"Marco Polo" Measure Against the Linchpin (TV Episode 2016) - Benedict Wong as Kublai Khan

[first lines]

Kublai Khan : [wakes suddenly panting]

Empress Chabi : Genghis...

Empress Chabi : [both rise and walk to different parts of the room] From death Genghis travels to your dreams to voice his great displeasure.

Kublai Khan : He does not.

Empress Chabi : Then why visit you night after night? To laud your actions?

[sighs]

Empress Chabi : And now, the people riot. They shut down your Chinese streets.

Kublai Khan : It is the Song that riot from grief over their Emperor. I have torn from them their last remaining hope. Exactly as I wished to.

Empress Chabi : We'll see how your brothers cast their votes.

Kublai Khan : Kaidu could die as well. Die very easily.

Empress Chabi : How many elections will you run off with? How many opponents murdered? And all for what? That you may kill children with impunity?

Kublai Khan : Think, my Chabi, think. When was the last time?

Empress Chabi : Last time what?

Kublai Khan : Last time you did something hard? Something that made your delicate stomach turn? Something that you did not think could ever, ever be forgiven?

Empress Chabi : Kublai...

Kublai Khan : You did not. Because it is only I. I, I, I. I took the wall, I executed my brother, I do what must be done for our empire.
Kublai Khan : [to Marco about growling wolf] He shows himself. Don't move. Don't blink. Don't show your teeth. You can't retreat. You can't attack. You have to stare down the wolf.

Benedict Wong: Kublai Khan