Original subtitles

[The Heir]

[Episode 18]

[Entry Permit for the Tribute Ink Selection]

His Majesty

has moved up the Tribute Ink selection.

Looking across Huizhou,

the Tian family is stuck in lawsuits,

while the Chen family

hasn't launched anything new

except the Scholar Ink.

Driven by stress, Lord Yan

came to us and tried

to reconcile us and Zhen.

Today,

we rejected his kindness.

We should pay a visit to him

someday

and apologize in person.

The problem is how we express our apologies.

Are we going to bring Li Zhen along?

If so, before that happens,

should we also hold a grand ceremony

to welcome the Eighth Branch back?

Well said.

Lord Yan obviously looks down on the Li family

and thinks everyone of us as incompetent.

For insisting that we must attend

the Tribute Ink selection with that girl,

he's such a foolish eunuch.

In my opinion, it is he

who owes an apology to the Sixth Uncle and the Third Brother.

Enough.

If this gets out,

where will the Li family stand?

You must refrain from saying such words again.

Do you hear me?

Yes, Sister-in-law.

As a matter of fact,

Lord Yan took that action

because he holds the Li family in high regard.

He holds us in high regard?

Does that mean he has to attach the Eighth Branch to us?

Sister-in-law,

you also think that we should have Zhen back for the selection,

don't you?

Didn't Zhen already make it clear?

She refuses to come back.

As someone expelled from the clan,

is she even entitled to refuse anything?

Sister-in-law,

do you mean

that if Zhen agrees,

we should admit her back into the clan?

Is it what you're suggesting?

Shut up!

Are you out of your mind, huh?

The Li family

has declined to such a state.

If there were full of talents and excellent ink products

like before,

would Lord Yan

have said those words today?

Father, are you saying

that even you don't think

I'm able to create the new Yunsong Ink?

None of you have faith in me, do you?

Nobody in this family believes in me, right?

Jingdong!

You...

Father.

Aunt Rujun.

Over the past few months,

Jingdong has spent days and nights in the ink workshop.

He would even sacrifice his soul

to the new Yunsong Ink if it could help.

I believe we will surely

be granted the privilege to produce the Tribute Ink

if we send Jingdong's creation to the selection.

Halt!

Sit down.

This is my fault.

This is all my fault.

I fought Jinshui for nearly

the entirety of my life.

I also forced Jingdong to compete with Jingqi

and Jingfu

when he was little.

The Tribute Ink case years ago

took Jingqi's life.

Jingfu

died outside

and couldn't even be buried in the ancestral grave.

Jinshui was expelled from the clan.

He even swore an oath

to never make ink anymore.

There's no one left for me and my son to fight against.

Given that,

we've been tormenting each other.

You, Jingdong, are always

harboring resentment and antagonizing others.

As for your wife,

she is cautious in every way,

trying to protect and pamper you

out of fear of more damage to your legs,

which will break your heart again.

And your son...

Every day, he is busy doing heaven knows what

and never steps into the ink workshop.

Look what has become

of a perfectly fine young man.

You're criticizing me.

Then what about you?

Apart from supervising production in the ink workshop,

have you ever made one single piece of new ink?

That aside, you even

picked a terrible man

for your daughter as her husband!

Aren't you ashamed when you reprimand me?

It's the father's fault for not properly educating his son!

Jingdong!

You've gone way out of line.

Quick, come with me.

Old Madam,

Sixth Master,

something happened in the ink workshop!

Old Madam,

Sixth Master,

Manager Shao is taking a group of ink-makers

to the ancestral hall to petition for Miss Li Zhen.

Sixth Master.

Young Master.

What are you lot up to?

Sixth Master,

glad that you came.

Upon hearing about the main family's discussion

on whether to let Miss Li Zhen return for the Tribute Ink selection,

we decided to come and petition for her.

Sixth Master,

we wrongly blamed Miss Li Zhen

for the previous ink recipe incident.

We'd like to apologize to her in person.

That's right, Sixth Master.

The ancient lacquer-soot ink recreated by Miss Li Zhen

has become a top seller in Li Ink.

And her creation of Fu Jin Ink is deeply favored by Lord Yan.

Plus, the medicinal ink

is a legacy left by the Li ancestors.

It's only reasonable to enter these two types of ink

into the Tribute Ink selection.

If Miss Li Zhen returns,

Li Ink will surely regain the privilege to produce the Tribute Ink.

-Sixth Master, -Sixth Master,

-please let Miss Li Zhen back. -please let Miss Li Zhen back.

So none of you believe the Sixth Branch then?

You don't think I, Li Jingdong, am

competent for the Tribute Ink selection, do you?

Manager Shao.

Young Master,

I don't mean any of that.

We just want what's the best for Li Ink.

Jingdong,

don't be rude to Manager Shao.

Father,

as the manager of the ink workshop,

he's meddling with the main family's affairs,

and has gathered

a large group of workers

to petition for Li Zhen.

Isn't he overstepping his boundaries?

I'm only voicing what we all have in our hearts.

We're acting solely in the best interests of the main family.

What main family?

The Eighth Branch?

Is Li Zhen your master now?

Sixth Master,

please be the judge here.

We are...

doing this in good faith.

The Tian family is troubled by lawsuits.

The Chen family can't offer a top-tier ink product as of now.

This year,

Li Ink stands

the highest chance of winning.

Please let Miss Li Zhen come back

so as to reclaim the authority over the Tribute Ink.

-Reclaim the authority! -Reclaim the authority!

Listen up, all of you.

Even without Li Zhen,

I, Li Jingdong, am

still able to regain the privilege of producing the Tribute Ink.

Now, go back to your work.

Move!

We in the Sixth Branch are

incapable of sustaining the Li family.

My son is incapable

of managing Li Ink well.

I, Li Jinhe, am woefully incompetent.

I'm so incompetent.

Father, stop hitting him!

Or Jingfu will die!

If you must hit someone, hit me!

I volunteer...

to be removed...

from the family register.

Please.

Please save my father.

Please come out here.

Mother,

just because our names were removed from the family register,

does that mean we're no longer part of the Li family?

From today on,

forget about that home.

This is our home now.

Do you understand?

Yes.

I'll kill anyone

who dares to touch us!

The ritual is completed.

Sister,

did you ask me to come

talk about

the Tribute Ink selection?

Li Zhen has declined Lord Yan's invitation to the selection.

This matter is now known

to everyone in Huizhou.

You are seeking cooperation

with both Li Ink

and the New Li Ink.

Her absence from the Tribute Ink selection will inevitably

affect the military supplies procurement.

You should try to persuade her.

In recent years,

ink-making talents in Huizhou have dwindled.

Other prefectures have been in charge of the Tribute Ink production for years.

For nearly a year,

among all the new Hui Ink products,

only the ancient lacquer-soot ink and the Nine-Treasure Ink

have stood out.

And both of them

are creations of Li Zhen.

Given that, you should understand the importance

of her attending the selection.

Sister, I understand that.

However... it is I

who has been taking care of our ink business in Huizhou.

Please don't worry, Sister.

I'm not doubting your ability.

The military supplies procurement

is just too significant an issue.

We are deeply indebted to Marshal Qi and the general,

so naturally this heavy responsibility should be ours.

No blunders

are allowed in this matter.

I know.

"I wonder if things will remain

the same after today."

It's a doubt about

whether joy will continue after today.

What is it now?

Something on your mind?

The poet did an even better job writing the last sentence:

"Savor today's happiness while it lasts,

as what tomorrow brings is not our concern."

It's truly difficult for ordinary people

to reach the famous poet Mr. Tao's state of mind.

Look,

the weather is lovely today.

If you can't continue with the reading,

why not take Mr. Tao's advice

and have some tea

and pastries,

so as to savor today's joy while it lasts?

Stop beating around the bush.

Just say whatever on your mind.

I'm not trying to say anything.

I haven't visited the New Li Ink Workshop

since the renovation was done.

That's why I came see you.

Don't you have

anything else to say?

No, nothing.

You're right.

The weather is so lovely

today.

Staying indoors to read

would be a waste of beautiful scenery.

Do you have time today?

Yes.

I'll take you somewhere then.

Let's go now.

Careful.

Whenever I feel distraught,

I would come here.

Every time I'm at this place,

I would feel much better.

Mr. Dongtu is unattached to the mundane world,

while you, Zhen, are

a lady of her word.

I truly find you admirable.

I'm so flattered, Master Qi.

This is just the beginning.

Realizing Mr. Dongtu's dream

is by no means

an overnight effort.

Fine.

Then from today on,

count me in.

I know you came

meet me today just to talk me

into attending the Tribute Ink selection.

Over these few days,

everyone thinks I should attend the Tribute Ink selection.

But they are unaware

that the Tribute Ink

is like a thorn in my side.

Every time I think of it,

all that comes to mind

is the whipping my father was punished with,

the pouring rain in which I knelt before the Li Residence

with my brother,

the tears my mother shedded

in front of my father's memorial tablet without us knowing,

and my grandfather's hands,

stained dark by years of working with ink—

yet they could never touch ink again.

I hate to get involved in the family power struggle.

I also hate to be a pawn

in the Tribute Ink battle.

I want to be away from those nightmares as far as possible.

Do you know why I haven't

brought up the Tribute Ink today at all?

Because what I value...

is you,

Zhen.

This has nothing to do with you attending the Tribute Ink selection or not.

Plus, as I'm looking at this pinewood again today,

I'm feeling more assured

that even without the authority over the Tribute Ink,

you, Li Zhen,

will definitely become Ming's

best ink maker one day.

Ming's

best ink maker?

I aspire

to become a much greater ink maker

than my grandfather.

I want everyone in Huizhou—

no—

everyone in Ming

to know my name, Li Zhen.

I believe you.

Your words

have reminded me of an old friend.

I guess it must be...

that

cowardly little boy, right?

Don't say that about my friend.

Fine, sure.

If he were still alive,

he would be

about your age now.

But he surely wouldn't be as tall as you.

Because you said he was only this big last time.

Qi Jiu,

I never thought you'd come

for something other than to persuade me.

You are the first one

who isn't trying to talk me into attending the Tribute Ink selection.

But I'm aware

that you came to Huizhou this time

exactly for the selection.

My decision might put you in a tough spot.

If you want to withdraw your investment in the New Li Ink Workshop,

I'll have no complaints.

No, no.

I've always trusted my own judgment.

It's just

that I trust you even more right now.

So I definitely won't withdraw my investment

in the New Li Ink Workshop.

Zhen,

just do whatever you want.

Then...

If the New Li Ink Workshop performs

better and better in the future,

I'll be glad to give you an extra share of the benefits

as a reward for your trust in me today.

Good.

I'll be waiting to receive

dividends from you then, Zhen.

No problem.

This pinewood

is the witness to our pact.

Sure.

Come on,

dear guests,

this way, please.

Ronghua, I hope this letter finds you well.

Autumn has just arrived.

How are you in the capital?

Everything is as usual in Huizhou.

The New Li Ink Workshop has started off on the right track.

An adequate number of ink-makers and workers have been hired.

This time,

I've even managed to recruit a female worker.

The business is picking up.

Ronghua, will you

return to Huizhou for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival?

If you will,

we must have a proper gathering.

Ronghua.

Mother.

Be seated.

I'm so sorry that Qi unluckily

passed away due to a sudden illness

before he could marry you.

Today, I'm here to ask you

about your plans for the future.

Mother,

although I couldn't become your daughter-in-law for real,

you treat me as your own, and saved

the Tian family from grave trouble.

For that, I'm deeply grateful.

Mother, if you don't mind,

I'd love to be a loyal companion to you forever,

paying respects morning and evening,

so as to repay your great kindness by fulfilling filial duties

in the Young Master's stead.

Get up.

Sit down.

Ronghua,

you may call me Aunt from now on.

Yes, Aunt Wan.

I will keep that in mind.

Given your young age,

staying in the manor all day will definitely bore you.

How about this?

In a few days,

I will take you to meet Sage Qing He.

He is now a noble royal preceptor.

If he agrees to let you stick around,

you'll get to see more of the world.

There you are, Hua'er.

Hua'er.

Zhen!

Hua'er.

The New Li Ink Workshop's business

is really booming now.

Come sit down.

Here, be seated.

Zhen,

let me tell you some good news.

Starting today,

I will be working in the New Li Ink Workshop.

Really?

Really.

Has the Seventh Grandmother agreed?

Yes. Not only that,

she also asked me to bring you something.

She said the freshly fermented stinky mandarin fish inside

is your favorite, Zhen.

So she had me deliver it to you in person.

How considerate of the Seventh Grandmother.

But why are there pine branches on top?

The Seventh Grandmother said this is a Huizhou tradition.

It symbolizes

everlasting prosperity

and good luck.

So, I plucked some from the pine yard.

That was why I came a bit late.

Anything wrong?

What's wrong?

It's the fish head.

Just the fish head.

Zhen, you gave me such a fright.

I have so much more to say,

yet I can't speak it out now.

Alright.

My bad, Hua'er.

Go on. Go on with your talk.

Next, there's a message

from the Seventh Grandmother.

She said, "Little Zhen,

it's up to the Li family to decide about the Tribute Ink selection.

After all, this is an obstacle

that the Li family must tackle on their own.

It is in no way related to you.

Should they win or lose,

it won't concern you.

Little Zhen,

just try your best to run the New Li Ink Workshop.

Also, congratulations on creating Fu Jin Ink

and helping others out of hot water.

That makes you truly worthy of being called upright and honorable."

I didn't say a single word wrong.

Many thanks to the Seventh Grandmother.

Hua'er,

where did you say

you got these pine branches?

The Li family's pine yard.

Anything wrong?

Come with me to the Li family's pine yard.

What for?

Mr. Zhao!

Bring a message to the Sixth Master at Li Ink.

Tell him...

there might be a problem with the Li family's pine yard.

Hua'er, hurry.

This way, Hua'er.

Do be careful.

As I speculated, it is

an outbreak of pine wilt disease.

The ink workshop has the pine yard

inspected once every half a month.

How did they fail to detect this situation?

Pine wilt disease spreads very quickly.

It tends to occur in obscure locations.

Unless one happens to cut off

a pine tree's trunk in the early stages,

the condition can't be noticed.

However, now,

the illness has reached the top branches

and entered an incurable phase.

W-What should we do then?

Li Ink is known for its pine soot ink.

Now, with this outbreak of pine wilt disease,

the production will inevitably decrease.

It'll also likely to affect Li Ink's performance

in the Tribute Ink selection.

Hua'er!

Sixth Grandfather!

Sixth Grandfather.

Hua'er.

Zhen,

how are the pine trees?

Give me the knife!

-Sixth Grandfather! -Sixth Grandfather!

No need to examine those.

I've just had a check over there!

Hold it.

Heaven has turned against us Li family.

Heaven has turned against us Li family!

Old Madam,

Eldest Young Lady.

Sixth Uncle.

It's true.

It's truly the pine wilt disease.

Jinhe,

now, will it be too late

to preserve the woods by cutting down the infected trees?

If we had taken action

half a month earlier,

a patch of the woods might be protected.

But now, the disease is spreading to every corner.

We can do nothing but wait for the trees to recover on their own.

It will take at least three to five years.

The number could go up to as high as ten.

Manager Shao,

how much pine wood is left

in the ink workshop now?

Can it help us finish

all the existing orders?

Old Madam, we have exactly

500 cubic meters of pine wood.

If we use it sparingly,

it might last us for another two months.

Right now,

we have no choice but to pause

the development of new ink.

Pool all the pine wood together

to quickly produce ordered ink.

Send someone out of town

to look for new pine wood

to fill the future shortage.

Mother, are you

giving up on the upcoming Tribute Ink selection?

Rujun,

the Li family has long been

without a foothold.

The Tribute Ink selection

is our only chance to turn things around.

Yes, Mother.

Jinhe,

the Tribute Ink selection is held every few years.

Even if we bail on it this time,

we can still go for it another time.

However, if we stop the supply of pine soot ink,

we'll suffer a loss

of ink buyers.

They will go find another supplier.

When that happens,

the Li family will really become destitute!

Ever since ancient times,

survival has always been

prioritized over prosperity.

The Li family's business

has always centered on

pine soot ink for large orders.

If...

the foundation of our family business is gone,

what else will be left for us?

[Ink Recipe]

Jingdong, it's time to eat.

Take it away. I'm not hungry.

Grab a few bites at least.

I'm telling you to take it away.

Father.

Jingdong,

eat some of it at least.

Don't let Ying's good intentions go to waste.

Father,

the Tribute Ink selection will begin soon.

I'm running out of time.

We won't attend the upcoming Tribute Ink selection.

Father,

what are you talking about?

I'm saying that we're quitting the Tribute Ink selection.

Why?

There's an outbreak of pine wilt disease in the pine yard.

Father,

even with that condition,

we can still go out to look for pine wood.

Why do we have to quit the selection?

Why must we give up, Father?

Father.

Father!

We must not bail on it.

Father,

do you know how much effort I've put

into this selection?

We can't just give up, Father.

Listen to me...

No, you listen to me, Father.

Do you remember what you told me

when I was a child?

You said that men should

always fight

and strive,

and that quitting is not an option.

Do you remember?

You said that the Eighth Branch

was not superior to us the Sixth Branch.

So I took your words.

I was more

hardworking and diligent

than Jingfu and Jingqi

when I was little.

I did it so that one day

everyone would come to realize

that I,

your son Li Jingdong, am

better than them both!

Just hear me out...

Father!

The Eighth Branch has been expelled.

Isn't this the best time for us the Sixth Branch

to prove ourselves?

I will have everyone know

that I, Li Jingdong, am

the backbone of this family!

I am better than that little girl Li Zhen!

The Li family does have a competent heir.

Father,

I don't care what you do.

But I will by no means

back down!

[Champion of Ink Making]

My dear seventh and eighth brothers,

I'm sorry to be a disappointment

to you and the Li family.

I'm sorry.

Zhen, Zhen.

Why are you back so late today?

Mother, after much consideration on the pine wilt disease,

I think I should tell Grandpa about it.

Anyway, Wuyuan isn't far away.

I plan to go pick Grandpa up early tomorrow morning.

You're heading to Wuyuan tomorrow morning?

Yes.

Grandpa?

Father?

Why would you come back?

I got a message from Rujun.

The pine wilt disease outbreak has to be handled at once.

I'm going to the Li Residence now.

B-Be careful then!

Jinshui.

Rujun.

Jinshui, why are you back?

Regarding the pine wilt disease,

Jinhe, Rujun,

what are your plans?

This outbreak could be said

as a lethal blow to Li Ink.

Perhaps Li Ink will have to

miss out on the upcoming Tribute Ink selection.

Due to the pine wilt disease,

the best solution right now

is to withdraw from this selection.

Why, just because you said so?

Who are you to offer any advice to the Li family?

Withdraw?

How could you even

bring yourself to suggest that?

Aunt Rujun,

outsiders can't share weal and woe with Li Ink.

You know better than I do about what kind of situation

the Li family has been reduced to today.

If we give up on this Tribute Ink selection,

there will be no place

for Li Ink in Huizhou anymore.

Jingdong,

I understand you're fully dedicated

to Li Ink.

But now, given the pine wilt disease

and the importance of...

Not many people know about the current condition yet.

We can even afford

century-old pine wood.

All we need to do is procure wood in time.

Even if we try to hide the truth,

how long can we keep it a secret?

Once the news gets out,

the price of pine wood will surely surge.

Merchants will hoard it for a higher price.

If our delivery of goods is delayed,

that will be a disaster.

What disaster could be worse than what happened years ago?

Li Jinshui,

to put it bluntly,

you

and the Eighth Branch

are the root cause of all disasters!

Jingdong!

Aunt Rujun,

I'm wholeheartedly fighting for the best interests of Li Ink.

However,

you keep defending this sinner of the Li family.

Fine.

Now that you all want to give up,

I, Li Jingdong, will set up my own business.

Let's part ways

so you won't be bothered with me anymore!

You vile spawn!

What did you just say?

Say it again, I dare you!

Jinhe...

Jinshui, get up now.

I'm not strong enough to help you up. Get up.

Rujun, Jinshui,

come on.

Take a look at this.

Is this the map of pine trees on Mount Huang?

Yes, exactly.

I got it from the Literary Association.

Over these years,

new pine woods have been discovered,

in which the pine trees are old and solid.

Look.

Jinhe,

you want to enter the mountain?

No, I disagree.

Listen,

Jingdong is making a fuss.

Are you joining him now?

Rujun,

Jingdong is a bit stubborn,

but some of what he said is true.

If we give up on the upcoming Tribute Ink selection,

there will probably be no place

for Li Ink in Huizhou

in the future.

I just checked the ledgers at the ink workshop.

Ten years of heavy taxes have almost

emptied Li Ink's century-old savings.

Business is getting worse day by day.

At this rate, even if we make it through

this outbreak of pine wilt disease,

who knows

if we can make it to the next Tribute Ink selection.

Rujun,

Li Ink might not have another chance.

Please allow me to go find

pine wood in the mountain.

Rujun!

Miss Li, we're getting off work.

Nice work today.

Get some rest then.

Sure.

We're closed for today.

Please come...

Young Lady, are you even going to turn me away?

Sixth Grandfather,

what brings you here?

Good for you.

You've really started your own ink workshop.

It must be no easy job.

Now that you're here, Sixth Grandfather,

please sit down for a cup of tea.

Today, I came here...

to ask you a favor.

Take a seat first.

Sure.

Speak your mind then.

There's an outbreak of pine wilt disease,

yet Li Ink needs pine wood for the Tribute Ink selection.

In a few days,

I'll go to Mount Huang for pine wood.

I'd like you to come back and manage the Li Ink workshop.