THE EMPEROR AND THE ASSASSIN
King Ying Zheng.
Have you ever forgotten...
the commandment of your Qin ancestors...
to unite all under heaven?
No, never.
Ying Zheng wouldn't dare!
King Ying Zheng.
Have you ever forgotten the commandment...
of your ancestors to unify all under heaven?
No, Ying Zheng has never forgotten, not for a moment.
Gong Li
Zhang Fengyi
Li Xuejian
Screenplay By Chen Kaige - Wang Peigong
Director of Photography Zhao Fei
Production Designer Tu Juhua - Lin Chi
Sound By Tao Jing
Edited By Zhao Xinxia
Music By Zhao Jiping
Costume Designer Mo Xia Omin - Huang Chuo Ping
Art Directors Yang Su Ton - Ji Wei Hwa
Propmaster YiJin Zou
Associate Director Zhang Jinzhan
Associate Producers Philip Lee - Sunmin Park
Production Supervisor Zeng Qanghui
Qin Invades The Kingdom Of Han
Executive Producers - Han Sanping Suguhiko Kadokawa - Hiromitsu Furukawa
Produced By - Chen Kaige Shirley Kao - Satoru Iseki
You're a great warrior.
You should be promoted and continue to fight for Qin.
What's your name?
King Ying Zheng.
- Your Majesty! - Don't move.
You die a brave warrior of Qin.
Directed By Chen Kaige
Chapter One: The King Of Qin
The Queen Mother's Quarters
Prime Minister Lu Buwei at the Queen Mother's service.
If I am not mistaken...
it has been almost seven years since we last met.
The Queen Mother has a fine memory.
That was when he first entered into your service.
And look at his achievement.
Today he bears the title of Marquis.
It's not the fault of the Marquis.
After all, he used to be your retainer.
Where would he be today if you had not given him the opportunity to serve me?
Marquis or not...
he is still your servant.
How true.
However...
I do enjoy his company a great deal.
It is time my son should get married.
The Marquis has found a lady for him.
She is a princess from the Kingdom of Han.
The princess calls me her uncle.
Are you aware...
that your son is going to eliminate Han?
Really?
If Han is eliminated, won't my homeland of Zhao be next?
What will happen to my position if Zhao is eliminated?
I have no interest except the well-being of the Queen Mother.
But if Qin eliminates the other six kingdoms...
who will pay tribute to Her Majesty?
Clever, aren't you?
Take good care of the Queen Mother for me.
Trust me...
I have no interest in politics.
But I must ask...
once the six kingdoms are eliminated...
what use will the king have for you...
the prime minister?
Then allow me to congratulate you on your son's marriage.
The King's War Council
All of Han is in our hands, except for the capital.
The city has been under siege by our troops for almost 30 days.
The Han people have lost their will to defend.
But our provisions can only last for seven days.
Therefore, I beg you to make a final decision as to war or peace.
If we destroy Han, the whole world will be shocked.
What if all six kingdoms join forces against us?
It's in our best interest to preserve Han.
I disagree.
We have amassed enough troops to take the Han capital with ease.
There's no reason to accept a stalemate...
when you can have victory.
Li Si, you are not the prime minister yet.
- Han Ambassador. - Present.
You are free to return to Han.
Yes, Your Highness.
The king and the nobles of Han will be eternally grateful to you...
for preserving Han.
That's fine.
Prime Minister, I want a drink.
Bring me some wine.
This is not a toast...
this is a punishment.
Why am I punishing myself...
when I should be celebrating?
Because...
we have 250,000 troops ready...
to attack the Han capital!
But instead...
I have been advised not to destroy Han.
That it is in our best interest to preserve Han.
I should be punished for keeping my silence.
Li Si, repeat what you have said!
Your Majesty...
are you also punishing me with this drink?
No, I'm punishing myself...
for allowing you to remain prime minister until today.
It doesn't matter who is king.
I will always be...
the prime minister.
In the name of Qin, kill Lu Buwei!
I dare you.
Prime Minister.
Please!
I have no choice but to dismiss Prime Minister Lu.
Li Si...
issue the following decree:
Remove Mr. Lu's title...
but give him 5,000 tons of grain...
100 pounds of gold, 10 good horses.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, I ask to be dismissed as the commanding officer.
I'll stay at home and await my punishment.
You're going to take the Han capital in seven days.
But if you fail, how should I punish you?
Cut off my head!
But Your Majesty, I hear that you will marry a Han princess.
I don't want your head...
I want your horse.
You have a wonderful steed.
How do you judge a good horse?
By his teeth.
Wrong.
By his eyes.
You can tell everything about an animal...
from his eyes.
Marquis?
Yes, Your Majesty?
I understand that you'll be my uncle?
This is the Queen Mother and the prime minister's idea.
You're always so busy.
Please come riding with me today.
I'm afraid of heights. I can't ride.
Afraid of heights, are you?
Even on a horse's back?
Your Majesty, it tickles.
General Fan.
His Majesty asks the Marquis, is it high or not?
As high as high can be.
Cross!
Remove your robe.
How much is two times three?
Two times three is six.
How much is three times three?
Whatever His Majesty wishes it to be!
Marquis, what's wrong?
The Queen Mother is worried.
I've just been entertaining His Majesty.
That way he'll trust me.
Lady Zhao has arrived.
- Good morning, Lady Zhao. - Good morning.
Good morning, My Lady.
When you think of it...
my son's marriage is quite unfair to Lady Zhao.
When we were hostages in Zhao...
Ying Zheng's father could not do housework.
Nor could I.
So we hired her to help out.
She was only this high.
When she had free time, she would help Ying Zheng herd horses.
She was such a nice girl and beautiful.
No wonder my son loved her so much.
She possesses a strong will and a somewhat wild personality.
It might be hard to reign her in.
Do you think she has changed her ways?
No.
When we were allowed to return to Qin...
she had no intention of coming with us.
Ying Zheng started to cy.
She laughed and said...
"What are you crying about? I'll go with you."
So she joined us.
Your Majesty...
I've come to say farewell.
Where are you going?
I'm going home to Zhao.
Why are you leaving me? Why?
Your daily visits seem more like an obligation.
Is this what our love has become?
Do you still know what I want?
How I want to live?
You don't.
I must smile all the time...
speak softly and walk gently with my head down.
I feel like an object on display in your palace!
I want to speak in a loud voice.
Cy when I feel like crying.
I don't want to be nice to everybody.
I can't live like this...
but I have for so long.
I'm leaving.
Do you remember when we were young?
When it snowed in the winter...
we frolicked in the hay.
We were cold and hungry, but we were happy.
We would fall into the hay.
It was so warm...
we would fall asleep...
in each other's arms.
You used to be an innocent boy from Zhao.
Now you are a king.
You are no longer the person I once knew.
You are right.
Now I understand why you want to leave.
I was only waiting for the day when...
I would be king of all under heaven...
then I would marry you and make you my queen.
I thought that this was what you wanted.
Let's go back to Zhao.
Then we can be together again.
The way it was before.
I know this is only a dream.
Day is breaking.
Please accompany me to the Imperial Map Hall.
Then you may go.
Unfurl the map.
Your Majesty, this is the map of the unified empire.
You painted this map?
Yes, Your Majesty, it is their work.
You've done a fine job.
Are you from Qin?
Your Majesty, they are from Han.
I see.
Yes, Han will soon be eliminated.
You are crying for your kingdom.
You are loyal subjects of Han.
All the people of Han are crying now...
because your king orders gifts to be presented to Qin...
1,000 horses, 10,000 pounds of gold...
1 million sheaves of silk.
I don't want these gifts.
They belong to the people of Han.
Han will cease to exist.
But...
a greater empire will emerge.
Qin and the other six kingdoms...
as far as the eye can see will be unified.
All people under heaven will be its subjects.
The empire will have only one ruler...
one benevolent ruler.
Once unification is achieved...
he will protect...
all his subjects.
The empire will be divided into provinces...
under the administration of good officials.
Grain will grow everywhere.
There will be peace and prosperity for all.
Roads will extend to the remote border areas...
and the Great Wall will stretch across the northern border...
to keep the barbarians out.
And to commemorate the unification...
stone tablets will be erected by the sea.
Lady Zhao, please stay with us!
Your Majesty!
Our army has commenced the final attack on the Han capital.
Your Majesty!
Let me go!
Ying Zheng!
How dare you!
Let him come to me.
Kneel before His Majesty!
I am the Prince of Yan. I won't kneel before the king.
Cary on.
Lady Zhao, don't leave.
I request that Your Majesty stop the Qin invasion of Han...
and leave the six kingdoms in peace.
Otherwise...
Then what?
Within five steps...
blood will be shed, yours and mine.
Even if you kill me...
someone will complete the unification.
If not me...
then maybe you.
After 550 years...
what has become of the hundreds of kingdoms?
Today there are only seven left.
Small kingdoms want to become bigger...
the bigger ones want to annex the smaller.
This war has lasted for 550 years.
The people have been living...
in hell.
As long as the six kingdoms remain...
the world will never know peace.
The six kingdoms must be eliminated. Nobody can stop the unification.
Nobody.
The truth is as long as Qin remains...
the world will not know peace.
Don't come near me!
Don't move!
I know you are unhappy as my hostage here in Qin.
I could let you go back to Yan...
but the King of Yan will simply send you back here again.
He will do this until Yan is eliminated.
Why break your father's heart?
I have raised my sword before Your Majesty.
Why don't you kill me?
You are my brother.
Your Majesty, bowl!
Your Majesty, bowl again!
Qin Eliminates Han
A great feast for our soldiers!
Now it's time to consider...
how to take Yan.
Once Yan is eliminated...
the northern territories will be united.
Once we control the north, unification will be close at hand.
But I must have a reason to attack Yan.
Otherwise, the southern kingdoms...
unite against us.
Why don't you let the Prince of Yan go back?
Go back.
Where to?
Back to Yan.
If you let him return to Yan, he'll send an assassin to kill you.
As soon as the assassin makes an attempt, everyone will know...
and you'll have your reason.
Yan may even surrender without bloodshed.
How can we make him send an assassin?
Find someone he trusts.
Who?
Do I have a beautiful face?
Most beautiful.
What if it is branded?
My Lady must be joking.
Prison warden at your service, My Lady.
Please rise.
Warden.
Present.
Who are those prisoners?
Common criminals, war prisoners.
- Is branding difficult? - No.
Is there someone you want released?
I can take care of it.
I want you to brand my face.
What did My Lady say?
I said, I want you to brand my face.
My Lady has scared me to death.
I never d-a-r-e do such a thing!
You dare to disobey me?
My clothes, do they look nice?
Yes, they do.
Don't get them dirty.
No, I won't.
Do you have a heavy hand?
No, I don't.
Does it hurt?
No.
Even if it hurts...
don't scream.
I won't scream.
I won't.
What have you done?
Let me look.
I'm going to kill that warden!
Don't punish them. It was my idea.
What?
If I didn't do it, Prince Yan wouldn't trust me.
So you are the one who will go to Yan with him?
That way I can make him send an assassin.
Once I succeed, there will be no need for bloodshed.
Do you think this is child's play?
War is everywhere.
Dead bodies are piled as high as mountains...
blood flows like the rivers.
Didn't you say that you would protect the people of all kingdoms?
Didn't you promise to let them live in peace?
You said that and I believed you.
As long as you see this mark on my face, you will never forget your promise.
My face...
is it ugly?
It's beautiful.
For the past few years...
we've been drifting apart.
You are the King of Qin.
I didn't know what I could do for you.
That was why I wanted to return home to Zhao.
Now I know that you are...
different from other kings.
You have a great cause.
Finally, I've found a way to help you.
Sorry to keep you waiting, my lord.
Where's the king?
The king is otherwise occupied.
His Majesty has asked me to drink with you.
- Ridiculous. - Just a moment.
His Majesty has something to show you.
If you don't have a look, you will regret it.
This way, please.
Turn around.
This is the unification map.
Han is part of the unified county.
So is Yan.
So are all six kingdoms!
His Majesty has asked me to tell Your Highness...
Yan is sure to be eliminated.
Your Highness is welcome to stay here in Qin.
You can no longer be the Prince of Yan...
but my king will grant you...
a position as a Qin official.
Also, His Majesty has a message for you.
Your friend, Lady Zhao's face has been branded...
because she repeatedly asked to return home.
The brand cannot be removed.
Please think it over.
Please tell the king...
Yan will never surrender.
I want to receive the Yan assassin...
right here in the Unification Hall.
I want you to find me a real assassin.
I'll order the guards to stay away.
Nobody will be armed...
except the assassin.
Who would have thought...
I'm going to Yan...
to find someone to kill you.
I'm invincible.
No one can kill me.
The assassin will know it is wrong to even try.
Keep this to protect yourself.
Good-bye.
My amulet...
please take it too.
Wait.
Now you may go.
Please, don't look at me.
What does this bridge...
remind you of?
Remember when we were children...
and you would make me cross that narrow bridge?
I have made a replica of that bridge here...
so that we can always remember our times together.
I am the Prince of Yan!
If you want to kill me, then do it right here.
Goddamn Ying Zheng!
Shepherd!
Is this the Kingdom of Yan?
This is Yan.
Goddamn Ying Zheng!
I'm going to kill you.
Goddamn you!
I must kill you!
Chapter Il: The Assassin
Jing Ke...
I have someone I want you to kill.
Who is it?
A sword maker...
who owes me.
Just him?
Kill his whole family.
How much?
Five thousand.
I want ten thousand.
Mommy.
Daddy.
You've killed my whole family, haven't you?
Then kill me too.
You can't see.
I won't kill you.
Kill me.
If you don't...
I'll be begging for the rest of my life.
There's no dignity in that.
That's true...
but I won't kill you.
The Homecoming Of Prince Yan
Gentlemen...
Yan may soon be eliminated by Qin.
I must find an assassin to kill the King of Qin.
If you are afraid to accept this task...
you may take your leave.
Leave? We would rather die!
All right then, cheers.
Jing Ke! You madman.
The buns are ready.
Got you! You little bastard!
How many times did you steal?
Many.
Many?
Then there is nothing to say.
Water.
I need water.
Give him some water.
What?
You pay up for him...
and he'll get his water.
Get out, you scum!
Give him some water.
Are you looking for trouble?
We've got water.
Get down and beg and he'll get his water.
If you let him go, I will.
Fine. On your knees and I'll let him go.
Crawl through my legs and I'll let him go.
Let him go.
That's not enough.
I can let him down...
but that's my decision...
not yours.
You have to kill me.
Kill me and the boy goes free.
I won't kill you.
Come on!
Kill me! Come on!
I won't.
You have no choice. Kill me!
Come on! Kill me!
- Did you kill that man? - No.
If you didn't kill him, then why are you here?
This is your last day alive.
Do you have anything you want to say?
Fine. You're a tough man, aren't you?
Get him ready. Get him ready.
Scared? Then scream.
Come on! Scream!
Scream, scream!
All right.
Let's play for a while.
Lady Zhao has arrived.
Hold it.
Your Ladyship.
Release him.
Hurry, release the prisoner.
Faster!
This man has no fear of death.
Everyone cries for mercy on the torture log, but he didn't.
I should have gone over to the jail to welcome you myself.
Sorry you had to suffer.
Please sit.
So, the two of you have met before.
So you're the great assassin, Jing Ke. The prince has been searching for you.
Who would imagine?
The great assassin has become a sandal peddler.
Lady Zhao and I need your help.
I'll let the lady tell you.
We want you to kill someone for us.
Do you know who we want you to kill?
The King of Qin.
Otherwise, Yan is finished.
All six kingdoms will be eliminated.
I don't kill people.
You're an assassin! You've killed many people!
Not anymore.
You will be rewarded.
Tell me what you want and it's yours.
If you kill the King of Qin...
you're assured a place in Yan's ancestral temple.
I won't kill.
Then go back to the prison and die.
This beautiful woman has been branded by the King of Qin.
She saved your life.
You owe her.
I won't kill.
Guards!
Take him back to prison.
That's the man I want.
No matter what, you must make him go to Qin within three months.
He must kill the King of Qin.
I can't force him. He doesn't even fear death.
You'd better find someone else.
He has three months to live. So do you.
Don't forget, you're my hostage.
Jing Ke...
I know what you are thinking.
You think I saved you to make you kill someone?
You are wrong.
I was told that you were a cruel assassin.
I don't believe it.
I saw you save that child.
I don't know about our past...
but now you can go.
Please go home.
Scream if you can't take it.
Scream.
Hey! Tying to kill someone? That's not a sword!
I'm sorry.
You don't know me.
But I do.
You don't know me.
Nobody does.
And I don't know you either.
I come from the Kingdom of Zhao.
I was born and brought up in Zhao.
Then I followed some people to Qin...
and finally I came to Yan.
Why is your face branded?
What crime have you committed?
I wanted to return to Zhao.
Was it really that important?
Zhao is my home.
You are not a criminal. Wanting to return to Zhao is not a crime at all.
But killing is.
I've killed many people.
I am the criminal.
I once killed a girl.
She was from a family of sword makers.
The girl was young, still in her early teens.
She was pretty and pure.
But she was blind.
You've killed my whole family, haven't you?
Then kill me too.
You can't see.
I won't kill you.
She kept asking me to kill her.
But I didn't want to.
At dawn, I hear my mother...
making breakfast.
When the sun comes up...
I hear my father making swords.
After sunset, my brother sings as he brings in the cows.
He always brings me a flower.
If I can't hear these sounds tomorrow...
I would rather die.
I couldn't kill her.
Who are you?
Even a killer...
has a name.
I've lost my strength.
Help me remove the dagger.
Actually, she wanted revenge.
She had a sword hidden behind her back.
She couldn't live without love.
She was right.
Oh, no! You're left-handed.
My name is Jing Ke.
You should tear down this house...
build a new one.
Plant some trees.
If I can come to see you, I will.
If I can't...
don't blame me.
Try to start a new life.
I want you to have this.
The King of Qin has started troop movements.
There are 400,000 soldiers at the Han Zhao border.
The people of Zhao are terrified.
The Marquis says that when Zhao is eliminated...
the next target will be Yan.
Your medicine, my lord.
Qin Palace
This battle-ax...
should only be used by the king.
Of course, the Prince of Yan knows...
that this gift might cost me my head.
But I can't refuse such a fine gift.
Please thank him.
My lord, the king is waiting to see the Queen Mother.
No.
Tell him that Queen Mother is sleeping.
Wrong.
Let's try again.
Daddy.
Our poor children.
Must they hide away here in the palace all their lives?
Chapter III: The Children
Ying Zheng has a good appetite.
You've always loved meat.
But we didn't always have meat.
My queen, are you criticizing the king for eating too much?
His Majesty is the master of all under heaven.
He can have whatever he wants.
Daddy.
Pardon me, Your Majesty.
This is my nephew.
The queen adores him and has allowed him a short stay in the palace.
Like all small boys, he likes to run about.
Come here.
Come. The king is calling you.
What a fine boy.
I see why the Queen Mother adores him.
Open your mouth.
Go on.
It was a nice dinner.
I have something to take care of.
Good-bye, Mother.
Good-bye, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
The Marquis' rebels were armed. They could have killed you.
Your Majesty's wisdom prevented this.
The Marquis is staging a coup. I must deploy the royal guards!
Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will...
General Fan, let go of my hand.
You think that I am scared.
Marquis.
I want the Queen Mother's seal.
The order must come from the Queen Mother.
The Residence Of Former Prime Minister Lu Buwei
The seal is real.
The Queen Mother has declared...
as soon as we succeed, you will be reinstated as prime minister.
So I will be the prime minister?
Then who will be the king?
The King of Qin?
You...
or your son?
Marquis...
you used to be my servant.
I am advising you to give yourself up.
With the support of the Queen Mother, your life may be spared.
Otherwise...
I don't mean to boast...
but who can overthrow the king except me?
I understand.
We will see who will be king...
my son or yours?
What do you mean?
A disgraced prime minister...
has the nerve to kill me?
I don't think so.
Get me my chariot. I am going to the palace.
Marquis!