一把存忠劍

外戚王莽弒君奪位，吳漢之父衛國殉身。禦史馬成送回吳將軍所遺存忠劍，助吳夫人姚氏埋名撫孤。王莽篡位稱帝，及吳漢成人，應募新朝詔舉勇士為王莽賞識。王莽以公主下嫁招為駙馬，並委以重職鎮守要關。適有前朝皇室劉秀欲起兵復國，潛逃出關為吳漢所獲。吳漢喜告母親將立功勳，姚氏命他釋放劉秀，並告知與莽有殺父之仇。姚氏取出吳父生前為先皇御賜「存忠劍」，訓示吳漢復國報仇。姚氏逼子殺媳與王莽斬斷關係，吳漢不違母命，提劍欲殺公主。時公主向神明祝禱姑婿康寧，吳漢以公主賢淑不忍殺之。公主驚見夫婿提劍躊躇細問情由，吳漢實言相告。公主得知因果，奪劍自刎成全吳漢。母姚氏尋亦自縊，至此吳漢再無牽掛乃焚府第，投奔劉秀，扶漢中興。

A Sword of Loyalty

Wang Mang, a relative by marriage of the Han emperor, overthrows and kills the emperor, ending Han rule. Wu Han’s father dies when he tries to defend the country against the traitor Wang. Imperial censor Ma Cheng takes “the sword of loyalty” to Wu’s mother, Yao, and Ma helps the widow conceal her identity and raise the child. Wang Mang declares himself emperor. When Wu grows up, he is recruited by the new dynasty as a warrior and wins the favor of Wang. The new emperor lets his daughter marry Wu and installs his son-in-law as guardian of an important pass.

Liu Xiu, a royal of the previous dynasty, plans to recapture the government and restore the Han dynasty.Liu is caught by Wu when trying to flee through the pass. Wu excitedly tells his mother about capturing Liu, but she orders him to release his captive and tells him about his father’s death at the hands of Wang. Liu’s mother takes out the “sword of loyalty” her husband earned and orders Wu to help restore the Han dynasty and avenge his father’s death. Wu’s mother also forces her son to kill his wife so as to cut off his connections to Wang. Wu takes his sword and seeks out the princess but finds her praying for him and his mother. Wu finds himself unable to kill such a kind woman. Surprised to see her husband hesitating with a sword in his hand, the princess asks Wu Han about his strange behavior. He tells the truth. The princess seizes the sword and kills herself, and Wu Han’s mother hangs herself. Now that the safety of his mother and wife is no longer at stake, Wu burns his mansion and goes to Liu Xiu to offer his assistance in restoring the Han dynasty.