"Episode 3"
Are you all right?
What are you doing?
Mr. Lang.
What's going on?
What's all the commotion? Why carry a corpse into my room?
Do you know this person?
A little familiar. I think I've seen him somewhere before.
Not just that. You even know him.
You asked him to bring this letter into the palace.
When we caught him,
he wanted to burn the letter.
But he failed. So, he took the poison and committed suicide.
Mr. Wei, what is the secret in this letter?
How would I know what's written in it?
Mr. Lang looks so angry.
I supposed you've read it.
There's nothing odd about it.
It's just a letter to send regards to Eunuch Chen.
But...
we found another letter from this person’s room at the inn.
When both letters are stacked together,
there are three sentences in it.
Do you want me to read it?
Yes.
That's right.
I wrote this letter.
Yang Biao is my subordinate.
Turning him in is as good as turning me in.
He used your influence to commit crimes which ruin your reputation.
-He causes only trouble. -But I won't collude with outsiders,
to harm Mr. Lang's interests.
But you'll be like the Dilu Horse and cause Mr. Lang to fall,
and get him into trouble.
Say no more.
Yang Biao, punish him for me.
Don't kill him.
Yes.
Mr. Yang.
Mr. Lang wants you to punish me.
You're going a little overboard.
Young lady, he's getting married. What are you looking at?
I want to see him for one last time.
If he's gone, I won't be able to see him anymore.
You can head back first.
How could we leave you here by yourself?
This whip is to punish you for causing trouble out of nothing.
Wang Xiao Li couldn't take it and jumped off the building.
I didn't push her down.
You actually wrote a letter to empress to expose me?
Wei Guang.
You racked your brains to get me killed.
You want me dead.
Don't make a sound.
The next few whips are on behalf of Mr. Lang.
Mr. Lang has always been a person of high standards.
He has his eyes only on Ye Ning Zhi when he gets to Han City.
You dare to steal the woman he likes.
Do you deserved to be beaten?
No, don't. If this goes on, he'll be beaten to death.
Young lady, get down.
You're so charming.
Why don't you be my woman?
From today onwards,
if anyone asks you, tell them you're my woman.
Mr. Lang has always been a person of high standards.
He has his eyes only on Ye Ning Zhi when he gets to Han City.
You dare to steal the woman he likes.
It turns out that...
this is all because of me.
I wasn't even aware of it.
-Where are you going? -I want to save Mr. Wei.
He's beaten because of me. I can't leave him alone.
How are you going to interfere?
That's the military commander's residence.
Didn't you see there are so many guards?
Can you beat them by turning somersaults?
You can't save Mr. Wei. Instead, you will get yourself caught.
What is this called? Treading on dangerous ground.
Mr Wei won't be able to save you then.
That's right. If I can't beat them, I have to outwit them.
Let's go.
Let's go home and stage an opera.
We'll invite that corrupted officer.
-Young lady, wait up! -Wait up!
Have you thought it through?
That corrupted officer is hateful.
But you fabricated the evidence. Should anything go wrong,
you'll commit a capital offence.
Why don't we reconsider it, and wait for the next opportunity?
-I can't stand it anymore. -Young lady, my heart is pounding.
Stop talking me out of it.
I'm risking it all this time.
If you go on trying to persuade me, you're no longer my besties.
Let's get ready.
Welcome. Please come in.
Mr. Lang, you're here.
I heard that you have a new show that's really brilliant.
I would like to see it.
Yes, it's called the fire dance.
Mr. Lang, please come in.
Great!
-Great! -Great!
Sir.
Sir, are you all right?
-Sir. -Hurry.
Sir, you're a merciful person.
-Sir, it was a loss of control. -That's right.
It wasn't a loss of control.
I want to burn this scum!
You should know it better the reason I'm doing this.
What did you say?
-Is she crazy? -I...
Of course you wish that I'm crazy.
You want me to commit suicide like Wang Xiao Li did.
Then, no one can testify against you.
Wang Xiao Li?
A bunch of nonsense.
Young lady, return to the backstage. Leave it to us.
Be good.
I'm sure everyone knows Wang Xiao Li,
the daughter of the silk satin shop's owner,
down at the South Street.
Half a month ago, she jumped off the building and committed suicide.
No one knows the reason. But actually...
she was raped by this corrupted officer.
-Is that true? -Mr. Yang, what's going on?
Do you know it's a capital offence to frame a government officer?
Sir, we watched Ning Zhi grow up.
She's not the kind of person who would talk nonsense.
On the 28th of last month...
you lied that Xiao Li's mum fainted in Bei Di Temple.
You tricked Xiao Li into the temple.
You raped her while no one was around.
Ms. Xiao Li kept begging you.
She begged you to let her go.
But what did you do?
You threatened her,
that you'll burn down the silk satin shop,
and arrest her entire family.
I've never been to Bei Di Temple.
Later on, I found out that she couldn't take it,
and committed suicide by jumping off the building.
It's all your fault.
You killed Ms. Xiao Li.
Ms. Ning Zhi, don't worry.
We'll seek justice for Ms. Xiao Li.
Seek justice!
-Seek justice! -Also, you said Mr. Lang...
Mr. Lang?
What about Mr. Lang?
Young lady, say it. Don't be afraid.
Back then, in order to gain Ms. Xiao Li's trust,
you lied and said that Mr. Lang had his eyes on her,
and that he'll make a move on her sooner or later.
If Ms. Xiao Li be with you, you would surely protect her.
Mr. Lang, there's no such thing.
I've been wrongly accused.
Today, Mr. Lang came to see us perform.
He's an upright person.
He's not the kind of person you claimed he is.
For the sake of your own sexual desire,
you even dare to slander your own master.
-You're insane. -You're insane.
-That's right. You're insane.
All men are equal in the eyes of the law.
Act in accordance to the law. Send him to the government office.
Take care, sir.
Mr. Lang is wise.
Since Mr. Lang has said it, what are we waiting for?
Beat him up!
-Beat him up! -Beat him up!
-Let go of me! -Beat him up!
Wei Guang, are you feeling better?
Mr. Lang, the people beaten Mr. Yang into such a state.
Should we get a physician to check up on him?
Get a physician.
The two of you.
Bring Mr. Yang back to his room to rest.
Mr. Lang.
Mr. Lang, I was framed.
You...
You made the public angry.
Given that circumstances, you would have to suffer.
But don't worry.
I won't let you suffer the grievances.
Wei Guang.
You have a good memory.
You surely remember.
When was it that Ye Ning Zhi said Wang Xiao Li suffered a mishap?
On the 28th of last month.
It was a chaotic scene.
I vaguely heard the girl said,
that it happened in Bei Di Temple.
Did you hear it clearly that it was Bei Di Temple?
Yes.
She said Bei Di Temple.
That’s really outrageous!
We were all fooled by that girl.
I passed by Bei Di Temple last month,
to offer incense for His and Her Majesty.
The acolyte told me,
the pillars at the main hall were damaged by termites.
For safety reasons,
the temple is closed for two months, and no entry is allowed.
Mr. Lang, please redress the injustice for me.
Wei Guang.
I'll trust you once more.
Tell me.
Why did Ye Ning Zhi want to set Yang Biao up?
What was her motive?
I'm afraid this is only their first move.
The first move?
How so?
Ye Ning Zhi is merely a circus performer.
Why would she make accusation against Mr. Yang?
Someone must be behind this to put Mr. Yang under fire,
and to draw out the master behind him.
If so...
it's targeted at me?
The ultimate target...
is Her Majesty.
Go on.
I think you must have someone in mind.
The ones who want to go up against Her Majesty,
are Prince Bei Ying and Prince Nan Ping.
It's the high levels and low levels officers in their faction.
Do you have any countermeasures?
The final resort...
is to arrest Ye Ning Zhi and everyone involved.
If Ye Ning Zhi doesn't confess,
kill one person every one hour until she confesses.
This can really help us find out the truth.
Of course.
It will provoke the public anger in Han City.
What I want is the best plan.
Use other forces to attack the opponent and lure them out.
What should we do specifically?
Send a rider back to the palace.
Report it to the empress.
Both of us will get out there to gather information.
Let's see what Prince Bei Ying is up to.
Wait patiently for them to make the second move.
Then, we'll come up with a plan.
Keep in mind.
Don't act rashly.
How does it feel to be beaten?
I'm returning you the favour.
Both of you, move aside.
Move aside. Come here.
I've only been sick for a day.
Why did you stir up such a big trouble?
Did you see it with your own eyes that Mr. Yang raped Ms. Xiao Li?
Why didn't you tell me?
You always tell me everything.
Say something.
Mr. Wei.
Madam, I'm afraid this isn't the time to blame your daughter.
Ms. Ning Zhi did it out of good intentions.
She got into trouble because she was compelled by circumstances.
What trouble?
Mr. Lang knew that you fooled him.
Mum.
About the things I said, I didn't witness it.
But Yang Biao deserved it.
He didn't only raped Xiao Li. He even caused her death.
Mr. Wei is well aware of it.
Silly girl.
How dare of you?
We're screwed.
If he pursues this, we'll be beheaded.
Beheaded?
I did take part to kick him too.
-What should we do? -Why don't we escape?
Where can we escape to?
Mr. Wei, did I really put everyone's life at risk?
Now you're afraid?
Don't scare me.
Escape and hide in Ziwu Mountain.
This is the official document to get to Beidian.
Run north when you have the chance.
You'll be safe when you get to Beidian.
But Lang Kun is very influential.
He can mobilise the troops to arrest us at any time.
Our troupe is filled with elderly and women.
Where can we run to?
Just do as I say.
Even if there are only 20 to 30 people here,
you'll still stand a chance to defeat Lang Kun's hundreds of soldiers.
Really?
Of course.
Bring forth the courage for survival that you had in the palace.
How do we defeat them?
Go to the cave at the peak of Ziwu Mountain and hide.
I'll send my men to disguise as hunters,
to go up the mountain and tell you the next move.
I will teach you how to win this battle step by step.
Mr. Wei, why do I still feel uneasy?
Ms. Ning Zhi, it's not easy to be a good person but you made it.
You made the mess.
You have a duty to protect everyone's life.
This is your responsibility. I've told you before.
Besides, your action shows that you're a benevolent person.
It's just that it wasn't a well articulated strategy.
The kind and righteous people...
are the ones that shouldn't be let down.
I'll surely do my best to help you through this.
Mr. Wei.
Will this hold you up...
from returning to your hometown to get married?
You're in a deep trouble.
And you could still be bothered with my wedding?
Let's talk next time.
Mr. Lang.
Someone saw Ning Zhi led over 20 people from the circus troupe,
and escaped to Ziwu Mountain.
I've sent 30 officers to arrest them.
I don't care how many people you mobilised.
In short, tomorrow at this hour...
bring Ye Ning Zhi to see me.
The circus troupe conspired to rebel.
Her Majesty sent me to Han City to investigate on them.
If you can't catch them,
get ready to see Her Majesty.
Yes.
Mr. Lang.
Mr. Zhang is just a low level officer.
He merely has over dozens of soldiers.
If you want him to have Ziwu Mountain surrounded,
you're just making things difficult for him.
Making things difficult?
All right.
If that's the case...
it means that you have a plan.
We need to make sure the situation is in our favour.
We don't have enough soldiers.
We'll make use of the time and the geographical position.
How so?
Right now, the wind is blowing from the south.
Just set Ziwu Mountain on fire.
The fire will get bigger in no time.
In order to avoid the smoke and fire,
Ye Ning Zhi and the others will surely flee in panic.
All Mr. Zhang has to do is to set up an ambush at the path to the north,
and wait for them to walk into the trap.
That makes sense.
Did you hear that?
Quickly get to it.
Yes.
Sir.
Disguise as a hunter.
Take the shortcut to Ziwu Mountain.
Hand this bamboo tube to the girl.
Yes.
-What should we do? -Stop turning around.
-It's making me dizzy. -What should we do?
This is bad.
-How is it? -They set fire in the south.
The wind speeds the burn's advance.
The mountain is surrounded by flames and smoke.
What should we do?
-Hurry! Pack your things. -Hurry!
Forget it. Leave the things.
-Let's go. Hurry. -Everyone, don't move.
Leader.
We need to calm down and think it through.
It takes about two to four hours for the wind to get here.
That's right.
If they set up an ambush on the mountain with archers,
we'll be killed once we charge out.
-Leader, Mr. Wei sent a letter. -Give it to me.
Madam.
I guess everyone must be panicking right now.
The wind is blowing from the south.
The fire seems to be coming your way.
But please trust me.
The terrain of Ziwu Mountain is complicated.
In no time...
the wind will change its direction and blow from the north.
Don't go down the mountain.
The fire will burn those who set the fire.
By then, Lang Kun will send more people up the mountain to catch you.
All you have to do is to act according to the plan.
You'll surely be able to shake off the danger.
But Mr. Wei kept saying that a few dozens of civilians,
will be able to defeat hundreds of soldiers.
But how?
If Mr. Wei said we can, we surely can.
If we don't take his word for it,
-who else can we trust? -That's right.
That's so ridiculous!
They went to set fire but the opponents are unharmed.
Our people got burned instead.
Do you know your mistake?
Mr. Lang, it's not that he's unskilled in war.
Mr. Zhang is not a deity.
It's hard for him to predict the future.
We predicted the wind to blow from the south but it changed to the north.
Sir, please be understanding of Mr. Zhang.
I don't want to see you anymore. Get out!
Greetings, Mr. Lang.
Commander Wang.
It's been three years.
I've been planning to pay you a visit but never got the chance to.
I didn't expect to run into you here.
May I know where are you heading to?
Sir.
There's a flood in Yang City.
I was ordered to send food supplies for disaster relief.
What a coincidence.
Her Majesty sent me to Han City to take down a group of criminals.
They're hiding in Ziwu Mountain.
Brother Wang.
Can you do Her Majesty a favour?
Lend me your troops.
I'm afraid I can't help you with that.
Secretly mobilizing troops is a violation of military orders.
Disaster relief?
Do you think I don't know what's on your mind?
Do you dare to say that you are going to Yang City for disaster relief?
Practice usury. Confiscate the supplies.
You sell the grains to the merchants at a high price.
You make a fortune for yourself by taking advantage of the situation.
I suppose things are going your way.
Mr. Lang.
I won't let them work for nothing.
Tell your subordinates.
Whoever can get me Ye Ning Zhi's head, the main culprit,
I'll reward him with 500 taels of gold.
Thank you, sir.
Mr. Wei sent someone to deliver the letter again.
Ah Jiao is back.
Mr. Wei sent someone to deliver the letter again.
Tomorrow, before sunset,
a hundred soldiers will go up the mountain to search for you.
This group of soldiers is known for their notorious deeds.
On top of that, Lang Kun offered a reward of 500 taels of gold.
They'll surely hunt you down like a group of mad dogs.
Be careful, everyone.
But keep this in mind.
Greed and fear...
-will defeat them. -Greed and fear?
-What does that mean? -That's right.
First step.
Everyone must move to the cave below Bei Ling Monkey Stone.
The passage in this cave is relatively narrow.
The widest area can only fit three to four people.
Second step.
I'll send people to deliver you some gifts.
The way of using the gifts will be made known at that time.
Lastly...
when the first two steps are ready,
you can pull some tricks,
and lure the enemy into taking the bait.
-Thank you, sir. -Thank you, sir.
Brothers.
The 500 taels of gold will belong to the one who kills Ye Ning Zhi.
Kill Ye Ning Zhi!
Mr. Wei sent another letter.
Another letter? What does it say?
Wait a minute.
Mr. Wei said only the young lady can read this letter.
Ms. Ning Zhi.
I could tell that you're someone with a strong sense of camaraderie.
You'll surely blame yourself for the trouble that you caused.
I suppose you would have lost the courage and intelligence you had.
In my opinion,
instead of blaming yourself...
fight for your life and the lives of your family and friends.
That's the right thing to do.
Fight for survival.
There's hope so long as you stay alive.
I promise you.
I'll stay alive.
Brothers, 500 taels of gold!
Brace yourselves!
-Charge forward! -Charge forward!
Charge forward!
Hurry up!
What happened?
Commander, it's filled with raptors.
Move aside.
Release!
Don't panic.
-Let's go. -Let's go.
A bunch of losers.
It's been so long.
No one has brought me her head.
Yang Biao.
Go up the mountain at once.
Check out their situation.
Mr. Lang.
Where's Ye Ning Zhi's head?
A hundred elite soldiers...
couldn't even defeat a bunch of unarmed circus performers.
Sir.
We went into the cave.
But little did we expect,
there were so many raptors on Ziwu Mountain.
Commander Wang, did you mistaken it?
I've never heard of the raptors on the mountain.
Right.
Where's your army?
They're either dead or wounded.
Only a few dozens people came back with me.
Come.
-Take Commander Wang back to rest. -Yes.
Wei Guang, what should we do now?
Secretly mobilizing troops,
caused over a hundred of defeated soldiers to flee.
It even caused Commander Wang to suffer serious injury.
Even if Her Majesty has a high authority...
she can't intervene in the military affair.
Sir, you need come up with a plan.
I don't want you to tell me all this nonsense.
What I want to hear now is how to get myself out of this.
It's a serious matter.
I'm afraid I'll have to think it through,
to help you out of this predicament.
Sir, I shall take my leave.
Keep up. Be careful.
I can't go on.
I can't run anymore.
-Keep running. Hang in there. -Can you go on?
Forget it.
Just rest here for a while.
It's really tiring.
The sound of horse hooves.
Are they catching up to us from here?
It's Mr. Wei.
Mr. Wei.
Madam, their target is Ning Zhi.
I'll distract them with Ning Zhi.
Head to the north.
Find a place to hide.
I'll come to you later.
Ning Zhi, follow Mr. Wei. Don't worry about us.
Mum.
I'm leaving.
Take care.
All of you must live well.
We'll see each other again.
Daughter, you must take good care of yourself.
Uncle Gui.
Young lady.
Take care.
Take your things.
Go on.
Madam, good bye.
Mr. Wei, you must take good care of my daughter.
Young lady, take care.
It’s hard to travel in the mountains at night.
There won't be any soldiers for the time being.
We'll set out tomorrow morning.
Head north to that mountain and we'll be safe.
With you around, I'm not afraid to go anywhere.
There are so many fireflies!
I didn't expect there'll be time where you'll get stuck.
It's not easy to catch the fireflies.
I practised for a long time when I was a kid.
Watch me.
The fireflies emerge from the decaying greens and live to die.
If it could brighten up the path ahead of you...
even if it burns me...
it's still a kind of joy.
Mr. Wei.
This is for you.
Mr. Wei, let me show you another stunt.
Let's go.
Let the wind pass through the body.
It feels like you're in the sky.
Look, the shooting star.
Did you take a good look at the shooting star?
You've made your wish already?
It'll surely come true.
-Have some water. -Thank you.
Mr. Wei.
Is it possible that...
you have had an acrimonious fall-out with Mr. Lang?
You've done so much for me.
How can I sit by and disregard your situation?
You've offended Mr. Lang.
How are you going back to get married in your hometown?
Why do you keep harping on about the wedding?
Didn't you say that you're going back to your hometown to get married?
Besides, you are getting married.
You got held up because of me.
Also, you might not be able to go back.
You got into such a dangerous situation.
It started from me.
How would I not know your feelings?
What are you trying to say?
Let's go.
After them!