Original subtitles

Nian Gengyao.

Nian Gengyao.

Nian Gengyao.

Nian Gengyao.

Stop it.

Nian Gengyao.

Teacher.

Nian Gengyao,

you have acquitted yourself well.

I asked my colleagues to thoroughly test your kung fu.

And I'm glad to say you have passed with flying colours.

Thank you for what you've done.

I'll meet you two months from now

at Mount Huashan.

Goodbye.

Nian Gengyao.

You have been with me for seven years now.

Your time has been completed.

You may go.

- Master. - Hmm?

I don't want to leave you, I want to stay.

Two months form now, meet me at the Budai temple

at Mount Huashan.

Isn't that the temple of the abbess who's the head

of the revolutionaries?

That's right.

Master,

my wish is to reestablish the Ming dynasty.

Oh?

You're a revolutionary too?

I'm Han Chinese...

Even though I was born in Manchuria

I hate the way the Manchus treat our people.

I consider it my duty to fight against the Qing tyrant.

And not everyone's in a position to do that, you see.

While the rival princes contest the throne

they have need of fighters.

You can only fight against the Qing If you have power.

Perhaps If you were a fighter...

Sir.

Welcome, gentlemen.

Please, this way.

Have a table gentlemen.

Have a seat.

Mister, what would you like?

Bring us along a specialty of the house.

You all want the specialty?

That's our talk, get it!

Yes.

Hey, hey you!

When we invited the famous Pak Tai-hau to come here

last year he didn't come.

So what, he'll come now, huh?

Huh.

Are you on your way to Beijing?

Which prince do you intend to sell your violent services

to this time?

Huh?

Twice now the 14th prince has asked you to work for him.

Hands off!

Hey look, what's going on?

Hey.

That's Pak Tai-hau,

he's a strong man, he fears nobody.

No wonder he's so respected.

Get out!

Nobody ever dares to shout at me!

You understand?

I'm gonna teach you!

How dare you.

Let's go.

I'm Nian Gengyao.

Nian Gengyao, thank you for your help.

But I fear we're in big trouble now.

You better go.

Big trouble?

Since I was a kid

I've never known anything else but trouble.

You know the person you gave such a bad beating to

back there?

He's the 14th prince,

Yongzheng.

The 14th prince is a fool.

I hope he doesn't win the throne.

Brother Bai,

of all the rival princes,

who do you think should get the throne?

Nian Gengyao, why do you ask me this?

I was thinking,

suppose you and I work together

for one of the princes,

We could go far, we would have great power.

I'm sorry,

I know nothing of politics,

I prefer the simple life.

I'm glad I met you today.

You strike me as an honest man.

Where did you learn your kung fu?

Where'd I learn my kung fu?

From the Shaolin monks.

What do you give in return?

Five glasses three cups.

What else did you learn?

Honesty and trust.

How much is loyalty worth?

How much a man weighs, it depends on the scale.

What does that mean?

Nanjing, Beijing...

The two capitals of our country.

What's high?

What's low?

What flies and what runs?

Strikes the eyes.

Grabs the legs.

The dragon flies.

Watch my step.

You shaved your head.

Back to the chase.

And you wear a pigtail?

A Ming scarf.

Wear flowers on the left?

Rebel.

Lilies on the right.

Revolution.

Goodbye for now.

Glad to have you as a friend.

I don't think I'm too impressed by modern cities.

Oh, I'm sorry sir.

Goddamn it.

- Stop thief. - Huh?

What you mean thief?

Give it back to him.

You go to hell.

What's got into you fella?

Wow, he's good.

Look at that.

Hold it!

Your man started this fight before he bothered

to find out what had happened.

Is your man always so impetuous?

He was just trying to protect me.

I'm sure he didn't mean any harm.

Oh?

What does your father do?

He doesn't do a thing.

In that case it's my guess...

...you must belong to some kind of gang.

You two deal with them.

Sir.

You,

Follow me.

Master.

You look full of your self.

You'll get caught one day.

You've just arrived in the city.

What does your father do?

Oh the governor,

of Huguang.

So he's a governor.

Quite important.

Huh, it's not that impressive.

All officials follow orders.

I can see you know kung fu.

Let's have a contest.

All right, that's enough.

You bastard you asked me to stop fighting.

You need to have

an element of cunning.

It's as necessary in fighting as strength.

Down on your knees.

Never,

let me go.

On your knees.

How dare you.

What a foul temper, even worse than mine.

That makes me happy.

Fine.

That's enough,

all right it's quits, we're even now.

What do you mean; You're the one who...

Ah ah ah.

The Huguang governor is your father.

I'm Nian Gengyao, and you?

I have a feeling we can be friends.

I live around here.

I'll be pleased to show you around.

All right our contest today

was strenuous.

But you took it seriously.

I wasn't able to make you kneel down

so I wasn't that good.

Hey,

what are we doing going this way.

Surely your home isn't here.

I have the right to go where I want.

Are you afraid?

You're very sure of yourself,

because this is the palace of the forth prince.

You can't just walk in here.

But you've just shown me,

you're afraid of nothing.

I don't understand you.

You spoke contemptuously of people in high ranks

but now you hold back

in front of the palace.

Nonsense.

I'll go wherever you go,

I'm not afraid.

Follow me.

You fools!

Don't you even know where the fourth prince has got to?

We're sorry, lord.

But this is the palace,

why do you want to go in here for?

Master the lord's been waiting for you.

Uncle.

- Forth prince. - Oh?

The emperor sent me to ask you,

a month ago he gave you his specially trained mice.

What's happened to them?

Oh I wanted them to stand in a line,

but they wouldn't do it,

so I killed them.

Why, did I do wrong?

It's nothing.

My regards to you, prince.

Oh you're always welcome here.

I have to be getting back.

All right, goodbye.

Nian Gengyao.

You're in error.

But I didn't know.

Right,

you are brave, and intelligent.

But you...

Why do you need to kneel down,

that was stupid.

I am ready to serve you with my life If need be.

I would like you to remember the vow you just made

where I go, you will go too.

Except become emperor.

Nonsense.

Nian Gengyao,

you have a way of insulting people,

you must stop it.

Sir.

To become emperor, is no joke.

It's a serious matter.

Majesty,

except the fourth and 14th princes

the other princes all gave their mice

to their servants for them to look after.

And what of the two princes?

The fourth prince said he'd trained them all

to stand in line, but they disobeyed.

So he killed them.

The 14th prince?

The 14th prince was sensible,

he saw that the mice had food and water

and now their number has increased to 70.

Dismissed.

Most interesting.

It's clear that the 14th prince will make a good ruler.

Who is it?

It's Yuen Fai with something to report.

Come in.

Greetings to you 14th prince.

What do you have to tell me?

I overheard the emperor say to himself

that the 14th prince would make a good ruler.

I already know the emperor has made another will.

I saw the emperor write it myself.

The emperor put the special scroll into his treasure chest.

His own treasure chest?

Hmm...

What about the fourth prince?

The fourth prince didn't know why the emperor

sent the mice to him.

So he told the emperor he'd killed them all.

The emperor's rather upset about it.

So how do you think I stand?

If you ask me, the way is now clear.

You are now the heir.

Only...

Must take care.

But If the will's made out,

there's nothing anybody can do.

What's the fourth prince doing?

He seems to spend all his time with Nian Gengyao.

I've checked him out, he's from a good family.

A governors son, he's studied kung fu,

he's a top class fighter.

Someone had better keep an eye on him.

The emperor sent me an order,

I'm to take command of the army in the north.

That's good news.

With an army, you have power.

You're now in a position to ask the emperor

to appoint you as field marshal since it's obvious

the emperor's chosen you to be his successor.

All right.

I'll ask the emperor.

Call Nian Gengyao.

Yes sir!

At your service.

Rise.

Why are you so angry, prince?

Doesn't matter the 14th prince is a field marshal,

it's just a rank.

But more to the point, he'll be far from the court.

You should be glad, you'll be on your own.

You men are dismissed.

So you already knew why I was angry.

As soon as I heard the news

I knew that you wouldn't be at all happy.

The 14th prince now has an army,

that means power.

The emperor is well aware that I am a much better soldier

instead he makes him the field marshal

and gives him command of the imperial guard.

There's also talk of a new will,

making the 14th prince heir.

Hmm...

I've heard that too.

Nian Gengyao.

Yes prince?

I'm aware that you've made many allies recently.

I have made friends with various fighters,

in case I need them to serve you.

I know how loyal you've been to me,

but there is one thing.

I don't know whether you dare or not.

What ever you do, I'll do too.

Nian Gengyao,

get that new will for me;

you prepared to do that?

Are you going to change the will?

I know it's a hard thing to ask.

But in future,

we share everything.

Nian Gengyao

If I do become emperor,

I'll appoint you my field marshal.

Is that clear?

While the rival princes contest the throne

they have a need of fighters,

If you want to fight for Qing,

you must first achieve power.

Your wish is my command I'll do it!

Then tell me,

who do you need to help you?

The Tian Nang fighters.

You've achieved great success in a short time.

You're the fourth princes closest adviser.

You'll soon have the power you seek.

I've firmly set on my course,

very soon I'll have reached my goal.

You've set yourself a hard task.

I know.

But I vowed I would succeed.

If the Tian Nang fighters do want a revolution,

I fear that day will never come.

You dog.

You're right,

I am a faithful dog to the fourth prince.

But,

you should understand,

that has allowed me to reach the pinnacle of power.

Soon I'll lead my own army,

be field marshal.

What's the difference what you're called,

still dog.

I'm not so sure compared with you

who only talk, do nothing,

always postpone.

Who needs that shit?

Brother Nin, are you sure that you are in full agreement

with us?

I...

From what I can gather

at least seven of the princes remain in close contention

for the throne.

But what's the difference?

Whoever becomes the next emperor,

he's still a Manchurian.

But there is a difference,

If we can secure the succession of just one

of those princes,

we'll be in a position to strike back.

Do you mean If the fourth prince becomes emperor

then we'll be in favor?

That's precisely it.

It will be as If we are in the government ourselves.

All we have to do is bide our time.

Overthrow him and replace him with our own prince too.

The Ming dynasty will be reestablished.

But first of all I"m going to need your help.

If there's a chance it will work,

I'm ready to give my life.

Brother Nin, we believe in you.

You...

I swear to you

If I should deceive you

may god strike me!

When do you want us to be ready?

I'll let you know.

I'll get a message to you.

Nin Gang Yiu,

the 14th prince would like to see you.

That's odd.

If the field marshal wants me,

he need merely send me a note.

Why does he need to send you?

Ah,

Nin Gang Yiu,

you coming or aren't you?

And what If I refuse?

Hold it.

Nian Gengyao, what are you doing?

If the 14th prince wants to see me

he shouldn't send you, I can go there by myself.

Nian Gengyao answering your summons.

Rise.

I see why the fourth prince likes you.

You hold yourself well.

Nian Gengyao,

as the new field marshal,

I have need of a deputy commander.

Would you like it?

I must thank you for the honor,

I am most flattered,

but...

Sorry I can't accept.

What's that?

You've so many men working for you,

some for quite a long time,

but they might not like it If you put me

above them.

Understandably.

So I'm sorry I have to refuse you.

Get out of here.

Yes sir.

Prince, why let him go free?

Maybe he's right,

I can't use him.

The man is too smart for me.

If he is so smart,

why do you let him go?

He'll be against you now, why not...

Get rid of him.

Please give the order

to close all the exits

then lock him in the dungeon.

Prince you must act now,

once Nian Gengyao leaves here

he'll be our enemy.

Call out the guard.

Close off all the exits.

Guard the prince.

Stay with him at all times.

Sir!

Come on, search over there.

Sir.

Sergeant, take your men over there.

Right sir right.

Have you found him?

No.

One of the guards has already been found killed.

Nian Gengyao"s in disguise,

best be careful, I'll go back in side.

Spread out.

Sir.

Hold it!

Where are you going?

Going to take a pee.

- This way! - Sir.

After him!

Get him!

Tell them to back off.

Out of the way.

Marshal tell your men to back off.

These fools just tried to kill me out there.

I want you to punish them!

Bastard!

You useless idiot.

Get out!

I'm sorry prince,

but you'll have to come with me.

Damn you.

I have no other choice,

you're gonna come with me now,

so I can leave.

Field marshal sir, the fourth prince is outside,

he has many men with him,

they're gonna attack.

If the fourth prince wants to see Nian Gengyao

you can summon him.

Why use force?

Why have you so many men,

and all armed too?

Have you come looking for a fight?

I'll use force If need be.

Just try.

Princes,

I can't have you two fighting,

I'm responsible for peace here.

What are you doing to me?

Uncle...

Thank you fourth prince.

It's no good.

I can feel I'm getting much weaker.

I'll take a holiday next month

at the hot Springs.

But while I'm away

I'm going to leave you in charge.

Father.

Father.

Let me take you to the hot Springs.

The army will be all right without me.

There is no need.

There's a war on,

you must be at the head of your troops

when the fighting starts.

Chamberlain.

Yes sir.

While I'm away,

you are in charge.

See to the usual matters.

If there's any trouble,

throw those involved into jail.

I'll handle them on my return.

Yes sir.

I can't live forever.

Though after I have gone

I have decided

If anyone tries to usurp the throne

he'll be deemed a traitor

and for treason the punishment is death.

Chamberlain,

do I make myself clear?

Yes sir.

You're dismissed.

Yes sir.

Yongzheng.

Stay behind.

Yes sir.

The 14th prince is now field marshal,

he leaves tomorrow,

with the company of the imperial guard.

So that everyone in the kingdom knows!

He is the successor.

Tomorrow the emperor goes to the hot Springs,

palace security will be lax.

Now's the chance we need to find the will.

If you want to have power,

everything now is dependent on you.

Master I understand.

But you will have to take care of the chamberlain.

We can't do it without him.

I've already alerted the Tian Nang fighters.

We're awaiting your order.

All right.

You go ahead,

I'll wait for you.

Sir.

Good.

Very good.

You wouldn't have come here for nothing.

What do you want?

Master,

the time's finally arrived.

The emperor's leaving the palace tomorrow.

The 14th prince has left for the border.

So we go to the palace tomorrow night

for the emperor's will.

You all know what to do.

We're getting in too deep.

Nian Gengyao's changed,

he seems too ambitious, I'm afraid.

You're too suspicious, this is our chance.

Well I hope my suspicions

don't turn out to be true.

Fourth prince it's been almost an hour now.

You said you had something to show.

Well what is it?

Won't be long.

But can't you tell me now?

You'll find out soon enough,

just wait a little longer.

Fourth prince,

it's almost morning,

I'm returning to the palace.

I'm back already.

Have you got it?

Yes master.

Where did you find it?

The east wing in a private room.

The palace?

What did you find?

Look for yourself.

My lord,

the emperor must have showed you

how to open his own treasure chest.

How dare you do this!

You can leave me out of it.

You don't have any more choice.

You're in it too.

If the treasure chest's found missing

you are the one who is held responsible.

Don't worry.

Once I have the crown I will take good care

of both you and your family.

Otherwise there's nothing for it but to kill you.

Uncle will you agree now?

It says...

What are you doing you...

You...

What do you think?

By divine decree.

Divine

decree.

Fourth prince, it's morning now.

I have to go.

You're welcome you're welcome

and remember, when I"m emperor as my chief adviser

you'll be well rewarded.

Yes.

Congratulations.

You better tell Pak Tai-hau

to take this back immediately.

Yes, I'll leave right away.

Nian Gengyao.

When this job's done only my uncle and you will know

what has happened.

You catch my meaning?

Master, they are simple fighting men,

they don't know politics.

Besides they have no idea it's the will we took.

Who are you working for?

Don't you obey order anymore?

Now go!

Yes sir.

You will be in charge of doing it.

No survivors.

I understand, you can leave it to me.

Now go.

Yes sir.

I Nin Kang Yao vow to reestablish

the Ming dynasty.

If I betray you may god strike me dead.

Oh you're looking for Mr. Gin and his men,

they're gone.

What's that?

Nin Gang Yiu.

Perhaps we should search the houses.

Maybe they're still in the city.

I'm afraid they've left already,

we'd better get after them.

I think we'll search here, first of all.

But If our search turns up nothing

it's a waste of time so why don't we go after them.

All right.

Chamberlain.

Yes sir?

Take out the will.

Yes my lord.

Ah.

The emperor is dead.

The emperor

is dead.

Oh princes,

and princesses,

please remain calm.

Uncle when's the 14th prince due back?

He will be needed here now.

Not till next year.

But we have to have a ruler.

Eighth prince,

could you repeat that?

I said we have to have a ruler.

After I'm gone, the fourth prince will be emperor.

Signed the emperor.

What's that?

This is the emperor's will,

kneel down and it will be passed for you to read.

After I am gone, the fourth prince will be emperor.

After I'm gone the fourth prince will be emperor.

Father!

Father!

Oh father!

Father!

Father!

Father.

Oh father.

Long live the emperor.

Long live the emperor.

14th prince, behave yourself.

The 14th prince is dismissed from the rank

of field marshal and reduced to colonel.

Nian Gengyao is the new field marshal.

He'll lead the army into battle.

14th prince, thank the emperor kindly.

Hey!

Field marshal Nin won the war in the north

he's returned to receive great honor.

Yeah.

I don't think he'll last too long.

None of these field marshals ever do.

Otherwise they're too powerful.

The emperor wishes to see you immediately.

Yes.

Greetings marshal Nin.

Greetings marshal Nin.

I Nian Gengyao

greet your majesty.

You have won for us a great victory.

Been a long time.

Over 10 years.

I have reviewed your soldiers.

You've built a great army.

But there's one thing that greatly disturbs me.

When I said they were dismissed

not one of them obeyed my order.

They only take orders from me.

Not the emperor.

You may be field marshal,

do you dare disobey me?

Ah.

I dare not, sir.

Nian Gengyao

I heard you're ambitious.

Now I realize that that is true.

I have done my duty, sir,

I have made enemies.

They don't tell the truth.

Last year I sent you a yellow silk dragon gown.

And in your letter to me you said you'd reserve it

for special days.

Wear it only then.

Which is why I sent it to you.

But now

I hear you dress in it every day.

I can see you've grown too proud.

I follow my orders.

You sent it to me.

So I thought I could wear it when I wanted.

You've promoted to high rank a man called Pak Tai-hau

what did he do?

I have so many men under me,

I have no idea.

I'd have to check my records first.

Don't you even know who is in your army?

What do you know then, huh?

I only know I try my best to be loyal to you.

You loyal to me.

Hm!

I'm afraid I've heard rather differently.

I would not dare lie to you.

I certainly hope not.

Nian Gengyao,

as soon as I become the emperor,

I will make you my field marshal

If you wish.

We will share everything.

And you will become the field marshal.

He has double crossed me!

Nian Gengyao,

now you have won such power,

you must hold on to it at all costs.

Master.

I have a highly confidential document to show you.

Secret?

I've heard the ninth prince has

met with our enemies and can assume he is a traitor

so kill him accordingly.

What else is there?

The emperor has ordered me to kill him personally.

Well why don't you kill him?

The emperor's temperamental,

I want you to keep this letter

as proof he killed his brother.

It might save my life in the future.

If he really betrayed his father,

killed his brother than he is guilty of grave crimes.

The emperor's even written a book trying to explain himself

that he isn't the kind of man people say.

But it won't help him.

Everybody knows what he's like.

Good idea.

You must take this chance.

Nian Gengyao you keep the letter

use it to stir up the people.

They trust you, they'll follow you

and we can restore the Ming.

The fool!

Thinks keeping the letter is gonna help him to stay alive.

Please don't get angry,

you mustn't forget all he's done for you before.

That's why he's become so proud and ignores me.

He's against me!

My lord.

Nian Gengyao as marshal controls the army.

If you do want to get rid of him you have to go about it

carefully.

Take away his rank, dismiss him from field marshal.

Take back the yellow gown

and take back all the presents I gave him.

Yes sir.

Chamberlain.

Send somebody over to watch his reaction.

Yes sir.

Marshal Nian Gengyao has grown too proud

and ambitious.

Therefor he's downgraded to the second rank.

Return your marshal sword and the yellow gown.

And all gifts received in the past from the emperor.

That's all.

Thank you.

Huh?

Thank you?

Since the emperor gives,

he can take away.

It is my honor

still to serve him.

He laughed!

Well,

I'll make him laugh.

You'll make 18 announcements

degrading him one rank a time.

Chamberlain,

after going through all the 18 ranks,

who'll he be?

Well he was a field marshal,

then he became a general.

After being degraded 18 times,

he

he'll end up doing sentry duty at the city gates.

You're to send out one announcement every hour.

After you've finished tell him to go and stand

at the city gate.

My lord.

He is one of my subjects.

I can do to him what I like.

Yes sire.

Nian Gengyao is still too proud.

He must go down a rank.

My lord, I've already lost 17,

What will I become on the 18th?

You are now a guard.

You must do sentry duty.

You will be assigned to guard the city gate at Hangzhou.

That is all.

My lord,

will you thank the fourth prince for me

when you next see him?

Tell him that I have no regrets!

If I tell the emperor what Nian Gengyao just said to me

his whole family will be killed.

My lord If we don't tell maybe we'll end up

being killed ourselves.

Right.

I have nothing.

He's ruined me.

Teacher I didn't get the chance to start the reform

I'm so sorry.

Nian Gengyao, the people have suffered badly

since he took the throne.

I think it's time we did something about it.

Provided someone starts the rebellion.

The people are bound to follow.

There's a chance we'll succeed.

Master you mustn't miss this chance.

I hope If you can get the revolutionaries

and I can still call on some of my own soldiers,

there'll still be time

for it to work.

All right.

My friends,

now we better start organizing the rebellion.

Sit down.

Lu Chang!

Master!

Brother Lu,

go back and tell Nian Gengyao.

Hurry!

Someone's outside.

Wait.

Where's my teacher?

There were...

Too many...

Nian Gengyao!

Pak Tai-hau.

No, Nian Gengyao!

Pak Tai-hau.