As transient as dreams and shadows,
as erratic as dew and lightning,
such is life.
If Guan Yunchang,
righteous as heaven itself,
can come to such an end,
who's left to guard the Way?
'Righteousness' : written 'lamb' atop 'oneself'.
A self with the goodness of a lamb.
The righteousness of General Guan...
was six parts compassion.
It's tragic.
He was essentially a wolf...
with the soul of a lamb.
Yet this world is ruled by wolves.
Ruled by wolves.
Twenty years ago...
the Han reigned over a war-torn land.
Commanding a small force, l, Cao Cao...
managed at last to stabilize the empire.
Then Yuan Shao rebelled, attacking my army.
His commander, Yan Liang,
stormed Baima with his mighty army.
Subtitle by Aldi Arman
We'd always prevailed over stronger armies.
With this defeat, the city in ruins...
my generals couldn't contain their distress.
Territory, I can lose.
The morale of my men, never.
Guan Yunchang was my prisoner then.
He had such ability.
They called him The Undefeatable.
I knew...
if I could make him my chess piece,
I could make my next move.
One that'd spell victory or defeat.
But this chess piece...
belonged to Liu Bei.
How to play another man's piece?
Brother Guan, come, have a bite with me.
You can eat at a time like this?
What's up?
I'd like your help.
Are you willing to help me?
I'm a prisoner. My will's irrelevant.
Good. Could you kill someone for me?
Would it end the fighting?
Yes.
Who?
No rush. Eat first.
No rush?
I'll eat afterwards.
They'll ram the gates. Hold 'em back!
Yes, sir!
M'Lord, Guan Yunchang is an enemy general.
Why would he fight for us?
Who here wasn't once an enemy general?
Free the tiger and he'll return to his lair.
Brother Guan, of the 5000 men here,
could any hold you back?
I need 30 cavalry. Who's in?
We once served different masters.
We've never been brothers.
But for today's battle...
Forget the past. Fight with me.
You are truly my brothers.
If no one objects...
I'll be so bold as to call you that.
Brothers, please accept my respects.
I, Zhang Liao, will ride with you. Who else?
Brothers, attack!
Attack!
Are these your men?
They're his.
His Majesty, the Emperor!
Guan Yunchang is hereby...
a Marquis of Han...
and a commanding general.
I don't deserve this. I'm unworthy.
Brother Yunchang,
you're loyal, righteous; the honor is yours alone.
His Majesty is in peril, yet I do nothing.
Is that loyal or righteous?
You don't think... His Majesty's in peril here?
It's taboo to bear arms in the palace.
But all the officials are doing it.
Rebellion is clearly brewing.
We're at war; it's to protect the throne.
How can you imply an intent to rebel?
Why doesn't Cao Cao kneel before the throne?
If it bothers you, don't kneel either.
I wouldn't violate protocol.
No ceremony today, no need for protocol.
So, all relax, no need for kneeling.
Rise, c'mon.
Rise. Up up up.
On your feet.
Marquis, His Majesty has spoken.
Brother Yunchang, please rise.
Your Excellency.
Please, rise. No need for formality.
Your Excellency, you saved my life.
I must honor you.
You saved yourself. Remember that.
Sir Guan... you're a great hero.
That you saved my life honors me.
Even more so now you're a marquis.
That's just a wee misunderstanding with Cao Cao.
Marquis Guan...
true, we've had a wee misunderstanding.
I'll get back to work.
Alright.
And how should we resolve it, Lord Cao?
Have some water,
Marquis Guan.
This was once barren wilderness.
We came, tilled and sowed the land.
We brought over many people from Luoyang.
In six years, no one's died of hunger.
Admit it, I've done pretty well.
Old Liu's house was falling apart.
I helped him repair it.
But some said I'd torn it down.
Who'll give me a fair hearing?
Lord Cao truly has a way with words.
Words? Isn't it the truth?
The truth is you control the court.
I control the court?
This statement...
is bullshit.
The emperor forces me to take charge.
I know such bullshit has currency.
It'll echo down the millennia.
But it's still bullshit.
Only two types believe this:
the stupid, and the bad.
Liu Bei is bad. You're just stupid.
Liu Bei profits from your stupidity.
I like you.
You're courageous, and passionate.
Stay; work for me here.
If Liu Bei's family wasn't hostage, would you dare ask?
Marquis Guan,
you don't kill those you shouldn't,
right?
Cao, what's going on?
Get to work.
Does Cao Cao make you do this?
Sit down.
See, he's also working.
What?
It doesn't befit Us and Our court...
to engage in hard labor?
Exceptional times, exceptional measures.
No need for so much protocol.
Has Your Majesty ever thought to leave?
Over the last ten-odd years...
do you know how I've lived?
Moving from one palace to another,
traveling between ruins,
eating chaff, drinking filthy water.
The ministers in my court...
ate the flesh of their dead peers...
and drank their blood.
If an emperor can find no refuge...
what sort of empire is it?
The first time I saw Cao Cao...
know what he gave me?
Steamed bread; hot meaty soup,
and a warm bed.
Such trifles can buy the court of the Han?
Cao Cao doesn't want to be emperor.
He doubts an emperor can change the world.
An emperor has Heaven's mandate.
Without that belief, what can he do?
Ability. That's what it takes.
Today the realm is in Cao Cao's hands...
because he's the stronger one.
One day I'll be stronger than him.
And he'll yield the realm to me.
If I have Heaven's mandate,
the realm will ultimately be mine.
Brother Guan.
Brother Guan, Brother Guan.
Monkey.
How's your dad? Any better?
Much better, but he still needs medicine.
Brother Guan.
Is the food ready? I'll go check.
It's okay, we've come early.
Don't worry.
And this gentleman is...?
Cao Mengde, Lord Cao Cao.
And you're...?
We'll be right back.
Hurry, let's go.
Who are they?
They've been here a month or so...
but can't find work or food.
They're our people. Can you help?
Rest easy. I'll fix it after I return.
Brother Guan - he's that evil man.
Watch your mouth, Monkey.
Monkey.
Lord Cao is our God of Wealth.
Take it. Buy medicine for your dad.
Lord Cao.
Brother Yunchang.
Goodbye.
Mesdames...
I've returned Cao Cao's gifts.
To Brother Liu Bei's wives, my respects.
Qilan, why're you ignoring Brother Guan?
Does a dishonorable man...
deserve respect?
Qilan, his promotion was just a ruse by Cao Cao.
Liu Bei has total faith in Brother Guan.
As Liu Bei's future concubine, so should you.
Do you doubt his judgment?
Who can read men's hearts?
Aren't all Cao Cao's men defectors?
General Guan's prowess is famous.
If he wanted to go, who could stop him?
I'd like to see him return to Brother Liu...
and attack Xuchang while Cao battles Yuan Shao.
Then he'd do right by Brother Liu.
She's right.
Leave us, Brother.
Why not... do as Qilan says.
Brother Guan,
I beg you...
return to Brother Liu.
Qilan,
Brother Guan has his own ideas.
You're both from Hedong.
You should know what he's like.
I'm sorry to let you down.
I'll take my leave.
Why must you stay here?
Tired?
No.
Let's rest for a bit over there.
Alright.
I painted this today.
Do you like it?
What's this rubbish?
Do it over.
I'll help you.
Ma.
Daughter, you're home.
Dad. You're back?
Tired? No.
I heard the oxcart driver did it.
Haven't you heard?
He disappeared early this morning.
Enough. Nothing to see.
Move off.
General Liu is here. We're saved.
General Liu.
That's the oxcart driver, isn't it?
Watch your mouth.
Guan Yunchang is a big general now.
With you here, we can live in peace again.
General Liu,
this is my daughter.
Our girl.
Please! Have a drink.
Please.
Cao's bandits are here!
Brother, hurry!
Dad! Mom!
You mean Liu Bei's future wife...
doesn't know her compatriot Guan Yunchang?
That's right.
Any news of Liu Bei?
He joined forces with Yuan Shao.
Guan killed General Yan Liang at Baima.
Yuan Shao wants to kill Liu Bei for that.
And has he?
No news yet.
Harder!
Get up.
Dad... Dad... Again... again.
Grab on... I heard you the first time.
You seem like a Hedong man.
I am.
Can you cook Hedong food?
No.
Yes you can.
Yes, got that? You can do it.
Spicy Hedong food goes well with my wine.
Have some.
It's his own brew: 'Jiuyunchun'.
A drink's a drink; why all the soldiers?
Scared I'll get drunk and violent?
In wartime, rations are short.
I banned the use of grain for alcohol.
Private brewing is a capital offence.
Are the drinkers also guilty?
Yes.
So wine will be your excuse for violence.
I see you're too scared to drink.
I've wine. What's to fear?
Good.
General Guan,
Us enjoying a drink together -
does this defy common sense?
My flouting your laws makes perfect sense.
Well put, General Guan.
In wartime, spices are scarce.
We tried to make your hometown dishes.
Try some.
Make you homesick?
I've no home.
I sent Liu Bei's family home...
with 50 elite guards as escort.
I respect your gentlemanly actions.
General Guan calls me a gentleman.
I'm unworthy.
I said you acted like a gentleman.
Not that you were one.
True, I'm made of inferior stuff.
Come... General Guan.
Accept this small man's toast.
I'm but a commoner.
Why all the bowing and scraping?
If servility could guarantee peace...
I'd bow and scrape to you the rest of my life.
I'm not even a great fighter.
How can I bring about peace?
Your camp is full of talented men.
By staying, I'll only cause trouble.
What does Liu Bei do for you and Zhang Fei?
You couldn't approach his methods.
Because we're not driven by hatred?
Nor passion.
That's easy.
Join me and have anything you want.
Well?
Releasing his family was a big favor.
I'll repay it.
But he and I are sworn brothers.
Once I've news of him, I'll go.
If you fear that'd be freeing a tiger...
then kill me now.
Why can you only be loyal to Liu Bei?
If my loyalty could be bought...
I could bring only trouble to you.
That makes sense.
Subtitle by Aldi Arman
'To allay sorrow, only this wine'.
'Drink and be merry; life is short.'
Drink up. I wrote that.
Do you know...
others have drunk here as well.
Like who?
The descendant of Confucius.
Kong Rong, Lord Kong?
Some lord.
He famously gave away a pear,
but for him to yield a cup of wine
is harder than getting you to stay.
Come.
Bottoms up.
Okay, I'm here, thank you.
You say you've no home.
If I gave you a home...
would you stay then?
You mean here?
Exactly.
Thanks.
I'm always there in your heart.
My heart's been vacant a long time.
Why not just let me dream?
If your heart's empty, whence dreams?
Master, I drugged his food.
The effect will last four hours.
We paralyzed her with acupuncture.
No one's to go near there before dawn.
Sister-in-law, have some self-respect.
This is only a dream.
Why must you be so serious?
Dreaming doesn't excuse impropriety.
You don't dare love me even in a dream?
Once you even dared to kill for me.
I only killed to save you.
If you won't speak, how can you know my heart?
If you won't speak, how can you know my heart...
Tell me... what's in your heart.
This is absurd.
You belong to Brother Liu.
Get down.
You have a nerve.
Who are you?
Liu Bei sent me here.
He's in Ruyang, in Yuan Shao's camp.
General Guan, I must die now.
General Guan.
I want to see Cao Cao.
Lord Cao left town early.
Not sure when he's back.
Tell him Guan Yunchang says goodbye.
Pass on my order:
Since he wants to go, let him.
M'Lord, that's letting loose a tiger.
He and I had an agreement.
War is immanent.
If that's so...
we need to discuss...
how to deal with Yuan Shao.
Liu Bei is already in Yuan Shao's camp.
Add Guan Yunchang, and you've got a tiger with wings.
The Military Counselor is right.
Guan Yunchang knew I drugged his food.
He's certain to hate us for that.
Didn't I say...
to let him leave if he wants?
Weren't you listening?
Did you say...
Yuan Shao's man Zhang He wants to defect?
General Zhang is intelligent and brave.
But he's not valued, so he's coming here.
For that, he runs to eat at another's table.
Do we want such a man?
You introduced him. You decide: kill or keep.
Thank you, M'Lord.
Yuan Shao will attack.
The House of Sun will see its chance and join the fray.
What's our best plan?
Attack Sun from the rear with 5000 troops.
Send 30 assassins after Sun's generals.
Fine, follow through.
Sister-in-law.
Good morning.
We can leave now.
Brother, thank you for your generosity.
Thank you, Brother Guan!
Rise...rise.
Everyone, rise.
On your feet, everyone.
These gifts are from Lord Cao.
If you wish to thank someone,
thank Lord Cao.
Brother Guan, we just got back.
Lord Cao fixed everyhing for us.
Yes, we're all set.
I'm glad.
The God of Wealth said this is for expenses.
Keep it. Buy food for your family.
Listen to your mom. Good boy.
Take care, my friends.
Brother Guan... Brother Guan...
Sister-in-law, let's go.
Take care, Brother Guan... Take care.
Imperial Edict:Guan Yunchang is approaching. Execute without mercy.
Hold on... okay, go.
This one's fresh.
No thanks. Take it.
No thanks.
How much for this?
This...
Dismount.
Your pass?
My name is Guan Yunchang.
No papers?
How do I know who you are?
Brother.
General, is there a problem?
She needs to dismount.
You need to check family?
Don't make it hard, alright?
Sorry, sister-in-law.
I, Kong Xiu, am under orders to kill Guan Yunchang.
Brother... Brother.
Brother.
Run!
Cao Cao gave me his word.
If I wanted to leave...
I had his permission.
That's between you and him.
I'm just following orders.
So who wants me dead - Cao Cao?
Or someone else?
The order is from the emperor.
You're determined to kill me?
Can't disobey the emperor.