Subtitles by DramaFever
[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 39]
Feng Xiao does indeed have miraculous foresight.
Zhang Liao's cavalry snuck an attack on Pinggang.
The Wuhuan Tribe really was unprepared for battle.
Their garrison was defeated immediately.
They escaped upon defeat.
We're less than 200 miles away from Liu City now.
There are no high walls or fortresses to keep us away.
Liu City!
We can take it down soon!
Although we've won by taking our enemies by surprise
the defeated soldiers of Pinggang already fled to Liu City.
The Wuhuan Tribe will be ready for war.
Speed is crucial in war, so I think Father should strike fast.
Zi Huan, there's no need to be so anxious.
This is the pouch that Feng Xiao gave me before I set out.
He told me to open it after I've seized Pinggang.
Who is it?
It's Pan Yang.
Father, be careful.
I'm Pan Yang of Xu Province!
I'm here today to avenge thousands of innocent souls in Xu Province!
You're here alone.
Can you get away even if you manage to kill me?
As long as you're dead
I don't have to go on living!
Father, run!
Wang Yue's swordsmanship?
You trained under Wang Yue!
- Does your father know that? - Shut up!
Seize him!
Protect Master!
Arrest the assassin!
Kill him!
Go after him!
Zi Huan!
Who did you learn your swordsmanship from?
I wouldn't dare to keep this from Father.
In Guandu, when I fought against Wang Yue
I kept some of his stances on my mind and practiced secretly.
Could you wield it so well just by practicing secretly?
I was captured by him twice.
I remember his swordsmanship very well.
I practice very often.
I only managed to learn a stance or two, that's all.
Why did Wang Yue attempt to assassinate the emperor?
Were you aware of his plan?
After Yuan Shao died
Wang Yue was on the run.
He might have wanted to assassinate the emperor to avenge his late master.
A ranger on the run...
Even if he meant to avenge Yuan Shao
he should have come to me instead.
You could even learn the swordsmanship of the world's best swordsman
just by practicing secretly.
Your mind... is even harder to read than the swordsmanship.
I secretly practiced Wang Yue's swordsmanship
just so that I could protect Father.
I had no other intentions.
Nor did I ever come in contact with him.
If Father doesn't believe me
you can hand me over to the officers to be interrogated.
Even if my life is at risk, I won't complain at all.
Libationer Guo was an awe-inspiring figure when he was alive.
However, after his death, he didn't even leave his name on his own grave.
Life really vanishes as quickly as dew.
Death and life are only a matter of moments.
In the end, whatever fame and reputation you had
are all buried under the soil.
I'm very envious of them.
At the very end, they empathized with and understood each other.
In life and in death, they were on the same path.
Now, they can even be buried together.
These turbulent times have engulfed so many brilliant people.
Yet, their radiance is not overshadowed.
You're right.
If you have someone who shares the same mind with you
you'll have nothing to fear even if the path ahead is laden with obstacles.
Having you by my side gives me the greatest courage.
It was only after I met you
that I realized what it means to be happy.
I'm here to deliver a letter as Libationer Guo instructed.
The Xianbei Tribe's army has cut off our route to the south!
It's a massacre at the market! I failed to fight my way out!
Please punish me!
It's no fault of yours that the situation has changed.
I'll discuss countermeasures with Fourth Young Master.
Please spare us!
Take them back with us! Kill the rest!
Grandfather!
Help!
Kill them all!
Attack!
Retreat. Report back to chieftain.
Protect and escort the civilians into the city!
Grandfather...
Grandfather!
Don't go after them! Escort the civilians into the city!
Yes, Sir!
Warrior, thank you for coming to their aid!
It was admirable of Warrior Pan to fend off the nomads.
Please get some rest in the city.
If you wish to leave later, I won't hold you back.
Why did you leave the city?
I'm like you.
I can't help myself from coming to their aid.
After you.
Grandfather!
Grandfather! Grandfather!
Do you know him?
He was once Yuan Shao's personal guard.
He's also a warrior.
Grandfather!
Uncle, aren't we going into the city?
Could he have been sent here by Yuan Shao's sons?
After all, my father is still fighting against them at the front line.
All in all, his hatred for the Cao family goes way back.
But I believe that everyone has a conscience.
He won't hurt anyone.
This isn't the place to discuss these matters.
We'll talk when we get inside.
Now that you're in Lulong City, we'll protect you.
Food will be handed out to everyone.
Get some rest on the side after you've picked up some food.
Pick out a few skilled soldiers to break out of the siege
to deliver letters to the capital and Minister Cao.
Yes!
Everyone gets one pastry and a pail of water.
Anyone of questionable identity has to be inspected.
Here.
Young Master Liu, here they are.
Young Master, I might seem weak, but I'm very good at escaping.
The nomads surely can't catch up to me.
The three of you are to deliver letters
to the capital and Minister Cao respectively.
Be sure to clearly state the situation in Lulong
and bring back reinforcements.
The safety of Lulong is now tied to the three of you.
Young Master, do rest assured! We won't fail you!
Thank you.
The civilians have all settled in.
Don't worry, Your Majesty.
Have a seat.
What is it about those nomads?
It's really odd that the nomads are here.
The Xianbei Tribe and Wuhuan Tribe are arch enemies.
Before my father set out on this expedition
he sent an envoy to express goodwill.
Why would they join forces with the Wuhuan Tribe for no reason?
After Libationer Guo passed away
the nomads quickly showed up without any fear.
There must be a traitor within the city.
Someone informed the Xianbei Tribe that the city was now defenseless.
A traitor?
With or without a traitor
the pressing matter at hand is to safeguard Lulong.
If not, an entire city of civilians will be massacred by the nomads.
There's not much to worry about as long as the letter gets to my father.
We just have to hold the fort until the reinforcements arrive.
Don't worry!
My father will definitely rush back!
Jie, what are giggling about?
Look just how worried you are!
Do you have any good plans?
Libationer Guo gave this to me.
Libationer Guo?
He said that should anyone invade Lulong
- we should open this pouch. - Really?
Shouldn't you open it quickly?
Libationer Guo must have a great solution.
What is it?
What great strategy did Libationer Guo offer?
Libationer Guo said that he's already written to Father
telling him not to return here to save us.
Therefore, it's up to us now to safeguard Lulong.
Don't panic.
Although Minister Cao won't come to our aid
there's still the capital.
Those in the capital won't leave His Majesty stranded in danger.
Your Majesty!
I'll risk my life to safeguard Lulong and protect the people!
However, Your Majesty, you're the emperor.
You mustn't remain here with us in an endangered city!
I'll send troops in disguise as civilians to distract the nomads.
Then I'll assign suicide warriors to escort Your Majesty
and the empress back to the capital.
No.
We're already short of armed forces in Lulong.
How could lives be sacrificed pointlessly for my sake?
Moreover, Lulong is in grave danger.
How could I possibly leave everyone in the lurch?
Your Majesty!
My father will surely heed Libationer Guo's advice.
Lulong is in grave danger!
Your Majesty is our ruler and your safety concerns that of our nation!
It's our duty to die for Your Majesty.
Please consent to my request and leave Lulong immediately.
Young Master, you're wrong.
Mencius once said
"The people are the most important element in a nation"
"and the sovereign is the least."
The safety of the people is the most crucial to a nation.
The definition of an emperor
is that the gods are his parents and his descendants, the people.
What parents would abandon their children in peril to escape alone?
What emperor would abandon his people?
Your Majesty!
I've served in the army since I was a child.
I've witnessed how my father was escorted to safety after his defeat.
Those who accept defeat will eventually succeed.
Adapting to circumstances in an emergency isn't an act of cruelty!
Should any mishap befall Your Majesty
it isn't just one city that falls, but the entire nation!
Then, even if I died 100 times over, I wouldn't be able to redeem myself!
You're wrong again.
Life is precious because we can only live once.
It is so for the people.
It is so for the soldiers.
It is so for me.
It's also the same for you.
Every life should be cherished.
I won't leave.
I'll stay here and safeguard Lulong with you.
We'll protect the people here in this city.
- Your Majesty-- - That's enough.
Young Master!
The vanguard troops of the Xianbei Tribe are at the gates!
What should we do?
Don't be frightened.
This is just a small troop of the nomads' vanguard.
Their main forces should still be at the back.
Even their vanguard already comes with such power.
What are we to do when the main forces get here?
Fret not.
Although the cavalry of the Xianbei Tribe is fierce
they are only skilled in combat on the fields.
They don't have any weapons to take down the walls.
We just have to hold the fort down.
Once the capital sends out the reinforcements
to work with us from outside
the nomads will then retreat.
Although it's said that the Xianbei Tribe isn't skilled in tearing down forts
it depends on which clan they have sent here.
You mean...
Are there also soldiers who are skilled in breaking down forts?
A trebuchet?
Unfortunately, Her Highness was right.
I knew it.
They have sent the most terrifying ones.
Which clan is this in the Xianbei Tribe?
It's Kebineng's clan.
He used to serve under the Chieftain, Tanshihuai.
During the battles against the Han Empire
he studied techniques and weapons of ours.
On top of that, the cavalry of the Xianbei Tribe is far fiercer than ours.
They sweep across the northern frontier and no one is their match.
Move it!
Get down on your knees!
Those are our messengers!
They have captured all of them!
It seems that the Xianbei Tribe has come well prepared.
The passage out of Lulong has been cut off.
There's no way out for us.
Bring them out there!
Move it!
Help!
What are they doing?
Let go of me!
Help!
Let go of me!
That's horrible! They are going to--
It doesn't go far enough.
Push it forward a bit more.
Let go of me!
What are they trying to do?
How can they be so cruel?
That's how cruel enemies are.
Should Lulong be taken, I'm afraid everyone here will end up like this.
They are trying to tell us that we can't break the siege.
- But they-- - They can take down the city.
Let go of me!
Bastards!
Let go of me!
Archers! Stand by!
Let go of me!
Bastards!
Let go of me!
Our enemies are so brutal.
One day, I'll be sure to get revenge.
It's not close enough.
Push it closer.
The trebuchet!
Push it forward!
I won't go with you!
- Move it! - I won't!
Let go of me! Let go of me!
I won't go there!
I won't go there! Let go of me!
Let go of me!
Young Master!
I don't want to die like this!
Young Master, please save me!
Let go of me!
Young Master!
Please save me!
Young Master!
Give me the bow.
Save me, Young Master!
Young Master, save me! Young Master!
Young Master!
Let go of me!
Young Master!
Do me a favor!
Save me, Young Master!
Save me!
Do me a favor!
There's still someone like him here in Lulong.
Come, let's head back!
Retreat!
Your... Young Master.
You should all head back first.
We still have matters to discuss.
Yes.
Their blood won't be spilled in vain.
I swear...
I will protect the people in this city.
I know.
Minister Cao, I scouted ahead.
The Xianbei Tribe has sent their army toward Lulong.
Please make a decision.
This... What should we do?
What are we to do about it?
Minister Cao has taken all of the elite soldiers.
They won't be able to fend off the Xianbei Tribe.
Once they break into the city
our army will be attacked from both sides.
Minister Cao, I beseech you to return with the army
to reinforce Lulong!
Minister Cao has has one victory after another in Wuhuan.
Liu City is only miles away.
If we return now, won't that render all efforts fruitless?
Exactly.
Although Lulong is besieged
they have Libationer Guo there.
They should be able to hold the fort till Minister Cao takes Liu City.
Libationer Guo didn't manage to prevent the Xianbei Tribe
from besieging Lulong, did he?
Besides, in Lulong, there's also--
What else is there?
Fourth Young Master and Young Mistress.
We can't afford even the smallest mistake!
Minister Cao, Libationer Guo has sent a letter!
Hand it over.
Father...
If Feng Xiao were alive...
how could he possibly allow the Xiaobei Tribe to besiege Lulong?
The gods aren't in my favor...
Father, you mustn't be too upset.
Feng Xiao knew me well.
He left his last words to tell me...
not to turn back.
But how could I bear not to?
Convey my orders.
The army is to retreat back to Lulong!
Father, you mustn't.
Libationer Guo devised the strategies for Father on his sickbed.
He did so for Father to pacify the northern frontier in one battle.
I believe that Libationer Guo must have thought of a way to hold the fort.
Now that the den of Wuhuan is right before our eyes
Father is actually withdrawing the army.
All our efforts will be in vain.
Wouldn't that make Libationer Guo sigh in his grave?
Father, please think twice.
Have you forgotten that...
your siblings are still in Lulong?
It's Father who has forgotten that
we're only 200 miles away from Liu City now.
I only realized today that actually...
you're the son who takes after me the most.
What is it?
Don't you even dare to show yourselves?
Those up on the city walls, listen up!
Our chieftain has led 50,000 elite soldiers and has besieged Lulong City!
You've already witnessed how powerful our chieftain is!
Once our main forces get here
we can trample Lulong City in an instant!
If you know any better, it's best to open up the gates quickly!
Surrender immediately!
Our chieftain is merciful.
We will take the city, but we won't kill the civilians!
If you choose to resist stubbornly, we will spare no one!
Your Majesty.
These are records of the soldiers, horses and rations available in the city.
Your Majesty and Your Highness, please dispatch them.
I'm ashamed to say that I've never defended a city.
Your Majesty, please advise.
These are the Cao family's troops.
Don't you need your father's consent to leave them in His Majesty's hands?
I know that there's distrust between Your Majesty and my father.
However, our first priority right now is to share solidarity against our enemies
and hold the fort.
All right.
We'll protect them.
From what we saw today
Kebineng has taken over all of the techniques and weaponry from Tanshihuai.
The Xianbei Tribe's advantage lies in their horses and the number of soldiers.
Two thirds of our men in the city are infantry.
If the battle takes place out in the open field
we won't have any chance to win.
They have weaponry to take down the fort.
We have weaponry to defend the fort.
The current strategy now is to defend the walls and hold the fort.
Once the main forces of the Xianbei Tribe arrive
they will attack the walls.
We're running short of time.
This time, our messengers must get through to Minister Cao and the capital.
Your Majesty, we're now encircled.
Even a skilled fighter can't fend off 100 men alone.
We won't be able to get anyone out.
When night falls, I'll send someone to give it a try again.
Who exactly can break out of the siege to deliver the message?
Report!
Young Master, the enemies are provoking us with abusive words.
They are telling us to open the gates and surrender!
They terrorized us this morning and now, they aim at a mind game.
We can't allow them to affect our morale.
- I'll go and meet him. - Hold on.
Has that man come on horseback?
Yes, Young Master!
What is it?
Don't you even dare to show yourselves?
What is this?
Have you only sent a teeny soldier out?
Cao Cao's son must be petrified!
He can't even send someone who is in charge.
Go back there and tell him that if he's too scared to defend the city
just open the gates and surrender quickly!
He should kowtow to our chieftain under his horse and beg for mercy!
Go after him!
Fire!
I don't believe that they can hold us off until their reinforcements arrive!
Get ready to attack the city!
He's so brave and rides so fast.
Who knew that such a warrior had once served under Yuan Shao?
He's actually willing to break out of here alone to relay our message.
It's only Minister Cao whom he hates.
He hates my father?
In the past, your father attacked Xu Province to avenge his father.
On the day he took the city, he ordered to have the city massacred.
No one in the city was spared.
Pan Yang is from Xu Province.
His entire family was killed in the massacre of Xu Province.
I see.
As someone who survived a massacre
he can't bear to see history repeat itself.
I hope that he can get to the capital safely.
After witnessing Pan Yang break out of the encirclement
our soldiers in the city now know that our reinforcements will arrive.
They can set their minds at ease to defend the city.
What comes next is a tough battle.
Prefect Xun, someone has asked to see you.
He claims to be an envoy from Lulong bringing urgent military information.
However, he's not an officer.
Please do advise.
Summon him in quickly.
Yes!
Summon the envoy!
How impudent!
Serve another cup of water
Who are you?
Did Minister Cao send you here?
All of you are dismissed.
- Yes. - Yes.
Minister of Works is no longer in Lulong.
He might already be in Liu City by now.
Lulong is now besieged by the army of the Xianbei Tribe.
Only the emperor, Cao Cao's son, and Cao Cao's daughter are in the city
defending 10,000 helpless civilians.
They sent me out to seek reinforcements.
The Xianbei Tribe?
Yes!
The Xianbei Tribe suddenly raised thousands of soldiers
to attack Lulong.
This is the imperial decree from the emperor.
Why is there only His Majesty's edict but not Minister Cao's decree
and the tiger tally to deploy an army?
Haven't I already told you?
Cao Cao has already left Lulong.
How can we have his decree and tally?
Prefect Xun, aren't you the highest ranking official in the capital?
Can't you deploy the army?
Warrior, you rode hard. Do get some rest first.
I'll summon the officials to discuss deploying reinforcements.
There are neither elite soldiers nor generals in Lulong.
The city will be taken in days!
By the time you're done discussing, Lulong will be wiped out!
Prefect Xun, are you not authorized to deploy the army
or are you scared to do so without the tally?
It's no child's play to deploy thousands of soldiers.
I'd need time to prepare for it.
Moreover...
this concerns the safety of our nation, so I have to verify this information.
I dare not act without caution.
Senior?
You're right to be worried.
The imperial family has no army.
The closest reinforcements are away in Ye City.
However, Cao Cao holds all of the military power in Ye City.
Without Cao Cao's written decree and tiger tally
Xun Yu won't dare to deploy even one soldier.
However, Cao Cao is now 500 miles away from Lulong.
By the time they reach him, Lulong will have been taken.
What should we do?
I'll go and rescue them.
No.
However skilled you are as a warrior
it's a useless attempt to go against the Xianbei Tribe's cavalry alone.
You won't succeed.
I had thought that only Yuan Shao's subjects were cowardly
and blinded by personal gain.
It turns out to be the same with Cao Cao's subjects.
Who told you that I was Cao Cao's subject?
You're not paralyzed?
It depends on whether the world is worth having me stand up for it.
What if Cao Cao returns?
You'll be punished for deceiving the Minister of Works.
I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
I can't be worried about that now.
Do you think that you can make Xun Yu deploy the army?
Yes. I can do so alone.
Are these all we have?
My father took all the elite soldiers and weapons with him.
No one could have known that we'd encounter this battle in Lulong.
What about the war horses?
There are 1,000 of them all together.
The weapons are only enough to arm one fifth of our soldiers.
The horses of the Central Plain are inferior in size and speed.
Are there other defense mechanisms?
Young Masters, the Xianbei Tribe has paid tribute for 20 years.
When Yuan Shao was in power, he didn't equip Lulong well either.
You can see it as well.
We don't have any weaponry to defend the city walls.
There's also an old storage.
There are some old chariots from who knows when.
How are these of any use?
Exactly.
Who still uses these in battles now?
Brother Liu, we're really short of defensive gear and weaponry.
We can only ask the civilians to dig up large rocks
as well as have them offer us oil and metal pots.
However, this could only tide us through for some time.
It will be an ugly fight upon the city walls.
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