both sides.

738
00:33:57,349 --> 00:33:58,210
I'm certain...

739
00:33:59,829 --> 00:34:01,220
the treasure

740
00:34:02,000 --> 00:34:03,029
exists,

741
00:34:03,920 --> 00:34:04,589
and

742
00:34:05,750 --> 00:34:07,880
hasn't been much depleted.

743
00:34:09,840 --> 00:34:11,900
As for the so‑called Eight Families,

744
00:34:12,960 --> 00:34:14,360
they've been in business

745
00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:16,320
for generations.

746
00:34:18,280 --> 00:34:20,599
Business has its profits and losses.

747
00:34:21,320 --> 00:34:22,510
How have they stayed prosperous

748
00:34:22,510 --> 00:34:24,150
for over a hundred years?

749
00:34:25,360 --> 00:34:26,820
Where did their capital come from?

750
00:34:26,820 --> 00:34:28,800
How could this be possible?

751
00:34:31,510 --> 00:34:32,320
Li Wantang,

752
00:34:33,920 --> 00:34:34,960
Li Baiwan.

753
00:34:35,960 --> 00:34:37,000
You'd better

754
00:34:37,030 --> 00:34:38,059
not be wrong.

755
00:34:39,800 --> 00:34:42,030
I burned the military supplies,

756
00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:44,280
and that was your idea.

757
00:34:44,920 --> 00:34:46,360
If I delay the military operations,

758
00:34:46,360 --> 00:34:47,820
fail to find the treasure,

759
00:34:48,070 --> 00:34:50,599
and lose the military supplies
on top of that,

760
00:34:51,280 --> 00:34:52,610
then I'll have no choice

761
00:34:53,059 --> 00:34:54,820
but to use your head

762
00:34:55,440 --> 00:34:56,699
to make up for the loss.

763
00:34:58,230 --> 00:34:59,829
Your Highness, don't worry.

764
00:34:59,880 --> 00:35:00,550
Trust me.

765
00:35:01,360 --> 00:35:02,070
By then,

766
00:35:02,760 --> 00:35:04,289
the treasure will be yours,

767
00:35:04,360 --> 00:35:05,690
and Shanxi will be mine.

768
00:35:06,670 --> 00:35:09,000
As long as you understand what's at stake.

769
00:35:09,710 --> 00:35:10,539
Within 3 days,

770
00:35:10,710 --> 00:35:13,170
make up the money
for the military supplies.

771
00:35:13,269 --> 00:35:14,280
No matter what,

772
00:35:14,840 --> 00:35:17,369
I have to cross the Yellow River
into Shandong

773
00:35:18,150 --> 00:35:19,519
and fight this battle.

774
00:35:38,800 --> 00:35:39,440
Kang,

775
00:35:40,590 --> 00:35:42,119
how could you be so careless

776
00:35:42,510 --> 00:35:43,070
as to let

777
00:35:43,110 --> 00:35:44,849
the military supplies

778
00:35:45,010 --> 00:35:45,670
get burned?

779
00:35:45,880 --> 00:35:47,610
You think I wanted them burned?

780
00:35:48,280 --> 00:35:49,920
I never wanted to take the deal
in the first place.

781
00:35:49,920 --> 00:35:50,800
The local officials

782
00:35:50,800 --> 00:35:51,800
forced me to do it.

783
00:35:52,110 --> 00:35:52,760
The fire

784
00:35:53,230 --> 00:35:54,690
must have been set by them.

785
00:35:56,000 --> 00:35:57,730
Putting everything together,

786
00:35:59,250 --> 00:36:00,960
this might be a chain of traps.

787
00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:03,070
They burned
His Highness's military supplies,

788
00:36:03,070 --> 00:36:04,960
forced the Kang family
to sell their property,

789
00:36:04,960 --> 00:36:05,590
then

790
00:36:06,670 --> 00:36:08,150
arrested everyone—

791
00:36:08,590 --> 00:36:11,389
step by step
leading to the situation we're in now.

792
00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:12,829
Even if every one of you

793
00:36:12,920 --> 00:36:13,630
could bring out

794
00:36:13,630 --> 00:36:14,960
3 million taels in cash,

795
00:36:15,320 --> 00:36:16,070
they would still

796
00:36:16,070 --> 00:36:17,199
keep squeezing you.

797
00:36:17,630 --> 00:36:19,409
Because what they truly want

798
00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:21,260
is King Li's Treasure.

799
00:36:34,110 --> 00:36:35,550
Why do people in this world

800
00:36:35,550 --> 00:36:36,960
love to talk nonsense?

801
00:36:42,400 --> 00:36:43,550
As the saying goes,

802
00:36:44,030 --> 00:36:46,320
"a gentleman's only crime
is to carry a jade."

803
00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:47,590
Whether we admit it or not,

804
00:36:47,590 --> 00:36:48,960
as long as they believe we have it,

805
00:36:48,960 --> 00:36:49,840
we're guilty.

806
00:36:51,150 --> 00:36:51,960
I'm thinking

807
00:36:52,030 --> 00:36:53,829
that this stalemate can't go on.

808
00:36:54,280 --> 00:36:55,940
We should talk to His Highness

809
00:36:56,440 --> 00:36:58,440
and have both sides take a step back.

810
00:37:04,590 --> 00:37:05,860
Such childish talk.

811
00:37:06,840 --> 00:37:08,510
Why would he take a step back?

812
00:37:09,150 --> 00:37:10,400
To the government,

813
00:37:10,670 --> 00:37:12,599
we're nothing but ants.

814
00:37:15,360 --> 00:37:16,760
If they find out

815
00:37:16,840 --> 00:37:17,440
we don't have

816
00:37:17,440 --> 00:37:18,900
King Li's Treasure at all,

817
00:37:20,070 --> 00:37:23,329
we probably won't even get
this spoiled porridge anymore.

818
00:37:23,510 --> 00:37:24,670
That makes sense.

819
00:37:31,510 --> 00:37:32,320
Do you

820
00:37:32,880 --> 00:37:33,670
really have

821
00:37:33,710 --> 00:37:34,920
3 million taels in cash

822
00:37:34,920 --> 00:37:36,030
on hand right now?

823
00:37:36,710 --> 00:37:38,150
We already said we don't.

824
00:37:39,190 --> 00:37:41,190
The money in the draft banks
belongs to the depositors.

825
00:37:41,190 --> 00:37:42,170
Our own capital

826
00:37:42,510 --> 00:37:43,769
is all tied up in goods.

827
00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:45,000
You don't have it.

828
00:37:46,150 --> 00:37:47,150
Even if you don't, we can't just

829
00:37:47,150 --> 00:37:48,360
sit here and let them push us to death,

830
00:37:48,360 --> 00:37:48,760
right?

831
00:37:51,150 --> 00:37:52,010
Then tell us,

832
00:37:52,440 --> 00:37:53,440
what should we do?

833
00:37:54,760 --> 00:37:55,639
I've been thinking—

834
00:37:55,639 --> 00:37:57,639
no matter how wealthy Li Wantang is,

835
00:37:57,880 --> 00:37:58,940
at the end of the day

836
00:37:59,030 --> 00:38:00,510
he's a merchant just like us.

837
00:38:00,510 --> 00:38:01,769
Everything he's doing

838
00:38:01,800 --> 00:38:02,670
is simply

839
00:38:02,710 --> 00:38:04,840
to seize control of all the draft banks

840
00:38:04,840 --> 00:38:05,840
in Shanxi.

841
00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:08,159
Here's what we can do.

842
00:38:08,550 --> 00:38:10,690
First, we give His Highness an IOU,

843
00:38:11,360 --> 00:38:13,760
pretending we're willing
to take on this debt

844
00:38:13,760 --> 00:38:15,289
and will deliver the silver

845
00:38:15,400 --> 00:38:16,659
on the date he sets. His

846
00:38:16,960 --> 00:38:17,690
His Highness

847
00:38:17,710 --> 00:38:19,039
isn't a local official.

848
00:38:19,280 --> 00:38:21,409
He could be called to war at any moment.

849
00:38:21,480 --> 00:38:23,230
24 million taels of silver

850
00:38:23,320 --> 00:38:24,190
can't be spent

851
00:38:24,230 --> 00:38:25,230
in just one night.

852
00:38:26,110 --> 00:38:27,360
As long as he gives us some time

853
00:38:27,360 --> 00:38:28,280
to maneuver,

854
00:38:28,570 --> 00:38:29,570
we can turn around

855
00:38:29,590 --> 00:38:30,320
and go all out

856
00:38:30,320 --> 00:38:31,440
against Li Wantang

857
00:38:32,630 --> 00:38:34,159
and force him out of Shanxi.

858
00:38:34,710 --> 00:38:35,230
I believe that

859
00:38:35,230 --> 00:38:36,960
without His Highness backing him,

860
00:38:36,960 --> 00:38:37,710
he wouldn't

861
00:38:37,760 --> 00:38:39,019
have such great power.

862
00:38:39,670 --> 00:38:40,510
No way.

863
00:38:42,400 --> 00:38:44,230
It's easy for the Eight Families
to accept the debt,

864
00:38:44,230 --> 00:38:45,940
but Li Wantang isn't a child.

865
00:38:46,360 --> 00:38:47,760
He has plenty of methods.

866
00:38:48,030 --> 00:38:49,329
If he makes this IOU

867
00:38:49,630 --> 00:38:50,320
public

868
00:38:50,670 --> 00:38:52,110
and announces that our draft banks

869
00:38:52,110 --> 00:38:53,769
owe the imperial court money,

870
00:38:54,000 --> 00:38:54,929
our credibility

871
00:38:55,360 --> 00:38:56,550
will be ruined overnight.

872
00:38:56,550 --> 00:38:57,920
The depositors will fear

873
00:38:57,920 --> 00:38:59,030
we're using their money

874
00:38:59,030 --> 00:39:01,230
to fill the imperial court's
bottomless pit.

875
00:39:01,230 --> 00:39:02,429
If there's a bank run,

876
00:39:02,960 --> 00:39:04,219
how could we handle it?

877
00:39:06,480 --> 00:39:07,190
Who says business

878
00:39:07,190 --> 00:39:08,989
must be done with actual silver?

879
00:39:14,590 --> 00:39:15,110
Bro,

880
00:39:15,480 --> 00:39:17,110
you've had too much spoiled porridge.

881
00:39:17,110 --> 00:39:18,369
Your brain's gone off.

882
00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:23,070
Madam.

883
00:39:23,880 --> 00:39:25,760
Right now none of us
has a single coin on hand.

884
00:39:25,760 --> 00:39:26,630
But I want to make a business deal

885
00:39:26,630 --> 00:39:27,920
of 100 thousand taels with you.

886
00:39:27,920 --> 00:39:28,920
Is that possible?

887
00:39:31,150 --> 00:39:32,110
For example,

888
00:39:32,190 --> 00:39:33,389
this bowl in your hand

889
00:39:33,550 --> 00:39:34,590
is worth 100 thousand taels.

890
00:39:34,590 --> 00:39:35,190
I want it.

891
00:39:36,280 --> 00:39:37,190
But all my money

892
00:39:37,230 --> 00:39:38,480
is deposited with Manager Sun.

893
00:39:38,480 --> 00:39:39,409
What should I do?

894
00:39:41,360 --> 00:39:42,090
Manager Sun,

895
00:39:42,280 --> 00:39:43,880
please give me 100 thousand taels.

896
00:39:43,880 --> 00:39:45,210
I don't have any silver.

897
00:39:45,360 --> 00:39:47,030
And even if I did, carrying it around

898
00:39:47,030 --> 00:39:48,150
would be troublesome.

899
00:39:48,150 --> 00:39:50,150
Your jade pendant looks quite nice.

900
00:39:51,320 --> 00:39:53,119
Could you give it to me as a token?

901
00:39:54,070 --> 00:39:54,800
That's easy.

902
00:39:58,960 --> 00:39:59,650
Madam,

903
00:40:00,070 --> 00:40:01,079
Manager Sun said

904
00:40:01,230 --> 00:40:03,030
that as long as you see this token,

905
00:40:03,030 --> 00:40:03,769
you'll know

906
00:40:03,800 --> 00:40:04,670
that the 100 thousand taels

907
00:40:04,670 --> 00:40:06,150
have already been credited
to your account.

908
00:40:06,150 --> 00:40:07,079
With this token,

909
00:40:07,110 --> 00:40:07,760
may I

910
00:40:07,800 --> 00:40:09,150
take this bowl now?

911
00:40:09,880 --> 00:40:11,480
Was this agreed upon before?

912
00:40:11,510 --> 00:40:13,110
When we conduct a real transaction,

913
00:40:13,110 --> 00:40:14,280
we need a contract.

914
00:40:14,840 --> 00:40:15,369
This way,

915
00:40:15,880 --> 00:40:17,000
the Eight Families can handle

916
00:40:17,000 --> 00:40:18,960
entries and records
from one account to another

917
00:40:18,960 --> 00:40:20,320
without using a single tael

918
00:40:20,320 --> 00:40:21,380
of cash.

919
00:40:21,920 --> 00:40:23,510
If there's a bank run,

920
00:40:23,550 --> 00:40:25,280
the combined strength
of the Eight Families

921
00:40:25,280 --> 00:40:27,340
will be more than enough to handle it.

922
00:40:27,510 --> 00:40:28,590
And if each family acts alone,

923
00:40:28,590 --> 00:40:30,050
each can use its own credit

924
00:40:30,070 --> 00:40:31,469
to guarantee the others.

925
00:40:31,590 --> 00:40:33,579
Transaction records must be kept

926
00:40:33,840 --> 00:40:35,280
for year-end accounting.

927
00:40:35,280 --> 00:40:36,190
As long as the business

928
00:40:36,190 --> 00:40:37,590
stays within the Eight Families,

929
00:40:37,590 --> 00:40:38,530
one written note

930
00:40:38,630 --> 00:40:40,429
can be worth a million in silver.

931
00:40:40,510 --> 00:40:41,840
What do you think of this method?

932
00:40:41,840 --> 00:40:42,690
But what if...

933
00:40:43,880 --> 00:40:44,760
What if one family

934
00:40:44,760 --> 00:40:45,960
breaks the rules?

935
00:40:47,400 --> 00:40:49,440
What if one of them faces a bank run

936
00:40:49,630 --> 00:40:51,489
and the others don't know in time,

937
00:40:51,510 --> 00:40:54,030
and the funds
can't be shifted quickly enough?

938
00:40:54,030 --> 00:40:54,559
And also,

939
00:40:55,150 --> 00:40:56,610
what if all Eight Families

940
00:40:56,800 --> 00:40:58,530
face a bank run at the same time?

941
00:40:59,630 --> 00:41:01,360
We can appoint a chief manager

942
00:41:01,880 --> 00:41:03,400
to check the funds every day

943
00:41:03,400 --> 00:41:04,659
and publicly announce

944
00:41:04,670 --> 00:41:06,030
an alliance of the Eight Families.

945
00:41:06,030 --> 00:41:07,550
That way, even if a bank run happens,

946
00:41:07,550 --> 00:41:09,210
the impact won't be too great.

947
00:41:09,440 --> 00:41:11,320
Maybe one or two families will suffer,

948
00:41:11,320 --> 00:41:12,230
but it shouldn't be too hard

949
00:41:12,230 --> 00:41:13,590
to handle.

950
00:41:13,920 --> 00:41:14,630
Good.

951
00:41:15,510 --> 00:41:16,440
It's truly good.

952
00:41:16,670 --> 00:41:17,400
If we had thought of

953
00:41:17,400 --> 00:41:18,199
this earlier,

954
00:41:18,550 --> 00:41:19,150
Li Baiwan

955
00:41:19,190 --> 00:41:20,710
would never have gained
a foothold in Shanxi,

956
00:41:20,710 --> 00:41:21,480
and we wouldn't have been

957
00:41:21,480 --> 00:41:23,340
taken advantage of by outsiders.

958
00:41:25,190 --> 00:41:26,400
So who will take

959
00:41:27,360 --> 00:41:29,019
this chief manager position?

960
00:41:32,590 --> 00:41:33,989
How about letting me try?

961
00:41:36,510 --> 00:41:37,969
It's just for show anyway,

962
00:41:38,190 --> 00:41:39,480
just to get through

963
00:41:39,550 --> 00:41:41,079
our current difficulties.

964
00:41:42,440 --> 00:41:43,179
That is,

965
00:41:43,300 --> 00:41:44,400
if you consider me

966
00:41:44,440 --> 00:41:45,530
one of your own.

967
00:41:45,840 --> 00:41:46,840
We've been eating

968
00:41:47,000 --> 00:41:49,280
spoiled porridge
from the same pot these past few days.

969
00:41:49,280 --> 00:41:50,739
Of course you're one of us.

970
00:41:51,150 --> 00:41:53,280
You're part of the Eight Families now.

971
00:41:53,880 --> 00:41:55,280
I don't think letting him join

972
00:41:55,280 --> 00:41:56,150
is a bad idea.

973
00:41:57,400 --> 00:41:57,929
Alright.

974
00:41:58,550 --> 00:42:00,150
You'll be the chief manager.

975
00:42:00,360 --> 00:42:01,469
It was your idea.

976
00:42:01,800 --> 00:42:03,400
Show everyone how it's done.

977
00:42:03,590 --> 00:42:05,250
Does anyone have objections?

978
00:42:12,800 --> 00:42:13,329
Alright.

979
00:42:14,000 --> 00:42:14,880
In that case,

980
00:42:15,360 --> 00:42:16,670
I hope by this time tomorrow,

981
00:42:16,670 --> 00:42:18,760
we're no longer eating spoiled porridge.

982
00:42:18,760 --> 00:42:20,360
I'll go negotiate with them.

983
00:42:22,710 --> 00:42:23,510
It's settled.

984
00:42:24,960 --> 00:42:25,820
Guards!

985
00:42:26,150 --> 00:42:27,610
I need to see His Highness!

986
00:42:28,440 --> 00:42:29,440
Send out my order.

987
00:42:29,480 --> 00:42:30,679
Deploy 20,000 troops

988
00:42:30,960 --> 00:42:32,280
to Mount Liang area

989
00:42:33,230 --> 00:42:34,789
and tighten the net.

990
00:42:37,760 --> 00:42:38,619
Your Highness.

991
00:42:42,760 --> 00:42:44,670
I would like to report to you on behalf of

992
00:42:44,670 --> 00:42:46,329
the Eight Families of Hedong.

993
00:42:46,469 --> 00:42:48,130
I request a private audience.

994
00:42:52,440 --> 00:42:53,570
A private audience?

995
00:42:54,590 --> 00:42:56,119
You think you deserve that?

996
00:42:56,280 --> 00:42:57,400
I don't, of course.

997
00:43:00,440 --> 00:43:01,300
But does silver

998
00:43:01,630 --> 00:43:02,760
deserve it?