The Rise of Phoenixes (天盛長歌)

EPISODE 1

DACHENG

During the last year of Dacheng Empire's reign,

Emperor Ai's eldest grandson, Ming De, was violent and lacked discernment.

He associated himself with corrupt instead of upright officials,

causing great pain to the people.

The famished and homeless were everywhere.

The states were all rebelling against the government.

Minhai's leader, Ning Shizheng,

wanted to save the people of the land.

Under the command of Colonel Chang Yuan and his comrades, the Minhai Army,

after many years of struggle,

finally managed to overthrow the Dacheng Empire

and build the Tiansheng Empire.

Thus was the fall of the Dacheng Empire.

Kill them!

-You can choose only one. - Not long after,

the Emperor of Tiansheng

sent his eldest son, Ning Chuan, and sixth son, Ning Yi,

to track down the Dacheng spies and annihilate them,

including the ninth son of Emperor Ai, who was still an infant.

What happened that night

remains a mystery to everyone.

Ning Chuan, taking credit for the murder of Emperor Ai's ninth son,

has since then ascended to the throne as the Crown Prince.

For Ning Yi however,

it was a different story.

Ning Yi.

Ning Yi.

-Mother? -Over here.

Mother?

Where are you?

I'm coming for you.

Right here, Ning Yi.

-Mother! -Come.

Mother.

Mother!

They all died because of you.

You do not deserve to live such a happy life.

They all died because of you.

You do not deserve to live such a happy life.

To death with you!

Kill him!

-Kill him! -Kill him!

In the 18th year of Tiansheng, a plague befell Yanzhou.

Minhai began to approach Yanzhou. The leader of Minhai issued a blockade.

One can leave, but not enter.

The plague carried by the people spread into areas around the capital.

The Emperor of Tiansheng, Ning Shizheng, was desperate for a solution.

This is the Emperor's order.

There will be a meeting at noon today.

Everyone should strive hard and work together

to resolve the plague situation.

-We'll obey the Emperor's order. -We'll obey the Emperor's order.

The western areas in Xiuping

is the best location to contain the plague.

Does anyone know why that's the best location?

Your Majesty.

Ning Yi, Prince of Chu, provided the fund

for us to send people and build a charity clinic in Xiuping region,

enabling us to timely quarantine the plague.

Simultaneously, we are burning a large mass of mugwort

to stop the spread of the epidemic.

Ning Yi?

Where did he obtain such wealth

to pull off such a feat?

Your Majesty mustn't have known.

Ever since Prince of Chu entered Zongzheng Temple,

he has been researching how to make silk brocade.

This time, he donated all the silk brocade he made throughout the years.

That was how he obtained the fund to build the charity clinic.

Silk brocade?

That explains the funds.

Silk is very expensive.

Your Majesty.

I don't think this is a good idea.

Even though the crisis has been averted,

the son of the Emperor is still making silk brocade.

He'll become a laughingstock.

I order an amnesty

to stop the epidemic.

Your Majesty loves his people like his own children.

Your kind heart will move the entire empire.

-Your Majesty is brilliant. -Your Majesty is brilliant.

-Long live the empire. -Long live the empire.

Ning Yi is a goner.

He is but a weaver.

You're right.

If this is why the Crown Prince called us for a discussion late at night,

he may be making a fuss over nothing.

As a convict, Ning Yi

has been locked up in Zongzheng Temple for many years.

He managed to lessen Father's burdens

just by weaving fabric and doing embroidery.

Considering that we are held in high regards by Father,

shouldn't we feel ashamed of ourselves?

He is just earning money by selling fabric.

That's a woman's job.

I feel ashamed just talking about it.

I'm not willing to do such things meant for women.

Ning Yan.

Ning Yan.

How could you talk to your brother that way? Apologize.

Forgive me, Your Royal Highness.

However, Ning Chuan,

even though his words weren't music to our ears,

he does have a point.

Ning Yi has been in Zongzheng Temple since he was 18 years old.

The Royal Court hasn't heard from him since.

We don't need to be concerned whether the officials will side with him.

Who among them has really seen him?

Left alone with no power to command,

what can he ever accomplish?

Apart from weaving fabric and doing embroidery,

how can he compare to you?

You're now at the summit of your power.

And you have the support of the leader of Minhai.

Why must you waste your time on that loser?

That's right. His mother died young.

He has no one in the palace to rely on.

The only one who could protect him, our third brother, is dead.

Your Royal Highness.

What I meant was,

why must you fear him?

He doesn't have anything.

Your Majesty, Prince of Chu has arrived.

He says he would like to thank you personally.

Thank me?

FENGYUN PALACE

Father.

Father!

Father, I have come to pay my respects.

-Summon him. -Yes, Your Majesty.

I was in awe of you.

I never thought I'd be able to come out.

So I had dinner with some alcohol.

Father.

I am in no condition to pay my respects today.

I shall do so again tomorrow.

I will take my leave my now.

I will take my leave.

Your Majesty.

Prince of Chu...

He's drunk.

I think I hear voices in the darkness.

Like the start of a gentle breeze,

people turn a deaf ear to it.

Yet it signifies...

an impending storm brewing.

Since we're brothers,

if Ning Yi is willing to become an idle king when he's released,

I won't be too hard on him.

Ning Yan.

You should learn from Ning Chuan.

He deserves to be the Crown Prince.

His character befits an emperor.

I hope Ning Yi can understand Your Royal Highness' efforts,

and be like us,

who try our best to assist Your Royal Highness

and ensure that the empire lives long and prospers.

That's for sure.

I agree with Ning Sheng.

For the sake of Your Royal Highness,

I can lead the battle and die for our empire.

Yanzhou.

Mingzhou.

These are lands of beauty and abundance.

Once I ascend to the throne,

I'll let you return to your homelands and enjoy a life of peace and prosperity.

-Thank you, Your Royal Highness. -Thank you, Your Royal Highness.

That's enough.

It's getting late.

Both of you should go home and rest.

That's it for tonight, begone.

I shall take my leave.

Take care.

Your Royal Highness.

You seem to have forgotten something.

Please stay behind, Ning Yan.

I'd like to speak to you about supervising the repairs of the ditch.

I shall take my leave.

Crown Prince.

Do you think you need to remind me about that again?

I'll start the preparations after the Royal Court meeting.

Fret not, it'll be like last time.

I've already arranged for the funds needed for the matter.

See to it.

I want to see every penny from the funds

go to the repairs of the ditch.

What do you mean, Your Royal Highness?

Why are you so slow, Ning Yan?

Must I spell everything out for you?

I understand.

I'll do as you say.

Your Royal Highness.

If you have no other orders,

I shall take my leave.

His Royal Highness does this

for your sake, Ning Yan.

-For me? -Have you forgotten?