Original subtitles

♪ Birds over the clouds ♪

♪ Horses over the steppe ♪

♪ Misty rain, armor suit ♪

♪ Flower blossom under the moon breeze ♪

♪ When did the universe start? ♪

♪ Who will the moon shine on? ♪

♪ Spring breeze sprouts buds in trees ♪

♪ breathes new life in me ♪

♪ Love is a song, passion a painting ♪

♪ Dream falls at the flower of my hairpin ♪

♪ Been around the world, seen it all ♪

♪ Have the universe under my sleeve ♪

=The Legend of Xiao Chuo=

=Episode 1=

Khitan means iron.

The people who live on this vast steppe

wish themselves to be stiff as iron.

(Year 27 of Tonghe, Youzhou City, Yanyun Terrace) We tended our horses and sheep.

We fought with snow and storms.

And we left the world with the legends we created.

(Year 5 of Tianlu, Guihua Plain, Mount Xianggu)

The story begins here.

Emperor Shizong betrayed traditional institution,

appointed a lady from the South as his Empress.

He showed it to everyone

his determination to inherit the Han system.

But he didn’t notice

oppositions from the dignitaries to his reform.

(Emperor Shizong of Liao dynasty:Yanlu Ruan) (Empress Shizong: Empress Zhen)

The blood stained sacrifice,

agitated the destinies of me,

and all that around me.

(Empress Shizong: Xiao Sagezhi)

(18 years later)

At the very beginning,

all I wanted was to prove that Khitan women

could be no less brilliant than men.

First,

I need the best horse of the steppe.

Come on!

Molugu!

(Xiao Yanyan) (Daughter of Prime Minister Xiao Siwen)

(Molugu) (Son of Yelü Hugu)

Yanyan.

You should just give up.

You are not going to win.

You are so not qualified to be my suitor.

Just say yes.

And I promise, even if you want the stars,

I will get you the stars.

Marry him!

Marry him!

Sure.

Marry him!

I can promise you right now.

Are you being serious?

But

you have to

get me the star

right now.

Any one of them.

Go get it.

Go get it!

Go do it!

Even if I can get you the stars,

I have to wait until night.

Got any other options?

OK then.

You have to

beat me first.

If I can win,

you have to marry me.

Molugu, I’m telling you,

if you lose to me again today,

that horse of yours

will be mine.

It’s a deal.

Nice!

Way to go, nice!

Great, go Yanyan!

Nice job!

Way to go!

(Army Camp of Liao in Youzhou City)

He who does right, people follow him without being ordered.

He who does wrong, people disobey him even being ordered.

He who does right, people follow him without being ordered.

He who does wrong, people disobey him even being ordered.

He who does wrong,

people follow him without being ordered.

He who does wrong, people disobey him even being ordered.

Now move!

I didn’t expect in such a short time,

Han Derang

has made all these mobs

such disciplined.

Look out!

The horse got out!

Look out!

The horse got startled!

The horse is on rampage!

Be careful! Go help him!

Out of the way! Let me get it!

Are you OK?

Watch it!

Be careful! Hold it down!

Get out of its way!

Are you OK? How are you?

Come on!

Come one, watch out!

Get out of the way!

Watch out, sir!

Be careful!

Be careful, sir!

Be careful, sir.

Be careful.

Sir!

Are you all right, sir?

Are you all right, sir?

Yes, great!

Your Excellency.

This horse just got here.

It’s not been trained yet.

I apologize for it disturbed you.

Please forgive me.

This is a great horse.

It does need some good training though.

Since it was tamed by Commander Han.

You can surely have the horse.

The horse is black on the body,

white on the hooves.

It’s like dark clouds

crushing down on the snow of the mountain.

I’ll call you Cloud Snow.

From now on,

you’ll be my horse.

By the way,

your father

sent you this

from the capital.

Thank you, General.

Derang.

It’s getting late and all I can see is blue.

It’s been years since we parted and I miss you so.

I wish you can return to us as soon as possible.

From Mingyi.

Today

is the day to worship our ancestors.

You bear the blood of a family slave.

How dare for you to come?

Why can’t I come here!

I can come here, I definitely can!

Stop it!

You are of the royal family Yelü.

You can’t be a bully.

You are a royal!

(Molugu) You can’t be hanging out with these slaves!

Our emperor once said,

(Young Hen Derang) Liao’s people,

regardless of their ethnics and status

are all equal.

(Young Yelü Xian) Molugu,

are you trying to be a disgrace

of us Yelü family?

You should leave now.

Before I lay my whip on you.

Thank you so much.

I am Han Derang. What about you?

I heard

then called you King Mingyi.

Are you a prince?

From now on,

we are good friends.

You can just call me Mingyi.

Mingyi.

I would love to be your friend.

Friendship forever.

Derang.

Take a look at my goods.

Let’s enter the city.

One more!

Nice!

Great lamb for sale!

Pots and bowls here.

Fabulous wine!

Nice!

Get him down, get him!

Great!

Please come have a look.

Welcome to my store.

Have a look.

It’s got tippy ears like bamboo stick.

This is the best horse of the steppe.

My stall!

Is this horse yours?

Did it scare you?

My apologies.

I just got this new horse today.

But now it got startled by yours.

I don’t care.

I want your horse as a compensation.

Sorry that it startled you.

My name is Derang.

Please do accept my apology.

However,

this horse is a tough one.

I don’t think you can get it under control.

You can just give it to me.

I will have my way.

I’m not

taking the advantage of yours.

I can pay for it.

It’s not for sale.

Just name your price.

You really want it?

Sure.

The best horse in the capital

goes by a tael of gold.

Mine would be six.

And I thought it would be expensive.

Here’s ten.

You can have them all.

I don’t want your money.

You can’t handle the horse!

I can handle

every single horse on this steppe.

Be careful!

Watch out!

Look out!

Get out of the way!

Move out of my way!

Move!

My stall!

Get out of the way!

Get out of the way!

Move, move!

The time has come.

Execution may begin.

Someone broke in!

Stop there! Who is that?

Look out!

She is to destroy the execution!

Get her down!

Stop it!

Stop it now!

Don’t move! Who are you?

Your Excellency,

this is nothing but a misunderstanding.

We’re not here for the execution.

The horse got startled

and led us here by mistake.

Take down both of them.

Wait!

Your Excellency.

It was all a mistake.

We are with

Prime Minister Siwen.

I am Xiao Yanyan,

daughter of Prime Minister Xiao Siwen.

Who dares to take me down!

Step back.

You are daughter of Prime Minister Siwen?

This token is authentic.

What about him? Who is he?

Come and take him down!

Frisk him.

How many times have I told you?

When you go out,

always bring the token with you.

You never remember.

Yes, miss.

Your Excellency.

This is my horseman.

He’s too dumb to know the courtesy.

It was his misconduct

that caused you trouble.

Please spare his life.

Well...

I’m more than glad to do so.

But I don’t know what to say

if King Taiping asks me about this.

Please rest assured.

I will remember

your favor.

I believe

father would be the same.

Please say thank you to Lord Siwen for me then.

For the sake of Lord Siwen,

I’ll spare this horseman today.

Yes, Your Excellency.

Thank you very much.

Who are you?

How can you recognize my family emblem?

Xiao family is famous.

Please do forgive my behavior.

Well then,

see you around.

Don’t leave yet.

How may I help you?

Your horse

startled mine.

I saved your life back there.

Compensation plus a thank-you present,

I’ll say

it’s worth this horse.

I appreciate

your saving my life.

These ten taels of gold,

please do take them back.

What if I just have to get it today?

The horse is of bad temper.

It almost got you killed.

If it’s

like this,

then I won’t be

that into it.

Goodbye.

I just saved you!

You’re gonna turn your back on me now?

Which south tribal troop

do you belong to?

Is that a joke?

Even though you’re in casual outfit.

But from your saddle

and the stirrups,

you’re definitely from

the army family in south,

or at least army related.

What you were questioned,

you didn’t show them your pass.

Which means you entered the city.

without any official documents.

That being said,

you’re here without permission.

Or

you have something to hide.

If I take you

to the warden

to question you.

You will

be done.

That won’t be necessary.

If you really like this horse,

I’ll give it to you.

If that’s what you want,

thank you then.

Careful!

(Xiao Wuguli) (Second daughter of Prime Minister Xiao Siwen)

Hurry up.

Everyone is waiting for you.

You’re taking way too long to answer it.

I’m out.

Riddles are of no fun.

It’s definitely no fun if you don’t know the answer.

A bet is a bet.

Come on.

Give me that

gold hairpin of yours.

Who said it’s a bet?

It’s just a game.

You rely

on your identity as daughter of the clan master,

took advantages of us every time.

Exactly.

I didn’t take advantages of anyone.

The rules are agreed by all of us.

You made up the rules yourself.

Exactly. It was her all the time.

I beg your pardon?

You always rob people on their favorites.

We don’t like you from the beginning.

You!

Give it back to me!

No way!

This is mine. Give it back to me!

Let go of me!

It’s a bet!

This should be mine!

No!

It’s mine, give it to me!

Give it to me. Give it to me!

Let go of me!

You know what?

The way we do it here,

we fight with our fists, not our status.

Sure, like I’m afraid!

Come on!

Bring it!

Stop it.

I aim’t afraid of you.

Stop it

First Daughter’s coming.

Here comes the First Daughter.

First Daughter.

(Xiao Hunian) (First Daughter of Prime Minister Xiao Siwen)

Sister!

They ate their words!

All right.

The First Daughter of Prime Minister’s also here.

Let’s take a good look today

on the manner

of the Prime Minister’s family.

Guiyin.

First Daughter.

Return all of these to them.

Sister, they are the ones who...!

Guiyin.

Yes, ma’am.

Wait.

The elder does know better.

Our family

takes advantages of no one.

But we won’t be bullied either.

It’s you who suggested the riddle.

It’s also you who went back on the words.

I admit

I suggested

to bet on the jewels.

But I lost

because the riddle was from Wuguli.

If you really want to be fair,

then I’ll come up with the riddle.

Everybody said you’re with both wisdom beauty.

Let us all

see it today.

That’s right.

Maybe she’s just in vain.

If I win today,

you’re going to bow and apologize to Wuguli.

Deal.

Stepping on thousand rivers.

Spreading out all the sands.

Startling the birds in the forest.

Breaking flowers in the garden.

Fall the autumn leaves.

Bloom the February flowers.

Cause hundred-feet high waves.

Tilt thousand bamboo shots.

What is that?

Another riddle?

I don’t understand.

Of course, you don’t.

The answer to her riddle

is wind.

As for my sister,

both her hint

and answer are wind.

Take that.

It was me who did wrong today.

Your family is indeed knowledgeable.

I lost.

The Xiao family is well-educated.

Yeah.

My sister

also had her breach with etiquette.

Let’s forget about the bet.

You can take

your jewels back.

Our fathers work together for our country.

We should watch out for our manners.

So that

not to put our families

into unnecessary dilemmas.

What you said it’s true.

I apologize for my behaviors today.

It won’t happen again.

Let’s go. Let’s go.

Let’s go home.

Come on.

Let’s go.

Sister.

Well, you established your status.

But all those things I won,

I didn’t have anything left.

You talk to me like that?

I’m so not helping you the next time.

Father

taught us with etiquette and manners.

Ye you’re

out here gambling.

Sister.

Please

don’t tell dad about this.

Please.

Sister.

By the way,

Hunting Ceremony is about to start.

Yanyan

might already be there.

Let’s go meet her.

I

really don’t know what to do with you two.

(Royal palace of Liao in Shangjing)

Master,

His Majesty sent you

a new set of backgammon.

This is the Victory Chess made in Youzhou.

It’s best

to enjoy it with old friends.

Mingyi.

Brother Han.

All these years,

how have you been?

I’m all good.

You left for Youzhou city

when you were still a teenager.

It’s been so many years.

You must have suffered a lot.

I’m standing

safe and sound right in front of you.

But for you,

all these years,

you must have

gone through a lot.

Back in Mount Xianggu,

Yelu Jing took advantage of the Chage’s rebellion

usurped the throne from my father.

I live

only to

take my vengeance on him.

Now that I’m back.

From now on,

I’ll always be at your side.

Yanyan.

You have a great horse here.

It’s really different.

Of course.

The minute I saw it,

I recognize it.

Besides,

it cost me

ten taels of gold.

Ten taels of gold?

Yanyan,

there are horses everywhere in Liao.

You spent ten taels of gold on it?

Have you been tricked?

It’s enough for me

to buy a whole load of Southern silk.

What’s the use of silk?

My precious is this great horse.

As long I think

it’s worth it,

Even I have to pay thousands of gold,

I still won’t regret.

You want such a good horse

for what?

I have my reasons.

You just wait and see.

After this time’s

archery competition,

everybody on this steppe

will know its name.

Yanyan, don’t make a fool of yourself.

His Majesty

will also be at the game.

I know

His Majesty will be at the game.

And I also know

the winner

of the competition

will be entitled

by His Majesty

as the leader of the royal clan troops.

So at that time,

all the best men

on the steppe

will all be here to attend.

You.

As long as we talk about men,

you got that look on you.

All right, enough with the talks.

Make a wish.

Let the color thread

stay hanging on the branch for a month.

And then take it back home.

It will then protect us from all the bad things.

But sister,

why do we

have to offer sacrifice to a tree?

Look at you.

Knows nothing but clothes and jewels.

It’s very clear in the book.

These trees live by water.

For us nomads,

as long as we see trees,

we knew there must be water nearby.

Once we have water,

we have

the hope of life.

We honor the tree,

as to thank it

for its protection to us Khitans

with our prosperity, peace and auspiciousness.

That is true.

I know.

We can also pray to it

for a great marriage.

All right, enough.

Come and make a wish.

Be sure to say your prayers

while you tie the knot.

Let’s go.

Well, besides

marriage,

can we pray for anything else?

What else do you want?

For us girls,

the most important

is to have a good marriage.

Right, sister?

Yanyan.

Don’t you

have

anyone that you like?

Even just a little bit?

Then I need an identity

to get close to the power center.

To go see

those that we need to see.

Lord Han

will arrange everything for you.

As long as you can win

at the archery game.

To get the title as commander of Royal Clan Troops.

You can get closer

to the inner circle.

Now is the time.

I am the son of Emperor Shizong,

son of Yelü Ruan.

If I want to regain my throne,

I have to have support

from the Empress’ family.

Without their help,

I won’t make it.

But before that,

there is a very important person

that I want to meet.

This jade pendant was owned be the late Emperor.

It represents the presence of the Late Emperor.

Yanyan.

You’re not done yet?

I don’t want to do it.

Why?

All we do

is tying knots here

and praying.

But if we really don’t

come forward and do something,

then there’ll be nothing for us.

We will have nothing.

What’s wrong with you today?

You look down.

I don’t know if Empress Dowager Shulü

came to do this

and pray

when she’s at our age.

I only know

when she was 14,

she has already married

to Emperor Abaoji.

Since then

she started

to deal with government affairs.

And what about us?

We didn’t do anything.

Aren’t we doing great?

Do you know how many people out there

would envy us on our lives.

I know it’s good.

But if

we live like this for every single day,

don’t you find it boring?

I will never

be like second sister,

let along to be like you.

All I want

is to

to on hunting

and leading the troops on this steppe.

I hope one day

I can be brave like

Empress Dowager Shulü.

I remember father said that

he didn’t want you

to think about these impossible things.

All he wants is for you to be safe.

I believe that’s what mother would want

up there.

Sister, Yanyan.

I know

what kind of wishes you made.

Sister must have prayed

for the safety of the whole family.

Yanyan

is for a happy marriage.

I’m not as boring as you are.

How am I boring?

That’s

what we girls want.

Why do women

have to behave different than men?

It’s like,

why can’t women

join the archery game

like those men would do.

Archery competition

is an important race selecting generals for the army.

Don’t even think about it.

(Liao, Shangjing, Yelü Lihu’s Mansion)

I know all I mentioned

are the past.

But in the current situation,

we have to win over the support

from the royal clans and the Empress’ family.

(Yelü Lihu) (Imperial Uncle)

You’re saying...

I have contacted some of the clans

and gained their support.

Xiyin.

The most important thing right now

is for you to win

at tomorrow’s archery game.

It’s the only way

for us to take control of the army.

Father,

(Yelü Xiyin, son of Yelü Lihu) you can rest assured of this.

I’ve already arranged everything.

Good.

(Capital of Liao, Xiao Siwen’s Mansion)

Spring Hunting is about to start,

Imperial Uncle

would love

to have a private conversation with Lord Siwen.

Await for your reply.

Father.

I asked you here

to address to you,

during the Spring Hunting,

try to stay in.

But father,

then we

would

bored to death inside the tents.

I’m not asking

for your opinion.

What about the archery competition?

It’s the same during the game.

Especially you, Yanyan.

Like a boy,

you’re out there every day,

making all those troubles.

I, I didn’t...

No?

Stop it.

Master, someone outside asking to see you.

Told you I won’t see anyone

before the Spring Hunting.

I told him

you’re not seeing nobody today.

But the man said,

all I need is to say three words,

then you’ll agree to meet with him.

What are them?

Mount Xianggu.

You may leave now.

Let’s go.

Come on.

(Visiting Card)

(From Han Derang)

Husi.

Master.

Let him in.

Yes.

What is Xianggu mountain?

I don’t know.

Sister.

That Xianggu mountain mentioned by Uncle Husi,

what is it?

Why did father fall silent

after he heard that?

Even his face turned pale.

Don’t ever

ask about this again.

This is not only a taboo for our father,

but also the secret of the whole royal family.

It will lead to death.

You!

I already pay you!

I even gave you a horse!

What are you doing here?

I didn’t agree to anything.

You forced the horse from me.

I have to

come to your family

to sort things out.

Can you not be that ridiculous?

You took my money.

Ten taels of gold, all here.

Now you have it.

You can’t be like that!

He’s Derang.

First daughter,

we need you at the family office for the books.

All right.

Go back to your rooms then.

I have

new rouge from the South.

You want to try?

I don’t have time for it right now.

What do you have in hand then?

Are you in trouble again?

What if I am?

I can take the scolds from father

Or he will lock me up for a few days.

I’m used to those anyway.

You’re used to it.

But don’t

get me and sister involved.

I want to see the archery game.

Prime Minister.

You remember

the incident in Mount Xianggu?

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Prime Minister,

has always been willing to carry out the Han system.

But now you see the situation today.

Have you ever considered,

if it was someone else back then,

would our country

be different now?

Do you have any idea

what are you talking about?

Of course, I do.

It’s just that our nation is in danger.

The Prime Minister who dared to act

under the knife of Chage,

now just sit and watch the country fall.

I feel that has the obligation

to remind Your Excellency of the past.

Remember,

these

should never be brought up by you.

Prime Minister Siwen,

make your choice again for our country.

I was entrusted by the owner of this jade pendant.

He wants to meet with you

during the Spring Hunting.

Your Majesty.

After all, Empress Zhen is from the south.

We two countries disagree with one another.

The way I see it,

Empress Zhen

shall not enter the sacrificial chamber.

Both of you

disagree with my decision

to bring Empress Zhen inside?

Your Majesty.

Do you want

(King Wuzhi) to

faster our reform

or

to stable

our reform?

Your Majesty.

I agree

with Lord Wuzhi.

More haste, less speed.

Empress Zhen is indeed brilliant.

Your Majesty, please reconsider it.

Now armies are gathered together under Xianggu,

waiting to take their March.

(Yelü Hugu from Clan Six, Han Kuangsi from Changle) All those clans and kings,

(Yelü Chage, King Taining) they don’t necessarily agree with us.

If they use this as an excuse

to challenge Your Majesty,

even if it doesn’t cause mutiny,

it might still hurt our internal affairs.

Carrying out the Han system

has been a grand project

started from Emperor Taizu Abaoji.

Wuzhi.

What you need to do,

is to clear the obstacles in front of me.

Not to be like them,

a stumbling block to our country.

Do you know

what it means

if I meet with the owner

of the jade pendant?

It means

the future of Liao...

Miss!

Father.

Don’t listen

to his nonsense.

He is never

onto his words.

You can’t give him the money.

Come with me!

Now you have it.

When I get back,

I will definitely be punished

by father.

By the way,

if you really care about that horse,

I’ll just give it back to you.

Although I’m mad at you

coming to my house like this.

But after all,

I took your horse first.

So I will give you a pass.

But

can you wait

after

the archery game?

Miss Xiao, I apologize for my behavior.

You saved my life

back at the execution house.

I haven’t thanked you for that yet.

You can take that horse

as my apology

to you.

You’re giving it to me for free?

You don’t believe

I would give it back to you?

That archery game

is very important to me.

When the game is over,

I will definitely give it back to you.

Miss Xiao.

You don’t have to say no more.

A word of a gentleman cannot be recalled.

By the way,

that horse has a name,

Cloud Snow.

Cloud Snow?

Dark clouds weigh down the snow on top the mountain.

It’s very artistic.

I like it.

But

do remember

what I’m going to tell you next.

If anyone

comes to ask you about today,

just say

I came to your house

for the horse money.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Long story short.

It’s for the good of both you

and your family.

And,

you take care

of my Cloud Snow.

Of course I would.

Wait until the next time you see it.

You will know how good I’ll be with it.

♪ Who wrote the love down with affection ♪

♪ Who got drunk with thoughts on horse back ♪

♪ Song of her across land and sea ♪

♪ Lingers on and beyond the men’s world ♪

♪ Like a bird over the waves ♪

♪ Still be the same as we meet again ♪

♪ Exchange our love and passion ♪

♪ Fill two hearts with happy ending ♪

♪ You and I, from now to the end of time ♪

♪ The watch at night, dawn at the skyline ♪

♪ Two beating hearts, a never ending story ♪

♪ Unbending belief, bothered by none ♪

♪ All the joy of the universe at your blink ♪

♪ Like a bird across the clouds ♪

♪ World shimmers at me ♪

♪ Love without regret ♪

♪ Fear for no danger ♪

♪ What a brilliant life ♪

♪ Like a bird over the waves ♪

♪ Still be the same as we meet again ♪

♪ Exchange our love and passion ♪

♪ Fill two hearts with happy ending ♪

♪ You and I, from now to the end of time ♪