Episode 14
Crown a new ruler?
Does Lord Wang have anyone in mind?
As of now, the only one who can ascend the throne immediately,
is the Ninth Prince.
Me?
What abilities do I possibly have for this?
His Majesty's life is at stake right now.
It's the people's will that the Ninth Prince should ascend the throne.
Though Imperial Father and Brother Wang have gone to exile together,
they are good people who will receive Heaven's help.
They will definitely turn this misfortune into fortune.
But the Great Song Dynasty can't survive one day without a ruler!
Besides,
Heaven has given a sign.
Before, when we encountered danger at the Nima River,
when we were surrounded by the Jin people on all sides,
when all those arrows were shot at us and we couldn't seem to escape,
the clouds of fortune suddenly arose,
and the Ninth Prince rode the celestial stallion into the sky!
This phenomenon was created by the Heavens!
What does the Marshal think?
Now His Majesty is exiled up north.
There is no one to lead.
Having the Prince ascend the throne
is the people's will.
I hope Your Highness will be steady and courageous in your strategy and wisdom.
We swear to follow you to death and never to betray you.
That's right!
Now the Great Song Dynasty is in trouble.
The Ninth Prince's crowning
obeys the Heavens and pleases the people!
Your Highness,
even if you don't think of yourself,
you must think of the people!
I ask that Your Highness ascend the throne soon!
We ask Your Highness to ascend the throne soon!
Now, His Majesty is chased to the north.
There is no ruler.
I am willing to accept this great task!
Inherit the throne and bring honor to my parents.
Reform the Great Song Dynasty!
Everyone,
you are all the right-hand officials of the Great Song Dynasty.
I hope you all will assist me in the future.
Welcome back His Majesty,
and take back our land!
Welcome back His Majesty!
Take back our land!
Long live our Emperor!
All may rise.
Thanks to the Emperor!
This lantern,
is personally made by Dowager Consort Wei.
When I was six years old,
she gave it to me.
It gave me light for studying.
It gave me the light to write.
It lighted the way for me to talk.
It gave me the light to see the blossoming and wilting flowers.
While late at night,
in my dreams, it gave me light to climb upon Heaven's stairs,
and pick celestial peaches.
It's been ten-something years.
This lantern always accompanied me.
I ascend the throne today.
I brought this lantern here
to make all of you realize
one lantern can light up a thousand years' darkness.
I also need the ball of fire residing in your hearts
to work together with me
and light up this lantern!
Radiating on all sides.
Reforming the nation!
Benefitting all beings!
Thanks for Emperor's grace!
Overlord, Over-mistress,
I ascended the throne under imperial orders.
Unfortunately the Jin army invaded the city
and His Majesty was exiled to the north.
To think of the long journey you are enduring,
the suffering of cold and hunger.
Overlord, Over-mistress,
The brightness will alight over this land.
After I ascend the throne,
I will diligently rule,
reform the laws,
and continue the legacy!
Don't worry, Your Majesty.
Although armored soldiers are nearing the city,
waiting on the battlefield,
we shall claim victory and toast until we sleep.
Claim victory and toast until we sleep!
Hands off when you have it!
Again!
Hey, should I gamble big or small? Of course small!
Gamble small?
Hands off when you have it!
Big!
All have pawned something?
Brother Yao,
are you going to gamble big or small?
I,
I'll gamble small.
Sure?
I'm sure.
Small!
Big!
Yao Gun,
I originally said it was going to be big.
This is small. Look, this one is small!
This time doesn't count. How doesn't it count?
Get out!
If you're smart, leave!
Or else I'll beat you up!
Let's go!
Sister-in-law,
I'll do it myself.
I'll do it.
You are like your brother.
You only know how to fight battles.
How do you guys know how much clothes or money to pack?
Here's the shoes.
I wonder how long your leave will be this time.
I brought some more winter clothes for you.
Just listen to your sister-in-law.
Look at how thorough she is.
Oh right,
I prepared some money for you.
I'll bring it for you.
Sister!
What are you doing here?
It's been a few years.
I miss you!
I want to visit you.
Uncle!
Sister, this is Xiangzi?
After a few years of not seeing you,
you've grown taller,
just like an adult!
Xiao-e,
Mother,
This is my second brother.
Sister, she is...?
She's the new wife of Fei-er.
Greetings, Uncle.
My nephew's wife?
Great.
She looks so virtuous and able.
Good.
I'll put it here.
Mother, let me.
Grand Uncle!
Who are you?
Yue Yun!
Even Yue Yun is this tall?
So great!
Mother!
Did you hear?
I've grown taller!
I've grown taller.
When you are as tall as me,
you can also go to battles.
Battles?
Go go go go!
Xiangzi,
you are joining the army?
The shame of Jing Kang,
the abduction of the Emperor,
I must join the army!
I will go with my brother to kill the enemy!
Good!
You are ambitious!
Good!
You have ambitions!
What?
Did you come so far
to send off Yue Xiang?
Come,
go play with uncle.
Come,
Sister, let's discuss something.
What?
Lend me some money.
You want to gamble again?
No.
I will return it to you with interest in two days.
I don't have money.
Sister,
are you sure?
Your two sons have both joined the army.
Maybe someday,
they'll be ordained a general or something.
Why would you care about this bit of money?
Even if they both become generals,
it has nothing to do with you.
I knew you didn't come with good intentions.
Sister,
you can't just watch me die!
I already said I have no money!
Sister!
Xiangzi,
since I'm not by your side,
you must be careful with everything.
Look,
when it's cold,
put this scarf on your neck.
Don't freeze yourself.
Be careful!
Don't worry.
What happened?
The money's gone!
Try to look for it again!
Where did it go?
It was right here.
How can this be?
What happened, mother?
The money's gone.
The money's gone?
Your uncle must have taken it!
I'll go find him!
Mother,
he's already been gone for a while.
It's probably already all gambled by now.
Then what?
Wait.
Why only this much?
For these things,
I've already given you more than enough.
Little brother,
just give some more.
We are desperate for money.
Sister-in-law Yue,
I'm not in charge of this.
Sister-in-law Yue,
right now the world is in upheaval.
These things really aren't worth much.
If you really are desperate for money,
then go back home and find something
you usually put on the bottom of the cases.
Don't worry,
as long as the product is good,
we will give a good price.
Bottom-of-the-case things?
Let me see.
It's a bit aged.
The craftsmanship is also good.
Ok,
guys, thirty silvers!
Alright!
Sister-in-law, here's the money.
Don't lose it.
Shopkeeper,
don't sell it so quickly.
When I have money I will pawn it back.
Alright, Sister-in-law Yue.
I'll try.
Thank you.
Take care.
Take it.
Sister-in-law, where did you get this much money?
Don't ask so much.
Just use it.
Thank you, sister-in-law.
Sister-in-law,
is there anything else for my brother?
This is Yun-er's calligraphy
and also the handkerchief Aunty An embroidered.
Tell your brother
to look at it when he misses the children.
Alright!
And also tell him
that everything's fine at home,
that he doesn't need to worry.
Mother, go back now.
Be safe on your journey!
I'm leaving, Sister-in-law.
Peace be with you. Be careful, Uncle!
Take care!
Go back now!
Be careful!
Eunuch Kang, please relay
that Lord Zhang wants to meet the Emperor.
He wants to apologize in person.
Isn't that the impostor emperor?
Our emperor said
he won't meet him.
Lord Zhang,
how about you say it here?
Just say it.
Your Majesty!
I know I have sinned!
I know I'm worthy of death!
Your Majesty, please forgive me!
Your Majesty,
when those Jin people set me up as the imposter emperor,
I knew that this is treason,
a crime worthy of death for nine clans of relatives!
I tried to decline,
but the Jins threatened me
that if I don't obey,
they will cover Bian Jing with blood.
I was forcefully restrained,
a crowd of officials exhorting me,
I had no alternative,
I was forced to accept the title
and become the imposter emperor.
Even so, your humble servant
didn't dare to consider himself emperor,
and wear the yellow robe.
I didn't stand under the yellow parasol,
I never thought of overstepping my authority in the slightest.
All I did was hope that one day Song would shine again.
and the throne returned to the Zhao clan.
Since Your Majesty ascended the throne
I single-mindedly gave my allegiance to Your Majesty.
without a second motive.
Ah! Your Majesty!
This time I have no alternative but to beg
Your Majesty, please have mercy!
Emperor, please don't kill me
His Majesty is unwilling to see you
You must already understand what he means.
Emperor,
do you really want to condemn me to death?
Emperor!
How many years
have I been loyal and devoted? Emperor!
This matter is already closed,
no point in arguing further.
Since you yourself chose this road,
you should know
that this road leads to losing one's head.
I can't offer you any help.
Listen to my wordI
Don't wait for the Emperor to open his mouth,
haven't you yourself already said it?
Your offence is high treason,
punishable by family execution ("execution of nine relations")
Zhang Bang Chang lasted only 32 days as forced self-proclaimed emperor,
after the Jin troops retreated,
he cast off the dragon robe
and the assumed title.
On his return South, he went to Gui De to see Emperor Zhao Gou.
Now, Zhao Gou wasn't keen to return to Bianliang,
and ordered Zong Ze to take care of Dongjing.
When Zong Ze and Yue Fei arrived to Bianliang
they saw that its former prosperous air was gone.
Their eyes were met
by a scene of desolation and devastation.
What did His Majesty say?
The bandit Cao Cheng
may have formed an alliance with the Jin.
His Majesty wants us to assassinate Cao Cheng
to get rid of this problem.
Cao Zheng commands a force of over 100 thousands
and has no shortage of crack troops and brave generals.
I'm afraid that killing him off won't be easy.
To take the man down, first shoot the horse.
To capture the bandits, first take their king.
To break down this 100 thousand strong bandit force
we must first take Cao Cheng and Yang Cai Xing.
Marshal Zong, we have already confronted Yan Zai Xing.
I believe that this man
has a high martial arts standard
and exceptional courage and insight.
Although he's only a bandit
he isn't without honour.
If we can make use of him,
he could become a good general.
Are you thinking of recruiting them?
If I have a chance I can try
Although Yang Zai Xing is lowly,
he is Cao Cheng's right hand man.
Afterwards, we may be able to recruit also Cao Cheng.
Soldiers are soldiers,
bandits are bandits,
how can we recruit
sodiers and bandits together?
I think it will bring trouble in the future.
These two men can lead a 100,000 strong force,
they must be quite extraordinary.
If we can make them surrender
they will greatly strengthen our military power.
If we let the Jins employ them
the result would be unthinkable.
What Yue Fei says makes sense,
but have you thought
how to recruit them?
My General, I have not yet thought.
You think of doing something
but don't know how to do it,
then it's no use at all!
Yue Fei...
you still have to study carefully! Mh?
Yes - I ask Marshal Zong to instruct me.
With regard to dealing with the likes of Cao Cheng,
there is only one word:
Beat them!
To win them over,
strike fear in them,
beat them into submission.
Only then will they consider changing allegiance.
It is too premature to talk of recruitment now.
Then, isn't it as Marshal Zong says?
Come.
Look here,
the rugged terrain in the North
is very suitable for ambushes.
If we can lure Cao Cheng
to this place,
we'll stand a big chance.
Of course,
Cao Cheng is not the kind to stay idle,
his forces are very good at field operations.
Therefore, I plan
looking for a few men familiar with the topography
to join us in the fight.
There are 2 men we could use.
Who?
The brothers Ji Yong and Ji Qian
Them?
Originally they were forest bandits
they're certainly very familiar with mountain warfare.
They are in prison,
will they help?
I'm willing to try.
Brother, come and eat!
Elder brother, you eat.
I want to sleep a while longer.
We eat very well.
What do you want here?
Old Marshal Zong
wants soldiers to go ambush Cao Cheng,
but in the North most roads are mountain roads.
You two have experience of mountain warfare.
Therefore, I thought
of inviting you two to fight together with us.
Does the Imperial Court really offers us to let bygones be bygones?
Absolutely.
Under the circumstances,
I'll believe you just once more,
but there is one condition.
Say it!
You have to promise my and my brother's safety.
All right.
What's the matter?
Brother!
The food was poisoned!
Bring military doctor! Quickly!
Brother!
Come through, ah! Brother!
Brother!
Marshal Zong!
Marshal Zong, something happened!
Someone added poison to the brothers Ji 's food,
Is this so?
What's the situation now?
At the time I got there,
Ji Yong was just starting to eat.
Immediately after, he vomited blood.
Ji Qian reckoned he was in mortal danger,
but Ji Yong...
It's outrageous!
How can someone within Marshal Zong's army try to commit murder!
I was just about to persuade the Ji brothers to capitulate
when the attempt was made on their lives.
I think
that there is a Jin spy within the army.
Eh? Impossible!
Otherwise, who could have carried out this murder attempt?
Naturally, this spy feared
to be given away by the Ji brothers.
Therefore, he ruthlessly decided to poison both of them.
to poison both of them.
Yue Fei's amalysis is not bad,
No wonder the Jin movements against us
have been so incisive all along.
If this man isn't removed
there'll be huge problems in the future!
Since this was murder by poisoning,
all the prison's cooks and food servers
could be into it.
Yue Fei, Wang Xie, listen to the orders!
We're listening!
You two are to conduct a thorough investigation.
No mistakes allowed!
Yes, Sir!
General Wang!
What are you doing?
Don't kill me!
I found it!
Look!
This is the poison.
He was already dead when I arrived.
What?
Ji Yong was poisoned?
I was with Wang Xie just now,
pursuing one of the food servers.
Then, he...
did this man say who gave him the orders?
He didn't.
When I got there, he was already dead.
This issue definitely isn't so simple.
This undercover agent is still operating in secret.
We should have anticipated early
that an agent would be planted within the army.
Brother,
whom do you suspect?
Without evidence,
I can't say anything.
Does Ji Qian know who is this man?
He knows.
but reckons he can't say with certainty.
He can narrow it down to some extent.
Has the murderer been found?
We only caught a low rank soldier,
definitely someone above must have given the orders.
This man wanted to do away with a witness,
you must have had some connection with him.
Quickly tell me, who is this man?
This man definitely is...
Go!
This Yue Fen!
He's quite a character.
What a pity
that he is no use to me!
Therefore,
have to be very careful with him in the future.
Don't worry, General.
Ji Qian and Ji Yong
have already gone to the underworld.
Yue Fei can investigate all he wants,
the dead are no good witnesses.
This Yue Fei has long been our adversary,
do you think...
that we may want...
A little spice is enough to taste hot.
Besides, if the Jin haven't given this directive,
we absolutely don't want to act rashly.
I understand!
There's more,
at all times keep watch
of Yue Fei's every single word, every movement,
every action,
and report to me immediately.
Yes.
Help me!
Let me go!
Please help!
Let go of me!
Help!
Help me!
What's this?
Trust me to pick a woman willing to die to preserve her chastity!
What?
Aren't the Han palace maids willing to help out?
Each and all of them cry and wail all day.
I can't get even a bit of joy.
It looks like we better stick to our Jurchen women
to get unrestrained comfort.
In the end, what on earth should we do
with these Song prisoners?
What "what should we do"?
Turn them into coolies,
or are we going to maintain them for free?
It's just that among these Song prisoners
there are several Imperial relatives.
I'm afraid it's inappropriate
to treat them like this.
We better keep a record of these Song imperial relatives,
get all these dukes,
princesses and concubines listed.
The rest can be made into coolies.
Ẃuguo Town
Write down your name!
Imperial Father!
Imperial Father, save me!
Imperial Father!
Imperial Father, help me!
Let me go!
Let me down!
You! Come out! Come here!
What are you doing?
Let's have a tumble!
He doesn't know how!
This is how you tumble!
Do you understand?
Do you tumble or not?
Don't you?
Come! - Come here!
Don't kill me!
Come and tumble another round with Daddy!
Stand up!
Zhao Ji
"All night the west wind shakes the broken door,
in the solitary house quivers a tiny lamp,
Jiashan remains 3000 li behind,
no wild geese are seen heading off Shanan."
I want to enlist! I want to enlist!
Folks!
Quiet down a little!
General,
accept us, please!
We want to join the army to fight the Jin!
Right!
The Great Song is in trouble,
men cannot just sit looking and do nothing!
Folks!
I understand your state of mind,
I was just like you before.
As men on this world
we must make use of this body
to do useful things.
Today, a powerful enemy attacks,
the fire of war is unstoppable.
Dynastic rule is weakened,
and ordinary people are suffering extreme misery.
I expect that all real men
are willing to protect their country even before their family.
Give up your bodies and forget death!
10,000 men, one heart!
Summon up all your courage to kill the enemy
and win back our territory.
Welcome back your two emperors.
Clear away the humiliation of Jingliang.
Clear away the humiliation of Jingliang!
I vow to follow General Yue Fei to the death!
This brat is way over the top!
He thinks that the barracks are his.
Today's young officers!
They have no manners,
they ought to be be disciplined properly.
I vow to follow Great Marshal Zong to the death!
Everybody, no more noise!
Stop shouting!
If you want to enlist in the army,
come this way to sign up.
After that, you'll go through the entry examination.
Good!
Don't push. Don't push.
Come one at a time.
Don't push. Don't push.
Form a queue on that side to sign up.
That is my brother.
Brother!
Yue Xiang!
Why have you come?
I come to join the army.
Isn't this Yue Xiang?
What are you doing here?
I've come to enlist.
Elder Brother. Enough!
He has potential.
All those who want to enlist
have to undergo an examination.
There are no exceptions.
I'll take the examination.
Brother,
enough.
Look at young Xiang,
These shoulders,
these shoulders definitely have strength.
Brother. I'll first take him to sign up.
Come, come, come.
First sign up.
My turn.
Hold on a little.
First write down this man's name.
Go back!
You have to join the queue to sign up.
We have all been waiting.
Quite so!
Eh? What are you doing here?
What does it look like?
I come to sign up.
You?
What's the matter?
We here... don't accept women soldiers.
Go back at once!
Miss Susu, don't make trouble.
Don't touch me!
You here! What article and what clause in the regulations
says that women cannot join the army?