The First Emperor
Emperor Qin orders the conquest of Yan so his childhood friend, musician Gao Jianli, can compose an anthem for the new empire. Jianli refuses after Qin’s army destroys his village, but agrees to write music after falling in love with Princess Yueyang. At the imperial inauguration, the dead princess and general reveal Qin’s crimes; Jianli, grieving and vengeful, presents the slaves’ song as the anthem.