Original subtitles

Matteo, find the governor's guards.

Come on now. Move along, beast.

This way I'm not getting anywhere.

Marco, I found the governor's guards.

Were you injured? - It's not serious.

Who are you?

Talk to me, damn it. He has no tongue.

Don't do this.

We won. Or not?

the prison in Genoa, summer 1299

You said you had an urgent request for me personally. Just tell me.

I'm going to court soon. I was wondering if...

You don't have to wonder about anything.

Your stories speak to many people.

But you're going too far. You're discussing topics that...

Topics that strike a dangerous chord with vulnerable souls.

Idols, false prophets, superstitious rites, Buddha, Mohammed.

The devil has many faces and speaks in too many tongues.

Woe to those who succumb to his temptations.

You relate how Marco Polo delivered the Holy Oil into pagan hands.

And then that so-called miracle. - He didn't say that. He recovered on his own.

This is just a warning.

But remember if you want to come up with more.

I didn't make anything up.

Marco Polo could prove it if he had his notes.

Maybe the church can help.

His father and uncle are willing to pick up his travelogue from China.

Please ask the Patriarch and monks of St. Felice to help us.

Mr. Polo had the same request.

But his father is dying and his uncle is in Persia.

Astronomer Pietro de Abano has offered his help.

We will take it into consideration.

I can't go on like this. I'm going crazy.

I never did or wrote anything...

what the church can disapprove of, let alone condemn.

I just shouldn't have listened to that Venetian.

A flood of words, names... So many that I'm confused.

That's enough, Rustichello.

If only I could compare my notes with his and ask him more questions.

Take him back to his cell.

Chin-Mei, governor of this area. Talib, tax inspector.

Our credentials. - Welcome, envoy of Kublai Khan.

I rejoice in your good fortune. Fortune has been kind to you.

That ambush could have cost you your life, but you are unharmed.

You were really lucky. How did you know about the ambush?

In this country, news is carried by the wind.

Come on in. - Wait here.

Who wants us dead? - A bandit.

Or one of the rebels...

who attack travelers and caravans.

We've heard about growing unrest in the region. Peasant uprisings.

Maybe it wasn't a bandit.

There have been a few incidents.

A few isolated incidents, but nothing serious. Please sit down.

Yesterday, in Yanzhou...

some madman scrawled an insulting slogan about the khan on a wall.

Do you remember what it said, Talib?

The khan protects walls and houses...

but crushes the hearts of men.'

What ingratitude.

A criminal, just like the bandit who robbed you.

Yes, but his madness cost him his life.

I heard there's a group living in the hills here.

Not now, Matteo. There's work to be done.

Can I see the tax register? - Here's everything you need.

Talib has been working on recording the data for quite some time now.

He will be happy to assist you.

Take a few days of rest to get to know the area.

Then my assistants and I can complete the reorganization.

Tonight you are my guests...

and tomorrow you will be guided to accommodation that suits your status.

Name. - Lei Tong.

How many fields? - None.

Move along. Here with that basket.

Hurry up.

Those people work so hard.

It looks like everything is being taken away from them again.

Check.

To drain.

What is this? - I don't know.

I came to this village to collect taxes

by order of Grand Khan Kublai

I do my work as quickly as I can

new taxes for you, the proceeds completely for me

I have seen your children crying and your old people begging for food

your village is on fire and you are like scared mice

how can i complete my task

how can i bear to share in this guilt

how can i accept this endless shame

Wait here until I come back.

I knew you would come.

Why do you provoke me? Your words were like whiplashes on my back.

These aren't my words. I'm just an actor.

Whose then? - A lonely poet.

Where is he? - He doesn't like to show himself.

Take me to him.

Like I said, he wants to be left alone.

I need his help.

Do you need the help of a poor peasant, a subjugated man?

I need the help of an honest man.

That's my uncle Matteo.

Come with me. Alone, without your escort.

Would you like to welcome us to your home? As friends?

You command, Yang Ku obeys.

I command you to disobey no longer. I need your advice.

We need tea.

You've crossed my threshold. Now my home is your home.

By receiving you here, we entrust you with our lives.

My daughter Mai Li forgets...

that the shadow is more becoming to a young girl than the light.

Beautiful things love light. You know that. You are a poet.

Although the verses I heard today were gloomy and bitter.

Our life is bitter.

The tax collectors don't just take our rice and grain...

We also need to keep our women out of sight, especially if they are beautiful.

We want to get to know you and understand your situation.

We will talk about the mandatory contributions, and what is fair.

It's never been fair.

Those who have little pay much. Those who have much keep their wealth.

That's why we're here. We want to help you.

The names, the number of inhabitants, the quantities...

maybe all the information is correct.

But you don't have to worry...

when a father is sick and cannot work.

When a harvest is destroyed by hail...

or a granary by lightning... - What do you mean?

The Grand Khan issued a decree:

When a village is hit by a storm and the harvest is lost...

no taxes will be levied for three years.

We know nothing about...

Who is she? - I consider Lai Yuan as a daughter.

She too could not contain her curiosity.

But all the better. Don't think I'm hiding anything from you.

If I entrust my secret to you, you become my accomplice.

But she's not Chinese.

Lai Yuan means 'come from far away'.

I think your curiosity is satisfied.

We have told you of our sorrows and the reasons for our discontent.

You have seen our humiliation.

Please don't forget. As for us...

You are always welcome in my home.

You know what danger we are in, and our women.

Be careful. A thoughtless word can be fatal.

Carefully.

Take it easy.

Wait, I'll help you.

What is this for?

In two days the Dragon Boat Festival begins.

In honor of the dragons?

In memory of Chu Yuan, one of our ancient poets.

He drowned in a river.

Since then we put dragons on our boats.

We sing, recite his poems...

and throw rice and treats into the water for the fish...

so that they leave the poet's body untouched.

That's a nice tradition.

This time the songs will be bitter...

through the sorrow and despair of our people.

They plundered two villages, on the orders of the governor.

I promise you that changes will come.

The leaders in the North will come to respect and understand you.

You could say that again.

But Talib and his people regard us as cattle.

Not as free people.

Justice will be done. I promise.

Did you know that only half of our contributions reach Khanbalik?

The rest disappears into the pockets of Talib and his people.

That's a dangerous accusation. Can you prove it?

The proof. It won't take much effort to find it.

You just need to verify it. - They won't allow that anyway.

Why not?

The tax on those fields was ten cartloads of vegetables.

It has been increased to fifteen.

I assure you that Talib only indicates five.

Still, something has been achieved.

The khan wanted to graze his horses on these fields.

Someone persuaded him to think differently.

Give me time to look around and gather evidence.

Then I can ask the Khan for help. - You are not one of us.

You come from far away. And your admiration for the khan can blind you.

Shut up, Wang Zhu.

When he entered my house, he was no longer a stranger.

There is reason for hope.

The south is rich, rich in fertile soil...

and rich in wise men, who are renowned throughout China.

There is talk of strange people living here.

People who live close to nature and want to understand its secrets.

You mean the 'Immortals'...

followers of Taoism, the path to true wisdom.

They are as inaccessible as the hills.

I heard they live very long...

and that their hair and teeth grow back in the spring.

So you want to meet them. Is that possible?

Climbing to their lair is like staring into an abyss.

My father told me about a woodcutter...

who saw two old men playing checkers on a mountain slope.

The woodcutter was fascinated and watched until the game was over.

When he returned to his village...

he no longer recognized his house or the people.

Centuries had passed.

I'll take you into the hills.

Perhaps you will then have a better understanding of our country and our people.

When can we go? - Tomorrow. I'm going away for a while.

Then you will miss the festival.

But you and your uncle are most welcome to join us.

Please come inside, both of you.

I am sure the Immortal knows about you.

Come closer. I've been waiting for you.

I know that you, coming from areas where time is finite...

longs for a glimpse into infinity.

The desire for knowledge has brought us here.

Learn this:

A wise man lives according to the laws of nature, which govern everything.

They follow the natural curve of space and time.

There are two opposing forces.

They alternate constantly.

That circle, divided into two equal parts...

is the symbol of those two forces.

On the one hand, the masculine power: Yang.

On the other side is the feminine power: Yin.

Yang is warmth, the sun, the earth, the desert...

Yin is cold, shadow, the moon, water.

I have found the secret paths of nature.

They lead to a distant dimension...

where time and space have different values.

There death can be defeated, or kept at bay...

and matter transformed.

Transformation is natural.

Don't seas turn into deserts, caterpillars into butterflies?

Lead and mercury, heated over the flames, turn into gold.

Man must conquer himself before he can conquer nature.

You say you know the path that leads to a place beyond time...

where death does not exist?

Life and death are each other's opposites in the same reality.

The first thing you have to learn is how to breathe.

Hold your breath, and breathe lightly, like a child in the womb.

Look for the sun and turn your body towards it.

Hold the symbol of the sun in your hand.

Now I am preparing for the journey to the next dimension.

The moment my last evening falls and I will find death.

For seven years I didn't eat grains.

I feed on cypress berries and pine resin...

mixed with honey and dates.

Slowly my body is being purified.

And as you can see, I turn into a mummy.

Go forth. Return to your time...

and leaves me in my own time.

Just ask them to teach you the fish figure next time.

The fish, which swims in the crystal clear waters of spring.

We need to practice.

I'm sick of this country. Venice is wet, but China is soaking wet.

I don't understand the people, their language and their customs.

When are we going home?

This is our home. - Not mine.

Go help Yang Ku prepare his boat.

Remember, you are a Venetian sailor, not a Chinese acrobat.

I certainly won't forget that. Look what I made.

What is that?

The son of a Chinese dragon and a gondola: a dragondel.

The dragon keeps us here, the gondola will take us home.

You're wasting your time. Would you mind waking Uncle Matteo?

I completely forgot. He's not there. I've been looking everywhere.

Should have said that earlier. Where is he? - No idea.

Last night I heard something. I saw a light in the trees.

He was gone this morning. Maybe he's out looking for herbs again.

Get changed and we'll go.

Marco, come join us. Go ahead.

Where's your uncle? - I think he's in the mountains.

Is he alone? - I don't know.

I'm going to look for him. Can you get Wang Zhu?

He won't be back until the day after tomorrow. - I can help you look.

I can show him the way, Father.

No, you shouldn't go with him. He's a foreigner.

And Wang Zhu says we shouldn't confide in him.

He's not one of us. We just met him.

He is our friend. He will not betray us.

Many of us are risking our lives. We don't know if Wang Zhu...

I'll be back before he is. Don't be afraid.

I know the way to the cave of the Immortal.

Do you see that boat?

As a girl I dreamed of fixing it...

and take a long journey, alone.

Yang Ku is so secretive about you. Who are you?

I don't know exactly. I never knew my father.

My mother told me that he was a merchant.

He died when he was still young.

We were somewhere far away.

I remember we were on a big ship.

We are heading here.

And your mother? Where is she?

She died when I was very little.

My mother also died when I was young.

Yang Ku and his family took care of me.

We had a big house in Honzhou before the Mongols came.

And you don't know anything else? - Nothing.

What was your father's name?

Billions.

My mother called me Monica.

Monica Vilioni. That's a name that occurs in Venice.

Zogia.

What does that mean?

It's a Venetian word. It means...

Mothers say it to their children. Lovers say it to each other.

It means 'dear'.

And also 'joy'.

It's a kind of beauty that you radiate.

Beauty?

I always thought I was ugly because I didn't look like other girls.

You are beautiful.

Very nice.

We have to go find your uncle.

We need shelter. There's a cave ahead, on the left.

There.

The Mongols are afraid of thunderstorms.

My friend Chinkin, the son of the Great Khan, is just a little child then.

I hope you meet him someday.

You're not afraid, are you? - Not when I'm with you.

You care a lot about Chinkin, huh?

Just as much as you love Mai Li. Have you known each other long?

Since our childhood. I don't want to lose her.

That won't happen, will it? - If she gets married.

Is that likely? - She likes Wang Zhu very much.

There's no sign of it. He seems so distant.

A Chinese man does not talk openly about his love.

He carries love in his heart.

It's a fragile and precious feeling.

But you're not Chinese. You could proclaim your love loudly.

Like me.

I love you.

I love you, Monica.

I may not look Chinese, but in my heart I am.

Yang Ku raised me as his daughter, as Mai Li's sister.

I knew I was different when I saw my reflection.

But I see things through the eyes of a Chinese.

A tree announces the arrival of spring and autumn.

But it is also a design.

A tree lives, just like us.

Your body is like a tree.

Stam.

Limbs are like branches.

And the crown catches and holds the sunlight.

In Venice we say that an angel passes by when someone shivers.

Venice. Sometimes, when I wake up, there's a strange smell in the air.

A smell I don't recognize, like a distant memory.

I know what you mean.

Sometimes it feels like I hear a bell chiming in the morning air.

Like a voice calling me from far away.

I love you, Monica.

I whisper it so only you can hear it.

Like a Chinese.

When you left, it was like the sun was eclipsed.

I was so afraid you wouldn't come back.

There's so much that can separate us. Nothing is stronger than my love.

If you hold me this tight, I can hide my face from you...

and tell you I love you.

I love you.

Dearly.

I have been searching for the path, the tao.

I only ate berries and grass.

We were worried. You don't have to worry.

I can teach you too, if you want.

This is all I found in the cave.

The old man was gone, disappeared.

The Sun responds to this sign.

I feel her energy filling every fiber of my body.

Have you been here all night? - I don't know.

I've been thinking, and I've seen things I didn't think were possible.

You've been delirious. You're as weak as a baby.

That's because of that food. I'm not used to it.

We must follow nature, not force it.

I must admit I like the taste of that rice.

Yin and Yang. Feminine and masculine.

Life. Contentment. Happiness.

Do you know how to write 'satisfaction' in Chinese?

Like this.

A roof, which represents a house.

And under the roof a woman.

You write with images, ideas, not with letters.

Two women under the same roof... - That means double happiness.

That means gossip. Problems.

My legs...

Go find Yang Ku. I'll stay with him.

Vader.

Yang Ku, what happened?

They took Mai Li away. They came here and took Mai Li away.

Who? Who took her?

Soldiers. I heard her cry for help. I ran...

Wang Zhu came, but it was too late.

Where is he now?

I don't know. He's gone too.

Help me. He's got to get out of here.

Where are you taking me?

They didn't say why or where. No explanation whatsoever.

They dragged her away. Her father was worried sick.

Was she beautiful? - What did that...

Talib asks a wise question.

The most beautiful ones go to those who want a new wife or concubine.

At first they resist a bit.

But a new house, nice clothes, they love that.

That's barbarism. - But in an attractive form.

At least, that's how many girls see it.

I'm going to Khanbalik. I'll denounce this.

It was a rebel village.

There is a law, issued by the khan.

Their harvest has been destroyed. They are exempt from taxes for three years.

We don't believe them.

My dear Marco...

If we were to believe all the stories about natural disasters...

we wouldn't even collect a handful of rice for our army.

Trust me, I have a lot of experience with these things.

Burning down that village is unjustifiable.

I will advise the Khan and Akhmet to grant self-government to the south.

Then perhaps the law will be enforced.

There is another law:

The great only have eyes for big things.

In this pity is excluded...

but it guarantees the survival of the empire.

You have sworn allegiance and obedience to the Great Khan.

You must answer for your loyalty and for your treason.

The Khan has other concerns.

His son Chinkin is seriously ill.

He sent him to Changzhou in the hope that he would recover.

But that is wishful thinking.

It's my decision. My mind is made up.

But we're going to Khanbalik. Monica and Yang Ku are coming too.

We'll stay there for a while and then we'll go home.

Home. Just imagine. - Here I am at home. That's what you always said.

It was our home because we had a task. But that task was accomplished.

Imagine what it's like in Venice. With money in your pocket.

No, I'm staying here. I want to stay with these people.

Half my face is burned. I'm disabled.

In Venice they'll look at me as some kind of monster.

But here I am treated with love. Like an unfortunate brother.

So go ahead. I'll stay here.

I have served you faithfully. I have done my best.

But now I understand that I belong here.

Take Yang Ku home. Monica isn't safe here.

A friend of mine is giving her shelter.

Saiamon, it's me, Marco. I know your voice.

The light serves to conceal my blindness from intruders.

It's dangerous to show your vulnerability.

I have a friend with me. I want to ask you something.

I haven't sold anything in ages.

Not since your people attacked my country again.

I advised the Grand Khan against it. He was too angry to listen.

I know. If you want pottery...

I have plenty for you to choose from.

I will pay you well, but not for your work.

I want you to give shelter to my dearest.

What's her name? - Monica

My house is yours. Your presence will be a blessing.

You're safe here. I have to go now.

Do I really have to? - I won't be away long.

Marco, I have to...

I beg you, help this man.

They took his daughter Mai Li from him. His only child.

Khanbalik is a big city. It could be anywhere.

You can organize a search party and possibly deploy soldiers.

You have to be reasonable, Marco.

I understand that you sympathize with your friend.

But there are rules and customs that I must respect.

But his daughter was stolen.

In this country, daughters are often sold, or killed after birth.

Exactly. A daughter like that is another mouth to feed.

You also talk like a barbarian.

Forgive me, Lord Achmet. I don't know what I'm saying.

I beg you again, help us.

I will do my best.

But there may be problems with certain powerful people.

There are people who hate you and your Chinese friends. Religious fanatics.

Phags-pa? - Don't mention any names.

I know what you mean.

But I have seen many monks succumb to temptations.

If this man has been wronged, we will restore justice.

Our loyalty to the Khan... - That's the point.

Our loyalty demands that we tell him the truth about the South.

What passion, so many illusions.

But I won't destroy them. They belong to your youth.

Time is your best teacher.

Condolences.

We couldn't predict what was going to happen.

Suddenly it went dark, as if the day was swallowed by night.

The storm raged over us. The sea became a hell that spewed out demons.

Our ships disappeared in waves as high as mountains.

Lightning bolts shot from the sky. Ships collided.

The Japanese shouted:

Kamikaze, kamikaze. The wind of the gods.

It was over for us.

I was against the attack. I didn't want to risk my ships.

I suggested we wait, but the general was too impatient.

I couldn't stop him. It was our downfall.

You also wanted to attack. You were sure of victory.

You said your ships were indestructible.

If I had been in command, my ships would not have been sunk.

Hell has conquered. Khan, Great Khan.

Hell has not conquered, Argan.

You have been defeated by our enemies because of your stupid pride.

The unity in their hearts against your divided leadership...

your incompetence.

I sentence you to death.

Tomorrow, before sunrise...

are your heads rolling in the sand...

along with our humiliation.

Have mercy, Your Highness. - Mercy, I beg of you.

He said you sent him to take her home.

No, I didn't send anyone. Why did you let her go with you?

All I could go by was his voice.

He sounded sincere. Monica seemed to know him.

But she doesn't know anyone in Khanbalik. Who was he?

I could tell from his voice that he was from southern China.

When did he get here? - At most an hour after you left.

I heard him talking about a monastery for Buddhist nuns.

Monica, we found Mai Li. We know where she is.

Here. Spread this message.

Prince Chinkin has recovered.

Let everyone know. It's our sign.

Who is that man? - Don't worry.

Leave him to me.

Prince Chinkin has recovered. The sign.

I've had enough.

Are those Talib's gifts? - Yes, master.

The new ladies-in-waiting have waited too long.

Is this the poet's daughter? - Yes, sir.

Every day I solve the khan's problems.

At night I have the right to solve my own.

Don't you think so? - Yes, sir.

I understand that you can sing beautifully.

Will you sing for me?

Sing for me.

Do you want to touch me?

Don't be afraid to touch me.

Sir Achmet.

Prince Chinkin has returned. He awaits you in the throne room.

Prince Chinkin? Just a moment.

Welcome back, sir. How may I serve you?

For my people, for all your victims.

Wait. Come on. - Quick. Get out of here.

There were two of them. They came from the south.

They were helped by a servant, a traitor.

At first it looked like an act of revenge.

The daughter of one of them had to submit to Achmet.

She committed suicide.

I have received new information from Yanzhou.

From Marco? - Indeed.

He reports corruption, embezzlement and murder...

including two attempts on his own life.

That's impossible. Achmet?

It's true. The South is a cesspool of violence and corruption.

The resistance against him was to be expected.

But his death could spark a large-scale uprising.

This needs to be nipped in the bud.

Without pity and without exceptions.

The murderers will be executed. The other...

Another person has been arrested after Achmet's murder. A young woman.

The adopted daughter of one of the murderers.

She was part of a secret resistance movement in the Forbidden City.

In addition, she is friends with Marco Polo.

She had disguised herself as a nun.

Tell Marco to learn to estimate...

who deserves his friendship and who doesn't.

All of Achmet's helpers and accomplices will be executed.

And those involved in his death and the attempted uprising...

must also die.

No mercy for any of them.

And banish anyone who sides with the rebels, openly or silently.

Khanbalik must be cleansed of troublemakers.

Order must be restored.

Hide the children.

I must obey the khan. You're lucky he doesn't punish you too.

Let him punish me and spare Monica.

She's innocent. She's never harmed anyone.

You can save her if you want. You must save her.

Her father was beheaded, but that did not stop the rebellion.

As his daughter, she is a dangerous symbol.

In the name of God, in the name of your God, for I pray to Him also...

be merciful.

You should show mercy.

Do you doubt my faith? The power of prayer is unwavering.

She can be saved. But it will require far more sacrifice than you realize.

How much? I'm rich. I'm willing to give everything.

You haven't yet learned to look into someone's heart.

My position sometimes compels me to severity, even fanaticism.

But I hate corruption just as much as you do. Even more.

I didn't mean that... I'm just confused.

No, the Khan's orders exclude exceptions.

The woman has been sentenced to death. - No, you can't... I'm going to...

You must learn to see that intense emotions lead to downfall.

I will try to save her.

But there is only one way: That she is entrusted to the time stream.

That she is banished.

You may see her again.

And after that you must never try to see her again.

I warned you. You're putting her in danger.

The people in the south are ready to accept you.

Provided the government regards them as free citizens, not defeated enemies.

How can we do that?

By giving them justice. By showing that we trust them.

Is that possible?

Mr. Marco can prove that it is possible.

We are glad that young Marco Polo has a lot of wisdom.

You'll be pleased to know that I plan to...

to allow the solemn celebration of your Christian holiday to take place.

Maybe then more people will pray for my son.

What do you call it? - Easter.

Is it wise to honor Christians...

now that Nayan and his people are becoming more and more restless?

This is not a matter of faith.

Nayan is blinded by ambition and Kaidu's misleading advice.

I disagree.

Nayan has openly incited his people to revolt.

He uses his newfound faith against you to sow division in the realm.

Wouldn't it be wiser not to take this excuse too seriously?

When we celebrate the Resurrection, we are essentially saying...

that the cross that Nayan carries deserves deep respect.

I will explain it to you, Phags-pa, and to all of you.

In our kingdom five prophets are worshipped:

Confucius, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Moses and Mohammed.

We must respect them all...

to avoid offending the most powerful in the Eternal Blue Sky.

For until the day we stand before Him, we do not know who He is.

As for Kaidu and Nayan...

They must know that I will no longer tolerate their arrogance.

Please convey that message to Nayan.

Speak to him, in my words, loud and clear.

Convince him...

That he must now submit. Otherwise, my wrath will come upon him.

If he forces me to kill our brothers...

their blood is on his hands.

Someday, perhaps soon, the Khan will convert to Buddhism.

I don't think so.

There are too many Muslim and Christian subjects.

You say that the defeat against Japan...

Kublai has damaged.

He wants to unite the people by force, but the people do not believe him.

He will resort to faith, but he will fail.

But Lady Chabi can stop him.

You think so. Chabi is a Mongolian woman, and she will obey him.

Chinkin can't help us either. He's been poisoned.

He will die. Perhaps sooner than you and I think.

What message should I deliver to Kublai?

Say the following to Great Khan Kublai:

Nayan knows that he is his blood relative...

but he will never sacrifice his new faith.

The freedom and independence of its people.

I understand.

I promised your forgiveness if Nayan would abandon his plan.

But he rejected all peace proposals.

Do you want me to talk to him again?

Ask Marco Polo to stay. - As you wish.

On behalf of the Grand Khan, I close the meeting.

Sir Marco Polo, please remain. The Great Khan wishes to speak with you.

What would you do if you were the Great Khan?

Me, the Khan? I wouldn't even dare dream of it.

There is an old Chinese story about a man...

who dreams that he is a butterfly.

When he wakes up, he asks himself:

Am I a man who dreamed he was a butterfly...

or am I a butterfly dreaming it's a man?

Perhaps this is a moment from a dream.

I could be Marco Polo, dreaming he is the khan.

And you, the real Kublai.

Great Khan, what would you do?

I would grant Nayan mercy.

I would appeal to his faith and treat him kindly.

He will realize that he acted rashly.

Indeed, you are not Kublai.

And this is no dream.

The Great Khan is not allowed to forgive.

Following the great Genghis also means the following:

To be merciless towards traitors.

Especially if the traitor comes from within your own circle.

And to be alone when a decision has to be made.

Only...

with my dying son.

Chinkin died peacefully.

I feel a great void in my soul.

Thanks to Chinkin, I believed in a better future.

If he were still alive...

I always refused to believe in the ancient signs.

Our destiny that my people can read in the dance of the stars.

But over the past few months my hope has been dwindling.

But even the khan seems to have changed.

As if, forgive me...

As if he was too tired to hold the empire in his hands.

And now Timur will succeed him.

A boy who sees things happening that he can't understand.

When I told him what Nayan said, he didn't seem to hear me.

Nothing makes him break his silence.

Except when the ambassadors of the Khan of Persia...

asked him if one of his daughters was available as a wife.

When I told him that Kokachin would be chosen...

he cried like a child.

She was to be Chinkin's bride. So the decision was made.

Kokachin becomes the wife of Arghun.

It will be a useful bond.

Arghun is faithful. This marriage will further strengthen their bond.

But the journey to Persia is long and dangerous.

You must talk to Kublai. He will listen to you.

Tell him that Nayan only cares about his people.

He must let Nayan and Kaidu keep the freedom of our forefathers.

He cannot confine them within walls in cities.

Great Khan, the revolt has spread.

Kaidu Khan plans to join forces with Nayan.

Never before has our empire been so seriously threatened.

When Kaidu reaches Nayan, we will be faced with a huge army.

When you spoke to him, I already knew that this was his ultimate goal.

Not independence, but a new kingdom in the north.

As Kaidu stirs unrest in Central Asia...

we will be cut off from the west and our empire will fall apart.

Nayan rightly fears that his people will perish.

For I will give him a war, a true Mongolian war...

which will cause him to turn to dust forever.

What is your command, Your Highness?

How quickly can the garrison from the south get here?

In thirty to forty days. That takes too long.

Summon my Imperial Guard and the garrison from Changtu.

Close the passages to the north. We must act quickly.

Defeat Nayan before he reaches Kaidu.

I will lead your army to victory once again.

No. You will be by my side.

I will lead my army myself.

1288, first day of the second moon

fifth day of the second moon

tenth day of the second moon

twelfth day of the second moon

He was God. He had come to earth to become a man.

His parents were very poor.

They could only offer their son love and care, nothing more.

He was born in a stable.

fifteenth day of the second moon

seventeenth day of the second moon

eighteenth day of the second moon

nineteenth day of the second moon

twentieth day of the second moon

Nayan, you are guilty of the highest treason...

that has ever been committed in our empire.

Since you are my blood relative, and Genghis Khan's...

may your blood not be shed upon the ground.

You will die according to our law.

I beg you, Great Khan Kublai...

Your peace is restored, your kingdom is secure, it is stronger than ever.

Allow me to return to...

But I'm an old man. Not as old as I am.

Soon I will no longer be able to make the trip.

If I don't leave soon, I'll never see Venice again.

You've been back before. - That was years ago.

I can't miss you.

And I will vent my wrath on you if you ever bring this up again.

You've made a fortune here. That's true.

I will multiply your gold and precious stones by ten.

But never provoke my wrath again.

He had that with him.

He says he got them from Sir Polo in exchange for a service.

He is from Zhaodong.

He is a long way from the sea and his boat.

It's a fact he's lying. He stole them.

Do you know anything about this sailor?

I don't know him. I've never seen him before.

Let me see.

Rubies, sapphires, emeralds? It looks like they're a lot...

Nothing.

They're worthless. They're just colored stones.

Look carefully. You're not questioning your brother's judgment, are you?

If they are worthless, there is no theft.

Maybe you wanted to try to sell them to us.

Unfortunately. I wouldn't even give you a crust of bread for it.

But if you want bread...

take with you and return to your boat in peace.

My father made a just decision.

He is innocent. We cannot condemn him for his attempt.

I gave him those gems in exchange for this.

It is a new navigation instrument.

That arrow-shaped bar always points north, even when you move the box.

This allows me to sail safely and determine the correct course.

The course back to Venice. I can't take this any longer.

I long for the smell of the sea.

In every curtain, in every waving flag I see a sail.

Take me home to Venice.

Before I lose the will to live.

Marco, you seem surprised that Kokachin is back with us.

I thought you had arrived in Persia by now.

In Dacio, on the edge of the Gobi Desert...

we were hit by a violent sandstorm.

They didn't want to go any further.

These gentlemen are envoys of the II-Khan Arghun.

We've traveled for three moons. The hardships have been numerous.

In the storm we could no longer guarantee the safety of the princess.

We couldn't take responsibility.

I know that desert. It was wise to turn back.

There's only one route. It's difficult and risky, but possible.

The sea.

Ask the Khan for a strong ship and expert pilots.

If I had to make the journey, I would go by sea.

Are you still mourning Nayan's death?

I can't forget that carnage.

A battle between brothers.

I suffered too. I dreamed of a peace that would make everything better.

Even the hearts of the people.

But Nayan does not deserve that you and Lady Chabi mourn him.

He also wanted peace.

No, his pride was stronger than any feeling.

If your God had been on his side...

He had not allowed himself to be defeated.

No, only the rebel is defeated, not your faith.

If the khan would hear me now...

Would he think that I have turned to your Christ?

If we had been friends sooner we could have done so much good.

Now it's too late.

No, friendship is a bridge that reaches across space and time.

Even when you are at home, in Venice.

When will that be? The khan refuses to let us go.

Have you heard that Princess Kokachin could not reach Persia?

The poor princess. It seems her fate that she will never marry.

By the way, I did let the envoys know...

that in these turbulent times Persia can only be reached by sea.

Naturally, such a dangerous journey requires an experienced pilot.

Why are you laughing?

We understand each other well. I told them exactly the same thing.

I can't surprise you. I'm glad I found you, Mr. Marco.

I'm not here by chance. I wanted to talk to you.

Soon I'll be going back to Tibet. To my temple in the snow.

I need the solitude and purity there.

Power is a poison. Ultimately, it taints us all.

I envy your conviction. I wish I knew so clearly what to do.

Certainty is a dream. An illusion.

Life is a journey into the unknown.

Farewell, my friend. Farewell.

Please rise, all of you, noble sirs.

You have heard the words of the Great Khan.

He knows better than anyone that the princess needs a suitable escort.

One that will do honor to the II Khan and himself.

Our most experienced ambassadors and ladies-in-waiting will accompany her.

Your master will be pleased.

When must you leave? - Immediately, Great Khan.

The wind is favorable now. In a month, it will have shifted.

You want to go for a ride with me one last time.

I didn't want to let your father and uncle leave...

because I knew you would go with them.

If I had known how much this hurts me...

I would never have agreed to it.

It's hard for me too.

At least you promised you'd come back.

If your letters are sent to the Pope, France, England, and Spain...

and when i've been home...

I will try to keep my promise.

I know. But I won't be here to greet you.

But a part of you will remain in this country.

As long as anyone can remember you...

the people who come here on your behalf do not need safe conduct.

You've proven yourself to be our friend. And so we will receive them.

Backwards.

Kaidu was right.

We conquered the world on horseback...

and should rule the world on horseback.

But now I'm too old to take off.

I'm not a real Mongolian.

Too much blood has been shed.

Brothers fighting each other.

We have incurred the wrath of the gods.

Timur will inherit an empire on the verge of collapse.

Everything I've done has been for Chinkin.

But I didn't give him what he wanted.

He believed in the dream of a united China.

That dream will come true. Someday, that dream will come true.

But that will be in another time.

Marco, help me.

There will be evenings...

where the wind from the north, the cold Hang Feng...

the scent of the Mongolian steppes will bring...

and the neighing of his horses.

It will fill my heart with longing and then I will think of you...

as to a distant son.

Take my hand, Marco.

Don't forget this. If a Mongol takes you by the hand...

a part of his soul is transferred to you.

You admit to having visited pagan temples?

And have you taken part in magical rites?

I reported what I saw. I didn't add or remove anything.

My observations do not affect my beliefs.

Regarding the religions I've talked about, I can say one thing:

They are good or bad, depending on the hearts of the confessors.

Paul also visited the temples in Greece and Rome.

Do you compare this Venetian with the holy apostle?

My knowledge of other religions has brought me closer to my own God.

According to you, Marco Polo found the Garden of Eden.

I never said that.

I wrote that down by mistake when you were talking about Badaksjan.

We can cross it out.

Is it not true, Rustichello, that you have written...

about women who sleep with foreigners...

at the urging and with the approval of their husbands?

Marco Polo said it was a custom. That's how they honor their guests.

Sailors in Pisa, Venice and Genoa also tell about this.

The fact that the sin is repeated does not make it any less despicable.

Those who tolerate it must be condemned.

Those stories are not suitable for innocent ears.

I can only say that those stories filled me with longing.

They made me long for my wife. What a blessing...

that my wife lives only for me, all her life.

Your claims about the existence of star clusters...

which our science does not recognize...

corrupt the harmony of creation...

as we, faithful servants of God, see it.

In addition, you describe countries and peoples...

in areas where only darkness is known to prevail.

The learned doctor Pietro de Abano has been given permission to speak.

Not on any astronomical map...

appear the stars he claims to have seen.

But however improbable his observations may seem...

They have recently been confirmed by other navigators and astronomers.

Heresy, confirmed by pagans.

And not just by them. We were finally able to read...

Unfortunately, we don't have a machine to print books yet...

like your Chinese friends...

thus writings are patiently transcribed, piece by piece.

We were finally able to read the report of the monk Giovanni...

about his travels beyond Mongolia.

While we thought we knew that there was total darkness there.

If your stay was so comfortable, why did you return?

My father and uncle wanted to see their house again before they died.

It was God's will that we should show you the way to new knowledge.

So you still maintain that everything in your book is true?

People flying, a magical powder exploding in the air...

and spouts fountains of light?

God is my witness that I have not told half of what I saw.

Let me confess, publicly, as the early Christians did.

This man is guilty.

He urged me to escape from prison.

He even gave me the key to escape.

His stories broke down the walls of my cell and set me free.

He has fought and conquered our oldest enemy:

Ignorance.

Thanks to Marco Polo I have made long journeys.

New places seen, times that lie ahead.

His journey from here to China was a journey from the past to the future.

And now here I am, in captivity, yet I am not chained.

I have a newfound faith in humanity.

We were born to overcome boundaries and prejudices.

Violence, hatred and suspicion are clouds that knowledge will dispel.

Marco Polo freed me from fear.

He has returned from his travels as the champion of the new man.

Look at him.

When you open your heart and mind, you will see an aura of intelligence...

which far transcends simple facts, places and people.

A light that should make us strong, patient, noble and civilized...

so that we can broaden our horizons...

and explore the infinite wonders of the stars.

We have reached a judgement with some reservations.

You have touched upon topics beyond your understanding.

You have come into contact with false doctrines...

against which the Holy Church must always be on her guard.

But we believe it was not your intention to sin.

Therefore we command you to meditate...

and revise your stories in accordance with your conscience.

May God have mercy on you and enlighten you.

You are free to go.

And me?

Thank you.

Enjoy your freedom in Venice, also on my behalf.

Pisa has lost the war and cannot find peace.

Only God knows when they'll release me.

I ask your forgiveness. Why? I should be thanking you.

For a few thoughts?

The filling of the background that my pen let me record?

You'll understand when you read it. Don't hate me for it.

I know now that it wasn't necessary.

The Book of Miracles is yours.

From us.

It's our book, Rustichello. - Come along.

Venetians, winter 1299

Look. My wife and sons.

No glorious welcome awaited Marco Polo in Venice.

He was alone with the knowledge he had acquired.

For a long time he was not believed, although no one had traveled as far as he.

The son of Niccolo Polo, noble citizen of Venice.

He who had always dreamed of the future now looked back.

He longed to return to China, his second homeland.

He never left Venice again and died there in the year of our Lord 1324.