Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Episode 14]

Official item?

That's what got him into trouble.

My lord, what happened to my master?

Carry him in.

Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu.

Why are you so cold?

My lord, what's going on?

-Mother... -Mother...

Lord Liu, tell me...

is my son still alive?

Look, a new one.

He doesn't look like the other sick men of Asia.

Yes, Mr. Bertrand will have quite the workout today.

You. Come out.

Get in.

I thought I had a monster.

If this is what I'm against,

three punches will be all it takes.

Three punches?

That's amazing.

One punch and he'll be finished.

Check if he's fit.

You, listen up.

Crawl two laps and show Lord Bertrand...

if you're fit.

Stop.

Release me.

I've been wrongly accused.

Wrongly accused?

Would you be arrested by our policemen if you're innocent?

Come on. Crawl two laps for Lord Bertrand.

If you make him happy later,

maybe you can get out few days earlier.

Hurry up.

Someone framed me.

The government must investigate.

Why do you talk so much?

Let me tell you.

This is the French Concession.

There's no local government.

Lord Bertrand...

has the final say in everything.

Do as we command.

If Mr. Bertrand is unhappy,

he'll shoot you dead. You hear me?

I'm a man of seven feet tall.

What makes you think I'll crawl?

You wait.

Mister.

Mister.

Make him crawl.

Good.

You know acrobatics?

He's asking you a question.

Do you know who he is?

Let me tell you.

He is Lord Bertrand.

French Consul and the Chairman...

of the Municipal Council of the French Concession.

Consul Bertrand,

I didn't commit any crime.

You got the wrong person.

Please release me now.

My disciple, Xiao Wu, was killed by a villain.

He's only 11.

I want to bring his murderer to justice.

Disciple?

What did he learn from you?

Acrobatics?

You can leap pretty well.

As agile as a monkey.

Do it one more time.

Do it again.

Consul Bertrand.

I'm off from work.

Don't call me by my title.

You said...

my men have arrested you wrongly.

This is not good.

If they get angry,

you may never get out of the prison.

Chang De Li.

Yes.

Tell the acrobat...

what he should do now.

Yes.

Listen.

Later,

Lord Bertrand will practise boxing with you.

If you can take a punch from him,

we'll give you meat tonight.

If you can take three punches,

you can have meat for the next three days.

What do you think?

I'm not keen on fighting him.

Not keen?

Who do you think you are?

How dare you say no...

to Lord Bertrand.

Lord Bertrand.

Beat him.

I bet he can't take three punches from you.

If I lose, I...

I'll mew like a cat for you.

Good idea. It's a deal.

Great.

You've trained?

I have.

Don't dodge.

Or I'll kill you.

This is not acrobatics.

You know boxing.

If you can take three punches from me,

I'll consider releasing you.

Very well.

Three punches, then.

Okay.

Good move.

Lord Bertrand, what a great move.

You're tough.

I've taken three punches.

Please keep your word.

Okay.

I'll think about it.

Lord Bertrand, well...

I've thought it over.

I'll remove your handcuffs and shackles.

You and I will have a real duel.

You...

Some consul you are.

How could you go back on your word?

I didn't.

I said...

if you could take three punches from me,

I'd consider releasing you.

I've thought it over.

But I've decided...

not to let you go.

Among all the sick men in Asia,

you're the most spirited fighter I've met.

It's incredible.

Stay here and practise boxing with me.

I'll feed you meat every day.

I've told you...

I'm not keen on fighting you.

You westerners claim that you're open-minded...

and embrace freedom.

So please don't deny me my dignity.

You want dignity?

Defeat me first.

Remove your handcuffs.

If not, you'll be knocked to the ground...

like a dog...

and eat dirt.

The ground you're standing on belongs to China.

Westerner.

Keep your barbaric ways to yourself.

What did you say?

Shoot him dead.

How dare you be so rude to Lord Bertrand.

Kill him.

Shut up.

It's you who wanted to keep the shackles and handcuffs on.

Don't blame me.

Okay.

Lord Bertrand, are you okay?

What kind of boxing was that?

Chinese boxing.

So arrogant.

Shoot him dead.

Chang De Li,

you lose.

Mew now.

Right...

I'll mew.

I'll mew.

Your Chinese boxing skills are amazing.

What's your name?

Huo Yuan Jia.

Huo Yuan Jia?

He's Huo Yuan Jia.

What?

You know him?

Huo Yuan Jia is a notable man in Tianjin.

People call him the Hero of Tianjin.

Hero?

Perfect.

Xiao Lian.

How'd it go?

Madam is feeling better now.

She was probably too worried.

She should be okay.

Send for Mrs. Huo now.

She'll tell us what to do.

Madam is crying non-stop.

Second Young Mistress can't leave.

Brother Zhen Sheng,

Mrs. Huo doesn't know martial arts.

What can she tell us to do?

What do you suggest, Gao Qi?

There's only one way out now.

Xiao Wu is dead.

Master will soon be killed by them.

Brother Gao Qi is right.

We can't wait anymore.

Let's go and rescue Master.

Brother Gao Qi, Da You.

Lord Liu said it very clearly.

Master was arrested by the police in the concession.

We should all sit down and come up with a proper plan.

Don't act rashly.

Huang Wen Fa.

I could tell you were afraid...

when you heard about the foreign policemen in the concession.

You're just a coward.

What are you talking about?

You're afraid of being shot dead by the police.

I'm willing to risk my life for Master.

Yet I know...

no matter how impressive your skills and weapons are,

you're no match for guns.

We can't make unnecessary sacrifices.

If we don't make sacrifices,

the westerners will carry master's body back...

like they did Xiao Wu's!

A master is like a father figure for life.

It would be unfilial...

if we don't rescue him...

and let him die.

I've made up my mind anyway.

I'll break into the jail in the French Concession.

Give me a holler if you want to go.

Count me in.

Count me in too.

Gao Qi is right.

Master is in danger.

We must rescue him.

It would be unfilial if we don't.

I'll go, too.

Me too.

But Brother Zhen Sheng, Brother Gao Qi.

We have to work out a plan.

-We can't be so reckless... -Shut up.

It won't make any difference whether you go or not.

Take our weapons.

Mr. Nong, what brings you here?

Zhen Sheng, what are you doing?

-We... -Go rescue Master.

Ah Fa,

I get it if the other brothers are desperate.

But why are you so impetuous, too?

Instead of saving Yuan Jia, you'll only get yourself killed.

Don't you know that?

Uncle, I've tried to stop them.

But I failed.

Listen to you two.

An uncle and his nephew...

kowtowing to westerners at their own people's expense.

Out of my way.

Even if I have to sacrifice my life,

I'll get master out of there.

Young fellow.

I'm glad that Yuan Jia has a disciple like you.

Whatever.

Stop wasting our time.

Xiao Wu is dead.

Master is in the westerners' treacherous hands.

We're all worried sick.

Yet here you are watching, doing nothing.

Get lost.

Gao Qi.

Don't be rude to Mr. Nong.

Put your knife down.

You want to rescue your master?

Fine.

Let's have a match.

If you can defeat me,

I'll let you go.

What?

I know you've never practised martial arts before.

You're dead meat...

fighting against me.

Uncle, you...

Ah Fa, close the front door.

What are you doing?

I can tell he's up to something.

If he dares to hurt Gao Qi,

I'll kill him.

Don't talk nonsense.

Put it away.

He is master's sworn brother.

We have to call him uncle.

Put it away.

Gao Qi,

have you calmed down?

Yuan Jia told me...

you're the brightest among his disciples.

Why have you become so foolhardy?

Zhen Sheng.

Don't act on impulse.

Let's talk things over.

Madam, don't worry.

Mr. Nong is here.

I'm Nong Jin Sun.

Nice to meet you.

I've met you before.

Yuan Jia told me you have a big business in the capital.

There's no big business.

I've lost all my money.

I opened a small medicine store half a year ago in Tianjin...

to make a living.

I rushed here after receiving the news...

of Yuan Jia's arrest.

What happened?

Why did Yuan Jia go to the concession...

upon arriving in Tianjin?

It's the magistrate of Dong'guang, Xue Xue...

Right.

Why didn't I see it before?

Last time in Shanxi,

Master and I were attacked...

while escorting official goods commissioned by Xue Xue.

The same thing happened again.

There must be something wrong with him.

But I met Magistrate Xue before.

He looks righteous and dignified.

As the old saying goes,

"don't judge a book by its cover."

Madam, Mr. Nong is right.

Look at Magistrate Wei of Shouyang.

He doesn't look like a good man.

Yet he turns out to be a respectable official.

But...

I don't understand.

Xue Xue is an imperial official.

A magistrate.

We've never crossed him.

Why would he want to set Yuan Jia up?

I couldn't figure it out, either.

Yuan Jia was escorting an official item.

Xue Xue's testimony would aid in his release.

Mr. Nong, how about this?

I'll go to Dong'guang again, seize the magistrate...

and force the truth out of him.

Zhen Sheng, you can't go. You're the first disciple.

You need to take charge of many things in the family.

I'll go.

If the magistrate really did set master up,

I'll cut his throat.

Gao Qi, you can't go, either.

Why should I listen to you?

Sure, you don't have to listen to me.

But you're a brave, scrupulous and skilled fighter.

You should stay to protect your master's family.

You want to send Ah Fa, don't you?

He is your nephew.

You worry I'll steal his thunder.

Ah Fa can't go, either.

Neither can Da You.

You four have to shoulder the responsibility...

of protecting the family.

Mr. Nong, is there anything else you've found out?

Please tell us.

Lu Si Ying has been in Tianjin for several days.

I thought he came to arrest the Revolutionary Party.

Now I understand.

He's here for Yuan Jia.

Ying Si.

Ying Si.

Let me go to Dong'guang.

If the magistrate...

really did set master up,

I'll make him confess and get his testimony.

Madam, this is...

She is Yan Zi,

Yuan Jia's new disciple.

Yuan Jia has a female disciple?

It's been two years since we last met. He's become more open-minded.

It's wonderful.

We can trust Mr. Nong.

Give him these.

Ask him to think of a way...

to get Yuan Jia out.

Mother, you're...

These are the title deeds...

of all of our shop lots in Tianjin.

Mother, are you sure?

Daughter-in-law.

Yuan Jia is the only son I have now.

I'm willing to die for him.

Quickly see to it.

Hurry.

Thank you, Mother.

What if we're back in Tianjin?

Without the shops,

all of us will starve nonetheless.

If you don't want to starve,

go back to your home, then.

Mother, what did you say?

It's been over two years since Yuan Dong died.

You don't have to mourn for him anymore.

You may go back to your home.

Mother.

How could you say that?

That's not what I mean.

Yuan Jia is in trouble.

I'm just worried about him.

I have a son and a daughter.

And you have the heart...

to drive me out now?

Yuan Dong, open your eyes and see...

how your mother is treating me.

Yuan Dong.

Mother.

Mother.

What's wrong?

My... my eyes.

Mother, close your eyes and take a rest.

I'll say no more.

Take it easy.

Madam, I'll see myself out.

I'll go to the French Concession now to mediate.

We can't let Bertrand hand Yuan Jia over to the government.

If Yuan Jia falls into Ying Si's hands,

the consequences will be tragic.

Mr. Nong,

I'm just a woman.

I'm counting on you.

Don't worry, Madam.

Please stay positive.

Ah Fa told me...

Yuan Jia has a baby boy.

The child is still young.

You shouldn't worry too much

Young Master Dong Jue.

Stop crying.

You make me want to cry, too.

Stop crying.

The child is hungry.

Why are you crying as well?

Give me the child.

It's alright.

Here you go.

You want to bail Huo Yuan Jia out?

Who are you?

His brother.

You're a liar.

Do you think I can't differentiate Chinese names?

His surname is Huo while yours is Nong.

You can't be brothers.

I know you have a lot of knowledge about the orient.

You've been in China for many years.

It's fair to say that you're an expert in Chinese culture.

Then you must know the Oath of the Peach Garden.

Yuan Jia and I have different surnames.

But we're sworn brothers.

He's older.

So I'm the younger brother.

Like Liu Bei and Zhang Fei.

How many gold bars will you give me to bail your brother out?

These are the title deeds to some of Huo family's shop lots.

Great locations.

I hope you'll accept them.

To hell with them.

There's enough land in the French Concession.

Besides, all the busiest districts in Tianjin...

already belong to me.

So what do I want your worthless title deeds for?

You can exchange gold bars for the deeds.

Please give me a few more days.

A few more days?

It's too short.

I need at least two months to improve my boxing skills.

Boxing skills?

What are you talking about?

You won't understand.

Come back after two months.

Bring more gold bars.

Huo Yuan Jia isn't a nobody.

He's the Hero of Tianjin.

He should be worth a lot of money.

Come in.

Lord Bertrand.

Lord Bertrand.

You have a guest.

He is an official from the capital.

Send him in.

Yes.

You may leave.

Take your things with you.

Thank him for me.

He even knows that I like gold.

Lord Bertrand said...

he liked gold.

He asked me to thank you.

You're welcome.

So can I take Huo Yuan Jia away now?

No.

Tell him Huo Yuan Jia is mine.

No one can take him away.

Lord Bertrand said Huo Yuan Jia...

Tell Lord Bertrand...

Huo Yuan Jia is a rebel...

and an important criminal.

As the leader of the palace guards,

I've been scouring Tianjin...

for a month trying to arrest him.

I must take him away today.

End of discussion.

-Well... -I can speak Chinese.

Do you know where we are? The French Concession.

I'm the one in charge, not you.

Lord Bertrand, please do me a favour.

When the Eight Allied Forces came to Beijing,

General Valon from France and I had formed a deep friendship.

When he left,

I even let him bring back a few memorabilia.

I've seen them.

A cloisonne Buddha statue, a Xuande furnace...

and a blue and white porcelain vat used as an umbrella stand...

at the gate of his castle.

He bragged to everyone.

Saying that those are the trophies from China.

Right.

There's plenty more where those came from.

If it suits your fancy,

I can give you a couple of them.

I don't care for them.

Lord Bertrand,

there's an agreement between the imperial government and the concession.

Huo Yuan Jia is an important criminal.

You have to give him over.

What if I don't?

What can you do to me?

My lord, calm down.

You want to have a fight with me?

Excellent.

Apart from gold, I like fighting the most.

Come, let's have a match.

Lord Bertrand,

sorry about just now.

You're a consul.

How could I fight you?

We both love fighting.

Why not?

I know the palace guards...

is a special force organized by the emperor to arrest people.

You're the leader.

You must be something else.

We must have a match.

There are rules in the imperial government.

I'm not allowed to fight you.

Please forgive me, Lord Bertrand.

You don't want Huo Yuan Jia, then?

Well...

How about this?

You fight with Huo Yuan Jia.

If you defeat him,

you may take him away.

If you lose,

he stays here.

-Well? -But...

Alright, it's a deal.

Huo, we meet again.

Though we've only been apart for two hours,

I already miss you.

Please let me out as soon as possible.

I'm really not keen to fight you.

You're not fighting with me.

I've found you an opponent.

Look, he's right over there.

Ying Si.

Looks like you're old acquaintances.

No introduction is needed, then.

Great. Let's get it started.

I can't wait.

Come, remove Huo Yuan Jia's handcuffs and shackles.

Don't.

Huo Yuan Jia is a criminal.

You can't remove his handcuffs and shackles.

Huo, this is unfair to you.

Ying Si.

You colluded with the magistrate of Dong'guang, Xue Xue...

and set me up,

trying to kill me.

How contemptible you are!

Impudent rebel.

Stop making groundless accusations.

Shut up!

You're a disgrace.

You colluded with foreigners when the country is in crisis...

and got Big Sword Wang Wu killed.

You abused power, trumped up charges...

and killed my father and brother.

For all the blood that you drew,

you'll pay with your life today.

The stairs.

Let them fight.

My father is watching from heaven.

So is my brother...

and the 21 men of the Huo family...

who died needlessly.

Open your eyes.

Huo Yuan Jia,

don't you know who I am?

You miss your father,

Wang Wu...

and your disciples?

Very well.

I'll send you to hell to reunite with them.

Lu Si Ying.

I shall rid my country of a traitor...

and avenge for my father, brother,

god brother and disciples.

I'll kill you.

Chang, place your bet.

Guess who will win.

Lord Lu is the leader of the palace guards.

He's proud of his excellent skills.

Huo Yuan Jia is no slouch, either.

But his hands and feet are bound.

Tell me quickly. Who are you betting on?

I'll bet on Lord Lu.

I'll bet on Huo Yuan Jia.

If you lose,

bark 100 times and mew 100 times.

If you win,

I'll treat you to steak and Bordeaux red wine.

Okay.

Lord Bertrand, it's a deal.

The Bordeaux red wine...

is in the bag.

Great.

Great.

Lord Bertrand,

if Lord Lu kills Huo Yuan Jia,

would it be counted as double win?

How about two steaks plus the red wine?

The outcome remains to be seen. Watch.

Let him go.

Let him go.

If I shoot your brains out,

there's no way you can get justice.

My lord.

-My lord. -My lord.

My lord.

My lord.

-Lord Lu. -Lord Lu.

Are you okay, Lord Lu?

I've never been humiliated like this...

since I became an official.

Bertrand has gone too far.

He didn't show you any respect.

He's a foreigner. We can do nothing.

Lord Lu.

How about... letting it go?

No way.

I'll die if I don't vent my anger.

Tell all the brothers.

Dress in plain clothes tonight.

I want to kill!

[Huo Residence]

Lord Lu.

They're sleeping soundly.

Search every room...

and kill them all.

-Go! -Yes.

Lord Lu.

We've searched every nook and cranny.

But we found no one.

Didn't you tell me...

they're all back?

Right, I've checked during the day.

Where are they?

Where are they?

Lord Lu...

Don't forget there's a secret passage.

Didn't Huo Yuan Jia run away...

when we searched his house last time?

We didn't find out where the secret passage was.

Someone must have clued them in...

and let them get away.

How I am going to vent my anger?

How?

How?

Set fire to this place.

Set it on fire.

Burn the house to the ground.

I refuse to believe...

we can't even find a stupid little passage.

Yes.

[You impudent bandits.]

[You're surrounded by the local government.]

Quickly surrender yourselves.

The local government?

The government office of Tianjin had just resumed operation.

The new official has yet to take office.

Who has higher rank than me?

Tell them to get lost.

Wait, Lord Lu.

You're not wearing uniform.

We broke into a house at night.

What if they don't believe us?

Right, Lord Lu.

[Drop your weapons and surrender.]

If not,

we'll shoot you.

Yes.

Lord Lu, we're surrounded.

So many soldiers, and with their arrows loaded.

Tell them I'm here.

We were ordered to make an arrest.

Yes.

[Listen up.]

[There're no bandits here.]

[The palace guards were ordered to make an arrest.]

Stay out of our way.

Get lost.