Original subtitles

I admire the way you

stood by each other today.

That's exactly

how soldiers of the Yu Army

should be.

These new uniforms

are your reward.

Go put them on.

Here,

raise your rifle.

Pick up the pace.

The front's waiting

on this batch of guns.

Yes.

Kill!

Kill!

Kill!

Two!

Three!

Move it.

Four!

Five!

Kill!

Six!

Salute!

Order arms!

Carry on with training.

Yes, sir.

Changxuan,

you had Zhao Chenghai shot

and rewarded those four soldiers.

One.

The whole mood in the ranks

turned around overnight.

Look,

now there's a spark in

those men's eyes.

I've just taken over as commander,

and morale is shaky.

I can't get thousands of men

obeying me overnight just by

executing people to show my authority.

I need to give them hope.

I want an army

that follows every order.

Holding up those four

as examples rallies the whole army

and sends a message

that anyone with ability and the guts

to risk his life can rise under me.

Kill!

Five!

Kill!

Six.

Kill!

Kill!

Seven.

Kill!

Xueting,

you're finally home.

Good heavens, how did you

end up like this?

Aunt,

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have made you worry.

Mom.

Get up.

Come on.

Come and sit down.

Thank goodness.

Thank God.

Xueting,

if your mother were still alive,

she'd never have let you do

anything so dangerous.

Dear,

promise me

you'll always think twice

before you act.

Will you?

I will.

I'm just glad you're back.

God bless.

You're home safe now.

Xueting,

you're not dressed warmly enough.

It was sunny a few days ago,

so I aired out

all your winter clothes.

Here.

Let me get a few out.

Pick one and change.

Don't you have anything

to tell me?

What do you mean?

Why did they

cut my sentence to a month?

Was it Yu Changxuan?

He threatened to kill me

unless you agreed to be with him,

right?

Yes.

Why?

Ye Pingjun,

why did you agree?

You knew I'd rather die

than have you

sacrifice yourself for me.

Why?

What else could I do?

Stand by and watch them

shoot you?

What choice

did I have?

I write articles day after day,

thinking I can save people from suffering.

But I can't

even save the woman

I love.

I'm

a complete

failure.

Xueting!

Xueting!

Xueting!

Don't do that, Xueting!

Xueting,

nothing happened

between Yu Changxuan and me.

See for yourself.

What happened?

I tried to kill myself.

That's why he let me go.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I couldn't protect you.

It's my fault you

had to go through all this.

Xueting,

it's over now.

Let's put it behind us,

all right?

All right.

Ammo! Where's the ammo?

Hurry!

Follow me! Charge!

Charge!

Charge!

Charge!

General,

Young Master has led his men

across a tributary of the Luan River

and broken through the Qi Army's

first line of defense.

A resounding victory, sir.

Good.

He's also

ordered General Kuang

and Director Gu

to attack the Qi Army

from the north and east.

He and the men will

break through their second line

at Mount Qingluan before the day's out.

Then we'll strike from three sides

and catch the Qi Army

off guard.

Good.

Understood.

There's hope now.

That's such good news!

Wonderful.

We're hiring a proofreader.

A man of your talent

is worth more than that.

Why not write for us instead?

Because

I need

a job that pays daily.

That's Jiang Xueting.

You know, Junguan.

Go on, go.

We're not hiring you.

Wait.

Save it.

Out.

Get out.

You've caused enough trouble.

Please, just go.

We can't

risk hiring someone like you.

Go.

But, sir...

Just leave.

Xueting?

Xueting?

Xueting?

What's going on?

Pingjun?

Don't sit on the floor.

Come on, get up.

Pingjun?

It's cold down there.

You're here.

Careful. Easy now.

Pingjun,

do you know how many times

I was turned down today?

Not a single place

would hire me.

They looked

at me like dirt.

Xueting,

times are hard.

You'll find work. It just takes time.

Take my time?

And find it how?

Oh, right.

Like last time.

Let you sacrifice yourself

for me again?

I'm just a loser

who relies on a woman's

sacrifice

to save his own skin.

I'm useless!

Pingjun,

hand me

that ball of red thread.

Ping?

The ball of red thread.

Pass it to me.

Okay.

Pingjun,

Xueting's hardly been by lately.

Tell me the truth.

What's going on between you two?

It's nothing.

He's been looking for work.

He's just been busy.

Then tell me,

how did things

turn around for Xueting?

It was Young Master Yu, right?

He's the one

who pulled strings for my surgery too,

isn't he?

Doctor,

rest assured.

We'll take extra care.

Young Master Yu asked that she

get the best medicine

and the best nurses.

The order came from Young Master Yu,

so everyone stay sharp.

If anything changes with the patient,

report to me right away.

Got it.

I just want to know

what happened between you and him.

And

where were you all that time

you were away?

I was staying

at Redleaf the whole time.

You foolish girl.

I know you had no choice.

You couldn't stand by

and watch Xueting suffer,

or let anything happen to him.

But, my dear, don't you see

how this

will eat away at him?

He won't be able to

just put it behind him.

But Mom,

Yu Changxuan

didn't touch me.

I believe you.

Of course I do.

But Xueting won't

get over this

overnight.

Give each other some time.

He knows what kind of girl you are.

In time, this

will pass.

[And find it how?]

[Like last time.]

[Let you sacrifice yourself]

[for me again?]

Oh, you silly girl.

- Over here. - Me too.

Gimme some soup.

- Smells so good! - Fill it up.

Line up, guys.

No pushing. One at a time.

There's enough for everyone.

Another bowl?

This soup is amazing.

I've never had

mutton soup this rich in my whole life.

Have some more, Guan Bao.

Drink up.

Okay.

Looks like

there's

no stopping the Yu Army!

Guan Bao,

that's three wins

out of three.

Keep this up,

and you'll be seeing

your mom soon enough.

Really, Xuewu?

Look around.

Morale's sky-high.

- Commander! - Commander!

Sir!

- Commander! - Evening, sir!

Sit down.

No ranks here today,

just brothers in arms sharing a meal.

Sit.

Thank you, sir!

Sit.

What were you talking about?

Sir,

with morale

this high and the men so determined,

we're bound to win soon.

That's right.

Xuewu just offered

to tell our fortunes with dice.

He's really good at it.

Guys,

how about letting Xuewu

tell our fortunes

with his dice?

Yeah!

Do it!

Come on.

All right, then.

Let's see what the dice say.

A six!

Total victory!

- Great! - Nice!

Xuewu,

that map of yours is excellent.

Keep it up.

Prove yourself

in the Luan River offensive,

and I'll give you a post on my staff.

Way to go.

I...

Th-thank you, Commander.

I won't let you down.

Dapeng,

you're a crack shot.

You've got real talent.

I hear you like horses.

I'll pick out a good one for you tomorrow.

Really?

That's... That's great!

I'll raise a bowl of soup to you.

Here's to you, sir.

Count me in.

Cheers.

Don't eat that.

What's wrong with this bun?

I'll go and ask.

No, no, wait.

Commander,

don't blame the cooks.

We couldn't bear to see them go to waste,

so we asked for them.

Look,

they're still good.

They taste great,

really.

It's moldy. Don't eat it.

I'll have them bring fresh ones.

Sir,

this is plenty good.

Before you came,

we never dreamed

of steamed buns

this big

or mutton soup.

Under

Zhao Chenghai,

all we got was moldy rice bran.

We even went hungry half the time.

Look how well we eat now,

right?

Commander,

if anyone had told me

someone would punish Zhao Chenghai

and fill our bellies,

I'd never have believed it.

But ever

since you had him shot,

we knew you were

the man to follow.

Dapeng's right.

Life under Zhao

was nothing but misery.

Since you took over,

things have been getting better.

We've finally got something

to look forward to.

Right, guys?

- Right! - Yeah!

We sure do!

Exactly.

Commander!

Sir,

here.

This piece is clean.

I broke off the moldy bits.

It's still good inside.

Smells fine, too.

Try it.

All right.

I'll never forget this meal.

I promise you,

when the fighting's over,

we'll all go back to Nanhuai

and enjoy a better life.

- Yeah! - Yeah!

- Thank you, sir! - Thank you, sir!

Banner rising again in the spring breeze?

Way too highbrow.

Melting snow

and rising energy?

None of this made sense.

We're selling enhancing pills.

Write "Get your manhood back."

That's how it's done.

Rewrite it.

It hints at one of the ingredients.

It sums up exactly

what the pills do.

Besides...

No good.

Rewrite it.

Again.

Again.

I told you,

keep it plain and simple!

Do it over.

Excuse me, are you Jiang Xueting?

And you are?

A pleasure, Mr. Jiang.

I'm He Chenglin.

I came all the way

from Guangzhou to Nanhuai to see you.

Every newspaper has

turned me away.

Who would want my writing now?

The papers here won't take you

because they're cowardly

and ignorant.

Your patriotism

and your courage to expose injustices

are exactly

what we value.

You should keep writing

those powerful articles that wake

people to the truth.

Our paper exists

to spread new ideas

and inspire a new generation.

We want

all the Chinese people still suffering

to know that

the world belongs to them too.

What's the paper called?

We've been

waiting for you to name it.

Then let's call it

The Revival.

Xueting?

Pingjun?

Coming.

Mom.

Xueting's been having a hard time.

He's gotten so thin.

I made him some chicken soup.

Take it over to him.

I'll be off, then.

Don't spill it.

Xueting,

do you know how long

it took me to find you?

Yuko,

back in Japan,

I made myself

clear.

We're over.

I don't believe it.

Because we're not right for each other?

Because the spark is gone?

That's absurd.

Yuko,

you can't force love.

We have no future together.

You promised my father

you'd take care of me.

Then you just break it off

and went back home.

How can you be so heartless?

Oh, Xueting,

why didn't you mention

in your letter you were coming home early?

I wanted it to be a surprise.

Pingjun,

actually, in Japan, I...

What happened there?

Never mind.

Pingjun?

Pingjun?

Pingjun!

Let me explain.

Explain what?

It's not what you think

between us.

Her father

is chief of the Special Higher Police.

His men

beat up Chinese students in public.

I got close to her

to get

their internal files,

so I could get

justice for our people.

Justice?

You used

an innocent girl

and broke her heart

for your so-called justice?

Jiang Xueting,

how can you make that

sound so noble?

P-Pingjun,

I'm sorry.

Pingjun,

I-I wanted to tell you

the minute I got back,

but...

But I was afraid you'd be angry.

I just didn't know how to

bring it up.

So you just

kept it from me?

You have your reasons.

I can't judge

whether what you did was right

for your so-called greater good.

But Jiang Xueting,

you've changed.

You're nothing like

the man I knew before.

I feel like I don't know you anymore.

Pingjun, if...

I'm sorry.

I think we both need some time to cool off.

Finally, she's done.

I was

so nervous for her.

That Lan... Wasn't she

a star just

a month ago?

A few days without practice

and you get rusty.

She's finished.

Look at that face.

You'd make a lemon look sweet.

Peachbud,

I've let it slide more than once.

One more nasty word,

and I'll give you

a couple of good slaps.

Oh, please.

I've got better

things to do.

Look at her.

She's not worth the breath.

My shows sell out

every night.

Hers?

If nobody boos,

it's for old times' sake.

What a piece of work.

Kill!

Kill!

Sir, no surprises so far.

Everything's going

according to your plan.

Then just wait for good news.

Ambush!

Ambush!

Cover each other!

Fall back and keep firing!

Fall back!

First Squad, hold the line!

Go! Second and Third Squads, pull back first!

Hold them off!

Keep up!

Move it!

Come on! Keep moving!

The Qi Army hasn't caught up.

It'll be dark soon.

All right.

We'll rest here.

Keep watch.

Rest here!

Stay alert!

Stay alert!

Come on,

over there.

Stay alert!

Commander.

Go.

This is our current

position.

About 15 kilometers

from the ambush site.

Did we bring the equipment?

We have everything.

Ammo, supplies,

and that new batch

of German-style

submachine guns.

Hand them out.

Yes.

Everyone,

switch weapons!

Something's wrong with this gun!

Mine too.

Same here.

This one's faulty too!

Mine doesn't work either!

Sir,

the guns are faulty.

Let me see.

I've got it.

The firing pin's broken,

and the rifling's worn smooth.

It's junk dressed up as new.

Sir,

ours are no good either.

It's useless!

Wait.

Changxuan planned

every detail of this,

and the route

was top secret.

He only took a handful of men.

How did the Qi Army know

to lie in wait for him?

I should have

gone with him.

It's not time to blame yourself.

We need to

report to General Yu right away

and work out a plan.

If the Qi Army is

using this as a diversion,

we have to

be ready for anything.

Based on their route,

they'll most likely fall back toward

Qingshi Ridge

and Yixiantian.

It's a long way.

We have to move fast.

Nothing can happen to Changxuan.

Sir,

we've swept the area.

No sign of pursuit.

We're safe for now.

Commander,

I've learned

a lot from these last few battles.

Look,

this is Lijian Slope.

There's a gorge to the south,

narrow at the top and wide at the bottom.

Strategists call it Yixiantian.

It's a short route

and easy to defend.

With so few of us,

it's our best way out.

Xuewu,

we don't even have

machine guns.

Don't you have your dice?

Take it out and give it a roll.

See if heaven's

left us a way out.

Go on.

Roll it. Come on!

Fine.

I'll roll the dice.

Watch this.

I've been feeding people hope.

Now

I can't even give myself any.

Commander...

Our plan was leaked,

and the guns were faulty.

This is

all on me.

Commander,

as long as we stick together,

we'll make it back alive.

Xuewu still wants

a place on your staff.

He's counting on that promotion.

Aren't you?

That's right.

Commander,

I'm waiting for you

to announce to the whole army

that Sergeant Sun Xuewu,

a fearless fighter with uncanny foresight,

has been promoted to the 9th Army staff.

Commander,

my father

once escorted the youngest son

of

Magistrate Feng of Huaiyang.

There were over 200 men in the escort.

They traveled for over 300 days

and faced five bandit attacks.

By the time they arrived,

only

four guards were left.

But the boy

was still plump and healthy,

without a scratch on him.

In our line of work,

loyalty and honor are in our blood.

Commander,

I made up my mind

when you gave me

this horse.

The Yu Army still needs cavalry.

How about I

train a company for you?

Deal.

Yuan Huai,

what about you?

What would you like to do?

I just wanna go back to farming.

Then why did you enlist?

The war came,

and the crops all burned.

No field stayed

untouched for three seasons.

Couldn't grow a single stalk of wheat.

When we get back safely,

I'll get you some land

on the outskirts

of Nanhuai.

Guan Bao,

everyone's had a turn.

Now you.

What do you want to do?

I just miss my mother.

I wanna get home and see her soon.

Commander,

this kid can really sing.

Bao,

sing something for the Commander.

You can sing?

Oh, no, I couldn't.

Come on.

Sing.

Yeah.

Go on.

For real?

Well,

Sing for us, and this grenade

is yours.

It could save your life.

Sir,

I wouldn't dare use it.

What if I throw it wrong?

So you're giving it back?

I only know one song.

Here goes, then.

♪Who knows how my mom misses me?♪

♪I long for her in my dreams.♪

♪Mom.♪

♪My dear mom.♪

♪Peach blossoms fall as apricot trees bloom.♪

The world might be cruel,

but you're different.

You hold power,

yet you haven't let it corrupt you.

So

in your eyes,

I'm a good man?

You guard this land.

So I'll pray

the Yu Army

brings its people

real peace.

That matters more than whether I

think you're a good man.

I'll take

that to heart.

We're under attack!

Enemy attack!

Take cover!

Move! Move!

Take cover!

Enemy fire!

Look out!

Commander!

Commander,

I'm nobody.

Why risk your life for me?

Hang on!

Fall back!

Head for Yixiantian.

Yes, sir.

Hold the line.

Hold on!

Any cavalryman still breathing, with me!

Grab every grenade!

Let's clear a way out for the Commander

and our men!

He Dapeng, what are you doing?

Get back here!

He Dapeng!

Dapeng!

- Commander. - Commander.

I'll train your cavalry in the next life.

Come back!

Dapeng!

He Dapeng!

He Dapeng!

Get back!

That's an order!

Dapeng, don't.

He Dapeng!

- Charge! - Charge!