Yuet!
Madam!
Yuet!
Master!
How are you?
Do I have the plague?
Don't worry
It's just the first phase, you'll be fine
You two must get out
Don't let anyone near me
I must stay and look after you
I'm not afraid
Master said it's the first phase
though I feel dizzy and feverish
I can still look after myself
But you still have work to do
You must get me water
make tea and deliver my meals
Stop standing there
You and Master must leave
I can get sick but Master can't
Yuet!
You have a heavy burden
You must not compromise the people's safety for my sake
Fine! I'II send you the medication once it's ready
Close the door and the windows
Yes, Madam
Leave everything at the door
I'II get it myself
From today onwards
Before I get well
don't let anyone inside this room
including you, Master
Please tell everyone I'm fine
Tell them not to worry
I know what to do
You must take care
Does Mother have the plague?
It's my fault
I asked her to get candy for me
and she got sick
It's my fault
It's not your fault!
The plague is rampant in the city
Hundreds are inflicted
Your Mother was unlucky to be one of them
King-fai, Father is right
Don't blame yourself
Yuet has always done charity work
Heaven will look out for her
Kam-fa!
Yes?
Let's go burn more incense
and pray for Yuet's recovery
Who is it?
It's me, Mother
King-fai, why are you still up?
I want to see you, open the door
No, I'm sick
I can't see you yet
Open the window, let me see you
I can't do that either
When I get well, I can see you
Will you really get well?
Of course!
Remember last time when Grandma was sick
Father brought the imperial doctor
Don't worry, I'II be fine
Be a good boy and go to bed
You said the rabbit pendant brings good luck
I'm giving it to you
Carry it with you and you'II get well
Good!
Open the door and I'll give it to you
Put it outside the door
I'II get it when you're back in your room
You're not opening the door?
Not till I get well
Now that I have your rabbit
I'II be get well soon
I left it outside the door
Go ahead and go to bed
Get some rest, Mother
Take care
I'II come and talk to you soon
Good!
I'm going!
Mother!
Greetings, Lady Wai
Why are you here?
Why the long face, Milady?
How many more must die
before we can stop this plague?
The plague is indeed ominous
But Luoyang is blessed
The revival of Prince Lo Ling is a good omen
I'm sure the plague will go away
Father thinks Mr. Lam is Prince Lo Ling
But he won't admit it
Perhaps you should visit him
maybe you'll find out something
He died in the fire
Don't talk nonsense
Perhaps Heaven took pity on him
and he survived the fire
That's what you want, right?
It's a good thing if he had managed to escape
What if it brings on more pain?
I understand
As long as there's hope
Don't you want to see him?
Of course I do
Why else would I break into Hell
just to see him?
If that's how you feel
Why not drop by our house?
If it's true, that's great
If it's not, at least you'll know
You have a point
I'II go see this man
Here you are, Milady
I'm not hungry, take away the pastry
My Lord!
I checked, no one is out there
The walls have ears
I must not reveal my identity
Sit here, let's talk
How did you escape from such a fire?
I wasn't in the study
After we had a fight
I ran into a doctor
and we got along very well
I invited him to stay
but I was still fidgety
I asked him to wait for me
while I picked herbs in the mountains
On my way back, I learnt about the fire
They mistook the doctor's body for mine
I went along with it and went into hiding
I see
Rather than be a prince in constant fear
might as well be a simple but happy peasant
I'm sorry to break your heart
I'm relieved to see you alive
When I heard Mother summoned you back to the Palace
I was afraid you'II be blamed
so I bided my chance to meet you in disguise
so we can run away
But Tik Yan-kit found me and tried to test me
I denied everything
and he can't do anything about it
Let's tell him the truth
and ask him to let us go
I have my reservations about him
When Mother dethroned me
he didn't remonstrate
When my brother abdicated
he didn't try to stop him
I still can't decide
where his loyalty lies
Step aside!
Master, they...
I beg your pardon
What's the reason for bringing your men, Major Mo?
I heard Lady Wai went praying at the Pure Land Temple
I was worried
and decided to escort her
I was told Lieutenant Tik left with her
but I don't see them on the way
I was worried
so I came here to check
Lieutenant Tik is back
Where is Lady Wai?
She's not feeling well
She came here to rest
How dare you!
Everyone knows Madam Tik caught the plague
How can you allow the Lieutenant to bring her here?
What if anything happens to her?
Who'II bear the responsibility?
Go look for Her Highness
Yes, sir
No one is allowed inside
If you want to escort Her Highness
There's no need to be upset
Ching-luen, send for Her Highness
Lieutenant Tik neglected her duty
I'II take over from here
Go inside
Yes, sir
Hold it!
You mentioned my wife is ill
and should be quarantined
Yet you send your men inside
That's contradicting yourself
If you barge in
You may scare Lady Wai
Can you bear that responsibility?
Fine! I'II go alone
Happy now?
Mo Yin-tak brought his men
claiming to look for Her Highness
He's arguing with Father in the living room
What's the racket? Who is it?
It's Major Mo!
Good! We're having dinner soon
You must stay for dinner
Kam-fa, tell the kitchen...
I'm here on official duty
Please step aside, Madam
Of course...
Be careful, Grandma
Mo Yin-tak!
Ching-luen!
What a hot temper you have!
How can you push me like that?
You gave me quite a scare!
I must tell Prince Ngai when I see him
I have no time for this
Sit down and rest, Grandma
Your Highness
I'm only resting
Why send in your troops
and make such a fuss?
I'm worried about your safety
My headache has just gone away
It's throbbing again with this racket
You want to escort me back?
I'm waiting!
Escort Her Highness
Yes, sir
Are you sure?
Yes, everyone is furious
They're bringing hoes and hatchets
If they can't reason with the guards
they'II resort to violence
Anything to leave this hell hole
That's bad!
I'm home, Uncle Kwai
Kwai, I'm sick
You're sick, Mother?
You know I'm your mother?
You're lying!
It's a disease of the heart
But no worse than you
At least I worry about my unfilial son
But you're being ignorant
A disaster is coming your way
What disaster?
You didn't know?
Kwai came from the market
Everyone is furious
Their resentment is directed at Tik Yan-kit
A foot soldier like you
will only bear the brunt
They'll gather around the city gate
and force Tik to open it
Are you sure?
And you're so cocky being a guard
No matter how well you can fight
when a rebellion breaks out
You'll be outnumbered
How many can you arrest and kill?
I must alert Tik
Hey... Kwai, it's time for us to act
Greetings
What is it?
Please step into the study
Peasants have gathered around the city gate
They're trying to break out
They're there already?
Captain Sung, is this what you want to tell me?
Yes
Let's go take a look
Step aside
Stop!
Sir, they...
I know how you feel
The gate will be opened
as soon as the plague is gone
What kind of minister are you?
People are dying everyday
Not only did you fail to help us
You won't let us leave
You want everyone in Luoyang to die?
That's right!
I sealed off the city
to stop the plague from spreading
According to the medical books
Smoked chu-shu, qing-long and ephedra
can dispel the plague
There's no need to be afraid
Where are these herbs?
We haven't seen any of it!
That's right!
I received donations from merchants in town
I ordered them from Zhengzhou and Bianzhou
They should arrive soon
Please be patient
How soon is soon?
1 day? 10 days? Or a month?
By then, we'll all be dead
Who needs the herbs anymore?
How long will it take?
He's lying, don't listen to him
They're all liars, don't listen to them
I gave you real money
Where are the herbs?
Maybe he embezzled the money
You have 2 choices
Hand over the herbs
or open the city gate
Open the gate...
Sir! Injuring a state official
is punishable by death!
You're bleeding!
Stay back!
Father!
Stand back, all of you!
I have been an official for 30 years
Whether to Heaven or Earth
I have never let the Court or its people down
Luoyang is hit with the plague
It's my duty as the governor
to seal off the city
to stop the plague from spreading
into other provinces
I had no choice
As for the herbs
I don't know what happened
But I will do my best to find out
and give you an explanation
How? That's idle talk
That's right!
About the investigation
What if you don't find anything?
What happens then?
If you can't find the answer
and there are no herbs
Will you open the gate?
Exactly!
Calm down, everyone
Tik has always been fair
You know that for a fact
He didn't ask for this to happen
He's the governor
you have already wounded him
yet he went down on his knees
What more do you want?
You want him dead?
Get up, Father
Give us a deadline
to put our minds to rest
That's right!
Give us a deadline
Fine! 10 days
That's too long!
5 days!
3 days!
Make it 5 days
5 days it is!
I'II tell you what I find out
If I fail
I will open the gate
I heard Madam Tik has fallen ill
How is she?
She's in the initial stage
no vomiting or the runs
only fever and stomach ache
If there's still no medication
I'm afraid...
Even during the plague
she's still thinking about the poor
and passed out supplies to them
How ironic she caught the disease!
She's always thinking of others
She's afraid to pass on the disease
so she locked herself in the room
I can only talk to her through the door
For her benevolence
Heaven will watch out for her
She'II get well
That's what we think
Father said Mother will be fine
and the plague will go away
I know Father can save her
and the people in Luoyang
Saving her is easy
but too many others are sick
The plague is in full furry
and people are scared
But the herbs are missing
and discontent is boiling
Tik can't tackle this alone
Mr Lam! Young Master
What is it?
Master is wounded
He's in the study
Are you alright, Father?
It's nothing, just a flesh wound
Who has the audacity to injure a state official?
Do you know who did it?
Yes! I already locked them up
Them? Were there more than one?
The people of Luoyang did it
There were 800 if not 1,000
How did that happen?
You can't blame them
The plague is running rampant
Several hundreds have died
confusion is expected
People make mistakes when they're confused
They're only human
Father, you have worked so hard
and Mother is sick
How can they blame you?
For public and private reasons
Nobody wants to rid of this plague more than you
You promised them to find the herbs in 5 days
if you fail, you'II be in trouble
It's my duty, I can't pass the buck
But...
What we need to do now
is find out what happened to the herbs
Ching-luen, go to Zhengzhou with Captain Sung
I'II send Kiu Tai and Ma Wing to Bianzhou
Find out all you can
I'II get ready to leave at dawn
Good!
I'II tell Kiu Tai
Mr Lam
I need to borrow a book
Ching-luen, Kwong-yuen, get going
Sir
Which one do you need?
You should stay still with your injury
I'II look for it myself
Help yourself
Found it!
They made me congee with preserved vegetables
Want some?
Sir
You're nursing a wound
Don't eat anything sour
You've been busy at work
wearing yourself down
You need a nourishment
Congee is not enough
You know about medicine and diets?
Same with Prince Lo Ling
He believes good health starts with a diet
What a coincidence!
You're going to Zhengzhou?
It's crawling with local tyrants and bandits
and in total chaos
That's the reason Tik is convinced
there's a mishap with the herbs
He sent me and Lieutenant Tik to find out
Just the two of you?
That's too dangerous!
When they charged at the city gate
Tik is wounded
Nothing must happen to Luoyang
The courthouse needs every men they have
Tik knows the danger involved
He's worried about his daughter
But he had no choice
Why doesn't my son listen to me?
I already told you it's hard
to make a living as a captain
but you wouldn't listen
Now that you're a public servant
Even if they make you fight against 100 men
you have no choice but to comply
I'II go pack
Kwai, make yourself useful
He said he needs to pack
One more thing...
Yes?
Pack a medical kit for him
Heaven knows what will happen
Yes, Madam
I'II take my time
You two have a nice chat
Cat got your tongue?
I'II have Kwai serve you tea
You have no heart
and won't listen to your mother
But I'm not heartless like you
You're still my son
My own flesh and blood
You're in trouble now
I won't stand by and do nothing
Mother!
Take this!
The Golden Moth?
Tik paid for my traveling expenses
Don't be stupid
This is not your traveling expenses
No matter how broke you are
you must never pawn it
Back then your Mother, the Flying Moth
has earned the respect in the underworld
If you run into any trouble
Take out the Golden Moth
It can help you
Thanks, Mother
You should say sorry rather than say thank you
I'II feel much better
You're not narrow minded and spiteful
You'll soon forget what I have done
But you mustn't forget
this is my one and only tablet
I know
Don't forget you must be careful
You're my one and only son
I know
Don't forget
I know
What are you looking at?
You're mistaken
No, you're mistaken
You're being giddy and frivolous
And Father had such high hopes for you
and gave you this important assignment
I'm... he's so disappointed in you
Stop pointing!
Or I'II chop off your finger
You torn your shirt
How shameless of you!
You don't just think about it, you talk about it
Why is it torn?
I knew it long before you
Must be when we left the gate
the peasants rushed towards us
You can tell they're really scared
and wanted to leave Luoyang
Mrs. Ho has lost weight
Mother Ngau has more grey hair
Mrs. Cheung can't even open her eyes from crying
Your Father gave me an assignment
If we come back empty handed
he'II be very disappointed
What did you do that for?
You must be mad at me
for being discouraged as soon as we left Luoyang
You're not as stupid as I thought
Everyone is counting on the herbs
The herbs won't disappear on their own
Someone must be have hidden them
Stop talking, let's go
5 days will be over soon enough
They had the proper papers
The seal looked real
but this is not Father's handwriting
These imposters had a lot of nerve
to steal the herbs
Luoyang is in deep trouble
but they didn't care
That's unforgivable
Please do your best to arrest the bandits
and retrieve the herbs
to save people in Luoyang
That was 3 days ago
It's impossible to make an arrest
We must take immediate action against the plague
Please prepare the next batch of herbs
for us to take back to Luoyang
We'II save lives first and make the arrest later
That would be difficult
We don't have enough stock as it is
I must think of my people
I can't help you
You can't eat either?
The thought of us going back empty handed
makes me lose my appetite
Officer Cheung promised to do his best
maybe he'II find the herbs
You believe him?
Someone forged the documents
that means they came prepared
I bet the herbs are gone
Not necessarily
They took the herbs 3 days ago
and innkeeper told me
there has been a sandstorm
I bet the herbs have not yet left the city
They're probably stashed somewhere in town
Even if they're here
We're new in town
We don't know where to look
Before I left for Zhengzhou
Mother told me
she has friends in this area
Maybe they can help
We don't deal with the underworld
But this is urgent
This is already the second day
When lives are at stake we must compromise
No! If word got out the state guards from Luo County
need help from the underworld
Imagine what would happen to Father's reputation
If you don't get help
the fall of Luo County
will not only damage his reputation
his life is at stake
Don't curse him!
I'm telling you the truth
The truth is we'II do this ourselves
We'II need help if we can't do this on our own
Even if we need help
we'II ask the local authority
You saw how clever officer Cheung is
His men won't be any better
I won't work with the underworld
Let's not wait
Finish eating and we'll go our separate ways
Let's see who's more capable
in finding the herbs
Thanks for your help
It'II be easier to make an arrest with the sketch
The herbs are like gold these days
The bandits will definitely drool over them
Hoarding and speculation
are very common around Zhengzhou
Who's doing that?
People of the underworld
Among them, Lau Fei-yeung is the most ferocious
Where can I find him?
You go left, I go right
What are you doing here?
The same reason you're here
You followed me?
Your Father wants us to look out for each other
I'm only doing my job
We're supposed to go our separate ways
and see who's more capable
You had to follow me to get here
But you're unaware of it
It's obvious who's more capable
We have 3 more days
Don't you want to go back?
Get it over and done with
Anything?
Everything except herbs
Lau Fei-yeung is loathsome
He profited from hoarding these supplies
Your friend is sure about this?
Judging from the stock
I'd say at least 90%
Where is he hiding the herbs?
What are you looking for?
Maybe I can help you
Lau Fei-yeung?
That's right
Where are the herbs?
I'II tell you if you beat me! Go!
What shall we do with them?
Chop off their hands
Yes, Boss
Don't you dare!
We're officials from Luoyang
we have state papers on us
Don't do anything reckless
You don't scare me! Search them!
Yes... Boss
You know the Flying Moth?
She's my Mother! You know her?
I owe her a favor
This is a misunderstanding. Untie them!
Yes!
I'm sorry to offend you
Please accept my apology
I'II be honest with you
The reason we're here
is to locate lost property of the government
3 days ago, someone posed as guards from Luoyang
and took some life-saving herbs
Those needed for the plague?
That's right!
Even robbers follow a code
We rob the rich
but never exploit the poor
The herbs are not here
Who could have done this?
I have spies across Zhengzhou
We've been stuck in a sandstorm
I'm sure the herbs are still in the city
It won't be hard to find
You can count on me
How are you feeling?
You can't be here! You must go!
Don't worry, the curtain is down
I'm so useless
Luckily Siu-yue was outside
She heard your fall and found you unconscious
You're already working too hard
Please don't worry about me
Don't say that, it's my duty
I told Siu-yue to prepare your medication again
Get some rest before you take it
Don't bother
Tea or medication
It makes no difference to me now
Ching-luen went to Zhengzhou to look for the herbs
She'II have good news soon
Good! You can save the people
But it's too late for me
Of course not! You'll see it
I know I'm dying
I only want to see King-fai
How hard is that?
I'II send for him right away
Not now! Not until I'm dead
Yuet!
You must wait till I'm dead
before you let him see me
Remember to bury me with this jade rabbit
Ching-luen is away
I may not last till she returns
Tell your mother
I can't wait on her anymore
Please don't say that
You have been a good wife
You looked after my mother
treated my children like your own
and taught King-fai well
You helped me run my household
and shared my troubles
without complaints or regrets
so I can concentrate on my work
Now you're sick
I will fight with you
and will never abandon you
I have no other wish
but for you to rest and get well
I only want you to get well, Ok?
Please don't cry, Grandma
Father said it's not good for you
I'm fine
I miss Mother
Grandma, please pray to the Gods
ask them not to take Mother away
The Gods will bless her
I would rather die
and let your mother stay
Nobody is dying
Not Grandma, not Mother
Is Madam Tik beyond cure?
Even if Lieutenant Tik finds the herbs
From here to Zhengzhou and back
Madam Tik can't wait
What then?
I only want to know
Does Madam Tik have any choices?
If there's no cure
you should try a folk remedy
I once studied at a temple
the monk mentioned to me
a folk prescription for plague
But I found arsenic
and 6 other poisonous substances
in varying quantities
I have reservations about it
that's why I didn't mention it
Why bring it up now?
I looked through all the books
they suggest fighting poison with poison
The reason I asked
is to confirm there are no options
left for Madam Tik
According to the folk remedy
the 7 poisonous herbs
must be boiled separately
using different quantities
and for different durations
Boil them 7 times over 10 hours
before you can take it
Yan-kit
What is it, Mother?
Pour the bowls into one
and boil it once more
The smell is awful
It stinks! Can you drink this?
King-fai!
I'm coming with you
No! Nobody goes inside but me
Go burn more joss sticks with Grandma
Pray for a speedy recovery. Go on!
Come on!
No one has tried it before
I'm not sure it'II work
The so-called fight poison with poison
the books could be wrong
Whether it's potable
that's entirely your call
Have you been busy making this?
King-fai, Kwong-yuen and Mother helped me as well
This is hard to come by indeed
You want to try?
You spent so much time decocting it
I must not waste it
I'II feed you
No, don't come so close
You're too weak to hold the bowl
you'll only spill it
Master...
If it's destiny
It's my fortune we die together
Yuet... are you alright?
How do you feel?
Are you alright?
Yuet! Where does it hurt?
How do you feel, Madam Tik?
Lieutenant! Captain Sung
Sit! What did you find out in Bianzhou?
The Magistrate said the herbs
were taken by guards from Luo County
They claim to have the proper documents
We read it, it's a fake
but those who are not familiar with officer Tik's handwriting
cannot tell the difference
Fake papers again?
Same in Zhengzhou?
It's the same trick
I suspect state officials did this
Why?
A commoner doesn't know the format of a document
How can they produce a fake?
It's one thing they took bribes
But lives are at stake this time
If I find the culprit
I must report to Her Majesty
and have him executed
Is this what you're looking for?
Where did you find it?
Good! I'll take you there
They have over 1,000 catties
They stole the herbs
How many men are there?
7 or 8 men
I'm at your disposal
Let's go!
It's the chief!