Original subtitles

Water Margin

A TV Maxi-Series

Water Margin

Written by Shi Nai'an and Luo Guanzhong

Episode One - The Rise of Gao Qiu

Nice, nice

What's going on here?

What is he playing?

Fishing moon from the sea

A lion turning around

Bravo, bravo

Look how he plays

Bravo, bravo

Nice, bravo

Bravo, bravo

Bravo, bravo

Wow, nice, bravo

Brother Gao, we can't have this here

How impudent!

Yeah, Gao Kan's right

Bearding the lion in his den

Doesn't he know whose turf this is?

That's right

Let's teach him a lesson

Yes, let's go

-Go -Go

Move aside, move aside

Thank you, everyone

Come over

Where're you from?

-Speak -What's up, bro?

Bro?

I'm the master here

Do you know what is this place?

We're the masters here

I just got here

If there's any offence

please forgive me

-Eh, you -Move

If I've offended you, I'll leave now

Eh, stop

Give me the stick

Let me have a look

Hand it over now

Nice

Brother, it won't break

Try harder, harder

Brother, how is it?

-Ouch, my leg -Let me try

-You people… -I know it'll break

Why do you break my stick?

Beat him, beat him

Beat him to death

Strangle him

-Beat him to death -I…

Beat him

Who is this guy?

You don't know him?

The most infamous one in the capital Bianliang

A rogue that no one wants to mess with

What has he got to be such a bully?

A smattering of martial arts and literature

but good at one thing, football

His name is Gao Qiu, a degenerate

A few years ago he misguided

the son of Landlord Wang into a dissolute life

of gluttony, alcoholism, whoring, gambling

and pilferage

Landlord Wang then sued him

He was banished

Somehow he is back now

without any improvement

I heard he's helping in a pharmacy

And now he's here picking a fight

You see, obviously he's bullying that man

Stop

Stop dawdling. Get going

Hey, you wanna go?

Stop there

My arms, my arms

Great!

If I see you bullying again

I'll break your legs

Brother Gao, Brother Gao

Brother Gao

Old bastard, running away after he's done

What a frigging jerk!

Yin and Yang alternate

Fortune and misfortune rotate

Every dog

has its day

Things always change

Manager, I'll get going

Hi

Brother Gao

I've found it out

The name is Wang Jin

an officer in the Capital Command

Brother Gao, here

Thanks for your trouble. Come inside for a cup of tea

It's alright. We still have things to tend

Hurry. The guys have all been waiting

Brother Gao is here

Brother Gao, you're here

Just missing you, Brother Gao, here, come inside

Take a seat

Brother Gao, here, some wine

Brother Gao, we wait for your decision

-Yeah -Calm down

Wait until Brother Gao finishes his drink

Yeah, Brother Gao, drink

Brother Gao

where he lives

and where he goes everyday

we have all figured out

Yeah, Brother Gao, we're no match in stand-up fight

Brother Gao, we throw some bricks at him from the shadows

and he won't be able to rival us

Right

Put him down stealthily first

and then confront him

It's a good idea

Yeah

-Let's do it -Quiet down

Listen to Brother Gao

Yes

Listen to Brother Gao

I'm thinking

let's just forget about it

Brother Gao, that does not sound like us

We can't forget about it, Brother Gao

Yeah right, we can't

Look at what he did to me

If we are no match for him

at least we can take him down a peg or two

Even if we throw some bricks at him

and get some revenge

but as long as he survives

he would definitely come back for us

With all this back and forth

we'll be the ones suffer

Then let's kill him

Yes, kill him. We brothers can finish him for sure

Kill him. Finish him

Kill him?

We'll be penalized if we kill him

I've already been there once

I don't want it anymore

To make our heart content

we need to be someone

who is able to get away with murder

Am I right?

Brother Gao always

has great ideas

Right, yes

Exactly

Let's follow Brother Gao

Let's follow Brother Gao

I want to find a job that I can settle down with

Then perhaps there's a chance for a bright future

What future is there, helping in a pharmacy?

Brother Gao

is going to get his break

Yeah

It's great, right

-Fantastic -Our Brother Gao

will have his bright future once he says so

Of course. Here

Drink. A toast to Brother Gao

Brother Gao, drink

-Sure, of course -Drink

It's getting late. I must leave now

Brother Gao

Please forgive me, brothers

Brother Gao, why are you leaving?

Brother Gao

Brother Gao

if you ever become someone

please don't forget me

Brother Gao

Gao Qiu

Come in

This small pharmacy

is too tiny for someone with great expectations

It might hold you up here

and waste the good intention of the one

who recommended you here

I have some dealings with Academician Su Dongpo

He needs a clerk in his house now

I'll recommend you to him

You shall have a good future afterwards

Manager

if I have done anything wrong

you can tell me or punish me but

please don't kick me out of here

Yesterday I did run into a few old friends…

I'm just thinking about your future

Please don't misunderstand me

Manager

With this letter from me

Academician Su won't slight you

Do you know much about literature?

Just a little bit

Gao Qiu

Qiu is my style name

from the poem

By riverside are cooing, a pair of turtledoves

A good young man is wooing

a fair maiden he loves

Like this

Two components, man and seek

Good. I'll recommend you to Wang Jinqing

the Emperor's Son-in-Law

You must have heard of him?

People call him Wang, the Commandant-Escort

He needs people like you

What do you think?

Sure, sure

What are you doing here?

I'm here to see the Commandant-Escort

I've got a letter with me

-Please come in -Okay

What are you laughing about?

He's standing there for quite a while

and you won't speak to him

Is it Gao Qiu?

Yes, I'm Gao Qiu

Come over

Right here

Since Academician Su recommends you

I won't slight you

Well, are you willing to be

an attendant

by my side?

Thank you

Commandant-Escort

-Thank you -Sure

Rise, rise

Thank you

Hmm

It's your birthday the day after tomorrow

and here is the guest list

Please have a look, Commandant-Escort

This year I shall invite nobody

but my uncle Duke Duan. Let them prepare well

Yes

This is Gao Qiu

recommended by Academician Su

I'm keeping him here

For the birthday banquet

assign him a job

And tell him about

the rules in this house

Yes

Go with him

Yes

No lavish banquet

Just drinking wine and watching shows with you

How do you like it, Duke Duan?

This is quite special

The jade lion is finished

Please take a look, Commandant-Escort

This…

This is made by Rongbaozhai

the best jade store in the Capital

Such good finishing

It's white jade

Jade craftsmen heard it's your birthday

This pair of jade lions are their tribute to you

And the jade dragon brush holder?

Supposedly to be delivered tomorrow

Such exquisite craftsmanship

Really rare

If you like it, we'll give it to you tomorrow

together with the brush holder

Well

Surely the jade dragon brush holder

is much more exquisite

But

how can I take these away from you?

Just a couple of toys

Never mind it, Duke Duan

Well

I'll be obliged gladly

Then, thank you for your generosity

No problem

Let's drink

Bottom up

This way

His Highness is playing football

with the attendants in the courtyard

You go find him

I've never been here before

Please help guide me, Sir

Incoming, my lord

Here

Here, over here

He's there

-Go there yourself -Over here

Sure

-Thank you -Here

Over here, hurry

Who is this?

Who is he?

I don't know

Nice moves

Who are you?

I'm the attendant of the Commandant-Escort

Following his orders

I'm here to deliver two pieces of jadeware to you, my lord

I've got the Commandant-Escort's letter here

Here

You can play football?

I'm Gao Qiu

I play a little bit

Good

Here, come on

Just play a while

I dare not

I really dare not

Come on

Football is just a game

There's no class or rank

or seniority. Just a game

I dare not

Come on, here

Pass him the ball

Nice

Nice

Great

Nice moves

Good, good job

Nice, well done

Forgive me for my poor performance

Your Highness

Come here, come

This way

Look, I've been waiting for you with all these

Your Highness, this is…

Come on and take a seat

Here

Just sit

This banquet today

Your Highness means?

Come on, wine

To get something

one must first give

Just two trinkets

Your Highness doesn't have to do this

You're mistaken

This banquet

is for a breathing person

Gao Qiu

My lord

Greetings, Commandant-Escort

Your Highness, what's this?

You've got hidden talents by your side

I wonder

if you could give up Gao Qiu

So it's about him

This Gao Qiu

was recommended to me by Academician Su Dongpo

What has he got to win Your Highness' favor?

He's quite good at football

And I also like to play it once a while

It's just playing with those attendants

is too tedious

With him, there must be quite some fun

It's just a small matter

not worth Your Highness' trouble

Gao Qiu

thank His Highness now

Thank you, Your Highness

Great

Nice

Bravo

My lord, what's wrong?

Take it

Let's take a break now

Sure

Such a good player

Here, for your sweat

Here, pass the ball here

-Catch it -Nice

My lord, you're really enjoying this lately

The attendants are also doing well

As long as you have fun

The guys are all playing well

-Your Highness, someone wants to see Gao Qiu -I'm not

Who wants to see me?

He's just in front of the mansion

Nice

Just go

I'll have a rest

Yes. Thank you, Your Highness

Brother Gao

Brother Gao, you look so nice in this outfit

So gracious

I told you not to come and see me

and still you…

Brother Gao

Just hear me out

we just miss you

I told them not to come

But they insisted

on seeing you

So please just meet them this time

Where are they?

Come on

Brother Gao, we really miss you

We are all here to see you, Brother Gao

We miss you

Your presence is sorely missed

Look at how nice Brother Gao's outfit is

Looking so good

We all miss you

Brother, you wouldn't tell us that

you've made it to Duke Duan's Mansion

Right, why not tell us?

Brother Gao, your bright future is here like you said

You must be enjoying your days of affluence

right?

Brother Gao, take us on a tour around the mansion

Yeah, open our eyes

Take us inside, Brother Gao

Quiet, quiet

Brother Gao now lives in the mansion

and we should look presentable

Indeed. Don't forget us when you're rich

Right, Brother Gao?

You look so gracious

Brother Gao, please speak

We're all ears

Brother Gao

Brother Gao, please say something

Brother Gao

You…

How about this?

I'll take you to Cuixianlou Restaurant tomorrow

Sure, sure. Enough now

Brother Gao has business to attend to

and can't be disturbed

Yes, right

Brother Gao, tomorrow

let's meet in Cuixianlou Restaurant

Yeah

Please go inside now

Brother Gao, see you tomorrow

Let's go back now

Brother Gao is quite someone

Look how nice his outfit is

Really decent. He's such a genuine person

Of course. And we're his best friends

Brother Gao, please go inside. See you tomorrow

Go inside, Brother

Careful, sir

Just serve all the good food and wine

-Waiter -Yeah, coming

Will Brother Gao come?

Yeah, why isn't he here yet?

Can you explain it?

Impossible

Brother Gao

Brother Gao, you're here

Now listen to me

There's no more Brother Gao now

If you bother me again

I'll put you in jail

Stop it

He's gone

Brother Gao is gone

Where are you going?

What're you looking for?

-Tell us -Why are you looking at me like this?

Is this my fault?

We're frigging bruised like this

Why didn't Gao beat you?

Yeah, why didn't he? Explain

I sneaked under the table

-Sneaked under the table? -I did it, too

Why did Gao only beat me

and not you?

Look how bruised I am

Right, explain it

How would I know

You don't know?

Stop

I…

Gao is not here now. You are

Beat him

Bastard

Well, since your surname is Gao, too

You deserve this

Let's go

Brother Gao, Brother Gao

Sir, what's going on?

The Emperor has passed

His Highness has gone to court for discussion

Long live Your Majesty

Gao Qiu

since you came to my mansion

you've brought a lot of joy to me

I won't forget your dedication

I

would like to promote you

Thank you, Your Majesty

Rise, rise

The Bureau of Military Affairs shall register your name first

And then let's see what to do

I heard there's gonna be changes in

the Capital Guard Command

This time

it might be someone with certain background

I heard he used to serve the Emperor

Is that so?

What's his surname?

It's Gao

Army Steward

The new Defender-in-chief is surnamed Gao

Do you know his full name?

It's Gao Qiu

What a rare name

Gao Qiu

For the inspection tomorrow

can you tell them I'm on sick leave?

Sir Wang, no problem at all

Just give me a written notice

Of course, thank you

Sure

Sir Wang

Sir Wang

Greetings, Your Majesty

Lords of the Bureau of Military Affairs all think…

Speak

Yes

Gao Qiu is ignorant and incompetent

and only knows how to play football

If important duties were to be assigned to him

we're afraid…

I like playing football, too

And I am the head of this country

I understand

He can learn

how to serve as an official

Huh?

Yes

You can go now

Thank you, Your Majesty

All are here

to be inspected by you

All are here?

One coach of the guards is on sick leave

What's his name?

Wang Jin

Here is his written notice

Wang Jin

Sir Wang is indeed sick

He has been in bed for days

Conviction Hall

Nonsense

If he has submitted this written notice

why doesn't he come over?

He's obviously holding me in contempt

using being sick as an excuse

Bring up Wang Jin

Bring up Wang Jin

Wang Jin greets the Defender-in-chief

Raise your head

Let me see what you look like

So you're Wang Jin

What have you got to be the coach

of 800,000 imperial guards?

My predecessor must have been mistaken

Your position is trivial

yet you're so self-important

not showing up for inspection

under the excuse of being sick

to enjoy and relax

I'm sick for real

Shut up!

If you are

then why are you here now?

You summoned me

and I dare not ignore it

Still talking back

Beat him

Defender-in-chief, he's dying

Today is your first day in office

please spare him this once

Fine

Since they are pleading for you

I shall spare you today

I'll deal with you afterwards

Thief

Take the thief

No, no, stop

I'm not a thief

I'm the Defender-in-chief Lord Gao's adopted son

Beat me and you shall regret

You have such a big mouth

Wouldn't we know if our Defender-in-chief

has an adopted son?

You're obviously lying

Keep beating him

Stop, stop it

I'm Lord Gao's adopted son

Brutalize me and you will regret

Stop

Gao's Mansion

Wait, what did you say?

My name is Gao Kan

Or you can ask your Defender-in-chief

It might be true

If it is true

then he's one of us

I need to report to the Defender-in-chief now

Truth or lie

it'll be clear once we see him

Go, move

Go

Take him in

Be gentle

Gentle

Move

Brother Gao, I wanted to see you

I wanted to, but I'm afraid I won't be let in

so I climbed over the wall

Gao Kan

Brother

How do you end up like this?

Leave us

They wouldn't talk to me

and beat me every time they saw me

I have nowhere else to go

I've been asking about you everywhere

I'll do anything

to serve you like your son

Please take me in

Father

Father

Father

You don't want me

If you don't take me in

then there's only death waiting for me

Well, fetch some silver taels here

And let him go

Wait

I don't need silver taels

Father

you still don't want me?

If that's the case

I'll die before you

Gao Kan

Eh…

Get a doctor here

Eh…

Enemies always meet

Falling into his hands

I'm gonna suffer in the days to come

Son, if it's not gonna work, we leave

It's such a big world out there

an upstanding man like you

can always find a place

No need to stay here

and get bullied by that Gao

Then where can I go?

To Yan'an Prefecture

The military commissioner there

was an old friend of your father's

There might be places for people like you to serve

However powerful that Gao is

he can't control everything under the sky

Mother

all right

Let's go to Yan'an Prefecture

Father

Father

Wang Jin, coach of the Capital Command, has run away

How do you know?

I wanted to teach him a lesson

but couldn't find him in the drill ground

I went to his residence

His neighbor said he went away several days ago

with no destination revealed

He is afraid

Exactly

Think about it

how rowdy he was last year

Guard

Here

Wang Jin, coach of 800,000 imperial guards

has broken the law

abandoned his post

and escaped with his family

Draft the document

and alert all places to arrest him