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 6

[Governor Manor]

Sir.

Your dishes.

Have a taste.

Here’s the wine.

Have a drink.

Sir, what would you like?

A plate of mutton.

Okay.

Generals, it’s my treat.

It’s considerate of you.

Where are you from?

Honestly,

I have a cousin called Niu Awu

who serves in the army in Youzhou.

Do you know him?

Do you know him?

There are indeed several brothers in the camp with the surname Niu.

But I’m not sure whether he’s in the army.

Considering your filial piety,

I want you to dissuade him from serving in the army here.

Look for another way out.

Why?

You’re inexperienced.

If you serve in the army here,

maybe you’ll lose your life soon.

Mind your words!

Don’t talk nonsense when drunk.

If someone eavesdrops,

you’ll be killed.

Thank you for looking out for me.

But Youzhou is a very important city in our country.

Everything is in order here.

Why do you consider it bad?

Since the incident on the 4th of the month,

the governor hasn’t left his manor.

Other generals are all eager to congratulate him and report to the capital for duty.

But our governor shows respect to no one

and won’t go out.

Seven days have passed.

If His Highness blames him...

He doesn’t come out.

...Prince of Lujiang will be killed.

We, the defending troops in Youzhou, will also be killed.

General Wang and Prince of Lujiang are related by marriage.

They’re two grasshoppers on a rope.

Perhaps General Wang will be killed too.

Let’s just try to muddle through.

Cheers.

Cheers.

I didn’t expect that Li Yuan

to be such a loyal man with integrity.

That makes it easy then.

Thank you for enlightening me.

Have a good meal.

See you.

Have the dishes.

Come on!

You and I work in the same position.

I’ve been putting up with you for a long time,

yet you keep giving me a hard time.

No need to do that.

You are from a famous family in Shandong.

You have a bright future ahead of you.

I’m just a warrior.

How dare I have a comparable position with you?

I don’t want to be your enemy.

You don’t have to be sarcastic all the time.

These are the gifts from the imperial court.

Be careful not to jolt them when we’re on the road.

Go!

Yes!

Brother Shuyu!

Where did you get the iron ore?

General.

We got this iron ore by accident

from selling goods in the north.

Our master said we can earn a lot

by selling the ore to the blacksmith shop.

If you impound the goods,

I’ll lose my life when I get back

General.

It’s too wasteful to smelt such excellent iron ore

into ordinary farm tools.

Little Brother.

Can you get more iron ore?

I...

Smuggling iron ore is a felony.

Take him down and behead him.

No, no, no!

Yes, there’s more.

Yes.

General.

How much do you want?

I want as much as you have.

Well...

I have to discuss with my master.

Little Brother.

Remember.

I want 2,000 dan.

Let me know when the goods are ready tonight.

In front of the thatched cottage outside the city,

no goods, no payment.

Okay.

Don’t play tricks on me.

Or you and your fellows will die.

General.

General.

Don’t worry.

Don’t worry.

Go.

Let’s go.

Send a team of bowmen

to ambush near the thatched cottage.

Neither his men nor the goods will be able to escape.

Yes!

[Governor Manor]

Why are you here?

Do you love me so much that

you follow me all the way?

You think too much.

Why not tell me you were coming to Youzhou for business?

You didn’t ask me.

What do you want to do here?

Just private matters.

Dealing with private matters in the Governor Manor?

It seems that you’re rich or a dignitary.

Don’t talk nonsense!

I’m new here.

Can’t I have a look around?

I’m going back to the inn.

Coincidence.

I also want to go back.

Shall we walk together?

A’Zhun.

Take care.

See you next time.

Please.

Please.

It looks like fate keeps bringing us together.

We have to walk together further.

What a coincidence!

Look at the fans.

Have a look.

[Qingxiang Inn]

You’re staying here?

You’re also staying here?

Young Master Shisi, why not go back to your room?

You first.

Do you think we share the same room?

Tegin, you’re back!

Tegin, what are you happy with?

Am I?

Yes.

You seldom smile.

How is everything going?

Tegin.

I wouldn’t have been angry

if you didn’t mention him.

If I weren’t afraid of messing up your plans,

I’d surely beat that man up.

Guess what?

He asked us for 2000 dan of iron ore.

So greedy!

Two thousand iron ores...

We don’t even have that many.

Tegin, what should we do?

Refuse.

Refuse?

Tegin.

I don’t know what you mean.

Tonight,

let’s go and see General Wang.

Are we really going?

Master!

Why do you come back so early?

Did Li Yuan agree?

I couldn’t see him this time,

but I did gain something.

A’ Dou.

Look for paper and ink.

I want to write a letter for a visit.

Okay.

Hope this time my guess is right.

Leyan?

Brother Shuyu.

Princess?

Why hide in the carriage?

Get off right now.

Come on.

Why are you following us?

Brother Shuyu.

In fact,

I was just worried about you.

So I followed you in secret.

You don’t have to worry about me.

Don’t be willful next time.

I’ll arrange for my men to send Princess back to Luoyang immediately.

No.

I don’t want to return Luoyang alone.

Men!

Let Princess mount the horse.

Brother Shuyu!

Brother Hao.

Why are you in a rush to send her away?

I’m worrying about her safety.

Brother Shuyu, he’s untrustworthy.

Can you take me back?

But I’m busy with my official business.

Or shall I follow you?

I won’t make any trouble.

Brother Hao.

Youzhou’s affair is urgent. It can’t be delayed.

It’s all right to go back a few days later.

If there’s any trouble with her on the way,

can you take the responsibility?

I will be fully responsible for her safety.

Leyan.

You have to share a horse with me later.

At the next station,

I’ll find you a carriage.

Brother Shuyu.

This bad guy said that

he would not only kill Changge but also you.

Put things in order.

Ready to go.

Yes!

Don’t worry.

Got it.

General Wang.

Thanks for waiting.

Yes!

Are you the master of those merchants?

How long have you been in business?

For years.

General.

Nothing is on the cart!

How dare you play tricks on me?

Wang Junkuo.

I haven’t seen you for years.

Can’t you recognize me?

You’re...

You’re the Tegin of Eagle Division in the Ashile Tribe!

Ashile Sun!

You even dared to come to Youzhou

to hand yourself over to us.

If my memory serves me right,

it’s you who invited me to Youzhou.

I knew there was something fishy about this.

But compared to the goods I wanted,

sending your head to Chang’an

will earn me a lot more.

If you go to Chang’an,

you’ll never return.

I’m here to give you a way to survive,

but you refuse.

[Pursue...]

[A danger to the nation...]

[Pursue...]

Master!

Your handwriting is beautiful.

Master.

What are you writing?

A way to survive.

A way to survive?

A martial arts secret manual.

I guess you could say that.

I’ll see whether Li Yuan accepts it or not.

Master.

What’s this?

Crown Prince’s seal.

Crown Prince’s seal?

Quiet!

Master.

You...

[Today Prince Qin and others’ rebellious conspiracy shocked the capital and threatened people’s livelihood.]

From now on,

I’m afraid of nothing.

Have a seat.

Are you afraid?

What do you want to say?

Prince Qin has entered Eastern Palace.

Youzhou is in a state of emergency.

You’re more clear about the situation.

Instead of waiting for death,

you might as well use the favorable terrain of Youzhou

to find your own way out.

I am loyal to my country.

Stop talking nonsense!

You say you’re loyal to your country.

Why are you secretly searching for iron ore?

You want to forge weapons and start a rebellion.

Are you going to tell me that

you are going to pay tribute to the new crown prince?

You’re not interested

simply because the price isn’t tempting enough.

If Khan wants to help you,

you could get more than just iron ores.

What do you mean?

A Western warhorse!

Calm down.

If you want this deal,

Ashile Tribe will endlessly provide Youzhou

such warhorse and weapons.

What benefits can you get

by providing us with such aid?

You’re quite clear about Prince Qin’s strength.

Though Youzhou is important,

but if you want to start a rebellion, how long can you last

even if you win at first?

Why not submit to Ashile Tribe

and rely on our support?

You can resist against Prince Qin,

or can even take his place.

You want me to obey that scum, Yanli?

In your dreams.

In that case,

goodbye.

Go.

General, shall we release the arrows?

Follow them.

Find out where their camp is.

Yes!

Go back and tell your General

our Tegin doesn’t like his behavior.

One more step,

your head will be on the ground.

If you understand,

tie a white towel outside the cottage.

Then someone will contact you.

Who is it?

I’m Su Yishe, a warrior of Tegin Sun.

There’s critical intelligence for Great Khan.

Eagle Division.

Go!

Young Khan!

What are you doing?

Stop!

It’s my intelligence for Great Khan.

You shouldn’t read it.

Give it back to me!

Why are you alone?

Where is Sun?

Did he die before I take action?

Stop daydreaming!

Nothing wrong with him!

Let me go!

I want to see Great Khan!

Take it easy.

He’s quite busy.

Let me read it on his behalf.

[Chang’an is now closed off due to Prince Qin’s rebellion. We are heading to Youzhou and will be in touch.]

No wonder I can’t get his information.

He went to Youzhou.

I’ll give it to Great Khan.

Go back to Eagle Division as soon as possible!

Mother.

Are you doing well in Heaven?

I miss you very much.

I’ll do something important tomorrow.

I can’t predict success or failure.

But I have no other choice.

Even the Wei family has submitted to Li Shimin.

I have no one to rely on.

I can only try my luck with this tactic.

The Crown Prince’s seal belonged to Father.

I hope I can use it to join hands with Father’s old subordinates

and avenge everyone in the Eastern Palace.

But if you were alive,

you’d probably scold me for being reckless again.

Don’t worry.

I’ll take care of the Crown Prince’s seal.

I won’t let it fall into the wrong hands.

You look upset.

What are you thinking about?

Nothing.

I’m watching the moon.

Is that so?

I thought you’re upset

because you failed to enter the Governor Manor.

You’re joking.

I just passed by.

I’m just a nobody.

I dare not make friends with the Governor Manor.

Nobody?

I remember that when we met for the first time,

you were so bold and majestic.

Are you really a nobody?

A’Zhun.

You’re used to trusting no one, right?

You’ll be tired of suspecting others.

I won’t ask where you’re from.

And you don’t ask where I’m from.

Alright?

No.

Then there’s nothing to talk.

You’re so stubborn.

If you don’t want to tell me,

I won’t ask you.

Is your wound any better?

It’s nothing for a man to get hurt.

Man?

Man?

Don’t you think it’s awkward for two men like us to watch the moon together?

The moon itself is a symbol of reunion.

Seeing the moon in a foreign land,

I’ll think of my hometown.

That’s nothing strange.

I think moonlight in the Central Plains

is not better than that of the grassland.

Have you been to the grassland?

I just passed by in business.

Yes.

Merchants like you

must have been to many places

and seen a lot of beautiful scenery.

No wonder you looks down upon the moonlight in Youzhou.

Hope I can go to the grassland

and see whether the night sky there is as beautiful as you said.

You want to see the grassland?

Maybe I’ll never have such opportunities.

By the way,

what’s your business in Youzhou?

Is it hard to do?

It depends on fate.

I don’t believe fate.

I only believe human effort.

I didn’t expect that a man like you would believe in fate.

Human effort is the decisive factor?

Interesting.

You’re right.

I made a slip of the tongue.

But as a merchant,

you’re interested in horsemanship and archery

and are strong and vigorous.

Who’s your master?

I learned on my own.

I lost my parents when I was young.

I learn these skills just for survival.

You’re quite gifted.

Unlike me, I learn from...

If you’re tired,

have a rest.

No!

I can!

♪ Thoughts can turn into scars, eyes are filled with anger ♪

Stand straight!

♪ Remembering our past, trying to forget ourselves ♪

♪ The long ballad is silent, the long sword is not victorious ♪

♪ Longing to live without life ♪

♪ Why should I continue to have hope? ♪

Stand up!

Again!

♪ No delusions and no dust, there is no sign of it ♪

[Eastern Palace]

I can never repay your kindness.

I won this dagger myself.

Of course I should give it to you, Uncle.

Little Yongning, you’ve grown up.

[Memorial Tablet of Madam Jin]

One day,

I’ll kill my mother’s murderer with this dagger.

♪ The dark side of the world turns to frost ♪

♪ What if persistence disappears like fleeting glory? ♪

♪ It’s okay to forget ♪

If you’re done looking at it, give it back now.

So mean.

The way you talk sure makes you seem like a girl.

I’m done here. This is no fun.

You should eat more meat.

You’re too skinny.

None of your business.

Master, why haven’t you...

I saw nothing.

Carry on.

Thank you for accompanying me.

Master.

Why is the merchant also here?

None of your business. Go to bed.

Young Master Shisi.

In fact, the moonlight on the grassland

is not as beautiful as you think.

Your Highness.

Since you asked me to come at midnight,

What can I do for you?

Do you have any information of Changge?

Someone saw Princess Yongning

on the official road to Youzhou.

It seems that she is determined to fight me to the end.

Your Highness.

The men I sent will be in Youzhou soon.

Don’t hurt her.

You treat Princess Yongning as your own daughter.

You’ve been teaching her carefully these years.

I witness that.

And I understand your kindness.

But the Crown Prince’s seal is no ordinary item.

Great Tang’s just been established. All sorts of people are waiting to attack us.

Princess Yongning is still young.

She’s seen little of the world.

Can she really distinguish between the good and the evil

when surrounded by so many forces and deal with them properly?

If one day she is bewitched

and uses the seal to do something harmful to our country,

the consequences would be unimaginable.

Keming.

I’m tired.

You may leave now.

There are pros and cons to everything.

Your Highness knows this very well.

There is no such thing as a perfect solution.

Please be decisive when the time comes.

I’ll take my leave now.

A’ Dou.

This time,

I don’t know whether I can come back smoothly.

If I haven’t come back at dusk,

take the seal with you

and ask A’Zhun to take you away.

That merchant?

Why him?

I don’t know.

I think he’s trustworthy.

But...

It’s my order.

Hope I won’t run into you.

[Governor Manor]

[Work Hard Day and Night]

Any information from Chang’an?

Don’t worry, Governor.

Anyway, I’ll guarantee your safety.

Report!

Governor.

Someone is outside.

He said he’s your old friend.

He wants to see you.

And he asked me to give it to you.

[Eastern Palace]

Governor.

Why are you in such a panic?

He’s from Eastern Palace.

What?

[Heart of Stone]

As former subordinates of the prince,

this is your hospitality?

A coup happened in the Eastern Palace.

We’ve long been subordinated to the court.

We won’t let you behave atrociously here.

You’re a remnant of the Eastern Palace.

I advise you to surrender yourself.

I’m here to see Prince of Lujiang.

You have no right to see him.

I’m here to give him a way to survive.

Then let me hear you out first.

Youzhou is abandoned and in danger.

If he doesn’t lead the troops to fight against the rebels,

will he waiting for death to come?

This is absolute nonsense.

Wait!

Governor, be careful.

He could be a spy from the imperial court.

It seems I was right.

You’re so nervous because you’re preparing to rebel.

Right?

Since you’ve figured it out,

then I guess I’ll have to kill you.

Since you want to kill me,

Yongning will die with no pity,

Yongning?

You’re Little Yongning?

Brother Shuyu.

You may leave.

Yes.

We’re in Youzhou.

I have an idea.

Shall I first take Princess to the inn

and then meet you in the Governor Manor?

You’re the envoy from Chang’an.

It’s unsuitable for me to do that.

But I suppose what you want

is not to escort the Princess

but keeping away from me so that you can go to see that Princess.

Don’t falsely accuse me.

If I don’t escort the Princess,

are you going to escort her?

What’s wrong with that?

Since you offer to protect me,

then I order you...

to protect me at all times.

You are not to leave my side.

Do you agree, Envoy Wei?

Yes.

Since it’s the order of Princess,

then it’s decided.

By the way, write a letter to Chang’an

to tell His Highness where Princess is

so as not to make him worried.

At this time tomorrow,

we will meet at the east gate of the city.

Cut the crap.

Take away all these guards

for the sake of security.

People can easily find that they’re in the army.

If I take them,

they’ll be noticed.

Let me take you to the inn to have a rest.

But you have to ride the horse on your own.

I must stall for time.

Considering your speed, you won’t arrive at the inn till night.

I’m Princess.

You must listen to me.

Alright.

Just hang around on your own.

Go!

Hao...Hao Du!

Why don’t you wait for me?

Princess, hold on!

Or if you tumble off, I won’t take the responsibility.

Go!

Go!

God is fair. [Governor Manor]

You escaped this calamity.

It’s a pity that I can’t resist against the enemy

with Crown Prince in Chang’an.

Now, I’m left alone on this earth.

Yongning.

Knowing that you escaped misfortune,

Crown Prince can be comforted in Heaven.

Uncle.

Yongning no longer exists in this world now.

Just call me Changge.

I have committed a mortal sin.

Forget it, General Wang.

Stand up.

I heard that General Wang is alert and brave.

It turns out that he’s a tiger-like general.

Yongning.

Don’t be afraid.

Although Crown Prince died,

I’ll make sure to protect you.

Tomorrow, I’ll ask men

- to take you to... - Uncle.

I didn’t come here to seek protection

but to help you.

♫ 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