With your martial artistry you still failed to get into lmperial Guard Garrison. Pity!
l wouldn't resent it if l was inapt But l was set up and l resent it
Soar through the sky!...
How come you know so much? Who are you?
lt's matters not who l'm
What's important is to find out about the relationships between Po Chai and the 6 Hans
You can't beat me, how can you be an imperial guard?
Dor-por, stop it!
l just remember l fell on him myself He didn't mean to molest me
What? You really....
Hero, l really am sorry it's a misunderstanding
Tea on me some other time till we meet again. Let's go
Eagle Claw School
Young man, not bad at all
You are too kind, sir
ln one move, the claw turned into fist
The routine seems to be similar to Sit Fist of Henan. The two schools are related?
Not too many know about it
A hundred years ago, a Sit disciple created a claw routine from the Sit Fist
That's how Eagle Claw School came into being
Hence our fist routine contains moves of Sit Fist
You can say Sit Fist and Eagle Claw are sister schools
l see
Minister Po Chai is a Sit Fist practitioner l wonder if you two are acquainted
No, but he is acquainted with those at Eagle Claw School of Fujian
lt's said he visited the school master regularly before he became an official
1 0 Mile House
What about the other five?
Li Kai-cheung's mom is connected to Po Chai's maternal family
Pang Mo's father served in Po Chai's household
Law Sing-hoi is a distant relation of Po Chai's mother
Chin Ko-tong's father is Po Chai father's old staff
As for Shum Cheung-shing l couldn't find any connections at first
Then l discovered that his grandfather's last name was Ngau
His grandfather used to be Po Chai grandfather's spy
Together with Muk Fung, they are all connected to Po Chai
lt means they are all cronies
Po Chai took their money and got them in He is the wire-puller
But they are all talents and loyal subjects They are not pretenders
To be fair, Muk Fung's martial artistry is quite good
But what Po Chai did is underhanded
He hoodwinked His Majesty for money
lt's hard to believe a shrewd man like him would find the risk worthwhile
You know now that your opponent is the Minister of lmperial Guard
l can't help you take on him
You could find this out. You're no ordinary man. You must have a way
Po Chai is a first rank official He is in charge of the lmperial Guard
You are a commoner, you can't fight him
Unless... What?
Unless His Majesty gets wind of it
But he has the country to run and he is deep inside the Forbidden City
he wouldn't get wind of it
lmperial Guard has no regard for His Majesty or the Court
Faster...
They are just singing...this way please
lmperial Guard has no regard for His Majesty or the court
Where is it?
Your Honor
What is it?
Your Honor, imperial guards are gossiping and the capital is rife with rumors
About what?
Be straightforward
lt's about the imperial guard recruitment
lt's said the result was fixed and a high official was behind it
Ridiculous! Who started it?
l am still looking into it
But...Prince Yue has sounded me out
Prince Yue?
l'm interested in Western firearms lately l have got hold of one
l know Your Honor is an expert in it So l'd like you to comment on it
lt really is quality work lt's made in late Ming
From the caliber, length and weight this gun is one of the Western firearms
purchased by the Chinese military in the fight against Japanese pirates
You are an expert indeed You can tell it's history at a glance
l can't wait to fire it
Your Highness, it's an old firearm The workmanship is crude by comparison
lf it misfires, bystanders or the user may get hurt
That serious? lt's a pity to put it aside
Your Highness, you are royalty Why endanger yourself for a small gadget?
Right. Better put it aside than to hurt myself
When l procure weaponry for the lmperial Guard Garrison, l handpick everyone of them
lf we bought weapons of inferior make
instead of killing enemies in battlefield they may put our men in danger
Just like the imperial guard recruitment
Your Honor handpicked every successful candidate
They are superior not just in martial artistry
They were screened for conduct family and background
Of course. lt's His Majesty's royal decree the Hans were allowed to apply for the posts
As His Majesty's subject l must do all l can
l let nothing escape me to ensure it's fair and just
l know you serve Sire in body and soul
But it's rife with rumors that the result was fixed
That the six successful Han candidates were chosen beforehand
and that you were behind it
Your Highness, people love rumors The recruitment was fixed? How ridiculous
l believe it's started by some poor losers
Let it die out l won't let rumors bother me
Good. l'm concerned about you
lf the rumor reaches His Majesty it may not do you good
Thank you for your concern
Let's not waste time on rumors
lt's a pity that l can't use this firearm
l really want try it out in the countryside one fine day
The ignition of the gunpowder propels the pellet towards the target?
That's right
There's an interval between the ignition and the shooting
What if a tiger rushes out then? ls there a way to speed up the shooting time?
Your Highness, as l said
This firearm is crudely made You shouldn't use it
But it's the challenge that l enjoy
What if we load yellow phosphorous in it will it speed up the shooting time?
Do you know about yellow phosphorous?
Does the lmperial Guard Garrison have it?
Your Highness, it's dangerous goods lt has to be handled with care
lt's stored in the restricted warehouse Most people can't get hold of it
Then l have to give it up l won't try this firearm out
But whenever a challenge arises l will not let the chance go
Prince Yue? What does it concern him? He doesn't interfere with policies
We are not acquaintances, so l find it odd
About what?
On the surface, he came to me out of concern But he was sounding me out
l suspect he's investigating for His Majesty
l've never heard Sire mentioned about it What is Prince Yue up to?
lf he comes to you again give him the cold shoulder
But you have to deal with the rumors
l will do as you command, Your Highness
You may go
Yes, Your Highness
Greetings. Grandmother
At ease
Thank you, Grandmother
l asked you here because l want to spend more time with you
You'll be overseeing the renovation of the mausoleum
You've finished packing yet?
Thank you for your concern We're almost done
The weather there has been fickle lately
You're used to living in the capital and may not adjust to the weather there
So l have a mink coat made for you
Thank you, Grandmother
Wo Your Highness
Let Fook-chuen try it on Yes
See if it fits
How is it?
lt's a bit too small
That's odd, it's made to size
You must have gained weight so it doesn't fit
Maybe. But it's alright
You're a prince, an ill-fitting coat is unbecoming
Likewise, we should know our position
Don't assume the mantle that's not meant for you
Be content and know your limit
Don't stick your nose in other's affairs you'd be called nosy
Or worse, you'd get yourself into trouble and endanger your own life
Wo Your Highness
Take the mink coat and have it altered and have it sent to Prince Yue
Grandmother, l'll remember your teachings
Get the job done and do it well You are leaving in two days
l'll make sure the coat is altered and send to you in time
Two days? Just two days? But there's so much to get done
l want you to leave as soon as possible Fook-chuen, you know what l mean
Why just two days?
We've never set a date. Why all of a sudden we have to leave in two days?
lt's cutting the Gordian knot
And the coat obviously doesn't fit you she still made you try it on
What she said was weird What did she really mean?
Now l know who the tiger is What do you mean?
l am not happy with the mausoleum renovation either
lt's more than two hundred miles from the capital
lt's dusty there and it's getting cold
She insisted that you must go there She has gone too far
She has pushed my back to the wall
l have to take the plunge Either l make it or die trying
Sheung Moon House
Take them back Why?...
For spreading rumors and smearing court officials
What we said was the truth, not rumor
The recruitment's a fraud the result was fixed
lt was fixed lt's the truth
You still won't stop? Take them back Why?
Your Honor... lt's lawless...
lt's a misunderstanding Please, let's talk it over
lt's said that the rumor started here at Sheung Moon House
that lmperial Guard Garrison practiced fraud. lt's a serious accusation
They have to be taken back. Stay out of it or you'll be arrested as well
Let's go...
Stop it... lt's lawless...
What is going on?
We are carrying out our duties lt's not for you to interfere
They are my friends why can't l stand up for them?
Whatever they did, they meant to stand up for me
Moreover, l made up the ditty on the lmperial Guard
They have nothing to do with it
Singing is a crime? ls there a law against it?
You spread groundless rumor in the capital and smear the lmperial Guard
Not to say we can take you away we can execute you as well
Alright then, l alone am responsible
Dor-po
Arrest me and leave them alone
You want to play the hero? Good. Take him away!
Yes!
No... Your Honor...
No...Son...
Mother, don't worry, l'll be fine Take him away
Dor-po...
Son...
Your Honor... Give way
Don't take my son away...
Dor-po...
Sire, l have checked out the six imperial guards
They are linked to Po Chai in one way or the other
Where there is smoke there is fire Po Chai had the audacity to disobey my order
Sire, l have checked out the six Hans
They are all capable talents with impeccable background
They don't seem to know that Po Chai handpicked them. So l think...
Go ahead
Po Chi lives a frugal life
l have never heard of any dereliction of duty about him
l don't believe he did it for money lt's not the whole story
Not the whole story?
What's more, during my investigation
l found that Prince Yue's men was looking into it as well
Prince Yue? What does it concern him?
lsn't he about to take on the mausoleum renovation work?
What has lmperial Guard got to do with him?
ls he in collusion with Po Chai?
This is a serious matter
Go to the lmperial Guard Garrison and look into it without delay
Yes, Sire
Benevolence Hall
At your service, Your Highness
At ease
Thank you, Your Highness
Your Highness, this is Fu Wing Wah's repertoire
Please pick your favorites
lt's a bit overwhelming, leave it for later
You've settled the matter?
Your Highness, everything should've gone according to plan
But Sire has sent Naplan Sing-tak to look into the rumor
l'm worried it will stir things up
How come?
lt's my fault, l deserve to die
l think Sire will soon send for you and interrogate you
lf he asks you about the recruitment fixing What will you say?
Don't worry, Your Highness. l'll deny it
Deny it? lf you won't tell the truth
lt's hoodwinking His Majesty lt means the extermination of nine agnates
But if you tell him the truth it'll undermine my relationship with Sire
You can be rest assured, Your Highness the truth will never be known
Even if it means my death l will not let your name be tarnished
l'm relieved. My trust in your has not be in vain over the years
But Fook-chuen really is a troublemaker
Your Highness can be rest assured
l don't care what others' motives are l'll not let them have their way
You really are loyal You have not failed my patronage
Don't worry, if anything happens to you
You family of 38 will be taken care of Wo. The Loyalty Sword then
The hero Lan Ying kills himself for loyalty How laudable
Yes, Your Highness
Strike off ''Biding Time'' from the repertoire
l don't care for treacherous plays Yes, Your Highness
Greetings, Your Honor
Not a moment too soon
Naplan Sing-tak is inside. He's questioning the guards about the recruitment
Who is he to question the guards? He's just a first rank guard and a third rank official
l am the head of lmperial Guard
But he's Sire's favorite He's here with Sire's written decree
He is Sire's envoy in charge of the investigation
Sire's envoy? So His Majesty knows about it?
He has taken papers from your room They are all about the recruitment
Moreover, he means to question every guard involved himself
Did he ask for me?
Yes, he asked you to go see him once you are back
He has to talk to you in private
l have nothing to talk to him You have not seen me
Yes, Your Honor
Greetings, Your Honor
You are excused
Just go Yes
Po Chai is now in a dilemma. lf he won't tell the truth, he's hoodwinking the emperor
lf he does, it means alienating Hau Chong and Hong Hei. His only option is death
l have no other choice
Minister Po
Your Highness
The heroic Minister Po Chai has to jump to his death?
What do you mean, Your Highness?
With loyalty in conflict, Your Honor is put in a dilemma. l can understand that
lf Sire pursues the recruitment fraud, not only you, but your wire-puller is in trouble
You are willing to cover it with your death
But why choose death when there is another option?
Your Highness, l serve only one master, Sire
lf it's the case, why don't you tell Sire the truth?
Because it doesn't just concern your life and honor
But also the patron who put you where you are
Your Highness, you seem to know a lot
But l don't understand what you mean nor will l let you have your way
You think l am here to do you in? l am here to help you
This is the missing roster
So you have the roster
With details of candidate divisions
lt's clear some groups were meant to be eliminated
because the timing incense was tempered
However bright the candidate he couldn't have made it
lf Sire sees the roster how will you explain it?
The only incriminating evidence is gone
Why did you do it?
Because we share the same thought You have your patron in mind, so do l
Your Highness, Your Honor
At ease
Your Highness, how come you are with Minister Po?
We went for a drink and heard that Your Honor is carrying out Sire's decree
to investigate the lmperial Guard So we came back for a look
Your Honor, l want an audience with Sire
At your service, Your Majesty At ease
Thank you, Sire
You want to see me so urgently, what is it?
l am here to plead for Po Chai Sire, please spare him the punishment
You are pleading for him?
He is involved in the recruitment fraud
l got it from Yung-yurk, you two went back to the garrison together
You never interfered with court happenings l want to know why
Sire, the six Han recruited are linked to Po Chai
But they are talents, qualified to be Sire's bodyguards
Po Chai made no personal gains out of it Sire, please understand
So you mean he didn't do it for himself. He did it for someone else. Who is the person?
Sire, it's complicated and l can't tell you
You won't tell? ls it you?
Sire, there's another side of the story But l cannot tell you the details
lf you won't tell, it's hoodwinking me You know it means penalty for you?
Sire, l am willing to take it l won't tell even if it means my death
Alright, l will interrogate Po Chai myself l dare him to lie to me
Sire, please spare him He was following orders
lf you insist on dispensing punishment
if you insist on incriminating someone let it be me
Greetings, Grandmother
Greetings Your Highness
l want to see Sire Yes
lt's late, Grandmother, why are you here?
Send a message if you want to see me and l'll come by Benevolence Hall
Sire, you have met with Fook-chuen?
You look grave
l am sure he has pinpointed me You must have learned the whole story
Yes, l bid Po Chai to fix the recruitment to be meticulous with the selection of Hans
that only people loyal to Qing were chosen that nothing could go wrong
Po Chai was following my order Sire, please forgive him
Meticulous in the selection? lt means the Hans are chosen beforehand
They may be Hans, but they are loyal to Qing
But why did you do it? lt's not fair to fix the result
lmperial guards are your bodyguards Your life is in their hands
Only Banner men are allowed to fill the the posts. l did it to ensure your safety
l understand that you care for me
But l believe that there are capable talents among the Hans too
Since the reign of Taizu Hans have been appointed as officers
to show the Court is meritocratic and to promote Manchu-Han harmony
Grandmother, my measure is the result of thorough considerations
Please don't interfere with it
Sire, you are wise, l will do as you say
But beware of your brother, Fook-chuen He's ambitious and cunning
l put in charge of the mausoleum renovation
But he investigated the recruitment on his own
He's lucky this time. He traced it to me
He must've used this chance to denigrate me He must have told you tales
He's an evil man, don't you believe him
Like me, you have got him wrong
At this very spot, l flared up at him demanded the truth from him
But he refused. He'd rather die than to name you. He never meant to alienate us
He never mentioned about me?
l knew nothing until you came and poured it out to me
He'd rather die than to tell the truth because he didn't want to estrange us
Do you think we have wronged him?
He never mentioned about me?
Your Highness, Cheung Goong-goong's here
At ease
Your Highness, it's Sire's message
lt's my order, Prince Yue will stay in the Capital
He's relieved from supervising the mausoleum renovation for other appointments
Thank you, Sire
Thank you, Cheung Goong-goong
Your Highness, you are too kind
Sire has another message for you What is it?
To see His Majesty at once
Sire, it's my fault, l mishandled the case
And it led to the estrangement between you and Grandmother. lt's my fault
What gives you this idea?
Sire, l am ashamed to say it
When l traced and discovered that the wire puller was Grandmother
l found it a god sent chance l could pinpoint her
But you didn't, even when l threatened you with punishment
l don't want to lie to Sire anymore All these years l have been sidelined
l was convinced it was Grandmother's doing She thwarted my aspiration, l resented it
l wanted to make use of the incident to find the truth so as to win your trust
She's been prejudiced about you all along
But what she did was right She's right about me
l only had winning your trust in mind
l only had exposing her wrongdoing in mind Just to pay her back
But l was wrong, l couldn't be more wrong
lt finally dawned on me that Grandmother did it out of love and concern for Sire
Grandmother wanted to make sure the recruited are loyal to Qing
But l only had my petty grievance in mind l saw it as a chance for my comeback
l am so ashamed
So you refused to name her
But Sire you found out in the end
Sire, Grandmother has overseen three reigns
She has the inner palace to run She is our natural grandmother
Sire, please don't be mad at Grandmother
l'm not happy about what she did. But l also understand that she did it out of love
She only had my safety in mind
Don't worry, l won't be mad at her
Thank you, Sire
You have Grandmother in mind You're a filial grandson
But l am ashamed to say it Like Grandmother, l too bore you prejudice
l too have wronged you
l understand your loyalty. From today on l won't care what others say
l will keep you by my side
Thank you, Sire
See how bustling the streets are in the capital?
Afar cry from the loneliness of the prison
You are out of jail, don't look back Thanks for your help
Your friend is a powerful string puller
l was taken away by the lmperial Guard But he could secure my release
He just did his best
As for the recruitment fraud it's complicated
we should call it a day and move on
No. Now that we've found out it's a fraud
l want to know the truth be it appealing to the court or His Majesty
You're true to yourself despite what happened. You are just as adamant
But l have to bid you goodbye l can't do anything for you anymore
You are leaving the capital? Will you come back again?
When the chance comes up, of course
Good! Though it's a chance encounter But we have rapport
l know you are no ordinary man
lf we can meet again let's drink to our fill again
Good! Throughout the night! Good
l am General Chiu Chi-lung Protector of the little heir
One against a million My name is heard all over the land
l am General Kwan Yue...
Why did they release you all of a sudden? l pulled every string but to no avail
Even Wo Goong-goong said lmperial Guard is beyond him. lt's lucky you were released
Actually... How come?
l... We meant to jailbreak and get you out
Really? Yes
Some tall tale. But l was fortunate indeed
Someone of great importance came to my rescue or l couldn't have made it
You got yourself into trouble time and again. Please, don't stir up trouble anymore
Just keep your mouth shut
What do you mean stirring up trouble?
l won't take your side this time No more imperial guard
Let's leave here and open a martial art school at Jinan. You're a martial arts adept
No
Jinan is s far away lndeed
Forget about martial arts school Stay here and be my apprentice
What?
What's wrong with martial arts school? What so good about being a chef?
Actually... Alright. Stop arguing
l won't be an apprentice nor will l leave the capital
You still want to be imperial guard? l never said l had given it up
But now l have seen the corrupt officialdom and cronyism
More than that, there's collusion too The owner of Pak Hei Hall is feasting with
an official in a private room
l am sure a bribery is taking place
Birds of a feather flock together There's no justice
Chin Lei Hall we used to patronize...
l don't know what dirty tricks Pak Hei Hall resorted to, they bought it for a song
Kwan, the owner has fallen ill because of it
What? Pak Hei Hall again?
l could acquire Chin Lei Hall lt's due to your help
You testified against it that their supply of herbs was subpar
They had to pay compensation
Or you couldn't have acquired it Kwan asked for it
l only demanded 20%% more commission But he refused
Well, now Pak Hei Hall is one of the suppliers of lmperial Clinic
Thank you indeed, Physician Fu And l count on you for more flavors
But Pak Hei Hall is new in town You are not that well-known
So lmperial Clinic can't place you with big orders
l understand. l set up shop in Dashilan because it's a busy town
Very soon our name will be known all over
Dashilan is near the Forbidden Palace Nobles and ministers pass here all the time
But the people here are a mixed lot the street hawkers make it a motley crowd
Right, l totally agree You can't be more right, Physician Fu
Dashilan needs a cleaning up
Cads and scum shouldn't be allowed to stay Nor the poor
lndeed, that's what l mean
Cheers...
What is it?
That's what they said?
They mean to throw out the hawkers What? They have been selling here for years
To throw them out? How can they make a living?
The owners of Pak Hei Hall are outrageous
You mean the heiress of Pak Hei Hall?
She is giving out free medicine outside
lt has attracted a crowd
ls she so kind hearted?
Don't push, everyone will get one No one will go empty-handed
Don't fight...
Be careful
What an act
Granny, be careful, the bottle of medicine oil is not worth it
lt's free, of course it's worth it
Don't push, Pak Hei Hall guarantees that everyone will get a bottle of wellness oil
Be careful... Careful...
Attention please
Folks, don't covet their medicine oil They are fishing for fame here
They have a hidden agenda What hidden agenda?
lt may look a charitable act, in fact...
lgnorant people should shut up
Pak Hei Hall has people's wellbeing in mind
So we give out free medicine oil for the elderly
lt helps to relieve them of petty illnesses
lndeed, you are stirring trouble here l'll report you to magistracy
Go ahead
Folks, they are currying favor They first win you with petty favor
They will collude with the officials to throw you out of Dashilan
You have gone too far l am giving out free medicine oil
Where l have offended Sheung Moon House?
l'm warning you! Stop stirring trouble
We overheard what your father and the official said in Sheung Moon House
What did they say?
You are in collusion with officials
You plan to clean up Dashilan
These charitable acts are means to facilitate your scheme in future
Really? Of course
You get their petty favor today
You'll have to repay them ten times in future
What?
Not only that, street hawkers, beware They mean to throw you out
He's making things up Don't you listen to him
l'm making things up? l can give you an example
What about Chin Lei Hall? lt has been here for decades
But you bought it out for a song
Don't you believe her No, never
Listen to me, don't believe them Put the medicine oil down
Armitabha! You said the lady is fishing for fame
What's wrong with it?
Monk Wai Yan, protege of Kei To-ting
People benefit from it. They have a bottle of medicine oil to take home
You are a monk but you care for petty favor
Something petty in exchange for exoneration Monks have no money
lf kind people give out free medicine Why shouldn't l accept it?
Young man, not to say medicine Be it a bowl of water or congee
if it's given out of kindness l am grateful to accept it
l can tell
Young man, you have a huge chip on your shoulder
Spare me your teachings
Hold it. You take her side You are in collusion?
You are not a monk you're a fraud
He doesn't look like a monk to me lndeed
Monks have a certain look? You look more like a monk than l do
l do?
You are being funny, Reverend
But l have no time for you
Folks, put the medicine oil down and go
You don't want it, don't stop others from getting it. They may want it
Let go
So you're not an ordinary fraud but a kung fu expert