【Multi | FULL】EP36 Su Wuming and his party arrived in Dunhuang | 唐朝诡事录之西行 | iQIYI
[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II To the West] [Episode 36] [Dunhuang, Mogao Caves] Mogao Caves, the place that I even dream about. Hundreds of caves were dug into the cliffs, yet there are no signs of collapse. It’s a miracle. In most of these caves, tunnels are first dug out, then dug diagonally upwards to form the roofs, and then dug downwards. The water immersion method is also used, which makes it both safe and easy to dig. It’ll never collapse. Little kid, you know quite a lot. You just arrived, right? Let me tell you about it. Shazhou governs the two counties of Dunhuang and Shouchang. The city ahead is both the capital of Shazhou and the county seat of Dunhuang. Dunhuang, the precious land, connects the entire Western Region. All roads converge here. So envoys can be seen here and merchants come and go ceaselessly. These Mogao Caves are the soul of Dunhuang. By the way, three hundred years ago, there was a monk named Yue Zun who traveled here. He saw this Sanwei Mountain emanating myriads of golden light, as if 1,000 Buddhas were meditating. So on the cliff of this Mingsha Mountain, he carved out the first cave. There are sculptures in the cave, all extremely exquisite. Just the murals can be divided into portraits, narrative paintings, and sutra paintings. Among them, narrative paintings can be divided into Buddhism founder’s stories, etiological stories, Jataka stories, and historical stories. Ruru Jataka, Conversion of the Five Hundred Bandits, and Maitreya Sutra are some of our ultimate treasures. If you want detailed explanations, why don’t you pay for it? He’s such a good speaker. We should pay him. Here. Take it. No thanks. I won’t take the money. Is it too little? No. I’d give a brief introduction to any foreign guests I meet, to be a good host. Only if you want further detailed explanations or a tour around the caves do you need to pay me. Then why don’t you first tell us what’s good to eat and drink here? Our most famous fruit is the Liguang apricot. Our delicacies include Xi pancakes, Sangza, Lengrang, donuts, ice cream, hand-grabbed mutton, cumin buns, and Jinsha sliced chicken. They’re all delicious. Your introduction made me hungry. Can you accept the money now? No. I can’t accept the money. I’ve done too little for you. Well… How about this? Take us to see the best cave, okay? You’ve found the right person. Follow me. Let’s go. I’m Duobao. If you need anything after entering the city, you can come to me. Just ask any kid for Duobao, [Duobao] the one who’s best at introducing Dunhuang, and you can find me. Duobao. Nice name. Thank you. In the desert ahead, there’s even a spring. We call it the sand well. But it looks like the crescent moon. So I secretly named it Crescent Spring. But it hasn’t caught on yet. Before you enter the city, you’ll go through a sand dune. You can surf there. This is a special custom here. Sand surfing? I didn’t expect Dunhuang to be so fun. Duobao. Thank you so much. Wait. Take them all. No. These are enough. Take your time. I’ll get going. I hope I’m lucky enough to see you again. What a great youth of Tang. Brother, come with me. Look. This painting looks a lot like Duobao. It does look like him. Unfortunately, it’s not him. That kid’s out to make a living at such a young age. He must be from a poor family. He’s not qualified to be on murals. This man looks old but even painted his nails. It’s not odd. Dunhuang pioneered fashion. Come. Look. Look at this row of people. They’re providers. They’re also called the cave masters or merit masters. They funded this Buddhist cave. This cave that Duobao brought us to should be a family cave. A provider is a master of the family, a child, or even a servant who is vital to the family. [Provider] [Shazhou] [Shazhou, Wangjing Gate] If I’m not mistaken, you must be Sheriff Lu from Yunding. Yes, I’m Lu Lingfeng. [Governor of Shazhou, Zhang Huang] I’m the governor of Shazhou, Zhang Huang. When I heard you’d come here upon the court’s order, I’ve been waiting outside the city gate every day. Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. You’re finally here. Greetings, Governor. Happy Dragon Boat Festival. What’s wrong? Well, because the Dragon Boat Festival is significant, the governor plans to promote a new greeting. Everyone, listen carefully. From now on, you’ll say “Have a safe Dragon Boat Festival.” Dragon Boat Festival has existed since ancient times. It’s a festival and a happy day for the people. As a festival, it’s already surpassed its original significance. So, on this day, what’s wrong with a greeting of happiness? Why should we change it? As expected from a descendant of the Lu family of Fanyang and Detective Di’s disciple who’s earned merits with His Majesty. That makes sense. Happy or safe, both are blessings. There’s no need to restrict it. By the way, we temporarily don’t have an administrator, and our military commander went to Guazhou for work. This is Li Chi, our judicial adjutant. [Judicial Adjutant, Li Chi] Greetings. The governor has been planning it for a year, but Sheriff Lu rejected it as soon as we met. As expected of the former general of the Imperial Guards and former Deputy President of the Supreme Court. It seems you know me well, Minister Li. Of course. The former administrator of Shazhou was once the magistrate of Yunding County. It seems he was dismissed because of some petty Yunding Immortal Steps case. A mere sheriff like you can be so powerful. It really enlightened me. Watch it. I am not that powerful. It’s just that His Majesty is wise and the court never indulges corrupt officials. Governor. Has the delegation of Kang arrived in Shazhou? Not yet. I think it’ll take a week or so. In my opinion, Lu Lingfeng is just a mere sheriff, but he also has his family members. Next, let me introduce them to you. Please. This is the former Deputy President of the Supreme Court and a Detective Di’s disciple, Su Wuming. I’ve heard a lot about you. Greetings, Governor. This is the daughter of the Assistant Minister of Personnel, Pei Xijun. This is a descendant of Duke of Henan Chu Suiliang, Chu Yingtao. Greetings. This is General Xue Rengui’s great-grandson, Xue Huan. Lastly, let me introduce myself. I’m Handsome Fed, the disciple of the King of Medicine Sun Simiao. Where are we staying at these days? Is it a banquet every three days or every day? That’s up to you. This… Sure. Mr. Fed, I’ve checked. You’ll live and eat in Qiande Hall, the best place in Shazhou. That’s more like it. Get someone to get the horses now! Yes. Go get the horses now. Go. Sheriff Lu. You’re all Shazhou’s esteemed guests. Please. Please. Everyone, come to me. [Qiande Hall] One for everyone. Don’t push. Move along. Move along. Hurry. Take it. Are they helping the refugees? I don’t see them giving out porridge. Such a big piece of beef and a whole bag of flatbread. It sure doesn’t look like disaster relief. And cloth too. Mr. Cao gave more cloth this year. It’s enough to make a set each for my two grandchildren. Yes. Governor, who is he? [Cao Zhongda, the richest man in Shazhou] The richest man in this city who does pawnshop business, Cao Zhongda. People call him Mr. Cao. He is also the leader of a trading company. He was the first provider on the wall of the cave. What pawnshop business? It’s where he provides storage for gold, silver, or valuable items. If you want to do business, you can borrow money from him. Mr. Cao is also Minister Li’s father-in-law. Yes, I’m Mr. Cao’s eldest son-in-law. Also, this is not disaster relief. Under our governor, there are no refugees in Shazhou. These are all gifts to the Shazhou people from my father-in-law. He’d do this annually during festivals. Take that old lady just now. Since her grandson was born, I bet she’s never bought any cloth. She waits for my father-in-law’s gifting period to make clothes for the kids. For today, I heard he prepared thousands of catties of beef and over 10,000 pieces of flatbread. He does look like a kind man. I want to befriend your father-in-law. You? What’s wrong with me? Qiande Hall is Mr. Cao’s private restaurant. He will entertain you when you get there. I’ll introduce him to you then. Governor Zhang. Esteemed guests. My master is still busy. Please forgive us for not hosting you well. Come with me first. Okay. This is the butler, Ding Mao. When my father-in-law entertains guests, he always comes to receive them. [Butler, Ding Mao] Everyone, please. Mr. Cao. Disciples of Detective Di, the daughter of the Assistant Minister of Personnel, the descendant of Duke Chu, and General Xue’s great-grandson. And you are King of Medicine’s disciple. We are honored to have you here today. Yes. Greetings, Mr. Cao. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Cao. Are you being earnest or pretending to be polite? What do you mean? Your son-in-law is a mere judicial adjutant, yet he’s so arrogant. But a charitable man like you is so humble. This makes me perplexed. Father-in-law, I… In the governor’s presence, you neglected the esteemed guests. You’re not tarnishing your reputation or mine but Shazhou’s. Apologize to the esteemed guests now. Mr. Fed. I’m sorry to have offended you outside the city gate. As an old man, please be magnanimous. Old man? Am I old? Don’t you know how to address him? Call him Physician Fed. I misspoke. Father-in-law. It’s hard to verify if he’s really King of Medicine’s disciple. Besides, even if it’s true, it doesn’t guarantee he’s a miracle doctor. As a judicial adjutant, do you not know about them saving mute slaves in Yunding? What have you been doing? Mr. Cao, you know about what I did in Yunding? News of your good deeds in Yunding have spread throughout the world. I am not blind or deaf. Of course I know it. Physician Fed, not only did you cure Yunding’s mute slaves, but you even gave out the treatment method and precious prescription for free. Tell me. This kind of merit should be painted in the caves and be passed down forever. Well… Governor. I’d like to invite Physician Fed to tonight’s banquet. What do you think? As you say, Mr. Cao. Oh, how can I accept this? Governor Zhang, please. You’re the head of the house. You first. You represent the city. I’m just a merchant. How dare I propose a toast in front of you? I’m already uncomfortable being in the seat of honor. Don’t make things hard for me. Go on. In the great land of Dunhuang in the great Tang, we have Mr. Cao as the host on a beautiful day of the Dragon Boat Festival. Ladies and gentlemen. Let’s drink this cup together. Please try the sliced chicken. Please. I, Fed, love chicken the most. I’m even titled Chicken Fed. But I didn’t expect to have such good chicken in my lifetime. Is this seasoning too spicy? Don’t worry. Eat more. The next dish relieves spiciness. Come on, please. Please. What is this? It’s sweet and cold. It’s really good. This is called ice cream. If you eat it in midsummer, it will be more delicious. I’ve never had such delicious food before. Sheriff Lu, it’s not odd that you haven’t tried it. Without Mr. Cao, this dish wouldn’t exist. Governor Zhang, you’re exaggerating. Mr. Cao, don’t be so modest. This ice cream was invented by a small stall vendor. It’s a pity that when it was launched, nobody cared and business was bad. He even lost all his capital. His parents happened to die then, and he had no money to bury them. So, this vendor wanted to sell himself to bury his parents. At this moment, Mr. Cao got the pawnshop to lend him money. A loan without interest. It’s really hot in Shazhou. I just hope this delicacy can relieve a bit of the heat when people visit Shazhou. By the way, the vendor who makes this dish has become a big boss now. Ding Mao. Is Mr. He here? Yes. Greetings, Governor Zhang. Greetings, Mr. Cao. Greetings, esteemed guests. I’m He Keke. I make ice cream for a living. I wonder if you like the ice cream today? Delicious! Mr. He. This ice cream is delicious. If you can sell it in Chang’an, it will become really famous. If you plan to do so, I can help find a place to open a branch in the busiest street in Chang’an. How’s that? A branch in Chang’an? That’s great news. I’ve been thinking about it. Mr. Cao. If you’re always around and keep taking care of me, maybe our ice cream can really be sold to Chang’an. Mr. Cao! Keke. What are you doing? The guests are still here. Hurry and get up. Be good and go run your business. Tomorrow morning, I’ll come wish you a happy birthday. Mr. Cao. Did Mr. He just say it’s your birthday tomorrow? Yes. After tonight, I’ll be 60. Then we will wish you in advance. -Mr. Cao, happy birthday.
-Mr. Cao, happy birthday. Actually, it’s no big deal. Tomorrow is my birthday and the day I advance towards death. Mr. Cao. You look healthy and in good spirits. How could you… That’s right. Tell me if you have any illness. If I can’t cure you, I will never call myself a miracle doctor. What’s troubling you, Mr. Cao? No one can save Mr. Cao. Who allowed you to speak? As Mr. Cao’s son-in-law, how could you say that? Why are you yelling when you know nothing? Mr. Cao. Physician Fed. Don’t get angry. Li Chi is right. Have you heard of the 60th birthday funeral? Is that your family’s custom? Su Wuming. What is the 60th birthday funeral? It means that when an elderly passes their 60th birthday, they’ll have to enter a tomb built in advance. This custom was born from the ancient times of hardship. Later, in chaotic times when food and clothes were scarce, to let their children and grandchildren survive, the elderly would willingly or be forced to enter the tomb. What Mr. Su said is an earthern jar tomb or a death cellar, a tomb that’s not sealed off. When an elder goes in, their descendants deliver food every day. They also have to bring a brick. Each time when they leave, they’ve to place a brick at the entrance of the tomb, until the tomb is sealed shut. My family’s custom has long changed in Shazhou. Tomorrow, I’m going to a cave that has been dug beforehand. But it’s a prosperous era now. Why should you still follow such a family custom? Tradition has nothing to do with prosperity. As a Cao descendant, I must abide by it. Such a dehumanizing custom isn’t tradition. Just abandon it. Li Chi. As a judicial adjutant, can you bear to watch your father-in-law choose the path of death on his 60th birthday? I’ve opposed it before. But the Family Supervisory Committee rejected it. Supervisory Committee? They’re the Cao family members who supervise the 60th birthday funeral. Governor Zhang. Sheriff Lu. This is an internal affair of the Cao family. It has nothing to do with the governor. Besides, I’ve made up my mind. I won’t betray my ancestors. I believe in Buddhism. After entering the cave, I won’t eat or drink, chanting sutras and renouncing the world. Think about it. Isn’t this a way to be emancipated from death? Others don’t know of such joy. All this talk about the 60th birthday funeral has ruined the mood. Time flies. How fleeting. As stated in the Orchid Pavilion Preface, the things you liked in the past have become old relics in a blink of an eye. As the old saying goes, death is a big deal after all. Of course it’s sad. But the joy still remains. Just like tonight, I have many friends here, with the bright moon is in the sky. Such is my life; what else can I ask for? Come on. Let me propose a toast to all of you. Mr. Cao. Since I’ve met you, you’re my dear friend. I saw you giving alms at the door. You are such a kind person. After hearing your speech, I’m deeply impressed. I already think of you as a dear friend. I never thought… this meeting is also a farewell. Mr. Cao! Assassin! Catch the assassin! He escaped. Assassin? An assassin came to Qiande Hall? I’m so sorry for startling you. Fed is drunk. You brought him to the main room upstairs. That main room… I often sleep in that room. Whenever I get drunk in Qiande Hall, I rest there. I don’t want to disturb my family and servants by returning late. In that case, the assassin was targeting Mr. Cao. I have never offended anyone in my life. Mr. Cao, you’re the richest man in Shazhou and about to have your 60th birthday funeral. It must involve your family inheritance. You mean it’s a family member who wants to harm me? It’s just a guess. Maybe the assassin was coming for us. This assassin was mediocre, a far cry from those targeting you and Lu Lingfeng before. That’s right. Not only is he unskilled in martial arts but also cowardly. When I woke up, the curved sword in his hand almost fell to the ground. Curved sword? [Cao’s Mansion] Who is it? Who is it? Father? Is Li Chi at home? Isn’t he with you entertaining guests at Qiande Hall? He’s not home. Don’t lie to me. Father. I’m your first child. Since I was young, I did everything you asked me to. I married the man you chose. When did I ever lie to you? Fine. Why are you crying? Alright. I’ll go find him somewhere else. Father, what’s wrong with him? I-I mean… did Li Chi offend you? I’ll know after I find him and interrogate him. Get off your camel to leave the city! [Wangjing Gate] Cripple. Who are you calling? I am calling you. Minister Li. Get lost! It’s really you. How was my sleeve arrow last night? Fed! You look like a beggar, yet you claim to be a miracle doctor. You disrespected me time and again. I, Li Chi, am a strong man. After I got drunk, I felt the urge to kill you as revenge. Fortunately, I stopped myself in time. You’re lying! Yesterday, I slept in Mr. Cao’s room. You wanted to kill Mr. Cao. After you saw me in the bed, you changed your mind, right? Are you eyeing Mr. Cao’s inheritance? You… Father-in-law. Don’t listen to his nonsense. Your 60th birthday funeral was imminent and I couldn’t bear to say goodbye. I was already depressed. And this Chicken Fed kept picking on me. I was drunk and wanted to teach him a lesson. But when I was about to do it, I suddenly… became sober. I regret it so much. I regret it so much! Assassinating your father-in-law for the inheritance. I think Physician Fed has a point. If you were really wronged, you would’ve been cursing instead of patiently defending yourself. What evidence do you have for your accusation? Lu Lingfeng. I heard you’ve solved some cases. Don’t tell me they were all based on speculation? So what if I’m convicting you on speculation? Nonsense! How can we convict him without evidence? I understand and sympathize with Minister Li. If I were him, a matrilocal husband who didn’t get a fair share of the inheritance, I’d be indignant too! Yes! Even an outsider can see this injustice! Is this still speculation? The governor heard your confession. Father-in-law, I… It was in a moment of weakness. Let me ask you one thing. Does Cao Yin know about your assassination? Say something. Father, what’s wrong with him? I mean… did Li Chi offend you? I’ll know after I find him and interrogate him. Interrogate me? I’m the judicial adjutant. In Shazhou, only I can interrogate others. How did you hurt your leg? Stop asking. What did you do to my father? Go sleep with the kid. Li Chi! Yin! If you want my blood splattered all over you, keep brushing me off. Yin. I did all this for you and Saisai. Cao Yin is filial. She lied to you that I wasn’t home because she didn’t want me to kill you. She knows my curved sword has killed before. How could you do such a thing? How can I live in this world? Yin. Don’t be rash. Think about it. For Saisai, you can’t do anything stupid. Let me bandage it for you. Go now. Go? Go where? Leave Shazhou. You can hide anywhere. I’m an imperial official. How can I leave without permission? So you do know you are an official? As a judicial adjutant, do you know how heavy a crime you’ve committed? Find a way to get out of the city. Come back in a week or so after you’ve recovered. By then, my father would be dead. Sheriff Lu would also have left Shazhou. If anyone asks, tell them you were depressed tonight, so you rode out of the city. But you fell off the cliff, got injured, and couldn’t come back. Then, no one will hold you accountable. Brilliant. Good idea. My wife loves me the most. You tried to kill my father. I really want to make mincemeat of you! But my father will have his 60th birthday funeral soon. If you become a prisoner too, how will I and Saisai live? That means Yin didn’t know about your assassination. I’m sorry, Father-in-law. Please let me off. In the next life, I’ll still be your son-in-law. And continue to harm me in your next life? That’s not what I meant. I meant in my next life, I’ll be your son-in-law. Shut up! You are no longer my son-in-law. Governor Zhang. Punish this villain severely. Cao Zhongda! I’m an imperial official. I didn’t kill anyone. As a merchant, how dare you ask for me to be punished severely? As a matrilocal husband, I even let Saisai take the Cao surname. Why is our family of three only getting 10% of the inheritance? 10%! I don’t accept it! Wait. My will hasn’t been announced yet. How do you know the content? It’s Ding Mao, right? Your butler isn’t loyal to you. To think you even made him the provider of Cao Family Cave. It took only five silver ingots. Master! Ding Mao. Master. Just in time. I trust you so much, but you are Li Chi’s accomplice. Do you want to kill me so that you can edit the will to get my inheritance? No! I was just momentarily greedy. So I took his money and told him the content of the will. But I didn’t expect a judicial adjutant like him to try to kill you! I left the will with you, but you read it secretly. That’s a serious crime. I’m guilty. But Master, I’m here to tell you the servants at home reported that Young Master… He’s dead. What nonsense is that? It’s true. Young Master… He was murdered! Mr. Cao. Duobao.