Episode 5
the hill is crumbling!
the hill has begun to collapse!
the great Tang Army is crumbling!
the hill! the hill is crumbling!
the hill is coming down!
retreat!
the hill is crumbling! retreat!
what the...
move back!
- retreat! - retreat!
the hill has collapsed! the hill has collapsed!
soldiers of Ansi,
charge out of the fortress and fight!
wipe out the remaining enemy soldiers!
what is happening?
I don't believe my eyes!
Your Majesty, I bid you to return to your chambers
where is the hill?
where is the dirt hill that we built?
please calm down, Your Majesty
my soldiers!
where are tens of thousands of
soldiers that were on the hill?
what are you waiting for? escort the Emperor to his chambers!
Yang Manchun...
Yang Manchun you bastard!
you will die!
I will make you pay for this with your life!
stop!
where are you going in such a hurry?
please don't kill me!
tens of thousands of our soldiers died
when the hill collapsed
you should've died there too
it's not my fault
you are the one who came up
with the idea of building that hill
remember?
I risked my life for the Emperor
I don't deserve to die like this!
you don't deserve this? sure,
I can see how you might feel that way
now do you have an idea of
how I must've felt when you betrayed me?
I feel bad about that
if you let me go,
I'll be indebted to you forever, general!
general... !
I've been ordered to bring you in,
but I'm going to defy that order
thank you, general! thank you!
general!
I told you that I'd kill you with my own hands someday
remember?
good. you should have the guts
you're a general after all
you bastard!
I can overlook everything,
but I can't overlook cowardice
sir, His Majesty wanted him captured alive!
make up an excuse
let's go!
the hill has crumbled
it has crumbled just like Yang Manchun said it would!
speak, Prince of Jiangxia
why did the hill collapse?
you were in charge of the construction,
so you must know why!
forgive me, Your Majesty
forgive you?
you buried tens of thousands of my men alive
and you wish to be forgiven?
I will punish you by death!
guards, take this man outside at once!
Your Majesty,
it is not his error alone that the hill collapsed
are you defending the prince again, superior commander?
we are still at war
to lose a brave warrior like Prince of Jiangxia
would be huge loss
I will not hear it!
what are you waiting for?
take the prince at once!
Your Majesty, the superioe commander speaks the fact
Fu Fu Ai has been killed,
so I bid you to let the matter rest
deign to see, Your Majesty
superior commander,
explain the falling star that fell into Ansi fort that night
you said there was imperial energy in Ansi Castle
then why were we defeated?
forgive me, but...
the energy was not yours, Your Majesty
what are you saying?
are you saying there is another emperor under this sky?
is it Yang Manchun?
I asked you if the imperial energy
belongs to Yang Manchun!
no, Your Majesty
then who?
who dare seek to rule the land when I am alive?
I child was born that night in Ansi destined to be a king
- a child destined to be a king - yes, Your Majesty
this child is destined to rule the land
call Zhang Liang's navy to Ansi
he should be sailing to Pyongyang right now, Your Majesty
tell him to turn the fleet around!
I will tear Ansi Castle down
I will kill this child of imperial destiny
as well as Yang Manchun
I will kill them all!
general!
at your service, sir
by chance was there a new born child
where the star had fallen?
how did you know?
a boy no doubt
that's right, sir
it's General Dae Jungsang's child
Dae Jungsang?
- Jungsang had a son? - yes, sir
I didn't have a chance to tell you with all the commotion
where is Jungsang right now?
his wife is not well, so he went to see her
Jungsang, can I see you?
general Yang is here
I heard your wife is not well
the baby must've been overwhelming for her
it's an unavoidable destiny
what do you mean, sir?
strange light surrounded the house
the night the baby was born
what do you know about the falling star?
your son was born bearing imperial energy
I beg your pardon?
imperial energy?
he is destined to be a king
unless I was dreaming, I am sure of it
this country already has a king
if what you say is true,
my son is destined to commit high treason!
if the child is born with evil destiny,
I will have to end his life
name him Joyoung
Dae Joyoung
his name shall be Dae Joyoung
why name a child that will soon be killed?
I said a king, not a treasonous subject
what I saw in the stars is a king!
but, sir...
the child's birth brought us victory
the hill collapsed after the star fell
we achieved an incredible victory
as this child came into this world
heaven has granted us a huge blessing
he will bring great glory to Goguryeo
when this child grows up
that is why I named him Dae Joyoung
Joyoung...
Dae Joyoung...
general! this is Dolbal
what is it?
an emissary has arrived from Pyongyang, sir
I bid greetings, general Yang Manchun
my name is Bu Kiwon
you've traveled a long way
I bring you message from His Excellency Yeon Gaesomun
before you read the letter,
allow me to share good news
annihilated?
my navy has been annihilated?
who? who destoryed my navy?
who did this?
it's Yeon Gaesomun, Your Majesty
Yeon Gaesomun?
yes
goguryeo's Supreme Commander of Millitary Affairs Yeon Gaesomun
Yeon Gaesomun? the Yeon Gaesomun?
his excellency Yeon Gaesomun has destriyed the entire Yang Navy?
a fleet of 500 ships have sunk to the bottom of
the sea off the coast of Janghaegundo
the Westren Sea is red with the enemy's blood
it is true what they say about him!
with a single strike he was wiped out the entire Tang Navy!
general Yeon Gaesomun is indeed worthy of his reputation!
the war is over at last, general!
we have won!
Goguryeo has won, general!
his excellency gives credit to
general Yang and Ansi Castle for the victory
you made it possible by holding back
the Tang Army hee in Ansi
his excellency sees it all
he acknowledges our hard work!
let this be known to the soldiers nad the people
sound the drums and raise the cry of victory!
let the world know that Goguryeo has won!
yes, general!
our army is still many times larger than the Ansi Army
that's right
it's too soon to say who has won
who are we?
we are the Castle Army
that's swept the continent over the past decade
don't let this discourage you, Your Majesty
you will conquer Ansi Castle
and raise the Imperial Flag of Tang
now is not the time to talk about aggresion Majesty
what treacherous remark!
every one of us here ar prepared to die!
I am equally vexed and angry as you are, commander
why do you say it is wrong time to discuss aggression?
Yeon Gaesonub is coming after us
how do you know this?
he defeated our navy off the coast of Janghaegundo
Yeon Gaesomun will choose to come here
since it's closer than Pyongyang
we must leave Ansi immediately
if we should be attacked from both sides
by Yang Manchun and Yeon Gaesomun,
not one of us will be left standing
general Yeon asks how I am
surely you didn't ask the others to leave for this
this is a very important matter
he said a letter would not be wise
and asked me to deliver the message in person
do continue
that's all right
he's my most trusted subordinate
general Yeon is in Liadong right now
he asked to say this
''remember the vow of 30 years past
before the tomb of king Gwanggaeto
the time has come to deliver on that promise''
the night air is cold
I bid you to return to your chambers
the two of you have been like brothers to me since my childhood
we studied under one master
and went though a lot together
you both know me well
I've been very covetous and ambitious since childhood
I often got into trouble because I never wanted to lose
and I wanted everything I can get my hands on
that was a long time ago
no, it isn't such a long ago
I wanted my father's power,
so I killed my own brothers and took the throne
Your Majesty, you must've say such things...
that's not all
I took my dead brother's wife and made her my woman
I beg you to stop, Your Majesty
I crossed the Liadong River with an army of 1 milion
to make Goguryeo mine
but things are not working out this time
I get phisycally ill when I can't have what I want
whether it is power, women or victory at war...
I truly wanted this
I truly wanted to acquire Ansi
I wanted to bring Yang Manchun to his knees
and even take the imperial energy
that landed in that city for myself
your majesty...
it hurts...
it really hurts...
my soldiers have shed blood
and offered their precious lives!
why won't the Heavens let me have Ansi? why?
- your majesty... - your majesty...
make way for the Imperial procession!
sound the drums!
ring out the bugles!
make way for the Imperial procession!
ring out the bugles!
make way for the imperial procession!
let us pass where the ramparts of Ansi Castle is visible!
let them see us!
general Pang,
let them see that we are not a defeated army but an iron army!
yes, Your Majesty!
makw eay for the imperial procession!
sound the drums!
make way for the imperial procession!
sound the drums!
it's a rather impressive parade
they are trying to not to look like a defeated army
look over there
Li Shimin's carriage is headed this way
their spirit has not been broken
we can't let them leave like this, general
let me take a detachment of men
I will go out there and bring back Li Shimin's head
bring me the iron bow
Your Majesty,
Yang Manchun is aiming an arrow in this direction!
- portect the Emperor! - never mind
he may be a good archer
but there is no way he can hit this far
but Your Majesty,
ring out the drums and the bugles!
let them see the unbreakable spirit ifTang!
yes, Yoru Majesty!
sound the drums louder!
sound the drums!
make way for the imperial procession!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
call the physician! call the physician!
what are you waiting for? call the physician!
assemble the archers and prepare the catapults!
we will bombard them with arrows!
stop, stop!
don't you see?
Yang Machun could've killed me if that's what he wanted
if he casn hit the flag pole,
he could've easily easily aimed for my heart
Your Mejesty!
Unchi Mundok's sucessor...
how cruel is the Heavens!
he sends not one but twn extraordinary vassals to Goguryeo
while he sends me none!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty!
move back!
turn the procession around!
why didn't you take Li Shimin's life?
I took his dignity instead
Goguryeo has shown mercy on the Emperor ofTang
the defeat of Tang...
treacherous defeat of Tang Empire at Ansi Castle was
a shocking event in Chinese history
but all was not over
more unpleasant surprises awaited Li Shimin
as he tried desperately to maintain his aplomb
go with the emissary
I'msending you to serve General Yeon for a while
yes, sir
there's something I am curious about, general
I heard a large star fell from the sky
on the day the dirt hill collapsed
where did you hear this?
it is no secret to anyone who knows of Ansi Castle's victory
is there anything you can tell me about it?
we were in a middle of a battle
I've heard nothing of it
- general, may I come in? - enter
are you prepared to leave?
yes, sir
sir, if you don't mind me asking,
what is the promise you made with general Yeon Gaesomun?
the vow the two of you made at the tomb of king Gwanggaeto...
we vowed to subjugate China
a new war is about to be launched
I don't understand, sir
over one thousand years have passed
since Great Emperor Chi-U ruled China
we are reckoning that one thousand year-old grievance
you are embarking on the subjugation campaign of China
I thought we would be together
now that the war is over...
it's temporary. I won't be gone long
give our son his name before you leave
general Yang named him Joyoung
Joyoung... Dae Joyoung...
it's a good name
take this with you and think of me wherever you go
I won't be gone long
you say that all the time only to be gone for months
don't bring about me and just bring yourself back safely
Jungsang, it's time to go
I'm glad you can join us
general YAng Manchun's subordinate Dae Jungsang Reporting, sir
I told there is no one more knowledgeable
about geography of Liadong than you are, commander
your work will be invaluable
thank you, Your excellency
I will do my best to serve you
is general Yang Manchun well?
he sends you a letter
I heard that a large meteor had landed in Ansi
what do you know about it?
we were in the midst of a battle, so...
how strange...
everyone in Ansi that I've talked to knew about the star,
but general Yang and Dae insist they do not know
how could that be?
even I have heard about it from a hundred miles away
are you certain you do not know about the star?
then I suppose you don't know that
it is a star of imperial energy either
my guess is that a male child was born in Ansi Castle that night
do you know who that might be?
do tell if you know
whose child is it?
Your Excellency!
Your Excellency, it's urgent
the Tang Army has been spotted!
the Tang advance Guards are crossing the Taizi River right now!
what?
Your Majesty!
- Your Majesty, there is trouble - what is it?
the advance guards that went across the river
has been wiped out
the prince of Jiangxia has been captured and taken hostage!
what? the prince?
you must be Yeon Gaesomun
I am commander ofTang Army
and the Emperor's nephew prince of Jiangxia
if you are the supreme commander of Goguryeo Yeon Gaesomun,
untie me at once and greet me with royal decorum
if not, do not bring shame upon me and kill me!
the emperor's nephew
this is an unexpected catch
release him
release him?
but he is Tang royalty
I've come to hunt a tiger. why bother with a little fox?
- release this man is... - release him, I said!
I am not after a petty prince
I'm after the head of Emperor Li Shimin!
Your Majesty!
who is the enemy commander?
who dare block my path?
it is Yeon Gaesomun
are you certain it is Yeon Gaesomun?
I spoke to him in person
how did you return alive?
did Yeon Gaesomun let you go,
or did you beg for your life?
or worse, did you escape?
general!
Your Majesty!
punish me by death, Your Majesty!
he must have released you for a reason
Your Majesty, perhaps Yeon Gaesomun wishes to surrender
does Yeon Gaesomun seek peace?
what did he say when he released you?
he said he had come to hunt a tiger
and that he wouldn't bother with a fox
he said he would take Your Majesty's life
how could you!
how could you come back alive
after being subjected to such humiliation?
and you call yourself a prince of Tang?
prepare for battle immediately!
we will wipe out the enemy across the river
and capture Yeon Gaesomun alive!
why are you silent?
did you not hear me?
Your Majesty,
Yeon Gaesomun's army is several hundred thousand strong
what? several hundred thousand?
I have seen them with my own eyes
by no means are they inferior to our army
Your Majesty, the morale of the soldiers is low as well
it may not be wise to...
I will acquire Yeon Gaesomun's head tonight!
I will make him pay for this and that's final!
I assure you, Li Shimin will make a move tonight
you meab it was a part of your strategy to release his nephew?
it's easier to have them cross the river
than for us to cross it
you are indeed very wise, Your Eminence
but we need yo know their crossing point in advance
general Dae Jungsang?
yes, Your excellency
this is our current location at Taizi river
the lower river is shallow and calm making it easy
for an army of any size to cross fairly quickly
on the other hand,
the upper river where they had crosed last time
is narrow but the water is deeper and violent
there will be thousands of them unlike the last time
they're sure to choose the lower river
general On and I will take them on
no, they will cross the upper river
but they came through there last time only to be annihilated
they won't make the same mistake twice
easy road to attack is also and easy road to defend
they will try to srike our exposed position
general Yi and On can take the lower river
I will take the upper river with General Dae Jungsang
this is an important battle
if they should come through the lower river,
you will be held responsible for dividing the troops
there is no reason to hesitate
prepare for battle immediately!
yes, sir!
Li Shimin! prepare to die!
who are you?
how dare you enter the Emperor's chamber!
Xue Rengui! where is Xue Rengui!
how dare you invade this country!
I will have you know that Goguryeo invaded Tang first!
I invaded Yingzhou!
- Yingzhou is on Tang soil! - how dare you
you chinese built the Great Wall yourself
and drew the border!
so the land outside the Great Wall belongs to us!
it is our land that King Gwanggaeto conquered!
China is at the heart of this continent!
how dare you frontier barbarian aspire
to conquer our land!
you. .
shut your treacherous mouth at once!
do you know how long history of Goguryeo is?
one thousand years!
while countless kings changed hands in China,
Goguryeo has maintained a single regime for one thousand years!
you want to destroy Goguryeo?
an infant country of less than thirty years dares
to destryoy a thousand-year-old regime!
you are ridiculous fool
I, Yeon Gaesomun, will not tolerate your arrogance!
- Yeon Gaesomun? - yes
I am Yeon Gaesomun,
the supreme Commander of Goguryeo army!
please don't kill me!
take a good look before you die
Goguryeo is at the heart of the continent,
and I, Yeon Gaesomun is at the heart of Goguryeo!
no! please! don't kill me!
Li Shimin! Li Shimin!
help! Xue Rengui!
where is Xue Rengui!
Your Majesty!
what happened, Your Majesty?
your generals await your command outside, Your Majesty
you must think I am pathetic...
of course not!
you're the ruler feared by all
the ruler...
yes, I dreamed of being a ruler once
not just the ruler of Tang but the ruler of the world
but now I am afraid eveb to order my army to attack
I've sent countless soldiers to death...
Your Majesty...
I was more afraid of losing my dignity
than I was of death
I knew I couldn't win,
yet I sent my men into battles because of my pride
relay my order to the warriors
we will not fight against Yeon Gaesomun
we will withdraw the battle
Your Majesty, even a lowly man like me value my pride
the pride of the Emperor has nothing to be compared
lives of your soldiers are petty next to your dignity
you may lose many things,
but you must preserve your pride to the very end
order your men to destroy the Goguryeo army
and capture Yeon Gaesomun
I will go alone if I must
I will jump into the fires of hell for you, Your Majesty!
the Emperor of Tang LI Shimin is across that river
he will soon kneel before you, YOur Excellency
I will not be satisfied with Li Shimin alone
the barbarians ofTang have harassed
Goguryeo one too many times
revenge starts now
I will pay them back a hundred folds
for the pain they've caused our people!
did you find out where the noise is coming from?
men are about to be dispatched right now, sir
check the lower river first
I'm certain they are coming there
yes, sir
the battle has begun, Your Excellency
turn your men around. we must go to the upper river
you mean the enemy is coming down from the upper river?
Dae Jungsang was right
- let's go! - Darn it! let's go!
where are these arrows coming from?
from behind us, General!
we're being attacked from the rear!
it's a small army!
calm your men down and get into battle position!
general! general!
it's trouble, general!
another enemy detached is headed this way!
we must retreat back across the river!
but they will drown in the river trying to get across!
we have no choice!
fight!
there is only death if we retreat!
fight to the end!
we'll kill them all!
none of them will return home alive!
we will make them regreat that they ever laid eyes on Goguryeo!
of course, sir
by the way, where is the hero of this battle Dae Jungsang?
he's on his way now
Yang Manchun knows how to pick them
I'm very impressed
I told it was also his idea to tear the dirt hill down
is that so?
he's the hidden hero of this war
it seems his talent is being wasted on the frontier
I'll put him to more important service in Pyongyang
when I get the chance
Your Excellency
I told you were looking for me, sir
come on in
His Excellency has been waiting for you
it is very reassuring to have you with us,
General Dae Jungsang
your hard work will not be ignored
I only doing my job, Your Excellency
let me ask you a question, general
I heard you recently had a son
what is your question?
it it that night, YOur Excellency
General Dae's son was born on the night
that the falling star landed in Ansi
it is credible information
General Dae, would you care to tell us about it?
a child destined to be a king in a land ruled by a king...
the child is destined to commit high treason!
he cannot be left to live!
speak
is Bu Kiwon telling us the truth?
was your child indeed born on that night in Ansi?
why are you silent?
answer my question!
yes
it is my child, Your Excellency
what?