Episode 16
Xiangzi.
Nice one.
Wake up.
Kill with me.
Ok.
Kill him.
Kill.
Go.
Get back.
Faster get back.
Yue Xiang.
Xiangzi.
Brother.
Bring army and go chase Cao Cheng.
Can't let him go.
Ok.
Brothers.
Go.
Brother.
Let me protect you.
You, faster leave first. Ok
You, settle behind.
Back to camp, later we talk.
Ok.
Go.
Brother.
Faster come take a look at Xiangzi.
Xiangzi.
Brother.
Don't speak.
Hold on Xiangzi.
Xiangzi.
Brother.
I didn't made you ashamed?
How was I today?
Like a general or not?
Like.
You have a big credit.
You are a good example.
Xiangzi.
Brother.
Go.
Long time ago.
Yue Xiang is dreaming of war.
Even dead, also died in the right place.
Xiangzi.
In our heart,
you always a general.
Master General.
Xiangzi.
Your wish is achieved.
Don't think of others.
Move it.
Zong Xin
The Yue family place is not far from here,
Invite them to come here for a while.
Yes.
This bun is too cold to eat.
I made you a rice soup, here.
Drink it while it's warm.
Yue, don't be sad anymore.
Yue Xiang had great courage.
We learned from master together.
Yue Ziang always used to say:
"I'm not afraid of death...
...because I have a brother who will protect me."
But today,
I saw with my own eyes, Yang Zaixing kill him,
and couldn't do anything about it.
Nobody wanted something like this to happen,
but life and death are hard to avoid on the battlefield.
It isn't only Xiangzi,
there are also all these brothers...
...who see me as their life-changing friend.
Now, every time I close my eyes,
I think of them.
That face.
Sometimes happy,
sometimes filled with sorrow,
sometimes clenching their teeth,
sometimes humming a song.
They all have children at home.
They all have wives too.
But in one night,
such a short lived family was broken up.
Today I realized...
...how heavy a burden I bear.
It's not one life,
ten lives,
but it is the lives of seven hundred brothers.
Soldiers and officers alike suffer heavy casualties in battle.
But Heaven has eyes.
They certainly hope you can pull yourself together again,
and avenge them.
Right.
You are right.
I will avenge them.
I will get Cao Cheng and Yang Zaixing with my own hands.
Anything I can do?
I need you to help me watch Cao Cheng's movements.
His every act and every move -- report to me immediately.
But there's one thing...
...you must remember -- be careful.
Don't go near Yang Zaixing.
Don't worry.
I reckon I'll meet them face to face in a fight. I don't fear them!
When I say don't go near, don't go near!
This is a military order.
Understood.
In this battle of Caozhou, we suffered disastrous losses.
I lost many brothers.
This Yue Fei sure is outrageous.
He even broke elder brother's pocket formation.
I was caught by surprise in a moment of carelessness.
Too late to regret it now.
Otherwise, I would have completely destroyed his cavalry.
Elder brother, as long as the green hills last,
there'll always be wood to burn.
When we rally our forces,
we'll fight him again some other day.
No.
We can't strike again.
It's not that I fear Yue Fei.
Right now Old Zong's soldiers are strong, and his horses are sturdy.
He won't be careless.
Then, what you're saying is...
We go north, across the Yellow River...
...to Jin territory.
Who's there?
Chase them.
Don't let them get away!
Quickly.
Stop!
How is it?
Thank you. Don't make it too tight.
I must go back at once to report to Brother Yue.
We mustn't let Cao Cheng and Yang Zaixing run away.
Your wound is serious. You must heal first.
I'll go inform Yue Fei.
No. I can't let Brother Yue find out that I suffered an injury.
Otherwise, he'll send me to the White Guard again.
I'll leave first.
Then you...
Don't worry, I'm fine.
If any news arises, we'll be in contact.
Susu!
Susu,
Then you should ride the horse.
All right. Then, you take care.
Cao Cheng said he wanted to take his forces to Kaide.
The other side of the Yellow River is Jin territory.
They said they wanted to throw their lot completely with the Jin.
Okay, I got it.
What should I do now?
Let me think.
First, we go and look for Marshal Zong.
Marshal Zong! There is news from the Cao Cheng camp.
According to the report,
Cao Cheng and Yang Zaixing are already fleeing towards Kaide.
They want to cross the Yellow River straight away.
No doubt they want to join the Jin.
It's possible.
I worry that when they've crossed the Yellow River,
it'll be difficult for us to catch up with them.
This general requests permission to surround and destroy...
...Cao Cheng and Yang Zaixing.
Victory is allowed, defeat isn't.
I accept your order!
Attack!
What are you doing?
Elder brother, there's only this bamboo raft.
This bamboo raft is too small.
It can only carry one man and one horse.
Elder brother, how about I stay behind...
...and you cross first with the horse?
Brother. Take care!
Brother Maozi, let's go!
Yue Fei,
what if we spar each other a good round?
Don't move!
All right. Make it quick!
Where did you study your martial arts?
Two Wolves Mountain.
Who taught you?
An old man. No surname, no first name.
But do you know what happened on Two Wolves Mountain?
It's an old battle ground. Many died.
That's right.
The famous Song generals Yang Jiye and Yang Linggong...
...sacrificed themselves for their country, on a blood sprinkled Two Wolves Mountain.
What does this have to do with me?
I think the one who taught you spear arts...
...must definitely be related to Linggong.
He hid in the mountain and never came out.
And then he met you,
and saw you had talent that you could be nurtured.
So he transmitted the Yang Clan's spear arts to you.
What a pity...
...he only taught you spear arts.
He didn't teach you how to be a man.
You're not allowed to insult my master!
I have no intention of insulting the old man,
I just feel sorry for him...
...and sorry for his Yang Clan's spear arts!
I ask you again.
Your name -- did you have it originally?
Or did you change your original name to this?
My master made me change it.
The old master hoped that he to whom he taught the Yang Clan's spear arts,
would rekindle the Empire's glory.
He never expected you, even once,
to take up arms to defend.your country,
but instead use your weapons to kill and plunder.
You made Yang Zaixing... [Yang's Renewed Glory]
...become plain Yang Maozi, [Yang's Spear]
the shame of the Yang Clan,
and a shame to Yang Xiangqiang!
Even more shame to display the name openly like that.
Enough!
Stop talking!
I killed your brother!
Come, avenge your brother!
Yue Xiang's death...
...happened because he was careless.
Because his martial skills...
...were not ready for the battlefield.
It wasn't your killing. It was mine.
This happens often in the military.
I hate you,
but I don't blame you.
Go!
Yue Fei!
I, Yang Zaixing, practiced martial arts since I was seven.
When I was ten, I killed a man.
I don't understand the thing they call loyalty,
I can't tell black from white either.
But what you said...
...pierced me very deeply.
Brother Yue!
If you don't turn your back,
this man's head...
...will belong to you!
Madam. We've arrived.
Your mother won't be at your side. You''ll have to be careful about everything.
Look. When it gets cold,
wear this scarf around your neck.
You mustn't get frostbite.
Take care of your health.
Don't worry!
Yue Xiang's Grave
Xiang'er, eat!
Xiangzi, your brother is very sorry.
Mother, I am not filial.
Madam, a life must be paid with a life.
Yang Zaixing's life,
I give to you.
Mother, he's not the same Yang Zaixing as before.
He has already repented his actions,
and decided to serve his country.
Although, in my heart, I too hate him.
But when two armies engage in battle, each fights for itself.
Your son asks you, Mother, to put the greater good first.
For the Dynasty and for the people,
please give him one more chance.
Didn't you teach me since I was little...
...to judge everything based on the bigger picture?
The whole country shattered, two emperors taken prisoners.
Everything I did...
...was done to restore Great Song,
and welcome back the two emperors.
Mother, please forgive your son.
First comes one's duty as a subject,
and then filial duty.
Elder Brother, in my next life, I want us to be together on the battlefield.
Madam, in my next life I will be your son.
Xiao Hui.
Let's go.
Good! Very good!
Yue Fei destroyed the Cao forces in Caozhou.
100,000 Jin soldiers came to serve under Marshal Zong's command.
Ah, Yue Fei's ability is not small.
That's right.
I didn't expect that a 100,000 strong army...
...could be destroyed so quickly.
Where the rulers are bright, the generals are capable.
Where the generals are capable, the soldiers are victorious.
Everything relies on the Emperor's kindness.
What a tongue you have.
It's as if you dip it in honey every day.
This old slave is very clumsy.
Besides, in the past, I didn't serve good emperors.
From now on, I'll put more effort in mending my ways.
This time Yue Fei had success in dealing with the bandits.
Marshal Zong's success can't be denied.
Come, prepare ink for me.
Your Majesty, is it that you want to reward both men?
Of course.
However, in your slave's view,
this time...
...the only one who should be rewarded is Yue Fei. Marshal Zong should not be rewarded.
Why is that?
First, the expedition against Cao Cheng, was commanded by Yue Fei.
In action and theory, Yue Fei deserves the reward.
Second, Marshal Zong has an illustrious reputation,
and great popularity.
Supposing he receives more rewards,
I'm afraid his achievements may jeopardize his superiors' position.
Therefore, it will be better if this reward...
...goes entirely to the lower ranked young official Yue Fei.
This would show that the Emperor values talent,
while weakening Marshal Zong's power.
Isn't this killing two birds with one stone?
By virtue of the mandate received from Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:
"Enhancing Military Officer Yue Fei led a punitive expedition against bandits.
He was victorious.
Gave an example to 10,000 soldiers.
Eternal glory was gained in battle at Caozhou.
Yue Fei is hereby promoted to the grade of Accomplished Military Officer,
and bestowed 1,000 mu of fertile land."
Edict ends!
Thank you for this great kindness!
Are you all right?
Aren't we all going to die here?
We're still alive. It could be worse.
This is no good.
Another consort has committed suicide.
Madam!
Yet another one.
Coming along this road,
sick with sickness, dead from death.
I reckon one is forced to live,
but life is worse than death!
In any case, life worse than death...
...is still life.
We're imprisoned here with the two emperors,
We're starving! We're freezing!
Every day people suffer. There's no end to beatings and humiliations.
Many choose suicide.
Under these circumstances,
do you think we'll ever get out?
I have no parents,
no children either.
No support and no dependents.
Dying here would just be an end.
It is Heaven's will.
Gong-gong (respectful address for a eunuch) , do you accept fate so easily?
Even if I did, what then?
Mencius once said:
"That done without man doing it...
...is done by Heaven.
That which happens without man causing it...
...is fate."
This world's 10,000 things...
...have a fixed destiny from the start.
I have never believed in that kind of thing.
Those strong enough, rely on themselves.
Those lacking strength, rely on gods.
Master Qin, you are imprisoned in the town of Wuguo.
You have strength, but nowhere to use it
I was only saying.
Think carefully.
What is it like to understand?
What is it like to not understand?
Although we have been made slaves here,
we are still officials.
Before, we thought we were sheltered, in the nice shade of a large tree.
But now, Your Majesty...
Your Majesty, we're all considered convicts!
I wait to perform my last remaining task,
to accompany my Emperor to the grave.
Come with me!
My husband!
Stop!
Sir, please save us!
Who are you?
My name is Qin Hui.
Are you Qin Hui?
This humble person is Qin Hui.
She's my humble wife.
Let her go.
Thank you, Sir.
My husband!
What does it say here?