I die
for the revolution.
No Chinese woman has yet shed blood for the revolution.
I will be the first.
It will build an indestructable home
for everyone,
and a peaceful and calm world for all children.
The long-enslaved masses
are numb,
they know neither peace, nor calm.
These two children
will soon lose their mother.
I die for all children.
I die for the revolution.
I'm not afraid, nor do I care about death.
I rejoice at my martyrdom.
At this moment
I cry with blissful tears.
Put the donation boxes where people can see them.
Go over to the door.
Be vigilant.
Yes.
Let Mr. Sun rest.
Don't disturb him.
Yes.
Juemin.
Who's that?
Who?
Look.
What?
Let's go, quickly!
Get up, there's a woman here.
Don't bother, just go!
Keqiang.
It's time to get up.
Get up.
Give me three more minutes.
Fine.
One minute left.
I can't sleep!
I need to go to Guangzhou for the attack.
What?
Did you forget about the committee's decision last night?
Huang Xing leads the Guangzhou uprising.
Sun Wen handles fundraising overseas.
We voted! You promised.
Promised?
Promised!
These are donations from abroad.
Chinese people from overseas who helped us.
I promised them.
I can't fail them.
I need to carry out my pledge to them.
It's not a personal promise
but Tongmenghui's promise!
They wrote these letters.
Who's she?
Zonghan!
Xu Zonghan.
Tongmenghui member from my village.
Hi, I'm Huang Xing.
Zonghan coordinates the underground organizations in Guangzhou.
You two will pretend to be husband and wife.
It's the perfect cover.
No, it's not right.
Why is it not right?
I'm a woman and I don't care.
What are you afraid of?
It's easy to die in battle,
but hard to motivate the living.
You have the more difficult job.
The Guangzhou uprising will eliminate the Qing Dynasty!
Take this pocket watch.
On the day of the uprising,
we'll monitor time together.
Go!
Charge!
Quickly!
Blow up this wall!
Yes.
How dare you revolt against us!
You damn revolutionary!
You dare revolt!
Where's Zhang Mingqi?
Quickly!
Quick!
Yat-sen, the men taking part in the uprising
know me better.
It's easier for me to coordinate...
Nonsense!
I can wield my pen
and a scalpel,
so why not a gun?
Don't forget
you're still wanted by the Qing court.
You can't risk it!
If you go to China to lead the attack,
then you are being irresponsible.
Back up! Everyone!
Listen to my command!
Attack from the sides.
Okay!
Hand grenades!
Here.
Follow me.
Charge!
Keqiang!
Don't worry about me! Charge!
Charge!
Yu Peilun!
Over here!
We can't seem to get in touch with the other groups.
Zhang Mingqi ran away.
Keqiang said,
if the uprising fails,
you need to inform Sun Wen immediately.
What else did he say?
He said,
if he's not back by dusk,
then you need to leave Guangzhou immediately.
Quickly!
Go away! Go away!
Run!
What are you doing?
Run!
Let go of me!
Let me go!
Gentlemen,
our fundraiser today was originally organized
for the Guangzhou uprising.
But just now,
I received news.
Fighting in Guangzhou has ceased.
The uprising has failed.
Failed again? Why?
The telegram states,
the uprising failed.
Many of our core members are dead.
You never met them,
but these young people who died were smart, talented.
Some came from rich families,
some had just gotten married.
They were willing to sacrifice themselves
at whatever cost.
They sacrificed their lives for the cause
because they had faith.
What do your lies
have to do with us?
Good question.
Most of you gathered here
are Chinese people from overseas.
You know well
that our faces mark us as being Chinese,
and we've suffered discrimination
and bullying.
We've endured unfair treatment.
All because our country
has long been corrupt
and weak,
writhing in pain.
Chinese citizens
have faced adversity,
our land taken by others.
This revolution
ensures that our people pursue happiness,
and that our race regains its dignity.
The Chinese revolutionary movement
is blessed by the support of Chinese people from abroad.
For many years,
I have strongly believed that
Overseas Chinese people are the mother of the revolution.
Gentlemen,
your children
have died for you.
Fang Shengdong.
Lin Shishuang.
Yu Peilun.
Chen Gengxin.
Lin Juemin.
This young man will soon be a father.
US$300,000.
A donation from Zhigongtang.
I'm going to be frank with you.
We sold our house that has been passed down from our family.
Yat-sen.
We are from overseas,
but our roots are here now.
The Qing Dynasty is no longer our home.
If we don't have a place we can call 'home'
then what need do we have for an ancestral house?
Take it.
If the revolution fails,
you'll owe us for generations.
Another one!
Yat-sen.
Your pocket watch
can block bullets,
but not cannon shells.
Fire!
Empress Dowager,
I hear
Sun Wen escaped the country a long time ago.
He hasn't been back to China in over a decade.
We may want to arrest him,
but it's going to be hard.
Didn't we inform our ambassadors
and foreign governments
to look out for Sun, and that
they need to monitor his movements?
But Sun gives public lectures everywhere,
raising money, organizing rebels,
trafficking arms, plotting uprisings...
Minister Xu, aren't you exaggerating a bit?
We have not seen him.
He's only a man,
he's not the Monkey King.
Young master!
What power can he use?
Sun's done enough to disturb things.
Nowadays, there seems to be unrest everywhere.
Rebellions are following one another.
Sun's been misleading people with his lies,
and so many are now following him.
What a troublemaker.
If he dares to enter the Forbidden City,
our Manchurian imperial army will kill him.
Yes,
let's just annihilate
Sun Wen and his supporters
We'll destroy them once and for all.
Stop carrying on like this.
No matter if we kill them,
or praise or punish them,
or whatever other situation,
All I have to say is,
Please, all of you,
let us have some peace.
Recently,
the mortgage of our railways
against the Four Nations Bank loan
has led to riots.
What's the use of your rifles?
Tell them:
if they revolt,
they will all die vain!
Hello, your Royal Highness!
This is a car used by British royalty.
As a member of Chinese royalty, you should let me drive it.
Please.
You've come because of the Sichuan railways?
The loan agreements between our countries and
the mortgage of your railways cannot be
written off.
That's the problem.
I knew it.
The mortgage of the Sichuan and Guangdong railways
against your loan
will lead to trouble later on down the road.
If you take the railways by force,
it will be a catastrophe!
My dear lord, can't we find a solution?
Look at this invention.
It's an iron machine.
It can move forward and backwards,
left and right,
however you wish.
My lord,
please enjoy this humble gift
and steer it in the right direction!
Mr. Ambassador,
we've already sent troops from Wuchang
to stop the riots in Sichuan.
So don't worry.
Your Royal Highness, you're a great strategist.
You're the one holding the steering wheel.
You're the one with the money,
and the naval fleets.
You've always been a better businessman than us.
In 50 years,
this car you are giving me
will be scrap metal,
but my little gift to you
will be priceless.
Thank you.
Open the door!
Quickly, open the door Keqiang!
I know you're in there.
Open it!
Huang Keqiang!
Huang Keqiang,
open the door!
Open the door right now!
What are you doing?
Put that down!
Give it to me!
Let go!
What are you doing?
What do you think you're doing?
You can't kill yourself!
I know you saw
all of them die.
I know
we failed.
I'm not trying to kill myself.
I want to keep my hand
so that I can still use a gun.
Help me,
chop my finger off!
No! No!
So we failed,
we've failed before.
No!
What is that? Let me see!
Children,
do you know what the telegram says?
No.
Huang Keqiang is alive!
Fate has been kind!
Who's he?
What does Huang Keqiang look like?
Huang Keqiang
is a strong and determined man,
a man who will not die.
He's like a General sent from Heaven! We don't know him.
But do you know Homer Lea?
Yes. I know where he is.
Take me to him, please.
Yes.
Where's Homer Lea?
There.
Mr. Lea,
tell me.
Why are you so interested in the Chinese revolution?
Nowadays,
the Chinese revolution is the only thing
that can make exciting history.
Exciting?
That's not what our revolution is about.
Then why a revolution
I was once a doctor.
I used to save a lot of lives
with my scalpel.
But sadly,
in my country.
Life is so miserable
it might be even worse than death.
I always wondered
why my compatriots
have to endure their lives with no dignity.
They survive like animals
with very basic needs,
suffering the oppression from the ruling class
and foreign powers.
Now,
I cannot accept it,
I will not accept it!
I want to change!
I want a revolution!
Come,
I'll show you.
Recently, in Sichuan,
the central part of China, the people have launched a movement
of protecting railway projects against
the hopelessly corrupt Qing government.
It is said that the Qing government
has to mobilize the army from Hubei province to Sichuan.
What they don't know
is many officers who stayed behind
in the army of Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangsu,
are active members of Tongmenghui and the Restoration League.
I have a feeling
that in the south of Yangtze River,
an even bigger movement
will take hold.
I want to join your revolution!
That's fine.
I would like to invite you
to join the Chinese revolution as a military advisor,
but I'm afraid I cannot afford you and pay you the attention that you deserve!
This.
This is not about money.
It's about you, Sun.
You must be China's first president.
I promise.
Peng Chufan.
Liu Fuji. Yang Hongsheng.
These three men plotted a mutiny.
Heaven's punishment is upon them.
We execute them today
as a warning to everyone.
Among you...
Governor,
we have the list of names. What should we do?
What can we do with
those rebels from Gongjinhui?
Starting right now,
kill everyone on the list!
No one will be spared.
All of you,
did this to yourselves!
The Qing court supports
and protects you,
but yet you conspire to rebel,
following such criminals as Sun Wen.
That is the behavior of disrespectful sons...
What are you doing?
Stop, you two!
What are your names?
Xiong Bingkun of the 8th regiment, 8th battalion!
Jin Zhaolong of the 8th regiment, 8th battalion!
At ease.
We're in a crisis.
There's no need to be so hot-tempered.
Yes, sir!
What's going on?
A mutiny?
Why are you not sleeping?
What do you want?
This is a mutiny!
Tao Qisheng!
Brother,
put down your rifle.
I'm leading a mutiny!
How many more will you kill?
You're lucky that
I'm aiming at you.
Brother,
this is not a joke.
If we don't do it now, then when?
Help!
Tell Zhang Zhenwu to bring two of his battalions.
Aim all artillery at the Governor's mansion.
When Xiong Bingkun lights the torch,
fire at the mansion!
Yes!
Charge!
Hand grenades!
Go!
Jin Zhaolong!
Jin Zhaolong, Xiong Bingkun!
Lead two platoons.
Order everyone to bring gas canisters.
Rush in to fuel the fire.
Light the target!
Yes!
Quickly!
Ready,
aim at the Governor's mansion.
Load!
Done!
Fire!
Load!
Fire!
Yat-sen!
Hey, what's going on in here?
What are you guys doing?
Come on. You can't do that in here. Stop running!
Yat-sen! The revolution was a success!
Sorry!
Hey, what's the matter with you?
On October 10,
The Revolutionary army took over Wuchang.
Governor Ruicheng fled overnight!
Wuchang revolutionaries sent telegraphs through out the entire country,
asking them to join in the rebellion! The world is in shock!
Yat-sen.
You need to return to China immediately!
I'll get a boat ticket for you.
It will only take you 20 days across the Pacific, then you'll be in Shanghai.
It happened in Wuchang...
Send a telegram to Keqiang in Hong Kong,
tell him to travel to Wuchang to lead the revolution.
Yes, sir.
Sun,
I'm ready.
I'll go to China with you!
No, no, no, no.
I'm going to Europe first.
Huang Xing is much better than me to handle this in China.
Why?
The unrest in China
will be closely linked to the Qing court's
Four Nation Bank loan.
The court's out of money now,
but if they get the loan,
they can stop the revolution.
Reserve tickets to Europe!
Zonghan,
don't worry about making dinner.
We're running out of time.
Put it down.
Why are you so anxious?
You won't need this.
The battle in Wuchang will be intense.
I'm concerned about your safety.
What about your own safety?
Don't worry.
I'm not going to die!
Fate will be kind to me!
I should go now.
Go.
Empress Dowager,
I would like to submit a request.
What do you want, Royal Prince?
Food and supplies precede an army.
There's an old saying...
Just tell me what you want,
and stop talking in quotes!
In my opinion...
we need to finalize the loan
from the Four Nations Bank,
so that we have less to worry about later.
Haven't we been discussing this for months?
Why haven't we finalized it yet?
The Four Nations Bank feels
like we're being too indecisive
about mortgaging our railways.
There's been a lot of criticism.
People say that
we're giving away our sovereignty.
If we're not the rulers here,
is this even considered a country?
General Li,
we're running out of time, please decide!
I've treated you well.
Why are you making it so difficult for me?
We want you to lead the military government.
We're not making it difficult.
Drop your gun!
Put it down!
General Li,
you've treated us well.
We hope that you'll lead the military government.
You have a lot of great talent among the revolutionary ranks.
Why don't you ask Sun Wen to be your leader?
Li Yuanhong!
The revolutionary party will select our leaders.
At present
Sun Wen is still abroad,
and Huang Keqiang is on his way here.
That's why we are offering this to you.
Li Yuanhong.
Do you understand the situation?
I will give up my position in the Qing court,
but I do not want to become a revolutionary official.
I just want to return home!
You have no idea what's really going on.
Even though Ruicheng and Zhang Biao have gone into hiding,
if the court's troops were to counterattack,
they could destroy Wuchang in one second!
Come back!
Stop!
Come back!
Go!
Stop!
Go!
Lie down!
Yin Chang's firing at us from a German battleship!
General Li,
are you all right?
What damned battle is this?
I'm going to die all because of you!
Remove the ammunition, quickly!
We'll all die together!
You'll be a revolutionary martyr.
Li Yuanhong, General of the Mixed Brigade.
I'm Military Governor Li Yuanhong!
If you want to live,
return to your stations!
Attention!
Yes!
Target: Battleship "Chuyu"
Distance: 2400 feet!
Load!
Prepare for rapid firing, first round!
Rapid firing, first round!
Fire!
Distance:
2350 miles,
25 degrees to the right.
Load!
Fire all three cannons!
Fire!
Cease fire!
Why did we stop?
I'm the Military Governor,
I make all the decisions.
Why did they stop?
They ran out of ammunition?
Doesn't look like it.
Should we fire back to test them?
What for?
Better keep our lives. Run!
Run!
Even if we annihilate Yin Chang,
so what?
He's of no consequence.
The real battle is ahead of us.
Yes.
Do you want to cut my hair?
Fine!
Come.
Since you revolutionaries have bestowed such an honor on me,
I'll be presumptuous and break the law.
Father!
Good news!
You scared away my fish.
You're coming out of seclusion!
You can't hold your horses, can you?
General, Huafu is here.
Huafu.
Let's show
the revolutionaries and those in the Forbidden City
our great Beiyang Army
and our great power.
Yes.
Distance at 500.
Load.
Ready.
Fire!
Alcohol.
Keqiang.
Where should we go?
Wherever there's heavy gunfire!
Make way!
Commander!
Avoid gunfire!
Hide in the trenches with your squad!
Hide in the trenches!
Don't run!
Go back!
Don't run!
Go back and get your gun!
Remember,
a live soldier is useless
without his weapon. Understand?
Enemy positions have advanced.
Once they cover their firing range,
the infantry will attack.
The key to combat is to avoid gunfire.
Yes.
Idiot,
trying to run away. I'll kill you.
Drop your gun!
That's Huang Xing, our Commander.
Salute!
I command all of you,
from now on,
follow my orders!
Yes, sir!
Always be prepared to go to the front line.
Yes!
We completely torched Hankou.
It was a great offense.
But now,
we will wait.
If the revolutionaries can be defeated that easily,
then that means the country still belongs to the Qing court.
If the Qing court is also weak,
the revolutionaries could seize power.
Somehow,
we must get our share of it.
Here's my condition:
I take full power over the army and its supplies.
Now
Empress Dowager Longyu and the princes must know that
they either get the loan from the Four Nations Bank,
or there'll be no more battle.
Regarding the revolutionaries...
Should we contact Li Yuanhong and see what he says?
He's not a revolutionary.
In the long run,
we need to find someone who is connected with
Sun Yat-sen and Huang Xing.
Reporting to the General.
Wang Jingwei is here.
Isn't Wang Jingwei
supposed to be in prison in Beijing?
Zaifeng released him.
Zhaoming,
tell me.
What do the revolutionaries want?
We want to establish a republic.
A republic?
But why?
Feudalism has kept China back
for far too long.
As long as there's an Emperor,
we cannot rid ourselves of the old system.
The Revolution must
get rid of the Emperor
and the imperial system.
That's all just a theory.
We have to put it to practice.
When the Republic is established,
who will lead it?
A leader of the Republic is elected by the citizens.
Zhaoming.
The General has seriously considered all of this
before inviting you to meet him.
He would like your help.
You're the one who knows
the revolutionaries well.
Zhaoming.
Is Sun Wen still abroad?
Gentlemen.
Gentlemen,
you know who I am.
And why I'm here.
It seems to me
that you have decided that you're against the revolution.
Am I right?
Go!
Your money will support the corrupt Qing government,
in exchange for what?
A railway?
Our railway!
Sir.
Sir,
please keep your voice down.
You're deciding the future of my country here.
Being from China,
I have the right to know what's going on here.
We've already informed your government
regarding our decision.
What does that mean? You must tell me...
Let me remind you that we're in Europe.
I am sure you're a man of the world, but you really should behave...
Do you understand
what's happening in China now?
Mr. Sun Wen.
He won't answer you.
They are bankers,
they only care about their money,
not other people's lives.
Mr. Hillier,
do you know who he is?
No.
He's the man who will decide the future of China.
Who are you?
I'm Tang Manrou.
Idiot!
Your father is the Chinese Imperial Ambassador,
and yet you spoke with Sun Wen?
Do you know who he is?
He's a traitor of the Qing Dynasty.
He's a wanted criminal.
He's a revolutionary.
I know who he is,
that's why I helped him.
Mr. Hillier!
Hillier!
I need to leave now.
I can not be in this man's presence.
Why leave, Minister Tang?
I beg you, you still haven't done us
the honor of accepting our invitation.
You really mustn't leave.
Please.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I'm well aware that I've come here uninvited.
However,
as the leader of the Chinese revolution, I only ask you,
please reconsider giving a 6 million pound
loan to the Qing government.
Sun Wen,
you're a subject of the Qing Dynasty,
yet you show no respect for your country.
How can you claim any respect with regard to our country?
You lost that
a long time ago.
I represent all Chinese people
and speak in the name as leader of the Chinese revolution.
Dr. Sun,
we will not break
such an important business contract.
Mr. Thompson,
this is not a business contract,
it's a political deal.
If this contract is signed,
what's at stake here
is Chinese sovereignty.
Mr. Sun,
our German banks only care about business,
we don't care about domestic politics.
My dearest German delegates,
every time the Qing government fires a gun at us,
your money presses the trigger.
The Qing government will buy weapons with your loan, nothing else.
Perhaps you've misunderstood.
This loan is to rebuild the railways.
Mr. Sun,
our minister in Peking,
Sir John Newell Jordan,
said the same thing about the loan.
Dear Sir Buchanan,
I believe when Mr. Jordan realizes
that the money is used to destroy
the Chinese revolution,
he will change his mind.
Sun Wen.
This is my second warning.
Do not speak ill of the Qing Dynasty here.
Minister Tang,
how you underestimated us.
We want to get rid of you and the court.
Gentlemen,
we all know that to give good money
to a bad client
is a fatal mistake.
The Qing government is like a patient diagnosed with cancer.
Your loan is like sugar pills,
it will only make him feel better,
but the fate is sealed.
It seems that you are quite pessimistic about the future in China.
No, I'm not.
On the contrary,
my vision of the new China
is very positive.
I see huge miles covering plenty of natural resources.
I see thousands of banks providing new capital.
I see a mountain of railways connecting all the modern communities.
Gentlemen,
you are bankers,
you should know to invest your money wisely.
Would you rather invest your money
into a dying government or an emerging one?
Mr. Sun Yat-sen,
I know you are the leader of this revolution,
and I respect your revolution.
However, we cannot invest money against
the interests of our own nation.
You may know that
I'm a surgeon.
As a doctor, my duty
is to save my patient's life.
One day
I found my country
is suffering a cancer.
Mr. Hillier,
the situation of China
is like this roast lamb.
It's unlikely that our people
would enjoy freedom,
equality and
fraternity.
Yes,
that is to say,
this is China.
And all of you want a piece.
Germany:
here's your piece,
the Shandong peninsula.
Good location, isn't it?
What's all this?
Sir Buchanan,
your piece,
left rather small on this plate:
only Hong Kong,
and you know very well,
this is the gate
to reach China.
Mr. Thompson, let me cut out a special piece for you,
in memory of all those Chinese lives
that were lost carving out your mountain for the transcontinental railway
where they sleep lays buried, the bones of Chinese laborers.
It's a pity.
That all those countries not here today:
Russia,
Japan and Portugal.
They want Pescadores, Liaodong peninsula
and Macau.
Gentlemen,
this
is the last time you can gather to feast on China.
I really hope
I made my point clear.
Mr. Tang,
please wait a moment. Please...
Go home!
Must people lose their lives during a revolution?
The final goal of revolution isn't death,
rather it's to change fate.
Young people sacrificed themselves for the revolution,
so that those living can lead better lives.
Extend the firing range!
Come here!
It's overheated! It won't fire!
Pee on it!
Lay down!
Nurse!
Little Hubei,
gather the hand grenades!
Give them to me!
No!
Let go!
Commander!
Let go!
Stop pulling me!
Stop pulling me back!
Let go!
Go!
Little Hubei!
Ammunition handler!
Charge!
General,
Huafu is here.
General,
We've taken Hanyang.
Should we continue fighting?
There's
no rush.
The Qing court needs to understand,
that if they do not pay up,
we will not move.
What do your words mean?
Can't you read?
Read it yourself!
Fight slowly,
wait and see?
But morale is high.
I need to return to Beijing
and see what the Empress Dowager has to say.
Here's the bottom line,
if the court
doesn't give me enough money,
I will not fight.
I'd thought it would be easy to defeat them,
but Sun's rebels
are resilient.
I also do not have very much ammunition or supplies.
Empress Dowager,
Yuan Shikai.
Yes, Empress Dowager.
How much do you need?
Tell me.
If I had 12 million taels of gold,
then I could finish off the revolutionaries
within a few months.
If we do not have money for war,
then we only have one choice,
and that's to make peace with the revolutionaries.
How dare you!
Making peace means we acknowledge them.
The Beiyang Army is on its
last round of ammunition.
I'll never agree to
making peace!
If you really care about the Qing court,
then do something useful and use your riches.
Why don't you donate your own money to the cause?
Yuan Shikai!
Empress Dowager,
as I had reported earlier,
we must have enough money to support the army.
Yuan Shikai is indeed hard pressed.
You love to argue
all the time,
pretending to be loyal ministers.
Now
in a time of crisis,
you've all become selfish.
The dynasty is destined to fall!
As your servant,
I will give up all of my possessions!
In this time of crisis, I will lead
my entire family to protect this country.
As your servant,
do not want a coffin,
nor do I care about my ancestral grave.
If money can help destroy the rebels,
then
I will leave everything
and return to my home village!
The Four Nations Bank has been persuaded by Sun,
I'm afraid we won't receive
a cent of this loan.
I know.
Heaven will punish
Sun Wen for this.
Empress Dowager,
even though we have run out of money, food,
and ammunition,
we still have for centuries
our loyal subjects!
I only have one thing to say:
I will die for the Qing Dynasty!
Sun Wen, your interference with
the Four Nations Bank loan
has generated a lot of controversy in China.
This is the Prince Regent's order to assassinate you.
This one
looks more like
a portrait of the deceased.
I don't agree with you,
but I respect your courage.
I won't kill you,
I want to persuade you.
Sun Wen, we are both middle aged men.
Confucius said,
at 50, I knew my destiny.
He also said,
at 40, I am not deluded.
I've never wavered
from my beliefs.
I know why you won't kill me.
You're a father,
you know
the Qing court you serve
will eventually destroy your children.
We all want a strong and bright China
for our children.
Go.
I don't want to see you again!
Mr. Jordan,
you're the first guest in my new house.
Now that you've moved to Beijing,
we can see each other more often.
Yes.
I don't intend to leave the city this time.
How's the situation in the South?
Sun Wen and Huang Xing are
southern barbarians with big appetites.
You could have conquered Wuchang,
but you stopped.
We all knew
the Qing Dynasty has run out of money,
the end is near.
You want to profit from the power balance
between the Qing court and the revolutionary army.
So now you want peace.
What do you think
of this balance between my left and right hands?
Truth be told, I'm very impressed.
But the revolutionaries won't talk to me.
Now I understand. Would you like us to extend a hand?
You...
We'll pave the way for you to negotiate peace with the revolutionaries.
It's not good for anyone if fighting continues.
What's most important now is holding onto power!
Real power!
I'm looking for a collaborator
to protect the interests of Britain in China.
Well, you've found him.
Military Governor, let me explain.
I sent Keqiang to Shanghai
because of the overall strategy of
the revolutionary movement.
I don't understand.
The Wuchang uprising attracted
the world's attention.
Isn't that also part of the overall strategy?
Since we can attack Nanjing, why can't we defend Wuchang?
In Wuchang,
we're in a stalemate with the Beiyang Army.
Our trainee soliders have suffered heavy casualties.
In Nanjing,
the enemy is weak.
Our plan is to attack Nanjing, then retake Wuchang.
That's our overall strategy.
This is the decision made by the Tongmenghui.
I must abide by it.
Fine. Whatever you say.
But I won't go to Shanghai.
Please understand,
it hasn't been easy to forge our paths together.
My home is here.
My power base is here.
Military Governor Li,
it appears we won't be sharing
the same path!
My child, don't move!
Don't move!
Lie down!
Listen,
if you want to live,
we must amputate your leg!
Can you hear me?
Alcohol!
It's fine.
Ready?
We begin now. Be brave.
Listen to me.
Stop.
Come.
Take him away.
You've said it before.
So we failed.
Haven't we failed before?
I'm talking to you.
Idiot.
Mr. Sun,
telegram from England for you.
OK,
here you are.
Thank you.
Mr. Sun,
I must inform you
right away.
The Four Nations Bank decided to hold off
on the loan to the Qing government.
You once told me that
Revolution is life,
not only living,
but fate.
I don't understand Revolution,
but I've struggled and fought, I was angry.
I also knew,
I'd end up as sacrifice
along with my father.
I wish your Revolution,
no,
wish our Revolution,
every success!
Yat-sen!
Keqiang!
Where are you?
Keqiang.
I'm here.
Can you hear me?
I can.
Huang Keqiang-
Yat-sen.
I'm starboard!
Me too!
Keqiang.
At the welcome ceremony,
you have to put on
the revolutionary army uniform.
Yes.
Yat-sen!
Binglin, you're all here!
Not in first class?
No.
Second class?
No.
It saved my life once.
Keqiang,
your hand.
Guangzhou uprising.
Doesn't matter.
Yat-sen!
Mr. Sun!
Dunchu.
You're here!
Yat-sen, we searched all the way to the beam.
You're all here.
A hug!
Let's go!
Yat-sen, we waited so long for your return!
Shiping, you haven't aged a bit.
Mr. Sun, you look great!
Mr. Sun,
after your ship departed from Europe,
on your journey back,
what thoughts came over you?
After 16 years of tribulations,
I've returned to my motherland.
Mr. Sun,
we hear you've returned with huge donations,
is that true?
I don't have any money.
All I bring is the Revolutionary spirit.
What is the ultimate goal of the Revolution?
The goals of the Revolution are simple:
we overthrow imperial rule
and save our people.
Mr. Sun,
what did you tell
those bankers in Europe?
I told them,
it's the Chinese people
who'll steer the fate of China,
not foreigners
or Manchu royalty.
Mr. Sun, the north and south are now negotiating peace.
What is your opinion?
My opinion is this:
we haven't reached our Revolutionary goal, we won't negotiate!
Tie them up.
Our position is that
unless the Emperor abdicates,
there'll be no peace agreement.
Our position is that
the monarchical system cannot change.
This is a family dinner. Shaochuan,
you're part of the family!
You put in so much effort in the negotiations.
You've worked so hard.
Please tell me
what's on your mind.
You're the only one among us
who knew Sun Wen.
I want to know more about
Sun Wen.
What type of a man is he?
Zhang Shizhao said,
China will rise because of Sun,
he's the person
who'll revive the country.
Miyazaki considers Sun
a hero who will save China.
Kang Youwei claimed Sun is illiterate.
Wu Zhihui says that Sun is a hardworking scholar.
Some say he's like Robin Hood,
an outlaw.
Some say he's a real scholar,
an nomadic doctor holding a scalpel.
Others call him
a good-for-nothing liar.
There are many versions.
Shaochuan,
he has so many followers.
How does he do it?
I did hear from many people:
that Sun
is selfless.
Our master is a selfless man.
Shaochuan,
a selfless person?
Does that type of person even exist?
It's been 2000 years,
we can't wait any longer for
China's first republic.
Representatives from the 17 provinces have decided
not to elect a President, but to elect a Grand Marshal.
Mr. Sun, please sign.
A Grand Marshal cannot be head of state.
We must elect a President.
As far as the Presidential election,
should we wait to hear from Yuan Shikai?
If he really can get the Emperor to abdicate soon
The negotiating parties already made a pact.
Whoever overthrows the Qing government first shall become President.
Yuan Shikai has not overthrown the Qing court.
We did not break our promise.
If you insist on a Presidential election,
people will use that as an excuse to keep fighting.
So what?
We fought and look what we've achieved today!
Keqiang.
If we resume fighting, what are our chances of winning?
We have no money,
morale is low,
we have no chance of winning.
How can we fight?
This is so impractical!
When the revolutionary army had nothing,
we were willing to sacrifice our lives.
Now we have half a country,
so what are we afraid of?
The international community has expressed support for Yuan Shikai.
All overseas Chinese people are hoping
that we are able to set up a government as soon as possible
and elect a President.
To be safe,
I think we should wait.
What if Yuan doesn't overthrow the Emperor for another 100 years?
Do we still wait?
Let's put pressure on him, now.
If Yuan forces the Emperor to abdicate,
then are we supposed to keep our promise?
Even if Yuan makes the Emperor abdicate,
he isn't qualified to be President!
That's not true.
If Yuan keeps his promise,
he can become President!
If you've already promised him the position,
then why bother holding an election?
That's a good question.
It' all worth it.
First,
we have to establish
the concept of a Republic.
It's just like building a road
in the wilderness,
so the Revolution can continue its path.
In the new China,
no one will be able to turn back.
Down!
Against the wall!
Everyone!
Against the wall!
This is the assassin!
Release him!
Who sent you here?
Sun Wen is a sinner,
he's corrupt,
he has disgraced the Qing dynasty.
He's immoral.
And he is misleading the people.
He's beyond forgiveness.
He should be executed!
It's no use interrogating him.
We live in entirely different worlds.
Yes.
Two days ago,
on December 27,
provincial representatives voted
and approved
the Provisional Government Organizational Draft.
They also approved
the Presidential system
as well as
the nomination of candidates.
Elections will take place
today, December 29,
for the position of
Provisional President.
I declare,
a candidate receiving more than two-thirds of the votes
will become the Provisional President.
Homer.
Sun.
What are you doing here?
For thousands of years,
in Chinese history, we the people
never received the opportunity to
elect the head of government.
Never.
That
is what we've been fighting for.
Our people have been fighting ongoing for so long.
And now we've finally done it.
Homer,
when did you get here?
Why didn't you tell me you were coming?
Now, as head of the Assembly...
I must be there.
I declare the results.
Out of a total of 17 votes,
Sun Wen received 16.
Dr. Sun,
I heard your name.
I told you,
you'd be China's first President.
Tang Shaoyi,
didn't you say he was a selfless man?
What a slap in the face!
General.
Order
Feng Guozhang and Duan Qirui
to issue a joint telegram against the Republic.
Tang Shaoyi is sympathetic to the Republic
and is unable to fulfill his duties.
From this day forward, he is dismissed from his duties
as representative to the negotiations.
Yes.
Send a telegram to Wu Tingfang that says,
I recognize neither the Nanjing Provisional Government
nor its so-called President Sun Wen.
I pledge to overthrow the Qing dynasty,
strengthen the Republic of China,
foster a better livelihood for all.
These I promise to the people.
I will follow them.
I will serve the country with faith.
I will serve all people.
Until the leaders of the Qing dynasty are overthrown,
and our country has no strife,
when China will stand tall in the world,
recognized among nations.
At that time,
I will resign from the position of Provisional President.
This is my pledge to all citizens of China.
Just now,
I pledged myself as the Provisional President.
Now,
I have a few words to add.
Today,
the Republic of China was established,
but the feudal court still stands.
Until feudalism is completely abolished,
our revolution will not be complete.
I await
the day
that I relinquish my position
to the person
who carries through with the abdication of the Qing Emperor.
What's going on?
Like I said before, we should not have rushed to elect a President.
The Beiyang Army has been mobilized, war will erupt very soon.
I hear Yuan Shikai has even engaged assassins.
Who's afraid of assassins?
Mr. Sun,
may I suggest,
in view of the situation,
please think about this further.
If Yuan Shikai doesn't get rid of the Qing court,
then President Sun will not step down!
Does Mr. Sun even want to be the President?
Wang Zhaoming.
Sun Wen isn't that type!
Since he's so selfless,
what's the harm of my asking?
It's all about trust,
belief,
and faith
without any doubt!
I'm only afraid of
an all-out battle between the North and South.
Who's going to be responsible when that happens?
If someone steals our independence,
who will be responsible for that?
Huang Keqiang, you...
Zhaoming.
Stop arguing, please.
I protect you in front of everyone,
but behind closed I have to be frank with you.
You don't have to close any doors.
Just say it, Keqiang.
We cannot comply with any of Yuan Shikai's demands.
But he has the power.
He can abolish the Qing court quickly!
To establish our Republic
we need both war and politics.
This is a revolution,
we're not giving away crowns!
Sun Wen,
the revolution does not belong to one person.
Keqiang,
what are you saying?
You don't understand.
I don't understand?
You think I don't understand politics?
I know Yuan Shikai!
Keqiang.
You never saw
when he killed young men!
I'm worried.
He could easily become an enemy of the Republic.
He might
even create a dictatorship!
This is our room.
When I first came here,
I was very resentful.
But now that I know you,
I'm no longer angry.
Now,
our baby is inside of me.
Keqiang,
this painting is almost finished.
I have no idea
where to hang it.
I'm going to suggest that
Wu Tingfang issues a public statement.
If the Emperor does not abdicate,
we will attack.
Whoever lingers,
and whoever resists,
will be punished.
If the truce cannot be maintained,
we will declare war again.
If we resume war,
I will lead the troops to the North!
Keqiang.
You were right.
I've thought long and hard.
We have to establish
provisional laws.
It's not important who serves a single term.
We must establish
a system
to restrain not only Yuan Shikai
but
anyone who ever dreams of becoming an emperor!
Painter,
please use bright red for the flag and make sure there are 18 stars.
Yes.
Comrades, I hear your
argument about my resignation.
It will take more than one day to be rid of two thousand years
of feudal leadership.
I do hope you will not just focus on
one official title,
but rather create a truly relevant,
legally protected revolutionary system.
The world is immense, those who follow the righteous path thrive,
those who do not become extinct.
I hold fast to the revolution,
knowing it will bear fruit.
It will take a long journey,
but we will reach our revolutionary goal.
What does Sun Wen want?
What telegram?
What declaration? What war?
Mr. Jordan is right.
It is most important to hold onto power!
The President's chair is not very comfortable.
But even if it's full of pins,
I still want to sit on it!
The British Ambassador said
that winter, like today,
had chilly winds and
it was snowing.
It was during the Spring Festival,
but the entire city was desolate,
the atmosphere almost tragic.
The guillotine was placed
in the middle of the public square,
icicles of blood
still hanging on the blade.
Louis XVI
was bound and taken there.
He was cold and did not have a coat.
He was shivering.
Everyone brought their family
to witness this great occasion.
When the hour came,
the executioner put the King's head on the block,
the blade was released,
there was ice on his face.
Listen...
Go on, Yuan Shikai.
Go on.
Listen...
The whoosh of the blade.
The whoosh of the blade. Then what?
Go on, Yuan Shikai.
Then, the end.
The end?
That quickly?
Yuan Shikai,
you're joking!
You're making this up!
You've told me same story about the West!
I reappointed you against my better conscience,
and yet you do this to me?
Royal Prince, stop getting so angry!
Did the French also celebrate a Spring Festival?
Royal Prince, calm down.
Royal Prince.
I've received news that
Sun Wen insists on a Republic. They will not compromise.
Empress Dowager,
I tell you the story of the French Revolution
because I don't want you and the princes
to share the same fate.
You have my loyalty!
Heaven can attest to it!
Yuan Shikai,
come here.
Get over here!
Empress Dowager.
I'm at your command.
What if
that day comes?
You won't let us
face the guillotine,
you won't let us starve, will you?
Certainly not!
Go back.
The South is eager to resume battle.
Empress Dowager, please think about this.
I know.
I take my leave.
Prince Regent.
Yes.
Yuan Shikai has broken his promise,
he's joined the rebels.
I do regret this.
He is no longer our Prime Minister.
Things have developed as this.
It won't help.
They're still dragging their feet, prolonging their dynasty.
They are acting against everyone's wishes!
They're cheating themselves!
They're becoming enemies of the people.
They still think they can hang on,
they're dreaming!
What happened?
Mr. Sun.
What is it?
Send a telegram,
make it public.
The Revolutionary Party's patience is running out.
Doesn't that dynasty have any shame?
Reporting to the Empress Dowager,
There are mutinies in the Northeast, Xinjiang and Tibet.
43 generals, including Feng Guozhang and Duan Qirui,
have signed a petition in support of the Republic.
Tell me something I don't already know.
Empress Dowager.
We have served you and the royal court.
We do not support the idea of a Republic.
Please do not falter on your position.
Why would I falter?
This is all Yuan Shikai's doing.
Yuan betrayed the Emperor Guangxu,
now he has betrayed Emperor Xuantong.
He's a traitor!
His family has received such grace from the court,
and yet he's a disrespectful scum.
He just wants to become an emperor.
If the Emperor doesn't abdicate,
he won't be President.
I told you before that we can not trust him!
As long as Aisin Gioro is here,
the Qing Dynasty will not fall.
Ancestors in Heaven,
now
other countries bully us,
the revolutionaries run wild,
our ministers are corrupt,
they sell whatever they can
for their own benefit.
There's nothing left now.
We have failed you!
At least Sun Wen
is not violent.
He doesn't invade our palace,
and there are no guillotines.
We want a bloodless revolution,
no more sacrifices
or senseless killings.
Abdicate!
This is a historical day,
let's begin!
Mr. President, this way.
Let's
have a pose.
Mr. President, could you lift up your hat?
Fine.
Let's change a bit.
When you cut my hair,
don't rush it.
Take your time
and move slowly.
This is a historical moment, do you understand?
Yes.
You talk about a revolution and a republic all the time.
A revolutionary has to look like his people.
Let me show you!
Look!
I can't believe this.
Before I leave the Presidency,
I hope you will request your respective governments
to recognize our new country.
To you
and to the entire world,
this is truly a significant moment.
Mr. President,
how do you plan to treat the Qing royal family?
They will become citizens of the Republic.
The Revolutionary Party has decided
to pay the royal family 4 million taels of silver.
Is that how you treat your citizens?
Money cannot be a measure here.
Not all revolutions need guillotines.
What do you say, Mr. Ambassador?
I agree.
When I was in England,
I once met one of your parliament members, Mr. Hillier.
I told him
that when China is free,
I will invite him here as my guest.
I'll use Chinese liquor,
revolutionary liquor, to toast him.
Come.
Cheers!
This is a letter from Juemin.
Yat-sen's been keeping it for you.
He asked that I give it to you.
He was no longer with me.
Zhongxin,
this is a letter from your father.
Look.
This letter
should not be kept only in this household.
You hold on to it
and let others hear his story.
Yesterday,
the Qing Emperor abdicated,
ending two thousand years of monarchy.
Countless revolutionaries have given up
their lives for our new Republic.
Today,
13-Feb-12
the 26th day of the 12th moon of the Xinhai Year
I
keep my promise.
I resign from the Presidency.
We strive for the success of the revolution
but do not covet recognition.
We are all of the same minds
to realize the goal of revolution.
The goal is to establish
an independent country for the Chinese people.
To build a Chinese Republic where land is divided among all.
Nationalism, democracy, livelihood:
these are what we strive to attain,
Three Principles.
Today you ask me,
what does a revolution mean?
Perhaps people will ask the same question a century later.
Qiu Jin, our Tongmenghui member
who was killed in Shaoxing, said,
that a revolution will provide all children
a peaceful and gentle world.
Lin Juemin, one of the martyrs of Huanghuagang,
wrote this to his wife:
a revolution seeks eternal happiness for everyone in the world.
I believe
this revolution allows a republican system
to reach the people.
People will understand that we will fight
anyone who dares to support the monarchy.
The revolution enables factories,
banks, railroads and mines
owned by the Chinese to benefit our people.
The revolution allows our race
to become strong,
and not to be bullied by others.
We will no longer be slaves.
A revolution can take place anywhere,
anytime,
in any heart,
forever,
no longer afraid of foreign powers,
ridding the country of feudalism and royalty.
No one will be impoverished,
and the Chinese people can stand tall in the East.
This is the meaning of our revolution.