Original subtitles

Come on, move

Let go of me...

Help... help...

Help

Someone please help...

Leave her alone and I'll spare you

You...

Dare to fight with me?

I can see that you don't want to hurt her

Otherwise I'd have taken your life instead.

Don't be rash

You are right

I'm the head of Mati village

This one's my son, he's from our village too

Why did you kidnap her?

She's the daughter of our county magistrate

You kidnap the county magistrate's daughter...

Don't you fear the imperial law?

We're prepared to lay down our lives

You don't know, young man...

There's been drought at our place for many years

The imperial court has exempted our provision

But the county magistrate kept pressing on us

We have no where to turn to.

Therefore we kidnapped his daughter...

Hoping that he'll loosen his grip on us.

If not, we'll die with his daughter.

I hope you'll understand us.

This is outrageous, completely insane.

Liang tong, did you find out...

who kidnapped the lady?

Yes, the kidnapper is...

the chief of Mati village, Gao Baoshi

And his son Gao Jixian

There is also this guy named Li Juren

They have tied up the lady at the mill

You lead a team and bring her back

Yes

Master Xin, you take along some more men

Yes

Spare no mercy for those rascals, but...

Make sure that lady is safe

Yes

Master Yan, we can win for sure if you will go

Just a few bumpkins,

Master Qian and his gang would suffice

Go on

Yes

Master Yan

Ling long

You... you're not going?

I'm here to protect, not to kill

Lady is very kind even to servants like us

But I'm also from the Mati village

Jixian is my friend since childhood

I heard that they are there too at the mill

You think they are safe?

It's fate

But, taking this step,

You think we can deal with that hypocrite!

That bastard thinks this place is so remote that...

Even the Emperor can do nothing

He has no respect for law, nothing but corruption

Killing and taking away our horses.

If so, why do you still challenge him?

We're forced to do that

Other villages can't give them anymore provision

They were taken away and died two days later

There's just this much rice for our whole family

What else can I give him

This is insane, we have completely nothing

Master Gao, shall we finish this rice first

My brother will bring us more later

Okay, Jixian

I heard that they lost the war at the border

General Lu died in the war

Minister Yuan took the imperial sword...

to the border. He's sure to pass through here

So we've petitioned all their guilt

Minister Yuan is a good official

I'm sure he'll do us justice

I only fear we might not be able to see him

Maybe I can help

I'm confused, I don't even know your name...

Or where you are from.

I'm Lu Fang, I broke the encirclement and came here

General Lu is your...

My departed grandfather

So you're Mr. Lu

I didn't know, please excuse our rudeness

Jixian

Kowtow to Mr. Lu

Mr. Lu

That's alright

Our country is undergoing such a crisis,

I doubt if anyone would care for formalities

I'm also trying to see minister Yuan in Peking

I'll leave tomorrow. If I meet him en route...

I'll inform him of your situation.

Oh... thank you

Mr. Lu must be very tired

Maybe you should've some rest

But this place is such a mess

I think this place is very nice

When we're at the war front,

We didn't have nothin' as good as this

Master Xin, of course you can handle this

But the lady is still in their hand

Liang tong, you deal with them from the front

And I'll bring my men to attack from the back

Master Gao, the government troops are here

Listen, release the lady...

And all of you won't be executed

What about our provisions?

Release her first

No. The county magistrate has to come and...

Tell us himself that he will cut our provisions

If you still act so stubborn, we'll break in

We're ordered to spare no mercy for you guys

One step further and I'll kill her

Lady...

You stupid old fart

Dare to kidnap our lady, I'll kill you...

Stop

Who are you? This is none of your business

It's everybody's business

Who are you?

The bodyguard of the county magistrate

Can a county magistrate indulge his bodyguard

Solid proof of corruption

I see you don't want to live, let me...

Liang tong

Anyone else?

Let's go

Thanks for your help

If not, we all would've been dead now

Thanks

This young man is pretty good

Last year, when things weren't that bad

Everyone in the village learnt a bit of martial arts

But we lose when it comes to facing these bandits

After you leave tomorrow, I don't think we can...

I've killed a few of them; things are complicated

I'll wait here for minister Yuan

Thanks, thanks so much

Later when we have time, I'll teach you a bit

Thanks... thanks

You should bow and say: thanks, master

Yes, master

A bunch of good-for-nothing

Yes

Where's master Yan?

He went out

Where to?

I guess in Choi's restaurant, enjoying himself

Ask him to come back

Yes

Liang tong, ask master Yan to come back

Yes

You all take a rest too

Yes

My lord, I think that man is pretty skillful

He might far exceed master Yan

I have a friend named Hanrui

He's nicknamed eight-handed master, very skillful

He has a few skillful men with him

If we're willing to pay them a handsome amount

Then...

Good, where are they?

Eagle castle, eight miles out of town

Okay

Take 300 dollars from the treasury and go now

If only they can take care of this matter...

I'll pay them generously

Yes

My lord, you don't have to worry that much

They won't dare to harm the lady

They simply can't dare!

But minister Yuan was assigned to the border

He'll pass by here in 2-3 days

We've to settle this matter as soon as possible

Otherwise, if he hears of this...

We'll be in trouble

Yes...

How come Yan Ziqing isn't back yet!

All he knows is killing and bridging the law

I see that his kung fu is pretty good

So I released him from the jail

And even hired him as my bodyguard

He owes me a big favor

And see now how he repays me

My lord, we still have a few bandits in the jail

Maybe they can...

Forget it. One Yan Ziqing is enough

If we have a few more...

My lord, there is some difference between them

Yan Ziqing likes to play hero

He kills for the sake of justice

But this is a real bandit group; they want money

As long as you pay them generously...

They will do whatever you want

But of course they are not completely reliable

And so does that Yan Ziqing

So we should let them monitor each other

I'm such a man, with all my skills

Don't drink too much

What are you afraid of, the night has just begun

All I'm saying is, I don't want you to be drunk

...and get grumpy

Hey Miss, where's your boss?

She's inside, please take a seat

No, I'm here for master Yan

Is he here?

Yes

Tell him that some urgent matter awaits him

We want him back to the office immediately

Okay

Who's this lass, I have never seen her before

She's the daughter of Gao Baoshi

Her family is poor, she just started work here

Gao Baoshi

Who is it?

Someone from the office has requested you back

What's the matter?

The county magistrate has some urgent matters

It's a duty from the county magistrate, try your best

Come

The county magistrate considers you important

So he wants to hire you, what do you think?

Are you sure?

Even if I lie, never will these silver dollars

Once you agree, all of you will be released

And he has a handsome reward for you all.

Good

My lord

I've already spoken to them

Hmm... good

Each of you will get ten silvers...

After you kill that guy at the mill

Another ten silvers await you upon return.

And for one who can rescue my daughter...

there's a reward of another fifty silver dollar

He's the only exception

All of us are willing to work for you, my lord

Good. Master Yan, you go with them

If anyone tries to desert or conspire against me,

...Kill him at once

Let's get to work

My lord, we've been wronged

Shut up...

We are wronged

Who is this?

He's a stranger from nowhere

He hurt two men, made a big fuss outside the office

And when we arrested him...

He didn't resist!

He said he can have two meals in the jail

Now he's here awaiting your order

Bring him in

Yes... hey you, come out

Quickly, our lord wants to speak to you

Quickly

Take him out

Yes

Get up...

My friend, what's your name?

I'm Huang Liang

I'm Yan Ziqing

My lord, this man comes into jail

For the sake of getting some food

My friend, I see that you're really skillful

If you will work for me, not only will you get food

I'll also reward you handsomely

Food is all I need

Master Yan, take him along as well

Wang, you have a big family

You'll need this food

Save it for yourself

No... please bring this to master Gao

It doesn't matter if we don't have enough

But they need food badly

I'm going

I hear, the office sent out many warriors and police

When you get to the mill, be very careful

I understand

Why'd you need this, don't fight with others!

Don't worry, it's just a precaution

Mr. Lu, have some corn porridge

Jixian, you take it

No, master, you, you take it

Mr. Lu, you broke the encirclement...

into places so remote, you must be hungry

I insist you have it

A student ought to obey the master

When a master orders him to eat, he has to eat

Take it

You eat

You eat

No, dad, you eat first

I can't take it anymore, you eat

See, you should understand by now

Why do you think they kidnapped you!

Have you ever seen someone so hungry before?

Something that you take for granted,

is precious to them!

And your father still forces them for provisions

It's true that they kidnapped you...

But you can't blame them.

When we were fighting at the border...

Ten thousand of us were weak and tired

Surrounded by two hundred thousand Qing soldiers

We didn't even have strength to pick up our weapons

Most of us died in the remote mountains

But you people here are still enjoying life

Sucking blood from the poor

I know you're not a part of this

A lady like you would know nothing about sufferings

This hairpin is yours, I suppose

It's worth a year's income for this whole family

The village people!

Hey kid, dare to come out

And fight with me!

Brother, he isn't worth fighting with

Let me go

Okay

Hey kid, come on,

allow me to send you to hell right now

You're Mr. Lu?

Huang Liang?

Our young master is here,

Whoever wishes to fight, may fight with me

Just now I've seen how good Huang is

This gentleman seems to be very skillful

I'd like to have a round with you, no matter who wins

At least I'll have something to report upon return

Good, please

Please

Really good, I'll report my mission

Let's go

Master, you're really skillful

This Yan Ziqing works for the county magistrate

He's something to be feared of

Now he lost the fight to you

This man's really something

He's different from the others

I've tried my best, but still can't win over him

This one is brother Huang

He's also from the battle at the border

Master huang

I didn't have enough to eat in the jail

I got this one on the road

We can share it.

Brother Huang, you just came out from the jail?

Yes, after I came out from the battlefront,

I was so tired and hungry

Now all of us...

Believe that general Lu is a hero

But the battlefield...

Drains my spirit

When I came to this county

I had absolutely nothing on me

Kept thinking how could a man like me...

Go to steal or rob

So I made a big fuss outside the government office

And thus found myself food and lodging

The county magistrate is short of fighters

So he has his eyes on the prisoners

Never could I've dreamed to meet you here

Master huang

Where did you get this?

On the road outside the village

What about the man who carried this bag?

That guy, was killed!

Brother...

The man who had this bag... is my brother

He was trying to deliver food to us

See, this is the mark on the bag,

Sewed on it by my sister-in-law

Brother...

Li, don't be upset

We have only our fate to blame

This man is really something, even I can't win him

If my lord wants to take him, we need someone else

My lord, be patient

We didn't have complete control over him yet

If we force him too much,

It'll ruin our plan

This guy is getting worse and worse

My lord, Yan Ziqing and the kid

Didn't have a real fight

It's more like a game

We have some friends

They hide away because

A few of us were caught

If the lord promises not to bring out the past...

I'll ask our big brother to take them all out.

You can count on me

We'll go back and rescue the lady

Okay, you go and find them

As long as you settle this matter for me,

I'll pardon all your guilt and even reward you

Yes

My lord

What?

I've got some news

The villagers of Mati...

have got a petition against you

They plan to hand it in to minister Yuan...

when he passes through here

How dare these bumpkins!

My lord, we are the officials anyway...

to deal with these morons.

We can use the bandits

My lord, this one is our big brother Sheng

Very good

I'll give each of your men ten silver dollars

You can do whatever you want at the Mati village

When you get the petition, another hundred

But don't say that I sent you

Since it's now daybreak, it'd be quiet there

Go right now

To deal with those bumpkins...

These bandits are good enough

But to deal with that kid at the mill!

They can do nothing

My daughter's in their captivity for one whole night

Just now Liang tong has a suggestion

When he went to look for master Yan in the Choi's,

...he saw a young woman

Heard that she is the daughter of Gao Baoshi

They have kidnapped lady, we'll kidnap his daughter

A bumpkin's daughter is no comparison to mine

Of course she's no lady

But the parents will worry all the same

We'll take Gao's daughter to the mill...

And force them to release our lady

Good, act immediately

Yes

Who's here at this early hour?

Open the door...

Did you hear me... open the door...

Go, open the door, what are you afraid of?

I'll see who has the guts to come here

Open

My lord

My lord, it's her

Take her

Take her away

What's the matter?

Yan Ziqing

It's good you're here, come with me

Go...

Help...

Big brother, this guy killed my brother

Be careful, he's really skillful

Go on...

Surround him

Come on

Mister, don't go, you're hurt

It's not serious, doesn't matter

Mister, thanks for saving my life

It's... it's nothing

A step

Thanks, master

Thanks for your teachings, please take a seat

Go...

Dad...

Sister

If anyone comes a step closer I'll kill her

Sister

This is an order from our lord

You release our lady, and we'll release her

You release my daughter first

You wish!

You release our lady first before we release her

Dad... leave me alone

Don't release this hypocrite's daughter

How dare you, give her a good strike

Watch this...

Jing yu

Sister

Jing yu

Are you going to release our lady?

I...

Dad, this hypocrite's daughter is in your hand

He has other plan, if you release her

Think he will pardon us?

Beat

Sister...

Stop it, I'll...

If you don't comply you'll all die

One more word and I'll kill you

Dad, don't release her

Jing yu

Sister...

You killed my daughter

And I'll kill yours

Dad...

Don't...

Wei Huaire

I'll cut her up bit by bit

Mr. Lu

Wei, listen

You've rescued my daughter, I'm so grateful

Hold it...

Please

If I release your daughter...

You have to promise not to investigate them

And to follow what the imperial court ordered

Exempt their provisions

About this...

Your daughter is in my hold

Make up your mind quickly

I can agree to other conditions

But these three men kidnapped my daughter

And threatened me

If I pardon them...

How can I be a county magistrate hereafter?

You want to kill them?

I'll do this as a favor to you

I won't kill them, but I'll have to punish them

How?

At least 100 slashes

Okay, I'll take the 100 slashes for them

Mr. Lu...

How's that?

Okay, that's a deal

Don't go back on your words

You think I won't keep my promise...

In front of so many people

Mr. Lu

Young man, make sure you won't regret later

A word is a word

Jixian

Give this sword to Huang Liang

Ask him to wait for me at the mill

Yes, master

Lady, please...

Dad

Let's go

Hope Mr. Lu will not fall into his trap

I'll wait for his news here

You should go back to see if everything's okay

We were away from home for two whole days.

48... 49

80, 81... 82

83... 84

85... 86

87...

Dad...

Wenzhen

Dad, stop it, stop it.

How many?

89 already

Make it 100

My lord, 100 slashes are completed

Lock him up

Dad

None of your business

Dad... dad

Go on

Dad, Mr. Lu is my savior,

How can you treat him like that?

He sided with those crooks and challenged me

Dad, you didn't know...

He is the son of general Lu jingsheng

So what?

General Lu has sacrificed for the country

You can't...

Since we know who he is...

We can't release him. Minister Yuan is coming

He is a friend of Lu family

If I release him, he'll report me

Then dad, what do you intend?

I'll let him starve to death here

Dad!

Wei Huaire didn't keep his word, that bastard

Where's the petition?

They said it's with the village head...

Gao Baoshi in the mill

Come, follow me

Someone's here

It's him

Stand there

Give us the petition

Dad, let's go

Get the petition

The petition's not with them

We'll return to the office

You'll wait for me here

I'll deal with them

How is it going?

We've killed Gao and his gang

Where's the petition?

I have it, but...

100 Silvers is too less

How much you want?

3000?

3000 is a big sum

We'll need to arrange

It won't do any of us good if you wait here

We'll meet you somewhere and pay you there

How's that?

Good, we'll wait in the bush up the hill

I'll give you the petition upon payment

Good... please...

Let's go...

Adviser, you mean...

Master Qian has already got the men

I was thinking...

Please, please...

Ling long sewed this for him

They were really close since childhood

Owing to their poverty...

Ling long was sold to the office as a maid

I buried his brother yesterday, bury him today

It's my fault

No, you help us to drive those bandits away

If it's not you, I'll...

You didn't know that they will come back

You didn't know, I was...

Take this money

Master Huang, where are you going?

To the office to rescue Mr. Lu

Don't go

That bastard went back on his word

The Gao family is killed

Think he will spare Mr. Lu?

Don't go, it's too dangerous

I have to tell you something

I didn't mean to kill him

Big brother, if Wei brings us the money

What about that petition?

Silly, once we get the money

We'll leave

Were you sent by Wei?

And the money?

Wei sent you one word: kill

What happened?

Huang Liang broke into the office

Maybe he's here to save that Mr. Lu

Lady, Huang is here to rescue Mr. Lu

Good, but maybe he doesn't know the way to jail

I'll show him

Lady, what are you doing?

If you can save Mr. Lu...

I'll consider you as my savior

Lady, don't say that

Don't move, who are you?

I'm the maid from the wine cellar, Ling long

You... you are?

Ling long, I have something for you

Jixian? He...

Was killed by the county magistrate

If you want to avenge him, take me to the jail

You're master Huang?

I'm here to rescue Mr. Lu

Follow me

Look around, quickly

They are coming, I'll stop them

You go to rescue Mr. Lu

Ling long, why are you here?

Can't I come to see you?

Oh yes, please, come inside

Ling long

Our lady sent me here to rescue you

How come master Han is not here yet?

Adviser, send more men to take Huang Liang

Get him dead or alive

Yes

Master Xin

Yes

Go and check out at the jail

Make sure that Lu is still there

Right

Master Yan, you should give us a hand

Master Yan

You...

Go

Wenzhen, did you see that Lu?

No

Did you hear anything?

Why did you rescue me?

Then why did you rescue me the other day?

Go now, quick

Scatter off, let me

Mr. Lu is rescued

Try to delay them

Over that side

Quick

Check both ways

Mr. Lu, are you okay?

Yes

You have to be careful

Um... I don't know if we can meet hereafter

I... l'll be back

Mr. Lu

I'll thank you when I return

Go

Master, lady is on our side

Go quickly

Lady, hurry back to your room

Where is he?

I lost him here

Let's all search around

Search

What are you doing here?

I boiled some water, waiting for you

You're hurt

I'm okay

Attend to Mr. Lu first

How was it?

First give it to Mr. Lu

You don't hate me

I know you didn't do it on purpose

He thought I'm one of Wei's men

So he took the first strike

And I reacted too fast

I understand

We killed all of Sheng's gang

But still the petition was nowhere to be found

Thanks to all of you

It was nothing...

Here not only did we lose Huang Liang,

Lu also escaped!

It's about dawn

Minister Yuan will pass by today

What should we do?

The problem is with Yan Ziqing

You're right

My lord, he let go of Huang Liang

Even if Lu is released by Ling long...

She can't kill master Qian

Look what he has done

This guy is not reliable, we can't leave him here

Where's he now?

Where else, same old place

I ask you all to execute this traitor

Together with Lu and Huang Liang

They must have the petition

You two go to look for Yan Ziqing

Brother Hu, brother Zhu

We'll go to look for Lu and Huang Liang

Go...

How come you're up so early?

I'm leaving

Why?

I killed master Qian last night

And I let go of Mr. Lu and Huang Liang

As yet they don't know. If I stay here,

I'm afraid...

Then I'll go with you

I don't know where I'll wander to

Can you bear all these sufferings?

I don't mind, I have to be with you

Ziqing...

Are you seeing someone else?

I can't even take care of myself

Who else would I be seeing?

Unless I die, I won't let you leave me behind

You're the boss here

To come along, how can you give up all this?

I can

Ziqing, I'll pack and go with you now

My Xiao Qing...

Ziqing, I'm dying...

I will never leave you again

I'm your love...

Mr. Lu, how do you feel?

Much better

Thanks to you and madam for taking care of me

See

I got this from the stream outside

It's fate

If only minister Yuan could come here...

And take care of this corrupted bastard

Gao and his family can rest in peace

Have some porridge

I'll dry this

I'll take her back, you better rest

I won't be long

Okay

Who is it?

It's me, Yan Ziqing

Good lord

Thanks for rescuing me last night

I'm so grateful

You...

It's bad, Wei Huaire sent his men to attack me

Before daybreak

My woman was also killed

I need your help

It's all my fault

I'll do whatever is in my power

I'll kill him for revenge

How are you feeling now?

I've recovered.

I'll leave a word with Huang Liang

And we can go immediately

Thanks

Not at all

Brother Huang

I'm accompanying Yan to take revenge

Lu fang

Let's go

Yan Ziqing went to the office with Lu

We'll first look for Huang Liang

You are all out, and no one is in the office

We'll return there

Right...

I can't see you back

I'll follow them, to help Lu and Yan

No, this is too risky

These men look very skillful

I'll give them a hand

But...

I can't leave my friend behind

Wen zhen, tell the truth

Did you ask Ling long...

To release that Lu?

I...

Wei Huaire, you're so full of guilt

I'll avenge for the villagers of Mati

Come to your death now

Mr. Lu, do it as a favor for me

Pardon my dad

Mr. Lu, master Yan

Please forgive me

I regret deeply for my actions

I'll release those in jail

And exempt their provisions.

It's too late

Mr. Lu, if you have to kill my dad...

Then kill me first

This man is untrustworthy

If you pardon him now, you'll regret later

No... master Yan

This time I won't eat my word

If you don't trust me, stay here and watch

Once minister Yuan is here

I'll ask for his punishment

Mr. Lu, now that I know who you are

We're both government officials

Even if I'm full of guilt,

It's up to minister Yuan to punish me

You can't kill me on your own terms

Besides, since you two are here...

Where else can I go?

Shut up

Dad

Master Yan

I'm wrong, but I did you a big favor in the past

Please forgive me this time

Brother Yan, since we are here anyway,

When minister Yuan comes, he can't escape punishme

We don't have to take action ourselves

Thanks to Mr. Lu, master Yan

Tell adviser to prepare banquet in the second room

To treat these two heroes

And to welcome minister Yuan

Yes

Please come to the second room

You prepare the banquet

I'll go double check

Yes

Quickly

Please

Please take a seat

When minister Yuan is here...

You'll know my sincerity

Our lord is captured by these two men

Try to rescue him

C'mon go...

Lock these prisoners up inside, quick

Get a wooden cage and move them

Minister Yuan is coming

Okay, quick...

Don't go, don't go

They have gone inside

It's very urgent now

You were hurt last time

If you go again this time,

I... l'm afraid

Loyalty is very important to a man

I can't leave them behind even if I have to die

You...

Forget me, and go home

I gain my life again because of your generosity

I'll right my wrongs, heaven will know

This is their petition for minister Yuan

If you really regret for what you did...

Then hand this in personally to minister Yuan

I'll do as you said

My lord, we've prepared to welcome minister Yuan

Good, take this petition and put it away safely

This is for minister Yuan

Yes

How can our hero be served this wine?!

Tell them

Get the best wine out

Yes...

Please take a seat, Mr. Lu

Tell lord later that the petition is here

Yes

Red top is for the guest

Blue top is for our lord

Don't mix them up

Yes

Lady

These two bottles are different

You have to be very careful

To make sure

This will help you to differentiate

Pour wine for the guests

Minister Yuan is arriving

Prepare to welcome him

Let's toast before we welcome minister Yuan

Good

I'll drink first for respect

My friend, let's toast

Get these two men

A big reward even if you get them dead!

Yes

Mr. Lu, be careful

Go, quickly

Minister Yuan is outside the office

Go inside quickly, get that kid

Mr. Lu, brother Yan, I'm here

Huang Liang

Huang Liang

Stop

County magistrate Wei Huaire bows to our minister

The minister's on an urgent military order

We'll not stop for any meeting with local official

All can return to their own office, move

Our petition

You're from the Mati village?

Yes, lady

Take it

Brother Yan

Stop

Mr. Lu, you be very careful

No, Yan

Minister Yuan has left

Take these two men and quickly execute them

Yes

Stop it, dad...

What are you doing here?

Mr. Lu and master Yan granted you pardon

Is this how you repay their kindness!

Get off, go

Stop

Order from the minister, take Wei Huaire

Everyone listen up

Don't make any further move

Go... quickly

Uncle Yuan

My boy

I just learnt that you've broken out of encircleme

...and came here

You are hurt...

It's not serious, it doesn't matter

Please

This here is hero Yan

Minister Yuan

Had it not been for him...

I'd have died at the hands of Wei Huaire

I regret however, that my companion in the battle

Huang Liang, was killed

I stopped you, but you had to come

You... you had to come, huh

Wei Huaire, what have you to say?

Wen zhen, so it's you who reported me

It's me who reported you

What about that petition?

It's thanks to you, that she has it

Dad, I had begged you to let go of Lu and Yan

They've pardoned you, now you can't blame anyone

Good! So, for this Lu...

you betray even your own father!

I act out of justice

Not because of anyone

You've violated the imperial law

And I've to choose between you and justice

After this, I'll turn to Buddhism and be a nun

Wei Huaire ignored the court orders, collected...

provisions on his own and killed wrongfully

He needs to be executed.

All who were a part of this act...

have to be arrested, and punished accordingly

Executioner

Yes

Take out the imperial sword

And execute Wei Huaire here

Yes