During the early Warring States Period,
China was divided into many territories.
Warlords scrambled for these territories.
Society was in turmoil.
7 states reigned supreme; Qin, Chu, Han, Zhao, Wei, Qi and Yan.
A century later,
smaller states were being annexed.
Han and Zhao were conquered by Qin.
In 227 B.C.
Wei's troops were sent to attack the Yan
but they were ambushed at Phoenix Hill.
The result was a blood bath.
Both armies were annihilated. Three thousand soldiers died.
Sanlang (third brother).
Sanlang.
Looks like I was more fortunate.
- General! - Who are you?
A Yan soldier.
One main road passes by my home
My home is right at the foot of Phoenix Hill
Soils are rich at the foot of Phoenix Hill. There's 5 acres of land
How marvelous.
5 acres of land... what should I grow?
You know,
when I was little, I caught a wild boar.
My father set it free.
It was pregnant.
Are you pregnant?
You know what, you're my hostage. Hey, hey.
No fatal wounds
um...but you've lost a lot of blood.
This salve is a family formula.
You're very fortunate.
Does that hurt?
Well, it's about to hurt some more.
Oh, don't be such a baby!
Young man, you're going to live.
No more bad language!
My father said...
scratch when you're itchy, smile when youre sad!
How marvelous.
General.
Colonel Yu.
Yes,
relax.
Why are we here?
To kill Liang's soldiers.
How many did you kill?
Tell me!
One.
My soldiers're laying there...
Yan's soldiers came hard on us...
be prepared to die for their...
I wish...
the General remembers I saved his life...
General, we were wiped out last night.
Do you know why that is?
It's because we were betrayed
and ambushed...confess!
Are you the mole?
You're ruthless! He saved you and you just killed him!
Hey hey! what're you doing?
He told you the truth.
Your troops were wiped out.
Kill me.
I don't kill hostages.
But if you beg me,
I might let you go.
Kill me!
Do you really...want to die?
Well then here...be my guest.
All I wanted was to defeat Liang...
but I'm out of time.
Ha ha ha! You want to die?
But I won't let you!
Prince Wen, the job is done.
You said it's only honorable to die in battle.
You're a deserter.
No, I'm a soldier who played dead.
My father said
there's no shame in fearing death
but to die from persecution
is shameful.
How much am I worth?
No harm in telling you.
5 mou of good soil.
5 mou?
I've a piece of jade tied to my waist.
This rotten thing...so how much is it worth?
A great deal.
Thanks for the gift, General.
But I think you're lying.
He's one of ours. He's alive.
We were ambushed...Sir
Anybody here?
Anyone here?
Waiter, bring us water and wine!
Hey! Is that how you big shot speak?
"Insolent! Off with his head!"
There's no food here. Nothing!
General...
Have mercy please.
The Liang's army, 2,000 strong.
Ambushed 1,000 of our best soldiers.
Both sides were annihilated.
I gave him the sword.
Where is he?
I'll find him, Your Highness.
Wu,
If he's still alive, ...
The war's everywhere...
where could you run to?
Have you heard of the Magic Tree?
Yes, I've heard of it, which is at Phoenix Hill.
It's said to be potent.
- Is he your hostage? - He's my lucky star.
Be patient. We'll be there soon.
How many days?
Two.
You're a little man.
That may be...
but you're a...hostage.
So don't push me.
Give me the wine.
No way!
No?
Have you fought many battles?
um...m, a lot I'm a seasoned warrior.
Untie me.
Then you must have killed many men.
Of course!
And yesterday I fought eight of them on my own!
Take me with you, General.
I too would be your hostage.
Oh...good!
I've studied music.
I'll sing while the General drinks,
What if he's still alive?
Either way, he's dead.
But why?
So you've killed many men, General.
I'm not a General.
Perhaps it was you who killed my family.
I was sold as an orphan
and made to sing
for people like you.
My apologies...I didn't want you to drink.
Hey, stop beating me!
Hey! Open the gate. I'm a Liang soldier.
and I have killed the Wei General...
Hold...
Who is it?
The Wei General.
It's him. I'm sure.
The head...it's a Wei's General.
Give him the reward.
Wait.
Who was it that killed him?
It was I.
Are you saying that you've managed to kill the great General?
Impossible! He must be lying?
Well...kill him!
I'm innocent!
Either kill me or let me go.
Cause' I'll kill you if I get the chance!
Kill, kill, kill.
I'm a farmer.
I don't kill and I don't want to kill.
But if you keep pushing me,
I'll have no choice.
I can't believe I was tricked by a woman.
I gave her food and what did she do? Drugged me!
You cheated her, she cheated you back. It's fair.
She should have beaten you up instead.
It's this damn helmet!
So what was it that she whispered?
Little man.
Who's stronger, is it he or I?
He's a born warrior.
I'm not inferior!
But you're soft hearted!
You must learn from him...if you're to become king.
I'll lead the search for Prince ( Bu Lu ? ), You should return...
I won't go back until I find him.
You know,
I've waited 20 years
for the wars to end
and for a farm to till.
The cart is gone and this was hacked off.
Don't bother playing dead. You can't fool me.
The main road is too conspicuous.
We should take the small path.
I've never taken the small path.
But don't worry, I've my father's map.
Liang's wine smells awful.
One small road leads to my home.
There's men coming...men are coming
My father said, bad shit bull is good luck.
Ambush.
Be quiet!
You there...what...what's in the cart?
Nothing, nothing!
Take it!
I said, take it!
Who are you?
A General.
Really?
Really...?
Kick him!
Wait! No...no...no!
Hey, don't hit me!
Sorry.
Leave him alive but you can take his things.
Hey! All you have is a broken cart!
Attack!
Shut up!
Who's he?
Ur...
He...he's my son.
I'm not his son!
Where's your respect?
He has gone crazy, you know,
from all the fighting.
It was you soldiers who destroyed our land
Attack!
No! I'll keep my word. Take the cart.
You're a disrespectful son!
- Shh... - you want to die? What do you want this for?
A sickle?
A sickle? Where's your farm?
Move it! Let's go!
Stupid fools!
He doesn't know, you're the most precious thing.
Your son?
I'll show you respect, father!
You think now...
Don't move. hold your breath.
You want to strangle me?
I just saved your life!
( Moaning in pain )
I didn't touch you that time!
My father was right. It was "good luck" I stepped on.
Marvelous.
I beg you! Spare our lives!
I won't if I were you.
It's my decision, whether he lives or dies.
My decision...
1 mou for beans. 1 mou for gourds.
2 mou for beans, 2 mou for rice paddy.
No, 3 mou for beans.
What should I plant...in 5 mou of land?
I'll give you a thousand.
That's way too much land.
I cann't handle more than 5 mou.
Paddy or bean, which is better?
Rice. I like rice.
But paddy is rice! You stupid!
You tired?
Are you comfortable?
No I'm not tired.
5 mou of land, that'll keep me busy.
Right, I'll need to buy a cow.
Maybe two, one male, one female.
Male ploughs the land; female for milk.
Now let's see you take me back to Yan.
I don't know how to milk a cow.
I better marry a woman who knows.
My brother was the best fighter.
He was killed in battle.
My second brother was the honest one.
He also died in battle.
And I'm the last, the only one that's still alive.
General, do you have brothers?
No, no brothers.
What's going on?
I don't know where they're!
Phoenix Hill is huge! How could I know where he's.
You said he's tied up?
Yes, his father tied him up. Said he's mad.
I thought too that they were both a bit mad...
Well, I'll be going now...
Vengence...
They'll have trouble...rescuing you.
For me, I've been in wars for years,
But I've never seen an arrow equalled to this one.
I know it well. It's my enemy's.
You're lying in the bed you made for yourself.
They want you so that they can kill you.
Me on the other hand, I'm trying to keep you alive.
Your father was right.
The shame to die, the persecution...
I'll go with you.
So the great General is afraid to die.
Only without honor.
This way, or that way?
If we managed to reach Yan, I'll surrender to the King of Yan,
with one condition that you be executed.
Don't waste your breath. No one can lie to me.
Except that girl.
Do you have lots of women?
Tell me, what's your type?
Whores?...
or educated.
I like someone honest.
Although educated will be nice. She could teach me to read.
I take it you don't have a woman.
What did that woman whisper?
When we get to Liang, I'll tell you.
You, check downhill.
Take that path and check it, fellow.
Who are they?
Nomad bandits from Loufan. They rarely cause trouble.
Great then.
They don't understand our language.
They keep to themselves. We shouldn't mess with them.
They can be ruthless.
Hurry up, you should be more fit.
Birds have nests, Phoenixes are homeless.
My father used to talk about birds.
He would say, a phoenix without feather is worse than...a pheasant.
You're good at casting stones.
It's how my brothers and I would catch pheasants.
How do you know that we camped at Phoenix Hill?
I didn't know!
Anyway, we'd been there for 2 days!
Someone betrayed us.
We couldn't have been ambushed.
The men I trained are excellent soldiers
Yan would've fallen easily
Bullshit! Do you think that us Yan soldiers are useless.
Some, like you, worse than useless! You disgraced!
Right, come on, let's see how formidable you are.
A General versus a deserter?
It's Yan versus Wei. Very fair.
Fair? Then don't touch my wound.
Sure! I'll even things.
Now you're dead!
Now we're both dead. So it's even!
Again!
The war is over. Wei wins.
We're forever at war. Men forced to fight everywhere.
Not worth watching.
Yan has won! Yan has won!
You call that fair?
This's war. Everything's fair.
We'll have meat soon. In the mean time...
Too dirty?
Fine.
General, what kind of food do you eat?
The best meat...is gorilla.
The best fish is caviar.
No wonder you went to war. You weigh too much!
You said you couldn't read.
My father taught me these..2 words and they're easy to read.
Actually... they're very hard.
Why don't you come back to Wei
and I'll give you a position.
Don't you know that...
The reward for capturing a General is land,
money and exemption from military service for live.
Until people are united under one ruler, there can never be peace.
So man like you, can live in freedom...
You know what,
if you haven't gone to war with us,
right now I would be living that way!
You don't want to eat?
Actually, I'm rather hungry.
Here's the meat!
The meat has arrived.
Hey! I'll light the fire!
I see you're pregnant, we can't eat you
Father taught me that.
Scramp! Let's go!
Someone's coming. Let's go!
That's alright, only one.
A friend?
Hey, brother...
Huh...what a bastard!
You! Go check the bush.
I found a sword.
On your knees.
A Liang's soldier only kneel to a Liang.
What's going on?
Are you scouting?
Yes.
And you?
Me as well.
What for?
I went to Phoenix Hill, the whole army...
was annihilated.
Why didn't you take the small path?
Because you're...
Yes, yes the small path is faster...
quite fast.
I don't know him.
What? Sir, he fell and fainted. He's confused.
I didn't faint...I fell.
Anyway, we never met.
What?
What? During a war, we don't kill the scout.
Is this your sword?
Yes.
Why do you have a General's sword?
I found it...
You're not scout.
No, I'm not.
Where is he, the Wei's General?
I really don't know.
You dare to lie!
I don't know, I don't.
I captured him.
Then you're well trained.
No...no...no, I'm not!
Where is he?
He ran away.
Then you're useless.
No...no...no...wait, um...I hid him.
Then you'll take us to him.
No...he ran away!
Don't toy with me!
Stay away! Don't come near me!
Stay away! Stay away! No...no...stay away!
Nobody come near, all of you!
Keep away, if I die, you'll find out nothing.
What do you want?
A reward.
I can give you a reward.
You're a disgrace!
One of you is now redundant.
What's going on?
Mount on! Chase him!
Sorry, miss...
Wu.
Stand down.
Let them pass.
So, he's...alive?
Marvelous.
What's so marvelous. Just a General.
Maybe next time you'll catch a King.
But have I really disgraced Yan?
Did I disgrace Yan?
Come on.
Come and get me!
I'm still alive! You know I've made it, right?
Your plot
killed 1,000 of my soldiers.
Their ghosts will not forgive you
And you there
You pathetic little man
You coward deserter
A big road passes through your house
You'll be going home empty-handed.
Where did you come from?
Where do you live?
After l win the war
We'll start building the ship.
We'll set sail under the moonlight
and tour around the world.
The King said,
if we draw 10,000 dragons on the ship, the phoenix will be drawn to come.
When you're King, you can have anything.
To become King, I've to cut ties with him.
Time to sleep, Your Highness.
My father said, a sparrow could become a phoenix.
Here you go.
Why did you lie to me?
Why shouldn't I?
Kill me, General.
I'm not a General. I'm just a soldier.
What's the difference? You are all killers.
Hey, are you lost?
I really think the Magic Tree is potent.
l'm a little man too.
Wait a minute, I got...a map,
it'll help you find the tree.
It also shows paths. Take the horse!
Take this back.
You hungry? So am I.
Have to find...heh...
At the foot of the hill, soils are rich.
With 5 mou of land, what should I grow
- lt's your fault!
- Stop bickering!.
If you wait to convince the princess...then you require something else!
What?
Patience.
Which way is to Wei?
It's that way.
Wei should start forming strategic alliances.
Indeed, indeed!
This rough terrain is good! We won't be noticed here.
Let's see you run now!
You can settle here.
I have to leave.
Make sure you stay alive.
Marvelous.
One main road leads home
My home is right at the foot of Liang Hill
Soils are rich there...
Marvelous.
Softer, softer.
I should have strangled you at the inn.
lf the bear hadn't saved you, you would be dead.
Softer, don't you understand?
They're taking us to build a tomb.
A tomb? Really?
Yes. I'm sorry
We're the sacrifice!
How far is Yan from here?
lf you take the river from our village, it's one day.
Which village are you from?
Three-Foot Hole Village.
You still want to turn me in for a reward?
Of course! You're my hostage.
Hey, I'm not your hostage!
Because I'm his hostage!
A horse in exchange for him.
Out of the way, Your Highness.
Formation!
How do you untie this?
I thought you know how!
Wu!
I have an idea.
I doubt that.
To get out of this, we have to work together.
Right, in the wok,
eagle or chicken are both just meat, no different.
- That's right. - You're right.
Help, help, help me!
Help...this's a bad idea.
Wu.
Yes.
You ready to kill your master?
Sorry General, you're no longer my master.
Such a pity, you're my best pupil.
Quick, up here!
Move it cow, run faster!
Your Highness, you must go.
This way.That way.
Hey, you know, I didn't really mean to save you.
It's just that the cow is out of control.
You think it was the cow's strength,
or the wall's weakness?
Either way, thanks.
Marvelous, marvelous!
What's inside your belt?
It's a secret.
How about I tell you a secret before we part.
You know why they want to catch me?
I don't want to know.
You big shots are very complicated affair.
It's you that has complicated my... affairs!
You're a little man!
And you're my hostage!
Let's see you run now!
You delayed a bigger plan of mine!
You're my...bigger plan!
Tight enough?
Alright, how about this...
- Stop! - Why?
Or we'll fall!
You can't trick me!
I...told you!
This plant isn't strong enough.
Hey, can't you grab something else?.
There's nothing else!
Let go and I'll help you later.
You think I'll believe that?
Wu, Wu!
Your Highness.
Your Highness. What's the matter?
He's alive. lt's destiny. Itsn't that...it's all that...I know it
We've to get you back to Wei.
No! Don't you know what we have to do?
l admire your persistence.
But first...
let's see where we're.
Stop it! Stop it!
Where are we?
Don't bother. We'll die here.
One main road leads to my home
My home is right at the foot of Phoenix Hill
Soils are rich there
Have you lost your mind?
Marvelous. My father said that
as long as you're alive, it's marvelous.
Do I have to be King?
It'll be better for Wei if you are King.
Are you trying to pursuade me to kill him?
We're at the point of no return.
In that case, how can he die...
with honor?
What are you thinking?
Flowers.
I could grow some red flowers.
What for?
What do you mean?
Why are we in such a place?
My destiny was to defeat the warlords and unite the world.
And I build a huge tomb
and be buried with tons of man and treasures.
Instead I die here anonymously.
I know, listen to this, I can open a pharmacy.
Naturally, your medicine is great.
In fact, you could run the court's pharmacy.
You know something, I think you and I could have been friends in peace time.
It's possible.
If you survived all these,
can you do one thing? Afterall you're alive because of me.
You've earned it.
Don't invade Yan, ever.
not a single stone will be taken for at least 10 years.
Alright. Your word.
Promise me one thing.
Of course.
If you survived,
will you say
to your General
I died fighting in battle
without disgracing Wei.
Althought we were wiped out, our flag was still hoisted.
Don't lie to me,
little man.
To be a little man...
is marvelous.
Father, I'm alive!
Thank you, Heaven!
Oh, I remember.
You know what, This is Three-Foot Hole!
There is a village nearby. I'll find a boat.
It's only half a day on the river.
To where?
To where? To Yan, that's where!
Don't try to run. You can't go anywhere without me.
Quick, quick! Come on...
We've to hide! Come on!
Hide what?
Us.
Give me a hand.
Little brother.
What?
He's your little brother?
You had a hard time...pursuing me!
Yes.
Crown Prince,
who's that you're mourning?
Our father, the King.
He was just slightly ill, you...
It's destiny. You waged wars to please the King.
If I hadn't angered him over a Wei-Liang alliance,
I would have been crowned Prince.
You set the ambush so that I'd die.
Your rivalry
killed 2 thousand Yan's soldiers.
You're not worthy to talk to me.
I choose you're the not worthy.
Leave him out of this.
But he's our enemy.
I think that you're more the enemy.
Go on. Kill me with the bow I gave you and than you can go back and be King of Wei.
I told you. You lack strength.
That's your sword. You kill him or he'll kill you.
There can be only one King of Wei.
I don't understand, why one of them needs to die?
Quiet, none of your business.
You people make things so complicated.
"Quiet" I said!
I get it. Baldie there is trying to make trouble.
Oh, I'm sorry.
They come for them. We should just go.
I disappointed you.
Just follow your conscience, Your Highness.
Hey, we should go now.
General!
Watch your back!
I should mine my own business.
Your Highness.
How come there's not a single rock?
Stay back
or I'll hit your other eye.
Brother!
Stop fighting!
It's me you want to kill.
I killed your woman.
Of the two of us,
only one can live.
You don't understand a word I'm saying!
Now do you understand?
This is what I really want to do.
Little brother!
Big brother, am I dying with... honor?
Yes, the ship...
the big ship...is for you.
Give me a hand.
Help me bury him.
Enough dawdling, it's half a day boat trip, General.
No...Crown Prince.
Your Wei's wine isn't strong enough.
Now I know what's on your mind.
I too know what's on your mind.
Marvelous, we're still alive.
You know, seeing you and your brother
reminded me of my brothers.
They were good soldiers too?
I wanted to be a good soldier.
All three of us were forced to enlist together.
The first expedition took 3 years.
When we returned,
we found our village burnt to the ground.
We had no home.
Before he died, our father said...
that we've been patriotic enough
and still, the war never ends.
He said, "listen, my children" and then...
"one of you 3 boys need to live
so that our name doesn't die."
Now I'm all that's left.
And capturing you is...is my luck, I think...
Yet I'm out of luck...oh well
Don't ask.
She whispered:
"retribution".
Little man.
"Peace"
"Mt. Liang"
Guess what, Yan's just around that corner.
Friendship between Wei and Yan,
If your King doesn't kill me
perhaps I can talk about an alliance.
We'll see.
It could be too late.
That's true.
Yan's always bustling with activities!
Your secret...
I underestimated you.
You managed to drag me all the way to Yan.
Am I your hostage or...is it enemy?
Neither. Go on.
Hurry up, before I change my mind.
But why?
You and your brother...one of you must live!
Hey, remember your promise!
What?
For at least 10 years,
I promise! Not a single stone!
Hey, I forgot to tell you...
that piece of jade you took is very valuable.
You can exchange it for land and money.
I got it!
Perhaps it's my faith...
back to nothing. How marvelous!
Run.
Run!
Let him surrender.
Yan has been conquered. Kneel down and surrender!
Yan is conquered?
How can Yan be conquered?
- Yan did not surrender. It was exterminated...by Qin.
- Your whole army's annihilated.
- Surrender and your life will be spared!
Yan has been conquered?
Yan is conquered?
I really have nothing left.
Lay down the flag!
One main road
- Lay down the flag! - Your army was annihilated!
Not annihilated!
passes by my home
There's still me!
My home is right at the foot of Phoenix Hill
Soils are rich there 5 mou of land
Five mou of soil! What should l grow?
Father, I won't be carrying the family name.
One big river passes by my home
With a wife and a son; and a big tiled house.
With chicken and geese...cattle are strong
With beans, paddy and red flowers
Yan was conquered by Qin.
The General returned to Wei was crowned King.
He began renouncing all military expeditions.
In the face of the Qin invasion,the King of Wei surrendered without resistence.
Soldiers and civilians were able to enjoy peace.
Qin continue to defeat the warlords and in 221 B.C.
Qin unified China