01x21 - Episode 21

[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 21]

Zhu Yong is backed by the Grand Princess.

Now, in the Imperial Guard Office,

he's a favorite.

The Imperial Guard Office arrests anyone at will.

Even Mr. Deng...

His Majesty is here.

Kneel.

- Greetings, Your Majesty. - Greetings, Your Majesty.

- Greetings, Your Highness. - Greetings, Your Highness.

Bow.

You may rise.

- Thank you, Your Majesty. - Thank you, Your Majesty.

Your Highness,

I request to go to Huzhou

for the summer flood corruption case.

This is a serious case.

The Commandant of Justice,

the Minister of Revenue,

and the Imperial Guard Office will co-investigate.

Mr. Deng, make the arrangements.

Yes.

Her Highness had the Imperial Guard Office

cooperate with Mr. Deng

[Xie Residence]
instead of being arbitrary.

And Mr. Deng responded

to Her Highness.

Doesn't that mean

he accepts her political interference?

How do I know what she thinks?

Don't you always say

Chu Zhao is just like you?

How do you not know

what she thinks?

Fine.

Then I will

think about it.

Last night, she visited Mr. Deng.

I thought

they would fall out and break up.

Unexpectedly,

they put on an act together.

An act?

For whom?

Me, of course.

In case my clan has sole dominance

and seizes power from His Majesty,

she even supports Mr. Deng

to maintain tripartite balance within the court.

She's clever.

But sadly, she's too soft-hearted.

She wants a stable court.

Then I will let her know

kindness can't survive in this world.

Have Yu Shang send this to the Northern Desert.

It's been years since Zhong Changrong

guarded Xinggu Pass.

He should rest.

If Xinggu Pass is invaded...

So...

We'll have Liang Qiang prepare early.

Greetings, Your Majesty.

You're back, Qi Bo.

You're just in time.

The provisions you brought back last time

are running out.

Go get some more.

Already?

We have three contingents.

They're certainly consumed quickly.

Three?

The Eldest Prince is in the rear,

but he still needs our provisions.

My son is securing the rear.

He must be well-fed.

Don't worry.

I'll get the provisions

as soon as I can.

This time,

I've brought you

a transaction

that is very beneficial.

Interesting.

How interesting.

Xie Yanfang

wants me to k*ll Zhong Changrong

at Xinggu Pass.

Xiao Xun wants my army

to pass Xiaonan.

These two idiots

both want to court me.

All right.

Then I will fulfill

their wishes.

Your Majesty is wise.

Chu Ling is dead.

The State of Chu has civil strife.

This is exactly our moment.

Issue my order.

Send a troop of soldiers.

I'll show them

how I can benefit

from their own infighting.

[Xinggu Pass]

Don't move, General Liang.

What do you want?

Don't be nervous.

The Northern Desert troops are just passing by.

This is treason!

It isn't.

It's just a deal.

Mr. Xie passed an order.

"Their troops need a victory.

And the victory we give them

will have no impact

on our w*r situation."

Does Mr. Xie know

what will happen?

He said

the Northern Desert King would send troops.

Zhong Changrong

would die at Xinggu Pass.

Then...

His position

will be yours.

General Liang,

all you need to do

is stand here

and pretend

you didn't see anything.

[Xinggu Pass]

[Changping Pass]

[Changping Pass]

General,

the enemy king decamped

and disappeared.

So far,

no beacon smoke has been seen

throughout Yunzhong.

Could they be

lying in ambush?

From their former encampment

to Yunzhong,

there aren't valleys or depressions

for such a large army

to hide.

Report!

Raid on Xinggu Pass!

Zhong is just patrolling there.

But...

General Zhong's route

is a military secret.

Call up 500 soldiers.

We'll go.

Yes.

General,

this raid is so precise.

Someone must have leaked our route.

Do they think they can

invade us this way?

What a pipe dream!

I'm their target.

General Liang,

the Northern Desert troops passed

through your guarding area.

However perfectly

we carry out this plan,

Zhong Changrong

will suspect you.

When he gets to the bottom,

by then,

even if someone protects you,

you'll have to work in the labor camp

as a guilty person.

Your clan

won't be able to rise again.

So,

what do you want me to do?

You have to k*ll

all those enemies.

Because

Zhong Changrong's followers

must witness that scene

of valor and tragedy.

Right now,

a squad of several hundred men

is patrolling not far away.

sh**t this whistling arrow.

Our men will lure that squad

over to you.

That way,

your bravery will be witnessed.

And you won't die

while outnumbered.

General Liang,

after you take over

the frontier command,

you'll bring glory to the state

and fortune to people.

Your name will

go down in history.

Charge!

You should be guarding Xinggu Pass.

Why are you here?

I was surveying nearby terrain

and passed by.

Another squad

is coming over.

Hold on, General Zhong.

Take him back! Keep him alive!

- Yes. - Yes.

Mr. Zhong.

Hurry.

Send men to defend Xinggu Pass.

Mr. Zhong.

Mr. Zhong.

Light a smoke signal.

Full-scale alert!

Yes.

[Xinggu Pass]

How's General?

His vital organs aren't injured.

But he's bleeding seriously.

I'm afraid...

Keep him alive.

Or I'll k*ll you.

Yes.

I'll do my best.

General.

General.

Wangcheng is lost.

It's a trap.

Did you have a nightmare?

Shall I take you back

for some rest?

Your Highness,

urgent frontier report.

Wangcheng is lost.

General Zhong is badly injured.

How is Jiu doing?

We don't know the specifics.

Don't worry too much.

When Jiu is there,

the frontier won't fall.

The report only says

enemy troops broke through Xinggu Pass.

Not a word

is about Liang Qiang.

He's the general

guarding Xinggu Pass.

In such a big case,

his condition should be reported,

whether he's dead or missing.

Unless

he's highly suspicious

and many people are involved.

So, at this crucial point,

it must be set aside

to avoid shaking the morale.

Wangcheng is strategically vital!

Once it's lost,

Yunzhong will be in peril!

If Yunzhong is lost,

our state will be in peril!

That's right.

Xie Yanlai bragged that he would

k*ll the Northern Desert King.

But now, he can't even defend the frontier.

He must be severely punished.

Right!

He lost one city.

Then he may lose another.

How many cities are there

at the frontier?

How could Your Highness trust

such an impetuous man?

Things can't go on like this.

Ministers,

at this point,

what's the use of arguing?

The Northern Desert King sent a message,

asking for peace talks.

I think

we should avoid direct confrontation.

We will

never accept peace talks.

Never?

So will the w*r continue?

Will we ignore the people in Wangcheng?

The King wants friendly relations

and territorial concessions.

Is this a peace offer?

This is a humiliation.

Countless soldiers shouldn't

die in vain.

My father's decade-long persistence

shouldn't be wasted.

Wangcheng is lost,

but Your Highness is still so stubborn.

What will people think of you?

Why don't you leave the court

and let me handle this?

Mr. Deng, are you saying

I am to blame for the error

of the frontier troops?

Xie Yanlai serves you.

In that case,

you can't shirk the blame.

When I was in charge, the frontier was safe.

After the supervisors you sent there,

especially Liang Qiang you favor,

failed their duties,

the enemies managed to break in.

Your Highness

learned to shift blame.

I would rather say,

I interfered

so late

that frontier troops were too corrupt

to be mended.

Even when Liang Qiang was favored,

he couldn't reverse the decline!

Mr. Deng,

who do you think will benefit

from the failure of frontier troops

and the loss of a city?

You don't think

I used the failure of the troops

and the suffering of the people

to force you

out of the court, do you?

Chu Zhao,

you aren't worthy.

You always claim

you prioritize self-interest.

I thought you were

just saying that for fun.

What a surprise.

You really dared to do that.

Xiaoman.

These are your letters

with frontier troops,

including private letters.

Chu Zhao,

how dare you pry into my privacy?

I just did, so what?

You supervise by late Emperor's order.

I protect the state by his order.

So, I must know

anything that involves

our state affairs.

Take out Mr. Deng's letters

to and from Liang Qiang.

And his letters with other ministers

where they plotted

to depose me.

Yes.

Liang Qiang said

his transfer to Xinggu Pass was improper.

You said

he could just go ahead

and you would take responsibility

if anything went wrong.

Liang Qiang did write me

this letter.

Then I replied like that.

What's wrong?

A frontier general knew it was improper.

And a civil official like you far back in the Capital

insisted on meddling

in military affairs.

So?

So,

you won't come to the court for a while.

Go back home and reflect on yourself.

Good.

Very good.

Let me see

if you can get what you desire

when I'm away from the court.

Xiaoman,

send him back home.

Yes, Your Highness.

Mr. Deng,

how have you been?

Mr. Xie, to what do I

owe this pleasure?

I'm here to apologize.

You took the blame

for the loss of Wangcheng.

I sent the message

to the Northern Desert.

And I asked Liang Qiang

to defect.

As for why the enemies passed through Xiaonan

to attack Wangcheng...

I need not say,

for you know who did that.

Xie Yanfang!

How could you do this

to frontier troops and civilians

at Wangcheng?

They are people of our state.

They'll die a worthy death

to sacrifice for their state.

You can go and turn me in.

However,

who would believe

your one-sided statement?

Fine.

I'll wait and see

what exactly

you are up to.

Well, it's getting late.

I'll take my leave.

I do hope

I can see you again

at the court.

Thinking about what happened?

Be seated, Mr. Xie.

I thought hard, but I don't get it.

If he simply wanted me

to withdraw from the court,

why did he sacrifice the frontier

and civilians in Wangcheng?

This isn't

Deng Yi's style.

Your Highness,

Mr. Deng's desire

has never changed.

I have proof

that Liang Qiang

serves Mr. Deng.

So you think he wants

to command frontier troops?

So, he wanted Mr. Zhong dead

in this raid,

then Liang Qiang would turn the tide

and take command.

To be honest,

it has something to do with Yanlai.

I guess Mr. Deng believed

Yanlai dared to make

that military pledge

because my whole clan

backed him up.

He couldn't bear to see

military power slip.

That's why he took desperate risks

at any cost.

As for Wangcheng...

We are not certain

if he was behind that.

Or maybe

that was merely an accident.

After all, the tides of w*r always change.

One false move

may lead to the loss of a city.

I don't usually get along with Mr. Deng.

But I refuse to believe

he would collude with our enemies.

Now, the situation is complicated.

For the moment,

our priority

is to stabilize the court.

I know.

He was placed

under house arrest

because he argued with me

on whether to have

peace talks.

As for how we should handle him...

After we take back Wangcheng

and uncover the truth,

we'll know.

Don't worry too much.

The sudden loss of Wangcheng

was truly horrifying.

Fortunately,

Yunzhong led all units

to heavily guard it

and fought the invaders.

Those invaders failed

to advance further.

I have faith in frontier troops.

But how about people in Wangcheng?

If we reject peace talks,

the enemies will threaten us with a m*ssacre.

Peace talks

start with talks.

In that case,

we'll have time to negotiate.

Rest assured.

Soon,

I will ask

relevant ministers

to draft an agenda

for you to review.

Thank you, Mr. Xie.

Mr. Deng has been confined.

At this moment,

I should step up.

You're truly a blessing

for our state.

Don't say that, Your Highness.

In every way,

we're a family.

Tea is good.

But too much tea will upset you.

It's almost lunchtime.

Go have a good lunch with Yu

and get some sleep.

I'm afraid

we're going to confront

tough challenges.

I certainly believe

you're tough-minded enough.

But,

you still need

a healthy body.

Don't panic.

You have me.

Le.

Your Highness.

Recently,

has Xiao Xun behaved?

Precisely.

For nearly half a year,

he hasn't left his house.

Over the last month,

he has stayed indoors,

making his father's birthday gift.

Keep watching.

Yes.

Your Highness,

news just came in.

Mr. Deng was escorted out by the Imperial Guard Office

and then confined in his mansion.

The reason is unknown.

We only know he fought

Her Highness after court.

Your Highness,

this might be our chance.

Before I finish my father's gift,

so much

has already happened in the Capital.

But for me,

nothing matters more

than this Scroll of Longevity

for my father.

It's finally done.

I should go visit Mr. Deng.

How's Xun doing?

Very well.

He's been patient.

He has sent

your birthday gift

to the Imperial Manufactories.

It will be delivered here

with official gifts.

I had intended

to keep the official gifts

outside my prefecture.

Since Xun's gift is among them,

get all those gifts in, then.

Look at this.

[Wangcheng fell at midnight last night, the enmy will soon besiege Yunzhong.]

Wangcheng is lost?

The Northern Desert King

will threaten the court with that city.

For the sake

of thousands of civilians,

the court will have to accept peace talks.

But under such circumstances,

if you send troops against the court,

things might backfire.

Threatening with Wangcheng,

those foes

will get what they want.

They'll also end the w*r decently.

For them,

that will be a victory.

As for the young emperor,

Chu Zhao, Deng Yi, and Xie Yanfang,

they will lose people's support

as well as their prestige.

By then...

Your prestige will rise greatly.

When you call to arms,

the world will be yours.

[Wangcheng, the north gate]

[Wangcheng]

Help them!

Go. Let's help them!

[Wangcheng]

Stop.

See how many people here

will have to die for you!

General, what do we do?

Bring it on!

Retreat.

General!

I said, retreat!

Losers!

Bring it on!

General,

General Zhong is awake.

According to the Army Physician,

he will survive.

Won't you see him?

Glad he won't die.

What about the mission

I gave you?

Thirty-six soldiers skilled

in disguise

and assassination,

and familiar

with the enemy's capital

are in position.

As you commend,

all has been kept confidential.

Very good.

Move out.

Wangcheng is strategically vital.

Thousands of civilians

are in the hands of enemies.

But Yanlai stays within the camp.

No wonder ministers complain.

A general in w*r

isn't bound by imperial orders.

I trust him.

I trust him too.

So, when the ministers

wanted to replace him,

I didn't approve.

But to be honest,

I'm a little worried.

Will he

be reckless at this juncture?

Did he really go

to k*ll the Northern Desert King?

Under such circumstances,

even if Yanlai

manages to k*ll the King,

the Eldest Prince

will ascend the throne.

He's fierce and warlike,

but not as far-sighted as his father.

By then,

he will invade

in the name of revenge.

His army's morale will soar.

I'm afraid peace talks will be hard.

Is there really no solution

to Wangcheng's problem?

In that case,

I'll have to go to Yunzhong again.

No.

When I go,

I can at least steady the troops.

I'll go instead.

There's something ministers can do,

but a princess can't.

You...

Rest assured.

I will not accept

any of their conditions.

Yu is my hope.

I place great hopes on him

and intend to support him.

When he was little,

he witnessed his parents' brutal death.

He barely survived

and took the throne.

Then rebellion and invasion came.

If he couldn't be

a wise emperor

who expanded his state

and achieved something

beyond his forebears,

it would be unfair to what he suffered.

And accepting peace talks

is a humiliation

to someone like me.

Then, what are you going to do?

Will you trade

the people in Wangcheng

for victory?

How could you think of me that way?

You broke my heart.

Rejecting peace talks

is your idea.

Your reputation

is Yu's reputation.

How could I ever

abandon people in Wangcheng?

It's all right that you don't trust me.

You should have faith in what I can do.

That's right.

I have faith in what you can do.

From tomorrow on,

k*ll a hundred civilians

on the rampart every day

until the State of Chu accepts

all our conditions.

Yes.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Aren't you a follower

of the Eldest Prince?

Why are you here

instead of in our capital?

The Eldest Prince...

He was k*lled.

What did you say?

It's something my son always keeps.

Some enemy soldiers

invaded our capital

and k*lled His Highness.

Before His Highness died,

he gave this to me.

I fought my way out

to bring you this news!

You must avenge His Highness!

How dare you curse my son!

Son.

My son.

My son!

[Wangcheng]

Your Majesty.

Oh my son.

When Mr. Xie goes,

he will succeed.

We must teach those foes

a good lesson!

- Yes. - That's right.

Give them a lesson.

- Yes. - Show them what we can do.

Mr. Xie, we'll entrust you

with frontier affairs.

His Majesty and I believe

you will

protect our people

and safeguard our state's dignity.

I will not

fail my mission.

Great news!

Great news!

Oh no.

Great victory!

Great victory!

Guard General Xie Yanlai

has k*lled the Eldest Prince of Northern Desert,

broken into the King's camp,

and caught...

Caught the King alive!

My son!

♪Trapped in this tiny world♪

Terrific!

He caught the King alive.

♪I meddle around without any mercy♪

♪I'm my own pawn♪

♪I sigh at my fate♪

Great.

Yes.

This is great.

♪Traps within traps, I never make mistakes♪

♪I take a risk at every step♪

♪The world is my Weiqi game board♪

♪I hold the reins♪

♪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♪