Original subtitles

I've grown old...

lt's so long since l last dreamed of the Duke of Zhou

My ideals of ethics, music, humanity and harmony...

...can be fulfilled only in times to come

ls it Master Kong Qiu, the mayor of Zhongdu?

Indeed!

Kindly follow me

Master Kong, you may bow inside

Announcing Master Kong Qiu, the mayor of Zhongdu

His Majesty arrives

Kong Qiu, you're here...

Your humble servant Kong Qiu greets Your Majesty

Kong Qiu...

You've been mayor of Zhongdu...

...for about a year now...

Many things have changed...

Streets are safe, homes are secure

Your Majesty...

...as your humble servant has said of observing the rituals of Zhou...

"A year shows progress, three years would show much more"

l'd like to see...

...your policies applied throughout the Kingdom of Lu!

l have no position, it is not for me to say

This could be easily rectified

I'll appoint you to the right position

Lord Ji Yiru has just died

His oldest son Ji Sunsi...

...has become Prime Minister and Chief General of the Army

Βut the post of Minister of Law is vacant

The three Noble Families all have their own nominees

Βut l'm inclined to appoint you

l cannot presume to be worthy

l will support you!

You and your disciples...

...could civilize the Kingdom of Lu

You could challenge those...

...you've called unworthy in the past

Do you... dare?

My Lord, A burial slave has just escaped!

What? Who is it?

Lord Pingzi...

lt's the late lord's favorite young servant...

Qi Sigong!

That little boy

My father ordered that...

...this boy would be buried with him! Get him back!

Yes

Over there! Poisoned-arrow!

Help!... Master! Master...help me!

Teacher, in your opinion...

...could the Kingdom of Lu grow stronger...

...by emulating the Dukedom of Qi?

Your Majesty

The people of Qi obey the law...

...because they fear punishment

lf we respect the law because we're civil, honest...

...and have integrity and dignity, isn't that much better?

When honorable and credible men are given office...

...theft and corruption will disappear

Men who care for their parents and children...

...also care for others

Men should perform their duties while women would be given a home and family

Then orphans and widows, the old, the sick...

...and the weak would be taken care of

Then the people will live well and work cheerfully

Universal peace and harmony will reign!

Mother!

Don't close it! Let me out! Lift the stone!

Prepare the meal

Your father has returned

How do you know?

I heard his voice

He'll be surprised I've brought you to see him

Hurry, take this to him

Father

You're back

You've been gone for half the day! Mother and l have been waiting

You haven't eaten yet? You must be hungry

Don't be afraid... Who are you?

l...

l'm Qi Sigong

Child...

Master...

Yan Hui, bring a doctor, quickly

l will

Hurry, call for a doctor

What's this all about?

Master...

As l came here...

...Ji Family troops were chasing this boy

So l rescued him

He was a burial-slave

The Ji Family soldiers want him back

Master, let's avoid trouble

I can leave him with my brother-in-law in the Kingdom of Wei

This might be better for everyone

No, Zilu, he can stay here

Helping others is a measure of bravery

Then Lord Ji Sunsi will be furious

Zilu...

You did the right thing

Stop! What do you think you're doing?

Who are you?

General Gongshan Niu of the city of Βiyi

Search the house!

General Gongshan!

Master...

Kong Qiu...

What do you want?

lt is reported...

...that the Minister's escaped slave is hiding here

lf you don't turn him over to us now...

...it may damage your relations with the Minister!

Minister Kong, a word in private

Minister Kong, I too despise the arrogance of the three Noble Families

Today l can report that l found nothing

You and l should be friends and partners

Together, we could drive out the Noble Families and rule the kingdom ourselves

Tell me

What say you?

Our roads are different

General, it's getting late, you should be on your way

Go!

My lords and ministers...

Everyone has come to observe the Winter Sacrifice

But before we can begin...

...a strange occurrence demands explanation...

Yesterday, the officer responsible for the sacrifice of birds...

...reported that one of the ten pheasants...

...prepared for the ceremony...

...had pecked off its own tail!

So today l must seek your exalted opinion

Ought we to cancel the ceremony?

Or delay?

I wish to speak

Speak, Shu Sunwu

ln my opinion...

...since the Winter Sacrifice marks the most important sacrifice at year end...

...it must not be delayed nor canceled!

We address the gods through this ceremony

The omen reflects a message from Heaven

Therefore, the pheasant should be spared from sacrifice

To do otherwise would disrespect heaven

We must obey the will of heaven...

...and allow this bird to live

Kong Qiu, what is your view?

Your Majesty...

Your humble servant fully agrees with Lord Shu's opinion

Then... you ministers?

Your humble servants also agree with the Ministers' opinions

Since all are in agreement, so be it!

Let the pheasant be released...

...into the mountain forests

Your Majesty, your humble servant wishes to speak

Speak

l request...

...an end to the evil ritual of burying living servants...

...with their deceased master

Kong Qiu...

Why do you make such a request?

Βecause today your humble servant...

...is pleading for this slave's life!

Which slave?

Him!

Uncle...

lsn't that the slave who ran away from your home?

Kong Qiu!

He was my family's slave

You brazenly took him into your house!

How dare you?

Master...

Minister, please pardon him

This boy should not accompany...

...Lord Ji Yiru to the grave...

Don't you always approve of observing...

...our ancient traditions? This is just one of them!

Minister...

Βenevolence is love towards our fellow men

A ritual murder is still murder, even if it complies with tradition!

Lord Shu

You showed benevolence towards a pheasant

Now I ask you...

Surely you must also speak up...

...for this wounded boy?

We come today...

...only to discuss the Winter Sacrifice

This matter is unrelated!

No, there is a close relationship!

The Zhou code of ethics teaches us to value human life above all

The burial of slaves was practiced in barbarous times

It was outlawed in our dynasty when the Zhou reign commenced

Our Kingdom of Lu is the ancient home of the Duke of Zhou...

...and known for its ethics

We should think afresh and abandon outdated traditions

Your Majesty, my lords...

On my own life...

...I ask that you spare this young slave

Kong Qiu!

lt was Lord Ji Yiru's dying wish that...

...those he loved should die with him

It is not cruel to bury this slave

Rather, it demonstrates the Minister's filial piety!

His love for his father!

General Gongshan! I know...

...you served Lord Ji Yiru for years

l hear he said many times that...

...he could not live without you

Right, that's correct

Given how close you were to him...

...he must still need you now that...

...he has passed on to the next life

If you were willing to accompany your lord in death...

...I could not object to you taking...

...this young slave with you

You...

What say you?

You ... you're mad! You...

lt seems the General is not willing to serve his master beyond the grave

He imposes on others what he will not impose on himself

Your Majesty, your humble servant has no more to say

The scholar's words seem to be profound!

l suppose...

Approved! Release him

Great! You need never go back to the house of Ji

Second bow

Βoy... Don't cry, stand up

Qi Sigong, What's wrong?

Are you alright?

I'm not crying

May l really stay here?

Alright now, this is a special day

Zilu, let's drink to it

Good! Ziqian, Βoniu, help me fetch the wine

Βoy, come here

This is now your home

They are all your brothers

They will take care of you

I know, Master, l know

So we're family now!

Master, l could hardly believe it...

...when Ji accepted your proposal

Here comes the wine

Come, what about you?

l have this

Drink all you like. Very well, drink up!

It tastes horrid!

Your Highness...

Making Kong Qiu a minister with many responsibilities...

...will surely strengthen the Kingdom of Lu

And their strength threatens us in the Dukedom of Qi

Lu's strength is a threat to Qi

For almost one hundred years...

...all rulers of Qi have dreamed...

...of conquering Lu

Clearing our way to the western border

Kong Qiu has already asserted his authority in the Lu court

Your Highness, perhaps we should call a meeting...

...to congratulate Lu

We could invite the ruler of Lu and Kong Qiu...

...to Jiagu on our border

Kong Qiu is a man of letters, unfamiliar with military affairs

He knows ethics, not bravery!

During the ceremony, we'll take Lu's ruler hostage

Then we can discuss how the ruler and...

...the three Noble Families can submit to Qi's will!

An excellent proposal!

Minister Li, prepare a formal invitation...

...to the ruler of Lu

Invite him to Jiagu to discuss forming a new alliance between our states

Despatch it immediately!

Yes, Your Majesty

This meeting at Jiagu...

...is my first challenge as a minister

It is a matter of honor or humiliation, gain or loss

And it will have significant consequences!

Yan Hui...

His Majesty agrees that you should...

...take charge of the ceremony

Ensure that both parties have equal ground and equal respect

l will

Zilu...

Master...

You and Zigong will be the only men to carry swords on the meeting platform

Guard His Majesty carefully, regardless of what happens

Understood!

Ran Qiu...

Master

Go in advance to Jiagu...

...to inspect the area around the meeting platform

Look for any hiding places

What do you want me to do, Master?

Master, the military commanders are here

Our respects, Minister of Law

Please...

Qi specified the place for the alliance talks

It's known as a ravine

A dead end

l'd like you to bring chariots nearby...

...in case we need them

Minister, we're headquartered in barracks

We have only carriages at our command, no war chariots

Minister Ji and General Gongshan Niu...

...control them all

Minister...

l hear that the Prime Minister and Gongshan Niu...

...are holding an archery tournament in Biyi...

Very well...

Then l'll have to pay them a visit!

Master, we're approaching Βiyi

Master, they say that Βiyi...

...has more mounted soldiers and slaves...

...than any other city in Lu

Be advised!

Those who shirk labor, within three days...

...will be dragged out and put on public display

Compete at what?

Archery

Please

The alliance talk between Lu and Qi is a serious matter

Can Your Lordship provide army chariots to protect our ruler...

and show our might?

How many?

500

Isn't it supposed to be an alliance meeting?

Why do you need such a show of force?

As Zhou Gong taught us...

"Βack up words with weapons"

Qi is a barbarous country...

...which has long wanted to conquer Lu

So we must be prepared!

Good

Then let us have a match

My teacher respectfully requests a match and drinks to you

If you win, l'll grant you...

...500 chariots

The archery match will begin

Please take your places

You have my word

if you win, they're yours

If you lose, you'll get nothing!

Agreed

"A pure heart...

...makes a pure shot"

Right, full score!

A new minister with high ambitions!

Who would have thought that the Biyi city walls would be more than 18 feet high?

Built to conceal their injustices...

...and their onerous taxation!

The tyranny within these walls...

...puts tigers to shame!

Prime Minister, has all this escaped your notice?

Master Ji...

May l ask how Lu stands today?

It might just be that the Ji Family's real enemy is from within

Not across the border

I hear you had no father

Who taught you such fine archery?

My father was a warrior, but he left this world before his time

A diligent student needs no teacher... I taught myself!

Excellent

Right wins

The minister has been most courteous

So you have your 500 chariots...

...for the alliance talks

Address your request to Gongshan Niu

We have a kingdom because we have an army!

And who raised and trained that army?

Not your King of Lu! lt was my Βiyi!

Why should l blindly turn over my chariots to you?

So that you can march my army into the desert and starve them?

We will see

See, what l say doesn't always count

l gave the order...

Βut...

Its implementation is your own concern

Master...

Halt!

Your Majesty! Master!

Greetings, Your Majesty, Master!

Has Gongshan's army moved or not?

l don't know what's happening

Not one soldier or horse has moved yet

Βut that... that cannot be correct?

Ji Sunsi ordered them...

...to deploy days ago

Put our second plan into effect, immediately!

Yes, Master

Go!

Master, Qi has brought so much cavalry...

ls there anything to concern us about this?

Your Majesty, rest assured we're prepared

Since Qi is host and Lu is guest,

we request that the Nobles of Qi descend to welcome...

Your Highness, no undue courtesies

We invite the King of Lu to ascend

Your Majesty...

Lu is the Guest and Qi is the Host

The Zhou Protocols mandate that the nobles of Qi should descend...

Qi initiated the alliance talks

How could Qi dishonor its guests?

Your Highness, Qi and Lu share a close relationship

Our ruler has come to rebuild...

...our brotherly alliance...

Please...

It is our desire to respect each other and forever abandon war!

Although our states have different surnames...

...in reality we are like brothers

With this alliance...

...we will be like a single state!

What Lord Li says is interesting

All the territory and peoples belonged to the emperor

All the ministers and officials were just his servants

Therefore, your excellencies both have responsibility...

...for protecting the Emperor Zhou's ancestral territory

Excellencies, your humble servant advises...

When this alliance is formed...

...each state must commit to aiding the other

Should Qi one day find itself at war...

...Lu would be asked to provide 500 chariots...

...to supplement our army

Excellent idea!

Excellencies

Your humble servant would also like to make a request

An alliance between us...

...should be found on sincerity

And we request...

...the return of the three cities of Wenshang...

...won from Lu thirty years ago in war

l can see your point

Your Majesty

A gentleman's word is golden, your excellency

l thank you for returning our land to us, let's drink to it

Kong Qiu, it seems that you and your Master...

...have no plan to leave here today!

Look

Yan Hui...

Your excellencies

We've come here in peace today

We brought only ten chariots with us

Βut to safeguard the negotiations from any unforeseen threats...

...another 500 chariots are waiting nearby

Need we summon them here?

Look!

Your Majesty!

The advance party is here!

500 chariots are following me to Jiagu

We await your orders

Minister Li,

Do you want to see this ravine run with blood?

If this is how you demonstrate the workings of an alliance...

...who will ever again trust the Dukedom of Qi?

Why are you still standing here?

Dismiss the troops!

Your Majesty

Please forgive my minister's shameful act

May the alliance between us last forever

We make use of one hundred ox carts...

to scare off Qi's five hundred chariots...

Another triumph for our Master!

As he always says...

"Military strategy hinges on innovation and surprise"

Come on, there are drinks waiting!

Our Lady!

What? Has she gone missing again?

Sir, the prince has stormed into the palace

and is arguing with His Majesty again

Our Lady can't be found anywhere

She hasn't passed me

Then what can we do?

This is awful!

Let's go back

Go

Father, I'm almost forty!

l have been prince for almost 20 years

You are getting old,

and our kingdom is stagnating...

...Βut you just won't let go, will you?

Kong Qiu in Lu has a saying...

"Women and servants are hard to raise"

Βut you let a woman meddle in affairs of state!

You let her make decisions!

Madam, you're back...

Your Majesty...

What is so important that the prince needs to see you so urgently?

There's a message from General Gongshan Niu

I wasn't asking you!

This Gongshan Niu, he's an army general...

...with the Ji family in Lu

He wants to know...

...if we'll give him refuge in our kingdom

So Wei is to become a haven for cast-offs now?

That's exactly why l didn't approve

Gongshan Niu is ready to serve us

Why can't we give him refuge?

Giving him refuge would bring no benefit to the Kingdom of Wei

He has served the Ji family for many years...

...and the late Ji Yiru was good to him

Not only was he put in charge of Biyi...

He was exempted from taxes for years!

And now he turns his back on them

What use do we have for a turncoat like that?

I can control him

Learn to control yourself first!

The kingdoms of Lu and Wei depend on each other for their survival

lf we took in Gongshan Niu...

...wouldn't we offend Lu?

Have you forgotten?

The mighty Kingdom of Jin is to our west...

...and the rough Kingdom of Chu is to the south

We have enemies on all sides!

If we lose our main ally...

What then?

Get out

Next time, don't...

If there's a next time...

...you'll no longer be the prince

The prince can't even weigh up gains and losses...

How can I make him the regent?

lnvite Kong Qiu here...

...to teach your prince

Then Wei will be safe

Your Majesty...

Write a formal invitation to Master Kong!

Do you think Master Kong would come?

Master Kong's talents are undervalued

In Lu, the three Noble Families keep his talent in check

Our invitation will be seen as an appreciation of his talent

If he comes, that'll be best

If he doesn't...

...Lu will put him to better use

Lu will prosper, and will bring Qi to heel

That will suit us too...

What is this?

Letters of invitation from both Wei and Qi

We should start using Master Kong better...

...or others will take him

So how should we make use of his talents?

One moment...

This Kong Qiu has no proper line of ancestry

Your Majesty gave him a role in court less than a year ago

First he was mayor of Zhongdu

Then he was appointed Minister of Law

And now we're supposed to promote him even higher?

Does Your Majesty plan to make him a living god?

At the alliance meeting between Lu and Qi...

...Kong Qiu regained territory

Enhanced our national prestige

The whole country praises him for that

Kong Qiu was born a commoner

But your father admitted...

...he is descended from a noble Song family

He won back the Three Cities...

...without using a single soldier or chariot

He may be a mere commoner...

...but his ideal of civility in government works!

When my father died...

...Kong Qiu was made Minister of Law

Now l could vacate...

...the post of lnterior Minister for him

If Your Majesty approves...

...I could serve only as Prime Minister

Very well!

I am glad that our Prime Minister has such respect for talent!

Good!

This is wonderful

When a country is in turmoil...

...it has need of its talents

Besides Kong Qiu...

...most of his disciples are available to serve our country

Master Kong, this is an outdated tradition

The servant l dispatched to the palace has reported secretly

Minister of the Interior Kong Qiu...

...is not focusing on his government work

He's been preoccupied with building the high Wuzi platform

Doesn't he claim it's part of a defense against flooding?

Yes, that's what he says

l do not trust him

l think he has something else in mind

Kong Qiu is a mere commoner

The ruler made him Minister of Law

Now he's made him Acting Minister of the Interior too!

Uncle, l sense a conspiracy here

He did not...did not eat again

Cut off your tongue if you stammer again

Get out

Yes Master

Zhongni, I've made some new black ink for you

lt won't wash off easily

Try it!

Very well!

Teacher, the petition is ready

Please take a look

It is fine!

Gong Βoliao, ready the cart

It's so late! Where are you going?

lt is urgent, I need to go to the Palace

Wake up! Gong Βoliao

Leave me alone!

"Rotten wood is hard to carve!"

Let him sleep!

Master...

You've worked all day and into the night

It's too hard!

lf this is for the betterment of Lu's citizens, I don't mind

Master...

You're ordering city walls to be demolished!

Won't the three Noble Families rebel...

...against your authority?

It's time to curb the power of the Three Families

We must act, and act quickly

Master, I think this is courting great danger!

Yes, Master, this is very dangerous!

Won't you reconsider?

Reconsider what?

Disciples, my late teacher Master Zichan had two fine sayings

Please remember them all your life

"Put your country ahead of your life"

And "Obstacles will be many..."

"...so maintain your strength of spirit!"

What we are doing now...

...is not only for the short term

Minister of the lnterior Kong Qiu is here to see His Majesty

Tomorrow in court...

...your humble servant will call for "Razing the Three City Walls"

"Razing" ? What exactly does that mean?

When the Duke of Zhou ruled these lands, it was established...

...that no fiefdom should build walls...

...around its city more than 18 feet in height

The aim was to prevent the nobles...

...from abrogating power to themselves

Βut in recent decades...

...these three families have made their cities seats of power

And their city walls have grown taller

I humbly propose that the walls of these three cities be razed...

...to reunify the state

That is a serious matter

It will stir up discontent

Can you win this?

If you fail...

...you'll unleash chaos everywhere

Your humble servant did a fortune reading

The reading was "Headless Dragons"

That's very auspicious

To strengthen the throne, the power of the nobles must be reduced

We must cut off the dragons' heads

Serve my man here with the best wine and food

Thank you, Minister, thank you

Didn't I say this would happen?

lt is vicious

"Razing the Three City Walls"!

To pull down our walls is to undermine our strength!

Kong Qiu wants to bring down the fiefdoms of the Three Families

Our fiefdoms?

Have we any fiefdoms?

Maybe Meng's fiefdom still belongs to Meng

Does your fiefdom belong to you? Or General Hou?

ls Βiyi still mine?

Kong Qiu calls for demolition

Fine, that would benefit us

What should we do now?

Laozi teaches us...

"Every gain is balanced by a loss"

Support Kong Qiu!

Raze the three city walls!

More speed!

We must reach Βiyi tonight...

...to see General Gongshan

Come on! Fight! Peck!

Urgent report from the city of Houyi!

Acting lnterior Minister...

Just speak

Yes, sir

Hou Fan, rebel general of Shu Sunwu's territory...

...has escaped from Houyi!

Shu and Zigao's forces have succeeded...

...in tearing down their walls

Excellent! Well done!

Good, we caught them by surprise

The Minister must be congratulated on his famous victory!

Come, drink!

Today we must celebrate

No, it's not over yet

Hou Fan will continue his resistance

Ensure that Shu and Zigao tear down the walls quickly...

...or the rebels will regroup behind them!

As I arrived in the city...

...I saw Zilu and his army encamped nearby

Your Biyi is about to have its walls torn down

You need a plan

Let them tear down the wall!

They'll be leaving the capital undefended!

My plan is to seize the capital...

...execute Kong Qiu and banish the Three Families!

Halt! Halt!

lnspection!

Don't you recognize the Ji banner?

We are delivering Biyi's land taxes to the palace

Open up!

The Minister of Law has ordered that all carts be inspected...

Seize the king of Lu! Slay Kong Qiu!

Seize the king! Slay Kong Qiu! Drive out the Three Families!

Kill them all!

Report! General, the king is not in his palace

Where is he?

It seems he has sought refuge with the Ji family

Find him!

Open the gate! Open it!

ln such a key moment, where is Minister Ji?

He's out for a hunt, Your Majesty, follow me please

Your Majesty, be careful

Don't engage them, just try to hold them back for two hours

Then lure them to the Wuzi Platform

Yes, Minister

Ji picked a fine time to go hunting!

Quick! Kill them all!

Ruler! Kong Qiu! Three Families! Hear this...

Today, in the name of the late Lord Ji Yiru, under heaven's mandate...

l will annihilate all who defy the will of heaven!

Destroy them!

March on!

Kill the king, kill Kong Qiu!

Retreat!

Flames!

Pull!

Release

Report! Minister!

Gongshan Niu and his rebel army are defeated

They are retreating from the capital

Uncle! An urgent report from the capital

lt's just as you predicted

Gongshan Niu was defeated at the Wuzi Platform

Then what are you waiting for?

Send the troops in, capture Gongshan alive

Yes sir!

Take Gongshan Niu alive!

Pull!

Release!

Pull!

Release!

Nobody is demolishing my Chengyi

Why?

Chengyi stands right on the border between Qi and Lu

The high walls of Chengyi serve as a bastion against a Qi invasion

They must not be demolished

How can you go back on your own word?

Didn't you approve the razing of the city walls?

Let him finish

Kong Qiu reclaimed the three cities of Wen Shang

The three cities which used to belong to your family

But were they returned to you?

No, they were handed to the ruler of Lu

Kong Qiu forced General Hou Fan out of the city of Houyi

And who is now in charge of the city?

Zigao, Kong Qiu's disciple

And Biyi? Has it been returned to your family?

No!

Zilu, another of Kong Qiu's disciples, has been put in charge!

See?

And if they now take over my Chengyi...

...it will be handed over to the ruler of Lu

Will there be any land or city left to us?

You Ministers

Are you really willing to give the Kingdom...

...back to the ruler of Lu and Kong Qiu?

Acting Interior Minister

By the order of the Prime Minister

No one is allowed in

Please wait here, I will make a request

Master, those carriages are from the Meng and Shu families

Master! Kong Qiu is requesting to see you

l won't see him

They're all inside

Master...

I'm sure those are Meng and Shu carriages

Master...

Come! Let's drink

All of you should drink more

Listen! Once all the walls have come down...

...we will truly become one big family

Am I right?

Father

How far is the Qi army from our border?

Less than 30 miles

But the Duke of Qi has sent an ambassador, Li Chu...

...bearing gifts

Gifts? What gifts?

80 dancing girls, and more than 100 horses

Has Li Chu made any demands?

He demanded that Kong Qiu be dismissed

Off to the palace, we must see His Majesty tonight

The Acting lnterior Minister is here!

Your Majesty

We cannot pull back now!

We've won back two of the cities, we cannot abandon the third!

Do you know?

Li Chu has 30,000 Qi soldiers amassed on our border...

...ready to invade

lf they form an alliance with the city of Chengyi...

...we will be encircled

Βut you have proclaimed the razing of the three city walls, Your Majesty!

A man of high principles must be willing to die by his word!

He cannot bend his principles to save his life!

Who will be left to care about ethics if we're defeated in battle?

Victory and defeat are what matter...

Not ethics!

Don't you remember?

My father Prince Zhao was driven out of Lu by the Three Families

He died in exile!

lf the Three Families turn against me now...

...my fate will be much worse than his

Your Majesty!

Say no more!

I have supported you for the past one hundred days

And so did the Ji family

Last night Ji came to see me

His words implied more than they said

If the walls of Chengyi are demolished...

...it seems the Qi army will seize the chance to occupy the city...

...with an army of 30,000

Everything will be reduced to chaos

Kong Qiu, Kong Qiu...

You should follow my example sometimes

Play a little stupid

Didn't your revered Laozi teach...

Accomplish everything...

...by doing nothing

Kong Qiu, the times are out ofjoint

Chaos is everywhere

Βut you still go your own way

With your rituals, music, benevolence and harmony

l'm so ashamed

I've achieved nothing

Then stop trying

Men habitually long for fame and authority

But such aims should detain no man for long

Then what should l, your pupil, do?

l cannot hang useless on the door-beam like a dried-out gourd...

...making no contribution to the world

Maybe no contribution is the true contribution

The weak survive, the mild persist...

Nothing is softer than water

And yet aggression and force never triumph over water

So be like water!

The Master's words are profound, but I must be loyal to my chosen path

The Master's way is magnificent and shapeless

lt's beyond time and space

Βeyond all worldly matters

But my dao keeps me in the world of men

Then tolerate the misunderstandings of those in your world

Unlike those who are rich...

...l have no gold to give

Only this simple advice

The sacrifices for the year's end ceremonies are over

Has the sacrificial meat been distributed to the nobles and officials?

Yes, it has

And as you ordered...

...none went to Kong Qiu's household

Father...

Have some of this

No point in waiting

I don't think we will be getting sacrificial meat this year

My lord...

What is it?

My master wishes to see the king

His Majesty has no time for him

Well, give this to Kong Qiu

Don't say l sent it

Tell him it comes from His Majesty himself

Kong Qiu is a clever man

When he sees this...

...he'll understand

Yes, Master, I'll take it to him now

And this too!

Enough to buy yourself a piece of good land

Go home now, understand?

Yes, sir!

Come

Stable the horses from Qi

lt's going to rain soon

Yes, sir. Untie the horses and bring them into the stables!

Father! Gong Boliao came back

The King told him to bring this to you

A parted jade!

Father, why would the King send this?

Parted jade... A parting gift

Someone wants me to leave

Did this come from the King himself?

That's what he said, Father

Gong Βoliao handed this to me and then left

He said he wouldn't be coming back

Find a chance to return my robe of office and the crown to the king

Father...

The crown symbolizes ethical behavior

You have always treasured it

It's no longer important

Father, please wait till the rain stops

Please at least wait for your disciples

Look after your mother!

Master!

Yan Hui... How did you get here?

The master is the body, the pupil is the shadow

I will stay with my master until the end

To be honest, l don't know where l'm going

Master...

Yan Hui, you have talents

You would have no trouble finding a good position in court

Βut if you come with me...

...you'll have no home or family

You will always regret it...

No, l won't!

Yan Hui, look...

There are nothing but hardships ahead

No prospects for a fortunate life

Only a vast wilderness

Aren't you afraid?

Tell me, in what respect am l wrong?

May l speak frankly?

Of course

Master, you were wrong...

...to put all your faith in the ruler of Lu

Master, you once told me...

...that if a man cannot change the world...

...then at least he should try to change himself from within

Good... well said

The humanity I sought stands before me, my complaints are groundless

Master, Ran Qiu and l had some duties to finish

That's why we're late getting here

That's right, Master. Look...

We've brought all your scrolls

Master! Without me, who will drive your cart?

And, as I've said before, with me at your side...

...nobody will dare be rude to you!

That's true

Master!

Who would have thought he snores louder than l do

Let's go

I am the special representative of the ruler of Wei

I am instructed by His Majesty and the Royal Consort to welcome you to Wei

Our Kingdom greets Master Kong and his followers

Master, what is your impression of Wei so far ?

Compared to Lu, Wei has a larger population

Yes, a larger population makes it more difficult to govern

There is more potential for disorder

Tell me, how can my government remedy this problem?

Βy making sure the common people have their due share of prosperity

The vast majority of them are quite prosperous

And yet there are signs of social disorder everywhere

Then the moral climate is not good...

The people need education!

Good! Good!

The master is truly a sage!

Then I hereby invite the Master to teach in our country

We will provide land to build an academy

And 60,000 stones of grain every year

Will that suffice?

Thank you, Your Majesty

And I wish to consult you on one other matter

As you can see...

...our Kingdom of Wei is vulnerable on all four sides

Each one of our neighbors...

...would conquer us if it could

So I invite the Master to train our soldiers

As a mere wandering exile, dare l even speak of soldiering?

But I have heard it said...

...the Master is a brilliant military tactician

lf Your Majesty speaks of sacrificial rituals...

...l do have some small knowledge of them

But of military matters...

...I have no great knowledge at all

Alright, l won't try to force you

Βut there's one thing you absolutely must agree to

Your humble servant is a guest here, your wish is my command

My royal consort Nanzi is eager to see you

You won't say no, will you?

Of course not

Better not to see her

Doesn't Master know? She has a very dubious reputation

This woman is a great beauty

Βut she is a succubus

Her very name taints the kingdom!

Master...

Do you know of this woman's past?

This Nanzi was raised in the house of the ruler of Song

ln Song, she had an affair with the ruler's son, there was a scandal...

This kind of gossip is trivial

Do you know who now runs the Kingdom of Wei?

The King, of course!

I can see it isn't

Wei's internal politics are very chaotic, there are many seats of power

Βut l can see that the real power behind the throne...

...is Nanzi

What kind of a man is this Kong Qiu?

In my view...

...just poor and disheveled scholar

His only pleasure is in books and rituals

Poor he may be, but we could build up friendship

This Kong Qiu is a worthy man

You must treat him well

l still hope...

...one day, we could ask him to be the teacher of our young prince

I have already promised him 60,000 stones of corn every year !

Please be seated, Master...

Our lady will be here soon

Your humble servant greets Madam

You are the famous scholar Kong Qiu?

Master Kong, please be seated

Thank you, madam

I have heard one of your axioms is " true benevolence is the love of mankind "

Does this " benevolence "...

...extend to a woman with a reputation like mine?

l hear that you are teaching "The Βook of Odes" here

Yes, I am!

l also love poetry

That line...

"A beauteous lady, a gentleman's fine match"

Can you tell me what that means?

The poem means

"Even while courting, a gentleman observes all proprieties"

Of the 300 poems in "The Book of Odes"...

...so many speak of love!

All 300 have one underlying point

ln true love, there is no evil

l have liked poetry since I was a child

Will you take me as your student ?

I have taken on a new student in Wei, his name is Βu Shang

Although still quite young, he is some sort of prodigy

While studying "The Book of Odes" under me, he has shown much insight

So l humbly recommend that he becomes your study-companion

Our ministers consider your theories...

...of civility in government to be impracticable

Do you truly believe they can work?

Ruling with civility will benefit the state, its community, and its people

Why should it not be practicable?

Without civility, a state will descend into chaos

Males are born lascivious

Their desires lead them into war and bloodshed

Since this is their nature...

...it will be hard to rein them in

The hardness of the task is the measure of the gentleman

Oh, Master, do you really believe...

...that a gentleman's personal morality...

...is the most important thing?

My belief is that a man who wakes up living a life of civility...

...will go to his death a justified man

Master, will you stay longer in our country? May we meet again?

That would not be convenient

How so? Why inconvenient?

Βecause l have not yet seen anyone...

...who puts principles before licentiousness

Worldly people could probably come to understand the master's sufferings

But few will ever truly grasp...

...the depth and breadth of those sufferings...

It seems we should leave Wei now

Why's that?

This land will soon descend into chaos

Worldly people could probably come to understand the master's sufferings

But few will ever truly grasp...

...the depth and breadth of those sufferings...

That's scholar Kong! Let's take a look at him!

Βy order of Commander Huan, Kong Qiu and his followers must leave the Kingdom of Song immediately

Second bow, third bow...

Master, please begin

Poetry, books, ethics, music...

...a gentleman must understand all these

So today we will begin a review of our practices

Rulers should treat ministers with courtesy...

...as ministers should serve rulers with loyalty

Loyalty and filial piety...

...are the keys to humanity and harmony

All professions may prosper

Close to home, attend your parents

Further afield, placate your neighbors

There is also much to learn...

...including the names of birds, beasts, grasses and trees

Βy order of Commander Huan Kui...

Leave the Kingdom of Song!

Stop!

The tree is coming down! Watch out!

Master, let's quickly leave

Master, we must go!

Excuse me, friends...

Where's the river crossing?

The river crossing?

Who's that man sitting on the cart?

That's Master Kong

Master Kong?

The famous Kong Qiu from Lu?

Indeed!

lsn't he supposed to know everything?

Then he should know where the river crossing is

You fellows should stay here are become farmers...

...instead of wandering around with him!

Avoid all the trouble out there!

That's right! Stay here as farmers!

Yeah, stay out of politics like us!

Let's go

Let's move on, we will ask for direction later

Fei, is there any news of Kong Qiu?

They say he spent some time in Wei...

...then went to Zheng and is now in the Kingdom of Chen

"ln time of war, we need generals..."

"ln time of trouble, we need thinkers"

Βack when we held the alliance meeting...

...Kong Qiu won back the three cities without waging war

But we sent him into exile

Now it's clear that Qi tricked us

With our ruler dead and a mere child on the throne...

...Qi seizes the chance to invade us

Our strength is not what it was

If it comes to war, we have no outstanding general

Now l have a mission for you

Βring Kong Qiu back to Lu!

Father, we mistreated Kong Qiu before

We forced him into exile

If we invite him back now...

...people will mock us

We could invite his disciple Ran Qiu back first

He is Kong's foremost disciple, he has good military skills

He would know how to counter the Qi army

Alright, invite Ran Qiu back first

Wake up, Master! lt's terrible!

The Kingdom of Wu is invading! We have to leave at once!

Have you seen an elderly foreigner?

There's someone outside the city's East Gate

The Qi army is poised to attack Lu

Master...

Lord Ji asks you to allow Ran Qiu to come back to protect Lu

Master...

Please agree, for the sake of Lu!

Master, we cannot let Ran Qiu go!

They turn to us only when they're in trouble!

Remember how badly they treated us!

How did you find me?

An old farmer told us...

...he saw a foreigner near the East Gate

"A forehead like King Yao's..."

"Shoulders like Zichan's..."

"Had the air of an important man..."

"...but looked as scraggy as a stray dog"

We guessed it was you

I'm not brave enough to be important

And my features don't resemble anyone famous

But that old farmer got it just about right when he said "stray dog"!

Master, you teach us to practice what we learn

Our homeland is in peril!

The Prime Minister asks Ran Qiu to return

Lu's very survival is at stake

As men of Lu, we cannot stand idly by

Well said, Yan Hui

Lu is in danger, I should allow you to return...

...to save the kingdom from disaster

Ran Qiu

You should go

I will wait for good news from you

Master, once the battle is won...

...l'll come back for you

Pull!

Greetings, Prime Minister

Father...

General Ran has lived up to our hopes

He has routed the Qi army in the Βattle of Lang

The Qi army has retreated back across the border

This won't go unrewarded

I will petition the king to put you in charge of the Wen Shang Cities

Prime Minister, this simple man does not want charge of the Three Cities

l only have one simple request

Speak

My teacher, Master Kong...

...has been wandering for many years

He's destitute, but goes on teaching

Βut there has never been a moment...

...when the Kingdom of Lu wasn't in his thoughts

This simple man's request...

...is that you have him invited back to Lu

Well...

l 'll need to discuss your request with His Majesty

l fully recognize your talents

Stay here as our retainer

No more aimless wandering with Kong Qiu

Look, a nine-tailed sparrow!

Seeing that bird fly past...

...means there must be a village not far ahead

Really? That's great!

We can finally get some food in our bellies!

Hurry, everyone!

Quick! l'm dying of hunger!

Nobody around...

Looks like this is another village torched by the Cai army

We're all very tired...Clean this place up a bit

l think we can spend the night here

Master, look...

It seems that the Cai troops have us trapped in this valley

Master...

I've found a small mountain path

lt's very narrow, but I think it may lead down the mountain

Why don't I see where it leads?

l might be able to find some food

Or at least someone who can help us

You can all rest here and wait for me

Zigong, you always find a way!

Come back soon

Let's go, Zigao

Father, doesn't heaven reward those who are kind?

What wrong have we done to deserve this?

How is it...

...that heaven allows us to starve like this?

He's right!

Master is wise

Maybe some cannot understand...

...because their thinking is too backward

Master taught us...

"Only in winter..."

"...does the pine tree show its true strength"

Master has been playing that instrument for days now

Yes, as if the music would fill his belly!

Master, you haven't eaten for days

This soup is the last of the horsemeat

Please drink some

Are you alright, brother?

Βrother...

Zilu, drink some soup

Master, I'm not hungry... you have some

Look, l'm having some, you have a little too

Each of us should have a little

l'm not hungry... you have some

Master, at last you're awake! Master ...

Are you alright? Master!

Master, l'm back at last

You were gone for seven days! If you'd come back one day later ...

...you might have been too late!

Master, you're awake

Zigong, tell me...

What's happening out there?

Master, we left the valley

We were hunted down, we almost died

Thanks to Yan Zhuoju, Zilu's brother-in-law...

He brought others to rescue us

That's when we found out how chaotic the world has become

Men from Wu have conquered the Kingdom of Zheng

Men from Chu have devastated the Kingdom of Cai

The people of Cai were forced to move south

Come on, help me, quickly!

Master...

The ruler of Wei is dead, and his successor greatly respects Zilu

He wants to appoint him governor of the city of Puyi

What are you men waiting for?

I'm waiting for a roast gigot of lamb!

Let's boil the water and start cooking!

I am proud to see one of my students so honored

But "Enter not a dangerous state, dwell not in a chaotic state"...

The political situation in Wei is not stable

To be frank, I do not much approve of your taking this post

Master, just wait for me to show my mettle in Puyi

Then I'll be able to raise a powerful army

l will deal with the chaos inside Wei...

...and appoint you the new Prime Minister!

Undue haste has no place in politics!

Zilu, you are headstrong and demanding...

That's very dangerous in this chaotic world!

Master, I know this

But my "undue haste" reflects my wish...

...to realize your ideals...

...of harmony and civility in government

An official wears his robes of office...

...but it's his inner character and spirit which reflect his true mettle

Never forget this

Don't look at...

...listen to, speak to, or do anything...

...which offends propriety

Master's words will stay with me all my life!

Qi Sigong, take care on the road

Master!

Take care of yourself, Master, your students bid you fare well!

Master...

What's that sound?

The ice is cracking! Hurry up! Move!

Yan Hui!

Hui, where are you? Hui...

Hui...

Yan Hui...

Yan Hui...Come back up!

Master, please eat something

lt has been eight hours...

He will not revive, Master

Let go, Master

Master!

Please eat something

Kong Qiu hasn't come back

Father, I have sent men to look for him

It's reported that they're approaching the border

He will never forgive what l did to him

Go in my place...

When you see him...

...give him this

He'll come when he sees this

Master

Qi Sigong

Why are you back alone? Where is Zilu?

Βrother Zilu ...

Brother Zilu...

He's dead

Wei is in chaos, Yang Hu from the Kingdom of Jin has invaded...

Zilu tried to protect the young heir to the Wei throne

He went out to face the invaders alone

He...

He was killed!

Master says " When a gentleman dies..."

"...he should maintain his dignity"

Well said

Zilu, well said

Mighty Zilu!

You were a true gentleman!

My father asked me to present Master with this jade

Master Kong, my father... he...

He is dying

Master!

I've found you at last!

Ran Qiu, you've found your way here?

Master, I...

Master, Minister Ji has been too sick to attend court for many years

I'm afraid he has not long to live

When he thinks back...

...he deeply regrets having forced you into exile

He has sent his own son to invite you back

He hopes to apologize to you in person

Master, please come back to Lu

A ring ofjade...

Stand up

Master, for the sake of Lu's future... Come home!

l... can return

Βut you must tell them...

...that l only want to teach

They must no longer trouble me...

...with politics

l will stress this point to him

We will respect your wish

Master...

Start packing up, we are going home

We're going home!

We can finally go back to Lu!

Father, Master Kong is on his way

He'll be here soon

Go! Welcome him on my behalf

We're home, we're finally home!

Lu...

We're back

Lu, land of my parents...

I have finally returned

Master...

Did you say something?

Oh... nothing

Pack up "The Spring and Autumn of Lu" and have it delivered

Yes

If the world will come to know me, it will be through this book

If the world will think ill of me ...

...it will also be because of this book