Episode 21
The late Emperor passed away...
...before he got to finish what he set out to do.
The late Emperor passed away...
...before he got to finish what he set out to do.
There're three powers left now, each weakened.
This is a moment of life and death for us.
The ministers' loyalty has not wavered for a bit.
They place the country... - Sima Yi wore the dress.
They place the country above themselves.
They're grateful for how well the late Emperor treated them.
They want to repay his kindness.
They're grateful for how well the late Emperor treated them.
They want to repay his kindness.
You read me like a book.
I was originally a farmer...
...in Nanyang.
I was born in troubled times and merely wanted to survive.
I was not after fame nor glory.
Despite his status, the late Emperor...
mvisited me frequently...
...and sought my opinion on world affairs. I'm grateful...
...and hence, agreed to work for him.
At a critical moment when our country was suffering defeats...
...and our army was collapsing...
...I was entrusted with the mission.
It's been 21 years.
The late Emperor knew that I was a meticulous person.
That's why he's entrusted me with the country.
Since then, I was worried that...
...I might not be able to do it and may let the late Emperor down.
To achieve it, I got across waters and tread barren lands.
Now the south is peaceful. We are once again, strong.
It's time for us to lead our soldiers to defeat our enemies.
We'll try our best to vanquish our enemies...
...restore the Han dynasty and reclaim our former capital.
This is my duty and my way of repaying the late Emperor.
Chancellor!
I'm about to go for war and...
...shed tears when I wrote this.
I don't know what I'm talking about.
Chancellor!
So he wore the dress. What else did he say?
He asked about your diet and lifestyle, and said that...
What else did he say?
He said you're being too hard on yourself. You shall not live long.
He also said, when you're gone...
...he would serve no purpose to his Emperor...
...and wonder how long he would get to live.
Get out now.
Chancellor. -I didn't expect this.
He not only knows me well, he knows himself well, too.
We've come to this point.
Allow me to think of a way.
Chancellor, even Sima Yi thinks you're being too hard on yourself.
If you continue to do everything yourself...
...it'll take a toll on your health.
Chancellor, for the sake of the army...
...and Han, please take care of yourself.
Chancellor, please take care of yourself.
Yes, I understand that.
As a commander, I should stick to my role...
...and don't have to handle everything myself.
Please rise.
Since I was entrusted with the mission...
...I've seen how we get weaker...
was Wei gets stronger.
Be it the land we own, our military power...
...and the people we have...
...we're far behind Wei and Wu.
If I don't work hard...
...I'm afraid...
...I might...
...fail our fellow countrymen and the late Emperor.
Everyone is aware of your contribution, Chancellor.
That's right, Chancellor.
We've been fighting the war for years. Our men are exhausted.
The war has left our people impoverished.
I joined the late Emperor when I was 27 years old.
I told my family to...
...to keep the rice fields and the fruit trees for me.
I said, once Han dynasty is restored...
...and the kingdoms are united...
...I'll return to Xiangyang...
...to be a farmer and live leisurely.
However, the war has gone on for years.
When I was young, I didn't expect this to be an arduous task.
My rice fields are now long abandoned.
The right moment.
The right moment. -Chancellor.
Father.
What happened today by the riverside...
...had left our men demoralised.
Shi'er. -Yes.
Patrol around the camp...
...and stop anyone from doing anything drastic.
Yes.
The constellations of Orion and Antares appear at different times.
They will never cross each other's path...
...just like me and Sima Yi.
Chancellor, in order to survive, I have to avoid fighting you.
Chancellor, you're extremely smart
Everyone fears you for your intelligence.
I was entrusted by the late Emperor. I won't give up.
I'll never stop...
...until the Han dynasty is restored.
This is my only way of repaying...
...the late Emperor for appreciating my talent back then.
If I fail, I'd not be able to face the late Emperor when I die.
Chancellor, you're too blinded by your loyalty.
The only way I'm smarter than you...
...is that, I know when to let go.
I understand how you feel though.
If I were you, I wouldn't be able to do any better than you.
Just fight us. Settle this once and for all.
Sorry to disappoint you.
Both of us are heading the army of our respective nations.
Are we going to leave this to chance?
We can't go against our fate.
That's why Liu Bei and Cao Cao...
...failed to rule the world when they lived.
They're incredibly smart and ambitious.
However, they failed, due to fate's arrangement.
Fate will get to decide who among us will emerge victorious.
We shall just leave everything...
...to heaven.
Chief Commander, the Grand Internal Officer is here.
Grand Internal Office, sorry for not being able to fetch you.
Chief Commander, let's not stand on ceremony.
I'm here to ask about you on behalf of the Emperor.
Grand Internal Officer, this way, please.
The Emperor has a decree for you.
Yes.
I've defeated Wu's army.
How's your side doing so far?
We have an appointment, remember?
I look forward to meeting you during the Double Ninth Festival.
It's autumn and the weather is turning cold.
I present you with Zhuyi Wine and hand ointment.
Please take care of yourself.
Thank God we managed to defeat Eastern Wu.
It's my fault that the Emperor had to lead the army.
I deserve to be punished.
I'll accept the decree.
You're supposed to meet the Emperor on Double Ninth Festival.
That means you should return to the capital...
...in the beginning of the ninth month.
There're less than 10 days to go.
Chief Commander, it's time to get ready on the handover of tasks.
Has General Cao Shuang departed to Chang'an?
The country is under attack from both sides.
It's only natural for the Emperor to do so.
It's my fault that the Emperor was landed in this situation.
Chief Commander, please don't blame yourself.
You're the only one who can battle with Zhuge Liang now.
We're all counting on you, Chief Commander.
We have such a powerful army...
...yet they're not allowed to fight Zhuge Liang.
What a pity.
If we chose to fight them...
...we'd all be dead by now.
Chief Commander, I don't understand you.
What are you waiting for?
Cao Shuang is approaching Chang'an as we speak.
If I were you, I would just try my best...
...to fight Zhuge Liang.
Even if you're defeated, that'd be better than doing nothing...
was Cao Shuang arrives in Chang'an.
Thank you for your advice.
As the commander, I can't take risks...
...and endanger my men's lives just to secure my position.
Chief Commander, I'm impressed by your kindness.
Then I shall say no more.
If I fail to defeat the enemy by then...
...I deserve to be punished.
I would not wish for that to happen.
Cao Shuang is mediocre, yet he would be seen as the hero...
...just because there're no better people around.
If that's what's going to happen, so be it.
Life is like playing chess. One shan't regret any move he makes.
Goodbye, Grand Internal Officer.
Greetings, dear.
Why are you here?
Why did you try to kill our son?
All eyes were on me. I couldn't possibly abuse my power, could I?
It's not about abuse of power. You just tried to kill him!
Do you know he almost died before he reached Luoyang?
I know, you're blaming me for that.
However, please understand how it works. We're in a war.
It's not just Zhao'er's life we should care about.
We're talking about the lives of everyone in the army.
I understand why you're upset though.
How is Zhao'er doing now? -He's dead!
Master, the Lady is just teasing you.
I've brought Master Zhao to the camp.
He's much better now.
I was scared to death.
All of you may leave. -Yes.
Is he doing much better now? -Yes.
Bring me the Lady's whip. -Yes.
I'm facing attacks from both Zhuge Liang...
...and the Emperor.
You shouldn't have scared me just now.
I was upset.
You're his mother. Why would you say he's dead when he's not?
If he died, it's all your fault!
What does the Emperor mean by the decree?
It's not even winter yet, why is he giving you hand ointment?
The Emperor gave me Zhuyu wine and hand ointment...
...to remind me that...
...if I fail to return by the agreed date...
...Cao Shuang will replace me as Chief Commander.
By then, there'll be no need for me to go back.
He's trying to set you up. Aren't you going to do anything?
Well, there're still 10 days to go.
Are you sure you can defeat Zhuge Liang within 10 days?
Don't worry, Lady. I have a plan.
Our army is powerful and ready to attack.
We'll surely confront the enemy within these 10 days.
We'll soon return home in triumph.
Since you're going to confront the enemy, why did you punish Zhao'er?
He attacked them to help you, didn't he?
It's all about the timing. The timing...
...makes all the difference.
How is Zhao'er recovering?
Why don't you visit him?
His injuries might heal, but he might be traumatised.
I can't visit him now.
He needs to learn how to tell right from wrong.
If he can't control himself, he's bound to suffer one day.
Lady, please keep Zhao'er company.
I have a lot of things to do here.
I'll be with you.
Excuse me.
We're in the army, not at home.
It's inappropriate for you to share a seat...
...with me, the Chief Commander.
What's wrong with it?
There isn't enough space for both of us.
How is Shi'er doing? -He's fine.
You haven't met him since you came here, right?
Hou Ji. -Yes.
Bring the Lady to Shi'er's place. -Yes.
Lady.
Don't you dare to hit my sons again.
Yes, I won't do it again.
Cao Rui sent his man to Sima Yi's camp.
I bet he's pushing him to fight.
Even if Sima Yi insists on not fighting us...
...10 days later...
...Cao Rui will surely punish him.
If Cao Rui assigns the young and arrogant Cao Shuang...
...it would be a blessing in disguise for us.
Chancellor!
Chancellor, Zhuge Jin suffered a defeat!
Eastern Wu's army from three directions are all defeated!
Even the heaven has abandoned us.
Chancellor!
Here, eat something.
Chief Commander!
Chief Commander, please allow us to fight Shu's army.
Please allow us to fight Shu's army.
Generals, are you hungry?
Let's eat together.
There's a war going on. We don't have time for this.
That's right, we're dying to kill the enemy.
We're not in the mood for this.
We're in a war. That's exactly why we need to fill our tummies.
Chief Commander, Shu's army has been provoking us.
It's not just me. Everyone in the army...
...is upset and frustrated.
All of us are not good-for-nothing.
Generals, I'm not a coward.
I'm waiting for Shu's army to run out of their provisions.
We won't even have to defeat them.
Generals, please calm down. I know what to do.
Please have your meal.
Yes.
Let's continue.
Chief Commander!
Please allow me to fight Shu's army.
Chief Commander, it doesn't matter what your plan is.
We need to keep our men motivated. Please allow me to fight...
...even if it's just an act for the Emperor.
If I lose the battle, you can punish me.
And me, too.
Both of you must be hungry. Let's eat together.
No, we're too embarrassed to eat.
What are you talking about? Chief Commander is eating.
Chief Commander, please go on.
Generals, those who came here just now might be inexperienced.
I'm sure both of you know better than to do this.
Shu's army can't afford to wait any longer...
...while we can!
Yes. However, the Emperor's decree is here. Our days are numbered.
The deadline... -Fine.
Please calm down. I have a plan.
Please go back for your meal.
Let's go back. Chief Commander is eating now.
Then we'll make a move first.
Father, General Guo is right.
Apart from Shu's army, we need to deal with the Emperor, too.
I'll go instead.
What are you talking about? Just eat.
Everyone, I've told you before.
We want to see Chief Commander. - He's having his meal.
You... -Chief Commander!
Chief Commander!
Chief Commander, we've talked among ourselves.
Chief Commander, please allow us to fight.
Zhuge has been provoking and insulting me...
...I mean, us.
I'm not a coward. I would never let the Emperor...
...and my people down!
Fine, I'll fight him once and for all!
They'll regret underestimating us in the first place!
Sima Shi! -Yes.
Prepare the ink. -Yes.
Prepare the ink.
I'll write a memorial to the Emperor...
...seeking his permission for us to fight.
The Emperor already asked us to fight.
You never know what's on his mind.
What if the Emperor changes his mind?
I'll write him a memorial just to make sure.
Chief Commander, I...
All right, Chief Commander, please go on.
We'll leave now. -All right, please get ready.
Enjoy your meal. We shall fight. -Yes.
Chief Commander is writing a memorial now. Great.
By the time the memorial arrives there, 10 days would have passed.
Let's go back.
Father, they intended for you to hear that.
Indeed.
Are you really going to do it? -I am.
Master, just eat first. Your meal has been interrupted three times.
The rice would be sticky later. -All right.
Of course not, I'll write it first.
I'll do it. You go on with your meal.
I'll do it with you.
Jiang Wei.
Chancellor.
I've written what I've learnt all my life...
...into 24 books. I'm giving it all to you today.
I'm entrusting you with the mission to pursue...
...what I've failed to achieve.
Chancellor, I'm young and inexperienced.
I'm afraid I might let you down.
Please get well soon. I would like to join you in the war.
Follow your father and listen to him.
Think twice before you act.
Lady. -Yes, mother.
Please get some rest. You've been nagging me about this.
Stay in the camp. Stop thinking about other stuff.
We'll take care of everything. -Can't I join you?
Father is worried about your injuries.
Mother, brother and Uncle Hou Ji.
I swear I've fully recovered.
Do I look like I'm injured?
We're going to defeat Zhuge Liang. You can't leave me out!
Look at how strong I am! -Zhao'er.
I can kill them all! -Zhao'er.
Master Zhao. -Uncle Hou Ji, look!
Look at how strong I am. -Zhao'er.
Zhao'er! Sima Zhao! -Brother, look!
Look at the situation we're in. Stop messing around.
Help him to apply medicine. -Yes.
We'll apply the medicine now.
Be a good boy.
Take off his clothes.
Here, help me to get up.
I'm going for the practice.
Chancellor, you're not feeling well and it's cold out there.
Please wait until you get better.
It's now a battle of life and death...
...between me and Sima Yi.
Keep my condition from him.
Let's go.
Jiang Wei, I'll do it myself.
Jiang Wei.
Don't cry.
Don't let others see your tears.
Let's go.
One!
TWO !
Three!
Four!
Stop!
Greetings, Chancellor!