The Legend Of Dik Ching

During the reign of Sung Jen-tsung in the year of Chia Yu, the Dik family are credited for worthy services rendered with imperial permission to deal exclusively in salt, rice and iron. The only heir of the family, Dik Ching, specializing in martial arts, is free and easy with no ambition for official titles. So his mother puts his brother Meng Chung-tsai in charge of the family businesses. Finally, bowing to his mother's wishes, Dik becomes a petty officer. Drunk, Dik Ching demonstrates his skills in the presence of self-stylec World No. 1 Archer Chang Chung, winning his and the public's applause. Chiao Ting-kuei, graced by the liege with a golden sword for services rendered in youth, is demoted for offending Court officials. Broke and helpless, he swaggers and swindles everywhere.… ...

Dik's sister Wei Nuang, voluntarily divorced by her seriously ill husband, operated a wine shop for a living. Pan Hsiung, a rich family-in-the-Capital, who has been covetous of Dik's monopolized business, colludes with Secretary Han Kun to profiteer by secretly transporting government salt to Hsi Liao. When Dik comes to office, he tries to frame Dik, but Yang's remonstrance with the liege prevents him from conviction. Pan Hsiung spreads rumors of salt shortage so as to raise prices. In a countermeasure, Dik pleads with Emp. Jen-tsung to allow free trade in salt and announces news to this effect, winning Yang Tao's approbation. When transporting government salt out of the go down, Dik discovers some bags contain sand only. A thorough investigation shows Pan Hsiu has tampered with them to destroy evidence of their smuggling. Dik then lays the case before the monarch.… ...

Yuan Yen-lieh orders E Ba Cha, his subordinate,to fight with Dik who wins the fight because of the help of Tzu-en. Tzu-en loves Dik whole-heartedly but it is only a one-sided love. Dik falls in love with Shuang-shuang when they meet. Pang Hsiung is bribed to help Hsi Liao to conquer. Chung Yuan. Dik misunderstands that Shuang-shuang wants to get the military map. Later, Tzu-en is surprised to see that Dik asks pardon from Shuang-shuang. Dik wants to attack E Ba Cha but is injured. Since Dik wants Shuang-shuang to stay with him, he pretends to have been injured seriously. But Dik's mother is not pleased with the open nature of Shuang-shuang.

Pang Hsiung wants to find a husband for Yuan-yuan, his daughter. By accident, Ting-Kuei is chosen but Yuan-yuan does not want to marry him. A maid is married to him. Dik's mother gives a ring to Tzu-en as engagement. On the other hand, Dik also gives another ring to Shuang-shuang which makes the two girls embarrassed. The condition of Dik worsens suddenly because he was injured by the Poisonous Palm and can only be cured by -the Snowy Cicade of Hsi Liao. Neither Dik's mother nor Shuang-shuang can get the anti-dote. At last, Shuang-shuang and Tzu-en sneak into the palace and steal it. Unluckily they are discovered. Tzu-en is caught.

At the time Tzu-en is caught, Tuan Wen appears and saves her. Jen-tsung is attracted by Tzu-en. In order to get Tzu-en, he summons beauties from the country. Pang Hsiung also gets Yuan- yuan into the palace. But she only becomes a maid. When Jen-tsung knows that Tzu-en is Yang Tao's daughter, he summons her as his concubine. Tzu-en hints to Dik to save her. Dik rushes to the palace and says that he is engaged with Tzu-en. Jen-tsung can only release her.

Dik Ching and Ting-kuei become friends

Since the officers gang with the ruffians, the villagers lead a poor life. Once they join together, to rob food but are all arrested by Pang Hsiu. Dik comes across Chang Chung, now the leader of Ching Feng stockade. Dik advises the Four Tigers to work for the court. However, Pang Hsiu accuses Dik of ganging with the robbers. Dik is so angry that he reveals the bad deeds,of Pang Hsiu in front of the others. Dik and the Four Tigers get rid of the Hsi Liaos. And the five become sworn brothers. Dik gets the flag of the army of Hsi Liao and goes back to the camp. Since a tribe fo Hsi Liao is exterminated, Yuan Yen-lieh sends E Ba-cha to kill Dik. After E Ba-cha has failed and is caught, Tuan Wen releases him away. But Dik witnesses it.

Pang Hsiung asks Jen-tsung to send Dik to send Dik to attack His Liao. Knowing that his Kung Fu is not good enough, he wants to learn from Tuan Wen. He begins to lean Tie Kou Fist, Kung Fu of Hsi Liao. Shuang-shuang goes to the Dik's house to find Dik but is rejected by Dik's mother Mistaking that Tzu-en wants to possess Dik, Shuang-shuang decides to go back to Tan Tan. Before she leaves, she asks Dik to see her, off. But Dik is ordered to see Jen-tsung. Failing to see Dik, Shuang-shuang leaves Chung Yuan sadly. Tuan Wen knows that his identity is discovered; he decides to go back to Hsi Liao. After knowing that, Madam Yang poisons him so as to stop him from setting off.

Tuan Wen was the No.l fighter of Hsi Liao. Failing to kill Yang Tao, he was saved by Madam Yang unexpectedly. Tuan Wen was so grateful to her that he stayed in the Yang's house and be the teacher of Tzu-en. Kuo-ying loves Dik secretly. And so she sneaks into the army to see him. When it is discovered, Ting-kuei bears the responsibility and Kuo-ying is kicked away from the army. Pang Hsiu orders Dik and the Four Tigers to go for a check when they reach the border of Hsi Liao. In fact, he has planned with Yuan Yen-lieh to catch Dik. Surprisingly, Dik defeats them with Tie Kuo Fist. Out of rage, Yuan Yen-lieh sends his men to disguise as Sung's soldiers to rape and robin Tan Tan.

The troop of Dik is led to Tan Tan since Ting-kuei has lost the map. Thinking that the Sung is going to attack them, they prepare themselves for the battle. Knowing that they have made a mistake, Dik stops the fight. Ting-kuei goes to see Prince Ha Erh-cha of Tan Tan and apologizes for his fault. Not believing what he says, Ha Erh-cha attacks Dik. In the fight, Ha Erh-cha is injured and Dik is defeated by Shuang-shuang. Seeing that they have succeeded in plotting against Dik, Pang Hsiu says that Dik has destroyed their, plan. They set off to the court with no concern for the safety of Dik-. He even accuses Dik of betraying the country before Jen-tsung. Thinking it is the truth, Jen-tsung orders to arrest the family members of -the Diks and execute them later.

Mistaking that Dik wants to attack Tan Tan, Ha Cha-tao wants to kill him. Shuang-shuang is willing to die so as to save Dik but is prevented. Seeing that Shuang-shuang is ill for Dik, Ha Cha-tao let Dik marry into Tan Tan but Dik does not yield to Tan Tan. The Four Tigers are so worried about Dik's safety that they dig an underground passage to the camp so as to save Dik. Unluckily, they has dug it wrongly and are finally caught. Failing to save the Four Tigers, Ting-kuei is also kept in Tan Tan. Shuang-shuang decides to betray her own country so as to save Dik out of her love. Ha Cha-tao is angry with her.

In order to plot against Dik, Pang Hsiung accuses him of ganging with the enemy and revolting against the court. Fortunately, He Kuang helps Dik to attack Hsi Liao as a compensation. Ambushed by Yuan Yen-lieh, He Kuang is injured by a poisonous arrow. He pretends to yield to Yuan Yen-lieh and cheats him to attack Dik. Actually a trap is prepared for him. Dik blackmails the King of Hsi Liao to give him the Pearl Flag with Yuan Yen-lieh. Hei Li, the son-in-law of the King, fights with Dik and is killed in a battle. Pang Hsiung catches Wei Nuang and accuses her of using spells to plot against Yuan-yuan and the prince. He even provokes Jen-tsung to kill Dik's mother.

Dik, who has been informed by Tzu-en, hurries to the execution ground to save his mother. Protected by the Pearl Flag, Dik is not injured by Pang Hsiung. Since Dik has won the battle, the Diks is forgiven and Dik is appointed the First General too. By chance, Dik discovers the plan of Pang Hsiu of leading to troops to attack Tan Tan. Yang Tao decides to kill him when he knows it. On 'the day of execution, deceived by Yuan-yuan, Jen- tsung comes and only punishes him to become an ordinary man. Shuang-shuang goes to Chung Yuan to ask for marriage. But Dik's mother only wants to take her as her god daughter. Shuang-shuang is not able to win her favor.

Shuang-shuang argues with Dik's mother over the marriage between Tzu-en and Dik. Dik is torn between the two sides; thus, he runs away from home. On the other, hand, Tuan Wen is puzzled with the insults to the Hsi Liaos. Knowing that Dik will not marry her, Tzu-en retreats from the triangular love. Dik is happy to know it but his mother only feels the opposite. Ting-kuei is sympathetic with Shuang-shuang for he thinks Dik is not serious in love. He cheats Dik's mother that Shuang-shuang is pregnant. Dik's mother can do nothing but allows the marriage between Dik and Shuang-shuang.

Yuan Yen-huan, who wants to avenge for Hei Li, her, husband, comes to Chung Yuan alone. Tuan Wen grieves on the news that Hei Li was killed by Dik. Refusing to go to Tan Tan after the wedding, Dik can only let Shuang-shuang leave sadly. Being affected by Yuan Yen-huan, Tuan Wen wants to kill Dik. Luckily Madam Yang arrives in time to stop it. Out of anger Yuan Yen-huan reveals Tuan Wen's identity to Pang Hsiung. Tuan Wen begs Madam Yang to go away with him. Regretting that he has seldom showed his care to his wife, Yang Tao decides to accomplish their wish.

Jen-tsung, who is told by Pang Hsiung that a spy is sheltered by Yang Tao, sends the soldiers to catch Tuan Wen. Since Tuan Wen is the teacher, of Dik, Dik helps him to escape. At a crucial moment, Tzu-en dies for rescuing Dik. Tuan Wen also dies in grief. Yuan Yen-huan, disguises as the daughter. of Han Kun, marries to Dik and wants to kill him on the wedding night. Well prepared for it, Dilc takes away her life with his sword. Pang Hsiung orders Han Kun to accuse Dik of killing his daughter. In order to clear off the charge of Dik, Ting-kuei investigates into the matter. On the day when he reveals the truth, they are surprised to find that the head of the corpse has disappeared.

Pang Hsiung kills Han Kun and his daughter and then imputes it on Dik. So as to save him, Ting-kuei asks a prostitute-to disguise as Yuan-yuan to deceive Jen-tsung to release Dik. Yuan Yen-lieh worries about his sister on one hand; and wants to invade Chung Yuan on the other. Since all the weapons were destroyed, he asks Pang Hsiung to send weapons to Hsi -hiao. for - him. Knowing about what it is, Yang Tao reports it -to Jen-tsung but is overheard by Yuan-yuan. Thus, Pang Hsiung can exchange the weapons with tea leaves in time. Pang Hsiung sends the corpse of Yuan Yen-huan back to Hsi Liao and imputes all the blames on Dik. Yuan Yen-lieh swears to take revenge. On the other hand, in a ritual, Pang asks Jen-tsung to protect himself with the Pearl Flag. But laving been changed by Ting-kuei's wife, Jen-tsung is nearly killed. Therefore, Dik is sentenced to death.

In order, to exterminate his enemies once and for all, Pang Hsiung wants to lead Ting-kuei and the others to save Dik. But Yang Tao gives Dik some medicine to eat which only "kills" him for a moment. Since Yuan Yen-lieh thinks that Dilc is dead, he invades Chung Yuan again. With the help of Ting-kuei's wife, the Sung's armies are defeated and Ting-kuei is injured too. Being the most powerful one in the court. Pang Hsiung brings Yuan Yen-lieh to the court openly.

Knowing that his wife commits adultery with Pang Hsiu, Ting-kuei kills her and offers her head to Dik. Shuang-shuang comes to Chung Yuan to worship Dik and meets Ting-kuei. At that time, Dilc comes out of the tomb. Shuang-shuang sneaks into the palace and finds that Dik's mother and Jen-tsung are kept in the palace, suffering. Unable to defeat Yuan Yen-lieh with his small troop. Dik can only retreat and prepare a trap for Yuan Yen-lieh who is injured at last. So, Dik forces the King of Hsi Liao to sign the settlement.

The King of Hsi. Liao, who thinks that Yuan Yen-lieh is too unable, get back the military power from him. Seeing that Hsi Liao is being subdued, Dik begins to curf the civil disobedience. However, the officers and generals are all leading a life of debauchery. Yang Tao can do nothing but take the rids to reveal the intrigue of the Pangs. In order to convince them to open the gate of the city for Dik to come in, Yang Tao kills himself. At last, Dik exterminates the Pang's and get back the throne for Jen-tsung. At the time Dik is going to marry Shuang-shuang, he receives a letter, of challenge from Yuan Yen-lieh. Dik decides to fight with him so as to settle the affairs between them. Can Dilc win the fight? The episode will give you the answer.