《长安的荔枝 The Litchi Road》EP10：李善德与胡商苏老合作，以符牒换取试验经费｜雷佳音 岳云鹏｜古装 传奇 剧情｜KUKAN Drama
[The Litchi Road] [Cut Cost and Increase Revenue] [Inspector’s Mansion] Stand up. Yes, sir. Try this. Mr. Zhao. Your suggestions are welcome. Put the rest on the account as usual. On the account… Again? Granduncle, I bought a potted flower for your wife. How many times have I told you not to call me that in public? Try it. It was just delivered. No thanks. This morning during my patrol, I found the awning for the roosters not done yet. Why the delay? Those workers are inefficient. Let me tell you, Mr. He’s insomnia gets severe. Plus the hot weather makes him irritable. He’s refused visitors for ten days. Only these prized roosters can bring him joy. Happy roosters… Happy Inspector. And a happy Inspector? We’re both happy. Otherwise, no one will be happy. You’re right, sir. The awning should’ve been done yesterday. But a rat infestation hit
the Inspector’s Mansion. The servants were busy exterminating rats. Rat infestation? How did that happen? Pest control funds were already allocated. Speaking of which, Weren’t you “cutting costs and increasing revenue”? Did I withhold it? Even if I withheld a little, the procurement officer still got half the money, right? You withheld some too! You’re really something. Dedicated funds for specific use were already tight. You withheld it… How much? Just about half of what was left. You’re unbelievable! Daring to profit from every crumb! Aren’t you afraid it might backfire? I did the math. The money I left for procurement was enough if used frugally. But I didn’t expect
that the procurement officer also pocketed some. Blinded by greed. It’s such a trifle,
and you still messed up. Sealed their mouths? Rest assured. Servants won’t talk. I bought potent rat poison and had it mixed with rice [Slave from the State of Linyi]
to lure the rats to eat it. Any rat that eats it dies within moments. Plugging holes before finishing
the work on the surface. You can’t distinguish priority, can you? Remember, anything visible to Mr. He is the top priority. He’ll see upon waking… No more rats in the residence. The roosters, not rats! Get to work. Be smarter this time! The day’s work depends
on a good start in the morning. Hey! You think a slave like you can daydream here? Work now! Poison rats. Poison my ass! Can’t tell what’s important? What Mr. He sees is the top priority! Go now. Hurry! [Episode 10] Brother! Now I see you as if you were my long-lost younger brother! You are my big brother! Watch your step. Brother! Brother! Brother! Go home with the joy from tonight! We’ll meet another day! We haven’t enjoyed ourselves
to the full! Next time we’ll do that, Brother. There will be other days! There will be other days! There will be other days! Brother, I don’t want you to leave. My younger brother! We’ll meet again! Brother. We’ll meet again! We will! Farewell, brother! Brother! Brother! We’ll meet again! Sir. Sir. Need a carriage? Qilang, I thought you fell for it. They mixed rice wine with litchi wine, clearly trying to get you drunk. I knew from the first sip. This banquet was malicious. Little did they know I was Assistant Minister of Banquets
back in Chang’an. Setting a trap with wine? What’s there to fear even if I go to the banquet alone? The amount of the wine was just mouthwash to me. But tonight, they’ll vomit badly. [Inspector’s Mansion] Rough seas today. Hold tight, brothers! Hold tight. What heavy rain! We can’t see anything. Beware of reefs, maintain course! Hoist sails. Advance! Ma Guiyun stayed only to supervise if the Military Fish Tally’s
used properly. Charge! Charge! The wind and the rain, bring it all! Row hard! Heave ho! That old fox fears I’ll take possession of his wealth. I’m going to stab him. Stab! Eighty… Two thousand five hundred and eighty. I brought you some food. You’re learning to care for people. Is it fermented glutinous rice? The wine’s scent is from me. Xiu sent this today. Xiu sent it? Look, she embroidered a flatbread. Her stitching’s improved, right? See the crumbs beside it? Only one piece? She doesn’t know her uncle loves flatbread too? You can’t blame her. She doesn’t know you’re in Lingnan. Then tell her! Maybe another time. You’ve been scribbling and calculating for days. You can’t figure out this small account? I want to do a litchi transport trial. I must predict
potential problems en route in advance. Isn’t this an armchair strategy? What can it reveal? I don’t understand politics or rhetoric. I passed the imperial exam
in arithmetic. After entering service I dealt daily with ledgers, warehouse books, reports, and registers. All I can do is calculate. All I can rely on is calculation. Take a break. Let’s eat. I don’t have any appetite. Calculations reveal shocking costs. The money I got from Elder Su is far from enough. Since it’s mentioned, I think I should help. Just say it. How much short? I minimized costs as much as I could. Still 2,580 guan short. Sorry, I said I could help. Shande, just go to bed. Two thousand five hundred and eighty. Ma’am! Big beard! Ma’am! He’s here? Yes. Welcome. Mr. Li. Elder Su. You wanted to see me urgently. What’s your intention? Last time you said you knew Lingnan cuisine inside out and you wanted to “collude” with me to taste Lingnan delicacies, right? Today I prepared some rare fruit. Let’s taste it. This fits in with my scheme. Let’s go. Let’s go. Let’s go. Here. Get you a big one. Try it. Here. It’s so sour! Only pregnant women would like it. Could the Noble Consort be with child? This is March Red, for brewing wine. We Dong people don’t eat it. Never mind the sourness. Is it fresh? Fresh! Unprecedentedly fresh! Actually, these litchis were picked four days ago. If I get sick vomiting and having watery stools, I’ll storm your home! You won’t. Elder Su, I used your double-layered urns and Tong’s method of water isolation. Rinse the March Reds with salt water. Seal in urns. The outer layer is
filled with cold water which is changed every half day, keeping the temperature in the urn not too high while maintaining moisture. Thus the preserved litchis will taste freshly picked after four to six days. I never thought my double-layered urns
would be so wonderful! You know what? I’m overjoyed. Alright. Stop gawking. Back to work! Go play. The boiled litchis? Serve me two. Go. Now state your scheme. I want to do a litchi transport trial. Tong will provide a hundred jin of March Reds. I hope you can buy some horses, hire riders, and buy some middle-sized boats for me. They are split into four routes, all carrying urns full of litchis. All depart simultaneously and spare no horse. I want to see how far litchis travel before they spoil. How many horses and riders do you need? Over a hundred horses, dozens of riders. Elder Su, here are the four routes I drew. You see, the first route is via Mei Pass Circuit, through Qianzhou, Ezhou, and Suizhou. Same as my journey south. The second route is via Xijing Circuit, an ancient path since the Eastern Han Dynasty. All the way from Ruyuan, Chenzhou, Hengzhou, Tanzhou to Jiangling. This one has the shortest straight-line distance. Now the third route. It’s also via Mei Pass Circuit. But after crossing the river, it goes north straight to Suzhou and joins Tang’s Jiang-Huai Canal route, along the Bian River, the Yellow River,
and the Luo River to the capital. The fourth route relies on ships all the way. We travel from the Pearl River
to the Qin River, the Zhen River. Cross Mei Pass into the Gan River. We then go upstream
when we reach the Yangtze River to the Han River, Xiangzhou, and then transfer to Shangzhou Circuit. Each of these routes has their own advantages. I don’t expect success in one go. I just want to know how far litchis can go
before they spoil. In Lingnan, a good northern horse
costs 13 guan. A good rider? Minimum five guan. With such distance, even if you can go at full speed sparing no horse like you just said, riders would demand extra rewards or no one will do it. Plus human provisions, horse provisions, bribes for checkpoints, and boat expenses. The total cost can be an enormous figure. Yes, I calculated it. Elder Su, you’ve been here for years. You know the costs, losses, and the minimum market prices better than me. So I want your help to negotiate prices. Tell me. How much do you have? Nine hundred and ninety-six guan. Nine hundred and ninety-six? Why does that number sound so familiar? That’s what you paid
for the transit document. You plan to put it all into official use? You don’t want to keep any in your own pocket? I wanted to repay my loan in Chang’an and save some for my daughter. But if I don’t succeed in transporting litchis, I’m dead anyway. So I’ll make a last stand for my daughter. The total needed would be at least 3,000 guan. Try some boiled litchis. Thank you. Cool the heat. I have 996 guan but still need 2,580 guan more. But that’s my estimate. With your help, 2,500 guan should suffice. Elder Su, how about I get three transit documents from the Inspector’s Mansion for you? Blank ones. Could you lend me 2,500 guan? So asking me for money is your real scheme. Tong, state your scheme. Li Shande differs from other city folks. Others come to the orchard taking bribes and demanding money. They look down on us like we’re slaves. But he’s different. The first official to actually do farm work with us. He also drove away the bad guys who tried to take the orchard. I’d give him 300 jin of litchis if he needed them, let alone just 100 jin. Mr. Li, I thought you tried to transport litchis
to Chang’an just for fun. I never imagined you’re serious. Since you’ve made up your mind, I agree to trade my sea turtle for your pangolin again! Truly? Truly! Aye. But this time, I need one more pangolin. Four documents. Deal? Deal. Four it is! Does the pastry suit your taste? It’s improved since last time. Good, enjoy. Aye. Sir, you’re dressed up! Where are you going? The Inspector’s Mansion. [Litchi Directorate] Mr. Li. I seek Mr. He. Can you go tell him? Mr. He is out. Mr. Zhao then? He’s out with the Inspector. When will they return? I have no idea. Tea’s in the pot. Guests can serve themselves after they drop coins. Sir, any pastries needed? Just tell me. Pastries can wait. Is plain water free? Well, plain water is always free in every teahouse. A bowl of plain water then. Alright. Sir, order first. Perhaps purple bamboo shoot tea? Authentic. Purple bamboo shoot tea is from Huainan. Lingnan has
no good purple bamboo shoot tea. And you won’t get quality tea at this price. How about a pot of local Xishan tea? Local? Then why so expensive? Shopkeeper’s rule: No order, no seat. Please make room for others. Come on! If your teahouse’s full up, I’ll leave. But it’s vacant now. My official robe could attract customers. Tell your shopkeeper that business needs good calculation. Are you waiting for someone from the Inspector’s Mansion? Come on. I have a prime spot for you. Come with me. Look. [Inspector’s Mansion]
You can see clearly. You’ve exiled me. This place is convenient for both of us. Now this is some good calculation. [Litchi Directorate] Mr. He, watch your step. So, you’ll see soon that the rooster awning’s done. Amita sent fish bone meal to nourish the roosters. She’s a thoughtful girl. Yes. She’s busy with guild affairs. Yet she cares about her adoptive father’s roosters. This is what a loving daughter does. Of course, the love is mutual. You treat her as your own and you care deeply. You’re exactly like her birth father! You two are equally kind, but unlike him,
you’re blessed with longevity. Mr. He, you will live a happy and very long life. People annoy me now. This envoy, that envoy, all swarming around me. This is annoying! But seeing these roosters cheers me up. Bring them out. Slowly! Nice and slow! Do it with love! Yes, be careful. Wonderful! So beautiful. See its bearing? Majestic and extraordinary! If it’s well-fed, it can even fight alongside me! How spirited! Fetch it. Coming. Here. Here it comes. Come on. I… I used it to… What a bold slave! How dare you offend Mr. He? What’s he saying? Nonsense, ignore him. These bowls are for servants’ meals and not good enough
for the noble roosters! They deserve finer ones. Finer ones? I bought potent rat poison and had it mixed with rice. Rats that eat it die within moments. The Inspector’s Mansion must cut costs or even great fortunes will be squandered! Yes, sir! Truly a cost-cutting bowl. When was the rice out of the barn? We can’t let roosters get sick. It was served early in the morning, so it’s not fresh. See, just now… What do you mean fresh? You are saying rice for the roosters must be freshly planted? Be it stored in the barn or outside, it’s stored anyway, right? Since the barn’s damp, you can even air and sun the rice outside. Perfect for roosters. Here we go. Sir, there are some urgent documents unsigned. Since the awning is done, let servants do trifles like feeding roosters. I’ll do it. Hell no! I am finally in a good mood and want to feed the roosters. I am finally cheered up and want some fun! Why would you stop me? Why can’t you bear my joy? You want me to whip you 50 times to share the joy? We wouldn’t dare. I want to feed roosters! Can I? Eat it! Eat it! Eat and live long. Eat Father’s rice, and live long. Eat Father’s rice,
and you’ll stay healthy. Eat for longevity and blessing! Take big bites! [Inspector’s Mansion] Is Mr. He back? Mr. Li. Just go home. Mr. He is not returning today. And Mr. Zhao? Also not coming back. You poisoned them ruthlessly! Every single one is dead! Isn’t that Mr. Zhao’s voice? Um… Isn’t that Mr. Zhao’s voice? I’m the Imperial Litchi Envoy! How dare you deceive me and obstruct official business? I’ll go inside to see him! – Mr. Li…
– Don’t interfere! Every single one is dead! You took… Poison rats… the bowl. You put the rice in it. No one else handled it. You poisoned them ruthlessly, and now everyone will be punished! Bastard! Bastard! Mr. Zhao? Mr. Li? Why did you barge into the Inspector’s Mansion? I visited because I hope you can issue four more transit documents for imperial affairs. What about the previous one? You lost it? No. You know, this task is difficult, and I struggle alone. More documents ease the work. So you mean you’ve made progress in keeping litchis fresh? I found a female litchi farmer named Tong. Her litchis are also supplied
to the Inspector’s Mansion. I hear Dong girls are passionate. Could you be… I am dedicated to His Majesty’s mission. I don’t have the time
and energy for that. This is easy. I can decide for Mr. He. You can have all of Tong’s harvest this season for your purpose. But even with the fresh litchis, it still requires transport. I came to seek your support, or I won’t be able to fulfill His Majesty’s task. Then you don’t need
the transit documents. I have some humble soldiers here. How about I assign them to you? Heavens. Mr. Zhao, I want both men and documents. Both. You know this royal task is near-impossible. Don’t threaten me with whips. Whether in Chang’an or here, I’ll die anyway. Either you make my life easier in my last months, or chop me dead right now! Mr. Li! Kill me! What’s with the… I’m the Litchi Envoy! My death can at least cause you some trouble! Kill me! Why so extreme? “Why so extreme”? If you guys won’t give me the documents, ask Mr. He to come out and give me a clear answer! Mr. He, Mr. He! I know you’re in there! Come out to see me! His Majesty demands litchis in Lingnan by name! By name! And you’re Lingnan’s Inspector! Are you going to pretend
you didn’t hear me? Come see me! Or there will be consequences when I report to Chang’an! Just kill me! I’m so desperate! Mr. Li, no! I’m so desperate! I’ll get killed anyway! No, if you die… Kill me then. This is uncalled for. Um… Wait here. I’ll be back soon. Someone instigated this. Investigate! Rooster Poppa. Rooster Poppa! Did he confess? Where’s the poison from? This slave stammers. Now he’s as dumbstruck
as a wooden chicken from the big trouble he caused. How dare you say chicken? I will shut up. Rooster Poppa! The Litchi Envoy came, and he wants
four more transit documents. This greedy beast. He’s never satisfied. Refuse. But this Litchi Envoy will be gone on the first day
of the sixth month anyway. Besides, he’s from Chang’an. We don’t know if he has any powerful friends. If we handle it wrong and give rivals ammunition to go against us at the Court, it’ll be hard for us to counter since we’re far away
from the corridors of power. Zhao, I’m so annoyed. I have to deal with Ma Guiyun and this Litchi Envoy at the same time. So annoying! If you ask me… If you ask me, give him what he wants this time. Speak louder! Let him profit slightly. After the first day of the sixth month, when the reprimand letter arrives, we’ll arrest
and send him back to Chang’an. We get what we lost from the documents under the imperial charges. No matter how much
the merchants earned with the documents, we will make them pay tenfold! Isn’t it better? Fine. Zhao, I can’t be bothered now. Go handle it. My mind’s full of roosters. You handle it. Aye. [Inspector’s Mansion] Sir, cool enough? Mr. Zhao. Mr. Li. Your four documents are ready. Thanks. Beat him to death! Yes! Lean against the tree! I’m going to kill you! Even ants cling to life. Better not kill him for real. If he dies, just buy another slave. But killing in the mansion
is inauspicious. I’m going to kill you! Give me the key. Yes. Farewell. Wait. You wanted both men and documents? I don’t have any other men.
Take this slave. Keep an eye on him. He’s mute. You’re alone in Lingnan. You can use someone to serve you and run errands. He poisoned Mr. He’s roosters. When Mr. He returns, he’ll be dead anyway. I’ll take him with me. Can you understand me? You have a name? No name. Then I’ll give you a name. I’ll give you a name for convenience. My job is to transport litchis. You’ll be… Li. Li. Li. Li, you’ll be my servant. You don’t have to fear.
I won’t beat you. I won’t. Let’s go. [Litchi Directorate] I leave the stool there. Okay. How much is a serving of dumplings? Sir, two wen. Two wen? Sir, my dumplings are renowned. Full measure, made fresh, thin skin, ample filling! You’re guaranteed to have one big meatball per dumpling. Just put half a meatball
per dumpling then. That’ll be one wen per serving.
Give me two servings. Come on! Half a meatball? How? You said you’re renowned for making them fresh.
Are you lying? I… Sit. Sit, Li. We must eat before working. Sit. Come on! Wait here. Sit there and wait. Sit. Or crouch, that’ll do too. He’s still crouching. He’s obedient though. Change into this later. We handle litchi transport. You need to dress decently. Are the dumplings ready? He’s already finished two servings. Alright, a good eater
means a good worker. A bowl of soup, please. Mind your step. Mind your step. [Litchi Directorate] Four transit documents. Elder Su, see for yourself. Genuine. No deceit! Impeccable! You’re truly outstanding. I am speechless and tongue-tied. Good to hear it. They mean four merchant teams for free. These documents truly are worth a fortune. You gave me a fortune, and I will repay
with my weighty promise. Money, not a coin short. Horses, not one missing. Riders, fully accounted. I’ll see it through with you through thick and thin. Thanks, Elder Su. With you “seeing it through”, I feel relieved already. Li. Li, come here. Over here. The plank! Tong. This is for you. The plank! What? You… Not you, come here! Come back. This is yours. Betrothal gift? Not betrothal! Didn’t you promise me 100 jin of March Red litchis? This is prepaid compensation. So it’s just business? We drank the Vow Drink for nothing? Last time, I didn’t understand your tribal customs. I am so sorry. Tong, you’re beautiful, clever, and quick-witted. You deserve a good husband. Though you apologized, I won’t forgive you! Let’s change the topic. Elder Su, you’ll help me to negotiate the expenses for the trips. So I’ll start preparing for the trial. Okay. [The Litchi Road] Build a relationship? Now is your chance to shine. I fear Amita might grow too attached. Don’t tell me you already had your eye on someone in Lingnan. I’ll do it. With a heroic rescue, would she be enchanted even more? My surname is Ma,
[*Ma means horse] and I rode often in Chang’an, even earned a nickname, Sassy Horseman. Horse and rider as one. Your name is Ma Guiyun. So horses are your thing. Find the rest of the horses for me! ♪Though I’m on a branch
in Lingnan’s land♪ ♪My red hue dyes the sky so grand♪ ♪My fairy aura floats to Chang’an town♪ ♪Driving mortals wild♪ ♪Their heads spin round♪ ♪Toiling day and night without a break♪ ♪Just to taste this fruit so rare♪ ♪All crave a bite of this fare♪ ♪Through mountains, lakes,
and rivers wide♪ ♪I journey in dreams far and wide♪ ♪Endless schemes and deceit I hear♪ ♪Absurd pretense so insincere♪ ♪I, too, wished to see
golden tiles glow♪ ♪In this bustling mortal world below♪ ♪But all I saw was a man’s plight♪ ♪Weeping through the lonely night♪ ♪Day by day, bit by bit♪ ♪Bit by bit, fit by fit♪ ♪I was Lingnan’s carefree sprite♪ ♪Dancing with the moon
and sky so bright♪ ♪Pursued by crowds with no respite♪ ♪Witnessing greed in human sight♪ ♪I was Lingnan’s carefree sprite♪ ♪Longing for a sleep in the woods
on a moonlit night♪ ♪Savoring breeze and lute’s sweet sound♪ ♪Free at heart, with peace profound♪ ♪Day by day, bit by bit♪ ♪Bit by bit, fit by fit♪ ♪Day by day, bit by bit♪ ♪Fit by fit, day by day♪ ♪I was Lingnan’s carefree sprite♪ ♪Swinging on green boughs in sunlight♪ ♪Till Chang’an called me to its gate♪ ♪And set my fate to twist and gyrate♪