Full River Red

The film opens with the shocking murder of the Jin envoy at the residence of Song Prime Minister Qin Hui. To prevent any blame from falling on himself, Qin immediately orders the execution of the envoy's guards.

As one of the guards facing execution, Zhang Da claims to have information about a missing letter related to the incident. Qin Hui, fearing that the letter could reveal his treachery, gives Zhang two hours to find it, ordering that both he and his uncle Sun Jun be killed if they fail.

With time running out, Zhang Da and Sun Jun embark on a desperate search for leads to locate the missing letter. However, their investigation turns violent as Sun kills several potential witnesses, escalating their already precarious situation.

As both men are once again on the verge of execution, Zhang Da proposes a bold cover-up strategy to Qin Hui, suggesting they deny the envoy was ever present. This gambit buys them additional time to continue their investigation.

Zhang Da deduces that the traitor must have connections within the kitchen and consults his friend Liu Xi. Liu reveals his plan to kill He Li, Qin's second-in-command—yet his attempt fails, leading to dire consequences.

After Liu Xi is captured, He Li exposes Zhang, Sun, and Wu Yichen to a brutal test of loyalty, forcing them to stab Liu to survive. Their compliance secures their temporary release, but suspicion and danger linger.

Wu Yichen uncovers that the blank letter Liu carried was a decoy, and he points out the true letter hidden under an inkpot. They enlist the help of Zither, a courtesan, to interpret the letter, knowing it could lead to their demise.

As Zither interprets the letter, she realizes her life is in danger. In a desperate bid to ensure her survival, she is given a dagger by Zhang to attempt to take Qin Hui hostage. Unfortunately, her attempt fails tragically.

Zhang Da is brought before Qin Hui, who learns of his connection to Yue Fei's army. With He Li's machinations revealed, Zhang and Sun are subjected to torture, leading to a ruse where Zither manages to kill He Li but sacrifices her own life.

Desperate to reveal Qin's treachery, Zhang proposes writing the letter's contents on the wall of their cell. This plan sets the stage for a confrontation with the Prime Minister, who intends to betray the Song dynasty.

When Qin Hui visits the cell, he unwittingly reveals his intentions to betray the Song while reading the wall. In the ensuing chaos, Zhang attempts to make his move but is thwarted, leading to a tragic standoff between him and Sun.

In the aftermath of the confrontation, Sun is rewarded by Qin, who makes him the director of his office. However, Sun’s growing discontent surfaces as he grapples with the morality of his actions and the legacy of Yue Fei.

Sun confronts Qin, demanding the General's last words, compelling Qin to recite them to his troops. In a moment of poetic justice, the words turn out to be the poem 'Full River Red,' and the soldiers chant it repeatedly.

Believing he has condemned Qin to a fate worse than death, Sun allows him to live. Yet, as the real Qin emerges, the truth about the body double is revealed, exposing a web of betrayal that stretches beyond life and death.

With bloodshed left in their wake, Sun and his remaining subordinates escape into the night, their fates forever intertwined with the legends they sought to uncover. The story reflects on loyalty, betrayal, and the haunting echoes of history.