- 9 hours ago
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CreativityTranscript
00:00To be continued...
00:30The guys who saw certainly didn't shut up about her.
00:34Master Lacan!
00:39Please go on. I am curious to hear more about her.
00:52Shelmao, could you spare a moment, please?
00:55I'm not busy. What is it?
00:57There's something I'd like you to take a look at.
01:03Documentation of an old incident.
01:05Ten years ago at a merchant's house, food poisoning occurred involving a raw pufferfish meal.
01:11It's been ages. I love how there are talks and tingles and stings. I could go for some now.
01:17The next time I get a chance, I'll take you to a restaurant where they serve it.
01:24There must be a reason you're showing me this.
01:27Years ago, after the merchant had fallen ill, I was ordered to investigate it for work.
01:32Now, a colleague of mine is asking for advice. A similar incident occurred recently.
01:40Similar, huh?
01:42Very. It was a bureaucrat this time. He ate raw pufferfish and fell into a coma.
01:47Sounds quite serious.
01:49Master Gaoshun, forgive me, but is it appropriate for you to be discussing this with me?
01:57It won't be an issue. Unlike certain individuals, you understand your position.
02:02In other words, keep it quiet.
02:04And it concerns poison. Are you sure you want me to stop talking after bringing up your favorite subject?
02:10Hmm. That's low, but go ahead and continue.
02:15Hmm.
02:19For this particular meal, parboiled pufferfish skin and meat were prepared.
02:24After he had eaten the dish, he fell into a coma.
02:28You're sure it was just meat? Most of the toxins are stored inside the fish's gut.
02:33I am. There weren't any present.
02:36The body shouldn't have that concentration of poison.
02:40Maybe. It is a matter of the species or the specific environment where it was originally caught.
02:46Did anything else stand out as suspicious?
02:49Well, yes.
02:50In both the recent and past cases, the cooks were adamant they hadn't included any pufferfish in the meal.
02:57Now that is interesting.
03:00That's not all they have in common.
03:02Regarding the victims, the bureaucrat from this case and the merchant from years ago were both gourmets with a particular interest in rare foods.
03:10They regularly consumed raw fish, and pufferfish was among their favorites.
03:16After the incident, the trash was searched.
03:21Inside of it, all of the organs and skin were discovered.
03:25So, we're positive the guts were never consumed.
03:27In both cases, the cooks said they were innocent.
03:31Furthermore, they claimed pufferfish was served the night before, and that on the day both men fell ill, a different fish was prepared.
03:40However, there are no witnesses to provide evidence.
03:43The bureaucrat ate all the food served, then collapsed half an hour later.
03:49He was discovered convulsing.
03:53A more thorough investigation than I expected.
03:56Plenty of other officials would put in zero effort and just make up a suspect to close the case.
04:02So, what do you think?
04:03The symptoms do sound like pufferfish poisoning, but I can't be sure without more details.
04:08If you could, would you mind trying to find any additional information?
04:15I will look into it, and we'll talk again soon.
04:23At this time of year, it's not rare to have food refuse sit out for a few days.
04:29The cook's testimony about using different fish matches the evidence recovered from the trash.
04:34And what were you two talking about?
04:36Now there's a look I've never seen out of you.
04:44You seem to be listening quite intently to Master Gao Shun's story.
04:48People tend to pay attention to stories they actually find interesting.
04:52Now hold on.
04:53Is that why you frequently cut me off mid-sent-
04:55Oh dear.
04:56It's getting late.
04:58I suppose I'd better take my leave.
04:59Come back here.
05:00I'm not done talking with you-
05:01And I haven't finished drying your hair.
05:04Hold still.
05:06I'm nearly done.
05:07Xiao Mao.
05:14I have what you asked for.
05:17Oh.
05:18Take this.
05:19It's the cook's notes.
05:20And according to the servant, everything that their master was served is recorded within these pages.
05:25I knew you would deliver.
05:27Parboil the fish, add and cut vegetables, and season with vinegar.
05:35There's nothing listed here in the recipe that stands out as strange to me.
05:39There are a number of vinegar mixtures outlined, but it doesn't give detailed ingredients.
05:44Makes sense.
05:46The types of fish and vegetables available differ from season to season.
05:51I was hoping it would have given key facts around what was actually used in the dish.
05:56So you're stumped, huh?
05:59Let me guess.
06:00He wants to be included.
06:02Hmm.
06:03So, what's giving you difficulty?
06:06Oh.
06:07Oh.
06:08Careful, or you'll ruin your appetite.
06:10I'm a grown man.
06:12Highly debatable from what I've seen.
06:15So when was this incident?
06:18About a week ago.
06:20It contained winter vegetables then.
06:22If I had to guess, I would say radishes and carrots.
06:26Actually, from what I understand, they use seaweed.
06:29Huh?
06:30Are you positive?
06:32Is that odd?
06:34If he liked rare foods, it's likely he would have tried strange seaweeds.
06:40If possible.
06:42Could I take a look at the kitchen where the meal in question was prepared?
06:45I'm to inform you I'm here per Master Gauchuan's instructions.
07:03I'm Basen.
07:05I know about you.
07:07My name's Mau Mau.
07:08We'll head to the mansion now.
07:10If anyone asks, you're serving under me.
07:13In short, don't do anything without my permission.
07:16You have my word.
07:17Once we arrive on site, there should be a servant waiting to show us around the kitchen.
07:25Got it.
07:27Say what you will, Master Gauchuan works fast.
07:30Not a sight.
07:32I've never seen this officer before.
07:34He does look a bit familiar, though.
07:38He doesn't seem to have a good impression of me.
07:41Whatever.
07:41This is the kitchen.
07:53It hasn't been used since the Master fell ill.
07:56Who let you in here?
08:06Get out now!
08:07You fool!
08:08Did you allow these meddlers into our home?
08:11I have received permission from the mistress.
08:13And we're acting on official business.
08:16Is that really the truth?
08:17We would like to continue.
08:20Or is that an inconvenience to you?
08:22It's whatever.
08:27Who is he?
08:28The younger brother of the sick man.
08:31After the Master fell into the coma, the mistress took ill from fatigue.
08:36Now he's responsible for managing the entire mansion.
08:40Someone's moved up in the world.
08:43Shall we?
08:44Yes.
08:47The cook washed all the cooking surfaces and utensils.
08:53Other than that...
08:54What is this?
09:06Ah, that is a particular favorite of the Master.
09:09He would eat it quite often.
09:11I don't think it's poisonous, though.
09:13Doesn't seem like he's lying.
09:17You heard the man.
09:19If you're done here, then please leave.
09:22Very well.
09:28Pardon our intrusion.
09:33Why did you back down so easily?
09:36It was more of a tactical retreat.
09:37Did you steal that?
09:43It's strange.
09:44The seaweed's fresh.
09:46But it is still too early in the season for it to be harvested.
09:49Even salted.
09:51It wouldn't have lasted this long in such a state if it had come from last year's crop.
09:55I see.
09:57Wherever it was gathered from, I don't think it was from our region.
10:01You ask me, it is most likely it was imported from the south.
10:06It would be good to look into where this was purchased.
10:10Huh.
10:13I think he gets my meaning.
10:16Now I just have to see to my side of things.
10:19What do we have here?
10:30The seaweed I got from the mansion.
10:32I've divided it in half and rinsed it with water.
10:37Of course he couldn't stay away.
10:39It is as you said.
10:41We have determined the seaweed was imported from the southern region.
10:44I spoke with another servant, and he was absolutely certain his master never ate that particular kind in past winters.
10:52And as for the cook, he said that this is the same seaweed they normally prepare, and can't be poisonous.
10:57Just because it's the same variety, doesn't mean it's safe to eat.
11:03We have to ask ourselves, what if this algae isn't frequently eaten in the south?
11:07Perhaps a merchant learned that the bureaucrat favored this seaweed.
11:13Looking to profit, he went out of his way to have the locals harvest and make a salted version of it.
11:19I fail to see anything wrong so far.
11:22In this world, things that are poisonous can be made innocuous.
11:27For example, eels are typically dangerous.
11:31But by bleeding them out or cooking them, they become edible.
11:34Or take this seaweed, for instance.
11:38I think lime water had to be added to it first.
11:41One of these batches is soaked in it, while the other batch hasn't been.
11:45But which is which?
11:48What are you doing?
11:50I should be fine, probably.
11:52What do you mean, probably?
11:54Settle down.
11:56I brought along in a medication.
11:58Stop acting so cavalier!
12:00The ghost one!
12:01Got her.
12:02VOMIT!
12:04VOMIT!
12:09How else was I supposed to test whether detoxification could be done overnight or not?
12:15Ahem.
12:16Back on topic.
12:17We are presented with a question.
12:19The party that originally suggested importing the salt-cured seaweed to the trader.
12:24Who were they?
12:26If it was the same person who consumed it, in a sense, it would be his own fault.
12:30But if it wasn't him, bringing this dish in from a region that doesn't actually eat it, well, that's taking an awfully big risk.
12:42Understood.
12:44The people here are intelligent.
12:47I don't have to elaborate further.
12:49I guess that settles the affair for now.
12:52Please, leave everything to me.
12:58The culprit was apprehended.
13:02It was the official's younger brother.
13:05When we found out where he bought the seaweed, he quickly admitted to purchasing it.
13:09And the motive?
13:13As the younger son, he felt he wasn't treated well.
13:16So, he wanted his older sibling out of the picture.
13:19Such a commonplace story.
13:21Alright.
13:22But if his reason really was that petty, I doubt the seaweed was his idea.
13:26So how did he learn about the poison to begin with?
13:30From someone he met at the tavern.
13:32They happened to mention it.
13:35Happened to.
13:37Sure.
13:37So much work.
13:43And I never got the chance to try any poisonous seaweed.
13:48I'm doing more important things like how to use you-know-what.
13:51That gorgeous dry-leaf-colored fungi is waiting for me.
13:55Should I make a medicinal booze?
13:57A special kind of tablet?
14:01I didn't see you standing there.
14:04Welcome back home.
14:06Master.
14:07Master.
14:16What'd you say to him?
14:18Don't look at me.
14:20you seem exhausted i am staring up at a tower of paperwork and standing in my way happens to
14:30be an individual i do not see eye to eye with i never imagined there were people you couldn't
14:35get along with the man is a high official in the military and razor sharp he's from a good family
14:43even though he's past 40 he's unmarried he adopted his nephew and has him take care of
14:48a household a famous weirdo high-ranking military officer middle-aged weirdo additionally he's a
14:59man of limited interests his pleasures are go shogi and rumors the man files complaints intrudes
15:06and extends deadlines on decisions that need to be made to be frank i'm convinced he's out to get me
15:12i don't know his reasons but lately he's been perched in my office for several days
15:16it would appear i'm his new target whoop enough of that not like it affects me right
15:22but no matter how hard i try to forget what he said my bad feelings are usually spot on
15:31to what do i owe the pleasure of your visit today flower viewing in the winter is difficult
15:37i thought this would be a better use of our time
15:40this man is lacon he is a strategist at least i know why he's confronting me
15:47seems it's because mao mao is my servant and has connections to the verdigris house
15:52you know what it turns out i have an old acquaintance in the verdigris house
15:58most unexpected i was absolutely certain he had no interest in romance
16:03what kind of courtesan is she
16:05i ask without thinking the best as a matter of fact she was skilled at go and shogi
16:14i could beat her in the latter but never the former
16:18she must be good if she defeated our master strategist
16:22truth be told i considered buying her out myself meeting another woman that interesting
16:28i find the odds highly unlikely but sometimes things just don't work out
16:33two rich men with curious tastes were interested naturally they endlessly tried outbidding the other
16:40what a shame for you it's been said before buying a courtesan can cost as much as a small palace
16:48she certainly was a strange one where is he trying to go with this story should i bite
16:55she had skills and sold them but never sold herself she didn't treat guests like customers
17:02even when pouring tea she would wear this arrogant expression as if she was being charitable to a lowly
17:08peasant despite that many a man fell hopelessly head over heels for her
17:14and i'm not ashamed to admit i was included among them
17:18the chill that ran down my spine when i was with her could only be described as irresistible
17:23the right time set of circumstances i could have easily made her mine
17:31yes turns out i was weak and simply couldn't give her up
17:37in the end i had no choice but to use a nasty little trick
17:40meaning if the price of something is too expensive
17:44well then you simply have to lower the value of it
17:47and so i made her less exquisite
17:50perhaps you'd care to know how i managed such a thing
17:55playing hard to get all of a sudden
17:58before i reveal my secrets first i have a small favor to ask in return
18:08and what would that be
18:10i've heard much about this servant girl you hired recently
18:14i confess she sounds quite intriguing
18:16they say she has a strange knack for solving puzzles
18:20right i had this acquaintance
18:25actually he was a metal worker who happened to be the palace purveyor
18:28he passed away suddenly a few days ago
18:31failing to name a proper successor before doing so
18:35he had three children who also served as his apprentices
18:39unfortunately he died before passing on his secret techniques to them
18:44he did however leave behind a puzzling will
18:48which might provide a hint
18:49it's been a bother to me for some time
18:53kindly explain where you're going with this
18:56in truth nowhere in particular and merely rambling
18:59but i can't help wondering if there might be some means of learning that secret technique
19:05perhaps for example
19:07having that intelligent young servant girl i've heard so much about take a closer look at the will
19:14all right
19:19i suppose there's no harm in asking
19:22that's a lot of rain
19:32that's a lot of rain
19:32that's a lot of rain
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