《长安的荔枝 The Litchi Road》EP28：李善德得势转运荔枝，众人变脸争相巴结｜雷佳音 岳云鹏｜古装 传奇 剧情｜KUKAN Drama
[The Litchi Road] You’ve come. [Cicada Slough, Chapter 2] Bravo. Sir, another toast? Autumn’s here. Keep yourself warm. Any news of Mr. Xue? A guy who came from the same place said he’s been busy raising money. He’s still raising money? For Miss Li, his cousin and a match his family arranged. But she’s from a prominent noble house who demanded an exorbitant bride price. If he can’t pay, they won’t wed their daughter. He is scrambling for money to marry her. Heaven must be blind to have spawned such a scoundrel. You even lost sleep and appetite for him? It’s so unworthy! Come on. Next! Enter! Off you go. Sir, you’ve met every girl we have. I truly can’t think of another candidate. Her. Get up. What are you doing? Let go of me! Dismissed. Does this hairpin look familiar? Your honey Mr. Xue gave it to me when he arrived in Chang’an days ago. Mr. Xue. I asked if he sought you. But he said he sought the brothel owner. This is the deposit you paid for Shiqi’s freedom. You can have it back. We’re even now. Thank you. After six months of toil, I finally gathered most of the money. This hairpin is costly. You want me to return it to Shiqi? No. I want to pawn it for more money. Scoundrel! You’re even more cold-hearted than me! Out! Let go of me! Fire! Fire! Run! Seems like I misjudged the man. Since the owner refused it, and it’s so exquisite, I wanted to show it to you. So I asked Mr. Xue if he’d sell it to me. He hesitated at first. I thought he still remembered
how he was beaten up. Guess what he said? Stop it. He said, “One night with a fine lady is worth a thousand pieces of gold.” Since you like it so much, keep this hairpin as a memento. Go! Now! Ma’am. [Episode 28] Liangyuan! Liangyuan! Congratulations! You’ve had a long day. Congratulations, Mr. Li! Congratulations! Mr. Li. Liangyuan! I’ve got news! Out. All of you. Close the door behind you. What’s wrong? Big news! What? Did something happen to the Leyou Garden’s old peony again? It’s Li Shande who once tended it! What happened? He truly met the Right Chancellor! Mr. Qu, don’t heed rumors. If he was able to meet
the Right Chancellor, I’d be able to meet His Majesty! But it’s true! Just now, Li Shande knelt in the palace corridor and risked his life
to stop the Right Chancellor! All passing officials saw it! It’s true! You mean the one who only talked to plants with the look of an unlucky wretch as if sorrow would ooze out of his body if you wrung him? He stopped the Right Chancellor? He’s gone mad! He’s a dark horse. My elder brother told me. He said and I quote, “Sir, please accept this strategy. I hope it brings harmony to your family and comfort to His Majesty.” Brilliant! He’s brilliant! The Right Chancellor’s bond
with Her Highness is tied to His Majesty’s favor. He came straight to the point that the Right Chancellor cares about! Mr. Qu, is this true? Absolutely! Who’d think Li Shande could flatter so skillfully? We pale in comparison! No. Wait! Now he has got support from the Right Chancellor, will he come back and settle scores with us? What do we do, everyone? We must think of a solution! Where’s Mr. Liu? Mr. Li! Where’s Mr. Liu? Mr. Li, you should’ve notified us of your visit so that we could greet you! Yes! Do you want some breakfast? No, thanks. Where’s Mr. Liu? If you need anything, we’re at your service! But… Speaking of which, you don’t need to come here tomorrow. What? Mr. Li! You were assigned to tend the peony that had pests. But that wasn’t my intent! I did something terrible. I am so sorry. I apologize! Mr. Li! No need for such action. Rise. I dare not. Rise! I dare not. You all just watch and do nothing? Rise! Mr. Li, when I lied that my brother was away, I hope it didn’t delay your task. I should have my lying mouth slapped! I deserve it! I wasn’t talking about the peony. Not the peony. Not the peony? Then it must be
about the imperial edict! Mr. Li! I did the amendment slip thing! But it was everyone’s idea! Mr. Li! Please punish me! I deserve the slaps! I heard noises from afar. Why are you all kneeling? Mr. Liu. Li Shande! How dare you disrupt the Office of Imperial Parks and force my colleague
to self-harm and kneel! Rise! All of you! Rise now. Mr. Liu, I need to discuss something. Discuss nothing! Get out now! The Minister of the Court of the National Granaries
will inspect the Office today. Or I’d report you
for disrupting my office! You will be clubbed! Sir… Mr. Liu! His strictness shows deep care for you, Mr. Li! He often tells us you’re the most capable official in our office! Yes! Now you serve as the Litchi Commissioner who is working for the Right Chancellor. Yes! The Right Chancellor. What is this now? I don’t have time for playacting today. Get out before offending the Minister! Do you hear me? Who wants to offend me? Sir, sorry we didn’t go out to greet you. Sir, you came to… Silence! Mr. Li! What are you doing here? Mr. Li is present, and you didn’t inform me? Now my appearance would seem abrupt! I was privileged to see you calmly addressing the Right Chancellor. We admire you profoundly! I knew you were extraordinary when you were working with me! You had inexhaustible energy when you just started
at the Court of the National Granaries. I told you to save strength for greater matters. See? Now you’ve triumphed! I had to transfer you against my will because I knew it’d help you become who you are today! Mr. Li, you came here for…? I seek Mr. Liu for discussion. Since you’re inspecting, I’ll wait. No! No! Naturally, your matters come first! Since you’re supervising the Office, I’ll take my leave. Go ahead, Mr. Li! Is this how you manage your office? Did I just say something I shouldn’t have? Um… May we discuss business now? Please rise! Just speak freely. Tomorrow, I’ll summon all chief officers
from the Bureau of Equipment and Bureau of Operations
of the Ministry of War, the Stables Office
of the Court of Imperial Stud, the nearby Pasture Supervisors, the Tax Bureau, Granaries Bureau,
and Treasury Bureau of the Ministry of Revenue,
and the Left Treasury Office of the Court of the Imperial Treasury to discuss the litchi transport. I wish to borrow the Office’s hall for the meeting. If you want to borrow from us, don’t just borrow the hall! Borrow our men too! Set aside your tasks today. Help Mr. Li summon
all the mentioned officers to our office tomorrow and await his command! Aye! I’m much obliged. You’re most welcome. Mr. Yu. Li Shande stopped the Right Chancellor in the corridor. He detailed the litchi transport method. As you foresaw, he did recommend you to co-manage it. But… the Right Chancellor said, “We’ll discuss it another time.” Did we work for nothing but to pave Li Shande’s path? He was chastising me for knowing this matter yet not reporting. Mr. Yu, I don’t understand. Why did you fail to inform him while you knew it’d annoy him? He delights
in manipulating men’s hearts. His subordinates won’t
always get what they want. When he gives you something,
it’s yours. When he doesn’t want you to have it, you cannot help yourself. I already handle Her Highness’s feast procurement. If I also try to grab the profitable big fish
of litchi transport, it’ll touch his sore spot. How can we eat this big fish then? I can have him feed it to me. [Xiang’s Pastry Shop] Here you go. Sir. Let me carry it. Where did you hear that Li Shande likes
the Jade Dew pastry? At the Left Treasury Office earlier, his old classmate said so. Li Shande personally bought them here as gifts for him. When something suddenly trends in Chang’an, it means someone’s risen in power, and others try to flatter him. Mr. Ma. Mr. Ma. You too? Look at this scene. I’m utterly bewildered. Days ago, Mr. Yu schemed secretly to demand approvals from us. Yet Li Shande holds the Right Chancellor’s silver token. Why would Mr. Yu aid Li Shande in his task? You may not know but Mr. Yu is always meticulous and leaves backup plans. Now we can only watch and wait. But those who offended Li Shande may feel restless now. Seems like many people have offended him. Your flattery forces me, who never offended him, to fawn now. Or we the Ministry of War would seem disrespectful to him. After you. Mr. Ma. My brother often mentions you. After you. After you! My apologies. Thank you. Excuse me. Father. May I drink water? No. Water bloats the pastry, so you will feel too full to swallow more. Keep eating! I truly can’t eat more. Why did they deliver so much Jade Dew pastry today? No talking! Eat it! Perhaps it’s because I got a silver token today. You can give them a token
in exchange for pastries? More than pastries. Your father could want a house, or land! Someone would give it to him. Really? Stop chatting! Keep eating! It costs five wen per piece and gets stale tomorrow. Come on! Amita! Come on. Come on! Eat it! Is Mr. Li home? Who is it? Mr. Li. Madame Shiqi. I guess I’m too late. Seems you no longer need it. Madame Shiqi, I’ve obtained the approval. My deed is with you. Rest assured that I’ll repay. You won’t even let me in? I’m not welcome? You think I only brought pastries? I carry what you dream of every night. Get straight to the point, Ma’am. Why visit today? I envy your luck in marrying such a wealthy, powerful man. He’s not my husband. I told you last time. So do you still remember what you said then? You said I helped him when he was at his lowest. Now you’re under the patronage of the Right Chancellor. Don’t forget what I’ve done when you get to the top. I won’t forget. I still owe you money. Mr. Li, is this a joke? Truth is the debt note was eaten by mice. So there is no debt between us anymore, only friendship now. Take back the deed. I’ll leave your family to have some quality time. Farewell. Father, what did she mean? She returned something to us. Keep eating. Today I encountered something amusing. Li Shande of the Office
of Imperial Parks stopped me in the palace corridor. The amusing part? He already had the approval, yet instead of transporting litchis, he risked his life to see me. Was he guided by some clever soul? I implore you
to see the truth clearly. I met Li Shande at the Leyou Garden when he was rejected by all offices and his approval was stuck. I read his memorial. It was logical with perfectly coherent arguments. No flaw was found. I knew that his task aligned with your wish. So I helped grant the approval. Your Excellency made me the person who I am today. When you asked what reward I wanted, I said, “Only a chance to share your burdens.” I didn’t say so on the spur of the moment. It’s my lifelong creed. I wish more talents to gather around you, to share your burdens and serve you. So I guided him. Little did I know he already intended to approach you. I didn’t report it because I never wanted to claim credit. Yet he mentioned your name. He recommended you for co-managing the litchi transport. Sir, it was Li Shande’s idea. I was entrusted by Your Excellency to handle Her Highness’s feast. All the procurement
is major and crucial. I also manage your Chang’an businesses. I have no energy left for the litchi transport. Moreover… Half the content was missing on his memorial. What’s your hesitation for? Flaunting your cleverness? I dare not. His memorial only stated the transport method without mentioning any profit schemes. In terms of litchi transport, travel costs, labor conscription, all local governments’ cooperation in Lingnan, each item holds potential to profit from it. On top of that, whoever opens up the Lingnan-Chang’an trade route gains endless wealth and future opportunities. Mr. Yu. Yes. Is this what you sensed
from the memorial? Please, trust me! As heaven is my witness, my loyalty to Your Excellency is above suspicion! Enough. Fresh litchis are for Her Highness’s feast to begin with. Since you crave this credit, it’s yours. Your wish is my command. All these years, I’ve never lacked capable and clever subordinates. Never. Yet why do they never last? Why? Clever men always waver. Because they forget the wisdom of “still waters run deep”. I am enlightened. In Chang’an, none would dare gamble so. For such boldness, the Right Chancellor
should grant you this fish. In his eyes, my boldness means nothing. What truly moves him is tangible benefits. My sole leverage in the conversation today was my usefulness in opening a path for him to profit. But that foolish Li Shande thinks mere numbers on a memorial can win the Right Chancellor’s favor. Though he’s dull, Li Shande has true skills. Working with him saves me much effort. Speaking of which, what’s he doing today? I heard he summoned
all relevant officers to the Office of Imperial Parks tomorrow for litchi transport talks. Since he’s built the stage, I’ll perform along with him tomorrow. [Office of Imperial Parks] Let Mr. Li pass first. Mr. Li! Mr. Li! Mr. Li! Mr. Li! Liangyuan. I heard yesterday, you… No time for pleasantries. Let’s get down to business. Mr. Li, after you. After you. Fine. The Tanzhou region has many waterways. The roads are often muddy. We can send laborers ahead and prepare materials
such as hay and lime to pave and harden the roads, which ensures smooth passage. I hail from Hengzhou, exactly the North
of the Mei Pass Circuit, which has a lot of rugged slopes. I suggest switching to mules here. Mules climb well. They seem slow, but they’re faster than horses there. For the winding paths at Dayu Mountains, we can hire agile slaves from Linyi to carry the urns straight through while riders wait
at the mountain pass, saving a lot of time. Good point. Changing riders and horses costs much time. We should set up
temporary courier stations every 60 li. It makes sure
the horses’ stamina is at its peak. We need to adapt to local conditions. Please note that. Gentlemen! The journey is over five thousand li with countless checkpoints. We should make
a special transit document, so they can tell at a glance that it is the litchi transport team. Good. So wise! We can make the transit document green. Notify all checkpoints in advance that green means immediate passage. – Yes!
– Good solution. A green passage saves half a day at least! The signing and sealing can be simplified, too. Prepare a seal to be carried along with litchis. You only need to stamp the documents. Note that! Brilliant! You’ve started without me. Am I late? Mr. Yu. Did the Right Chancellor approve your oversight role? Thank you for your concern. This time we will work together side by side. You aided me in crisis. I’ll never forget your support. No words can express my thanks to you. Let’s succeed together. Aye. Gentlemen. Take a seat. Perfect timing. We were pooling everyone’s wisdom. You have experience in transport. We need to pick your brain. I am just overseeing. I provide support when you ever need it. Mr. Li, you spent over a month in Lingnan on it. Now you’re the master of litchi transport. Gentlemen, just follow his requirements. Ignore me. Continue! Years ago, when we studied together, Mr. Li excelled in math. He passed the imperial exam. The pinnacle of other people’s lives was just the starting point of his life. Now he has scaled new heights! I believe the litchi transport will surely succeed under Mr. Yu’s leadership! Gentlemen, to us veterans, deeds trump words. A glance tells all. I deeply admire Mr. Li’s methods. His strategic brilliance devised this grand plan. I take my hat off to you! Yes! I meant to say Mr. Li managed to open up a litchi transport route! It was beyond imagination how he racked his brain to think outside the box and mobilize so many resources! It is not just a route. It’s paved with his sweat and toil! I propose we name it after him! Excellent! State your problems if there are any. Suggestions or remarks are welcome. But no flattery. Good. If there are no further questions, I’ll assign tasks to individuals involved. I have some blank documents here. The Bureau of Equipment, you will dispatch a great number of riders and liaise with land and water courier stations. Aye. The Stables Office and Pasture Supervisors nationwide will assign horses from the nearest courier stations. Aye. The Ministry of Revenue will coordinate local governments to deploy laborers
and conscripted aides. Aye. The Court of the Imperial Treasury… We take care of funds, supplies, and horse gear. Good. Now… But… What is it? The Office of Imperial Parks handles ice transport. Aye. Objections? None. None! None! No objection to costs? The costs this time will exceed the budget. Mr. Li was with the Office of Imperial Parks. Naturally, we will fully support him. Ice transport costs will be deducted from our funds. Aye. We can cover our costs too. We can advance the funds! Deduct it from our bureau. We can advance the funds too. The Left Treasury Office shall comply. Okay then. Gentlemen. Go back to work and get prepared. Everything needs to be ready
by the 19th day of the 5th month. Aye. Meeting adjourned. Liangyuan. Notes on strategies and supplementary information. Is there anything else? Mr. Yu. Here. Take a look. It’s okay. I’ll leave the preparation in your charge. I will take my leave. [The Litchi Road] Overspending reflects incompetence while surplus demonstrates
great planning. Shall we double it again? You are truly the expert. The 1st day of the 6th month
is around the corner. They must depart
by the 19th day of the 5th month. Mr. He, you need to mobilize officials and prepare early. I’ll devour him alive. Mr. Yu? I recommended him. More help brings me closer to success, right? The closer you are to success, the closer I am to death! ♪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♪