Original subtitles

Brother Ching-shan

You came here to Canton alone?

I am here with my mentor for the martial arts convention

Master Yu Fung-kau?

You are lp Man?

Yes, he's lp Man

A buddy of mine in Foshan

He's something

Back then, he cut of his queue without knowing the meaning behind it

But I did, hence I cut it off

What did you know? You were barely ten How would you understand?

You actually were conned by Fu Hung-mo

Brother Fu said he didn't know whether a revolution would end up a good thing

He just knew, no revolution and the country would be doomed

You sure knew something then

Ching-shan, why did you play the prank on me?

Just for fun

It's not funny at all

Don't worry, I knew what I was doing

I did it to let you know how powerful the gun is

Now you should know

You may be a delicate girl

But once you have it, other people's life or death is at your mercy

Countless of our people were killed by such guns in the past few years

The years I spent studying overseas

I thought a lot about things and my eyes were opened

I keep thinking

Our country is riddled with problems

Do you know what the westerners are doing?

They do research on science and on ways to improve firearms

But what are we doing?

We still believe in martial arts

The wealthy still prefer rickshaws and sedan-chairs

Why won't they drive?

Because you get carried around on a sedan chair

You get pulled around on a rickshaw

It means deep down, we Chinese like to enslave others

How can you count on such a country such a people to change overnight?

We can only do it incrementally One step at a time

Let them learn and improve however small each step may be

lp Man, you agree?

Brother Ching-shan, part of what you've said is right

Others... I'll have to think about them

I know, a kid who practises martial arts in some rural region

It's too deep for you

Marshal, have some tea

It's too kind of you to come to pay me a visit

We Chinese have this weakness

That we are modest to a fault

But... Master Yu

I have long admired your martial arts cultivation

Take it over

This katana sword is more than 500 years old

It was owned by a shogun during the Japanese warlord period

It later fell into the hands of the sea bandits

then Ming military leader Qi Jiguang got it

He took it with him when he was transferred to the northeast

And it fell into the hands of Hong Taiji who founded the Qing Dynasty

He took it to the capital

It was put in the care of the Internal Affairs Office

When the Eight-Nation Alliance captured Beijing

It was taken out of the court

And subsequently it fell into my hands

So it has bore witness to history

Exactly

But it's a silent witness

A sword only comes alive when it's with a martial arts practitioner

Master Yu, just a little token

Marshal, I don't deserve it

I forgot to introduce

Miss Cheung Wing-shing

We were playmates when we were small

How are you doing?

What? How come you are blushing?

It's my first time shaking hands with a girl

lp Man, you have wasted your time staying in Sangyuan

The times have changed

I had never been out of Foshan before Don't you tease me

Wing-shing, see?

Lp Man is like our country

The queue on his head may have been cut

But he still wears a queue in his heart

Well, in Canton, land is worth much more than gold

A premium location is hard to acquire

This deed is worth more than a mountain of gold

Master Yu, is this good enough for you?

Marshal Chu, you are making it difficult for me

Have you seen a world map before?

I know this is China

Where is the Great Britain you mentioned?

Bear it in mind, this is Great Britain

I've heard that it's small in size

But I never thought it could be this small

China is easily tens of times bigger

How could China have lost in the Opium War?

Here, here, here and this big piece of land

You know what countries they are?

Brother Ching-shan, I'll read more books

Canada and Jamaica in the Americas Australia in Oceania

Egypt in Africa, South Africa, Nigeria And Hong Kong in China

They are all British colonies

The British Empire covers every time zone

You know what time zones are?

No

Ask if there are things you don't know

lt'll be embarrassing if you are stumbled by such questions

Because the Earth is round

When it is night for us

It is daytime in other places

Hence there are time zones

I got it now

When the Sun rises in the East and it is morning in Foshan

It is still night in Great Britain

Smart, you got it

There are British colonies in every time zone

This means the Sun never sets on the British Empire

Hence the British Empire is also called the Empire on which the Sun Never Sets

I have studied in Britain for so many years

I've seen things that ordinary people over hundreds of years have never seen

Ching-shan... cut it out

I...

Ip Man, what do you think?

What do I think?

Great Britain stole those places

It's no different from robbery

You've got a point

But many of those places have gained independence

China will get back on its feet again

China is like a rooster

When it crows, it is morning

Well said

Ching-shan, lp Man has a greater understanding than you do

Good, how very good

Have you eaten?

But I am sure, no men are devoid of desires

Master Yu, it seems you care for your career more

I have a troop of tens of thousands

But the men are uneven in their abilities

I need a top-notch coach for their training

You command the respect of all in Foshan

And you have turned the place into a haven on your own

This is the experience I want

Marshal, I am not a man of ambition

I am not worthy of such gifts

Please take them back

You won't work for me

But you should have the nation in mind?

The people look forward to the northern expedition

But its success hinges on you, Master Yu

Marshal, I am overwhelmed

I am leaving Canton tonight I am going back to Foshan

You can rest assured that

If I can't work for you I can't work for others either

Well, then I'll leave you to yourself

Turn left, turn right, march

You are so shy

Should I hold your hand like Brother Ching-shan did?

Are you teasing me?

No, of course not

He and I are just comrades in the revolutionary cause

Revolutionary comrades?

I got it now, I knew the revolutionaries

But they used to call one another brothers Not comrades

You are funny

I really have met revolutionaries

Commander Fu, Fu Hung-mo, Fu Jing-wan Have you heard of these names?

Yes, but Ching-shan seems to hate this man

lp Man, Ching-shan may be a bit biased

But I still like to hear him talk about revolutions

I too want to be like him

able to see how we can strengthen our country

Brother Ching-shan has been knowledgeable since he was small

But what you just said was

an eye-opener indeed

You beat Ching-shan in some aspects

It's meaningful

You...

I'll leave you two to yourselves See you

How come you were with my sister?

We came back together from Brother Ching-shan's

Brother Ching-shan?

Do you find him a fine man?

Do you think he and my sister make a perfect pair?

What?

But don't let Dad hear that

I don't know why but Dad doesn't like him that much

But it's no big deal

We are in the modern age

lt'll come to a happy ending

What happy ending?

They are getting married?

Don't bother with them

Come on, let's deal with our own first

Come on

I have asked my mentor to come He'll be here very soon

Master Yu? I have long heard of the Foshan Hero

Now I can meet him in person

Come on

What is this?

Western beer

Come on

Western beer? Blander than water in Foshan

Give way

What do you mean?

This is our table

What do you mean?

Wing-sing, let's go to another table

It's no big deal

We'll go to another table

This is ours too

Let me tell you...

It's alright, we'll sit somewhere else Rascals

Come on

Get him...

Halt!

Don't let him go away

Master Yu

Greetings from Mok Yan-chiu of the Mok's Family School

Mentor

Master Mok, it's our first time in Canton We have never met

What do you mean by this?

Marshal Chu has always been my exclusive deal

Now you mean to take a bite off my pie

What do you mean?

I have declined his offer

So you have, but still...

Take care of him!

Wing-sing, run!

Master Yu, run!

Chase!

Come on, faster...

Sit down first

No water, it'll make it worse

How despicable!

Lp Man, this convention is full of danger

Be on the alert

Yu Fung-kau

Save it

Two boat tickets here

Leave here as soon as possible

I am here for the martial arts convention

I don't mean to leave before it starts

You won't go?

I'll burn this Foshan Guild Hall down

Set it on fire! Yes

Freeze!

Let me warn you! Dare you start it!

You thought I was kidding?

Master Yu, let's see whether your martial arts can beat my firearm

How have I offended you?

Marshal Lo invited you over But you stood him up

He did?

You have forgotten?

Brother Lo

You didn't give him face

But Marshal Lo is a forgiving man

Still, you can't be Marshal Chu's running dogs and be our enemies

It's your fault, get it?

You are mistaken

Mistaken?

I have declined Marshal Chu's offer

My men saw him come here

I...

Cut it out

You only have one way out Leave Canton

Freeze...

Marshal

Ng Pak-lam, what do you mean by this?

This is Canton. It is ruled by law Unlike your Hunan

Put your gun down

And get lost with your men

Get lost? Who? Says who?

Let me tell you, Old Chu

You invited me to come

Hence I am here to give you honour and to talk with you

Now you're telling me to get lost?

Good, you will see

I'll get lost

Ng Pak-lam, let's go

Hold it! Old Lo, the big picture first

You're asking for outside help What big picture?

Well, you go ask Master Yu

Marshal Lo, I have declined Marshal Chu's offer

Well... what about mine?

We are here to attend the martial arts convention as spectators

Not as participants

Please spare me your offers

Your mentor won't take part in it

What about you?

If you join my side

You will find me very generous

I do what Mentor says

Good

Old Lo, tame your temper

Don't keep saying you'll burn people's houses down

If you are so temperamental

You can't run the country even if you win it

So what? I'll have you run it for me What's the big deal?

Alright, it's over now

Put down your guns

Put down your guns

Old Lo

Be my guest, have a drink with me

Let's go

I can't stand people who don't keep their words

We have a deal

You said you wouldn't take part in it Then you are not to

Let's go

Mentor, what's it all about?

This martial arts convention

Is actually a tug of war among the warlords

You mean... the side that wins will get the country?

This sounds absurd

But it may really be the case

Not bad at all

Wing-shing...

Ching-shan

Wing-shing, let's go

Come on

You are not up yet?

What is it?

Nothing

I woke you up from your sweet dream?

Marshal Chu is hosting a dinner for all martial arts convention participants

Invitation cards for you and Master Yu

What's behind this convention?

Why were Marshal Chu and Marshal Lo fighting for Mentor?

Go to the dinner and you will get the answer

Oh yes, it's important to me personally

I will propose to the girl I love

She has been waiting for me to pop the question

Will she say "yes"?

Be punctual

Brother Lo...

Thank you

Brother Lo...

Master Li, it's chaotic times

The martial arts world order is upset

See? Even some nobodies are here

Master Mok, my martial arts cultivation is deep and my heart big

I won't be provoked by petty remarks

But let me tell you

Don't drag Master Choi and Master Li into it

They are true masters

They don't see eye to eye with you

Lo guy, want a beating up?

Yes, so?

How dare you...

Sir

This way please

Young man, here you are

Brother Lo, hello

The Foshan Young Hero But where's your mentor?

He is taking a rest I'm here on his behalf

I don't know what else this Yu Fung-kau is good at

But he sure is second to none in cowardice

It took him so long to pluck up courage to come to Canton

Now he's scared into hiding

Master Mok, you are the best in lime throwing, we are not your par

Boy, I can easily kill you here and now

Bring it on, come on

Master Mok, we are in a classy joint

Marshal Chu is up there

If you upset him, you can kiss your meal-ticket goodbye

Young man, this man doesn't make the cut

Come sit with me

Bravo

Look, what a young turk

He has more drive than you do

Come on, cheers

Mr Lam, a toast to you

The greatest tragedy is attending the wedding of the girl you love

Wedding?

Engagement

How did you know I...

My men have been tailing you

lp Man

How come you are here?

Congratulations to you

Me?

Brother Lo, another picture

On what?

Congratulations on...

Just congratulations...

How funny, others are made to drink

You mean to drown yourself with wine

I am not in a good mood

Then go freshen up, come on

Well, I have no idea...

Are you feeling better?

Much better, thank you

Guys, back then, in order to overthrow the Manchu Government

You pulled all the stops for the revolution

The Beiyang Government, however is just old wine in a new bottle

The country is in a mess

It's about time we had another revolution

Gentlemen, marshals now we are here together

Let our ideas flow...

Old Chu, I'll march to your order You say fire and I'll shoot

Good!

Old Chu, so what should we do?

What else? Just two words Northern expedition

Uncle's here as well

This is our last gathering... in Canton

Next time it'll be in Beiping

We'll count on you, Marshal Chu

What? Old Chu's calling the shots?

But if I don't give the go-ahead

What can you guys do?

Baldy Lo, what do you mean?

What do I mean?

If I withdraw my troops

If they are replaced by the northern troops

What about it?

Baldy Lo, revolution is the trend

We should be united

Old Chu, the ones present here all know what it is about

Spare us the rubbish

Revolution? Northern expedition? My foot!

It's just a land grab

Now that we are all here

Let us be frank

After we have fought our way to Beiping

Who will be president?

This Marshal Lo is a bad guy

None of them is good All cut from the same cloth

Baldy Lo, Mr Cheung is here with us Mind your words

Mr Cheung, do you find this Old Chu a hypocrite?

He's no different from us, just as rough

The more pretentious he is The more hypocritical it feels

Yes, I am not some refined man

I share your shortcomings

Oh...

Baldy Lo, let me tell you

I am a bigger womaniser than you are

I am fonder of mahjong than you are

But I differ from you in one thing

I believe in Mr Sun Yat-sen

I believe in every word he says

I'm taking part in the northern expedition for the country

For the promotion of the Three Principles of the People

How wonderful...

Mr Cheung, you are smart

I am sure you don't believe a word he said

Gentlemen, this is my Deputy Chief Secretary, Mr Lam Ching-shan

He's Mr Sun Yat-sen's disciple

He has been Mr Sun's follower since his overseas days

You are Cannon Sun's man?

Marshals, I have been Mr Sun's follower for more than ten years

I was responsible for overseas fund raising

I should have taken part in the Huanghuagang Uprising

But... I was intercepted by the Qing court and thrown into prison

I missed the chance

Gentlemen, this northern expedition is for the country, for the people

It's not about self-interest

If it's not for the country, for the people

May my family line be broken

Marshal Chu, no need to swear on it

Please sit down

Anyway, I won't do anything that will only benefit others

Marshal, but you marshals have made a deal

The martial arts convention will soon begin

Whoever's coach wins will become chief coach

All the troops will be under his training and command in the northern expedition

So let it be decided in the ring

Alright

Baldy Lo, I am not giving in to you

I put the country first

Since you won't budge let's settle it in the ring

Good, it's a deal

Mr Cheung, what do you think?

Settling it in the ring

means a rift can be avoided and no lives will be lost

It sure beats resorting to guns and cannons

I find it a good idea. It's so settled

lp Man

It's really never crossed my mind

The fate of a country could be hinged on a combat

It's just a game

To them, the country is like a cake

They will use all sorts of ways to get the cake

It's combat today, or a drinking game tomorrow

If we leave the revolution to these people then it is doomed forever

But Marshal Chu has a point

The northern expedition has to take place

Don't believe what those politicians say

Northern expedition indeed It's for their own gain only

What about Uncle?

He has made a mistake

What mistake?

I'll talk him over

Miss Cheung, congratulations

Congratulations

Congratulations?

Girls are shy, come on

You...

Sis

Wing-sing, what is going on?

It's a great day today

Where's Brother Ching-shan?

What has he got to do with it?

Sis, you know what is going on No more playing the ignorant

You look so happy

Others may not know, but you sure do

lp Man, let's go get a drink

Halt! Make it clear with me first

Come on

Wing-shing

It seems she really has not a clue

Girls are shy and so play ignorant

Miss Cheung, congrats...

Ladies and gentlemen

Let's welcome the marshals

Marshal Chu Hello...

Marshal Lo Hello

Hello all, welcome

The wine I've prepared for you may not be good

But you have to drink to your fill...

Bravo...

Marshal Lo, please be seated

Here?

Let me sit here, more comfortable here

Sure...

Guys, please be seated

Come on...

You are Miss Cheung?

Uncle

I am so glad to meet you

Mr Cheung mentions you all the time

Please... Thank you

Young man, sit with me

Sure

Young man, it's you

There happens to be a vacant seat here Come sit here

Just go

It's my honour

Please be seated

Let me introduce

This young man by my side

He's the Foshan Young Hero, lp Man

It can begin now

Ladies and gentlemen I am Lam Ching-shan

Deputy Chief Secretary of the Provincial Government

I am honoured to be your host of this feast

China has a history of over 5,000 years

However, we have suffered humiliation since late Qing

We Chinese have been called Sick Men of East Asia

I am sure it fills you all with indignation

Hence, Mr Sun has called forth the slogan Sound physique, strong country

Zi, your goddess Cheung Wing-shing is getting engaged this evening

Wake up, she's a rich lady