[Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin]
[Episode 37]
There's no need to avoid mentioning anything now.
Minister can just report it as it is when you return to the Palace.
Royal Father...
I am here.
Pingjing...
I want to go out
and take a breather.
Okay.
The cycle of life and death
is something that no one can escape.
It is just that I initially thought
that you two brothers will at least...
at least have each other even when I am gone.
Change is constant. In the end,
I had no choice but to leave you alone.
Royal Father...
I was born in Yeyou Prison. I experienced hardships that ordinary person has not gone through.
I have seen the coldest aspects of this world.
But in my life, there are 3 things
that I found fortunate to have experienced. First,
I received teachings from my Master and that eliminated the grudges and hatred in my heart.
Second, I got adopted by the former emperor and experienced
two generations of wise emperors.
I have never been doubted by anyone.
Third,
I have a harmonious home.
I was able to have good children like
you and Pingzhang.
You initially loved to be carefree. But too bad...
Too bad, you were born in a general's family.
When I leave, these two words 'Chang Lin'
must not bind you anymore.
Royal Father...
Pingjing.
Royal Father!
Raise your head and look at me.
Pingjing, raise your head.
You have already did what you should do.
From now on, you do not need to obsess yourself in protecting your elders, sister-in-law, and your nephew.
Remember that.
I understand.
Good child.
For my funeral, you surely still remember, right?
I remember.
Say it.
Your attire...will be buried in the Imperial Tomb.
Your bones...will be returned to Meiling.
Good.
Listen.
Listen to the wind.
Listen to this wind.
The northern borders must have experienced several snow falls already.
Meiling...
What is your name?
- Tingsheng. - How old are you?
11 years old.
Xiao Pingsheng has gone home!
Your Majesty, although you are grieving,
these are still two different things.
We must have a conclusion about the punishment of General of Huaihua.
Didn't Elder Prince also hope that Your Majesty
can grasp this matter steadily?
I have decided to remove Xiao Pingjing's
General of Huaihua position.
Retrieve his military power and order him to leave the capital to observe the mourning of his father.
Just like that?
Your Majesty, if you are able to separate governing and personal relationships,
I think Elder Prince will also feel comforted while in Heaven.
Your Majesty surely understands
that the reason why the different officials of the government
are requesting for strict punishment is very simple.
That is regardless of anyone, anytime, or any matter, military power
cannot be above the emperor's power.
Even though the different heads of the Chang Lin camps have committed a crime
for blindly following their main commander,
they have already repaid it with merits by winning in the battle of Ningguan.
Order the Ministry of War to remove the authority of Chang Lin
and reestablish a new northern border banner.
Your Majesty is magnanimous. I will receive your decree.
Imperial Son...
Imperial Mother, just return to your chambers to rest.
I want to stay alone for a while.
With things being like this, are we considered to have won?
Elder Prince has died.
Xiao Pingjing has been removed from duty to observe mourning.
We used this opportunity to remove the military power in his hands
is just logical.
No matter how many government officials are siding with him,
they would not be able to say anything anymore.
But Xiao Pingjing committed is a grave crime of disobeying the imperial decree and the Emperor!
Are we just going to let him go like that?
If that is the case, what about the honor of the imperial family?
As long as we were able to remove the authority of the Chang Lin Army,
disperse the old soldiers under him,
we have already achieved our aim.
Why can we not leave him some space? Exterminating them
might bring an opposite effect, Your Lady Majesty.
But this way, the world will think that His Majesty is too weak.
He is unable to control the House of Chang Lin.
I heard that it is easy for military personnel to only acknowledge their commander and not their emperor.
If because of this matter they would become more arrogant, how then will you able to re-establish another northern border banner?
Your Lady Majesty, a human heart can be controlled.
Whether it is the ordinary folks or the military,
what they know
is what we tell them, right?
In this matter, regardless what the real story is,
it can only be explained in one manner.
That is Elder Prince suddenly died.
His Majesty specially pardoned the crimes of General of Huaihua.
This way, people will feel that the imperial family is kind and forgiving.
The vile people will not say more too.
If older brother thinks that it is suitable,
then just do it that way.
[Funeral of Elder Prince of Chang Lin Xiao Tingsheng of Great Liang]
Second Young Master, there are a lot of royal relatives and government officials outside who came to give their condolences.
Uncle, you are here.
Senior Grand Secretary of the Cabinet Minister Xun is here to give his condolences.
General of Huaihua, although the venue seems inappropriate,
I still think that the wise soul of the Elder Prince in Heaven
would still want to know what the final result is.
Just say it.
His Majesty made such a decision completely out of clemency.
He considered that you are currently observing your father's mourning
so there were some crimes that he does not want to add anymore.
As for removing the authority of the Chang Lin Army,
it is entirely for the convenience of the government to handle military matters in the future.
Since some things have already happened,
we must give the world an explanation.
I think that this is the best outcome.
Each side taking a step back.
One, no turmoil are started. Second, no blood must be shed.
This is most beneficial for His Majesty.
Does General think so too?
From now on,
this world...
will never hear of the name Chang Lin.
Elder Prince of Chang Lin already said while he was still alive
that nothing is forever in this world.
Everything changes.
General initially has thoughts of distancing from politics and bringing the hearse to the north.
Why then must you still bear such kind of obsession?
It is also good that things are resolved in this manner.
May Senior Grand Secretary just focus on assisting His Majesty from now on.
For you, it is better for them to fight with each other
so you can just reap the benefits afterwards.
Now that Xiao Tingsheng is dead, his son has no intentions of fighting at all.
If the Royal House of Chang Lin withdraws from the military and politics,
you will not be useful to Xun Baishun anymore.
Xiao Yuanshi has not yet reached adulthood.
Now, there is already no person from the House of Chang Lin suppressing you.
It is a good chance to showcase your skills and rise up to the ranks.
Am I right?
I am sure that Uncle has some suggestions
that's why you traveled far to come here to Jinling.
Qianzhou, Huzhou, Zhunzhou, Pianzhou, Muzhou, Quanzhou, Xiazhou, Yangzhou, Pingzhou, Guizhou.
These are the ten Great Liang prefectures that are nearest Donghai.
What are you planning to do?
I need detailed information of the border defense of the 10 prefectures.
For example, city defense map, the division of military strength, the situation of the commander,
and the reinforcement army. In short, all the details.
Why must I give you those?
What are you really planning to do?
Since I dare open my mouth,
you naturally will benefit from doing it.
I do not understand.
Although the diplomatic relationship of Great Liang and Donghai has always been good,
it cannot be help for one to be arrogant for being the stronger kingdom.
Since a good opportunity like this has come, Great Yu made its move.
How come Donghai cannot?
Although Pingjing is not talking, I know that
once he leaves the capital this time, he might not want to return anymore.
There will always be a limit in the amount of sorrow
that a person can endure.
In just a few years, his father and older brother successively passed away.
What is still there in this huge royal manor
that will make him reluctant to leave?
Little Sister Lin Xi, go and be by his side.
He keeping everything to himself like this,
not saying anything, will still not be good.
Royal Father is gone.
Pingzhang also left.
Maybe only you can still make him say his most kept words.
I do not care what Uncle thinks.
I am still a citizen of Great Liang.
Not conniving with the enemy to betray my country
is my limit.
Why will you not wait for me to finish my words first
before setting up your limit?
In other words, do you really not want to hear it
or you are afraid that you will waver and dare not hear it?
May Uncle just leave as soon as possible.
It is better to just treat it that you have never come.
Sorry.
Sorry for what?
I have always hid it from you.
I cannot dare tell you the health situation of Elder Prince.
No.
It was me who was avoiding me.
I did not dare ask it.
Lin Xi,
about what happened to Elder Brother,
I am the most unworthy person in this world that can blame you.
You also do not owe me anything.
That is why, you do not need to be this good to me.
This patient.
Really? Is that really how you think?
Then how come, you cannot even
raise your head to look at me?
Pingjing, everyone did that to save you.
Even Sister Meng has already forgiven me.
How come you still cannot forgive me?
No, that is not true.
Your rationality is telling you that blaming me is unfair.
But the angry fire in your heart still will not extinguish. Am I right?
Answer me.
Pingjing, answering me is like answering yourself.
Why can you not put it down?
Because you were too cruel.
What you did were all too cruel.
Pingjing, continue saying them.
Tell me everything that you want to say.
Older brother clearly knew
that he is more worthy to continue living than me,
no matter if is towards the House of Chang Lin or towards Royal Father and sister-in-law.
If he is still around right now,
Royal Father would not have died that soon.
The northern borders, the capital,
everything will be better than how it is now.
Pingjing! Pingjing, do not be like this!
No one can do it better than him.
But you must know that no matter how much you miss him,
he will never come back.
I never believed
that it was a decision made by older brother.
He was a very smart person.
A person that think about things thoroughly.
Why would he do such a stupid decision?
I know that he did it for my own good.
But Lin Xi...
If he could have just thought about it more seriously that time...
If he did not become that rash...
If you did not help him...
Pingjing,
that was a decision made by your older brother.
He did not have any regrets.
Until today, you also did not disappoint him,
Elder Prince, Sister Meng,
and the tens of thousands of soldiers and citizens in the northern borders.
Pingjing...put it down.
Put it down.
His Majesty has left the palace to give his condolences for almost a day already, right?
That is right.
With such strong damp wind,
your uncle did not even urge him to come back early.
Replying to Your Lady Majesty, Senior Grand Secretary was not able to accompany His Majesty to go there.
I heard that it was His Majesty who especially did not want him to come with him.
His Majesty did not want him to accompany him?
This child...
One day, he will understand
who really is whole-heartedly loyally serving him.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
Brother Pingjing, you are blaming me, right?
Although I am undisciplined, I know that the government has its laws.
Things actually could have not end up this way. If only that time, I--
Your Majesty,
I just understood a principle today.
For everything that happens in this world,
there are some that can be redeemed.
But there are some...
that despite how many 'what if's' you say, you can only accept.
I am willing to accept my punishment. May Your Majesty take back the military seal.
The northern borders will have a new military banner.
I want you to keep this.
If Your Majesty decides as such, I surely will do my best to keep this safe. It is just that
I fear that there will not be any chance to take it out again,
while Your Majesty do not need Chang Lin anymore.
Will you not return again?
Once the period for mourning for your father has ended,
maybe...after two years, I can--
Your Majesty,
I really feel tired.
I also cannot be strong and unbreakable like my
father and older brother when they were still alive.
Brother Pingjing, take care.
Yuanshi,
take care too.
Resignation Plea
Feizhan! Are you crazy?!
Uncle, I already arranged for the defense of the palace and the endorsement matters.
Uncle, do not worry. No mistake will happen.
Feizhan, Her Lady Majesty Empress Dowager
is indeed a bit rash in doing things.
But her heart is the same as mine.
She knows very well
that this Imperial Palace can only be given in your hands
for us to be at ease.
Uncle already got what you wanted.
You will be able to control the government sooner or later. No need to be bothered with me staying or not.
Feizhan, I know that
we always have contrasting opinions.
But aren't all those still for the sake of His Majesty?
I know very well how loyal you are to His Majesty.
What is still there worthy for you to be depressed about?
Moreover, His Majesty trusts and relies on you.
If you submit this resignation letter to him,
what will he think?
I believe that His Majesty will understand me.
Also, there are so many talented individuals within the Jin Guards.
I am not irreplaceable. He will understand.
What is wrong with you?
How come I just cannot explain things to you clearly?
Uncle, I have made my decision. Please stop convincing me otherwise.
Once Elder Prince's body is transported to the north, I will bid my farewell to His Majesty.
Feizhan!
Feizhan...stop being infatuated.
Even if you leave the capital
and follow that woman, what will happen?
Do you still hope that they will respond to you?
Uncle, what are you saying?
♫ The long, slow song rises like wind flowing through the corridors reaching the imposing, opulent and bright Imperial Hall ♫
♫ Memories of that certain year, when far-away borders blazed with fires of war, in vast fields of ice and snow ♫
♫ From this world, the many slanders pass through the vermilion gates, over the palace walls ♫
♫ Beneath iron armor, together with silken skirts and silver spears, hair grows hoary as though with early frost ♫
♫ Luminous cherry trees, deep-rooted with long and slender frames, still sport magnificent flowers ♫
♫ Unexpected torrential rain and heavy wind, what does it matter? ♫
♫ Between the trees, the moon brightly guards peak after jagged peak ♫
♫ Banners tremble, drums roar, a ribbon of a thousand horsemen ride back up the ridge to settle the score ♫
♫ Fiery liquor consumed at the end of the world, at the limits of exhaustion, is a feast! ♫
♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the war in the north, though willing, they are not given free rein ♫
♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names ♫
♫ Good bows hoarded; likewise, so as not to injure, sigh against the way of heaven when stored indefinitely ♫
♫ Clouds of fear calm shameful waves, the night air stops their bickering by starlight ♫
♫ There is little intention to return the real men to the war in the north, though willing, they are not given free rein ♫
♫ Discussions about their heroism led them to be questioned, and suffer dismal complaints around them, unable to clear their names ♫
♫ Hoping for the whole world to remain at peace, quench the fires of war ♫