Eloped with Lady Hong Fu Nu

In China at the end of the Sui Dynasty (A.D. 581-618), the country is ruled by the ruthless emperor Sui Yangdi, whose excessive indulgences include women and luxury cruises along the Yangtze River. Under his regime, he builds the longest manmade canal in the world, just for his cruises. The running of the court thus passes entirely to his Prime Minister, Yang Su.

Li Jing is a young man from the Sanyuan area, with a prolific knowledge of martial arts, as well as military strategy. He has been raised in a family which places patriotism and national welfare before personal safety, and he comes to the capital hoping to reverse the country's downward spiral. He can not find the Emperor, so he meets instead with Yang Su, and the two have a long conversation. Yang Su is an old man, and has no real interest in fulfilling his duty. Li Jing is deeply disappointed in the meeting, and decides to look elsewhere for somebody who will understand him and take him seriously.

During the meeting, Lady Hong Fu Nu is standing behind Prime Minister Yang Su as his maid. She notices that Li Jing is a talented and heroic-looking young gentleman. Li Jing's patriotism and passion for the downtrodden mirrors Hong Fu Nu's own hidden desire to save people from misery, and she feels a secret admiration for him. After the meeting, she asks one of her friends to follow him and get his address. After sunset, she finds his room at the inn and knocks on his door.

Li Jing is surprised by the fact that a maid from Yang Su's mansion has the same goals as he in their chaotic world. Her beauty and talent also cause him to fall in love with her. They decide to leave the city together in search of a better future. Yang Su and his men set off in pursuit of the pair after realizing that Hong Fu Nu has left with Li Jing. The chase ends in vain, and Li Jing and Hong Fu Nu manage to escape the capital. On their way north, they meet General Li Shimin, future Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, who appreciates their talent, and they become his advisors in overthrowing the corrupt Sui Dynasty.