25th Year of Hong Hei Reign
Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City
A coup! Prince Yue means to overthrow me
The guards of Prince Yue and Prince Kung have the Forbidden Palace surrounded
We are cut off
Fook-cheun really dares to do it?
No, His Highness wouldn't have staged a coup
Prince Yue, you are behind this coup Don't you know it's capital offence?
l knew you were ambitious You have now shown your true colors
His Late Majesty did say to me
he wanted to pass the throne to Fook-chuen
What?
That time Sire took me hunting he said the same thing to me
Yuen-yip, you were present then
Your Majesty, at you service
At ease Thank you, Your Majesty
Ngo Bai, is there a new development on the military front?
We've quelled the riot in Shanxi Tatung, but the Ming loyalists are still causing trouble
Their attacks have cost us casualties
We've reigned for more than ten years the Hans still refuse to acknowledge it
They still put up a stiff resistance
Ming loyalists are a stubborn lot
To such disruptive people, Your Majesty has to beat them into submission
l am tired of the killing. To stop violence with violence is my only option
Only then can we have peace
Give my order Where there's Han resistance
there'll be 3 days of indiscriminate killing to serve as a warning
Your Majesty's order will be carried out May l be excused
Sire, l think pacification is the way to win the Han people over
lt is the way for permanent peace
Your Majesty, the Prince just said he wants to go to the riverside.Let me take him there
Sire, l find your violence to stop violence a decisive and wise decision
We have to be ruthless to the Ming Loyalists if we want their submission
lt'll mean permanent peace for the people
Well said. A ruler has to be decisive
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures
Fook-chuen, you are young but you are discerning. You can read my mind
l can tell you have the making of an emperor
l will pass the throne to you
Sire, you will make me an emperor?
l honor my word, you'll be a good emperor
His Majesty has passed away to the grief of us all
As his son and subject l knelt and pleaded to see Sire
Gandmother was so heartless she denied me my last respect to Sire
His Majesty has passed away He died of smallpox
lt's His Majesty's last wish that no one should pay him last respect
l want to see Sire...
His Majesty was still alive then His death was staged by Empress Dowager
What Prince Yue said was true His Late Majesty was still alive
He became a monk - Reverend Errant at Coolness Monastery
ln AD 1 660, Emperor Shun Zhi's beloved Tung Consort died of illness
He was totally devastated and in despair
My dear...
My heart is broken, l am now a living dead The Qing reign will suffer in my hands
The empire now means nothing to me
Buddha's wisdom is boundless
By seeking solace in His wisdom l may get out of this abyss of misery
l have decided to become a monk to seek the wisdom of Buddha, for nirvana
Mother, please grant me my wish
But the country can't do without an emperor What about the Qing empire?
l want to pass my throne to Fook-cheun
He's brave and bright despite his tender age
He is reckless and prone to violence He is crafty in nature and hard to fathom
He is not the right choice
Yuen-yip is kind in nature he will make a judicious emperor
Under the arrangement of Empress Dowager Hau Chong
Shun Zhi's last will was read to the princes and regents
the throne was passed to the Yuen-yip
lt took Fook-chuen by surprise
His long simmering resentment came to the fore at the Hall of Supreme Harmony
The will didn't reflect His Late Majesty's real wish
Empress Dowager manipulated and fooled the Court. The will was doctored
No. Only one was named emperor in the will and it's His Majesty
Your Highness is still trying to cover a lie with another lie?
One man knows the truth in its entirety
Former lmperial Guard, Kei To-ting
The back hills of Coolness Monastery
The sky is pretty and the weather is fine today. lt's an auspicious omen
Prince Yuen-yip assumes the throne today He will be a judicious emperor
Prince Yuen-yip?
The wooden clapper stick fell from his hand?
Sire probably was touched by the news of His Majesty's ascension to the throne
How are his days at Coolness Monastery?
With Your Highness' arrangement
Sire became a monk there without anyone knowing about it
He spends his time in the retreat room He has no contact with the outside world
He either prays or meditates He lives a peaceful and quiet life
l take care of his daily needs. No one in the monastery knows his real identity
Good. Bear this in mind
Jot down everything he does daily and report them to me
Yes, Your Highness
You have been serving him all these years You have done a great job
You must continue to serve him to his last day
The secret of him being a monk will never be known. You can then retire
l will make sure the Kei family is richly rewarded
Thank you, Your Highness
Have you been in contact with your family?
l wrote them that l had to take up a post in the faraway frontier
We've had no correspondence since then
They don't know what l am doing but they understand my loyalty to the country
38 members in my household and the Kei clan are grateful
A loyal family! Good
Your loyalty is laudable l can't be more pleased
l hear that that you've a grandson
Congratulations, Master Kei
Here's a little token You are too kind
Please go in for some tea Thank you
Today is our son's hundred day celebration So many guests have come
lf only Father were here...
He has to guard the frontier he's tied up in his military duties
He'd be pleased to know you've given him a grandson
The Kei family should be very proud
A son was born to them and even Empress Dowager has sent presents
lt's said to be very valuable. There's wine and silk, and a hundred taels of gold
Old Master Kei is a first rank lmperial Guard
He is valued by the Court so his family shares the favor
Benefactor You are...
You don't recognize me? l am Tin Kong-ching
l have been waiting for you for a long time l finally get to see you
My family was killed by a corrupt official and l was forced to turn into a bandit
l was caught and the corrupt official framed me for killing my family
l was tortured into confession and sentenced to death
But you stood up for me and cleared my name You killed the corrupt official
Once l was set free l came here to see you l want to repay you
You want to repay me? Will you become a monk and my protege ?
Whatever you want me to do
Not to say becoming a monk l am willing to give up my life
Shifu, you never let me go over to the retreat room, who lives there?
l told you. Reverend Errant, my senior He is gravely ill, his days are numbered
No one can break away from the circle of life
That's why l made you practice hard because l won't be your shifu for long
Shifu, you are in robust health...
No more questions, go fetch the water Yes, Shifu
My sins are scarlet, this is penalty for me
There are two things l can't let go One is your safety
You don't have to worry about me
l may be your master, but l have long seen you as my brother
You gave up your career to stay here with me
You are separated from your family lt's another one of my sins
lt's my good fortune that l can be your companion
l know you are loyal
But after l am dead, they won't leave you and your family alone
l was once an emperor but l don't think l can save your life now
You have to think for yourself
From the day l became a monk like you l am a dead man walking
You have any last wish? Just tell me
The other thing that l can't let go...
it's about Fook-cheun
Hand this to him
The letter is very important
Don't let Empress Dowager read it
Bear this in mind
Hand it to Fook-chuen in person
l will do as you say. l'll hand this over to Prince Fook-chuen
Good, then l am relieved
l used to hold the country in sway l had lived in luxury
Now l understand, everything in this world is transient
lt's like smoke, just like what the Diamond Sutra says
All conditioned phenomena, are like dreams illusions, bubbles, or shadows
Like drops of dew or flashes of lightning thusly should they be contemplated
Senior....
Sire...
Come in
Shifu
Close the door
What is it, Shifu?
What's inside the sachet is of vital importance
lt concerns matters of life and death and has vast ramifications
l can't tell you the detail
lf you really see me as your benefactor
Take this and the letter to my son Kei Man-cheong
And take him and my grandson away
Flee as far as you can
Come on Go
Come on Faster
Hall of Benevolence
Fook-chuen my son, l am now a monk
But whenever l think of the succession it still fills me with dismay
Fook-lum, you couldn't let it go even on your deathbed
You said you have given up the transient world
then why wrote this letter to Fook-chuen on your deathbed?
lf he reads it, how can he let go?
Just let sleeping dogs lie
Fook-chuen is smart and bright
But he's ruthless in nature ill-fitted for vital roles
That's why l took it upon myself to pass the throne to Yuen-yip
because he's smart and bright kind in nature and upright in character
The Qing empire needs a wise emperor to promote the wellbeing of the people
l could finally pour it out today l feel relieved
l beg for your pardon, Your Highness it's not for me to hear this
l could wait on Sire all these years l am grateful
Now that Sire has passed away l will not survive him, to show my loyalty
Good. You are loyal He doesn't have to die alone
Have you shown this letter to anyone else?
Your Highness, no other soul has read it
Good
Kei To-ting, you have any last wish?
l don't care for my own death Your Highness, please be kind to my family
Alright, you have my word
Thank you, Your Highness
Sire, here l come
Master Kei, at this stage, we can only hope your father's blessing can help us survive
Your father wants you to have it Keep it safe. Don't lose it
We should leave
Did you find him?
What is it? Pursuers
We are out-numbered We have to go different ways
Flee with your son l'll lure them away
But it'll be dangerous for you
l gave your father my word that you and your son would be safe
Don't worry, l'll be fine Be careful
Reverend...
Over there! After him
Kei Man-cheong, come out...
Kei Man-cheong, everyone in your family is in detention
lf you don't want anything to happen to them, come out
Kei Man-cheong, come out... Kei Man-cheong
Come. He's over here
My love, l found a baby by the riverside
Son...
Master Kei...how come you're alone? Where's the baby?
He is missing
l hid under the bridge yesterday, but they found me. l tried to lure them away
l didn't have time to take the baby with me
When l came back the baby was gone
lt rained last night. The river was flooded The baby probably was carried downstream
Let's go look for him
The baby's shoe
There are some footprints here they belong to an adult
Ajade pendant The baby was carried downstream in the flood
Someone must have picked him up He also left the pendant behind
Amitabha, your son is blessed
But the land is vast Where can we look for him?
They can't be far away We have a good chance of finding them
But...l can't go look for him
Why?
l got it from the imperial guards the Kei family is put in detention
Only by handing myself in can l save 38 of them
But you are putting yourself in danger
l can't put my son before 38 lives
Now that my son is saved lt probably is destiny
Reverend, please, look for my son to keep the Kei family line
Master Kei, you can be rest assured
Even at the four corners of the world l will find you your son
Your Highness Yes?
Kei Man-cheong, son of Kei To-ting begs for an audience
At your service, Your Highness You are Kei To-ting's son?
Your Highness, Kei To-ting is my father
Alright, let me ask you. When my men went to your house you weren't there
Why did you stay away from home?
Your Highness, my son had fallen ill
l took him to see a physician in another town
l was being pursued while on the way
l didn't know who they were l was scared and went into hiding
Where is your son now? Why did you ask for an audience?
My son had a fright He caught a cold during the thunderstorm
lt aggravated his illness and he died before we could go to the physician
l had to bury him amid some bushes
lf Your Highness doesn't believe me have someone look into it
l told nothing but the truth
Your son is dead? What a shame
Why did you seek an audience with me?
l got home and found that my family was put into detention
Something must have happened
l have not seen my father for years l am worried about his safety
So l begged an audience with your Highness
Kei To-ting was a loyal subject indeed He raised a proper son
Your father has laid down his life for the country
Father! Why couldn't l see you for the last time?
Life and death is in our destiny
Kei To-ting died for the country l have ordered his proper burial
Had you seen him in recent years?
No, l had not seen him for years We had lost contact
Really?
Father once said, he was an imperial guard he would never utter a word about the Court
Don't think you can fool me
lf you are caught lying it means disloyalty, the penalty is death
What are you doing?
Your Highness, every word l said was true To allay Your Highness' worries
l just took poison to silence myself to show my loyalty
From now on, l can no longer say a word
lf Your Highness still doesn't believe me please grant me death
But please...spare the 38 lives of my family They really know nothing at all
Have mercy, Your Highness
Kei To-ting is dead
And you have proven your loyalty by silencing yourself
l am sure you will lead a discreet life
The Keis are loyal indeed
You understand that you rise and fall live and die with your ruler
Alright. Your family is spared
Your hands are stained with blood The blood of loyal subjects
The woe of my family is irreconcilable
Fook-chuen, l tried everything to stop you from taking over the throne
because you have shown villainy since you were small
Hong Hei is the emperor the country needs He has proven to be a judicious emperor
Yuen-yip, Her Highness calls you a judicious emperor
lt is clear your succession is unlawful and wrongful
lt lacks legitimacy and you have no claim to it
How do you the judicious emperor resolve it?
Hau Chong had picked the right man
Hong Hei was indeed one of the judicious emperors in history
He had successfully wiped out the three feudatories and regained Taiwan
He was industrious and had the people's wellbeing in mind
His reign was marked with prosperity and peace. But Hau Chong still had one worry
The ambitious Prince Fook-chuen
Pick what you like
Brush, saber, gold nugget, tambourine football, make your pick
Just pick what you like lndeed, which one?
Bejeweled saber? Good...
The Manchu are warriors
We rule the battlefield and we won our empire on horseback
The little prince loves the saber he will make one great warrior
l'll have Hetian jade pieces sent over
Hetian jade is translucent and mellow
it will pacify babies
Thank you, Grandmother
Have you thought up a name for him?
l have several in mind
They will be presented to His Majesty so he could make the choice
His hat is very cute
His father made it for him
So are the shoes
They too are made by his father
He cares nothing more than his son He even made his clothes himself
He is so caring that l'm free of my duty as a mother
l didn't know you have such nimble fingers that you are good at needlework
That's good. You can educate him yourself You will be very busy
Of course
Oh yes, l know you like layer cake l have it prepared for you. Enjoy it
Thank you, Your Highness
Wo Yes
Bring the little prince in for a nap Yes, Your Highness
Thank you, Grandmother
Your father Prince Sing has caught a cold ls he recovered?
Thank you for your concern. He is fine now
That's good. You and your father are separated by distance
You're not by his side. Write to him often send him your regards
My parents have taught me filial piety so l write them all the time
Father asks me to send Your Highness his regards
He is going bear hunting in Mount Changbai next month
He'll send over the bear gall bladders so Your Highness can rejuvenate your health
Your father is the lron Cap Prince He is still keen in hunting
He sure has me in his mind
Your Highness, since l got married
my father and l have not seen each other for three years
l miss him very much l want to visit him in Manchuria
Grandmother, please grant us our wish
l too would bring my son there to visit his grandfather
Your Highness, may l be excused? The little prince is a bit whinny
The Russians are causing trouble at the frontiers
Your father-in-law commands the force in Manchuria
But he has asthma. lf he catches a cold and triggers a recurrence
will you help him out whilst you're there?
l don't have the capability and l don't dare to overstep my place
But if the circumstance calls for it some may find it irresistible
l know you too well The child is the father of the man
When you were one year old you grabbed the saber like your son did
Your son was attracted by the colorful sheath
But you drew the blade out and you liked it
You gave out a chuckle even though it cut your hand and made you bleed
l still remember vividly the mistakes you made 1 5 years ago
l just want you to behave properly and not to make another mistake again
l really regret what l did
Sheung Moon House
Lord Protector's Mansion
Fifteen Years Ago
[Sheung Moon House]
l hear that the signature dish here is the hundred treasure duck
Don't stand on ceremony with me
Sir, this way please lt's better to talk over there
lt's below my status to sit in the hall Get me a good private room
Sir, please stay
The private rooms are full, please...
Full? Who are the people inside? Their names?
Why do you ask, sir?.
l know a lot of people lf l know them, then we can join them
Yes...Sir, let me tell you about the guests
This room is booked by Minister Urcher This one by Minister Somalato
This one by Minister Fucher
And this one...l don't know his name But he's our honorable guest
And this one?
Mr Cheung
Cheung? A Han, let's go in
Sir...what is it that you want?
Sir, please don't make a scene
All of you Hans! Get out!
What is it? l chartered this room
What is it with you?
Who are you? You dare to stand up against me?
He is my son Nip Dor-po. So?
l am here to patronize you l give you the chance to serve me
But l have no private room and you dare to be rude to me?
You hit the elderly Why should l be polite to you?
You know who l am? l am a Banner man My cousin is an imperial guard, first rank
l too will be an imperial guard in this recruitment
l am a man of eminence You aren't even good enough to kowtow to me
Banner man and imperial guard We can't afford to offend him
lt doesn't mean you can be unreasonable lndeed, we have to be reasonable
Manchus are no exception
You Manchus are arrogant and bully us the Hans
His Majesty urges Manchu-Han harmony But you only pay lip service
According to the Qing Code, you should be beheaded and fed to the dog
How dare you smear us. lt's the Qing empire Of course, the Manchus call the tune
You Han people are just dogs l'll tell you about this place
lt used to be the Lord Protector's Mansion
Aformer Ming minister, he harbored Han rebels who wanted to overthrow Qing
They were all killed ruthlessly
ln the eyes of Manchus Han people are lower than dogs
You don't even have the right to bark
What nonsense!
How dare you! l am a White Banner man
l too am a Banner man But you are a disgrace
The Court has ordered Manchu-Han harmony
But you dare to bully around as a Banner man
l taught you a lesson as a fellow Banner man
Well said
l don't care who you are Whoever offends me has to pay for it
Someone wants to strike back
Gentleman, you are our guest
Why don't you step aside in case you get hurt
l too want to teach the black sheep a lesson
Alright, you will beg for mercy
They are in a fight Don't break my things
lmpressive
This bit of martial artistry and you call yourself a Banner man? For shame
What Banner again? l say banana
You got to know the Four Heroes of Dashilan, it's your luck
Three Kingdom hero Lui Po Three Kingdom hero Cheung Fei
Water Margin hero Mo Chung Three Kingdom hero Chiu Chi-lung
People call them the Four Heroes of Dashilan Martial adepts of Dashilan
Bravo Thank you
We'll meet again! Just wait and see
Get lost! Banner man Sheesh
Get lost Give way
Cousin, you sure are the First of the Four Heroes, you routed him
Routed him? My things are broken
l wonder if l can open for business tomorrow
Our son had a good fight No business for a day, so what?
Mother, you're the best!
My master said he's sorry that he broke all your things
He's too kind, please come again
Excuse me Take care
lt's enough to get us new chairs and tables
You are greedy
No, l'm not... Son, you...
Gentleman, l can't take your money Please take it back
l was the cause of it, please accept it
You started it, but l joined in the fight, and l had a good time
l don't take advantage of others Please take it back
You are generous. The money is considered spent. l don't mean to take it back
Why don't we get a drink with it?
A drink? l know a good place
Ten Mile House
Master, you're alright?
l can tell you are from a noble family
You are not used to such poor wine
lt's not premium wine, but it's strong and warms the stomach
lt's quite striking in taste
You are a connoisseur lt's never too much wine between friends
Have more Good
Cheers Cheers
Price doesn't make a good wine Likewise, l don't make friends on status
Good point. lf you don't mind let us be friends
l am Nip Dor-po May l know your name?
My family's name is Law. My ancestors were from Fengtian
Nice to make your acquaintance. l can tell from your attire. you are no ordinary man
To be honest, l used to live in Manchuria
l am on my way to Tianjin for business l ran into this bully
Now that you mention it. lt flares me up
That rascal bullies around just because he's a Manchu and his cousin an imperial guard
But l have learned that not all Banner men are bullies
You are upright and martial adept You are no ordinary man
The court has decreed Manchu-Han harmony
The Capital is where the Emperor is
lt's not for the Banner men to be haughty and arrogant
Spend more time here, and you'll know
Manchu-Han harmony? lt's easy to say but hard in practice
Moreover, the Manchus won't agree to it
lt is a royal decree and it should be carried out
Some only pay lip-service to it and it causes resentment
But l still say the so-called Manchu-Han harmony is just a facade
l am not being cynical
But if the Manchus won't cut down on their haughtiness, the Han will fight back in time
A spark can start a wild fire Prevention is better than cure
You have any advice?
l don't have any advice. But l think like any other ordinary civilian
We want just one thing, fairness Fairness?
How many ministers are Hans?
lf a Han can make it as an imperial guard then l will call it fair
You are right
Still, it's not something the Court will do
Enough of all this talk. Let's eat All right
Enjoy Cheers...
l have been idling at home all these years but it gives me a chance to temper myself
His Majesty wants to promote Manchu-Han harmony
But it is not really implemented there's still much to accomplish
Your Highness, you have such aspiration But His Majesty knows nothing about it
He will in time
Go in to keep Po-tai company. l will join you after l tidy up
He was easy with money and he dared to slap the Banner man on the face
He's no ordinary man. Maybe a nobleman?
When you returned the money to him did you ask him about his background?
l just know his family name is Law
He is here for business l think he has left town
He beat people up and left
What if the Banner man demands us to hand him over?
So many businessmen pass by the Capital everyday
We are not accountable for them
Moreover, l dare him to come back again l will give him a good beating
Oh no! Something serious happened
Han Pig
Hey....
Who did this?