Original subtitles

BASED ON THE NOVEL "THE PRISONER OF BEAUTY" BY PENGLAI KE

What?

Don't you want to take advantage of my injury?

We…

You're both virtuous and gifted.

We will obey your orders from now on,

Young Master.

Great!

- Greetings, my lord. - Greetings, my lord.

You're truly worthy to be my son.

Now that these generals

have pledged their loyalty of their own accord,

your title of Young Master

is well deserved, Shiyuan.

From now on…

I am no Young Master.

I was raised on the Weis' grain and rice.

I have no desire to become the Governor of Bianzhou.

You…

You unfilial son!

Unfilial son?

Just answer me one question.

Was it you

who abducted my mother?

Enough!

Since you refuse to be the Young Master,

then go guard the border.

Return only when you've come to your senses.

DANJUN, BIANZHOU

My lord,

guarding the border is harsh.

It's always in turmoil there.

Why must you send the Young Master himself?

I know full well the hardships he will face.

But the Weis

forced a wolf to act as a hound,

breaking his spirit and dulling his edge.

I must forge that edge within him.

Only then can he become the Lord of Bianzhou.

My lord, your devotion moves me deeply.

My lord,

once we cross the bridge, we reach Panyi.

Liu Yan has split off 100,000 troops to attack Panyi.

We only have 30,000 now.

Even if we add the 30,000 stationed in Panyi,

the difference is still enormous.

Don't worry.

Her Ladyship has promised to bring reinforcements from Boya.

Her Ladyship did promise,

but who knows if the Qiaos

will break their word and betray us like they did 15 years ago?

Cross the river!

Cross the river!

PANYI CITY, WEI STATE

My lord, a report from the front.

Wei Shao is leading 30,000 troops to reinforce Panyi.

They'll reach the battlefield tomorrow.

You may go.

Yes.

Only 30,000?

Wei Shao and Lady Qiao truly love each other and stand united.

He'd risk his life to protect the Qiaos.

My lord,

Panyi City is hard to breach and easy to defend.

We've already lost 20,000 warriors.

Now that Wei scoundrel is flanking us from behind.

What should we do?

Calm down.

We still have 20,000 reinforcements en route.

This time,

I will not let Panyi fall into his hands.

Manman brought so many troops

and has a general escorting her.

Clearly, the Lord of Wei truly cares for Her Ladyship.

They say even the people of Wei are proud to have Her Ladyship.

Manman!

Cousin!

Slow down, slow down.

Be careful.

You're really showing now.

Let me look at you.

You've lost weight.

And you've gained weight.

Look at you, so big with child.

You still love to tease me, huh?

Why didn't you tell me you were coming?

I could've sent someone to greet you.

It was a rushed trip. I forgot.

Where is Bi Zhi?

He's not home?

Bi Zhi went to patrol the border.

Come, let's go inside and have a proper talk.

Come.

I had someone prepare

your favorite orchid-scented wine and cured lamb.

Have a taste. See if it's like you remember.

Cousin, why hasn't Bi Zhi returned yet?

He's usually gone three to five days at a time.

Eight or nine at most.

He should be back soon.

Stay here and rest easy.

If you need anything, just let me know.

I didn't come

just to visit you.

Do you know that

Liancheng and Yanzhou are under siege?

Bi Zhi mentioned it to me.

His Lordship departed with the troops before I did.

He should've arrived at Panyi by now.

Lord of Wei is valiant.

He will surely defeat Liangya.

This time is different.

Liu Yan brought 100,000 troops.

Because he sent help to Liancheng,

His Lordship only took 30,000 troops to Panyi.

Panyi may have 30,000 garrisoned,

but the gap in strength is far too great.

Manman,

we are just women.

What can we possibly do?

All we can do is pray for the safety of Wei State and Yanzhou.

If prayers truly worked,

His Lordship's kin wouldn't have died in Xindu.

Manman,

you were right before.

Bi Zhi really is a man worth entrusting my life to.

Before, the two of us lead a wandering life.

That fool stood guard outside the door all night,

just so I wouldn't be afraid.

Sometimes, just to make sure I ate well,

he'd go work at the docks, doing hard labor.

He always gave me the best he could.

Because of that,

no matter how hard life became,

I never once regretted choosing him.

Seriously, the situation is urgent.

Why are you telling me all this now?

When will Bi Zhi return?

Even though we've taken Boya,

I find myself sleepless at night.

Xue Tai and those bandit chiefs keep stirring up trouble every few days.

He hides it whenever he's hurt, just so I won't worry.

There was even a time he crossed into Bianzhou by accident

just to pick sour plums for me.

Xue Tai's men spotted him, and he got caught in a fight.

He didn't return

for five whole days.

If something had happened to him,

I truly don't know how I would've gone on.

I understand.

The love between you and Bi Zhi is admirable.

But the bond between His Lordship and me is just as deep.

This time, Liu Yan lays siege not only to Wei State,

but to Yanzhou as well.

Do you remember?

When we were young,

Grandfather took us to Liancheng to build the canal.

The people there welcomed us and loved us deeply.

Now, His Lordship faces a desperate situation

to help the people of Liancheng.

Will you just stand by and watch?

It's not that I don't want to help you…

but Boya's forces are limited.

We truly can't offer much support.

Boya has 20,000 troops!

Enough to turn the tide!

But Liu Yan commands 100,000!

How can you be so sure Bi Zhi can win against such odds?

You know it's dangerous up ahead.

Are you going to send him to die?

I don't want him to die.

But, Cousin,

I just received military intel.

Liu Yan's 20,000 reinforcements are on the way.

They'll reach Wu Marsh in three days,

and arrive at Panyi in five.

Once his reinforcements arrive,

His Lordship and the people of Panyi won't stand a chance.

Manman…

you're capable and responsible.

You can save the people of the realm.

But I'm different.

I'm just an ordinary woman

with no ambition and no grand vision.

Even if I give it my all,

I can only protect one person.

I'm not like you,

who pushes her husband fight and die for the Qiao clan,

and for the people of Yanzhou!

I… I can't do it.

So you think I pushed…

my own husband

to fight and die

all for me?

Even you think I'm doing the wrong thing?

You are not.

If I'm not, then why won't you help me?

Because no one ever said we must always do what's right, Manman.

I would give my life for you

because you're my dearest cousin.

But I can't let Bi Zhi die for you.

I can't use love as a chain

to bind him into fighting for my clan.

Not even for you.

Even if it means

you'll hate me…

I will never regret it.

So you've made up your mind to do nothing about this?

General Bi Zhi.

My lady.

While patrolling the border,

I saw movement along the way.

Then I heard of your arrival,

so I returned at once.

Fan,

what's wrong?

Though we're not…

sisters by blood…

Cousin and I grew up closer than true siblings.

Now I see you and Bi Zhi in love,

living your own peaceful days…

I'm really happy for you.

Don't worry.

I ask nothing more of you.

My husband is still fighting at the front.

The battle isn't dire yet, and we're likely to win…

but I shouldn't stay.

I'll take my leave.

Take care.

My lady.

My lady, are you all right?

Even Cousin protects Bi Zhi

out of selfishness.

I made His Lordship fight for me.

What am I doing?

My lady, it's not your fault.

Please don't cry.

Panyi is hard to breach and easy to defend.

Liu Yan hasn't taken it yet,

which means he's likely lost many troops.

Tomorrow, we'll flank them front and back.

Let's end this quickly.

If we act before his reinforcements arrive,

we can secure victory first.

All right.

Everyone's weary from the march.

Get some rest.

- Yes. - Yes.

WEI

My lady, should I go plead with Lady Fan?

Liu Yan commands 100,000 troops.

We only have 500 to send to Panyi.

How can we possibly aid His Lordship like this?

I'm not afraid of danger,

but I worry for you, my lady.

Once we reach the border of Panyi,

you and Chunniang should head back.

I'll take them there.

Everything's arranged, so don't worry.

My lady, that's not what I meant.

How could we leave without you?

I know you wouldn't.

But this is between me and His Lordship.

I won't let him and the troops face this alone,

so I must go, even if it costs me my life.

But I can't let you die with me.

But…

It's all right.

Right here.

I'll build a dam.

Block it with soil,

and the ants will cross safely.

But if I clear the soil away, the ants will drown.

You're so mean.

You drowned all the ants!

Chunniang.

Where's my Yanzhou waterway map?

I'll go fetch it.

My lady, here you are.

YANZHOU

His Lordship and Liu Yan are fighting in the plains outside Panyi.

To siege us, Liu Yan

must circle Mount Cheng to here

and then cross the Wu Marsh.

I promised to guard the rear for His Lordship.

Not a single soldier shall cross Wu Marsh.

My lady, do you have a plan?

Water flows

from high to low.

With enough force, it can move boulders downstream.

But when forced uphill,

it slows or stops.

At bends,

it pools and recedes.

YANG RIVER, WESTERN MOUNTAIN

When full, it surges forward.

Low ground lets it flow smoothly.

High ground restrains it.

Block the bends and the current breaks.

In short,

water always seeks the low.

If the waters rise high enough,

the surge can sweep away the stones.

We don't have the numbers for a direct fight,

but if we use the terrain,

we might win with fewer troops.

But how exactly?

Grandfather once said

that to lower the water level,

you need to block it upstream or drain it downstream.

There is an upstream.

Wu Marsh is fed by the Yang River.

If we dam the junction

and block the Yang River,

the water level in Wu Marsh will drop.

Then we'll break the dam,

let the Yang River flood in,

and unleash a deadly surge.

Liangya's troops will be like ants.

We overturn the soil

and they scatter.

This way,

whether it's 20,000 or 100,000,

they'll all perish here.

Then let's go block the water upstream.

How long does it take to build a sand dam?

At best, a few days. At worst, half a month.

There's not enough time, my lady.

Not enough time…

YANZHOU

To manage water, one must move with its changes.

Clear its path.

Guide its flow.

Such is the way of both water and humans.

We must adapt to change,

and find fulfillment through each winding turn.

That too is wisdom.

We won't block the upstream.

We'll drain the downstream.

I remember Grandfather once built a reservoir here.

We'll store the waters of Wu Marsh there,

lower the water level, and make fools of them.

My lady, you never planned to win with fewer troops.

You never planned to fight at all.

I have no other choice.

Darling,

please wait for me.

Fifteen years ago, the Qiaos broke their promise.

But this time,

I will never break mine.

You will not fight alone.

Wei Shao brought just over 30,000 troops.

We still have 20,000 reinforcements on the way.

Whoever brings back Wei Shao's head

shall be named General of the Cavalry Guard!

Great!

Seize Wei Shao!

Strike!

All warriors,

twenty li from here,

on the plains outside Panyi City,

our Wei warriors are locked in fierce battle.

Though we haven't fought head-on,

if all goes as planned,

we may yet to turn the tide for Wei State.

You are the guards of Lord of Wei's mansion,

the finest warriors of the Wei State.

But now,

I must ask you to risk your lives

and stake everything alongside me.

We follow your command, my lady!

All warriors, heed my order.

Squad One and Squad Two,

cross the river to the upper reaches of Wu Marsh.

Squad One, set up sulfur and rocks along the path.

Make it look like we're preparing to dam and break the banks.

Squad Two, catch the wild birds.

Release them once Liangya's reinforcements arrive.

They'll believe a large ambush awaits them upstream.

The rest stay here with me,

lay out the sulfur

and open the reservoir.

Yes!

Squad One, follow me!

Squad Two, follow me!

Reporting!

My lord,

Liu Shan, Liangya's Deputy,

led 5,000 armored cavalry in a left-flank assault.

We've lost many cavalry.

Pass my command.

Crossbow units, prepare!

Yes.

Reporting, my lord.

Liangya forces are pressing hard.

Our front lines are sustaining heavy casualties.

Have the cavalry cover the retreat.

All troops fall back five li and await orders.

Yes.

Reporting!

An urgent message from Panyi City.

The West Gate is weakly defended. They request reinforcements.

By now, Her Ladyship should've secured reinforcements

and be on her way from Boya to hold Wu Marsh.

I believe she'll come.

Be careful.

Here.

All right, harder.

- Come on. - Hold it tight.

My lady, though we're short-handed,

you don't have to do this yourself.

It pains me to see this.

I'm fine.

- Let me carry it. - No need.

Chunniang, take the firewood.

Yes.

Move quickly.

- Yes. - Yes.

My lady,

Liangya's reinforcements will reach Wu Marsh tomorrow.

Good.

My lady,

everything is ready.

Light it!

We did it!

We did it!

By tomorrow morning, the reservoir will be full.

Hurry and tidy up.

We're heading to Wu Marsh Ferry.

Tomorrow, we'll strike from three fronts.

Wei Qu, you'll go with me.

We'll attack head-on in a fish-scale, trapezoid formation.

Yes.

My lord.

The Wu Marsh water level is dropping rapidly.

Why is this happening?

No cause found yet.

Could the Liangya troops be trying to cross the river?

If they plan to cross,

we must drive them back before reinforcements arrive.

Pass my orders.

We ride out to battle at Yin hour tomorrow.

- Yes. - Yes.

Fan, I'm back.

Fan?

Fan, what's wrong?

Is the baby giving you trouble?

No.

I was thinking of Manman.

When Her Ladyship left,

she was escorted by Wei guards.

You really don't need to worry.

By now,

she should have returned to Yujun.

Panyi is at war now.

Before Her Ladyship departed, she told me to guard Boya well.

Otherwise, I'd have escorted her back for you.

All warriors, heed my order!

The people of Panyi City,

whether from Yanzhou or Wei State,

do not deserve this suffering.

The innocent of this land deserve none of this.

Now that we are here,

we must defend Panyi at all costs.

In this battle,

we must win,

not lose!

We fight to the last breath!

Fight to the last breath!

Move out!

Charge!

LIANCHENG, YANZHOU

QIAO

BORDER OF PANYI, WEI STATE

GENERAL LIN, FROM LIANGYA STATE

Soldiers, check the water.

Yes.

General, there's someone across the river.

It's Lady Qiao, wife of the Lord of Wei,

the Lady of Wei State.

She stands there alone.

Capturing her will earn us great merit.

- Soldiers! - Yes.

Prepare to cross. Seize Lady Qiao!

Follow me to slay Liu Yan!

Charge!

My lord, watch out!

Give them to me!

Strike!

Liu Yan, don't you run!

Liu Yan, face your death!

Reporting!

What is it?

My lord,

over half our troops

have fallen.

You losers!

My lord!

You're just in time.

Are the reinforcements here?

My lord, the reinforcements can't make it.

General Lin sent word.

They encountered Wei forces at Wu Marsh and suffered a defeat.

They had to pull back.

What?

My lord,

we're under attack on all fronts.

Our men can't hold the line.

We must retreat.

My lord,

withdraw the troops.

My lord!

Let's go.

Back to Liangya!

Withdraw!

Back to Liangya!

Stop the pursuit!

Stop the pursuit!

Congratulations, my lord. That's a total victory!

Our warriors fought bravely.

My lord,

this was a hard-won battle.

We split our forces, sending many to Liancheng and Xiaogang,

leaving only a few here against Liu Yan.

It was tough.

Indeed.

- Clear up the battlefield! - Yes!

My lord.

Thankfully, Her Ladyship kept her word.

She brought reinforcements from Boya.

They crushed 20,000 of Liangya's reinforcements at Wu Marsh.

They won us the chance.

It truly is a fine opportunity.

However, all it really did was protect Yanzhou's interests.

My lord,

though the Boya reinforcements came late,

they still made a difference.

Her Ladyship must care about you.

She cares about what?

I've been away this long.

She hasn't even sent me a letter.

Anyone would think

she's been so occupied in Yujun that she found no time to send a letter.

I'll settle this with her when I'm back.

Tell our men to rest.

We'll march to aid Liancheng later.

- Yes. - My lord!

We found a boat lantern in the river.

No wonder

the battle turned so quickly.

Her Ladyship must have led Boya's reinforcements herself.

- We should… - I'll go bring her back.

My lord!

My lord!

My lord!

My lord,

we've reclaimed Liancheng and Xiaogang.

We came to join forces.

Thank you, my lord, for holding off Liu Yan and his reinforcements.

General Wei Liang brought most of the troops to Liancheng.

That's how we won so swiftly.

I appreciate it, my lord.

You should thank your sister.

WEI

I'm not into this.

Sincerity brings miracles.

WEI

My lord, there's no need to worry.

Once the warriors are ready,

we'll set out and meet Her Ladyship together.

Who says I'm thinking about her?

I'm just wondering,

does Liu Yan still have a backup plan?

No, he does not.

In this battle, Liu Yan was soundly defeated.

We won against all odds,

firstly, thanks to your skill and courage in leading the troops,

and secondly,

due to Her Ladyship's great contribution.

She drove off the reinforcements coming from Wu Marsh to Panyi,

cutting off Liu Yan's support.

If not for that, who knows how many would have fallen?

Because of this, even as your advisor,

I feel ashamed.

Of course!

Manman is the smartest.

The smartest?

She's just a bit clever.

Xiaotao told me to go to Liancheng,

saying Manman had gone to Boya to seek reinforcements for you.

I thought she was bluffing.

Manman and His Lordship share a deep affection.

Xiaotao even asked Young Master Ci to help me for my sake.

Her Ladyship is even more thoughtful and loyal.

She went to the front lines, lending His Lordship her strength.

Although Boya's reinforcements arrived a bit late,

I'm sure there's a reason for the delay.

Thoughtful and loyal, you say?

She only cares about her Yanzhou.