Subtitles were brought to you by The Rats of Hollow Island Team @Viki
[ The Three Heroes and five Gallants ]
Episode 1
Upright Bao, Black Mole Bao!
Shen Biao, you daring little thief.
Seizing the silver of court officials, is an unforgivable crime!
And have the nerve to raid an official such as I.
Do you know that there is a thing called "Law" in the world?
Law?
I'd like to check out
whether your law is so formidable
or I, your master, am more formidable! (Master is used mockingly to indicate one is above you.)
Brothers, whoever takes Bao Zheng's head will be generously rewarded!
Kill!
Lord, lord!
My Lord Bao, let's get away from this place.
Black Mole Bao, stop!
Are you the Great Heihu Stronghold's head, Shen Biao?
Since you have already recognized me as your lord,
I urge you not to come around stirring trouble!
You hindered me, Zhan Zhao,while handling cases
and ambushed my Master.
How dare you...
Bodyguard Zhan!
Shen Biao is a criminal wanted by the government.
Please finish this battle quickly.
- Just capturing him would be enough.- Order received.
Good, Brother Zhan!
Better destroy his pants!
Good idea!
Zhao Hu, don't run after him anymore.
Careful for an ambush.
Go!
Brother Zhan, are you alright?
These bastard thieves...
dare to use this kind of dirty tricks.
They are dirty bastards themselves.
Sir Bao, sorry for traumatizing you..
Look at Bodyguard Zhan...looks like a cat.
Cat?
Where's the cat?
Master!
Along the way here, I noticed two suspicious persons.
I listened in their talking secretly.
Later I discovered,
they want to use the case of the lost government fund
for harming Master.
Who are these two people?
Their clothes are like commoners',
but from their speech and movement,
they looked a lot like a certain government official's assistants.
I understand now.
Master!
This thing must be dealt and concluded quickly.
But Heihu Stronghold's terrain is full of danger.
Three sides are cliffs.There's only one road leading up or down.
One man can hold the pass against ten thousand enemies in here.
From what I see,
let's ask for reinforcements to face them.
Even if they come, we cannot use them well.
I think
that since this Heihu Stronghold has cliffs on three sides,
it serves as their natural protection
but also their deadly weakness.
Let's go!
Wang Chao.
Here.
Ma Han!
- Are you okay? - I'm okay!
Here.
Get up!
Ah, get up, get up!- Ah, I know!
- Hurry and get up! - In a bit, yes, yes, yes.
Subtitles were brought to you by The Rats of Hollow Island Team @Viki
Are you still going to run?
Heard that recently there's a new martial artist in Kaifeng Prefecture.
Replying to Your Majesty,
he is just someone I invited to help me solve a case.
Who is it?
He is Zhan Zhao, nicknamed Flying Bear.
He's from Chang Province, Wu Jin District, Yu Jie County.
Don't think that he's too young,
he has very good martial arts.
Jianghu people call him the Southern Hero.(Jianghu: network of people outside mainstream society. Many with martial arts skills. The "gallant fraternity" or "martial arts world")
Yet another one from the Jianghu.
Your Majesty.
Even if this person comes from the Jianghu,
he's honest, kind and serves the country loyally.
My recently solved case about the Hua Yen Temple's missing woman
and also the case of Heihu Gou stealing government funds
gained a lot from his help.
I've long been hearing about the Jianghuhiding some very skilled individuals,
but I've never seen one.
How about bringing him in tomorrow to see me?
Let him show some moves for me to see.
Your Majesty, you must not...
These martial artists,
are not prepared for the Palaceand they are unruly.
What if they alarm Your Majesty with their barbaric ways?
That...what should we do about it?
With Bao Zheng here,
nothing will happen.
I'll obey your orders.
Presently, Bao Zheng has Zhan Zhao.
How can this Bao Zheng find such a fine general?
The truth is,
I still wish for Zhan Zhao to be transferred to the palace.
Better not leave him at Kaifeng Prefecture.
Let's encourage Your Majesty
to give that Zhan an official position.
Think about it.
One black criminal is enough to give us a headache.
And now, here comes a good martial artist.
How can we deal with these?
We must think of a plan to separate the two.
Good idea.
We must reduce Bao Zheng's strength.
Enter the palace?
See the Emperor?
Yes.
I won't go.
Really not going?
Not going.
Bodyguard Zhan.
How about this...
leave here right away.
If the Emperor asks, I'll just tell him that you have gone already.
But...
No need to worry.
If the Emperor wants to blame someone,
I will accept all blame.
Master...
Zhan Zhao serving Kaifeng Prefecture, is known by everyone.
If you let me just go like this,
and leave Master to face everything alone, how can that be?
Master...
It's just showing some skills in front of the Emperor.
I'll just go.
Today, in the royal court,
Black Mole Bao requested again
to impeach Pang Yu.
Didn't you assure me
that using the case of the lost government fundwill definitely drag Black Mole Bao down
and make him unable to go to Chenzhou?
But who would have thought that Zhan Zhao will appear half way
and destroy my whole plan?
Good thing those mountain bandits don't know anything.
Or else who knows what serious consequences could have happened.
I will definitely be extra careful from now on.
It's just...
It's just what?
It's just...
I still cannot be at ease regarding that Zhan Zhao.
That Zhan person,even if he really is that good,
is only a small town drifter.
Even if he is given a black hat (official position),
he'd still only be one of the Emperor's servants...
a pet.
Pet?
Your Majesty, if you want to see a martial arts performance,
when we go out of the palace
let's go to Da Xiang National Temple.There's everything there.
A tight rope walker, a fire spitter,
stone-breaking using the head...
Why did you let someone from the Jianghu come in the Palace?
Have you seen a tight-rope walker?
I've seen.
Some hold an umbrella,some hold a long stick.
Stepping and swinging...
Making the viewers quite dizzy.
Do you know the purpose of the long stick that they hold?
This...maybe...
so that when they fall they can use it as support?
Not right...
My brain is really not smart...
I can't think of the reason why they are holding a long stick.
Holding it in their hands is to provide balance.
Once a tight-rope walker loses balance,he will fall.
Balance?
His Majesty has a decree
to let Zhan Zhao enter the palace.
Let Zhan Zhao enter the palace.
Zhan Zhao is here to present his respects to Your Majesty.
Long live, Your Majesty.
Get up.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Zhan Zhao.
Subject Bao yesterday at court
praised your martial arts a lot.
I asked you come to the palace today
hoping that you can demonstrate your whole skills.
Don't disappoint
me and Lady Pang.
I would not dare.
I'm just afraid that I might offend Your Majesty's sight.(Meaning that his skills are not worthy to be shown in front of the Emperor.)
Subject Bao.
What is the best skill of Zhan Zhao?
Responding to Your Majesty,
it's swordplay.
Grant him sword.
Your Majesty...
I heard that sword dancers with good martial arts
can cause formation of sword spirit as they move.
Forming a shield in front of them
that even splashed water cannot enter.
I wonder if this Zhan hero's kung fu
is able to control splashing water?
That's easy to prove.
Just ask someone to bring some ink and we'll know when we try splashing him with it.
Good sword skill...
You really have good sword skill.
Zhan Zhao.
Do you still have other skills?
Zhan Zhao, Your Majesty is asking you if you still have some unique skills.
Hurry and show it.
Responding to Your Majesty,
my second good skill is throwing sleeve arrows.
Zhan Zhao, where do you keep your sleeve arrows?
Sleeve arrows are hidden in one's sleeves.
Men! Arrest this traitor!
Arrest him!
What is this for now?
Reporting to Your Majesty,
traitor Zhan Zhao dared to bring hidden weapons into the Palace.
That is a monstrous crime.
I suggest that he be sentenced to beheading right away.
Wait.
Zhan Zhao received a decree to enter the Palaceand perform in front of the Emperor.
What's the crime in that?
Performing one's skill does not give the right to bring hidden weapons.
Bringing hidden weapons into the Palaceis planning to assassinate the Emperor.
What does a sleeve arrow looks like?I've never seen one.
Look for it!
Reporting to Your Majesty, we didn't find any sleeve arrows.
He's the one who said that it's hidden in his sleeves.
Minister Pang.
You asked me earlier
where sleeve arrows are kept?
But you didn't ask
if my sleeves have any sleeve arrows in them.
What I answered earlier is
that sleeve arrows are hidden within sleeves.
But I didn't say
that my sleeves have sleeve arrows in them.
You...
Eunuch Wang, we just want to askwhat's happening inside?
It's quite good.
The Emperor has ordered me
to bring in Zhan Zhao's sleeve arrows.
Thank you for your trouble then, Eunuch Wang.
Requesting Your Majesty to inspect the package.
Mister Zhan.
You must be extra careful with this.
Do not disappoint Your Majesty.
Zhan Zhao understands.
Subject Bao.
Sir,
I heard that arrow masters
can hit their target 100 steps away.
I previously heard Zhan Zhao say
that he can put out a candle's flame
20 feet away during nighttime.
But now it's morning and it's very bright.
Your Majesty, I do have an idea.
We can use the wooden target used during archery in the training grounds
and stick white papers on it.
If Your Majesty pleases, draw some dots on the paper
to test his skills.
I agree.This idea is great.
Men!
Go and get a wooden target.
No need to tire the Minister.
I've already prepared it.
Come.
Bring the wooden target.
So you have prepared beforehand...
Master Bao really is a person full of heart.(He is sarcastically being described as having a plan/intention for something.)
Working for Your Majesty, one must not be heartless (careless)
and also not having too much heart (scheming).
I am just using my heart (doing my job well).
Subtitles were brought to you by The Rats of Hollow Island Team @Viki
Zhan Zhao, I clearly saw 3 sleeve arrows earlier in your sleeves.
How come I only saw you throw two?
Does you keeping the third one mean that...
you have some other plan?
Responding to Your Majesty,
Zhan Zhao's third skill is jumping skill.
He needs to go to a high place.
Hope that Your Majesty can allow Zhan Zhao
to go up the ceilingand perform it for Your Majesty.
and perform it for Your Majesty.
Nonsense!In a tightly secured palace location, how can one allow...
some commoner just go up the roof or pass through walls?
Minister...
Since I want to enjoy Zhan Zhao's unique skills,
then I should let him perform all his capabilities.
Since Zhan Zhao's skill requires him to be in a high place,
why not just let him go up?
Zhan Zhao.
Your Majesty has ordered
that you show all your skills.
No need to have any concerns.
Yes, Your Majesty!
Such a wonderful and surprising skill...
Wonderful skill...
He's really like a cat.
Right.
Right.He's really like my pet cat.
Zhan Zhao.
Why don't you hurry and thank His Majesty for his kindness?
Thank me for what kindness?
Your Majesty.
Didn't you just designate Zhan Zhao as your pet cat a while ago?
But I was just saying that casually.
Your Majesty.
There's a saying that a king's word is never a joke.
How can matters like granting positionbe considered as just some casual words?
Fine...
That being the case...
Zhan Zhao.
Listen to your grant.
Zhan Zhao,
why aren't you kneeling yet?
I am granting you to become the Imperial Cat
but this is just a code name.
Your real position is
a fourth ranked Imperial guard.
Grant him his official clothes.
Zhan Zhao, from now on,
an Emperor's Imperial Cat like you,
should go and catch many mice for Your Majesty.
Zhan Zhao, won't you hurry and thank His Majesty.
Your Majesty... Zhan Zhao will be bold
to request Your Majesty to take back your order.
You dare Zhan Zhao!
You dare not to follow the Emperor's decree?
Zhan Zhao,
you're just an ordinary town commoner.
Suddenly promoting you to a fourth ranked official
is already against the norm.
Do you
dislike His Majesty's appointment because it's too low?
Replying to My Lady.
Zhan Zhao is nothing but an unruly town folk.
Ignorant and untrained with etiquette.
My knowledge is not enough for official problems. My fighting skills are not enough to protect the kingdom.
I request Your Majesty to withdraw the appointment.
Zhan Zhao should just return to Kaifeng Prefectureand continue to protect Master Bao.
You...
Zhan Zhao.
Don't you know that the whole world is the Emperor's territory
and army leaders are the Emperor's subjects?
His Majesty is giving you a position because he thinks highly of you.
Does a lowlife dare not know how to appreciate favors?
I know that my skills are not enough.
I really will not be able to perform Imperial service well.
Zhan Zhao, it's not like you don't have the skills.
It's more like you don't want to work for His Majesty, right?
Even if Zhan Zhao works at Kaifeng Prefecture,
as long as the Imperial Family needs me,
I will definitely not stay on the sidelinesand will help in any way I can.
Your Majesty.
You should have understood already.
Zhan Zhao is not willing to work for Your Majesty.
But if Master Bao has some problems,
he will definitely do everything he can.
But if he's working for Your Majesty,then it's...treated like any other matter.
Right...he only looks up to Master Bao...
Where does that leave the Imperial house?
Your Majesty.
From what I see...
since he doesn't like us...
we should also stop caring about him.
Your Majesty.
Zhan Zhao was born in the wild mountains.
He doesn't know the Imperial Palace's rules.
I beg Your Majesty to give me some timeto teach him well.
Once he learns the right rules and etiquette,
he will definitely work for Your Majesty.
[Kaifeng Court]
[Wisdom and Fairness]
To ask me, Zhan Zhao, to wear this official uniform all day,
I feel uncomfortable every time I think about it.
It's my fault.
If I hadn't repeatedly asked you to remain in Kaifeng,
we wouldn't be in the trouble we are in today.
You cannot be blamed for this, Your Excellency.
After all,
it's still the old scoundrel Pang Ji
and the evil Imperial Concubine trying to set this up.
Their objective
is to weaken the strength of the Kaifeng Prefecture.
However, since the Emperor has already made the request,
he will not withdraw his decision.
If you continue to resist his order, this may cost you your life.
In my view,
Zhan Zhao will not accept the offered official position,
he's even less likely to take on
an obviously humiliating title like "Imperial Cat."
Our Emperor is very intelligent.
He understands a brute like Zhan Zhao well.
If he cannot be used by the government,
he will definitely turn into a problem for the government.
If we cannot use him, then we must kill him.
Humble courtier is here to show respect to Your Majesty.
Long Live Your Majesty.
Draft the decree.
Designate Zhan Zhao as Fourth Ranked Imperial Knight
- to serve in the Kaifeng Court.- As ordered.
Didn't this Zhan Zhao decline to serve as a government official?
I do not accept it!
Make it known!
The present Imperial Court
is fraught with greed and fraud from top to bottom.
Government corruption has reached a critical level.
Just with you, Master, and a minority of ethical officials,
it is very difficult to prop up this shaky situation.
That's why I need to recruit people of integrity from the Jianghu,
and combine the forces within and without the Court to counter those greedy and corrupt officials.
Rest assured, Master.
I will do my best to support your plan.
If Hero Zhao is willing to do this,
I am very gratified by what you said.
To be honest, it's all because of Master's guidance.
Buddha said: "If I don't enter Hell, then who will?"
As long as it can help Master
to punish more of these corrupted officials
and benefit the people,
I will do everything I can without reservation.
Eunuch Wang arrived.
- Eunuch Wang .- Master Bao.
Hero Zhan is also here.
Perfect. Bao Zheng and Zhan Zhao are to receive the Imperial Decree.
Courtier Bao Zheng is here to accept the Decree.
"Per the Imperial order of the Heavens, the Emperor decrees that
Zhan Zhao is designated as 4th Ranked Imperial Guard
to serve at the Kaifeng Prefecture,
to assist the Chief in maintaining security. Ends decree."
Courtier accepts the Decree and expresses his gratitude.
Long Live the Emperor.
My lords, please rise.
Lord Zhan,
it's fortunate that the Emperor thought it through and offered you this favor.
Whether it's in the Kaifeng Prefecture, or the Imperial Capital,
you are doing your work for our Great Song Dynasty.
Many thanks for Eunuch Wang 's guidance.
- Zhan Zhao understands.- It's good that you do.
This shows Lord Zhan is an intelligent person.
It's good to be intelligent.
In this world, only the intelligent and the bad get to live a long life.
If you look at those who died prematurely,
aren't they all dumb good people?
What is it?
Father-in-law,
The Emperor has given Zhan Zhao an official position.
Right in the Kaifeng Prefecture.
He didn't enter the Imperial Palace?
It seems that I have missed this one.
However Father-in-law,
I feel that
Zhan Zhao staying in the Kaifeng Prefecture
could be a positive development.
Master, I'm not concerned about being misunderstood in the Jianghu world,
but about the title of "Imperial Cat."
That's true.
This title of Imperial Cat sounds indeed rather irksome.
However, since it is given by the Emperor,
there is no reason to change it.
Knight Zhan, please be more tolerant.
There is something Master does not know.
I'm not concerned about personal reputation,
but I know that
in Jiangnang, Songjiang Prefecture, there is a Hollow Island.
You can find a Lu Family Village there. The Chief is named Lu Fang.
He has four sworn brothers in oath.
They use rat in their nickname. and are known as the "Five Rats of Jiangnang".
These five people are highly skilled in martial art with unique abilities,
and conduct themselves with fairness, always seeking to right the injustice they encounter.
They are well known for their heroic deeds in the Jianghu.
If they are such heroes,
why does Guard Zhan continue to have concerns?
Zhan Zhao is only worried that
this title of Imperial Cat
can cause misunderstanding with these Five Rats,
and create some incidents unnecessarily.
Then how do we address this issue?
The best approach
is to allow me to visit Hollow Island,
to offer a clear and full explanation to these Five Rats.
Can you be successful with your explanation?
I will do my best with sincerity.
Guard Zhan, have you met these Five Rats before?
Master,
in the Jianghu, many highly skilled experts know each other's name very well,
but may have never met each other in their life.
Then it's likely to be more challenging.
However I have a less than perfect idea.
Please tell me.