Lyu Zhi, don't blame her.
I will apologize to you
on her behalf.
Don't put it that way, Father.
I've thought it over. I'd like to take my children back home.
To your maternal home?
You can't leave!
If you leave, how will the family keep going?
Father, if she insists, let her go.
Lyu Zhi, I won't be seeing you off.
Don't forget to write, hope you can pay us a visit.
Shut up! It's not your place to talk.
Go in right now!
So unfair!
My child, these shabby houses can at least protect us...
from the wind and rain.
It's all chaos there, where can you find such a peaceful place?
Father, please let me leave.
I think my departure will make the family peaceful.
There's no place for me in this home.
Don't speak like that, my child.
I know you're busy with all the house work.
Liu Ji is not at home and you suffered too much.
It's my fault. I didn't make the family in order
so you've suffered a lot.
It's not your fault, Father. It's my fault.
I'm a terrible wife.
I've decided.
From now on, I entrust you to manage
all the affairs of the family.
You'll be the leader of the family, okay?
I hope you'll not leave, my child.
I can't. Father, I can't take that honor.
If you don't accept it, I'll kneel till you agree.
Father, don't.
I don't deserve it.
Then promise me that you will stay,
will you?
Well, I'll not leave.
Wait a moment.
Before we have dinner, I'll tell you my decision.
From now on, Lyu Zhi will be the head...
of our family in all matters big and small.
She'll replace me to manage our family affairs.
Not only you,
but I will have to listen to her as well.
Got it?
Lyu Zhi, these are the keys of our property. They'll be in your care.
I believe in you.
-I've got it, Father. I'll do my best. -I see.
Dad, can we eat now?
-Let's eat, Father. -Have your meal now.
Eat.
Here.
General, Xiang Di has returned.
General! General!
Rise. Hurry.
General!
It's good that you can return.
I know you suffered in Wengcheng.
General, since we last parted,
we've suffered the test of death. We've returned.
You're back home now.
Your hands?
Never mind.
Even if all our fingers are cut off, we'll come back
and fight for you.
-Ms. Yu! -Who are they?
I heard that they are the survivors from the battle in Wengcheng.
Brothers, I thank everyone of you!
-Guards! -Yes
Take them to have a good rest.
-Yes. -Thank you, general.
It's him?
That's the man who killed my father. It's him!
I heard that our Lord will become a marquis.
Definitely.
Why hasn't he returned yet?
Then our Lord will have equal status with Xiang Yu.
Exactly.
The Marquis of Wu'an has arrived.
-Our Lord is coming. -Please!
My Lord! Marquis,
marquis is coming.
Respects to the Marquis of Wu'an. Respects to the Marquis of Wu'an.
A marquis from Zhongyangli.
I never in my life would've expected that.
Our Lord should be a marquis, right?
Right. Right.
My Lord, be a great man!
From now on, we need not be scared of Xiang Yu.
He's a Marquis and you're a Marquis.
-Same status! -Right!
Guys, listen to me.
Marquis is nothing but a title.
It's nothing at all.
I got this title with your help.
Besides, we don't only want to be a marquis,
right?
So then, after this you know what to call me.
Just call me Liu Ji, will you?
Hey, Liu Ji is right.
Don't forget that we're still no match for Xiang Yu's warriors.
But, regardless,
today is a day of celebration. Let's all drink to celebrate. Let's go!
Good. Let's go drink. Drink!
I understand what you've said. Please rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
It's of vital importance.
Please decide quickly.
Thank you. Please rest well.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
In your opinion, can we get the warriors?
Your Majesty, Zhang Han fights with fervor,
we cannot match him. But he's forgotten, he has spread his army too thin.
He is defenseless against a rear attack. If we send warriors to old Chu now,
we have a good chance to attack Zhang Han, and hurt the morale of his army.
He will then find himself in a dilemma.
In your words...
it's a great opportunity.
Your Majesty…
My orders...
appoint Wei Bao the king of Wei.
Yes.
As long at this rain keeps up, I don't think the vassals will convene.
What should we do?
My Lord, we can't just wait for chances to come to us
We should make our own opportunities.
How can we?
Be seated.
My Lord...
Wei Bao arrived at Pengcheng
and visited King Huai.
As Zhang Han's army approached,
to protect his people,
the king of Wei surrendered.
But then he couldn't take the disgrace
and set himself on fire.
He's coming to borrow warriors from King Huai, right?
Right.
My Lord, Wei Bao is not particularly ambitious,
but this time, he may help us.
He may help us? How?
My Lord, if we've got anything to tell King Huai,
I think he would be a better person to relay the message.
So basically, he'll borrow warriors from King Huai.
Then King Huai would lend our troops to him, right?
Yes.
But do you think he will help us do this?
My Lord, if we don't try to make contact, how can we manage the situation?
I'll handle it.
Appointing me marquis! He means to dilute my military power!
I'm going to talk to him!
Don't go to King Huai with this.
King Huai,
what king? We plucked him from a herd of sheep!
He should be listening to me!
The king is no longer that little shepherd.
We can't blame him this time.
He's guided by Song Yi now.
That Song Yi. He's just some idling armchair general!
What the hell is he thinking?
King Huai fears our army.
Song Yi is making safeguard against us.
It's not serious. Now who is supporting Chu?
It's clear. Don't let yourself be troubled by trivialities.
You must hang in there.
As for the title of Marquis,
you can accept it or refuse it,
or toss it away
Though I think you should accept it.
I know someday you'll grow out of the title
and the honor attached to it.
This place is not your destiny.
Chu is too small!
A river dragon will not live in a pool...
right?
King Wei, the emissary of Marquis of Wu'an requests a visit.
Let him in.
Please.
King Wei, I'm Xiao He.
I hope you can borrow enough warriors and soon return to old Wei
to avenge the death of your brother.
Thank you.
King Wei,
my Lord invites you to his residence.
He's prepared a banquet in your honor.
Liu Ji? I've heard about him.
I can't wait to see him.
As he is this hospitable,
I would not hesitate to accept the invitation.
Thank you, King Wei.
Wei Bao has been appointed king. What do you think?
His brother was forced to commit suicide.
Now he's appointed king. I think it's justified.
Justified, maybe. But don't you see he's far too arrogant?
An arrogant fool who'll get himself killed.
What do you mean?
Old Wei was taken by Qin.
King Huai obviously wants Wei Bao to retaliate against Qin.
He's letting Wei Bao take them on alone, but what can he do?
How can his warriors be any match for Zhang Han's men?
Is that not trying to get himself killed?
Even if that's true. Old Wei is at rear of the Qin soldiers.
The defense over there isn't tight.
But if there's any slightest misstep,
then who'll save him at the rear?
Let's see how he deals with that.
You've been appointed king of Wei. Congratulations are in order!
It's our great honor to invite you here. A most joyous occasion!
A toast, King Wei.
A toast to King Wei!
Yes. King Wei, please.
Was it not Mr. Liu who invited me?
And where's he now? Why don't I see him?
Your Highness, our Lord had much wine in the palace last night.
He has a bit of a cold.
Now he's not feeling well
and is receiving medical treatment. Please forgive him.
If he's not feeling well, he should not have invited me today.
Yes, indeed. To apologize, my Lord
has especially sent two of his favorite beauties
to serve you.
-King Wei! -King Wei!
I've heard about you a lot.
King Wei, don't be angry.
Yes. Take it easy.
Tonight, I'll send them to your residence.
They'll be at your service.
King Wei!
No wonder Mr. Liu has such a well-deserved reputation.
He's a good friend indeed. A good friend!
His subordinates are very kind too!
Good. Come, King Wei, let's drink.
Come on. Drink. Please.
Let's drink.
King Wei, you want to borrow warriors from King Huai.
I think you're determined to take back Old Wei.
Absolutely. I must avenge my brother!
King Wei, I've got an idea. I wonder if it is appropriate?
What is there that we can't talk about? Speak!
King Wei,
for now old Wei is in the hands of Qin.
Zhang Han's army is very powerful.
In Dingtao, we almost lost all our warriors.
I hope you will be cautious of their attack.
Zhang Han? I don't fear him.
I have to settle my score with him.
It's a shame that most vassals fear attacking Qin warriors.
Now I have no option but to take one step at a time.
King Wei, it's courageous for you to attack them.
But once you're in a war,
you have to consider carefully.
Otherwise, not only may you suffer a great loss,
then you may fail King Huai.
Any good idea?
If there's an allied army
at your command,
the two armies could corner the enemy and also to watch out for one another.
Is this a good idea?
It's too dangerous.
Who would accompany me to old Wei?
If you agree...
my Lord and his forces will accompany you.
With Mr. Liu at my side...
I think I've no choice but to be confident.
Are you serious?
Quite sure, indeed.
We'll support you.
Right.
King Wei, you might then find a time
to tell this idea to King Huai.
Then I'll tell him tomorrow.
Good. Tell him tomorrow.
-King Wei! -King Wei, about the matter of my Lord
accompanying you to old Wei,
please don't let King Huai know that it's my Lord's idea.
Why shouldn't I tell him?
You know that the men in our camp are skilled fighters
and King Huai doesn't want them to leave his side.
If you ask King Huai to send our men, he may agree.
But if he learns it was our Lord's idea,
he may not agree.
Right. It's also what's troubling our Lord.
we're risking our life to tell you what our Lord is thinking about.
Forgive us, King Wei.
You two… how cunning you are!
But I appreciate your loyalty to Mr. Liu.
If I had subordinates like you,
nothing would get in my way!
King Wei!
Thank you, King Wei.
Come on, let's drink.
Let's drink. Drink.
Mr. Xiao, will we really go to old Wei with him?
He only lusts after wine and women. He won't get very far.
How can we join him?
But only when we break away
from Xiang Yu,
we can do what we want.
Then we'll go with him this time?
That may not be true.
In risky times, if we want to get ahead,
we'll have to risk what others dare not to.
But we're not strong enough yet.
Let's see whether he persuades King Huai. Let's see what's next.
Liu Ji wants to attack Qin soldiers with Wei Bao.
But Wei Bao was too rash...
and ruined their alliance. What a foolish man!
Liu Ji was just appointed Marquis.
Now he wants to increase his military.
He's a cunning man.
So you know what's in your sworn brother's mind.
He's not stupid. He's looking for a chance
to break away from us
and build an army.
He's a very ambitious man.
If we can't keep him under control,
he would be like a runaway stallion.
Then he'll trample all over us.
He won't be a threat to us.
And besides, he's my sworn brother.
My suspicion can only hurt our friendship, right?
Mr. Fan, here. It's still warm.
Friendship?
In such a troubled world, who'll value friendship?
Everyone only values interest.
Friendship is too high a price. Let's not talk about this.
Let's not talk about this. No point.
Isn't that a little harsh?
Mr. Fan, is our friendship also not real?
We're different.
The days left for these old bones of mine are numbered.
I can help you to try and restore Chu,
and make you a great man,
and someday an emperor.
That's my ambition. It's different from others.
Others only want to get as much as possible,
so that things benefit themselves.
I hear what you're saying.
I'll take your words seriously.
Let's wait and see.
Soon you'll know him...
clearly.
I'm waiting for that day.
Your Majesty, what has made you so depressed?
Look. Look at this!
They want me to go to Pengcheng.
How could Xiang Yu offend me this way?
I'm so tired of him!
Rest your heart, Your Majesty.
Xiang Yu is nothing but a commoner.
Nothing but a commoner?
So you think I should go to Pengcheng?
Your Majesty,
this hall isn't the only place where you can reign as a king.
Xiang Yu is arrogant,
but you gave him his title.
Then in your opinion, what's he thinking?
Your Majesty, I think Xiang Yu has two purposes.
First, he wants to show his status in the army
and let others know that you'll listen to him.
Second, he wants you to deploy military forces at his whim.
Your Majesty, he's becoming rather dangerous.
You're right. He thinks that I became a king merely because of his uncle.
So he's quite arrogant. He truly doesn't show me any respect.
Your Majesty,
since Xiang Yu invites you
to discuss military affairs,
why don't you take the opportunity to declare early
that Lyu Chen's army should merge with Xiang Yu's army?
And that you will lead the army?
To gain the upper hand by a show of strength.
But if Xiang Yu doesn't agree, what should we do?
If he doesn't agree, he should be accused of disobedience.
Your Majesty, it's worth the risk.
I've decided. I'll go.
Great.
Mr. Xiao.
There's a problem.
Xiang Yu ordered King Huai to come and discuss military affairs in his camp.
What?
He's offending the king.
How could he dare order King Huai?
Right. Our Lord is currently in the camp outside the city.
Xiang Yu is out for blood. I'm afraid King Huai is in danger.
I think not. Xiang Yu wouldn't make such an unforgivable mistake.
Then Xiang Yu may block
our joining with King Wei.
What should we do then?
We have to see what will happen.
Xiang Yu is greatly angered,
but it would not make him rebel against King Huai.
Xiang Yu will not forget his uncle Xiang Liang.
He's still awed by his uncle.
What's more, Fan Zeng is very clear
that killing King Huai
can do nothing good for Xiang Yu.
But Xiang Yu is very impulsive. Who knows what he'll do.
Guys, let's stop talking about that.
Let's go and meet our Lord.
Please, Mr. Xiao.
King Huai has arrived.
Why hasn't anyone come to welcome him?
Your Majesty, how dare they? Shall we enter or not?
It's my fault that I didn't know you'd arrived, Your Majesty.
Lead the way.
Please.
King Huai has arrived, general.
The king is here,
don't be rude.
King Huai has arrived.
I've been waiting for him
and I almost slept. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.
General, you've done much for our state.
I know you're very tired. Very tired indeed.
General, why don't you bow to our king?
Bow.
Save the act.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
I have come here today
to announce my decision.
At present,
Zhang Han's army is too powerful.
I'm afraid that you alone can't be his match.
Therefore, I decided
that we should retreat
from old Zhao where Zhang Han stationed his warriors,
and thus we can join General Lyu Chen's army, and unite.
I've never walked such a shameful route with my warriors.
General Xiang Yu, watch your tongue.
As a military general,
I don't know your damned etiquette.
I only know how to fight.
How to win.
Good. To win.
I'll listen to you.
If you can't defeat Zhang Han,
what would you do?
I'd accept any punishment.
I wonder if old Zhao was occupied by Zhang Han,
what would you do?
If old Zhao were conquered, I would retreat
and give up my military power.
Good.
Your Majesty,
I know General Xiang Yu will keep his word.
Your Majesty, I think we can take his advice.
Good. Then we can do as he said.
But at the moment we have no Commander-in-chief!
-Your Majesty, I-- -I'm worried
that nobody can undertake such a great mission.
Then I'll just have to
be Commander-in-chief myself.
Once we've got the right man,
I'll hand off the military seal to him.
You're great, Your Majesty.
General, what's wrong?
We've been attacked,
and my brother was severely wounded.
I want Ms. Yu to take care of him.
I trust her.
Ms. Yu...
General, is his wound serious?
I've given him medicine and dressed the wound for him.
Miss Yu,
please look after him.
General, take care.
Miss Yu, what we know about Xiang Di,
it would be best to keep it secret.
He told me that he'd kill the man...
that killed my family!
But he's Xiang Di. Xiang Yu values him most.
If I were cruel enough,
I would avenge my father right now!
General...
You mean...
Xiang Di...
killed your family?
-He's their assassin? -It's him.
Let's see if can you keep your word...
and kill him yourself?
Regardless...
please heal him first.
When we come back from the war in old Zhao...
I'll give you an answer.
Please.
I'll do as you say.
In the battle of Dingtao, Zhang Han earned a great reputation.
But because of the prolonged war in Xianyang,
he found himself in a helpless position. Especially for food provisions,
he could only rely on the frontline army.
Thanks to the granary in Xingyang, Qin soldiers could carry on for a while.
But, just then, a coup d'etat took place in old Zhao.
We've been defeated. I should be blamed.
When we return,
I'll take all responsibility and accept any punishment.
General Li, look at the carriage ahead of us.
Doesn't it belong to the king of Zhao?
Warriors, we lost the war.
But we shouldn't lose our morale.
Get off your horses. Let's greet the king.
All warriors get off the horses.
My respects, Your Majesty.
General Li, my younger brother is not in the carriage.
You've paid your respects to the wrong person.
Looks like you lost the battle
due to your poor eyesight too, right?
Go. Let's go.
General, we lost the war.
But how can our king send some woman to humiliate us?
Stop.
We'd rather die than be disgraced.
Warriors, we've almost lost our lives for our king.
But see what we've got?
Only disgrace.
The disgrace this woman cast upon us.
Our king is brutal, and why do we protect him?
I'd rather betray him. Will you join me?
We'll follow you.
General, Li Liang in old Zhao killed the king of Zhao
and surrendered to us.
I've heard that.
What should we do?
Wang Li, look...
what do you think of the paved path?
It was the late emperor's way
to assure his safety when he traveled around the country.
It's a shield that nobody else can find.
You're absolutely correct.
But now, we have to build such a road on the battlefield as well.
On the battlefield?
It's no good for us.
Who said it's no good?
So long as we can make decent use of the road,
it can protect us.
Let's just wait and see.
The vassals are all coming to attack us,
and among them, Chu is our strongest enemy.
Wang Li,
what's the situation of Chu warriors?
After Xiang Liang's death, the force of Xiang's army has been greatly reduced
to less than a third of its original
under the division rule proposed by Song Yi.
But Xiang Yu's courage won him great support in Chu.
Then Song Yi managed to weaken Xiang Yu's power,
which conversely made commoners sympathize and support Xiang Yu more than ever.
Thus Xiang Yu won great fame.
Among the rebels, Xiang Yu is the most belligerent and ferocious.
He got more support
than his uncle, Xiang Liang, ever had in Chu.
He's an even greater threat to us.
Before we are well prepared, we should not meet him head on.
The paved path has been built.
I wonder when we should return?
No. We'll gather our warriors and march north.
We should attack the camp of Zhao from the north of the Yellow River.
Now our enemies are watching us.
Isn't it too dangerous for us if we attack them now?
General,
what danger is there for a tiger if it enters a sheep herd?
Now old Zhao is in panic.
And Li Liang of Zhao has surrendered to us.
It's the right time for us to attack.
And if I'm not wrong,
I think our attack would also threaten other vassals
and nobody would come to help old Zhao.
After that,
we can conquer all the vassals in turn.
Then finally we can conquer Chu.
I've decided. Just do as I've said.
Yes, sir.
Sister.
What did you call me?
To be honest,
I had a sister.
We grew up together.
Every time I was sick...
she would take care of me.
Just now...
I took you as my sister by mistake.
Now, with war everywhere.
Since my sister got married...
I don't know if she's dead or alive.
If it's not too inappropriate,
I'd like to call you my sister.
And do whatever I can for you...
to show my gratitude.
I didn't save you.
General Xiang Yu did.
For General Xiang Yu's help,
I'll pay it back on the battlefield.
Actually, it may be shameful to tell you my story.
I've been leading a wandering life for so long.
No one to depend on.
If I'm lucky enough to have you as a sister,
it will be my greatest honor.
Actually, since I saw you,
I have this feeling
that I may have seen you somewhere before.
You're not recovered yet. Take the herbal tea and lie down.
Subtitle translation by Min Wei Wong