When the Jins invade the capital,
I'll be here to open the city gate.
I can even kill that fool,
Chu Cheung-sing and his gang may still get in the way.
Those who get in the way must die.
With this Fire Dragon Cannon,
we can beat the Jins without any soldiers.
They'll back off without going to war,
and Fung Nam-tin will lose his backing.
Their plan will fail.
What happened?
It's an explosion!
Is anyone hurt?
Sir!
The explosive power is identical to that of the Fire Dragon Cannon.
It has appeared again?
Impossible! Yim Sing is still in jail,
he couldn't have made another one.
Look over there!
I only kept part of the documents
and handed the rest to the Ministry of War.
I'm not surprised Prince Tuen has kept them.
What has he been up to lately?
A bit of farming and feeding the pigeons.
He doesn't even leave the temple.
Nothing unusual.
But something else has been rather unusual.
Every time we tried to kill a courtier,
there were always men in black who showed up to save them.
As if there's an opposing power on the rise.
No power can hold off the ]in army of 100,000 men.
Our army is sweeping through Song.
Song will fall soon.
But we must not let down our guard
and give the enemy a chance to fight back.
Pak-nin, keep an eye on Cheung-sing and his gang.
I don't want trouble from them.
Yes, Sir!
Hello, I am General Pacification.
Under my leadership, we have successfully manufactured the Fire Dragon Cannon.
The range of the cannon is 10 miles.
Man or beast will be blown to pieces when hit.
Even the city wall will be turned to ashes.
We'll be doing tests outside the city.
Please try to stay inside the city.
Who authorised the testing of the cannon?
Need you ask? His Majesty, of course!
As far as I know, there's no such thing.
How dare you! His Majesty gave me an oral order.
How can it be a fake?
Here's the order. Do take a look.
You don't seem to believe me.
Let's go ask His Majesty now.
There's no need to trouble you.
I'm just double checking.
That's good!
Goodbye!
You must be heart broken, Commissioner!
I have known Mo for years.
She used to talk about you all the time.
She said you had potential and a promising future.
She must have been blind to love a man like you
and eventually got herself killed.
Your Highness, according to our scouts,
the Song people are moving Fire Dragon Cannons
to 10 military bases in Shanxi and Hebei.
Each of them is pointing at our camp.
Fung Nam-tin said the cannons were so powerful nothing could stand in their way.
Is Song prepared to go to war with these cannons?
Your Highness, General Pacification is here to see you.
Long time no see, Your Highness!
There must be a good reason for your visit.
I'm just the messenger.
It's Prince Tuen who wants to see you.
Your Highness.
Such an honour, Prince Tuen.
Have a seat! Pour the wine!
They say you're practising Buddhism at the temple.
Looks like you are staging a comeback.
Song is in great danger.
I can't possibly sit back and do nothing.
I came here to discuss something with you.
Then let's get to the point.
Since the late Emperor started the Song Dynasty,
our countries have been fighting each other.
It's normal for us to place spies in each other's camp.
But it's truly amazing that Fung Nam-tin could stay undercover for so long.
Your army of 100,000 men are coming in a fury.
Song should be in great danger,
and I should be worried sick, right?
But honestly, I'm not worried at all.
Did you hear the cannon shots?
Get to the point.
When we engage in war, we use weapons and our fist.
But now that we have developed a cannon,
the history of war must be re-written.
We have different firearms,
using sulfur, sodium nitrate, charcoal.
They are all made of refined iron and very powerful.
Once lit, they can be very destructive.
Allow me to brag, it's more destructive than you could ever imagine.
A cannon can easily blow your camp to bits.
Let's just cut to the chase.
Everyone and everything will be blown to pieces.
Know your enemy and know yourself.
That's what you must do when you go to war.
You think I'm spending my remaining days in a temple?
While you were busy preparing for war,
I have had 9,000 cannons ready for you.
Have you ever seen a ﬂaming bird?
What are you doing?
Chuen-kung!
If that ﬂower pot was a human head,
will it explode like a watermelon, with brains splattered everywhere?
Right, Your Highness?
Take it easy! What do you really want?
Simple! Pull off Fung Nam-tin and all other spies.
Or else I'd raze your camps to the ground within a day,
and then send my army up north and wipe you out.
We mean what we say.
We'll kill as many as we can.
Do as we say if you don't want to die.
By order of the Chancellor,
no unauthorised personnel inside the Palace.
How dare you stand in Prince Tuen's way!
Step down!
Long time no see, Master Fung!
So much has changed in Bianjing over the past few months.
I want to see His Majesty.
He's not feeling well.
He won't see anyone.
What's wrong with him?
Don't worry about that.
As the Chancellor, I'll share His Majesty's troubles and run the Court.
A Chancellor's job
is to control and assist.
Regardless of how powerful you are,
you're only an assistant to His Majesty.
You're dreaming if you think you can command the wind and rain.
You tried to usurp the throne.
His Majesty was merciful and spared your life.
You have no position and should mind your own business.
Not if someone covets Song's kingdom.
You're keeping His Majesty under house arrest,
and sent the Empress Dowager away.
Ma Chuen-kung, His Majesty made you a monk.
You're both convicted courtiers.
His Majesty would never see you.
I'm a descendant of the Chiu family.
I wont let you threaten the Song sovereignty.
You're nothing but a spent arrow.
I have absolute control over the Court.
No matter how capable you are,
you're destined to be the loser.
Fung Nam-tin, we must settle our score.
Throw them out!
We know the way!
Heaven is watching what you're doing.
You can throw us out, but not General Pacification,
and the army he commands.
You will lose. Definitely.
Give my regards to Yuan Ngan Sut
and ask him if I need to send him something to calm his nerves.
It's like a rabbit against a lion. We must retreat.
No, we're like an arrow on the bow.
Say no more, my mind is made up.
Bianjing's defense is weak,
our soldiers will definitely win.
They have powerful cannons and firearms,
I have seen them.
We'll be like throwing an egg against a rock.
I have Yim Sing's blueprint.
It's impossible to make 9,000 cannons.
I'm familiar with Chu Cheung-sing and Ma Chuen-kung's moves.
They're very good at bluffing.
I can't let my effort go to waste.
And I won't sacrifice my army.
A general builds his success on the dead bodies of his soldiers.
Jin soldiers are not afraid to die.
It's not your decision. I control the army.
I want to see His Majesty.
He wanted me to be a spy.
He will never agree to a retreat.
Your job is to obey my order.
I can guarantee your safety.
If you defy my order,
I guarantee you're as good as dead.
I will never back off! Never...
Life is like a game of chess.
You had the upper hand with the last move,
and suddenly you're besieged on all sides.
Baby, you probably won't become the Emperor
and I won't control the Court.
Everything is ready, just waiting for His Majesty's order.
Bianjing will be besieged.
The Great Jin will conquer Song!
Why must we retreat now?
You can do all the planning,
but you're nothing but a puppet for the Jins.
I'm not a puppet!
I promised His Majesty I won't return until Song is conquered.
I went undercover for 40 years.
I will not give up so easily.
Prince Tuen and General Pacification are coming in full fury.
Your prince abandoned you and you're outnumbered.
If you pull out now, you can stay alive.
Stay alive? We either conquer or we die.
You're too old. You should retire.
I will, but I'll bring that bumbling fool with me.
You still won't give up?
If he becomes our hostage,
the two countries will go to war.
Jin soldiers are valiant warriors.
They can surely wipe out the Song soldiers.
I'll make good on my promise
as long as you do one last thing for me.
What are you looking for, Commissioner?
You're making a mess.
My arm hurts again. I need the pain killer.
It's not a relapse.
You've been poisoned.
What? You poisoned me?
We drugged your food.
Is this a rebellion?
Arrest them!
Stop standing there!
Wake up!
What happened to the old She Pak-nin?
You fed your conscience to the dogs?
You're in collusion with them?
No, they have joined a good cause.
We're ashamed of you.
You became Fung Nam-tin's running dog.
You killed Mo to gain his trust.
Mo loved you with all her heart!
How could you kill her? You're inhuman!
I admit it. I'm a traitor!
Finally!
I buried my conscience. Give me the antidote!
We'll be letting Mo down if we let you off.
Whatever you say, just give me the antidote.
If you don't want to die...
Tell us Fung Nam-tin's plan.
Put him on the boat,
our job is done when we reach Zhongdu.
Let's get on the boat before the troops in pursuit arrive.
What's the matter?
You're useless to me now.
Go to Hell and see your sister Tao Fa.
I know when the birds are gone, the arrow is put away.
But you're too late.
Phecda Bureau! You're under arrest!
Fung Nam-tin, you kidnapped His Majesty in an attempted coup.
You're surrounded.
Hands down for your arrest!
You traitor! To think I trusted you! I finally know who you are.
You colluded with them and betrayed me?
Who's betraying who?
One of Sun Tzu's strategy in the Art of War is to create dissension.
As a spy, you should know that trick well.
How careless of you!
You took advantage of my hatred towards Chu Cheung-sing,
and thought you could manipulate me.
You have under-estimated me completely.
I can't believe a woman spoiled my plan.
You shouldn't have killed Tao Fa.
You thought you could kill 2 birds with 1 stone,
but you have forgotten blood is thicker than water.
I saved Tao Fa from the pit
and yet you shot her with an arrow.
That arrow pierced through my heart too.
I wanted to save Tao Fa, no one could kill her.
I know you won't kill me, Sis!
You're not my sister, spare me your hypocrisy.
I tried to steal your husband and buried you alive.
You must want to tear me to pieces.
When I was about to suffocate,
I saw Father.
He came to see me.
He was so kind.
Though he is dead, he still cares about us.
He doesn't want us to jump at each other's throats.
I can feel you're unhappy.
That's why I truly wanted you to be with Chu Cheung-sing,
so that you and the baby can be happy.
How can you be so kind?
You don't blame me for trying to kill you.
Tao Fa, you saved me and the baby.
Don't cry, Sis.
I'll take good care of you.
You must remember the road is smooth after a bumpy ride.
I've been thinking who else would go after Tao Fa.
Sis!
When She Pak-nin showed up,
then I knew it was your plan.
So I went after Tao Fa in the woods.
You shot her from the back, right?
Yes, because you were hesitating,
I thought I'd give you a hand.
Then Chu Cheung-sing will kill me for sure.
Smart! You have no one to turn to,
and it's easy for me to kill you.
But then, I'd keep you alive so that you can work for me.
So I should thank you?
You got rid of Tao Fa for me
and that felt good.
I really don't care about the war between Song and Jin.
But I must avenge my only sister.
I pretended to go along with your plan,
because I was hiding my time.
You forced Mo Shun to write a letter to frame Ma Chuen-kung,
but he also left evidence against you.
Fung Nam-tin has had me fooled for so long!
You must mind your health.
Thanks for passing me the message.
I want to see Chuen-kung!
Definitely not!
Fung Nam-tin has eyes and ears in the Palace.
We must not do anything reckless and give ourselves away.
His Majesty pretended to lead a dissipated life.
I knew Ma Chuen-kung would not give up dissuading His Majesty.
So I decided to beat you at your game.
Chuen-kung, I've been waiting for you.
Listen carefully, before anyone gets here.
Go to the Ching Leung Monastery and get Prince Tuen to save His Majesty.
I'll abdicate if Uncle Tuen can save Song.
What are you talking about?
I didn’t kill Tao Fa. Fung Nam-tin did it.
We'd already come up with a plan.
Chuen-kung's tonsure was only an act for the benefit of your spies.
I knew you'd be a mortal threat.
You're like a brother to His Majesty.
He couldn't possibly cut you off like that.
I should have killed you.
You didn't because you still have a shred of humanity left in you.
You still care about us.
Life is such a paradox.
We're orphans, jailbird and the son of a convicted courtier.
If you hadn't taken us in and groomed us,
we'd have become nothing but losers.
You taught us to be unbeatable and always get back up on our feet.
I treated you like a father.
What I owe you, I'll never pay you back in this life.
But what you owe me, you can’t pay it back in 10 lives.
I can live with you all beating me.
You carried out your duties and placed justice before family.
That means I was right about you.
Why? Why are you the spy?
Why did you kill Tao Fa?
Why put us in this dilemma?
It's fate! We fight for different causes.
I'm a Jin, I'm destined to be irreconcilable with Song.
Fung Nam-tin, why be pigheaded?
What's wrong with peace and order?
Why must you start a war and leave the field littered with corpses?
Yuan Ngan Sut already ordered a retreat,
why must you plunge the people into misery?
My parents wanted a peaceful life,
but the Song soldiers killed them anyway.
My parents were killed by Jin soldiers.
There's no end to revenge.
You have been blinded by revenge for decades.
You have no family and you're miserable.
Is it worth it?
If I kill that bumbling fool,
my sacrifices in the past decades will be worth it.
Go ahead! I'm not afraid to die!
Do it!
My heart is pounding hard!
At least we protected His Majesty!
Your Majesty...he passed out!
Chuen-kung, how is His Majesty?
When Fung Nam-tin held His Majesty hostage, his heart collapsed.
There's nothing I can do.
You're a brilliant doctor.
I'm sure you can save him.
I have done my best.
His limbs are cold and his pulse is weak.
His heart will soon stop and he'll stop breathing.
I can apply the needles on his Baihui point
and extend his life for a bit longer.
What?
Empress Dowager, shall we send for the imperial doctor?
Right!
No need!
I won't live long.
Mother!
Thank you for sticking with me.
Hear this, fellow courtiers...
Yes, Your majesty!
I have decided to pass the throne to Prince Tuen.
I'm not worthy of it, Your Majesty.
Besides, I tried to usurp the throne...
And I have forgiven you for that.
With your great talent and bold vision,
Song will prosper under your leadership.
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
I'm tired. Goodbye, Mother! Uncle Tuen!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Ma Chuen-kung, take a look at him. Hurry, Chuen-kung!
How is he?
His Majesty has passed away!
Your Majesty...
Greetings, Your Majesty!
At ease!
Thank you, Your Majesty!
It has been proven
I was right to guard against the Phecda Bureau.
Fung Nam-tin had malicious intent.
Luckily you worked well together
and we managed to avoid going to war.
Good job, Chu Cheung-sing.
You ﬂatter me, Your Majesty!
We managed to resolve a crisis
only because the Phecda Bureau worked in unison.
I was just doing my duty.
I hereby appoint you as Commissioner of the Bureau.
Continue to lead the Bureau and serve the Court.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
May I make one suggestion?
Go ahead.
Yeung Mau and Ngau Tai-lik are both very talented.
If they can lead the Sun Section and Moon Section,
I'm sure both sections will function well.
As you wish.
Thank you, your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!
I'll do my best!
Thank you for the appointment,
I will do my best to serve the Song court.
Very well! Please rise!
Thank you, your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!
Ma Chuen-kung!
Your Majesty!
Your Father Ma Chun-chiu suffered a grievous wrong.
Now that we know the truth,
it's time to redress this trumped up charge.
I will confer upon him a posthumous title of Prince Ning.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Please rise!
Your Majesty, Chuen-kung was forced to become a monk.
Now that the crisis is over,
please allow him to lead a secular life.
Thank you, Commissioner!
I quite enjoy the life of a monk.
I'm free from human desires and passions.
I urge you to let me remain in Ching Leung Monastery to pursue my practice of Buddhism.
It's probably not a good time right now.
Your Majesty...
When all living creatures are suffering,
Ma Chuen-kung should not retreat from the world.
He should stay at the Bureau,
where he can still practise Buddhism and serve the people.
So be it!
Yes, Your majesty!
What about us?
Maybe he didn't see us! Let's step forward.
Hung Fung! Hung Sap-kau!
Yes, Your Majesty! Here!
You're both patriots.
I hereby give you the Iron Scroll.
Except for treason, the holder is exempted from punishment for any crime.
I hope you'll both continue to set an example for others.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
At ease...
Minister Tsui, Minister Chan!
Yes, Your majesty?
I designate you to preside over the trial of all the traitors.
In all likelihood, they all deserve maximum penalty.
Yes, Your majesty!
Chiu Yuk-hei!
Don't call me that. Chiu Yuk-hei is dead!
I call myself To Pak.
Don't worry, there's no one here.
How grand was my funeral?
Did anyone cw for me?
Ambassadors from Liao, Tibet and Western Xia were there.
Is that grand enough for you?
Your concubines and courtiers uttered cries of anguish.
I guess I'm not that loathsome after all.
Your concubines will return to their hometowns like you ordered,
and are allowed to re-marry.
I opened an account with Sui Shu bank under the name To Pak.
You can withdraw money wherever you go.
I've put packs of herbs in this bundle.
They'll come in handy if you don't feel well
Here's a bottle of pearly buff ball powder from Western Xia.
It can stop bleeding and relieve pain.
Chuen-kung, the moon rises and birds ﬂy.
In the end, after several decades
you're my only true friend.
It takes distance to know a horse, and time to know a person.
Your Majesty, our friendship is still water that runs deep.
Then you should travel with me.
The Phecda Bureau needs me.
I see. We'll stay in touch.
Take care, To Pak.
Don't worry about me.
My hands don't shake anymore.
That proves I'm not cut out to be the Emperor.
I feel alive and kicking now that I'm not the Emperor anymore.
You'll find good use for your talents.
Talent, like pregnancy, takes time for people to notice.
Don't act with undue haste.
I know. I'll learn from the true masters.
It's getting late. Let's say goodbye now.
The road ahead is bumpy and rough.
Let me walk you for a while.
I'll need to find an inn before sunset.
Then I'll walk you to the inn.
Do you have any specific plans?
Congratulations! You deserve to be the Commissioner.
You won't accept His Majesty's reward?
The baby is my biggest reward.
It's a miracle I'm still alive.
I hope people will forget Yan Mei-leung.
Even I want to forget Yan Mei-leung.
You can stay and let me look after you and the baby.
No, you don't love me.
What's the point?
Don't get me wrong,
I'm not taking your child away to punish you.
I hold no grudge against anyone.
When a woman curses the man she loves,
she's the one to suffer.
Where will you go?
Anywhere can be my home.
Let me know your whereabouts.
We'll meet again if we're meant to.
Let's say goodbye now.
I wanted to ask you something.
When I had given up hope,
I saw Tao Fa near her grave
and she encouraged me to go on living.
She said husband is nothing, wife is nothing
and won't see each other after death.
I know I can't raise the dead.
I want to know if it was your plan with Chuen-kung to encourage me.
No!
No one else could have done it but you.
I was with His Majesty worshipping his ancestors.
How could it have been me?
It really wasn't you?
If Tao Fa's spirit shows herself again,
tell her the baby and I miss her terribly.
Ask her to come into my dream.
Other people have seen her,
I'm not seeing things.
How would it look on me?
We must settle this today!
There's no turning back, son.
There's always a way out, I'm not worried.
Everyone out! This is Dragon Gang business!
Out! Out!
Get out! Get lost!
Get out! Out!
What has to happen will happen.
Why didn't you look me up when you came back to Bianjing?
Who do you take me for?
Have you forgotten about me?
To think I missed you terribly.
You're quite callous for a woman.
No doubt we have a score to settle,
but that doesn't involve Sap-kau.
Why are you being so sneaky?
What do you really want?
I intended to visit you once I have made something of myself.
Please give me your blessings to marry Sap-kau.
See? I told you Wan-ling is not heartless.
Now I'm known for a new name.
They call me Madam Hung's Incredible Dental Powder.
Isn't that amazing?
Truly amazing! You're famous now!
Call me Father, dear!
Father!
Honey! We'll have a banquet of 100 tables.
We'll invite everyone from the Bureau
and your brother Chuen-kung.
Let's go home now.
But I still have patients.
Say no more! Carry her home, Sap-kau.
Yes, Sir!
You won't get away again!
Bravo, Boss!
Out of the way...
They're getting married!
They're getting married, step aside!
They're getting married, move!
We almost had a ﬂood from the rain.
If it rains like this tomorrow, how can we hold the Lonely Ghost Ceremony?
Bite your tongue!
I bet it'll be so sunny,
your butt will get sun-burnt!
Commissioner!
Tomorrow is our annual Lonely Ghost Ceremony
How are the preparations coming along?
You newcomers may not know.
It's an annual event to commemorate those who died in the line of duty.
And also for the Sun and Moon Sections to compete.
We've been doing this for so long. It's getting boring.
Let's try something new this year.
What do you have in mind?
I think we should cancel it and enjoy peace and harmony.
No, it's a tradition of the Bureau.
It's always us, husband and wife, competing,
what's the fun of it?
Win or lose, I'm doomed.
I think it's fun.
It's a matter of honour.
Are you scared? Just say so.
Me? I just don't want to bully a woman.
What's wrong with a woman?
Have you touched the ﬂag in the last 5 years?
Not that I couldn't. I just didn't want to.
You're saying you let Commander Yeung win?
Not in so many words.
Why don't you compete now?
That's right!
Hurry up!
Scared?
Why not? Let's set the rules.
If you lose, when you go home tonight,
you can’t twist my ears, be a sourpuss,
sleep in a separate room or kick my behind.
Deal!
Those two are always bickering.
Don't they get sick of it?
Don't worry. I've had my tonsure. I have no emotions and pleasures.
Until you meet the girl you love.
Chuen-kung!
Why didn't you grow back your hair?
Buddhism is for those who are prepared.
Well? Still keeping your mouth shut?
About what?
Any word on Yan Mei-leung?
What if I do and what if I don't?
I still have an unanswered question.
When I had given up hope,
was the Tao Fa I saw real or not?
Care about what's real brings emptiness. Care not, and all is real.
Don't give me that!
She's Tao Fa's sister and she's carrying my child.
I just want to know how they're doing.
Live or die, that's her lot!
She's dead?
Just about.
I'm the Commissioner. Don't toy with me.
I was in Wuzhou two years ago.
Yan Mei-leung had an accident
that left blood in her head.
Though I drained the blood via acupuncture
and she's alive, but she's suffering from amnesia.
Why didn't you tell me?
She want a normal life for her and her son.
What's the use of telling you?
Forget it, everything is about destiny.
What is to happen, will happen.
That's how things are.
Honey, the yam is really sweet.
It's been 5 years. Sap-kau keeps telling me to get married again.
People can be close or distant,
love can be strong or mellow,
things can be complicated or simple.
I can get married again or not get married.
He seemed to understand.
What appears to be true is actually not.
It's stupid to be too serious.
Father...
Not everyone with a mustache is your father.
I know you.
Where's your Mother?
My goodness, you're running so fast!
Mother!
You brought my son back to me?
You know me?
Two years ago I was gravely ill.
I lost my memory after I recovered.
I'm left with Fa and a portrait!
(Chu Cheung-Sing)
Your name is Fa?
Yes!
You gave him that name?
People in Wuzhou told me my name is Tao Fa
and the man in the portrait is my husband.
They told me to come to Bianjing and look for him.
But after I arrived in Bianjing,
some say I'm Yan Mei-leung.
Others say I'm Tao Fa.
But the man who sold yam told me Tao Fa is dead.
Are you Chu Cheung-sing?
I'm Chu Cheung-sing,
but I'm not your husband.
So I've found the wrong man?
He's not your son?
He is my son.
How is that possible?
I brought my son from Wuzhou to look for my husband.
But my husband is not my husband,
yet my son is his son.
I was Tao Fa, but now I'm not Tao Fa.
I know! You want your son but not your wife.
How can you do that?
We'd better go!
I want a father.
So the road is not smooth after a bumpy ride.
Let's go back to Wuzhou. Wait!
Want some yam?
Sure!
Is it sweet?
I guarantee it is.
Tao Fa?
Have some yam and let me tell you a story.
Sit over here.
Once upon a time, there was a girl who likes to rub her nose.
She met a fool who was a constable,
but lied about being a night watchman.
The girl believed him
and the fool said to himself, "What a fool"!