Again.
Your Majesty,
who among them does your heart fancy?
-All. I want all of them. -Yes.
Again. Good. Quick. Give it to me.
Premier! Premier!
Did the emperor go to the palace hall this morning?
He stayed here for about an hour and left to choose concubines.
An hour?
Yes.
That's too much. You may leave now.
Yes. By the way, Premier...
I wonder if I should say this.
Say it.
Yes. Premier, the messenger from the county of Qi reported
Chen Sheng and Wu Guang are staging an uprising in Dazexiang.
Does the emperor know this?
I think he doesn't know yet.
If anyone requests to meet the emperor...
I must be told first.
Yes, I understand.
Be careful, Premier.
Be careful, Your Majesty.
That's excellent, Your Majesty.
We admire your skill.
That will keep our state at peace, Your Majesty.
Again!
Your Majesty, I come to meet you.
You may rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Have you got something new, Your Majesty?
I'm learning how to be an emperor today.
Did you learn something already?
It's just as you have said,
If I can't deal with the affairs at home...
how could I deal with the affairs of the whole world?
Absolutely.
Today, I'm going to determine...
just who exactly will be my concubines.
There are too many beauties in the harem.
From faces to bodies, they are essentially the same.
How am I to pick out the most beautiful?
So, I happened to find a good way.
We can use the shuttlecock.
It took me six hours...
to finish selecting my concubines.
You must be exhausted, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty...
your main task is to have more heirs,
to prosper the royal family so that the civilians will obey you,
and the world will be under your command.
No one else in this world but Your Majesty
shall enjoy his freedom and do as he pleased.
To be frank, an emperor must live a free life.
If he can't freely enjoy himself and only lives an ascetic life,
I think the people of the world may not respect him.
You are so right, Premier.
I will learn to be that kind of emperor.
Premier, come! Look, Minister.
Look at her. What a slender body!
What a slick neck!
That's a pair of lovely feet, right?
If they're not kicking the shuttlecock, how could I see them so clearly?
Your Majesty, I have some words to discuss with you.
You may leave now.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, I'd like to speak with you about how to govern the palace.
What do you have in mind, Premier?
Your Majesty, only one person can kick a shuttlecock at any given moment.
Choosing a concubine and kicking shuttlecock are based on the same logic.
Your Majesty, governing the palace
is no different than kicking a shuttlecock.
What do you mean?
Your Majesty, you're always alone in the palace hall.
You need to face all these officials and ministers.
They are selfish and each has his own sinister motives.
Plus, they are very skillful in political trickery.
Your Majesty, think about it.
Can just one of you deal with so many of them every time?
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
I agree with you, Premier!
Premier, what should I do then?
Your Majesty, from now on,
you should only kick one shuttlecock. What do you think?
Tell me about it.
Anything related to the administration
shall only be reported to you by me, Your Majesty.
Anything you want to tell the officials
may be passed on through me.
As for these officials who are currently in the palace,
we should not allow them to coax you
and distract your attention
from being the greatest emperor ever.
That's what you meant by...
kicking one shuttlecock at a time?
Right!
I'm your one and only shuttlecock.
However high you kick me,
is however high I shall go.
If you want some fancy tricks, I can even perform better
than your wildest expectations! What do you say?
Can I really do this?
Absolutely!
Excellent!
Thus, I am able to...
focus on how to be a good emperor.
You are talented, Your Majesty.
If you try your best and work a little harder,
I'm sure you'll become a great emperor.
Premier.
In the entire Palace of Qin,
the person who keeps me accompanied, understands me and praises me...
is you, Premier.
Since I was young, I always have the feeling that...
you were much kinder to me than my father.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Mr. Xiao.
-You're back. -Yes.
-Have you found him? -Yes.
Good.
Remember.
Tell no one about this.
-Yes, sir. -You may go now.
Mr. Xiao, give them some ingots.
How many?
Ten and a half.
Will that keep them quiet?
Is mere gold enough to silence them?
They are minor officials. Make them obey you.
Make them understand the cost of blabbing.
Or else, your ten and a half ingots today
can make them keep secrets for you.
If someone gives them 11 ingots tomorrow, they might betray you.
The ingots you gave them might backfire.
I understand.
Here, fill me in.
This is Mount Mangdang.
It is all marshland from here to the West.
There is but one way through.
Liu Ji and his men are hiding here.
No mistake?
Positive.
The time has come.
Sir.
Is Mr. Xiao coming?
Yes, but...
-But what? -Sir, look.
-You may leave. -Yes, sir.
Sir.
Mr. Xiao, what do you mean?
I heard that you might die soon, and I came to pay my last respects.
Mr. Xiao!
I take you as a friend. Why do you curse me?
It's precisely because of your friendship
that I risk my life coming here.
If you follow my directions, your life may indeed be spared.
Then, I shall bestow my congratulations upon you.
Please, get to the point.
I heard you'll be leading soldiers to wipe out Liu Ji and his men.
Yes. Official doctrine requires this of me.
I will entrust official business to you.
How many soldiers do you have?
-Enough. -Not really.
Your men outnumbered Liu Ji's,
but Liu Ji's are guerrilla warriors. They fight however they must to survive.
It's hardly easy to wipe them all out.
The more soldiers you lead, the fewer left to protect this city.
Chen Sheng's men are not far now.
They have conquered many towns and killed many officials.
Most of the people in Pei county are from Chu.
I'm afraid the moment you leave,
these men will open the city gate and surrender to Zhang Chu.
By then, you'll have no way out. Your supporters will forsake you,
and you'll be down the path to death.
Mr. Xiao, in your opinion...
if I open the city gate and surrender to Zhang Chu,
and do as he said, will that work?
I'm afraid that will not work.
Why not?
You've been Chief Magistrate for ten years.
In the past ten years, you've sentenced countless men to death.
You tattooed faces and cut off feet!
Those who were punished are beyond counting.
Qin law is quite strict.
In the past, the civilians dare not disobey it.
The world is in turmoil now and people are resentful.
If you declare surrender, they might come and kill you.
You can't expect the civilians to support you at all.
Then, what should I do?
I can see that Liu Ji is a very bold and insightful man.
Also, he is a native of Pei County.
If you can pardon him from his punishment,
he will be grateful and return the favor.
You could then use his men
to defend the city as well as suppress any commotion.
This could be the best way to protect you.
But how could Liu Ji ever be at my command?
Sir!
Sir, Liu Ji is indebted to you.
He killed officers, freed draftees and fled with them
but you did not order to arrest him,
or harm any of his family members.
If you spare his life now, he will be utterly grateful.
I'm sure you'd win his loyalty.
Mr. Xiao, please relay to him about our discussion.
Don't worry, Sir. I shall do my utmost.
Good.
Why don't you agree?
This is a rare opportunity we can't afford to miss.
Mr. Xiao, as an ordinary woman, I know very little.
But I know the first emperor's dead...
and the second emperor has ascended the throne.
It's rumored among the villagers.
Rebellions are happening everywhere.
To lead a rebellion at this time,
would only lead to severe punishment.
What makes you think so?
When I was a child,
I've seen how stray dogs fight for meat.
When the dogs are fighting for a piece of meat,
the first that jumped out would not only miss it,
but might also be killed by the others.
Please reconsider.
No, thank you, Mr. Xiao.
I never control Liu Ji on what he does...
and I never stop him either.
I'm sure you know
that Liu Ji is stubborn in his ways.
He will not listen to me.
It's not that I don't want to help.
What I can do now is take care of this family...
and make sure they are well fed.
I can only do this now.
Here's a letter from me to Liu Ji.
When you see him, give it to him directly.
Don't open it yourself.
Don't worry, Mr. Xiao. I'll do as you say.
If he suspects my sincerity...
give him my sword.
Yes, sir.
Be safe.
-Yes, sir. -Go now.
County Chief!
Chen Sheng and Wu Guang have revolted.
The situation is spreading like wildfire.
As we speak, many traitors are using this opportunity to cause trouble.
I think there will be great turmoil here.
Sir! Sir!
The surrounding counties are also staging an uprising.
Many officials have already been killed.
There is nothing to fear. Death is nothing.
Sir, may I know why are you smiling?
We rule chaos with the law and maintain order with Confucian.
I'm afraid, there are not many
Confucius scholars left anymore.
As an official for Qin all these years,
it'd seem that I've lived aloof and secluded.
Day by day, year by year...
I waited not to rule the world...
but for the moments when world falls into turmoil.
The opportunity to act upon my ideals has finally come.
I shall act, indeed.
Sir, how can we protect the county?
I shall detail a plan.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Xiang.
Gentlemen.
Chen Sheng and Wu Guang have revolted.
Throughout the entire Qin state, peasant uprisings are now many.
Chen Sheng's right. Kings and nobles were given their high status by birth.
This is our chance to conquer Qin and restore the Chu.
-Excellent! Excellent! -Finally!
Mr. Xiang, as of this moment...
-we select you as our general. -General Xiang.
Rise, please.
General Xiang, the town fortress
is currently guarded by Ji Bu and Zhongli Mei.
Plus, the official residence is guarded by Chief Yin Tong and his men.
Comparatively, the latter is somewhat weaker.
If we attack the latter, we can use it as a fortress.
In your opinion, the first step,
shall we control the official residence?
Yes, I agree.
Xiang Yu, what do you think?
If we can control the Chief's residence,
Ji Bu and Zhongli Mei's fortress guard may be overtaken easily.
With the residence overtaken, we can easily organize an army!
All right, then. Let's take the Chief's residence.
Yes, sir.
Your Majesty, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang
have rebelled in Dazexiang of Shandong,
and appointed himself king for several months.
The rebels have taken several towns
into their control.
Many officials in Shandong have surrendered to him.
Please send our warriors to suppress the rebellions.
Is that truly happening?
Your Majesty, we don't want to conceal anything from you.
I'm afraid the rebels will attack Wuguan from the west
and then our state will be greatly endangered.
Is it that serious?
Your Majesty, please send our army to suppress the rebels!
Each and every one of you have different opinions.
To whom shall I listen?
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, none of them is right.
Tell me about it.
All the states have been unified.
The late emperor
demolished strategic passes,
and destroyed all their weapons.
Transport and written language are consolidated.
We have a kind-hearted emperor and an effective system of laws.
Our illustrious state is very stable.
Why would anyone dare to rebel?
Chen Sheng and his men are nothing but a band of bandits,
not even worth mentioning.
We only need to order the local magistrates
to send their men to capture these bandits.
Why do we need to send the entire state army?
This is only barking at the moon.
Your Majesty, do not trouble yourself.
Well, my ministers, tell me.
Shall we send our soldiers
to suppress rebels?
Or shall we send our officers to capture these mere robbers?
They are mere robbers.
Speak your minds! Every one of you!
-Your Majesty, they are rebels. -They are rebels.
Those who agree they are robbers, move over there.
You are much more intelligent.
I shall reward you.
And you!
You dare to say they are rebels? Against whom do they rebel?
We have the blessing of the late emperor.
We have the great laws of Qin.
Would they dare to?
You want to rebel against me, too, don't you?
-Your Majesty! Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!
Premier, punish them!
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!
Shu Songtong, you speak of the truth.
The emperor will reward you greatly.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
-Xiahou Ying. -Xiahou Ying.
-Come here! -It's really you guys?
I finally found you. Where is Liu Ji?
At the foot of the mountain.
-Hurry. Come. -Let's go. Be careful.
I have good news.
Brother, how's the situation at home?
Ji, Mr. Xiao sent this to you.
Tell me what it's about?
Mr. Xiao says the chief magistrate will rebel with us.
-What? -He wants us to join him.
-Really? Great! -The magistrate wants to rebel?
We should hurry back.
Pei Country will become ours.
Ji, why do you hesitate?
I'm feeling suspicious about this.
Why do you think so? Isn't this good for us?
Yes, Ji.
You must decide quickly.
Or our men will be disappointed.
Let's leave first. Otherwise, we'll starve to death here.
Ji, let's go.
All right. Tell our men.
-Let's leave. -Great!
-Let's go. -Come on!
Hold on.
What's wrong, Ji?
Something isn't right.
-Why? -What's wrong?
It could be a trap.
It can't be.
Why not?
-Mr. Xiao is a good man. -He's your friend.
-He wouldn't trick you. -Not Mr. Xiao.
But the magistrate will!
The magistrate?
Think about it. He's been the county chief for years.
Why would he give us the county?
All of us here are actually criminals.
Why'd he want to relate to us?
No! It must be a trap.
Brother.
Yes, Ji.
I need you to do this.
You'll go down the hill first.
Check out how's the actual situation.
I'll go now.
Stay here. We'll stay here.
-Stay where you are. -Rest.
-What about us? -Wait.
We'll starve to death on this mountain.
It's better than being killed!
Just wait!
Mr. Xiao. Mr. Xiao!
-The magistrate wants to see you. -All right.
You go ahead. I'll come right away.
The chief magistrate says
I have to escort you there to discuss some important matters.
If you don't go, I can't complete my task.
All right.
Let's go now.
Please.
This way, please.
Chief Magistrate's orders.
What is it?
Come here.
Go, Mr. Xiao!
-Mr. Xiao, hurry up! -Okay.
Come on! Make it fly! Fly!
Catch it. Whoever catches it will be rewarded!
Catch it! Over here.
There. Over there.
Catch it.
Over there. Hurry.
Hurry. Call the premier here.
Your Majesty.
Rise.
Without the premier's permission, who allowed you in here?
We waited outside the hall every day.
What in the world do you come here for?
We haven't seen you for three months, Your Majesty. We are guilty.
Why are you guilty for not seeing me for three months?
Fine. Now that you've seen me,
all of you may leave now. Leave now!
We're risking our lives to present our proposal.
What is it? What's so important?
In Dazexiang, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rebelled.
Moreover,
Chen Sheng appointed himself king, calling himself King of Zhangchu.
Not only in Shandong,
rebels in other places have taken control of the local governments.
Anyone who disobey will be killed mercilessly.
It isn't about capturing bandits anymore.
If we don't send our army now,
it will be too late to wipe them out.
I'm afraid our state will be destroyed.
Gently.
Some scholars are speaking to His Majesty.
Premier, you haven't put on your sleeves!
Nonsense! Nonsense!
All this is nonsense! Nonsense!
Your Majesty, we are telling the truth.
Otherwise, we wouldn't risk our lives to speak to you, Your Majesty.
Tell me.
What do you want me to do now?
Your Majesty, please read the reports we submitted in the past three months,
and you'll know we're telling the truth.
Your Majesty, please gather civil and military ministers
to plan out how to suppress the rebels.
Please restore regular morning cabinet meetings.
Please discuss national affairs with all the ministers.
Your Majesty, please appoint Li Si as premier.
Do not believe Zhao Gao.
Do not let the eunuch interfere in political affairs.
-Do not believe Zhao Gao! -Do not believe Zhao Gao!
Don't let the eunuch interfere in political affairs.
Premier Zhao has arrived.
I'm coming. I'm coming.
You haven't put up your sleeves.
-It's all right. -Premier!
Be careful, Premier.
I see that all of you are discussing about me?
Be careful, Premier.
Be careful.
Your Majesty.
Premier, that's such a dazzling robe you're wearing!
Your Majesty, the tailor lacks appropriate skill.
He knew that I would meet you today,
but even the sleeves are not done yet now.
I've ordered his hands to be boiled as a punishment.
As now I have no sleeves, he should have no hands.
Doesn't that seem fair?
Indeed, indeed.
Your Majesty, I'm indeed ineligible to discuss political affairs.
But since these scholars slander me,
I'd like to ask them some questions.
Please do.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
I don't understand.
Tell me, is our state in turmoil,
or are there rebels causing a commotion?
Aren't all of you knowledgeable scholars?
You know everything in Heaven above and the Earth below,
yet you can't answer my question now?
You were very talkative earlier, weren't you?
I shan't blame for your insult upon me.
But you scholars are too narrow-minded.
I know you don't want me to hear what's on your mind.
But since the emperor is here, you should tell him the truth.
Thus, he will know how talented you are.
Your Majesty, I am Shusun Tong.
Rise.
May I answer the question?
I would only like to tell the truth.
Premier, what do you think?
Your Majesty, we should let him speak.
Tell us.
Your Majesty.
Are there truly rebels out there?
Frankly speaking, indeed, there are.
I traveled with my students for almost ten years.
Based on what I noticed during my visits,
there are indeed ruffians in many places...
especially in some remote areas.
Among ten families,
nine of them do not close their doors at night and live honestly.
It's very much different from the Western Zhou Dynasty.
And once in the market, where all the merchants gathered,
I saw with my own eyes,
a peddler lost his sliding weight.
It turned out a thief stole it. The thief was bold.
Right there in the midst of everyone's gaze,
he dared to steal the weight in broad daylight.
Was he not a vicious man?
Vicious! Vicious indeed!
I understand now.
Someone in the market lost a sliding weight.
In some remote areas, heinous thieves appear,
and do illicit things.
Tell me.
From your travel experience...
how are the lives of the civilians in Qin?
What is their judgment of me?
Are there any rebels?
Your Majesty, as far as I know...
whether in the suburbs of Xianyang, or in the old six states,
the civilians take you as the most respected man.
They pray to your illustrious highness,
both in the morning and in the evening.
The civilians of today are all well-fed and well-clothed.
They have silk cloth to make clothes, and dainties of every kind to eat.
In short, would anyone be so foolish
to give up the comfort that they value so much
to rebel against you?
Wouldn't it be foolish if someone rebelled?
Subtitle translation by Loretta Kok