Episode 12
Are you the emissary Prince Kang Zhao Guo sent by Zhao Huan?
I am.
Prince Kang, you're very young,
for taking on such a huge burden already.
It must have been difficult for you.
But, it seems that Song
doesn't have any talent left to use.
Song has strong soldiers and sturdy horses.
We are full of talents.
I'm the most useless one.
That's why I was sent here.
Using your sharp tongue,
doesn't befit a hero.
Hopefully, Prince Kang will act the same on the battlefields.
It's not my wish.
Even the children in Song know
the allusion of the story about Yan Zi the emissary.
Now, you're putting in on the negotiating table.
It's shameful.
Do you know this place?
In ancient days, it's called Shang Qiu.
Now, it's called Nan Jing.
It's also called Gui De.
How far is it from Bian Jing?
About three hundred miles.
This means it's not only Bian Jing that's been
surrounded by our troop.
Even the region within the two hundreds miles of the Yellow River
is surrounded by our iron armored soldiers.
That's why we have this opportunity today
to meet each other.
What do you think, Prince Kang?
Based on my knowledge,
Marshal Zong Ze,
Hang Shi Zhong, Wang Yuan
Liu Guang Xu, and Zhang Jun
are mobilizing their troops now.
They're heading to Bian Jing.
It's too soon to determine the outcome.
Zong Ze.
Han Zhi Zhong, Liu Guang Shi,
and Zhang Jun. How far are they from Bain Jing?
At most, it should take them no more than ten days.
It's been almost two months since we started the siege.
Why haven't we seen any sign of
the Emperor's guarding troops?
This has nothing to do with distance.
This has everything to do with their boldness.
Do they dare to battle against
Jin's armored troops?
What do you think?
You're already losers in this battle.
Dried bones in the tomb.
Your emperor is doing this for the sake of his people.
He is sparing them from more suffering and misery.
Then, we really must thank the Emperor of Jin,
for his kindness.
But, I'm here
on the order of my royal brother.
I must make a declaration.
About reparations,
it's negotiable.
But, the old adage taught us that
the land left by our ancestors must not be ceded, even one inch.
To cede the land is absolutely impossible.
Since the peace treaty can't be settled
in one or two days,
Prince Kang and other guests
will have to rest here.
Wait until I report to your Emperor.
We can make decision then.
Crown Prince,
I'd like to ask Prince Kang a few questions.
May I?
Please, Counselor.
What sort of books has Prince Kang read?
I think "Art of War" by Sun Tzu is very good.
"Art of War"?
Prince Kang, you should know this.
Even if you have memorized the "Art of War",
Song's generals and solders
will never improve and make progress.
In the end, they will all become
the ghosts under Jin's swords.
Does this bow belong to Crown Prince?
This Iron Baby Treasure, no one except me
in Jin is able to draw it.
May I test it?
Prince Kang.
It's not because Song
can't go into the battlefields.
It's because we value peace above everything else.
The benevolent loves all people.
He is wise and brave.
Your Excellency, look at this.
Prince Kang, please take care.
Prince Kang.
Prince Kang, it has been an exhausting journey.
I think
you shouldn't stay here too long.
It's better that we go back as soon as possible.
Your Excellency, you're right.
Very much so.
Why don't I
order someone to prepare for a carriage?
Wait.
If we go back in such haste,
I'm worried that Jin's people will get suspicious.
The talk we had today with them,
you all heard it.
Jin is not a nice group of people.
Earlier at their court,
they insulted us as much as they could.
Ceding territory, paying reparations...
They wanted both.
They won't let us go...
...easily.
What should we do?
Prince Kang,
I have some words.
I'm not sure if I should say them.
You might as well say it.
I think,
at this time, we can only digress from the most important subject.
Yue Fei.
You're very young.
What do you know?
What do you mean by digression?
Earlier, the Fourth Prince Jin Wu Tu saw
how young you are.
He became suspicious.
The few questions asked by his counselor,
they were actually a test for you.
He is probably discussing this matter with his trusted aids.
Whether you're really royalty or not?
If we decide to leave now,
it will only add their suspicion.
I think, not only can we not leave here,
but also if we did, we'd be in a more dangerous situation.
In my opinion,
Prince Kang, why don't you take advantage of the current situation.
You can be free and relaxed.
Rest here for a few days.
Recuperate your health.
My two imperial officials,
Yue Fei is right.
Then,
I'll stay here.
Rest and relax for a few days.
Let's see what they can do to me?
Prince,
we need to maintain our face,
so Jin won't be guarding against us.
But in reality,
we still need to have Yue Fei
arranging a route for retreat.
Just in case of a mishap.
Prince Kang and Your Excellency, please put your mind at ease.
I've already made the arrangement in secret.
How old is Zhao Gou?
Fourth Prince,
as far as I know,
Prince Kang Zhao Gou is twenty two now.
In Zhao's family,
how many are useful?
Besides the reigning emperor Zhao Huan,
there is only Prince Kang Zhao Gou.
The others are still very young.
Can't see their future potential yet.
How about a comparison between Zhao Huan and Zhao Gou?
According to the old emperor's indications,
he was going to pass the throne to Zhao Gou...
...and not Zhao Huan.
You could tell from this,
he thought that Zhao Gou was more able than Zhao Huan.
Since Zhao Gou was more able than Zhao Huan,
why did Zhao Huan inherit the throne?
That was because of Imperial Concubine Wei.
She was not a favorite of the old emperor.
Imperial Concubine Wei wanted to promote her son to the throne position,
but she couldn't say anything.
Since the old emperor did not favor Wei,
why did he choose her to enter the imperial court?
When Imperial Concubine Wei was young,
she had a good memory and a silver tongue.
She told many anecdotes,
and that made the old emperor very happy.
But after a while, she stopped.
Instead, all she talked about was
the ideals of how to govern the state affairs.
The old emperor did not want to hear that.
So, he kept his distance from her.
Counselor,
I don't understand something.
Zhao Gou doesn't seem like someone
who was born with a golden spoon.
He is more like a decedent of a military general.
He was actually able to draw back my bow
with such ease.
Indeed, I was impressed.
Therefore,
whether this Prince Kang is real or not,
I must eliminate all traces of him this time.
Fourth Prince, please be at ease,
I'll take care of this matter personally.
Miss Su Su,
why are you here?
Liang Xing sent me here to protect you.
Earlier,
when I was waiting by the tent,
I heard something.
That guy Wu Zhu was talking
to his people.
He is planning to make a move tonight.
Earlier than I expected.
Thank you, Miss Su Su
and for Brother Liang's thoughtfulness.
See you next time.
Hey, wait.
You're going to leave just like that?
Have you thought of a way to leave here?
I have a few brothers who will be helping us from the outside.
I'll deliver a message to them.
If you leave like this,
and something bad happens to the prince,
what are you going to do?
I can deliver the message for you.
Since I could get in here,
I can get out as well.
You don't trust me?
If you don't believe me,
you should believe Zhong Yi Society.
This matter was arranged
by Liang Xing a while ago.
All right.
I'll trouble you with this matter.
Please deliver this message to Gui De Lodge.
A guy named Wang Gui.
Don't worry.
We finally had a chance to get out,
we still need to squeeze ourselves onto one bed.
Really!
Enough. Just put up with it.
Who is it?
I'm from Zhong Yi Society.
Yue Fei asked me to deliver this message to
Officer Wang Gui.
It's in the middle of the night.
Why is a girl here?
I'm sorry, Miss.
My brother is a rough fellow.
It's all right.
You're Wang Gui?
Yes, I am.
They are Fu Qing
and Niu Gao.
We are all brothers to Yue Fei.
Yue Fei wanted me to give you this letter.
Yue Fei and the others are now under Jin's control.
We need to come up with a way to save them quickly.
Darn!
I knew these Jin people didn't have good intentions.
Let's go save our big brother. Get your weapons.
Niu Ba Er, Fu Qing.
Niu Ba Er, Fu Qing. Hold on.
Jin's military camp probably has
three layers of protection outside, and three more inside.
Layer upon layer of ambush.
If there are only three of us,
I guess by the time we get inside the camp,
Yue Fei and the others will probably have met with some mishaps by then.
Wang Gui,
why are you giving praises to the enemy,
and discrediting our effort.
We must save Brother Yue Fei.
Right. Nothing to be scared of.
Let's kill our way in.
Wang Gui is right.
If you're willing to believe me,
I can help you.
Miss, please tell us.
Miss,
what good ideas do you have?
Talk, quickly.
Counselor, your invitation is in the middle of the night.
What is this about?
Officer Zhang, you're an intelligent person.
Why are you trying to play the fool,
when you know it all along?
Can't do this. Can't do this.
If Fourth Prince has
any use of me,
please tell me.
I'm willing to risk my life.
Nothing so serious.
Fourth Prince will not let you risk your life.
He wants you to enjoy a life of luxury.
I am incompetent and talentless.
How could I?
But, Fourth Prince
needs a favor from you, Officer Zhang.
Fourth Prince wishes to send Zhao Gou
to a place of no return.
This is inappropriate.
Inappropriate.
When two nations are at war, you cannot kill the peace emissary,
especially when he is a prince.
Then Officer Zhang, what do you suggest?
Let's take your life
instead of Zhao Gou's.
I'm incompetent and talentless.
Officer Zhang,
you should already know about Fourth Prince's temper.
What he said,
he will never take back.
Officer Zhang, don't worry.
I'll take very good care of
this matter.
Even after the deed is done,
you will never be suspected.
Besides, Fourth Prince said to
wait until the moment is right.
He will make you the ruler.
The new nation will be Chu.
What do you think now?
Officer Zhang, you're a smart man.
All we need to do is play a little trick.
They will fall right into the trap.
Officer Zhang, you only need to bring back a message.
You will say that you heard a rumor.
Zhao Gou will be killed at midnight.
Zhao Gou will need to leave immediately.
I will prepare the horses.
Open the gate.
Send him off.
Wait until he is outside.
My archers will be ready to shoot thousands of arrows.
He and his entourage will be in chaos,
with mud and blood.
When Fourth Prince asks about this,
I will tell him that Prince Kang
stole our military secret map.
He and his people were trying to run away.
In the end, they were killed by our patrol archers.
Then, at the Song's imperial court,
will anyone put the blame on you, Officer Zhang?
Counselor, you're the incarnation of Kong Ming (famous strategist).
Officer Zhang,
you're serving two masters.
Prince Kang. Prince Kang.
Come in.
Prince Kang, I heard something.
Officer Zhang, you came in the right moment.
I received the secret sign from Zhong Yi Society.
Tonight, someone is planning to harm Prince Kang.
We have to leave as quickly as we can.
Quickly?
Prince, let's go.
Quickly. Quickly.
Prince, Officer Zhang and Officer Qing. This way, please.
Officer Zhang, get on the horse.
Please follow them.
Go.
Everyone, it's safe here.
Please stay here without any worries.
Prince,
this place?
How can we stay here?
Really?
I think it's fine.
Prince,
this is the leader of the militia
Zhong Yi Society, Liang Xing.
Prince Kang.
Liang Xing and everyone else,
you're all patriots.
I have to be a burden to you.
Don't mention it.
This is what we should do.
Sorry to put you all in such inconvenience.
Please rest here.
A boat will come at dusk.
It will carry you all across the river.
Everyone, please sit.
I'll get something to eat.
Sit.
Brother Liang,
Jin's soldiers didn't chase them.
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
Come, eat something first.
Sirs,
please excuse the simple meal.
Thank you.
Why is there a strange smell in the water?
Can't drink it.
This bread,
it's as hard as a rock.
How can we eat this?
No.
I think it's quiet good.
Patriots,
the reason we escaped danger
was because of Yue Fei,
and your great effort in assisting us.
I will substitute wine with water,
and make a toast to everyone.
Yue Fei,
you're very diligent in your learning.
Your excellency.
Sit.
This diplomatic mission,
even though there were many twists and turns,
I was very fortunate to meet
a man
who is talented in both literature and martial arts.
A man who is able and decisive, Yue Fei.
When we return to the imperial court,
you and I...
...One in civil service. One in military service.
One inside. One outside.
We should work together for one great cause.
Thank you for your praises.
Civil officials use their pens to make peace.
Military officers change a nation on horses.
Only when civil and military officials work toward one goal
can we make Song Dynasty
more prosperous.
Good saying.
Something has gone wrong. The Jin are here.
Brother Liang, what's going on?
We are surrounded by Jin soldiers.
Impossible.
Didn't you say that no one was following you?
That's right.
What happened?
Strange.
Zhao Guo.
You can't get away.
Hurry and come out.
I can spare your lives.
Yue Fei.
Yue Fei, what are you doing?
Brothers,
chop off the table legs.
Chop as many as you can.
Attack!
Zhao Guo ran that way.
Chase them!
Prince.
Brother, Jin soldiers are here.
Protect Prince Kang.
Snatch the horses. All right.
Prince.
Prince, get on it.
Save me.
Prince, don't be scared.
Niu Ba Er is here.
Prince Kang,
get on my horse quickly.
Brother.
Hurry, get on the horse.
Get out now.
Go.
Your Majesty,
your brother is here.
Ninth Brother. Ninth Brother.
Get up. Get up.
Come. Come. Come.
Get up.
It must have been hard on you.
Your Majesty.
This time, our ancestors were watching out for us.
So, I was able to escape.
You shared the worries of this imperial court.
I'm very comforted.
But...
Your Majesty,
what are your worries?
Ninth Brother, when you came back,
I was going to have a chat with you.
Give you a welcome banquet.
But, you ran away without giving them reasons.
Jin wants someone to be held accountable for this.
I think you saw what's happening now.
The whole Bianjing city has been surrounded by them.
What do you mean?
I'm asking you to hurry back
to Jin's camp and be the hostage.
What?
Ninth Brother.
You must take on this heavy burden.
Before the treaty is signed,
don't ever have the idea of coming back to Bianjing again.
Otherwise, you will jeopardize the safety of our nation...
...and our people.
Even I will be blamed,
for thousands of years to come.
Your Majesty,
those Jins were trying to kill your royal brother.
If it were not for the good fortune I had,
my head would be on the floor right now.
Your Majesty,
are you pushing me to the depth of despair again?
If I can save the nation,
I will not regret to sacrifice myself.
But,
the Jin are heartless and cruel.
Their wolf-like greediness are so obvious.
Even if I die,
how long can you keep our nation?
So, you're saying...
...they have no intention of making peace.
They want to destroy Song.
Your Majesty,
actually, there is a chance for things to turn around.
I heard that
Song Ze is recruiting soldiers in Xiang Province.
I wish to be there and give assistance.
We will form an army to protect the emperor.
Protect the emperor?
Protect the emperor? Right.
I'll make you the General Marshal for the soldiers and horses.
You should go out of the city tonight.
Join with Zong Ze.
Recruit soldiers and horses to protect the emperor.
Hurry back
to protect your emperor.
Ninth Brother.
I...
...accept the order.
You have never fought in the battlefield.
You have no knowledge of mobilizing troops.
Why did the emperor make you...
...General Marshal?
I asked for the position myself.
Why?
The way to save a nation
depends on one move.
Heroes come from troubled times.
This is the best opportunity for me.
What I worry about most is that
Bianjing is surrounded tightly by Jin soldiers.
Can we break through?
It all depends on God's will.
Even if we could break through,
could Bianjing hold up on its own?
It's still unknown.
Sir,
why do you look at me this way?
I want to memorize your face.
Memorize how you look.
If something should happen to me...
...nothing should happen to you.
Nothing will happen to you.
Promise me.
You will come home safe and sound.
If Song Dynasty is destroyed,
where is home?
Yi Er,
I promise you.
I will come home safe and sound.
Prince.
Yue Fei and the others are here.
When is Prince ready to depart?
Sir Eunuch,
I worry about Prince being on the road.
You must take good care of him.
Much appreciated, my lady.
My lady, no need to worry.
This old servant will do everything that he should do.
Prince, please hurry.
My wife, do you have something else to say?
Prince.
No need for politeness.
You must take good care of yourself.
Prince.
You must come home safe and sound.
I heard that the emperor's brother,
His Royal Highness, Prince Kang,
was held hostage by the Jin camp.
Prince saw the situation turn bad for him.
He ran away from the Jin camp in haste.
Ji Wuzhu found out about it.
He brought his soldiers and chased after the prince.
Prince ran nonstop for tens of miles.
He even tired a warhorse to death.
He still kept on running.
But, Jin soldiers were getting closer.
Jin Wuzhu was raving mad.
Little Zhao Gou,
don't you dare to run away.
Jin soldiers can quicken their pace on the main road.
But, on small trails they can't.
After climbing the hills,
they ran toward the north.
At this moment, Jin Wuzhu could see everything.
Little Zhao Guo,
I will chase you up to the heaven,
and down to the sea.
If I catch you,
I'll chop you to pieces.
You, come back!
Prince said to himself,
I'd rather die and go back.
Come what
When he arrived at the foot of the hill, he saw a flash in his eye.
He was so startled.
What?
There was a wide river right in front of him.
There was a huge surge of waves.
Not a boat in sight.
What to do?
A wide river in the front.
Ji Wuzhu at the back.
No way up and no way down.
This... This... This...
At this moment, they were hanging by a hair.
Ji Wuzhu was coming upon them soon.
Suddenly, standing by a small hill,
a man appeared.
This man shouted.
Prince Kang.
Don't worry. Don't be scared.
General, he is here.
Then, something happened.
A horse came running down the hill.
It stopped right in front of Prince Kang.
A man jumped down from the horse.
Prince, you must be in distress.
Prince Kang looked up.
He was so happy.
It was like a big bright pearl falling on his lap.
Who was he?
He was our old hero Zhou Tong's eldest pupil.
He challenged Prince Liang in the arena.
The greatest warrior in Xiang Province.
The talented Yue Fei.
Yue Fei protected Prince Kang in the Jin camp secretly.
He was fighting off the enemies and was delayed.
So, Prince Kang arrived at the river bank earlier than he did.
Prince,
please get on the horse.
I'll fight off the pursuing soldiers.
General,
you gave me the horse. What about you?
It's all right. Please go now.
Go.
He helped Prince Kang get on the horse.
The moment Prince Kang put his feet in the stirrups,
Yue Fei gave a big slap
on the horse's behind.
The horse made a loud neigh sound.
He jumped in the river.
The horse galloped in the water.
He swam to the other side of the river.
At this moment, Jin Wuzhu and his men
were getting very close.
Yue Fei turned his head.
Stop.
Jin Wuzhu looked up.
A guy standing in front of him was
a twenty something young man.
No shocking stature. No outstanding look.
He dared to go against me.
Who are you?
It doesn't matter who I am.
You can't go across the river.
You're looking at your deathbed.
A high ranking officer on a horse closing in on Yue Fei.
He had a long spear.
He gave a downward strike.
Yue Fei was standing on the ground.
The officer had to strike downward.
Yue Fei looked up.
Good!
The spear went directly to his chest.
He moved aside.
He stepped away from the spear head.
He stretched out his hand
and grabbed the stick.
He took it into his body.
The officer on the horse
thought Yue Fei was some nice looking boy.
He underestimated Yue Fei.
He grabbed the spear back.
He didn't know that Yue Fei had great strength.
The spear was in Yue Fei's hands at this moment.
Then, he made a move.
The spear went on attack.