The Warlords

Pang Qingyun survives a brutal battle between imperial and rebel forces, emerging as the sole survivor. He meets Zhao Erhu and Jiang Wuyang, the leaders of a bandit gang based in a nearby village, and agrees to join their raids for food. This alliance marks the beginning of a fragile brotherhood and a new power dynamic.

That night, imperial troops arrive in the village and seize the raided supplies. Around this time, Pang begins a secret affair with Liansheng, Zhao's wife. The personal entanglement complicates loyalties within the group.

With the villagers hungry, Pang convinces them to form a militia to support the imperial cause. The three men—Pang, Zhao, and Jiang—swear a blood oath and pledge lifelong brotherhood on the pain of death. The oath solidifies their bond and sets a grim code for their actions.

With minimal support from regular imperial forces, the militia scores a series of victories against the rebels. Pang's ambitions grow as he plans to attack the rebel-controlled city of Suzhou. The momentum broadens the scope of their operations.

Pang's successes provoke jealousy among his imperial superiors, who withhold reinforcements and supplies. The siege of Suzhou begins and stretches for a year, during which the militia gradually runs out of food. The strain exposes fractures within their alliance.

Zhao disguises himself and infiltrates Suzhou to assassinate the rebel commander. The commander, already planning to surrender, allows Zhao to kill him on the condition that imperial forces spare rebels and civilians in the city. Pang learns of Zhao's clandestine deal with the rebels.

Pang procures ten days' worth of supplies from a rival imperial commander. When he learns Zhao has made a deal with the rebels, Pang refuses to honor it, arguing the limited supplies cannot support both his men and the surrendered rebels. A dispute erupts, and Pang temporarily puts Zhao in chains to prevent interference; Jiang is tasked with overseeing the massacre of the surrendered rebels.

Zhao is embittered by Pang's decision and intends to desert the militia. Pang pleads with him to stay, arguing the massacre was necessary and they must conserve their supplies for their next battle toward Nanjing. The rift between them deepens but their oath still binds them.

Following the Battle of Nanjing, which marks the end of the war, Pang is rewarded with the position of viceroy by the imperial government. Pang and Zhao grow apart due to mistrust, especially after Zhao distributes funds to their men without Pang's approval. Yet Zhao refuses to turn against Pang when political rivals push him to betray him.

Realizing he is losing control over Zhao and the group, Pang considers disbanding the militia and reluctantly plots Zhao's assassination. Jiang learns of Pang's plan and tries to dissuade him; he also discovers Pang's ongoing secret affair with Liansheng. The internal conspiracy deepens as personal loyalties clash with political expediency.

Jiang confronts Liansheng, blaming her for breaking their brotherhood and kills her. Meanwhile Zhao is tricked into thinking Pang is in danger and goes to save him, only to fall into a trap and die without realizing Pang's intent. The tragedy cements the final fracture in the trio's relationship.

Pang is fatally wounded by a sniper sent by his political rivals. As he collapses, he allows Jiang to deliver the coup de grâce and fulfill their oath of brotherhood. The moment seals the fate of the trio and their vows.

Offscreen, Jiang is arrested and executed by lingchi as the scapegoat for Pang's assassination. His last words are reported as 'dying is easy, living is harder'. The ending underscores the costs of ambition, betrayal, and loyalty.