Murderer! Murderer!
Murderer!
CAO CAO (MENG DE)!
What did we do?
We misunderstood them!
They weren't gonna kill us. They're killing the pig.
CAO CAO (MENG DE), you suspected too much.
We killed these innocent people. What evils are we!
It is no use crying over split milk.
Let's just run.
Let's go.
Which way?
We can't take big road.
Then...
Hush.
What's the sound?
Sound?
This way, you stupid stubborn donkey!
LU BOSHE!
Where?
Hurry UP!
CAO CAO (M ENG DE), is that you, nephew'?
What are you doing? Why are you leaving?
CAo cAo (MENG DE), my nephew!
What are you doing?
Where do you plan to go?
Uncle.
The situation is intense. Soldiers are chasing us.
If we stay,
you'll be troubled.
We'd better leave.
I “won't allow.
Check this out! I bring you great wine.
They are slaughtering pigs and preparing for dinner.
Let's have a feast,
and drink as much as we can tonight.
Nobody is leaving.
Don't just stand there, go home with me.
Why are you standing like that?
It's cold out here, you...
CAO CAO (MENG DE)!
LU BOSHE saved our life.
He's a noble man!
You're right.
He's also brother under oath of your father.
He's your uncle!
You're right.
Just now
we've killed a dozen of innocent people of LU family.
Why do you kill LU BOSHE?
Because we've already killed them,
now I have to cover your kill.
What?
Think about it.
When LU BOSHE goes home,
and sees his entire family got killed.
Don't you think he'd be furious?
And having people chasing us?
I have to kill him to stop the forthcoming trouble.
You...
CAO CAO (MENG DE).
You didn't repay the gratitude and keep killing innocent man.
Are you a loyal person at all?
Rather we let down the world
than the world let us down!
What did you say?
Rather I let down the world
than the world let me down!
What?
CHEN GONG (GONG TAI), I'm afraid we have to go back.
Go back where?
CHENG GAO county.
Why?
There're still hundreds of miles from CHEN LIU.
We haven't been eating for entire two days.
If we keep traveling,
we'll die from hunger and coldness.
I thought you regret what you just did,
and wanted to go back LU's house and bury his family properly.
CHEN GONG (GONG TAI), don't be so emotional.
They're dead and won't come back alive.
We're alive, and we have mission.
He prepared food and wine.
If we don't use them, his death will be in vain.
Let's go.
Uncle, CAO CAO (MENG DE) didn't want to kill you.
This troubled times killed you.
Your favor and help
I won't forget till the day I die.
I miss you, uncle.
I'm in pain, truly.
You killed him. Now you remorse.
What a shameful deed indeed!
Uncle!
I will revenge you.
I'm calling for help to kill the tyrant and bring the world justice.
When I achieve something some day,
I will offer you honorary scarlet letter and iron seal,
and confer you as duke.
Your soul in the heaven
will be in peace forever.
You don't sound like a escaped prisoner,
but like a future emperor.
CHEN GONG (GONG TAI),
you can't predict what people think and what happen tomorrow.
Nobody can be sure about tomorrow
Alright, the ritual is over.
Let's eat.
I haven't had meal for half a month,
what about you?
What are you thinking about?
I'm thinking about my crickets.
They all have feelings.
But you left them
and you're following me.
Why is that?
Does that prove that
I'm better than those crickets?
That's because in such troubled times,
only successful men are able to talk about loyalty.
Weak men will be sacrificed.
Do you regret following me, CHEN GONG (GONG TAI)?
Maybe when I was in your jail,
you should've cutoff my head.
And put it into ajar and send to the capital city.
DONG ZHUO will exchange it with some money for you.
Yes!
I thought you were a true hero,
that's why I could sacrifice my own life
leave my family and job to follow you.
Now I can't tell
whether you're a virtuous man or true evil.
CHEN GONG (GONG TAI),
it's a truth since ancient times real evil appears virtuous
and real lie appears very true.
Virtue and evil
you can't tell them apart from the appearance.
Maybe yesterday you misunderstood me,
and today you are mistaken again.
But I'm still me.
I'm not afraid of being misunderstood.
The meal is done. Have some.
He killed a dozen of innocent people,
but he can still be sound asleep.
What kind of person is CAO CAO?
Is he human being or not?
Rather I let down the world
than the world let me down!
His words are harsher than JIAN FENG's.
JIAN FENG only killed the LU family.
CAO CAO's words include everyone in the world.
He is a greater evil than DONG ZHUO.
He's more dangerous and horrible.
If he lives, he'll do much more harm.
I should kill him,
get rid of the evil for the world.
I saved him yesterday, and kill him today.
Is that the right thing to do?
Am I being inconstant?
CAO CAO is heartless, I'm not.
He should've done it if he wanted to kill me.
Why hesitated?
Father, the country is suffering the turbulence
which rarely happen for years.
DONG ZHUO rules the capital city. He murders loyal officials,
and he alters the laws and regulations upon his opinion.
And outside the capital,
regional officials and warlords, imperial protectors and generals
when they see DONG ZHUO's outrageous behavior in the capital city,
they all get angry and furious, and even jealous.
A troubled time gives birth to heroes.
The time makes heroes.
I'd like to raise the flag to establish a regime.
My son, DONG is really powerful.
I'm afraid you can't win.
Back in the capital city, lance served him.
I can tell that
DONG only has his western army.
Although the army is good at fighting battles,
their leader DONG ZHUO isn't a learned leader.
He is the man of capital city LUO YANG and the whole court,
but he only thinks about women, plundering and killing.
He has no bigger goals.
My son, I have sold all of our family wealth.
I got 25,000 ounces of gold.
I offer you the fund to recruit soldiers,
and manufacture armors and flags.
That's far from enough.
Money is crucial for a good strategist.
But money isn't the only factor.
People is the most important.
One true talent
Worth more than 100,000 ounces of gold or silver.
Report!
Mr. CAO,
heard that CAO CAO (MENG DE)'s coming back,
brave men are gathering to meet him.
I'm YUE JIN from the country of WEI, my courtesy name is WEN QIAN.
I'd like to follow CAO CAO to build great regime.
I'm Ll DIAN from JU LU, my courtesy name is MAN CHENG.
I'd be your servant, Mr. CAO.
I'll protect you with my life until death.
We are brothers XIAHOU YUAN and XIAHOU DUN,
we bring over 1,000 soldiers to you, Mr. CAO.
Let's finish the tyrant together.
You guys are great help to me.
The Heaven is leaning towards our success.
Please be seated, let's have a discussion.
Big brother.
Brother, YUAN SHAO sent a letter.
He said he raised army in BOHAI,
he summoned governors and protectors from 18 regions,
and they'll crusade against DONG.
They ask you to join them.
18 regional leaders of central plain all joined the army.
Most of the country is covered.
I believe DONG and his army
will be destroyed very soon.
Big brother, let's go.
We'd follow you.
Brother, we all are gonna follow you.
Think about it.
All 18 regional leaders,
they were all top of their own region.
Any of them has dozens of thousands of army.
We only have some kinship force.
We'll never gain a position in that army.
If we don't have a position,
even DONG ZHUO is defeated,
what would we get?
These warlords' original purpose
is to compete for titles, money and land.
Who would treat us properly?
Big brother, your thought is far reaching.
With DONG ZHUO still intact,
you've been thinking about the after.
A wise man thinks of long term and sees the essence from trivia.
What's your idea then?
So we shouldn't join them?
Of course we join them.
Because I've already
prepared a great present
for the 18 regional warlords.
And the present
is the most wanted thing
all the warlords are thinking about.
It 'worth more than 100,000 soldiers army.
Brother, what is it?
His Majesty's command.
Just think about it,
18 regional warlords,
they have everything.
They have soldiers, horses, provisions and weapons.
But the only thing missing
is emperor's order to hunt down DONG.
Without this order, what's their excuse for this campaign?
With what they call on the country?
They won't have a descent cause for the military campaign.
I just came from the capital city.
Only I can take His Majesty's command.
That means,
only with me, CAO CAO,
the regional warlords can have a proper cause,
and the army's act can be under the emperor's command.
Big brother.
Did His Majesty really give you such command?
Of course not.
Bull could issue one for His Majesty.
A feigned command?
Feigned command?
Yes, feigned.
Sometimes it works better than real ones.
First region of the army, governor of NAN YANG, YUAN SHU,
led 20,000 soldiers to gather.
The second area, imperial protector of JI ZHOU, HAN FU,
led 20,000 soldiers to gather.
The sixth area, governor of CHEN LIU, ZHANG MIAO.
The seventh area, governor of DONG JUN, QIAO MAO.
The eighth area, governor of SHAN YANG, YUAN Yl.
The tenth region, governor of BEI HAI, KONG RONG.
The thirteenth area, governor of XI LIANG, MA TENG.
The fourteenth area, governor of BEI PING, GONGSUN ZAN.
The sixteenth area, governor of CHANG SHA, Lord of WU CHENG, SUN JIAN.
This is HAN FU from JI ZHOU. How are you, Mr. YUAN?
Great! Please come in.
This is MA TENG from XI LIANG. How are you, Mr. YUAN?
This is great! Come in please.
This is SUN JIAN from CHANG SHA. How are you, Mr. YUAN?
Great! Please.
This is GONGSUN ZAN from BEI PING. How are you, Mr. YUAN?
Please come in!
My brothers,
that's the CHEN LIU city.
YUAN SHAO is gathering all the governors.
Let's join them now.
I agree to join them, but there's one thing,
you have to listen to me.
OK. Tell me.
Since we're joining them, you must be the leader.
Otherwise, we shouldn't go at all.
Brother, for four generations,
the highest offices of state have been filled by members of the YUAN family.
The people he summoned,
are all governors or imperial protectors.
Anyone of them has higher rank than me.
I don't care about that.
I just wanna ask, among all these governors,
is there anyone royal descendant of Han like you, brother?
I don't think so.
Is there anyone noble and descent like you?
I don't think so either.
Then I don't get it.
If you're not made leader, then who should?
Make me the leader?
I hate such fuss stuff.
After 'we entering the city,
brother LIU should be leader.
Brother GUAN should be deputy leader.
And I'll be pioneering officer.
Enough, brother ZHANG, stop the nonsense.
Let's go into the city.
Brother ZHANG.
Brother LIU's potential may not shine at this very moment.
Let's just hurry up and enter the city.
Since the great heroes have already arrived,
we should meet with them.
Brother LIU, just tell me,
do you want to be the leader or not?
Brother ZHANG,
this time we gather for meeting,
the purpose is to eradicate DONG and rejuvenate Han,
not for our personal promotion or obtaining profit,
I don't aim for high rank.
Giddap!
I see, brother LIU. Let's just go.
I'm YUAN SHAO, and I'm grateful,
that you governors gathering here to discuss the big issue.
Today's meeting
is a great sign that the Han dynasty to be rejuvenated.
This is a great festive.
Even in the capital LUO YANG,
I don't think there are so many great soldiers.
If the evil DONG knew that we're here gathering.
He'll be so scared.
Let's join our force
and go to LUO YANG for DONG'S head.
It'll be easy as a breeze.
18 regional governors gather here.
Most of the country
is just under our feet.
And the rest small piece
will be settled soon.
Generals,
at this moment, the total number of soldiers
there're 450,000 infantry soldiers horsemen 90,000.
Compared to DONG'S western army,
we have over twice as its size.
With such strong force, the enemy will be destroyed.
Right. It's true.
Very sensible.
Mr. YUAN,
generals,
I have something to say.
Since we're here to gather for a meeting,
at first, we have to
vote someone respectable as our leader.
With a united commander, then we can act.
- He's right. -Yes.
We should listen to what the leader asks.
As descendant of Prime Minister of Han,
YUAN SHAO (BEN CHU)'s family has big influence.
Their friends and students are all over the country.
And YUAN family's name is known everywhere.
So I suggest
that Mr. YUAN should be the leader.
And 'we follow his order to terminate the evil DONG.
You...
YUAN SHAO (BEN CHU) is best candidate.
You're the best candidate.
Yes!
Please do accept it.
YUAN SHAO (BEN CHU) is best candidate...
YUAN SHAO (BEN CHU) is best candidate.
Alright! Since you insist,
then I'll accept such title.
Stop there!
Who are you guys?
Go get YUAN SHAO to salute us.
My big brother is here to join you.
You...
Brother ZHANG, stop, it's rude.
My friend, please report for us.
LIU BEI, GUAN YU and ZHANG FEl from PING YUAN,
are here to gather.
What're your names again? I don't know you.
Are you invited by general YUAN?
We're all concerned about the country, even though we're not invited.
Then please back off.
All those inside the city are true heroes,
there's no place for you guys.
Just leave, right now.
I'll kill you, jerk!
Are you out of your mind?
How dare you!
Gel him!
The other day when I went to minister Wang's birthday party,
I was also thrown out because of my low rank.
And today these three fellowmen
are facing the same embarrassment like I did.
I'm LIU BEI, how are you?
And you are?
General of military standards, CAO CAO.
You're the CAO CAO (MENG DE) that tried to assassinate DONG ZHUO?
Unfortunately I failed.
The assassination is brave,
everyone knows it.
I'm really impressed.
General,
you don't know these three men,
then do you know me?
Your name is well known, Mr. CAO.
Before the assassination attempt,
I'm just like them,
was just a nobody.
How do you anticipate if these nobody
will be known by the whole world?
If the day should come,
they're known by the whole world,
are you gonna be sorry for the deed
you are acting today?
Mr. CAO, you're right.
Please follow me in, guys.
Thank you, Mr. CAO.
Please come in, heroes.
General of military standards, CAO CAO led 4,000 family soldiers,
come to gather.
CAO CAO (MENG DE), finally you're here.
We waited for so long.
CAO CAO (MENG DE) tried to assassinate DONG ZHUO by himself.
He's so famous now.
Allow me to bow.
CAO CAO (MENG DE), the bounty notice for you is over the central plain.
Now I believe there's no one that doesn't know you any more.
YUAN SHAO (BEN CHU), YUAN SHU (YUAN GONGLU), general SUN JIAN (SUN WEN TAl).
General GONG SUN, general MA TENG.
How are you doing?
Great, please be seated, everyone.
CAO CAO (MENG DE), please be seated.
Please.
Don't you see that my brother is here?
Brother ZHANG, stop shouting.
CAO CAO (M ENG DE), are these three heroes your men?
Not exactly, I met them in front of the gate.
The guarding officer wouldn't let them in.
Hook them inside.
They're all heroes.
Come here, guys.
I'll introduce you.
This is the leader of the 18 bands of regional force,
general YUAN SHAO, YUAN SHAO (BEN CHU).
And this...
I'm sorry I didn't remember your name.
Mr. YUAN, I'm LIU BEI, courtesy name XUAN DE.
This is my second little brother GUAN YU, courtesy name, YUN CHANG.
This is my third brother ZHANG FEI, courtesy name Yl DE.
How is your family background?
I'm descendant of Prince SHENG of ZHONGSHAN whose father
was the Emperor JING, emperor of the Han Dynasty.
He's emperor's descendant? I don't think so.
Must've been a fake.
Fake! ll must be!
Tell me,
where were you from?
What's your official title, and what's your main business?
I live in the countryside, and I don't have a title.
I'm a merchant dealing with mattresses and shoes.
Brother GUAN YU is from XIE LIANG, HE DONG.
He guards people's yard for a living.
Brother ZHANG FEl is from ZHUO ZHOU, HE BEI.
He sells wine and slaughters pigs for a living.
You sell mattresses and shoes, he guards people's house,
and he slaughters pigs and sells wine?
You guys are all labor workers,
and came here for the campaign?
Brother ZHANG.
In my opinion,
he is after all descendant of emperor.
And he stands in front of so many people,
in the front of all you heroes,
and tells about their selling mattresses and shoes, wines and pigs,
and he behaves so calm.
He is not ordinary person.
I agree.
CAo cAo (MENG DE), you're right.
LIU BEI, what's your purpose coming here?
I heard you issued letters summoning people to kill DONG.
I'm here for this summon.
How many soldiers and horses do you have?
Including me, only three people, three horses.
Brother GUAN YU is a bowman on horse.
Brother ZHANG FEl is a bowman on foot.
We'd live and die together.
Among us governors, we at least bring 15,000 soldiers.
You only have three people,
and you have the face to gather here?
To save the country, the heart is more important than amount of soldiers.
Since you're descendant of royal family, please be seated.
Thanks.
Brother LIU.
Mr. YUAN, everyone,
although we have officially announced that we're against DONG,
we still don't have a name. You know why?
We don't have imperial command from His Majesty.
Without such command,
we're nothing but a rebel army.
And we're just the same as DONG ZHUO.
But His Majesty is held hostage by DONG ZHUO.
He can't issue us such command.
Before I left LUO YANG,
His Majesty issued me a secret command himself.
He asked heroes of the country to the capital for the evil,
to eradicate the devil and rejuvenate the country.
Take imperial command, all governors!
The disloyal DONG ZHUO, he threw the court into confusion.
And he abuses the palace servants and lives of normal people.
He is harmful to the country and dares to murder his lord.
I'd like to issue this command with my blood,
and call on all heroes to bring army to the capital and arrest the devil,
to clear the air,
eradicate the evil and rejuvenate Han dynasty.
I don't think the command is true.
What's wrong?
His Majesty is very young, and he is held hostage by DONG ZHUO in the palace.
He never met with ministers in private,
how could he issue you this command?
General YUAN SHU (GONG LU), you're right.
His Majesty is only nine years old.
How could he 'write such a powerful command.
I issued this command on behalf of His Majesty.
So it's a feigned command.
General YUAN SHU (GONG LU),
DONG can hold His Majesty in the court
like his pet animal,
then why couldn't we treat him as a tool
and use him for us?
And I believe every word
in this command says things His Majesty wants to say,
and doesn't dare to say.
Although it's a fake, but it's way much useful than a real one.
I can assure you, as long as this command is announced officially,
the devils will be so scared and heroes will be excited.
Yes, he is right.
Great! What a great idea!
I heard that, in peace CAO CAO (MENG DE) is an able subject,
and in trouble times he is a crafty hero.
Now I see that the words are true.
Thanks for the good words, general YUAN SHU (sous LU).
I not only issued this command on behalf of His Majesty,
I also prepared strategies of how to defeat DONG for all of us.
Before I left LUO YANG,
I've served DONG for over half a year.
In this period,
I have investigated about everything about DONG'S XI LIANG army,
about their military deployment,
their logistics of food supply,
their advantages and disadvantages.
With these information,
I believe we will be the successful side for sure.
Please look at this.
You guys up there, listen to me!
I'm forerunner HUA XIONG.
The Prime Minister sent me to fight against you rebellions.
If anyone of you
bring me the head
of CAO CAO, I'll spare your life.
Report!
Mr. YUAN,
the forerunner of DONG, general HUA XIONG,
is here with the XI LIANG army
and he's here to fight against CAO CAO. He's provoking us at the gate.
Who is this HUA XIONG?
Why is he so aggressive?
Don't overlook this man.
He's from Guan Xi.
And he's said to be the fourth best general under DONG.
The fourth?
Then who are the other three?
The first is LU BU, the second is Ll JUE,
the third is GUO SI, and the fourth is this HUA XIONG.
Generals,
we just gathered here,
and the XI LIANG army is provoking.
This is the first battle between us and them.
We must win this battle,
and our morale will be high.
I'd like to fight him.
I will cut off HUA XIONG's head within ten rounds.
This is pioneer general Yu She.
Great! Bring me wine! I'll set off general YU.
CAO CAO (MENG DE), continue with your strategy.
OK.
XI LIANG army...