Brotherhood of Blades (绣春刀)

During the 1620s, Wei Zhongxian, Head Eunuch and Head of the Imperial Assassins...

had been having his way in the Imperial Court for eight years.

At that time, seven out of ten Court Officials...

were Wei's followers, known as "the Eunuch's Clique".

When Emperor Chongzhen came into power,

he relieved Wei of all duties and sent him to the remote outpost of Fengyang.

Although Wei had fallen, the Clique was still there.

Chongzhen wanted every member of the Clique arrested.

It sure is cold, Master Ma.

A nice bowl of noodles would warm us up,

wouldn't it?

Noodles...

at this hour,

only two kinds of people are outside...

besides the night watchmen.

There's us,

sent by rotten luck...

to patrol the grounds.

And then there's...

What did you see?

Get out of there.

An Imperial Assassin!

What's wrong?

Lets get out of here. Come.

[ The Imperial assassins are arresting the Eunuch Clique member Xu Xianchun. ]

5 o'clock... remember 5 o'clock.

Take Xianchun with you to Xizhimen,

and take this letter to Sir Cao.

You will leave the city in the water cart.

I'll remember that.

What is all this? Why aren't you dressed properly?

Sister-in-law, what's the matter?

Sir Chen!

I'm from the North Zhenfu Division.

My name is Shen Lian.

Please don't be alarmed. - I'm not alarmed!

Sir Shen, even Imperial Assassins...

need an explanation...

for storming my residence.

You know perfectly well...

why I'm here!

Sir Chen, he only has one arm left.

Do you want him to keep it?

You know what I want.

Arrest me then.

I know your methods!

I can handle the tortures.

Leave my daughter alone... she's only 14!

Leave my daughter alone, she's only 14!

If she ends up as a courtesan at the Academy,

it will be because... you harbored a member of the Clique.

Where is Xu Xianchun? Tell me...

and I'll leave.

Never to return!

Go!

Sir Chen, if you do me a favor...

no one in your family gets hurt!

Sir Xu...

please come with us.

Run Sir. We'll take care of him.

Lui Jianxing, I know why you're doing this...

It's because I didn't promote you to the rank of Baihu.

Lui Jianxing, let me go!

If you do, I promise I'll promote you.

Lian! - Yichuan.

Even Wei Zhongxian is down,

and this ex-Commander is still so high and mighty.

Jianxing... the roots of the Clique run deep!

Those bastards higher up...

only remember the three of us...

when there is a tricky mission like this.

You're right, but I'm afraid it's just our lot...

to deal with this kind of business.

Hey, Lian...

Listen...

I get it.

Yichuan...

you can not go on like this forever.

My good sir, it's getting late.

Why don't you come back tomorrow?

You bitch. How dare you disrespect me!

Even if I have to pay double the price...

I will still bed Zhou Miaotong today!

Come to bed.

I have to go to work soon.

You're an interesting character.

Of all our customers...

you're the only one who pays...

but doesn't come to bed.

I'm happy to sit here.

Of all the houses... I picked yours tonight.

Have that Zhou girl cleaned up and see me.

As soon as I've saved enough, I'll buy your freedom!

Please, Mr. Officer...

with your salary?

You're joking!

Besides, this is the brothel of the Academy.

Without an official permission...

no one gets out!

Sir Chen, I need a favor.

I need you...

to help me release a courtesan from the Academy.

It's morning already. I have to go.

Next time, don't bother to change.

I thought you might not like the uniform.

Everybody here knows...

that you're Sir Shen of the Imperial Assassins.

Xiu!

What's the matter?

Afraid your officer friends might see me?

Don't worry, they're far away.

Xiu,

just take this...

and go!

It's better then nothing.

This is the last time, I don't want to see you again.

You think this uniform turns you into a respectable person?

A thief will always be a thief.

This secret of yours...

will keep me well-fed forever.

Think I'm bluffing?

I'll give you three days... to get together 100 silver taels.

100 taels...

I make 20 taels a year.

Where would I get a 100?

Go peddle your ass.

Quite a few high officials... who have a thing for pretty boys.

With your looks,

100 taels... would be a piece of cake.

Trying to kill me again?

I don't see what's so special about you...

that made Master favor you over me.

Three days...

Sir. - Lui Jianxing, you're quite an early bird.

I spent the night here after work yesterday.

And Sir Xui...

Xui Xianchun is under custody?

Yes!

This is really thanks to your carefull planning, Sir.

All the credit should go to you... as I wrote in my report.

Very well.

It's to early for any work.

Go get some rest.

Anything else? - Well...

actually we talked about it already.

It's about my promotion.

I knew you wouldn't be here for no reason!

I still haven't heard back from anyone.

Sir... I gave you silver for the bribes.

I even gave you credit for last night!

Lui Jianxing, you have some bloody nerve!

In that case, I want none of your credit...

and you can stop pestering me about this promotion. - Sir!

Apologies, sir. I meant no offense. Please forgive me.

It's just that my mother keeps asking...

when I'll take over my father's position.

That's enough!

The silver you gave me...

only goes as far as Sir Qianhu.

Everyone needs to be bribed.

Either... bring me more silver,

or...

learn to be patient.

Sir Zhao, - Sir Zhao...

Which one is Lui Jianxing?

Do you know when Wei Zhongxian left the city?

Your Excellency, the day before yesterday.

If you leave now,

when can you catch up with him?

If the horses are fast, in Fucheng County by midnight.

Good. You three, go do that!

Your Excellency?

His Majesty wants Wei Zhongxian dead.

Your Excellency,

why the three of us?

Look at how shabby you are.

There's no way you're part of the Clique.

Sir, Fucheng County is right ahead.

Once we're inside guard the four gates.

No one gets in or out.

Split into teams. Inspect all Inns, big or small.

Get out!

How dare you throw us out!

Wei Zhongxian must be inside that Inn.

Don't send out the signal.

There's no way the three of us...

can handle this on our own!

With us three getting this mission...

plenty of people must be jealous.

Zhang Ying is not happy either.

He might have placed moles among our men.

If he wants to jeopardize this mission!

Even our lives are at risk!

Are you trying to make sure...

that we get all the credit for this one?

Think it through, I mean it!

Lian... are you not fed up with this life?

We have no silver and no connections.

What we need is an opportunity, an opportunity...

to get on top!