Original subtitles

I am here to offer you a big deal.

I need to raise 50,000 taels as quickly as possible

for Wong Yat-hin to get me the cannons.

The Portuguese want to hang you.

Cheap hooker!

Apologise! No one can call my women names.

Is there some wish I can realise for you?

...bring me home in a bridal sedan chair.

(Admiral's Residence)

Did he really go this far?

What I can't take is not the apology,

but Your Highness' having to throw away 50,000 taels.

The money is needed in five days.

Where can I find the money?

Milord, take the quinine first.

It has to be taken hot.

Lai Gong-Gong. Yes?

How much can I get for my residence in the capital?

Highness, it's granted by Sire. It's not for selling at will.

You are right.

Even if I could sell it,

no one would dare buy it.

Milord, the decoction is getting cold.

There's a way!

The salt merchant Tseung Si-yin we busted in our Zhejiang corruption cleanup,

he offered to pay 50,000 taels for his life.

Remember that?

You chopped his head off yourself.

Highness, you still have faith in that Wong Yat-hin?

Even if you could raise the money,

I wouldn't deliver it for you.

Ho Fei, get my horse ready. I am going back to the barracks.

Win...win...

Rooster...

Freaking brat! I lost again?

I don't believe in jinx!

Again... Yes...

All hands off the table.

Trust me. The Rooster's on a roll.

Make it happen! Yes...

What nerve! Gambling while on duty, and in the mess hall.

Freaking brats! Straight loss again!

Scoundrel, fighting to be banker with me?

Serves you right, loser!

Loser? Do you take me for Prince Man-ho?

Highness...

The Rooster's on a roll?

Luck is not on your side?

No.

Let me do it for you.

Place your bets.

Rooster...

Yes...

Rooster...

Straight kill.

Thank you.

Your loss recovered?

Thank you. You've spared me an earful from my wife.

I make a much better banker than you do.

But you beat me in sea warfare.

Let's stick to what we do best.

(East Gate)

Is Prince Man-ho in the barracks?

Yes.

I need to see him now.

Brother Man-ho.

Man-jing...

How nosy of you.

You wrote to Mother and told her everything.

I never wanted her to worry about me.

It's my fault.

But you are in financial difficulties.

She's the only one that can help.

Here's a banknote of 50,000 taels and a letter from her. Take it.

50,000 taels?

Milord, now you have enough money.

Dear son, I got Lai Gong-Gong's urgent letter.

I am relieved that you have turned better after taking quinine.

He also says raising 50,000 taels for the cannons

has filled you with worries and cost you sleep.

It worries me that it'll cause your illness to return.

All mothers love their sons.

I used to get a lot of jewellery from Sire when I was in favour.

I meant to leave them to your bride.

Dear sisters, I am in need of money.

Please do me the favour.

Help me out. I'll return the favour in double.

To raise enough for you, though I am a noble consort,

I had to swallow my pride to borrow from some junior consorts.

Don't bother repaying me.

I know it's beyond you.

Mother, I promise you...

I'll win this fight!

I'll repay your kindness.

You've wreaked enough havoc in this southern expedition.

I've spoilt you.

I shouldn't have let you take up this expedition.

You see too highly of yourself.

Don't even dream of winning.

All I ask is for you to return in one piece.

Take this as a lesson. Don't bite off more than you can chew, Son.

After all, she has no faith in me.

Don't worry. Mother will see your true worth one day.

The cannons can't wait.

The money has to be delivered at once.

Milord, let me do it this time.

He's my uncle after all.

I have to get the exact cost from him.

(Naval Barracks)

Lai Gong-Gong... Highness...

You have things well monitored for you in the capital.

What gossips have you heard about my expedition?

The Winter Solstice is coming.

People are busy preparing for the celebration.

Attacks will keep coming afterwards.

Oh yes, the Winter Solstice is coming.

Highness, you are too busy to remember that.

I do remember that.

Lai Gong-Gong, may I ask you for a favour?

Highness, I can't raise any money for you.

Though a prince, I am now shunned like a beggar.

I mean to ask you to help me prepare the Winter Solstice celebration here.

Your hands are full already.

Why should you worry about the celebration?

The men here have a hard time all year round.

They really look forward to this winter solstice feast,

and a food hamper of rice and sausage to take home for the New Year.

Siu-fu knows that very well.

Most money for their provisions has been used for the suppression.

I can't bring myself to deny them this feast.

It's so kind of you. Please just leave it with me.

Make sure you have spiced goose for the Chao camp on the menu.

Chaozhou people have to have spiced goose. for their celebration.

I know, I know.

I am not done yet.

For the Zhe camp, make sure you have braised pork knuckle.

Even when they don't get to go home for the feast, .

The dish should help relieve them of homesickness.

Highness...

Not a moment too soon.

We are working on the winter solstice feast

Tell Lai Gong-Gong what dishes you'd like.

Highness, forget it.

Why?

You don't like braised pork knuckle?

What about drunken chicken?

Highness, we can have no feast this year.

Honourable Fok has given the order.

It's cancelled to save money.

What?

Says who?

Savour you this wonderful time.

Great line...

Allow me to follow it up.

When heroes show their true colours.

Wonderful...

Thank you...

Honourable Fok, thank you for showing us Guangdong's scenic spots.

You are too kind.

And the pleasure houses for the charm of Guangdong ladies.

It's very generous of you.

Come on. You princes gave me the honour.

The tabs were picked up by the navy.

Honourable Fok, yesterday you said Guangdong people are keen on martial arts.

They even bet on boxing games.

They bet big.

If you are interested, let me take you there tomorrow.

If he wins, the money goes to him.

If he loses...

the navy will pick up the tab.

Cheers...

Shouldn't you be on duty at this moment?

And you two are entertaining yourselves with public money.

This is a restricted area.

Yet you're using it for wining and dining.

On either charges, I can slap you with a penalty.

But I am willing to turn a blind eye.

Why? Because I can't wait to see you out of the barracks,

so that I can be left in peace to do my job.

You all are a hindrance instead of being a help.

What have you done for the navy? What have you done?

Our men work hard.

All they ask is a square meal for Winter Solstice.

Yet you are so heartless as to cancel it?

Highness, have you forgotten about it or was it a deliberate omission?

Why's the feast cancelled?

It's because you used the money on cannons.

That's why we can't even afford 500 taels for the feast.

Now you're laying the blame on us?

He's doing it for victory, for the general good. Unlike you.

Man-leung and I are here to do inspection for Sire.

Honourable Fok is just treating us to some light refreshments.

Lai Gong-Gong, you are just an underling in court,

what turns you into a barking dog when you're outside?

He was telling the truth.

Telling the truth?

Since you are so considerate...

What's 500 taels to a prince?

You sure can afford such small change.

Man-ho, maybe you have forgotten.

You've put in your every penny into the cannons.

Not to say 500 taels,

I don't think you even have 50 taels under your name.

Call it hard times.

Though just an admiral,

I can afford this mere 500 taels.

But you just called me a hindrance.

I don't want to add shame to yours.

You two shut up.

Man-ho only wants to get things done.

Let's put personal feuds aside.

We are in the same boat, we should help one another out.

500 taels, right?

Oops. I have no banknotes with me.

No...

Me neither.

There are still three days to Winter Solstice.

Do you want me to beg for the 500 taels?

Highness, don't beg these rascals.

500 taels here. It's good enough for the feast.

Siu-fu...you...

Siu-fu, some nest egg you have saved.

You did Highness a great favour.

What? Should I write you an IOU?

I don't have a nest egg.

Then where did you get the money?

I...

Don't tell me you sold your wife again.

No.

Then where did you get the money?

I took part in a rigged boxing match in Guangzhou.

You...

Highness, my injury is no big deal compared to what you've been through.

Highness, you have to win in this expedition.

It's what you said to me in Tianjin:

Valiant is the force going south.

Behold my waist saber of Yanling make,

leaving every pirate dead in its wake!

Leaving every pirate dead in its wake!

Valiant is the force going south.

Behold my waist saber of Yanling make...

Good...

(Triumphant Lodge)

Brother Ho Fei, thank you for seeing me here to Macau.

My uncle is weird in temper.

Please wait for me here.

(Fabio)

Uncle...

Ha Sim? How come it's you?

I am here to deliver you the 50,000 taels.

It's a day late.

Maybe we can still make it. Where's the money?

You promised me you wouldn't do Prince Man-ho in.

How come you keep asking for money?

Do you know he had to swallow his pride in order to raise it?

It's not just him.

I too have to swallow my pride in order to spend it.

Come on over.

The money was not spent in vain.

It's spent on bribing the right people.

He really said he would redeem you?

Even if it were a lie, he did take the trouble to please me.

Don't tell me you have faith in men.

I am so confused.

Since working in this trade,

I've kept telling myself, there are no good men in this world.

I came to Macau to make a big killing.

Anyway, I am so confused.

So the money is for bribing the police captain?

What worries me is that Robertson is hanged before Fabio comes back.

Mr Fabio, you are back in Macau.

Shuk-kwan, get all the girls here to take good care of Mr Fabio.

Lay the table.

Take out our best French wine and delicacies.

Yes...

Mr Fabio, not a moment too soon. I look forward to dining with you.

I didn't come here to dine. I am here on business.

What business?

An arrest.

Arrest?

I have chartered Triumphant Lodge.

Who are you going to arrest?

It is you. Wong Yat-hin.

Me?

Mr Fabio, stop kidding.

Uncle... Yat-hin...

What happened? Why?

You got the wrong man!

How come I am arrested?

It's karma. It's the karma you Chinese talk about.

Robertson?

This is the Macau City Jail?

How come? What karma?

You and I have killed so many people. It's payback time.

What killing do you mean? What payback time?

Do you remember the Penang shipwreck five years ago?

Everyone on board died because of us.

Do you remember the Penang shipwreck five years ago?

Everyone on board died because of us.

You and I were the only survivors.

Penang? Shipwreck?

How come none of the coolies came back off?

They are not coolies. They are human cargoes.

I've corresponded with rubber plantation owners there.

They need indentured workers.

I see.

Many lives were lost in the shipwreck.

But what have I got to do with it?

You and I thought that I was going to be hanged for armament dealing.

Actually it's a trap.

The Police Captain Director wants his revenge.

But we have no feud with him.

You two killed my fiancee. You have to die for us to get even.

Your fiancee?

She was on the ship to Penang.

Take care.

You too. Be safe, OK?

I'll see you soon. Yes.

I spent the last few years tracking down her killer.

The ship was overloaded because of your indentured workers.

It wouldn't have sunk so easily even though the sea was rough.

You two killed my fiancee.

I meant to have Robertson hanged for armament dealing

You had the nerve to bribe me for Robertson's life.

Now I can have you two hanged together.

My revenge is complete.

I told you, our dealings always come to no good.

Uncle, now even you are in jail. What should we do?

Go back to Guangzhou for Prince Man-ho.

Ask him to send in a rescue team.

We have no time for that. I'll be hanged in no time.

Your going back and coming here takes days.

Then what should I do?

Ask him for another 50,000 taels.

Tell him, even if I am hanged, I'll get him the cannons.

Just go! Right away!

(Macau City Jail)

Yat-hin, what happened?

You are smart. You can figure out a way.

I just asked Ha Sim to get me another 50,000 taels.

You have someone to bribe?

I got Fabio's fiancee killed.

He's powerful here. No one will take my bribe.

What about Ha Sim's 50,000 taels...

It's for your redemption.

I promised you I would make your wish come true.

I mean what I say.

Yat-hin, no, you can't die!

How can I help you?

Will you?

Whatever you want me to do, I'll get you out.

You once asked me why there are just 11 names under the 12 wind chimes.

You said the last one is a drastic measure. It's your last resort.

It's time for the last resort.

Go open the sachet under the wind chime. You'll know the way to get me out.

Chu Shuk-kwan.

I am the 12th one?

Shuk-kwan, the key to surviving the hanging is the executioner.

If you will...

Trust me. If you can save my life,

I'll give you a proper wedding with a bridal sedan chair to take you home.

It's your desire to spend a night with me.

Do something for me and you'll get what you want.

Get up.

(Naval Barracks)

Wong Ka-man.

Happy Winter Solstice.

Chu Man-yat.

Happy Winter Solstice.

Ng Chi-kit. Thank you.

Happy Winter Solstice.

Leung Cheung-nam. Yes.

Happy Winter Solstice.

Cheung Chi-him. Yes.

Happy Winter Solstice.

Ma Ka-man. Yes. Happy Winter Solstice.

Highness, greetings.

Greetings, Highness.

Ma'am, you here as well?

Siu-fu said it'd be busy here today.

So I am here to help out.

Not just her. Siu-fu junior here as well.

Siu-fu junior?

You really.

We are always busy. How did you find the time?

Lai Gong-Gong. Highness.

Hung Yuk-yat.

We have a feast this evening. Come early.

Your Honour, so we can beat the pirates if we have Western cannons?

If the pirates are defeated, I promise you,

you will be paid double for the three months' pay owed.

Thank you...

Highness, you are so understanding.

Thank you.

Milord, I am back.

How's it? Have your uncle got the cannons?

He got arrested by the Portuguese. They want to hang him.

How come? When was that?

Three days ago.

We don't have the time for a rescue team.

Brother Yat-hin.

Milord, Uncle wanted me to tell you this.

He said he'd get you the cannons even if he's hanged.

Good...

(Happy Winter Solstice to all at the Naval Barracks)

Cheers... Cheers...

It's Winter Solstice today.

We are here as equals. Enjoy yourselves.

Thank you, Highness.

May I have your attention?

I just got news.

The Western cannon mission was blown.

Listen to that Wong Yat-hin to your doom.

I don't think Man-ho will come.

The southern expedition has ended in a spectacular defeat.

Highness, actually...

Who are you to speak here?

Let him.

Guys, listen!

The Guangdong Navy will not lose!

Prince Man-ho will get us the cannons.

We can wipe out the pirates.

He'll honour what he promised us.

Look, we have braised pork knuckle and spiced goose.

Do you agree?

Yes...

He once said to me,

He makes a much better banker than I do, but I beat him in sea warfare.

We Chao guys will win the fight for him with our lives!

We'll win...

How? We have no Western cannons. With your farting?

I don't think Man-ho dares to show up.

I am sure he's taking shelter under his blanket,

worrying about Sire's wrath.

How dare you two be such ingrates? Standing up for Prince Man-ho now?

Once I am commander-in-chief again, your heads will roll.

I am good at taking things personal.

His Highness is here.

Highness...bravo...

I came from Beijing to assume commandership

I've not picked up much on military maneuvering,

nor have I won a battle so far.

However, I have picked up two expressions from my men.

One, freaking brat.

Two, scoundrels.

Highness.

Our weapons are worn out. I'll ask the Court for new ones.

As for war horses, we have 395 in total.

We need more and I'll ask the Court for them.

Your winter clothing is old.

I'll ask the Court for new ones.

Highness...Please carry on.

Your Honour, you said we can beat the pirates.

Tell us more.

I've done my best. I have nothing to add.

Highness, tell us more.

I have nothing to add.

Highness, tell us more.

In this situation, I really have nothing to add.

Highness, an urgent letter from Wong Yat-hin.

Highness.

Behold my waist saber of Yanling make,

leaving every pirate dead in its wake!

Highness, I was given the order to procure Western cannons in Macau.

You gave me total trust and you have high expectations for me...

I have not failed you.

I've bought you cannons from Robertson. We have Western cannons...

Bravo...

I've saved my own and Robertson's life.

You really will do what you promised me?

I hooked the noose to your clothes.

Or you would have been dead.

Once out of danger,

the first thing Robertson did was taking me to the cave where the cannons were stored.

Highness, I got the cannons.

We got the cannons.

Highness will lead us to victory. We'll defeat the pirates!

Valiant is our force going south.

Behold my waist saber of Yanling make...

Leaving every pirate dead in its wake...

Leaving every pirate dead in its wake...

Leaving every pirate dead in its wake.

Leaving every pirate dead in its wake.

Fire!