Episode 58
Three Kingdoms
Before he passed away, Gongjin recommended someone to fill the position of Grand Commander.
I came to hear your opinion on it.
May I ask who it was that Gongjin recommended?
You.
Me?
My lord, I am at odds with Gongjin's political opinions!
That's right.
I would never have imagined that Gongjin would recommend you.
Man...
is truly the hardest to figure out among Earth's creatures.
Even though Gongjin is just one man,
you can say that he was the most petty of men,
but at the same time, he was the most generous of men.
Since we became friends over the borrowing of grain.
I've known Gongjin for 15 years.
Now that he's departed so suddenly,
I really don't know what to do anymore.
The military cannot be without a leader.
Gongjin had commanded the Southland army for over a dozen years.
Now that he's gone, we must pick someone as soon as possible to command the military.
My lord, may I ask what you plan to do?
Do you know why, at Gongjin's house that day,
I threw such a fit at you?
And why I dismissed you from your position before his eyes?
I was froward in my speech that day, and offended you, my lord.
If I can be offended by mere words.
how can I carry on my father and my brother's work
and rule over the Southland?
I was only putting on a show for Gongjin.
First, it was to help him save his pride.
Second, it was to oblige him to you.
Gongjin is one who repays every debt and revenges even insult.
You were once his benefactor.
If I cause him to feel remorseful on your account,
he would certainly pass the position of Grand Commander on to you.
Gongjin is held in very high regard by the other commanders,
and only a Grand Commander that he personally appointed
can keep those men under control.
I see. My lord was giving me the cold shoulder on purpose.
I went through all this trouble only for the good of the Southland.
Among all men of the Southland,
only you, sir, is capable of taking on this great responsibility.
My lord, you are overrating me.
However, the generals of the Southland mostly favor Lu Meng.
If I take over the military tally,
what would we do with Lu Meng then?
Don't you worry about that.
What is this?
Lu Meng's letter to me.
In the letter,
he was the first to support your taking over as the Grand Commander of Wu.
Ziming...
Gongjin Lu Su is here to see you.
Oh, Gongjin...
In life, you considered me to be your closest friend.
And, all through my life,
I've considered you to be my closest friend as well.
Originally, I had thought that we could work together
to strengthen the Southland and bring peace to the people of the realm.
Who would have imagined that you would leave us so soon?
And from now on, if anything happens in the Southland,
who can Lord Sun look to for advice?
I And who can I look to for advice?
O Gongjin!
Grand Commander!
Before you passed, you looked angrily towards the heavens and refused to close your eyes.
I know that it was because your aspirations were not yet fulfilled!
If Heaven would allow me to exchange my life for yours, Gongjin,
I would die ten times, a hundred times over for you.
Oh, Gongjin,
the Southland can do without Lu Su,
but it cannot be without you, Gongjin!
While we are still enjoying life in this world...
Gongjin is no longer with us.
From now we shall be forever separated, as the sun and moon,
never to see each other again.
O woe! O sorrow!
Here's a politician for you.
To govern a state you need to have skin that thick.
Gongjin, who lies in the coffin there, died on account of none other but Kongming.
But look at him now, weeping as if he lost his own parents,
as if he is sadder than anyone else here.
Oh, Gongjin,
why are the gods so cruel?
You are a heaven-born genius,
peerless among men!
At Red Cliff, it was your strategy
that burnt down Cao Cao's host of 830,000,
and secured peace in the south, O Gongjin!
With your passing,
the land of the Han is bereft of a pillar of support.
Who among men is without sorrow?
Who among your friends is not heartbroken?
O woe, Gongjin!
O sorrow, Gongjin!
How cruel the Heavens to deny me one last meeting with you!
I could not sleep for the last two nights.
With tear-laced ink I wrote this elegy for you.
I hope only that you can hear me,
and understand the immense anguish in my heart!
O woe, Gongjin! Untimely demised!
Fate limits our days, and leaves Man to mourn.
With a grief-torn heart, I pour this wine,
And pray your soul will not my offering scorn.
A talented youth, you befriended Bofu.
Holding honor over wealth, you share with him your house.
While barely of age, you spread your wings and soared.
Asserting your power securing the South.
Oh, Grand Commander!
O woe, Gongjin! Forever we part!
May memories of your virtue fade not into obscurity.
If the.dead can hear, hear my inmost heart.
Nevermore will there be another who can know me so truly.
Alas! O woe!
I beg you to accept this sacrifice!
Gongjin! Oh Gongjin! Oh Gongjin!
Why didn't you let me see you one last time, oh Gongjin!
Oh, Kongming.
Gongjin is gone. Please do not be overly grieved.
Brother Zijing, I came too late!
With Gongjin's passing, I've lost a kindred spirit!
If Gongjin can hear you from the other world,
I'm sure he would appreciate your feelings.
There are too many mourners here for us to put up a proper tent.
Would it be all right for you to go to my boat to have a bit of rest and food?
After I'm done with this business here, I'll come and catch up with you.
Oh, Zijing
You are now the Grand Commander.
Wouldn't I be keeping you from your military duties?
If we can be candid with each other and have a good talk,
I'd be doing my military duties. Don't you think so?
As you wish.
Who was it that was spewing nonsense over there?
Who said the Battle of Red Cliff was won on account of Zhou Yu's strategies?
And what strategy did Zhou Yu know anyway?
That man in the coffin had a petty mind,
and could have never accomplished anything great.
Even though he was a famed general of our times.
he had a cartload of losses as well.
What merit can he claim from the Battle of Red Cliff?
What's this madman doing here spewing nonsense?
I'll slice you in half!
Gongfu!
Can't you see that he's delirious from drink?
Just have him thrown out.
Men! Throw him out!
Aye!
What do you think you're doing?
I'm here to mourn, after all!
Shouldn't you be granting me wine instead?
Losers! Losers!
This is no way to treat a guest! You cant' tell a wise man from a fool!
Losers! Losers! Losers!
Brother Zijing,
I should leave you to your, work. Please excuse me.
Thank you. Please forgive me for not seeing you out.
Where was that madman from in there?
He left already.
Go follow him. Find out where he's staying, and report to me.
Yes, sir.
Did you see that madman from in there?
He's called Pang Tong. His style name is Shiyuan.
Yes. What is your wish. Grand Commander?
To have him executed to appease the deceased?
Nonsense.
He is one of the greatest talents in the world. Like a dragon, he does not make himself easily found.
I've been searching for him for a long time.
You'll go follow him, and find out where he's lodged. Then come back and let me know right away.
Yes, sir.
Thank you. Miss. Please, come in.
We've got the best wine and the best food!
Come in for the best food around!
Oh, sir! Welcome! Come on in please!
We've got the best wine and the best food!
Waiter! Bring me some wine!
Sure!
Here's your wine.
Kongming? What are you doing here?
Oh, Shiyuan. We haven't seen each other so many years.
We'll have to drink our fill today!
Kongming, that's pretty brazen of you!
Gongjin died because of you, and you still dare to come mourn him!
We were serving different sides then, and l had no choice in what I did.
However, to be honest with you, Zhou Gongjin is the man I admire the most.
Now that he's gone, I've lost both an archrival and a kindred spirit.
That's not unreasonable.
The two of you respected each other,
just like...
just like this pair of chopsticks here!
An apt comparison.
Oh, Kongming,
apart from Gongjin, is there no other man whom you respect?
Why, but there's one right before me!
You're saying... you're saying...
you're saying me?
Not too bad, you do know a worthy man when you see him.
It's been ten years.
Friend, are you still waiting for the right buyer?
So what if it's been ten years?
Heaven gave me such a great brain.
If the right buyer doesn't come along, I'll wait another 30 years!
How many 30 years are there in a mans life?
Oh, Shiyuan,
why don't you come over to Jing?
He is generous and treats all men with respect.
My lord is the Emperor's uncle.
He has bold ambitions and a powerful army.
By helping him to restore the glory of the Han, you will certainly fulfill your potential!
Liu Bei isn't bad as lords go.
However...
However what?
He doesn't have much capital. Just a measly army, not even a hundred thousand.
I only deal with big businesses!
Never mind, forget about that.
Lets drink.
Shiyuan, my lord...
Kongming
If you try to persuade me any more, I'll just take off.
Lets drink!
Let's drink!
Fine, fine.
Please come in! We've got the best wine and the best food!
Shiyuan!
Shiyuan.
Zijing?
Shiyuan, Kongming wanted you to go into Liu Bei's service, right?
You... you had someone tail me?
A precious jade is coveted by all.
Oh, Shiyuan,
you did right in not agreeing to Kongming's proposal.
Liu Bei's foundation is weak. His army is small and his captains few.
Even the land of Jing which he stands on was borrowed from us.
Come. We'll go see my lord rightaway
Look at how big our army is, how strong our ranks!
My lord treats able men with humble respect,
and will certainly give your talents a chance to shine!
Come on. Come, lets go!
Come on. Come, let's go!
Zijing! Don't get aggressive now!
Come on!
What are you doing?
Even though Gongjin was a bit arrogant,
he gave his all to us, the Sun clan, and his service was outstanding.
Half of what we have here in the Southland is all due to him.
At least I managed to see him off one last time by attending his burial at Chaisang.
However, when I see the widow and the orphans he left behind,
I couldn't help but think about the hard times I myself had to endure before.
My heart is rent with grief!
Mother, don't worry.
I'll definitely take good care of his wife and children.
My lord!
Your Ladyship. My lord.
I met a wise man today!
It took me quite some effort but I managed to drag him here!
A wise man? Who?
The Fledgling Phoenix. Pang Tong, Pang Shiyuan.
I see.
He's that madman who was spewing nonsense before Gongjin's memorial, wasn't he?
Yes.
Madam, how... how did you know?
Someone would have told me, naturally.
That madman said that the Battle of Red Cliff was won due to him.
He also said that Gongjin was a petty man
and brought this upon himself, right?
That...
that was him talking wildly on purpose,
so that people would hear him and recognize him.
I don't care.
Gongjin was the foremost subject of the Southland.
By insulting him, this Pang fellow is basically insulting all of the Southland.
Even if he is talented, just let him go.
The haughty will bring about their own demise.
Mother, you're right.
Pang Tong was really too impudent.
We'll do as you say, Mother.
What is it, the Marquis doesn't want to see me?
Oh, Shiyuan, please don't get anxious.
The State Mother heard some sort of rumor or another.
and is prejudiced against you.
Lord Sun, considering his mother's position,
is unable to meet you immediately.
a chance to speak to my lord again.
Please stay a few more days, and give me
The Southland is truly powerful, that you can afford to put on such airs!
Zijing, didn't you just say that the Marquis treated able men with humble respect?
I came all the way to his gates and all I get is a door in my face!
To tell you the truth, the reason why I rebuked Gongjin at the memorial
was so that I could test how broad-minded the Marquis of Wu is.
Once I, Pang Tong, spread my wings,
I would be like the phoenix soaring in the highest heavens.
How could the Marquis and his narrow-mindedness have a place for me?
Allow me to take my leave.
Shiyuan, please stay.
Shiyuan,
my lord loved Gongjin very much.
He is deep in mourning now.
Shiyuan, please give me two days' time,
and let me go speak with him again.
He will certainly make you his right-hand man.
Zijing.
Look at it this way.
Is there any bird under the Heavens who would perch on the same branch for two days?
Let alone a phoenix!
Shiyuan! Shiyuan!
Come!
Master.
Do you know if anyone had an audience with Her Ladyship earlier today?
Two hours ago.
an envoy from Jingzhou, Sun Qian, brought the Young Mistress over to present condolence gifts.
They met with Her Ladyship.
This must be Zhuge Liang's plan.
It was he who had Sun Qian retell Pang Tong's rants before the State Mother.
And that's what made her so upset.
We were tailing Pang Tong so intently
that Sun Qian went around behind us without us knowing.
How excruciating!
Hurry!
Stop Pang Tong and don't let him get away!
Yes, sir.
Otherwise, this most brilliant of men
will end up with Liu Bei.
Sir! Where might you be going?
Catch. Set sail for Jingzhou.
You're mad!
You want to go to Jingzhou on just a penny?
That...
How much do you want then?
It'd cost at least ten cash.
Ferryman, right now I only have this one penny on me.
It's change I got from buying wine.
If you are willing to take me, once we dock at Jingzhou,
someone will come give you 100 cash right away.
But if you are unwilling...
So be it.
How am I supposed to know you're for real?
Fine, I'll leave then.
Fine, whatever. Get on board.
Ill take you to Jingzhou.
Let me tell you, ferryman.
You are better than the Marquis of Wu in recognizing a worthy man!
Set sail!
Sir, he's not in the inn.
me and search outside the city?
Perhaps I should take some men with
Forget it.
Pang Tong is a phoenix among men.
Once a phoenix spreads its wings,
its whereabouts cannot be discerned by mortal men.
No one will be able to find him.
Such a pity! For all the vastness of the Southland,
we could not find Pang Tong a branch of Wutong to perch on!
What's going on? What's this fuss about?
while ago, the Imperial Uncle ordered a search for talented men in Jing.
The powerful clans took the opportunity.to recommend their sons to fill official positions.
However, the lmperial Uncle found out later that they had no true abilities.
He got very upset, and at the end dismissed a whole lot of them.
So, there's this official notice posted today,
asking all learned men to take an exam at the provincial office.
Those who do well will be employed.
Good sir, my eyesight is not good.
Could you please take a look for me and see if the examiner is Zhuge Liang?
No, it's not.
Why isn't it him?
Zhuge Liang comes from Nanyang,
and has many friends among the scholars of the province.
To avoid a conflict of interest, he went away on an inspection trip to the commanderies.
I see.
I finished reading all these essays.
This one by Long Guang is the most insightful of them all.
Have him come see me right away.
Yes, sir.
Summon Long Guang!
This way.
Long Guang pays his humble respects to the Imperial Uncle.
Long Guang,
this essay of yours is quite good.
It is singularly insightful.
What is my lord's command?
Is this essay really written by him?
Yes.
My lord, Long Guang is fairly talented,
but his looks are too grotesque.
If you grant him a high position, he would lack the dignity befitting of a Han official
In my humble opinion...
What is it?
My lord, even though Long Guang is knowledgeable,
the extent of his administrative abilities is unclear.
Perhaps you may first make him a magistrate, and see if he is truly talented.
If he proves to be able, you could appoint him to a high position then.
Very well. Since you're the chief examiner,
we'll do as you say,
and ask Master Long Guang to serve as the magistrate of Leiyang County.
As you wish.
Our lord appoints you to the position of Magistrate of Leiyang.
Great! What aim! That's incredible!
Elder Brother.
Lord.
General Zhang, what archery!
Warriors should incessantly train for war,
while civil officers pay heed to administration.
Only then can the realm be at peace!
Right, Gongyou.
Have those talented men we picked before all gone to assume their posts?
They all went.
The majority of them are able to do their jobs.
However, Long Guang...
Long Guang...
Oh, I remember now.
That ugly fellow who wrote really well.
Precisely.
What's going on with him?
Since he went to Leiyang,
he has not attended to his duties, but spends his days drinking.
He has yet to give a care to the accounts and taxation.
the county and commandery levels.
There are quite a few complaints from both
How could that bookworm disregard our laws?
Elder Brother, let me make a trip to Leiyang and check out this inept officer!
You?
Why can't I?
Remember back then when I whipped that inspector?
I despise this kind of officers more than anyone else!
That's it.
You aren't going.
Elder Brother,
I was just joking with you
I promise I won't get violent when I get to Leiyang.
I'm bored to tears being stuck in this camp forever!
Do let me go out for some fresh air!
If you do go, you must not act rashly or willfully.
Sun Qian will go with you. You'll do everything Sun Qian says.
Yes, my lord.
Catch!
After you.
Hey, Li'l Sun.
Say, in this outfit of mine, I can pass as a judge, can't I?
On first sight you do look like one.
However...
However what? What is it?
It's your hands.
If you have to write with those hands of yours,
imagine what a thick writing brush you'll need!
And with such a thick brush, to write out a verdict,
how much paper will you need?
Indeed.
For these large hands of mine to hold a brush may be a bit difficult.
But I'd still do a good job if I want to.
Hey! Li'l Sun, you're making fun of me, weren't you?
You incorrigible bookworm!
We humbly welcome your arrival, General.
Where's that magistrate of yours?
Magistrate Long, well...
What is it?
Sir, Magistrate Long has assumed his post for over a hundred days already.
He has dismissed all county matters as insignificant and refused to comment on them.
What are you mumbling on about?
Speak more plainly!
the Magistrate is deep in drunken slumber.
What time is it? The sun is already high in the skies!
How could he still be sleeping?
Let's go
Court's in session!
Hurry, hurry! Court's in session! Let's go!
Court's in session!
Who was it that sounded the drum?
Me!
Who are you?
I am none other than Zhang Fei!
So you are that Zhang Fei who screamed at Changban
and scared away Cao Cao's army of 800,000.
Good that you know of my fame.
Let me ask you.
My elder brother entrusted the people of this county to you.
How dare you neglect your administrative duties?
General, you said I neglected administrative duties.
Do tell me, which duties have I neglected?
You've been here a hundred days, and spent each of them drunk.
How is that not neglecting your duties?
How much work can there be to do in such a tiny county?
General, stay where you are. Watch me take care of it.
Sir, could you please give me your seat?
The general took my seat,
but as a magistrate,
I'd need somewhere to do my work, don't I?
Come! Bring me all the documents that need my attention!
Hurry! Bring them all in!
This is the commandery's notice regarding labor conscription.
Next!
This is the taxation record.
The calculations have to be checked and then submitted to the governor.
What's the total that should be collected?
All districts added together, twelve thousand seven hundred and forty six bushels.
Wrong!
The total is twelve thousand seven hundred fifty three point seven bushels.
I don't think so...
You don't think so?
Then get an abacus and do the calculations!
Go do it!
Hurry!
Hurry, get on it!
The farm yields five hundred twenty one point four bushels.
Central District yields six hundred fifty two point four pecks.
Done!
And you're done with them in half a day?
That was a hundred days' worth of work.
How hard can it be?
Are you done calculating?
Yes, yes, were done.
How much is it?
The total is... the total is...
twelve thousand seven hundred fifty three point seven bushels.
Sir, Magistrate Long was correct in his calculation.
That was no small sum.
And you could work it out in your head with just one glance?
Even the likes of Cao Cao and Sun Quan are mere playthings in my eyes.
How can anything in this little county stump me?
Goodness!
Sir, you are a genius. Forgive me for having disrespected you.
Please, sir, come back to Jingzhou with me and meet Lord Liu.
Forget it.
I'm used to a lazy life.
After staying here for a hundred days, I'm getting tired.
I should be leaving.
Wait.
Leave?
If you leave, what am I supposed to tell my elder brother?
Men!
Here!
Guard this office. Let no one enter of leave.
Aye!
Hey!
Sir Sun, you will go back to Jingzhou with me and report this to our lord.
Good, good.
Could there really be such a genius?
I shouldn't have judged a man by his looks!
Hurry! Prepare the horses! I'm going to Leiyang.
My lord, milady has readied a moonlight feast for you!
Go tell the lady that I have to go out on some important business.
Elder Brother, Sister-in-Law is a woman of fiery temper.
I think you should go after you admired the moon with her.
I can look at the moon any time, but if such an able man leaves, we'll never get him back.
Hurry!
My lord! My lord!
What is it?
Milady said that Ah-Dou is ill; and asked you to go back.
Ah-Dou is ill? Have her get a physician to look after him!
Elder Brother, maybe she's getting upset.
Don't worry about her. It's more important that we get to Leiyang. Go!
Hey, you! I'm thirsty!
Go fetch me some wine!