(Han Dynasty, 208 A.D. Summer, Xuchang)
Greetings, Your Majesty
Yesterday, I proposed a decree
for war against Liu Bei and Sun Quan
Has Your Majesty approved the decree?
The Prime Minister has just beaten back the Northern Wu Wan
Our troops and people need respite
The insurgents Sun and Liu
are ruling their own regimes down South
They plot against Your Majesty's Court
If they are not eliminated in time,
Your Majesty's Han Court, might well be theirs
Prime Minister,
please let me consider this further
How much further must Your Majesty consider?
I have waged wars across the land
Tens of thousands of soldiers have perished on the battlefields,
all for the sake of the Great Han Empire
Does Your Majesty still remember your exile?
Which, if any, among your Royal relatives rescued You?
I wonder, to this day,
if I had not eliminated the traitors,
how many more would claim the throne for themselves?
I hereby decree that
Prime Minister Cao Cao
be commissioned as the Commander of the Imperial Army
and go forth to pacify the South
Thank you, Your Majesty
Senator Kong Rong wishes to speak
Liu Bei is Your Majesty's uncle,
and Sun Quan is the third-generation heir to the Dukedom of Wu
They have no intent to rebel
Whereas you, Prime Minister,
are not only seizing all the powers of state,
but also intend to mobilize the entire army
There is no justifiable reason for your war!
Though you have solemnly vowed yourself
loyal to His Majesty's Court,
you will not be able to convince everyone!
The next one to put down a rebellion, may not be you, Prime Minister,
but Liu Bei
and Sun Quan!
He is the first sacrifice
I thank the Prime Minister for this wine!
(The final year of the Han dynasty)
(Eunuchs and court relatives) (struggle for power)
(The country falls into chaos)
(Ambitious Cao Cao seizes the moment)
(to coerce the emperor and) (to control the feudal lords)
(In the year 208 A.D.,) (Cao Cao leads his army South)
(to destroy Liu Bei,) (a distant relative of the Royal Family)
(and Sun Quan, ruler of the Southland)
Begin
Form up!
Watch it
My Lord
Zilong!
My Lord
You have returned
Our men made all possible efforts to hold our ground
until the last minute before abandoning the town
Luckily, most of the peasants have already fled
through the valley
My Lord!
The two ladies and the Young Master
are still trapped in the village
My ladies, please be careful
Don't cry
General Zhang
Chief Strategist, how does the situation look?
Cao Cao's pursuing forces are greater than anticipated
The cavalry vanguard will arrive at any moment
The Cao cavalry will use
a wedge formation to attack
We will reflect the light into their eyes to hold them off
Remember, the refugees need
at least two hours to retreat
We need a thousand more soldiers
for the second line of defense!
Leave it to me
Alright
Forward
My Lord
Zhu-ge Liang,
the peasants are moving slowly
It looks like they will need at least another four hours
We urgently need a thousand soldiers from here
Go aid General Zhang
That way Cao Cao cannot chase them
The peasants can be left to themselves
Cao Cao intends to make us surrender
He will not kill them
No! As you can see,
the elderly, the women, and the children all need our help
My Lord,
these peasants are dragging us down
To succeed, you have to set aside these trivial matters
These are Han people
They followed us only to escape from Cao Cao's regime
If we cannot offer protection to the civilians
then what is the meaning of this war?
I will find Guan Yu
Go and help my Lord
Sister!
Quickly! Bring the horse for My Lady
That looks like Liu Bei's family
Go get the baby!
My Lady!
General Zhao,
he is my Lord's only flesh and blood
He must not fall into enemy hands!
Rest assured, My Lady
I will take you and the young Master to my Lord
Let's go! Get on the horse!
My Lady, quickly!
My Lady!
General!
My Lady!
Step apart!
Flip the shields!
Attack!
Let's go!
Bailong!
Chief Strategist,
where are our reinforcements?
Who is that man?
Zhao Zilong of Changshan
Why is there no such a brave warrior under my command?
General Zhao
Zilong
Retreat!
We can still fight!
Why are we giving up so easily?
We are greatly outnumbered by the enemy
If we can't protect the refugees,
our losses will be worse
Attention!
Protect the refugees!
It's an order!
Brother,
go quickly!
Leave! Protect the refugees!
Zilong, take the Young Master!
Retreat!
Attention, Third Battalion! Hold the line!
Protect the retreating refugees!
Quick!
Charge!
Second battalion, go!
Third battalion, get ready!
My lord
I brought the Young Master back
but the two ladies already...
Zilong
Get up...
Prime Minister!
Liu Bei is vulnerable
Look, the cowards have all fled
Dead bodies lie everywhere
The rest ran for their lives!
There is only one man still fighting
Surrender, and your life will be spared!
Kneel down!
Do not be so rude!
General Guan Yu,
a wise man chooses his Lord carefully
Why do you continue to serve Liu Bei?
You still won't kneel!
Protect the Prime Minster! Kill him!
Nobody move!
Prime Minister, why?
If he wanted to kill me, he already would have
Guan Yu would not stab a man from behind
Liu Bei has lost many battles,
yet so many talented men remain loyal to him
One day, they will all serve under my command
I have suffered a lifetime of failures
This isn't the worst one
Cao Cao thinks he holds the Dynasty's fate in his hands
So long as I live and breathe
I will fight to end his crimes
against the Han Court
My Lord, I will go to the state of Wu tonight,
to ask for Sun Quan's support
Sun Quan?
Against Cao Cao? I wonder if he is strong enough
to fight an enemy as fierce as Cao Cao
Though Sun Quan is young,
he bears great ambitions within
For generations, the Sun Clan has ruled the South
They have the wealth and strength to fight Cao Cao
Wu needs us just as much as we need Wu
If our alliance succeeds, and we defeat Cao Cao,
then Cao Cao will definitely retreat back North
We can then go West and rebuild our forces
Once we are in control of the West,
Cao Cao will control the North, and Sun Quan, the South
We will form a power triangle
This division of power is the only way to stop Cao Cao
My Lord, please rest assured
Are you confident you can convince him?
Eat some more
The road to Wu is long, and you will need energy
Prime Minister, the surrendered generals,
Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, are here
These two men are untrustworthy
Please be cautious
I trust those who are of use to me
Greetings, Your Highness!
Rise
How many ships and men have you brought with you?
We have with us three hundred thousand naval troops
and more than two thousand
battleships and boats of various sizes
Great!
Now we can be
tigers that swim!
Your Highness,
here is our letter of surrender
General Cai,
I see many grammatical errors here
I hope your military strategies
are not as poor as your command of literature
I hear you have frequent exchanges
with the State of Wu
Your Highness,
I have declared war on Wu many times
These so called exchanges are limited to only this
No need to explain
What is this?
This is a map of Wu that I drew
taking great pains to be precise
General Cai,
you took great pains indeed
Your Highness,
Liu Bei has fled to Xiakou in defeat
If he eventually joins forces
with Sun Quan's Wu clan,
then I fear that...
Then isn't that in our best interest?
If Sun Quan forms an alliance with Liu Bei,
then he is harboring a traitor
and rebelling against the Royal Court,
which justifies our war
Liu Bei, a shoe weaving Royal uncle,
his whole life is a failure
Sun Quan
is a young upstart with no achievements
When a loser join forces with a coward,
what can they accomplish?
Though my Lord is young,
he shows wisdom beyond his years
Speak frankly and don't hold back
The senior advisors will be your biggest obstacle
You say we can fight this war? We can't!
Hopefully,
he has some good strategies to use against Cao Cao
This time around, Cao Cao is determined to fight
We are gravely outnumbered
How could we ever hope to fight this war?
We cannot fight!
Greetings, Your Highness
Mr. Zhu-ge,
I hear that Cao Cao
beat Liu Bei into the mud at Xinye?
The defeat at Xinye was due to my Lord's noble heart
He did not abandon the thousands of refugees
who followed our troops and slowed down our retreat
How large is Cao Cao's army?
A ruthless army of eight hundred thousand
is invading from both land and water
Cao Cao's real target is not to defeat Liu Bei
but to conquer Wu!
Your Highness governs the vast Southland,
and has many extraordinary gentlemen in your court
If you are determined to oppose Cao Cao's invasion,
then please prepare for war!
My Lord!
Do not fight!
When the late Duke was still alive,
he always told me
that nothing is more important
than the peace of Wu's people!
We cannot fight, my Lord.
That's right. To surrender is not so bad
For the cowardly, in fact, the earlier the better
That way everyone can stop worrying
If that is the case,
then why didn't Liu Bei surrender?
Confucius spoke of giving oneself to justice,
and Mencius spoke of sacrificing for righteousness
Surrendering is not a matter of victory or defeat,
but rather one of virtue!
Cao Cao, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister,
controls the Han Emperor, and fabricates His Majesty's commands
If he conquers the Southland, he will surely usurp the throne
If we surrender to Cao Cao, then we would be aiding a tyrant
Lord Mayor Liu Bei is of His Majesty's Royal Family
His wisdom is known to the world and respected by the people
If a noble man, who has been loyal to the Han court all his life,
fails to succeed, then that is fate
But, how could he surrender to Cao Cao?
That would be
an unbearable shame!
However, it is fine for Your Highness to surrender
At least, you will be able to keep your life and possessions
At Cao Cao's mercy,
he may let you remain as the ruler of the Southland
So why not?
You are saying I am nothing compared to Liu Bei?
No,
Your Highness shows an outstanding brilliance
greater than that of most and akin to that of Lord Liu
Your Highness is capable of ruling the vast Southland
This alone, is a major advantage over Lord Liu
My Lord,
Mister Zhu-ge has come before you
with a plan for fighting Cao Cao
It would not hurt to hear him out
Though my Lord suffered a recent defeat,
we still have Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun,
as well as the Navy that they command with at least ten thousand men
If we join forces with the elite generals and troops of Wu,
the alliance will strengthen us both
Although Cao Cao's military outnumbers ours,
more than half of his troops only just surrendered to him
and are not entirely trustworthy
They have traveled over one hundred miles every day
They are exhausted
As the saying goes, a worn spear cannot even penetrate a thin cloth
Moreover, Northerners are not used to the Southern terrain,
and they have no naval experience
Their abrupt invasion is destined to result in failure
You make well reasoned points
My Lord,
please do not fall into Zhu-ge's traps!
We cannot justify fighting
against Prime Minister Cao, My Lord!
Our alliance with Liu Bei
will only justify Cao Cao's war
It is better to take Liu Bei captive
and turn him over as a gift to Cao Cao!
No! We shall first fight, then surrender
So that we leave Cao Cao with a bitter taste
One hundred thousand against eight hundred thousand!
What kind of a war is this!?
Cowards!
All of you are shameless cowards!
How dare you!
We cannot fight
Your Highness,
I know you have been concealing your abilities
The sword had been hidden away for too long
Now is the time to draw the blade
My Lord, this Zhu-ge Liang
is determined to drag us into trouble!
Don't! My Lord!
Don't speak anymore!
I have heard this far too many times!
Let me think it through
Let me think...
How beautiful!
This really is heaven on earth!
Unfortunately, with the arrival of Cao's regime,
all of this beauty will soon turn to ash
Your words had almost persuaded his Lordship
For the alliance to happen,
I only need to persuade one other person
Zhou Yu. Viceroy Zhou
Exactly!
The Duke regards him as his own older brother
The Late Duke had also said,
for internal affairs, seek Zhang Zhao
For foreign affairs, seek Zhou Yu
He is now encamping at Red Cliff
He is the right one to seek
Stop!
Give it to me!
Are you not capable of holding a spear?
There must be power within every stroke!
One more time!
Stab!
Slash!
Strike!
Swing!
Stab!
Slash!
Strike!
Swing!
Mister Zhu-ge, the Viceroy is over there
Form up!
One other wing
The Goose Formation
Not bad
A pity that it is outdated
Give it to me
Your Honor!
You try
Thank you
Your Honor!
My family's water buffalo
was stolen from the fields near the barracks
Some people saw...
Your Honor, this is Mr. Zhu-ge Liang
Greetings, Viceroy Zhou
Greetings
Why carry a fan on a cold day like this?
It helps me remain calm
It's the one old habit I cannot give up
You do not look like an anxious person
This way
What are you laughing at?
I am not laughing, but appreciating
I am appreciating that these soldiers
know not only how to fight, but also how to appreciate music
You are knowledgeable in the art of war
Just a little
Yet you say my formations are outdated
No man but you
can hear me from that far away
I have sharp hearing
This way
General Gan, Mister Zhu-ge said
that your formation is outdated
Are you aware that a bad formation can kill our brothers?
I have never thought of killing my own brothers
The power of the formations comes from the heart
There is no such a thing as outdated!
This is...?
This is General Gan Xing
Pardon me, General Gan
General Gan and his army,
used to be the most notorious pirates in the South
You cannot joke around with him
No problem
I am impressed by everyone's performance today!
But this elderly gentleman had his buffalo stolen
in the rice fields near the barracks
Was this done by one of my brothers?
He who did it gave all our brothers a bad name!
Find him!
Who did this despicable thing?
Lu Su, tell me,
what is the penalty according to law?
By law,
the penalty is death!
Step forward. Reveal yourselves
Step forward
I have a way to find them
Since the buffalo was stolen in the rice fields,
then there must be mud on the shoes of the looters
Am I correct?
Yes!
Attention, Gan Xing Company!
Everyone,
run to that tree,
around and back
Go!
Quickly! Follow up!
I did not drag those people out today
because I want to give them a second chance
The Wu army does not tolerate looting!
What we really need
is to stick together
I have failed
to train my soldiers
I beg your forgiveness
I dare not!
These soldiers are difficult to train
Yet, these soldiers, have great potential
Things like this happen because of our shortage of supplies
You gave us half of your wealth to help build this army
Now, supplies are short again
So how about giving up the other half?
Whatever you say is fine by me
Then it's settled
Your Honor!
Bad news!
I told you
this friend is difficult to deal with
It's a dystocia!
Hold this
Luoyue,
hang in there
My Lady! The pony still hasn't...
Be quiet
She can't give birth with you being so loud
It's coming
Xiao Qiao, what's happening?
A dystocia
It will come out soon
Your Honor, for horses...
Be quiet!
Breech births are very rare
The pony has not come out for two days
What is happening?
Why is there only one leg?
He can't come out
What should we do?
The other leg is stuck
Simply dragging it out will not work
He is...?
He is Zhu...
He is Zhu-ge Liang, a friend of mine
Step back a little
You are knowledgeable in this too?
A little
I helped cows give birth
Horses should be much the same
Excuse me, let me try
The two front hooves need to come out together
for a natural birth
The pony does not have a name yet
He was born in the Southland,
so he should have a Southern name
How about Meng Meng?
Meng Meng?
Meng Meng, stand up!
He can't stand up!
Stand up!
Come on!
Stand up!
I hope we can watch him growth each day
I want you to promise me,
when he is grown,
not to make him a warhorse
Viceroy,
Xiao Qiao looks like
she's the proud new mother herself
Viceroy, time is of the essence
War or surrender?
Lu Su,
today we are celebrating. Let’s not discuss affairs of state
Alright,
Since Mr. Zhu-ge is learned in music,
why don’t we play a tune together?
I know only... a little
You know a great deal
You are only hiding it
If you two gentlemen can work together,
then that will be a perfect match
Please
Thank you, madam
Thank you, Mr. Zhu-ge
My husband has not played his qin for a long time
I, too, have not been so enervated for a long time
We still haven't discussed the war
How can we leave?
His answer is within his music
He will fight this war
I think you two can be great partners
His music tells me,
that he needs friends
Your music tells me
that you need to fight this war
Prime Minister,
desire and obsession
can also cause of headaches
Have you not heard that desire makes one young!
This painting must be by Your Highness
Her name is Xiao Qiao
When I was young,
her father thought very highly of me
I saw her only once
Now, she is the most beautiful woman in the world
and married to Zhou Yu
After I pacify Wu,
she will be mine
Gentlemen, you are all here
Yes, Your Highness!
General Cai, your ships are well built!
Thank you, Your Highness
I have guarded Jingzhou for many years
With the strength and power of our current navy,
we will surely defeat Wu
Great!
What? The two generals are saying,
that our ground troops are just for show?
General Xia-hou, while we Northerners are great on horseback,
the Southerners are experts on the water
To destroy Wu,
we will need the hard work of General Cai and his navy!
Thank you, Your Highness!
General Cai,
What...
is the best food in the South?
River fish is the best food in the South
Then...
what is the worst thing about the South?
The weather is the worst
This is the windy season
The wind can often be unpredictable
Victory
Six dragons lead my chariot
I will ride the wind with the greatest speed
With all of the feudal lords under my command,
to rule the world with one name
On land and sea, with forces numbering eight hundred thousand,
I wish to meet Your Highness at the hunt for Wu
This Cao Cao
really has some nerve
What does he mean by a "hunt" for Wu?
Brother
Smile!
We will get through this
They all want you to smile too
When father was nineteen,
he was known as the Tiger of the Southland
When my elder brother was twenty-six, he conquered the Southland
I am now twenty-six,
yet I have done nothing!
It seems that my achievements
will never be able to be compared to theirs
No matter how hard I try,
those old advisors call me worthless
Brother?
You came at the right time...
He will not listen or even smile
My Lord,
what is it?
Cao Cao requests our surrender. See for yourself
You have not used this for a long time
Let's go
He is cunning
Do you see him?
This beast is watching us
He is sinister, playing with his prey
Is he not like Cao Cao?
Though Cao Cao is Prime Minister, he is the real traitor,
always ambushing from the darkness
In the entire world, not one person likes him
Brother, what are you afraid of?
There!
To be honest,
I was prepared for war with Cao Cao three years ago
Cao Cao claims to have an army of eight hundred thousand,
yet many are surrendered troops he cannot trust
He can actually use one hundred thousand of them at most
Our troops have high morale
We have knowledge of the Yangtze River and greater naval expertise
Moreover, Cao Cao has no justifiable reason for his war
But those senior advisors!
They are only concerned about protecting themselves
You need not listen to them
Your elder brother once told you
that you are a better administrator,
but that he is a better commander
That made you lose confidence
But he only said that to make you strive to surpass him
Tiger!
Help them!
Go quickly
Get out of here
Can you walk?
Are you alright?
The beast is over there!
Go
Do not hesitate anymore
My decision to fight Cao Cao is final
If anyone dares mention surrender,
he will end up like this table
Zhou Yu!
Cheng Pu!
Lu Su!
Ay!
I hereby appoint
Zhou Yu as the Viceroy in Chief,
Cheng Pu the Lieutenant Viceroy,
and Lu Su as the Consulting Commander
We will form an alliance with Liu Bei,
to stop Cao Cao's invasion
Understood!
It seems that war is inevitable
We cannot stop Cao Cao's invasion
But maybe this one will prevent future wars
Just as long as there are no more wars
Isn't this one just like yours?
You sure know how to replicate my handwriting
Do you know why I wrote so many 'Ping An's?
'Ping An' means peace!
So... why so many peaces?
'Ping An' is
a name...
Come,
what do you hear?
Listen carefully
I have heard rumors
that all the families are leaving Red Cliff
When...
When will I leave?
I won't let you leave
I want you to remain by my side
One more time!
Hurry!
General Zhao
Chief Strategist, you are back!
This is Wu's Viceroy in Chief, Zhou Yu
Guan! Guan! The ospreys cried
from the sandy river side
Lovely maiden, modest and fair
makes a fine match for the gentleman
We have no food, what good is reading a book?
When you grow up, you will find out
that reading now will give you food later
Well, let us read one more time
Great Calligraphy!
Damn!
What do you think you are doing!
I have always admired General Zhang's famous roar
To defeat Cao Cao, we need men with your temper
This way please, Viceroy
My Lord, they are here
Your journey has been hard
This is Viceroy Zhou Yu,
Lieutenant Viceroy Cheng Pu,
Consulting Commander Lu Su,
and Veteran General Huang Gai
Greetings, Lord Mayor Liu
Gentlemen,
the Duke has helped all of us by sending these troops
I am sincerely thankful
An alliance is a friendship
Friends, need not be so formal
Dare I ask, Your Honor,
how many soldiers do you have under your command?
Thirty-thousand
Thirty-thousand...
thirty-thousand men, are too few
Our men are too few?
Your army was defeated by just one blow!
What battles have you won?
Speak up. I only worry we might laugh ourselves to death
So what?
What's worse than a defeated army?
What is wrong with defeat?
Better to be a loser than a coward
What are you saying?
I dare you
Brother, stop
Brother!
We are not building an alliance
We are making enemies
Viceroy Zhou,
what is your opinion?
At this time of crisis,
you can still weave straw sandals?
This has been a habit of mine for years
We have walked a long way wearing these shoes
Whenever our shoes are worn out,
Big Brother weaves new ones with his own hands
Exactly
It really is strong
I am surprised that such weak strands of grass,
can become so strong after you weave them together
You have a noble Lord,
and brave generals
Generals Guan, Zhang and Zhao are all invincible warriors on the battlefield
An army high in spirits can fight an enemy ten times its size
We sons of Wu, must protect our homeland
We will also do our best
I have only one dream
A dream for all;
that is for all of us to unite!
United, no one can pull us apart!
I'm here!
Why are you here?
To go to war!
War?
War is no joking matter!
You think that I'm here to joke around?
A woman should share the responsibility
for the rise and fall of the Kingdom
So should a horse!
Don't go! Come back!
Don't be like my brother!
Talk to me!
She is...?
Our Princess, Sun Shang Xiang
Princess,
have you ever been to war?
There is a first time for everything!
After I fought my first war,
I never wished for a second
I think, if she encounters any Cao troops,
her hands will tremble with fear, as if she were waving
Princess,
I see you better off at home, making your flower weavings
She seem a very ambitious young lady
She is a tomboy. She likes fighting
Her maids are all fully armed
Who would dare marry her?
What are you doing?
What did you say to my horse!
I told him that his rider
is a scoundrel!
Get up!
Don't pull so hard!
Hey!
You are drunk... drunk
Turn towards me
Prime Minister!
Prime Minister,
a messenger from Wu has arrived!
Bring him forth!
Yes sir!
This way please
Did Sun Quan receive my letter?
He did
What is his reply?
This page is blank. What is the meaning of this?
They intend to fight,
so they did not bother to write a reply
Have him
beheaded!
Prime Minister,
Liu Bei must have already formed an alliance with Wu,
brazenly opposing the empire
Who will command their alliance?
Prime Minister,
I guess it will be... Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu is known not for his military abilities, but his musical talent
How can such a man lead an army?
Prime Minister,
for years,
Zhou Yu has remained our toughest opponent
Indeed, he is a skilled musician,
but he is an even better naval commander
We have suffered considerable losses against him
Please do not underestimate him
You sure do
give him a lot of credit!
Prime Minister,
there is one other man we cannot underestimate!
Who is it?
That is
Zhu-ge Liang
To the first hero who sacrificed his life for Wu
In the battle of Guandu,
Cao Cao cut off the noses of a thousand prisoners of war
He boxed and returned those noses,
instantly crushing his opponent's morale
Today,
he beheaded a man of Wu
to crush our morale!
But, we men of Wu are not cowards,
and we are not afraid
I have been waiting for this day!
I'm here!
What a commotion!
I won't miss tomorrow's battle
Zilong,
have there been any problems with the allied training?
The two armies have different codes of conduct,
so at the start, there were a few minor conflicts
But, rest assured, I am training them well
Zhou Yu likes naval battles?
Generals Cai Mao and Zhang Yun,
I know you cannot wait any longer!
Very well,
you two are to command our navy to set sail down south
Cai Mao leads a strong navy
The water current and wind are all to their advantage
So, we can launch our naval invasion
Prime Minister, when shall we set out?
Tomorrow, before dawn
He cannot wait. He will launch the attack tonight
No,
make it tonight!
Would he take action so hastily?
There is only one word to describe his military tactics
Speed!
In the battle of Xinye, Cao Cao's elite cavalries
rushed five hundred miles in just three days
We had no chance to prepare
He places surrendered troops on the frontline,
while his own trusted army remains in the back
Cao Hong,
Zhang Liao
You are to lead the naval forces on the second front
Xia-hou Jun and Wei Ben,
you are to lead the cavalry west
to provide cover for the navy!
If the navy is so powerful,
why would they need us for cover?
Where will their main target be?
Right here!
That is the reason why you camped in Red Cliff
You have foreseen this
Yet someone said that my formations are outdated
I have an even more outdated one
Bagua formation
It is indeed outdated
But when used appropriately, it will be very effective
What are you all talking about?
How can this Bagua formation be used on water?
Once you drop, it sinks!
If they think I will use the navy,
then Zhou Yu and Zhu-ge Liang really are stupid
General Cai, your navy is only a diversion
Understood!
Xia-hou Jun and Wei Ben
Take two thousand cavalries by land
and catch them off-guard
The majority of the Cao force is land infantry
Would Cao Cao attack by water?
What are you thinking of?
Cao Cao never speaks of his true intentions,
even to his own followers
Truth and illusion are often disguised as each other
Cao Cao likes to play this game,
both with friends and with foes
What are you doing? Putting that land tortoise in water?
Halt!
Reporting!
No signs of the Wu army, within eight miles of the rear hill!
Nor any trace of civilians!
All have fled, except for a tortoise in its shell!
Charge!
There may be an ambush
Am I afraid of a few young girls?
Shoot!
The enemy has entered the trap
This Bagua formation is not at all outdated!
Form up!
It's a trap!
I predicted this ambush
Damn! Now the advantage is theirs
Kill them
Get back in formation!
Break through the shields and attack the enemy!
Charge!
Signal the cavalry! Break through their encirclement!
I will kill Zhou Yu for this!
Turn!
Charge!
Attack! Kill them!
Get back in formation!
Hang in there!
Viceroy!
Come on!
Attack!
Great! This is great!
Get out!
Reporting!
Your Honor,
Cao Cao's fleet is sailing towards Red Cliff
Prime Minister, our army was defeated!
Our cavalries have never lost a battle
It is only a slight setback. No need to panic
They managed to outfox this old fox
Look,
even though we came a long way on water,
not one allied ship was there to counterattack
Instead, they ambushed our ground forces
They were ready for us
The war against these rebels
shall not be underestimated
Prime Minister,
since they do not have an adequate naval defense,
let's send out our navy to destroy the allies!
I would rather spend more time
preparing my troops for the naval battle
Sooner or later, we will get across the river
I am still waiting to carve my poetry onto that cliff
Right there!
Make camp
right across from Red Cliff
Victory! Victory!
So many ships
If we used them as firewood,
it would take a hundred years to burn them all!
How can we beat them?
Cao Cao claimed to have an army of eight hundred thousand
It looks like he really does
So what if he has eight hundred thousand troops?
With only one tortoise, we stalled his army
Exactly!
The delay has taken away their momentum
What do you think?
Rather than attacking directly with his navy,
Cao Cao tried a rear sneak attack with his cavalry
He made a mistake
Now, he will change his tactics
and begin using his navy
Cao Cao used only two thousand troops, to discover our strengths
But we know nothing of our enemy
We can only wait for their next attack
How is your arrow wound?
Fine
It's only a slight wound
I owe you this one
Take it easy
Victory!
They are cheering for victory too early
With such good morale, what is there to fear?
We need good spirits to win this war
Your Honor!
This medicine will cure the wound very quickly
Please bear with the pain
Let me do this
Let me do something for a wounded soldier
How does my bandage look?
You wrapped me up like a rice dumpling
It seems that Cao Cao isn't as fierce as he seems
He is indeed fierce
He is a seasoned military commander
He will do anything within his power to gain victory
He knows how to command an army,
but he has no friends
Cao Cao is unlike you
This toast
is for Viceroy Zhou!
To Viceroy Zhou!
Me too! For Viceroy Zhou!
I hope he can recover soon
We joined forces under pressure
but were successful beyond our wildest dreams
Our brilliant victory shocked Cao Cao!
Duke,
I have a difficult favor to ask for you
One hundred thousand refugees
followed us from Xinye City
I have no land on which to settle them
After defeating Cao Cao,
I would like you to let me use Jingzhou to settle the people
Jingzhou is the heartland of the Yangtze
and a most valuable strategic location
How could you?
Only a righteous leader
owns his land
Indeed,
a righteous leader
may only need a small piece of land
The Kingdom is vast,
vast enough to shelter all refugees
But I am only afraid that
once soldiers settle in, they will never leave
Those in arms are all our own men
If a Lord is righteous, then all the Kingdom's men are his to lead
Come,
let's drink up!
Toast!
The princess is a true heroine!
Lord Liu,
my younger sister,
has always admired great gentlemen
But since she is so fierce,
I have always worried about her marriage,
as it is difficult to seek a suitable gentleman for her
Brother,
what are you talking about?
If the Liu and Sun families become relatives,
Then it wouldn't matter how we divided the land and men, would it?
The war has just begun
I...
have never thought of re-marrying,
but...
Brother,
you must be drunk
What do you take me for!
I have found you a fine match
What's wrong with that?
Fine
Then, I will have
a hundred of my armed maids
guarding my door,
and I dare you to step in...
and...
Oh, no
Big Brother!
How rude!
How outrageously rude!
Brother!
You have never learned to respect me!
That's strange
What did I do wrong?
Big Brother's acupuncture points are locked
Wake up!
Whatever you do, don't kill my pigeons
Their acupuncture points are different from those of men
I hope I didn't hurt your Lord
He wouldn't blame you, even if you hurt him
Was I outrageously rude?
I think you are unique
It is the unique ones who are the most misunderstood
I hate those arranged marriages
Women are pushed around
like chess pieces
You are feeding them too much
They won't be able to fly anymore
If only I was like them
You want to...
fly?
I have been living in the palace all my life
It is such a bore
Your talents exceed those of others,
yet you hide them
Only you can see them
I used to go hunting with my brother across the shore
Back then, the field was full of people dancing and praying
Now, it has all become dark and mysterious
Everything has changed now that Cao Cao has come
Before they come here,
I will go over there
to take a peek
and stir up some trouble
Take care
The weather has turned cold
I have served the Prime Minister
for three days already
Yet, Your Highness still does not know my name
My name is...
Can you serve tea?
I can
Do so
Prime Minister,
we can start the therapy today
Doctor,
what's the matter?
Tea, Your Highness
Incorrect,
try again
Tea, Your Highness
That's the way
Xiao Qiao,
I have always admired the way you serve tea
He started this war
all because of a woman?
What are you doing?
I just gave them a bath
and am drying them off
What if they catch a cold?
How is your wound?
It's fine
I heard last night was quite entertaining
Last night's celebration made me realize
that we may becomes enemies tomorrow
When that day comes,
you and I
will each serve our own sides
I cannot stand the thought
of a stand-off with you
I hope it never will happen
You are a brilliant commander
Fortunately, you are not on Cao Cao's side
Otherwise, you will be a big trouble
You've been looking across the shore for two days now
What do you see?
I must remain calm
How about you?
I also need to remain calm
Cao Cao has no experience in naval affairs
To cross the river,
he must rely on Cai Mao and Zhang Yun
They are both Southerners
They know all the rocks and currents in the river
If we can eliminate them,
half of the Cao navy will be paralyzed
That...
would be rather difficult
Cao Cao is always very wary of assassins,
just as his followers are wary of his deadly temper
They have interesting fleet formations
Every formation has its weakness
It's only up to us to find it
That shouldn't be too difficult
Great!
I never imagined that our soldiers are also great athletes!
This is what I call interesting!
Over all these years we've been on the battlefields,
we were never once defeated
But like a game of Cuju,
it cannot be exciting when one side always wins!
For the battle of Red Cliff,
we are ready
I want to see how those rebels react
once we throw out the ball!
These little monkeys are getting quicker!
The Prime Minister's order to practice Cuju...
...has toughened these kids up.
Follow closely.
Carry him inside quickly.
Follow me.
Just my stomach growling.
Yes!
Goal!
What do you think? Not bad, right?
Block him!
Yeah!
That pot isn't wide enough.
You would miss no matter how wide it was.
Pitch pot is a game for aristocrats...
...not for soldiers in wartime.
Your Honor, how'd you throw that bull's eye?
Concentration.
When the enemy is over-confident,
...we must double our concentration.
With concentration, you can kill a giant with a pebble.
Your Highness, Zhou Yu's army is small.
He'll have to resort to guerilla warfare.
That last puny victory...
...has made Zhou Yu cocky.
He's no guerilla warrior.
He will confront us face to face.
They are readying for battle.
We need a strategy to counter them.
Cao Cao wants to surround us...
...without breaking the basic rules of strategy.
The first army to the field will be rested.
The second army will arrive exhausted.
Attack where the enemy is least prepared.
Strike where they least expect it.
We must concentrate all forces...
...on their strongest position.
Naval victory depends on...
...Admirals Cai Mao and Zhang Yun.
We are loyal to Your Highness until death.
Cao Cao underestimates us.
He will never expect us to hit their navy.
What is your name?
Private Sun Shucai.
You are an outstanding player...
...and a good soldier.
From this day forward...
...you are promoted to battalion commander.
Thank you, Your Highness!
Everyone must practice hard at Cuju.
Only with tough bodies can we win this war.
Once the Southlands are subdued,
...your families will be exempt from taxes for three years.
Thank you, Your Highness!
What are you doing?
I'm... setting these birds free.
That's very kind of you.
You're leaving?
By your accent, I bet you're a Southerner.
That's right.
Southerners are warm-hearted people.
Northerners are free-spirited.
I'm kind of dumb.
People say my entire life...
You're not dumb, just too honest.
You're good at Cuju.
Thanks for heading the ball.
What's your name?
My name is...
Look at the size of me...
My mother calls me Piggy.
Piggy?
So you can play Cuju right?
You kidding? I only know hacky-sack.
Congratulations on your promotion.
So does a commander get bigger meals?
You're a big officer now.
You can eat as much as you want.
Are you fighting just to fill your stomach?
Mother says my stomach is a bottomless pit.
My family's too poor to feed me.
We're Pit and Piggy!
What a pair!
The new environment has made our men ill.
They are weak from a long war...
...and have lost all immunity.
So typhoid quickly...
Can it be cured?
Yes...
...but not overnight
How many have died?
Over a hundred.
In a few days, it will be out of control.
We must bury them right away.
No burials! We must cremate.
Cremation is the only way to stop its spread.
- Ready the funeral pyres. - Yes, sir
Hold on.
Epidemic outbreak.
The climate has weakened Cao Cao's army.
Disease is rampant Great.
Your Honor, let's seize this chance and attack.
The navy is still healthy.
We must not act recklessly.
Your Honor, this is the time to attack!
Yes!
This is a battle of honor.
Even war must be fair.
Your Highness...
...isn't this a bit inhumane?
Cast off the soldiers of the dead!
What's the matter?
Pull the boats here.
Look, what is that?
Pull it here.
Pull the boats here.
- Go report this to the general. - Yes, sir.
Pile weapons and armor here.
Put the corpses there.
Yes, sir.
Get away from here.
Don't touch them!
They died from typhoid!
Move! It's contagious!
Move! Don't touch anything!
Get out of here!
Everyone must leave!
Escort these people away!
This is for your own good.
This place is infected.
Leave here immediately.
Cao Cao is truly ruthless.
Those soldiers have touched corpses.
I've quarantined them...
...so they do not infect others
And the villagers?
I fear many have already been infected.
Cao Cao has stooped to evil tricks.
This is psychological warfare.
He's attacking our morale.
How to dispose of the bodies?
These are the bodies of our enemies.
Feed them to the fishes.
No, we must lay them to rest.
No burials.
We must cremate them.
I lift my drink and sing a song.
For who knows if life be short or long?
Man's life is but the morning dew.
Past days many, future ones few.
The melancholy my heart begets.
Comes from cares I cannot forget.
Who can unravel these woes of mine?
I know but one man... the God of Wine!
Disciples dressed in blue.
My heart worries for you.
You are the cause.
Of this song without pause.
Across the bank a deer bleats...
...in the wilds where it eats.
Honored guests I salute.
Strike the harp! Play the flute!
Bright is the moon's spark.
Never ceasing, never dark.
Thoughts of you from deep inside.
Cannot settle, cannot subside.
Stars around the moon are few.
Southward the crows flew.
Flying with no rest.
Where shall they nest?
No mountain too steep.
No ocean too deep.
Sages rush when guests call.
So at their feet...
...the empire does fall!
Take your time. Careful, it's hot.
More fall sick every day.
You have enough medicine?
Cassia trees are scarce here.
Our men will keep searching.
Can cassia cure typhoid?
It will ease current symptoms.
But a true cure requires other ingredients.
Let me take a look.
Hurry! Carry our men out!
Move it!
Stand up, let's go.
Stop! What do you think you're doing?
What are you doing?
General, what are you doing?
These patients cannot be moved.
Hurry! Put our men on the horses.
Please, these men must not leave.
They are still ill.
You're leaving?
Viceroy, this epidemic is beyond our control.
I have barely twenty thousand men.
If this continues, I might lose everything.
I must retreat and reformulate my strategy.
You withdraw at a moment like this?
You proposed this alliance.
Now with our lives at stake, you flee?
This is betrayal.
You can't say that.
We are men of our word.
But look what has happened to our men.
So our men count for nothing?
- Selfishness. - Who is selfish?
- Zhang Fei! - General!
My Lord, the battle is set.
- How can you... - Zhu-ge Liang
I have seen over a decade of defeat.
I cannot endure another setback.
Even soldiers must obey the law of survival.
We must not lose our allies' trust.
I know you feel strongly.
But in chaotic times, you cannot live on justice alone.
It's time I let others fight the tough battles.
One day you will understand this.
Liu Bei.
It was an honor to fight alongside your men.
We believed in the same goal.
Achieving it will not be so easy after all.
Take care.
We shall meet again.
Aren't you leaving?
A man must honor his promises.
If I start something, I see it to the end.
Anyone who talks like that is insane.
Then we are all insane.
Your Highness, tea is ready.
Brother, scouts report...
...the typhoid was successful.
The Southlands are in chaos.
- Good. - One more thing.
Liu Bei has left with all his men.
Good.
Their alliance is broken.
Excellent.
Swift as the wind.
Gentle as a forest.
Fierce as fire.
Firm as a mountain.
If you hate war,
...why can you quote "The Art of War"?
To understand you,
...I must sneak glances at your books.
A thousand books cannot equal a cup of your tea.
I'm happy so long as you enjoy it.
I wish we could invite Cao Cao for tea.
Forget the war and just enjoy the scenery.
Wouldn't that be great?
I doubt he appreciates the art of tea.
You wield your sword...
...like you know a way to beat Cao Cao
A way as mysterious as darkness.
And as powerful as thunder.
It is time for us to act.
Greetings, Your Highness.
How goes the naval training, Admirals?
Very well, Your Highness.
We're using iron beams to join the fleet.
Our men are Northerners and new to naval battle.
Now our ships shall be stable as solid ground.
Not even a storm will make our men seasick.
- Can they be separated? - Of course.
Men, separate the ships.
Unlocking the iron beams separates the ships.
The fleet will move into pincer formation...
...ready for battle.
You truly are naval experts...
...to invent this tactic.
Thank you, Your Highness.
- Jiang Gan. - At your service, Your Highness.
You grew up with Zhou Yu, right?
Yes, we were childhood friends.
Cross the river. Urge him to surrender.
Surrender?
Zhou Yu's loyalty to Sun Quan runs deep.
I'm afraid he won't...
The Southlands are falling apart.
Liu Bei has fled.
Now is the time to ask Zhou Yu to surrender.
Yes, Your Highness.
Piggy. Scared you didn't I?
These guys keep tailing me.
How can I have any fun like this?
You're battalion commander.
They have to follow you.
Listen up! Everyone go practice Cuju.
Yes, sir!
It worked!
- Let's have some fun! Great - Okay.
- What should we play? - Let's play...
Let's play Ride High.
OK. Come on.
You really are heavy.
Your mother gave you the right nickname.
This isn't high enough. Let's go up there.
Watch your balance.
Be careful.
This high enough for you?
Yeah. Stay still.
- That itches. - Itches?
Here, let me scratch it.
Much better.
Turn left.
What's so interesting there? It's just the fleet.
Don't move.
My Lord.
Cao Cao has several hundred thousand soldiers.
We have only thirty thousand.
We are totally outnumbered.
How can we fight like this?
This will decide the fate of the Southlands.
We must fight even if we cannot win.
How many arrows do we have?
Not even fifty thousand.
Liu Bei took forty thousand when he fled.
Without those arrows, we cannot fight.
The arrows are my responsibility.
As well they should be. Your Lord took them.
We need one hundred thousand arrows.
You still think you can handle it?
Fine, if I cannot come up with one hundred thousand,
...you may take my head.
We only have food for ten days.
I give you ten days' time.
I don't need ten, just three.
We soldiers do not joke.
You said you'd eliminate Admirals Cai Mao and Zhang Yun.
If not, then what?
You may have my head.
By night, the Milky Way. By day, snaking clouds.
You were here all night.
What are you up to?
See for yourself.
Wind and water converge here.
The feng shui is excellent.
Glad you're relaxed.
You are worrying me to death.
The twenty ships with crew...
...you requested are ready
There's only one day left.
Where are the arrows? You haven't made even one.
You should be in a nervous sweat.
My sweat is of no concern.
But see if the tortoise is sweating.
It is.
As I predicted, fog is coming.
What fog?
The only fog here is around my head.
What is this plan of yours?
Nature's secrets cannot be revealed.
Old cow plows the paddy's rows.
Young calf munches on what grows.
You really are something.
Back then you were just a kid who loved to sing.
Who'd have guessed that kid would be a Viceroy.
Planting rice is the old man's chore.
We were ten when you clubbed that bandit from behind.
He spun around and somehow the club was in my hands.
He gave me the beating of my life.
In the sedan chair the young boy snores.
To this day I still don't understand...
...how that club got into my hand
You're too slow.
You remember that time?
I wrote on the tutor's exam book in your handwriting...
..."Senile idiot!"
That's right!
He gave me twenty swats across my butt.
Back in those days,
...there was no prank we didn't pull.
I can trick any man I meet.
But with you, I always play the fool.
Bring my sword!
Marvelous!
You are a fine sword dancer.
Are you here as Cao Cao's emissary?
Me?
I can barely speak for myself.
How could I speak for Cao Cao?
I'm not as clever as you...
...but I know what song you're singing.
You do not give me enough credit.
I'd never disrespect a talented Southerner...
...but to serve Cao Cao is wrong.
You have your Lord and I have mine, but...
No matter.
A few days from now...
...someone will lay Cao Cao's head at my feet.
You believe me?
Yes, I do.
Your Honor, urgent news!
Can't you see I have a guest?
I know we've no arrows.
If Zhu-ge Liang fails to get more,
...I'll have his head
Maybe our friends across the river can help.
They have a more important mission.
Admirals Cai Mao and Zhang Yun report...
...Cao Cao's head cannot be taken just yet.
I fear...
Do not underestimate them.
Here is their message.
Excellent!
Mr. Jiang.
What are you doing here alone?
Mrs. Zhou? Come sit inside.
Xiao Qiao, bring more wine.
Any more and you'll be drunk.
Come on, we'll drink more upstairs.
Drink more? Why end a good time?
I heard Cao Cao invaded the Southlands all for your wife.
Is that so?
Cao Cao has a reputation for stealing men's wives.
You're drunk More wine.
More? Where?
"We surrendered to Cao Cao...
...not for profit but out of desperation.
We now have the Northerners entrapped in camp.
Soon we will deliver his decap...
...his decapitated head.
Further reports to come.
Admiral Cai Mao. "
What are you looking at?
Just one of my tricks.
You do love to play tricks on me.
I'll trick you again...
...and again.
Not this time you won't.
Scarecrow, you're more of a man than that fellow.
That fellow doesn't tell me a thing.
You're a better drinking buddy.
Cheers!
Scarecrow.
Why are we heading for the enemy camp?
You're not surrendering, are you?
The enemy! The enemy is approaching!
Separate ships.
Send the left flank to intercept the enemy!
Faster!
Scarecrow, stop drumming!
What if Cao Cao's men come for us?
They wouldn't dare.
A heavy fog might hide an ambush.
Oh, so you've decided to talk to me.
Ready all archers!
Shoot at first sight!
Ready!
All ships line up!
This is a plot to turn us against each other.
We're not fools.
Would Zhou Yu use such an obvious trick?
Sometimes the simplest trick...
...is the best way to lead someone to their death.
Shoot!
Shoot.!
Your Highness, whether this is a trick or not,
...we should proceed with caution.
What if their navy mutinies?
That would be a disaster.
Shoot!
Besides the letter,
...I heard them mention...
...friends here would get them arrows.
Don't worry.
Scarecrow will protect you.
Cease drumming!
Call Admirals Cai Mao and Zhang Yun in for questioning.
They are out training the fleet.
If they are not here, then their handwriting is.
Bring their letter of surrender.
Ready, all ships about-face!
What?
Drum in unison.
Give them a target to shoot.
Aim for the drums.
Shoot!
Drink up.
Watch your seat.
Fire at will!
The handwriting is a perfect match...
...and full of the same mistakes.
This must be the work of Cai Mao.
Shoot!
We return home victorious!
Cheers.
Nothing but scared mice. Return to your positions!
Thank you Prime Minister for your gift.
Thank you...
Marvelous!
Mr. Zhu-ge! Look...
How did you know the fog was coming?
A clear Milky Way and snaking clouds...
...signal fog is near.
If you know how earth, sky, yin and yang change,
...then the sun, moon and stars;
...the wind, forest, mountains and fire...
...become soldiers at your command.
So you can read Mother Nature's moods, huh?
We lost one!
- What a shame... - Hey, come back!
A small victory hardly deserves such a reception.
Your Highness. A small victory?
How many men did the enemy send?
Fog covered the river. Impossible to see.
If you could not see, how did you repel them?
Firing at will forced retreat.
Firing at will? How many arrows is that?
About one hundred thousand.
About one hundred thousand!
And why didn't you pursue them?
Fog meant possible ambush, Your Highness.
So...
Again with the fog.
Seems like you are hiding something in that fog.
Look, a boat is floating this way.
Pull it in...
Your Highness.
Can't you tell a soldier from a scarecrow?
One hundred thousand arrows?
You're mighty generous.
Please forgive me, Your Highness.
I deserve death, Your Highness.
Today it's arrows...
Tomorrow it's my head, am I right?
Zhou Yu is turning us against each other.
No spy is stupid enough to...
Silence!
I trust and honor talented men.
But I abhor deceivers and traitors.
Guards!
Your Highness, we have trained day and night.
Take them away and behead them.
We swear our loyalty to Your Highness.
Didn't I surrender to a benevolent ruler?
We have trained night and day.
Wait, Your Highness.
If you kill them, who will lead the navy?
Halt!
Ninety-three thousand eight hundred.
Ninety-four thousand.
Ninety-four thousand two hundred.
Ninety-four thousand six hundred.
We'll shoot Cao Cao with his own arrows.
This battle will be interesting.
Concentrate! No mistakes.
Wait.
Don't interrupt!
Two hundred per person. There'll be no mistakes.
Mr. Zhu-ge, what is this new invention?
A rapid-fire crossbow.
It shoots ten arrows without reloading.
Here, watch.
Great.
Ninety-nine thousand four hundred.
Ninety-nine thousand six hundred.
Impressive!
You know a trifle about weapon design too.
Knowing a trifle about everything gives life more color.
Your Honor.
Did he reach one hundred thousand?
The total is ninety-nine thousand six hundred.
Now what?
Well...
Your Honor, it's only four hundred.
Short one is still short.
The law is firm as a mountain.
That's right. So what does the law say?
The law prescribes beheading.
Garbages!
What took you so long?
Hurry and bring them over.
Thank god!
The total is one hundred thousand two hundred.
Mr. Zhu-ge has completed his mission.
Seems like my head is safe where it is.
How about yours?
You want my head?
Mr. Zhu-ge. We're just joking.
When I lost, was he joking?
Of course not.
Looks like you haven't lost after all.
Cao Cao has executed Admirals Cai Mao and Zhang Yun.
I think we've been duped.
Steal the enemy's weapons then destroy their moral.
Your strategies worked together brilliantly.
Cao Cao must be going crazy right about now.
In two or three days, he will try something desperate.
But this will not be good for Jiang Gan.
I've lost an old friend.
Honored guests...
Zhou Yu is just showing off his cleverness.
He undoubtedly thinks I have gone crazy.
Tell me, do I look crazy?
Not at all...
Come, let us root out the traitor...
...then we can sleep easy. Cheers!
- Jiang Gan. - Yes
Today you were of great service.
Please drink.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Sir!
Sir! Are you...
Your stupidity was trivial.
But you brought your stupidity upon me.
Hear this!
In two days, our army shall cross the river...
...and take Red Cliff!
Yes, Your Highness!
All hear this! In two days the army will cross the river.
What's going on here?
There's a spy! Catch the spy!
Halt!
Don't let him escape!
Grab him!
Piggy, why do they want to hurt you?
It's a misunderstanding A misunderstanding?
What's going on?
He's a spy.
Nonsense, he is my friend.
Friend? Are you stupid?
Come on, they're beating up the commander.
A fight!
Pit.
Piggy, are you all right?
I have to go.
Piggy!
Where are you going?
My mother is sick. I must go home.
That's very kind of you to visit her.
You should go home too.
No, I'll return after the war.
Fighting means no taxes.
That means more food on the table.
Hurry, go visit your mother.
I will come back to see you.
Ride high.
Don't let him escape!
He's just going to see his mother.
In eighteen years of battle,
...I have never lost
If I fail to capture this tiny cliff,
...I shudder to think what historians will say.
Yes.
Your Highness.
How are things?
Worse than expected.
The disease's spread has not slowed.
At this rate,
...it will take a month to control.
I respectfully request you delay the assault.
Stop! Lie still
- Your Highness. - Sit up.
You are ill and must recuperate.
Man Tun, how can you be ill?
You were always in perfect health.
What is on your mind?
Go ahead.
I want to go home.
I too have not been home for a long time.
I want to see my youngest son.
He is only thirteen.
Younger than you even.
He is kind-hearted and bright.
He has been frail since birth and is often sick.
Yet in front of me,
...he pretends everything is fine.
Whatever the illness, he endures.
He never complains to me...
...I swore at the start of this war...
...to cleanse the world of warlords.
We must seize Red Cliff and storm the capital.
Then bring the mud of this land back home...
...and tell our families we were victorious.
We were victorious!
So you all must be strong...
...as must I...
...because I must bring you back home.
Victory...
Greetings everyone.
Sorry for the wait.
We're glad you're back safe.
Did you have any problems?
No. I just fell into the mud.
jumping the stockade.
Shang Xiang.
You're always causing trouble.
Where have you been?
They are ready to attack.
Shang Xiang.
You're back.
Xiao Qiao.
Shang Xiang?
Xiao Qiao...
...please help me pull this. Go ahead, pull it.
This is a map of Cao Cao's camp.
This tower here...
...is Cao Cao's headquarters.
Their best troops guard it.
The barracks are here.
East and west are well-defended.
The rear hill is weakest.
It's like a tiger that stares ahead...
...but forgets its tail.
The navy is here Put this on.
- You'll catch a chill. - I'm not cold
A third of their forces...
...are onboard ready for assault.
Warships lead the smaller boats.
Transport ships are in the middle.
This is an interlocked naval formation.
I'm fine.
Every ship is ready for attack or defense.
I was wrong to scold you.
If you were Zhou Yu,
...how would you attack?
He only has enough men for one assault...
...an all-out attack on our fleet.
They will want to attack with fire.
Fire? I doubt it.
Without manpower, they need strength.
Where can they get it? Fire of course.
This is a standard rule of war.
Too bad it won't work.
A northwest wind is blowing.
If they attack our fleet with fire,
...they will be fighting the wind and burn themselves.
We are the ones who should use fire.
Yes, load the ships with brimstone.
Tomorrow, we shall burn Red Cliff to the ground!
The map shows.
Cao Cao's army has finished deployment.
Tonight may be the decisive battle.
This is a fight to the death.
Win or lose, we must fight with everything we have.
Shang Xiang.
What are these lines between the ships?
It sounds funny.
They've locked their boats together...
...to stabilize the fleet...
...so the Northerners won't get seasick.
Enough talk. What is your strategy?
Cao Cao made camp in a bad location.
It is hook-shaped.
This makes return difficult.
If their assault fails, they cannot fall back.
We should use fire.
The terrain is in our favor.
If we can burn the fleet's vanguard,
...they will be trapped and vulnerable.
Yes, a fire attack!
Just give me ten fire ships.
Two will hit their left and right flanks.
The remaining eight will ram the center.
We'll burn an opening here!
Next, you follow closely and rush in.
No matter how great their numbers,
...we will crush them.
If only we still had Liu Bei's cavalry,
...then we could attack their camp at the rear.
Then victory would be assured.
This wind is to Cao Cao's advantage.
A northwest wind is blowing.
Sailing into the wind will burn our own fleet.
Cao Cao knows the wind is on his side.
He will also think of using fire.
Why are you so quiet?
What are you looking at?
Look, those dark clouds in the east...
...are enshrouding the sun
Isn't that rather unusual?
Zhu-ge Liang, what does that mean?
The winds will change.
I know from farming.
If during a warm winter clouds enshroud the sun,
...then along the Yangtze River...
...an unseasonal wind will blow.
What do you mean unseasonal?
A warm southeast wind.
It blows from southeast to northwest.
What if Cao Cao knows this too?
Only Admiral Cai Mao would know and he is dead.
Zhu-ge Liang.
Can you predict when it will change?
Tonight or tomorrow morning.
History shows the timing of weather is key.
He who can predict it will win.
We must delay his attack.
Only then will we have a chance at victory.
Greetings, General.
Terrific, just terrific This fish oil is perfect!
Bigger Yes, General!
No good. Bigger!
Yes, General.
No good. Bigger!
Just how big do you want it?
Go.
That's about right.
Yes! This is it!
See how strong this northwest wind is?
It will never shift.
We'll never get near their navy.
Your Honor, I can fake a defection.
Invent some excuse...
...to punish me with fifty lashes.
I'll fake a surrender in anger.
That way Cao Cao is sure to believe me.
Then I can sail my fire ships in range.
How can you fight after such a beating?
I could never treat a general that way.
Do not lose heart.
The east wind will come.
Your Honor...
Terrible news...
Our Lady has disappeared!
My dear husband, by the time you read this,
...I will be on the way to Cao Cao's camp.
I will be cautious...
...and only act when the moment is right.
Yet I hope the east wind will come early.
Where there is faith, there is hope.
The clear waters of the Yangtze...
...the emerald leaves of the mountains...
...the birds returning to nest...
...the fisherman singing his evening song.
This is our home,
...our beautiful native land.
Our people gladly give their lives for her sake.
I cannot stand idly by.
I have been carrying our child Ping An for three months.
I did not tell you...
...fearing it might distract you.
We cannot in caring for our child...
...and forget the children of the Southlands.
I want to see them grow up together...
...to have a future where they can play,
...swim, pick flowers...
...and plant rice in peace.
"Your child Ping An "
"Pregnant "
"Do not fear...
...I shall bring Ping An home. "
Some traditions still carry great meaning.
For example, rice flour and sugar...
...stick together like a family at reunion.
Over here! Bring the cart here!
There are sweet rice dumplings for everyone.
Today is winter solstice, a time for reunion.
Everyone have some rice dumplings.
Two or three per person! Eat up!
Officers and soldiers alike, come on!
Two or three per person! Eat up!
Come on...
Give me a bowl
Zhang Fei, you're making them too big.
Do you want us to choke?
Fine with me. I couldn't be happier.
Zhao Yun.
Has your wound healed from combat practice?
So long as I can fight, a wound means nothing.
Guan Yu, how many times have you read the classics?
If a man of learning does not understand brotherhood,
...isn't his learning worthless?
My Lord, what are we doing here?
Waiting.
Waiting for what?
Waiting for Zhu-ge Liang.
Waiting for his return, so we can go home.
Do we still have a home?
Sons of the Southlands, listen.
Today is the winter solstice,
...a day for family reunion.
Yet thieves encircle our home.
How can we celebrate like this?
I say let us drive them from this land!
Then we shall have our celebratory family meal.
Here!
My Lord.
Though I sometimes disagree with you,
...I have never said a word against you.
But this is a choice between right and wrong.
I acted for the good of us all...
...yet you lecture me for being unrighteous
You have followed me so long and for what?
I just want to ensure we live on.
There are some things I value more than my life.
Zhou Yu, may your plans come to fruition.
We will fight the good fight.
Zhou Yu's wife is here.
She came alone.
Zhou Yu,
...we must alter our plan of attack
Consider your wife's safety,
...I will send our best men...
...around back to rescue her.
No changes.
All our forces must be focused on frontal assault.
We cannot divide our strength.
Your Honor, we stand alone on the battlefield.
Without allied support,
...the chance for victory seems slight.
I have never given up on my dream.
Victory cannot rest on dreams alone.
When will the east wind come?
Based on new observations,
...at around one o'clock.
If at that time you still trust your friends,
...light a lantern for a signal.
If misfortune befalls Xiao Qiao,
...will you still fight a war of honor?
I saw you once in the back of your family's estate
Though young, you were already a great beauty
You were studying the tea ceremony...
...and liked catching butterflies.
Did you launch this war for me?
You believe that?
My father was very fond of you.
At that time, Cao Cao believed in justice, ideals...
...and loyalty to the Han throne.
He was a young hero.
How else could he have become Prime Minister?
By killing many people.
I heard many Southland soldiers have fallen ill.
Yes.
I heard Liu Bei has fled...
...and the alliance is broken.
Yes.
Then Zhou Yu must be a lonely man.
Did he send you?
This was my idea.
Why are you here?
Please withdraw your troops.
Victory is yours.
What need is there to fight on?
No.
Zhou Yu shall kneel before me in surrender.
What is this?
I am not here for my husband...
...but for the people of this kingdom.
Please end this war.
And if I refuse?
Stop playing.
You must witness how I defeat Zhou Yu.
What's on your mind?
Just thinking of a silly friend.
The times make the hero.
After this battle,
...I will have time to savor your tea.
Just one cup?
It'll help you relax.
Fine.
No one's ever given us respect.
So what?
Who cares so long as we respect ourselves?
Listen up!
Our boats will soon charge Cao Cao's fleet.
No man jumps ship until their ships burn.
Yes, sir!
Any problem with that?
No, sir!
That's what I thought.
Have you all written to your families?
Yes.
Don't rush.
Appreciate the tea's color and bouquet.
Oh.
Why is the Prime Minister waiting to attack?
The wind is behaving strangely.
I know.
He is drinking tea with that woman.
Tea?
What makes brewing tea so difficult?
Leaves, heat, water, and utensils...
...all demand study.
Yet the hardest is boiling water.
Boiling water?
Look!
The wind has stopped.
At first boil, bubbles hiss and resemble tiny fish eyes.
At second boil, the edge simmers like a fountain.
This is when tea is finest.
At third boil, the water seethes and spurts.
Any further and the water is past its prime.
Your Honor, the wind seems about to shift.
It's time to attack What are we waiting for?
Our allies.
What allies?
Liu Bei fled days ago.
This is all part of Zhou Yu's plan.
Some plans are best kept quiet.
Enough! It is full!
Your Highness...
...don't you see your true self reflected in this tea?
Your heart is overflowing with ambition.
It's too full to let other people in.
You've carried this full heart to Red Cliff.
Someone here shall pour that heart onto the floor.
Your Highness.
You do not understand the art of tea.
Your Honor, tell us what we must do.
At two o'clock,
...the ten fire ships will ram Cao Cao's fleet...
...burning through their vanguard.
With the fleet broken,
...Zhao Yun will hit the east gate...
...to divert their attention.
Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei...
...will overwhelm Cao Cao's camp from the west gate.
Doctor!
Your Highness!
Call Doctor Hua Tuo. My head aches.
Your Highness, Hua Tuo has left.
- What did you say? - Hua Tuo is gone.
Cast off!
What is this wind?
It's an easterly wind, Your Highness.
It shifted? Impossible!
Enemy ships approaching!
General, enemy ships approaching!
Hurry, separate the ships!
Separate ships!
What is that?
That is their lanterns, Your Highness.
Forward.
- Zhou Yu. - I have done all I can.
Tonight will decide the fate of the empire.
There must be no mistakes.
Zhu-ge Liang,
...you weren't lying after all!
Report!
Boats are approaching fast.
Separate ships immediately.
Separation has already begun.
Light the fires!
Forward.
Hurry over here!
All speed ahead!
Hurry, separate the ships.
Faster.
Retreat! Protect the main gate!
Faster, toward Cao Cao's flagship!
Strike as powerful as thunder.
Charge!
Go ahead. Charge!
Follow me.
Shoot!
Launch catapults!
Hurry, the enemy is approaching
Look, over there.
Your Highness! Terrible news!
They have broken through the stockade!
Why are you panicking?
Do not forget you are a general.
I...
Try to endure the pain!
Reinforce Zhang Fei! Move!
Your Highness, the rear gate is under surprise attack.
It is Liu Bei's allied forces.
Liu Bei?
Free the horses!
Pull!
Shoot!
General Gan,
...we must save energy for inside.
You must break down this gate...
...so we can join our allies...
...otherwise all is lost.
- No problem. - Good luck
Halt!
Tear down the barricade!
Shoot!
Forward.
Attack the main gate.
Come on soldier!
Hang in there.
General Gan!
Individual bombs aren't strong enough.
Run! The fire is coming!
Give me all your fire bombs.
There's only three left.
No retreat! No surrender!
This is it!
All forces attack!
Shoot!
Your Highness.
The navy is lost.
East, south, and west... all three sides have been sunk.
It seems like they went up in flames too.
Yes, Your Highness.
All is quiet below.
The fire is too fierce!
Stay together at all costs!
Don't get separated!
Your Highness.
Perhaps retreat is best.
Retreat?
With our best soldiers still remaining?
They would give their lives for me.
Even if all would die, they must fight.
This is military power.
All together! Charge!
Fight me if you dare.
Come back here!
Come on, you traitor!
General!
Don't give up, my brother.
Guan Yu! Where is Liu Bei?
All speed ahead!
Break formation!
Launch spears!
Forward!
Crush them or die trying!
Hang in there.
I oversaw the end of every warlord.
I saw the end of one here and one there.
The end of all but here...
Just in time.
I knew you wouldn't let me down.
I said we would meet again.
Gan Xing sacrificed himself.
But not in vain.
The fire is approaching!
We must save Xiao Qiao now!
First find Cao Cao.
We have lost...
...all because of that accursed woman.
She ruined our chance to attack.
I'll kill her.
Kill her.
Come no further.
Don't let the enemy through.
That way, quickly...
Protect the Prime Minister! Get them!
Pit?
Pit!
It's me, Piggy.
Piggy?
Piggy.
You came to see me.
I said I would.
Piggy...
Still want to play Ride High?
I'll kill that witch.
Don't move!
Zhou Yu.
Viceroy Zhou.
The traitor Cao Cao Silence!
You shall call me Prime Minister.
I never guessed I'd lose to a gust of wind.
Because you don't understand the Will of Heaven.
I never dreamed I'd be defeated by a cup of tea.
For you, war was just a tea ceremony.
Such a pity!
You never knew what you were fighting for!
I come by order of the Emperor...
...to subdue rebels like you.
We are not rebelling against the Emperor...
- ... but against you. - You pest!
Little boy...
This has been quite an enjoyable hunt.
What do you want to hunt?
Tiger.
By the looks of you.
You are a far cry from your father.
Shoot!
I am prime Minister of the Emperor's court.
Death is too good for rebels like you.
If you declare allegiance to me,
...I can pardon you.
Kneel down, all of you.
Your time is over.
Lay down your sword.
Your Highness, kill them!
Kill them all.
Xiao Qiao!
Are you both safe?
We are both fine.
We lost!
All because of you!
Kneel down before me.
Kneel to me and I will spare Xiao Qiao.
We won't let you harm her.
"We"?
You mean"them"?
That motley troop?
They are my friends.
War knows no friends.
Tomorrow, they shall be your enemies.
General!
Push her off! Die!
Your Honor!
Are you both all right?
Let's go.
I promise I will take you home.
Go.
Go back to where you came from.
There is no victor here.
Meng Meng.
Go on now, go.
Meng Meng.
From division comes unity, and from unity, division...
...Liu Bei won't stand being second best.
One day, we will face each other on the battlefield.
No man can tell the future.
The world is full of heroes.
But you're the one I most fear offending.
You would be an opponent I truly fear.
Me?
I'd best return home and get some sleep.
Are you a good farmer?
I planted lotus flowers once...
...but none lived long.
Do not be humble You have brought peace to the land.
In this alliance, I found true friends.
No matter what may happen,
...this experience is engraved in my heart.
I too will not forget.
Zhu-ge Liang,
...when Meng Meng has grown, do not make her a war horse.
Don't worry.
These hands helped birth her.
I shall always cherish her.