Episode 20
Begone, evil! For the 12 sacred beasts...
will gouge your head and your lungs...
tear your veins and skin...
and devour you if you do not leave at once!
Begone, evil! For the 12 sacred beasts...
will gouge your head and your lungs...
tear your veins and skin...
and devour you if you do not leave at once!
Zhong Da.
Brother Lang, you're awake.
I'm hungry. -Hungry?
Alright. Just wait for a while.
Add more salt. -Sure.
Wait here.
Hou Ji!
Hou Ji! Chun Hua!
Young Master Yi! Do you need something?
Make some cluster mallow soup! Brother Lang is hungry!
Quick! Add more salt! Make it taste stronger!
Young Master Lang wants to eat? -Yes!
Thank god! Alright!
Brother Lang!
In the 24th year of Jian'an Reign...
Guan Yu led an army out of Jingzhou...
to surround Fancheng.
In the 8th lunar month, Guan Yu flooded the city.
This event was known as the Drowning of the Seven Armies.
The army of Yu Jin, Cao Cads subordinate...
was wiped out.
How come it happened so quickly? -I've no idea either.
There was no sign at all. -My lord.
What happened?
My lord, we received an urgent report from Fancheng.
Guan Yu has captured Fancheng.
What are the casualties? Where is Yu Jin?
The whole army is wiped out?
My lord, Guan Yu flooded Fancheng...
with the autumn tide of Han River.
Yu Jin surrendered after he was captured.
It is impossible to recover Fancheng.
Now, we must stop Guan Yu from charging towards Xudu.
If Guan Yu makes his way to Xudu...
and captures the emperor...
Liu Bei will ascend the throne...
by declaring himself the heir to the throne of Han Dynasty.
This is a crisis.
Do not panic. Ring the bell and hit the drum!
Summon all military advisors and military leaders above...
the rank of general for a discussion in the palace!
Yes.
Young Master Yi, what are you looking at?
Something serious is about to happen.
Zhong Da.
How's everything?
We're in danger. Guan Yu is very aggressive.
The king wants to go personally. -Go personally?
Will General Cao Pi go along?
Zi Huan will stay. Zi Jian and I will go.
The king still favours the Marquis of Pingyuan.
This is actually a good news.
Yecheng is Wei's capital.
This shows that the king trusts General Cao Pi.
Warlords leave their countries to...
their successors when they go to war.
Congratulations, General Cao Pi.
But, this time...
my father wants you to go with him.
He even changed your position to...
commander of the forces.
From now on, you are no longer my aide.
But, Zhong Da has never been involved in military affairs.
How come the king wants him to go along?
Sir, ever since I started sewing you...
my life belongs to you even at death.
I am an official of Wei.
No matter what the king wants me to do...
I should do my best.
But, I want to keep you by my side.
I can try to persuade my father.
You must not. Sir, you must guard Yecheng well.
Securing Yecheng means securing the position of the crown prince.
I will adapt to the situation in the army.
Zi Dan, regardless of the outcome of this battle...
you must protect Zhong Da for me.
Come back alive.
Zhong Da, did you ask General Cao Pi to...
excuse you?
Father, as the commander of the forces...
I'll just be working under a few military advisors.
I don't need to fight. Father, you don't have to worry.
The king wants you to go...
"because he wants to gain control over your life.
Once you make a mistake, he will kill you.
No one will be able to save you over there.
The battle itself is the king's priority.
As long as I don't violate any military rule...
I'm sure the king won't punish me.
I've lost one son.
Please rest assured. I'll take good care of myself.
Is Yang Xiu going as well? -Yes.
He is a huge threat to you.
Don't fight with him.
Don't intervene in military affairs.
More importantly, don't offend the king.
No matter what happens...
wait until you return to Yecheng.
As long as you are alive...
there is nothing you cannot fix.
"Endure"
Do you understand?
I will remember your advice.
Who is this?
Do I look good? -Yes. You look charismatic too.
My dear, where did you obtain this Armour from?
Have you forgotten? I fought in the battlefield...
with my father since I was a teenager.
It's been so many years and you're still the same heroine.
I'm so honoured to have you in my life.
I might be a mother of two, but I am still as fit as ever.
Do you want to try? - I'm no match for you.
Why are you wearing your Armour?
I'm going to the battlefield with you.
What about the children? - I've made plans for them.
This won't do. I'm the head of the family. I disagree.
I know why Cao Cao picked you. He's up to no good.
I can fight. Even if you get into trouble...
I can save you. Understand?
You're the head of the family. You've the final say.
I'll be leaving everything to you.
You must be even more cautious...
when you work in General Cao Pi's office.
Protect General Cao Pi and take care of father.
Brother Yi, you must come back safely.
I won't be the one fighting in the battlefield.
But, if I have to, as a man, I will not be a coward.
Young Master Yi, we are almost done loading the carriage.
Let's go. -Brother Yi.
You're finally free.
Where's Chun Hua? -She's waiting in the carriage.
Sister Chun Hua is going too?
It looks like you won't have much freedom.
Tell father after the army left the city.
Alright.
Father, I volunteer to fight Guan Yu and recover Fancheng!
I'm willing to go as well. -Count me in.
Liu Bei.
Did Liu Bei and Sun Quan take any action?
So far, there is no news of Liu and Sun aiding Guan Yu.
But, they might still attack while they have the advantage.
So, in my opinion, if we attack Fancheng...
our army will face enemies from three sides...
if Sun and Liu dispatch their armies.
Moreover, Guan Yu has a huge advantage now.
We won't stand a good chance.
It's better to abandon Fancheng.
We should send our troops to guard Xudu.
Xudu is Guan Yu's real target.
I don't agree. My lord, Fancheng is the barrier...
that blocks the path from Jingzhou.
If we abandon it, Xudu will become vulnerable.
We won't be able to guard it.
Guan Yu's objective is to capture the emperor.
Liu Bei knows that Shu is weak without any support
He has to hold the emperor hostage...
to have the capital to compete with me.
If we don't repulse Guan Yu within 3 months...
Liu Bei and Sun Quan will have enough time to prepare.
By then, Xudu will be in great danger.
I've been controlling the warlords with the emperor.
Now, they finally realised the advantage of this...
and came to fight over it.
Report!
My lord! The Luhun bandits pledged allegiance to Guan Yu...
and killed the general guarding Luhun!
Impressive. Guan Yu, Marquis Shou of Han...
is invincible indeed.
Luhun is only 50 miles from Luoyang.
They will attack from the back.
Father, please issue the order. - My lord, please issue the order.
My lord.
Let me think.
You may all retire. I will summon you all again tonight.
We shall excuse ourselves.
Registrar Yang, stay.
Do you have something to say? -Yes.
Can you say it now?
The others either suggested...
guarding Xudu or recovering Fancheng.
But, I agree with neither. - What do you suggest then?
Guan Yu intends to open the path to Xudu...
to pick up the emperor and Xudu is too near to Fancheng.
If the emperor and Guan Yu form an alliance...
Wei will be in danger.
If we attack Fancheng, we cannot guarantee a victory.
If we abandon Fancheng, Xudu will become vulnerable...
and difficult to guard.
Just because the emperor is in Xudu...
Xudu became a factor that restrains you.
In this case, it's better to move the emperor from Xudu.
Where can we move the emperor to?
Yecheng. Yecheng is Hebei and far from the front line.
It is heavily guarded and protected by General Cao Pi.
By moving the emperor to Yecheng, we can avoid confronting Guan Yu.
Yecheng is my capital.
I made Yecheng my capital...
in order to free myself from the Han government's restraints.
If we move the emperor to Yecheng, where will I stay?
My lord, may I use the map? -Yes, you may.
Yeoheng is located at the northeast.
It is a strategic military base...
but not a strategic centre of authority.
You can build your army but not rule here.
My lord, you should not worry about gaining or losing a city.
You should think about how to conquer all lands.
Since the ancient days, China has two capitals...
Chang'an in the west and Luoyang in the east.
Luoyang is surrounded by mountains.
The government of Han Dynasty was based there for 200 years.
It is a good location for ruling.
My lord, you can consider changing the capital of Wei...
to Luoyang. By doing so...
you can attack Sun Quan from the south...
and guard against Liu Bei from the west.
It's much more convenient compared to...
Yeoheng which is far in the northeast.
My lord, this is a place both Sun Quan and Liu Bei covet.
Isn't it a waste to leave it unused?
I cooked some chicken soup. It's quite tasty.
Is there a conclusion from today's meeting?
All military leaders hold different opinions.
The king could not decide and only ordered Yang Xiu to stay.
How is the king planning to fight this battle?
There are only three options. The first is to confront Guan Yu.
What will be the outcome? - If we can win...
the king wouldn't hesitate. -What's the second?
The second is to retreat. But, doing this will also...
put the emperor in danger.
The king must think of...
where to move the emperor to.
What's the third? -The third option...
is the best solution. But, I haven't thought of it.
You haven't thought of it and you believe in a third option?
Which is why even Distraction...
is distracted tonight.
What? You told the king to move the capital?
Isn't it a little too early to bring this up now?
If we continue to wait, the king will be too old...
to delay the appointment of the crown prince.
You mean, the relocation of the capital will benefit Zi Jian?
Tell me. Where is Cao Pi's base?
Yecheng of course. -Precisely.
Changing the capital to Luoyang can weaken Cao Pi's influence...
and let us avoid confronting Guan Yu.
This is a perfect solution.
But, the relocation involves a lot of issues.
Many officials are based in Yecheng.
They won't agree to move so hastily.
Besides, your plan will only work...
if the king is willing to move the capital.
What makes you think that...
the king will surely move? -He will.
Don't you understand? The king is old already.
We can't afford to drag the appointment of crown prince.
If the king dies...
without leaving behind a will...
and Cao Pi is in control of the capital...
it'll be hopeless for Young Master Zi Jian.
Even if that's the case, is there no other option?
After all, the king favours the Marquis of Pingyuan so much.
Moreover, we're all still by the king's side.
Even if that happens, back in the Spring and Autumn Period...
Shen Sheng survived while Chong Er died.
We have support and an army of hundred-thousands.
We can fight against Cao Pi. -Shut up!
Listen. Zi Jian can only be the crown prince of Wei.
He cannot be a traitor who splits up the country.
We must win in a justifiable way.
This is also the only chance.
Sima Yi wants to fight to live, right?
Fine. I'll put my life at stake.
Must we do this?
Report! The king said that...
tonight's code will be "chicken rib"!
"Chicken rib"? What does this mean?
We succeeded! -What makes you say so?
"Chicken rib" is a metaphor for "retreat".
The king does not intend to attack.
We will retreat and return to relocate the emperor.
Thank god.
Report! -Come in.
The king issued today's code. -Speak.
"Chicken rib".
Alright. -I shall excuse myself.
This king of yours issued such a random code.
"Chicken rib".
Why not "drumstick"?
I'm afraid the king has no intention to attack anymore.
What makes you say so? -Chicken rib is...
unappetizing and yet not bad enough to be thrown away.
The king intends to retreat. -Retreat?
But, you said that retreating would...
put the emperor in danger.
It depends on what Yang Xiu suggested.
If I were Yang Xiu...
I would suggest the king to...
move the emperor to Yecheng...
to avoid confrontation with Guan Yu.
The king doesn't like to stay in the same city as the emperor.
If Wei is to change its capital now...
the capital will be changed to Luoyang.
Subsequently, General Cao Pi in Yecheng...
will become an abandoned chess piece.
The Marquis of Pingyuan will stay with the king.
As time goes by, he'll get closer and closer...
to the position of the crown prince.
We're in a war.
Yet, Yang Xiu is still thinking of this.
Yang Xiu is desperate to...
win in the competition for heirship.
Give him the slightest hope and he will take the chance.
What is your solution? - I came to fight a war...
not to fight with him. Now, the most impoflant thing...
is to think of how to repulse Guan Yu.
If we lose this battle, everyone will get into trouble.
Put it up. -Alright.
Move it in. More.
Lower it.
Put this one on top.
Leave it here.
Registrar Yang.
What a pleasant surprise. Mr. Sima, what brought you over?
"Chicken rib".
You are clever indeed.
Since you know that the king intends to retreat...
what are you doing here instead of packing up?
Did you suggest to change the capital of Wei?
Brother Zhong Da, you think fast.
Are you really going to sacrifice the country's safety...
to win in this competition for heirship?
I don't get it.
Why is Luoyang not fit to be Wei's new capital?
Registrar Yang, we can be frank to each other.
Of course Luoyang can be the new capital.
But, that's for the future and not now.
A state should only change its capital when...
there is neither internal nor external threat.
If we move to Luoyang to avoid Guan Yu now...
the morale of the army will plunge...
and Wei will become vulnerable to...
attacks from two sides.
We both know that changing the capital now...
will instantly divide the state.
Registrar Yang, does your perfect solution...
take into consideration the interest of the state?
Are you saying that if we abandon Yecheng...
Cao Pi will not let it be?
Are you saying that he will occupy Yecheng and rebel?
You are exceptionally intelligent.
Please consider the bigger picture for Wei...
while you make contributions.
And advise the king to focus on repulsing Guan Yu.
My perfect solution has taken into consideration...
the bigger picture.
We both know that...
after the king's demise...
if both of us are still alive...
Wei will enter a civil war.
Our competition is the competition for heirship.
Civil war can only be prevented...
if one of us is eliminated.
Let's stop avoiding and dragging it.
It is time the two of us go all out...
for a showdown.
What do you think?
I've said enough.
Take care.
Sima Zhong Da.
I am pleased to have...
a worthy rival like you.
If Liu Bei attacks...
he can come from Hanzhong or the water route from Jingzhou.
There's a longer distance.
Sun Quan is the bigger problem.
If Sun Quan aids Guan Yu...
his navy can arrive in Jingzhou in 3 days.
My lord, General Cao Zhen came.
Let him in. -Yes!
Father, are you planning to change the capital to Luoyang?
I've been rude. Greetings, my lord.
Who told you so?
My lord, the rumour has spread like wildfire.
The soldiers are all packing up for a retreat now.
Ding Yi said that it is your idea, my lord.
It's true that the rumour is circulating in the camp.
How absurd.
Zi Dan, go and convey my order.
Before the official announcement...
no one is allowed to take action or spread rumours.
My lord, I boldly ask again. Do you plan to...
Did you not hear what I said...
or did you not understand? -I understand.
I shall excuse myself.
He is openly using my thoughts to gamble.
My lord, if you do not intend to change the capital...
you should clarify quickly.
Did I say that I do not intend to change the capital?
Chun Hua, I'm back.
You're back.
Yang Xiu will meet his end soon. -Why?
Did the king order to arrest him? -Not yet.
The king is stuck between confronting or running away.
Yet, Yang Xiu revealed the meaning of "chicken rib".
This equals to announcing the king's dilemma.
Running away is the biggest shame.
The king can endure this shame.
But, he cannot allow others to talk about it.
By doing this, it is as though Yang Xiu...
has slapped the king in public.
The king will be enraged.
This man is so unconstrained.
He also caused Brother Lang's death.
He deserves it.
But now, you no longer have to worry about...
the relocation of capital that will affect Cao Pi's fate.
"He has staked himself on the edge of his sword."
"How can he treasure his life?"
"Even his parents he puts at the back of his mind."
"Let alone his children and wife."
"if his name is to enter the roll of the heroes...
he cannot be bothered by personal matters."
"Sacrificing his life and body for the country...
he sees death as a journey back home".
Zi Jian, this poem of yours...
is truly touching.
De Zu.
You've done too much for me.
But, there are things...
that cannot be acquired by force.
That position is meant to be yours.
I must not lose. You will not lose either.
I often think about it.
If I gave up competing with Brother Zi Huan back then...
perhaps I can still stay in Yecheng now...
to drink wine and compose poems...
with him and you.
It's been 10 years.
I have reduced our youth...
was well as Brother Zi Huan and Zhen Fu's youth...
into a nightmare.
Young Master Zi Jian, everyone is only youthful once.
At the starting point of youth...
we are all forced to make our choices.
But, from that moment onwards...
there is no room for regrets in fate.
This is politics.
The king chose to let me assist you.
You chose me as your advisor and friend...
while I chose to make your success...
my dream. -But...
what if our dream is the wrong thing?
Sir, you're too kind.
There is no right or wrong in dreams.
As your subordinate, I admit that...
your kindness and carefree nature...
are disadvantageous in politics. But, as a friend...
I love your talent in your carefree nature.
I am willing to serve you with my all.
This is the dream I chose.
I will not regret about my dream. Never.
If we must blame someone...
we shall blame the era and our destinies.
It's not our fault.
Cheers.
Even if the king discards Yang Xiu...
I'm afraid he'll still change the capital.
I'm going to talk to the king.
What do you plan to do? -I'll suggest to confront Guan Yu.
I thought you said you have no idea.
I thought I have no chance to talk.
But now, I must do something.
If that's the case, you can't go.
You just have to protect Cao Pi.
Why get involved in military strategies?
The king is like a tiger. You said that the king is enraged.
What if he takes out his frustration on you?
This is my first time in the battlefield.
If I don't do my best, I'll be here for nothing.
I came to arrest Yang Xiu upon the king's order.
What happened?
What am I guilty of?
I don't know. I'm only acting upon the king's order.
Seize him! -Yes!
De Zu.
De Zu!
Sir, my father is old.
When you return to Xudu, please help me to...
take care of my father. I will be counting on you.
De Zu!
I'll talk to my father.
Zi Jian, I'm your uncle. I'll give you an advice.
Don't go. Stop being manipulated by him.
What will happen to you without the king's protection?
I don't care about my future anymore!
Stop him! -I want to see my father!
How dare you! Let go of me!
Confine him at the back and don't let him out!
Uncle Zi Lian! Let go of me! I want to see my father!
You can't kill him!
My lord, what am I guilty of?
There's a rumour about the relocation of the capital.
Are you the one who spread the rumour?
My lord, you issued the code of "chicken rib"...
and I deciphered it.
"Chicken rib" is a metaphor for retreat.
A longstanding battle against Guan Yu...
will not benefit us.
It's better to retreat and play safe.
You interpreted my code so well.
You're good at solving riddles indeed.
You're also good at reading my mind.
Unfortunately, my soldiers are lacking in confidence.
I want to borrow something from you to assure the soldiers.
What is it? -Your life.
My lord, you know that...
relocating the capital is the best choice at a time like this.
I also know that...
changing the capital is the best choice for...
making Zi Jian my crown prince.
My lord, isn't this your wish?
You never believe in fate.
Why is it that you can't even help your son?
Take him away to await execution.
My lord.
Please think twice!
Once a head is led astray...
it becomes so stubborn and frightening.
He knows that he is wrong.
But, without this much of persistence...
how can he do great things?
My lord, you mean...
I'm waiting for another person, Sima Yi.
Greetings, my lord. Long live my lord.
I've been expecting you.
Nothing escapes your sharp eyes.
My lord, please do not relocate the capital.
So, you came because of Yang Xiu's idea?
Are you also worried about me making Zi Jian the crown prince...
after changing the capital?
The matter of the position of the crown prince is up to you.
As a commander of the forces...
I will only advise on military affairs.
I have an idea. Please allow me to propose.
You can repulse Guan Yu?
My lord, you can. You can invite Sun Quan...
to attack Guan Yu together.
If the army of Eastern Wu attacks Jingzhou from the back...
you can recapture Fancheng.
Sun Quan and Liu Bei have been allies for 10 years.
Why would Sun Quan attack Guan Yu?
My lord, they were only forced to form an alliance...
because they were directly threatened by you.
There is no alliance that lasts forever.
Liu Bei has grown strong.
He has captured Yizhou and Hanzhong.
Yet, he refuses to return Jingzhou to Eastern Wu.
This strong neighbour is making Sun Quan restless.
Guan Yu has always been proud and aloof.
Sun Quan was even insulted by him when...
he proposed to marry his son to Guan Yu's daughter.
Then, Lu Meng captured three of Guan Yu's prefectures.
The alliance is already on the verge of collapse.
If you invite Sun Quan to attack Guan Yu now...
Sun Quan will surely attack Guan Yu from the back.
Guan Yu will be sandwiched and defeated.
If you promise to return Jingzhou to him...
and concede Jiangnan, Sun Qian will gladly agree.
How absurd!
Return Jingzhou and concede Jiangnan?
If Jingzhou falls into Sun Quan's hands...
when will I ever unify the lands of China?
Do you want to die earlier than Yang Xiu?
My lord, control over Jingzhou is just a shod-term benefit.
Unification of lands cannot be achieved overnight.
Registrar Yang's suggestion is tactical...
but not pragmatic. It is a shod-term solution...
that leads to a serious consequence.
My lord, unless we destroy Sun and Liu's alliance...
Wei will forever be attacked from two sides.
My lord, never forget...
Forget what? Speak.
My lord, never forget the lesson from the Battle of Red Cliffs.