Original subtitles

Father Emperor

Greetings, Your Majesty.

Xiao Ning

You are a commoner

How dare you trespass into the forbidden palace grounds?

I brought Xiao Ning here.

He has a plan for governing the country to present to Father Emperor.

Your Highness

The harem must not interfere in state affairs.

This was set by the Grand Emperor

as a rule personally.

I am not the one proposing the policy.

When have I ever interfered in state affairs?

This...

Xiao Ning

Minister Han said that you

harbor intentions to destabilize the state of Dajing

and personally requested an edict against you from me.

Do you admit your guilt?

I am but a commoner

How could I bear such a heavy accusation from the Prime Minister?

Xiao Ning

Everyone knows you wish to become the imperial son-in-law.

It is because you interfered

that the marriage alliance with Beicang was delayed.

If war were to break out,

could you bear the responsibility for the downfall of the court and country?

Prime Minister Han, your words are mistaken.

A nation's strength lies in its own prosperity.

If we fear external invasion

and casually sacrifice the princess's happiness,

then what is the purpose of the countless men of Dajing

who have received the nation's favor?

Are you implying

that the men of Dajing are all cowards?

Nonsense!

Your Majesty

This old minister has no such intention.

Moreover,

I already have a good plan

to ensure that Beicang will not go to war with Dajing.

With all the civil and military officials present,

none would dare make such a bold claim.

You are but a commoner,

do not speak such nonsense here.

Your Majesty

Beicang is remote and relies on a nomadic lifestyle.

Every conflict with Dajing

has been due to a lack of food.

Now, commerce thrives in Dajing.

If we can expand trade to the north and west,

Beicang will naturally benefit as well.

Then there will be no more disputes with Dajing.

Your Majesty,

This must absolutely not be done.

Xiao Ning's method

will transfer our nation's interests to Beicang.

This is an act of betraying the country, Your Majesty.

Prime Minister Han, if you don't understand business, then don't speak.

My way of doing business

is to use Beicang as a transit hub

to trade with various tribes.

All they do is transport goods.

It's just bartering.

This method is excellent.

Your Majesty,

Xiao Ning is merely a merchant.

Chasing profit is a petty pursuit.

Your Majesty must not trust him lightly.

The pillars of our nation should be us noble families.

Your Majesty,

If the noble families prosper, the nation prospers, Your Majesty.

You noble families seize land and act as kings.

You withhold taxes from the court.

To me,

you deceive your superiors and mislead your subordinates.

You disrupt the order of the court.

To the people,

you act tyrannically, inciting the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people.

How do you have the face

to utter the nonsense that the nation prospers with the noble families?

Your Majesty,

If Your Majesty insists on trusting Xiao Ning,

this old minister is willing to resign to show his resolve.

Please be vigilant, Your Majesty.

Please be vigilant, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

Your Majesty actually trusts

a merchant who only seeks profit so much.

I'm afraid this will tarnish your reputation in the history books.

Are you trying to threaten me by resigning from your posts?

Your Majesty,

All the ministers here are the pillars of our court.

If we lose them,

I'm afraid our nation's stability

will be at risk, Your Majesty.

Please reconsider, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

the scholars you personally selected,

nearly a hundred talented men from humble backgrounds,

have all been settled in the Yuxian Pavilion.

With just one word from you,

these power-hungry officials

can immediately be replaced by those scholars

from humble origins.

The national policies submitted a few days ago

were all drafted by those scholars.

To answer Your Majesty,

that is indeed the case.

Very good.

Xiao Ning,

you've done well with this newspaper.

You've actually recruited for me

so many talented pillars of the state.

Are there really nearly a hundred scholars from humble backgrounds?

How could this be...

Weren't you all going to resign?

Hurry up and take off your official hats.

Let those scholars from humble backgrounds take your place.

Go on, take them off, take them off.

Are you all still willing

to serve our nation?

Your Majesty,

we are willing.

Minister Han,

you have served the court for many years.

It's time for you to retire and enjoy your old age at home.

Your Majesty,

This old minister still has some strength left.

I am willing to serve Your Majesty.

That won't be necessary.

The actions of Chancellor Han

have too many matters that need to be investigated.

Return to your residence and await the imperial decree.

Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?

I have served the Great Realm for decades,

working hard without complaint,

dedicating myself wholeheartedly.

I have never broken the law, Your Majesty.

Still pretending?

All those things you've done—

corruption, abuse of power, forming factions for personal gain—

they couldn't even fit in a single book.

Ignorant child!

How dare a mere commoner accuse this old minister?

This is pure slander!

Slander!

It's not slander.

Your Majesty,

I, a humble woman, have here

evidence of the Han family's factionalism and self-serving actions,

as well as proof of their crimes against human life.

Madam

Why are you helping Xiao Ning frame me?

I am the one who has truly protected you all your life.

I am not your wife.

You—

Han Wuguo

You secretly killed my father and brother for your own gain.

Did you really think I didn't know?

You—

You—

You wretch!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

Protect His Majesty!

I'll kill you!

Take Han Wuguo to the Dali Temple for strict interrogation.

I will give justice to the whole world.

Yes.

Ignorant child!

I'll kill you!

Your Majesty is wise.

Your Majesty is wise.

Thank you, Young Master Xiao, for founding the newspaper.

Only then do I have the chance to realize my ambitions.

I am deeply grateful to Young Master Xiao for his great kindness.

It's what I should do.

Thank you, Young Master Xiao.

That's right.

Those noble families

have oppressed ordinary people like us

for so many years.

Now that the Han family has been raided,

the noble families have collapsed.

Young Master Xiao has given us a new lease on life.

Young Master Xiao,

there's no need for that.

Young Master Xiao!

Something's wrong!

My lady has gotten into trouble!

Your lady is in trouble?

Why are you looking for me?

Han Hongzhi,

you're already wanted by the authorities.

And you still dare to do such things?

Why don't you hurry to the Court of Justice and turn yourself in?

Turn myself in?

Young lady

You really are naive.

You've endured for years in the Han family.

Just to see us make fools of ourselves, right?

How could I let you get your way?

Look at how naive and alluring you are.

What are you trying to do?

Don't touch me.

Young lady

My father hasn't been able to perform in bed for a long time.

I guess

he's never truly favored you, has he?

It's fine.

Today

I'll let you experience it for real.

Let go of me.

Let go.

Don't touch me.

Let go.