Synopsis
After China's unification under the Qin dynasty, Zhang Liang, a descendant of the prestigious Han family that served as prime ministers for three generations, schemes to assassinate Qin Shi Huang in revenge for his family's misfortune. However, their plan is betrayed to the Court of Justice. While traveling to Xingyang to inform the royal prince and other Han supporters of the assassination plot, Zhang Liang and his comrades are ambushed by court guards. Zhang only escapes thanks to an unforeseen incident. Inspired by the legendary perseverance of King Goujian of Yue, the royal prince orders each conspirator to swallow a snake gallbladder as proof of their commitment to restoring Han rule. Because of his weak constitution, Zhang falls ill after ingesting the cold-natured gallbladder and withdraws to the latrine, where he spots the approaching guards and just barely gets away.