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{\an8}[Legend of the Magnate]

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{\an8}[Episode 34]

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The people of Nantong

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no longer have to flee,

5
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and the salt industry of Lianghuai
no longer

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has to worry about being crushed anymore.

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All of this is thanks to Your Excellency.

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I'd like to raise a toast in your honor.

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As expected from Li Million.

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Every time he opens his mouth,
it's all business talk.

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Well, he's a businessman after all.

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What else would he be talking about?

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By the way, everyone,

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there's still one guest
who hasn't arrived yet.

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Let's wait until everyone is seated

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before we discuss matters at leisure.

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Who else is coming?

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What's the rush?

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Even I, the Viceroy of Liangjiang,
am waiting patiently.

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Look how impatient you are.

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Your Excellency,

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your honored guest has arrived.

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Quick, bring her in.

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Come on.

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Honored guest.

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Greetings, Old Madam.

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Your Excellency, my respects.

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This is unnecessary.

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I cannot accept this.

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-Mother.
-Please, get up.

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Master, are you alright?

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Mr. Gu is the Pacification Commissioner

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appointed by the imperial court,

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and we're also preparing

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to restore his scholar status right now.

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Mr. Gu has rendered great service
this time.

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Old Madam Gu,

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you will surely be granted a noble title.

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You don't have to salute officials.

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Please.

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Please be seated.

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Thank you, Your Excellency.

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I was staying at home just fine,

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yet they came out of nowhere

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and just dragged me here
without even asking.

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Come on, sit here.

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Old Madam.

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Today

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is the auspicious day of the completion

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of the Nantong coastal embankment.

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Please join us for a celebratory drink.

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My legs aren't in good condition,

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so I haven't been to
the coastal embankment.

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But my kid

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has been working nearby

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for months and hasn't gone home once,

57
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which shows his dedication to work.

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Still, this isn't his credit.

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I just saw

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those young men
working on the river project,

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sweating and bleeding.

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Those are the ones who truly
deserve the credit.

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I hope that Your Excellency

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can reward them properly.

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Old Madam, your words

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truly show a heart of compassion.

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I've learned a lot.

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You don't have to finish this cup of wine.

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Just a sip will do.

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That's enough, Mother.

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Please be seated.

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Everyone.

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Old Madam here—

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first her husband went missing,

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and she raised her son

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all on her own.

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Later, her son was framed by villains
during the imperial exam

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and exiled to Ningguta.

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For Mr. Gu

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to achieve what he has today

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is entirely thanks to her.

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Now, don't you think it's proper

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for me to have invited
such an honored guest?

84
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It's only proper.

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Li Million.

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This is my honored guest.

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How can you not toast her?

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Come on. Hurry up.

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Go offer her a toast. Come on.

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All right.

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Here, just hold the cup.

92
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Alright.

93
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I, Li Million, pay my respects
to you, Madam.

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Who?

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What's your name?

96
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Mother,

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he's Li Million,
the wealthiest man in the capital...

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Shut up!

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May I ask

100
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your name, Sir?

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I am Li Million.

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My respects to you, Madam.

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Mother!

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Father.

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Mother,

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what's wrong?

107
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I haven't

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had a drink in decades.

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I actually got myself drunk today.

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What have you got

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up your sleeve?

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You have no idea—

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I've got something

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specially to deal with Li Baiwan.

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Old Madam.

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Please get some rest.

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Wait.

118
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Why?

119
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Didn't we just unload these?

120
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Why are we putting them back up?

121
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Young Master,

122
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it was Master's order.

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M...

124
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Master's order?

125
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Your mother

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is having acupuncture right now.

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Don't go in.

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How is my mother doing?

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I was meaning to ask you.

130
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Why haven't you told us

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what happened to your mother?

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I have no idea.

133
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I wanted to ask you.

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Ever since your mother came back,

135
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who knows why,

136
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but she's been unconscious
and won't wake up.

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Doctor.

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Doctor, please.

139
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All right.

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Don't go in and disturb her.

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Let's speak softly out here.

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Alright.

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Speak softly.

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Alright.

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Doctor,

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how is my mother doing?

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This illness

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is very strange.

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Judging from her pulse,

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her spirit is damaged

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and all 5 meridians are injured.

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Only a sudden surge of

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extreme joy or sorrow

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could cause such a condition.

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That's odd.

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I'll write a prescription

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to protect her heart meridian first.

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Doctor,

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so it can only be protected

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but not cured?

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This is an illness of the heart,

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so only a remedy for the heart
can cure it.

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Mr. Gu,

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I still need you to tell me

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what exactly

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happened.

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What on earth happened?

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Right, what happened?

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Tell us the details.

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{\an8}[Virtue as the Foundation]

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Young Master.

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Why are you stopping... Stopping me?

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Young Master.

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Come with me.

175
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Don't pull me.

176
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Wait.

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What happened exactly?

178
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Wasn't everything fine just now?

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We'd take Jiangsu

180
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and leave the rest to Gu Pingyuan, right?

181
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Why is he

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suddenly giving them the cold shoulder?

183
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How would I know?

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So you don't know?

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{\an8}[Tranquility of Autumn]

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Yu'er.

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Yu'er.

188
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Yu'er.

189
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Let me take over for a while.

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Staying up all day and night—

191
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even a person made of iron
couldn't endure that.

192
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Pingyuan went out again?

193
00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:49,659
Always picking the wrong thing to say.

194
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Come help me with the work.

195
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Pingyuan has guests.

196
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You're all so accommodating to him now.

197
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He has guests all day long.

198
00:09:55,789 --> 00:09:57,389
Who are these people anyway?

199
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They're former salt merchants
from Yangzhou,

200
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here to ask for help.

201
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I've gone in to make tea for them twice,

202
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and all they do is brag.

203
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Your brother has been up all night.

204
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Don't disturb him.

205
00:10:23,509 --> 00:10:24,570
What are you doing?

206
00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:26,289
Was I, Gu Pingwen,

207
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just born to work?

208
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Pingwen.

209
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Behave yourself.

210
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Mr. Gu.

211
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My family has been in the salt business
for generations.

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I'm incompetent.

213
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During the chaos of war,

214
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all of Jiangnan

215
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became a slaughterhouse,

216
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and I had no choice but to

217
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sell our ancestral salt fields hastily.

218
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But I do know about

219
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salt transportation and trading...

220
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I understand.

221
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You've come to request a job,

222
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right?

223
00:10:52,629 --> 00:10:53,389
That's right.

224
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First, to request a job;

225
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and second,

226
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to borrow some cash from you, Mr. Gu,

227
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for emergencies.

228
00:10:58,399 --> 00:10:59,720
How much do you want to borrow?

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I may not have that much cash

230
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to lend you.

231
00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:02,899
200 taels would be enough.

232
00:11:02,899 --> 00:11:04,610
I'm running short on chicken feed lately
as well.

233
00:11:04,610 --> 00:11:05,250
And

234
00:11:05,309 --> 00:11:07,059
the young man who went
beyond the pass to buy ginseng

235
00:11:07,059 --> 00:11:07,669
hasn't returned yet.

236
00:11:07,669 --> 00:11:08,690
I can only buy some in town

237
00:11:08,690 --> 00:11:09,750
and make do with it.

238
00:11:10,549 --> 00:11:11,769
Isn't that Mr. Pan?

239
00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:14,120
Don't leave yet.

240
00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:16,320
I happen to have something
to talk to you about.

241
00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:17,379
Why are you avoiding me?

242
00:11:17,379 --> 00:11:18,240
Did I offend you or what?

243
00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:18,970
Come on, sit.

244
00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:23,389
Mr. Pan here

245
00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:25,639
is quite a character.

246
00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:28,360
One night, he came to borrow money
from me.

247
00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:29,960
He came right at dinner time,

248
00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:31,960
so I asked him to join me for dinner,

249
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but he refused.

250
00:11:33,149 --> 00:11:33,820
He said

251
00:11:34,029 --> 00:11:35,720
he had just finished eating

252
00:11:35,789 --> 00:11:36,789
the five-spice beef cooked by

253
00:11:36,789 --> 00:11:38,120
the best chef in Suzhou.

254
00:11:38,279 --> 00:11:38,919
His stomach was,

255
00:11:38,919 --> 00:11:39,450
you know,

256
00:11:39,509 --> 00:11:40,320
completely stuffed,

257
00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:41,529
and he could only have a few drinks.

258
00:11:41,529 --> 00:11:43,080
So I said, let's have some drinks
together then.

259
00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:44,509
But after just two cups,

260
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Mr. Pan threw up.

261
00:11:45,549 --> 00:11:48,129
There was chaff all over the floor.

262
00:11:48,509 --> 00:11:49,169
S-Stop messing around.

263
00:11:49,169 --> 00:11:49,909
Stop it.

264
00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:51,200
I get it now.

265
00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:52,269
Maybe it was because

266
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"I ate beef,

267
00:11:53,389 --> 00:11:54,990
and the cow had eaten chaff."

268
00:12:05,370 --> 00:12:06,960
Your words were a bit too harsh.

269
00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:07,870
How hurtful.

270
00:12:08,909 --> 00:12:10,840
I just didn't want you to be fooled.

271
00:12:10,909 --> 00:12:12,509
Mr. Pan is addicted to opium.

272
00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:14,009
From head to toe,

273
00:12:14,029 --> 00:12:15,360
those clothes he was wearing

274
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are his most valuable possession.

275
00:12:16,509 --> 00:12:18,120
He's sold his wife and children,

276
00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:19,049
and he's been starving every day,

277
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running around to borrow money.

278
00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:22,679
Don't lend money to people like him.

279
00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:24,539
Alright. Thanks for the warning.

280
00:12:24,750 --> 00:12:26,149
How is your mother doing?

281
00:12:26,850 --> 00:12:28,149
She still hasn't woken up yet.

282
00:12:28,149 --> 00:12:29,279
I'm really worried.

283
00:12:29,909 --> 00:12:31,029
How are things on your side?

284
00:12:31,029 --> 00:12:33,120
We hired the best doctor in the capital,

285
00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:35,379
and he said phlegm had clouded his mind.

286
00:12:35,629 --> 00:12:36,879
I just can't believe it.

287
00:12:36,879 --> 00:12:38,600
My father has been sharp his whole life.

288
00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:40,799
How could his mind be clouded by phlegm?

289
00:12:41,029 --> 00:12:41,870
Tell me,

290
00:12:41,889 --> 00:12:43,149
what exactly was that about?

291
00:12:43,149 --> 00:12:44,409
You want me to tell you?

292
00:12:44,960 --> 00:12:47,090
I was meaning to ask you the same thing.

293
00:12:49,750 --> 00:12:50,789
My dear Pingyuan.

294
00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:51,850
It seems to me

295
00:12:51,870 --> 00:12:52,919
that your mother

296
00:12:53,149 --> 00:12:54,269
is doing slightly better

297
00:12:54,269 --> 00:12:55,129
than my father.

298
00:12:55,669 --> 00:12:57,139
How about you help me

299
00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:57,860
ask her what that was about

300
00:12:57,860 --> 00:12:58,919
after she wakes up?

301
00:12:59,269 --> 00:13:01,029
Given my mother's current condition,

302
00:13:01,029 --> 00:13:03,120
I wouldn't dare ask her
even if she wakes up.

303
00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:05,269
Why don't you go home
and try asking your father?

304
00:13:05,269 --> 00:13:06,509
I wouldn't dare ask him.

305
00:13:06,509 --> 00:13:08,039
I don't want to die just yet.

306
00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:11,669
However,

307
00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:14,669
the Liangjiang Viceroy's Office
has been pressing us.

308
00:13:14,669 --> 00:13:16,509
If we keep hiding at home like this,

309
00:13:16,509 --> 00:13:19,039
they'll send soldiers
to arrest us tomorrow.

310
00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:21,279
I understand.

311
00:13:21,669 --> 00:13:23,669
Wait for me to grab something to eat.

312
00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:54,000
I'm going to the Viceroy's Office

313
00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:54,750
for work.

314
00:13:55,360 --> 00:13:57,000
I'll have to leave everything here to you.

315
00:13:57,000 --> 00:13:57,600
I'm here.

316
00:13:57,789 --> 00:13:58,519
Don't worry.

317
00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:01,639
I can't refuse

318
00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:03,220
this lousy job.

319
00:14:04,590 --> 00:14:05,620
Had I known,

320
00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:07,909
why would we have ever left our hometown?

321
00:14:07,909 --> 00:14:09,169
That's not your fault.

322
00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:10,549
They forced us out

323
00:14:11,149 --> 00:14:12,269
with guns.

324
00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:14,269
Anyway, I have no time for you now.

325
00:14:14,269 --> 00:14:15,549
I have to take care of Mother.

326
00:14:15,549 --> 00:14:18,149
Take good care of yourself and Heizi
on the way.

327
00:14:22,269 --> 00:14:23,750
You should also ask Pingwen and Miss Liao

328
00:14:23,750 --> 00:14:25,509
to come help you from time to time.

329
00:14:25,509 --> 00:14:26,909
Don't exhaust yourself.

330
00:14:26,909 --> 00:14:28,169
Don't say such things.

331
00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:29,720
Pingwen is too clumsy,

332
00:14:29,789 --> 00:14:31,480
and Miss Liao hasn't married into
our family yet.

333
00:14:31,480 --> 00:14:33,409
It won't hurt if I work a bit harder.

334
00:14:45,909 --> 00:14:47,639
What have I done to deserve you?

335
00:14:48,549 --> 00:14:49,879
It's enough to have you.

336
00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:54,779
I said, having you in this life

337
00:14:55,090 --> 00:14:55,690
is enough.

338
00:14:56,029 --> 00:14:56,830
What was that?

339
00:14:59,750 --> 00:15:00,389
Mother,

340
00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:02,759
I'm going on official business.

341
00:15:07,029 --> 00:15:07,549
I'm off.

342
00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:22,019
{\an8}[Liangjiang Viceroy's Office]

343
00:15:21,029 --> 00:15:22,629
-Greetings, Your Excellency.
-Greetings, Your Excellency.

344
00:15:22,629 --> 00:15:24,029
No need for formalities.

345
00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:28,789
You two have finally arrived.

346
00:15:28,789 --> 00:15:32,250
The Liangjiang Viceroy's Office
is honored by your presence.

347
00:15:33,509 --> 00:15:34,330
Your Excellency.

348
00:15:34,330 --> 00:15:36,549
The elders in our families
fell gravely ill.

349
00:15:36,549 --> 00:15:38,750
As children, we're truly heartbroken.

350
00:15:38,840 --> 00:15:40,899
Please forgive us, Your Excellency.

351
00:15:41,990 --> 00:15:43,259
Without you two here,

352
00:15:43,750 --> 00:15:46,080
Jiangning City has been in mixed spirits
as well.

353
00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:46,809
Gu Pingyuan,

354
00:15:47,149 --> 00:15:48,610
I still need to reward you.

355
00:15:53,789 --> 00:15:54,480
I wouldn't dare to accept that,
Your Excellency.

356
00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:55,269
You're too kind.

357
00:15:55,269 --> 00:15:57,350
The old businesses along Qinhuai River
have all been restored.

358
00:15:57,350 --> 00:15:58,429
As expected,

359
00:15:58,460 --> 00:15:59,730
it is teeming with visitors,

360
00:15:59,730 --> 00:16:01,600
and merchants come and go
in great numbers.

361
00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:02,629
The Complete Library of
the Four Treasuries

362
00:16:02,629 --> 00:16:04,720
republished by
the Jinling Publishing House

363
00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:06,240
is selling throughout the country.

364
00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:08,509
Scholars are as numerous as
fish crossing the river.

365
00:16:08,509 --> 00:16:10,200
I believe that within a year,

366
00:16:10,440 --> 00:16:13,080
the city will be fully restored
to its former glory.

367
00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:14,250
This achievement

368
00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:15,750
must be credited to you.

369
00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:18,240
You've demonstrated the unity
of civil and military strategy,

370
00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:20,169
a balance of restraint and action.

371
00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:23,750
Desperate times call for
desperate measures.

372
00:16:23,750 --> 00:16:24,269
Those were all

373
00:16:24,269 --> 00:16:26,269
methods not fit for public display.

374
00:16:26,750 --> 00:16:27,600
As the ancients said,

375
00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:29,840
"governing a great nation
is like cooking a small fish."

376
00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:30,870
How can that be called

377
00:16:30,870 --> 00:16:32,929
something unfit for public display?

378
00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:34,509
Appetite and desire are both natural.

379
00:16:34,509 --> 00:16:36,039
Starting from these basics

380
00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:37,580
is actually the Great Way.

381
00:16:37,830 --> 00:16:38,429
Exactly.

382
00:16:38,750 --> 00:16:39,509
When the two of us

383
00:16:39,509 --> 00:16:41,029
were entering Jiangning today,

384
00:16:41,029 --> 00:16:42,809
we already noticed it was
much more prosperous

385
00:16:42,809 --> 00:16:44,029
than when we left for Nantong.

386
00:16:44,029 --> 00:16:46,509
This is all thanks to
your strategic wisdom, Your Excellency.

387
00:16:46,509 --> 00:16:47,039
Alright,

388
00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:48,289
enough flattery.

389
00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:50,929
The Lianghuai Salt Field Guild

390
00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:52,440
has had the notice posted
for nearly half a month,

391
00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:53,929
yet you two were nowhere to be found.

392
00:16:53,929 --> 00:16:55,269
The former salt merchants of Lianghuai

393
00:16:55,269 --> 00:16:56,360
have been staying in inns,

394
00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:57,909
spending every day thinking up ways

395
00:16:57,909 --> 00:16:59,320
to bang drums and file lawsuits

396
00:16:59,320 --> 00:17:00,629
at the Viceroy's Office.

397
00:17:00,629 --> 00:17:02,429
Frankly, it's driving me crazy.

398
00:17:03,389 --> 00:17:04,890
Let's get things straight.

399
00:17:04,890 --> 00:17:06,240
I'm giving you 10 days

400
00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:07,740
to work out a solution.

401
00:17:08,509 --> 00:17:10,000
With government supervision
and merchant management,

402
00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:11,068
I'm now in control of

403
00:17:11,068 --> 00:17:12,348
the supervision part.

404
00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:14,880
If you can't get it done within 10 days,

405
00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:16,549
both of you, put on cangues

406
00:17:16,549 --> 00:17:17,880
and stand at my doorway.

407
00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:18,680
Alright.

408
00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:19,588
You should get going.

409
00:17:19,588 --> 00:17:21,269
I wouldn't dare waste

410
00:17:21,309 --> 00:17:23,640
the precious time of you great merchants.

411
00:17:26,509 --> 00:17:27,140
Let's go.

412
00:17:36,269 --> 00:17:36,829
Look.

413
00:17:37,720 --> 00:17:39,299
That old fox Rui Lin is so cunning.

414
00:17:39,299 --> 00:17:40,069
He's made the two of us

415
00:17:40,069 --> 00:17:41,130
like a pair of oxen—

416
00:17:41,309 --> 00:17:42,829
he won't spend a single penny,

417
00:17:42,829 --> 00:17:44,069
yet he's got ropes through our noses,

418
00:17:44,069 --> 00:17:45,130
pulling us around.

419
00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:46,920
This just isn't right.

420
00:17:46,920 --> 00:17:47,930
I'm worried too.

421
00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:50,089
How should we deal with
those old salt merchants

422
00:17:50,089 --> 00:17:51,619
from the Salt Fields Guild?

423
00:17:53,130 --> 00:17:54,470
I can't let them see me.

424
00:17:54,490 --> 00:17:55,900
With all due respect,

425
00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:58,119
my father

426
00:17:58,180 --> 00:17:59,200
seized their salt fields

427
00:17:59,200 --> 00:17:59,730
by force.

428
00:17:59,750 --> 00:18:00,720
Luckily, they don't know

429
00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:02,250
my father is bedridden now.

430
00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:03,529
Otherwise, they'd be swarming in

431
00:18:03,529 --> 00:18:04,789
to tear me apart alive.

432
00:18:06,170 --> 00:18:07,069
Our Li family

433
00:18:07,109 --> 00:18:08,029
now selects capable assistants

434
00:18:08,029 --> 00:18:09,299
from our shops each year

435
00:18:09,299 --> 00:18:10,160
and sends them out to become managers

436
00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:10,890
on their own.

437
00:18:11,450 --> 00:18:12,240
My father

438
00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:13,200
has gathered quite a few talented people

439
00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:14,319
for the salt field business.

440
00:18:14,319 --> 00:18:16,650
If you're short‑handed, just let me know.

441
00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:17,740
Thanks, buddy.

442
00:18:17,789 --> 00:18:18,400
Buddy?

443
00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:21,279
Our agreement still stands.

444
00:18:21,509 --> 00:18:23,160
If you can't outperform me
within 6 months,

445
00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:24,930
you'll have to hand over
the salt fields you're holding,

446
00:18:24,930 --> 00:18:27,400
so my father won't mock me
for being incompetent.

447
00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:28,660
I'm well aware of that.

448
00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:30,450
But what if I do outperform you?

449
00:18:31,109 --> 00:18:32,000
Don't worry about that.

450
00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:33,000
Just do your best.

451
00:18:33,549 --> 00:18:34,220
I certainly won't

452
00:18:34,220 --> 00:18:35,019
go easy on you.

453
00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:36,920
But one more thing:

454
00:18:38,180 --> 00:18:39,579
we'll always be buddies.

455
00:18:40,259 --> 00:18:41,119
I feel the same.

456
00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:52,000
What?

457
00:18:55,569 --> 00:18:56,549
I only asked you to follow me.

458
00:18:56,549 --> 00:18:58,309
Why are you sticking that close to me?

459
00:18:58,309 --> 00:18:59,509
You think I want to?

460
00:19:00,069 --> 00:19:01,680
I just helped you repair
the coastal embankment,

461
00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:03,609
and now I have to act as your escort.

462
00:19:03,720 --> 00:19:05,269
If Yu'er hadn't threatened me,

463
00:19:05,269 --> 00:19:05,789
what bastard would be willing to

464
00:19:05,789 --> 00:19:07,049
stay that close to you?

465
00:19:08,750 --> 00:19:09,900
Come on, tell me,

466
00:19:10,309 --> 00:19:11,710
what did Yu'er say to you?

467
00:19:12,549 --> 00:19:13,160
She said,

468
00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:15,509
if anyone comes in your way,
I'll shield you;

469
00:19:15,509 --> 00:19:16,670
if there's a knife coming at you,
I'll take the blow;

470
00:19:16,670 --> 00:19:18,059
if you cause any trouble,

471
00:19:18,059 --> 00:19:19,240
she'll pay with her life;

472
00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:20,589
if even a strand of your hair
falls from your head,

473
00:19:20,589 --> 00:19:22,009
I'll have to give my life for it.

474
00:19:22,009 --> 00:19:23,880
Listen, if you dare lose
even one strand of hair,

475
00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:25,809
I'll stick it right back in for you!

476
00:19:26,569 --> 00:19:27,400
Well, well.

477
00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:30,180
I've brought back a hothead.

478
00:19:31,210 --> 00:19:32,319
Listen, Heizi.

479
00:19:33,269 --> 00:19:34,839
If there's nothing else,

480
00:19:35,349 --> 00:19:37,009
you should go back to Nantong.

481
00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:40,400
What do you mean?

482
00:19:41,829 --> 00:19:43,289
Are you looking down on me?

483
00:19:44,319 --> 00:19:45,650
We're all scholars.

484
00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:47,029
Don't keep

485
00:19:47,049 --> 00:19:48,980
pulling out your knife to scare me.

486
00:19:49,490 --> 00:19:50,230
Fine, fine.

487
00:19:50,309 --> 00:19:52,509
If you don't want to go back, then don't.

488
00:19:53,470 --> 00:19:55,000
If you don't cause me trouble,

489
00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:56,930
I won't cause you trouble, either.

490
00:19:57,240 --> 00:19:59,130
Let's make sure this trip goes
smoothly and safely.

491
00:19:59,130 --> 00:20:00,269
I'll take you back safely

492
00:20:00,269 --> 00:20:01,240
without a scratch,

493
00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:02,500
and my job will be done.

494
00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:03,759
I believe you.

495
00:20:04,920 --> 00:20:05,990
After all, you, Heizi,

496
00:20:05,990 --> 00:20:07,650
are a man of your word.

497
00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:10,549
Stop buttering me up.

498
00:20:11,109 --> 00:20:11,750
As if I didn't know

499
00:20:11,750 --> 00:20:13,069
I'm a man of my word.

500
00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:15,349
Good man.

501
00:20:15,750 --> 00:20:17,079
I need a favor right now.

502
00:20:17,450 --> 00:20:18,579
Run an errand for me.

503
00:20:19,930 --> 00:20:24,490
{\an8}[Salt Industry Guild]
[Gu Pingyuan] [Li Qin]

504
00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:30,339
Let me tell you something.

505
00:20:30,839 --> 00:20:31,920
Listen, everyone.

506
00:20:32,150 --> 00:20:33,410
Gu Pingyuan and Li Qin,

507
00:20:33,700 --> 00:20:34,720
those two little bastards

508
00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:36,009
are trying to drive us

509
00:20:36,140 --> 00:20:38,329
Lianghuai salt merchants to our deaths.

510
00:20:38,329 --> 00:20:39,269
We need to find some

511
00:20:39,269 --> 00:20:40,509
court officials from Lianghuai,

512
00:20:40,509 --> 00:20:41,420
buy off a few of those lords,

513
00:20:41,420 --> 00:20:42,309
have them submit memorials

514
00:20:42,309 --> 00:20:43,000
to bring them down.

515
00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:43,930
Bring them down.

516
00:20:44,269 --> 00:20:46,000
What's the use of that?

517
00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:48,549
Right now in the Liangjiang region,

518
00:20:48,549 --> 00:20:50,799
Rui Lin has everything
under his thumb.

519
00:20:48,789 --> 00:20:52,130
{\an8}[Tu Ying, Lianghuai Salt Merchant]

520
00:20:54,029 --> 00:20:55,630
But we can't just do nothing!

521
00:20:55,829 --> 00:20:57,720
Our family business has been passed down
for two or three centuries—

522
00:20:57,720 --> 00:20:58,750
how could it be wiped out

523
00:20:58,750 --> 00:21:00,009
over just a few scraps?

524
00:21:01,309 --> 00:21:02,170
This is just...

525
00:21:02,680 --> 00:21:04,410
I just can't wrap my head around

526
00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:05,680
how it ended up being

527
00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:07,589
the property of
the Liangjiang Viceroy's Office!

528
00:21:07,589 --> 00:21:08,920
Where's the title deed?

529
00:21:09,829 --> 00:21:11,289
If you have the title deed,

530
00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:12,000
I'll go with you

531
00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:14,720
to file a lawsuit
at the Liangjiang Viceroy's Office.

532
00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:16,230
When under a low roof,

533
00:21:17,069 --> 00:21:18,589
one must bow their head.

534
00:21:20,549 --> 00:21:21,970
Gu Pingyuan and Li Qin!

535
00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:23,480
Those two bastards!

536
00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:25,920
Bastard! Who are you calling names?

537
00:21:27,829 --> 00:21:28,440
Who is this?

538
00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:29,500
Who is this person?

539
00:21:31,269 --> 00:21:32,119
Have you seen him before?

540
00:21:32,119 --> 00:21:33,109
Who is this person?

541
00:21:33,109 --> 00:21:33,990
Who is this?

542
00:21:34,019 --> 00:21:35,349
Have you met him before?

543
00:21:36,809 --> 00:21:38,509
Is this the Salt Industry Guild?

544
00:21:38,509 --> 00:21:39,109
Yes, it is.

545
00:21:39,269 --> 00:21:41,269
-Sir, you...
-Who's in charge here?

546
00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:45,160
Well...

547
00:21:45,509 --> 00:21:46,589
That would be me.

548
00:21:47,180 --> 00:21:48,960
My name is Tu on top and Ying below.

549
00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:49,890
Your name has 5 characters?

550
00:21:49,890 --> 00:21:50,890
No, 2 characters.

551
00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:51,930
Two characters.

552
00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:53,160
It's just Tu Ying.

553
00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:54,009
Sir, may I ask

554
00:21:54,109 --> 00:21:55,339
where you're from

555
00:21:55,369 --> 00:21:57,339
and what business you have with me?

556
00:21:58,029 --> 00:21:59,200
So you are...

557
00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:00,369
Are you done asking?

558
00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:02,609
Just call me Heizi.

559
00:22:03,029 --> 00:22:05,240
I'm Gu Pingyuan's big brother.

560
00:22:06,259 --> 00:22:07,519
Mr. Gu wants to see you.

561
00:22:07,750 --> 00:22:08,210
Please.

562
00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:09,920
So you're just a servant.

563
00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:11,720
I thought you were some big shot.

564
00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:13,609
Aren't you just

565
00:22:13,609 --> 00:22:14,829
Mr. Gu's servant?

566
00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:15,609
Just an errand boy.

567
00:22:15,609 --> 00:22:17,460
We members of the Salt Industry Guild

568
00:22:17,460 --> 00:22:18,269
have been here

569
00:22:18,309 --> 00:22:19,789
for over 20 days now.

570
00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:21,289
Everyone's family

571
00:22:21,509 --> 00:22:23,250
has been in the salt business

572
00:22:23,269 --> 00:22:24,930
for over 200 years.

573
00:22:25,319 --> 00:22:27,240
If he wants to profit from our industry,

574
00:22:27,240 --> 00:22:28,049
he should come here

575
00:22:28,049 --> 00:22:29,359
to pay us a visit first.

576
00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:30,160
Exactly!

577
00:22:30,509 --> 00:22:32,349
He should come in person

578
00:22:32,470 --> 00:22:33,259
to pay his respects.

579
00:22:33,259 --> 00:22:34,920
Otherwise, how could he possibly

580
00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:36,329
succeed in the salt industry?

581
00:22:36,329 --> 00:22:37,660
Right, he won't make it!

582
00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:41,240
He's harming us salt merchants!

583
00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:42,319
Let him go home and play house.

584
00:22:42,319 --> 00:22:42,920
Exactly.

585
00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:45,430
Go home.

586
00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:46,920
Go home and play house!

587
00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:48,450
Just go home and play house!

588
00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:55,579
Easy, easy!

589
00:22:56,000 --> 00:22:57,059
What are you doing?

590
00:22:57,200 --> 00:22:57,829
What do you think you're doing?

591
00:22:57,829 --> 00:22:58,359
Sir!

592
00:22:58,509 --> 00:22:59,450
Sir. Sir.

593
00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:00,880
Gentleman. Gentleman.

594
00:23:00,880 --> 00:23:01,680
Easy, please.

595
00:23:01,769 --> 00:23:06,230
{\an8}[Salt and Plum]

596
00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:02,240
Move!

597
00:23:03,269 --> 00:23:03,930
Gentleman,

598
00:23:04,160 --> 00:23:05,549
this is so indecent.

599
00:23:06,549 --> 00:23:07,210
Gentleman.

600
00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:08,369
Gentleman. Sir.

601
00:23:08,380 --> 00:23:09,309
{\an8}[Salt and Plum]

602
00:23:08,440 --> 00:23:09,440
Sir, easy please.

603
00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:11,849
Oh my goodness.

604
00:23:12,750 --> 00:23:13,349
Mr. Tu,

605
00:23:13,539 --> 00:23:15,740
there's no need for such a grand salute.

606
00:23:17,109 --> 00:23:18,640
What are you talking about?

607
00:23:18,779 --> 00:23:20,420
You call this a salute?

608
00:23:20,650 --> 00:23:21,410
You, Gu,

609
00:23:21,789 --> 00:23:22,680
you really have no respect

610
00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:23,680
for others at all!

611
00:23:23,750 --> 00:23:24,480
Am I, Tu Ying,

612
00:23:24,500 --> 00:23:26,670
some street junkie

613
00:23:26,750 --> 00:23:27,880
or homeless person?

614
00:23:27,900 --> 00:23:29,359
Besides my salt business,

615
00:23:29,400 --> 00:23:30,069
I also run

616
00:23:30,109 --> 00:23:31,430
more than 10 silk shops.

617
00:23:31,430 --> 00:23:32,900
I'm here to stand up for
the salt merchants.

618
00:23:32,900 --> 00:23:33,839
Even His Excellency treats me

619
00:23:33,839 --> 00:23:34,859
with respect.

620
00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:36,589
You... I...

621
00:23:36,609 --> 00:23:38,269
Mr. Tu, please don't be angry.

622
00:23:38,490 --> 00:23:40,000
If he has offended you in any way,

623
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:41,000
I apologize.

624
00:23:41,589 --> 00:23:42,549
You see, at the Salt Industry Guild,

625
00:23:42,549 --> 00:23:43,640
there are too many people and gossip.

626
00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:44,829
I wanted to ask for your advice,

627
00:23:44,829 --> 00:23:45,750
but it wasn't convenient there.

628
00:23:45,750 --> 00:23:47,019
That's why I specifically asked him
to invite you here.

629
00:23:47,019 --> 00:23:48,750
Is this how you invite someone?

630
00:23:49,680 --> 00:23:51,140
Look at the back of my neck!

631
00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:52,920
It's all swollen from his grabbing!

632
00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:54,380
Let me tell you something.

633
00:23:54,509 --> 00:23:56,029
From the Salt Industry Guild to here,

634
00:23:56,029 --> 00:23:58,420
my feet barely touched the ground.

635
00:23:58,640 --> 00:23:59,960
He grabbed me by the neck

636
00:23:59,960 --> 00:24:01,690
and dragged me all the way here!

637
00:24:01,750 --> 00:24:02,750
How could he do that?

638
00:24:02,750 --> 00:24:03,460
Heizi!

639
00:24:06,549 --> 00:24:07,150
It was him.

640
00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:09,680
Did I try to invite you or not?

641
00:24:09,680 --> 00:24:11,309
Full of nonsense since you came in.

642
00:24:11,309 --> 00:24:11,940
Want to go back, huh?

643
00:24:11,940 --> 00:24:12,509
Come on then.

644
00:24:12,509 --> 00:24:13,109
No, no, no!

645
00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:14,599
Let's talk properly.

646
00:24:14,750 --> 00:24:16,200
We're all educated people!

647
00:24:16,200 --> 00:24:16,640
Only use words

648
00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:19,039
that can be found
in the Kangxi Dictionary!

649
00:24:19,420 --> 00:24:22,359
{\an8}[Everything as Wished]

650
00:24:21,589 --> 00:24:22,190
Everyone,

651
00:24:24,640 --> 00:24:26,240
I've invited you here today.

652
00:24:26,349 --> 00:24:27,349
I'm sure you already know why

653
00:24:27,349 --> 00:24:28,549
even if I don't say it.

654
00:24:28,609 --> 00:24:30,410
Let's get straight to the point.

655
00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:32,549
The salt industry of Lianghuai

656
00:24:32,549 --> 00:24:34,609
is the biggest business in Jiangnan.

657
00:24:34,789 --> 00:24:35,920
What can't common people

658
00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:36,829
live without?

659
00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:38,349
Salt.

660
00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:41,029
What can't armies do without in war?

661
00:24:41,920 --> 00:24:42,349
Salt.

662
00:24:42,789 --> 00:24:44,250
Even the war horses,

663
00:24:44,549 --> 00:24:46,869
if you don't add salt to their feed
at night,

664
00:24:46,869 --> 00:24:48,109
when they charge during the day,

665
00:24:48,109 --> 00:24:49,240
they won't run fast.

666
00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:51,190
So gaining control of salt

667
00:24:51,309 --> 00:24:54,029
means securing control of
our country's lifeline,

668
00:24:54,029 --> 00:24:56,029
which makes one an uncrowned ruler.

669
00:25:02,190 --> 00:25:03,190
{\an8}[Liu's Caravan: 30 dan salt delivered]

670
00:25:03,190 --> 00:25:04,349
{\an8}[Fu Man's Caravan: 120 dan salt delivered]

671
00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:06,480
After 10 years of fierce battles

672
00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:07,880
with tremendous losses,

673
00:25:08,839 --> 00:25:09,680
the salt fields in Lianghuai

674
00:25:09,680 --> 00:25:11,140
have long been abandoned.

675
00:25:11,829 --> 00:25:13,589
There's something I haven't been able to
figure out:

676
00:25:13,589 --> 00:25:14,720
for all these years,

677
00:25:15,029 --> 00:25:16,309
where has the salt eaten by
the people of Jiangnan

678
00:25:16,309 --> 00:25:17,400
been coming from?

679
00:25:19,069 --> 00:25:21,589
This matter cannot be discussed openly.

680
00:25:24,509 --> 00:25:26,309
Mr. Tu, if you don't speak today,

681
00:25:26,750 --> 00:25:28,829
you'll be hurting
your own people's future.

682
00:25:28,829 --> 00:25:29,880
As you know,

683
00:25:30,309 --> 00:25:31,910
I'm not in the salt industry.

684
00:25:32,029 --> 00:25:33,319
The Liangjiang Viceroy's Office
has asked me

685
00:25:33,319 --> 00:25:35,579
to temporarily oversee the salt fields.

686
00:25:35,799 --> 00:25:37,859
What His Excellency intends is that,

687
00:25:37,960 --> 00:25:38,960
if we want to maintan

688
00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:40,349
the vitality of
the Lianghuai salt industry,

689
00:25:40,349 --> 00:25:41,269
we can't let everything

690
00:25:41,269 --> 00:25:42,930
fall into Li Wantang's hands.

691
00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:43,599
That's why

692
00:25:44,109 --> 00:25:46,329
this six-month agreement was made.

693
00:25:45,410 --> 00:25:45,950
{\an8}[Fu Man's Caravan: 120 dan salt delivered]

694
00:25:45,950 --> 00:25:46,549
{\an8}[Goods In-and-Out Ledger]

695
00:25:47,309 --> 00:25:48,109
Today,

696
00:25:48,789 --> 00:25:51,029
if you refuse to tell me anything,
Mr. Tu,

697
00:25:51,029 --> 00:25:53,160
I'll have no choice but to
return empty-handed,

698
00:25:53,160 --> 00:25:54,289
hand over my duties,

699
00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:56,029
and say there's nothing I could do.

700
00:25:56,029 --> 00:25:56,789
For me,

701
00:25:57,269 --> 00:25:58,670
there's nothing to lose.

702
00:26:03,750 --> 00:26:05,410
The Lianghuai salt business—

703
00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:06,880
Mr. Gu,

704
00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:08,880
you'd just give such a massive deal up

705
00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:10,269
so easily?

706
00:26:10,829 --> 00:26:12,160
Who would believe that?

707
00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:15,200
Whether you believe it or not,

708
00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:16,259
it doesn't matter.

709
00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:19,200
My elderly mother at home

710
00:26:19,200 --> 00:26:20,460
is still unconscious.

711
00:26:21,069 --> 00:26:21,799
To be honest,

712
00:26:22,339 --> 00:26:23,799
I'm utterly heartbroken.

713
00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:25,440
I simply have no time or energy

714
00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:26,029
to get involved in

715
00:26:26,029 --> 00:26:27,960
all your scheming and infighting.

716
00:26:29,150 --> 00:26:30,009
How about this?

717
00:26:30,210 --> 00:26:31,410
When you go back,

718
00:26:31,740 --> 00:26:33,539
tell the Salt Industry Guild

719
00:26:34,069 --> 00:26:35,720
to file a complaint against me
at the Liangjiang Viceroy's Office

720
00:26:35,720 --> 00:26:37,920
and have me removed from this position.

721
00:26:38,789 --> 00:26:39,319
I would be

722
00:26:40,349 --> 00:26:41,549
eternally grateful.

723
00:26:46,440 --> 00:26:47,150
Now that

724
00:26:48,029 --> 00:26:49,440
my father has assigned this task

725
00:26:49,440 --> 00:26:50,440
to me,

726
00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:52,450
I certainly can't let him down.

727
00:26:52,549 --> 00:26:54,109
Now, the salt administration

728
00:26:54,109 --> 00:26:56,170
of Jiangsu and Jiangxi is in my hands.

729
00:26:56,240 --> 00:26:57,029
The rest is managed by

730
00:26:57,029 --> 00:26:59,200
the representative of
the Liangjiang Viceroy's Office,

731
00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:00,160
Gu Pingyuan.

732
00:27:00,829 --> 00:27:03,109
Those old fellows
in the Salt Industry Guild

733
00:27:03,109 --> 00:27:05,329
are making a big fuss over me,

734
00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:06,960
waiting for me to beg them.

735
00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:08,700
What they don't know is

736
00:27:09,480 --> 00:27:10,920
that my father has already

737
00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:12,049
got you all trained.

738
00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:13,839
I don't ask much of you.

739
00:27:14,509 --> 00:27:15,880
Just don't let me down

740
00:27:17,109 --> 00:27:18,259
and work diligently

741
00:27:18,549 --> 00:27:20,079
to outperform Gu Pingyuan.

742
00:27:20,829 --> 00:27:21,680
But if you don't

743
00:27:21,680 --> 00:27:22,740
have what it takes,

744
00:27:22,880 --> 00:27:24,109
just say so now.

745
00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:26,400
If you really leave us

746
00:27:26,509 --> 00:27:27,839
to deal with Li Wantang,

747
00:27:28,289 --> 00:27:30,960
we wouldn't even be enough
to fill a gap between his teeth!

748
00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:32,289
But if you don't help me,

749
00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:33,720
I can't win.

750
00:27:34,289 --> 00:27:35,490
If I lose,

751
00:27:35,670 --> 00:27:37,549
Li Wantang will manipulate

752
00:27:37,549 --> 00:27:38,549
the Salt Industry Guild

753
00:27:38,549 --> 00:27:39,279
to replace me

754
00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:40,490
with his own people.

755
00:27:41,319 --> 00:27:42,309
When that happens,

756
00:27:42,309 --> 00:27:43,359
I can just dust myself off

757
00:27:43,359 --> 00:27:44,789
and go back to Anhui to grow tea.

758
00:27:44,789 --> 00:27:45,849
But what about you?

759
00:27:46,509 --> 00:27:48,019
You'll be in real trouble.

760
00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:12,480
Well, I'll bet

761
00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:15,500
you're not a rat.

762
00:28:16,509 --> 00:28:17,809
Whether I'm a rat or not,

763
00:28:17,809 --> 00:28:19,339
we'll see about that later.

764
00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:21,140
The most urgent matter now

765
00:28:21,240 --> 00:28:22,099
is that, Mr. Tu,

766
00:28:22,589 --> 00:28:24,269
you need to tell me the truth.

767
00:28:25,759 --> 00:28:27,170
I'm not like my father.

768
00:28:28,730 --> 00:28:30,380
I have only two requirements for you.

769
00:28:30,380 --> 00:28:31,109
First,

770
00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:33,130
the money for repairing the salt fields

771
00:28:33,130 --> 00:28:34,170
is ready.

772
00:28:34,430 --> 00:28:35,589
When you arrive there,

773
00:28:35,589 --> 00:28:37,480
repair the salt field as fast as possible,

774
00:28:37,480 --> 00:28:38,589
hire assistants, secure lodgings,

775
00:28:38,589 --> 00:28:40,119
and open up shops for me.

776
00:28:40,240 --> 00:28:41,789
Throughout the Jiangsu and Jiangxi
regions,

777
00:28:41,789 --> 00:28:42,839
within 3 months,

778
00:28:42,960 --> 00:28:44,809
I want shops everywhere.

779
00:28:45,789 --> 00:28:46,400
Second,

780
00:28:47,509 --> 00:28:49,380
I'll give you another 3 months

781
00:28:49,480 --> 00:28:50,720
to expand into

782
00:28:50,750 --> 00:28:52,809
Gu Pingyuan's territory.

783
00:28:54,720 --> 00:28:56,650
I don't mind you spending my money.

784
00:28:57,200 --> 00:28:58,960
What I do mind is that
you lack the ability

785
00:28:58,960 --> 00:29:00,809
to put that money to good use.

786
00:29:03,069 --> 00:29:04,119
Is that clear?

787
00:29:05,200 --> 00:29:07,509
Yes, Young Master!

788
00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:10,309
Actually, the salt fields

789
00:29:10,309 --> 00:29:11,809
were not destroyed.

790
00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:15,240
When the Resistance Army was here,

791
00:29:15,240 --> 00:29:16,569
we kept doing business.

792
00:29:17,029 --> 00:29:18,400
Since we couldn't do business
with the imperial court,

793
00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:20,309
we did business with the Resistance Army.

794
00:29:20,309 --> 00:29:21,789
Besides, they paid us

795
00:29:22,109 --> 00:29:23,569
every copper coin in full.

796
00:29:23,589 --> 00:29:24,720
The problem was that

797
00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:26,680
the imperial court found out about this.

798
00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:27,799
The imperial court said

799
00:29:27,799 --> 00:29:29,289
we were aiding the rebels.

800
00:29:29,829 --> 00:29:31,890
No one could bear such an accusation.

801
00:29:32,309 --> 00:29:33,329
So some people,

802
00:29:33,509 --> 00:29:35,339
before Jiangning fell,

803
00:29:35,640 --> 00:29:37,029
whether deliberately

804
00:29:37,059 --> 00:29:38,289
or not,

805
00:29:39,309 --> 00:29:40,640
sold their salt fields.

806
00:29:41,109 --> 00:29:42,589
They were protecting themselves from

807
00:29:42,589 --> 00:29:44,829
future trouble with the imperial court.

808
00:29:44,829 --> 00:29:45,589
Li Wantang

809
00:29:45,609 --> 00:29:47,410
took advantage of that

810
00:29:48,059 --> 00:29:49,789
and acquired many salt fields.

811
00:29:50,349 --> 00:29:51,150
But of course,

812
00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:53,440
there were also some worthless people

813
00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:54,880
like that Pan fellow,

814
00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:56,809
who lost his fortune to opium

815
00:29:57,309 --> 00:29:58,039
and secretly

816
00:29:58,200 --> 00:29:59,750
sold his salt fields

817
00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:01,440
to Li Wantang.

818
00:30:02,069 --> 00:30:03,869
Things like that also happened.

819
00:30:05,640 --> 00:30:07,079
When we left,

820
00:30:07,720 --> 00:30:08,980
we pushed the mud walls

821
00:30:09,869 --> 00:30:11,349
into the salt fields,

822
00:30:12,240 --> 00:30:13,240
telling everyone

823
00:30:13,549 --> 00:30:14,569
that we abandoned them.

824
00:30:14,569 --> 00:30:16,599
You can't tell from the outside.

825
00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:19,069
I see.

826
00:30:20,190 --> 00:30:20,970
These are all

827
00:30:21,599 --> 00:30:23,819
just business tricks we use.

828
00:30:24,349 --> 00:30:25,440
It's not surprising

829
00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:26,640
that you didn't know.

830
00:30:27,160 --> 00:30:27,829
The shops

831
00:30:28,549 --> 00:30:30,200
and assistants are all still there.

832
00:30:30,200 --> 00:30:32,400
It's just that the title deeds are gone.

833
00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:35,240
I understand now.

834
00:30:36,109 --> 00:30:36,720
Mr. Tu.

835
00:30:37,720 --> 00:30:38,549
These days,

836
00:30:38,640 --> 00:30:40,269
I've been reviewing the ledgers.

837
00:30:40,269 --> 00:30:41,480
I have some ideas now

838
00:30:41,789 --> 00:30:43,589
and need your advice.

839
00:30:49,029 --> 00:30:50,109
At your command.

840
00:30:49,910 --> 00:30:51,809
{\an8}[Goods In-and-Out Ledger]

841
00:31:21,109 --> 00:31:22,160
Too harsh.

842
00:31:38,470 --> 00:31:41,759
{\an8}[Salt Industry Guild]

843
00:31:40,000 --> 00:31:41,799
I know what you all are thinking.

844
00:31:42,109 --> 00:31:43,309
You see that I'm young

845
00:31:43,509 --> 00:31:44,440
and an outsider,

846
00:31:45,079 --> 00:31:47,640
so you're worried I'll profit
from your industry, right?

847
00:31:47,640 --> 00:31:48,289
Or perhaps you think

848
00:31:48,289 --> 00:31:50,029
I'll be like Li Wantang,

849
00:31:50,109 --> 00:31:51,970
using the imperial court's power

850
00:31:52,680 --> 00:31:54,539
to seize your family businesses.

851
00:31:54,920 --> 00:31:55,779
Am I right?

852
00:31:57,200 --> 00:31:58,750
Since you all have doubts,

853
00:31:59,480 --> 00:32:00,680
feel free to speak up.

854
00:32:00,980 --> 00:32:02,420
If I can solve your problems,

855
00:32:02,420 --> 00:32:03,579
I'll do that;

856
00:32:03,750 --> 00:32:05,210
if I can't solve them,

857
00:32:05,660 --> 00:32:06,349
at worst,

858
00:32:06,460 --> 00:32:08,519
I'll give up my half of the salt fields

859
00:32:08,549 --> 00:32:09,309
to you all.

860
00:32:11,549 --> 00:32:12,529
I keep my word.

861
00:32:13,480 --> 00:32:15,589
I'm just temporarily
overseeing this duty anyway.

862
00:32:15,589 --> 00:32:17,789
Stepping aside for someone more capable

863
00:32:17,789 --> 00:32:19,250
is not out of the question.

864
00:32:20,829 --> 00:32:21,829
Please, ask away.

865
00:32:23,069 --> 00:32:24,400
Mr. Gu, have you ever made salt?

866
00:32:24,400 --> 00:32:24,829
No.

867
00:32:25,349 --> 00:32:26,789
Mr. Gu, have you ever run a salt shop?

868
00:32:26,789 --> 00:32:28,029
No, I haven't, either.

869
00:32:28,029 --> 00:32:29,589
Mr. Gu, do you plan to transport by water

870
00:32:29,589 --> 00:32:30,309
or by land?

871
00:32:31,519 --> 00:32:32,920
I haven't thought about that yet.

872
00:32:32,920 --> 00:32:34,240
Mr. Gu, back in the Canal Gang,

873
00:32:34,240 --> 00:32:35,029
what was your rank?

874
00:32:35,029 --> 00:32:35,549
Rank?

875
00:32:35,990 --> 00:32:37,130
No rank?

876
00:32:37,309 --> 00:32:38,410
Then you must've been an outsider.

877
00:32:38,410 --> 00:32:39,440
What do you mean outsider?

878
00:32:39,440 --> 00:32:40,640
Did you have a master?

879
00:32:41,900 --> 00:32:42,789
What master?

880
00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:53,480
Come in and speak.

881
00:32:53,640 --> 00:32:55,099
Well, Master is still ill.

882
00:32:55,200 --> 00:32:56,329
I'll tell you later.

883
00:32:56,720 --> 00:32:57,549
Even if you say it now,

884
00:32:57,549 --> 00:32:59,509
my father probably
won't be able to hear it.

885
00:32:59,509 --> 00:33:00,970
And even if he does hear it,

886
00:33:01,549 --> 00:33:02,829
I'm the young heir now.

887
00:33:04,240 --> 00:33:05,839
Just speak when I tell you to.

888
00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:06,920
Yes.

889
00:33:09,480 --> 00:33:11,279
It's about the salt field again.

890
00:33:11,549 --> 00:33:12,549
About that guy Gu Pingyuan...

891
00:33:12,549 --> 00:33:13,680
Call him Mr. Gu.

892
00:33:14,160 --> 00:33:15,690
You're not on his level yet.

893
00:33:16,789 --> 00:33:17,589
Young Master.

894
00:33:17,720 --> 00:33:19,680
The more someone competes with us,

895
00:33:20,349 --> 00:33:22,410
the more respect we should show them.

896
00:33:23,130 --> 00:33:24,029
Gu Pingyuan,

897
00:33:24,549 --> 00:33:26,039
even as a prisoner,

898
00:33:26,069 --> 00:33:28,329
has managed to stand toe-to-toe with us.

899
00:33:29,029 --> 00:33:30,960
Isn't that worthy of your respect?

900
00:33:32,109 --> 00:33:32,789
Yes.

901
00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:35,200
Mr. Gu

902
00:33:35,549 --> 00:33:37,269
has gathered all the former managers

903
00:33:37,269 --> 00:33:38,130
and assistants

904
00:33:38,789 --> 00:33:40,450
of the Lianghuai salt fields.

905
00:33:42,809 --> 00:33:44,470
He dares to hire those people?

906
00:33:44,750 --> 00:33:45,480
They're all

907
00:33:45,509 --> 00:33:46,960
wily old foxes.

908
00:33:49,349 --> 00:33:50,809
Can he really handle them?

909
00:33:51,480 --> 00:33:53,390
Look at you all,

910
00:33:53,640 --> 00:33:55,710
with such tiny, petty ambitions.

911
00:33:56,029 --> 00:33:56,750
I've told you

912
00:33:56,750 --> 00:33:58,170
that Mr. Gu has no experience.

913
00:33:58,170 --> 00:33:59,900
So what if he has no experience?

914
00:34:05,269 --> 00:34:06,470
Salt transportation

915
00:34:06,750 --> 00:34:08,110
is generally divided into two types:

916
00:34:08,110 --> 00:34:09,590
land transport

917
00:34:09,960 --> 00:34:11,269
and canal transport,

918
00:34:12,000 --> 00:34:14,440
and canal transport requires
the Canal Gang.

919
00:34:14,440 --> 00:34:16,019
All our former head managers

920
00:34:16,019 --> 00:34:16,949
joined the gang.

921
00:34:17,409 --> 00:34:18,159
This means

922
00:34:18,230 --> 00:34:19,090
you need to find someone

923
00:34:19,090 --> 00:34:20,360
older than you

924
00:34:20,510 --> 00:34:21,510
to be your master.

925
00:34:21,849 --> 00:34:23,309
This way, wherever you go,

926
00:34:23,760 --> 00:34:25,000
you won't be bullied.

927
00:34:27,110 --> 00:34:28,630
Even if you're not in the gang,

928
00:34:28,630 --> 00:34:30,420
you still have to claim you are.

929
00:34:30,550 --> 00:34:32,349
In the trade, this kind of person

930
00:34:32,750 --> 00:34:34,150
is called an "outsider."

931
00:34:35,510 --> 00:34:36,960
The rule of canal transport is:

932
00:34:36,960 --> 00:34:38,289
pretending is allowed,

933
00:34:38,360 --> 00:34:39,420
but denying is not.

934
00:34:39,710 --> 00:34:41,630
There's no crime in pretending,

935
00:34:41,960 --> 00:34:43,269
but if you do pretend,

936
00:34:43,920 --> 00:34:44,920
you can't deny it.

937
00:34:45,710 --> 00:34:47,170
Now along the Grand Canal,

938
00:34:47,190 --> 00:34:49,070
among hundreds of thousands of
Canal Gang members,

939
00:34:49,070 --> 00:34:51,670
most of them are "outsiders."

940
00:34:52,760 --> 00:34:54,070
I've learned something.

941
00:34:54,070 --> 00:34:55,199
So is this Canal Gang

942
00:34:55,440 --> 00:34:56,300
very powerful?

943
00:34:57,389 --> 00:34:58,119
Of course.

944
00:34:59,110 --> 00:35:01,840
Even Emperor Qianlong was once
a member of the gang.

945
00:35:01,840 --> 00:35:03,190
We still preserve

946
00:35:03,360 --> 00:35:05,219
the dragon-headed walking stick

947
00:35:05,280 --> 00:35:07,880
made of purple sandalwood
that Emperor Qianlong bestowed upon us.

948
00:35:07,880 --> 00:35:09,000
It's passed down

949
00:35:09,019 --> 00:35:10,590
as a token among successive gang Chiefs.

950
00:35:10,590 --> 00:35:11,710
However, Mr. Gu,

951
00:35:11,800 --> 00:35:12,730
with your status

952
00:35:13,190 --> 00:35:13,989
and position,

953
00:35:14,760 --> 00:35:16,360
it won't be hard to join the gang, right?

954
00:35:16,360 --> 00:35:18,070
Sure, sure. Not hard at all.

955
00:35:19,630 --> 00:35:21,429
Thank you all for your guidance.

956
00:35:22,670 --> 00:35:23,730
I'm a tea merchant.

957
00:35:24,190 --> 00:35:26,070
You could say I know absolutely nothing

958
00:35:26,070 --> 00:35:27,469
about the salt industry.

959
00:35:28,429 --> 00:35:28,880
Heizi.

960
00:35:29,260 --> 00:35:30,460
Bring out the gifts

961
00:35:30,510 --> 00:35:31,239
we prepared.

962
00:35:32,730 --> 00:35:34,329
He even brought gifts for us.

963
00:35:35,150 --> 00:35:36,480
This Gu Pingyuan is quite thoughtful.

964
00:35:36,480 --> 00:35:38,079
This is my own homegrown tea,

965
00:35:38,320 --> 00:35:39,650
called Orchid Snow tea.

966
00:35:41,039 --> 00:35:41,820
The Empress Dowager

967
00:35:41,820 --> 00:35:42,400
has bestowed upon it the title

968
00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:44,070
of "Top Tea Under Heaven."

969
00:35:44,159 --> 00:35:45,710
Top Tea Under Heaven?

970
00:35:45,960 --> 00:35:47,230
As this is our first meeting,

971
00:35:47,230 --> 00:35:48,400
please accept this small gift.

972
00:35:48,400 --> 00:35:50,369
Everyone, please take it home
and give it a try.

973
00:35:50,369 --> 00:35:53,389
{\an8}[Orchid Snow]

974
00:35:53,420 --> 00:35:54,190
Mr. Gu.

975
00:35:54,440 --> 00:35:56,500
We all know you have good intentions,

976
00:35:56,670 --> 00:35:57,280
but good intentions

977
00:35:57,280 --> 00:35:59,230
are useless in business.

978
00:36:00,150 --> 00:36:01,360
The apprentices in salt shops

979
00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:03,510
need at least 3 years to
complete their training.

980
00:36:03,510 --> 00:36:04,409
Indeed.

981
00:36:04,480 --> 00:36:05,460
With just a few words from us,

982
00:36:05,460 --> 00:36:06,190
there's no way to turn you into

983
00:36:06,190 --> 00:36:06,880
an expert.

984
00:36:07,590 --> 00:36:08,230
Mr. Gu.

985
00:36:08,719 --> 00:36:09,670
You're too young—

986
00:36:09,670 --> 00:36:11,400
you're no match for Li Million.

987
00:36:11,840 --> 00:36:12,440
Everyone.

988
00:36:13,929 --> 00:36:14,840
I may never become

989
00:36:14,840 --> 00:36:16,369
an expert in this lifetime.

990
00:36:18,070 --> 00:36:19,329
But it doesn't matter.

991
00:36:20,760 --> 00:36:21,889
What matters is that

992
00:36:22,920 --> 00:36:24,550
all of you here are experts.

993
00:36:25,309 --> 00:36:27,070
His Excellency personally told me

994
00:36:27,070 --> 00:36:29,030
that he wants the salt industry profits
made in Lianghuai

995
00:36:29,030 --> 00:36:30,480
to stay in Lianghuai.

996
00:36:32,710 --> 00:36:33,679
Therefore,

997
00:36:33,710 --> 00:36:34,900
this battle between Li Wantang and me

998
00:36:34,900 --> 00:36:36,230
isn't one I'm fighting—

999
00:36:36,670 --> 00:36:38,269
it's you who're fighting it.

1000
00:36:38,670 --> 00:36:40,300
And you must win this battle for me,

1001
00:36:40,300 --> 00:36:42,039
and for yourselves!

1002
00:36:42,670 --> 00:36:44,869
Starting today, I'm setting a new rule:

1003
00:36:45,030 --> 00:36:47,000
for all salt shops,

1004
00:36:47,320 --> 00:36:49,030
we'll split the net profit 30-70.

1005
00:36:49,030 --> 00:36:50,300
-30-70?
-30-70?

1006
00:36:50,510 --> 00:36:51,400
I'll take 30%,

1007
00:36:52,440 --> 00:36:53,630
and you'll take 70%.

1008
00:36:53,739 --> 00:36:54,400
How's that?

1009
00:36:55,190 --> 00:36:56,039
Mr. Gu,

1010
00:36:56,710 --> 00:36:58,599
are you joking with us?

1011
00:36:58,760 --> 00:37:00,210
The boss takes 30%

1012
00:37:00,320 --> 00:37:01,699
and the staff take 70%?

1013
00:37:02,110 --> 00:37:03,940
Isn't that completely upside down?

1014
00:37:03,940 --> 00:37:04,710
When I do business,

1015
00:37:04,710 --> 00:37:05,929
I never joke.

1016
00:37:06,110 --> 00:37:06,800
As long as

1017
00:37:06,840 --> 00:37:08,150
I'm still in this position,

1018
00:37:08,150 --> 00:37:09,920
this rule will never change.

1019
00:37:10,070 --> 00:37:11,230
-Great!
-Excellent!

1020
00:37:11,230 --> 00:37:11,960
Mr. Gu,

1021
00:37:12,230 --> 00:37:13,710
we'll fight this battle with you

1022
00:37:13,710 --> 00:37:14,699
and win it!

1023
00:37:14,840 --> 00:37:15,840
For Mr. Gu,

1024
00:37:15,960 --> 00:37:17,230
we'll win this battle!

1025
00:37:18,030 --> 00:37:19,630
Let me say this one last time.

1026
00:37:19,800 --> 00:37:21,260
It's not about me winning.

1027
00:37:21,590 --> 00:37:23,280
It's about you winning!

1028
00:37:27,530 --> 00:37:30,570
{\an8}[600 copper coins per bundle]

1029
00:37:30,500 --> 00:37:32,210
Mr. Gu said to lower it
by another 100 copper coins.

1030
00:37:30,570 --> 00:37:33,280
{\an8}[Gu's Salt Shop]

1031
00:37:32,400 --> 00:37:32,800
Got it.

1032
00:37:33,380 --> 00:37:35,820
{\an8}[500 copper coins per bundle]

1033
00:37:35,400 --> 00:37:36,400
500 copper coins.

1034
00:37:37,070 --> 00:37:38,710
Today we're changing the price to...

1035
00:37:38,710 --> 00:37:40,309
300 copper coins per bundle.

1036
00:37:40,440 --> 00:37:41,369
Go and notify all shops

1037
00:37:41,369 --> 00:37:43,480
to change it immediately
and not wait until dark.

1038
00:37:43,480 --> 00:37:43,960
Yes.

1039
00:37:45,070 --> 00:37:45,730
Stop there!

1040
00:37:49,230 --> 00:37:50,030
Young Master.

1041
00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:52,059
We can't do business this way.

1042
00:37:52,119 --> 00:37:53,000
If you keep competing like this,

1043
00:37:53,000 --> 00:37:54,199
when will it ever end?

1044
00:37:54,340 --> 00:37:56,309
The salt brought out from the salt fields
already costs 300 copper coins,

1045
00:37:56,309 --> 00:37:57,760
with food for people
and feed for horses on the way,

1046
00:37:57,760 --> 00:37:59,000
plus all these labor and material costs—

1047
00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:00,800
nobody does business like this!

1048
00:38:08,480 --> 00:38:09,800
So how do you think

1049
00:38:10,670 --> 00:38:12,400
we should do business?

1050
00:38:14,710 --> 00:38:16,030
Anyway, if Master were conscious,

1051
00:38:16,030 --> 00:38:17,760
he would never approve of this.

1052
00:38:18,710 --> 00:38:19,230
Aren't you just

1053
00:38:19,230 --> 00:38:20,960
shooting yourself in the foot?

1054
00:38:21,320 --> 00:38:22,000
Running the shops for one day

1055
00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:23,030
with all these resources

1056
00:38:23,030 --> 00:38:23,550
will cost

1057
00:38:23,550 --> 00:38:24,840
nearly 100,000 taels of silver.

1058
00:38:24,840 --> 00:38:26,230
Is 100,000 taels a lot?

1059
00:38:28,590 --> 00:38:30,110
Of course it's a lot!

1060
00:38:30,440 --> 00:38:31,250
You haven't even

1061
00:38:31,250 --> 00:38:33,250
earned that much from the shops yet.

1062
00:38:44,510 --> 00:38:44,960
Fine.

1063
00:38:46,190 --> 00:38:46,789
Fine then.

1064
00:38:52,230 --> 00:38:52,820
Young Master,

1065
00:38:52,820 --> 00:38:54,820
you really can't compete like this.

1066
00:38:56,920 --> 00:38:57,719
Young Master,

1067
00:38:57,920 --> 00:38:59,730
please don't be childish.

1068
00:38:59,800 --> 00:39:00,760
He's an amateur—

1069
00:39:01,000 --> 00:39:02,400
do you want to be one too?

1070
00:39:03,369 --> 00:39:04,630
I am an amateur indeed.

1071
00:39:06,519 --> 00:39:06,960
But...

1072
00:39:07,719 --> 00:39:09,199
When the Master wakes up,

1073
00:39:09,219 --> 00:39:11,420
how am I supposed to explain this to him?

1074
00:39:12,670 --> 00:39:13,889
Haven't I told you

1075
00:39:13,920 --> 00:39:14,710
that before my father wakes up,

1076
00:39:14,710 --> 00:39:15,550
I'm the boss?

1077
00:39:15,570 --> 00:39:18,030
I don't need you to teach me
how to do business.

1078
00:39:18,030 --> 00:39:18,670
Besides,

1079
00:39:19,050 --> 00:39:20,440
if I didn't know how, I would ask you.

1080
00:39:20,440 --> 00:39:22,369
If you make a scene in public again,

1081
00:39:22,630 --> 00:39:24,070
I'll send you packing

1082
00:39:24,110 --> 00:39:24,889
back to the capital.

1083
00:39:24,889 --> 00:39:25,960
Do you understand?

1084
00:39:28,030 --> 00:39:29,880
Also, is 100,000 taels of silver a lot?

1085
00:39:29,880 --> 00:39:30,230
Sure it is.

1086
00:39:30,230 --> 00:39:31,550
So who do you think can afford that,

1087
00:39:31,550 --> 00:39:32,579
us or Gu Pingyuan?

1088
00:39:32,960 --> 00:39:33,800
My approach is

1089
00:39:33,820 --> 00:39:34,750
to settle this with him

1090
00:39:34,750 --> 00:39:35,610
within 10 days.

1091
00:39:35,940 --> 00:39:37,070
Six months is too long.

1092
00:39:37,070 --> 00:39:39,400
I don't have that much time
to waste on him.

1093
00:40:18,900 --> 00:40:21,250
{\an8}[My name is Chang Yu'er.
Husband Gu Pingyuan.]

1094
00:40:25,900 --> 00:40:28,300
Why didn't you tell me
you were coming back?

1095
00:40:28,320 --> 00:40:30,159
I thought I'd come back to check
if Mother's awake yet.

1096
00:40:30,159 --> 00:40:31,230
There's no point in checking.

1097
00:40:31,230 --> 00:40:32,110
Come on, let's go.

1098
00:40:32,110 --> 00:40:32,480
Let's go.

1099
00:40:32,480 --> 00:40:33,940
What are you writing here?

1100
00:40:34,150 --> 00:40:35,139
Nothing. It's nothing.

1101
00:40:35,139 --> 00:40:37,139
What's this "Husband Gu Pingyuan"?

1102
00:40:37,230 --> 00:40:38,679
I-It's nothing.

1103
00:40:38,829 --> 00:40:39,480
Let me see.

1104
00:40:41,199 --> 00:40:42,190
Go quickly. Weren't you going to check...

1105
00:40:42,190 --> 00:40:43,519
How about I check on you?

1106
00:40:46,889 --> 00:40:47,820
Check on me then.

1107
00:40:59,590 --> 00:41:00,300
I'll go make you something to eat.

1108
00:41:00,300 --> 00:41:00,960
Move aside.

1109
00:41:21,000 --> 00:41:22,929
It's tea harvesting season again,

1110
00:41:23,630 --> 00:41:24,760
yet we can't go back.

1111
00:41:28,150 --> 00:41:30,010
If Mother's health were better,

1112
00:41:30,960 --> 00:41:33,559
I'd really want to take Mother
back to Huizhou.

1113
00:41:33,840 --> 00:41:35,639
Didn't you find someone to help?

1114
00:41:35,960 --> 00:41:37,219
What's the use of that?

1115
00:41:38,190 --> 00:41:40,050
Mr. Liao isn't going back either.

1116
00:41:40,840 --> 00:41:43,150
This year, we won't even
be able to harvest

1117
00:41:43,150 --> 00:41:44,949
a single tael of Orchid Snow tea.

1118
00:41:46,320 --> 00:41:47,480
Brew some tea from home

1119
00:41:47,480 --> 00:41:49,010
for Mother to taste as well.

1120
00:41:49,230 --> 00:41:51,559
Don't let her drink medicine all the time.

1121
00:42:12,070 --> 00:42:12,920
Go eat.

1122
00:42:13,480 --> 00:42:14,940
Father is waiting for you.

1123
00:42:16,070 --> 00:42:17,869
Mr. Chang must've been worried.

1124
00:42:22,150 --> 00:42:24,000
If we're talking about transporting salt

1125
00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:24,960
by land,

1126
00:42:25,150 --> 00:42:26,480
that's a simple matter.

1127
00:42:27,150 --> 00:42:29,440
I've been running the horse gang
my whole life.

1128
00:42:29,440 --> 00:42:30,900
The amount of salt you have

1129
00:42:30,920 --> 00:42:32,000
would only take one horse caravan

1130
00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:33,070
making 3 to 5 trips

1131
00:42:33,190 --> 00:42:34,320
to transport it all.

1132
00:42:36,070 --> 00:42:36,800
I think

1133
00:42:37,440 --> 00:42:38,900
the most urgent matter now

1134
00:42:39,030 --> 00:42:41,030
is that the salt price isn't rising.

1135
00:42:41,280 --> 00:42:43,030
If you keep pushing yourself like this,

1136
00:42:43,030 --> 00:42:44,630
when will it ever end?

1137
00:42:46,150 --> 00:42:47,190
I want to transport salt

1138
00:42:47,190 --> 00:42:47,809
from Sichuan.

1139
00:42:47,809 --> 00:42:48,469
Si... Si...

1140
00:42:49,110 --> 00:42:50,000
Sichuan?

1141
00:42:50,710 --> 00:42:52,570
Although Sichuan's well salt

1142
00:42:52,630 --> 00:42:53,630
is cheap indeed,

1143
00:42:54,360 --> 00:42:55,550
what you're engaged in now

1144
00:42:55,550 --> 00:42:56,960
is a price war.

1145
00:42:58,670 --> 00:42:59,599
Don't tell me

1146
00:43:00,000 --> 00:43:01,280
you're thinking of
trafficking illegal salt.
