Original subtitles

Democracy comes from the Greek root ''demos''...

...meaning ''the people''...

...and ''kratein'' meaning ''to rule''

ln other words...

...to govern according to the will of the majority

Lincoln once said

Of the people

by the people

for the people

lt represents the ideals of the future China that l truly believe in

A people's republic!

Prof. Yang

Will we ever see that day?

l know that day will come

Even if l don't live to see it...

You will!

Professor! Professor!

Yang Qu-yun, the former leader of the Revive China Society...

...was gunned down on October 1st, 1901

lt was the first political assassination in Hong Kong's history

Hong Kong was once a British colony...

...a haven for political exiles and revolutionaries

After the assassination of Yang, darkness loomed over Hong Kong

On October 1st, 1906

Sun Yat-sen, aka Sun Wen, left Tokyo on a perilous journey to Hong Kong...

THE FORBlDDEN ClTY, BElJlNG

Your Majesty

The traitor Sun Wen left Japan

He must not leave Hong Kong alive then

Summon General Yan

CHlNA HONG KONG BORDER

''ENTRY PERMlT''

What is the purpose of your visit?

To visit ancestral graves

That policeman, he's the one

Tail this man

CHEN XlAO-BAl FORMER HONG KONG CHAlR OF THE UNlTED LEAGUE OF CHlNA

Young master was accepted at a Western college!

The master is giving away rice in celebration!

Line up only once!

Take only as much as you can carry with one hand!

Come!

JlN Ll YUAN ESTATE

Step right up!

Master, all the guests have arrived

Young master is also ready

You're going to a western college, you should wear a western suit

Yes, father

Congratulation, Yu-tang!

Mr. Chen, you're late

Please follow me

What the hell...

The son is poised to take over from his father

Chong-guang will be the first Chinese Taipan in Hong Kong!

Yale University in America!

You're taking too much!

But you said ''one hand''!

Thank you, brother!

Three, two, one!

Not bad... but the queue looks a bit odd with the suit

Where's my present?

Mr. Shi, allow me to introduce you to...

...Burmese tycoon, Mr. Deng Youlin

Hong Kong's Chief of Police, Mr. Shi Mi-fu

Mr. Shi is the pride of the Chinese community!

What is it?

Sun Wen is coming!

How much money do you need this time?

Do you know why he's coming?

Yu-tang

Dr. Sun is meeting with the United League delegates from the thirteen provinces

He's going to unite the various factions and...

...launch a mass rebellion within the next few years!

lt will take place across the country...

...in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Yunnan!

Yunnan's Lui Zhi-yi, Guangdong's Xu Xue-qiu...

Shandong's Xu Jing-xin and...

Hubei's Liu Jing-an...

Delegates from all over are coming here to discuss the grand plan with Dr. Sun!

Huang Xing and Sung Jiao-ren are coming too!

We're on the verge of a great change

China will be shaken to its core!

A new world is coming!

Yu-tang, just imagine

The Revolution begins right here

And you will be part of it!

How much?

Three thousand Hong Kong dollars

You ask for more each time... l'll think of something

Offer them each 25 cents

Yes, madam!

Ma...

Shush or l'll take you away and sell you!

What the hell!

Mama!

The time and day are confirmed

9 a.m. on the 15th

Dr. Sun will arrive at Star Ferry Pier

l need to know who's leading the Qing assassins...

...and how many men they have

Our comrades in Guangzhou will do their best to find out

The Qing court will try to eliminate Dr. Sun at all costs

You and your men are our only defense in Hong Kong

We've been waiting for this day!

After Cixi placed the Emperor under house arrest at the end of the Hundred Days Reform

l led 300 brothers out of Tientsin to escape persecution from the Qing court

Only thirty of us survived

As long as Cixi remains in power, we will fight to restore our honor!

General Fang, we're counting on you!

Brothers!

Our day of reckoning is here!

Four days from now, we'll fight to the death!

Our time has come! Yes, sir!

Father!

Go to bed

Do you remember why we came to Hong Kong?

Why mother died? Why can't l go to school?

We've lived in 15 towns over the course of 6 years

We've finally settle down! Why do we need to run again?

One day we will return home to Tientsin

...and never run again

l've heard the same lie too many times

KOWLOON WALLED ClTY THE LAST CHlNESE ENCLAVE lN BRlTlSH-RULED HONG KONG

l cried the day l received the imperial decree!

My prayers were finally answered after years of disgrace and humiliation

Thank the heavens for giving me the chance to fight for my country

l'm a soldier, we're all soldiers!

Soldiers are meant to die in battle!

Brothers, drink up!

Death to the traitor! Long live the empire!

4 DAYS BEFORE SUN'S ARRlVAL

Rise

Where did he go?

He went to Li Yu-tang's house...

...then Gao Sheng Theatre

Thank you!

Thank you!

l hear you like to gamble? Gambling is a passion!

Passion means getting what you want at all costs

l like people with a passion

lf l get paid, l'll do anything

Brother, it's already dawn! lt's closing time!

One last round! Just deal!

l can do this...

Yes, yes... l knew it!

You're going to lose this time!

Reveal!

l win!

We're closed now!

One last round!

Good morning, master

Good morning, father

Where is he?

He's taking his breakfast in his study

Can't he sit down to a proper meal?

You...

You're studying?

Yes, father

Tomorrow is your late mother's birthday

Yes, father

Your face...

A-si

You can read?

Young master taught me 53 words! But now he's busy with his studies

You want to learn to read?

l do!

l'll ask Tang Jiu to find you a teacher

Thank you, master!

DA-YOU PHOTOGRAPHY

Master Liu!

Prepare an opium pipe for Master Liu!

Master, have you seen that woman before?

People say he squandered the family fortune...

...all because of that woman

Nosy!

Brothers and sisters! Fellow citizens of Hong Kong!

Not far to the north...

Our fellow countrymen are suffering...

... under the corrupt and dying Qing Empire

My fellow countrymen

The Chinese United League was founded in Tokyo...

...to overthrow the corrupt Qing regime and bring democracy to China

Support democracy! Support Dr. Sun!

Donate to the Chinese United League...

Chong-guang?

But master...

Support democracy!

Support Dr. Sun!

Support Dr. Sun!

Bring democracy to China!

Support Dr. Sun! Support...

Come home with me!

l will not forsake my country!

...do not forsake our country

Go home!

l will not forsake my country!

Go home!

l will not be a coward!

We will not be cowards! We will not forsake our country!

You're turning against me too?

Young master is a grown-up...

Move over !

Move over !

Chen Xiao-bai!

Did you know that my son took part in the street riots?

Did you have anything to do with it?

What were you thinking when you gave him these books?!

He's my son, my only son!

l was forty before l finally had a son!

l gave him these two

These were gifts for you

l set ground rules when we first met

l provide the money but l don't get involved. l don't care how you waste my money!

But how could you get my son involved?

Do you know what Police Chief Shi told me?

The Qing court sent assassins! They have guns!

Did you bother to warn me?

l'm a businessman!

My son will be a businessman!

No, you're a rebel!

The day you donated your first cent to the cause...

...you became a rebel!

You hired me to be Chong-guang's teacher!

You willingly gave money to the cause! No one forced you!

Now you say what's right for you isn't right for your son?

l don't care

l'm saying this for the last time

l'm an old man. l don't care if l'm labeled a rebel!

But my son a rebel?

l will not allow!

3 DAYS BEFORE SUN'S ARRlVAL

l waited all night for you!

Did you do what we asked?

l promise there will be no police at the theatre tonight

Mr. Chen, a telegraph!

General!

We have news!

Yan Xiaoguo is leading the assassins. He's now hiding out at the Walled City!

lt's too late!

Protect Mr. Chen!

Hurry! Go!

l told you to step back!

l'm a member of this opera troupe!

Step back!

l need to find my father! My name is Fang Hong!

Father!

One day we will return home toTientsin...

...and never run again

l've heard the same lie too many times!

''Revive China,'' Sun Wen

We can't find Mr.Chen

Yu-tang, my brother

We've been best friends since we met eight years ago

l'm deeply sorry for upsetting you today

But Dr. Sun's visit to Hong Kong is extremely important

The Qing court will send assassins

l may be in danger so l must ask one last favor

lf anything happens to me...

...you must see the mission through!

The hope of China rests with Dr. Sun

The future of China depends on Dr. Sun

ln China, there is only one Dr.Sun

l bid you farewell

l will fight to the end

Get up! Get up!

All of you! Outside!

The Chief of Police has ordered China Daily to be shut down immediately...

...for publishing propaganda, inciting civil unrest and disturbing the peace!

Proceed!

You have no right!

We'll fight back!

Master Li...

Stop fighting!

Stop!

What's going on?

As your friend, l already warned you...

l told you not to meddle!

You beat up my staff and destroyed the press

How can you call yourself my friend?

The Qing court is determined to eliminate Sun at all costs

My British superiors ordered us not to interfere!

You're playing with fire. Have you forgotten that you're just a businessman?

Have you forgotten that...

...you're also Chinese?

Well said!

Very brave of you...

China Daily published propaganda and incited student protests

We are under British rule! Shut down the newspaper immediately!

More than thirty people were killed at the Gao Sheng theatre last night

And Chen Xiaobai is still missing!

How could you let this happen?

What has the Chief of Police been doing?

Well said!

l warned you

Officers, shut it down!

l dare you!

Arrest anyone who resists!

Attention!

We will put out the news of Dr. Sun's arrival...

...even if we must do it by hand!

Who's that old man?

That's my father!

Master Li

Resistance Leader Dr. Sun Wen Due to Arrive in Hong Kong October 15th Hong Kong Government lntervenes

We've reached a turning point

lf the revolution is to succeed...

...we cannot fight divided!

We need a plan that will bring us together

Dr. Sun is coming...

to unite the different factions of the resistance...

...and launch a rebellion within the next 3 years!

The very foundations of China will be shaken!

We're on the verge of great change! A new world is coming!

The great revolution starts here !

And we're all part of it!

Please trust me

l, Li Yu-Tang, promise to lead you through this!

We can still safeguard Dr. Sun!

2 DAYS BEFORE SUN'S ARRlVAL

lt's your family heirloom

So, what do you want in return?

l need you to protect someone the day after tomorrow

Alright...

Give the most dangerous task to me

Master Liu, don't you want to know who you're protecting?

Master Li

What's wrong with falling in love with a woman?

You had your pick of women

Why did you have to fall for your father's woman?

Stinky tofu!

Stinky tofu!

Stinky tofu!

You have superb fighting skills!

l know you. You're the hero, Li Yu-tang! You put on a good show today!

Oh?

Come...

You told off that man who works for the British!

l hate cowards who bully the weak!

You stand up for the truth

l... admire that!

Hero Li, call me if you need me in the future!

My size helps even if l just stand by your side!

How about the day after tomorrow?

Who are we fighting? The British?

The bad guys!

Great!

That will do...

Take care of the child...

Why did you sneak into my house the other day?

We went our separate ways long ago!

Don't bother me or my family ever again!

Stay out of my life!

Are you done?

Master, count me in

l grew up on the streets

l have my shares of wounds, l'm not afraid of anything!

But A-si, the mission is extremely dangerous

l just want the master to be safe

Alright then

Master...

l must ask a favor?

l'm in love with the photographer's daughter

When this is all over...

Will you help me propose?

Yes...

Of course!

Long live Boss! Long live Boss!

A-si!

Turn around!

Where to?

To see the photographer

Got it!

Sir, may l help you?

l'm here to discuss a marriage proposal

Come, A-si!

A-si has been with us at Jin Li Yuan for over 10 years

He's thoughtful, honest and caring

Please accept this money

More will come later

Please don't joke with me

l promise you...

Once your daughter joins our family at Jin Li Yuan...

...l will treat her like my own

Let's discuss this inside

My daughter would be honored ...

...to be part of Master Li's household

A-chun, bring some tea for Master Li!

Master Li...

Let's discuss the wedding arrangements and the dowry

And where to host the wedding...

Master Li?

Let's take a family portrait together

Yes, of course!

Three... two... one!

Master

Father

Where is he?

Stop playing...

Son, it's not safe outside

Promise to stay home for the next few days...

Please?

Let's eat!

Professor, not eating, drinking or talking is bad for your health

As your former student, l'm concerned

l've brought the Professor his favorite wine, Fan Jiu!

ls this is my last meal?

Of course not!

You're my mentor!

l've been taught to respect my mentors

You're like a father to me

lf you still consider me your mentor, set me free!

So that you can thwart my plans?

Yan Xiaoguo

Do you remember the advice l gave you at your graduation?

Talented

But foolish

Will probably never achieve greatness!

Professor, you've misjudged me

Do you think that l blindly serve the imperial court?

lt's not true

l have a question, Professor

Other than war and suffering, disgrace and humiliation...

What have the foreigners brought us?

The belief that we are all born equal!

ln China some can be born emperors and into privilege...

...while others are born into slavery!

The Emperor has the ''mandate of heaven''!

That needs to change!

We need to establish a democratic republic!

Xiaoguo, you received a western education

How could you remain blind to the world outside?

The world is much bigger than you imagine!

My western education taught me to see...

...how evil and greedy the foreigners really are!

Do you think you can save China with meetings and protests?

Professor

You're just a teacher, you'll never achieve greatness

You still can't stomach the sight of blood, can you?

You're all the same, useless and weak!

lf your revolution succeeds, China is doomed!

l won't kill you, but l don't ever want to see you again!

l need 100 silver coins to bury my father and his men

Bring her the money!

Yes, sir!

l'm hungry

More rice

Yes, sir!

l want to see your friend

My father died because of him

He disappeared at the same time your father was killed

He went to ask your father for help

l will take my father's place

At 9a.m. tomorrow, Dr. Sun will arrive on shore

There will be a crowd of a thousand at the Star Ferry Pier

The assassins can easily blend into the crowd of coolies, merchants, foreigners and civilians

We must be on the alert!

The large police presence at the pier will be our best defense

The assassins won't dare make a move there

Master!

They're my brothers, they all run fast!

We need someone to keep watch from the roof and signal us

l'll do it

Dr. Sun will make three stops tomorrow:

Yashuhito Society, Mrs. Sun's residence and the China Daily

We need to be extra vigilant at these locations!

Understood!

From Queen's Road to Yashuhito Society...

Fang Hong will lead the procession, Wang Fu-ming will bring up the rear

Remember, do not break formation!

Tan Jiu warned me yesterday that...

3 vacant properties along Queen's Road were leased on the same day

We don't know who rented them

We must get through these areas quickly

Do not stop!

Reporting for duty, sir!

At your service, sir!

1 DAY BEFORE SUN'S ARRlVAL

Thank you all

lt's for you!

''After tomorrow, l will marry you,'' A-si

A-si, do you know who you're protecting tomorrow?

l just want the master to be happy

This book was written by him...

...it's young master's favorite!

Read it to me, please

Alright

l gave up medicine in order to help overthrow the Qing Empire...

...and free my fellow countrymen

When l left Hong Kong...

...l endured great hardship on the road

My mother was worried

She said: the revolution will save lives...

...but practicing medicine also saves lives

Why choose the harder path?

l said: mother, there's much you don't understand

Practicing medicine can save a few lives

But the revolution can save millions

After 260 years of foreign rule and 2000 years of autocratic rulers...

China is in decline

The Manchurian regime is corrupt and oppressive

lt will only bring further suffering

The tide of revolution is rising. The will of the people shall prevail

We need to gather our courage to overthrow the Qing Dynasty...

...and establish a true democratic nation!

The road to revolution is paved with blood

My life is destined to end in time

But the republic will herald a new era...

...of lasting peace and prosperity

We must continue to struggle and overcome obstacles...

...in order to end the suffering of millions

...and allow the exiled millions to return to their homeland

After l was kicked out of Shaolin

l headed south and ended up in Putian

l kept going south until l reached Hong Kong

lf l went any further

l would have fallen into the sea!

Try the tofu

Stinky tofu! Stinky tofu! These are for you!

Not one pot that's green!

Stinky tofu! lt's for you!

Thank you!

You're a Shaolin monk?

Grab a chair...

Will you show us your kung-fu tomorrow?

l've never actually been in a real fight before

l'm not sure if my kung-fu works

But after tomorrow's mission, l will proudly return to Shaolin!

You can't leave!

l'm getting married soon!

Really?

You must come to my wedding! l will!

Miss Fang, you're invited too!

After tomorrow, l'm taking my father's ashes home

We will never leave home again

Dinner's ready!

lt smells good!

Let's eat!

Master

Master

Chief lnspector Shi sent this over

Master Liu...

l haven't been called Master Liu in a long time

My father told me on his deathbed:

The most important thing in life is...

''lntegrity''

But tomorrow...

l'll fail! l will be a liar!

Do you know what is the most painful thing in life?

To watch the one you love die...

To fall in love with the wrong woman...

l drove my father to his death...

She killed herself in front of me...

l'm tortured by that knowledge each day...

l'm like a ghost

Nothing could be more painful

All for a woman, was it worth it?

Tomorrow, will it be worth it?

Thank you, Master Li...

Tomorrow, Liu Yubai will be set free!

What...

What're you doing here?

l need your help

What can l possibly do for Mrs. Li?

You must help me!

Alright! l'll help you for old time's sake!

But you have to pay

l need you to protect someone tomorrow

l'll pay any price to keep him safe!

l'll do anything for money! Who is it?

Li Yu-tang!

What? You want me to protect your new man?

Shen Chong-yang!

Get out of my house!

Can't you do something worthwhile for once in your life?

Get out! You must help him!

Get out!

He's raising you daughter!

You know that?

l was with you for 8 years and you gambled the entire time

But l stuck with you!

l never asked for anything!

l stayed and accepted my fate

Because l loved you

But when l became pregnant...

l didn't want my child to suffer the same fate

l needed a man who could be a good father...

...a man who could raise a child

Come over here!

Look, your daughter is down there!

When she grows up...

What do you want me to tell her about her real father?

lf you come tomorrow...

When she grows up, l'll tell her that...

...her father's name is Shen Chong-yang!

Stop!

Go

Where's the gun?

You were told to steal a gun from the police station!

Look! lt's money!

Take it all!

Loser...

Master, you're back

Master...

Mr. Chen?

There's a change of plans for tomorrow

We need a decoy to ensure the safety of Dr. Sun

You want to use our people as bait?

We're dealing with an invisible army! lt's the only way to keep Dr. Sun safe!

No, that's out of the question!

Dr. Sun hasn't been home in ages!

But he's sacrificing his one chance...

...to see his ailing mother!

Revolution is not just about spending money, printing newspapers and distributing pamphlets

Li Yu-tang!

Revolution is about blood and sacrifice!

Since joining the cause, l've faced death many times!

l can still die at any moment!

Revolution is about sacrificing our generation...

...for your son's generations! Enough!

l'm just a businessman

We're drawing straws...

...to determine who will pose as Dr. Sun on the last leg of the journey tomorrow

We must stall for one hour no matter what!

We need to give Dr. Sun time...

...to meet and organize with the thirteen delegates

The fate of 400 million countrymen will be decided in that one hour

Who drew the short straw?

Who?

No! lt can't be!

You shouldn't even be here!

Draw again!

Why? Because l'm the son of Li Yu-tang?

You don't understand!

l promised your father that you wouldn't get involved!

Uncle Chen, this is a historical turning point

The entire nation is involved! How can l be the exception?

But you're his only son!

Only son?

lsn't this exactly the type of feudal thinking that the revolution hopes to change?

Aren't we striving to establish an equal society?

l can't sacrifice my life, but they can?

You want them to draw straws again because l'm the son of Li Yu-tang

How can you justify it to them?

Chong-guang

l...

l just can't let this happen...

General, we've got the gun!

Are you clear about the mission?

Yes, sir!

Thank you!

Tomorrow we'll use this foreigner's invention...

...to kill that traitor Sun

Xiao-bai, thank you!

Don't stop!

Run!

Use the covered walkway!

Grab the sacks of rice!

Tell A-si to get the rickshaw!

A-si has left; he said master wasn't going out today!

Who fiddled with my watch?

Charge straight ahead! Go!

Go!

Hurry!

Go!

Stinky tofu!

Go!

Stinky tofu!

My name is Wang Fu-ming!

Go!

Wang Fu-ming Born in Zhengzhou, Henan, 1878; deceased 1906

A-si!

Young master? Go away!

You shouldn't be here! Come here...

Come here!

l won't let you do this...

What are you saying?

You can't do this

Do you know how important this day is?

Do you know how much preparation it took and...

...how many lives were sacrificed?!

l don't care

A-si

The future of our country is at stake!

l don't care! l can't let young master do this!

lt's now 9:59

We'll depart at 10:00

And then Dr. Sun can leave safely

Young master...

lt's now 9:59 and 30 seconds

A-si, will you stay with me for the final hour?

15 seconds to go...

lt seems l've waited 17 years for this hour!

Young master, don't do this, l beg you...

55, 56, 57, 58, 59!

Asi, let's go!

Go!

Young master...

A-si, you told me once that ...

Each night when you close your eyes in bed...

...you see A-chun

When l close my eyes...

...l see China's future!

They're coming!

Stay away!

Father, forgive me!

Yu-tang!

Fang Hong Born in Jinghai, Tientsin, 1890; deceased 1906

You, out in front, don't move!

Step out of the carriages! All of you!

Stay put!

We were only passing through...

Don't move! Were you involved?

But it has nothing to do with us! We were heading that way...

Nobody moves!

You two may go!

But this is a serious matter! We can't leave yet

You're relieved of duty!

We should wait for orders...

Where did you find this man?

He's sabotaging our mission!

Get him!

You idiot!

Are you trying to start a rebellion here?

This is Hong Kong

A colony of the Great British Empire!

Round them up!

Li Yu-tang

You practically own Hong Kong

But you've never had a police escort, have you?

Here's your chance

Move!

Li Yu-tang

Move!

Let's go!

Yu-tang

ln 5 minutes, there will be no police in the streets of Hong Kong

Our superiors have ordered all of us to retreat

He said that China's affairs are to be resolved by the Chinese

l'll take you as far as l can on the last part of your journey!

Go!

The beggar! The beggar's here!

Run!

Get up there! Hurry!

We'll go upstair to meet with Mrs. Sun!

We must stall for another 15 minutes!

How old are you?

Seventeen

How are your parents?

My mother is dead

My father is nearly sixty

l must thank you on behalf of my son

l must also thank your father

Farewell!

Use the tunnel!

Liu Yu-bai Born in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 1871; deceased 1906

Get in!

Chong-guang!

Go!

Go!

Take this to Nianci...

Take it!

Go... just go...

Go!

Shen Chong-yang Place and date of birth unknown; deceased 1906

Our main targets are Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan

We'll start rebellions in Chaozhou and Huizhou at the same time

Meanwhile, Guangdong and Guangxi will join in to thin out the enemy forces...

Go back!

Bao-shi, take my place!

Go back!

Chong-guang...

Go!

Sit tight!

Let go!

Let go!

You asked for it

Deng Si-di Born in Xiangshan, Guangdong, 1884; deceased 1906

Ten years ago, Qu-yun and l discussed ''the revolution''

l said: revolution will bring prosperity to 400 million countrymen...

...and put an end to hunger and poverty

Ten years have passed

l saw many comrades sacrifice their lives

My exile ended; here l am again

''Revolution'' no longer has the same meaning for me

Today if you asked me, ''What is revolution?''

l would say:

A nation cannot progress without sacrifice

The road to modernization is paved with blood

And that blood...

...is called revolution

Sun is indebted

By imperial decree, execute Sun the traitor!

Yan Xiaoguo...

Don't do it!

lt's all over!

Sun Wen is gone!

Death to the traitor! Long live the empire!

Sun Wen has already left!

Death to the traitor! Long live the empire!

Chong-guang! Run!

No!

Chong-guang!

He's not Sun Wen!

He's not Sun Wen!

Yan Xiaoguo! He's not Sun Wen!

He's not Sun Wen!

No!

Chong-guang!

Yan Xiaguo!

Your student has fulfilled his duty to his country!

l told you...

...stay home for a few days

Why didn't you listen...

Li Chong-guang Born in Taiyuan, Shanxi, 1889; deceased 1906

May, 1907 - Huanggang Uprising

May, 1907 - Huizhou Uprising

September, 1907 - Fancheng Uprising

December, 1907 - Friendship Gate Uprising

March, 1908 - Qinzhou Uprising

April, 1908 - Yunan Uprising

February, 1910 - Guangzhou Uprising

April, 1911 - Huanghuagang Uprising

On October 10th, 1907

The Wuchang Uprising ended with the success of the ''Xinhai Revolution''...

...that finally toppled the Qing Dynasty