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 20

Excuse me, where’s the Weaving Workshop of Western Suburb?

I don’t know.

Thank you.

Change one.

Okay.

How about this one?

Look at this.

How’s it?

Where is Weaving Workshop of Western Suburb?

Go ahead to the end.

Turn west a few times.

You can ask there.

Take care on your way.

Want some wonton?

Try our delicious wonton.

[Weaving Workshop of Western Suburb]

Where’s Leyan?

What Leyan?

I don’t know her.

It’s urgent now.

Look carefully.

It’s an official token.

Leyan is the daughter of the newly enthroned emperor.

What?

If anything’s wrong with Princess Yongan Li Leyan,

you can’t afford it, can you?

Is Leyan really a princess?

You’ve met her?

Where’s she?

You’re not a swindler, are you?

Listen, the officials searched for her everywhere,

but failed last time.

Obviously you hid her.

I...

How about this...

I’ll call the Magistrate of Yunzhou right now.

Young Master, you should’ve come here early.

Leyan went away yesterday.

Went away?

Do you know where she’s gone?

The court is immigrating people on the frontier.

She followed them to Luoyang.

If you go after her now,

maybe you can find her.

Thanks a lot.

What?

My god.

Leyan is a princess.

Leyan is truly a princess.

Princess.

She can’t be.

We’re all doomed.

How can it be?

What can we do?

It’s over. We’re doomed.

I cursed her.

I hit her palms for several times.

Madam Chai.

We asked the Princess to do rough work,

and stay up late to embroider.

Do we have big troubles?

You’re right.

If I had known she’s a princess,

I would have given her more sesame cakes.

What can we do now?

What should we do?

[Yunzhou]

Eat it now.

Let’s go there and see it.

Hello, your lanterns look fine.

Excuse me,

who are selling wool and cloths around here?

Just a few.

There’re some stores ahead.

They’re together.

I don’t mean stores.

It’s a girl with a basket on her back selling cloths.

She was here yesterday.

I know her.

A girl selling cloths stole a pouch

and was caught by the owner.

Do you know where’s she now?

Those who selling cloths are from

the Weaving Workshop of Western Suburb.

You can go there and ask.

Thanks a lot.

You’re welcome.

Hao Du.

Why is he in Yunzhou too?

Leyan.

Madam Chai.

Madam Chai, another one for Leyan.

You’re here for the princess too, right?

How do you know she’s...

Just now a guy came here for Princess Leyan.

She’s gone with the team to the south yesterday.

Sure enough Hao Du’s here for Leyan.

She’s just left.

If you go after her right now, you can meet her definitely.

Leyan must have suffered a lot.

I thought I could meet her and give it back to her.

Why do you have this pouch?

Leyan lost this pouch yesterday.

She said it’s a gift from her best friend

then cried for a long time.

We comforted her for a long time.

What’s wrong?

Don’t be sad.

Leyan didn’t suffer a lot here.

Yes.

We’re good to her.

She helped us embroider and made good money.

She had enough money to Luoyang.

She’s a princess.

She’s blessed. She’ll be fine.

Don’t worry about her.

- Yes. - She’ll be okay.

That’s good.

Hang on.

Come on, keep up.

Why is nobody here?

Go.

Why is the stable empty?

Where is A’Sun?

Why is there only you here?

You don’t report before going into Sun’s tent now, do you?

Tell me where he is.

He’s gone to Khan’s Tent.

Khan’s Tent?

You think I’m a 3-year-old kid?

He didn’t need to go there with a half of the troops.

Every time Great Khan summons him,

he always brings this many soldiers.

Yanli is paranoid.

How can he allow Sun to take so many soldiers there?

Not to mention they’re all elites.

Tell me the truth.

Is anything wrong?

No, nothing happened.

I just put these in order.

I told you nothing happened.

Are all the people from the Central Plain paranoid like you?

Jingzhou.

Luo Yi’s Tianjie Army stations there.

What’s the meaning of these lines?

They mean nothing.

[Jingzhou]

Luo Yi’s Tianjie Army failed.

How can he fail?

Changge, don’t be paranoid.

Luo Yi failed.

The north gate of Great Tang are widely open.

Then Ashile Tribe will lead a large number of troops and flood in...

Chang’an.

Changge, what are you going to do?

Changge.

They said you came from Yunzhou.

Where’s Changge’s dagger?

Mimi.

Mimi.

It’s cold at night.

Put it on.

What happened?

Tegin Sun is gone.

Changge sneaked out too.

Where did they go?

I guess she thought the life here was too hard.

She just ran away while Sun’s out.

Changge is not such a person.

Just joking.

Don’t worry.

She won’t suffer with her character.

I can guess where she went.

What do you mean?

She’s chasing Sun.

It’s due to my inattention.

I forgot to put away the maps in Sun’s tent.

Get to the point.

The point is the order from Khan’s Tent.

Sun has to march to the south.

South.

Another attack?

This time is different.

Luo Yi, Jingzhou’s general, rebelled and was defeated by Great Tang.

They lost Jingzhou,

so Great Khan marched to the south.

He has reached the central region of Great Tang.

That means...

Your Majesty, Yuchi Jingde pays respect to you.

Rise.

Duke Fang, Duke Du. [Yuchi Jingde]

General Yuchi.

Give today’s military intelligence to General Yuchi.

Ashile Tribe has marched to Jingzhou.

Two forces in Wugong are going to Gaoling.

They will arrive in two days.

How about our reinforcements from other cities?

It’s too late.

Great Tang has just established.

You know clearly how many troops we have.

I ask all of you here to consult with me in a discussion.

In your opinion,

what’s the target of Yanli this time?

We’ve lost Jingzhou and almost lost Gaoling.

If he continues,

he is targeting at...

He wants Chang’an?

Chang’an is the foundation of Great Tang.

We must defend it.

If we can stop him in Gaoling,

we may buy some time for relief troops.

Your Majesty, let me go to fight in Gaoling.

No.

How about making the door wider open for him?

Does Your Majesty want to

move the decisive battlefield to Jingyang?

They’re good at horseback and archery, like direct tactics.

They have invincible cavalry.

Jingyang is encircled by three mountains.

With complicated terrain, it’s a natural cover for defense.

We can use its strengths and avoid its drawbacks.

Yuchi Jingde.

I’m here.

Now I order you as the Commander of the Jingzhou force.

Go with 50,000 soldiers today.

I want you to keep Ashile Tribe at bay and delay it.

You can only succeed, not fail.

As Your Majesty wish.

Once the war starts,

the counties at the border will suffer a lot.

How’s the south immigration of northern people?

Your Majesty,

the order has been given.

In a few days,

hundreds of groups have been gathered and started off.

Instead of winning the war with Ashile Tribe,

I’d rather not start it from the very beginning.

Great Tang can’t afford the cost.

People can’t bear the torment of war.

Let’s take a rest.

Take a rest.

Okay.

Watch your step.

Sit here.

Water.

Thank you, Mother.

Do you have water?

It’s my cake.

Stop.

You stop now.

Hey you.

Stop.

Stop now.

Stop...

Listen...

I’ve eaten your cake.

I’ll never vomit it for you.

It’s you again.

The last time I gave a cake to you, you stole my money.

Now you steal my cake again.

You...

Are you full?

I have more if you’re hungry.

Are...are you a fool?

You know it now.

Liar.

This is why I didn’t tell you.

I don’t want you to get involved.

I’m a slave of Eagle Division,

but I’m also a part of Great Tang.

In my vein flows the blood of Great Tang.

How can I be not involved?

You followed me

because you want to investigate the army’s route

and send it to Great Tang.

Am I right?

Yes.

Now it is not in my power.

Even if I stopped Eagle Division,

there are still other forces.

Even if I stopped you once,

there will still be the next time.

But if you want me to stay out of it,

it’s better to kill me directly.

I told you,

your life belongs to me.

Ashile Sun.

Eagle Division lives a good life in grassland.

Why must you become a part of it?

Later.

If you just wait a little longer,

you won’t have to fight against Great Tang anymore.

Besides Eagle Division,

Great Khan dispatched 100,000 troops.

This battle can’t be stopped.

Su Yishe.

Take him to Eagle Division.

But...

Go back now.

Stop messing around.

If you do anything against Great Tang,

I won’t forgive you.

Ashile Sun.

Don’t force me to meet you on the battleground.

Tie him up now.

Take him to Eagle Division.

Yes.

Military Counselor, I’m sorry.

Go with me.

Don’t give me a hard time.

Nu’er, Yaro.

My order, speed up.

Yes.

Give me that.

I...

You? Me?

Take it back if you can.

Listen,

if you have other food,

give me first, remember?

You bastard.

Why didn’t you scold him like what you did to me?

I...

Useless.

I’m not a disloyal man.

Young boy.

Why are you always acting like an old man?

I say it again.

I’m not a boy.

At least I can protect food in my hand.

Much better than you, trembling in fear every day.

I don’t know what you’re afraid of?

If you’re bullied,

fight back.

I don’t know how to fight.

Bite, kick, grab, scratch, whatever works.

Where are you going?

Luoyang.

You?

I...I don’t know.

Everywhere is okay.

Where are your mom and dad?

They...

they died early.

I even don’t remember how they look like and where they died.

What?

Do you want to be my friend?

You?

You’re not good enough.

It smells good.

Here you are.

You’re not happy, are you?

I’m not happy too.

I have to take you back,

so I can’t fight with Tegin.

Fighting is for protecting people, not for bullying others.

Su Yishe.

how about untying me?

I’m the same as you guys from Eagle Division.

I need to protect my family, friends.

No.

I promised Ashile Sun to take you back to Eagle Division.

Don’t be so pious.

Listen to me first.

If you untie me,

you can tell him I ran away.

You failed to avoid me.

He won’t blame you.

Su Yishe.

Su Yishe, consider it carefully.

I’m deaf.

You...

You have a really glib tongue.

Su Yishe.

I won’t listen.

Come here.

No, no, no.

Take your hands down.

No, no, no.

Su Yishe, I’m hungry.

Not a word, no.

Su Yishe, I’m hungry.

I’m hungry.

Here you are.

How can I eat it with my hands tied?

Untie me.

I’ll eat with my hands.

No.

Once I untie you,

you will run away.

I’m not foolish.

But I’m hungry.

How about me tearing it up and feeding you?

In any case, I can’t understand your big words.

So don’t try to play tricks.

I only know it won’t be wrong to follow Tegin Sun’s words.

Hurry up.

Eat it and have a rest.

We have a long way to go tomorrow.

I’m sorry, Su Yishe.

I must go back.

[Jingyang]

Your Majesty. [Jingyang]

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

What’s going on?

Eagle Division is extremely good at using military tactics.

They are wearing out Yuchi’s soldiers one by one.

Eagle Division is not easy to deal with.

Yuchi’s soldiers was exhausted because of their attacks.

Their main force seized a chance and went across Jingyang.

They’ll arrive at Wei River at dusk.

I heard Eagle Division was exceptional,

but didn’t expect them to be this good at fighting.

No wonder Yanli Khan was so bold.

He even sent Envoy Shixin Sili here.

He has submitted the paper and is waiting outside.

At a time like this, he still sent someone to the palace?

Does he really want to negotiate or something?

He’s here to probe the situation in Chang’an.

Your Majesty, how should we deal with the envoy’s visit?

Arrest him.

Strange.

Why aren’t the Tang Army guarding the Wei River?

It’s just 40 miles to Chang’an.

Even if Li Shimin were a 3-year-old boy,

he should know it’s time to beg for mercy and flee for his life.

I think he just wants to abandon the city and escape.

He’s surrendering without even fighting.

We’d better speed up and across the river

before they are still off guard.

We’ll be able to set up camp in Chang’an tomorrow.

A’Sun, what do you think?

Our troops have already gotten this far.

There’s no need to rush.

It’s better to be careful.

Report.

Report.

Great Khan.

Why are you panicking?

Why are you back alone?

What happened?

Uncle Khan.

Shixin Sili has been detained by Great Tang.

What?

They must have a death wish.

If we can’t conquer Chang’an today,

it’ll be a humiliation to my Ashile Tribe.

The envoys of two armies at war are usually not harmed.

Yet, Tang Dynasty detained Shixin Sili.

There must be a reason behind this. Please think about this carefully, Father.

Pass my order.

Stop and camp here.

Yes.

Stop and camp here.

Uncle Khan, why did you stop?

It’s a trap.

Fang Yi.

Why is he here?

[Wei River, Chang’an]

Our main army has already arrived here.

We’ve exhausted a lot of our strength along this way.

Are we retreating now?

Father Khan.

We don’t know the number of the Tang Army yet.

If we attack now, I’m afraid it’s not the right move.

I agree.

I’d like to try it for Uncle Khan.

Maybe we can get it in one hit.

Wolf Division alone can’t do that.

A’Sun.

Go with him.

Gather our soldiers now and attack the Tang camp in the night.

I want to see just how capable the Tang Army is.

Yes.

Changge should have returned to Eagle Division by now.

Tegin.

Tegin.

Su Yishe.

Why are you here?

I ruined everything.

Where is Changge?

He’s fine.

But I fell into his trap by mistake.

We just traveled for half a day

and I fell into his snare.

He ran away.

Forget it.

Su Yishe.

Take a rest.

Then fight with me.

Yes.

If you do anything against Great Tang,

I won’t forgive you.

Ashile Sun.

Don’t force me to meet you on the battleground.

Who’s that?

Princess Yongning.

Changge.

It’s you.

Fang Yi.

Bring her to the tent.

Your Majesty.

Fang Yi.

Go out now.

Yes.

From Hao Du, you’ve been executed on the Central Plain.

Seeing I’m alive standing here,

you’re disappointed.

Since you ran away from Chang’an,

I tried my best to find you.

You have no idea.

You have no idea how worried I was about you.

You’re just worried that I’ll stir up trouble

and get in your way of ascending the throne.

That’s why you wanted to find me and eagerly get rid of me, right?

I worried that you would do something to harm Great Tang.

I waited for your news everyday,

but was afraid of bad news.

Hao Du sent a message

saying you died to relieve the crisis of Shuozhou.

Do you know how much I...

Good.

It’s good that you’re alive.

Changge.

You suffered a lot in Shuozhou.

I return what you want.

Don’t be so pretentious.

Compared to Governor Gongsun,

compared to people in Shuozhou,

my suffering means nothing.

But you hide in Chang’an in comfort.

How much do you know about their pain?

Knowing we lost Shuozhou

and the sacrifice of you and Gongsun Heng,

I couldn’t sleep for nights.

So why did you abandon Shuozhou?

Why?

I never abandon an inch and anyone of Great Tang.

Shuozhou is located in the border.

We lost Bingzhou and Daizhou,

so couldn’t get the news of losing Shuozhou.

When I knew it, it’s too late.

Even if you had known it,

you wouldn’t have made every effort to help.

After all, in your eyes,

Shuozhou is only a dispensable borderland.

You’re right.

Even if I knew Shuozhou was sieged,

I couldn’t have sent many troops to help you.

You’re still so heartless.

I once taught you the principles of attack and defense

in strong and weak positions?

Do you still remember?

When we’re weaker,

you have to take a step back in order to survive.

Now Great Tang was just established.

Our military power is very weak.

Yanli knew it and is taking advantage of it.

He divided up his troops to attack our frontiers.

Then he would have the chance to strike

while my attention is diverted.

I didn’t fall for it,

but Tianjie Army rose in revolt in Jingzhou and was defeated.

Because of that, he found an opening.

What nonsense are you talking about?

Now Great Tang has several times of troops more than Ashile Tribe.

We have the upper hand.

Now you’re telling me what saving power and survival?

[Jingyang]

[Jingyang]

How can it be?

Why is there such a big difference in the numbers of our warriors?

There’re only 40,000 troops left in Chang’an.

All of them have encamped along the Wei River now.

A vast spread of barracks you can see are all empty.

There is nothing in Chang’an that they can rely on.

The main army is fake.

Outnumbering them is also fake.

You’re putting up a false front.

From the looks of it now,

we were able to intimidate the Ashina Tribe for now.

You’re insane.

Once the soldiers find out there are no reinforcements, their morale will start to slump.

I can’t imagine the consequences.

How can you...

That’s why I must be here.

I’ll identify myself to stabilize the condition

when it’s necessary.

But with such a small force,

how can they defend against Ashile Tribe?

How can you save the country?

Changge.

I also taught you this saying.

“Keep going even if you know it’s impossible.”

“Even if millions of people are against me,”

“I must keep going forward.”

Night attack.

Night attack.

Your Majesty.

Ashile Tribe attacked us suddenly.

Your Majesty.

You’re still alive.

Shuyu, perfect timing.

Send Changge out here now.

Fang Yi, prepare horses.

Your Majesty, horses are ready.

We’d guard Your Majesty away at once.

No.

Follow my lead

to face the attack of the Ashile cavalry.

Are you personally going to battle?

Send out my orders.

Raise the dragon flag and light the torch.

We must let Ashile troops know I’m here.

Yes.

If the Tang Emperor is captured on the battlefield,

that will be the end of Great Tang.

We’re facing an existential crisis.

If we show weakness and simply defends,

the truth would be exposed.

I must show myself.

Only in this way could Ashile Tribe believe

Tang Army is confident in winning.

Don’t worry.

I’m always lucky.

Shuyu.

You must take Changge to a safe place.

Yes.

Go.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, please don’t go.

Please don’t go to war.

Now you two seem to be on the same page for once.

Let go.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

The situation is still under control right now.

Please reconsider it and find another way.

I’m the Tang Emperor.

I’m also a part of Great Tang.

Protecting my country is a responsibility I must fulfill, even if it means dying a thousand times.

This battle is not looking good.

I must go to the front line

in order to boost the morale of the army

and minimize the number of casualties.

I spent half of my life on the battlefield and never feared any battle.

Now Yanli’s troops have come to fight with no reinforcements.

He must be afraid now.

When they see me personally leading the army, they’ll panic even more.

This is the only way we’ll fight them off.

Just wait and see.

Let go.

Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, be careful.

Attack.

Fight.

Let go of me, Wei Shuyu.

I won’t let you go in any case.

Do you think you can hold me back?

I’ll try my best.

I can’t put you in danger again.

You’re ridiculous.

All this time, who was the one putting me in danger?

You haven’t changed at all.

Just like before, you’re still a self-righteous young master.

I know you won’t believe me no matter what I say.

But you met His Majesty now,

you know he didn’t intend to kill you.

We still have time.

Go to Chang’an with me.

Enough.

From the day the Eastern Palace was exterminated,

nothing can return to the past.

We can’t go back as well.

There’s no need to talk about this further.

I don’t need you to take care of me.

It was like that before

and it’s the same now.

Changge.

Changge.

There’s a war outside.

Where are you going?

It’s none of your business.

Out of the way.

Go.

Look, Great Khan.

It’s Li Shimin.

The Tang Emperor came here in person.

It’s strange.

It can’t be...

Hail Great Tang.

Hail Great Tang.

Hail Great Tang.

Hail Great Tang.

Hail Great Tang.

Hail Great Tang.

Hail Great Tang.

Hail Great Tang.

You traveled a long way here.

Won’t you go ahead, Khan?

Li Shimin.

Don’t go too far.

Who’s the bully here?

Ashile Tribe and Great Tang made a promise to be allies.

You broke the promise first and led your troops into our territory.

Is this how you treat your allies?

I come here alone only to tell you

I don’t like war.

But I’m not afraid of war either.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers gather on Wei River shore.

I don’t want the blood of soldiers to flow into the river.

I’m much less willing to see the warriors from grassland die here.

We’re the warriors from grassland.

We fight for faith and are not afraid of death.

If you insists on fighting,

along the Wei River tonight

we won’t withdraw from the battle.

♫ 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