The Assassin

---

The state of Qin is the strongest

in the realm.

As a small state, we have no other choice

...than to be subservient to Qin.

Qin is a kingdom of wolves and tigers,

tyranical to it subjects and

other states alike.

If the premier calls for subservience

to Qin,

this official must respectfully disagree.

What do you advocate, official Yen?

The three Jin states were once

the strongest;

only by splitting into Han, Zhao and Yi

...did they allow Qin to emerge

as a power.

We should ally with Zhao and Yi

...as well as the states of Qi and Chu

...to defend against the fierce Qin

in the west.

This is all impractical talk.

I fear before our alliance is in place,

the Qin army will be at our border.

But Qin's appetite is insatiable!

Today they demand a city,

tomorrow an area;

how does the Premier propose to handle it?

I am of the House of Han;

would my concern for our state's interests

...be less than that of a mere official

like yourself?

The King of Qin is a brutal tyrant.

My concern is for the common people

everywhere.

Speaking only of our own kingdom,

with the Premier courting Qin and

in charge of Han,

I fear in the ages and generations

to come,

it may not be My Liege's line

who'll rule Han.

You...

you will sow discord between me

and my nephew?

Leave it, uncle. Let him go.

You may go.

Yes, Sire.

Nie Zheng...

I'll be along after I change.

I'll wait for you here.

Second Brother is off to practice

the sword?

The barbarian dress of the Hu again!

Mother will have words again if she sees.

This style of dress is more convenient.

Zheng, you are going out?

Yes, mother.

Come back soon. Don't cause any trouble!

Yes, mother.

We were used to wearing the

loose robes of old

...and using weapons made of bronze.

Now we wear Hu-style short dress

...and use swords forged of iron.

It takes getting used to;

but nothing in the world...

can stay the same forever.

The Lords of the Middle Realm daily weaken

...precisely because they are too

set in the old ways.

Now the great threat to all

is the state of Qin.

The Qin have the same customs

as the barbarians;

we wear our large, loose robes,

but they go into battle

bare-shouldered and unshod.

Why should we not switch to

Hu-style short dress

which allows more freedom of motion?

Good. Now begin your practice

of the sword.

Mr. Xu, I wouldn't want to trouble you.

You have studied the sword under me

for a year.

The test held tomorrow

...will determine your progress.

Go home early and get some rest.

What is this?

I've sewn it for you.

What for?

This cord binds us together.

Why were we born commoners?

Why?

If I were a son of a noble house,

I could marry you this very day.

But I am a handmaiden,

how can I marry a noble?

No, you are the daughter of a noble too.

After we are wedded,

I'll lead the army into battle.

With the ability that I have,

I'm sure to win honor on the battlefield.

Then I'll be given a rank at court

and take charge o state affairs.

I'll overhaul the political system

...and bring peace to the land.

Everyone will prosper and be happy.

In that case, you're sure to be very busy.

We'll have no time to be together.

But...

I'm just an ordinary commoner.

All my abilities and dreams are nothing!

Then why do you learn the sword

from Master Wu?

Because... I hope my day will come.

I think it's better to be a commoner.

We don't have to worry about

the world's affairs,

nor is it up to us to deal with them

anyway.

We can just live out our days in peace.

But what purpose was I born for, then?

I was born with such a mind

...and such a body,

only to wither away like any

insensible plant.

How many time have we been here?

We've been coming since we were little,

I can't tell how many times.

When do you feel happy?

When we came here to play as children,

we were very happy,

but since growing up

I've never seen real happiness in you.

You think too much.

I think from now on, it's better if

...you don't study the sword with

Master Wu anymore.

This has nothing to do with him.

I'm just fond of thinking too much.

If I don't practice the sword,

I wouldn't know what to do with my time.

It's late. We should be going.

You go home.

Very well.

Xia Ying, I've waited a long time for you.

This pearl has been kept by my family.

What do you think of it?

Spectacular!

I've brought it as a present for you.

I can't accept such a valuable gift!

It's nothing.

I also want you to move out of

this back alley

...and live a life of luxury.

Master Xu,

I'm only a serving maid.

I cannot hope to elevate myself with you.

Please let me go.

Xu Shi.

Let her go.

Who are you to step in?

We may be students under the same master,

but we don't have to cross swords here.

True. I'll reckon with you tomorrow.

Now, Nie Zheng versus Xu Shi.

Careful.

Xu Shi.

Our match today...

is meant for practice only.

But right from the very beginning

...you attacked without first saluting.

That is already beyond the pale.

How can you go so far as to

...backstab after the outcome

has been decided?

Such dastardly behavior

...is unacceptable even towards

one's enemies,

let alone a fellow student.

Henceforth, you are no longer my disciple.

Nie Zheng.

The Middle Realm has always used

bronze weapons,

but Wu and Yue forge steel from iron,

enabling

...Kings Fu Ca and Gou Jian to

gain supremacy.

This sword Shu Lou belonged to

the King of Wu.

I now make a gift of it to you.

Continue.

Yes, uncle.

I had my suspicions of Wu Ji

and his cohorts,

so I deliberately joined their ranks

to investigate.

They've brought together many

young commoners

...to drill them in swordsmanship.

A plot is afoot!

Guard!

Present.

You say this sword, Shu Lou, was given

...by King Wu to Wu Zixu to

commit suicide?

Why would Master Wu give it to you?

Isn't it a bit inauspicious?

If a man can live his life like

the great Wu Zixu,

death would not matter.

I don't feel it's inauspicious at all.

My only fear is that unlike Wu Zixu,

I fail to achieve any great deeds

...and disappoint Master Wu.

Don't think on such things.

Wu Zixu's family served Chu

for generations.

I only wish that our entire lives

...can be spent in safety and contentment.

Even if life's a bit hard, I'll wish

for no more.

I heard what Xu Shi said to you yesterday.

I spent the night thinking;

it doesn't matter if I have to

endure hardship,

but I can't ask the same of you as well.

The day will come

...when I'll have you live in a palace

and spend your days in luxury.

Didn't Wu Zixu leave the kingdom of Chu

...and create his own future

in the state of Wu?

I don't fancy such things.

I only wish...

it could always be like this night:

Wearing coarse homespun clothes,

lying in the wilderness

...looking at the stars in heaven.

I pray to heaven above

...that it could always be like

this night.

When did it happen?

I don't know.

I was like this when I arrived

this morning.

Forward!

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes