Let the Bullets Fly - Ending Explained

The major twist is that Master Huang has a body double, which he uses to escape assassination. Zhang Mazi captures this double and publicly executes him. This brilliant psychological move convinces the cowardly townspeople that the tyrant is dead, breaking their fear. They rush the castle and defeat the real Master Huang, who is now powerless because the people believe he is already dead. In the end, Ma Bengde is killed by a landmine (intended for Zhang), revealing his final deception. The surviving bandits, tired of the revolution, leave Zhang to go to Shanghai. Zhang rides his horse alone, watching the train (now pulling his friends) disappear, symbolizing the eternal loneliness of the true revolutionary.

The film is a Rorschach test for political views. The Pro-Maoist Reading: Zhang Mazi represents Mao Zedong, a pure revolutionary fighting entrenched feudalism (Huang) and revisionist bureaucrats (Ma), eventually betrayed by his followers who choose capitalism (Shanghai). The Anti-Authoritarian Reading: The film critiques the CCP, showing how the 'Liberators' are just bandits in disguise who replace one tyrant with another, leaving the people (Goose Town) just as oppressed. The Cinematographic Reading: It is simply a masterclass in black comedy and a homage to Sergio Leone, with no intended political message other than entertainment.