Original subtitles

Buddy

Please wait a moment.

Brother

Brother

The brother with the backpack

Wait

Someone brought you a bowl of noodles.

Where is he?

He left.

I wonder how things are at Bakematsu.

How are the old squad leader and the others?

Are they doing okay?

Come here.

Come over.

Are you eating or not?

Are you going to eat?

Second Brother is busy.

Sis.

You shouldn't be doing this work.

Sis, Sis.

Big Brother said

he brought you here to enjoy life.

Not to make you

suffer here.

This is our home.

Working for your own family isn't suffering.

Come.

Big Brother isn't home today.

Sis, if you need anything, just tell me.

We've got food and drink.

What could go wrong?

That's true.

Second Brother.

You three brothers

seem really close.

How did you all meet?

That's a long story.

Like the 108 heroes of Liangshan,

everyone has a story before joining.

We're the same.

Nothing to do anyway.

Let me tell you, Sis.

Go ahead.

As for me,

My father died early.

It was just me and my mother.

One day,

my mother and I

went to the market in town.

A Jap soldier harassed my mother.

My mother was tough.

She'd rather die than give in.

Then

he hit her with a rifle butt

and smashed her head.

I kept watching that Jap

for days.

I even knew where he went to the toilet.

I had it all figured out.

One day he went to the outhouse.

I stabbed him in the throat.

Cut off his head.

Wrapped it in cloth.

Tied it to my belt.

I thought

I'd use his head to honor my mother.

But it didn't go as planned.

The Japs found out.

They chased me everywhere.

I had no choice

but to run into Congshan.

Sis,

do you know what Big Brother said

when he first met me?

What did he say?

"Have you killed anyone?"

I didn't say a word.

I threw the Jap's head

right at him.

The boss caught the head.

He shouted,

"You're tough!"

So I stayed in Congshan.

I guess

because I killed

a Jap,

they made me second-in-command.

If there were no Japs,

your mother wouldn't have died.

That's right.

I hate them so much.

Didn't you ever think

about killing more Japs?

Of course.

But...

I don't have the skills.

The old saying is true.

Under a low roof,

you have to bow your head.

Even if you bow,

they won't pity you.

The more you bow, the more they bully you.

Sis,

when will the Japs finally leave?

Stop right there.

Here you are again, asking for food and drink.

Go on, get out.

Our food

doesn't just fall from the sky.

I—I'm

here for the first time.

I didn't ask you for anything.

Then what are you here for?

Looking for someone.

Who are you looking for?

Is this Tian Xiaogui's house?

You know our young master?

Yes, I do.

Go, go, tell him

his uncle is here to see him.

Uncle?

Wait here.

Who's his uncle?

I am.

You really lie without blinking.

I watched Xiaogui grow up.

He doesn't have an uncle like you.

Go on, get out.

I really am his uncle.

Just tell him, please.

If you don't leave, I'll get rough.

What, you want to hit me?

What? What?

Someone, come here!

Tian Xiaogui!

Your uncle is here to see you.

Shut up.

Prepare food and drinks for your uncle.

Big chicken drumsticks.

Braised pork knuckle, pig's feet.

Don't leave anything out.

Uncle.

Tian Xiaogui.

Xiaogui.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Xiaogui.

Uncle.

You've put on some weight.

That's great.

Uncle.

Where did you come from?

Can we have something to eat

and then chat?

Alright.

Hurry and stew a chicken.

And steam a pot of big buns.

Quick.

It's not easy.

This way.

Uncle, let me.

Uncle.

Your hair—

I almost didn't recognize you.

Your aunt did that.

My aunt really knows how to cut hair.

Who cut your hair?

Looks stylish.

Come on, come on.

How is it, Uncle?

It's good.

Good.

Tell me,

your family really is

a big household.

Tell me,

how did you have the heart

to leave this home back then?

You were stubborn.

You know how stubborn I am, Uncle.

I'll go get some food.

Not right now.

I'll pour you some water.

Young master.

The master wants to see you.

Uncle, I'll be right back.

Son,

You've already lived with passion.

You've tasted life's ups and downs.

You've been through it all.

Settle down now.

Listen to your father.

Don't go anywhere else.

Stay home and help me.

Take care of our family business.

I'll find you a good wife.

Start a family.

Relax on the bed whenever you want.

Eat whatever you like.

Isn't that great?

I don't ask for much.

We just need to live well.

Keep the Tian family line going.

Pass it on to the next generation.

Dad,

Do you really think under the Japanese

we can live in peace?

Aren't we living just fine now?

Just take it one day at a time.

Worry about the next meal when it comes.

As for the future,

no one can say for sure.

How can you not know?

If the Japanese don't leave,

we have no future.

Wait, what are you doing?

What are you doing?

Not listening to your father?

Saying those things in front of your mother?

Are you lying to her?

Let me tell you,

Tian Xiaogui,

You better stop now.

The things you've done,

if the Japanese find out,

none of us will survive.

They'll even dig up our ancestors' graves.

If that happens, I'm telling you,

you'll be the Tian family's

biggest sinner.

What are you looking at?

What's your problem?

You want your father to kneel to you?

Uncle,

Try this.

Smells great.

This is good stuff.

You get it.

Looking at you now,

all chubby and healthy,

I almost feel bad taking you away.

Uncle,

what do you mean by that?

What did your dad want just now?

Nothing much.

He just likes to nag.

I was thinking,

don’t rush.

Take care of things at home

before you decide anything.

Uncle,

how about this—

give me three days.

Is that okay?

Alright.

Alright.

I’ll arrange a place for you to stay.

Wait.

I’m not from your family.

I stand out too much.

I can’t bring trouble to your family.

Don’t want to cause problems.

I’ve got a place, don’t worry.

Then I’ll bring you food every day.

Just help me with this meal first,

can you do that?

Hurry up.

Alright.

Darn it.

You’re going in circles

trying to avoid me.

It’s not far, just nearby.

You can see it if you look up.

I’ve already found a place to stay.

That day,

when I brought back the wine,

right on our street,

there’s a shop.

It’s about to change owners.

I thought the location was good,

so I asked about the price.

It’s not expensive to take over.

I think it’s pretty good.

What do you want to do with it?

Songlin Town is by the mountains.

So I’ll live off the land.

I want to open a shop selling mountain goods.

What do you think?

I owe you.

Don’t say that.

That’s too distant.

It’s just—

I feel guilty always getting the better deal.

If we were outside,

with others around,

I’d really feel uneasy.

I’m not worried, why are you?

Is that okay?

A grown man

has to hold up his own.

I didn’t misjudge you.

I know.

A man’s pride

is worth more than his life.

What are you doing?

Not busy?

Busy, busy.

That Liu Heihu—

I’ll skin him alive one day.

What happened?

What else?

Big brother’s back.

I was thinking today

I’d settle things with Liu Heihu.

That bastard

tried to trick me.

He ambushed me.

If I hadn’t reacted fast today,

my men would’ve all died there.

Brother, are you alright?

I’m fine. Let’s go.

Are you okay?

Liu Heihu bit me.

Liu Heihu bit you?

What happened?

When I was running, that dog caught up.

Bit me on the butt.

What’s with that dog?

Let’s go.

Let’s get you some medicine inside.

How is it?

Why are you laughing?

Hua’er,

Be gentle.

Easy, easy.

Getting hurt in this spot...

Good thing it’s me.

If you had someone else treat it,

I’d feel

really uneasy.

You’re overthinking.

When fighting the Japanese,

even if your guts spill out,

you tie ’em up and shove them back in.

And keep fighting.

Listen, Hua’er,

me and Liu Heihu,

we’ve got a real grudge now.

He just has more guns, right?

Let me think it over.

I’ll take care of him.

Hua’er.

Hua’er.

What’s wrong, Hua’er?

Congratulations, Boss.

Your wife is pregnant.

Is it a boy?

Hard to say.

Tell me.

Can’t really tell.

No way to know.

I’ll feed you lead!

Boss.

I really don’t know.

Don’t make it hard for him.

Boy or girl,

it’s still your child.

True.

Wait, that’s not right.

What if it’s a girl?

I’d worry a lot.

Yeah.

What if bandits take her?

What would we do?

No, wait.

Depends on what kind of bandit.

Right?

If she finds one like her dad,

she’ll have a good life.

Right?

Yes, yes, yes.

You’re always right.

Alright.

Today’s a good day.

Stay tonight.

Have a couple drinks with me.

Thank you, Boss.

That’s great, Hua’er!

Hua’er, I’m going to be a dad!

Here they come.

Here they come again.

Xiaogui isn’t here.

Where did he go?

He went out.

When did he leave?

Yesterday.

Did he say when he’d be back?

No idea.

Alright, I’ve got things to do.

Stay alive.

Fight with all you've got to survive.

As long as we're alive, there's hope.

Our blood and passion

if spilled, should be spilled

on our homeland.

As long as I, Laoshandong,

still have a breath left,

I'll lead everyone back to the unit.

What's going on?

Why is the door locked?

Young master, he's gone.

Uncle.

Xiaogui.

You really

are determined to come with me?

Uncle, why say that again?

Would I ever run away?

I have to rejoin the unit with you.

But you didn't bring anything.

What? Why?

Don't mention it.

My father locked me up.

I escaped.

No rush right now.

Don't fall out with your father.

Uncle.

Good thing you came for me.

If I'd stayed a few more days,

this warm bed would have

made me soft.

Who doesn't want

an easy life?

But you got up from that warm bed,

stood up,

good for you.

Uncle.

It's rare for you to praise me.

Is that so?

I'll keep that in mind.

Alright.

So,

should we go again

to Bakematsu?

Yeah.

If someone left a mark there,

we'll have to find them in Songlin Town.

So when do we gather the troops?

I'm thinking about that too.

Those guns your family has,

how did you get them?

My family

is a big local household.

When we wanted to buy guns,

those guys thought

we were defending against bandits.

They sold us the guns.

They made a good profit.

Now we've got money too.

Ask your father

to get us a few more guns.

He definitely won't agree.

He...

Yeah, that's true.

What are you laughing at?

Uncle.

I've got an idea.

What's happening?

We're under attack!

You two, guard the main entrance!

You, come with me!

We're under attack! We're under attack!

What's going on?

We're being ambushed!

Changshun!

Changshun!

Master!

Be careful.

What's happening?

I'm not sure yet.

Sounds like bandits to me.

See how many there are.

Old Liu.

How many are there?

Can't see clearly.

It's pitch black outside.

All dark out there.

I heard it, no need to tell me.

Guys,

hold your positions!

Yes, Master!

You hear that? Hold your ground!

Got it!

Master, it's dangerous here.

You and the young master, get inside quickly.

Alright.

Keep watch here.

Go, go! Son, hurry, get inside!

You know,

after all this fighting,

we still don’t know which bandit gang it was.

Or where they came from.

Doesn’t matter who they are.

I’m just worried they’ll come back.

Dad,

those bandits aren’t stupid.

They don’t fight battles they can’t win.

I figure

they’ve had their eyes on our family for a while.

They just didn’t know

how strong we really are.

This time,

they were testing us.

Now they know

how many people we have,

how many guns,

and how much firepower.

It’s all clear to them now.

I’m afraid they’ll come back with a big group.

They could attack us any minute.

If that happens, we’re done for.

What’s there to be afraid of?

If things get loud,

the Japanese will hear it.

They’ll have to come over.

Who knows, maybe

they’re already on their way.

Dad,

the Japanese are focused

on the Anti-Japanese United Army.

They don’t have time for bandits.

So what do you think we should do?

If you ask me,

I say

we need to recruit more men and buy more guns.

And I need to start training them fast.

If we recruit, everyone needs a gun.

How many people do we need?

And how many guns?

We only have six people now.

I think

we should get twenty more.

What?

Twenty?

That’ll cost a fortune.

Dad,

look at it this way—

even if we have mountains of gold,

if we can’t protect it, it’ll belong to someone else.

Right?

Well,

I need to think about it.

Let me think.

Master

Master

Master, Master

Please wake up

Darn it

Changshun

Wait a moment

Please hurry

It's so early

What's going on?

Go outside and take a look

Darn it

Come on, slow down

Okay

Master, Master

Look, just look

How did this happen?

Who did this?

No idea

Look

All the chickens are dead

Even a pig was killed

Wait, this...

This...

Oh my god

This is scary. Where's the pig's head?

We looked, couldn't find it

They didn't take the pork

They wanted the pig's head

That's strange

Changshun

Where are our guards?

I asked them all

They said

They didn't hear anything

Didn't hear

Did you hear anything?

I didn't, Dad

Dad, tell me

Could it be those bandits?

Bandits

Why would they do this?

They...

They're trying to intimidate us

If it really was them

We're doomed

They can just walk into our home

No, Changshun

What are our guards even doing?

Something happened in the yard

Who are they guarding?

What are they guarding, really?

I...

I'll go talk to them now

Enough, enough

No more talking

No pay tomorrow

Fire them all

Don't

Master, you can't do that

If they leave

What if the bandits come?

That's right

Whatever

At least they're useful

I can't spend money

Feeding a bunch of freeloaders

Alright, Master

By the way, Master

So...

What do we do with the chickens and pig?

Here's what we'll do

Set up a big pot at the door

Cook it right there

When it's cooked, eat it there

Let the bandits smell it

See if the meat smells good

Make them drool

Wow, even this happens

Dad, this...

People come in and no one watches

Look at these guys

They eat my food, drink my drinks

Getting fat but not smart

Might as well feed it to the dogs

Dad

If you ask me

We have two choices

First

We could just give in

Give them whatever they want

Treat them

Like ancestors, worship them

These bandits

Have huge appetites

It's a bottomless pit

No matter how much you give, it's never enough

Or we gather troops

Scare them into submission

Yesterday,

we were busy in the middle of the night,

and now we're at it again early this morning.

I'll take a quick nap.

Alright.

Oh my!

Dad, what's wrong?

What's wrong?

Look, look, look!

Huzi came in.

Son,

hurry up.

Gather troops.

Your dad really agreed.

The accountant nearly

scattered all the abacus beads.

We're rich now.

Pay whatever needs to be paid.

Don't let your dad lose out.

Uncle,

when it comes to fighting the Japanese,

there's no yours or mine.

If we drive the Japanese out,

our Tian family will enjoy peace too.

So our family

should do our part.

Alright.

Then I thank your dad,

and thank you too.

But

you put that pig's head

in your dad's room.

That move was ruthless.

Why didn't you ask me first?

I just did it on impulse.

It popped into my head.

I didn't have time to tell you.

What if your dad

got scared and something happened?

What would we do then?

I was a bit scared afterward too.

But luckily,

my dad's recovered.

It's fine.

Alright.

Uncle,

Xiaobai Ma is really something.

He said he'd help and he did.

It's all thanks to Sister Hua.

Tell me about it.

This time,

I went to Congshan.

I asked, "Father-in-law,

where have you been lately?"

He went into hiding.

After he left last time,

there was no news at all.

We were worried.

I missed you all too.

But on the road,

it was really tough.

Japanese soldiers were everywhere.

I was afraid I'd

lead them to you.

Brother,

the food's here.

Alright, Dad.

The food's ready, let's start.

Put it down.

I'll pour Dad's wine.

Dad,

let me pour for you.

Dad,

Sit down, sit down.

Alright.

Alright.

Here, Dad.

Have some.

Okay.

Here.

Dad,

Today our family has double happiness.

What are the two joys?

The first is definitely you.

You came up the mountain

to see me and Hua.

That makes me happy.

In my heart,

it's as warm as a brazier.

The second joy

Hua

is pregnant.

What's going on here?

Did this scare you?

No.

This is the first good news.

Great news.

First good news.

Come on, come on.

Let's drink for Hua'er.

Come on, drink up.

Come on, come on.

Come.

Bottoms up!

Come.

Sit down, sit down.

Don't stand, don't.

Dad,

Let me say something from the heart.

Without you,

I couldn't have married such a good wife.

Here, let me pour you a drink.

Just the two of us,

should have a drink together.

Dad, have some potatoes.

Don't drink too much.

I know, I know.

See that?

She's nagging again.

I'm just looking out for you.

Your wife,

she's good in every way.

Except for that little rope in her hand.

She pulls it too tight.

Eat, eat up.

Come on.

Dad,

Have an egg.

Alright.

It's all over your mouth.

I'm just doing it for you.

I'm just doing it for you.

Usually,

I should drink less.

They say if you drink too much,

you do foolish things.

Say foolish things.

Think I should sleep more.

If I get enough sleep,

I'll have more energy, right?

Right?

The most annoying thing is,

she wants me to read books.

You know how it is.

Oh my,

Anyway, all day long,

she's just good to me.

But this "for my own good" thing,

I won't say it anymore, Dad.

Let's eat, let's have some food.

I can tell,

you feel a bit stifled.

Me?

Not at all.

Then let me toast you.

To make up for it.

No, no, no.

That's not what I meant.

I know you care about me.

Right?

If someone

thinks about you all the time,

then what am I?

I'm living

like a bee in a honey pot.

Right, Dad?

I'm happy.

You're a sensible man.

Why are you laughing?

You haven't toasted your father-in-law.

Come on, Uncle.

Come on, let's drink.

Sergeant,

Did you carve my number?

It's done.

Xiaogui did it for you.

I planned to pick you up in autumn.

But things kept happening,

one after another.

It got delayed until now.

I understand.

It's tough out there.

We made it through the winter.

We're all still alive.

I'm already grateful.

Did everyone else get their number?

Not yet.

Spring is here now.

I'll go check again.

The unit

must be gathered quickly.

Hua'er can rejoin anytime.

Hua'er,

you're pregnant now.

That Xiaobaima

treats you well.

I was thinking when things

get a bit better,

I'll come back for you.

Sergeant,

You don't want me anymore, do you?

What are you saying?

Sergeant,

Do you not want me

to rejoin the unit?

I, Lan Hua'er, am a soldier.

Always a soldier of the Anti-Japanese United Army.

Platoon Leader

I have another idea.

Go ahead, tell me.

Here at Xiaobaima’s place,

there are people with guns.

Most folks in the village

have a deep grudge against the Japanese soldiers.

I want to bring them in

to join our unit.

That would be great!

Well, uh...

But Hua’er, you—

Just say if this will work or not.

It’ll work.

Of course it will.

I’m really happy for you.

Our unit

will have successors.

We’ll have successors.

What?

You want me to lead people

to fight the landlords?

The platoon leader didn’t want to trouble you.

But for this,

only you can get it done.

That’s true.

It’s not a real fight.

Just scare them a bit.

Sis Hua’er is really something.

She actually got Xiaobaima under control.

Yeah.

Otherwise,

we’d have nowhere

to find help.

But Sis Hua’er,

if she can’t convince Xiaobaima,

she’ll have to stay up in the mountains.

She keeps telling me

she wants to rejoin the unit.

How can she rejoin then?

Will Xiaobaima agree to that?

That’s for later.

Let’s take it one step at a time.

By the way,

when everyone’s here,

you need to keep things under control.

Don’t take anyone with a bad heart.

Don’t worry, Uncle.

I’ve replaced all the old guards.

They’re all new people now.

I’ll let you check each one.

Good.

And also,

once they arrive,

train them as soon as possible.

The sooner—

the better.

No matter how long this war lasts,

victory will be ours.

Our blood and passion

if shed, must be shed

on our homeland, the land of forests and rivers.

As long as I, Laoshandong,

have a breath left,

I’ll lead everyone back to the unit.

If anyone

makes it out alive,

head straight to Mudanjiang.

Go to Eight Pines, north of Songlin Town.

Find the thickest

and tallest pine tree.

Carve your number on it.

If Deyuan comes back,

have him bring us a message.

As long as we know

he’s safe, that’s enough.