MULTI SUB【The Litchi Road】EP12 | Li Shande is looking for a rider to transport litchis
[The Litchi Road] [Carpenter’s Square] [Episode 12] Did Ma Guiyun really say that? Yes. So do we give him the horses? Giving them makes us seem guilty. But if we don’t, it’ll risk him going berserk, dragging us down with him. I don’t think Li Shande is that shrewd. We can’t trust Ma Guiyun completely. You don’t have much experience dealing with him yet. You don’t understand. When I first met him, I also thought this guy seemed foolish and harmless. Later I realized his methods are unpredictable. He’s actually quite clever. I think we should give him the horses. It’s just a trial anyway. Let’s see what exactly he can pull off. But I don’t want to! We set such an elaborate trap. Yet he escaped effortlessly. I can’t swallow this insult. Zhao, don’t you always boast you are his equal in strategy? Why are you silent now? If he were a dog, fed well and tamed, he might become our guard dog. But he’s more like an insatiably greedy glutton. If we give him horses, he might demand more. If we have to, don’t give him exactly as he asked. This way. Mr. Li. Our leader heard of the issue you’re dealing with. She brought two fine steeds from Lingnan and sent me to deliver them as gifts. But I told her I needed a hundred good horses! Our leader said, though untamed, these horses possess fierce spirit. Paired with skilled riders, one can match a hundred. Two horses thus equal two hundred. You can’t calculate like that! Can they truly cover a thousand li daily? Absolutely. This one’s named Daily. That one’s Thousand-Li. She wished Mr. Li swift victory. “May you cover a thousand li daily
and may your trial succeed!” Farewell. Lingnan women are truly clever. She’s so adaptable and good at glorifying things. But she did deliver some horses willingly and respectfully, right? I never expected them to use such a cunning evasion. Shande, listen, you can’t truly be angry with me. Shande! Can you find me Lingnan’s best riders? You’re mad! I’ve seen those horses. They’re He Youguang’s. He sent to mock us. They’re wild stallions that broke many riders’ ribs! You can’t be serious! I am serious! We must adapt now. Worst case, if those horses are truly exceptional, I’ll use them as vanguards for the trial. Didn’t you plan four routes? Two horses aren’t enough! What then? Your name is Ma Guiyun.
[*Ma means horse] So horses are your thing. Go find the rest of the horses for me! This looks tasty, try it. Li! The Litchi Commissioner. Li! Li Shande! Over here, Li! Did you roll in the mud? Did you fall off a horse? Don’t even ask. She said these were good steeds! Temperamental beasts! They wouldn’t let me mount. I tied myself to them, with rope but I got thrown off. You see this? Easy, easy. Careful. Slow down. Don’t overexert yourself. I was like you earlier. Don’t force it, Yan Yazhuang! Move aside! Move! Impressive! Didn’t know you had skills. I thought you only rode donkeys. Though hot-tempered, this is indeed a superior steed. With a skilled rider taming it, it can journey a thousand li daily, swift as the wind. So you are a skilled rider! I formally hire you as a rider for the litchi transport trial. When Elder Su comes, he’ll pay you. Rider? Who said I’d be a rider? Yan Yazhuang, only you can mount that horse. You deserve the pay! A rider’s fee covers half a year’s expenses! I won’t do it for any price. Yan Yazhuang! Listen, Li Shande’s matter is the litchi orchard’s matter. The orchard’s matter is your matter. You’ll do it. I am telling you guys, no room for negotiation. Leave me alone. Yan Yazhuang! Yan Yazhuang! Yan Yazhuang! Why won’t you help? Why should I help him? Li Shande’s untrustworthy! He claims to be some Imperial Litchi Commissioner serving the emperor! If true, why doesn’t the Inspector support him? He wanders with a plank every day without even an official office. Clearly no proper envoy. Why should we obey him? In the past, over half
of the orchard’s harvest had to be surrendered as tax payment to the government. He made it an imperial orchard. With the emperor’s protection, no one can bully us again! Just wait till the sixth month. When our litchis reach Chang’an, I can get this year’s harvest and share with everyone. He’s helping us! What if they don’t reach Chang’an? This orchard is everyone’s livelihood! A whole season’s work. What if it fails
and our efforts are wasted? All these people working here, what should they do? Will Li Shande care if we live or die? Even if he cares, he’s penniless himself! What can he do? Why would you trust him so much? When I first met Li Shande, it was at the market. Some thugs harassed me. He helped me. The second time was at the orchard. The Inspector sent many hatchet men to seize it. He intervened again. An official yet without airs. He works alongside us and tries every trick to preserve litchis. Would he do all this just to cheat one harvest this season? Yan Yazhuang, you were once an outsider too. You know very well. We Dong people are simple but not stupid. We know good from bad. Li Shande saved me. Abandoning him invites heaven’s wrath. He’s your savior. Not mine. I won’t risk exposure for this. You’re truly a fine steed, swift as the wind. Just too hot-tempered. Yes, you are. But you’re luckier than me. Luckier than me. Thought you were trapped
like a mad horse in its stable. But you met someone who saw your talent, look how majestic you are now. Truly majestic. Li Shande. Sorry. He can’t be your rider. Why not? Because of the pay? No. I’ll be honest
since I see you as one of us. He’s a deserter. I never asked why he fled. But I know he’s not a bad person. My father took him in. When Father was gravely ill, thugs came for the orchard. He fought them off and got badly scarred. I’ve treated him like my own brother. If he sees risks in being your rider, I can’t force him. Understood. We shouldn’t force him. As a matter of fact, one rider alone won’t solve the four-route trial. I’ll find another way. Elder Su, unfortunate timing. There’s been a horse plague recently. We can’t sell them. It’s true! Hadi, you’re being dishonest. It’s true! I know you fear offending Amita. Elder Su, since you know, why pressure me? The Guild is supposed to benefit all Hu merchants. But now everyone fears the leader. Pathetic. I heard Amita secretly bought a big batch of glass
from Sassanid and she’s planning to monopolize it. Yet usually she shares your profits. Outrageous! Are you guys willing to endure this? Amita’s backed by Mr. He. You can’t do business in Lingnan without dealing with him. Port fees are unavoidable. Since they can pull strings with the Maritime Trade Bureau, sharing profits is pragmatic. Today they take ten percent. Tomorrow they’ll scheme to take fifty. You joined the Guild last. You’re still a small boat and will surely be the first to capsize in case of a storm. I heard you’re courting Amita. I suspect there isn’t genuine affection. You just want to board her wind-filled ship. But think about it. Once aboard, she’ll lead you by the nose and choke your neck. You’ll be trapped forever in Lingnan. Helping the commissioner transport litchis is our chance to escape Amita’s control. I don’t make losing deals. Delivering litchis to Chang’an means endless business opportunities along the route. Isn’t this your golden opportunity? 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. What is it? Here’s the deal. The litchi transport trial goes four routes simultaneously. It requires too many fine horses. What if, just what if, we can’t find that many good horses, will ordinary horses not suffice? Chang’an is five thousand li away. Yes, yes. Even fine horses can hardly make it, let alone ordinary ones. I calculated. Averaging one courier station every 30 li to Chang’an. Ordinary horses exhaust before they reach stations. Our predicted numbers would mean nothing. If fine horses could relay so that they could be reused, the problem would be solved. Reused? Like mill donkeys. Even traveling a thousand li, they just circle the millstone. Reused… I… I think I have an idea! I need to calculate it! I need to calculate it! So do we still keep seeking horses? Yes! Need donkeys? What’s he doing now? He’s making a “Ju.” Ju? What’s it for? A Ju is a measuring tool with two perpendicular sides. The short side is called Gou, and the long side called Gu. Both have scales. It primarily measures right angles. Mathematician Shang Gao in Western Zhou discovered the Gougu theorem using a Ju for calculation: “Level the Ju to straighten ropes. Raise it to gauge heights. Invert it to fathom depths. Lay it to know distances. Rotate it to form circles. Join two to create a rectangle.” You’re putting me to sleep. Li Shande! Walk us through. What are you doing? Li, fetch a rope! Higher! Higher! If this Ju’s angle matches that corner, we can confirm the rope is level. “Level the Ju to straighten ropes.” To measure that tree’s height… Li! Move aside! First, measure my distance to the tree. Use the Ju. Aim at the treetop. Note the scale where your sightline meets the top. By proportional equality, we get the height of the tree. Thus “Raise it to gauge heights.” Similarly, we can measure depths or distances. Which are
“Invert it to fathom depths” and “Lay it to know distances.” Two Jus combined can form a rectangle. With squares and circles, we can measure everything. That’s the principle. Clear? I still don’t fully grasp it. But it seems impressive. Showing off, am I? So what are you measuring? Who knows Lingnan’s routes best? Yan Yazhuang. He could navigate blindfolded. What route? Can you come to the Little East Gate tomorrow? You’ll see. You guide. I measure. Yan Yazhuang, you can’t refuse this little favor, right? When? The third mark of the Mao hour. Meet at the Little East Gate. Mr. Li, what route do you seek? One with twenty li of flat roads ideally. Ten li of mountain paths, circling back here. That route would be perfect. The encirclement test idea [East Gate, Little East Gate]
opened a sliver of hope. We just need skilled riders now, and success is near. Xiu, your father fights desperately here. Finally a step closer to Chang’an. Good. You okay there, Li? [Great North Gate, Little North Gate] Stop. Stop. [Thirty li total] I brought Amita some cheese paired with some honey sauce I made. She’ll love it. Summon her to taste it. Hadi. Ma’am is unwell today and cannot receive guests. Please return. A cold? I have basic medical skills. Let me check on her. Hadi! Her chamber is not for you to go in! Miss Hongyu, I came also to confirm something. I heard she planned bulk glass imports from Sassanid. Is that true? I am just a maid. I am unaware of such matters. You may ask the leader herself when she recovers. So many guests today. Mr. Ma. Ma’am is indisposed and she cannot receive guests. Please return. Indisposed? A cold? I have basic medical skills. Let me check on her. Halt! Her chamber is not for you to go in! Who are you? Who are you? Bringing gifts of affection, I see. What? Amita rejected them? Better than arriving empty-handed! Your name, brother? Hadi. I also have a Tang name: Xiao Yunchuan. Xiao Yunchuan? Shares a character with me. Well. Since Amita is unwell and cannot receive guests, shall we two find a place to have a fight? Have a fight? Fine! Lead on! Let’s take it outside. Go! Go! Tell Amita I’ll return shortly. We were supposed to admire each other, yet both of us appreciate
the same beauty. For this coincidence, Yunchuan, here’s a toast to you. How long have you been courting Amita? Three years. Three years of attentiveness without slacking. Now I’m her trusted confidant. Becoming her other half is imminent! Imminent? I guess you don’t understand women. Women are easily moved. Three years of devotion, if she liked you even slightly she’d endure discomfort to be with you. Confidant? Friend? Never lover. Yunchuan, give up. You don’t have a shot. I give up? You mean you have a shot with her? What merit do you possess? Talent? Looks? Superficial! I never use looks to please women. My advantage… Your snicker is rude. Isn’t my advantage obvious? I’m from Chang’an. Capital superiority? Absolutely. Being capital-born, Amita and I have no conflicting interests. She confides Lingnan matters to me. But she never shares with you because she can’t. Right? What matters are you talking about? Speak now or you’re lying! Why would I do that? She said she feared bulk transport of valuables by sea before. Not anymore. Because the navy guards her at sea now. Navy? Let the implication just sink in. Better not say more. Rumors said she was going to bulk buy Sassanid glass. I used to doubt it since she always avoided Sassanid routes. Has she gained backing? She swore me to secrecy until the time was right. At least after the guild leader election. But I felt kinship with you, so I had a slip of the tongue. Since we’re both lovelorn, I’d advise you… Thank you for your candor. I dare not compete against you. Please proceed. I’ll take my leave. Thank you for the hospitality. Farewell. Sir, that banquet was unsettling. In the past, when our cargo ships docked, the port clearance guarantee was ten percent of our profits to Amita. Right? Right. If what he said is true that Mr. He controls the seas too, won’t our ships be exploited at all steps by that father-daughter pair as soon as they leave port? So that means they’ll monopolize everything and make rules as they please? Elder Su was right. Being trapped in Lingnan means being under their thumb forever, always led by the nose. Time to find another path. Go pick the finest horses and deliver them to Elder Su. At what price? Charge nothing. Tell him I lend them to show my goodwill. Your foot was injured this bad? Why didn’t you tell me? You’re not okay. Let me see! Come here. Show me. Let me see! It’s festering! Still caring about your shoes? Luckily, I brought herbs. This is agrimony which is anti-inflammatory. Grind it and apply. Here. You know how, right? It’s rotten. We’re staying overnight here. Have some litchi wine. Give Li some. Li! Drink when offered! Come on. I want to thank you, Yazhuang, for helping me plan the route. Li, thank you too, for running around to help me. A toast to you both. Cheers, Mr. Li. Mr. Li, you treat Li nicely. He serves me diligently, too. I don’t see him as a slave but as a friend. Mr. Li, I know you’re a good person. I want to help. But my status forbids it. I’ve been hiding for years and I’ve never returned home. Understood. Tong told me about your past. Understood. Everyone has a past and secrets. You must have reasons for deserting. Mr. Li, I’m not a deserter. I was framed. That day when our unit was patrolling at sea, we saw pirates hijacking a herb ship. I shot their leader with an arrow and cornered him at the stern. But their reinforcements came. Outnumbered, we had to jump into the sea. Fishermen saved me. After I healed, I returned to Lingnan only to find myself a wanted deserter. Could it be a misunderstanding because you guys were absent too long? At first, we thought so too. A comrade tried explaining to officials. He was executed by court-martial. The rest of us would die if we tried. Mr. Li, you’re new to Lingnan. You don’t know that in this exile land official-bandit collusion is common. When trouble hits, scapegoats are always us soldiers. It’s a pity your skills are wasted. My skills are nothing. I wish you met my comrades. True experts. Really? Horsemanship, archery, and sailing. Not to mention their bravery in battles. We joined the army, dreaming of glorious homecomings. Now, glory? We are either hiding or fleeing. We might never walk as a free man again. Don’t despair. Human effort matters. Better than me. I’m truly fighting to survive. You will see clear skies one day. Mr. Li. Sit down first. These days, I’ve been pondering your words. You need riders urgently for the trial. My former comrades are skilled riders. So could you use your status to plead for amnesty for us? If, I said if, if you succeed, we’ll aid you and we’re ready to go through hell for that. Truly? Truly. Mr. Li! I… Rise, please, Mr. Li! Thank you! But I’ll try pleading for your amnesty. Success brings joy. But failure means you can’t even stay in the orchard anymore. Mr. Li, I’ve fled for years. I know the hope is slim. Even if it fails, don’t blame yourself for it. I’m grateful enough that you’re willing to try. Mr. Li, I have evidence. It was taken from the pirate leader during the herb raid. Keep it for now. You keep it. I’ll try and see what happens. You’re bold. Pleading to Mr. He? Do you know his past? He was a pirate himself! What if he’s still allied with those pirates? He’ll arrest him! So you stayed out all night digging your own grave? I wanted to help. Yazhuang is truly a superb rider. He came to me asking for help and entrusted his life. I think I can try. You think you can try? You think you can try?? So many paths in the world, and you have to pick the hardest! Is pardoning a deserter easier than finding one rider? Not one rider! A group! Yazhuang said his former comrades were all skilled riders! I warn you. Don’t mention him or the dagger to Mr. He. First, probe his stance on this. Then decide. I know. I won’t expose Yazhuang’s existence yet. Touch on the matter first. One step at a time. Since we’ve discussed it, I’ll help once more. Give you a push. You? The horses? Wasn’t I the push? Good news! Good news! Elder Su. Elder Su. Take a seat. What good news? Guess what? With my eloquence, I persuaded Hadi, a Hu merchant, to lend us fine horses! Really? Absolutely! Told you my push helped! It did! Are there six horses? Six? Six! Just six is perfect for your plan? Six suffice for now. Yes. Excellent! Please pick six of the best. Sure. Also, Elder Su, can you find some experienced riders? How much riders? How many. “Many”, not “much”. How many? As many as possible. Finding good riders in Lingnan won’t be easy. Understood. I suggest we both search, so that we have a backup plan. Wise. Very wise. Rest assured, Mr. Li. I will try as hard as a breast-sucking baby! Just await good news! Thank you. Gou, bring a basin! Join us to do a foot spa. Get a new basin! You don’t have to. It’s fine. It relieves fatigue. Okay. Back home, we’d strip and soak in the sea. In Chang’an, no stripping is needed. True. [The Litchi Road] Wait. What exactly do you want? Let’s make a deal. So you two have already made a deal? Because I need to find out who betrayed my father. You’re a professional rider? I run a cockfight den. This is a crossover. Wonderful! Awesome! ♪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♪