The civilians of today, they are all well-fed and well-clothed.
They have silk for clothes and dainties for food.
In other words, who would give up such a good life
to rebel against you?
Wouldn't that be foolish?
Foolish! So foolish!
Haven’t I said there were no rebels?
So, scholars is this answer,
reasonable enough for all of you?
Is it not the truth?
Right.
Do you scholars have any different ideas?
I agree with Shusun Tong.
Those thieves only stolen weights, right?
Yes. Yes.
Is there anyone that dares to rebel against the emperor?
No. No. No one.
You scholars have confounded right and wrong.
Shusun Tong, come here.
What post do you hold right now?
Your majesty, I’m only an assistant scholar.
My position is too lowly for me to speak out freely.
No, you shouldn't be so humble.
I like your words. Like it very much!
You! You! Come! Come here!
What post do you hold right now?
I’m the chief scholar. I should be shameful.
So shameful!
Here...
Let’s have your posts switched.
Even though Shusun Tong doesn’t hold a high post,
today he was brave enough to come forward,
amid all the pressures...
and all the rumors,
to tell me the truth.
He deserves praises for his bravery.
Great talent! Great talent!
As for you, chief scholar...
you better have another look at yourself. Look at yourself!
How dare you…
speak such nonsense in front of me!
Grant Shusun Tong five kilos of gold and a hundred bolts of silk fabric!
Thank you, Your majesty.
That’s all. You can all go now.
Go! Go!
Wait.
Today is but a warning.
Next time, you should learn the situation well...
before you speak to me.
As I see it, our lands are as stable as ever.
It’s just some robbers making trouble.
But look at you!
Made a fuss out of nothing.
Were it not for the Shusun Tong’s truthful words,
I-- I would’ve been taken in by all of you!
Go! Go!
Shame of the state!
Sirs, sirs, sirs.
What a hypocrite you are!
We had decided to tell the emperor the truth.
But in the interest of your own shallow agenda,
you betrayed us and dared to tell lies.
We're all aware that there are many rebels.
But you told the emperor
that there were only brigands who stole weights.
How could you look into his eyes and tell such lies?
The existence of a Confucian scholar like you,
with no moral and conscience,
is truly the misfortune of Qin.
Finished? Have you all finished?
I had thought to share all that gold and silk fabric with you.
To congratulate all of you
for keeping your heads attached to your bodies today.
But now I see you are all just out of touch scholars.
I shall not share after all.
You all said that you dared to lose your lives,
but in the end,
why didn’t you speak your peace?
Not one of you!
You haven’t seen the emperor for over three months.
Three whole months.
Can’t you see that the emperor…
does not want to listen to the truth?
You all think I spoke those nonsense,
because I covet fame and wealth.
No.
Zhao Gao has the imperial seal in one hand,
and a knife in another!
All of you can stand here now
and criticize me,
while your family need not come and carry away your dead body,
I think you should show your gratitude to me.
Why are you so sad, my husband?
This new emperor…
is such a fatuous ruler.
Zhao Gao is fawning courtier!
They’ll bring great misfortune to our people.
Yet... as a learned man,
even I have to speak such unforgivable lies.
But weren't you promoted
and awarded all those gifts?
I now realize...
our great state... is rotted to the core.
It cannot survive.
The people can no longer live like this.
Have they any reason not to rebel?
I can no longer... hold this post.
Though material wealth is... useful to our family.
If... If I stay here...
Zhao Gao will either kill me,
or... take advantage of me.
If not, I may still be slaughtered by the insurgents.
Grab your things, my wife.
We shall escape this very night.
Away from here.
Where can we go in such a vast world?
Indeed. Where can we go?
Let’s find a place to hide first, and take a look at the situation.
Then we shall find a group of hopeful insurgents and join them.
You mean to betray the state?
No, my wife. Quite the opposite.
All good men… are now forced to rebel.
They have no other choice.
Even an old scholar like me...
is forced to turn away from the state.
Liang, what a coincidence.
I was at the chief magistrate’s today
and I happened to see that he was meeting
with a rather well-dressed guest.
His words and manner were not those
of an ordinary man.
Something was definitely up.
So I asked around,
and found out that he is in fact
a government official sent here
by Zhao Gao.
I wanted to hear what he had to say
but just as I approached them,
the Magistrate led him into a secret chamber.
Therefore, I was unable to ascertain what came of it.
I don't think we should stay here any longer.
What have we to fear?
We might as well kill them both!
Agreed. How long are we supposed to hide?
Let’s fight them now!
Stop your nonsense. You don’t know what you’re saying.
It's not easy to kill a chief magistrate.
You and Yu'er,
How will you two kill the Chief and that man?
Do you know just how many strong men
are guarding the chief magistrate’s residence?
If we could just persuade the chief magistrate
to join us in rebellion,
everything else would fall into place.
Liang…
he is an official appointed by the state.
Plus, the state keeps his coffers full.
So, why would he betray the state of Qin?
It-- It doesn't make sense.
How would we know if we don’t try?
We can try.
But think about it,
the Magistrate’s residence is highly guarded.
Hard to get in, even harder to get out.
We could force him,
but if he doesn’t listen, then we’ll need more men to take him.
However, if we send too many men,
we may expose our plan.
I’ll go by myself.
No. Uncle, I shall go with you.
This is a matter of life and death. Can you handle it?
I can.
-How far? -Soon. We’re almost there.
Where’s Liu Ji?
He’s there.
Mr. Xiao...
Liu Ji...
-Liu Ji. -Ji.
-Mr. Xiao. -Liu Ji.
Well, can we go back to Pei County?
Ji, the county chief learned that you are a friend of Mr. Xiao
so he became suspicious and went after Mr. Xiao.
-What? -It’s lucky we were there.
Ji, we almost broke the axle of our carriage.
Liu Ji, we can’t go back.
The county chief has closed the town gate.
He’s gathered all men in the county
to guard the town wall.
You’ve starved for so long.
If you go back, you’ll be killed So don't go back!
You must find some other way!
Ji…
Guys, what should we do?
Then we don't go.
Yong Chi’s right.
If we go, we’ll fall into his trap and get killed.
Hurry back to Mount Mangdang!
-If we stay here, we all die! -Yes.
Ji, don’t leave here yet. We can hide out in the hills.
It’s pretty safe here.
Bullshit! We’ll die in the hills too.
How long can we stay here?
Tell me…
should we leave or not?
I’d rather not.
Go back or not?
-Stay here! -Back to the mountain, Ji!
Okay, you can stay here…
as you wish.
I’m leaving.
-Ji! -Ji!
-But… -But…
-What should we do? -Let’s follow Ji.
Say something, Yong Chi!
Let’s leave here together!
Let's go, guys!
Go. Let’s go!
Go. Go.
Let’s go!
Hurry!
Go. Hurry.
Hurry!
Ji, you think it’ll be all right?
-Any danger? -Don’t worry. Just follow Ji.
Invite Mr. Xiang Liang here.
-Why, my lord? -Do it.
My lord, he and his nephew Xiang Yu
are from Chu.
At this crucial moment,
we shouldn’t be meeting men from Chu.
Do you know where I come from?
From Qin.
Right.
But in this tumultuous moment,
we should clarify just who is Chu
and who is Qin.
Please invite Mr. Xiang Liang now.
Anyone else?
Just Xiang Liang.
Yes, sir.
We’re in trouble, Sir.
Chief magistrate's guard is here.
Don’t panic.
Try to stall him outside the door.
Yes, sir.
You two, follow me.
Xiang Bo, wait.
-Take our men out back. -Liang.
Let me meet this guard and hear what he has to say.
-Liang. -Hurry.
Yu'er, Zhuang’er. Go!
Hurry.
The chief magistrate invites Mr. Xiang Liang to his residence.
You came alone?
Yes.
Only me?
Yes. Only Mr. Xiang's invited.
I see, please wait outside.
Let me change into more proper clothes.
Liang, do you actually intend to
meet with Yin Tong yourself?
Yes.
Uncle, we have warriors. We don’t have to negotiate.
Right. His residence is too dangerous.
Liang, this is surely a trap.
Yu'er, come with me.
Yes, sir.
Yu'er, wait for me here. Don’t stray.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Xiang.
It’s been quite a while. How have you been?
Thank you, sir.
It’s my honor to be invited here.
I’m just not sure how I may help you?
I just want to know
what's your thoughts on the current political situation in Qin?
The affairs of the state are much too complicated for me.
I've been in the countryside for years,
so I know little about the world.
Why do you ask me such question, sir?
Mr. Xiang, I shall just be out with it.
The state of Qin is hopeless and must be overthrown.
Sir!
You can’t be serious, right?
How can I make light of such a serious issue?
Mr. Xiang, you are the son of General Xiang Yan.
As a descendant, you are well known in the land.
Among the old states, Chu suffered the most in defeat.
The state of Qin has lost the support of its people.
The uprising in Dazexiang is a good example.
How can I not follow the turning of the tide?
Thank you for your trust, sir.
But to wage an uprising...
we would need soldiers.
Soldiers, chariots. All of them under my command.
How would we deal with emissary from Qin?
Mr. Xiang, Mr. Xiang.
Didn't you say you know little about the world?
You know it all too well.
Come, open this box,
and see what’s inside.
You get my meaning?
I think. I do get what you're saying.
If you truly with to rebel against Qin, I’ll join you.
Now, what my solders need the most is a qualified general.
I hope you and Huang Chu
can be my generals.
What do you think?
I think that's perfect. I shall give it my all.
However, I don’t know
where Huan Chu is right now.
Huan Chu?
If I remember right...
he’s living near some marsh.
As for his exact location…
my nephew is the only one who knows.
Good. Guards?
Yes.
Invite Mr. Xiang’s nephew here now.
Yes.
Mr. Xiang…
Areas in the north and the west
have already been taken by the insurgents.
Qin is destined to go down.
I think we should enlist soldiers quickly.
Otherwise,
others will take advantage of the situation.
You are absolutely right.
Indeed.
-Uncle. -Yu'er...
do you know...
the whereabouts of Zhang Chu?
The chief magistrate wants to know.
Do tell.
Do it now!
Dishonest rascals who sit in high posts with full pockets.
It is true then. The state of Qin is at its end.
My lord!
Yu'er!
Kill him.
Kill him. Kill him.
Stop!
Chief Magistrate Yin Tong,
planned to betray the state.
I’ve killed him in the name of God.
Follow me and you shall be rewarded as righteous men.
Otherwise, I shall have your heads as the accomplices of Yin Tong!
At your service, General.
Kill them!
Hold on!
Stop!
Generals,
we... have occupied the residence of the chief magistrate.
Further struggle would only lead to
futile deaths of your men.
We are Qin soldiers, sworn to protect the civilians
and wipe out insurgents like you!
Gentlemen, as generals, you should protect the civilians
and fight off any invaders
from the outside, right?
And?
Now, we have already secured the town.
The civilians all want to rebel against Qin.
They will only surrender without any protest.
And now with our protection,
they are even happier.
We are both in this to protect the civilians
from enemies of foreign lands. So why don't we unite?
Unite, you say?
We are loyal to the royal court.
We only listen to the order from the royal court.
You are dirty rebels! How could we unite with you?
Royal court be damned! Haven't you realized?
The state of Qin is already in turmoil.
The lands are divided with people rising to rebellion every day.
Where’s your royal court in all this?
Generals,
Your orders did not come from the royal court,
instead,
they came from this treacherous Chief Magistrate Yin Tong.
Nonsense!
Why would Yin Tong
order us to unite with rebels like you,
to protect the civilians?
This is his order.
How dare you, Xiang Ji! Killing the chief magistrate
is a crime you must pay with the lives of your family.
What crime? I'm against Qin.
I don’t need to obey its law.
As generals of Qin, you have every reason to stop me.
But as your brother, I should tell you,
don’t go against Heaven’s will.
Xiang Ji, you are so arrogant
comparing yourself to Heaven.
Who do you think you are? Some big hero?
So what if I do?
Generals, Qin has been under harsh rule for too long.
The civilians are suffering in the hands of courtiers.
As enemies are near,
town folks need an army of their own for self-protection.
Fighting among ourselves will only lead to meaningless sacrifice
and when the enemies come,
and begin their slaughter,
it's the civilians who will suffer.
So I propose, that we should unite together,
and protect this town from harm.
If you order your men to fight us,
you must know that there are many Chu people within your ranks.
They've yearned for their home towns for so long,
why would they kill their own kin?
When they see what’s happening,
they will all join us.
And when the time comes,
it will be too late for the two of you to join us.
It’s not that I wouldn’t accept you.
I’m afraid it will be all the men of Chu
in my army who will not accept you.
They will kill you then and there.
I believe you do realize how serious this situation is.
You can see for yourselves.
It’s all up to you.
Liang, we all fear death.
However, these two generals are so brave
that they don't even flinch a bit with swords on their necks.
Judging from what I've seen…
these generals,
are fine men who won't live with their heads down.
They will not sell their souls.
It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.
As far as I know...
you are actually from Chu.
Forced to serve Qin for all these years.
Perhaps, you've never returned to your home land once.
But in all those years,
have you not thought of your home town in your dreams at all?
Now, I have risen to rebellion as the leader of Chu people,
if the two of you could fight with us,
wouldn't you still be serving your people, living out your ambition?
Think hard.
Is it worthwhile to be slaves, to the state of Qin,
or is it better to spill blood for your own people?
At such a difficult moment,
as fellow descendants of the great land of Chu,
should we not support each other with our lives?
General, let’s do as he says!
Let’s join them! Join them!
We dare not offend you, General.
We are humbly at your service.
Restore Chu!
Restore Chu! Restore Chu! Restore Chu!
Restore Chu!
Restore Chu! Restore Chu! Restore Chu!
Xiang Liang announced Yin Tong’s crimes right there in the road
and declared rebellion straight away
in response to Chen Sheng’s uprising in the north.
When people heard the Xiang family has rebelled,
they came to join them from all neighboring counties.
Xiang Liang organized these men while giving them titles and trainings.
Due to his careful arrangements and impartial dealings with people,
he won widespread support.
Hey!
You up there on the wall!
You have stayed here for too long.
You barely know what’s going on outside.
Chen Sheng has rebelled.
His 20,000 warriors are on their way here!
Stop your yammering!
Nobody but I can protect the civilians in this town.
You have rebelled and shall be severely punished!
Bullshit!
Don’t give us that crap!
You, a slave of Qin! General Qin Jia’s letter is here,
see for yourself!
Here!
Those 20,000 warriors are already in Xue County.
They will be here in a day.
Chen Sheng is from Chu. We're all from Chu.
We shouldn’t fight against each another!
Brothers, if you help this Qin official,
when the 20,000 warriors come,
they will break into the town and kill all your families!
That’s insane! Where is Qin Jia’s army?
In fact, I have asked the chief magistrate for more guards here.
Qin soldiers will be here in no time!
They will kill each and every one of you!
-Arrows away! -Arrows away!
Damn it! Just you wait!
Ji, the County Magistrate refused to open the gate.
That gate’s huge and firm.
I’ve cursed even his ancestors but he just won't open!
Did you say more men are coming?
Yes! But that ass just won't open the gate.
It’s no use!
Mr. Xiao, we must attack the gate then.
No, the gate is too high. We can’t take it.
We have no time!
If Qin army arrives tomorrow morning
we'll all be killed. Attack!
I’ll take some men to strike the gate open.
It can't be that hard!
Everyone, follow me!
Everyone, attack!
Forward! Fight!
-Release arrows! -Kill them!
Down.
Spear!
Ready?
Throw!
Kill them!
Move forward!
Get up! Get up!
Strike! Strike!
Strike!
Harder!
Strike it hard! Harder! Harder!
I don’t think we can strike it open. Let’s find a way to climb up.
-Let’s go there! -Okay!
-Go there! -Okay! Leave it to me!
Strike!
Guys…
Guys, the gate is too thick to strike open.
Prop this log up, I’ll climb up!
Go up! Hurry!
Xia Houying!
I’ll push, you climb!
Good!
Someone has climbed up!
Hurry! Someone has climbed up!
The damned chief magistrate!
From there!
Hurry!
Xia Houying, watch your back!
Xia Houying, there’s too many of them. Let’s get out of here!
Okay. Let’s go!
Harder!
Burn him to death!
Fan Kuai! Fan Kuai!
Get out of the way!
Let’s get out of here! Go!
Go!
Fan Kuai, stand up. Are you okay?
Damn it. This gate really is a pain in the ass!
Guys, let’s get out of here!
Damn County Magistrate!
Damn it! County Magistrate, you’ll get yours!
I’ll be back to kill you soon!
I’ll kill you soon! I’ll come to kill all of you!
Guys, hurry up!
Good Lord. That gate is so hard to break down!
My Lord.
Are there people coming?
You sent men for help?
Where are they then?
Subtitle translation by Lisa Lai