Original subtitles

As the ancient saying goes for all things in the world

Ling separation leads to unity and long unity to separation

During Spring and Autumn Period five overlords competed for hegemony

During the Warring States the seven states co-existed

After over 500 years of turmoil they reunited into dynasty of Qin

With the downfall of Qin, there arises' battle between Chu and Han

And again reunited into the Dynasty of Han

In the 88th year of Zhanghe Period of the Eastern Han

The 10 year old emperor of Pinghan resigned his post

He took advantage of the power of eunuch and defeated Dowager Dou

And her elder brother Dou Yun

Eunuchs directly participated in the state affairs

That was the beginning of rule by eunuch by end of Eastern Han Dynasty

King of Han He

In the following scores of years eunuchs abused thier power

The struggle in the Imperial Court became the more intense

Between Emperor Shang of the Han Dynasty

Emperor An

Emperor Shun

Emperor Chong

Emperor Zhi

Emperor Heng and Emperor Ling their thrones changed frequently

The Imperial Court is increasingly declining

And the local despots levy exorbitant taxes

Annex the land

Plus constant natural disasters

People had to struggle on verge of starvation and death

Old is the Heaven and necessary are the changes

In the year of Jaziall is auspicious

So much exploited and bullied People had to rise in rebellion

Thousands upon thousands of starved people

Rise in revolt against the court high raising their flags

Finally in January of the seventh year of Guanghe Period(186AD)

There broke out the Yellow Turbans Uprising

The uprising army burned the offices of the local authorities

Killed officials and seized cities

The flame of war spread quickly

within ten days, whole country responded, the court shocked

Your Majesty, Yellow Turbans are strong, and Imperial Troops weak

All local authorities be ordered to recruit soldiers and enhance defense

I agree with you,senior general

Generals shall be sent to be the command

I agree

Thank you, Your Majesty

hereby announces to the public Liu Yan, governor of Youhou

to rebel against Your Majesty Yellow Turbans amass themselves

Plunging people into abyss of misery Now they are invading Youzhou

Prevention of provincial offices In order to ensure strict guard and

men from different places recruited Order given by His Majesty, strong

of the domain and people In order to ensure the safety

Liu Bei

As a man you're not serving your country

But sighing and moaning here aren't you a man?

The market opens

Butcher Zhang is coming

I'm sorry, uncle

I'm afraid you can't get meat today

Aren't you here? Why don't you get me meat?

My boss isn't here how could I get the pork?

That's your business you sell meat and I pay you

So you must sell it to me call butcher Zhang now

You may go and call him yourself I dare not!

Could a butcher be so arrogant? Get him immediately

Brother, since it's business why not just sell it?

Yes, you sell it, and I'll sell

Lit me tell you

The meat is in the well and I can't get it out

Why not move the millstone aside then rice will be within your reach

Move it, you can move the millstone

I tell you, our boss promised earlier

Whoever can move the millstone he can get the meat in the well

Come on, if you can do it the meat will be all yours

So doing, aren't you going to incur a great loss, even at your cost?

Well, if you can't move this millstone

Just shut up

Gain or loss, that's our business

Get away

Where shall we put it back to the original place?

Stop

Uncle, hero, master what can I do for you?

Cut the meat into small pieces distribute them to the crowd

Distribute

The meat belongs to me now just do as your're told

Yes, I'll do it right now

Come on, everybody, take the meat

The meat has been presented you just take it

You've come to buy, must pay

Why can't I take the meat while the others can?

I don't take, I'll pay

Here you are, hero, money

Where is it? Just there

Where is it? Good, it's there

Top-grade green gram why not buy some?

Are they beans? Only bean powder

My beans are genuine at fair price

It's bean powder nothing but bean powder

Are you buying beans or milling?

Don't spoil them if you've no intention of buying

I've only crumbed a few beans and you're begrudging

Haven't you given away my meat?

So you've come to for exchange of blows?

Yes, and it's just you I want to teach a lesson

To make a noise in the world aren't the two men my best helpers?

He really distinguishes himself

And this one is a true man

You two heroes command superme martial arts

It's really admirable

You're flattering me

I only heard you had lifted the millstone just now

So I come all the way to open my eyes

So that's what is all about

I thought you've come asking for the money for meat

The meat is not worth mentioning, come on

Please come to my dwelling place for a chat and drink

It looks like rain, better take a shelter at your place

Please

I'm Zhang Fei

It has been my hobby making friends with heroes under the heaven

I'm lucky to meet you two heroes we share same code of brotherhood

Please

Come on, serve wine

My name's Guan Yu from Xieliang of Hedong

I'm Liu Bei

We three meet by chance and feel like old friends at the first sight

I see you two are no ordinary men

Now, Yellow Turbans are rampant the whole country is a chaos

The court too weak to cope with them

It's a time of heroes, I wonder what's the plan

When I was in my home town of Xieliang

I couldn't bear seeing dspots riding roughshod over people

At a fit of anger I killed the local despot

Since then I've been wandering about for five or six years

A master I may be

I have to rove all over the world

No opportunity to serve country

What's wrong with the killing?

I hate I haven't killed all the villains in the world

Today, I saw the notice at the city gate

I'm willing to join army, to render service to my country on battlefield

Even if I die I should deserve to be a true man

That's what a man ought to do

I'll follow you

What do you think of it yes or no?

You may also join the army

Why such a long sigh?

Shouldn't a man serve his country? Now we are facing troubled times

Heroes always emerge in troubled times

For such heroes as you two, it is time to show your prowess

Why submit yourself to others?

Don't you know the saying times makes heroes

Heroes emerge as times requires

Yellow Turbans are uprising with a quick response

The court ordered local governments to recruit soldiers for guarding

Because one's strength is limited

Quality can't be guaranteed if too many soldiers

In addition, eunuchs are holding things back

But,in so doing

It'll lead to separation of regimes by local despots

The day Yellow Turbans crushed

There must arise many heroes from different places

By then, who"s finally going to rule the country

It still remains a mystery

Your words are worth ten year's learning indeed

It's admirable

I'm merely a butcher without knowledge of state affairs

You just tell me what to do

Why are you so hesitant?

There's a man of imperial clan

His ancestor Prince Jing was the 7th son of Emperor Xiaojing

Because Lu Houfeng's ancestor failed to pay the remuneration on time

He was then deprived of his rank of nobility

A branch of tribesman came here

And they settled down at the Village of Loushang

Lorshang Village? I know it

It was so named afer a mulberry tree 1000 yeras old

The tree is tall and large hence the name of village

I also heard the family shaded by it will give birth to a nobleman

Yes,I've so heard of

But up to the 10th generation great grandson of this family

The family has been impoverished there os nothing but bare walls

Since he is the heir of an emperor

Why doesn't he try to regain family honor and rejuvenate his family?

He began his wandering at age 15 seeking teachers, visiting friends

He often thought of serving the country and condoling the people

But he's now 28, nothing achieved

To the end, all the aspirations would ber spent in vain

Tears will be shed inwardly

Who's the man you mentioned?

To tell you the truth it's no other person than me

Why didn't you say it earlier?

The noble man is just standing before me

Brother Liu, tell me what shall I do?

Say it

I want to recruit village warriors to punish reb

Only the funds is not enough

Why the difficulty? I'm quite wealthy

I'd like to do a great cause together with you

Do you really mean it?

I always keep my words

A single thread can not make a rope

One single tree doesn't make a forest

I can't make it all by myself since I'm so weak

If you don't dislike me I'm willing to join you

To me, you two are like charcoals sent in the snowy weather

It's too generous of you two heroes

Please accept my respects to you

What'sthat for?

You don't have to do that Brother Liu

In order to achieve a great cause I wandered about half of my life

I'm looking for those who share my goal until today

Only after much sand washed genuine gold can be found

God has mercy on me presenting you two heroes to me

I'd like to swear brothers with you two, sharing life and death

What's the idea of you two?

I've long harbored the intention

So long as we three share heart and mind,clay can be changed into gold

With you as my leader we surely can make it

A warrior I may be, I know brotherhood and loyalty

As the saying goes, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on

A good man shall choose a worthy master whom to render service to

Thus I shall be content with my life

From now on, my life is closely related with yours

And my body is also yours

I'm at your free disposition

Me too

I swear to go through thick and thin together with you

I'll follow and accompany you through life or death

Me too

If I break my words I shall be stricken to death

Me too

Elder brother

Younger brother Guan

Youngest brother Zhang

Youngest brother Zhang

Elder brother Guan

We were born not on the same date, same month, and same year

We'd ask for death together on the same date, month, and year

We bowtow and swear to each other

Hence become bosom friends forever

Peach blossoms fresh spring wind cool

We kowtow and swear to each other

Our ambition all for the nationand people

Achievements we are after by our talent

We kowtow and swear to each other

While loyal and faithful intrinsic is the gallant

We'll never part, through trials and,tribulations

We kowtow and swear to each other

Until death, our integrity remains

Our hearts are brave and wide as the heavenly bodies

Spear and sword in hand

Splendid and brilliant

With a sence of righteousness we brothers

Go to the battlefield challenging all enemies

Spear and sword in hand

Splendid and brilliant

With a sence of righteouseness we brothers

Go to the battlefield challenging all enemies

Spear and sword in hand

Splendid and brilliant

With a sence of righteousness we brothers

Go to the battlefield challenging all enemies

Sun Jian

Cao Cao

Dong Zhuo

Thank you for you three saving me

I'll remember it the rest of my life

May I take venture to ask you the present positions held by you three?

We three are all commoners

Commoners?

Elder brother, will you

How vexing!

Brother Zhang, don't disturb my elder brother

You've made so many contributions

But was only appointed a county magistrate

Sun Jian only resorted to bribery he got title of assistant general

Why so?

This damned Imperial Court it deserves the rebellion!

Younger brother don't talk nonsense

He's a courtier you can't be so reckless

And the bastard Dong Zhuo he hasn't made any contribution

Yet he was conferrdc with title of a magistrate

By colluding with high-ranking men and bribery he got the official post

That day on the battlefield

He just dropped his helmet and everything, no other way but escape

Without our saving him he would, he

I should have killed him with one stroke of my knife

Elder brother why don't you speak?

Du You

Are you magistrate of this county?

Yes

What's your name?

Liu Bei

What's your background?

Great grandson of Emperor Xiaojing offspring of Prince Zhongshan

So you're an imperial clansman?

Pardon me for lacking manners

How dare I accept this?

Since you are imperial clansmen please be seated for a chat

Thank you

Liu Bei, since you're an imperial clansman

Why are you holding such a low post as a county magistrate?

No matter high or low the post is I contribute to the court

Who recommended you to take this post?

I startd war against rebels, winning some merits through over 30 battles

For my small contribution I was granted this post

You"ve got to find a big tree to lean on in the court

And you can take shelter under the big tree

To pick up the old subject now it's easy to be a local official

But it's hard to be one in the imperial court

Whatever you want to do, the first thing is bribery and money

I'm upright official, never commit slightest offences against civilians

Not the slightest offences I supposed to believe you?

I dare not deceive you

Since you're so confident

I'll like to check into it

How is it, elder brother?

Did the inspector give you a hard time?

That's no problem

That's good

He didn't ask for bribes

Yet he fied to give the hint from between his words

But I rurned a deaf ear to him

I've never committed the slightest offences against the civilians

How could I have any money and property to present to him?

Even if you had you couldn't give him

We'll see what's his trick then?

Magistrate Liu

You are wanted by inspector

What, the inspector again?

Damned official, merely a bully backed by a powerful person

I won't go

There must be a reason behind for the inspector to see you

Better take care

You're right the inspector must harbor evil

You just go to meet him

Guan Yu, youngest brother

You two just wait at home, we are wanted by the county magistrate

What's your name?

Liu Bei

What's your background?

Offspeing of Prince Zhongshan great grandson of Emperor Xiaojing

How dare you pretend to be an imperial relative?

No, I dare not

You dare answer back?

How did you get this post how much did you give the bribe?

Tell the whole truth

I started war against the rebels

I experienced 30 large or small battles against Yellow Turbans

I've obtained some achievements and I was granted this post

How dare you falsify your achievements?

I dare not

It has been my duty to purge you venal and corrupt officials

Go ahead, please

You may exit now, and I'll get you if I find out your misdeeds

Goodbye

Liu Bei still is hard to cope with

Inspector, old saying has it a bite by the thief is deadly

The inspector will have a hearing for three days

Within three days, anyone not satisfied with county magistrate

Anyone has complaints or evidence of misdeeds of officials

May appear at the court to testify

The inspector will support you you don't have to be afraid

Are you clear?

Enmity shall be revenged injustice shall be corrected

Your Excellency, since magistrate Liu came into power

He's never committed slightest offence against commonplace

He loves people as his own children

He really has no misdeeds

Right, he's never wronged us

Did he threaten you Privately?

Nothing of the kind

You stupid mob

Brother, the inspector's obviously investigating

I'll give him a sound beating then kick him out of the town

Younger brother don't Be so reckless

I can neither beat nor curse him

How vexing it is!

Brother Zhang

Where're you going?

It's too stuffy here just go out for a walk

Don't be so rash, younger brother

Elder brother, I'm going out to suburbs to walk my horse

Then go now, but you're permitted to go only to the suburbs

I know

Magistrate Liu, please

Master zhang, inspector's harboring evil intentions towards Master Liu

Master Zhang, we want to go in to make petition for him

He didn't let us in, even beat us

elder brother

You damned official where's my elder brother?

You damned official

Help,help

I'll beat you to death

Stop, brother Zhang

Help me, Liu Bei

You harmful officials, one beat to death is a relief for the people

Inspector, my brother is a qualified magistrate

He's upright and he loves people as his own children

Why do you intend to do harm to him?

You only know how to grab money and ask for bribery

It goes without saying you're no other than a corrupt official

My elder brother is clean, how can he have the money to hive bribes?

You sell positions, blackmail people for property and money

Don't you deserve punishment?

Lord Liu Bei, you masters please spare my life

Elder brother, you've gained so many achievements

And you only hold the position of a county magistrate

Today you are even insulted by the inspector

This is a place of jungle, not a proper place for phoenix to perch

Better kill him, resign post and go home for another big plan

Please spare my life I dare no more

I was forced to do it, subordinates follow example of superiors

You frame up honest and staunch person, and harm the people

Your life should be taken away we may spare you just this time

Thank you for your favor Master Liu

You may keep this official seal

Master Liu

Liu Bei and his two brothers in order to avoid pursuit

They became officials under Liu Yu

Later Gong Sunzhan remembered previous achievements by Liu Bei

Recommended Liu Bei to assume post of magistrate, Shouping County

And he gradually re-collected his old forces