Episode 94
Three Kingdoms
Your Excellency, this sudden rainstorm has extinguished the fire!
Your Excellency.
It has not rained on Mount Qi for nine whole months.
How could there be such a downpour, today of all days?
Your Excellency, Heaven's whims are unpredictable.
Please don't lose hope.
Why does Heaven abandon me and assist the traitors?
Your. Excellency, Your. Excellency!
I have led the northern campaigns for ten years and marched forth from Mount Qi six times!
Only today did I finally manage to force Sima Yi into an inescapable trap!
But now, this torrential downpour has saved him
and ruined me!
Your Excellency, Your Excellency!
Zhao,
I never used to believe in reading constellations.
But ever since we were saved by the rain at Shangfang Valley,
I have been a firm believer in them, out of gratitude to Heaven.
Look at the southwest sky.
The chief star shines brightly. but the secondary stars are dimmed.
According to the Book of Changes, a great leader will soon meet his doom.
I suppose that portent applies to Zhuge Liang?
Our intelligence says that he went to battle in poor health.
Lets hope that's the case.
Such a man appears only once in a millennium.
It's an annoyance to have him around, but a pity for him to die.
Boyue.
Your Excellency.
Though my aspirations are not yet accomplished. my death draws nigh.
This is the military manual that I wrote, in 24 chapters,
detailing the Eight Principal Concerns, the Seven Precautions,
the Six Dangers, and the Five Fears of war.
There is a separate volume on constructing the multiple-shot crossbow.
This weapon can shoot ten arrows at a time.
The diagrams and sketches are all in there.
I have considered all the commanders here. and no one else is worthy of receiving it.
Only you have the ability to carry out my unfinished work.
Now, I must pass all of this onto you.
Your Excellency, I pledge my life to your command!
Remember,
The Han cannot coexist with traitors,
our sovereignty must not be compromised.
Shu will either destroy Wei
or be destroyed by Wei.
There is no other alternative.
Your Excellency, I will remember that.
The Han cannot coexist with traitors. our sovereignty must not be compromised."
Your Excellency,
you will recover!
You will recover.
You need not comfort me.
I know the fate that Heaven has assigned me.
That year, when His Late Majesty came to Sleeping Dragon Ridge to seek my service,
Master Water Mirror sighed and said,
Though Kongming has found his lord,
it is not yet his time.
And now his prediction has come to pass.
Yang Yi.
Your Excellency, I am here.
Immediately relocate our main camp to Wuzhang Plains.
It is a good place for both advancing and retreating.
In case anything happens to me.
you shall be the bearer of the military tally.
You must bring our army of 300,000 back to Hanzhong,
for they are the lifeblood of the Riverlands.
Sir, you've placed such great trust in me,
how could I not devote my life to this task? However...
However what?
Wei Yan is an accomplished and highly respected commander.
Furthermore, he leads 50,000 elite troops.
If you entrust the military tally to me,
he might not comply with your arrangement, and rebel.
Let me first test his true intentions.
and then we shall decide what to do.
Your Excellency...
Born into a time of chaos, I would have been content to live out my days amid nature.
However, His Late Majesty honored me by thrice visiting my thatched hut and by entrusting his son to my care.
Thus I devoted my life to his cause and pledged to serve the Han and eliminate traitors.
Unfortunately though my great endeavor lies unfinished my death is at hand.
Sir, His Excellency gave orders that no one is to enter.
Why?
His Excellency is ill.
Did you think I wouldn't know?
His Excellency is not ill.
He's just faking illness to deceive the enemy.
That's his favorite trick. Step aside!
General, I am under strict orders from His Excellency...
Step aside!
Your Excellency.
Wei Yan, what's the matter?
Your Excellency.
Cao Rui, the Emperor of Wei, has sent Sima Yi another 100,000 troops from Chang'an.
They are gradually arriving at the main camp in Lorigxi.
Sima Yi, having just been defeated,
would probably not make a move now.
You don't need to worry, i
Your Excellency, if you are this ill,
why did you not tell me earlier?
I didn't want to affect our troops' morale.
You are forthright in character, and strongly loyal to me.
you would have no peace of mind, night or day.
If you learned of my illness,
Then.why did you set up this prayer ritual?
Because of the torrential downpour in SHangfang Valley,
victory was snatched from my fingertips.
I have no choice except to pray to Heaven
to rid us of this curse, and bring blessings upon Shu.
I wish Your Excellency a speedy recovery.
Please excuse me.
Wei Yan;
there's something I've been meaning to speak to you about.
Your Excellency, I am at your command.
To be honest with you.
ham not long for this world.
I would like to ask you this.
After I die.
who do you think can assume command of the army
and carry on the task of the northern expeditions?
I dare not answer.
Just say what's on your mind.
Your Excellency, your achievements reach to the heavens. You are peerless in this world.
No one in our ranks is your equal.
But... but if you insist on asking for my humble opinion....
I feel that the authority over the military must not fall into the hands of Riverlands officials.
Why not?
First, neither the Former Emperor nor the Young Emperor originated from Shu.
They seized the Riverlands to build their state.
If a Riverlands official is put in command.
he might become a threat to the Young Emperor.
Secondly,
if Riverlands officials hold supreme military authority.
they will cease the northern campaigns. and be content to isolate themselves within the Riverlands.
Well said!
Besides, the general put in charge should be one who has long commanded respect from the military,
one who is loyal, brave, and highly accomplished.
Oh, Wei Yan, I have already thought of someone.
He has followed me for many years.
He has grand aspirations and a deep understanding of military tactics.
He has fought bravely in many battles, and has been ever victorious.
If I may ask,
do you think such a person would be suitable?
Your Excellency, who are you referring to?
You, Wei Yan.
Your Excellency, what abilities or virtue have I to assume such an important position?
Wenchang, do not be so modest.
In terms of experience, none in the camps is your equal.
In terms of military achievements,
all pale in comparison to you.
Who else but you can be put in command of the military?
It's settled. You shall bear this responsibility for Shu-Han.
You must do your utmost to carry this heavy burden without faltering.
Do not let down His Late Majesty, whose spirit is watching.
Your Excellency, I will not fail His Late Majesty,
nor will I fail the trust you've placed in me.
Good.
Return to your camp, then.
Keep careful watch against any surprise attacks from the Wei troops.
In a day or two,
I will assemble all the generals
and hand you the military tally before them.
Your Excellency, please take care.
Your Excellency.
Yang Yi, you were correct.
In Wei Yan's mind, the authority over the military is already as good as his.
I'll go and arrest Wei Yan!
The 50,000 troops under Wei Yan's control
are our army's elite.
If he stirs them to action,
there will be bloodshed among ourselves,
and our spirit will be weakened.
Then, Your Excellency, what is your plan?
Only when he is completely off guard
do we have a chance of arresting him.
When will that be?
When he is handed the military tally.
Jiang Wei, summon Ma Dai to see me.
Aye.
This way please, General Ma.
My respects to Your Excellency.
Ma Dai,
back when Ma Teng was killed by Cao Cao,
Ma Chao vowed to avenge his death.
Thus he assisted His Late Majesty in his great endeavor.
Later, when General Ma Chao was gravely ill in Hanzhong, I paid him a visit.
On his deathbed, he asked me again and again
to entrust to you all the unachieved goals and unfulfilled vengeances of the Ma House.
Did you know this?
I will never forget it for the rest of my life.
Your ancestor, the General Fubo,
was a major contributor to the building of the Han Dynasty.
Ma Teng and Ma Chao were also loyal and able servants of the Han.
Regrettably, Ma Chao passed1 away too soon.
If he and his spear were still here.
I would not have failed in my northern campaigns.
I swear I will carry out their unfinished work.
Oh, Ma Dai,
these past few days. I have been constantly coughing up blood.
I'm afraid my days are numbered.
After l die, Wei Yan will surely rebel. and there/will be chaos in the army.
The end of Shu-Han will be imminent.
Your Excellency, do you want me to eliminate Wei Yan?
Yes.
I shall do as you command!
It has been over ten days. The Shu camps are still holding their positions.
Not a single soldier has emerged.
Grand Commander, what do you think Zhuge Liang has in mind?
According to my calculations,
with the supplies at Shangfang Valley burnt.
the Shu army should have exhausted their grain by now.
Their army will retreat very soon.
But there is no sign of them retreating.
True!
I have no idea either.
This Zhuge Liang...
his tactics keep getting stranger and stranger.
Grand Commander,
Ill take 2,000 men and storm their main camp. Once we start fighting, we'll find out the truth.
Don't provoke them.
We should continue to hold our ground.
Meeting action with inaction is our best strategy.
Let's go.
If we stay too long, the Shu sentries will spot us.
Life and death are mans common destiny.
and no one can avoid fate.
As my death approaches, I wish to prove my loyalty to the very end.
Your servant Zhuge Liang, having little talent
but being born into turbulent times.
was entrusted with military authority.
Thus I mustered an army and marched north. but was unable to achieve success.
Unfortunately, I am now gravely ill, and the hour of my death is nigh.
I shall not be able to fulfill my duty to Your Majesty, and for this I am deeply sorrowful.
I hope that Your Majesty
will maintain a pure heart, and limit your desires,
practice self-discipline, and love your people.
show filial piety to His Late Majesty,
and shower your kingdom with benevolence.
Seek out the service of recluse scholars, and promote those who are wise and virtuous.
Shun the wicked and depraved, so that morality may be upheld.
To my household belong 800 mulberry trees
and 15 qing of farmland in Chengdu.
This estate is ample provision for my family.
I have acquired no other property during my service to the state,
and all my needs have been supplied from official sources
After my death,
my children shall not inherit
any excess silk or wealth.
lest I betray Your Majesty's trust in me.
On the 23rd day of the 8th month of the 12th year of the Jianxing reign
Zhuge Liang with his lofty aspirations unrealized, passed away at Wuzhang Plains.
He was 54 years of age.
As he was wise and loyal and dedicated his life to his lord's cause
he has since been praised throughout history.
In accordance with the Prime Minister's last wish,
after his passing, we are to withdraw at once to the Riverlands in an orderly fashion.
The military tally will be placed in the keeping of Advisor Yang Yi.
One moment!
Jiang Wei,
who told you to hand the military tally to Yang Yi?
General, what are you implying?
Listen up, everyone.
Since His Excellency has passed away,
I will be the commander-in-chief of the army from this day forth.
Ma Cheng, here are your orders.
Yes, sir!
Take 3,000 men and escort the Prime Ministers bier back to the Riverlands for a proper burial.
Yes, sir.
Ma Dai, hear my orders!
Sir! Ma Dai, hear my- orders!
I promote you to the rank of Tiger General. You will take charge of the central division and the main camp.
Aye!
Everyone, hear my orders!
Sir!
Return to your own camps and continue to perform your original duties.
Once I give the order, follow me in conquering the Central Plains
and completing the Prime Minister's unfinished task!
A Yes, sir!
But Wei Yan,
the Prime Minister's last order was for us to withdraw to the south!
I didn't think you would use the unfinished northern campaign as an excuse
to disobey orders openly, and seize military control for your own ends!
Nonsense!
Reviving-the Han Dynasty and conquering the north was His Late Majesty's last will.
How could we let one man's death stop us from finishing this task?
Jiang Wei,
the Prime Minister is no longer here with us.
Wei Yan,
the Prime Minister foresaw that you would rebel!
Your actions today are exactly as he had expected!
So what?
Hasn't the Prime Minister already passed away, hmm?
When he was alive, I was afraid of him to some extent.
But now, who dares oppose me?
Ma Dai!
Here!
Arrest him!
By the Generals orders: Kill the traitor!
Die!
By the Prime Ministers<last command: Execute Wei Yan!
Your Excellency, I have carried out your orders.
Report!
Grand Commander, I led some men to scout out Wuzhang Plains
and found it utterly empty.
The Shu army has left.
What direction did they leave in?
Judging from the wagon ruts left behind, they are headed for Mount Qi.
Also, at the Wuzhang Plains main camp,
there were many mourning banners and scrolls,
and bits of candles and incense.
It looks like a main commander has just died.
Grand Commander, Zhuge Liang has been ill. and has not shown himself recently. It's likely to be him.
A few days ago, when you observed the stars. didn't you say that a leader's star would fall?
Now what you said has come to pass.
Then it really did refer to Zhuge Liang?
With Zhuge Liang dead, the Shu army's spirit must be utterly broken!
Grand Commander, a company of elite cavalry could completely destroy them!
Right!
What if it's another of Zhuge Liang's evil schemes?
You keep talking about his evil schemes. How could there be so many schemes?
Zhuge Liang is still flesh and blood like any normal human.
What's there to fear?
Even when we were driven to desperation at Shangfang Valley,
didn't we still manage to escape safely?
Please grant me 3,000 elite cavalry.
Once I get there, HI decide whether or not to fight.
Grand Commander, the young general is right.
Even if Zhuge Liang is still alive, Shu's grain is depleted. They must retreat!
If we allow them to leave without a fight. we'll misss a golden opportuni y.
Right.
Very we
If you all say so, then so be it.
Sima Zhao, here are your orders.
Yes, sir.
Take 5,000 elite soldiers and march along the Wei River towards Mount Qi.
Aye.
Keep gathering intelligence about the Shu army along the way.
Let me tell you.
The Shu army will leave a stalwart warrior guarding the rear, and will also have set an ambush.
At each location, first occupy advantageous terrain,
then divide into two units and alternate your advances.
Yes, sir!
Guo Huai, lead 20,000 troops at the rear.
I shall personally command the central regiment.
Our forces must remain within 30 miles of each other.
Yes, sir!
General, the Wei army has not given chase.
Keep scouting!
Yes, sir!
The Prime Minister said that Sima Yi will definitely pursue and attack us.
Chencang Crossroads is just ahead.
I will take a contingent set an ambush there
Please proceed with the main regiment. General.
Our supplies are almost depleted.
Be sure not to prolong the battle.
With the Prime Ministers spirit aiding<us,
everything will be all right.
Zhuge Liang, Prime Minister of the Han
Grand Commander, Zhuge Liang is indeed dead.
Let's go after them!
Denied!
I know Zhuge Liang well.
He is a master of deceit, and furthermore. he is capable of sorcery.
He is simply faking his own death to lure us out.
so that he can destroy us in an ambush.
Grand Commander, with all due respect,
even if Zhuge,Liang were still alive.
would you really be afraid to meet him in battle?
Right.
What's wrong with me?
When did I become so weak and indecisive?
Guo Huai!
If Zhuge Liang has set an ambush, it will be at Chencang Crossroads.
You and I will split up and attack Chencang from the north and south.
Yes, sir.
In the past, it was here at Chencang Crossroads that the valiant warrior Wang Shuang
fell into Zhuge Liang's ambush.
Tell the soldiers in the back to be careful.
Yes.
Capture Sima Yi alive!
Don't let Sima Yi escape!
Capture Sima Yi alive!
Grand Commander!
Grand Commander.
Grand Commander, Zhuge Liang really did set an ambush.
Guo Huai,
now I finally believe Zhuge Liang is dead.
Such a minor ambush doesn't worry me at all.
Why not?
If Zhuge Liang were still alive,
he would have waited for our entire force to enter the valley
before attacking us from higher ground.
But now? These ambushing soldiers are too anxious.
Our van hasn't even entered the valley yet.
and they've already begun the attack.
This proves that Zhuge Liang is dead!
Don't let Sima Yi escape!
Capture Sima Yi alive!
Don't let Sima Yi escape!
Capture Sima Yi alive!
Sima Yi, listen up!
Our Prime Minster has been waiting here for you.
Dismount and surrender at once!
Zhuge Liang
Fire!
Zhuge Liang is still alive! Retreat at once! Retreat at once!
Retreat!
Retreat! Retreat!
Son, what's the matter?
Zhuge Liang is dead.
He died in the small hours of the night on the 23rd day of the 8th month.
This is the honest truth.
How did you find out?
After the Shu troops retreated to Hanzhong, they burned down all the plank roads
and sealed off all the mountain; passes.
Now, the entire kingdom
is in mourning for Zhuge Liang.
That's not possible.
I...
I saw Zhuge Liang right there at Chencang Crossroads.
We were deceived.
That was a wooden statue of Zhuge Liang.
Wooden statue?
I captured two Shu soldiers.
From interrogating them, I learned that
Zhuge Liang had them place seven grains of rice in his mouth
and a lamp at his feet,
to preserve his body from decay.
Also,
he had them carve a wooden statue in order to frighten you.
What a humiliation!
What an utterly unbearable humiliation!
Even when he sent that dress of a woman to disgrace me, I felt no shame.
But today... but today.
a mere wooden statue caused me to flee in panic!
What an unbearable humiliation!
Son, do you know what posterity will say about this?
A dead Zhuge scared away a live Zhongda.
They'll be saying that for centuries to come!
Sima Zhao, I have a task for you. You must accomplish it without fail.
Grand Commander, I'm at your command.
Go at once to Chencang Crossroads,
Bring me back that statue.
You must bring it back no matter what!
Yes, sir.
Kongming, how could you leave so soon?
Now that you're gone, wouldn't I be lonely?
Even though we were arch-nemeses of a kind rarely seen in history.
you and I were also kindred spirits...
Sima Yi, receive the Imperial Decree!
By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees.
Sima Yi has defeated the Shu army and recovered Our lands.
We are greatly pleased."
Sima Yi shall now turn over command of the army to General Xiahou Ba,"
and report back to Court at once.
Thus We have decreed."
Your servant humbly receives this decree.
Father, why are you leaving in such a hurry?
You should have at least bid the officers farewell.
Xiahou Ba has come.
He kept asking me with a grin on his face, When are you leaving?
So I didn't speak to the officers further
to save Xiahou Ba from having to suspect me.
Grand Commander! Grand Commander!
Grand Commander! Grand Commander!.Grand Commander!
Grand Commander!
Grand Commander, Grand Commander!
Grand Commander.
Grand Commander, Grand Commander.
Grand Commander!
Grand Commander, Grand Commander.
Grand Commander.
Grand Commander,
how could you leave without telling us?
I didn't want to trouble you unnecessarily.
Grand Commander,
we've followed you for years.
We can't bear to see you leave.
Grand Commander.
All good things must come to an end.
Grand Commander, we'll escort you to Luoyang.
I appreciate your kind feelings, but please go back.
There have always been those in the court who were suspicious of me, you know this.
Do you want them to be even more jealous of me?
It is cold and harsh in Yong-Liang.
Take good care of yourselves in the future.
Grand Commander.
Please remember these words from us!
Grand Commander,
we will always remain loyal to you.
In the future, if you require our service,
even if you are ten thousand miles away.
we will be there to serve you!
Grand Commander,
we shall forever obey your orders.
We shall forever obey your orders!
Thank you, everyone.
Thank you.
Grand Commander, Grand Commander.
Lets go.
Grand Commander, Grand Commander.
Grand Commander!
Grand Commander, Grand Commander.