Highlight EP21: Li Shande meets changyuan who helps him wake up from his dilemma! | The Litchi Road
In the 22nd year of Kaiyuan, Pei Yaoqing, the Transport Commissioner
of Jianghuai and Henan, came to Hekou on an imperial order. He devised tiered transport there. In three years, seven million hu of grains
were transported, and three hundred thousand guan
were saved. Chang’an overflowed with grain. The Emperor no longer had to relocate the capital east for food. I served in his office, responsible for checking accounts. I witnessed Commissioner Pei’s masterful coordination. I believed that compared to flowery literati, men like him were the nation’s pillars. The litchi transport is minor and pales before grain shipments, but I consider it following in the footsteps of my predecessors. How is that
harming the nation and people? Right and wrong are posterity judges. You’re merely a man gifted in calculation. This task brings your gift into full play. So you feel it’s not misfortune. But know this. Your ability ends here. You should withdraw. Live quietly. Shun the world’s strife. We common folk just wish to live a peaceful life. Is that karma? Is that wrong? Chang’an is a deep pool. The officialdom is a whirlpool within. Once inside, you’re not a free man anymore. Instead of escaping, do you seek fame in the whirlpool? By your words, you’ve lived in Chang’an? I gained nothing but worldly dust and entangled many in karma, my mind obscured thereby. Hence I wandered mountains to purify my Taoist heart. Li Shande! Seen Li Shande? Yan Yazhuang’s letter. It works. It works. It works? The route works! Now crossing Dayu Mountains
takes only one day, not three. We can save two days! Great! Truly? Brilliant! Now, the Litchi Transport Route Plan is finally complete! Good! It’s complete. So you’ll return to Chang’an? Whether I live or die depends on this trip. You must keep your promise and return on time. We’ve become a royal litchi orchard. We won’t sell even one litchi. All for you. Yes! All for you. All for you. Enough sentiment! Now to the mountains! Pick the sturdiest litchi trees and cut branches for grafting for Mr. Li’s plan! Agreed? Agreed! Let’s go! Hurry! [Coconut Shop] Apologies. I’m late. I am so sorry. Mr. Li has finalized the litchi transport route plan. I implore you all to honor your commitments swiftly. Mr. He is enraged. If we provoke him, he’ll seize our ships on any pretext. We’ll all be ruined by then. Exactly! Amita worked for him for years. Yet he abandoned her instantly. If he turns his fury on us, our lives are forfeit. For now, we’d better guard our coffers. Stay put. Wait and see. But the arrow is already nocked. Withdrawing funds now dooms the transport. Mr. Li told us to use these baskets to cover the tree crowns to protect the litchis from shaking loose en route, while allowing air and moisture. Keep the litchis fresh. So we must weave them sturdy. We truly cannot make the investment. Xiao Yunchuan stated that the litchi transport isn’t bound by the bone vote, leaving it to our discretion. Though he said so, he’s clearly pressuring us to reject. Elder Su. Officials trump merchants. We have to bend since we’re on their turf. Elder Su. For old times’ sake, we came to tell you our decision. Elder Su, you should withdraw too. I understand your concerns. The world bustles, the world scrambles. Profit drives commerce,
which is only natural. But all these years, 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. The litchi transport offers me, and all of us, a rare opportunity. Effort determines the outcome. I will risk it all and bet my hat again. Elder Su. Human strength has limits. Don’t strain yourself. This project devours gold. When it gets going for real, you won’t be able to support it alone. Yes. Fawzi has a point. Elder Su. Reconsider carefully. Good penmanship. You wrote it? You’re remarkable. May I have it? This won’t do. This details
the litchi transport methods. In Chang’an, I need it for official approval. It’s the procedure. The litchi transport
requires many offices working closely to succeed. So I must make it enter the process. I don’t understand. Don’t understand? Meaning… I must show my chief litchis can reach Chang’an. Mr. Li. Elder Su. We’re nearly ready. Good! Theoretically sound. Now awaits tests en route. Good! Good! Take a seat. 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. Enough of that. How about the remaining funds? Still being raised. But within five days… Five days won’t do! Won’t do! Time waits for no one. Today’s the seventh day
of the fourth month. The litchis are grafted. I’ll depart at Chen hour
two days from now. Two days. Chen hour. Rest assured. Before that hour, I will deliver travel funds to your hands. I hear those Hu merchants can’t restrain themselves, vying for the position of Guild Leader. It is meat hung before the prow. Fishes of all sizes are all craving it. Let them vie. Such empty fame now seems unworthy. What use is the seeming glory? Your influence fades
with absence. I still end up with nothing. But, ma’am, I won’t wait to die in Lingnan. I wish to break this stalemate. Have you found a way? Though the ledgers weren’t obtained, all accounts were handled by me. I am the witness. I wish to visit the Left Chancellor
in Chang’an. Will you aid me? Shande. Ping’an. Are you returning to Chang’an? I must personally conduct a transport trial. Today, I’ll move to the litchi orchard. Shande. Sit. I am busy. Sit here. Busy! Gou, get to work! Aye. What? Help me. With what? Help me transport someone. You don’t have to whisper. He’s one of us. Take whom? Amita. Amita? I told you before that I aim to topple the Right Chancellor. Now’s our chance. Amita is our crucial leverage. He Youguang is searching the city for her. If found, she’ll die. Take her to Chang’an, and she might stand a chance to survive. Isn’t Amita He Youguang’s adopted daughter? He wants to kill her? I said stop it! He’s one of us. It’s a long story. I’ll skip it. You still have to tell. Just summarize. Amita’s father was killed by He Youguang. He Youguang is Amita’s father’s killer. Amita was deceived, calling her foe “father”. Now the truth is out. Amita knows everything. She wants to go to Chang’an to see the Left Chancellor. If He Youguang falls, she’ll avenge her father. If this topples the Right Chancellor too, I’ll avenge my father. I don’t know if I made myself clear. So you both are seeking paternal vengeance? Paternal vengeance is painful! I’m not refusing. But toppling the Right Chancellor? We barely survive! No time for Amita. I’ve thought it through. Amita can be one of your riders. She rides superbly! Think about it: You have
transit documents. At checkpoints, just hide her. She will be your solution, never your problem. When are you leaving? The Chen hour, two days hence. From where? As I said, from the litchi orchard,
via the Mei Pass Circuit. Wait for her. Gou! Go! Gou! Wait… If Amita is in trouble, will the guild funds fail? Take this too. But remember, you’re transporting for Mr. Li on my behalf. Do not shame me. Be the steadiest, swiftest riders. Lan, why aid that Litchi Envoy? Keep scraping a living in Lingnan, we’ll never rise. Mr. Li’s plan to transport litchis to Chang’an is our chance. I’m seeking a brighter future. Lan, rest assured. We’ll surely win that chance for you. It’s also for yourselves. Aye. Go now. Lan. Take care. Mr. Zhao. I don’t often see you here. Lan. What is it? Rooster Poppa’s precious birds got wiped out again? Can I have some water? He’s in no state to tend to the birds. Lan. Your connections here run deep. Help me find someone. Who? Amita. Amita? Mr. He is my patron. If he seeks someone, I’ll spare no effort. Excellent. You’ll be rewarded. One hundred guan from Mr. He. Enough to open another cockfight den. I’m obliged. Li. Are you worried the horses aren’t full, slowing tomorrow’s journey? Thank you for what you’ve done for me. Thank you. You don’t ride. I can’t take you with us tomorrow. But I promise. When we return from Chang’an, I’ll bring you its finest wine. Okay? You mean after I leave tomorrow, you’ll return
to the Inspector’s Mansion? You can’t return! They’re scoundrels! Stay here in the litchi orchard. Understood? Alright. When I return, I’ll fetch you from the mansion immediately. If Mr. Zhao and others bully or beat you again, I will reason with them properly. This one, too. More guards at the city gates today. Even cargo must be unsealed. Smuggling someone out seems… Halt! Inspection! By Chen hour tomorrow, we must get Amita out of the city to meet Mr. Li at the litchi orchard. We may need to risk it. Consultant Konglang. Even risking death, I must try. Who’s in the carriage? Konglang Agency,
running Mr. Zhao’s errands. If you doubt, summon him to verify. Delay vital business, and you’ll bear the blame. I will draw the pursuers away. Ma’am. Ma’am. This crisis began with me. Grant me a chance to atone. Cleared. Mr. Zhao. What is it? Lan sent word. Amita was spotted outside the city fleeing toward the port. You’re sure he said Amita? Absolutely. Notify Commandant Yang! Aye! Unload the cart. Halt for inspection. What’s the cargo? Unload! By Mr. He’s order, all goods must be rigorously checked. Wait. Sir. I’m from the cockfight den. This cart carries gamecocks. If you don’t know me, fine. But you must know these roosters! I care not for your roosters! Unload! Lan. Mr. Ma. It’s really you! What’s happening? Roosters. Whose? Rooster Poppa’s. Sir. This is Rooster Poppa’s master. As the saying goes, “Once a master,
always owed a father’s respect”. Not knowing him is unwise for you. What’s unwise? Why should I know him? Who’s Rooster Poppa anyway? Such words can bring you danger. You don’t know who Rooster Poppa is? Where’s your Gate Captain? Gate Captain! Gate Captain! Who’s calling? Mr. Ma. Your man lacks discipline. He doesn’t even know Rooster Poppa. You’re right! It’s my fault for neglecting their education. Lan, is it… Mr. He’s precious roosters in your cart? This gentleman has sharp eyes! Indeed. I planned to stroll them in the hills. But this man demands unloading. If the roosters panic, which brings the Inspector’s wrath, can you bear it? If so, I’ll unload now. There must be some misunderstanding. My man was dutiful. You don’t have to unload. But inspection is still needed. Sure. The Inspector’s orders, after all. He’s just doing his duty. Come! Lan! We’ll cooperate. Come on. Let him inspect. I trained them for two months building their spirit. Light harms them. Your choice. Amita was spotted at the port. All guards except gatekeepers, to the port! Gamecocks are fierce.
Can’t hide a person in it. Let them go. Thank you. Let’s go! Hyah! Hyah! Ma’am, if I escape alive, I’ll await you at sea. Stay safe. Hyah!