【Li Shande CUT】Li Shande finds new hope in delivering litchi | The Litchi Road
Go! Mr. Zhao. Is Lan mad? I told him to disrupt the rhythm, not accelerate it! Didn’t you say you had it taken care of? What happened? It’s intentional. It’s just the beginning. We need to put on a show for Li Shande. The horses are back! When Li Shande requested the Littel East Gate for the trial, I told him, “This isn’t a trial. This is running in place.” Transporting litchis to Chang’an is a totally different story. Like blindfolding a donkey on a millstone, running a thousand laps never makes it a swift donkey! Take him to the well! Give cold water. Add mint leaves! – Mint leaves!
– Okay! I’ll do it. Next rider! Who’s next? It is me! Hurry, replace him! Mint leaves! Move! More water here! Mr. Li! One litchi burst! It was squeezed open. Not natural rot. Horse transport will inevitably crush some. Wrap with soft material! Wrap them. Cloth! Cloth won’t do. Cloth doesn’t breathe. Paper! There’s paper over there! Here. Go on. How’s he? Recovered. Good. Mr. Li, with the scorching heat, all the riders are suffering. Luckily he collapsed here. If he fell off horseback on a mountain path, and the horse fled, your trial would be ruined. Mr. Li, we can endure. This is recklessness! Even if men can endure, the horses can’t! They’re already spent! Only the two thousand-li steeds can last half a day at most. No more relay races! Then finish this half-day trial. What difference does it make? If loudness meant reason, we’d all obey donkeys! Stop shouting! We follow Mr. Li’s orders for the trial. Here’s the thing, Lan. We don’t know your age. But they all see you as a big brother. I do too. Trials aren’t an armchair strategy. Chang’an is five thousand li away. Unexpected hardships arise. Trials exist to find problems and avoid them in advance. If we only need to test max speed, that’s simple. Three days’ average suffices. But that’s not what we need. This trial must last long enough. Riders fall, urns break. Including the unpredictable factors makes the numbers relevant. Mr. Li, with one horse left, I’ll persist. We will too. Me too. Thank you. I wasn’t trying to quit. My two friends never raced horses nonstop. Let them withdraw. I’ll stay. Thank you. Now with fewer riders, change riders and horses every three laps. At least everyone can have full sleep. Agreed? Agreed. Agreed. Urn C! [Trial day five] Urn C? How’s Urn C? Mr. Li, Urn C’s litchis are fine. Great! Mr. Zhao. How’s the trial? Exhausted men and horses. Several teams quit. Few riders left struggling. That man I told you to watch? He ran the most laps. He ran the most laps. Should be exhausted by now. Accidents happen in the mountains all the time, right? Make way. Make way. You guys… Mr. Li. go to the back and hitch… Attend to it. Keep an eye on Yan Yazhuang’s horse. Hurry! Almost there! He’s here. Ready! [The Litchi Road] Action! Withdraw! Alright? Are you okay? The urn! Slow down. The urn! Be careful. Lan, go ahead. We can handle this. Can you do it, Li? The horse is back! Help him! Where’s Yazhuang? He’s behind. The horse collapsed
on the mountain road. Hurry, Li! – Li
– Hurry up! Hurry, take it! Take it! All the horses are exhausted. None can stand up. Help him up! Take a break, Li. Thanks, Li. What can we do now? Horses can’t run, but we can! Yeah! – I can run.
– Me too! I can run! You’ve gone five days without rest. Carrying this weight forward is too much. Mr. Li, I usually transport goods in the mountains. I can run. I can run too. I’ve never seen an official so responsible before. You all have really had a tough time. So, I volunteer to help. But I can’t run the whole distance. What are you doing? Hey, what are you doing? What does this have to do with you? Shut up! We need to do a trial. If you break Mr. Li’s urns, it’ll affect the results of the trial and also affect His Majesty’s litchis. You can’t bear the consequences! What? That’s not right. They’re willing to help ease His Majesty’s worries. If you don’t let them help, can you give me your horses? Exactly! Can you lend us horses? Mr. Li, our horses are registered military mounts, responsible for patrolling the borders. We can’t lend them out easily! We can’t have helpers nor horses. How can I continue? Right! I can’t answer that question. I’m only responsible
for serving you well and ensuring safety. Now let me ask you, will you continue this trial? If not, I’ll unlock the Little East Gate and finish my work. What? You’re making things difficult! Move! The Guild Leader’s here! Ma’am. Ma’am. Mr. He said the Assembly is suspended for Mr. Li’s trial. To protect the interests
of the Hu merchants, the Hu Merchants Guild will personally supervise this trial. I didn’t hear about that. Mr. Li, Mr. He said your men and your horses are exhausted. He ordered me to bring you some fine horses. If the trial fails, you can’t use the lack of horses as an excuse. As for the riders, will my team suffice? Are you serious? Your riders have been
running nonstop for days. They have no more strength. If they keep pushing like this, it might lead to a tragedy. Absolutely! The trial continues! – Wonderful!
– Great! – Amazing!
– Let’s do it! Ma’am? Why do you want to be a rider? To compete with you. During the last lap, I was ambushed here. Do you know who it was? Don’t worry. I got you the special pardon. I’ll keep you safe. Follow up! They’ve arrived! They’re coming! They’ve finished! [The sixth trial day] Mr. He is here! Mr. Li, you’re working hard on a rainy day! Mr. He. Look at your transport trial! It’s keeping the whole city up at night. Even during the Lantern Festival, we’ve never had this much excitement! Look, the Hu merchants and all the citizens are eagerly awaiting the result! How is it going? They’re back! They’ve finished! Hurry! Hurry! Unload them! Mr. Li, look how supportive I am of your work. Even my adoptive daughter is riding for you! It’s truly a family effort! Be careful. Let’s go! Father, to ensure interests of the Guild, I came to supervise this trial. You’re quite thoughtful! Let’s see. Mr. Li, urn C is leaking juice! Well… Check it out. Oh no. Mr. He, it’s leaking! We can’t serve this to His Majesty
and Her Highness. Hold on! Take a closer look. These litchis aren’t all picked from the same tree. They’re different in ripeness. On the road, there’s ventilation and bumps. Each urn has its own condition. Li Shande, urn B is leaking. What did you say? This one is leaking too? There’s only one urn left. This trial is doomed! Where’s urn A? Bring urn A here! Urn A! Urn A is here! It’s fine. It’s successful! What? Urn A is fine. Urn A is good. Let’s continue! We can continue! They’re fine! Let’s continue! Amazing! Come on. One, two, three! Come on! Let’s start! Didn’t you say this trial was destined to fail? How come one of the urns survived? And this urn has lasted for so long that he’s almost tasted
all the litchis inside! Why isn’t the trial over yet? The horse is back! He’s back! It’s blocked! The road is blocked! Mr. Li, the road is blocked! The road is blocked! What? It’s blocked? Are you alright? Hurry! Get down! Hurry! Be careful. Where is it blocked? Not far ahead. Be careful. Carry him over here! Mr. Li, the litchis are fine! This is good. The litchis are fine. Great! The litchis are fine. They are fine. Wonderful! Listen, let’s split into two teams now and send out two riders. Yazhuang, follow the planned route and go to the foot of the mountain. Li? Li! Li, come over! When you reach the foot of the mountain, you’ll take over the relay. Understand? Go! Ma’am, you’ll stay on this side. Once you receive the urn, transport it back here, alright? No problem. Let’s go! And you take people to fix the road. Sure. Make sure the trip is safe. Alright, let’s do it! Let’s go there now! Go grab equipment. Clear the way! Move! I’ll go up alone? Come on! Gather baskets and ropes! Let’s begin! Hurry up! Here. Be careful. Go! Is the rope ready yet? Hurry! Good. Use your hands for small rocks! Are there more ropes? Be careful! This is too heavy. Use ropes! Get ropes! Here. Hurry! Prize it up! Come on! More strength! Give me! Harder! Use ropes! – Ropes!
– Here. This won’t work. Put a stone underneath! Use a stone! Go on! Help! Go help her! Alright? Let’s try again! Come on! One, two, three! Move! Move! The horse’s coming! It’s the horse! Yazhuang! Come and help! Hurry up! Take the urn. Come on. Slowly! Hurry and check it out! Hurry! Bring a torch! A torch! Hurry! Is this trial over? If it’s over, then let’s disperse now! Disperse! Disperse now! Mr. Li, the trial is really over? Everyone. Everyone… these days, you all… Li Shande! Mr. Li! Li Shande! ♪Red-skinned fruit weighs the branches♪ ♪Slender boughs bend low♪ ♪Picking fruits tires one out♪ ♪The sickle cuts whole clusters♪ Litchi Envoy! Litchi Envoy! Focus on your work. ♪Two sips rival sugarcane♪ ♪Kiddo, don’t stash them away♪ ♪Tomorrow the litchis will spoil♪ Awake? ♪How to keep♪ ♪them fresh?♪ I should go. Thank you. Li Shande. I’m fine. Get back to your work. Thanks. ♪Two sips rival sugarcane♪ ♪Kiddo, don’t stash them away♪ ♪Tomorrow the litchis will spoil♪ ♪How to keep♪ ♪them fresh?♪ ♪Don’t pluck them at all♪ ♪Don’t pluck them at all♪ ♪Red-skinned fruit weighs the branches♪ ♪Slender boughs bend low♪ Mr. Li, my litchi orchard is still good! Look, the fruit is still fresh! We have a secret method to preserve them longer. What’s it? Don’t pluck them at all! ♪Don’t pluck them at all♪ Oh, heaven, you never fail a determined heart! The last Assembly was paused due to Elder Su’s project. Now Mr. Li’s trial is finished. I believe you must have a judgment right now. Please carefully think about it and vote on it. Should we continue the litchi business? Ma’am, Mr. Li has only conducted one trial. Shouldn’t we give him another chance? The paused Assembly was a chance for him. Mr. Li has racked his brains to think of an idea to get the litchis to Chang’an, but failed. Ma’am! Ma’am, I’m Li Shande. Li Shande’s here. Lan Yu, bring Mr. Li in. Sure. Mr. Li, please. Ma’am, I’ve brought your iris back to life. I’ve fulfilled my promise to you. You came just to deliver the flowers? No, I mean, an iris can survive and thrive in this pot. Litchis can too! Litchis can also survive! Look, in this pot, it’s planted with litchis. A child planted this branch in the soil and took good care of it, so it’s still alive. This branch may be wilted now, but the fruit is as fresh as those
that are just picked. With this method, litchis can be preserved for five to six days. Mr. Li, we all witnessed the failure of your trial. Now you suddenly brought out a pot of litchis and claimed it could buy time? Who’s going to believe that? This litchi branch was cut before the trial. It was planted in the soil during the trial. If you don’t believe it, you can go ask about it. Everyone can prove it! Even if this is true, the litchi branch can barely survive in the soil, let alone being tossed around in the urn. Please listen. Everyone, this branch is weak, but we can find stronger ones! We can look for healthy branches. We can find thick trunks. All we need to do is split them and plant them in the urns with soil. The fruits on the branches can continue to grow! Even if the branch withers, the fruits will still be fresh. Look! It’s fresh with juice. Take a look! So, tell me, how many more days can it be preserved? I call this branch planting in urns. Combined with the previous water-isolation salt-washing method, litchis can be preserved for 11 days! Eleven days! Impossible! Eleven days. Then how many days will it take to get from Lingnan to Chang’an? Following my planned route, it also takes 11 days. Check out my plan! Have a look. Pass it around. Please. [Litchi Transport Route Plan] It’ll be fresh for 11 days. The route costs 11 days. His Majesty and the Noble Consort will soon be able to enjoy fresh litchis! As if already in their mouths. You’re amazing, my bro… Brilliant talent you are. Amazing! Hold on. Something’s not right. What’s wrong? Your plan mentions the transport team will
go over Lushan Mountain into Xunyang County, and cross the Yangtze River
into Qichun County. That’s indeed an excellent route. But the other day,
Xunyang was hit by flooding. The official road is blocked. Who knows when it will be repaired? No way! Flooding in Xunyang? That’s not possible, Elder Fan! I’ve never heard about the flooding! I’ve heard about it too. Not only Xunyang but several towns are also affected by flooding in Jiangzhou. Mr. Li, if there really is flooding, are there alternative routes? The official road is the quickest route. If there’s flooding, we’ll have to take a detour. That needs two more days. In other words, you’ll need at least 13 days. Mr. Li, I admire your honesty in not deceiving us. But your transport plan is just a beautiful illusion. It looks good but unrealistic. Business is business. No businessperson wants a loss. If he can’t solve
the technical problems, why should we keep investing? It’d just be a waste of money! Look at your position! You have no say in this! Mr. Li, is there any other possibility? There is. There is! Just a moment. There are alternatives. Let me think about it. After leaving Lingnan, go north, and we’ll pass the Five Ridges. The Five Ridges are the most rugged and difficult part. It will cost a lot of time. If we can find a new way there, it’ll take two days less. Take two days less. That’s easy for you to say! So many merchants have traveled this road for years. If there was an easier route, it should’ve been discovered! How would you know if you don’t try? We need to try at least. When I first got this assignment in Chang’an, it felt like a dead-end job, right? Litchis would go bad in three days, so it was impossible. But what happened? When I got to Lingnan, I found one solution, then another! One idea after another. Every time I thought it was impossible, I took a step closer to making it possible! I’ve witnessed everything Mr. Li said. 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! Everyone, the Right Chancellor entrusted this task to Mr. Li, because he fully trusts Mr. Li. We’re all businesspeople. For us, profit is the key. For one to make money, the judgment
of character is important. When we invest in it, we’re not just investing in a business, but also in the person who runs the business. I’ve finished. I’m just a low-ranking official, earning a little money in Chang’an. After expenses, I barely make ends meet
by the end of the month. But Elder Su just gave me a huge sum of money. It’s totally beyond my imagination. I-I could’ve taken the money back to Chang’an and let my daughter grow up safely. I could’ve only cared about myself. But instead, I used the money to conduct a trial. Honestly, I just want to survive. Of course, my life may mean nothing to you all, but I want to tell everyone that I want to live. Father! I’m determined to fight for my life. I’m willing to stake my life to make this business succeed. So I won’t let you down for believing in me. I won’t! After saying all this, I believe you all have your answers. Let’s vote! [The Litchi Road] Solid bone. Solid bone. Solid bone. Ma’am, the litchi transport project
is approved. Yes! Don’t celebrate yet. A frank warning. The Hu Merchant Guild has a rule: If no progress is made in 30 days, the investment will be withdrawn. Close the two-day gap as soon as possible. I understand. I’ll get busy. Thank you, everyone. Hurry, Li. Get up. Mr. Li. Let me introduce them. Mr. Wei, Mr. Zhao, and Mr. Zhou. They are businessmen and major investors of our guild. They heard of your litchi transport to Chang’an and they’re very interested. Mr. Li. Gentlemen. Mr. Li. Nice to meet you. Mr. Li, we specially requested our leader to bring us for inspection for future collaboration. Can you kindly brief us? I… I’ve said everything I should say at the Guild. I’m inarticulate. I might not be
the right person for this. In business since antiquity, buyers come before sellers. Investors request and the guild must comply. This venture is fully funded by the Guild. Mr. Li should cooperate. Elder Su and Lan Yu are supervising the orchard already. How else should I cooperate? Mr. Li, we’re here to help you undertake this monumental project. See my Hu-style attire? My Great Fortune Trading House improved its design. Vibrant colors blended with Tang elegance. If you can advertise it to the public, sales will soar. I transport litchis. How am I supposed to advertise your clothes? I don’t need attention! Unnecessary! Ma’am, he might misunderstand our collaboration slightly. Can you kindly explain? These investors handle thirty to forty percent of the Guild’s procurement. Your non-cooperation may jeopardize the funding, which might be beyond my control. Gentlemen, we toured the cultivation zone. Now we’re heading to the village… Please move to the middle. The village of the litchi-savvy Dong people. Is this also a litchi tree? Sharp eyes! This is the only millennial tree in the orchard with a significant history. The entire orchard thrives under its shade. Truly sharp eyes! See? The Dong people enjoy litchis joyfully. Imagine when the Noble Consort tastes them, the glory is yours to share! Do you know the purpose of these double-layered urns? This is for… Correct! For transporting incense materials. Cost the Guild fortunes. Mainly thanks to Mr. Li… Mr… Mr. Li! I’m here. Mr. Li. Thanks to Mr. Li and his water-isolation preservation. Thank you for your dedication. You’re welcome. You’re truly professional. Tong? Come here. Tong, get up. Miss Tong is young. But she is the orchard’s chief. She manages everything. She’s a little stubborn. But she’s very devoted. Everything is arranged meticulously. Greet the managers. Excellent! Spirited girl! Let’s continue. Mr. Li, what are those bamboo baskets for? They’re newly-arrived spares for litchi transport. Such a waste! These are common dock cargo baskets. No branding, no custom design. You can’t use these. Mr. Li, pick one style. Don’t worry. We’ll provide free baskets. Yes! The most important thing is to make sure Mr. Zhao’s shop name is visible. So, the litchi urns, the horses, the riders’ attire, and the litchi packaging, all will feature your designs? We’ll arrange everything for you. All costs covered. It’s not about costs! Efficiency matters! These litchis aren’t sweet enough. Sugar-curing them would sweeten them. Are cured litchis even “fresh”? Can we rename it? Let’s call it Great Fortune Fruit. An auspicious name boosts sales! We can hire popular poets to write verses about the Great Fortune Fruit. It’d ensure fame. Or we can paint all the urns red. That would give them excellent symbolism! Festive! And the horses… Stop it right now! This is enough! If you keep messing around, transporting litchis will be a joke! Or perhaps this is exactly what you want? This is not our intent. This is a misunderstanding. They’re merely suggestions. We can talk about them. Right? Litchi transport is our blind spot. You make the call. But promoting fame and capturing public interest is our expertise. Yes. We understand that you’re a professional from the Office of Imperial Parks. You may scorn our tricks. Understandable. But without these tricks, we can’t raise funds. That’s right. Mr. Wei, I’m blunt, but I mean no offense. You’re major Guild investors. But I just want to get this job done. I’m afraid I cannot comply with this collaboration thing. I admire your integrity and dedication. You flatter me. Mr. Li, does your daughter attend an embroidery workshop in Anren Ward’s Willow Lane? Run by an old eunuch surnamed Wang, right? You know him? Yes. How coincidental. His shop is leased from me. When he opened the workshop, he was financially strained, so I funded him. If I reclaim the property and evict him, would that old eunuch end up homeless? Mr. Li, both morally and rationally, you might want to reconsider our collaboration. Tell Zhao Xinmin. I won’t play along. Ma’am, this slap will cost you dearly. Li Shande, you still want to dine here? Let’s go somewhere else. It stinks. Your wine. Buy some sugarcane for Mr. He. Ma’am. Ma’am. I haven’t seen you for some days. How about some tripe strips
I put aside for you? Excellent. The usual for the other dishes? Two cups of wine. Aye. Food needs time. Have some litchis first. So that Mr. Wei was planted by Zhao Xinmin? You hit him. How will you explain this
to Zhao Xinmin? Your wine. Zhao Xinmin is just He Youguang’s watchdog. Don’t worry about me. Worry about yourself. Though I’m unsure why you helped me out, thank you. Hitting him wasn’t for you. I have my reasons. Answer me. Have you solved that two-day gap? Not yet. Still working on it. Off-season now. It’ll be tastier later. A Chang’an man became a litchi expert? I have no choice but to study. Does His Majesty know transporting litchis from Lingnan to Chang’an is a mission impossible? Of course. They say the Noble Consort
craves litchis. I doubt it. It’s more like a man’s hollow promise to please a woman. Then he shifts the burden to others. We shouldn’t speculate. How timid. You’re not a brave man. Yet you’re striving for this suicidal task. I’ve seen desperate people. Honest people. But desperate and honest? You’re the first. What kind of person are you really? A Chang’an man. Petty official, clinging to life. That’s all. Yet you stir much commotion. I was swept in the vortex unwittingly. Like this litchi, sweet to you, and yet bitter to me. Why eat it at all if it’s bitter? I guess this is life. Even immortals can’t act freely. Maybe even Taibai Jinxing
[*A deity in Chinese folk religion] has worries too, right? In this mortal world, there’s always something
you don’t want to do but have to get it done. You just seek a clear conscience. So that when you die and see the god of death, you can look back at your life
and answer him, “I did my best.” That’s it. Why did you take a suicidal mission willingly? How much money do you have? Why ask? I have 300 guan, among which 150 guan was from the Righteousness Loan. I bought a house with the money. Mortgaging a house? Normal. For you, normal. You can buy as many mansions anywhere in Lingnan as you please. But not for me. That house is for my daughter. My only hope and purpose. This purpose is taken away from me by this litchi task. To return to her, I must succeed in this task. No matter how He Youguang obstructs me, I won’t quit. You asked why I helped you. Because from what you did, I recalled how my father protected me with the same desperation. What’s happening? My aunt has come. She’s a great witch from the mountains named Chai. She might assist with litchi transport. But… Confucius believed
neither in gods nor ghosts. We cannot place hope on superstitions. My aunt holds great power. She was born with divine gifts. The Dong people
all seek her rituals and guidance for weddings or funerals. Matters handled by her always proceed smoothly. Can she advise on preserving litchis then? Probably not. Deities care not for such trivial matters. Move, get out of here! Get out of here! What are you doing? Saving you, obviously! What are you doing? Hey! You disrupted my ritual! The heavenly gods are watching and they are furious! They will punish you. When have those gods ever spared me? This is poisonous. This is made [Chai]
of Datura flowers and leaves. When dried and burned, it induces hallucinations. This is toxic. Really? Truly. I’ve seen this many times. When we’re ill, a sniff cures us all! Not cure, just an anesthetic effect. It merely masks your symptoms temporarily. Stop inhaling! Do you trust me or this city man? I’ve seen this many times. When we’re sick, a sniff cures us all! Not cure, just an anesthetic effect. It merely masks your symptoms temporarily. Stop inhaling! How come a city man like you knows so much? This is my profession. I’m not leaving. I won’t leave. Our god has given me a revelation. He said this city man would bring changes to us Dong people. But I need to stay and see whether it’s good or bad. You’re from Chang’an? Do you have a house? A mansion? A mansion is expensive. On credit? So, you don’t have savings? How much is your salary? How much did you borrow? When do you plan to pay it back? Do you have any plans? You have a girl? That’s good! Your conditions aren’t great, but you’re honest with me. You’re decent. So, I won’t nitpick about the rest. Well, if you succeed in the litchi transport, will you return to Chang’an or stay in Gaozhou? Chang’an, of course. You can’t! Tong won’t go to Chang’an with you. She doesn’t have to go with me. But… If I succeed in delivering litchis and His Majesty is satisfied, this litchi orchard will become an imperial one! No one will dare to stir up trouble. Tong can stay here afterward. She won’t leave. But then you can’t see each other. You’ll be worlds apart. And that will… Ma’am, you got us wrong. I only care about my daughter. I’ve never had any designs on Miss Tong. We’re friends. I’ve made that clear to her before. Miss Tong is… Stunning. Stunning and exceptionally talented. Right? Yeah. And kindhearted. She’ll find a good man. Aunt, please don’t play matchmaker for us. We’re truly just friends. Are you blaming me for meddling too much? I need to make sure of it. Or you might be fooled. Fine, if you don’t want me to stay, I’ll go back to the Dayu Mountains! I’m leaving! Please don’t! If you let this city man stay in the litchi orchard, I won’t come back again! Ma’am, you said you came
from the Dayu Mountains. Isn’t the Dayu Mountains north of Lingnan? Jiangnan West Circuit is further north? So? Are you looking down
on our poor hometown? Not at all! I’m sorry for being blunt. Ma’am, can I ask you about something? we have to go through the Dayu Mountains and then head north
into Jiangnan West Circuit. But the Dayu Mountains are treacherous. The winding mountain roads
require two days to traverse. So is there a new route, a shortcut, that could save us that time? Then I can succeed. Can you think of a path that’s helpful? Shande. Alright. Take this for fun. In your dream! The Dayu Mountains isn’t easy to climb over! Aunt, please help him this time. But I really can’t assist with this. The god can help, but he doesn’t believe in it. Ma’am, I believe we’re the same kind of person. Don’t act like you know me so well. Look, Tong is indeed my friend. Yeah. I understand that life is hard for Dong people in the mountains. With no access to medicine, even a minor injury could mean waiting for death. You, as the great priestess, use the religion to provide them with the utmost care and healing. I know the pain in your heart, so I don’t mean to look down on you. I only have admiration, truly. Among city people, you’re not the most eloquent, but your understanding of us Dong people is rare. I’m sincerely asking for your help. Aunt, please do him a favor. There was someone in our tribe named Tu. He was the only one from our tribe who made a living in Gaozhou. One day, Tu returned to the mountains with a brush and paper of city people. Then he drew and sketched. I was curious and asked what he was doing. He told me that when he was a hunter, he discovered a hidden path in the Dayu Mountains. If he could transport what he drew out of Lingnan along that path, He could make a fortune. Then our tribe would live an affluent life. So, that path really exists? Yeah! But he suddenly disappeared. It’s been ten years. There’s no news. We can’t find him. Doesn’t anyone else know about this path? Only he knows. Dong people don’t usually interact with city people, so we have no news about him… Li Shande, where are you going? Master, you’ve been traveling lately and working hard. You’ve lost some weight. But that’s meaningless. Dead people won’t come back to life. We found a dead man in the end. The only lead has vanished. Ping’an. Ping’an. Mr. Li. I need your help. What’s wrong? Help me find a man in Lingnan. Who? A Dong person named Tu. Find him. From the Dayu Mountains? How do you know it? I’m looking for evidence of He Youguang’s corruption. It’s connected to Tu. Huh? What a coincidence! Did you find him? Yes. Where is he? He died in a fire. When did he die? Ten years ago. It’s outdated. He didn’t die? Mr. Li. Many large cockleburs here. We’re at the city outskirts now. There are few people living here. Check ahead. Go take a look. You actually found him. Who is it? We’re peddlers. Do you sell needles and thread? Where are your parents? Uncle’s out. You can’t see, right? No. But I’m used to it. Are you peddling now? We’ve needed
needles and thread for ages. Well… Yes. This peddler didn’t bring enough goods. He’ll fetch some. He’ll buy some. He has a way. Give him a moment. Fetch now. He’ll be back soon. You need those for embroidery? My daughter is about your age. She’s studying embroidery too. Look. See? Her embroidery. I can’t see. May I touch it? Sure. Here. Feel it. What is this flower? Speedwell. Exquisite stitches! Can you tell? I want to learn embroidery too. Though I’m blind, I can feel it with my fingers. You’re cut out for embroidery. They say blind people have sensitive touch. Your work would be delicate. Your slender fingers are made for this. Really? But I can’t leave home. Your parents forbid it? I have no parents. I live with my uncle. I never asked him. Besides, workshops won’t take a blind student. Not true. Know Chang’an? I heard of it. It’s where the Emperor lives. Yes. There are many embroidery workshops there with famous blind embroiderers. True masters! They embroider patterns like loongs, phoenixes, Qilins, and blooming peonies. The patterns are amazing. They’re good! How do they imagine such patterns? With heart. Anything done wholeheartedly succeeds despite the difficulty. Besides your uncle, any other adults? I could speak with them. No. Just Uncle and me. Is he your blood uncle? No. I’ve been blind since birth. I wandered homeless. Once I got lost and somehow stumbled here. Uncle gave me a cake. I told him my story. He let me stay. A good man. So… Do you know his name? No. Did he share his past? No. So does he… have distinguishing features? Features? Right. You can’t see. I touched his face. There were many scars covering nearly all of his face. He probably looks frightening. Burn scars? Likely. They feel like my burn from hot oil. Needles! Oh, my. Well… See? I told you! Needles! – Needles and thread.
– They’re here. Here! Needles and thread! Not just them! Anything you need! Here. Have some rice cakes. Thank you. Delicious. How much should I pay you? They’re free. [Two thousand shares] Well? It should be Tu. The girl’s uncle. He’s gone fishing and will return in three days. We can’t alert him. What if he returns early? If the girl mentions two strangers asking, he’ll grow suspicious. He might flee early. Know any embroidery workshops? Workshops? My former tenant runs one. Perfect. Let’s go. Forget something? No. I came back to ask if you truly want to join a workshop. Very much. But I must talk to Uncle when he gets home. Here’s the thing. This gentleman knows a workshop owner. He’ll ask if they’ll accept you. Really? Yes. I’ll return in three days. So… If your uncle returns early, don’t tell him yet. This might not work out. If it fails, false hope hurts. Surprise him when it’s confirmed. Agreed? Why are you so kind to me? I told you. My daughter is your age. Here. Take the handkerchief embroidered by her as our pledge. Deal? Okay. It’s a deal! You found Tu? We’ve located his home and confirmed he’s alive. Told you so! Told you so! Did you see him? Not personally. He’s gone fishing and will return in three days. We’ll have to wait patiently to see if we can find the shortcut. We’ll find it. Right, Aunt? I’m never wrong. Alright. Tonight, Jun and Hao are going to dance the Vow Dance. Let’s celebrate together! Celebrate! Sir, enjoy. Congratulations! Thank you, Mr. Li. Thanks. Try this. Try this. Elder Su, I have indigestion. You have it. You’ve never tried it. Come on. I’ll drink a toast. A toast to all! Um… Great! I’d like to make a toast. We gather in Lingnan, striving for the litchi transport tirelessly. I never properly thanked you. I’m truly sorry. The task of litchi transport decides my family’s fate. I must exhaust all efforts to overcome this trial. I always remember your help. I am deeply grateful. When the litchis reach Chang’an, I won’t forget your great kindness. But today, most importantly, we wish Jun and Hao many children and healthy ones! Healthy! Bottoms up! Bravo! Bottoms up! Bottoms up! Thank you, Mr. Li. Congratulations! Mr. Li, 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. I can’t flatter like other officials do. I studied calculation. Calculating is the only thing I know. You flatter me. Frankly, I want to tell you a secret. Initially, I just wanted to trade for “a pangolin”. Litchi transport? Not my concern! 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. Elder Su, without your help and loan at that time, I’d have jumped into the river. I hold dear to your kindness, and I’ll remember forever! Forever. Drink to the dregs together! To the dregs! Here! Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink! Yes! Yes! ♪Sitting in a row, eating fruit♪ ♪One for you, one for me♪ ♪Everyone frowning tightly♪ ♪One for me, one for you♪ ♪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♪ ♪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♪ ♪Swinging on green boughs in sunlight♪ See that? What are you looking at? ♪Till Chang’an called me to its gate♪ ♪And set my fate to twist and gyrate♪ It’s rare to see him so happy. Men at his age, many are burdened by family. Only when he’s drunk can he be so uninhibited and carefree. City men’s hearts are more complex than ours. I worry that you might get too close to them. It might bring unforeseen disaster. No. Li Shande won’t harm me. He’s different from other city men. I see his sincerity. I know that he genuinely wants to help us. But their world has too many constraints. There are many things that he can’t control. If that day comes, your orchard won’t remain as it is now. Child, it’s alright now. It’s fine. Child. There, there. You can stay in this litchi orchard, or go with me to Dayu Mountains. You won’t be homeless. Child. I promised to take you
to the embroidery workshop. I won’t go back on my word. It’s all my fault. But for me, Tu wouldn’t have died. Uncle once told me this day would come sooner or later. He said he could escape for a moment, but not for a lifetime. Tu not only knew the shortcut at Dayu Mountains, but he also knew other secrets that brought him to his doom. That outcome is his fate. But before he died, I didn’t even get to see him for the last time. So we’ve worked hard for nothing. After all this time, we still can’t find the shortcut at Dayu Mountains. Mr. Li, I can ride to Dayu Mountains and search for the shortcut. Dayu Mountains is surrounded by cliffs on three sides, which block three directions. There’s only a narrow basin leading east that connects to Qianzhou. The roads are cramped, with towering mountains on either side blocking most of the sky. It looks tough at a glance, let alone finding a way. Then we just have to ride hard and take our chances, cutting down two days. The more anxious we are to hurry, the more we should slow down in a place like this. If we’re not careful, we’ll lose everything. If that’s the case, we’re out of options. Slow down. Let me see. Pay attention to this color. Ma’am. Lan… Lan has told me everything. Great. This girl is indeed quite adorable. Does she have a name? No. You don’t even have a name? You’re so clever. Why not call you Hui? Sure! Good! Hui, don’t be afraid. It doesn’t matter if you can’t see. Embroidery relies on one’s heart. Come here. [Yian Embroidery Workshop] Let me see your hands. They’re quite soft. Have you learned embroidery before? I practiced by myself. What have you embroidered? This is what I did. Let me see. Your needlework is pretty good! Y-You did this? You have some skills. Alright, I’ll take her in. Say thank you to your teacher! Thank you, ma’am. Alright. Hui, get up now. Say thank you to Mr. Li. I don’t need thanks. From now on, you can live your life here and learn skills. Sure! This is yours. Mr. Li, this handkerchief is for you. It has a design Uncle drew for me. He said the meaning of this design is hope. This is for me? Alright. Hope! What are you doing? This is a Dong people’s custom. When mourning, we draw the outline of our hometown’s mountains
on the ground, so our souls can find the way home. Tu. Ma’am, look! Have a look! Is this the shape of Dayu Mountains? It really is! This should be a shortcut. Tu has always wanted to go home. If there is no problem with this road, we can save two days then! Then we can start the trial! Great! We can start the trial!