01x10 - Episode 10

[bunniefuu]

♪Trapped in this tiny world♪

♪I'm crushed into dust♪

♪I meddle around without any mercy♪

♪I'm my own pawn♪

♪I sigh at my fate♪

♪Numerous people are under my control♪

♪All the sand is washed away♪

♪An old dream fades♪

♪A bumpy path lies ahead♪

♪Traps within traps,
I never make mistakes♪

♪I take a risk at every step♪

♪Even in disputes,
I break through with my life♪

♪Schemes within schemes,
I prison myself♪

♪Each link swaps bluff and truth♪

♪The world is my Weiqi game board♪

♪Everything's just fleeting♪

♪The play begins♪

♪No return is expected♪

♪The flame is gone,
whether we win or lose♪

♪The wind never ceases.
I hold the reins♪

[Ashes To Crown]

[Adapted from Xixing's novel,
Empress of the State of Chu]

[Episode 10]

They came well-prepared.

They mean to trap us like rats.

Report!

Report!

The Northern Desert has stationed


And at the East, West, and South Gates,



Not many.

Seriously?

Wangcheng has only 500 garrison troops.

How can we defeat 3,000 elite troops

from the Northern Desert?

The battle hasn't even begun.

Stop spoiling the morale.

Do you think the 300 soldiers

I brought along are good for nothing?

Wangcheng,

sheltered by Yunzhong Prefecture,

has grown soft.

How could your defenses be this lax?

Not even 800 could withstand 3,000.

Nonsense.

Those 800 soldiers

could rout all 3,000 of them.

If you disrupt morale again,

I'll offer your head

to our banner.

So many troops crossed the border,

yet not a single word leaked out?

Who else could it be but Xiao Xun?

He opened the gates

to foreign aggression.

Since they stationed 500 troops

at the East, West, and South Gates each,

as long as we concentrate our forces

and break out from the South Gate,

there is a chance

to escort Your Highness out.

Exactly, Zhao.

Leave now, and we will hold the rear.

Even at the cost of my life,

I will get you out of the city.

No.

I cannot leave.

We cannot let the people of Wangcheng

fall victim to the enemy's blades.

Nor can we

let Xiao Xun's scheme succeed.

Wangcheng lies behind Yunzhong.

If the Northern Desert takes Wangcheng,

the Lord of Xiaonan

will surely seize the chance
to march.

They will then be able

to pincer Yunzhong Prefecture.

By then, the State of Chu

will inevitably plunge into chaos,

allowing Xiao Xun to usurp the throne.

Therefore,

Wangcheng must not fall,

and I shall not leave.

Are you alright?

Madam Ge,

what brings you here?

And who are you people?

Wangcheng's gates
have been completely sealed

by the Northern Desert's troops.

How did you enter?

This is Mr. Ge, Leader
of Cangmu Stronghold,

and this is Madam Ge.

Cangmu Stronghold?

They're

bandits?

Yes.

We broke in through the East Gate.

There were roughly



Madam Ge,

you came at the perfect time.

If you need anything,

just say the word.

Let's return to the yamen
for discussion.

Did you tell her?

Not a single word.

Madam Ge,

you have come

to our aid once again.

I am truly in your debt.

To fight against the pursuers
from Xiaonan,

we brought trouble upon you.

Now, with Wangcheng in grave danger,

we are dragging you into this yet again.

You don't have to say that.

Bandits as we are,

we do have a sense of honor.

With the enemy upon us,

our fates are tied.

My promise to you all

stands forever.

We will never forget it.

Your Highness is quite right.

I searched the city

and discovered
over a dozen Northern Desert soldiers

and some weapons.

They have all been seized.

Mr. Zhao, the defense map.

The Northern Desert's troops advanced
through Xiaonan.

Its mountain paths are treacherous,

forcing them to travel light

with their supplies and baggage.

Therefore, compared to us,

they will be far more agitated.

Indeed.

Just now on the city wall,

the sound of the galloping
was indeed erratic.

Thus, they are desperate

to take Wangcheng.

They need a stronghold to resupply,

then launch a pincer attack on Yunzhong.

If Xiao Xun leads

the forces of Xiaonan Prefecture

to reinforce the Northern Desert,

what should we do?

I know Xiao Xun.

Since he wants to use
the Northern Desert as his weapon,

he will wait
until the strike draws blood

before coming into the light.

He is waiting for their troops
to occupy Wangcheng.

The troops' passage through Xiaonan

is the very proof of his sincerity
to the Northern Desert.

Therefore,

his men will not make any move
for the time being.

Three thousand

against eight hundred.

They still hold the upper hand.

Wangcheng's defense resources
are limited.

How are we to win?

My father once said

that fighting a w*r

has never been
about who has more troops.

Now, I'll let them see

how the State of Chu

defeats overwhelming odds.

Well said, Your Highness.

What plan do you have in mind?

Jiu,

have you scouted out

the enemy's provisions and water supply?

To the east of Wangcheng,

there is a stream.

That is their water supply.

To the west

lie their provisions.

Their sentries are posted
only in the open.

Mr. Zhao,

are there any branches

or gorges upstream?

You want to cut off their water supply?

There is a waterway five li
outside the city.

It dries up every dry season.

Diverting the water is feasible,

but we cannot dispatch
laborers there right now.

Leave this to me.

What's your plan?

Don't forget,

we can use bone whistles

to contact our people outside the city

and have them take action

at the waterway overnight.

Then I'll leave that to you.

You just mentioned

a secret passage at the West Gate?

The passage

leads right to this place.

However, it was built
during the late Emperor's reign

and has long been abandoned.

Jiu,

you said that their provisions
are on the west side,

right?

Correct.

Then even if it's an abandoned passage,

we can still turn it to our advantage.

Mr. Zhao,

pass down the order.

All citizens must shut their doors.

Any contact with the outside city
is forbidden.

Yes.

Furthermore,

move all defense resources
and provisions

entirely to the South Gate.

The enemy has the most troops
at the North Gate,

yet you are stacking the resources

at the South Gate instead?

It's a diversion.

Right.

The city gates are all sealed.

How are you going to pass the message

to lure the enemy
into attacking the South Gate?

With 3,000 troops besieging the city,

they must assume the people inside
are panicked and wavering.

If, at this moment,

someone defects with our defense map,

do you think

they'll believe it?

Desperate to breach the city,

they won't be able to resist.

But

my act of cowardice

won't fool them.

I'll go.

You're just a scout.

How can you win the enemy's trust?

Your Highness should know very well

why I can win their trust,

shouldn't you?

It has little chance of survival.

Have you thought it through?

I have.

But I have one condition.

Insolent!

With a formidable enemy upon us,

how dare you propose conditions?

I know what you want.

If we win this battle

and you come back alive,

I will petition His Majesty
to grant you a title.

Will the enemy truly believe

the false intelligence he brings?

No.

What I want him to take

is the real defense map.

After all,

I did move the provisions
to the South Gate.

Nothing

wins trust more easily

than a lie woven with truth.

Madam Ge,

contact your men outside the city first.

Once the enemy verifies

the defense map brought by Liang Qiang,

they will reinforce the South Gate.

The defenses at the West Gate
will be weakened.

Jiu,

Mr. Ge,

under the cover of night,

leave the city by the secret passage,

then burn their supplies

and shatter their morale.

Mr. Zhong,

Madam Ge,

watch for the fire as your signal.

Once the enemy is in total chaos,

lead our 800 elite soldiers out

from the North Gate to smash them.

Crush their main camp
in one fell swoop,

then rout the scattered troops
one by one.

- Understood. - Understood.

This battle is perilous.

Everyone, please be careful.

- Yes. - Yes.

[Northern Desert Vanguard Camp]

General,

should we launch the attack

from the East and West Gates,

and then lead the main force

to crush the North Gate?

Report.

We captured a spy

at the South Gate.

General,

I have come to present
Wangcheng's defense map.

They have only 500 garrison troops,

all with outdated equipment

and a lack of training.

The water supply east of Wangcheng

has been cut off.

It will dry up completely within a day.

All the city's provisions
lie in the south.

Right now,

the defenses in the south
are at their weakest.

Attacking from the South Gate

will ensure a swift capture
of Wangcheng.

Why would a turncoat

like you help us?

Because of a palace coup,

my entire clan

was unjustly exiled.

The State of Chu treats me
like worthless chaff.

Why should I remain loyal to it?

Then what is your demand?

If we successfully breach Wangcheng,

I am willing to assist you, General,

in attacking Yunzhong Prefecture,

to replace Chu Ling.

This is a diversion.

You want to draw us

to the South Gate, huh?

Deceitful rat.

You deserve to die!

Report!

General,

the scouts report

that Wangcheng's provisions

are being moved to the South Gate.

Take him down.

Move half the troops from the East

and West Gates to the South Gate,

and breach the city immediately!

- Yes! - Yes!

[Wangcheng South Gate]

Quick!

Hold the gate!

Stand fast!

I will reward five liang to everyone!

Hurry!

Get over here!

Quick!

Hurry!

Quick!

Hold the gate!

Brace yourselves!

[Granary of Northern Desert
Vanguard Camp]

General,

the granary is on fire.

The State of Chu has burned our granary!

What?

It's a trap!

We've been duped!

Hear my command!

Tonight, we must burn the city
and seize their provisions!

- Yes, General! - Yes, General!

k*ll!

Soldiers!

[Wangcheng North Gate]
Let's trample the enemy's camp!

- k*ll! - k*ll!

Report!

Report.

The Northern Desert has retreated.

We slaughtered 2,000 of their men,​​

though at the cost of 300 of our own.

General Zhong has led
the troops back to the city.

Good.

Magnificent.

Where is Xie Yanlai?

There is no word yet.

Hurry up.

♪Light shatters into silhouettes♪

♪A lingering mark on my palm♪

♪Hooves thunder
through the ashes of w*r♪

♪Riding the wild wind
straight into the dawn♪

♪A vivid life♪

♪Bathed in tears♪

♪Surging toward the dawn♪

♪Let it burn until there's nothing left♪

♪We crown our pain like glory♪

♪Give that long-held wish a chance♪

♪Let's run straight into the ruins♪

♪I'd spend the rest of my life with you♪

♪Even if longing turns to ash♪

♪I'd still feel no fear♪

♪You are the hope
I sowed in bleakest dark♪

♪Where a sharp blade
rises from the dust♪

I promised

I'd come back alive.

♪A vivid life♪

♪Bathed in tears♪

♪Surging toward the dawn♪

♪Let it burn until there's nothing left♪

♪We crown our pain like glory♪

♪Give that long-held wish a chance♪

Victory at Wangcheng!​​

The Grand Princess crushes
the Northern Desert invaders!​

Victory at Wangcheng!​​

The Grand Princess crushes
the Northern Desert invaders!​

Victory at Wangcheng!​​

The Grand Princess crushes
the Northern Desert invaders!​

Victory at Wangcheng!​​

The Grand Princess crushes
the Northern Desert invaders!​

Miss Tang,

what is going on?

Why did Her Highness suddenly go

to the frontier?

This has been weighing

on my heart for a long time.

Today,

I can finally speak of it.

Do you know

what Her Highness was doing

while the entire Capital

was cursing my uncle

for incompetent leadership

and being too cowardly to advance?

What was she doing?

She rode a vast distance

to save Wangcheng,

crushing the Northern Desert's troops.

Crushing the Northern Desert's troops?

This is what the Chu clan does.

We defend the nation,

heedless of blame or death.

We do not speak of it.

We act.

No.

You cannot stay silent anymore.

You bore it all

when General Chu was slandered.

But now, Her Highness

has achieved a glorious victory.

She must not be forgotten.​

Tang,

host a banquet at the Chu Mansion

and send out the invitations.

Let everyone in the Capital come

to praise Her Highness.

And let those who love

to gossip behind her back

take a good look

at what kind of extraordinary figure

Her Highness truly is.

I will head back right now

and have my father write
a memorial of congratulation.

What's wrong with you?

She deserves a congratulatory memorial.

She is the Grand Princess, after all.

Yes, a congratulatory memorial.

Indeed.

Let's go.

My princess.

You do not fight for fame,

but you will have

every bit of the glory you deserve.

Your Majesty,

this morning,
a top-urgent dispatch arrived.

It reports that Her Highness
has relieved the siege of Wangcheng

and crushed the Northern Desert forces.

Her Highness absented herself
on the pretext of illness,

yet she violated palace decrees
by fleeing

to fight at the frontier.

This is sheer absurdity.

Mr. Deng and Mr. Xie serve
as imperial councilors.

To permit such misconduct
is a dereliction of duty.

They ought to...

Ought to what?

Ministers, may I remind you

His Majesty was saved
by none other than Her Highness,

who rode into battle to slay the rebels?

Her Highness
privately mobilized the army.

What does she take the laws ​to be​?

As Regent,

how could you allow this indulgence?

Indulgence?

I would ask you all instead.

Who was it

who stood in this very court

and vehemently denounced

the incompetence of the Guard General?

And who was it

who petitioned daily for reinforcements?

Now that Her Highness has lifted
the siege on the frontier,

you are suddenly displeased.

Preposterous!

Since when has the State of Chu

relied upon women to lead armies?

If

we have truly come to such a pass,

though old and frail,

I would gladly march to my death.

When His Majesty
first ascended the throne,

it was Her Highness

who slew the traitors to protect him.

By that right alone,

she may defend the frontier.

If you are truly devoted to the state,

you are welcome to depart immediately

for the frontier.

Mr. Deng and I

shall certainly not hinder you.

You...

You...

Please calm your wrath.

It was merely a suggestion.

Ministers,

lend ear to my words.

I owe my survival in troubled times

to the Grand Princess's protection.

She is the daughter
of Guard General Chu Ling.

Though a woman,

she is valiant and skilled in warfare.

Thus, my grandfather

bestowed upon her
as Grand Princess of State

so she might continue to safeguard

my security.

As the Son of Heaven,

I preside over the imperial city,

unable to go to the frontier

to save the state
and protect the people.

Therefore, I requested

the Grand Princess to go to the frontier

to relieve my burden.

This is no absurdity.

It was the late Emperor's decree.

Let no official presume
to speculate further.

The Grand Princess leaving the palace

was by my command.

However,

how did 3,000 Northern Desert soldiers

suddenly appear at Wangcheng?

They bypassed our entire frontier

and pressed straight to the city walls.

Mr. Deng.

Yes, Your Majesty.

​Order the Ministry of w*r
to investigate.

From whence

did these soldiers come?

Is it a lapse in our frontier defenses,

or...?

This matter must be accounted for

to the fallen soldiers.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Let there be no further debate
or censure on this matter.

The Grand Princess's great victory

is a joyous occasion for the state.

It warrants celebration.

- Congratulations to Your Majesty,
- Congratulations to Your Majesty,

- and to Her Highness.
- and to Her Highness.

Zhao,

finally,

I can protect you.

[Grand Mentor's Residence]

​Zhao won the highest merit​

​in the great victory at Wangcheng.​

I will surely hold my head high

before Mr. Deng.

​Even so,​​

​I showed disrespect to him before.​​

​It would not be surprising
if he took offense.​

According to Zhao,​​

​he's a sly fox,​​

​but a dutiful son.​

Currying favor with his mother

is the best way to win him over.

Miss Tang,
to what do I owe the pleasure?​

Did you come

because of Her Highness's victory,

just to gloat before my eyes?

Not at all.

​I heard

your mother has had a persistent cough,​

​so I brought some Chuanbei.

​Zhao told me.​​

​Is that Miss Chu?​

Mother.

Yi.

Easy.

Here.

​I had the millet you sent

simmered into congee by the servants.​

Paired with some pickled vegetables,

it truly tastes like my hometown.

Old Madam,

I am Chu...

I know.

Chu Zhao.

Yi.

Mother.

Miss Chu

​came here again and again with gifts.

How could you not even offer
a cup of tea?​

Mother,​​

​this is Chu Tang,​​

​not Chu Zhao.​​

​Old Madam,​​

​I am Zhao's elder cousin.​​

​My name is Chu Tang.​

Chu...

I came specifically

to pay my respects to you.​

Help the Old Madam back
for her medicine.​

Go.

Mother,

​it is time you took your medicine.​

Alright.

The young ladies of the Chu Family
are both good girls.

Do not miss this opportunity.

Miss Chu,​​

​do visit again.

They are both good girls.

Good girls.

Old Madam

must have misunderstood something.​

My mother​

​is sometimes a bit confused.​

My apologies.​​

​Since the gifts have been delivered,​​

​I shall not intrude any further.​​

​Farewell.​

Zhao

has foiled my plans once again.

After this battle,

the Northern Desert King

lost over 2,500 men.

The surviving soldiers

seek passage through Xiaonan Prefecture

to return to the Northern Desert.

Since they have been defeated,

those survivors

need not go back.

Your Highness, you mean...?

Slaughter every last one

of them.

The court wishes to investigate?

Then we'll let them find

nothing but dead ends.

Should the Northern Desert King learn

our hand was behind this...

Dead men tell no tales.

Those remnants

may not survive the journey back.

And even if some escape,

who could prove

it was our doing?

Yes.

Zhao,

you trampled

upon my heart.

Then do not blame me

for showing you no mercy hereafter.

Mr. Xie,

Her Highness has dispatched riders

to report the victory at Wangcheng

back to the Capital with all haste.

It seems her ambitions run deep.

All of this is fact,

with not a word of exaggeration.

It was she

who led the troops and routed
the Northern Desert's forces,

delivering the people of Wangcheng.

A merit this great

deserves to be proclaimed far and wide.

It would settle the hearts of the people

and bring stability to the realm.

Were she a man,

there would be nothing wrong with this.

Were she a general,

even if it was Chu Ling,

there would be nothing wrong
with it either.

But she is

a woman.

And now that

she has become the Grand Princess,

should she not remain in the Capital,

living out her days

in virtuous nobility?

Why must she seek such glory
on the b*ttlefield?

She ​rules alongside​ His Majesty

and attends the court with His Majesty.

At every turn, she stands

before the ministers.

And now, she intends to stand

before the whole world.

Clearly,

she refuses to know her place,

and means to usurp the throne.

She's obviously

taking advantage of

Yu's age.

What is there to be vexed about?

What she guards with her life

is Yu's state.

Technically,

I'm her uncle, too.

We're family,

right?

Yanlai was right, though.

She's sharper

than I imagined.

In defense of Wangcheng,



but barely 500 returned.

Yet the tens of thousands of its people

survived.

​Behind every fallen soldier​

​are children
waiting for their fathers,​​

​aging mothers straining
for a glimpse of their sons,​​

​and wives aching

for their husbands.​

But they are never coming back.

Your father once told me

that we wage w*r

only so that more people

may live.

I, too, once sought death,

but it was he who showed me

the purpose of staying alive.

The living

will greet a better tomorrow,

but they will forever remember

those who fell.

This is

the meaning of their sacrifice.

​Their deaths​

​are the fault of w*r

and of these chaotic times.​​

Not yours.​

Zhao.

In broad daylight,

how can you lynch him?

They're k*lling him casually!

Zhao,

be good.

Perhaps you don't know

what your name

means to me.

But just as dawn
always drives away the night,

you saved

me.

After you left,

I kept searching for you
wherever your trail led.

Back then, I thought...

if I couldn't survive,

dying where you were

wouldn't be so bad.

So, that young man...

was you.

Yes.

Zhao.

You were the one

who pulled me

out of the abyss.

​It was you​

​who gave me a reason to live.​

♪Broken walls and withered branches,
trapped in the mire♪

You always asked me

why I kept saying I owed you.

This is...

the reason.

♪Through biting winds and frost I go♪

♪I light a lamp, my lone abode♪

♪Half my life adrift♪

♪This lonely shadow
finds no haven to moor♪

So...

♪The spark smolders in the crack♪

♪And roars in the blaze♪

From now on,​

my life...

♪Burning the cold night until daybreak♪

is yours.

♪But I won't beg the abyss for mercy♪

♪Even if hope is faint,
I remain proud♪

♪A mayfly will cross the ocean,
however long it takes♪

♪However it ends up,
I'll go my own way♪

♪With no fear of the distance♪

♪Born from decay, fireflies still burn♪

♪With sword in hand,
I'll pierce the dawn♪

♪Let these scars all over me become♪

♪My new pride♪

Your merits are reported,

your name has been cleared,

and rewards will follow.

How is the situation outside the city?

Your Highness,

the remnants are cleared.

Three Northern Desert maps are seized.​​

​Wangcheng wouldn't have held​

​without your efforts.​

General Zhong

has transferred me
to the Vanguard Battalion.

I am immensely grateful.

The Wei Village?

What is the meaning of this marking?

I do not know.

But since the Northern Desert scouts
made this mark,

it stands to reason that this village

must hold some significance.

​That name sounds familiar.​

[Wei Village]

Help!

Please help us!

Someone help!

Please, save us!

Is anyone there?

Help!

​Leaving already?​​

​I'm no soldier.​

Guarding the city

is not my job.

Take good care

of her, will you?

Of course I will.

I've watched her

grow up.

Is he doing well?

He's alive.

​If he passes away,​

​send for me at once.​

Are you leaving?

I owe you a great debt
for your aid this time.

I was hoping you might return

with us to Yunzhong Prefecture.

No.

I have been away
from the stronghold too long.

It is time I returned.

If you need me ever again,

send word to Cangmu Stronghold.

I believe

​it all depends

on the situation in Wangcheng.​

​Report!​​

General, a great victory at Wangcheng!

​Her Highness led the army​

​and drove back
the Northern Desert vanguard.​​

​Over a thousand enemies slain.​

A strong father raises no weak daughter.

Present the dispatch.​​

​General,​​

Her Highness fought

a glorious battle.

We should welcome her return in triumph.

She has brought

such honor to us.

​Indeed.​

General,​​

​Her Highness's arrival
at Yunzhong Prefecture

​is a great boost to morale.​

I will ready the ceremonial guard
right now.

Exactly.

No need.

The one returning

is not the Grand Princess,

but my daughter,

Zhao.

I am willing to lead the light cavalry

to escort Miss Zhao back.

She knows the roads
better than any of you.

Go and rest your troops.

Do not delay
the greater matters at hand.

You may withdraw.​​

- ​Yes! - ​Yes!

​I really wish I could see you.

Zhao.

♪Broken walls and withered branches,
trapped in the mire♪

♪Yet still striving
to reach for the sky♪

♪My pride is torn down
and my body is sacrificed♪

♪The spark smolders in the crack♪

♪And roars in the blaze♪

♪Burning the cold night until daybreak♪

♪Fate imprisons me♪

♪But I won't beg the abyss for mercy♪

♪Even if hope is faint,
I remain proud♪

♪A mayfly will cross the ocean,
however long it takes♪

♪However it ends up,
I'll go my own way♪

♪With no fear of the distance♪

♪Born from decay, fireflies still burn♪

♪With sword in hand,
I'll pierce the dawn♪

♪Let these scars all over me become♪

♪My new pride♪

♪Peril is everywhere in the palace♪

♪Yet I smile to nobody but you♪

♪Amidst the chaos♪

♪I'll always be with you♪

♪The spark smolders in the crack♪

♪And roars in the blaze♪

♪Burning the cold night until daybreak♪

♪Fate imprisons me♪

♪But I won't beg the abyss for mercy♪

♪Even if hope is faint,
I remain proud♪

♪A mayfly will cross the ocean,
however long it takes♪

♪However it ends up,
I'll go my own way♪

♪With no fear of the distance♪

♪Born from decay, fireflies still burn♪

♪With sword in hand,
I'll pierce the dawn♪

♪Let these scars all over me become♪

♪My new pride♪