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You're awake, Your Highness!
The doctor said the toxin in your body has been removed,
with enough rest, you'll get well soon.
Where's Ko Tin-po?
He's resting in the guest room.
He carried you home.
Your Highness!
Please accept my kowtow.
Help him getup!
Yes! Please get up!
Thank you, Your Highness!
If you can kowtow,
that means you're not seriously hurt.
The doctor said if you hadn't sucked out the venom in time,
even if I had managed to stay alive,
I'd still have become a cripple.
Don't say that.
If you hadn't carried me home,
I would have died in the mountains.
We both made it back alive, unharmed too.
Your super nose should be rewarded.
Where are the mushrooms?
You have them.
Me? You have them!
When I was bitten, I gave them to you.
Where are my clothes?
You had no mushrooms on you when you came home.
Oh no! We wasted the trip!
We left them in the mountain!
They're right here!
You're such a kidder, Ko Tin-po!
Tin-po, give the mushrooms to...
Miss Suet?
Don't be a smart aleck!
Give them to Mr Wu.
Tell him not to mention my name,
or Miss Suet will turn them down.
You're so thoughtful!
Hurry up and go! Yes, Highness!
These mushrooms are truly amazing!
Suet only took a few sips,
and she's already looking much better.
They are a real gem!
Not only can they cure Suet,
they can also prolong her life.
This is truly a blessing in disguise!
That's right!
I should really thank you, Shifu!
You found something so precious to cure me,
I don't know how to thank you.
I didn't find them.
I can't take someone else's credit.
Who else cares so much about her?
Exactly!
I promised not to mention his name.
If you won't tell me, how can I thank him?
I can only say he's someone who cares about you,
and there's no need to thank him.
Someone who doesn't expect anything in return is rare indeed!
Make her soup with the mushrooms.
Can we grow these precious mushrooms?
We'd be rich if we can...
Let me see!
Here, wipe your hands.
Thank you!
It's him!
Not bad!
Thank you, Milady!
Prince Yinzhen told me you hadn't had much appetite lately,
so I prepared some appetising dishes for you
You're very kind, Mr Ko.
What a shame Yinzhen has gone with His Majesty to the mountain resort,
or I could have shared this with him.
When he told me he had met a good friend outside the Palace,
I didn't know he meant you.
Give him a reward!
I wouldn't dare accept any!
Prince Yinzhen has shown me great kindness,
I've been trying to repay him for saving my life.
Cooking for Your Highness is my good fortune.
If necessary, I can continue to do that
in return for His Highness' benevolence.
That's great! We don't have to beg Choi Hok-ting anymore.
His dishes are expensive and inedible.
Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr Ko.
No trouble at all.
If Milady and other ladies in the East Palace want a private stove,
I can do it free of charge.
There are a few of us here who don't like the food in the Palace.
We'll be eternally grateful for your trouble!
I'll do my best, Milady.
Yew well!
No wonder we're losing business.
We have competition!
I got 30 planks thanks to Ko Tin-po.
I'll make him pay back in double!
That's my line...I'll make you pay back in double!
Lady Tak and a few maids had diarrhea
after they ate the food you prepared.
The Imperial doctor found crotons in the food.
How do you explain that?
Obviously someone framed us.
No cooks would be that stupid to put crotons in the dishes they make.
Master Tin-po would never do that!
Mr Mai and I wouldn't either!
Must be *** Boy and Luk Boy.
That's not true, Kok Goong Goong!
We didn't do it!
Shut up! If you admit it,
you'll each get 20 planks for your first offence.
If you're passed to the Judicial Department,
you'll definitely get more.
Goong Goong, we...
I made those dishes, not them.
They only helped me turn on the stove.
I carelessly put crotons into the food.
No way, Master Tin-po!
They definitely framed us!
It was premeditated!
Well? Just because no one confessed,
so no one will be punished?
Ko Tin-po, you have such a great heart, ready to take all the blame?
20 planks for the 5 of you...
That's 150, right?
No, it's 100.
Can you even count?
Master Tin-po can't take that many rods!
If he gets killed,
what should I tell Prince Yinzhen?
Fine! Since Kok Goong Goong interceded.
You'll get half...
That's 95!
Half of 150 is...
Drag him outside!
Move it! Move!
Master Tin-po...
What is it?
I don't think Mr Ko can take it anymore.
If you won't do it, I will.
Don't worry, I have thick skin.
You won't kill me so easily! Go ahead!
Master Tin-po!
Kok Goong Goong...
I beg you to let me take his place.
Who do you think you are?
You can't do as you please!
Shut up or you'll get 20 planks.
Go away, Lee Wai!
I said "Go away!"
Drag him away! Master Tin-po...
Kok Goong Goong, it's 95 planks already.
So soon?
Make him kneel outside the Wumen Gate.
Please hang in there! Master Tin-po!
Tin-po! Master Tin-po!
Stay where you are! Master Tin-po!
You can't go over there!
Can I give him some water?
Go away!
Please? Master Tin-po!
Go away!
Master Tin-po!
Tin-po... Go away...
Don't scare me! Master Tin-po, wake up...
Why is Ko Tin-po beaten up so badly?
What happened?
Ko Tin-po made a mistake,
I went by the book and gave him the planks.
What did he do?
He put croton in Lady Tak's food.
That was outrageous!
They framed us, Your Highness!
But Ko Tin-po pleaded guilty to the charge.
That's right, everyone heard him.
Ko Tin-po assumed full responsibility.
That's why Kok Goong Goong sentenced him accordingly.
Don't listen to them.
They planted evidence to frame us.
Master Tin-po took the rap for all of us.
Ko Tin-po came here on my recommendation.
Why didn't you let me handle it?
Many people suffered from food poisoning.
Lady Tak got affected too.
I only took the liberty due to the seriousness of the matter.
I beg your pardon, Your Highness!
Get out! Aye!
*** Boy! Luk Boy! I want you to stay.
Yes, Highness!
Please have mercy on us! Have mercy on us!
How dare you! Tell me what really happened!
Tell the truth or you'll be tortured!
We added the crotons...
Why?
Mr Choi found Mr Ko always standing up to him,
so he came up with the idea to frame him.
That's outrageous!
Fung Ying, let me confront Choi Hok-ting!
Yes, Your Highness!
Don't bother!
Don't move, Master Tin-pol Let me...
Tin-po, look at you!
You shouldn't be running around!
Highness, he wants to say something.
Have a seat!
No thanks, considering the condition of my behind,
its better to do this standing up.
Alright! Go ahead...
Don't pursue the matter!
Why not? This is obviously a set-up!
Since I came to the Imperial Larder,
everyone has found me an eyesore.
I'm sure they'll feel a bit better seeing my behind end up like this.
That's wrong, Tin-po.
We all live in the Palace,
everyone should help each other out,
and not do harm to each other.
They don't have a choice, Highness.
I'm sure Kung Hei Fat Choi forced *** Boy and Luk Boy.
If you pursue this,
they'll have no peace from now on.
I have already taken the beating,
why inflict the same on them?
Give it a rest!
Mr Ko! Mr Ko!
I'm really sorry... I'm so sorry...
On his account, I'll spare you both!
Thank you, Your Highness!
Starting today, you'll be his human cushions
until his behind fully recovers.
Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir!
Mr Ko... Mr Ko...
Be careful! Be careful!
Watch it...
Don't touch his behind!
This is much better!
Get some rest, Tin-po!
Thank you, Your Highness!
Watch out!
Don't shake me...
Don't touch his behind...
Master Tin-po, you have not recovered,
let me do the heavy lifting!
My hands are fine!
Look at you! Go get some rest!
What?
Master Mai, why don't you help Master Tin-po to his room,
I'll finish up here.
Sounds good, let's go!
HEY"
You're on your own! Watch it...
Master Mai...
Hide me! Don't let her see me!
How? You must be kidding!
Master Mai!
Siu-to!
Master Mai!
Master Mai!
Fancy seeing you here, Siu-to!
I came to deliver a letter from Miss Ruobi.
A letter for me?
About this letter...
Master Mai!
Go ahead, open it!
She wants to see me?
Yes, I need your answer before I'll go.
“Y “New?
Well...
You're strong!
I can't believe it either! She's pretending to be light.
What does the letter say?
Miss Nian wants to meet me.
Tear it up...
Wait!
I thought you didn't want to see her.
Master Mai!
Tell Miss Nian I'll be there or be square.
What?
Yew well!
I thought you're not going!
I promised to be your matchmaker.
I want you to come with me.
What's wrong?
My parent born again!
Master Mai!
Miss Nian!
You're early, Master Mai!
I've brought a friend.
Hello, Miss Nian!
What are you doing here? You're not invited.
Actually, Tin-po is my...
...his Shifu.
I heard you wanted to...
...exchange culinary skills.
So I brought 'fin-po!
That's right!
Do you mind?
Do you mind?
Of course not, if he's your Shifu.
In fact, I should apologise to Master Ko.
On my mother's birthday,
I didn't know who he was and I was being inhospitable.
I hope you can forgive me!
Of course! I should visit your Mother again.
That's all water under the bridge.
What matters is for us to have fun today.
Let's sit down! Sure!
I'll check on their special dishes today.
Have a nice chat!
Go ahead!
Master Mai...
Have a seat!
You're Master Mai's shifu at such a young age.
Your culinary skills must be perfect.
I'm too modest to talk about perfection.
Yet I'm quite honest. I have to admit I'm perfect.
So incoherent. Apparently, the perfect fool.
Don't be rude, Siu-to.
Yes, Miss Ruobi!
Miss Nian, you have such a good eye.
You've picked such a heavy-weight maid!
You're such a fair lady compared to her.
You...
Stinky tofu...
Get it while it's hot...
That's outrageous!
Having something stinky nearby is such a spoiler.
Hey you! I mean Siu-to...
you're the real spoiler.
Did you know stinky tofu is a delicacy of the highest grade?
See? I told you he's a liar, Miss Ruobi!
How can stinky tofu be a delicacy?
You don't understand, Siu-to.
According to the Zhenguan Documentation of Food,
there Z lines of culinary skills: for fresh or for putrefied food.
Sashimi is fresh food. The emphasis is on selection and knives skills.
Putrefied food means turning decomposed ingredients into something delicious.
Stinky tofu and salted fish are good examples.
Turning the foul and rotten into a rare delicacy,
requires heavenly culinary skills.
My salted-fish buns are renowned in the capital,
which means I'm at the height of my craft.
Like teacher, like pupil!
No wonder Master Mai stood out like a crane among chickens at my bridal contest.
The others are chicken alright...
Wife and concubines for sale!
Come and take a look!
No, Master...
Please don't sell us, Master!
We'll try to make ends meet.
Shut up!
Please don't sell us!
What kind of a man would sell his wife and concubines?
You think I wanted this?
The Emperor won't raise our allowance.
Everything is so expensive and
I can't afford to support my family.
You should blame Kangxi for breaking up my family.
The Eight Banner clans own land and property,
all of you have concubines and do nothing for a living.
While Han Chinese are skinny...
this one not counted...
because our money is spent on supporting you.
How dare you insult the Eight Banners!
It's the truth, not an insult!
Beat up that mouthy wise guy!
Go away!
It's comfy...I'm not afraid...
It doesn't hurt...
Scared now?
What is it?
The yamen guards are coming, let's go!
Yamen guards are here, let's go!
Siu-to!
Don't worry, she can handle herself!
Let's go!
Miss Nian, it's not a good idea to stay here
Let me take you home.
He's offering to take you home!
No thanks. I have Siu-to with me.
I should be alright.
That's right! I'll take Miss Ruobi home!
I'm sorry to have got you scared.
It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself.
I'm sure we'll see each other again.
Right...next time!
Goodbye, Master Mai!
She didn't even look at me!
She said you're tall and big.
She did?
Height is in the eyes of the beholder!
I'm a tad taller than you.
Ling Po as a member of the Eight Banners clans,
how dare he starts trouble in public over money!
A member of the Plain White Banner,
Ling Po is the grandson of Ha Lung,
who followed Dorgon into Beijing
and was the first person who hoisted the Qing flag.
You're telling me this troublemaker is the descendant of Qing's benefactor,
and that he started the trouble because I treated him badly?
That's not what we mean.
Your Majesty, it was wrong of Ling Po to start the trouble,
but he has his reasons for doing so.
Only the Manchu courtiers are on their knees pleading the case,
what about the other Han courtiers other than Zhang Tingyu?
You were usually very eloquent when you presented your views,
citing historical fact to prove your case.
Cat got your tongues today on this one?
If you dare not speak up, I'll do it for you.
You must be thinking
Manchus have ruled over us for 80 years,
abused your prerogative in the enclosure of land and frittered away our tax money,
dumping the financial burden onto us Hans.
It's time we fixed you.
Am I right?
We beg your pardon, Your Majesty!
Sire, we must deal with Ling Po right away.
We'll discuss this after the assembly.
Yinzhen, Yinsi and Zhang Tingyu, meet me in the Imperial Study.
Ave! Aye!
The Ling Po affair will start a chain reaction.
It's so unlike Yinzhen to voice his opinion in public.
I'd like to hear more.
The Eight Banners clans have been a longstanding problem.
I rather agree with the Han officials.
We should encourage Manchus to support themselves
and slowly cut back on their prerogatives
so that the Manchus and the Hans can coexist peacefully.
It's the only way to achieve longterm stability and prosperity.
What do you think, Yinsi?
The Eight Banners formed the base of Qing.
To abolish their prerogatives will undermine Qing's stability,
and make Father seem ungrateful.
Father, you're known for your benevolence,
we should appease them with leniency.
Hengchen, what do you think?
It'd be perfect if the Eight Banners accept your appeasement,
but I'm afraid it won't be easy.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I'm willing to take up the negotiation,
and help share Father's troubles.
I'm pleased you're willing to take the hot potato off my hands.
I'll put you in charge of the matter.
Yes, Father!
I'm offering you tea on behalf of His Majesty.
I appreciate the thought,
please get to the point.
You have any suggestions on the banner system?
My suggestion is simple.
We want His Majesty to stop dragging his feet and grant us our request.
I see. But there's a time for everything.
We're at war in the northwest,
the Treasury is short on money.
The Eight Banners should sympathise with the Courts difficult position.
If His Majesty finds it hard to run this country,
he should let someone else do the job.
Before we came into China proper,
the Eight Banners all had their own leaders.
It's only fair if we take turns in running the country,
and take the burden off the Aisin Gioro clan.
That's right!
That's the way to do it.
Your Highness, a crowd has gathered outside.
Master...
You're trespassing on Prince Yinsi's property,
please leave at once.
My ancestors have earned merit for Qing,
as their descendants, I cant even afford to bury them.
I had no choice but bring them here to Prince Yinsi
to show them how His Majesty and Prince Yinsi are treating us.
Your Highness!
The problems you're facing,
I'll report everything to His Majesty.
I'm sure he'll work things out for you.
Please go home!
We'd love to, but we don't have a home.
If we don't get a raise in our allowance,
we'll eat, sleep and die here at Prince Yinsi's residence.
More allowance, more land...
Everyone, Prince Yinsi will ensure His Majesty won't forget our contribution,
and bear our interests in mind.
Be assured of that and go home.
Ling Po, shall we talk further inside?
What's there to talk about?
In 3 days,
they'll go to Wangfujing Main Street to peddle off
their belongings, bestowments, even their wives and children.
Let's see how that'll reflect on His Majesty.
You should seriously think it over.
His Majesty wishes to dine in the Imperial Garden.
Hurry up and get ready.
Aye!
Go get ready'!
Lee Goong Goong, does His Majesty want anything in particular?
Can you give us a hint?
His Majesty is very upset today.
You'd better be on your toes.
Can you be more specific?
He's not too happy with your lack of innovation.
Do as you see fit!
No innovation? What innovation?
I'll lose my head if he's not happy.
I know!
Put Ko Tin-po in charge.
Let him come up with new ideas.
If anything should go wrong,
it'll be his head, not ours.
I just got an idea.
I'll put Ko Tm-po in charge.
Let him come up with new ideas.
If anything should go wrong,
it'll be his head, not ours.
I came up with such a brilliant idea!
I'm such a genius!
I'm in charge? That's too good to be true!
It's true! I heard it from Choi Hok-ting!
They won't even let us inside the kitchen.
This must be some conspiracy.
What sort of conspiracy?
Mr Ko!
His Majesty threw a fit after a discussion with Prince Yinsi.
So Lee Goong Goong told Kung Hei Fat Choi to try to please His Majesty with new dishes.
He was afraid of getting in trouble,
so he put you in charge.
See? I knew it!
He's expecting us to risk our lives?
You're scared?
Not really. We'll only get beheaded!
Hey!
What should we make?
No pain, no gain!
Even a salted fish can fly.
His Majesty the Emperor!
Greetings, Your Majesty!
At ease! Thank you, Your Majesty!
You're on duty today, Ko Tin-po?
Mr Choi wanted me to make you a new dish.
What have you prepared for me?
Manchu-Han Unity soup,
which implies unifying the Manchus and the Hans.
Excellent name!
Thank you. Please try it, Your Majesty.
You used both Manchu and Han ingredients
and combined their different cooking skills.
This is very original and tasty.
I might have come up with the idea,
it wouldn't have been possible without Mr Mai's help.
Good job, Mr Mai!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
The Imperial Larder did try to combine Manchu and Han dishes before,
but they were neither here nor there.
How did you manage to outperform them?
Both cuisines have their own flavours and characteristics.
The key is not to upstage each other.
If the tastes fight each other,
both will suffer and the dish will be inedible.
Good point!
Balance is the essence of Chinese cooking,
neither too strong nor too weak,
the key is to strike a good balance
to bring out the true taste of the food.
Well said, Ko Tin-po!
No wonder they say running a country is like cooking a dish.
I hope after tasting this soup,
Your Majesty will be in a better mood,
and all your problems will be solved.
I hope so too.
Yinzhen, I've turned down Yinsi's proposal.
What's your view on the banner system?
I think it's time to implement reforms.
Banner members should no longer be entitled to privileges,
free provisions and allowances without doing any work.
Or they'll continue to be a financial burden.
Their ancestors shed their blood to build the Qing Empire.
But that doesn't give them the right to *** land from the Hans,
or for the court to provide for them forever.
It would only intensify the disparity between the rich and the poor,
as well as between the Manchus and the Hans.
It'd be hard to maintain peace.
How can the banner members make a living?
We can try emigration and cultivation.
What?
The Court will pay for the moving expenses
for unemployed banner members
to emigrate to Jilin and cultivate wasteland.
They can support themselves,
as well as train their physique
to become new recruits for the army.
It's a good idea to tackle it from both angles.
Yinzhen, I'm putting you in charge.
Yes, Father!
You've made no progress with your archery.
What about you?
We'll see.
You're no better!
Stop horsing around!
Father has taken Yinzhen's advice to reform the banner system.
Yinsi, how come Father has bought his idea?
His wishful talk about justice and fairness
may sound sensible, but impractical and unenforceable!
He has offended every banner member all at once.
He's bound to suffer the consequences.
I don't care what happens to him.
I just don't want chaos in the capital.
The Eight Banners clans have stirred up so much trouble lately.
Is that why you seem perplexed?
Yes, I've had non-stop debates with Father and Yinzhen.
My brother knows nothing about politics.
He's a wishful thinker who has no grasp of reality.
Not only that, he's a hypocrite.
I don't want to see him again.
Father should never have listened to him
and go against the Eight Banners clans.
It would only lead to chaos
and won't benefit Qing.
Three feet of ice was not formed overnight.
The problem can't be resolved easily.
I don't know what Father is thinking.
Emperor Kangxi has ruled for over 50 years.
I'm sure he knows what he's doing.
This is a pressing matter.
The capital will be in chaos if we don't resolve it quickly,
and the people will suffer.
Notice : Emigrate and Cultivate By order of the Gate Commander
What is it?
Look!
Who does he think we are?
Giving us a little money and a few draft animals and farm tools
and ship us off to cultivate the wasteland in the North?
That's outrageous! Move aside!
Move it!
Our home is right here. We're not going anywhere.
If the Court won't give us our provisions,
we'll fight till we're dead.
That's right! We'll bury them with us!
Yinzhen!
How's the new policy of emigration and cultivation?
Mother, it takes time for a new reform to take effect.
Yes, it takes time to see the effects,
but it only takes a day to see how it fails.
I heard Ling Po will bring coffins to Wangfujing Main Street and sell his family.
Imagine how humiliated Father would be!
Ling Po will only humiliate himself!
Really? I heard they'll create disturbances
to force the Court to give in to them.
It's no longer a question of who will be humiliated.
Then you should report to your Father,
so that he can station troops to protect the capital.
I'm their target.
Father gave me the assignment,
I'll take full responsibility.
Take full responsibility? How?
You only wanted to score points with Father,
you should never have put the future of Qing on the line.
Yinzheng, I'm enforcing the new reform
to bring Qing back on the right track,
not for my personal honour like you said.
Yinzhen, if the reform is so unpopular like Yinzheng said,
perhaps you should consider changing it.
Mother, the new reform is like a dose of bitter medication,
as it threatens someones vested interests,
obviously they don't like it and won't accept it.
To cure Qing of its illness, however, the medication must be used.
You simply can't be reasoned with!
I'm being selectively stubborn,
and trying to make possible the impossible.
Whether I make or break Qing,
history will make its conclusions.
I'm afraid you'll be more...
We don't get to eat together often.
Let's not argue anymore. Let's eat!
Yes, Mother!
Greetings, Your Majesty!
Get up!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
What's the situation?
People are running scared!
The discontent of the Eight Banners is well within my expectations.
You mean...
If I succumb to their demands from the start,
they're bound to ask for the moon.
Now with Yinzhen's new reform,
even if he can't succeed,
we'll have more bargaining power.
This is an offensive as well as defensive move.
Even if Yinzhen fails, I still have Yinsi,
to help me stabilise the situation.
But new reforms cannot be enforced with undue haste.
Take time and things will go smoothly.
I should now put a stop to it.
You're most wise, Your Majesty!
I feel guilty towards Yinzhen.
If he learns he was only the pawn to *** off the Eight Banners...
take it as my being unfair to him.
For the stability of Qing,
I had no choice but sacrifice him.
Master, look at our pitiful state...
Master, look at our pitiful state...
Those Manchus are starting trouble again.
Attention!
You must exercise constraint even when you are provoked.
Do not act recklessly.
You must obey my orders.
Aye!
Let's go!
Mr Wu!
We can talk, if you do not agree with the new reforms.
But it's wrong of you to start trouble.
When the hare is dead...
the hound is killed
More allowances, more land...
More allowances, more land...
How dare you! Starting a rebellion?
You gave us no choice!
Without the valour of the Eight Banners soldiers,
there wouldn't have been a Qing today.
Kangxi is an ingrate.
We're here to claim the money and the land that belong to us.
Show them!
Nalan Fung Ying, Plain Yellow Banner,
earned second rank military honour, killed 300 in battle.
De'er Nei-ngak, Plain White Banner,
earned third rank military honour, killed 200 in battle.
Gorolo Dat, Bordered Blue Banner,
earned third rank military honour, killed 200 in battle.
They are the true members of the banners,
every soar on their bodies
represents the sacrifices they made for their country.
You disrupted peace and order just for your own personal gain.
You're not worthy of being called members of the banner clans.
What you have done is a shame to your ancestors.
You're accusing me of disturbing the peace.
Then let me show you how.
Grab your weapons, brothers!
Yes !
There'll be casualties if we start a fight.
The resentment among the Manchus will grow.
Ling Po, you're nothing but an instigator.
What kind of a man would hide behind someone else?
I say you're nothing but a coward!
Halt!
Yinzhen, you don't know what's good for you!
I dare you to take me on.
We'll see who the coward is.
If you win, I'll call off my men.
If you lose, take your gang with you!
Fine!
Ling Po, take them away!
Don't mind me! Charge...
Yinzhen, can't stand to kill me?
Is your saber too blunt?
Or you're scared if you kill me today,
you'll become the enemy of all banner clans?
I dare you to chop off my head!
Let's see how you answer to the Eight Banners.
Back then we shed our blood for Qing.
Today, the blood is still fresh, you have already gone back on your word.
Go ahead! Kill me and let His Majesty bear this dishonour from now!
Arrest all the troublemakers.
Anyone who disobeys will be punished by the law.
Aye!