Greetings, Your Majesty.
Rise.
My greetings, Your Majesty.
Orders from the emperor mandated by heaven.
As Zhang Han performed exemplary military duties,
I appoint him the marquis, warding him ten thousand taels of gold.
I am relieved that Zhang Han killed our enemy Xiang Liang, our greatest enemy.
Additionally, we’ll celebrate this wedding ceremony.
Such is my decision.
Your Majesty.
Originally, as General Zhang Han rushed to the battlefield...
I married the princess to him, but I didn’t offer them a ceremony.
Today, I’m glad to bear witness. Congratulations.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Excellent. Let the banquet begin.
Are you not feeling well?
No. No. I’m well, premier.
Are you waiting for someone?
Not at all, premier. Not at all.
-Move. Hurry. -Hurry.
Ministers, the emperor is ill and could not drink.
Thus, he will return to his palace for a rest.
Now on behalf of our emperor,
a toast to General Zhang Han.
Please...
General Zhang Han.
Let me drink with you.
-Thank you, premier. -You old fool!
Stand there. Stand still.
Chongxin intended to kill me.
Anyone else? Anyone want to kill me?
Chongxin is dead. He must die.
Anyone who's involved in the plot,
according to the Law of Qin, his entire family line will be executed.
And, from today onward,
anyone who comes forward to expose the true masterminds...
will get a hundred taels of gold.
Would anyone like to speak up?
Premier...
this wedding ceremony is a great reward for me. I feel very happy.
I have no regrets in this life.
Not only is my body recovered,
but my mind feels invigorated.
I think there is one man you should suspect.
Tell me in detail.
Princess.
Don’t move. Arrest her.
How dare you!
Princess Chenxi.
I’ve planned for everything you might throw at me.
And today, if you dare to kill me...
all of you will be killed.
Premier!
This has nothing to do with General Zhang Han.
Please prioritize the safety of our state and spare him.
It’s not quite that simple.
General.
Princess!
General...
I cannot stay by your side anymore.
You saved me in Bolangsha.
I hope I’ve returned your kindness today.
Princess!
I should be blamed for my cowardice.
Princess, it’s my fault.
Princess!
You lost.
Zhao Gao, what makes you win every single time?
Why do I always lose?
Zhao Cheng, listen to me.
There are some skills in playing dice.
You can also do something on the dice.
But Chongxin...
didn’t learn the skills.
For years I've kept the entire palace under my control.
Nobody dares to offend me.
But why don’t I want to be emperor?
As a eunuch,
he dared to be emperor and took action.
He dared to wipe out the current emperor and crown himself instead,
He could be effective, but not always.
I’m afraid, finding another man with his talent will not be easy.
Hey, Gao, Zhang Han was also involved in the rebellion.
His warriors were stationed outside Xianyang.
But our soldiers have rounded them up.
He was deceived by others.
Were it not for Chenxi’s earnest request,
I doubt he would have such courage.
These silly men,
what were they thinking installing Chongxin as emperor?
Then how should we deal with Zhang Han?
That’s what I’m racking my brains to figure out.
If I spare him, I might find no way,
to rule the ministers.
If I take his life...
then I think our enemies would be more satisfied than I am.
Come on. Let’s play again.
Play again? What do we bet with?
Let’s bet Zhang Han’s life.
All right then. He lives for now. Send him back to the camp.
Wait.
We didn’t decide the conditions of winning or losing.
Winning or losing is up to me.
Everything is in my control, is it not?
THE MEMORIAL TABLET OF PRINCESS CHENXI
Before I see you buried...
I have to go to battle again.
I’m a silly loyalist. You know I would never fear battle.
What I fear most is betraying my state.
The responsibility for your death, princess, rests upon my shoulders.
I hate myself.
I’m too weak mind.
I hate myself...
for not being able to accompany you to next world.
Princess, please forgive that I can’t be with you now.
I’ll fight to my last breath and die on the battlefield.
It won’t be long...
It won’t be long at all before I come join you at your side.
At the end of all this...
I believe in the next world...
we’ll soon be a true couple and rest in peace.
The emperor’s orders. Zhang Han should set off today.
Destroy as much of our enemy as possible on the battlefield.
General, what’s your plan?
We go to battle.
And then?
Fight! And win!
XIANG
This is the Qin line of defense.
And these are their paved paths.
Yes. The paved path is their only outlet.
Then we’ll do it.
As the paved path is of vital importance to them,
we must attack that path first.
If we are successful in taking out that paved path...
we can send Ying Bu and General Pu.
They can lead 20,000 crack warriors and cross the river...
then attack Su Jiao’s men north of the Yellow River.
Su Jiao is a quite formidable. He once served General Meng Tian.
Can Ying Bu really take him?
Su Jiao is valiant, but Ying Bu is ferocious. What do you think?
Then we can send a message to Chen Yu north of Julu,
tell him to march south so his warriors can attract General Wang Li’s attention.
Chen Yu? I think we should plan his route for him.
He’s not the best fighter.
Get the map.
Who did this? Who did this?
It’s getting worse!
Shall I investigate?
-For what? -I’m late.
It’s a crying shame.
-Don’t worry about it. -You can all go!
What’d you do?
I don’t know.
I’ve never seen such silly strategy, why would he cross the river that way?
Stand still. It’s none of your business.
Are you thinking we're neglecting your talent or what?
Do you think I should stand here all my life?
It’s your duty.
You have to be a halberd holder now.
My king, you’ve stayed here for two days.
Please take care.
If we lose the war, our Han land will be destroyed.
What do I have left of myself to care for?
Is there any news from our scouts?
Xiang Yu’s warriors must have crossed the river by now.
Our scouts report that...
Xiang Yu and his 40,000 warriors are crossing the river as we speak.
40,000?
Is that all he has at his command?
According to the report...
Xiang Yu, divided his men into three groups.
The vanguard army led by Ying Bu, left their armor and supplies to travel faster.
Xiang Yu himself leads 30,000 men and marches toward us rapidly.
And the third group is apparently far behind.
Zhang Er, how do you like his strategy?
Tell me what you think.
His strategy is foolish.
It seems that Qin warriors have prepared a trap...
and Xiang Yu and his men are swiftly heading into this trap.
And the other vassals... are they doing anything?
It’s the same as before. They sit and watch.
Your Majesty, come and look at this horse.
Yes, yes. It’s beautiful.
C’mon and pet it. Isn’t beautiful?
I’ve said it’s beautiful already. Be careful. Be careful.
Your Majesty, get on.
Indeed, it’s quite a fine horse.
Report!
What’s wrong?
Reporting. No movements of Qin soldiers.
They change their deployment sergeant each day.
Where’s Zhao Xie?
I think he’s growing impatient.
What should we do now?
If you look closely at Zang Tu stationed in up north,
Tian Du in the south and Wu Rui in the northeast,
you’ll know what to do.
We can’t fight. And we can’t leave.
We can only stay here and watch.
But I don’t think Qin warriors will attack us.
Their main concern is General Xiang Yu’s army.
So you might as well sit down and drink some wine.
Reporting! Reporting!
Chen Yu's 20,000 warriors are approaching Julu.
They are marching south.
It looks like they'll be joining Xiang Yu’s warriors.
Are you sure of this?
I’m sure of it.
It’s not a bad idea. I think Chen Yu doesn’t want Xiang Yu to criticize him.
So he’s risking his warriors’ lives.
If no one else is taking any action, we could also sit still right here.
But Chen Yu, that fool!
Come now. What are you so angry?
You don’t know war. You need not say any more.
I don’t understand. That's why I'm asking you.
Chen Yu that you mentioned earlier, is he a general?
Why do you ask? Of course he is.
Then, how many on-lookers are there like us?
Bo Ji,
I don’t understand what you’re talking about.
There are many on-lookers now.
Who’s willing to--
-Your Majesty. -Who's willing to risk his neck?
That’s right. Since nobody else cares, why do you care?
Your wife is as good as a wise general.
I'm impressed. I’m truly impressed.
Your words make me happy.
Here.
Bo Ji, please.
Did Xiang Yu tell us where to station our men?
Fifteen kilometers outside the city.
Have they crossed the river?
They’ve arrived at the riverside.
Qin warriors are stationed on the opposite side?
I believe so, yes.
Send my orders. March on at full speed.
-Report to me 25 kilometers from the city. -Yes.
That is the Zhangshui River?
General, your vanguard troops...
led by General Ying Bu and General Pu prepare many boats for us.
In the event of unexpected mishaps, we can retreat safely.
But now the main problem is,
all the warriors of Yan, Dai and Qi,
hang back and don’t dare help us.
They know that we have less than 70,000 warriors.
Even if you went to the battlefield yourself,
you still might not convince them to help.
Gather our warriors. I need to talk to them.
Yes.
Julu, in my heart, is our final battlefield.
Prompt action will help us out of our current crisis.
Therefore, I have gathered all our main forces here.
As it’s not easy for us to get provisions, we can’t afford any mistakes.
Therefore, I’ll also build our own path from Jiyuan to Julu.
With this path, we can easily reach Zhangshui River.
Will Su Jiao be able to protect the paved path?
Su Jiao, is the most valiant general in our camp.
He’s well known as ruthless but skillful. With him guarding the path,
I'm sure none of the vassals would dare rob our supplies.
Su Jiao is valiant.
But his warriors alone can’t defeat so many foes.
Sima Xin, don’t worry.
I’ve sent Wang Li and She Jian to help,
waiting along the sides.
If he needs help, they will give him immediate help.
General, I don’t know why, exactly...
but I feel a strong sense of foreboding.
You mean the head sent by Zhao Gao?
Sima Xin,
it’s common to have that kind of feeling.
You’re not a warrior.
But think about it. After the death of Xiang Liang,
who’s leading the Chu army now?
His nephew Xiang Yu.
Xiang Yu, a green hand. He hasn’t earned my respect.
My men!
Don’t expect to live once we cross that river.
During Qin’s rule...
we’ve witnessed many of our friends...
our relatives murdered by Qin soldiers.
Will we forget this blood feud?
I know everybody here...
has returned from the brink of death!
Julu...
is right there.
And Qin’s most powerful forces...
are waiting for us over there.
We have fewer soldiers, fewer weapons.
If you dare not follow in this attack today, you can leave now.
Good.
It’s said that Qin soldiers are powerful.
But what about us?
Our spirit is stronger!
It’s true they have more men, more weapons.
But what decides a war? Determination and courage!
We have nothing to fear.
We’ve lived all this time,
waiting for this moment...
to overthrow Qin...
and restore our great land.
Let’s fight to the death like true men!
We pledge to follow! No victory, no return!
-No victory, no return! -No victory, no return!
General, look. The boats are sinking.
Seeing as...
we’ve decided not to return...
these boats are useless!
It takes three days to get to Julu from here.
I will give each of you food for three days,
including myself.
General, ahead of us are warriors from other vassals.
They’re waiting to see what happens.
It seems they’ve just come to watch.
Morale of the allied forces is low indeed.
And Qin numbers have an overwhelming advantage over us.
I suspect they don’t even think we’re a threat.
General, will we attack them today?
Does smoke come from their stoves?
It seems that they are having breakfast.
Order Ying Bu to attack the paved path.
Yes, sir.
Look!
Dodge!
Put out the fire!
Hurry! Put out the fire!
General,
Ying Bu has begun his attack.
How’s it going?
A large section was destroyed,
our forces blocked up those paths with big stones and wood.
Along the destroyed section, our men set up forts as defense.
What’s more,
Chen Yu of Zhao learned we’re moving north.
He's headed to the south.
He’s now along the western flank fighting Wang Li's men.
Tell Ying Bu to continue the attacks.
But since our men are too few, don’t bother holding the path.
His mission is inflict damage and cut off Qing provisions.
Yes, sir.
What?
Our paved path had been ambushed?
Yes, general.
Whose warriors they are?
They are Ying Bu’s men.
He’s just a mercenary.
Order our men to prepare to meet the attack.
Yes, sir.
Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
Under Xiang Yu’s command, Chu warriors already crossed the River!
The Chu vanguard has begun attacking Qin warriors.
Xiang Yu’s men are really attacking?
If not Xiang Yu, then who would dare?
The decisive battle has begun! Chen Yu has marched south.
It’s just as I’ve said, the decisive battle is in Julu!
Who is the Qin vanguard?
Su Jiao.
This is it.
At this critical moment...
you must tell me the truth.
Of course. Of course.
Is Chen Yu’s army capable to ward off Qin’s warriors for three hours?
I doubt that.
Two hours?
I doubt that.
One hour?
If they fight the Qin vanguard face to face...
they’ll be defeated in less than an hour.
It seems...
I can do nothing now but pray to the ancestors to protect them.
Now it falls upon Xiang Yu...
to defeat the entire Qin army.
General! General!
We’ve gone 30 kilometers. We saw the smoke from the battlefield.
You mean the battle has begun?
Please give us the order to attack.
Send my orders. Stop marching.
But... but... that’s disobeying the king’s order!
Whose order?
In wars, only a living man can give an order.
Do you really think Xiang Yu will leave Julu alive?
But--
Send my orders. Turn back and regroup.
The cavalries should spread out on both flanks,
and form a new defensive team.
We'll wait for orders?
No. Keep moving.
But slower.
Be as slow as you possibly can.
Yes, sir.
General, Ying Bu has beheaded a Qin general.
But Qin’s men are strong and many. Ying Bu is at a disadvantage.
General, we’re in danger. Why do you laugh?
Su Jiao, is only a vanguard. But he’s so valiant.
I’m done waiting here in the camp.
Order Ying Bu, to keep attacking the paved path.
Even if it takes every last man, we must give the Qin warriors a beating.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Fan.
Let’s take the parts of the path Ying Bu destroyed and turn them into gaps.
And these places, are occupied by Qin warriors far to the south.
In this area, there are too many gullies...
which is a problem for a large army.
It’s not a place where anyone can rely on pure troop numbers alone.
So then this place will be Qin’s headache.
Actually...
in this first attack,
we’ll just be pricking them with a sharp needle.
But the pain will redirect the attention of the whole Qin force.
Soon the Qin generals, from near and far,
will send reinforcements to cover their weak spot.
On this battlefield, they will have to
maneuver through gully after gully,
moving large numbers through narrow spaces.
They won’t be able to threaten us easily in such an area.
It seems that Ying Bu is luckier than we thought,
because he will only meet small groups of soldiers at a time.
Larger groups won’t be able to reach him.
Our only problem is Qin warriors can attack in turn,
resting between waves,
but Ying Bu has to keep fighting without any rest.
But we must believe in Ying Bu.
He’s like a feral beast. He’ll not be defeated.
You’re right. But we can’t keep up this strategy forever.
Mr. Fan...
it is time to have this out.
We’ve crossed the Zhangshui River.
All we have are 40,000 warriors.
Luckily, our morale is very high.
Our only...
Only chance to win, is to take Su Jiao’s men by surprise.
We must break into the city before Zhang Han’s army arrives.
Subtitle translation by Loretta Kok