Highlight EP32-33: He Youguang was framed, Amita avenged her own father! | The Litchi Road
My time in this world has been thrilling! Yes! Li Shande. Is Elder Su still upset? I wronged him. I’ll seek him today to apologize and explain. Elder Su. You’re here. I came to visit you. I also brought something novel. Something novel? Townsfolk call it the Litchi Share. I can’t believe the Inspector of Lingnan
is stooping so low! The litchi transport is our charge. Yet he seeks to profit from it right in front of us, the Imperial Commissioners! Shameless greed! I can imagine how he habitually preys on the common people. Mr. Li, rest assured. When I return to Chang’an, I’ll inform the Right Chancellor to punish him. Normally we’d return to Chang’an to settle this. But the litchi transport presses urgently. Issuing this share will erase Elder Su’s past contributions. We’ve denied him access
to the trade route. But we still owe him fair returns. He once stood by me with all he had. Now issuing the share benefits everyone. Even those who did nothing would profit. How can Elder Su accept this fact? Resentful, he might withhold
his double-layered urns. No urns, no litchi transport. Double-layered urns? I saw this name in the Transport Route Plan. Without them, litchis last merely seven days. Exactly! So it’s crucial for the transport. Only Elder Su has them? Yes. Foreign lands too. But importing takes too long. Now we have a problem. It seems minor but breeds disaster. We must stop He Youguang. We must! Stop him? He Youguang is an inspector. I’m merely a palace attendant. It’s beyond my power. No, it’s not! You’re not an attendant anymore. Your role is an overseer who’s supposed to oversee this matter! He Youguang is trying to incite commoners in Lingnan to invest! This is extortion and preying on people! As an overseer, oversee it! Investigate and punish him! I fear accusations of tyranny and abuse of power. Who dares? I have the silver token! None outranks the Right Chancellor! When we return to Chang’an, I’ll testify for you and against him! You must punish him! Mr. Li, if you testify for me, I’ll brave any danger to do it. Make way! Make way! What happened? Make way! To what do we owe this uninvited visit, Mr. Yang? Elder Su. We found that a merchant house under your banner forged transit documents. Explain yourself. I don’t understand what you mean. Elder Su. Drop the pretense. You forged transit documents and counterfeited Mr. Li’s seal to profess that you served
the Litchi Commissioner’s task. You forged not one, but five such documents! It’s outrageous! You must be kidding. I lack such courage. You twisted the truth and misled yourselves. The Inspector’s Mansion always values evidence. The truth will emerge
after we investigate. Please cooperate and come with us. You try to warn someone? I want to see Mr. Li! Seize them all! Aye! I demand Mr. Li! Let me see him! What reckless tyranny! Well? Have you all gone through the subscription deeds? Any objections? Still no sign of Elder Su. Impossible! Keep searching! Yes, sir. Wait no more. Su Liang won’t come. Greed has no limits. Don’t follow his example to reject the profit
offered on a silver platter. You might end up starving to death. The litchi transport has dragged on too long. You’ve been tormented by the volatile situation. Now it’s time to decide. Buying the Litchi Share will put an end to this. If you have made up your mind, just sign it. [Inspector’s Mansion] Mr. Zhao. Mr. He summons you to the backyard. Okay. Mr. He. What troubles you? Ten years I’ve served you, I’ve never seen you like this. I investigated. Mr. Yu is more than what we see. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. Overseeing the litchi transport
is just a pretext. I’m his true target. The Right Chancellor? If I fall, you’re doomed. Flee with your family. Now. Mr. He, I fear no death. Years ago my talent was unrecognized, and I struggled in Lingnan. Although I had ambitions, I felt trapped and unappreciated. It was you who promoted me. I repay your kindness with loyalty. I am willing to die for you. You served me for many years. I don’t want to implicate you. I warn you, go now, or you will never escape. I’ll stand with you to the end against that overseer. Good! You’re worthy of my patronage over the years. I was just kidding! That stupid overseer has never mattered! I can crush him like an ant. I summoned you for great news. Last night I had a dream. An immortal told me that I resembled His Majesty. Your thoughts? Immortal? Immortals never lie. Indeed. Your features mirror His Majesty’s. I am an emperor, and a god! If what he said is true, why should I linger in Lingnan as the Right Chancellor’s watchdog? Isn’t it a waste of my talent? Zhao, I’ll show you something. Come on. Look. “Cold rain enters Wu with night’s tide. At dawn among the lonely Chu mountains,
I bid my guest goodbye. If my kin in Luoyang inquire, my heart remains as pure
as ice in a jade jar.” Know this poem? By Wang Changling after his exile to Jiangning. “As pure as ice in a jade jar” means his heart was pure with upright integrity. He also implied the emperor’s neglect of him
and indulgence toward bad officials. He meant the emperor couldn’t tell good officials
from the bad ones. But what’s the reality? Observe how ice melts in the jar, streaming out streams of talents pledging loyalty to the Noble One. I served the Right Chancellor for years while I suffered his constraints. Now he even sent this eunuch to discard me
because he finds me useless now. Zhao. You’re talented and resourceful. A true talent! Now the time has come. Join me to go big. I’ve played a mad inspector for ten years. You think I really care for those fighting roosters? I’ve long known
the Noble One in Fanyang. I’ve been thinking of and plotting this great event day and night for years. At sea, my pirate fellows can totally escort merchant ships. Why would I need a navy? I just used it as an excuse to secure the Military Fish Tally
from the Right Chancellor. So that I could replace navy men with my own to control the navy. And why did we spend years
operating the Guild, amassing funds and provisions? For this great endeavor! Why did I hinder the humble Litchi Commissioner from transporting litchis to Chang’an? To prevent outsiders who might enter Lingnan and disrupt my plans! My ally in Fanyang Prefecture
will rise soon. And chaos ensues. I’ll seize the moment
to achieve my goal. Zhao, as a pirate, I seized ships and gained a team by force. When I quit being a pirate, I seized an Inspector’s title. I endured and laid low for ten years to seize again. This time, I’ll be Lingnan’s ruler! Emperor Taizong ascended to the throne with just over a hundred men. What do we have now? We have troops, military provisions, and wealth. All the material resources
are prepared in my favor. The first step is to kill Yu. Zhao, if you help me, I’ll have the human resources, too. I pledge loyalty to you unto death. Good! [Inspector’s Mansion] Honey. Something’s wrong? He Youguang revealed his plan earlier today. He’s really plotting a rebellion? I have water and food prepared where you’ll hide. Don’t worry. Soon I’ll fetch you. I won’t leave. Where you stay, I stay. We agreed on this. Only your safety frees me to act and deal with this crisis. If I fail… I’ll wait for you to return. We’ll both wait. Today I planned a fine meal to share joyous news. I’m with child. Since when? Days ago I went to pray and draw a divination stick at a temple. A Taoist priest read the stick and said I’d be blessed with a child. At my age, I thought they were
just auspicious words. Honey. After you left today, I felt ill. I thought of his words and sought a physician. And… I’ve longed for children
for half my life. But I never thought you would really give me an heir. Fear not. I’ll protect you both. Mr. Yu, Mr. Zhao from the Inspector’s Mansion
requests an audience. He states that he’s here delivering no gifts for Mr. He, but his own “sincerity”. When I was seeking him, he showed up at my door. Now that he’s forced to come forward by Mr. He to get the ball rolling, he knows blind allegiance’s futile. A man who knows
which way the wind blows. These quiet days, I thank his bird for company. Admit him. Admit him. Aye. Mr. Li! Mr… Mr. Li! Someone seeks you! When litchis are sold out, we can all go to Chang’an. Mr. Yu summons you urgently. News of Elder Su? Elder Su was arrested by the Inspector’s men. What? Mr. Yu! Mr. Yu! Mr. Zhao? Why did you arrest Elder Su? Calm down. It was He Youguang. It will hinder the litchi transport! I’ll inform the Right Chancellor. Waste no effort. He Youguang defies even His Majesty now. How dare he do that? It’d be a rebellion! He does want to rebel! What? He Youguang rebels? He’s used the Military Fish Tally to order the Navy to assemble ashore. Once he acts, Lingnan will face a lockdown. Elder Su will perish. Even you two won’t survive. As the Inspector’s Chief Secretary, I’m responsible for the safety of Lingnan’s people. So I came to warn you. Please devise a plan as soon as possible. Send word to Chang’an now! Even if it gets sent, reinforcement won’t arrive in time. Mr. Li, He Youguang
has asked me to dine with him. He will most likely take action tonight. We must save ourselves. That eunuch! Since he arrived in Lingnan, he’s been posturing. Why summon me at this crucial moment? Mr. He. The hour nears. Officials from Chang’an can be threats. Let me take my men to eliminate them. Don’t act rashly. He must’ve left a way out. Else he’d not have sent the invitation. The Navy will land later today. We strike when our troops are assembled. Mr. Zhao and I will devise a solution in the city. Mr. Li, you hold the token
from the Right Chancellor. When the Navy lands, delay them. But you’ll be walking into a trap. Danger awaits. Mr. Yang, place the city under lockdown. Tonight, no one, not a single word, leaves Lingnan. Aye. This is my country. Although I am a eunuch, I am willing to sacrifice my life for my country. Mr. Li, depart now. If things go wrong, and He Youguang kills me tonight, Mr. Zhao will signal you. Then you’ll flee to Chang’an
directly from the city gate to report to the Right Chancellor. The city’s locked down. Mr. He resolves to fight to the death. Sorry, sir! I spoke ill-omened words. It’s okay. Humble crucian carp are fish. Ornamental koi are fish. Kun the legendary sea monsters
are also fish. I’m not a fish easily netted by him. Inspector’s order!
This is an anti-pirate drill! We were the ones who sent the invitation. Knowing he’d rebel, why did you still take a risky move and put yourself in danger? He Youguang connects deeply to the Right Chancellor. Reporting him might implicate our master. If we smother it up and then report
to the Right Chancellor, we will gain great merit. Yes, but the risk is high. We’re outnumbered. How can we go against He Youguang’s troops? Fortune favors the bold. I’ve waited years for this chance to come. I’ll take a punt, even if I have to stake my life on it. Tonight, we’ll see whose luck holds out better. [Inspector’s Mansion] Zhao, when the Navy lands later tonight, take my private troops
to Qifeng Pavilion and kill that eunuch! Aye. Mr. Yu! Mr. He! We haven’t seen each other for days. I miss you! Mr. Yu, I overcame many hurdles to meet you. I am honored! You flatter me. After you. After you. After you. Even with your busy schedule, you find time to attend. I want to thank you for your presence. You’re too kind to say that. Since your arrival in Lingnan, I’ve wished to find a chance to share the finest wine Lingnan has to offer. But alas. You were occupied. Now you’ve offered me this opportunity. I’d like to make a toast. Cheers! Cheers. Li Shande,
the Imperial Litchi Commissioner, pays his respects
to the Naval Commander! Please order your troops to return and avoid self-destruction! Litchi Commissioner? A fruit seller commands me? Though I am a Litchi Commissioner, I also oversee Lingnan affairs on behalf
of the Right Chancellor. The Navy belongs at sea. Yet strangely, you are
assembled ashore today, which is against the military law. I am here to warn you. We are here following orders. I’ll come straight to the point. He Youguang plots a rebellion. The Right Chancellor already knows. He’s waiting for him
to put his neck into the noose. If you and the Navy persist, consider the consequences. You cannot win. Do you have any evidence of the rebellion you claimed? Commander, advance further, and you’ll commit rebellion, too. One misstep leads to eternal ruin. We only obey whoever holds the Military Fish Tally. Commander, reconsider your decision, please! We haven’t met Mr. He yet. Why trust this man’s side of the story? Obey orders. I’ll bear all the consequences! Commander, I’ll have to refuse. We guard the seas and defend the Tang territory. Soldiers will not hesitate
to die fighting. But we will never bear treason’s shame. Mr. He demanded the Navy ashore, leaving the coast undefended. Bandits and pirates may strike harming the people. Regardless, we must return to the sea. Please reconsider your decision! Please, Commander! Please! I brought a small item from Chang’an. I wonder if it pleases you. Mr. Yu, what do you mean by this? Mr. He. This is no ordinary thing. I know you love jade. This emerald from Western Dian was gifted by Wang Liang,
the Inspector of Xichuan in Jiannan Circuit. I offer it to you as a gesture of goodwill. Mr. Yu. Thank you. A real prize due to its rarity. Why did Wang Liang gift it to you? As an inspector of a border province, he felt he was beyond
His Majesty’s grasp. So he nursed some ambitions he shouldn’t have. He hoarded weapons and raised private troops, which caught His Majesty’s attention. Wang Liang panicked. He went to Chang’an to kowtow in apology and offer treasures. But in the end, he was still beheaded. Mr. He. Was it worth it? Your words are profound. I’m a crude man so I don’t know what to make of it. You summoned me surely for urgent matters. Don’t beat around the bush. Speak plainly. When I departed, the Right Chancellor decreed, “Ride the donkey and beat the dog”. I pondered deeply
during my journey south, and yet his words still baffled me. After I arrived in Lingnan, I finally grasped his meaning. Donkeys plod to turn the millstones. They are loyal to their masters and never demand extras. You don’t even need to whip them. But dogs are a different story. Dogs scent blood and lunge for meat. They bite when denied. So you have to beat them. The Right Chancellor meant I must find truly loyal officials and guard against those who harbor evil intent. Exactly! The dogs around the Right Chancellor should have been dealt with long ago. Especially those who pretend to be loyal dogs while making a big fuss
about their master’s casual remarks to climb up the ladder! Beat them. Beat them hard! Mr. He. Great minds think alike. I’ll drink a toast to you. Mr. Yu, I wish we met earlier! True. Cheers! Cheers. Mr. Zhao? I’m delivering the Inspector’s order. Tonight’s plan changes. Withdraw troops immediately. Withdraw? Mr. He said no withdrawal without his direct order. He’s at the Qifeng Pavilion! He can’t be here to give you orders. He specially instructed me. If the Naval Commander fails to deliver a secret note as planned, withdrawal tonight is the safest choice. Withdraw! Mr. Zhao, though the secret note never came, Mr. He said that tonight’s event
is a matter of life and death. So we shall obey no one but him. Mr. Zhao, I cannot obey you. I’ll show you his token! Here! Any objections? Open the gate! Open! Mr. Yang! Mr. Zhao reported a change of plan for tonight. Troops in the west suburb
have withdrawn. Withdrawn? Why? Traitor He Youguang tried to assassinate
the Overseer from Chang’an. Now he’s been executed! Lies! Seize him! He Youguang’s head is here! You’re trying to deceive us! Let’s go to the Qifeng Pavilion! He Youguang’s crimes are listed! His plot to murder the Imperial Overseer has ironclad proof! Those who lay down arms will live. Resist, and you die! Go! Go! Go! Move! Mr. He. You seem unsettled. Expecting someone? Who would I possibly expect? Hey, you! The whole night you’ve been talking in riddles. They make no sense to me at all. Enough games. Show your blade! You exaggerate. I’ve no blade to show. I only wished to reminisce. Okay. Reminisce away. I am all ears. Years ago, you transformed from a pirate to an inspector guarding the borders. Rumor has it that you found a patron in Chang’an. In all of Chang’an, only three people could do this. The first one was His Majesty. But that year he devoted himself to Taoist immortality. He couldn’t have noticed a brute like you. The second one was the then Right Chancellor. But I don’t think it was him. Because years later he fell ill and died. He was replaced by the current Right Chancellor. His sons and allies were either exiled or dismissed. Yet you rose unscathed. So your patron wasn’t the former Right Chancellor. That leaves one man. A fool, a Chang’an laughingstock of mixed barbarian blood, whose fat body could perform
the Sogdian Whirl with a hundred spins. Everyone thought
he was just a court jester. But His Majesty, Her Highness, officials, and commoners, none saw the fangs in his goofy smile. Mr. He, you happened to become one of his pawns back then, right? Mr. He, are you wondering how I know so much about you? Sea Dragon. You took me to Chang’an. You’re that wicked boy! Thanks to you,
I became a eunuch in the palace. I’ve been watching you over the years since I knew you became the Lingnan Inspector. But confined within palace walls, I couldn’t meet you. Today we reunited. Fate binds us. Fate indeed. I should have killed you then. I was too soft. Yu Cheng’en, you’re right. I want to rebel! Actually, I am rebelling! I’ll lead troops to march past the Five Ridges
and cross the Yangtze River! My horses will gallop
on the palace floor! Everywhere my men and horses tread will be my land! Pity that you won’t see it. True. I won’t see it. Zhao. Seize him! Zhao! Seize this eunuch! Move! Guards! Where are they? Mr. Yu. Mission accomplished. Well done. You betrayed me! Though I am lowly
and my word doesn’t carry weight, I beg mercy for He Youguang. I know his crimes are unforgivable. But he recognized my talent
and helped me. Spare his life, please. I, I will serve you and follow you everywhere! I’ll repay your kindness with my life! Mr. Zhao, you honor me. I’m but a eunuch. I have neither the courage nor the power to kill an inspector. Mr. Zhao. Rise, please. Mr. Yu. Mr. He. We’ve reminisced. All banquets must come to an end. Farewell. The winner takes all. If I lose, I lose. Havoc trusted me most, and yet I killed him. Today I trusted him most, and yet he betrayed me. I guess this is karma. I admit my defeat. Farewell. [Inspector’s Mansion] Open up! Open up! Mr. He! You… What happened? Help me inside. Yes, sir! Stop him! There! Over there! Quick! He’s over there! Lan. This is what you owe Feng. Who’s Feng? Found him! He Youguang’s here! Come on! Beat him! Kill him! Stop it! I am the Inspector! Move! Move! Go! [Gaozhou] You and my father waited ten years for this day to come. My time in this world has been thrilling! Yes! I saw fire. What’s this? Bamboo tube rice. Mr. Li! I rushed here. I have great news! I freed Elder Su for you. Where is he? Now the bad news. He weighed anchor and departed as soon as he was free. What? He left? Elder Su is so shrewd. Seeing how the wind was blowing, he set sail without hesitation. He… His loyalty to you changed easily. He didn’t leave any double-layered urns to you. He can’t do that! How am I supposed to transport
without the urns? Indeed. If I can’t make it, and His Majesty apportions blame, you’ll be beheaded, too! That’s why I came to think of a solution together! Can local potters make new ones? We depart in three days! I’ll have the Maritime Trade Bureau ask the other merchants and search warehouses for maybe one or two urns. Go away! Go! Hey! Find alternatives! Alternatives! Why would Elder Su leave without saying anything? He must think of me as an ungrateful villain now. What are you going to do now? Ma’am. That night at the Qifeng Pavilion, He Youguang dismissed the attendants. So his talk with Yu Cheng’en remains unknown. But that night, Mr. Yu dropped something. An attendant found it. Later, Mr. Yu sent men to search for it several times. The attendant
feared it might bring trouble and gave it to me. Ma’am. Ma’am? I didn’t expect that all these years, my enemy was right in front of me.