Original subtitles

Which one of you would like to lead the troops?

Your Majesty, I am willing

Are you capable?

I will defeat the enemy below the Helan Mountains

and present the head of the Chanyu to Your Majesty

Do the rest of you have any opinion

about Wang Xiu leading the troops?

Your Majesty, I have a suggestion

Go ahead, Ming Fei

Duke Wang has never done any military jobs

He can't lead an army to fight at all!

I'd like to recommend Wei Qing to be the general

and lead the troops into battle

Mr. Ming

you said that I never led an army into battle

so I couldn't take this assignment

But did Wei Qing fight in a war before?

Wei Qing is well-versed in the art of war and formation

Mr. Wang, how many military books have you read?

During the Warring States period, Zhao Kuo from the State of Zhao

knew the art of war by heart

But he lost 400,000 men in the Battle of Changping

Mr. Ming, can you say Zhao Kuo was good at war?

Your Majesty, please let me lead the army to defend against the enemy

What Gan Fu said is to my liking. I decide…

Hold on! Your Majesty, you promised

to let Wang Xiu lead the army into battle

I did say that

But the Xiongnu are way mightier than ordinary rebels

Their cavalry is extraordinarily ferocious

No one's a match for them except a battle-hardened general

Your Majesty, you can let Gan Fu, Wei Qing

and Wang Geng assist Wang Xiu

as a perfect guarantee

Dongfang Shuo, do you have anything to say?

Your Majesty

in my opinion

Duke Wang can be a talented general as he's both brainy and brawny

You…

Your Majesty

even Dongfang Shuo said your uncle could be a talented general

Why are you still hesitating?

However…

What else? Just out with it

Your Majesty, this is a weighty case

Mr. Wang has to write a military pledge

Well…

Mr. Wang

Do you have the guts to make this military pledge or not?

- Wait… - Wang Xiu

Your Majesty, I will write it

You didn't stop Wang Xiu from leading the army

Instead, you even asked him to make a military pledge. Why did you do that?

Your Majesty, do you know why

Wang Xiu had the nerve to make this military pledge?

Why?

Because he believed his victory was a sure thing

What do you mean?

Your Majesty, do you remember

a few years ago

I asked Wei Qing and a merchant to spread rumors in the Xiongnu?

Yes, I remember that merchant's name is Ni Lv

This time

the Empress Dowager also sent Ni Lv to the Xiongnu

who utilized Chanyu's trust in him

to lead the Xiongnu troops into our Han army's encirclement

That's good news!

In this case, we can surely wipe out the Xiongnu troops in one fell swoop

and have them pay for our stigmas!

So

Her Highness wants Duke Wang to take the credit!

So

I can't stop Wang Xiu from being given the high position and title?

I can never remove

the evil convention, the political interference of the consort kin?

Well, please rest assured, Your Majesty

Wang Xiu can't go to the front this time

Pardon?

I do have a plan. However…

There you go again! Just cut to the chase!

However, my plan is a bit impertinent

I learned this odd trick

when I was busking on the streets

Whatever! Just tell me if it can work

- I promise it will work. - Good!

I've just been waiting for your agreement!

But there's one thing. Do not let Zhang Tang get you

Understood

Your Highness, you let me make a military pledge

Well, if anything goes wrong

I will have no way out!

- You coward! - I…

I won't leave you alone

I want Dongfang Shuo and Wei Qing to go with you on the expedition

But the two of them are on close terms with His Majesty

What if…

What if they disobey my order?

You are the general

If they disobey you, just have them court-martialed

- But, um… - But what?

I'm making this arrangement. Do you still not understand?

Your Highness, please forgive my stupidity

When you get to the border

let Dongfang Shuo work out plans, and let Wei Qing fight the battle

If we win, you'll take the credit

and it'll be natural for you to be appointed Prime Minister

If we lose, hold them accountable for that

I see

Wei Qing is His Majesty's brother-in-law

Dongfang Shuo is His Majesty's trusted sidekick

His Majesty won't punish them

Since he won't punish them

he also can't punish you alone!

You are so wise, Your Highness

Besides, we have Ni Lv as the spy

Victory is assured

Why are you afraid of this sure thing?

Thank you, Your Highness

You may leave. I have a few words for Dongfang Shuo

Call Dongfang Shuo in

Greetings, Your Majesty

The Empress Dowager summoned you to the harem palace. What did she say?

Her Highness ordered me to go on the expedition with Duke Wang

Did you agree?

- I didn't... have any other choice. - Nonsense!

Did you reach a private agreement

with the Empress Dowager again?

I swear to God, I didn't

You're still lying to me

Firstly, you taught Wang Xiu to ride

Now, the Empress Dowager wants you to follow Wang Xiu on the expedition

The Empress Dowager was the one who arranged all these things

I didn't intend to do any of them

But you didn't say no!

Your Majesty, I have only one life to lose. I dare not refuse

Dongfang Shuo

I don't want to play games with the Empress Dowager anymore

I want to announce in the imperial court tomorrow that

I'll abolish the old custom of political intervention of the consort kin

- Your Majesty… - What?

Are you upset?

Your Majesty, it's your goal to remove political interference

of the consort kin and their dictatorship, but

But this will deprive you of the opportunity

to please both sides, right?

You got me wrong, Your Majesty

I'm not trying to please both sides

I'm like a rat in the bellows, suffering at both ends

I once wanted to propose to abolish the old rule of political intervention

of the consort kin as soon as the Dou Clan was destroyed

But now it seems that

it can't be pushed too hard

Sit down and talk

Since when have you been indoctrinated by Confucianism?

I had an epiphany from you, Your Majesty

I learned your strategy from your decision

to make Gongsun Hong the Prime Minister

I'm pleased to hear that

What's urgent now

is to subdue the feudal lords and defeat the Xiongnu

Only when these two major issues are perfectly resolved

can you have your prestige soar

and deal with the consort kin easily

Wang Xiu alone

is upsetting me a lot

- Catch the assassin! - Catch the assassin!

- Here. - Thank you, Your Majesty

Catch the assassin!

- There's an assassin, Your Majesty! - Nonsense

How can there be an assassin in the imperial forest in broad daylight?

I'm not an assassin!

- I'm really not an assassin! - Go!

Sir

Your Majesty

that man seems to be my brother-in-law, Qiu Hu

Dongfang Shuo, I called you here to talk

- just to avoid trouble. - Yes

Why did you also let your brother-in-law…

Please calm down, Your Majesty

My brother-in-law, Qiu Hu

won't ruin your plan, Your Majesty

He's just a spy for my wife

to find out if I'm having an affair

with anyone out there

Dongfang Shuo

I didn't expect that you, a cunning man

would be given a hard time one day

Your Majesty, since this has happened

I'd like you to do me a favor

What favor?

I'm an assassin

No… I'm not an assassin. I'm Qiu Hu!

Assassin, how dare you break into an imperial forbidden zone?

You must be plotting to assassinate His Majesty!

- Guards! - Yes, sir. - Yes, sir!

Give him a hundred strokes first

Then take him out and behead him

Hang his head on a tree to warn the public!

No… Sir!

Harder!

Dongfang Shuo… Help!

- Stop! - Dongfang Shuo…

- Please stop first. - Stop

What's going on?

I'm not an assassin

- I'm not!- Right, Your Majesty

He's not an assassin

He's my brother-in-law, Qiu Hu

But this is the imperial forest

- How could you just bring anyone in here? - Yeah…

I apologize

I've brought him along as an attendant

to show off like a high official

But I didn't let him in

He just doesn't know the rules

He doesn't know while he's curious

So he came in here by himself

That's still not allowed. Whoever trespasses

the forbidden place shall be punished

Indeed, but I'm still begging you, Your Majesty

not to kill him!

You may not know, Your Majesty

My brother, Qiu Hu

and I swore on our lives to be close brothers!

I can't let you die

Your Majesty, please don't kill him!

If he dies, then I won't live either!

- Dongfang Shuo! My brother! - Brother!

All right, don't cry

Then I'll give him 50 strokes as a punishment

Brother! Brother!

Your Majesty, I want to beg you once more

Even if the 50 strokes

won't kill him, he will also be crippled

Please reduce some strokes. I beg you, Your Majesty

Fine

Then, for the sake of my trusted official, Dongfang Shuo

give him 10 strokes instead

If he

dares to trespass again, I'll chop off his head!

- Yes. Say thank you to His Majesty. -Thank you, Your Majesty

Three strokes are done. Seven more to go. Keep beating!

You freaked me out! Now you know it hurts. It serves you right!

You've got nothing better to do

than follow him all the time?

He's always on guard against you!

In the end, you're the one who suffers the most!

Why don't you learn a lesson?

I'm telling you

Be careful

Don't lose your life next time

Next time?

His Majesty nearly cut off my head this time

Why didn't he do it?

Dongfang Shuo begged His Majesty for mercy

My brother-in-law said he liked me

Look at him

He saved your life regardless of what you did to him

And look at you!

I know he's nice to me, but my sister…

Don't keep talking about my sister

Your sister is not a good guy, either

Let's get one thing straight

If you keep messing with Dongfang Shuo

you'll never get into my bed again

Go! Get out of my bed!

- No… - Get out!

Then I won't follow him ever again, okay?

I won't do it no matter what

- You said it. - I said it

- Thank you, sir. - Have a good day

- Sir. - Please sit down

Thank you, sir

Excuse me, sir

Do you want me to tell the fortune or read your features?

Divine by trigram or by characters?

No…

Sir, I don't need you to read features or divine by characters

I'm here to ask you for a favor

Please go ahead

What do you want, sir?

I will help you, of course!

This is the case

Two years ago, a fortune-teller once gave me a divination

He said I'd meet an auspicious man and make a fortune with ample food

And it really came true

That's why I'm here

I want to treat all the fortune-tellers on this street

to a banquet at the tea house on Liuhou Lane

I wonder if you'd like to do me this favor

That's so great!

Who would refuse? I'll go gather them

Thank you so much, sir

Shuo? It's so late. What's going on?

Let's talk inside

This way, please

What's the matter?

There. Let's talk over there

Qing, you must know more about horses than I do

Do you know what food can make a horse go crazy?

What?

I've never heard of that

I only know if a horse is frightened

you can use medicine to calm them down

If there's medicine to calm horses down

there's got to be something to make horses lose control

Even if there is, I don't know what it can be

Then how can I make it?

Shuo, what do you want?

I'll tell you later

No such medicine… That's a problem

Why don't you consult a doctor?

If a doctor prescribes the wrong medicine

sometimes it can drive people crazy

People can be driven crazy with prescriptions, and so can the horses

That's right, Qing! Nailed it! I'm going home now

What are you doing so late at night?

Go to bed. I'll be there in a minute

What kind of books are you looking for?

Medical books

Is it done now?

Yes, sir. You can take the horse away now

Thank you

It's a lot!

It's not only the fee for your medicine

but also the hush money

Do you understand?

Your Excellency

all the troops are assembled and waiting for your inspection, Grand Herald

- Prepare the horse. - Understood

Prepare the horse!

Let's begin

Mr. Wang! Help Mr. Wang up!

- My arm! - It's broken

Mr. Wang's arm is broken

Take him to the imperial physician!

Come on… Be gentle

He still can't ride

Qubing! Watch your mouth!

Broken? Is his arm really broken?

When the gun went off

the horses got startled and went crazy

It soon dropped Mr. Wang to the ground

In the end, he broke his arm

A well-trained, battle-hardened horse

got scared out of the blue

Servants! Prepare the sedan chair and send me out there!

Your Majesty

Any news from the Spring Palace?

- The Empress Dowager has left the imperial palace. - What's she doing?

She's taking the vet from the Imperial Stables

to check that horse at the drill ground in person

Secondly

You panicked out of fear and seriously violated the military discipline

Thirdly

you offended and dropped your superior, your commander

in an attempt to… In an attempt to rebel!

Fourthly

you fled to escape punishment, scared your fellows and broke military rules

Four major crimes! Each one of them can put you to death!

Here, as the military counselor, I decide

to execute you according to military law!

As a warning

to you, all the war-horses

The Empress Dowager is here

- Greetings, Your Highness. - Greetings, Your Highness

- Long live, Your Highness. - Long live, Your Highness

- Rise. - Rise!

Dongfang Shuo

Yes, Your Highness. Long live, Your Highness

- Rise. - Thank you, Your Highness

Answer me

How did Mr. Wang's horse get frightened?

When the cannon was fired, that animal went crazy all of a sudden

Lord Wang wasn't paying attention

He was dropped to the ground by surprise, badly injured

That horse

was picked out of thousands of war-horses by you

Not only is it well-trained and meek

but it's also been ridden by Mr. Wang all the time

How come it suddenly got frightened?

Yes, it shouldn't have happened

Why was it suddenly out of control?

- I'm asking you! - Yes, Your Highness

I don't understand either

Where is the horse now?

Your Highness, I've arrested it

Good. Bring it here

I want the veterinarian from the Imperial Stables

to examine it in person

Bring it here as I told you!

- Your Highness, you're one step too late. - Why?

I've already ordered to behead that rebellious beast

- before the other horses. - You…

- What did you do? - I was following military law

Where is the horse now?

I want to see for myself

This way, Your Highness

- Dongfang Shuo! - Yes, Your Highness

What is your crime for killing a war-horse?

Please look into it, Your Highness

That beast violated military rules and was supposed to be beheaded

The horse is not human. Even if it was frightened

you shouldn't have just killed it!

I was trying to make an example of it

If the other horses don't listen to orders

and go wild on the battlefield

- that will be terrible. - A load of crap!

I've only heard of making an example of people to warn people

but not killing horses to warn horses!

Your Highness, horses are somewhat like humans

If you don't do something serious about them

they won't obey

Killing an untamed horse in war

is like killing an unruly man who doesn't follow orders

It's necessary

It'll also help discipline the horses

- Wei Qing. - Yes, Your Highness

Is Dongfang Shuo telling the truth?

Your Highness

It's not rare to whip or behead disobedient horses

in the barracks

- Return to the imperial palace! - Return!

- Goodbye, Your Highness! - Goodbye, Your Highness!

Good, you are all right now

It still hurts so much, and I'm okay now?

Are you fooling me?

I'm not lying

It's true that your arm has been broken and misaligned, sir

It'll take a few days to recover

Servants, take Dr. Zhang to get his reward

Dr. Zhang, please

- Father! - Where have you been?

Your father fell and got hurt like this

while you were nowhere to be found

I was collecting information out there

What information?

Mom, you don't know that yet?

The news of Dad's fall from his horse

has spread all over Chang'an

What do they say?

The people are saying

the army has yet to march while the commander has been hurt

It's a bad omen

I was just wondering

why that horse suddenly went crazy

It must be ominous

Dear, I don't think you're going to march this time

Dad, Mom, I wonder

if we should go and get a fortune-teller to come

and divine for Dad

Let him tell if Dad can go or not

Yes, go and do it

One fortune-teller is not enough. Invite a few more here

- Dongfang Shuo. - At your command, Your Majesty

Answer my question honestly

Or you'll commit the capital crime of cheating the Emperor

Your Majesty, please go ahead

Duke Wang fell off his horse

Did you play a part in this?

No. Your Majesty, that damned beast was the one to blame

I had nothing to do with it

Is it true?

I wouldn't dare to deceive you, Your Majesty

You've lied to me so many times, haven't you?

Your Majesty, I can't afford to say yes

I would dare to deceive anyone

but you, Your Majesty

Good

Don't be too full of yourself now

I know he's fine

If he still goes to the front

I'll hold you accountable

- Sir! - What's it? Speak

Sir, with all due respect

The Evil White Tiger has started to bite

The year's horoscope augurs ill. You should be careful, sir

Then what should we do?

You mustn't go to the northwest

The White Tiger is jinxing in the west

The Black Tortoise is menacing in the north

I'm afraid your life will be in danger if you go there

Oh, Heaven. Oh, the Highest Elder Lord

Please tell me his fortune

- Sir! - Well

Sir, are you asking about weal or woe?

- A gentleman asks about woe, not weal. - Everything bodes ill

Then what's the solution?

You already own what you deserve

Do not ask for more by force

Otherwise, you'll be in deep trouble

and even end up losing your life for it

Wang Xiu, Duke Wang!

You've got some self-knowledge anyway

This Dongfang Shuo is so amazing

You also think this was all planned by Dongfang Shuo?

Your Majesty

others may not know

but you are well aware of it

But Dongfang Shuo doesn't admit it's his credit

He doesn't care about such small credits anymore

Why?

It's obvious

No credit can be greater than purging the Dou clan

That's a good point

It looks like he's going to achieve something greater

Wang Xiu, you useless fool

Did I do something so unforgivable in my past life?

Why was I born into a family full of morons this life?

Yi, tell me

Since Wang Xiu quits, who can lead the army instead?

Your Majesty, if you ask me how to train a dog

I can tell you everything you need to know

But for such a significant military matter

I can't come up with a single idea

Just say whatever you want

I'm not going to accept it anyway

Since what I say doesn't matter

I will just speak my mind

Go ahead

Your Majesty

I think General Wei Qing can take Duke Wang's place

Why?

Your Majesty, General Wei Qing is well-versed in the art of war

The last time he guarded the imperial palace, he already showed

his commanding skills. And that's not all

The formation of Wu Gang chariots he trained

is the Xiongnu cavalry's greatest nemesis

What's more, his subordinate, Huo Qubing

has developed the prowess of one against ten thousand

He's a remarkable young general now

You've got a good point

I have underestimated you

I'm just talking nonsense. Please don't make fun of me, Your Majesty

Good, continue

If General Wei Qing brings the army back with a victory

you can make him a marquis with a tribute from 5,000 or 8,000

or even 10,000 households

Then no one will dare to gossip anymore

So General Wei Qing and Princess Pingyang will be a good match

and you can grant them a marriage, Your Majesty

Indeed

Good. Did Dongfang Shuo teach all this?

N-no

After today's morning meeting, you two were muttering outside the Xuan Hall

What did you say?

Nothing

Are you going to say it or not? Confess or not?

I'll kick your ass if you still don't tell me

I confess! Mr. Dongfang taught me to say that!

Didn't he tell you

he'd like to be the Grand Herald too?

No, he said he still wanted to be the military counselor

No title, no qualification for the Prime Minister

It looks like Wang Xiu and Gongsun Hong are both out

The Empress Dowager and I have received memorials from Wang Xiu

claiming that his injuries are too serious for him to resist the enemy

Therefore, I've decided to replace the generals for the expedition

Wei Qing, Gan Fu, Wang Geng, listen to my order

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty. - Yes, Your Majesty

Wei Qing shall take over from Wang Xiu as Grand Herald for the expedition

Gan Fu will be the deputy general to assist Wei Qing in leading the army

Wang Geng will remain the vanguard

- Now, you shall lead the troops into battle without delay. - Understood…

Your Majesty, the meeting just ended. Why don't you go in and take a rest?

I'm in a very good mood today

I'm going to the back to listen to the music

- What are you waiting for? Come on! - Understood

Shuo

- Why haven't you left? - We're waiting for you!

Shuo, why did His Majesty suddenly kick you out of the expedition?

Yeah

His Majesty never intended for me to go

But he agreed last time, didn't he?

The Empress Dowager forced to appoint me last time

His Majesty had no choice

Now Her Highness has quit it

That's good

His Majesty doesn't need to trouble me anymore

Shuo, the three of us swore to be brothers that year

just in the hope that one day we could

- kill the enemy on the battlefield together for the state. - Exactly

But now you can't go with us

- I feel so bad. - Yeah…

Why don't you go and persuade His Majesty?

Maybe he'll let you go if he's pleased

Brother Gan is right! His Majesty trusts your words the most

If you persuade him, he'll definitely agree

Qing, Brother Gan!

His Majesty suddenly canceled my trip to the border

He made this decision

after careful consideration

If I go back to beg him

I can change nothing!

At least you have to try! What if it works?

Shuo, doesn't His Majesty love your jokes?

I think he's teasing you on purpose and waiting for you to beg him

because of your eagerness to go to the front this time

Yes, when you go and His Majesty looks at you

he will see you, stubborn Dongfang Shuo

pleading with him

He might be amused and let you go

- Then let me be bold and go to persuade His Majesty. - Yes!

- Can I do it? - Sure! - No problem

- Let's go. - Can I really? - Of course

Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo requested to meet you

- Keep him waiting. - Yes, Your Majesty

- Yi. - Yes, Your Majesty

- Go and see if Dongfang Shuo is still there. - Understood

He hasn't left yet, right? Then let him wait another hour

Your Majesty, Dongfang Shuo is gone

You can still fall asleep?

- Don't you feel mad? - Why should I be mad?

Out of sight, out of mind

What's wrong with sleeping? Do I have to hang myself?

You're fighting for him! You're working for him!

But he doesn't want it

- An emperor's mind is so unpredictable. - What's so unpredictable?

He's afraid that after I make a great achievement

I'll develop the ambition to be the Prime Minister

He's more worried that, with greater credit, I will get out of his control

I feel so bad for you

You've been struggling to make a name for yourself for years

and make yourself proud

What now? It's all become a bubble

bursting with a poof!

Yeah, I guess I have to think twice with a humble mind

before I do anything

By order of the Empress Dowager, we're giving you an extra meal today!

Fish, come and eat!

- Come on… - Here, this way

Fish, by order of the Empress Dowager

it's a feast for you today. Eat some more

Greetings, Mother

- Has the army set off? - Yes, Mother

I led the civil and military officials outside the Xuanwu Gate

to see them off

I heard that you didn't let Dongfang Shuo go with the army this time

I thought since victory was assured

we just didn't need him to go there for a ride

Yes, such a brainy and capable man

should be left by your side

to give you advice all the time

Mother, you are so right

Your Majesty, if there's nothing else, just go about your business

I've been roaming around the gardens, listening to music

and dozing off every day

- Then I'll take my leave now, Mother. - Okay