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[General And I]
[Episode 26]
Prince Consort, this way, please.
Prince Consort, these are the remains of the ship.
Young Master, how is it?
This is too severely damaged.
No traces can be found.
Prince Consort.
There are 14 corpses.
12 of them are identified.
They are the 12 water bandits of Hexi.
These water bandits are notorious in the west of the river.
They take lives as easily as they would pick one's pockets.
Who knew that they would be killed here?
The fishermen said that it was very windy on the river
the day when the ship was on fire.
They just saw a spark and the ship was then aflame.
They could even hear yelling on the ship.
Then there was a thunder-like sound and the ship exploded in flames.
Then it...
When I got here to take a look
these 14 corpses were already burned beyond recognition.
Open it.
Do you like it?
What did General Gui Yan investigate here?
Reporting to Prince Consort.
I didn't meet General Gui Yan.
They must still be alive.
Take care, Prince Consort.
Here.
Young Master.
We already searched all along the shore, but we didn't find anything.
Both of them must be alive.
It's just that we couldn't find any clues.
Young Master, isn't it good that Sister Ping Ting isn't dead?
I'd rather she be dead than in the arms of Chu Bei Jie.
Prince Consort!
Greetings to Prince Consort! I've finally found you!
The princess ordered me to pass on a message to Prince Consort.
Her Highness will arrive in Huarong in two days.
Why is the princess coming to Huarong?
Her Highness took Prime Minister's advice to visit Jin State through Huarong.
Prime Minister Gui is too cocky.
It's unsafe in Jin State now.
He showed no regard for Her Highness's safety by advising her to visit now!
Where is the princess?
I'll go and fetch her now.
Prince Consort, fret not.
Her Highness said that she will meet you in Huarong.
Huarong?
Where would Her Highness stay in Huarong?
Prime Minister arranged for her to stay at his private manor.
- Prime Minister's private manor? - Exactly.
Master Pao!
You've traveled long and far.
It's been hard on you.
- General Gui, finally. - This way, please.
Young Master.
Where have we seen him before?
We know him?
Master Pao, this way.
Let's talk inside. Let's go.
I remember it now.
Isn't that He Da Pao?
He's the richest arms dealer in Great Yan.
Why would he show up at the Gui family's private manor?
Let's go and take a look.
General Gui is too polite.
You're too polite.
You even prepared so much good food.
Let's drink. Here.
A great sight to behold, fantastic wine and beautiful women.
Young general.
You really do lead a good life.
What am I compared to Master Pao?
You make a vessel of gold a day.
I usually lead a thrifty life.
Only when Master Pao visits am I a bit extravagant!
When do I make a vessel of gold a day?
General, you should know how things are.
It is now utterly chaotic in the world.
When there's a change in the dynasties and reigns
it's always the merchants who have a hard time.
Here.
Everything and everyone in a new reign is new.
Everything needs to be taken care of.
As for me, I am His Majesty'smoney pouch.
When he runs short of money, he reaches into my pockets.
Be good.
Whatever money I made, I have to give it away.
Life really is tough.
I don't even wish to keep running my business anymore.
I might as well go home to farm.
Master Pao, please don't.
Am I not here to offer you money today?
Carry them in!
Open and show them to Master Pao.
What does General mean by this?
How could we not treat Master Pao generously?
Please accept this small token of ours.
General Gui's hospitality is too much to reject.
I will then have to accept it.
Take them away for Master Pao.
You may all step out now.
General is so generous.
What is the matter?
Master Pao, most of the money Bai Lan State spent annually on
purchasing military supplies went into your pockets.
We've paid our fees and now Bai Lan State is in trouble
Yan State can't just sit on the sidelines.
You're referring to dragging Jin State's army here to fight against Liang?
Master Pao, you're a sensible man.
Jin State's army is very powerful.
How could we dare to offend them?
I heard that Chu Bei Jie was killed on his way back.
Whoever did it, Bai Lan State will be implicated anyway.
This grudge between us and Great Jin won't go away.
Ever since our princess returned
my father has been worried sick because of her.
However, she listens to no one but that foreign pretty boy.
See, she's made a blunder now.
That pretty boy you mentioned is a wanted criminal of Great Yan!
The princess sleeps with him every day, so she certainly won't end well.
You won't be able to lay a finger on him.
Our king will surely take care of him in one day.
Exactly, Master Pao.
Give me some advice.
Don't worry.
Our Majesty will help Bai Lan State.
The key lies in staying faithful once you've chosen your ally.
Have you not heard that after Chu Bei Jie was killed
Jin State is in chaos now?
It's hard to tell if Sima Hong will live a day longer.
Don't keep thinking about getting one hand full
but eyeing the embrace of another.
Yes, Master Pao.
Our king said that we will take over those passes you opened up to Jin State.
Master Pao! I can't make such a decision.
You're not in the place to make decisions?
There's no point in wasting my breath on you.
My time is very precious.
Master Pao!
Master Pao! I've already given you the money.
You have to get the deal done!
Should Jin State attack us, you will have to deploy your army!
Master Pao!
I now finally understand why Gui Chang Qing is reluctant to go to war.
All these years, he's actually spent so much money
purchasing weapons from Great Yan.
In fact, he's submitting protection fees to King of Yan through He Da Pao.
It isn't just that.
The Gui family has controlled Bai Lan State's finances for years.
Both Bai Lan State and Yan State must have benefited from the deal.
If so, after all this exploiting of the military funds
who knows what weapons he actually bought
and how many of them?
None of that is known.
If anyone actually looks into what the military has
who knows if Bai Lan State really has any military supplies?
I knew that the Gui family monopolizes Bai Lan State
but little did I expect it to come to such a great scale.
Isn't Huarong Gui Chang Qing's hometown?
The princess will arrive in Huarong in only two days.
We should make the best out of these two days
to investigate Gui Chang Qing.
Why have you returned if Brother Bei Jie and Sister Bai didn't?
If it really was just like what those people said on the streets
I...
I will drive you out of here!
Are you just going to keep nagging?
I already told you that His Highness and Madam are fine!
Moreover, His Majesty isn't that sort of a person.
His Majesty... His Majesty has already gone crazy!
It wasn't azoth he's been taking.
It's poison!
Miss Zui Ju, do you believe just anything you hear?
How could you believe those rumors?
Is your brain working?
Do you know that there's no smoke without fire?
I wonder how Sister Bai and Brother Bei Jie are.
Whether they are dead or alive...
Why are you still standing here?
Go and look for them now! Go!
Enough! How am I to look for them?
Listen up. I'm a military man.
I can't take any action without orders from His Highness.
You... Why are you so rigid?
What matters more? A military command or their lives?
Some Chu Mo Ran you are.
Chu Mo Ran indeed!
You're like a block of wood!
Who's a block of wood? You are!
What are you doing?
I... I didn't do anything.
What are you laughing at?
Who are you?
What is it? You don't recognize me already?
Brother Bei Jie! Sister Bai!
You're still alive! This is wonderful!
They aren't dead! This is great!
What are you talking about?
I greet Your Highness and Madam.
I'm sorry about that.
Fine, that's all right.
Zui Ju.
You just said that the azoth is poisonous.
Can you prove it?
I found the notes that my mentor left behind.
He recorded the contents of azoth.
But the one he recorded is slightly different from this one.
In this azoth, there is a slightly poisonous ore.
Its effects are stronger.
In small dosage, it makes one re-energize quickly.
It's not easily spotted, but one can get addicted quickly.
Toxins will accumulate in the organs.
When it gets to a certain amount, it could affect the pulse and the mind.
Long-term users will die from exhaustion.
It's no wonder the queen said that the azoth is fine.
The first batch must have been the good ones.
Is there an antidote for such a poison?
I don't know about that yet.
I have to see how deeply poisoned the patient is.
Moreover, the pain in quitting the drug is unbearable.
Whatever it is, we have to give it a try.
Exactly.
We have to rush back to the palace.
[Gongsun Manor]
Report!
Speak up!
Your Majesty, I already sent out six troops across Jin State
in Prince of Zhenbei's name to promote taking down King of Jin.
Civilians have joined the cause along the way.
Moreover, some commanders of Jin State's army have joined in.
Now, thousands of people have already joined us.
More and more are joining.
They plan to meet up with our army 50 miles outside the city in three days.
Once Chancellor Zhang's army arrives, we will attack the city.
Sima Hong.
Everything that you once took from me...
I'll make sure that you pay the price for it and more.
Your Majesty, what's wrong?
I'm fine.
Water.
I want some water.
Yes.
Your Majesty.
Anyone there?
Where are they?
Anyone there?
Where have they all gone?
Open the door!
How dare you!
You even dare to imprison your king?
Open this door right now!
Open the door!
Damn servant!
Wang De Quan!
I'll have your whole clan wiped out!
Drag him over here!
Hit him!
- Yes! - Yes!
Mother!
Mother, Mother!
Shuang Er.
Keep this money with you.
Where did you get all this money?
Mother, stop probing.
Keep some of the money for yourself and send the rest to my uncle.
He's serving at Grand Marshal's Manor.
- It's been hard on him. - Your uncle?
When did you get an uncle?
Mother, stop asking questions.
I can't tell you more than I did.
I have to go now. Take care of yourself.
Shuang Er!
[Grand Marshal's Manor]
Go!
[Save the king.]
Mother!
Eunuch Wang, she's dead.
- Drag her out. - Yes.
You were killed because of me!
Mother!
You were killed because of me, Mother!
Your Majesty.
Get some good rest today.
There's a good show waiting for you tomorrow.
Who is it?
Grand Marshal.
How have you been?
Prince of Zhenbei?
We're in a perilous situation.
I have to show up in a disguise. Don't take it to heart, Grand Marshal.
Greetings to General!
Grand Marshal need not stand on ceremony.
It has been such dangerous times.
Grand Marshal must have suffered as well.
This isn't worth mentioning at all.
General is the one who suffered.
The situation in the palace and His Majesty...
I haven't been back for too long.
How exactly is the political situation now?
Since General left
none of the officials could see His Majesty for months.
There were only his decrees.
General went missing and there were rumors circulating.
The one stating that His Majesty conspired with Bai Lan State
to kill his loyal subject is the most widely spread.
Some say that General escaped unscathed.
There are even civilian forces in your name
recruiting soldiers to rise in rebellion against His Majesty to crown a new king.
Yesterday, about 10 commanders barged into the palace
to seek out the truth.
In the end, they were all sent to the imperial dungeon by His Majesty's decree.
Everyone in imperial court has panicked.
Chaos is upon us.
I have had many a sleepless night.
I don't believe that His Majesty would suddenly become
the vicious and lustful king that everyone speaks of.
I don't believe that General would rebel so openly out of personal grudges.
Now that I get to see General today
I'll risk my life to ask General if I had been wrong to think so.
Should General tell me that you can no longer tell right from wrong
I will walk out of this door now and take my own life.
Grand Marshal.
It's Great Jin's blessing to have such a loyal subject as Grand Marshal.
Rest assured, Grand Marshal.
I am still the same man.
Someone is out to create chaos, frame His Majesty, and benefit from it.
I will never allow villains to destroy the future of Great Jin!
I can finally set my mind at ease upon hearing such words.
Grand Marshal.
On my way back here, I heard about the rise of the rebels.
It's said that the rebels will gather 50 miles outside the city tomorrow.
However, I don't know what those people want
what plans they have, or how many people they have now.
A rebel army?
What should we do now?
It is because of that I need full assistance from Grand Marshal.
General, feel free to ask for anything.
I won't be able to pacify this unrest on my own.
I need reinforcements.
Judging by the current situation
there are no other commanders in the city.
There are other garrison troops.
Dragon-Tiger Troop and Black Panther Troop.
The commanders of both troops are upright and good.
Why doesn't General give me some time?
I'll send them a messenger dove now.
Knowing how loyal they are, they surely won't turn us down.
General can use my seal to command the troops.
General.
The survival of Great Jin is now solely in your hands.
[Prince of Zhenbei]
This is an opportunity of a lifetime!
We might never come across such a chance again!
Brothers, listen up!
This king is fatuous and immoral.
He has brought suffering upon our people!
I believe that every one of you must have put up with him for ages like I did!
Therefore, we must all unite to take down this fatuous king!
Think about this!
Why did you leave your homes or abandon your wives and children?
What weapon is this?
You have lands that you can't farm and homes that you can't return to!
You abandon your wife and children to go here. What is it that you seek?
Are we to tolerate such a king?
No!
- Are we to tolerate him? - No!
Right now, we are going to get rid of the tyrant and crown a new king!
Get rid of the tyrant and crown a new king!
Since everyone has sworn their loyalty, I will tell everyone a secret.
- A secret? - What secret is it?
- Tell us! - Quickly!
- Tell us! - Exactly!
Prince of Zhenbei isn't dead!
He's still alive!
- He's not dead? - He's still alive?
- Really? - Is that true?
- He's still alive? - Really?
He's possessed by the God of War.
He has the god's protection.
Even if he is burned in flames
he will be like the phoenix and be reborn from the ashes.
He can never be killed.
- Where is Prince of Zhenbei? - Exactly!
Prince of Zhenbei is indeed alive
but he's been disfigured in the explosion.
Disfigured?
- He's been disfigured? - I saw him in person.
His entire face was blown to bits.
His eyeballs were dangling and there were only three holes
where his nostrils and mouth were.
Just three holes?
"Sima Hong made me become such a foul-looking person."
"How can I still address him as His Majesty?"
- No! - No!
"I've been loyal to the Sima family and risked my life for Great Jin."
"But I could never kowtow to such a vermin ever again."
Exactly!
- He is right! - He mustn't kowtow to him!
Prince of Zhenbei also said that after the new king is crowned
all rebels will be rewarded 100 gold taels each.
Those who rendered merits will be made officials of the fourth rank!
The one who kills Sima Hong will be conferred as a prince!
Tell me! Will you join in?
- Yes! - Yes!
- We must!
- Yes, we will! - Yes!
Get rid of the tyrant!
- Get rid of the tyrant! - Crown a new king!
- Your Highness, we're in trouble. - What is it?
They must have conspired with King of Yan.
The army of Yan State must also be behind this group of rebels.
Crown a new king!
Get rid of the tyrant!
Crown a new king!
Sanfen Swallow’s Cliff...
Get rid of the tyrant! Crown a new king!
Your Highness.
Ambush Yan State's army at Sanfen Swallow's Cliff now.
Get rid of the tyrant!
Yan State's army must go through
Sanfen Swallow’s Cliff to get into Jiankang City.
The terrain is strategically situated and difficult to break through.
If I calculated correctly
the army of Yan State will arrive at Sanfen Swallow’s Cliff around sunset.
King of Yan must have wanted to get into Jiankang City
without losing any of his men.
He surely wouldn't send in his main armed forces.
The 5,000 men of Dragon-Tiger Troop should be able to tackle them.
If they can't fend them off
we can send another 1,000 elite soldiers to ambush them at the gates.
As long as we have the city walls
I bet that Murong Su wouldn't risk
great casualties to take down the city by force.
Mo Ran.
Take Grand Marshal's seal
to deploy Dragon-Tiger Troop stationed outside the city.
Send them to ambush Yan State's army at Sanfen Swallow's Cliff.
Then command 1,000 elite soldiers of Black Panther Troop
to set up an ambush by the city gates and stand by for further orders.
Yes!
Get rid of the tyrant!
Crown a new king!
Get rid of the tyrant!
Crown a new king!
Get rid of the tyrant!
Don't move.
Crown a new king!
- Get rid of the tyrant! - What's the matter?
Is the charcoal not smeared evenly?
Crown a new king!
Get rid of the tyrant!
I really want to hide you away in a place that only I could see.
Get rid of the tyrant!
What is it?
Am I so ugly that I am not to see anyone else?
I can't bear to have anyone glance at you.
I don't wish to share your beauty with anyone else.
Who would snatch me away from you?
That's true.
Who in this world would dare to covet Chu Bei Jie's woman?
What is it?
Is there something on my face?
Your skin is so thick that it's almost like a wall.
What are both of you doing?
You must be new.
We're indeed new to the rebels.
We just heard that Prince of Zhenbei is still alive, so we got agitated.
I wonder if Prince of Zhenbei really has miraculous protection.
Certainly!
Come along and kill that darn king with Prince of Zhenbei
and you get to be conferred as... What can we get conferred as?
Dukes and ministers?
Exactly!
Those are the words. Dukes and ministers.
From then on, we get to enjoy luxurious lives.
This young man looks quite...
What are you doing?
He is mine.
Crown a new king!
- All right... - Crown a new king!
It's all right. We'll get going now.
- Get rid of the tyrant! - Let's go.
- Crown a new king! - Get going.
- That's scary. - Get rid of the tyrant!
They are together? No wonder they're so intimate.
- Is it not? - Crown a new king!
You're still laughing? Stand still.
Get rid of the tyrant!
Otherwise, we'll get noticed again.
We should split up, brother.
Shuang Er.
Shuang Er!
Your Majesty, what are your orders?
Kneel.
Shuang Er, receive the decree.
Present.
Palace maid Shuang Er.
Gentle and graceful.
Virtuous and tolerant.
She has the five virtues of a queen.
She has compassion for all people.
She treated me, the king, with sincerity.
She stayed by my side without fail.
I now make this special decree to confer Shuang Er as my queen.
She shall be a motherly model of the nation and named Queen Jingshu.
Thank the king now.
I am grateful to your Majesty for your graciousness!
I'm sorry.
I got you involved.
Keep up quickly!
That's fine!
Speak up! Who are you?
I'm General of Zhenbei, Chu Bei Jie.
Amusing...
He has the same physique.
His voice sounds the same as well.
Chu Bei Jie.
I order you to set out right now to attack Jiankang City with your rebels.
Crown a new king for Jin State.
Yes, Your Majesty!
- You are dismissed. - Yes!
Congratulations to Your Majesty on your pending success.
You have also contributed greatly.
Once this succeeds, you will surely be rewarded.
I'll thank Your Majesty in advance.
Everything is ready.
Nothing can go wrong.
Get up. What is it?
Your Majesty, the army of Yan State has safely arrived
at our border with Jin State.
Any news from the border is now blocked off by Chancellor Zhang.
The army of Yan State is now marching full speed toward Jiankang City.
The army will arrive at the city by nightfall.
I shall celebrate with all of you in the palace of Great Jin tonight.
How is it going?
Don't worry.
It's all going according to our plan.
In this palace, you can choose not to trust anyone but me.
I'm just worried.
Although this is all going well
there's still a chance of being found out in the future.
Should anyone discover the truth, it surely can't do Father any good.
Who would dare lay a finger on me?
The fatuous king has already been forsaken by his people.
Even if the other troops from outside the city arrive
the armed forces within the city
and Yan State's army are enough to fend them off.
Moreover, has Your Highness forgotten?
It's Chu Bei Jie who rebelled.
It's also Chu Bei Jie who crowned a new king.
Should anyone disapprove of it
it will still be Chu Bei Jie who silences them.
This Chu Bei Jie will protect Your Highness
until you give birth to the new king.
By then, he will die of a sudden illness.
Noble Consort will then become the regent queen dowager.
By then, I can retire in peace.
I'll enjoy a luxurious and extravagant life.
And then I shall remain Great Jin's most faithful subject throughout my life.
Our plan is so well mapped out.
We can look forward to our success.
Your Highness, set your mind at ease.
It might be so, but for some unknown reason
I've been very disturbed recently.
I'm still worried...
My daughter.
We have come this far.
There is no way out.
Father, you're right.
I've really met Prince of Zhenbei.
He told us to go to war, kill enemies, and render merits.
Prince of Zhenbei is here!
- Quickly! - Prince of Zhenbei is here!
- Quickly! - Get up.
Prince of Zhenbei is here!
- Prince of Zhenbei! - Prince of Zhenbei is here!
Prince of Zhenbei is here!
Prince of Zhenbei!
Prince of Zhenbei is here!
Prince of Zhenbei!
Prince of Zhenbei is here!
Prince of Zhenbei!
Long live Prince of Zhenbei!
- Prince of Zhenbei! - Long live Prince of Zhenbei!
The renowned Prince of Zhenbei is indeed different.
You actually like that?
He's in a mask. That's quite mysterious.
He's in a battle robe and looking awe-inspiring.
How many young men like him could you find in the world?
It is indeed very rare.
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