General!
We`re back, sir.
What`s the Shilla army`s position?
They`re erected a camp at the Sasu River.
Their size?
At least two hundred thousand troops, sir.
And the Tang army?
There`s no sign of movement, sir.
I guess we gave them a good scare.
Yes, but we can`t let our guard down.
You`re right.
Now we have Shilla to contend with but keep a close eye on Tang as well.
Yes, Supreme Commander!
(Tang Camp,Sasu River)
It1s been a full month since we got here!
And we have not one a single battle in that time!
General,
reinforcements have arrived from Shilla.
-We can renew our fighting spirit. -Silence!
Lack of soldiers has never been our problem.
if we fail to bring Pyongyang fort down even after merging forces with Shilla.
I will have all of you throw yoursellves into that river!
Do you understand?
I don`t think we can get off the hook this time, if we fail again
Is Namseng still stuck in his quarters?
He shows no interest in participating in this battle, sir.
This would be so much easier if he helped.
How are we going to bring Pyongyang Fort down?
I am lost!
Of course there`s a way.
We can bring the city down?
It won`t be easy, but there`s a way.
Tell us.
How can we bring Pyongyang down?
The gate can`t be opened from the outside. You must attack their weakness.
Their weakness?
It may look as if the civil and military leaders of Goguryeo
have finally come together.
but a sand ball doesn`t stick together for long.
Then?
Psychological warfare.
not siege warfare will prove effective right now.
-Psychological warfare? -That`s right.
Exploit their fear and their unity will soon break.
And the impenetrable wall will be penetrated.
Tell us how we can do this.
We beg you. Please help us
I seve my master General Yeon Namseng. But he has lost his will to fight.
If Goguryeo has to be brought down one way or another.
I will help you,Commander Li Kaigu.
Do as I say.....
Incite division using psychological warfare?
-Yes,General! -It`s an excellent idea.
But executiong will not be easy.
We`ve already sent our men out to carry out the mission.
You`ve alreafy dispatched agents?
Yes, Father.
They should be inside the fort by now.
It`s a great idea.
but an average agent won`t be able to pull it off.
Who did you send?
Yeon Namseng`s tacticion Shin Hung.
Shin Hong? Shin Hong is on this mission?
Then that changes everything!
That Shing Hong is an extraordinary man.
He doesn`t do anything unless it benefits his master.
What could have inspired him?
General! General!
Sir, a report from the south gate.
A strange group of men just entered the fort.
A strange group of men?
They were being questioned about their identity at the gate.
when the Supreme Commander`s mentore came
and took them.
The Supreme Commander`s mentore?
A Buddhist monk name Shin Sung.
Then their identity is guaranteed.
They can`t be Tang spies. Let it go.
We can`t be too cautious right now. I will go and reconfirme their identiity.
Then hurry back.
I will, general. Let`s go.
What brings you?
I`m told you took a group of men that were being questioned at the gate.
They`re disciples of Buddha that studied with me at the temples.
Be on your way.
What`s the meaning of this?
I must see these men for myself.
This is the Supreme Commander`s estate!
How dare you enter univited!
We are in a war.
Enemy can come from anywhere.
How dare you! Don`t you know who I am?
I am the Supreme Commander`s military envoy.
How dare you attempt tp incriminate me!
If you want to search this house.
come back with the Supreme Commander`s approval.
Until then.
you will not set foot in this property!
Close the gate!
-I`ll jump the wall. -No, let`s just break down the gate!
We can`t leave the city gate unattended for too long. Let`s get back for now.
-This is wonderful tea,brother. -what`s going on?
And who are those men in the next room?
The time has come for us brother to join forces.
Are you telling me to help the enemy like you are doing?
Swim with the tide now.
I serve the Supreme commander of this state.
I`ll find you a safe path out of the city.I want you to leave.
Brother, masters can always change. Don`t you want to be your own master now?
What`s the matter wit you? Why are you helping tthe enemy?
Becausethere`s no hope left for Goguryeo.
Hong.
Liaodong and Pyongyang have long become enemies within this state.
And with the splitting upof Namgeon an Bu Kiwon,Pyongyang has become divided in two.
The north and south is fighting and east and west is divided.
Goguryeo is already in peaces.
Brother, I can`t tell you now, but I have a great vision.
Put your faith in me and help me.
I will fine you a place to stay. But don`t expect anything else from me.
Once, just once, Brother. You`re the only one who can do this.
-Perform a sacraficial rite? -Yes, Excellency.
People are in exteme anxiety.
I know a priestess that can perform the ceremony so we can comfort them
-By calling upon guardian spirit of the land. -It`s a good idea.
Yes, Excellency.
The morale of the soldiers is down as well.
This will give them a boost of renewed energy.
Doomed! Goguryeo is doomed!
Priestess! Priestess! wake up!
wake up,priestess!
The Narth star has lost its radiance!
Moon covers the sun bringing darkness ro light!
Atlas!
The kingdom of 900 years will fall in the hands of on 80 year-old man!
The Kingdom of 900 years will fall in the hands of an 80 year old man!
The kingdom of 900 years will.......
Priestess!Priestess! wake up, priestess!
Good work.
How come....
It`s not just this one.
All of the wells in the city have turned into blood.
Strange things have been happening since sacrificial rite!
It`s the public sentiment I`m worried about the most.The rumor that the country will fall
has the entire city trembling in fear.
That`s not all.
The civil officials are panic stricken as well.
Once again they`re talking about negotiating with the enemy.
-That`s tantamount to surrender! -Of coutse it is.
I never believed their loyalty would last, but..
That`s absurd!
Negotiate with the enemy at this stage of war?
Didn`t you hear the divine revelation?
The Kingdom of 900 years will fall in the hands of an 80 year old man.
That means the 80 year old Tang general Li Jing is going to destroy the 900 year old country Goguryeo!
is that what the priestess meant?
The rumor has spread throughout the city.
I won`t hear of this again!
Your Majesty,
the water in the wells around the city has turned to blood!
We`ve ehausted our food supply and now Shilla has joined the war.
Your Majesty,
negotiation is the only hope this country has left.
How can you be so obtuse?
They`ve killed our envoys.
Do you still think we can reason with them?
Then do you think we can defeat them with our swords and arrows?
Answer my question!
Can the Goguryeo military wipe them out with force of arms?
I will have you know that the civil officials are stepping in again
because the warriors can`t handle the situation.
I undestand how you feel. But they`ve sent a clear message that they`re unwilling to talk
Who would risk his life as an envoy and attempt another communication?
There`s only one man
who can walk into the enemy`s camp right now.
And who is this?
Me, Your Majesty.
The civil officials are largely resposible for this current crisis.
I, Bu Kiwon,will resolve this crisis even if I have to trade my life.
Commissioner Bu!
Sir!
Give me your permission, Your Majesty!
Why would you volunteer to be an envoy?
This is much too dangerous,sir.
Send another man instead.
I came to this decision after days of careful delibration.
But, Sir.
Who will save this country if I don`t?
But if this doesn`t work out?
Then worst that can happen is that I will be dead.
My man!
I`ve already prepared an agenda for the negotiation.
I will save the country if I succeed. and I will die if I fail.
Supreme Commander has ordered us to escort you to the city gate.
The warriors` simple and shortsighted loyalty has failed to save this country.
If my negotiations fails, there`s no doubt I will be killed.
This is true loyalty.
Courage to risk one`s life without hesitation that`s true loyalty.
How about it?
Care to tag along?
What`s the matter? Are you afraid of death?
I should`ve known.
The greates talkers are the least doers.
Don`t ever pretend to have courage that you don`t!
Yeon Gaesomun and Yang Manchun,
it`s their useless bravado that brought this country to this!
I think I will come along.
You made me realize that you can`t be trusted with this crucial task on
which tha fate of the country is at stake.
Who knows if you will plead for peace or sell this country off?
I must be there to watch and monitor you for myself.
How dare you!
Very well,Come along Dae Joyoung.
I`m sure you`ll keep me good company.
You mean Dae Joyoung went with him?
I saw him and Nu Kiwon leaving throug the city gate just now.
This is a detailed report of the current situation.
-Send it ti the camp. -Yes, sir.
Continue observing the public sentiment.
Yes, sir.
-Is it true? -Yes, General.
The people are in fear and discord in the royal court is flaring up again.
Yes!
Pyongyang Fort is finally starting to tremble!
General Li Jing is showing great interest in this psychological battle as well.
General!
General, an envoy has just arrived from Pyongyang Fort.
-What? They sent another envoy? -The envoy is none other than Bu Kiwon.
Bu..bu Kiwon is here in the flesh?
It`s a pleasure to see you again.
I`m here to see General Xue Rengui.
I`m sure you know exaclty why I am here.
Escort them in!
If you`re her to offer surrender you will be treated with decorum,
But if you seek amity like the previous envoy you will be killed.
What does Tang want?
Must I reply? An unconditional surrender!
If you agree to meet the conditions I seek.Goguryeo will surrender.
-High Commissioner! -Be quiet!
Do continue Commissioner Bu. What are your conditions for surrender?
I want three things.
One,I want acknowlegement of our current king and preservation of the royal house.
Two, I want your word that
you won`t touch any and all property including books.
records and royal treasures without permission.
And thirdly.
I want no hostile action against the people.
Then I will tell you our conditions.
Henceforth Goguryeo will not use your own reign titles.
There`s only on Emperor under the sky and that`s the Emperor of Tang.
Goguryeo will abandon its autonomy and become a fudal state of Tang.
Lastly,
the king of Goguryeo and all of his retainers
are to pay homage to departed Emperor Taizong`s shrine and seek forgiveness.
-That`s absurd! -Hush!
Seek firgiveness to the enemy that invaded our land unprovoked?
Be quiet!
You can`t agree to a dishonorable surrender Don`t defile the honor
That`s been preserved for thousand years!
Take that man out at once!
High Commissioner, Let go!
High Commissioner,don`t trust these men.
You can`t agree to a dishonorable surrender. Never!
Get him out of here!
-I said never! -Let`s go!
Never! Never!
Protecting the royal house and the people is the most important duty of a subject.
What will it be?
Will you accept these conditionsand surrender?
What`s your anwser?
Your anwser will decide the fate of Goguryeo.
I agree to the terms of surrender.
I will acquire the kingan the royal court`s consent amd respond.
You have three days. on ther third day.
hang the Tang flag on all four gates of the city.
and have your king,along with all of his retainers.
come here to the Sasu for an official surrender.
I will do as you ask. Keep your agreement
to preserve the royal house and spare the people.
Of course.
Hongpei,escort the good man out of the camp.
-Yes, general. -Oh wait.
where`s the kid I threw out of the room?
-I`ll fetch him right now. -Wait.
He`s but a nusince to us. Take care of him as you see fit.
Very well.
Something must`ve gone wrong. They`ve been gone for too long!
General!
General, the envoy`s entouraage is coming back.
Do they look unharmed?
I don`t know what happened, but Dae Joyoung is not in sight!
What do you mean? Captain Dae isn`t back?
I don`t know what happened!
Get out og my way this instant!
Why isn`t Captain Dae with you?
I don`t report to you. Get out of the way!
Answer my question!
How dare you!
I`m a royal envoy what`s the meaning of this?
What happened to Dae Joyoung?
I don`t know.
What do you mean you don`t know? He accompanied you to the enemy camp!
He was taken speaking defiantly to Tang officials.
The fool can`t distinguish recklessness from courage.
Let`s go!
The envoy,
What happened to the High Commissioner?
He`s returned to the city.
Then...did he agree to surrender?
Worry about yourself.
I should take your head right now but I`ll let you live for now so you can watch Goguryeo crumble.
What are you getting out of this?
Preserve the royal house and spare the people?
How can you call this a surrender. And what have we been fighting for?
Spoils of war and slaves are conquerors privilege! We don`t undestand this!
Khan, you`re so navie.
Do you always believe everything you hear?
But the agreement with the envoy...?
What agreement?
When I think about what this darn country has out me through.
It makes my blood boil.
But you gave them your word of honor.
We`re at war.
Trusting the enemy is like choosing death.
Watch.
The moment the gates open, we will slay everyone that stands in our way.
We will burn down the palace and take destroy everything in sight!
And we must!
We`ve suffered too much pain and humiliation to have it any other way.
We must settle the score once and for all.
-Jungsang, it`s Dolbal. -Come in.
What brings you so late in the evening?
-I think we should call up the troops. -The situation is worse than ever in Pyongyang from what we hear.
-Now is not the time. -Jungsang,
Entire Shin and Buyeo Fort region have all fallen into enemy`s hands.
If Ansi Fort and Liaodong Fort fall, it will be over for Liaodong.
But we can`t turn a blind eye on what`s happening in Pyongyang.
-General, -If...
if Pyongyang Fort should fall and Goguryeo should crumble.
Liaodong will have to be our platform to reclaime the country.
Let us give it a little more time.
Heaven will not fosake Goguryeo that easily.
I can`t wait another day! When will Goguryeo finally crumble?
One thousand years, Your Majesty.
China has waited one thousand years to see Goguryeo fall.
Surely you can wait a few more days.
Indomitable kingdom of 1,000 years will soon be at your feet.
I can never forgive Goguryeo
because I have seen my father`s bood tears.
I will show them the cruel consequences and having threatened and haressed the empire of Tang!
Of course, Your Majesty.
The world will be yours ance Goguryeo is gone.
Your Majesty, we extol you.
We extol you, Yor Majesty!
Where are you going?
If you`re going to Dae Joyoung I will kill him right now.
This war is already over,It won`t hurt us to let him go.
No one has give me an order to let him go!
-Let him go.It`s my order. -Chulin!
Open this door.
I said open this door!
Do it.
What`s going on here?
Let this man go.
It`s reprehensible to hold an envoy prisoner.
I don`t have the authority to release the prisoner.
No,but I do.
I`m a general of Tang army appointed by the Emperor.
If I can`t even release a prisoner what`s my title good for?
You may report it to the Superior Commander later. Come!
Bu Kiwon is being deceive.
There will never comply with Bu Kiwon`s requests.
The city gates must remain sealed and guarded.
They will slaughter everyone and burn the city down!
Fighting to the final moment is the only chance you have of saving the city.
Go now.
Go and stop them from surrendering. Find a way to protect the people!
General, look over there.
It must be some crazy bastard.
It`s Dae Joyoung!
I`m sure of it. It`s Dae joyoung!
-He`s alive! -Open the gate!
-Master!
Master Gom!
-What happened? -There`s no time to explain.
Where`s General Go Sagae?
There`s a meeting being held at the royal hall.
Bu Kiwon is urging the King to surrender.
It must be stopped!
If we surrende now everyone will die!
-What do yopu mean? -It`s a trick.
Bu Kiwon and the officials are being deceive by the enemy!
Your Majesty.
We only have one day left before the agreed time expires. I beg you to make a bold decision.
This is the only way to preserve the royal house and protect the people.
We can`t save the country with determination alone. (Gae Jin)
But how can we trust their word? (Yeon Namgeon)
Supreme Commander!
They can`t be trusted,Your Majesty!
And I am mortified beyon words by their request. (Go Sagae)
for an apology at Li Shiming`s shrine!
I`m willing ti endure anything to protect the people and the royal house.
But if they are deceiving us, I will be remembered as the most foolish king in history
who led his country to doom.
It would also be a great crime to allow your people to die in vain by reckless resistance.
Pleas mke a couregeous decision. We beg you, Your Majesty!
We beg you,Your Majesty!
What`s your opinion, Supreme Commander?
I will give my order before dawn tomorrow. You`re dismissed.
Your Majesty.
Go back to your posts and await my command!
Oh dear...
His Majesty will make the wise decision and order the surrender.
What else could he do?
That`s the only way to save the country.
I`m amazed, Sir.
You walked into the enemy camo alone and unarmed and negotiated a deal.
Some will condemn me for instigating this surrender. (Bu Kiwon)
But I`m without shame before history and the people.
Of course not.
Even the Supreme Commander`s men are at a lost for words.
Let`s go now.
We must discuss what to do next.
When did you get back?
It was a tense situation and it slipped my mind to bring you back.
In any case.
Tomorrow morning, we will need Tang flags on..
Don`t be a fool.
I do understand how you feel no one will enjoy this dishonorable surrender.
But when you`re running a country.....
I remember vividly how my mother died.
But I made an effort no to think about her painful cries as she laid dying with her bones crushed
and skin ripped to shreds.
And I can forgive the men that took her life.
But I can`t forgive the men that are about to destroy this country deluded by the enemy!
Surrender your head.
Killing one Bu Kiwon will prove to be more valuable to this country
than killing a thousand enemy soldiers on the battlefield!
I said surrender your head.
Now!
By: robster38