Original subtitles

[Music]

[Music]

[Foot steps]

Captain,

How much further is it to Yangzhou?

I think it's around 5 kilometers away.

I heard

Yangzhou is much more prosperous than Liuzhou,

it's as beautiful as paradise.

It's said Yangzhou Tri-head

is the most famous specialty in Yangzhou.

Captain,

after we escort the convict there,

can you treat us to a hearty meal?

No problem.

When we get to Yangzhou,

I'll stand each of you

big bowlfuls of Yangchun Noodles.

As you guys

never gave me a hard time during this journey,

when we get to Yangzhou,

I'll treat you to a sumptuous meal in the most famous restaurant,

Yangzhou, what do you say?

Supervisor Yan,

do you know that

pursuant to the laws of the Great Ming,

conducting salt trafficking without a yamen-issued Salt-sale Permit is a felony.

I'm afraid you won't get a chance to buy us dinner.

What if he was telling the truth?

It was in Liuzhou that he committed the crime,

but the higher-up ordered us to escort him to Yangzhou for trial.

Don't you guys feel this whole thing is a bit fishy?

"MURDER IN THE FIRST"

[Foot steps]

They say Yangzhou is a heaven on earth,

but why does it strike me

as purgatory on earth?

Was Yangzhou struck by plague?

Why are there so many homeless refugees wandering on the streets?

Give it back!

Give me my salt back!

Give it back to me! - Get lost.

[Gasps]

You guys keep going. I'll catch up with you in a minute.

Alright. Let's go!

Let's go.

My salt! Give it back to me!

-Give my salt back! -Freeze!

[Music]

Freeze!

[Door open]

[Clinks]

Here, Mother.

Here you are. Drink it.

[Door open]

[Door shut]

I committed theft and robbery.

Take me to the yamen.

Why did you do it when you knew it was a crime?

I'll give up my life if that's what it takes

to get my parents salt.

Why did you rob people of salt?

Are you kidding?

nobody has ingested any salt for months.

Why is this happening?

I thought the government had a salt rationing system.

How can any household lack salt?

Are you really unaware or faking it?

The local salt sellers, to line their own pockets,

have been hoarding salt to drive up its price.

Since last year,

salt has literally been more expensive than gold.

Tens of thousands have died of severe salt deprivation.

I can't believe this.

Why hasn't the yamen done anything about it?

That's exactly what I want to ask you.

Here's some money.

Take it.

Get what's urgently needs.

Don't rob people again.

[Foot steps]

[Crying]

Where's my salt?

Where's my salt?

I failed to catch him.

I sold my youngest daughter

to buy that salt.

My three sons will die

unless I get them some salt right away!

Calm down.

Here.

buy some salt.

Thank you! Thank you so much!

[Indistinct chatter]

I want to buy some salt. I want to buy some salt.

Give her a pack of salt.

Got it.

I gave you 30 taels.

Why are you giving me only one pack?

The current price is exactly 30 taels a pack.

But I bought a pack for 15 taels only moments ago.

How come it's 30 taels a pack now?

Buy it or else get lost.

- Don't waste our time. - How can you do this?

I got kids at home.

Please sell me some salt.

Hey! Get out - Give me some Salt.

What are you doing?

Get out of here. - What are you doing?

Wants to buy Salt without money.

I'm begging you.

Please sell me some salt

I think I need to beat you.

Stop!

Leave this place.

Officer, can I help you?

Do you guys have a Permit

for this Salt Store?

Aw, who the hell are you?

Everybody in this city knows

our salt store is an officially designated salt store.

If it's an officially designated salt store,

then the salt price should be specified by the yamen.

How dare you people hike up prices at will?

I think you're here to make trouble.

Boys, beat him!

[Bams] [Sobs]

What's all the noise?

I'll go and check, Supervisor Zhou.

Steward Zhao!

Steward Zhao!

What's going on out there?

There's a yamen constable outside.

He's making trouble.

[Music]

[Bams] [Sobs]

Such bullying behavior

is outrageous!

[Music]

[Bams] [Sobs]

You must have a death wish.

Do you know what this place is?

Steward Zhao,

this damnable constable came here to make trouble.

He even wounded our men.

You need to teach him a hard lesson.

Outrageous!

You dared hurt my men!

I'll have you pay the price!

[Bams] [Sobs]

Midnight tonight,

meet me in Fengxiang Teahouse in the night market.

Get lost!

Clear off.

Show's over.

[Foot steps]

What happened?

a lowly constable,

presumably short of money,

came here to rip us off.

It's just a triviality.

Let them handle it.

I need you to come with me to attend a meeting.

Sir.

Things are going

even more smoothly than we imagined.

Amazing!

Captain Ouyang.

Captain,

we hereby hand over the convict to you.

From this day onward,

whatever happens to the convict

will have nothing to do with Liuzhou yamen.

Of course.

Bring the convict in.

[Foot steps]

Captain Ouyang,

Prefect He specially ordered me

to take you guys to the courier station,

then to Yangzhou Number One to try the Yangzhou Tri-head

to relieve your fatigue caused by the tiring journey.

I'm grateful to Prefect He for his kind offer.

But

I just got here and have some personal errands to run,

so I think I'll pass on that.

I hope you guys enjoy yourselves.

Alright. - I take my leave.

[Foot steps]

[Music]

[Sobs]

[Music]

Are you okay?

H-How did this guy die outside our door?

Shunzi, go and report it to the yamen!

The killer attacked from above!

Why are you in Yangzhou?

Why were you working incognito in a salt store?

Why did you suddenly die on a street?

Did you die a natural death or someone murdered you?

[Indistinct chatter]

Step aside! Step aside! Step aside!

It's just a dead man.

Big deal.

[Kick] [Sobs]

[Sword clinks]

Who are you?

How dare you assault a yamen constable?

Who I am is none of your business.

As yamen constables,

you people are showing such disrespect for the victim.

[Bams] [Sobs]

Is this how Yangzhou Yamen officers look into cases?

Sorry you have to see this, Captain Ouyang.

Captain Zhao.

Captain Ouyang,

what are you doing here?

I came here to have a stroll.

When passing this place,

I encountered a bewildering murder case.

What happened here?

[Sobs]

Captain,

a commoner

suddenly died in front of this teahouse.

We received report

and came here immediately

That's arrant nonsense!

He'd always been a very healthy man.

How could he suddenly die?

How do you know he'd always been healthy?

You know him?

I'll tell you the truth.

The reason I didn't go to the handover

earlier today was because of this man.

Why?

In front of the salt store,

I saw them bullying a woman.

I interfered and taught them a lesson.

This man was the head of those musclemen,

Steward Zhao.

Oh?

He's a superb martial artist.

There's no way he could've died here for no reason.

I think

he was murdered.

Please take this case seriously.

Boys.

Captain.

Take the victim's body back to the yamen.

Have the post-mortem examiner examine him

and find out the case of his death.

Yes.

To verify whether my speculation's right,

I want to go with you to the yamen

to examine the body.

As you wish.

I'll go and take a look.

Be careful.

I've examined him.

He wasn't murdered.

The cause of his sudden death should be counter currents of cardiac blood.

Are you sure?

If you don't believe me,

send for another examiner.

That's not necessary.

This is the best post-mortem examiner in Yangzhou.

His judgment is unquestionable.

Ouyang,

since it wasn't a murder,

then it has nothing to do with the yamen.

I hereby close the case.

Did you come here at such a late hour to buy salt

or look for your loved one?

To buy salt.

Thirty taels a pack.

[Giggles]

[Sobs]

It hurts...

You dared take liberties with me.

Call your boss here.

I'll have him teach you a hard lesson.

O-Our boss is not in.

Have mercy on me, Miss.

Consider yourself lucky.

If it happens again, there will be consequences.

Thank you, Miss.

I'll-I'll get your salt right away.

Miss, your salt.

[Smirks]

I've handled him as you commanded.

Any loose ends?

No.

The post-mortem examiner has concluded he died of illness.

Good.

There's no way he could've died of illness.

I must have missed something.

[Foot steps]

[Clinks]

[Music]

We lost contact with him.

What?

Try reaching out to him again tomorrow morning.

Be extra careful from now on.

-Yes. -Yes.

Go back and inform the Prefect I need a few days off.

Just tell him I got some personal business

to attend to in Yangzhou.

I'll go back

when it's handled.

Yes.

[Music]

Waiter, bring me a bowl of tea.

Coming.

Officer,

may I ask what this unasked visit is about?

Do you have a steward

named Steward Zhao in your store?

Yeah. Why?

We're here to inform you.

He suddenly died of illness on a street last night.

He's dead.

Since he worked in this salt store,

you guys should send someone to the yamen to collect his body.

We've delivered the message.

If you guys don't go there to collect his body,

we'll dump him in the unmarked burial-mound

as the regulations stipulate. That's all.

[Indistinct chatter]

What brings you here?

This morning, I was released from the prison

so I went to thank Headman Zheng of Xiaosheng Tong.

He saved my life.

But he refused to see me.

It made me uneasy.

I don't know what happened,

so I came here to ask you what's going on in the Salt Gang.

We're trying to rid our gang of moles.

Before the job is done,

I suggest

you leave the Tong headmen alone.

When everything's handled,

you'll be informed and get to meet them.

Okay. I get it now.

Well, I take my leave.

Supervisor Zhou.

Why do you look panic-stricken?

A couple of yamen officers came.

They said Steward...

Steward Zhao died of a sudden disease,

that we need to go and collect his body.

Take some men and handle it.

Who is he?

Why is he staking out the salt store?

Supervisor Yan?

Why is he tailing that man?

And who's that man?

How come Steward Zhao suddenly died?

That's what.

If the yamen officers not come to tell us to collect his body,

I wouldn't have believed it either.

Come!

[Door open]

Sirs, he's in here.

What the...

Where's Steward Zhao's body?

He was here when you came to examine him yesterday,

but when I came this morning,

he was gone.

I-I thought you guys had Steward Zhao's body transferred.

Are you sure the victim's Steward Zhao?

Of course I am.

Then why is his body missing?

How did this happen?

[Music] [Foot steps]

[Door shut]

[Gasps]

You may let me

handle this kind of stuff.

You people had better recover Steward Zhao's body,

or there will be consequences.

Sure, sure, sure.

Please give us some more time.

I promise I'll find out asap how Steward Zhao's body went missing.

You'd better hurry.

Let's go.

Travel safe.

Who put the bloom here again?

Let it be. Just go.

Did Supervisor Zhou tell you

why the headman refused to see you?

He kept his statements vague.

I can't shake the feeling he's concealing something from me.

I hope you like the tea.

Leave us.

Yes.

Did he say anything else?

He did confide something to me.

He said they're trying to rid the Salt Gang of moles,

that when it's over,

the Tong headmen would see me.

What does ridding the gang of moles

have to do with meeting you?

Are they suspecting I sold them out?

I don't think so.

If they really suspected

you were the one who sold them out,

why did they have a gang member impersonate you at night to free you from the prison?

I fear they might give me up to save their own hide.

Oh?

Then what should we do?

If I go down, I'll take them with me!

Have you seen him before?

When did you get hired?

How come I've never seen you before?

That's right.

You're acting so shiftily.

I can tell at a glance you're an evildoer. - Tell me.

Who are you?

How did you sneak in?

Why were you sneaking in?

Mr. Yan, a man posing as a servant eavesdropped on you.

[Music] [Gasps]

Get him!

Stop!

Stop!

Freeze!

Who is he?

Mr. Yan.

I don't know.

Do you think he was sent here to spy on us?

Steward Zhao was killed?

And his body went missing?

Yes.

Is your source reliable?

I think so.

Go to Xiong Lin right away.

Verify this matter at all costs.

Yes.

The body was in the yamen mortuary.

How's possible it went missing?

I'm confused as well.

But Captain Zhao promised

he'd ascertain the truth.

What the...

[Clinks]

A salt store...

Supervisor Zhou...

Supervisor Yan...

The Tong headmen...

Steward Zhao is really dead?

Yes.

His body really went missing?

Yes.

How did he die?

According to a yamen constable,

a captain from Liuzhou was the first to find Steward Zhao

dead in front of Fengxiang Teahouse.

He also gave the yamen constables a good beating

because of their disrespect for the victim.

What's the captain's name?

I think it's

Ouyang Ce.

Where can I find him?

It's said he came here because he had to escort a convict.

If he hasn't left yet,

you should be able to find him in the courier station.

Why are you suddenly asking about Steward Zhao?

He was one of us as well.

Come and take a look.

[Indistinct chatter]

[Door open]

[Music]

[Swords clinks]

[Gasps]

[Glass breaks]

So you're Ouyang Ce, the captain of Liuzhou Yamen?

Who are you?

How dare you intrude into my room?

I got some questions for you.

[Sword clinks]

What questions?

Do you know Steward Zhao?

I met him once.

When he died,

were you there?

Why should I tell you?

Because he was a close friend of mine.

I want to know the real cause of his death.

The yamen has drawn a conclusion about this matter.

If you want the truth,

you can just go to the yamen tomorrow to ask them.

Why bother coming here to ask me?

Tell me.

Why on earth did you come here?

I came here

for Ouyang Zhao.

Who are you exactly?

You work for the Capital Security Agency?

Yeah.

My big brother...

I know you have a lot of questions.

Let's talk about it.

How about

you and I take a little walk?

Where to?

To see Director Wen.

Director Wen,

this is Ouyang Ce.

Who are they?

This is the head of the Capital Security Agency,

Director Wen.

This is Xiao Yu.

Like me and your big brother,

he's also an agent of the Capital Security Agency.

Why did you guys and my brother

come to Yangzhou together?

We're here to look into a case.

As far as I know,

you work for the Liuzhou Yamen.

Why did you come to Yangzhou as well?

And how did you meet your big brother?

This is what happened.

The day before yesterday,

I escorted a convict to Yangzhou.

Steward Zhao's body went missing the night he was killed.

Even now,

the yamen still hasn't ascertained its whereabouts.

I was uneasy about it.

After doing some thinking,

I decided you should know this.

I'm positive it was people of the Capital Security Agency who stole his body.

Why would they do that?

They must want to figure out the cause of his death.

How come they found out so soon

that Steward Zhao had died?

Steward Zhao would not go to a teahouse for no reason.

I think he went there to meet someone working for the Capital Security Agency.

I get it now.

In other words,

when Steward Zhao was killed,

an agent of the Capital Security Agency was present,

and he saw how Steward Zhao was killed.

We cannot rule out that possibility.

No wonder

we lay in ambush for a full day

where Steward Zhao typically delivered messages,

but nobody showed up.

Well, what should we do?

Don't worry.

I'll smoke him out.

I had only just seen my big brother

when he suddenly died in front of me.

I felt there was something fishy going on,

so

I started investigating with Captain Zhao

who went there to look into the case.

Then why did you lie about his name?

Did you know it beforehand?

No.

That was because...

Is it true?

You really joined the Capital Security Agency?

Yeah.

I'm so happy for you.

Remember.

From now on,

whenever and wherever,

do not tell anybody you know me,

and in no circumstance should you

mention my real name Ouyang Zhao

or

our ties of brotherhood.

Why?

Because once you disclose my real identity,

my investigation into the case will be compromised,

and it'll put you, me,

and our parents in grave danger. - Got it.

Got it.

Don't worry.

I won't tell anybody.

That's why

I concealed my big brother's real identity.

Afterward

I went to the yamen with some constables to examine his body.

The post-mortem examiner said he died a natural death,

but I didn't believe it,

so I went to check his body again

only to find that someone had driven a silver needle into his head.

That was how I realized

he was murdered.

So

I decided to stay and ascertain the truth.

Then where's his body?

His body is...

Zhao,

rest assured.

I swear I'll find the killer.

I'll use his blood

as an offering to your ascended soul.

I see.

Well,

I've answered all your questions.

Now you should answer mine.

What questions do you have?

Why did my big brother conceal his identity

and join the Salt Gang led by Supervisor Zhou?

what was he investigating?

That's classified information of the Capital Security Agency.

Sorry I can't tell you.

Director Wen,

it might be classified,

but it also concerns my big brother's death,

so

I must know the truth.

Don't forget

I work for a yamen as well.

If you refuse to tell me the truth,

then

I'll look into this matter by myself.

Goodbye.

Wait.

We knew the Salt Gang in Yangzhou

had been secretly trafficking in salt,

but we had nothing to prove it,

so we had your big brother infiltrate into Supervisor Zhou's turf,

hoping to find out the Salt Gang's organizational structure

and how they sold salt.

He had hardly gained the Salt Gang's trust

when we lost contact with him.

Afterward we heard from a gang member

that he'd died a sudden death.

We felt there was something fishy behind his death,

so we started looking into it.

Afterward we learned you were the one who found his body first,

so I went to the courier station to see you.

How did you know who I was?

Your big brother once told me

he had a little brother

named Ouyang Ce,

who worked as a captain in Liuzhou.

I see.

Now

you're aware of the ins and outs of this case.

I want you to leave Yangzhou immediately

and stay out of this case. - Director Wen..

there's no way

I'm leaving this place

without bringing killer to justice.

If you obstruct the Capital Security Agency's official proceeding,

I can have you arrested. - Director Wen,

you don't have to worry about that.

Now the clue's led us to a dead end.

How are you going to continue the investigation?

There's one person we can use.

Who?

Supervisor Yan.

Who's that?

He's the convict I escorted to Yangzhou that day.

But

the day after I escorted him to this city,

I saw him in front of the salt store.

Afterward I secretly looked into it

and suddenly discovered

a member of the Salt Gang

impersonated him to take the fall for him.

I can't believe this.

So

I'll go to the prison to see the impostor

and use him to execute my plan.

What plan do you have?

You're all on your own.

How are you going to make it work?

We may go to Xiong Lin.

Who's Xiong Lin?

He's one of us,

working as an accountant in the yamen.

Since he's one of us,

there's no need to have him take that risk.

As for the candidate,

I have a perfect one to recommend.

Captain Zhao,

Captain Ouyang wishes to see you.

Captain Ouyang,

why are you still in Yangzhou?

Why haven't you returned to Liuzhou?

I got some personal business to attend to.

It needs to be done.

I'll go back when everything's settled.

Is this visit about something important?

To be honest,

I do have a favor to ask you because of an important matter.

Well, spit it out.

Captain Zhao,

I wanted that you grant me a meeting with the convict I escorted here.

Why do you want to see him?

This lady here is kin to the convict.

She'd like to see him before a verdict is delivered.

Would you please bend the rules a little for us?

I see.

It's a piece of cake.

Captain Ouyang,

your men told me

you're a master of solving cases,

so I'd like to hear your opinion about something.

Steward Zhao's body

suddenly disappeared from this room.

I was wondering if you could analyze the case for me

and find out about the stole Steward Zhao's body.

Actually,

how Steward Zhao's body

disappeared from the mortuary

doesn't matter much.

What really matters

is why someone stole his body

at such great risks.

Yeah.

That bemuses me as well.

Think about it.

Steward Zhao died a natural death,

and he had no family members in Yangzhou,

which meant

his friends could totally come to the yamen and collect his body above board,

but the thief did the exact opposite.

He stole Steward Zhao's body on the night he died.

So

what was he up to?

Was he afraid you might find out something?

Could it be that Steward Zhao's death was not a natural one?

I think

the thief stole his body

to conceal the real cause of his death.

You have a point.

Well,

I've analyzed the case for you.

Now please take us to see the convict, Captain Zhao.

We appreciate it.

Thank you, Captain Ouyang.

This way, please.

Identify yourselves.

Captain Zhao had me take them here to visit Supervisor Yan from Liuzhou.

The Prefect has given the order.

Nobody is allowed to see him without authorization.

If neither you

nor I disclose it,

the Prefect will never find out.

Well, come with me.

[Music]

[Humming]

Make it quick.

Supervisor Yan?

I am Supervisor Yan.

Who are you guys?

Do you know what crime you committed?

What I did was against the Great Ming's regulation...

No, what I did was against the Great Ming's law...

I seem to have trafficked in salt

in Yangzhou or Liuzhou,

which seemed to be illegal.

I've confessed to it.

I've been brought to justice.

Pursuant to the laws of the Great Ming,

what punishment should be meted out to those

who trafficked in salt without a yamen-issued Salt-sale Permit?

Do you know that?

I think it's three years imprisonment.

That was the old law.

The imperial court has just passed a new law.

Salt traffickers,

if the offense is minor,

are to have their eyes gouged out and their hair cut off

and be banished to the frigid northern borders

for lifelong servitude,

along with their folks and those who withhold information.

If the offense is severe,

they're to be dismembered alive with their whole clans.

Oh, Supervisor Yan,

you sold several hundred bags of salt.

Think about it.

Your crime is unbelievably felonious.

Wha-What are you two talking about?

Now you're regretting

having taken the fall for Supervisor Yan, aren't you?

What the...

Who the hell are you two?

Let me be honest with you.

We're yamen officers looking into the salt trafficking case.

If you tell us the ins and outs

of how you impersonated Supervisor Yan,

we promise

you and your family will come to no harm.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Alright.

It's okay if you don't want to admit it.

When we have found proof of the Salt Gang's crimes

and nailed the real Supervisor Yan,

by that time

your death will be certain.

Let's go.

Uh, uh, uh...

I want to see the Prefect! I want to see the Prefect!

I want to see the Prefect! [Gate shut]

Headman Gong, Mr. Prefect,

to what do I owe this honor?

We got a big problem.

What happened?

Earlier today two people

hoodwinked Captain Zhao, went into the prison,

and had a meeting with Supervisor Yan's impostor.

They've found out

the man in the cell is an impostor and not Supervisor Yan

Do you know who those two are?

They claimed to be yamen officers investigating the salt trafficking case.

One of them is Ouyang Ce, the captain of Liuzhou Yamen.

The woman's identity is unknown.

They boasted they'd catch Supervisor Yan

and destroy the Salt Gang,

which is why I came here

in the hope of defeating them

Why did they go to the prison

when they knew the one in the cell

was an impostor?

I'm afraid this matter is not as simple as it seems.

I think they were trying to panic us

in an effort to profit from our infighting.

Well then,

why don't we grant their wish?

Go.

[Music]

[Screams]

[Vessels breaks]

What's going on?

Kill him!

[Swords clinks] [Screams]

Get Mr. and Mrs. Yan out of here.

Come with me.

Come on.

Hurry.

Hurry.

[Sword clinks]

[Pin clinks]

What's happening to you?

[Bams]

[Flute]

No body here.

Anybody here?

Is anybody here?

Why are you yelling?

You're yearning to meet your end already?

May I ask what this place is?

Are you blind?

You can't tell what this place is?

This is a prison?

Isn't it obvious?

What else can it be, if not a prison?

Why am I here?

You know exactly

what you did to deserve this.

Tell me!

Tell me why I'm here!

Let go!

-Tell me! -Even now you still want to hurt people.

What are you doing?

Captain Zhao,

why am I in a prison?

Please tell me why am I here?

Oh, Ouyang Ce,

I trusted you so much,

but you actually used me, went into the prison

and murdered Supervisor Yan.

The Prefect nearly dismissed me from my post for it.

If the jailers hadn't caught you,

I would've been deemed your accomplice.

Are you trying to use me again?

Why would I do that?

Stop playing dumb!

Wait.

Did you just say

I killed Supervisor Yan?

The one who was replaced and freed

or the one in the cell?

Even now,

you're still talking nonsense.

There was never an impostor.

Tell me!

Who sent you to kill Supervisor Yan?

What's happening to you?

I am Supervisor Yan.

Who are you guys?

Here's the plan.

Captain Zhao,

let me out

and take me to Supervisor Yan's body,

and I'll tell you the truth.

In addition,

I guarantee you

you'll be reinstated in your post. What do you say?

I've let you see Supervisor Yan's body.

Now can you tell me the truth?

We may go to Xiong Lin.

Who's Xiong Lin?

He's one of us,

working as an accountant in the yamen.

What's the point of telling you the truth?

Do you dare look into the case?

There's no case I don't dare investigate.

Good.

In that case,

I'll tell you.

Now tell me.

Why did you kill Supervisor Yan?

I killed Supervisor Yan by order of Supervisor Zhou and the Salt Gang.

Supervisor Zhou?

It's because Supervisor Yan assisted in salt trafficking,

but unfortunately for him, he got caught in Liuzhou.

The Salt Gang and Supervisor Zhou,

feared that he would rat them out,

so they bribed the Prefect of Yangzhou

and had the Prefect

transfer Supervisor Yan to Yangzhou

with the excuse that he committed the crime in Yangzhou.

But the matter reached Supervisor Zhou's ears.

and report it to the yamen,

so the Salt Gang and Supervisor Zhou

had me kill Steward Zhao,

then sneak into the prison

and kill Supervisor Yan as well.

Are you saying Prefect He is also...

Are you telling the truth?

If you don't have the guts to look into

the Prefect, the Salt Gang, and Supervisor Zhou,

you may ignore

what I just said.

Prefect He.

What is this?

Ouyang Ce's confession.

Why did you interrogate without my permission?

Prefect He,

I was the one who caused this situation,

which was why I interrogated him personally,

but it never crossed my mind

he would accuse you of being an accomplice.

Shut up!

You let Ouyang Ce into the prison without authorization,

giving him the opportunity to murder Supervisor Yan,

a convicted felon,

and now you're colluding with him to frame me.

Guards!

Yes

Arrest Captain Zhao!

Yes.

Prefect He,

was he telling the truth?

Lock him up!

-Yes. -Yes.

I've served you heart and soul.

I can't believe you're in cahoots with them!

Xiong Lin,

go with the constables and escort Captain Zhao to the prison.

Tell the jailers

to lock Captain Zhao and Ouyang Ce

in the death house.

Nobody visit them without my permission. - Yes.

Why has Ouyang Ce

still not brought Supervisor Yan and his wife back?

Is it possible something unexpected happened to them?

Director Wen.

What brings you here?

The situation is dire.

I had no choice but to break our agreement to meet you.

What happened?

Ouyang Zhao's little brother Ouyang Ce

sneaked into the prison and killed Supervisor Yan.

The jailers caught him.

After being caught, he confessed

that he killed Supervisor Yan and Steward Zhao

by order of the Salt Gang, Steward Zhao, and Prefect He.

What?

Didn't he rescue Supervisor Yan and his wife?

How could he sneak into the prison to kill Supervisor Yan?

I don't know any details.

All I know is Prefect He has had Ouyang Ce

and Captain Zhao, thrown into the death house.

Figure out a way to take me to Ouyang Ce.

I need to find out what happened.

Nobody can get to them without Prefect He's consent.

Unless...

[Rat noise]

[Door open]

Junyan? What are you doing here? - Come with me.

How did you guys get in?

Xiong Lin drugged the jailers.

Let's go.

I came around in the prison only to find

that I'd become Supervisor Yan's murderer.

This Salt Gang is outrageous!

The Salt Gang and Prefect He

must have found out our intentions,

which is why they used Supervisor Yan to lure us into their trap.

But why did you tell them

you were the one who killed Supervisor Yan and Steward Zhao?

They colluded with the Prefect to scapegoat me,

leaving me and the Capital Security Agency

powerless to justify ourselves,

so I counter plotted

and told them I killed Supervisor Yan.

Then I lied about doing it under orders from the Salt Gang,

Prefect He, and Supervisor Zhou.

Firstly,

I wanted their plans to fall through;

secondly,

I wanted Captain Zhao

to deliver the message of my arrest to you;

thirdly,

I did it to point you guys in the right direction

in your investigation.

Supervisor Yan is dead,

which means we can no longer use him to investigate the Salt Gang.

As things stand,

we should use Prefect He as an entry point.

No.

Prefect He is very cunning.

Given that he accused

Ouyang Ce of killing Supervisor Yan in the prison,

I think

he'd prepared some "witnesses" against Ouyang Ce.

It's very unlikely we can use this

to bring him down.

Xiong Lin is right.

Supervisor Zhou is our entry point.

I never thought

Ouyang Ce would accuse me,

preventing me from issuing a warrant for his arrest.

Hey!

There's no need to do that.

I know where we can find him.

In his confession, he mentioned the Salt Gang,

Prefect He,

Supervisor Zhou, Supervisor Yan, and Steward Zhao.

The Salt Gang is just a collective name he uses to refer to us.

Think about it.

Now Supervisor Yan and Steward Zhao are dead.

Who can he go to?

Steward Zhou and me.

Exactly.

I'm positive they'll use you and him

as an entry point for their investigation.

That's good.

We'll set an extensive, escape-proof trap

around Supervisor Zhou and me,

and wait for them to show up.

Chilong. - Yes.

Take some men and put Supervisor Zhou under constant watch.

The moment Ouyang Ce and the others show up,

I order you to cut their heads off. - Yes.

Let's go.

[Music]

What's wrong, Supervisor Zhou?

Nothing. Let's go.

[Foot steps]

[Gasps]

The Capital Security Agency has ordered an investigation

into you and Supervisor Yan due to the case of the Salt Gang.

The Salt Gang, after hearing the news,

secretly killed Supervisor Yan.

I don't know if you'll be able to survive this misfortune.

Please be extra careful.

A note of caution from a mysterious friend.

I'll go and kill him right now

to avenge my big brother's death. - Stop!

I need you to look at the bigger picture.

When the case of the Salt Gang is solved, you may kill him as you please.

[Music]

He must've guessed we'd come here to see Supervisor Zhou,

Should we cancel the plan? - No.

This opportunity is too good to be missed.

[Sobs]

Hey!

What business do you have here?

We're here to see Supervisor Zhou.

To see Supervisor Zhou?

Who are you?

Just tell him

we're from the capital,

and he'll know.

From the capital?

Wait here.

Supervisor Zhou,

two people claiming to be from the capital

want to see you.

From the capital?

Yes.

Show them in.

Yes.

Listen! Go inside.

Who are you?

We work for the Capital Security Agency.

What is this about?

You know that very well. [Gasps]

I think you guys got the wrong person.

I don't know what you are talking about.

We're looking into the case

of the Salt Gang trafficking in salt.

You seem to be involved.

[Laughs]

My salt store is licensed.

I don't need to traffic in salt.

If we had no concrete evidence,

we wouldn't have come here.

If you got proof of my guilt,

I'll turn myself in,

but

if you cannot show me any evidence,

I'll report it to the yamen.

Supervisor Zhou,

I think you're aware

that Prefect He is in league with the Salt Gang.

If you report it to the yamen,

the Salt Gang will know immediately

that you're on the Capital Security Agency's suspect list,

and then you'll suffer a fate

the same as Supervisor Yan's,

a very miserable one.

The Salt Gang will secretly execute you.

If you want to die, I won't stop you.

Let me be honest with you.

An agent of the Capital Security Agency,

Ouyang Zhao,

who's also the one they call Steward Zhao,

has given us the evidence of your crime.

But we're not after you.

We're after the Salt Gang.

So long as you cooperate with our investigation

into the case of the Salt Gang trafficking in salt,

we'll grant you immunity from prosecution.

If you refuse to be cooperative,

we'll have to resort to unconventional means,

I think you know very well

what the Salt Gang will do to you.

Can you

give me a day to think about it?

Tomorrow,

at this hour,

I'll meet you in the West Gazebo.

I promise

I'll give you a reply you find satisfying.

Okay.

I think..

I overestimated my judgment.

Given how long Supervisor Zhou has been in the Salt Gang,

he should know

he's now in a cleft stick.

If he refuses to cooperate with us,

his death will be certain.

Let's go and take a look.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Sorry for your loss.

Thanks. Thanks.

Thanks. Please come.

Sorry for your loss.

Let's go.

[Foot steps]

[Sobs]

How did Supervisor Zhou die?

Heart attack.

Did you verify it?

I did.

[Music]

Something happened to Mr. Zhou!

Let's go.

[Foot steps]

Mr. Zhou.

-Listen! -Mr. Zhou.

What happened?

Mr. Zhou.

What just happened?

What happened to Supervisor Zhou?

You can't leave us like this.

I confirmed Supervisor Zhou's dead,

so I took our men back.

His timing was pretty good.

[Laughs]

He saved us the trouble of killing him.

Now the Capital Security Agency's only lead

is you, Prefect He.

Don't worry.

I've had it planned out some time ago.

I'm looking forward to their arrival.

[Laughs]

Supervisor Zhou suddenly died.

It would seem we need a new plan.

Not necessarily.

What do you mean?

Don't you find something pretty fishy?

Did you find something?

Do you still remember that day...

I need some time alone with my husband.

Yes.

Mrs. Zhou had no grief on her face

when she was in the mourning hall.

What she did

was actually all an act.

Are you saying he faked his death?

I guess

he want us to stop looking into the Salt Gang

which was why he took a Pseudo-death Pill

which could suspend people's breathing and heartbeat.

I've come.

You're back.

Come and dig in.

You finally came.

I'm starving.

What did you get to eat?

Here. This is your favorite dish.

How is it?

Your home cooking's amazing.

Why are you not eating, darling?

[Sobs]

You two...

Supervisor Zhou, you never thought

I'd see you come back from the dead, did you?

What do I have to do to get you guys to spare me?

Help us eliminate the Salt Gang

and I'll make sure you come to no harm.

Zhou

calm down.

Tell them.

Tell them.

Okay.

I'll tell you everything I know.

I want to know

how Steward Zhao died.

This is what happened.

That day he and I went to Xiaosheng Tong and attended a meeting.

[Music]

Wait here for me.

Okay.

Are you sure it was him?

I'm completely sure.

Hmmm

[Clinks]

I wish you good health.

Hmm

Headmen,

Today I got something important to deal with,

so this meeting is canceled.

Please go back and wait for further notice.

You may leave through the back door.

Yes.

Supervisor Zhou, stay.

Headman Zheng,

you got something to talk to me about?

Supervisor Zhou, I suspect Steward Zhao

is a mole.

How's that possible?

How much does he know about us?

I've always been very cautious.

I never told him anything about our gang.

If you're cautious,

you wouldn't have brought him here.

Do you have any concrete proof

that he's a mole?

I'll have Headman Xing of Zhisheng Tong ascertain the truth of this matter.

Remember,

for the duration of our investigation,

you must act normally.

On no account should you risk doing anything

Yes.

Go.

Hey! What happened?

Hey what happened to him?

He was just alright.

[Indistinct chatter]

That's how Steward Zhao got killed.

What's the hierarchical structure

of the Salt Gang like?

The supreme leader of the Salt Gang is Headman-in-chief.

On the first day of every month,

all Tong headmen of the gang will gather to have a meeting.

On the 15th day of every month,

Headman-in-chief will hold a convention,

all members of the gang will attend.

Headman Sun of Lisheng Tong, responsible for the accounting.

Headman Gong of Rensheng Tong, responsible for legal affairs.

Headman Xing of Zhisheng Tong,

responsible for assassination operations.

Headman Zheng of Xiaosheng Tong, responsible for contact affairs.

Supervisors, responsible for the running of salt stores.

Please be seated, supervisors.

How did they traffic in salt?

National roads.

National roads?

I believe

they can bribe those in charge of national roads in a province,

but I don't believe

they can bribe their way

[Laughs]

Those who investigate trafficking cases are also traffickers.

Without support from courtiers,

our gang would never have been able to sell illegal salt to all cities in the country.

How do we get proof of the Salt Gang's guilt?

Their records of expenditure

can be found in an account book.

As for who has it,

I don't know either.

If you find the account book,

you'll have evidence of the Salt Gang's crimes.

Yeah, right.

I'm willing to give you everything I have.

All I want

is for you to spare my family.

We've acquired enough information about the Salt Gang.

Right now the priority is to find the account book.

How many days till the next month?

Three days.

Why are you asking about this?

I got a plan,

but I need to borrow an army.

That's simple.

If you're confident it'll work,

I can have the commandant lead his men here.

Alright.

If that's the case,

I can assure you the plan will succeed.

[Music]

This is the day for the meeting of our Tong headmen.

If you have any inquiries, feel free to speak your mind.

Friends,

do any of you know the whereabouts of those agents and Ouyang Ce?

Not yet.

I won't be able to have peace of mind

unless they're disposed of.

Do you have any ideas?

I think we should

report this to Headman-in-chief

and have him pull some strings in the imperial court to curb the agency.

I agree.

No matter how cautious we are,

it's only a matter of time before they find proof of our crimes.

Yeah.

But surely we can't eliminate them all?

I'll relay your opinions

to Headman-in-chief.

[Music]

[Foot steps]

Who are you?

This is an official proceeding of the Capital Security Agency.

step aside!

Headman Sun, sirs, agents of the Capital Security Agency came.

What should we do?

We kill them all.

Yes.

[Sword clink]

[Deep breathes]

Commandant.

Prefect He?

I can't believe you're in cahoots with the Salt Gang.

Guards! - Yes.

Restrain them!

[Swords clinks] [Sobs]

Take him away!

Move it!

-Move! -Move!

Move!

[Foot steps]

Headman-in-chief,

the Capital Security Agency led an army there and arrested all our headmen.

What?

Headman-in-chief,

this time they're fully prepared.

In case some of those who got caught

say things they're not supposed to say and incriminate you,

I suggest you leave Yangzhou and lay low until things cool off.

You can always come back when everything's settled in the capital.

Okay.

I'll escort you out.

[Foot steps] [Deep breathes]

[Screams]

[Sword clinks] [Bams]

You're just a yamen captain.

Why risk your life for them?

Let us go and I'll give you some signed checks.

You killed my big brother.

I swore

I'd use your blood as an offering to his ascended soul.

Who's your big brother?

He's that agent of the Capital Security Agency Ouyang Zhao.

But I've never heard this name before.

He's also known as Steward Zhao.

[Swords clinks]

[Bams]

[Sword clink]

[Foot steps]

Ouyang Ce.

Hang in there.

The account book.

Take him away.

[Music]

Zhao, I kept my word.

I not only caught your murderer

but also

solved the salt trafficking case for you.

You may rest in peace

Ouyang Zhao,

you and your brother

rendered meritorious service by solving this case.

I'll report it to the court

and make sure you get the credit you deserve.

You may rest in peace now.

As for your little brother,

I'll take him back to the capital.

Director Wen,

what do you mean by that?

Ouyang Ce,

our agency's aim is to rid our country of evil.

We look into courtiers

as well as dishonest merchants and gangsters.

Will you become an agent of our agency

and assist the imperial court to exterminate evil as your big brother did?

We will be really happy.

I do.

Thank you, Director Wen.

[Horse steps]

[Gasps]

[Music]