Original subtitles

♫ Nowhere to escape. ♫

♫ No bough to alight. ♫

♫ Retrograde with smile. ♫

♫ Never give in. ♫

♫ Forget about the youth. ♫

♫ I've never been afraid of loneliness. ♫

♫ I also shed the tears of regret. ♫

♫ But my heart is still fiery-hot. ♫

♫ To the distance. ♫

♫ The miserable past is like a dagger. ♫

♫ Though my wings are broken, ♫

♫ I will keep flying. ♫

♫ Following the light, ♫

♫ I'll forget you. ♫

♫ The memory shaped my stubbornness. ♫

♫ By virtue of the light in the dark night, ♫

♫ I'll return it with a long ballad. ♫

♫ The river of life is under my feet. ♫

♫ I don't regret my craziness. ♫

The Long Ballad

Episode 12

Military governor gave me the command

of coming to take over Gongsun Heng's token.

Where's the token?

Give it to me!

The thieves are so fast!

Let's go!

You'd better step aside.

Don't force us to hurt you.

Here's Mansion of Family Gongsun, not your office.

No matter what you want to take over,

I cannot give you for I'm a woman.

I have to wait for my husband and listen to his order.

You'd better cooperate with us.

The earlier you give it to me,

the earlier he can get rid of the suspicion.

Then you could reunite soon.

As Governor Gongsun has been detained,

his end is all up to military governor.

It's not the time for you to annoy us.

Snap.

While I've been accompanying Gongsun Heng

all the time when he went on expeditions,

I won't be scared by your sarcastic comments.

Then don't blame me for being rude to you.

Who's there?

Who did it?

You can say whatever you want but do not be impudent

in front of my master.

Governor isn't here and Madam cannot decide for him.

You can discuss with me.

Can you decide for them?

As my lord has been arrested by you, do I have other choices?

Madam.

If you believe in me, you can let me handle it

then you can go back to look after Yuan.

Thanks for the trouble.

That's fine.

Sirs, please follow me.

Oh my goodness!

Gosh! Thieves in the house!

Nonsense!

How can they come to steal here?

Are you kidding me?

Though I haven't counted all the losses,

huge losses of the study and accountants office are clear to be found.

If we want to reduce, we must lead troops to catch them!

Okay, stop! You cheeky guy!

Here's Guard Wang from Governor Sima.

Greet to him!

You've come just in time.

Please help us catch them at once!

So funny.

Is it my business?

Give me the token at once!

Token?

It's in the study!

Well... What bad luck!

Where's the study?

Just over there.

Let's go!

Senior Qin.

Thieves did come to steal.

Search here at once!

What can we do now?

Oh gosh...

Guard Wang! No token here.

Don't fool me!

I don't care about the thieves.

If I can't get the token in three days, you will all lose your peace.

Let's leave!

Senior Qin, how did you know that?

Sima Tu has been forcing him to submit it.

He just wanted to get the token by detaining our master.

What I've done is to kick the can down the road.

Then what should we do now?

Must we give him the token?

Do you think he can mobilize the troops in Shuozhou

as he gets the token?

You can go to have a try with it

and see whether they'll listen to you or not.

What do you mean?

Can't the token control them?

Not only the token but also the imperial jade seal

cannot control soldiers and generals in Shuozhou.

What they're most willing to follow is not the lifeless token.

But only the governor Gongsun Heng.

Senior Qin!

- Senior Qin! - Any news?

Sima Tu asked his men to open the treasury.

He wants to make peace with Ashile Army by giving all the assets.

Oh no! We can't yield to them!

We'll gain nothing but the destruction!

While Governor is arrested, he cannot command the army.

What can we do?

At the worst, we can command soldiers to rush into the jail

and rescue the governor.

Rush into the jail?

It's just what Sima Tu hopes for.

You can not only fail to save him but also put Shuozhou in danger.

As he has invited and hired you, I hope that you won't let him down.

I didn't expect that Senior Qin is quite deliberate.

Though he moves in a wobbly fashion, he has an intelligent brain!

Is that right, Master?

Master?

Master?

What are you thinking about?

I'm thinking about how to save Governor.

Ask thousands of elites to surround Governor Mansion.

Everything could be solved

- as long as I... - You're noisy.

We've just arrived in Shuozhou and know little about here.

Even Senior Qin now has no plan.

While Gongsun Heng trusts me a lot, how can I not rescue him?

What else can you do except the carjacking?

Or are you going to kill Sima Tu?

Why are you looking at me?

I have an idea.

Master, where are you going?

I'm going to find Senior Qin.

I've been waiting for you for long.

You know I'll come?

You must have had an idea.

Time is limited.

Just go ahead.

I do have a plan but I need soldiers.

Tell me in detail.

I need some of his reinforcements.

Then I'll...

It's a risky plan.

We'll lose everything if we can't make it, but at the moment,

it's our last stratagem.

You deserve his trust.

He had foreseen he would be arrested

before he went to Governor Mansion.

Then he asked me to give it to you when the time came.

[Listen to your order.]

I won't let him down!

Good.

Tell me what to do.

Senior Qin.

I want some of his reliable generals.

And ask them to meet me.

Fine.

I need to tell you that I'm not helping you.

It's all for the governor.

Master.

Aren't you going to discuss with him?

But why did he leave?

I've got the answer.

What answer?

The governor left me a note.

What?

It's the will of the people.

I finally know what Shen Gu means at that time.

General Guo Ning and Zhang Hui greet to you.

Save the courtesy.

Please stand up.

I think you've known the governor has been arrested.

Sima Tu is going to make peace by giving money.

The reason why I invite you two here

is that I hope we can cooperate and solve it.

You can tell us what to do.

As long as we can stop him from opening the gate and welcome back Governor Gongsun,

we'll do whatever you want.

Well, in this case, I'll get down to the point.

- How many light cavalries are there in the city? - 6000.

Each of us leads 3000 soldiers.

Then transfer 1000 soldiers and let General Guo lead them.

Divide them into two groups.

Lead them to harass the Ashile Campsite at night.

Withdraw the troops once they fight back.

Do not damage our strength.

Yes.

What should I do?

I hope General Zhang Hui can transfer some soldiers to the suburb secretly.

Station on the hills in the northwest and northeast.

Form a corner with the troops in the city.

Soldiers in the town are less than 30 thousand.

It's hard to defend the city.

Registrar, why do we transfer them out?

If something goes wrong during making peace,

General Zhang Hui's troop can bring them an illusion of having reinforcement.

Then we can hold them in awe.

I see. Please be at ease.

It'll be finished before they open the gate.

Thanks for the trouble.

Master, can a note mobilize a powerful army?

It's not up to the note but the will of the people.

If something goes wrong,

maybe it'll also bring the governor another disaster.

When a bird's nest is overturned, no egg can remain intact

It's the only plan that comes into my mind.

By the way, Senior Qin.

Could you please find a secret place?

I hope nobody knows it except you and Xu Feng.

Fine.

I wish the governor's judgment will be right.

Come with me.

There's a secret room here.

May I know your name?

We meet only by chance.

I won't meet you again.

Can we be friends?

Aren't we friends now?

Grasslands?

I know nothing about there.

I'd better not go there.

But you know me.

What's up?

Sun.

You've been like another man since you came back from Tang,

You smile more than before.

And the smile is... quite creepy.

Do you keep anything back from me?

No.

Ashile Sun.

Do you fall in love with a girl in Tang?

Thanks to Sirius.

Our Sun finally knows to love someone.

Are you idling all day?

Don't change the topic.

Just tell me whether I'm right or not.

You're right.

It's so boring.

Fire!

Where's the water?

Put out the fire!

Fire!

How could it be like this?

- Tegin. - Didn't you tell me Gongsun Heng has been arrested?

- I... - How was there a night attack?

I...

Report!

Tegin!

Our army provisions were fired by Tang army!

Have you put out the fire?

Go to put out it as it's kindling!

- Why do you report to me? - Yes!

Is it useful?

Go!

You'd better make it clear.

Otherwise, I'll kill you and then massacre the city!

Yes!

I'll go to see Sima Tu now.

Right now!

[Shuozhou]

What happened?

Bear Division's provisions have been fired.

They're putting out the fire.

While we only lost a few camps.

No casualties.

They sneak attack like flies.

Disgusting!

But we can't catch them!

Well, it's quite funny.

Bear Division is always hapless.

And he takes no precautions.

What are you thinking about?

Gongsun Heng's been in command of troops for decades.

No attacks, only guards.

It's quite abnormal this time.

It seems that... there's another master-hand in Shuozhou.

Master-hand...

A secret way.

There's a secret way under the governor's mansion.

It should be built early in the Sui Dynasty.

Pretty nice.

A'Dou.

Remember all my following words.

In the future, what you hear and see here

are prohibited to tell others.

- Do you remember? - Yes.

Though I don't know why, Since you're up to something great,

I'll do what you ask me to do.

Young Leader.

How's it going? Any casualties?

No casualties in the army.

Then keep on harassing them as we planed.

The repeated harassment brings them a mess and no sleep.

I think maybe they'll leave because they might be tired of it.

We've got what we want.

It's time to change our plan.

What do you mean?

Well, the plan needs your help.

Governor.

Haven't I told you not to call? Why do you...

Tu Kashe asked me to come and ask your plan.

If you've changed your mind of not opening the gate to surrender,

then I can go back and report to him.

At that time,

pay for your own bill.

We've been checking the government repository

and it'll be handled soon.

So why did you say that?

Our army has been harassed by your army every night.

We cannot sleep peacefully at night.

Is it your sincerity?

How could it happen?

The army here is controlled by you and Gongsun Heng has been arrested.

Will I believe that you know nothing?

Gongsun Heng is in jail and it's impossible for him to escape.

It's impossible for him to command the army.

My dear brother.

It's said that

Gongsun Heng's token has been stolen by a thief several days ago.

It seems the thief must be the troublemaker.

Recently, all his family is strictly on guard by me.

They're all in the mansion.

I'm now to ask Wang Li

to search the whole city!

We'll find him at all costs.

In this case, I'll do you another favor.

I've already known where he is.

It seems you've been monitored all the way.

Haven't you noticed that?

Did Gongsun Heng ask you to do so?

I know he hides his malicious intent!

He wants to rebel!

Soldiers.

Take him away.

Brother.

Let me deal with him.

I promise I'll bring him the gruesome tortures.

Bring him to the room.

Enough.

It's impossible for you to die.

While it's also uneasy for you to survive.

You... You bastard!

Then it means you refuse to tell.

You're sure to bring a few soldiers with you tomorrow?

Precipitous hills and marshes are in the east of Shuozhou.

No sneak attacks there before.

Gongsun Heng relies on the good location and cares little about there.

So... it's enough.

The scout came to report that the military counsellor of Bear Division

went to Shuozhou again tonight.

I'm afraid it's a fake surrender.

Maybe they're going to attack.

If Tu Kashe plans to do so, he can cooperate with us.

But I don't think Registrar Li will do nothing.

I don't know whether Tu Kashe can cope with him or not.

Registrar Li?

I've investigated him.

He's the new registrar of Shuozhou, coming from some other place.

He hasn't worked for long.

Xu Feng?

It's all my fault.

Get exposed?

Yes. And they found me.

I could finally escape after fighting against them for long.

And I came back after circling several hours.

Never mind.

Go back to take a rest first.

Do not go out these days.

I'll tell you!

That's right.

I know where Registrar Li is.

I can bring you to find him.

I know where their hideout is.

- I won't escape. - Fine.

If you can catch the registrar, I'll reward you a lot.

If you escape, you know your end.

Is he Registrar Li?

That will be nice.

A wise man submits to fate.

Kill him.

Kill him!

I've never thought you can be so heartless.

Nice!

I like it.

Dispose of him!

Congratulations to Ibukan!

I've already killed Registrar Li and the list of presents is prepared.

Shuozhou is all ours so do I need it?

I'll replace Tegin to reward you.

Thanks, Siqin and Tegin.

Let's go.

The counsellor said Registrar Li has been killed

and the list of presents is prepared.

What's the full name of Registrar Li?

I'm not clear about it.

By the way, is Shisi's last name Li?

Many people in the world are of the same surname.

Maybe he's not your Shisi.

Ask a team of soldiers to follow Tu Kashe.

Don't let him die so easily.

I know.

[Shuozhou]

Military governor Sima Tu replaces Shuozhou governor Gongsun Heng

to open the gate and handle our list of presents.

We beg that Ashile Tegin has the virtue of cherishing lives

and spares the lives of the whole city.

Thanks to your Highness.

We'll be all grateful for your pity.

Give it to me.

Here's the list of presents we're going to submit.

Please look it over.

Okay.

How could it be like this?

How can he still be alive?

Surrender or not?

What do you mean?

Are you ambushing me?

Please allow me to explain!

You want the hard way?

Wait...

Halt!

Otherwise I'll kill you!

Oh, no! Things might have changed in the city.

Warriors!

Don't spare these hypocrites!

Come on!

Let's attack!

Fight!

Fight!

Fight!

Fight!

RELEASE!

Semaphore!

Ask 5000 soldiers to drive them to the river bank!

Tegin.

Registrar Li is now in charge of operations.

As they lay in an ambush and we lack soldiers,

shall we go back to join the main forces?

Did you tell me that Gongsun Heng was arrested and his counselor died?

I...

Stop the attack!

Retreat!

If you don't know their intentions, you can't be friends with them.

If you know nothing about the terrain, you cannot lead a troop.

Next, it's all up to General Guo.

Yes.

As the military governor has died in front of the army

and we need a commander, it should be replaced by the official

with the highest position.

I see. I'll now take our master out.

Sima Jian is right that there's no water in July.

It's convenient for us to march.

Bros! Follow up!

As we arrive in Shuozhou, we'll be at ease and do whatever we want!

Go!

Hurry!

Stop!

Please save us, Siqin!

Tang army laid in an ambush and pursuing troops are behind us.

Tegin.

Remind me of killing Registrar Li myself after we conquer Shuozhou.

Teqin.

They stop their attack.

Why don't you keep on chasing? Come on!

Come over here!

Come here!

Hurry!

Retreat!

Speed up!

All thanks to Registrar Li.

Shuozhou may be in danger without him!

Good strategy!

Kill Sima Tu with the help of Bear Division.

Well, I have a question.

How did you predict that he'll come to attack?

Sima Tu fears death.

As he tried to make peace with Ashile,

it's just to bring disaster upon himself.

Their ambition is not only to plunder food and money

but also to conquer the city with the chance.

They're very greedy.

I was to make use of the opportunity.

I see.

Our success cannot get rid of Xu Feng's contribution.

Without his cooperation with me of the performance,

it wouldn't be easy to trick Sima Tu.

It's not a big deal.

I won't hesitate to lose my life to save my master.

We ought to be loyal for being with the master for years.

Registrar Li gains my admiration

for he can leave life and death out of consideration

as he's just arrived.

Well, I want to ask you one thing.

As long as I'd pressed the knife a little bit deeper,

it might have crossed the blood pack and hurt your heart.

So why can you trust me?

What I trust is your loyalty to the governor.

Nice talk!

It's really my great privilege

to work with the loyal warriors like you.

Commandant Li.

I should thank you too.

Senior Qin, what did you call me?

Commandant of Light Chariot, Li Shisi.

You've built a dam fulfilled with water in the upper reach

and then released the water to drown the enemy.

Good strategy, Commandant Li.

Getting rid of surrendering our city to the enemy this time

depends on your contribution.

Please accept my courtesy call

on behalf of the people in the whole city.

Governor!

I don't deserve that, Governor.

I've let you down for letting someone rescue Tu Kashe.

Come on. Stand up.

Stand up.

Bear Division seemed to move all his troops this time.

I've never thought that...

Are you worried about Eagle Division?

Eagle Division?

It's the strongest division of Ashile Tribe.

They're not incompetent as Tu Kashi's army.

If they still have the energy to attack...

It's impossible to cross during the flood tide.

There are mountains in the southeast

and mires are all over the outside of the east gate.

Even Shuozhou people have to make a detour.

Therefore, we should move troops from the east to the west.

Okay.

Listen up.

Just do as he said.

- Yes. - I see.

Tegin.

Tang army is really cunning.

They laid a snare to let you kill my brother.

Registrar Li of Gongsun Heng is my deadly enemy!

What's up?

Are you distressed for me killing Sima Tu?

No.

It's due to my brother's incompetence.

As the military governor, he cannot control a governor.

It's his fault.

My loyalty to you can be proved by the heaven.

Though Sima Tu has died, I still have the opportunity

to provide you the information about Shuozhou.

I hope you could give me another chance.

Remember that I can kill you at any time.

I know.

I won't let Registrar Li escape again.

Report!

Tegin.

Ashile Sun gathered soldiers and left all of a sudden.

I don't know where they go.

Attention please, everybody!

I'm going to tell you a story today.

At that moment, I saw with my own eyes

that Registrar Li flipped in the air

and then released a dark-steel arrow of more than 50 kilograms.

The arrow avoided our soldiers accurately.

With no diversion of its trajectory,

it hit right in the list holding by the Ashile Tegin.

Good!

We shouldn't call him Registrar Li anymore.

Governor has put up the notice

that he's promoted to the position of a commandant.

That's it.

He's pretty young

and he's now become Governor Gongsun's right-hand man!

It's the luck of Shuozhou!

I agree.

I've never thought that you can help my husband to defeat enemies

in only a few days.

It's really my good luck to meet you.

Let me toast to you with a cup of tea.

I'm flattered.

It's my great honor to work with Governor to guard Shuozhou.

You're so slender.

It's cold in the north so you should wear more clothes.

I'll find some suitable cloth and make you some suits.

Madam, you treat me so well.

I'm very moved.

She wants to do something for you.

I think you should accept it.

If you don't mind, you can consider here as your home.

Thank you, Governor.

Thank you, Madam.

It's been my first time to feel the warmth and love again

after my mother passed away.

Madam, I want it, too.

Don't worry. I'll make for you two.

Make some more for him.

- Let's eat first. It's almost cool. - Yes.

Governor.

Our granary was on fire.

And it has turned into ash.

What?

Eagle Division did it.

Any casualty?

The fire spread rapidly but Guard Xu has led us to put it out.

No civilian was involved.

He's right.

- You can leave. - Yes.

Governor.

Is it the crack army you're worried about?

They finally come.

I've never thought they could arrive so quickly.

Governor.

We found some paulownia boards in the swamp outside the east gate.

As their cavalries march fast, maybe they've crossed the swamp

with the help of the boards.

Governor.

It's all my fault.

I capitalize on terrain too much, moving our troops from east to west.

I want to atone for my faults.

Please let me handle them.

Fine.

♫ The heart gradually responds, ♫

♫ gradually revives, ♫

♫ gradually swims towards you. ♫

♫ Before bidding farewell, ♫

♫ we expect an encounter. ♫

♫ Entwist your figure, ♫

♫ and lock it into my tender dream. ♫

♫ Before the daybreak, ♫

♫ through the obsession of love, ♫

♫ the longing flows. ♫

♫ There's always a moment ♫

♫ which burns down the wastelands in my heart. ♫

♫ There's always solicitude ♫

♫ which freezes everything between you and me. ♫

♫ Meet each other in different time. ♫

♫ Encourage each other in different worlds. ♫

♫ My longings become a cocoon, ♫

♫ layer after layer. ♫

♫ It turns into eternity. ♫

♫ The cocoon in the dark night. ♫

♫ There's always a moment ♫

♫ which burns down the wastelands in my heart. ♫

♫ There's always solicitude ♫

♫ which freezes everything between you and me. ♫

♫ Meet each other in different time. ♫

♫ Encourage each other in different worlds. ♫

♫ My longings become a cocoon, ♫

♫ layer after layer. ♫

♫ It turns into eternity. ♫

♫ The cocoon in the dark night. ♫

♫ It is sleepless. ♫

The Long Ballad