=Pursuit of Jade=
(Adapted from Tuanzi Laixi's novel, "Pursuit of Jade")
=Episode 16=
(Yixiang Restaurant)
You're Madam Yu of Yixiang Restaurant?
I am.
Take her away.
Yes.
Fine.
I'll go with you to the yamen.
It's me.
The County Magistrate has decreed.
Until the Yixiang Restaurant case is resolved,
the building shall not be unsealed.
This is to prevent evidence from being destroyed.
Guard this place strictly.
- Yes. - Yes.
Why are you here?
Seeing you gone for so long,
I came to check on you.
I'm fine.
It's Qian in trouble.
I plan to tie up that cowardly magistrate
and rescue Qian.
Take Changning and hide.
If I get caught,
take care of her.
Who gave you this foolish idea?
I did.
I'm just making a hypothetical plan.
Don't worry.
I'll strike when the county magistrate is alone.
I won't get caught.
Tying up the county magistrate won't help.
Some schemers stir up the villagers over grain collection.
Yixiang Restaurant is just the start.
They want the villagers to clash with the county yamen,
so that Jizhou troops will come to suppress them.
Thus proving
the rumors that the court's grain collection oppresses the people.
How do you know all this?
I'll tell you later.
Now go find Constable Wang
and have him and his men guard the city gates.
Don't let the mob in.
Wait.
If the mob enters,
they'll be after the county magistrate and his men.
Why should I stop them?
These people are driven to the edge.
Do they only want justice?
Once they enter the city,
they won't spare
the powerful and wealthy here.
Take one more step,
and they could become looting rebels.
What if the officials don't release grain?
Calm the mob first.
I'll think of the rest.
Alright.
When I go to find Constable Wang,
I'll take Bao'er with me.
No.
I have another way
to keep Bao'er safe.
If the mob can't be controlled,
you must protect yourself.
I'm leaving.
Why are you here? What is that you're holding?
You there, stop!
That child.
You stay and guard here.
Alright.
Come, Bao'er.
Yixiang Restaurant is safe now.
Hide in the secret room.
Don't make a sound, no matter who calls for you.
Got it, Lady Changyu.
You must save my mother.
Don't worry. I'll save her.
Go.
(Qingping County Yamen)
(Yamen)
Did scouts report news?
Has Wei Xuan arrived?
Not yet.
First, move out
the grain seized from merchants and villagers
in Qingping County.
(Sui Yuanqing, Lord Changxin's Heir) Our 1,000 men
are still waiting outside.
That Wei fool hasn't come.
We'll kill the mob for him first.
(Order)
But these mobs are trying to join us in Chongzhou.
Why would you kill them?
No need to kill all.
Just put on a show.
Make all the people
completely lose faith in the court.
If we don't cut off the mob's options,
they won't truly pledge themselves to Chongzhou.
Has that child from Yixiang Restaurant been caught?
The child was rescued,
but I've sent troops in pursuit.
News will arrive soon.
Don't harm that child.
After all, he's my brother's blood.
Yes.
And the woman in the dungeon?
What to do with my brother's concubine?
Take her back for my brother to decide.
Just don't let anyone mistreat her.
Yes.
Young Lady Cui.
Long time no see.
You look well.
Our Yan
is about to head to the capital for exams.
He misses you very much,
so he asked me to buy some trinkets
and bring them to you.
Xiaolu.
Yes.
Scholar Song is thoughtful.
Not at all.
Anything else?
The county magistrate's wife
recently praised my shoes,
so I brought them over today.
I thought I could give them to her
during teatime.
- This... - Mother still has a cold
and has not yet recovered.
She can't see anyone.
I thank you on her behalf.
Xiaolu, see her out.
Yes.
Better not disturb her then.
I'll come another day.
Madam Song, please.
Who does she think she is?
Really think she's some noble lady?
She's just a county magistrate's daughter.
You think Yan
should beg to marry you?
How could she accept gifts with no shame,
but can't even
invite me in for a cup of tea?
Who does she think she is?
Go.
Hurry.
Hurry inside.
- Stop dawdling. Go inside. - How dare you?
No tricks.
Open the door.
(All fake constables.)
Young Lady.
Why don't you have some soup?
At such a time,
you worry about soup?
What's that sound?
Who?
You're
Fan Changyu?
Why are you here?
(Forget it, just make something up,)
(so I don't have to explain later.)
Constable Wang sent me.
He sensed something was off at the county yamen these past days.
Old foxes are always crafty.
A group came a few days ago.
The leader of this group
called himself Wei Xuan, the Northwest Commissioner.
He kidnapped my father
and forced him to collect silver and grain in the county.
Adviser Guo
even became a traitor to save himself.
It's him again.
No wonder he's so shameless.
Young Lady Fan.
I was wrong to compete for Song Yan
with you.
Don't take it to heart.
My father is in Wei Xuan's hands now.
I beg you.
Help me save him.
Song Yan...
I'll give Song Yan to you.
No.
Keep Song Yan for yourself.
If you truly want to thank me,
release Madam Yu
from the county jail after this is done.
No problem. I promise.
As long as I can save my father,
I'll do anything.
Can I borrow your maid's clothes?
(Qingping)
- Go! - Go!
Return the grain.
Those at the back, keep up!
Those at the back, keep up.
Make the corrupt magistrate return the grain!
Keep up!
Return it to us.
They're going to attack the city.
Close the city gates.
Quick, close the gates!
The county magistrate hasn't been seen for days.
Luckily, Fan Changyu's husband noticed something was off
and arranged for prevention and control measures in advance.
Otherwise, there would have been chaos.
Keep your eyes sharp.
Put on Jizhou's military uniforms.
Just wait for the inside help
to open the gates
and cooperate with Young Lord.
Catch them off guard.
- Yes. - Yes.
We need to get in.
Let us in.
I want to enter the city.
Let us in.
Let us into the city.
We need to get out. Why are the gates closed?
Quick, move aside.
- Make way. - Make way.
Disperse.
Let us out.
- Let me out. - Let me out!
We want to live.
- Let us out. - Keep talking,
and I'll kill you first, believe it or not.
- Come out and face your death. - Come out and face your death.
Corrupt magistrate, come out and die.
Disperse.
General.
The county magistrate
sent a maid
to deliver soup to you.
Tell her to leave.
This maid is quite pretty.
General said leave.
Didn't you hear?
Yes.
Wait.
Wei Xuan's cruelty and lust are well-known.
No reason he'd suddenly become virtuous.
Alright, let her in.
Yes.
Sir.
Please enjoy.
Shy and timid.
Just my type.
Put the food over there.
Yes.
(He's Wei Xuan?)
(Forget it.)
(Whether it's him, tie him up first.)
General.
You'd better never fall into my hands.
Otherwise, I'll skin you alive
and hang you at the city gate.
You'd better have a future.
Don't harm my general.
I won't hurt him.
As long as you do as I say.
Do as she says.
I'll remember you.
(Don't remember me.)
I'm just following our county magistrate's orders.
Release the magistrate.
- Corrupt official! - Come out!
- Come out. - Come out!
(Qingping)
Villagers, what are you doing?
Don't be foolish
and commit a crime that dooms nine generations.
The grain seeds
will be returned to you.
Everyone, go home.
This rebellion
won't be pursued.
Villagers.
Don't be fooled by his lackeys.
He asked us to go home.
What awaits us
is Ma Village's ending.
- Yes. - That's right.
- Yes!
Villagers, charge into the city.
Kill the corrupt magistrate.
- Kill the corrupt magistrate. - Kill the corrupt magistrate.
Folks, the Ma Village tragedy
will be strictly investigated.
You will get answers.
Don't come closer.
Come closer and we'll shoot.
Should we leave?
What should we do?
Master, bad news.
Those 10 million kg of grain
were intercepted on the way to Chongzhou.
Who did it?
They say two groups attacked from both sides.
One was Xie Zheng's Blood Robe Cavalry,
and the other was the Jizhou Army.
Wasn't He Jingyuan imprisoned
by that fool Wei Xuan?
So Xie Zheng had long been colluding with He Jingyuan.
What a matrilocal husband.
What a Marquis Wu'an.
He Jingyuan is Wei Yan's trusted aide.
And Xie Zheng has been investigating Wei Yan's old cases.
How could they join forces?
Who knows?
Report!
Our men have successfully infiltrated the mob.
1,000 Chongzhou elites are already hidden outside the city,
ready to support Young Lord.
Master, the grain was intercepted,
but our scheme to sow discord succeeded.
Your careful planning wasn't wasted.
The more commoners die,
the heavier the Wei faction's crime.
Forcing grain levies
and driving the whole county to revolt.
Who could bear
such a huge crime?
I suppose
my dear brother, Sui Yuanqing,
has already met his real opponent.
Release the people in the yamen,
or I'll kill him.
Go ahead.
Kill me.
Listen. If I die,
everyone in this yamen will be buried with me!
- Yes! - Yes!
Stop.
I'm here.
Everyone, stay calm.
Stay calm.
Those outside the city are rioters.
They came today to slaughter the city.
Release me,
and you'll have a way to live.
Slaughter the city?
How dare you slaughter the city?
Fine.
I'll drag you up to the city wall now
and see who kills whom.
You're interesting.
I'll remember you.
(Again with remembering me?)
Remember then.
You'd better remember how you die.
My men have released the magistrate.
Now you can release me.
When have these corrupt officials
ever treated us as human?
Shoot if you want.
If I die from the arrows,
remember to collect my body, folks.
- Come on. - Shoot.
Who fired the arrow?
Gouzi, how are you?
Gouzi, wake up. Gouzi!
Gouzi.
Corrupt officials, I'll fight you.
- Fight them. - Barge in.
Fight.
Barge in.
Settle it
with whoever fired the arrow.
Don't be provoked by those with ulterior motives.
Who are you?
I'm on your side.
The magistrate has been secured.
Those with red ribbons are fake yamen guards.
Let your men take action freely.
Capture these fake yamen guards.
- Yes! - Yes!
Report.
Rioters have gathered outside the city gates.
A few skilled men have seized the grain gathered for the army.
It's being transported to the city gates.
They say they're returning it to all the rioting villagers.
(Yan Zheng succeeded.)
Those executing the plan are thorough.
(This person has become a problem.)
(If I kill him,)
(I'll have killed a high official.)
(I guess I'll have to take Changning)
(to a bandits' lair.)
(But if I let him go,)
(I'll have a rough time ahead.)
County Magistrate.
The people of Lin'an Town
have revolted over the conscription of grain.
You must give them an explanation
to calm the anger.
Well...
I dare not make a decision on this.
The granary is right there.
Take it if you want.
I'll pretend I didn't see it.
Father.
You're the county magistrate.
If you do this,
you're worse than a butcher lady.
You're irresponsible.
Shut up.
What does a mere girl like you know?
This is how the bureaucracy works.
Once the rioters enter the city, they'll kill some corrupt officials.
As a county magistrate,
I will be the first to fall.
- Stop talking. - You...
(This magistrate acts high-ranking,)
(but is as timid as a mouse.)
(I can only test this young lady.)
Young Lady, how should we deal with him?
Father.
The rioters just want an explanation.
Just push these people forward
and let them answer to the rioters.
(Exactly.)
(Blame it on him.)
(He's the perfect scapegoat.)
I understand.
This grain conscription
was an order from you guys,
right?
At this point,
please go to the city gates
and give the people an explanation.
Very well.
Then go to the city gates.
I will give you an explanation.
- Make way. - You lot, take Young Lady back.
Father, I'll go, too.
Go back.
- Kill the corrupt officials! - Kill the corrupt officials!
Watch out for those stirring up trouble.
Their actions aren't like ordinary villagers.
- Come out to die! - Come out to die!
Fellow villagers.
The previously conscripted grain
will be returned to you.
You're all honest and law-abiding.
Don't be used by schemers
and commit grave mistakes.
Those willing to take the grain and leave
can consider today's matter settled.
The authorities won't pursue it.
The Jizhou Army is already on the way to Qingping County.
If you break through the city gates today,
there will be no turning back.
For the rest of your life,
do you want to continue farming with your family
or drag your entire family to the grave?
The choice is yours.
It's all just talk.
Where's the grain?
- Yes, where's the grain? - Where's the grain?
Where's the grain?
Here's the grain.
- The grain. - Yes, the grain.
It's really the grain.
- The grain is here. - The grain!
Fellow villagers.
- Your grain is being distributed. - These.
These, too.
Hurry.
It's grain.
- It's really the grain. - The grain!
Grain.
We're saved.
We have the grain.
May I ask your name?
Where shall we meet in the future?
I don't want to miss this kind of fate.
You're about to die.
Speak less.
Constable Wang.
How are things?
Your Lord.
(Yan Zheng?)
Your Lord.
Who's this?
A general from Jizhou Prefecture,
supervising the grain requisition,
has caused
the people to complain loudly.
As their local magistrate,
I had no choice but to defy orders from above
and detain these officers
to give the people an explanation.
You're noble indeed.
The mob hasn't entered the city yet.
Thanks, Constable Wang, for making your men guard here.
You haven't disappointed me.
I feel ashamed. Actually...
Corrupt officials above.
The grain problem is solved.
How do you compensate the dozen or so lives lost in Ma Village?
With the life of the corrupt magistrate and his family?
- Exactly. - Yes, take their lives.
Bold peasants.
How dare you curse imperial officials?
Everyone sees this, right?
This corrupt magistrate
never treated us like humans
and never wanted to give us justice.
If we're deceived and sent back this time,
we'll just wait to be beaten to death by his guards.
Exactly.
- Kill the magistrate. - Kill him!
Kill the corrupt official.
Attack!
Kill the corrupt official.
Protect the magistrate.
Go.
Stop.
My master asked me to deliver a message.
The Chongzhou rebels have ambushed a small squad of Chongzhou troops
in the Nanshan forest of Lin'an.
You must block them
to protect the villagers of Lin'an.
Who is your master?
My master's surname is Xie.
All soldiers, listen to my orders.
To protect the peace of the Lin'an villagers,
fight alongside me and drive back the enemy troops.
- Attack! - Attack!
The game is over.
You thought bringing me here
would stop all this?
Even if I can't,
I'll still kill you.
You're asking for death.
I didn't bring a pig-slaughtering cleaver.
Or you'd see
how a pig is bled during the Chinese New Year.
Wasn't it supposed to be a small squad?
Why are there reinforcements?
We can't let them pass through the snowy forest,
or the villagers of Lin'an will suffer.
We must hold the line.
♪Morning and evening♪
♪Healing with the suspended pot♪
♪People and things♪
♪Have passed by♪
Go.
Stop.
Master He...
Capture those
not from the Jizhou troops.
♪How lamentable♪
General, withdraw.
He Jingyuan's Jizhou troops are coming from the northeast.
Our ambushed 1,000 troops
have been completely wiped out.
He Jingyuan came so fast?
You can't run anymore.
Grab him.
General, don't go!
Grab him.
I've changed my mind.
Come back with me and be my concubine.
I'll go after him. We'll meet at our usual place.
Usual place?
Where's that?
(Qingping)
Go.
- Governor He. - Governor He.
Governor He.
You must get justice for us.
Have mercy!
We really had no choice but to be forced into this.
Villagers.
Take the grain home now.
There's more to the grain requisition than meets the eye.
As for Ma Village,
the imperial court will investigate thoroughly.
They will give you all a satisfactory answer.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Calm down. Line up and give your names. Everyone will get theirs.
- My grain is back. - Next.
Don't push. Everyone will get it.
- Zhao Hu. - My name.
- Alright. - Wang Guixiang.
Next.
Governor He.
Thankfully, you've arrived.
Otherwise,
even if I filled the city walls with my body,
it still couldn't stop these rebellious villagers.
Today,
the people inside Lin'an are spared.
You deserve credit.
I'm unworthy.
It's just that the army's grain requisition
provoked the villagers to revolt.
Luckily, I saw through their scheme
and sent constables to block the gates
before the mob entered the city.
This prevented the mob from entering.
I even defied orders from above,
detaining the officers supervising grain requisition
to calm the people's anger.
Thankfully, you arrived just in time
to avert chaos.
Look, Constable Wang
performed well under my command.
He deserves a generous reward.
It's my duty.
If you really want to reward someone,
give more money to comfort
the constables who were wounded or killed.
In that case,
those who held the mob outside the gates
should all be rewarded.
Thank you.
Governor He.
One more person should also be greatly rewarded.
Who is it?
Where's that girl?
Governor He.
He meant one of my maids.
Of course, she should be rewarded for her merits as well.
Just now, I saw someone
wearing a green ghost mask on the tower.
Who is it?
What's wrong with you?
You won't let me go.
What did I ever do to you?
Drop your crossbow.
I'll spare your life.
Who are you?
What's your relationship with that maid?
Surely, you're not afraid to give your name.
Lord Changxin's heir.
Sui Yuanqing.
Marquis Wu'an?
You're still alive!
Who is that maid on the city tower to you?
She's so fair-skinned.
The taste of kissing her
is really sweet.
Stop.
Marquis Wu'an?
After all these years,
your skills haven't improved a bit.
You didn't say it clearly.
They're 1,000 elite troops from Chongzhou.
I lead barely 100 cavalry.
One against ten,
never defeated.
Marquis Wu'an's Blood Robe Cavalry isn't any better.
If you were truly capable,
you wouldn't be in such a mess,
even without intel.
You're a commandant.
Ignoring all strategy
and just charging ahead.
I'll remember this.
Once I'm healed,
I'll spar with you again.
I'll make sure you understand what true defeat feels like.
I'll be waiting.
Why are they suddenly getting along so well?
Who was it that forged the order pretending to be Commissioner Wei,
almost causing a civilian rebellion?
Have they been caught?
Lord Changxin's heir, Sui Yuanqing.
Sui Yuanqing.
Truly as audacious as the rumors said.
If you want to stabilize the Northwest,
you'll find me useful in the future.
- How about we... - I always do as I please.
I understand
your intentions.
Tang Peiyi said this attack
was arranged by you and Master He.
Ambushing the enemy's supplies,
intercepting 10 million kg of grain to the front lines.
You can trust Master He,
so why not trust me?
Don't you understand?
Are you worried
I was sent by my grandfather to persuade Wei faction to defect?
My grandfather is in court.
The situation is complicated.
It's inevitable we may clash with the Wei faction.
But I have my own goal.
Peace all over,
and the people no longer suffering from war.
In the past,
I saw the Li family as
petty opportunists.
But after this battle,
I can see
that you shouldn't even be surnamed Li.
I'll take your words
as a form of praise for now.
Do you intend to return immediately to the Yanzhou camp?
I'll stay with Master He to hold the fort at Lucheng
and fight Lord Changxin to the death.
What about you?
I have my own plans.
Once you figure out what your real surname should be,
come find me to talk about our plan.
What do you
plan to do with Young Lady Fan?
Marrying into the Fan family
might be a temporary measure for you,
but it's a love misplaced
for her.
Isn't that a bit too cruel?
My household affairs
need not concern you.
Go.
They say villains live forever.
Once that jerk sank, he wouldn't survive, right?
He's definitely dead.
(Who is that maid on the city tower to you?)
(She's so fair-skinned.)
The taste of kissing her
is really sweet.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
Listen.
When I went to capture the county magistrate,
I happened to run into that jerk.
I didn't expect him to be quite skilled.
He even injured the web of my hand.
I shouldn't have let you go alone.
It's fine.
I tied him with a rope the whole way
and even stabbed him a few times with a knife.
I guess that's revenge enough.
♪Hooves in a war-torn land♪
♪Who remains in wind and snow?♪
♪How many lives♪
♪Hang by a single thread♪
♪Smoke rises from our homeland♪
♪Who can stand apart from the world?♪
♪The sun sets, I say nothing♪
♪Autumn colors fall♪
♪Who steps lightly on maple leaves and leaves♪
♪Rain on parasol trees♪
♪Swallows carry mud beneath the eaves♪
♪The warmth of life in this ancient town♪
♪Who was I meant to meet♪
♪We vowed to stand through life and death♪
♪May our oath be fulfilled♪
♪I hold our fate with care♪
♪I will not let go♪
♪Yet war drums and pounding hooves♪
♪Shatter the ending♪
♪In this mortal world we come and go♪
♪You turn away, brows drawn♪
♪You leave with your sword♪
♪Taking every secret with you♪
♪I hold our fate with care♪
♪I will not let go♪
♪Yet we always meet♪
♪On battlefields in flames♪
♪In tangled destiny, the memories you gave♪
♪Are gentle as jade♪
♪After countless battles♪
♪May we return to where we first met♪