"Based on the story The Magnanimous Girl by PU Songling from Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Liaozha iZhiyi), 1679" "A TOUCH OF ZEN (XIA NU)" "Executive Producer XIA-WU Liangfang" "Planning ZHANG Jiuying" "Producer YANG Shiqing" "Starring HSU Feng, SHIH Jun" "BAI Ying, TIAN Peng" "CAO Jian, MIAO Tian, ZHANG Bingyu, XUE Han" "Guest star:" "Roy CHIAO as Abbot Huiyuan" "Director of Photography HUA Huiying" "Assistant Director MIAO Tian" "Production Design:" "ZHENG Zhiliang Art Director:" "CHEN Shanglin" "Music by WU Dajiang" "Martial Arts Choreography HAN Yingjie, PAN Yaokun" "Written and Directed by King HU" ""Fort Jinglu"" ""General Cheng Yuan's Residence"" ""Letter writing and scroll painting"" ""Gu Shengzhai"" " Welcome, sir" " Is this your work?" "Just humble efforts" "It's excellent" "May I do a portrait for you?" "All right" "Please take a seat" "May I know your name?" "Ouyang Nian" "Mr. Ouyang" "You must have had a tiring journey" "How do you know?" "I know almost everyone in this remote town" "I've just arrived" "You've lived here all your life?" "Yes" "Ah... your hat?" "And turn your head to the side" "What's your name?" "Gu Shengzhai." "Good morning!" "Shengzhai!" "You're early today" "Can I offer you some tea?" "Not now, you're busy." "I'll come by later" "See you" "Mr. Gu..." " Who is he?" " They sell medicinal herbs" " What's his name?" " Lu." "Why do you ask?" "Is he local?" "No, they came about a month ago" "He's quite skilled" "He has a stall near the temple" "Why do you ask?" "No reason" "Mr. Ouyang..." "I'll be back tomorrow" "Mind the step!" "Mother!" "Mr. Shi" "You're back early, Mr. Gu" " Won't you stay a while?" " Another time" "See you then" " Bye" " Goodbye" "Mother, has someone moved in?" "Who'd dare to live there?" "Mr. Shi just told your fortune" "You know what he said?" "I've no idea" "Come and eat" "He said this is your lucky year" "What makes him think that?" "I told you, he worked it out" "You should take the civil service exam" "I'm not interested" "Why not?" "Why should a sighted man take a blind man's advice?" "Everyone except you wants to be successful" "You're hopeless!" "Mother, we may not be rich but we don't starve" "When I've saved a little more, I can open a school" "Don't be silly!" "You want to be a teacher?" "You know the saying..." ""Nothing compares to officialdom"" "Actually, being a scholar is better!" "Why study if you don't want to be an official?" "We study to acquire knowledge" "But you don't seem to know anything" "You're over thirty now but still not married!" "Why not?" "I'm waiting for the right person" "What you mean is, you're too poor!" "The Gu family line is going to die out!" ""In troubled times, I choose safety..."" ""...over jostling for rank and fame"" "Don't quote at me!" "Save your quotes for the exam!" "Oh, you're hopeless!" "Mother!" "What's going on?" "I..." "I was looking to see if anyone was there" "Have you gone mad?" "No-one lives here" "Come home!" "Come on!" "NOW!" "You shouldn't be out at this hour" "See how dirty your clothes are!" "Mr. Gu..." "May I ask something?" "Of course" "I hear that Fort Jinglu is near here" "It is" "Have you been there?" "I live next to it" "They say it's haunted" "Only those who believe in ghosts!" "Mr. Ouyang..." "I'll mount the finished portrait" "Please tell me tomorrow if you like it" "Thank you" "It's better to be wary of ghosts" "Confucius says, don't speak of such things" "I'm afraid I can't agree" "Goodbye" ""it's better to be wary of ghosts..."" ""Taoist exorcism spells"" "Mother!" "What's all this?" "I..." "You're behaving like a madman" "Let me introduce you" "This is Miss Yang" "This is my son" "Come" "Miss Yang..." "Just ask if there's anything you need" "Who is she?" "Our new neighbour" "You terrified her last night" "She scared me too" "She's very brave to live there alone" "Same as us, she pays no rent" "Shengzhai" "Mother, why did you visit her?" "I gave them some needles and thread" "They have nothing there" "Mother..." "Who else is living there?" "Her bed-ridden mother, who must be eighty" "What's that stick for?" "Oh, nothing" "What do they do for a living?" "Miss Yang sells funeral offerings" "She can't be earning much" "You're well over thirty..." "Not again!" "Don't interrupt me!" "Miss Yang is single and in her twenties" "Why shouldn't you marry her?" "Don't "huh" me" "They need someone to depend on" "And you're not going anywhere" "You'd make a good couple" "But Mother..." "What?" "Will she agree?" "Why not?" "Aren't we good enough for them?" "It's all up to you" "Isn't this just wishful?" "Don't be silly, they have nothing!" "She has nothing to lose by marrying" "She'll agree" "I'll talk to her mother tomorrow" "Come back early today" "Mother!" "You scared me!" "Why aren't you at work?" "What did she say?" "No" "Where are you going?" "To the shop" "It's going to rain, don't go today" "What did her mother say?" "She wants her to get married" "But Miss Yang says no" "Why?" "She wouldn't say" "She must think we're too poor" "If only you had an official rank" "Not that again!" "Take the exam this year!" "I've said many times..." "What?" "If you had an official post, she would have agreed" "Mother..." "Go on painting all day and you can forget about marrying" "Mother!" "Excuse me..." "No one answered, so I took the liberty of coming in" "Sorry, we were out" "This is Mr. Ouyang." "My mother" "Please have a seat" "Pleased to meet you" "Do sit down" "The place is in a mess" "Please excuse us" "It's a nice room" "Very small" " It's quiet here" " Have a seat" "Why weren't you in your shop today?" "I had some family business here" "I called at your shop this morning" "Sorry..." "Your portrait is ready" "Give me your frank opinion" "It's very good" "You're too kind" "A man of your talents is wasted in this small town" "I'm an ordinary man, not so ambitious" "Why not take the county exam this year?" "You think he stands a chance?" "Mother!" "With his talent I'm sure he does" "You flatter me" "Didn't I tell you?" "You must try this year" "If you enter, I may be able to help" "There's no need" "I said you needed connections!" "That's wonderful!" "I'll be happy to help" "I'm much obliged, but I won't enter this year" "Please ignore him, we're relying on you" "Mother!" "Just be quiet!" "Do think it over" "When you've made up your mind, tell me" "A token of my respect..." "It's not my best work" "Please take it as a gift" "Impossible!" "You're giving me too much!" "My set price is 5 taels" "That's enough, Shengzhai!" "Mr. Ouyang is a friend" "Mr. Ouyang!" "Good-bye, Mrs. Gu" "I'll visit again" "Mother, you..." "Shall I add your name?" "Please do" "I'll pick it up from the shop" "It's raining, take care" " Please visit anytime" " Goodbye" "What a nice man" "You should get to know him better" "Stop!" "Who is it?" "Who's there?" "General Shi" "Who?" "Help!" "The fortune-teller!" "Mr. Shi!" "Are you badly hurt?" "It's all right" "I slipped and fell" "You're bleeding" "Where's my cane?" "Never mind that, come into the dry" "Where's my cane?" "My Cane!" "Where's my cane?" "You have a bad gash" "My Cane!" "I'll get some medicine" "My Cane!" "I'll look for it" "See, Miss Yang" "Fetch some firewood" " Ouyang Nian found out who you are?" " No" "But who is that fellow?" "Tell Lu Ting'an tomorrow" "All right" ""Lu Ting'an, Herbalist"" "You've caught a cold, Mrs. Gu" "It isn't serious" "Yes, I was out helping the fortune-teller yesterday" "I got drenched in the heavy rain" "Last night I had chills, so I knew I was ill" "Dr. Lu will give you medicine" "You'll soon recover, Mother" "What do you know?" "Boil this twice and drink the liquid, and keep warm" "You'll be well in no time, don't worry" "Let's go" "The fee..." "We can talk about it later" " No, we'd better..." " We'll pay next time" "Dr. Lu is a friend, he doesn't mind" "You can rest in my shop" "No, let's go home" "Goodbye" "Miss Yang!" "Don't you recognize me?" "Stop!" "I just want to ask you..." "Do you know a blind fortune-teller here?" "Take a little rest" "Wait till we get home" "Thank you, Miss Yang" "What happened to your face?" "Do you feel better?" "I'm getting too old" "Look at all this medicine!" "Miss Yang..." "Please take a rest if you're tired" "Did you know the fortune-teller Mr. Shi before?" "No" "Sorry to put you to all this trouble" "You've been up all night" "You must be exhausted" "If only I had a daughter-in-law like you" "But we're too poor" "We're much poorer than you" "I can't blame you for turning down my son" "Get some sleep" "Shengzhai has no ambition" "He won't even sit for the county exam" "He must have his reasons" "He's as stubborn as my late husband" "He's studied his whole life but didn't want official rank" "That's why we're living like this" "You should be pleased to have such a dutiful son" "But what good has it done us?" "He can't even get a wife" "With his talents, he'll surely find a good match" "I've given up hoping" "He's over thirty now, and my health is failing" "When I die, the Gu family line will die with me" "How much do I owe you, Dr. Lu?" " Later will do" " I insist" "Well, one diao and a half is enough" "How is your mother?" "Much better, thank you" "There are agents from the Eastern Group nosing around" "I hear their second-in-command, Men Da, is coming" "Goodbye" "Dr. Lu..." "Do you know a man named Ouyang Nian?" "Ouyang Nian?" "No, I don't" "Never mind, then" "Goodbye" "Grandpa, how did he..." ""Don't trust Gu Shengzhai"" "Mr. Gu..." "Come to my home tonight" "A jug of wine amid the flowers" "Having no company, I drink alone" "I raise the cup and invite the moon" "With my shadow, we form a company of three" "But alas, the moon doesn't drink" "And my shadow merely follows my body" "Let the three of us commune, however briefly" "Drink and rejoice in springtime" "The moon reels with my song" "My shadow moves with my dance" "While awoke let us seize the moment" "For we shall part after drinking our fill" "Let us our friendship cherish" "Till the next time, should we ever meet again" "Mr. Gu..." "Mr. Gu..." "You're a lucky man to have such a tryst" "Come with me, Miss Yang" "Mr. Ouyang!" "Stay back!" "Miss Yang!" "You come from an honourable family!" "You have done a shameful thing!" "Let's go" "Keep away!" "Mr. Gu, what happened to you?" "I slipped and fell" "Mr. Gu" "Gentlemen..." "His Highness the Magistrate wants to see you" "What for?" "You'll know when you get there" " Gentlemen..." " Hurry!" " Mr. Gu" " Sir" "Please make ten copies of this" "You'll be paid" "Ink!" "Take a seat" ""Yang Huizhen is a criminal at large"" ""An imperial reward is offered for her capture"" "What... what's this for?" "Isn't it clear?" "Her father was a high official in the court" "He offended Grand Eunuch Wei" "So his entire family is condemned to death" "It seems his daughter escaped with her nanny" "But the girl..." "What?" "Have you seen her?" "No, I haven't" "But if she's the daughter of an honest official..." "Never mind that" "Just copy the notice" "Yes, sir" "Why can't they let her live?" "The county has no say in the matter" "Please start drawing, Mr. Gu" "Sir!" "Sir!" "A Captain of the Eastern Group is on his way here" "We'd better receive him" "Unlock the gate and let him in" "Yes, sir" "The Magistrate?" "I'll tell him myself" "They're arriving" " We're honoured by your visit" " Thank you" "Magistrate..." "Your county is surprisingly lively" " Please forgive us" " Not possible" "Your county is sheltering criminals wanted by the Imperial Court" " The penalties are grave" " We are at fault" "What do you plan to do about it?" "Sir, I've received orders from the Ministry of Justice to arrest Yang Huizhen" "A wanted poster has been issued" "Copies will be posted tomorrow on the main thoroughfares" "I will dispatch more constables to find and arrest her" "You fool!" "You think your men can catch her?" "We can raise the reward for catching her" "Out of the question!" "She'll be alerted and will get away!" "But the Ministry..." "I'm in charge now" "Listen, the Commander will be here soon" "You'd better tread carefully" "Please advise me" "Destroy the posters" "Have your most able men on standby" "Mr. Gu, stop copying!" "You'd better go" "Yes, sir" " Mother!" "We must leave!" " What happened to your face?" "Quick!" "Come on, hurry!" "Quick!" " Should I hide in the temple?" " Yes" " Be careful!" " I will" " Watch out for thieves" " Hurry!" "Take care!" "Miss Yang!" "Miss Yang!" "Miss Yang!" "Shengzhai!" "Mr. Shi!" "Who are you looking for?" "Have you seen Miss Yang?" "No, I'm blind" "I'm sorry" "She and the old lady have left already" "Mr. Shi!" "She asked me to tell you to run for your life" " Where did she go?" " I don't know" "I must find her" "Mr. Shi!" "Mr. Shi!" "Who are you really?" "Well, I'm not blind" " Those people..." " Quiet!" "Don't move" "Run!" "General Shi" "Show yourself!" "He knows you!" "Mr. Gu" "Stay away from these people" "They're fugitives" "Run!" "Hurry!" "I'm all right" " Why are you back here?" " Unfinished business" "You're wanted!" "The agents from the Eastern Group are chasing you!" "What's your plan?" "I'll be ready for them" "You'll take on all of them?" "You should go, Mr. Gu" "I can't just leave" "Why not?" "We're almost like a married couple" "We should help each other" "That's all over, don't mention it again" "Then just think of me as a friend who wants to help" "This is a life-or-death fight" "How do you think you could help?" "It will take strategic planning to win a fight like this" "And you have a strategy?" "We're outnumbered, we need a strategy to win" "If you'll just trust me, I'm sure I can help" "I'm in great danger now" "I have no choice but to trust you" "Good!" " Then you..." " ...but I don't want to get you involved" "Don't worry about me" "Just tell me what's behind all this" ""Know thyself and victory is thine"" "Lu Ding'an..." "Pay those scoundrels no heed" "Two days ago I wrote to the Emperor" "I sent the report of your investigation" "It lists the 24 crimes of Eunuch Wei" "And the illegal activities of the Eastern Group" "Here are some copies" "Take them to our friends in Donglin Academy" "Your report might not reach the Emperor" "Then I shall seek an audience with His Majesty" "That might work" "But if the report falls into Eunuch Wei's hands he will be merciless" "I won't let that stop me" "Sir..." "An imperial envoy is here with men from the Eastern Group" "Prepare to receive him" "Yes, sir" " Your Excellency" " A decree from His Majesty" "Yes, sir" "Shall we proceed?" "Certainly" "All kneel to receive His Majesty's decree" "Long live the Emperor" ""Yang Lian, you are hereby summoned..."" ""...to an immediate audience with His Majesty"" ""By the Emperor's command"" "Long live the Emperor!" "Yang Lian" "Is it correct that you mentioned my name in your report to the Emperor?" "Yes" "You've made false accusations against Eunuch Wei" "I reported only facts!" "Very forthright!" "But you have embezzled two million taels from military funds..." "What do you say to that?" "It's outrageous" "If you accuse me of such crimes no-one will believe a word of it" "So you won't confess?" "You forged an Imperial Edict to get me here" "I'll inform His Majesty" "Apply torture" "My father suffered at their hands" "They tortured him to death" "Generals Shi and Lu helped me to escape from the capital" "That's Mr. Shi and Dr. Lu" "But Eunuch Wei was relentless" "He had Eastern Group agents scour the land to find us" "The generals took me to the very border of the country" "Go!" "Go!" "That way" "Hide" "Go!" "Do not be alarmed" "They will not dare trouble you here" "Did you see three people passing this way?" "Before he died, he told his disciples..." "I'm talking to you!" "What happened here?" "A while ago your men stooped to violence" "Fortunately we intervened and saved those people from grievous harm" "Sir..." "You're a monk" "You should practice meditation in your temple" "Not meddle in worldly affairs" "There is no reason to shed blood in a Buddhist land" "Master, they will surely go on to make more trouble" "You have travelled far" "Please take some rest in our monastery" "Please..." "This way" "We stayed in the monastery for two years" "Abbot Huiyuan taught me how to defend myself" "The world may be vast but there is no safe place for us" "Maybe Abbot Huiyuan could help again..." "He will not" "What about Magistrate Xu Zhengqing?" "A just man like him will surely help" "They say Eastern Group commander Men Da is coming" "It's a purported military exercise" "But in fact he and his deputy Nie Qiu are after you" "What will you do?" "I want to ambush them en route" "No" "We must find a way to sap their strength" "HOW?" "Here's a map of Fort Jinglu" "You know the lie of this land" "We should set a trap for them right here" "I've been a student of military strategy since I was a child" "If they can be lured here I can find a way to crush them!" "Lu Qiong!" "What's the matter?" "Miss Yang, Ouyang left for Green Bamboo Hill this morning" "Could he be retreating?" "No" "I think Men Da's men are arriving" "We can't let Ouyang Nian make contact" "Wait!" "They're Men Da's bodyguards" "They're very highly skilled" "Take them one at a time" "Go!" "Captain!" "Captain!" "Leave me alone" ""Office of the Magistrate"" "Captain!" "Magistrate..." "Sir!" "Bring a brush and ink" "Write a letter for me" "Yes, Captain" "Write..." "Yes?" ""To Commander Men Da of the Eastern Group"" ""Survivors from Donglin Academy lie in wait here"" ""Halt your advance"" ""Ouyang Nian"" "Dispatch it immediately" "He has already left the capital" "Hurry!" "If there's any delay, I'll have your head" "Yes, sir" "Who was that?" "Nobody" "Keep everyone out" "Yes, sir, I've told the guards outside" "Captain, your wounds..." "I've taken medicine" "Now I must lie still" "I must have quiet" "Yes, Captain" " General Lu" " Magistrate Xu" "He's badly wounded" "Who is it?" "Captain, your wounds are grave" "I've brought a doctor" "I told you to let no-one in!" "It's you!" "Captain Ouyang" "Lu Ding'an..." "You timed this well" "I'm here to treat your wounds" "We must lure Men Da here" "Write to him!" "A letter for His Excellency" "Wait" "Yes, sir" "What is it?" "Sir, a message from Ouyang Nian" "What does he say?" ""Everything is ready for your arrival"" "He says they are fully prepared" "Then let's advance" "Forward!" "Men Da will set up base at Fort Jinglu" "When?" "After he finds Ouyang Nian" "How many men are with him?" "Around two hundred" "We're outnumbered" "We start by sapping their morale" "I don't understand" "Spread the rumour that Fort Jinglu is haunted" "Surely that's too..." "No, do it" "I think my mother could help with this..." "I've seen a ghost!" "One night I saw someone standing on the fort" "He was this small at first sight" "But when I looked again he grew bigger and bigger" "I tried to look more carefully." "What a shock!" "Sir!" "My respects, your Excellency" "Have you found Ouyang Nian?" "No" "Have you been to the fort?" "Well?" "Your Excellency..." "We hear the place is in ruins, ravaged by wars" "Well then, clean it up" "Sir..." "It's said that... the place is dirty" "Meaning what?" "It's rumoured that there are ghosts" "That's ridiculous" "Don't listen to such talk" "MOVE in there tomorrow" "Yes, sir" "Station a few men outside" "Yes, sir" "You four, stand guard" "Yes, sir" "Go in" "Chief..." "You!" "Stop!" "Stop!" "Stop!" "What's going on?" "Look!" "Come on" "Ready?" "What do you want?" "Ghosts!" "Ghosts!" "Sir!" "There are ghosts outside!" "Did this really happen?" "Yes, I saw them myself" "I've heard many tales about ghosts and demons" "BUt I've never seen one" "I'd like to see for myself" "Sir, you have the burden of command here" "I don't think you should take the risk" "Ghosts won't bother us" "It's said they fear violent men!" "But..." "Don't fall for this nonsense" "The stupid locals spread these rumours to make trouble" "But our men believe the stories" "Maybe this is all a plot" "What do you think, Magistrate?" "Yes, Your Excellency is surely right" "He doesn't believe it?" "It seems he's starting to suspect the magistrate" "No need for all this trouble" "Let's just kill them in the magistrate's office tonight" "That would ruin our plan" "We should lure them here tomorrow night" "Then let's send Men Da a gift tomorrow" "It's Ouyang Nian" "Magistrate..." "Sir!" "Where was Ouyang Nian's body found?" "Near Fort Jinglu" "Captain Ouyang died in your area" "Evidently he was murdered" "What do you have to say?" "I am to blame" "Excellent!" "Guards!" "Take him away and confine him" "Your Excellencies..." "I have something to report!" "Speak" "It's confidential, could you..." "Now, speak" "Yang Huizhen!" "Isn't she Yang Liam's daughter?" "Yes" "She has two renegade generals with her" "Splendid" "All three of them are here" "Who else?" "I heard they are gathering bandits" "They plan to storm into town to kidnap you" "We'd better strike first" "Sir, if you permit me to command the troops I can finish them all off tonight" "We're ready, Sir" "Help!" "Don't move" "What is it?" "Sir, it's... true!" "An ambush?" "Ghosts!" "Two dead!" "Sir, the rumours are true" "Ridiculous!" "Be alert for an ambush" "What is it?" "Look, sir..." "Sir, maybe we should..." "Try to calm them down!" "Hold your positions!" "Sir..." "Please tell the commander..." "Men can't fight ghosts" "We should return in daylight" "We're soldiers, we've done terrible things" "Our deeds have spawned ghosts!" "Sir, I think..." "You're usually a sharp fellow!" "Can't you see this is a plot to trick us?" "Yes, sir" "To make us fear we've offended the gods" "You've attained high rank" "How can you believe such nonsense?" "Sir, I've just talked with other officers..." "What?" "Mutiny?" "Don't panic!" "Protect His Excellency!" "Don't let her get away!" "It's Shi Wenqiao" "Sir, they must be inside" "Someone's there" "Sir..." "I'll keep watch here" "You two go in and search" "Miss Yang, please spare me!" ""A woman's empathy is her weakness"" ""Funerary Tablet of Yang Lian"" "Miss Yang!" "It's you!" "Miss Yang!" "Miss Yang!" "Master, have you seen Miss Yang?" "Where is she?" "Have you seen Miss Yang?" "Mother!" "Have you seen Miss Yang?" "Yes, I saw her" "Where is she?" "She asks you not to look for her" "I must find her" ""I have entered the monastery." "The Gu family has its heir"" "Yang Huizhen, this matter remains unresolved" "If I attain enlightenment, you will follow me" "Gu Shengzhai is in danger" "Go with General Shi" ""Wanted:" "Gu Shengzhai"" "That's him!" "Catch him!" "Run!" "Retreat!" "That's their commander-in-chief, Xu" "General Shi" "Miss Yang" "I'm the new commander of the Eastern Group, Xu" "My respects to General Shi" "I am honoured" "His Excellency Eunuch Wei orders me to invite you to the capital for consultations" "Please inform Eunuch Wei that Miss Yang and I have retired from service to the Court" "We will not return to the capital" "Then I should say that you're to be put on trial" "All the more reason not to obey" "Then there is nothing I can do for you" "I suggest you reconsider" "You take the fat one" "Go!" "Stay back!" "Commander Xu" "You are Abbot Huiyuan?" "I am" "You are celebrated in monastic circles" "Why are you harbouring criminals?" "Isn't your reputation at risk?" "I've not turned my back on the secular world" "General Shi once held high rank" "Miss Yang is from a noble family" "Evil men attacked them, so they fled in despair" "They wished to live in peace and seclusion" "But they have been hounded by agents of the Eastern Group" "The agents do their duty" "You know how unjustly the Donglin Academy is persecuted" "For Buddha's sake, show compassion and mercy" "A man cannot compromise" "And the Emperor's edicts must be obeyed" "Tell Eunuch Wei that they've entered the monastery" "On my advice, they've renounced worldly affairs" "It's beyond reason to hear a monk challenging the law!" "Commander Xu..." "You were once a petty clerk in the eunuchs' bureau" "How dare you disturb our peace?" "Now go" "I will arrest you for sheltering criminals!" "Get this evil creature out of my sight" "Lay down your weapons" "Stay back!" "Depart" "Stay back!" "Master!" "His evil is not yet expunged" "General Shi!" "Master" "Master, please take me in" "You are not free of worldly bonds." "Go back" "Master, I've killed many people" "Phantoms haunt my dreams at night" "Sometimes I have visions" "Sometimes I feel gnawing pains" "I wake in a cold sweat" "I have no wish other than to end my days in the monastery" "Good!" "If you repent, you'll be saved" "Penitence is the answer" "Master, take me in or I shall kneel here forever" "The sea of suffering is boundless, come ashore" "Arise" "Brother!" "Father!" "THE END"