Original subtitles

Timing and subtitles brought to you by Impossible Promises @ Viki.com

[The Promise of Chang'an]

[Episode 49]

Third Sister-in-Law. I promise you.

Mingyu and Great Sheng

are the two things I want to protect most in this lifetime.

They will both be well.

If you can understand their hardships,

then I will truly be at ease.

- Empress Dowager! - Qiyuan.

Qiyuan!

Qiyuan, hurry over.

Qiyuan.

Empress Dowager.

Please do not abandon me.

Good Qiyuan.

Promise me that from now on, you will listen to your Mother Queen's words.

Her position really is difficult.

Do not continue to hurt her.

I will promise you. I will promise you anything!

Time. How did it go by so quickly?

I keep feeling like I am the same woman as thirty years ago

when I just left Yonglin and came to Sheng.

The way I was the first time I met the former emperor.

Older Sister!

Older Sister.

Older Sister!

Empress Dowager!

Do not leave me!

Sister Qiqi, do not leave us!

Sister!

Mingyu. Do not worry.

The Yi Ran Hall will be preserved the way it was when she was alive.

No one dares to slack off.

Every time I came here,

I will remember everything Sister Qi said

and did.

It feels as if

more courage has been added to my heart.

It makes me

able to face the hardships that will occur soon.

Mingyu.

No matter what happens,

you must endure it.

I believe that the Empress Dowager Yuanzhen's spirit is in Heaven.

She will protect Great Sheng.

And His Majesty.

This Li Sitong. How could he have rebelled suddenly?

In Great Sheng, the people with the highest military merits

are undoubtedly the Prince of Yu and the regent.

The court affairs have always been managed by them. Now that the Prince of Yu has died,

and the news of the regent having contracted an illness that has hurt his body spread out,

Li Sitong started to have great ambitions.

- He must have thought that rebelling at such a time would be a great opportunity. - This person who switched sides so quickly

and can never stay loyal

was a general promoted to the court by the regent?

From what I see,

it is an absolute joke.

From today forward, Your Highness surely would be too embarrassed

to recommend other people to join the court.

This traitor!

I will punish him myself. No need for Your Majesty to deal with it!

Chengxu.

I

am willing to battle Xi Yue immediately.

I will return the head of Li Sitong to Your Majesty.

Xi Yue is full of soldiers and sufficient rations.

We need to consider this war for a longer period of time.

Li Sitong is a general I defeated before.

No matter how much more he attacks, he will never evade my control.

In the past, you were always very courageous,

but I heard that you are now ill.

It would be best if you rested properly instead.

It would be better than to force yourself to fight a losing battle.

then your lifetime's reputation would be ruined.

When I fought for the lands of Great Sheng,

Your Majesty was still a baby swaddled by your nanny.

You do not have experience. I would not blame you.

Your Majesty has never entered the battlefield, yet you insist

that you want to take care of the military strategy. Would that not cause others to laugh?

One month. I only need one month's time

to conquer Xi Yue and behead Li Sitong.

This is what I mean when I say that I will personally

let you know how to become an iron-willed soldier

and what it means to have a general's soul.

Your Highness, someone has arrived to see you.

Did I not already say

that I am leaving the day after tomorrow and therefore will not attend to guests?

What? You will not even see me?

Your reason for coming today, was it to say goodbye to me?

Chengxu. Your severe illness has just healed.

The imperial physician said that you need time to recover.

This time, if you leave for battle, I fear that

your illness will get more severe.

I am fine.

You still insist that you are fine?

You are not in your twenties anymore. Why pretend to be so robust?

I have been on the battlefield for many years.

I have gotten hurt and lost blood much more than just a couple times.

This little illness is of no importance to me.

Fine.

Even if your illness truly got better,

but Great Sheng has a multitude of capable generals.

As the regent,

why do you need to go personally? Do not continue being angry with Qiyuan.

Li Sitong deploys his troops in strange ways.

He and I have fought multiple times. Outsiders

would definitely lose to him. Because I know him like I know myself,

I am the best candidate to fight him.

Today, you also heard.

From now on, what reputation will I have to uphold?

I, Xiao Chengxu, have fought in wars my entire life.

Of course I'm not someone who would submit to humiliation.

- Even if I die on the battlefield— - Chengxu.

For someone who is always licking blood from a blade,

how can you talk without avoiding taboo?

Mingyu, don't worry.

I'm fine.

Once I've dealt with that Li Sitong,

we will leave the capital.

I've always picked out the place. Jiang Bei.

Over there is your favorite prairie, where you can ride freely as you wish.

I only have this bit of pride left.

If this little bit of pride...

you won't even let me keep it,

then in this world,

I have lived for nothing then, right?

Therefore, as long as I am alive,

I won't

let people see a Xiao Chengxu who concedes defeat.

Your Majesty, I'm afraid you've fallen into Xiao Chengxu's insidious scheme.

What do you mean?

Your Majesty, do you know why Xiao Chengxu still wants to go on an expedition despite being ill?

Isn't it because his pride is hurt and he wants to show off to me?

He is not showing off to you.

He is doing it to show to all the people in the world.

He wants everyone to know that he, Xiao Chengxu, is indispensable to Great Sheng.

Even when he is ill, Your Majesty still has to rely on him.

Because, in his eye,

Your Majesty is always a child who cannot take on major responsibility.

Therefore, all the civilian and military ministers in the court

must rely on him and take his bidding.

Does he really have such evil intention?

Sixth Brother, you must not let Ninth Royal Uncle continue to be unbridled.

Otherwise, no one in the court will ever have confidence in you.

But he controls the military authority and has a proper cause to deploy the army. I can't stop him.

If he wants to go on the expedition, let him.

But no one has said that Your Majesty cannot go on the expedition.

You're saying...

Your Majesty, you can go on the expedition with him this time.

First of all, with your presence, you can tame some of his arrogance.

Secondly, if the enemy is defeated, it's thanks to Your Majesty's mighty prestige.

The military merit wouldn't be considered his.

Good. Sixth Brother, this is shooting two birds with one arrow.

If we're lucky, it's shooting three birds with one arrow.

Three birds?

Your Majesty, I heard that Xiao Chengxu's illness has already entered his heart and lung and he needs rest.

This time, he is so obstinate and insists on going on the expedition, so the illness will definitely worsen.

If the illness attacks during the intensity of the battle,

wouldn't it be the best opportunity to remove this big troublemaker in one move?

Regent, the time is up. If we keep waiting for His Majesty, it will be too late.

The auspicious hour has arrived. I dare not delay due to the urgent military situation.

Will Empress Dowager Xian Zheng please grant the sword on behalf of His Majesty?

Xi Yue's Li Sitong has risen in rebellion. The Regent is authorized

to lead Great Sheng's army

to eliminate the evil and transform calamity to fortune.

Wherever the sword points, the attack will be victorious.

Wherever the troops reach, they shall be invincible.

This subject will definitely conquer Xi Yue,

execute Li Sitong,

and not disappoint Great Sheng.

Wait!

Mother Empress.

Your Majesty, you are...

Xi Yue is an important territory of Great Sheng. It must not be lost.

The Regent has been working hard for Great Sheng.

I cannot bear for the Regent to face this war by himself.

Therefore, I will personally join him on this expedition.

No, you are Great Sheng's Emperor.

You must not be reckless in taking the risk.

If any mishap occurs,

Great Sheng will be in chaos.

The monarch dies with the nation.

This is an ancient teaching that I dare not forget.

Besides, the Regent is feeling unwell and can still go on the battlefield to kill enemies,

then how can I fear fighting and not go?

Your Majesty.

Mother Empress, I will go on the expedition this time with the Regent.

The Regent is Great Sheng's God of War.

How can he lose?

But you've never fought in battles before. On the battlefield...

it won't be a child's play.

Mother Empress, you don't need to persuade me anymore.

I am already dressed in armor. So it's impossible for me

to remove the armor in front of the entire court and break my promise.

Follow me on the expedition!

Chengxu, please protect Qiyuan.

Can you trust me?

I trust you.

Transmit my order, all battalions will get ready

and deploy immediately.

Yes!

Take care.

Regent, how long will it take to go to Xi Yue from here?

If we hurry, three days. If we go slowly, it'll take five days.

His Majesty is asking, since the situation is urgent,

why don't we hurry up and surprise Li Sitong with our attack.

If we hurry to Xi Yue, we'll be fatiqued.

Li Sitong will wait in rest and ambush our army.

He is a famous general with a hundred battles under his belt.

This kind of idea is a meaningless trick to him.

Mingyu.

Don't worry. The Regent is there.

Nothing will happen to His Majesty.

Zhen'er, I'm always wishing that neither of them

will suffer anything bad.

Do you think I'm too greedy?

In one's lifetime, there is much more then just one or two things that we wish for.

All these years, you have only this one wish.

It's not greedy at all.

Heaven will definitely grant your wish.

I hope so.

To think about it, the army will arrive in Xi Yue tomorrow.

Mingyu, you just need to wait for good news.

Treacherous rebel, Li Sitong!

Today, His Majesty and the regent have personally led soldiers here.

If you want all of your troops to survive, you must surrender immediately!

A little brat and a sickness-ridden general?

Great Sheng truly does not have many talents.

What a spent force.

You are too bold.

Someone, come. Surround the city and attack vigorously!

Are you planning to contradict and disrespect my order?

Your Majesty, since Li Sitong dares to rebel,

he must have a plan that does not fear our siege.

Li Sitong, when you surrendered to me,

you once promised that you would be loyal to Great Sheng.

In a blink of an eye, you betrayed my trust and went back on the promise.

You're a villain whose word means nothing.

I do not know what grounds you have to be delighted!

I cannot believe that your subordinates would be willing to serve a bastard such as yourself.

Are you truly not afraid that you will be sold out?

Xiao Chengxu! Stop spouting nonsense!

The lands are made for the strong to conquer!

I think you will not be able to live much longer.

Otherwise, you would have immediately surrounded the city

instead of showing off with me.

You want to anger me into combat?

In your dreams!

I brought Great Sheng's forces to provoke you.

Why is a siege needed?

I am waiting for you on the outskirts of the city.

We will see how long you can resist.

You're dying soon, Xiao Chengxu!

You are as cowardly as a mouse. Too afraid to lay siege!

We came all this way just to get a scolding.

Regent, you injured the prestige of Great Sheng's troops so much.

It was just a few words of scolding. How is it such a big deal?

Report!

Your Majesty, there are a bunch of rebels who secretly escaped through Yi Zhou City's north gate and went to the north.

- Got it. You may leave. - Yes.

This is surely Li Sitong assigning reinforcement troops.

- Go and stop them! - Let them go.

It is only a small group of rebels, yet Your Highness is already too afraid to fight?

If you are afraid of death, then I will go myself.

Without my decree, I will kill anyone who goes to fight.

I am Great Sheng's ruler. You dare to speak to me in such a way?

I am the Commander-in-Chief. Even if the Jade Emperor from Heaven were in the army, he would have to obey my command.

Report!

Your Majesty, the rebels saw that we did not do anything, so they returned back to the city.

Turn back!

Yes.

Li Sitong is most skilled at

attacking the enemy's weakness. In doing this,

He just wants us to strike first, and then he will deliver the killing blow.

Since he wants us in his trap,

then we will let him believe that we are.

Report!

Your Majesty, General Cheng has already set up troops at the West Gate.

In the North gate, there is a group of rebels leaving the city.

There is also another group at the East gate, heading toward the port.

I know. The regent did not allow me to deploy troops,

but he lets his own subordinates go.

Are you afraid that after I get military merits, I would capture the hearts of the soldiers?

I did this because I wanted him to mistakenly believe that it is I who is impulsive.

I did not expect it was you.

Then do you still think it is a trick?

What else?

Yizhou and Luan City are connected by a water route.

That group of rebels must be going on the river to deploy the reinforcements at Luan City.

We should quickly intercept and kill them.

Since Your Majesty wants to deploy troops so badly,

then go.

Qirong, let's go.

Pass down my decree. We must only light thirty percent of the lights in our base camps.

All of the soldiers must be on guard. This war will start tonight.

Yes.

Kill them!

Kill them!

Your Majesty, there is nobody.

How could that boat have been empty?

Oh no! We fell into their trap.

I, Cheng Yaoyi, greet Your Majesty.

General Cheng, immediately inform the regent

that the rebels were creating a diversion to trick us and create a surprise attack.

Do not worry, Your Majesty. The regent expected such a thing long ago

Now, the rebels who came have already been defeated and Yi Zhou has been captured.

We won!

We won!

[Sheng]

It looks like Your Majesty already knows that you fell into a trap.

You knew it was a trap, but you still let me take troops to chase them.

You just wanted to see me as a joke!

In this situation, the wind is blowing from the west. Luan City needs to follow the wind in order to arrive.

West wind blows in their opposite direction.

Coming by boat would be slower than coming by horse by two days.

The soldiers would not choose to arrive through the waters.

Of course it is a trap.

If Your Majesty did not personally lead troops to chase them down,

then Li Sitong would not believe that we fell for it.

He then recklessly led his entire army to attack our camps.

The victory this time was thanks to your falling into the trap.

You...

You lied to me? How dare you?

All is fair in love and war. This is a basic principle of war.

Report!

Your Majesty, Regent, Li Sitong has escaped.

I got it.

Regent, you thought you were smarter but still missed this move.

If you had surrounded the city right from the beginning, how could you let Li Sitong run away?

I think you are guilty of negligence.

Your Majesty, I respect you as the Emperor,

so I've been accommodating you in every situation.

So please don't keep pushing me step by step.

Are you threatening me?

Great Sheng belongs to me. All the troops belong to me too.

I can convict you of crime at any moment.

Alright. I don't want to

keep fighting you over these meaningless arguments.

We've taken Yizhou.

Tomorrow, anything about the military affairs

won't need to bother Your Majesty.

Please just go back to court in triumph, Your Majesty.

You are forcing me to leave?

It doesn't matter however you think, Your Majesty.

Guards!

Present.

Transmit my order. First thing tomorrow morning,

His Majesty will return to court in triumph.

Yes.

Xiao Chengxu is simply too arrogant.

He deliberately made Sixth Brother into a laughingstock, now he wants us to go back to court.

He has never taken me seriously.

Sixth Brother, just issue a decree to convict him.

Otherwise, what prestige do you have left?

Don't you think I want to?

He controls the military.

I don't have enough power.

Since Xiao Chengxu wants Your Majesty to return to court,

this is a great opportunity for us to make our move.

Make our move?

Your Majesty, do you know why your Second Royal Uncle summoned Xiao Chengxu before he died?

I don't know.

It's because your Second Royal Uncle discovered the evidence that he had been secretly building a private army.

Before your Second Royal Uncle died, he summoned him

in order for him to pledge in writing that he would never rebel.

But Xiao Chengxu refused.

Your Second Royal Uncle died with resentment.

Xiao Chengxu has looked down on Your Majesty in his arrogance.

He built a private army but refused to pledge allegiance. He has long harbored the intent to rebel.

If Your Majesty don't make your move first, you will be sitting down in waiting for your death.

What you're saying... is it all true?

I don't dare to say a single false word.

Xiao Chengxu, since you harbor a rebellious intent,

then don't blame me for being heartless.

We've taken three of the cities that are controlled by the rebels.

Only Rongnan and Yuanzhou remain in their hands.

- All officers, listen to my order. - Yes.

Divide the troops into four columns, attack from east to west in double flanks. You must conquer the two cities within five days.

If you are victorious, I will celebrate your achievement. If you attack but not win,

- bring your heads to see me. - Yes.

No, something really bad!

Eighth Royal Brother, didn't you go back to court with His Majesty already?

Why have you returned?

Yesterday I followed His Majesty on the return journey, and passed by Yellow Goat Ridge.

Suddenly the rebels came down from the mountain.

There were less than 1,000 guards around His Majesty.

Regent, please quickly lead soldiers to rescue. If you're late, His Majesty will be endangered.

Regent, something smells fishy here.

Xiao Chengxu, what do you mean?

His Majesty is in danger, but you are hesitating. What are you scheming?

Your Majesty!

Kill him!

Even a tiger down on his luck shouldn't be bullied by dogs!

Kill without mercy!

Stop him!

- Hold him down. - You...

Xiao Chengxu, you've long been planning to rebel.

His Majesty wants to eliminate evil, of course I'm loyal to him.

Find, well said.

Escort him back to the capital.

Eight Royal Uncle should have succeeded by now. Why hasn't he sent news?

Wait a little longer.

They're coming. Hurry and receive.

Yes.

Li Sitong?

Heaven won't kill Li Sitong.

I lost Yizhou City but caught Great Sheng's emperor.

Li Sitong, I've been waiting for you right here.

My army is nearby.

I didn't expect you to be so stupid as to rush into a trap.

Little emperor kiddo, you have greatly underestimated me.

I've been hiding here for a long time.

I knew you fancied yourself to be so smart and exposed your weakness.

How else would I take the risk to come after you?

Emperor, you only have about 200 guards next to you.

Don't bother to put up a fight and just let yourself be captured.

Otherwise, don't blame me for letting the emperor see blood.

Sixth Brother, what do we do now?

In a moment, I'll take my bow and shoot the arrow.

You will immediately get on the horse and run for help.

- But— - Don't say anymore. Do you want us all die together here?

Li Sitong, if I surrender to you, will you guarantee my safety?

Of course. I'll keep the emperor around

to command the world. How would I hurt you?

Fine.

Sixth Brother!

Hurry and go!

Catch him!

Ninth Royal Uncle, His Majesty is in trouble!

Ninth Royal Uncle, Li Sitong led his soldiers to surround His Majesty.

He said he wanted to capture His Majesty to command the world.

His Majesty is really busy today.

He was surrounded in Yellow Goat Ridge.

Within half a day, he got surrounded once again.

You failed on the first trick, now you're on a second trick.

Do you think I'm a three-year-old kid?

No, Ninth Royal Uncle, this time Sixth Brother is really in danger.

He only has 200 guards by his side. I risked my life to escape.

You schemed to harm me, and still dare to come to me again?

Doesn't Your Majesty want to punish me for my crimes?

A convicted person has no time to worry about protecting His Majesty.

Ninth Royal Uncle. If Sixth Brother is in the hands of Li Sitong,

then Great Sheng will be in danger!

I am begging Your Highness to trust me once more.

Rest assured.

However many cities Li Sitong has conquered,

I will conquer those many back.

As long as Great Sheng has me, it won't be in danger.

Prince of He Jian, you should go back and rest.

Xiao Chengxu, you won't rescue in times of grave danger.

You will let His Majesty die! You will let His Majesty die!

Emperor, you have no way out. Surrender now!

Am I really going to die here today?

Ninth Royal Uncle, you are finally getting your wish.

Follow me and kill our way out!

Kill!

I'm going to end my life here today.

Stop Xiao Chengxu!

Ninth Royal Uncle? Why has he come?

- You don't kill enemies but kill your own, you're worthless! - I...

You what? Go hide somewhere and don't add trouble for me.

Li Sitong, even if you want to surrender today, I won't let you live!

Life or death, we'll fight to the end!

FIne, then I will test out the regent of Great Sheng's power.

General.

You are not hurt, are you?

Ninth Royal Uncle!

Ninth Royal Uncle!

Protect His Majesty!

[The Promise of Chang'an]

Timing and subtitles brought to you by Impossible Promises @ Viki.com

"Falling Fate" - Singer: Li Yugang

♫ Who is swaying at dusk on the riverbank by the gently fluttering willows? ♫

♫ That beauty dances between the clouds and the rippling moonglade ♫

♫ Dancing lightly like the startled birds and your graceful face is like delicate blooms ♫

♫ Longing in the wind, with glistening eyes looking toward the ripples ♫

♫ I could not take my eyes off such a sight to behold ♫

♫ It seems brief, my adoration for you has been for years ♫

♫ You come or go as you please, my soul is being led by dreams of you ♫

♫ These are foolish and infuriating times, I still wish we could be together forever ♫

♫ Destiny leads you into my life to make me whole ♫

♫ My love for you is like an ink-mark that never dries ♫

♫ As the snow scatters in the wind, as the clouds shield the moon ♫

♫ As I have to be drunk to sleep through the night ♫

♫ Like you, the paper I write on is full of melancholy ♫

♫ Destiny leads you into my life, times of great changes separate us ♫

♫ My tears fall and fill the curtained carriage along the way ♫

♫ This homeward journey, this boundless life ♫

♫ It is fleeting, and filled with joys and sorrows ♫