01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

Mast! Lay down the mast!

Hurry up and get the rope!

Bow and stern face the banks! Quick!

Thousands of homes are brightly lit,

and the doors to them are wide open.

This is East Capital.

New wine from Sunyang Restaurant!

Welcome to enjoy it!

​If you want to know what happens next,

wait until next time.

People from all over the world gather here,

and envoys from various countries come to communicate with the authorities.

[Riverside Code at Qingming Festival]

[Adapted from Ye Wenbiao's Novel Series of the Same Name]

[Episode 1]

[The upright should not lose their reason because of favoritism. By Cheng Yi.]

[Rainbow Bridge, east of East Capital]

To celebrate Qingming Festival,

Bian River is open for sailing.

A thousand of grain ships from Zhejiang are arriving

in the Capital.

East Capital,

as the center of the world,

would celebrate the festival for seven days.

This is a national holiday

for all.

Fowler boat, fireworks show.

Tea, fruits. Please come in and have a seat.

Amazing soup, cake, and yogurt.

Please have a try.

There is a fireworks show by the government later.

Come on. Let's go.

Sir.

Make a wish on this good day.

Why not pick a lantern?

To enjoy Qingming Festival

and spring outing,

[Zhang Zeduan, Painting Adviser at Hanlin Academy]

choose the best position to enjoy the lantern show tonight.

The best position to enjoy the lantern show tonight.

Look out!

Are you alright?

I'm good.

Thanks.

Are you a painter, sir?

Yes.

I'm Zhang Zeduan.

Zhao Buyou.

I'm from the Office of Justice.

May I have the pleasure to see your painting?

The painting is useless now.

You're painting what is happening right now.

But it is missing a piece of puzzle here.

What?

The soul.

I was just kidding.

Sorry.

Mr. Zhang.

Could you do me a favor?

I will enjoy the fireworks with my family over there later on.

Please include us in your painting.

No problem.

Fine. I'm getting a spot now.

I'm still dancing, okay?

Stop it. Father. Buyou is waiting us.

He is waiting.

Sorry. This is occupied.

You can try luck over there.

Never mind. Let's go.

Occupied. Sorry.

Sorry.

Sorry.

- Father. Come on. - Buyou.

What took you so long?

Hurry!

This is the best spot to enjoy the show.

Hold the position. Wen Yue is coming.

Now is the time.

Beautiful flowers and a bright moon.

Let's get the celebration started.

Light the lanterns and candles!

Over there!

Come on!

Marvelous!

Darling!

- Wen Yue's over there. - Wen Yue!

Wen Yue!

We're here!

Mr. Li.

Send me to Rainbow Bridge.

Then deliver the umbrellas to Lin Mansion at Junyiqiao Street.

That's all for today.

Wen Yue!

Thanks a lot.

We're here.

See?

Wen Yue looks like a goddess

from heaven.

Buyou. You're a lucky man.

Darling.

Light the lantern!

Here. Hold it!

Mo'er. Why the lantern you made

is so different from theirs?

Just light it. You'll know.

Make a wish.

Right.

Why so fast?

This is a good sign.

It means we are faster than others to fulfill our wishes.

You know me best.

People from all over the world

gather here.

East Capital.

What a majestic city!

What a peaceful world!

Among these lanterns,

there is one belonging to us.

It's time to buy us a house

in East Capital.

Darling.

How much have we saved

over the past years?

Take a guess?



Try again.





Really?

Recently, I got a big order

from Office of Treasury for umbrellas.

It needs to be delivered tomorrow.

After I get the payment,

we would be one step closer to our new house.

I see. Darling.

I'll work harder.

Lady Wen.

[Gan Liang, Zuojun Inspector of Kaifeng Court]

I've heard that you get an order from Office of Treasury.

A big order.

Inspector Gan. I'll leave you alone.

I'm leaving.

Lady Wen.

I come to send congratulations.

Yeah.

There is nothing you would not know

in the street, Inspector.

I'm expecting you, actually.

This is for you.

Lady Wen,

you know, there is something more valuable

than this in the room.

​If you want to know what happens next,

wait

[Xiangran Street, East Capital]
until next time.

No, please!

Tell us now.

Let's go.

Why are you off work early today?

Mr. Li.

How much can you make

from storytelling each month?

What? The government doesn't pay you enough

and you are trying to compete with me?

You're earning some real money actually.

When it comes to making money,

my little stand is no match to the Office of Justice.

Mr. Zhao.

Mr. Zhao.

Your umbrella shop is in trouble!

Your wife is being harassed

by the villain Inspector Gan.

You sell such garbage to the government?

Lady Wen.

So,

Are these umbrellas

faulty

or not?

These umbrellas

are faulty.

I need to do some fixing.

I won't deliver them today.

Spicy girl!

My type exactly.

What are you doing?

Darling!

Darling!

Lay your fingers on my wife

and I would smash your brain.

Zhao Buyou!

Beat him!

Why are you beating him?

Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

Why are you beating him?

Zhao Buyou!

Wen's Umbrella Shop

disrupts the market order.

Destroy everything here!

[Wen's Umbrella Shop]

Don't be sad.

Don't worry. Darling.

Today

is not a day for sadness.

Do you know

why today is so special?

Look!

[The Opera of Fairies]

Opera tickets.

You still hurt?

A little bit.

You feel bad for me?

It's ok.

I'm fine.

It's over now.

[Songjiaqiao Business Center, East Capital]

Today is a day worth remembering.

We've known each other for 15 years.

We used to watch opera

at the business center on this day.

Today is no exception

no matter what happens.

- Here you are. - Here.

Acrobatics, gambling,

magic and shadow play.

All around the clock.

Amazing shows.

Inspector…

Inspector Gan.

What brings you here?

I'm seeing a friend.

Inspector.

Please.

Inspector Gan.

Go.

Way to go!

Enjoy, sir!

Enjoy.

Come on. To the front.

Darling.

To the front.

Fairy and demon in love. Magic of ghosts and trolls.

Darling.

I've watched the opera before.

The Opera of Fairies.

A bold girl came to the demon world by mistake.

She encountered a dustpan demon.

She and the demon

fell in…

Don't spoil the show, alright?

See for yourself.

The show begins.

Cool!

It's the demon.

Listen.

There is an act later

which is called…

Dancing of Demons.

Sir. You've known this opera well.

Just a little bit.

I've seen the show multiple times.

Really?

In Act Three,

the demon king would…

Miss. You dropped something.

Thanks.

[Dagger]

This lady…

Finally, the dustpan demon fell

in love with the fairy.

His darkest secret got leaked.

An empty big head

would appear on stage later.

All people once devoured by the demon king

would be spit out,

and become demons.

Darling?

Darling?

Where is she?

Have you seen my wife?

I don't know her.

Have you seen the lady

standing beside me earlier?

Nope.

Sir.

Have you seen my wife?

- No. - She is wearing a blue shirt

with a red hairpin on her head.

She seems going over there.

Thanks a lot.

I got a tip.

I've known everything you've done before.

Obey me.

I'll keep your little secret.

Otherwise,

I have to bring you to the Kaifeng Court.

Inspector Gan.

I am framed.

Can I confront the informant?

Are you stupid or something?

Have you seen my wife?

She is wearing a blue shirt

with a red hairpin on her head.

No.

It doesn't matter you are the suspect or not.

I make the call.

Obey me.

I would find the informants

and k*ll them.

Sir.

Have you seen my wife?

She is wearing a blue shirt

with a red hairpin on her head

and a yellow belt around her body.

Your wife?

Where is she?

I saw her

going to the warehouse of the theatrical troupe.

Alright. Thanks.

Darling?

Darling?

I…

I just k*lled people.

Are you alright?

I…

I was going to the washroom

but I lost my way

and ended up here.

Gan Liang was following me.

I used the hairpin to protect myself.

But he forced himself

on me anyway.

He is dead.

I am a m*rder*r.

I am going to turn myself in.

Darling.

Don't do that.

This guy

used to smuggle girls as a gift to his boss.

His boss is well connected to Concubine Cui.

The minute you report to the police,

we would be doomed.

Before I went in,

a vendor told me

you are here.

He saw us three coming into the warehouse.

If his body was discovered tomorrow,

people would report to the court.

He would confess everything to the court.

What do we do now?

I won't let you go to prison

because of this thug.

I have to do something.

Give me a minute.

There must be a way out.

There must be a way out.

No body, no m*rder case.

Come on. The Magic Head.

So many secrets inside.

Check it out yourself.

I'm done. It is always us to carry the stupid head.

Let's go and have a drink first.

Two cups of tea, please.

- Okay. - Such a massive chunk.

Darling.

Return to the stage.

I'll go with you.

No way. If we leave together,

it would raise suspicions of people outside.

I can tie the loose ends alone.

Are you sure?

Rest assured. Darling.

I've seen numerous m*rder cases and body hiding methods

in case files.

Go.

We have to tackle some of the world's dirtiest jobs every day.

I'm done totally.

Come on.

After delivering the head, we have to spin the stage.

Darling. c*ck over there. Let's go.

Peck!

Peck!

Peck!

Let's go!

Come on!

Come on!

Why is the head so heavy today?

Push harder.

So heavy on my side.

Leave.

Peck!

Move.

Cool!

The gate of hell opens at midnight.

What are you doing?

What's going on?

Look!

Why does the turtle become two-headed?

Why?

The opera doesn't go as usual.

Yeah. I've never seen the two-headed demon before.

Why does the demon have two heads?

Yeah.

Have you seen the demon before?

Why does the turtle

become two-headed?

Fantastic!

A new story.

- A new story. - Yeah. A new story, indeed.

Fantastic!

Darling.

It's me.

Follow me.

Kaifeng Court…

Quiet!

[Wan Fu, Zuojun Director of Kaifeng Court]

Do you come to investigate a case

or alert the suspect?

Boss.

Something serious is going on here.

What?

[Gu Zhen, Zuojun Investigator of Kaifeng Court]

I've heard

Gan Liang was tipped off

that a criminal would appear here tonight.

He will arrest the criminal himself.

What criminal?

I don't know.

Wait.

Tie Chi.

Yes, Sir.

Take our men

to surround the center.

No one comes out.

Copy that.

Guys…

Quiet!

Gan Liang said that as long as he arrested the criminal,

he would become the new director of the Court, replacing your place.

I'm so tired of this guy.

We have to take the credit before it is too late.

Business is business.

Don't get it personal, okay?

Find Gan Liang first.

Yes, sir.

What's happening?

What's wrong with this guy?

So heavy.

Darling. It's fine.

You have blood on your hands.

Wash it off.

Hurry!

Why are the court men here?

Yeah.

So weird.

Gan Liang is missing.

We've asked around.

Some vendor said

Gan Liang went to the warehouse of the troupe

but he never came out.

This is the witness.

Is that the truth?

Definitely.

Are you sure it's Gan Liang?

It's difficult for vendors in the business center

not to know

Inspector Gan.

Boss.

The question is three people in

and only two out.

Gan Liang

is gone.

Boss. Warehouse is searched.

There is no sign of fighting.

No blood.

Nothing.

No other exits.

Door, wall and roof

are sealed.

Only one entrance.

Boss.

We've surrounded the center.

No one comes out.

The couple must remain here.

Find them.

One more!

Knock him out!

Knock him out!

Yeah!

Acrobatics, gambling,

magic and shadow play.

All around the clock.

Amazing shows.

The couple is found.

Wan Fu, Zuojun Judge of Kaifeng Court.

Gu Zhen, Zuojun Director of Kaifeng Court.

What's wrong with your face?

I was hit

by accident.

Nothing serious.

Be careful!

Do you why you are here?

No idea.

It's not hot here.

Why are you sweaty?

You are sweating.

Body knocking is so boring to me.

You were cheering crazily like others.

So much sweat on face.

Let me wipe it off.

You know nothing about it.

We used to play as kids.

Like this.

This.

Your names?

I live at Sparrow Lane.

I'm the first son of the Zhao family.

I'm Zhao Buyou.

I work at the Office of Justice.

I'm a Scribe Assistant.

I went to Kaifeng Court once

to deliver…

Enough!

This is my wife,

Wen Yue.

She is running an umbrella shop.

Sit.

Sit.

Do you know Gan Liang?

Of course.

Gan…

Everyone knows him.

Someone saw you and Gan

coming into the warehouse of the troupe.

Lady Wen.

Have you seen Gan

after coming into the warehouse?

I went to the toilet.

When I was passing by the warehouse,

I saw the door was open.

My husband

used to show off secrets about magic to me.

I was wondering

what the secret is behind the opera today.

So I went inside

and I want to surprise him.

A stubborn woman.

Why did you go there?

She was gone

for a long time.

I needed to find her.

In the warehouse,

my wife

discovered so many tricks and secrets…

Enough about your nonsense!

Gan Liang was missing

after you guys came into the house.

What have you done to him?

I've never seen Inspector Gan.

Me too.

Backstage is much more interesting

than forestage, right?

The opera became tasteless

the minute you know the secrets.

Are you two-headed demon?

No.

Don't you ask me

what two-headed demon is?

I saw it.

Everyone saw it.

I've interviewed the troupe members.

The two-headed demon was not supposed to

appear in the opera today.

The demon

was played by someone else.

Is it possible that Inspector Gan

was missing because of the demon?

Yes, it's possible.

Maybe Inspector Gan

played the demon by himself.

Enough. Buyou.

Have you seen him actually?

What demon anyway?

We came here to watch the opera.

We know nothing else.

Apology. Young lady.

Why is your sleeve wet?

When we went through the crowds,

we knocked over a bucket of fruits.

I got some honey on my sleeve.

It's not sticky at all.

I washed it off.

So be it.

Tonight,

there would be a hard time for each one.

Silence!

A few hours ago,

there was a serious case going on here.

Gan Liang, Zuojun Inspector of Kaifeng Court,

was gone.

Gone?

There is a two-headed demon,

which is related to Gan's missing.

This is horrible.

Those who provide useful tips

would be rewarded.

Inspector Gan is missing.

That's awesome…

Bad news.

Bad news.

Each vendor is scared

of Inspector Gan.

Yeah.

Those with a wife and child

try so hard to avoid him.

Be careful with your words.

What's happened to him?

This is karma.

We have a missing case.

You have a reward, right?

I saw something.

Are you sure?

He dodged the attack.

Is he blind or not?

He must be pretending.

Boss.

You saw something?

The two-headed demon wore a mask.

I don't know the person behind the mask.

However,

there was a woman following the demon.

Tie Chi.

Move. Get out of the way!

Is it her?

Yes.

What did you see?

Boss.

We have something here.

One body, two heads.

The blind man told me

he saw your wife

was following the demon

to the water stage.

So, Mrs. Zhao,

who played

the demon?

Tell me the truth.

Director Gu.

It's me.

It's me.

Didn't you say

that you are not two-headed demon?

This is 15th anniversary for us.

I stole the outfit

from the warehouse

to amuse my wife.

Is it possible

that Gan Liang

was stalking your wife?

He was going to

harass her.

Then you hurried to the warehouse

and k*lled him.

Of course not.

Afterwards, you hid his body

in this outfit

and dumped the body here.

Director Gu.

This is a mistake.

We didn't see Gan Liang.

Tie Chi.

Sir.

Search!

Yes, sir.

Especially the bottom of the river.

Everyone, search!

Search the river.

It's a life at stake.

Wan Fu.

Yeah.

- Judge Wan. Don't do that. - You two.

Take off the cover.

Yes.

What is it?

Fireworks.

They're fireworks.

Why are you so nervous?

I intended to

give my wife a surprise.

Buyou.

Stop trying.

Inspector Gan is missing.

But Kaifeng Court

has not caught the suspect yet.

Finally, they would use us as scapegoats.

Ordinary people like us

are expendables to them.

They don't care.

Watch your language.

You're slandering the Kaifeng Court.

Inspector Gan is one of yours.

He is a bully,

making excuses to rob us,

smashing our shops,

and hitting us at whim.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Officers from Kaifeng Court are bullies.

I'm not lying, right?

Darling. That's enough.

Those people are known for collaboration in evildoing.

What were you saying?

They are hitting people again.

As I said,

take us as scapegoats.

Shame on them!

Blaming the couple for the wrongdoing of Gan Liang.

Yeah.

Gan Liang even broke the leg of my brother.

Kaifeng Court did nothing about it.

These court men are covering for each other.

They're looking for scapegoat.

When does the interrogation end?

The couple is doomed one way or another.

Yeah.

- Yeah. - They're helping each other.

Boss.

Search is done.

Nothing.

Release them.

- Let them go. - Let them go.

The girl is innocent.

Let's go.

Boss.

Are we done?

Let's go.

I'm going to return the outfit now.



Sorry.

Move!

Move!

- Go away! - Let's go.

Back to work.

Go home. Young lady.

[Kaifeng Court]

Tie Chi.

- Yes, Sir. - Dismiss our men.

Copy that.

There must be something wrong with the couple.

Why did you let them go?

They channeled

the emotion of a crowd easily.

Why?

Because Gan Liang

has a notorious reputation.

I'm pretty sure

that he is dead.

If we cannot find him,

then he is considered missing.

If he is missing,

we will just keep looking

for him.

Drop.

Okay.

Blade went through his lung,

then slant and upward,

into his heart.

Blood in the chest would not

burst from the cut.

Instead,

blood would pump into his chest.

This is technique

used by professionals.

Buyou. Wen Yue. Rise and shine.

Time for breakfast.

Interesting.

Where are they going?

[Rainbow Bridge. East of East Capital]

Zhao.

Zhao.

It's me.

Zhang Zeduan.

I've been thinking about the soul you talked about.

Instead of staying in the painting room all day long,

it's better for me

to go outside and paint something alive.

Maybe

I would find the soul.

Yeah.

Exactly.

Keep working.

Visit me when you are available.

Wan Fu.

Boss.

Status report.

I've already dispatch our men

to guard each checkpoint.

It's weird that the management

ordered us to patrol the Bian River.

Just do it.

Yes, sir.

Lay down the mast!

Mast! Boss.

The boat is about to crash into the bridge.

Lay down the mast!

The boat is about to crash into the bridge.

Down!

Quickly! Turn the boat!

Turn the boat!

Turn the boat! We're crashing.

Boat is coming.

Lay down the mast!

- Come on. Lay down the mast! - Get up.

Get up.

What's going on?

What's happening?

Loosen the rope!

Hurry!

Bow and stern face the banks!

Hurry!

To the left!

Hurry!

Bow and stern face the banks!

Boat over there.

Go.

Move!

Move! Quickly!

Hold the mast.

Get the rope!

We're through.

Mast down. Finally.

We're through.

That was so close.

Where is the boat?

Why so much fog in broad daylight?

Fog.

Fog.

The fog comes out of nowhere.

Look. Heavy fog.

Yeah. I couldn't see anything.

Fog everywhere.

Let's go there.

Fog appears over there.

- Yeah. - Zero visibility.

What's going on?

Over there.

What's that?

Something is glowing over there.

It's a good sign.

Auspicious clouds!

Auspicious clouds!

It is sign

that demonstrates the kindness of the emperor.

It's a bliss for our nation.

Is it auspicious clouds?

We're so blessed.

Auspicious sign.

What's that noise?

What's that?

Someone is crying miserably.

It's a body.

It's a body.

m*rder!

[Fashion in Song Dynasty]

[Song Dynastypedia]

[The Song dynasty had one of the most prosperous economies. Narrated by Shi An]

China has issued

a 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy recently.

Do you know

that Song Dynasty worked hard

to conduct various business activities?

Back in the day, China's business was extremely thriving.

The success of economy

generated so much revenue to the government.

With the advancement of ship building and sailing technologies,

untold number of foreigners

sailed to China for business cooperation.

China reached its heyday of business prosperity.

[Compared to other dynasties]
Economic historian Angus Maddison

[Song dynasty relies more]
speculated

[on tax,]
that Song dynasty contributed

[which fostered the development of harbor and foreign trade]

[The World Economy: Historical Statistics]



It's fair

to conclude that China was a superstar

in the world during the Song dynasty.

♪Rowing across the river with a load of fish♪

♪Paddling the oars while singing a song♪

♪Guests travel with lanterns under moonlight♪

♪In the corridor, joy fills the table♪

♪Come and enjoy the cool under the canopy♪

♪My new hometown brings peace to my heart♪

♪I love the city hustle and bustle, and the grass in mountains♪

♪Walking down roads, strolling along alleys♪

♪Look, the swallows glide with a beakful of spring mud♪

♪With hope, they gently take off and fly away♪

♪Guests come from far and wide♪

♪A bowl of wine, a mouthful of ambition♪

♪Eyebrows unfurl, for prosperity awaits ahead♪

♪Singing loud happily, you get to pick the broad road you want♪

♪Under the immense sky, dusts dance with the wind♪

♪Your root is where your original aspirations lie♪

♪A thousand households are brightly lit♪

♪Bursting into song, they set off for another journey♪

♪For youngsters, their ambition is burning bright♪

♪Just seize the opportunities and make adventures♪

♪For youngsters, their ambition is burning bright♪

♪Just seize the opportunities and make adventures♪