【 #古裝電視劇 】國師鬥士15 National Mastermind Fighter丨俠義國師化身奸臣鬥士，智破奇案、嚴懲貪腐！ #何冰 #王剛 #engsub

Hey, I haven’t decided where to put my chess piece yet. I don’t want to play it. I quit. I can’t win you. Your Majesty, you always concern yourself with state affairs. So, such tricks are simply not your cup of tea. Well, let’s play the dice. I’m no match for you. I concede defeat. Well, in the past, in Liu Futong’s barracks, I often played dices with generals there and gambled on liquor. Well, I drank my fill each time. Your Majesty, you’ve won the whole country. You can have a lot of fun even without it. I can’t find any rival even if I want to play it. In the past, I seldom lost. But now, I never lose. How boring it is! In terms of playing chesses, now, you’re my only rival. I’m no match for you, Your Majesty. My tricks have been all seen through by you. Well, I learned a new phrase, but I don’t know the meaning. Go ahead, please, Your Majesty. The phrase is called “pi-li-yang-qiu”. Wow! Eh? You’re getting even more knowledgeable, Your Majesty. Are you making fun of me? I dare not. I dare not. Tell me what this phrase means. This phrase was originally called “pi-li-chun-qiu”. Um. In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the name of Emperor Jianwen’s mother was A’chun. So, people avoided to use the word “chun” and reworded this phrase as “pi-li-chun-qiu”. So, the two phrases have the same meaning, right? Yes. What does it mean? It means well-covered remark. For example, someone has comments, but he doesn’t express. Doesn’t it mean ostensible obedience? No, it’s different from ostensible obedience. What difference? If I say this phrase means ostensible obedience, it means that. You’re wise, Your Majesty. All right. Forget it. Take a seat. I have a question to ask you. I intend to dismiss prime minister Li Shanchang. Why are you looking at me this way? What’s your opinion? Your Majesty, in my view, Lord Li Shanchang is meritorious and loyal. He’s able to coordinate other officials and he’s the best choice for the prime minister. He often intends to frame you up. Why do you plead for him? I want you to be my prime minister. Me? Yes. Oops, Your Majesty, I’m blunt and straightforward, but I’m not good at getting along well with others. Moreover, I’m impatient to onerous daily routines. If I was the prime minister, I would disappoint you. How about Hu Weiyong? Recently, Li Shanchang has recommended him many times and said that Hu Weiyong is smart and competent. Um, Your Majesty… Yes? Prime minister is like the driver of a carriage. If a carriage is driven by Hu Weiyong, it’ll definitely turn over. Are you against this candidate? Your Majesty, prime minister functions as the backbone of the whole nation, and must be upright and reliable. The only competent candidate in the imperial court is Lord Li Shanchang. Prepare some tea in the parlor. I’ll treat courtier Liu to some pastries. Yes, Your Majesty. Excuse me, Your Majesty, can I go to the restroom? Sure. Somebody here! Guide courtier Liu to the restroom. Yes. Your Majesty, here are sesame-seed pancakes. Put them down. Yes. Hey, take them out. Oh. Who told you to put them down? Hold them. Yes, Your Majesty. Put them back. Back off. Hey, you step off here. Yes, Your Majesty. Lord Liu comes back. This way, please. Liu Bowen, you’re highly intelligent and knowledgeable. I know that. But people also say that you’re good at divination. So, I want to witness your ability today. Your Majesty, that’s only a rumor. I have no superhuman power. Well, I don’t care. Today I want to make a bet with you. If I win, you must accept to be my prime minister. If you win, I won’t mention this affair anymore. How about it? Your bet, please, Your Majesty. What are the pastries in the hamper? How can I know that? So, you admit defeat. Can you give me a hint, Your Majesty? Hint… I took a bite just now. Can I get closer? Of course. The hamper is not transparent. You can’t see the pastries without opening the hamper. His Majesty’s favorite pastry is sesame-seed pancake. So, pancakes should be always available in the palace. Just now, His Majesty wanted to treat me to tea and pastry without premeditation. Other pastries are unlikely prepared. Guess! If you don’t know, just tell me. Your Majesty, the pastries inside are round and you took a bite of one just now. You mean they’re round in such size? Sweet and crispy with sesame seeds on the surface. How did you guess that? What? Sesame-seed pancakes. Thank you for telling me the answer, Your Majesty. Oh, I’m misguided. How smart you are! Your Majesty, I know you didn’t want me to feel embarrassed and told me the answer. Take a seat. Drink some tea and eat some pastries. Thank you, Your Majesty. Liu Bowen. Yes? I need you to do an assignment for me. Sure, Your Majesty. I want you to Shuntian Prefecture. Shuntian Prefecture is guarded by General Xu Da. I… Xu Da is good at capturing enemies’ cities and barracks. But in terms of geomancy and construction you’re the best candidate. Shuntian Prefecture is strategic importance in the north and chokes the Great Wall. If it’s stable, our great Ming will maintain prolonged stability. What’s more, Shuntian Prefecture is the capital of the previous dynasty with imperial bearing. I want you to go there and demolish and rebuild as needed. Anyway, make some demolishment or construction. Well, the real purpose is to assign me to Shuntian Prefecture. His Majesty worries that in addition to Nanjing and his hometown Fengyang there may be other areas gathering the imperial bearing. That will be a threat to his supremacy. I can go there. I’ll depart tomorrow. Lord, I’d like to sing a song for you. Don’t sing for me. Your songs are either obscene or vulgar. Stop that. Well, I’ll sing a Fengyang folk song. You don’t know that it’s the most popular song style in Yingtian Prefecture. I can sing it with playing a flower drum, plate or even a pair of wooden sticks. Just listen. It’s a song about Fengyang. Fengyang is a good place. Since Zhu Yuanzhang was born here… Shut up! Are you courting death? How dare you mention His Majesty’s name? Whoops! So, I change my lyrics. Since Emperor Zhu was born… Lord, can I sing this way? I have no special skills but a clever mind. I’ll keep all your teachings in my mind. You’re always right. A real man should fit his deeds to his words and never goes back on his words like a rat. Cut the crap! Liu Yi, you are getting even much glibber. Well, when I was the head of beggar gang, I was known for my gift of gab. Later, I met you and you trained me in verses, ditties, odes and songs. In addition, I learn to read from you. So, with your teaching and my gift of gab, I can speak with an outstanding eloquence now. Outstanding eloquence? Anything wrong? No, that’s good. Really? I feel different about myself now. Oh? How different? Well, as long as I want to say something, I have an impulse to hum verses. Liu Yi, it’s enough for you to sing folk songs. Don’t hum verses. Beat of drums is jubilant. Stop. What’s up, lord? What are you seeing? This is quite fertile farmland. Why is it uncultivated? Oh. I assume that people here are lazy to till the farmland. Here is the water. Give it to me, please. Soaking your feet in hot water helps you remove the fatigue. Thank you, uncle. Have a good rest. Take a seat. Take a seat. Let’s chat. Sit. Let’s chat. Well, let’s chat for a while. You’re going to… We’re going to the capital. Oh no, It’s called Shuntian Prefecture now. Oh. It’s a long way to go. Definitely, it’s an arduous journey across hills and rivers for lord and me. Uncle. Yes? Not many people live in the village, right? Not correct, villagers are just not densely populated here. Oh. How about the harvest and life here? Alas a large population lives with little arable land. Life is quite hard. I assume the land area is not small here. I see a large vacant land along the road. Why do the villagers leave the land uncultivated? We want, but we can’t. Why can’t you till the land? That’s quite fertile farmland. Yes, but villagers’ efforts in farming are just in vain. Well, uncle, the tax rate is about ten percent and the rent charged by landlords is about forty to sixty percent at most. Why are villagers’ efforts in farming in vain? There are demon stone horses here. Stone horses? Like haunted ghosts? Yes. Haunted ghosts. Lord, here is the stone horse. Another one over there. Sir, you can’t pat on it. Why can’t? it’s just a stone. I heard about sudden movements of corpses, but I never heard about any haunted stone horse like ghosts. It’s not a common stone, but a psychic one. People who don’t respect it will be struck by lightning. Has anyone ever been struck by lightning? A passerby once pissed beside the stone horse and later he was struck by lightning. Did you see that in person? Yes, all the villagers here saw that. The corpse was charred. Oops, Buddha, Goddess Queen Mother, Jade Emperor and Yama, I didn’t mean to offend you. Please forgive me. Pardon me. Please forgive me. Well… You can neither see me or hear me anyway. So, please ignore me. Oops. What are you doing? Hush! Supreme Lord and Great Emperor Zhenwu, be quick to obey my command! You know, Liu Yi. If you don’t do good deeds in daily life, you’ll feel afraid on this occasion. No! This senior saw that one person was struck by lightning here. Yes! Come on. Here is hot soup for you. Thank you, uncle. Thank you very much. Liu Yi, give uncle some money. No, thank you. No one on a trip carries his kitchen or house. You passed by here and I’m ready to offer food and room for you. Sir, we two may stay longer here. You’re quite accommodating. Please make yourself at home. May I ask you a question? Please. Well, you two don’t look like merchants. Good outsight, my lord… We aren’t merchants indeed. Well, May I ask your name? My surname is Liu and my given name is Ji. Ah, Ji… You’re well-known Liu Bowen. I entertain an angel unawares. Nice to meet you. Please get up. Get up. Get up. Do you mind if I ask another question? Please. You stay here for the reason of the stone horses, right? Yes, we’re quite curious. Uncle, how can stone horses eat crops? What a surprise! You’ll be our savior and save our farmland. I must kowtow to you on behalf of our villagers. Please get up. Liu Yi, did you see it? What? The imprint on the horse's ass. Did you see it? Oh. Who are you? We’re just passersby. Don't stand here. Get away. Well, may I ask you a question, sir? Are these official horses? Not yet. They’re just ordered. When they grow fatter stronger in autumn, they’ll be sold to the government. Aren’t you officials? Which government will the horses be sold to? What do you do? Stop your questions! Get away! Okay, let’s go. Okay. Uncle. Oh, lord, why are you here? I went to that farmland today. Oh, lord, ah, if you’d like, please drink a cup of tea. Okay. uncle, when did that farmland turn to a stable? Well, three years ago. Oops! Well, whose livestock ruined my farmland? That’s too awful! Let’s go there. Hurry up. Whose livestock ruined my farmland? Whose livestock? My farmland is also ruined. Really? Yes, mine is also ruined severely. What the hell happened? The crops for the whole year are destroyed. Well… Uncle, what should we do? It’s a big issue. Let’s notify the local government. Right! What livestock ate so many green shoots over one night? The livestock not only ate many green shoots, but also destroyed a large field of crops. Yes. It doesn’t look like any domestic mule, horse, cow or sheep raised in the village. Maybe other animals from the mountain came down. For so many years, except wolves, no other animals have haunted nearby. But wolves don’t ruin crops. Correct. It seems that the culprit animal is pretty big. Yes. It doesn’t look like a wolf. Hey, isn’t that a footprint? Let’s take a look. What’s this? What a big hoof! So big! It’s too big. Folks, in my view, the stone horses on Nanling Road are the culprits. But they’re made of stone. How can stone horses eat crops? Yes, that’s impossible. It’s possible. Try to think. Stone horses have guarded besides the ancient tomb for hundreds of years. They maybe get some supernatural power. I suggest you to ask Taoist priest Mr. Zhang of Xuantian Temple. Maybe, he can help you. Yes, Okay, Okay. But the result remained the same in the next year. Green shoots of crops in that farmland were ruined again. Master Zhang’s sorcery didn’t work. Yes, I agree. But Master Zhang said that these farmers violated the laws of God in heaven and the two stone horses were their punishment. They had no other way but to lock up the stone horses’ hind legs with chains. However, the result doesn’t change this year. I have no idea at all. I have a question to you. Why are many horses raised in that land? The Ministry of War sets up a livestock administration in our county. But it’s not subject to our county. Maybe, those horses belong the livestock administration. Well, take me there. Okay, lord please. Nice to meet you, lord Liu. I’m not dressed in my official robe. Get up. Lord Liu, this way please. Please take a seat. Okay, thank you. Have some tea please. Please. Oh, I just follow lord Liu to you here. I don’t know lord Liu’s arrival and are not prepared. I didn’t receive any notice from the Ministry of War or the Military Command. Lord Liu, may I ask why you’re here? Well, sir, I just passed by here and saw some official horses along the official road. Ah, His Majesty said that horses are critical to the victory of wars. So, I turn to visit here. What do you want to check, lord? Sir, it seems that I’m not welcome today because I’m not dressed in my official robe. So, I’d better come and investigate here formally when I’m dressed in my official robe on another day, right? Well, the account books here have submitted to the provincial military commander. So, get them back. Anyway, we don’t rush to leave. We’ll stay here for some days. Definitely. But, military commander… What does he want? Just tell him that Liu Bowen wants the account books. Does he need the notice of the Ministry of War or His Majesty’s written order? Lord, I’ll get the account books back. Lord Liu, please take a sedan chair to the government. I’ve arranged clean rooms for you. You can go back. I prefer to stay in villagers’ houses. I like the pure and natural scenery and can relax myself there. Lord, I didn’t know your arrival in advance and didn’t serve you well. That’s pardonable. But I’ve met you in person now, please give a chance to serve you. I know your hospitality, but I decline it. Go back. I’ll let you know when I need you. Okay, see you, lord. Lord, please. Liu Yi. Yes. Take your sedan chair. I dare not. I prefer to walk with you. I’ll take the sedan chair when arriving at the front intersection. Okay. Up to you. Please. I’m confused. May I ask you question? Sure. Why are you so interested in official horses? Between stone horses and official horses there might be some relations. I get your point. What did you get? With all my due respect, you must have a plan, but don’t want me to know now. When it’s the due time, you’ll know it. Sure. Hi everyone, Lord Liu Bo Wen is back. Nice to meet you, Lord Liu. Please get up. Elder, they are… Oh, they’re my fellow villagers and grow crops in that farmland. Nice to meet you, Lord Liu. Please get up. We beg you to cast spells to subdue those stone horses and save our farmland. I kowtow to you. Please get up, everyone. Get up. Everyone, I went to the county government and the thousand-household administration that raise official horses in your farmland. Don’t worry. I’ll spare no effort to subdue the demon horses that ruin the crops. Thank you so much, Lord Liu. All right, please go back, everyone. I’ll discuss with you as needed. Thank you, Lord Liu. See you. See you. Please go back home. Hi! Lord Liu! Please, please. Lord, I’m Fu Changzhu, the deputy military commander. Nice to meet you, lord. Hey, it’s you, my brother! Please get up. Brother, nice to meet you again. Nice to meet you, too. Get up, my brother. I miss you so much. Me too. It has been years since we met last time. You work in the Military Command. Why didn’t you tell me by letters? I know your moral character. I don’t want to bother you. But when I went back to our hometown last year, I went to your father’s grave and paid my respect to him. My family members told me by letters and I asked them about you. What a surprise to meet you here! Lord, dinner is ready in the hall. You can chat during the dinner. Good. Let’s get good and drunk today. Okay, please. Let’s go. Bottom up, brother. Come on. You’re good at drinking. I haven’t drunk my fill for years. Another cup! Give it to me. Good. Let me pour the liquor for you, brother. My life today completely counts on your parents upbring and your care, brother. Please drink it up, brother. I’ll drink three cups up. Bottom up. All right. Drink some hot tea, lord. Drink some hot tea, please. Okay. Come on. Who is he? You never tell me that you have such a younger brother. He… Glad to meet you, brother. I’m so glad. So glad. All right. Just sleep. I’m so glad. So glad. Sleep. All right. This is Assistant Hu. He is in charge of the revenue and expenditure of Military Command. Oops, nice to meet you. We are in your domain. Hopefully, you’ll offer any support. That's very kind of you. That’s easy. Come on. Let’s drink. Okay. Lord Liu and Chang talked and reminisced here just now. Their posts are superior to ours. So, we didn’t feel at ease. Now, they two are gone. Let’s drink and feel at home. Good, bottom up. Bottom up. I’ll tell you our past story. He is my cousin. His father is my mother’s brother. When he was three years old, his father offended a local bully. That bully colluded with bandits, killed his family, and burned the corpses to destroy any evidence. When my father rushed there, his house was on fire and collapsed. My father risked his life to rescue him from the fire. After that, Changzhu lived with my family. Of course, my father took Changzhu as his son. In our childhood, Changzhu and I studied and played together. But he had no much interest in reading books. Instead, he preferred to learn martial arts and avenge his family. My father hired a martial arts master to teach Changzhu at home. When he was almost sixteen years old, he carried a sharp knife and ambushed at his foe’s door to find a chance to kill his foe. Luckily, my father arrived in time. Otherwise… Why didn’t he seek justice from the government? Alas, he tried several times, But that local bully had bribed the county magistrate. The county magistrate confounded right and wrong, and alleged that my father was provocative and importunate. My father was flogged and dragged out of the government. You can imagine. After the local bully knew that my father failed in seeking justice, he jeered and insulted my father. How rampant the bully was! If it happens today, I’ll severely punish him. What happened later? Before he was eighteen years old, he found an opportunity to take revenge. When his foe was drunk, Changzhu killed him. Moreover, Changzhu cut off his head and hang it on the law court. How delightful it is to avenge! It isn’t. The county magistrate issued orders to arrest Changzhu. Changzhu was under eighteen at that time. He didn’t want to implicate my family, and ran away alone from home. I didn't expect to meet you today, brother. You’re crying, lord. Are your tears of joy or sadness? You don’t understand. Why? I lost my parents when I was a little kid. Liu Bowen investigated official horses on his way to Shuntian Prefecture. Isn’t that the job of your Department of Imperial Secretariats? Ah, yes. Hurry up to assign someone to go there and investigate. If Liu Bowen finds out any issue there, you’ll lose your face again. Your Majesty, I preside over the Department of Imperial Secretariats. The affairs of official horses are dealt with by the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Revenue. Sometimes, provincial military commands raise or trade official horses on their own, and report to the Ministry of War. Such turnover is never involved in the account books of Ministry of Revenue. All right. For such a trifle, you’re gabbing so much. You almost confuse me to show off your knowledge, right? Your Majesty, I mean that this issue involves many aspects. You’d better assign a person to specially investigate it. Who should I assign in your opinion? It involves Liu Bowen. I've no idea who I should recommend. How about Hu Weiyong? You always say that he’ is shrewd and competent. I want to see how competent he is. Remind him to be cautious. Don’t be fooled by Liu Bowen like last time. Yes, Your Majesty. Back off. Liu Yi, Liu Yi! What’s up, lord? Go to bed. I’m not sleepy. Go to bed. You can’t offer any help here. Well, maybe I can. What if something unexpected happens? It’s so late. Nothing unexcepted will happen. Look! Someone is coming. Who’s there? It’s me. I come to visit my brother. Oh, it’s you! Come in, please. Brother. It’s already late night. Why do you come to me? After I woke up, I didn’t see you. In my mind, I have so much to tell you. I asked the magistrate for your address and can’t wait to visit you. What’s issue so important that you can’t wait until tomorrow morning? Take a seat. Somehow after I see you, I feel so warm. One moment without seeing you is… Quite long. Don't interrupt. Am I wrong? You’re right. Go to bed. Warrior, have some tea, please. Brother, why did he call me warrior? I told him about your past stories. On a windy night, a warrior forged ahead in the dark. He cut off his foe’s head and forwarded it to the law court. Bang! Let’s continue our story. Interesting, we’re congenial. I’ll call you uncle from now on, Okay? Liu Yi! I’m going. Warrior, I’m going to bed. See you tomorrow. Okay. Bye. He’s quite quick-witted. Just quick-witted in crooked ways. Crooked ways… Brother, why are you looking at me in this way? Speak up. What? Changzhu, we’ve talked a lot about our past days. Let’s talk about the official business now. The official business is presented in these account books. Changzhu, do you think such account books can deceive me? Brother… Changzhu, you’re not good at lying. You come to me tonight. You have misgivings in your mind. I’m just glad to meet you. I have no misgivings. Don’t cheat me. Brother, why did you say that? Since I ran away from home in Qingtian County, in my mind, I’ve always concerned about your whole family. I didn’t send any message to you, because I worried that I might implicate you. How muddled you are! Before your uncle passed away, he didn’t mention any family affairs. He just told me to find you anyway. Your aunt would shed tears as long as she mentioned you. I miss uncle and aunt. But… What? Alas, Changzhu, if you don’t want to tell, I’ll stop asking. But you must answer me one question. Are you dealing with the business of thousand-household administration’s official horses? Oh, I’ve been the deputy military commander for two years. Frankly speaking, does anyone tamper with this affair? No. As for affairs handled by me, account books are available for inspection. Changzhu, remember that if any corruption issue is investigated in this issue, I can’t save you. Changzhu, it’s late at night. You can sleep in my room. You’re quite tired. Go to bed early. I’d better not bother you. Changzhu, tomorrow I’ll take the villagers whose farmland is embezzled to the county government to file a suit. Please stop here and go back, brother. Changzhu, if you have any secret, you’d better tell me now. Brother, bye for now. It’s a long way to go back. Take care. We haven’t seen each other for many years. It’s not easy to re-meet here. He could have stayed in my room and chatted with me all the night. But as soon as I mentioned the official business, he rushed to leave. It seems that my imprudent brother has dragged into troubles by someone else. Why didn’t Fu Changzhu tell me the truth? Does he have any secret sorrow? Anyway, is it worth to investigate and dismiss my long-lost brother for the sake of some villagers? Music