I've grown old...
It's so long since I last dreamed of the Duke of Zhou
My ideals of ethics, music, humanity and harmony...
... can be fulfilled only in times to come
Is it Master Kong Qiu, the mayor of Zhongdu?
Indeed!
Kindly follow me
Master Kong, you may bow inside
Announcing Master Kong Qiu, the mayor of Zhongdu
His Majesty arrives
Kong Qiu, you're here...
Your humble servant Kong Qiu greets Your Majesty
Kong Qiu...
You've been mayor of Zhongdu...
... for about a year now...
Many things have changed...
Streets are safe, homes are secure
Your Majesty...
... as your humble servant has said of observing the rituals of Zhou...
"A year shows progress, three years would show much more"
I'd like to see...
... your policies applied throughout the Kingdom of Lu!
I have no position, it is not for me to say
This could be easily rectified
I'll appoint you to the right position
Lord Ji Yiru has just died
His oldest son Ji Sunsi...
... has become Prime Minister and Chief General of the Army
But the post of Minister of Law is vacant
The three Noble Families all have their own nominees
But I'm inclined to appoint you
I cannot presume to be worthy
I will support you!
You and your disciples...
... could civilize the Kingdom of Lu
You could challenge those...
... you've called unworthy in the past
Do you... dare?
My Lord, A burial slave has just escaped!
What? Who is it?
Lord Pingzi...
It's the late lord's favorite young servant...
Qi Sigong!
That little boy
My father ordered that...
... this boy would be buried with him! Get him back!
Yes
Over there! Poisoned-arrow!
Help!... Master! Master... help me!
Teacher, in your opinion...
... could the Kingdom of Lu grow stronger...
... by emulating the Dukedom of Qi?
Your Majesty
The people of Qi obey the law...
... because they fear punishment
If we respect the law because we're civil, honest...
... and have integrity and dignity, isn't that much better?
When honorable and credible men are given office...
... theft and corruption will disappear
Men who care for their parents and children...
... also care for others
Men should perform their duties while women would be given a home and family
Then orphans and widows, the old, the sick...
... and the weak would be taken care of
Then the people will live well and work cheerfully
Universal peace and harmony will reign!
Mother!
Don't close it! Let me out! Lift the stone!
Prepare the meal
Your father has returned
How do you know?
I heard his voice
He'll be surprised I've brought you to see him
Hurry, take this to him
Father
You're back
You've been gone for half the day! Mother and I have been waiting
You haven't eaten yet? You must be hungry
Don't be afraid... Who are you?
I...
I'm Qi Sigong
Child...
Master...
Yan Hui, bring a doctor, quickly
I will
Hurry, call for a doctor
What's this all about?
Master...
As I came here...
... Ji Family troops were chasing this boy
So I rescued him
He was a burial-slave
The Ji Family soldiers want him back
Master, let's avoid trouble
I can leave him with my brother-in-law in the Kingdom of Wei
This might be better for everyone
No, Zilu, he can stay here
Helping others is a measure of bravery
Then Lord Ji Sunsi will be furious
Zilu...
You did the right thing
Stop! What do you think you're doing?
Who are you?
General Gongshan Niu of the city of Biyi
Search the house!
General Gongshan!
Master...
Kong Qiu...
What do you want?
It is reported...
... that the Minister's escaped slave is hiding here
If you don't turn him over to us now...
... it may damage your relations with the Minister!
Minister Kong, a word in private
Minister Kong, I too despise the arrogance of the three Noble Families
Today I can report that I found nothing
You and I should be friends and partners
Together, we could drive out the Noble Families and rule the kingdom ourselves
Tell me
What say you?
Our roads are different
General, it's getting late, you should be on your way
Go!
My lords and ministers...
Everyone has come to observe the Winter Sacrifice
But before we can begin...
... a strange occurrence demands explanation...
Yesterday, the officer responsible for the sacrifice of birds...
... reported that one of the ten pheasants...
... prepared for the ceremony...
... had pecked off its own tail!
So today I must seek your exalted opinion
Ought we to cancel the ceremony?
Or delay?
I wish to speak
Speak, Shu Sunwu
In my opinion...
... since the Winter Sacrifice marks the most important sacrifice at year end...
... it must not be delayed nor canceled!
We address the gods through this ceremony
The omen reflects a message from Heaven
Therefore, the pheasant should be spared from sacrifice
To do otherwise would disrespect heaven
We must obey the will of heaven...
... and allow this bird to live
Kong Qiu, what is your view?
Your Majesty...
Your humble servant fully agrees with Lord Shu's opinion
Then... you ministers?
Your humble servants also agree with the Ministers' opinions
Since all are in agreement, so be it!
Let the pheasant be released...
... into the mountain forests
Your Majesty, your humble servant wishes to speak
Speak
I request...
... an end to the evil ritual of burying living servants...
... with their deceased master
Kong Qiu...
Why do you make such a request?
Because today your humble servant...
... is pleading for this slave's life!
Which slave?
Him!
Uncle...
Isn't that the slave who ran away from your home?
Kong Qiu!
He was my family's slave
You brazenly took him into your house!
How dare you?
Master...
Minister, please pardon him
This boy should not accompany...
... Lord Ji Yiru to the grave...
Don't you always approve of observing...
... our ancient traditions? This is just one of them!
Minister...
Benevolence is love towards our fellow men
A ritual murder is still murder, even if it complies with tradition!
Lord Shu
You showed benevolence towards a pheasant
Now I ask you...
Surely you must also speak up...
... for this wounded boy?
We come today...
... only to discuss the Winter Sacrifice
This matter is unrelated!
No, there is a close relationship!
The Zhou code of ethics teaches us to value human life above all
The burial of slaves was practiced in barbarous times
It was outlawed in our dynasty when the Zhou reign commenced
Our Kingdom of Lu is the ancient home of the Duke of Zhou...
... and known for its ethics
We should think afresh and abandon outdated traditions
Your Majesty, my lords...
On my own life...
... I ask that you spare this young slave
Kong Qiu!
It was Lord Ji Yiru's dying wish that...
... those he loved should die with him
It is not cruel to bury this slave
Rather, it demonstrates the Minister's filial piety!
His love for his father!
General Gongshan! I know...
... you served Lord Ji Yiru for years
I hear he said many times that...
... he could not live without you
Right, that's correct
Given how close you were to him...
... he must still need you now that...
... he has passed on to the next life
If you were willing to accompany your lord in death...
... I could not object to you taking...
... this young slave with you
You...
What say you?
You... you're mad! You...
It seems the General is not willing to serve his master beyond the grave
He imposes on others what he will not impose on himself
Your Majesty, your humble servant has no more to say
The scholar's words seem to be profound!
I suppose...
Approved! Release him
Great! You need never go back to the house of Ji
Second bow
Boy... Don't cry, stand up
Qi Sigong, What's wrong?
Are you alright?
I'm not crying
May I really stay here?
Alright now, this is a special day
Zilu, let's drink to it
Good! Ziqian, Boniu, help me fetch the wine
Boy, come here
This is now your home
They are all your brothers
They will take care of you
I know, Master, I know
So we're family now!
Master, I could hardly believe it...
... when Ji accepted your proposal
Here comes the wine
Come, what about you?
I have this
Drink all you like. Very well, drink up!
It tastes horrid!
Your Highness...
Making Kong Qiu a minister with many responsibilities...
... will surely strengthen the Kingdom of Lu
And their strength threatens us in the Dukedom of Qi
Lu's strength is a threat to Qi
For almost one hundred years...
... all rulers of Qi have dreamed...
... of conquering Lu
Clearing our way to the western border
Kong Qiu has already asserted his authority in the Lu court
Your Highness, perhaps we should call a meeting...
... to congratulate Lu
We could invite the ruler of Lu and Kong Qiu...
... to Jiagu on our border
Kong Qiu is a man of letters, unfamiliar with military affairs
He knows ethics, not bravery!
During the ceremony, we'll take Lu's ruler hostage
Then we can discuss how the ruler and...
... the three Noble Families can submit to Qi's will!
An excellent proposal!
Minister Li, prepare a formal invitation...
... to the ruler of Lu
Invite him to Jiagu to discuss forming a new alliance between our states
Despatch it immediately!
Yes, Your Majesty
This meeting at Jiagu...
... is my first challenge as a minister
It is a matter of honor or humiliation, gain or loss
And it will have significant consequences!
Yan Hui...
His Majesty agrees that you should...
... take charge of the ceremony
Ensure that both parties have equal ground and equal respect
I will
Zilu...
Master...
You and Zigong will be the only men to carry swords on the meeting platform
Guard His Majesty carefully, regardless of what happens
Understood!
Ran Qiu...
Master
Go in advance to Jiagu...
... to inspect the area around the meeting platform
Look for any hiding places
What do you want me to do, Master?
Master, the military commanders are here
Our respects, Minister of Law
Please...
Qi specified the place for the alliance talks
It's known as a ravine
A dead end
I'd like you to bring chariots nearby...
... in case we need them
Minister, we're headquartered in barracks
We have only carriages at our command, no war chariots
Minister Ji and General Gongshan Niu...
... control them all
Minister...
I hear that the Prime Minister and Gongshan Niu...
... are holding an archery tournament in Biyi...
Very well...
Then I'll have to pay them a visit!
Master, we're approaching Biyi
Master, they say that Biyi...
... has more mounted soldiers and slaves...
... than any other city in Lu
Be advised!
Those who shirk labor, within three days...
... will be dragged out and put on public display
Compete at what?
Archery
Please
The alliance talk between Lu and Qi is a serious matter
Can Your Lordship provide army chariots to protect our ruler...
and show our might?
How many?
500
Isn't it supposed to be an alliance meeting?
Why do you need such a show of force?
As Zhou Gong taught us...
"Back up words with weapons"
Qi is a barbarous country...
... which has long wanted to conquer Lu
So we must be prepared!
Good
Then let us have a match
My teacher respectfully requests a match and drinks to you
If you win, I'll grant you...
... 500 chariots
The archery match will begin
Please take your places
You have my word
if you win, they're yours
If you lose, you'll get nothing!
Agreed
"A pure heart...
... makes a pure shot"
Right, full score!
A new minister with high ambitions!
Who would have thought that the Biyi city walls would be more than 18 feet high?
Built to conceal their injustices...
... and their onerous taxation!
The tyranny within these walls...
... puts tigers to shame!
Prime Minister, has all this escaped your notice?
Master Ji...
May I ask how Lu stands today?
It might just be that the Ji Family's real enemy is from within
Not across the border
I hear you had no father
Who taught you such fine archery?
My father was a warrior, but he left this world before his time
A diligent student needs no teacher... I taught myself!
Excellent
Right wins
The minister has been most courteous
So you have your 500 chariots...
... for the alliance talks
Address your request to Gongshan Niu
We have a kingdom because we have an army!
And who raised and trained that army?
Not your King of Lu! It was my Biyi!
Why should I blindly turn over my chariots to you?
So that you can march my army into the desert and starve them?
We will see
See, what I say doesn't always count
I gave the order...
But...
Its implementation is your own concern
Master...
Halt!
Your Majesty! Master!
Greetings, Your Majesty, Master!
Has Gongshan's army moved or not?
I don't know what's happening
Not one soldier or horse has moved yet
But that... that cannot be correct?
Ji Sunsi ordered them...
... to deploy days ago
Put our second plan into effect, immediately!
Yes, Master
Go!
Master, Qi has brought so much cavalry...
Is there anything to concern us about this?
Your Majesty, rest assured we're prepared
Since Qi is host and Lu is guest,
we request that the Nobles of Qi descend to welcome...
Your Highness, no undue courtesies
We invite the King of Lu to ascend
Your Majesty...
Lu is the Guest and Qi is the Host
The Zhou Protocols mandate that the nobles of Qi should descend...
Qi initiated the alliance talks
How could Qi dishonor its guests?
Your Highness, Qi and Lu share a close relationship
Our ruler has come to rebuild...
... our brotherly alliance...
Please...
It is our desire to respect each other and forever abandon war!
Although our states have different surnames...
... in reality we are like brothers
With this alliance...
... we will be like a single state!
What Lord Li says is interesting
All the territory and peoples belonged to the emperor
All the ministers and officials were just his servants
Therefore, your excellencies both have responsibility...
... for protecting the Emperor Zhou's ancestral territory
Excellencies, your humble servant advises...
When this alliance is formed...
... each state must commit to aiding the other
Should Qi one day find itself at war...
... Lu would be asked to provide 500 chariots...
... to supplement our army
Excellent idea!
Excellencies
Your humble servant would also like to make a request
An alliance between us...
... should be found on sincerity
And we request...
... the return of the three cities of Wenshang...
... won from Lu thirty years ago in war
I can see your point
Your Majesty
A gentleman's word is golden, your excellency
I thank you for returning our land to us, let's drink to it
Kong Qiu, it seems that you and your Master...
... have no plan to leave here today!
Look
Yan Hui...
Your excellencies
We've come here in peace today
We brought only ten chariots with us
But to safeguard the negotiations from any unforeseen threats...
... another 500 chariots are waiting nearby
Need we summon them here?
Look!
Your Majesty!
The advance party is here!
500 chariots are following me to Jiagu
We await your orders
Minister Li,
Do you want to see this ravine run with blood?
If this is how you demonstrate the workings of an alliance...
... who will ever again trust the Dukedom of Qi?
Why are you still standing here?
Dismiss the troops!
Your Majesty
Please forgive my minister's shameful act
May the alliance between us last forever
We make use of one hundred ox carts...
to scare off Qi's five hundred chariots...
Another triumph for our Master!
As he always says...
"Military strategy hinges on innovation and surprise"
Come on, there are drinks waiting!
Our Lady!
What? Has she gone missing again?
Sir, the prince has stormed into the palace
and is arguing with His Majesty again
Our Lady can't be found anywhere
She hasn't passed me
Then what can we do?
This is awful!
Let's go back
Go
Father, I'm almost forty!
I have been prince for almost 20 years
You are getting old,
and our kingdom is stagnating...
... But you just won't let go, will you?
Kong Qiu in Lu has a saying...
"Women and servants are hard to raise"
But you let a woman meddle in affairs of state!
You let her make decisions!
Madam, you're back...
Your Majesty...
What is so important that the prince needs to see you so urgently?
There's a message from General Gongshan Niu
I wasn't asking you!
This Gongshan Niu, he's an army general...
... with the Ji family in Lu
He wants to know...
... if we'll give him refuge in our kingdom
So Wei is to become a haven for cast-offs now?
That's exactly why I didn't approve
Gongshan Niu is ready to serve us
Why can't we give him refuge?
Giving him refuge would bring no benefit to the Kingdom of Wei
He has served the Ji family for many years...
... and the late Ji Yiru was good to him
Not only was he put in charge of Biyi...
He was exempted from taxes for years!
And now he turns his back on them
What use do we have for a turncoat like that?
I can control him
Learn to control yourself first!
The kingdoms of Lu and Wei depend on each other for their survival
If we took in Gongshan Niu...
... wouldn't we offend Lu?
Have you forgotten?
The mighty Kingdom of Jin is to our west...
... and the rough Kingdom of Chu is to the south
We have enemies on all sides!
If we lose our main ally...
What then?
Get out
Next time, don't...
If there's a next time...
... you'll no longer be the prince
The prince can't even weigh up gains and losses...
How can I make him the regent?
Invite Kong Qiu here...
... to teach your prince
Then Wei will be safe
Your Majesty...
Write a formal invitation to Master Kong!
Do you think Master Kong would come?
Master Kong's talents are undervalued
In Lu, the three Noble Families keep his talent in check
Our invitation will be seen as an appreciation of his talent
If he comes, that'll be best
If he doesn't...
... Lu will put him to better use
Lu will prosper, and will bring Qi to heel
That will suit us too...
What is this?
Letters of invitation from both Wei and Qi
We should start using Master Kong better...
... or others will take him
So how should we make use of his talents?
One moment...
This Kong Qiu has no proper line of ancestry
Your Majesty gave him a role in court less than a year ago
First he was mayor of Zhongdu
Then he was appointed Minister of Law
And now we're supposed to promote him even higher?
Does Your Majesty plan to make him a living god?
At the alliance meeting between Lu and Qi...
... Kong Qiu regained territory
Enhanced our national prestige
The whole country praises him for that
Kong Qiu was born a commoner
But your father admitted...
... he is descended from a noble Song family
He won back the Three Cities...
... without using a single soldier or chariot
He may be a mere commoner...
... but his ideal of civility in government works!
When my father died...
... Kong Qiu was made Minister of Law
Now I could vacate...
... the post of Interior Minister for him
If Your Majesty approves...
... I could serve only as Prime Minister
Very well!
I am glad that our Prime Minister has such respect for talent!
Good!
This is wonderful
When a country is in turmoil...
... it has need of its talents
Besides Kong Qiu...
... most of his disciples are available to serve our country
Master Kong, this is an outdated tradition
The servant I dispatched to the palace has reported secretly
Minister of the Interior Kong Qiu...
... is not focusing on his government work
He's been preoccupied with building the high Wuzi platform
Doesn't he claim it's part of a defense against flooding?
Yes, that's what he says
I do not trust him
I think he has something else in mind
Kong Qiu is a mere commoner
The ruler made him Minister of Law
Now he's made him Acting Minister of the Interior too!
Uncle, I sense a conspiracy here
He did not... did not eat again
Cut off your tongue if you stammer again
Get out
Yes Master
Zhongni, I've made some new black ink for you
It won't wash off easily
Try it!
Very well!
Teacher, the petition is ready
Please take a look
It is fine!
Gong Boliao, ready the cart
It's so late! Where are you going?
It is urgent, I need to go to the Palace
Wake up! Gong Boliao
Leave me alone!
"Rotten wood is hard to carve!"
Let him sleep!
Master...
You've worked all day and into the night
It's too hard!
If this is for the betterment of Lu's citizens, I don't mind
Master...
You're ordering city walls to be demolished!
Won't the three Noble Families rebel...
... against your authority?
It's time to curb the power of the Three Families
We must act, and act quickly
Master, I think this is courting great danger!
Yes, Master, this is very dangerous!
Won't you reconsider?
Reconsider what?
Disciples, my late teacher Master Zichan had two fine sayings
Please remember them all your life
"Put your country ahead of your life"
And "Obstacles will be many... "
"... so maintain your strength of spirit!"
What we are doing now...
... is not only for the short term
Minister of the Interior Kong Qiu is here to see His Majesty
Tomorrow in court...
... your humble servant will call for "Razing the Three City Walls"
"Razing" ? What exactly does that mean?
When the Duke of Zhou ruled these lands, it was established...
... that no fiefdom should build walls...
... around its city more than 18 feet in height
The aim was to prevent the nobles...
... from abrogating power to themselves
But in recent decades...
... these three families have made their cities seats of power
And their city walls have grown taller
I humbly propose that the walls of these three cities be razed...
... to reunify the state
That is a serious matter
It will stir up discontent
Can you win this?
If you fail...
... you'll unleash chaos everywhere
Your humble servant did a fortune reading
The reading was "Headless Dragons"
That's very auspicious
To strengthen the throne, the power of the nobles must be reduced
We must cut off the dragons' heads
Serve my man here with the best wine and food
Thank you, Minister, thank you
Didn't I say this would happen?
It is vicious
"Razing the Three City Walls"!
To pull down our walls is to undermine our strength!
Kong Qiu wants to bring down the fiefdoms of the Three Families
Our fiefdoms?
Have we any fiefdoms?
Maybe Meng's fiefdom still belongs to Meng
Does your fiefdom belong to you? Or General Hou?
Is Biyi still mine?
Kong Qiu calls for demolition
Fine, that would benefit us
What should we do now?
Laozi teaches us...
"Every gain is balanced by a loss"
Support Kong Qiu!
Raze the three city walls!
More speed!
We must reach Biyi tonight...
... to see General Gongshan
Come on! Fight! Peck!
Urgent report from the city of Houyi!
Acting Interior Minister...
Just speak
Yes, sir
Hou Fan, rebel general of Shu Sunwu's territory...
... has escaped from Houyi!
Shu and Zigao's forces have succeeded...
... in tearing down their walls
Excellent! Well done!
Good, we caught them by surprise
The Minister must be congratulated on his famous victory!
Come, drink!
Today we must celebrate
No, it's not over yet
Hou Fan will continue his resistance
Ensure that Shu and Zigao tear down the walls quickly...
... or the rebels will regroup behind them!
As I arrived in the city...
... I saw Zilu and his army encamped nearby
Your Biyi is about to have its walls torn down
You need a plan
Let them tear down the wall!
They'll be leaving the capital undefended!
My plan is to seize the capital...
... execute Kong Qiu and banish the Three Families!
Halt! Halt!
Inspection!
Don't you recognize the Ji banner?
We are delivering Biyi's land taxes to the palace
Open up!
The Minister of Law has ordered that all carts be inspected...
Seize the king of Lu! Slay Kong Qiu!
Seize the king! Slay Kong Qiu! Drive out the Three Families!
Kill them all!
Report! General, the king is not in his palace
Where is he?
It seems he has sought refuge with the Ji family
Find him!
Open the gate! Open it!
In such a key moment, where is Minister Ji?
He's out for a hunt, Your Majesty, follow me please
Your Majesty, be careful
Don't engage them, just try to hold them back for two hours
Then lure them to the Wuzi Platform
Yes, Minister
Ji picked a fine time to go hunting!
Quick! Kill them all!
Ruler! Kong Qiu! Three Families! Hear this...
Today, in the name of the late Lord Ji Yiru, under heaven's mandate...
I will annihilate all who defy the will of heaven!
Destroy them!
March on!
Kill the king, kill Kong Qiu!
Retreat!
Flames!
Pull!
Release
Report! Minister!
Gongshan Niu and his rebel army are defeated
They are retreating from the capital
Uncle! An urgent report from the capital
It's just as you predicted
Gongshan Niu was defeated at the Wuzi Platform
Then what are you waiting for?
Send the troops in, capture Gongshan alive
Yes sir!
Take Gongshan Niu alive!
Pull!
Release!
Pull!
Release!
Nobody is demolishing my Chengyi
Why?
Chengyi stands right on the border between Qi and Lu
The high walls of Chengyi serve as a bastion against a Qi invasion
They must not be demolished
How can you go back on your own word?
Didn't you approve the razing of the city walls?
Let him finish
Kong Qiu reclaimed the three cities of Wen Shang
The three cities which used to belong to your family
But were they returned to you?
No, they were handed to the ruler of Lu
Kong Qiu forced General Hou Fan out of the city of Houyi
And who is now in charge of the city?
Zigao, Kong Qiu's disciple
And Biyi? Has it been returned to your family?
No!
Zilu, another of Kong Qiu's disciples, has been put in charge!
See?
And if they now take over my Chengyi...
... it will be handed over to the ruler of Lu
Will there be any land or city left to us?
You Ministers
Are you really willing to give the Kingdom...
... back to the ruler of Lu and Kong Qiu?
Acting Interior Minister
By the order of the Prime Minister
No one is allowed in
Please wait here, I will make a request
Master, those carriages are from the Meng and Shu families
Master! Kong Qiu is requesting to see you
I won't see him
They're all inside
Master...
I'm sure those are Meng and Shu carriages
Master...
Come! Let's drink
All of you should drink more
Listen! Once all the walls have come down...
... we will truly become one big family
Am I right?
Father
How far is the Qi army from our border?
Less than 30 miles
But the Duke of Qi has sent an ambassador, Li Chu...
... bearing gifts
Gifts? What gifts?
80 dancing girls, and more than 100 horses
Has Li Chu made any demands?
He demanded that Kong Qiu be dismissed
Off to the palace, we must see His Majesty tonight
The Acting Interior Minister is here!
Your Majesty
We cannot pull back now!
We've won back two of the cities, we cannot abandon the third!
Do you know?
Li Chu has 30, 000 Qi soldiers amassed on our border...
... ready to invade
If they form an alliance with the city of Chengyi...
... we will be encircled
But you have proclaimed the razing of the three city walls, Your Majesty!
A man of high principles must be willing to die by his word!
He cannot bend his principles to save his life!
Who will be left to care about ethics if we're defeated in battle?
Victory and defeat are what matter...
Not ethics!
Don't you remember?
My father Prince Zhao was driven out of Lu by the Three Families
He died in exile!
If the Three Families turn against me now...
... my fate will be much worse than his
Your Majesty!
Say no more!
I have supported you for the past one hundred days
And so did the Ji family
Last night Ji came to see me
His words implied more than they said
If the walls of Chengyi are demolished...
... it seems the Qi army will seize the chance to occupy the city...
... with an army of 30, 000
Everything will be reduced to chaos
Kong Qiu, Kong Qiu...
You should follow my example sometimes
Play a little stupid
Didn't your revered Laozi teach...
Accomplish everything...
... by doing nothing
Kong Qiu, the times are out of joint
Chaos is everywhere
But you still go your own way
With your rituals, music, benevolence and harmony
I'm so ashamed
I've achieved nothing
Then stop trying
Men habitually long for fame and authority
But such aims should detain no man for long
Then what should I, your pupil, do?
I cannot hang useless on the door-beam like a dried-out gourd...
... making no contribution to the world
Maybe no contribution is the true contribution
The weak survive, the mild persist...
Nothing is softer than water
And yet aggression and force never triumph over water
So be like water!
The Master's words are profound, but I must be loyal to my chosen path
The Master's way is magnificent and shapeless
It's beyond time and space
Beyond all worldly matters
But my dao keeps me in the world of men
Then tolerate the misunderstandings of those in your world
Unlike those who are rich...
... I have no gold to give
Only this simple advice
The sacrifices for the year's end ceremonies are over
Has the sacrificial meat been distributed to the nobles and officials?
Yes, it has
And as you ordered...
... none went to Kong Qiu's household
Father...
Have some of this
No point in waiting
I don't think we will be getting sacrificial meat this year
My lord...
What is it?
My master wishes to see the king
His Majesty has no time for him
Well, give this to Kong Qiu
Don't say I sent it
Tell him it comes from His Majesty himself
Kong Qiu is a clever man
When he sees this...
... he'll understand
Yes, Master, I'll take it to him now
And this too!
Enough to buy yourself a piece of good land
Go home now, understand?
Yes, sir!
Come
Stable the horses from Qi
It's going to rain soon
Yes, sir. Untie the horses and bring them into the stables!
Father! Gong Boliao came back
The King told him to bring this to you
A parted jade!
Father, why would the King send this?
Parted jade... A parting gift
Someone wants me to leave
Did this come from the King himself?
That's what he said, Father
Gong Boliao handed this to me and then left
He said he wouldn't be coming back
Find a chance to return my robe of office and the crown to the king
Father...
The crown symbolizes ethical behavior
You have always treasured it
It's no longer important
Father, please wait till the rain stops
Please at least wait for your disciples
Look after your mother!
Master!
Yan Hui... How did you get here?
The master is the body, the pupil is the shadow
I will stay with my master until the end
To be honest, I don't know where I'm going
Master...
Yan Hui, you have talents
You would have no trouble finding a good position in court
But if you come with me...
... you'll have no home or family
You will always regret it...
No, I won't!
Yan Hui, look...
There are nothing but hardships ahead
No prospects for a fortunate life
Only a vast wilderness
Aren't you afraid?
Tell me, in what respect am I wrong?
May I speak frankly?
Of course
Master, you were wrong...
... to put all your faith in the ruler of Lu
Master, you once told me...
... that if a man cannot change the world...
... then at least he should try to change himself from within
Good... well said
The humanity I sought stands before me, my complaints are groundless
Master, Ran Qiu and I had some duties to finish
That's why we're late getting here
That's right, Master. Look...
We've brought all your scrolls
Master! Without me, who will drive your cart?
And, as I've said before, with me at your side...
... nobody will dare be rude to you!
That's true
Master!
Who would have thought he snores louder than I do
Let's go
I am the special representative of the ruler of Wei
I am instructed by His Majesty and the Royal Consort to welcome you to Wei
Our Kingdom greets Master Kong and his followers
Master, what is your impression of Wei so far ?
Compared to Lu, Wei has a larger population
Yes, a larger population makes it more difficult to govern
There is more potential for disorder
Tell me, how can my government remedy this problem?
By making sure the common people have their due share of prosperity
The vast majority of them are quite prosperous
And yet there are signs of social disorder everywhere
Then the moral climate is not good...
The people need education!
Good! Good!
The master is truly a sage!
Then I hereby invite the Master to teach in our country
We will provide land to build an academy
And 60, 000 stones of grain every year
Will that suffice?
Thank you, Your Majesty
And I wish to consult you on one other matter
As you can see...
... our Kingdom of Wei is vulnerable on all four sides
Each one of our neighbors...
... would conquer us if it could
So I invite the Master to train our soldiers
As a mere wandering exile, dare I even speak of soldiering?
But I have heard it said...
... the Master is a brilliant military tactician
If Your Majesty speaks of sacrificial rituals...
... I do have some small knowledge of them
But of military matters...
... I have no great knowledge at all
Alright, I won't try to force you
But there's one thing you absolutely must agree to
Your humble servant is a guest here, your wish is my command
My royal consort Nanzi is eager to see you
You won't say no, will you?
Of course not
Better not to see her
Doesn't Master know? She has a very dubious reputation
This woman is a great beauty
But she is a succubus
Her very name taints the kingdom!
Master...
Do you know of this woman's past?
This Nanzi was raised in the house of the ruler of Song
In Song, she had an affair with the ruler's son, there was a scandal...
This kind of gossip is trivial
Do you know who now runs the Kingdom of Wei?
The King, of course!
I can see it isn't
Wei's internal politics are very chaotic, there are many seats of power
But I can see that the real power behind the throne...
... is Nanzi
What kind of a man is this Kong Qiu?
In my view...
... just poor and disheveled scholar
His only pleasure is in books and rituals
Poor he may be, but we could build up friendship
This Kong Qiu is a worthy man
You must treat him well
I still hope...
... one day, we could ask him to be the teacher of our young prince
I have already promised him 60, 000 stones of corn every year!
Please be seated, Master...
Our lady will be here soon
Your humble servant greets Madam
You are the famous scholar Kong Qiu?
Master Kong, please be seated
Thank you, madam
I have heard one of your axioms is " true benevolence is the love of mankind "
Does this " benevolence"...
... extend to a woman with a reputation like mine?
I hear that you are teaching "The Book of Odes" here
Yes, I am!
I also love poetry
That line...
"A beauteous lady, a gentleman's fine match"
Can you tell me what that means?
The poem means
"Even while courting, a gentleman observes all proprieties"
Of the 300 poems in "The Book of Odes"...
... so many speak of love!
All 300 have one underlying point
In true love, there is no evil
I have liked poetry since I was a child
Will you take me as your student ?
I have taken on a new student in Wei, his name is Bu Shang
Although still quite young, he is some sort of prodigy
While studying "The Book of Odes" under me, he has shown much insight
So I humbly recommend that he becomes your study-companion
Our ministers consider your theories...
... of civility in government to be impracticable
Do you truly believe they can work?
Ruling with civility will benefit the state, its community, and its people
Why should it not be practicable?
Without civility, a state will descend into chaos
Males are born lascivious
Their desires lead them into war and bloodshed
Since this is their nature...
... it will be hard to rein them in
The hardness of the task is the measure of the gentleman
Oh, Master, do you really believe...
... that a gentleman's personal morality...
... is the most important thing?
My belief is that a man who wakes up living a life of civility...
... will go to his death a justified man
Master, will you stay longer in our country? May we meet again?
That would not be convenient
How so? Why inconvenient?
Because I have not yet seen anyone...
... who puts principles before licentiousness
Worldly people could probably come to understand the master's sufferings
But few will ever truly grasp...
... the depth and breadth of those sufferings...
It seems we should leave Wei now
Why's that?
This land will soon descend into chaos
Worldly people could probably come to understand the master's sufferings
But few will ever truly grasp...
... the depth and breadth of those sufferings...
That's scholar Kong! Let's take a look at him!
By order of Commander Huan
Kong Qiu and his followers must leave the Kingdom of Song immediately
Second bow, third bow...
Master, please begin
Poetry, books, ethics, music, a gentleman must understand all these
So today we will begin a review of our practices
Rulers should treat ministers with courtesy...
... as ministers should serve rulers with loyalty
Loyalty and filial piety...
... are the keys to humanity and harmony
All professions may prosper
Close to home, attend your parents
Further afield, placate your neighbors
There is also much to learn...
... including the names of birds, beasts, grasses and trees
By order of Commander Huan Kui...
Leave the Kingdom of Song!
Stop!
The tree is coming down! Watch out!
Master, let's quickly leave
Master, we must go!
Excuse me, friends. Where's the river crossing?
The river crossing?
Who's that man sitting on the cart?
That's Master Kong
Master Kong?
The famous Kong Qiu from Lu?
Indeed!
Isn't he supposed to know everything?
Then he should know where the river crossing is
You fellows should stay here are become farmers...
... instead of wandering around with him!
Avoid all the trouble out there!
That's right! Stay here as farmers!
Yeah, stay out of politics like us!
His theory was wrong.
Just Stay here with us.
Let's go
Let's move on, we will ask for direction later
Fei, is there any news of Kong Qiu?
They say he spent some time in Wei...
... then went to Zheng and is now in the Kingdom of Chen
"In time of war, we need generals... "
"In time of trouble, we need thinkers"
Back when we held the alliance meeting...
... Kong Qiu won back the three cities without waging war
But we sent him into exile
Now it's clear that Qi tricked us
With our ruler dead and a mere child on the throne...
... Qi seizes the chance to invade us
Our strength is not what it was
If it comes to war, we have no outstanding general
Now I have a mission for you
Bring Kong Qiu back to Lu!
Father, we mistreated Kong Qiu before
We forced him into exile
If we invite him back now...
... people will mock us
We could invite his disciple Ran Qiu back first
He is Kong's foremost disciple, he has good military skills
He would know how to counter the Qi army
Alright, invite Ran Qiu back first
Wake up! Wake up!
Wake up, Master! It's terrible!
The Kingdom of Wu is invading! We have to leave at once!
Have you seen an elderly foreigner?
There's someone outside the city's East Gate
The Qi army is poised to attack Lu
Master...
Lord Ji asks you to allow Ran Qiu to come back to protect Lu
Master...
Please agree, for the sake of Lu!
Master, we cannot let Ran Qiu go!
They turn to us only when they're in trouble!
Remember how badly they treated us!
How did you find me?
An old farmer told us...
... he saw a foreigner near the East Gate
"A forehead like King Yao's... "
"Shoulders like Zichan's... "
"Had the air of an important man... "
"... but looked as scraggy as a stray dog"
We guessed it was you
I'm not brave enough to be important
And my features don't resemble anyone famous
But that old farmer got it just about right when he said "stray dog"!
Master, you teach us to practice what we learn
Our homeland is in peril!
The Prime Minister asks Ran Qiu to return
Lu's very survival is at stake
As men of Lu, we cannot stand idly by
Well said, Yan Hui
Lu is in danger, I should allow you to return...
... to save the kingdom from disaster
Ran Qiu
You should go
I will wait for good news from you
Master, once the battle is won...
... I'll come back for you
Pull!
Greetings, Prime Minister
Father...
General Ran has lived up to our hopes
He has routed the Qi army in the Battle of Lang
The Qi army has retreated back across the border
This won't go unrewarded
I will petition the king to put you in charge of the Wen Shang Cities
Prime Minister, this simple man does not want charge of the Three Cities
I only have one simple request
Speak
My teacher, Master Kong...
... has been wandering for many years
He's destitute, but goes on teaching
But there has never been a moment...
... when the Kingdom of Lu wasn't in his thoughts
This simple man's request...
... is that you have him invited back to Lu
Well...
I 'II need to discuss your request with His Majesty
I fully recognize your talents
Stay here as our retainer
No more aimless wandering with Kong Qiu
Look, a nine-tailed sparrow!
Seeing that bird fly past...
... means there must be a village not far ahead
Really? That's great!
We can finally get some food in our bellies!
Hurry, everyone!
Quick! I'm dying of hunger!
Nobody around...
Looks like this is another village torched by the Cai army
We're all very tired... Clean this place up a bit
I think we can spend the night here
Master, look...
It seems that the Cai troops have us trapped in this valley
Master...
I've found a small mountain path
It's very narrow, but I think it may lead down the mountain
Why don't I see where it leads?
I might be able to find some food
Or at least someone who can help us
You can all rest here and wait for me
Zigong, you always find a way!
Come back soon
Let's go, Zigao
Father, doesn't heaven reward those who are kind?
What wrong have we done to deserve this?
How is it...
... that heaven allows us to starve like this?
He's right!
Master is wise
Maybe some cannot understand...
... because their thinking is too backward
Master taught us...
"Only in winter... "
"... does the pine tree show its true strength"
Master has been playing that instrument for days now
Yes, as if the music would fill his belly!
Master, you haven't eaten for days
This soup is the last of the horsemeat
Please drink some
Are you alright, brother?
Brother...
Zilu, drink some soup
Master, I'm not hungry... you have some
Look, I'm having some, you have a little too
Each of us should have a little
I'm not hungry... you have some
Master, at last you're awake! Master...
Are you alright? Master!
Master, I'm back at last
You were gone for seven days! If you'd come back one day later...
... you might have been too late!
Master, you're awake
Zigong, tell me...
What's happening out there?
Master, we left the valley
We were hunted down, we almost died
Thanks to Yan Zhuoju, Zilu's brother-in-law...
He brought others to rescue us
That's when we found out how chaotic the world has become
Men from Wu have conquered the Kingdom of Zheng
Men from Chu have devastated the Kingdom of Cai
The people of Cai were forced to move south
Come on, help me, quickly!
Master...
The ruler of Wei is dead, and his successor greatly respects Zilu
He wants to appoint him governor of the city of Puyi
What are you men waiting for?
I'm waiting for a roast gigot of lamb!
Let's boil the water and start cooking!
I am proud to see one of my students so honored
But "Enter not a dangerous state, dwell not in a chaotic state"...
The political situation in Wei is not stable
To be frank, I do not much approve of your taking this post
Master, just wait for me to show my mettle in Puyi
Then I'll be able to raise a powerful army
I will deal with the chaos inside Wei...
... and appoint you the new Prime Minister!
Undue haste has no place in politics!
Zilu, you are headstrong and demanding...
That's very dangerous in this chaotic world!
Master, I know this
But my "undue haste" reflects my wish...
... to realize your ideals...
... of harmony and civility in government
An official wears his robes of office...
... but it's his inner character and spirit which reflect his true mettle
Never forget this
Don't look at...
... listen to, speak to, or do anything...
... which offends propriety
Master's words will stay with me all my life!
Qi Sigong, take care on the road
Master!
Take care of yourself, Master, your students bid you fare well!
Master...
What's that sound?
The ice is cracking! Hurry up! Move!
Yan Hui!
Hui, where are you? Hui...
Hui...
Yan Hui...
Come back up!
Master, please eat something
It has been eight hours...
He will not revive, Master
Let go, Master
Master!
Please eat something
Kong Qiu hasn't come back
Father, I have sent men to look for him
It's reported that they're approaching the border
He will never forgive what I did to him
Go in my place...
When you see him...
... give him this
He'll come when he sees this
Master
Qi Sigong
Why are you back alone? Where is Zilu?
Brother Zilu...
He's dead
Wei is in chaos, Yang Hu from the Kingdom of Jin has invaded...
Zilu tried to protect the young heir to the Wei throne
He went out to face the invaders alone
He...
He was killed!
Master says" When a gentleman dies... "
"... he should maintain his dignity"
Well said
Zilu, well said
Mighty Zilu!
You were a true gentleman!
My father asked me to present Master with this jade
Master Kong, my father... he...
He is dying
Master!
I've found you at last!
Ran Qiu, you've found your way here?
Master, I...
Master, Minister Ji has been too sick to attend court for many years
I'm afraid he has not long to live
When he thinks back...
... he deeply regrets having forced you into exile
He has sent his own son to invite you back
He hopes to apologize to you in person
Master, please come back to Lu
A ring of jade...
Stand up
Master, for the sake of Lu's future... Come home!
I... can return
But you must tell them...
... that I only want to teach
They must no longer trouble me...
... with politics
I will stress this point to him
We will respect your wish
Master...
Start packing up, we are going home
We're going home!
We can finally go back to Lu!
Father, Master Kong is on his way
He'll be here soon
Go! Welcome him on my behalf
We're home, we're finally home!
Lu...
We're back
Lu, land of my parents...
I have finally returned
Master...
Did you say something?
Oh... nothing
Pack up "The Spring and Autumn of Lu" and have it delivered
Yes
If the world will come to know me, it will be through this book
If the world will think ill of me...
... it will also be because of this book.