-General Xiang! -General Xiang!
Premier, Chen Sheng and his men have occupied Hangu Pass.
They’ve launched a large-scale attack.
We've lost all our warriors at the frontiers.
Then...
why don’t we send some reinforcements from Xianyang?
There's neither reinforcements in Xianyang
nor any generals.
Let's stop the report here today. I don’t think it will get any worse.
Does anyone have a good general to recommend?
Anyone?
This is a time of crisis. So many smart minds here.
Can you even think of an idea?
Hey. You there... Give us your recommendation.
Given the situation, if we are to choose a general, I’d like to recommend Zhang Han.
Who?
Zhang Han.
Zhang Han?
Does anyone else want to recommend him too?
Premier, Zhang Han is the descendent of a general.
His father and three of his siblings are generals.
Zhang Han was once a military officer during the late emperor's reign.
He has rendered great service in battles throughout the country,
and has pacified the central plains.
He escorted the late emperor on his inspection tour a few times.
And in Bolangsha,
-he also kept off the assassins-- -Rubbish!
Do you think I’m too old to remember for myself?
Are you saying I forgot that Zhang Han protected the emperor?
Apologies, Premier. Apologies, Premier!
Apart from him,
do we have any other good generals?
Oh, late emperor,
things aren’t going well. There's no able man in the entire palace.
This... is challenging for me, Zhao Gao.
It’s my fault that I can’t share your anxiety, Premier.
Fishermen in Jiujiang Prefecture are fleeing to safety.
Tax collection there has ceased.
And in Sanchuan Prefecture, although the fishing industry continues,
tax revenue is down 70 percent from last year.
Fishermen are running away.
How am I supposed to collect tax from them?
Sir, it’s because of the war
that we can’t collect taxes from these places.
Fishermen can’t be bothered with fishing when they're fleeing for their lives.
General Zhang.
Oh... Prefect Zhang.
Chen Sheng’s men have reached Hangu Pass.
Zhou Wen currently leads their army.
Great danger befalls our state.
Any response from the palace?
Many civil and military officials have reported the war status to Zhao Gao.
-What was his response? -Nothing.
But I’ve heard his attendant say
he’s had several sleepless nights.
When he combed Zhao Gao's hair, he pulled out several strands of white.
That saddened Zhao Gao...
Hey, tell me only the important information.
And he asked about you twice.
But it seemed he has yet to make up his mind.
Excellent.
An opportunity. I’m going to the palace.
Are you going to ask Zhao Gao to send warriors?
No. I don't think Zhao Gao
trusts me very much.
His suspicion is greater than his trust.
Then who are you visiting at the palace?
Princess Chenxi.
Zhuhua, do I look good in this?
Maybe we should try another one.
Princess, I think this outfit is more dignified
and beautiful than the last one we tried.
Princess, Prefect Zhang is here.
I, Prefect Zhang Han, come with respect, Princess.
Rise.
General Zhang, since when have you been a prefect?
Princess...
before I knew it, I was already prefect.
Why? Princess, don't you think I deserve the post?
No. But I don’t know what a prefect actually does.
Usually, a prefect is responsible for collecting taxes in prefectures.
And the fishermen of Qin must pay taxes to the Imperial State.
I have to collect taxes and register them,
then turn them over to the treasury.
Princess, why do you sigh?
Actually, the nature of a prefect's job is not boring in the least.
For example, from my work I know that Kuaiji County abounds with mullet fish.
Because the mullet feeds on little fish and shrimp,
its meat is very tasty and firm.
And it is very popular in the markets.
Thus, prefectures with mullet fish
have higher revenue than the ones that don’t.
About 40 or 50 percent more than other prefectures.
What’s so good about that?
Princess, you live in the palace,
so naturally you can’t easily see its benefits.
But in my opinion,
firstly, if I ever leave the palace
and become a fisherman,
I’ll know just what kind of fish I should catch so that I can support myself.
Secondly,
I know much more than most acting generals
and have a better understanding of Qin lands.
For example, I know exactly which places are peaceful,
where the turbulent areas are, places where roads are unobstructed,
and places where logistics causes obstacles.
This is all information a military strategist must know.
I am very well informed.
Now I know why you're here today.
You want to lead the military force and pacify our state.
Princess, you're very intelligent.
Please do me the honor of this favor.
Rise, General!
The late emperor is no longer with us.
Zhao Gao is the one who holds actual command of our empire.
I don’t know how I can actually help you.
Indeed. I know Zhao Gao would never invite me to the palace.
But if I go and call upon him directly,
he may doubt my intentions, and that won't help in the matter.
So I was thinking, perhaps,
you could invite Zhao Gao to your chamber and have a casual chat.
I'll visit on the pretext of offering you tributes, thereby running into him.
I can then have a chat with him and attempt to win his trust.
In this way, I may regain command of the army and return to the battlefield.
Princess,
I know it’s not an easy thing to do,
so I hope it will not put you in an awkward position.
No, I just think
that the slightest error in this matter may cost you your life.
You came to me seeking assistance,
but all you want is to find a humble excuse for talking with Zhao Gao.
Is there anything more ridiculous in this world?
Princess, I'm only a warrior.
What I live for the most is leading troops into battle.
It's not just about patriotism for the nation.
So, Princess, don’t worry about me.
You don’t... you don’t need to feel I’m suffering any injustice.
It won’t be a problem for me to meet with Zhao Gao,
but he is a very suspicious man.
If I get to see him, and you suddenly appear out of nowhere,
he might suspect us of conspiring.
You're right, Princess.
Indeed. If I just appear in your chamber,
it'll certainly raise Zhao Gao’s suspicions.
If you don’t mind,
I’ll tell Zhao Gao that you often visit me...
because... you love me.
This way, if it’s just a matter of romance,
Zhao Gao won’t suspect anything more.
No, Princess. Absolutely not.
I dare not taint your reputation.
I’ll leave now.
But General Zhang, this may be your only chance to meet Zhao Gao.
You saved my life once, let me do something for you.
Princess, your words means a great deal to me. I am... deeply honored.
Yes.
I shall do as you say.
When you meet Zhao Gao, just...tell him that.
Princess, I have one more request.
In Zhao Gao’s presence, absolutely avoid calling me "General."
Remember, just call me Prefect Zhang.
Just Prefect Zhang, a tax collector.
I'll remember.
In the battle of Dongjun, Xiang Yu dashed through
thousands of warriors and beheaded the chief magistrate.
Even though I'm his uncle,
his courage has swayed me completely.
Overnight, Xiang Yu has become an icon.
With such a heroic warrior, there is hope for Chu!
Men, let us give him three cheers!
Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu! Xiang Yu!
Today, I, Xiang Liang, appoint Xiang Yu as our new Chief General.
Does anyone have anything to say?
-No! -I have something to say!
Please speak your mind, General Ji.
Before the battle, Xiang Yu and I made a bet.
I said that if he led 300 warriors to behead the magistrate,
I would kneel before him and give him three bows.
I, Ji Bu, now kneel down,
not only to keep my promise, but to embrace him as my Chief General.
Bow to Chief General Xiang Yu!
Bow to the Chief General!
Bow to the Chief General.
Excellent.
Bring the seal here.
Long Ju has distinguished himself in battle. He is appointed as General.
Thank you, Sire!
I was born for a great mission.
This mission is to destroy Qin, rebuild Chu, and be a true hero.
Today, we defeated our enemy.
This was my first battle,
but I need more to become a hero.
I shall fight alongside you all for the rest of my life.
We’ll fight a hundred, a thousand battles,
till we reclaim our state.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
I still owe you those three bows.
Guards.
My Lord.
Gather all the strong men in the town to perform garrison duty.
And prepare some door planks, cloths, and medicine.
The more the better. Hurry!
Yes, sir!
We lost.
My Lord, it’s good that you’re safe.
We were ambushed! Ambushed! Goddamn ambushed!
I don’t accept this failure. It’s your fault! Your fault!
If you hadn’t run so damn fast, we wouldn’t have lost so many of our men!
Damn it! What about yourself? No one’s blaming you!
-That's complete bullshit! -Stop. Stop. Stop.
Can you stop quarrelling all the time?
-It’s time to think about our next move. -Useless bum.
My Lord, I think
we should call on civilians to guard the town.
And we should ask Chen Sheng for help.
Otherwise, we’ll lose Pei County.
Do you know Chen Sheng?
Does he even know you?
Why should he come to our aid?
All right,
go and rest.
Let's rest.
-Mr. Xiao. -Yes?
With things as they are, what do we do?
The world is in chaos. People can barely protect themselves.
Who can come to our aid?
I should have listened to you, should have waited.
I didn’t insist earlier because I saw our warriors were in high spirits,
and I thought it might be good to try.
It'd be a good lesson in understanding how formidable the Qin warriors are.
Thus, I didn’t stop you,
but I didn’t expect you would be defeated so badly.
I shouldn’t be their leader.
Mr. Xiao, I think you're the right person.
My silence doesn’t necessarily mean that I object.
But you're the only person who can lead them.
You really think so?
Don’t doubt your abilities.
Just give your orders. I’ll execute them.
Alright then. Alright then.
Why are you so depressed? Why?
Just because we lost a battle?
This failure has nothing to do with you.
I saw how brave you were.
This is my fault. We shouldn’t have fought this battle.
We managed to take down Pei County last time
by sheer luck. That was a favor from Heaven.
But I became arrogant and underestimated our enemy.
I led you guys, who are but a bunch of beggars,
to attack Huling. We were just asking to be defeated.
Hell! I’m insane!
Right?
Right, but why isn't there a clear-minded man to warn me against it?
Oh, yes, Mr. Xiao warned me, but I didn’t listen.
What about you, Lu Wan?
You’re usually a smart guy, why didn’t you speak up this time?
And you! You’re usually so talkative, but now you don’t even so much as fart!
-I’ll just do what you say, Ji. -Whatever I say?
Doesn't matter.
It's nothing serious.
It’s lucky we made it back, and we’re still alive!
Heaven is warning us
not to be repeat the same mistake thrice.
So, with the world all up in arms,
it’s of great importance to have a place to call our own.
Do you know where our place is?
It’s right here! Right here in Pei County.
So we must protect this place.
And if we want to stay,
we'll put up sheds for shelter. We cannot take over civilian homes.
We can eat our own food, we shouldn’t even drink their water!
But Ji, what do we do if we’re thirsty?
You slob, you were brought up on gully water. How could you die of thirst?
Oh, yeah, I got it.
And...
some of us here...
some of us have been put in this jail before.
And why?
For rape, theft, murder, etc. Am I right?
I warn you, if you commit such crimes again,
you’ll get much worse punishments than jail time.
-And what might that be? -Execution!
Yep.
As our leader has just said,
from now on we will execute strict military discipline.
My Lord, we don’t have much food left in the storehouse.
I know!
Tell our men that we’ll have to tighten our belts. One meal a day, got it?
What if it’s not enough?
Come on, we’ll find a way. Meeting adjourned.
Since we’ve attacked the palace, the Imperial Court will be taking notice.
They may send troops to attack us imminently.
We should prepare as early as possible.
That’s precisely what worries me.
Princess, it’s great to see you.
Thank you for honoring me
with the invitation to sit with you and have tea.
In truth, asking you here for tea was only an excuse.
Oh?
I want your verdict on my newly woven robe.
Oh!
It’s quite extraordinary.
Look at this pitch-black cloth, and the silver edges.
It’s a truly fantastic design, one of a kind.
But I've used up the silver thread, it’s a pity.
And you see the sleeve on the right is incomplete.
It is indeed a pity. With the incomplete silver stitching,
it’s as if the Milky Way has been broken and lost its sparkle.
It was destined to be such an exquisite production.
But now it looks lifeless.
A pity. A great pity.
That's the very reason I invited you here, sir.
Please help me think of a solution.
Don’t worry, Princess.
I shall indeed help you to search for the silver thread,
and complete this Milky Way.
It's great to know that you have such refined taste!
This is my favorite robe.
Oh, I think it's more than just a robe. It's a product from Heaven!
Good.
Princess, Prefect Zhang has come to see you.
What did he say?
He said he brought you some silk thread.
I hope you don't mind, Premier.
Prefect Zhang?
Is that Zhang Han?
Yes.
He's your honored guest?
He has mulberry fields and breeds silkworms.
Much of my silk thread comes from his fields.
He came at the right time.
-Ask him to come in. -Yes.
My greetings to you, Princess.
I didn’t know the premier was here. Sorry to bother you, Premier.
It’s nothing.
Princess, I’ve brought some silk thread for you to check.
Bring them here.
Why not show them to the premier?
Yes. Please, Premier.
These threads are either too thick or too fine.
It's either too bright or too dark.
They’re no match for the Milky Way.
The discrepancies in quality are too great.
Premier, thanks for your insight. Please pardon my inability.
Then, Princess,
I’d like to take my leave and visit all the mulberry fields and silkworm breeders,
that I might find the right silk thread for you.
I shall take my leave now.
Premier, please excuse me.
Wait.
Mr. Zhang, besides looking for silk,
is there nothing else you have to tend to?
Premier,
I’m a prefect now.
My responsibility is to collect taxes. I dare not slacken in my efforts.
Premier Zhao, Prefect Zhang,
I must be off to see the imperial doctor. I’m afraid I have to get going.
-Then I shan’t take any more of your time. -I’ll take my leave as well.
Then perhaps we two might walk out together.
After you, Premier.
I’m curious what you think of the affairs that grip the world of late.
Premier, I am but a prefect. My views are irrelevant.
You once made a great contribution to our state.
There’s no need to hold back from stating what you think.
Completing Lishan Mausoleum and Epang Palace
was our late emperor’s last command.
The whole state should focus on finishing them.
Prefect Zhang, I’m curious why you would think so.
Premier, I just don’t think civilians
can truly understand the late emperor’s wishes.
This, I feel, is a great pity.
You are quite right indeed.
These civilians are only good as manual laborers.
We'll punish those who try to escape, so as to instill in them fear of Qin laws.
And, gradually, they'll be bound by the law.
Thus we can ensure that our state remains stable and prosperous.
It seems that you and I are very clear about our late emperor’s intentions.
I'm nothing compared to you, Premier.
It’s a pity that these foolish men
can’t see the wisdom of the late emperor.
How dare they rebel?
Mr. Zhang, in our state, with so many of these roving rebels,
these bandits, how would you deal with them?
My opinion is just as you've explained.
Our state is in crisis.
At such a time, we need a great man like you.
Only with unusual methods can our state be saved.
-Go on. -I’m thinking...
we could use the imprisoned forced laborers
who committed crimes at the Mausoleum, pardon their crimes,
release them from their punishments, give them weapons,
and send them to fight as an atonement for their crimes.
Send criminals to fight in the war?
Exactly. Otherwise,
there’s just not enough time to enlist and train an army
strong enough to wipe out insurgents.
But this sort of army
would require the most inspiring and valiant general in order to function.
Otherwise, the warriors might betray us on the battlefield.
Do you have anyone to recommend to me, Mr. Zhang?
If I can do something for our state, and if you could recommend me,
then I’d like to lead them.
Then Prefect Zhang will be General Zhang once more.
Premier, I’m not doing this out of pure selfless loyalty.
I just like leading military troops into the fields of battle.
Even the smallest victory
would only be possible thanks to your recommendation.
When did you learn to speak so flatteringly?
It’s my job, after all,
to recommend able men to share in the struggles of our state.
If you truly want this, then I’ll recommend you to His Majesty.
Thank you, Premier.
Oh, right. There’s something else I wanted to ask you.
-Please, Premier. -If it’s no too forward, I’d like to ask
whether you have feelings for the princess?
I dare not, Premier.
I’m just a boorish military officer.
I respect the princess very much indeed.
But I daren’t harbor improper thoughts.
You! Oh, my, you're being overly modest.
Personally, I see you two as extremely well matched.
You are like her silk thread, she is your beautiful robe.
If you have no objection, I’ll propose something to His Majesty.
Before you set off to war, His Majesty can preside over your marriage.
Thank you, Premier.
Then I’ll hurry back and tell His Majesty about the news.
My Lord, please come out.
My Lord, we beseech you for justice.
My Lord, please come out. we beseech you for justice.
-My Lord, please come out. -Move away.
-My Lord, we ask you for justice. -Be quiet. Be quiet.
Respected elders, please come in.
Let’s go.
My Lord, bring us justice.
Now you’re here, and no one says a word.
My fellow countrymen, don’t worry.
Just say it, tell me your thoughts.
I can give you the justice you seek.
My Lord, we heard that you would guard the town and bring peace to its civilians,
bring justice to the folks of Pei County.
That’s exactly what I said.
If we were bullied, would you help us?
Of course.
If your own men bullied us, would you punish them?
I’d punish them even more severely.
What happened? Tell me.
My Lord, your man broke into a widow’s house!
What?
How can this be?
Ms. Liu, tell him. Don't be afraid.
My Lord, please uphold justice for us.
Last winter, my son died on the road to join the forced laborers.
My daughter-in-law became a widow. It hasn’t even been half a year.
Yesterday, your men broke into her house and raped her!
It brings such great shame upon our family!
Ms. Liu, please take your time.
Tell me in detail. Did anyone witness this?
He raped my sister-in-law and punched me in the face.
That means you saw him.
Who is he?
I know his name. But... but I can’t say it aloud.
If you don’t tell me his name, how can I uphold justice?
Listen, everyone.
If any of you can reveal his name, I’ll give you a reward.
-It's your assistant general! -Yong Chi?
Get up! No more sleeping!
-What’s wrong? -Have you forgotten what you did?
Tie him up!
-Go. -What the hell is going on?
-Go. -What are you doing?
Let's go.
Subtitle translation by Li Ling Yang