《长安的荔枝 The Litchi Road》EP35：郑平安牺牲自己保全家人，李善德最终归隐岭南｜雷佳音 岳云鹏｜古装 传奇 剧情｜KUKAN Drama
[The Litchi Road] [Crucian Carp] [The third month, Gaozhou, Lingnan]
These are crucian carps freshly caught this month. They are full of life and kicking. Though a bit small, these can be made
into fried fish crisps. Now, look at this one. It’s full of fish spring eggs. Full of fish spring eggs? You must be from out of town, right? Yes. In Lingnan, fish roe is called “fish spring eggs”. Now is the perfect season
to eat fish roe. If you’re interested in buying, I’ll gut it for you, take out the roe, and discard the flesh. What do you think? Wait, wait. I see now. You’re not mad at Mr. Li. You’re vexed by that newly arrived agent of the Right Chancellor. You’ve always had luck and a silver tongue. So what if that agent comes? One more word, and I’ll rip your tongue out and throw it to Chang’an. Aye. Gou. Gou? Gou. Mr. Zheng. Crucian Carp Sanlang from Lingnan
pays his respects. How did you get in? And how do you know I’m surnamed Zheng? Where’s Gou? Please don’t be alarmed. [Third Young Master of the Crucian Carp]
I dabble in some magic arts and bear no ill intentions. I’m here only to repay your kindness. You two. – Sir.
– Sir. Come on, thank our savior. – Thank you for saving our lives.
– Thank you for saving our lives. And who are they? Why are they thanking me? Mr. Zheng, do you still remember the basket of fish you saved from the fisherman today? I do. That basket held my descendants. You’re the Fish Patriarch? You’re sharp-witted and noble in speech. Clearly born of distinguished lineage. You were meant for greatness. Why have you ended up in such a plight? It’s a long story. “I’d rather be a low-ranking officer than a scholar.” From my youth,
I yearned to join the military. But then, my father was wronged, and our family was expelled
from the Zheng clan, becoming commoners. I lost the chance to join the military. That was a lifelong regret. It was only after Song Wuji’s death that I had the opportunity
to get close to the Left Chancellor. He gave me a chance to return to the Zheng clan. That’s how I came to Lingnan and started living this life
of constant fear, walking on the edge of a knife. I just hope that after that, I can return to the Zheng clan, regain my military status, put on my armor, go to the battlefield, and serve my country. You are truly a kind and loyal man. Your presence in this world must be for fulfilling a vow. Karma binds you. Everything will get better. I take your kind words. But for some reason, lately, I’ve lost appetite and sleep. Sir, you’re well-versed in supernatural arts. Can you help me predict my future? Well… Does it trouble you? Never mind. We’re kindred spirits. I’ll peer into heaven’s will for you. That’s strange. This calamity is hitting hard, yet it vanishes quickly. Perhaps it’s because the time is near, and it can’t be fully revealed. Near? How near? Tomorrow will be the end of your days. Tomorrow? It seems it really is that agent
of the Right Chancellor. I’m doomed. Sir, this is an omen of bloodshed, death, and mutual destruction, but… Mutual destruction? All conditioned things are but a fleeting dream. You don’t need to panic. As if it were that simple. I’m just a mortal. And there’s still much left undone. If I truly meet my end tomorrow… I don’t want to die. Is there any chance for a turnaround? Sir… Who? This child forgot to cover himself again. A single thought can liberate. Good. Even at death’s door, you think of others. I will do my utmost to extend your lifespan by 60 days. When your time comes, you’ll know. When in danger, just keep going east. No matter what happens, don’t look back. Thus, the calamity breaks. Or not even the gods can save you. [Episode 35] A chancellor should assist the emperor
in governing and balancing all matters. Your Excellency, how do you balance litchis against the nation? And to His Majesty, which one holds more weight? I’ve already explained the litchi transport’s merits. Why ask such foolish questions now? I have never been so clear-headed. To transport fresh litchis here, do you know how many trees have been cut down in the litchi orchard in Lingnan? How many riders
have braved dangers and toiled? How many horses have died? How many boats have shattered
on the rivers? And how many people
have lost their lives? To transport fresh litchis here, I not only lost my friends but also my conscience. And what have these sacrifice brought? They’ve brought you the chance
to flatter His Majesty and Her Highness. They’ve brought you the opportunity to flaunt your power in front of all the officials. We’re using the nation’s resources to satisfy one person’s selfish desires. We’re draining the blood
of the commoners to feed the appetites of the powerful! It’s only now, when I’ve brought
the fresh litchis here, that I realize what I’ve transported from Lingnan. It’s a mirror. Emperor Taizong once said mirrors show us how to dress, and people show us where we err. Today, these fresh litchis
have helped distinguish between the loyal and the treacherous! They let everyone in the world see clearly who is destabilizing the Court and who is blinding His Majesty! You scoundrel! Aren’t you afraid of being executed
for saying such things? If I die, my words will spread with this grand event! Your Excellency, would you make His Majesty a byword for tyranny? Li Shande! You ungrateful wretch! When you were in your plight, the Right Chancellor saved you. And yet you dare to say such treasonous words! Shut up, Turtle! You’re the type who spouts the sweetest words but does the filthiest deeds! Along the way, countless people like you have clung to others like leeches, squeezing out all they can for personal gain. You’re like high-and-mighty bark beetles! Like clusters of litchis that have been stored for too long, shiny on the outside but are already rotten and stinking within! I’ve been a coward all my life. I couldn’t assist the emperor or take care of my family. But I’ve got one thing that I’m most proud of. I’ve never harmed others or gone against my conscience! The litchi transport
is the biggest mistake of my life. Even if I can’t atone for my sins, I can’t help the wicked do evil! I’d rather quit this official post! I refuse to be remembered by history as a flattering courtier, a cruel official, or a sycophantic and oppressive villain! Get lost! Your Excellency, this man… Kill Li Shande. Uncle, where’s Father? He told us to wait here. Don’t worry. Xiu, this is for you. You can keep it to spend. Don’t let your father know. Hide it now. Master, Mr. Li is here! He’s here. Go on. Father! Xiu, Xiu! Father! Xiu. Let me look at you. Good, good. Ping’an. Were the litchis delivered? They were but… Don’t… Don’t worry about that. Come on, let’s leave here now. Where to? To Lingnan. I’m waiting for a result. Seriously, now? What result? Come with me! The result is very important to me. You go first. Xiu, listen to your father in Lingnan. I have many friends there. I’ll show you around there. You go. Go. Let’s go. Then take care. Go on. Don’t worry. Take care, Ping’an. I know. Go on. Come find us! Stay safe! Where has he run off to? His house is empty. I’m afraid my identity has been exposed. Let’s find a place to hide. Where to? Li Shande’s old house. Move quickly. Your Majesty, the Right Chancellor often says serving you and Her Highness is his duty. Difficult tasks demand only unwavering devotion to succeed. Lingnan is 5,447 li away from Chang’an. As the Litchi Overseer, I rode loyalty as my steed,
sailed on resolve, relayed with vigilance,
and carried all in sincerity. With these four qualities combined, I brought the fresh litchis to Chang’an. I ask no reward. Your joy and Her Highness’s delight are satisfaction enough. Your Majesty, if merits are to be rewarded, there should be no omissions. I remember there was a Litchi Commissioner who drafted the Litchi Transport Plan. To submit his memorial
and get approval, he pleaded with every ministry. This stirred public admiration. Surely he deserves recognition? Left Chancellor, you know one thing but not the other. That Litchi Commissioner had never been in charge
of procurement matters and had no experience at all. As for the so-called transport plan he wrote, it was all just empty talk and difficult to put into practice. Only the urgency prevented replacing him. Thus, Mr. Yu was appointed as the Overseer
to take over this matter. So, Right Chancellor, the successful transport of litchis was due to your meticulous planning and Mr. Yu’s valiant efforts. Your seamless cooperation has resulted in this feat, making today’s grand banquet possible. Truly an exemplary act. I admire it. Aye. You’ve done a great job. General Gao, reward them. Aye. Thank you, Your Majesty. Not at the embroidery workshop. Not at home either! Where could he have gone with his daughter? Sir! We’ve searched everywhere around.
No trace. Useless! We’ve got some news! Someone saw Li Shande leaving the Qixia Gate
with his daughter and heading out of the city! Say that again. Li Shande was spotted heading out of the city. Mr. Yu said we must kill Li Shande. With a child in tow, he won’t get far. After them! Excuse me, sir. Who did you say you’re looking for? None of your concerns. Is it Li Shande? I’m also looking for him. He borrowed 20 guan from me. But he vanished without a trace. I’ve been hunting him for days. Have you found him? Who are you? I’m his brother-in-law. He really did borrow money from me. Look. It was really 20 guan. Look. Master. Master. How are you feeling? You’re injured. Master. Don’t be afraid. No one can harm Xiu now. Let’s get you to a physician. Too late. I can’t escape this. Save him! Please, save him! Master. Save… Save him. Gou. Please save… Go to Lingnan and find Li Shande. He’ll take good care of you. I don’t want to! Don’t leave me! Save him. Luotuo. I’m here. Tell Miss Yun Qing I was delayed. I’ve broken my promise. I won’t be able to drink
with her anymore. How it grieves me. Master. Mr. Zheng. Master. Master! Mr. Zheng. Master! Master! Master! Master. Why are you here? You were heading east and almost escaped this calamity. Why did you turn back? Master! Master! I forgot. Did you ever mention that? All I recall is the alternation of day and night. I even thought you were going to turn me into a fish. Gou! Master. You silly boy! Why are you here? Why did you do that? Master, I feared no one would serve you in heavens. I’ll beat you up! Why did you do that? Dear, the first fresh litchi is yours to taste. Thank you, Your Majesty. Let me. Your Majesty, none of these litchis are edible. All have oozed juice.
Their color and fragrance have changed. Not edible. Right Chancellor, if you couldn’t handle this task, you should have told His Majesty. His Majesty in his mercy would have pardoned you. But you made big promises, which led to today’s situation. Now instead of enhancing
our country’s prestige, we gift our critics to say we’re hollow braggarts! This was poorly handled. Your Majesty, Your Highness, please forgive me. These litchis were truly crimson when they arrived. Who could have known they’d spoiled from within? It’s my fault. I was negligent. I was deceived by their appearance and made this grave mistake. Yet Your Majesty, I think there’s something fishy
about this. Why add crabapples? Mr. Yu, Mr. Li said that using crabapples to hasten ripening would allow His Majesty and Her Highness to enjoy the sweetest litchis. Deliver this to this address. Make sure it arrives in Chang’an before we do. Ping’an, I stored litchis with crabapples to make litchis fresh-looking
but rotten inside. Tribute is precious. No one would dare to taste them first. This plan should reach
the Left Chancellor in secret. Please announce me. I, Zheng Ping’an, seek Mr. Lu for an urgent matter. At the litchi banquet, it might help him topple
the Right Chancellor. After it’s done, we’ll meet
at the Qixia Gate and leave Chang’an together. I see. I understand now! I get it. Your Majesty, there were villains who were jealous of our merits and tampered with the tribute. You just admitted that no one else was involved in the litchi transport, how could others have tampered with the litchis? Then the transport plan itself
was flawed. I just strictly followed it. You knew it was just empty talk, yet you still dared to carry it out. Is this how you handle your duties? Your Highness, I only followed commands. Followed commands. Your Majesty, I beg your discernment. Since the beginning of this year, I have been occupied with trade affairs with Tubo and Huihe. As these matters concern foreign states, I have attended to every detail personally, fearing that delegation
might lead to failure. With no time to spare, I entrusted the entire litchi transport to Mr. Yu. Yet this wretch has handled it with such negligence. Your Majesty, I have failed your grace. I beg to be punished for my oversight. Your Majesty, I beg your discernment. Litchis are perishable by nature. Transporting them all the way from Lingnan to Chang’an has exhausted the nation’s resources! Your Majesty, though I claim no merit, I have toiled diligently. Please have mercy. Your Majesty, with your permission, I must speak. Now Mr. Yu claims that delivering fresh litchis from Lingnan for my sake has exhausted the nation’s resources. Wouldn’t that make me a consort who disregards the people’s suffering and indulges in extravagance? If the litchi transport succeeds, it is your achievement. Yet if it fails, the blame falls upon my gluttony. Mr. Yu, what cunning calculations. I dare not. I deserve severe punishment. Your Highness, please spare my life. Look. Look at what you’ve done. You’ve turned this joyous occasion into a mess, ruining everyone’s mood! Your Majesty, I must speak. In my view, this may indeed be a good thing. I must congratulate Your Majesty. Left Chancellor, how so? Your Majesty, if all the litchis had been
transported here fresh, it might have preserved the dignity of our Tang. Yet you would never have noticed how certain hearts have rotted as foully as these spoiled litchis. What are you trying to say? You might as well speak plainly. Though the litchis have rotted, Right Chancellor, on this transport, you’ve still managed to profit handsomely, haven’t you? Left Chancellor, I have already stated that the wretched eunuch was in full charge
of the litchi transport. Your clumsy attempt to sow discord will hardly convince His Majesty. Your Majesty, it seems that today’s incident might well be a trap set by the Left Chancellor. He tampered with the litchis first and then tried to frame me. What is this, Left Chancellor? Are you trying to destabilize the Court? Here’s the proof! Your Majesty, I have a ledger here. It records the embezzlement of He Youguang, the Inspector of Gaozhou, over the years. It also records the 30 million guan he funneled
to the Right Chancellor. Every entry, with the time, place, and the person involved, can be verified. Your Majesty, I beg your discernment. Your Majesty, I have always served
with absolute loyalty and have never associated
with provincial officials. The traitor He Youguang has already taken his own life in guilt. This matter is beyond proof! That’s why the Left Chancellor
is trying to make a big deal out of it. Your Majesty, you must not believe him! Coincidentally, I have a letter of fealty here. It was written by He Youguang to the Right Chancellor. For Your Majesty’s review. You’ve really opened my eyes. Jinniang, I’ve brought Xiu to see you. We’re leaving Chang’an. I thought that after completing
the litchi transport, [In Memory of My Late Wife Zheng Jinniang]
my official career would soar, and I’d be overjoyed. Yet the closer I came to success, the more disgust I felt. Still, this transport mission left me with no regrets. I did manage to transport the litchis here. Father, it’s really sweet. I heard His Majesty severely punished
the Right Chancellor and granted Mr. Yu white silk for a dignified death. But when the execution was carried out, a fire broke out in his house, leaving him charred beyond recognition. That’s retribution. Evil deeds summon divine wrath. He couldn’t even keep his body intact. Where did you hear all this from? The whole city’s talking. They also say you pleaded for the Litchi Commissioner, praising his integrity, and His Majesty showed mercy and spared his life. Your Excellency, rumors don’t arise without a cause. It’s all true, isn’t it? Rumors are not to be fully believed. Not to be fully believed. [Months later] ♪Red-skinned fruit weighs the branches♪ ♪Slender boughs bend low♪ ♪Picking fruits tires one out♪ ♪The sickle cuts whole clusters♪ ♪One bite brings sweetness♪ Write carefully. Are you still mad at my father? Not until he replants every single litchi tree he promised and their leaves sprout anew. Don’t trouble yourself over it. Focus on your writing. Liangyuan! Liangyuan! [To Li Shande]
A letter from Chang’an. I’ve got a letter. Thank you. Has Elder Su replied yet? Not yet. But don’t worry. I’ve already spoken to the merchants. If they see him, they’ll pass on your message. I’m sure he’ll forgive you. Then stay for a meal. No, thanks. My wife is due any day now. Remember to come
for the hundred-day celebration! I’m off! Take care. Liangyuan, for so many years you’ve been striving
to settle down in Chang’an. Just as your lifelong ambition
was within reach, you threw it all away. To your former colleagues, that must seem worse than death. Mr. Liu calls you a fool, saying you’ve walked away from the splendor of Chang’an. But I know you didn’t do it
for your official career, nor for your family, but merely for a principle. If you hadn’t done it, that would have been
the real pain for you. The whole matter began with a casual remark from Her Highness and ended with her sigh of regret. From start to finish, everyone has been
scrambling around for this, blind to everything else. As for the Court’s laws and regulations, they’re like a clumsy troupe, standing far away behind a thin veil, providing accompaniment for this grand Sogdian Whirl dance. Now everything
seems to have settled down, undercurrents are still surging. Some cling on, while others let go. It’s just jumping from one predicament to another. I envy you for being able to live a carefree life in Lingnan. To escape the whirlpool of Chang’an might be the greatest fortune
amidst misfortunes. [Lantern Festival, Chang’an] “Life is fleeting as morning dew.” Since you’ve come to Chang’an, why not stay? If it lands the front side up, I’ll stay. It’s the Lantern Festival today. Let’s light a lantern. Look, does this lantern I made for you look nice? Hang it up. Father, we’re in Lingnan now. Can Mother still see us? Yes. Wherever we are, your mother watches over us from the heavens. And your uncle too. Mother, I know you kept the osmanthus tree from blooming because you didn’t want me to be sad. But Father and I are safe now. This year, the blossoms will be more radiant than ever. Mother, Uncle, do you see? The osmanthus tree is in bloom. And so, Li Shande’s tale ends here. Our next book is called
“The Everlasting Regret”. We’ll talk about it another time. What happened to Li Shande later? Yeah. Did he ever return to Chang’an? Exactly. Did he go back to Chang’an? It’s hinted at in the book. Later, great upheaval struck Chang’an. Li Shande, by staying in Lingnan, actually managed to escape a calamity. As heaven’s justice dictates, “Good begets good, evil begets evil.” Virtue finds its reward. Those who understand, show me. Understood. [Understood] ♪The moon rises, the sun sets♪ ♪I recall the deep feelings again♪ ♪Dwelling on it♪ ♪Dawns to dusks,
a thousand miles apart we gaze♪ ♪Gatherings, partings,
rights and wrongs♪ ♪Wind and rain blur the sight♪ ♪My longing travels
through endless years♪ ♪The past is behind us,
and the future is ahead♪ ♪Our joy will fade with time♪ ♪I keep our old times in mind♪ ♪The sea turns into starlight♪ ♪We gather, scatter,
like clouds across the sky♪ ♪Winds hum through trembling leaves♪ ♪Achievements and faults
are all in vain♪ ♪No mountain too steep,
no journey too far♪ ♪It’s just♪ ♪Green thrives
while vitality of us fades♪ ♪Glitz and glamour vanish♪ ♪Carved into vicissitudes♪ ♪Throughout all time,
I have lived on ordinary♪ ♪Without knowing
if you are in sorrow or delight♪ ♪The chaos in the world has no end♪ ♪Alone I’ll stay in this yard
with osmanthus♪ ♪Waiting for your return,
watching new sprouts♪ ♪Appreciating the blossoms
all by myself♪ ♪Unharmed by seasons’ change♪ ♪Is Chang’an♪ ♪On the way to Lingnan?♪