"Silence please." "Silence please." "Ready?" "Yes!" "Yes!" "Okay, let's go." "Okay, let's go." "Red light on?" "." "Red light on?" "." "Red light on!" "Red light on!" "Camera..." "Camera..." "Rolling!" "Rolling!" "Music..." "Music..." "One fine autumn morning," "One fine autumn morning, a long time ago, a long time ago, in a still prosperous kingdom, in a still prosperous kingdom, before the events, before the events, backs bent, heads raised," "backs bent, heads raised, the astonished peasants the astonished peasants saw two noble travellers hurrying along the road saw two noble travellers hurrying along the road crossing the country from East to West, crossing the country from East to West," "hastening, without rest, hastening, without rest, in all weathers, in all weathers, toward the famous City Gates." "toward the famous City Gates." "Quickly, across the land," "Quickly, across the land, the most sombre news spreads, the most sombre news spreads, that the soothsayer has been visited by a dream that the soothsayer has been visited by a dream heralding a scourge like never before," "heralding a scourge liike never before, a devastating flood a devastating flood the likes of which have not been seen the likes of which have not been seen since the cruel, infamous deed of Lord Kyu since the cruel, infamous deed of Lord Kyu" "a thousand years ago." "a thousand years ago." "That is why, think the peasants," "That is why, think the peasants, for so many nights and days, for so many nights and days, the old man and his beloved daughter, the intrepid Duan, the old man and his beloved daughter, the intrepid Duan," "have hurried through the land, braving abyss and terror." "have hurried through the land, braving abyss and terror." "They fly unto the Lord's palace to raise the alarm." "They fly unto the Lord's palace to raise the alarm." "It is here, on the royal pontoon" "It is here, on the royal pontoon that our story begins." "that our story begins." "THE FLOOD DRUMMERS" "THE FLOOD DRUMMERS" "In the form of an ancient play for puppets, performed by real actors" "In the form of an ancient play for puppets, performed by real actors" "'"Once space has vanished" "'"Once space has vanished" ""'only the silt of time will remain.'"" ""'only the silt of time will remain.'"" "Chancellor," "Chancellor, how long before the first rains?" "." "how long before the first rains?" "." "The Western sky" "The Western sky is already heavily veiled." "is already heavily veiled." "It is raining hard over there." "It is raining hard over there." "Seed spung from the will of gods," "Seed spung from the will of gods, that is all we are." "that is all we are." "The mud in the river" "The mud in the river cannot be blamed on the spitefulness of the gods." "cannot be blamed on the spitefulness of the gods." "In twenty years we have cut down" "In twenty years we have cut down all the trees that were commanded by all the trees that were commanded by to hold fast the banks." "to hold fast the banks." "I cut down all the trees?" "." "I cut down all the trees?" "." "My Lord, we are brutishly felling trees" "My Lord, we are brutishly felling trees with our eyes closed." "with our eyes closed." "Our axes fly right and left." "Our axes fly right and left." "We bite into our own flank." "We bite into our own flank." "You portray me" "You portray me as a crazy old fool as a crazy old fool who ought to be locked up." "who ought to be locked up." "Noble Lord!" "I am only saying..." "Noble Lord!" "I am only saying..." "Can one cook without fire?" "." "Can one cook without fire?" "." "Of course not." "Of course not." "So the State must cut." "So the State must cut." "What else can I do on this earth?" "." "What else can I do on this earth?" "." "First of all" "First of all you should not have granted you should not have granted the Purple Mountain Forest to your nephew." "the Purple Mountain Forest to your nephew." "With complete lucidity and sovereignty," "With complete lucidity and sovereignty, you ceded your kingly right to a private individual!" "you ceded your kingly right to a private individual!" "All the West belongs to Hun!" "All the West belongs to Hun!" "And any trees that are left" "And any trees that are left will forthwith feel the sweep of my great blade!" "will forthwith feel the sweep of my great blade!" "That"s enough, nephew!" "That"s enough, nephew!" "Dear uncle..." "Dear uncle..." "Not only has your nephew brought corruption to the city..." "Not only has your nephew brought corruption to the city..." "Against the corruption in the city," "Against the corruption in the city," "I will act ruthlessly..." "I will act ruthlessly..." "But he has also razed all your forests!" "But he has also razed all your forests!" "As far as the forests go, that is quite another matter." "As far as the forests go, that is quite another matter." "My nephew is a great visionary." "My nephew is a great visionary." "But my Lord, what about the principle?" "." "But my Lord, what about the principle?" "." "We were in complete agreement about the principle." "We were in complete agreement about the principle." "The principle?" "." "The principle?" "." "To destroy the least possible." "To destroy the least possible." """The least'" still means something." """The least'" still means something." "Razing the forests on the slopes of Purple Mountain" "Razing the forests on the slopes of Purple Mountain will give free reign to the dragon!" "will give free reign to the dragon!" "The forest will grow back!" "The forest will grow back!" "It took centuries, it will take centuries!" "It took centuries, it will take centuries!" "Nonsense!" "Who is counting?" "." "Nonsense!" "Who is counting?" "." "Your descendants will not survive your blindness!" "Your descendants will not survive your blindness!" "Silence!" "Silence!" "Jealousy leads you astray!" "Jealousy leads you astray!" "I ought to banish you." "I ought to banish you." "A chill has fallen upon our friendship." "A chill has fallen upon our friendship." "I do not want to see you again" "I do not want to see you again for a very long time!" "for a very long time!" "Architect," "Architect, you who are in charge of monitoring the dams you who are in charge of monitoring the dams please tell us please tell us what we deserve to expect and hope for." "what we deserve to expect and hope for." "My Lord, the two dams which protect our city," "My Lord, the two dams which protect our city, that of the North and that of the South, that of the North and that of the South, have both been strengthened by my efforts." "have both been strengthened by my efforts." "When the river was last in spate, they held up well indeed." "When the river was last in spate, they held up well indeed." "That was only a minor flood." "That was only a minor flood." "The now predict weather as never before." "The now predict weather as never before." "Will they hold?" "." "Will they hold?" "." "They are man-made." "They are man-made." "We cannot ask them to resist" "We cannot ask them to resist the will of gods." "the will of gods." "Ten years ago" "Ten years ago the renowned dams of our very powerful neighbour the renowned dams of our very powerful neighbour were broken in more than twenty places." "were broken in more than twenty places." "It would have been wiser to make a sacrifice." "It would have been wiser to make a sacrifice." "What do you mean?" "." "What do you mean?" "." "By opening a breach in the dam." "By opening a breach in the dam." "The liberated river would have ravaged" "The liberated river would have ravaged the districts the districts offered up to it, offered up to it, and, then, appeased, would have gone back to sleep." "and, then, appeased, would have gone back to sleep." "So we should either blow up" "So we should either blow up the Northern Dam, the Northern Dam," "or the Southern Dam?" "." "or the Southern Dam?" "." "Yes, my Lord." "Yes, my Lord." "How long will the destruction take?" "." "How long will the destruction take?" "." "Not even a night." "Not even a night." "But we must first evacuate the population." "But we must first evacuate the population." "Of course." "That is the issue." "Of course." "That is the issue." "I had never looked at our city" "I had never looked at our city in detail." "in detail." "Chief Intendant," "Chief Intendant, what lies to the North?" "." "what lies to the North?" "." "Your power base, my Lord." "The port!" "Your power base, my Lord." "The port!" "Since your nephew obtained the forest concession from you," "Since your nephew obtained the forest concession from you, he has built sawmills, factories, workshops, he has built sawmills, factories, workshops, warehouses, companies!" "warehouses, companies!" "Soon, nobody will recognise that district anymore." "Soon, nobody will recognise that district anymore." "And to the South, the Pleasure District?" "." "And to the South, the Pleasure District?" "." "Pleasures and the Arts, beloved Lord." "Pleasures and the Arts, beloved Lord." "There, the theatres." "There, the theatres." "The celebrated Bai Ju stage..." "The celebrated Bai Ju stage..." "Bai Ju..." "Bai Ju..." "I remember him..." "I remember him..." "The puppet master." "The puppet master." "Does he still exist?" "." "Does he still exist?" "." "Yes, my Lord, but he is struggling." "Yes, my Lord, but he is struggling." "There are your artisans." "There are your artisans." "And way over there, the library." "And way over there, the library." "Either..." "Either..." "Or..." "Or..." "Either we flood temples," "Either we flood temples, schools, theatres, schools, theatres, artisans." "artisans." "Or we flood trading companies," "Or we flood trading companies, factories, building sites." "factories, building sites." "All these ideas make my head ache." "All these ideas make my head ache." "I who saw the closing years of my reign approach" "I who saw the closing years of my reign approach free from harm." "free from harm." "Oh, but I am ill!" "Oh, but I am ill!" "Having to cut" "Having to cut into my own flesh... into my own flesh..." "Tshumi!" "Tshumi!" "Aid your unhappy master." "Aid your unhappy master." "Send the monk to my bedside." "Send the monk to my bedside." "And find me Bai Ju" "And find me Bai Ju with his puppets." "with his puppets." "I shall surely need" "I shall surely need another perspective." "another perspective." "We must hesitate" "We must hesitate before deciding." "before deciding." "Chancellor..." "Chancellor..." "The following night, in a shabby ditch..." "The following night, in a shabby ditch..." "He is still dithering!" "He is still dithering!" "Must you be so dim-witted?" "." "Must you be so dim-witted?" "." "The solution is here, under your nose." "The solution is here, under your nose." "Really?" "." "Then what is it exactly?" "." "Really?" "." "Then what is it exactly?" "." "It is the famous tale of Lord Kyu." "It is the famous tale of Lord Kyu." "We flood the countryside." "We flood the countryside." "The dams must be broken upriver." "The dams must be broken upriver." "We open a wide breach, the city is saved," "We open a wide breach, the city is saved, and I will get back to business." "and I will get back to business." "When that solution was used" "When that solution was used a thousand years ago 100,000 peasants perished." "a thousand years ago 100,000 peasants perished." "It will cost 100,000 country nicks, so be it." "It will cost 100,000 country nicks, so be it." "But some of the courtiers have farms down there." "But some of the courtiers have farms down there." "Even I have some land." "Even I have some land." "And Lord Khang won't want to drown his peasants." "And Lord Khang won't want to drown his peasants." "And the peasants won't want to be drowned!" "And the peasants won't want to be drowned!" "No, no, no!" "No, no, no!" "I tell you no!" "I tell you no!" "Adieu!" "Adieu!" "He has property in the country." "He has property in the country." "But I won't stay smoking my pipe by the river while others act." "But I won't stay smoking my pipe by the river while others act." "He Tao!" "He Tao!" "Yes, my Lord." "Yes, my Lord." "Start rounding up that starring rabble" "Start rounding up that starring rabble whose only god is their stomach." "whose only god is their stomach." "We"ll need them very soon." "We"ll need them very soon." "The ideal solution" "The ideal solution is to have my uncle on the throne is to have my uncle on the throne and me at the reins!" "and me at the reins!" "Too late!" "Too late!" "The two vultures have adjourned their meeting" "The two vultures have adjourned their meeting and I did not hear the agenda." "and I did not hear the agenda." "I'd better stay on their heels till I learn what they"re up to." "I'd better stay on their heels till I learn what they"re up to." "Duan..." "Duan..." "Tshumi!" "Tshumi!" "My dear friend!" "My dearfriend!" "Where are you going, dressed up like an action man?" "." "Where are you going, dressed up like an action man?" "." "I am going to join the drums" "I am going to join the drums which, posted on the heights, which, posted on the heights, watch over the river"s moods night and day." "watch over the river"s moods night and day." "Come with me." "Come with me." "Together, we will keep watch on the sky." "Together, we will keep watch on the sky." "Me, join the drums?" "." "Me, join the drums?" "." "The poet says, where danger grows, courage follows." "The poet says, where danger grows, courage follows." "But for me, it is terror that mounts!" "But for me, it is terror that mounts!" "And then, perhaps I can be more useful here" "And then, perhaps I can be more useful here keeping an eye on a few villains." "keeping an eye on a few villains." "I will miss you." "I will miss you." "I will miss you too, my best and most tender friend." "I will miss you too, my best and most tender friend." "Farewell for now." "Farewell for now." "Watch over my father." "Watch over my father." "I will send him all news, even if it be terrible." "I will send him all news, even if it be terrible." "The storm is threatening." "The storm is threatening." "Everyone is digging in and hoarding supplies," "Everyone is digging in and hoarding supplies, while only Duan throws herself into the fray." "while only Duan throws herself into the fray." "As I contemplate the infinity of the fearsome universe," "As I contemplate the infinity of the fearsome universe," "I shudder at the fate of the little court painter." "I shudder at the fate of the little court painter." "Duan has left?" "." "Duan has left?" "." "Duan has climbed the heights and joined the drums." "Duan has climbed the heights and joined the drums." "Already?" "." "Already?" "." "Rue the day!" "Rue the day!" "The Chancellor"s secretary also seems out of sorts." "The Chancellor"s secretary also seems out of sorts." "Not at all!" "It is just that..." "Not at all!" "It is just that..." "I must admit, Tshumi," "I must admit, Tshumi," "I am scared to death for her." "I am scared to death for her." "So am I!" "So am I!" "For her and for me." "For her and for me." "And for all the rest." "And for all the rest." "Nobody!" "Nobody!" "Why not try" "Why not try the Pleasure District, Madame Li?" "." "the Pleasure District, Madame Li?" "." "No..." "not today." "No..." "not today." "Madame Li remains on the pontoon" "Madame Li remains on the pontoon opposite the Palace." "opposite the Palace." "Really nobody." "Really nobody." "All along the way" "All along the way the monk dreamed of a spoon the monk dreamed of a spoon and a bowl of noodles." "and a bowl of noodles." "In this world of red dust," "In this world of red dust, soup is a consolation." "soup is a consolation." "Very honoured to hear it." "I am Madame Li," "Very honoured to hear it." "I am Madame Li, the best noodles in the country." "the best noodles in the country." "Right away, holy man." "Right away, holy man." "You look out of sorts." "You look out of sorts." "Coming from the depths of the woods," "Coming from the depths of the woods," "I am quite surprised." "I am quite surprised." "The wild geese are leaving before their time." "The wild geese are leaving before their time." "Odd things are afoot these days," "Odd things are afoot these days, and no explanation." "and no explanation." "Odd people, too." "Odd people, too." "Last night I served a man" "Last night I served a man with two noses." "with two noses." "And what brings you here?" "." "And what brings you here?" "." "The order has come to the monastery from the palace," "The order has come to the monastery from the palace," "Lord Khang asks for a reading." "Lord Khang asks for a reading." "They sent me." "They sent me." "The monk helps those who are lost to cross over." "The monk helps those who are lost to cross over." "The bowl is empty," "The bowl is empty, the monk is full." "the monk is full." "The peddler wipes her brow." "The peddler wipes her brow." "The wind begins to blow." "The wind begins to blow." "Buffeted by the waves of time, I hurry on my way." "Buffeted by the waves of time, I hurry on my way." "Lord Khang wants a book." "Lord Khang wants a book." "Whatever for?" "." "Whatever for?" "." "Still more news that is unexplained." "Still more news that is unexplained." "Still no one." "Still no one." "Oh!" "It is my Chancellor!" "Oh!" "It is my Chancellor!" "Fortune smiles upon me!" "Fortune smiles upon me!" "Let us go, Kisa!" "Let us go, Kisa!" "So, what is new?" "." "So, what is new?" "." "And here?" "." "And here?" "." "What is the City saying this morning?" "." "What is the City saying this morning?" "." "What are people talking about?" "." "What are people talking about?" "." "The dams." "The Northern and the Southern." "The dams." "The Northern and the Southern." "Everyone already knows?" "." "Everyone already knows?" "." "No one knows anything" "No one knows anything so they invent." "so they invent." "Nonsense and nightmares." "Nonsense and nightmares." "The other night I dreamed" "The other night I dreamed" "I was fleeing from the flood on the back of a fish" "I was fleeing from the flood on the back of a fish as big as a house... as big as a house..." "But with a flick of its fins, it slammed" "But with a flick of its fins, it slammed against the Palace walls and was reduced to pulp." "against the Palace walls and was reduced to pulp." "And you?" "." "And you?" "." "Nothing to tell me today?" "." "Nothing to tell me today?" "." "This time bodes ill," "This time bodes ill, no matter which way one turns." "no matter which way one turns." "That"s all?" "." "That"s all?" "." "Has worry dried up the Chancellor"s tongue?" "." "Has worry dried up the Chancellor"s tongue?" "." "You should go visit your mother." "You should go visit your mother." "At this very moment she is rinsing potatoes." "At this very moment she is rinsing potatoes." "Go breathe the smell of pigs in the rain..." "Go breathe the smell of pigs in the rain..." "Fishing in the rice paddies just before the flood..." "Fishing in the rice paddies just before the flood..." "You should get out ofthe Palace and go off" "You should get out ofthe Palace and go off into the '"nothing special"' as my grandmother used to say." "into the '"nothing special"' as my grandmother used to say." "Never forget where you came from," "Never forget where you came from, that is the secret." "that is the secret." "And now, one secret for another!" "And now, one secret for another!" "Which way is his Lordship leaning?" "." "Which way is his Lordship leaning?" "." "If he only knew himself." "If he only knew himself." "You can tell me a little something." "You can tell me a little something." "Go on, be nice!" "Go on, be nice!" "The peddler has to make ends meet." "The peddler has to make ends meet." "Very soon, whoever is not on the water" "Very soon, whoever is not on the water will be under it." "will be under it." "What should I do?" "." "What should I do?" "." "I really do not know..." "I really do not know..." "Chancellor!" "Chancellor!" "Lord Khang has changed heart." "Lord Khang has changed heart." "He calls you back to the Palace." "He calls you back to the Palace." "He adores you anew and wants your opinion immediately." "He adores you anew and wants your opinion immediately." "I will not go." "I will not go." "For twenty years, I've obeyed every wind," "For twenty years, I've obeyed every wind, but the drive-belt suddenly gives." "but the drive-belt suddenly gives." "I will go later." "I will go later." "Come, Wang Po." "Order my porters." "Come, Wang Po." "Order my porters." "Let"s follow the advice of Madame Li." "Let"s follow the advice of Madame Li." "Let us go visit" "Let us go visit my mother on Cherry Mountain." "my mother on Cherry Mountain." "There he goes, off in the wrong direction!" "There he goes, off in the wrong direction!" "Hun will take advantage of his absence." "Hun will take advantage of his absence." "I should have held him back, but how?" "." "I should have held him back, but how?" "." "Servants or lords," "Servants or lords, we are all ruled by resentment." "we are all ruled by resentment." "I"ll try to lead my master through the camp of the drums." "I"ll try to lead my master through the camp of the drums." "There I will find Duan." "There I will find Duan." "Well, that didn"t get us far!" "Well, that didn"t get us far!" "Tell me, frankly," "Tell me, frankly, who made the world like this?" "." "who made the world like this?" "." "In the dark forest the peddler is a firefly." "In the dark forest the peddler is a firefly." "She leads your steps." "She leads your steps." "And you're very happy!" "And you're very happy!" "But as soon as you have your information, you squash her underfoot!" "But as soon as you have your information, you squash her underfoot!" "Not the tiniest bit of a secret!" "Not the tiniest bit of a secret!" "Cheapskate!" "Cheapskate!" "Or perhaps it"s true that he knows nothing." "Or perhaps it"s true that he knows nothing." "That man does not deserve us." "That man does not deserve us." "But time is running out for him," "But time is running out for him, as it is for the last of the poor fishermen." "as it is for the last of the poor fishermen." "Let us be off, Kisa!" "Let us be off, Kisa!" "Where are we going now Madame Li?" "." "Where are we going now Madame Li?" "." "How do you expect a poor peddler to know more" "How do you expect a poor peddler to know more than a Chancellor clothed in silk?" "." "than a Chancellor clothed in silk?" "." "They are saying everywhere it"ll be the flood of the century." "They are saying everywhere it"ll be the flood of the century." "The fish can already see death approaching" "The fish can already see death approaching and they flee from here." "and they flee from here." "They say the River will carry off" "They say the River will carry off every bridge and dock." "every bridge and dock." "And with them our miserable boats." "And with them our miserable boats." "Along with ourselves," "Along with ourselves, who have always who have always tended our shoals of fish with such care." "tended our shoals of fish with such care." "I would rather die right now." "I would rather die right now." "Tonight the bowl will be empty anew." "Tonight the bowl will be empty anew." "Even Madame Li will not give us any more credit." "Even Madame Li will not give us any more credit." "Ah, those shopkeepers!" "Ah, those shopkeepers!" "When money is scarce, the people get squeezed." "When money is scarce, the people get squeezed." "But I will not let myself starve." "But I will not let myself starve." "I too can take up the rebel"s knife." "I too can take up the rebel"s knife." "And the peddler won't be able to say a word!" "And the peddler won't be able to say a word!" "We can only beg" "We can only beg and pray to the gods of our river." "and pray to the gods of our river." "Stop your buffoonery!" "Stop your buffoonery!" "The River is deaf to all our prayers." "The River is deaf to all our prayers." "Everything"s already written." "Everything"s already written." "Tomorrow, just like today, I will be a beggar," "Tomorrow, just like today, I will be a beggar, and so will you!" "and so will you!" "My cousin has made out better than we have." "My cousin has made out better than we have." "Recruited by Hun," "Recruited by Hun, he is up in the hills, he is up in the hills, where he cuts the forests." "where he cuts the forests." "Trees cannot flee." "Trees cannot flee." "Regarding Hun..." "Regarding Hun..." "This morning He Tao, his shadowy lieutenant," "This morning He Tao, his shadowy lieutenant, made me an offer made me an offer which I can no longer refuse which I can no longer refuse this evening." "this evening." "For us it would mean gold." "For us it would mean gold." "Gold!" "Gold!" "We have an hour to accept." "We have an hour to accept." "Work for Hun?" "." "Work for Hun?" "." "Up till now," "Up till now," "I've always placed honesty foremost in my thoughts." "I've always placed honesty foremost in my thoughts." "And see how far that's got us!" "And see how far that's got us!" "Stay put, if you want!" "Stay put, if you want!" "But I"m off to cash in!" "But I"m off to cash in!" "Are you coming or not?" "." "Are you coming or not?" "." "After all, he's right." "After all, he's right." "Tomorrow, the fishermen will be rich" "Tomorrow, the fishermen will be rich and the peasants will be underwater!" "and the peasants will be underwater!" "And let no one dare judge us!" "And let no one dare judge us!" "It"s all the fault of this damned river!" "It"s all the fault ofthis damned river!" "What terrible times!" "What terrible times!" "We have been enlisted by calamity." "We have been enlisted by calamity." "Who dares accuse me?" "." "Who dares accuse me?" "." "There is no respect here." "There is no respect here." "They commit the crime" "They commit the crime and then cast the blame on the waters of the river!" "and then cast the blame on the waters of the river!" "They treat father and mother like a dumping ground," "They treat father and mother like a dumping ground, and then they say the River is wicked." "and then they say the River is wicked." "None of you, whether great or small," "None of you, whether great or small, are anything but proud, are anything but proud, ungrateful and cantankerous!" "ungrateful and cantankerous!" "You are even blinder than the blind!" "You are even blinder than the blind!" "Can you not see the end of the world?" "." "Can you not see the end of the world?" "." "You will have the flood of the century," "You will have the flood of the century," "I promise!" "I promise!" "How to make the right choice?" "." "How to make the right choice?" "." "Sir, the book says..." "Sir, the book says..." "Monk, your book enlightens me not!" "Monk, your book enlightens me not!" "I am forsaken." "I am forsaken." "My Lord..." "My Lord..." "You are no good." "You are no good." "By what you have done," "By what you have done, and in trying to defend you, and in trying to defend you," "I have lost" "I have lost the precious counsel of my Chancellor." "the precious counsel of my Chancellor." "Even my Intendant is not here today," "Even my Intendant is not here today, because he is so afraid because he is so afraid of you!" "of you!" "At the very sound of your footsteps" "At the very sound of your footsteps my friends scatter." "my friends scatter." "I do not want to be another Lord Kyu" "I do not want to be another Lord Kyu of whom the Royal Chronicles say :." "of whom the Royal Chronicles say :." """His long and superb reign" """His long and superb reign" """ended..." """ended..." ""'in disaster."" ""'in disaster."" "Would that, in the lack of thought" "Would that, in the lack of thought that sleep brings that sleep brings the agents of fate might carry out the agents of fate might carry out all that is forbidden by righteous pity." "all that is forbidden by righteous pity." "If only some fate were to come to me by night" "If only some fate were to come to me by night and take into its hands the decision and take into its hands the decision that my own poor will cannot bear to contemplate." "that my own poor will cannot bear to contemplate." "But I am dreaming..." "But I am dreaming..." "Let us speak no more of it!" "Let us speak no more of it!" "On the contrary, let us speak of it..." "On the contrary, let us speak of it... my dear uncle." "my dear uncle." "What if," "What if, in the thick of night, in the thick of night," "upon my order, and not yours, upon my order, and not yours, my men, fearlessly, my men, fearlessly," "driven by wind, rain, and necessity, driven by wind, rain, and necessity," "were to steal in silence to the Cherry Mountain Dam were to steal in silence to the Cherry Mountain Dam and cut the knot that strangles us!" "and cut the knot that strangles us!" "And all is done when I wake up?" "." "And all is done when I wake up?" "." "All is done." "All is done." "All is done." "All is done." "How pure the sky is!" "How pure the sky is!" "The city gleams in the morning sun." "The city gleams in the morning sun." "In the distance the countryside bows its camellia head." "In the distance the countryside bows its camellia head." "And yet..." "And yet..." "If we escape the flood..." "If we escape the flood..." "No..." "No..." "Hope is a temptation." "Hope is a temptation." "Such fatigue overwhelms my soul!" "Such fatigue overwhelms my soul!" "Lord Khang is going to bed." "Lord Khang is going to bed." "Nephew, let us make peace." "Nephew, let us make peace." "Monk, pray for me." "Monk, pray for me." "Come, let us retire." "Come, let us retire." "I am already asleep." "I am already asleep." "So may it be done..." "So may it be done... and so on, and so forth... and so on, and so forth..." "He Tao, he has yielded!" "He Tao, he has yielded!" "He is going to bed" "He is going to bed to let us act in his stead." "to let us act in his stead." "He has yielded?" "." "Well I never!" "He has yielded?" "." "Well I never!" "My era had already begun" "My era had already begun and I hadn"t even realised." "and I hadn"t even realised." "From now on, I will be his secret," "From now on, I will be his secret," "I will dictate his desires, and what he fears doing" "I will dictate his desires, and what he fears doing will be done behind the curtain of his eyelids." "will be done behind the curtain of his eyelids." "The peasants, too," "The peasants, too, must be sleeping like logs, must be sleeping like logs, while we do the deed." "while we do the deed." "Because a peasant who awakes to the drums is angered," "Because a peasant who awakes to the drums is angered, and then the matter could get out of hand." "and then the matter could get out of hand." "You read my mind." "You read my mind." "So in steely dark flight," "So in steely dark flight, we cut through the night and without warning swoop on Duan, we cut through the night and without warning swoop on Duan, the famous sentinel keeping watch with her drums." "the famous sentinel keeping watch with her drums." "I'll cut her throat!" "I'll cut her throat!" "As soon as it is done, I"ll launch our men in attack," "As soon as it is done, I"ll launch our men in attack, and before dawn, up there, the dam will fall!" "and before dawn, up there, the dam will fall!" "Then I too will come!" "Then I too will come!" "Dear Lord, let me join the ranks of the brave who"ll break the dam." "Dear Lord, let me join the ranks of the brave who"ll break the dam." "Neither seen nor heard..." "Neither seen nor heard..." "You?" "." "Ajuggler of paintbrushes?" "." "You?" "." "Ajuggler of paintbrushes?" "." "You want to take up arms?" "." "You want to take up arms?" "." "You have woken the warrior within me!" "You have woken the warrior within me!" "I've known these paths," "I've known these paths, since birth." "since birth." "I will serve as a scout." "I will serve as a scout." "Please, my Lord." "Please, my Lord." "Since you insist." "Let us go!" "Since you insist." "Let us go!" "Where have the counsellors gone?" "." "Where have the counsellors gone?" "." "Who will now enlighten Lord Khang?" "." "Who will now enlighten Lord Khang?" "." "Betrayal and treason mark the hour on the city"s clock." "Betrayal and treason mark the hour on the city"s clock." "Let us follow them." "Let us follow them." "Good people or bad," "Good people or bad, can have need of a monk at any moment." "can have need of a monk at any moment." "Still no news from the Chancellor." "Still no news from the Chancellor." "I am neither blind nor senile." "I am neither blind nor senile." "I see all that is taking shape." "I see all that is taking shape." "I know very well why no one is here." "I know very well why no one is here." "Neither Hun," "Neither Hun, nor the Intendant, nor the Intendant," "nor the Architect." "nor the Architect." "Not even poorTshumi." "Not even poorTshumi." "They have left me alone" "They have left me alone with destiny." "with destiny." "Such as I am, I've become the Captain of the Watch." "Such as I am, I've become the Captain of the Watch." "Camped out on the mountain, it is our task to spread" "Camped out on the mountain, it is our task to spread the news of the sky the news of the sky" "and of the earth." "and of the earth." "This is our system." "Every situation has its rhythm." "This is our system." "Every situation has its rhythm." "Listen to this first signal to alert people"s ears." "Listen to this first signal to alert people"s ears." "This alarm means:" "This alarm means:" "The North is being flooded!" "Hurry to the South!" "The North is being flooded!" "Hurry to the South!" "This, on the other hand, is to tell those in the South" "This, on the other hand, is to tell those in the South to fly to the North." "to fly to the North." "And this is for the worst situation," "And this is for the worst situation, an unexpected breach!" "an unexpected breach!" "You are going to spread panic!" "You are going to spread panic!" "On the contrary, Chancellor." "This way the people know" "On the contrary, Chancellor." "This way the people know we are keeping watching exactly, we are keeping watching exactly, and not a single inhabitant may be caught unawares." "and not a single inhabitant may be caught unawares." "With great haste they pack up" "With great haste they pack up and run to safety in the city." "and run to safety in the city." "True," "True, we also have rhythms for courage, joy, we also have rhythms for courage, joy, swiftness, and imagination." "swiftness, and imagination." "These are happy men." "These are happy men." "They alone have the secret." "They alone have the secret." ""'To watch over those who sleep.""" ""'To watch over those who sleep.""" "An immense feeling." "An immense feeling." "My Lord, when you see my father," "My Lord, when you see my father, tell him the news." "tell him the news." "I will give him the message." "I will give him the message." "Wang Po!" "Wang Po!" "Still following the advice of Madame Li and the path of his childhood..." "Still following the advice of Madame Li and the path of his childhood..." "We are lost, Wang Po." "We are lost, Wang Po." "The paths of my childhood" "The paths of my childhood have changed so much." "have changed so much." "All has become foreign to me." "All has become foreign to me." "In dreaming of my mother, I have lost my way." "In dreaming of my mother, I have lost my way." "Let us rest a little." "Let us rest a little." "Lanterns!" "Lanterns!" "Lanterns!" "Lanterns!" "Sparks of ghosts!" "Sparks of ghosts!" "Difficult to find your way" "Difficult to find your way without the light of my lamps!" "without the light of my lamps!" "Tonight, in the shadow of the forgotten mountain" "Tonight, in the shadow of the forgotten mountain what is shining and trembling in the wind?" "." "what is shining and trembling in the wind?" "." "Lanterns!" "Lanterns!" "Lanterns!" "Lanterns!" "The River!" "The River!" "This is familiar to me!" "This is familiar to me!" "I have explored every one of your tussocked ridges." "I have explored every one of your tussocked ridges." "The lake is full!" "The lake is full!" "The weather is treacherous here." "The weather is treacherous here." "Neither the wind," "Neither the wind, nor the River glistening at our feet, nor the River glistening at our feet, can ever take the vigilant by surprise." "can ever take the vigilant by surprise." "Who are you?" "." "Who are you?" "." "A lantern peddler, who endlessly trots out the same old stories." "A lantern peddler, who endlessly trots out the same old stories." "Having never known misfortune, people think they"re safe." "Having never known misfortune, people think they"re safe." "They have forgotten the great catastrophe." "They have forgotten the great catastrophe." "What great catastrophe?" "." "What great catastrophe?" "." "Hundreds of years ago," "Hundreds of years ago," "Lord Kyu, a very cruel Lord," "Lord Kyu, a very cruel Lord, to save his city threatened by the water to save his city threatened by the water did open, under cloak of night, in great secret, did open, under cloak of night, in great secret," "a treacherous breach a treacherous breach in the dam that protected our countryside." "in the dam that protected our countryside." "At dawn, thousands of peasants" "At dawn, thousands of peasants met with their brutal death." "met with their brutal death." "The survivors were filled with such fury" "The survivors were filled with such fury that they razed the city and killed thousands of city dwellers." "that they razed the city and killed thousands of city dwellers." "One can understand them." "One can understand them." "You are recounting some old legend." "You are recounting some old legend." "Even today, when ploughing the rice paddies," "Even today, when ploughing the rice paddies, the peasants find, perchance a skull, the peasants find, perchance a skull," "perchance a golden hairpin." "perchance a golden hairpin." "For the waters climbed up" "For the waters climbed up even higher than... even higher than..." "This!" "This!" "That is a story which happened" "That is a story which happened a thousand years ago." "It could not happen today." "a thousand years ago." "It could not happen today." "And, besides, our drums are watching over you." "And, besides, our drums are watching over you." "What good is a sky as clear" "What good is a sky as clear as a mother's heart, as a mother's heart, if there is no one to read it." "if there is no one to read it." "You are as headstrong as ever." "You are as headstrong as ever." "There is nothing I can do about that." "There is nothing I can do about that." "Go, my son." "Go, my son." "Night will fall quicker than you think." "Night will fall quicker than you think." "Take this..." "Take this..." "Take it and watch on all sides." "Take it and watch on all sides." "Men are like lanterns." "Men are like lanterns." "Cast upon the ocean's swell, they float." "Cast upon the ocean's swell, they float." "Blinder than the blind," "Blinder than the blind, not once were the living suspicious." "not once were the living suspicious." "The son had unwittingly taken leave of his mother" "The son had unwittingly taken leave of his mother for the last time on this earth." "for the last time on this earth." "The master and his servants" "The master and his servants trembled as one." "trembled as one." "Ever further, ever fainter," "Ever further, ever fainter, the spark flickers." "the spark flickers." "She said," "She said," """The waters will climb up over the roofs."'" """The waters will climb up over the roofs."'" "Did she say '"will climb'"?" "." "Did she say '"will climb'"?" "." "I hope she is wrong." "I hope she is wrong." "Even so, let us hurry back to the city." "Even so, let us hurry back to the city." "What is wrong, Wang Po?" "." "What is wrong, Wang Po?" "." "Are you thinking of your mother, too?" "." "Are you thinking of your mother, too?" "." "My mother is dead," "My mother is dead, but my father is still alive." "but my father is still alive." "And while serving and following my master," "And while serving and following my master," "I had forgotten him." "I had forgotten him." "Well, what should we do?" "." "Well, what should we do?" "." "If the Chancellor would let me to fetch him," "If the Chancellor would let me to fetch him," "I'd take him to safety in the city right away." "I'd take him to safety in the city right away." "Go, but hurry back." "Go, but hurry back." "I need you." "I need you." "Everything is so uncertain." "Everything is so uncertain." "I sense I should turn back and see my mother." "I sense I should turn back and see my mother." "Turn back!" "Turn back!" "All stop!" "All stop!" "I want to look..." "I want to look..." "On this side, the city and its dams." "On this side, the city and its dams." "I follow the River with my gaze..." "I follow the River with my gaze..." "And here, the countryside." "And here, the countryside." "And the majestic Cherry Mountain Dams." "And the majestic Cherry Mountain Dams." "Sheltered by that ancient shield the peasants sleep" "Sheltered by that ancient shield the peasants sleep in huddled families." "in huddled families." "What is that cry?" "." "What is that cry?" "." "An owl." "An owl." "An owl?" "." "An owl?" "." "Here?" "." "Here?" "." "Should I sound the alarm?" "." "Should I sound the alarm?" "." "While we"ve been making our way," "While we"ve been making our way," "Hun has been weighing on the royal brain." "Hun has been weighing on the royal brain." "How long will it take to find Duan?" "." "How long will it take to find Duan?" "." "At least two days." "At least two days." "Two days..." "Two days..." "I must go." "You two, come here!" "I must go." "You two, come here!" "Hurry back to the city" "Hurry back to the city and run to see the Chief Intendant." "and run to see the Chief Intendant." "I do not like him," "I do not like him, but today I want him as an ally, but today I want him as an ally, because he knows that anger turns because he knows that anger turns a sheep into a tiger," "a sheep into a tiger, and peasants into armed rebels." "and peasants into armed rebels." "Take this message to him." "Take this message to him." "And may the gods sharpen your judgement!" "And may the gods sharpen your judgement!" "Understand?" "." "Understand?" "." "Go!" "Quickly!" "To the city!" "Go!" "Quickly!" "To the city!" "The man you see in the tempest," "The man you see in the tempest, is I, Liou Po." "is I, Liou Po." "Before my fall," "Before my fall," "I was the head foreman on the dams." "I was the head foreman on the dams." "When all was finished, I discovered a defect." "When all was finished, I discovered a defect." "The foreman was at once accused," "The foreman was at once accused," "Yet before I could be hanged," "Yet before I could be hanged," "I vanished." "I vanished." "But yesterday, while walking on the dam," "But yesterday, while walking on the dam, what do I see?" "." "what do I see?" "." "It is seeping." "It is seeping." "I tap it." "It sounds hollow." "I tap it." "It sounds hollow." "The defect is still there!" "The defect is still there!" "And with the wind rising, our dam will never hold." "And with the wind rising, our dam will never hold." "I warned the Architect." "I warned the Architect." "It is now up to him to decide the rest." "It is now up to him to decide the rest." "I am escaping to the Watch." "I am escaping to the Watch." "Up there, I will be safe..." "Up there, I will be safe..." "Liou Po!" "Liou Po!" "The defect in the work of the Architect!" "The defect in the work of the Architect!" "A breach, here!" "A breach, here!" "Calamity!" "Calamity!" "I have often passed by the dam." "I have often passed by the dam." "Not once did I set foot on the ground." "Not once did I set foot on the ground." "Why have I never inspected it?" "." "Why have I never inspected it?" "." "What use are eyes if not to see that which we fear?" "." "What use are eyes if not to see that which we fear?" "." "A tide of mud rises in my soul." "A tide of mud rises in my soul." "I might as well die!" "I might as well die!" "You madman!" "You madman!" "What are you doing?" "." "What are you doing?" "." "Compounding evil with evil!" "Compounding evil with evil!" "You run away from your wife and you betray the city." "You run away from your wife and you betray the city." "You"d let all the people perish," "You"d let all the people perish, and your entire family!" "and your entire family!" "It is too late!" "I am damned!" "It is too late!" "I am damned!" "Selfish and cowardly man!" "Selfish and cowardly man!" "You no longer love me." "You no longer love me." "You give me your death" "You give me your death and your shame as consolation." "and your shame as consolation." "Take hold of yourself." "Take hold of yourself." "Listen to me." "Nothing is lost." "Listen to me." "Nothing is lost." "Listen to me, dear husband." "Listen to me, dear husband." "You will enter the Palace." "You will enter the Palace." "Without hiding your pallor, you will find Lord Khang" "Without hiding your pallor, you will find Lord Khang sorrowful and alone." "sorrowful and alone." "He will be glad to see you and ready to listen." "He will be glad to see you and ready to listen." "You will bow to the ground" "You will bow to the ground and tell him everything." "and tell him everything." "Why should I alone confess?" "." "Why should I alone confess?" "." "Everyone is guilty." "Everyone is guilty." "Listen to me." "Listen to me." "He will ask you:" "'"What is the solution?" "'"" "He will ask you:" "'"What is the solution?" "'"" "You will reply:" ""'One thousand honest workers" "You will reply:" ""'One thousand honest workers" "'"must be sped unto that spot," "'"must be sped unto that spot," """and I, Lord, shall oversee them," """and I, Lord, shall oversee them," ""'ready to give my life for the good of the kingdom.""" ""'ready to give my life for the good of the kingdom.""" "In saving the city," "In saving the city, you save yourself you save yourself" "and me, and me, along with our goods and our house." "along with our goods and our house." "Because if you approach him the right way," "Because if you approach him the right way," "Lord Khang will be magnanimous." "Lord Khang will be magnanimous." "He is more guilty than anyone" "He is more guilty than anyone and he needs you." "and he needs you." "Go!" "Go!" "Obey me!" "Obey me!" "Go!" "Go!" "Go!" "Go!" "Save the city and be" "Save the city and be remembered by History!" "remembered by History!" "Yes..." "Yes..." "I will obey you my dear wife." "I will obey you my dear wife." "I"m on my way!" "I"m on my way!" "To do your bidding!" "To do your bidding!" "Without his sword!" "Without his sword!" "A premonition..." "A premonition... suddenly grips me." "suddenly grips me." "Where have I sent him?" "." "Where have I sent him?" "." "Who will he meet on his way!" "Who will he meet on his way!" "Gods of pity!" "Gods of pity!" "My husband streaks through the night..." "My husband streaks through the night... while I speak to the passing wind." "while I speak to the passing wind." "Alas!" "The premonition was..." "Alas!" "The premonition was..." "So, I caught you just in time, eh?" "." "So, I caught you just in time, eh?" "." "What were you intending in the Palace?" "." "What were you intending in the Palace?" "." "To denounce us." "To denounce us." "Tell Lord Khang everything!" "Tell Lord Khang everything!" "All about the breach." "There"s still time to make repairs!" "All about the breach." "There"s still time to make repairs!" "What breach are you talking about?" "." "What repairs?" "." "What breach are you talking about?" "." "What repairs?" "." "Traitor!" "We had agreed, you and I," "Traitor!" "We had agreed, you and I, to fill it in discreetly." "to fill it in discreetly." "Agreed?" "." "You and I?" "." "Agreed?" "." "You and I?" "." "'"I"ll take care of it,"" "'"I"ll take care of it,"" "you assured me..." "'"But it'll take money.'"" "you assured me..." "'"But it'll take money.'"" "So I gave you the balance of my funds." "So I gave you the balance of my funds." "Wretch!" "Wretch!" "Who do you think will believe that?" "." "Who do you think will believe that?" "." "You embezzled money" "You embezzled money and you"re trying to lure the Chief Intendant and you"re trying to lure the Chief Intendant into your pit!" "into your pit!" "Bandit!" "Thief!" "Bandit!" "Thief!" "Liar!" "Liar!" "Sound the alarm!" "Sound the alarm!" "The breach!" "The breach!" "A breach in the heart of the city!" "A breach in the heart of the city!" "He comes and asks me" "He comes and asks me what happened to the money he stole!" "what happened to the money he stole!" "As for you two," "As for you two, one word about his madness and you're dead!" "one word about his madness and you're dead!" "A breach, a breach." "A breach, a breach." "Small causes, enormous consequences!" "Small causes, enormous consequences!" "One minute hole in a dam," "One minute hole in a dam, becomes the gateway to catastrophe!" "becomes the gateway to catastrophe!" "And I will be forever guilty?" "." "And I will be forever guilty?" "." "No!" "No!" "There is a solution." "There is a solution." "I will go to Lord Khang and tell him" "I will go to Lord Khang and tell him everything!" "everything!" "He who has the courage to confess is a new man." "He who has the courage to confess is a new man." "But what am I saying?" "." "But what am I saying?" "." "Confess?" "." "But no!" "Confess?" "." "But no!" "I"ll run to Lord Khang and say:" "I"ll run to Lord Khang and say:" ""The architect confessed his crime in his dying breath.""" ""The architect confessed his crime in his dying breath.""" "That"s the solution!" "That"s the solution!" "My life, you are immortal." "My life, you are immortal." "I knew it!" "I knew it!" "But who is that, over there on the channel..." "But who is that, over there on the channel... who seems to be walking on water?" "." "who seems to be walking on water?" "." "Is it not" "Is it not the Architect"s wife?" "." "the Architect"s wife?" "." "Now what"s the matter?" "." "Now what"s the matter?" "." "My husband entrusted me to return" "My husband entrusted me to return what you gave him." "what you gave him." "He has completely vanished." "He has completely vanished." "Oh wondrous death," "Oh wondrous death, goddess of speed!" "goddess of speed!" "In the wink of an eye," "In the wink of an eye, he is gone." "he is gone." "And yet there was" "And yet there was a Chief Intendant here but a moment ago." "a Chief Intendant here but a moment ago." "He sank noiselessly as water," "He sank noiselessly as water, and now begins and now begins his long descent his long descent beneath the many-coloured pontoons beneath the many-coloured pontoons against which his head will heavily strike against which his head will heavily strike" "desperately searching for desperately searching for the way out." "the way out." "Soon the mist" "Soon the mist will rise over the silent water." "will rise over the silent water." "Woe is me!" "Woe is me!" "Am I to die without revealing the secret?" "." "Am I to die without revealing the secret?" "." "Who stirs over there?" "." "Who stirs over there?" "." "Anyone?" "." "Anyone?" "." "The breach!" "The breach!" "The breach!" "The breach!" "Sound the alarm!" "Sound the alarm!" "A breach in the heart of the city!" "A breach in the heart of the city!" "The alarm..." "The alarm..." "No one, to hear me..." "No one, to hear me..." "The Gods did not want me to make amends." "The Gods did not want me to make amends." "Follow the crest of the hill." "Follow the crest of the hill." "That way, you will take Duan by surprise." "That way, you will take Duan by surprise." "For my part," "For my part," "I will lead our men along the dam" "I will lead our men along the dam to its most vulnerable point." "to its most vulnerable point." "There, in the darkest darkshadows of night," "There, in the darkest darkshadows of night, when I know from your signal that Duan has quit life"s struggle, when I know from your signal that Duan has quit life"s struggle," "we shall begin our sabotage!" "we shall begin our sabotage!" "I have found you just in time!" "I have found you just in time!" "Your funeral flight stands interrupted," "Your funeral flight stands interrupted, as the Chief Intendant is on his way, as the Chief Intendant is on his way, followed by an army more powerful than yours." "followed by an army more powerful than yours." "Go ahead..." "Go ahead..." "laugh!" "laugh!" "I know what poor prey you seek to kill." "I know what poor prey you seek to kill." "But the situation" "But the situation has changed!" "has changed!" "So, Chancellor, the Chief Intendant is on his way?" "." "So, Chancellor, the Chief Intendant is on his way?" "." "Yes, he is answering my call and will be here at dawn." "Yes, he is answering my call and will be here at dawn." "Help!" "Help!" "Help!" "Help!" "The Chief Intendant is coming!" "The Chieflntendant is coming!" "I am so afraid!" "I am so afraid!" "The Chieflntendant is dead, Chancellor!" "The Chieflntendant is dead, Chancellor!" "You had better follow us." "You had better follow us." "Dead?" "." "Dead?" "." "Oh misfortune!" "The last of the realm"s defences." "Oh misfortune!" "The last of the realm"s defences." "Yes, indeed, the Chief Intendant is dead." "Yes, indeed, the Chief Intendant is dead." "But allow me to take you straight to him." "But allow me to take you straight to him." "Follow me." "Follow me." "And that is how He Tao reunites long lost friends." "And that is how He Tao reunites long lost friends." "The servant has served." "The servant has served." "His hour has come." "His hour has come." "Monk, take care of the rest." "Monk, take care of the rest." "Our time waits for no one." "Our time waits for no one." "Let us fly like the wind!" "Let us fly like the wind!" "He should have listened to me!" "He should have listened to me!" "Monk, is that not true?" "." "Monk, is that not true?" "." "Yes..." "Go, Tshumi." "Yes..." "Go, Tshumi." "Go, and save Duan!" "Go, and save Duan!" "Now depart, poor monk!" "Now depart, poor monk!" "Run and tell Lord Khang about the loss" "Run and tell Lord Khang about the loss of his best and most loyal adviser." "of his best and most loyal adviser." "Throughout, all were stricken" "Throughout, all were stricken" "Never had such ill" "Never had such ill" "And wickedness, been so rife in the neighbourhoods" "And wickedness, been so rife in the neighbourhoods" "The number of villains rose every day" "The number of villains rose every day" "Modest hearts were weakened by the imminence of the world's end" "Modest hearts were weakened by the imminence of the world's end" "The times we know have ceased." "The times we know have ceased." "Had I known, I would not have been born." "Had I known, I would not have been born." "At the market, over a grain of rice," "At the market, over a grain of rice, they are fighting with daggers." "they are fighting with daggers." "People are losing control." "People are losing control." "Courageous, honourable fishermen" "Courageous, honourable fishermen have, near the Northern Dam, become bandits, have, near the Northern Dam, become bandits, and without a second thought, they fleece the peddler!" "and without a second thought, they fleece the peddler!" "No more boats." "No more boats." "No more friends." "No more friends." "Madame Li has nothing left, except her wounds" "Madame Li has nothing left, except her wounds and bruises." "and bruises." "And Kisa, of course." "And Kisa, of course." "Take heart..." "Take heart..." "Come, Kisa!" "Come, Kisa!" "Where are we going now, Madame Li?" "." "Where are we going now, Madame Li?" "." "Up into the hills." "Up into the hills." "We are already very near Cherry Mountain." "We are already very near Cherry Mountain." "Up there, thanks to the drums, we will be safe." "Up there, thanks to the drums, we will be safe." "Imagine the faces of the Watch when they see Madame Li arriving" "Imagine the faces of the Watch when they see Madame Li arriving with her sack of flour!" "with her sack of flour!" "You will see, Kisa, the world is not as bad as it seems." "You will see, Kisa, the world is not as bad as it seems." "If you say so, Madame Li." "If you say so, Madame Li." "Meanwhile, at the Palace, solitude, a poor advisor..." "Meanwhile, at the Palace, solitude, a poor advisor..." "I signed." "I signed." "Everything drove me to do it..." "Everything drove me to do it... since there was no one." "since there was no one." "Of me it will be said:" "Of me it will be said:" "He was left alone to face the heavens." "He was left alone to face the heavens." "And so what did he do?" "." "And so what did he do?" "." "Well..." "Well..." "Driving the doubts" "Driving the doubts and anguish from his soul, and anguish from his soul," "and without even knowing how, nor if he was right... and without even knowing how, nor if he was right..." "I lifted this hand and..." "I lifted this hand and... signed!" "signed!" "And yet, there"s nothing to be seen..." "And yet, there"s nothing to be seen..." "This hand has not changed." "This hand has not changed." "How easy it is to do" "How easy it is to do the most difficult thing!" "the most difficult thing!" "It's too late." "It's too late." "As of today," "As of today, the countryside has been sacrificed." "the countryside has been sacrificed." "And all the gates of my city are locked." "And all the gates of my city are locked." "It is now for the gods to speak." "It is now for the gods to speak." "If we are of any interest to them." "If we are of any interest to them." "That night, at the city gates..." "That night, at the city gates..." "An edict from Lord Khang." "An edict from Lord Khang." "'"Henceforth, the hundred gates of our city shall be closed." "'"Henceforth, the hundred gates of our city shall be closed." "'"No one shall be allowed within our walls" "'"No one shall be allowed within our walls" "'"until a new order has been issued by Lord Khang himself."'" "'"until a new order has been issued by Lord Khang himself."'" "I tremble with foreboding." "I tremble with foreboding." "My brother, run to the Gate of Marvellous Longevity." "My brother, run to the Gate of Marvellous Longevity." "For you, perhaps, it has not yet closed." "For you, perhaps, it has not yet closed." "After all, you are the Chancellor"s secretary." "After all, you are the Chancellor"s secretary." "My son, leave me here." "I am slowing you down." "My son, leave me here." "I am slowing you down." "Wait here for me." "Little brother, I leave our father in your care." "Wait here for me." "Little brother, I leave our father in your care." "I will have the gates opened," "I will have the gates opened, if I have to knock them down!" "if I have to knock them down!" "I"m telling you it"s true." "I"m telling you it"s true." "He Tao"s army!" "He Tao"s army!" "My own brother is part of it." "My own brother is part of it." "They passed by here last night" "They passed by here last night while I was on guard and you were sleeping." "while I was on guard and you were sleeping." "My brother says they should reach Cherry Mountain just before dawn." "My brother says they should reach Cherry Mountain just before dawn." "I don"t believe you!" "I don"t believe you!" "I have the written order my brother left me." "I have the written order my brother left me." "Let me see it!" "Let me see it!" "Look!" "Look!" "This is the character for '"Destruction."'" "This is the character for '"Destruction."'" "This one is "'Fatal hole,""" "This one is "'Fatal hole,""" "which means '"Breach.""" "which means '"Breach.""" """Silence or Death.""" """Silence or Death.""" "'"Silence or Death?" "'"" "'"Silence or Death?" "'"" "Meaning, if a single one of our men" "Meaning, if a single one of our men fails to hold his tongue about all this, fails to hold his tongue about all this, the entire garrison will be wiped out immediately." "the entire garrison will be wiped out immediately." "But why are our gates locked?" "." "But why are our gates locked?" "." "Know you how many stomachs are ready to invade us in the morning?" "." "Know you how many stomachs are ready to invade us in the morning?" "." "Mountains of starving wretches!" "Mountains of starving wretches!" "So keep the gates shut," "So keep the gates shut, and not a word more!" "and not a word more!" "I understand, the gates" "I understand, the gates are for my own good." "are for my own good." "But for my sister in the village," "But for my sister in the village, what a shame!" "what a shame!" "I"ll go fetch her." "I"ll go fetch her." "Stay where you are, you idiot!" "Stay where you are, you idiot!" "Wild animals?" "." "Wild animals?" "." "Throw a stone." "Throw a stone." "Nothing moved." "It is men!" "Curses!" "Nothing moved." "It is men!" "Curses!" "They heard us!" "You spoke too loud, you fool!" "They heard us!" "You spoke too loud, you fool!" "We have to catch them, or we'll all be dead!" "We have to catch them, or we'll all be dead!" "Including you!" "Including you!" "Quick, cut them off!" "Quick, cut them off!" "Early morning..." "Early morning..." "Father?" "." "Father?" "." "All the gates are closed." "All the gates are closed." "Dark soul of the Palace," "Dark soul of the Palace," "like Lord Kyu, you have chosen chaos for our countryside." "like Lord Kyu, you have chosen chaos for our countryside." "For the unfortunate who thought you were human" "For the unfortunate who thought you were human it is the promise of the abyss." "it is the promise of the abyss." "In vain I have knocked." "In vain I have knocked." "The guards chased me off as if I were the plague." "The guards chased me off as if I were the plague." "And yet the evil is within." "And yet the evil is within." "Shaking with fear, I search for my father." "Shaking with fear, I search for my father." "Where are the child and the old man?" "." "Where are the child and the old man?" "." "My beloved father..." "My beloved father... with my little brother, with my little brother, they have gone, they have gone, torn to pieces, torn to pieces," "the first victims of a perfidious fratricide." "the first victims of a perfidious fratricide." "But I swear on their bloodstained faces" "But I swear on their bloodstained faces that I will obtain justice!" "that I will obtain justice!" "Oh mist," "Oh mist, cover me!" "cover me!" "Look!" "The mist has lifted." "Look!" "The mist has lifted." "You should not have returned so close to my sword." "You should not have returned so close to my sword." "Once I was tender." "Once I was tender." "Now I am a great villain." "Now I am a great villain." "Such is heaven's will." "Such is heaven's will." "Farewell Chancellor," "Farewell Chancellor," "I am leaving your service." "I am leaving your service." "Today I enter a war" "Today I enter a war which knows not doubt." "which knows not doubt." "Hear my declaration!" "Hear my declaration!" "I, Wang Po," "I, Wang Po, by virtue of our innate right to compassion, by virtue of our innate right to compassion, and the duty to have it respected, and the duty to have it respected," "I take the peasants' fate into my own hands!" "I take the peasants' fate into my own hands!" "We order Lord Khang to open the gates of our city" "We order Lord Khang to open the gates of our city to those he has himself condemned!" "to those he has himself condemned!" "If not, I swear we will tear them from their hinges" "If not, I swear we will tear them from their hinges and send to hell those who have treated their fellowmen and send to hell those who have treated their fellowmen" "like stray dogs!" "like stray dogs!" "And now let us join Duan and her watchmen" "And now let us join Duan and her watchmen with all speed." "with all speed." "Further up the river, Bai Ju, masterpuppeteer" "Further up the river, Bai Ju, master puppeteer also vents his anger... also vents his anger..." "The city would not let us in." "The city would not let us in." "For Bai Ju," "For Bai Ju, the master puppeteer, the master puppeteer," "all I can do is to push my punt all I can do is to push my punt and cry out to the world and the mist and cry out to the world and the mist" "my heartfelt bitterness." "my heartfelt bitterness." "I will never perform in this city again." "I will never perform in this city again." "May you all perish!" "May you all perish!" "The stock of Lord Khang!" "The stock of Lord Khang!" "My puppets and I" "My puppets and I shall go and seek shall go and seek friendship and hospitality friendship and hospitality on Cherry Mountain." "on Cherry Mountain." "But..." "But..." "On Cherry Mountain..." "On Cherry Mountain..." "They are surrounded." "They are surrounded." "The peasants have trapped them." "The peasants have trapped them." "They knew that near here our Dam was weak." "They knew that near here our Dam was weak." "But warned by Tshumi," "But warned by Tshumi, we have been waiting for them, we have been waiting for them," "up to our knees in water!" "up to our knees in water!" "Wang Po and Duan led them to victory," "Wang Po and Duan led them to victory, and I, Liou Po, was with them!" "and I, Liou Po, was with them!" "A few more blows will mark the end of Hun and his brigade." "A few more blows will mark the end of Hun and his brigade." "Only He Tao, still eludes us." "Only He Tao, still eludes us." "I must find that dog before he bites!" "I must find that dog before he bites!" "I was sure I would catch you!" "I was sure I would catch you!" "Lead me to Duan," "Lead me to Duan, or I"ll gut you like a pig!" "or I"ll gut you like a pig!" "Please do not kill me!" "Please do not kill me!" "Who would guide you?" "." "Who would guide you?" "." "Come..." "Come..." "Come, General..." "Come, General..." "I can"t believe it!" "I can"t believe it!" "Man is a poisonous species!" "Man is a poisonous species!" "Alas, Lord Hun," "Alas, Lord Hun, the peasants will rebel and I won't see your victory... the peasants will rebel and I won't see your victory..." "Out of danger, at last." "Out of danger, at last." "He Tao!" "He Tao!" "Our army is now but a heap of ashes." "Our army is now but a heap of ashes." "Arms, powder, equipment," "Arms, powder, equipment, everything was ours... everything was ours..." "And a filthy of rabble led by a woman" "And a filthy of rabble led by a woman and a bloody-eyed Wang Po and a bloody-eyed Wang Po" "have defeated us!" "have defeated us!" "All is lost!" "All is lost!" "Everything has perished..." "Everything has perished... except me." "except me." "He Tao, my friend," "He Tao, my friend, the last of my men... the last of my men..." "And you too are dead," "And you too are dead, poor paintbrush juggler?" "." "poor paintbrush juggler?" "." "Yes, this time," "Yes, this time, you"re dead for good!" "you"re dead for good!" "I was once a coward," "I was once a coward, now I am a hero, now I am a hero, an avenger, an avenger, and a corpse." "and a corpse." "After all, you are merely a man." "After all, you are merely a man." "like me," "like me, who understands nothing." "who understands nothing." "Nothing left to do but make peace." "Nothing left to do but make peace." "Duan, my love!" "Duan, my love!" "In the heart of the night," "In the heart of the night, we have departed... we have departed..." "Tshumi!" "Tshumi!" "Tshumi!" "My friend..." "Tshumi!" "My friend..." "My heart wants to get out of this!" "My heart wants to get out of this!" "Last night I saw war" "Last night I saw war and how with one stroke of the blade, and how with one stroke of the blade, it cleaves all that made us close." "it cleaves all that made us close." "Yesterday we were all neighbours," "Yesterday we were all neighbours, and in a single blow we are brothers no more." "and in a single blow we are brothers no more." "I am surprised by happiness whilst in mourning." "I am surprised by happiness whilst in mourning." "The colours of the sky change so quickly." "The colours of the sky change so quickly." "Monk, you arrive very late to bless us." "Monk, you arrive very late to bless us." "An extraordinary event" "An extraordinary event has occurred in the city." "has occurred in the city." "Last night," "Last night, without time to warn or evacuate anyone without time to warn or evacuate anyone the Northern Dam gave way the Northern Dam gave way" "as though commanded by some supernatural will." "as though commanded by some supernatural will." "There are no more gates," "There are no more gates, neither open nor closed." "neither open nor closed." "Torrents of water are sweeping over the city," "Torrents of water are sweeping over the city, people are fighting for the boats." "people are fighting for the boats." "The trumpets are sounding." "The trumpets are sounding." "An atmosphere of shipwreck reigns there." "An atmosphere of shipwreck reigns there." "Thereupon, Lord Khang learns" "Thereupon, Lord Khang learns that the army launched to destroy our dam that the army launched to destroy our dam has been crushed by your peasants." "has been crushed by your peasants." "He immediately gives the order" "He immediately gives the order to send a second force, to send a second force, armed to the teeth, armed to the teeth, to do what you have so far been able to prevent." "to do what you have so far been able to prevent." "He has given me this escort and the mission" "He has given me this escort and the mission of overtaking the army of overtaking the army galloping towards you, galloping towards you, to give you this message on his behalf:" "to give you this message on his behalf:" "He begs you to ease" "He begs you to ease the suffering of our City the suffering of our City by destroying the Dam as quickly as possible." "by destroying the Dam as quickly as possible." "For if it is not dismantled within the hour," "For if it is not dismantled within the hour, the city will vanish forever." "the city will vanish forever." "If by misfortune, you do not obey," "If by misfortune, you do not obey, the army will swoop down on you the army will swoop down on you and show no mercy." "and show no mercy." "The gods have delivered their verdict." "The gods have delivered their verdict." "We will survive," "We will survive, it is the city that will perish." "it is the city that will perish." "Wait!" "Wait!" "The gates are no more!" "It is not so simple now!" "The gates are no more!" "It is not so simple now!" "Of course we must fight off the assault," "Of course we must fight off the assault, but as for the Dam, what are we going to do?" "." "but as for the Dam, what are we going to do?" "." "The Dam?" "." "The Dam?" "." "If we stop it from being destroyed, the city, already half underwater" "If we stop it from being destroyed, the city, already half underwater will totally drown." "will totally drown." "Let's evacuate the villagers and let the waters pass!" "Let's evacuate the villagers and let the waters pass!" "Let the city sink!" "Let the city sink!" "Lay waste to everything?" "." "Lay waste to everything?" "." "Have we not cousins in town?" "." "Have we not cousins in town?" "." "Didn"t you have a Chancellor within those threatened walls?" "." "Didn"t you have a Chancellor within those threatened walls?" "." "My father lives there." "I was born there." "My father lives there." "I was born there." "Are we to forget forever, the markets," "Are we to forget forever, the markets, the theatres, the temples, the theatres, the temples, the craftsmen, the library?" "." "the craftsmen, the library?" "." "They treated us like animals," "They treated us like animals, without any desires, or light!" "without any desires, or light!" "You want to kill a father for a father!" "You want to kill a father for a father!" "I will prevent you!" "I will prevent you!" "It is not Duan who will halt my wrath." "It is not Duan who will halt my wrath." "Let me go!" "Let me go!" "I want to kill!" "I want to kill!" "That is not what I wanted." "That is not what I wanted." "All has been decided." "All has been decided." "Sound the alarm!" "Sound the alarm!" "We are being attacked!" "We are being attacked!" "Lord Khang"s army has opened" "Lord Khang"s army has opened the Dam." "the Dam." "Sound the trumpets!" "Sound the trumpets!" "Let them hear the fateful music of every agony!" "Let them hear the fateful music of every agony!" "The night is red!" "The night is red!" "I plunge within it!" "I plunge within it!" "I plunge within it!" "I plunge within it!" "Monk..." "Monk..." "Go and find my father..." "Go and find my father..." "Tell him..." "Tell him..." "If the Drums triumph, Kisa, the city is condemned!" "If the Drums triumph, Kisa, the city is condemned!" "Otherwise the peasants will perish by the thousand!" "Otherwise the peasants will perish by the thousand!" "Woe to both sides!" "Woe to both sides!" "Come, Kisa." "We shall find some shelter in the end." "Come, Kisa." "We shall find some shelter in the end." "All the bridges are cut off!" "All the bridges are cut off!" "No one shall survive the assault of the gods!" "No one shall survive the assault of the gods!"