Episode 11
Emperor, you can't agree to that.
The Jin are greedy with wild ambitions. They will only demand more.
Instead of feeding the Jin's growing greed,
we need to fight in this war. The result remains unsettled.
Emperor, there's no way back.
The Jin are marching toward the southern area with forty thousand soldiers...
...as if there is no defense.
They've conquered twenty-seven states
Emperor, if we don't agree to the Jin's demands,
we cannot be sure that the capital Bianjing will survive.
Emperor.
That's enough.
If there were any other way,
I wouldn't have become like this today.
I've already agreed to have a truce negotiation.
I agreed to that.
Let's agree for now.
Let's make this a strategy to bide our time.
But this time, the Jin...
...have demand too much.
Which ministers should we send?
My officials, do you have any one in mind?
Emperor,
when confronted with such a big crisis,
it's high time we officials...
...repay our government,
by showing our loyalty to the Emperor.
However, I'm very old now,
and deal with severe illness.
It's hard enough for me to attend this morning meeting.
I'm afraid, even before reaching the Jin camp,
...I would be dead.
Why didn't I know...
...that Minister Cai has been ill?
You were not ill before...
...or in the latter days.
In the time when our government needs people,
are you trying to avoid bad fortune or disaster?
Don't talk nonsense in front of the Emperor.
I'm not ill. Why would I talk nonsense?
Emperor, Minister Lee has such a big sense of responsibility,
I think it's appropriate for him to go.
pities
I'm not one of the Prime Ministers,
or I could be Suwu,
go north and be a shepherd.
I wouldn't care a little
Emperor,
for many years Mr. Lee...
...has worked hard and built a good reputation.
Entitle him as a Prime Minister.
Everything will be okay.
Good, Mr.Zhang.
But still I think...
...Mr.Lee is too honest.
If he goes to the Jin camp,
he might cause trouble.
Mr.Zhang
I think you are thorough,
and have worked hard for the government for many years.
I've seen it all.
Since it is so,
I think the right minister
should be no one but you.
Emperor, I'm still inexperienced.
Please think twice.
The deal is settled.
Zhang bangchang.
Here.
This trip to Jin calls for saving the situation.
It is all up to your action.
I accept your command.
Today, I want to ask one more thing.
Of all you princes,
who will volunteer to go...
...to attend the guide in negotiation.
I won't go, I won't.
I won't go.
I won't. [crying]
I won't go.
Take him out.
I won't go. [still crying]
Look at all these officials here.
In usual days you all tell me...
...you will render your service to repay the Emperor,
repay the government.
But see the result today.
Our Song Dynasty is in great danger now.
The blade is over our head.
At the time of danger,
when we are in need of talent,
all you officials...
...are frightened and shuddering.
Those twelve princes...
No one dared to stand up to take the responsibility.
Is there no one in the whole of the Song dynasty?
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, I am willing to take the responsibility.
You are willing?
I am willing to take the burden off my Majesty.
The Jin are a nation of brutes and fiends.
They are not like the Liaos who've been influenced by the Emperor.
They never respect the character of loyalty and honesty.
Have you thought this through yet?
If you go, you might not survive.
Are you sure you want to go?
Zhao Gou, as part of the Royal family,
it is my duty.
The country is now in need of help.
Of course I will stand up and fight.
For the country.
For the land.
It is worth it.
For my country.
You will prosper.
I, Qin Hui,
have come to see Madam Cheng.
Please stand up.
Thank you, madam.
Your wife told me many times...
...to take the opportunity to be closer with my Majesty.
Well, I thought...
...my Majesty loves to eat the dumplings your wife makes.
He has asked your wife continuously...
...to come into the palace to make dumplings.
Therefore, no matter what, my Majesty should take care of you.
Thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness.
I am very grateful.
Are you not going to pay respect to madam by kowtowing?
Forget about that.
I am not certain you will be able to see my Majesty.
Although, my Majesty...
...will hold a feast at the palace of Lady Wei.
But she's not favored by my Majesty.
It's hard to tell whether the Emperor will go or not.
I see.
Please follow me.
Sister,
I brought the Qin couple to pay respect to you.
I, Qin Hui, humbly pay my respects.
You intend to pay respect to the old emperor, don't you?
I, as a lady, take no interest in outside things.
Don't kowtow to me.
Yes, my lady.
My little sister here is more than close to me.
She always stops by to see me.
The favorite dish of the Emperor...
Great soup dumplings stuffed with dragon's feeler and phoenix's liver,
is made by her.
Really?
Soup dumplings are tasty.
I've ordered the royal kitchen to cook it several times,
but they always failed.
Only that...
What about asking her to come more often?
Through words and actions,
the royal cooks should master the dish.
I'm saying...
...the Jin army is bearing down upon the border.
Civilians can hardly eat a plain bun,
while we here...
are talking about stuffed dragon's feeler or phoenix's liver.
If God knew,
he would punish us with lightening and thunder.
My Sister, you always frighten us...
...with awful things outside the palace walls.
Today's situation,
nobody knows better than Qin.
Let him tell you a thing or two.
Qin Hui.
Tell me something.
How long will the war last?
Yes, my lady.
There's a saying in the classic book Zhouyi.
"Observe the climate...
...to learn the changes in the current situation.
Observe the culture...
...to civilize the country."
Lately, days are mixed with nights.
Cold fights warmth.
The sun competes with the moon.
Stars wander.
These are the changes in climate.
While wolves are restless,
residents on the border cause disasters.
They are peeping at the holy weapons.
These are the change in culture.
The situation is changing suddenly.
Even a gifted talent...
...like our Emperor can hardly resist it.
My Emperor and Lady know it.
Waves can't cause it.
Blowing wind can't stop fire.
It's not up to humans to change a country.
In the end, things will mend...
According to your words...
...the Emperor just needs to have more bowls of dumplings.
Neglecting things is fine.
Emperor once said,
as long as Li Gang is here, everything will be fine.
Li Gang's sweat is the river that protects the city.
Li Gang's blood is the rain that puts out the fire.
In fighting with the Jin people,
sending Li Gang is enough.
Such words are favored by Her Majesty.
But if you let the Emperor hear them,
he'd have you thrown out.
This court has hundreds of officials.
It is not the court of Li Gang alone.
Currently,
everything is being placed upon him.
What is the use of all of you?
Mother.
May you live as long as the Southern Mountain.
Gou-er.
Mother.
Where's Father?
He's not here.
What?
Didn't Father say...
...for Mother's birthday banquet,
he'd come to see you?
He was just saying that.
It's rare he'd have the heart to do so.
Your subject, Qin Hui, greets you my lord.
Aren't you Qin Hui, the Imperial Censor?
I am.
Preposterous!
Do you not have any regard for the palace rules...
...whatsoever?
The grounds of the Inner Palace...
...are forbidden to outsiders like yourself!
Come!
Drag him out!
Gou-er.
His wife is Zheng Niangniang's relative.
Gou-er, you cannot be disrespectful.
So, you're royal relatives.
No wonder you're so arrogant!
Mother.
This person used his position as Imperial Censor...
...to communicate with the Treasury.
The Court is already murmuring about this.
A few high generals...
can't wait to skin him alive!
Madam.
My Majesty.
The draft letter is still here.
Niangniang.
Prince. Please look at it.
Song gold is at war.
The dead and the wounded are innumerable.
In the long run,
it will not end well.
The Emperor depends on Li Gang's words.
He doesn't listen to anyone else.
I wrote to General Wo Libu,
hoping he would call back the army sooner,
in consideration of the people's lives...
...so nobody would be hurt too much.
Confusion once said, serious warnings, nobody would refuse to obey them...
...right and serious words.
Would anyone listen without following them?
Or read without being civilized?
I hoped that General Wo...
...would think thoroughly,
and change his old decision.
But how can you prove...
...that this letter is identical...
...with the letter sent to Da'le?
Prince, I swear...
If there's even a single word different,
I, Qin Hui, will be struck by lightening and punished by God,
and die without a proper burial.
My Lady.
Sir Qin Hui is the grandson-in-law of the former Prime Minister.
He is not the kind of person who...
...would betray his own master for wealth.
But how can you explain...
...why this letter...
...is hidden in your cap?
Prince.
I risked my life to petition,
fearing I might cause misunderstanding.
So I kept this letter on my head all day long...
...to confirm what I have said.
It seems today is the day to show it.
Gao'er.
Sir Qin risked his life to petition,
which shows his courage and loyalty.
There lies one's courage.
Qin Hui,
there are many ways to retreat and solve the problem.
Li Gang knows nothing but violence,
which is not the best solution.
If you censorate can solve this situation of Bianjing...
...without a drop of blood,
all those words from political spectrum,
you can just let them go.
Thank you, my Lady.
If this really is the best solution,
then what's the point of my going to the Guide Camp of Jin?
Gao'er.
What are you talking about?
You are going to Guide?
The trip has been scheduled.
I'm only waiting for the government's approval.
Then I shall depart immediately.
My Goodness.
There are thirty-one princes in this royal palace.
Why does it have to be you?
Congratulations to prince.
Prince will become the hostage of the Jin.
Why are you congratulating?
Is it the serious warning that Confusion spoke of.
Nowadays, in the government, good talkers...
...who are good at debating, like Zhang Bangchang...
...or Wang Boyan...
...are not few.
But the Emperor chose the prince in particular...
...to go to the Jin Camp and cope with the situation.
This explains one thing that is in Emperor's mind.
Prince is one...
...outstanding...
and excellent heir to the throne.
What's more.
The negotiation of two countries calls for choosing bigger benefits,
and less loss.
The value between them,
the way of compromising...
...calls for various experience.
One might attack by innuendo.
Digest and apply what he has learned.
This trip for the prince...
...is the best chance for you to enhance your experience.
Surely, it's worth congratulating.
I've heard that Liu Ge, the defense minister...
...died while negotiating with the Jin.
If Sir Qin is so eager to send those...
...serious warnings to Wo Libu,
why haven't you asked to go there yourself,
and show your talent there?
That's true.
Why don't you ask to go with the Prince,
so that the Prince won't toil so much.
That's exactly what I intend to do...
...tomorrow morning.
I will report to the Emperor.
Mother.
Your son has grown up.
I will be careful.
Don't worry so much.
I can't, Gao'er.
I can't let you become a hostage to the Jin.
If the government has a chance to send the army,
they won't consider twice because of the prince.
Mother.
I will talk to the older Emperor right away.
Mother.
Here comes the Holy Father of the Emperor.
Long live the Father of the Emperor.
Be at ease.
Thank you, my lord.
My beloved wife.
Today is your birthday.
There's no need for so much attention,
my lord.
The celebration of my birthday doesn't matter.
But I want to ask for a presumptuous request.
I hope my lord will permit it.
Please say it.
Go'er is still very young.
I beg my lord to send someone else to Gui'de.
About this...
Since the emperor has already given his order,
I'm afraid it will be hard to change the decision.
My lord,
please let Gao'er go.
I beg you, my lord.
Gao'er has both courage and wisdom.
You ought to be proud...
...of a son like him.
What's more...
Gao'er has a loyal mind.
Why don't you let him go?
My lord.
I have this one and only son.
If he dies,
I won't survive.
How about this?
I will entitle you the honor of "Gui Fei". (Gui Fei: higher position then her current title.)
Your bedroom will be set...
...next to mine.
If Gao'er comes back safe and sound,
he'll be entitled as Grand Tutor,
as well as provincial governor.
How do you like that?
No, Emperor, no...
No.
Mother.
No.
Mother.
No.
Mother.
About the negotiation at the Jin camp,
I volunteered to go.
I can render my service as a way to pay back the kindness of the government.
I am happy.
Please don't be sad, Mother.
Don't make it hard for royal father as well.
Gao'er.
Son...
...kowtows for the mercy of my Lord, on behalf of my mother.
I am going there.
I may not come back.
I hope Father...
...will take care of yourself.
Gao'er.
Mother,
from this day on...
...you are a Grand Lady (Gui Fei).
Gao'er.
Be at ease, my lady.
The former untruthful act of the Jin...
...are blamed by all.
This time they must behave themselves.
If lady is still worried,
I know that Zongze has found...
...people with skills and talents in State Xiangzhou.
If the government speaks out to borrow these talents,
he won't refuse.
Fine.
Please talk to Zongze and decide for yourselves...
who will go...
and keep the prince safe.
To safely go and come back...
there will be a big reward.
Thank you, mercy of my lady.
Yue Fei.
Here.
Fu Qin.
Here.
Zhang Yong.
Here.
Wang Gui.
Here.
You four depart immediately to the capital by these orders.
Guard Prince Kang Wang on his way to the negotiation in Gui'de.
You must get there safely,
and safely come back.
If anything goes wrong,
I will blame Yue Fei.
Yes, sir.
General Zong.
What about me, Niu Gao?
I want to go with big Yue Fei,
and render my service to Song.
I permit it.
Thank you, General.
This is related to the politics of the government.
Even the slightest thing cannot go wrong.
Disguise yourselves as officials of the prince.
Guard the prince.
Be discreet.
Yes, sir.
General Zongze.
I heard that the crown prince of Jin...
...kills indifferently.
General Liu Ge...
faced exactly the same at the negotiation camp.
Now his life's safety is still unknown.
Our guarding Prince Kang to Gui'de...
...is suicide.
General Zong's here. Don't be rude.
I'm merely telling the facts.
I'm still a bachelor.
I don't want to die unknown.
Zhong Yong's words are right.
The trip to Gui'de...
...is dangerous indeed. It's hard to tell the future.
The fourth prince of Jin suggested that...
...we send one of our princes to negotiate with them.
This is a first in history.
Prince Kang, regardless of his own life,
volunteered to go.
He not only shared the burden of the government,
but also showed the courage of our great Song.
We, as important officials of the government...
ought to stand in the front.
General Zongze.
Please be at ease, General.
We shall do our best...
...to live up to the government's wish.
Good.
Take a few days off to adjust yourselves.
Set off immediately.
Yes, sir.
What happened?
Zhang Yong
What happened to you?
Are you alright?
Zhang Yong
I have a stomachache...
...stomachache.
I must have eaten something bad in the morning.
Poisoned? Is it poisoning?
Maybe.
Big brother...
Your belly still hurts.
My hand hurts now.
Zhang Yong
You coward, don't want to go?
You acting again?
What a show.
Zhang Yong
We are all from TangYin.
Son't disgrace TangYin people.
Big brother.
I just don't want to lose my life for nothing.
You know?
What you value is justice and to abide by the law.
What I value is wealth.
You are such a money grub.
Such a waste of your talent...
...that you only have money in your mind.
Big brother.
You know I'm the only child in my family.
I really want to go back to my hometown in the countryside,
and marry to Wushima.
I can't let her be a widow,
without marriage.
Go back to hometown TangYin.
Big brother.
You're really letting me go.
If you want to go, there's no way I can stop you.
Thirty liang (silver money.) Give them to my mother.
Give this hair pin to your sister-in-law (Yue's wife.)
She's wanted it for a long time.
Big brother.
What about this?
You come back with me.
We buy a field...
...a place.
Yue Fei, Zhang Yong.
We till the land,
have some good days.
Don't bullshit.
Go now.
Big brother.
Don't fear.
I may take away this money.
If that's all you've got in you,
the name given you by your father...
...should be changed to Zhang Wuyong (meaning useless.) (wu = "no", yong "useful").
Zhang Wuyong...
Zhang Useless.
Good shooting.
Good shot.
The arrow right on the red spot...
...that can be said to be a good shot.
The arrow shot yesterday...
...fell to the ground while in the air.
Today's shot has found its target.
Prince's skill has advanced quickly.
What a genius at shooting.
A genius.
Fabulous
If that's the fourth prince of Jin, Wu Shu,
it must frighten him.
Scare him to death.
Prince,
you're here.
Prince.
General Zongze assigned Yue Fei...
and four other officers...
to guard Prince to Gui'de.
Prince.
Feel free...
...to raise your faces.
Let the prince get to know your face.
The prince is to negotiate a truce...
...not hunt.
What is the use of these master shooters...
...to guard the prince?
This trip to Gui'de...
If something goes wrong,
it will be a disaster.
Better send them back to State Xiangzhou.
Hold on.
Sir Zhang.
These are orders from the General. They dare not decline.
I'm also for...
Wait.
Since he's a master of shooting,
why not let him show his staff.
I also want to know what kind of unique skill he has.
Fine.
Yue Fei.
Do as the prince has asked.
Yes, sir.
Listen.
You shoot three arrows first. Show him how.
Yes, sir.
Please
This bow is too light.
Do you have anything heavier?
Suit yourself.
Big brother.
Shooting is not about training the skill,
but about training your heart.
If you care too much about the result, you'll lose it.
Aiming for the target...
is to aim your self-cultivation.
Mengzi once said,
shooting but failed,
seek the cause in oneself instead of someone else.
The soldier weighs his bow.
The bow's weight is strength.
A calm mind and upright body.
Don't change your countenance.
Reconcile the body...
...and breath.
Concentrate on your mind and inner strength.
That's how you always hit your target.
Excellent.
Amazing, a target within a target.
A shot through an arrow.
Who said we don't have talents in our Song?
With such a good shooting skill,
I feel that even Jin Wushu will fear us somehow.
Thank you, your Highness.
Good, good.
I am the Prime Minister, Zhang Bangchang.
I will be among those who serve the prince along the way to Gui'de.
All warriors here...
During this time, we'll share life and risks,
and any difficulty.
Shall we?
Everyone...
do what you can do.
Show what you have.
We need to go to Gui'de safely,
and come back to the capital with good news.
When we return,
great reward will await us...
...will await us.
Thank you, sir.
Sir Zhang.
Tonight, take all brothers here...
...to feast at the Fan Restaurant.
After tomorrow,
we will depart.
Yes, Prince.
Warriors, please.
Thank you, your Highness.
Please follow me.
Prince, allow Qin to leave first.
Thank you for your work.
Come on.
What decent drink.
Thank you for coming.
Really good liquor.
Drink a lot.
Waiter,
bring us two more jars.
Yes, sir. Two more, right away!
Big brother, Fan Restaurant deserves its reputation.
This is the finest feast.
Even if Gui'de is the gate of hell,
coming here makes it worth going.
Right.
What's the gate of hell?
Last time we didn't fulfill our duty.
General Liu died.
This time, regardless of extreme danger,
we must keep Prince Kang safe.
He must come back safe and sound.
Right, everyone drink.
Come on.
Big brother.
One shot. Come on.
For you...
Cheers, one shot.
Come on.
One shot.
Good drink.
Let's drink until we're drunk.
Okay, come on.
Come on.
Have some food.
This one's good.
Who?
Freeze.
My liquor.
Help it up.
My name is Liang Xin.
I've been waiting here for a long time.
Liang Xing?
Have you ever heard of Zhong Yi Society?
Zhong Yi Society?
Right. Zhong Yi Society.
You're the one people call Smooth Face Soulful Official, Liang Xing?
It is I.
I took the liberty to invite you all here.
Please, forgive me.
This is the deputy chief of Zhong Yi Society.
Su Su.
Thank you for saving me last time.
You don't need to thank me.
Give me back my messenger bag.
Miss, you're very young.
Your moving ability is not bad.
Sir, please stay.
Sir,
I have a just cause against Jin.
I wish to discuss it with you.
Please come in and talk.
Zhong Yi Society.
It is a militia made up of...
...common folk who wish to fight against Jin.
At this time, Jin's army...
...has not only surrounded Bianjing,
but also Zhong Mou,
Zhu Xian Town, Chen Province,
Gui De, and Cao County. This region...
...has come under the control of...
...Jin Wu Zhu's armored horses.
There are so many things we need to do.
What I am trying to say is...
...even though the imperial court doesn't care about whether we live or die,
we, Zhong Yi Society...
...still see the imperial court's well-being as our responsibility.
I don't know what kind of advice you have.
I don't dare give advice.
May I ask?
Are you escorting Prince Kang on this mission?
You're heading Gui De to discuss the peace treaty?
You have four people on this mission.
Looks like you have many watchful eyes.
Such a classified secret,
you had knowledge of.
Is Zhong Yi Society extending to Gui De?
Sir, there's something you don't know.
People from the imperial court are flying their flags,
and wearing shining armors.
The brothers in Zhong Yi Society...
We mask ourselves, hide ourselves.
Wherever Jin people go,
we follow them.
Great.
It looks like the job of protecting Prince Kang...
will not depend on only four people.
When facing off with Jin Wu Zhu's hundred thousand soldiers,
a man is not too few.
Ten thousand men are not too many.
Prince Kang's mission...
No one knows what the outcome will be.
We have an inside man in Gui De.
If something unfortunate happens,
we can protect the Prince.
It's rare that Prince Kang...
...offered himself to negotiate the peace treaty.
We must guarantee his safety.
If I have the assistance of Zhong Yi Society,
my heart is relieved.
Thank you. The brave people in Zhong Yi Society.
Everyone.
Emissary and accompanying officials...
...cannot bring any weapons into the big tent.
It's a rule in Jin territory.
Please.