Original subtitles

Mronif. Father,

>> Has he recanted?

>> No.

>> And pray God it may not be too late.

Senior Paulo.

>> Father,

>> God hates liars above all things. Do not

die with the weight of these lies

crushing your immortal soul.

>> Men must take the world as they find it.

Even if the priests want to keep them in

[clears throat]

in ignorance.

I went to China

to the court of the great god.

>> [sighs]

>> I served him. I was proud to serve him.

I fought alongside him and I ruled under

him.

[sighs]

See yourselves,

please.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> You see

this small piece of stone,

[music]

one day it will blow up your world.

The truth.

That is what I brought back. The truth.

Not lies.

Not fairy tales.

The truth.

[music]

But not the [music] old truth.

I only told you half of what I saw.

[music]

[music]

Heat. Heat. [music]

[music]

Heat.

[music]

Heat. [music]

Heat.

[music]

[music]

Heat.

[music]

>> [bell]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> In recent years, the earth has been

decimated by famine, plague, [music] and

war. And one of those wars between

Janoir and Venice, two men have [music]

been in prison and are being held to

ransom.

One of them is Rooello of Pis.

The [music] other is Venetian.

My name is Marco Polo.

>> You think they will make peace soon?

How long will they keep us?

What do you think the chances are of us

being freed?

>> I think we'll stay here until someone

pays a ransom for us.

>> How long will that take?

And how can we be sure even then that

they will let us go? We may never get

out of here. Don't you understand?

>> Prison isn't the end of the world.

>> Really?

>> I was put in prison once before.

here in Genua.

>> In China,

>> you have been to China

>> and to many other places.

Some places no one in Europe has even

heard of. And all of them up here in

your mind.

What if I told you I've been to the

center of the world?

that I've seen the future.

No, my impatient friend.

[music]

My journeys aren't in here.

They began when I looked across all

those mass in the harbored venues when I

was young.

>> I wanted to know whose ships they were

and where they [music] had been and what

the men who sailed on them and seen

>> [music]

>> My father and my uncle were Venetian

traitors who would go to the ends of the

earth in search of prophet. All I wanted

to know is whose hands had made those

strange and beautiful things and how

they lived.

>> Don't touch.

>> Their search for prophet in the end took

them to where no Venetian

>> or any other man in Europe had ever

been.

It is solid gold. The great Khan of

China, Kubla Khan himself, gave it to us

for safe passage.

He is the grandson of Genghis.

Genghaskhan,

the greatest warrior the world has ever

seen.

>> Yes.

>> Yes.

>> [music]

>> It was then that I knew China was my

destiny. That come May, I would go

there. [music]

>> We saw enough to know we could make a

fortune trading with them.

>> Yes, they have silks and spices and

plates [music] made of material so fine

you couldn't see your hand through them.

They send caravans of a thousand camels

to trade all over Asia.

>> They have gold and silver and diamonds,

>> greatest craftsmen and artists in the

world.

>> Cities so vast they could be oceans.

>> However, the Khan's empire [music] is so

rich and needs nothing from the west.

>> But we have arranged a way to go back.

>> He has heard of the pope and our

Christian God. Now he allows his Chinese

subjects to pray to any gods they

please. But Marco, if a true religion

[music] could be revealed to him where

>> while we make ourselves a tidy prophet

on the side.

[music]

It would be a journey to the other side

of the world that took us first to

Jerusalem for oil from the holy suppla

accompanied by [music] two priests who

would journey with us to the court of

the great Kubla.

>> [music]

>> The Sarissens bestowed the sea route

which would [music] have made our

journey easier. So we were forced to

travel over land despite its dangers.

But I was young and feared nothing save

having to live a life on a [music] stool

in the counting house.

[music]

Our

hardships had been many, but [music] we

had yet to climb the Pemier Mountains,

the roof of the world, with the two

priests complaining bitterly at every

step. [music]

[music]

>> [music]

>> Heat.

Heat. [music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> Good going. No further.

>> Told the car we would bring him 100

priests. We ended up with just two. Now

you want to run back to Venice with your

tails between your legs, huh?

>> We're all going to die here.

The journey is too hard. Who knows that

this Kublan exists? You're all merchants

and traders. Do take your word for

anything. The Pope will never have

another chance like this. Millions of

souls to be harvested. The fate of the

world changed.

>> We promised him priests.

>> We almost died in the mountains. We'll

die for sure here. And even if we don't,

no one knows what's at the end of this

journey.

>> We do.

>> A chance to change the course of

history.

>> Wealth beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

Your Venetians are all the same.

Maddened by greed.

>> All you believe in is cold.

>> Prepare to lead your own son to his

death in search of riches.

>> I came of my own free will.

>> Your father is risking your life for a

fairy tale. He was there. He saw the con

with his own eyes.

>> And did he see dragons, too? Huh? And

unicorns and horses with wings? What is

he? A liar, a mad man, or a fool? Or all

three?

>> Let him go. Let him go. We would have to

drag their worthless hides.

The priests were right.

Maybe we will all die trying.

Perhaps we should send the boy back. All

those stories you told me about the land

you traveled to, what you saw in China,

[music] I want to see for myself.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Hey, Michael.

[music]

[music]

Heat. [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

Heat. Yeah.

[music]

[music]

>> You came from there. The roof of the

world. Yes. That's where he left his

strength. He had none left to fight the

fever when it came.

Can you help him? There are herbs that

go lessen the heat in his blood.

>> Beyond that,

>> it's in all hands.

I'm

Let him find his own way back.

>> Then we go for

>> We must wait for him.

>> Uncle Mafia wanted to leave me there and

carry on with the journey, but my father

refused.

>> For months, no one knew if I would leave

or die.

>> You still want to go to China with your

father? Go pray and thank Allah you're

still alive. You know how much further

you still have to go? I mean, what kind

of welcome you going to get?

>> The Pope himself blessed our journey. We

have Holio from Christ's birthplace in

Jerusalem.

>> The Pope may be a great man in his own

land. He's God's representative on

earth. But Kublan rules a vast empire

that even the great Alexander never

dreamed of. What does your backwood

univilized world have to offer him?

What does your father have to offer him

that he needs?

>> When my father came back to Venice, no

one believed him.

They said these stories with rebels

tells nothing more.

>> So you want to prove them wrong?

>> Or is it something else?

>> You want to see for yourself if he spoke

truth.

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

>> attack.

[bell] It means you go in but you don't

come out again.

This 45 days to the [music] nearest

well. There are no villages or shade.

After [music] this desert, there is

another desert just as harsh with the

Gobi.

There's no way around them. You have to

go straight across.

[music]

Heat.

[music]

[music]

Heat. [music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> What is that? It's a journal.

It's a record of the roots we came with

the things we saw.

>> We're traders.

You would do better working on your

arithmetic,

>> Uncle Mafia.

>> And if someone else finds it and uses

our root to make themselves rich instead

of us, how will you feel then?

>> Knowledge is power, Marco. And power

leads to wealth. That is why we are

here. So that the polo family becomes

the gatekeepers to the riches of China.

Books could be the most dangerous things

in the world. Marco.

>> And whoever do you think will read your

scribblings?

The people who find your bones.

>> [music]

>> China. Heat.

[music]

[music]

[music]

Hey, Heat.

Well, Blan's army came this way.

>> Marco, this is what happens when the

city divides the car.

Oh,

mother.

Heat.

[music]

[music]

Heat.

[music]

Heat.

[music]

Hey, Heat.

The horsemen turned out to be the

count's cavalry

>> sent by him to ensure safe passage to

his court.

>> If Venice had soldiers like that, we

would have conquered Genua years ago.

>> If Venice had soldiers like that, we

would have conquered the world.

Marco,

>> why are their balls shaped like that? Do

you think it makes them more powerful?

How far do you think they can shoot?

>> When they stick a knife in your back to

shut you up, you will be asking, "What

is the handle made of? Who designed the

blade? Where did it come from?"

>> It's filled with powder, but it shoots

fire.

I am to be your slave.

>> My master's every desire is my only

happiness.

>> We have enough for three days.

The slave and I were to strike sparks

off each other, as is often the way with

great friendships, as this would turn

[music] out to be.

>> How does it do that?

>> Chinese [music] magic.

[laughter]

[music]

That stone was only the first of [music]

the wonders I was to see.

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

>> Brothers, greetings.

[bell]

>> The great caravans of the Silk Road that

carried the wealth of China to the ends

of the earth were another

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

>> Heat. [music]

Heat.

[bell]

[music]

But none could be greater than my first

sight of the greatest city in China.

[music]

Greatest city anywhere.

Shandu, [music]

the summer capital of Kublakan.

[music]

Come this way.

Heat.

Heat.

What does that mean?

Baboons or barbarians.

>> [cheering]

>> I got I got

[music]

>> [music]

>> We were to meet Kubla, [music] grandson

of Genghaskhan, a man who had united

many nations and tribes under the Mongol

banner.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Hit up.

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

>> Once inside, prostrate [music] yourself

and touch your forehead to the floor. Do

not look in his eyes. Do not let your

breath touch him. When you leave, walk

backwards and keep your eyes to the

ground. Heat. Heat.

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

>> Heat.

[music]

Heat.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Up on your knees.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> Where are the priests?

>> Alas, they were afraid of the journey,

Majesty. They turned back.

>> But we have oil. Yes.

>> Holy oil from the holy city.

I order you to bring one thing

and you bring another

trinket

>> blessed by the Pope himself.

>> And is this a token of the Pope's

submission to me? Did you bring me that

too?

>> That is not in our power, excellency.

We are merchants, traders.

>> Could it be I spoke and you did not

hear? The Pope has heard.

All the nations in the West have heard.

And while they think they have a chance

to turn you to their religion, you have

nothing to fear from them. Sh.

>> How old are you to have such wisdom?

>> 20. My lord,

>> the revered Genghis

was 13 when he began his conquest. Are

you a second gen?

>> Thousand years ago, the Roman Empire

ruled the world, but already I can see

this is a much greater one. When one

flatters, young man, be sparing, or else

the listener might believe he's made a

fool of.

>> Do you think the celestial kingdom has

anything to fear from the west?

>> Not as long as they believe they can

convert you and your people.

>> Are you suggesting

I had a hidden strategy in asking for

the priests?

>> Sometimes the correct answer is to make

no answer. We should have left him in

Persia.

>> That young man

>> should be taught a lesson.

>> Yes, but look around you.

Who will tell you what you don't like to

hear? And isn't that what we need to

hear the most?

>> Is this how you hope to avoid my anger

by flattery?

>> No. I spoke no flattery.

I've seen wonders here, but I don't

think I've seen a hundth of what China

truly contains.

>> It would take a lifetime to see that.

Shall I grant you that?

>> What do you think, Baron Aquat? Even if

we had a lifetime, [music] could we

civilize this young barbarian?

>> You would have more chance with that.

We will return at once to Venice,

Majesty, if that is your wish.

>> It is. But your son, who speaks out so

boldly, let him answer for himself.

Be careful how you answer.

I did not come here to trade.

I came here to see an empire. Men

laughed at my father for describing.

I love and respect him, but

[music]

I did not come all this way to turn

around and go home again. Young men say

foolish things

that they later regret,

especially this one.

But he [music] is of an age to know his

own mind, is he not?

He will stay here for your lifetime.

[music]

Take him under your wing, Lord Chenure.

Get all this barbarian clothes. [music]

Make him bathe. See what you can do with

him. Who knows,

we may find a use for him one day.

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

>> You have found favor with the empress.

She spoke in your favor. That is both

good and evil fortune. But the safest

way to survive at court [music]

is not to be noticed.

[music]

>> [music]

[bell]

[music]

>> Bounty hunt.

First a stone that knows what to point,

>> a stone that burns.

>> Polo.

You will live here. Make it your home.

>> [music]

>> Although given your tongue, you'd be

lucky to last a week.

[music]

You wish to keep the same slave.

>> Yes,

>> you could do better.

>> But I'm used to it.

>> I've heard more enthusiastic responses.

[music]

>> [music]

>> You will come back with me, Marco.

>> No,

>> I am your father.

>> Or have you found another one now? You

always taught me that life is an

adventure for it was nothing.

>> What life can you have here? What life

can I have without you in Venice?

>> I have to do this.

>> Knowing I may never see you again,

Nicolo. We must leave now or we will be

trapped here too. Wait. Wait.

>> If you must stay. Right. Right. Oh, you

see, Marco, men need proof. They despise

me because I had none. Put it all in

there.

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> I was alone.

Even worse, I was now a man caught in

two worlds, in two schemes. A man from

the [music] west who had to learn to be

a man from the east.

the east which seems stranger and

stranger from Moragot to not.

>> The Empress Chabby, she rules the

kingdom, too.

>> How can that be?

>> Don't your women rule?

>> No, they cook and bear children, but

they don't rule.

>> Do men not laugh at him for listening to

women?

>> Why should he close his ears to her?

>> Because she's a woman.

>> The K's mother piloted his way to the

throne. He owes her more than anyone.

Even Genghaskhan revered his wives. He

split his kingdom between the sons he

had by them. Why should it be otherwise?

>> Because she's a woman.

Isn't a man twice as wise to have a wise

woman by his side?

>> What did you just do?

>> I paid for the spices. But money is gold

or silver.

>> This is money, too.

It's paper,

>> but it's worth as much as gold or

silver.

>> This sheet of paper which is worth

nothing in itself is worth as much as

gold or silver.

>> Yes,

but it's paper.

I didn't move.

>> Be still.

>> Where are you?

[music]

>> How can it not hurt?

If you believe in Chinese magic enough,

[music]

>> [music]

>> It works.

>> You must have believed. What are these

lines?

>> Gee, where the energy flows?

Don't your doctors know this?

>> No.

>> Then how do they treat you?

They don't. They pray. And if prayer

doesn't work, they bury you.

>> [music]

>> Yes, China is rich and powerful, and you

have many things that we don't,

>> but Europe is the center of the world.

>> It must be.

>> God placed the Pope and his church

there.

>> The one true God. The Empire has room

for a thousand gods.

>> That's blasphemy.

>> Men still go to war here, but not to

save other men's souls. From what you've

told me, those are the most terrible

wars of all.

Try it.

Snow never tasted like this.

This is true. All of it. That's what men

asked my father

right before they called him a liar and

a madman.

>> I believe you. I believe everything you

have told me.

Even if I didn't, it is still the

greatest traveler's tale I have ever.

>> My journals have been seen by everyone

in Venice.

No one there calls the Polos liars now.

>> No.

I uh I am a writer, a professional one.

And I must say in in all modesty, I uh I

have quite a following.

You may have heard of me, huh? Ruth the

jello of pizza.

>> No,

no.

But then I've been abroad for many

years.

>> My the pearl and the rose sold they

good. Many copies.

>> I never heard of it.

>> Never? No.

Astonishing.

Uh, [clears throat] I write romances

and yours is a wonderful story, but a

little short of uh um

you were young in a strange land facing

an uncertain future. Might you not have

looked for someone apart from your slave

to to share your life with?

>> There was someone? And yes.

>> Ah, at the court.

>> She was brought to the court. Yes.

>> But against her will.

That's not

[music]

the color.

A [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

There you go.

There you go.

Are we up?

>> [snorts]

>> Olaf. Hey, [music] hey,

hey,

stop.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Oh god.

[music]

[music]

Lift your head.

>> Lift your head.

Turn her around.

She'll make a fine wife for the con.

Hey,

>> sisters.

Go.

You

>> take this so hard. Well, I'll find

another bride for you.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Tell me, is it you? Move [music]

[music]

P.

Oh, [music]

someone.

Mhm.

If you're very lucky, if

you'll be chosen to spend one night in

the royal bed. No more. One night only.

No matter how much you please him.

or else.

And after that night, you'll be given to

those he chooses. A soldier, a general,

one of the nobles,

someone at court.

Where are you going?

>> It's best if you do not know. If you

don't see me again, at the very least,

it was

instructive meeting a barbarian.

>> If you're putting yourself in danger,

aren't you putting me in danger, too?

>> Khan may be all wise and allseeing,

but he has his favorites. One of them is

Baron Akmouth. He is rich and powerful

and has all the cortis that he wants,

but that was not enough for him. He

wanted my sister.

She resisted him

and he took his revenge. The Khan

permits this. I told you the Khan has

his favorites. No one will whisper a

word of this to him.

>> Did they do that?

I vowed to kill Ahmed. I couldn't get

near him. Someone else did, but they

failed.

Ahmed took vengeance on all my clan.

He's still taking it. The bride to

[music] be of one of my kinsmen, Honshu,

has been brought here under God and is

locked in [music] the house of women.

Honu will never see her again.

She is now as much a slave as I am. You

are [music] not my slave.

A slave to a barbarian who eats with his

hands and believes that only one god can

rule a world as vast as this.

something very special tonight.

Excellency,

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

>> Come on.

[music]

Get him.

>> [music]

[music]

[laughter]

>> This is my home.

>> [laughter]

>> Oh

Master, you're bidden to attend to the

Kson.

>> Go

la.

Where's the baron going? [laughter]

Prince Gin commanded his presence. The

prince has not returned from the hunt.

Not

Good.

[cheering]

Heat. [music]

Heat.

[screaming]

Heat.

>> [music]

[music]

>> The old city s rebellion.

>> As they reach the palace, wake me.

No worries. A few rebels in the street.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> Heat. [music]

Heat.

Heat. Heat. [music]

[music]

[music]

Okay. Huh?

Go.

The killing will go on.

They'll kill those involved at night and

those that knew them and then those that

knew them.

You best let me go

>> before they come for me.

was treason.

Was treason.

>> What was more treason? Excellent.

To steal from and kill and rape your

subjects under the shield of your name

or to take arms against such a man.

>> Is that how you have taught this

barbarian? To challenge his con?

>> Lord Akma did what he did in your name.

But your courts and generals were too

afraid to tell you the truth.

>> Madness, excellence. That's all it can

be. Perhaps they talk to their rulers

like that. Is it not enough to be the

richest ruler in the world? Would you

not also want to be the wisest?

>> Your flattery won't save you this time.

I listen to you now. This

he's involved in treason,

rebellion, mutiny. He slandered one of

my right-hand men. He's accused me of

not knowing or caring what goes on under

my nose.

Perhaps they can't be civilized. Perhaps

they all are just monkeys. Even though

sometimes,

clever monkeys

like him.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

>> Though it's true, Lord Akmouth did these

things in my name and no one told me

to claim my protection. for his crimes.

And not even my generals had the courage

to tell me.

It took a boy to tell me. A boy.

A barbarian boy at that.

Could the great con be such a a poor

judge of men? I

call it time. Answer me. Answer me.

>> No, sir. It's lies. All lies.

Oh, it's true. It's It's all true. It's

It's true.

And how much else is true that that I

don't know yet? I

The Chinese are the most creative people

in the world.

>> As you can see, I have many skilled

craftsmen in my employee. I would say

the most artistic are my executioners.

In the death by 100 slices, for example,

they compete with each other to see who

can prolong the execution most

painfully.

If I feel that mercy is called for, I

order them to slice through the eyes

first. That way, the felon will not see

what is happening to him. But perhaps it

would be more merciful to let him keep

his eyes. What do you think?

What are you?

A court here or a truth teller?

>> May not a man be both.

I've never known one. You may rise.

You defied your father to stay here.

I know something about living in the

shadow of one's ancestors,

and you made your first dangerous enemy.

Congratulations. It's a sign of

ambition.

But I cannot keep Lord Kogatai in prison

for long. His clan is too powerful. I'll

have to release him soon. And when I do,

you will need friends. And where will a

stranger like you find friends in China?

I wonder.

You are an unusual young man. You seem

to have talent and intelligence, but

it's still early. You owe no man your

allegiance.

I may have some use for such a man from

time to time. A man whose loyalty to me

would be personal and undivided. A man I

can trust

up to a point, of course. A man who will

speak the unshaded truth to me and from

me to others always and completely.

You will become my man at court or you

will face Lord Kojutai's rage alone

and not get much older. I think

you were told that to survive is to be

invisible. He's not just asking me to do

what others can't. He's looking for

friendship. He has the empress

and 50 wives and a different girl in his

bed every night. But he's lonely. This

is the only kind of friendship you can

risk with someone [music] like me. If

you become his friend, you make enemies

of everyone else. They will be

whispering that you only got close to

him to betray him. And then when he dies

or you lose favor with the empress, they

sit on the dragon throne. Does that not

convey anything to you? I saved your

life [music]

and I risked my own to do it. Now I have

to know. Is the rebellion finished?

It was over when Amath died. So you

don't still seek revenge. It's done. And

the woman, the woman who was taken from

your clan, you don't still seek revenge

for her. It was not the Khan that we

rose up against. But what was being done

in his name?

Her fate is her fate. She knows that.

You did well. Tamula Khan was pleased.

Very pleased.

His order is that you be given as a sign

of his favor to someone worthy of you.

>> Someone for whom is whispered great

things are planned.

Heat. Heat.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

>> A gift from the con.

>> [music]

>> I know that she never loved me as much

as I loved her from that [music] first

moment.

In all the circumstances, how could she,

[music]

everything she did with Grace,

everything about her fascinated me.

>> [music]

>> Heat.

[music]

Heat.

[music]

Heat.

[music]

Heat.

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

>> She was this new world I was discovering

[music]

in all its strangess.

in all its variety

[music]

[music]

that I couldn't wait to make a record of

it as I'd promised my father.

[music]

She was as strange and as hard to

understand as their music.

[music]

I know nothing about you and I want to

know everything

>> to write in those books.

>> No, no, I will never do that.

I want to know you because I want to

know you.

>> Then ask Pedro.

Pedro,

>> he knows it all.

>> And I also know you saved his life.

[music]

>> You are his clanswoman.

>> Guard paper and ink and a quill. Please

hurry.

What are you doing? Explorer. Writer.

Writer. Explorer.

[laughter]

Marco. Marco. Marco,

all of my life I have had to cudle my

brain to come up with adventures,

characters, love stories

to fill this this damned empty sheet

with the contents of a head just as

empty.

And here in this prison cell where I

thought it was all over for me, you

bring me the greatest stories I have

ever heard.

And you tell me they are true. They are

true. All of them. Then the whole world

must hear it. Not just Finn.

Let us do it. Do what? Rooster Jello of

Pizzas. The travels of Marco Polo.

Uh or

the travels of Marco Polo. Buy Rooster

Jello a pizza

or uh the travels of Marco Polo as told

to Rust Jello a piece. Then then just

just the travels of Marco Polo.

>> [laughter]

>> We can talk later about what to put on

the title page.

But as for now,

let's see.

It was

first of all, uh you

um the girl

um your slave,

the Kubla, um uh uh the court.

Enemies [snorts] all around. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

>> [music]

>> You've suffered so much. You want an end

[music] to your pain. I have the power

to give you that. But first, I need to

know what names do they get from you

about the rebellion.

>> He gave no names yet. Yet. That means

you're still at risk. And because

treason stains everyone [music] it

touches, I'm in danger, too.

>> What treason? The Khan knows the Akmar

drove [music] the people to rebel. If

they rebelled once, might they not do it

again? If they think they have reason,

I'll talk to the guy.

Do you not understand what you're

dealing with? You may lose your head.

I said you'd be lucky [music] to last a

week here.

You survived that,

but maybe not for much longer.

>> Lord Coconut, you're being released.

What? I want

[music]

[music]

[music]

You won't get very far with that brand

on your neck.

>> I'm going to turn myself in. There's no

point in the three of us being executed.

>> I won't let you do that.

>> Sometimes a slave must make his own

decisions.

>> No. What if I bring you down with me?

>> That's a risk I will take.

[music]

>> I need you.

You're difficult and insubordinate. I

can't find my way here without you. Lord

Chenu will protect you. He's been in

court all his life.

>> Do you think he would have survived

without his own betrayals? If [music]

it's my neck or his.

>> Listen to him.

>> I own nothing here. Nor do you. Nor does

Timlin.

We are as powerless as [music] each

other. It's only each other that we can

trust.

If we're going to survive, we have to do

it together.

And

aren't I of your clan now?

[music]

Has

[music]

the barbarian made you his slave [music]

too to do his bidding? He has the

emphasis protection as I do. That is a

thin cloak to keep out the cold. It may

be winter again before you know.

Lord Chenu,

that young man of yours, the barbarian,

is he still as headstrong as ever?

>> I think that living at court and getting

to know its ways have tempered that a

little.

>> Clearly, because he still has that

handsome head on his shoulders despite

[music] his enemies.

It is time for him to prove himself and

his loyalty.

Trade. Trade. Trade means secure roads,

rivers free of pirates. This city

controls the trade routes from the

islands of the east. Spice islands.

Spices worth more than gold.

>> What are the spice islands?

>> How many of them are there? Why do the

spices only grow there?

>> This is not a geography lesson. This is

a diplomatic briefing. The governor of

this city has been talking to men who do

not love their emperor.

>> If we treat this man as an outright

enemy, he may decide he has nothing to

lose and just launch a rebellion.

But if we ignore his disloyalty, others

may be encouraged to question my

authority. Lord Tenure.

Others

think that this might be a twisting path

that you

with your talent for words and flattery

might be able to negotiate. It means a

long river voyage. And on a river so

vast it could easily swallow up half

your west. Do you think you could tear

yourself away from my presence to accept

such an assignment?

only to see excellence if the rest of

the kingdom is as happy under its

emperor's rule as here.

>> What do you think, Lord Trench?

>> Can we trust this barbarian

with such a delicate mission?

A long journey for you

while I take care of the loose threads

in this tapestry.

I'm

[crying]

>> You wanted justice and what is that but

an end to pain?

Here it is.

>> [snorts]

>> I want you to meet Marco Polo.

Marco,

>> there he is.

>> This is my sister, Kai.

>> Mh.

>> This is Marco Polo. He wants to know

everything about the world.

But first, he must learn the patience to

seek it.

>> He's different. [music]

Yes. Look how big his nose is.

>> But he is good to me and he loves me.

>> Now go.

>> That's him.

>> She's alone here, too. Except for me. As

she gets older, she'll need a protector.

One with power. One who can take care of

her interests. She'll have one in me.

[music]

>> I know.

>> If I don't come back from this journey,

you know you're free to find someone to

take my place. Someone with the power to

protect Kenza.

But I will come back.

Yes.

Your destiny and you are not at odds.

in your country.

Are there slaves?

>> Most men live like slaves,

whether or not they're bought or sold.

>> Will you ever go back?

>> Why? when there's so much of the world

to see.

>> I think perhaps you will go back for I

should like to see how strange your

world is and what marvels it contains.

>> You can't talk like this. You know that.

>> Do you miss it?

>> It's fading like a dream. Only half

remember. Is it beautiful?

>> It's one of the most beautiful places in

the world.

Even if all anyone can think about there

is making money,

it all seems like a lifetime ago.

Someone else's life that

>> Don't you wish to see your father again?

>> Of course I do. To make peace with him

for abandoning you here.

>> Isn't that what he [music] did?

>> You never end the journey the same

person you set out. You discover things

about yourself along the way. I don't

judge him for what he found. And one day

I will hand him this.

[music]

And I will tell Venice China is the

center of the world. And that I, Marco

Polo, son of Nicolo, was dead in the

service of the great god.

>> [music]

>> That's

Is this a gest or an insult? I'm

supposed to deal with a barbarian and a

boy.

I speak for the Khan. In his name with

all his powers.

The Lord of heaven and earth knows your

love for him, but he fears those who

love him less if found refuge in your

city, and that they may stir the minds

of idle men into thoughts of rebellion.

I give shelter to anyone who asks for

it.

My tent is open to all, as was that of

the great Genghask.

We Mongols come from many peoples, after

all.

When I return to court, I hope to tell

the Khan what he has heard or lies

[music]

and that his governor stakes his neck on

me.

Now, it might not be easier just to ask

him to cut out your tongue and mine,

too.

>> I doubt [music] even that would steal

that tongue of yours.

>> At this pace, we are going to find out.

Would you care to wager, [music] master?

Help

[music]

[music]

me.

>> A trick. You tricked me, Barbarian.

>> The Khan doesn't want your head. He

wants those of the rebels. Why should I

believe you? I swear it on my honor.

[music]

>> The Khan knows you lured the rebels here

to hand them over to him that you never

listen to them.

But you know anarchy is the mother of

disease and famine. You do anything to

it for it. Anything.

You're telling that? [music]

>> Isn't that the truth?

>> Is Isn't that a trap?

>> The only trap is the one that you sprang

on the enemies of the Khan.

>> Is that not so? [music]

>> Safe passage for me and my family.

>> For all of you.

>> Why should lawyer to be punished?

[music]

Hey,

[music]

[music]

[music]

You see,

[music]

Heat. Heat.

[cheering]

>> [music]

>> It was a test and you did well.

There's only one thing as certain as

today's victory.

Tomorrow I will need another and another

after that.

And what is most certain of all?

Trust no one.

You steal my secrets. Give them to my

enemies. You have become my enemy.

>> No, no, no, no. I write down all that I

see in your empire. Not to steal its

marvels and its wonders, but so there

may be a record for all time.

>> Wonders? What wonders? A stone that

burns. Powder that shoots fire and

kills. A pebble that always faces north.

Paper worth as much as gold. Wonders.

>> These are wonders. These are marbles.

You see them every day. So you forget

how extraordinary they are.

>> You have learned everything that Chenu

can teach you. And today you proved

yourself.

This city needs a governor I can trust.

Your first official duty is to have them

killed.

Ah,

spare their lives today.

They will surely strike at you tomorrow.

Heat. Heat.

[music]

[music]

Heat. Heat. [music]

[music]

Hey.

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

Oh, [music]

[music]

[music]

hey.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> It will be safe for you to return to the

palace.

>> Those loose threads have been You knew

what danger I was put in. for saving us

both from a greater danger. How could

you do that? Lord Chenu has been at

court all his life. I think he could

have survived without his own betrayals.

It's his neck or mine.

Walls may not have ears, but all those

within them do. You're right. You see, I

can never ever be trusted. Now, that's

something you can always rely on.

>> Oh, don't look so outraged. It's a

lesson you badly needed.

>> Was a ruler in my own right with power

over life and death.

But how long can a man keep the favor of

those with absolute power? I never knew

at dawn whether I'd see the sunset or

not. No one in the court of Kubla did.

No matter how much favor you'd found

with his empress,

the girl Timlain, you sent for her or

took another wife. Why would I do that?

She might not have loved me, but I did

love her. Even though she

kept so much of herself from me.

>> While I was gone, she tried to rest her

destiny back from the fates and escape

to the palace to return to the man that

she really loved.

Chongo! No! No! No! No! No! No! No!

Freezing.

Kill her.

Your throat must be dry.

And then

it's all in my journals. But they are in

Venice and you may never see them again.

>> So what [music] a beat.

>> Remember this. If you don't get

ransomed, then you die here. Your only

hope of immortality [music] is me.

>> You, the ink stained wretched with the

quill. Yes.

>> Books do [music] not write themselves.

>> I know. Who do you think wrote my

journals?

>> And who knows about them apart from you

and a few Venetians.

What is it? What is it you don't want to

have to live again?

[music]

>> Sign these [music] dude.

Yeah.

Timberland's here. [music]

What is it?

>> [music]

[music]

>> She had tried to escape from the palace.

She bribed a guard, the palace gods.

She could not have survived what they

did to her.

>> This is not my destiny. You are not my

destiny.

What do you wish it to be? I left him

behind the day the con soldiers came.

>> And she said she needed a protector for

her sister. I thought she was asking my

permission to take another husband if

[music] I didn't return.

But she was planning this. Yes, she

never forgot him.

Chongu, the man she loved, [music] the

man who is her destiny that was stolen

from her.

>> She never kept that from you, Marco.

No.

No, she didn't.

[music]

But the sister,

I will do my duty, but I will keep my

>> I'm [music] afraid it's too late.

They have taken Kinsai [music] to the

house of women.

So I failed them both. [music] You

failed no one.

They both had their destiny and [music]

you have got yours.

What else can a man do but be faithful

to his own destiny?

And can [music] you rail against the

gods at your own?

[music]

the reply to the ambassadors. [music]

Your excellency, send to the land of the

rising sun.

[music]

Take him away.

Their heads. They sent back our

ambassador's heads

in lacquer boxes.

going.

>> The Mongols may have taken China by the

sword, but they're clever enough to know

it has to be governed by the pen. We

were already an ancient civilization

when Genghask came. The genius of the K

has been not to tear it down. They

respect the Tao and the teachings of

Confucious.

Kubla himself has said that no man can

tell whether the God of Christians or of

Muhammad or of the Jews or of the

Buddhists is the greater. So let each

man worship as he pleases.

Who you may ask conquered who. All is

written in the annals so that all men

know the traditions which are the only

guide to present and future conduct. How

to live in harmony with the world. What

one's rights and duties are. One of

yours as governor is to take care of

these.

the poor and sick and those who cannot

care for themselves. We will also

arrange for the schooling of these

these children here. You will make sure

that the names of everyone in each house

are displayed at the door. The better to

keep order. You will build watchtowers

in case of fire and places where men may

go to to safeguard their possessions if

it breaks out. You will make sure that

every man must know what he must do to

fight the far to save his own house and

thus his own street and thus his own

city.

>> When a man kills another man, what good

does it do the dead man's family to kill

him, too? He'll set a price for the

murdered man and make the killer work

until his debt is paid.

You remember that the rule of law is for

all under heaven, including yourself.

>> But not for the emperor because he is

the son of heaven. So how can it apply

to him?

>> What is that

messengers?

I am to return to Shandu at once. I'm

not to take any [music] soldiers with

me. And I'm to surrender the keys to the

city.

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> He ruled like a prince. Now he's ordered

back like a thief.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> Look at that.

>> [music]

[music]

>> She had to die. Obedience must be total

or there's no order.

>> But our trust in you was not betrayed.

You proved as faithful a governor as you

were adept a diplomat. You rebuilt your

city. You strengthened its walls,

increased its trade. You kept our

subjects safe, secure, prosperous.

>> Your name, of course, will never grace

the animals. How can we ever admit to

having a barbarian in such an exalted

position?

>> However,

it's dangerous to let anyone rule in one

place for too long.

They forget they rule only by our favor.

Then they lose their heads.

>> There may be another task for you now.

Polo,

>> follow me.

>> Tell me, what do you think

the most dangerous weapon could be in

the hands of my enemy?

>> Gunpowder.

>> No.

>> An army. Huh?

>> Knowledge. Knowledge.

These maps reveal where my forts are,

the bridges across my rivers, my

palaces, my richest provinces, the

hardest cities for me to defend. Without

such knowledge, my enemies are blind.

Blind as I am blind about them. There

are too many blank spaces on these maps

and these islands, the land of the

rising sun. Hundreds of years ago, China

established colonies there. But in time,

these people became strong, proud. They

refused to accept that they were still

our subjects. I sent ambassadors to

them. Demanded that they submit. They

cut their heads off. Send them back to

me in lack of boxes.

>> They shall be punished.

>> Yes. No. You need to know

you know about this kingdom. Who is this

leader? How many men does he have? Would

he make an alliance with these islanders

against me? And here here. How strong

are these warriors? Is there a genus

among them who would sweep us away the

way we swept away the Yao and the Jean

and the Sun and the sea? How far does

the sea extend these islands? Do these

islands really exist? Are they figments

of someone's imagination? Mongolia.

Mongolia home. All the tribes united by

Genis came together. Above it men say

there was the kingdom of night and above

that the kingdom of the snows. Do they

exist? Do they really exist? What

exists?

How fearful of them should we be?

Here is a land of flying dragons.

Here a land where men grow one huge foot

which they use to shape themselves from

the sun.

here. Men with mouths in their stomachs.

>> Have you seen these things?

>> Not myself.

>> Did the men who drew them see them?

>> Travelers told of it.

>> And traveler's tales are [music] always

true.

>> This is what men believe. What they've

believed since time began.

>> Men should believe what they see.

What uses a math field with things? It

should be in fairy tales. Blank spaces

would be better. [music]

>> No. To fill in the blank spaces would be

better still with the truth. [music]

Friend or enemy, knowledge.

Knowledge is always better. Where would

we find someone we could trust to fill

those [music] spaces in without fairy

tales, guesses, or lies? [music]

Whose eyes will be clear? Whose judgment

will be unclauded? Whose loyalty will be

indisputable?

If only because he is no protector

at the con.

[music]

His excellence is allowing the bar to

lead the kingdom. In his wisdom, he has

decided that he can be trusted this far.

How much would they give in the west to

know how to manufacture gunpowder? How

we organize our armies? how far the

Great Wall extends. They don't even have

the stone that points north.

Once they do, will our borders ever be

secure again?

>> Perhaps he's planned all along to betray

you, gain your favor, take back what

he's learned to his own king.

>> He has no king but me.

>> Can you be sure of that, excellence? The

Chinese call a stranger a raw man, but a

friend a cooked man. Won't Polo always

be a raw man? Unknowable?

Always a stranger and a barbarian at

heart.

The great Genghis, your illustrious

grandfather, never let friendship get in

the way of his safety.

>> Go,

Bo. I know. I know he hates Polo. That

doesn't mean he's not speaking good

sense.

>> True, but also true. When they plot

against each other, they have no time to

plot against us. You're the calm. Your

decision is the one that matters. If you

can't trust him, so be it. Let us stay

blind and helpless. Trusty maps that

show men who keep the sun off their

heads with their feet, while our enemies

insult us and plot our downfall.

[music]

And so I began my journey for the con.

[music]

>> Where are we going?

>> Whatever the cons says.

When are we coming back?

When we found what we were looking for,

what are we looking for?

If we knew what would be the point of

the journey. Heat up

>> [music]

>> here.

Here

were wonders beyond what I dreamed of as

a boy. Looking at those masts of the

ships in Venice.

Wonders after wonders. Worlds beyond

worlds.

A man-made wall

that seem to girdle the very earth

itself.

Heat.

Heat.

>> [music]

[music]

>> New lands and also new people.

Heat. Heat. [music]

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

>> and new gods worshiped in new ways. It

made me ask whether the god I knew could

be the only one to rule a universe so

vast.

[music]

I

[bell]

I

the more you see, the more you learn.

Doesn't it make you want to see more?

There's always another peak, another

valley,

and another one after that.

North, south, east, west. I just wonder

what makes you want to see it all. Don't

you? Do I have a choice, master?

What makes one man a traveler and the

other one not? What makes one content to

spend his days in one place while the

other it's a living death?

For 15 years, I journeyed at the count's

beest [music] to the ends of the earth

and to where as far as my strength and

my courage could take me.

Get your feet.

Let me die here.

Get to your feet.

You are here because your emperor

commands you.

You defy Kubla himself. Senate of

Genangghis.

Come

on.

You would declare war against your Khan.

The Khan is a world away. I don't intend

this man will lead me to my death.

Although he may lead his slave death. I

was given to him as a slave. But I give

him my loyalty out of my own free will.

[laughter] How can you be maled by him

when he's not even Mongol? He is more of

a Mongol than you are. If only because

he is not a coward.

>> [panting]

>> What are you writing? Your last words.

No food. Men are dying every day. You

have no idea where you are or where we

are going.

>> If the White Land exists, I think we'll

find it. If we go north here,

>> we can't make it, Marco.

We cannot

will not make it. Not this time.

You know more about the world than

anyone, but you cannot know it all. No

one man can know it all.

Turn back.

Save your life.

Save all our lives.

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> South.

>> Hey, the volcano. Hey,

>> you were right.

It was time.

>> It would have been great to know if

there was anyone beyond there

to see the white land with one's own

eyes.

I know.

I know.

Well, well, well. Back from another

voyage with more trinkets.

I haven't forgotten that you had me in

prison all those years ago, Barbarian.

Soon I'll be hunting for you.

[laughter]

Huh?

Another journey. Another safe return.

Huh? Well, what wonders have you brought

me now?

>> These are from the kingdom of the night.

There are endless forests there, and the

earth is frozen all year round.

>> Sometimes the peasants find huge animals

in it, as big as elephants, but with

wool hides. I thought you swore never to

bring the calm those troubles tales.

>> Proof. Excellent.

>> The people mainly live by traffic. And

I've taken an account of how many furs

they take per year.

>> Ah, something of the Venetian merchant

son in your still.

>> What's this?

to liquid that flows from the rocks,

but it gives off light and heat.

Novelty, nothing more.

>> Every time [music] the con sent you to

the ends of the earth, you come back to

tell him, "No, you haven't reached it

yet."

Does the world [music] go on forever?

If there is an end, I haven't found it

yet. [music]

[music]

[music]

His

strength gave out. Prepare the god to

move when I give the word.

The caran nearly fell today. Drop his

chart for me. I need to know how much

longer he has to live.

>> But it's forbidden to prophesize the

Khan's death.

>> His child. [laughter]

>> We must be prepared for what it means

for all of us. You saw his hand tremble.

He tries to hide it. I bribed his

doctors, but they won't tell me how weak

or ill he really is. I risked my life to

have a court astrologer draw this up.

It says the time of change is near.

There is a cycle of fire and a cycle of

earth and a cycle of water

and the end of one is near.

[music]

[music]

Heat.

[music]

[music]

Heat.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[bell]

>> The color is getting weaker, but I

[music] shall die before him.

[bell]

Oh, his arm. The K will find [music] it

hard to tell good advice from evil.

That's where honest advisors [music]

like you will be needed.

[bell]

[music]

He should not go to war with the land of

the rising sun. He sees reclaiming those

islands as a feat worthy of [music]

Genus himself.

He will fail and that will break his

heart.

That will also encourage his enemies.

>> [bell]

[music]

>> Heat. Heat.

[music]

>> [music]

[bell]

[music]

>> a wife. Why should you want one?

Remember the end the other one came to

>> after Temo. I There are always too many

journeys to make. I never knew from one

voyage to the next whether the car would

greet me with a smile or the blade of an

axe. And what could a man like me offer

a wife anyway? Guarantee she'd be a

widow.

But since I saw that girl,

>> you feel your heart laboring harder and

you strange aches in your bones and your

short of breath.

>> Is that me or you?

Now when you watch the dancers instead

of lust, you have a pang of regret.

>> When you hear a beautiful woman play the

loot, you feel despair, not pleasure.

>> That's you again.

>> I've been at court all my life. I know

I'll spend the rest of my life here.

>> If you stay ahead of the executioner,

huh?

>> This is my home.

These are my kinsmen. You're everything

a father would be. Pedro a brother.

But I need something more.

You're lonely.

You're exiled from your country. It's

too much to bear to be exiled from your

heart, too.

I will see what I can do.

The only benefit that comes with age is

to be freed from desire.

The Khan being father to his people is

still expected to have a new young woman

in his bed each night.

I envid him for years now. I think it

must be one of the heavier burdens of

kingship.

>> Don't go.

That's her.

>> Oh, hi. [music]

>> You sure?

>> Yes.

[music]

>> Has she been favored by the con yet?

>> Ah, this one's a little bit special. As

you can see,

I come for

Raise your head.

Turn that way.

Back this way.

>> Perfection.

Don't you think

>> her beauty is a tribute to you? [music]

Congratulations.

>> Thank you.

>> I'm saving her for when the Khan's

appetite shows signs of growing jaded

>> or for a special occasion like a

military victory.

>> Of course, we seem to have less and less

of those.

I hear that the doctor say he will not

take the field himself again. His health

>> no doubt only a rumor.

>> But

the princes are getting ready to fight

for the succession.

>> We'll all need allies in the days ahead.

Marco Polo would be a good man to have

on your side.

For the last 15 years, I've been

traveling in the service of the Khan.

>> I know. Many years ago, two gold was

stolen from their clan. One was given by

the Khan to his favorite

and the other was sent to the House of

Women.

>> You're Timan's sister. Of

course,

[music]

>> my sister told me about you.

>> Before Timlan died, she asked me to look

after you, to make sure you had a

protector. But I didn't know what she

meant.

And by the time I found out, it was too

late.

I betrayed her.

>> But she would have found a way to escape

some of the time.

She never loved me. I know that.

>> But you didn't try to force her to. You

let [music] her be who she was and let

her heart stay where she'd left it.

>> That was not always easy.

>> No,

but [music]

all those years in the house of women, I

dreamed that one day its doors would

open.

And now this.

You

>> [music]

>> Your destiny and mine seem to be tied

together,

don't they?

>> Yes. Yes, they do.

>> She's Telean's sister.

>> I know. [music]

>> I want to make her my wife.

>> You're asking your slave for permission

to marry.

>> That's not how I think of you. You know

that.

And from the way you talk to me, no one

could imagine you think of me as your

master.

>> So what are we to one another then?

>> Friends.

And when I marry her, kinsmen,

brothers.

Was it the girl Kenai you were in love

with or the memory of her sister?

Did you even know yourself?

I'm

>> a writer of romances, remember? That is

a question anyone reading this story

will ask.

>> Then let them scribbler.

>> This sister or the other one? Which one

was it?

>> Tamil never really gave herself to me.

Not all of her.

And I knew in that one look kins I

would.

You are sure of this.

>> I know my own feelings. I look myself in

the eyes. I look into the world's eye.

No.

No. No man [music] is wise and brave

enough to do that. Yes. Yes. I loved

Ken's eye for the way she reminded me of

Templar. Smile, a gesture, the way she

would [music] say something. But I loved

her for herself. I loved her for

herself.

>> And you married [music] her?

>> I would have.

>> Except for a death a thousand miles

away.

Your brother, the Khan of the Persians,

sends greetings to the Khan of K and

swears again his loyalty.

In sorrow he reports that his beloved

wife is dead, a princess of your clan.

Prostrate with grief, he has dispatched

me here to bring this word to you and

beg the highest favor that the great Khn

bestow on him or any man.

Marco. Marco Polo.

15 years ago you fell ill in Persia. I

was your doctor.

So your father told the truth about the

splenders of China and you survived the

desert to see them for yourself.

Now you're a great man here.

>> A humble servant and you've risen in the

world too.

>> Bone setter to that fool of an

ambassador. That is all.

He is here to choose another wife for

our Khan. [music] His last wife's dying

wish was that her replacement be Mongol.

>> So what are you now? Venetian, Mongol,

Chinese?

>> Bit of them all. Ah, the best parts of

each.

>> I hope so.

>> And Kubla,

the con of cons, the pillar that holds

up the sky. How is he

strong enough to rule another 20 years?

I'm court [music] enough to know not to

answer that question.

Preferring to keep my head on my

shoulders instead of the end of a

[music] spear.

>> A gift from the god's highness. a chance

to bind the Persian Khan even more

closely to us.

>> That's not what I think.

I think our loving brother Khan is

trying to throw us off guard while he

plots against us. Remember how my

succession was disputed? How I had to

fight for the throne even though I was

the chosen one.

>> The Khan is wise to look for enemies

everywhere, even among those who protest

their loyalty most loudly.

>> Especially those. But our borders are

under threat and you've had to take the

field twice in the past year to put down

internal rebellion.

>> I should have listened to those who told

me to kill everyone.

Raise all of China to the ground.

Destroy these cities.

Turn them into grazing for our Mongolian

ponies.

>> Too late for that now.

>> We say when the map is unrolled, the

dagger is revealed.

It means real danger is often cloaked in

apparent good intentions such as this

request which seems so flattering on its

surface.

>> The great Khan would decide this as he

chooses by angering the Persian K by

refusing him or pleasing him and not

that it should be he who is of his god

not us.

[music]

Heat. Heat.

[music]

[bell]

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> Heat. Heat.

[music]

[bell]

Heat.

[music]

[bell]

[music]

[bell and music]

Heat.

[music]

[bell]

>> [music]

[bell]

[music]

[music]

[bell]

[music]

[bell]

>> No, He chose her. Not Kenzai. No. What

do you mean no?

>> No.

>> It's an honor. The greatest you could be

given.

>> I don't want it.

>> You think you have a choice? I'll go to

the Khan. I'll explain to him that she's

meant for me.

>> She's meant for who? The Khan wishes to

give her to.

>> But she's saying no.

>> How can she? She has no say in this.

>> What would you be if you stay here? Wife

to a man who may not survive the fight

for the throne. There you will be a

princess.

The princess that I made of you. This is

a matter of state. Now the ambassador

has chosen. To refuse would be to insult

his master, and we need to keep him

allied with us.

>> Do you think I care anything for that?

>> You have to. It's what you owe your Khn.

>> I owe him this, too.

>> Now is when you prove your loyalty,

>> and he owes none to me.

>> You sought power. This is the price.

>> I didn't seek power. That's not why I

came here. But you stayed at court and

rose in the Khan's favor. I never asked

for it. But you took it. If you didn't

want it, you should have tucked your

tail between your legs like your father

and left.

>> I'll go to the empress. I'll go to the

empress. She'll speak for me. She is

near death. She has more to concern her

than your love affair. But she'll

understand. She understands that the

empire may not long survive her or

Kubli.

Dentis' glory was that he conquered all

the kingdoms he fought.

Kubla's tragedy is that the [music]

empire's too vast to hold together.

[music]

You will give her up. [music]

Otherwise, I'll tell the Caran Empress

you're plotting treason. [music]

And you know the penalty for that,

favored or not.

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

You will make another journey, one

greater than you have ever made, filled

with more danger, more [music]

discoveries.

You will survive it. But

but your heart won't. What does that

mean?

All I can tell you is that this last

journey will be so dangerous, you'll be

like riding a dragon.

Be ready to climb on its back.

What are you doing,

>> Venice?

>> This is not your concern,

>> Marco.

This is not the way. That's for me to

say. And what choice were you going to

give me?

To stay and be punished in your place,

or were you planning to take me with you

to be captured when you are captured?

>> I know more of China and what's beyond

it than anyone? I'll find my way to

Venice.

>> Tulin did not make it to the front

gates. Neither will you. The Khan is

dying. The empress is dying. You know

what enemies I have. Do you think that I

need to hear that? When they carried the

Genghis to his grave, they slaughtered

everyone that they met along the way.

20,000 men, women, and children.

Then what do we do? Stay here and wait

for a knife in her back.

>> You are the master. I am the slave. Why

ask me?

>> And how did you intend to free her from

the house of women?

>> I sent someone to tell her to be ready

to leave.

>> [music]

>> You were going to fight your way in and

out again single-handed like a hero in

the opera. This is the woman that I love

and she loves me enough to risk her life

by running away with you. Yes,

she told you that. [music]

I know it.

[music]

I have my chart done.

>> [snorts]

>> astrology.

I thought Marco Polo only believed the

things he could see. It says I will go

on my last great journey.

>> Ah, on a magic carpet from the story the

Arabs tell. It cannot be this way.

Marco, you cannot batter down the gates

and carry her off.

But if she is your destiny, would not

fate have given you the means somewhere

to bring it about?

There are deserts, mountains, hostile

tribes, disease, all manner of dangers

between here and Persia.

This young man himself nearly died on

his way here, crossing the roof of the

world. I treated him myself. Our

embassy [music]

lost half of our men. The ambassador

nearly died coming here. Your majesty,

such a journey of month after month

would take a terrible toll. And no

matter how beautiful a woman was when

she set out

where

he's right

all across China, Tibet, Afghanistan

before one even reaches Persia.

Wars and disease and bandits she must go

by sea

around the Spice Islands on the tip of

India. It will show my Persian brother

of my tender concerns for him.

I need every admiral I have for the

invasion of Japan,

which will happen as soon as the fleet

is ready and the winds are right.

May I ask who made this map?

>> This one. Polo.

This one is yours, is it not?

>> I believe so.

You will accompany the princess back to

Persia.

>> Thank you.

>> You still won't tell me what you did

your part.

>> It's not safe to know anymore.

[music]

Take everything I have. Sell it quietly.

Everything. Turn it into jewels quickly,

please. [music]

A king's ransom in every pocket.

Pedro.

It is perfect.

Venice, huh? Perhaps you've given me a

taste for seeing what's beyond the next

mountain, too.

>> What exactly are you up to?

>> Why has that slave of yours been so busy

on your behalf for the money lenders?

>> It's been confirmed that I'm to take

Princess Kentai to Persia. No journey

ever goes as planned. So, a man should

be ready for whatever fortune throws his

way. I also heard that you have a novel

interest in astrology for purposes of

research or something more.

My bones may be old, but my ears and

eyes are as sharp as ever. [music] My

previous warning stands. I will not

countenance treason.

[music] I assumed you would find out. It

was you who taught me how to survive at

court after all. You said to me once,

you can never never

ever trust me. That's something you can

rely on.

>> Perhaps I didn't teach you well enough.

[music]

>> Or perhaps you taught me all too well.

How is it? [music] Is it at all bitter?

Leave him be. If he poisoned you, it was

at my order.

>> No talk of treason, no interference. I

love her. This is my chance to free her

and myself.

>> Did we ever keep you captive?

>> No. No. My best of teachers. It was my

own ambition that did that.

Hurry, hurry,

hurry. The ambassador's waiting.

Be careful.

Come sit over here. Come sit down.

Put this on.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Now you're a princess.

The princess of the red headdress.

[music]

>> [bell]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> Oo.

Hey.

[music]

>> [music]

>> He was pleased. Very pleased.

>> I'm going to my death.

>> Don't say that.

>> You're sending me to my death.

>> No.

>> I know the ways of the court. If he

finds me plain, I'll be locked away

forever. If he favors me, the otherwise

will see me as a rival and try to kill

me.

>> Play you after all the work I've done

with you. How can you say that?

>> When do I set out?

>> As soon as Polo has everything in hand.

>> The plans have changed.

He'll be in charge of taking you by sea.

>> [sighs]

>> Now you're in great danger

because

you lose my protection. [sighs]

I've saved your life many times.

[cough]

[sighs]

Try to survive.

Try to keep your head on your neck.

Not for your sake, but for his.

Can this empire be ruled by one man?

Perhaps,

perhaps not.

But

it is your duty to help him try.

Your duty.

Remember, he must not go to war with the

land of the rising sun again.

They've repulsed him once already.

He thinks to conquer them would be to

complete King's conquests, but it would

be to show our weakness and betray them.

[cough]

His excellence may trust Polo to return

and not flee to the west with the

secrets of the empire, but think of the

Persian con. Majesty,

>> I think of little else.

>> You are the conn of cons and may do as

you please, but to send such a precious

gift in the hands of a barbarian.

>> This barbarian has served me well, as he

has served your china, and not by

sniveling around this court whispering

like an old woman in my ears like some I

know. Your excellence is known for his

wisdom and for his insight into men's

hearts. If he is sure that his brother

Khan will not take it as an insult and

that he knows the barbarian well enough.

Oh Lord, we bring terrible news.

the Empress.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> When Genghis, his grandfather, died, all

the slaves who built his tomb and all

the guards who guarded it were killed in

order to safeguard the whereabouts of

his final resting place.

Who knows what Kubla will do in his

grief for his wife

>> Marco?

God, it's a trick. A ship of your own to

India. Then where? To Venice. Taking my

secrets with you. You of all people.

When Genghis lost his grandson, my

brother Mutu Jen at the siege of

Bameyan, he destroyed the city. But

first, he killed every living thing in

it. Every man and woman and child, every

cat and dog and caged bird, every rat in

the gutter, everything that took breath,

slaughtered.

Slaughtered.

That is how we Mongols keep what we

have. That is how we protect what is

ours.

Is this not so?

>> It is so, Majesty.

>> You hate me. Is that it? That way you

want to betray me?

>> Because you love Venice more.

>> I hardly remember anything about Venice.

>> Is that an answer?

I can't trust my own brothers, my own

sons. How should I trust you?

>> I will not betray you. I will return to

my con.

>> Words?

What? Oh, you're always very good with

words. That's why you were valuable to

me.

>> I swear on my honor.

>> Honor? Well, honor is what? A spy?

An Asian to the west? A Venetian thief?

How do I know what he is? Who he is?

>> You cannot, excellence. Perhaps it was a

mistake ever to think that you could. A

mistake I may have made as well.

Who knows what lies in the heart of a

kinsman, let alone someone in a

different skin?

Where does his real loyalty lie after

all?

But I know this man.

I know what lies in his heart.

If he betrays you,

you may have my head.

grass from the Mongolian step

to remind me where we came from.

We were the greatest warriors the world

has ever seen. Hey,

I always thought it would be shameful to

die in bed, not on the battlefield.

But now, it seems that's what fate has

in store for me. But I'm a Mongol

warrior still.

Even now, I'm building ships and

gathering troops for the assault against

Japan.

This time, I shall not fail. This time I

shall make them submit as Genkis would

have done.

>> But the empress warned that I know what

the empress warned.

I must make my own way now.

Go here. I said to you, go there.

See if these places exist.

If the traveler's tales are true.

who were my eyes

as she was my heart.

But it's done. I will not change my

mind. The orders have been given.

By the time you return from this

mission,

I [music] shall be master of these

islands, too.

Safe passage [music] as you go.

And as you return,

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

>> It's time.

>> Say nothing. I need no thanks.

The characters for revenge can be

expressed as hatred falling like snow.

Winter is very near and it will snow and

snow and snow. I'm an old man. No one

would think it worthwhile to put a knife

in me. And if they did, well, I lived my

share of years anyway. But you you must

not come [music] back here. Do you

understand?

>> I gave him my word, Marco.

>> I promised him. Then you must betray one

of them, must you not? You cannot keep

your word to both. Which will it be? The

emperor or

[music]

>> [music]

>> Not here.

Choose your time and place.

[music]

[bell]

>> But [music] make sure it's before he can

choose his.

>> [music]

>> My best [music] and most unexpected of

students.

[music]

[music]

Heat.

[music]

[music]

[music]

Heat.

[music]

Heat. Heat.

[music]

[music]

I was forewarned that this would be the

greatest of my journey.

And I was prepared for the hardships of

the ocean, of the disease and sickness

the sea voyage always bring.

The days that the wind didn't blow. For

day after day, week after week,

I was even prepared for the dangers from

within.

But when the real test came, it came

with the briefest of warnings.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Hello.

[music]

They covered the only safe way for our

ship to go from one side of the straight

to the other.

Whether or not to run the gauntlet

[music] was my decision. There was only

one decision to be made.

>> To save the girl's life.

>> Yes.

>> The girl that was her captive. Yes,

>> she was, wasn't she?

>> That's the way a writer of cheap

romances may look at it.

[sighs] Illinformed insults are a hazard

of the literary life. But she was,

wasn't she?

>> Yes. Every day we journeyed, every step

we took put her closer to Persia.

>> And through that betrayal or to the

betrayal of your word to the Khan,

>> what was more pressing at the moment was

how to keep us all alive.

There [music] was no time to gaze at

wanders. Now I had to lead them out of

danger before the food gave out or

cockatai stabbed me [music] in the back.

But where was I leading them?

[music]

Thanks.

This is all the food we can bring from

the boat. We should have fought the

pirates at sea. Or did you want us all

to die here?

>> I explored this coast on one of my first

voyages. We can go north into Cyan. And

after that, we can get into India

through Burma and then onto Persia.

>> Was there a reason why you didn't want

to stand and fight the pirates? Why you

wanted to turn and run?

Heat. Heat.

[music]

[music]

Heat.

[music]

[music]

[bell]

[music]

Heat.

Oh,

[music]

[screaming]

thank you.

>> [music]

>> I should kill you for that. But we have

more fighting ahead of us.

Wow.

>> You can't make it back to the coast now.

>> Safety lies on moving forward.

Up.

Up. Up. Up.

up.

>> There was indeed more fighting to be

done. We encountered more hunger and

sickness, too.

I'm hungry.

>> I come from the great Khan.

Will you defy him? Will you risk his

anger?

>> Which Khan is this?

>> The grandson of Genghis.

Kubla Khan

Kubla Khan is dead. [music]

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> Sail.

[music]

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> You did not know this. Yet you claim to

be his servants.

>> We've been traveling for over a year.

Are you sure of this?

>> Yes.

Kubla Khan is no more.

Kubla Khan is dead.

[music]

Doesn't seem possible. It was true.

[music]

I never knew whether he would greet me

with a golden robe with the blade of an

axe.

For all those years, I never [music]

knew each morning if I would live to see

the night.

He was my jailer,

but he was also my friend.

[music]

[music]

They say he lost heart after his fleet

was scattered and destroyed when it

tried to invade the land of the rising

sun.

So he tried again

>> and suffered yet another defeat, one of

the greatest in the history of man. He

lost his entire navy and thousands of

his best soldiers. After that, every

petty prince could risk defying him.

I've heard there's a new Khan now, his

son Temo, but no one knows for sure. No

one can say where their loyalties should

lie.

These are uncertain days. Not a good

time to be on the road, to be strangers.

We'll be a few days here until we

recover our strength. Then we leave for

Persia.

>> Persia? Some say things are not well

there either.

>> No matter. That's where we're headed.

And then back to China.

All of us.

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> Good job.

Pedro, let him go. [music]

There is news for Persia. The Persian K

is dead.

[music]

[music]

The man you were to marry

is dead.

You're free.

>> Free.

>> Your faith has been handed back to you.

>> The vow I made to return was [music] to

Kubla personally as my [ __ ] He's dead.

I'm free of it.

[music]

If you come with me, you can never go

back.

I know.

No, can you

[snorts]

treason? Marco Pol,

you and I swore an oath to Kubli. He's

dead. No one mourns his death more than

I, but I am released from that vow.

>> I swore to take the princess to Persia.

The Persian Khan is dead, too. Then I'll

take her back to China and you with me

or your head.

You think I'll sell you the girl for a

handful of jewels? She's not yours to

sell.

[music]

What an idiot.

down.

[music]

Heat.

[music]

Heat.

[music]

Heat. Heat.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Marco here.

Come.

The princess Kenzai.

>> The princess.

>> Your master is dead.

He can have no use for her now.

>> She is to be given to another prince of

the royal household.

>> It is the new Khan's command.

Tema will wields it as a sign of

friendship to the Persian court. My

orders are to take her there.

>> Then you'll have to kill me.

>> If you so wish,

>> stop, Kai.

Can't die. Come back.

>> Stop her.

Stop her.

Could [music]

[music]

she have been happy [music] in Venice

with me among us barbarians?

Or would her soul have sickened and our

love died?

All I know is that she [music] was taken

to Persia and the gates of the temple

closed on her.

I never knew her fate.

>> Okay.

[music]

For the first time, I was setting out on

a journey

that I would have given anything not to

have to make.

city built on a swamp. Clever.

So the traveler returns home. All

curiosity satisfied?

Never.

I could have done none of it without

your loyalty.

>> A small price. Loyalty

for a life of the things that I have

seen.

The church reads beggars.

>> Is this the polar house?

>> Yes.

>> My father,

is he still alive?

A man from the east with a devil for a

servant.

>> What do you want?

[music]

>> [music]

>> My son,

my son. [music]

>> All those years at the court,

>> father serving the richest man in the

world

>> came back. Wasted. [music]

It is shameful that you did not find a

way to take advantage. [music] Just as I

warned you, father. The boy will return

with not a coin to his name.

>> Is it [music] worth more than any coin?

Scribblings, that's all.

[music]

and the end of my travels.

>> Did you ever go back to China?

>> No.

>> Will you ever go back?

>> I am a rich man now.

The merchant I swore I would never be.

And rich men have obligations such as to

get themselves kidnapped and held for

ransom.

But when we get out, if if we get out of

here,

>> no, I will not go back. Twice I found a

men's search for and twice I lost it. I

uh am not a rich man. All I have is

quill and ink.

You will keep your bargain. Yes. Show me

your journals. Let me see your maps.

Help me write my book. Our book.

Your book. Do you think anyone want to

read? There will be no monsters or

flying horses or men with [music] one

foot so big they used to shade it from

the sun. Of all the tales I have ever

heard,

this one needs them

least. It's not the tale, it's the

truth.

How I set out to prove men wrong when

they called my father a liar

[music] and fell off the edge of the

world into a great one.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]