Original subtitles

♫ Raising the wine cup, I toast to the boundless sky ♫

♫ In talks and laughters are vast mountains and rivers. ♫

♫ Love and hate, debt and feuds, have all dissolved. ♫

♫ Where's my soul's hometown and my kindred spirits? ♫

♫ Seasons rolling by, we dream for harvest. ♫

♫ Warriors and warhorses howl across the sky. ♫

♫ If only I could turn into the wind, ♫

♫ to blow away all the pain in mortal coil. ♫

♫ I toast to the blue sky, to courage in solitude, ♫

♫ to migrating gooses, to boats heading home. ♫

♫ With even three thousand days and nights, ♫

♫ Will it be enough to drain this cup I toast to peace? ♫

[Swords into Plowshares]

[Episode 44]

Old General, do not jest.

The Song army's vanguard has already reached Caishiji.

The six prefectures east of the river are already within the Song ruler's grasp.

Now, if our Wuyue reaches out to seize these six prefectures,

would it not be like snatching food from a tiger's mouth?

This is not expanding territory from Southern Tang; this is clearly expanding territory from the Great Song.

The Crown Prince is astute, and sees things clearly.

It is just that, you

have forgotten about time.

Time?

From Jingchu to Caishiji, the water route is over two thousand li.

The Song army advanced and captured it within a month,

taking Jiangzhou, Wankou,

Chizhou, Hezhou, Caishiji, and over ten other fortifications,

fighting more than twenty battles, large and small.

Do you believe

the Song army has any spare time to capture cities and seize land?

Are you saying, Old General,

that in this campaign, the Song army disregarded the six prefectures east of the river,

and the entire force advanced rapidly via the water route, charging straight for Jiangning?

If my estimation is correct,

at this moment, on the city walls of the six prefectures east of the river,

the banners of the Great Tang are still flying.

Six prefectures, over thirty counties.

This old General,

can persuade them to change their banners and submit, all of them.

You do not believe me?

If I were a local official, I'll realize that,

when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken.

The Song's army presses on the border, the danger of the city falling is right before them.

If they are to surrender, it should be to the Song.

Our Wuyue has not sent a single soldier to the lands east of the river.

How can we make them submit?

What if I have troops?

Regarding state affairs,

you know them WELL, General.

Though I am nominally the Heir overseeing the state, safeguarding the seal of the King,

without Chancellor Shen's approval,

I, this nominal Crown Prince,

cannot mobilize a single soldier.

You didn't get me, Crown Prince.

I mean, it is me who have troops.

In Pengli Lake,

there are thirty thousand Longxiang Army soldiers, and over two hundred and eighty warships.

They are all my former subordinates from my days in the army.

If I personally enter Pengli Lake,

all it takes is one call to surrender bearing the King of Wuyue's seal,

and this force

will become Wuyue's Longxiang Army.

Crown Prince,

with this combined land and naval force in hand,

not to mention the six prefectures east of the river,

even the Southern Tang's thirteen prefectures and over a hundred counties south of the river

will all become Wuyue's territory.

Wuyue,

through five generations of kings

and over a century of constant warfare,

has only managed to secure a state of thirteen prefectures.

But now,

Crown Prince,

merely by affixing one seal,

you can expand Wuyue's territory

by another thirteen prefectures.

Is Wuyue's cuisine so bland?

Great King!

Marshal, the clog soles have been repaired.

Marshal,

is there urgent military news?

Nothing pressing.

The youngsters have soundly defeated the bandits.

Splendid!

Splendid!

Today!

Our Wuyue's mighty army,

with sharp weapons and trained troops, is to aid Song in attacking Tang!

This battle

concerns Wuyue's destiny,

and also concerns our own honor and disgrace!

I know

the Southern Tang is a formidable foe.

Yet,

how could the heroes of Wuyue fear them?

You must all follow me and strive forward,

to defeat the enemy and achieve victory,

to accomplish unparalleled feats,

and establish exceptional merit for peace!

Now,

with blades unsheathed,

we must

march straight into Jiangning!

Jiangning! Jiangning! Jiangning!

Jiangning! Jiangning! Jiangning!

Jiangning! Jiangning! Jiangning!

Jiangning! Jiangning! Jiangning!

[Longxiang Navy Camp, by Pengli Lake, in Raozhou]

Old Chief!

The state is about to fall.

From King Wuzhong to the present emperor, [King Wuzhong: Yang Xingmi]

from Great Wu to Great Tang,

for over ninety years, the state's foundation stood firm.

How many comrades sacrificed their lives,

to uphold this splendid realm.

Now it is about to fall.

Today, I want to ask one question.

For these ninety years,

for this state and its people, who have provided for your sustenance,

is there still anyone,

willing to fight for it?

This is the call of surrender from the Qian kid of Wuyue.

It bears the seal of the King of Wuyue.

Among you,

if you wish to find a way out,

just tell me.

I will send him to Hangzhou

to receive the Qian family's salary,

to preserve his wretched life in disgrace.

Old Chief,

are you telling the truth?

Of course it's true.

If you wish to live,

just abandon your military authority,

and go to Hangzhou.

I cannot promise high office and wealth, but you can at least become a rich man.

Think it over carefully.

Those who remain now

should consider themselves already dead.

Lately,

I have been thinking:

It's a state built over generations through arduous toil, with blood and flesh.

Now that its reign is ending,

is there still anyone willing to die for it?

I know

the emperor is foolish and incompetent, unfit to rule.

To die for that

rotten court in Jiangning City,

not to mention all of you,

even I am unwilling.

But after all, this is not his state alone.

This is not the state of the Li family alone.

This is the state, since the turmoil of the late Tang,

under the banner of King Wuzhong, who pacified the people and quelled rebellions,

where hundreds of thousands of soldiers fought bloody battles,

using their own blood and lives to carve out a state to settle and make their home.

It is the state built up by millions of scholars and commoners in Jiangnan,

farming, studying, and laboring, brick by brick, tile by tile, bowl by bowl of rice!

The year the late Martial and Loyal King passed away,

I was only eleven years old.

My stature

was not yet as tall as the wooden spear in my hand.

I was chosen for the Black Cloud Longsword Company,

fit only to lead the old king's horse.

That year on campaign,

the old king was on horseback,

I was beneath the horse.

The old king asked me,

what aspirations did I have in this life?

I said,

to eat my fill,

to eat meat,

to have a house while alive,

to have a burial mound when dead.

I was young back then,

couldn't even distinguish high from low.

I asked the old king,

what aspirations did he have

in this life?

The old king said,

he was about to die.

If there is an afterlife,

he only wished to be reborn in,

a peaceful nation.

For such a nation,

gentlemen,

are you willing to follow me

to die together?

Minister!

Why are you here?

Is something amiss in the palace?

There is an awkward matter.

By rights, I should report it to the Princess Consort,

but I am somewhat hesitant.

I have come specifically to seek your advice, Minister.

What exactly has happened?

[Li Yuanqing uses Longxiang Army as bait and pretended to surrender to Qian Weijun. Be prepare, there might be troubles.]

This...

When did this happen?

Two or three months ago.

Why was it not reported to the Great King earlier?

The agents of the Personal Guard did not recognize him.

Moreover, he was brought in by Princess' brother, just somewhat advanced in age.

The subordinates had their doubts, but dared not act recklessly.

If not for a few days ago when I discovered this matter while reviewing documents,

and inquired the Personal Guard,

even I would have been kept in the dark.

Can you confirm it is him?

I have not personally seen the man.

Only that he is of that age, and has that kind of description of appearance,

and can deploy the informants of the Qinhuai House at will.

Other than him, I really cannot think of anyone else who could have been this person.

You!

You have delayed a major affair!

Should I report it to the Princess Consort?

This is no longer a family matter;

it is a state affair!

It won't... lead to a change...

Mind your words!

The most urgent matter now is to keep everything suspicious under control.

Those remnants of the Qinhuai House inside and outside the royal capital must not escape.

Arrest and interrogate them all.

This man and the Great King are old enemies, having roamed the land for decades.

If he is truly plotting something, we might not be able to extract the information.

Even if we can't, we must!

Second:

Select personnel from the Personal Guard.

From now on, seal off Xianning Courtyard.

Regardless of whether they are eunuchs, servants, or maids,

including those of the Second Command guarding the heir apparent, arrest them all.

Detain and question them one by one.

This...

I'm afraid we need to request instructions from the Princess Consort.

Regarding the Princess Consort,

I will personally go and report to her.

If the heir appar...

If he himself insists on breaking out,

those of the Personal Guard might not be able to stop him.

What time is it now?

Nearly three quarter past the mao hour.

Leave this matter to me.

Attendants!

There are several urgent dispatches today.

Go to Xianning Courtyard and invite the heir apparent to the office to use the seal.

Yes, sir.

You have worked hard, Minister. I will handle the remaining matters.

[Song's military camp, Wankou]

[Summons to Surrender: appoint Zhu Lingyun the Military Governor of Fenghua Army charging Jiangzhou affairs,]

[concurrently Commander of the Jiangyou Campaign Forces]

[left: Cao Bin; right: Pan Mei]

King Qian has appealed for surrender in prefectures east to the river and the Longxiang Army?

Exactly.

I,

as the Supervisor,

by order of King Qian,

am to join forces with you, Marshal, on the river,

and together we will attack Jiangning.

What position do you hold in Wuyue?

I am old and frail.

I usually hold no specific duties.

I merely hold a nominal honorary guard title.

I am simply enjoying retirement in the Western Court.

Honorary guard?

A member of the royal clan?

I am Qian Yuanlin.

The twenty-third son of King Wusu.

Younger brother of King Wenmu.

The current King Qian of Wuyue's Uncle.

In the State of Wuyue,

I am the Senior Commander of the Right Imperial Guard.

Fetch a seat for the old general.

Yes, sir.

Before this commander came south,

I had not seen

King Qian report this matter to the Emperor.

Originally, I too was unwilling to bother with such mundane affairs.

Your army arrived too quickly, Marshal.

Zhu Lingyun's Longxiang Army, in awe of Marshal's formidable reputation,

did not dare to come out rashly to surrender.

Thus, a letter was sent to the royal capital.

I am an old friend of Zhu Lingyun's father,

Zhu Kuangye.

Considering our old friendship,

I reluctantly agreed.

I sent an envoy to the southeastern campaign headquarters in Shengzhou, obtained King Qian's order,

and then traveled day and night to Raozhou to take command of the Longxiang Army.

Since Zhu is requesting to surrender, he should have originally sent a letter to the imperial army.

Then, leading his army's officers,

he should have bound himself at the camp gate to demonstrate his sincerity in submission.

That young Zhu whelp and the officers in the army originally intended just that.

However, they were hindered by having no means to do so,

so they begged me to act as an intermediary.

Had I not acted as guarantor,

the over one hundred thousand soldiers of the Longxiang Army

might have faced a disaster like that in Changping. [Zhao Kingdom faced downfall after losing Changping Battle]

Such a glorious imperial army, [Zhao Kingdom faced perishing after losing Changping Battle]

how could it commit such an inauspicious act?

Ten years ago,

the rebellion in Yizhou arose from killing surrendered, [Yizhou Rebellion opened era of Three Kingdoms's stalemate]

and that was also a glorious imperial army. [Yizhou Rebellion prelude to the Three Kingdoms era.]

Mei!

Old General,

calm yourself.

Please rest in the side tent for now.

In that case, I

shall take my leave first.

The Li clan with over a hundred thousand troops lies between us.

Hard for communication.

Verification would take over a month.

With the army at the city walls, we truly cannot wait.

The seal on this document,

is it indeed genuine?

An official with a mere honorary guard title

took control of the Longxiang Army.

It's like festering sore left in our rear,

always unsettling.

Sooner or later, it must be lanced.

So the Marshal has made up his mind?

Deal with it early, combine forces at the foot of Jiangning's walls,

and conclude this campaign once and for all.

Minister,

what exactly has happened?

Indeed.

I too wish to ask you, Crown Prince,

what exactly has occurred?

Your words, Minister,

are unclear to me.

Then I shall speak plainly.

These past days,

what great deeds have you, the Crown Prince, and that Li Yuanqing

accomplished?

You actually did it?

It was...

it was merely a call of surrender.

And some appointment documents.

Without your countersignature, Minister, they are meaningless within the state.

The six prefectures east of the river?

So you knew all along, Minister.

And the Longxiang Army.

Come on.

Write.

Write what?

A memorial of apology

to your father, the King.

Summon Chengyou!

Yes!

Rise!

The deed is done.

Putting on such a pitiful act,

for whom?

What is Weijun doing now?

Minister Shen has taken the King's seal

and has returned the Crown Prince to the Yihe Academy,

to be disciplined by the Princess Consort.

Your father and Li Yuanqing have been dealing with each other for half a lifetime.

When has he ever suffered the slightest loss from him?

Yet you are so foolish, cheated and still helping him count the money.

I usually view you,

as someone with a mind.

How is it all used on these crooked things?

I was eager to achieve merit, hoping to share Father's burdens and expand Wuyue's territory.

Such a transparent trick, which Li Yuanqing used to fool your eldest brother,

was seen through at a glance.

Yet he turned it to his advantage, making him suffer a great loss instead.

You usually compare yourself to your eldest brother in everything,

so why don't you learn from his better qualities?

I know well

that I lack Eldest Brother's civil and military talents.

He served as Land Commissioner,

then entered the Chancellor's Office as Associate Chancellor,

went on diplomatic missions to the capital,

oversaw military provisions and transport,

and was praised throughout court and country.

I

also wish to become such a person.

Mother,

I

am willing to resign as heir.

I beg you and Father to comply with all wishes,

and let Eldest Brother rightfully assume the position.

Court affairs are something I've never understood,

nor do I care to inquire about.

You were made heir by your father.

If you wish to resign, go tell him to his face.

After such a foolish deed, you cannot stay in the capital.

Take this letter and go find your father at the front.

Great King,

it was my negligence.

I fell for that old traitor's scheme.

The Heir is not to blame.

So you are to blame then?

The mess you yourself created,

you yourself

must go clean up the aftermath.

Yes.

Li Yuanqing painstakingly devised

such a grand scheme.

Could it truly be for the purpose of

presenting the Longxiang Army and the six prefectures east of the river to me on a silver platter?

This man,

I have known him deeply since childhood.

Calling him a pillar of state would not be excessive praise.

He endured humiliation in Hangzhou,

bowing his head and submitting to Weijun.

What he seeks

is far more than just our Kingdom of Wuyue.

Now, the true mortal enemy for the entire Southern Tang court

is the imperial army

that has occupied Wankou and Caishiji,

and on the Yangtze River, has built a pontoon bridge.

Go now!

Yes, sir.

Report!

Marshal!

On the Longxiang warship is flag of Wuyue.

Where is that Qian clan relative?

Reporting, Marshal.

He is in the camp eating,

complaining the meat is too coarse, the wine too sour, and wants to catch a river fish to eat.

Pass the order down.

Prepare spears, crossbows, and fire arrows.

Yes, sir!

Mei.

Here!

Go to the ship opposite and scout out the situation.

Yes, sir!

What's that odor?

Commander!

There's something on the river!

Here too!

Commander!

Greek fire!

Retreat!

Retreat quickly!

Retreat! Retreat!

All generals, heed my command!

Light the fire!

Fire arrows!

Mei… Mei?

Where is Mei?

Reporting, Commander. He has returned to command the warship.

Bring that Qian clan relative up here to me now!

Reporting.

That man…

that man has disappeared.

Go find him for me!

If you can't find him, don't you come back either!

Yes, sir!

Yes, sir!

Pass the order down!

Command the ships at the rear to turn around, set sail, and retreat at full speed!

The front ships change from a line abreast to a line ahead.

The rear ships flank from the sides.

Yes, sir!

Attack!

Report!

Reporting. The Marshal has led our troops to return from the north and south and encircle the enemy ships.

The enemy is showing signs of collapse.

Order the archers to concentrate all fire on the Longxiang flagship

and attack!

Enemy attack! Take cover quickly!

Take cover!

This matter must be accounted for.

What kind of account do you want?

And who do you want it from?

The seal on these

can hardly be fake.

Report!

Reporting, the Deputy Military Governor of Zhendong and Zhenhai Armies,

Envoy of Wuyue, Sun Chengyou, requests an audience.

[To Cao Bin, from Qian Chu:]

[My son Weijun was cheated by wicked Li Yuanqing and involved in treason. I beg for His Majesty to forgive him.]

So King Qian is saying

the call of surrender

and these letters of appointment

were all made by the Crown Prince?

The Crown Prince

was also deceived by that traitor Li Yuanqing.

If that is so,

then King Qian need only deliver Li Yuanqing's head.

That would be enough to console the spirits of our soldiers who fell at Wankou.

Mei.

But who knows now

where that traitor has fled to?

May I ask,

how does King Qian intend to deal with the Crown Prince?

Do you know

what I was doing

at your age?

I've heard Mr. Shen said that

back then, Father served as

Inspector for the Southern Campaign in Jiangdong,

concurrently as the Transport Commissioner,

in charge of provisions, armor, weapons, and official affairs for all armies.

I was filling in ditches.

Are you hungry?

Father,

I am not.

In the coming days,

avoid spicy and greasy food.

Yes.

I will obey.

Caning.

Forty strokes.

Yes.

Crown Prince,

bite down hard in a moment.

Enemy attack!

Enemy attack!

Enemy attack!

What did you say?

Where is the enemy?

Ships… ships!

So many ships!

They're everywhere!

Enemy attack! Enemy attack!

[King Qian of Wuyue]

I, Cao Bin, commander of the Southwest Front Camp Cavalry, Infantry, and Naval Forces,

pay respects to the Grand Marshal.

We pay our respects to the Grand Marshal.

General Bin, please rise.

Generals,

please rise.

Please be seated.

The Eastern and Western Armies have joined forces today beneath the walls of Jiangning.

Regarding the movements of the army, we await your instructions.

General Bin, you are a renowned commander of our time,

your prestige known throughout the land.

If you had been born four hundred years ago,

you would have been honored with a burial mound at the imperial mausoleum.

I have always been negligent in military affairs.

Merely leading these over one hundred thousand Wuyue troops

from our homeland here to Jiangning's walls

has exhausted all my spirit and strength.

Now,

with our forces combined,

in military matters,

I should also rest.

From today onward,

within the army,

I will be but a clay idol, a wooden puppet.

All troops, regardless of origin,

shall obey Bin's commands.

I will concern myself only with eating and sleeping, and sit back to watch Bin work his stratagems.

Grand Marshal, your words are something I dare not accept.

You are worthy of them.

My son

has caused such great trouble to you two, Bin, and Mei.

A disaster of this scale.

Were it not for the concerted efforts of all commanders,

and especially for yours, Bin, one with talent,

a once-in-a-generation genius of war,

the next time I stand before Bianliang,

I

would truly be ashamed to face the Emperor.

You speak too gravely, Grand Marshal.

From this day forward,

all military affairs

are entrusted to you, Bin.

I

shall not interfere.

Please, assume the position of true commander.

Our King's sincerity is absolute.

We beseech Marshal Cao to decline no further.

We beseech Marshal Cao to assume the position of true commander!

We beseech Marshal Cao to assume the position of true commander!

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles stretch towering mountains. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles run surging rivers. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles cry warhorses. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles there are emotions unspoken. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, flowers are blooming along the road. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, gooses are returning to the north. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, we stand through storms. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, we hope for a safe return. ♫

♫ Tens of thousands of miles is not enough, ♫

♫ for a lifetime's sorrows and joys. ♫

♫ Tens of thousands of miles is not enough, ♫

♫ for the endless seas and rivers. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ love will overcome all barriers. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ we are together in life and death. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ the moon shines in the boundless world. ♫

♫ My heart has its hometown to return. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ who is the one crossing the waves with me, ♫

♫ with our hearts unrepentant, through countless lifetimes. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ oceans and lands witness that♫

♫ the world will be safe and sound. ♫

♫ Across tens of thousands of miles, ♫

♫ my heart is unchanging. ♫