Subtitles were brought to you by The Rats of Hollow Island Team @Viki
The Three Heroes and Five Gallants Episode 2
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 am not concerned about my reputation,
but I know that in 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 as part of their nickname.
They are known locally as "The Five Rats of Jiangnan" .
The eldest Rat Lu Fang,
is also known as Penetrating-Heaven Rat.
He is the leader of the five Rats.
His special skill is climbing. He has a purple-colored face,
and a big beard. He is kind-hearted and loyal.
[Heaven-Penetrating Rat - Lu Fang]
Second Rat, Han Zhang,
with the nickname Earth-Piercing Rat,
knows how to make explosives and can make land mines and grenades.
Often referred to as Thunder Fire Bombs.
He uses a broadsword and speaks with a stutter. He is a sticker to reason.
He can often be obstinate in his opinion.
He keeps things to himself without sharing.
[Earth-Piercing Rat - Han Zhang]
Third Rat is Xu Qing with the nickname Mountain Rat.
He is from Shanxi and originally worked as a blacksmith.
He uses iron mallets and has the ability to shrink his body.
He is capable of exploring small caves in the mountain.
He has a short temper with a brash demeanor.
He is simple-minded but has a strong body.
[Mountain Rat - Xu Qing]
Fourth Rat, Jiang Ping,
is called River Rat.
His body is compact, almost as an ailing patient.
He uses an Emei dagger as his weapon. He can stay under water
and open his eyes to see his surroundings.
He is shrewd, skilled in crafting plans, and articulate.
He is the intelligent type of person.
[River Rat - Jiang Ping]
The fifth Rat is named Bai Yutang,
with the nickname Sleek Rat.
He is handsome in appearance. He uses a sword and stone missiles.
He has a dominating presence, cares for his reputation but not for material goods.
He is also known to be arrogant, opinionated
and highly competitive.
[Sleek Rate - Bai Yutang]
The five are highly skilled in martial arts with unique abilities,
besides, they are chivalrous, rooting out the strong to give the people peace.
They are well known for their righteous deeds in the Jianghu.
If they are such heroes,
why do you still have concerns, Bodyguard Zhan?
I'm only worried that
this title of Imperial Cat
can cause misunderstanding with these five Rats,
and create many unnecessary incidents.
Immediately send a few competent retainers to Jiangnang
to spread the word.
The reason why His Majesty gave Zhan Zhao the title 'Imperial Cat'
is to destroy the Five Rats of Jiangnan for him.
Imperial Cat, Imperial Cat, isn't it intended
to catch rats for the Emperor?
I will take care of it right away.
Then how do we address this issue?
Zhan Zhao
has a less than perfect idea.
Please tell me.
Across the river from Hollow Island,
there is a Jasmine Village. In this village,
live two gallant men known as the Ding brothers,
I want to ask these two to be my mediators.
Bodyguard Zhan, are you
related to these Ding brothers?
Master is wise.
No long ago, the Family Ding and I became in-laws.
The brothers' sister, Ding Yuehua,
is my fiancée.
That definitely obliges them to help.
Brother, excuse me.
Yes.
Would you know if any of these ferriesgoes to Jiangfong Village?
Oh, it will take another four hours.
The ferry from Shaba to Huilong stops here,
it will take you to Jiangfong Village.
This means I have to wait here for four hours.
Brother,
this way. Brother!
Brother.
Brother!
Brother, are you a little too careless?
Aiya. I slept on the boat for several hours.
You should allow me to move my muscles a bit.
Brother, what you are doing is...
That is the betrothal gift for Miss Ding.
- Hurry up.- Brother.
I told you last time.
Miss Ding has only one condition for those wanting to marry her:
a martial arts contest.
Eh...do you look down upon my ability?
How can I, Bai Yutang, not measure up to a village girl?
I heard that many interested men came to propose over the years,
but no one could best Miss Ding.
I'm telling you. That's because the real hero has not shown up yet.
Don't worry.
It won't be long before I bring back Miss Ding
- to be your sister-in-law.- Brother, this is how it is.
I have already ordered a meal for you at the restaurant.
- After eating we can go to Jasmine Village.- It so happens I'm hungry. Please.
Brother, please.
Here, rat poison. Here is my rat poison.
Everyone, come and see my rat poison.
Here. Rat poison.
Adult, children, don't take this by mistake.
Do you see rats? After they eat this, they will all die.
Here, rat poison. Rat poison.
Apply once and it will be effective for three years.
Here, rat poison.
Here, everyone look at my rat poison.
Here rat poison.
Waiter.
Gentlemen, what would you like to eat?
Just bring your best dishes and wine.
Please wait a short while.
You have to drink a few more cups.
Hold it.
You two beggars.
You stole my food.
Stop.
Stand there.
- Don't beat us.- I will beat you to death.
Steal my food. Stop. Stop there.
Stop right there.
- I'll teach you not to steal, thieves! -Hey!
What's going on?
Young master, we were just eating here.
We don't know where these two little beggars came from.
They took the food on our table.
Hurry up.
Kowtow to the young master and thank him for saving you.- Thank you, young master. We deserve to die.
You deserve to die ten thousand deaths.
- Enough, enough.- We deserve to die ten thousand times.
Tell them to get up.
- Young master...- Mmm...
Get up. Get up.
Let these two little friends have the food on this table.
The next table
gets another set of food
for my servants.
- Will you ---- Include it on my account.
Go ahead. Go.
As you wish.
Go.
Fifth Master Bai .
What brought you here?
You are a rare visitor.
Fifth Master, I am Ding Zhao Lan. Privileged to meet you.
Bai Yutang offers his respects to both Ding heroes.
I came without notice. Please excuse my lack of courtesy.
Fifth Master is too polite.
Your visit to our humble abode is an honor.
We are both delighted.
Please have a seat, Fifth Master.
Bring tea.
Good tea.
Come. Bring in the chest.
Fifth Master, this is...
Bai Yutang has heard that your family's daughter, Miss Yuehua,
is stunningly beautiful,extremely intelligent,
and highly skilled in martial art, capable of matching her male counterparts.
I am deeply attracted to her.
I wish to become in-law with your family,
and hope to spend my life with Miss Yuehua until old age.
So I prepared some presents to make this marriage proposal.
I hope you two won't find my intentions not to your liking.
Fifth Master,
my little sister is of inferior talent,
and doesn't like domestic chores. She only likes practising martial arts drills.
So she came up with her own qualification rules.
Any suitor who comes here
must challenge her first.
If he can best her, then we can discuss the proposal.
Who in the martial art world doesn't know Miss Yuehua's rules ?
Although you know about the rules,
you haven't had the challenge yet but you bring your betrothal gift,
aren't you in too much of a rush?
I am not that talented
but love to practice martial arts since I was a child.
I am confident to win over Miss Yuehua's appreciation.
So I brought the betrothal gift to spare the trouble of another trip
If so,
then you are confident that you can best my little sister?
If I didn't have this much confidence, how could I hold my own in the Jianghu?
Come. Open the chest.
What happened?
Has the chest been with you all the time?
Or did you leave it for a short time?
No. The chest has been with us since we left home.
No.
We did leave it.
What?
When we were drinking,
we were tricked by other scheming bastards.
Could it be...could it be those two little beggars?
Those two beggars were just distractions.
The real culprit acted
when my friend and I left the dining room.
That my little sister can appeal to Fifth Master
is our Ding Family's good fortune.
However...
- Hmmm?- Our sister is already engaged to someone else.
Based on what I know,
even ten days ago
someone lost the challenge and left in shame.
That's true. Fifth Master is talking about ten days ago.
We are talking about five days ago.
Are you doing this because I was tricked
and lost face,
so you offer this excuse as a consolation?
Fifth Master, you misunderstood.
No one can be immune from the scheming tricks of the lowlife.
How could I look down on you because of such things?
Alright.
Then I'll be bold enough to ask,
this man who defeated Yuehua five days ago,
who is he actually?
This person
is also well known in the Jianghu.
His name is Zhao, family name Zhan, also known as Xiongfei.
Zhan Zhao. Southern Hero Zhan Zhao?
Good brothers,
I have a discourteous request.
Fifth Master, please no need to be polite. Just tell us what you mean.
I'd like to test my martial arts skills against Miss Yuehua.
Do you feel that Bai Yutang is too arrogant?
So you want to teach him a lesson yourself.
This is our Third Sister.
An honor to meet Fifth Master.
I need to make him understand that there is always someone better than you.
Miss Ding,
Do you have a cold?
You sound somewhat odd.
During lunch, a fishbone scratched my throat.
You may laugh if you wish.
You may laugh if you wish, Fifth Master.
Where is Second Master?
He went to the river bank to buy fresh fish and shrimps,
so that we can enjoy a couple of drinks with you this evening
Little sister,
Hero Bai did not know
that you got engaged to Zhan Zhao a few days ago.
This time, he came especially from Hollow Island for you.
Fifth Master Bai, I am truly sorry
that your trip was in vain.
Little sister, Master Bai is the famous Sleek Rat of the Jianghu.
He is the most skilled in kung fu among the Five Rats.
You must try hard to learn from Fifth Master.
Master Bai, please instruct me.
Eh...I dare not say that I am teaching you.
We are just learning from each other.
Subtitles were brought to you by The Rats of Hollow Island Team @Viki
Fifth Master, please teach me.
Don't worry. I will hold back not to embarrass you.
Please.
Master Bai, I concede defeat.
Fifth Master's swordplay has reached a true expert's level.
You allowed me the thrill of witnessing it.
What is the use of winning this challenge?
I was still unable to see your sister's face.
- Please come to the front hall for tea.- Oh, it's not necessary.
I just remembered something else I have to do today.
I am leaving now.
Why do you leave in such a rush?
If there are opportunities in the future, I'll come here to seek instruction.
No need to send me off.
Fifth Master, safe journey.
Let me send you off.
Eh...ha, ha.
♪ Lotus Rhyme, with two planks ♪
♪ Going that way, and coming this way ♪
♪ Want to eat a meal, look at this side ♪
♪ This side is where you find the old eatery ♪
♪ Want to drink tea, check that side ♪
Young Master,
those are the two beggars who stole our food in the restaurant.
Chase down those two little beggars for me.
Yes.
Run quickly.
Young Master, Young Master.
Where are the items in the chest?
Young Master.
When you went after the big beggar,
suddenly a gang of little beggars came out
to rob us all the items.
Why didn't you go after them?
We can't even raise our legs, Young Master.
Nice job.
Little Sister.
Second Brother.
I just heard news in town about Brother-in-law.
News about Zhan Zhao? Please tell me, quick!
Brother-in-law may be in trouble.
This Zhan Zhao is really going too far.
Fifth Brother, don't be angry
or else it will affect your health.
He has already accepted the official name "Imperial Cat".
Isn't that clearly going against us Five Rats?
We have never met him and don't have any grudge with him.
What will be his reasons to target us?
Big Brother,
it's true that Zhan Zhao has never met us,
but he must have heard about our martial arts name Five Rats, right?
Given that, he still accepted the official title Imperial Cat.
And a cat catching rats is a law of nature.
I believe that he is clear about this.
- But...- Elder Brother, if you let this thing pass,
I won't be able to endure it.
Even if you cannot endure, you have to endure.
Little Brother, it's not that I am praising an outsider and disparaging you,
but I've heard that Zhan Zhao's skills are very good
And also,
he is an official, you're a citizen.
We can't win against him.
Can't win against him.
5th...
It's been known from old
that being an official puts you on top.
We, ordinary people, usually just endure being maltreated.
Second brother,
we shouldn't speak like that.
I agree with 5th.
I don't care if he is the Imperial Cat or the Stone Cat.
Don't let me bump into him.If I bumped into him and dropped my mallet on him,
I'd beat him into a pulp.
I'd then skin his cat skin, remove his cat bones and eat his cat meat washed with wine.
You said it too well.
We Five Rats can't allow to be easily trampled on in the Jianghu.
I believe that soon
everyone in the Jianghu will see
whether this Imperial Cat can destroy me, the Sleek Rat
or is it me, the Sleek Rat, who will destroy the Imperial Cat.
Fifth! Don't be hasty!
Han Zhang
Xui Qing
Jiang Ping
Do you still consider me as your leader?
Oh...
Fifth!...
So, the rumors now spreading around the Jianghu
are that the Emperor granted Zhan Zhao the title Imperial Cat for him to destroy the Five Rats.
The Five Rats have never committed any crimes.
Why would the government want them destroyed?
No one can really understand government matters.
Zhan Zhao will never side with the government against the Five Rats.
Since he received the official positiongranted by the Emperor,
it's not up to him to decide what he should or should not do.
Second Brother, write a letter and send it to the capital immediately.
What if the real reason behind this is a different one?
Little Sister, you still don't believe me.
Subtitles were brought to you by The Rats of Hollow Island Team @Viki
Big Brother, we weren't able to catch up with him.He's gone.
Gone?
He's gone?
What is he planning to do?
It's obvious that Bai Yutang is going to the capital to look for Zhan Zhao.
This Fifth really doesn't have a sense of brotherhood.
Going to fight without even thinking of calling me.
This...we can't do anything really.
Say...just the few of us...if Fifth wants to go, who can really stop him?
That's right!Fifth's martial arts skills, that light body skill,
who among us can chase him?
This Fifth...
going like this...
isn't it like a mouse making a a Happy New Year visit to a cat?
I'd rather die,
I'm so pissed off.
Big Brother, don't worry.
Big Brother, don't be angry.
Big Brother, don't get too excited.
Look at you guys.
Do you guys still see me as your Big Brother?
I swore in front of Buddha
that we are not asking to be born the same day, month, and year
but ask to die on the same day, month, and year.
Fifth doing something like this...If he has a fatal mishap,
how can I remain in this world?
Big Brother...
if something happens to you,
- I will definitely seek revenge for you.- Shut up...
Big Brother, he doesn't know how to speak.
How will Big Brother be in fatal danger?
It's Big Brother who says that he will kill himself...
Big Brother said that he will kill himself but that doesn't mean that he will really kill himself.
- Big Brother will...- Enough...
- I'll speak...I'll speak some words of reason...- Let's listen to Second Brother.
Third Brother, the fact that Fifth has gone away
is all due to Fourth!
Right, it's all because of Fourth.
If Fourth hadn't made Fifth angry,would Fifth had run away?
How did I make him angry?
- You...- You, Second Brother Han...
- I've always said the truth.- You...
- Are you being reasonable?- I...- I'm telling you, you are not at all reasonable.
Can your mouth say any honest words?
I'm telling you, you drink fragrant oil to sing tunes,
with a stomach full of insincere words.
Why do you say that my words are insincere?
I've never uttered insincere words.
Second brother, look at him.
I'm telling you, he has a good mouth.a very big mouth.
I even have a big mouth?
You are clearly talking nonsense.
All my Jianghu friends know that I have a small mouth.
Is my mouth big?
Mouth...is not big.
- Did you hear that?- Head is big!
Right.Head is big so mouth is also big.
- My head is not as big as Elder Brother's.- What are you guys saying? Stop it now!
Do you still consider me as your Big Brother?
Hmp!
Big Brother does have a big head.
Bai Yutang is very arrogant.
Of course, he's unlikely to change his manner,
but he on his own won't be able to deal with Zhan Zhao.
But I'm afraid...
Second Brother, you are an intelligent person.
I won't deceive you,
I deliberately said those words to make Fifth Brother angry.
Second Brother
are you willing to allow some mangy cat coming out of nowhere
to chase the five of us all over the place?
- It's not okay.- It isn't!
Do you want the mangy cat out of nowhere to destroy the Five Rats' reputation?
- No, I don't.- No, you don't.
I know that you are not willing and do not want,
so you, Second Brother, played along with me earlier.
Fourth...
What stupid idea are you planning now?
Second Brother, listen, If we ask Big Brother directly to let us challenge Zhan Zhao,
given Big Brother's gentle nature,
would he agree to it?
- No...- No, he won't.
But if we forcibly challenge Zhan Zhao to a duel,
and Big Brother gets so angry and anxious that he dies from it,
we won't be able to face Big Brother's wife.
Right...Big Brother is already quite old.
If he dies from anxiety, what will we do?
But Big Brother has a weakness.
Big Brother spoils Fifth too much.
He always makes sure that Fifth isn't a disadvantage.
And Fifth's temper, everyone knows, flares easily. He can't stand criticism.
I only said a couple of sentences and he ran off.
I suggest, eventually I tell Big Brother
that you and I will go search for Fifth and ask him to come back.
Say, won't Big Brother agree to it?
- He surely...- Of course, he will agree.
But once we leave Hollow Island,
we no longer have to obey Big Brother.
We first meet up with Fifth and then we'll go catch Zhan Zhao.
Once we caught him,
I'll pull his whiskers out.
I'll cut off his claws.
I'll break his bones.I'll skin him.
Then put him on a wok and boil him.
By that time, add some vinegar and drink some wine.
If all five rats attack him together,
I'm afraid that Zhan Zhao alone cannot beat them.
The leader, Lu Fang, is a kind person.
We can first go and visit him,
explain our reasons.
Let him pacify his brothers.
Once we have investigated the truth about this matter,
we'll discuss it with them again.
That big rat will be easier to talk to,
the rest of them, I'm afraid...
It's really fun to play.
Don't you two try to hide it from me anymore.
I've already heard everything the two of you were discussing earlier.
If you two will not bring me with you,
I'll tell Big Brother now!
Don't be angry...Third Grandfather, Third Grandfather...
You have the biggest head.Is that okay now?
It's not that you can't come along,
but you must first agree to one condition.
Right.You must promise a condition.
With your stomach full of evil ideas,that condition of yours...
Do I give you one of my eyes for you to step on?Cut one of my arms for you?
How can I agree to those?
Brother, do you think I can agree to those?
There's only one condition.
Third Brother, this is very important.
On the way, you mustn't bring up Big Brother's name
and you must listen to me all the time.
You can only do what I tell you to do.
If I say you can't do something, you shall not do it and foil our plan.
If you ask me to jump into a well,must I jump into a well?
If you ask me not to eat,must I not eat?
Fourth really has a stomach full of bad ideas!
Second Brother, how come he can't understandanything I'm saying?
What Third said has a point.
- Second Brother- Ah!!!!
Brothers,
Fifth left yesterday without saying a word.
Last night, I kept turning in my bed,unable to sleep
I really can't stop worrying.
So I called you here now to discuss this.
Big Brother
I have a suggestion.Don't know whether to say it or not.
Say it...
Big Brother, I feel that since we couldn't reach Fifth yesterday,
we are all at fault.
We feel very guilty.
To make up for our mistakes,
I...Second Brother and Third Brother, will chase him to the capital,
and ask him to come home, is that okay?
Right...Yes, Big Brother.
Fifth is too stubborn.
I expect him not to listen to you guys.
Right...It's precisely because of that
that I ask Second and Third Brother to come with me.
The more we are, the greater is our chance.
Right...That's good...
- Do you plan to use brute force with him?- No...
Big Brother
That is not what we meant.
When we see Fifth Little Brother,
we'll first let Fourth say to himall his snake-oil seller's words,
to trick him into listening to us.
You talk better.
Then Second Brother and I will catch him offguard
and use food to win him.
And then, we'll stuff Second Brother's sock in his mouth
To prevent him from cursing anyone.
Finally I'll tie him up and bring him back here
to see you and listen to you lecture him well.
Big Brother, don't you worry.
We will try to talk to him first before
resorting to force.
Big Brother, you mustn't worry.
When we meet Fifth,
we won't do anything at all
We will definitely talk to him first,
reason with him.
If this really doesn't work,
- then we'll think of other ways, right?- Right.
Regardless of what ways you come up with,
you must not harm the friendship between us.
Of course not...Right...
Right...Yes...
First Master, young Miss has run away.
To Master Bao
The Five Rats have heard that Southern Hero has been conferred the title Imperial Cat.
The Five Rats are not happy with this and are already on their way to the capital.
I hope that Master will be prepared for this early.
From Ding Zhao Wei
We must not waste any time.
Hurry and go to Jiangnan.
You must definitely stop Bai Yutang and the others on the way.
First, to resolve the misunderstanding between you.
Second, to prevent them reaching the capital and causing trouble.
I'll obey!
Jia!
Grandpa...
How do you feel?
Old man
You fell into the water earlier.This young master saved you.
Grandpa, are you alright?
Who told you to meddle with other people's business?
Why did you save me?
I can't live anymore.
You trill have to come and torment an unfortunate old man like me?
Hey, you old man, why do talk that way?
Young Master saved you and now he's the one in the wrong?
Grandpa
Ants strive to live regardless of conditions, moreover, humans.
If you have any insurmountable problems,we can talk about them.
If I feel that you really have to die,then I'll throw you back into the lake.
Don't worry.
That's right.If you have any problems, just say it.
We are many here. Many minds can think of something to help you.
My problems...
None of you can do anything,you won't be able to help me.
You haven't yet told me. How do you know that I can't help you?
The person who harmed me is Zhen Xin.
Zhen Xin?Who is Zhen Xin?
That's right.
Who is this Zhen Xin?
Zhen Xin...
Zhen Xin is the Emperor's father-in-law, Chancellor Pang's nephew.
All Hangzhou Prefecture's officials, high or low, must bow and scrape
in his presence.
They call him Gold Feather God,who can do anything against him?
Old man
How did you offend that Gold Feather God?
Aren't you Shopkeeper Zhou, the owner of the tea house on East High Street?
Uncle, do you know this man?
Don't I know him!
I used to go to his tea house frequently to drink tea.
His business was Wu Liu Tea House on East High Street.
It was really famous with lots of customers.
Unfortunately it has now fallen into other people's hands.
Can you say why?
What happened is this.
Two years ago...
Wu Liu Tea House caught fire.
Luckily the neighbors were able to help on time.
The frame of the house was saved.
But many of the items inside got burnt.
To repair the tea house, Shopkeeper Zhou borrowed 50 taels of silver (tael: monetary unit)
from his neighbor Liu Si.
They agreed on 3% interest.
Two years later, he was to repay Liu Si the amount plus interest, 80 taels.
This interest seemed reasonable.
That's right! When your neighbors borrow money from you,
of course you will pay a reasonable interest.
Unfortunately, barely a year later,
Liu Si suddenly informed Shopkeeper Zhou
that he had already transferred the debt rights
to Master Zhen's name.
Zhou had to pay the money directly to Master Zhen instead.
At the time, Zhou didn't think about it much.He just agreed to it right away.
But not long ago, when Zhou went to Zhen's Residenceto pay his debt on the due date,
matters had changed.
Changed to what?
Zhen said that since the debt was transferred to his name,
then the interest rates should follow Zhen's.
With this, the total amount suddenly became 200 taels.
Shopkeeper Zhou cannot get that money.
So he was then sued by Master Zhen at the Lower Court.
Gentlemen, think about it.
This Master Zhen is the cousin of Chancellor Pang's 13th concubine.
He is a true-blooded relative of the Imperial Family.
How could the lower court judge dareto rule against his case?
The Lower Court decided on the same day that Zhou had to pay his debt with his tea house.
His wife, because of anger,
died just after a month.
To see the tea house painstakingly run for 10 years became someone else's...
Tell me, gentlemen, in this situation,what else will he live for?
Does this old man have any children?
He still have a daughter.She has been married many years already.
Their home is also not that rich.
Oftentimes, they still depend on the girl's family to live.
You better just let me die.Living on this world...
- what else will I live for?- Grandpa...cool down...
Don't be so agitated...
Isn't it just 200 taels of silver?
I'll give it to you.