Original subtitles

In the fourteenth year of Jian'an Period (209 AD)

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang seized Zhou Yu's recuperation in Chaisang

And Sun Quan's defeat in Hefei

He took four prefectures of Lingling Wuling, Guiyang and Changsha

When Liu Bei was having celebration of his victory

Xiangyang sent messenger to inform him Liu Qi died of illness

Liu Bei

My nephew Liu Qi lost his own mother in his childhood

His stepmother treated him badly

But unfortunately he died just at the time he has grown up

It's really lamentable

Life and death is beyond our control

You must restrain grief to manage well defense of Jingzhou

Sun Quan called off battle in Hefei and returned to Nanxu

If Zhou Yu learns of Liu Qi's death

He is to demand return of Jingzhou must take precautions

My lord, his Excellency Lu Su of Dongwu is coming

Lu Su must have come for Jingzhou

What to do?

My lord, just show him in and if he mentions matter of Jingzhou

I have something to say

Oh, Imperial Uncle Master Zhuge Liang

My lord has heard of your nephew's death

He sent me to present gifts and asked me to attend the funeral

Zhou Yu also asked me to give best regards to you and zhuge liang

Thanks, take the offerings

Yes

You must have a long journey let's have a chat in rear chamber

This way please

Well, when I was here last time

You said Jingzhou be returned to Dongwu after death of Liu Qi

Now Liu Qi has passed away

I'm sure you won't go back on you words

I'd like to know when transition is to take place?

Lu Su, you've come here from afar

Yes. Your journey must be tiring

We haven't seen you for a long time and missed you very much

We should first talk about the old times before come down to business

Brother Lu Su

Lu Su

Let's have another toast for our meeting today

Imperial Uncle and Master Zhuge Liang

I'm not a caustic person

It's an important state affair, it's hard for me to be preferential

In my view, better settle the matter of Jingzhou first

Otherwise, it would be difficult for me to explain before my lord

Lu Su, you're really unreasonable Are you looking for a debate?

As for territorial dispute

I'm afraid Dongwu along fails to judge who's right and who's wrong

Since uprising and foundation of empire by ancestor of the Lius

Whole country restored legitimate rules,more than 400 years passed

My lord is descendant of the Lius great grandson of Emperor Xiaojing

Now he is uncle of the emperor in power

Shouldn't he have a share of the territory?

In addition, Liu Biao is my lord's elder brother

Anything wrong for younger brother to succeed elder brother's estate?

Master, I

Sun Quan is son of a petty official by Qiantang River

He rendered no outstanding service to the empire

By force of power, he has occupied 6 prefectures and 81 counties

He is still unsatisfied, attempting to swallow up whole country

Let me raise the question to you

The country is under reign of Liu descendant of Liu has no share?

Persons by the surname of Sun contend for it, isn't that absurd?

Moreover, in the Battle of Chibi

My lord has made great contribution officers fought against Cao Cao

How could Dongwu claim all the credit for itself?

If I hadn't borrowed east wind at the Alter of Seven Stars

How could Zhou Yu make a single contribution?

With fall of south of the river, say nothing of two beauties of Qian's

Even your family could barely be protected

Just now,my lord said nothing

You are intelligent person no further details are needed

Unfortunately, you didn't catch the point

Your words are reasonable

But it means nconvenience for me

Why so?

When Imperial Uncle in difficulties in Dangyang, he was in dilemma

I introduced you to cross the river and meet my lord

Thus alliance between Sun and Liu and join hands to defeat Cao Cao

After that. Zhou Yu wanted to take Jingzhou by force

Again I opposed to it

Imperial Uncle promised return of Jingzhou after death of Liu Qi

I also pledged myself

If you go back on your words how shall I face my lord?

I'm sure that he and Zhou Yu will vent their anger on me

I fear not death, but war and killing if Dongwu is irritated

Imperial Uncle can't be at ease in Jingzhou

By then, isn't be laughing stock open to the world?

Cao Cao hankers worldly fame and runs against will of people

I didn't mind at all

Do you think I'm afraid of Zhou Yu?

You can't explain before your lord

It's advisable that you write down a pledge

Make it clear that you'll temporarily occupy Jingzhou

Once in possession of another foothold

He'll return Jingzhou to Dongwu

What do you think about it?

May I know which place after you've taken will you return Jingzhou

It's not suitable to attack capital

Liu Zhang in Sichuan is ignorant and weak

My lord is aiming at him

Once Sichuan is obtained, Jingzhou will be handed over to you

So I would like the Imperial Uncle to write me a written document

That's fine

Lu Su

This time I'll ask Zhuge Liang to act as guarantee for it

Please put your signature here

Fine, I'll put my signature on the document

But I belong to my lord

Do you think it proper for one to stand guarantee for the same party?

Lu Su, I'd also like to ask you to put you signature on the paper

It will be more formal when you present it to your lord

I know the Imperial Uncle is a man of justice and will not deceive me

When you see your lord, please speak discreetly and explain it in detail

And please don't let him cherish a wishful thinking

If he rejects this document

I'm determined to take over all his territory, even angry

Well, Lu Su is a man of good sense

The harmonious relations between the two sides should be valued

Don't let Cao Cao laugh at us

It always is I, the honest and simple man is in a dilemma

Lord, the lady is getting worse Please go home at once

No need to worry,my lord

Please go to see immediately

Lu Su, Imperial Uncle Please,master, please

You've been taken in again by Zhuge Liang

Why?

In name, it's a temporary occupation

But in reality, this is only a pretext for postponing

He said

Jingzhou will be returned to us the moment they get Sichuan

What if they are not able to get the place in ten years?

What's the use of such a document?

You still guarantee for him!

If he refuses to return Jingzhou our lord will blame you

I don't think Liu Bei will betray me

Liu Bei is an ambitious man, Zhuge Liang a man of resourcefulness

They are not so simple and sincere as you

Lu Su, don't worry you're my benefactor

When I led my men for uprising and passed your house

You offered grain and forage

At that time, you have little rain yet you give me half of it

I shall never forget your favor all my life, now you are in difficitulty

Could I just look on with folded arms?

It has just been reported that Liu Bei's wife Lady Gan, died of illness

A funeral is being arranged

I work out a plan to let Zhuge Liang return Jingzhou to us respectfully

May I know it?

Liu Bei has lost his wife

He is sure to be remarried our lord has a younger sister

She is quite valiant

She has hundreds of armed maids And her chamber is full of weapons

She surpasses many a man

I'll write to lord advising him to send a person to be a matchmaker

To induce Liu Bei to come over here to marry into the Suns

Once he is in Nanxu he'll find himself a prisoner

Then we'll demand that they exchange jingzhou for Liu Bei

I'm very grateful for your assistance

I'll go back to Nanxu to report this to our lord

Ask him to send an envoy as a matchmaker immediately to Jingzhou

There is only one person who can do it

May I know who the person is? Please forward it to our lord

Lu Fan and Lu Zhiheng are the very matchmakers to Jingzhou

My lord, you must restrain your grief and take care of yourself

Lady Gan suffered a lot bedbound for quite a long time

Now she is released from human sufferings

It may be a relief to her

My wife and I have been together for scores of years

We want through thick and thin

My sorrow is too deep to be removed

Lu Fan from Dongwu is here to see you

Can you guess what he has come here for?

Lu Fan followed Sun Ce in the early years, and had a bitter experience

He shared all hardships with Sun Ce who valued him greatly

Now he enjoys Sun Quan's trust too

So he's a subordinate being trusted

There must be unexpected reason for his coming here

We've learnt of death of your wife our lord sent me to express sorrow

It's really a great misfortune to lose wife in one's middle age

You are right, A man without a wife is like a house without a beam

You're the Imperial Uncle with dignified position

So why should a man of you given to incest at the middle age?

What do you mean?

I've a marriage proposal for you I'd like to know your opinion

My wife shared weal and woe with me for scores of years

And now she is newly dead

How could I so quickly think of another marriage?

Imperial uncle

Our lord has a younger sister She is beautiful as well as virtuous

If Sun and Liu contract an alliance with each other through marriage

No more shall Cao Cao belittle us Southeast

This would be to the benefit of both a family and country

Please don't be doubtful

Dowager dotes on her daughter and doesn't want her to be married far

Please go to Dongwu for the wedding first and you may return to Jingzhou

Does your lord know this?

How dare I come for matchmaking without his knowledge?

I'm in fifties, your lord's sister is just in the flower of her youth

So I'm afraid that it's not a good match

Imperial uncle, though our lord's sister is a girl

Yet she's ambitious and she surpasses many a man

She says she'll never marry anyone who is not a hero known far and near

Now your name is spread far and near

It is a good match between a hero and a beauty

How can you reject it on the pretext of marrage difference?

Will you please stay here and give me a day for consideration

Then I'll give you the reply what do you think of it?

Good, it's entirely up to you I'll take my leave for time being

Congratulations,my lord

Why?

Though Lu Fan came here as a matchmaker

If I really go to east of the river it may bode ill rather than well

You may accept the proposal

They ask you to go to Dongwu for the wedding

Obviously a beauty trap designed by Zhou Yu in order to take Jingzhou

It may appear dangerous this time

Yet in fact it turns out well you can go there without worries

Well. Zhou Yu has long wanted to kill me

How can I so recklessly go to his lair alone?

Zhuo Yu may use his tricks, but can his tricks be beyond my calculation?

A small trick by me, and his wishful calculation will fall flat halfway

You'll have Sun Quan's sister as your wife

And Jingzhou will be safe and sound

Your travel to Dongwu is reated with the alliance between Sun and Liu

It can be said that you're killing two birds with one stone

So I can go?

Yes

So I can go?

Sure

All right

I have to take the venture for the great cause of our country

But I say

Better I not go there

My lord

I'll send Sun Qian to the south of the river as a match maker

And ask Zhao Yun to go with you as your escort

So you may be assured to cross the river

Come on,my lord

Military counselor

I've turned it over and again in my mind, I still have some doubts

It seems to me better not to go

You mustn't have any more hesitation

Days ago I went to the other side of river with Lu Fan and met Sun Quan

Sun said he's willing to marry his sister to you

Nothing else, he's specially waiting for you there for the wedding

Changing your mind again, aren't you going to be ridiculed by others?

You are right, no more hesitation

My lord, this way please

Zhao Yun, come here please

You're going to escort our lord to Dongwu

Take these three silk bags with you

I've three schemes in these bags

In case of any emergency you can open them in order

So long as you act accordingly calamites turned into blessings

Allright, I remember Military Counselor, that's good

Send person to Dongwu right away to accept the wedding gifts

And get all necessities aboard the ship

Yes

Please don't bother to see us off

Alright, please

If they want me to be married into their family

Why there is not a soul to meet me?

Yes

My lord

We'll act according to the schemes given by the Military Counselor

My lord, Liu Bei has arrived at Nanxu

Now that Liu Bei has arrived at Nanxu

Lu Fan, go to the riverside right away to greet him

Take him to the guesthouse to wait for my further order

What if Liu Bei requests a meeting with you?

You may just say that I'm occupied with the state affairs

Yes

A moment

After Liu Bei arrives here

Take care not to disturb the citizens and commonplace here

And the news shall be withheld

Yes

Be Quick

Go quickly and report it to the lord

I should have greeted you earlier

Imperial Uncle

With the arrival of Your Majesty

And I failed to greet you earlier please pardon me

Imperial Uncle, Please

Well, all of you elders and seniors

Your lord sent his Excellency Lu Fan here as the matchmaker

And invited our lord, Imperial Uncle Liu to your place

To be married with the daughter of the Dowager of Wu

Please make room, please

Out of the way

Imperial Uncle, will you please stay in the guesthouse temporarily?

Our lord will pay a visit each time he is free

That's fine, please make yourself at home

I'll take my leave

Let's go to the residence of Qiao Guolao for a visit

Could you tell me how to get to residential place of Qiao Guolao?

My respects to you

How could that be? It's a great honor to have you here

I've learnt quite an earlie time that you're a man of high prestige

How fortunate am I to make your acquaintance today?

You flatter me

Please

Please

This is a small gift hope you won't refuse it

Qiao Guo Lao

It's too much for me, Imperial Uncle

As a junior, I've long admired your high prestige and reputation

It's a pity that I didn't meet you earlier

The Suns and Lius have gone through thick and thin in close connection

They fought shoulder to shoulder in Battle of Chibi, defeated Cao Cao

Thus forms the coexistence of the three states

I always have great respects for you

I should have gone to Jingzhou to call on you

And beyond my expectation you stoopsed to pay a visit to me

I feel so much flattered

Alas, you're a man of high prestige

I only wish to show my respects and it's far from what it should be

I'm honored to behold your carriage today

And you live up to your reputation

I feel flattered

May I know what you've come here for?

Why?

Guolao

You're not aware of such a great event?

Guolao

Your lord sent Lu Fan to Jingzhou as a coordinator

And has promised his younger sister to Imperial uncle

To contract a lifelong alliance with my lord

They're ignored me

Qiao Guolao is coming

He hasn't been here for quite a time ask him to come in immediately

How are you, Guolao?

Dowager

You look so well, it seems that you are younger than before

I've come specially to congratulate you

On what?

Well, your daughter has been engaged with Liu Bei

Isn't that a happy event?

Who said so? Why I was kept from it?

It's already the daily talk in the town

Otherwise how could I know it?

Servant

Yes

Go to find it out and report back to me immediately

Yes

It's all owing to your information or I would still be in the dark

Serve tea!

You didn't manage it well

Since the marriage has already been a common knowledge in the town

But Zhuge Liang is crafty and it's quite difficult to guard against him

My lord

Keep a close eye on Liu Bei

Don't let him leave the guesthouse even one single step away

Yes

Servant

Yes,my lord

Block the back yard as for Liu's marriage

Don't divulge it to the dowager

Yes

This is the tea with best quality presented to me by my son

Please try it

It's excellent

But

I prefer wine for the occasion

It must be a rumor

Dowager, it's true without any doubt

It's known to everybody in the town

The guesthouse was decorated with various lanterns and bunting

The Imperial Uncle is already in Nanxu

Lu Fan is the matchmaker representative of us

And Sun Qian of the opposite side

Please get Sun Quan for me

Yes

What's the matter,mother?

What is disturbing you?

Mother

Why are you so sorrowful?

Stand here

What kind of person do you think I am?

Mother, it was you who brought me up

You're just like my own mother

You still know all this?

When my elder sister was dying she left you to my care

Is it easy for me to bring up you and your sister?

Now you're the lord of this state

And should you ignore me?

How dare I?

Please be straightforward and don't be angry

How can I keep calm?

A man takes a wife once grown up a girl be married at proper age

This is universally true

You'll marry your sister to Liu Bei I'm your mother, as you just said

Then why didn't you tell me?

And I'm still kept in the dark, why?

Do you mean your sister is not my own daughter?

Where comes this story?

You still want to hide the truth?

For all the people in Nanxu

Who doesn't known it?

But you just want to keep me alone in the dark

Qiao Guolao

Sun Quan

I know it too, so I've come to express my congratulations

Mother

It's Zhou Yu's trick

He aims at getting Jingzhou back

His intention is to induce Liu Bei here then get him arrested

Then we'll force Zhuge Liang exchange Jingzhou with Liu Bei

If they refuse to do so Liu Bei would be put to death

The marriage is not a genuine one

What a goodfornothing he resorts to such a dirty trick

It has been all arranged by the endeared soninlaw of Qian Guolao

As the chief commander of 81 districts

How could he work out such an absurd plan?

Using my daughter for a beauty trap?

If Liu Bei is put to death

Is it my beloved daughter will be a widow before she gets married?

Who on the earth is going to take her as a wife?

Isn't her life spoiled?

Well

Mother

Sun Quan

You're really muddleheaded

Even if your plan ends up with success, and Jingzhou is back

You'll be a laughingstock to all How can you make such a plan?

Zhou Yu should be blamed for all the trouble

When I meet him later

I'm going to blame him

Dowager

As the things stand now

It's no use abusing Zhou Yu

Better make use of the mistake

And take Liu Bei as your soninlaw to avoid the scandal

No

Liu Bei is too old to be my younger sister's husband

Liu Bei is a clansman of Han and a hero of the present world

It won't be a disgrace for your sister to get married with him

No, that won't do at all

No more quarrel

Arrange me to have interview with Liu Bei in Ganlu Temple tomorrow

If he doesn't satisfy me

He'll be at your disposal

If satisfied

I'll simply let my daughter marry him

But

Well, since it's your idea,mother

I'll go and make preparations

Sun Quan

Before your mother interviews him

Take good care of Liu Bei