Mr. Xiao,
what-- What should we do now?
Yes! What should we do?
In my opinion, seeing as Mr. Xiao is already widely respected,
here in Pei County.
Who could possibly compare?
He is the most qualified man to be magistrate.
With him,
the people would rest easy.
No, no. Impossible.
Gentlemen…
I cannot possibly accept this job.
Mr. Xiao, please don't turn us down.
-Yes! -Yes, don't turn us down.
It’s not that I don’t want to, but I was once an official for Qin,
and I'm only here out of desperation.
If everyone can live well, who would rebel?
We rebelled in response to Zhang Chu’s uprising.
Even now, we still don’t know what lies ahead for us.
If we succeed, everything would be fine.
If we fail, our entire families will be killed.
Qin law is cruel, this we all know.
I don’t fear death myself,
but I have father and children, a family numbered in the dozens.
They are innocent.
What can I do to ensure their protection?
Indeed.
Now with the county magistrate dead,
all of us here are in this together.
Our most pressing issue is to assign a leader.
-Right. -Indeed.
Gentlemen…
given the situation,
we have no choice but to name Liu Ji as our leader.
-Liu Ji? -What? No, no, no!
He's much too rash. He'd never be a good magistrate.
-No! -No, absolutely not!
Gentlemen, haven’t you heard?
It’s known everywhere, Liu Ji is the son of the Red Emperor!
What are you talking about?
Listen to me.
When they were on Mount Mangdang, a white python blocked their path.
People say that white python brings bad luck.
-That's right. -But you know what?
Liu Ji whipped out his sword and bam!
He cut that python in two.
That's not all.
He skinned the python, pulled out its tendon,
then ate its gall bladder!
This is true?
It’s true! I saw it all myself!
-Look… -But…
Liu Ji, what do you have to say this late at night?
-Ji… -Ji. Ji…
Bring some wine.
-Ji… -Sit down.
We are all here now. Just tell us what’s on your mind.
That thing obviously.
Who should be the county magistrate?
We should all be clear,
we’ve come this far
because we didn't have any choice, we were desperate!
But all things come to an end.
People ask me to be the county magistrate.
It's a great honor for a small man like me,
but what if Heaven envies me and punishes me for it?
Yet, Mr. Xiao said this is an opportunity for me.
An opportunity for all of us.
Since you all want me,
I must make it clear that I have no desire for this post.
I'm only doing this for you.
Therefore,
I'll take this post.
-Great! -Great, great!
But first,
I need to clarify some things with you all.
First, whether we win or lose,
regardless of what happens, I will not abandon you.
However, my brothers,
if someday you find,
that I am not qualified to be your leader,
or you find a man better than me,
then I’ll resign from the post myself.
It’s agreed.
When the time comes, don’t stop me from stepping down.
-Don’t worry, Ji. -You’ll be great. Don’t worry.
-Don't worry. -We believe in you.
Hey, hey. Our most pressing task now is tending to the civilians.
We should ensure them peaceful lives.
Yes, Mr. Xiao is right.
We shall not kill or harm others.
If you dare to steal or rob from the civilians, you’ll be punished!
Right.
-Mr. Xiao, -Yes?
I think we should notify the people of our policy.
Yes, indeed we should.
Since Liu Ji has agreed to be our head,
and we've now occupied Pei county,
I suggest we call him Lord of Pei!
-Agreed! Good name! -Let's call him Lord of Pei! Lord of Pei!
Tomorrow, bring your two sister-in-law here
and prepare some food and drink.
Now that we've officially rebelled…
we must have a cook.
Yes, we should have a cook.
Yes, we need some cooks here.
Liu Ji, let me be clear on this,
you do what you need to do,
but I don’t want to be a widow.
Yet a widow she shall be.
Since they all want you to lead them,
I suppose you should accept.
-Come on. -Sit! Sit down here!
This isn’t mine! I’m not the county magistrate.
-I’d like to sit there. -No. No.
Ji, everything’s different now.
You saved the town and its people.
You should sit at the top.
I can’t.
-Sit down. Sit down. -Sit down. Sit down.
I’d like to sit here.
Let’s sit down.
Wine, wine.
Mr. Xiao, does this mean we have finally risen in rebellion?
Of course.
Well then,
shouldn't we hold some sort of… memorial ceremony?
Ji,
to thank the Heaven, the emperor of Zhou offered oxen,
Vassal kings offered pigs.
I think this Pei county is too small
to afford animal sacrifices.
How about we put up our own flags,
worship Chi You and circle the town
to tell the people
that we’ll protect them from Qin’s army. What do you say?
Great! Let’s do as Mr. Xiao says.
-Drink it. Come on. Drink it. -Right! Cheers!
Cheers!
Liu Ji shouldn’t be our leader.
Liu Ji, you are not qualified.
Yong Chi, what the hell’s wrong with you?
At first, I didn’t care who lead.
Anyone would do.
But Liu Ji is out of the question!
When we attacked the county, you hid away.
You won the war by trickery while we fought in front.
Such victory is hardly an honorable one.
Brothers, we do need a leader.
But Liu Ji, who are you?
Were you assigned by the emperor?
Do you have an official seal? Do you have soldiers?
What have you to smug about?
I think, nobody here…
is more qualified than Mr. Xiao.
Rubbish!
Yong Chi, you ass, what are you rambling on about?
Full of shits!
Open up your eyes and look carefully.
We're all blood brothers from Fengxiang.
Killing you is easier than killing a dog!
You think I’d be scared because there are more of you?
You know what? One tiger is enough to rule the mountain,
while a bunch of wild dogs can only sit in the gutter.
You don't agree? Then come try and take me!
-Yong Chi, screw you! -Stop!
-Let them fight! -Stop!
-Ji. Ji. -Nice entertainment to go with our drinks.
Drink up!
Cheers!
-Drink up! -Drink up!
Yong Chi, I’m going to kill you!
Go to hell!
Guys,
since we’ve selected Ji to be our leader,
let’s be sure to do our utmost to assist him.
If you don’t want to follow, you can leave.
But if you stay, you must remain our loyal brother.
Anyone entertaining second thought would be punished by the Gods.
Agreed?
-Absolutely! -Yes! Agreed! I agree!
Liu Ji, I’ll never obey you!
Never ever!
Yong Chi!
I won't support you! I won't support you!
-Yong Chi! -Liu Ji!
-Enough! -Liu Ji!
-Enough! -I won't support you!
I know what you mean.
You’re right.
I’ve not been appointed by the court.
And I have no official seal.
And you are right that I have no soldiers.
I am nothing.
But everyone here elected me to this position.
And I’ve accepted.
I’ll tell you once and for all, this post is mine.
I can provide our people
with enough food so that there is no more hunger.
Can you?
I can protect our people
from bandits and thieves,
so that they may live in peace.
If I fail my words,
you can toss me out!
I won’t do it anymore!
I won't stop you from choosing someone else.
So, are you satisfied with my words, brother?
Sure. Of course.
Drink!
I still won’t obey you!
Come, come drink.
-Drink! -Drink!
Ji is our leader, let’s follow him!
-Yes, that's right! -Drink! Drink!
Struck gold, have you?
Don't forget me and your son.
Say "Father".
Come.
-Say "Father". -Father.
Keep drinking!
Hey, little sis.
You don't see that bitch messing with Ji?
How can you put up that?
Should it bother me?
You can't be serious.
She was all over the place.
-Like she's the wife, you're the mistress. -That's right.
Listen, we came here to help you, not to deal with her arrogance.
You should try getting rid of her, right?
That’s right. We are just worried that you might get hurt.
-Besides, Liu Ji’s not the same anymore. -Right.
Hey,
do you think…
I should take this post?
Haven’t you decided already?
Since I’ve agreed, you don’t need to ask anymore.
What the--
What if… I must have your answer?
What are you doing?
No answer?
I don’t know.
You won’t answer me?
Stop, don’t be daft.
-No answer? -Let me go.
-Hey! -Well, I won’t ask!
What are you doing?
-Don't move! -We can’t do it here!
-I don’t care. I’ll do it wherever I want! -You…
It’s so quiet.
Pei County is quite a nice place.
Lyu Zhi…
forgive me.
Yesterday you asked me…
why we don’t just go home.
I don’t know how to answer you.
I’m afraid… I can’t go back to that place anymore.
I released forced laborers.
That’s the death penalty.
Yet I am still alive.
Now we’ve killed the county magistrate.
Yet again the death penalty.
Then I trashed the county yamen.
Did you know,
according to Qin law,
what the punishment would be?
Not only will my family be killed…
the entire village must die too.
I’m afraid… they’d exterminate our family’s entire lineage.
So… our home is out of the question.
The only place…
left for me…
is the underworld.
I think…
you’d better take the kids…
and get away from here.
The farther from me, the better.
Then try to find a kind man...
and marry him.
Make sure never to marry another man like me.
I see now…
my only option out of this mess…
is seeing this through.
All the way to the end.
Just like Chen Sheng and Wu Guang.
Even if…
I have to pay with my life…
I can die with dignity.
So… let go of your hope of me going home.
It will never happen.
Liu Ji…
Lyu Zhi is your wife…
so I shall follow you…
no matter what happens.
You don't mind being a widow?
No more messengers from the frontier
shall be allowed into the palace and disturb His Majesty's peace.
Yes, Premier. How should we deal with the messengers?
Hand them over to me… for severe punishment.
Yes, sir.
But if the His Majesty asks about the war,
how should I reply?
Tell him insurgents will soon be killed.
Then send some messengers to feed him news of victories.
I see.
How are we faring with that rebellion of late?
The situation is not ideal.
Chen Sheng’s men have occupied Jinxi.
Qin army everywhere
have sent for reinforcements.
Jinxi? Where is that?
Not far from Hangu Pass, near Xianyang
Anything else?
Nothing further.
What?
Oh, yes, there is.
Premier. Premier, as of now,
refugees around the country have gathered in rebellion against us,
some call Chen Sheng their lord,
some call themselves king.
Kings of Zhao, Wei, and Qi, all kinds of names.
Premier, what should we do about this situation?
We must eliminate them.
Yes, Premier!
We can send a capable general to suppress Chen Sheng’s men.
Once they are suppressed,
other insurgents won't dare to go on.
No.
Let us wait just yet.
If I send someone and he brings victory,
then he may profit too greatly from this disorder.
If he’s rewarded an important post, how would that benefit us?
Go and send this message to the imperial council.
Tell them to dispatch forces from the city of Xianyang.
Yes.
The more serious the uprisings become,
the less we should tell the emperor.
Otherwise, he may recognize the danger
and call in generals
ordering them to suppress all uprisings.
Then the emperor and the generals may band together over this war.
If that band is tight enough,
it might eventually…
find its way around our necks.
I couldn’t agree more,
Premier, what should we do with Li Si?
I have my plans for Li Si.
The emperor remains reluctant to punish him just yet.
He actually believes he is the real emperor.
How could we let this go on?
Premier Zhao, Premier Zhao.
Premier Zhao, your new robe is ready.
Good timing. I’ll wear it...
to meet Li Si.
Father…
take this one, too?
My son, the late emperor wanted to rebuild the palace once.
I advised him not to waste money and labor.
Then you know what? The emperor asked me:
“Several days ago,
I saw a courtyard
that took up almost one-third of Xianyang.
Before the gate sat two stone lions in the style of the old Zhao kingdom.
On its wall were myriad flowers and shrubberies.
The courtyard was beautiful and luxurious beyond all compare.
Whose courtyard was this?
What is his name?”
Was it our family?
Right. How right you are.
So, I didn’t know how to respond to his question.
If a minister could live in such a luxurious courtyard,
then what would be so wrong about an emperor rebuilding his palace?
Now that I think about it, even though we have a thousand rooms
we can only sleep in one at a time.
Look, we have so many rare antiques.
What good are they if we take them to the countryside with us?
As for those two stone lions…
nothing but a burden.
It's better to leave them here.
Let those rich families take them away to decorate their gates.
I see, Father.
I shall try and see the emperor later.
We'll leave once I get back.
Go ahead with packing.
Yes.
Premier.
What I said yesterday was out of line.
I beg for your forgiveness.
Think nothing of it, Premier Zhao. May I meet with the emperor now?
Of course. Of course.
Premier Zhao, why not speak your mind?
Premier, I shall just be out with it.
Yesterday, after I quarreled with you,
I received news from the imperial military council
that confirms the severity of the matter.
I thought perhaps,
there might just be some roving bandits causing a ruckus.
Premier, please don’t blame me for putting on a different face.
You know I’m only a eunuch.
I’m not politically savvy.
Today,
I dressed up in my new robe just to meet you in person here at this gate.
Also, I would like to discuss with you
how to eliminate our internal troubles.
If the state of Qin is in trouble,
then all of its people will also suffer.
Premier, this way please.
The imperial military council says we've lost seven towns and two prefectures.
On one hand, we’ve suffered great losses.
On the other hand…
quite frankly…
it's because the emperor has ordered the repair of E-Pang Palace
that we are so short of man.
Besides, our national treasury is also in bad shape.
Our military still lacks supplies.
Then take a look at this palace…
the emperor has collected quite a lot of deer, sheep, cows and horses.
He’s lost in pleasure.
What do you suggest, Premier Zhao?
If His Majesty can suspend the construction of E-Pang Palace,
we’ll have more gold for military supplies.
Then we can send some valiant generals to quell these rebellions.
Hopefully, it'll not be too late.
I agree with you.
But why don’t you just communicate this idea to the emperor?
In the eyes of the emperor,
I, Zhao Gao,
despite being the Grand Tutor who helped him to the throne,
I am still nothing but a eunuch in the Qin court.
So, in a time like this,
all I can do is count on you.
While I run some small errands in the back.
Even though that might not be much,
at least I could keep an eye on the situation
and if I'm careful not to make a mistake
then I shall keep my head.
So how would you like me
to persuade the emperor?
Premier, I think…
Your Majesty!
Rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
What brings you here today, Premier Li?
Today I have only three points to make.
But if my words offend Your Majesty,
please, do forgive me.
Go ahead.
First, our situation is critical.
Qin army has lost much ground.
We've lost many warriors and supplies are insufficient.
I beg Your Majesty, please suspend the construction of E-Pang Palace.
We should send all the men, goods, and money to the front line.
Second, Chen Sheng claims the war he fights will restore the state of Chu.
As a result, he has won great support from civilians and his army grown strong.
And ever since Your Majesty ascended the throne,
you’ve never toured the country as the late emperor did,
The civilians know you by name but they don't know your face.
Therefore, their hearts do not lie with the court.
Now that traitors are running rampant,
If Your Majesty can take this opportunity to lead the army in person--
In person?
You mean that I should lead the army myself?
Yes.
I…
cannot even bear the sight of blood! How can I fight a war?
Li Si…
are you trying… you’re trying to get me killed!
Your Majesty, please allow the premier to finish.
Finish!
Third, if Your Majesty cannot go to war,
the you should send a valiant general to put down the uprisings.
I’d like to set an example.
My son Li You is guarding Sanchuan.
His soldiers are brave and valiant.
We can give him more man and supply,
then dispatch his troops from Sanchuan to Xianyang to suppress the uprisings.
Premier Li,
you have betrayed my expectations...
and trust.
I've never expected that you'd… plot such a rebellion!
I've spoken the truth.
There's not a word of betrayal.
Grand Tutor!
Yes…
First, you fabricated chaos to disrupt the repair of E-Pang Palace,
so that you could garner the support of public opinion to usurp power,
while also taking military funds for your own use.
Second, you suggested that His Majesty should lead the army in person.
This not only endangers His Majesty's life but also leaves Xianyang without a leader,
allowing you to stage a coup while conspiring with troops outside.
Third, Chen Sheng himself came to Xianyang through Sanchuan
which is guarded by Li You.
It’s clear that Li You has colluded with Chen Sheng in secret.
If we dispatch more military forces to Li You,
we’ll strengthen the forces of the traitors
and bring disaster upon ourselves.
Premier Li…
you took me for a foolish young man, didn't you?
I was so wrong about you.
I thought you were…
at least loyal!
I thought you respected with your heart and soul.
But now I see what kind of man you are.
First, you offended me.
Second, you betrayed me.
You dare to betray me!
Your Majesty…
how should we punish him?
You decide.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Guards, take Li Si to a prison cell.
Zhao Gao, you're a weasel. Zhao Gao, you're a weasel!
You’re right. I am a weasel.
It’s a shame that you've served the court for 30 years,
but you still don't realize,
one shall never cross nor insult a weasel.
A weasel…
cannot be trusted.
Take him away.
Weasel! Zhao Gao, you damned weasel!
Weasel… Weasel…
Young master, terrible news! It's all gone wrong!
What happened?
Young master… Young master...
-What happened? -Your father has been imprisoned!
Why?
They say he offended and betrayed the emperor.
We’re done. Our whole family will be killed.
Hurry up! Hurry up!
Do not let anyone escape! Hurry!
Hurry up! Hurry! Hurry!
Subtitle translation by Lisa Lai