Original subtitles

SAY NO TO PIRACY SUPPORT ORIGINALS

ADAPTED FROM JIA JIN CHAI, ORIGINAL NOVEL BY XIAOJIAREN ON JINJIANG LITERATURE CITY

-Hello, sir! -Come and have a look!

-That's nice. -Have a look!

-I do like the color. -Yes.

It looks so nice.

Hey, sir. I will have one.

Pick me a good one.

Of course.

Thank you. Take care.

Get lost!

The world can change in an instant.

Once, deadly foes.

Hereafter, we are of one aim.

Even bitter enemies can become allies.

Since when does a snake have good intentions?

General Qi, you care nothing for wealth or power.

The only thing you desire is her.

You know she's your buddy's wife,

yet you can't stay away from her.

Why? You simply can't help yourself.

You know exactly what I mean.

Who do you think you are?

You think you can read my mind?

Because I was on the city wall that day, too.

Such breathtaking beauty…

HENGCHENG GATE

Brighter than gold or jewels.

More tempting than power itself.

Enough to make a man's very soul tremble.

Qi Zhongkai.

No one in this world understands you better than I do.

Everything in this world has its price.

If a deal falls through, it's just that the offer wasn't sweet enough.

Well, General Qi?

I wonder if Noble Lady Wu'an

is tempting enough for you.

ZHAOYANG PALACE

Your Majesty, those elixirs are poisoning you.

You're worrying over nothing.

Brother!

-Don't stop me! -Brother!

-I need to see Father! -It hasn't been verified yet.

Keep it down. Don't sully the Crown Prince's reputation.

Father!

What's with all this pushing and pulling?

Have you no sense of decorum?

Your Majesty's health is at stake.

I was beside myself with worry.

Forgive my disrespect, Father.

Father.

A palace maid from Furong Hall has reported

that Lady Zheng replaced Solomon's seal

with poisonous gelsemium in the ginseng soup.

What's gelsemium?

Gelsemium is also called poison root.

They look the same.

But Solomon's seal nourishes, while gelsemium is poisonous.

It's especially deadly with cinnabar.

Father's been taking cinnabar elixirs for years.

The ginseng soup makes the poison stronger.

Within days, you'll bleed from every orifice.

And no medicine can save you!

Your Majesty, this ginseng soup

strengthens the body and restores vitality.

You really should drink more of it.

The medicinal smell is too strong.

I simply can't get used to it.

Father! I truly knew nothing about this!

Please believe me, Father!

Your Majesty!

These accusations are lies!

Prince Fu resents my son becoming Crown Prince.

He's been plotting to frame him!

Which wretched maid in my palace accused me?

Does she dare confront me face-to-face?

Your Highness.

His Majesty is rewarding you

with Solomon's seal ginseng soup and a golden elixir.

Your Majesty, don't make things hard for Shou.

He's always been your favorite son.

He may have his faults,

but they're merely romantic indiscretions.

He'd never risk his life over them.

This is all my fault.

I couldn't stand watching that woman Zhou Fu grow so arrogant!

She's nothing but a lowly wet nurse's daughter,

yet she dared claim equal standing with me,

the daughter of a Grand Commandant!

I was humiliated in public before,

and Your Majesty believed only her side.

I was mistreated and humiliated!

How could I possibly bear it, Your Majesty?

Your Majesty. What has Shou done to deserve this?

Prince Fu is trying to frame the Crown Prince.

He wants to take his place, Your Majesty!

Are you really going to have another son killed?

Your Majesty!

Father, I'm innocent!

I've been falsely accused! I'm innocent!

Father!

-What has Shou done wrong? -I'm innocent!

-What has Shou done wrong? -Guards!

Your Majesty!

What has Shou done to deserve this?

What has Shou done wrong?

Go back.

You should be grateful to your mother.

She may be foolish and shortsighted,

but when your life was on the line,

she was willing to die for you.

She was right.

I…

I don't want to lose another son.

From now on, know your place and be grateful for what you have.

CROWN PRINCE'S RESIDENCE

Perhaps tomorrow.

Perhaps next month.

His Majesty will strip you of your title whenever the mood strikes him.

How can a cripple who's lost his favor ever inherit the throne?

This is all Wu'an's fault.

Your Highness.

His Majesty hasn't deposed you, after all.

You still have a chance to fight back.

Traitors have corrupted the realm.

That's why Heaven sent this plague.

You're the Crown Prince.

You must rid the court of corruption,

save the people from suffering,

and achieve something truly great.

Who are these traitors?

Isn't it obvious?

Lady Li, of course, and her daughter, Lady Wu'an.

They've brought ruin to the realm.

If you want to eliminate these traitors,

you must get rid of Lu Zhuo first.

This is a secret letter from Lord Han.

DIMAN, KING OF HUTUO

The last time I allied with the Han family,

I lost many of my men.

So this time, why should I agree?

Your Majesty's three defeats

were the work of the Lu family, keeping you from Yunzhong and Yanmen.

They're your greatest threat.

If this plan succeeds, that threat will be gone.

Take a look, Your Majesty.

Once my master takes power,

he is willing to offer Youbeiping Commandery.

Lands with plenty of water and grass, where the herds grow fat.

Let it be lent to Your Majesty for ten years of grazing.

Good. Now that's a fine deal!

YANMEN, YUNZHONG, YOUBEIPING

Urgent military dispatch!

Urgent military dispatch!

Make way! Urgent dispatch!

Urgent dispatch!

ZHAO

The Hutuo have terrorized our northern border for decades.

Countless people have suffered.

I've had enough!

Lu Zhuo.

I command you to lead our armies

north to secure the border and crush the invaders.

Do not let me down.

I will do everything in my power to secure the border

and keep our people safe.

The situation is critical.

Leave the capital at once. No delays.

Yes, Your Majesty.

ZHAO

Lu Zhuo.

I'm entrusting the fate of our dynasty entirely to you.

If the situation becomes dire,

you have my authority to act as you see fit.

I'll give my life if I must to repay Your Majesty's trust.

Zhuo.

Watch out for those plotting against you.

Han Liao is eager to redeem himself and restore his family's honor.

He's even willing to serve under you.

Why turn him away?

Who knows?

He might prove quite useful.

Useful?

Han Liao?

Go ahead and enjoy your little triumph.

The one who knows you best will be your greatest enemy.

I'm off to the battlefield

this time to earn the ultimate glory

I'll show the world

Lu Zhuo isn't the only hero in the Lu family!

Your Ladyship, Lord Lu leaves by decree.

The situation is urgent.

He sent me to apologize for his sudden departure.

It's all right.

-Forget it. -Go on.

Rao. Don't worry.

My brother will win.

He's never lost a battle in his life.

Thank you.

Rao. He'll come home safe.

Don't worry.

He didn't even say goodbye.

Like I'm worried about him.

I wonder how far the army has gotten.

Have they won yet?

Get back to work.

Like I'm worried about him.

The enemy is gathering east of Longcheng.

At dawn, three days from now,

I'll personally lead our armored cavalry in an assault on their main forces.

-Generals of the Left and Right. -Yes, sir!

Each of you will lead 10000 cavalry archers to support our flanks.

Qi Zhongkai.

Take 10000 soldiers upstream

and set an ambush.

Cut off their retreat to the north.

Yes, General!

Brother. What about my assignment?

Lu Ya.

This is a military camp, not a place for you to do as you please.

General! Grandfather sent me here to gain experience.

But you've given me an empty title!

I want to fight. Let me!

Lu Ya. Your brother is looking out for you.

Never reckless in battles.

Go back and cool off.

Are you afraid I'll steal your spotlight?

Don't touch me!

Second Young Master. My Lord!

He's young. It's only natural he's hotheaded.

After a few battles, once he's faced life and death,

he'll learn.

Pay him no mind.

I need to talk to you.

Perfect. I have something to tell you, too.

Lu Zhuo is always on guard around me.

-I have you to thank for this. -It's the least I could do.

-Second Young Master. -Don't follow me!

-Second Young Master. -Get lost!

You know what to do, right?

That arrogant, inexperienced fool can't stand being challenged.

Don't worry. With just a few words,

I'll turn those brothers against each other.

ZHAO

A bystander sees it best.

I'll go talk to them.

Someone! Saddle my horse!

Want to know if she truly loves you?

Why not putting it to a test?

You've seen all my flaws with your own eyes.

But for some reason,

I want you to remember me as someone a little kinder,

someone better.

Zhao Song.

Yes.

General, the fog is rolling in.

Sound the drums! Assemble the troops!

ZHAO

All troops, hear my orders!

A thick fog has fallen tonight.

It's perfect for a surprise attack.

Keep silent and secure your armor.

Wrap the horses' hooves to muffle their steps.

Follow me into the enemy's royal camp!

We'll take the King of Hutuo's head!

Kill ten enemy soldiers,

and you'll earn a promotion and two bolts of silk!

Kill a hundred,

and you'll rise three ranks and receive a hundred gold pieces!

-Attack! -Attack!

Advance!

So that's your game, Lu Zhuo.

You deliberately spread false intelligence to raid the Hutuo royal camp tonight.

General, what do we do?

Bring me my horse! Now!

Yes! Right away!

Go! Hurry!

The King of Hutuo fled northwest!

Qi Zhongkai.

Don't forget our agreement.

I've never agreed to betray my country.

The Hutuo army must be wiped out!

I haven't forgotten the agreement, either.

He wants both glory and the woman.

His greed knows no bounds.

-Stick to the plan. -Yes, sir.

Attack!

General!

General!

Deputy General Lu Ya was hunting down the remnants,

but ran into Wuzhu, the King of Hutuo's eldest son.

He was lured into Iron Scorpion Ridge.

He's surrounded, and his fate is unknown!

Who gave him permission?

General Xiao.

Take the prisoners back to camp.

I'll go rescue him at Iron Scorpion Ridge.

Yes, sir!

-Move! -Move!

Move out!

Lu Zhuo, I…

Take mountain trail and retreat, now!

I'm not leaving! I'll stay and cover you!

Lu Ya! Lu Ya, listen to me.

If you don't leave,

-neither of us is getting out alive. -I won't!

Go! Hurry!

Get them all home safely!

-Go! Hurry! -Lu Zhuo!

You want to kill me, right? Come and get me!

Kill Lu Zhuo! Avenge my father!

Kill Lu Zhuo!

General Qi.

I need to get back to the capital with the news.

Tie him up.

General Qi!

Your Ladyship, we've won a great victory.

Our army is returning in triumph!

DUKE'S RESIDENCE

Grandfather.

My brother didn't let you down.

He won a great victory.

But he went back to save me, and got trapped behind enemy lines.

He was forced to lead his men straight into a death trap.

It's all my fault.

I deserve to die, Grandfather!

Zhuo!

Zhuo!

-He's dead. -Oh, Zhuo!

-Zhuo! -Zhuo, didn't you promise your mother

you'd come home victorious?

Lord Lu…

Please take Mother with you…

Wei Rao. I'm sorry.

I couldn't bring him home safely.

Where are you going?

I know you can't accept this, but you have to.

Lu Zhuo is dead. We have to arrange his funeral.

You're his wife.

No matter how much it hurts, you have to pull yourself together

and give him the funeral he deserves.

Wei Rao!

ZHUYU ESTATE

Nothing can bring back the dead.

Your Ladyship, my condolences.

It's better to cry than bottle it all up.

-Xiao. -Your Ladyship.

Gather everyone we can mobilize. Now.

How many can we assemble before sunset?

How many do you need, Your Ladyship?

Zhuyu Estate has 800 strongmen and 3000 trained soldiers.

If not enough, these two years,

thirty thousand drought refugees entered the capital.

With frequent outbreaks and earthquakes,

refugees poured westward from eastern regions.

Eighty thousand around the capital alone.

Among them, at thirty thousand are able-bodied young adults.

Can we mobilize them?

Folk believe you're divine.

Only a god could survive the plague

and save so many lives.

The Emperor may not rally these people.

But if you call on them, they'll come.

How many troops guard the capital and palace?

Those loyal to the Crown Prince and Zheng family

number twenty or thirty thousand.

Sick and starving refugees…

How could they stand against elite cavalry?

Prepare 200 carrier pigeons. Write…

Your Ladyship.

Your Ladyship!

Your Ladyship, His Majesty has issued a decree,

by exception, letting the general's coffin enter the palace,

and have the High Shaman say the rites.

Court will be mourning for five days.

All officials in mourning clothes for three days.

He'll be posthumously honored as the Loyal and Valiant,

and buried with the honors of a prince.

Understood.

Once someone's dead, it's all over.

All that's left is an empty shell.

What good does wearing mourning clothes and crying do?

Leave me.

Get out!

Your Ladyship.

You haven't eaten a thing all day.

Please, have a little soup.

He gave me this.

He picked it out just for me.

Your Ladyship…

As long as Lu Zhuo was alive,

they were terrified of him.

But now he's dead.

He's dead.

I won't let them get away with this.

Those who hurt Lu Zhuo…

I won't let them celebrate! Never!

Aman.

Help me get dressed.

Lu Zhuo is dead?

He's really gone?

Good.

Very good!

Word has come from the palace.

His Majesty was so distraught that he coughed up blood and passed out.

The palace is in chaos.

Your Highness.

We must act tonight. There's no time to lose.

I'll take the palace gates.

Your Highness, lead your men into the inner palace.

Grand Commandant Zheng will secure the city gates.

By the time everyone wakes at dawn,

it'll all be over.

Your Highness, shall we march on the palace now?

No.

I'll personally lead my guards

to kill the traitors at His Majesty's side first.

I'll accompany Your Highness to Zhuyu Estate.

Use Wei Rao's head as our war offering.

That'll send morale soaring.

Your Highness, we've searched everywhere.

There's not a soul here. Lady Wu'an is nowhere to be found, either.

Words must have gotten out.

That's why Wei Rao escaped.

Those people…

are long gone into the mountains.

Your Highness.

Something's wrong.

Quick! Get to the palace! Now!

HENGCHENG GATE

HENGCHENG GATE

PRINCE JING'S RESIDENCE

Your Highness. I've been ordered to escort you.

Ordered? By whom?

Are you part of this rebellion, too?

Your Highness. Please come with us.

I'll go with you. Leave the women out of this.

Orders are orders. Forgive my disrespect.

Take everyone into custody!

This way, Your Highness.

Unrest is coming to the city.

What should I do?

Hidden rocks lie beneath the deep currents.

And danger lurks beyond the path to safety.

The omen says a trapped dragon.

The Crown Prince has marched into the palace.

If he takes the throne, we'll lose everything we've worked for!

Fate is what we make of it.

Maybe I shouldn't trust your readings.

A dragon waits beneath the waters,

ready to rise when the time is right.

Your Highness, please be patient.

You're right, my dear.

Gather our men first.

I'll back whoever wins.

XUANSHI PALACE

I heard my father was unwell.

I've come to check on him.

Go inside and inform him.

If Father condemns that wicked consort and her two children to death,

not a single soldier I've brought will dare enter and disturb him.

Your Highness. The victors take the throne.

The losers pay the price.

There's no turning back now.

We've come this far.

Why not storm the palace?

You're just a woman.

What do you know?

I'm the rightful heir, not some treasonous rebel!

My father is old and sick.

He can't live forever, can he?

Once I secure the sealed abdication edict,

I'll be the rightful new emperor.

The court officials, the common people,

and the feudal lords will swear me their willing loyalty.

Forgive my ignorance.

A wise man knows when to yield.

Father will make the right choice.

You raise an army in rebellion

and still expect the realm to loyally submit to you?

Absurdly foolish.

If it were me…

NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS SHOW