♫ The far and long roads, the man I miss is at a distant place ♫
♫ Seeking the truth in heaven and on earth, opening up the words deep in my heart, not looking back ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful woman, if one's heart could be fragrant ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful woman, desolate like the moon ♫
♫ I worry, when can I appreciate the grasses and flowers with a beautiful woman ♫
♫ The ancient people didn't have time to leave some Yimoxiang (a type of plant) ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady, heart becoming fragrant on its own ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady, fragrant dreams ♫
♫ The whole world is drunk, one's whole life just follows the blue water ♫
♫ I'll drive and go away for an adventure, flying as I want to in the nine skies ♫
Song of Phoenix
Episode 28
Battle flags obscure the sun, enemies abundant like clouds. Arrows fall like rain, warriors contend to be first. - Guo Shang (Hymn to the Fallen), Nine Songs by Qu Yuan
Qin Castle
At this time, the battle between Qin and Chu,
you are only allowed to win, you cannot lose.
Your King, will be waiting for you,
to return victoriously!
Please be reassured, Your Majesty.
Zhang Yi doesn't even know what the word "lose" means.
Good.
Kill!
Bixia, thank you...
for taking care of our Qu Family...
by Qu Yuan
- Mother.- Yuan'Er, you're here? Is something the matter?
WIll you please safe keep this for me?
What is in this box?
If I don't return from the war, please give this to Zhao BiXia.
What are you saying, you child.
I don't care. You give it to her yourself.
Mother! I'm saying "if".
You cannot say "if".
You have to promise your mother, that you cannot try to show off during war.
You don't know martial arts like your father or brother.
You need to hide from the swords, don't go charging in front.
Mother! If all mothers in the world thought like you, then what war would we fight?
All mothers of the world are the same.
There is not one who hopes their child will charge in front.
Mother, I'm going to go accomplish great things.
Yuan'Er, Mother doesn't want you to have victorious battles. Our family already accomplished a lot.
Yuan'Er, Mother just hopes you can come home safely, okay?
Okay, okay, I know, Mother.
Rest assured. I will definitely come back safely.
Oh right. Here.
I personally made you a set of clothes. Try them on.
Mother, I don't need to try them on.
Since I was a child, all of my clothes were made by you. They will definitely fit.
My Yuan'Er is wonderful from head to toe.
Don't even mention Zhao BiXia. Even if a princess were to marry Yuan'Er,
then she wouldn't be losing out.
Thank you, Mother.
Why thank me, silly child.
Don't worry, Mother. I will wear this everyday.
That way it's like Mother is right next to me.
Okay.
Ancestral Memorial Tablets of the Qu Family
Grand ancestor Qu Xia
Tomorrow, both of you will be leaving with the army.
Have you prepared yourselves?
Father, I will not regret it.
I am ready.
Okay. Then how about I tell you a story.
Our great ancestor, Qu Xia,
was the princely son of King Wu. (T/N d. 690 BCE, first King of Chu)
But this ancestor, although he was the son of the King,
he wasn't able to have a good death.
I have been told that Grand Ancestor Xia went on expedition to the Luo Country and was defeated.
That's right. At that time, the State of Chu
was very wealthy and powerful, and looked down on other great warriors.
This ancestor bragged highly of himself,
neglected and belittled his enemies, causing Chu
to lose tragically to just a small country like Luo.
The news spread to Ying Du.
King Wu was merciful and overlooked his mistake.
The great ancestor felt great shame. He committed suicide. (T/N Qu Xia retreated to Huangyu, hung himself)
Grand ancestor knew very well that he had committed such a severe crime.
He hoped that Qu family descendants would learn from this,
and to not boast, and not be frivolous.
Treat every matter like walking on thin ice.
Before he killed himself, he left a letter written with blood.
Blood letter? What did it say inside?
Six words: all Qu descendants must redeem themselves.
From that moment on, our Qu family, for generations,
have to repent for this past sin.
Remember this. On the battlefield, no matter what type of danger you face,
you cannot run away, you cannot fear death.
Even if you die in battle, you cannot forget the lessons from the great ancestor.
You cannot humiliate the State of Chu!
Father.
Your child will remember this.
These words,
I had wanted to explain it to you in detail before.
But, I never had the opportunity to.
I will show you something.
"Longyuan", "Tai-e", "Gongbu".
These three swords are two hundred years old, from Yue's State's Master Swordmaker Ou Yezi and General Gan Jiang. (T/N these three swords were made for King Goujian of Yue)
For swordsmen, being able to look at these swords already makes one's life have no regrets.
These known swords, were at our house?
These were gifted to us by the great general.
These swords represent our loyalty to the State of Chu.
Now.
This Tai-E
and Gongbu, I bestow upon you two.
Remember. To have these swords,
you must constantly remember the words of the great ancestor.
To use all your might, to protect our State of Chu's
government and its citizens.
Longyuan
All Qu descendants must redeem themselves!
When the army is outside, you may opt not to follow all my orders.
Within the army, all the decisions will be made by the general.
I, your servant, will not let you down.
Go to battle!
Kill the enemy!
I think you look very familiar.
What nonsense. I don't know you.
B-b-b-but I think you look very similar to my sweetheart.
If you keep speaking such, I'll break your legs.
Hey! Even your temper is very similar to hers.
Get lost!
Who are you?
Gao Chang Yi.
What is wrong?
Qin soldiers suddenly charged.
My battalion could not hold against them.
They all became corpses.
Minister of War, he's already dead.
Please.
The pathetic ones from the State of Chu indeed collapsed at the first blow.
The way I see it, we don't even need to fight.
As long as we raise a finger, they will all run away scared.
In yesterday's battle, General Wei's achievement was striking.
It's worth congratulating and celebrating.
Nice words. Nice words. Come, let's drink.
Chu's commander-in-chief Qu Bo Yong is one of the great generals of our time.
One must not belittle his skills.
Everyone is celebrating because of a victorious battle.
Yet here you are, saying things that ruin the mood.
Look, General Chu Li Ji is speaking the truth.
I hope General Wei won't get too excited and become overconfident.
Prime Minister, it's not that I, Wei Zhang, am being arrogant.
But you and General Chu Li Ji should just rest in the city for now.
I will be here waiting for that Qu Bo Yong.
With your abilities?
If I allow Qu Bu Yong to enter the city,
my head will be yours.
Can I take your words as truth?
I will not go back on my word.
If the General has such confidence, then I will believe in you this time.
Okay.
Reporting to Prime Minister, the Chu army is thirty li away. (T/N approx. 15 km/ 10 miles)
Okay. Immediately add reinforcements to the wall.
Yes.
Oh, that's very powerful.
-Big Brother Zhang, your martial arts skills are so good, when will you teach me? - Time to sleep.
Oh, it's comfortable.
It's pretty good.
Scoot over.
Don't you have a mouth?
Why do you have to be so rough?
Y-y-y-your name, is it Lu Qiu Xin?
Your temper is pretty big, but your name sounds nice.
Qiu Xin...Qiu...Xin?
Your two names, if they are put together, don't they form the word, "revenge"?
Hey, that's very similar to my Mo Chou's name.
If you aren't going to sleep, then get out.
What do you think about charging the enemy?
For tomorrow's battle, we must gain momentum.
Explain.
Based on "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu (Sunzi), the battle situation is all about the surprise and main team.
The changes between the surprise and main teams are limitless.
What is a surprise team and what is a main team?
- Sun Zi's "Art of War" says... - That's enough.
Don't think that just because you've read some books, this means you're a general.
Sometimes a word from a general will cause thousands to lose their lives.
Father, Little Brother Yuan is just trying to come up with ideas.
Okay. Then what do you say?
If Father commands me, I'll immediately bring people to kill the Qin dogs.
Is it that easy?
The first time I went to battle with my father was also against Qin.
At that time, I was young and naive.
I was the same as you two.
I only cared about attacking and killing the enemy.
Yet I overlooked the enemy's deeper plots.
If at that time I didn't have my father come to my rescue,
I would have died a long time ago on the battlefield.
Fighting war requires that ambitious drive. But it needs caution even more.
Don't be proud and flimsy.
Little Brother Yuan, you're not happy?
No.
Don't keep acting. What can't we talk about between us?
Before when I wrote poetry, Father looked down on me.
Now I'm in the army to fight and he still looks down on me.
Let's put it this way. Sun Zi's "Art of War" does work.
But if we all go by the Art of War,
then all these people won't be able to return.
It's because you all don't understand to be flexible.
I know I can't speak over you. But that's how reality is on the battlefield.
Don't think that because Father doesn't usually give much attention to trifles,
he is quite very meticulous when it comes to battle.
Him?
He's the commander. He has the trust of everyone.
If there's a mistake, that's tens of thousands of deaths.
Okay, let's not talk about this anymore.
We are about to fight soon.
There are dangers everywhere on the battlefield.
I think you should learn some martial arts from me to protect yourself.
I am a strategist. Why must I learn that?
If you want us to be able to relax and kill the enemy, then don't add troubles for us.
Come.
Watch carefully.
Here, you try.
-Are you okay? -I'm fine.
Looks like you really have very shallow basics for this.
You need to keep practicing.
How about this. I'll teach you easier things.
Here. Hit me.
Hit me.
What are you doing?
How about it? This is good, isn't it?
These kinds of lowly actions, I refuse to learn.
How are they lowly? In a critical time, this move can save your life!
In any case, even if I die I refuse to learn this move.
Then there's this last move.
-What is it? -Run.
Run?
Running is also a move?
Don't look down on running. There is also more to it.
How do you run?
I'll teach you. You run backwards.
Run backwards?
Yes! Think about it.
On the battlefield, the swords don't have eyes.
Who knows if a sword comes flying and sticks into you.
If you run backwards, you can avoid it.
Okay okay, stop messing around.
Hey? Who's making things up?
This is my secret! Many people pray that I teach them.
Hey! You fool!
Aiya! Don't you know that the amount you eat represents the capacity of your stomach.
Brother Qiao, that probably isn't enough for you.
Hey, here's half for you.
I'll bleed my own blood, I'll eat my own food.
Hey, you don't know to be grateful?
H-h-hey, I couldn't tell but you are something.
At today's battle, Zhuang Qiao showed his face there.
Back when I was fighting the Qin, I wonder where you guys were?
Hey, we just said a few words and now he won't stop.
Keep boasting. Who will believe you?
I would see one and kill one, leaving a path of blood.
I saved half of our army.
Keep boasting! W-w-who would believe that?
What? You don't believe me?
We don't believe you, of course not.
How about this. You all attack me to hit me.
If I, Zhuang Qiao, move at all, I'll admit defeat.
This is what you said. If you win,
then we will give all our buns to you.
We'll give it all to you!
All yours.
Let's go.
He must be just bragging. That's right.
Fight!
Good! Come at me!
How come you can't fight me?
Lu Qiu Xin!
Come, you try.
You aren't afraid, are you?
Hey, you want him to hit you?
He usually keeps to himself like a girl.
Why do you want to bully a little sister?
Little sister!
Hey, come, come. Come hit older brother.
Who would have thought that this boy really does have some skill.
Didn't you lose now?
These two soldiers have some skill. What are their names?
That is Lu Qiu Xin. That is Zhuang Qiao.
If Chu's soldiers were all like them,
we'd always win battles.
Hey! You are pretty great!
General.
Good.
Everyone, keep practicing.
Okay. Let's go practice.
What are you looking at? Let's go eat.
Everyone, come over and take a look. This city is strategically located and difficult to access.
It's easy to defend but hard to attack. If we don't have a clear plan tomorrow
and do things spontaneously, we won't be successful.
Everyone, let's think if there's any good ideas.
I really don't understand, what is there to think?
We just need to bring a bunch of people and push our way through.
Nonsense.
This impulsive personality of yours, when will you change it?
How about, we dig underground?
Dig underground?
I'm afraid before we complete the tunnel, our army will be diminished.
Then what about climbing the wall?
Climbing the wall is too ambitious, we'll be sitting ducks.
Then if these all won't work, then what should we do?
Father,
are you and Yi'Er still well?
If we can't do this and can't do that.
The more we delay this, we might lose the opportune chance. The Qin has prepared for this adequately in the first place.
It isn't helpful for our Chu army.
Why is there someone out at this late hour?
- Hey! It's time to sleep. - We're speaking to you.
You don't even look back, how will you fight?
Newbies...
Let's go.
Mo Chou?
I knew it was you.
This is the battalion, why did you come here? It's all men.
If you say another word, I'll kill you.
D-D-Don't play w-w-with this, it's so d-d-dangerous.
If you dare to say one word, I'll take your life.
I swear, I will definitely not talk to anyone about your identity.
Mo Chou, I-I won't do it again, w-won't do it again.
I...M-M-Mo...
Call me Lu Qiu Xin.
Aiya, you are a girl. Why are you with the army?
So what if I'm a girl?
Yes. You are good at martial arts.
You have skills and many people can't fight against you.
But the b-battlefield is so d-dangerous, do you understand?
This, aren't I here right now?
As long as I, Liu San, am around,
from now on, in times of danger,
I will take responsibility to protect you.
With your ability?
This dumb war. We don't know how long it will last.
Yes, the city walls are difficult to attack.
Of course. Our battle at Bian City,
was an complete defeat. It was unexpected.
The Qin dogs not only can bark,
but when they bite, they are pretty aggressive.
You, you only know to talk about other people's greatness and diminish our own abilities.
This city wall, we will definitely capture it.
It's such a tall wall, do you plan on flying over it?
This Li Yi, keeps walking in and out himself.
It seems secretive.
Yan (top right), Zhao (top middle), Qi (right), Wei (middle), Han (bottom middle), Qin (far left)
Qi (top right), Wei (middle right), Han (lowest right), Qin (left)
T-This is such a t-tall wall. Unless you want to f-fly over it.
Fly over it. Diagram of Frame Construction
Diagram of Frame Construction
♫ The white horse galloping, vast and magnificent stars ♫
♫ The heart is sick with melancholy ♫
♫ Unhurried, floating clouds, the returning bird left one’s far birthplace ♫
♫ Seeking the truth in heaven and on earth, opening up the words deep in my heart, not looking back ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful woman, if one's heart could be fragrant ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful woman, desolate like the moon ♫
♫ I worry, when can I appreciate the grasses and flowers with a beautiful woman ♫
♫ The ancient people didn't have time to leave some Yimoxiang (a type of plant) ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady, heart becoming fragrant on its own ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady, fragrant dreams ♫
♫ The whole world is drunk, one's whole life just follows the blue water ♫
♫ I'll drive and go away for an adventure, flying as I want to in the nine skies ♫
♫ Unhurried, floating clouds, the returning bird left one’s far birthplace ♫
♫ Seeking the truth in heaven and on earth, opening up the words deep in my heart, not looking back ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady, heart becoming fragrant on its own ♫
♫ Thinking of a beautiful lady, fragrant dreams ♫
♫ The whole world is drunk, one's whole life just follows the blue water ♫
♫ I'll drive and go away for an adventure, flying as I want to in the nine skies ♫
The day after tomorrow will be a full moon
and there will be winds coming from the east.
The wind will be strong.
Move by riding with the wind.
A special army from the sky?
This is clever, clever!
And you even say it is a clever plan.
Little Brother Yuan, do you think you're a bird, can you fly?
Look at this.
This, is Qin army's city wall.
This, is a tall tower.
I calculated that the distance between these two is about two li (about 1 km, two-thirds of a mile).
When the wind is big, we use the wind.
We'll glide over the city wall.
We will be flying over them head on? You think the Qin army is blind?
Of course not. So, we need to put something in here.
What you are saying is make a feint in the east but attack from the west?
That's right. Let's pretend to make a group of soldiers
dig a tunnel right here.
We will attract the attention of the Qin army.
They'll direct most of their army over there.
So if we fly over the main gates, they might not discover it.
That's right. We only need hundreds of soldiers that are willing to die.
As long as we can get inside and open the gate,
our Chu army can enter.
How do we guarantee that there will be an east wind within two days?
Father, I've already been analyzing the weather. In two days there will definitely be an east wind.
Besides, even if there isn't an east wind,
we'll give it our best try and see if it will work.
Yes, Father, no matter what, it's better than being stuck here.
But doing this, it seems like a high risk with a low chance of success.
Don't worry, leave it to me.
Planning and strategizing, I'm not as good as Little Brother Yuan.
But charging and shattering the enemy lines, I surely can do it.
Alright. We'll give it a try.
Yuan'Er, prepare the plan for the tunnel.
You'Er, go prepare skilled soldiers.
In two days' time when the east wind blows, we'll invade the city.
We cannot let this information spread.
Yes.
Reporting to Your Majesty. The commander has been facing the Qin army for many days.
Looking at the situation, it seems as though we are at a disadvantage.
Why do you say that?
The Minister of War has always been brave and skillful in warfare.
General Qu has never feared any strong enemies.
But these last few days, the army has not acted. It doesn't bode well.
This is a situation that's never occurred before.
Minister of War is a very meticulous person. In leading an army to war, he is one of the top ones.
Perhaps in his mind, he already has a plan.
How to fight this war, perhaps only the Commander knows.
I don't want to make assumptions, and speak of the enemy's greatness while diminishing our own abilities.
Your Majesty is wise.
From my opinion, both armies are comparable in strength.
I just fear that Minister of War is demotivated in fighting this war...
Jing Mo Ao! (High Minister Jing)
Your words do not have any reason at all.
The Minister of War has always been faithful and loyal.
The Qu family is full of descendants that were willing to die to serve their country.
If such a loyal general heard your words,
wouldn't he feel so bitterly disappointed?
Chancellor Zhao, I really have shallow intelligence.
I cannot tell how such a reactive battle strategy is being loyal to one's country.
Reactive is what an outsider like you would see.
If you look at the Minister of War's viewpoint,
how would you know that he's not waiting for the best opportunity?
I wonder when this opportunity will rise?
I just see that the Minister of War has waited until everyone in the court is worried.
You!
Grand Adviser, what do you think?
This, I don't dare to wildly guess.
Negligent and idle command?
I doubt the Minister of War would be like that.
Minster of War Qu has experienced many battles.
I believe he has a plan to defeat the enemy.
Be careful.
Hey, let me through.
Here.
I can't. You do it.
Be careful.
Excuse me.
Hey.
This is not something you should do. Here.
-I'll help you. -Busybody.
Xiang Brother, come help me.
G-g-g-go do your job.
Do some work and then rest a while, don't exhaust yourself.
Archers!
Ready.
Retract arrows.
Everyone, let's all raise our cups.
Okay.
Having much experience on the battle field? Brave and skillful in warfare?
And they claim him to be the best of the State of Chu.
In my opinion that Qu Boyong is nothing much at all.
The Chu army has not done anything in days.
I think, they are already scared by us.
To think that our Chancellor thought we were facing a great enemy. I think he overthought things.
Scholars after all are still too cautious when deploying troops.
General Wei, you shouldn't take the opportunity when the Prime Minister isn't here,
to speak nonsense.
I already said it, what will you do?
General, there is someone named Li Yi who wants to meet.
Let him in.
Greetings, General.
Who are you?
I'm on your side.
General, I have urgent news to share.
Speak.
General, the Chu army is digging an underground tunnel nearby.
I'm afraid the Chu army wants to invade underground.
Underground tunnel?
Chu people are indeed stupid in the extreme.
Such a low move and they're willing to use it?
Why do I think this move is a little odd?
What do you mean?
If the Chu army is digging a tunnel to invade the city,
their goal seems to be too ambitious.
This situation, I'm afraid...
General, are you suspecting my words are lies?
I don't care what tricks Qu Bo Yong uses.
Whatever they do, we'll be able to counter it.
It's all the same, I will kill him before he can set up a defense.
General, we should let the Prime Minister know first.
Does such an easily-discernible matter require reporting?
All soldiers receive your orders!
Here!
Bring the Chu tunnel diggers over. You see one, you kill one!
Yes.
♫ Day and night, summer and winter, nonstop changes ♫
♫ Herbs and trees, prosperity and decline, would still depend on a beautiful woman ♫
♫ Rumors brought by wind from all over; inciting ministers with different dreams ♫
♫ Asking Heaven if it can bear witness to one's loyalty ♫
♫ Muddy and clear, beautiful and ugly, overturning all living creatures ♫
♫ Angelica and magnolia, orchids and quan, have a hard time emitting their fragrance ♫
♫ Why must you proceed against the current? Why must a lonely flower admire herself? ♫
♫ No one knew that one's birthplace has become someone else's territory ♫
♫ Outstanding in a chaotic world, who can understand one's desire? ♫
♫ Going far to travel, yet one's heart is tied with one's home ♫
♫ Drinking one 'Li Sao', the pain of separation ♫
♫ Getting drunk for a lifetime of dedicating oneself for one's country ♫
♫ Coping with the long, long road; hard to beg the heaven and the earth ♫
♫ I lamented the numerous sorrows in the life of the citizens ♫
♫ Singing one 'Li Sao', pain of separation ♫
♫ Sighing how hard it is to keep a bosom friend ♫
♫ For the ideal that I hold dear to my heart, I’d not regret a thousand times to die. In the end, turning into ashes.
♫ If this dream is difficult, let's just leave it to the next generations to ponder ♫
♫ Outstanding in a chaotic world, who can understand one's desire? ♫
♫ Going far to travel, yet one's heart is tied with one's home ♫
♫ Drinking one 'Li Sao', the pain of separation ♫
♫ Sighing how hard it is to keep a bosom friend ♫
♫ For the ideal that I hold dear to my heart, I’d not regret a thousand times to die. In the end, turning into ashes.
♫ If this dream is difficult, let's just leave it to the next generations to ponder ♫