Cao Cao must be going crazy right about now.
In two or three days, he will try something desperate.
But this will not be good for Jiang Gan.
I've lost an old friend.
Honored guests.
Zhou Yu is just showing off his cleverness.
He undoubtedly thinks I have gone crazy.
Tell me,do I look crazy?
Not at all.
Come let us root out the traitor
then we can sleep easy.Cheers!
Jiang Gan.
Yes.
Today you were of great service.
Please drink.
Thank you,Your Highness.
Sir!
Sir!Are you...
Your stupidity was trivial.
But you brought your stupidity upon me.
Hear this!
In two days,our army shall cross the river
and take Red Cliff!
Yes,Your Highness!
All hear this! In two days, the army will cross the river.
What 's going on here?
There is a spy!Catch the spy.
Halt!
Don't let him escape!
Grab him!
Piggy,why do they want to hurt you?
It's a misunserstanding.
A misunserstanding?
What's going on?
He's a spy.
Nonsense,he is my friend.
Friend? Are you stupid?
Come on.They're beating up the commander.
A fight!
What's the fight all about?
Nothing,just some roughhousing.
Pit.
Piggy,are you all right?
I have to go.
Piggy.
Where are you going?
My mother is sick.I must go home.
That's very kind of you to visit her.
You should go home,too.
No,I will return after the war.
Fighting means no taxes.
That means more food on the table.
Hurry,go visit your mother.
I will come back to see you.
Ride High.
Don't let him escape!
He's just going to see his mother.
Hit him! Pummel him!
In 18 years of battle
I have never lost.
If I fail to capture this tiny cliff
I shudder to think what historians will say.
Yes.
Your Highness.
How are things?
Worse than expected.
The disease's spread has not slowed.
At this rate
it will take a month to control.
I respectfully request you delay the assault.
Stop!
Lie still.
Your Highness.
Sit up.
You are ill and must recuperate.
Man Tun,how can you be ill?
You were always in perfect health.
What is on your mind?
Go ahead.
I want to go home.
I too have not been home for a long time.
I want to see my youngest son.
He is only 13.
Younger than you even.
He is kind-hearted and bright.
He has been frail since birth and is often sick.
Yet in front of me
he pretends everything is fine.
Whatever the illness,he endures.
He never complains to me.
I swore at the start of this war
to cleanse the world of warlords.
You must seize Red Cliff and storm the capital.
Then bring the mud of this land back home
and tell our families we were victorious.
We were victorious.
So you all must be strong
as must I
because I must bring you back home.
Victory!Victory!
Greetings everyone.
Sorry for the wait.
We're glad you're back safe.
Did you have any problems?
No.
I just fell into the mud jumping the stockade.
Shang Xiang.
You're always causing trouble
Where have you been?
They are ready to attack.
Shang Xiang.
You're back.
Xiao Qiao.
Shang Xiang?
Xiao Qiao.
Please help me pull this.
Go ahead,pull it.
This is a map of Cao Cao's camp.
This tower here
is Cao Cao's headquarters.
Their best troops guard it.
The barracks are here.
East and west are well-defended.
The rear hill is weakest.
It's like a tiger that stares ahead
but forgets its tail.
The navy is here. Put this on.
-You'll catch a chill. -I'm not cold.
A third of their forces
are onboard ready for assault.
Warships lead the smaller boats.
Transport ships are in the middle
This is an interlocked naval formation.
I'm fine.
Every ship is ready for attack or defense.
I was wrong to scold you.
If you were Zhou Yu
how could you attack?
He only has enough men for one assault
an all-out attack on our fleet.
They will want to attack with fire.
Fire? I doubt it.
Without manpower,they need strength.
Where can they get it?Fire of corse.
This is a standard rule of war.
Too bad it won't work.
A northwest wind is blowing.
If they attack our fleet with fire
they will be
fighting the wind and burn themselves.
We are the ones who should use fire.
Yes,load the ships with burnstone
Tomorrow, we shall burn Red Cliff to the ground.
The map shows
Cao Cao's army has finished deployment
Tonight may be the decisive battle.
This is a fight to the death.
Win or lose ,we must fight with everything we have.
Shang Xiang.
What are these lines between the ships?
It sounds funny.
They're locked their boats together
to stabilize the fleet
so the Northerners won't get seasick.
Enough talk.
What is your strategy?
Cao Cao made camp in a bad location.
It is hook-shaped.
This makes return difficult.
If their assault fails,they cannot fall back.
We should use fire.
The terrain is in our favor
If we can burn the fleet's vanguard
they will be trapped and vulnerable.
Yes,a fire attack.
Just give me ten fine ships.
Two will hit their left and right flanks.
The remaining 8 will ram the center.
We'll burn an opening here!
Next,you follow closely and rush in.
No matter how great their numbers
we will crush them.
If only we still had Liu Bei cavalry
then we could attack their camp at the rear.
Then victory would be assured.
This wind is to Cao Cao's advantage
A northwest wind is blowing.
Sailing into the wind will burn our own fleet.
Cao Cao knows the wind is on his side.
He will also think of using fire.
Why are you so quiet?
What are you looking at?
Look,those dark clouds in the east
are enshrouding the sun.
Isn't that rather unusual?
Zhu-ge Liang,what does that mean?
The winds will change.
I know from farming.
If during a warm winter clouds enshroud the sun
then along the Yangtze River.
an unseasonal wind will blow
What do you mean unseasonal?
A warm southeast wind.
It blows from southeast to northwest.
What if Cao Cao knows this too?
Only Admiral Cai Mao would know and he is dead.
Zhu-ge Liang.
Can you predict when it will change?
Tonight or tomorrow morning.
History shows the timing of weather is key.
He who can predict it will win.
We must delay his attack.
Only then will we have a chance at victory.
Greetings General.
Terrific,just terrific.
This fish oil is perfect.
Bigger.
Yes,General.
No good.Bigger!
Yes,General.
No good.Bigger!
Just how big do you want it?
Go.
That's about right.
Yes,this is it.
See how strong this west wind is?
It will never shift.
We'll never get near their navy.
Your Honor,I can take a defection.
Invent some excuse
to punish me with 50 lashes.
I'll take a surrender in anger.
That way Cao Cao is sure to believe me.
Then I can sail my fire ships in range
How can you fight after such a beating?
I could never treat a general that way
Do not lose heart.
The east wind will come.
Your Honor.
Terrible news!
Our Lady has disappeared!
"My dear husband,by the time you read this
I will be on the way to Cao Cao's camp
I will be cautious
and only act when the moment is right
Yet I hope the east wind will come early
Where there is faith,there is hope
The clear waters of the Yangtze
the emerald leaves of the moutains
the birds returning to nest
the fisherman singing his evening song
This is our home
our beautiful native land
Our people gladly give their lives for her sake
I cannot stand idly by
I have been carrying our child Ping An for 3 months
I did not tell you
fearing it might distract you
We cannot in caring for our child
forget the children of the Southlands
I want to see them grow up together
to have a future where they can play
swim,pick flowers
and plant rice in peace"
"Your child Ping An"
"Pregnant"
"Do not fear
I shall bring Ping An home"
Some traditions still carry great meaning
For example,rice flour and sugar
stick toether like a family at reunion.
Over here! Bring the cart here!
There're sweet rice dumplings for everyone.
Today is winter solstice,a time for reunion.
Everyone has some rice dumplings
2 or 3 per person!Eat up!
Officers and soldies alike,come on.
2 or 3 per person!Eat up!
Come on.
Give me a bowl.
Zhang Fei,you're making them too big.
Do you want us to choke?
Fine with me I couldn't be happier
Zhao Yun.
Has your wound healed from combat practice?
So long as I can fight,a wound means nothing.
Guan Yu,how many times have you read the classics?
If a man of learning does not understand brotherhood
isn't his learning worthless?
My Lord,what are we doing here?
Waiting.
Waiting for what?
Waiting for Zhu-ge Liang.
Waiting for his return,so we can go home.
Do we still have a home?
Sons of the Southlans ,listen
Today is the winter solstice
a day for family reunion.
Yet thieves encircle our home
How can we celebrate like this?
I say let us drive them from this land.
Then we shall have our celebratory family meal
Here here!
My Lord,
Though I sometimes disagree with you
I have never said a word against you
But this is a choice between right and wrong
I acted for the good of us all
yet you lecture me for being unrighteous
You have followed me so long and for what?
I just want to ensure we live on
There are some things I value more than my life
Zhou Yu,may your plans come to fruition
We will fight the good fight.
Zhou Yu's wife is here
She came alone.
Zhou Yu
we must after our plan of attack.
Consider your wife's safety.
I will send our best men
around back to rescue her
No changes.
All our forces must be focused on frontal assault.
We cannot divide our strenght
Your Honor,we stand alone on the battlefield.
Without allied support
the chance for victory seems slight.
I have never given up on my dream.
Victory cannot rest on dreams alone.
When will the east wind come?
Based on new observations
at around one o'clock
If at that time you still trust your friends
light a lantern for a signal.
If misfortune befalls Xiao Qiao
will you still fight a war of honor?
I saw you once in the back of your family's estate
Though young,you were already a great beauty.
You were studying the tea ceremony
and liked catching butterflies.
Did you launch the war for me?
You believe that?
My father was very fond of you.
At that time,Cao cao believed in justice ideals
and loyalty to the Han throne.
He was a young hero.
How else could he have become Prime Minister.
By killing many people
I hear many Southlans soldiers have fallen ill.
Yes.
I hear Liu Bei has fled.
and the alliance is broken.
Yes.
Then Zhou Yu must be a lonely man
Did he send you?
This was my idea
Why are you here?
Please withdraw your troops
Victory is yours.
What need is there to fight on?
No.
Zhou Yu shall kneel before me in surrender
What is this?
I'm not here for my husband
but for the people of this kingdom.
Please end this war.
And if I refuse?
Stop playing.
You must witness how we defeat Zhou Yu
What 's on your mind?
Just thinking of a silly friend.
The times make the hero.
After this battle,
I will have time to savor your tea.
Just one cup?
It'll help you relax.
Fine.
No one's ever given us respect
So what?
Who cares so long as we respect ourselves?
Listen up.
Our boats will soon charge Cao Cao's fleet.
No man jumps ship until their ships burn.
Yes,sir.
Any proplem with that?
No sir!
That's what I thought.
Have you all written to your families?
Yes.
Don't rush.
Appreciate the tea's color and bouquet
Oh!
Why is the Prime Minister waiting to attack?
The wind is behaving strangely.
I know.
He is drinking tea with that woman
Tea?
What makes brewing tea so difficult?
Leaves,heat,water and utensils
all demand study
Yet the hardest is boiling water.
Boiling water?
Look!
The win has stopped.
At first boil,bubbles hiss and resemble tiny fish eyes.
At second boil,the edge simmers like a foutain
This is when tea is finest
At third boil,the water seethes and spurts
Any further and the water is past its prime
Your Honor,thewind seems about to shift
It's time to attack.What are we waiting for?
Our allies.
What allies?
Liu Bei fled days ago
This is all part of Zhou Yu's plan
Some plans are best kept quiet.
Enough.It's full!
Your Highness
Don't you see your true self reflected in this tea?
Your heart is overflowing with ambition
It's too full to let other people in
You've carried this full heart to Red Cliff
Someone here shall pour that heart onto the floor.
Your Highness
You do not understand the art of tea
Your Honor,tell us what we must do
At two o'clock,
the ten fire ships will ram Cao Cao's fleet.
burning through their vanguard
With the fleet broken
Zhao Yun will hit the east gate
to divert their attention.
Liu Bei,Guan Yu and Zhang Fei
will overwhelm Cao cao's camp from the west gate
Doctor!
Your Highness
Call Doctor Hua Tuo.My head aches
Your Highness,Hua Tuo has left
What did you say?
Hua Tuo is gone.
Cast off!
What is this wind?
It's an easterly wind,Your Highness.
It shifted?Impoossible!
Enemy ships are approaching!
General,enemy ships are approaching!
Hurry,separate the ships
Separate ships
What is that?
That is their lanterns,Your Highness.
Forward.
Zhou Yu
I have done all I can.
Tonight will decide the fate of the empire
There must be no mistakes.
Zhu-ge Liang.
you weren't lying after all.
Report.
Boats are approaching fast.
Separate ships immediately.
Separation has already begun.
Light the fires!
Forward.
Hurry over here!
All speed ahead!
Hurry,separate the ships.
Faster.
Retreat! Protect the main gate!
Faster,toward Cao Cao's flagship!
Strike as powerful as thunder.
Charge!
Go ahead!
Charge!
Follow me.
Shoot.
Launch catapults!
Hurry,the enemy is approaching.
Look,over there.
Your Highness!Terrible news!
They have broken through the stockade!
Why are you panicing?
Do not forget you are a general.
I....
Try to endure the pain.
Reinforce Zhang Fei!Move!
Your Highness
the rear gate is under surprise attack.
It is Liu Bei's allied forces.
Liu Bei?
Free the horses!
Pull!
General Gan,
we must save energy for inside.
You must break down this gate.
so we can join our allies
otherwise all is lost.
No problem.
Good luck.
Halt.
Tear down the barricade.
Shoot!
Forward.
Attack the main gate.
Comeon soldier.
Hang in there.
General Gan!
Invidual bombs aren't strong enough.
Run! The fire is coming!
Give me all your fire bombs.
There're only 3 left.
No retreat!No surrender!
This is it!
All forces attack!
Shoot!
Your Highness
The navy is lost.
East,south,and west..all 3 sides have been sunk.
It seems like they went up in flames too.
Yes,Your Highness.
All is quiet below
The fire is too fierce!
Stay together at all costs
Don't get separated!
Your Highness
perhaps retreat is best.
Retreat?
With our best soldiers still remaining?
They would give their lives for me
Even if all would die they must fight
This is military power.
All together!charge!
Come on,you traitor!
General
Don't give up,my brother.
Guan Yu
Where is Liu Bei?
All speed ahead!
Break formation!
Launch spears!
Forward!
Crush them or die trying
Hang in there.
I oversaw the end of every warlord
I saw the end of one here and one there
The end of all but here.
Just in time.
I know you wouldn't let me down
I said we would meet again.
Gan Xing sacrificed himself
But not in vain
The fire is approaching.
We must save Xiao Qiao now!
First find Cao Cao
We have lost.
all because of that accursed woman
She ruined our chnace to attack.
I'll kill her.
Kill her.
Come no further
Don't let the enemy through
That way,quickly!
Protect the Prime Minister..
Pit?
Pit.
It's me.Piggy.
Piggy?
Piggy
You came to see me
I said I would.
Piggy
Still want to play Ride High ?
I'll kill that witch.
Don't move!
Zhou Yu
Victory Zhou
The traitor Cao Cao.
Silence.
You shall call me Prime Minister
I never guessed I'd lose to a gust of wind
Because you don't understand
I never dreamed I'd be defeated by a cup of tea
For you, war was just a tea ceremony.
Such a pity!
You never knew what you were fighting for!
I come by order of the Emperor
to subdue rebels like you
We are not rebelling against the Emperor
But against you.
You scum
Little boy
This has been quite an enjoyable hunt.
What do you want to hunt?
Tigers.
By the looks of you.
you are a far cry from your father.
Shoot.
I am the Prime Minister of the Empire...
Death is too good for rebels like you.
If you declare allegiance to me
I can pardon you.
Kneel down all of you.
Your time is over.
Lay down your sword.
Your Highness,kill them!
Kill them all.
Xiao Qiao!
Are you both safe?
We are both fine.
We lost.
all because of you!
Kneel down before me.
Kneel to me and I will spare Xiao Qiao.
We won't let you harm her.
We?
You mean them?
That motley troop?
They are my friends.
War knows no friends.
Tomorrow they shall be your enemies.
General.
Put her off.
Die!
Your Honor
Are you both all right?
Let's go.
I promise I will take you home.
Go.
Go back to where ever you came from
There is no victor here.
Meng Meng.
Go on now, go
Meng Meng.
From division comes unity,and from unity.. division
Liu Bei won't stand being second best
One day,we will face each other on the battlefield
No man can tell the future
The world is full of heroes
But you're the one I most fear offending
You would be an opponent I truly fear
Me?
I'd best return home and get some sleep
Are you a good farmer?
I planted lotus flowers once
but none lived long.
Do not be humble. You have brought peace to the land.
In this alliance, I found true friends
No matter what may happen
this experience is engraved in my heart
I too will not forget
Zhu-ge Liang,
when Meng Meng has grown do not make her a war horse.
Don't worry
These hands helped birth her
I shall always cherish her.
timing and up by Springbay 13 .01.2009