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{\an8}[Legend of the Magnate]

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{\an8}[Episode 31]

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My dear nephew.

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Everyone already thinks

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I've made a fortune here.

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If I were to arrange for

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the entire Lianghuai salt business

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to go to your family,

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the memorials impeaching me

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would pile up even higher than
the city wall.

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However, if you render some merit,

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then others won't have anything
to hold against you.

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Don't you agree?

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Am I right?

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That's one way to look at it.

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But why did you involve

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Gu Pingyuan in this?

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What if he wins?

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What then?

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Mr. Gu represents

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the small merchants
among the common people.

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If Mr. Gu wins,

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then the salt industry in Jiangnan

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can no longer be dictated solely

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by your Li family.

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You'll have to leave some room

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for the merchants of Jiangnan to survive.

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If your family takes everything,

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leaving me with no resource,

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it wouldn't look good for me

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as the Viceroy of Liangjiang, right?

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Sir, I have one more matter.

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If this coastal embankment

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were to be funded by our Li family,

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all expenses

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would naturally be covered entirely by us.

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But how should Mr. Gu's share

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of the costs be handled?

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Of course we'll wait for
the imperial court's approval.

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Court approval? I'm afraid that
even if we wait until next year

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when the floods come again,
the funds still won't be released.

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I understand what you mean, Sir.

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I dare not delay.

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I'll go to Nantong right away

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to inspect the damage to
the coastal embankment

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and make a plan.

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I take my leave.

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Please proceed, my dear nephew.

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I'll thank you in advance

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on behalf of the people of Nantong.

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Mr. Gu,

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did I say you could leave?

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But I need to go to Nantong
for the field inspection.

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Don't make excuses.

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The moment you two walk out of this door,

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you'll definitely start calling me names.

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Come on, inside.

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I'll give you the money for
the coastal embankment repairs.

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I've already mortgaged

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all my properties in Beijing.

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We may not be as rich as the Li family,

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but you must remember:

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the money you're receiving is clean,

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and you must make sure
its use is clean as well.

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This...

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Li Qin is right.

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Even when it floods again next year,

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the imperial court's money
still won't arrive.

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But the common people
can't wait that long.

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I won't let you down, Sir.

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Remember this

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about me:

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I've been simple-minded my whole life,

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and my learning and literacy
have never matched others.

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But there's one thing—

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I take one step at a time,

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neither deceiving myself

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nor others,

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and once I set out to do something,
I see it through.

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If you rush and push for progress,

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it will only lead to grave mistakes.

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Are you inspecting the coastal embankment
or racing horses?

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The more I think about it,
the angrier I get.

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That old man is now

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treating us like three-year-olds.

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He's already started

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sowing discord between us in public.

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Here's what I thought.

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After I left just now,

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he definitely started muttering about me
behind my back again, right?

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Didn't you ask him for me

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why he wouldn't help me

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with the salt field matter?

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I did.

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He said your family

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was just taking advantage of
others' misfortune.

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Taking advantage of others' misfortune?

98
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Nonsense.

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Merchants buy low and sell high.

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This has been

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the natural order of things
since ancient times.

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If I preach morality to them every day,

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I'll be left with nothing to eat.

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Let's go check the coastal embankment.

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This matter is quite troublesome.

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Gu,

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give me your word first

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so I can feel at ease.

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Go ahead.

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My father asked me to handle

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the salt field matter in Lianghuai.

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This is my only chance

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to make something of myself.

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So I've been thinking,

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no matter what it costs,

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I have to win

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and get this done.

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Could you give me some leeway?

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It's not a matter of giving you leeway.

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Well,

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I've never done
any salt field business before, either.

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But as you said,

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we're not three-year-olds.

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He wants to trap us

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in a chicken coop,

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but we

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can't just let him manipulate us,

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right?

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Then let's settle it this way:

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for the height of the coastal embankment,

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give me some concession.

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The imperial court's standard

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is 11 meters.

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I'll raise it by

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an extra 3.3 meters on top of that.

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Is that acceptable?

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I'll thank you in advance

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on behalf of the people of Nantong then.

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I am Gu Pingyuan.

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I am Li Qin, candidate intendant
of Jiangning.

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{\an8}[Marshal]

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Come on in.

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{\an8}[Marshal]

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Marshal Jiu.

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Marshal Jiu.

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Whenever it's time to pay the troops,

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I get anxious.

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You two

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seem to have much free time.

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Marshal Jiu.

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The Viceroy of Liangjiang has tasked us

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with repairing the coastal embankment
in Nantong,

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but now Nantong is nearly deserted.

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We can't even gather enough workers,

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so we've come specifically to trouble you,
Marshal Jiu,

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hoping to borrow some manpower.

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Well, we won't be using your soldiers

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for free.

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Stonemasons and carpenters
will be paid

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300 maces per day,

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and laborers 150 per day.

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Paid daily for work completed,

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with meals and lodging
provided on-site.

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Borrow soldiers?

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Come on, just take them away.

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Take as many as you need.

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That's excellent!

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I've been worried about

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owing my soldiers' pay
for over half a year.

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They've been grumbling every day,

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on the verge of mutiny against me.

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If you can take them off my hands,

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I'll thank you both eternally.

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Please.

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That's not what His Excellency said.

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He told us that
if we ran into manpower problems,

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we should come to you.

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I'm in urgent need of money now

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so I can dismiss them quickly

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before they cause trouble here.

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Do you still dare to take them?

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But...

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Sir.

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Then what do you suggest we do?

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This isn't something money can solve.

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If once the work starts,

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the schedule is delayed

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due to a shortage of manpower,

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-wouldn't that be...
-Getting impatient?

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Don't be.

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That old man sent you to see me—

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of course I have a solution.

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I knew

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Marshal Jiu must have a brilliant plan.

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Marshal Jiu.

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Stop teasing us

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and just tell us already.

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The Governor's office

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is holding

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5 to 6 thousand old rebels

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captured when Nanjing fell.

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You only need to provide meals for them—

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no need to pay them.

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I'll assign you two units

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to watch over them

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while they work on the embankment.

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But of course,

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the soldiers' pay

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will have to be covered by you.

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{\an8}[Nantong Coastal Embankment
Construction Site]

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One, two!

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One, two!

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One, two!

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One, two!

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One, two!

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One, two!

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One, two!

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These are all good stones
from Wolf Hill.

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{\an8}[Su Yuhua, Nantong Prefecture Magistrate]

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Mr. Gu, you're really something.

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Since we're repairing it,

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we might as well do it properly.

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Let's make sure it won't collapse
for 100 years.

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I also went to check

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the West Coastal Embankment.

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Mr. Li Qin

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also did a thorough job there.

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I made a bet with him.

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We're competing to see who repairs faster

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and who does a better job.

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You know what?

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Once our coastal embankment is repaired,

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the salt fields in Lianghuai

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will be

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completely safe.

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The people of Nantong
know what's good for them.

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Once the rice price stabilizes,

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they'll

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all come back.

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Marshal Jiu.

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I've selected over 2,000

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able-bodied old rebels

243
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and brought them all over for you.

244
00:10:35,029 --> 00:10:37,230
Now you've got enough manpower, right?

245
00:10:37,879 --> 00:10:38,669
Given their condition,

246
00:10:38,669 --> 00:10:40,080
how are they supposed to work?

247
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With two firearms units assigned,
what's there to worry about?

248
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Just remove their shackles later.

249
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If even one of them escapes,

250
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I can't take that responsibility.

251
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They're all in squads and battalions.

252
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If one person from a squad escapes,

253
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the whole squad will be executed;

254
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if one squad from a battalion escapes,
the entire battalion will be executed.

255
00:10:58,549 --> 00:10:59,669
In broad daylight like this,

256
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who would dare to run?

257
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Unlock the shackles!

258
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Yes.

259
00:11:03,669 --> 00:11:06,440
-Unlock the shackles!
-Unlock the shackles!

260
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I've said all the nice things.

261
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Now for the harsh part.

262
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I don't care if anyone dies,

263
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but if anyone truly dares to escape,

264
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you, Gu, will be considered
aiding the enemy.

265
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I wouldn't dare.

266
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Please rest assured, Marshal Jiu.

267
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You're smart.

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00:11:26,940 --> 00:11:27,480
Let's go!

269
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Mr. Gu,

270
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please give your instructions.
How do you want us to work?

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I have some doctors here
who treat bruises and injuries.

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Have the injured

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get their wounds treated first.

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Those without clothes,

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get them dressed.

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00:11:42,029 --> 00:11:42,690
After they've eaten,

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they can start working this afternoon.

278
00:11:45,509 --> 00:11:47,029
No one will actually run away, will they?

279
00:11:47,029 --> 00:11:47,559
Run away?

280
00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:51,169
Can they possibly outrun bullets?

281
00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:57,419
{\an8}[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

282
00:11:59,860 --> 00:12:02,500
{\an8}[Silence] [Keep Clear]

283
00:12:02,590 --> 00:12:07,950
{\an8}[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

284
00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:16,360
Alright.

285
00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:17,200
Alright.

286
00:12:21,039 --> 00:12:23,610
I'm the imperially appointed
Salt Transport Commissioner of Lianghuai.

287
00:12:23,419 --> 00:12:25,149
{\an8}[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

288
00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:27,629
Well, well, the God of Wealth has arrived.

289
00:12:27,629 --> 00:12:29,480
Pardon me for not welcoming you from afar.

290
00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:30,690
Visitors should pay respects
to seated hosts—

291
00:12:30,690 --> 00:12:32,350
that's the proper etiquette.

292
00:12:32,840 --> 00:12:33,700
Please. Please.

293
00:12:33,700 --> 00:12:34,179
Please.

294
00:12:38,149 --> 00:12:40,370
{\an8}[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

295
00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:42,919
I've long heard that Li Million

296
00:12:43,090 --> 00:12:43,629
donated a position

297
00:12:43,629 --> 00:12:45,750
as the Salt Transport Commissioner
of Lianghuai.

298
00:12:45,750 --> 00:12:47,350
I didn't believe it at first.

299
00:12:48,029 --> 00:12:49,269
Jiangning is a place

300
00:12:49,340 --> 00:12:50,490
full of fiends—

301
00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:52,440
how could anyone make a fortune here?

302
00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:53,870
As the Salt Transport Commissioner
of Lianghuai,

303
00:12:53,870 --> 00:12:55,929
I'm not here to seek ease and comfort.

304
00:12:56,669 --> 00:12:58,200
I'd like to hear about that.

305
00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:02,210
The salt industry of Lianghuai
has always been

306
00:13:02,210 --> 00:13:03,960
an important source of

307
00:13:03,980 --> 00:13:05,440
tax revenue for Jiangnan.

308
00:13:05,769 --> 00:13:07,850
I'm here on His Majesty's decree

309
00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:09,629
to reorganize the salt affairs—

310
00:13:09,629 --> 00:13:10,919
isn't that

311
00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:13,409
exactly what I'm supposed to do?

312
00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:16,549
What salt industry

313
00:13:17,149 --> 00:13:19,100
is even left here in Lianghuai?

314
00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:21,120
Your son has brought

315
00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:23,250
so many title deeds to the salt fields.

316
00:13:23,389 --> 00:13:24,120
It seems to me

317
00:13:24,149 --> 00:13:26,149
that nearly 90% of Lianghuai salt fields

318
00:13:26,149 --> 00:13:26,789
already belong to

319
00:13:26,789 --> 00:13:28,549
you, Li Million.

320
00:13:29,029 --> 00:13:31,080
I think the money you donated
for this position

321
00:13:31,080 --> 00:13:31,740
was a waste.

322
00:13:32,110 --> 00:13:33,710
The Lianghuai salt industry

323
00:13:33,830 --> 00:13:36,159
is already your private property anyway.

324
00:13:39,149 --> 00:13:41,350
I'm here today in my official capacity.

325
00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:43,929
Please do not mention the words

326
00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,029
"Li Million" agan, Your Excellency.

327
00:13:49,379 --> 00:13:50,000
Besides,

328
00:13:50,389 --> 00:13:51,120
I'm also here

329
00:13:51,909 --> 00:13:54,120
to help Your Excellency

330
00:13:54,149 --> 00:13:55,750
solve your problems.

331
00:13:57,750 --> 00:13:59,269
What problems do I have?

332
00:13:59,509 --> 00:14:01,509
Aren't your problems significant?

333
00:14:02,750 --> 00:14:04,600
Nanjing is like a powder keg.

334
00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:06,789
Zeng Xiangxiang's troops

335
00:14:06,789 --> 00:14:08,720
are not the imperial court's army.

336
00:14:09,389 --> 00:14:11,360
How many people have they killed
over the past decade?

337
00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:13,549
Who among them is a law-abiding citizen?

338
00:14:13,549 --> 00:14:15,720
If they start causing trouble,

339
00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:17,629
Jiangnan will fall again.

340
00:14:18,370 --> 00:14:20,299
Which army from the imperial court

341
00:14:20,750 --> 00:14:22,350
could possibly subdue them?

342
00:14:23,269 --> 00:14:24,730
That's the first problem.

343
00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:25,909
Second,

344
00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:28,669
how long have the officials in Lianghuai

345
00:14:28,669 --> 00:14:29,750
gone without their salaries?

346
00:14:29,750 --> 00:14:31,279
After 10 years of war,

347
00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:33,389
military merits have been
handed out recklessly.

348
00:14:33,389 --> 00:14:34,440
The officers standing guard

349
00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:35,480
at Your Excellency's gate

350
00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:37,279
are all second-rank officials.

351
00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:39,000
If they start causing trouble,

352
00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:40,059
what would happen?

353
00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:42,029
The coastal embankment in Nantong
is in disrepair,

354
00:14:42,029 --> 00:14:43,389
and the 7 subordinate counties
under Nantong

355
00:14:43,389 --> 00:14:44,720
are full of disaster-stricken people,

356
00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,320
with innumerable roads
and houses destroyed.

357
00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:48,379
Officials,

358
00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:49,379
civilians,

359
00:14:49,549 --> 00:14:50,120
soldiers—

360
00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:51,120
none are at peace.

361
00:14:52,549 --> 00:14:53,629
Yet Your Excellency sits here

362
00:14:53,629 --> 00:14:54,509
so comfortably,

363
00:14:54,509 --> 00:14:56,480
telling me everything is fine.

364
00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:00,509
Let me say it again.

365
00:15:01,269 --> 00:15:01,960
I'm here

366
00:15:02,389 --> 00:15:04,519
to ease your burden, Your Excellency,

367
00:15:05,549 --> 00:15:07,120
not to cause trouble.

368
00:15:12,850 --> 00:15:13,700
Look at you.

369
00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:15,340
When did I ever say

370
00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:16,389
that you're here

371
00:15:16,389 --> 00:15:17,909
to make trouble?

372
00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:20,200
My situation here

373
00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:22,129
is indeed in shambles.

374
00:15:23,029 --> 00:15:25,029
As for the coastal embankment
in disrepair in Nantong,

375
00:15:25,029 --> 00:15:27,480
your esteemed son has bravely
taken on this immense responsibility

376
00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:29,320
and has already gone to the site
for inspection.

377
00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:29,909
He's even planning to pay

378
00:15:29,909 --> 00:15:31,980
out of his own pocket for the repairs.

379
00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:33,669
I've already submitted the memorial

380
00:15:33,669 --> 00:15:35,529
recommending him for this merit.

381
00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:40,000
You may be able to fool him,

382
00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:41,149
but not me.

383
00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:43,909
He's not an official.

384
00:15:44,389 --> 00:15:46,720
Even if a memorial for merit is submitted,

385
00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:48,440
he won't receive any reward.

386
00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:49,389
Your Excellency's aim

387
00:15:49,389 --> 00:15:51,240
in draining his money

388
00:15:51,269 --> 00:15:53,269
was to lure me out—

389
00:15:54,269 --> 00:15:55,080
and here I am.

390
00:15:56,759 --> 00:15:57,960
Confucius once said,

391
00:15:58,080 --> 00:15:59,669
"to speak to those who cannot respond

392
00:15:59,669 --> 00:16:00,870
is a mistake of words;

393
00:16:01,269 --> 00:16:03,429
to remain silent
before those who can respond

394
00:16:03,429 --> 00:16:04,889
is a mistake of judgment."

395
00:16:05,750 --> 00:16:06,750
Your Excellency,

396
00:16:07,909 --> 00:16:11,629
which mistake do you plan to make?

397
00:16:19,509 --> 00:16:21,029
You, oh you.

398
00:16:21,909 --> 00:16:22,789
Li Million,

399
00:16:23,149 --> 00:16:24,950
you're still the same as always.

400
00:16:26,470 --> 00:16:27,269
Alright then.

401
00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:29,909
Let's be frank and open with each other.

402
00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:31,960
All the revenue
from the Lianghuai salt fields

403
00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:33,669
has been going to your Li family,

404
00:16:33,669 --> 00:16:35,929
leaving the Jiangnan region lifeless.

405
00:16:36,669 --> 00:16:38,529
At the very least, show some mercy

406
00:16:38,789 --> 00:16:40,850
and leave a little for the local area.

407
00:16:41,750 --> 00:16:44,549
The money made in Lianghuai
should be used in Lianghuai.

408
00:16:44,549 --> 00:16:45,549
Your Excellency,

409
00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:47,840
please do not interfere.

410
00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:52,220
Before leaving the capital,

411
00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:53,970
His Highness instructed me

412
00:16:55,149 --> 00:16:56,909
that as long as you can ensure this area

413
00:16:56,909 --> 00:16:58,730
remains peaceful for 3 years,

414
00:16:59,269 --> 00:17:00,320
he'll find a way

415
00:17:00,750 --> 00:17:03,350
to get you to the capital
to enjoy a life of ease.

416
00:17:04,068 --> 00:17:05,140
Don't get involved

417
00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:08,299
in the salt field matter anymore.

418
00:17:33,509 --> 00:17:34,720
Eat slowly.

419
00:17:34,789 --> 00:17:36,190
Don't bite your fingers.

420
00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:38,890
Look at you,

421
00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:39,869
so busy every day.

422
00:17:39,869 --> 00:17:41,029
We barely even see you.

423
00:17:41,029 --> 00:17:42,200
You don't know the whole story.

424
00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:43,640
The coastal embankment in Nantong

425
00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:44,750
has been washed away,

426
00:17:44,750 --> 00:17:45,750
and the entire land

427
00:17:45,750 --> 00:17:47,069
has been flooded by seawater.

428
00:17:47,069 --> 00:17:48,890
The common people are fleeing everywhere

429
00:17:48,890 --> 00:17:50,019
with nothing to eat.

430
00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:54,200
When we first heard

431
00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:55,710
you were going to Nantong,

432
00:17:55,880 --> 00:17:57,920
Yu'er and I were actually happy about it.

433
00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:00,049
Who would have imagined such a big city

434
00:18:00,269 --> 00:18:02,329
would end up in such a terrible state?

435
00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:06,349
When the major construction starts,

436
00:18:07,309 --> 00:18:08,309
I'll take you both

437
00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:09,759
to Nantong for a trip.

438
00:18:10,109 --> 00:18:11,440
We'll also visit nearby places

439
00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:12,109
like Zhenjiang

440
00:18:12,109 --> 00:18:13,160
and Jinshan Temple.

441
00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:14,359
Don't worry, Mother.

442
00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:30,799
You want to go on a trip that much?

443
00:18:31,829 --> 00:18:33,559
I came all the way here with you—

444
00:18:33,750 --> 00:18:35,829
was it just to sit in a different place?

445
00:18:35,829 --> 00:18:36,690
Sorry for that.

446
00:18:37,069 --> 00:18:37,670
Pingyuan.

447
00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:39,529
Mr. Su from Nantong is here.

448
00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:42,200
Mr. Su.

449
00:18:42,309 --> 00:18:44,440
-I pay my respects to you, Mr. Gu.
-Mr. Su! Mr. Su.

450
00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:45,240
Please get up.

451
00:18:45,549 --> 00:18:47,200
If there's anything, you could have
just sent someone to inform me.

452
00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:48,000
Why did you come

453
00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:48,880
all this way in person?

454
00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:50,109
This is only right.

455
00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:51,099
Well, Pingwen,

456
00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:53,200
hurry and clean up these dishes.

457
00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:55,000
Make some good tea

458
00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:56,160
and prepare some fruit

459
00:18:56,160 --> 00:18:57,069
for Mr. Su.

460
00:18:58,589 --> 00:18:59,279
Mr. Su,

461
00:18:59,309 --> 00:19:00,509
please wait a second.

462
00:19:00,509 --> 00:19:01,640
I'll go get changed.

463
00:19:12,799 --> 00:19:13,440
Mr. Su.

464
00:19:14,589 --> 00:19:15,160
Apples.

465
00:19:16,230 --> 00:19:16,640
Tea.

466
00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:17,549
Thank you.

467
00:19:19,269 --> 00:19:20,200
I'll put it here.

468
00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:24,460
Please have a rest.

469
00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:26,500
Let me help you.

470
00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:50,839
Pingyuan.

471
00:19:51,940 --> 00:19:53,339
Six apples,

472
00:19:53,750 --> 00:19:54,920
eaten in one go.

473
00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:58,289
Go get some more snacks.

474
00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:08,200
Sorry to keep you waiting,

475
00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:08,829
Mr. Su.

476
00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:14,680
I've traveled hundreds of miles

477
00:20:15,029 --> 00:20:16,490
and am utterly exhausted.

478
00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:19,880
Please forgive me, Sir.

479
00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:20,750
Please don't call me that.

480
00:20:20,750 --> 00:20:22,410
I don't deserve such respect.

481
00:20:22,509 --> 00:20:24,109
But it's not that far

482
00:20:24,309 --> 00:20:25,509
from Nantong to Jiangning.

483
00:20:25,509 --> 00:20:28,109
How could you have traveled
hundreds of miles?

484
00:20:28,109 --> 00:20:30,640
I've been running around
borrowing grain everywhere.

485
00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:32,680
This year, life in Nantong

486
00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:36,029
has truly become unbearable.

487
00:20:36,829 --> 00:20:37,630
I understand.

488
00:20:38,240 --> 00:20:40,509
This year has indeed been
full of disasters.

489
00:20:40,509 --> 00:20:41,720
But since I've agreed

490
00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:43,069
to repair the coastal embankment,

491
00:20:43,069 --> 00:20:44,589
I'll definitely provide Nantong

492
00:20:44,589 --> 00:20:45,920
with a proper solution.

493
00:20:46,349 --> 00:20:48,079
Pardon me for my incompetence,

494
00:20:48,509 --> 00:20:50,910
but there's one matter
I can only ask of you.

495
00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:52,880
Please, sit down.

496
00:20:53,750 --> 00:20:55,549
Sorry for embarrassing myself.

497
00:20:57,880 --> 00:20:59,589
The reason I came here

498
00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:02,150
is mainly to ask you, Mr. Gu,

499
00:21:03,750 --> 00:21:05,440
to submit a petition for me.

500
00:21:07,309 --> 00:21:09,440
Nantong has always been prosperous
since ancient times.

501
00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:11,500
If not for this flood

502
00:21:11,789 --> 00:21:13,440
and the collapsed coastal embankment,

503
00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:15,549
we wouldn't be suffering like this.

504
00:21:17,509 --> 00:21:19,109
Many people in Nantong

505
00:21:19,130 --> 00:21:21,259
have started selling their children.

506
00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:24,759
I understand.

507
00:21:25,349 --> 00:21:26,480
So Mr. Su, what do you

508
00:21:26,509 --> 00:21:28,170
specifically plan to do next?

509
00:21:28,240 --> 00:21:29,369
Right now,

510
00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:31,059
in this small city of Nantong,

511
00:21:31,069 --> 00:21:34,000
grain merchants from 5 provinces
have all gathered,

512
00:21:34,109 --> 00:21:35,960
and the rice price is extremely high.

513
00:21:35,960 --> 00:21:36,880
What I'm thinking is that

514
00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:39,279
I hope the Viceroy
can send some troops here

515
00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:41,589
to post a notice,

516
00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:45,130
prohibiting the merchants from
hoarding grain.

517
00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:47,000
Mr. Su,

518
00:21:47,269 --> 00:21:48,400
I'm not an official.

519
00:21:49,269 --> 00:21:50,750
But when it comes to business,

520
00:21:50,750 --> 00:21:52,000
I'm not totally an amateur.

521
00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:53,670
You want the Viceroy

522
00:21:53,750 --> 00:21:55,160
to send troops to post a notice.

523
00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:55,960
For one thing,

524
00:21:56,160 --> 00:21:57,759
the Viceroy might not agree;

525
00:21:58,549 --> 00:21:59,279
for another,

526
00:21:59,349 --> 00:22:00,200
those rice merchants

527
00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:01,799
might just pack up and leave.

528
00:22:02,109 --> 00:22:03,440
The rice belongs to them,

529
00:22:03,440 --> 00:22:04,400
so they can set the price

530
00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:05,440
however they like.

531
00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:06,900
We have no control over it.

532
00:22:08,519 --> 00:22:10,240
I'm about to be

533
00:22:10,269 --> 00:22:12,069
driven to death by those people.

534
00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:13,440
Those rice merchants

535
00:22:13,880 --> 00:22:16,450
are all extremely wealthy.

536
00:22:16,549 --> 00:22:18,160
As a mere county magistrate,

537
00:22:18,750 --> 00:22:20,809
I really can't afford to offend them.

538
00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:22,980
How about this, Mr. Su?

539
00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:24,069
Stay here

540
00:22:24,130 --> 00:22:24,930
for the night.

541
00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:26,509
First thing tomorrow morning,

542
00:22:26,509 --> 00:22:28,640
I'll go deliver this petition for you.

543
00:22:29,029 --> 00:22:30,680
And I'll talk to those grain merchants

544
00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:32,309
from the 5 provinces while I'm at it.

545
00:22:32,309 --> 00:22:32,880
Okay.

546
00:22:34,069 --> 00:22:34,789
Pingwen.

547
00:22:34,819 --> 00:22:36,019
Are the snacks ready?

548
00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:38,019
Yes, Gu.

549
00:22:38,160 --> 00:22:39,960
I've made a pot of plain noodles,

550
00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:41,220
sliced two cucumbers,

551
00:22:41,269 --> 00:22:42,799
and shredded a salted duck.

552
00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:43,750
I wonder if this suits

553
00:22:43,750 --> 00:22:44,789
your taste, Mr. Su?

554
00:22:44,789 --> 00:22:46,210
O-Of course.

555
00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:46,960
It suits perfectly.

556
00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:47,619
Mr. Su.

557
00:22:47,789 --> 00:22:48,279
Please.

558
00:22:48,309 --> 00:22:48,789
Okay.

559
00:22:49,829 --> 00:22:52,230
One really can't go without eating, right?

560
00:22:52,349 --> 00:22:53,089
Indeed.

561
00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:10,099
I heard the people in Nantong

562
00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:11,890
have started selling their children?

563
00:23:11,890 --> 00:23:12,509
Yes.

564
00:23:15,750 --> 00:23:16,279
Let's go.

565
00:23:16,509 --> 00:23:17,309
Take me there.

566
00:23:17,799 --> 00:23:18,329
For what?

567
00:23:18,789 --> 00:23:20,480
You want to draw your sword
and kill some of them?

568
00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:22,440
So you won't do anything about
those people?

569
00:23:22,440 --> 00:23:23,839
What a corrupt official.

570
00:23:24,029 --> 00:23:25,640
Could you not scold me right away?

571
00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:26,829
I'm not even an official—

572
00:23:26,829 --> 00:23:27,920
how could I be a corrupt one?

573
00:23:27,920 --> 00:23:29,779
If you're not a corrupt official,

574
00:23:30,069 --> 00:23:31,359
then you're a profiteer.

575
00:23:31,359 --> 00:23:32,150
If you want to talk about profiteers,

576
00:23:32,150 --> 00:23:33,720
those bastards are the real profiteers.

577
00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:34,829
They know clearly
that the people in Nantong

578
00:23:34,829 --> 00:23:35,750
are starving to death,

579
00:23:35,750 --> 00:23:37,200
yet they're still hoarding goods there

580
00:23:37,200 --> 00:23:38,599
without any compassion.

581
00:23:44,509 --> 00:23:45,440
Tonight,

582
00:23:45,829 --> 00:23:47,490
let me, the corrupt official,

583
00:23:48,029 --> 00:23:49,380
think about

584
00:23:49,509 --> 00:23:51,910
how to punish those profiteers carefully.

585
00:23:54,829 --> 00:23:55,559
I'm so tired.

586
00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:12,299
Take a look at this.

587
00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:14,920
To be fair,

588
00:24:14,960 --> 00:24:17,150
this Su Yuhua is a good official.

589
00:24:17,309 --> 00:24:18,680
He's an old provincial candidate.

590
00:24:18,680 --> 00:24:19,589
After all these years,

591
00:24:19,589 --> 00:24:20,920
he's only managed to
become a county magistrate.

592
00:24:20,920 --> 00:24:22,029
After more than a decade in office,

593
00:24:22,029 --> 00:24:23,440
all he has is this official robe.

594
00:24:23,440 --> 00:24:24,680
He can't afford to give bribes,

595
00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:25,789
so he can't get promoted.

596
00:24:25,789 --> 00:24:28,029
He treats the common people well though.

597
00:24:28,029 --> 00:24:29,839
I don't want to contradict him,

598
00:24:29,869 --> 00:24:32,000
but what nonsense is he talking about?

599
00:24:32,029 --> 00:24:34,309
He wants me to send troops
to suppress the rice market?

600
00:24:34,309 --> 00:24:35,400
Does that even make sense?

601
00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:36,720
If they don't want to sell,

602
00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:37,720
you might enter through the front door,

603
00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:38,920
and they'd slip out the back.

604
00:24:38,920 --> 00:24:41,240
What charge am I supposed to
bring against them?

605
00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:42,549
If you don't take care of

606
00:24:42,549 --> 00:24:43,680
Mr. Su's matter,

607
00:24:44,269 --> 00:24:45,160
then there's no point

608
00:24:45,160 --> 00:24:47,549
in repairing
Nantong's coastal embankment anymore.

609
00:24:47,549 --> 00:24:48,789
What kind of talk is that?

610
00:24:48,789 --> 00:24:49,589
Repairing this coastal embankment

611
00:24:49,589 --> 00:24:51,549
is meant to save the people from disaster.

612
00:24:51,549 --> 00:24:53,440
People in Nantong are already
trading their children for food.

613
00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:54,480
If you don't help them,

614
00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:55,640
by the time the coastal embankment
is repaired,

615
00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:57,029
everyone will already be dead.

616
00:24:57,029 --> 00:24:59,160
What's the point of repairing it then?

617
00:25:00,750 --> 00:25:01,400
Indeed.

618
00:25:01,430 --> 00:25:02,309
You have a point.

619
00:25:02,309 --> 00:25:02,880
But

620
00:25:03,069 --> 00:25:04,730
I really don't have any money.

621
00:25:05,029 --> 00:25:05,549
I...

622
00:25:08,259 --> 00:25:10,390
Could you two please...

623
00:25:10,410 --> 00:25:11,009
Just...

624
00:25:20,150 --> 00:25:20,700
Fine.

625
00:25:20,750 --> 00:25:22,150
Go ahead and tell Su Yuhua

626
00:25:22,240 --> 00:25:23,480
there's nothing I can do.

627
00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:24,180
Sir. Sir.

628
00:25:24,470 --> 00:25:26,589
You really can't say
there's nothing you can do.

629
00:25:26,589 --> 00:25:28,029
Now that we're repairing
the coastal embankment here,

630
00:25:28,029 --> 00:25:29,269
if the rice price is stabilized,

631
00:25:29,269 --> 00:25:30,589
then when the wealthy households return,

632
00:25:30,589 --> 00:25:32,109
the common people will naturally return
as well.

633
00:25:32,109 --> 00:25:33,680
Only after you've settled this matter

634
00:25:33,680 --> 00:25:35,160
can we better gather the manpower,

635
00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:35,589
right?

636
00:25:35,720 --> 00:25:37,329
You want to gather manpower?

637
00:25:37,359 --> 00:25:40,089
Everyone from everywhere
is asking me for money.

638
00:25:40,349 --> 00:25:41,920
I know the people of Nantong
are suffering,

639
00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:43,069
but aren't those in Jinling

640
00:25:43,069 --> 00:25:44,930
and Zhenjiang suffering as well?

641
00:25:55,349 --> 00:25:58,809
{\an8}[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

642
00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:08,289
His Excellency said

643
00:26:08,430 --> 00:26:10,269
he'll come up with a solution soon.

644
00:26:10,269 --> 00:26:11,400
He wants you to go back first

645
00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:12,660
and pacify the people.

646
00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:14,160
So

647
00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:15,589
His Excellency

648
00:26:16,160 --> 00:26:18,089
personally reviewed my petition?

649
00:26:18,269 --> 00:26:18,920
Great.

650
00:26:19,789 --> 00:26:20,920
That's truly great.

651
00:26:21,069 --> 00:26:22,529
I'll head back right away.

652
00:26:23,900 --> 00:26:29,930
{\an8}[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

653
00:26:31,829 --> 00:26:34,029
Those rice merchants are too ruthless.

654
00:26:34,509 --> 00:26:35,509
If all else fails,

655
00:26:35,549 --> 00:26:37,549
we could each contribute some money

656
00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:39,680
to buy the rice
and provide relief to Nantong.

657
00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:41,240
Buying the rice is easy enough,

658
00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:42,170
but for how long?

659
00:26:42,589 --> 00:26:43,519
Until next year?

660
00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:45,660
You expect the two of us

661
00:26:45,750 --> 00:26:47,160
to support all the people of Nantong?

662
00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:49,069
How rich would you have to be to do that?

663
00:26:49,069 --> 00:26:49,789
Indeed.

664
00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:51,900
What should we do then?

665
00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:54,920
With just one trick of hoarding goods,

666
00:26:54,920 --> 00:26:56,390
they think they can swallow us whole—

667
00:26:56,390 --> 00:26:58,250
they're thinking way too simply.

668
00:26:58,309 --> 00:26:59,400
I have an idea

669
00:27:00,109 --> 00:27:01,400
that guarantees victory,

670
00:27:01,400 --> 00:27:02,230
but it requires

671
00:27:02,230 --> 00:27:03,890
the two of us to work together.

672
00:27:05,650 --> 00:27:07,170
What, can you do magic

673
00:27:07,200 --> 00:27:08,750
and make rice appear out of thin air?

674
00:27:08,750 --> 00:27:09,309
Look.

675
00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:14,240
Using nothing against nothing.

676
00:27:14,240 --> 00:27:16,069
Everyone can perform tricks,

677
00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:17,460
but the cleverness

678
00:27:17,589 --> 00:27:18,920
lies in how they differ.

679
00:27:19,470 --> 00:27:21,710
{\an8}[Nantong Prefecture]

680
00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:51,240
Sir, please give me some food

681
00:27:51,309 --> 00:27:53,420
and some money.

682
00:27:53,589 --> 00:27:54,160
Alright.

683
00:27:56,720 --> 00:27:57,240
Here.

684
00:27:57,829 --> 00:27:59,160
I want a big one.

685
00:27:59,750 --> 00:28:00,309
Go now.

686
00:28:00,589 --> 00:28:02,190
-Thank you, Sir.
-Thank you.

687
00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:14,400
I really can't bear to watch this anymore.

688
00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:15,829
Even if you gave them all your money now,

689
00:28:15,829 --> 00:28:17,029
it would be useless.

690
00:28:17,690 --> 00:28:19,480
We need to lower the rice price first,

691
00:28:19,480 --> 00:28:21,609
then we can restore peace to this area.

692
00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:23,740
Those profiteers deserve to die!

693
00:28:23,740 --> 00:28:24,599
Indeed they do.

694
00:28:40,240 --> 00:28:43,740
{\an8}[Yang Ten-Million, Rice Merchant]

695
00:28:57,109 --> 00:28:58,720
I am Gu Pingyuan.

696
00:29:00,160 --> 00:29:00,789
I am Li Qin.

697
00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:03,220
We've come to pay our respects to you.

698
00:29:04,829 --> 00:29:06,490
So it's you two young masters.

699
00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:08,440
One is an exile

700
00:29:08,750 --> 00:29:10,640
who escaped from death row;

701
00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:12,579
and the other is

702
00:29:13,829 --> 00:29:16,200
the prodigal son of Li Million.

703
00:29:16,440 --> 00:29:17,880
Who are you calling a prodigal son?

704
00:29:17,880 --> 00:29:18,809
That would be us.

705
00:29:20,680 --> 00:29:22,160
May I ask your name,

706
00:29:22,200 --> 00:29:23,200
respected elder?

707
00:29:25,069 --> 00:29:26,130
My surname is Yang.

708
00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:28,720
People call me Yang Ten-Million.

709
00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:30,069
Just several millions more

710
00:29:30,069 --> 00:29:31,730
than your father, that's all.

711
00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:33,019
Yang Ten-Million.

712
00:29:33,750 --> 00:29:35,410
You're a veteran in business.

713
00:29:35,480 --> 00:29:36,440
We respect you.

714
00:29:37,109 --> 00:29:38,509
We hope you'll show mercy

715
00:29:38,750 --> 00:29:40,029
and spare Nantong,

716
00:29:40,720 --> 00:29:42,319
lowering the rice price a bit

717
00:29:42,720 --> 00:29:44,549
so the two of us can get our work done.

718
00:29:44,549 --> 00:29:46,400
You two young heroes.

719
00:29:46,720 --> 00:29:49,480
I can sell my own rice
at whatever price I want.

720
00:29:49,640 --> 00:29:50,829
It's not up to the two of you

721
00:29:50,829 --> 00:29:52,490
to set the price for me, right?

722
00:29:52,680 --> 00:29:53,680
Even the Viceroy of Liangjiang

723
00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:55,609
has no authority over this matter.

724
00:29:56,069 --> 00:29:57,599
You're quite unscrupulous

725
00:29:57,960 --> 00:30:00,309
in doing business, I must say.

726
00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:03,369
Who do you think you're talking to?

727
00:30:03,720 --> 00:30:05,450
I know you're from the capital,

728
00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:07,400
so what? Think you're special?

729
00:30:08,680 --> 00:30:10,740
Want to compete with me financially?

730
00:30:15,589 --> 00:30:16,519
Bring it on then.

731
00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:18,920
However much rice you have  here
in your warehouse,

732
00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:19,880
I'll buy it all.

733
00:30:20,589 --> 00:30:21,720
What's the big deal?

734
00:30:26,789 --> 00:30:28,470
In this warehouse?

735
00:30:28,549 --> 00:30:30,509
Well, I have rice merchants
from 5 provinces

736
00:30:30,509 --> 00:30:31,509
under my control.

737
00:30:32,029 --> 00:30:33,829
I make the call on everything.

738
00:30:35,349 --> 00:30:37,029
Do you think you can buy it all?

739
00:30:39,480 --> 00:30:41,740
In this world, as long as there's a price,

740
00:30:41,789 --> 00:30:43,390
there will always be buyers.

741
00:30:43,960 --> 00:30:44,720
Well then.

742
00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:46,490
I'll wait for you to buy.

743
00:30:47,750 --> 00:30:48,880
How about it, buddy?

744
00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:49,750
Want to challenge me

745
00:30:49,750 --> 00:30:50,589
like he does?

746
00:30:50,829 --> 00:30:51,690
I have no money.

747
00:30:52,269 --> 00:30:53,920
How could I afford to buy anything?

748
00:30:53,920 --> 00:30:55,200
I'll just say one thing.

749
00:30:55,200 --> 00:30:56,220
We're repairing the coastal embankment now

750
00:30:56,220 --> 00:30:57,279
and need manpower.

751
00:30:57,480 --> 00:30:59,109
If you don't lower your rice price,

752
00:30:59,109 --> 00:31:00,349
you're our enemy.

753
00:31:01,160 --> 00:31:03,160
Then don't blame us if we offend you.

754
00:31:03,589 --> 00:31:04,349
Offend me?

755
00:31:05,829 --> 00:31:08,160
I'm not even afraid of the official power.

756
00:31:08,680 --> 00:31:10,400
Do you know who's backing me?

757
00:31:10,829 --> 00:31:12,440
His Highness, Prince Chun.

758
00:31:15,420 --> 00:31:18,589
Who cares about competing with you
based on connections?

759
00:31:18,589 --> 00:31:19,240
Mr. Yang.

760
00:31:19,789 --> 00:31:21,190
Dare to make a bet with us?

761
00:31:21,269 --> 00:31:21,930
Bet on what?

762
00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:23,349
That the rice price will definitely drop

763
00:31:23,349 --> 00:31:24,309
within 10 days.

764
00:31:25,029 --> 00:31:26,230
Not only will it drop,

765
00:31:26,440 --> 00:31:28,359
but it'll drop drastically.

766
00:31:37,269 --> 00:31:37,799
Alright.

767
00:31:40,720 --> 00:31:41,440
Alright.

768
00:31:43,309 --> 00:31:45,970
As long as I don't lower the price
within 10 days,

769
00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:47,400
you two lose, right?

770
00:31:47,750 --> 00:31:48,549
That's right.

771
00:31:50,920 --> 00:31:52,250
How much are we betting?

772
00:31:56,269 --> 00:31:57,269
This is the stake.

773
00:31:58,069 --> 00:32:00,309
The great freshwater pearl tribute
from Joseon.

774
00:32:00,309 --> 00:32:01,789
There are only two in existence.

775
00:32:01,789 --> 00:32:02,480
The other one

776
00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:04,589
is on the Empress Dowager's headdress.

777
00:32:04,589 --> 00:32:06,039
This pearl glows at night

778
00:32:06,160 --> 00:32:07,589
and can repel water.

779
00:32:07,880 --> 00:32:08,609
Appraise it—

780
00:32:09,069 --> 00:32:11,799
do you think it's worth
2 million taels of silver?

781
00:32:27,880 --> 00:32:33,690
{\an8}[Xuchangyuan]

782
00:32:29,589 --> 00:32:31,049
How was my acting just now?

783
00:32:32,400 --> 00:32:33,130
Pretty good.

784
00:32:33,200 --> 00:32:34,240
As long as it fooled him, that's enough.

785
00:32:33,690 --> 00:32:39,470
{\an8}[Baixiang Restaurant]

786
00:32:35,920 --> 00:32:37,400
This Yang Ten-Million, I'm telling you,

787
00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:38,440
is really infuriating.

788
00:32:38,440 --> 00:32:39,920
We treated him like a senior,

789
00:32:39,920 --> 00:32:41,650
yet he wouldn't appreciate it.

790
00:32:42,160 --> 00:32:43,200
I never feel any burden about

791
00:32:43,200 --> 00:32:45,200
taking money from someone like him.

792
00:32:45,589 --> 00:32:46,440
When dealing with him,

793
00:32:46,440 --> 00:32:48,589
you have to strip him clean
down to the last hair.

794
00:32:48,589 --> 00:32:49,589
What's your plan?

795
00:32:50,109 --> 00:32:52,109
How much do you plan to make from him?

796
00:32:52,269 --> 00:32:54,000
As much as possible, of course.

797
00:32:54,480 --> 00:32:55,069
I'm thinking,

798
00:32:55,069 --> 00:32:56,349
since his name is Yang Ten-Million,

799
00:32:56,349 --> 00:32:58,079
let's make 10 million from him.

800
00:32:58,589 --> 00:33:00,029
I'll go to Jinling to buy rice first.

801
00:33:00,029 --> 00:33:01,720
And you'll go to Hunan, Hubei, and Anhui,

802
00:33:01,720 --> 00:33:03,589
making a trip around the whole area.

803
00:33:03,589 --> 00:33:05,480
Flaunt yourself in public every day,

804
00:33:05,480 --> 00:33:07,440
saying that rice in Nantong is expensive,

805
00:33:07,440 --> 00:33:08,900
and you, Li Million's son,

806
00:33:08,920 --> 00:33:10,349
have been sent
by the Viceroy of Liangjiang

807
00:33:10,349 --> 00:33:11,279
to collect rice.

808
00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:12,720
But

809
00:33:13,000 --> 00:33:14,400
don't buy a single grain.

810
00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:15,549
How much money

811
00:33:15,549 --> 00:33:16,400
can you put together right now?

812
00:33:16,400 --> 00:33:17,599
Let's pool our money.

813
00:33:17,829 --> 00:33:20,069
About one million and more taels.

814
00:33:20,160 --> 00:33:21,000
Is that enough?

815
00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:21,859
That's enough.

816
00:33:22,920 --> 00:33:23,829
This pearl

817
00:33:23,960 --> 00:33:24,849
belongs to

818
00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:26,490
Li Million's prodigal son.

819
00:33:26,640 --> 00:33:28,109
He made a bet with me

820
00:33:28,789 --> 00:33:30,029
that within 10 days,

821
00:33:30,069 --> 00:33:32,200
the rice price would definitely drop.

822
00:33:32,269 --> 00:33:33,880
This was his stake.

823
00:33:34,509 --> 00:33:36,119
As long as

824
00:33:36,160 --> 00:33:37,400
we don't sell even a single dan of rice,

825
00:33:37,400 --> 00:33:39,329
how could the price possibly drop?

826
00:33:40,759 --> 00:33:41,890
Within 10 days,

827
00:33:43,440 --> 00:33:44,680
if even a single grain of rice

828
00:33:44,680 --> 00:33:45,829
appears in Nantong,

829
00:33:46,309 --> 00:33:48,029
we'll buy it all up.

830
00:33:48,750 --> 00:33:51,299
Let's see how he'll force us
to lower the price.

831
00:33:51,299 --> 00:33:52,500
That's what we'll do.

832
00:33:52,720 --> 00:33:55,099
We'll let all merchants in the world

833
00:33:55,400 --> 00:33:56,769
know that Li Million

834
00:33:56,829 --> 00:33:58,339
was defeated in Nantong,

835
00:33:58,440 --> 00:33:59,690
defeated by me,

836
00:33:59,750 --> 00:34:01,750
defeated by all of us!

837
00:34:10,070 --> 00:34:11,150
Mr. Chang,

838
00:34:11,960 --> 00:34:13,489
once you dress up like this,

839
00:34:13,590 --> 00:34:14,789
you look exactly like

840
00:34:15,190 --> 00:34:16,449
a prominent merchant.

841
00:34:17,960 --> 00:34:18,690
Does it work?

842
00:34:18,739 --> 00:34:19,230
Yes.

843
00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:20,590
That's not right.

844
00:34:20,590 --> 00:34:22,190
There should be glasses too.

845
00:34:22,550 --> 00:34:23,679
Right, glasses too.

846
00:34:23,880 --> 00:34:24,320
Here.

847
00:34:32,230 --> 00:34:32,710
Nice.

848
00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:37,269
I'm Chang Si,

849
00:34:37,880 --> 00:34:39,000
from Shanxi.

850
00:34:39,170 --> 00:34:42,190
I've been in the rice and flour business
in Guangdong and Guangxi for years.

851
00:34:42,190 --> 00:34:44,980
I'm grateful to you for all your support
over the years.

852
00:34:44,980 --> 00:34:46,510
As this is my first time
visiting your esteemed place,

853
00:34:46,510 --> 00:34:48,000
I hope I haven't caused too much trouble.

854
00:34:48,000 --> 00:34:48,920
Much obliged.

855
00:34:49,550 --> 00:34:50,230
Mr. Chang,

856
00:34:50,280 --> 00:34:51,940
as expected from an old hand.

857
00:34:52,110 --> 00:34:53,110
You look the part perfectly.

858
00:34:53,110 --> 00:34:54,849
Well, you haven't seen me yet.

859
00:34:55,110 --> 00:34:56,650
Mr. Liao, don't rush.

860
00:34:56,960 --> 00:34:58,630
After Mr. Chang finishes his show
tomorrow,

861
00:34:58,630 --> 00:35:00,690
it will be your turn to take the stage.

862
00:35:01,230 --> 00:35:02,150
-Be careful.
-Ladies and gentlemen,

863
00:35:02,150 --> 00:35:02,980
watch me.

864
00:35:04,360 --> 00:35:05,000
This plaster

865
00:35:05,000 --> 00:35:06,150
wasn't my idea.

866
00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:10,510
Pingwen.

867
00:35:10,710 --> 00:35:12,400
What's this about?

868
00:35:12,590 --> 00:35:14,019
I'm your henchman,

869
00:35:14,150 --> 00:35:16,059
serving as your butler.

870
00:35:19,150 --> 00:35:19,590
Alright, alright.

871
00:35:19,590 --> 00:35:19,960
That's enough.

872
00:35:19,960 --> 00:35:20,760
Get up. Get up.

873
00:35:21,320 --> 00:35:22,380
It's getting late.

874
00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:23,599
Let's all rest early.

875
00:35:24,030 --> 00:35:24,800
Tomorrow morning,

876
00:35:24,800 --> 00:35:26,190
we'll proceed as planned.

877
00:35:26,190 --> 00:35:27,400
Mr. Chang, remember this:

878
00:35:27,400 --> 00:35:28,360
tomorrow, you'll be allocated

879
00:35:28,360 --> 00:35:29,489
200,000 dan of rice,

880
00:35:29,710 --> 00:35:30,840
at 3 taels of silver per dan.

881
00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:31,360
Remember,

882
00:35:31,360 --> 00:35:31,960
cash only.

883
00:35:32,230 --> 00:35:32,960
Absolutely don't sell

884
00:35:32,960 --> 00:35:34,070
for less than 3 taels per dan.

885
00:35:34,070 --> 00:35:34,730
No problem.

886
00:35:35,550 --> 00:35:40,099
{\an8}[Nantong]

887
00:35:59,480 --> 00:35:59,880
Sir.

888
00:36:00,880 --> 00:36:02,210
I was meaning to ask you.

889
00:36:02,480 --> 00:36:04,110
About the coastal embankment
repairs in Nantong,

890
00:36:04,110 --> 00:36:05,690
why haven't you made any arrangements
for it?

891
00:36:05,690 --> 00:36:07,360
I need to lower the rice price first.

892
00:36:07,360 --> 00:36:08,480
This is also helping you, Sir,

893
00:36:08,480 --> 00:36:10,079
to enhance your reputation.

894
00:36:10,670 --> 00:36:12,000
Yes, of course.

895
00:36:12,190 --> 00:36:12,550
By the way,

896
00:36:12,550 --> 00:36:13,619
I've heard that

897
00:36:13,710 --> 00:36:15,510
Li Qin has already gone to
the Hunan and Hubei area,

898
00:36:15,510 --> 00:36:17,480
and you've been buying rice

899
00:36:17,510 --> 00:36:18,860
like crazy in Jinling.

900
00:36:20,280 --> 00:36:22,139
I truly appreciate your efforts,

901
00:36:22,840 --> 00:36:24,730
spending your own money

902
00:36:24,840 --> 00:36:27,170
to handle matters for the imperial court.

903
00:36:27,820 --> 00:36:30,150
But there's one thing I don't understand:

904
00:36:30,150 --> 00:36:32,280
how much money do you two actually have

905
00:36:32,670 --> 00:36:34,710
to save the people of Nantong?

906
00:36:35,590 --> 00:36:37,440
A bit over a million taels, I suppose.

907
00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:38,510
That's nowhere near enough.

908
00:36:38,510 --> 00:36:39,110
Not enough?

909
00:36:39,110 --> 00:36:40,070
Then why don't you open the granaries

910
00:36:40,070 --> 00:36:41,730
and distribute relief grain?

911
00:36:41,920 --> 00:36:43,119
I don't have any rice.

912
00:36:43,389 --> 00:36:44,590
I have no grain at all.

913
00:36:46,590 --> 00:36:48,510
I've worked out a strategy with Li Qin

914
00:36:48,510 --> 00:36:50,400
that can bring the rice price back down.

915
00:36:50,400 --> 00:36:51,880
We won't need to spend
a single penny ourselves.

916
00:36:51,880 --> 00:36:52,590
And meanwhile,

917
00:36:52,590 --> 00:36:53,989
we can even make a profit.

918
00:36:55,510 --> 00:36:56,840
What do you mean by that?

919
00:37:04,710 --> 00:37:05,630
Wonderful.

920
00:37:06,550 --> 00:37:07,949
That's truly wonderful.

921
00:37:11,070 --> 00:37:12,320
Come on.

922
00:37:20,800 --> 00:37:21,230
Look.

923
00:37:21,280 --> 00:37:23,269
I don't have much money.

924
00:37:23,440 --> 00:37:25,570
This is my salary from all these years,

925
00:37:25,590 --> 00:37:27,440
20,000 taels in total.

926
00:37:29,469 --> 00:37:30,260
Sir,

927
00:37:30,760 --> 00:37:31,690
I never expected

928
00:37:31,710 --> 00:37:33,309
you'd offer all your salary.

929
00:37:34,059 --> 00:37:35,070
Please rest assured.

930
00:37:35,070 --> 00:37:35,670
Regarding the rice price,

931
00:37:35,670 --> 00:37:36,710
I will handle it properly.

932
00:37:36,710 --> 00:37:37,320
This money,

933
00:37:37,320 --> 00:37:39,650
I'll make sure it's spent where it counts.

934
00:37:40,550 --> 00:37:42,690
You think I'm making a donation?

935
00:37:43,190 --> 00:37:44,320
No way.

936
00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:47,309
Count me in as a shareholder.

937
00:37:47,630 --> 00:37:49,289
I want to make some profit too.

938
00:37:49,840 --> 00:37:51,280
The sage once said,

939
00:37:51,590 --> 00:37:53,190
if you don't take advantage when you can,

940
00:37:53,190 --> 00:37:54,190
you're a fool.

941
00:37:58,480 --> 00:37:59,969
The sage is truly

942
00:38:00,230 --> 00:38:00,889
brilliant.

943
00:38:17,880 --> 00:38:19,280
The show is already over,

944
00:38:19,320 --> 00:38:20,010
yet

945
00:38:20,110 --> 00:38:21,639
he's still putting on airs.

946
00:38:23,590 --> 00:38:24,190
Mr. Chang.

947
00:38:24,190 --> 00:38:24,960
Please sit down.

948
00:38:24,960 --> 00:38:26,219
I'll get you some rice.

949
00:38:27,880 --> 00:38:28,880
Where's Pingwen?

950
00:38:29,440 --> 00:38:30,570
I'm here, Mr. Chang.

951
00:38:31,190 --> 00:38:32,099
The two of us

952
00:38:32,190 --> 00:38:33,650
came all the way here,

953
00:38:33,710 --> 00:38:35,400
haven't even settled down yet,

954
00:38:35,400 --> 00:38:36,800
and now we have to go back.

955
00:38:37,000 --> 00:38:38,400
Isn't this Yang Ten-Million

956
00:38:38,400 --> 00:38:40,019
going too far?

957
00:38:40,190 --> 00:38:41,449
That's exactly right.

958
00:38:41,590 --> 00:38:43,440
With all the expenses for food and lodging
on the road,

959
00:38:43,440 --> 00:38:45,230
if they offer lower than 3 taels,

960
00:38:45,230 --> 00:38:46,190
even a penny less,

961
00:38:46,190 --> 00:38:47,480
we can't sell it.

962
00:38:47,809 --> 00:38:49,010
That's settled then.

963
00:38:49,150 --> 00:38:49,840
As the old saying goes,

964
00:38:49,840 --> 00:38:51,630
"if you can't play the part well,
better not to play it at all."

965
00:38:51,630 --> 00:38:52,110
Mr. Chang.

966
00:38:52,110 --> 00:38:53,030
You were amazing.

967
00:38:53,030 --> 00:38:54,110
Master Gu, was it good?

968
00:38:54,110 --> 00:38:55,110
It was excellent.

969
00:38:55,230 --> 00:38:56,070
I'm exhausted.

970
00:38:56,070 --> 00:38:56,670
Pingyuan,

971
00:38:57,000 --> 00:38:58,230
why aren't you praising me?

972
00:38:58,230 --> 00:39:00,079
You didn't even act.
Why should I praise you?

973
00:39:00,079 --> 00:39:01,190
Alright, alright, good job.

974
00:39:01,190 --> 00:39:01,789
Let's eat.

975
00:39:02,590 --> 00:39:03,280
Everyone.

976
00:39:03,670 --> 00:39:05,429
Today, with just a small trick,

977
00:39:05,480 --> 00:39:06,280
we've earned

978
00:39:06,320 --> 00:39:07,440
600,000 taels of silver.

979
00:39:07,440 --> 00:39:08,800
Weren't you supposed to be
saving the people?

980
00:39:08,800 --> 00:39:10,530
How did you end up making money?

981
00:39:10,630 --> 00:39:11,840
That Yang Ten-Million

982
00:39:11,840 --> 00:39:13,510
feeds on human flesh
and drinks human blood.

983
00:39:13,510 --> 00:39:14,400
He bought up all the rice

984
00:39:14,400 --> 00:39:15,110
in Nantong,

985
00:39:15,550 --> 00:39:16,360
thinking

986
00:39:16,360 --> 00:39:17,289
he's so capable.

987
00:39:17,440 --> 00:39:18,099
Mr. Liao,

988
00:39:18,150 --> 00:39:19,280
it's your turn now.

989
00:39:19,630 --> 00:39:20,670
Q-Quickly, give me

990
00:39:20,670 --> 00:39:21,469
your costume.

991
00:39:21,480 --> 00:39:22,000
No need.

992
00:39:22,280 --> 00:39:23,320
I had one made

993
00:39:23,360 --> 00:39:24,320
specially for your size.

994
00:39:24,320 --> 00:39:25,190
Once you put it on,

995
00:39:25,190 --> 00:39:27,320
you'll look even more impressive
than Mr. Chang.

996
00:39:27,320 --> 00:39:27,920
This time,

997
00:39:27,920 --> 00:39:29,630
we need to make two more shipments.

998
00:39:29,630 --> 00:39:31,760
Tomorrow, I'll allocate 600,000 dan
to you;

999
00:39:31,760 --> 00:39:33,670
and the day after, a million dan.

1000
00:39:33,760 --> 00:39:34,409
Remember:

1001
00:39:34,630 --> 00:39:36,070
all have to be sold at 3 taels of silver,

1002
00:39:36,070 --> 00:39:37,400
not a single penny less.

1003
00:39:39,429 --> 00:39:41,989
That Yang Ten-Million isn't a fool.

1004
00:39:42,230 --> 00:39:43,159
Can he handle

1005
00:39:43,230 --> 00:39:44,360
buying so much rice?

1006
00:39:44,480 --> 00:39:45,400
He may not be a fool,

1007
00:39:45,400 --> 00:39:46,719
but he's too greedy.

1008
00:39:46,960 --> 00:39:48,400
However much I feed him now,

1009
00:39:48,400 --> 00:39:49,920
he'll have to swallow it all.

1010
00:39:49,920 --> 00:39:51,650
I'll stuff him until he bursts.

1011
00:39:52,960 --> 00:39:54,969
I have a few friends

1012
00:39:55,070 --> 00:39:56,730
in the rice business in Anhui.

1013
00:39:57,030 --> 00:39:58,030
They can pool

1014
00:39:58,480 --> 00:39:59,739
another 2 million dan.

1015
00:39:59,880 --> 00:40:00,539
Excellent.

1016
00:40:00,630 --> 00:40:01,989
Then I won't trouble another person
for this matter.

1017
00:40:01,989 --> 00:40:02,760
From acting to pooling grain,

1018
00:40:02,760 --> 00:40:03,760
you handle it all.

1019
00:40:04,849 --> 00:40:05,710
Here's what I thought:

1020
00:40:05,710 --> 00:40:06,760
after we get this done,

1021
00:40:06,760 --> 00:40:08,800
I want to set aside
500,000 taels of silver

1022
00:40:08,800 --> 00:40:10,880
to buy jewelry for Miss Liao.

1023
00:40:11,230 --> 00:40:12,469
What do you think?

1024
00:40:13,320 --> 00:40:14,780
F-Five hundred thousand?

1025
00:40:18,440 --> 00:40:19,440
That's generous,

1026
00:40:19,800 --> 00:40:21,889
but with Mr. Chang here,

1027
00:40:22,150 --> 00:40:23,670
taking so much money

1028
00:40:24,550 --> 00:40:25,780
makes me a bit uncomfortable.

1029
00:40:25,780 --> 00:40:26,480
Then let's make it less.

1030
00:40:26,480 --> 00:40:27,079
No, no, no.

1031
00:40:27,110 --> 00:40:28,170
It's settled then.

1032
00:40:29,190 --> 00:40:31,030
You're selling much more than me,

1033
00:40:31,030 --> 00:40:33,090
so you should act more convincingly.

1034
00:40:33,800 --> 00:40:34,579
Today,

1035
00:40:34,630 --> 00:40:36,159
I finally got to see

1036
00:40:36,190 --> 00:40:37,150
how despicable Yang Ten-Million was.

1037
00:40:37,150 --> 00:40:38,630
If you didn't need to keep up this act,

1038
00:40:38,630 --> 00:40:41,030
I would've smashed his nose
with one punch.

1039
00:40:41,840 --> 00:40:42,989
He's just a bad guy,

1040
00:40:43,030 --> 00:40:44,159
a complete villain.

1041
00:40:44,550 --> 00:40:45,590
After I finish eating,

1042
00:40:45,590 --> 00:40:46,590
I'll explain everything to you,

1043
00:40:46,590 --> 00:40:48,650
then you'll know how to deal with him.

1044
00:40:48,880 --> 00:40:50,389
Please skip the meal

1045
00:40:50,510 --> 00:40:51,690
and teach me now.

1046
00:40:51,849 --> 00:40:53,590
After you've taught me, then you can eat.

1047
00:40:53,590 --> 00:40:54,710
Let's go have a drink.

1048
00:40:54,710 --> 00:40:55,400
-Come on.
-Alright, alright.

1049
00:40:55,400 --> 00:40:55,929
Let's go.

1050
00:40:55,960 --> 00:40:56,710
Come on.

1051
00:41:08,610 --> 00:41:09,320
Profiteer?

1052
00:41:11,320 --> 00:41:12,119
Time to sleep.

1053
00:41:13,960 --> 00:41:14,880
I knew

1054
00:41:14,960 --> 00:41:16,159
you'd scold me again.

1055
00:41:18,219 --> 00:41:20,179
That you remember quite clearly.

1056
00:41:20,840 --> 00:41:22,210
You think I want to keep

1057
00:41:22,320 --> 00:41:23,780
all this money for myself?

1058
00:41:24,190 --> 00:41:24,840
I just hope

1059
00:41:24,880 --> 00:41:25,710
the people of Nantong

1060
00:41:25,710 --> 00:41:26,969
can have a better life.

1061
00:41:27,519 --> 00:41:28,110
If every

1062
00:41:28,110 --> 00:41:29,320
worker repairing the coastal embankment

1063
00:41:29,320 --> 00:41:30,550
could earn two more candareens daily

1064
00:41:30,550 --> 00:41:31,710
to support their families,

1065
00:41:31,710 --> 00:41:33,030
once the rice price stabilizes

1066
00:41:33,030 --> 00:41:34,440
and the coastal embankment is repaired,

1067
00:41:34,440 --> 00:41:36,369
Nantong will regain its vitality.

1068
00:41:37,110 --> 00:41:37,960
As the saying goes,

1069
00:41:37,960 --> 00:41:40,230
once you set out to do something,
you must see it through;

1070
00:41:40,230 --> 00:41:42,889
and once you get it done,
you must leave a legacy.

1071
00:41:43,440 --> 00:41:44,300
Except for you,

1072
00:41:44,760 --> 00:41:47,219
I don't want to be criticized
by anyone else.

1073
00:41:49,480 --> 00:41:50,880
Well, profiteer, you're

1074
00:41:51,550 --> 00:41:53,679
quite the grudge-holder, aren't you?

1075
00:42:10,030 --> 00:42:17,400
♪ A single straight purple bamboo ♪

1076
00:42:17,849 --> 00:42:23,480
♪ Give the flute made of it to the baby ♪

1077
00:42:23,710 --> 00:42:27,150
♪ The flute to the mouth ♪

1078
00:42:27,590 --> 00:42:30,840
♪ The mouth to the flute ♪

1079
00:42:31,480 --> 00:42:31,800
Master.

1080
00:42:31,800 --> 00:42:33,070
♪ A new tune flows from the flute ♪

1081
00:42:33,070 --> 00:42:35,070
Another rice merchant
has arrived in Nantong.

1082
00:42:35,070 --> 00:42:36,000
He's from Anhui.

1083
00:42:37,360 --> 00:42:38,280
Anhui?

1084
00:42:38,880 --> 00:42:41,360
Don't cause trouble for me here.

1085
00:42:41,840 --> 00:42:43,030
How much rice did he bring?

1086
00:42:43,030 --> 00:42:43,800
600,000 dan.

1087
00:42:44,670 --> 00:42:45,730
That's quite a lot.

1088
00:42:46,030 --> 00:42:46,840
I heard there's

1089
00:42:46,840 --> 00:42:48,699
another 2 to 3 million dan coming.

1090
00:42:51,190 --> 00:42:52,239
600,000 dan

1091
00:42:53,630 --> 00:42:54,320
and another 3 mill...

1092
00:42:54,320 --> 00:42:55,360
Are you sure you heard it right?

1093
00:42:55,360 --> 00:42:56,130
Absolutely.

1094
00:42:57,760 --> 00:42:59,090
So it's 3.6 million dan?

1095
00:43:00,030 --> 00:43:00,760
So much rice—

1096
00:43:01,110 --> 00:43:02,070
how could the small city of Nantong

1097
00:43:02,070 --> 00:43:03,110
possibly consume it all?