Highlight EP24-25: Li Shande was rejected and was betrayed by his friends! | The Litchi Road
You know very well your task’s nature
and consequences. Why should I help you? You know your task can be fatal. Yet you came to ask for my help. Why should I forward this dangerous memorial? Spare your worries. He won’t meet his end by the first day of the sixth month. You’re his woman. Of course, you’re taking his side. From today
till the first day of the sixth month, variables could still unfold. Why should I fret over this every day, entangling my fate with his? Your lip stain smudged after that sip of tea. In business, look beyond immediate gains and set your sights afar. Seize one prime opportunity, and your future is secured. If I were you, I’d urge my patron to trade a mere hundred and fifty guan for Li Shande’s profound gratitude. Once he succeeds in transporting litchis, his nature ensures he’ll remember and repay your kindness. Other people
won’t be able to buy this bond at ten or a hundred times the price after he climbs up the social ladder. Should he fail, he’ll still pay the debts. Because before death, he’d secure his daughter’s safety. Thus either way, your patron will not suffer losses. Halt! Don’t run, halt! Stop! Where’s my daughter? Where is she? Why the haste? When I sought repayment, didn’t you ask me to be patient, too? Didn’t I repay debts due before the first day of the sixth month? And I pledged to settle the remainder by the first day of the sixth month. What more can I do? I demand repayment now. I heard you sought approval today. Any glad tidings to share? Approval isn’t easily granted. Each bureau requires three or five visits and two or three days’ negotiation. I returned but yesterday. Rest assured. The approval will be granted, the debts will be repaid, and the mission will be accomplished. Trust me. Okay? Someone already asked me to do so. You are lucky in love affairs. Found yourself a worthy companion. Set your mind at ease. I shan’t trouble you now. Yet I, too, must answer to the patron behind me. During your stay in Chang’an, you need to offer concrete assurance. Otherwise, you won’t leave Chang’an safe and sound. Understood. [Pingkang Ward]
Those at the back! Hurry! Ward gates close soon. Hurry up! No dawdling. Come on! Who permitted you to take her to meet them? Who allowed it? Should harm befall Xiu, could you bear the responsibility? They outnumbered us. Direct conflict would be unwise. A merchant like me knows their methods. Besides, a mere hundred guan… A mere hundred? A mere hundred? Today fortune favored you, and my daughter was lucky to escape! Know where this is? You think you’re still in your domain where you made thousand-guan deals at your whim? This is Chang’an, a den of rogues and chaos! That 100 guan could have… Where are you going? Chang’an has 108 wards. Do you even know where you should go? This way. Those at the back, hurry! Do you want to exit or not? Zhang, could you watch Xiu for a while? Sure. Father, where are you going? To fetch you treats. Help Mrs. Zhang with vegetables. Come, Xiu. Sit over here. You’re such a sweet girl. I… I brought you some warm food. I said some harsh words out of anxiety. Please take no offense. I don’t blame you. I know you were anxious
for Xiu’s safety. You’re a good father. I wouldn’t call myself a good father. I strive so that Xiu won’t become a fatherless waif at such a young age. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Eat it while it’s still warm. I did lose my father when I was young. So many years have passed. My memories of him already faded. I recalled some fragments as I watched you with Xiu. My father had been strict with me since I was little. He taught me horseback archery and took me to sea. Once I fell from the horseback, and he gave me a ring he wore all the time for protection. He said that Havoc’s daughter
feared no pain and that his ring would guard me. I didn’t cry. But I resented him. Why couldn’t my father care for his daughter’s well-being like other fathers did? I craved his comfort. It was only later that I learned he killed the horse that day. But at that time, for once, I refused to sail with him out of anger. He reached Lingnan… He reached Lingnan and died in flames. Daughters are their fathers’ soft spot. He cared deeply. But he knew seas held perils. He was uncertain if he’d return next time. He just wished you to know that even without his shelter, you would still thrive. But all these years, I lived under He Youguang’s roof. He was different from my father. He doted on me and cleansed my pirate past. I became a law-abiding citizen and the leader
of the Hu Merchants Guild. Yet the opulence he offered over the years had eroded my true self. Like a blade jeweled, gilded, yet sheathed too long and grew rusty. Now stripped of status and wealth, I fled to Chang’an alone. How can I avenge my father? I am powerless! Life is like a whetstone. A blade must be ground to shine anew. At the end of the day,
you’re Havoc’s daughter. Sir, I’ll fetch her when I finish work. Don’t skip your meal. Thank you. You arrive early. Your father’s on duty again? He said he would
win the first place today. I’m the Supervisor
of the Office of Imperial Parks. Gentlemen, wait here, please. [Supervisor of the Court
of the Imperial Treasury]
A marvel! You’re truly a marvel! You honor me. Skilled and visionary! Have some tea. Who knew Chang’an held such talent. Go on. What can I do for you? I need an official approval document to mobilize ships, horses at courier stations, local governments, and checkpoints. I need to coordinate bureaus. Only thus can litchis reach Chang’an for Her Highness
the Noble Consort’s birthday feast. So there is little time left. What are you still waiting for? Begin the process! Complete these registry forms first. Thank you. You grant me priceless aid. Supporting a genius and his grand endeavor is my duty. Fresh litchis at Her Highness’s feast. Whose idea is that? Brilliant! It will proclaim Tang’s power, vast resources, and abundant talents. Are those litchis at the feast merely fruit? No! They embody Tang’s sovereign glory. “Palaces revealed
like heavens in the sky. Nations bow to Tang’s imperial might!” The spectacle at the feast shall let neighboring realms behold our splendor. I too shall marvel at fresh litchis’ sight. I shan’t forget your support. Wait. They’re from Lingnan? His Majesty decreed Lingnan litchis. You made a mistake then. The Court of the Imperial Treasury handles only tributary offerings from foreign soil. Lingnan affairs lie beyond my scope. Oh. Then whom should I seek
for Lingnan litchis’ affairs? Tributes from local governments are the Left Treasury Office’s
jurisdiction. Go now. Well, at least tell me [The Left Treasury Office]
where I should go! Where should I go? Don’t make a scene here! Out! What’s the fuss about? How many times did I tell you dealing with others requires courtesy? All the official exchanges [Supervisor of the Left Treasury Office]
serve the Court’s needs. Everyone has their own challenges. Mr. Xu… Leping? This man… Leping! Liangyuan? I’ve long heard there is a Litchi Envoy in Chang’an. But I never thought this cursed post fell to you. Spare me. So? Liangyuan, you err in coming here. The funds you seek to be stored
along the road cover transport wear and tear. The Left Treasury Office handles storage, not transport. For transport funds, talk to the Director of the Bureau of Equipment
of the Ministry of War. The Ministry of War is
a restricted area. Since transport falls to them, and storage falls to you, you two must work closely. Could… Could you… Liangyuan, the Left Treasury Office does interact often
with the Bureau of Equipment. But I am just a lowly supervisor. Only the Director can address the Director
of the Bureau of Equipment. Indeed. Then could you ask your Director to forward my memorial to the Ministry of War? How about you leave the memorial? I’ll try to convince our Director. I’ll urge him to pass it to the Director
of the Bureau of Equipment. I’m forever indebted to you for this big favor. You’re most welcome. During the three years as classmates, you often tutored me in my mathematics studies. You were a mentor and a friend. I’m flattered. This assignment sounds prestigious, but it means death. I am telling you, over the past two days I’ve been… Never mind. You’ve saved me. Leping, please accept my bow for your life-saving grace. You really don’t have to. I didn’t know he was your classmate. Had I known, I would’ve treated him nicely. Don’t bother. We merely studied math together for three years. Had we been truly close, wouldn’t he have known I work here? Yet you promised to deliver his memorial. Why? Just empty words! He’s stubborn as stone. Without that promise, he’d never leave. That memorial
obviously breaks the rules. Submitting it would cost my post. Not worth it for an acquaintance. If he comes back, just tell him that it’s been delivered. The Ministry of War’s response is beyond our control. Matter settled. Liangyuan. Why are you back? I was on my way to the lavatory. You taught me a lesson. One question. You know I’m racing death. Why did you spin deceit with the empty promise? Fine, then answer this. You know your task is fatal. How dare you ask me to submit this memorial? So you are racing death. But must I then be scolded
or even lose my post for your doomed quest? For old times’ sake, I spared your dignity. Any other would’ve been thrown out. I’d accept it had you thrown me out. Just official protocol, right? But you should have told me the truth! You knew I was pressed for time, yet you wasted a whole day of mine. It’s not just a waste of time. The delay can cost my life! Li Shande, all these years have passed, and you still didn’t learn. For supervisors of bureaus, avoiding blame is
more important than seeking credit. You know very well your task’s nature
and consequences. Why should I help you? You know your task can be fatal. Yet you came to ask for my help. Why should I forward this dangerous memorial? Just because you taught me some tips in math? I mean, do the math! Okay then. Since you discard false courtesy, I’ll speak plainly. Forget the Ministry of War. That memorial won’t pass. Truth be told, it won’t even cross the Ministry of War’s threshold. I blush to call you friend. I’ll go to the Ministry of War myself. Halt. [The Ministry of War] Have you got a bamboo tally? I need to see the Director of the Bureau of Equipment. This is a military-restricted area. No tally, no entry. Stand back. My memorial. I need to pick it up. We stop you to save you. Offend any generals coming and going here, and you’ll face severe punishment. Just leave. Don’t stand in other’s way. When it was impossible
to transport litchis here, all avoided the task. But now with a transport method, litchis might arrive. Why do they still shy away from it
or make perfunctory efforts? Even though your task is to fulfill His Majesty’s wish, what’s that to petty clerks? If you succeed, you get the rewards. But if it fails, those who handled the work will be blamed. Go yell at the ministers of the Secretariat-Chancellery. Tributes from local governments are the Left Treasury Office’s
jurisdiction. Transport matters aren’t our area. You should follow procedures. Go now. This memorial won’t even cross
the Ministry of War’s threshold. Stop fighting! What happened? Let go of her! Let go! Let go! What’s going on? Why did you fight again? I let it slide when she mocked my big head. But today she said my father took a suicidal task and wouldn’t live past
the first day of the sixth month! Shouldn’t I hit her? Enough. Enough! Let go! Let go! My father told me! He said everyone in Chang’an knows it! You’re that cursed Litchi Envoy! If Lingnan’s litchis don’t reach Chang’an, you’ll be executed. They’ve all heard about it! Tell them now! Are you the Litchi Envoy? Go tell your parents that I can transport litchis to Chang’an. What… Xiu! Are you ignoring me? Come on. You truly won’t speak to me? Xiu, this post of Litchi Envoy is a real plum. All transport envoys feel inferior. Out of jealousy, they spread the rumors. My daughter’s so clever. Of course, you’ll understand, right? Why would they envy the Litchi Envoy? Answer this. In this whole wide world, whose affairs
deserve the highest priority? His Majesty. Exactly! Thus the Court spares no expense to serve him well. In terms of transporting things, longer journeys cost more. Across our empire, is there any place farther than Lingnan? Exactly! So Father’s trip bringing litchis for His Majesty has the greatest cost and the greatest gain. Hence their envy. Lately, at every office I visited, everyone knew me, and everyone was talking about me. But they said Lingnan litchis can’t reach Chang’an fresh. Your task is impossible. I will be the first to bring litchis north to Chang’an. Those who failed lacked skills. But not me. Because I excel in mathematics. Smile now. You are not lying, right? No. Father, one more question. Will Amita stay in Chang’an? I have no idea. I haven’t asked her yet. Will she stay in the house we rent? When the rent expires, I’ll ask her to pay the rent herself. Then she won’t move in with us, right? Why would she do that? It’s too small for the three of us. Xiu dear. Father and Amita are friends. Just friends. My heart holds only your mother. She was the only one who ever understood me. At school, I specialized in mathematics. But somehow I was sent
to the Office of Imperial Parks tending plants while I was a total layman. Then I met your mother. We got married and moved here. She planted that osmanthus tree. One snowy winter, I said, “This tree would die.” But she nurtured, watered, and fertilized it. She insisted it would revive. And she was right. It budded the next spring. She said flowers and plants sense kindness and would repay your care. Osmanthus means “success with the help of others”. When I tended plants every day at the Office of Imperial Parks, I always recalled her words and before I knew it,
I had become an expert. So, I have only ever had eyes for your mother. 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 Envoy
has returned from Lingnan. The Litchi Envoy? 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 Envoy is barely comparable to you! Wealth is often found in danger. Great risks can always lead to great opportunities. If this Litchi Envoy 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 Envoy, 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 Envoy’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 Envoy 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 Envoy 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 Envoy 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 Envoy. 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 this special envoy position? 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 Envoy 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 Envoy. Don’t worry. He won’t starve. After all, I have the memorial. The fish is mine to dine.