Original subtitles

=Royal Upstart 2= (Based on "Zhenguan Foolish Son-in-Law")

=Episode 19=

(The Birth of Gunpowder)

Oh, man!

Marquis!

Marquis Wei!

Marquis,

how are you feeling?

I'm fine.

What happened here?

I was over there studying gunpowder,

but I accidentally lost control.

As a result,

it caught fire.

So it was gunpowder.

How is the research going?

This man is a manager in our Ministry of Works.

He talks about researching gunpowder every day.

He saw some charlatans

make some soil that could burn,

so he wanted to make it himself.

In the end,

it's been three years with zero progress.

Gunpowder

actually has many great uses.

If we can figure it out,

it would be a huge help to the Great Yong.

Marquis Wei,

you have a keen eye.

If this gunpowder is handled well,

it will have a massive impact.

For example,

it can ignite

things we usually can't set on fire.

Also,

if our army

is fighting the enemy,

and we put some gunpowder on their rations,

and once ignited,

the fire will spread instantly.

At that point,

the enemy won't even have time to put it out.

This way,

we would be able to

quickly destroy the enemy's food supplies.

What a load of rubbish.

Wouldn't gasoline be faster?

Gasoline?

You...

You're just wasting gunpowder.

Marquis Wei, from what you are saying,

it sounds like you know how to make it too?

(This young brat)

(actually dares to say he can make gunpowder in front of me?)

Marquis Wei,

I am much older than you.

You really shouldn't talk so big.

Is this gunpowder

something a person your age

could create?

It's not that hard.

Just wait.

I'll whip some up for you right now to show you how it's done.

Minister Duan,

get me some bamboo tubes.

Bam... Bamboo tubes?

Don't you know what they are?

Go on.

What's wrong?

Are you afraid I will burn down the Ministry?

You should ask around about me.

I'm loaded.

With what I earn in a day, I could buy several of these buildings.

Now go.

Marquis, let's just hurry and focus on the refined salt.

This gunpowder isn't important.

It's fine.

It won't take long.

I don't want those people in the Ministry

looking down on me every day,

acting like they're so great.

I'm not bragging,

but across everyone

in the entire Ministry,

when it comes to making things,

if I say I'm second,

who would dare claim to be first?

Go.

Get moving.

(No wonder His Majesty said)

(that Wei the Fool never thinks before he speaks.)

(The things he says are enough to infuriate anyone.)

(Heaven knows how many people he has offended.)

(Ganlu Palace)

(Stillborns from close kin. Proof from Ancient Teachings and Laws)

This is regarding marriages between close relatives?

Your Majesty,

my family

is in the same situation.

We didn't know why before,

but I never expected

it to be...

Your Majesty,

this matter deserves our full attention.

If this is true,

we must strictly enforce this.

The Great Yong's

population is already small.

During the previous wars,

many people lost their lives.

Now that Great Yong has become somewhat stable,

this is exactly when we need to grow our population.

Your Majesty,

why the sudden investigation into this?

Wei Hao mentioned it to Ning'an before.

(Wei Hao again.)

Then,

the Empress and I sent people to investigate further.

Ministry of Revenue,

you all must send men to investigate again.

If it is the case,

from this day forward,

marriages between close relatives must be banned.

Naturally,

the Ministry of Rites and Personnel should also promote this.

- Yes. - Yes.

Especially for the local officials,

we must ensure they handle this strictly.

We cannot allow such things to happen anymore.

Look at this.

It is horrifying.

How many children have died young

every year because of this?

How many adults

have lost their lives along with them?

Yes.

Someone, come here.

Your Majesty.

Do you know where that sound came from?

Your Majesty,

it sounded like it came from the Ministry of Works.

Your Majesty,

I'll go and take a look.

Fine.

The rest of you, go to the dining hall

and stay for lunch.

- Yes. - Yes.

Fuji,

you stay for a moment.

Fuji,

about this matter,

at first, the Empress and I

thought Ning'an made it up to deceive us.

I never expected

it to be true.

Therefore,

regarding the marriage between Ning'an and Chong,

we really need to consider it carefully.

(With these reports, is there even anything left to consider?)

(His Majesty and my sister will certainly not agree now.)

Your Majesty,

if it is as the reports say,

we should indeed give it some serious thought.

Your Majesty,

Duke Cheng has sent word.

Marquis Wei was the one who caused that commotion.

Wei the Fool?

What is he up to now?

(Wei Hao,)

(you have repeatedly displeased me.)

(Don't blame me for being hard on you.)

(Ganlu Palace)

What happened here?

Greetings, officials.

Wei Hao,

what is going on?

Father-in...

(Can I still not call him that?)

(I thought I could once I was out of prison?)

(No.)

Your Majesty, didn't I go to the Ministry of Works to check the salt?

I helped them prepare some gunpowder while I was at it.

Since it was the first experiment,

I added just a little bit too much.

So,

(Ganlu Palace) you were the one behind all this noise?

Your Majesty,

Wei Hao has disturbed your presence.

I believe he should be severely punished.

Who are you?

Wei Hao,

this is Minister Zhangsun.

Do not be so rude.

(Zhangsun Chong's father?)

Oh, Uncle.

What do you mean by "Uncle"?

Aren't you my uncle whose son

wants to marry Ning'an?

You brat! How dare you...

It really is you.

Well, I have a few things to say to you.

(Ganlu Palace) Wei the Fool.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty,

Marquis Wei just helped the Ministry of Works formulate gunpowder.

This gunpowder is incredibly powerful.

If it is used by the military,

the strength of the Great Yong army

will be greatly enhanced.

It could reduce casualties by at least 70 percent.

Is the stuff

that useful?

Wei Hao,

this gun...

powder,

what is it all about?

Your Majesty, we've already tested it at the Ministry.

We accidentally blew up a house.

Its power is not an issue.

Yes,

Marquis Wei is telling the truth.

Everyone

at the Ministry of Works can testify.

The power of this gunpowder is shocking.

It left them all stunned.

And this is just the crude gunpowder.

Once I've refined it,

I bet I could blow down city walls.

What?

Blow down city walls?

Wei Hao,

stop talking nonsense here.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

If you don't believe it,

I can demonstrate

the power of the gunpowder now.

Your Majesty,

(Ganlu Palace) I heard the explosion from the Ministry,

which sounded just like thunder.

I would also like to see

exactly what this gunpowder is.

I want to see it too!

Fine.

Minister Duan, give me the gunpowder.

Your Majesty,

the power of this gunpowder is too great.

Please, Your Majesty and officials,

move to an open area for the test.

No need.

Let's begin.

Blow it up right here?

Blow it.

Your Majesty,

the gunpowder is very powerful.

It's better if you all stay further back.

Is this not far enough?

Not enough.

There will be a shockwave in a moment.

Come on, move back.

Your Majesty,

your health is paramount.

It would be best to watch from above.

Fine.

Uncle, you should head up quickly too.

Stop trying to claim a relation with me.

At my age,

is there anything I haven't seen?

Could this little bit of gunpowder

really bother me?

Some people are just beyond help.

♪Everyone says I'm a big silly fool♪

♪When things happen, I only know how to count on my fingers♪

♪They shake their heads and say I'm pitiful♪

♪Sigh and walk away♪

♪Little do they know, I am sharp and bright♪

♪With a heart like a mirror, I understand the world's♪

♪Colors and darkness♪

♪But I keep my edge hidden♪

♪The day I become famous is just around the corner♪

♪In the hotpot restaurant, skewers boil in the broth♪

♪People come and go, with few worries or troubles♪

♪The clacking of the abacus rings out♪

♪See me differently. Who dares to challenge me?♪

♪The world mistakes me♪

♪For an ignorant and stubborn fool♪

♪As the storm approaches♪

♪I just shrug and watch with a smile♪

♪This foolish image is convenient♪

♪I use it as a protective shield♪

♪Navigating with ease, I attract♪

♪A lucky star to accompany me♪

♪In a peaceful golden age♪

♪I hold my lady's hand to watch the world♪

♪Pouring youth and fireworks♪

♪Into a precious glazed cup♪

♪Having experienced life's changes♪

♪And tasted its highs and lows♪

♪My wish has finally come true♪

♪To stay by your side♪

♪In this fleeting world♪

♪We are free and happy♪

♪From a nobody♪

♪To someone now famous♪

♪Ordinary people laugh at me♪

♪But I laugh at how they cannot see through it all♪

♪Let others plot and scheme♪

♪I will keep my heart unchanged♪

♪In this vast world♪

♪I find my own leisurely freedom♪

♪The world is bustling, and things constantly change♪

♪Everything ends eventually♪

♪All that remains before my eyes♪

♪Is this street wandering, still tinged with pity♪

♪No matter how time flies♪

♪Even if the falling snow♪

♪Dyes the hair at our temples white♪

♪All I want now♪

♪Is to pray for my lady's peace and safety♪

♪Year after year♪