Episode 71
Three Kingdoms
Brothers!
Tomorrow, I will do battle with Guan Yu.
This will be a fight to the death between myself and Guan Yu.
No matter who dies,
put his body in this coffin and bring it back to the Prince of Wei.
Yes, sir!
Come!
Lets drink a cup together.
We will not rest until Guan Yu is killed!
We will not rest until Guan Yu is killed! .
After Liu Bei took over Hanzhong,
he proclaimed himself Prince of Hanzhong.
He now possesses a powerful army and half the lands of the realm.
Five days ago,
Guan Yu captured Xiangyang, a main stronghold in the heart of the realm.
Now he's attacking Fancheng.
Cao Cao sent a messenger to say
that he sent out seven forces to lift the siege at Fancheng.
He invited me to join him in an attack on Liu Bei,
and promised to split the land with me.
By the tone of his letter, he is almost begging us.
Zhang Zha
So what do you think? Let's discuss this together.
How should we deal with it?
My lord, ever since Liu Bei occupied the Riverlands,
he has gathered great momentum.
It's just a matter of time before he conquers Xuchang
and make a bid for the reunification of the realm.
At the present time, our most formidable enemy is Liu Bei.
Lu Zijing said on his deathbed
that, when Cao is strong, ally with Liu to repel him,
and when Liu is strong, ally with Cao to repel him.
his is how the Southland will survive,
and this is how we will win.
In my humble opinion, we should join forces with Cao Cao
and seize Jingzhou by surprise.
Liu Bei's military strength is in its prime.
We should not become enemies with him.
At least, we should not become enemies with him now.
If we cannot be enemies,
then we should become allies instead?
Would Liu Bei now even think much of me as an ally?
My lord.
I have a strategy. I wonder if it would work.
Go ahead.
Guan Yu has a daughter who hasn't been betrothed.
My lord has a son who is at the right age for marriage.
My lord, please send an official to Jingzhou to make a marriage proposal,
so that our two houses may once again be joined in marriage.
Be joined in marriage once again?
When Lord Sun's sister married Liu Bei,
it cost us the lady and troops to boot.
How can we repeat the same recipe for disaster?
If Guan Yu agrees to the proposal.
my lord can take the opportunity and demand the return of Jing.
After all, Liu Bei has seized Hanzhong. By our agreement, he should return Jing.
If Guan Yu refuses the proposal.
he will become even more contemptuous towards us.
A strategy to make them self-conceited.
Anyway,
I hope that it will be Cao Cao's troops who have to do battle with Guan Yu,
while it will be you, my lord, who will gain Jing.
Father,
Cao Cao sent troops to lift the siege at Fancheng.
How many troops, and where are they now?
They have about eighty thousand troops in seven divisions.
The van has arrived within 30 miles of the northern gate.
Who is the commander of the troops?
Front General Yu Jin.
Yu Jin can lead an army?
Cao Cao is becoming an old fool.
He sent a farmer to rescue Fancheng!
Father, you are right.
While I was reconnoitering,
I discovered Yu Jin's camps were in total disarray.
However, Pang De, the vanguard leader,
was extremely pompous and arrogant.
He brought along a coffin
and made some insolent remarks.
He vowed to fight you to the death.
Who is this Pang De?
Pang De once served as Ma Chao's commander.
After Ma Chao's defeat, he was taken in by Cao Cao.
His prowess is exceptional,
and his valor is comparable to that of Ma Chao.
Heroes of the land tremble at the sound of my name.
How dare that worthless Pang De bring a coffin with him to court death?
Guan Ping,
continue the attack on Fancheng.
I will kill that Pang De myself.
Yes, sir.
Report!
General, an envoy from Wu requests to see you.
Who is he?
Military adviser Zhuge Jin.
Why is he here?
It must be to ask the return of Jing.
Tell him I'm busy.
Yes, sir.
Zhuge Jin is the elder brother of our Director General.
He came a long way. If you refuse to see him, it might be disrespectful.
Besides, we're away attacking/Fancheng.
At this juncture, we have even more reason to be on friendly terms with Wu.
You're right. Then invite him in.
Yes, sir.
I will take my leave.
My respects. General Guan.
Ziyu, please have, a seat.
Thank you.
What's the purpose of your visit?
I have come to propose a marriage, so that our two houses may be allied through it.
Allying through marriage again?
Haven't my elder brother and Sun Quan become relatives by marriage already?
General Guan, circumstances have changed.
The Marquis of Wu has a son, quite a bright young lad.
We have heard that you have a daughter who has not been betrothed yet.
Therefore, I came here to propose marriage.
General, why did you break out in laughter?
Ludicrous!
When my elder brother married Sun Quan's sister, he almost lost his life.
How can a tiger's daughter be married to the whelp of a cur?
Go back.
General Guan.
Speak no more!
Goodbye.
This way, sir.
Farewell.
Sir, what's the matter?
Did you hear that?
Sun Quan wanted to build a marriage alliance with us again.
He asked for my daughter to be married to his son.
He's just trying to ingratiate himself with me.
Did you agree to the proposal?
Why would I? I threw him out right away.
Sir, even if you are unwilling.
you should not refuse him immediately.
In contrary, you should have consoled him instead.
Guan Ping.
Father.
Muster all the elite troops at-once. I will personally do battle against Pang De.
In two days time, I will defeat Cao's seven forces and capture Fancheng.
if you send all the elite troops out, what about Jingzhou then?
Don't worry!
Only two people in the Southland understand military strategy.
One is Zhou Yu and the other is Lu Su.
After they died, the Southland has nobody but a flock of incompetent fools.
They won't dare attack.
But Lu Meng has a naval force of tens of thousands stationed in Lukou.
If they take action, Jingzhou will not be able to withstand them!
I have a plan.
Build beacon towers 20 miles apart along the river bank, with 50 soldiers guarding each tower.
If enemy is spotted, let smoke rise by day and a flame at night.
I can race to their rescue in half a day.
No sooner than I proposed the idea of marriage,
Guan Yu roared with laughter, then said...
What did he say?
My lord, please do not become angry.
Guan Yu said.
how can a tiger's daughter be married to the whelp of a cur?
So he is a tiger and I'm a cur?
Fantastic, Guan Yunchang.
I have never been humiliated like this in my life.
In this case, if Liu Bei unifies the country, won't he be more dangerous than Cao Cao?
My lord,
I have something else to report, a cause for celebration.
What's there to celebrate?
According to the scouts' report,
Guan Yu has deployed 50,000 elite troops out of Jingzhou.
to attack Cao Cao's reinforcements.
He is leading the charge to Fancheng
Jingzhou has never before been so defenseless.
My lord, our opportunity to attack Jingzhou has finally come.
Convey my order to Lu Meng at once.
He is to cross the river and attack Jingzhou.
Yes, sir.
Listen carefully, Guan Yu.
I am under the Prince of Wei's orders to take your head!
We have prepared a coffin for you.
If you're afraid, dismount and surrender now!
Brazen wretch!
Heroes of the land tremble at the sound of my name.
It's a pity to stain my Green Dragon Saber with the blood of such a scoundrel as you.
Don't you shoot on the sly, you scum!
Attack!
Father, pull back!
General, hurry!
Father.
Sir.
Father.
How dare this despicable Pang De shoot me on the sly?
I swear I will kill that scum!
Goodness! General, don't move!
Sir, since you were just wounded,
rest and get well first before you start fighting again.
I'm not going to kill him, but to survey the terrain.
Come!
General Pang, you are truly valiant!
Everyone is fearful of Guan Yu,
but you sent him back to camp with just one arrow.
We Xiliang folk are trained in archery from youth.
To tell you the truth, since Guan Yu was wounded by my arrow,
this battle should come to an end after three days.
I don't quite understand.
You all will understand when they make a move. '
Come! Let's drink!
Come! Cheers!
Strange.
Why on earth would Yu Jin set up camp in such a low-lying valley?
It makes fetching water easier.
What's over there?
Open-Net River.
Yu Jin's surname
If a fish goes into an open net, can it but become captured?
Guan Ping. Issue my orders.
Here. Guan Ping. Issue my orders.
Have the soldiers prepare boats and rafts, and gather equipment for naval battle.
Yes, sir.
Report!
General, bad news!
We have a flood on our hands! There's water everywhere!
Xiang River is ten miles from here.
Where would the water be coming from?
Stop speaking nonsense and demoralizing our troops!
Guan Yu dammed Open-Net River.
Once the rain started to pour down, he breached the dam and let the water gush out!
Hurry up!
Get up! Get up!
Hurry up! Get up!
Father, you are a military genius!
Back then, Master Kongming merely borrowed arrows with straw-covered boats,
but you borrowed water from heaven.
splashed it into Cao's camp,
and drowned thousands of Yu Jin's troops!
Lord Guan is here. Kneel at once!
General Guan.
Yu Jin, after all, we are old acquaintances.
Before you arrived, did you find out who is the commander in charge here?
I did realize it was Guan Yunchang.
Knowing well I was the one in command here,
why did you still march seven forces here to their deaths?
Back when I cut down Yan Liang and Wen Chou,
were you not there to witness it?
I had no choice but to obey orders.
I hope you'll consider our old friendship and show me mercy.
To execute you would dirty my weapons.
Send him back to Jingzhou.
Once Cao Cao is captured, send them back together for our lord to decide their fates.
Yes, sir.
Where is that scoundrel Pang De?
Outside the camp.
Bring him in.
Pang De stood firm and refused to enter our tent.
Then carry him in.
Yes, sir.
Bring Pang De in.
Pang De our, brother serves as an official under my brother.
Your former lord, Ma Chao, is also a commander in the Riverlands now.
Why don't you surrender to me?
There's no shame when you surrender to Guan Yu.
My old master and elder brother are fools.
A true man would rather laugh as he meets his death by the sword.
Are you that determined to die?
If I don't die, I will come back with an army to kill you!
Zhou Cang, here are your orders!
Yes.
Use my Green Dragon Saber to execute Pang De.
Yes, sir.
Ma Liang, here is your order.
Have all units press on the attack, and assault Fancheng.
Sir
there is something I would like to say.
Go ahead.
Since we marched north,
our troops have battled without stop for over half a month.
As they say, "an arrow at the end of its flight cannot pierce a piece of gauze."
Should we rest a few days first?
What are you talking about?
My troops are always fresh, strong bows,
while Cao's troops are as soft as gauze.
When we're close to victory, we must pursue and eliminate the enemies.
This is no time to rest and reorganize.
Even though Yu Jin has lost the battle, there's a chance Cao Cao will send reinforcements.
Also, Cao Ren in Fancheng is a brave and resourceful commander.
Our troops have been attacking Fancheng without success.
Our casualties have been devastating...
That's because I was not in battle in person. Our casualties have been devastating...
If I am present, the soldiers will press forward with all their might.
In war, it's speed that counts. The sooner we conquer Fancheng,
the less likely Cao Cao will dare to send reinforcements.
Apart from this, there is another source of worry.
Since most ofiour%troops<have been deployed to attack Fancheng,
what should we do if Wu decides to attack Jingzhou?
At this very moment.
the news of my victory over Yu Jin should have been spread to the^Southland.
Even if Sun Quan has twice the courage he has.
I doubt if he will dare to provoke me.
Certainly, your courage is second to none.
But if that cowardly Sun Quan does decide to attack.
what should we do then?
That's great then!
If he decides to cross the river, I'll do the same.
If he invades Jingzhou,
I will cross the river and strike Jianye in the Southland,
and seize Sun Quan altogether.
Father, Father.
Sir!
What's wrong?
Father, what's wrong? What's wrong?
My arm.
Father, this is bad.
Pang De's arrow was poisoned.
Sir...
the wound is swollen and discolored.
I suspect the toxin has spread.
That shameless Pang De.
I ought to have hacked him to pieces!
Please do not become enraged.
That will only hasten the spread of the poison.
I think we should withdraw and return to Jingzhou.
Fancheng will be ours<in a matter of days.
How can a slight wound keep us away from that?
Father, Ma Liang is right.
You should withdraw to Jingzhou to treat your wound. We will stay and attack Fancheng.
I have decided.
Any more talk of retreating will be punished by military law.
Father is being too stubborn.
After all, his age is catching up with him.
He's no longer strong as before.
Even after such a grave injury, he still wouldn't listen to advice.
If something unexpected happens to him,
how am I to explain myself to my uncle?
Don't be too anxious.
Yesterday, someone on the way to Xiangyang spotted the famous doctor, Hua Tuo.
His art of healing-is without peer.
Many terminally ill patients recovered miraculously after receiving treatment from him.
Are you referring to the legendary Hua Tuo, the miracle healer?
He's the one.
We have met him once in the past.
General, I'll send someone to bring him here.
Sir, I will go myself. My steed is swift.
The arrowhead was coated in aconitine.
The poison has penetrated to the bone.
If the wound is left untreated, not only will you lose the use of your arm,
but your very life will be in danger too.
Master, are you able to treat it?
Even though I have a treatment,
I fear you may not be able to withstand the excruciating pain.
Excruciating pain?
I have spent dozens of years fighting on the field.
I have survived numerous dangers. Why would I be afraid of this?
My lord, please let me explain the procedure involved before making your decision.
Co ahead.
First, we would erect a pole in"a quiet room, and attach a copper ring to it.
You will insert the wounded arm in the ring and I will tie it to the post.
Then I shallower your head with a quilt.
Why will you cover my head?
You might be startled once you see the surgical operation.
I have no interest to watch the operation. I'd rather concentrate on this game.
We are not done with this game yet.
Your move.
With a scalpel, I will make an incision and cut through to the bone.
And then, I will use a blade to scrape the poison off the bone.
Once that's done. I'll apply medicine to the wound, suture it up with thread,
and apply>medicine again. And then it will be fine.
Why are you making it so complicated?
Ill just sit here and continue with my game. Go ahead and do the surgery.
Why the hesitation? Lets get started.
Young Commander.
Yes.
Bring me a basin to catch the blood.
Yes, sir.
My lord, don't be frightened.
Jichang,
it's your turn.
Jichang, HI make a bet with you.
The,forfeit is a cup of wine.
Jichang, it's your move.
Sir, it's done.
In the next three days, refrain from using the injured arm.
Great!
I can move my arm just as before again!
Master, you're truly a miracle-worker!
Sir, in my lifetime of medical practice, I had never seen anyone like you.
You are truly no common mortal!
Master,
I have a favor to ask.
Go ahead.
Please tell General Guan that his injury is grave, and persuade him to return to Jingzhou to recuperate.
Why can't you tell him yourself?
He won't listen to me.
Do you think he'll listen=to me, then?
I'm begging you.
Fine, then. I'll give it a try.
Master, I have one wish.
Please go ahead.
If you would stay here with us, it will be as if we gained thousands of men.
May I be so bold as to ask you to stay here in the army?
Everyone in our ranks will treat you'][with the utmost honor.
Thank you for your kind offer.
not suited for the structured life in the military.
I am used to a life of carefree wandering, and am
Also, with 'all due respect,
I really prefer not to treat battle wounds.
Why not? Because once I have treated a battle wound, more will be wounded in battles.
Although a physician's duty is to save lives.
I would rather use whatever limited skill I have to help the common people.
If I remain in the camp, what will the common people do?
You have noble intentions, Master.
You have my respects
Guan Ping.
Master, here are 100 taels of gold as a small token of my thanks.
I cannot accept that. However, I do have another request.
Please go ahead.
Although your wound has been treated, you must still take care of it.
You must not become enraged.
Only after 100 days will you have completely recovered.
Therefore, I would ask you to leave the frontlines,
and return to Jingzhou to recuperate.
No.
Even if I refrain from using the injured arm in the next 100 days.
I can still seize Fancheng.
Master, thank you so much for your help.
Don't mention it.
Jichang, allow me to be frank.
Although I've treated General Guan's physical injury.
his sickness of wild arrogance is much worse than the injury
and I have no cure for it.
Yes, I understand.
Grand Commander, look. On the river side of the Jingzhou camps they have erected hundreds of beacons.
In an emergency, flames by night and smoke by day will deliver messages to Guan Yu immediately.
Once the beacons are lit,
the Jingzhou navy force will be on the move.
Guan Yu will also come to their rescue.
If this happens,
our troops will come under attack by both land and water.
Grand Commander, let's act now.,We can seize Jingzhou before Guan Yu makes it back for the rescue.
The timing is not right yet.
Grand Commander,
once Guan Yu seizes Fancheng, we won't have another chance.
Grand Commander.
My chest hurts.
Grand Commander.
Grand Commander, Grand Commander!
Grand Commander!
My lord.
Boyan,
I summoned you here to entrust a task to you.
I am at your service.
Ziming fell ill unexpectedly and cannot command the army.
He sent me a letter saying
that he wanted me to appoint someone capable
to assume the Grand Commander's duties for him.
Your name came up right away.
Me?
Who else could it be?
Thank you for your confidence in me.
May I ask if Ziming's condition is serious?
He overexerted himself, and caught a serious cold.
His condition appears quite serious.
He should be on his way to Nanxu by now.
My lord,
the Sun-Liu alliance is doomed forever.
What do you mean by that?
Lu Meng has been a soldier all his life.
He has always enjoyed good health,
and in all his years of grueling work he had not once fallen ill.
So, why did he not fall ill at any other time,
but only when he arrived at Lukou?
I think the illness is a fabrication to beguile Guan Yu.
I suppose he is not returning to Jiankang at this moment,
but making a surprise attack on Jingzhou.
I can't hide anything from you, can I?
You're right.
He saw the beacon towers,
and found out that Guan Yu left 15,000 picked men behind in Jingzhou.
Thus, he came up with the idea of feigning illness.
so that he could lure Guan Yu's troops to the front line at Fancheng.
So that's why
he recommended me, a mere scholar, to the post,
so that Guan Yu would lower his guard even more.
Boyan,
I have notified everyone in the Southland
that Lu Meng is seriously ill and Lu Xun has taken over the post.
Right now
Jingzhou's spies should have informed Guan Yu of the news.
Boyan,
do cooperate with Lu Meng and take up your post.
Yes, sir.
My lord, I have something else to say.
Co ahead.
Zhou Yu's most hated adversary was Kongming.
Lu Meng's most hated adversary, on the other hand, is Guan Yu.
My lord, please give the order that
Lu Meng may conquer Jingzhou, but by no means must he kill Guan Yu.
This is because Guan Yu is Liu Bei's brother.
His importance in Liu Bei's mind is higher than even that of Kongming's.
The loss of Jingzhou
might not make Liu Bei turn against us,
because the land belongs to us in the first place.
But if he kills Guan Yu,
you and Liu Bei will become eternal and mortal enemies.
Not even 10 Jingzhous will be able to mend your relationship then!
Within a few months,
Liu Bei's million-strong host will abandon Cao Cao, and charge towards the Southland instead.
Lu Xun, rush immediately to Lukou.
Make certain to find Lu Meng.
Tell him that, upon overcoming Jingzhou, he is to hold ground
and not to pursue or kill Guan Yu under any circumstances.
Yes, sir.
General Guan.
Bumpkin Meng of the Southland is ill.
And somehow he appointed a scholar to be naval commander!
The Southlanders, as I've said, are all worthless cowards.
Guan Ping.
Father, I'm at your service.
Send the orders
to deploy another 10,000 troops from Jingzhou to attack Fancheng.
But.
Hurry up and go.
Yes, sir.
Grand Commander.
Announce my orders.
Set sail across the river and head directly to Jingzhou.
Yes.
Set sail across the river.
Set sail across the river, set sail across the river.