Episode 56
Three Kingdoms
My lord! There's an ambush ahead!
Zhou Yu has planned for everything.
There's no need to fear, my lord.
Before we came here, the Director General gave me three silk pouches,
each of which contains a stratagem that he had devised.
We used the first one when we arrived in Lujiang.
We had our men purchase betrothal gifts to help spread the news around.
The second one said to quarrel with you,
and force you to send me back to Jingzhou.
And the third?
I was only supposed to open the third in a time of grave danger.
Then open it and see what it says!
Milord, this one is intended for you.
Halt, Liu Bei! Halt, Liu Bei!
My lady! My lady!
Don't let Liu Bei escape!
Xu Sheng, DingTeng, is this a mutiny?
My lady.
We wouldn't dare do that.
But the Grand Commander has ordered us to arrest Liu Bei.
We dare not defy him.
So you fear Zhou Yu, but not me?
Zhou Yu can have you killed, and I can't?
Since you once served my father and eldest brother.
you are vassals of the Sun family.
But now, it seems you only obey Zhou Yu.
Have you ever even considered my second brother to be your lord?
My lady, we would never dare to defy our lord!
Very well. I am under my brother's orders
to join my husband in honoring his ancestors.
My mother also gave permission.
Who dares block my way?
I shall have him beheaded!
Move aside, everyone! Move aside!
Let's go!
If we continue playing like this, all of your pieces will end up being captured, Master.
Why, you're right!
I've lost this game as well.
I have never won a game against you before.
How could you have lost so badly today, Master?
It seems that your mind is not on the chessboard.
I was calculating how long it'd take Zhao Yuri to reach the Southland.
If he arrived on schedule, our lord should have sent someone back with a message.
So why is it that we still haven't heard anything from him?
Right. It does seem rather unusual.
It's been so quiet in here today.
I keep feeling something is missing.
Something is missing?
Every day, after getting drunk, Zhang Fei marches in here and hurls abuse at me.
Why hasn't he come today?
You mean...
They are deeply committed to our lord, but are biased against me.
Could they...
Could they be planning a revolt against you?
The ten thousand most experienced fighters we have
came with Lord Liu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei from the north.
They've followed Lord Liu many years.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei only need to say the word.
If they come with their men to arrest me, they can seize my military tally,
and mobilize the entire army for an eastward march.
But if that is the case, what should we do?
Youchang, take my military tally and mobilize Huang Zhong's unit.
Ill send them here at once.
Wait.
What is it?
When you see Huang Zhong,
order him to lead his men out of the city immediately.
But why, Master?
Huang Zhong is from Jing Province, just as I am.
He is a bit friendlier towards me in private.
If he finds out that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei might revolt, he would go and oppose them.
It wasn't easy to recruit all these men.
I would hate to see them fight against each other and lay all our efforts to waste.
If I send his unit away, who will protect you, Master?
You won't have to worry about that.
With this glib tongue of mine, I defeated all of the Southland scholars.
How could two brutes pose a problem?
But scholars will listen to reason.
But how could you reason with such brutes?
Even if I can't talk them down...
my heart is still loyal to the Han,
and my blood being spilled will prove that.
Master, how could you even consider the idea of death?
Without you, Master what will happen to the realm?
A gentleman would give his life for one who appreciates him.
Having met Lord Liu, I suppose this should be my fate.
Excellent, Zilong. We've reached the river.
I suppose Kongming will send boats for us.
Look for boats along the coast.
Yes, my lord.
Liu Bei!
Dismount and surrender!
You are the Southland's beloved son-in-law. I cant bear to see you hurt!
Oh, Zilong, do we have a fourth silk pouch?
My lord, let me go and challenge Zhou Yu.
Forget it. They are too numerous.
Liu Bei! Hurry up and dismount!
My lord!
My regards, Grand Commander!
Our Director General has said
you are still injured and should not exert yourself!
Sun and Liu are now one family. united by blissful marriage!
May I be so bold as to ask the Grand Commander to mind his actions?
Grand Commander! Grand Commander! Are you all right?
Charge! Charge!
Charge!
Fire.
If you dare come any closer, I may have to show you discourtesy!
My lord! Just half a mile down the coast are some swift boats! Hurry and go!
Zilong, lets go!
My lord, the Director General prepared a farewell message for us to convey to Zhou Yu.
Very well. Convey it, then.
Convey the message!
Master Zhou had a brilliant plan!
It cost him the lady and troops to boot!
Master Zhou had a brilliant plan!
It cost him the lady and troops to boot!
Master Zhou had a brilliant plan!
Wretch. I swear I shall kill you
It cost him the lady and troops to boot!
Grand Commander! Grand Commander! Grand Commander!
So you've come.
Director General, please order us to attack the Southland.
The army is no longer a ragtag group of a few hundred men you and Lord Liu put together.
Rather, it is a legion tens of thousands strong.
When and how it goes to war must follow proper rules and procedures.
stems from Elder Brother's efforts.
No matter how big our army is, it all
If he is lost, what would it matter even if we conquered the whole damn world?
I can see it now!
You are hoping that he will never return!
You want to take the province for yourself!
Lord Liu's love for you is as deep as the oceans.
His kindness to me is as great as the mountains.
You followed him dozens of years,
and I have waited a dozen years for such a hero.
You show our lord unwavering loyalty,
and I will invoke Heaven to vouch for my loyal heart.
However, battles cannot besought on personal feelings alone,
but instead fought with planning and patience.
Master Zhuge, I know you are skillful with words.
For all your eloquent sophistry.
it's still a fact that those Jing troops of yours are poised to deal with us, aren't they?
I ask you, why did you suddenly mobilize Huang Zhong and Wei Yan's men?
What is your true intent?
You were planning to get rid of our men from the Central Plains, no?
Generals!
You really did misjudge the Director General
Generals, the Director General predicted that you would stage an uprising today,
so he told me to take the military tally and send Huang Zhong's troops out of the city.
The reason was...
The reason was he didn't want the men to fight each other,
bringing despair to us and elation to our enemies!
Are you telling the truth?
Generals, if you don't believe me, take a look for yourselves.
Can you find a single Jing soldier in the entire city?
No matter what, I must lead an army to save my brother.
We pledged that we would die on the self-same day.
for my elder brother as myself and Third Brother do.
I do not think that anyone in the world has as much love
Third Brother!
Yes!
Zhuge Liang's troops are not trustworthy.
We can only trust our own veterans to save Elder Brother.
Let's go!
Lets go!
Let's go
You...
Report!
General Guan! General Zhang! Our lord is back! He has returned!
What? Is it true?
It's true! He's right outside!
Second Brother, let's go!
Third Brother, lets go!
Master, our lord is back.
We ought to go out to welcome him.
Master... are you crying?
I have followed you for many years.
But this is the first time I've seen you shed tears.
Yunchang! Yide!
Elder Brother!
Elder Brother! Elder Brother!
My lord! My lord!
My brothers!
Oh, Elder Brother... how we've missed you!
Elder Brother, we missed you!
Brothers, I've missed you so much, too.
Elder Brother!
Where's the Director General? Why don't I see him?
He... he's waiting for you inside the office.
Let's go see him.
If it weren't for his brilliant strategies, I would have perished. Hurry!
Director General! Director General!
Elder Brother is back!
Director General!
What's going on?
You must have angered him and made him leave!
Especially you, Yide.
While I was away, you both harassed and humiliated him.
Is that not so?
I... Argh! Elder Brother, I'll go get him back!
Move! Director General! Director General!
Ferryman! Hold the boat!
Master, they've come for us.
Ignore them. Ferryman, set sail.
Hold the boat, ferryman!
Director General! Director General!
Director! General!
Director General.
You really mustn't leave.
I have been rash and offended you.
I beg you for your forgiveness.
Master, I offer you my humblest apologies.
Kongming, I found out What happened.
They are sorry for what they did.
Let's go back.
We'll punish them when we get back. What do you say?
Director General, I kneel before you and apologize.
You too, Second Brother!
Just drop the act.
I am intent on leaving.
My heart is as dead as... that piece of wood that was hit by the arrow.
down nor kowtowed to anyone.
Director General, I... I have never knelt
But today, I've knelt before you, and kowtowed sincerely to you.
And you still won't forgive me?
Aren't..aren't you being a bit too petty?
Elder Brother...
Fine. If I can't convince you by pleading. I'll have to take the next step.
Second Brother, let's carry him back to the city!
All right!
Come! All right!
Yide!
Yide, Yunchang! Put me down this instant!
I turned in my seal of office! That's it for me!
You are abducting me!
Yunchang, Yide, mind your manners!
Let me go!
Do mind your manners!
Look at you, standing guard like footmen.
How does it feel?
Elder Brother.
We even brought him good wine and food, but he won't eat any of it.
Elder Brother, it's been a whole day,
but the Director General is still unwilling to forgive us.
You go talk to him.
Yes!
You two are getting what you deserve.
Reflect on what you've done.
Kongming.
My lord.
Kongming, come.
Thank you, my lord.
Kongming.
Those two really do realize how wrong they were.
They are infinitely remorseful.
My lord, it was a rather trivial matter.
It is not a big deal to me.
Then why are you still angry?
To be honest with you,
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's tempers
really need to to be subdued.
Why?
They are commanders of armies.
They bear heavy responsibilities.
If, in a crucial moment in battle.
they still act so rashly,
defeat would be certain. The whole army would in danger.
You're right.
Zhang Fei, especially.
His temper is fiery, and he drinks far too much.
He even beats his subordinates when he's drunk.
He really must be tamed.
Not quite, my lord.
The one I'm more worried about is actually Guan Yu.
Although his temper is not as fiery as Zhang Fei's,
he is arrogant.
Throughout the entire realm, he will only listen to you,
and looks down on everyone else.
Even people like Cao Cao and Zhou Yu are lower than dirt in his eyes.
With the growth of our power,
Guan Yu will eventually become a general responsible for a whole front.
His temper will then be a problem.
Consider Zhou Yu. His knowledge and ability are not beneath mine.
Why did I consistently outsmart him?
His temper.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are fine as warriors.
However, as commanders, they must be humble and steadfast, and treat men with respect.
They must bear humiliation, as Han Xin did.
Otherwise, sooner or later, they'll get into real trouble.
Master?you have a deep understanding of my brothers' strengths and faults.
You have discerned them even more clearly than I have./You have my utmost respect.
Allow me to honor you.
My lord.
Generals, come in and have some tea.
Thank you. Director General.
Director General, tea is too bitter.
Why don't we have some wine instead?
No, we'll have tea.
Fine, as you wish. Tea it is!
Yunchang, serve tea to the Director General.
Grand Commander!
Master Zhou had a brilliant plan.
It cost him the lady and troops to boot.
I laid this elaborate trap...
and Liu Bei still escaped.
And Zhuge Liang would dare to say that?
He is a vile man.
He is wicked.
How I hate him!
Grand Commander! You mustn't get worked up!
You're falling into Zhuge Liang's trap!
He only said that to make you sick with anger!
Ziming, your words are absolutely right.
Zhuge Liang provokes me on purpose.
He is a subtle killer.
He sent that message so I would die from anger.
He kills by attacking the heart.
I am no longer angry.
Since our men have already taken up position at Baling...
Grand Commander, give us your orders.
Even if it costs me my head,
I will overcome Jing!
No.
Why not?
You are from a poor family and were unlettered.
After enlisting, you focused only on fighting.
You did not know about tactics and stratagems. That held you back.
You were known as "the bumpkin Meng of Wu.
Later, you decided to better yourself,
and came to me to learn military strategy.
Therefore, you should understand that "the highest form of generalship is to thwart the enemy's plans."
My words were ignorant.
A skilled general knows his enemy's strengths and weaknesses.
Thus, he avoids what is strong and strikes what is weak.
When Liu Bei was confined in the Southland,
Fei would not obey Zhuge Liang.
Jing was weak. Guan Yu and Zhang
You didn't attack them then.
Now Liu Bei has returned...
and you want to attack?
Doesn't that seem foolish to you?
Grand Commander! His Lordship is here to see you!
Goodness. Lets tidy the place up.
My lord.
Gongjin.
My respects, my lord.
Gongjin, I heard that you were unwell,
so I fetched Zijing and came to see how you're doing.
Thank you for your concern, my lord.
But look. Don't I look perfectly healthy and self-composed? I'm fine.
Right. Grand Commander you are broad-minded,
and certainly would not be bothered by trivial things.
My lord should rest assured.
My lord, Zijing, please come inside.
Very well.
Gongjin.
Liu Bei absconded with my sister to Gong'an.
I hear Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun are also at Gong'an,
recruiting and training soldiers.
For the last few days, our commanders have been anxious, and morale is high.
The generals have requested permission to go to war.
They say that Jingzhou is empty, and want me to have you attack it.
What do you think?
So my lord has finally perceived the army's sentiments?
Actually, Lord Sun's desire to attack Jingzhou
is no less than yours or the other commanders.
It's just that the time is not right for us to declare war on Liu Bei yet.
Then why did you need to come here and see me?
I am a useless man, after all.
Gongjin, you exaggerate.
Zijing and I came to discuss with you if we should seek war or peace.
My lord.
Recently, I have been reflecting on and drawing lessons from this sobering experience.
I think that, in order to achieve great things...
one must not act impulsively.
nor fret over the gain or loss of a city or two.
Well said. Well said indeed.
I would suggest...
Isn't Liu Bei just going to hold tightly on to Jing?
In that case, my lord could petition Xuchang to grant Liu Bei the position of Protector of Jing.
Why do you laugh, my lord?
Gongjin, to be honest with you,
Lord Sun has long held that opinion.
We came today specifically to discuss this with you.
Is that so?
In that case, allow me to attempt to surmise my lord's thoughts.
Surmise away, Gongjin.
First, since Jing is already in Liu Bei's hands and we can't take it back in the short term,
we might as well bestow on him what he has obtained already,
so as to show our magnanimity.
Second, when your petition arrives-in Xuchang, it may confound Cao Cao and show him that,
being linked by marriage, our houses are firmly united,
and ready to aid each other.
This will stifle his designs on the Southland.
Third, this can make Liu Bei lower his guard,
and lead him to believe that we sincerely desire to mend relations with him,
so that we may repel Cao Cao together with united purpose.
After that, we can look for their weak spot and act when the time is right.
Am I right?
Exactly.
Good.
Today, our lord and our lord's men have shown that we think alike.
This means the Southland will certainly accomplish great things.
My lord, a dispatch from Xuchang.
I never expected this at all.
Guess what this is about.
Could it be that the court is granting you rank?
Close enough.
But what makes me surprised
is that it was Sun Quan who petitioned the throne
to appoint me as Protector of Jing Province.
Good, good
My lord, your brother-in-law not only did not take offense to you leaving without a farewell.
but he also sent you a wonderful dowry.
What benevolence! What nobleness!
The Southland admits defeat.
Elder Brother, did Cao Cao assent to it?
Cao Cao assented.
He approved of Sun Quan's petition. At the same time, he had the court issue a decree
appointing Zhou Yu to be Governor of Nanjun
and Cheng Pu to be Governor of Jiangxia.
Brilliant!
Each scheme is more ingenious than the last.
What schemes are they pulling?
Sun Quan's petition to the court to grant rank to my lord
is a move to intimidate Cao Cao.
Look! Our forces are on such intimate terms.
If you invade,
we will join forces to repel you.
He,doesn't want Cao Cao to know we are only close on the surface,
and in reality are fighting tooth and nail over Jing.
But Cao Cao takes ingenuity to the next level.
You want me to bestow Jing to Liu Bei?
I shall assent, and furthermore.
I will also make Zhou Yu Governor of Nanjun
and Cheng Pu Governor of Jiangxia.
The two commanderies are strategically important,
and both of them are under our control.
Cao Cao is evidently sounding us out.
He's trying to use these two governorships to test if the Sun-Liu alliance is truly solid.
He is inciting us to fight among ourselves.
Director General,
if Zhou Yu accepts the decree and comes to Nanjun to claim his governorship...
what should we do?
No need to fear.
His heart is set on all nine commanderies of Jing.
He will not be content with just Jiangxia and Nanjun.
Zijing.
Something must be wrong.
Cao Cao is an old hand at trickery.
Not only did he allow Liu Bei to be the Protector of Jing,
but he also made you the Governor of Nanjun,
and Cheng Pu the Governor of Jiangxia.
He hopes to use these two governorships
to prod us into fighting over those two commanderies,
so that war will break out between our forces.
Does our lord know?
He should know by now.
Tomorrow, he will surely ask for opinions.
I wanted to consult with you first before the council tomorrow.
What are the reports from Jing?
They are drilling troops every day.
Liu Bei's naval fleet is also moving towards Lukou.
He is preparing against our deployment.
Zijing, take a seat.
I'd like to...
I'd like to open my heart to you.
Great! Gongjin, you should have done that a long time ago.
Come.
Of the responsibilities of the Southland, if we don't count our lord,
the bulk of the burden rests on our shoulders.
Is what I say true?
Naturally.
Therefore, if you and I are not in agreement.
we cannot persuade our lord,
and unity cannot exist in the Southland.
Is what I say true?
Completely.
Let me first tell you my ultimate plan.
We must take Jing.
If we do not, there will never be peace for the Southland.
Only after taking it is it possible to press north and attack Cao Cao,
and achieve hegemony.
And, in order to take Jing,
there will be a war between us and Liu Bei sooner or later.
Is what I say true?
I wholeheartedly agree.
Our difference lies solely in what we consider the most opportune time to invade Jing.
Indeed.
Since that is so...
I shall tell you all that I am contemplating.
When you and Lord Sun last visited me.
I did not reveal the whole plan.
Last time, you advised our lord to petition the court to grant Liu Bei the Protectorship of Jing.
That is only the first move.
There is a second step.
We must now urge Liu Bei to mobilize and invade the Riverlands to the west.
Don't we have an agreement that,
as soon as Liu Bei finds another base,
he must return Jing to us?
Right. The document stating that is with Lord Sun.
Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang both signed it.
Please pay them a visit soon
and press Liu Bei to honor his promise to conquer the Riverlands.
Otherwise, if they sit idle for ten years,
must we then wait ten years as well?
I can cross the river and visit him, but...
But you worry that they will say that their army is not yet ready, and use it as an excuse to stall.
Correct?
Exactly. Gongjin, you are most perceptive.
That has all been considered.
If you know not what the answer will be,
there's no point in asking in the first place.
If you will ask,
you must first know what answer they will give you.
Very impressive.
But, Gongjin,
if Zhuge Liang says that his troops are not ready, and that they're short on supplies,
how would you answer him?
Then we put step three into action.
You tell them this.
Your lack the troops and supplies?
Well, we have trained troops, and supplies aplenty.
You cannot invade? We'll conquer it for you, then.
After we've taken the Riverlands, we'll use it to redeem Jing Province.
Imagine.
How could they counter that?
Brilliant.
They will certainly have no rebuttal for that.
Even Zhuge Liang will not be able to make any excuses.
However, Gongjin...
Taking the Riverlands is a massive endeavor.
We'll need numerous troops, and it will consume much time and grain.
Perhaps you have a fourth step?
Of course.
Please do explain.
Borrow a road to subjugate Guo.
To invade the Riverlands, we must pass through Jing.
During our march, we'll make a sudden shift, and attack Jingzhou by stealth.
Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang will be unprepared, and within three days,
victory will be ours.
What do you think?
But Gongjin...
this fourth step is too risky.
However...
However?
However, as long as Lord Sun consents to it,
I will support you wholeheartedly,
and will dedicate myself to your cause without reservation.
Fantastic.
This time, I will certainly conquer Jingzhou
Master, you really know how to get things done.
It's been half a year.
but you somehow conjured up all these troops.
Though we have many men, they are mostly new recruits.
They still need more training.
Then focus on that.
Fortunately, no wars are looming.
They're already working on that.
Look. Even Yide has quit drinking,
and spends all his time training the recruits.
Tell me!
As a soldier, what should be the first thing you practice?
Sir! Since we're here to fight, we should first practice fighting skills!
You?
I think it's archery! If our aim is good the enemy will fall before they can even get near!
No! You are all wrong!
As a soldier, the first thing you have to practice is your shout!
Swords can strike within three paces, and arrows can hit a target 100 paces away.
But if a whole camp shouts in unison,
you can make an enemy ten miles away tremble in fear
and retreat without giving battle!
Did you know?
At Changban Slope, with one mighty, thunderous shout,
I scared off Cao Cao's army of 800,000!
Now!
Shout three times for me!
Charge! Charge! Charge!
What are you doing, sniffling at a funeral?
Louder!
Charge! Charge! Charge!
Yide's way of drilling troops is truly unique.
That third brother of mine is unique in every way.
A report, my lord!
My lord, Sir Lu Su has come from across the river.
Kongming, just as you predicted,
Zhou Yu is making a«move.
Let's.go welcome him. We're in-laws now, after all.
Come.
Xuande. Kongming.
We've already had three rounds of wine.
Perhaps we should get down to business.
Zijing, you came all this way.
You must bring an important message. Please speak.
We implore you.
My lord and you. Imperial Uncle, are now family.
In a family, we do not speak to each other as strangers.
Whether you are family or a stranger,
I ask you to speak without reserve,
so we may come to know each other more closely.
The Emperor issued a decree,
Governors of Nanjun and Jiangxia respectively.
appointing Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu as
They plan to assume their posts at once.
We ask you to please hand over those two commanderies.