Qin Dynasty Epic (2020): Season 1, Episode 35 - Episode #1.35 - full transcript
=Qin Dynasty Epic=
=Episode 35=
(Lord Weiyang of Qin, Ying Xi)
Lao Ai is so arrogant.
(Prime Minister of Qin, Lv Buwei)
If we spare him this time,
he'll be a big trouble.
To be honest,
I would want to kill him
right at this moment,
to vent your hatred towards him.
But currently,
the Coming of Age Ceremony of
His Majesty has yet to be carried out.
If I insist on punishing Lao Ai
and have a disagreement
with Queen Dowager,
it will cause political
instability instead.
I hope that
you could understand my concern,
Lord Weiyang.
I am the Minister of Imperial Affairs!
I am His Majesty's uncle!
Who is there to understand
such humiliation that happened to me?
All for the sake of the great Qin!
See yourself out!
Lord Weiyang, it's time to calm down.
These are all?
I knew it.
I was wondering
what took him so long.
(Queen Dowager of Qin, Zhao Ji)
So he is kneeling
(Queen Dowager of Qin, Zhao Ji)
at the Prime Minister Residence.
Yes.
(Maid Zi)
I was told that
(Maid Zi)
the Prime Minister was furious.
It seems like I must deal with this.
Get the carriage ready.
Yes.
My lord, Queen Dowager is here.
Queen Dowager arrives!
Queen Dowager.
I am sorry for the delay.
Greetings, Queen Dowager.
Rise.
Yes, Queen Dowager.
Queen Dowager, please.
I've never
been to your residence.
It's a lovely place.
I am flattered.
Please.
This weapon...
It must have accompanied you for years.
I remember when Zheng and I
just arrived in Xianyang,
we met you for the first time.
You were riding a horse.
In your hand was this dagger-axe.
These old memories...
The memories remind me
of how you helped Zheng and I
arrive safely in Xianyang.
These are insignificant matters,
yet you never forget.
It must have been hard for you.
Please, come closer.
Yes.
Xiao Zi, come forth.
Xiao Zi.
From now on,
you must look after
Lord Weiyang for me.
Greetings, Lord Weiyang.
I hope to be of service to you.
Queen Dowager,
I dare not accept this.
I've sat here long enough.
It's time for me to leave.
Allow me to see you off.
Queen Dowager departs!
Tell me.
Why did she decide to
leave you here with me?
I have no idea.
When we left Ganquan Palace,
the Queen Dowager only told me that
Chief Palace Attendant was kneeling
at the Prime Minister Residence.
So this is why she came here.
I will devote my life
to serve you, sir.
Don't touch it.
Put it back.
Don't touch the goblet.
Other than this matter,
I'm here to discuss some serious matters
with Your Majesty.
Sit down.
Yes.
(Guest Minister of Qin, Li Si)
First of all,
since Chengjiao was brought to justice,
the ambition of Han, Zhao, Wei
has been halted.
(King of Qin, Zheng)
Now is the time to regain our strength.
Should we proceed with
our previous policies
or should we compose new policies
against the six states?
We need a decision as soon as possible.
Yes.
Secondly,
it's been eight years since
Zheng Guo started digging the canals.
They have spent significant resources
and manpower.
The slow progress will impede
our campaign.
Your Majesty, perhaps you could
visit the canal site
to inspect the progress
and raise the morale of the workers.
That should hasten the work progress.
Anything else?
Thirdly,
the Prime Minister inspects
the forging of our weaponry.
Our reserve of weapons
and equipment for the troops
should be inspected as well,
so that it paints a picture
of our military strength.
Well thought.
These three matters
are indeed our priority.
We need to make plans for them.
I shall explain each in detail
to you.
Let's discuss on the way.
How much longer do you plan to sulk?
I have been kneeling for the whole day.
And I got slapped.
(Chief Palace Attendant of Qin, Lao Ai)
My face
(Chief Palace Attendant of Qin, Lao Ai)
can only be slapped by you alone, Queen Dowager.
(Queen Dowager of Qin, Zhao Ji)
What do you want then?
Do you want to hit the Prime Minister?
I wouldn't dare.
I'm not capable of such a feat.
All right.
Stop drinking.
I won't let your humiliation
be in vain.
I'll be sure to make you a duke.
I want the same rank as Lv Buwei.
He is the Duke of Wenxin.
I need to be a duke of something too.
I can't be beneath him.
Fine.
More wine.
Sir.
Tell me.
How can I overcome this?
How?
How?
You seem upset.
Allow me to perform a dance
to lift your spirit, sir.
You don't understand me.
I never like dances and songs.
I learned this dance
from Queen Dowager.
She used to
perform the dance to our late King.
(Ying Xi's love for Zhao Ji
has buried in his thought for many years.)
(The honor of imperial family,
ethics and morality)
(caused his pain and suffering.)
My lord.
My lord.
My lord?
Lao Ai had a conflict
with Lord Weiyang,
but he came out unscathed.
This is worrying.
Si.
What is your thought on this?
In any case,
you must be cautious, Wan.
You serve the King.
His Majesty is your priority,
and he is the deciding factor.
Then you shall be safe.
(Censor of Qin, Wang Wan)
Si, Lao Ai is...
Do not pry on this matter.
Do not intervene.
Do not even mention it.
Si.
Do you want me to stay completely
out of the matter?
Some of us
need to have our hands clean.
If there is blood,
let it be on my hands.
Si, do you have a plan?
Yes.
But I can't tell you.
Please remember, Wan.
All that I do...
I do for His Majesty.
I do so for Qin
and the great unification.
Si.
I believe in you.
I will never doubt you.
I'm a merchant from Wei.
I've been hearing about
the Chief Palace Attendant,
so I came to visit him.
A merchant from Wei?
Yes.
A lot of people want to see the Chief.
They are all nobles and officers
of the states.
(Prince of Wei, Wei Hong)
A mere merchant has no chance to see him.
(Prince of Wei, Wei Hong)
Hold on.
Sir,
(Dong Qi)
you seem familiar.
It's an honor to meet both of you.
We met at Jinxian Pavilion
the other day.
Don't you remember?
(Xuan Si)
Jinxian Pavilion?
It was you who helped us out that day!
Right?
Yes, it was me.
Please, come in!
Please come inside.
This way.
Bring his luggage inside!
This way.
Come in.
We must stay away
from that Wei merchant.
I feel that he is up to no good.
Ying Xi.
You need not be worried.
He is there fawning over Lao Ai.
Wei is full of greedy scoundrels.
(Lord Weiwen of Qin, Ying Sheng)
Had His Majesty approached the royal family,
(Lord Weiwen of Qin, Ying Sheng)
and appointed them high-rank officers,
we wouldn't have been in this predicament.
Ying Sheng.
We are both lords.
I think His Majesty
still cares for us.
Lords?
It's not like every lord is made equal.
Lord Weiyang and Lord Weiwen combined
are still beneath Lv Buwei,
the Duke of Wenxin.
You're the Minister of Imperial Affairs
but your rank is beneath
the Prime Minister.
You mustn't put it that way.
For the time being,
maintaining order in Qin
is our top priority.
Any update from Lv Buwei?
I sent him a letter.
We're aborting the plan.
Why?
Sir.
Wine and food are ready.
Please enjoy your meal.
Ying Xi.
I don't remember having seen her here.
Queen Dowager sent her here.
Ying Xi.
It was because of the Queen Dowager
that you let Lao Ai go.
The mother and child had no one
to rely on.
It wasn't easy for them.
Only you would
think they had no one to rely on.
Ying Xi!
I am your closest brother.
I know you all too well.
You've had many wives
over the years
and you liked none of them.
Why is that so?
That's because
you care too much for other woman.
Ying Xi,
you must not bring shame
to the royal family.
Enough.
Let it go, Ying Xi.
Lao Ai is enjoying this mess.
You cannot be caught up in it.
General Fan.
Why the sudden invite
to this drink?
(General of Qin, Fan Wuji)
We hadn't met in days,
(General of Qin, Fan Wuji)
so I thought we can catch up,
and to say goodbye to you.
Where are you going?
Prime Minister has planned for
a campaign against Wei.
He ordered me to lead the troops
in Sanchuan Commandery.
A campaign against Wei now?
It's an attack on Yuan City and Puyang.
That's all I was told.
At first,
I was hoping to catch the assassin
who tried to kill the Prime Minister.
But it seems like I won't
have time for that.
Do you have any clues?
I do suspect someone.
Who is it?
Ying Yu.
Why him?
Ever since Prime Minister's
assassination happened,
he hasn't shown up.
He hasn't come home for days.
I bet he went hiding.
He might even have left Xianyang.
Prince Yu?
What was his reason
to kill Prime Minister?
Prince Yu and Chengjiao
have always been close.
They are brothers in the royal family.
Maybe because of Chengjiao's punishment,
he held a grudge against
the Prime Minister.
That makes sense.
But I think
Prince Yu isn't the culprit.
Why?
Although I've only met him twice,
he didn't strike me as someone reckless.
I even doubt
he had the guts to pull it off.
If he wanted the Prime Minister dead,
he would have planned for
the follow-up preparation.
Why would he be careless enough
to draw suspicion?
I've considered that aspect as well.
Forget it, I'll be leaving anyway.
I told you this
because of your scrutiny.
Give it some thoughts
whenever you have time.
My scrutiny?
You are just the same,
General Fan.
By the order of the Prime Minister,
you instigated Chengjiao.
Even I thought it was real.
I thought you're a traitor.
I am not a fool.
In great Qin,
we need the Prime Minister
for too many things.
Yes, we do need him.
What about Lao Ai?
People think he is
the rising star of Xianyang.
A rising star of nothing!
He is an attendant
fawning over Queen Dowager!
He won't amount to anything great.
We can't foresee the future.
Come.
We'll see.
(Madam of Qin, Li Qiu)
(The price to unify the land)
(is too much.)
(The thought of it)
(makes the King of Qin)
(feel intense unease)
(and renders him
unable to sleep at night.)
Is something bothering you,
Your Majesty?
Life and death.
The war is raging on.
Corpses are piling up.
To end wars
and unify states,
millions of lives
will be sacrificed.
Only then will we achieve peace.
What gave you such thought?
I've been having dreams.
Bodies are all over the land.
Your Majesty, you're overwhelmed
by your own goal.
I wish I could
unite states in the blink of an eye.
That is no simple feat to accomplish.
Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
had never achieved it themselves.
Can I do it?
I don't know.
All I know is that
you are the King of Qin.
You are the King that stands above all.
If you couldn't do it,
would there be anyone else can do it?
But this time of turmoil
must be reborn by bloodshed.
To end the chaos,
countless lives
will die for the cause.
Countless families will suffer
the pain of loss.
How can I atone for their death?
How can I atone for
the families' losses?
The wind will cease.
The rain will stop too.
(Guest Minister of Qin, Li Si's Residence)
Sir.
Are you letting me go?
The whole Xianyang is still
hunting for the assassin.
(Ying Yu)
If I want you to keep it a secret,
what will be your price?
Very wise of you.
It seems I'm still useful to you.
You are destined for greatness.
Not to mention you share
the family name of the King.
Please enlighten me.
I need you to approach someone
and be my spy.
Who?
Lao Ai.
The attendant serving Queen Dowager?
Indeed.
His retainer once tried to take my life.
I need you to approach him
and find out why.
But you have other men
who are more suitable for the job.
Why me?
You are from the royal family.
It's easy for you
to earn Lao Ai's trust.
My men don't share this advantage.
They can't get close to him.
They can't find an answer from him.
Sir.
What if I found out secrets about you?
Secrets about me?
You'll never find such a thing.
As for Lao Ai...
He is favored by Queen Dowager.
He might be made a duke soon.
Siding with him
will surely benefit your career.
When your job is done,
you will get rewarded accordingly.
Now tell me,
will you take the job?
Your wish is my command.
(Daliang, Capital of Wei)
Your Majesty, the gift Wei Hong prepared
for Lao Ai
(Lord Longyang of Wei)
has been sent
(King Jingmin of Wei, Zeng)
to Xianyang in secrecy.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Why are you in panic?
(Official of Wei, Wei Zhan)
Your Majesty, Lord Longyang,
there is news.
Fan Wuji
is training troops at
Sanchuan Commandery.
He might be planning an attack
on Yuan City and Puyang.
But...
What do we do now?
What do we do now?
I think
we should deploy our forces
to the border against Qin.
Send out my order!
I want the Grand Commandant here now!
Yes.
I have had a feeling that
Qin would take revenge on us.
But it happened too fast.
Your Majesty, calm down.
Your Majesty.
Battling the Qin army head-on
is not a good plan.
Right now,
if Wei Hong manages to
establish a connection with Lao Ai,
Queen Dowager's decision
can be swayed.
Perhaps with that, the battle
can be avoided.
Yes!
We should avoid the battle if we can.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I don't have much left anyway!
You.
Send out another secret letter.
Urge Wei Hong to hasten his pace!
I can send him more money
if he needs it!
Yes, Your Majesty.
(Xianyang, Capital of Qin)
Cheers.
Great wine!
This is my first time in Xianyang.
It's an honor to have met you.
I look forward
to your guidance in the future.
I'll be sure to compensate
for all the help.
You're a smart one.
What was the saying again?
Those who know the situation
are the best of men.
Yes, greater men.
All of you here are the greater men.
Cheers!
-Let's drink.
-Cheers.
Sir.
(Zhao Jie)
I brought you a friend of mine.
One of the royal family members,
Prince Yu.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
Likewise.
Please don't be so formal.
While you're here,
formalities are not needed.
All that matters is to know
how to drink
and eat.
Yes, let's drink and eat.
Very candid indeed!
Sir.
It's my first time meeting you
and all the gentlemen here.
I'll drink to your health.
Get him some wine.
-Get him the wine.
-I wish we had met earlier.
Here.
Prince Yu is very straightforward.
Sir, I wish we had met earlier.
Queen Dowager thinks
very highly of you.
I finally met you.
But it turned out
you're very friendly and welcoming.
Well said, Prince Yu.
Mr. Lao Ai is very friendly.
He is kind to everyone, right?
Right!
Gentlemen,
I was told that Mr. Lao Ai
will soon be titled a duke.
We
shall have a drink with Mr. Lao Ai.
Take it as an early celebration.
Come.
Very well.
Early congratulations
to Mr. Lao Ai!
Once I become a duke,
I'll invite all of you
to a drink once again.
Come, drink!
You people are having fun here.
Mr. Lao Ai.
Brother Zheng Huo.
(Zheng Huo)
Mr. Lao Ai,
(Steward of Qin's Prime Minister's Residence)
has your drinking capacity improved?
Are you drinking
at this premise as well?
Come, let's have a drink together.
Where should I sit?
Anywhere you wish.
Sit at the host's seat.
If the Prime Minister found out
you're having fun
by yourself here,
what would he think?
Fine.
I am sorry
for bothering your drinking party.
Sir.
Sir.
May I know your name?
Who's asking?
Who?
Were you talking to me?
How dare you ask for my name.
Who is this rude man?
Prime Minister's steward.
He never left his side.
He is just a retainer.
Why should we be scared of him?
He has the Prime Minister's backing,
but what about Mr. Lao Ai?
It's the Queen Dowager.
One!
Two!
One!
Two!
Are you really
going to let Lao Ai go?
Your Majesty, what do you think
I should do?
He is arrogant.
He has no respect for anyone.
He shows no respect
for the royal family.
I wish I could have his head.
I appreciate
Your Majesty's thought.
However...
the root of troubles for Qin...
is not the insignificant Lao Ai.
It's...
It's the abuse of power by
the Prime Minister.
Uncle, what do you mean?
You're intelligent,
can't you tell?
Ever since you succeeded to the throne,
the Prime Minister has arrogated power
to himself.
He oppressed the royal family
and removed his rivals.
He set Chengjiao up.
And now he bewitched Queen Dowager.
He even obstructs your administration.
With him seizing so much power,
will there be a future for Qin?
Lao Ai was merely
the Prime Minister's retainer.
He is despicable.
And now he is doing
whatever he pleases in Xianyang.
Your Majesty,
if you don't end this threat,
I fear that one day,
the royal family of great Qin
will be wiped out.
Uncle, what do you think I should do?
Renounce the Prime Minister.
Get rid of the outsider.
Qin
was built by the Ying family.
The Ying family...
Can rule it.
Uncle, have a seat.
Regarding what you told me,
I will think it through.
But as you know,
the Prime Minister has been serving Qin
for over a decade.
His influence reaches far.
I hope that you
could persuade the royal family
not to act recklessly
and risk their lives.
Do you
understand what I mean?
Now that the royal family's power
is diminished,
I am ashamed to face my ancestors now.
The royal family leads this nation.
I will never let them
be diminished to nothing.
I will not let Qin's momentum be halted.
I'm glad you see it that way.
Uncle.
One step at a time.
Only patience will get us to our goal.
Tomorrow the Prime Minister and I
will inspect the imperial reserve.
We'll inspect
the progress of canalling as well.
Will you come with us, Uncle?
I shall gladly go with Your Majesty.
After all, Lao Ai was once my man.
I can't let him cause any trouble.
Yes.
(Zheng Yi)
Prime Minister, there is another matter.
This afternoon,
a man came asking
to serve the Prime Minister.
He is skilled in martial arts.
However,
some of our guests recognized him
as one of the men who
had been serving Lord Xinling.
After Lord Xinling's passing,
he had been wandering around
the Guandong region.
He committed murders
and unspeakable crimes.
We can't accept a scoundrel like him.
Hence, we sent him away.
Good.
I was hoping that you could learn
some secrets from the Prime Minister.
But you failed.
I am willing to accept punishment.
(Wei People, Po)
Punishment won't change anything.
We were both ordered by our King
to come to Xianyang
in search of a way to save Wei.
How should we proceed?
Please give me your order.
Since we can't work on
the Prime Minister of Qin,
we must then shift our effort
onto Lao Ai.
Lao Ai?
Tomorrow, I want you to...
Qin has over a thousand warehouses
like this one here.
Godfather, you have made us
a nation of plenty.
I salute you.
It's all thanks to the efforts
of the late Kings.
I dare not see this
as my accomplishment.
Prime Minister.
There is plenty of food
in the warehouse.
It seems the imperial reserve is full.
If we don't start the campaign
to unify the land,
I am afraid these grains
will only rot in here for nothing.
People of the six states
are suffering from famine.
Saving people from suffering
is my duty.
Chief Palace Attendant,
please do stay in this luxurious mansion
more often in the future.
Otherwise, there will be no one
but us retainers.
Queen Dowager needs me.
It's my duty to serve her.
Her trust in you
is unmatched.
In the future,
I'll expand this mansion.
When the time comes, I will need you
to hire the best builders.
I'll make this the best mansion
in Xianyang.
I assure you,
you can count on me.
♪I remember the cold wind last night,
look at the world♪
♪It's boundless and vast♪
♪Each year is sad and very tumultuous♪
♪Military exercises at the plateaus,
horses drinking by the Yangtze River♪
♪Communicating the unification
of the country♪
♪Brandishing the safety of the world♪
♪The land was given to officials for
500 years, lives flourished and decayed♪
♪Ruined structures, sorrows, heroes'
tears, I must have great ambition♪
♪In the vast mountains and rivers,
the weather keeps changing♪
♪Bring peace to the world, build a new
universe, be like the sun and the moon♪
♪Armed for battle,
the soldiers are unstoppable♪
♪A land consumed by war,
the beginning of the king's law♪
♪Follow the footsteps of
our ancestors and martyrs♪
♪A great nation's
iron-willed representative♪
=Episode 35=
(Lord Weiyang of Qin, Ying Xi)
Lao Ai is so arrogant.
(Prime Minister of Qin, Lv Buwei)
If we spare him this time,
he'll be a big trouble.
To be honest,
I would want to kill him
right at this moment,
to vent your hatred towards him.
But currently,
the Coming of Age Ceremony of
His Majesty has yet to be carried out.
If I insist on punishing Lao Ai
and have a disagreement
with Queen Dowager,
it will cause political
instability instead.
I hope that
you could understand my concern,
Lord Weiyang.
I am the Minister of Imperial Affairs!
I am His Majesty's uncle!
Who is there to understand
such humiliation that happened to me?
All for the sake of the great Qin!
See yourself out!
Lord Weiyang, it's time to calm down.
These are all?
I knew it.
I was wondering
what took him so long.
(Queen Dowager of Qin, Zhao Ji)
So he is kneeling
(Queen Dowager of Qin, Zhao Ji)
at the Prime Minister Residence.
Yes.
(Maid Zi)
I was told that
(Maid Zi)
the Prime Minister was furious.
It seems like I must deal with this.
Get the carriage ready.
Yes.
My lord, Queen Dowager is here.
Queen Dowager arrives!
Queen Dowager.
I am sorry for the delay.
Greetings, Queen Dowager.
Rise.
Yes, Queen Dowager.
Queen Dowager, please.
I've never
been to your residence.
It's a lovely place.
I am flattered.
Please.
This weapon...
It must have accompanied you for years.
I remember when Zheng and I
just arrived in Xianyang,
we met you for the first time.
You were riding a horse.
In your hand was this dagger-axe.
These old memories...
The memories remind me
of how you helped Zheng and I
arrive safely in Xianyang.
These are insignificant matters,
yet you never forget.
It must have been hard for you.
Please, come closer.
Yes.
Xiao Zi, come forth.
Xiao Zi.
From now on,
you must look after
Lord Weiyang for me.
Greetings, Lord Weiyang.
I hope to be of service to you.
Queen Dowager,
I dare not accept this.
I've sat here long enough.
It's time for me to leave.
Allow me to see you off.
Queen Dowager departs!
Tell me.
Why did she decide to
leave you here with me?
I have no idea.
When we left Ganquan Palace,
the Queen Dowager only told me that
Chief Palace Attendant was kneeling
at the Prime Minister Residence.
So this is why she came here.
I will devote my life
to serve you, sir.
Don't touch it.
Put it back.
Don't touch the goblet.
Other than this matter,
I'm here to discuss some serious matters
with Your Majesty.
Sit down.
Yes.
(Guest Minister of Qin, Li Si)
First of all,
since Chengjiao was brought to justice,
the ambition of Han, Zhao, Wei
has been halted.
(King of Qin, Zheng)
Now is the time to regain our strength.
Should we proceed with
our previous policies
or should we compose new policies
against the six states?
We need a decision as soon as possible.
Yes.
Secondly,
it's been eight years since
Zheng Guo started digging the canals.
They have spent significant resources
and manpower.
The slow progress will impede
our campaign.
Your Majesty, perhaps you could
visit the canal site
to inspect the progress
and raise the morale of the workers.
That should hasten the work progress.
Anything else?
Thirdly,
the Prime Minister inspects
the forging of our weaponry.
Our reserve of weapons
and equipment for the troops
should be inspected as well,
so that it paints a picture
of our military strength.
Well thought.
These three matters
are indeed our priority.
We need to make plans for them.
I shall explain each in detail
to you.
Let's discuss on the way.
How much longer do you plan to sulk?
I have been kneeling for the whole day.
And I got slapped.
(Chief Palace Attendant of Qin, Lao Ai)
My face
(Chief Palace Attendant of Qin, Lao Ai)
can only be slapped by you alone, Queen Dowager.
(Queen Dowager of Qin, Zhao Ji)
What do you want then?
Do you want to hit the Prime Minister?
I wouldn't dare.
I'm not capable of such a feat.
All right.
Stop drinking.
I won't let your humiliation
be in vain.
I'll be sure to make you a duke.
I want the same rank as Lv Buwei.
He is the Duke of Wenxin.
I need to be a duke of something too.
I can't be beneath him.
Fine.
More wine.
Sir.
Tell me.
How can I overcome this?
How?
How?
You seem upset.
Allow me to perform a dance
to lift your spirit, sir.
You don't understand me.
I never like dances and songs.
I learned this dance
from Queen Dowager.
She used to
perform the dance to our late King.
(Ying Xi's love for Zhao Ji
has buried in his thought for many years.)
(The honor of imperial family,
ethics and morality)
(caused his pain and suffering.)
My lord.
My lord.
My lord?
Lao Ai had a conflict
with Lord Weiyang,
but he came out unscathed.
This is worrying.
Si.
What is your thought on this?
In any case,
you must be cautious, Wan.
You serve the King.
His Majesty is your priority,
and he is the deciding factor.
Then you shall be safe.
(Censor of Qin, Wang Wan)
Si, Lao Ai is...
Do not pry on this matter.
Do not intervene.
Do not even mention it.
Si.
Do you want me to stay completely
out of the matter?
Some of us
need to have our hands clean.
If there is blood,
let it be on my hands.
Si, do you have a plan?
Yes.
But I can't tell you.
Please remember, Wan.
All that I do...
I do for His Majesty.
I do so for Qin
and the great unification.
Si.
I believe in you.
I will never doubt you.
I'm a merchant from Wei.
I've been hearing about
the Chief Palace Attendant,
so I came to visit him.
A merchant from Wei?
Yes.
A lot of people want to see the Chief.
They are all nobles and officers
of the states.
(Prince of Wei, Wei Hong)
A mere merchant has no chance to see him.
(Prince of Wei, Wei Hong)
Hold on.
Sir,
(Dong Qi)
you seem familiar.
It's an honor to meet both of you.
We met at Jinxian Pavilion
the other day.
Don't you remember?
(Xuan Si)
Jinxian Pavilion?
It was you who helped us out that day!
Right?
Yes, it was me.
Please, come in!
Please come inside.
This way.
Bring his luggage inside!
This way.
Come in.
We must stay away
from that Wei merchant.
I feel that he is up to no good.
Ying Xi.
You need not be worried.
He is there fawning over Lao Ai.
Wei is full of greedy scoundrels.
(Lord Weiwen of Qin, Ying Sheng)
Had His Majesty approached the royal family,
(Lord Weiwen of Qin, Ying Sheng)
and appointed them high-rank officers,
we wouldn't have been in this predicament.
Ying Sheng.
We are both lords.
I think His Majesty
still cares for us.
Lords?
It's not like every lord is made equal.
Lord Weiyang and Lord Weiwen combined
are still beneath Lv Buwei,
the Duke of Wenxin.
You're the Minister of Imperial Affairs
but your rank is beneath
the Prime Minister.
You mustn't put it that way.
For the time being,
maintaining order in Qin
is our top priority.
Any update from Lv Buwei?
I sent him a letter.
We're aborting the plan.
Why?
Sir.
Wine and food are ready.
Please enjoy your meal.
Ying Xi.
I don't remember having seen her here.
Queen Dowager sent her here.
Ying Xi.
It was because of the Queen Dowager
that you let Lao Ai go.
The mother and child had no one
to rely on.
It wasn't easy for them.
Only you would
think they had no one to rely on.
Ying Xi!
I am your closest brother.
I know you all too well.
You've had many wives
over the years
and you liked none of them.
Why is that so?
That's because
you care too much for other woman.
Ying Xi,
you must not bring shame
to the royal family.
Enough.
Let it go, Ying Xi.
Lao Ai is enjoying this mess.
You cannot be caught up in it.
General Fan.
Why the sudden invite
to this drink?
(General of Qin, Fan Wuji)
We hadn't met in days,
(General of Qin, Fan Wuji)
so I thought we can catch up,
and to say goodbye to you.
Where are you going?
Prime Minister has planned for
a campaign against Wei.
He ordered me to lead the troops
in Sanchuan Commandery.
A campaign against Wei now?
It's an attack on Yuan City and Puyang.
That's all I was told.
At first,
I was hoping to catch the assassin
who tried to kill the Prime Minister.
But it seems like I won't
have time for that.
Do you have any clues?
I do suspect someone.
Who is it?
Ying Yu.
Why him?
Ever since Prime Minister's
assassination happened,
he hasn't shown up.
He hasn't come home for days.
I bet he went hiding.
He might even have left Xianyang.
Prince Yu?
What was his reason
to kill Prime Minister?
Prince Yu and Chengjiao
have always been close.
They are brothers in the royal family.
Maybe because of Chengjiao's punishment,
he held a grudge against
the Prime Minister.
That makes sense.
But I think
Prince Yu isn't the culprit.
Why?
Although I've only met him twice,
he didn't strike me as someone reckless.
I even doubt
he had the guts to pull it off.
If he wanted the Prime Minister dead,
he would have planned for
the follow-up preparation.
Why would he be careless enough
to draw suspicion?
I've considered that aspect as well.
Forget it, I'll be leaving anyway.
I told you this
because of your scrutiny.
Give it some thoughts
whenever you have time.
My scrutiny?
You are just the same,
General Fan.
By the order of the Prime Minister,
you instigated Chengjiao.
Even I thought it was real.
I thought you're a traitor.
I am not a fool.
In great Qin,
we need the Prime Minister
for too many things.
Yes, we do need him.
What about Lao Ai?
People think he is
the rising star of Xianyang.
A rising star of nothing!
He is an attendant
fawning over Queen Dowager!
He won't amount to anything great.
We can't foresee the future.
Come.
We'll see.
(Madam of Qin, Li Qiu)
(The price to unify the land)
(is too much.)
(The thought of it)
(makes the King of Qin)
(feel intense unease)
(and renders him
unable to sleep at night.)
Is something bothering you,
Your Majesty?
Life and death.
The war is raging on.
Corpses are piling up.
To end wars
and unify states,
millions of lives
will be sacrificed.
Only then will we achieve peace.
What gave you such thought?
I've been having dreams.
Bodies are all over the land.
Your Majesty, you're overwhelmed
by your own goal.
I wish I could
unite states in the blink of an eye.
That is no simple feat to accomplish.
Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
had never achieved it themselves.
Can I do it?
I don't know.
All I know is that
you are the King of Qin.
You are the King that stands above all.
If you couldn't do it,
would there be anyone else can do it?
But this time of turmoil
must be reborn by bloodshed.
To end the chaos,
countless lives
will die for the cause.
Countless families will suffer
the pain of loss.
How can I atone for their death?
How can I atone for
the families' losses?
The wind will cease.
The rain will stop too.
(Guest Minister of Qin, Li Si's Residence)
Sir.
Are you letting me go?
The whole Xianyang is still
hunting for the assassin.
(Ying Yu)
If I want you to keep it a secret,
what will be your price?
Very wise of you.
It seems I'm still useful to you.
You are destined for greatness.
Not to mention you share
the family name of the King.
Please enlighten me.
I need you to approach someone
and be my spy.
Who?
Lao Ai.
The attendant serving Queen Dowager?
Indeed.
His retainer once tried to take my life.
I need you to approach him
and find out why.
But you have other men
who are more suitable for the job.
Why me?
You are from the royal family.
It's easy for you
to earn Lao Ai's trust.
My men don't share this advantage.
They can't get close to him.
They can't find an answer from him.
Sir.
What if I found out secrets about you?
Secrets about me?
You'll never find such a thing.
As for Lao Ai...
He is favored by Queen Dowager.
He might be made a duke soon.
Siding with him
will surely benefit your career.
When your job is done,
you will get rewarded accordingly.
Now tell me,
will you take the job?
Your wish is my command.
(Daliang, Capital of Wei)
Your Majesty, the gift Wei Hong prepared
for Lao Ai
(Lord Longyang of Wei)
has been sent
(King Jingmin of Wei, Zeng)
to Xianyang in secrecy.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Why are you in panic?
(Official of Wei, Wei Zhan)
Your Majesty, Lord Longyang,
there is news.
Fan Wuji
is training troops at
Sanchuan Commandery.
He might be planning an attack
on Yuan City and Puyang.
But...
What do we do now?
What do we do now?
I think
we should deploy our forces
to the border against Qin.
Send out my order!
I want the Grand Commandant here now!
Yes.
I have had a feeling that
Qin would take revenge on us.
But it happened too fast.
Your Majesty, calm down.
Your Majesty.
Battling the Qin army head-on
is not a good plan.
Right now,
if Wei Hong manages to
establish a connection with Lao Ai,
Queen Dowager's decision
can be swayed.
Perhaps with that, the battle
can be avoided.
Yes!
We should avoid the battle if we can.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I don't have much left anyway!
You.
Send out another secret letter.
Urge Wei Hong to hasten his pace!
I can send him more money
if he needs it!
Yes, Your Majesty.
(Xianyang, Capital of Qin)
Cheers.
Great wine!
This is my first time in Xianyang.
It's an honor to have met you.
I look forward
to your guidance in the future.
I'll be sure to compensate
for all the help.
You're a smart one.
What was the saying again?
Those who know the situation
are the best of men.
Yes, greater men.
All of you here are the greater men.
Cheers!
-Let's drink.
-Cheers.
Sir.
(Zhao Jie)
I brought you a friend of mine.
One of the royal family members,
Prince Yu.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
Likewise.
Please don't be so formal.
While you're here,
formalities are not needed.
All that matters is to know
how to drink
and eat.
Yes, let's drink and eat.
Very candid indeed!
Sir.
It's my first time meeting you
and all the gentlemen here.
I'll drink to your health.
Get him some wine.
-Get him the wine.
-I wish we had met earlier.
Here.
Prince Yu is very straightforward.
Sir, I wish we had met earlier.
Queen Dowager thinks
very highly of you.
I finally met you.
But it turned out
you're very friendly and welcoming.
Well said, Prince Yu.
Mr. Lao Ai is very friendly.
He is kind to everyone, right?
Right!
Gentlemen,
I was told that Mr. Lao Ai
will soon be titled a duke.
We
shall have a drink with Mr. Lao Ai.
Take it as an early celebration.
Come.
Very well.
Early congratulations
to Mr. Lao Ai!
Once I become a duke,
I'll invite all of you
to a drink once again.
Come, drink!
You people are having fun here.
Mr. Lao Ai.
Brother Zheng Huo.
(Zheng Huo)
Mr. Lao Ai,
(Steward of Qin's Prime Minister's Residence)
has your drinking capacity improved?
Are you drinking
at this premise as well?
Come, let's have a drink together.
Where should I sit?
Anywhere you wish.
Sit at the host's seat.
If the Prime Minister found out
you're having fun
by yourself here,
what would he think?
Fine.
I am sorry
for bothering your drinking party.
Sir.
Sir.
May I know your name?
Who's asking?
Who?
Were you talking to me?
How dare you ask for my name.
Who is this rude man?
Prime Minister's steward.
He never left his side.
He is just a retainer.
Why should we be scared of him?
He has the Prime Minister's backing,
but what about Mr. Lao Ai?
It's the Queen Dowager.
One!
Two!
One!
Two!
Are you really
going to let Lao Ai go?
Your Majesty, what do you think
I should do?
He is arrogant.
He has no respect for anyone.
He shows no respect
for the royal family.
I wish I could have his head.
I appreciate
Your Majesty's thought.
However...
the root of troubles for Qin...
is not the insignificant Lao Ai.
It's...
It's the abuse of power by
the Prime Minister.
Uncle, what do you mean?
You're intelligent,
can't you tell?
Ever since you succeeded to the throne,
the Prime Minister has arrogated power
to himself.
He oppressed the royal family
and removed his rivals.
He set Chengjiao up.
And now he bewitched Queen Dowager.
He even obstructs your administration.
With him seizing so much power,
will there be a future for Qin?
Lao Ai was merely
the Prime Minister's retainer.
He is despicable.
And now he is doing
whatever he pleases in Xianyang.
Your Majesty,
if you don't end this threat,
I fear that one day,
the royal family of great Qin
will be wiped out.
Uncle, what do you think I should do?
Renounce the Prime Minister.
Get rid of the outsider.
Qin
was built by the Ying family.
The Ying family...
Can rule it.
Uncle, have a seat.
Regarding what you told me,
I will think it through.
But as you know,
the Prime Minister has been serving Qin
for over a decade.
His influence reaches far.
I hope that you
could persuade the royal family
not to act recklessly
and risk their lives.
Do you
understand what I mean?
Now that the royal family's power
is diminished,
I am ashamed to face my ancestors now.
The royal family leads this nation.
I will never let them
be diminished to nothing.
I will not let Qin's momentum be halted.
I'm glad you see it that way.
Uncle.
One step at a time.
Only patience will get us to our goal.
Tomorrow the Prime Minister and I
will inspect the imperial reserve.
We'll inspect
the progress of canalling as well.
Will you come with us, Uncle?
I shall gladly go with Your Majesty.
After all, Lao Ai was once my man.
I can't let him cause any trouble.
Yes.
(Zheng Yi)
Prime Minister, there is another matter.
This afternoon,
a man came asking
to serve the Prime Minister.
He is skilled in martial arts.
However,
some of our guests recognized him
as one of the men who
had been serving Lord Xinling.
After Lord Xinling's passing,
he had been wandering around
the Guandong region.
He committed murders
and unspeakable crimes.
We can't accept a scoundrel like him.
Hence, we sent him away.
Good.
I was hoping that you could learn
some secrets from the Prime Minister.
But you failed.
I am willing to accept punishment.
(Wei People, Po)
Punishment won't change anything.
We were both ordered by our King
to come to Xianyang
in search of a way to save Wei.
How should we proceed?
Please give me your order.
Since we can't work on
the Prime Minister of Qin,
we must then shift our effort
onto Lao Ai.
Lao Ai?
Tomorrow, I want you to...
Qin has over a thousand warehouses
like this one here.
Godfather, you have made us
a nation of plenty.
I salute you.
It's all thanks to the efforts
of the late Kings.
I dare not see this
as my accomplishment.
Prime Minister.
There is plenty of food
in the warehouse.
It seems the imperial reserve is full.
If we don't start the campaign
to unify the land,
I am afraid these grains
will only rot in here for nothing.
People of the six states
are suffering from famine.
Saving people from suffering
is my duty.
Chief Palace Attendant,
please do stay in this luxurious mansion
more often in the future.
Otherwise, there will be no one
but us retainers.
Queen Dowager needs me.
It's my duty to serve her.
Her trust in you
is unmatched.
In the future,
I'll expand this mansion.
When the time comes, I will need you
to hire the best builders.
I'll make this the best mansion
in Xianyang.
I assure you,
you can count on me.
♪I remember the cold wind last night,
look at the world♪
♪It's boundless and vast♪
♪Each year is sad and very tumultuous♪
♪Military exercises at the plateaus,
horses drinking by the Yangtze River♪
♪Communicating the unification
of the country♪
♪Brandishing the safety of the world♪
♪The land was given to officials for
500 years, lives flourished and decayed♪
♪Ruined structures, sorrows, heroes'
tears, I must have great ambition♪
♪In the vast mountains and rivers,
the weather keeps changing♪
♪Bring peace to the world, build a new
universe, be like the sun and the moon♪
♪Armed for battle,
the soldiers are unstoppable♪
♪A land consumed by war,
the beginning of the king's law♪
♪Follow the footsteps of
our ancestors and martyrs♪
♪A great nation's
iron-willed representative♪