This is such amazing strength!
Yes.
This is...
Brother.
He has divine power.
Awesome!
Let's go have a drink.
He's even wounded but...
Do you see that? What are you staring at?
-Let's go have a drink. -Sure, let's go have a drink.
What divine power!
General, what divine power you have!
Then, when will you two go with me?
General Xiang, shall we rest for a day or two before leaving?
Rest for a day or two?
I am famous for my appetite.
If I stay here, I might finish all your food!
So, why two days?
The main reason is we've stored up a lot of food supply.
For all these years, we were like girls waiting to be married.
Our supplies are dowries.
We'll bring along these provisions to join you.
That's right. Frankly speaking,
in the past, we've robbed many wealthy businessmen
Though we've given most of it to the civilians,
we also saved some money for ourselves.
Once we sorted them out,
we'll dedicate it to General Xiang. How does that sound?
Well, that's definitely worth raising that Ding.
Yes. That was great.
-I thank you, on behalf of my uncle. -You're welcome.
But it's such a pity. I actually have this horse.
Its whole body is black. And it has strong hooves.
It has a pair of bright piercing eyes.
It's such a pity that no one's able to tame it.
It has a fiery temper, kicks and bites anyone who tries to control it.
I've been kicked several times myself!
The tricky thing is it lures other horses to follow it.
The moment the other horses see it, they go insane and act just as fiery.
Well, then, I think I should take a close look at this horse.
Mr. Xiao, why aren't you saying anything?
I have different opinions but it's meaningless to say it.
Do you think I've changed a lot?
You are no longer the chief of Sishuiting.
I'm also no longer the county magistrate of Pei County.
As time passes, how can we not change?
If it is important, I'll risk my life to tell you.
If it's unimportant, I'd rather just hold off.
You're referring to Yong Chi?
A wolf can never be captive.
A dog with no teeth still growls.
Mr. Xiao.
The reason I treat him so respectfully
is because we're too weak at the moment.
Compared with the other forces,
we cannot withstand even a single blow.
We barely have any funds,
we don't have sufficient food or weapons.
All we have at this point is this broken town.
Luckily, I have you
and these faithful brothers.
Yong Chi, sooner or later, I'll have to deal with him.
Mr. Xiao.
You're upright and trustworthy,
but sometimes you're too wary.
I'd like to be the wary man who has your back.
All right, all right.
Deputy General.
Can you read?
I can read a few words.
Follow me.
You're not from Fengyi, are you?
Deputy General,
when our lord began his attack on Fangyu, I joined his army.
Write a letter on my behalf.
I'm at your service.
Prime Minister of Wei...
Finish it or you're finished.
Write, and send it to the Prime Minister of Wei.
Do my bidding, you'll be promoted.
Or I can just kill you now.
Write!
Stop!
-Sir. -You're from the First Platoon?
Yes, sir.
Where are you going?
I asked for a leave to visit my uncle.
Your uncle?
What's his name?
He lives in Pinglu village, five kilometers from Fengxiang.
He's my father's brother. His surname is Liang.
Or maybe he goes by Wei.
What's in the bag? Open it now.
Show me what's inside.
-It's just some clothes! -Open and show me!
It's...
That dog! What are you looking at?
What did you say? Say it again!
I said you're an arrogant piece of shit!
-Lu Wan, let it go! -Let go of me!
-You'll be punished. -Let go, let go, let go.
I could kill you with one hand.
Damn it, I...
Yong Chi, don't rile him up!
Cut it out, guys! This is idiotic! Get out of here!
Get going!
What an asshole!
Calm down.
Don't let him get to you like that.
Don't take it personal that Liu Ji rewarded him.
In Liu Ji's eyes,
we're extremely trustworthy.
There's no point competing over Liu Ji's affections.
Everyone knows Liu Ji trusts us most.
Liu Ji's tolerating with him to save his face.
If he's arrogant, he'll get himself into trouble.
Don't to take him seriously.
He'll get what he deserves.
-Let's go now. -Let's go.
-That's it. Let's go. -Let's go.
I killed the magistrate, subdued Yong Chi, and became Lord of the Pei County.
Right here, I am the Lord.
What do you think of my job?
Would you like the truth, or a nicer version?
Of course, I want the truth.
As a lord, you're a mess.
Mr. Xiao.
What does that mean?
Yong Chi disobeyed orders,
you hastily ordered his execution based on his testimony.
Were it not for the widow coming clean,
he would be dead now. Your mistake was being hasty.
You've imprisoned all our warriors because of Yong Chi.
Thus, put our warriors on edge. This mistake was being unfair.
You whipped Yong Chi and nothing came of it.
Were the civilians satisfied? Not at all.
The mistake was being unwise.
You became the Lord of Pei but still act like a chief of Sishuiting.
This is being inflexible.
As hasty, unfair, unwise, and inflexible as you are...
how well do you think you've done your job?
I told you that I wasn't qualified, but you forced me to take this position.
Mr. Xiao, you do it!
Who said you're unqualified?
If that's the case, why'd we follow you?
Only you have the courage and the ability
to lead all of us.
I don't have this courage.
I can only assist you.
Your destiny is yours and yours alone.
Do you still remember Sima Ling?
Of course.
Do you know his whereabouts?
Didn't he go home?
I told Cao Can to kill him when he's on his way.
What? He's dead? Why?
You committed such a major crime. I can't let him go.
I'd rather let the court investigate his whereabouts.
We can't set a tiger free
and let him expose your whereabouts.
My Lord,
I'll serve you always in joy or sorrow, whether we live or die.
It looks like...
there can be no turning back now.
Even if you could, it would be too risky.
There's one more thing you should bear in mind.
Since you are the Lord...
people should no longer address you by your given name Liu Ji.
How should they address me?
Once when feudal princes paid respects to the king of Zhou...
someone wrote a flattering poem.
A verse in the poem says, "a king must bring the steady state's ring."
A steady state?
Bang, which means steady sounds good, don’t you think?
Steady.
Liu Bang.
Did you find this?
I promised you three things.
I'll keep my word.
Open the gate! Let me in! I have the official pass!
Hurry! Open it!
Father-in-law, I have news for you.
-Yes? -I received news that Chen Sheng is dead.
-Are you positive? -Almost certainly so.
His death...
will bring peace once more.
Zhang Han may be lifting up his horn now.
A lamp burning on its last drop of oil usually blazes brighter than ever.
Yet it's just like a spent arrow, in vain struggle.
In my humble opinion,
the Qin Empire will be destroyed soon.
When Chen Sheng was alive, rebels took him as their king.
Chen Sheng told them not to attack us.
But now that he's dead, his followers might attack us.
Sooner than later,
their will set their sights on the palace.
Father-in-law, we should strategize our exit.
Your Majesty!
Is the world at peace yet?
Your Majesty! The whole world is at peace.
Do people submit to my rule?
Your Majesty, you have great authority. No one dares disobey.
If that's the case, what are you doing here?
You can handle everything for me.
-Yes. -Your Majesty, come.
Things are even worse now.
We'll soon be plunged into dire suffering.
Now that King Chen is dead...
we will once again be ruled by the tyrannical rule of Qin.
There are many heroes,
but very few ambitious ones.
What's wrong with you?
What's your problem today?
Young man, can't you handle a horse?
What do you mean, Sir?
What did you say? Louder, please.
My ears are aged and dull. I can't hear you.
Get off that horse. I have something to tell you.
I have business to attend to.
Why don't you tell me now?
In between your thick eyebrows, something seems to trouble you.
I have a strategy...
that will help you unify the land.
Unify the land?
-You? -Yes.
Me. You heard correctly.
Old man, I don't mind your jokes.
But I'm in a hurry. Off you go.
Come. I'll show you what a big joke is.
Here's some free money!
Share it and use it well.
What's wrong? Recruiting is not going well?
Then, you shall go again.
I've been it doing for days.
It's useless to be hasty.
Uncle, do you know what the civilians are saying?
Of course, I know. Chen Sheng is dead.
Jing Ju is appointed the king. Rumors are everywhere.
Jing Ju is only a callow youth! I'll kill him!
He is not the real king, we know that well enough.
But the civilians are very much unaware.
Fine. So, what should we do?
We're out of time.
Even some puny elder who's about to croak
wants to be king now.
What do you mean?
Nothing. Earlier on my way here,
I met an old and arrogant man.
An old man?
What was he like?
Excuse me,
is there a wise man named Fan Zeng living here?
You are...
I'm Xiang Bo of Jiangdong.
Mr. Fan has been waiting for you. Follow me, please.
Such excellent service. We will be right behind you.
Right this way.
Yu'er, wait for me right here.
I've heard a great deal about you.
I'm aware that you are profoundly learned,
and highly skilled in military strategy.
There are a few talents nowadays who has the ability to rule a country.
I'm afraid I've been too preoccupied with military administration...
and didn't have a chance to pay you a visit. How unfortunate.
There's something that I don't understand.
Since you recognized me on the street,
why didn’t you come see me?
I'm not someone who'd give a cold shoulder to anyone.
As a commoner, calling upon an officer...
would make me look foolish.
Then, I wouldn't be taken seriously.
What's the point going?
I've much to learn, Sir.
These are chaotic times. Chen Sheng is dead,
and Jing Ju appointed himself king.
The various troop divisions of Chu lack leadership.
Nothing is for certain just yet.
In light of such a complex situation,
I have no outlet for my worries.
I think you may have good advice about the current situation.
I should learn from your wisdom.
No, you flatter me, much, too much.
Xiang's warriors are well-known.
And you are an upright man and you're kind to your soldiers.
I shall do my best to answer any questions you might have.
Thank you, Sir. I'll benefit greatly from your tutelage.
I'd like to know what you plan to do with your nephew.
I won't exaggerate.
Though Xiang Yu is still quite young,
his bravery is unmatched in the military.
I dare say that he will be the real leader of Chu one day.
If that's the case,
I'd rather spend the rest of my life in this village.
You misunderstood, Sir.
Those were my personal views. If anything offended you,
please forgive me.
I'm quite slow-witted.
Please, sir, let me take this as my first lesson.
All right. But let's not call it a lesson.
I deserve no courtesy from you.
But I don't think your nephew needs my silly strategies.
Sir, actually, my nephew Xiang Yu
admires you deeply.
As for his impertinence the other day...
he didn't recognize you, sir.
Please find it in your heart to forgive him.
The way I see it,
your nephew's like an unrefined piece of jade.
Though it's not much now, but with the right cutting...
he'll shine all right.
Don't you agree?
Your words affect me greatly,
they shall echo forever in the deepest part of my heart.
-Thank you, Sir. -Yeah, sure. My pleasure.
General Xiang, please.
-Please. -This is my nephew, Xiang Yu.
Greetings, Sir.
No, no, no need to bow!
I'm sorry for being rude in the bazaar. Please forgive me.
Forget it. Secular etiquette doesn't matter much to me.
I have a question for you. Take a seat.
Please sit. Come.
Yu'er, this is between you and Mr. Fan. Pay no attention to me.
Go ahead, Sir.
Our existence is feudal. Does Chu have enough land for feudal princes?
The Qin Empire is brutal to its people.
I won't tolerate for our lands to be divided among lords.
And what about Chu land for vassals?
Never.
In world affairs, we must follow Heaven's will and serve the people.
If Chu were not strong enough to restore its state...
what would you do?
In my lifetime, I will restore the state of Chu
and wipe out the disgrace my state suffered.
I'm a man of absolute sincerity.
If you only test me with insincere verbiage,
you may take my word too lightly.
If I break my word in the end, dispose of me as you will.
Yu'er, don't be rude. Forgive him, Sir.
Good.
Among the six perished states,
the Chu suffered most.
Especially King Huai.
Confined, and died alone in a jail far away from home.
Chu people resent this deeply. Even now, it remains in their heart.
To oppose Qin, we need determination.
When Chen Sheng began to rebel, he never tried restoring Chu.
He appointed himself King Chen. If names be not correct,
how could he succeed?
He dared to be an imposter...
anointing himself, Zhang Chu! King Chen my ass!
Far-fetched and ridiculous.
So he couldn't win the full support of the Chu people.
Not enough to extend his power, anyway.
He missed his chance to succeed...
and drove his power right into the grave.
It's expected that he would meet such an end.
Indeed, Sir.
It's never easy to predict the future.
It all depends on what you notice.
Anyway, as for me...
man proposes, and heaven deposes.
If we follow Heaven's will, we shall succeed.
Nan'gong of Chu once said that
only Chu will conquer Qin. You rebelled
and were supported by a great many Chu people, why?
Because generations of your family have contributed much to Chu.
Because Chu people understand
the authority of General Xiang Yan.
So, General, you should take this chance.
Find and appoint the heir of Chu King as king.
Thus, you can recruit
in the name of Chu and at the same time
protest against Qin tyranny.
This is the way, to restore Chu.
You mean we should...
Appoint a dynastic heir as king!
Sir, but chaos reigns supreme,
where'd we find an heir to the former Chu bloodline?
I know one such prince. But you need to be quick.
What's your name?
My name is Xin, and you are?
Come with us.
-Where are you taking me? -This way.
-Where are you taking me? -This way, prince.
My sheep. My sheep!
Hurry. Hurry.
The chief magistrate has escaped from the east gate.
-Cao Wushang is after him. -My Lord, here.
Are you Ding Gong?
Yes, I am.
Quite the indomitable man.
Were it not for your resistance...
many lives would've been spared.
Don't give me that nonsense.
I'd rather die...
than admit defeat.
You have guts.
I'll set you free. How does that sound?
Set me free?
Even if I walk, I would never thank you.
You think I'm joking?
I said I'd set you free. So, I'll set you free.
Make way!
Liu Ji's orders! Set Ding Gong free.
Make way, make way.
You've kept your word.
Lord of Pei, if we meet again on battlefield, only one of us shall live.
Until then.
Make way.
What a dick! Damn.
-We spared his life, but he's so arrogant! -Yeah!
Catch all of them! No one can be spared.
Yes, sir!
-Where is Mr. Xiao? -He's inside.
You came indeed.
Wait.
Now the whole city is mine,
not yours.
At this moment, I'm sure you'd love to know
how I took this city.
I couldn't care less.
I have a few words. You may do as you please once I'm done talking.
That day, when the Lord of Pei whipped you...
you didn't think of betraying him, did you?
The moment Liu Ji rewarded you gold and horses,
you decided to betray him.
You mean, I am a perfidious man?
You're misleading my men!
You owe a great debt of gratitude to Liu Ji.
He saved your life and gave all he had to you.
Do you think he fears you?
You think that you're strong and you betrayed him.
What use are you, anyway?
Guards, capture him.
Yes.
You are a coward.
Wait.
Xiao He...
you think you can anger me and I'll kill you, right?
I won't. I will not.
I only want to tell you that
I don't fear Liu Ji, I don't answer to him.
And I'll stand right here and wait for his arrival.
You'd better kill me.
If I live, there'll just be one more man who wants to kill you.
Who? You?
You think you can kill me?
Take him away.
Guys! I heard that women in the town of Weng are beautiful!
Their complexion is fair!
-Weng is a place for beauties. -Whatever you say, big guy.
They may be not beautiful, but they are known for their virtue.
Virtue will do.
Guys, why hasn't Cao Wushang returned yet?
Indeed. What's up with him?
Could it be the magistrate ran too fast
and Cao Wushang didn't get him, and he dares not return?
He wouldn't do that.
If he failed, he would run back and swear
that he had killed at least 20.
No, more than that.
At least 50 soldiers of Qin.
Until blood is flowing over the ground and his boots got stuck
and that's how the chief magistrate got away.
My Lord, you know what I think?
We should use this excuse to keep going,
to attack Fangyu and then, Huling.
Wherever the chief magistrate runs, we'll hunt him down.
Right! Hunt him down like rabbits.
-Until he's exhausted. -Yes.
My Lord!
-My Lord! -Mr. Xiao!
My Lord, Yong Chi has betrayed you.
-What? -He colluded with Zhou Shi
and surrendered to king of Wei.
Lord, Pei is our home.
We can't do without Pei.
Lord, what do we do?
Lord, what should we do?
What else can we do?
We go back...
and kill Yong Chi.
-Hurry! Hurry! -Let's go. Hurry.
Hurry. Hurry.
Let's go. Hurry.
Hurry. Hurry.
Yong Chi...
Where are they?
Mr. Lyu...
why are you here?
I wasn't looking for you.
The Families of Liu and Lyu are one.
If you want to kill, you can kill my family first.
I've nothing against you. Stay out of this!
What I'm doing is what I should do.
What I want is a clear conscience. Do what you have to.
I think you should remarry.
Liu Ji's not going anywhere.
But I'd like to see where Liu Ji ends up nevertheless.
Yong Chi, now you have a better life.
Have you forgotten your suffering at Mount Mangdang?
Back then, you were starving.
You're always worrying about your next meal.
Back then, who helped you? It was Liu Ji.
He gave you the bigger portion and kept the smaller for himself!
-I'll kill you. -Yong Chi, no!
Don't do it!
Keep them alive and Liu Ji will not rashly attack us.
We can use them as hostages.
If we kill them, Liu Ji wouldn't hesitate to attack us.
If he did, he's too strong,
we won't be able to stop him.
-Yong Chi! Yong Chi! -Father!
Father!
You shouldn't be such an ungrateful man.
Were it not for my son's mercy,
you'd have long been a ghost. Get it?
And now, you want to kill all of us?
-Father. -You can kill me now!
-Shut up! -Come kill me!
Yong Chi, don't be impulsive.
What an old fool. Shut up!
Take all of the Liu and Lyu families to the city wall.
Yes, sir.
-Take them away. -Move!
Move!
-Move! Move! -Hurry up. Hurry up. Move it.
Subtitle translation by Loretta Kok