"228 AD" "It was a time when China was divided between three kingdoms, Wei, Wu and Shu." "The country was plagued by constant war while its people suffered from hardship and famine." "It was from this turmoil that a hero would arise." "His name was Zilong of Shu Kingdom." "I vow to guard Phoenix Heights to my death." "I vow to capture Zilong alive today." "We only have one life to live." "I, Pingan, shall dream big and aspire after success." "Just as a dog needs to find a good master, so had I chosen to join Liu's forces." "It was there that I met Zilong." " Your home village?" " Changshan." " Your name?" " Zilong." "How long have you been away from home?" "Almost two years." "Why do you want to join Liu's army?" "To bring peace to our land and start a family." "Do you think we can win?" "I believe that man can prevail over destiny." ""Changshan Zhao Zilong"." "This is the frontline of Liu's army." "Cao's army is much stronger and determined to eliminate Liu." "Liu rushes the fortress fortification while we wait for backup forces." "I am here." "Then where is Changshan?" "It must be here." "Changshan's not there at all." "You fool." "You should know more about your own country." "Changshan is here." "This bread is tasteless." "I am from Changshan, too." "We are now here." "If we fight for our Lord Liu and make a circle on this map, peace will finally come to our country and we can return to Changshan as heroes." "Can we really encircle so much territory?" "Young man, you stick with me your brother and I'll lead you to complete that circle." "Brother..." "How long have you been in the army?" "Five years." "Do you ever miss home?" "Who wouldn't?" "But I've never been back." "A man must dream big and aspire after great achievements." "I swore not to return home unless with glory." "Brother..." " Consider this a gift to you." " For me?" "The map is in my heart." ""When the fort falls, annihilation follows."" " Look, what's in the box?" " How would I know?" "And who is that man?" " What's the matter?" " It's Pingan!" "Strange things happened." "A wooden box was left outside the front gate, and there's someone sent by Lord Liu." "Is he the reinforcement?" "Does he look like one?" "How many people did he bring with him?" "He came alone." "Alone?" "The main force of Cao's army will attack us within the next few days." "So they won't wait long." "Cao's army will attack us tomorrow." "What should we do...?" "There must be four thousand men in the Cao's camp." "Definitely not less than eight thousand." "How can you be so sure?" "At ten men per cooking stove." "Cao's army has lit over a thousand stoves to cook a meal." "That makes ten thousand troops?" "I didn't want to scare you with the numbers." "Then we are doomed." "Cao's ten thousand men is nothing." "Cao is a master in the art of war but he is skeptical by nature." "His troops could have traveled 25 miles a day but now they're traveling only 8 miles a day." "It is obvious that he has his concerns." "What concerns would a dog like Cao have?" "He is afraid of someone in our army." "Who is that?" "Liu's Military Advisor." "Zhuge!" "Battle and chess are similar." "Instead of hanging onto every chess piece and playing defensively, one must know when to sacrifice a rook to take the opponent's king." "So to live, we must give up this camp." "Can we win?" "Would I come to die if we can't win?" "Like playing chess, it's better to lose the rook than the game." "We shall head off their attack by hitting them tonight." "But we only have one thousand men." "It can't be done except tonight." "I predict that at midnight tonight there will be a thunderstorm." "This presents us a great opportunity." "But do you have enough courage to act on it?" "We, the Changshan soldiers, are made of courage." "But what if it doesn't rain?" "Should there be no rain at midnight tonight, I shall be beheaded." "Zhuge!" "Hurry to the Cao's camp before it rains." "490 of us shall form the Dragon unit." "Wait in ambush at the left of Cao's camp." "Another 490 of Tiger unit wait in ambush at the right of Cao's camp." "The remaining 20 Changshan soldiers will be the commando unit." "We will force our way through Cao's camp with the rain as signal." "When the enemy is in disarray because of the storm... we will cut down the enemy's general flag and sap their fighting spirit." "Then Dragon and Tiger units will attack together." "Despite their numbers, we shall have our victory." "Life is like a game of chess." "It takes only a single move to win." "The battle is over." "I shall be off to rescue other places." "My Changshan brothers, attack!" "Attack!" "Vanguard, I will kill the vanguard's leader." "Brother!" "Brother, I'll help you!" "Brother..." "The leader has been killed." "Dragon unit!" "Attack!" "Tiger unit!" "Attack!" "I shall launch another attack." "Zilong has never told anyone about helping me and I received all the credit." "The defeat of Cao's forces enraged Cao." "He decided to personally lead a massive army." "He vow to defeat Liu." "As Cao's army was drawing near, Liu was chased to Phoenix Heights." "With his people, Liu's blood brothers Generals Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, were sent to cover the people's retreat." "My people are suffering because of me." "Advisor, what is your suggestion?" "My Lord Liu, a proper result can't be obtained from my divination." "Our success in killing the Cao's vanguard earned me the trust of the Advisor." "And the important duty of protecting Liu's family was assigned to me." "Finally, the opportunity to prove my might had come." "As for Zilong, I sent him to assist the refugees." " Brother, what should we do?" " Let's go back the way we came." "Brother, are you sure?" "We need to be more careful." "Back the way we came I said!" "Yes, Brother!" "I saw a Cao army unit coming after us." "My Lord!" "Cao's forces shall be here in no time." "We must close the front gate at once." "The gate can't be closed!" "Your wives and child have yet to arrive." "We must protect the people." "Brother!" "Shut the gate!" "Cao's army is approaching, save yourself!" "Come in quickly, we're closing the gate." "Zilong!" "Brother!" "We were attacked by Cao's soldiers." "Where are the two ladies and the young lord?" "I've lost them." "Zhang Fei!" "How dare you to defy me?" "To kill him, you'll have to kill me first." "Stop it!" "Zhang Fei!" "You brat!" "Your skill was outstanding, young man." "Brothers, lay down your weapons." "My people are suffering because of me." "I am to be blamed for all this." "I'm willing to go look for the young lord on behalf of Pingan." "Bestow my armor upon this young man." "Young man..." "We will clear the way for you." "Great!" "Eat well and fight with a full stomach." "Brother, don't worry about me." "I have nothing to lose." "I came with nothing and shall leave nothing." "There's nothing to worry about." "I want you to complete the circle without me." "Promise me you'll finish it?" "You coward!" "Don't talk rubbish!" "Remember, ride swiftly and carefully." "Bring back the young lord." "I believe that man can prevail over destiny." "Go, bring the royal family!" "Will we have the chance to see each other again?" "When our missions are accomplished we shall meet again." "Behold, I am the great General Zhang!" "Who dares to challenge me to a duel?" "My little granddaughter Cao Ying, one day you shall be a leader." "Therefore you need to study the art of war." "Cao!" "Zhang Fei!" "Let's go." "Sir, our vanguard was attacked and had to withdraw." "They killed Liu's wives but failed to find his son." "I'm counting on you." "Capture that man!" "Yes, Lord Cao." "Regardless of my success or failure in rescuing the young lord, please spare Pingan of any punishment." "Cao Ying, there is no mercy in war." "Everyone you see down there are nothing but chess pieces." "I would rather fail everyone in the world than to allow them to fail me." "Send out a chariot to catch the man!" "Grandfather!" "Stop!" "What is your name, mighty warrior?" "Zilong of Changshan." "Zilong..." "One day, you will be captured by me." "Only if you live long enough." "Zilong made a name for himself." "With the rescue of the young lord, we must gain big credits." "I envied him." "Finally Changshan had its hero." "He returned to Changshan with glory." "Zilong was invited by his townmen." "Zilong, our hero." "He returned to Changshan with glory." "We have something special for you." "Yes, it's very good." "This way please." "Here comes our mighty warrior!" "I am Zao Zilong!" "Watch out for my sword!" "Beware of my spear!" "Wretch!" "How could you drop our great hero Zilong?" "It's alright, it happens." "How can Zilong lose?" "At least it shouldn't happen in our hands." "Continue with the music." "Why don't you eat?" "Who knows when I can cook for you again?" "Lord Liu said our country will unite soon." "My work will be done then." "I'll come back for you and we'll never be apart again." "I'll wait for you." "Come, let's eat." ""East West South North"" ""May we meet and never part again"" "I made this for you." "Carry it with you." "It means no matter how fast or far you go, you'll always find your way back to me." "Zilong was both brave and wise, and never lost a battle against Cao's army." "Finally he became one of the Five Tiger Generals, and earned wide respect and praise from his people." "The world long united must divide." "The long divided must unite." "All the three warlords wished to become the Emperor of a unified China." "Liu became the emperor of his newly found Shu Kingdom." "The country had been more chaotic than ever." "At His Majesty's command the title Forward General is conferred upon Guan Yu." "He is to lead 100 thousand troops to guard against Sun of Eastern Kingdom of Wu." "Guan Yu, at His Majesty's service." "At His Majesty's command the title Right General is conferred upon Zhang Fei." "He is to lead 100 thousand troops to guard against Cao of Northern Kingdom of Wei." "At His Majesty's command the title Left General is conferred upon Ma." "He is to lead 50 thousand troops to guard Xichuan." "At His Majesty's command the title Guard General is conferred upon Huang." "He is to lead 50 thousand troops to guard Zhongjun." "At His Majesty's command the title of Flying General is conferred upon Zilong." "He is to lead the rest of the army to go on the north expedition against Cao." "I hereby further bestow upon General Zilong the title Chief Vanguard." "He and his troops are to set off today for the northern expedition against Cao." "Zilong of Changshan at His Majesty's service." "Pingan of Changshan at His Majesty's service." "The Five Tiger Generals went off in service of Liu and his people over the next twenty years, only to fall one by one." "First, the brave Guan Yu." "Next, the strong Zhang Fei." "They fought valiantly against the enemies of peace." "Soon the only Five Tiger General left standing was Zao Zilong." "Our late Emperor Liu had ascended to heaven amid his great agenda." "Over the years I've launched numerous northern expeditions but all in vain." "The Five Tiger Generals Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma and Huang have all passed away one after the other." "For which, I should have been punished by death." "However, I assist our young Emperor to follow late Liu's will." "To continue with the northern expedition and to fulfill our late Liu's dream of bringing peace to our country." "At His Majesty's command..." "The title Dragon General is conferred upon the son of Guan Yu." "The title Tiger General is conferred upon on the son of Zhang Fei." "Together they shall depart today for the northern expedition against Cao." "How dare you cut in before me?" "My father is Guan Yu, the head of "The Five Tiger Generals"." "I should be the one to accept the General's seal." "I am older and a better fighter than you." "I should be the one." "A better fighter than me?" "Are you really?" "Do you dare to fight me?" "Alright, let us fight and the winner shall bear the General's Seal." "Stop!" "Zilong!" "The leadership of our forces should never be belittled." "I have fought hundreds of battles since I began serving the late Lord Liu, and I have never been defeated." "How can I be excluded from the expedition?" "General Zilong is the sole survivor of our great "Five Tiger Generals"." "Also you're no longer a young soldier." "Should anything go awry, not only would your reputation be tarnished, but our troops would also be demoralized." "After years of trials and tribulations... just on the verge of success in unifying the country." "I must be included in this northern expedition." "Zilong, at our age, we live by the great memories of our past." "Do you really want to risk losing them all by going on this expedition?" "After all these years of battle my memories of the past have long faded." "I want to recover those distant and blurred memories... on the battlefield where they were lost." "Prime Minister... this is my very last battle." "I vow to unite the country for Liu's Kingdom." "Zilong of Changshan at his Majesty's Service." "General, if you insist on going to battle, then you shall be accompanied and assisted by the sons of Guan and Zhang." "Zilong, I have two pouches for you." "When you come across the first fork in the road, open the first pouch." "Open the second pouch when you run into extreme difficulties." "Zilong of Changshan at His Majesty's service." "Pingan of Changshan at His Majesty's service." "The General's oath has been repeated many times, but nothing has been done." "We have never served together in the same unit since Zilong became one of "The Five Tiger Generals", but I have always been watching him from a distance." ""Guan Yu"." ""Zhang Fei"." ""Huang"." ""Ma"." "This memorial tablet is reserved for you." "I've tidied up this place long ago, as I knew that you would come." "We rarely met but I truly hope this is not the place where we meet next time." "Brother..." "Should I fail to return... would you please rest my armor here?" "Already thinking about retiring from your career?" "I haven't even started mine yet." "Brother..." "how long have we been in the army?" "20 years since you were made one of "The Five Tiger Generals"... and 32 years and 4 months since the time we left Changshan." "Do you still remember what you asked me when I first joined the army?" "I remember." "I asked you why you wanted to join the army... and you said that you wanted to bring peace and start a family." "And yet it hasn't happened." "Not yet." "I've always been regarded as the one who has achieved the least within Liu's army." "This is your very last battle." "Can you give me the chance to finish this last mission together with you?" "Would you?" "The Prime Minister instructed the first pouch should be open when we come to a fork in the road." "Prime Minister said units of the two young Generals and General Zilong, are to split into two groups and go separate ways." "All troops shall proceed together to seize Cao's six counties." "How can we split our forces?" "Zilong at His Majesty's service." "Though the stone-paved road is broad, it's easy to be ambushed." "May I suggest that I take this road while Zhang accompanies you on the rear." "Allow me." "Guan, I fear that you will be too slow and fall behind enemy lines." "Your kind offers are appreciated." "How dare you intrude our border?" "At the presence of General Zilong of the "The Five Tiger Generals" I suggest you surrender." ""The Five Tiger Generals", such antiquated fame!" "Zilong, unless you're eager to die." "Do you still belong to the battlefield?" "I suggest you go home and tend to trophies from your past victories." "Son!" "How dare you!" "Stop!" "I will go!" "Three of you, go fight with your brother." "Back off!" "Watch out!" "General Han!" "The Commander has ordered that we must follow the battle plan." "Did you lure General Zilong into our trap as I ordered?" "Yes, Commander." "Deng, quickly find another route." "Yes, General!" "Deploy the war chariot!" "Fire!" "Fire!" "The enemy has encircled us and we can only escape westward." "Why is the enemy lying in ambush in these desolate mountains?" "There must be a traitor amongst us." "Cut the nonsense!" "Tell me, what is to our west?" "Phoenix Heights." "Withdraw to Phoenix Heights!" "Yes, General." "Congratulation General, for your success." "I assume by now you have already diverted Cao Ying's attention for me to attack Cao's six counties." "I've ordered Guan and Zhang to proceed in capturing Cao's six counties without you." "Please hold until back up arrives." "Once they have succeeded, their troops would come to your aid." "Zhuge has found out that Cao Ying has mastered her grandfather's strategy, and she is as scheming as her grandfather." "The General only needs to delay Cao Ying." "Guan and Zhang shall capture Cao Ying." "General!" "How could Prime Minister Zhuge treat you like this?" "General!" "General!" "How can he do that?" "Why am I treated this way?" "Prime Minister Zhuge has always followed his military agenda." "Brother..." "Over all these years what have we been fighting for?" "Here they come!" "Commander, you have foresight." "General Zilong has chosen to make his stand at Phoenix Heights." "General Han, send my order to the forces in the Six Counties." "They are to adopt a defensive strategy and never attack, so that they cannot spare time to rescue their beloved General Zilong." "To triumph over the Liu's army we need to break their spirit." "What better way is there than to defeat their "Invincible General"?" "Once we capture General Zilong we shall take advantage of the victory." "Your military strategy is most impressive." "I remain at your service!" "Dispatch the cavalry and launch an attack immediately!" "Yes, Commander!" "Retreat!" "We should never have underestimated our old General Zilong." "Commander, perhaps he was not wounded by my son." "Don't speculate." "By hiding, it doesn't mean that he is hurt." "By appearing, he could still be wounded." "Either way, we will find out soon enough." "I won't let your sons died for nothing." "My sons..." "Your family has made such great contributions to the Kingdom of Cao." "I shall request His Majesty to bestow an honorable title on you." "My General, please take care of yourself." "Though you have lost four of your sons today, in return you've gained a daughter." "Please take me as your daughter." "I don't deserve such honor." "Father!" "My Commander." "How could I possibly repay your great kindness?" "War is cruel but the soldiers are innocent." "Same goes for the enemy soldiers." "Send the bodies of the enemy soldiers back to Zilong." "Cao Ying is truly sinister." "Now she has managed to weaken our soldiers' spirit." "What should we do?" "She definitely lives up to her grandfather Cao's expectations." "Not only with her military skills but also with her scheming." "Brother..." "Zilong..." "I want to give Cao Ying a gift for her thoughtfulness." "Here is a gift from our General to the Commander in return for her kindness." "Our General Zilong said that years ago he took your grandfather's sword and kept it." "Today, General Zilong rewards you with it on your grandfather's behalf." "Hope you can learn from the past and not lose this sword to him again." "Take him!" "Envoys should never be harmed in war." "Poised as a mountain and unpredictable like the ying and yang." "Grandfather, General Zilong is truly a great opponent." "Commander!" "Good news for you." "The Commander of Cao's Kingdom requests a duel with General Zilong of Liu's Kingdom." "Get my steed ready." "General!" "We can stall no further once we show a sign of weakness." "Minister Zhuge probably don't know." "We have been surrounded by this many enemies." "Let's hope we can stall the enemy until our rescue force arrive." "General Zilong, I am sure you have been waiting for aid from Guan and Zhang." "Here is a small gift as a token of my gratitude for your return of my grandfather's sword." ""Guan"." "I wished to return the remains of Guan and Zhang to you, but what was left of them were bits and pieces far beyond recognition." "I should have killed Cao the last time." "It's all my fault." "Even if I don't have a single man left..." "Cao's army will never be able to take over Shu Kingdom." "My grandfather regretted he'd never captured you." "Today I shall assume his challenge in honor of him." "Don't panic!" "Your big brother will save you." "Zilong!" "Commander!" "Your fighting skill does not match your grandfather." "Come back when you are ready." "General!" "Go get a chair!" "Zilong..." "General!" "Go quickly and check on Cao Ying." "Go now!" "Allow me to remove your armor so that I can pull out the arrow." "I've never taken off my armor during battle." "If I do, my troops will know that I'm hurt... and they'll be unsettled." "Do not let Cao Ying know about it." "Go and check." "This is the map in your heart." "Zilong, we've indeed come very far." "Do you still remember?" "You said that you will make yourself live in the hearts of the people." "You had also said that, by the time we complete a circle on the map, we shall have peace in our country." "But after years of battle and now that we're back at Phoenix Heights..." "Do we have peace in our country?" "Father, are you willing to give me a hand?" "Commander, I am willing to pay you my debt of gratitude." "Great." "Grant my father one hundred of our finest horses." "I vow to kill the enemy till my very last breath." "Zilong, will you surrender?" "Surrender?" "They're preparing for the next onslaught." "General, we are sorry that we cannot serve you as long as we wish." "You have always taught us that it's an honor for a man to die in battle." "I will not forget to repay you for your outstanding leadership." "We will charge downhill to take down Cao Ying." "We have lived as Zilong's men and shall die as Zilong's ghosts." "General, we await for your command!" "If I can't lead you to victory..." "I shall not let you die without honor." "Listen..." "Go and fight for our Great Kingdom of Shu." "I shall follow closely behind." "I would rather fail everyone in the world than to allow them to fail me." "Long Live the Great Kingdom of Cao!" "Long Live the Great Kingdom of Liu!" "I vow to guard Phoenix Heights to my death." "It was me who informed Cao's army and helped Cao Ying to lead you to Phoenix Heights." "They promised to make me a General in Cao's army." "I'm sorry it was me who've betrayed you." "Since you have betrayed me..." "Why did you save me while I was fighting Cao Ying?" "Why?" "You have always called me brother." "Yet I've gained nothing!" "You've what it takes to be a great general." "But I am getting nowhere!" "I've accomplished nothing all these years!" "You asked me about what we are fighting for." "I fought for myself!" "What I want is simply that, when I return home, when the folks of Changshan think about Zilong, they will also think about Pingan!" "You think I made this far." "In fact, we have both been going around in circles." "I only believe that fate in within my control." "In the end, we are all bound to fate." "Therefore all victories and defeats no longer matter." "What is victory?" "There is no victory without a defeat." "Brother..." "Take this armor off me." "It is time for me to proceed with my last mission." "Do you blame me for treating you as my competitor?" "No, you'll always be my beloved brother." "With blessings from the Buddha, I vow to capture Zilong alive today." "Tell the Prime Minister that I have recovered the long lost memories of the past." "To people of Changshan, please tell that I have only gone around in a big circle in my lifetime." "Brother..." "Please sound the drum for me one last time." "When our missions are accomplished, we shall meet again." "Zilong!" "That was the last time I saw Zilong." "Years later, the three Kingdoms were finally united." "Not by Wei, Wu or Shu, but under a new "Jin" Dynasty." ""How many things before and after, all melt into gossip and laughter""