I've grown old.
It's so long since I last dreamed of the Duke of Zhou.
My ideals of ethics, music, humanity and harmony
can be fulfilled only in times to come.
Is it Master Kong Qiu, the mayor of Zhongdu?
Indeed!
Kindly follow me.
Master Kong, you may bow inside.
Announcing Master Kong Qiu, the mayor of Zhongdu.
His Majesty arrives.
Kong Qiu, you're here.
Your humble servant Kong Qiu greets Your Majesty.
Kong Qiu,
you've been mayor of Zhongdu
for about a year now.
Many things have changed.
Streets are safe, homes are secure.
Your Majesty,
as your humble servant has said of observing the rituals of Zhou,
a year shows progress, 3 years would show much more.
I'd like to see
your policies applied throughout the Kingdom of Lu!
I have no position, it is not for me to say.
This could be easily rectified.
I'll appoint you to the right position.
Lord Ji Yiru has just died.
His oldest son Ji Sunsi has become Prime Minister
and Chief General of the Army.
But the post of Minister of Law is vacant.
The 3 Noble Families all have their own nominees.
But I'm inclined to appoint you.
I cannot presume to be worthy.
I will support you!
You and your disciples
could civilize the Kingdom of Lu.
You could challenge those
you've called unworthy in the past.
Do you dare?
Run! Hurry up!
My Lord, a burial slave has just escaped!
What? Who is it?
The late lord's favorite young servant,
Qi Sigong!
That little boy.
My father ordered that
this boy would be buried with him! Get him back!
Yes.
This way... Stop! There he is. Stop...
Stop...
This boy! Stop!
Over there! Poisoned-arrow...
Master, help me...
Teacher, in your opinion,
could the Kingdom of Lu grow stronger
by emulating the Dukedom of Qi?
Your Majesty,
the people of Qi obey the law
because they fear punishment.
If we respect the law because we're civil, honest
and have integrity and dignity, isn't that much better?
When honorable and credible men are given office,
theft and corruption will disappear.
Men who care for their parents and children
also care for others.
Men should perform their duties while women would be given a home and family.
Then orphans and widows, the old, the sick
and the weak would be taken care of.
Then the people will live well and work cheerfully.
Universal peace and harmony will reign!
Mother...
Don't close it! Let me out! Lift the stone!
Don't close it...
Prepare the meal.
Men should love their parents
and children indiscriminately...
Then the old would be taken care of,
and the strong would apply their skills.
Your father has returned.
How do you know?
I heard his voice.
He'll be surprised I've brought you to see him.
Hurry, take this to him.
Father. You're back.
You've been gone for half the day! Mother and I've been waiting.
You haven't eaten yet? You must be hungry.
Don't be afraid. Who are you?
I... I'm Qi Sigong.
Child.
Master.
Yan Hui, bring a doctor, quickly.
I will. Hurry, call for a doctor.
What's this all about?
Master, as I came here,
Ji Family troops were chasing this boy.
So I rescued him.
He was a burial-slave.
The Ji Family soldiers want him back.
Master, let's avoid trouble.
I can leave him with my brother-in-law in the Kingdom of Wei.
This might be better for everyone.
No, Zilu, he can stay here.
Helping others is a measure of bravery.
Then Lord Ji Sunsi will be furious.
Zilu, you did the right thing.
Stop!
What do you think you're doing?
Who are you?
General Gongshan Niu of the city of Biyi.
Search the house!
General Gongshan!
Master...
Kong Qiu. What do you want?
It is reported that the Minister's escaped slave
is hiding here.
If you don't turn him over to us now,
it may damage your relations with the Minister!
Minister Kong, a word in private.
Minister Kong, I too despise the arrogance of the 3 Noble Families.
Today I can report that I found nothing.
You and I should be friends and partners.
Drive out the Noble Families and rule the kingdom ourselves.
Tell me.
What do you think?
Our roads are different.
General, it's getting late, you should be on your way.
Go!
My lords and ministers,
everyone has come to observe the Winter Sacrifice.
But before we can begin,
a strange occurrence demands explanation.
Yesterday, the officer responsible for the sacrifice of birds
reported that one of the 10 pheasants
prepared for the ceremony
had pecked off its own tail!
So today I must seek your exalted opinion.
Ought we to cancel the ceremony?
Or delay?
I wish to speak.
Speak, Shu Sunwu.
In my opinion,
since the Winter Sacrifice marks the most important sacrifice at year-end,
it must not be delayed nor canceled!
We address the gods through this ceremony
the omen reflects a message from Heaven.
Therefore, the pheasant should be spared from sacrifice.
Otherwise we would disrespect heaven.
We must obey the will of heaven
and allow this bird to live.
Good...
Kong Qiu, what is your view?
Your Majesty,
your humble servant fully agrees with Lord Shu's opinion.
Then you ministers?
Your humble servants also agree with the Ministers' opinions.
Since all are in agreement, so be it!
Let the pheasant be released
into the mountain forests.
Good...
Your Majesty, your humble servant wishes to speak.
Speak.
I request
an end to the evil ritual of burying living servants
with their deceased masters.
Kong Qiu.
Why do you make such a request?
Because today your humble servant
is pleading for this slave's life!
Which slave?
Him!
Uncle.
Isn't that the slave who ran away from your home?
Kong Qiu!
He was my family's slave.
You brazenly took him into your house!
How dare you?
Master.
Minister, please pardon him.
This boy should not accompany
Lord Ji Yiru to the grave.
Don't you always approve of observing our ancient traditions?
This is just one of them!
Minister.
Benevolence is love towards our fellow men.
A ritual murder is still murder, even if it complies with tradition!
Lord Shu,
you showed benevolence towards a pheasant.
Now I ask you,
surely you must also speak up
for this wounded boy.
We come today
only to discuss the Winter Sacrifice.
This matter is unrelated!
No, there is a close relationship!
The Zhou code of ethics teaches us to value human life above all.
The burial of slaves was practiced in barbarous times.
It was outlawed in our dynasty when the Zhou reign commenced.
Our Kingdom of Lu is the ancient home of the Duke of Zhou
and known for its ethics.
We should think afresh and abandon outdated traditions.
Right...
Your Majesty, my lords.
On my own life,
I ask that you spare this young slave.
Spare him...
Kong Qiu!
It was Lord Ji Yiru's dying wish that
those he loved should die with him.
It is not cruel to bury this slave.
Rather, it demonstrates the Minister's filial piety!
His love for his father!
General Gongshan! I know
you served Lord Ji Yiru for years.
I hear he said many times that
he could not live without you.
Right, that's correct.
Given how close you were to him,
he must still need you now that
he has passed on to the next life.
If you were willing to accompany your lord in death,
I could not object to you taking
this young slave with you.
You.
What say you?
You... you're mad!
It seems the General is not willing to serve his master beyond the grave.
He imposes on others what he will not impose on himself.
Your Majesty, your humble servant has no more to say.
The scholar's words seem to be profound!
I suppose.
Approved! Release him.
Good...
Great! You need never go back to the house of Ji.
Second bow.
Boy! Don't cry, stand up.
Qi Sigong, what's wrong?
Are you alright?
I'm not crying.
May I really stay here?
Alright now...
This is a special day.
Zilu, let's drink to it.
Good!
Ziqian, Boniu, help me fetch the wine.
Boy, come here Come here.
This is now your home.
They are all your brothers.
They will take care of you.
I know, Master, I know.
So we're family now!
Master, I could hardly believe it
when Ji accepted your proposal.
Here comes the wine.
Come, what about you?
I have this.
Drink all you like. Very well, drink up!
Drink up!
It tastes horrid!
Your Highness.
Making Kong Qiu a minister with many responsibilities
will surely strengthen the Kingdom of Lu.
And their strength threatens us in the Dukedom of Qi.
Lu's strength is a threat to Qi.
For almost one hundred years,
all rulers of Qi have dreamed
of conquering Lu.
Clearing our way to the western border.
Kong Qiu has already asserted his authority in the Lu court.
Your Highness, perhaps we should call a meeting
to congratulate Lu.
We could invite the ruler of Lu and Kong Qiu
to Jiagu on our border.
Kong Qiu is a man of letters, unfamiliar with military affairs.
He knows ethics, not bravery!
During the ceremony, we'll take Lu's ruler hostage.
And make him and the 3 Noble Families
submit to Qi's will!
An excellent proposal!
Minister Li, prepare a formal invitation
to the ruler of Lu. Invite him to Jiagu
to discuss forming a new alliance between our states.
Dispatch it immediately!
Yes, Your Majesty.
This meeting at Jiagu
is my first challenge as a minister.
It is a matter of honor or humiliation, gain or loss.
And it will have significant consequences! Yan Hui.
His Majesty agrees that you should
take charge of the ceremony.
Ensure that both parties have equal ground and equal respect.
I will.
Zilu. Master.
You and Zigong will be the only men to carry swords on the meeting platform.
Guard His Majesty carefully, regardless of what happens.
Understood!
Ran Qiu. Master.
Go in advance to Jiagu
to inspect the area around the meeting platform.
Look for any hiding places.
What do you want me to do, Master?
Master, the military commanders are here.
Our respects, Minister of Law...
Please.
Qi specified the place for the alliance talks.
It's known as a ravine.
A dead end.
I'd like you to bring chariots nearby
in case we need them.
Minister, we're headquartered in barracks.
We have only carriages at our command, no war chariots.
Minister Ji and General Gongshan Niu
control them all.
Minister,
I hear that the Prime Minister and Gongshan Niu
are holding an archery tournament in Biyi.
Very well.
Then I'll have to pay them a visit.
Master, we're approaching Biyi.
Master, they say that Biyi
has more mounted soldiers and slaves
than any other city in Lu.
Be advised!
Those who shirk labor, within 3 days,
will be dragged out and put on public display.
Compete at what?
Archery. Please.
The alliance talk between Lu and Qi is a serious matter.
Can Your Lordship provide army chariots to protect our ruler
and show our might?
How many? 500.
Isn't it supposed to be an alliance meeting?
Why do you need such a show of force?
As Zhou Gong taught us, any civil servant
should be back up words with weapons.
Qi is a barbarous country
which has long wanted to conquer Lu.
So we must be prepared! Good.
Then let us have a match.
My teacher respectfully requests a match and drinks to you.
If you win, I'll grant you
500 chariots.
The archery match will begin.
Please take your places.
You have my word.
If you win, they're yours.
If you lose, you'll get nothing!
Agreed.
A pure heart makes a pure shot.
Right, full score!
A new minister with high ambitions!
Full score! Good...
Who would have thought that the Biyi city walls would be more than 18 feet high?
Built to conceal their injustices
and their onerous taxation!
The tyranny within these walls
puts tigers to shame!
Prime Minister, has all this escaped your notice?
Good! Right, full score!
Master Ji,
may I ask how Lu stands today?
It might just be that the Ji Family's real enemy is from within.
Not across the border.
Good! Right, full score!
I hear you had no father.
Who taught you such fine archery?
My father was a warrior, but he left this world before his time.
A diligent student needs no teacher. I taught myself!
Right, full score! Excellent!
Right wins.
The minister has been most courteous.
So you have your 500 chariots
for the alliance talks.
Address your request to Gongshan Niu.
We have a kingdom because we have an army!
And who raised and trained that army?
Not your King of Lu! It was my Biyi!
Right, it was our Biyi!
Why should I blindly turn over my chariots to you?
So that you can march my army into the desert and starve them?
We will see. Let's go...
See, what I say doesn't always count.
I gave the order, but...
Its implementation is your own concern.
Master.
Halt! Your Majesty! Master!
Greetings, Your Majesty, Master!
Has Gongshan's army moved or not?
I don't know what's happening.
Not one soldier or horse has moved yet.
But that... that cannot be correct?
Ji Sunsi ordered them
to deploy days ago.
Put our second plan into effect, immediately!
Yes, Master.
Go!
Master, Qi has brought so much cavalry.
Is there anything to concern us about this?
Your Majesty, rest assured as we're prepared.
Since Qi is host and Lu is guest,
we request that the Nobles of Qi descend to welcome.
Your Highness, no undue courtesies.
We invite the King of Lu to ascend.
Your Majesty.
Lu is the Guest and Qi is the Host.
The Zhou Protocols mandate that the nobles of Qi should descend.
Qi initiated the alliance talks.
How could Qi dishonor its guests?
Your Highness, Qi and Lu share a close relationship.
Our ruler has come to rebuild
our brotherly alliance.
Please...
Please.
It is our desire to respect each other
and forever abandon war!
Although our states have different surnames,
in reality we are like brothers.
With this alliance,
we will be like a single state!
What Lord Li says is interesting.
All the territory and peoples belonged to the emperor.
All the ministers and officials were just his servants.
Therefore, Your Excellencies both have responsibility
for protecting the Emperor Zhou's ancestral territory.
Excellencies, your humble servant advises that
when this alliance is formed,
each state must commit to aiding the other.
Should Qi one day find itself at war,
Lu would be asked to provide 500 chariots
to supplement our army.
Excellent idea!
Excellencies,
your humble servant would also like to make a request.
An alliance between us
should be found on sincerity.
And we request
the return of the 3 cities of Wenshang
won from Lu 30 years ago in war.
I can see your point.
Your Majesty...
A gentleman's word is golden, Your Excellency.
Good...
I thank you for returning our land to us, let's drink to it.
Kong Qiu, it seems that you and your Master
have no plan to leave here today.
Look.
Yan Hui.
Your excellencies, we've come here
in peace today.
We brought only 10 chariots with us.
But to safeguard the negotiations from any unforeseen threats,
another 500 chariots are waiting nearby.
Need we summon them here?
Look!
Your Majesty!
The advance party is here!
500 chariots are following me to Jiagu.
We await your orders.
Minister Li,
do you want to see this ravine run with blood?
If this is how you demonstrate the workings of an alliance,
who will ever again trust the Dukedom of Qi?
Why are you still standing here?
Dismiss the troops!
Your Majesty...
Please forgive my minister's shameful act.
May the alliance between us last forever.
We make use of one hundred ox carts
to scare off Qi's 500 chariots.
Another triumph for our Master!
As he always says,
military strategy hinges on innovation.
Come on, there are drinks waiting!
Our Lady...
Has she gone missing again?
Our Lady! Where are you...?
Sir, the prince has stormed into the palace
and is arguing with His Majesty again.
Our Lady can't be found anywhere.
She hasn't passed me.
Then what can we do?
This is awful!
Let's go back.
Go.
Father, I'm almost 40!
I have been prince for almost 20 years.
You are getting old,
and our kingdom is stagnating.
But you just won't let go, will you?
Kong Qiu in Lu has a saying.
Women and servants are hard to raise.
But you let a woman meddle in affairs of state!
You let her make decisions!
Madam, you're back.
Your Majesty.
What is so important that the prince demand a talk?
There's a message from General Gongshan Niu.
I wasn't asking you!
This Gongshan Niu, he's an army general
with the Ji family in Lu.
He wants to know
if we'll give him refuge in our kingdom.
So Wei is to become a haven for cast-offs now?
That's exactly why I didn't approve.
Gongshan Niu is ready to serve us.
Why can't we give him refuge?
Giving him refuge would bring no benefit.
He has served the Ji family for many years
and the late Ji Yiru was good to him.
Not only was he put in charge of Biyi,
he was also exempted from taxes for years!
And now he turns his back on them.
What use do we have for a turncoat like that?
I can control him.
Learn to control yourself first!
The kingdoms of Lu and Wei depend on each other for their survival.
If we took in Gongshan Niu,
wouldn't we offend Lu?
Have you forgotten?
The mighty Kingdom of Jin is to our west
and the rough Kingdom of Chu is to the south.
We have enemies on all sides!
If we lose our main ally,
what then?
Get out! Next time, don't.
If there's a next time,
you'll no longer be the prince.
The prince can't even weigh up gains and losses.
How can I make him the regent?
Invite Kong Qiu here
to teach your prince.
Then Wei will be safe.
Your Majesty, write a formal invitation
to Master Kong.
Do you think Master Kong would come?
Master Kong's talents are undervalued.
In Lu, the 3 Noble Families keep his talent in check.
Our invitation will be seen as an appreciation of his talent.
If he comes, that'll be best.
If he doesn't,
Lu will put him to better use.
Lu will prosper, and will bring Qi to heel.
That will suit us too.
What is this?
Letters of invitation from both Wei and Qi.
We should start using Master Kong better
or others will take him.
So how should we make use of his talents?
One moment.
This Kong Qiu has no proper line of ancestry.
Your Majesty gave him a role in court less than a year ago.
First he was mayor of Zhongdu.
Then he was appointed Minister of Law.
And now we're supposed to promote him even higher?
Does Your Majesty plan to make him a living god?
At the alliance meeting between Lu and Qi,
Kong Qiu regained territory
and enhanced our national prestige.
The whole country praises him for that.
Kong Qiu was born a commoner.
But your father admitted
he is descended from a noble Song family.
He won back the Three Cities
without using a single soldier or chariot.
He may be a mere commoner
but his ideal of civility in government works!
When my father died,
Kong Qiu was made Minister of Law.
Now I could vacate
the post of Interior Minister for him.
If Your Majesty approves,
I could serve only as Prime Minister.
Very well!
I am glad that our Prime Minister has such a breadth of mind.
Good! This is wonderful.
When a country is in turmoil,
it has need of its talents.
Besides Kong Qiu,
most of his disciples are available to serve our country.
Master Kong, this is an outdated tradition.
The servant I dispatched to the palace has reported secretly.
Minister of the Interior Kong Qiu
is not focusing on his government work.
He's been preoccupied with building the high Wuzi Platform.
Doesn't he claim it's part of a defense against flooding?
Yes, that's what he says.
I do not trust him.
I think he has something else in mind.
Kong Qiu is a mere commoner.
The ruler made him Minister of Law.
Now the ruler's made him Acting Minister of the Interior too!
Uncle, I sense a conspiracy here.
He did not... did not eat again.
Cut off your tongue if you stammer again.
Get out! Yes, Master.
Zhongni, I've made some new black ink for you.
It won't wash off easily.
Try it!
Very well! Teacher,
the petition is ready.
Please take a look. It is fine!
It's fine!
Gong Boliao, ready the cart.
It's so late! Where are you going?
It is urgent, I need to go to the Palace.
Wake up! Gong Boliao.
Leave me alone!
Rotten wood is hard to carve!
Leave him alone.
Master,
you've worked all day and into the night.
It's too hard!
If this is for the betterment of Lu's citizens, I don't mind.
Master, you're ordering city walls to be demolished.
Won't the 3 Noble Families rebel
against your authority?
It's time to curb the power of the Three Families.
We must act, and act quickly! Master,
I think this is courting great danger!
Yes, Master, this is very dangerous!
Won't you reconsider?
Reconsider what?
Disciples,
my late teacher Master Zichan had 2 fine sayings.
Please remember them all your life.
Put your country ahead of your life.
And Obstacles will be many,
so maintain your strength of spirit!
What we are doing now
is not only for the short term.
Minister of the Interior Kong Qiu is here to see His Majesty.
Tomorrow in court,
your humble servant will call for Razing the Three City Walls.
Razing? What exactly does that mean?
When the Duke of Zhou ruled these lands, it was established
that no fiefdom should build walls
around its city more than 18 feet in height.
The aim was to prevent the nobles
from abrogating power to themselves.
But in recent decades,
these 3 families have made their cities seats of power.
And their city walls have grown taller.
I humbly propose that the walls of these 3 cities be razed
to reunify the state.
That is a serious matter.
It will stir up discontent.
Can you win this?
If you fail,
you'll unleash chaos everywhere.
Your humble servant did a fortune reading.
The reading was Headless Dragons.
That's very auspicious.
To strengthen the throne, the power of the nobles must be reduced.
We must cut off the dragons' heads.
Serve my man here with the best wine and food.
Thank you, Minister...
Didn't I say this would happen?
It is vicious. Razing the Three City Walls!
To pull down our walls is to undermine our strength!
Kong Qiu wants to bring down the fiefdoms of the Three Families.
Our fiefdoms?
Have we any fiefdoms?
Maybe Meng's fiefdom still belongs to Meng.
Does your fiefdom belong to you? Or General Hou?
Is Biyi still mine?
Kong Qiu calls for demolition.
Fine, that would benefit us.
What should we do now?
Laozi teaches us.
Every gain is balanced by a loss.
Support Kong Qiu! Raze the 3 city walls!
More speed!
We must reach Biyi tonight
to see General Gongshan.
Come on! Fight! Peck...
Urgent report from the city of Houyi!
Acting Interior Minister. Just speak.
Yes, sir.
Hou Fan, rebel general of Shu Sunwu's territory,
has escaped from Houyi!
Shu and Zigao's forces have succeeded
in tearing down their walls.
Excellent! Well done!
Good, we caught them by surprise.
The Minister must be congratulated on his famous victory!
Come, drink!
Today we must celebrate.
No, it's not over yet.
Hou Fan will continue his resistance.
Ensure that Shu and Zigao tear down the walls quickly
or the rebels will regroup behind them!
As I arrived in the city,
I saw Zilu and his army encamped nearby.
Your Biyi is about to have its walls torn down.
You need a plan.
Let them tear down the wall!
They'll be leaving the capital undefended!
My plan is to seize the capital
and execute Kong Qiu and banish the Three Families!
Halt...
Inspection!
Don't you recognize the Ji banner?
We are delivering Biyi's land taxes to the palace.
Open up!
The Minister of Law has ordered that all carts be inspected.
Seize the king of Lu! Slay Kong Qiu!
Seize the king! Slay Kong Qiu! Drive out the Three Families!
Kill them all!
Report! General, the king is not in his palace.
Where is he?
It seems he has sought refuge with the Ji family.
Find him!
Open the gate! Open it!
In such a key moment, where is Minister Ji?
He's out for a hunt, Your Majesty,
follow me please. Your Majesty, be careful.
Don't engage them, just try to hold them back for 2 hours.
Then lure them to the Wuzi Platform.
Yes, Minister.
Ji picked a fine time to go hunting.
Quick! Kill them all!
Ruler! Kong Qiu! Three Families! Hear this.
Today, in the name of the late Lord Ji Yiru, under heaven's mandate,
I will annihilate all who defy the will of heaven!
Annihilate all...
Destroy them!
March on!
Kill the king, kill Kong Qiu!
Retreat!
Flames!
Pull!
Release.
Report! Minister!
Gongshan Niu and his rebel army are defeated.
They are retreating from the capital.
Uncle...
An urgent report from the capital... It's just as you predicted.
Gongshan Niu was defeated at the Wuzi Platform.
Then what are you waiting for?
Send the troops in, capture Gongshan alive.
Yes, sir...
Take Gongshan Niu alive!
Pull...
Release!
Pull!
Release!
Nobody is demolishing my Chengyi.
Why?
Chengyi stands right on the border between Qi and Lu.
The high walls of Chengyi serve as a bastion
against a Qi invasion. They must not be demolished.
How can you go back on your own word?
Didn't you approve the razing of the city walls?
Let him finish.
Kong Qiu reclaimed the 3 cities of Wen Shang.
The 3 cities which used to belong to your family.
But were they returned to you?
No, they were handed to the ruler of Lu.
Kong Qiu forced General Hou Fan out of the city of Houyi.
And who is now in charge of the city?
Zigao, Kong Qiu's disciple.
And Biyi? Has it been returned to your family?
No!
Zilu, another of Kong Qiu's disciples, has been put in charge!
See?
And if they now take over my Chengyi,
it will be handed over to the ruler of Lu.
Will there be any land or city left to us?
You Ministers, are you really willing to give the Kingdom
back to the ruler of Lu and Kong Qiu?
Acting Interior Minister.
By the order of the Prime Minister, no one is allowed in.
Please wait here, I will make a request.
Master, those carriages are from the Meng and Shu families.
Master! Kong Qiu is requesting to see you...
I won't see him.
They're all inside.
Master.
I'm sure those are Meng and Shu carriages.