The Lost Bladesman

"As transient as dreams and shadows,"

"as erratic as dew and

lightning, such is life."

If Guan Yunchang,

righteous as heaven itself,

can come to such an end,

who's left to guard the Way?

'Righteousness' : written

'lamb' atop 'oneself'.

A self with the goodness of a lamb.

The righteousness of General Guan...

was six parts compassion.

It's tragic.

He was essentially a wolf...

with the soul of a lamb.

Yet this world is ruled by wolves.

Ruled by wolves.

Twenty years ago...

the Han reigned over a war-torn land.

Commanding a small force, I, Cao Cao

managed at last to stabilize the empire.

Then Yuan Shao rebelled, attacking my army.

His commander, Yan Liang,

stormed Baima with his mighty army.

We'd always prevailed over stronger armies.

With this defeat, the city in ruins

my generals couldn't

contain their distress.

Territory, I can lose.

The morale of my men, never.

Guan Yunchang was my prisoner then.

He had such ability.

They called him The Undefeatable.

I knew...

if I could make him my chess piece,

I could make my next move.

One that'd spell victory or defeat.

But this chess piece...

belonged to Liu Bei.

How to play another man's piece?

Brother Guan, come, have a bite with me.

You can eat at a time like this?

- What's up?

- I'd like your help.

Are you willing to help me?

I'm a prisoner. My will's irrelevant.

Good. Could you kill someone for me?

Would it end the fighting?

Yes.

Who?

No rush. Eat first.

No rush?

I'll eat afterwards.

They'll ram the gates. Hold 'em back!

Yes, sir!

M'Lord, Guan Yunchang is an enemy general.

Why would he fight for us?

Who here wasn't once an enemy general?

Free the tiger and he'll

return to his lair.

Brother Guan, of the 5000 men here,

could any hold you back?

I need 30 cavalry. Who's in?

We once served different masters.

We've never been brothers.

But for today's battle...

Forget the past. Fight with me.

You are truly my brothers.

If no one objects...

I'll be so bold as to call you that.

Brothers, please accept my respects.

I, Zhang Liao, will ride with you.

Who else?

- Brothers, attack!

- Attack!

- Attack!

- Attack!

Are these your men?

They're his.

His Majesty, the Emperor!

Guan Yunchang is hereby...

a Marquis of Han...

and a commanding general.

I don't deserve this. I'm unworthy.

Brother Yunchang,

you're loyal, righteous;

The honor is yours alone.

His Majesty is in peril, yet I do nothing.

Is that loyal or righteous?

You don't think...

His Majesty's in peril here?

It's taboo to bear arms in the palace.

But all the officials are doing it.

Rebellion is clearly brewing.

We're at war; it's to protect the throne.

How can you imply an intent to rebel?

Why doesn't Cao Cao kneel

before the throne?

If it bothers you, don't kneel either.

I wouldn't violate protocol.

No ceremony today, no need for protocol.

So, all relax, no need for kneeling.

Rise, c'mon.

Rise. Up up up.

On your feet.

Marquis, His Majesty has spoken.

Brother Yunchang, please rise.

Your Excellency.

Please, rise. No need for formality.

Your Excellency, you saved my life.

I must honor you.

You saved yourself. Remember that.

Sir Guan... you're a great hero.

That you saved my life honors me.

Even more so now you're a marquis.

That's just a wee...

misunderstanding with Cao Cao.

Marquis Guan...

true, we've had a wee misunderstanding.

I'll get back to work.

Alright.

And how should we resolve it, Lord Cao?

Have some water,

Marquis Guan.

This was once barren wilderness.

We came, tilled and sowed the land.

We brought over many people from Luoyang.

In six years, no one's died of hunger.

Admit it, I've done pretty well.

Old Liu's house was falling apart.

I helped him repair it.

But some said I'd torn it down.

Who'll give me a fair hearing?

Lord Cao truly has a way with words.

Words? Isn't it the truth?

The truth is you control the court.

I control the court?

This statement...

is bullshit.

The emperor forces me to take charge.

I know such bullshit has currency.

It'll echo down the millennia.

But it's still bullshit.

Only two types believe this:

The stupid, and the bad.

Liu Bei is bad. You're just stupid.

Liu Bei profits from your stupidity.

I like you.

You're courageous, and passionate.

Stay, work for me here.

If Liu Bei's family wasn't hostage.

Would you dare ask?

Marquis Guan,

you don't kill those you shouldn't,

right?

Cao, what's going on?

Get to work.

Does Cao Cao make you do this?

Sit down.

See, he's also working.

What?

It doesn't befit Us and Our court...

to engage in hard labor?

Exceptional times, exceptional measures.

No need for so much protocol.

Has Your Majesty ever thought to leave?

Over the last ten-odd years...

do you know how I've lived?

Moving from one palace to another,

traveling between ruins,

eating chaff, drinking filthy water.

The ministers in my court...

ate the flesh of their dead peers...

and drank their blood.

If an emperor can find no refuge...

what sort of empire is it?

The first time I saw Cao Cao...

know what he gave me?

Steamed bread; hot meaty soup,

and a warm bed.

Such trifles can buy the court of the Han?

Cao Cao doesn't want to be emperor.

He doubts an emperor can change the world.

An emperor has Heaven's mandate.

Without that belief, what can he do?

Ability. That's what it takes.

Today the realm is in Cao Cao's hands...

because he's the stronger one.

One day I'll be stronger than him.

And he'll yield the realm to me.

If I have Heaven's mandate,

the realm will ultimately be mine.

Brother Guan.

Brother Guan, Brother Guan.

Monkey.

How's your dad? Any better?

Much better, but he still needs medicine.

Brother Guan.

Is the food ready? I'll go check.

It's okay, we've come early.

Don't worry.

And this gentleman is...?

Cao Mengde, Lord Cao Cao.

- And you're...?

- We'll be right back.

Hurry, let's go.

Who are they?

They've been here a month or so...

but can't find work or food.

They're our people. Can you help?

Rest easy. I'll fix it after I return.

Brother Guan - he's that evil man.

Watch your mouth, Monkey.

Monkey.

Lord Cao is our God of Wealth.

Take it. Buy medicine for your dad.

Lord Cao.

Brother Yunchang.

Goodbye.

Mesdames...

I've returned Cao Cao's gifts.

To Brother Liu Bei's wives, my respects.

Qilan, why're you ignoring Brother Guan?

Does a dishonorable man...

deserve respect?

Qilan, his promotion was

just a ruse by Cao Cao.

Liu Bei has total faith in Brother Guan.

As Liu Bei's future

Concubine, so should you.

Do you doubt his judgment?

Who can read men's hearts?

Aren't all Cao Cao's men defectors?

General Guan's prowess is famous.

If he wanted to go, who could stop him?

I'd like to see him

return to Brother Liu...

and attack Xuchang while

Cao battles Yuan Shao.

Then he'd do right by Brother Liu.

She's right.

Leave us, Brother.

Why not... do as Qilan says.

Brother Guan,

I beg you...

return to Brother Liu.

Qilan,

Brother Guan has his own ideas.

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