Song of Phoenix (思美人)

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Song of Phoenix

Episode 56

Since they pursued the fashion of the time, why wonder that they decayed even in their prime? - Li Sao (Grievances)

You really don't know your limits.

You actually dared to talk about reforms during the court?!

Reforming the constitution of the present Chu is what the Heaven wanted.

The heaven's will? Just based on a few words from that Mo Chou?

Alright, let's not talk about the heaven's will.

How about the will of the citizens? the king's will?

Stop talking about the citizen's will, the king's will, the Heaven's will, the earth's will with me.

Lord Father, this morning at court,

you supported the change in front of the entire court.

I only got forced by you and His Majesty. Do I have any choice but to agree?

Lord Father, as the current Grand Adviser,

are you going to go back on your word?

You have His Majesty supporting you and if you want to insist on changing the constitution,

I can't stop you.

But this way, you will only create more enemies at court!

If I was afraid of offending others, I'd be like you

and just be a peacemaker. Why bother reforming laws?

Be good.

Xia'er.

Xia'er, you must keep an eye on Qu Yuan

and his associations with that Mo Chou.

Mother, I know about Ling Jun and Little Sister Mo Chou's affections.

What?

Since you know, why won't you stop them from associating with each other?

Mother, nothing will happen to them.

You must not get muddled.

Actually, I was the one that let Little Sister Mo Chou

help Ling Jun more in court.

My silly daughter!

If these are other people, they surely will hinder it.

Look at you, always calling her "Little Sister".

Do you want Qu Yuan to always have her in his heart?

That Mo Chou is the Grand Shaman of Chu now.

I heard from your father that even the king listens to her!

Such a manipulative woman...

Besides, her relationship with Qu Yuan before is unclear.

-If you still won't keep an eye on it, then-! -Mother.

Don't worry. I know what to do about my own matters.

You won't hear anything I say now anyway.

You should think it over yourself.

Alright. You insist on bringing trouble onto yourself!

I can't stop you!

Then don't bring that trouble to me!

Okay. Lord Father, I will take responsibility for my own actions.

Besides, I am not only Zhao Bixia's husband now.

I am also the father of two children. What I should do,

I have my own plans.

Alright!

Alright!

Is there meaning to this?

You appeared again?

None of them understand me. None of them understand my intentions.

Forget it. Don't bother with them. You've come just in time.

Come! Drink with me!

I'm talking about you!

Me?

I didn't imagine that the adult me would be so stupid.

How dare you! Do you know who you're talking to?

You are me, and I am you!

- Stop treating me like a father treating his child! - You...

I thought you already expected this difficult situation.

But never thought that just after hearing some criticism,

you'd hide here and drown your sorrows in wine!

If in the future, the person you trust most,

the person you depend on most cannot understand you,

perhaps even betrays you, what will you do?

I thought you knew what you were doing!

I thought you knew what you needed to face!

I thought you knew what the worst outcome was!

You know that nothing can stop your determination.

I thought you knew what you should do!

I know! I know everything!

Good. Good!

Ling Jun, you've worked hard.

Your Majesty, if we just follow this new constitution,

in less than three years, our Chu will surely be in peaceful and prosperous times.

The world returning their trust in the government.

Okay. We will reestablish the past might of my ancestors.

I will make new advocates.

As long as there is a beautiful ruler, there will be beautiful governance.

With beautiful governance, there will be beautiful citizens.

Good! I will do as you say.

You are completely in charge!

But this is just a beautiful dream of mine.

Are you using me to find fun?

I do not dare.

It's just that, if we really follow this new constitution,

I'm afraid many officials will become uneasy.

Just let them be uneasy.

Your Majesty. If they are uneasy,

then can I be at ease?

Unless Your Majesty agrees to a few of my requirements.

Speak.

First, the reforms must be discussed. Everything must be for the sake of strengthening the country.

Second, appoint people according to their merits.

Third, the law must not give any allowance.

The nobles can also be punished.

The nobles can also be punished?

I agree. We will do as you say!

I have one more requirement.

Speak.

- The king and citizens must be treated equally. - This...

If we don't do so, what's the use of talking about beautiful governance?

then this will all be empty!

With those words from Your Majesty,

I surely will implement this new constitution until the very end.

Ling Jun, just be at ease and do it. If any problem will arise, I will bear it for you.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Ling Jun, tell me.

Where should we start the changes from?

Choose the crown prince.

Isn't my Chu's crown prince Zi Heng?

Based on the ancestral laws, Prince Zi Heng being your eldest son

indeed should be the crown prince.

But the rules of choosing the crown prince

is more important than choosing who will be the crown prince.

I asked you to think of ways but how come you keep giving me problems?

Your Majesty, choose the virtuous and able one and gain the trust of the country.

Start with assigning the crown prince so this can serve as an example.

Does Your Majesty still remember when you left the He jade to me for safekeeping?

I can ask for three requests that Your Majesty will not object no matter what.

You wouldn't be asking me a first request this fast, right?

Indeed. I hope that Your Majesty can allow me

to choose the crown prince again to give Chu future prosperity.

You...never consider my difficult situation.

Fine. We'll do as you say.

Your Majesty is wise.

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This is the new constitution that Vice Chancellor Qu finished making a few days ago.

I already carefully read it.

The rules and laws here were all made practical.

I think that this is indeed what our Chu

need right now.

Starting today, this will become my Chu's governing foundation.

My fellow beloved subjects, read the newly reformed constitution

when you go home.

Yes.

Conferring the crown prince is a important matter of the county.

The constitution clearly states that we must choose able and virtuous officials to serve.

In choosing able and virtuous officials, we should start in choosing the crown prince.

In all the years of the State of Chu,

I've never heard of something like this before.

That's right!

Could it be that he doesn't want Prince Heng to be the crown prince?

By the king's order, in three days,

I will hold an exam for Prince Heng and Prince Lan.

Test the two princes in terms of virtuousness, abilities, talents, and moral character.

The winner will immediately become the crown prince.

Court is dismissed!

Say, what really does His Majesty want?

Who does he want to be the crown prince?

Ever since ancient times, the eldest has been the crown prince.

Prince Zi Heng is the eldest prince.

He is also the son of Southern Queen. The position of crown prince

originally should have been his.

If the king wants to crown Prince Zi Heng,

why make such a fuss?

Wouldn't it be fine is he just directly crowns him?

That's right. Looks like the king doing this,

means he wants to crown Zi Lan as crown prince.

Say, what are you all blindly discussing here?

Qu Yuan and the Great shaman of Chu thought of such a way to choose the crown prince.

It's clear that they want to use this chance

to train their own ally. Can't you see that?

What? Choose the crown prince anew?

Yes, Queen Mother. The king also said

that he wants Zi Heng and Zi Lan to compete in a few days.

He says whoever wins will be the crown prince!

The crown prince has always been the eldest prince!

Why must they still hold some competition to choose the most virtuous and most able one? Nonsense!

I heard that it was Vice Chancellor who urged His Majesty to do it.

What does choosing the crown prince have to do with him?

Is the Chu empire his clan's,

or is it our Xiong clan's?

Vice Chancellor Qu wants to choose virtuous and capable officials.

I don't have any opinion against that.

But Queen Mother, the crown prince is the future king of the State of Chu!

It makes no sense for the subjects to choose the king!

Come to Orchid Dais Palace with me.

I want to see,

who this empire belongs to!

Greetings, Queen Mother.

Queen Mother, is there something you need?

What? You mind that I am old,

and annoying now?