Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the Legend of the Phoenix Volunteer Team @ Viki
Legend of the Phoenix
Episode 28
Yan Zheng.
You told me something was going to happen last night, which will prove that you are not a spy.
But nothing has happened yet.
Unluckily,
I found these letters from the Empress under the tiles in your room.
That's impossible, my lord. That could never happen.
Someone must've used the Empress's handwriting to frame me.
Listen to me, how could I...
You will regret this.
Wei Guang's idea successfully pitted Yan Zheng and the princess against each other.
Yan Zheng was executed by the Prince of Guang Ding. They've lost their most important strategist.
It would slow them down, so we can have more time.
This is what I was worried about. My memory has gotten worse.
All these years, I've been supporting the Emperor in secret, so he can be a powerful emperor.
But I can't do the same nowadays.
Your Grace, you need to handle all the important situations.
You have to recover.
That's why I took you here, so I can leave everything to you.
Leave everything to me?
I have Lang Kun as a helper and many spies to gather information for me.
While I can still think clearly, I want you to have all of them.
Could you replace me and support the Emperor?
Your Grace, you are saying...
Do you remember when you came begging me to stop the Empress?
Eunuch Li told me that day,
how you handle the crisis in the palace and the imperial court.
I really have to thank you. You know the importance of getting a hold of the big picture.
Your character and your perspective helped me decide to leave you in charge.
Your Grace, I'm afraid that I can't take all the responsibilities.
You don't love the Emperor, right?
But I promised him
that I would not leave him.
But I also hope that one day I can.
I know that you are telling me the truth, but have you thought of that
you are already responsible.
You took on the responsibility the moment you decided to fight against the Princess.
How could you leave it now?
Even if Yan Zheng is dead,
would you not do anything if the Princess comes back?
Once the Princess is taken care of, Liang will have new crisis.
The Emperor holds the appearance, and you are the essential power. You can't just leave it.
Your Grace, I promise you that I will help the Emperor to eliminate of the Princess.
About other things, let focus on get you recovered first.
Fine. We will see what would happen to Liang.
-Li. -Yes.
The information from the spies will be handed to Consort Ning from now on. You will be answering to her as well.
Yes, your Grace.
What a shame.
Who is it?
Shame.
Yan Zheng.
Don't think you can scare me by playing these tricks. I'm not afraid of you.
It's a shame. What a terrible shame.
You killed my brother and you still have the guts to come to me.
Yan Kuan, Guard Chen told me that
you sigh here every day and have been saying "it's a shame" all the time.
I would like to ask you what is the shame.
You really want to know?
Prince of Guang Ding.
I see that you look pale. A shadow is overwhelming you.
Have you run into my brother's ghost?
How did you know?
My brother and I were connected ever since we were children.
I know what he thinks.
And he can also feel what I am up to.
The "shame" I was talking about was because my brother felt it's a shame before he dies.
You brother definitely hates me. I killed him myself.
My brother doesn't hate you two.
He doesn't even hate Wei Guang.
Wei Guang is smarter.
My brother lost fair and square.
Mr. Yan,
you've been saying that your brother was wrongfully executed.
But we've investigated.
Yan Zheng was bribed by the stupid Emperor.
You can't always believe what you see.
Wei Guang is a genius, but he didn't think of that
in this world
I, Yan Kuan, exist.
I will tell you how he did it in the future.
Ok, we will believe you for now.
Let me ask you again. What's the "shame" you were talking about?
There are three things. Firstly, I feel bad about you two.
You almost get to rule the world, but everything is ruined now.
Secondly, I feel bad for the previous Emperor.
He didn't want to pass his throne to the Emperor we have now.
But he let this unfilial son sit on the throne.
Thirdly, I feel bad for the people.
People are suffering because of this Emperor. Isn't that a shame?
Tell me, what should we do next?
Take action. Right now it's a good time to take action.
Right now?
When you see three signs,
it's the best time to take actions.
The first one is when there are two moons in the sky.
What do you mean?
How could there be two moons in the sky?
The second one is when there are no clouds during the day
but you can't see the sun.
That's even more unlikely.
I can't tell you the secret.
I can't tell you the third one yet.
Once you see the first two signs,
come to me again.
Such bad luck this year.
22 of the 32 armies failed to guard.
Your Majesty.
You seem to be in a hurry. What's wrong?
Something happened in Qing Yun county and Bai Le county.
These two counties have been prospering and peaceful. What happened to them?
It was natural disasters.
Qing Yun county had weird weather the other day.
There were two moons in the sky. One was inside the other.
It is the sign of storms.
Just like I said, there have been thunderstorms and flooding these days.
Many people died. Bai Le country is the opposite.
It hasn't been raining for a month there.
And it caused a locust plague. Locust are everywhere.
It's been two months since the sun was last seen.
Since the disasters are this serious,
release the relief grain.
Your Majesty, not just these,
this abnormalness might affect other counties.
There might be a famine.
I see.
It's been unlucky. Bad things have been happening.
Summon the governors and discuss possible solutions.
Yes, your Majesty.
Mr. Yan,
no wonder the previous Emperor called you the master. You did make accurate predictions.
The two prophecies have came true.
Didn't you say that
the best opportunity comes when the third sign shows?
What is the third sign?
The third sign is not a sign, it's your determinations.
Release me from this prison and come with me.
Once we get to Bei Dian,
make me the lead general and start a new dynasty.
I want the whole 32 armies act at once.
Faster faster.
Guard Chen, open the cover and let me check.
This is person died from the plague.
It might pass to you. It's better if you don't look.
Since he died from the plague, why are you moving him with bare hands?
I have to look.
I ran into the Princess, Prince of Guang Ding and Yan Kuan.
They had lots of people and I couldn't catch them. They are gone now.
Close the city gate. We need to investigate the whole city.
I would be bad to let him loose.
Yes.
Your Majesty,
I sent guards to go after them
and discovered that the soldiers from the West side of the capital
ganged up with those thieves and helped them escape.
I can't believe there are this many generals ganging up with them.
Which direction are they heading?
Northwest.
Your Majesty, they must've fled to the north to rest.
Please allow me to take armies and go after them.
Ok, you can have all five camps of soldiers.
If you can't catch them, kill them.
Yes.
Your Grace.
Don't have to greet me. How is Wei Guang? Has he caught them?
Wei Guang is back. He chased for a day and night.
It's just those thieves had army protecting them, so he couldn't get to them.
He had to stop at Ling Chi country, which is their territory.
If he kept chasing, he probably couldn't make it back.
Your Grace.
It seems that
we have to fight the war.
Your Grace,
it already happened. There is no use to worry.
We have to deal with this accordingly.
My children have come to this state after all.
Ningzhi.
The Emperor is weak at heart. You need to help him.
Don't worry. I will do my best.
The army just reported that those thieves have run back to Bei Dian.
They named themselves Post Liang.
They made Yan Kuan as the general and separate their soldiers into four groups
trying to attack our capital.
Your Majesty,
since we got to this step, there is no go back.
We have to fight the war.
I rather pull the thrones out of my back
rather than have them there for the rest of my life.
Wei Guang, I name you the General of Ding Guo, and you will be in charge of all of the armies.
You will be staying in the north. Yan Kuan is also in the north.
You will fight him.
Yes, your Majesty. I have one last thing to say to you, your Majesty.
We don't have much time, just say it.
This war is different than fighting Wuci last time.
The last war depended on our military and strategy.
This time depends on the people's will.
Yan Kuan is best at demagogy,
so I hope your Majesty can do these three things.
First, there have been rumors saying that you were not the righteous heir
to the throne, and Yan Kuan will form conspiracy out of it.
The previous Emperor made a command
saying that whoever discuss it will be executed.
Even though it was meant to prevent the gossip, but it made you seem afraid of the truth.
So I suggest that you overrule the command,
so you will seem generous and courageous.
This command was from the previous Emperor,
so I can't just overrule it.
But what you said makes a lot of sense.
I will overrule this command right away.
It will prove our morals.
What's the second thing?
The second thing is after I leave with the army,
you can't do anything that will hurt the people. Not even one.
Of course. What's the third one?
I estimate that once the war starts, you will be using the tax money
to enlarge the army, but I don't think it will be a good idea.
Now that there are so many natural disasters happening, if we can't help people with that in time,
I'm afraid that they will rebel.
I suggest we save enough supplies and money for natural disasters,
which is the best way.
But our enemies have strong military force.
If we don't have enough budget for the military, I'm afraid we will lose.
Comparing to military power, where the people's heart lies is more important.
You will be alright as long as you do as I say.
Ok, I will do as you say.
Your Majesty, I also suggest that you donate half of the food supply to the palace to deal with the natural disaster,
so it shows that you are a good Emperor, and is nothing the enemies can compare themselves to.
It will help your image.
Don't worry,
as long as you win this war, I will do
whatever you ask me.
Come sit with me.
Yes.
Your Grace, I'm here to say goodbye.
Where are you going? Have you recovered?
I feel better.
I want to take my people from Fei Hu camp to the frontline
to spy the enemies and help Wei.
You just can't stay still.
Lang Kun, do you think we really have a chance to win?
Both sides are about the same, so I can't say.
Your Grace, for your safety,
you need to prepare an exist.
I know, and I should.
But so are you. You can't just think about others. You need to think about yourself as well.
Aren't you tired of fighting and risk your life all these years?
Once this war is over, just go back to your hometown.
Go live a civil life.
I'm used to it
all these years. I will see once the war is over.
I will leave tomorrow morning. I should go now.
Have a good night tonight.
Since Wuci, within a year,
The short-lived peace was plagued with disasters.
Another great war occured.
The Great Marshal Wei once again set off for battle.
People are for him and he has all the support.
But this war is within the royals.
Win or lose, it would be
a battle that wasted Great Liang's valuable resources
Leave.
Yes.
Your Majesty, I heard the court officials talking today
about how you repealed a decree that the previous Emperor had sent down.
It was for preventing gossiping about the royals.
Why did I not know of this before?
At that time, the previous Emperor wrote such a decree to prevent
other people from eyeing the throne.
Of course you wouldn't know.
Correct. At that time the previous Emperor did want to pass the throne down to Prince of Guangding.
But life has it's strange ways of working.
before he could instate Prince of Guangding, he fell ill.
Even the skills of the imperial physicians were useless.
The previous Emperor felt helpless and passed the throne on to me instead.
But no one could have expected that in just the first few days after I succeeded the throne,
his illness was cured.
As such, Prince of Guangding believed that it was I who stole his position.
He teamed up with that good sister of mine to
spread false rumors about me.
They said that I was the one who poisoned him for the throne.
So it was like this. No wonder Prince of Guangding
hates you so much.
They've always been like this.
The Emperor is innocent, you do not need to fear their words.
If everyone was like you,
how could my nation not be at peace?
Great Marshal Yan, this was a beautiful battle.
Both of us were planning on returning to Beidian when we suddenly heard
that Great Marshal Yan broke through the enemy's defenses twice.
I can't help myself but come here to reward the soldiers.
I'm also here to drink with you.
Please do not be happy so early.
Our true enemy is Wei Guang.
Wei Guang? He is indeed a great soldier.
Defeating Wuci was alright,
but compared to Great Marshal Yan, he's not worth much.
Marshal, using your judgment,
if the battle continues like this, when will we be able to reach Yandu?
I'm planning to stop fighting and hold peace talks with the Emperor.
Peace talks?
Great Marshal Yan what is the meaning of this?
We have the upper hand right now, why don't you just keep fighting?
What is there to talk about with that person?
Not just peace talks,
I also have a specific person in mind to hold the peace talks with.
For my side, I must trouble Prince Royal to appear.
For the Emperor's side, I have chosen the Empress to come out.
Empress?
Why are you set on that woman?
Great Marshal Yan, what's your motive?
Naturally, I have my own reasons for doing so.
If he is willing to let the Empress come, then we'll talk.
If not, then we'll continue fighting.
Both of you will soon be clear as to
what this board looks like in my mind.
Marshal, you're thinking...
I'm thinking
that Yan Kun continues to chase after us
as if he has no idea that I've been pretending to lose. There's two possibilities.
First, he's just an
amateur strategist, not even able to see through the simplest battle strategies.
Second, he doesn't even care who wins or loses these battles.
On the surface, he seems like he's fighting against us,
but underneath, he has some other plans brewing.
Reporting to Great Marshal Wei,
Yan Kun suddenly stopped his soldiers, saying that he wants to hold peace talks with the Emperor.
Peace talks? They're currently winning the battles,
how could they want to have a truce?
Whose the representative? Where will it be held?
The location will be chosen by the Emperor,
but they will choose the representative.
- Princess Royal will be their representative, and they want the Empress to come out. - The Empress?
That's right. They said that if the Empress doesn't show up, they won't bother with the talks
- and will continue fighting. - Why are they trying to get the Empress?
What is Yan Kun thinking?
Prepare a messenger, I must write a secret missive to the Emperor.
Yes!
You don't need to read this anymore.
Wei Guang has overthought it.
Wei Guang has his own talents on the battlefield.
But in terms of truce, I naturally have my own thoughts.
It's fine as long as he continues to battle well.
Your Majesty, think over it some more.
Since Great Marshal Wei went through the trouble of writing this,
then he must have already concluded that there's another motive to the peace talks.
Didn't you ask me not to fight, so people would not suffer,
how come this time, you guys don't want me to hold peace talks?
From the surface, it looks as if this missive is saying that Great Marshal Wei is not against the peace talks.
He just doesn't want to be led by the nose by Yan Kun
and have the Empress be forced to go.
He did say that, but he didn't even provide a reason why.
I have no idea what he's thinking about.
If he gave me a reason, then I would naturally take that into consideration.
Yes, he did not say the reason why.
But I also think that
for Yan Kun to suddenly want to hold peace talks and have this sort of condition attached to it,
he must have a motive.
So Your Majesty, we cannot proceed according to his wishes.
Alright, I don't think that there's anything suspicious about it.
It all makes sense. Who are they trying to negotiate with?
Me? How could these two thieves dare to see me?
The Princess and the Empress are both women with similar status, so why not?
-But... -But your Majesty. -Stop.
I am a royal and I can't take back my words.
Also, the Empress said yes.
I also said yes.
Are you asking me to take back my own words?
I wouldn't dare.
Your Grace, did his majesty discussed the conditions?
We will just deal with it accordingly. They are in advantage this time.
It's not easy to negotiate.
Then, did his Majesty tell you that
Wei Guang will not be there?
Why not?
I don't know either.
But I think that
there is something suspicious.
I am the Empress.
It's time for me to do something for our country.
I used to not care about what happened in the past.
That was because of my hate towards the Emperor.
Now that I don't care much
whether the Emperor comes or not.
Lang Kun told me
what happened in Hua Xing Palace the other day.
In my heart, the thing that really moved me
was what you have with Wei Guang.
Love like that never fades.
It was really touching.
Don't mention that.
I was so scared that I couldn't even hold the crossbow.
Tell Wei Guang that I can also do
what you do for Liang.
Ok, for the sake of your speech,
I will manage the palace for you.
If anyone dares to cause trouble,
I will make them so miserable.
What do you mean?
Are you mocking me?
How could I?
Ok, tell me, what else did you say?
You said that I will always be the lead
and you always come last. What else?
Also, you are the big sister,
I'm the little sister. You are always the Empress,
and I will always be a little consort.
So nice of you.
Let's sit.
Sister, promise me,
no matter what ridiculous condition the Princess propose,
don't confront her.
You need to be patient and come back to discuss it.
You don't need to tell me that.
I will pray for you.
I know.
Greetings, mother.
You are taking off soon, Empress. When will you be back?
Sha He Li is three days away from the palace.
The Empress will need six days.
Might be longer.
Please don't worry about me.
My evil daughter is very proud.
Now that we are at war, she might be even harder to deal with.
You are the Empress.
The most privileged person.
You will have your prestige.
It's just that you need to control yourslef.
Don't be impulsive and confront her.
If you two have a falling out,
Liang's people will suffer.
I will do as you say.
I will be patient with her. Don't worry.
How are you, you Grace?
Sit.
Sorry for being late.
The natural disaster is everywhere.
It's not a good year.
You are getting fancier and fancier.
Good. Let's get to it.
The Emperor, Prince of Guang Ding and I
are children of my mother.
Us fighting each other
will be a scandal in history books.
So, I do want to make peace.
Separate Liang into two. This side will be yours, and the other side is ours.
From now on, you will still be Liang,
and we will be Post Liang. We shall not offend each other.
If we do, half of Liang
will be yours.
Princess, who does this mean?
Are you a bandit?
Empress, I invited you here to negotiate.
This is Sha He Li, not the palace.
I gave you a chance to negotiate,
not being pretentious.
That's right. We do want peace.
But your mother begged me
to tolerate you, her evil daughter.
It seems that you did not come with sincerity at all.
You are the ones who are insincere.
Then you can still make it when you get to the capital.
I also have a way to divide the map.
You can't be the only person whos has a say.
-Tell me. -The six counties up here will be yours.
See it as a gift from your mother.
Doesn't your brother want to be an emperor?
Let him be emperor in those six counties.
Six counties...
The whole country is Yu's.
Your Emperor was the one who stole all of it.
I'm not here to gossip with you.
I'm here to stop the war.
Alright. Then let's continue discussing.
We'll take twelve counties, the rest are yours.
My concession can only go up to there.
If you don't agree,
This battle will go on.
The rest don't matter, but giving Mei Cheng county and Dong Lai county is impossible.
The people from these two counties are loyal and they all fight.
Most of the people fought for the Great Liang.
Their descendants couldn't possibly leave the Great Liang.
If you forcibly take them,
I'm afraid there will be conflicts.
You're causing trouble for yourselves.
Princess, the Empress Dowager's birthday will be in a couple of days.
How about if we gift these little counties to her as a gift?
I believe you wouldn't want everyone saying
that you aren't filial, right?
Here.
Sis!
How did the discussing go?
This Empress really isn't easy to deal with.
I used my nice and mean,
She's only willing to give ten counties at most.
I didn't agree to it.
What do you think？
Ten counties...
That Emperor must be dreaming!
Don't be angry. The result of the negotiation doesn't matter.
This drama is for the people to see anyways.
I've got another way in my heart.
Grand Marshal Yan,
What are you thinking about?
You should tell us.
You will know when it's time.
Princess Royal, please send someone to tell the Emperor,
The truce was a failure because the Empress was too arrogant.
She was defiant. If he wants to keep the peace talk,
they need to take away her title and send her to Jail.
I want the world,
Why should I care about an Empress?
Princess, you will see.
What's most important now...is to win more battles.
That's true.
We will be facing their best army.
It will be a tough battle.
So what? Not only the people are helping you,
so are the gods. Also,
The ghost is also helping you.
General Yan, what do you mean?
I am the people
and the gods will cast more disasters.
The people are suffering. Also, there is taxes.
They have to rebel.
You've seen it once.
And you will see it again.
But don't worry,
he is not here to hurt you this time.
He will be here to help you.
Empress, what did my daughter say?
Will she agree to your conditions?
I don't know. It depends on Yan Kuan and the prince of Guang Ding.
I actually sent you there to see what's going on with them.
The disasters should be ending right now.
Yan Kuan is just a talker.
He never fought before. Should be ok.
-Your Grace, Your Majesty. -Your Grace, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, the prince sent you a letter.
How could you?
Do you know what they said?
What?
They said that you were been arrogant during the meeting.
They also said that they want me to take away your title
or there is no deal.
Were there any conflicts during the negotiation?
No. We didn't have a fallout.
My children.
How could I gave birth to these bastards?
Your Grace.
Sit down.
The war started a month ago.
It looked like we lost three wars,
but I was just trying to see how powerful they are.
They are weaker than we thought.
But there is one thing I really worry.
Yan Kuan propose to take off the Empress's title, in order to resume the negotiation.
I've been thinking,
and I think it's part of their strategy. Do not fall for that, your Majesty.
Do you remember what I said before I take off?
This war depends on people's wills.
The Emperss is loved by the people.
If you take away her title, we will lose people's love.
Which the princesss will have adavantage.
Therefore, no matter what,
we can't take away the Empress's title.
Or else, yan Kuan will
win people's heart without fighting.
Timing and Subtitles brought to you by the Legend of the Phoenix Volunteer Team @ Viki
♫ In the clear sky, thousands of fireflies drift around ♫
♫ You were once the most ordinary firefly of them all ♫
♫ When you approached me, time stopped ♫
♫ My heart started racing ♫
♫ It was like a dream ♫
♫ I travel against the light in search for a faraway shadow ♫
♫ The crowded mountain cities, but I find it so peaceful ♫
♫ I really want to let go of my name and identity ♫
♫ I will watch the peaceful marketplace with you ♫
♫ I will wait with you for the rain to stop ♫
♫ I will light the light of love to shine into your life ♫
♫ So that all the dangerous rivers can soften your eyes ♫
♫ Like the crystal tears in the dead of night ♫
♫ My heart has become more transparent and stronger ♫
♫ Even if it aches, it will not break ♫