Episode 32
What does General think Sima Yi will do after...
...the incident at the palace gate?
This is what I can't see through in that old sly.
An average person would either snatch what they want...
...or die fighting to get it.
This old sly is able to pretend like everything is fine.
You see him as someone amazing. That's why you can't understand.
If you were to see him as an average person...
...you'll be able to solve our problems.
What do you mean? -Sima Yi is afraid now.
Since his near-death experience, he's unable to eat and sleep well.
Otherwise, why would he secretly leave the city with Sima Shi?
You mean...
General, try and think.
What can make the Grand Tutor leave the city at night?
Could it be...
...that the old sly...
...is secretly building an army?
Is this true? -Our men saw him leave the city.
If it's not true, I wouldn't dare to bother you with it.
What we need to do now is to find out where the soldiers are.
Then we can put an end to him by labelling him as the traitor.
This move determines your success.
We mustn't miss this opportunity.
You asked me to send Sima Yi to Fan City...
...so that we can lure him out?
That's right.
Once Sima Yi leaves...
...we can act on Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.
By then, the investigation will be easier for us.
Sima Zhao?
Are you sure you've ways to deal with Sima Zhao?
Will he tell you the truth?
A prideful and ambitious kid like him...
...who is dissatisfied with his father...
...is easy to deal with.
Besides, we know his weakness.
What's it?
His rebellious character.
Sima Yi has always tried to keep Sima Zhao under control.
He doesn't want him to fight with Sima Shi, so he feels isolated.
He has suppressed that hatred in him for long.
If you can make a promise...
...and make sure Sima Yi's royal position...
...is passed on to Sima Zhao...
...I can make this kid...
...kill his own father and brother.
Make the brothers fight...
...and the father and son kill each other.
What a good move.
Your Majesty. Your Highness.
General of Wu, Zhu Ran led their army and attacked Fan City.
Fan City is being defeated. The enemy outnumbered us.
We need to send some troops to help them.
Go on and send a troop there.
General, who do you think is appropriate to lead the troop?
Fan City is the gate of Xiangyang.
If Fan City falls, Xiangyang will be in danger too.
When Xiangyang is at risk, Dongnan will not be at peace for long.
Only generals or ministers are able to carry out this task.
Grand Tutor and I oversee all the military affairs.
But, with my given task to protect the palace, I'm unable to leave.
I can only leave the mission to Grand Tutor.
Zhu Ram's army is less than 50,000.
He couldn't conquer the land, so his troop's morale is low.
Send Governor of Jingzhou and 30,000 soldiers to help will do.
Why do we need to trouble Grand Tutor?
That's right. It's inappropriate.
Grand Tutor is not as strong as he was before.
Back then, when Guan Yu was attacked in Fan City...
...and Xuchang was at risk too, Emperor Wu went to help them.
Now, Grand Tutor should lead our powerful troops.
If we don't send Grand Tutor, who else can we possibly send?
In such a hot weathen...
...what's your intention to send Grand Tutor to rush to Fan City?
Keep quiet.
As a servant, how can anyone refuse to work because of heat?
Your Majesty. Your Highness.
I'm willing to lead the troop and save Fan City.
It's June now. The summer heat is unbearable.
Grand Tutor is of old age.
General, can't you send a younger troop leader?
Your Highness, Fan City is in danger. Our people are in fear.
I appreciate General's trust in me.
Although I'm old, I can't sit here peacefully in the palace.
Grand Tutor, Fan City's land is low.
Occurrence of flood is common.
Lately, there has been a few thunderstorms.
To avoid losing any of our troops to the flood...
...I hope that Grand Tutor can leave as soon as possible.
The journey from Luoyang to Fan City is not that far.
Can you reach there within 8 days?
What General said makes sense. I'll obey and do as you say.
You're really unbelievable.
You're old. Why must you fight for the military power with them?
I didn't fight for it. Cao Shuang pushed it to me.
So, I acknowledged his kindness by accepting it.
How can he be kind?
The weather is so hot. I'm worried that your body cannot take it.
Now, with my position...
...I'm under everyone's observatiom...
...not just the emperor alone.
In battles, the enemy does not care who you are.
Cao Shuang is young, strong, cruel and headless.
He doesn't care about boundaries.
How can I be afraid of wars?
You will just stay at home and make sure Zhao behaves.
Take your sons with you.
At least with them by your side, I feel less worried.
Why is the weather so hot and dry?
Old but ambitious, with the goal thousands of miles away.
We are going for a war together again.
Father.
Shi, what's wrong?
I'm worried about your trip.
Cao Shuang is up to something. I'll send someone to protect you.
I'm not worried about leading my own troop.
I'm worried that they will make a move on you and Zhao.
Remember, when I'm gone, keep an eye on Zhao.
Don't do anything out of anger. Don't tell anyone about the troop.
Don't worry, father. -Let's go.
Master, the weather is too hot.
Let's find a shaded place to sit. Rest a while before we move on.
Sending military aid is urgent. There is no time to rest.
We're worked out.
This will tire us out. Why don't we take the chariot tomorrow?
Go ahead if you can't stand it. Generals do not sit in chariots.
I'll ride a horse with you. Come, let's get on the horses.
All right.
Didn't you say that we don't have time to rest?
My butt hurts. Am I not walking now?
Good!
Great.
General, there are 150 people lining up at the front gate.
A guard fainted from the heat earlier.
How unpleasant. Pick 10 highest ranking guards to stay here.
Let the rest go home.
Don't block the gate there. -Yes.
Now that Sima Yi's life is on the edge...
...the ministers are running towards you. This is good news.
General should take this time to recruit some talented men.
Sir Ding is right.
What a rare sight to see the both of you agree to something.
I'd like to hear what kind of ideas you have.
General looks too highly upon me. To make someone side us...
...why don't you send Xiahou Xuan to Shu...
...to let him get some credits?
Well... -This may not work well.
Those who are guarding Shu are Sima Yi's men.
If General Xiahou goes there, I'm afraid he has no power over them.
I knew that Sir Ding will not agree.
But there is someone else that we can send...
...and it will be...
...a great chess move. -Who?
Sima Zhao.
Aren't we giving credits to the kid for no reason at all?
No.
I'm not letting him get credit. I'm separating him from everyone.
Once he's alone, he'll be afraid. In fear, he'll do foolish things.
Foolish things like revealing the truth about his household.
Well... -Good, we'll do as you say.
What did you say? Cao Shuang wants my brother to go?
Yes, General is leading. I'm the General of Conquering Xi.
Zhao is the General of Conquering Shu. He's my deputy.
No. -Why not?
Back then, you went to war with me too.
It's not the same now, brother.
Now my father and Cao Shuang are enemies.
It's exactly because of the incident at the palace gate...
...that I agreed to let Zhao follow me to battle.
Your father and General are both ministers yet they are fighting.
This will only benefit Wu and Shu.
I recommended Zhao as a way to make peace with the Grand Tutor.
Why don't we use this chance to fix the 2 families' relationship?
Besides, with Zhao as my deputy, I'll guarantee his safety.
Brother, you want me to go through fire with you, I'll not say no.
But, my father is not around.
You want me to hand Zhao to Cao Shuang?
It's definite a "no". - You just don't trust me.
It's not that I don't trust you. I just don't trust Cao Shuang.
Have you received my letter? -I have. Is it true?
I was appointed as a general? -Have a seat.
I dare not deceive you. I suggested this to the General.
You always wanted to do something for Wei.
But the Grand Tutor has been trying to bury your potential.
Today, when General needed someone to lead the troop to Shu...
...I suggested you with the reason to make peace with Grand Tutor.
You won't blame me, right?
You're willing to give me this chance.
I feel very grateful. Why would I blame you?
You've no idea. I'm trapped in that farm every day.
I want a fresh start I dream of returning to the battlefield.
But I regret doing this. -Why?
Those who are going to the battle are all followers of General.
Although Xiahou Xuan will be leading the troop...
...other generals and leaders are against the Grand Tutor.
I'm only worried about your safety.
This won't do. If something happens to you...
...I'll regret it to death.
I'll ask the General to change his mind.
Ping Shu.
I appreciate your care for me.
But I'm willing to take this risk. -Zhao.
This is my only chance to restore my father's faith in me.
I don't want to be an officer who farms for the rest of my life.
I'd rather die in a battle.
Though I came out of my mother's womb...
...none knows me better than Prince Consort He.
I hope that I can see you be successful one day.
But I can't bear to see your life at risk.
If you really want to go...
...you need to protect yourself. Wear a talisman.
Remember.
Got it.
What did you say? No. Write a letter stating that you're unwell.
You must not follow Cao Shuang's troop to attack Shu.
Mother, General is giving me a chance.
He did it out of kindness. - He's trying to get you killed!
Cao Shuang has caused your father a lot of troubles.
Why would he be kind to you?
Your father is not around and you've no one to back you up.
If you follow Cao Shuang, you'll be walking straight into his trap.
Even so, I want to go too. -What did you say?
Do you want to see me spend my entire life farming in Luoyang?
What's so bad about farming?
Farming allows you to live in peace.
I don't want to live in peace.
Mother, I want to be in the battlefield.
It's only then I'm full of passion even though it's difficult.
Besides, everyone already knows that my father doesn't trust me.
He sent me away from the court to avoid ruining his family name.
I don't understand what I did wrong.
Zhao, your father is not afraid that you'll cause trouble.
He looks highly upon you. He knows that you're young and strong.
But you need to get your head right first.
Mother.
Can't I set my heart right even better if I'm in a battle?
I've joined the army since I was young.
I followed father and brother...
...to Qi Mountain, Jieting, Chencang, Shu and Wu.
I've been in hundreds of battles. Had I not survived all of them?
Mother, don't worry. I know how to take care of myself in battles.
I can protect myself.
Father is 60 years old. Brother has power over the palace guard.
I'm the only useless man here. How can I let this go, mother?
Help me thread the needle.
This huge battle is a golden opportunity.
If I reject this, how can I lift my head high in this life?
Please give me your blessing.
I've already made up my mind.
If I must die, I want to die in battles. No one can stop me.
Uncle Ji.
No one followed you, right? - Don't worry, Uncle Ji.
I was cautious on myway here. -What happened?
I need 30 men. Zhao is following Cao Shuang's troop to battles.
I'm worried about him. He needs protection.
What did your father say? - There's no time to inform him.
This won't do. Without his permission, I can't give you any.
Uncle Ji, this is urgent. - This is not a small matter.
If someone finds out who they are, your family will become traitors.
If something happens to Zhao, it will kill my mother.
Your men...
...are all hand-picked and good in fighting.
I trust them, and I trust you.
One! Two!
Three! Four!
Brother, you're here.
Where did you go today? You were not at home in the afternoon.
I'm sceptical about your appointment...
...to join the battle this time. It's too odd.
You're here to stop me too?
Who says that I'm stopping you?
I've 30 men that I can trust. Let them join your army.
They are skilful in fighting. Each can fight against 10 men.
I'll let them take turns to keep you safe at all times.
They are not soldiers?
No, that's why you need to protect their identities too.
Don't let anyone find out who they are.
Who exactly are they?
Just take them as...
...temporary slaves that I have hired.
Stop asking. It's for your own good.
This is not bad. Take this with you.
I understand. You and father have my best interests in mind.
Thank you, brother.
Don't be mad at father.
I dare not. I just don't want to ruin our family's name.
I'm pan of Sima family too.
I know that you're unhappy. Let bygones be bygones.
Rest early.
You're home.
I had to handle some problems in the palace.
It's not hot anymore, isn't it? Let me heat it up for you.
It's nothing worrying.
My mother is just worried about her sons.
We're worried about Zhads battle. Don't worry about me.
Uncle and father used to fight a lot.
I used to think it was because they've different political views.
And it won't affect our generation.
But I'm really afraid now.
Brother Shi, promise me.
Think about our children and I.
Don't be an enemy to your brother, all right?
We've been married for more than a decade.
No matter what Cao Shuang does, I'll still love you.
Brother saved our family, how can he and I be enemies?
Don't worry.
Xiahou Xuan. -Here.
With your 50,000 soldiers, get to Luogu within 3 days.
Command received. -Guo Huai.
Here. -Follow General Xiahou...
...to win the battle. -Command received.
Deng Yang. -Here.
Lead your 20,000 infantries and enter Shu from the valley.
Work with General Xiahou's troop. -Command received.
I almost forgot, our farming hero.
Sima Zhao, receive your command. -Here.
With your 3,000 soldiers...
Forget it. Zhao, remain stationed and...
...just do what you think is adequate.
General, this is not quite right.
What's not right?
Sima Zhao was in Shu's battle for years. He knows how they fight.
Besides, he is my deputy. He should be following me.
General, I'm not a great soldier. I'm willing to charge ahead...
...and help you conquer Shu.
Tai Chu.
He's Grand Tutor's beloved son. How can we let him risk his life?
If anything happens to him, how can I face the Grand Tutor?
But... -But you know that...
...Shu army is always in hiding. Stationing the troop is important.
Generals, what do you think?
General is right.
All right, it has been decided then.
Go and get ready. -Yes!
Zhao.
Brother.
Zhao, you shouldn't have come.
I'm already here. No use talking about this.
The army that Cao Shuang assigned to you are his men.
You've to be careful.
Get ready and act accordingly.
Master, the weather is hot. Drink some cooling soup.
If it wasn't for the journey, this battle would be a child's game.
The Wu army would run faster than the rabbits...
...and we'll be able to go home soon.
You don't know. Although Wu army retreats...
...we need to be more aggressive in attacking.
If everything goes well, we won't have...
...to worry about the battles here for 30 years.
Report!
Grand Tutor, a letter from your home in Luoyang.
Madam must be missing us.
She is missing me. -Yes.
Foolish!
Where are you lot from?
Master, ...
...we're from the mountains in the outskirts of Luoyang.
Then, when did brother hire you?
How come I've never seen you before?
We lost our lands. Then, we were hired by him few days ago.
That's why we are thankful to be able to serve the Sima family.
These few days, I've seen how skilful you are in riding horses.
You look like you're good in fighting too.
Are you trained? -We're from the mountains.
We hunt. That's how we know how to fight a little.
This is important. You've to personally hand this to Shi.
Don't worry. -Be careful.
Yes. See you in Luoyang.
Shu army is attacking our camp!
Guard the camp!
Protect master!
Careful!
Follow me!
Run!
Get them! -No!
Everyone, stay here and guard the camp!
Who are they exactly?
They were in Shu's uniform. They must be Shu army.
You think I'm blind? They came from the back!
They didn't go through our defence at all!
Shu army has always been cunning. Perhaps they've secretly sent men.
Everyone uses tricks in battles. It's not surprising.
What about the rest? They were clearly surrounded by our men.
How can they suddenly disappear?
It was dark and chaotic. I couldn't see clearly.
You couldn't see clearly?
Leave.
Yes.
Where is our men? How many casualties are there?
One dead and one injured.
Also, one is missing.
Missing?
General. -How did it go?
He refused to talk.
They fight well and are not afraid to die.
Are you sure that all those slaves of Sima Zhao are good in fighting?
Yes, the assassins we sent are not as good as them at all.
If it wasn't for the chaos, our men would've been caught.
Fine, bring some men with you and capture all the slaves.
We need an excuse to capture them.
Think of the excuse yourself. -Yes.
Cao Shuang knows your identity.
No. Even if the enemy's got him, he'll not betray Sima family.
It looks like it's true. Are you working for...
...my father or my brother?
Forgive me, I can't say anything.
I understand.
The only person who would hide things from me...
...is my father.
Uncle Ji is the one training you, isn't it? Where is he?
I think that Cao Shuang is testing us.
He has always suspected that we're secretly building an army.
I guess he'll come and capture all of you soon.
It's unfortunate that I'm alone in Cao Shuang's camp.
I've no ways to protect you.
We'll never betray Sima family.
As your brother had commanded, we are merely...
"slaves that were newly hired by him.
Human heads are always changing.
What can I do to make you trust me?
Then, tell me.
Are you really loyal to our family that you're willing to die?
We swore to the heavens.
All right.
Brother.
Have mercy!
Execute them!
Sima Zhao, what do you mean by this?
They defamed the General.
Although they are my slaves, the military laws are strict.
So, there's no exception. -You...
What? I shouldn't have killed them?
28 men!
In just a blink of an eye, he could bring himself to do that.
I was suspicious of Prince Consort He's plan at first.
Great. Now, we know that these men are part of Sima Yi's secret army.
This battle is meaningless. Stop the battle.
Let's go to Chang'an and do some serious business.
Stop the battle? -Yes.
Our country is in the midst of battles yet you're at ease.
Sir Ding, you've no idea.
With strategies, victory is within our reach.
You deceived the General to lead an army and attack Shu.
We've just arrived Xingping and are blocked by Shu army.
Sima Yi's attacking Wu and winning against Zhuge Ke in Huainan.
His victory and General's defeat will cause many to lose hope.
Victory and defeat in battles are only a disguise for people.
When you fight with a man like Sima Yi...
...you need to find his lifeline and kill him with it.
Besides, the General is attacking Shu to get information.
Ny plan is working. Who cares those men of Sima Yi?
Plan?
Sir Ding, please have a look.
This crime of building an army in secret...
...can get the whole Sima family killed.