An Empress and the Warriors (2008) - full transcript

Brother xuehu

your highness

we're alone here.
There's no need for formalities

my father, our king, once said to me

these swords are the
reason for our greatness

the kingdom of yan was born
from the blood of great yan warriors

the battle tomorrow...

Will you promise to watch over my father?

The first time I fought
at your father's side,

I was just a boy

thousands of men lost their lives that day



it was your father's sheer determination,
his bravery...

That led us to victory

and saved our kingdom

he was like a god on the battlefield

do you really need to worry about
a man like that?

Your majesty, the enemy approaches!

Doctor...

Your highness...

Can I pass a message to your family?

My son... he's only five...

I'll tell him his father was

the bravest warrior I've ever seen

Attack!

Charge!



Your majesty...

What happened? I don't know

the king is injured!

Your majesty...

Help the king inside! Hurry!

Your majesty...

Your highness, you are needed
in the king's quarters!

Doctors, how is my king”?

His condition is very serious

any sudden movement
could put his life at risk

say no more

lord hu, the battlefront
needs immediate attention

perhaps my lord
should lead the counterattack?

I've decided to relinquish my command

to...

Muyong xuehu

my king

defeat the zhao army

for me

yes, sire!

Go... counterattack immediately!

Yes, sire...

Xuehu

my king

my king

please. Don't try to speak.
Rest assured, my king

we will win this battle!

I know, xuehu...

You've faced stronger foes before

and triumphed

it's the hidden enemies

that I worry about...

The ones you don't see coming

my king, I will not fail you

go now

gol!

How is my father?

Your highness

his majesty is badly injured.
You must go to him

what should we do?

We have to fight back now.
Take good care of his majesty

Father feiler

when xuehu returns,

give my swallow sword to him

he will take care of the
great kingdom of yan...

And you

but you'll be fine

Move in!

Retreat!

What do you want?

How could you not make me the commander?

Do you know how many men you've lost?

They're soldiers. They expect to die!

They're soldiers,
but also husbands and fathers

they willingly risk their lives

so their children may live in peace

they should not be made to suffer for

our personal ambitions!

Then you should not entrust
our fate to a bastard orphan

he may be an orphan,

but the people of yan are his family

and this country is his home!

But I am your nephew

we are of the same blood

yet everything you do...

Each battle you fight serves
only your own ambitions!

You're wrong about me

I've done everything

for the great kingdom of yan

I alone can make this kingdom strong

not in the name of ambition

but glory

Father!

My king...

Before leaving for battle,

his majesty left clear instructions

that should he die...

He is to be succeeded by muyong xuehu

Minister teng, is this some kind of joke

or is my hearing worse than I thought?

How can we allow an orphaned bastard

to rule the great yan?

Diao erbao!

You will speak with respect!

Is that a threat?

Who's afraid of an administrator like you?

There will be no fighting
in the hall of swords!

Diao erbao,

do you intend to disobey
his majesty's will?

If that was truly his majesty's last wish,

no one would dare to disobey

but judging from

what I can gather,

we have only your word

to go on

lord hu,

are you questioning my integrity?

We will obey

his majesty's commands.

Not yours!

Before his death,

his majesty entrusted
his swallow sword to me

he instructed me to...
Your servant understands!

His majesty wished to appoint
the Princess as his successor!

Muyong and the soldiers of yan

pledge loyalty to your highness

until our dying breath!

My Princess loves her people

as the rightful holder of the swallow
sword, she will unite us all!

But the successor must be male!

Her highness was entrusted

with his majesty's sword!

Who knows

if his majesty

was in his right mind...

Disrespect his majesty again,

and you will die!

Generals!

Your swords are for the enemy,
not each other!

The great yan was born on the battlefield

each king was a supreme warrior

my Princess is beautiful
but perhaps too delicate

can she really be expected

to lead an army and defend our land?

I may not yet be up to

the task of commanding an army...

But the blood of kings roars
through my veins!

I will not disappoint my ancestors,
my country or my people!

From this day forth,

I will undergo military training

I pledge to behead the next enemy

who dares to invade yan with my own hands!

Teng bochang yes, your highness

until my training is complete, all affairs
of the state are under your command

anyone who disobeys shall be executed!

As your highness commands!

My lord, can the Princess

really be an effective leader?

The idea of a female ruler

is ridiculous!

I won't let her destroy
the honor of the great yan!

Why didn't you tell the truth?

My father anointed you his successor

do you really think the army
will follow me into battle?

I appreciate my king's wishes

but you are the only one

who can unite us and bring peace
to the region

I wish my father were still alive...

Don't be afraid

do you promise to stay by my side?

I promise to turn you into
a proper yan warrior

I didn't know the Princess
could fight so well

Your highness...

Come on! Attack!

Get up!

Remember this...

A yan warrior will choose death

before accepting defeat! Get up!

Brother xuehu, are you really leaving

for army camp tomorrow?

Yes! I must follow my king's example

and become a brave warrior. When I grow up,

I will protect you and the great yan

brother xuehu is good to
feier and feier loves you

this stone carries good luck

and will protect you until your return

Why are you still tending the horses?

Finish quickly and get some rest!

Sir...

There is something I need to say

it's for the person I've been
calling brother xuehu

when I was little, he
used to take me riding,

hunting and fishing

those were the happiest days of my life

lately, he's had to scold

and even punish me

but I know that, despite
his rough exterior,

he cares about me

everything he does

is for my benefit

I want him to know that

I won't disappoint him

Weak arms slow arrows!
Practice it again 1,000 times!

I want the Princess to disappear

when she misses her coronation,

all the blame will fall on muyong.

The Princess has disappeared

while under muyong's watch.
He must be punished!

This is no time to point fingers

I agree with minister teng

perhaps muyong

had no part in this

we mustn't jump to conclusions

perhaps her highness knew

the military would never

follow her orders

perhaps she staged

her own disappearance

Once general muyong locates her highness,

the truth will be revealed!

Your highness...

My lady!

Calm down! I'm here to help.

Who are you?

A doctor... you were
struck by a poison dart

where am I?

This is my home

you are safe here

I must get back!

My lady!

You should be resting right now.
You haven't fully recovered from the poison

they'll be looking for me. I have to go

my lady...

I told you, you haven't fully
recovered yet. One more word from you

and I'll hand you over to your enemies

You need to take this medicine for 3 days

You can leave as soon as you've recovered

What's your name?

Duan lanquan

I'm yan feier

thank you

Your highness...

Your highness...

Your highness...

Yan feier!

Come, I'll change your bandages no!

The dressing needs changing once a day

otherwise you'll begin to itch

I said no!

If I wanted to take advantage of you,

I would have done it last night

say no more!

I'll change the dressing myself

Hurry!

It itches...

Hurry!

Don't look!
How can I do it without looking?

Just don't look too closely!

Hurry!

Close your eyes. Look away!

How can I change the dressing
with my eyes closed?

Just close your eyes!

Don't move!

What are you doing?

Hush! I'm trying to be quick...

Turn the other way!

I forbid you to look!

Close your eyes!

There! It's done!

Are you certain she was
hit with a poison dart?

Yes!

Go to the valley
and await further instructions

not long ago...

Her highness made a pledge
inside the hall of swords

she vowed to complete her training

before taking the throne

but now,

she has deserted her post in the army

the Princess has abdicated!

That is a groundless accusation!

If yan feier cannot fulfill her promise,

our country will need a new ruler

Duan lanquan...

Duan lanquan...

Eat what you can

Yuck! This is terrible

yan feier...

How was breakfast?

Excellent. But I' m not very hungry...

Thanks anyway

I just made something
that might interest you

it's called, "no need for a good man"

it's for you

"no need for a good man"? What is it?

Use it to scratch your back
if it feels itchy, you won't need my help

hey! Where are you going?

I have to pay the queen a visit
the queen?

Care to join me?

Ahhhh. You were referring to a queen bee

yes, this rare species of bees

produces honey

with miraculous healing properties

they don't normally bite.
Not unless they're scared

When this honey is added to my remedy,

the medicine will be twice as effective

taken on its own,
it can also improve your complexion

here... try some

It's delicious!

Can I pick some?

Sure

but move gently and slowly

Watch out!

Don't panic! Slow down!

I'm coming

put on my hat

run!

Try some

alright

What do you think? Delicious

you should leave the army and become a cook

I'm not a good cook

it's just that you're a bad cook

it doesn't matter if I cook badly

I only have one mouth to feed

don't you have a family?
They're all dead

mine too

Are you from the south?

We all eat, sleep and breathe the same air

everyone is part of the same large family

family? This family has been at war ever
since I can remember

we've never had more
than a few days of peace

then why did you join the army?

When the country is in crisis, every man...

And woman must do their part

the country is not in crisis;
The country is sick

what do you mean?

I have no medicine for the sickness

where the strong bully the weak

in endless warfare

it's civilians who suffer the most

so your solution is to live alone,

away from everyone else?

War...

Never brings peace. It
only brings suffering

You should sleep now

the more you rest,

the sooner you will heal

The new moon sword?

Does this mean there are survivors?

The ten kingdoms eradicated
the new moon warriors

10 years ago!

What are we making?
What is all this cloth for?

When you've finished sewing,
our mission will be accomplished

what am I making? Why won't you tell me?

It's meant to be a zhuge lantern!
A zhuge lantern?

This big?

It has to be big enough
to fly a man into the sky

you're dreaming!

Men need to first dream
before dreams can come true!

Dreams can come true?

This lantern needs
lots of hot air to fly into the sky

but I've discovered a substance
in the mobei desert

it can be refined into a powerful powder

when the time comes, just ignite it and...

Boom! Up you go!

If you're so high up,
what happens if you fall?

I've never thought about that

But just imagine...

Crystal blue skies and puffy white clouds

all at your fingertips!

Reach out your hand out and
literally touch the heavens

you could live up to your
namesake, yan feiler

a swallow flying free in the sky...

Wouldn't that be amazing?

When can we try it?

It's not done

I'm afraid there isn't time why not?

Your wound is almost healed

you can leave tomorrow

oh, yes... I must return
as soon as possible

you want to see something really beautiful?

What is it?

Follow me. It's up here...

Is this a paradise?

This is what life can be...

Without the horrors of war

look...

Oh, he's adorable!

The young... the weak...

All god's creatures
deserve a chance to live

Remember to change your bandages daily

there's a container of honey inside

remember to take it
in the morning and evening

if your wound itches,
use "no need for a good man"

there's also a map inside
so that you won't get lost

thank you.
I will always remember your kindness.

The more you rest,

the sooner you'll heal...

Now go to bed!

Hey! Are you asleep?

I was...

Until you started making so much noise

what's the matter?

I can't sleep

I'm too excited about going home tomorrow

and you?
The last few days have been exhausting

I can't wait

to return to my quiet life

as soon as you leave tomorrow

go to sleep now

the more you rest, the
sooner you will heal...

You've been saying that all day long

Yan feier!

Shall I see you off?

Head straight along the river

you'll recognize the way home

promise me something

finish your lantern

and fly to see me

in yan

It's my men!

Brother xuehu!

Long live your highness...

Forgive your servant for his late arrival
please rise

brother xuehu,

meet doctor duan. He saved my life

thank youl!

My Princess, we must hurry yes

prepare a horse for the Princess!
Yes, sir!

I didn't hide my identity on purpose

your highness,

I'd love to help

but I'd rather be

the feier that you know...

A swallow that

flies free in the sky

You should go now

remember to keep your promise

I can't make promises

just to fly...

Is already too much for one man to hope for

take care

Perhaps we should rest awhile

no. Let's keep pushing forward

Sir... your highness!

What happened?

The zhao army has launched an attack!

Our troops fought back,
but we suffered considerable losses

let's ride!

The Princess has returned!

The Princess is back...

Her highness has returned...

Hu ba refused to mobilize his troops

unless I handed over

the swallow sword

and gave up the throne

I refused to bow down

and took command of the remaining troops

this is outrageous!

How do we stand?

The zhao army has 10,000 men

we have 2,000

with those numbers...
The longer the battle lasts

the greater our disadvantage

we must also consider hu ba and his men

what shall we do?
Let the enemy quietly know

her highness will lead the troops

when the zhao forces try
and capture her highness,

we will be waiting

to ambush them

but this would put the Princess
in grave danger!

I vowed in the hall of swords to defend yan
against any invaders

tomorrow, I will lead the men!

Protect her highness with your lives!

Retreat at the first sign of danger!

Yes, sir...

My king father, I hear Princess feier
is in command of the yan army!

Why isn't muyong xuehu leading them?

They're fighting amongst themselves

by sunset,

zhao shall rule

everything under the heavens!

Today, we fight with...

Strength and courage

we fight to the death!

Long live her highness...

The man who captures the yan Princess

shall receive a thousand pieces of gold!

Be sure zhao wu follows you into the woods

do not worry

archers! Ready...

Infantry! Stand by...

Go! Don't let them outflank us!

All of you, head to the woods. Hurry!

The Princess is there! Capture her!

Protect her highness!

Protect my king! Attack!

Nol

your highness! You must kill him!

Father!

If you must take a life, take mine!

Let me pay the price for invading yan

but spare my father

go away! Father...

Come on!

End it!

Do it quickly!

The future king of zhao
shall avenge my death!

I can kill you,

but can I kill every man in zhao?

Our kingdoms

have been at war for years

thousands of lives have been lost

your father king, my father king...

So many of our beloved ancestors...

Thousands of soldiers...

And what have they died for?

Vengeance! Vengeance?

Is there a reason now for hatred
between your son and myself?

Our kingdoms should no longer be at war

you may leave with your father

stand down!

Let's go

Your majesty
your majesty, what do we do now?

Retreat...

Retreat...

Long live her highness...

Long live her highness...

Long live her highness...

By royal decree...

Diao erbao and the other twelve officers

have been found guilty of

deserting their posts and defying orders

they are to be stripped of their titles

and demoted three ranks

hu ba, who abused his role

as yan's commander-in-chief,

has been found guilty

of conspiracy and treason

his crimes cannot be pardoned

he is to be stripped of
his title and powers

and banished forever
from the hall of swords!

This is just one battle

our war

remains unfinished...

My lord,

I've concocted

a most deadly poison

for which there is no antidote

if your poison had worked the first time,

my lord would already be king!

No antidote?

None

do you know the formula?

Yes, my lord. Yes I do!

Start making a large amount

A flood in taiyue mountain

has destroyed many villages

the refugees are hungry...

Perhaps we should send troops immediately

should we send relief?

Your highness

your highness

Your highness

your highness!

Should we send relief?

Yes. Send food and water immediately

general muyong, take
charge of the deployment

minister, are there
further matters to discuss?

Your coronation will take place
the day after tomorrow

regarding the arrangements...

Our troops have suffered tremendous
casualties. Our people are hungry

now is not the time for grand ceremonies

keep it simple

Yes, your highness

thank you all for your part
in a great yan victory

dismiss

It's like old times.
No matter where I hide...

You know how to find me

I know this is a beautiful view,

where one can think clearly and freely

when I was little,

I only thought how high
these palace walls seemed

I never once thought about
what might be on the other side

now that you've seen beyond these walls...

I know there's another way of
looking at things

nothing is the same

once you've seen it from high above

is it crazy

to think a man can fly?

I have no idea why
I believe everything that fool says

he's not a fool

he's a new moon warrior

new moon warrior?

My father mentioned the name once

it's a forbidden topic for yan

and the other nine kingdoms

it's a past we'd all like to forget

they were the most feared
warriors in all the lands

they never lost a single battle

the ten kingdoms felt threatened...

Every new moon warrior,
be it man woman or child, was killed

He alone survived...

It may be a chance

for him and me being together

officials and generals,

by this decree,

yan feier has abdicated

muyong xuehu

And teng bochang

shall rule

the yan together

your highness...

From this day,

yan feier will no longer interfere in the
affairs of state!

God bless my country!

Brother xuehu...

You are the daughter of
a great warrior king

it is your duty, your honour,

to follow in his footsteps

my father wanted you
to have the swallow sword

he chose you. Not me

this is your homeland!

How can you turn your back on your people?

If my country needs me,
I am prepared to die for it

so there's nothing in yan

that would keep you from leaving?

There is...

And it will always have a place in my heart

Goodbye, brother xuehu

feierl

take care!

Duan lanquan feier

take me with you! I want to fly!

Hurry!

I'll throw you a rope!

Here, grab it!

Climb higher, quick!

Wait for me!

Untie the rope

and turn the plank this way!

Hurry! Feier

It's so beautiful

I didn't expect to see you again

I only came back

because I ran out of honey

where were you going?

You want the truth or the lie?

It's up to you

the lie is, I missed you and...

I was going to fly in search of you
and the truth?

The truth is,

I was coming to find you

so that we could take
the first flight together

Feier

don't catch cold

General!

I've just received word

that hu ba mobilized his troops

and left the royal city

that traitor!

Hu ba plans to lay siege to the city!

If civil war erupts,

the kingdom of yan will be ruined!

Her highness has abdicated!

We must maintain stability!

Look! I found one!

This lingzhi is a rare medicinal plant

it's not common to find them in these parts

let's separate and see
who collects the most

I'll go this way! Alright

So, a friend from afar has come to visit

you can bury this sword

but not your past

new moon warrior

I'm just an ordinary man

make the first move!
Why must you force my hand?

If you're afraid to fight,

you do not deserve feier!

I'm done with killing. Why did you come?

A man does not bear arms
for the sake of killing

but to protect the things
he values and loves most

yan is no longer safe

take feier away from here,
the further the better

thank you

Gol...

Surround them...

This is mutiny!

You'll share the same fate as teng bochang!

You will pay for this!

I'd like to see you try

Sir, we can't stay here

it's a trap!

Kill them all!

Let's leave

the brothers are waiting
for us at jigongshan!

Take the swallow sword and leave!

Leave now! Archers!

Retreat...

Sir, go now...

Close the gates! Hurry!

Open up...

Open up...

What are you doing?

Sir, go now we leave together!

Open the gates! Let me in!

Take the swallow sword

and gather our men!

Sir, go now!

I won't desert you!

We die together!

Sir aojia

don't let our deaths

be in vain.

Feier

there's something I wanted to tell you

I already know

the feud between new moon warriors and yan

is in the past

what I care about is our future

general muyong came to see me today

he did?

He told me to take you away

I'm afraid your country is in crisis

I thought I could make
my dreams come true...

Why did you have to tell me?

I'd rather hate myself

than see you hate me

But I cannot abandon my people

and allow them to suffer

lanquan,

wait for my return

Go up

hold on!

Hold on!

How's your wound? I'll be fine

remember? It took me only three days

to cure you the last time

your country

needs you now

hurry!

Wait for me

I will...

The general has returned...

The general has returned...

General...

General...

The general has returned...

Where are the others?

What happened?

They set fire to the camp

we're all that's left

ao jia sacrificed his life

to save me

All of you... leave now

from this moment on,

I am not your general

get out of here!

Get out of here!

Have you come to surrender

or to die?

You really want this head, don't you?

Come and get it!

You're outnumbered, muyong

Muyong xuehu!

Today is the day you diel

come on then!

I want to see how long it takes for you
to bleed to death

Who wants some of me?

Stand down! All of you!

Brother xuehu...

You shouldn't have come...

You shouldn't have come you once told me

than accept defeat

muyong xuehu

stand up if you're man enough!

Hu bal

your ambition has cost

so many lives

you alone deserve to diel

if you think you can kill me, then come on

I promise... justice will be served today

feijer...

You're no match for him

look at you,

you can't even avenge your father's death

you killed my father? You bastard!

Brother xuehu...

I must kill hu ba to save my country
even if I have to die!

Come on!

Your blood will Mark the beginning
of my new dynasty!

Feierl

Brother xuehu!

Lanquan!

You promised to wait for me

see? Here I am...

Ready to fly to the highest mountains

across the biggest oceans

langquan

wake up

take me with you

Lanquan,

my best days in this world

were spent with you

though brief,

we lived them together

I, yan feier,

the 16th ruler of the great kingdom of yan,

bestow the title of supreme warrior

on muyong xuehu

from this day forth,

the kingdom of yan shall end all war

and establish peace

among the ten kingdoms

long live her majesty...

Lanquan,

the fighting is over

soon the world as you envisioned it...

Full of beauty... will return