Do you know
that YUAN SHU crowned himself?
I almost laughed to death.
I overestimated YUAN SHU.
I was wrong.
YUAN SHU claimed to be emperor, what's wrong with you?
Didn't you see YUAN SHU's careerism?
No, what I didn't learn is
how stupid YUAN SHU is
He's even more stupid than I thought.
Such a stupid man
I made a mistake
to think him as a hero.
I'm CAO CAO,
and I thought a stupid pig as a Phoenix,
Was I wrong ?
You were wrong...
Our lord thought that
the one crowns himself first shall be YUAN SHAO.
But he didn't expect that YUAN SHU did it before YUAN SHAO.
Among all the governors,
YUAN SHAO and YUAN SHU are stronger than me.
LIU BIAO and LU BU are weaker than me.
Others like GONGSUN ZAN are all fake heroes.
They do not have it.
LIU BEI and SUN CE shouldn't be mentioned.
I had known it long time ago that the YUAN brothers wanted to be emperor.
But I never thought that
the one became emperor first is YUAN SHU instead Of YUAN SHAO.
It can be seen that,
YUAN SHAO is much smarter than YUAN SHU.
He has so many soldiers and horses, and towns.
And so smart.
How couldn't I be angry?
I think that perhaps you're with enormous sweet sorrow.
In my opinion,
the Han court is now in XU CHANG,
you're the most prominent minister.
And there's some rebel crowning himself,
which makes you even more important for the Han court,
and the whole country.
I suggest that
you shall deliver letters in the name of His Majesty,
and ask all governors to fight the illegitimate rebel for Han.
YUAN SHU has 300,000 to 400,000 soldiers,
more twice than mine
YUAN SHU has many soldiers,
but his officers aren't good at strategy or martial skills.
This is reason one.
And second, YUAN SHU has pushing denounced Han.
Everyone in the world will be against him.
He won't get much help.
People like YUAN SHAO wouldn't help him.
As long as you fight him, nobody could stop you.
The third, since YUAN SHU is emperor,
then the emperor in your hand
wouldn't be worth much,
because there're two emperors now.
If you don't fight him,
the second and third emperor
will appear gradually.
Then,
what can you do in control of his Majesty?
More important, is the reason four,
if you send troops,
you'll be doing the right thing.
And you'll surely become
the chief of all the governors.
If other governors don't obey the command,
they'll be violating the law.
If they obey,
they'll have to admit you're the chief.
What worth much more than just some more towns.
You're right.
Thus, in your opinion, whether will they obey the order or not?
We don't need to think about it
because all governors will obey,
but none of them will send troops.
For they're all busy with their own litlle stuff.
Take my order.
XUN YU, you issue the letter to go to war with YUAN SHU and deliver it.
Yes, sir.
GUO JIA, you'll be issuing lmperial Command,
to order YUAN SHAO, LIU BIAO, LU BU,
Ma Teng, GONGSUN ZAN,
any governor appointed by the court.
Send each of them a command,
and order them to send troops to help me.
Yes, sir.
CAO HONG and XU CHU will be the forerunner and vice forerunner.
Lead 20,000 men to go first.
- Yes, sir. N-Yes, sir.
CAO HEN will be in charge of the middle troop, XIAHOU DUN the rear force.
Prepare 180,000 soldiers.
Yes, sir.
Tomorrow,
I'll go in the palace report it to His Majesty.
Then we hold ceremony for the heavens to send troops.
Yes, sir.
My dear subordinate,
I appoint you as royal Protector.
You'll be holding the tomahawk, giving imperial order, possessing imperial sword,
ride the imperial can,
and order all the imperial troops.
Conquer! Conquer! Long live!
What's in your mind, my lord?
You're afraid you we can't win YUAN SHU because he's too strong?
I'm not worried about YUAN SHU, but LU BU.
I'm worried,
when we fight YUAN SHU,
LU BU will make a sudden attack to our rear camp again.
No, he won't.
Why not?
If it were me, I will.
LU BU is not you, my lord.
Although he's the best warrior,
his mind
can't compare with one finger of yours.
But he has CHEN GONG as consultant.
CHEN GONG won't suggest LU BU help YUAN SHU.
Because that would mean betrayal,
which will bring disaster.
And the last time when LU BU attacked YAN ZHOU,
you crushed him.
How would he make the same mistake?
But this time, everyone of us left the city.
Then you doubt too much, my lord.
LU BUt doesn't know NYAN ZHOU is empty.
And with LU BU's intelligence,
he couldn't figure it out.
And eventhough he figures it out,
LU BU wouldn't dare to attack NYAN ZHOU.
And on the contrary, LU BU will be even more worried
if you'll use the opportunity of fighting YUAN SHU
and take XU ZHOU on the way there.
You were right about me that I always doubt too much,
no matter I win or lose.
And right now,
I'm still worried about another thing.
Can you help me solve it?
Please tell me.
We fight YUAN SHU this time,
We have to win.
Because if we lose,
the governors will laugh until their mouths crooked.
They'll say that CAO CAO fight the rebel but got butchered by the rebel.
And then we'll become the rebel.
They'll jump on us like wolves.
They'll tear our flesh,
divide our land,
and we'll die without the burial ground.
They definitely will.
Then in your opinion,
how could we win YUAN SHU?
Gather all of our force and our energy,
go right into YUAN SHU's capital SHOU CHUN.
Yes.
And isn't it the direction we're going?
Right, and in my opinion,
And it's the only strategy to get YUAN SHU.
Do not doubt it anymore.
Than ks a lot.
Protect the lord. Be careful!
Protect the lord! Protect the lord!
Giddap! Giddap!
Protect the lord!
Stop!
Stop! Protect the lord!
Stop!
The clerk, where is he?
My lord.
Before we left
I made some rules, do you remember ?
Yes, I remember.
Then tell me.
You ordered all the soldiers and officers
that we're fighting the rebel for His Majesty and the people.
Now it's harvest time,
if we pass wheat fields, never trespass them,
whoever does that shall be executed.
My carriage trespassed this wheat field,
then how should you punish me?
L...my lord...
I don't dare to punish you, my lord.
I made the rule myself, and I broke it,
I have to obey it. Sword!
Now,
I order you cut off my head with this sword,
and maintain the discipline.
My lord, I can't!
I really can't!
My lord, at the time of Spring and Autumn,
the law do not rule the nobles. Please do not hurt yourself.
Those Spring and Autumn nonsense.
I'm asking you, if the law do not rule the nobles,
then what's the point having the law?
Good question, my lord.
But have you thought about that:
you're fighting the rebel for His Majesty,
if you do not treasure your life,
who'll gonna lead the army?
Who'll kill the evil for all the people?
You're making some sense here.
Since I'm in great responsibility of fighting the rebel,
then we may spare my life.
Your decision is wise, my lord.
I'll cut off my hair today as a symbol.
I'll achieve great thing to make it up.
Bring CAO CAO's head to all soldiers.
Yes, sir.
Our lord broke the rule, he shouldn've be executed.
But since he's in great responsibility,
he's absolved for now.
And he shall repay this with great contribution.
Now we cut off his hair as replacement of his head,
and let everyone see it.
Report!
Mr. general,
ZHONG SHI emperor
sent a messenger to see you.
Bring him in.
Yes, sir.
I'm an eunuch of SHOU CHUN palace.
I took His Majesty's order to meet you, general.
What're you meeting me for ?
I'm here to congratulate you, general.
About what?
After my lord became emperor,
he appointed his crowned prince.
He heard your daughter is in the age
should be married.
So he sent me bear gift and make a proposal,
marry your daughter to our prince.
Then you'll be in-laws, and you may establish big thing together.
I'd like to check the gift list.
My lord said that
after he passes away, the prince will be crowned.
And your daughter will become queen of ZHONG SHI,
lady of the country.
OK.
I'd like to marry my daughter to the prince of YUAN family.
Congratulations, general.
Stop there.
Why do you stop us, Mr. CHEN GONG (GONG TAI)?
Is it generals daughter in the can?
Yes.
But,
now she's the fiancee of ZHONG SHI prince.
Ridiculous!
Such an important thing,
how could you make so rushed?
Please explain.
There're rules about marriage since ancient times.
One year for emperors, half a year for regional governors;
three months for senior officials, None month for civilians.
The ZHONG SHI emperor just sent gifts,
and wants to take the bride now.
It's only a few days.
Don't the daughter of our general
doesn't deserve the manner for a civilian girl?
His Majesty thought,
it's a troubled world,
since the marriage has been fixed,
we should hurry,
otherwise accidents will happen.
No, YUAN SHU is already an emperor,
now this is the marriage for the crowned prince,
we should follow the manner of the emperor,
and show the people an example.
Please inform the emperor of ZHONG SHI,
the SHOU CHUN palace may send people for the bride in a year.
Take my order,
tum the cans back into the city.
Yes, sir.
Go back!
I only left the city for a few days,
you made such fatal mistake.
I can't believe you want
to become in-laws with YUAN SHU!
YUAN SHU is now an emperor,
he wants my daughter as prince's wife.
What's wrong with that?
With him as our strong support,
who dares to attack XU ZHOU?
Just because YUAN SHU illegitimately crowned himself,
we have to keep clean with him.
Do you wanna be the in-law of the rebel?
Do you want to be buried with him?
Do you know
that CAO CAO has issued the notice to all governors
asking everyone to terminate YUAN SHU.
And he has led his army and gone to war.
Within to days,
there're definitely Na great battle.
YUAN SHU makes proposal to your daughter now.
For He intends to tie you with him in this war.
Do you understand?
Then what should we do?
I've already agreed YUAN SHU.
Although you have repromised YUAN SHU,
I told the messenger that
we should follow emperor's manner.
We'll send your daughter there in a year.
Let's just wait and see whether YUAN SHU
can still be the emperor then.
If he's still there,
we give him the Princess-to-be.
If he fails,
we won't be involved with him.
Great!
Feng Xian,
from now on, when you meet things,
please talk to me before you make any decision,
OK?
OK, I know.
Report.
General,
His Majesty sent order.
- Bring in. N-Yes, sir.
YUAN SHU betrayed the court and crowned himself.
He's now a public enemy.
I've appointed CAO CAO as lmperial Commander.
He'll lead all the force in the country to fight against YUAN SHU.
And LU BU is appointed NXU ZHOU governor.
You may send army immediately today. from the emperor himself.
Please tell His Majesty.
The general accepts the order.
Mr. consultant,
the court finally made me NXU ZHOU governor.
It's not from the court.
It's CAO CAO.
The reason he gives you XU ZHOU,
is the same with YUAN SHU:
ask you to fight for him in this war.
Very true.
Then should I accept the title?
And send army?
Of course you take the title,
but don't need send army.
Let's see the result.
I see.
My lord,
what do you need me ion'?
XUN YU,
is this place where
we asked everyone to fight the rebel?
Yes.
It's been 5 days.
And among governors accept orders,
nobody came.
Yes.
I think you knew about this.
Of course.
But I didn't expect something.
There's a man,
he's not even a governor,
but he took a few thousands soldiers to help us.
Who is it?
LIU BEI.
I almost forgot him.
LIU BEI is Han descendant.
His wish is to maintain the country's peace.
Of course he hates the rebel.
To be honest with you,
I really didn't think he would come.
He makes me in a dilemma.
The reason I sent for you is to ask you
whether I should use him
or kill him.
Kill him.
Why'?
LIU BEI always wants to do something big.
Kill him to avoid he makes you trouble in the future.
I see.
You may retreat yourself.
And send me GUO JIA.
Yes, sir.
Big brother,
we rushed over 250 kilometers to fight rebel for him.
But CAO CAO is so arrogant.
He didn't treat us with respect.
Let's just leave.
Brother Zhang, calm down.
CAO CAO is the Imperial commander.
And he doesn't get along with me.
He needs some time to think about it.
My lord, what's the marten'?
Just now, XUN YU...
he suggested I should kill LIU BEI in case he makes trouble later.
What's your opinion?
I don't agree.
You're fighting the rebel this time.
You need people to trust you.
LIU BEI is known for his loyalty.
And he volunteered to send army to help you.
If you kill him,
then from now on,
all the intelligent people wouldn't trust you,
and wouldn't serve you.
You will lose everyone's faith in you for killing one person.
I think you should never think about it.
OK, I know.
You may retreat.
Send me CHENG YU.
Yes, sir.
My lord, I'm here.
CHENG YU,
GUO JIA thought NI shouldn't kill LIU BEI.
But XUN YU suggested me kill him.
What's your opinion?
LIU BEI is a real hero.
And he'll be your future enemy.
I think
you should use him first. When everything is done,
then kill him in case he brings trouble.
OK. I see.
Retreat yourself.
What did the lord say to you?
How did the lord ask you?
You tell me first.
You first.
Guys,
how did you answer the lord's question?
I suggested he should kill LIU BEI.
I suggested he use him.
I suggested him he should use him first, then kill him.
The lord always doubts people too much.
Now we gave him three options.
Which one he chooses,
it depends on him.
LIU BEI (XUAN DE), my friend,
I've been looking forward to you!
Mr. CAO, how are you?
You knew that YUAN SHU betrayed His Majesty.
His Majesty issued order asking governors to fight the rebel.
But all of them are watching,
and waiting for me to fail.
Only you lead your army here.
You are really a Han royal descendant, Na loyal man.
I don't have a lot of men.
I'd like to be your forerunner.
Attack the rebel's capital SHOU CHUN and kill him.
OK. When you come back with triumph,
I'll report to His Majesty
and confer you as Yu Zhou governor.
Come on.
Your Majesty,
the general JI LING and general QIAO HUI
they can't win GUAN YU and ZHANG FEI.
They were both killed.
CAO CAO's army has besieged the SHOU CHUN city.
South gate is in danger.
Soldiers at west gate are also fighting fiercely.
They need aid immediately.
What should we do? We...
Come on.
ZHANG XUN and YANG FENG lead HU BEN troops to fight them.
And LEI BU broke out the besiege.
Go find generals of south HUAI states to help us.
Your Majesty, CAO's men are in the best state.
They are eager to finish the battle as soon as possible.
We shouldn't follow suit.
We should close the door tightly,
defend the city and wait for our aid.
Right.
You're right.
CAO CAO's troops travelled a long distance.
They are lack of food supply.
That's why he needs to occupy SHOU CHUN immediately.
If we can hold on for 30 days,
CAO CAO's men will run out of food.
Then,
we'll fight them with full force.
Then we'll win.
Very wise, Your Majesty.
Yes, very wise.
Giddap! Giddap! Giddap!
My lord,
the troops have been out for 23 days.
Food supply is running out.
How many days can you hold on to.
At most 3 days.
No, we must find some ways to solve it.
You'll have to deal with to days.
Food supply won't arrive until then.
With food for 3 days,
how do we manage to hold on for to days?
Use smaller measure tools to release food.
L...what if soldiers can't have enough food,
and make some trouble?
I have method to deal with that.
Just do it like I told you.
Yes, sir.
Dinners time!
Let's go have dinner.
Dinners time!
Only this little food?
I fought with my life.
Now I can't have enough food?
Why should I stay?
He's right!
Let's quit! We'll leave.
My lord,
soldiers have been complaining.
The morale is too low.
What's the matter, my lord?
I need to borrow something from you to soothe the soldiers.
Hopefully you won't say no.
What do you wanna borrow?
The head of yours.
But unfortunately I can't give it back.
My lord...
I'm innocent.
I know you're innocent.
But if I don't kill you, soldiers will lose control.
Don't worry.
After you die,
your parents will be my parents.
I'll treat them
better than treat my own parents.
Your son will be my son.
I'll treat him better than my own.
And,
if I have your son with me,
he'll be making more achievements
than as your son.
Don't you think so?
Please spare my life, my lord!
- Man! N-Here.
Execute him in front of everyone.
Yes, sir!
Please spare my life, my lord!
My brothers, did you see?
The food supply officer use our food for his own.
He's executed.
Our lord ordered,
we brought all the meat, food and wine here.
Let's all have a great meal, then we attack the city.
If we can't get the SHOU CHUN city in 3 days,
everyone, including me, will be executed.
Yes, sir!
Ignite! Fire!
Fire!
Everyone, charge!
One, two, three!
Listen to me, you guys.
Guard the city at least until dusk.
Hurry up!
Ignite, fire!
Listen to me!
Do not lose the city.
Or I'll kill him!
General! General!
One, two, three!
One, two, three!One, two, three!
One, two, three!
Charge!
LIU BEI (XUAN DE),
YUAN SHU lost most of his troops.
His 300,000 army is left with less than 30,000.
They're running towards south of HUAI HE river.
I heard that when he left the city on horse,
he spit a lot of blood.
His life is in danger.
After this battle,
your name will be on history.
Your fame is overwhelming.
Congratulations, Mr. CAO.
If you didn't help me,
how could I achieve this?
LIU BEI (XUAN DE), don't leave.
Stay with me.
We will build the great cause of the ambitious.
Thanks for your invitation.
But my family is in XUAN ZHOU.
They've been expecting me for a long time.
Please allow me go back to PEI.
I always heard that
LIU BEI (XUAN DE) has bigger ambition.
And you won't stay as my subordinate.
Now I see it's true.
Do not misunderstand me.
You have stronger military force, and you're more talented.
You don't need me.
You can totally do without me.
Please keep your promise,
and let me leave.
XU ZHOU is yours.
LU BU force to take it from you.
On the face of things, you and LU BU
are brothers and help each other.
But in fact,you fight each other and are alert of each other.
Aren't my words right or not?
Your comments have flaws.
To be honest,
LU BU and me,
we are alert of each other,
but we also help each other.
Right. Your insight is deeper.
Since then,
why do you insist on going back to PEI?
You know LU BU is as sly as a fox,
as greedy as a wolf.
You're a nice and loyal man, stay with him,
it's like staying with a wolf.
To tell the truth,
I know LU BU is greedy like a wolf,
but you're strong like a dragon or tiger.
I'm with a wolf,
it's safer than with a tiger.
Alright.
Then,
I won't persuade you to stay here.
But I have some words to you first,
XU ZHOU
will be visited by my troops.
Really?
TAO QIAN killed my father.
But I haven't revenge him.
I'm the son to my father.
To revenge a father, is the first priority as a son.
Mr. CAO,
TAO QIAN has passed away.
You still won't let him go?
TAO QIAN is dead.
But his son isn't.
I'll kill his son, ungrave his body,
and slash his remains for what he did.
In my opinion,
you're using your father as an excuse
to get XU ZHOU.
Then what?
To be frank with you,
when you arrive with your army,
I'll have to unite with LU BU
and fight you with my life.
If you're not killing me now,
then I'll excuse myself.
My lord, why did you let him leave?
LIU BEI just made great contribution.
Now it's not reasonable to kill him.
If I want LIU BEI dead,
I don't have to do it myself.
LU BU can help me with that.
Take my order, we go back to XU CHANG.
My lord,
why don't we attack XU ZHOU?
We lost 20,000 soldiers in this battle.
We need to add to new soldiers and food supply.
Now we don't need fight.
And regarding XU ZHOU,
GUO JIA has already arranged something.
Let's just wait patiently.
Yes, sir.