General! General!
A report from Liaodong, sir. Dae Joyoung`s army reached Shin Fort.
Shin Fort?
-Isn`t that where Andong Protectorate is located? -Yes.
It appears Dae Joyoung has marched directly to Shin Fort insted of targeting the small forts in the surrounding area.
Isn`t that getting ahead of himself?
If he gets stuck in Shin Fort, he could suffer major defeat.
Is that so?
Tang forces may not be as strong as it used to be, but the forts of Liaodong are build tough.
-Shin Fort will not be easy to conquer. -No.
They know Lioadong better than anyone.
Knowing Dae Joyoung, he probably has his strategy worked out to the minute in detall, in his head.
You`re right.
As we`ve all seen, he has the stongest army in the region,
What`s more, Lioadong is their backyard. You never know how they`re going to impress us this time.
We cannot come second to no one! We must get out there
and achieve extraodinary feats that will shock the world.
-Is that understood? -Yes, general!
Is it true that the tactician isn`t coming with us on this expidition?
I have some work left to do here. i will be counting on you men to assist the general.
Yes, sir.
That`s Dae Joyoung for you.
He is targeting Andong Protectorate directly.
How is Geom doing under General Dae Joyoung?
Well, father.
A man is as big as his knowledge about the world.
I have no doubt Geom will come back to us a bigger and better man when this conquest is over. ~Li Jinzhong:King of Khitan~
I feel a little tired. I should rest now. You may leave.
-Yes, father. -By the way,
I haven`t seen your uncle in a while. Is there something wrong?
What could be wrong?
If anything should happen to me, seek his advice on all matters.
Don`t say things like that, father.
Sun Wanrong spend his entire life serving me.
He`s a man of exceptiunal loyalty.
I understand, father.
This is like a bolt out of the blue.
How can Geom be Dae Joyoung`s son? If it`s true.
we could lose this country to the Goguryeoans like Shin Hong said!
But how could I possibly kill the King?
How could I kill a man that has been like a father
and a brother to me all these years?
I don`t know what to do.
General it`s Shin Hong.
I`m coming in.
I know how you feel.
But you can`t ignor the reality by turning the other way. ~Shin Hong~
You`re the only one who can change the doomed fate of this country. That`s the reality you must face.
I would never kill the King with my own hands.
But you wouldn`t ignor the danger this country is in either,
Sir Shin!
I`ve said all I can say. Now you have to make a decision.
Let us tell the truth to the King instead. ~Sun Wanrong:King`s Brother in law~
If we tell him that Geom is Dae Joyoung`s son, he will have no choice but to bequeth the throne to me.
That`s a possibility. But what if His Majesty doesn`t believe you?
You could be accused and killed for conspiracy against your nephew.
Who will come to your rescue? General Li Kaigu? Princess Chulin?
There is no time.
You must make a decision before General Li Kaigu leaves for his conquest.
I can`t do it!
How could I kill my own king?
~Shin Fort:Andong Protectorate~
Andong protectorate General is a man named Yang Xiaowei. ~Yang Xiaowei:Andong Protectorate General~
-Yang Xiaowei? -Yes, General.
He`s been commanding the protectorate for many years now with the Tang Emperor`s bleesing and trust.
And his army?
Liaodong isn`t what it used to be, but we will be evenly matched in Shin Fort. ~Mimosa~
Joyoung,
maybe we should start this conquest off with an easier opponent. ~Heuk Sudol~
Yes.
What if we lose all of our men on this first light when we have so many forts to conquest? ~Gaepilsamun~
It`s too late to change plans.
If we retreat, the Tang forces will become full of confidence
and moral of our soldiers will fall to the floor.
But if we`re here for too long, we run the risk of being hit from both sides.
It`s not to late. ~Gulsabiwu~
It might be a good idea to attack the small forts first.
I already said our first target is Shin Fort!
Stop trying to change my mine and find a way to penetrate the fort.
If we change plans now, this entire conqueast will fall apart!
The general seems quite upset.
General!
I thought you valued your men`s opinion.
I`m surprised that you would be so sturbborn about something that all of your men oppose.
Victory and defeat is decided by the leader`s judgment.
A leader who has the support of his men will have less failures.
If majority`s opinion always brought victory, there would he no defeat,
But there`s no guatantee that your decision will lead to victory either. ~Geom:Chulin`s son~
You`re wrong.
mark my words, Shin Fort will be conquered. In order to conqure Liaodong,
we must have Shin Fort as our base.
Father, I`m curious to know how you can be so confident. ~DanLDae Joyoung`s son~
Tell us.
How can you be so certain that we will succeed?
I know my men`s capabilities and I know Shin Fort.
And I have a keen eye for what the enemy will be thinking and feeling.
If you know your enemy and yourself, you can win every battle.
We can absolutely capture Shin Fort with minimum casulties.
If I don`t have that faith and confidence, it`s certain we will fail.
The two of you will be leading you own armies someday, so remember this.
A leader must never trust or distrust his eyes and ears frivolously.
And he must not confuse his men by being fickled.
Ideas come from you head and faith comes from your heart.
Always trust your heart abd constantly doubt you head.
And you will have less failures and more succeses.
I`m so glad I came along.
I believe everything hi said.
I`m sure my father`s judgment is right.
Is there a way?
If there isn`t we will have to pave the way. That`s what the general riquired of us.
Once the battle starts, bloodshed is unavoidable.
We`re going to have casualtieseither way, so let`s attack head on.
Yes.
Anything half-hearted could have us runing back to Yingzhou.
Haven`t you been listening to anything?
-We`re having this discussion to minize casualties! -Huh? Oh.
I know, but there is no other way!
Gaepilsamun, this is no time for bickering.
Tell us what you want us to do, Mimosa.
We will sit here and discuss this until we find a strategy.
So don`t leave this tent unless you must.
My back is hurting from sitting here already, and you`re telling us not to leave?
Mimosa, can`t you strategize alone while we attend to our horses?
Yes, we`re useless to you anyway.
We`ve already defied the general`s order and disappointed him once. But hw forgave us without saying a word.
The least we can do is to show him our diligence and unity.
Mimosa is right.
No one will leave this tent until we find an answer.
-Biwu, we will be fed, won`t we? -What?
Um....
Nature`s calling.
-Tungso! -It`ll just be a minute.
Hey! Sit back down!
But I really have to go....
Father,
-Are they still in a meeting? -Yes, father.
There were having a heated discussion earlier, but it`s quiet down now.
-They`re very passionate. -Passion without result is useless.
They`re working hard, so I`m sure there will be results.
What is the closest Fort to Shin Fort?
Hyundo Fort.
Once we attack, these forts will send aid to Shin Fort.
According to the scouts, the lord of Hyundo is a very good friend of protectorate-general Yang Xiaowei.
Why do you ask? Do you have an idea?
Aid from Hyundo Fort.... Six Forts surrounding Shin Fort...
Master?
What`s going on?
-Who`s there? -You`re a dead man!
Wake up and listen carefully!
The Tang forces in Shin Fort are more nervous and afraid than we are righ now.
That`s because they know that Liaodong is originally ours.
We must thoroughly exploit this weakness.
If we breed fear into their hearts with General Dae joyoung`s name and the three-legged raven flag,
we can enter Shin Fort without firing a single arrow.
How? How can we do this?
Go on. Tell us.
How can we make their blood run cold?
Mimosa?
A false message?
Send false messages to the forts of neighboring forts?
That`s right.
We will deceive the lords of each fort and lure them out.
Yang Xieaowei is counting on these neighboringing forts to send him aid. Once he realizes that they`re not coming, he will panic.
It`s a brilliant idea.
Who will deliver this false message?
Allow me.
-No, absolutely not! -Why not?
This is an important task tha could decide the outcome of this fight.
-It`s too important to assign to just anyone. -I`m not here to enjoy the sights, General.
As a warrior representing Khitan on this expedition. I believe I`m more than qualified for the task.
If Geom is going, so am I.
You, Dan?
Give me your permission, Father. How can we put the burden of this important task on a warrior Geom alone?
They could be killed if their identity is revealed. Send an experience warrior instead.
If they find out who you are, all of us here will be in danger.
I assure you they will not find out.
-Grant us the task. -Grant us the task, Father.
If you really want to do this, very well. You may go.
-We won`t let you down, sir. -We`ll see it through, Father.
Biwu, wait!
Let me talk to you for a moment.
-Biwu, is there something you`re hiding from me? -What are you talking about?
I thought it was kind of strange last time, too. Remember when I tried to kill Geom back in Yingzhou?
I may not be smart, but I know when something`s going on. What are you hiding?
Stop torturing yourself over whatever it is an tell me.
It nothing. Leave it alone.
That`s what`s best for everyone.
Biwu!
What the heck is he talking abou? Biwu?
It`s a dangerous and important task. Are you sure you feel comfortable about sending Geom and Dan alone?
Geom is very smart boy, and Dan will learn a lot from this. They`ll get the job done , so don`t worry.
By the way, have you heard?
Li kaigu is about to leave Yingzhou as well on a military campaign.
Li Kaigu?
He is going after the southwest while we`re holding back the enemy on the east.
If they seccees, Khitan will gain tremendous power and prestige.
Along with the Turks, Khitan will deliver a forceful challenge to the Tang Chinese
who now hold mastery of the land.
this conquest has become even more important.
Yes, it has.
We need Lioadong as our pedestal to eneter the rivalry for the mastery of the region.
And to do that we must capture Shin Fort as quickly as possible.
I never thought Li Kaigu would move this fast....
Loyalty!
Your Majesty,
your royal army is prepared to march out to battle.
Your success and failure will decide wheter Khitan becomes a mighty epire
or just another inferior boarder state.
General Li Kaigu and his warriors will listen and heed my words.
You carry the fate of Khitan on your shoulders.
History and the people will forever remember your feat, so spare no blood in the fight.
-We will heed your command, Your Majesty -We will heed your command!
-Your men await out side. -I need to talk to you alone.
What is it?
I planted secret agents in the palace. ~Li Kaigu~
Secret agents? What for? ~Chulin:Khitan King`s Daughter~
No one must know about this. i mean no one.
I don`t understand.
Listen carefully.
Tactician Shin Hong did not join this conquest.
-He said he has work to do here. -It makes no sense.
And the Royal physician canished into thin air not long ago.
What does that have anything to do with Shin Hong?
I don`t know if it does or doesn`t.
But I don`t feel at ease leaving you here alone and going out to battle.
If you see or sense anything out of the ordinary, contact my agents.
I will come back immediately.
All right. But everything will be fine.
I don`t distrust Shin Hong either. But these are troublous times,
-and I want to be prepared for the west. -You have important work to do.
Don`t worry about Yingzhou and focus on your job.
All right, Chulin.
General!
General, Li Kaigu just left the city.
-How large is his army? Including the alliance force of Xi tries,
there are at least fifty thousand strong.
It`s going to be a whole new game now that the Khitan army has been launched as well. ~Dae Jungsang:Dae joyoung`s father~
Has Joyoung been notified of this?
Yes, he should know about Li Kaigu`s expedition by now.
What happened to the young men who volunteered for military service? ~Sukyoung:Dae Joyoung`s wife~
Mu Yeom and i are in the process of training them.
We need soldiers to protect the refugees in the city. You have an importan task at hand.
Don`t worry, Your Highness. They may be disorderly crew right now, but their will is as strong as an elite army.
We still have many hurdles to get through.
Until Joyoung subjugates the entire regio of Liaodong, we have to lie low and quietly prepare for the future.
Yes, general.
Khitan has begun its expansion east and the west simultaneously.
Even imperturbable Wu Zetian will be shaken this time...
~Tang`s Sanga Fortress~
I`ve gotten old...
You are as fair as ever, Your Majesty.
How could I be? Even the pretties flowers look unpleasant, ~Emperor Wu Zetian:Emperor Shengshen~
when they begin to wither.
How could one compare Your Majesty to a paltry flower?
I can hide my wrinkles with powder, but I can`t fool the passing time...
Why have the ministers been hiding from me from the last few days?
-What have you learned? -the report is true.
Li Kaigu is advacing with a massive army.
The inevitable has finally happened.
-What do we do? What do you mean? ~Li Meng~
We must report this to the Emperor and devise a countermeasure of course. ~Wei Sheng~
-Then you can report this to the Emperor, Lord Wei. -Me? No, thank you.
Lord wu, this may be your job.
Don`t you know how petulant Her Majesty has been lately? One wrong word could get you beheaded. ~We Sansi~
Listen to you men! ~Zhao Renshi~
How can you high ministers be afraid of the Emperor?
Then you can talk to the Emperor. ~Di Renji~
That`s a good idea. This is about a war,
so this might be a warrior`s job, General Zhao Renshi.
General Xue rengui will soon be back with the alliance agreement with the Turks.
He will surely know how to steal with this crises, so we will report this then.
Yes, that`s good idea. Where is General Li Wen by the way?
-General, welcome back. -Is all well?
I`m afraid all is not well.
-Go outside and make sure we`re not disturbed. -Yes, general.
How did it go with the Turks?
I brought back Muchuo Khan`s hand written letter. ~Xue Rengui~
You never cease to amaze me, general! But now may not be the best time to see the Emperor. ~Li Wen~
Why not? Is ther something wrong?
Her Majesty is not herself these days.
What do you mean she`s not herself?
Her judgment is not like it was before. What`s more,
Li Kaigu has launched a military expedition.
What? Li Kaigu has launched a war?
I`m afraid so. There`s trouble all around,
and you defied her orders and made a trip to Turks territory. You must be careful or you can get huty.
General, we have to get out of the city tonight.
I will see the Emperor immediately.
General!
It`s a serious situation. You must listen to me.
I wouldn`t have gone to the Turks in the first place if I feared for my life.
But general...
We, the royal subjects, are at fault for troubles of the state!
I must speak to her even if she kills me.
Hongpei, we`re going to the palace!
Um, sir.
-could I wait for you here? -What?
Xue Rengui bids you humble greetings, Your Majesty.
Have you fared well?
Li Kailu has boldy taken up amrs to threaten our state.
You know about this?
But there is not one retainer that will come to me to report this.
Do you know why?
Well, I`m sure there is no specofoc reason....
No, there is a reason.
There is a plot of high treason brewing in this palace.
High treason, Your Majesty?
To remove me from the throne and install an emperor from the Li clan.
How do you know?
The late Eperor appeared in my dream and warnd me.
Pardon? The late Emperor?
-In your dream, -Yes.
And I know exactly who is leading it and who is involved.
Your Majesty...?
I`ll keave you to contend with Li Kaigu.
I must keep an eye on the evil plot for now.
Did you hear me?
Yes, Your Majesty?
And never defy my orders again.
If you ever defy me again, you will have to seek forgiveness by surrendering your head.
I will not forget it, Your Majesty.
~Hyundo Fort, Liaodong~
Identify yourself!
We bring orders from General Yang Xiaowei of Andong Protectorate! Open the gate!
Messengers from Shin Fort! Open the gate!
-The Protectorate General sent you? -Yes, sir.
You`re ordered to come to Shin Fort with a reinforcement army.
That`s odd.
His previous message said not to leave Hyundo.
The enemy appears more threatening than the previous assessment.
His plan is to round up the troops from all neighboring forts and attack the enemy with speed and surprise.
Give me the written order.
-There is no written order. -No? You came empty handed?
The entire army could be annihilated if a wrotten order fell into the wrong hands.
I was order to deliver the message aloud and bring the troo[s back to Shin Fort.
-Prepare the troops to move out immediately! -Yes, sir!
Wipe them out!
-Attack! -Attack!
It`s the enemy! Retreat!
Attack!
Retreat!
Little punk, you deceived me! You`re dead!
Dan!
Are you all right?
It`s the head of the lord of Hyundo Fort, Father.
Did you kill this man Dan?
-No, Geom did. -No, sir.
Dan already had him half dead when I stepped in.
He should take the credit for killing the enemy leader.
It matter little who struck the final blow. We`ve secceeded!
-Now it`s your turn to step to the fore,general. -i will go to Shin Fort
and confront the enemy leader Yang Xiaowei. In the meantime,
Geom and Dan must continue to lure out the reinforcement armies in the noeghboring forts.
Yes, sir.
We`re dividing up the troops.
Heuk Sudol is coming with me, so Gulsabiwu, Gaepilsamun and Tungso will stay behinf and eliminate the enemy.
-once they are lured out -Yes, sir.
Good evening.
His Majesty?
He has taken his potion and fallen asleep. Well then....
-Open the door. -His Majesty is resting.
General!
Speak if you have something to say.
Why would you wake up asleeping man and just walk away?
Your Majesty, I`ve come to ask you a question. ~Sun Wanrong:King`s Brother in law~
Go on.
Who will you bequeath the seat of power to?
Who do you have in mind as your successor?
Why do you ask this question?
I don`t think it`s inappropriate to ask if it concerns the future of the state.
I am still alive and well. ~Li Jinzhong:King of Khitan~
How dare you ask about my successor!
-What`s the answer you seek with this unspeakable insolence? -I am simply inquiring about future affairs.
Future affairs?
-You want to know about affairs after my death? -Your Majesty....
Never speak of this again.
-How dare you blatantly display greed for the throne! -I don`t speak out of greed for the throne.
It is in the best interest of the state that you leave me, Sun Wanrong the seat of power.
Leave this room at once!
And it is Heaven that decides who succeeds to the throne and I who bestow it!
Never speak of this again!
He is supposed to be one of my most faithfull servants. I can only imagine what the others have in thier hearts!
I must live long.
I can`t die until the foundation of this state is secure.
I must speak to you.
You must`ve read my mind. I was just coming to see you. ~Shin Hong~
Now that we finally see eye to eye, what id there to hesitate?
Aren`t you here to ask me about how?
Aren`t you here to find a way to remove the King and take the seat of power?
Tell me.
How can I save this country from the benighted King?
Hey you!
Which one of you is Protectorate general Yang Xiaowei?
I am Yang Xiaowei? Which one of you is Dae Joyoung?
So you are the reckless fellow. How dare you invade Liaodong. ~Yang Xiaowei:Protectorate General~
Silence!
You got this backwards. Liaodong belongs to us Goguryeoans!
You`re talking about a country that`s been long gone. What fools!
Blasted bastard!
I`ve come to urge you to surrender.
-What? Surrender? -Yes.
There is no fort in Liaodong that we can`t enter. That includes Shin Fort!
So surrender... or open the gate and retreat!
Or you will taste bitter defeat.
You`re the ones who should turn and run! There`re Tang forces stationed all over this region!
I can wipe out your reinforcement armies in an instant if I choose.
You make me laugh.
Do you really think you can threaten me with this rificulous blather?
-Toss them the box. -Yes, general!
Come and get it!
Let`s go!
-What is this? -Open it!
You`re going to like our little gift!
Open it.
It`s the Lord of Hyundo Fort!
Open the gate now.
-Or your head will end up in the box as well! -Dae Joyoung, you bastard!
Subs By:robster38