581 A.D., Sui Dynasty founded.
Emperor Wen of Sui defeated Northern Zhou and subjugated Late Liang.
Only Chen State remained intact
due to the natural defense provided by the Yangzi River.
Father, Chen's ruler Chen Shubao is neglecting the administration.
He indulges in sex. He doesn't care about his people.
People on the eastern river are unhappy.
If we send our troops to conquer Chen, God will be on our side.
The people will welcome us too. We can take it out and rule all the states.
Prince Jin Yang Guang, I now appoint you
the Commander-in-chief to defeat Chen State once and for all.
Yes, Sire.
Sire, Sui's 500,000 troops are now outside.
They're in high spirits. Our troops keep retreating.
Sire, you must make a decision quickly.
Have the Sui troops entered the city?
What are you guys afraid of then?
Archers, shoot.
I've given the order to gather all the troops here.
Once they arrive, the Sui troops will collapse.
What are you guys afraid of?
Sire.
Music.
Start dancing.
Come on, Sire.
Charge.
Good wine.
Xuanhua.
The Sui troops have entered the city.
It's good you've come. Listen to this tune with me.
Brother Bao, we're going to be subjugated soon.
You're still in the mood for music?
Xuanhua...
Xuanhua, you...
Run...
Run fast...
Run...
Sire is a hero.
Sui troops have come now. Chen State is defeated.
Chen Shubao's younger sister Chen Xuanhua is really beautiful.
His concubine Zhang Lihua is even prettier.
His other concubine Xiao Meiniang is the prettiest.
People say that Chen Shubao
must get her consent first before he can see her.
These women led to the downfall of his state.
Yuwen Huaji, give my order to capture these three women alive.
We have searched the Imperial Garden. Chen Shubao wasn't there.
He must be in the well. Fill it up right away. Yes, sir.
He'll die with his corpse intact.
I surrender...Please spare my life... I surrender.
Pull him up.
Heroes, please spare my life.
Three people? No wonder it was so heavy.
Thank you general for your grace.
On your knees.
You hear that? On your knees.
Thank you general for your grace.
You should kneel too.
Who are they?
They're my beloved lady Zhang Lihua and my younger sister Chen Xuanhua.
Kill them. Pretty women bewitch people and bring disasters to the state.
It's because of them that Chen was defeated. Why let them live?
General...Please have mercy...Please don't.
Stop.
They mustn't be killed.
Prince Jin wants to take them back to Sire.
Deputy Commander...
I said, kill them. Didn't you hear me?
Die!
General, please spare them.
Li Yuan Sire.
It's fine that you won't listen to me. But you dare defy Prince Jin too?
Kill them.
Who has the guts to do that?
Get out of my way.
He Rumba, you want to defy my order?
My love...
Brother Bao...
How dare you defy Prince Jin's order!
Don't forget you're just the Deputy Commander.
I, Li Yuan, am doing this for Sire and Sui. Kill her.
Your Highness...
No wonder Chen was defeated. Our soldiers are so energetic.
It's like they haven't fought enough on the battlefield.
Your Highness, I came to get the girls. But Li Yuan stopped me.
He even killed Zhang Lihua.
So? Duke Tang must have a reason for doing that.
All his decisions must be right.
You, raise your head...
You're really a devil woman. Take her away.
Prince Jin, we mustn't let this girl live.
Chen was defeated because of these girls.
They'll bring us bad luck. Please reconsider.
Duke Tang, I don't get to decide whether they get to live or die.
At first I wanted to leave it for father to decide.
But what you say is correct too. So I don't get it.
Who has the say regarding the matters of Sui?
My father or you? How about this?
Let my father make the decision again this time, OK?
Take them away.
Li Yuan.
Duke Tang is arrogant because he's favored by Sire.
I hear that he's the Crown Prince's good friend too.
You must guard against him.
The face of the girl looks like a flower with dew on it.
The tree shines in the backyard.
Flowers bloom and wither. They never last long.
They fall on the ground silently.
Prince Jin, I'm Xiao Meiniang.
Xiao Meiniang, I sent my men to look for you.
Now you've come to see me yourself.
I hear about you all the time. You're knowledgeable and brave.
You're really outstanding. You have the looks of a king.
My sword is called Sound of Fall.
It can cut a man's head off without making a sound.
If you talk nonsense again, I will kill you.
I admire heroes.
If Your Highness would allow me to follow you around,
then my wish will be fulfilled.
My father was the ruler of Liang. I was with him all the time.
I knew better than my father did
who wanted to be the king and who was competent enough.
If I'm": right,
Your Highness wants to and can become the king.
You won't live long if you're too clever.
Aren't you afraid of dying?
My state's been subjugated already. I don't care about living or dying.
But even an ant wants to live, let alone me.
I'm not afraid of dying. But I want to live.
Good.
I'm sorry...
Your Highness,
how are you going to deal with the former Chen ruler Chen Shubao?
Kill him.
God help me please...
Your Highness, you mustn't kill Chen Shubao.
You should treat him well. This will benefit you.
How's that?
Your troops have killed many people here. Now everyone in Chen State is frightened.
If you spare his life, then people in Chen state will be grateful to you.
Then they'll support you.
Don't kill him.
By Prince Jin's order and his grace, Chen Shubao will be allowed to live.
He will be taken to Sui pending further arrangements.
Thanks to Prince Jin.
Xiao Meiniang, you're really different.
I will heed your advice then. What else?
What else? I want you to promise me that
when you become the emperor, you will make me your empress.
I will follow you wherever you go.
You're ambitious.
Chen State's been taken out now. Sui will rule all the states.
My wish has come true. I'm so happy.
My son, I want to reward you substantially.
Much obliged, father and mother. I dare not claim any credit.
I was just lucky so I won the war.
Chen State's been subjugated now. The South and the North are unified.
It's all due to father's leadership and wit
as well as the effort of the generals and soldiers.
Father, please reward them
and take care of the families of those who died in the war.
I do not want anything.
Father, war is tragic. Too many people get killed.
I feel so uneasy.
I've sworn to cleanse myself and eat only vegetables.
I will also copy ten scrolls of scriptures and offer then": to Buddha.
I will pray for the country.
My son isn't just a brave fighter, he's kind too.
So fake.
Now Sui is unified. Everyone is delighted.
My daughter Yu'er will dance on a drum to express our loyalty.
Father, please allow me to dance with Princess Yu.
Prince Jin, watch out.
Sorry...
I haven't seen you for a few years. You're already a lady now.
Bravo.
I've also raised 480,000 taels of silver to renovate the Thousand Years Court.
Long live Sire.
Good. Chan State's been subjugated. The country is unified.
I will grant an amnesty.
Long live Sire.
Sire has granted an amnesty.
All criminals will be set free.
All the states and government offices must set their prisoners free.
Sir, this guy Cheng Yaojin's refusing to leave the prison.
Cheng Yaojin, you sold salt illegally. You should be executed.
There's been an amnesty now. You should be grateful. Go home.
I don't want to leave. Life is so good here.
I enjoy the food here.
You want to defy the order?
Master Cheng, if you insist on staying here,
I will lose my job, even my life.
That serves you right. Why did you arrest me in the first place?
Master Cheng, you have a mom at home.
You enjoy eating and drinking in prison. Have you ever thought about her?
Fight. Moms at home. X want to go home and see her...
No. I want to go home. But I'm broke.
I don't have food. Then I'll break the law for food.
In the end, I'll end up back here. I better stay here.
You better get out.
Master Cheng...
You can run a small business outside.
If you make money, you can buy food.
That's right.
Good idea. But I don't have the capital to run a business.
I'll do you a favor today. I'll give you some money.
Right...
Just so little? How is that enough to start a business?
Master Cheng, please don't grab the money.
I'm going home to see mom.
Pass my order. All outlaws must snatch Yang Lin's Imperial Silver at all costs.
Yes, sir.
I want to sell myself to bury my father...
Er Xian Zhuang has given the order. We must find a brave man in three days.
Let's go.
Kid, don't cry anymore. I don't have much money.
This is enough to buy a casket. Hurry and bury your dad.
Don't cry. Go...Go.
Thank you, sir.
No problem. Get up. Come on. Let me hug you.
Don't cry anymore. Listen to me. Go.
Mom...
Mom, I'm home...
Mom, I'm Ugly...Mom, I'm home.
It's my son!
Mom...Mom...
Ugly'?
Mom, I'm Ugly...
It's you!
Mom.
You're home!
Mom.
I missed you so much.
Mom.
I thought I'd never see you again. I miss you so much.
My son Ugly has come home!
I'm not going anywhere.
Sit down...
Sit down.
It's good you're home.
Son, don't leave again.
I won't leave. I'm": not going anywhere.
Don't sell salt illegally again like you did before.
Salt for sale.
Stop...You're selling salt illegally. How dare you!
Mom, hold on tight...Is this comfortable?
You're still asking? Run...
Is this like riding a horse?
Listen. Stop...
Stop...
Son, we won't run anymore.
No more running.
Let's make a living with a small business. It's good to live peacefully.
Morn, I'm just strong. I don't know how to do anything.
Let me teach you how to make wooden rakes.
Look at this.
I'll teach you. Watch and learn.
Watch. Right. Put it through here.
Mom, it comes off from here.
It's loose.
You haven't tightened it. I haven't tightened it.
Mom.
You failed to tighten it.
Mom, I'm hungry.
I'll make steamed buns for you right away.
White and big steamed buns.
It's come off again.
It's come off again. My son is so clever.
Mom, easy.
The clever Cheng Yaojin spent the whole night making wooden rakes.
But he couldn't even manage to make one.
But this didn't deter him.
Early the next morning,
he was carrying wooden rakes to the market for sale.
Too bad his neighbor worked the entire night for nothing.
Give me back my wooden rakes.
Don't chase me. I just need to sell the wooden rakes.
Then I'll buy you meat. Go home.
Stop. Give me back my wooden rakes.
It's OK. I'll buy you meat. Go home.
Stop...
Wooden rakes for sale...
Come on. Buy a rake.
Ten coppers each. Wooden rakes. Ten coppers each.
Come take a look.
How much?
Ten coppers each.
I don't want to buy.
Ten coppers.
I don't want to buy. Eight coppers.
I really don't want to buy. Seven.
Let go of me. Darn it.
I'll sell the rakes here...
Wooden rakes. Ten coppers each.
Wooden rakes. Come over here...
Buy one or you're not allowed to leave.
Beat it. Don't sell your wooden rakes here.
Didn't you see this? This is Wan's Satin Shop.
Darn it. What Wan's Satin Shop?
What are you doing?
From today on, this place belongs to the Cheng's.
Get out of my way.
We must find a brave man in three days. Let's go.
Wooden rakes for sale...
Go in.
Ten coppers for a wooden rake.
Sir, it's no big deal if you want to make trouble here.
You see that place? It's called Hui Xian Lou.
Its boss is a terrible character. Everyone fears him.
Do you dare go there? If you dare, I'll buy all your wooden rakes.
There's no place I dare not go. After you...
OK...This way please...
Come on.
Nice wine.
Come on...
Do you know who the owner of this place is?
Don't know.
Let me tell you. He lives in Ru Nan Zhuang five miles from here.
His name is You Tong, aka You Junda. His nickname's Iron Face Judge.
He's a terrible character. His place is his turf.
You must pay whatever he charges you when you eat here.
If you don't, he'll beat you up. We mustn't offend him.
Darn it.
Mind what you say. Shush.
If he hears what you say, he won't let you leave this place in one piece.
Darn it. I really want to meet him.
When he comes later, just eat and drink.
Don't make trouble.
If he yells at you, just pretend you didn't hear it.
If he hits you, greet him. Kowtow to him ten times too.
Maybe he'll buy you a drink if he's in the mood.
Darn it. I'll tear down this place today.
Master Cheng...Please don't do that.
Tear it down.
You better watch out. Tear it down.
I'm going...
Sir, what are you doing? Why did you break the things?
I even want to beat you up.
He's hitting people...Run...
Come on...
Did you trip?
There's a lunatic.
Come on. Play with me.
Kt hurts.
This guy is so barbarous. He broke things.
I dare you to come over here. The owner has come.
Could he be an outlaw? Why don't I test him first?
Is your last name He?
What do you mean He? My last name is Cheng.
So you eat uncooked rice?
That would damage my teeth.
It appears he's not one of us...
How dare you make trouble in my Hui Xian Lou?
I'll even burn it down if I feel like it.
How dare you! I'll kill you.
Come on. Kill me if you can.
Do you know I'm": You Tong, aka You Junda?
I know you're that iron wok You Da.
Come on. Stab me. I've drunk the wine already. Stab me, kid.
Fine. You have guts. I dare you to follow me.
I'll go anywhere you take me. Lead the way!
Let's go.
This is...?
Big brother, I admire heroes most. I've been looking for one for years.
Today I finally ran into a hero. I want to become your sworn brother.
What do you think?
I like making friends most. I have many friends.
Really? Yes.
Come on. Don't miss this chance. Come with me.
Big brother, repeat after me.
OK. Go ahead.
Chu Neng.
Big brother, Master Da.
Big brother, repeat after me...
God be our witness.
Today I, You Junda...
Today I, Cheng Yaojin...
will become sworn brothers...
We don't ask to have the same birthday...
What do we ask for then?
We don't ask for... We may not have been born on the same day.
Right.
But we ask to die on the same day.
If I break this vow...
I'll die terribly...
Come on, Big brother. Offer the joss-sticks...
Come on...Be careful...
Come on. Let's kowtow.
My brother.
Big brother
My brother.
Big brother, we're sworn brothers now. We're family.
Right. We're family.
Who else is there in your family?
My mother.
Bring my mom here.
Go bring Mom here.
Right.
Prepare a banquet. I want to drink with my brother.
Let's drink.
Let's go.
Let's go inside.
Whoever offends me, dies.
Die...
Whoever gets in my way, I'll kill him.
Kill...
Your swordsmanship is so good.
Last time, on the day, Brother Guang came back,
you two had a duel.
You flicked your sword and messed up his hair.
Please show me how to do that.
I remember you said you wanted to learn sword fighting.
But it takes time to learn. Let's go.
Kill...
Princess Qionghau, Princess Yu, you've come?
Sis Yu'er promised to teach me sword fighting.
But I don't even have a sword.
You have so many weapons here. Please pick a sword for me.
OK...
This one please, Princess Qionghua.
Thank you, General.
Your Highness.
Thank you for helping me in the main hall last time.
Don't mention it.
You must watch your back in the palace.
I will-.
This is my favorite dagger. Let me give it to you.
It's really beautiful.
But this is your favorite dagger. How could I take it?
If you don't like it, just throw it away.
You haven't changed at all. Thank you.
Goodbye.
Father...
Where did this badge come from?
You don't need to know that.
The only thing you need to do is act according to the instructions on this badge
and rob Lord Mount of his Imperial Silver for the palace.
Is this Prince Jin's idea? Father, this is a capital offence.
Is this a question you should ask? Just do your job well.
Yes.
You want to turn against me? Let go...
Just do whatever I tell you to do. If you fail, you will be punished.
Prince Jin's House
Stop playing...
Your Highness...
Drink.
So it's really worth risking my life to hide you here.
Of course...
This is a gift from Princess Yu, daughter of Lord Mount.
Open it.
What is this?
I know you can't forget Princess Yu.
SQ?
Lord Mount Yang Lin is your uncle. So Princess Yu is your younger sister.
I sleep with all women except my mother and my daughters.