Sire, your Order's been carried out.
Lord Yue and Honorable Gao are here.
Bring them in. Yes.
Sire... Sire...
Highness.
Lord Yue, Gao Jiong, you're both loyal and capable courtiers,
I've long considered you my confidants.
Now that my health is too poor to run the country.
I hope you'll assist Crown Prince in maintaining the Sui reign.
Sire, take good care of yourself.
But the Crown Prince...
Sire, we will not fail you.
We'll do everything we can for His Highness.
As for court affairs, Crown Prince is green.
He'll report to me on the first and fifteenth of every month.
You both should report his shortcomings to me as well.
Sire, you're thoughtful indeed.
Crown Prince will be a judicious emperor in the future.
Your order will be carried out.
You may go.
Sire, let's get a royal concubine to wait on you day and night,
or I'll worry.
I want no royal concubines, nor do I dare.
Sire, you're reading too much into it.
Alright, summon Lady Xuanhua,
let her wait on me from now on.
Yes, let me go fetch her from Penalty Court right away.
Sire, it won't take long.
After this farewell,
the next time we'll meet will probably be Aunt's birthday.
Right, Cousin, till then.
Take care.
Cousin, you take care too.
Your Honor, what happened up front?
Listen!
Let's retrace the horse's steps and check it out.
Go help him... Yes.
Buddy... You alright?
He's come to.
General, where are you employed?
Why seek death? Indeed...
My name is Shangguan Di,
I'm under Lord Mount Yang Lin's employment.
Lord Mount... Yang Lin...
The 13th of the first month is Duke Yue Yang Su's birthday.
I was ordered to escort two priceless
treasures to Chang'an,
but we met bandits on the way.
Bandits...
Kill...
The two treasures were taken away.
Two of my men were also taken.
Some were killed and others fled.
I managed to escape alone.
With the treasures lost,
I was too ashamed to return to Dengzhou to report it.
I had no choice but to hang myself.
General Shangguan, don't worry.
Now that we know about this, we won't leave you to yourself.
Right...
Brother Shangguan, we'll recover your lost treasures.
But promise us, don't seek death again.
Right, buddy... Good...
Your Honor, we have to deliver the birthday present.
Come on...
If the treasures can be recovered and my life spared,
my family would be grateful to you all.
Don't stand on ceremony with us.
Brother Shangguan, lead the way.
Good. Let's go.
Let's go.
Brother Qin, here they are.
Boy, I spared your life,
now you're back with help?
Sir, please do us a favor,
return his treasures to him.
You want the treasures?
Sure, just take my... Hammer...
Shut up...
My hammers...
let me hammer you into mincemeat.
Then you'll see.
Guys... Yes...
Get me my horse. Yes...
A new one has to be made again.
Guys, run...
The hammers aren't made of iron,
they're made of paper.
Big Brother.
Big Brother, here they are.
We have taken friends for foes.
They're friends.
He... Come on.
Let me introduce...
Brother Qiong.
I didn't know you were here,
or I'd have come to welcome you.
Brother Wang, Brother Xie,
Why is it you two?
Guoyuan, Ruhui, he's the Shandong hero I told you about.
Qin Qiong, aka Qin Shubao, is known as Master Fist or the Chivalrous.
Uncle Qin...
Brother Qiong, this one with hammers is Qi Biao, aka Qi Guoyuan.
A buddy of mine.
He's Li Bao, aka Li Ruhui. One of us outlaws.
It's a misunderstanding...
Misunderstanding...
Don't stand on ceremony.
Brother Qiong, it's getting late.
This is not a place to chat.
Let's go up for a reunion. Good
I see.
Brother Qiong, you may not know,
we of Mount Shaohua have some rules.
We don't rob the poor or small merchants, or monks or women and children.
We may even give money to the destitute.
However, if the gentry, officials or the wicked rich pass by here,
then they're fair game.
Since Brother Qiong's made this request,
how can we say no?
Come, bring out the treasures and men we just got.
Why so impatient? It won't go missing.
Right.
The pearl lantern and the jade figurine are here.
Brother Qiong, thank you for saving my neck.
Brother Shangguan, get up.
You should thank the head here instead.
Thank you.
It's all because of Brother Qiong that we did you this favor.
You should have checked first,
we are mortal enemies with officials.
It was only on account of Brother Qiong,
otherwise, what's brought here is never returned.
Don't forget you owe Brother Qiong a big favor.
Yes...
Brother Qin, you not only saved my life,
you've saved my men, and recovered the treasures for us.
I really should repay you.
But I still have a duty to execute,
I can't stay long.
Your favor will always be remembered.
I'll repay you with my life when the chance comes.
Brother Shangguan, no thanks needed.
I used to be a constable,
I know what that life is like.
Brother Shangguan, no one will stop you now, just set out.
Brother Qin, until we meet again.
If you get into trouble again,
don't seek death, come to me.
Yes.
Brother Wang, you're the first ever Civil and Military Champion
who became an outlaw.
Brother Qiong, if I hadn't killed the corrupt official Liu Dapeng,
deserted my position and fled Chang'an,
I wouldn't have known there was another horizon besides seeking officialdom.
Back then you urged me to seek officialdom and serve the court.
It's in the past.
If we want to serve the people by becoming an honest official in court,
the court has to be honest first.
The court we have now is corrupt and doesn't consider the welfare of the people.
They ignore their jobs and duties.
You may have abandoned your official position,
but you have not abandoned your commitment to do justice.
Bandits can serve the people too,
what's an official rank to you?
Brother Qiong, you're escorting valuables to the capital,
could you do me a favor?
We're brothers, just be frank,
don't stand on ceremony with me.
Alright.
When I fled Chang'an, I still had an unsettled affair there.
Many questions are still unanswered.
So I want to go there again.
But Tongquan inspection is tight.
Without proper document,
there's no way can I get to Chang'an.
I have talked to Brother Wang,
We'd like to get in through you,
what do you think?
I see.
Right, how many are going?
The four of us brothers.
We want to have our eyes opened there.
My document is for five people.
Aside from me, there are my men Zhang Zhuan, Yang He, Li Ji and He Hui.
If the four of you want to go,
I'll leave my men here on the mount.
The four of you can pose as them.
This is the safest way.
I wonder if my four men here would like to do you this favor.
Gentlemen, you can take a break here.
You'll be treated as our guests.
There will also be a little token for you, please don't refuse it.
As long as the birthday present gets delivered on time,
we have no objections.
Neither do we, Brother Qiong.
Since we're going to pose as them,
let's decide on our names now
to prevent mishaps during inspection.
You have a point.
We're making this trip to the capital
on Jinan Governor Tang Bi's order,
to deliver a birthday present to Duke Yue Yang Su.
Brother Wang, you be Zhang Zhuan.
Good.
Brother Xie will be Yang He.
Brother Qi will be Li Ji,
And Brother Li will be He Hui.
Don't forget our own name.
We'll set out tomorrow morning.
We're going to the capital.
Your Honor, Mr Li here.
Your Honor, I'm Li Wannian,
I've long wanted to meet Viceroy Li, but the chance never came.
Then I heard you were looking for a teacher for your fourth son.
So I'm here to apply for the position.
Mr Li, please sit.
Thank you.
Mr Li, this son of mine is different from other young men.
How different?
He can't read at all, you have to start from the basics.
Your Honor, learning is not about level of difficulty, it's about comprehensiveness.
It's good to start with a clean slate.
Good, call Yuanba. Yes.
Yuanba. Father.
Greet your teacher.
This is your new teacher Mr Li.
Greetings.
What's your name?
Li Yuanba.
How many brothers do you have? And your seniority?
I have three elder brothers, no younger brothers.
Your Honor, he has potential.
Good. Mr Li, I'm counting on you.
If you can put some learning into him,
you'll be handsomely rewarded.
Yuanba, what do you like most?
I...like money the most.
Money can buy me treats.
Good, let's start with money today.
Look, this is the character "money".
We live to make money.
Without money, we are nothing,
Without money, we can't live.
Everyone has to make money, we have to use money.
This is the character "money",
Commit it to memory.
It's done...
We all love spending money...
Right...
Yuanba, what else do you like?
I love listening to the story of the Three Kingdoms.
Who are your favorite characters?
Zhao Zilong, Zhang Fei, Lu Bu, Sun Quan...
Good...quite a lot.
Yuanba, let me teach you the characters Zhao and Sun then.
This is the character "Zhao".
The Zhao of Invincible General Zhao Zilong in the Three Kingdoms.
Commit it to memory.
Zhao. Right.
You do have potential.
Now the character "Sun" in Sun Quan.
Yuanba, this is also the character for "grandson".
You call your father's father grandfather,
what does your grandfather call you?
Grandson.
That's right.
Yuanba, you're smart indeed. You're getting smarter by the hour.
That's all for today.
Smart...
Teacher...
What is your name?
Yuanba, good question.
My family name is Li, I'm Li Wannian.
The last character for the day: Li.
Good.
Yuanba, let me write it for you.
Your family name is Li, my family name is Li.
I'm Li Wannian, you're Li Yuanba.
You're a Li, I'm a Li.
We have the same family name, Li.
Commit it to memory.
Done, Li.
It's so delicious.
Father.
Yuanba, your teacher said you've made good progress.
Let me test you.
Yuanba, what is this character?
Take your time.
That is...I knew it a moment ago.
Who? What do you like?
I remember now.
Then tell us.
What is this character?
Tell your father.
Zhao Zilong likes to spend money,
my grandson is Li Wannian.
That's outrageous!
I got them right.
Yuanba, enjoy your chicken.
Take your time. Delicious...
Enjoy.
Delicious... Have more...
This is...
Your Honor, I'm incompetent,
I don't think I can teach Master Yuanba-.
I'm returning the money to you now.
I bid you goodbye.
Mr Li, take the money with you.
Your Honor, take care.
Master Yuanba has his own destiny.
Please excuse me.
Yuanba... Teacher...
You...
Father, why is Teacher leaving?
It's because of you.
If he can't learn, it's the teacher's fault
If he's not up to it, we'll find another.
You've spoiled him.
Children are the dearest to their mother.
If I don't spoil him, who will?
Father, find me another teacher.
I love learning.
Reverend Yuan...
Please forgive me for not welcoming you in.
Yuanba has an extraordinary face. He has immense strength,
He's no ordinary man.
Your Honor, please don't try to rein him in the usual way.
It's our misfortune that we have such an unruly son.
Reverend, you have no idea.
He's already such a mess on a tight leash.
If we let him run free, I dare not imagine what might happen.
Things in the world run on karma.
I'll take him back with me later to mentor him.
Your Honor won't have to worry about him.
Thank you indeed.
Father, I've checked out every corner of Shanxi,
but there's no news of our benefactor.
It's as if he were sent by heaven.
Get some men to build him a Qiong Wu temple so we can offer thanks,
without delay.
Yes.
Brother Qiong... Thanks.
Brother Xie, Brother Wang.
Brother, you guys take a break here,
I'll go check out the mount.
No, we're setting out after we've eaten.
Your running around may delay us.
Please, let me check it out.
The scenery here is much prettier than Mount Shaohua.
I'm telling you, if you won't let me go,
I'll die with regrets.
Guoyuan...
Brother Wang...
How about this? Let me keep an eye on him.
I'll go with him, we'll rush up back.
It won't take much time.
Brother Qiong. Brother Wang.
We have to stay here for some time,
let them go.
Alright, hurry back.
Thank you, Brother Qiong.
Don't get into trouble.
I'm not an eight year old.
Bye...
Brother Xie, Brother Wang, I'll go keep an eye on him.
Have some water.
Qi, a temple here. Let's check it out.
Sure, why not? Come on.
Ru Hui, you can read,
what does that say?
Qiong Wu Hall
Qiong Wu Hall? What does that mean?
I don't know.
You don't know? And you say you can read.
You said I can read.
You're the one who asked me.
Ruhui, don't pray so fast.
What?
Look carefully,
doesn't the statue look like Brother Qiong?
He...who else but Brother Qiong!
Who put his statue here to be worshipped?
We only make offerings to the dead,
never to the living.
It's a curse on Brother Qiong.
Whoever built this is wicked.
If we hadn't come up, we'd never know.
How outrageous!
What should we do?
Tear the temple down and wreck the statue.
Right, exactly.
Tear it down...
Heaven bless us...
Heaven bless us?
Where did this Taoist monk come from?
I find it strange too, this is a temple.
You should be in a Taoist temple.
What are you doing here?
Heaven bless us.
My mind is my temple. Wherever I am is the temple.
I was asked to stay here for the time being.
Why are you here wrecking it?
I'm wrecking it, so?
We have no feud, why this enmity?
How dare you? Let me...
Don't stop me.
I must teach him a lesson today.
Stop talking, let me beat you up.
Right.
I'm not good at fighting.
He's chickening out.
If you two insist,
I have a way to beat you fair and square.
But if you two lose,
you will apologize and never come vandalize things here again.
You...just say it.
How will you beat us fair and square?
Tell us.
Please come with me.
Go with you? We're not afraid.
Go...
Go...we're not afraid of him.
Come on.
Gentlemen, look.
A group of kids.
Taoist monk, you can't beat us,
you want to use these kids as scapegoats?
What a coward.
I think you'll definitely lose.
Kids, come on over...listen to me.
What trick he is playing?
What kind of trick?
We'll deal with whatever he does.
The worst is asking the kids to pull our legs, so he can flee.
Don't fall for his trap.
Buddy, don't worry.
I'll be on the lookout for you,
just go for it.
Just do as I said. Remember...
Down...
Rascal...
This Seven Hallow Bamboos Formation
is a bane to impatient men.
It works every time.
I got one, give me a hand.
Qi, it's me, let go!
It's you? How come?
Easy...
Don't worry, I'll go get Brother Qiong to help you.
Qi!
Help!
Taoist monk, just you wait.
Qi, how disloyal of you! Qi...
Just you wait.
You...
Reverend, I'm Chai Shao.
Our Master Yuanba's illness is back,
he's making a scene at home.
Duke Tang bid us to ask you to come.
Let me go with you right away.
But this man wanted to wreck the statue of Qiong Wu,
he has malicious intent.
Take him to Honorable Li and get the truth from him.
Good.
What are you doing?
Where are you taking me?
Let go of me...let go...
Let go of me...
Please.
Brother Wang, Brother Qiong...
What is it?
It's serious...
Li Ruhui was taken away.
What?
Go save him.
What happened?
Take us to him.
Let me out...
Yuanba, calm down...
Let me out...
Shimin, maybe we should let him out.
No, his mania is at its height.
If we let him out,
and there's no way for him to let off steam,
it may cause him internal damage.
Let's just wait. Reverend will be here soon.
Everyone let go.
Brother Qiong, here we are.
That's where the Taoist monk was.
There's a statue of you here.
Oh yes, and some kids,
let me go get them.
Brother Wang, you guys keep an eye here.
That statue...
Brother Qiong, it really is you.
Hold him tight.
Yuanba, I'm your brother Shimin. Do you hear me?
Yuanba.
Please.
Let go of me... Be quiet...
This is bullying... Be quiet...
Let go of me... Be Quiet...
They're the kids.
The Taoist monk said something to them,
and they did some formation.
They got Li Ruhui.
You couldn't beat these kids?
I...
The man Brother Qi met is an adept.
Kid, tell me,
where is the man we're looking for?
Honorable Chai took him and the Taoist monk to the House of Duke Tang.
Honorable Chai?
Duke Tang?
Taiyuan Viceroy Li Yuan?
Let's go.
You're leaving? What about the kids?
Play with us...
Don't get in my way. Don't come over, go away...
Stop following me...
Heaven bless us...Greetings, Honorable Li.
Reverend Xu, not a moment too soon.
Since his sudden illness last time,
my son has gotten stronger and stronger.
When his illness returns, he doesn't recognize me or Shimin.
Be careful.
Don't harm him...
Reverend Xu, please help us.
Father, now that Reverend Xu is here,
he'll have a way to help Yuanba.
Master Shimin, I need ropes of several fingers' thick,
the longer the better,
and a bucket of water.
Yes, I go get them.
What's inside is some tranquilizing incense that I prepared.
I'll write you a prescription,
Prepare the medication as prescribed,
and give it to him once every five days.
His illness won't come back then.
Great, thank you.
Heaven bless us. It's my pleasure.
We have guests.
Come on, clean up the place. Yes
Heaven bless us, how are you doing?
It's been some time.
Brother Qiong, this monk took Li Ruhui.
Benefactor, my gratitude.
Duke Tang, please don't stand on ceremony.
Thank you for saving me.