[Nirvana In Fire II]
[Episode 45]
I just went over a few ideas.
As for the marriage certificate
it should list Old Hall Master Lin as the matchmaker.
As for the pairing of birth charts, we can skip that.
I'll prepare the betrothal gifts.
As for the engagement...
Who should we ask to host the engagement?
Lin Xi, what about your mentor?
My mentor is traveling.
You won't be able to locate him.
We'll skip that as well.
We'll just hold the wedding here on Mount Langya.
What do you think?
We haven't even picked a date yet!
Which day would you like?
Ping Jing.
What's the matter?
Lin Qi...
Help me contact Brother Xun.
Ask him to come to Mount Langya.
Yes.
Has something happened?
Cabinet Minister Xun...
He was assassinated in the street.
It must be the letter I sent him that stirred up this trouble.
Ping Jing!
Are you leaving Mount Langya?
No.
I asked Lin Qi to contact Brother Xun to come to Mount Langya.
Don't you worry.
I've only copied patterns in the past.
I don't draw very well.
It's quite good.
I've already drawn all that I can remember.
General, take a look and see if it's of any help.
This is the Royal Laiyang Manor's main quarters.
The study, garden, rooms for daily use and receiving guests won't do for sure.
The servants go in and out of these two side gates frequently to make purchases.
This quiet area in the corner gate is the most likely exit.
We'll keep an eye on that gate.
General, are you sure that Xiao Yuan Qi is hiding
the assassin in his own manor?
Will she really leave from this corner gate?
I can't be sure.
But we only have a few men with us.
We can only choose to watch the most likely spot.
I hope we're lucky enough.
Your Highness, you must be tired.
Would you like to get some rest?
You may be dismissed.
Yes.
Go on.
What is the matter?
Miss An Ru, I know that you don't wish to speak.
But I think that I must tell you about this matter.
What is it?
Miss An Ru, don't ask me who it is.
Anyway, someone secretly told me
that a female visitor moved into our manor some time ago.
A female visitor?
I heard from He Cheng that there are two chests full of drawings like this.
This is what the king wanted?
Yes.
Judging by the footnotes
these are all construction plans for ships.
Eastern Sea State is still short of ship designs?
The king doesn't have any other hobbies.
He just likes to fish at sea.
He had always wanted to build a small but sturdy fast ship.
He then heard that Great Liang's General Wei was very gifted in this field
and left behind many drafts.
Your country doesn't seem to be interested in constructing ships
so these drafts were shelved for years without anyone reading them.
The king is borrowing them without causing any inconvenience.
The king actually wants to have smaller and faster ships?
Yes.
Is it not a gigantic vessel that can withstand storm and raging waves?
Only then is it good enough for deep water docks.
Your Highness knows about the deep water docks?
Your king never explains anything clearly to me.
I can only think and ponder on my own.
His Highness can bring in any female visitor he wishes.
Am I to be petty about it?
It's indeed normal for nobility or prestigious families to take concubines.
If that's what it was, I wouldn't have troubled you with such information.
That's not it?
What else could it be?
Miss An Ru, you should remember that it was a female assassin
who killed our master out in the street.
You're referring to the one who assassinated my uncle?
That's impossible!
His Highness would never do anything like that!
Why would he?
I have never been clever...
I don't know much about anything.
However, after our trip to Lake Agila...
Pei went missing.
Miss An Ru, you've been ill for so long.
However silly I am, I should have guessed by now...
that this prince might not be the man we thought he was.
Miss An Ru, soldiers are out there hunting down the female assassin.
At least, it's true that we have hidden a woman in our manor.
What should we do?
I don't know what we should do either.
But I can't tolerate this.
I really can't put up with all this anymore.
Your Highness, you've misunderstood us.
Our king isn't trying to keep anything from you.
He just thought that you might not be interested in such matters.
Eastern Sea State established our nation by the water.
Even if we own huge vessels and deep water docks to hold them
they are for us to travel across the sea.
We're not targeting Great Liang.
Your Highness, give this some thought.
Your country has fertile lands.
Even if we constructed huge vessels
what impact will it have on Your Highness when you rule the nation?
You're right.
Whatever huge vessel you might have
you can't possibly steer them onto my coast.
Our king knew that Your Highness would understand.
Your Highness, we should go to Commander General Xun instead.
Your Highness! Your Highness!
Your Highness!
Min...
You mustn't come with me.
Miss An Ru...
You can't come with me.
All right.
We made an agreement.
Since you've fulfilled your promise, I won't go back on mine.
It's just that... it won't be easy
to smuggle so many old documents out of here.
I'll need a day or two to think of a plan.
Your Highness, thank you for your efforts.
Once this is all over, I'll escort you out of the city myself.
However, before that
it's best for you to not take even a step out of this royal manor.
Yes.
Princess Consort, His Highness gave orders for you to--
Get lost!
Your Highness!
Princess Consort is on her way in!
Princess Consort!
An Ru! What are you doing here, An Ru?
Is she the one?
She killed my uncle?
What craziness is this, An Ru?
Stop lying to me!
I might have been raised at home, but I am no fool!
I know who she is.
I know exactly what she has done!
An Ru... An Ru.
You just lost our child.
You're too upset, so you started imagining things.
Since you're unwell, you should get some rest.
Why would you upset yourself?
An Ru!
What is this?
What have you handed over to Eastern Sea State now?
How much of your conscience can you still betray?
- What other terrible things will you do? - Shut up!
An Ru...
This is a man's world.
You don't understand.
Nor do I wish to know.
I'll tell my cousin.
As long as you don't kill me, as long as you dare to let me live
I'll definitely tell my cousin the next time I see him!
What are you doing?
An Ru...
I won't kill you.
However, since you said that
I can't allow you to see your cousin again.
You'll never get to visit the palace again.
When did those two horse carriages get here?
Just now.
Just now?
Keep a close eye on them and I'll report to the general.
Yes.
Madam Qi.
Commander He.
His Highness has made the arrangements?
After His Highness escorts you out of the city personally
another horse carriage will pick you up outside the city.
The drafts and records are mostly in here.
Madam Qi, would you like to go through them?
Your prince is still the thoughtful one.
Oh, right.
How has your princess consort been these days?
I've heard that she hasn't spoken a word for two days.
Xun Bai Shui was the uncle who raised her.
I'm afraid His Highness will have to make more of an effort to appease her.
You're feeling down. I'll take you for a stroll.
Although His Highness is personally escorting you out of the city
and it is unlikely you'll be searched, it's hard to be certain.
Just to ensure your safety
Madam will have to put up with staying in here first.
I've trained in contortion since I was a child.
This is simple for me.
There's nothing to put up with.
- Your Highness. - Your Highness.
Madam Qi.
Is Her Highness coming with us?
I have to make sure that nothing goes wrong when I escort you out of the city.
If my wife comes along, the guards will go easier on us.
If anyone asks about this
I will at least have a reason for leaving the city.
My princess consort refuses to speak anyway.
Don't you?
If Her Highness decides to speak then
what should we do?
Don't worry.
She won't have a chance to speak.
Madam Qi, after you.
They are leaving the city.
Should we stop them?
The Patrol Force obeys him.
We can't stop them.
We'll just follow them.
- Take care. - Madam, here.
Sure.
You actually really didn't say a word.
My An Ru truly is clever.
You know that those defending the city all obey my command.
It's useless to tell them anything.
Madam Qi, have some patience.
There are still some pedestrians.
We can only let you out when we get to a quiet place.
There aren't many pedestrians around this area now.
I deduce that if the female assassin really is on the wagon
he will set her loose in the woods just ahead.
Don't do anything rash.
We'll follow her.
When she's further away from here, we'll take action then.
Others will only believe us if we arrest the female assassin alive.
I... I understand.
Your Highness.
Madam Qi, do you really think
that I'd give you the schematics to construct a huge vessel
to take out of Great Liang and hand over
to the king of Eastern Sea State?
You... you broke your promise and betrayed our trust!
Our king will come for you!
Your subordinates outside the capital will all be wiped out by Xun Fei Zhan.
As for within the capital... I'll clean up your mess.
No one who knows about this can return to Eastern Sea State alive.
When your king wants to figure out what actually happened
I'm afraid that it'll already be too late.
If I don't make it back, our king will come looking for me!
He will come looking for me!
He will come personally!
What are they talking about?
I can't hear them.
I know that he will come.
However, by then, Jinling City will be under my reign.
I will think of suitable ways to welcome your king.
Madam Qi, you need not worry.
Let me out!
Let me out right now!
Xiao Yuan Qi!
Did you hear me?
Let me out!
Let me out right now!
Let me out!
What's going on?
I don't know.
I can't figure this out at all.
Xiao Yuan Qi!
An Ru...
I brought you here so that you could see me burn your uncle's murderer.
I've avenged him for you.
How do you feel right now?
Do you feel better?
Don't worry.
Whatever I've offered them, I'll take back in spades.
I have to take back the three provinces east of Huai River sooner or later.
She's not here?
No.
I've already arrested 10 spies from Eastern Sea State in Jinling.
I handed them over to the Ministry of Justice.
But according to the personal guards escorting Master Xun that day
the main culprit isn't among them.
My mother has been asking me day after day
and I don't know how to answer her anymore.
I understand how Your Majesty feels.
My wife dwells in sorrow day after day in my manor.
She's now bed-ridden.
She can't come to the palace to console Empress Dowager.
Your Majesty, please rest assured.
Commander General Xun has been gone for almost half a month.
I believe that he will bring good news upon his return.
I hope so.
Fine, pass through.
General, the messenger from the Ministry of War is here.
General Yue.
Please come in, Master.
There's no need.
The Ministry of War sent me to inform General
to discuss state affairs in Wuxi Hall from 9 a.m to 11 a.m.
I heard you.
Master, thank you for informing me at such a late hour.
General, if you go to the palace tomorrow
won't you... get to see His Majesty?
Don't be happy about it yet.
I might not get a chance to talk to him in private.
You mean to say that you didn't find the murderer either?
Correct.
I only caught up with those traveling merchants.
They were also indeed spies from Eastern Sea State.
However, I didn't find the female assassin among them.
I have let Your Majesty down.
Someone assassinated our current Cabinet Minister
in Great Liang's capital.
And she got away scot-free.
I'm truly incompetent...
What Your Majesty just said made me feel all the more ashamed.
Now, each and every person I could trust and rely on, has left me.
This sovereignty that the former emperor handed over to me
is now so damaged in just a few years.
I often felt that I did my best and yet, so much hasn't been done well.
Perhaps...
I really wasn't chosen by the gods.
Your Majesty!
Great Liang is still powerful.
We can surely recover our lost lands.
Your Majesty has yet to come of age.
Why would you... underestimate yourself?
Official Xun.
Present!
Can you do me a favor?
Please ask me anything, Your Majesty.
General Yue.
Minister.
General Yue.
Your Highness.
This way, please.
Master, hasn't His Majesty arrived yet?
General Yue, you don't know why you were summoned here today?
I thought that it was decided before the Lunar New Year
to discuss how to handle the situation at the eastern frontier
and recover the three provinces east of Huai River.
Exactly.
We are to deliberate with His Majesty
but how can we decide on such a huge matter in a day?
His Majesty doesn't participate in the discussion all the way through.
We must first clarify and sort out our thoughts
and decide on a course of action.
Then we'll submit it to His Majesty for a final decision.
It seems that His Majesty won't be here today.
Cabinet Minister Xun was unfortunately assassinated.
His Majesty appointed me to be in charge of this discussion.
Gentlemen, this discussion will affect the outcome of the eastern frontier.
It's a matter of great importance.
I hope that we can put out heads together
to offer good strategies and useful advice.
Yes.
I don't think that I was wrong in my decision three years ago.
But I often think of summoning Prince of Changlin back to the capital.
When I reflect on my actions, I sometimes find myself too hesitant.
I have such conflicting thoughts.
Your Majesty, there are many matters in this world
that can't be determined by right or wrong.
Since Your Majesty has such a thought in mind
would you like me to announce your decree at Mount Langya?
No. I don't wish to make an official decree.
Your Majesty is concerned that Empress Dowager will object to it?
It isn't that.
Whatever Mother might say or think
I won't change my mind again because of her.
What other concerns do you still have, Your Majesty?
Cousin Ping Zhang died defending our nation.
Uncle Ting Sheng spent his whole life on the battlefield.
It was an overwhelming victory at the northern frontier.
However, in return, Changlin Army was disbanded.
I know that... although he cares about our nation
he might not be willing to return.
Therefore, I don't wish to force him.
You're right.
It's complicated in the Imperial Court.
It can never be as carefree as the fighting world.
Your Majesty is worried that if you summon him with an official decree
Ping Jing will find it hard to turn you down?
If Prince of Changlin defies a decree, he'll only be slandered even more.
Therefore, I've already written a letter.
I hope that you can take a trip to Mount Langya secretly
to persuade him for me.
Try not to let anyone know about this.
I'm already sick and tired of debates about how subjects should behave.
Yes, Your Majesty.
General, if you're tired, you should get some rest.
Between you and me
Xiao Yuan Qi really is giving this his all.
He listened to everyone's opinions
mediated the conflict of interest between the officials
and appeased the cabinet as well as the six ministries.
As for my general strategy on the eastern frontier
he turned out to be the most supportive of all officials.
He didn't leak military information and collude with Eastern Sea State?
He did.
But...
But you said that he supports your strategy.
Why is this making me more confused?
Although you're muddled, I see it all the more clearly now.
I suspect that Xiao Yuan Qi colluded with Eastern Sea State
not only for the sake of a royal title.
He killed Cabinet Minister not just to gain authority in the Imperial Court.
Perhaps, he did all that for the sake of an even greater ambition.
He has... an even greater ambition?
What we should consider doing now isn't simply to expose his past deeds.
What... what more should we do?
We'll have to come up with someone who can stop Xiao Yuan Qi in his tracks.
General.
- General! - What's wrong?
I was just informed
that Commander General Xun returned yesterday with the escaped assassins!
We'll visit him.
General!
Will he believe us?
I don't know.
We'll bet on it.
[Xun Manor] He left early this morning.
What?
Commander General left the city this morning?
Yes.
Do you know where he has gone and when he will return?
Young Master Xun was away visiting friends in the fighting world
and only returned home after three years.
Thank you.
[Map of Jinling Region]
Your Highness, arrangements have been made with General Di.
Good. I heard you.
Greetings, Minister.
General Yue.
Isn't that General Di?
You know General Di Ming?
We both serve at the eastern frontier, so we've met a few times.
Wasn't General Di promoted to the commander of Donghu Palace Guards?
Why would he be in the capital?
Judging by the date he was promoted to the post
he should be here to report on his work.
Let's head inside.
General, you've been in charge of Donghu Palace Guards for a while
so you must already have some confidence?
I'm not capable of anything else apart from training new soldiers.
Donghu Palace Guards were only established a few years ago.
There is much that I can control.
I know more than anyone else just how capable you are.
A young man like General Yue must be bored by now
after spending the entire day with me
going through the account books at the Ministry of Revenue.
Every general should have an idea of military budgets and expenses.
I have learned much today.
I find it beneficial.
You're a talent worth recommending.
I can't be wrong about you.
Judging by the time, the decree for Spring Hunt should be announced.
I'll be sure to recommend you before His Majesty.
I think you should escort him on the journey.
Spring Hunt in March?
It's a rare opportunity to accompany His Majesty on Spring Hunt.
You must take hold of this opportunity.
Build up your network and expand your horizons.
It will surely be beneficial to your future.
Yes.
50,000 Imperial Guards serve directly under His Majesty.
Since Xun Fei Zhan resigned and left the capital
I've been thinking about how to defeat the Imperial Guards.
I'm afraid it will take 8 or 10 years before that's possible.
However, we both know that if the emperor grows two years older
the situation in the Imperial Court might have changed by then.
General, you're right.
This is a rare opportunity that can slip by easily.
Therefore, I don't plan to wait any longer.
Donghu Palace Guards are like a division
the merged the former Cuifeng and Mount Wei divisions.
After I took the post, I tried to expand it even more.
Along with the Patrol Force and Your Highness's private army
we have 80,000 men.
Although we're greater in number, we're restricted by location.
It's too obvious to deploy the troops.
If we go head-on against the Imperial Guards
I'm afraid we won't be able to seize the palace fast enough.
I understand.
Once we raise the rebellion, we must end it all swiftly.
If it's stalled or comes to a deadlock
it will get out of our hands once news is leaked out of Jinling City.
Therefore, it isn't the palace that I intend to seize.
But His Majesty and that... Empress Dowager don't leave the palace.
As for Xiao Yuan Shi...
He won't always remain in the palace.
Spring Hunt in March...
Mount Jiu'an?
General.
What have you discovered?
Look.
This is the terrain near Mount Jiu'an.
Two routes led to the capital, one big and one small.
This is the hunting palace.
His Majesty...
He will pitch camp halfway up the mountain.
And then?
If they have enough armed forces
they can trap His Majesty as if he were in a pocket.
What?
General, you're heading back to Donghu Division soon.
I'll see you off in advance with this cup of tea.
Your Highness, rest assured.
Once I get back to the camp, I'll start making arrangements.
I'll be prepared before Spring Hunt and return to Jinling.
The regulations of Spring Hunt limit the Imperial Guards to 5,000 men.
Even if they bring double that number
they won't be able to get out of the trap that I will have set for them.
Therefore, our victory still lies in how well you can control the capital.
Your Highness is right.
I understand the weight of my responsibilities.
However, since the Empress Dowager and the emperor will be away
the Imperial Guards will be relaxed.
As long as I can lock them away in their office
to cut off their contact with the outside world
I can take over the palace.
After I leave the city with His Majesty
I'll cut off all contact between Mount Jiu'an and the capital.
He Cheng will open the city gates for you to let your troops in.
What if it doesn't go as smoothly as Your Highness expects?
Your Donghu Palace Guards are greater in number.
Even in the worse case scenario, you can still put up a fight.
Yes, I understand.
Of course, it's hard to say what changes might occur
until we get to the very end.
Once the capital has been secured
leave He Cheng in charge and take the remaining troops to Mount Jiu'an.
I promised to let you deal with Empress Dowager Xun.
I definitely won't go back on my word.
Thank you, Your Highness.
That's not... not possible?
There will be at least 5,000 Imperial Guards on this trip.
There are also the Palace Guards.
Who could... pull this off?
I might be worried for nothing.
But be it on Mount Jiu'an or any other place
there's only one possibility
if Xiao Yuan Qi really dares to make a move.
There's still...
Donghu Royal Palace Guards... are already under his control.
Only then could he have enough armed forces to raise a mutiny
in the suburbs of Jinling City.
[Mount Jiu'an]