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Plot
The film is set in China between the late 190s and 200s towards the end of the Han Dynasty. Cao Cao had defeated Lü Bu and many other rival warlords to gain supremacy in northern China. In 216, Cao Cao is granted the title of a vassal king - King of Wei - by Emperor Xian. He then constructs the Bronze Sparrow Platform as a display of his power.
Lingju is the orphaned daughter of Lü Bu and Diaochan, and she, like many other orphaned children of Cao Cao's enemies, had been recruited in her childhood by Cao Cao's rivals to be trained as assassins to kill Cao Cao. She meets Mu Shun, a castrated man, and falls in love with him. Lingju and Mu Shun both eventually find their way into the palace: Lingju is taken by Cao Cao as one of his mistresses while Mu Shun becomes a eunuch in the palace.
Throughout the film, there are two major attempts on Cao Cao's life. The first is masterminded by Empress Fu Shou and her father Fu Wan. This plan fails and Cao Cao has the conspirators (including the empress) executed in front of Emperor Xian. The second is a revolt led by the imperial physician Ji Ben and his supporters, but the rebellion is swiftly crushed. There is a brief scene showing that Cao Cao suspects that his son Cao Pi is involved in the assassination plots.
Mu Shun fails in his attempt to kill Cao Cao, who reveals that he knew all along that Lingju is planning to assassinate him. Cao Cao promises to spare Lingju's life, and in return, Mu Shun disguises himself as Cao Cao and rides out of the city, only to be killed by Ji Ben's followers. Lingju later commits suicide to join Mu Shun.
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