Original subtitles

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the ✨ Golden Waves Team 🌊 @Viki.com

[The Long River]

[Episode 1]

[Kangxi 15th Year Reign] [Torrential rain storm]

Be determined! Breathe evenly!

Roll! Over here! [Fascine: new firewood, bamboo, wood,]

Over here! Hurry! [and other soft materials]

[rolled in dirt and stone.]

Be determined! [Used for dam building and flooding.]

[Fascine: new firewood, bamboo, wood, and other soft materials rolled in dirt and stone. Used for dam building and flooding.]

Stand tall!

Stand tall!

One, two, three!

One, two, three! One, two, three!

Be determined! Breathe evenly!

Some of you, go there and nail down the stumps securely.

You, go help make the fascine. It needs to go in the water immediately!

Tie the rest one-by-one.

Get ready for the strong water current.

Don't get pulled in. Tie it. Be careful.

Be careful.

Here comes the Yellow Dragon! (T/N: Flood from the Yellow River.)

Here comes the Yellow Dragon!

Here comes the Yellow Dragon!

Minister Ming. His Majesty hasn't slept at all.

He was acting crazy and went up the mountains.

If God doesn't close this black hole,

who knows who will suffer the most.

Nonsense. Take this.

Minister Ming, Minister Ming!

- Move, move. Move out of the way. - Minister Ming.

Minister Ming, I have a report to present!

Minister Ming.

Give it to me.

The rain is so heavy, don't catch a cold!

Be quiet. Be quiet.

Your Majesty. Ming Zhu greets Your Majesty.

The Yellow River rain report. The Yellow River rain report.

Pardon my manners.

Your Majesty.

Did you not bring a change of clothes? Liang Jiugong...

- bring Minister Ming a cup of warm milk. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Suo E'tu, scholar from the Palace of Preserving Harmony, requests an audience.

Come in.

Your servant, Suo E'tu, greets Your Majesty.

- Get up. Let's talk business. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Ming Zhu brought the rain report. Take a look.

According to the Bureau of Astronomy, this is the heaviest rain we've had in the 150 years

since the ninth year of Jiajing of the former Ming Dynasty.

Jiangning had six inches of rain.

Suqian, 9 inches; Xuzhou, 12 inches.

Six levees in Henan have collapsed. Even the River Control Office was washed away.

Based on the most recent report... water from the Yellow River has entered Hongze Lake.

If the water keeps flowing, it'll reach Gaojiayan and the Yellow River embankments.

If that is broken...

Lixia River and the seven prefectures and counties will be flooded.

Your Majesty, I've urged the river management office

to hurry the dam construction to strengthen the embankment.

Your Majesty, it's useless to worry about Heaven's will...

Heaven's will...

The military rations shipped to Guangzhou were blocked before they left Shandong.

600,000 soldiers fighting bloody battles with Wu Sangui day and night

looking forward to the food with so much hope in their eyes.

How do they fight the war without supplies?

Are we waiting for Wu Sangui to enter the capital?

Heaven appoints us to govern China,

not to withdraw from the Shanhai Pass!

We are wrong. Your Majesty, please calm down.

- Get up. - Yes, Your Majesty.

[Zhaoren Palace]

I didn't mean to get angry at you.

This rain came at the wrong time.

What is the purpose of war?

Money, food, and land.

This flood has stopped the shipment of provisions.

The 600,000 soldiers at the frontline is the Qing Dynasty's principal.

If that's gone, there's no way back.

I just stopped the enclosure and managed to win over a bit of the people's support.

This rain... has made it all disappear again.

Your Majesty, I've written to multiple government offices

to tell them to change from water transportation to road transportation to help the front, as soon as possible.

Hunan and Hubei are familiar with each other this year. The Hunan front-line is split 50-50 between the enemy and us.

Hubei can support the front for a little while.

I've contacted the officials in the capital

to gather the horses and mules and use carriages

to move the military rations to the front.

To help alleviate Your Majesty's worries.

Carry this edict to Wang Guangyu.

No. Directly to each government office.

Those who are incompetent will answer directly to me.

Add an edict for Wang Guangyu.

He must ensure the embankment is secure, or else people will die.

Another edict. Send civilians and soldiers

to the governors of the areas where the Yellow River passes.

They must guard the embankment, at all cost.

[Zhaoren Palace]

- If the dam collapses... the city will be lost. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Flood water has arrived!

Run quickly! Run quickly!

The Yellow Dragon is coming! The Yellow Dragon is coming!

Run quickly! Run quickly!

Run faster!

Don't run! Don't run!

Don't run! You'll regret it!

The Governor of Anhui is here to inspect the river.

The Governor of Anhui is here to inspect the river!

Go back! Go back!

We're leaving!

Go back! Go back! Please don't run!

Go back! [Jin, Governor of Anhui]

[Jin, Governor of Anhui]

One, two...

Three!

One, two...

Three!

- One, two... - Three!

Brothers, the officials are coming! Work quickly!

The fascine needs to go in the water!

- One, two... - Everyone! Come here!

Okay!

One, two...

Three.

Ancestors, your unworthy descendant, Xuan Ye, is here to see you. (T/N: Xuan Ye - The king's birth name)

I lack virtue and have met with Heaven's wrath

due to my great sins.

I'm unworthy of the sacrifices made by my ancestors to create this world we live in. It's now raining heavily.

Lixia River and the seven prefectures and counties are suffering. The military supplies for the Three Feudatories cannot be delivered.

The Qing Dynasty is in critical danger.

The people are the foundation of the state. A solid foundation leads to a peaceful state.

I pray to Heaven... and my ancestors...

to please protect the people.

- One, two... -Three.

We must persevere.

- One, two... - Three.

I can't pull anymore!

Pull harder!

The water current is too strong! It's unstoppable!

Help!

Help!

Help!

Don't run away!

- Where do you think you're running to? - I still have a mother!

Move out of the way! Move out of the way!

- Move out of the way! Don't beat him! - Lord.

Young man. Everyone here has a mother.

But if the flood comes, we're all going to die.

If you're a true man, step back into line.

- One, two... - Three.

The flood peak is coming through!

The flood peak is coming through!

The flood peak is coming through!

What a big wave.

Lord, I haven't asked for your title yet.

I'm Jin Fu, the provincial governor of Anhui. I'm following the imperial order to complete an inspection.

Where's your river officer?

He ran to his grandmother's house.

Tell everyone that a new river official has arrived.

Who won't run to his grandmother's house.

The merciful and compassionate Guanyin, please show us kindness. (T/N: Guanyin is the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.)

Please make it stop raining, or my levee will be destroyed.

I, your follower, River Governor Wang Guangyu,

will fast for the rest of my life.

I... I beg you, Guanyin Bodhisattva.

You are merciful and compassionate. Please be merciful and compassionate to us...

Master, it's me. Master.

Was an imperial edict issued?

The V-shaped dam collapsed again.

The flood washed away 17 people. The Gaojia dam is also about to burst.

Lord Jin Fu, the provincial governor of Anhui, is already at the Yellow River levee. They still haven't evacuated.

Okay, okay.

Put down his name and set up a monument. As long as he can save the Yellow River levee,

he's my living ancestor from now on!

Master.

Too many river workers have been killed or wounded.

They're all saying that they haven't been paid in over a year,

- and that they're not even getting relocation allowances. - Get off me!

- But so many people are causing a commotion! - I-I have no money!

Master, at least we were able to save it.

Write a memorial to the throne.

Report the achievement! Go write it up!

Open the door! Eight Hundred Mile Express!

[Zongwen Gate]

Long live Your Majesty!

- Get up. - Thank you, Your Majesty.

Did you all read the palace report today?

Thanks to Your Majesty's luck and fortune and the effectiveness of our officials,

Lixia River and the seven prefectures and counties are now at peace.

Congratulations!

Don't say it too early.

- Victory isn't guaranteed until the flood season is over. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Your heart is big, Your Majesty.

You worried day and night about the Yellow River's safety. Your servant was humbled to hear that.

I should at least do something to help the river.

Your servant is willing to go door to door to collect donations

to reward the river workers for their contributions.

Your Majesty, your servant requests to take The Eight Banners (administrative and military divisions)

to serve at the Yellow River

and won't return to the capital until we restore peace to the Yellow River.

Your Majesty, collective purposes form a fortress. (T/N: United as one in purpose makes people strong.)

Don't worry about the Yellow River.

Your servant is willing to take servants to serve at the river!

You can share the worry of your king and his ministers, and be united.

That is a very good thing.

The imperial court allocates so much money for the river workers every year.

Train an army for one thousand days, use it for a while. (T/N: extensive preparation eventually pays off)

The pressure is on Wang Guangyu now.

I'm issuing a decree.

All those who selfishly interfere with the river workers will be punished ruthlessly by the law.

Tell the six concubines to take all their gold and silver jewelry,

as well as all their private savings,

and hand them over. If not enough,

I'll just sell the house.

Master, it's too late to eat the bread and cut the wheat. (T/N: there isn't enough time to do something.)

No?

We can neither do this nor that.

- What can I do? - Calm down.

Let's write Third Master a letter immediately.

Don't panic.

Master, a letter from Lord Wang Guangyu.

That disgrace of a human being wrote me a letter?

Now he wants to ask me for favors?

It is too late!

- Where's the messenger? - He's outside.

Tell him to pass along my message. If he's able to defend himself,

I'll offer him a trip to the capital for some peace and happiness. If he's unable to do so,

tell him to jump into the river and die!

- This... - What is it?

Whether or not the provisions can make it to the Three Feudatories,

and whether or not he's able to guard Lixia River and the seven prefectures and counties, it's all on him.

Master, about Wang Guangyu's situation...

You know best.

What do I know? I know nothing!

He's taken enough for himself!

It's about time he spits some out and gets down to business!

Master, please calm down.

It's just that it was you who recommended him, Master.

When matters arise, he is loyal and can protect Master well.

But if he gets arrested and taken to the capital, won't that...

What do you think?

Don't you still have a trick up your sleeve?

This little pawn crosses the river as a rook. (T/N: In Chinese Chess, the pawn can only move forward until it crosses the river. Then, it can go right, left, or forward like a rook.)

These are the families of the seventeen dead workers.

They can't even find the bodies of the deceased. They should at least do something about that.

The river offical ran away. Who's supposed to handle it?

Do you think Lord Jin will do something?

He'll be here soon.

Come on, one at a time.

Lord Jin! Lord Jin, please show us mercy.

Give me back my husband!

You killed my son!

Give me back my son!

Give me back my son!

- One at a time! - Give me back my son!

One at a time!

What is your name?

Daughter, you have to remember.

He's the one who killed your father!

You must remember that!

Everyone,

they have not paid us for over a year.

People have died

without even a straw mat to cover them.

Those ministers

only know how to put lives at risk.

We have to go home!

- Yes! - Everyone, everyone, listen to me.

- We want to go home! - Everyone, calm down! Everyone!

Everyone, listen to me.

Don't leave. If you leave, what will happen to the dike?

We're no match for the Heavens. Let's go home!

My parents are waiting for me at home.

If I die here, my body won't even be found.

- Exactly. Let's go home! - Don't go, don't go!

- Let's all go. Go! - Don't go, don't go!

- Lord Jin, we don't dare to remain here. - Let's all go!

When we return home, we will flee with our families.

No matter how old we are, we have worked three days in a row without a wink of sleep.

We are really grateful for your kindness.

You should quickly leave, too! The Yellow River cannot be stopped!

Yesterday, we lost 17 brothers.

Without them, the dike would have been destroyed.

Should the dike be washed away...

Lixia River and the seven prefectures and counties will be flooded.

I have been a government official for twenty years.

Even my death cannot redeem my sins.

I'm burning this roll of joss paper for myself. (T/N: Joss paper is burned during ancestral worship and funerals to ensure the needs of the deceased spirit are met)

I've now thrown the joss paper for those who died at the embankment.

Will the flood end only after

destroying houses

and killing people?

If you want to go, just leave.

I will continue to stand guard by myself.

[Rest In Peace, Late husband Sun]

Everyone! Everyone!

Lord Jin is right. If we battle, we die. If we run, we also die.

Don't listen to him! It will be better if we stay and fight.

I've been poor my entire life. I'll give myself money to burn.

- Brothers, let's get to work! - Let's get to work!

Get to work!

Get to work, don't leave! Get to work!

Get to work. Let's go!

[Beloved Son: Spirit of Zhang Shuisheng] [Beloved Son: Spirit of Gao Yunchang]

Be careful.

Are you looking for me?

Lord Jin, I work for River Governor Wang.

Governor Wang heard about you, Lord Jin.

He specifically asked me to visit you.

Because the rain made the road slippery, I could not bring anything else.

I only brought two fine ginsengs.

You can use it to strengthen your body.

Governor Wang said that after this flood,

he will definitely tell His Majesty about your immense courage.

Where is Governor Wang now?

He's patrolling other embankments and working hard for the emperor, just like you.

Did he read the letter I gave him?

The river workers are demanding their salaries. After owing them more than a year's worth of pay,

how can you expect them to put in their best effort?

Who's the river official of the Yellow River Embankment?

He ran away on the eve of the flood.

Tell Wang Guangyu to find him. He should come back quickly if he doesn't want to lose his head.

Lord Jin, could you allow me to say a few words on behalf of Governor Wang?

Governor Wang said the Yellow River embankments are unlikely to stand any longer.

You should quickly withdraw.

If anything happens to the provincial governor of Anhui, River Governor Wang can't bear the consequences.

Besides, you should testify to His Majesty

and just say that Governor Wang has done his best.

We don't have control over natural and man-made disasters, right?

I should thank River Governor Wang, then, shouldn't I?

Now, the official of the embankment has run away.

If the dam bursts, we have an excuse.

What do you mean?

Do we just let these people drown?

Why am I out here alone? Is Wang Guangyu's neck made of iron? (T/N: Iron neck - Protection from beheading due to one's status/powerful connections)

Any local officials along the Yellow River should supervise the water issue.

Doesn't he know?

River Governor's neck isn't made of iron,

but there will be people with iron necks in the court who will protect him.

They can also protect you.

A person in a flower chariot is carried by people. (T/N: Literally people should work together and praise each other.)

You're all officials here.

- Uncle Guo He. Uncle Guo He! - I'm here!

This is River General Wang's private assistant.

Get to know each other.

Tell everyone this ginseng was a gift from River Governor Wang.

Boil it and share it among the people at the dam.

River Governor Wang will soon bring the money he owes everyone.

Yes, Sir.

You...

No. Lord, y-you...

Go back and urge Wang Guangyu

to send the money over, as soon as possible.

Otherwise, I'll take everything including his doghouse.

Be determined. Breathe evenly.

Stand tall!

- One, two... - three.

Here comes the Yellow Dragon!

Reinforce the dam!

Here comes the Yellow Dragon!

Protect the dike immediately!

The Yellow Dragon is here! Protect the dike immediately!

Blow up the dam on the other side!

On the Opposite side are two counties, Taoyuan and Sangu.

The civilians have already evacuated.

Without the river governor here, blowing up a dam is a death sentence!

The river governor might not be here, but I am.

We need to blow up the dam to release the floodwater. If anything happens, they can kill my clan!

Go!

- Lord. - Go!

Gather round! Lord Jin ordered us to blow up the dam to release the floodwater. Otherwise, we're all dead.

The embankment can no longer hold.

Lord Jin ordered to blow up the dam!

Blast the dike to release the flood.

In order to save Lixia River and the seven prefectures and counties,

we have to destroy the dike.

Brothers.

Those who go over there to blow up the dam

will have their name recorded for their achievements.

Your family will receive preferential pension.

Any volunteers?

I will go!

Brothers. We'll die if we flee, anyway!

We might as well just do this!

I'll go! Tie me up!

I'll go.

I'll go, too!

You are indeed my son.

Brothers.

His name is Jin Zhiyu. He is my son.

He has worked with me for three years.

I never rewarded him whenever he rendered meritorious service

because he is my son.

One of his merits is showing filial piety to me!

Son.

If you succeed in keeping everyone safe while blowing up the dam over there,

I'll reward you for your meritorious service.

Yes, Sir!

The well-being of this dam is in your hands.

Lixia River and the seven prefectures and counties...

are all in your hands!

Yes, Sir!

Brothers, have you prepared well?

We are all prepared!

One, two! One, two!

Men, look ahead!

Listen to my command!

Hades picks on those who are timid!

One, two! One, two!

The Yellow Dragon is gone!

Yes!

We have done it.

Yes, the Yellow Dragon is gone!

The Yellow Dragon is gone!

The Yellow Dragon is gone!

The Yellow Dragon is gone!

The Yellow Dragon is gone!

- Dowager Empress! - I didn't take it.

- I didn't take it. - Dowager Empress!

- I really didn't take it. - Dowager Empress.

I didn't take it. Really, I didn't.

Look! Have a look.

I didn't steal anything.

Imperial Mother.

Don't tell the Emperor, okay?

They're all looking for this.

Can you help me hide it?

Whose horsewhip is this?

I stole it. It's very important.

Then I'll have to help Imperial Mother hide it well.

With this...

Now help me find a horse.

I just need to whip it slightly

to ride it all the way back to Horqin.

That would take a long time.

Emperor, haven't I been good to you?

Will you help me?

Not to mention a horse,

as long as it's something I can find, I will give it to Imperial Mother.

However, Horqin is way too far from the Capital.

When the war is over, I will personally accompany you to visit the family.

- Really? - Really.

Emperor, then you have to promise me one thing.

Don't tell the person in the house.

She imprisoned me here for half of my life.

She won't let me leave.

Fine, I promise you that I won't tell her. It's our secret.

How about we eat dinner together?

Let's go in, Imperial Mother.

There's a war ahead and a flood in the back.

I know Your Majesty worries every day.

There's no need to take what the court ministers say to heart.

What good words could come out of their mouths? They continue to say that

withdrawing local powers was a rash move.

It's unnecessary to speak of these problems. Actually, I'm most worried about the Yellow River.

If a dam collapses...

it will be a tough battle.

And I do not know how many civilians will lose their homes and lives.

Sometimes I'm also scared.

If we lose this war,

if the Yellow River bursts through its banks,

and the situation becomes uncontrollable, what do we do?

Some in the Eight Banners think

that you forced Wu Sangui to rebel.

Those banners are so rich

that they aren't willing to fight or sacrifice their wealth and lives.

The imperial court collects 25 million taels of silver every year, half of which comes from the Three Feudatories.

What do they want to do?

They recruit their people into the military and appoint their own officials.

There's no need to raise tigers to cause trouble. (T/N: Appeasing your enemies creates future problems.)

It's better to cut our losses. If we can't win the war, we'll keep trying for a few more years.

When we have more financial resources, we'll work on river affairs

and canals... and regain Taiwan.

Don't touch me! Don't touch me! Get your hands off me!

You shrews!

Don't touch me.

Emperor! Help me out!

Don't touch me.

She really took that away.

Whose whip is it?

I made it for her.

Empress Dowager was holding a horse whip and asking me to find her a horse so she can go back to Horqin.

What is she going back for?

A dethroned empress

who talks incoherently like a crazy person. If you let her go back,

isn't she going to spread rumors about your father and mock me behind my back?

My mother is a honest woman.

Honest or not, I know well enough.

But the imperial court has its system. Since she's dethroned

and sheltered here in my palace, she should just live peacefully.

Why is she prone to such wishful thinking? You shouldn't take it to heart.

Today Consort Zhao's family came over,

which is a matter related to you.

E Bilong received the grace of the emperor all his life. (T/N: Historically, E Bilong was an assistant minister to Emperor Kang Xi.)

Even though he has passed away, his power is still here.

Now, his family wants to gather the Eight Banners'

servants and strong, young men to go to the Hunan war.

I believe Emperor should do something.

I appreciate it. But what good does it do when I already have tens of thousands of people?

He was one of the officials who fought alongside the emperor.

Even if it was just tens or hundreds of people instead of tens of thousands,

that's a stance.

Those of lower ranks who like gossip will eventually stop it.

I truly don't want to crown an empress now,

otherwise people will say we're in a national crisis and

the emperor thinks only of his mistress daily.

Right now, you need even more support from those officers

and old banners who fought alongside the emperor. Can the young people you've promoted

- handle the situation on their own? - I understand.

You don't understand! The bigger the crisis we're in,

the bigger the need for a grand wedding

to show our stability. The residence of the empress can't be leaderless.

Grandma, I'll go back to read military information.

I am going.

How's Wang Guangyu's integrity?

Well... let me think.

As a supervisor at the Ministry of Personnel, you check the integrity of officials every three years.

I can't believe you have to think when asked about it.

I don't dare to speak carelessly or deceive Emperor.

Wang Guangyu belongs to the Han Chinese Eight Banners and is recommended...

- by Minister Song. - Why didn't you say it in the imperial court?

I didn't dare to.

Everyone's saying that I don't get along with Minister Song. If I said it, it would spread rumors.

- So you just make mud? - Not at all! (T/N: Unprincipled reconciliation and compromise.)

- Who conferred this title on you? - The emperor did!

- It was Song Gotu, wasn't it? - Absolutely not!

Did you take bribes from Wang Guangyu?

Scald my hands if I did!

I don't think you dare do so.

Though I am telling you if you dare do it,

I'll have you decapitated immediately.

Get up.

You're always putting on an act in front of me.

Your Majesty, now is the time to use people wisely.

Even if you want to replace Wang Gaungyu, you should wait till the flood is over.

Replacing the commander before starting the war will crush our morale, Your Majesty.

I'm well aware of what I said about conviction in the imperial court.

Whether we can defend ourselves depends on fate... not people.

If Wang Guangyu is an upright, capable man of integrity,

I won't convict him

even if he can't protect the river and it's gone. But if he dares to have an ulterior motive...

Your Majesty, you have great vision and kindness. The river...

will be protected.

[Quiet] [Step aside] [Patrolling the river by decree]

[Soldier]

Lord Wang sent the money here!

- They're giving out money! - They're giving out money!

Lord Wang sent the money here!

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the ✨ Golden Waves Team 🌊 @Viki.com

Lord Jin, thank you.

Why did you come so late?

I heard that you'd bombed the dams in Taoyuan and Sangu.

Are you aware of what crime that is?

I'm not arguing with you for now. Hurry up and unlock the money.

I promised the river workers to double their settlement fees.

If the money isn't enough, the Inspector General's office will make up the difference.

- We'll give the best pension to the deceased– - The crime of bombing the dams is unforgivable!

Are you aware of your crime?

What? I've committed a crime?

♫ Heaven and Earth are the Reversed Journey of Everything ♫

♫ And time is the passer-by of a hundred generations ♫

♫ But life is like a dream, how much can we enjoy it? ♫

♫ The ancients travel in the night by candlelight ♫

♫ and there is a reason for it ♫