September 2017, Film Studio in Foshan
What is it?
How can we work? Where did those three guys come from?
Fix it, please!
Don't push! Stop!
What are you doing here? Go away!
Director, OK now.
No more rehearsals. Roll it! For real!
Everyone in position! Again!
Let's charge in! Take the dog Emperor's head!
It's Ming Dynasty's fall today!
Charge!
Who are you? How dare you mess about in Great Ming's territory!
Hey, what are you doing here?
Get these clowns away! Beat them up! Want to clock off or not?
Let's go!
General Yuan, Minister Zuo, more people are gathering outside the Hall.
Besides those strange foreign troops,
there are many in weird attire,
With some little things that flash in their hands too.
This is the Hall of Supreme Harmony, but His Majesty is not here,
neither are the two eunuchs that serve him.
I'm so scared, Your Honours...
I have been in attendance with His Majesty here a hundred times,
I know every brick and every detail about this place.
How can this not be the Hall of Supreme Harmony?
Minister Zuo, you are knowledgeable.
Can you figure out what's happening?
We were out to escort the crown princess
and it's been over 20 days.
Perhaps while we were away, some rebels outside and inside started trouble.
The foreign troops must have taken advantage of that.
If my guess is right,
both the South Gate and the North have fallen to invaders.
If the Forbidden City is besieged, where's His Majesty?
With 3,000 palace guards around him, His Majesty should be safe.
Just now the foreign soldier said
they wanted His Majesty's head.
Hence he must still be safe and sound.
I trust the imperial guards have escorted him out for shelter.
Bringing the state under the king's full command
is a subject's biggest merit to win!
Minister Zuo, Li Gong-Gong,
whatever happens later, don't go out.
General Yuan, don't be rash.
Let's plan it first.
It's my duty to share my lord's worries.
As Great Ming's Chief Commandant of Agile Calvary
and Commander of the Crown Prince's Special Police Force,
it's my duty to guard the state.
How can we do nothing in the face of rebels?
General, please take Minister Zuo's advice.
He is the most intelligent Grand Secretary in the Donglin Academy.
Just give him a little time to work it out.
Let go! Step aside!
Who is this?
How dare you hide in this hall!
Come out!
Well... big brothers, relax! Cool it! Let's talk!
Stupid woman!
How dare you commoner contaminate His Majesty's throne!
That's disrespect for the emperor punishable by death!
I'll get off. There...
Let's clarify who she is. She may be related to the rebels outside.
Lady, judging from your weird looks,
I presume you don't belong in the palace. Who are you?
I... I am... Assistant Director of the drama team. My name is Ng Siu-ha.
We've been filming at this palace for half a month.
What is the drama team? What is "assistant director"?
You've been in the palace for half a month, you should know where His Majesty is.
Speak! Where is His Majesty?
Speak the truth or I'll kill you!
Well... there's no filming for his part today so he's at the hotel.
Lady, I beg of you, tell me where His Majesty is.
I am willing to do anything for you.
I told you! He's at the hotel.
Tell me where His Majesty is or forever hold your peace.
One...
I told you! He's at the hotel!
Room 402 of Tai On Hotel at Foshan Middle Road.
Two...
How many times must I say it?
I've said the key bits 3 times already.
Which emperor are you looking for?
There's another one in the other team...
Shouldn't you speak to them instead?
How stubborn!
Go!
No!
Kill!
Hold it, General!
Lady, this is the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Were looking for the Emperor of Great Ming of course.
There're still a number of those.
The other team's on "The Wandering Dragon" with Emperor Zhengde, ours is Chongzhen.
Which do you want?
None of the 13 emperors of Ming is by the name "Chongzhen".
This is Year 29 of Wanli.
We're looking for Emperor Shenzong, of course.
Year 29 of Wanli? During the Ming Dynasty?
That's 400 years before! What do you mean?
It's Year 2017 now!
Year 29 of Wanli, Forbidden City
During Ming's Wanli era,
eunuch Zhang Cheng controlled the court through the Palace Depot.
Emperor Wanli turned a blind eye and let Zhang Cheng seize power.
Only the Crown Prince, Zhu Changle, saw the threat of eunuchs to the state,
so he set up Department Six in secret, planning to tackle the eunuchs.
But then a weird dream sparked off their battle before it was due.
The Crown Prince has been forewarned by Heaven through a bizarre dream
that you eunuchs by the name of Wei will bring Great Ming to ruin.
Evil roots must be removed. You must all be executed!
Kill!
Wei Gun-dong Gong-Gong, this is from the Directorate of Ceremonial.
Wei Da-xi Gong-Gong, this is from the Directorate of Palace Eunuchs.
Wei San-shun Gong-Gong, here's from Palace Delicacies.
Wei Huan Gong-Gong, here's from Palace Seals...
and this, from Imperial Apparel.
Zhang Gong-Gong, why bring all these men to Ciqing Palace?
I want to see the Crown Prince to seek justice for my 48 pupils.
I can pass the message for you,
but you must do two things for me first.
First, carry all these 48 dead bodies away now.
Second, you and your fellows from the Palace Depot, put down your weapons
before you go in to see the Crown Prince.
General Yuan, you seem overbearing for your position at the 6th rank,
and based on what?
His Majesty's own words.
Back when the traitor Huang Yao failed in his plot,
to protect the Crown Princes safety, His Majesty set a rule.
Everyone must disarm themselves before entering the princes palace.
You were present too.
Have you forgotten His Majesty's words?
Don't throw His Majesty's words at me!
We at the Palace Depot have always followed the rules.
It's the Crown Prince who is breaking them.
If you don't give me a good reason
I'm not going to move these bodies away.
I want my 48 pupils who died for no reason to guard the prince's door!
General Yuan!
Highness!
Zhang Cheng, if you don't move those dead bodies away now,
and bid your men to retreat,
I will pass the Palace Guards the Crown Prince's orders for your arrest!
The Palace Depot have always done our utmost to deliver our service.
I myself have supported His Majesty in ensuring good order in court
to consolidate Great Ming's rule.
I won't break the law.
I will take my men away,
but I want the Crown Prince to answer two questions of mine.
What questions, Chief Zhang?
The Palace Depot has served the court well
and yet because of some dream of yours
you killed 48 of my pupils by the name "Wei"
I want to know,
if you dream again tonight that a eunuch called "Li" is destroying the state
are you going to have all eunuchs by that name killed tomorrow?
I'm Zuo Guangdou of the Donglin Academy.
Allow me to answer your question on His Highness' behalf.
Yes.
If the Crown Prince dreams that a eunuch named Zhang is destroying the state,
is he going to have all eunuchs named "Zhang" killed, including me?
Yes.
I'm sure you have heard of the saying,
"You must die if your king wants you dead"
If His Highness wants my head today,
of course I should die.
If tomorrow he wants General Yuan's head,
he must die too.
Zuo Guangdou, stop quibbling.
I only have one master,
and that's the emperor himself.
The moment I stepped into Ciqing Palace, I was prepared for the worst.
If you don't give us 3,000 pupils at the Palace Depot a good explanation,
this matter won't settle!
None at the six ministries objected to executing those eunuchs.
Whether you threaten the prince using 3,000 or 30,000 men,
you can't reverse the verdict.
Crown Prince, I'm giving you a last chance.
It's easy to settle all this.
A life for a life.
I want 48 heads from Department Six as repayment to my pupils,
one of which has to be that of Yuan Chonghuan's!
If not, I will report this to His Majesty
so that he'll reverse the verdict for me.
By then, more heads will be chopped off!
Chief Zhang, you being such a star by the side of His Majesty,
what a surprise you didn't know
it's not the Crown Prince who ordered for execution of those 48 eunuchs,
but His Majesty himself.
Stop bluffing.
His Majesty stays all the while at the Jingshan Villa, away from the court.
On every affair in the palace, it's I who report to him.
I won't bother debating with you.
This is a secret message from His Majesty.
Since Emperor Taizu founded the empire and I succeeded as the 7th ruler,
I have made it my duty to ensure the welfare of the country.
The Crown Prince's dream about a Wei eunuch destroying Ming
has kept me restless with worries.
This is a critical time.
I order that the Crown Prince removes any internal troubles and protect the state.
Better be harsh than lenient. Remove all evils.
By the emperor himself.
Chief Zhang, if you don't believe me,
I can take this and go confront His Majesty with you.
Your Highness, since this was approved by His Majesty,
there is nothing I can say.
The first month of Wanli's Year 29,
to consolidate his power,
the Crown Prince plans to take a marquis' daughter, Guo Qian, as wife.
The wedding entourage of 38 people
led by Yuan Chonghuan, Commander of Department Six
left the Crown Princess' hometown in Shun Tian, proceeded day and night
and finally arrived outside Beijing after a 28-day journey.
(Eastern Depot)
Taking some bizarre, evil ideas as excuse, the Crown Prince killed 48 of our pupils.
Can you take it?
No!
A life for a life, blood for blood.
Today, we will make the Crown Prince's woman an offering for our 48 pupils in Heaven.
Let's go!
Yes!
Are you alright?
General, we have been on the road nonstop for days,
why don't we take a rest?
Let's take a rest here.
We mustn't stop. Keep going.
We have common people here who are not officers of Department Six.
They may not manage.
Military orders must be followed.
They have no choice.
The Crown Prince's wedding is coming,
we can't afford any delay.
If any of you are not happy with my words, take it up to me.
Minister Zuo, looks like our team is one in mind.
We all want to keep going.
Wait.
Minister Zuo, General Yuan...
Greetings, Your Highness...
Greetings, Your Highness.
At ease. Please get up.
Thank you, Highness.
General Yuan, I wish to make a request as the Crown Princess.
I know there is a post station up ahead.
You must all be tired.
Why don't we rest for the night
and start out more refreshed again tomorrow morning?
I know your concern, General Yuan.
If this means any delay, by a day or even a moment,
I shall be accountable for it.
The wedding date is important of course
but to me, nothing counts more than the health of Great Ming's officers.
Protect the Crown Princess.
Go!
Are you alright, Highness?
I'm fine.
Say no more. Let's run!
Go!
The horses won't go... because of this misty forest people talk about?
Many merchants and porters who went in never came out again.
They just disappeared.
Some say demons are at play inside
who make people lose their way.
Others say there is a man-eating monster inside.
I don't believe in foolish sayings about monsters or demons.
A misty forest is nothing to stop me!
Bring lighting oil. Burn this to the ground!
Yes!
There's something wrong with this misty forest. We'd better go!
Yes.
Crown Princess!
Crown Princess...
Where are you, Crown Princess?
Hold it!
Done with the rehearsal?
Hear that?
OK now? Alright. Roll it! 3, 2, 1... Action!
Let's charge!
Yes... Charge!
Charge...
Next shot, tilt-down from there.
Rehearsal done? Try it first.
OK now, Director.
Alright...
Ready, everyone! Do it again.
Spirits up! Off we go... 3, 2, 1... Action!
Let's charge in!
Take the dog Emperor's head!
It's Ming Dynasty's fall today!
Charge!
Charge...
The Hall of Supreme Harmony?
Why are we back in the Forbidden City?
This is where His Majesty meet with high officials.
None below the 6th Rank are allowed in.
Why are there so many people in weird clothes around?
We went into the misty forest.
It's so far away from the Forbidden City.
How could we have got back so quickly?
This is unbelievable!
Enough rehearsals. Roll it! For real!
All in position! Again!
What are you guys doing here?
Assistant Director, get them out of the way!
Hey... what are you doing?
You're blocking the camera!
I haven't booked for eunuchs or officials!
Are you from this team? If not, go away!
Go! Go on!
Director, OK now.
For real now! 3,2, 1... Action!
Let's charge in! Take the dog Emperor's head!
It's Ming Dynasty's fall today!
Charge!
Let's go!
None of the 13 emperors of Ming is by the name "Chongzhen".
This is Year 29 of Wanli.
We're looking for Emperor Shenzong, of course.
Year 29 of Wanli? During the Ming Dynasty?
That's 400 years before!
It's Year 2017 now!
What is "Year 2017"?
Isn't it Year 29 of Wanli?
Have you got it mixed up?
What nonsense!
What "400 years before"? 2017? All nonsense!
It's obviously a setup by those rebels.
They took advantage of us being out to escort the Crown Princess
attacked the palace and kidnapped His Majesty.
Minister Zuo, do you think my guess is right?
To me, this is hard to fathom.
What kind of demon is this little box?
Why is it giving out this strange sound?
Lady, what is this little thing?
Does it have magic powers?
This is a mobile phone,
for chatting with others.
I need to chat with someone now.
Let me take this call.
Hello?
Sis Ha? This is chief of the Studio Security team.
Are the three mad guys with you?
Are they steady now?
They say they want to see the emperor, Emperor Wanli.
Lady, tell that person in the box,
so long as we can get His Majesty back,
everything is negotiable.
Sis Ha, can you tell who those mad men are?
He wants to know who you are?
If you don't mind, talk to him.
I am Commandant of the Great Ming Imperial Guards, Yuan Chonghuan
I am Grand Secretary of the Donglin Academy Zuo Guangdou.
I am Li Jinzhong from the Palace Delicacies.
May I ask... who are you?
I... I am Great Commander Secure of Manchu's Plain Blue Banner.
Great Commander, it's a principle that no envoys are harmed in a war.
You kidnapped our emperor and that's dishonest of you.
I command that you release our Majesty now,
or don't blame me for using my Dragon Sword.
Fine. I can give you back your Emperor Wanli
but you must release Sis Ha in exchange.
Go meet your emperor outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony in one hour.
Good. Deal.
Right.
Lady, thank you so much.
Once we see His Majesty, we'll release you.
Well... Once you see your emperor,
better go as far away as you can, OK?
Anyway, this place doesn't belong to Great Ming anymore, right?
So long as we can safeguard His Majesty's life,
I swear to Heaven
we will revive Great Ming one day!
May I ask, the rebels would trade you for our emperor.
You can't be some common civilians.
Who actually are you?
Me?
Minister Zuo is right.
How could a civilian own some treasure that transmits sound?
How exactly are you related to those rebels?
Well... right... We chanced to meet
and now I don't think I should hold it back from you.
I am in fact... a Manchu Princess...
People call me Princess Pearl.
I am in fact... a Manchu Princess...
People call me Princess Pearl.
Greetings, Princess.
We Manchurians value justice and loyalty.
I keep telling my Father,
war only harms common people's lives and welfare.
Why can't two countries keep peace as friends?
Am I right there?
You're quite right, Highness.
You're indeed reasonable.
Since Your Highness also wants peace,
why don't we form an agreement to become friendly neighbours.
Then the civilians will be spared the torture of war.
That should benefit the people.
Minister Zuo, you are so... insightful!
You just said what I'd been trying to express from deep in my heart.
Right, let's form an alliance.
This is a jade token passed to me by my ancestors.
I shall let you take it as a token of our alliance.
So transparent!
I wonder if you have anything with you that can serve as proof of our friendship?
Well... token... right? Yes...
There... It's a lighter.
It's a treasure passed on from our ancestor Nurhaci.
I'll pass it to you as a token of sincerity in forming an alliance with you.
What kind of treasure is this lighter?
Look carefully...
This is so amazing!
Such a marvel!
What a wonderful lighter!
Thank you, Princess.
There!
Let's try!
My ministers! I am here.
It's His Majesty!
Ministers, I am here already. Hey!
Pardon us for being late for the rescue!
Stop blaming yourselves. I have already come to an agreement with the other side.
We'll settle it by dividing the land in half.
We'll live in peace. They'll also retreat now.
How wise, Your Majesty!
I have prepared a party. Now just go enjoy yourselves.
Who are you?
How dare you pose as His Majesty!
I am Emperor Wanli, Ministers.
Why pretend you're His Majesty?
Where is he now?
Has something happened to His Majesty? Speak!
Calm down... This is Year 2017.
There are no emperors anymore. Just the President of State.
What nonsense! A country can't be without a king!
How can there be no emperors?
Where are you keeping His Majesty? Say it, where is he?
Why stand there like dummies?
Come and get the mad guys!
Get them...
Get them... Go...
Beat them up...
Where are you going?...Go...
Where's my jade? Hey, watch my jade!
Go... Get them!
Watch out! Got it!
Princess Pearl, it's dangerous here.
Stay off.
Charge...
The sea roars!
Let's go!
Gone?
(Dengshan Avenue)
Who are these people? Why this strange stare at us?
What place is this?
This is the capital? How come it's so different?
His Majesty is not himself,
the Forbidden City is not itself.
What on earth is this place?
What monsters are these? They can move without the horses?
How amazing!
We must find out where we are and how far away it is from the real Forbidden City.
The Crown Princess!
The Crown Princess is here too!
Crown Princess!
Highness! Minister Zuo and I were so worried we couldn't find you again...
Are you Crazy? You could get run over!
Just leave him. Go.
General Yuan... Was that the Crown Princess?
General... A big crowd here. Let's go.
Let's go...
On we charge and soon we will reclaim our lost land.
We will report back to our king
and restore our state.
Don't cry, Li Gong-Gong.
Yes, General.
That fake princess wasn't lying.
This thing called "newspaper" says this is indeed Year 2017.
I once studied the Chinese and the Western calendars with foreign priest Matteo Ricci.
They are convertible.
Great Ming's Wanli Year 29 is Xin Chou.
According to the Western calendar, it's Year 1601.
Looks like we have moved forward to China in 400 years...
General Yuan, Minister Zuo, you must find a way to get us back to our time.
I don't want to stay in this ghostly place!
No. We mustn't go back.
Why? Don't you want to go back to Great Ming?
Remember our promise to the Crown Prince?
Whatever happens,
we must escort the Crown Princess back to the palace in safety.
If we go back to Ming without her,
how can we face the Crown Prince?
General Yuan makes sense there.
Don't worry, Li Gong-Gong.
We lost contact with the Princess in the forest.
She has probably experienced what we have.
She may appear in this fake Forbidden City.
Let's just stay. I believe we can see the Crown Princess again.