Original subtitles

(Crowd Murmuring)

The officials have arrived.

And what difference does it make?

Her life is ruined anyway.

Getting involved with that scoundrel,

she could only consider herself unlucky.

Since you care about her,

why don't you help her?

Isn't he just a constable?

(Crowd Murmuring)

Who did this to her?

The scoundrel from the coffin shop.

Every girl here has been ruined by him.

This time,

can we expect justice?

With witnesses and evidence,

he can't escape.

I'm tired,

not running anymore.

Chasing so closely,

like a dog.

Now it's your turn to run.

Son of a bitch.

Dog catcher.

Dog...

Let me go!

Let me go!

Don't let him escape!

Catch him!

What are you doing!

Catch him!

What are you doing!

Catch him!

I'm from the government.

Who would believe that?

We can't let him take the person away.

I'm from the government.

What are you doing!

What are you doing!

My Lord,

it's late and chilly.

Our humble shop has prepared some hot tea

for you to warm up.

I see.

Your son

can stay here first.

Let’s wait

until the case is cleared up.

Sir,

this isn't according to the rules.

Rules?

What rules?

He has been accused of rape and assault by the people.

According to the law, the suspect should be arrested and detained.

Do I need you to teach me

how to handle a case?

Sir,

I'll bring the witnesses right now.

That courtesan wants an explanation.

Isn't this an explanation?

He really thinks too highly of himself.

Get out!

Get out!

My name is Xue Buyi.

I'm a constable.

I've been on duty for ten years,

and I've been a coward for ten years.

Here.

Erniang,

let me help you.

You're here early today.

Always eating plain noodles,

today I made something different,

want to try?

I'm not used to anything else.

That is the taste of you people from Bianliang.

Erniang.

Landowner Wei,

here's the rent for you.

I'll move out in a few days.

Don't do it.

Where else can you go

without this noodle stand?

Your rent is too high.

I can't afford it.

It's not that I want to make it difficult for you.

I truly care about you.

Look at your hands,

they're all callused.

Wouldn't it be better to live a good life with me?

You'd be much better off with...

You want to stand up for her?

OK.

you

pay Erniang's rent for the next few months.

How much?

Ten taels a month,

give me three months' worth first.

Stop picking them up.

Don't say I didn't give you a chance.

That soy sauce,

if you drink a can, it'll cover a tael of silver.

This is none of your business.

Go quickly!

Please.

Cut it out!

It's not like I have to stay here!

If you don't have the ability,

don't show off.

In the end, you still have to rely on Erniang’s face.

Don't take it to heart.

I may be useless.

But at least,

I want to keep this stand for Erniang.

Even if...

Excellent!

Lord Zhang is impressive!

Great footwork!

Let's play another round!

Keep going!

Come on, sir

Good!

Good-for-nothing.

Lord Zhang, have some water.

Sir, look!

Here.

Good！

Lord Zhang, fantastic!

Good!

Excellent!

Tell me,

what do you want from me?

I want to

ask you to assign me a good job.

You've come to your senses.

I just want to earn some silver.

Wait for my word.

Take it to be washed.

Did Jailer Zhang send you over?

For this flood disaster in Hedong City,

the court allocated five hundred thousand taels of relief funds,

all stored in our treasury.

You two will pair up,

and start patrolling tonight,in 24 hours,

without any mistakes.

That's all, we’d disperse.

Go back and prepare.

Alright, let's go.

Foreman,

how is the pay for guarding the treasury calculated?

You want more money?

Then is the salary from the state office given for nothing?

You're quite handy.

No choice,

the kid is clamoring for it.

Which section are you from?

I was newly transferred from the southern section.

You've been in this pit long enough.

I drank too much yesterday.

You really should drink less!

What did Jailer Zhang tell you?

Is there really no extra pay for this job?

Foreman,

this is a little token from our manager.

Come in.

Hey,

here.

Who's this for?

Who do you think?

There are quite a few grain merchants from Linzhou this time,

who all want to come out on top

to sell more stored grain.

Whoever pays more

naturally gets the business.

Taking this step

wasn't that hard after all.

Foreman.

Foreman.

Don't move!

This guy broke into the treasury at night.

Tie him up quickly.

What are you doing!

I'm one of you!

Sir!

Sir!

Stay put.

Make it quick

and you'll suffer less.

Sir,

what does this mean?

Isn't it clear enough?

The prefect of Pingyang City,

Zhang Yuzhi,

secretly colluded with grain merchants

and conspired with bandit leaders

to steal thirty thousand taels of disaster relief silver,

caught with evidence.

Do you

confess?

Sir,

if I were the inside man,

why would I risk my life to catch that thief?

All the guards are dead,

and only you survived.

You thief!

You thief!

You,

help him!

Who are you?

I am the Inspector of Hedong City,

Li Zhen.

This case has been handed over to

the Criminal Investigation Department.

The suspect stays here,

you can leave.

I can't make the decision on this matter.

Go back and wait.

The suspect has confessed with a fingerprint, which is an admission of guilt.

What else is there

to investigate in this case?

Didn't you hear?

The magistrate has already made a decision.

Judicial Commissioner Huang is here!

Judicial Commissioner Huang.

Magistrate Yang.

I didn't know you were coming, Lord Huang.

I apologize for not welcoming you from afar.

Jailer Zhang,

prepare the wine.

Let's skip the wine.

I have some good tea.

Once the case is resolved,

I'll invite Lord Yang for a cup of tea.

Then I will definitely accompany

Lord Huang

to investigate

this case.

Lord Yang, you're busy with official duties at the state office,

so there's no need to

trouble you with this case.

Lord Yang, please feel free to leave.

Do you admit your guilt?

I am being framed.

There are hidden sentries outside the treasury.

Five miles north is the military headquarters.

Once the signal arrow is fired,

reinforcements arrive in

less than half of an incense stick's time.

The sentry layout changes daily,

known only to the day's Foreman.

Without an insider,

how could the bandits eliminate them all?

It was that bearded man.

Tell me more.

That bearded man claimed to be a transferred constable.

I saw it with my own eyes,

that he helped the bandits move the relief silver.

He must have figured out the sentry layout

during patrols.

The person I caught

could easily

handle the sentries

with his agility.

I only

glimpsed the other person,

but he seemed strong,

as many guards had broken bones.

Only Jailer Zhang

could have planted the bearded man.

After all, you're from Eagle Hall.

you're not confused.

Buyi,

how have you been all these years?

Master,

I've disgraced you.

I know it's not easy for you.

But the court established Eagle Hall

to train iron-willed officers.

The current you,

is indeed disappointing.

Master,

please give me another chance.

You caught the person,

do you want to interrogate him?

Fei Erlang,

since the Criminal Investigation Department can find out your identity,

they can also find out about the other two.

Confess quickly.

You officers only

have these tricks.

High-ranking officer,

I pulled off such a big job,

why don't we have a chat?

Let me try.

You can't either.

Brother,

don't move when breaking ribs.

It can easily pierce the organs.

It’s effective.

Buyi,

the Eagle Hall Code includes three tests,

capture,

interrogation,

and execution.

How many did you pass?

Master,

I only passed the "capture" test.

I don't think it's because you're incapable,

it's just that you have sentimental mercy.

So many years have passed,

I thought,

you would have matured.

Seven-faced Fox

and Nine-patterned Dragon,

are they your accomplices?

They asked me

to handle the sentries.

How much each earns

depends on our own ability.

Who is the bearded man?

Fox.

Was he sent by Jailer Zhang?

I don't know.

Did Yang Shouxin instruct you?

I...

Master,he's just a small fry.

The other two are key.

I intervene in this case,

Magistrate Yang will definitely seek higher aid.

Catch those two bandits quickly!

Yes!

You can participate too.

Remember,

a thunderous approach is

the same as a compassionate heart.

Treasury theft case

requires thorough and appropriate handling.

You're doing well.

Stop joking.I'm just an underling.

One word from above,

and we're running ourselves ragged.

Did you get married?

If I got married, wouldn't I tell you?

You didn't get married, did you?

Me?

I've ended up like this.

Brother,

no offense,

but you were amazing before.

Without you, there wouldn't be me.

You were just too stubborn.

If you had pleaded with the master, you could have stayed in the Eagle Hall.

This time, the master is testing you

and it's an opportunity for you.

Take my advice,

don't be as foolish as before.

How should we investigate further?

The silver

isn’t something they can spend just as they wish.

They will definitely find someone to fence the silver.

And it's not a small amount,

there aren't many places that can melt it down.

Do you mean

the underground bank?

Who are you?

We're officials investigating a case.

You're government officials?

Do you know whose place this is?

I'll go check over there.

What are you doing?

Illegally minting copper coins

is a serious crime.

I'll give you a chance.

Have you seen it?

I haven't seen it.

Have you heard of

Nine-patterned Dragon

and Seven-faced Fox?

(Account book)

What's going on?

Sir,

we are all disaster victims,

just trying to find some work to survive.

Please,

let us go.

The case is urgent.

To hell with you!

Screw you!

I told you to shut up!

Stop, please!

I was wrong, I was wrong.

Blabber mouth!

Stop it!

I've had enough of these traitors.

You knew about the underground bank all along?

Yes, I knew.

What did you find?

Just wait.

The clues will come to us.

Oh,you!

It’s all with your blessing.

Hey, here they come.

Have a seat.

Sit.

Let me introduce to you.

These are my disciples.

Li Zhen,

and Xue Buyi.

Landowner Wei.

You know each other?

Quite well.

What a coincidence!

The underground bank you just searched

belongs to Landowner Wei.

Tell Landowner Wei what you think.

Look familiar?

Lord Huang, didn't you say earlier there is no business today,

only friends?

That depends on

whether Landowner Wei wants to be my friend.

Please, Lord Huang.

Our master doesn't drink.

Today,

I just want some information.

Landowner Wei's underground banks are all over Pingyang City.

The clues to the treasury theft

might be there.

Please write down the locations of

all the underground banks.

Lord Huang,

I just help with bookkeeping,

and never been involved in the underground bank business.

I don't know about these things.

Landowner Wei, no need to rush.

Drink this cup of liquor.

Maybe,

you'll remember something.

I don't drink either.

Or let me...

Drink soy sauce.

Waiter.

No need.

I remember now.

I remember now.

Do you think

what we are working for?

Just follow our master...

Take a look over here.

Yes.

Power will come.

Officer, this is a gift for you.

Wealth will come.

The previous rent was too high.

From now on, it's one tael per month.

Dignity will come, too.

This was found in the underground bank.

The other half has already been melted.

Did you find the source?

The coffin shop in the east section.

Bring the culprit to see me

within three days.

What are you doing here again?

I'll ask only once.

Where did this come from?

Official silver

naturally came from the court.

Official silver.

Tell us!

The dye house.

The man had a strong dye smell.

What did he look like?

He deliberately covered his face.

How would I know what he looks like?

Think again.

That man has powerful grip,

he broke one of the workers' arms with his bare hands.

Brother,

Seven-faced Fox.

Nine-patterned Dragon.

Let's go!

Wait!

Every sister here has been ruined by him.

This time,

can we expect justice?

Take it.

Are you resisting arrest?

Do you see it?

Of course.

My face!

You two,

go check over there.

That man has powerful grip.

Nine-patterned Dragon!

Run!

Catch!

Brother,

you were slow.

Too long without practice,

I am rusty.

Hurry!

Let's go!

Go!

Not here!

Not here!

So that's

what Seven-faced Fox means.

Is there any benefit

from this task?

No.

Erniang,

everyone

says your noodles are delicious,

and will come often.

If you

ever need anything,

just ask...

So delicious!

Everyone, dig in.

OK.

Leave them alone,

they can handle it themselves.

This landlady is a good cook and has a kind heart.

Give it to me.

Just don't laugh.

The noodles are good.

But she didn't treat you very well.

Let's not talk about it.

Oh, you're blushing.

Alright.

I was

just thinking,

first it was the bearded man,

then the young boy

This Seven-faced Fox

must have at least five more faces.

The escalating treasury embezzlement case

now demands urgent resolution.

As long as he's a human,

he can't escape.

How do you plan to catch him?

Sir,

may I have a word with you in private?

Just say it.

This is my brother.

The message is from above.

You guys eat.

I'm going to step out for a moment.

That night I realized that

the respect others gave me

was because of Li Zhen.

I wanted to prove to everyone that,

I

deserve their respect.

Have you seen this sachet?

No, I haven't.

Shopkeeper.

This is mine.

Kid,

I found this at the door.

is it yours?

No, it's not.

Mine is here.

Xiao Chong!

Xiao Chong!

Xiao Chong!

You're back.

Sorry,

I used your toilet.

Where's my kid?

Is that your kid?

What have you done to him?

He's fine now.

Have all the underground banks been searched?

Yes.

But no clues about the Seven-faced Fox were found.

Where did Xue Buyi go?

We've been acting separately lately,

so I'm not sure.

Acting separately?

Master,

he's the Seven-faced Fox.

Are you sure?

I've interrogated him,

the mastermind is Yang Shouxin.

Yes.

How was he caught?

I'm slow-witted,

unlike my junior,

So it took more time.

I found him door to door.

As long as Seven-faced Fox testifies against Yang Shouxin,

it will be ironclad evidence.

How can you ensure he won't recant in court

and put us in a perilous position?

Master,

I've remembered everything you taught me.

I have my ways

to make him comply.

Yang Shouxin has gathered a group of desperate warriors in his mansion.

He must know that Seven-faced Fox has been caught.

Those who resist,

kill without mercy!

Yes!

I've long heard of Lord Huang's guards being brave

and decisive in battle.

Today I see,

it's true!

Is Lord Yang implying that I used my guards

to kill innocents indiscriminately?

Isn't that so?

Lord Yang misunderstood me.

I

always comply with legal reasoning.

The Judicial Censor is here!

Lord Yang is the city magistrate,

I am the Judicial Commissioner of Hedong Circuit.

The theft of disaster relief silver

is a major issue.

Lord Yang and I are responsible

for explaining to the court.

Since the Judicial Censor is here to inspect the eight prefectures,

I will clear this case

in front of him.

Bring the person up.

The criminal, Seven-faced Fox

roke into the treasury at night,

killed the guards

and stole the disaster relief silver.

Am I right?

It’s what I did.

Who instructed you?

Yang Shouxin.

Are you referring to the magistrate here?

Exactly.

He has been secretly fighting with the prefect for a long time.

He sent me to steal the silver

to frame the prefect

and bring him down.

Do you have any evidence?

The luminous glass lamp lost

at Yanchi Pavilion three months ago,

the golden buddha statue lost

at Xiaoyun Tower a year ago,

and the coiled dragon jade excavated

from the Han King's tomb three years ago

were all stolen by me.

He likes to collect rare items,

all should be in his mansion.

Lord Yang,

how do you explain this?

My Lord，

what do you think?

Please trouble Lord Huang to escort him back to the capital.

The Dali Temple has ways to make him confess to the crime.

Thank you for your efforts.

Lord Huang,

you and I serve in the same court.

You should know the rules of

the officialdom.

In this matter,

I am just a piece.

My words don't count.

As for the hand that moves the pieces,

I've heard Lord Huang is skilled in chess,

which pieces to take

and which not to,

I need not say.

Excellent Xiaofengtuan.

Superior tea.

Lord Huang, we can discuss any terms

you have.

The main culprit, Yang Shouxin,

committed suicide out of guilt.

And his accomplice, Seven-faced Fox,

seized a knife during the chaos

and was killed on the spot.

What's wrong, brother?

Are we solving a case or dividing spoils?

Only if you take it,

are you one of us.

I've never seen so much.

Buyi,

you handled this case well,

come back to Bianliang City with me.

Thanks for your guidance,master.

Even a small place like Pingyang City

has so much strife.

Bianliang City will

be even more dangerous.

Don't regret it then.

From now on, I'll follow your instructions.

Now that Seven-faced Fox has been brought to justice,

there's no need to keep the child, is there?

Find an abandoned body of similar size,

preferably from the last two days.

You've come this far,

brother.

Don't be foolish.

He's just a child.

OK,

then you adapt a bit more.

What are you going to do?

I want to help you.

We've been brothers for so many years,

can you let me off

just this once?

I consider you a brother, which is why I can't let you do this.

Brother,

this isn't that hard.

Li Zhen,

I beg you to let the child go!

Brother

Have you forgotten?

How many brothers

did we kill at this age

to stay in the Eagle Hall?

Our hands are already

stained with blood.

I had no choice in the past.

We still have no choice now.

I will tell the master that

you killed the child.

From now on,

don't be foolish anymore.

What did the child do wrong?

Wake up, Li Zhen!

It was an accident.

I didn't mean to kill him,

just wanted him to understand that

I couldn't follow

his path.

It's him.

Looking like this?

You said he killed a court official?

That's what the wanted notice says.

Isn't that him in the drawing?

Take him away!

What's wrong?

He's the one who saved you?

Isn’t he an officer?

Go, go, go!

He's a troublemaker.

Let's go.

OK, fine.

Sorry, sorry.

You're not dead yet?

When you were swaggering behind Huang Shining,

did you ever think of today?

Erniang should see what you look like now.

Look at you!

Let's go.

He won't die.

Don’t delay the government's works.

These disaster victims are quite loyal.

It's a pity.

They don't even know they're at death's door.

What do you mean?

Let me tell you,

dozens of people in the Yang household

were killed by Huang Shining and his men.

But Huang Shining thought that wasn't enough,

just getting rid of Yang Shouxin wasn't enough.

He wants a great achievement.

What nonsense are you talking about?

Nonsense?

Yang Shouxin was labeled a rebel,

and I suffered because of it.

You probably don't know, do you?

All those people in the underground banks of Pingyang City were silenced.

The fact that Huang Shining has reached where he is today

is inseparable from you.

You still dare to kick me?

Huang Shining wants to use the heads of those disaster victims

to cement the charge of inciting rebellion.

Those victims are being sent to their deaths.

You've fallen to this state

and have no other way out.

You might as well leave the city with me.

I'll find someone to treat your injuries,

and in return, you protect me,

and you'll have a meal to eat.

Don't push, don't push!

One at a time!

Let me have a look.

What's your name?

I've got plenty of strength.

Stop looking.

Don't cause trouble for me.

Hurry up!

How many people are there below?

There are already over a hundred.

That's enough.

Let's do it tonight.

The remnants of Yang Shouxin's rebel faction

gathered a thousand people on the evening of

the Dingmao day in the Shen month,

intending to stage a rebellion.

Huang Shining, the judicial commissioner of Hedong Circuit,

personally led the guards to suppress the rebellion,

and beheaded a hundred bandits,

vowing to ensure local peace.

The medicine might hurt,

but it works.

Leaving

might not be shameful.

But I can't get past that hurdle in my heart.

I

don't want to hide anymore.

If you want to go to your death, I won't stop you.

I never feel good seeing you anyway.

This time,

don't let that old scoundrel have his way either.

Go!

Go!

Huang Shining!

You are here.

Come!

Have a drink with me.

Stop pretending!

The whole of Pingyang City

will know what kind of person you are.

People only care about themselves,

no one cares about the truth.

The truth

is the story told by the victors.

If you leave,

you'll just be an ordinary fugitive.

But you came back,

then you're the rebel leader.

The story is perfect.

For your own selfish gain,

you harm the innocent.

Do you still consider yourself a human?

And you?

Ten years in service,

you have nothing

living worse than a dog!

Do you consider that is a human?

Filthy old bastard!

That's not how I taught you.

Too light!

Too slow!

Too obvious!

Now that looks a bit more like it.

Instead of being an eagle in the sky,

you insist on being a dog.

Eagle, dog, whatever,

a beast is just a beast.

I am Huang Shining, the judicial commissioner of Hedong Circuit.

Tonight, there was a rebellion,

and I brought people here

to fight.

This person is the rebel leader.

Arrest him!

Buyi,

watch closely.

This is the last lesson

I will give you.

It's not that I don't understand

it's that I'm different from you.

Where did the suspect go?

Search thoroughly!

It seems someone in the court

couldn't stand it anymore.

In the end, Huang Shining is just a pawn.

The court has withdrawn the warrant for your arrest.

There's also news that you'll be rewarded soon.

Anyway, I'm going back.

Say something. Will you?

Huang Shining, the judicial commissioner of Hedong Road,

held a high position, but instead of serving the country and caring for the people

he sought to massacre disaster victims

and fabricate signs of rebellion,for personal gain

Yang Shouxin, the magistrate of Pingyang

was loyal and brave, saw through the treachery, but unfortunately met his demise.

Fortunately, heaven does not abandon the loyal.

Xue Buyi, the constable of Pingyang,

was moved by Yang Shouxin's righteousness,

carried on his legacy, braved great dangers, and saved the people from peril.

The court established the Eagle Hall

to train iron-willed officers.

The Eagle Hall Code includes three tests,

capture,

cast the net wide to capture the mastermind,

better harsh than too forgiving.

Interrogation,

master the art of cunning,

strike with thunderous force,

and expose their treachery.

Execution,

hold fast to the path of righteousness,

root out evil to its core,

there is no room for sentiment before the law.

Buyi,

how many did you pass?

I only passed the "capture" test.

I don't think it's because you're incapable.

Get out!

it's just that you have sentimental mercy.

Did you get married?

You didn't get married, did you?

Me?

I've ended up like this.

You were just too stubborn.

If you had pleaded with the master, you could have stayed in the Eagle Hall.

Come back to Bianliang City with me.

In the past, so many descendants of noble families

and meritorious generals

were named

“Buyi”.

Do not forget your past,

the Egal Hall is your foundation,

and Bianliang City

is your true home.

That is the taste of you people from Bianliang City.

But even so, it’s nothing more than using power to oppress others.

Bianliang's,

Pingyang's,

what difference does that make？

Have you forgotten?

Our hands are already

stained with blood.

I had no choice in the past.

Do you truly wish to return?