Original subtitles

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[The Promise of Chang'an]

[Episode 12]

Those commanders and fighters who unfairly died because of you...

When you dream at night, won't you feel uneasy?

Scram!

Brother.

What nonsense are you spouting? It's you, I don't know anything.

You still want to argue?

- Brother, don't be rash. - Brother. - Everyone knows the truth of this matter.

How that messenger died, Fourth Prince, you should know it even better!

His Majesty has decided on this matter,

If any of you are displeased, feel free to approach him.

Don't bark like dogs with rabies.

There is indeed a misunderstanding regarding this matter. Stop stirring things up.

Chengxu, bring Chengxuan back.

Xiao Chengyao, watch yourself.

I used to respect you as my hero,

But now you're just a coward who will not admit his wrongdoings.

What are you talking about!

Fourth Prince, enough.

I advise you, during this period, don't stoop to his level.

Yes, you're entirely correct.

Even if you now know the truth,

What can you do to me?

If you can, then kill me. Bring it on!

- I'll kill you! - Chengxuan, what are you doing?

- Let's go. - Don't block me, let me kill him, a life for a life!

Chengxuan, it isn't worth it to pay the price for a person like this.

Xiao Chengyao.

King, Mingyu pays respects to the King.

What are you reading, you seem very caught up in it.

I was just feeling bored and passing the time.

So you really like reading books about military strategies?

How are these books to pass the time when you're bored?

King, our Princess

Has been different ever since young.

Other maidens like embroidery and playing the qin, while my Lady

Likes archery and riding horses, reading difficult books like these.

So my consort has been unique since young?

There's nothing unique about this,

I just thought that the content in this book was interesting, so I took an extra look.

Since you've read many books like this,

You must have some thoughts on them.

So let me test you today.

I used to own a falcon,

That helped me accomplish many things.

But now, it is proud and hard to control,

And I still have to protect it no matter what.

I can't even kill it, what should I do?

This Fourth Prince is taking advantage of his military accomplishments.

He is getting more and more disrespectful of His Majesty.

I really don't know what chaos will happen in the future.

I have little knowledge and shallow experience,

If I say anything wrong, may I ask my King not to laugh at me?

This is what I want you to say, so why will I laugh at you?

Feel free to speak freely.

In a book, I read about an ancient saint mention this,

Those that you would like to destroy, you will have to let them be and do whatever they want, to have something to use against them when the time is right.

To destroy a villain who is of a respectable position, you will have to let him be.

When he commits evil to a certain stage,

When no one could protect him anymore, then logically destroy him.

Let him be,

And destroy him when the time is ripe.

Brilliant. This method is brilliant.

If King is tired, why not rest for a while?

It's not too late to look through these scrolls tomorrow.

Tomorrow has its own troubles.

I can wait, but the court cannot wait.

But my King has read for many hours.

You must be tired.

Working hard and relaxation will help things move more efficiently.

You're right.

Why not this, you help me read the scrolls.

Like this, I can both relax and get things done.

Mingyu doesn't dare. The harem cannot interfere with politics.

It's not like I'm an incapable King.

I know what I'm doing.

Why, you're not willing to share with me in my troubles?

To put it in a straightforward manner, the most important thing in the world,

Is the way of the gentleman and the official.

To deal with all matters in peace,

To the ruler, the people are everything.

The ruler is also the ruler of all peoples.

There is great responsibility, to govern the peoples.

My King.

I've fallen asleep.

My King, I'll go get some snacks for you.

I've heard that these two days, His Majesty has often summoned you to his royal office to read scrolls to him.

And will even seek your opinion on some official matters.

Is that true?

Sister Qi, is this regarding Mingyu interfering in politics?

Mingyu too knows that this is not right,

But His Majesty keeps requesting for me to do so,

And Mingyu can't disobey His Majesty's wishes.

Don't be nervous, I'm not blaming you.

In fact, I'm happy that His Majesty admires your knowledge.

Mingyu, ever since you've entered the palace,

You have not been as cheerful as last time.

Even though this is in part due to the seriousness of palace rules,

But I know that it is because you have given up on and let go of something.

I understand your troubles.

Sister Qi, don't say that. This is all Mingyu's choice.

Mingyu doesn't find it tough.

It's just that recently, I've seen that His Majesty

Loves politics and his people, and is motivated to rule well.

So much so that he's losing sleep and nutrition, but he never grumbles.

He really is a great ruler.

I see this and have admiration from the bottom of my heart.

So I will also try my best to share in His Majesty's troubles.

I'm relieved that you think this way.

[Sheng Zhou Kingdom]

Am I hearing things?

Your Majesty, you're going to withdraw the troops?

Our troops have suffered many losses, if not withdraw now, then when?

We have just fought with Xi Qi and are about to conquer Liang.

I have always thought this decision to be unwise.

Xue Ji, while I attacked Xi Qi,

Built a four hundred li defence line at Ningdong.

Although it has power, the time is not ripe yet.

If we don't take advantage and catch them off-guard, then when?

Why care so much about that?

Let's just keep fighting.

I don't believe that these little poor towns are strong enough.

Of course I want to keep fighting.

If we just withdraw the troops like this, I'm not pleased.

I'm not pleased too.

Your Highness, seems like now you are extremely scared of Xue Ji.

Fourth Prince. Fifth Prince.

- You're both wrong. - What did you just say?

One battle is just one part of the entire war.

We are only at the cusp of Liang and Sheng's wars.

We can't just think of one battle's victory or loss.

But we should look at the bigger picture of the entire war's victory or loss.

I agree with withdrawing the troops.

Shut up, who are you?

A darned boy who hasn't even grown up.

So what, you can even teach your older brothers to fight?

Let me tell you, us older brothers have killed

More people in war than all the people you've ever seen in your life.

Do you know that?

- Say that again! - Xiao Chengxuan!

What are you going to do again?

- Chengxu. - Your words today have overstepped the line.

If there is no other opinion,

The withdrawal of troops has been decided.

Sure, since it's Your Majesty's decision,

We will just have to follow through.

If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave.

Ninth Brother, you've grown up.

Chengxu is young and inexperienced, and I will need Third Brother to guide me.

I haven't heard you call me Third Brother in a long time.

I also haven't heard Third Brother praise me like this in a long time.

Yes,

When you were young, Third Brother always praised you.

Do you still remember when you first rode a horse and I was the one who lifted you up?

When you first learnt archery, I was the one who taught you how to hold a bow and arrow.

Ninth Brother, you have to remember this.

There is strategy to wars.

Those who know their strategies will win.

But you have to be mindful not to be too proud.

- Do you remember? - Yes.

Continue practicing.

Of course I remember.

There is strategy to wars. Those who know their strategies will win.

You were there when I was growing up.

I will never forget it.

Ninth Brother, even though I am the King, I am also your Elder Brother.

I hope that us brothers will continue to be like the past.

Yes.

Mingyu, tell me, why is the Princess Consort not persuading His Majesty?

The loss of the battle is what His Majesty will never bring up.

Who will have the courage to persuade him?

His Majesty arrives.

Your Majesty.

I have been with the Princess Consort these few days.

I haven't had the time to visit you.

You seem weaker.

I think, my King is the one who seems weaker.

Today, I have prepared you favourite dishes and wine.

My King, you have to eat more, otherwise-

Otherwise how will my body take it.

Your Sister Qi keeps repeating these same words.

No,

What I mean is, otherwise other people will think that

My King has lost a battle and can't eat well.

Who said that?

Your Highness, don't be angry! The Princess is just too sick and not in the right frame of mind.

I am asking the Princess, what has it got to do with you?

Leave!

My King, don't be troubled, no one said that.

I was just worried that others might say that.

Who is troubled? Only foolish people will guess without evidence.

Victory and loss are common in wars.

It is just a slight loss, there is no need for a poor appetite.

Of course.

My King is a great hero,

This loss will be motivation for a success next time.

This is good.

Using a stone to polish a knife will turn it from blunt to sharp.

Chengyao and Chengtai both think I'm scared of that Xue Ji.

What they don't know is that this loss

Has stirred up my desire for victory.

So, my King needs, even more, to eat well and sleep well,

So that Sheng's military knows

Our King is confident and has the wisdom to deal with anything.

You are indeed very ingenious,

Speaking for so long, and in the end, you manage to make me comfort myself.

Nothing can escape my King.

Your Highness, excuse me, there is important news from outside.

[Great Liang's emperor has stupidly believed in false charges against Xue Ji accusing him of not defending Ningdong effectively. Xue Ji resigned in anger."

We really have to thank the Liang Kingdom's King.

Xue Ji fought like never before to protect the Ningdong defence line.

Just because he does not want to rely on evil,

He is saddled with the crime of failure to protect Ningdong.

He is actually so angry he quit his role as an official.

How I see it, there is no ruler of the world at first,

But there are people with morals in it.

Now that Xue Ji is no longer an official, it is the time Sheng has dreamed of.

- I think, Your Highness can- - No.

We're in no hurry.

Any later, there might be more forces rising up, and victory may not be as clear.

Of course, the operation this time,

We are putting in all our effort at the start and giving up later.

This revealed our problems and gave us many lessons to learn from.

So, we have to wait until

Sheng is really fully prepared,

Then this operation can have swift success.

Your Highness is extremely right.

To build up talents and strengthen the country and people,

We have to rely on Mister Li's great talent to plan this well.

I, Li Wencheng, will use all my heart and mind,

To repay Your Highness's favor of me.

What did you say? Say that again.

You didn't hear wrongly,

Your Highness wants us to guard the Ningdong front lines.

Let him dream on!

We're not even fighting anymore, I'm not going to that ragged place to live through hardship.

Why, Fourth Brother wants to go against the edict?

I'm just regretting not doing so earlier.

You see, if we don't withdraw the troops,

We'll get to witness Xue Ji being stripped of his title.

And then, I can take over the Ningdong defence line in one swift motion.

But now,

Chengtai, I'll be honest,

Now I really look down upon Xiao Chengrui this coward.

His Majesty should have listened to us last time.

Yes, he only thinks of us now.

His dear Ninth Brother knows him the best,

But why isn't he guarding the front lines?

Chengxu?

How could he?

Anyway, I just want him to suffer.

Without us, Xiao Chengrui can do nothing

Asking for leave because of sickness...

How ingenious!

Your Majesty, calm your anger!

Both of them behave even more inappropiately.

They've disobeyed the orders so many times. In their eyes...

I am not a King anymore.

They are Your Majesty's brothers.

In the past you used to be on the same wavelength. (Saying: To stand up and sit down the same way).

I'm afraid this distinction between juniors and seniors is perhaps difficult to comprehend for them.

Fighting for achievements. They are avaricious and insatiable. I gave them an inch and they wanted a mile.

They want more authority and bigger rewards.

Any dissatisfaction will lead to angry and arrogant attitude.

What's even funnier

it's that I would rather be a Prince as well. Who would even want to be a King?

If Your Majesty wasn't the King, then who would be the King?

If you were to be changed, the people of Great Sheng wouldn't agree with that.

Furthermore, they always sneer that the Liang people and gentle and weak.

Underestimating the enemy like that is a reckless deed.

It's difficult to change the nature of these princes.

If Your Majesty wants to make them follow your progress

if Your Majesty wants to make them understand your prospects, I am afraid it will be difficult.

But there are some youngsters

who could instruct them.

Youngsters?

Your Majesty has so many nephews and brothers

could it be that Your Majesty couldn't choose one so in the end he influences them?

Let me hear your suggestion! Recommend some of them to me!

I am just a young woman from the harem,

how could I have the ability to recommend one to Your Majesty?

Even if I could, it doesn't mean I should do it.

Well done.

You really understand how things work.

It seems that Chengyao and Chengtai

won't restrain themselves anymore.

At least if I could make them understand

that my Great Sheng has numerous gifted people.

It doesn't need them two at all!

If these two princes

thought that the Great Sheng indeed needed them,

then they would grow to be even more arrogant and disobedient.

This is only their whishful thinking.

I am going to let them know how much wrong they've been.

I am indeed going to choose someone among my young nephews and brothers,

and send him off to educate them.

For instance, Chengxu.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

I still don't know, for what matter has His Majesty asked me to come for?

I want to take a close look on you.

I want to know if you deserve to be given an important task.

Then, Your Majesty, have you carefully looked at me?

Yes, I have.

But do you dare or not to take on this important task?

You have to answer this question.

Your Majesty, you don't have to play such mental games.

What I can handle,

I am well aware of it myself.

I already have a well-thought plan. I offer myself for this assignment.

If I am not to have a well-thought plan, then I shall not be worthy of holding up my head anymore.

Well done.

Usually young people cannot control their excited nature.

Yet you keep your composure. You are not a bit impetuous.

I almost believed

that you knew what I wanted to talk to you about.

Listen! I want you to go to defend the front line from Dongning.

I believe you can do it.

I, Chengxu can not.

Then you have really disappointed me.

This is an unique change. It doesn't arise often. (Idiom: It can be encountered, but it cannot be asked for).

I, Chengxu I am unable to do it.

But Your Majesty's Brother, the Ninth Prince can do it.

I, Chengxu, I am a newborn calf.

What skills do I own so I could say I could do by myself?

But the Ninth Prince is not the same.

The first time I rode the horse,

the first time I shot an arrow,

you were the one to guide me how to do so.

You were right next to me.

I, Chengxu, I only have the courage to claim that I can do it by myself.

Ninth Brother, don't be afraid!

I will look after you.

Back then,

Third Brother carried me up the saddle,

taught me how to shoot the arrow,

and you always said this to me.

Look! We haven't forgotten about it!

You haven't hit the target! It was so close!

Ge'er, move a little bit right!

Go right! To this side!

Ge'er, you can't do it. Let me do it!

- Hurry! - I will try one more time! - Try one time!

This time you'll definitely hit the target.

My Lady, we have disturbed you!

Forget it. You've already disturbed me.

Thank you, My Lady!

Zhen'er, do you want to play together?

Me?

How could I be good at it? Let the Princess play!

Our Princess used to be very good at playing it when we used to live in Yonglin.

Is it so?

Mingyu, then you should try it!

I am unable to! I haven't played for so many year. I surely cannot hit the target anymore.

There are no judges here. Go!

Play! I would be very happy to see you. It is also a nice way of entertainment.

Right, Princess! Go and play!

Alright, Elder Sister Qi!

So cool, Princess! Wow!

You've scored it! The Princess is so awesome!

- Move aside!

- Get out of my way!

- Let me see if it is poisoned!

A man and a woman shouldn't stand so close to eachother. I am alright.

When have you turned so sissy?

- Well done! - Greetings, Your Majesty!

Greetings, Your Majesty!

Greetings, the Ninth Prince.

Mingyu, I haven't seen you being so happy in a long time.

Look at you, your hairy is so messy.

My King, you are covered in dust. Where are you coming back from?

Ninth Brother and I went to the hunting field to loosen up our muscles.

Then don't you want to take a bath and change your clothes?

Alright!

Chengxu! Stay here! I still have some things to discuss to you.

Fine.

Mingyun's tea is really good.

Later I will send her to bring you some.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

You should also make your toilette!

Yes, Your Majesty!

Ge'er. tell them to disperse and leave.

Yes.

You can all leave

- Yes. - Yes.

What's wrong? I haven't seen you in a year and I can already not recognize you.

I

thank you.

It's rare for people to come to this pavilion.

I chose here specifically.

Zhen'er, could you let Mingyu and I

have a private talk?

Yes.

Mingyu. It's been a while.

How are you doing?

I'm fine.

I heard that you've achieved many military merits.

Congratulations.

Right.

Previously, when you went on the military expedition with Xiao Chengyao,

Did he give you a hard time?

Don't worry.

Right now, I am defending against him every second of every day.

He will never be able to hurt me again.

I will never forget that

he separated us.

What belongs to us

is already in the past.

It's better if we let it go.

and start moving forward.

Mingyu, you have changed.

Chengxu, can't you see clearly?

It's not that I have changed.

It's that we must change. We can't not change.

We can't go back to the past anymore.

Mingyu. I don't know when I'll be able

to see you again.

Why must we

meet?

Our tender loving time is limited,

but the bitterness is unending.

It's better if we don't meet.

This is the so-called

easy to lose

but hard to meet.

Mingyu. Since you cannot let him go either,

why must you be so cruel to him?

You aren't even giving him the slightest chance.

To the Prince of Yan,

It's frankly too pitiful.

Whether I can let go or not is one thing.

Whether or not the two of us will have a result,

is another thing.

Since we are hopeless,

I can't let him continue to wallow in sadness.

If I let him do that, then that's what's actually cruel.

- Chengxu, you are going on an expedition? - Yes.

Why didn't you let me know?

Do you know how much I miss you every day?

I didn't tell you, but didn't you figure out anyway?

I think you treat horses better than people.

Only one person is an exception.

It's because horses treat me better than people do.

Don't I treat you well?

How did I treat you since young till now?

How could you say this to me?

Yuying, that's not what I mean.

I have always regarded you as a good friend.

I hope you can find someone you love too.

I don't want to hear this.

Even if we have a sibling-like relationship, older brothers still care about their little sisters.

They're not like you. Treating me like the plague, hiding every time I am near.

I hid from you for your own good.

I don't like hearing this kind of saying that it's for my own good.

If you are really doing this for my own good, why are you so cold towards me?

All you care about is your stupid horse.

God is the least fair to humans.

He refuses to give us wings.

You either only scold people

or say strange words.

This lowly officer, Wang Sheng, kneels to greet the two princes.

- Dispense with the formalities. - Thank you, Your Highness.

Wang Sheng, you suffered a lot on this journey.

How exactly did Liang Emperor Feng Qi die?

The eunuchs in the palace said that Emperor Feng Qi lived extravagantly and was ruthless.

This time, because he took a minister's wife by force, he was stabbed by that woman and died violently.

How could a person like this be worthy of being an Emperor? He deserved to meet his death.

Emperor Feng Qi didn't have a son, did he?

- Who is replacing him? - It's his brother.

The name for his dynastic era is already set, called Ming De,

but this Emperor is not even twenty years old yet.

He just ascended the throne and got rid of a treacherous faction of ministers.

All the people are applauding it.

New Emperor?

Then what is his attitude regarding our Great Sheng?

Does he want peace or war?

I'm not sure. I only heard that he has urgently summoned someone to the capital.

- Who? - Xue Ji.

Xue Ji arrives for an audience.

Greetings, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor.

My wise counselor, hurry and get up.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I do not deserve the word "wise."

The late emperor was deceived by the treacherous lot, and you were wronged.

However, I have asked the advice of the other counselors.

I understand that you are the only one who can shoulder the important responsibility for Ningdong.

I hope that you will withstand the difficulties and resume the authority over Ningdong's military duty.

I will definitely do my duty for the nation.

Your Majesty can be at ease.

I have certainty that within five years,

I will recover the lost land of Ningdong, and use it as the base to attack and conquer Sheng.

Really? You really have certainty?

However, may be I bold to ask for a favor from Your Majesty?

- Trust? - Trust?

Yes. Trust.

To negotiate peace, His Majesty

has corresponded with that Xue Ji for several months.

Is it possible that he is really afraid of that man?

Xue Ji has previously used peace negotiation

to obtain the time to fortifying the city and establishing the defense.

Peace negotiation is just one part of war.

It's really worrisome to be stuck here, can't forward forward or back.

When can we really fight a quick battle?

Don't worry. It won't be a long wait.

How do you know?

His Majesty proposed peace negotiation

because he wants to restore the trade between Sheng and Liang

in order to rejuvenate the interior land from the heavy losses after natural disasters.

So, if we can't make peace,

we must go to war.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, an urgent letter from the capital.

Is it a letter from the King?

His Majesty will personally lead 200,000 troops to come here.

For many days now, all the officers and soldiers have united

to fight a bloody battle and finally helped Great Sheng

conquer two cities from Liang. If we can then take Ning city,

We will have hope to defeat Xue Ji.

I disagree. Our army has been fighting against Xue Ji for many days.

Right now our soldiers are tired and the horses are fatigued, and there aren't sufficient provisions.

Besides, Ning city has been fortified by Xue Ji like an iron barrel.

If we recklessly attack,

we will suffer great losses and not have enough to gain. I recommend retreat.

I agree with Fourth Brother, and I also recommend retreat.

If we retreat now,

Wouldn't our past efforts go to waste?

As for the provisions, as long as we make appropriate planning,

take down Ning city in three days,

we will then be able to retreat without losses.

Your Majesty, how can you guarantee that we can take Ning city in three days?

We have already suffered many deaths in our two battalions.

I can't leave all the rest of my soldiers here, can I?

Xiao Chengyao, you dare disobey His Majesty's word?

[The Promise of Chang'an]

Timing and subtitles brought to you by Impossible Promises @ Viki.com

"Falling Fate" - Singer: Li Yugang

♫ Who is swaying at dusk on the riverbank by the gently fluttering willows? ♫

♫ That beauty dances between the clouds and the rippling moonglade ♫

♫ Dancing lightly like the startled birds and your graceful face is like delicate blooms ♫

♫ Longing in the wind, with glistening eyes looking toward the ripples ♫

♫ I could not take my eyes off such a sight to behold ♫

♫ It seems brief, my adoration for you has been for years ♫

♫ You come or go as you please, my soul is being led by dreams of you ♫

♫ These are foolish and infuriating times, I still wish we could be together forever ♫

♫ Destiny leads you into my life to make me whole ♫

♫ My love for you is like an ink-mark that never dries ♫

♫ As the snow scatters in the wind, as the clouds shield the moon ♫

♫ As I have to be drunk to sleep through the night ♫

♫ Like you, the paper I write on is full of melancholy ♫

♫ Destiny leads you into my life, times of great changes separate us ♫

♫ My tears fall and fill the curtained carriage along the way ♫

♫ This homeward journey, this boundless life ♫

♫ It is fleeting, and filled with joys and sorrows ♫