His Majesty Second Uncle

This film (drama)Also known as皇上二大爷，is aMainland ChinaProducerbeauty live，At2006Released in year 。The dialogue language isMandarin，Current Douban rating7.4(For reference only)。

Adapted from the traditional crosstalk "Master Shuo Er Ye". Master Shuo Er Ye, also known as Prince Shuo, is a remarkable figure who exists in the oral traditions of old Beijing, characterized by a rich legendary aura and unique old Beijing flavor. He does not serve in the court but advocates for the people; he is a "just man" walking among the trivial matters of the streets and alleys, solving complex and persistent problems for the common people both intentionally and unintentionally. He is not one for empty rhetoric; he experiences the real sufferings of the populace and addresses issues practically, which earns him the affection and respect of the people, making him a "different prince" who has lived in the hearts of the common folk for centuries. According to legend, Master Shuo Er Ye is the second brother of Ming Emperor Mu Zong and the second uncle of Ming Emperor Shen Zong, whose real name is Yongshuo, and he is referred to as "Master Shuo Er Ye," "Second Uncle," and "Our Second Uncle." He is the beloved son of Ming Emperor Shi Zong Zhu Hou Cong, skilled in both civil and military affairs, possessing exceptional talents, and once harbored grand ambitions. However, witnessing fierce competition among the princes for favor and positions, he did not wish to be part of this bloody struggle and claimed to be ill, retreating to his fief in Daxing County, south of Beijing, to rear horses and train pigeons. After "falling ill" and returning home, he did not idly relax or enjoy his old age but instead donned simple clothing and a hat, running through the village alleys to visit and resolve the "unjust matters" of the marketplace. He preferred riding an old broken-eared donkey over high horses granted by the emperor, carrying a golden scratching stick bestowed by Emperor Mu Zong that could strike tyrants and corrupt officials alike, weaving through streets and tea houses. He adheres to the principles of "There are no trivial matters among the people," "The people are precious, the ruler is light, and the state is secondary," and "Water can carry a boat but also overturn it," promoting a people-centered approach. Whenever he sees injustice, he feels compelled to intervene, declaring that the matters the emperor cannot manage must be handled by his Second Uncle, thus becoming a well-known and beloved figure in Daxing, known to all and indispensable to the common people. The story takes place in the twelfth year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty when a sign of good fortune befalls the 21-year-old Wanli Emperor with the birth of his second son. However, due to the scheming of favored concubines in the harem, the young and impulsive Wanli Emperor wishes to depose the eldest in favor of the second son as the crown prince. This proposal leads to sharp conflicts between the civil and military factions at court, with both sides having their own agendas and arguing endlessly for their respective interests, which escalates to an unmanageable extent. To resolve this thorny issue and alleviate the conflict, both sides think of the idle Master Shuo Er Ye, who has been a familiar presence in the community for many years. According to legend, the golden scratching stick granted by the late emperor contains a secret edict regarding the dispute over the succession, and both parties wish to learn about it and leverage it. In this situation, both Wanli and the Empress Dowager issue orders for Master Shuo Er Ye to enter the palace to resolve the succession dispute. However, Master Shuo Er Ye believes that the young emperor has many significant matters to attend to and should not be embroiled in the succession struggle, which could divert his attention from important affairs. He advises the young emperor in his unique manner, guiding him to care about the real sufferings of the people and to take practical actions for their well-being. He deliberately drags out the time to give the emperor space for contemplation and reflection; the journey from Daxing to the palace only takes two hours by carriage, yet he takes a full one hundred days to arrive. Just as the emperor's second son reaches his "century," Master Shuo Er Ye finally unveils the secret edict hidden in the scratching stick, which perfectly aligns with his intentions, thus resolving the crisis and maturing the young emperor. Meanwhile, during these hundred days, Master Shuo Er Ye must navigate repeated solicitations for imperial edicts amidst the play of truth and falsehood, engage with the Prince Ping amid threats, and practically address urgent matters from the common people that cannot be ignored. He brings an end to the tyrannical actions of the bully Niu Huaigen, addresses the cold-hearted ice merchant selling illicit salt, resolves cases of domestic violence and local oppression, deals with the case of the womanizer Jin Suo, shelters the elderly Zhou couple, helps the elderly Zheng for justice, abolishes outdated practices at the filial piety lodge, collects a year's worth of debts from a pancake shop owner, and resolves the gambling issues of the owner of the Ma silk shop, among many other trivial matters. To Master Shuo Er Ye, while these matters may seem minor, they are as critical as national treachery, directly related to whether the common people can live in peace and fulfillment. For him, these are crucial matters of life and death; nothing can be overlooked or neglected. Master Shuo Er Ye is tired, troubled, endangered, yet joyful—busy, full of emotions, creating a living portrayal of "our Second Uncle"! While helping the folks alleviate their living hardships, Master Shuo Er Ye also adopts the exiled royal brother Da Kui, due to the succession dispute: he protects the Ryukyu princess Chuan Mei, reveals the collusion between Prince Ping and the Japanese pirates, and the criminal acts of stealing gold from the national treasury and plotting rebellion. The entire drama portrays a Second Uncle who toils for the creation of a peaceful and harmonious society, as well as a Second Uncle who is concerned about the daily necessities of the people. A Second Uncle that the common folk always look forward to.