The Wartime Post 1942 (2026) Movie Script
When's the handout startin'?
We've been standing here forever.
Yeah.
God bless you.
God bless you.
Thanks.
God bless you.
Come on, come on.
God bless you.
Thanks.
God bless you.
God
Bless.
Didn't you already get yours?
Two more won't hurt.
Yeah.
We've been standing here ages.
Stop fooling around.
We take this very seriously.
Man, we're done coming here.
God, where are my eggs?
Well...
Lately,
there's been bandits stirrin'
up trouble on Erlong Mountain.
Bandits?
Never heard of that.
I set up this militia
to keep you folks safe.
So,
folks,
you gotta chip in.
We expect a little
contribution for your own safety.
Never heard of that.
And if anyone gets smart with us,
don't blame us if the bandits show up
and we didn't give you a heads-up.
Gotta pay sooner or later anyway.
Sir, will this do?
Let me see what's in here.
You think you're dealing
with some beggars here?
Get lost!
Note down Li Youneng's name.
Got it.
Thanks, sir.
Sir,
will my rice do? Look...
Man Cang, mark him down.
Okay, noted.
Will this do?
Will this work?
Gou Sheng, add his name.
Thanks, sir.
These bandits nowadays.
Don't even look human anymore.
I ain't heard of any bandits around here.
Hu Zhongyi's probably
making the whole thing up to extort goods.
Write down all the names.
Write it down.
Noted.
Ok.
Xiwang!
You three, hold up.
Alright everyone,
break it up.
Dudes, where you goin'?
Suanpan's dad's going into labor.
We're headin' over to check.
Exactly.
Wait.
You think I'm stupid?
So,
a man gives birth.
You are really something.
Have you three paid your protection fee?
What protection fee?
Haven't you heard about the bandits?
Holy shit!
That's horrible.
Are you three messin' with me?
What's this?
Let go!
Let go!
Let go!
You guys show some respect!
Easy there.
Hair's all messed up.
Well, sir...
Serves you right.
Those people who gave you stuff.
They're all tenants farmin' our land.
You think
they really need your protection?
Militia, huh?
If it weren't for me,
who'd give you the time of day?
Up and down this whole village,
everyone thinks you're an idiot!
I ain't a fool.
It's 'cause you won't buy me a real gun.
Yang San from the next village.
He's a translator for the Japs.
He's got a real gun.
And look how tough he is.
He's a traitor.
Why compare yourself to a traitor?
Plus,
why'd you have to mess
with those three thugs.
Of all people?
Who's badmouthin' me?
Bro,
what if we get caught?
Relax.
Didn't I teach you the invisibility trick?
This... doesn't seem right.
What's not right about it?
That jerk smashed our eggs.
What's wrong with takin'
a few sweet potatoes?
My dad says
stealin's wrong.
Is this stealin'?
This is robbin'.
Robbin'.
A robber with honor.
Enough.
Let's go.
GoGo.
Bro.
This.
Try somewhere else.
Keep goin'.
Who's there?
Stay still.
Who's there?
Invisibility trick.
Quick!
Suanpan.
Quick!
Grab that wooden board.
Who's there?
That's weird.
Keep goin'.
Make it quick!
Bro, this one.
Holy smokes!
Landlord's sweet potatoes are no joke.
See the shape?
The color.
The quality.
Oh, cut it out.
Move your ass!
Stealing, huh?
You better grab some too,
or the old man watchin' the field'll.
Damn, this landlord's
loaded with sweet potatoes!
You little brats!
You're outta line!
Stop!
Sir!
Don't worry about me.
I'll carry you!
Take the secret letter.
Get outta here.
Get on my back.
Go!
Sir!
Never let the Japs get
hold of this letter, ever!
-Go!
-Sir!
Nothing hereKeep chasin'.
Yes.
You little rascals!
Stop!
Stop chasin' already.
C'mon, you're just a field watchman.
Why take it this seriously?
Stop right there, you little punks!
Quit chasing us!
Freeze!
He fired!
What're you standin' there for?
Run! Run!
Major.
My apologies.
Only one got caught.
The other got away.
Did you find the letter?
No, sir.
I know,
you are a fine soldier.
But,
staying alive matters more.
Tell me.
Where's the secret letter goin'?
Who's it for?
I'll give you the best medical treatment.
Go tell your grandma.
You're so dead!
Send more troops. Search the whole town!
This landlord is no joke.
Even the field watchman's armed!
All over a few sweet potatoes,
he was shooting at us!
Just a wild guess.
Could it be the legendary
ginseng
sweet potato fruit,
which blooms once every
three thousand years,
bears fruit once every
three thousand years,
and grants you immortality
when eaten?
Cut the crap!
Are they done?
Let me see.
Good to go!
Quick!
Here you go, bro.
Hey there!
Stolen food always tastes better! "Hey
there" and "tastes better" sound alike..
Tell me about it.
Do you guys...
Do you hear that?
Hear what?
Hey there!
Hey there!
Oh dear!
It...
It must've smelled our food!
It's treatin' these as
sacrificial offerings.
Give it all, give it all.
Told you it's ginseng sweet potato fruit.
Shut up! You brought this on us!
That one, It's raw.
No offense intended, sir.
Two are still raw.
We were in a hurry,
didn't cook 'em through.
You can cook 'em with your powers.
You'd definitely cook faster than us.
Yeah, Yeah.
Forgive us for trespassing on your land.
Maybe we should go.
Go!
Folks...
Don't go.
We want to go,
but we can't.
Don't go.
Help me.
Folks...
Folks...
Help...
Over here.
Go.
Everyone stand still.
Line up.
Stay calm.
Sir.
Sir, please.
Move aside, move!
Sir,
everyone's here.
Move.
Last night,
a wartime postal worker
fled into this village.
We need your cooperation, guys.
If you spot anyone
suspicious carryin' letters,
contact us immediately.
The Jap...
The Japanese Army say,
they're lookin' for a wounded
wartime postal worker
with a letter on him.
Postal worker? Letter?
What letter?
We, the Imperial Army, are here for
the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity.
We ask for your full cooperation.
Anyone who finds that man,
will be offered a bounty.
Five hundred silver dollars.
Find the postal worker who
delivered the letter, and you get paid.
Don't know.
Don't know. Never heard of it.
Please don't be afraid.
We won't harm anyone.
Hmm.
That sir said so much,
yet you barely translate anything.
Do you even know how?
Are you a traitor?
Nothing is written down here.
Stop pretending!
What're you lookin' at?
Come on, everyone, come take a look.
Come on.
Catch an Eighth Route Army man,
get five hundred silver dollars.
Officer,
I'm the captain of our village militia.
My name's Hu Zhongyi.
Well,
the bounty ain't really my concern.
It's just
our militia ain't got a real gun.
Didn't the sir say once the job's done,
we'd get five hundred?
I'd only keep fifty for myself.
The rest is for you two.
You're a smart one, dude.
Listen,
you can count on me.
As long as you find him,
I will personally put in a request
to issue you a real gun.
Can't believe he's a wartime postal worker.
And one worth five hundred silver dollars.
What's a wartime postal worker?
I heard they deliver letters
for the Eighth Route Army.
Deliver letters?
Hands off!
So hot.
We can't leave him like this.
Go get help.
Yep. The more, the better.
We will stand guard here.
More? What for?
Ain't we tradin' him for money?
Have you lost your mind?
You wanna be a traitor?
Gou'er, go get your dad.
My dad could't help out.
He's only a vet.
Can't treat him like he's livestock!
Treat a dying horse as best we can!
I don't trust anyone else right now,
go!
What?
One thousand silver dollars?
That's money well spent.
Look,
we raise the bounty to one thousand.
As long as we find that guy and the letter,
the Japs give us back five hundred.
The other five hundred is basically
you buyin' your son a government post.
Wait a minute, so you're saying,
I pay money so my son can become a traitor?
Exactly!
C'mere.
For God's sake!
Can't believe you'd want to be a traitor!
You little rascal!
How dare you!
How is he doing, sir?
Well,
I'm afraid he's not gonna make it.
Right now,
he's holdin' on by a single breath.
Gou'er!
Come home with me.
Let's go.
I ain't leavin'.
What're you foolin' around with them for?
Come home with me.
Leave me alone!
You go on without me.
Don't make me drag you back!
Sir,
I'm afraid you'll have to
make your own way back.
Folks...
This thing,
must never fall into the Japs' hands.
Take it to...
Take it to...
Take it where?
Get outta here!
Uncle,
it's me.
Young miss!
Suanpan,
we should make him a grave marker.
Wait,
what's his name?
Tell me about it.
A blank tombstone's worse than none at all.
The Japs will just smash it anyway.
We don't even know his name.
We just met by chance.
This is all we can do for him.
What about this satchel?
Leave it here.
He traded his life for this.
Aren't you curious what's inside?
What's there to see?
There is.
The Japs put a huge bounty on it.
There's gotta be treasure inside.
What do you mean?
I promised him
I'd never hand it over to the Japs.
I'd never be a traitor!
C'mon, bro.
If it's that important,
we're doin' a good deed.
Shouldn't we get a little cut?
Tell me about it.
Just a little share!
Shut your mouths!
C'mon,
after all this time with me,
you've learned nothing.
Just a tiny share?
I won't even look at it.
If I'd known it was just a piece of paper,
I never would've bothered.
I can't believe you.
Clutchin' a piece of paper so tight.
Someone must've swiped the real one.
Cut that nonsense.
Secret underground organization?
Didn't I send you away to get an education?
Why get mixed up in all this?
I'm sorry, Dad.
Can't explain everything right now.
I'll tell you all about it later.
So...
This...
This is our Station Chief.
Fang Jincheng.
How big a post is station chief?
Got a gun?
Can you stop messin' around?
Sir,
actually, we came this
time to ask for your help.
My help?
Dad,
we're here
to look for someone.
They got something
extremely important on them.
So we'll have to trouble you.
Dear God,
will you just cut me some slack?
A son
bent on betraying his country
and a daughter
who never stops causing trouble?
Wait.
Where you goin'?
You're gonna find that
flunky guy, aren't you?
Didn't you hear?
They might also be
hunting that secret letter.
And it's high level military stuff.
Jesus,
that's your own sister!
Calm down, please.
Calm down.
It's fine.
Dad,
you just mentioned the bounty.
They say a wartime postal
worker is hiding in our village.
The Japs want to catch him
and find the secret letter.
That blockhead!
Only yesterday he begged me for money,
to put up a bounty to catch the man
and be a traitor.
He offered even more than the Japs did.
I beat him half to death for that.
I may be a bit stingy,
but I'd never be a traitor.
And I won't let my son be one either.
What's so bad about being a traitor?
Hu Zhongyi!
Listen up.
If you dare be a traitor,
you're screwed.
All you want is money, right?
I can give you money.
Plenty more of it.
But,
that letter must never
fall into the Japs' hands.
Sweetie,
you got this, don't you?
Fine.
Give me the money then.
What?
You're actually funding
him to side with the Japs!
Shame on you!
C'mon.
Go bigger or go home.
I'm meant for big things!
Attention,
everyone!
Listen up,
folks!
To support my militia
and the Japs,
my old man, Hu Baotian,
has offered a thousand
silver dollars as reward.
Whoever finds the postal
worker and the secret letter,
come to my place to pick up your bounty!
That little rascal.
Let go of me!
Sir.
I could kill him.
Sir,
hold your temper.
Have a seat.
That little rascal.
Can't believe that old jerk
became a traitor too.
Bro,
wanna beat him up again tonight?
A thousand silver dollars!
That could build a
hundred tile-roofed houses.
Also,
my sister Hu Yu has come back home.
As the saying goes, a girl must
marry when she comes of age.
Whoever gives us clues,
and claims the reward,
gets to marry my sister as well!
Really?
You have my word.
I heard Miss Hu is gorgeous.
Yeah, I heard that too.
It really is her.
I thought she's studying abroad!
When'd she get back?
She really is gorgeous.
Tell me about it.
Break it up.
Stay alert.
Watch for anyone suspicious.
Let's go.
Everyone, break it up.
-Bro!
-What're you doin', bro?
Come on.
Go.
What're you starin' at?
Could build lots of houses.
Is everything alright, sis?
Keep a close watch,
you hear me?
Fine, fine.
Get back inside.
What's actually written in here?
So many people fightin' over it.
Doesn't matter.
It means everything to me.
Hundreds of acres of land,
and big tile roof houses!
Big houses sound great!
Wait, wait,
we promised him
we'd never hand it over.
What're you doin'?
We can't go back on our word.
That man's traded his life for this.
You're one to talk!
Forgot what you were like?
Search the satchel!
Apart from us three,
has anyone else seen this letter?
No.
Everyone's desperate for it,
yet no one actually
knows what's written inside.
Why don't we make a fake one?
Suanpan,
you copy the envelope.
Gou'er,
you go find ink, brush, and materials.
I'll carve the seal.
Holy shit!
Stop, you little brat! Put that down!
What about the contents?
What's written here?
Thirty-one.
One.
Two.
Nine.
Sixteen.
It's all numbers.
Can't you read?
I only know numbers.
Isn't this a waste of time?
Gou'er, go get your dad's prescription.
Who cares what it is.
As long as there's words on it,
good enough to puzzle the Japs.
What's your dad brewin' here?
Foxglove, codonopsis root.
This is obviously for drinkin'.
To boost vitality.
Aren't you afraid of burning your tongue?
There are dregs in it.
Dad,
that medicine for cattle pregnancy care
was drunk by a dog.
Guess I'll have to brew another one.
Suanpan,
you handle the writing on these two copies.
Why make two?
One for the Japs,
one for the Hu family.
We play both sides.
Done.
What do you want?
Major,
this really is the wartime postal seal.
Where's the guy who gave you the letter?
Waitin' outside.
He's the captain of Gejia Village militia.
He wants a real gun from us.
Oh, that idiot,
I remember him.
Epimedium.
Angelica.
Motherwort.
These are all Chinese herbal medicines.
Could it be their code?
Take a look at this.
That's hilarious.
It's just a lousy prescription,
not some fancy code.
Yet they're putting on a whole show!
A bunch of morons.
Someone must be messin' with us.
Youkill the messenger.
Wait.
Whoever forged this letter
must have seen the real one.
You,
go bring the messenger here.
Sir, that guy's here.
Sir.
Officer.
Don't be afraid.
Come here.
We won't hurt you.
Tell me.
How'd you get that letter?
It's Xiwang.
Xiwang from our village.
He said this is the
secret letter you wanted.
He told me to come get the bounty.
Once I get paid,
I gotta give him a hundred silver dollars.
Xiwang?
Yes.
I heard
you want a gun.
Not anymore.
Not anymore.
Come.
Come here.
You've done a great job!
Look,
here is your reward.
Don't be afraid.
Lead us
to Xiwang.
You won't regret cooperating with us.
Wipe out Gejia Village.
If you fail to find the secret letter,
kill all!
Yes sir!
Raze Gejia Village to the ground!
Leave no survivors!
Yes sir!
Please.
Hit the road!
How can I help you?
You said this is a fake one.
The seal looks pretty close though.
But the forgery marks are quite obvious.
Look,
there's another piece of paper with it.
Bro, no offense,
can she even understand
that love letter you wrote?
Why wouldn't she?
Look how detailed my drawing is!
You gotta use your imagination.
Hu Yu,
that guy's coming straight for your house!
Look,
pretty decent drawing, huh?
This landlord's mansion is huge!
Impressive.
Really impressive.
Even fancier than county government hall!
Incredible style.
Even the threshold's fancy.
Look at you.
All wide-eyed like a country bumpkin!
This ain't even a big deal!
Once I marry the gorgeous,
I'll build one even bigger!
Complete with style,
grand halls, fancy doorways,
all of it.
Listen up, when we meet her later...
Did you bring the letter?
Sure.
Hello. Hu Yu.
Suanpan.
Gou'er.
This letter.
Where'd you get it?
We saved a man.
Covered in blood.
A bloody mess from head to toe.
After he gave us this,
he wasn't doin' well.
You mean he passed away?
We buried him.
We don't even know his name.
Poor soul.
Tell me about it.
Yes.
Where did you put the real letter?
You mean the real...?
Well,
this is exactly
what we got.
Right?
Yeah, yeah, this is all he gave us.
Gentlemen,
this letter means a lot to us.
We're counting on it to win the war.
How important can a single letter be?
It's all about the drawing inside.
The Japs...
Young miss! Emergency!
The Japs...
Uncle Wang!
Uncle Wang!
Dad!
Dad!
Search this place!
Top to bottom!
Every corner!
Where's the secret letter?
Go to hell, Japs!
Go to hell!
Folks.
It's okay. Don't be afraid.
Hand over the postal worker,
or you'll all die.
Ready.
Fire!
Dad!
Dad!
Major, my apologies.
We lost some men.
The secret letter's still not found.
There's definitely a
postal worker hidin' here.
Send more men.
Yes sir.
This
is what war is supposed to look like.
You like it?
Son of a bitch.
Keep searching!
Find the postal worker
and the secret letter.
Yes sir.
We just saw them run this way.
Search thoroughly!
You go check over there.
Yes sir.
Nothing found on my side.
Idiots! Search more carefully!
Check over here again.
Yes sir.
What's that sound?
Search properly!
Is it a rat?
Let's go.
Yes sir.
This letter.
We've got to get it out fast.
The village will definitely be surrounded
by the Japs.
Forcing our way out won't work now.
We can only wait for the right chance.
So we just sit here waitin'?
The Japs are here
all because of the letter I delivered.
I got the villagers killed.
I'm gonna avenge them.
You afraid to die?
We ain't.
Gou'er, Suanpan.
Let's go.
Where are you going?
Hold your horses.
Everyone has loved-ones back home.
My father,
my younger brother,
all my family,
they are all down the mountain.
We all want to save people,
want to fight the Japs.
But how many can we save by goin' now?
Can we drive the Japs outta China?
As long as this letter reaches Yan'an,
we can make the Japs pay
for the thousands of villagers
who died.
So their blood
won't be shed in vain.
Alright, that's pretty much all.
Go!
Someone's there.
Run!
Over here!
Asshole!
Charge!
The rest of you, follow close behind!
Go!
Move it.
Xiwang, you guys fall back now!
Come with me, quick!
Quick!
Move!
Go, go, go!
You run first!
Quick! Run!
Sir!
Hurry, Sir!
I'm fine, Hu Yu.
Retreat! Now!
Go!
We go together!
Get them all!
Search!
Go!
Go.
It's all your fault.
If you hadn't been so reckless,
none of this would've happened.
It's okay.
No more blaming now.
The priority now
is gettin' the letter delivered.
Hu Yu,
you must get the letter there.
Only then
can the dead villagers rest in peace.
Only then can we drive the Japs out.
Protect the letter
at all costs!
Don't you worry.
Even if we have to crawl,
we'll get it delivered.
We'll definitely make it.
Yes.
We won't let you down.
Great.
Great.
Great.
Sir.
Sir.
Sir.
Sir.
This way.
Hurry.
Yes sir!
No!
Please, no!
Japs are here!
Quick!
Quick!
Attention!
Get up, quick!
Sir, please, after you.
After you.
Please.
Wait.
Sir.
Motorcycle.
Motorcycle.
Please.
Motorcycle.
Sir,
twist this, step on the gear.
Sir,
looks like they've left.
Dammit!
Dammit!
Dammit!
Dammit!
Fellow-villagers!
This disaster is all my fault.
I, Xiwang, swear to heaven,
I will avenge every one of you!
When I come back,
I'll tear those Japs to pieces.
I regret not dying
fighting the Japanese foe,
Leaving today's shame to bear and know.
When all the jackals are slain and done,
I'll tell the women and
children at the gravewe won.
Where do we go next?
West.
First, find a way outta Shandong.
Then through Hebei to Shanxi.
Finally we reach Shaanxi,
Yan'an.
What's wrong, bro?
Dammit!
Outta gas.
We're outta gas.
No way!
What do we do now?
We barely escaped the wolf's den.
If the Japs catch up, we're dead meat!
Shut your jinx mouth!
This road's on the back mountain.
The Japs won't know it.
Hold on!
This mountain's mine, I cleared the land.
This tree's mine, I planted it by hand.
If you mean to pass on through,
Pay the tollthat's what you do.
Shoo!
Kiddo,
get lost!
Ain't got time to play.
How dare you!
Got a death wish?
Wanna die?
Little girl,
where're your parents?
Don't touch my head!
What are you waving that fake toy for?
Pretty heavy. Does it even fire?
Of course it can't.
I knew it the second I picked it up.
And she's still tryin' to scare...
Freeze.
Don't move.
We're on the same side.
Scumbags.
Got a death wish?
Messin' with our second-in-command!
Second-in-command!
It's Chief!
The chief's back!
The chief's back!
Chief!
Move!
Move!
Go!
Quick!
Get down!
Bro,
I've been dying for
such a motorcycle.
You like it?
Just say the word.
Wait for me to blow up
the Japs' headquarters
and get you whatever you want.
You better keep your word.
You bet!
Chief.
What do we do with those Japs?
Check if they've got
anything valuable on 'em.
And if they don't?
Nice.
Shoot 'em.
Got it.
Don't touch me!
This Jap's got some attitude.
Speaks Chinese pretty well too.
Don't touch me!
Let her go!
It's a woman.
Who did this?
Major,
we just found
four of our men's bodies in the village.
Also, today.
Go ahead.
Yes sir!
Today four people wearin' Japanese uniforms
stole a motorcycle
and rushed outta town.
Major,
could they be the postal
workers escortin' the secret letter?
Very likely.
Also, several bodies
were found in the village.
It must have something to
do with last night's ambush.
Kameda!
Yes!
Take an elite squad. Go after them!
I want them dead before
they get outta Shandong.
Understood?
Understood!
That's a secret letter.
You can't open it.
Xing'er,
this is from that woman?
Yes.
Bro.
Yes?
Are they
the bandits Hu Zhongyi talked about?
What do we do, bro?
Relax.
Let me deal with them first.
Okay.
You must be the chief, Xue Er.
What about it?
Heard of me?
Of course!
You recognize me?
More than that.
I've long admired you.
Your portrait's at the village entrance.
What an honor
to finally meet the great one in the flesh.
You exceed all expectations!
Exactly!
Yes, yes!
Chief,
you've got the look of a
man destined for greatness.
For miles around everyone
knows you're a great hearted man.
You spare prisoners you capture.
Good taste indeed.
Open your mouth.
Open your mouth.
Cut out their tongues.
No, no, no!
Hold on!
Stay away from him.
Come at me.
Did I say anything wrong?
Please, Second-in-command!
Will you cut us some slack, Chief?
Please,
Chief.
Look at him.
"Destined for greatness."
Liar.
You little Japs.
You've got the nerve to talk?
We're not Japs.
Look, our country's in crisis,
and you bandits holed up on a mountain,
bullyin' the people.
Still feeling so good about yourself, huh?
Oh, c'mon. Mind your own business.
Have you ever killed Japs?
Sure.
You are with the Eighth Route Army?
Keep the woman.
Shoot the rest.
No, no, no!
Hold on!
We've all killed Japs!
All of us!
Exactly!
We all have!
Her and him.
They can stay.
These two look suspicious.
Take 'em out and shoot 'em.
Please, please no!
I told you!
Don't you lay a finger on my bro.
Come at me.
Wait a sec.
We're just farmers!
Exactly. We are farmers!
Where'd you get the Jap uniforms?
Well,
we stripped 'em off the Japs.
They're wearing these
to help me,
to escort me outta town.
What do you farmers stand to gain?
We...
Gold bars.
Right! Gold bars!
Bro,
that letter is no ordinary thing.
How so?
It's an important item of
the Eighth Route Army.
Worth ten gold bars!
We're just trying to deliver the letter
and earn our payoff.
Uh, Chief,
if you let all of us go,
once we deliver the letter
and get the gold bars,
you can have all of them.
All of them.
Exactly.
Report!
Found lots of footprints.
Major,
up ahead is Erlong Mountain.
They're probably
hiding in the bandits' den.
Kameda.
Form up.
Head straight for Erlong Mountain.
On it!
Move out!
They might be working
with the wartime post.
We might as well set them free.
Our second-in-command shows mercy.
I'll spare your lives for now.
But,
if you dare double cross us,
I'll blow your brains out.
Alright, Untie them!
Chief! Trouble!
We've got a problem!
The Japs are stormin' our stronghold!
What about us?
Untie them!
Yes sir!
Quick!
Chief,
can't hold them off!
Bro,
we need to go!
A man who runs away
lives to fight another day.
Let's go!
Hurry!
Go!
Run!
Major!
Still no sign of the letter.
Several guys just fled in the chaos.
They can't have gone far.
Keep chasing!
Step up the hunt!
Burn this place to the ground!
Leave no survivors!
Yes sir!
Those Japanese bastards!
How dare they!
May I be damned
if I don't make them pay in blood!
Can't wait any longer.
Everybody!
Follow me to blow up the
Japanese headquarters!
Avenge our fallen brothers!
Avenge them!
With just these few men,
you wanna blow up their headquarters?
You wanna lead your men to their deaths?
Shut up!
Easy, easy, bro.
Didn't you always tell me,
while there's life,
there's hope?
Sit down first.
We've got nothing left.
There's no way I'm letting this slide!
Ain't there still ten gold bars?
Ten gold bars?
What are you talking about?
Where'd ten gold bars come from?
The letter!
Where's the letter?
The letter!
Right.
Here you are!
If we deliver this letter
to the Eighth Route Army,
don't we get ten gold bars?
With gold bars,
we can rebuild our forces!
Then we can get our revenge!
That makes good sense.
Pull yourselves together, men!
Listen up!
I'm gonna rebuild our forces!
Let's hit the road!
Deliver the letter!
Get the gold bars!
We're all heading out together.
Why do they get to ride horses
while we walk?
C'mon, real man,
what's the big deal?
Here, take this.
Hey.
The letter's still in their hands.
We gotta get it back first.
This freaking walking
is killing me!
Tell me about it!
You're gonna tire us to death.
Why do you get to ride horses,
and we just trudge along behind?
Bro, I ain't walkin' anymore.
Are you really wartime postal workers?
Of course I am.
We are part of the resistance too.
So where's this letter goin'?
First from Shandong through Hebei,
then Shanxi,
and finally
to Yan'an.
Rest assured.
With me and Xue Er,
we'll get the letter delivered for sure.
How's it taste?
Not as sweet as stolen ones.
Bro,
you alright?
If you hadn't run your mouth,
I wouldn't be suffering like this!
I don't see
what's so good about horse-riding.
It ain't tired.
Zip it!
Enough.
These bandits ain't half bad actually.
They really mean to
help us deliver the letter.
Can you believe a word they say?
Done.
Thanks.
I've got an idea.
I'll sneak the letter away
when I get the chance,
and we'll slip off.
Even if we leave first,
we must not drag them into danger.
Bandit lives matter too.
So many of their folks have died.
Besides,
with so many of them,
if they run into Japs on the road,
it'll be hard for them to get away.
What's there to fear?
This path's well hidden.
Hardly anyone knows about it but us.
Exactly.
Second-in-command's got a point.
Uh, Second-in-command,
we're all in the same boat now.
Can I ride a horse tomorrow?
I feel like you're messing with me.
Bro.
Hold on!
What's wrong, Xing'er?
Nothing.
That sweet potato was way too sweet.
You guys better treat her well!
You bet!
Fine.
Walking is just fine by me.
What are you up to?
The long night, you know,
I thought he could use some soothing.
Get back over there.
He's asleep.
Did you get it?
Get what? Go to sleep.
Everyone, take out your belongings.
Imperial Army routine inspection.
Especially any letters or dispatches!
No hidin' anything.
Come here.
Got anything?
Quick.
No. Move along.
You folks back there!
Come here.
Empty your pockets!
It's my family letter, sir.
Idiot!
Sir,
I'm an innocent civilian!
See that?
Hand everything over,
or you'll end up just like him!
Imperial Army routine inspection.
Especially any letters or dispatches!
No hidin' anything.
Hear me?
Come over here, hurry!
Scumbags!
Looks like
the back road's our only option.
Let's go.
Go.
Dead end. What now?
Chief.
When's this gonna end?
Chief.
I don't wanna walk anymore.
I wanna go home.
No way.
Can't walk anymore.
Can't walk anymore.
Get up.
I'm not moving.
Beat me and I still won't go.
Suanpan,
we've made it this far.
If you quit now,
all our suffering was for nothing!
I ain't a postal worker.
Why am I putting myself through this?
What are you talking about, Suanpan?
Remember your oath
back when we left Gejia Village?
We promised to avenge our fellow villagers.
Get up.
Cut the big talk heroics.
Seriously?
Like anyone's gonna buy that.
Go play hero by yourself!
You shouldn't say that. Get up.
Let go of me.
Did I say something wrong?
I'm just an ordinary person.
All I ever wanted was to live.
What's so important about a stupid letter?
I'm done with this!
Get on your feet!
Stand up!
I said I quit!
Can't you hear me?
Say that one more time!
What's your problem, Xiwang?
What is it?
I quit!
Didn't you hear me?
Fine I said it!
One more time!
I'm saying it.
Enough, cut it out.
Enough, cut it out.
Just stop arguing.
What's all the shouting about?
Finished your little tantrum?
How old are you all?
Still bickering like little kids?
Bro.
I'm here.
Let's go.
Gou'er.
Let's move out.
Come on, let's go.
Keep chasin'.
Yes sir!
Charge!
Over there!
Spotted them!
Damn it!
Damn it! Where did they go?
Look over there!
Thanks.
I need a rest.
Just a short rest.
Bro.
He's not gonna make it, bro.
Let me see.
Stay awake, don't fall asleep!
Is there any water left?
Xing'er!
Xing'er!
Xing'er!
Xue Er,
Come here quick!
Xing'er's not doin' well.
Xing'er!
How u feeling?
Don't scare me like that!
You hear me?
I'm alright.
I'll be fine after a little rest.
She hasn't eaten properly for days,
plus she got soaked in the rain,
and caught a bad chill.
We can't keep going like this.
We've barely eaten for days.
At this rate,
we'll all starve to death out here.
I'll go look
for anything we can eat.
I'll go.
Bro,
you have some rest.
Be careful.
Got it.
Don't just stand there watching!
Go along and help search!
You'll be fine.
Here!
Found him!
Xue Er,
why's Xing'er the second in command?
Years ago,
malaria broke out in our stronghold.
When Xing'er's dad went up
the mountain to gather herbs,
Japanese soldiers forced
him to tend to their wounded.
He refused to comply,
and was brutally murdered by the Japs.
Don't let her age fool you.
After her dad passed,
she was all on her own.
Every day before dawn,
she'd go up the mountain to gather herbs,
searching everywhere,
nursing us one by one.
In the end,
she pulled us all back
from the jaws of death.
So...
You go search the area.
Yes sir!
Hungry?
Just tell me where the others are,
and this
is yours.
Tryin' to get info outta me?
You wish.
Stay still.
We can't move.
You Japs!
Damn you to hell!
Hold your nerve.
We don't have enough guns.
Suanpan is risking his neck covering us.
Keep searchin'.
They must be nearby.
Right away, sir!
Xing'er!
Do you still remember
when we were kids,
we used to play hide-and-seek
on the back mountain?
You'd hide, I'd seek.
I remember.
Well,
why'd you always pick on me?
You think I'm really dumb, don't you?
Yeah.
You were never that bright.
Bro.
I'm so tired.
I wanna sleep.
You can't sleep.
You can't sleep.
Xing'er.
Hang in there.
Hang in there, will you?
We haven't even had our fun yet.
Hang in there.
Miss,
this letter's for you.
Bro.
Bro.
I'm here, Xing'er.
Bro,
promise me.
Get them out.
I guess.
I won't be able to
keep you company anymore.
You
you must be joking, right?
Say something!
You know what, your actin'
ain't convincing this time.
Playin' with me, huh?
See? She's playin' with me.
She loved playin' since she was little.
Xing'er.
Xing'er.
Enjoy your meal.
Let's dig in.
Help yourself.
Enjoy you meal.
Once you're past this town,
the Japs shouldn't be able to catch up.
Xue Er.
Those gold bars...
I swear I'll...
You really think I'm dumb?
You're fightin' the Japs.
You're doin' great things, savin' people.
The Eighth Route Army's money.
I won't take a single cent.
If not for money,
what're you in this for?
Back then, Xing'er gathered herbs
up in the mountains to save our lives.
Grab my hand!
That postal worker saved Xing'er's life,
which means he saved us all.
I'll repay that debt
no matter what.
This is the postal secret letter.
I heard their village was just massacred.
Delivering messages must be
terribly hard for them right now.
Why don't we join them in the delivery?
Xing'er could read.
She told me
this letter
stands for the hope
of millions in Shandong.
This meal today
is my send-off for you.
And also for my guys,
for Xing'er,
for Suanpan.
Cheers!
Horses are ready for you.
Ride them.
Guess I'll have to
stop here.
Once you're past that checkpoint,
Hebei's right ahead.
Good luck out there.
Thank you.
Why don't you join us,
fighting the Japs,
instead of going back to your stronghold?
I'd like that.
Never mind.
My background ain't clean.
I'm just gonna be a trouble.
You're not.
Never mind.
You're just a bunch of poor folks.
Haven't done anythin' bad.
Let's go.
Let's fight the Japs together.
Alright.
I'll go back to my stronghold
and bury my guys first.
Let's meet in Yan'an.
Great!
Go!
Go!
Quick!
Let's go!
Bro, go!
I got this!
Bro!
Don't worry about me.
Gou'er.
Gou'er!
Gou'er!
Hurry! Hurry!
Hurry!
Hu Yu.
Hu Yu.
Hu Yu!
Hang in there.
I'll get you.
Xiwang.
This letter.
You must.
No more talking, Hu Yu.
Hang on a little longer.
I'll get you.
Xiwang.
That love letter you drew for me.
I never got to answer it.
If there's a next life,
no more drawing, okay?
Ain't exactly a masterpiece.
Learn to write.
I will.
I will.
This letter.
You must.
Must get it delivered.
Hu Yu!
Hu Yu!
Hu Yu!
Commissar.
Come in.
A comrade from Shandong is outside.
He brought a secret letter.
This document came just in time.
Shandong's resistance
deployment and organization.
It's all in here.
The link between Shandong and Yan'an
is finally restored.
And the comrade, where is he?
Waitin' outside.
Doesn't look good though.
Xiwang.
Xiwang!
Come here!
This letter's of utmost importance.
You gotta deliver it safe and sound.
Yes sir!
We've been standing here forever.
Yeah.
God bless you.
God bless you.
Thanks.
God bless you.
Come on, come on.
God bless you.
Thanks.
God bless you.
God
Bless.
Didn't you already get yours?
Two more won't hurt.
Yeah.
We've been standing here ages.
Stop fooling around.
We take this very seriously.
Man, we're done coming here.
God, where are my eggs?
Well...
Lately,
there's been bandits stirrin'
up trouble on Erlong Mountain.
Bandits?
Never heard of that.
I set up this militia
to keep you folks safe.
So,
folks,
you gotta chip in.
We expect a little
contribution for your own safety.
Never heard of that.
And if anyone gets smart with us,
don't blame us if the bandits show up
and we didn't give you a heads-up.
Gotta pay sooner or later anyway.
Sir, will this do?
Let me see what's in here.
You think you're dealing
with some beggars here?
Get lost!
Note down Li Youneng's name.
Got it.
Thanks, sir.
Sir,
will my rice do? Look...
Man Cang, mark him down.
Okay, noted.
Will this do?
Will this work?
Gou Sheng, add his name.
Thanks, sir.
These bandits nowadays.
Don't even look human anymore.
I ain't heard of any bandits around here.
Hu Zhongyi's probably
making the whole thing up to extort goods.
Write down all the names.
Write it down.
Noted.
Ok.
Xiwang!
You three, hold up.
Alright everyone,
break it up.
Dudes, where you goin'?
Suanpan's dad's going into labor.
We're headin' over to check.
Exactly.
Wait.
You think I'm stupid?
So,
a man gives birth.
You are really something.
Have you three paid your protection fee?
What protection fee?
Haven't you heard about the bandits?
Holy shit!
That's horrible.
Are you three messin' with me?
What's this?
Let go!
Let go!
Let go!
You guys show some respect!
Easy there.
Hair's all messed up.
Well, sir...
Serves you right.
Those people who gave you stuff.
They're all tenants farmin' our land.
You think
they really need your protection?
Militia, huh?
If it weren't for me,
who'd give you the time of day?
Up and down this whole village,
everyone thinks you're an idiot!
I ain't a fool.
It's 'cause you won't buy me a real gun.
Yang San from the next village.
He's a translator for the Japs.
He's got a real gun.
And look how tough he is.
He's a traitor.
Why compare yourself to a traitor?
Plus,
why'd you have to mess
with those three thugs.
Of all people?
Who's badmouthin' me?
Bro,
what if we get caught?
Relax.
Didn't I teach you the invisibility trick?
This... doesn't seem right.
What's not right about it?
That jerk smashed our eggs.
What's wrong with takin'
a few sweet potatoes?
My dad says
stealin's wrong.
Is this stealin'?
This is robbin'.
Robbin'.
A robber with honor.
Enough.
Let's go.
GoGo.
Bro.
This.
Try somewhere else.
Keep goin'.
Who's there?
Stay still.
Who's there?
Invisibility trick.
Quick!
Suanpan.
Quick!
Grab that wooden board.
Who's there?
That's weird.
Keep goin'.
Make it quick!
Bro, this one.
Holy smokes!
Landlord's sweet potatoes are no joke.
See the shape?
The color.
The quality.
Oh, cut it out.
Move your ass!
Stealing, huh?
You better grab some too,
or the old man watchin' the field'll.
Damn, this landlord's
loaded with sweet potatoes!
You little brats!
You're outta line!
Stop!
Sir!
Don't worry about me.
I'll carry you!
Take the secret letter.
Get outta here.
Get on my back.
Go!
Sir!
Never let the Japs get
hold of this letter, ever!
-Go!
-Sir!
Nothing hereKeep chasin'.
Yes.
You little rascals!
Stop!
Stop chasin' already.
C'mon, you're just a field watchman.
Why take it this seriously?
Stop right there, you little punks!
Quit chasing us!
Freeze!
He fired!
What're you standin' there for?
Run! Run!
Major.
My apologies.
Only one got caught.
The other got away.
Did you find the letter?
No, sir.
I know,
you are a fine soldier.
But,
staying alive matters more.
Tell me.
Where's the secret letter goin'?
Who's it for?
I'll give you the best medical treatment.
Go tell your grandma.
You're so dead!
Send more troops. Search the whole town!
This landlord is no joke.
Even the field watchman's armed!
All over a few sweet potatoes,
he was shooting at us!
Just a wild guess.
Could it be the legendary
ginseng
sweet potato fruit,
which blooms once every
three thousand years,
bears fruit once every
three thousand years,
and grants you immortality
when eaten?
Cut the crap!
Are they done?
Let me see.
Good to go!
Quick!
Here you go, bro.
Hey there!
Stolen food always tastes better! "Hey
there" and "tastes better" sound alike..
Tell me about it.
Do you guys...
Do you hear that?
Hear what?
Hey there!
Hey there!
Oh dear!
It...
It must've smelled our food!
It's treatin' these as
sacrificial offerings.
Give it all, give it all.
Told you it's ginseng sweet potato fruit.
Shut up! You brought this on us!
That one, It's raw.
No offense intended, sir.
Two are still raw.
We were in a hurry,
didn't cook 'em through.
You can cook 'em with your powers.
You'd definitely cook faster than us.
Yeah, Yeah.
Forgive us for trespassing on your land.
Maybe we should go.
Go!
Folks...
Don't go.
We want to go,
but we can't.
Don't go.
Help me.
Folks...
Folks...
Help...
Over here.
Go.
Everyone stand still.
Line up.
Stay calm.
Sir.
Sir, please.
Move aside, move!
Sir,
everyone's here.
Move.
Last night,
a wartime postal worker
fled into this village.
We need your cooperation, guys.
If you spot anyone
suspicious carryin' letters,
contact us immediately.
The Jap...
The Japanese Army say,
they're lookin' for a wounded
wartime postal worker
with a letter on him.
Postal worker? Letter?
What letter?
We, the Imperial Army, are here for
the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity.
We ask for your full cooperation.
Anyone who finds that man,
will be offered a bounty.
Five hundred silver dollars.
Find the postal worker who
delivered the letter, and you get paid.
Don't know.
Don't know. Never heard of it.
Please don't be afraid.
We won't harm anyone.
Hmm.
That sir said so much,
yet you barely translate anything.
Do you even know how?
Are you a traitor?
Nothing is written down here.
Stop pretending!
What're you lookin' at?
Come on, everyone, come take a look.
Come on.
Catch an Eighth Route Army man,
get five hundred silver dollars.
Officer,
I'm the captain of our village militia.
My name's Hu Zhongyi.
Well,
the bounty ain't really my concern.
It's just
our militia ain't got a real gun.
Didn't the sir say once the job's done,
we'd get five hundred?
I'd only keep fifty for myself.
The rest is for you two.
You're a smart one, dude.
Listen,
you can count on me.
As long as you find him,
I will personally put in a request
to issue you a real gun.
Can't believe he's a wartime postal worker.
And one worth five hundred silver dollars.
What's a wartime postal worker?
I heard they deliver letters
for the Eighth Route Army.
Deliver letters?
Hands off!
So hot.
We can't leave him like this.
Go get help.
Yep. The more, the better.
We will stand guard here.
More? What for?
Ain't we tradin' him for money?
Have you lost your mind?
You wanna be a traitor?
Gou'er, go get your dad.
My dad could't help out.
He's only a vet.
Can't treat him like he's livestock!
Treat a dying horse as best we can!
I don't trust anyone else right now,
go!
What?
One thousand silver dollars?
That's money well spent.
Look,
we raise the bounty to one thousand.
As long as we find that guy and the letter,
the Japs give us back five hundred.
The other five hundred is basically
you buyin' your son a government post.
Wait a minute, so you're saying,
I pay money so my son can become a traitor?
Exactly!
C'mere.
For God's sake!
Can't believe you'd want to be a traitor!
You little rascal!
How dare you!
How is he doing, sir?
Well,
I'm afraid he's not gonna make it.
Right now,
he's holdin' on by a single breath.
Gou'er!
Come home with me.
Let's go.
I ain't leavin'.
What're you foolin' around with them for?
Come home with me.
Leave me alone!
You go on without me.
Don't make me drag you back!
Sir,
I'm afraid you'll have to
make your own way back.
Folks...
This thing,
must never fall into the Japs' hands.
Take it to...
Take it to...
Take it where?
Get outta here!
Uncle,
it's me.
Young miss!
Suanpan,
we should make him a grave marker.
Wait,
what's his name?
Tell me about it.
A blank tombstone's worse than none at all.
The Japs will just smash it anyway.
We don't even know his name.
We just met by chance.
This is all we can do for him.
What about this satchel?
Leave it here.
He traded his life for this.
Aren't you curious what's inside?
What's there to see?
There is.
The Japs put a huge bounty on it.
There's gotta be treasure inside.
What do you mean?
I promised him
I'd never hand it over to the Japs.
I'd never be a traitor!
C'mon, bro.
If it's that important,
we're doin' a good deed.
Shouldn't we get a little cut?
Tell me about it.
Just a little share!
Shut your mouths!
C'mon,
after all this time with me,
you've learned nothing.
Just a tiny share?
I won't even look at it.
If I'd known it was just a piece of paper,
I never would've bothered.
I can't believe you.
Clutchin' a piece of paper so tight.
Someone must've swiped the real one.
Cut that nonsense.
Secret underground organization?
Didn't I send you away to get an education?
Why get mixed up in all this?
I'm sorry, Dad.
Can't explain everything right now.
I'll tell you all about it later.
So...
This...
This is our Station Chief.
Fang Jincheng.
How big a post is station chief?
Got a gun?
Can you stop messin' around?
Sir,
actually, we came this
time to ask for your help.
My help?
Dad,
we're here
to look for someone.
They got something
extremely important on them.
So we'll have to trouble you.
Dear God,
will you just cut me some slack?
A son
bent on betraying his country
and a daughter
who never stops causing trouble?
Wait.
Where you goin'?
You're gonna find that
flunky guy, aren't you?
Didn't you hear?
They might also be
hunting that secret letter.
And it's high level military stuff.
Jesus,
that's your own sister!
Calm down, please.
Calm down.
It's fine.
Dad,
you just mentioned the bounty.
They say a wartime postal
worker is hiding in our village.
The Japs want to catch him
and find the secret letter.
That blockhead!
Only yesterday he begged me for money,
to put up a bounty to catch the man
and be a traitor.
He offered even more than the Japs did.
I beat him half to death for that.
I may be a bit stingy,
but I'd never be a traitor.
And I won't let my son be one either.
What's so bad about being a traitor?
Hu Zhongyi!
Listen up.
If you dare be a traitor,
you're screwed.
All you want is money, right?
I can give you money.
Plenty more of it.
But,
that letter must never
fall into the Japs' hands.
Sweetie,
you got this, don't you?
Fine.
Give me the money then.
What?
You're actually funding
him to side with the Japs!
Shame on you!
C'mon.
Go bigger or go home.
I'm meant for big things!
Attention,
everyone!
Listen up,
folks!
To support my militia
and the Japs,
my old man, Hu Baotian,
has offered a thousand
silver dollars as reward.
Whoever finds the postal
worker and the secret letter,
come to my place to pick up your bounty!
That little rascal.
Let go of me!
Sir.
I could kill him.
Sir,
hold your temper.
Have a seat.
That little rascal.
Can't believe that old jerk
became a traitor too.
Bro,
wanna beat him up again tonight?
A thousand silver dollars!
That could build a
hundred tile-roofed houses.
Also,
my sister Hu Yu has come back home.
As the saying goes, a girl must
marry when she comes of age.
Whoever gives us clues,
and claims the reward,
gets to marry my sister as well!
Really?
You have my word.
I heard Miss Hu is gorgeous.
Yeah, I heard that too.
It really is her.
I thought she's studying abroad!
When'd she get back?
She really is gorgeous.
Tell me about it.
Break it up.
Stay alert.
Watch for anyone suspicious.
Let's go.
Everyone, break it up.
-Bro!
-What're you doin', bro?
Come on.
Go.
What're you starin' at?
Could build lots of houses.
Is everything alright, sis?
Keep a close watch,
you hear me?
Fine, fine.
Get back inside.
What's actually written in here?
So many people fightin' over it.
Doesn't matter.
It means everything to me.
Hundreds of acres of land,
and big tile roof houses!
Big houses sound great!
Wait, wait,
we promised him
we'd never hand it over.
What're you doin'?
We can't go back on our word.
That man's traded his life for this.
You're one to talk!
Forgot what you were like?
Search the satchel!
Apart from us three,
has anyone else seen this letter?
No.
Everyone's desperate for it,
yet no one actually
knows what's written inside.
Why don't we make a fake one?
Suanpan,
you copy the envelope.
Gou'er,
you go find ink, brush, and materials.
I'll carve the seal.
Holy shit!
Stop, you little brat! Put that down!
What about the contents?
What's written here?
Thirty-one.
One.
Two.
Nine.
Sixteen.
It's all numbers.
Can't you read?
I only know numbers.
Isn't this a waste of time?
Gou'er, go get your dad's prescription.
Who cares what it is.
As long as there's words on it,
good enough to puzzle the Japs.
What's your dad brewin' here?
Foxglove, codonopsis root.
This is obviously for drinkin'.
To boost vitality.
Aren't you afraid of burning your tongue?
There are dregs in it.
Dad,
that medicine for cattle pregnancy care
was drunk by a dog.
Guess I'll have to brew another one.
Suanpan,
you handle the writing on these two copies.
Why make two?
One for the Japs,
one for the Hu family.
We play both sides.
Done.
What do you want?
Major,
this really is the wartime postal seal.
Where's the guy who gave you the letter?
Waitin' outside.
He's the captain of Gejia Village militia.
He wants a real gun from us.
Oh, that idiot,
I remember him.
Epimedium.
Angelica.
Motherwort.
These are all Chinese herbal medicines.
Could it be their code?
Take a look at this.
That's hilarious.
It's just a lousy prescription,
not some fancy code.
Yet they're putting on a whole show!
A bunch of morons.
Someone must be messin' with us.
Youkill the messenger.
Wait.
Whoever forged this letter
must have seen the real one.
You,
go bring the messenger here.
Sir, that guy's here.
Sir.
Officer.
Don't be afraid.
Come here.
We won't hurt you.
Tell me.
How'd you get that letter?
It's Xiwang.
Xiwang from our village.
He said this is the
secret letter you wanted.
He told me to come get the bounty.
Once I get paid,
I gotta give him a hundred silver dollars.
Xiwang?
Yes.
I heard
you want a gun.
Not anymore.
Not anymore.
Come.
Come here.
You've done a great job!
Look,
here is your reward.
Don't be afraid.
Lead us
to Xiwang.
You won't regret cooperating with us.
Wipe out Gejia Village.
If you fail to find the secret letter,
kill all!
Yes sir!
Raze Gejia Village to the ground!
Leave no survivors!
Yes sir!
Please.
Hit the road!
How can I help you?
You said this is a fake one.
The seal looks pretty close though.
But the forgery marks are quite obvious.
Look,
there's another piece of paper with it.
Bro, no offense,
can she even understand
that love letter you wrote?
Why wouldn't she?
Look how detailed my drawing is!
You gotta use your imagination.
Hu Yu,
that guy's coming straight for your house!
Look,
pretty decent drawing, huh?
This landlord's mansion is huge!
Impressive.
Really impressive.
Even fancier than county government hall!
Incredible style.
Even the threshold's fancy.
Look at you.
All wide-eyed like a country bumpkin!
This ain't even a big deal!
Once I marry the gorgeous,
I'll build one even bigger!
Complete with style,
grand halls, fancy doorways,
all of it.
Listen up, when we meet her later...
Did you bring the letter?
Sure.
Hello. Hu Yu.
Suanpan.
Gou'er.
This letter.
Where'd you get it?
We saved a man.
Covered in blood.
A bloody mess from head to toe.
After he gave us this,
he wasn't doin' well.
You mean he passed away?
We buried him.
We don't even know his name.
Poor soul.
Tell me about it.
Yes.
Where did you put the real letter?
You mean the real...?
Well,
this is exactly
what we got.
Right?
Yeah, yeah, this is all he gave us.
Gentlemen,
this letter means a lot to us.
We're counting on it to win the war.
How important can a single letter be?
It's all about the drawing inside.
The Japs...
Young miss! Emergency!
The Japs...
Uncle Wang!
Uncle Wang!
Dad!
Dad!
Search this place!
Top to bottom!
Every corner!
Where's the secret letter?
Go to hell, Japs!
Go to hell!
Folks.
It's okay. Don't be afraid.
Hand over the postal worker,
or you'll all die.
Ready.
Fire!
Dad!
Dad!
Major, my apologies.
We lost some men.
The secret letter's still not found.
There's definitely a
postal worker hidin' here.
Send more men.
Yes sir.
This
is what war is supposed to look like.
You like it?
Son of a bitch.
Keep searching!
Find the postal worker
and the secret letter.
Yes sir.
We just saw them run this way.
Search thoroughly!
You go check over there.
Yes sir.
Nothing found on my side.
Idiots! Search more carefully!
Check over here again.
Yes sir.
What's that sound?
Search properly!
Is it a rat?
Let's go.
Yes sir.
This letter.
We've got to get it out fast.
The village will definitely be surrounded
by the Japs.
Forcing our way out won't work now.
We can only wait for the right chance.
So we just sit here waitin'?
The Japs are here
all because of the letter I delivered.
I got the villagers killed.
I'm gonna avenge them.
You afraid to die?
We ain't.
Gou'er, Suanpan.
Let's go.
Where are you going?
Hold your horses.
Everyone has loved-ones back home.
My father,
my younger brother,
all my family,
they are all down the mountain.
We all want to save people,
want to fight the Japs.
But how many can we save by goin' now?
Can we drive the Japs outta China?
As long as this letter reaches Yan'an,
we can make the Japs pay
for the thousands of villagers
who died.
So their blood
won't be shed in vain.
Alright, that's pretty much all.
Go!
Someone's there.
Run!
Over here!
Asshole!
Charge!
The rest of you, follow close behind!
Go!
Move it.
Xiwang, you guys fall back now!
Come with me, quick!
Quick!
Move!
Go, go, go!
You run first!
Quick! Run!
Sir!
Hurry, Sir!
I'm fine, Hu Yu.
Retreat! Now!
Go!
We go together!
Get them all!
Search!
Go!
Go.
It's all your fault.
If you hadn't been so reckless,
none of this would've happened.
It's okay.
No more blaming now.
The priority now
is gettin' the letter delivered.
Hu Yu,
you must get the letter there.
Only then
can the dead villagers rest in peace.
Only then can we drive the Japs out.
Protect the letter
at all costs!
Don't you worry.
Even if we have to crawl,
we'll get it delivered.
We'll definitely make it.
Yes.
We won't let you down.
Great.
Great.
Great.
Sir.
Sir.
Sir.
Sir.
This way.
Hurry.
Yes sir!
No!
Please, no!
Japs are here!
Quick!
Quick!
Attention!
Get up, quick!
Sir, please, after you.
After you.
Please.
Wait.
Sir.
Motorcycle.
Motorcycle.
Please.
Motorcycle.
Sir,
twist this, step on the gear.
Sir,
looks like they've left.
Dammit!
Dammit!
Dammit!
Dammit!
Fellow-villagers!
This disaster is all my fault.
I, Xiwang, swear to heaven,
I will avenge every one of you!
When I come back,
I'll tear those Japs to pieces.
I regret not dying
fighting the Japanese foe,
Leaving today's shame to bear and know.
When all the jackals are slain and done,
I'll tell the women and
children at the gravewe won.
Where do we go next?
West.
First, find a way outta Shandong.
Then through Hebei to Shanxi.
Finally we reach Shaanxi,
Yan'an.
What's wrong, bro?
Dammit!
Outta gas.
We're outta gas.
No way!
What do we do now?
We barely escaped the wolf's den.
If the Japs catch up, we're dead meat!
Shut your jinx mouth!
This road's on the back mountain.
The Japs won't know it.
Hold on!
This mountain's mine, I cleared the land.
This tree's mine, I planted it by hand.
If you mean to pass on through,
Pay the tollthat's what you do.
Shoo!
Kiddo,
get lost!
Ain't got time to play.
How dare you!
Got a death wish?
Wanna die?
Little girl,
where're your parents?
Don't touch my head!
What are you waving that fake toy for?
Pretty heavy. Does it even fire?
Of course it can't.
I knew it the second I picked it up.
And she's still tryin' to scare...
Freeze.
Don't move.
We're on the same side.
Scumbags.
Got a death wish?
Messin' with our second-in-command!
Second-in-command!
It's Chief!
The chief's back!
The chief's back!
Chief!
Move!
Move!
Go!
Quick!
Get down!
Bro,
I've been dying for
such a motorcycle.
You like it?
Just say the word.
Wait for me to blow up
the Japs' headquarters
and get you whatever you want.
You better keep your word.
You bet!
Chief.
What do we do with those Japs?
Check if they've got
anything valuable on 'em.
And if they don't?
Nice.
Shoot 'em.
Got it.
Don't touch me!
This Jap's got some attitude.
Speaks Chinese pretty well too.
Don't touch me!
Let her go!
It's a woman.
Who did this?
Major,
we just found
four of our men's bodies in the village.
Also, today.
Go ahead.
Yes sir!
Today four people wearin' Japanese uniforms
stole a motorcycle
and rushed outta town.
Major,
could they be the postal
workers escortin' the secret letter?
Very likely.
Also, several bodies
were found in the village.
It must have something to
do with last night's ambush.
Kameda!
Yes!
Take an elite squad. Go after them!
I want them dead before
they get outta Shandong.
Understood?
Understood!
That's a secret letter.
You can't open it.
Xing'er,
this is from that woman?
Yes.
Bro.
Yes?
Are they
the bandits Hu Zhongyi talked about?
What do we do, bro?
Relax.
Let me deal with them first.
Okay.
You must be the chief, Xue Er.
What about it?
Heard of me?
Of course!
You recognize me?
More than that.
I've long admired you.
Your portrait's at the village entrance.
What an honor
to finally meet the great one in the flesh.
You exceed all expectations!
Exactly!
Yes, yes!
Chief,
you've got the look of a
man destined for greatness.
For miles around everyone
knows you're a great hearted man.
You spare prisoners you capture.
Good taste indeed.
Open your mouth.
Open your mouth.
Cut out their tongues.
No, no, no!
Hold on!
Stay away from him.
Come at me.
Did I say anything wrong?
Please, Second-in-command!
Will you cut us some slack, Chief?
Please,
Chief.
Look at him.
"Destined for greatness."
Liar.
You little Japs.
You've got the nerve to talk?
We're not Japs.
Look, our country's in crisis,
and you bandits holed up on a mountain,
bullyin' the people.
Still feeling so good about yourself, huh?
Oh, c'mon. Mind your own business.
Have you ever killed Japs?
Sure.
You are with the Eighth Route Army?
Keep the woman.
Shoot the rest.
No, no, no!
Hold on!
We've all killed Japs!
All of us!
Exactly!
We all have!
Her and him.
They can stay.
These two look suspicious.
Take 'em out and shoot 'em.
Please, please no!
I told you!
Don't you lay a finger on my bro.
Come at me.
Wait a sec.
We're just farmers!
Exactly. We are farmers!
Where'd you get the Jap uniforms?
Well,
we stripped 'em off the Japs.
They're wearing these
to help me,
to escort me outta town.
What do you farmers stand to gain?
We...
Gold bars.
Right! Gold bars!
Bro,
that letter is no ordinary thing.
How so?
It's an important item of
the Eighth Route Army.
Worth ten gold bars!
We're just trying to deliver the letter
and earn our payoff.
Uh, Chief,
if you let all of us go,
once we deliver the letter
and get the gold bars,
you can have all of them.
All of them.
Exactly.
Report!
Found lots of footprints.
Major,
up ahead is Erlong Mountain.
They're probably
hiding in the bandits' den.
Kameda.
Form up.
Head straight for Erlong Mountain.
On it!
Move out!
They might be working
with the wartime post.
We might as well set them free.
Our second-in-command shows mercy.
I'll spare your lives for now.
But,
if you dare double cross us,
I'll blow your brains out.
Alright, Untie them!
Chief! Trouble!
We've got a problem!
The Japs are stormin' our stronghold!
What about us?
Untie them!
Yes sir!
Quick!
Chief,
can't hold them off!
Bro,
we need to go!
A man who runs away
lives to fight another day.
Let's go!
Hurry!
Go!
Run!
Major!
Still no sign of the letter.
Several guys just fled in the chaos.
They can't have gone far.
Keep chasing!
Step up the hunt!
Burn this place to the ground!
Leave no survivors!
Yes sir!
Those Japanese bastards!
How dare they!
May I be damned
if I don't make them pay in blood!
Can't wait any longer.
Everybody!
Follow me to blow up the
Japanese headquarters!
Avenge our fallen brothers!
Avenge them!
With just these few men,
you wanna blow up their headquarters?
You wanna lead your men to their deaths?
Shut up!
Easy, easy, bro.
Didn't you always tell me,
while there's life,
there's hope?
Sit down first.
We've got nothing left.
There's no way I'm letting this slide!
Ain't there still ten gold bars?
Ten gold bars?
What are you talking about?
Where'd ten gold bars come from?
The letter!
Where's the letter?
The letter!
Right.
Here you are!
If we deliver this letter
to the Eighth Route Army,
don't we get ten gold bars?
With gold bars,
we can rebuild our forces!
Then we can get our revenge!
That makes good sense.
Pull yourselves together, men!
Listen up!
I'm gonna rebuild our forces!
Let's hit the road!
Deliver the letter!
Get the gold bars!
We're all heading out together.
Why do they get to ride horses
while we walk?
C'mon, real man,
what's the big deal?
Here, take this.
Hey.
The letter's still in their hands.
We gotta get it back first.
This freaking walking
is killing me!
Tell me about it!
You're gonna tire us to death.
Why do you get to ride horses,
and we just trudge along behind?
Bro, I ain't walkin' anymore.
Are you really wartime postal workers?
Of course I am.
We are part of the resistance too.
So where's this letter goin'?
First from Shandong through Hebei,
then Shanxi,
and finally
to Yan'an.
Rest assured.
With me and Xue Er,
we'll get the letter delivered for sure.
How's it taste?
Not as sweet as stolen ones.
Bro,
you alright?
If you hadn't run your mouth,
I wouldn't be suffering like this!
I don't see
what's so good about horse-riding.
It ain't tired.
Zip it!
Enough.
These bandits ain't half bad actually.
They really mean to
help us deliver the letter.
Can you believe a word they say?
Done.
Thanks.
I've got an idea.
I'll sneak the letter away
when I get the chance,
and we'll slip off.
Even if we leave first,
we must not drag them into danger.
Bandit lives matter too.
So many of their folks have died.
Besides,
with so many of them,
if they run into Japs on the road,
it'll be hard for them to get away.
What's there to fear?
This path's well hidden.
Hardly anyone knows about it but us.
Exactly.
Second-in-command's got a point.
Uh, Second-in-command,
we're all in the same boat now.
Can I ride a horse tomorrow?
I feel like you're messing with me.
Bro.
Hold on!
What's wrong, Xing'er?
Nothing.
That sweet potato was way too sweet.
You guys better treat her well!
You bet!
Fine.
Walking is just fine by me.
What are you up to?
The long night, you know,
I thought he could use some soothing.
Get back over there.
He's asleep.
Did you get it?
Get what? Go to sleep.
Everyone, take out your belongings.
Imperial Army routine inspection.
Especially any letters or dispatches!
No hidin' anything.
Come here.
Got anything?
Quick.
No. Move along.
You folks back there!
Come here.
Empty your pockets!
It's my family letter, sir.
Idiot!
Sir,
I'm an innocent civilian!
See that?
Hand everything over,
or you'll end up just like him!
Imperial Army routine inspection.
Especially any letters or dispatches!
No hidin' anything.
Hear me?
Come over here, hurry!
Scumbags!
Looks like
the back road's our only option.
Let's go.
Go.
Dead end. What now?
Chief.
When's this gonna end?
Chief.
I don't wanna walk anymore.
I wanna go home.
No way.
Can't walk anymore.
Can't walk anymore.
Get up.
I'm not moving.
Beat me and I still won't go.
Suanpan,
we've made it this far.
If you quit now,
all our suffering was for nothing!
I ain't a postal worker.
Why am I putting myself through this?
What are you talking about, Suanpan?
Remember your oath
back when we left Gejia Village?
We promised to avenge our fellow villagers.
Get up.
Cut the big talk heroics.
Seriously?
Like anyone's gonna buy that.
Go play hero by yourself!
You shouldn't say that. Get up.
Let go of me.
Did I say something wrong?
I'm just an ordinary person.
All I ever wanted was to live.
What's so important about a stupid letter?
I'm done with this!
Get on your feet!
Stand up!
I said I quit!
Can't you hear me?
Say that one more time!
What's your problem, Xiwang?
What is it?
I quit!
Didn't you hear me?
Fine I said it!
One more time!
I'm saying it.
Enough, cut it out.
Enough, cut it out.
Just stop arguing.
What's all the shouting about?
Finished your little tantrum?
How old are you all?
Still bickering like little kids?
Bro.
I'm here.
Let's go.
Gou'er.
Let's move out.
Come on, let's go.
Keep chasin'.
Yes sir!
Charge!
Over there!
Spotted them!
Damn it!
Damn it! Where did they go?
Look over there!
Thanks.
I need a rest.
Just a short rest.
Bro.
He's not gonna make it, bro.
Let me see.
Stay awake, don't fall asleep!
Is there any water left?
Xing'er!
Xing'er!
Xing'er!
Xue Er,
Come here quick!
Xing'er's not doin' well.
Xing'er!
How u feeling?
Don't scare me like that!
You hear me?
I'm alright.
I'll be fine after a little rest.
She hasn't eaten properly for days,
plus she got soaked in the rain,
and caught a bad chill.
We can't keep going like this.
We've barely eaten for days.
At this rate,
we'll all starve to death out here.
I'll go look
for anything we can eat.
I'll go.
Bro,
you have some rest.
Be careful.
Got it.
Don't just stand there watching!
Go along and help search!
You'll be fine.
Here!
Found him!
Xue Er,
why's Xing'er the second in command?
Years ago,
malaria broke out in our stronghold.
When Xing'er's dad went up
the mountain to gather herbs,
Japanese soldiers forced
him to tend to their wounded.
He refused to comply,
and was brutally murdered by the Japs.
Don't let her age fool you.
After her dad passed,
she was all on her own.
Every day before dawn,
she'd go up the mountain to gather herbs,
searching everywhere,
nursing us one by one.
In the end,
she pulled us all back
from the jaws of death.
So...
You go search the area.
Yes sir!
Hungry?
Just tell me where the others are,
and this
is yours.
Tryin' to get info outta me?
You wish.
Stay still.
We can't move.
You Japs!
Damn you to hell!
Hold your nerve.
We don't have enough guns.
Suanpan is risking his neck covering us.
Keep searchin'.
They must be nearby.
Right away, sir!
Xing'er!
Do you still remember
when we were kids,
we used to play hide-and-seek
on the back mountain?
You'd hide, I'd seek.
I remember.
Well,
why'd you always pick on me?
You think I'm really dumb, don't you?
Yeah.
You were never that bright.
Bro.
I'm so tired.
I wanna sleep.
You can't sleep.
You can't sleep.
Xing'er.
Hang in there.
Hang in there, will you?
We haven't even had our fun yet.
Hang in there.
Miss,
this letter's for you.
Bro.
Bro.
I'm here, Xing'er.
Bro,
promise me.
Get them out.
I guess.
I won't be able to
keep you company anymore.
You
you must be joking, right?
Say something!
You know what, your actin'
ain't convincing this time.
Playin' with me, huh?
See? She's playin' with me.
She loved playin' since she was little.
Xing'er.
Xing'er.
Enjoy your meal.
Let's dig in.
Help yourself.
Enjoy you meal.
Once you're past this town,
the Japs shouldn't be able to catch up.
Xue Er.
Those gold bars...
I swear I'll...
You really think I'm dumb?
You're fightin' the Japs.
You're doin' great things, savin' people.
The Eighth Route Army's money.
I won't take a single cent.
If not for money,
what're you in this for?
Back then, Xing'er gathered herbs
up in the mountains to save our lives.
Grab my hand!
That postal worker saved Xing'er's life,
which means he saved us all.
I'll repay that debt
no matter what.
This is the postal secret letter.
I heard their village was just massacred.
Delivering messages must be
terribly hard for them right now.
Why don't we join them in the delivery?
Xing'er could read.
She told me
this letter
stands for the hope
of millions in Shandong.
This meal today
is my send-off for you.
And also for my guys,
for Xing'er,
for Suanpan.
Cheers!
Horses are ready for you.
Ride them.
Guess I'll have to
stop here.
Once you're past that checkpoint,
Hebei's right ahead.
Good luck out there.
Thank you.
Why don't you join us,
fighting the Japs,
instead of going back to your stronghold?
I'd like that.
Never mind.
My background ain't clean.
I'm just gonna be a trouble.
You're not.
Never mind.
You're just a bunch of poor folks.
Haven't done anythin' bad.
Let's go.
Let's fight the Japs together.
Alright.
I'll go back to my stronghold
and bury my guys first.
Let's meet in Yan'an.
Great!
Go!
Go!
Quick!
Let's go!
Bro, go!
I got this!
Bro!
Don't worry about me.
Gou'er.
Gou'er!
Gou'er!
Hurry! Hurry!
Hurry!
Hu Yu.
Hu Yu.
Hu Yu!
Hang in there.
I'll get you.
Xiwang.
This letter.
You must.
No more talking, Hu Yu.
Hang on a little longer.
I'll get you.
Xiwang.
That love letter you drew for me.
I never got to answer it.
If there's a next life,
no more drawing, okay?
Ain't exactly a masterpiece.
Learn to write.
I will.
I will.
This letter.
You must.
Must get it delivered.
Hu Yu!
Hu Yu!
Hu Yu!
Commissar.
Come in.
A comrade from Shandong is outside.
He brought a secret letter.
This document came just in time.
Shandong's resistance
deployment and organization.
It's all in here.
The link between Shandong and Yan'an
is finally restored.
And the comrade, where is he?
Waitin' outside.
Doesn't look good though.
Xiwang.
Xiwang!
Come here!
This letter's of utmost importance.
You gotta deliver it safe and sound.
Yes sir!