All language subtitles for ENG 3 (auto translate)

Matteo, find the governor's guards.

Come on now. Move along, beast.

This way I'm not getting anywhere.

Marco, I found the governor's guards.

Were you injured?
- It's not serious.

Who are you?

Talk to me, damn it. He has no tongue.

Don't do this.

We won. Or not?

the prison in Genoa, summer 1299

You said you had an urgent request
for me personally. Just tell me.

I'm going to court soon.
I was wondering if...

You don't have to
wonder about anything.

Your stories speak to many people.

But you're going too far.
You're discussing topics that...

Topics that strike a dangerous
chord with vulnerable souls.

Idols, false prophets, superstitious
rites, Buddha, Mohammed.

The devil has many faces and
speaks in too many tongues.

Woe to those who succumb
to his temptations.

You relate how Marco Polo delivered
the Holy Oil into pagan hands.

And then that so-called miracle. - He
didn't say that. He recovered on his own.

This is just a warning.

But remember if you want
to come up with more.

I didn't make anything up.

Marco Polo could prove
it if he had his notes.

Maybe the church can help.

His father and uncle are willing to
pick up his travelogue from China.

Please ask the Patriarch and
monks of St. Felice to help us.

Mr. Polo had the same request.

But his father is dying
and his uncle is in Persia.

Astronomer Pietro de
Abano has offered his help.

We will take it into consideration.

I can't go on like
this. I'm going crazy.

I never did or wrote anything...

what the church can disapprove
of, let alone condemn.

I just shouldn't have
listened to that Venetian.

A flood of words, names...
So many that I'm confused.

That's enough, Rustichello.

If only I could compare my notes
with his and ask him more questions.

Take him back to his cell.

Chin-Mei, governor of this
area. Talib, tax inspector.

Our credentials.
- Welcome, envoy of Kublai Khan.

I rejoice in your good fortune.
Fortune has been kind to you.

That ambush could have cost you
your life, but you are unharmed.

You were really lucky. How
did you know about the ambush?

In this country, news
is carried by the wind.

Come on in.
- Wait here.

Who wants us dead?
- A bandit.

Or one of the rebels...

who attack travelers and caravans.

We've heard about growing unrest
in the region. Peasant uprisings.

Maybe it wasn't a bandit.

There have been a few incidents.

A few isolated incidents, but
nothing serious. Please sit down.

Yesterday, in Yanzhou...

some madman scrawled an insulting
slogan about the khan on a wall.

Do you remember what it said, Talib?

The khan protects walls and houses...

but crushes the hearts of men.'

What ingratitude.

A criminal, just like
the bandit who robbed you.

Yes, but his madness
cost him his life.

I heard there's a group
living in the hills here.

Not now, Matteo.
There's work to be done.

Can I see the tax register?
- Here's everything you need.

Talib has been working on recording
the data for quite some time now.

He will be happy to assist you.

Take a few days of rest
to get to know the area.

Then my assistants and I can
complete the reorganization.

Tonight you are my guests...

and tomorrow you will be guided to
accommodation that suits your status.

Name.
- Lei Tong.

How many fields?
- None.

Move along. Here with that basket.

Hurry up.

Those people work so hard.

It looks like everything is
being taken away from them again.

Check.

To drain.

What is this?
- I don't know.

I came to this village
to collect taxes

by order of Grand Khan Kublai

I do my work as quickly as I can

new taxes for you, the
proceeds completely for me

I have seen your children crying
and your old people begging for food

your village is on fire
and you are like scared mice

how can i complete my task

how can i bear to share in this guilt

how can i accept this endless shame

Wait here until I come back.

I knew you would come.

Why do you provoke me? Your words
were like whiplashes on my back.

These aren't my words.
I'm just an actor.

Whose then?
- A lonely poet.

Where is he?
- He doesn't like to show himself.

Take me to him.

Like I said, he wants
to be left alone.

I need his help.

Do you need the help of a
poor peasant, a subjugated man?

I need the help of an honest man.

That's my uncle Matteo.

Come with me. Alone,
without your escort.

Would you like to welcome
us to your home? As friends?

You command, Yang Ku obeys.

I command you to disobey no
longer. I need your advice.

We need tea.

You've crossed my threshold.
Now my home is your home.

By receiving you here, we
entrust you with our lives.

My daughter Mai Li forgets...

that the shadow is more becoming
to a young girl than the light.

Beautiful things love light.
You know that. You are a poet.

Although the verses I heard
today were gloomy and bitter.

Our life is bitter.

The tax collectors don't just
take our rice and grain...

We also need to keep our women out of
sight, especially if they are beautiful.

We want to get to know you
and understand your situation.

We will talk about the mandatory
contributions, and what is fair.

It's never been fair.

Those who have little pay much.
Those who have much keep their wealth.

That's why we're here.
We want to help you.

The names, the number of
inhabitants, the quantities...

maybe all the information is correct.

But you don't have to worry...

when a father is sick and cannot work.

When a harvest is destroyed by hail...

or a granary by lightning...
- What do you mean?

The Grand Khan issued a decree:

When a village is hit by a
storm and the harvest is lost...

no taxes will be
levied for three years.

We know nothing about...

Who is she?
- I consider Lai Yuan as a daughter.

She too could not
contain her curiosity.

But all the better. Don't think
I'm hiding anything from you.

If I entrust my secret to
you, you become my accomplice.

But she's not Chinese.

Lai Yuan means 'come from far away'.

I think your curiosity is satisfied.

We have told you of our sorrows
and the reasons for our discontent.

You have seen our humiliation.

Please don't forget. As for us...

You are always welcome in my home.

You know what danger we
are in, and our women.

Be careful. A thoughtless
word can be fatal.

Carefully.

Take it easy.

Wait, I'll help you.

What is this for?

In two days the Dragon
Boat Festival begins.

In honor of the dragons?

In memory of Chu Yuan,
one of our ancient poets.

He drowned in a river.

Since then we put
dragons on our boats.

We sing, recite his poems...

and throw rice and treats
into the water for the fish...

so that they leave the
poet's body untouched.

That's a nice tradition.

This time the songs will be bitter...

through the sorrow and
despair of our people.

They plundered two villages,
on the orders of the governor.

I promise you that changes will come.

The leaders in the North will
come to respect and understand you.

You could say that again.

But Talib and his people
regard us as cattle.

Not as free people.

Justice will be done. I promise.

Did you know that only half of
our contributions reach Khanbalik?

The rest disappears into the
pockets of Talib and his people.

That's a dangerous
accusation. Can you prove it?

The proof. It won't take
much effort to find it.

You just need to verify it.
- They won't allow that anyway.

Why not?

The tax on those fields was
ten cartloads of vegetables.

It has been increased to fifteen.

I assure you that Talib
only indicates five.

Still, something has been achieved.

The khan wanted to graze
his horses on these fields.

Someone persuaded him
to think differently.

Give me time to look
around and gather evidence.

Then I can ask the Khan for help.
- You are not one of us.

You come from far away. And your
admiration for the khan can blind you.

Shut up, Wang Zhu.

When he entered my house,
he was no longer a stranger.

There is reason for hope.

The south is rich,
rich in fertile soil...

and rich in wise men, who
are renowned throughout China.

There is talk of strange
people living here.

People who live close to nature
and want to understand its secrets.

You mean the 'Immortals'...

followers of Taoism,
the path to true wisdom.

They are as inaccessible as the hills.

I heard they live very long...

and that their hair and
teeth grow back in the spring.

So you want to meet
them. Is that possible?

Climbing to their lair is
like staring into an abyss.

My father told me
about a woodcutter...

who saw two old men playing
checkers on a mountain slope.

The woodcutter was fascinated and
watched until the game was over.

When he returned to his village...

he no longer recognized
his house or the people.

Centuries had passed.

I'll take you into the hills.

Perhaps you will then have a better
understanding of our country and our people.

When can we go?
- Tomorrow. I'm going away for a while.

Then you will miss the festival.

But you and your uncle are
most welcome to join us.

Please come inside, both of you.

I am sure the Immortal
knows about you.

Come closer. I've
been waiting for you.

I know that you, coming from
areas where time is finite...

longs for a glimpse into infinity.

The desire for knowledge
has brought us here.

Learn this:

A wise man lives according to the laws
of nature, which govern everything.

They follow the natural
curve of space and time.

There are two opposing forces.

They alternate constantly.

That circle, divided
into two equal parts...

is the symbol of those two forces.

On the one hand, the
masculine power: Yang.

On the other side is
the feminine power: Yin.

Yang is warmth, the sun,
the earth, the desert...

Yin is cold, shadow, the moon, water.

I have found the
secret paths of nature.

They lead to a distant dimension...

where time and space
have different values.

There death can be
defeated, or kept at bay...

and matter transformed.

Transformation is natural.

Don't seas turn into deserts,
caterpillars into butterflies?

Lead and mercury, heated over
the flames, turn into gold.

Man must conquer himself
before he can conquer nature.

You say you know the path that
leads to a place beyond time...

where death does not exist?

Life and death are each other's
opposites in the same reality.

The first thing you have
to learn is how to breathe.

Hold your breath, and breathe
lightly, like a child in the womb.

Look for the sun and
turn your body towards it.

Hold the symbol of
the sun in your hand.

Now I am preparing for the
journey to the next dimension.

The moment my last evening
falls and I will find death.

For seven years I didn't eat grains.

I feed on cypress
berries and pine resin...

mixed with honey and dates.

Slowly my body is being purified.

And as you can see,
I turn into a mummy.

Go forth. Return to your time...

and leaves me in my own time.

Just ask them to teach you
the fish figure next time.

The fish, which swims in the
crystal clear waters of spring.

We need to practice.

I'm sick of this country. Venice
is wet, but China is soaking wet.

I don't understand the people,
their language and their customs.

When are we going home?

This is our home.
- Not mine.

Go help Yang Ku prepare his boat.

Remember, you are a Venetian
sailor, not a Chinese acrobat.

I certainly won't forget
that. Look what I made.

What is that?

The son of a Chinese dragon
and a gondola: a dragondel.

The dragon keeps us here,
the gondola will take us home.

You're wasting your time. Would
you mind waking Uncle Matteo?

I completely forgot. He's not
there. I've been looking everywhere.

Should have said that earlier. Where is he?
- No idea.

Last night I heard something.
I saw a light in the trees.

He was gone this morning. Maybe
he's out looking for herbs again.

Get changed and we'll go.

Marco, come join us. Go ahead.

Where's your uncle?
- I think he's in the mountains.

Is he alone?
- I don't know.

I'm going to look for
him. Can you get Wang Zhu?

He won't be back until the day after tomorrow.
- I can help you look.

I can show him the way, Father.

No, you shouldn't go with
him. He's a foreigner.

And Wang Zhu says we
shouldn't confide in him.

He's not one of us. We just met him.

He is our friend. He
will not betray us.

Many of us are risking our lives.
We don't know if Wang Zhu...

I'll be back before
he is. Don't be afraid.

I know the way to the
cave of the Immortal.

Do you see that boat?

As a girl I dreamed of fixing it...

and take a long journey, alone.

Yang Ku is so secretive
about you. Who are you?

I don't know exactly.
I never knew my father.

My mother told me
that he was a merchant.

He died when he was still young.

We were somewhere far away.

I remember we were on a big ship.

We are heading here.

And your mother? Where is she?

She died when I was very little.

My mother also died when I was young.

Yang Ku and his
family took care of me.

We had a big house in Honzhou
before the Mongols came.

And you don't know anything else?
- Nothing.

What was your father's name?

Billions.

My mother called me Monica.

Monica Vilioni. That's a
name that occurs in Venice.

Zogia.

What does that mean?

It's a Venetian word. It means...

Mothers say it to their children.
Lovers say it to each other.

It means 'dear'.

And also 'joy'.

It's a kind of beauty
that you radiate.

Beauty?

I always thought I was ugly because
I didn't look like other girls.

You are beautiful.

Very nice.

We have to go find your uncle.

We need shelter. There's
a cave ahead, on the left.

There.

The Mongols are afraid
of thunderstorms.

My friend Chinkin, the son of the
Great Khan, is just a little child then.

I hope you meet him someday.

You're not afraid, are you?
- Not when I'm with you.

You care a lot about Chinkin, huh?

Just as much as you love Mai Li.
Have you known each other long?

Since our childhood. I
don't want to lose her.

That won't happen, will it?
- If she gets married.

Is that likely?
- She likes Wang Zhu very much.

There's no sign of it.
He seems so distant.

A Chinese man does not
talk openly about his love.

He carries love in his heart.

It's a fragile and precious feeling.

But you're not Chinese. You
could proclaim your love loudly.

Like me.

I love you.

I love you, Monica.

I may not look Chinese,
but in my heart I am.

Yang Ku raised me as his
daughter, as Mai Li's sister.

I knew I was different
when I saw my reflection.

But I see things through
the eyes of a Chinese.

A tree announces the
arrival of spring and autumn.

But it is also a design.

A tree lives, just like us.

Your body is like a tree.

Stam.

Limbs are like branches.

And the crown catches
and holds the sunlight.

In Venice we say that an angel
passes by when someone shivers.

Venice. Sometimes, when I wake up,
there's a strange smell in the air.

A smell I don't recognize,
like a distant memory.

I know what you mean.

Sometimes it feels like I hear a
bell chiming in the morning air.

Like a voice calling me from far away.

I love you, Monica.

I whisper it so only you can hear it.

Like a Chinese.

When you left, it was
like the sun was eclipsed.

I was so afraid you
wouldn't come back.

There's so much that can separate
us. Nothing is stronger than my love.

If you hold me this tight,
I can hide my face from you...

and tell you I love you.

I love you.

Dearly.

I have been searching
for the path, the tao.

I only ate berries and grass.

We were worried. You
don't have to worry.

I can teach you too, if you want.

This is all I found in the cave.

The old man was gone, disappeared.

The Sun responds to this sign.

I feel her energy filling
every fiber of my body.

Have you been here all night?
- I don't know.

I've been thinking, and I've seen
things I didn't think were possible.

You've been delirious.
You're as weak as a baby.

That's because of that
food. I'm not used to it.

We must follow nature, not force it.

I must admit I like
the taste of that rice.

Yin and Yang. Feminine and masculine.

Life. Contentment. Happiness.

Do you know how to write
'satisfaction' in Chinese?

Like this.

A roof, which represents a house.

And under the roof a woman.

You write with images,
ideas, not with letters.

Two women under the same roof...
- That means double happiness.

That means gossip. Problems.

My legs...

Go find Yang Ku. I'll stay with him.

Vader.

Yang Ku, what happened?

They took Mai Li away. They
came here and took Mai Li away.

Who? Who took her?

Soldiers. I heard her
cry for help. I ran...

Wang Zhu came, but it was too late.

Where is he now?

I don't know. He's gone too.

Help me. He's got to get out of here.

Where are you taking me?

They didn't say why or where.
No explanation whatsoever.

They dragged her away. Her
father was worried sick.

Was she beautiful?
- What did that...

Talib asks a wise question.

The most beautiful ones go to those
who want a new wife or concubine.

At first they resist a bit.

But a new house, nice
clothes, they love that.

That's barbarism.
- But in an attractive form.

At least, that's how
many girls see it.

I'm going to Khanbalik.
I'll denounce this.

It was a rebel village.

There is a law, issued by the khan.

Their harvest has been destroyed. They
are exempt from taxes for three years.

We don't believe them.

My dear Marco...

If we were to believe all the
stories about natural disasters...

we wouldn't even collect a
handful of rice for our army.

Trust me, I have a lot of
experience with these things.

Burning down that
village is unjustifiable.

I will advise the Khan and Akhmet to
grant self-government to the south.

Then perhaps the law will be enforced.

There is another law:

The great only have
eyes for big things.

In this pity is excluded...

but it guarantees the
survival of the empire.

You have sworn allegiance and
obedience to the Great Khan.

You must answer for your
loyalty and for your treason.

The Khan has other concerns.

His son Chinkin is seriously ill.

He sent him to Changzhou in
the hope that he would recover.

But that is wishful thinking.

It's my decision. My mind is made up.

But we're going to Khanbalik.
Monica and Yang Ku are coming too.

We'll stay there for a
while and then we'll go home.

Home. Just imagine.
- Here I am at home. That's what you always said.

It was our home because we had a
task. But that task was accomplished.

Imagine what it's like in
Venice. With money in your pocket.

No, I'm staying here. I want
to stay with these people.

Half my face is burned. I'm disabled.

In Venice they'll look at
me as some kind of monster.

But here I am treated with love.
Like an unfortunate brother.

So go ahead. I'll stay here.

I have served you faithfully.
I have done my best.

But now I understand
that I belong here.

Take Yang Ku home.
Monica isn't safe here.

A friend of mine is
giving her shelter.

Saiamon, it's me,
Marco. I know your voice.

The light serves to conceal
my blindness from intruders.

It's dangerous to show
your vulnerability.

I have a friend with me. I
want to ask you something.

I haven't sold anything in ages.

Not since your people
attacked my country again.

I advised the Grand Khan against
it. He was too angry to listen.

I know. If you want pottery...

I have plenty for you to choose from.

I will pay you well,
but not for your work.

I want you to give
shelter to my dearest.

What's her name?
- Monica

My house is yours. Your
presence will be a blessing.

You're safe here. I have to go now.

Do I really have to?
- I won't be away long.

Marco, I have to...

I beg you, help this man.

They took his daughter Mai
Li from him. His only child.

Khanbalik is a big city.
It could be anywhere.

You can organize a search party
and possibly deploy soldiers.

You have to be reasonable, Marco.

I understand that you
sympathize with your friend.

But there are rules and
customs that I must respect.

But his daughter was stolen.

In this country, daughters are
often sold, or killed after birth.

Exactly. A daughter like
that is another mouth to feed.

You also talk like a barbarian.

Forgive me, Lord Achmet. I
don't know what I'm saying.

I beg you again, help us.

I will do my best.

But there may be problems
with certain powerful people.

There are people who hate you and your
Chinese friends. Religious fanatics.

Phags-pa? - Don't
mention any names.

I know what you mean.

But I have seen many monks
succumb to temptations.

If this man has been wronged,
we will restore justice.

Our loyalty to the Khan...
- That's the point.

Our loyalty demands that we tell
him the truth about the South.

What passion, so many illusions.

But I won't destroy them.
They belong to your youth.

Time is your best teacher.

Condolences.

We couldn't predict
what was going to happen.

Suddenly it went dark, as if
the day was swallowed by night.

The storm raged over us. The sea
became a hell that spewed out demons.

Our ships disappeared in
waves as high as mountains.

Lightning bolts shot from
the sky. Ships collided.

The Japanese shouted:

Kamikaze, kamikaze.
The wind of the gods.

It was over for us.

I was against the attack. I
didn't want to risk my ships.

I suggested we wait, but the
general was too impatient.

I couldn't stop him.
It was our downfall.

You also wanted to attack.
You were sure of victory.

You said your ships
were indestructible.

If I had been in command, my
ships would not have been sunk.

Hell has conquered. Khan, Great Khan.

Hell has not conquered, Argan.

You have been defeated by our
enemies because of your stupid pride.

The unity in their hearts
against your divided leadership...

your incompetence.

I sentence you to death.

Tomorrow, before sunrise...

are your heads rolling in the sand...

along with our humiliation.

Have mercy, Your Highness.
- Mercy, I beg of you.

He said you sent him to take her home.

No, I didn't send anyone. Why
did you let her go with you?

All I could go by was his voice.

He sounded sincere.
Monica seemed to know him.

But she doesn't know anyone
in Khanbalik. Who was he?

I could tell from his voice
that he was from southern China.

When did he get here?
- At most an hour after you left.

I heard him talking about a
monastery for Buddhist nuns.

Monica, we found Mai
Li. We know where she is.

Here. Spread this message.

Prince Chinkin has recovered.

Let everyone know. It's our sign.

Who is that man?
- Don't worry.

Leave him to me.

Prince Chinkin has
recovered. The sign.

I've had enough.

Are those Talib's gifts?
- Yes, master.

The new ladies-in-waiting
have waited too long.

Is this the poet's daughter?
- Yes, sir.

Every day I solve the khan's problems.

At night I have the
right to solve my own.

Don't you think so?
- Yes, sir.

I understand that you
can sing beautifully.

Will you sing for me?

Sing for me.

Do you want to touch me?

Don't be afraid to touch me.

Sir Achmet.

Prince Chinkin has returned. He
awaits you in the throne room.

Prince Chinkin? Just a moment.

Welcome back, sir.
How may I serve you?

For my people, for all your victims.

Wait. Come on.
- Quick. Get out of here.

There were two of them.
They came from the south.

They were helped by
a servant, a traitor.

At first it looked
like an act of revenge.

The daughter of one of them
had to submit to Achmet.

She committed suicide.

I have received new
information from Yanzhou.

From Marco?
- Indeed.

He reports corruption,
embezzlement and murder...

including two attempts
on his own life.

That's impossible. Achmet?

It's true. The South is a cesspool
of violence and corruption.

The resistance against
him was to be expected.

But his death could spark
a large-scale uprising.

This needs to be nipped in the bud.

Without pity and without exceptions.

The murderers will be
executed. The other...

Another person has been arrested
after Achmet's murder. A young woman.

The adopted daughter
of one of the murderers.

She was part of a secret resistance
movement in the Forbidden City.

In addition, she is
friends with Marco Polo.

She had disguised herself as a nun.

Tell Marco to learn to estimate...

who deserves his
friendship and who doesn't.

All of Achmet's helpers and
accomplices will be executed.

And those involved in his death
and the attempted uprising...

must also die.

No mercy for any of them.

And banish anyone who sides with
the rebels, openly or silently.

Khanbalik must be
cleansed of troublemakers.

Order must be restored.

Hide the children.

I must obey the khan. You're
lucky he doesn't punish you too.

Let him punish me and spare Monica.

She's innocent. She's
never harmed anyone.

You can save her if you
want. You must save her.

Her father was beheaded, but
that did not stop the rebellion.

As his daughter, she
is a dangerous symbol.

In the name of God, in the name of
your God, for I pray to Him also...

be merciful.

You should show mercy.

Do you doubt my faith? The
power of prayer is unwavering.

She can be saved. But it will require
far more sacrifice than you realize.

How much? I'm rich. I'm
willing to give everything.

You haven't yet learned to
look into someone's heart.

My position sometimes compels
me to severity, even fanaticism.

But I hate corruption just
as much as you do. Even more.

I didn't mean that...
I'm just confused.

No, the Khan's orders
exclude exceptions.

The woman has been sentenced to death.
- No, you can't... I'm going to...

You must learn to see that
intense emotions lead to downfall.

I will try to save her.

But there is only one way: That
she is entrusted to the time stream.

That she is banished.

You may see her again.

And after that you must
never try to see her again.

I warned you. You're
putting her in danger.

The people in the south
are ready to accept you.

Provided the government regards them
as free citizens, not defeated enemies.

How can we do that?

By giving them justice. By
showing that we trust them.

Is that possible?

Mr. Marco can prove
that it is possible.

We are glad that young Marco
Polo has a lot of wisdom.

You'll be pleased to
know that I plan to...

to allow the solemn celebration of
your Christian holiday to take place.

Maybe then more people
will pray for my son.

What do you call it?
- Easter.

Is it wise to honor Christians...

now that Nayan and his people are
becoming more and more restless?

This is not a matter of faith.

Nayan is blinded by ambition
and Kaidu's misleading advice.

I disagree.

Nayan has openly incited
his people to revolt.

He uses his newfound faith against
you to sow division in the realm.

Wouldn't it be wiser not to
take this excuse too seriously?

When we celebrate the Resurrection,
we are essentially saying...

that the cross that Nayan
carries deserves deep respect.

I will explain it to you,
Phags-pa, and to all of you.

In our kingdom five
prophets are worshipped:

Confucius, Buddha, Jesus
Christ, Moses and Mohammed.

We must respect them all...

to avoid offending the most
powerful in the Eternal Blue Sky.

For until the day we stand before
Him, we do not know who He is.

As for Kaidu and Nayan...

They must know that I will no
longer tolerate their arrogance.

Please convey that message to Nayan.

Speak to him, in my
words, loud and clear.

Convince him...

That he must now submit. Otherwise,
my wrath will come upon him.

If he forces me to
kill our brothers...

their blood is on his hands.

Someday, perhaps soon, the
Khan will convert to Buddhism.

I don't think so.

There are too many Muslim
and Christian subjects.

You say that the
defeat against Japan...

Kublai has damaged.

He wants to unite the people by force,
but the people do not believe him.

He will resort to
faith, but he will fail.

But Lady Chabi can stop him.

You think so. Chabi is a Mongolian
woman, and she will obey him.

Chinkin can't help us
either. He's been poisoned.

He will die. Perhaps
sooner than you and I think.

What message should
I deliver to Kublai?

Say the following
to Great Khan Kublai:

Nayan knows that he is
his blood relative...

but he will never
sacrifice his new faith.

The freedom and
independence of its people.

I understand.

I promised your forgiveness if
Nayan would abandon his plan.

But he rejected all peace proposals.

Do you want me to talk to him again?

Ask Marco Polo to stay.
- As you wish.

On behalf of the Grand
Khan, I close the meeting.

Sir Marco Polo, please remain. The
Great Khan wishes to speak with you.

What would you do if
you were the Great Khan?

Me, the Khan? I wouldn't
even dare dream of it.

There is an old Chinese
story about a man...

who dreams that he is a butterfly.

When he wakes up, he asks himself:

Am I a man who dreamed
he was a butterfly...

or am I a butterfly
dreaming it's a man?

Perhaps this is a moment from a dream.

I could be Marco Polo,
dreaming he is the khan.

And you, the real Kublai.

Great Khan, what would you do?

I would grant Nayan mercy.

I would appeal to his
faith and treat him kindly.

He will realize that he acted rashly.

Indeed, you are not Kublai.

And this is no dream.

The Great Khan is not
allowed to forgive.

Following the great Genghis
also means the following:

To be merciless towards traitors.

Especially if the traitor comes
from within your own circle.

And to be alone when a
decision has to be made.

Only...

with my dying son.

Chinkin died peacefully.

I feel a great void in my soul.

Thanks to Chinkin, I
believed in a better future.

If he were still alive...

I always refused to believe
in the ancient signs.

Our destiny that my people can
read in the dance of the stars.

But over the past few months
my hope has been dwindling.

But even the khan
seems to have changed.

As if, forgive me...

As if he was too tired to
hold the empire in his hands.

And now Timur will succeed him.

A boy who sees things happening
that he can't understand.

When I told him what Nayan
said, he didn't seem to hear me.

Nothing makes him break his silence.

Except when the ambassadors
of the Khan of Persia...

asked him if one of his
daughters was available as a wife.

When I told him that
Kokachin would be chosen...

he cried like a child.

She was to be Chinkin's bride.
So the decision was made.

Kokachin becomes the wife of Arghun.

It will be a useful bond.

Arghun is faithful. This marriage
will further strengthen their bond.

But the journey to Persia
is long and dangerous.

You must talk to Kublai.
He will listen to you.

Tell him that Nayan only
cares about his people.

He must let Nayan and Kaidu keep
the freedom of our forefathers.

He cannot confine them
within walls in cities.

Great Khan, the revolt has spread.

Kaidu Khan plans to
join forces with Nayan.

Never before has our empire
been so seriously threatened.

When Kaidu reaches Nayan, we
will be faced with a huge army.

When you spoke to him, I already
knew that this was his ultimate goal.

Not independence, but a
new kingdom in the north.

As Kaidu stirs unrest
in Central Asia...

we will be cut off from the west
and our empire will fall apart.

Nayan rightly fears that
his people will perish.

For I will give him a war,
a true Mongolian war...

which will cause him
to turn to dust forever.

What is your command, Your Highness?

How quickly can the garrison
from the south get here?

In thirty to forty days.
That takes too long.

Summon my Imperial Guard and
the garrison from Changtu.

Close the passages to the
north. We must act quickly.

Defeat Nayan before he reaches Kaidu.

I will lead your army
to victory once again.

No. You will be by my side.

I will lead my army myself.

1288, first day of the second moon

fifth day of the second moon

tenth day of the second moon

twelfth day of the second moon

He was God. He had come
to earth to become a man.

His parents were very poor.

They could only offer their
son love and care, nothing more.

He was born in a stable.

fifteenth day of the second moon

seventeenth day of the second moon

eighteenth day of the second moon

nineteenth day of the second moon

twentieth day of the second moon

Nayan, you are guilty
of the highest treason...

that has ever been
committed in our empire.

Since you are my blood
relative, and Genghis Khan's...

may your blood not be
shed upon the ground.

You will die according to our law.

I beg you, Great Khan Kublai...

Your peace is restored, your kingdom
is secure, it is stronger than ever.

Allow me to return to...

But I'm an old man.
Not as old as I am.

Soon I will no longer
be able to make the trip.

If I don't leave soon,
I'll never see Venice again.

You've been back before.
- That was years ago.

I can't miss you.

And I will vent my wrath on you
if you ever bring this up again.

You've made a fortune
here. That's true.

I will multiply your gold
and precious stones by ten.

But never provoke my wrath again.

He had that with him.

He says he got them from Sir
Polo in exchange for a service.

He is from Zhaodong.

He is a long way from
the sea and his boat.

It's a fact he's lying. He stole them.

Do you know anything
about this sailor?

I don't know him. I've
never seen him before.

Let me see.

Rubies, sapphires, emeralds?
It looks like they're a lot...

Nothing.

They're worthless. They're
just colored stones.

Look carefully. You're not questioning
your brother's judgment, are you?

If they are worthless,
there is no theft.

Maybe you wanted to
try to sell them to us.

Unfortunately. I wouldn't even
give you a crust of bread for it.

But if you want bread...

take with you and return
to your boat in peace.

My father made a just decision.

He is innocent. We cannot
condemn him for his attempt.

I gave him those gems
in exchange for this.

It is a new navigation instrument.

That arrow-shaped bar always points
north, even when you move the box.

This allows me to sail safely
and determine the correct course.

The course back to Venice.
I can't take this any longer.

I long for the smell of the sea.

In every curtain, in every
waving flag I see a sail.

Take me home to Venice.

Before I lose the will to live.

Marco, you seem surprised
that Kokachin is back with us.

I thought you had
arrived in Persia by now.

In Dacio, on the edge
of the Gobi Desert...

we were hit by a violent sandstorm.

They didn't want to go any further.

These gentlemen are envoys
of the II-Khan Arghun.

We've traveled for three moons.
The hardships have been numerous.

In the storm we could no longer
guarantee the safety of the princess.

We couldn't take responsibility.

I know that desert. It
was wise to turn back.

There's only one route. It's
difficult and risky, but possible.

The sea.

Ask the Khan for a strong
ship and expert pilots.

If I had to make the
journey, I would go by sea.

Are you still mourning Nayan's death?

I can't forget that carnage.

A battle between brothers.

I suffered too. I dreamed of a peace
that would make everything better.

Even the hearts of the people.

But Nayan does not deserve that
you and Lady Chabi mourn him.

He also wanted peace.

No, his pride was
stronger than any feeling.

If your God had been on his side...

He had not allowed
himself to be defeated.

No, only the rebel is
defeated, not your faith.

If the khan would hear me now...

Would he think that I
have turned to your Christ?

If we had been friends sooner
we could have done so much good.

Now it's too late.

No, friendship is a bridge that
reaches across space and time.

Even when you are at home, in Venice.

When will that be? The
khan refuses to let us go.

Have you heard that Princess
Kokachin could not reach Persia?

The poor princess. It seems her
fate that she will never marry.

By the way, I did
let the envoys know...

that in these turbulent times
Persia can only be reached by sea.

Naturally, such a dangerous journey
requires an experienced pilot.

Why are you laughing?

We understand each other well. I
told them exactly the same thing.

I can't surprise you. I'm
glad I found you, Mr. Marco.

I'm not here by chance.
I wanted to talk to you.

Soon I'll be going back to
Tibet. To my temple in the snow.

I need the solitude and purity there.

Power is a poison.
Ultimately, it taints us all.

I envy your conviction. I wish
I knew so clearly what to do.

Certainty is a dream. An illusion.

Life is a journey into the unknown.

Farewell, my friend. Farewell.

Please rise, all of you, noble sirs.

You have heard the
words of the Great Khan.

He knows better than anyone that
the princess needs a suitable escort.

One that will do honor to
the II Khan and himself.

Our most experienced ambassadors and
ladies-in-waiting will accompany her.

Your master will be pleased.

When must you leave?
- Immediately, Great Khan.

The wind is favorable now. In
a month, it will have shifted.

You want to go for a ride
with me one last time.

I didn't want to let your
father and uncle leave...

because I knew you would go with them.

If I had known how
much this hurts me...

I would never have agreed to it.

It's hard for me too.

At least you promised you'd come back.

If your letters are sent to the
Pope, France, England, and Spain...

and when i've been home...

I will try to keep my promise.

I know. But I won't
be here to greet you.

But a part of you will
remain in this country.

As long as anyone can remember you...

the people who come here on your
behalf do not need safe conduct.

You've proven yourself to be our
friend. And so we will receive them.

Backwards.

Kaidu was right.

We conquered the world on horseback...

and should rule the
world on horseback.

But now I'm too old to take off.

I'm not a real Mongolian.

Too much blood has been shed.

Brothers fighting each other.

We have incurred the
wrath of the gods.

Timur will inherit an empire
on the verge of collapse.

Everything I've done
has been for Chinkin.

But I didn't give him what he wanted.

He believed in the
dream of a united China.

That dream will come true.
Someday, that dream will come true.

But that will be in another time.

Marco, help me.

There will be evenings...

where the wind from the
north, the cold Hang Feng...

the scent of the Mongolian
steppes will bring...

and the neighing of his horses.

It will fill my heart with longing
and then I will think of you...

as to a distant son.

Take my hand, Marco.

Don't forget this. If a
Mongol takes you by the hand...

a part of his soul
is transferred to you.

You admit to having
visited pagan temples?

And have you taken
part in magical rites?

I reported what I saw. I
didn't add or remove anything.

My observations do
not affect my beliefs.

Regarding the religions I've
talked about, I can say one thing:

They are good or bad, depending
on the hearts of the confessors.

Paul also visited the
temples in Greece and Rome.

Do you compare this Venetian
with the holy apostle?

My knowledge of other religions
has brought me closer to my own God.

According to you, Marco Polo
found the Garden of Eden.

I never said that.

I wrote that down by mistake when
you were talking about Badaksjan.

We can cross it out.

Is it not true, Rustichello,
that you have written...

about women who sleep
with foreigners...

at the urging and with the
approval of their husbands?

Marco Polo said it was a custom.
That's how they honor their guests.

Sailors in Pisa, Venice and
Genoa also tell about this.

The fact that the sin is repeated
does not make it any less despicable.

Those who tolerate
it must be condemned.

Those stories are not
suitable for innocent ears.

I can only say that those
stories filled me with longing.

They made me long for my
wife. What a blessing...

that my wife lives only
for me, all her life.

Your claims about the
existence of star clusters...

which our science
does not recognize...

corrupt the harmony of creation...

as we, faithful
servants of God, see it.

In addition, you describe
countries and peoples...

in areas where only
darkness is known to prevail.

The learned doctor Pietro de Abano
has been given permission to speak.

Not on any astronomical map...

appear the stars he
claims to have seen.

But however improbable his
observations may seem...

They have recently been confirmed
by other navigators and astronomers.

Heresy, confirmed by pagans.

And not just by them. We
were finally able to read...

Unfortunately, we don't have
a machine to print books yet...

like your Chinese friends...

thus writings are patiently
transcribed, piece by piece.

We were finally able to read the
report of the monk Giovanni...

about his travels beyond Mongolia.

While we thought we knew that
there was total darkness there.

If your stay was so
comfortable, why did you return?

My father and uncle wanted to see
their house again before they died.

It was God's will that we should
show you the way to new knowledge.

So you still maintain that
everything in your book is true?

People flying, a magical
powder exploding in the air...

and spouts fountains of light?

God is my witness that I have
not told half of what I saw.

Let me confess, publicly,
as the early Christians did.

This man is guilty.

He urged me to escape from prison.

He even gave me the key to escape.

His stories broke down the
walls of my cell and set me free.

He has fought and
conquered our oldest enemy:

Ignorance.

Thanks to Marco Polo I
have made long journeys.

New places seen, times that lie ahead.

His journey from here to China was a
journey from the past to the future.

And now here I am, in
captivity, yet I am not chained.

I have a newfound faith in humanity.

We were born to overcome
boundaries and prejudices.

Violence, hatred and suspicion are
clouds that knowledge will dispel.

Marco Polo freed me from fear.

He has returned from his travels
as the champion of the new man.

Look at him.

When you open your heart and mind,
you will see an aura of intelligence...

which far transcends simple
facts, places and people.

A light that should make us strong,
patient, noble and civilized...

so that we can broaden our horizons...

and explore the infinite
wonders of the stars.

We have reached a judgement
with some reservations.

You have touched upon topics
beyond your understanding.

You have come into contact
with false doctrines...

against which the Holy Church
must always be on her guard.

But we believe it was
not your intention to sin.

Therefore we command
you to meditate...

and revise your stories in
accordance with your conscience.

May God have mercy on
you and enlighten you.

You are free to go.

And me?

Thank you.

Enjoy your freedom in
Venice, also on my behalf.

Pisa has lost the war
and cannot find peace.

Only God knows when
they'll release me.

I ask your forgiveness. Why?
I should be thanking you.

For a few thoughts?

The filling of the background
that my pen let me record?

You'll understand when you
read it. Don't hate me for it.

I know now that it wasn't necessary.

The Book of Miracles is yours.

From us.

It's our book, Rustichello.
- Come along.

Venetians, winter 1299

Look. My wife and sons.

No glorious welcome awaited
Marco Polo in Venice.

He was alone with the
knowledge he had acquired.

For a long time he was not believed,
although no one had traveled as far as he.

The son of Niccolo Polo,
noble citizen of Venice.

He who had always dreamed of
the future now looked back.

He longed to return to
China, his second homeland.

He never left Venice again and died
there in the year of our Lord 1324.