Xun cheng ma

---

When the Republic was still young

Yuan Shihai and the warlords

were against Dr Sun.

In the north mountains

there was a bandit named Jiao Long.

This area was

an important strategic site.

Jiao's bandits all had pigtails.

They were known as the Pigtail Army.

The area was constantly fought over.

Yuan sent Jiao his envoy

in a bid to win his support.

Stop! Don't run.

He's over there.

Stop! Don't run.

Stop! Stop, stand still.

Don't run!

I've caught you at last, you bastard!

Your move!

Give us your money.

Stop running!

Have you seen a kid

running for his life?

Roadside lnn.

Have a smoke, they're from Canton.

Really? Let me try one.

A light?

Thanks.

Not bad.

Nephew, isn't it too late

to travel now?

I'm going to stay here for the night.

I'll meet Jiao Long tomorrow.

It's 5 months since I last saw you,

where have you been?

Shanghai and Canton.

It's great being a postman.

Going here, there and everywhere.

Have you thought

about changing your job?

The railway might come here soon.

Once that happens, people will use it

to send their mail.

Don't you think so?

We'll wait and see.

There is no use in hiding.

I'm not hiding, just wrapping up.

How are you, Brother Ma?

Haven't you changed jobs yet?

Isn't it embarrassing?!

- What are you doing?

- We're looking for someone.

Please.

Move, get out of the way.

- If you make me go out, I'll die.

- That is your problem.

It's chaos out there. They steal

from us, we steal back from them.

I despise people like you.

OK then, let's split it.

You have it.

Run!

Wait for me!

- Why aren't you running?

- If I could, I would.

You've messed us around enough.

I'll finish you off!

These two are my friends.

Respect me and let them go.

Respect?

What respect?

Run!

Yao Jie, how are you?

We've got unfinished business.

I'm Hu, and you are...?

I'm just a postman.

Hey, let's go.

What's the hurry?

We still need to talk.

- About what?

- It's a chance to make friends.

If it's about money,

we can still negotiate.

It's not about money, it's about

going into Jiao's territory.

What's the use of money

if you're dead?

You can't handle it by yourself.

Can your friend here help you?

I'm sorry,

I deliver nothing but letters.

Sorry.

Excuse me.

- What about you?

- Count me out.

But we've made

such a good team before.

I'm not interested

in anything apart from stealing.

Excuse me.

Uncle San, I'm leaving.

It wasn't me.

I didn't cheat.

Believe me, it wasn't my fault.

I thought you might need a bodyguard!

I want to talk to you.

Hey! The postman's back. Come on out.

The postman's back.

Slowly, easy.

Let me take them out first.

Here they are.

Li Chang-Ken.

Wait, wait.

Madam Kuei, this is for you.

This is for Chang.

This is Chung...

It's so slow. I wish we had

a proper postal service.

Chen Shen, Chen Fa-Kuei...

This is for Wong...

Who is this?

That's your father.

- Hurry!

- Wait.

Wang Dai-jin. Ho Shao-hao.

- I thought my dad was a manager!

- Shut up.

Li Choi.

Uncle Chang.

Brother Ma, is there anything for us?

Of course there is.

It's very tasty.

Have a look.

It's chocolate.

It's like mud!

I'm not eating that.

He's just messing with us.

Brother Ma.

This is for you.

There's some money inside.

Mayor, please come in.

We've collected some money for you.

Pretend it's your wages.

There's no hurry.

It's not a lot.

As you know,

there's chaos everywhere.

Everyone's robbing everyone else.

It's OK, I won't be leaving

for a few days anyway.

To tell you the truth,

nobody's got any money any more.

As I see it,

you should change jobs.

This line of work is not for you.

Excuse me.

Brother Ma, you're back.

Place your bets.

Thanks.

He's cheating!

Sorry.

It's OK, all settled.

Please, pay up.

That really hurt.

That'll cost you double.

If I pay you double,

who's going to pay me double?

So you won't pay?

I can find my own way home.

Brother Ma.

What are you doing out so late?

My father sold my sister.

And with the money left over...

I want you to take me to Shanghai

so I can buy her back.

She's only 15. Please take me.

We have to buy her back.

What are you doing here?

Why do you still live here?

This place is not fit for anyone.

What's on your mind?

Do you remember Hu?

He really respects you.

He's prepared to pay

So what do you think?

- You change your mind quickly.

- I didn't want to. But...

But what?

- He's paying well.

- Do you want to risk it?

- Sure.

- What are you waiting for?

I can't do it on my own.

Come on, help me.

I'm tired, I want to sleep.

Well, why not? You're not busy.

Not busy? I'm leaving

in the next few days.

He's something else!

Yao Jie.

What?

When do you have

to give Hu your answer?

- Then you agree?!

- Come on.

Move, go away.

I've got something to ask you.

Have you seen anyone

that looks like a scholar?

What sort of scholar?

He wears a long grey gown

and a grey scarf

and he's about this tall.

There's lots of people like that

in the village.

He likes gambling and he cheats.

Oh, him!

You should have said.

So you want information?

You know what to do.

So?

- Are you going to tell us?

- OK, I'll talk.

- Where is he?

- He left two days ago.

Let him go.

So we need one more person?

Yes, he's essential,

he's an explosive expert.

It won't kill you, back to work.

What are you doing?

Do you want to get fired?

Hey, get on with your work. Now!

Lunch!

Lao Bu, Shen wants to make a bet

with you.

Go on, are you scared of him?

Everyone thinks you'll win.

Everyone wants some action.

You chicken!

Haven't you got the stomach for it?

We better call you

Bu the Coward from now on!

Come on, then.

Action!

Come on.

Who are they calling coward now?

- You've arrived.

- Yes.

Yao Jie.

Your mouth!

Mr Hu, don't depend on

our good will again.

And remember,

you must keep this secret,

we don't want any

political embarrassment.

But, who are the men?

I'm not staying.

This way, please.

These are the gifts for you

to take to Jiao Long.

This way, please.

Take a seat.

You must get there in seven days.

Take these presents to Jiao Long's

house in the mountains.

Once you've delivered these boxes

your mission is complete.

But...

you must be on time.

Jiao Long's birthday

is on the 20th of December,

so don't be later than that date.

And another thing...

no one is allowed

to open the cases during the journey.

Even if you run into serious trouble

don't open them.

Destroy them if you have to.

This is half in advance,

you'll get the rest on delivery.

So when do we three leave?

Not three, four.

Fu Jun, come in.

This is Fu Jun from Canton,

this is...

The postman, we've met.

That's really good.

Fu is familiar with the underworld.

If you run into any trouble...

he should be an asset.

How many people know about this?

Just us.

Fu is pretty arrogant.

He must be keeping an eye on us.

Let's go.

What's wrong with her?

Brother Ma!

Guihua!

- Why are you here?

- I'm going with you.

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