Original subtitles

[New Life Begins]

[Adapted from the novel "Journey to the Qing Dynasty" by Duomu Muduo]

[Episode 33]

How many branches are you opening?

Just a few.

There will be one on every street in the Nine States.

I think

we are still short on staff.

I plan to hire more chefs.

The chefs at the main branch are well-trained.

They rarely make mistakes and are familiar with the tasks.

We can let them take care of the new branches.

Then, we can hire more chefs for the main branch.

We'll supervise their work.

Are you the Li Wei I know?

After your trip to Jin State,

your changed your hairstyle.

You're like a different person.

Are you Yuan Ying

in disguise?

Now that you mentioned it, I kind of miss her.

Mistress.

Mistresses.

Princess Yuan Ying

and Princess Shangguan sent you letters.

Thanks, Shopkeeper Zhou.

See?

They miss you too.

We are connected.

Well?

What does it say?

Yuan Ying is officially working in the court.

She is now in charge of the Ministry of Revenue in Jin State.

As expected from Yuan Ying.

I knew she could do it.

What does

the other letter say?

[To Li Wei] Jingjing's handwriting is the same.

It's still just as bad.

[I left to live a life of a wandering swordswoman...]

What is it?

She met Qi on the way.

They are going to travel as wandering swordsmen.

That's good.

Shangguan has always wanted to be a heroine.

Did Qi manage to win her back?

Well,

that depends on the effort he puts into it.

You're up.

Perfect timing.

Come on.

Get your face cleaned.

No, I brought my handkerchief.

Then...

Grab some food.

Come on.

I roasted it for you.

Come on.

Try it out.

No.

I was hanging the laundry and forgot to flip the corn.

It's all right.

I'll make you another.

Never mind.

I'm not that hungry.

I'll start packing up.

Wait.

Let me handle it.

I can do it.

Sit down.

All right.

Shangguan.

You know,

back in Xin State,

I won the championship nine times in a row.

My skills are basically peerless

among the others.

You can always

count on me to pack your things.

See?

It's done.

Well?

Were you the only one in the competition?

Two.

Zai was there too.

I'll do it myself.

No, leave it to me.

I'll do it.

Let me help.

Back off.

I'll get the horse here.

Never mind.

Just go home.

I can leave on my own.

I know.

You think

I can't do anything right.

But you should at least give me a chance.

Yes.

I admit it.

There are things I'm not good at.

But as the saying goes,

practice makes perfect.

I hate to break it to you,

but I memorized

the entire map of the Nine States before we left.

I can draw it out with my eyes closed!

I am a living, walking

map of the Nine States!

Very well, Mr. Map,

how do I get to Cang State?

You asked the right man.

(First, we head west.)

(We go to Zhongzhou County and head for Huaiping Town.)

(And finally, we cross Huxiao Pass.)

Where is the road?

The road...

You're standing on it.

The ground becomes a road when more people walk on it.

As expected from you.

We are lost because of you.

We're not lost.

I brought us here

because the place

has a picturesque view!

I brought you here to enjoy the scenery.

See this place?

Birds are chirping and flowers are blooming.

If you are here to fool around,

trust me,

it's best that we part ways now.

Don't slow me down on my journey.

You're wasting my time.

Wait.

Hear me out.

Heroes can't spend every second

fighting and killing.

We need

some entertainment and recreation.

Look.

I'll take you to some famous mountains.

See if we can run into some bandits there.

Shut it

or you'll be as dead as the map.

Bad temper.

This is a good place.

We can look around.

Come on.

[Delicacies of Nine States]

Why is it so hard to find reliable chefs?

It's been days.

We haven't found a suitable candidate.

I know.

When words got out that we were hiring,

everyone has been eager to help.

The Fourth Young Lord is especially so.

He is used to pulling strings.

He recommended quite a few chefs,

but their cooking tasted terrible.

And when I criticized them,

they tried to bribe me.

Even if their cooking were good,

we wouldn't want to hire

someone as sneaky as them.

You're right.

There's more.

One claimed to be the Fourth Young Lord's distant relative.

He knows everything

there is to know about us.

When someone is too well-informed, they are probably up to no good.

He might try to use our business

to build his network with different states.

That would be troublesome.

Ninth Young Lord.

Are you hiring?

What is it?

Care to join the fun?

Don't worry,

Wei.

I am not going to pull any strings.

However,

I do know a great candidate.

Have a look.

You can always turn him down.

-How is this any different from pulling strings? -How is this any different from pulling strings?

It smells great.

This smells delicious.

That Cabbage in Boiled Water!

[Chef Xiao Yang]

Cabbage in Boiled Water from Dan State.

Golden Fried Fish from Xin State.

Sauteed Seafood from Jin State.

Sweet-and-Sour Ribs from Ying State.

Fried Eggplant from Mo State.

Stinky Tofu from Dai State.

Spring Rolls from Cang State.

Mushroom Rice Noodles from Ji State.

Cherry Flake Cake from Yan State.

Amazing!

Impressive.

It smells delicious.

Here.

Thank you, Chef Xiao.

Enjoy the food.

Digging in.

Here we go.

It tastes amazing.

It's awesome.

This tastes amazing too.

It's so crispy.

It's so tender.

This is the right taste!

They say Cang State is a food desert

where we roll up everything we can find.

But I beg to differ.

It's convenient and filling.

Not to mention it goes well with sauces and meat.

With the right method,

anything can taste good.

Well said.

This thing tastes

just like my father's cooking.

By the way,

I haven't introduced him.

This is Xiao Yang.

He is from Ji State too.

You too?

Now I see why the cooking is so authentic.

Come on.

Sit down.

Make yourself at home.

Sit down.

I've been away for so long,

so I crave this dish.

But there are only a handful of mushroom species

in Xin State.

So, you'll have to make do with what we have here.

You're right.

It's hard to find delicious mushrooms here.

We can find some at the marketplace,

but they are far from what we have back home.

Yes.

I wanted to make some stir-fried ram's head for Ninth Young Lord,

but I couldn't find any

in the entire state.

You like ram's head, Your Lordship?

My parents sent me some.

Come get some when you have the time.

Sure.

Thank you so much.

Don't mention it.

You're a friend of Ninth Young Lord,

so that makes us friends too.

Dig in.

Eat up.

[Changle Cosmetics]

Thanks.

I'm taking all of them.

Could you wrap up early today?

Let me do it.

This used to be your job.

You still prefer the same thing.

Why should I forsake my taste

over a terrible man?

Besides,

he's not worthy of traumatizing me.

By the way,

I came to tell you

I'm going back to Dai State.

If you don't mind,

you can come to the women chamber of commerce.

You have the experience and the wits.

I'm not desperate.

It's just that I must go home.

My family

has over a dozen mines for me to manage.

Why should I stay in a place where I'm all alone?

Right?

I was ignorant.

But with all those mines,

must you manage them alone?

What about your siblings?

Perhaps

you've only seen the side of me when I was trapped in that mansion.

You've never seen

the confident side of me.

I don't have sisters,

but I do have some elder brothers.

After I go home,

if they are sensible enough

to divide the wealth equally,

then all is good.

If they think only men are worthy

of inheriting the family's wealth,

then I feel sorry for them.

I'll make them realize

how wrong they are.

Fangru.

Take care.

They're coming.

Go.

Come in.

You have all kinds of mushrooms here, Madam.

The golden needle mushrooms look great.

I'll slice some.

The knife is blunt.

It's time to sharpen it.

The mushrooms came from Ji State,

but the people of Dan State

marinate them with chili oil for a crunchier texture.

Well...

Master taught me

I should dry the chilies first.

How do you dry chilies at night?

Well,

we have the moonlight.

Yes.

Let them bask in the essence of the sun and moon.

Forget about the knife,

I grew the chilies myself.

You two

are disrespecting your guest.

You have your own garden?

May I have a look?

Sure, I'll show you.

Sure.

Come on.

This kitchen is my turf.

I can't let outsiders come and go as they please.

Quan.

This man comes with ill intentions.

We must be on high alert from now on.

Yes.

Your Lordship.

The Fourth Young Lord

is very nice to everyone in the palace.

He bought them a lot of gifts.

Should we do the same as a good gesture?

That's what Jun does.

We should focus on our jobs.

Yes, you are right.

I grew all the vegetables here

all by myself.

You can take some

for Ninth Young Lord.

He will be glad

to see these vegetables.

I didn't know you'd have enough space in the yard

to grow your own vegetables.

You picked the right vegetables.

Xin State is warm during winter and cool in summer.

These plants will thrive in this climate.

If we can grow some goji berries,

that will be wonderful.

You're right.

I'll get some goji berry seeds tomorrow.

Most people in Xin State don't know gardening.

Home is the best.

Welcome back.

And you are...

He is the new chef of our restaurant.

His name is Xiao Yang.

And what are the odds?

He's from Ji State too.

Greetings, Sixth Young Lord.

Chef Xiao's cooking is amazing,

especially the Ji cuisine.

It's the most authentic I've had in Xin State.

A fellow countryman.

Great.

I overheard you discuss growing some goji berries.

But...

there are already some here.

Yeah.

That's right.

-That is the tabasco pepper. -That is the tabasco pepper.

The malnourished tabasco pepper plant

does look a lot like goji berries.

It's all right if you can't tell them apart.

Unlike Xiao Yang,

you don't spend your time handling vegetables.

It's all right.

Your Lordship.

He...

I take my leave now.

We have work to do.

Get into position.

That was a chili plant.

Chili.

I didn't know Sixth Young Lord

would be so interesting.

He is adorable this way.

Let's have a look around.

I have some questions for you.

The vegetables have been drying up recently.

I wonder what is wrong with them.

Did I water them too often?

You did.

Too much water.

But...

But the cabbage looks fine.

Baifu

bit the cabbage a lot.

(Jun treated a lot of people)

(from the Ministry of Revenue to dinner.)

(I investigated.)

(There was nothing out of the ordinary.)

(He was simply rewarding everyone.)

But I am concerned.

What if he has a hidden agenda?

If he takes the job seriously,

it's normal if he wants to be friendly to everyone.

Let's wait and observe.

He also recommended many bards to different ministries.

Many officials, except for the Ministry of Nine States Affairs,

are on his side now.

Song assigned him to the Ministry of Rites,

so he could approach the scholars.

But I must say, he's doing a great job.

As long as he takes the job seriously,

who cares whose side he's on?

Sure.

You're very open-minded.

I did as you said and audited his accounts.

He spent a lot on his social circle,

but he never embezzled.

His wife treats him well.

She even used her dowry to cover some expenses.

Look at Xiao Yang.

Try it out.

Not bad.

I like it a lot.

I'm glad you like it.

Eat heartily.

Sure.

He's doing a good job.

Should I get you some tea?

Thank you.

Appreciated.

Stop blowing.

Your cup is already empty.

I meant to tell you.

You've been acting weird today.

You didn't want to use the chamber.

Why must we stand here?

I was...

Ladies, do you like the food?

The food is delicious.

Did you make this?

Yes.

I'm glad you like the cooking.

His cooking is great,

and so is his personality.

Are you married?

Not yet.

Enjoy the food.

Why are you looking at him?

This man was born with a handsome look.

The female customers like him.

He is very sociable.

All the customers he attracted are women.

Sociable around people, masterful in the kitchen.

What is it?

I think Sixth Young Lord is jealous.

Didn't you tell him

Ninth Young Lord recommended Xiao Yang to us?

They are close.

I think he knows.

See?

He's in a good mood.

He wouldn't mind.

He is seducing my dear Haitang!

No, she is not your wife anymore.

Don't make fun of me.

Li Wei can't take her eyes off him either.

Who is this brat?

Xiao Yang.

Sheep? (*homophone)

This animal is invading my house.

You need to keep him in check.

Make sure he behaves.

But he is their chef.

I can't intervene.

I think this sheep

is worse than Jun.

Stay alert.

Look.

Ever since I became single,

even Qi ended his marriage.

That curse is slowly making its way to you too.

My grandaunt left.

And if you lose Li Wei too,

it'll be over for you.

I should talk to Yan.

He needs to keep his wife from this brat.

Your Lordship.

Your Lordship.

You're standing like a statue.

Don't pay Xiao Yang too much attention.

It's not going to happen.

I'm not.

Are you sure?

They are from the same state.

What's wrong with that?

They have plenty of things to talk about.

Madam talks to me a lot too.

He can cook.

Liu Baoquan can cook too.

Don't get me wrong.

Your Lordship,

I mean

when she sees you,

her smile

is overflowing with joy.

She never gives anyone else that smile.

Right?

Besides,

don't underestimate yourself.

You're handsome and likable.

Who would give you up over a brat?

Right?

Show your capacity.

Smile.

Yes. Smile like me.

Yes, smile.

Yes.

Your Lordship.

Xiao Yang is coming to our home tonight.

He developed a few new recipes.

He wants you to try it out.

Let's go.

[Royal Kitchen]

Chef Xiao.

I've wanted to learn how to cook from you.

Could you teach me?

Certainly.

So,

where is the cookware?

Yeah.

Where is the cookware?

Chef Liu.

Where is the cookware?

Yeah.

Where is the cookware?

Why is everything gone as soon as Chef Xiao arrives?

Yeah.

Chef Liu.

Xiao Yang doesn't come here and cook for us every day.

Don't give him a hard time.

This mansion

belongs to you and His Lordship.

We are not obligated to serve an outsider.

Yes!

It's all right.

Every chef thinks of the kitchen as their territory.

It was inappropriate of me to barge in.

Not at all.

Therefore,

I came prepared.

Chef Liu.

You've worked very hard.

I have a special gift for you.

How did he hide the knife in his robe?

It's a common skill in Ji State.

Look at this worthless junk.

[Xiao]

Isn't this...

Isn't this the prized knife used by the famous chef family of Xiao?

The heir of the Xiao family,

please accept my respect for you!

Chef Liu, please get up.

These shoes are for you.

I can't simply take them.

[Xiao] I made this scalp ointment myself.

It is great for the hair.

Thank you!

I made these snacks myself.

Thanks!

Superintendent Su.

Well done, Chef Xiao.

You managed to bribe the staff.

Not at all.

I only want to make Sixth Young Lord

a few tonic dishes for the stomach.

Is that so?

Superintendent Su...

Never mind.

I'll look for it myself.

I didn't prepare anything for you.

You can stop looking now.

I don't need your gift!

Hear me out.

Ninth Young Lord told me...

What did he tell you?

You value His Lordship's life more than your own.

Of course.

If I could share your burden

and improve his health even more,

that'll be the greatest gift you can get.

Am I right?

Yes!

You know,

his gastric problem is my greatest concern.

I don't need anything from you!

His Lordship is perfectly healthy.

Madam is taking great care of him.

He is perfectly fine and well.

So, should I prepare the food for him?

Write the recipes down.

Chef Liu, check the quality.

I don't need your gift.

Chef Liu.

The cookware?

Coming!

It's in here.

Come on.

Be careful.

Everything is in here.

It looks delicious, Chef Xiao.

I know, right?

This is my favorite, Chef Xiao.

You are amazing.

I love your cooking.

It's healthy and delicious.

We ran into some trouble in the kitchen.

So we got delayed.

Dig in.

Liu Bao, Zhou Quan.

Didn't you say

you wouldn't want an outsider to meddle with your kitchen?

What happened to you two?

Our horizon was too narrow.

But it's been widened.

Madam doesn't bring home a friend every day.

We should be nice to him.

Yes!

Yuping, Yuzhan,

find your position.

We found.

We never take our eyes off him.

Buddy.

Yes.

We never leave.

Very hospitable of you.

Shen.

Are you...

I am impressed by Chef Xiao's skill.

His stomach tonic recipe is amazing.

We made this soup with his recipe.

I tasted it just now.

I can still feel the warmth in my stomach.

Try it out.

Just dig in.

I'm not eating.

But...

Well...

Your Lordship.

These dishes...

We need you to try the food

and give us unbiased ratings.

Yes.

It must be fair and unbiased.

Where are you going?

Try the soup.

-Your Lordship, try the soup. -Just take a sip.

Just one sip.

Your Lordship?

Madam.

His Lordship is...

I know.

The food doesn't look appetizing to him.

No way!

Chef Xiao left?

You were hungry.

Why didn't you eat the food?

The food didn't look appetizing.

Tell him to stop making more.

You're always picky with food.

It's normal you don't like the food.

I don't like Chef Xiao's cooking.

Do you have to get so upset?

During yesterday's greeting session,

Father asked about the progress of the new monetary system.

Our men are working on it as we speak.

But the states of Jin, Dai, Dan, and Mo

have a complicated relationship.

Phasing out the old money

will take time for everyone to make a profit.

Of course they wouldn't agree with it.

An.

The tea is ready.

Come on.

Have some tea.

Have some tea.

An, have a look.

What is this?

The response from the Ministries of Revenue of Dai State and Mo State.

The deals with Jin State and Dan State are almost sealed.

By the end of this month,

paper notes will be issued in their capitals.

They agreed?

Fortune favors us!

I've talked to them so many times

and I could never persuade them.

They appeared friendly,

but they would never budge.

They kept passing the buck.

There are positions

in the yamen of the bigger states.

It's easy to shift the blame.

But people are always looking for profit.

If we let them understand

that they will lose more by not taking responsibility

and that taking it

will earn them the favor of their lords,

the problem will be solved.

As for the other smaller states,

you need not worry about them.

People from rural places

are sentimental.

If you know one of them,

you can pull all the strings there are.

Two cups of liquor

paired with some humble gifts

can solve anything.

You have everything planned out.

Did you accomplish all of these by yourself?

No.

I am flattered.

The credit goes to the staff.

And with your previous negotiations

opening the path for us,

we managed to seal the deal.

If you are still concerned,

I'll let you copy the reports I made

and submit them.

I...

That settles it.

Shouldn't you start thinking about

the taxes on the crop fields

which Father brought up earlier today?

What is the purpose?

Taxes?

Father mentioned

that taxes on the crop from Mo State could be reduced.

Is Father planning to...

reduce the taxes?

Very astute, An.

I speculate that is the reason.

So I want to have a word with you about this.

If Father has the intention,

shouldn't the Ministry of Revenue

start preparing before it's underway?

You read my thought.

Well...

After we come up with a way to reduce the taxes,

why don't you be the one to present it to Father?

You're a smart one, Jun.

An, have some tea.

An.

Xiyuan.

There is no woman left in your mansion.

This season,

we are going to send our best wishes for the madams' birthdays.

I have the embroidery ready for you.

You may send these gifts yourself.

How thoughtful of you. Thank you.

Thank you.

When I mentioned how Jun had been earning favors in the ministry.

You asked me to wait and observe.

I think he's been doing a great job

at work.

It's not just the Ministry of Revenue.

He's contacted the other states as well.

He has a wide network.

He could deal with the challenging tasks

with ease.

If he is righteous,

he will be a great asset to the ministry and the state.

But I think

we shouldn't let our guard down.

Think about it.

If he stirs up trouble,

he'll only come after you, and not me.

I mean,

we can still proceed with the plan.

I won't get involved with the court,

nor will I take a side.

We'll make people think

we are not connected in any way.

I didn't have lunch.

I came in a hurry.

You must be hungry too.

Since we are brothers for the show,

we shouldn't dine together.

I don't want others to misunderstand you.

Well...

How about the sunflower seeds?

Superintendent Su?

You look miserable.

We have food.

Su Shen,

tell Madam to have lunch.

What is it?

You don't trust me?

You won't feed me and now you don't trust me?

No, not at all.

He's not an outsider.

Madam is away.

Where is she?

She went to the restaurant for Chef Xiao.

She went to see that sheep?

It's all right.

Nothing is right!

This is not all right!

Do not let him have the opportunity.

Let's go.

Slow down.

That picky jerk!

I made the food for him,

and he wouldn't even take a bite!

It's burned! Get it on a plate.

Master, try it out.

Well?

Not bad.

It's a bit salty.

It's a great improvement.

Not bad.

Listen.

You can lose her

in the blink of an eye.

It's all right.

If you can't get it right,

you can live and let live.

Li Wei?

[Delicacies of Nine States]

Zheng.

Do you think Haitang still has feelings for me?

I...

Here comes the food.

Dig in.

Try it out.

Dig in.

Eat up.

Why is the cucumber

green?

How can cucumber slices be a dish?

The chef's cooking must be very underwhelming.

Your Lordship,

I wouldn't be too sure.

Should the cucumber be red instead?

The tofu doesn't look appetizing.

It's too soft.

It lacks texture.

Is your tofu hard as a rock?

No...

Why does the fish have bones in it?

Are you trying to murder my brother?

Enough.

Why are you so picky?

The food isn't specially made for you.

Don't eat it if you don't like it.

If you're not going to the court,

go home and check the files.

You have nothing better to do,

that's why you're so picky.

I'm here for work.

For work.

Yes.

Wei, he is...

For work?

Fine.

Go somewhere else.

Don't sit here.

Fine.

I'll leave.

See you, Wei.

Only a fool would cook for him

from now on.

You should explain it to him.

I am Ninth Young Lord's friend.

Tell him you prepared the food.

If you make it clear,

he will understand.

Stop wasting your time

on petty sulking

and the cooking.

Shangguan.

The sun is too strong.

Wait for me.

I'll shield you from the sun.

Come on.

Why do you carry that torn umbrella?

Maybe it got torn up on the bumpy ride.

It's fine.

We can make do with it.

What good can it do?

What if it rains?

It can still shield you from the rain.

Slow down.

Shangguan.

Shangguan.

I told you it'd rain.

My forecast was right.

Don't worry.

I brought extra with me.

I...

I prepared a few more...

It's a rare sunshower!

Come over here.

A cape does come in handy.

Thankfully, I came prepared.

I brought cold medicine.

You were drenched just now.

Drink it while it's warm.

Save it for yourself.

It's bitter.

Leave it to me.

No, I can do this.

Come on.

I promised to look after you.

Leave it to me.

Give it here.

I promised to take care of you.

Come on, eat up.

Why are you looking at me?

No, I'm watching you feed it.

The horse seems happy.

Your horse.

Stop looking at me.

No.

I was looking at the road.

I'm checking where we're headed.

My cape!

Here.

Well...

It looks great as a shawl.

It can shield you from some wind.

You are right.

I am a burden to you.

I can't do anything right.

When we reach the next town,

I'll leave.

Two liang of pork tripe.

Three qian of longan.

One qian of pepper.

Beefsteak and dates...

Mixed?

Madam!

Madam!

Bad news!

We're losing Sixth Young Lord!

What?

Watch out!

♪What can be considered the best delicacies in the world?♪

♪Have some warm tea and enjoy the peace♪

♪Apricot blossoms fall into the river while fish swim around♪

♪Finish the fragrant liquor in front of you♪

♪What kind of life do we yearn for?♪

♪Making a brew with the morning dew while appreciating the moon and stars♪

♪The falling snowflakes and the spring breeze are both mesmerizing♪

♪Magnificent scenery arouses inspiration for poems and paintings♪

♪Seasonal views are gorgeous beyond words♪

♪Meeting you is my greatest pleasure♪

♪Against sparkling city lights and in a candlelit house♪

♪Someone is waiting for me♪

♪A simple meal tastes great too♪

♪Life is precious because you're around♪

♪The red carp and green plums are just in season♪

♪The greatest moment in life♪

♪Is when we're together♪

♪What kind of life do we yearn for?♪

♪Making a brew with the morning dew while appreciating the moon and stars♪

♪The falling snowflakes and the spring breeze are both mesmerizing♪

♪Magnificent scenery arouses inspiration for poems and paintings♪

♪Seasonal views are gorgeous beyond words♪

♪Meeting you is my greatest pleasure♪

♪Against sparkling city lights and in a candlelit house♪

♪Someone is waiting for me♪

♪A simple meal tastes great too♪

♪Life is precious because you're around♪

♪The red carp and green plums are just in season♪

♪The greatest moment in life♪

♪Is when we're together♪

♪A simple meal tastes great too♪

♪Life is precious because you're around♪

♪The red carp and green plums are just in season♪

♪The greatest moment in life♪