Whatever, I have to redeem Chau-yuet.
From now on, Chau-yuet is mine.
Chu Cheung-sing, you want me or this slut?
It's the same plaster found on Kwai-cheung
It's Chau-yuet.
You lied to me?
I am from the Phecda Bureau.
We have been looking for the letter.
You were the people Kwai-cheung met in the temple.
You have read the confidential letter.
You should know who the Jin mole is.
Count us in for the finale.
With us four as one, you are doomed!
Biting his own tongue off to die? So dogged?
They wouldn't be taken prisoners.
They didn't bite their tongues off.
They broke the poison capsules set in their teeth.
Whatever.
See what it says here.
He informs Jin even on our sending 10,000 more men to the Qigou Pass.
He can even weaken our boundary defense.
He must be a man close to Sire.
Who is he? Indeed.
It's confidential. It's not signed.
But I think he's frontier commander Szeto Fei.
You may be right.
He is a key courtier by Sire's side.
Let's go to his house.
(Szeto's Mansion)
Open the door.
Something's not right.
That Szeto Fei had this weasel look, so he must be wicked as well.
I had suspected him for a long time.
I was smart and played passive.
I didn't read memorials or grant any decrees
The Jins couldn't do anything about it.
The Bureau has done a good job again. You deserve a big reward.
Reward? I'd say the blame lies with them.
Uncle Tuen, what do you mean?
Szeto Fei leaked military intelligence to Jin,
we two countries went to war.
and Song lost big in the end.
But the Bureau still let the Jins silence Szeto Fei.
With him dead, the leak has been plugged.
Sire, if he were alive, we could find out and remove all the other moles.
Only then could Song be safe.
Sire, our officer also died while working undercover.
Our officers live by the sword, die by the sword.
The Bureau has not failed Sire or the people.
Sire, while flushing out moles is important,
I think the best defense is to strengthen our force.
Carry on.
Song is prosperous and our barbaric neighbours are covetous.
Putting literary pursuit first doesn't suit the times now.
Prosperity and military victory depend on military power.
Well said! Very perceptive!
Only military power will deter the Jins and make them leave Song alone.
Sire, strengthening our military force should be our priority.
Jin people are unreasonable.
Wasting time on peace talks with them is like asking the tiger for its skin.
We should rebuild our military strength instead.
Uncle Tuen, what do you have in mind?
We should hold a special imperial martial examination
to attract martial arts adepts to serve the court.
It'll show Song's military prowess.
You have a point.
Late Sire was a martial arts adept.
Good, just do as you said.
Let's hold a special martial examination.
Sire, your benevolence and great rule is a blessing for the people!
Prince Tuen only has his own interests in mind.
He proposed the martial examination
just to recruit men for his own use,
to expand his influence and military control.
The Phecda Bureau is under your care, so he hasn't been able to touch us.
Sire has shown us great trust too.
A castle can only have one king.
He means to build up his power to take on the Bureau.
You sure are observant.
What's said here stays here.
It's not a good thing to stick your neck out.
You are good at lying low.
Emperors are a fickle lot.
I won't call attention to myself if I can help it.
Next time ask Pak-nin to come to the palace with you,
in case I say the wrong thing.
Pak-nin? Just say you are lazy.
Actually...
Actually you are smarter than him.
My name is Chu, as in a silly "piggy".
We can't be too careful with Prince Tuen.
He and Empress Dowager are close. They are allies.
It's an open secret in or outside the court
It's said they grew up together and were lovers.
The Late Sire stole her from him.
Was it true?
I don't know and don't you ask again.
Knowing too much will put you in danger.
We should just do our part and serve the current Sire.
Bear it in mind, as there's only one sun in the sky,
we serve only one master.
Fa Yim Lau
Final offer. 5,000 taels plus a mansion.
Brother Gan, just a moment.
Please, don't you take Brother Gan for a ride.
Lai Chun Yuen of Hangzhou agreed to pay you 10,000 taels.
10,000 taels! It can't be topped.
You can't go back on your word.
Brother Gan, we have to stop here. We have to go.
Why not talk a bit further?
Let's go...The carriage is waiting.
Excuse me. Hey...
First he turned his nose up on me,
but today I am worth 5,000 taels, plus a mansion.
Awesome or what?
It's because he has no better options.
You are the only one available.
What? Can't part with it now?
Congrats! Mission accomplished!
Let me help you with it.
Here you are...
But a scholar has been waiting here for the past few days.
You know who he is? Is it suspicious?
Yuk-lau?
Just a horny scholar. I am sure he harbours evil thoughts.
Don't forget: you aren't a courtesan anymore.
Come on...
I was playing blind for so long that my eyes hurt!
Let's rush back to the Bureau for a drink.
Sure, come on...
Just forget about it.
That horny scholar thinks too highly of himself.
Now I finally know the difference between water and wine.
Water is water, wine is wine.
Just like sugar and salt.
Sugar is sweet; salt is salty.
That's the difference.
It's something thought up by people who have too much time.
Don't take it seriously.
Come on...
Mister, you've been waiting for me outside Fa Yim Lau.
You have something to tell me?
Just how much I admire you.
I'm just a courtesan. I don't deserve that.
I am but a down and out scholar.
Those years spent on my studies has not brought me success.
I am nothing but a fly.
You are not a fly. You are a mule.
Why?
Let me tell you a story.
Once upon a time, a mule fell into a dried well.
Its owner then abandoned it.
The passers-by would throw their rubbish into the well,
but the mule never gave up.
In time the rubbish piled up and the mule could get out of the well.
Bravo! One smart animal.
Actually other people's despise or treatment with contempt should boost our drive.
We can get out of the well eventually.
That's why I am leaving the brothel and starting anew.
You shouldn't give up either.
Leaving the brothel?
What are you going to do?
I have some savings. I mean to start a business.
You refuse to be affected by the environment.
Alright, I will follow the mule's example.
I'll pull myself up. I'll make big achievements one day!
I'll become an official and serve the country.
How lofty! You said what's in my mind.
Though without the phoenix's flying wings, our hearts are linked by our understanding.
It served you right! I would have slapped the other cheek as well.
Chau-yuet, I am sorry. It's for the investigation.
Investigation...You said that ten years ago, and you're saying that ten years after!
How could you be so heartless to me?
Thanks to your heartlessness, I won't miss you a bit.
I don't want to see you ever again!
Take care.
Woe that I am a lady-killer.
You are a heartbreaker.
To make it look authentic, you kept Tao Fa in the dark.
Her voice is now hoarse from crying.
Oh, we are here to help you patch up with Tao Fa. Some buddies we are.
Bearing gifts as well. Fa will be pleased.
It's hard to say. I'd be hopping mad still.
What a crowd. Here to join in the fun?
Closed for business?
It's Tao Fa's order. She's still upset.
I dare her to be upset for life!
Come on, let's go in.
Cut me some Jinhua ham. Come on!
Fa... Fa...
Jinhua ham, just a little token.
Good, to celebrate my breaking up with Chu Cheung-sing..
Fa, just let go. Cheung-sing was doing it for the investigation.
Investigation is everything. It's more important than his wife.
What if I couldn't take it and had hanged myself? What then?
Just shut up! You said it yourself, that I belong to the Bureau.
I had to put the Bureau first.
What if I was taken hostage and used to force you?
You would let me be killed?
You would just let me die?
I am doomed anyway,
I'd rather kill myself!
Fa...no...
What? You guys really believe she'd kill herself?
Cut it out...
So you think I wouldn't?
I dare you. Right away...
Just do it! Let me give you a hand...
I can do it myself! Save it...
Enough!
Don't overdo it. You've played long enough. You should stop.
I'm going to Fa Yim Lau for a murder case.
Honey, could you make a scene with me to fool Chau-yuet?
To help with your investigation?
And to fool Sap-kau and Wan-ling as well.
With them egging it on, Chau-yuet will fall for it.
Alright.
It must be Wan-ling. Let's have a fight.
Great!
There's nothing between me and Chau-yuet.
Then why did you lie to me?
In case you thought there's something between us!
I pretended there's nothing between us.
So there's something between you two.
How long have you known each other?
How many times have you done that?
Wan-ling, did you hear that? They meant to fool us.
You two were outrageous!
Don't get mad.
Thanks to you two, the case was cracked.
Pranks are for laughs.
You were cheated to come here today.
It's to celebrate Chuen-kung and Wan-ling's reunion.
How very kind of you.
Congrats...
Let's eat...
Let bygones be bygones...
Get the bowls and chopsticks. Quick!
Yummy...
Wan-ling, if I have offended you, I'm sorry It was just for work.
Let's forget it!
Wan-ling, you aren't mad at me, are you?
You saved my life. How could I?
You two are still a loving couple, so I can't be happier.
It was once a grand mansion. Now it's deserted.
We've turned into the children of a traitor, the condemned.
I'd sneak back in from time to time,
to remind myself that I am a descendant of a noble house.
Seven years ago, Father was ordered to escort newly minted weapons to Zhuge Town.
But they got ambushed.
Father was the only survivor.
Meal time.
Father wanted me to take part in the martial exams.
Because I was well-versed in medicine,
the Late Sire let me stay in the Bureau to make up for Father's failure.
Or I could have become a wanderer.
Brother, does it mean our fortune will be reversed?
I just ask for a peaceful life.
I'll do my best to protect you.
No more poisoning. No more cheating. No more bad friends. No more swearing.
No more behaving like a thug.
So many no-mores.
No more snuff taking. It's not ladylike.
I can't guarantee I can kick all the habits
Why don't you refer me to the Bureau?
I don't want such a risky life for you.
Why? So I have to continue to be a dependent?
Not for long.
We will buy a big house and live together?
I'll find you a husband, one that tops in the Imperial Exams.
But I don't want to get married.
A girl has to get married.
Now I am your guardian,
I'll make sure you'll have a carefree life.
You can never be too well read.
Read more books and be an accomplished lady.
Which part of me looks like an accomplished lady?
I'll make you one.
(Supreme Casino)
Nothing to see here.
Yes, she's the bane.
Miss Wan-ling and I have turned from foes to friends.
Treat her as our VIP.
Whoever slights her is slighting me. They can kiss luck goodbye.
Yes, Master Sap-kau.
Nothing to see here.
Bosses, carry on...
There's my buddy!
The casino is the place for me.
I missed mahjong hard.
Let's begin.
A nice snuff bottle for you. It's white jade.
It's translucent indeed.
Master Sap-kau, you do know me.
How can I repay you?
Just not with yourself.
What about showing me your worth?
Alright, let me show you.
Good...
Show us.
Pure suit.
One tile's missing.
Here it is.
Awesome.
A hand right from the start.
Now my heart is pounding fast.
I want to pick up this one. Teach me.
Alright.
Big Boss...
He that touches pitch shall be defiled.
Father, it's mahjong playing, not sparring.
Stupid! You only have fun in mind.
You can't even take one move from me.
Where're the martial arts I taught you?
He took me off guard. That doesn't count.
Then get ready. Here I come.
Again?
You're old, so I cut you some slack.
A leopard can never change its spots.
I have had enough. That again!
One, I am not a leopard. Two, I don't have spots.
Talking back?
Who has ruffled you? You are taking it out on me.
You don't know.
The new magistrate demands three times the protection money.
That's highway robbery.
His is a lucrative post, but no sum is too small for him.
If this goes on, the Dragon Gang will become the Beggar Gang.
Son, I've decided you should sit for the martial exams.
Becoming an official means a bright future.
It's a special arrangement, the chance doesn't come often.
Father, I can't even beat you. I won't make the cut.
Cloud Nine Pill.
Take it. It'll boost your circulation and energy right away!
And enhance your inner force,
like you are on cloud nine, and turn invincible.
That awesome?
Well? Do you feel a steam of hot air circulating inside you?
A little bit.
Do it! Yes!
Awesome.
What a boost!
The Cloud Nine Pill is something.
Sap-kau, what something?
Why are you holding a box of Yin Nourishing Pill?
Cloud Nine Pill.
It's Yin Nourishing Pill.
It's written under the box.
It's for the regulation of yin and yang.
Yin Nourishing Pill?
I said Glow Nourishing Pill.
The box should be blank with no words. What's wrong with you guys?
You tried to fool me with a fake,
to make me think I was an adept and so go sit for the martial exams.
Then you would bribe the examiner to make him win, right?
It doesn't concern you.
I want my son to make it big. What's wrong with that?
Father, it's fine to be a gangster,
but you have to be an upright one.
Stupid, if I don't pull the strings for you, you think you can make it on your own?
I am Hung Sap-kau, I stand tall.
Not only will I pass fair and square,
I'll be the champion!
Let's go. Yes.
Ignore my advice to your own peril.
Master Sap-kau, you really mean to sit for the martial exams?
Want me to prescribe you some decoction as a booster?
I am the Handsome Dragon of the capital.
I don't need such tricks.
I'll win it fair and square to show my old man.
Sap-kau, that's the spirit.
Fa. Master Sap-kau.
What? Even you are here sitting for it?
Yes.
We have an adept incognito here.
You could block it. You are an adept indeed
You are too kind.
Actually I mastered the Gecko Routine when I was five.
But a martial practitioner seemed to have no future, so I became a waiter.
I found him an adept, and there's this special exam,
so I took him here to give it a try.
If he can make it, he can serve Sire and make his family proud.
I am an adept too. It's a pity I am a woman.
Try it in your next life.
Wai, Meng, root for me.
Pull all the stops and
go to the top!
Sap-kau, go, go!
Good!
Gentlemen, there are 300 preliminary rounds for this martial exam.
This is the fourth one.
It's about time.
Candidates, go prepare yourselves at the backstage.
Yes!
I don't think I can lose.
None are presentable.
If I would lose, I'd spell my name backwards
The round is about to begin.
When your name is called,
go out and show your routine or weapon routine to the three examiners.
How do I know I have passed?
If all three of the examiners strike their gongs, you are eliminated.
No striking the gong means a pass?
It's easy.
Sap-kau, Hak Chi, I have reserved you good seats.
Thank you, Fa.
Big Brother, here you are.
Preliminary round of the Martial Exams now begins.
First one, Leung Bing.
No self-awareness at all.
Sorry, Your Honours.
Come on...take it away! How outrageous!
Sorry...I didn't mean it.
Such a poor performance! He should be eliminated.
(Pass)
What?
Thank you...
You don't get it?
It's a special exam, so everyone gets special treatment.
Good, I'll pass very easily.
Next, Dou Fai.
Dou Fai...Wake up...Dou Fai...
He passed out. So?
So he's out.
Your Honour...
(Pass)
Thank you...
Take him inside for treatment.
Really?
So it's a relief measure. Everyone gets a share?
Next, Hung Sap-kau.
Sap-kau, you look cool.
His looks alone beat others by a mile.
Big Brother, bravo...
Go...go...
Bravo...bravo...
Bravo...
Sap-kau, bravo...
Big Brother, bravo...
Sap-kau, bravo...
Bravo...
You saw that?
Yes, the examiners smiled.
Big Brother will make his family proud.
Out.
What?
I don't get it. How come I would fail?
It's showy but impractical.
Yours is for show but not the battlefield.
His routine was awesome. How could he fail?
Some dropped their weapons, hurt themselves,
or passed out at the sight of blood.
Yet they all passed.
How could Hung Sap-kau not pass?
Even dumpy frumpy ones could pass!
Hung Sap-kau looks so handsome.
He's accomplished and cuts a dashing figure.
He couldn't possibly fail.
I object!
Your Honour, you gave Hung Sap-kau short shrift.
You simply can't convince us.
I can't accept the judgment.
What about you all?
No...no...
Boo...
What nerve! You showed me disrespect?
Since it's rigged, why bother to sit for it?
I quit.
Quit!
They are playing favourites!
How dare you criticise me?
Come, throw them out. Yes.
Out...out...
I am the official. I call the shots.
Throwing me out? I hate getting kicked out.
What special exam? I say it's a national shame.
They picked weaklings for national defense?
The country is doomed.
They are worse than gangsters.
We three aren't some nobodies.
The Martial Exams is a shame.
It's lawless!
Totally crooked!
No! We won't go until we get a convincing answer.
Yes, we'll go confront the examiners!
Good!
Here they are
Your Honours...
It's palm greasing.
You should have let Master grease their palms for you.
Taking bribes in the open?
They have no regard for the law.
This is too much.
Let's catch them red-handed.
Lady Boss...
Uncle Kwa offended a bully and he got beaten up.
The bully threatens to take him to the magistracy to sue him.
What?
It this a bad day or what?
The law gets trampled on everywhere.
Who is the bully?
He's name is Wong Ba.
Sap-kau, we have to save him.
I know the priority.
We'll leave the corrupt officials for some other day.
Rescue him first.
Halt...
Halt!
Your Honour, what has Uncle Kwa done?
The rascal framed Wong Ba for taking away his field.
He deserves punishment.
I am innocent.
Wong Ba did take away my field.
Yeung Kwa.
Master Wong.
What are you doing in my field?
Master Wong, this is my field.
You old fool. You sold it to me long ago.
Signee Yeung Kwa hereby sells his acre of sweet potato field to Wong Ba,
for the sum of three taels.
This contract bears witness to the deal.
It has your fingerprint on it.
Master Wong, you know I can't read.
You lied to me and made me put my fingerprint on it.
And you stole my field.
You mean I set you up?
Drop dead!
It really is his fingerprint.
He sold the field out of his own will.
It's not reasonable.
His field is worth at least 300 taels.
How could he have sold it for three taels?
He can't read. Wong Ba cheated him.
Nonsense! I find nothing suspicious here.
Yeung Kwa framed Wong Ba for stealing his field.
It's your one-sided story.
Whatever I say is the truth.
Bullying gets you nowhere, be you an official.
My husband is Chu Cheung-sing,
third rank commander at the Phecda Bureau.
And you are just a fourth rank magistrate.
Your Honour, if you deny him a fair trial,
even if you can silence him,
you can't silence everyone here.
Right...
Indeed, we'll spread it around.
Within a day, everyone in the capital will know about your wicked deed!
Right...
You shrew, now I am going to do it by the book.
You all kneel down.
Why should we?
Indeed...
You all kneel down.
Why should we?
Indeed... We have not...
Your Honour, greetings.
Your Honour, these are the ruffians who disrupted the martial exams.
Nothing of this sort.
Your Honour, it's true.
Every candidate at the field can be witness.
Now you have anything to say?
You're framing us.
You made it up.
Brother, you are discerning.
Brother?
Brother Ba, they're not only trying to frame you for stealing a field,
they're also framing Brother Kuen graft-taking.
How outrageous!
What a trio! Brothers in crime.
So this is like a family business!
So your husband is a commander? Big deal.
How ignorant of you!
Listen carefully.
Our aunt is the Empress Dowager, scared now?
No wonder you dare to flout the law.
According to the Song Code,
causing disorder at an exams field means exile for three years.
But I'll cut the Phecda Bureau some slack. I can forget it and let you go.
Come. Yes!
Take them away.
And throw the accused into jail.
Yes, Your Honour.
Uncle Kwa, don't worry, we'll get you justice.
Go...
Uncle Kwa, hang in there.
Hang in there...
You will reap what you sowed.
Go...
Tai-lik, where's Yeung Mau?
Don't talk about her.
I don't know what's wrong with her.
She doesn't deserve the treat.
Honourable Fung, I know you eat light.
I've made you vegan dishes.
Dinghu veggies,snow fungus in clear broth...
and sweet sedge wine. Yes.
It's good for longevity.
Come on, cheers... Cheers...
There is no free lunch.
Judging from the dishes, it doesn't come cheap.
Wan-ling, what is it about?
Honey, what do you want this time?
Indeed, tell us about it.
It's about the new magistrate Wong Fat.
There are three brothers.
The eldest is Wong Ba,
the youngest Wong Kuen.
Wong Fat demands a cut of our protection money.
Wong Kuen is examiner of the Martial Exams.
He openly takes bribes. Wong Ba steals land from others.
I have long known about them.
You are knowing indeed.
So this treat was meant to ask Honourable Fung for help.
But they have the backing of Empress Dowager,
so no one dares to ruffle them.
That's why we need you to report them to Sire.
But I shouldn't cross the line.
It's the late Sire's decree
that Phecda Bureau should work in harmony with the other departments,
that we shouldn't interfere with each other's work.
If I break the late Sire's decree, it's like opening a can of worms.
But the late Sire set up the Bureau to right the wrongs in the court.
Now the Wong brothers are flouting the law,
if we want to right the wrong, it is not against the late Sire's decree.
Exactly.
The three jerks are outrageous.
If the Bureau does nothing, we can't hold our heads high.
Exactly.
I never said I would do nothing.
Hey, thank Honourable Fung.
Thank you, Honourable Fung...
Don't get carried away.
I'll just give it a try.
Don't worry, Sire is understanding. He'll make fair judgment.
Cheers...
Every year at her birthday feast,
Mother wouldn't start it without the presence of some people.
No, not me. It's the Wong brothers.
Because they have the backing of Empress Dowager,
they are building up their clique.
They will be a threat to Your Majesty sooner or later.
You want me to take on them?
It means making me Mother's thorn on her side.
Life will be difficult for me.
It's not worth it.
Allow me to be frank.
So we'll just let the brothers walk over the people?
It'll make you look bad.
What do you want me to do?
Let me have a word sent to Wong Fat,
that he should let the victim go.
You won't go back empty-handed.
I have done what I could.
And don't leak it out.
If Mother hears about it and gets mad,
The Bureau will not have peace.
And you can't blame me for it.
No more fretting. Just go back.
Yes, Sire.
Hey, let's dig in...
All the dishes here...
Oh, they look cute.
Don't touch them.
These three buns are the Wong brothers.
They are for offerings.
They stink from head to toe.
I don't think heaven will accept them as offerings.
Don't worry, once Sire gives his word,
their heads will roll,
or they'll at least be removed from their posts and exiled.
Great!
Lady Boss.
Uncle Kwa...
You've been released? That's good.
Poor you, they beat you up so terribly.
No...
Whatever, we'll get you justice.
Lady Boss, please don't get me justice ever again,
or it'll mean my death.
Lady Boss, I have nothing to thank you but sweet potatoes.
Just a little token. Please accept it.
Uncle Kwa, what happened?
You've been threatened?
Something's not right.
You shut up or the Wong brothers won't leave Uncle Kwa alone.
It'll mean his death.
Uncle Kwa knows you are kind to him,
but it won't help matters.
Right, it won't help matters. I have to go.
Uncle Kwa.
Hello! I'm fine! Just don't help me anymore.
Hubby, what did Sire say?
He refused to kill the three brothers?
Sire gives Empress Dowager wide berth.
How would he offend her for Uncle Kwa?
The best we could do was getting him released.
So there's no justice.
So there is no law.
The officials scratch one another's back!
I thought the Bureau could right the wrong.
So it's beyond the Bureau, it's even beyond Sire.
Honey, I am sorry, I have failed you.
Come on, I know you have done your best.
Hey, what are you doing?
Why are you smashing up my sweet potatoes?
It's my field. I can do whatever I like.
Let's go. Yes.
How heartless of you! What have I done to deserve it?
I have broken no laws...
You will pay for it...
Cheers... Cheers...
Here's your share.
And this is yours.
The money from seizing people's land is small change.
The money from the martial exam candidates,
and the protection money...
They add up to at least 30,000 taels.
That's why the capital is a treasure pot.
We are loaded in no time.
Taking on us? Ask Empress Dowager first.
Phecda Bureau? Just get lost!
We can get whatever we want.
Field or land,
and money will keep coming.
Go to the gate tower quick...
Come on...
Something happened in the capital?
The trampling of the law? What's the big deal?
Come on, let's go check it out.
Excuse me...
Heaven has eyes.
You three rascals asked for it.
You'll be turned into salted fish alive!
Indeed.
Let me feed you greens and sweet potatoes.
Bullseye! Get closer.
Anymore?
The basket of greens from me. Help yourselves.
Bravo! 1, 2, 3...
Even Sire gives these rascals wide berth. Who had the nerve to do that?
I know.
How did you know?
Look, they are gagged with a sweet potato, or yam.
So the one who did it was Yam Man.
It's the righteous Yam Man who has brought us justice.
As righteous as we are!
Let's do it together at the count of three.
1, 2, 3...