Perhaps the other troops desert as soon as it looks like actual combat might occur (the unit is at its smallest during combat scenes). This is yet more evidence that the Chinese Imperial Army had a serious desertion problem! But, again, no one seems to care, including Li, who never so much as thinks to inquire what happened to the 90% of his men who are nowhere to be found when it comes time for battle.
- The movie has been criticised for cultural insensitivity towards the Chinese.
