Original subtitles

In the 16th year of Jian'an Period (211 A, D)

Cao Cao's victory over Ma Chao of Xiliang shocked Han Zhong

Zhang Lu feared Cao Cao's possible attack on Han Zhong

He planned to take over West Shu as his base

To contend with Cao Cao

When Liu Zhang, Prefectural Governor of Yizhou learnt of this

He summoned his officers to discuss the counter measures

His assistant Zhang Song volunteered to be his envoy to Xuchang

To persuade Cao Cao to fight against Zhang Lu

In fact Zhang Song wanted to take opportunity to attain his own object

Who let you reconstruct this gate?

Say it

Aren't you giving the order to reconstruct this gate?

When I gave the order?

Well

When you were here the other day for inspection

You wrote the word "life" on the gate

The artisans didn't understand it

I explained to them with word "life" inside "gate" the meaning is

Right

Principal Secretary Yang made the explanation

He pointed out that the meaning is "wide"

So we guess your idea was to have a narrow gate

For a better look

The original one was too wide and we...

Your resourcefulness is really superb

I'm flattered

Prime Minister

Anything important?

An envoy from Yizhou is waiting outside to see you

I've spent much time on the battlefiel

Seldom for me to enjoy with officers

Now it has been marred by Liu Zhang

Who is this envoy?

He's assistant to Liu Zhang And his name is Zhang Song

An assistant?

Have you ever heard of him?

No

Put him in the guest house

Yes

Wait

Prime Minister, this envoy of West Shu has come here from afar

If you could spare some time with him

It would be good for us to win over support of people in West Shu...

They've been in the guest house for some time, better...

Good

Then show him in

For years your master Liu Zhang hasn't made any attribute, why?

It's difficult, roads are dangerous and disturbances by thieves

I've wiped out all the thieves and robbers in the central plain

How can there still be such disturbances?

The south is occupied by Sun Quan

Han Zhong by Zhang Lu

Jingzhou by Liu Bei

They are still fighting each other

Where the peace is?

My lord, as an envoy

Don't you know anything about protocol?

What protocol?

He's the prime minister, expect emperor, others are under him

He's not Liu Zhang of West Shu

You should speak with courtesy and caution, and be modest

Population in West Shu numbers tens of thousands, but no flatterers

You

You've no flatterers in West Shu Do you think we have here?

Who's that man?

He's Yang Xiu, a principal secretary in the prime minister's office

I'm quite not wellinformed

So I know very little about West Shu

I wonder if you could give me some idea about it?

Shu is the present name for the ancient Yizhou

Is known as the land of resources

The roads are intersected by streams the land is full of steep mountains

The territory is vast and extensive

It's densely populated, fertile soil is well cultivated, and people are rich

There is no worry about floods or draughts, they live a leisurely life

The produces are in large quantities And they piled up mountainhigh

No other places in the country can be its equal

What about... The elites there?

For civil service, we have Sima Changqing

For military talents, we have such able officer as Ma Fubo

We've Zhang Zhongjing as our able doctor and Yan Junping is diviner

We have people of all sorts

They're all outstanding figures

There're too many for me to tell?

May I ask how many more people like you are serving Governor Liu Zhang?

They are of literary, military talents as well as resourcefulness, bravery

There're hundreds of officials and officers, they are very loyal too

As for incompetent people like me, they are countless

May I know what post do you hold now?

I'm just an assistant to the governor and not competent at all

May I ask what is your present position in the court?

Principal Secretary in the prime minister's office

I understand your family members all held high offices in the court

Why don't you serve in the court

But serve the prime minister as a mere principal secretary?

Though I'm a junior official here

My duty is to be in charge fo all financial and provision affairs

I'm gaining experience Under the prime minister's guidance

Besides I'm quite happy with my present post

I hear Prime Minister know nothing of Confucius and Meng Zi

Neither military theory of Sun and Wu

He holds the present high office just by brutal force

How can you gain benefit from such a man?

You're far away in the remote area

How can you know his talent?

Please look at this book

Do you know what kind of book it is?

With years painstaking labor

The Prime Minister wrote this military book in the style of Sun Zi

You may say he has no talent

But don't you think this book will pass down to later generation?

This book was written by an unknown person in Period of Warring States

Even every child in Shu can recite it

The prime minister has plagiarized it

Only you're fooled by him

This is the manuscript exclusively kept by the Prime Minister

You said even children in Shu can recite it

Haven't you gone too fast?

If you don't believe me please listen to my recitation

Yes, I will

Sun Zi said, It's a matter of great importance to conduct its

military affairs as it involves the life and death

Of the people as well as the survival or destruction of a state

So it must be carefully examined

As the form of a war is subjected to the existing circumstances

No one can copy it from the forerunners

One has to know the enemy well and choose the right occasion for a war

Neither is it for one's pleasure to have a war nor to win a victory

So a war monger is doomed to failure

And the person winning a victory for his own good is an unworthy person

People are more important than anything else on earth

So Meng Zi said

Favorable natural condition is not so important as topographical advantage

But most important thing is unity and coordination within one's own ranks

I never know any complete victory without these three prerequisites

Faith is required for administration of a state

While tricks are needed in war affairs

These are two different things

And they should not be mixed up

Politeness alone can't command an army

Faith is needed for a well trained army

An army's good morals depend on the doctrines

An army with good morals is strong rewards and punishments be fair

Soldiers won't come to serve in Shu because it's an impoverished area

Without reward soldiers lack courage

It's important to collect the morale before a battle

Facing enemy, stimulation is a must

Relaxation is necessary if the battle lasts too long

If the battle is to take place today encouragement should be repeated

Lord

There will be dullness without stimulation

And this will lead to setbacks

Lord

There will be fears without encouragement and courage lacks

And there is a mental defeat even before the battle

Well, that's enough

You can remember all this after a mere glance, a genius really

It is an eyeopener, I have to admit my admiration

Only something insignificant, it does not deserve praise from you

I feel flattered

Don't be modest I'm quite honest about it

Please stay at the guest house for the time being

I'll report to the Prime Minister I'm sure he'll see you again

Thank you for the trouble

I'll excuse myself now

Excuse me for seeing you off just here

Say nothing more about this person for ugly appearance and rude speech

He's really disgusting!

But you could to tolerate Mi Heng who was even ruder

Why can't you put up with this Zhang Song from a remote area?

Mei Heng's essays were excellent and his tatents were well known

But Zhang Song is a nobody Can he be a match for Mi Heng?

In my humble view, Zhang Song's talent is no inferior to Mi Heng

In addition to his eloquence and well worded speech

The rare thing is his wonderful memory

How is that?

In order for Zhang Song to know your great talent

I showed the manuscript of your book to him

It was really out of my expectation he could recite the whole contents

Without a single mistake after a mere glance

I saw it for myself

And it's absolutely true

And he deliberately said that

This book was written by an unknown person during Warring States Period

Even the children in Shu could recite it

Is it possible my book coincides with that of the ancient authors?

Attendant!

Prime Minister

Prime Minister

Prime Minister

You wrote this book with twenty year's painstaking labor

It's not easy

Why should you destroy it just for a few absurd words?

It'd better to destroy it now

Than to go down in history as a byword of infamy

Since Zhang Song has extraordinary talents

When I'm reviewing troops tomorrow on the drill ground

You may bring him to me

I'll let him see what my army looks like

I'll also let him tell his people when I have dealt with the South

I'll take West Shu

Yes

Please

You've a wonderful memory

While I've a capacity to hold the whole earth

The Prime Minister has talent unprecedented in history

Ambitious to conquer the world How can I claim to be your equal?

Have you ever seen such a military array in West Shu?

Never, we govern our people by a policy of benevolence

There is no need to have such military forces

I want the country under my control

My army can conquer any place it reaches and gain a victory

Those who submit will be alive and those who resist shall perish

Do you understand this?

How can I fail to know all your heroes' deeds?

You attacked Lu Bu at Puyang

Fought Zhang Xiu at Wancheng and encountered with Zhou Yu at Chibi

You met Guan Yu at Hurong

You cut off beard, throw off robe to conceal identity at Tong Pass

You hid yourself in a boat to escape an attack on the Wei River

You were really invincible on these occasions

How dare you!

Pedant like you make such crucial remarks about me?

Guard!

Yes

Arrest him!

Guard!

Have him beheaded in public!

For all my life I'm a sensible man

But now I've mistaken an unworthy person for an intimate friend

Take him away!

Prime Minister, Zhang Song has come a long way to present his tribute

His death might cause us to lose the support in the remote areas

I sincerely hope you'll deal with him leniently

Prime Minister, please cool down!

There is reason in what Yang Xiu has said

I hope you'll think it over

For the sake of your master Liu Zhang's loyalty to me

I'll let you off this time

Beat him and drive him out!

Lord, Zhang Song was beaten and driven out of the drill ground

And he left Xuchang in the same evening

This is within my expectation, good you'll get reward for information

Thank you!

Master Pang Tong

This is a great fortune for our lord

Why are you laughing?

I can't follow you Please let me know

My lord, for taking over of West Shu

What lack are just topographical advantage and the support of people

Now it seems this Zhang Song will help us get

These two prerequisites ready for us

Really

Good, ask Zhao Yun and Guan Yu to come here immediately for a meeting

Yes

I intended to go over to Cao Cao and present West Shu to him, Yes

As I think he is a wise ruler

But I didn't expect that he was so arrogant to me

Before my departure I promised Liu Zhang

I was sure to persuade Cao Cao

To stop Zhang Lu from invading West Shu

Now I go back, nothing achieved

I'll be certainly ridiculed by the people in Shu

Are you assistant governor Zhang Song from Yizhou?

Yes, I am

May I know who you are? Is there anything I can do for you?

My name is Guan Yu under the orders of my lord Liu Bei

The guest house is ready for you

I'm here to meet you

My name is Zhao Yun by order of our military counselor

A banquet is ready for your coming

So you're Zhao Yun and Guan Yu the two general of high reputation

Yes

Please get on the horse, our lord and two military counselors

Are just over there waiting for your arrival

Imperial Uncle Liu, Master Zhuge Liang and Master Pang Tong

I've never had the honor of meeting you before

I'm just passing by here, and not deserve such a great kindness

I know you for a long time, but no chance to meet each other

I know you're returning to Shu

I wonder if you would honor us with a short stay here

So as to satisfy my desire to make your acquaintance

I also have long admired your moral character known throughout country

But I really feel uneasy for this unexpected trouble to you

Don't stand on ceremony this way, please

I'll follow you

After you

Please

Look, what a beautiful scenery!

It's really beautiful!

Why should we take such a big trouble?

It's beyond our reach to understand the military counselor's intention

Imperial Uncle, please

May I know your age master Zhang Song?

In your presence, it's not worth while mentioning my age

How many children do you have?

Only one son

Oh? What a coincidence! Only one son for me too

How old is he?

Five

Again a coincidence Mine is five too

Yes, it is

Please

Imperial Uncle, please

Please

Please

No more, thank you

What happened to your arm?

Oh, it was injured when my horse jolted

In these days, chaos is everywhere you should be more watchful

Imperial Uncle, you're a man of high prestige

And you are to restore the order in the country and get it unified

May I know how many prefectures are under your rule?

We have Jingzhou on a temporary lease from Dongwu

It's really annoying when they demand its return

Dongwu has a territory of six prefectures containing 81 counties

Why are they still not satisfied?

Our lord is the Imperial Uncle of Han Dynasty, but he has no territory

But those thieves have occupied vast stretch of land by force

Isn't it really unfair?

You're wrong

What merits do I have

That I have any presumptuous demands?

Imperial Uncle is of Han Dynasty your morality is widely known

To say nothing of occupation of some prefectures

No one should have any objection even you succeed as an emperor

It's really too much for me

How dare I attempt such a thing?

Before my departure tomorrow I'll try again to find out

Whether he is sincere to me or he attempts otherwise

I wish West Shu, I wish West Shu could have a good fortune

Then I wouldn't have come here for nothing

Your Excellency, don't go further say good bye here and now

If you could stay here for three days only

I shall be honored and grateful indeed

This cup of wine is to express my admiration for you

Please drink it

You're a learned man and I'll always remember you

This second toast is to your bright future

And realization of your great ambition

Thanks for your medical care to my injured arm

This third one is to your pleasant journey home

As we're far apart

Don't know when we'll meet again

Lord, let Master Zhang set out on his journey

You haven't completely recovered from your arm

Let Liu Bei render service for you

May I help you

Please

Imperial Uncle

Please stand up

Please stand up

Imperial Uncle, you're so kind to me, I prefer be at your service

A pity that I cannot

I'd like to take this occasion to give you a piece of advice

If it is improper I hope you'll forgive me

I'm ready to listen to you

In my view, Jingzhou is a strategic place with key land and water routes

Yet you have Sun Quan in the east and Cao Cao in the north

Both of them try to occupy it hence not an ideal place for long

I'm aware too

But there are no other places for me in this vast country

Yizhou is fertile land with a large welloff population

Learned persons there admire your noble character for a long time

If you dispatch your troops to take it over

You're sure of success and the Han Dynasty will be restored

For your well intentioned advice I understand

But Liu Zhang is also a member of the imperial family

How can I have such an attempt on my kinsman

That's not quite the case I'm no traitor

But in your presence I can't but be frank and sincere

Liu Zhang is weak and incompetent and Zhang Lu is to the north

He has long desired to take it over

If you don't, someone else will take it over

Then it will be too late to regret

It's better for you than the jackals and wolves have it

What you've said helps my understanding

But the terrain in Shu is difficult for traffic

So even if I want to take it I don't know what to do

I have a map indicating the terrain of the roads and rivers

I have the map

I'd like to present it to you so as to remunerate your kindness

You even could draw this map from memory in the past three days

To tell you the truth when I went to Xuchang

I wanted to present to Cao Cao to help him take over Shu

But I didn't expect that he was such an arrogant man

I was greatly disappointed

Now as you're a man of noble character, I present it to you

You'll have Yizhou as your base

Then you'll march northward to take Hanzhong, later take the capital

You'll restore the Han Dynasty and leave your name down on history

Now I must take my leave

My lord, I have a plan

To check Cao Cao and Zhang Lu from invading West Shu

Say it please

Imperial Uncle Liu Bei is a relative of yours, he's a kind man

You may send an envoy to Jingzhou to seek an alliance with him

In case you need an aid from outside

I have this idea for a long time

Well, I'll send Fa Zheng to Jingzhou as my envoy

To invite Liu Bei to come here

Then I'll dispateh Meng Da with 5000 troops to meet him

My lord, Liu Zhang has invited you to West Shu with your troops

It's a golden opportunity

With the map presented by Zhang Song

And Fa Zheng's assistance from within

Now we have all the prerequisites to take West Shu

Why do you still hesitate?

Now only Cao Cao and I are antagonistic to each other

He's anxious and I'm pardoning

He's cruel and I'm humane

He feigns while I'm true

In all particulars I act contrary to him

Liu Zhang and I are of the same family

With his sincere invitation, if we take advantage to attack West Shu

I'll risk loss of people's trust Can I bear to do so?

In principle, you're right

But the world is a chaos

You have to be flexible, people go to force for their ambitions

Otherwise you won't be able to move even one single step

At present, Zhang Lu is aiming at West Shu

Liu Zhang is weak and incompetent

If you don't take it now someone else will

Then it'll be too late to regret

No confidence or trust will be lost when one annexes the weak

According to the teachings of Shang Tang and Zhou Wu

When all things are settled

We'll treat Liu Zhang well and grant him a large area of territory

Who can say you're guilty of a breach of faith?

Your advice is quite valuable

And has greatly eased my mind I'll always remember it

After the banquet this evening

Tell Zhuge Liang to come here together with Fa Zheng

To discuss the matter concerning our march into Shu

In the winter of the 16th year of Jian'an Period (211A D)

Liu Bei left Zhuge Liang in charge of Jingzhou

With Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun under his command

Accompanied by Military Advisor Pang Tong and Generals

Such as Huang Zhong, Wei Yan Liu Feng and Guan Ping

Liu Bei himself led his army to march into West Shu