《长安的荔枝 The Litchi Road》EP25：李善德再次被同僚哄骗收拾残局，荔枝鲜转运之法被鱼常侍拿走｜雷佳音 岳云鹏｜古装 传奇 剧情｜KUKAN Drama
[The Litchi Road] [Counting Rods and Hoes] The Court of the National Granaries
is in charge of grain storage. [10 years ago, Archival Repository]
The Archival Repository is crucial. All relevant documents are kept here for easy access and review. Remember, report it to me no matter who comes to access the files. Of course. You’ve passed the maths examination and just started your position. Stay humble and patient. Get familiar first. Every day, all the dust on the shelves must be thoroughly cleaned. The scrolls on top need to be organized by province, county, and date. Be extremely careful. Do not be careless. Don’t underestimate them. They’re the livelihood foundation of the Tang citizens. I’ll be meticulous and not overlook any detail. Mr. Meng is strict. Previously, two office managers were penalized and sent to provincial granaries for mistakes. So, how long can this man last? Three days. At most. [Main Warehouse, Wannian County,
Jingzhao Prefecture] Who are you? This is the Vice Minister of the Court
of the National Granaries. My apologies. I bow to pay respect to you, sir. Who are you? Why haven’t I seen Mr. Meng? Mr. Meng may not have arrived yet. I’m Li Shande. I only reported for duty yesterday. Last night, I noticed a discrepancy while archiving documents. I compared and calculated all night and somehow fell asleep. You noticed a discrepancy on the first day of your job? Here, sir. This is the record of grain
stored this year. This is the record of grain distributed last winter. And these are the specifications for the large rice silos. I believe there are mistakes or concealment in the reported figures. Grain records must be reviewed
by the Chief Minister of the Court of the National Granarie
and the Censor before it can be stored. Distribution tallies are issued
by the Recorder of Court of the National Granaries based on the origin and category of the grain. Each granary director
compares the tallies to ensure accuracy before release. How could there be an error? I believe grain is fundamental to the people and is crucial
for the Court of the National Granaries. If the storage details aren’t rigorous, even a slight deviation can lead to significant discrepancies. Both publicly and privately, it can lead to serious issues. You may not fully understand the specifics. Don’t rely solely on… Sir, look. There are 12 large silos, upper diameter one zhang,
lower nine chi, height one zhang and two chi. There are 13 small silos, upper diameter… According to the calculations, the total is 8,067 dan of rice. Therefore, the recorded amount
of stored rice differs from the actual amount released by 168 dan. It’s indeed an error. May I take these documents and drafts back for further review? Mr. Meng said any access must go through him. Don’t worry! Every grain and every inch of silk represent the hard work of the people. I’ll get to the bottom of this and investigate thoroughly. Aye! Li Shande excels [Court of the National Granaries]
at identifying sources of corruption but can’t rectify them. Thus, I’ll place him under your guidance for training. Sir, you have great foresight. I can only admire. Old fox! As expected, within three days, Li Shande got promoted and transferred to the Office of Imperial Parks. But I didn’t expect Mr. Meng
to tamper with the documents and face the result of being assigned to a provincial granary office. Is it that simple? The documents Mr. Meng altered were actually reviewed
by the Vice Minister. Li Shande is just a fool who had to expose it, which offended the Vice Minister. My brother in the Ministry of Personnel told me, after three days, he had Mr. Meng expelled from the court! What? Last time, Mr. Liu offended him and even teased him with carp. If Li Shande reports Mr. Liu for stealing peaches from the royal garden, won’t Mr. Liu end up with a fate similar to Mr. Meng and get a demotion? M-Mr. Liu. Mr. Liu. Mr. Liu. Liangyuan, I’ll discuss something with you. I see you have talent, and I want you to show your skills. Since you know a thing or two about flowers, birds, fish, and insects, why not
take a position at Leyou Garden? But, Mr. Liu, I majored in mathematics! Mr. Liu, flowers… Supervisor. [Episode 25] A round silk fan with fine embroidery is clearly for ladies. Your beloved one is working here? This round fan is for my personal use. You’re joking. Look, this fan is magical. It flatters my complexion. But it’s embroidered with the words “Longing for You”. [Longing for You] In the eyes of others,
it signifies romance, but for me, it has a different meaning. Loyalty to the Chancellor! “The fair one has departed,
leaving no trace. Separated by a thousand li,
we share the view of the same moon.” Though I’m in Lingnan, I miss the Right Chancellor every day. Whenever I drink alone under the moon and gaze north toward Chang’an, my heart is filled
with countless thoughts, and tears flow uncontrollably. Thus, I wrote the words down to ease my sorrow of longing. Your heartfelt intentions will surely reach the Right Chancellor! I hope so. Perhaps there are only books you want, and never those I seek
in this bookstore. I’ll take my leave. Xinmin, take care. Goodbye. Mr. Yu, it’s dark. Be careful. Stop trying to please me! Serving the Noble Consort
is what truly matters. The Right Chancellor has instructed that the Noble Consort’s
birthday banquet must be well organized. Time is running short. Is there any progress on the offerings? The birthday tributes
from local governments are already on the way. Foreign tributes have passed borders and will arrive in Chang’an next month. At that time, we need to send some people to keep a close watch
at the Left Treasury Office. Can’t afford a mistake. Besides the birthday tributes, we also need to gather local specialties. You must diligently supervise their progress. Aye! Mr. Yu, about local specialties, there’s some fun news lately. The Litchi Commissioner
has returned from Lingnan. The Litchi Commissioner? Remember? You met him at Leyou Garden. He was so flustered when he got the job, saying that the Lingnan litchis could never make it to Chang’an. You said he could only await his doom. But that fool now claims he has found a way to transport fresh litchis. He’s been visiting offices to submit his memorial, only to be given the runaround. In the end, he even dared
to go to the Ministry of War to see those killers and got refused, scaring him half to death. In a desperate situation,
he’s fighting with all he has, just hoping for a way out. His experience is somewhat similar to mine from the past. Mr. Yu, your feat of sending candles by horse is a legendary tale that no one can replicate. The Litchi Commissioner is barely comparable to you! Wealth is often found in danger. Great risks can always lead to great opportunities. If this Litchi Commissioner truly has a method for transporting fresh litchis, then he’s holding the key to immense wealth! Tell me, how did that old peony
get infested with bugs? How long? About two days. Two days! Why didn’t you tell me that? What’s the reason? Do you have a death wish? You were absent at Leyou Garden
for two days. We certainly can’t go find you at the Office of Imperial Parks. We’re doomed! The Right Chancellor is coming to Leyou Garden after noon. If he sees this scene, we’ll all be punished! Catch the bugs! Get everyone to catch the bugs! What? We can’t catch all the bugs. We need to use insecticide. Of course, I know it! If the insecticide isn’t mixed properly and ends up killing the old peony, we’ll all be beheaded. You’ve been so careless
with His Majesty’s favorite peony. You can’t blame me for that! Since Li Shande left, we’ve all agreed to take care of the peony together! It isn’t my fault that those branches have bugs now! Nonsense! While I’m responsible
for pruning the branches, I’m always careful, only picking off dead twigs and branches, more careful than taking care
of my mother. These bugs must have come up from the soil. Although I loosen the soil and fertilize it, I use only the best rakes and fertilizer. If the soil and fertilizer are infested with bugs, th-then we need to ask the Purchasing Office and the Treasury! If I bought fertilizer with bug eggs, how come the bugs only showed up now? This is clearly negligence in daily precautions. There must have been a gap in the protective net that allowed the bugs to get in. True, I’m responsible
for the isolation nets, but my brother, a director of the Ministry of Personnel, often tells me that the hardest thing to guard against
is human malice. Mr. Liu, the isolation net was never meant to keep out bugs! I’m not involved at all, but I get dragged into the trouble. Please help clear my name, Mr. Liu! If that’s the case, then you all are innocent? I’m in charge
of imperial gardens and parks. If I have to oversee every detail, like a peony a bamboo shoot, and everything else, what is the use of you all? It must be sorted out today. One of you will take the blame! I heard Li Shande is back. Really? Yes! I heard Li Shande has caused quite a scene at various offices over the litchi transport approval. He ended up empty-handed and covered in shame. Mr. Liu, the peony was originally under Li Shande’s care. We were just helping him out out of colleagueship. Exactly! He used yellow clay back then to patch the broken branches, which might lead
to the bug problem today! The wounded peony was vulnerable. If the soil was contaminated, it would definitely harm the roots. Over time, it was bound to breed bugs. So, it seems Li Shande should be held accountable. He’s responsible? He can’t survive long. With nothing to lose, why would he take the blame? We could trick him into coming
back to Leyou Garden. Who could still trick him now? We could try another approach. Mr. Liu, help me! My 80-year-old mother still needs care, Mr. Liu! Li Shande has become the Litchi Commissioner, but he was once our colleague. He’s back in Chang’an and faced with difficulties, why not invite him back for a chat at the Office
of Imperial Parks? Aye! Mr. Li, Mr. Han is out on business. He won’t be back until Shen hour. Please be patient. [Ministry of Justice] Liangyuan? When did you come home? Is your Litchi Commissioner’s work going smoothly? Oh right. Liangyuan. Liangyuan! I understand your feelings. To be honest, If I were given such a task, I would feel resentful too. But you’ve truly misunderstood us. I admit now the Litchi Commissioner has become a laughingstock among the offices. Others are amused, but we, your colleagues, don’t find it funny. After you left, Mr. Liu often blamed himself. He said he felt useless that he couldn’t help you. But you know our office is just a backwater office with no real power. Other offices can pass the buck, but we have to put a bold face on it and take it. Liangyuan, after you left, we’ve been quite concerned about you. Everyone hopes you can handle this task well and bring some pride to us! If you’re facing any difficulties, you must tell us. Your current situation is what we might face in the future. We will definitely support you. No worries. Just go. Mr. Song. Do you have any connections who can help me get the litchi transport
memorial submitted? This is ridiculous! Mr. Li has found a way to transport fresh litchis, but these offices are still passing the buck! It was their mutual dodging that landed this Litchi Commissioner task on our office. I know those incompetent officials all too well. Liangyuan, what are your plans now? For the litchi transport, I need the approval documents. I came here today to ask you all if anyone has a contact who can help me submit the memorial. If we submit it from our office, I’m afraid it’ll be ignored. Mr. Qu, isn’t your brother working
at the Ministry of Personnel? Can you help? Mr. Liu, even though my brother is the Director, Submitting a memorial would be simple for him. Unfortunately, he’s gone to Luoyang on official business today and won’t be back until next month. Liangyuan, could you wait? I can’t wait any longer. If only you had come to me yesterday. Oh, I have a relative in the Archives Office who usually handles some logistics. Should I ask him? Archives Office deals with books and classics. Actually, I have a connection. My close classmate got promoted to the Recorder
of the Court of the Imperial Treasury. I can make a trip to see if he can do me a favor. I tried. They handle the reception
of foreign tributes. We’re dealing with Lingnan litchis. The Office of Imperial Parks is just a powerless office. To put it bluntly, it’s just about growing
flowers and trees. As for high-ranking officials, we’ve seen quite a few at Leyou Garden. But friendship is built on genuine connections. It’s hard for us to even approach them, let alone build relationships. Speaking of which, I remember someone. There is indeed someone from our office who has connections. Who? You. Remember? The Right Chancellor ordered a canopy for the peony His Majesty loved. But it fell on a side branch. You saved that peony. You helped the Right Chancellor. It was a great contribution! That peony is thriving now. The Right Chancellor’s pleased. He even mentioned you. He must remember your act of rescue. How can I even meet
the Right Chancellor? I remember your Litchi Commissioner appointment edict
was signed by the Right Chancellor. If you report this to him, it’s acceptable. In addition, the transport issue seems to have some progress. He’ll surely be surprised and won’t blame you. After the beginning of spring, the Right Chancellor will go to Leyou Garden every other day. Each time, he calls the officer on duty to report on that peony. This might be an opportunity. When is the Right Chancellor going
to Leyou Garden again? It should be today. Liangyuan, it might help. Don’t be late. Hurry up! Aye! What’s going on? Mr. Li, you’re finally back! The peony has bugs! What? Mr. Li, please help us! Mr. Li, we’re begging you! Get up now! What’s wrong? Didn’t Mr. Song tell you? He was supposed to be on duty today. But once he saw the infested peony, he feared the Right Chancellor’s wrath. Who’d thought he’d send you to deal with this mess! These bastards. I used to believe even malicious people would have some conscience. But it turns out they’re this cruel! Mr. Li, please help us! So, the Right Chancellor is coming today? As usual, he should be here shortly after noon. If he comes, we’re doomed! Mr. Li, please help us! Get up now! Get up, you all! Please help us! Get up right now! Let me take a look! Get up now. Hurry up! Why do you come to Leyou Garden today? Haven’t you heard? His Majesty mentioned in passing it was flowering season. He seemed to be interested in visiting. The Right Chancellor’s been
frequently visiting here. He’s clearly keeping an eye
on this garden for His Majesty. Now is the perfect time! If the Right Chancellor mentions it
to His Majesty at the right moment, it’ll surely resonate with him. Why don’t we tell the Right Chancellor about it directly? The Right Chancellor is unwell today. If we want to ask for a favor from him, we need to handle everything properly. We should first check if there are any issues, and then share this news with the Right Chancellor. That way, he’ll feel more at ease. In doing so… well, we’ll gain a favor from the Right Chancellor while he’ll also please His Majesty. If His Majesty’s happy, we’ll all be happy! Mr. Yu, you’re meticulous beyond everyone else. With the Right Chancellor unwell, everyone is being extra attentive. The Imperial Academy of Medicine alone sent seven to eight imperial physicians, some serving water,
others administering medicine, while countless more offer tonics. His threshold is nearly worn. But those who can truly deliver goodwill to the Right Chancellor’s heart are very few. Thank you for your guidance! I’ve learned much! Wh- What’s wrong? What’s that smell? Something’s burning! Who set a fire here? Mr. Yu, it’s not a fire, but pest control. Pest control? The peony is infested with bugs? The peony… How have you been taking care of it? What’s that smell? Sulfur. It is serious. It is very serious. We need to cover the soil
with plant ash to kill the insect eggs in the soil, then repeatedly fumigate it with sulfur and mugwort to eradicate them totally. Leyou Garden is a royal garden. But you’ve made it a mess! Fortunately, the Right Chancellor
is unwell today and can’t come. Otherwise, if he sees this, do you think you’ll survive? The Right Chancellor isn’t coming? Mr. Yu, he’s the Litchi Commissioner. Did we meet before? I’m Li Shande
from the Office of Imperial Parks. I bow to pay my respect! I previously consulted you about transporting fresh litchis. If you’re dead, this task is naturally over. It’s just human nature. It’s nothing unusual. So, you’re still alive. Does that mean you’ve made some progress? The transport is no longer a problem, but various offices won’t accept my memorial. It might really be
as you said last time. Only when I’m dead will this be over. If that’s the case, then those fresh litchis will definitely not reach His Majesty? Yes! The litchis could be transported over. But my task needs to be approved by the various offices first. To be honest, the approval process takes at least a month. A month won’t do! Well… The Noble Consort’s birthday
is on the first day of the sixth month. A month won’t do! Do you know why His Majesty ignored the official sequence and set up these special commissioners? He wanted someone to get things done quickly with just a word! But now, you’re still in this predicament. It seems no one is following His Majesty’s wishes. Well, actually my duty is to handle purchases for the Inner Court. Since the fresh litchis from Gaozhou are what His Majesty wants, I’ll help you find a way. I’ll help you avoid all the red tape. Mr. Yu, you will help me? If I can relieve His Majesty’s worries, I’ll definitely see this through. But I heard that litchis spoil completely in three days. Can fresh litchis really be transported over? Look, this is my method for transporting litchis. All details are here. Your method is indeed clever, but I need to return to the palace. Can I take it back to study it more carefully? If I have questions, I’ll come tomorrow again. When? Tomorrow, at the midpoint of the Si hour. Right here. Aye! Mr. Yu? Liangyuan, why didn’t you ask me first? All the offices won’t accept my memorial. Only he is willing to help me. Mr. Yu is a rising star in the Inner Court, but he’s cunning and treacherous. He likes stealing credits! Everyone agrees he is like a turtle! Why? Once he bites down on something, he won’t let it go, just like a turtle. That’s all? He’s also a eunuch! When you deal with him, you should keep a backup plan. Now, he has taken the litchis transport method. He can just follow the plan and go to Lingnan to get fresh litchis! And the credit for that will go solely to him. It’ll have nothing to do with you! No way! H-He said he would take the memorial back to study it. We’ll meet again at Leyou Garden tomorrow. You really believe that? He definitely won’t show up tomorrow. Impossible! I’ve been to all the offices. They can prove the litchi transport method was developed by me! Liangyuan, you’re a master of mathematics. But when it comes
to the ways of officials, you’re truly childish! Those offices won’t accept your memorial. Why would they vouch for you? It’s better to avoid trouble, especially with someone like Mr. Yu. Who would take on such a thankless task? At Lingnan, you encountered so many schemes, how can you not learn any lessons? I usually focused all my time on researching the litchi transport method. I didn’t have the energy to learn those lessons! When you submitted the transport method, had you attached a thank-you note, crediting the Lingnan Commissioner’s support, the Treasury’s funding, and many other departments have all been on board. Mr. Yu won’t dare take credit from you then! Liangyuan, the art of officialdom really boils down to three elements. Stay modest, share benefits, and return favors. You can get all the benefits alone, but it won’t last for long. I’ve tried for months. Just when I’m about to scale the peak, I slip and fall back into a pit again. Exactly! It’s a pity I’m just a minor official who’s stubborn. I usually socialize with only you and Zimei. Now, I can only see the current situation clearly, but can’t do anything. I don’t know how to break you free. Maybe you should just settle Xiu and ask someone you trust to adopt her. That’s nonsense! Why do you bring that up again? Who should I ask? Will you raise Xiu for me? I won’t do that! Never ever. That turtle shouldn’t be that bad. Let’s eat. Mr. Yu, you have an appointment
with the Litchi Commissioner at the midpoint of Si hour in Leyou Garden. It’s already past the time. I don’t plan to go. Will you personally handle the litchi transport matter? Anyone who can write such a memorial is indeed talented. This transport method is very complex. It requires meticulous calculations to avoid any mistakes. It’s clear that he has refined this
through multiple practices in Lingnan. It seems this matter can’t be done without him. Then why don’t you go to see him, Mr. Yu? The more urgent the matter, the slower one must act. Mr. Li, why are you here? Waiting for someone. The garden will be closed
for fumigation. No one will be coming. Exactly! Like a fish in a pond. Starve it for days. Let desperation cloud its judgment. When it’s about to die, feed it a little. It’ll be grateful and see you as a lifesaver. The same goes for the Litchi Commissioner. Don’t worry. He won’t starve. After all, I have the memorial. The fish is mine to dine. [The Litchi Road] Just tell me how I can help. Have you kept well the evidence I gave you? Don’t worry. It’s safe. Is it me who wants to eat litchis? Is it me? It’s His Majesty! It’s the Right Chancellor… the Right Chancellor’s sister! His sister wants them! I quit. ♪The beauty-loving ruler
longed for a divine lady♪ ♪Yet through his reign,
none stirred his soul’s desires♪ ♪A maiden of the Yangs
now ripens in grace♪ ♪Raised in seclusion,
unseen by any face♪ ♪Endowed with heaven-sent beauty,
she is bound to be known♪ ♪Finally chosen to be
where the ruler goes♪ ♪A glance, a smile,
and all charms awake♪ ♪The glow of all ladies in the harem
fades in her wake♪ ♪In the spring chill, she was granted
a bath in the Huaqing Hot Spring♪ ♪Thermal waves
embraced her moonlit skin♪ ♪Arms held by her attendants,
delicate and weak♪ ♪This marked the dawn
of royal favor’s peak♪ ♪Cloud-like hair, floral visage
with a golden step-shaking hairpin♪ ♪Lotus-curtains drank
their shared breath♪ ♪Dawn always came too soon,
shearing the night too short♪ ♪Thus indulged in joy, the ruler
no longer joined the morning court♪ ♪Entertain the ruler and attend events
without a moment to spare♪ ♪Spring outings and night-long stays
all through the year♪ ♪Despite thousands
of beauties in the harem♪ ♪All the ruler’s favor rests on her♪