Episode 17
What does it say?
"The courtyard ground is white, crows perch on the tree.
Frost silently dampens the osmanthus flowers.
Tonight in the moonlight people do their best to let go.
I wonder on whose home did this Autumn thought fall." [Wang Jian, Tang Dynasty poet]
What's written here is:
"In a northern land adrift with the west wind.
Starved corpses fill a camp overflowing with evil,
by eating straw life goes on endlessly.
One glance back to the old country empties hatred.
What does that mean?
This means
that the Jin don't do justice to their teachers,
they storm the lands of the innocent,
and violently seize the people of Song.
They have shut us up here in Wuguo, this hopeless place,
there isn't enough food,
or clothes to fend off the cold. Acting this way,
they treat human life as if worth less than straw. This is totally evil.
This is the way you, the Jin,
treat your prisoners of war.
Then let me ask you
how should we Jins treat prisoners of war
in order to avoid posterity's dishonor?
Sir,
since you're asking for advice, may I ask,
is this the place where the Jin come to seek advice?
This Qin Hui has a sense of humor.
Master Qin, please excuse the shortcomings.
Today we have prepared some inadequate wine and food.
It can hardly express my respects to you.
We can talk while we eat. Please!
Master Qin,
It's just..
I can't eat this food.
Why not?
Right now, the Song emperor
is still enduring thirst and hunger,
how can I, an official,
gorge myself alone in this banquet?
Good!
Since I am asking for advice from you, Sir,
I won't eat either.
Master Qin, I want to hear,
how do we, Jins, do an injustice to our teachers,
and attack the places of the innocent?
In the war between the Great Song and the Great Jin,
the Great Jin missed this gambit,
took a wrong step, and afterwards another, and another.
Initially, the border between the two powers was clearly defined,
and both lived at peace with each other.
Since the founding of the Song Dynasty,
virtue and achievements have been as rich as during the Han and Tang [dynasties],
but you, the Jin, attacked without reason.
That is not to do justice to your teachers.
You stormed the lands of the innocent
crossing the river and destroying the rules of decency.
This is one -
Withdraw!
You, speak on!
You, Jin, launched troops and plundered lands,
but have not planned beyond
the magnificent Great Song.
For the 10,000 li of the Divine Land [poetic name for China]
what strength army do you need?
How many days before you can take the lot?
Besides, the Great Song government
has dedicated officials and excellent generals
willing to die to defend it.
But what do you, Jin, have
to replace the Imperial government after victory?
Ever since antiquity, peace brings prosperity,
but now the two sides are pitted against each other,
the flames of war are raging everywhere.
Is this the way to maintain long term stability?
This is the second error.
Continue!
To appease the country,
Jin established Zhang Bang Chang
as puppet emperor.
But he doesn't belong to the Zhao Clan,
and he's not a legitimate member of the royal household.
He was regarded as an usurper,
how could he have convinced the common people?
You first thought that this would pacify the people's hearts.
Instead, it aroused people's anger.
In the end, he was invited to commit suicide.
This was a glaring error.
So, in your opinion
how to resolve the Jin-Song conflict?
Harmony.
With harmony all under heaven is at peace,
and all enterprises flourish.
In war, both sides are harmed,
the people are unable to earn a livelihood.
Then tell me, what's the best solution?
Value peace,
enjoy the fruits of others' work.
Value peace...
enjoy the fruits of others' work...
Good! I too share this idea.
However, my commander in chief, Zhan Han, holds the power.
He believes that the world can only be pacified by weapons.
You, Emperor, are not listening to what I say.
Can't you allow me to try?
Madam! They're back!
Second Prince, stay there.
I earnestly request, Sir, to show us some kindness.
Please grant us some winter clothes and blankets.
If not, there won't be anyone to endure this winter.
I ask you , Sir.
Please, Sir!
Please, Madam, put your mind at rest, this humble official is mediating right now.
Thank you, Sir.
Let's go.
Bianjing
Marshal Zong, you wanted me.
The court sent and imperial edict.
I've been ordered to arrest and deliver criminals to justice.
Here's a name list, read.it.
Marshal, you want me to handle this matter.
There's a name on this list that you must handle very cautiously.
Who?
Liang Zai Ping.
On the front line with the two armies facing each other,
he sneaked away at a critical juncture.
Carries the death penalty.
Liang Zai Ping is Liang Hong Yu's younger brother.
This edict by the imperial court,
orders us to manage this business.
I'm afraid there is a hidden agenda here.
Liang Zai Ping is now in active service at Han Shi Zhong's barracks.
If in the process of arresting him
we have a disagreement with General Han,
then this matter becomes big.
Your martial arts and military accomplishments are all first class.
I'm afraid that because of your young age,
you may be unable to control your impulses
Marshal Zong, don't worry,
I can handle this matter properly.
Good. Then go and do it.
Report, General! Marshal Zong's subordinate Yue Fei has come.
We have met, General Han.
You're excused.
What brings you here today?
Respectfully, under the orders of Marshal Zong,
I request General Han to hand over a man,
What man?
Liang Zai Ping.
Liang Zai Ping is in the division under my command.
What do you want with him?
This is the Court's edict demanding his arrest.
General Han, please have a look.
On that day,
under a Jin incursion
Bianjing was lost and the Song army defeated.
Liang Zai Ping by chance succeeded in escaping,
but being without an army to go to, he returned to his home.
This is considered to be a desertion.
Yue Fei, go back to Marshal Zong and ask him for an explanation.
I'm only a military officer,
to declare someone guilty of a crime
is a matter for the Court do decide.
Today I have been ordered to carry out this task,
I ask you, General, not to make it difficult.
You must know that to take someone from under my canopy,
is not easy to do.
Men! Take position!
I've long heard that you, Yue Fei, are outstanding in martial arts,
If today you can destroy my Five Colors Array,
you can take your man.
"The sword is the immortal among the 100 implements.
Display it, it's humble.
Open it, it's sharp.
Draw it back to surge forward.
Advance it under control.
Lift, push, cut, wipe.
Follow it's strength along the line.
The sword travels along its edge.
A sword fight takes off from the magic skill of being invisible.
What is used is, in fact, a cover up.
How to lead a sword drill
depends on how many men are in the drill.
Draw the enemy into the center,
keep the sword strokes flowing
in accord with your hand.
Don't allow any cracks,
A skillfully contrived sword array
can beat back 100,000 cavalry.
Master, how to break that sword array?
In all sword plays
strength and weakness take part,
there must be a weak point.
Remember, study meticulously, don't be mislead.
Observe its shape, measure its strength,
concentrate on the momentum.
break its flanks.
General!
Let's talk in the tent.
Come! Drink this wine!
Yue Fei, you came to my barracks to arrest a man,
moreover, the man is my own brother-in-law.
This is something we haven't had before
in our battallion.
At first I thought of stopping you.
However, you broke our Five Colors' array.
I admire your skills and your courage.
About this matter of Liang Zai Ping, I want to plead for him.
At present, the land is unsettled, the country unsteady.
The government lacks men.
Liang Zai Ping is one of my most competent generals.
Please show some leniency to him.
Let him go.
Commander Han, this is not up to me.
I'm only carrying out orders.
Right now, the Court is in complete chaos,
its orders are ignored everywhere.
Why making me an example?
They say that Marshal Zong is making plans for a big attack on the North.
Making an example of me at that time
would benefit him.
What I have heard, however, is that
every great general who keeps an army with dignity
and disobeys government orders,
debases military discipline.
General Han, you know very well what's right and proper,
if you could give a good example,
there'll be no worries about the success of the attack North.
What I hear are Marshal Zong's words.
I don't know whether he instructed you,
or is it your yourself who thought
of how to try fooling me.
I wouldn't dare say false words.
The humiliation of Jinkang was unprecedented.
After such a profound shame,
every hot blooded man in the Great Song
should place the return of the two emperors above all else.
If not, what face do we have left
to survive in this ruined country?
General, let's not obstruct him any more.
Yue Fei's heart is obviously with the country.
And it's not as if we didn't understand his position.
Although Zai Ping is Hong Yu's own brother,
I couldn't disrupt public law because of a private matter.
Hong Yu, three generations of the Liang Family
are going to suffer misfortune because of military law.
Besides, Zai Ping is the only son and heir of the Liang Family.
How could you bear to see the Liang Family die out?
As long as all is done right and openly,
the Liang Family ancestors will rest in peace.
They would even feel proud of Zai Ping.
Thank you, General Han and Madam Han for your high principles.
When I'm back, I will report your righteousness to Marshal Zong,
and plead with him to treat Division Commander Liang with leniency.
Bring Division Commander Liang here!
Yes!
Liang Zai Ping
General Han, I admit my guilt,
I raise this cup to apologize for my offence.
Slow down.
All right, all right.
Since I entered the five ranks,
I got very used to the sight of men corpses.
But until now
I haven't been able to overcome the feeling,
Yue Fei, while fighting those wolf and tiger-like Jin men,
some of us may not survive.
Now, my wife and I
are about to part from Zai Ping,
maybe also from you.
Come!
Yes!
Bring wine. Bring good wine!
Yes!, Sir!
Brother, come. Let's drink this bowl of wine. I reckon it's acceptable.
Thank you, General Han!
It really is a good wine. The best I've ever drunk.
We won't use that.
Madam Han, don't worry,
I'll definitely report the true facts of Liang Zai Ping returning to his regiment to Marshal Zong.
Marshal Zong will surely handle this case correctly.
Thank you.
General, Sister, If I don't come back,
Please kill many Jin bandits for me.
Expel all the Jin bandits from our home country!
Brother Yue is back!
You must be tired.
Here is Division Commander Liang.
Brother Yue, it must have been difficult
not to let him go and avoid killing an innocent man.
That would have been negligence.
Madam Han insisted on
putting the yoke on with her own hands.
to conduct the handover as requested by the Court.
All right. Come.
Escort him.
In your place, I would have changed him for another man.
How can this have a good outcome?
It's complicated. There are other factors.
I want to report to the Commander in Chief personally.
Good.
Allow me to connect with my loyal officers in Hebei and Hedong.
I've been giving it some consideration.
What's going on?
Li Xiang has come.
They quarrel whenever they meet. It gets worse every time.
Disputing isn't good for the Commander's health. Quarrels hurt the spirit.
That's right. But are they likely to listen to us?
Sooner or later they'll have to solve their dispute.
Disputes come, disputes go. What's this one about?
The same old question.
The Marshal proposes an attack to the North, Li Xiang proposes a defensive position.
No one can persuade the other.
Actually, these matters require a lot or arguing.
Speaking as a military man, with or without argument,
an attack to the North is what we want.
Speaking as a Court official,
conservative or not, both want a defensive entrenchment.
The difference lies in their different responsibilities.
It's natural that they would hold different positions.
Our existing provisions
are not enough for the Court.
Where am I going to find 1,200,000 to give to you?
If you don't give me provisions, what am I going to take on the northern campaign.
We must use a long term approach in this matter.
Do we have time now for long term planning?
Climb the city wall and look.
The Jin flags are almost fluttering over us.
Marshal Zong, don't get anxious.
The Jin may be tigers but we are no sheep.
They want to swallow Bianjing, but this isn't easy to do.
The morale among the Jin is high at present,
Launching an attack to the North is too premature at this time.
I believe we should defend Bianjing first,
and wait for the opportunity at the right time,
We must stick to Hebei and move steadily, one step at a time.
Meanwhile, the two emperors
are already moving step by step towards a cold hell.
How can we not be anxious?
And still think of moving one step at a time?
If it had been like this,
our Great Song would have declined long ago.
Ah, Marshal Zong, guard your tongue!
I know that you don't dare say it,
but don't you have this worry in your mind?
Is our Emperor willing
to be bullied and humiliated by the Jin?
I understand very well,
I have climbed many steps.
Every time the Emperor made a critique, he used these words:
Always examine the terrain, It's not proper to act on impulse.
It's still good to be prudent,
best not to be the first one to provoke.
In reality, all these words came from your own mouth.
Just think, had they come from my mouth, what then?
I know that...
you are trying very hard
to persuades the Emperor not to attack the North.
If I don't understand you,
I will be treating you
as if treating the Jins.
General.
You are not understand my heart.
So many years we're at war,
where is all the money?
Have we succeeded yet?
How long we'll be staying in Jing?
If the Northern attack is not a success,
the Jin's people will rush over here.
How far can we run?
If you do not take the action,
how do you know we cannot do it?
Afraid of this,
and afraid of that.
You are making the army confused.
And you are still the most senior of all!
To win a war, we have to calculate it right.
If not
then we'll lose everything
and make the people suffer.
Calculate.
Don't talk about calculations.
Don't know how to calculate,
and is not good in calculation.
Calculate! Calculate! Calculate!
All day long.
You just go ahead.
But I will tell you one thing.
If I'm alive,
all the loyal army will be able to collect 100 thousand.
If I close my eye
and die,
all the army will be falling apart.
Leaving all the mess.
You have a too high estimate of yourself.
the young will practice it better.
Really?
You lie down.
No need to worry.
There are so many youth
that can lead the northern fight.
You let me see.
Where is the team?
Where is the forage?
Where is all the loyal man from the north and south?
Still the same words.
Waiting for orders.
Slowly take action.
Fine, fine.
Slowly means no need to take action!
Li Gang, Li Gang.
You must be afraid of the Jins.
Look at you, such a coward.
The Song dynasty still have to hope to return to the capital?
Still hope to get back their land?
What are they hoping for?
General.
Come.
Drink a bit of water.
Come.
General.
Drink a bit of water.
Brother is back.
Brother.
How was the trip?
The couple of Han Shizhong is so righteousness.
But Liang Zaiping
was being accused.
I've informed the General.
General had mentioned
to seek justice for Liang Zaiping.
But...
But what?
But the
General had passed 24 reports.
Some had been stopped by Li Gang.
Some had been stopped by Wang Boyan,
and some were return by the Emperor.
The General's health is getting worst
and he is getting old.
If it continue like this,
he might not be able to hold it.
Could we think of a way
to help him?
But we are not in a high position.
We're not able to help much.
I have an idea.
The General take the lead
and we'll follow him from the back,
and give an unexpected idea
to deal with it.
How could we do that?
I think it is not suitable.
When in Gui De,
Emperor had talked with me
and ask me to get more reply from the people,
and write to him the reports.
I was thinking,
can I just pass him a letter
and send him the opinions from his peoples?
Good! Brother.
You write it.
I will rush
to send the letter to the Emperor's hand.
That time,
when he is not being crowned,
He said like that,
because of a thought.
But now, he is the Emperor.
You all think about it.
A fighter give a letter to Emperor?
Follow the protocols.
Something is so weird.
Don't care whether it's weird or not
The most important is the truth
Now, now one beside him is telling the truth.
He is now
being trapped by Wang Boyan.
Maybe something has improved.
What an insight!
If I was being bullied,
I will be the first to quit!
Yes.
If the Emperor is blaming us,
what should we do?
Since my army is still in a strong morale,
the Jins will scared of them.
But if the imperial court keep on delaying,
helping others and harm our self.
If we continue like this,
our military will be spoilt.
Don't care about weird or not,
just write it.
Emperor has entered the palace.
The country is having a head
and there is a man to lead.
Both sides are going weak now.
We should take action before it's too late.
Winter is coming.
The 2 Emperors are in jail
and can't see the light.
So many peoples
are not able to fill their hunger,
and have not enough clothes to cover themselves.
So much suffering.
Emperor.
Bianjing send this hurry from 800 miles away.
So this is a letter from Yue Fei to the Emperor.
But,
how could he send this letter?
Is he in trouble?
Or does he need me to help him?
Come.
Read it.
Yes.
Emperor has enter the palace.
The country is having a head.
It is already enough to attack the Jins in the North.
Now,
the General is having strong morale,
and the army is still strong.
The Jins thought that we are weak
and cannot fight them.
We should take action to attack them.
You think Yue Fei,
he is learning fast
from the General.
The style of speak is so similar.
And Li Gang,
Wang Boyan...
Continue.
And Li Gang,
Wang Boyan,
cannot follow your order
to get the 2 Emperors,
and ride to the South.
Furthermore, order Chang'an, Huai Yang
to prepare for inspection.
They are making temporary decisions.
Not providing long term solutions.
They may not be the hope of the country,
even if they are imperial's officers.
But have no merits
and is not able to make any success.
They are making temporary decisions.
Not providing long term solutions.
Don't he
mentioned about both of you?
The solution now?
Don't take any ride to the capital.
Stop the inspection.
Now the 2 Emperors is not returned yet,
we should take the risk.
Lead the army.
Head to the North.
Now,
we're good and have a strong morale.
The General and commanders are in line.
The Army is strong.
The land of ours
will come back to us.
This is not the letter from Yue Fei.
This is a letter from the General.
Lead the army.
Head to the North.
Such wordings.
So hard feeling.
Even if the General write it himself,
it will not as good as Yue Fei's.
He said we are not following the order,
and cannot stay in the land.
Who can make it?
Or the dumb Zong Ze?
Can he?
Li Gang.
What do you think about this letter?
I'm not him.
How I would know what is in his mind.
I'm just asking for
a place to stand myself.
If I destroy my reputation,
this is not as Yue Fei who
can segregate it...
Yue Fei, he is just a fighter.
He is so daring to humiliate an officer.
If it continue like this,
with accusations everywhere.
We'll not be having any good day then...