The Emperor's Shadow (1996) - full transcript

Would sire begin the rites, please?

Would sire begin the rites, please?

The rites will begin

sing the imperial anthem

By decree, sacrifice the instruments

Music is a base thing

and musicians are base people

after my death, execute anyone

who supports musician

"bow-wow"

"bow-wow"



"two little doggies, dreaming of a bone"

"bow-wow, biting all night long"

"biting all night, mouths full of fur"

"bow-wow, not a bone in sight"

the dog has a bone,

but the qin prince
hasn't even got his mother's breast

he's tough, bites so hard it hurts

he takes ten times as much as our son

qur jianli is weak as a lamb

like you, only up to playing the gin

Gao jianli, is that all you can play?

Give us something soothing and feminine

time to get to work

Prepare to execute the qin hostages



How dare you look at me

ying zheng

execute the qin hostages

begin

Don't be afraid

close your eyes and listen to my music

the axe's sharp

it'll be over in one blow

you won't feel any pain

"bow-wow"

"bow-wow"

"two little doggies, dreaming of a bone"

"bow-wow, biting all night long"

"biting all night, mouths full of fur"

keep the prince, he'll come in handy

we can use him for sacrifice

"two little doggies, dreaming of a bone"

"bow-wow, biting all night long"

"biting all night, mouths full of fur"

"bow-wow, not a bone in sight"

We're going to die

for sure

what will happen after we die?

I'll order them to take us back to qin

our burial mound will be a mountain

both our name will be on the tombstone

where will our heads he?

On top of the burial mound

no, that's dirty

I'll put them on top of your gin

No, your prince is a hostage in my state

Take the qin prince home

I've only conquered half my rivals

yet you play this romantic stuff

trying to make me seduce your mothers?

Court music has always been this way

court music, I want a national anthem

who wrote this stuff?

It's not even up to gao jianli's ditties

this is your speech

read it

in the west, hanzhong fortress in mine

north, I have animals that can be ridden

to the south, I have a mountain barrier

in the east, yaohan fortress in mine

the fields are fertile. The people are rich

I have a formidable army

the best resources and forces in China

sire, you must wear these robes

all the other kings wear them

and that's why they've failed

victory to your majesty

father

I've come to watch the fun

but that guy didn't want me to

you're here now, aren't you?

You're plumper now, I can marry you off

I'm sure someone's here to ask for you

When we conquer the yan kingdom

may my son marry you daughter?

Let's go, that's enough

don't be in such a hurry

there are two more kingdoms
after yan, wang jian

once you've conquered them all

your son will marry the Princess

I swear this before the gods

and before all the men assembled here

victory to your majesty

for 550 years, we've been fighting

to conquer all under heaven

I'm the 32nd king in the qin line

now heaven is smiling on me

I've conquered 3 kingdoms already

only three remain; Yan, chu and qi

when I have conquered them all

I will cease to be a king

I will become the first emperor

an eternal empire begins with you

sire, isn't chu set down to be

conquered before yan?

I changed the order

why?

Because there is someone in yan
who can write me an anthem

Such precious wood, ruined

I must bring the qin king a trophy

you mean this?

You are the most perceptive

if take your head and a map of yan

then I can approach him

I can avenge your family and the nation

I have to die anyway,

but you will need someone's help

varnish if, I've kept you waiting

I hear you're leading

the yan resistance, is that so?

The qin king forced me
to flee, he slaughtered

my whole family

what's past is past, jianli

the qin king has sent for you many times

he must like your music very much

so why doesn't he come himself?

He is coming; The qin
army is at our borders

if you accompany our assassin

you'll prevent qin hegemony

unification would be good

musical notes could be standardized

then music could spread everywhere

let me play my new tune

never pass up a chance to savor beauty

This guy's no assassin

Having the chance to hear your music
is worth dying for

you're so noble to sacrifice yourself

If you really can kill the qin king

use one blow to avoid pain

the yan ambassador is here to surrender

the yan ambassador is here to surrender

the yan ambassador is here to surrender

There have been 17 attempts on my life

changing clothes is a security measure

I hope you understand

to demonstrate yan's sincerity

I have brought a traitor's head

General fan, why did you betray me?

The world has one less hero

- bury it in his family grave
- Yes, sire

I also wish to present this map of yan

that's not necessary

I know yan better than the yan king

it's already included on our map

the yan ambassador will depart

I have a message from gao jianli

gao jianli? How is he?

He rises and sleeps with his qin

have you heard him play?

His music is as mighty as your name

what is his message?

I'm afraid to repeat it

I guarantee your life

he advises peace and an end to killing

all disputes can be negotiated

then all the people can live in peace

to express sincerity,

and put it in the map - what?

To express sincerity,
gao has cut off his forefinger

and put it in the map,
he ask me to present it to you

bring it over

Only gao's hands can produce such music

how could he cut his finger off? Open it

Now you have been cheated, too

conquer the yan kingdom, lay it to waste

study with me for one year

then you will see things my way

the qin army has entered the city.
I can become your pupil

after the war

your grasp of the qin is still shallow

the key is expressing divine virtue

don't worry about the war

the qin wouldn't dare come near me

gao jianli, show yourself

what an awful voice, like a broken drum

there's no need to be polite

No

My mother nursed your king

Why did our king spare you?

I need to piss

piss in your pants,

so this is your 24-hour companion?

It's just a lump of wood,
have you heard the qin drums?

That's music to my ears

you don't appreciate fine music

but one can always improve oneself

put your ear close, you'll hear heaven

Hear it? Now that's music to the ears

Your kingdom's crack troops

only fit to work as slaves on the

great wall and the sacrificial altar

when he rules all,

our king will be called emperor

why won't my father give me some slaves?

Aren't you tired, carting me about?

He should swap you around

that's impossible,

only eunuchs like us may serve you

that's an iron-cast rule

what a place, even whose act so grand

you've insulted my fiance, the Princess,
brand this on now

what are you doing? I'm gao jianli

stop

Ma'am, this prisoner insulted you

really? Say it again

even whores act so grand

take me over there

prepare the brand, I want some fun, too

Get your king here

say it again, I'll brand you each time

get your king here

What is this man's crime?

Hiding banned books, spreading rumors

what is a banned book?

Any brood you ban, sire

and what is rumour?

Any speech you have banned, sire

good

what should his punishment be?

Who is this? Why don't recognize him?

This is prince xianwu

- xianwu
- Give birth by concubine suzhu

how come you know it all so well?

Because she and I are both from zhao

suzhu?

She's dead now

hu hai, what do you think?

Draw and quarter him

good, draw and quarter him for floating

Remember, my decrees are the law of qin

my will is the will of the state

all that adds up to one basic principle

you're princes, but if you break the law

you will receive the same punishment

yes, sire

Wang Ben, who did this?

Your majesty decreed

all yan prisoners be branded

did I order you to brand gao jianli?

Remove this brand

doctor

remove the brand from his forehead

jianli, this is all my fault

the wound is too deep to be removed

you must find a way, go

yes, sire

jianli, you have suffered terribly

but if yan'd won, I'd have been branded

in that case, would you've visited me?

Sire

release him

you're no swordsman,

you weren't a brave kid, either

you wet yourself when we buried that guy

when they executed hostages, so did you

your cruelty makes heaven weep

you are poisonous as a snake

you are poisonous as a snake

he's the only man I ever heard curse you

jianli, you're becoming incoherent

I've heard al this before

cursing isn't one of your talents

the people share my ambitions

stick to music, you're good at that

jianli

you can live here in complete peace

you'll live like a king

but if acting like a spoilt child,
history will remember you as a fool

You're not allowed to leave, sir

I want to shit

Please go ahead, sir

you're going to watch? Get out

but we must guard your safety

I'm getting closer to my grave now

but I will conquer the chu kingdom

however, I will need one million men

you're not in your dotage yet

one million men is our whole army

if you fail, the kingdom will collapse

I think five hundred thousand is enough

the job requires one million

victory will be difficult with less

I still feel 500,000 is our limit

you know chu like the back of our hand

your son wang Ben will fight with you

no one can stand up to our bravery

we're so powerful, they'll be destroyed

his majesty is exhausted from work

he has so many things to attend to

let's discuss it again tomorrow

wang jian, li si, both
of you have got a point

to defeat chu requires a great force

wang jian, I'll give you one million

you can drown the chu capital in blood

but just be sure you conquer it

I will set out at once

and smash chu

we ask to leave

wang jian

sire

you say you're closer to your grave

no, your son's closer to becoming prince

sire, we beg you, please eat

if you don't, we may die

Whose idea was this?

He was hitting his head on the wall

biting people and refusing food

how long has he been on hunger strike?

For three days, he's even refused water

you idiots

I don't care how, but make him eat

I've sent men to exhume the yan king,

from his burial mound

your mother's remains are there now

they were buried with full honours

you're devoted to her, she nursed me

so this is my gesture of respect

jianli, after becoming king of qin

I sent for you many times

the yan king said if I needed you

he'd send me

your head

I had to kill chicken to get the egg

we've got some in

Stay still, or you'll be a deaf king

oops, I mean a deaf emperor

even emperor is powerless sometimes

is it that gao jianli again?

Let him die if he wants to

that'd be easy, but I want him to live

if he died, I'd get all your attention

you're as bad as he is

other side

other side

If he died and then you get married

I'll be left completely friendless

I don't have any friends, either

you say he dabbles at the gin

dabble at the gin?
I want to make him court composer

nonsense

you get the world under your thumb

I'll get this mad man under my thumb

you're the mad one

women have their ways, you know

Ok, you can have a go

but if I succeed, I want him to teach me

and to follow me everywhere

it's a deal

by hook or by crook, I'll succeed

Just prepare it this way

Were you raised on sow's mile?

The meat hasn't been
hung properly, it stinks

carry me over

Ma'am, this is steamed lizard

Delicious

If I could only walk, brands all over

my body wouldn't bother me

I'd be a happy woman

Gao jianli, if you really
are worse off than me

maybe you are better off dead

this is stewed wild boar

My father has more than 30 daughters

but he loves me the most

I was the first born

later on, when he had more children

they didn't seem so special to him

one time, he took me riding

the horse reared and threw me

I haven't been able to walk since

I was like you then

I wouldn't eat or drink, just wanted to die

my father had told me so often

that you are great musician

but that's not the man I see

I just see a walking corpse

acting as stupidly as I did once

A hero doesn't go back on his work

Come walk on clouds with

as soon as we have unified China

we must standardize mage, currency and law

weights and measures

we must also gather all weapons

and execute anyone hiding them

weapons are material, that's easy

but what about the non-material?

How do we control that?

By non-material, you mean

hearts and minds

hearts and minds

the key to success or failure

unless we gather them in,
the empire will be unstable

only when we've got them behind us

will the empire's future be secure

sire's words are pearls of wisdom

you can write the qin
imperial anthem lyrics

thank you, sire

but as for the music,
gao jianli must compose that

jianli, you're dying

before die, I have something for you

"Bow-wow"

"two little doggies, dreaming of a bone"

"bow-wow, biting all night long"

"biting all night, mouths full of fur"

"bow-wow"

do you have any unfinished business?

These are for your composition, sir

this is the deer's blood you wanted

What an achievement

it seems that women
really do have their ways

now he can focus on that anthem

remember we've got a deal,
I've brought him round

so make him my qin teacher,
make him become my shadow

I want to change him.
I want to tame him like a horse

a horse?

I was only kidding

you can't hold me to it

you rule all the land on earth

everyone is your subject

he is my only captive,
now you want him back

a king never kids around

alright, he can teach you the qin,
he can be your shadow

I give my consent

you silly girl, even you belong to me

This capital of chu

will be my fifth betrothal gift

once we take qi, even ying zheng

will have to stick to him word

you mean we're risking our lives

just so I can marry a cripple?

Grow up, so what if she's a cripple

or blind, deaf, a hunchbacked cretin

you must marry her for me

she will ensure the family future

Master gao is here for your lessons

gao jianli, come in

Have you remembered your scales?

Caress it,

don't pluck at it, begin

Plucking at it again?

It's not your fault

I can't quite compose this piece right

I am a slave now

I have a miserable life ahead of me

my last request in this life
is to possess your body

to commit a capital offence

You've broken my leg

and my ankle, too

I've transgressed
against the king. I'm sure to die

so, you still want to die

Before I die, I want to give this,

to your fiance, wang Ben

if you've got the guts

give it to my father

Come back

you're standing up

yueyang, you're standing up

You've broken my leg

you've broken everything

An angel has descended

I wanted to die all along

I wanted to die all along

lisi, zhao gao, you're so learned

but which of you could do this

gao's music can make a cripple walk

sire, gao jianli has gone mad

organize a banquet, tonight we celebrate

You beast, you shat in my bed

Such precious wood and gin

Yueyang is walking. It's miracle

- what I bury is miracle
- It's miracle

what I bury is miracle

I've got the key to my tune

your tune will be your baffled curies

the most beautiful sound on earth

and I'm the only person to hear it.

What a shame

I wanted to die all along

Dig him out

You won't get the better of me

I'm scared, father

let me go, I don't want to ride

I won't do it. I'm too scared

I made you fall off one horse

now I want to see you ride another

father

What's that stink?

They're scenting my clothes with calms

we use absinth in qin, no change is allowed

jianli use calms, he got this scent on him

how dare you mention his name,

you wanted to ride him like horse

how could you let the horse ride you?

You robes, ma'am

I grew up

with eunuchs non-men

you've always talked to me of gao jianli

and you gave him to me, I saved his life

and he make me walk again,

aren't you happy?

Knee

do it properly

saving gao was your father's command

marrying wang Ben is your king's command

that's loyalty to me and the state

gao is a wonderful musician

but he doesn't respect my law

he's finished unless he changes his ways

I'm not a virgin anymore

you're my daughter, the Princess of qin

I won't be married to wang Ben

disobeying me is a capital crime

you're the bond I promised

you're my bargaining chip with army

you're a hostage to my will,

understand?

I'm not a hostage, I am your daughter

You've helped me,

so I will forgive you

but there's to be no more funny business

remember, my decrees must be obeyed

come in - father

take her to pray in the clan temple

Defeating chu is a great victory

so why do you all look so miserable?

We have just risked our lives in battle

how can we be insulted like this?

This matter has major consequences

gao even dared violate the Princess

if we do not execute him

how can we uphold the law?

You're completely off the Mark

you can't arrest without a complaint

who's the plaintiff here?

I can accuse him as chief justice

but your daughter hasn't been violated

as she made a complaint to you

I'll accuse him

But you have to catch them in the act

what evidence do you have?

Listen, if there's a plaintiff in this case

it's gao jianli

it was yueyang who violated him

in that case, she must be punished

a woman violating a man

do we have provisions for such a crime?

I know our law, and we do not

you oversight, chief justice

I guess sire is changing the law again

violators and the violated get promoted

in that case, please let me step now

Listen,

violation and illicit sex are different

I'm not even sure it was illicit

she took him like taking medicine

and he's make her walk again

actually, wang Ben,
you're the one reaps the benefit

I've given gao a warning already

if it happens again, I'll castrate him

to protect him from future violation

put your hat back on, chief justice

we'll see how you handle this

you are involved in matters of state

why do you care about other people's

sex lives

do we rely on sex to build the empire?

The qi sword still hangs here

do you see it?

Wipe your eyes, look, zhao, read this

by royal decree, wang Ben is now

a Marquis with 3000 serf households

thank you, sire

the sacrificial altar is your job

if you fail

you'll punished

The grasses made you immortal

- right?
- Yes

how old are you now, then?

I don't remember exactly

but over 2500 year old - right

what bull, but it is very poetic

your majesty, in my humble opinion

these sorts cause trouble

you're wrong,
if the nobility get involved in this

they won't think to rebel

"Moving boulders, 1000 pounds on my back"

"1000 men stoop, so one can reach heaven"

Gao jianli is a troublemaker

listen to this song,
it seems asking them to overturn you

wrong again,

the song moves me

at the river sacrifice,
we'll have gao jianli lead the chant

have you written the lyrics yet?

We lost on the battlefield

but gao has conquered the qin in bed

he should be rewarded with a promotion

let's call him the music king

a king with no kingdom is worth a fart

he should be a Saint,

the music Saint

no,

he had sex with the Princess

he's the Saint of womanizer

the Saint of womanizer

I have come for the Saint of womanizer

"River, river, so vast and wide"

"rushing, roaring down from the skies"

"chanting, chanting, we join the tide"

"Blasting, smashing, out the mountainside"

Your majesty, the Princess' legs
wound haven't recovered

this is host dangerous

What a pity. She's not a prince

then I'd have a worthy successor

gao has changed my lyrics

listen, blasting smashing

he's criticizing you and suggesting

the kingdom is unstable

the song is brilliant

now you grasp

that hearts matter, and so do musicians

but don't read too much into the song

that gao will compose, the anthem is set

I might make him court composer, too

are you kidding, or making a decree?

- What do you think?
- I think you must be kidding

jokes and decrees can be the same, look

but the gods were angry

why?

Because half the lids

weren't virgins

no wonder they wouldn't let us land

xu gui - your majesty

how about I send your brother

with 1200 children

to get those grasses?

Wonderful - excellent

and I guarantee they'll all be virgins

thank you, sire

ok, float downriver to the China sea

talk it over

with the island ods

- you're off to go
- No, your majesty

no, majesty

majesty

majesty

understand? The king never jokes

Music is like people, full of sadness

Yes, but no hatred, it's sublime

have you seen a genius

like him before?

My only wish is to make yueyang smile

if she smiles, I smile, too

and if I smile, everyone smiles

but sire, I want to weep

If you weep, I weep too

and if I weep, everyone weeps

gao, only one

have this ability

father, you are incapable of tears

this is the second time we've shared a ride

you first

your majesty, wouldn't dare

but you have my consent

you might throw me out again

I wasn't me that did that

look, we're served his majesty so long

but has that ever happened to us?

Stop

Those two brothers thought they'd con me

I certainly played along with them

one's dead

the other's off to sea with the kids

to find that island

we'll incorporate it

into the kingdom

if he can't, the fish will eat him

you can't feed the kids

to the fish, too

why not?

It's a gamble, but losing can be fun, too

xu fu smelt fishy

he's the one who's not a virgin

you're right,

why didn't I think of that? Stop

Your brother must be out at sea by now

he wouldn't dare delay an important job

I want to see if you are a virgin or not

your majesty

you're pushy, just like your falter

no one can resist

the calamus and absinth are mixed now

do you still want to die?

I'd willingly die to be with you

an assassin

block the roads and catch him

Your wagon has fallen into a trap

Your majesty,

gao jianli protected the Princess

but he himself is seriously wounded

save him

this is the 19th attempt on my life

we're searching for
the assassin and get information

- so we'll get them all
- That's no use

kill everyone for a mile around

as sire decrees

better make it three miles

do as he says

I've lost again, I won't play anymore

you eunuchs are too clever

it was my only brother

who castrated me

but as a prince, you have many brothers

just think if they took up the knife

sir, I've won again

even a dwarf like you dares outdo me

We've found it, sire

we need a man with Yang energy's hair

it can restore circulation

we will seek such a man at once

cut the crap

no, not a hair on your head may be harmed

your majesty

word from general wang jian

he is too sick for the strategy meeting

you're tired, too, shall we postpone?

We will proceed as planned

winning qi is our final task, no delay

I have an order

send ten doctors to see wang jian

if he's breathing,

he'll be here

he's alive, jianli's alive

so, your hair got his circulation going

you've had a nice long nap for five days

yueyang's been by your side all along

wasn't I performing for you just now

the river mists have lifted

my spirit has been released

I call this ode to yueyang

If you can express our velour

in the anthem

even the heaven will be moved

my strength is elegant little tunes

anthems are grand, not what I do best

no, listen to their chant

nothing light and romantic about that

and did you compose it?

That's just a folk tune from my home

I've been a hostage since I was born

move away

get out of here,
my life's been at risk for twelve years

I could've died anytime

only this tune of yours

which you call just a folk tune

rescues me from the fear of death

I have sought death but without success

I have tired but failed to throw it off

sometimes I try to strike out against it

but something holds me back

death is my addiction

jianli, fate gave you to me

you are a part of me now

you must suffer together with me

and also receive the punishment with me

the qin anthem is ode,

you've written ode to yueyang

so you can make millions sing my anthem

You will not only compose the qin anthem

you will also become court composer

sometimes

self-sacrifice is unavoidable

I only compose music to amuse myself

A million-strong army has set out

once qi is conquered, I'll be wang Ben's

you will never see me again.

You must compose the qin anthem

you must become court composer

but make marrying me your condition

Your majesty

Get out of here

I want to see you drunk

take gao back to his chambers.
He is recovering

so take care of him

yes, sire

the Princess is confined to her quarters

how far may she go?

The two watch towers, no one may enter

what about...

- What?
- Gao jianli

no one

The scripts of the other kingdoms

including qi

by those of qin

then I will write my first edict

this will be to make gao court composer

that position's responsible for rites

only royalty has had the job before

a branded man

cannot do this job

what battles has he won?
He won to merit this?

A biting mad man

whose jumbled tunes jangle the senses

who else feels this way?

We all do

zhao gao, what about you?

I think he's fine for the anthem

but as for becoming court composer

I see you're opposed, too

wang jian, what do you think?

I'm sick,

I've got one foot in the grave

I dare not meddle in affairs of state

li si, you're my sole supporter

I'm still unclear when you're kidding

one more time, the king never jokes

then send gao to sea to feed the fish

Meng yi - yes, sire

I sent you to register households in wei

but you brought back

ten concubines

you're wife distraught,

is that proper?

Feng jie - yes, sire

your skill with the dice is legendary

you gamble and use signings for usury

what sort of proper behavior is that?

Zhao gao - yes, sire

I heard you got married again

your 31st time, right?

Trying to out do my predecessors, huh?

Why wasn't I asked to the reception?

I didn't dare disturb you, sire

why does a eunuch get married anyway?

To have someone to talk to

li si - yes, sire

you're the only one without concubines

I have no time for such matters

you share your bed with boys

- is this true?
- It's true

but apart from that, I have no hobbies

I'm going to give you a rare opportunity

there are 600 boys out at sea now

you should go with them

I think you'd be their ideal companion

the qi sword

is still not at rest

the blood we've spilt hasn't dried yet

we're getting decadent,

like our rivals

stupid and debauched

desire can lead astray or give an aim

music tricks ear, but can also move it

it can make me sing or weep

and make everyone else follow

we don't just want to brand prisoners

we also want to brand hearts and minds

the anthem will enable us to do this

gao jianli

is anyone still oppose?

Good

don't cool your arises in the breeze

sit up

set forth

take the major qi towns first

when you attack the capital, I will come

with this battle, we will unify China

and gao will fight for hearts and minds

- you are all dismissed
- Yes, sire

I'm working to

guarantee the marriage

we'll hold the wedding when we return

what do you think?

No need to be so formal

the whole game hangs on this final one

I hear I have

8000 palace women

I've picked you a few,

there are others

lovely, very nice

I should

have done this long ago

I've told my courtiers to forgive you

without women, they'd be like caged cats

hang on

you're a puny little guy

these are for wang Ben, I want yueyang

she's my masterpiece

of the bunch, I only want one bloom

ok, go ask wang Ben

then wang jian

they've served us for three generations

think the army and ministers will agree

if you won't give me yueyang, kill me

killing you is killing

the qin anthem heaven desires

my desires come before heaven's come

I want yueyang

you want yueyang, and she likes that

so do I

but you must yield for the qin empire

wait until you've made your name

then you can turn the game round

I'd rather join the work gang again

and die on your sacrificial altar

is that up to you?

My brother is at the east China sea

he has sent news to me in a dream

I wanted to send you floating after him

I shall set out the minute

I hear you have become emperor

are these the virgins you've prepared?

Wonderful

what a pity there aren't enough of them

you could pick up a trick from him

Why've you come to this lowly place?

General wang,
your father has almost conquered qi

his majesty will lead the final charge

You do things

too much by the book

and gao wouldn't be bothering you now

yueyang can walk now and I will benefit

so gao's done me a favor really

how magnanimous

your ancestors must be proud of you

today I must thank him properly

Your majesty, something's happened

We've discovered some words on a rock

the slaves say it's a heavenly prophecy

- let's see it
- What does the prophecy say?

Ying will die and his empire divide

So heaven wants me dead, is that it?

Some of you have dared

to forge the word of heaven

you are all shielding the criminals

you will be divided into groups

a group died each time the drum sounds

until you hand over the culprit

Jianli, I'm waiting to hear a prophecy that

ying zheng will die and his empire divide

why do you have to kill to rule?

Why do you need strings to play a tune?

You're killing like moving down grass

if I die and the empire is divided

and will revert to chaos

Which group is this?

A rare guest, bring him in

still on one has owned up

you dare come just to tell me that

the blades are dull with use

I've sent for fresh ones

I'm docking 10 days pay

"River, river, so vast and wide"

"rushing, roaring down from the skies"

"chanting, chanting, we join the tide"

killing is against

the way of heaven

I'll show you the way of heaven

in the 15th year of Duke zhuang

58000 qin soldiers died

in the 33rd year of Duke mu

94000 qin citizens died

550 years of warfare,

all the qin acquired were corpses

where was the way of heaven then?

And what about

when we were yoked together?

When you were on the Princess

where was the way of heaven?

War, legislation, your little affair

they're all a game of chess

I can only move by the rules of the game

here is no other way for me to survive

I carved that prophecy into the stone

kill me

and stop slaughtering the others

you have no right to ask to die

my aim is to put an end to war

I may have to kill a million for that

I should've died a hundred times already

but I've got unfinished business

you can't die

your music helps me

escape fear

and understand my people

jianli,

we should follow the true way of heaven

together, we should see China united

and the people's hearts united, too

I will compose the qin anthem

I will be your court composer

I will be as loyal as your shadow

I will let you marry yueyang to wang Ben

just stop the slaughter

but why did they write that prophecy?

I wish you and your empire immortality

now you must

kneel before me

By my decree cease the executions

the old gao jianli no longer exists

you are now

the qin court composer

with the status of a Duke

If it's not powerful
enough, add 20 more drums

sir, there's not enough time

you must hurry. The
ceremony must be perfect

sir, it's just a ritual

I don't think that's all my anthem is

but the qin anthem has become a yan song

you're a hero and highly refined

you're even more refined

that chime

needs to be filed down

yes, sir

you and I are the same

but you've saved 25,000 slaves' lives

and you got promoted to a high position

I'm pale by comparison - again

starting with the drums

You must wear this in case of attack

that's too heavy, and unaffordable

these qi soldier are half-starved

they couldn't even pull back here bows

you must wear it

I sorrow for the people

look

do I really need to wear this?

Note that down

no, forget it

sir, shouldn't we stop for

the victory rite

How could you dare

not join in?

So, you're an arrogate official now

yueyang

I am also under his majesty orders

I must go to the clan temple and pray

I'm dropping by to congratulate you

yueyang

do you want to be a deaf composer?

You should congratulate me, too

I want to play on my wedding night

when wang Ben and I make love

when I make love,

miracles happen

once with you

and I could walk

wang Ben is a great qin general

so he may make me ascend to heaven

yueyang

wang Ben should've killed you in yan

and I shouldn't have got you to eat

all the official posts and music

in qin

wouldn't stop your father

from marrying you to wang Ben

that policy is absolute

ok, get on with your qin anthem

Invincible

the six kingdoms were corrupt and cruel

the qin king nobly sent out his army

he has eliminated the violence

and peace now reigns all around

invincible...

Smelt it down with the others

I swear that I, Princess yueyang

daughter of the 32nd king of qin

will do as ordered and marry...

- Mr. gao
- Everyone except gao jianli

the rest get out

I'm afraid you're going too far

you dare instruct me? Get out

your father's sword is on my neck

I have no idea when it's going to fall

think of it as my caressing hands

that's what makes your skin tingle

I can make you run

make you fly

ancestors, open your eyes wide

I'm jianli's woman

the clan temple is my bridal chamber

jianli belongs to me

You dare raise the way of heaven again

it's just chess to you, I don't get it

you're committed the worst evil possible

what sort of a bitch are you?

For our friendship, kill me with one blow

one blow?

You'll die of 1000 cuts

This punishment is ages old

horse piss is poured on hot coal

the steam is waffled into the eyes

it causes blindness

but it is painless, without side-effects

this punishment is precise and elegant

but it's quite involved
and we don't use it anymore

what crime is it for?

Peeping Toms, watching court women bath

will receive this punishment

I thought you said it didn't hurt

that's what the book says

Take him away

gao has nothing to do with politics

what I want is his musical talent

his talent must serve the empire

His death would be a terrible loss

in our fight for hearts and minds

Can you see me?

I can see some monstrous shadow

in chess, you can't avoid losing pieces

but I will produce the anthem in time

for your installation as emperor

it would be a draw game.

I will only make music then

a blind man cannot be court composer

You make things very hard for me

I feel as though,
I'm between a rock and hard place

jianli,

are you a man or a devil?

2 dogs must fight if there's only bone

but who wants the bone if one dies?

I've understood that since I was a kid

I was made king at the age of 13

I had the strangest dream that night

headless ghosts were chasing me

they have to be the six kingdoms

I ran,

I ran to you, then ghosts went away

you were playing your qin,
that has to be the qin anthem

then I flew up into the clouds

I was still running

yes, that must mean

climbing the sacrificial altar,
and lighting the fire

know what I dreamt of first time I came

you,

what else could it be but a woman?

And I was sucking your mother's tits

And it came true,

it all came true with yueyang

you sensitive musicians,

whining al the time

you're just not patient enough

jianli, all rivers end up in the sea

wait two or at most five years

wang Ben will have died in some war

yueyang needs

only one year of mourning

then she can marry you.

Can't you hold out that long?

- Your majesty
- Don't call me that

as many people as ants

but very few are Sincere

you're the only person
who has the right to call me brother

Before you marry yueyang,
I want to hear you call me brother

your majesty

Your promotion has come to nothing,

and so has your qin anthem

but ying zheng knows what you're about

true

his sword could land on my neck anytime

but I have a little dagger up my sleeve

because I know what this court's about

we bet with our lives, and are doomed

but a little dagger can kill, too

hasn't enough blood been shed?

Do you think being court composer

has lessened the bloodshed?

You saved 25000 yan prisoners

but they were killed at the great wall

because another stone was found

and on it were the same etchings

your forbearance has been useless

you are a meaningless sacrificial pawn

all your effort has gone waste

you don't see it, but I do

the great wall is red with blood

today is a day of red upon red

ying zheng stains the great wall red

and dresses his daughter in bridal red

sir, are you going to see the bride off?

There are 6 swords in my hair now

we are both qin slaves now,

one and the same

and yet not, I will never see you again

maybe that's for the best

you'll never see me grow old

My condolences, sir

I'm playing for yueyang

your not male-not female hands

have polluted my tune

we eunuchs cannot compare with you, sir

your passion made yueyang

such a Thorn in his side

that wang Ben soaked
the bridal chamber in blood

I was only able to lend a hand

I killed him and jailed his father

I suppose I have avenged you, sir

in fact, yueyang bit off
her own tongue and die

They are yueyang's hands, you keep them

So many murders, what a storm

if goes on like this

the ceremony will be rained out

such a bad omen for the empire

what can we do?

The ceremony starts in two hours

put on your imperial robes, sire

why won't you tell me the truth?

Wait till after the ceremony

our condolences to your majesty

today's ceremony establishes the qin empire

and makes you the emperor

an eternal empire begins with you, sire

all families have lost members for qin

could yours be the only one not to?

Everything has its price

but why it have to be yueyang?

She'd just learnt to run,

and she ran so beautifully

why won't you tell me the truth?

Ok,

but you must put on your robes

because you must complete the ceremony

wang Ben cut off her head first

then her feet and hands

and her breasts, finally,
he cut off her vagina

zhao gao and I killed him

Gao jianli, you caused yueyang's death

we were both only sire's pawns

even wild animals can cry, but not you

this rain is the tears of wronged ghosts

it will drown your capital

then let the wronged ghosts sing for me

I'll tell you the real way of heaven

it is the Victor's face

An eternal empire begins with you

An eternal empire begins with you

I, ying zhen

have unified China

I proclaim myself the first emperor

after me, will come the 2nd and 3rd,
and so on to eternity

qin's glories and virtues are numberless

I command the qin anthem be performed

in honor of the gods,
and I light the sacrificial flame

I proclaim the qin

I command the qin anthem be performed

in honor of the gods,
and I light the sacrificial flame

I proclaim

history will record that when you

were installed, I attacked you

wrong, I write the history books

and they will say that I kept you alive

because you are my eternal shadow

gao has taken poison and will die

After four hours

of extreme pain

his organs will fail

and he'll die

jianli

brother