Episode 90
Three Kingdoms
Halt!
Is the Prime Minister ill?
Yes.
Upon hearing of General Zhang Bao's death., he was overwhelmed with grief.
He was caught in the rain on the way to Chencang, and fell ill upon returning.
Yes, sir.
What are we going to do?
Ever since Cao Zhen took his post, he has attacked us harder and harder.
We are all waiting for the Prime Minister to send us to battle!
The Prime Minister has just woken up. Please come in.
Your Excellency.
Your Excellency!
Wenchang...
I am very ill. My head is splitting with pain.
From today on,
you and Wang Ping will take over command of the army.
Yes, sir.
Also, order all regiments to break camp,
and make preparations to retreat.
Well leave at daybreak three days from now,
and withdraw gradually back to Hanzhong.
Your Excellency, if I may ask. is this retreat just another ruse?
Of course not, the retreat is genuine.
First of all, my health is truly faltering.
As well, the rainy season is approaching.
The supply lines may become bogged down by muddy roads.
Rather than prolonging a struggle that may end in vain.
we should just retreat now.
Then...
How should we deal with the captured cities?
We don't need those cities anymore—just abandon them.
Should we abandon Chencang as well?
Once all the troops have retreated,
the supply line will no longer be needed.
But Your Excellency,
over ten thousand of our troops died in the battle for Chencang!
I realize the battle of Chencang was a hard-earned victory.
but if our main force retreats,
how will we defend Chencang?
Wang Ping.
Yes, sir.
After the main force retreats. set up an ambush outside Chencang with 20,000 men.
To prevent pursuit by Cao Zhen, do not retreat until three days have passed.
Yes, sir.
Your Excellency.
Just go.
Father ever since last night,
we have seen raging fires in the cities to the south.
This morning, I led the troops to investigate
and we found the Shu army withdrawing in panic.
They were retreating to Hanzhong along the Qi Mountain trail.
Why is Zhuge Liang retreating?
I was puzzled at first.
So with the light cavalry, I pursued them for ten miles
Several stranded soldiers were captured,
and after interrogating them,
we found out that Zhuge Liang is seriously ill.
Seriously ill?
Seriously ill.
Zhongda,
do you think Zhuge Liang is truly ill, or just putting on a show?
And is the Shu army really retreating, or is it just a ruse?
Father,
I don't think it matters whether or not Zhuge Liang is ill.
The real issue is whether the Shu army is actually retreating or just trying to lure us out.
Do you think Zhuge Liang is actually retreating or is this a ruse?
Zhuge Liang is cautious in war.
If he really is retreating, he'll leave an ambush on the road outside Chencang.
They'll pull back the ambush once the main force is safe. We wont have to give chase.
To find out the truth, we just need to go to Chencang and inspect the cooking stoves.
How will you know?
While at camp, one cooking stove is required for every ten soldiers.
If the Shu army leaves behind more than 1,000 stoves, then 10,000 men are waiting in ambush.
If there are no cooking stoves, or very few,
there will be no ambush.
And if that is the case. we can just go ahead and recapture Chencang.
You have a deep understanding of military methods.
Everything you say is completely correct. You have my respect and admiration.
Commanders,
I made a boastful claim when we started this mission.
I said I would defeat the enemy within half a month.
But I made a mistake, a terrible mistake.
It's been eighteen days since I took command.
and I'm three full days behind schedule—three full days!
Whenever you've marched your men,
Zhuge Liang has had no other choice but to flee.
Grand Commander you're a military genius!
Heed my orders!
Cao Shuang will lead the attack and Guo Huai will bring up the rear.
I will command the central unit personally.
In that order, well proceed and recover the cities of Longxi.
Yes, sir!
Father.
Jingshu asked the supply officer to bring this to you.
She said that the rainy season is coming and it will be cold in Yong-Liang,
so she sent this coat so you wouldn't catch a cold.
Look.
She is so sweet! I feel warm. So very warm.
Has Cao Shuang returned to camp?
Not yet.
You must remember. Cao Shuang is far more talented than his father.
You must be careful when dealing with him in the future.
Good news! Good news!
The Young General has returned.
Father, Cao Shuang's men have beheaded quite a few enemies.
They all have heads of Shu men hanging under their horses' bellies.
So, it seems that Zhuge Liang is really retreating?
General Wei.
Wang Ping,
you took a beating?
Don't mention it.
I spent five days lying in ambush outside Chencang!
But not even one Wei soldier came!
It was only when I was about to withdraw that the Wei army rushed in from the east.
I quickly ordered my men to engage them,
but suddenly, another group of Wei soldiers charged in from the west.
So I had enemies on both sides. but was unable to deal with either one.
ls the Wei army,
under the command of Guo Huai?.
No. It is Cao Zhen's son, Cao Shuang.
Cao Shuang?
Isn't he just a dandy? Is he capable of Heading an army and fighting a battle?
Cao Shuang is a shrewd one!
If it hadn't been for the skill of my archers, I wouldn't have made it.
Cao Shuang is shrewd indeed! He avoided the ambush and attacked us from the rear instead.
Yes.
So, the Prime Minister has recovered?
It's not that he's recovered,
but as I suspected long ago,
His Excellency wasn't actually sick in the first place.
My respects, Your Excellency.
Come closer and talk with me.
Your Excellency, I lost 5,000 soldiers.
Where are the Wei troops now?
Their vanguard is already within the city walls of Chencang.
The cities of Wudu, Yinping and Xiaguan were all taken by Wei.
Your Excellency,
it's fine that we lost those other cities,
but it's truly a shame to have lost Chencang.
It sits right in the middle of our supply route,
and I know Your Excellency didn't really want to retreat.
Using Chencang, a critical stronghold, to lure the enemy
was too much of a risk!
Wei Yan,
you are bothered by losing Chencang, right?
Very well. Let's just say I am borrowing it from you.
I will return it later. How's that?
I have misspoken. Your Excellency, please forgive me.
Sit down.
The reason I ordered our supplies to be moved to the main camp at Qi Mountain
is because it's oh higher ground.
But I didn't foresee that the rainy season would come a week later than usual.
Now it seems that since the rains are late, they will be heavy.
Chencang is on low-lying land.
After a heavy storm. the city will be sitting in a few spans of floodwater,
and Wei's supplies will be submerged.
Their bravest strongest, and most combat-effective Xiliang cavalry will suffer tremendously.
Wei Yan.
To fight a war, you must be aligned with Heaven's will.
If you are in accord with the will of Heaven, it is impossible to lose a battle.
Grand Commander!
We've recaptured the critical stronghold of Chencang!
Excellent!
Guo Huai.
Yes, sir.
Write a memorial for me and submit it to.the Court immediately.
Say that our troops have fought hard, and after pressing on with full speed,
we have destroyed Zhuge Liang's host of 300,000 in a single blow,
and have successfully recovered Chencang and the surrounding cities.
I'll write it right away.
No hurry, Guo Huai, there is more
The Young General Cao Shuang, leading the heavy cavalry,
beheaded over 30,000 Shu soldiers, and was the first to enter Chencang.
Ask the Court to reward him for his accomplishments!
Zhongda, I think it would be better if you prepared this memorial yourself.
It'll be more convincing coming from you.
As you wish, Grand Commander! I'll prepare it myself.
Thank you!
Chencang is an excellent stronghold for stockpiling troops and supplies!
Hao Zhao was the commander here for half a year.
He built walls thicker than the walls of Luoyang!
He was indeed both brave and intelligent.
It's a shame he died so young.
Father, will you really prepare that memorial for Cao Zhen
and ask the court to bestow praise and rewards on him?
Why not? I already agreed to it.
You know that once we submit it, we will have effectively humiliated ourselves!
All the officials will laugh at us.
Really? Why?
Father, you lost a battle and were replaced by Cao Zhen.
And Cao Zhen turned defeat.into victory as soon as he took.over.
Now, how will His Majesty feel about this?
How will the officials feel about this?
They will think.
Hey, this Sima Yi,
he doesn't seem like someone who could commit treason.
He actually seems like a modest, gracious, and humble man.
He has already made amends with Cao Zhen,
and together they will serve and protect the country, with one heart and one mind!
Father, I'm not joking around. I'm being serious.
I'm also being serious!
His Majesty will surely think this way.
Especially when report of Cao Zhen's defeat follows upon the heels of my memorial.
His Majesty will be even more surprised.
What? Didn't Sima Yi just recommend that we reward Cao Zhen?
How can he be losing now?
What a good-for-nothing!
Father, are you saying Cao Zhen will lose?
I haven't seen any signs of him losing.
Father?
As the old saying goes.
In fortune there is misery, but in misery, there is also fortune.
Father, could you please not keep me guessing?
Can you please just tell me?
I'm not telling you. Figure it out yourself.
More troops arrive every day. Soon, we will have many troops stationed here.
Chencang is a small town and may not be able to accommodate everyone.
We have hundreds of thousands of men, so I propose that we split our forces
and have them stationed at different cities.
Zhongda, what do you think?
Grand Commander, your plan is very appropriate.
Good! Convey my orders.
Chencang is a key stronghold. I will remain here.
Zhongda, you will lead a company to Yinping.
Yes, sir!
Guo Huai?
Here, sir.
You will march your unit to Wudu.
Yes, sir.
Sun Li?
Here, sir.
You will take two units east and go to Heishicheng.
Yes, sir.
Zhongda, have you finished the memorial?
Grand Commander, please have a look.
Zhongda, thank you, thank you!
Father.
You asked me to gather intelligence,
and I have scouted the area thoroughly.
All the cities in Longxi abandoned by Shu troops are mostly razed to the ground.
Only a few ruins remain.
It makes sense to burn the cities down when withdrawing.
I already knew they would do that.
But why did Zhuge Liang
leave us with Chencang, the biggest city of them all?
Chencang is strategically located. It is on the route for invading Yong-Liang.
Zhuge Liang left Chencang standing so he could recapture it later.
That's all?
That's all.
Is there anything else?
Think harder!
I really don't know.
It's such a simple matter, and you still can't figure it out!
How foolish can you be?
You're hopeless!
Great Heavens...
I am far superior to Cao Zhen,
but my stupid son is inferior to Cao Shuang.
Father, please have some tea.
I won't.
Father, I actually saw through the scheme long ago.
Really?
It's true.
Then let's hear it.
Zhuge Liang left Chencang so he could lure Cao Zhen to station troops there.
Chencang is on low-lying ground. After several days of heavy rain, water will accumulate in the city.
Our armor will rot, our grain will become moldy, and our equipment will be ruined.
When the sun comes out and Shu attacks, we'll fall for sure!
However, Zhuge Liang will probably ignore the other cities,
and focus on attacking Chencang and capturing Cao Zhen.
Grand Commander!
His Majesty added another 5,000 bushels of grain to your salary.
as well as 3,000 acres of fertile farmland and 1,000 households.
Such a large and generous reward hasn't been given since the founding of our dynasty!
His Majesty must be very pleased.
Even though His Majesty is young. he is fair with reward and punishment.
His Majesty also had a few words of praise for Sima Yi.
Oh?
He said that Sima Yi is now working with you with one mind and purpose,
and is full of admiration and respect for you!
l am not sure about the admiration part,
but he has certainly been less antagonistic.
Come!
Grand Commander!
Make a hundred copies of this imperial decree and distribute them to the camps!
Let everybody see our Emperors infinite graciousness.
Yes, sir!
Father.
Where have you been? You're soaked.
Grand Commander, I take my leave.
Take good care of him!
Yes, sir!
I was just inspecting the main camp.
Take a look at this piece of armor.
What's wrong with it?
It's been raining for days and the water isn't draining.
Our camps are flooded.
All our armor is damaged.
Father, I don't think the rain will stop anytime soon.
Our armor will rot to pieces, and our blades will rust.
Then, if the Shu troops attack, we'll be in great danger.
What do you think I should do?
We should abandon Chencang and retreat back to Yong-Liang.
Never!
Chencang is strategically located on Shu's northward invasion route.
If we abandon the city, it'll be very hard to recapture.
Submit a report to the court immediately, and ask His Majesty to issue an edict.
Have Luoyang, Chang'an, and Xuchang send more equipment and supplies here.
Once the sun comes out, everything will be fine.
But I'm worried that Shu will attack before we manage to be re-supplied.
In addition, our grain is becoming moldy.
What?
The soldiers have to eat moldy food, and they are complaining.
More and more, I suspect that Zhuge Liang left Chencang deliberately
so he could make use of the weather to weaken us, and then he'll...
When you put it that way...
I'm actually getting a bit worried.
But His Majesty just issued an edict of grace and bestowed generous rewards on me.
How can I abandon Chencang now?
Let's wait a few more days.
Announce my orders. Tell the camps to be prepared.
and add more men to the defense of the strongholds outside the city.
Go!
Yes, sir.
Our respects, Your Excellency.
Are the units ready?
Your Excellency,
everything is ready.
Everyone.
Previously, we were locked in a stalemate with Wei at Qi Mountain.
Since I foresaw there would be more rain this fall than in the past.
I feigned illness and ordered the troops to retreat to Hanzhong.
In addition, I left all the cities in Longxi, including Chencang, for Wei,
so they would be soaked in the rain for two months.
According to the reports, Cao Zhen's troops in Chencang in particular.
have had their armor rot away and their grain has gone moldy.
Men of all ranks are complaining, and morale is low.
Cao Zhen is now a turtle in a jar, with nowhere to flee!
Your Excellency, please announce your orders for the attack!
Were getting impatient to fight!
Wei Yan and Wang Ping, here are your orders!
Sir! The rain is too heavy! Our horses are getting bogged down in the mud!
Should we wait until the rain stops?
Absolutely not! Should we wait until the rain stops?
We must hurry to Chencang before the rain stops.
Convey my orders: march faster,
and behead those who disobey! Go!
Yes. March at full speed!
Hurry! Hurry!
Father, you look like you're enjoying yourself.
Shuang, son, you're back!
It's cold and damp out. Son, come drink some warm wine!
Quick, pour a cup for my son!
Shu troops are approaching in the rain!
What?
According to the scouts, Shu troops have been sighted 40 miles west of the city.
How many?
They are so numerous that they reaches far as the horizon!
Judging from the banners. they are being led by Wei Yan and Wangling.
If those two are here, Zhuge Liang must not be far away!
Go... go... go...
Go, go, go... leave me now!
Hurry and convey my orders! All men to the walls! Fend off the enemy!
Zhuge Liang is here.
Yes, sir.
Chencang
Grand Commander!
It doesn't look good.
Zhuge Liang has sent Shu's strongest troops against us.
Shuang, hurry and send someone to order the nearby generals to reinforce us!
I already did.
Shu is about to attack!
What's the problem?
Damn it! Father, all the bows are rotted from the rain.
These bows and arrows won't kill any Shu soldiers?.
Stand your ground and fight fight! I will kill anyone who hesitates.
Grand Commander, retreat! Hurry!
Father, please retreat, please hurry!
Grand Commander!
Are the reinforcements here?
Sima Yi! I'm in danger and you leave me to die! You're taking over our troops to commit treason!
I'm going to report this to the court and impeach you!
I want,to kill you and your family! I want...
I want reinforcements...
Sir, bad news. The city is breached! Shu soldiers are approaching the city hall.
Order them to fight, fight, fight, hurry!
Have them fight, have them fight!
Father, come quickly! The Shu troops have breached the walls. The east and west gates are lost.
Only the south gate is safe. These are Shu uniforms worn by our spies.
Father, please put one on and I will escort you out of the city. Quickly!
I'm so scared!
Grand Commander!
Father, please don't turn around or they'll recognize you. Ride harder!
Capture Cao Zhen alive!
Capture Cao Zhen alive! Don't let him escape!
Capture Cao Zhen alive!
Father, father, father!
Grand Commander!
Grand Commander Grand Commander, Grand Commander!
Grand Commander, Grand Commander, Grand Commander!
Father, father!
Son, I...
I'm not going to make it. Hurry and get out!
No, Father, we'll leave together!
No... my back... I broke it...
I cant ride anymore.
Hurry and draw...
draw your sword and kill me!
Father, what are you talking about?
I'm the Regent General and Grand Commander.
If I'm captured, I will bring shame to the court and our ancestors!
Quickly now, draw your sword and kill me!
No, Father, no!
I'll see you in the next life.
Draw your sword and kill me now!
Father.
Little bastard, do it now!
Look, reinforcements have arrived!
Re... reinforcements?
Who is it?
Goodness.
I thought it was the enemy. I would never have guessed it was you.,Grand Commander.
If I'd known, I'd have come sooner to rescue you.
Father!
Grand Commander, are you safe and sound?
Father, father, father... father!
Father, father! Father!
Sima Yi, you...!
Father, father!
Father...
Grand Commander.
Grand Commander
Zhao, son.
Announce the orders of the Vice Grand Commander.
let everyone take a good rest.
Tell them I have said that Zhuge Liang will not attempt another attack on us.
Take out the wine and meat and let the soldiers have their fill.
Yes, sir.
Guo Huai.
Here, sir.
I once wrote a memorial for you.
Now, it's your turn to write one for me.
Grand Commander, please tell me what to write.
Report this to the court.
The Grand Commander, Cao Zhen, disregarded Sima Yi's advice,
and marched hastily to his defeat. losing several cities, including Chencang.
The Grand Commander, Cao Zhen, also discarded the proper attire specified by the court,
and dressed as a common Shu soldier.
He abandoned the entire army and attempted to flee alone.
Fortunately, Sima Yi risked his own life to come to his rescue and attempt to save him.
Now that our army is without a leader, morale is shaken.
Guo Huai?
Yes.
Am I exaggerating at all?
Sir, every word you've said is the absolute truth!
Sir, I'm going to ask all the generals to sign this memorial before I submit it.
The Emperors decree!
By the Grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees.
Sima Yi served his country with utmost loyalty. His accomplishments are as great as Heaven itself.
Upon recommendation of the military staff. We hereby appoint him Regent-General,
Chief Commander of the Elite Cavalry, as well as Grand Commander who Subdues the West.
He shall have command over the nation's armies.
We also bestow on him an imperial sword, a brocade robe, and a belt of jade,
so that he may manifest the majesty of Our army.
Your servant is grateful for this imperial bounty.
Cao Zhen lost numerous soldiers and disgraced his nation.
His crimes truly cannot be forgiven.
However, considering that he died on the battlefield. We will not punish him further.
His son, Cao Shuang, shall escort his coffin back to Chang'an
and bury him in their ancestral grave. Thus We have decreed.
Zhongda, how have you been?
Not bad, not bad.
If I hadn't helped, would you have been reinstated as Grand Commander?
Kongming, you were originally a farmer in Nanyang.
You know nothing of the will of Heaven nor the fortunes of the world.
You should have stayed home. contentedly defending your borders and caring for your people.
Why, do you insist on going against the will of Heaven and launching unjustifiable wars?
Your lord, Ah-Dou, is not very bright. Can you actually be less bright than he?
The Late Emperor entrusted his son to my care,
so am I not obliged to dedicate myself to the destruction of the traitors?
Zhongda, your forebears were all Han officials. Your family had long received the bounties of the Han.
However, you seek not to be loyal, but rather aid the traitors.
Heaven shall punish you for that.
With just a wave of my feathered fan. you and your troops will disappear like ashes in the wind.
Scoundrel! What bold words!
Kongming, allow me to speak.
We are both in our fifties.
and we don't have many years left in this world.
Instead of fighting to the death,
why don't we each lead our troops back home, and live the rest of our days in peace?
I see, you already know you're not my match.
If that's the case, why don't you surrender to me?
Ill provide you with a four-wheeled cart,
and we can ride back together and meet His Majesty.
Scoundrel, all you ever do is bandy words and show off your petty schemes.
Are you capable of anything else?
Listen, scoundrel.
The lands of the great Wei triple those of Shu.
By going against the will of Heaven and invading Wei,
you're like an ant trying to move a tree. You'll never succeed.
So, you're determined to fight?
Whether you want to compete with troops. commanders, or battle formations.
I don't fear you.
All right!
I'll let you arrange a formation then.
I wont attack before you finish arranging your troops.
Not bad at all! He has a profound understanding of battle formation.
Do you know what this formation is?
Any lieutenant in my army would know it.
This is called the "Origin of Being" formation.
Show me your formation now.
I will not attack before you finish either.
All right.
Do you recognize this formation?