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 10

Customer, this way.

Looks like you’re tired from your travels.

You aren’t from here, are you?

No.

Then you’re about to taste the local Youyu Smoked Chicken.

But I haven’t placed my order.

It’s a rule made by our boss.

Anyone from out of town

will have our Youyu Smoked Chicken for free.

As a welcome gift.

Waiter, let me ask you something.

Shuozhou City is located on the border and rather isolated.

It should be desolate.

Why is it so full of peace and prosperity,

even the beggars are treated with such care and kindness?

Customer, you might not know this.

With the endless wars,

we are able to live a peaceful life

only because we have a remarkable governor here.

Governor Gongsun Heng.

Waiter!

One more bottle of wine and some dishes.

Yes, sir!

Gongsun Heng.

No wonder even the children were imitating him.

He’s really respected by the folks.

Customer, please enjoy it.

Waiter.

Could you tell me more about this Governor Gongsun?

Well, Governor Gongsun of Shuozhou

has been here since the Sui Dynasty.

Over the years, he has managed to equip the city with

tall and solid walls,

and strong solders and horses.

So the Hu people cannot take any advantage of us.

He also encourages land reclamation,

attracting many people to settle here.

Among the nearby cities, Shuozhuo is the most populous.

Our boss makes it a rule to

send customers from out of town a free Youyu Smoked Chicken.

We can afford the chicken,

but can’t afford to make Governor Gongsun lose his face.

Isn’t that right?

Waiter!

I’ll go back to work.

Call me if you need anything.

Customer, this way please.

Any empty seats?

So the legendary governor is a Sui official.

Nothing like a war repulses people of his kind.

What should I do to persuade him

to help me start a war?

A’Dou?

Master, it’s really you!

I thought I saw someone like you just now.

So I followed you here.

Well, then this is our destiny.

Hungry?

Come on.

Let’s go have something nice.

Okay.

I always know you’re the living Buddha in my life.

You give me everything.

By the way, Master,

are we going to meet the local magistrate now?

Like that time in Youzhou,

reasoning with him to help us.

Youzhou is the city where my father has devoted most energy,

yet the governor is not completely loyal.

Gongsun Heng is an official from the Sui Dynasty.

Why would he want to help us?

No one is worth trusting in the world anymore.

Master, how about A’Dou?

Is A’Dou worth trusting?

You are.

A’Dou,

I feel like I’ve matured a lot these days.

Not trusting anybody

is more bitter than being cheated.

Master, I don’t understand.

It’s better that you never do.

Come on, let’s go have something nice.

After that,

we’ll go to the most impoverished place in Shuozhou.

First lesson.

Obtaining intelligence.

Tegin is back.

Tegin! Tegin!

Sun!

Tegin! Tegin!

Sun, you’re back.

You are hurt?

Long story.

She’er, that brat.

He even dares to kill you now.

If I died in the territory of Great Tang,

he wouldn’t have to be responsible for it.

If I were him,

I would have taken the opportunity too.

We did take a risky move.

But what if he reports this to Great Khan?

He won’t.

I know him well.

There’s no way he would tell on me,

and admit his failure.

If you want something,

you have to face its consequence.

Who bandaged this?

It’s a total mess.

Any other person might have died of this already.

Why are you smiling?

Nothing.

Something you’re not telling me?

Stay away from me.

Did a girl from Great Tang bandage you?

Tegin, Tu Kashe is here.

He’s at the gate of the camp.

What’s the head of the Bear Division doing here?

The time has come.

I need to report...

Sun!

So you’re still breathing.

I’m very glad.

Your eyes are hurt?

Get to the point.

Put away that attitude.

You think I want to be here?

The Great Khan sent my Bear Division here

to go to Shuozhou with you.

To save you from future defeat.

Anything else?

Yes.

Military order from Khan.

The Great Khan puts the Bear Division in charge.

We’ll take full charge of this task.

This means

that every move of everybody of the Eagle Division

will be reported to me.

Well, reciprocity is a basic rule of social interaction.

Will you report what’s going on with the Bear Division to us?

Not according to that.

You may leave.

Where were we just now?

Baruch said he could draw a bow now,

and wanted to join next year’s hunting.

Kelsang wants to learn riding and shooting,

but her mother says no.

which is fair.

Girls don’t learn such things.

I’ll go talk to her mother.

Tell her I allow it.

You do?

Enough.

I’m leaving.

Wait and see.

It seems someone is saying things to the Great Khan again.

Tu Kashe never likes or obeys you.

Instead of helping us,

he’s taking our credit.

It’s a no-brainer to figure out who is behind this.

If one failure could hold him back,

he was not She’er.

By the way,

you said you’ll allow girls to learn riding and shooting?

Yes.

I allow it.

[Governor Manor]

Senior Qin, Ashile Tribe is heading towards here

with great armies.

If I place armies at the northwest and northeast outside,

to support the defense within,

what do you say?

It’s an ingenious stroke.

Ashile Tribe is doomed this time.

[Gongsun Heng]

Although Shuozhou is easy to hold and hard to attack,

without the reinforcements of Daizhou and Bingzhou

to solidify the whole defense system,

I’m afraid there’s nothing more I can do.

Governor, bad news.

What is it?

On the way to the temple, Madam and Yuan Niang were attacked

by the bandits.

What?

Along the road, we found the damaged carriage

and the carter’s body.

What...

Get up.

Where are Madam and Yuan Niang now?

We didn’t find them.

Didn’t find them?

Those bandits!

At this critical time...

Tell everybody to get ready.

We’ll go and annihilate the bandits.

And get Madam and Yuan Niang back.

Yes.

Husband.

Madam.

Madam, are you okay?

Yuan Niang and I are both fine.

Thanks to two young men,

we were able to be spared the disaster.

Two young men?

Yuan Niang, are you okay?

Good girl, how are you?

Father, I’m all right.

You’re all right?

That’s my girl.

Husband.

They are our lifesavers.

Thanks for saving my families.

I’ll do everything to return the favor.

I’m Li Shisi.

This is my little brother A’Dou.

It happened so quickly.

I had no choice but to trick Madam into running away.

Trick?

Such being the case,

please come in and tell us more.

A’Dou and I have drifted all the way here from Longxi.

We stopped for a rest in the wood.

He was so tired that he fell into sleep.

As I was going to wake him up to hit the road,

I heard several bandits talking nearby.

A’Dou.

A’Dou.

Wake up, time to go.

Come on.

Someone’s here.

I’m sure Gongsun Heng’s daughter is sick.

His wife will pass here tomorrow on her way to the temple.

We must rob her of everything.

That bastard Gongsun has burned all our bridges.

There’s nowhere we can be now.

I’m kind enough to spare the life of his wife.

Let’s go get prepared.

Then how did you save my wife and daughter?

A’Dou and I thought about it for a while.

We couldn’t confront the bandits face to face,

or report it to you in a timely manner.

Thus, we could only trick Madam.

They’re here.

Ready.

Let’s go.

Come on!

Out of the way.

Out of the way.

Out of the way.

- Out of the way. - Stop.

Stop.

Would you like a ride?

Thanks, Madam.

My little brother has been sick for half a month.

The monks in the temple told me

I needed to walk to the temple to show my sincerity.

I couldn’t stand him to be tortured like this,

but I had no choice.

Is that true?

Of course it is.

Go wait me outside the temple.

I’ll walk there with them.

Madam, but...

We have seen every doctor in town,

but Yuan Niang couldn’t stop coughing.

I’m going to ask for the Buddha’s help.

This young man has a point.

Walking there by myself shows devoutness.

Go.

Yes, Madam.

Madam, may I carry her?

I’d hate to trouble you.

I’m very strong.

Come here.

I got you.

Come on.

We’ll go together.

Thanks, Madam.

The only reason I managed to trick Madam

was Yuan Niang.

Because in the world,

every mother would sacrifice herself for her kid.

You saved our lives.

I can never pay you back.

Madam, you’re welcome.

My mother is just like you.

She would do anything for me.

That’s true.

Had it been a different excuse,

I don’t know if I would have got off.

But it’s a shame that

it cost the carter’s life.

It was my fault.

The carter getting killed

was not expected by me.

It was those bandits’ fault.

They are merciless.

Let it go.

You’ve done a good job.

Senior Qin, spread my command.

Hold a grand funeral for the carter.

And take good care of his families.

Yes.

You are indeed a young hero.

But I was wondering

was it really a coincidence?

Governor, we had no one but each other since little,

with no parents.

After many life-or-death moments, death no longer scares me.

If I could save Madam by myself,

it is a great honor.

What’s more,

I’ve heard about your good reputation of fairness.

I knew you would surely reward us.

So...

So you saved my wife and daughter

in order to get reward from me?

Yes.

I admit I did it partly for myself.

But that’s only because I want to work for a beneficent master.

You think because you saved my wife and Yuan’er,

I would let you stay here and work for me?

Governor, my father was a surrendering Sui general,

who died a mediocre man.

When breathing his last breath,

he asked me to achieve success at the border.

Me saving Madam and Yuan’er is not merely a coincidence.

Isn’t it also the will of Heaven that I should work for you?

You are very eloquent.

Please get up.

Husband, Young Master Shisi is the son of a Sui general,

and the life-saver of me and Yuan’er.

I guess it is the will of Heaven to some extent.

Since they’re homeless,

how about...

Thanks, Madam.

You two did save Madam and Yuan’er,

how could I expel you?

Since you’re willing to stay here,

you may live in the guestroom in the backyard for now.

As for further arrangements,

we’ll talk later.

Thank you, Governor.

I haven’t slept in such a comfortable bed in ages.

Master, so we’ve succeeded?

Being a wife-and-daughter-loving man,

Gongsun Heng will treat us nicely.

But as to earn his trust,

it is not that easy.

Then why did he let us stay here?

All because of Madam.

Well, so he still doubts our story?

At least he doesn’t trust us.

You can never judge people by what they tell you.

He’s aware of it.

But still, after today’s success,

the first step of our plan is completed.

Next step is to earn Gongsun Heng’s trust,

control his army,

and mobilize...

Never speak out the inner secret.

[Protect the Country and Pacify the People]

What’s your opinion?

The young men saved Madam and Yuan Niang.

That alone...

They’ve gotten your weakness right away.

They are smart,

as well as brave.

However, they’re also somewhat cunning.

Governor, please rest assured.

I’ll keep an eye on them.

Now is a time of great uncertainty.

War is imminent.

We really need some talents.

If they are really what they claimed to be,

only here for fame and glory.

That’s a good thing.

Still, we can’t risk letting our guard down.

Such being the case,

we’ll stay put and see how it develops.

Don’t worry about the affairs of the governor’s residence.

I’ll do my best here.

Isn’t this Tegin Sun?

What do you want?

I’m here with a question.

Shuozhou is right before us.

When do you plan to attack it?

To attack it or not,

and when to attack,

I have my considerations.

It’s nothing but a tiny city.

How much longer do you have to consider?

Are you scared?

It is the same tiny city

that Shule Khan failed to get.

You’re welcome to have a try.

Shule Khan failed because he had no able generals.

Now you have me.

Cities more solid than this,

I have broken into numerous.

If we fail this time,

will the Bear Division take full responsibility?

How do you know we will fail?

We haven’t started yet.

And why should we take full responsibility?

The Bear Division will be leading this attack.

As long as the Eagle Division cooperate with us,

we will surely not fail.

I’m looking forward to it.

Good.

Get two sets of Central Plain’s clothes ready.

You want to go to Shuozhou?

Know the enemy,

and you can win all battles.

[Governor Manor]

Good girl.

Do you want a hug?

Yuan Niang!

Let’s go back.

I want Older Brother.

Older Brother.

Madam has made you yummy cakes.

Older Brother.

What’s going on?

They’re clearly keeping their distance from us.

That’s understandable.

Let’s go take a walk.

Maybe we’ll find something new.

Are we going to the bandits for more intelligence?

Don’t speak of it ever again.

Governor, in the fields east of the city,

several households are arguing for the land distribution.

They want to see you.

Such a trifle shouldn’t disturb the governor.

It’s no trifle.

Divide and register all the lands in the city,

distribute them according to the number of adult men.

The government will keep the rest for now.

After the teen boys reach manhood,

they can claim their share.

How do you like it?

Follow his words.

Yes.

Good morning.

You know government affairs?

Not very much.

When did you learn it?

My father was a low-rank magistrate.

I learned it from him.

Okay, let me quiz you.

Within the city,

some merchants are dealing with Hu people in secret.

How do you think of this?

Doing business with the foreign state,

each taking what he wants.

It’s good for the economy,

which shouldn’t be banned completely.

The kinds and quantity of goods to be traded should be specified.

Control the big picture,

don’t be obsessed with minor details.

Adjust specific measures based on the reality.

If I didn’t hear it myself,

I wouldn’t believe this is your own idea.

I’m flattered.

I can never be compared with you.

Where are you heading to?

A’Dou and I have never been to Shuozhou before.

We’d like to take a walk.

See something new.

Learn some local customs.

Sounds good.

Enjoy yourselves.

Yes.

Did you hear it?

Yes.

Well?

Governor always treasures talents.

They must be what you’re looking for.

Indeed.

If every official here were like him,

things would be much easier for me.

Senior Qin.

Follow them.

Yes.

Your Highness,

you can’t be too merciful this time.

Duke Du.

Crown Princess Consort made some plum pastries.

Would you like one?

The minute Wei Zheng reached Cizhou,

he met Li Zhian, who used to work for Li Jiancheng.

And Li Sixing, guard of Li Yuanji, who was to be escorted to Chang’an.

Wei set them free on the spot,

who ran away and disappeared.

This whole thing is outrageous.

Your Highness, please call back Wei Zheng,

and punish him duly.

Duke Du, are you sure?

If I remember it correctly,

it was you who incited him onto this trip.

I intended him to calm things down in Hebei,

not to set prisoners along the way,

let alone officers who can command armies.

It’s okay.

Your Highness...

Mr. Wei reminds me of someone.

There’s another genius like Advisor Wei?

Your Highness, do tell me.

A Qi man from the Warring States period, Feng Xuan.

That’s right.

He canceled people’s debt to get their respect.

He’s indeed an extraordinary person.

Feng Xuan only took the liberty to burn IOU notes,

while Advisor Wei set free warriors who can fight.

Tell the Secretariat to draw an order.

Before June 4th,

what concerns Eastern Palace and Prince Qi,

and what concerns Li Yuan before the 17th,

that no one should punish Wei Zheng.

Any offenders will be punished.

Your Highness, please think twice.

If even reporting is forbidden,

then Wei’s gang will be even more brazen.

Wei Zheng might find this encouraging.

He might even release Wang Junkuo.

Take a look.

“I can’t be selfish. I have to think of the nation.”

“It’s a great honor to work for Your Highness.”

“I have to repay your kindness and contribute to this country.”

Nauseating.

As for Wang Junkuo,

send a capable team to escort him here.

Do keep a low profile.

Don’t treat him like a guilty man.

Just tell people he’s coming here by my order.

I’ll do it right away.

Duke Fang,

any news of Leyan?

Do you think Heaven is punishing me?

I’ve already lost Changge.

Does it want to take Yan’er away from me too?

Your Highness, please don’t worry.

Princess Yongan and Princess Yongning

are blessed by the Heaven.

They will come back safe and sound.

I’ll send more people to look for them.

So you’re a smart girl.

Elder Hai.

Look, I got you some liquor.

Wonderful.

The roast chicken is really great.

Have a smell.

Good?

Yeah, it’s good.

Here, let me wait on you.

It’s quality liquor.

Nice.

Here, Uncle Mazi.

Bottoms up.

Okay.

- More? - Fill it up for him.

Cheers.

One more.

Here you go.

Bottoms up.

Leyan.

Are you going to run away?

They will kill you if they get you again.

I finally got them drunk.

This is my only shot.

It’s highly possible that

they’ll disable me to beg money for them tomorrow.

If you want to stay here,

don’t blame me in the future.

But...

I’ll go with you.

Now that’s my best friend.

Careful.

Susu, they’ve locked the door.

How do we get out?

Come here.

See that hole over there?

But it’s too high for us to reach.

I think we can.

There are two of us.

You’re right, Leyan.

I’ll go first.

Help me out of here,

and I’ll come back for you.

Okay.

Leyan, keep quiet.

Mazi is sleeping right here.

Wait here for a while.

I’ll be back soon.

But...

Susu.

They have been wandering the streets all day,

without a destination.

They bought some food for the beggars,

in the name of Governor Gongsun.

Nothing suspicious.

People are grateful of the governor.

Enough.

Stop following them.

They’ve spotted you.

Go have a rest.

Don’t bother to monitor them ever.

Yes.

- Senior Qin. - Senior Qin.

You’re back.

How do you like Shuozhou?

It’s good.

We walked around the city today.

There are nice food and amusements here.

I’m glad to hear it.

There’s an intelligence from Chang’an.

I need to report to the Governor.

Excuse me.

Come to me if you need anything.

See you, Senior Qin.

News from Chang’an?

Yes.

Well...

Let’s go inside.

If Li Shimin wants to make a big scene searching for us,

he would have done it much earlier.

No need to wait until now.

I’m afraid it’s something more horrible.

Bayegu Tribe and Luo Tribe have besieged Wucheng.

The army led by Cheng Zhijie and Li Shiji

has been fighting with them for months.

Yanli actually distracts so many Tang troops?

Could it be...

What a wild ambition.

Excellent martial arts.

You must be no ordinary guy.

This manor is no ordinary place,

even the butler is a martial arts master.

Did the Governor send you?

You’re wrong.

My master always trusts those he decides to employ.

But if I trusted you too,

you wouldn’t be here late of the night.

You’re not from Longxi, are you?

I used to live there for a long time.

I’m too familiar with the Longxi accent.

Although you did a good job imitating it,

there’s difference.

Who on earth are you?

I leaked the information on purpose.

So you want to know the intelligence from Chang’an.

Are you a spy of the North?

A pawn of the Military Governor

or from Chang’an?

So you work for the emperor.

Are you here to take back the Governor’s military power?

The emperor is intimidated by the Governor’s power.

But you should understand that

the reason Shuozhou can survive

is not because of the protection of Chang’an.

You may go see by yourself the life of Shuozhou people,

and compare it with that of people in other northern cities.

To lead the people such a happy life on the border

is by no means an easy job.

Please don’t worry.

I’m not sent by the emperor.

I’m only here to find some place to stay.

I only said I’m from Longxi to relate with the Governor,

so that he would let me stay.

Sorry that I lied.

I’m not interested in your past,

nor do I care about your purpose.

As long as you don’t hurt the Gongsuns,

I won’t come after you.

You’re a smart fellow.

You better behave yourself.

No, they know Susu has run away.

Don’t be scared.

You’re a good girl.

We won’t do that to you.

I came to you

to discuss something with you.

I’m all ears.

I’ve been thinking these days.

If you don’t mind,

how about working here as a registrar?

A’Dou can work as your assistant.

What’s wrong?

You feel underemployed?

No.

I...thank you, Governor.

You’re welcome.

This is my personal imperial guard, Xu Feng.

Imperial Guard Xu.

Registrar Li.

Good.

The Military Governor has invited me to his place.

I’ll see you later.

The Governor admires your talent.

And we really need some talents now,

so I’ll let what happened last night go.

However, do keep in mind.

As long as you don’t hurt the Gongsuns,

I won’t come after you.

Senior Qin, don’t worry.

I’ll do my best to work for the Governor.

♫ 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