=Pursuit of Jade=
(Adapted from Tuanzi Laixi's novel, "Pursuit of Jade")
=Episode 6=
(Xigu Lane)
Yan Zheng!
Changyu is going to slaughter a pig.
Come and watch it together.
Slaughter a pig?
Don't move. I'll let you die a quick death.
You're a good pig in this lifetime.
Be a good person in the next.
(When did I hear this before?)
Isn't my sister great?
Yan Zheng,
bring Changning inside.
Don't let her watch.
Otherwise, she will have a nightmare again.
Sure.
Let's go.
Don't watch.
Don't be scared.
I'm not scared of pig slaughtering.
I'm asking you not be scared of my sister.
Do you need my help?
Did I scare you just now?
Whether you are scared or put off by me,
just say it directly.
I'm used to it.
I don't feel scared.
That means you're put off by me.
You don't mind me being injured.
How will I be put off by how capable you are?
Stop watching. Go back inside.
You should go back and rest inside, too.
Stop burning.
It reeks when I burn the pig's hair later.
This is nothing much.
I've smelled something worse.
Burning dead bodies.
You are right.
You were an escort.
I'm sure you've seen dead bodies before.
Should I help you
hang up the pork?
Not now.
The pork
needs to be cured in salt.
Just like this.
Apply an even layer of salt on the pork.
It has to be cured for a few days before it can be hung.
Let me do it.
I'll help you.
My parents used to cure meat this way.
They help each other.
What do you two do?
Changning and I were causing trouble beside them.
This is still a big piece of pork.
I need to make a few more cuts for the flavor to get in.
Help me get the cleaver.
This one.
Where did you
get this cleaver?
My father found someone to forge it.
Do you know what material this cleaver is made from?
Iron, probably.
It's definitely not silver.
But Father said
these two cleavers are our family heirlooms.
It has fed our whole family.
Seems like your father was good at martial arts.
Where did he learn how to fight?
When he was young, he roamed everywhere.
I guess he met some kind of expert.
You win.
Uncle, I win.
Is it worth being happy
over a small win?
General He
was just fooling around with you.
This...
Salt is expensive.
Why are you being so fussy over a little salt?
I...
You don't know how expensive salt is because you don't manage the household.
Changyu, is the pig's tail ready?
I just put it inside. It'll still take a while.
Look.
It's still early.
Are you hungry already?
What a glutton.
I'm not a glutton.
You are a glutton.
I've caught it.
You are...
I've seen this falcon around our house a few times.
So, I set a trap.
I didn't expect to catch it.
How dare you bite me?
I'll bring you to the market tomorrow
and sell you for ten taels of silver.
Not many people
will buy live animals at the market.
Normal people don't know how to tame it.
This bird is wild and can easily hurt people.
What a pity.
Its wings are also hurt.
Why don't we
just kill it directly
and make soup out of it?
Changning, turn around.
No.
I've eaten
falcon meat before.
It was sour and tough. I couldn't eat it.
Don't worry. I'll cook it.
My family's braising sauce will even make wood taste nice.
No.
Actually, I know a little about taming beasts.
I can try taming it.
A trained falcon can be sold for over 100 taels of silver.
Over 100 taels of silver?
That's too valuable.
Changning, get a chicken coop.
All right.
I'll raise you for now.
100 Taels.
What a fool.
What are you doing?
I'm dressing its wound.
Why did you use that?
What's wrong with this cloth?
This is the hair-tying cloth I gave you!
I thought it was just a cloth.
Father. Mother. It's almost the final month of the year.
This is this year's pork.
I'll let both of you try it first.
Today is also the third day since I got married.
My husband didn't know that salt needed to be used sparingly,
but he helped me with curing meat.
He would also stand up for me.
If both of you see this in your afterlife,
please bless him with a speedy recovery
and safety for the rest of his life.
As for Song Yan...
You must let that good-for-nothing
fail his exam.
(Tablets of Fan Erniu and Meng Lihua)
(Tea)
(Guo Jiu Meat Shop)
(Fan Er Meat Shop)
Which of you destroyed my things?
Face me directly if you are so capable!
Don't be a coward!
Why are you looking at me?
I didn't do it.
This is called
divine punishment for the arrogant.
This is bad, Changyu.
Your shop was closed for two months.
Did you not pay protection money?
What is that?
(Guo Jiu Meat Shop)
They still dare open shop?
Do they have a death wish?
Let me see who dares open shop on this street
without paying protection money.
It's you?
Turn around.
I'm talking to you!
Fan...
Young Lady Fan?
Is this meat shop yours?
It's quite good.
How much do you want?
It's a misunderstanding. It's all a misunderstanding.
I can't ask you to pay protection money.
Hey.
Understood.
Hurry up. Fix it.
Sure.
We are also getting paid to help others solve problems.
Please forgive us.
Whose problems are you helping to solve?
We will fix the stove for you. Stop asking.
We might be hooligans
but we know the rule of not betraying our employer.
You are quite righteous.
Wang's Braised Meat Shop's manager.
Wang's?
I have no grudge against them.
I swear.
Are you called Mister Jin?
I am Jin Yuanbao.
You can call me Yuanbao or Bao.
Don't just clean here.
Clean up inside as well. Hurry.
Man Di. Man Cang. Man Wu.
You can order them around as you wish.
Are their surnames Man?
I gave them their names.
I'm called Jin Yuanbao, so it must
be Man Wu, Man Di, and Man Cang. [* May golden ingots be scattered everywhere.]
Hurry up, fix it!
I need to open the shop.
You're opening shop?
Opening?
You, come here!
Buy her shop's meat!
You!
Both of you! Come here!
What are you doing?
Forcing people to make purchases?
Buy...
Buy some pork.
Stop...
Buy some...
(Fan Er Meat Shop) Buy some meat. Go on.
Come.
Come and buy some meat.
Come.
Buy some meat.
(Fan Er Meat Shop)
It's almost three catties.
Here you go.
It's good for making dumplings.
If it's nice, please come back again.
(Guo Jiu)
See that?
This girl
knows how to charm people.
Are you jealous
or envious?
Why are you making snide remarks?
- You'll receive karma. - Take care.
(Guo Jiu Meat Shop) I don't steal or rob.
How will I receive karma?
You should keep a close eye on your husband.
You'd better keep a close eye on your stove.
It might get destroyed.
(Meat Shop)
Yes.
Come back again.
Pork!
Rascal!
I'll beat you up, little rascal!
- Granny. - Granny!
- Why are you here, Granny? - I'll beat you to death.
Why are you hitting me?
You...
Are you collecting protection money again?
Why can't you change?
I'm not! Ask them if you don't believe me.
What is that in your hands?
Isn't it money?
This is money,
but it's not protection money.
The Fan family just lost its parents.
Only two orphaned daughters are left behind.
Don't do such an immoral thing.
You...
Don't do such
- an immoral thing. - Granny, stop.
Do you know what's going on?
- Stop hitting, Granny. - Why can't you remember?
Granny Jin.
He didn't collect protection money.
He is helping me sell pork.
He's working a legit job.
Selling pork?
Is it true?
It's true.
They cleaned this place.
Yes.
They also helped me
repair the stove outside.
Everyone saw that, right?
I guess.
My grandson
finally did something right.
My grandson was also a good kid.
You must work hard from now on.
Don't disturb Young Lady Fan's business.
Granny, go home quickly.
You are disturbing our business now.
- Sure. - Leave quickly.
Sure.
I...
Look at you.
Do your job well.
My grandson finally achieved something.
He will never do bad things anymore.
Fine.
Seriously, look at my granny.
I'm already a grown-up,
but she still treats me like a child.
If word gets out, how am I supposed to show my face around here?
Stop watching. If you want to buy pork, come in.
Otherwise, get lost!
Try some.
There's still a family member who's so nice to you.
You should be content.
You are a healthy man.
Why not do some legit jobs?
But I don't know what I should do.
In the current situation,
it's hard being a bad guy, and it's harder being a good guy.
Man Wu's mother
is sick and needs to buy medicine all year round.
Man Di's sister
was sold to the brothel by her uncle to do chores.
She'll turn 15 in half a year.
If he can't redeem her from the brothel,
she'll have to be a prostitute.
Man Cang
has been an orphan since he was born.
He's a foolish glutton.
He can't do anything. Who would hire him?
We also want to become good people
but in an era where there's war every year,
it's tough for good people to survive.
This meat is half-fatty and half-lean.
It's great for making dumplings.
We are selling at 35 coins per catty.
This is a little over two catties.
I'll only charge you for two catties.
Sure. Let me weigh it for you.
I have more over here.
Take care. Come back again.
Pork!
Eat. This is a meal for the good guys.
I didn't poison it.
This is today's pay.
You only worked for half a day,
so you only get paid for half a day.
I won't pay you extra,
but I also don't owe you anything.
Eat slowly. All of you eat like hungry ghosts.
Young Lady Fan.
Well...
Can we still come and help out in the future?
If you are hungry
and want to work, I welcome you.
If you want to do bad things,
I won't forgive you.
Wang's shop in Middle Street, right?
Yes.
Are you going to get revenge?
Lady Yin.
Help me watch the shop. Thanks!
Sure.
We must be righteous.
Follow her.
No wonder the hooligans listen to her.
She's actually the leader.
Mister, are you exchanging all this money
for rice, flour, salt, oil, soy sauce, and vinegar?
Even a cart is not enough to carry them.
Add another cart, then.
Sure.
(East Xigu Lane, Fan's House) Give me ten jars of liquor
suitable for the elderly.
Add some tea leaves and pastries.
Deliver them to this address.
No problem.
Oh,
do you have any ointment to treat chapped and cracked skin?
We do.
Our shop has the best clam oil.
It has just arrived recently. Take a look.
I want them all.
Yes, Mister.
Where can I buy this wrist guard?
Do you have one suitable for ladies?
You must be joking.
Only men
need wrist guards like this
while doing labor.
Why would ladies need it?
No one sells it.
Where is Young Lady Fan going?
She looks mad.
I heard she's going to take revenge.
What's going on?
Have you heard?
Wang's Braised Meat Shop is jealous of her business
and sent someone to destroy Fan's Meat Shop.
The Fan's Shop is now getting revenge on Wang's Shop.
If anyone asks, just say Fan Er
saved up some money in your shop, and ask you
to deliver daily necessities before the Chinese New Year.
Yes, Mister.
Why is this young lady
acting like a thug?
Right, Mister?
Thank you.
(Meatbun)
Young Lady Fan, are you here today to...
(Wang's Braised Meat Shop) Misters...
Move!
Call your manager.
He dares destroy my shop,
yet is acting like a coward now?
What's going on?
Hello, Misters, Young Lady Fan.
Please wait until the manager comes here.
What's all this mess?
Young Master.
Were you the one who called someone to destroy my shop?
He was the one who paid us five taels of silver
to destroy your stove.
Who are you?
Are you trying to act innocent?
We were drinking at the tavern back then.
You were the one who came to us.
How dare you not admit it?
Exactly.
The tavern owner can prove it.
Anyone who denies it now is a coward.
The Young Master of Wang's Shop
dares to destroy my stove,
yet doesn't dare to admit it?
Isn't it just a stove?
I destroyed it, so what?
What can you do to me?
A young lady like you
coming out to do business
instead of staying in your room doing embroidery?
Doesn't that make you a laughing stock?
Do I deserve to be bullied by you
because I am a young lady?
I'm not bullying you.
I'm just pitying you.
Seriously.
You are quite pretty.
Why must you suffer because of the business?
I have money.
Name your price.
Sell yourself and the recipe together to me. What do you think?
Who do you think you are?
Do you think you're worthy of buying my recipe?
Wretched lass!
You slept with Chef Li
and took away our and Yixiang Restaurant's business.
How dare you come looking for me?
You pig butcher,
how are you so shameless...
- Great! - Great!
She was actually holding back
when she dealt with us.
Tell me.
How did I steal your and Yixiang Restaurant's business?
Wang's Braised Meat Shop's partnership with Yixiang Restaurant was terminated.
Apparently, it was Chef Li who recommended your shop's pork.
Is that the reason
why you set me up?
I was wrong.
- Well done. - Exactly.
As expected from Fan Erniu's daughter.
If someone else's son or daughter
were bullied like this,
they'd be so helpless.
Exactly.
In my opinion,
Wang's Shop is lying to its customers because it is a big shop.
Exactly.
When his father was still around,
his shop was very popular.
Since his father passed away,
his braised meat has been getting worse.
- Right? - Yes.
No wonder Yixiang Restaurant
stops doing business with him.
He deserved it.
I also wouldn't have done any business with him.
If you dare create rumors, cause trouble,
and ruin women's reputations again,
my cleaver
won't forgive you.
I understand.
- That vile woman. - Young Master.
Today, I...
(Wang's Braised Meat Shop)
He's even kneeling.
Let me send you off.
Is that Changyu from the Fan family?
Exactly.
How interesting.
I didn't expect her to be a tough woman.
Let's go.
You haven't fully recovered yet.
Why did you go to town?
I just went to take a look.
I heard you went to Wang's Braised Shop,
so I came to pick you up.
How did you deal with the incident?
I didn't even beat him up yet.
I only kicked his table,
and he was already terrified.
Then, he...
Why are you stopping?
Do you...
Do you also think I'm crude?
That vile woman.
Only people without worries
think about whether they are crude
or elegant.
Other people have no right to comment
about those who work hard to make ends meet.
♪Perhaps my naive self♪
My father didn't let me fight in front of other people in the past.
My mother
wouldn't even let me slaughter a pig.
She said a woman would be badmouthed
for doing all those things.
If I had married Song Yan in the future,
other people would speak badly in secret,
even if he didn't mind.
Later, my parents passed away.
To make a living,
I had no choice but to start slaughtering pigs.
I even beat people up with a stick multiple times.
Most people in town
think I'm a crude woman now.
The gambling den even sent me an invitation,
asking me to stop slaughtering pigs
and help them collect debts instead.
Just go and collect debts, then.
Are you sure?
Are you persuading me to do that?
I don't want you to be afraid of what others say about you.
Creating rumors and slandering
don't cost anything
and they hurt people badly,
especially for ladies.
You must hurt them
and let them suffer more than the victims
to get to the root of the problem.
Get to the root of the problem?
What root?
Take a guess.
I don't know.
Take another guess.
What do you mean?
Getting to the root of the problem means...
Changyu, eat. Yan Zheng, eat.
The oil...
There are so many things. Where do they come from?
Father bought them.
Don't say nonsense.
Changning wasn't spouting nonsense.
I was dumbfounded when I saw all these things.
The worker said your father saved some money at the shop a few months ago.
It has been used to buy Chinese New Year necessities now.
Where did my father get so much money?
Are these really from my father?
Yes. It was someone called Fan Erniu.
See? How is that fake?
There's no fool in this world
who would send things to other people.
Yan Zheng, am I right?
Yes.
Moreover, it's not a lot,
so there's nothing special.
This isn't a lot?
Changyu, look. There's also this.
Clam oil?
It's fine if it's food.
Why did he buy this useless thing?
Which shop is it?
I'm returning them.
Don't return it.
Father must have felt bad for your chapped hands,
so he prepared them for you.
Our father wouldn't be so senseless
and buy this useless item.
I'll return them and buy sweets for you.
Wait.
If you use it...
You can't return it anymore.
If you like it, take it.
I don't like it.
If you don't like it, why did you use it?
I can't return them anymore.
Silly girl. Your husband feels bad for you
and wants you to use it for yourself.
Since it has already been used,
I'll use it.
Buying this useless thing.
I wonder what Father was thinking.
This is exactly
what your father was thinking.
Tomorrow,
the trial will begin at the yamen.
Do you need me to go with you?
No need.
Mister Zhao will accompany me.
Your leg is injured,
and you can't kneel for a long time.
I remember everything you teach me.
I'm not afraid.
Blades are not allowed in court.
These are the tools I use to work.
I said no and that's final!
(Integrity, Caution, Diligence)
(Yamen)
Why didn't I see Fan Da and his wife?
Have they forgotten the time?
These two heartless souls.
I believe it if they have forgotten their parents' names,
but I don't believe it if they forget about
fighting for the house.
You are right.
Where are they?
They are the plaintiffs.
(Impartial Justice)
Begin the trial.
- Hail the mighty. - Hail the mighty.
Bring the plaintiffs and the defendant to the court.
Who is the one kneeling?
I am Fan Changyu.
Greetings, My Lord.
Where is the plaintiff, Fan Daniu?
This is ridiculous!
I've been judging cases for so long,
but I've never seen a plaintiff who isn't here in person.
My Lord, calm down.
I'm sure there's a reason
why Fan Daniu is late.
Why not send a guard to his house to take a look
to show how fair and just you are in judging the case?
Approved.
Constable Wang,
get someone to go to the Fan family at East Village.
Yes.
The court is dismissed for now.
Dismissed.
That's it?
Yes.
Make way.
Wang, what's going on?
It's fine.
Come here.
Wouldn't this just delay the case?
I hope Changyu didn't capture Fan Da.
Why would she capture him?
Changyu is already married.
It's a case she'll surely win. There's no need to do that.
Besides, she has been home the whole night.
Sure. I'm relieved to hear that.
(Yamen)
(Impartial Justice)
(Qingping County Yamen)
Begin the trial.
- Hail the mighty. - Hail the mighty.
My Lord, I've gotten a matrilocal son-in-law.
According to the law, I can inherit my house.
We've waited for two hours.
That's it.
Since the plaintiff is late,
I now rule
in favor of the defendant.
My Lord!
Help seek justice for me, My Lord!
My Lord!
Help seek justice for me.
You're a jinx!
You actually killed your uncle
just to take the house!
♪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♪