Qin Dynasty Epic (2020): Season 1, Episode 37 - Episode #1.37 - full transcript
=Qin Dynasty Epic=
=Episode 37=
(Queen Dowager of Qin, Zhao Ji)
(Official of Wei, Wei Zhan)
This is my daughter, Wei Yan.
Come on, greet Queen Dowager of Qin.
(Daughter of Wei's Envoy, Wei Yan)
I, Wei Yan, daughter of Wei's envoy,
greet Queen Dowager of Qin.
Is this your first time in Xianyang?
Yes, it is.
Back home, she always hears people say
that the palaces in Xianyang stand tall
in great numbers
and are very elegant.
She insisted on coming to take a look.
After coming here,
how is this place compared to Daliang,
Wei's capital?
Xianyang is majestic.
It shows how a great nation should be.
Daliang can't compare to it.
She's so good with words.
I came upon my King's instructions
to show our sincerity,
and seal the alliance.
Miss, you don't need to stay here.
Go and enjoy yourself.
Thank you, Queen Dowager.
My daughter is undisciplined and naughty.
Forgive her, Queen Dowager.
Thank you for saving me earlier.
Miss. Wei, you're not hurt, right?
That's good.
(Qin's Duke of Changxin, Lao Ai)
What can I do for you?
I want to make a toast to you
to show my gratitude.
All right.
Come, serve the wine.
(Ying Yu)
Please.
(Ying Yu)
What you're wearing on your head
is from the South Sea?
You know this pearl?
That pearl was from
a hundred-year-old clam.
People say that a dragon guards it.
It's hard for fishermen to catch it.
Why would a dragon guard it?
It's just hearsay.
Perhaps it just wants to eat it.
Humans and fishes can't come near it.
Sir, you're so mighty.
You must be a general or a warrior.
Since you know this pearl,
you must be from the imperial family
or the descendant of nobles.
I'm not any of those.
It's just that a few years ago,
I accompanied the Prime Minister
when he traveled to various states,
so I've heard of it.
If you like it,
I'm willing to give it to you.
I can't accept it.
Miss. Wei, take it back.
If you don't mind it,
please accept it.
Miss, this pearl is too precious.
Please take it back.
When a girl sees someone she likes,
how can she not be happy?
But this pearl can't compare
to my heart.
What did you say?
Come here.
Miss, please say it again.
It's fine.
What did you say?
What does it mean?
Why are you laughing?
What does it mean?
Miss, tell me.
What's the matter?
Why are you laughing so happily?
Queen Dowager.
Queen Dowager.
We were talking about poems.
Poems?
You know so much, Duke of Changxin.
Queen Dowager, stop teasing me.
I won't disturb you.
Go on.
I'll see you out
Stay with our guest.
Yes.
Prime Minister, Mr. Wang Wan is here.
(Zheng Yi)
Greetings, Prime Minister.
Censor, there's no need for courtesy.
(Censor of Qin, Wang Wan)
Prime Minister,
just call me Wang Wan.
(Prime Minister of Qin, Lv Buwei)
Many officials were my former followers.
You make me worry the least.
Prime Minister.
I'm not that talented or educated.
I can only assist you
in trivial state matters.
I can't compare to Guest Minister, Li Si
or Duke of Changxin, Lao Ai.
Li Si.
He's proud and insolent
because of his talent,
and anxious to achieve quick success.
He criticized national policies many times.
Because he
is loyal to Qin and His Majesty,
I've endured him.
You're so magnanimous, Prime Minister.
I admire you.
It's just...
It's just that with regard to Lao Ai,
you shouldn't be too lax on him.
Lao Ai held a banquet
to celebrate his promotion yesterday,
many officials gave gifts to him.
Even Queen Dowager attended.
And envoys from various states
took the trouble to come
and congratulate him.
However, I think
that the various states
have ulterior motives.
Which states sent their envoys?
Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Wei,
five states.
A couple of days ago,
Wei's envoy even came
to my residence to give gifts.
Wei
has two minds.
They're so despicable.
Write an imperial edict then.
Let Fan Wuji battle with Wei.
Yes.
After returning to your state,
please send my regards to your King.
Don't worry, my lord.
You must be able to tell
that in Xianyang,
Queen Dowager and Duke of Changxin
are very powerful.
Not everything is up to Prime Minister.
You must continue having contact
with Duke of Changxin.
Keep giving him gifts.
Thank you for your reminder, my lord.
Qin's army is at our border.
Please talk
to Duke of Changxin about it.
Don't worry, sir.
I'll surely do my best.
Please ask your daughter to come.
I would like to talk to her.
(Xianyang)
Thank you for seeing us off.
It's not a big deal.
Queen Dowager has something for you.
This is from Queen Dowager.
This is a jade from Kunshan.
It's very valuable.
Why did Queen Dowager
give me such an expensive gift?
Queen Dowager is using your sea pearl,
and she's very happy with it.
Queen Dowager is using that sea pearl?
That sea pearl, Queen Dowager...
Duke of Changxin
is really close to Queen Dowager.
You should forget
about Duke of Changxin.
I'm not fated with Qin,
so I'm leaving in a hurry.
You like Qin?
Qin has bullied Wei for a long time.
I don't like it.
My mother was from Wei.
I'm half-Wei.
After leaving Qin this time,
I'll never come to Qin again
in this lifetime.
If you come to Daliang someday,
I'll surely host you.
That is making me
look forward
to asking Queen Dowager
to send me to Wei.
Take care, my lord.
Take care.
Wei Yan.
Wei Yan.
Father.
That is...
It's from Queen Dowager.
How strange. It's a piece of jade.
Originally, making gold and jade
started in Qin.
But Qin has stopped making jade
and made weapons later on.
They use copper to make swords
and use jade to buy off
the states' imperial families.
What they want are cities, lands,
and citizens who can farm and fight.
Father.
I still don't understand.
Me neither.
Women from Chu and Qi
married King of Qin.
I brought you to Xianyang this time
with that intention as well.
But we didn't even get to meet him,
and we were sent off.
What? You want me to marry Qin's king?
Since we offended Queen Dowager,
we can't do that now.
If we insist on sending you
to the palace,
I'm afraid you might
suffer endlessly.
What kind of person is King of Qin?
He hasn't governed the state yet.
We're still unsure.
But based on the ways
of the past Kings of Qin,
I'm afraid he's also very fierce.
He won't go soft on the six states.
I hope Lao Ai
can really cause chaos in Qin's
imperial court.
If there's no chaos in Qin,
there will be no peace in other states.
(Puyang, Wei)
(Qin)
(General of Qin, Fan Wuji)
General.
The Wei army is holding on
and unwilling to surrender.
(General of Qin, Fan Wuji)
Attack!
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Fan Wuji
has already led troops and taken
Wei's Yuancheng and Puyang.
(Guest Minister of Qin, Li Si)
If my guess is right,
King of Wei will send someone
for peace talks soon.
How can we easily withdraw the troops?
(Chief Guard of Qin, Meng Tian)
Let's ask for seven or eight cities first.
I'm sure Wei's king wouldn't dare
to refuse.
(King of Qin, Zheng)
What good
would a few cities bring for Qin?
If we can make arrangements
for unification in the future,
I am willing to do that.
What kind of arrangements
do you have in mind?
Wei is located
in the central plain region.
We must pass through Wei
to eliminate the other states.
If Wei asks for peace,
it must agree to two conditions.
First.
Permit Qin to go to Wei to build roads.
Second.
Their citizens can go to Qin freely.
Wei cannot stop them.
Your Majesty is brilliant.
With roads going deep into Wei,
Qin's elite warriors
can drive into the Central Plains,
eliminate Yan and Zhao from the north,
and attack Chu from the south.
Then unification will be
within our grasp.
I think we should add
one more condition.
Please tell me.
Make Wei citizens study Qin's characters.
What do you mean?
I think
that in unifying the states,
not only the lands or cities
or citizens are unified,
the culture will be unified too.
All the citizens should recite
"Song of the Reeds",
observe Qin's etiquette
and write Qin's characters.
That's how the foundation of unification
would be solid,
and how there will be peace
for generations to come.
Qin and Wei are neighboring states.
The best way to spread
the writing of Qin's characters
is from Wei.
What you said
enlightened me.
(Royal Palace, Daliang, Wei)
Your Majesty.
Their only option now
is to seek peace from Qin.
Indeed.
Lord Longyang is right.
It makes sense.
(King Jingmin of Wei, Zeng)
(Zhangtai Palace, Xianyang, Qin)
Wei's Envoy requests an audience!
Greetings, King of Qin,
Queen Dowager of Qin,
Prime Minister of Qin.
You just left Qin a few days ago.
Why are you back again today?
As instructed by my King,
I came to give this Letter of Credence.
Wei is willing
to be allied with Qin forever.
Please withdraw your troops.
Three cities?
King of Wei is so generous.
Wei's population and cities are few.
The three cities
express my King's sincerity
for the alliance.
Please understand.
Give ten cities.
If the King of Wei gives ten cities,
I'll believe
the King of Wei's sincerity.
Ten cities?
You... You think that's too many?
Ten cities are too many indeed.
I'm afraid my King won't agree.
In that case,
why did you come?
Go home.
Prime Minister, please be lenient.
Wait.
If Wei doesn't want to give us the land,
I have a few conditions.
If you agree,
Qin will withdraw our troops.
Thank you, King of Qin.
I wonder what your conditions are.
First.
Allow Qin to build roads
and go into Wei.
Second.
From now on,
Wei must use Qin's characters.
Third.
Wei must use Qin's method
of measurement.
Fourth.
Wei's citizens can come into Qin freely.
Wei can't stop them.
Your conditions
are unprecedented.
Each of them concerns the foundation
of our state.
Forgive me for not being able
to make a decision on this.
Go back and think about it then.
Is it better to give us ten cities
or agree to my conditions?
I will profit greatly?
What kind of business is it?
(Prince of Wei, Wei Hong)
Wei's Envoy came for peace talks.
Do you know that, sir?
That's a major military
and state matter.
Prime Minister always handles those.
What does it have to do with me?
You're different now.
Qin's Prime Minister is a duke.
You're a duke too.
Besides, you have
the support of Queen Dowager.
The weight of your words
is definitely at par
with that of Prime Minister.
However,
Qin's Prime Minister has 100,000 fiefs,
yet you don't have any.
That's unfair.
It is unfair.
But I've just been given the title
of duke,
there's no reason to give me fiefs.
The opportunity is right
in front of you.
You mean Wei's peace talks?
Towards you,
I don't dare to hide anything.
Zhan, Wei's Envoy,
is my friend.
I met him at the pavilion last night.
He told me about the difficulties
he has encountered this time.
Qin's King and Prime Minister
proposed harsh conditions.
I think
he doesn't want to agree
to Qin's King
and Prime Minister's conditions,
but he wants peace.
I'm afraid you're the only one
who can accomplish that.
However,
why would I help Wei seek peace?
I'm Qin's duke.
This is the big business
I've mentioned.
Since Qin's Prime Minister started
managing state affairs,
Wei never stops sending gifts to him.
But Qin's Prime Minister
is becoming greedier.
Wei
has long intended to find
another backer.
So I kept thinking about it
and decided to accept this big business.
You get the big portion.
I'll just have a small one,
and I'll be satisfied.
You're a merchant indeed.
You're even more clever
than Prime Minister.
Please sit down.
All conditions
His Majesty proposed
are vital to Wei.
Do you think the King of Wei
will agree?
I think
the King of Wei will surely disagree.
To Qin,
these arrangements
are too early to make.
It's better to get some cities.
Wei
seeks peace
and wants us to withdraw troops.
Who should I listen to?
Prime Minister and Zheng'er
have different opinions.
No one wants to back down.
I have a way to satisfy them both.
You have a suggestion?
Tell me.
Wei is willing to give five cities
to be Qin's Lord Changxin's fiefs.
We will use Qin's method of measurement
to seek peace.
All right.
King of Wei is sincere indeed.
Let's establish an alliance.
Queen Dowager.
I have my reasons for this decision.
There's no need to discuss this further.
Censor, read the imperial edict.
Duke of Changxin, Lao Ai
has provided good advice.
The five cities that were given by Wei
will be given to Duke of Changxin.
Taiyuan County in Hexi
will also be Duke of Changxin's fief.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
All right.
I'm not feeling well today.
I'll get going.
Duke of Changxin, Lao Ai,
make other decisions on my behalf.
Duke of Changxin.
Come here.
Yes.
Sit by the steps beneath my chair.
If necessary,
make the decision for me.
I
should remain standing.
You dare to disobey my orders?
I don't.
If the Duke of Wenxin can sit,
you can sit too.
Yes.
(238 BC, Spring)
(Lord Yangquan of Qin, Mi Chen)
Xiong Wan, King of Chu,
passed away?
He...
He was only 50.
Yes.
(Queen Dowager Huayang of Qin)
Back then,
Xiong Wan was held hostage in Xianyang,
and was friends with us.
I didn't expect him to die so soon.
Yes, Huayang.
We're both old.
Our old friends are not around anymore.
At this time, Lao Ai proposed
for you to go to Chu.
(Qi, Chu, Han)
Why was he asking you go to Chu?
Don't you think that's strange?
I'm willing to go.
(Zhao, Yan, Qi, Chu)
But I'm only a few months away
from my Coming of Age Ceremony
and governance.
There are so many things in Xianyang
for you to do,
yet you're going to Chu now.
Do you think that's appropriate?
Your Majesty,
it's not appropriate indeed.
But Lao Ai's suggestion
must be what Queen Dowager wants.
If you don't agree,
it might damage your relationship.
(Chu, Han)
That's why
I'm willing to go.
I'm ordering you to come back at once.
Yes.
Remember.
This is confidential.
Don't expose your identities.
Make it look like someone from Chu
did it.
Yes.
(Lao Ai suspects that palace maid Ye)
(already told their secret to Li Si
before she died,)
(Boundary of Qin and Chu)
(so he sent Li Si as an envoy,)
(and sent people to kill him
along the way.)
Sir, it's done.
Good.
Guest Minister.
We're already in Chu.
How about riding on the same carriage,
so we can chat?
It would be impolite to refuse.
After you.
After leaving Chu for over a decade,
this is my first time to be back.
Even if I was from Chu as well,
I went with my sister to Qin
when I was very young.
I grew up in Qin,
and served Qin.
I've completely become
Qin's citizen now.
The Mi clan
accomplished great things for Qin.
Without Queen Dowager Xuan
and Duke of Rang,
there wouldn't be a great king
like King Zhaoxiang.
Without Queen Dowager Huayang and you,
it would have been hard
for the late King to assume his throne,
and His Majesty wouldn't be
in his position now.
I'm humbled.
I once committed a big mistake too.
If His Majesty wasn't benevolent,
the Mi clan wouldn't be in Qin anymore.
Timing
decides our fate.
Qin has been strengthening itself
for over a century.
We are just waiting
for a king who can lead it
to unify the states.
His Majesty
is the chosen king
who will fulfill this destiny.
You're so confident about this?
I didn't believe it before.
Now,
I do.
Your Majesty.
Queen Dowager Huayang would like
to see you.
Let her in.
Yes.
Greetings, Grandmother.
Your Majesty.
I have urgent matters to report to you.
Please tell me.
In my divination just now,
danger is foretold
in Lord Yangquan's trip
to Chu.
Guest Minister, Li Si
might not be able to survive.
Did the divination indicate
where the danger will come from?
There were no indications.
(Ying, Capital of Chu)
(Lord Lingyang of Chu, Li Yuan)
I'm Lord Lingyang, Li Yuan.
(Lord Lingyang of Chu, Li Yuan)
I'm here to welcome you.
After you.
Meng Tian!
Yes!
Come in!
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Come.
Yes.
(Chancellor of Chu,
Lord Chunshen, Huang Xie)
Li Yuan.
Tomorrow
is the late King's funeral.
How are the preparations going?
Chancellor.
Everything is ready.
Tomorrow, the officials and guests
will enter from the Ji Gate in front
of the palace.
Your horse carriage will also go through
the Ji Gate, Chancellor.
I need to handle
some trivial matters.
Excuse me.
I'll go to the restroom.
Lord Chunshen, you must believe me.
Li Yuan already recruited a lot
of followers.
Lately, in Shouchun,
many martial artists came again.
They don't look like good people.
Lord Chunshen.
(Lord Chunshen of Chu's Follower,
Zhu Guang)
(Xianyang, Capital of Qin)
Prime Minister.
(Chief Minister of Qin, Yao Gu)
Now,
Lao Ai
is a duke, leading the state,
and boasting thousands of followers.
The six states
are also competing to get close to him.
His popularity
isn't less than yours back then.
Someday,
I'm afraid...
Prime Minister.
I have an idea.
I wonder if you...
Go ahead and tell me.
All right.
I'll be direct then.
Lao Ai's success
is all because of Queen Dowager.
If
Queen Dowager is not a regent anymore,
Lao Ai
wouldn't be a problem as well.
You want
His Majesty to do the Coming of Age
Ceremony and govern the state.
Prime Minister.
After what happened with Chengjiao,
Queen Dowager used the chaotic situation
as an excuse to delay
His Majesty's Coming of Age Ceremony
by two years.
Many officials aren't happy about it.
Now, two years is almost up.
If His Majesty's Coming of Age Ceremony
is delayed again,
I'm afraid
the entire nation will be in an uproar.
Prime Minister.
Prime Minister,
you're overcautious.
Even if His Majesty governs,
there are many capable officials
who will assist him.
Nothing will probably go wrong.
Besides,
His Majesty is becoming
more and more mature.
He's been studying your
"Lv's Commentaries of History"
so intently.
There were even a few times
when he asked me some questions
about it.
Really?
Prime Minister.
What kind of person is His Majesty?
I can't be sure about others,
but I've served four Kings of Qin.
I know that His Majesty's talent
and breadth of mind
way exceed King Zhaoxiang.
Besides, I've been an envoy many times.
I've traveled to various states.
If I compare the Kings of the six states
to ours,
it's like
fireflies compete with the light
from the sun or moon.
That's why
your cautiousness
is unmerited.
Prime Minister.
If His Majesty governs,
him, you, the officials,
as well as the citizens will be united.
Our nation will thrive.
You and His Majesty's names
will surely go down in history.
If he doesn't govern,
Queen Dowager will continue
to reign supreme in Qin.
Then Lao Ai will continue
to use her power
to run amuck, bring chaos to Qin
and weaken it.
When that time comes,
officials like us
will be
ashamed to face the people of Qin
while we're living,
and won't be able to face the late King
after we die.
After His Majesty performs the Coming
of Age Ceremony and governs,
if he can manage the nation based on
"Lv's Commentaries of History",
Qin will stand the test of time
for thousands of years to come.
You're Qin's protector indeed,
Prime Minister.
Why do you think
His Majesty didn't object
to giving Lao Ai a title and fiefs?
His Majesty isn't governing yet.
It's no use even if he objects
in the imperial court.
Besides,
He is very filial to his mother.
He must be afraid that objecting
to her wishes
would affect their relationship.
Come on.
Sir.
Prime Minister.
Here.
Prime Minister, after you.
(Zhangtai)
Greetings, Your Majesty.
There's no need for courtesy,
Chief Minister.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
How did it go?
♪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 37=
(Queen Dowager of Qin, Zhao Ji)
(Official of Wei, Wei Zhan)
This is my daughter, Wei Yan.
Come on, greet Queen Dowager of Qin.
(Daughter of Wei's Envoy, Wei Yan)
I, Wei Yan, daughter of Wei's envoy,
greet Queen Dowager of Qin.
Is this your first time in Xianyang?
Yes, it is.
Back home, she always hears people say
that the palaces in Xianyang stand tall
in great numbers
and are very elegant.
She insisted on coming to take a look.
After coming here,
how is this place compared to Daliang,
Wei's capital?
Xianyang is majestic.
It shows how a great nation should be.
Daliang can't compare to it.
She's so good with words.
I came upon my King's instructions
to show our sincerity,
and seal the alliance.
Miss, you don't need to stay here.
Go and enjoy yourself.
Thank you, Queen Dowager.
My daughter is undisciplined and naughty.
Forgive her, Queen Dowager.
Thank you for saving me earlier.
Miss. Wei, you're not hurt, right?
That's good.
(Qin's Duke of Changxin, Lao Ai)
What can I do for you?
I want to make a toast to you
to show my gratitude.
All right.
Come, serve the wine.
(Ying Yu)
Please.
(Ying Yu)
What you're wearing on your head
is from the South Sea?
You know this pearl?
That pearl was from
a hundred-year-old clam.
People say that a dragon guards it.
It's hard for fishermen to catch it.
Why would a dragon guard it?
It's just hearsay.
Perhaps it just wants to eat it.
Humans and fishes can't come near it.
Sir, you're so mighty.
You must be a general or a warrior.
Since you know this pearl,
you must be from the imperial family
or the descendant of nobles.
I'm not any of those.
It's just that a few years ago,
I accompanied the Prime Minister
when he traveled to various states,
so I've heard of it.
If you like it,
I'm willing to give it to you.
I can't accept it.
Miss. Wei, take it back.
If you don't mind it,
please accept it.
Miss, this pearl is too precious.
Please take it back.
When a girl sees someone she likes,
how can she not be happy?
But this pearl can't compare
to my heart.
What did you say?
Come here.
Miss, please say it again.
It's fine.
What did you say?
What does it mean?
Why are you laughing?
What does it mean?
Miss, tell me.
What's the matter?
Why are you laughing so happily?
Queen Dowager.
Queen Dowager.
We were talking about poems.
Poems?
You know so much, Duke of Changxin.
Queen Dowager, stop teasing me.
I won't disturb you.
Go on.
I'll see you out
Stay with our guest.
Yes.
Prime Minister, Mr. Wang Wan is here.
(Zheng Yi)
Greetings, Prime Minister.
Censor, there's no need for courtesy.
(Censor of Qin, Wang Wan)
Prime Minister,
just call me Wang Wan.
(Prime Minister of Qin, Lv Buwei)
Many officials were my former followers.
You make me worry the least.
Prime Minister.
I'm not that talented or educated.
I can only assist you
in trivial state matters.
I can't compare to Guest Minister, Li Si
or Duke of Changxin, Lao Ai.
Li Si.
He's proud and insolent
because of his talent,
and anxious to achieve quick success.
He criticized national policies many times.
Because he
is loyal to Qin and His Majesty,
I've endured him.
You're so magnanimous, Prime Minister.
I admire you.
It's just...
It's just that with regard to Lao Ai,
you shouldn't be too lax on him.
Lao Ai held a banquet
to celebrate his promotion yesterday,
many officials gave gifts to him.
Even Queen Dowager attended.
And envoys from various states
took the trouble to come
and congratulate him.
However, I think
that the various states
have ulterior motives.
Which states sent their envoys?
Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Wei,
five states.
A couple of days ago,
Wei's envoy even came
to my residence to give gifts.
Wei
has two minds.
They're so despicable.
Write an imperial edict then.
Let Fan Wuji battle with Wei.
Yes.
After returning to your state,
please send my regards to your King.
Don't worry, my lord.
You must be able to tell
that in Xianyang,
Queen Dowager and Duke of Changxin
are very powerful.
Not everything is up to Prime Minister.
You must continue having contact
with Duke of Changxin.
Keep giving him gifts.
Thank you for your reminder, my lord.
Qin's army is at our border.
Please talk
to Duke of Changxin about it.
Don't worry, sir.
I'll surely do my best.
Please ask your daughter to come.
I would like to talk to her.
(Xianyang)
Thank you for seeing us off.
It's not a big deal.
Queen Dowager has something for you.
This is from Queen Dowager.
This is a jade from Kunshan.
It's very valuable.
Why did Queen Dowager
give me such an expensive gift?
Queen Dowager is using your sea pearl,
and she's very happy with it.
Queen Dowager is using that sea pearl?
That sea pearl, Queen Dowager...
Duke of Changxin
is really close to Queen Dowager.
You should forget
about Duke of Changxin.
I'm not fated with Qin,
so I'm leaving in a hurry.
You like Qin?
Qin has bullied Wei for a long time.
I don't like it.
My mother was from Wei.
I'm half-Wei.
After leaving Qin this time,
I'll never come to Qin again
in this lifetime.
If you come to Daliang someday,
I'll surely host you.
That is making me
look forward
to asking Queen Dowager
to send me to Wei.
Take care, my lord.
Take care.
Wei Yan.
Wei Yan.
Father.
That is...
It's from Queen Dowager.
How strange. It's a piece of jade.
Originally, making gold and jade
started in Qin.
But Qin has stopped making jade
and made weapons later on.
They use copper to make swords
and use jade to buy off
the states' imperial families.
What they want are cities, lands,
and citizens who can farm and fight.
Father.
I still don't understand.
Me neither.
Women from Chu and Qi
married King of Qin.
I brought you to Xianyang this time
with that intention as well.
But we didn't even get to meet him,
and we were sent off.
What? You want me to marry Qin's king?
Since we offended Queen Dowager,
we can't do that now.
If we insist on sending you
to the palace,
I'm afraid you might
suffer endlessly.
What kind of person is King of Qin?
He hasn't governed the state yet.
We're still unsure.
But based on the ways
of the past Kings of Qin,
I'm afraid he's also very fierce.
He won't go soft on the six states.
I hope Lao Ai
can really cause chaos in Qin's
imperial court.
If there's no chaos in Qin,
there will be no peace in other states.
(Puyang, Wei)
(Qin)
(General of Qin, Fan Wuji)
General.
The Wei army is holding on
and unwilling to surrender.
(General of Qin, Fan Wuji)
Attack!
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Fan Wuji
has already led troops and taken
Wei's Yuancheng and Puyang.
(Guest Minister of Qin, Li Si)
If my guess is right,
King of Wei will send someone
for peace talks soon.
How can we easily withdraw the troops?
(Chief Guard of Qin, Meng Tian)
Let's ask for seven or eight cities first.
I'm sure Wei's king wouldn't dare
to refuse.
(King of Qin, Zheng)
What good
would a few cities bring for Qin?
If we can make arrangements
for unification in the future,
I am willing to do that.
What kind of arrangements
do you have in mind?
Wei is located
in the central plain region.
We must pass through Wei
to eliminate the other states.
If Wei asks for peace,
it must agree to two conditions.
First.
Permit Qin to go to Wei to build roads.
Second.
Their citizens can go to Qin freely.
Wei cannot stop them.
Your Majesty is brilliant.
With roads going deep into Wei,
Qin's elite warriors
can drive into the Central Plains,
eliminate Yan and Zhao from the north,
and attack Chu from the south.
Then unification will be
within our grasp.
I think we should add
one more condition.
Please tell me.
Make Wei citizens study Qin's characters.
What do you mean?
I think
that in unifying the states,
not only the lands or cities
or citizens are unified,
the culture will be unified too.
All the citizens should recite
"Song of the Reeds",
observe Qin's etiquette
and write Qin's characters.
That's how the foundation of unification
would be solid,
and how there will be peace
for generations to come.
Qin and Wei are neighboring states.
The best way to spread
the writing of Qin's characters
is from Wei.
What you said
enlightened me.
(Royal Palace, Daliang, Wei)
Your Majesty.
Their only option now
is to seek peace from Qin.
Indeed.
Lord Longyang is right.
It makes sense.
(King Jingmin of Wei, Zeng)
(Zhangtai Palace, Xianyang, Qin)
Wei's Envoy requests an audience!
Greetings, King of Qin,
Queen Dowager of Qin,
Prime Minister of Qin.
You just left Qin a few days ago.
Why are you back again today?
As instructed by my King,
I came to give this Letter of Credence.
Wei is willing
to be allied with Qin forever.
Please withdraw your troops.
Three cities?
King of Wei is so generous.
Wei's population and cities are few.
The three cities
express my King's sincerity
for the alliance.
Please understand.
Give ten cities.
If the King of Wei gives ten cities,
I'll believe
the King of Wei's sincerity.
Ten cities?
You... You think that's too many?
Ten cities are too many indeed.
I'm afraid my King won't agree.
In that case,
why did you come?
Go home.
Prime Minister, please be lenient.
Wait.
If Wei doesn't want to give us the land,
I have a few conditions.
If you agree,
Qin will withdraw our troops.
Thank you, King of Qin.
I wonder what your conditions are.
First.
Allow Qin to build roads
and go into Wei.
Second.
From now on,
Wei must use Qin's characters.
Third.
Wei must use Qin's method
of measurement.
Fourth.
Wei's citizens can come into Qin freely.
Wei can't stop them.
Your conditions
are unprecedented.
Each of them concerns the foundation
of our state.
Forgive me for not being able
to make a decision on this.
Go back and think about it then.
Is it better to give us ten cities
or agree to my conditions?
I will profit greatly?
What kind of business is it?
(Prince of Wei, Wei Hong)
Wei's Envoy came for peace talks.
Do you know that, sir?
That's a major military
and state matter.
Prime Minister always handles those.
What does it have to do with me?
You're different now.
Qin's Prime Minister is a duke.
You're a duke too.
Besides, you have
the support of Queen Dowager.
The weight of your words
is definitely at par
with that of Prime Minister.
However,
Qin's Prime Minister has 100,000 fiefs,
yet you don't have any.
That's unfair.
It is unfair.
But I've just been given the title
of duke,
there's no reason to give me fiefs.
The opportunity is right
in front of you.
You mean Wei's peace talks?
Towards you,
I don't dare to hide anything.
Zhan, Wei's Envoy,
is my friend.
I met him at the pavilion last night.
He told me about the difficulties
he has encountered this time.
Qin's King and Prime Minister
proposed harsh conditions.
I think
he doesn't want to agree
to Qin's King
and Prime Minister's conditions,
but he wants peace.
I'm afraid you're the only one
who can accomplish that.
However,
why would I help Wei seek peace?
I'm Qin's duke.
This is the big business
I've mentioned.
Since Qin's Prime Minister started
managing state affairs,
Wei never stops sending gifts to him.
But Qin's Prime Minister
is becoming greedier.
Wei
has long intended to find
another backer.
So I kept thinking about it
and decided to accept this big business.
You get the big portion.
I'll just have a small one,
and I'll be satisfied.
You're a merchant indeed.
You're even more clever
than Prime Minister.
Please sit down.
All conditions
His Majesty proposed
are vital to Wei.
Do you think the King of Wei
will agree?
I think
the King of Wei will surely disagree.
To Qin,
these arrangements
are too early to make.
It's better to get some cities.
Wei
seeks peace
and wants us to withdraw troops.
Who should I listen to?
Prime Minister and Zheng'er
have different opinions.
No one wants to back down.
I have a way to satisfy them both.
You have a suggestion?
Tell me.
Wei is willing to give five cities
to be Qin's Lord Changxin's fiefs.
We will use Qin's method of measurement
to seek peace.
All right.
King of Wei is sincere indeed.
Let's establish an alliance.
Queen Dowager.
I have my reasons for this decision.
There's no need to discuss this further.
Censor, read the imperial edict.
Duke of Changxin, Lao Ai
has provided good advice.
The five cities that were given by Wei
will be given to Duke of Changxin.
Taiyuan County in Hexi
will also be Duke of Changxin's fief.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
All right.
I'm not feeling well today.
I'll get going.
Duke of Changxin, Lao Ai,
make other decisions on my behalf.
Duke of Changxin.
Come here.
Yes.
Sit by the steps beneath my chair.
If necessary,
make the decision for me.
I
should remain standing.
You dare to disobey my orders?
I don't.
If the Duke of Wenxin can sit,
you can sit too.
Yes.
(238 BC, Spring)
(Lord Yangquan of Qin, Mi Chen)
Xiong Wan, King of Chu,
passed away?
He...
He was only 50.
Yes.
(Queen Dowager Huayang of Qin)
Back then,
Xiong Wan was held hostage in Xianyang,
and was friends with us.
I didn't expect him to die so soon.
Yes, Huayang.
We're both old.
Our old friends are not around anymore.
At this time, Lao Ai proposed
for you to go to Chu.
(Qi, Chu, Han)
Why was he asking you go to Chu?
Don't you think that's strange?
I'm willing to go.
(Zhao, Yan, Qi, Chu)
But I'm only a few months away
from my Coming of Age Ceremony
and governance.
There are so many things in Xianyang
for you to do,
yet you're going to Chu now.
Do you think that's appropriate?
Your Majesty,
it's not appropriate indeed.
But Lao Ai's suggestion
must be what Queen Dowager wants.
If you don't agree,
it might damage your relationship.
(Chu, Han)
That's why
I'm willing to go.
I'm ordering you to come back at once.
Yes.
Remember.
This is confidential.
Don't expose your identities.
Make it look like someone from Chu
did it.
Yes.
(Lao Ai suspects that palace maid Ye)
(already told their secret to Li Si
before she died,)
(Boundary of Qin and Chu)
(so he sent Li Si as an envoy,)
(and sent people to kill him
along the way.)
Sir, it's done.
Good.
Guest Minister.
We're already in Chu.
How about riding on the same carriage,
so we can chat?
It would be impolite to refuse.
After you.
After leaving Chu for over a decade,
this is my first time to be back.
Even if I was from Chu as well,
I went with my sister to Qin
when I was very young.
I grew up in Qin,
and served Qin.
I've completely become
Qin's citizen now.
The Mi clan
accomplished great things for Qin.
Without Queen Dowager Xuan
and Duke of Rang,
there wouldn't be a great king
like King Zhaoxiang.
Without Queen Dowager Huayang and you,
it would have been hard
for the late King to assume his throne,
and His Majesty wouldn't be
in his position now.
I'm humbled.
I once committed a big mistake too.
If His Majesty wasn't benevolent,
the Mi clan wouldn't be in Qin anymore.
Timing
decides our fate.
Qin has been strengthening itself
for over a century.
We are just waiting
for a king who can lead it
to unify the states.
His Majesty
is the chosen king
who will fulfill this destiny.
You're so confident about this?
I didn't believe it before.
Now,
I do.
Your Majesty.
Queen Dowager Huayang would like
to see you.
Let her in.
Yes.
Greetings, Grandmother.
Your Majesty.
I have urgent matters to report to you.
Please tell me.
In my divination just now,
danger is foretold
in Lord Yangquan's trip
to Chu.
Guest Minister, Li Si
might not be able to survive.
Did the divination indicate
where the danger will come from?
There were no indications.
(Ying, Capital of Chu)
(Lord Lingyang of Chu, Li Yuan)
I'm Lord Lingyang, Li Yuan.
(Lord Lingyang of Chu, Li Yuan)
I'm here to welcome you.
After you.
Meng Tian!
Yes!
Come in!
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Come.
Yes.
(Chancellor of Chu,
Lord Chunshen, Huang Xie)
Li Yuan.
Tomorrow
is the late King's funeral.
How are the preparations going?
Chancellor.
Everything is ready.
Tomorrow, the officials and guests
will enter from the Ji Gate in front
of the palace.
Your horse carriage will also go through
the Ji Gate, Chancellor.
I need to handle
some trivial matters.
Excuse me.
I'll go to the restroom.
Lord Chunshen, you must believe me.
Li Yuan already recruited a lot
of followers.
Lately, in Shouchun,
many martial artists came again.
They don't look like good people.
Lord Chunshen.
(Lord Chunshen of Chu's Follower,
Zhu Guang)
(Xianyang, Capital of Qin)
Prime Minister.
(Chief Minister of Qin, Yao Gu)
Now,
Lao Ai
is a duke, leading the state,
and boasting thousands of followers.
The six states
are also competing to get close to him.
His popularity
isn't less than yours back then.
Someday,
I'm afraid...
Prime Minister.
I have an idea.
I wonder if you...
Go ahead and tell me.
All right.
I'll be direct then.
Lao Ai's success
is all because of Queen Dowager.
If
Queen Dowager is not a regent anymore,
Lao Ai
wouldn't be a problem as well.
You want
His Majesty to do the Coming of Age
Ceremony and govern the state.
Prime Minister.
After what happened with Chengjiao,
Queen Dowager used the chaotic situation
as an excuse to delay
His Majesty's Coming of Age Ceremony
by two years.
Many officials aren't happy about it.
Now, two years is almost up.
If His Majesty's Coming of Age Ceremony
is delayed again,
I'm afraid
the entire nation will be in an uproar.
Prime Minister.
Prime Minister,
you're overcautious.
Even if His Majesty governs,
there are many capable officials
who will assist him.
Nothing will probably go wrong.
Besides,
His Majesty is becoming
more and more mature.
He's been studying your
"Lv's Commentaries of History"
so intently.
There were even a few times
when he asked me some questions
about it.
Really?
Prime Minister.
What kind of person is His Majesty?
I can't be sure about others,
but I've served four Kings of Qin.
I know that His Majesty's talent
and breadth of mind
way exceed King Zhaoxiang.
Besides, I've been an envoy many times.
I've traveled to various states.
If I compare the Kings of the six states
to ours,
it's like
fireflies compete with the light
from the sun or moon.
That's why
your cautiousness
is unmerited.
Prime Minister.
If His Majesty governs,
him, you, the officials,
as well as the citizens will be united.
Our nation will thrive.
You and His Majesty's names
will surely go down in history.
If he doesn't govern,
Queen Dowager will continue
to reign supreme in Qin.
Then Lao Ai will continue
to use her power
to run amuck, bring chaos to Qin
and weaken it.
When that time comes,
officials like us
will be
ashamed to face the people of Qin
while we're living,
and won't be able to face the late King
after we die.
After His Majesty performs the Coming
of Age Ceremony and governs,
if he can manage the nation based on
"Lv's Commentaries of History",
Qin will stand the test of time
for thousands of years to come.
You're Qin's protector indeed,
Prime Minister.
Why do you think
His Majesty didn't object
to giving Lao Ai a title and fiefs?
His Majesty isn't governing yet.
It's no use even if he objects
in the imperial court.
Besides,
He is very filial to his mother.
He must be afraid that objecting
to her wishes
would affect their relationship.
Come on.
Sir.
Prime Minister.
Here.
Prime Minister, after you.
(Zhangtai)
Greetings, Your Majesty.
There's no need for courtesy,
Chief Minister.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
How did it go?
♪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♪