General,
I'm sure Xiang Di has no regrets dying for the Chu army.
I pray that his soul...
will rest in peace.
Reporting, general.
Another group of scouts of Chu?
Yes
Didn’t you tell me that there are no Chu warriors in the vicinity?
Yes, there are none. But there are some Chu warriors passing here,
just like the ones we saw the other day.
Don’t worry. Our warriors have strengthened defense on the West end.
We’ll be safe.
This time, the Chu warriors came from the opposite direction.
They're heading towards the East?
General, I'm so happy that you’re back.
Ji Bu, why are our warriors armed?
King Huai learned that you left the camp. He sent a messenger to complain.
He’s already in the camp. Mr. Fan is talking to him.
What right does he have to complain?
I'll accept his punishment.
Who is the messenger?
Song Yi’s son.
The king wants to kill me?
No.
-Another punishment? -Nor that.
Then what does he want?
I came to relay King Huai’s words.
He said that you contributed much to Chu. This time you left the city
for ten days. There must be some urgent military affairs.
He meant to pay you a visit himself, but as he’s not feeling well,
he sent me in his stead.
I disobeyed an order. I should be punished.
King Huai also said, that you are a great asset for our state.
It’s his fault that you left the camp without notification.
King Huai will tell the story to commoners of Chu and apologize for you.
He need not make such a fuss.
-Zhongli Mei. -Present.
Come in. Stand there.
You coward, Zhongli Mei. Listen,
you left the camp without authorization. Do you know you've committed a crime?
I'll accept any punishment.
Xiang Yu values you deeply. He knows that you rendered a great service for Chu.
In order to save you, it took him ten days. Do you know your crime now?
I should be beheaded.
Hurry. Ji Bu.
Present.
Take him to the gate outside the camp. Behead him.
I can’t obey that order.
How dare you disobey my order?
Mr. Fan, our leader is General Xiang Yu.
We’re his subordinates.
We only obey him. Anybody else will have no right to order us around.
Mr. Fan, I’ll not allow you to do this.
I’d rather die for him. It’s my fault.
I know you cherish talents of Chu.
King Huai knows your loyalty.
Thus, he sent Mr. Song here to visit you. What a fool you are!
Then, I’ll accept any punishment.
-My crime deserves more than death! -I'd rather be beheaded with him!
How should we deal with them, Mr. Song?
Mr. Fan, you are right. But I think General Xiang Yu did nothing wrong.
As General Xiang Yu was told to obey you, you should make the decision.
You think that’s the right thing?
I do, indeed.
-Zhongli Mei. -Present.
You violated a military order, and should be executed.
Given that you made many military contributions to Chu...
and General Xiang Yu pleaded for you, and because King Huai values talent most,
I sentence you to 30 strokes on the stick. Any objections?
Thank you for sparing my life.
Xiang Yu, as you value your subordinates highly, you shall be forgiven.
I’ll lock you in solitary for a day to reflect on your mistake.
Any objections?
I accept the punishment.
You think that’s enough?
Enough, indeed.
You are an impressive arbitrator. I’ve learned much from you.
Zhongli Mei.
General!
Don’t get up, don’t get up.
How’s your ass? All right?
We were lucky you were there, Mr. Fan.
No. I should express my thanks to you.
General, don't mention it.
What happened today was because of me.
I know King Huai meant to embarrass me.
How dare he behave that way!
Do you really think that was the king’s idea?
Mr. Fan, you mean, it was Song Yi?
Let’s put this aside for now. Anyway,
Zhongli Mei’s ass saved yours today.
When you left the camp, you marched towards the North, right?
The West, towards Zhao.
Then on the way, did you see anything strange?
Anything strange?
Near Handan, we ran into Qin warriors.
We went through their camp at night but they didn’t find us.
And when the day broke, we found that they didn’t pursue us.
That’s the very thing that's troubling King Huai and Song Yi.
You mean…
Zhao is in danger?
I’m the messenger from Zhao! Open the gate! Open the gate!
I’ll send some warriors to help Zhao.
I think the long journey has made the messenger very tired.
Treat him to a hearty meal and serve him well.
Yes.
Hey. Is it true that Zhongli Mei suffered 30 strokes on the stick?
It’s true. They whipped him until he bled. I saw it myself.
I think Xiang Yu will hate me.
I think not.
In your opinion, I sent a messenger to punish him
and whipped his man.
Do you really think that he’ll let the matter rest?
Don’t forget, you are the king.
Without you,
he is nobody.
Just a ruffian.
But our military power is in his hands.
That’s why he dares to offend you.
Mr. Fan is clear about that.
Now Zhao, is in danger.
It's a golden opportunity to weaken Xiang Yu’s military power.
It’s about time to execute our plan.
But I have no suitable candidate.
In your mind, amongst the available leaders,
who is most suitable?
I have someone in mind.
Who?
Liu Ji.
Will Xiang Yu agree to that?
That depends on how clever Liu Ji is.
Lu Wan!
Mr. Xiao.
Is Liu Ji here?
He didn’t get any sleep at night. He just lay down.
Any news about Zhao?
Zhang Er and the king of Zhao have fled to Julu,
and are surrounded by General Wang Li of Qin.
Chen Yu gathered the remnants of King Changshan's forces in the North.
Tens of thousands of them are stationed them in the North of Julu.
But Zhang Han’s men are stationed in the South of Julu, in Jiyuan.
They’ve built tunnels across the Yellow River
to deliver provisions to Wang Li’s men.
With sufficient troops and provisions, Wang Li led his men to surround Julu.
But now the warriors in Julu are out of provisions
and are too weak to fight.
So Zhang Er sent his men to get help from Chen Yu.
But as Chen Yu felt he's no match for Qin soldiers, he didn’t offer help.
What an ungrateful man.
Zhang Er was angered by Chen Yu’s refusal.
Then he sent his messenger to reproach Chen Yu.
In his opinion, Chen Yu was his sworn brother.
But when King Zhao and him were in danger, he refused to send his troops.
What was the use of having a brother if Chen Yu didn’t lend him a hand?
What did Chen Yu, say then?
Chen Yu said, if his men went to Julu,
not only will he be unable to save them, but also, his troops will perish.
He said, with that in mind, he was still willing accept General Zhang Er’s order.
Therefore, he led 5,000 men to attack Qin soldiers
and every one of them were killed.
What a pair of frenemies!
I suspect the king of Zhao, will soon turn to King Huai for help.
Then we’ll have a chance to strengthen our position.
What does Liu Ji think?
Liu Ji wants to visit Song Yi.
We can’t!
More than ever, we need to pretend that we are weak
and that we have no ambition. We would then be valued in the future.
You really think so?
You’ll see soon enough.
Qin soldiers are giving a harsh attack at Julu. Zhao asked us for help.
My ministers, should we help Zhao?
Your Majesty, at the moment Qin soldiers, are in high spirits.
It’s not the right time to attack them. We should wait for another chance.
As the most powerful among vassal states, the world is watching us.
We need not wait.
If we do nothing, other states will do nothing.
And if we offer our help, the other vassal states will help Zhao.
You’re quite right, general.
The prestige of Chu is built on military victory, not ability to wait.
Your Majesty, give us your order, we’ll gather the vassals to crush the Qin.
Zhao is in great danger. How can I sit by and do nothing?
My orders,
Gather our men, assemble our provisions, within three days, we’ll head North.
Your Majesty, if we head North, who’ll be our commander-in-chief?
In your opinion, who is the most suitable candidate?
I think...
nobody but Xiang Yu, can do this.
Your Majesty, we should choose a man with lofty virtue and a good reputation.
With lofty virtue and a good reputation?
Mr. Fan, what’re you laughing at?
Isn’t the minister right in his opinion? Or do you think otherwise?
You think helping Zhao, is like offering sacrifices to ancestors?
Will Zhang Han surrender if he knows you’re well-respected?
Only if we ally with other vassal states, can we win the war.
A man with no popular support, can’t fulfill this duty.
Song Yi shares a good relationship with the vassals and a good reputation.
I think he would be right for the position.
What do the other ministers think?
Your Majesty, I second it.
The alliance with vassals is a must. No one is more suitable than Song Yi.
It’s very urgent. We can’t afford any delay.
Well, I’ve decided. Song Yi!
Yes, Your Majesty.
I appoint you commander-in-chief to lead our warriors.
And I also appoint you to negotiate an alliance with other states.
Xiang Yu, will be your assistant.
Mr. Fan...
will also assist you to save Zhao.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Calm down, general. We should not argue with them here. Let’s go back and discuss.
Liu Ji, why did you keep silent during King Huai’s appointment?
I tried to express my opinion. Mr. Fan, motioned at me to stay silent.
Was that what I meant?
Right. Like this, didn’t you mean I shouldn’t talk?
Whatever. Let’s talk about it later.
I think Xiang Yu, will not accept the appointment, right?
His uncle died in the war. I understand that he is eager to avenge his uncle.
But he’s only 24 years old and is not mature enough.
I’ll try to restrain him. Trust me.
That’s good.
It's said that all the vassals have formed an alliance to attack Qin.
But actually it’s Chu that can really measure up against Qin.
Therefore, Minister Song, you have a heavy responsibility.
It’s my duty to share your worries,
it’s our mission to conquer Qin and prevail.
Once on the battlefield, I’ll never fear Qin warriors.
But, Your Majesty,
I hope you can send a group of warriors
to constrain Qin soldiers from Xianyang.
This will make our fight against Zhang Han less stressful.
This particular person can play a big part in helping us constrain Xiang Yu’s power.
Bring Liu Ji here.
My respects, Your Majesty.
Rise, please.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
No courtesy necessary.
I asked you here today to have a chat with you.
Since you joined us, you’ve won many battles. I should have rewarded you.
I'm flattered.
You’re quite a modest man.
I think as a man with your talent,
it’s a waste to be just a common general.
The Qin army is stronger than before.
It’s hard to say whether we can save Zhao or not.
Don’t worry, Your Majesty.
We have a high morale.
Our soldiers are looking forward to the battle.
Even if the Qin army is stronger, they can’t defeat us.
The battlefield will prove that.
I believe General Xiang Yu’s men are powerful enough.
You see...
what I worry is that he and Zhang Han, may both suffer heavy casualties.
Then even if we conquered Qin, Chu would also meet our demise.
Then what you’re saying is…
I’ve decided to send soldiers to attack Xianyang, so they can distract Zhang Han.
Great idea!
Even if we can’t conquer Xianyang, we can severely frustrate the Qin’s morale.
That’s exactly right!
I want you to attack, Xianyang.
What? Me?
No. That’s beyond me.
Why can’t you do it?
You fear that Xiang Yu, will blame you?
No. I don’t fear him at all!
Your Majesty...
most of my warriors are commoners.
They’ve went though many hard wars. But there’s barely any of them left.
From Pengcheng to Xianyang, we’ll have to conquer many cities along the way.
And even then, when we arrive at Xianyang...
many men would have died. How could we conquer Xianyang then?
Then...
who should go attack Xianyang?
You may leave now.
I’ll think over this again.
Hey, Your Majesty. Your Majesty!
I’ve got an idea, but I don’t know whether I should say it.
Just go ahead.
The road to Xianyang is going to be long and arduous.
And I’m not sure whether we can survive.
I’m afraid my warriors may be reluctant to go.
But if you give an order
saying that the first to Xianyang, will be appointed king,
I think they will be greatly stimulated.
The promise of vertical integration will surely attract troops from other vassals.
As long as these vassal states
are willing to send warriors to Julu to help us,
then the decisive battle against Qin...
will happen right here.
But in doing so,
I will become a bait for the war, right?
I’m aware that our state is weak,
but we have Julu, which is advantageous.
We just need to prepare enough provisions for several months.
If we close our gate, we’ll be the target of Qin warriors.
Zhang Han prefers to fight wars dramatically.
I think Zhang Han will dispatch all his warriors
from Xianyang to Julu.
This means that the main forces of Qin,
would be fully activated.
If we can defeat Zhang Han’s main force,
then Qin will have nothing left.
If we can defeat them right here,
we won't need to set foot in Xianyang. Qin will be done once and for all!
That’s the reason why we are staying here as a bait for Qin.
With this battle, Julu...
will be remembered for generations to come.
Your Majesty, it’s said resolute decisions clear obstacles.
Our army will soon set out to help Zhao.
But, Qin warriors are not weak and we should be cautious.
How should we help Zhao?
Now we’ve stationed warriors only along northern side.
I’m afraid to change tactics.
I think we should send warriors westward.
Thus, we can pose as a threat to Xianyang,
while pinning down Zhang Han’s forces. In this way, we’ll shake Qin morale.
A fine idea.
My ministers, do you have any other ideas?
I do. Xianyang is right there. It won’t get up and walk away.
After I wipe out the main Qin forces,
I can easily conquer Xianyang at any time.
If we send some warriors westward now, it will only weaken us.
It will not help in wiping out Qin.
General Song, I’d like you to tell me...
do you want to defeat Zhang Han, or not?
Sending our men west seems like a good idea, but it’s impractical.
Your Majesty, please retract the order.
Thanks for your sincere words, General Xiang.
I do understand.
I know to divide warriors is not the best policy.
But it can frustrate the morale of Zhang Han’s forces.
And not to mention, it can also destroy Huhai’s arrogance.
I’ve decided. Let's do this.
We'll do as Song Yi said just now. Send warriors westward.
Ministers, who’s willing to lead them?
As none of you are willing to undertake this mission,
I think you're aware it won’t be easy.
Then I decree, I promise that doesn't matter if you head East or West...
whoever arrives at Xianyang first will be appointed a king.
I’d like to! I’d like to go head westward.
I know I’m not as valiant as General Xiang Yu,
nor as intelligent as Mr. Fan, but I’m determined to conquer Qin.
I’m clear that I’ll meet many hardships along the way.
But I'm not afraid. I’d like to take this mission.
It’s great that Marquess of Wu’an is willing to take on this task.
Nothing would be better. How many warriors do you have?
5000.
The other 30,000 all belong to Xiang Yu. But I dare not take them.
Of course, if Your Majesty can't afford to give me more men,
I’ll still go ahead. I do anything for Your Majesty!
Great.
Do you have any request?
I wouldn't dare to dream about getting more warriors.
But if possible, please allot me sufficient provisions.
Your Majesty, don’t worry.
However hard it is, as long as I live, I’ll lead my warriors westward for you!
I’ll prepare sufficient provisions.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
And I’ll also give you Xiang Yu’s 30,000 soldiers.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
General Xiang Yu, conquering Qin is of utmost importance.
I hope you can see what’s good for our state. I hope you don't mind.
My orders, Marquis of Wu’an will lead warriors westward.
-Let’s hurry back and prepare. -Right.
The king will allocate us provisions. But we need somewhere to put them first.
Lu Wan, I’ll leave this to you.
Alright, Liu Ji.
Oh, General Xiang Yu, Mr. Fan! Thank you, thank you!
I’ll not forget that it was you
who helped me ascend the throne.
Though I’m not a man of great virtue,
I want our state to be strong.
That I appointed you a junior general,
is not to devalue you,
but because, I need you to help control Xiang Yu.
Now that Zhang Han and Wang Li
are pushing forward with a massive Qin army!
I hope you can help to preserve our strength,
and not be impulsive.
I don’t want our chance of victory to be damaged by Xiang Yu’s recklessness.
I understand.
As for General Xiang Yu, his forefathers died for Chu.
He isn't interested in personal gains. Don’t doubt his loyalty.
Myself included, even a common soldier,
we’re all indebted to you.
But, I hope you will take my advice.
Forget that you’re the highest position among all the vassals.
We have to have a decisive war against Qin. Hiding won’t get us anywhere.
I’ll take my leave.
Take care, sir.
Mr. Xiao, you think that General Xiang Yu will regret his attitude?
I think so.
Sure, he’ll regret it.
We’ve been waiting for so long
to lead our own warriors. Now the day has come.
Things are certainly looking up.
When you proposed heading West, I broke out in cold sweat!
Just now, the sun was shining brightly. How could it be thundering now?
This weather shifts like a child’s temper.
Why do I have an ominous feeling about this?
King Huai said, he will king whoever arrives at Xianyang first.
There’s no time to waste! We have to leave now!
Liu Ji, I think King Huai is trustworthy.
He won't go back on his word.
He’s trustworthy, but what about Mr. Fan and Xiang Yu?
Now they still take King Huai as their king,
they are not ready to remove him from the throne.
But what about the future?
Things will change.
Listen to me, guys.
Tell our commanders to gather the warriors and ready to set off.
Yes, sir.
If anyone leaks our plan before we leave,
I’ll behead him.
Got it.
What’s your plan?
Leave the tents. Leave the fires, Leave the banners.
Set off in the night.
Liu Bang, he thinks he’s being clever.
So what if our warriors are divided?
He thinks he can undertake the mission himself and arrive at Xianyang first.
We should send men to watch him.
Once he has an army, he’ll not be in our control.
Everything is in our control. Don’t worry.
Reporting. General, there’s no one in Liu Ji’s camp. They all left.
What? Really?
Yes, sir.
Didn’t they say that they were celebrating tonight?
That was to throw us off.
-Bring my horse! -Yes, sir.
Hurry. Hurry.
Follow me.
Search the premises.
My, they left in a hurry.
Why would he set off in the middle of the night?
Why wouldn’t he? Do you know the importance of Xianyang?
Zhou Dynasty rulers built irrigation there.
And then the Qin built their capital here.
It’s a place that attracts schemers.
From what Liu Ji is doing, you’ll see what I mean.
But with so few men, I’m afraid he can’t even get pass Hangu Pass.
Hangu Pass is a flat terrain.
He won’t have any trouble.
His task is much easier than ours.
We are faced with Zhang Han's warriors.
It seems Liu Ji is a different man now.
He’s like a wild predator, all ready to pounce.
Once he smells his prey, he’ll pounce on it without hesitation.
Soon enough, he’ll become a ferocious tiger.
Then he’ll be as powerful as you.
It’s far from impossible.
Mr. Fan, it’s too early to say.
His forces are too weak. He can’t go far.
I'd say, go ahead, let him do what he wants now.
When he’s totally defeated, he’ll come crawling back to us.
That’s impossible.
You know what it means to let a tiger return to the wild.
Look at what he’s doing right now!
Exactly.
And today, he did indeed anger me.
But in the end, he’s still my sworn brother.
I don’t think he’ll do anything to harm me.
Let’s wait and see.
Xiang Yu’s 3,000 Chu warriors will surely gather here.
We should lay an ambush here and kill them all.
We need doctors, many doctors! And medicine, the more, the better!
And also, we’re running low on arrows.
All the warriors have sharpened the arrow shafts instead,
but those shafts can’t penetrate enemy's armor, general!
Zhongli Mei, find a way to deal with the arrows right away.
Tomorrow, after breakfast, we’ll set off.
Yes.
My respects, General Xiang Yu.
General, I made a summary of Zhang Han’s military tactics and a way to beat him.
It’s you again!
-Zhongli Mei. -Yes.
-Take him away! -Yes.
I'll punish you if you do this again!
I’ve written it simply and clearly. It won’t take long to read,
-General. -Leave.
-General, read it, please! -Leave now, Han Xin.
King Wei, I invited you here to talk about something important. Sit down.
I thought you’d invited me to have a drink.
That’s why I came.
I never thought that you’d entrust me with something important.
It’s of vital importance.
That’s strange. Did General Xiang invite me,
or was it you?
It’s all the same.
Xiang Yu and I take you as our friend. We’re glad to invite you here.
Your words sound sweet. But it makes me feel uneasy.
Just tell me why you invited me.
I must inform you that Liu Ji set off westward last night.
Did he set off? I didn’t get the notice.
He left in a hurry. Do you know why he left in such a hurry?
Isn’t it clear?
King Huai has promised that the first one to arrive at Xianyang will be kinged.
That’s why he left so soon.
I think not.
He wants to arrive there to quickly expand his forces.
If he succeeds, your forces, and even our forces, will find it hard to restrain him.
I don’t think either of us is ready to see Liu Ji’s forces greatly strengthened.
I'm not underestimating him.
But his forces are too small. Impossible.
Don’t underestimate him.
He's just pretending to be weak while he secretly builds up his forces.
It sounds possible.
But isn’t he the sworn brother of General Xiang Yu?
I doubt anyone would offend Xiang Yu’s brother.
That’s why Xiang Yu can’t stop Liu Ji. He fears others may get the wrong idea.
I get it. What would you like me to do?
Why are you asking me? Ask yourself. Do you want to take Xianyang?
All the vassals want the Xianyang.
That’s it then. When we take Xianyang, you and Xiang Yu can split the spoils.
But that means Liu Ji can’t arrive there first.
How can I be of help?
Follow me.
King Wei, you can send a small group of warriors and disguise them as refugees.
Don’t bring any banner. Just follow Liu Ji’s men.
Attack from the flank when appropriate.
And with the help of Qin warriors on the front line, he’ll be wiped out.
I’ll order Marquis of Gangwu to set off with a group of warriors immediately.
General Wang Li, don’t worry.
Look, here’s Julu.
Our 300,000 warriors will surround it, but not attack.
It’s not difficult to attack the city. Why shouldn’t we attack it?
If Julu is besieged, reinforcements from vassal states, will rush to Julu.
When they arrive, our 300,000 soldiers will be well prepared to destroy them.
You mean we should use Julu as a bait and lure all the rebel groups to Julu.
That way, we can destroy them all, right?
Right. This battle will relieve all our worries.
This will be the last war of our state.
Liu Ji has arrived here with his 40,000 warriors.
They’re moving towards Xianyang.
Liu Ji is nothing but a scoundrel. He’s nowhere on my list of concerns.
From here to here, is quite a long way.
My Lord, my Lord,
I just checked our warriors and found 200 of our men missing.
What?
Subtitle translation by Min Wei Wong