My heavens!
Mr. XUN,
what happened?
Just tell me.
General CAO,
when we fight LU BU,
there's something huge
happened in the capital city CHANG'AN.
DONG ZHUO's old subordinates
Ll JUE and GUO SI, they kidnapped His Majesty.
Then they split apart and killed a lot of people.
His Majesty and the officials became their hostages,
dragged between GUO and Ll.
The CHANG'AN city is like a ruin.
There's blood everywhere. People have nothing to eat or drink.
His Majesty only have some bran and rotten meat to eat.
The officials are all starving.
What's the key point?
The key point is
AN JI general DONG CHENG helped His Majesty
and he escaped from CHANG'AN city.
He's running east, towards LUO YANG city.
During the journey, His Majesty wrote this order.
He ordered governors in the country to catch the rebels.
What a great opportunity!
Opportunity?
My lord, why is it an opportunity?
The lord meant that
from CHANG'AN city to LUO YANG,
they have to pass MANG DANG Mountain area.
It's less than 250 kilometers from YAN ZHOU.
The lord's planning to rescue His Majesty.
Until we get His Majesty in our hands,
then he may...
Then I may command the governors in the name of His Majesty,
and handle the whole country's power.
(JI ZHOU city)
His Majesty has escaped from CHANG'AN city.
He asked all governors to save him.
Tell me
should I take the order or not?
My lord,
in my opinion,
not only you should go rescue His Majesty,
you should also beat others and be there the first.
That's because although the world is in a big chaos,
warlords all got their regimes
but they only settle in regional areas.
At this moment,
whoever has His Majesty in control
can hold the power of the country.
XU YOU's advice is very shallow.
The situation is very clear right now.
The so-called His Majesty is only a puppet.
The Han royal family is nearly destroyed.
If you really get him here, my lord,
it's nothing but a burden to you.
You tell me,
if His Majesty is here,
who'll be the master of JI ZHOU city?
You, my lord, or that little boy?
And,
if he insist with the royal procedures,
and order you back and forth,
should you listen to him or not?
TIAN FENG's words make sense.
The emperor is in fact a burden.
I won't rescue him.
My lord,
TIAN FENG's advice right now
is really narrow and shallow, without any perspective.
Although Han is in danger,
but it still exists.
Though the emperor is very young and only a puppet,
but he's still called Han emperor.
My lord, although you're the real leader of JI ZHOU,
you're still officer of Han dynasty.
As old saying
My lord
His Majesty is not a burden.
He's a flag you could use to address all the governors.
He's a title you may use to lead all forces in the country.
Is there any limit of his effects?
I'm afraid that,
if you give up on him and don't rescue him,
he will be controlled by others.
Who would get him?
CAO CAO from YAN ZHOU, LIU BIAO from JING ZHOU.
They would both go get him.
Especially CAO CAO,
he not only will go get him,
he will even loot him.
XU YOU is speaking nonsense.
What flag or title?
The emperor
is like a leaf shivering in cold wind.
He's useless.
If CAO CAO wants him, then go get him.
Our lord doesn't care about titles without meaning.
He concentrates on practical things.
What's the most practical thing to do?
I think it is to annihilate GONGSUN ZAN as soon as possible,
then take QING ZHOU and YOU ZHOU.
If we win,
our lord will take four states of the whole country.
What's the difference from being a real emperor?
I think, my lord, you should prepare for the battles,
and conquer NQING ZHOU and YOU ZHOU.
Do not be distracted with trivial stuff
My lord.
I've decided.
I won't take His Majesty's order.
I'll concentrate on preparation for war.
After the harvest time, we get enough food supply,
I'll send troops to get YOU ZHOU directly.
Mar"
Yes, sir.
The lord are shod-sighted.
Inadequate officials would waste the best chance.
A small Imperial Seal
makes all governors fought about it.
And here's a real emperor
but nobody wants him?
The lord is a mediocre lord.
And his officials are mediocre sycophants.
I feel so well! Just great!
Look!
We beated the sun and climbed Non MANG DANG Mountain first.
One day and one night,
we've been travelling 300 miles.
Even we don't get tired, horses get tired.
How about some rest?
OK, let's take a short rest.
We'll leave when the sun rises high and it's nearly noon.
Yes, sir.
What's YUAN SHAO's reaction?
Our spy from JI ZHOU informed me
that YUAN SHAO didn't take the lmperial command to rescue.
YUAN SHAO lives so near this mountain
and he's not coming.
There's such foolish man?
I'm so glad!
How about YUAN SHU and LIU BIAO?
YUAN SHU of NAN YANG didn't react at all.
And our man in JING ZHOU didn't sense any movement.
It seems they're not coming here to save His Majesty either.
So the emperor is mine!
What?
I meant that
the emperor will be saved by me.
My lord!
We found carriage tracks on the road Nat the foot of the mountain.
How wide are the length between the wheels?
About 6'6"".
Glenn?
That's not good.
His Majesty's carriage has already passed.
Chase now with all your effort!
From the track we can see
the emperor's carriage has passed for a very long time.
What if we can't catch him?
Can't catch him?
Even you chase into LUO YANG city,
even the Chang Le Palace,
even go to the heaven or hell,
get me His Majesty!
My lord,
it's 300 miles!
- Beat it! Yes, sir!
My lord,
let's rest for a while.
Just now you said that
we shall leave until the sun rises before noon.
It's already there.
But from where I am, I don't...
Your words don't count. It's on me!
Let's g0!
(LUO YANG my)
Your Majesty, mind your step.
This way, Your Majesty.
We finally arrived.
Your Majesty is back in palace.
Take care, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, we're finally back home.
Be careful, your Majesty.
We're finally back.
Your Majesty.
Sit for a while.
Sit here.
Here.
After such a long journey, we finally arrived.
My ministers,
I'm thirsty.
L'm hungry-
Water.
Your Majesty,
we searched everywhere,
and there's no water.
Even the moat is drained.
Your Majesty,
we're blessed by the ancestors,
and the toughest time has passed.
Your Majesty,
we're back to east capital this time,
and we will rejuvenate the Han dynasty.
Congratulations, Your Majesty, you're back to home court.
Are Ll JUE and GUO SI catching us?
Don't worry, Your Majesty,
those two evils
were left behind by us over hundreds of miles.
Report!
Bad news, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty,
I saw large troops in the eastern side.
They're about to enter the Pass.
They caught us!
My ministers, what should we do?
It's over.
We have nowhere to go.
Save His Majesty!
My ancestors!
Open your eyes,
and see how your offsprings are suffering!
Please bless the Han sovereignty!
What do we do?
Think about some ideas.
G real news!
Someone came to rescue, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, the ancestors are helping us.
The rescue is here!
Who came to rescue?
It must be YUAN SHAO of JI ZHOU
who's coming to rescue upon your order.
He's the nearest one, Your Majesty.
- Great! Great! What a loyal man!
He's so loyal.
,
the rescue didn't come from YUAN SHAO of JI ZHOU.
It's the Imperial Protector of YAN ZHOU, CAO CAO.
How come it's CAO CAO?
CAO CAO (MENG DE)?
Why it is him?
I can't believe it's CAO CAO.
YUAN SHAO is so near here, but he didn't do anything.
CAO CAO came from hundreds of miles to save you.
,
when you're broke, you may find out who's the son really loves you.
When you met trouble, you may know which official is loyal to you, Your Majesty.
Absolutely, Your Majesty!
When CAO CAO arrives here,
please praise him for such good deeds.
Right, please reward him, Your Majesty.
I know.
I will praise him to the most.
Dress me.
Dress His Majesty.
.
Hurry!
XUN YU.
Yes, sir.
I forgot about something.
What?
I'm from foreign state, according to the rituals,
I should bring gift for His Majesty.
I left in a hurry,
I didn't bring anything, then what?
My lord, I have an idea.
What?
At this moment,
His Majesty and the ministers must be hungry and thirsty.
What they want the most
must be some gravy and bread.
Now,
a bowl of gravy worth more than gold.
Right!
When I ran for my life,
I would kill for some gravy.
CAO HEN.
My lord.
Go prepare some gravy.
Yes, sir.
- There's another point. What?
When you salute His Majesty
please follow the court's manners,
then His Majesty and the ministers will be relieved.
I know, I know.
XUN YU,
please think about another thing for me.
What is it?
LUO YANG city is a ruin. We can't repair it.
After we attend His Majesty,
where should we choose as capital?
Capital city of YAN ZHOU, county of XU.
Why'?
It's your place.
You should put His Majesty beside you,
then you'll feel safe.
You have made the decision.
You just didn't want to say it.
XUN YU,
why are you aware of
everything I've been thinking of?
My lord,
that's my job.
I'm CAO CAO, Imperial Protector of YAN ZHOU, Your Majesty.
What a loyal official!
True loyalty shows when in trouble.
You may raise yourself.
Long live, Your Majesty.
Please, Your Majesty.
What is this, my dear subordinate.
Please take a wild guess.
Imperial Seal?
Agate?
Amber?
I really don't know.
Then please uncover it.
This is some chicken soup NI just had them cooked, Your Majesty.
My dear subordinate,
I haven't tasted any meat over half a year.
Please have some.
Please have sometime to eat, ministers.
There's food?
There's really food?
Calm down.
There's no need to hurry, everyone will get some.
I need some.
I need more.
- So tasty! Slow down.
Is there any more?
How tasty they are!
Please inspect the soldiers of YAN ZHOU.
My dear subordinate,
are these soldiers all yours?
No ,
they're all yours, Your Majesty.
How many do you have?
Elite soldiers 500,000, 1,000 officers.
G real! Just g real!
You are much a bigger hero than DONG ZHUO or anyone.
.
You...
With you, general CAO,
the court and the Han dynasty are blessed.
The rebels will be terminated, Nan order will be established.
.
Now you may reward CAO CAO.
My dear subordinate,
I'm appointing you Grand General, as well as WU PING Duke.
You're a spine which supports the country from now on.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Congratulations, WU PING Duke.
Your Majesty, I have sometime to report.
Please just tell me.
Eastern capital LUO YANG city is ruined.
The palace and temples were all destroyed by rebels.
And the city is too close to the XI LIANG rebels.
I'm worried about your safety,
as well as the integraty of Han royalty.
I'm requesting Your Majesty move the capital to XU CHANG,
then we may reestablish the court and the order of the country.
I don't think so.
Though LUO YANG is a ruin,
it's the capital for 200 years.
It has a critical position and has great reputation.
What's XU CHANG?
CAO CAO's base camp.
If the capital moves there,
Then we'll fall into CAO CAO's trap.
- Don't you think so? Right, you're right.
Take a look, take a real good look, Your Majesty.
Only in XU CHANG,
you can have so many
great soldiers protect you.
Then the court shall be safe.
I agree.
Move the capital to XU CHANG.
Long live! Long live!
My dear subordinate, NI just escaped from wolf's nest,
now I'm in tigers cage.
What should I do?
What happened already happened.
You should rest and restore your energy,
and act according to the situation.
Will CAO CAO kill me
and be crowned himself?
No.
He only wants to control you
and use you.
- Use me? Yes.
Then I'll be like a tool?
.
- XUN YU. Yes, my lord.
Issue a notice and deliver it everywhere.
Tell them that His Majesty is moving the capital to XU CHANG.
Order all governors, prefects,
Imperial Protectors and generals come here to salute His Majesty.
And from now on,
XU CHANG will be changed into NXU DU.
Title for the court will be changed into JIAN AN. There'll be an amnesty.
Yes, sir.
His Majesty ordered that officials come in the court.
Long live, Your Majesty.
Your may raise yourselves.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
,
since the capital's moved to XU CHANG,
people have been so glad
and celebrate this.
The country is now peaceful
and productive now.
Great!
This is all because of you.
L...
I'm so glad.
Please permit the following request.
Appoint YUAN SHAO of JI ZHOU Grand general,
as well as WU TING Duke.
Appoint YUAN SHU of NAN YANG high military general,
as well as ZHONG Yl Duke.
Appoint LIU BIAO of JING ZHOU fore general,
as well as DONG AN Duke.
Appoint GONGSUN ZAN of YOU ZHOU rear general,
as well as JING AN Duke.
CAO CAO.
His Majesty just moved the capital to XU CHANG.
There're so many things to do.
Why should His Majesty confer the governors now?
Just because the capital was just moved,
a favor shall be granted to the people.
This is a golden opportunity.
In this request to His Majesty,
YUAN SHAO, LIU BIAO, GONGSUN ZAN,
the governors are all confered,
some of them even are raised 2 or 3 levels,
but I don't see your name in it.
I remember
DONG ZHUO entitled himself Prime Minister,
even Imperial Rector.
Why don't you ask for something?
That shows stupidity and arrogance of Dong.
I'm not DONG ZHUO, I'm CAO CAO.
I'm grateful of the court's generosity.
I will repay it.
I only want to serve Your Majesty.
I don't need those void titles.
I see.
You're practical and you despise void stuff.
Anything Mr. CAO requests,
I will say yes.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
I received an Imperial Command,
which confers me as Grand General, as well as WU TING Duke.
It even confers JI ZHOU, QING ZHOU,
and the BING ZHOU,
which I wanted for a long time
but never got it.
Tell me,
should I take this command or not?
Good question, take it or not...
Congratulations, my lord, Nit confers you as Grand General,
you should take it.
The capital was just moved to XU CHANG,
His Majesty can't protect himself yet.
This command is nothing
but a fake favor.
My lord,
I think,
from the appearance, this command
is a fake favor,
but it actually contains evil intention.
You should be aware that, my lord,
although this command
is issued to you in the name of His Majesty,
judging from every word and sentence,
we can see that all of those,
came from CAO CAO.
If you take this order,
you'll have to write back a thank note.
Then,
it means you consent with CAO CAO's
controlling His Majesty and order governors around.
If you refuse to take it,
you'll be deemed as disloyal.
CAO CAO might accuse you that as Han's official,
you disregard the court's order. And,
this time, it's an order granting reward, you could take it,
but what if there's an order with bad news?
For example they order you offer food, or retreat your amry,
even ask you to offer your land,
then should you take it or not?
So, whether you take it or not, you'll always be in dilemma.
CAO CAO's plan works.
I regret I didn't listen to you.
I should've taken His Majesty in my hands.
Then,
the one controlling the emperor and ordering the governors around
won't be CAO CAO, and it'll be me.
I have 200,000 soldiers and horses than him.
My towns and lands' size is over the double of his.
I could've move the court here.
I lost the opportunity
and CAO CAO grabbed it.
Now I have to listen to his fake command and order.
What a pity!
When I offered you this advice,
some people without perspective
accused me as nonsense.
This is my fault because I neglected it.
Other people shouldn't be blamed.
XU YOU.
What do you think we should do?
My lord,
I can assure that
in five years,
you and CAO CAO
will have a fight for your lives.
So fast?
You could think about this, my lord.
Why is CAO CAO controlling the emperor and ordering the governors?
Why is he appointing governors with titles
but not himself?
Because in his opinion,
he himself is the emperor,
that he has the power of the country
and doesn't have to confer himself.
My lord, now CAO CAO
doesn't have much land as you do.
His soldiers and horses
and wealth couldn't compete with you.
But he will make full use
of controlling the emperor and ordering the governors,
then improve his ability gradually.
My lord, DONG ZHUO cannot reach the level of CAO CAO.
He's 1 DD fumes worse man DONG ZHUO!
He's aiming at the whole country.
I can't believe it. In old days,
he only fooled around together with me.
Now he's fighting with me for the country.
To be honest, my lord,
CAO CAO doesn't just want to fight you for the country,
we don't know who'll gonna win.
I will not tolerate CAO CAO getting stronger.
I won't wait to fight him until he's competent enough
to challenge me
Listen to me,
after the harvest,
we will send 150,000 soldiers to get YOU ZHOU and BING ZHOU.
Then we prepare to get CAO CAO!
Yes, sir!
My lord, if you can do that,
it's your luck, as well as the country's luck.
My lord,
YUAN SHAO, YUAN SHU, LIU BIAO and GONGSUN ZAN,
they all took the appointment of the court.
And they've written thank note back.
Good, just great!
They thank the court,
the same as thanking me.
- XUN YU. My lord.
What do you think YUAN SHAO
and the other ones feel now?
Bitter, regretful, and jealous.
Having an emperor beside me,
I feel much more comfortable than being emperor myself.
Be careful, my lord.
Right now,
you're the greatest enemy of all governors.
I know that.
I will fight them one by one.
But now they have no time to get me.
YUAN SHAO is busy fighting GONGSUN ZAN.
He wants YOU ZHOU.
YUAN SHU wants the whole southern area.
XUN YU,
we should take this opportunity and go to the central plain.
You must still be thinking of XU ZHOU, my lord.
Not only think of, NI think about it every day and night.
One wants to establish great regime, None have to get XU ZHOU.
As long as I don't have XU ZHOU, NI can't rest assured.
But now LIU BEI and LU BU
are in XU ZHOU.
They support each other,
very tough to deal with.
You told me that,
We attack fiercely, they'll be joining force to fight me.
If I'm patient enough, they'll drift apart from each other.
I have been patient for quite a while.
But I don't see them drift apart.
If you want XU ZHOU, my lord,
I have a plan.
I'm listening.
You could issue LIU BEI an order
in the name of His Majesty,
and appoint him XU ZHOU governor.
Besides the states of XU ZHOU,
you may give him
NAN YANG county of YUAN SHU's.
And issue him a secret order,
ask him to fight YUAN SHU.
Accusing that YUAN SHU is disloyal,
and wants to be emperor himself.
LIU BEI is royal descendant.
He's always loyal to the court.
He just became XU ZHOU governor.
How dare he refuse to take the order?
And I also take His Majesty's name
to issue YUAN SHU an order.
Tell him that LIU BEI wants to harm him
that LIU BEI informed the court
that YUAN SHU wanted to be emperor,
and asked the court to Nat-tack his NAN YANG county,
right?
Exactly!
Then YUAN SHU and LIU BEI
will fight fiercely.
At least one of them will be get rid of.
They will be destroyed together with each other.
Then we can take the opportunity to get XU ZHOU ourselves.
Very wise, my lord.
Get rid of the wolf as well as tiger.
His Majesty's Imperial Command.
Side general LIU BEI, take the command.
I'm here.
With rights empowered by the heavens, His Majesty orders:
since LIU BEI was in charge of XU ZHOU,
you always acted loyal to the court. And you treat people well, I'm glad.
Now I'll appoint you as XU ZHOU governor,
ruling 6 states of XU ZHOU,
and confer you as CHE QI general, and WU Yl Duke. Take the order.
Thank you, Your Majesty, I'll take it.
Congratulations, general that you become XU ZHOU governor.
His Majesty also have a secret order for you, general.
Make sure that you take the command.