Episode 66
Three Kingdoms
Shiyuan,
you think I don't want to take the Riverlands?
I do.
I do, more than anyone else.
In Kongming's Three Strategies of Longzhong,
the second one is to take the Riverlands!
But now, I have neither just cause to make war
nor the moral ground to take the land.
Even if I conquer Yi Province and gain the Riverlands,
I would completely lose my claim on virtue.
the support of the people,
and all that I have stood for.
Even though my heart aches so much for it,
I still dare not take this step.
How I hate myself!
I hate myself
for wanting both to uphold my virtues
and to obtain the Riverlands as my legacy.
However, these two goals oppose each other like fire and water!
My lord, your words
touch my heart greatly.
My lord,
I will make fire and water compatible for you.
My lord's reluctance to invade the Riverlands
is due to a lack of just cause.
Rest assured, my lord.
I will make your war a just one.
Furthermore, your army will be one of righteousness,
and your cause will be a dignified one.
What have you called me here for, Director General?
This is a written reply to Zhang Song.
Have a reliable person deliver it to Chengdu immediately.
Aye.
The Zhang residence is on the East Main Street in Chengdu.
There is also another Zhang residence diagonally across the street from it.
However, that residence belongs to Zhang Song's brother, Zhang Su.
Tell the messenger to do the following:
When he gets there, he is not to...
Wouldn't Zhang Song be in great trouble then?
He is a man who would betray his lord for wealth. He is no saint.
To keep him would bring us dire consequences!
Yes, sir!
Liu Bei sends an urgent message
requesting 1,000,000 of grain.
His words are quite earnest.
What do you think we should do about it?
My lord,
in my opinion, now that the war is over
and Zhang Lu's army has retreated to Hanzhong,
Liu Bei should return to Jing.
If they keep stalling while demanding rations every day.
wouldn't they just be asking us to support their army?
I think we must not give them the rations.
Or else, they will loiter here and never leave.
My lord,
Huang Quan's advice is unsound.
Liu Bei is here as our ally, upon our request.
Can we really turn our back on them now, when the enemy has barely left?
If Zhang Lu attacks again next year.
how will we deal with that then?
And if Liu Bei's army rations are depleted,
his troops may rebel out of anger, and raid our cities for food instead.
How will we deal with that then?
My lord,
Liu Bei is an ambitious man.
Giving him rations is akin to gifting a tiger with wings.
He will become a threat larger than Zhang Lu!
I found out that after Liu Bei was stationed at Jiameng Pass,
he became popular with the people.
The influential men of the area often brought wine and meat to the barracks,
begging him to stay here forever!
My lord, consider this.
Once Liu Bei is firmly rooted in the Riverlands,
he will turn around and seize power from his host!
Enough! Stop arguing.
I have an idea.
Yongnian does have a good point.
Liu Bei is here upon our request, after all.
We cannot simply turn him away like that!
Gongheng has a point as well.
We cannot feed Liu Bei so much that
his appetite is so sated that he refuses to leave.
In that case, we would have to worry about him seizing control from us.
Therefore, if Liu Bei wants 1,000,000 pecks of grain,
we will cut it by 700,000,
and give him 300,000 instead.
This way,
he won't be completely satisfied, nor would he starve.
This will force him back to Jing.
Zhang Residence
Master,
have you gone to bed?
It's the middle of the night. What is the problem?
from the Director General to you.
A messenger came with an urgent message
Director General?
I do not know any Director General.
Where's the messenger?
He left.
To Brother Yongnian: My fondest regards. I have read your letter.
The Imperial Uncle has decided to follow the plan as detailed in your letter
and launch an immediate attack on Chengdu. Our troops will arrive at the city in three days.
At that time, please help us from within, and open the gates for us.
Most humbly yours, Pang Tong.
My lord! My lord!
From this day onward, I will cut off all ties with that Zhang Song.
Ill have no more to do with him!
Please, my lord, punish Zhang Song accordingly!
By placing righteousness before family, you are blameless but instead deserve merit.
I never expected your brother Zhang Song to side with Liu Bei and act as his spy.
I will not forgive this traitor!
Once I have him,
I will hang his head at the city gate,
and grind his bones to dust.
Nothing short of that will quench my hatred
Liu Bei has already mobilized. Time is of the essence.
Please, my lord, send orders to all passes to increase the number of defensive troops.
and refuse passage to the Jing army.
Also, I will lead Yang Huai and Gao Pei's army toward the east,
and set up an ambush on the path to Luocheng to kill Liu Bei
Once we start a war with Liu Bei,
the outcome will be unpredictable,
and the Riverlands will know peace no longer!
My lord!
If you do not give orders now, it will be too late then
We already have one Zhang Song in Yi.
Who knows how many more Zhang Songs there will be?
Did Fa Zheng not come back after he went to Liu Bei's camp?
Please, my lord, give the orders to execute Zhang Song
and send his head to Liu Bei,
so that he knows that Chengdu is already on guard and will think twice before making a move.
At the same time, mobilize all troops to attack Liu Bei!
Good.
It is decided then.
What is the gift that Liu Zhang sent me? Is there a letter too?
The gift is here. No need to be aggravated, my lord.
My lord,
Liu Zhang has given the orders to heighten the defense at every pass,
denying access to any soldier from Jing.
In addition,
Zhang Ren, General of the Riverlands army, is leading 120,000 troops
towards us here at Jiameng Pass.
How did Zhang Yongnian die?
Who betrayed him?
Zhang Song's brother, Zhang Su.
How far is Zhang Ren's army from here?
Under 50 miles.
By noon tomorrow, they should be ready to lay siege.
What do you think we should do?
Although Jiameng Pass is sturdy.
our supplies are low and we cannot defend here for long.
We should leave this place immediately to take over Luocheng in the east.
It is a major stronghold in the eastern Riverlands and has sufficient supplies.
Upon taking that city, we will have a base of operations.
If we are to retreat, there is Jing.
If we are to push forward, we can claim the Riverlands.
Ill trouble you to announce the orders, then.
As you wish.
Bring me the map.
Yes, sir!
Director General,
Fa Zheng said that.
it is only 30 miles from here to Luocheng.
The main road on the left leads to the east gate of the city,
while the narrow path on the right leads to the west gate.
My lord.
Wei Yan and l shall lead a detachment of 5,000 men
and take the path towards the west gate.
Please take Huang Zhong and a force of 20,000
to attack the east gate.
With our coordinated attacks, Luocheng will certainly become ours.
No.
I have been an adept rider since my youth, and am used to narrow paths.
You'll attack the east gate with the main force, and I'll attack the west gate with 5,000 men.
There might be ambushes on the main road.
As you are accustomed to fighting, you should still go on the main road with the main host,
while I take the detachment on the narrow path.
Director General,
the skies are dark and gloomy.
It seems like a bad omen.
The skies over the Riverlands are often clouded over. My lord, please do not worry.
Let's not march separately after all.
We will move together on the narrow path. What say you?
Very well.
We will split the army in three.
Wei Yan and I will lead 2,000 men as the vanguard.
My lord and Huang Zhong will be in the middle
and Liu Feng will cover the rear. How is that?
The scouts just reported that the narrow path is unnaturally quiet.
This makes me worried. I'm thinking...
I should lead the vanguard.
In case we encounter the enemy, my presence will inspire the troops to fight to the death.
My lord, you worry too much!
Liu Zhang is timid and knows no tactics.
The thing he is worrying about now is us attacking Chengdu.
Hence, there won't be any ambushes on the narrow path.
Rest assured, my lord.
I will lead the vanguard while you stay in the middle.
We had best take over Luocheng as soon as possible.
Fine, then. We'll do as you said.
Thank you, my lord.
Director General.
Find a good horse for the Director General.
Yes, sir!
My lord,
I have a rather presumptuous request.
What is it?
My lord, would you lend me your mount?
What a strange one you are.
Back in Leiyang, I wanted to give Hex Mark to you.
but you said it was stubborn, and returned it to me.
Why do you want it again today?
Though Hex Mark is ill-tempered,
it saves its rider.
Since I am leading the vanguard,
it would be safer to have a good horse with me.
Come, help the Director General onto the horse.
Thank you, my lord.
Not even with a thousand deaths can I repay this favor.
Director General.
It's just a horse. Why do you say such words?
Up we go!
Director General, the hilly terrain ahead might be a good spot for an ambush.
Should we halt our advance and send scouts to reconnoiter?
I have observed the area well.
If there are troops lying in ambush, the birds in the forest would have all flown away.
Look, are the birds not happily chirping away as usual?
Wei Yan.
Director General.
The trail is getting narrower and narrower.
Stay with the main group at the back. I'll go in the front.
Director General, let me go in the front instead!
Hurry and catch up with the Director General!
Yes, sir! Hurry and catch up with the Director General
Hurry and catch up with the Director General!
General, Liu Bei's army is now at the center of the valley.
Those are just their scouts. Let them pass.
Yes. We'll attack when Liu Bei's main contingent arrives.
Where are we at the moment?.
Sir, this is Fallen Phoenix Slope.
Fallen Phoenix Slope?
I am known as the Fledgling Phoenix,
and this place just happens to be called Fallen Phoenix Slope.
It seems that
this is my Heaven-granted final resting place!
Fire!
Oh no, it's an ambush!
An ambush!
Watch out!
Protect the Director General!
Director General!
Good!
Halt the advance!
Prepare to engage the enemy!
My lord,
the enemy set up an ambush on the flanking hills.
The Director General was hit by over 40 arrows. He was killed in battle!
My lord, my lord!
This is...
This is the Director General's letter to you.
My lord,
I was the one who betrayed Zhang Song.
The purpose was to force Liu Zhang to strike against you.
Were you not worried about declaring war without Justification?
But now you have a valid reason.
Liu Zhang repaid kindness with evil
setting up an ambush on your return path
killing your Director General in the process.
Using this reason to invade the Rive Hands
should be sufficient to convince the world, right?
It should be sufficient to convince you yourself, right?
Fallen Phoenix Slope, the valley of death, lies ahead.
It is the best spot to lay an ambush on our way back to Jing.
It is also the perfect final resting place Heaven has prepared for me.
Why was I such a fool?
If even I expected Zhang Ren to lay an ambush.
how could the Director General not have thought of that?
Fallen Phoenix Slope!
Return my Director General to me!
Return him to me!
The Director General rode on your horse and went ahead of us.
The enemy assumed it was you, and fired countless arrows at him.
I sent him over a hundred soldiers with shields,
but still it wasn't enough to block the volley of arrows!
Listen, everyone
Liu Zhang has perfidiously broken his word
by ambushing my troops and killing the Director General.
We will fight our way back to the Riverlands
to avenge the Director General!
Fight our way back to the Riverlands!
Avenge the Director General!
Fight our way back to the Riverlands!
Avenge the Director General!
Fight our way back to the Riverlands!
Avenge the Director General!
Head straight for Luocheng!
why do you look so shocked?
What a tragedy.
Sinus is
The Big Dipper points west this year, and Sirius is in opposition.
This bodes ill for our army marching west.
I have sent letters urging our lord to return.
It's a pity that Pang Tong, eager to prove himself, advised him against withdrawing.
In a few days.
reports of defeat will arrive.
Master.
Lord Liu ordered General Guan Ping to deliver this urgent message.
Where is he?
He rode over 800 miles over the last two days,
and fainted as soon as he got off the horse.
On the seventh day of the seventh month,
Pang Tong was struck by over forty arrows at Fallen Phoenix Slope,
and was killed instantly.
Lord Liu wants me to lead the army into the Riverlands as relief.
I must go at once.
Sir, if you went ahead,
who would be in charge of Jing?
He did not specify within the letter,
but I can surmise his intention.
Oh?
Who is it?
Who did he send as a messenger?
General Guan Ping.
Is it not plain enough then?
He wishes for Guan Yu to defend Jing.
Guan Yu, receive your orders.
Sir!
The nine commanderies of Jing are our heartland.
Their safety is of the utmost importance.
After I leave, you are to defend Jing at all costs.
General, you and Lord Liu pledged the Peach Garden Oath together, and your ties with each other are great.
I trust that you will not let him down.
Jing must never fall.
Not to worry, Director General.
Once a man of honor receives a great task, only death will take him away from it.
General, why did you mention "death"?
Director General, is something bothering you?
Let me ask you.
If Cao Cao were to launch an attack,
how would you respond?
Ill meet him in battle.
If Cao Cao and Sun Quan were to attack at the same time.
how would you respond then?
I will split the army in two to repel them.
And Jing will be lost for sure.
I will make you a gift of some words.
Please keep them close at heart, and they will keep the province safe from all harm.
I await your orders.
Repel Cao Cao to the north; ally with Sun Quan in the east.
I will remember it.
Please repeat those words.
Repel Cao Cao to the north; ally with Sun Quan in the east.
Please accept the seal, General.
Look at that, look at that!
Zhuge Liang is now leading Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and 30,000 armored units from Jing towards our lands.
Their army passed Fucheng three days ago.
All our troops along the way were routed. They gave up their cities.
Heavens!
Liu Bei hasn't left and now Zhuge Liang is on his way here.
Tell me.
what should we do?
My lord,
since it has now come to this,
there is only one option left for us.
Speak,
what is it?
We have to ask Zhang Lu to send his troops over here
to stop the invasion from Jing.
My lord, you killed Zhang Lu's mother.
Why would he come save us?
Zhang Lu is a great enemy.
By doing so, we would be welcoming him to take our lands!
Yes, indeed, this is impossible!
Right! He must not enter our lands.
Two years ago,
I invited Liu Bei to fight off Zhang Lu.
And now,
how can I ask Zhang Lu to fight off Liu Bei?
My lord,
I find that Huang Quan's idea makes quite some sense.
Liu Bei is a tiger,
and Zhang Lu is another tiger.
Only when the two tigers fight each other,
will the Riverlands be safe from harm.
In such critical times, there is no choice but to give it a try.
However,
with the enmity between Zhang Lu and me,
how would he be willing to deploy his troops to help?
Zhang Lu's adviser is called Yang Song.
He is a greedy man.
If my lord were to promise him 20 counties of the Riverlands as a gift.
Zhang Lu will surely send reinforcements.
No!
Twenty counties?
We can't give him a single one!
My lord and his father fought hard to establish this state. Not an inch of it can be given away!
If we cannot give up 20 counties, we will lose the entire state!
If you are so keen to defend the state with your life,
please don your armor and go fight Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun on the front lines
Twenty counties it is then...
Huang Quan.
My lord.
Head to Hanzhong now...
to convince Zhang Lu to come to our aid.
you are the most sensible person in Hanzhong!
My lord and yours are bitter enemies,
yet Hanzhong and the Riverlands are still intimately connected.
relying on each other for survival.
Once Liu Bei swallows up the Riverlands,
your land will be exposed to danger,
and your esteemed lord will spend his days living in fear.
For the greater good,
please ask your lord to send troops to attack Liu Bei from behind.
When the deed is done,
our lord is willing to cede 10 counties from the Riverlands
to become Hanzhong's territory forever.
Ten counties...
are probably not enough.
It has to be 20.
What? But...
twenty it is then!
Please.
Wait here, please.
I will go meet my lord now.
Please take a look, my lord.
Good!
However,
Zhuge Liang's generals, Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei,
are among the most valiant warriors of our time.
Who among our ranks in Hanzhong
can withstand their might? Hmm?
I, Ma Chao, have received my lord's kindness with no means to repay it.
I volunteer to lead an elite force to attack Jiameng Pass
and capture Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang alive.
With Ma Mengqi's help,
everything will be settled!
Mengqi,
how many men do you need?
How many troops does the enemy have?
Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang have no fewer than 60,000 combined.
I will only need 20,000 elite troops then.
Good, I will give you an elite force of 30,000, and command you to take over Jiameng Pass,
chase Liu Bei out of the Riverlands,
and take the 20 counties in the eastern Riverlands!
As you wish!
Chengdu has no strategic defense points.
Its only shield is Mianzhu.
Mianzhu's governor, Li Yan, has under 10,000 troops
and poses no threat to our army.
In my humble opinion, to take Chengdu, it may be best to make Liu Zhang surrender voluntarily.
of the citizens of the Riverlands.
This way, we won't make ourselves an enemy
Zhang Lu is not a threat,
but Ma Chao is as brave as Lu Bu was.
Before Tong Pass,
he forced Cao Cao to lose his helmet and abandon his armor,
and flee for his life with his face covered.
Report!
Zhang Lu ordered Ma Chao to lead his army into the Riverlands.
He is assaulting Jiameng Pass right now. General Meng Da needs urgent help.
If we lose Jiameng Pass, we will be exposed to attack on all sides,
which renders our invasion of Chengdu an impossibility.
Only Yide can handle Ma Chao.
You vermin hiding behind the city walls!
Surrender immediately and I may spare your sorry lives!
If you refuse to open the gates, I will rush in
and obliterate everything in there!
Who goes there?
Little rascal! Your nemesis is here! Announce your name!
I am Ma Dai of Xiliang.
Oh, so you are not Ma Chao.
I can't be bothered to kill you. I'm in a hurry to go have a drink in the city.
Such insolence!
Go, tell the little Ma boy that Zhang Fei of Yan wants him out here immediately!
Elder Brother, let's go have a drink in the city.
Let's go
Jiameng Pass
They call him the Splendid Ma Chao.
It seems his fame is not exaggerated.
Splendid or not, just wait here and watch me stab him full of holes!
Come back!
The enemy's morale is high. We mustn't engage them now.
When are we going to fight, if not now?
After noon.
When Ma Chao's army is tired, we will act accordingly.
Why do we have to wait till they are tired?
Where's the fun.in that then?
My lord!
What's wrong? Is Ma Chao going to assault the city?
General Zhang left the city without permission to duel with Ma Chao!
Little Ma boy, do you know Zhang Fei of Yan?
I come from a noble lineage.
How would I know of a bumpkin like you?
Bah!
Then I'll have my spear introduce me!
Die!
Those are some good fighting skills!
Right! What a great match!
Sound the bell!
Ma boy, wait here.
What are you ringing that for?
Third Brother!
It's getting dark now.
Return to the city and continue tomorrow!
So what if it's dark? Light the lamps! We'll keep going!
Third Brother!
Come back right now!
Ma boy, do you dare to fight at night?
Why not?
Light the lamps! Well fight through the night!
Light the lamps! We'll fight through the night!
Yes, sir!
Light the lamps! Well fight through the night!
Good!
Sound the drums!