Special: ๐๐Su Liang “is very good at” using idioms. Did you laugh? | The Litchi Road
Do not push your luck. worry over nothing. Like a thunderbolt crashing down, I’m so anxious
that I feel butterflies… I’m willing to help but unable to do so. Excuse me. Excuse me. I learned of your lodgings at Qifeng Pavilion. I hope I do not presume. Here is a little gift from me. Sir, take them. Do not push your luck. You present gifts with such audacity. I’m here to recommend myself. If my speech causes a bit of confusion for you. That’s just
the natural course of things. Sir, please don’t worry over nothing. Well… Your phrasing is really… So, what do you want? Mr. Li, do you prefer directness? So do I. Just now, that portly and comely gentleman and together,
we play the snipe and clam, letting the fisherman profit. No, you’ve misused the idiom again. I have a ship detained by Commandant Yang at Gaozhou Port. I went to the port and opened the hold only to find it empty, nothing! Like a thunderbolt crashing down, I’m so anxious
that I feel butterflies… Elder Su, no need for the verse. Alright. So I came to you. that my money is already yours. They’re resting in peace
in your pocket. I won’t try to get them to rise from the ashes and return to me. You and the Inspector have a connection, whatever that is. Can you get me to touch Mr. He?
[*He means to say “get me in touch”] I’m willing to help but unable to do so. Willing to help but unable to? So are you willing to help or not? “Willing to but…” So you will help? I can’t! Why? I just can’t! What if I get more money to rest in peace
in your pocket? Can you help then? How much? Name a price. It… It’s not about money! It’s about… I truly want your money. But I am unable to! Why? You… I… I can’t explain clearly. I have to do the litchi transport experiments! I can’t help you. I truly can’t! I’m willing to help but unable to. Years apart, and you are beyond recognition. You’ve changed at breakneck speed. You can have wrong choice of words but don’t make a wrong accusation. Why did your incense materials
appear on the market right after mine went missing? I mean, what are the odds? could you give me some more money? Not “give”! Invest. You invest! Invest? What’s “invest”? You and I clicked immediately. Come on. Dig in! 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. It’s so sour! Only pregnant women would like it. Could the Noble Consort be with child? 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! I never thought my double-layered urns
would be so wonderful! You know what? I’m overjoyed. 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. Amita and I never get along. If I go to flatter her, she’ll see me as a weasel visiting a hen, and will only get more vicious. Though the idiom isn’t quite accurate, it does get the point across. Amita is ruthless and evil-minded. You may be strong physically, but you are simple-minded. You might as well aim high and demand many fine horses from her. Even if she cuts the number in half, you can still secure enough for the transport. Do you understand what I’m saying? It’s worth a try. Elder Su? What brings you here? Mr. Li! I went to the courier station. They said you were at the orchard. Since sunset’s approaching, I figured you’d return. So I am waiting for your return here. With my eloquence,
I persuaded Hadi, a Hu merchant, to lend us fine horses! Really? Absolutely! Elder Su, can you find some experienced riders? How much riders? How many. “Many”, not “much”. How many? As many as possible. Elder Su, I already have one rider lined up. Can you help me find just one more? With two riders, I can get them to lead the charge. It’s hard. Even just one. Can you think of another idea? I’m worried there might be no more riders after this. Elder Su, I have a brilliant idea. Can we add a line to that notice? For riders who can ride
a thousand-li steed, price is negotiable. He’s talking big. Be careful he’ll push it and grow greedier! What are you talking about? Let me tell you, my brother was known as Traceless when he rode. Do you know what that means? In the blink of an eye, he vanished without a trace. Sir, I’ll give you a kind reminder. This is a wild horse. If you overestimate yourself, you might end up in black and blue. I won’t cover your medical expenses. Mind your words! Thanks. Just you watch! Mr. Li, he rode away. Really? Wonderful! Awesome! What a stroke of luck! Mr. Li, stop worrying. Learn from me, and be resolute like an iron-clad turtle! Mr. Li, this time I’m back to Lingnan, only your task got my attention. If we make it, we’ll all have a chance to thrive. Just give you all, and I’ll do everything I can to help you. Elder Su, in that case, I’ll give my all. Mr. Li is honest and straightforward, never trying to please anyone, let alone deceiving anyone. So, he lays out the truth openly. He knows transporting litchis is no easy task, but he still perseveres. I admire Mr. Li’s character. I also believe he will surely find a better way to turn danger into safety. I’m willing to put my entire fortune in Mr. Li’s hands! I’ll side with him! I am a humble Hu merchant once framed by villains. I could’ve met my doom. By heaven’s will, I met you. Thus I revived from ashes. To me you are noble, respected, and peerless. You’re like rare incense refreshing the soul. I’ve been in trading for years, but I’ve never met anyone as pure as you. If the litchi transport succeeds, I’ll boast to my descendants that my contribution has surpassed all! I’ll be getting too big for my boots. This cup of wine, let’s drink to the dregs together! Drink to the dregs together! Same here! With the wine, let me level with you. Compared to clever people, you’re a great fool. So foolish that I couldn’t bear to cheat you. Yet although you’re a fool, you’re brilliant beyond measure! Ingenious tricks abound. Your talent is matchless. But then I smelled… I smelled profit. I saw the chance and I got greedy. So I decided to assist you. I hope I don’t become a joke. And please, don’t look down on me. Never. Mr. He treated us as shells and cowries, threatening, extorting at will. He’s been breaking his promises. Such lawlessness is like killing the goose for golden eggs. We gain no profit, earn no coin. If this goes on, the Hu merchants will never rise. Truly self-satisfying. Mr. Li, the litchi transport was like rotten wood. Yet you turned rot to wonder. Unthinkable. Beyond belief. But I still feel lingering dread. What if, just what if… Elder Su. This is my last chance. Even if it risks my life, I must see this trip through. Even if an abyss lies ahead, I will cross it. Good. You succeed or you die. Your spirit leaves me prostrate in awe. The new leader brings a fresh vision. The Guild transforms, flourishing anew. It’s worthy of celebration. Your permanent appointment is nearing. Confucius said, “Establish others
as you would establish yourself, and help others to develop
as you would help yourself to.” Aiding you aids myself. I gamble on your success. In days to come, when you rise to fame, win promotion and get rich with a wife and concubines, then I will stand a chance to rise again. Are you okay with it? Yes. I’ll go prepare. Like this… I’d do anything for you willingly! I’ll strive with all my might. Good. I won’t fail your great kindness. All is ready. It’ll be a long and perilous journey ahead. You will have to ride day and night, brave wind and rain. Take care of yourself. I will. I… I hold countless absurd thoughts in my heart. One last word. Remember, I await you in Lingnan. Never entertain thoughts of dying for righteousness. “If we must die, wouldn’t it be better
to die for our cause?”