Plot: CIXI overrides the dissenting opinions and is determined to preserve DE-HAI’s life , so TONGZHI merely deprives DE-HAI of his position and inflicts flagellation as punishment. DE-HAI, LIAN-YING, SAM-SHUN and SHEUNG-HEI run into CHAN FOOK, who persuades SAM-SHUN to come over and pledge allegiance to them, but is rejected by SAM-SHUN, who intends to act in concert with the others