In recent years, the Prince of Changsha has been imitating the Four Lords of the Warring States.
Taking retainers without restraint,
Enlisting all sorts of bandits and pirates.
His death squad is no less than 1000 men. Besides...
What else?
The Prince of Changsha publicly calls these men
his imperial army.
These past years, I've been enduring his actions.
Actually, he has overstepped his limits...
A few days ago, the Prince of Changsha received a letter from the King of Western Xia.
He was asking the Prince of Changsha
to step up his business in the South.
in order to provoke the government into sending troops.
As soon as the government moves its army,
the king of Western Xia will lead 100,000 men towards the Capital
and launch a north-south pincer attack on the government forces.
Once they succeed, taking the Yellow River as the boundary,
the Prince of Changsha and the King of Western Xia will divide the world between them.
How dare you Zhao Jue!
The situation is critical. Please, Your Majesty, decide soon.
I never thought that Zhao Jue could progress this fast.
Where can I get so many people this suddenly?
How about...the Northwest...
Your Majesty, you cannot.
The great army guarding the Northwest must absolutely not be moved.
Then right now, how are we to deal with Zhao Jue?
How dare you!
You've worked hard.
What are you doing? Come over here!
Xu Qing!
Xu Qing, let me ask you. Let me ask you if you still--
I give importance to you Big Brother.
No. Say, brothers.
Say, we've been waiting so long.
How come this Old Emperor is still not here?
This...Emperor.
- Emperor, Emperor.- Why are you rushing?
Look at Eunuch Wang. Isn't he also standing and waiting like us?
Say, we're just looking at it like this
and we can't even drink it.
Let me tell you. This greedy bug in my gutright now...
is going up...and up... and up...
through my throat...coming out--
Third Master.
This is the Emperor's Imperial wine.
When His Majesty awards it, it's usually only a small cup.
It won't make you full.
That's is too stingy.
Will it just be this much every time?That's just--
Third Brother. Third Brother. Third Brother.
Did you hear? The wine granted by the Emperor mustn't be drunk in a hurry.
I think we should sell it.
Not that I'm bragging, but I can sell it for one cup of gold.
Fourth...
Are you saying that one cup of this wine can be sold for one cup of gold?
What do you know?
A cup of Imperial wine awarded by the Emperor
is worth more than just one cup for a cup of gold.
It's been so long. Why aren't they back yet?
Maybe they've gone to drink somewhere behind our backs.
That's unlikely. Master is still waiting for them.
No matter how we look at it, they shouldn't be in trouble.
But I feel very uneasy in my heart.
Brother Ma!
Hello, Sister-in-law.
Brother Ma, why aren't they back yet?
Master.
Hurry and say it. What news do you have?
They are still waiting outside Fushan Shouhai.
Still waiting there?
What is His Majesty actually going to do?
Magistrate, could it be that someone is covertly doing evil?
Lobbying His Majesty and making him change his mind?
Your Majesty, when I was in Changsha, I met the envoy sent by Pang Yu,
Sheng Zhongyuan.
Shen Zhongyuan?
Shen Zhongyuan told me that Pang Yu had created a Talent Recruitment Club in Chengzhou.
He recruited heroes from all over to work for him.
Afterwards, under Magistrate Bao's men,
and the killings of the Five Rats, it fell apart in only a few days.
I heard about this.
I think that Your Majesty can use a similar method
and let the Five Rats deal with the Prince of Changsha.
Zhao Jue is not Pang Yu.
Can this move be effective?
Compared to fighting with a standard military deployment, the Five Rats are insignificant.
But they can form a small auxiliary force.
It's enough for them to show their stealth skills.
Maybe with that,
each of them can be better than thousands of soldiers.
Soon as Zhao Jue dies,
his hangers-on will just scatter.
Once they lost their southern allies, the Western Xia King in the North
will not dare to act rashly and blindly.
Your Majesty is brilliant.
Men!
- Your Majesty.- Hurry.
Tell Little Luzi to come back here.
He must bring with him the Imperial wine.
- Yes.- Hurry!
This one cup wine is one cup of gold.
Then it's like directly drinking gold.
Don't you feel tired squatting like that?
Someone's coming. Someone's coming.
If he's already there then let's go inside now.
This...what's going on?
Your man isn't coming and you don't even leave behind the wine.
This is great then. There's nothing here. What will we drink?
Could it be that s-som-something has happened?
Second Brother, Fourth Brother, look at this, what else could happen?
It must be that Old Emperor--
is too petty.
He can't bear to give even this small amount of wine.
This Old Emperor...couldn't he have suddenly changed his mind?
No. Definitely not. A sovereign never goes back on his words.
I think something else must have happened.
Let me tell you.
No. I'm still waiting here. My wine...
My one cup of wine, worth one cup of gold...
Third Brother! You only know wine, wine, all the time wine.
If I wasn't waiting for that wine, I'd leave now.
Don't. Don't. Don't.
In your eyes, do you still give importance to me?
Third Brother, it's no big deal.
I'll steal some for you next time.
Right. Right. Right.
You said it right.
Sister Saihua, how about we wait for them outside?
Outside? Where?
Outside the palace. That's nearer to them.
If there's any news, we can also know it earlier.
Alright.. Then let's go outside the palace.
I'm going too.
- Let's go.- Go.
The imperial decree is here!
By the right bestowed by Heaven, the Emperor decrees
that the gallant Bai Yutang achieved merit by capturing a thief and donating gold.
He's acquitted from his crime of trespassing into the royal palace
and will be further rewarded.
He's conferred the position of 4th ranked Imperial Guard.
Gallant Han Zhang achieved merit capturing the thief and donating gold.
He's conferred the position of 6th ranked Imperial Guard.
Both Bia Yutang and Han Zhang
will work under Kaifeng Court.
Furthermore, I'm conferring the title "Loyal and Righteous Five Rats" to the Five Rats,
this shall be respected
and announced to the world. End of Edict.
Long live His Majesty!
Thank you. Thank you.
- Master Bai, accept the decree then.- Thank you.
Fellow officers, congratulations!
Same with you.
Initially, His Majesty planned to award you wine in person.
I had even brought the wine pitcher earlier.
But suddenly, the Empress Dowager is not feeling well
so he had to rush to the Virtuous Elders Palace. That's why...
- Sigh.- May I ask Eunuch Wang how is Empress Dowager now?
There's was really no big deal.
It's just that His Majesty
was quite apologetic for being unable to grant you wine in person.
That's why, he's giving you 2 big pots of wine instead
and asks you to take them home to enjoy.
Everyone. These wines are good wines.
On reaching your lips, they'll feel similarly sweet and cool. Similarly intoxicating.
Good. Good. Then we'll take our leave.
We'll take our leave now.
Slowly. Slowly. Slowly, Fourth.
Eunuch Wang, please inform His Majesty
that we'll repay his kindness with virtue and promise to serve him until death.
That will be excellent. In the future, when His Majesty asks you to do something,
everyone should just do it a little faster.
Why are they not coming out yet?
They've been in there for so long already.
Say, what do you think are they doing inside?
Let's wait a little longer.
You worked hard. You worked hard.
Mother Tiger!
Can you see this? This is the imperial wine that Old Emperor awarded us.
One cup of this is worth one cup of gold.
These 2 pots is then 2 pots of gold.
Really?
Oh, my, Stinky Old Xi'er!
You guys are so great!
Why didn't this Old Emperor, in passing, also awarded you some mantou?
Never heard the word even mentioned. You're going to be laughed at.
I only heard of awarding imperial wine, never heard of awarding imperial mantou.
You're the one who's going to be laughed at.
Why can't one be awarded mantou? Have you heard of
imperial mantou? Imperial mantou...In short, "Imperial Head". [on its own, the character "tou" in "man-tou" means "head"]
Second Brother, ever heard of it?
- Yes. Yes. Yes.- Enough already.
Third Sister-in-law, third Sister-in-law,
Big Brother, let's stop arguing here. We'll talk on our way home.
Go now! Let's go!
This is imperial wine! Can you see it?
This is Old Empe--, not Old Emperor...
it's His Majesty who rewarded us with this imperial wine.
Getting His Majesty's rewards, I'm so happy!
Brothers, let's sing!
♪ The night of the 30th, a big full moon, ♪
♪ The bandits are up to steal some water pots ♪
♪ The deaf heard the sound of steps ♪
♪ The blind saw someone going over the wall ♪
♪ The mute shouted, 'The thieves are here!' ♪
♪ The pockmarked stood up to count the guards ♪
♪ He ordered the cripple to catch the bandits ♪
♪ The water pot is being carried away by the bandits ♪
♪ The bandits turn round and box a few ears ♪
♪ Hit the water pot and call for mom! ♪
Your Majesty, it's not that I'm using my position to avenge a wrong,
I am actually worried.
Your Majesty, you can't indulge your enemy, it is asking for trouble.
I had say that
once these five rats were assembled,
I would definitely catch them. But...
But what?
I heard that there is a young lad who is even more formidable than the rats.
That's why, the most urgent matter now, is not to eliminate those five rats,
but to worry about that lad.
Right. Right. I heard Father say
that even though that lad is very young,
his martial arts skills are better than any of those five rats.
But Bao Zheng has never mentioned him to me.
Your Majesty, Bao Zheng has only recommended those five rats to you.
But he left the best for himself.
Bao Zheng clearly pretends to be muddled to fool you, and is holding back a trick or two.
[Kaifeng Court]
Respectfully greeting, Magistrate.
Guard Han, Guard Bai,
from this day on, you are government officers.
I hope that you will fulfill your duties with dedication,
and render service to repay the government's kindness. I hope you won't let down His Majesty's grace.
We'll abide by Your Lordship's instructions.
[Deceased father: Ji Qiang; mother: Zhou]
Father...Mother... I will definitely personally kill Zhan Zhao
to seek revenge for you.
I was wronged!
I was wronged, Magistrate.
Who's the one kneeling in front of me?
I am a commoner woman named Ji Saihua.
Ji Saihua, what grievance do you have? Tell all the details.
I will definitely give you justice.
Magistrate, I'm accusing the criminal Zhan Zhao.
He killed my parents for no reason at all.
May Magistrate give me justice.
Alright. Miss Ji. I already know now your grievance.
Don't worry. I will definitely give you justice.
You may leave now.
Thank you, Magistrate.
Jiang Ping, Bai Yutang!
We're here.
I order you two to capture Zhan Zhao immediately. No delay!
We abide.
Mr. Gongsun.
I'm here.
Please issue an arrest order against Zhan Zhao.
I abide.
May I ask who are you looking for?
Auntie, I'm looking for Zhan Zhao.
Our young master left a few days ago.
He hasn't been back for several days.
Are you looking for him for some urgent matter?
One of my cousins was sold here in the Eastern Capital.
I heard that she was taken to the Chancellor's Residence.
But a few days ago, the Chancellor gave this house, with my cousin,
to Zhan Zhao as a gift. That's why...
- Young Master, you've came late.- How late?
Before our master left, he gave some money
to send those two girls given by the Chancellor
back to their home in Jiangnan.
Your older brother was my son-in-law.
Now that your older brother is gone,
I, of course, must take good care of you on his behalf.
Thank you for Chancellor's grace. I will never forget it.
Alright. It's already late.
Take a rest early.
Then I'll take my leave.
The two of you, go there to take a look.
You two go there.
If you dare to shout, I'll kill you.
Spare my life. Spare my life.
Where is Zhan Zhao?
Zhan Zhao?
Hurry and say it!
On the West side. In the small courtyardon the western side.
If you dare to fool me, I'll kill you.
I definitely won't dare. I definitely won't dare.
Show me the arrow under you sleeve.
Zhan Zhao's real sleeve arrow has no poison.
Although it's very similar to the one in your hand,
the difference is that
the one in your hand looks more like a dart.
Stop your nonsense.
Even if you're not the rapist in Sanghua County,
then let me ask you,
you've been famous in the Jianghu from a young age.
People call you the Southern Hero.
why must you work under a criminal?
I know who you are.
Stop your nonsense. Then tell, who am I?
It must not be revealed yet
because you don't have the heart to accept it.
Stop using deceptive tricks.
Let me ask you. Why must you
collaborate with that Pang thief and frame Bao Zheng?
That cannot be revealed either.
You!
If any information
leaks out from my mouth
and is heard by criminals, I'm afraid...
that it will endanger Magistrate Bao's life.
Can't you say anything in a more straightforward way?
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Catch him! Catch him!
You've been discovered. Hurry and go.
Be good. Hurry and go.
Subtitles were brought to by The Rats of Hollow Island Team@Viki
Master Yue, come in.
Miss Yue...
Tonight, the moon is bright and the stars are plenty.
Miss, are you also out for a stroll?
Do you need anything?
I have nothing in particular.
The main point is that these past days, I didn't know where you'd gone.
I was a little worried about you.
Thank you for your concerns.
If there's nothing else,
I'll leave now.
Miss Yue...
It's quite dark. Be careful when walking.
That assassin last night had really great martial arts.
Unfortunately, I didn't have my sword with me at the time.
I had to use my hands to fight him.
That's why I ended up in such a difficult situation.
At Kaifeng Court...
there's still a young man who appeared at the same time as the Five Rats.
I heard that this person has unfathomable martial arts,
very outstanding.
Kaifeng Court?
Then does that mean that the Kaifeng Court people are coming to arrest me?
More accurately,
it must have been a spy they sent.
Hero Zhan, there's something you don't know.
Yesterday morning, Kaifeng Court
has already issued an order
to arrest Hero Zhan.
On what basis are they arresting me?
I didn't break any law.
Someone has accused you of raping women
in Sanghua county,
and murdering Ji Qiang and his wife.
Totally preposterous!
Chancellor, you know it.
For these past days, I was in Chenzhou secretly protecting Royal Uncle.
How could I have time to go to Jiangnan and commit crimes?
But...
Who can prove
that you were in Chenzhou?
Right now, even Shen Zhongyuan
is on Bao Zheng's wanted list.
Chancellor,
you must save me.
Although at the Imperial court
I am the Chancellor,
that Black Bao is pressing harder and harder on me.
Forcing me to be like a clay buddha crossing the river,
hardly able to save even myself.
How can I save you then?
This...
But...I...
can help guide you to a survival path.
May Chancellor enlighten me.
Go to Changsha.
Kaifeng Court lost a cat,
but Five Rats came.
It can be said that you have a flourishing population.
This is all thanks to Your Majesty's blessings.
As they say, when the world has a brilliant ruler, the people will surely obey.
Magistrate Bao,
you recruit skilled warriors and recommend them to me,
so that they can be used by the government.
Not like some people
who wave their contributions for the world to see,
but keep everything for their own use.
Magistrate Bao,
in this aspect, you're better than others.
Every land in this world is Your Majesty's land.
Every human in this world is Your Majesty's subject.
Recommending talented individuals
to Your Majesty is part of my job.
How could I dare to secretly keep anything for my own use?
A lot of people
have mentioned
to me that in
Magistrate Bao's Kaifeng Court
you're harboring a young man with exceptional martial arts skills,
and employing him as your own.
I didn't believe them.
I told them
that Bao Zheng is not that kind of person.
Your Majesty is brilliant.
♫ One jar of unfiltered rice wine, two sliding windows. ♫
This jade amulet is my heirloom.
Although it's not worth much,
but in my eyes, it's a treasure.
If Miss Ding won't mind it.
It's also my fortune.
♫ The 7 affections and 6 lusts are getting more savage ♫
♫ 8 candle lights, ♫
♫ 9 threads of light muslin ♫
♫ Stamped on 10 walls ♫
♫ Step by step, chasing the divine diagrams towards limitless ♫
♫ Drop by drop, experiencing the warmth and coldness of human's tears. ♫
♫ Heaven's secret must not be revealed. ♫
♫ Experiencing this desolation alone ♫
♫ Sound by sound, waking the sorrow and happiness within one's dream ♫
♫ One pair of black eyebrows seducing the dust and frost ♫
♫ Gossips spread ♫
I know who you are. It's just that I can't reveal it
because you don't have the heart to accept it.
♫ Going through smooth happiness in one lifetime ♫
♫ Don't say that the ages have been merry and lively ♫
♫ Drunken dreams of going back to one's province ♫
♫ I'm at the pagoda beyond the Great wall ruining the sunset ♫
♫ Elegantly and unconventionally destroying my make-up ♫
♫ Even if love and hate are changeable ♫
♫ success and failure are likewise not paired. ♫
Informing Empress Dowager,
your god-daughter, Mrs. Bao, is outside requesting an audience.
Hurry. Hurry and let her in.
Respectfully greeting Royal Mother.
- Rise. Rise. Hurry and rise.- Thank you, Royal Mother.
Yo!
Is this Miss Yue?
Come. Come. Come.
Come over. Let me see you clearly.
Such a pretty lady.
Greetings, Your Highness.
I heard...
that Bao Zheng's wife went to the Virtuous Elders Palace?
Your Highness, there is indeed such a thing.
Listen well to what they are saying.
When you get back, immediately report it to me.
His Majesty arrives!
Your Majesty's Grace.
Is the Empress Dowager resting?
She's talking with Mrs Bao.
His Majesty arrives!
At ease, rise!
Royal Mother, this girl is...?
Miss, lift your head so His Majesty can see you.
Your Majesty, isn't Miss Yue pretty?
Pretty, as pretty as a little fairy maiden.
Your Majesty doesn't know
that she's not only a great beauty,
she is also a heroine who can compete with men.
This time, she dressed as a man,
and, in support of Bao Zheng, intercepted the gold, captured Pang Yu,
and reined in Bai Yutang. Her contribution is greater than anyone's.
Oh yes, I remember now!
Wen Yanbo once told me that recently
in Kaifeng Court there was a young hero with exceptional "light body" martial skills,
who could jump over the heads of more than 10 guards!
Now that I think about it,
could that have been Miss Yue?
It was her!
Walking on people's heads?
That's magical!
That's quite a skill. If engaged in a true fight,
even Bai Yutang and the otherswould have to concede to her ability.
Aiya, a woman wielding a weapon,
I have heard about it, but never seen it in person.
Whenever Empress Dowager has time,
Miss Yue could demonstrate her skill for you.
Yes, Empress Dowager has time. She is available at any time.
Aiya, now is better than choosing a date.
Since I bumped into this today,
I could, thanks to Empress Dowager's mercy, have the chance to be enlightened.
Your Majesty, as a commoner, I wouldn't dare showing off in front of you and the Empress Dowager.
Miss, no need for your humility.
Show His Majesty all your martial arts skills,
so that he will know what a heroine is.
As His Majesty decreed, if you can tap that woman,
and apply a black ink stain on her, you'll be considered as winners
You will be rewarded with 50 taels of silver.
You must definitely win and uphold His Majesty's honor.
You cannot lose to a young woman, understand?
We do.
The contest starts.
Miss Yue, be careful.
Appreciate Empress Dowager's reminder.
Which security guard will come forward for the contest?
Let me do it.
Miss, please.
You, go ahead.
Wait. All four of you come up at the same time.
This girl is looking down on us.
Then we should go up together to teach her a good lesson.
Yes.
People say that it's hard for 2 fists to win against 4 legs.
To fight 4 people by herself...can she handle it?
I don't know either.
Empress Dowager, don't worry.
I already stated in advance
this is just a demonstration. No one will be hurt.
Yeah.
Your Majesty, Empress Dowager,
I would like to ask for a chance to compete with Miss Yue.
Please Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, grant my wish.
Is it because you saw all your subordinates
defeated, and want to compete yourself to save your face?
The way I see it,
Miss Yuehua has just competed against four men without any rest, and you want to fight her now.
Isn't it a bit unfair?
I wouldn't dare.
Your Majesty, Empress Dowager,
Yuehua would like to learn some lessons from this master.
Please grant me the wish.
Alright. If this can please the Empress Dowager,
you can do the best you can.
My lord, please give your instructions.
I'm used to using swords, please choose your own weapon.
You can't. You can't. Swords are ruthless, what if you get hurt?
Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, don't worry.
If Yuehua isn't as competent as him, I will die with no complaints!
They are all martial artists,
even if they use real swords and guns, they can still perform skillfully.
Miss Yue, please choose your weapon.
Just this.
Watch out!
Your sword is quite fast!
I can go even faster!
Pity you can't hit me!