FADE IN
Act 1
MONTAGE ABOUT CAO CAO
A. AD 174. Cao Cao (19) began his civil service career in the Han government.
B. AD 184. Cao Cao (29) began to lead imperial forces to suppress the Yellow Turban rebels.
C. AD 191. Cao Cao (36) took control of the present day Shandong and Henan and established his own army.
D. AD 193. Cao Cao (38) began to wage wars against rival warlords in central China and eliminate them.
E. AD 208. Cao Cao (53) was appointed as the Imperial Chancellor.
F. AD 209. Cao Cao (54) was beaten at the battle of Red Cliffs.
G. AD 216 Cao Cao (61) became the King of vassal Wei.
H. AD 220. Cao Cao (65) died naturally.
END MONTAGE
Act 2
EXT. FERRY TO SOK KWU WAN, LAMMA ISLAND - 10:20
PETER is glued to his smartphone. Pausing, he lifts his head.
PETER (V.O.): Cao Cao had literary talents. He was determined in adversities. He had political wisdom.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He fought many battles and killed many of his counterparts.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't know how many foot solders were killed in the battles.
EXT. KAMIKAZI CAVE, LAMMA ISLAND - 11:15
Peter captures a photo from the outside.
PETER (V.O.): The pursuit of long-lasting hegemony here and there often leads to conflicts and rivalries.
EXT. LO SO SHING BEACH, LAMMA ISLAND - 11:30
No lifeguards sign. Peter goes swimming.
PETER (V.O.): When compared to loss, pain and suffering of ordinary people during war times, the risk I'm taking is negligible.
EXT. LAMMA FAMILY TRAIL - 12:15
Very quiet. We Peter paying $20 to a sitting old HAWKER.
HAWKER: Please take the drink from the fridge yourself.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, she has some disability. Making a living isn't easy.
PETER: No problem. I'll help myself.
HAWKER: A typhoon is approaching. Living in the urban area, you don't have to worry...
Peter just sips the drink.
PETER: Very nice! Thank you. Good business!
PETER (V.O.): How nice that we're living, rather than resting, in peace!
EXT. HUNG SHING YEH BEACH - 12.45
Swimming zone. Peter is the lone swimmer.
PETER (V.O.): I believe the lifeguard at the beach tower is watching me.
Swimming.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't have any self-perpetrating illusion particularly on politics.
Swimming.
PETER (V.O.): Throughout history, some individuals or groups strived to establish a lasting and unchallenged position of influence over others.
Reaching the outer limit.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Due to the inherent instability of human affairs and the ever-changing nature of geopolitics, hegemony is hard to maintain and sustain.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Countless remarkable figures including Cao Cao have been shaped by the test of time.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm wise enough to understand that empires inevitably rise and fall, leaving behind just a trail of suffering and destruction.
Swimming back to the shore.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In the currents of history, I'm nobody. That's fine.
Act 3
EXT. FERRY FROM YUNG SHUE WAN, LAMMA ISLAND - 13:45
Having input the prompt: "Shadows of Dominion" in an AI art generator in his smartphone, Peter sees a cubist image appearing.
PETER (V.O.): The quest for dominion and power casts dark shadows upon those who engage in it.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Such pursuits extend beyond personal ambition impacting on the well-being of ordinary people.
.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The transient nature of personal power and glory can't be compared with collaboration and common prosperity.
FADE OUT
THE END
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