Although Prince Zhu Di of Yan was appointed as a prince, he was stationed in the north to guard Yan territory. He has shown amazing perseverance and courage since childhood, and is the most outstanding among his brothers, but he missed the crown prince position because he is not the eldest son. After the unexpected death of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Zhu Yuanzhang established his grandson Zhu Yunwen. Zhu Di was forced to retreat by the fiefdoms and had no choice but to rise up in rebellion. After the four-year Jingnan Campaign, he finally took control of the capital. Zhu Di had the world, but he carried eternal fame and lost his beloved in his heart. Zhu Di used the latter half of his life's hard work to rewrite the history of the Ming Dynasty, built the Forbidden City, relocated the capital to Beijing, and launched five expeditions to the northern desert, compiling the "Yongle Encyclopedia" and dispatching Zheng He to the West, achieving immortal achievements. He passed away on his triumphant return journey during his last expedition to the north.
Kill them! Kill them!
My daughter.
Dad, if you must fight
with the army of Ming
I’ll kill myself in front of you.
My daughter, what are you doing?
I don’t want you die.
I don’t want him die too.
Dad, you gave birth to me and raised me up
which is a great kindness to me.
But he
saved my life just now.
I owe him a life.
You've been telling me
a man should be grateful
while have affection and faith.
I'll trade my life
for his right now.
Are you insane? My daughter.
Yes, I’m crazy.
If you still want me
to marry Hua Lazi
I’ll kill myself in front of you right now.
You!
Second in command, don’t do it.
Put the knife down.
Come here, come on.
Shut up.
Dad, you have
only one daughter
if you love me
then don’t fight with him.
We are all compatriots.
We are all Han people.
There is no point in fighting.
Commander in chief.
I’m sincere that
I don’t wanna launch wars in Yidu.
Dad, did you hear that?
Lord Yan didn’t wanna have battles with us.
Commander in chief, I respect you.
Like knows like
We don’t need to
have battles with each other.
You can also shake hands on the table
We are all Han People
we share the same bonds and bloods.
We are not enemies
Why we have to let
our guys kill each other.
You killed Man Yuan!
He asked for it.
He did many evil things
and killed
all the people within ten li of
Yanmen pass.
If you are willing to surrender to Ming dynasty
I’ll keep you and your guys safe.
They are still your guys.
And Yidu is still yours.
Ming dynasty will provide you military provisions
but you must follow my orders.
How can I trust you?
Na Chuha, the former Grand Commandant of Yuan
is your old friends, right?
So, you should know
how Ming dynasty treat him.
Dad, did you get what Lord Yan said?
The only thing we need to do is to surrender to Ming.
You are still the commander in chief.
Dad, think about our guys.
They must support their families.
We used to rob people
because we didn't have enough food.
Now the imperial court of Ming
is willing to support us.
Why not accept it?
Well, let me see.
Great!
I’m waiting for the good news
Now back away, my guys.
Back away!
Father-in-law, you can’t surrender.
Shut up!
Retreat!
Dad.
You made me
shame today.
Dad.
What do you want me
to tell the Mongols?
Nothing to tell.
Anyway, I’m not
into Hua Lazi.
I've been looking forward to
your breaking up with them.
In addition
think about it
saying goes
water flows low
man struggles upwards.
According to current situation
should we go over to the Ming dynasty
or try hard to please Yuan dynasty?
Please Yuan dynasty?
You make me marry Hua Lazi
is to please Yuan dynasty.
You!
Dad.
Zhu Di?
What?
Hua Lazi and Zhu Di
which one do you prefer
to be your son-in-law?
Aren’t you into Zhu Di?
Yes, I like him.
Why don’t you tell me before?
If you did
those unpleasant things with
Zhu Di would not have happened.
Dad.
So, in your mind
Zhu Di is not bad!
He is a man of valour
a man of power
a man of talent.
One day, if
Zhu Di becomes your son-in-law
then you will be more powerful
you don’t need to be afraid of the Ming dynasty.
My daughter.
You are so smart.
No.
I really like him.
Well, invite Zhu Di
to my camp for a drink tonight.
I’m going to have a nice dinner with him.
Great!
Everybody, drink please!
That’s great.
Lord Yan
May I?
Here’s to you.
The wine
should have been for my daughter’s wedding.
Thanks for your hospitality.
I didn't expect there was such a good wine
in this place.
I have heard
Lord Yan for so long time.
Today, as expected
You are extraordinary.
I thought it over
There are gains from
surrendering to the great Ming dynasty.
You can figure it out
is a good thing.
Now the Ming dynasty
is strong and peaceful.
If the you could submit to us
that's icing on the cake.
I will ask my father when I get back
to grant you as the Grand General of Mobei.
That’s great.
It is good of you to do it.
Me, Zhang Jiuguang
have been scolded as a bandit for decades.
Eventually, I can
be a dignified person
Great, commander in chief.
This is for you.
Please.
Lord Yan
Thanks to my daughter
that we can sit together to talk.
Yes.
She made undeniable contributions.
Uh-huh!
My daughter is good, right?
Not bad. So good.
You've come a long way
ruined my daughter’s wedding.
but again
it is the fate.
Is that right?
It is the destiny that
the god doesn’t want my daughter
to marry the bald Hua Lazi.
Today is a wonderful day
my daughter
is still a bride
but
the bridegroom should be changed.
If you don't mind
just be a bridegroom.
The wine
is for you the bridegroom.
Well.
Commander in chief.
What are you talking about?
I
fear nothing
but my daughter.
She's the apple of my eye.
I have handed over
all my resources to Ming dynasty.
So, I also would like to entrust my precious daughter
to Lord Yan.
well
you don’t like my girl
and don’t want to
be the bridegroom?
It’s not true. Commander in chief.
Be candid with you
I have a wife and children.
Your daughter is young and beautiful.
I’m so much older than her.
I'm afraid I will fail to live up to her expectation.
I'm sure your daughter
will find
a better husband.
In the world
where can I find
a man better than you?
I want to marry you.
Would you marry me?
Lord Yan
I am so sincere.
I have handed over all my resources
So, Lord Yan
you should also give me your reassurance in return.
As long as you
take good care of my daughter
I will do my best
for Ming dynasty.
Great!
You trust me.
Great!
Now the meal
is
is the wedding meal of you and my daughter.
Wait!
What’s up?
Commander in chief.
If I marry your daughter in this way
it is really unfair to her
and also disrespectful to you.
I will hold a formal wedding for her
when I return to Ming dynasty.
That will live up to
your sincerity.
Wonderful!
I'm relieved
to hear that.
Come on, drink.
Drink.
May I?
Your highness.
You don’t really want to
marry his daughter, don’t you?
If I refused him
he would not surrender to me.
Zhang Jiuguang is such a slippery guy.
He is to
establish a relation with you.
Brother Di.
This is my love token
I give it to you
You must keep it.
Lady Zhang
He is Lord Yan.
How could you call him brother!
Should be your highness, got it?
I will be his wife in the future
but not his subordinate.
Why should call him that way!
Brother Di
I know
you don’t want to marry me at present.
But one day I will let you
volunteer to ask me for marriage.
Lady Zhang
I’m much older than you.
Neither do I have a sense of humor
nor know how to please women.
Why you love me?
I don’t need you to please me.
I just like the person as you.
I’m your wife now.
I’ll be with you wherever you go.
Lady Zhang
In all my years
I've never seen
such a
shameless girl as you
Now
you see.
Anyway I
like brother Di
I’ll be with him wherever he goes.
Mr. Liu has been with me
for three months in palace
We had a good time.
It seems that you know me so much.
I’ll make special permit for you to return home
to enjoy your retired life.
Thanks, your Majesty!
This time
I’ll be a victim of my own cleverness
Dad, get up.
I will
serve you.
You don’t know.
Your father will die soon.
Dad,
aren't you all right?
In the imperial palace, I have drunk
with the emperor
for several times.
I know
that wine is toxic.
is toxic.
Dad, you drank the emperor’s toxic wine?
That is a kind of slow poison
at least one or two months
at most three or four months
it will kill me.
I know I will die soon
without possibility to survive.
Dad, you can’t leave me alone.
If the emperor wants his subjects die,
there’s no way for them to survive.
Although I am a commoner
Dad.
I’m also one of the emperor’s subjects.
Dad.
I’ll die in peace
at home.
Dad.
Dad.
Before Zhu Yuanzhang's death
He killed all the founders of Ming dynasty
such as Hu Weiyong, Li Shanchang, Li Wenzhong
Song Lian, Feng Sheng, Fu Youde
Liao Yongzhong, Xue Xiang, Liu Ji
Xu Da and so on in various ways
directly or secretly.
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Lord Yan won the war in Beimo
and returned with victory.
Well done! Well done!
He is indeed my fourth son.
It's been a long time since I heard
such a good news.
What we need at this moment
is a victory.
we need
such an exciting news
Congratulations, your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
Arise!
Thanks, my father.
My son
one more victory you’ve gotten.
Good job!
Outside of Yumen pass
We had several battles with Man Yuan
the Grand Commandant of Yuan dynasty
Later, I went deep into the desert
made Zhang Jiuguang surrender to us
in an easy manner.
You have defeated the main forces of Yuan dynasty
removed the troubles in our border areas.
without sacrificing a single soldier
you made Zhang Jiuguang surrender to us.
What a perfect performance!
Thanks for your praising, my father.
The Ming dynasty has such a Lord Yan as you
I’ll have no worries.
I will surely
live up to your expectation
safeguard our country
and let it be in peace.
If Yunwen
has such verve as you
I’ll be relaxed.
My fourth son
For so many years
you have never let me down
Tell me what prize you want?
I want Nothing
But you to be healthy
the Ming dynasty to be peaceful.
My son, you didn’t tell the truth.
Once again
What do you want?
My father
Please let Imperial Concubine Yun go.
I want nothing
but let her go.
Enough!
You and Yunwen are all the same.
My son
you really let me down.
My father.
Miaoyun and me truly love each other.
What the love deserves?
Can it compete with my country?
Can it
compete with the Ming dynasty?
you are all lost your heads
and bewitched.
Xu Miaoyun
is really a dangerous beauty.
She made the crown prince die before.
Now she made you and Yunwen
lose control
for her.
My father, it has nothing to do with her.
You still debate for her.
If you go on doing like that
you will lose your mind.
My grandson
does not live up to my expectation
and make me worry about him.
I was to
count on you.
But I have never thought
you would be so coward.
Your highness, how could you ask your father
to release Miaoyun!
The thing just had a favorable turn
but it went bad again.
Even if my father
has intention to throne me
the first thing I want to do
is to save Miaoyun.
But you failed to save her
while make your father angry with you.
What else?
Father
Brother Di made great contributions
in military expedition to Beimo
Why not
reward him?
As a Lord
Safeguarding our country
is his due responsibility.
I have handed over Guarding Seventeenth
to him
Let him take charge of military power of the north.
Not enough?
What else does he want?
But.
Stop it, brother Quan.
I just want to
debate for you.
Stop it please.
My father
Are you too strict
with brother Di.
Lord Ning
You two are in cahoots
ignore my precept.
You don’t
take me seriously.
No.
You had won several battles
So, you do think
you can challenge me?
Somebody!
Yes
Take Lord Ning away
and beat his butt for twenty times.
Got it.
My father
please
forgive brother Quan.
Take him away right now.
Father!
Father!
Do it right now.
Father!
Brother Di
I told you.
I just put some words for you
but our father is
so cruel to me.
Brother Di
What happened on the day
when you were back?
Father was pretty happy that
I thought he would dethrone Yunwen
then grant you as the crown prince.
What on earth happened?
Forget lt.
Brother Di.
Brother Di
Is someone killing a pig in the west of the palace?
So noisy!
You are a man
How could you shout out like this!
Who is this hoiden?
Me? A hoiden?
I will be brother Di’s
wife in the future.
Brother Di, is that true?
This is
the bandit’s daughter
You brought back from the desert!
A bandit’s daughter? Who you refer to?
You look down on me.
Such a man
as you
only a few beats on your butt
made you shout like a hog badger.
Shame of you!
Xixi, stop it.
Go back to your room.
Alright! Brother Di
I can take care of her.
You gotta be kidding me!
I was injured on my butt.
If it wasn’t me
then who will help you?
Miaoyu.
Lord Yan.
Miaoyu
Let me take a good look at you.
Lord Yan
Why you are back?
So, you won the war
and get back?
I’m sorry, Miaoyun.
I'm not even with you
after all this.
You're suffering.
You don't know
When I heard about you
I couldn't wait to
come back to your side.
Don’t worry
everything is ok!
How could I stop worrying about you!
Hong Xing has
told me everything.
I hate myself for not being able
but only yielding to
the majesty of my father
There's no way to fight against him.
I hate my father.
How could he torture you in this way!
It was because the incident of crown prince.
In your father’s mind
I'm an ominous woman.
Misfortune has followed me
since the day I entered the palace.
Do think in that way.
Lord Yan, promise me
that don’t fight against
your father for me.
I don’t want to get you involved.
I am able to suffer.
Miaoyun.
Your Majesty didn’t kill me
I should be blessing.
From the day the crown prince died
I was wondering
I should be blessing for
Every single day.
Miaoyun
There’s must be a way
to save you.
Even...
Even fight with your father?
Lord Yan, Loyalty and filial piety come first.
So, don’t do it
for me
I can’t let
you suffer but do nothing for you.
Do you know
How much I hate myself.
The day you became a bride
I helplessly saw you
being picked up by the bridal sedan chair.
Crown prince died
I can only helplessly
let you be a widow.
You suffer a lot here
but I can do nothing
to save you.
Maybe, it’s my destiny.
I can’t bear it.
Is god
so cruel?
Take you away from me
torture you
and still put into our chests
Knifes.
It was you
who encouraged me
Miaoyun, I don’t allow you to leave me alone.
I want you live.
You know it
if it is without you
I’ll become
a hopeless person.
I know, I know it.
You are the only reason that I’m still alive.
Even if I can’t see you
even you are far away from me
once I think of you
there’s strength
power
and hope in my heart.
Miaoyun.
Your Majesty!
Lord Yan has been back
for a period of time.
But there’s no signs that
he will go back to Beiping.
I think it is not so proper for him to go on staying here.
Lord Yan has powerful forces
If he continues staying at the capital
it will be bad for the stability here.
Not a good thing?
Then what do you think he is going to do?
Lord Yan has not been satisfied with you
for the pass-on of the throne
for a long time.
We think that
Lord Yan may intend to plot a rebellion.
I’m still alive.
He dares not to do it.
All of you, arise!
Thanks, your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
I fear that Lord Yan relies on his contributions
and takes advantage of his powerful forces
to follow the example of Xuanwu Gate Incident.
Don't you
want the world to be in order?
Do you think
my children and grandchildren
live an easy life?
We dare not.
Qi Tai
you even mentioned
the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
You want tell me Zhu Di will be the next Li Shimin
then who I am?
How can I rule the country
for so many years!
Your Majesty, I just tell the truth.
It is for the peace of the imperial court
and the stability of Ming dynasty
Calm down, Your Majesty!
I don't understand
Did he
offend you?
I overruled him
because I wanted to cut his comb.
I didn't expect that
you will kick him when he's down.
Your Majesty, please forgive our straightforwardness
We put forward our thoughts today
not for our selfness
but to preserve the royal legitimacy
to maintain the
the peace of imperial court.
Your Majesty, you have passed on the throne
to your grandson
we are sure to
be loyal to him
which is beneficial to both the country and the people.
Any threats to social stability
and any causes of civil strife
should be treated seriously.
If we fail to do it, it will be a misconduct.
Then we’ll feel guilty for your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
You have been back
for a period of time.
Yes.
If you don’t have anything else to do
go back to Beiping early.
My father
I have always been in wars outside.
There are few chances to get together with you
I came back with great difficulties this time
and you are ill
I’m so worried.
Take it easy.
I’m good
don’t worry!
I just want to be filial to you.
Safeguarding your land
is to be filial to me.
You keep staying here
There have been some disagreements in the court.
You know it, right?
Got it!
I will get back to Beiping tomorrow.
There’s only one Ming dynasty
the there’s should be only one emperor.
Of all my sons
you are the most excellent one
and the one I think highly of.
But the ethics and cardinal guides and constant virtues come first
Many things that I want do
are against those ethics, cardinal guide and constant virtue.
Hope you understand.
I know it.
Yunwen is not as talented as you
not as brave as you
but he is the first grandson of the emperor.
It is the fate.
He is kind, gentle and generous
Maybe he'll
never be a
hero like you in his whole life
But
he may be a good emperor
Implementing benevolent government to unify the whole country.
Keel down, my fourth son
You swear
before the tablets of the patriarchs
Promise me
after my death
support your nephew Yunwen
be Loyal to him
with your commitments.
I swear
I will put the Ming dynasty first
strictly abide by the code of conduct
support the new emperor
with my commitments.
Now you can pick up the cane
your grandpa has
taken out all the thorns on it.
Why you still dare not to pick it up?
Grandpa
I still dare not to pick it up
Whay?
Have you ever heard about a poem?
The new ghosts suffered a wrong and the old ghosts cried.
The mournful moans continue during the cold rain on an overcast day
You are minding your grandpa that
he killed too many people.
You did everything
For me.
Because of me
you became so cold-blooded.
You bastard! Pick it up.
Got it.
This my country.
I make it
peaceful
then I handed it to you
let you
be an emperor in an easy way.
Yes.
Thanks, grandpa.
But it is too hard to take.
This is
my grandson.
In the future
you must take good care of
the country and people.
I will strictly follow your instructions
exercising benevolent governance
bringing benefits to all people.
Yunwen
You are kind
tolerant and generous.
I really think highly of you
Don't think
that your grandpa wants to
be a cold-blood killer.
it is all for you.
Without those powerful ministers
then you can boldly carry out
your benevolent policies.
Grandpa
You have done
too many to me.
How can I pay back!
My grandson
The country is ours
Your grandpa should
do more.
But! Grandpa
You did all of those
your people may...
I killed countless people in my life
I don’t mind to kill more.
You will know
those issue
when you become an emperor.
I have to do it.
Got it.
Yunwen
Help me to walk outside.
The aging of men starts from their legs.
I know that I don’t have too much time left.
Grandpa
You will live a long life
a peaceful life in old age.
That’s good.
Your highness!
All the military provisions
have been prepared
we can set off early in the morning.
Great!
I must owe you my last life
Came to the capital
here and there
to be your nanny.
You are
the future wife of brother Di.
He said
I took the beating for him
then you must take care of me.
It hurts
don’t be so wild!
I’m a female bandit
If I wasn’t so wild
I would be bullied by you.
Oh, come on!
I have already injured on my butt
how can I bully you?
Anyway, you look down on me
not only did you
but also did brother Di despise me.
You are all bad guys!
I didn’t.
Get your head out of the clouds.
I want to marry brother Di
but those days
I greeted him with smiles
He always looked grave on his face
putting off his happiness.
Xixi
Don’t expect anything.
What are you talking about?
I will be his
wife in the future.
If he didn’t love me or treat me good
how could I live my life?
Well
why you are so stubborn?
I’ve told you
Brother Di
will not fall in love with you.
Am I not cute?
not beautiful?
not attractive?
You are beautiful, cute
and attractive
but you
are not
brother Di’s type.
So, he will not be into you.
You are making mischief.
You deserve it.
I tell the truth
brother Di
has already had his sweetheart
I think he will not fall in love with another girl
all his life.
You are a liar1
I’m not a liar.
Haven't you noticed that
he's been going somewhere lately.
His sweetheart
is over there.
So, be considerate
don't mess with him.
He suffered a lot.
What I should do?
I came to capital with him from so far
I...
Please don’t cry
You cried
I felt bad too.
How could you feel bad?
It seems that
I bullied you.
Please don’t cry.
Brother Di.
Brother Quan
You're just in time
I'm going back to Peiping tomorrow.
Why so hurry?
Father told me so.
And if I stay here
someone in court will
accuse me of deliberately plotting rebellion
How could father do this!
Brother Di
You just settled down here for a while.
Now you are leaving again.
I haven’t gone sightseeing here.
If you wanna stay here
then just stay here.
You don’t have to get back to Beiping with me.
What?
You're trying to get rid of me.
No
You did a good job
in taking care of brother Quan.
If you are willing to do me a favor
then keep doing it.
When he recovered
I will send my guys
to take you back.
Is it ok?
well
By the way
Marrying you is big issue.
I must go back to
negotiate with princess consort.
Is that right?
Yes!
Yes! For sure!
Xixi, just stay here!
If I can’t recover from the injured
brother Di
Will be guilty for the rest of his life.
Alright!
Miaoyun
I'd rather be locked up with you
than go out.
No, I don’t want to do that.
What is being brave all the time for?
I can't save the woman I love.
I can't take you away.
You have taken away my heart
my soul and all my thoughts.
Lord Yan
Even if it is the farewell tonight
Don't be sad
look back the happy day
we had.
What is this?
This is my hair.
Keep it.
Even if
I died one day
it will serve as my soul
to be with you.
I will not let you die
I’m going to get you out there.
We’ll go together tonight.
No. Lord Yan, don’t do it.
Lord Yan.
Open the door.
Please don’t do it.
Lord Yan, please don’t do it.
Calm down, your highness.
Lord Yan.
Go and report to your Majesty. Right now.
Lord Yan.
Lord Yan, please don’t do it.
Open the door.
Lord Yan.
Your highness.
It’s my fault. It’s my fault.
You're so nervous.
What are you going to do?
Lord Yan
wants to take Imperial Concubine Yun away.
What?
Arise and say
it again.
Lord Yan
is going to take Imperial Concubine Yun away
I must report it to your Majesty.
Don’t do it.
Take me to the prison. Hurry up.
Got it.
Don't do anything stupid for me.
Do you really want me
to become an ominous woman?
Are you going to make me feel guilty for the rest of my life?
I've lost my daddy
I don't want to lose you
You want me to submit to humiliation
What’s the point?
I’m a woman alone.
Death is not to be regretted for me.
But you have your place
my elder sister
my two young nephews.
I can't go with you
I can't die with you
Forget me.
No.
Forget me, please.
Miaoyun.
Back off!
Don’t tell anybody
what happened today.
Did you get it?
Yes.
Uncle Di, take care of yourself.
It will be no use to take care of myself.
My sweetheart
is suffering here.
I have risked my life to safeguard the Ming dynasty
been loyal to my father
But what have I gotten?
I can't even protect
my sweetheart.
I don’t want the throne
land, or military power.
The only thing I want is my sweetheart.
Please
let her go.
I can pay any price to get her back.
Please!
Uncle Di.
I have no idea too.
It’s grandpa’s decision.
Aren’t you the emperor’s grandson?
Aren’t you the emperor in the future?
The Ming dynasty
will be yours in the future.
Please let her go. Please
I’m begging you.
Stop pushing me, Uncle Di.
I also want yo
release my aunt
but at present
I have no idea.
Do you know
If I lose you
the life for me will be doomed.
I really thought myself incompetent.
It was me.
It’s my fault.
I’m sorry.
I had a hard time meeting you
Why the things would go in this way? Why?
My heart is breaking.
I’m sorry, Miaoyun.
I promise you I’ll be good.
Take good care of yourself.
Promise me.
I was really scared
I don't want anything bad happen to you
I promise you.
when I’m not here
please
take care of your aunt
protect her.
Are you understand?
Uncle Di
I promise you. I promise you.
Goodbye, Miaoyun.
Who are you?
How dare you to enter the imperial palace at night!
None of your business.
Hurry! Hurry!
Hurry up!
Music