Retranslated English subs by primitive_man
I have grown old
It's so long since I last dreamed of Master Zhu
My ideas of education, musics, humanity and harmony
can be fullfilled only in times to comes...
Follow me...
Master Kong, you may bow inside
Announcing Master Kong Qiu, the Mayor of ZhongDu
Announcing His Majesty!
Welcome, Kong Qiu...
Your humble servant, Kong Qiu Greets Your Majesty
Greetings, Kong Qiu
I have heard many good things
though you've been mayor of ZhongDu
for only one year...
...the streets are safer, homes more secure...
Your majesty
As I said at the observing of the ritual of Zhou
"A year would show progress, three years would show much more"
I would like to see
your policies applied througout the Kingdom of Lu
I have not the authority, and therefore can't presume...
This will change...
...I'll appoint you to a higher position.
Lord Ji Yiru has just died
His eldest son, Ji Sunsi has become
Minister and Chief General of the Army...
so the post of Minister of Law is vacant
Many nobles families want 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 accept this challenge?
My Lord, A slave has escaped!
What? Who is it?
It's PingZi...
the late lord's favorite servant
He is Qi Sigong!
That child!
My father ordered that this
boy be buried with him! Find him!
There! Prepare your poisoned arrows now!
Help! Master! Master ... help me, please!
Teacher, in your opinion
would the kingdom of Lu be stronger
by emulating the Dukedom of Qui?
Your Majesty
The people of Qi obey the law
Out of their fear of punishment
If we respect the law because we are civil, honest,
have integrity and dignity,... isn't this better?
When honourable men are chosen to be officers..
theft and corruption disappear.
Men who care for their parents and children
also care for others.
Men would perform their duties. Women would be given a home and family...
Orphans, widows, the old, the sick
and the weak could be tended to.
People will live and work cheerfully.
Universal peace and harmony will reign!
Mother! Mother! Mother! Wake up!
Don't close it! Open the door! Let me out, please!
Prepare the meal
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 of the day! Mother and I have been worried.
You haven't eaten yet? You must be hungry.
Don't be afraid! Who are you?
I am...
Qi Sigong
Child...
Teacher
Yan Hui, call a doctor, quick!
Hurry, please...
What's this all about?
Teacher
As I came here
the troops of Ji Family were chasing this little slave.
So I rescued him.
He was a burial-slave
The Ji's troops want him back.
Teacher, 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 will stay here. Seeing injustice..
and not extending help is cowardice.
Lord Ji Sunsi will be furious.
Zilu
You did the right thing
What do you thing you're doing?
Who are you?
General Gong Sang Niu - The BiYi Citadel.
Search the area
Mr. Gong San
Teacher
Kong Qiu
What do you want?
It's reported that
an escaped slave is hiding here
If you don't hand him over to us
it may damage your relation with the Minister
Minister Kong, can we speak in private?
Minister Kong, I hate the arrogance of the three Noble Familys.
And today, I could report that I found nothing
You and I should be... friends... partners...
Together we could rule the kingdom.
Now, tell me...
What say you?
Our paths are different, we do not work under the same principles.
It's getting late, you should be on your way
Come!
My lord 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 ten pheasants
bred for the ceremony
has pecked off its own tail
So, today I must seek your exalted opinions
Ought we to cancel the ceremony?
Or make a delay?
I wish to speak
You can speak, Su Sunwu
In my opinion, since the Winter Sacrifice
marks the most important sacrifice at year end
it must not be delayed or cancelled!
We address the gods through this ceremony
The omen reflects a message from Heaven
therefore, the pheasant should be set free. To fly from the sacrifice!
To do otherwise would be disrespectful to the Spirit!
We must obey the will of heaven
And allow this bird to live!
Kong Qiu, what is your view?
Your Majesty
Your humble servant fully agree with Minister Shu.
Then... Ministers?
Your humble servants also agree with the two Minister's.
Since all are in agreement.
So be it! Let the pheasant be released
into the mountain forests.
Your Majesty, your humble servant wishes to speak
Speak
I request an end to the evil ritual
of burying living beings
with their deceased Master.
Kong Qiu, Why request this now?
Because today, your humble servant
is pleading for a little slave's life.
Which little slave?
Bring him.
Uncle
Isn't that the slave who ran away from your home?
Kong Qiu
He was my family's slave
and you took him into your house!
How dare of you!
Teacher
Minister Ji, 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 one of them!
Minister Ji
Benevolence is love for our fellows!
A ritual murder is still murder!
Lord Shu
You showed benevolence towards a pheasant
I ask you,
will you speak up for
this wounded boy?
Today, we're here
to discuss the Winter Sacrifice.
This matter is unrelated.
There is a close relationship!
The "Zhou Book of Ethics" tells us 'value human life above all.'
The burial of slaves is a wicked practise.
It's been outlawed since the Zhou Dynasty
The Kingdom of Lu is the ancient home of the Duke of Zhu
And known for its ethics.
We should be innovative and abandon outdated traditions
Your Majesty, everybody!
I, Kong Qiu, on my own life
I ask you spare this young slave
Kong Qiu
It was Lord Yiru's dying wish that
those he loved should die with him
It's not cruel to bury this slave
Rather, it demonstrates the Minister's
filial piety, and his love.
General Gong, I know
You served Lord Yuri for years
I heard him say many times that
he could not live without you
Yes! That's right.
Given how close you were to him
he must still need you
now he's passed to the next life!
If you were willing to accompany your lord in death
I could not object you to taking
this little slave with you.
You!
Can you say anything?
You! Bastard!
It seems the General is not willing to serve his master beyond the grave
He imposes on others that which he'll not impose on himself
Your Majesty, I have no more to say
The scholar's words are profound
My decision...?
Approved, release him
You will never have to back to the Ji's house
Second bow
Boy... Don't cry, stand up
Qi Sigong. What's wrong?
Are you okay?
I am not crying
May I really stay here?
Yes, today is a special day!
Zilu, let's get some drink
Master! Ziqian, Boniu, help me fetch the wine.
Boy, come here
This is now your home
All of these are your brothers
They will take care of you
Thank you, teacher.
We're family now
Teacher, I could hardly believe it
when Minister Ji accepted your proposal.
Here comes the wine
Come. What about you?
I have this!
Very well. Drink deeply. Cheers!
It tastes horrid.
Your Highness
Making Kong Qiu a Minister with huge authority
with surely strengthen the Kingdom of Lu
And their strength threaten the Dukedom of Qi
Lu's strength is a threat to Qi?
For almost a hundred years
All rulers of Qi have dreamed of..
..conquering Lu
and clearing our way to the western border
Kong Qiu has already asserted his authority in the Lu court
Your Highness, perhaps we should celebrate. A meeting...
to congratulate Lu.
We could invite the King of Lu and Kong Qiu
to meet at our border
Kong Qiu is a man of literature - not familiar with military affairs!
He knows about Ethics, not bravery!
During the meeting, we take the King of Lu hostage
then force the ruler and
the three Noble Families to submit to Qi's will.
An excellent proposal!
Minister Li, prepare a formal invitation to
the King of Lu about
a meeting in Jiagu on forming an alliance.
Despatch it immediately.
Your Will, Hignness.
This meeting at Jiagu
is my first challenge as a Minister
It is a matter of honour or humiliation, win or lose
And it could have significant consequences!
Yan Hui
His Majesty agrees that you should
take charge of the ceremony
ensure both parties have equal ground. No disrespect must be allowed!
Yes, Teacher.
Zilu
Teacher
You and ZiGong will be the only men with swords at the meeting.
Guard His Majesty carefully, regardless of what happens.
Understood!
Ran Qiu
Teacher
Go in advance to Jiagu
...inspect the area around the meeting place...
...seek out any places where...
What do you wish me to do, teacher?
Teacher, the military commanders are here
Our respects, Minister of Law
Ok.
Qi specified the place for the alliance talks
It's a mountain ravine
a dead end
I would like chariots nearby
in case we need them
Minister, we're based in a barracks
We've only carriages at our command, no war chariots!
Minister Ji and
General GongShan Niu control them all.
Minister
The Prime Minister and General Gong
are holding an archery tournament in BiYi
Very well
Then I will have to visit them there!
Teacher, we're approaching BiYi
Teacher, it's said that BiYi Citadel
has more mounted soldier and slaves
than any other city of Lu
Be advised
those who shirked labor
will be dragged out and put on public display
Compete at what?
Archery
Please
The meeting between Lu and Qi is a serious matter
Can your Lordship provide army chariots to protect our king?
To show our might
How many?
500 chariots
Isn't it supposed to be an alliance meeting?
Why do you need such a show of force?
As the Duke of Zhou taught us
always 'backup Words with Force'
Qi is a barbarous country
which has long wanted to conquer Lu, so we must be prepared
We must be prepared!
Ok.
Let us have a match
My teacher respectfully requests a match and drinks to your health.
If you win, I'll grant you
500 chariots
The archery match will begin
Enter the shooting area
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
You woundn't think BiYi Citadel walls - more than 18 feet high...
were built to conceal the injustices
the violence...
and rampant tyranny that
puts Tigers to shame!
Prime Minister, has this escaped your notice?
Now, Master Ji
May I ask how Lu stands today?
it might be that the Ji Family's real enemy lies within and
not across it's borders.
I hear you had no father
Who taught you shooting skills?
My father was a warrior, he left this world before his time
A diligent student needs no teacher ... I taught myself
Good
Right wins
Thanks Prime Minister
So you need 500 chariots
for the alliance talks
Ask him yourself, General Gong.
We have a kingdom because we have an army!
Who raised and trained that army?
Not your King of Ly, It was my BiYi Citadel!
Why should I turn over my chariots to you?
So that you can march my army into the desert and starve them!
Come!
You see, my words don't necessarily count
I will give you the order
But
you have to figure out the rest by yourselves
Teacher
Halt
Your Majesty! Teacher!
Greetings, Your Majesty and Teacher.
Have General Gong's army moved?
I don't know what happened
Not one soldier has moved yet
...that can't be correct?
Ji Sunsi ordered them
Why didn't they follow us?
Put our second plan into effect. Immediately!
Sir!
Go
Kong Qiu, Qi has brought so much cavalry
Is there anything to concern be concerned about?
Rest assured, Your Majesty, we're prepared.
Since Qi is host and Lu is guest,
we bid the Nobles of Qi to descend...
Your Highest, you do not need to descend
We invite the King of Lu to ascend
Your Majesty
Lu is the guest and Qi is the host
The Zhou Ritual mandate that Qi Nobles should descend
Qi is the Head of the Alliance
How could we dishonour our guests?
Your Highness, Qi and Lu share a close relationship
Our ruler has come to rebuild
our brotherly alliance
Please
Please..
Please
It is our desire to rebuild friendships and forever abandon war
Although the two kingdoms don't share the same surname
we are like brothers.
After this alliance
the two countries - as one.
What Master Li said is interesting
All the people in the whole world are one family
The Ministers and officers are just the servants of our kings
Therefore, both of your Excellencies
have the responsibility to protect our Emperor Zhou's dynasty
Excellencies, your humble servant advises...
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.
We have a request!
The return of the Three Cities of Whenshang ...
won from Lu 30 years ago in war
Let me think upon this request
Your Majesty
A gentlemen's word is golden, your highness
Thanks for returning our land to us, let's drink to it
Kong Qiu, it seems that you and your Master
have no a plan to leave here today
Take a look
Yan Hui
Your Highness
Today, we came here in peace
We only brought 10 chariots with us
But to safeguard the negotiation from any unforeseen threats
another 500 more chariots are waiting nearby
Need we summon them here?
Take a look!
Your Majesty
the advance party is here
500 chariots are following me to Jiagu
We await your order
Minister Li
Do you want to see this ravine run with blood?
If this is the way you demonstrate friendship as a head of an alliance
who will ever again trust the Dukedom of Qi?
Why are you still standing here?
Dismiss the troops!
King of Lu
Please forgive my Minister's shameful act
May the alliance between us last forever
We made use of 100 Ox carts
to scare off Qi's 500 chariots
Another triumph for our teacher
Teacher has always said
"Military planning need to be innovative and come with surprise"
Come on, there are drinks awaiting us.
Lady!
What? Has she gone missing again?
Sir, the prince has stormed into the palace
and is arguing with His Majesty again
Our Lady can't be found anywhere
She not here!
Then what can we do?
This is awful!
Ok, Let's go back
Go
Father, I'm almost forty!
I've been a prince for almost 20 years
You're 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 educate"
But how could you allow a woman
to be involved in state affair and control it
Madam, you are back...
Your Majesty
What so important that the prince needed to see you in such in a hurry!
There's a message from General GongShan Niu
I wasn't asking you!
This GongShan Niu, he's an army general
For 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 gains no benefit for the Kingdom of Wei
GongShan Niu has served the Ji family for many years,
and the Late Ji Yiru was good to him
Not only the BiYi Citadel was granted to him,
taxes were exempted for years
And now he turn his back on his Boss
What use a turncoat like that?
I could control him
Learn to control yourself first!
The kingdom of Lu and Wei depend on each other for their survival
If we took GongShan Niu
wouldn't we offend Lu?
Have you forgotten?
The mighty Kingdom of Jin is to our west
the Kingdom of Chu is to the South
We have enemies on four sides!
If we lose our main ally
What then?
Get out
Next time, do not ...
If there's a next time
you'll no longer be the prince of Wei
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
please write a formal invitation to Master Kong.
Do you think Kong Qiu would come?
Master Kong's genius is not recognized
by the three Noble Families in Lu
Our invitation will be seen as recognisation of his skills
If he comes, that's great!
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?
Two invitations from both Wei and Qi
Perhaps we should better use Kong Qiu's genius
or others will take him.
So, how should we employ him?
One moment...
Kong Qiu has no proper line of ancestry!
Your Majesty gave him a role in court less than a year ago
First he was the mayor of ZhongDu
Then he was appointed Minister of Law
Now we're supposed to promote him even higher?
Does Your Majesty plan to make him a living god?
At the Lu-Qi alliance meeting ...
...Kong Qiu regained territory
and enhanced our national prestige
The whole country praise him for that
Kong Qiu was born a commoner,
however your father had admitted
he's the offspring of a Song noble family.
He won back the Three Cities
without using a soldier or chariot
He may be a mere commoner
but his idea of civility in government works!
When my father died.
Kong Qiu was made the Minister of Law
Now I could vacate
the post of Interior Minister for him
if the emperor approves,
I would serve as the Prime Minister
Very well!
I am glad our Prime Minister respects genius as much as I
Good
This is wonderful
Now's the time for genius!
When countries are in turmoil!
Besides Kong Qiu,
most of his disciples are available to serve our country.
Master Kong, this is an outdated tradition.
Our spy in the palace has reported that
Minister of the Interior Kong Qiu
is now focusing on government work
He's building the Wuzi high platform
He claims the platform is built to protect us from flooding, doesn't he?
Yes, that is what he's said
I do not trust him and
I think he has other things in mind
Kong Qiu is a mere commoner
His Majesty appointed him Minister of Law
Now he's appointed him Acting Interor Minister
Uncle, there has to be a conspriracy here
He did not... did not eat again
Cut off your tongue if you stammer again
Out!
Sir!
Zhongni, I've made some new black ink for you
It won't easily wash off,
hmm, let me test it.
Very well
Teacher, the petition is ready.
Please take a look.
Excellent!
Gong Boliao, ready my cart
It's so late! Where are you going?
This is urgent, I need to go to the palace.
Wake up! Gong Boliao
Do not disturb me
Rotten wood is hard to carve, let him sleep.
You have been working all day, until midnight
This is hard
If it's for the betterment of Lu's citizens, I don't mind
Teacher
you've ordered city walls to be demolished
Won't the Three Noble Families rebel
Against your authority?
It's time to raze the power of the Three Families
If we raze, do it quickly
Teacher, It would be dangerous to do so
Yes Teacher, really dangerous
You should give it more consideration
Consider what?
Disciples, my late teacher Master ZiChan had two fine sayings
Remember them all your life...
"Put your country ahead of yourself"
"Yes, as an officer the burden is heavy, the road is long
"So maintain your strength of spirit"
What we're doing now
is not for the short term.
Minister of the Interor Kong Qiu to see His Majesty
Tomorrow in court,
I 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 higher than 18 feet
The aim was to prevent the nobles
from abrogating power to themselves
But in recent decades,
these three noble families have turned their cities into their own fiefdoms
...and so their city walls have grown.
I humbly propose that the walls of these three cities be razed
and to break up these fiefdoms.
That is a serious matter
It will stir up discontent.
Can you win this?
If you fail
you'll unleash chaos.
Your humble servant did a fortune reading
The reading was "Headless Dragon"
That's very auspicious
To strengthen the throne, the power of the nobles must be reduced
we must cut off the dragon's head.
Serve my man here with the best wine and meal
Thank you Minister, thank you
Didn't I say this would happen?
It's vicious
Razing the city walls!
To undermine our strength!
Kong Qiu wants to bring down the Three Noble Families
Our fiefdoms?
Have we fiefdoms?
Maybe Meng's fiefdom still belongs to Meng
Your fieldom belongs to you or General Hou Fan?
Is BiYi still mine?
Kong Qiu want to demolish them
Fine! That would benefit us
Uncle, what should we do now?
Laozhi taugh us
If you want to gain, you must first give!
We support Kong Qiu
Raze their city walls!
Faster!
We must reach BiYi tonight
to see General Gongshan Niu
Come on! Peck it!
Urgent Report from the city of Houyi
Acting Interior Minister
Read it.
Yes, sir.
"Hou Fan, Rebel General of the Shusun Wu's terrorists
has escaped from Houyi
The armies of Shusun and Zigao
have torn down their walls successfully"
Excellent! Well done.
We caught them by surprise
The Minister must be congratulated on his victory!
Come, drink...
today we must celebrate!
It's not over yet
Hou Fan will continue his resistance
Minister, we must ensure that Shusun 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
BiYi is about to have its walls razed,
you need a plan.
They can come and tear down the walls,
then the Capital will not be protected
My plan is to take over the capital,
Execute Kong Qiu and banish the Three Noble Families!
Halt!
We orders to check all carts!
Don't you recognize the Ji's banner?
We are delivering the land taxes from BiYi to the Palace
Open the gates!
The Minister of Law has ordered that all carts be inspected
Seize the Duke of Lu, Slay Kong Qiu!
Seize the King, slay Kong Qiu, banish the three noble families
Kill them all!
General Gongshan, the King is not at the Palace!
Where is he?
He's sought refuge with the Ji Family
Find the King!
Open the gate! Open it!
In such a key moment, where is Minister Ji?
He's out hunting. Your Majesty. Follow me please
Your Majesty, be careful
Don't go head to head with them for 2 hours
Lead the rebels to the Wuzi Platform
Yes sir!
Ji picked a good time for hunting!
Quick! Kill them all!
King of Lu, Kong Qiu, Three Noble Families, hear this...
Today, in the name of Lord Ji Yiru, under heavens mandate
I will eradicate those that go against the will of heaven!
Destroy them!
March on!
Seize the King, slay Kong Qiu!
Retreat!
Pull
Fire!
I Report, Minister!
Gongshan Niu and his rebels were defeated and
he's retreating from the capital.
Uncle, an urgent report from the capital
it's just as you thought
Gongshan Niu was defeated at the Wuzi Platform
Then what are you waiting for?
Send the troops in... capture GongShan Niu, alive.
Sir!
Take Gongshan Niu alive!
Pull
Pull!
Release!
Pull!
Release!
Nobody is demolishing my Ghengyi
Why?
Chengyi stands right on the border between Qi and Lu
Its high walls protect us against the invasion of Qi
it must not be razed!
How could you break your own word?
Didn't you approve the razing of the wall of our three noble families?
Let him finish
Kong Qiu has reclaimed the three cities of Wen Shang
Three cities which used to belong to your family
But were they returned to you?
No, they now belong to the Duke of Lu
Kong Qiu has removed General Hou Fan from Houyi...
and who's the new Governor?
Zigao, Kong Qiu's disciple.
and BiYi, has it been returned to your family?
No! You have nothing.
Zilu, another disciple of Kong Qiu, is the Governor of BiYi.
So?
Now if they take over Chengyi...
again the'd give it to the Duke 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 Duke of Lu and Kong Qiu?