【Multi | FULL】EP34 | A Love Never Lost 人生若如初见 | iQIYI
[Episode 34] Duke Ayakura, I’d like to ask your advice on something. Your Highness, please go ahead. How do you deal with those financial frauds and speculators? Your Highness, is it because of the recent stock market crash in Shanghai? Indeed. Similar stock market crashes once hit Japan before, while they were not that severe. Is that so? So what measures did you take? We tried our best to avoid it. Like precautions. I’m afraid no country has a better solution to its breakout. That’s true. But the point is that those speculators who suffered losses never came to you
when they were making a fortune. But now that they’ve lost money and gone broke, they soon turned to you, demanding the court to cover their losses. For example, we’ve been working on railway nationalization in Sichuan. The Sichuan Railway Bureau’s several million taels of silver deposited in Shanghai banks were all gone due to this stock market turmoil. They planned to earn interest and profits but ended up being deceived. Of course, the court won’t take responsibility for this money. I understand your country’s current
financial difficulties. Your government’s annual disposable income is less than 100 million. In this stock market crash, the Shanghai and London stock markets alone have seen Chinese merchants lose 45 million taels of silver. This tremendous outflow of funds is indeed a big deal. Haven’t you noticed that your Prince Regent hasn’t smiled the whole night? Yoshiko. On this plate is the authentic Peking duck. Miss Yoshiko, please try more. Thank you, Your Highness. My husband and I both think that Peking duck is the most palatable food in the world. Tufang, Duke Ayakura was your guardian during your stay in Japan. Spend more time showing him around Beijing. Yes, Your Highness. Father, the stock market crash this time has accelerated the economic collapse
of the Qing dynasty. Society will get more and more chaotic. The Qing government has completely lost its credibility. As far as I know, the Chinese revolutionaries have already infiltrated the high ranks of the military. I’m afraid… It’s even worse than that. Our cabinet ministers are so worried. Now, almost all European powers are keeping a close eye on the major changes in China, planning to take advantage of the chaos. This is a critical situation. During the Russo-Japanese War, we spent 20 billion yen
on war expenses in Manchuria and invested another 17 billion yen. Not to mention the 200,000 soldiers who sacrificed their precious lives. So no matter what, we must not give up Japan’s interests in Manchuria Do you understand? Yes. Duke, General Liang Xiang’s car has arrived at the entrance. Okay. [Kunming Lake, Summer Palace] The uninterrupted Chinese civilization that has thrived for 5,000 years
is indeed amazing. Look at this scenery
blessed by nature and perfect feng shui. I believe that no matter what happens, China will still be China. Duke, when you say “no matter what happens,” do you mean the revolution? Not just the revolution, but all human activities. Sounds like you’ve also included the revolution in your words. Will it happen? Will China undergo a revolution? Chairman Song. What’s the matter? Something weird happened. My old account suddenly received a large sum of 70,000. I checked it, and it seems to be a transfer from Nanyang, labeled as “China Education Association’s Donation.” I forgot to inform you in advance. Someone needs to borrow your account to transfer this money to Guangzhou. Transfer to Guangzhou? I’m running a legitimate bank. A legit bank usually had some illegal fund transactions. To cover up where they come and where they go, we need some
technical processing, of course, to make these shady funds appear clean. Money laundering? Just leave it alone. They’re in dire need
of this money in Guangzhou. My overseas friends contacted me. I need to find a reliable person to wrap it up. That person is you. Me? Have someone withdraw this money, exchange it into small-denomination bills, and deliver it urgently to Guangzhou. Who’s the recipient in Guangzhou? Huang Xing, Huang Keqiang. You’re familiar with him, aren’t you? I got it. Tufang, you finally have some free time today? Yes. I just sent Duke Ayakura off. He’s quite an ambitious man. During my tenure in Liangjiang, I met him twice in Shanghai, leaving a deep impression on me. Something’s just weird. [Tohoro Duanfang, courtesy name Wuqiao] Even we don’t have a clear picture of some current issues. Then, Wuqiao, which issues do you think we can see more clearly? The current situation is truly worrying. Tufang, perhaps the reforms we’ve been promoting gradually for the past decade actually led to the revolution. No way! Why not? Sometimes we sow dragon seeds yet reap fleas. The leniency of the new policies has gathered in the cities an influx of students, officials, gentry, merchants, and the New Army’s lower-ranking officers. They are more capable than ever of taking collective action to fight you. A tiny spark could ignite a raging fire. I no longer have a say in matters. But you, Tufang, still have it. We can no longer sleep soundly on a pile of firewood. Tell Zaifeng exactly this. Tell him it’s from me, Duanfang. Tufang. Lord Zaitao had this delivered. Seems like a confidential report
from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Guangzhou’s seen anomalies lately. Guangzhou’s New Army, Patrol and Defense Battalion, and police all have revolutionaries infiltrated into. We’ve got the information that they might stir up trouble in Guangzhou recently. The Viceroy’s Office, the Naval Office, the Training Office, and every police station in Guangzhou are all the targets they plan to occupy. Is that so? Things are this serious? Yes. A telegraph machine has been installed
in the Prince Regent’s mansion. His Highness wants me to go test it tonight. [Guangzhou, Guangdong Province] Big bird! Big bird! There’s a big bird in the sky! I want to see! Let me see! There’s a big bird in the sky! Let me see. So this is an airplane! I heard it’s from Germany. Make way! Get out of the way! Clear the path! Looks like the Admiral is coming. [Wen Shengcai, Revolutionary Party Member] [Fuqi, General of Guangzhou] [On March 10, the third year of Xuantong
(April 8, 1911),] [Belgians held an airplane show
outside the East Gate of Guangzhou.] [The revolutionary, Wen Shengcai,
tried to take this chance to assassinate] [Li Zhun, the Admiral
of the Guangdong Navy, yet ended up] [shooting Fuqi,
the General of Guangzhou’s Garrison.] [Hall of Calligraphy] Mr. Liang. Your Highness, Viceroy Zhang Mingqi of Liangguang sent a report on today’s incident in Guangzhou. Following the earlier assassination of General Fuqi on the street, Huang Xing
and the other rebel leaders in Guangzhou chose today as their day of revolution. The rebellion started at 5:30 PM this afternoon. It began with an attack
on the Viceroy’s Office from the Small East Gate of Guangzhou. The rebels wore white armbands, used conch horns as signals, put on black rubber shoes, and carried guns and explosives to attack the police
guarding the Viceroy’s Office. After a gunfight, the rebels shortly occupied the office. In an emergency, Viceroy Zhang climbed over the wall of the back garden and escaped to the Guangzhou Naval Command. Navy Admiral Li Zhun soon organized an effective counterattack. Fierce battles broke out at several spots across the city. Charge! Hurry! Move! Charge! Charge! Push through! Charge! [On April 27th, 1911, the revolutionary,
Huang Xing, led a death squad] [of 130 men to charge
into the Liangguang Viceroy’s Office.] [They launched the tenth armed revolt
of the Chinese Alliance.] [Governor Zhang Mingqi fled in panic.] [After burning down
the Viceroy’s Office, the rebels] [clashed with the troops
sent by Navy Admiral Li Zhun.] [The rebels fought hard
but were outnumbered and lost.] [It’s known as the Yellow Flower Mound Uprising.] By the time this telegram was sent, all those gunfights had ceased. Our Guangzhou Garrison is searching the city for the rebel leaders. Over 100 rebel corpses are left on the streets. Viceroy Zhang reports to the Prince Regent that the rebellion in Guangzhou
has pretty much died down. How appalling. It literally spreads like wildfire. Let’s call it a day. You may all leave now. Well then, we’ll take our leave, Your Highness. We’ll take our leave, Your Highness. Tufang, you stay. Would you like some? No, thank you, Your Highness. What’s this? This is… Zaitao brought it back from France. A sedative. Does it work? It helps a bit. The unrest in Guangzhou seems to have settled down. I just read the interrogation records sent back by Zhang Mingqi. Why are they all twenty-somethings who once studied abroad? They’re all so young. I’m so surprised. Tufang, you should be more familiar
with these people than me. Why? Why is it this group of people? They’re young, educated, writing books and building theories, each one exceptionally talented. Yet with such a resolute attitude, they’re willing to shed blood and resort to violence one after another to overthrow you and bring you down. You know them well. Tell me why this is happening. Actually… Actually, I’ve only had contact with them. I wouldn’t say I know them well. That’s not true. In Tokyo. You once discussed revolution together in Tokyo. The so-called revolutionary spirit develops from the spirit of youth, I suppose. Young, with dreams, firmly believing that their fates are deeply tied to that of the country and the nation. They are all determined to save the country
and the nation from peril. They have no fear of death, believing that without death, life would be a long, numb process of endurance. Death, it is precisely death that fuels their lives with passion and ideals. You need to be more specific. Like, what’s his name? How old is he? Where is he from? And the family background, the personal history? Your Highness, I was talking about their collective characters. No, no, no. You must have specific individuals in mind. Why not name some? Let’s not discuss specifics. But one thing is clear. Among the cabinet candidates the court is considering, in terms of dignity alone, I’m afraid none of them can match our rivals. Those men… Among those slick guys at power games
and greedy nouveau riche, who has sincere ideals or lofty integrity? None of them. They’re only sticking to power and benefits they’re unwilling to give up. I wanted you to illustrate the situation, yet you’re lecturing me. They all push for a constitution
to be implemented soon. That means we need to establish
a cabinet first. To form a cabinet involves personnel arrangements. Within the court, whenever it involves personnel arrangements, it’s always a hard nut to crack! It’s like a pot of old soup, a rich, century-old broth. How many bloodlines, recipes, and ingredients there have been! Accumulated over a century, each has been passed down
from our ancestors. If any ingredient is missing, the soup won’t be the same. The water won’t be the same. And the flavor will be different. You have to take care of each gang and crew. I know it’s hard for you, Your Highness. Today, the Ministry of Finance told me about the deficit. Tomorrow, we will have to discuss loans with banks from England, America, Germany, and France. It’s not easy to borrow money from foreigners. To borrow it, the court must centralize power. The railways must be nationalized. The nationalized railways will cause the local authorities’ protest. Memorials about protecting the railways will pour in endlessly. How will you handle this? I have already decided to leave the railway problem to Duanfang. Duanfang is a capable man. It’s a waste to have him idle in Beijing. In the next few days, go and visit him on my behalf. Drop some hints. Let him prepare to get back to work. Understood. Also, the chaos in Guangzhou might inspire imitations elsewhere. To intimidate rebels across the country, the main force of the Beiyang Army should draft a plan for a military drill in Yongping soon. You should get it done perfectly in a high-profile way to demonstrate
the court’s strength and resolve. Tufang, it’s your job to arrange it for me right away. Draft a proposal and submit it
to the Grand Council for approval. Yes, Your Highness. [The Sixth Division of Beiyang Army] Patrolling? Hello, Mrs. Li. Hello, Mrs. Li. Be careful. Hello, Mrs. Li. You look high-spirited. Hello, Mrs. Li. Hello, Mrs. Li. Who’s that woman? The newly-appointed
Brigade Commander Li’s wife. Really? Why is she so friendly? She’s from the red-light district. Of course she’s friendly. No wonder. Young man, [The Brigade Commander’s Mansion
of the Twelfth Brigade] prepare the fish later, okay? Fenglan, don’t bother yourself. We’ll leave soon. No way. Mr. Kaizhi, with no family around, you have to make do with the army’s meals. Actually, I’ve sent a letter to Shanghai, asking her to visit me in the battalion. Her? Who is she? You’ll know when she arrives. Wait, Kaizhi, you have a woman now? When did this happen? You must know. Tell me about it. Well, as a subordinate,
I dare not poke my nose into the commander’s privacy. I could tell something
from what you said. Could it be… Don’t look at me. My brother Kaizhi’s taste is extraordinary. Kaizhi, is it some princess from Beijing introduced to you by Liang Xiang? What princess? It’s Shuhong. Shuhong? See? I guessed it right. You and Shuhong are in a relationship? What’s so strange about that? My cousin married her sister. Our romantic relationship is righteous and grounded. Yeah. Righteous, grounded, and natural. Dear, go prepare some nice dishes. Let’s make it a party to congratulate my brother Kaizhi. Okay! Just look forward to the meal! Come on. Cheers. Cheers. Maichen, enjoy the meal. Qianli, how long have you been in the Twelfth Brigade? About three months, right? Regarding your work, I’m both satisfied and dissatisfied. Kaizhi, you can just tell me what I did great and what I did wrong. We don’t need to hold back with each other! Let’s not talk about Brigade Commander Wu. He’s different from us. You and I have been through a lot together on the training ground in Tokyo. Your Twelfth Brigade can’t be like the Eleventh Brigade, right? Why are you also leaving
false accounts to me a division commander? I see, Kaizhi. You’re dissatisfied with last month’s equipment and financial inspection. Not just dissatisfied. I’m infuriated. The Division Office sent an inspector to check on the Twelfth Brigade. But the report submitted to me doesn’t have a single true item. It’s all fake. What on earth is your Twelfth Brigade doing? Disregarding the Division Office’s authority, your Twelfth Brigade can ignore it and do things your own way? Bro, it’s not that I insist on doing this. It’s just that all divisions in the Beiyang Army are doing it this way. We all have two sets of ledgers! I can’t control the other divisions, but in my Sixth Division, there can only be one real ledger. Bro, to be honest with you, I don’t think it’s feasible. It won’t work. All brigades have old messy ledgers full of discrepancies. If you report everything as it is, how many officials would be involved? If you make it blow up and cause an investigation from top to bottom, how many people will be brought down? No one here has clean hands. Sack them all, and the Beiyang Army will be done for. In my position, anyone with a bit of sense wouldn’t dare to do this. Maichen, could I possibly do this? Kaizhi. You and I are both newcomers. The top priority is to win support. We must leave those old ledgers alone. All we can do is turn a blind eye. Don’t act all noble like Liang Xiang. How many true friends do you think he has? Apart from those few lords, who treats him with sincerity? Qianli, if someone else said this to me, I really couldn’t accept it. That’s right. Just some nobodies in the Army, getting paid without actually serving, profiting from selling equipment, embezzling a bit,
and taking a share of the benefits. How can you investigate it? Everyone’s doing so! It’s not just about one or two people. If you dismiss and imprison them all, who’s going to lead your troops? Fine. You, Li Renjun, are indeed a veteran
from the Wuwei Corps Right Division. No wonder they picked and appointed you here with me. Good thing it’s me! No matter how capable you are, Yang Kaizhi, can you outdo Zeng Wenzheng, Zeng Guofan? Even Zeng Wenzheng turned a blind eye to such things. He once said, “Anyone who leads the army tends to pocket war funds. I don’t forbid others from misappropriation, but I guarantee that I myself won’t take anything improperly.” You’re even referring to Mr. Zeng, what else can I say? Come on, let’s drink. Indeed. The country has already been reduced to this state. If the Army falls apart too, who will clean up this mess? Exactly. You should see the bigger picture. A division commander needs to be tolerant. Kaizhi, why did Renjun talk to you in that tone just now? He’s always been like that. Ever since I first met him, he’s been such a thuggish soldier. That won’t do. If the central revolution needs us to take the Sixth Division away in no time, will he go with us? This is exactly my biggest worry. Alright! You’ve had your drinks and your arguments. Why do you still seem unhappy? How can I be happy? I’m worried. I’m worried that one day I have to part ways with him. That can’t be. You’re close friends! Just because we’re too close, I’m heartbroken. Why? You think I wanted to come here for a promotion? But you still came, didn’t you? I had to, as it was Mr. Yuan’s order! Mr. Yuan? Wasn’t it Yinchang who sent you here? You know nothing as a woman. Who does Yinchang listen to? Mr. Yuan, of course! I see. Mr. Yuan is worried that the Sixth Division might completely fall under the control
of the revolutionary party. So he specifically named me to come here and keep Kaizhi in check. Kaizhi? Kaizhi is a revolutionary? You’re just finding out now? Oh, my… Why are you trembling? You think the revolutionaries all look hideous and scary? Well, you almost made me stop breathing. I’ve known his identity ever since we were in Tokyo. Don’t expose this. Don’t tell anyone, understand? I won’t tell anyone. I won’t. Judging from his tone at the dinner table today, I know this jerk is dead set on making his own plan. Things have been too smooth for him. At such a young age, he’s already a division commander. With just some random hustle in Yanji, he got himself an Imperial Badge of the Double Dragon. He’s been running wild. In his first month in office, he kicked out Brigade Commander Zhou. I, Li Renjun, am just a nobody to him now. He’s so full of himself. There’s no risk that he, Yang Kaizhi, doesn’t dare to take. So, I’m worried that from here on, our friendship won’t last long.