Episode 14
Your Majesty, Sima Yi delayed and didn't come to the rescue.
He left my father at bay on purpose.
He should be blamed for my father's injury.
Your Majesty, General Sima Yi's was delayed few days by the rain.
He's caned 60 times by the Grand Marshal.
He then lost conscious due to wound relapse.
General Sima wasn't involved...
...in the military plot, and he wasn't informed.
He did nothing on purpose.
Is it true?
Yes.
Don't you have anything to say?
Your Majesty, I failed to aid the Grand Marshal.
I'd accept your punishment.
How's your wound?
It's recovered, Your Majesty.
I want to see the Grand Marshal. Do you want to go with me?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Here, drink some.
Uncle, you should at least drink some.
Take it away.
The emperor is here.
Your Majesty.
Rise.
Your... -Lie down.
Lie down properly.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Uncle, I'm told by the physician.
You'll recover by taking a good rest. Rest well.
Do you want to tell me anything, uncle?
Your Majesty.
I'm a useless servant.
I've caused heavy casualties.
Although Zhuge Liang has retreated...
...he'll be back again.
I request Your Majesty...
...to appoint Sima Yi as the Commander...
...to lead Liangzhou army...
...to fight against Shu.
Father, you shouldn't recommend him.
Son, hand me the seal.
Father. -Go.
Yes.
Father.
Grand Marshal.
Your Majesty, I have little talent and wisdom.
I dare not accept this appointment.
Sima Yi.
We both know...
...that I'm dying.
We both know...
...only you...
...can resist Zhuge Liang.
Grand Marshal.
Take care of yourself.
You'll lead the army once you recover.
I'll follow your footsteps...
...by all means.
Take it.
Don't fail the Grand Marshal...
...and me.
Sima Yi.
We've known each other for 20 years.
We never be frank and honest to each other.
Stop pretending...
...at this time.
Father.
If Zhuge Liang gets to cross Qishan...
...l, SimaYi...
...will submit my life.
All of you should leave.
Uncle.
Your Majesty. -No need to explain, uncle.
I know it clearly by head.
Only Sima Yi can resist Zhuge Liang now.
I need to give it to him even if you don't.
Your Majesty isn't fully correct.
If Your Majesty refuses...
...he'll snatch it himself.
Your Majesty.
I did it...
...to prevent him...
...from hurting Your Majesty.
Don't worry, uncle.
I can retrieve it even after you've given it to him.
Good.
Your Majesty.
My son... -I'll train him...
...so that one day he can hold against Sima Yi.
Your Majesty...
...ought to defend...
...the empire of Cao Family.
Chancellor.
Cao Zhen is killed by his injury.
Cao Zhen's death does no damage to Wei.
Chancellor, Cao Zhen is anyhow the Grand Marshal.
He's killed by your strategy. This can boost our army's morale.
It's only the surface.
In military aspect, his death might not be good news.
I've used a lot of tricks this time.
I got to deceive Cao Zhen, but not Sima Yi.
Jiang Wei.
He's the only left to show up before us.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Long live...
...Your Majesty.
Rise, Chief Commander.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Grant a seat.
You're now the commander of Liangzhou army.
Tell me honestly. How good are you to compare with Zhuge Liang?
Your Majesty, I'm incomparable to him.
How is that?
Your Majesty.
I'm weaker than him in military strategy.
I'm also less virtuous and famous.
I can't manage a kingdom as wisely as him.
I can't take care of everything like him.
You've stated a lot of weaknesses.
How are you going to convince me that you can defeat Zhuge Liang?
Your Majesty, we're better acquainted...
...than he and his emperor.
I'm more aware of the overall situation.
He's a strategist, but he isn't always the decision maker.
He's good at leading an army, yet he has no military power.
Even if he has a troop of 10,000...
...I believe I can keep him out of the west of Qishan with my life.
We're well acquainted.
Zhuge Liang is the regent entrusted by Liu Bei.
Liu Shan treats Zhuge Liang like his father.
Do you think...
...we're better acquainted than them both?
Liu Shan is an incapable coward. He lays his trust on eunuchs.
He adores Li Yan and Qiao Zhou from Yizhou.
Jingzhou party led by Zhuge Liang in their political court...
...are standing against Yizhou party led by Li Yan.
Despite Zhuge Liang's status as the Chancellor...
...he's dreaded by Liu Shan and Li Yan.
Your Majesty is wiser than Liu Shan by multiple times.
Their emperor and ministers aren't getting along like us.
I get it now.
You mean...
...you can't win if we aren't well acquainted.
Timing, location and people.
People matter the most. -Good.
Since you're deeply aware of Zhuge Liang's weakness...
...do you have a plan to defeat them?
Zhuge Liang is near invincible in military strategy.
His weakness...
malways comes behind him.
You mentioned emperor and minister. I trust you.
However, I want you and Wei to gain victory.
My uncle, Cao Zhen is killed by Zhuge Liang.
It's a slap on my face.
I want a Chief Commander who can take revenge for the insult.
I'm informed that Zhuge Liang has departed from Hanzhong.
Wei needs a Chief Commander who can defend the kingdom.
Otherwise, I can always appoint a new Chief Commander.
I've received the edict.
Did you hear it?
He tested my trust on him as soon as he took office.
He asked for the sovereign power.
No matter what, it's still granted by Your Majesty.
He can do nothing without it.
Too bad.
After Cao Zhen is dead...
...Sima Yi has lost...
...his Li Yan. -What about Cao Shuang?
He's far incompetent.
I'm up here.
There are at least 80-100 officials...
...who came to you today. Are you not going to see anyone?
They came because...
...Cao Zhen is dead. They want to get my share.
They don't bother about my condition at all.
If you refuse to take up the position...
...why don't you let go of it?
Let those who think they are capable...
...like Zhang He and Cao Shuang to take over.
This is a chance to play against Zhuge Liang.
I couldn't let it go either for the kingdom or myself.
Here, drink some.
You're looking at Zhuge Liang's portrait again.
You saw him before, didn't you? Why don't you draw out his face?
We were far apart at Xicheng.
I barely saw his face.
Even if I can draw out his face, I can't draw out his style.
Even if one day I can do $0...
...I can't illustrate his mind.
His mind?
You're so impressed by him. You really like him, don't you?
I want to read him.
Only then I can read myself clearly.
I risked my life in the battlefield...
...in exchange for the chance to play against him.
The ending will determine the fate of the world.
Sima Yi, it's either victory or defeat.
It's about life and death.
It isn't just you, but the lives of more than 200,000 people.
Many years have spent without an outcome.
Since you and Zhuge Liang cherish each other so much...
...why don't you agree to a truce...
...for the peace of our people?
If the world dispute can be settled like what you said...
...that will be simple.
Shu has Jiang Wei even if Zhuge Liang is gone.
Wei has Zhang He and Cao Shuang even without me.
Weapons are lethal. They're only used in desperate situation.
The heaven will choose...
...the victor in the battle between me and Zhuge Liang.
Perhaps after this battle...
...we're closer to unifying the land...
was well as the peace that you mentioned.
Let's hope so.
Lady.
He's here.
Master.
What's this, master?
This is Zhuge Liang's congratulatory letter.
He congratulates my promotion as the Chief Commander...
...and he challenges me to battle.
Have you come up with a plan to battle against him?
I stand no chance against him if we meet in the battlefield.
Zhuge Liang's weakness is always behind him.
What do you think, Ling Yun?
Lady.
Leave us.
You're right.
Li Yan is Zhuge Liang's weakness.
Shu has both old and new parties.
Jingzhou party led by Zhuge Liang has entered Yizhou as host.
It causes resentment of Yizhou party led by Li Yan.
Liu Bei appointed them both as regents...
...in a hope to even up both parties.
They won't reconcile after Liu Bei is dead.
Li Yan is a cunning person. He's arrogant and untamed.
Liu Bei appointed him as the Central Protector General.
His position was above Zhuge Liang.
Now, Zhuge Liang claims himself as Chancellor during his expedition.
Eastern troop is managed by Li Yan separately from Chengdu.
It shows dissension between them.
Think about it. If Li Yan takes any action when...
...you battle against Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Liang will be distracted.
You're right. If someone goes to Li Yan...
...and informs him about Zhuge Liang's victory...
...that it will diminish his political position in Shu...
...and that I'd work along with him...
...Zhuge Liang will retreat once he holds him back.
Are you going to send me as the messenger?
Yes.
First, you know of my intention based on your explanation.
Second, you came from Yizhou.
You're very familiar with their local custom.
So, you can communicate well with Li Yan.
Third, you're my family.
Only you can represent my sincerity towards Li Yan...
...and provide better assurance.
Master, you're confronting Zhuge Liang...
was the Chief Commander...
...yet everything begins from my room.
Whafd Zhuge Liang think once he knows about this?
What he'd think?
Back then, he induced Meng Da and created havoc to Wei.
It's an eye for an eye.
We both gaze languishingly to the east.
Master, lady, it's ready.
What are you saying? -The bed.
The bed.
Master, you're also gazing to the east.
Would you want to excuse yourself...
...if the madam intervenes?
Ling Yun, you're the Zhuge Liang at home...
...but she's the household leader.
Yuan.
Close the door.
Yes.
Ninth year of Jianxing in Shu...
...or third year of Taihe in Wei...
...Zhuge Liang of Shu launched another expedition to Qishan.
They garrisoned beside Wei River.
Cao Rui appointed Sima Yi as the Chief Commander...
...of Liangzhou army to resist Shu.
Since Zhuge Liang has garrisoned beside Wei River...
...Wang Ping and Zhang Yi have...
...entered Xie Valley through Dasan Pass.
Generals, do you have any good idea to drive off the enemy?
Chief Commander, I'd lead a troop to defend Yongmei.
We might not rival Zhuge Liang even with combined force.
They might defeat us one by one if we split.
General Zhang, this might not be a good idea.
If you already have a plan in mind...
...you don't need to test us, just give your order.
Sun Li. -Yes.
How's the harvest of wheat in Longshang?
It'll be a bumper year. The harvest is just around the corner.
Zhuge Liang has forage shortage. He will harvest the wheat.
Zhang He. -Yes.
Be the vanguard with a troop of 40,000 and camp in Qishan.
Yes. -Guo Huai.
Yes. -Gather the rest...
...to camp in Tianshui. -Yes.
We'll attack them from both sides if they come for the wheat.
Generals. -Yes!
Act accordingly. -Yes.
Chief Commander Sima has sent over his Madam Ru.
Is it contempt or a great honour to me?
Greetings, Central Protector General Li.
My status doesn't matter.
What matters most is whether I get to deliver...
...Chief Commander Sima's message...
---C)I"---...
...get your reply.
You think you can understand me.
It's a coincidence. My mother also came from Yizhou.
Look at the calligraphy.
The people feel like home. They won't be affected by money.
It's adapted from Wang Can's "Climbing the Tower".
It describes the nostalgia towards hometown.
It won't be affected by wealth status.
What do you think, Central Protector General Li?
You're certainly knowledgeable.
Yizhou is your hometown.
You feel like a foreigner in your hometown.
I wonder who is...
...giving you the sense of dependence.
Please take your seat.
You come afar. I'd listen to what you've to say.
How many days can the forage last?
Chancellor, it's just enough for a week.
Are we yet to receive supply from Central Protector General Li?
I've been sending people to urge it.
They couldn't approach him...
...and they aren't sending additional forage.
There's nothing I can do.
It's during the harvest season of wheat.
Where's the best harvest nearby?
Chancellor, it's Longshang...
...but that's where the Wei army is garrisoned at.
Longshang.
Sima Yi has got ahead of us again.
He predicted my intention. He certainly knows me well.
Wei army is two times stronger than us.
Since they've garrisoned there, we might be ambushed...
...before we'd crop the wheat.
Order our soldiers to get ready of sickle and rope.
Prepare to crop. -Yes.
Chancellor! How do you do after we parted at Xicheng?
Chief Commander, we've messengers.
Fine, assign them. -Yes.
Messengers! -Yes!
Send the exact message from the Chief Commander...
...to them. -Yes!
Chancellor, they've sent a platoon of plump soldiers to send message.
Is it to mock the body size of our soldiers?
He's sending his regard in this way.
Good. Call our messengers to send my message, too.
Messengers. -Yes!
Climb up the stage.
Make way.
Only Guan Zhong and Zhang Liang bear the style like this.
He's Zhuge Liang. He's calm and confident.
Hou Ji. -Yes!
The chair. -Yes.
Master, sit.
Am I to sit here and look at the horse butts?
This is the safest place.
I'm going, too. -Stay. It's dangerous outside.
Make way!
Father, Zhuge Liang is indeed extraordinary.
He wears neither armour nor weapon in the battle.
I don't bring my sword either.
Fan. -Fan!
I said I want a fan.
Chief Commander wants a fan!
He wants a fan?
Tell him. This is my only fan.
This is the only fan. Pass the message.
Chancellor said, this is the only fan!
Hou Ji! -Yes!
Chief Commander said you're too impatient, Chancellor!
No! He called me!
I said nothing about you.
Time is crucial to restore the land.
Time doesn't wait. It seems like Sima Yi...
...knows me the best.
Tell him that I'll be patient.
The Chancellor will be patient. Pass the message.
Our Chancellor will be patient!
Hou Ji is here!
Give me the fan.
Yes.
Tell him.
If he joins me to restore the Great Han...
...I'll give him this fan.
If Sima Yi joins me to restore the Great Han...
...I'll give him this fan.
If Sima Yi joins me to restore the Great Han...
...I'll give him this fan!
I've obtained one. -Chief Commander has obtained one!
Chief Commander has obtained one!
What has he obtained? -He said he's obtained your fan.