The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants
During the reign of Emperor Renzong, Consort Lan gave birth to a son.
Unexpectedly, she was framed by a scoundrel who accused her of having an affair.
Renzong was furious and sentenced her to execution by suicide.
Her younger sister, A-Min, risked her life to rescue the crown prince, and went into exile at the ends of the earth.
Yet, the people still did not know of the trouble arising in the palace.
On the first month of the lunar year, the whole country was celebrating the birth of the crown prince.
Playing this bamboo board feels invigorating!
Dear guests, listen carefully.
The Bodyguard Zhan is strong in martial arts,
Famous across all rivers and lakes,
But there's one who refuses to acknowledge his superiority,
An arrogant person whose insolence is supreme.
Do you all know who this person is?
Who?
He is in Jianghu,
The one known as the "Brocade-Coated Rat", Bai Yutang.
This Bai Yutang considers himself romantic and skilled at martial arts.
With my heart and soul, I seek to have a contest with that imperial cat.
Although, speaking of his martial arts,
He is also a top-notch expert,
I'm afraid that it's hard to resist Zhan Zhao.
Luckily, Zhan Zhao is broad-minded.
Otherwise, I'm afraid that Bai Yutang wouldn't be able to make three moves before surrendering.
This is called "the rat licks the cat's nose".
He's looking to die!
Sooner or later, he is doomed to suffer disaster.
Uncle,
That's very generous of you.
Thanks!
Storyteller,
You've done an excellent job talking about Zhan Zhao.
Have you ever met him?
How could I have such good fortune?
These are just things I've heard.
Allow me to enlighten you.
This is how the Imperial Cat looks.
Bodyguard Zhan?!
Then, Your Excellency, you are...
Proud and laughing at Jianghu, the romantic man,
Bai Yutang!
Ma!
Look at your son!
Third brother, catch the embroidered ball!
I'm coming, old fifth!
Qing'Er! Did the fall hurt?
I'm fine, ma!
Zhan Zhao.
Ma... You're okay, right?
I'm fine.
Qing'Er. Who is the person who saved me just now?
He is Zhan Zhao, Ma.
Close the city gates!
It is forbidden for anyone to enter or exit!
Yes, sir.
Don't make a peep.
Don't.
Listen.
Go.
You are the person they're looking for.
I have to go.
The city gates are already closed.
Can you go there?
Please save us.
I will definitely repay you generously.
I beg you.
Who is this child?
I just hope you will save us.
I ask you to keep your mouth shut.
Send us out of the city.
Noble Consort Lan.
Rest in peace under the Nine Springs.
Your humble servant, on this day every year,
Burns paper money for you in sacrifice.
Your humble servant can only do these things for you.
Your soul in heaven must kindly bless and protect the crown prince!
Commander Ge!
Why are you still here?
Do you know they're looking everywhere to catch you?
I know.
But I must not go.
I must understand the truth.
Eunuch Liang,
You tell me.
Why did Consort Lan die?
What does this matter have to do with me?
Why is His Majesty hunting down the crown prince again?
I... I don't know.
Don't ask me.
You deceived me.
How could you not know when you were in Consort Lan's palace?
Tell me.
Tell me!
Otherwise, I won't be able to die in peace.
Fine...
I'll speak.
Consort Lan...
His Majesty sentenced Consort Lan to execution by suicide.
His Majesty sentenced her to death.
Why?
Because someone said in front of His Majesty that Consort Lan had an affair with you.
There's no such thing!
Who invented this rumour?
I don't know, either!
Last night when I passed the royal study, I heard His Majesty say it.
After that, General Tu gave the order to kill Consort Lan.
You saw it with your own eyes.
Not only did I see it,
He even rushed to tell Consort Lan the news.
Official report, Consort!
Terrible news!
General Tu has received an imperial edict to come and kill you!
No!
I can't!
I am being wronged!
Big sister!
It's useless to complain now.
Go to His Majesty and explain!
The imperial edict will soon be here!
How would I have a chance to explain?
Consort Lan.
The imperial edict has been issued.
Explanations are useless.
You'd better run for your life.
No.
If I run, it shows that I'm guilty.
Big sister!
You aren't running.
Do you plan to wait for your death?
A-Min.
Life and death is a small matter.
Reputation and moral integrity is a big matter.
I must wait here for them.
You first need to quickly take the prince and escape.
Me?
Yes!
The prince is the flesh and blood of His Majesty.
He is the blood of the royal family.
He must not die!
A-Min, quickly take the prince and run away!
Wait for the day to come when the truth is revealed,
And take him back to the royal court.
This is a great responsibility.
Your older sister is entrusting you with it!
Big sister!
That cannot be...
Big sister...
I can't bear it!
You can endure it.
Because he is a blood relative of the royal family.
He is of the Song dynasty.
A-Min, quickly take him and go.
Big sister!
Baby Prince...
Wah :(
Consort! Quickly!
A-Min, quickly! Quickly take the prince and run!
Sister, I'm scared that I won't escape!
Min, rest assured.
This servant will risk his life to escort you and the prince out of the palace.
Liang Xi, words cannot express my gratitude.
Please accept my respect.
Consort! Please don't, you're killing me.
Quickly! Oh, and Ruyi, Jixiang.
The prince's escape from the palace, do not speak of it even if you die.
Did you hear?
Eunuch Liang, we...
Good luck...
A cowardly good luck!
She needs maidservants to help her handle it!
Ruyi bids the Consort farewell.
Ruyi, you...
Ruyi!
Eunuch Liang... Leave quickly.
Dead people cannot speak.
Ruyi!
This servant bids the Consort farewell.
Quickly leave!
Big sister...
The imperial edict is here!
I risked my life.
I sent the prince and Min out of the city moat.
Poor His Highness.
Just one month old and already suffering these changes.
Consort Lan...
Commander Ge,
You must find a way to get justice for the prince!
There must be a sinister plot in this place...
I must go see His Majesty!
Commander Ge, you must not go!
His Majesty is dying to tear you to pieces!
If you go, wouldn't it be a death in vain?
Commander Ge!
You should leave at once.
It's too dangerous here!
No!
I must go see His Majesty.
I want to appeal for justice for both of us.
Restore our innocence!
Commander Ge!
You must not go!
Eunuch Liang.
Speak no more!
The prince's life...
And Consort Lan's innocence depend on you.
You must not suffer an unjust death here.
Please leave quickly!
Hold onto your life!
Let's bring them both justice!
Leave quickly!
Grand Steward.
Damned slave.
It turns out you let the prince go.
You deserve to die.
By flying.
Let's go.
Wait a moment.
You're tired.
Good.
You are safe for now.
Do you need me to continue sending you off?
Talk about being implicated.
You are already implicated.
The whole city of Kaifeng is looking to catch this master criminal.
And I'm still helping this criminal escape.
You speak of whether there is implication.
So why did you save my life then?
Because it's my nature to care about all injustices in the world.
How do you know my situation is an unjust one?
You are not resentful.
So can you tell me at last what happened?
Please don't ask again.
The fewer people know about this matter, the better.
Since you say so, then I wish you good luck.
Take care.
Noble hero.
I'm not a bad person.
I know.
Thank you for saving my life.
You're welcome.
Who is it?
Commander of the Imperial Guard, Ge Qing.
I must see Master Bao for an urgent matter.
Sorry, Commander Ge.
Master Bao is fasting to cultivate his zen.
He won't see anyone.
This nation is about to perish.
Why still practice zen?
I absolutely must see him!
I must see Master Bao.
Master Bao has retired for the night.
Please go back.
It's too late.
Bodyguard Zhan.
What about Master Bao?
In the Zen Room.
Who is so audacious?
Who dares intrude on the Zen Room?
Commander of the Imperial Guard, Ge Qing.
I pay my respects to Master Bao!
Commander Ge.
You respectfully broke into the Zen Room at night.
What do you want?
Does Your Excellency know that last night,
General Tu broke into the imperial harem with the imperial order to kill Consort Lan,
And is hunting to kill the prince?
Is this true?
This is absolutely true.
Master Bao.
Although the prince has been rescued from the palace,
His whereabouts are unknown,
Or whether he's alive or dead.
I beg Master Bao to find a way to save him,
To prevent the Song Dynasty from being harmed by traitors.
This official asks you.
Why does His Majesty want to kill Consort Lan and the crown prince?
Because His Majesty wrongly believes slanderous rumours,
That Consort Lan had an affair with someone,
And then suspecting that the prince is not his flesh and blood.
This matter...
How did you come to know of it?
Commander Ge.
This matter is related to you.
Yes.
I'm the one who His Majesty wrongly believes had an affair with Consort Lan.
Consort Lan and I were originally childhood sweethearts.
But after Consort Lan entered the imperial palace,
We gritted our teeth,
Had absolutely no contact with one another,
But I don't know how the traitor found out about this,
To slander His Majesty.
Master Bao.
Life and death is a small matter.
Disloyalty is a big matter.
Consort Lan and I are innocent.
We are being wronged!
What crime has this poor child done?
His Highness, he...
His Highness is truly the Emperor's flesh and blood.
He is a descendant of the Song Dynasty.
This matter is crystal clear.
Time will tell.
I beg Master Bao,
I beg Master Bao to right this injustice for Consort Lan.
I beg Master Bao to find and return the prince.
Maintain the unification of the Song Dynasty.
I, Ge Qing, will pay a debt of gratitude in the next life.
This humble servant declares!
Don't cry.
Your Royal Highness.
Your Highness, don't cry.
For the sake of safety,
I should change your name to Little Bao just for now.
Little Bao, don't cry.
Are you hungry?
Little Bao, be a bit patient.
There is nothing to eat in the wilderness.
If only you'll be safe and sound.
Little Bao, don't cry,
Don't cry, okay?
Little Bao, don't cry.
Little Bao, don't cry anymore.
What if you attract an evil-doer?
It doesn't matter if I die,
But you are the heir to the Song Dynasty.
You are of royal blood.
Little Bao.
Big Sister!
Your spirit left for heaven.
You must protect your son.
Otherwise, who else will seek justice for you?
Big sister!
I know you were wronged.
I know you are innocent.
Big sister!
Little Bao don't cry...
Stop crying, little Bao.
Your aunt will find a way for you.
Stop crying.
Little Bao, here...
Little Bao, stop crying.
My poor child.
You are so honourable,
But why is your fate so miserable?
Do you know?
Your mother is already gone,
Your father mistakenly believed slander,
There are people everywhere hunting to kill you.
I pity you, a child born into the royal family.
Why are you worse off than a commoner?
Good...
Just eat enough.
Your aunt is relieved.
What bad luck!
Little Bao, people have come. Quick!
Little Bao.
Lu Xin!
We have to hurry up.
Otherwise, I won't be able to return to Xiankong Island tonight.
Yes, boss.
Lu Xin!
Don't be in a hurry.
I'm a bit tired.
Lu Xin!
Let's stay at Tianfu Inn tonight.
Yes, boss!
Halt!
Presenting the royal order to catch criminals.
Search them!
Yes, sir!
Wait.
This cart is full of our own people.
There is no one you're looking for.
Who dares resist the decree?
Kill them on the spot!
Search!
Yes, sir!
Never seen a pregnant woman, huh?
I suspect your belly is fake.
Get lost!
Blind your dog eyes!
You dare touch my belly!
Vulgar!
Stop!
What happened?
What are you howling at?
No one is afraid of you!
I'm not afraid of you!
This general was given an order to catch criminals.
If you keep making trouble,
Don't blame me for punishing you on the spot.
Stop doing this!
If you catch someone, we'll admit it,
You caught no one.
You dare touch one hair on us, see what happens.
You...
Go!
Your surname is Lu.
I am Lu Fang.
The Sky-Drilling Rat, Lu Fang?
Precisely.
Sir.
Stop dilly-dallying here.
If this is a mistaken order,
You will certainly be punished later.
You...
Go.
Master Bao.
Bodyguard Zhan.
How is the investigation going?
No activity in the palace.
I can't tell what is happening.
That's odd.
Could it be that Commander Ge invented the story?
Highly unlikely.
If he were making things up,
He wouldn't give up his one life.
Master Bao.
One thing is definite.
What is it?
General Tu couldn't catch the criminal.
He is already leading his guards out of town to pursue.
If what Commander Ge said is true,
Is undoubtedly the crown prince!
Teacher Gongsun.
Tu Shan has always craved greatness,
Vicious and merciless.
If he captures His Highness,
The prince will certainly die.
Master.
We should find a way to rescue them as soon as possible.
You speak the truth.
Every day, two or three kittens.
How to do this kind of business?
We're closed!
Second brother!
Patron!
Quickly get started on good food and good wine.
Our master and landlady are both starving.
Your family master?
Landlady?
You didn't see that fool.
Kicked by my foot!
Just like that old bastard he fell to the ground.
Then he rolled his eyes at me.
That situation was extremely amusing!
Second brother.
Quickly, bring us all the good wine and food.
Okay.
I'll come right away.
What's that noise downstairs?
It's difficult to put children to sleep, you know?
What are you chirping about?
Scared of noise?
If you're scared of noise, go home.
You--
Forget about it.
Go inside.
Don't quarrel with others.
Sorry.
We are the heads of a family and worried about our child.
Our child is sick.
I took him out but couldn't find a doctor.
Kid is sick, huh?
Why didn't you say so earlier?
Come!
I'll help you take a look.
Give me the medicine bag quick.
Bring me to take a look.
Lu Xin.
Why don't you go?
Yes, sir.
Fortunately, I only have one wife.
If there were more,
How could I enjoy myself?
I've come!
Our best wine and food are here for you!
Dear guests, you waited long.
Lady!
You're with them, right?
I'm not.
Are you stopping for a snack or staying at a hotel?
Do you have goat milk here?
Goat milk?
We have it!
I have a herd out back.
Good.
I'll stay at the hotel.
Don't cry...
Be good.
Okay, okay.
You'll be okay right away.
There's no problem.
Here, have some water.
Good.
Drink milk.
Drink as much as you can.
Or else, after today,
We don't know if there will be any tomorrow.
Good, good.
Alright!
You took auntie's medicine!
Your sickness will heal soon!
Come!
He already doesn't have a fever!
Amazing!
If he still has a fever,
Wouldn't it break my wife's reputation?
You're saying she is a doctor?
She is a doctor among doctors!
Her medical skills are famous.
Okay.
Stop bragging.
What are you doing up here?
I came here specially to invite you downstairs for dinner.
Give the child back to his parents.
Everyone's been waiting downstairs with empty stomachs for quite a while.
Here.
Mother holds you.
Thank you.
You also haven't eaten.
Come with us.
Let's all eat together.
Let's go.
Good, good.
Be careful.
Thank you. Sit, eat.
Let's all sit together.
Oh no.
They came.
It's you again.
General.
Beat it!
Bring the child here.
This is my child!
What do you think you're doing?
None of your business!
Shut up!
Is it a boy or a girl?
A boy...
My baby!
How could you kill a baby for no reason?!
I killed a criminal under orders of the Emperor.
They are country folk!
How could there be a wanted criminal wanted by the Emperor here?
Emperor's orders.
I would rather wrongfully kill one hundred,
Than let one go.
I will risk my life to fight you!
Take me home!
You...!
Too abominable!
A precious sword bestowed by the Emperor,
To a disobeyer of imperial edicts,
Kills!
Are there any more babies in this inn?
There is one in my belly.
What do you want?
Search!
Yes, sir!
You absolutely cannot cry.
Girl okay.
If you truly have the fate of an Emperor,
You absolutely should not cry now.
We've searched it all.
No baby detected.
Let's go.
Give me back the baby!
Beat it!
Give me back the baby!
Give her back the baby!
I want to see how capable you are.
Give me back the baby!
My baby!
They started a quarrel.
Let's join in!
Give me back the baby!
Give the baby back to me!
Don't hurt him!
Give me back the baby!
You want to summon the Four Rats?
I'm afraid it'll be to collect your body.
If you dare take one more step,
I will execute him on the spot.
Zhan Zhao!
Little Bao!
Turn in the baby to me.
Why do you want to kill him?
You need not ask so many questions.
Just hand over the baby to me.
Whose baby is this?
He's mine.
She is clearly a girl.
How could she have a child?
Unless...
It's a bastard child.
He is my child!
Girl!
A girl's reputation and moral integrity is very important!
If it's not your baby,
You shouldn't carelessly claim it.
He really is my baby!
She's talking nonsense.
Why does he want to kill your baby?
Do you know him?
I don't know.
I also don't know him.
I'm just passing through here.
He was about to snatch my baby for no reason.
He kills babies right when he sees them.
If you don't believe it,
There is a family of three still lying in the inn.
General Tu.
How could you indiscriminately kill innocent common folk?
I am acting on imperial orders.
Quickly hand over the baby to me.
What crime has this baby committed?
No need to ask more questions.
Hand over the baby!
Zhan Zhao!
You dare resist the decree?
How much fault can one baby have?
If I resist the decree for this reason,
Before you, Your Majesty,
I shall beg for forgiveness.
Zhan Zhao.
You need to be clear.
You are the Imperial Cat.
These five Rats and you cannot coexist.
What General Tu said is absolutely right.
Zhan Zhao's business,
Us Five Rats won't care.
Fifth brother,
Isn't that right?
That's exactly right.
General Tu.
Feel free to dispose of him.
We would gladly watch the tigers fight from across the mountain.
Zhan Zhao.
Did you hear?
A wise man understands and submits to circumstances.
Why don't you hand over the baby quickly?
I've only just realized an evident truth.
I have no understanding of the times.
Resisting the decree.
Kill him!
Don't kill my baby!
My baby Little Bao!
Be careful!
I said I won't help Zhan Zhao.
But I never said I wouldn't save the baby.
You must die!
Catch me if you can!
Bai Yutang!
This is a matter for our imperial authorities!
Don't meddle in it!
The authorities have the worth of a fart.
Justice is to be found everywhere.
I certainly won't concede.
Faster...
Stop.
Little Bao...
As this General said earlier,
Never fight an uncertain battle.
Now, do you dare meddle?
This General will let him die with an arrow through his heart.
The one named Tu.
You must dare to come here.
I'll give you a taste of fire phosphorous bombs!
The one named Tu.
The Clear Gopher, Han Zhang isn't an undeserved name.
You must not have faith.
Have a try.
Zhan Zhao!
Let's wait and see.
Brother.
How did you know we were here?
I first arrived at the inn.
The young waiter told me.
Otherwise, where would I get this basket from?
Thank you Mr. Han!
Please give me the baby.
You Five Rats, don't let this matter get muddied.
Give me the baby.
I must take this baby and girl back to Kaifeng.
Zhan Zhao.
Why should we five brothers listen to you?
Old Fifth.
What Zhan Zhao said is not wrong.
We Five Rats don't need to muddy the water.
Take it.
Thank you.
Second Brother, you--
Min.
Let's go.
I'm not going with you.
Give me the baby.
Min.
If my guess is correct.
This baby certainly suffered a huge injustice.
If it were not for Master Bao,
Wouldn't this case sink to the bottom of the sea?
Better to come with me.
Taking my leave.
Second Brother, why are you doing this?
What's the urgency?
His Highness was hit by an arrow!
What do we do?! Little Bao!
The crown prince was hit with an arrow!