Red Cliff II (2009) - full transcript

I hereby decree that
Prime Minister Cao Cao.

Lead the Imperial Army

to pacify the rebels
Liu Bei and Sun Quan.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

These people are loyal
to the Han Empire.

They followed us to
escape Cao Cao's regime.

If we do not protect civilians,

then what is the
meaning of this war?

An alliance will
strengthen us both.

When a loser joins
forces with a coward,

what can they accomplish?



What the Southlands need is unity.

My decision to fight is final.

Anyone who dares mention surrender

will end up like this table.

You need to fight this war

I am not afraid of him

I have been waiting for this day.

We shall fight, not
waste time with words.

Make camp there.

On the bank facing Red Cliff.

Tomorrow we may be enemies.

If that day ever comes,

it will be each man for himself.

Cao Cao has no experience
in naval warfare.



He must rely on Admirals
Cai Mao and Zhang Yun.

If I can eliminate them,

his navy will be powerless.

Nice play.

Goal.

These little monkeys
are getting quicker.

The Prime Minister's
order to practise 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.

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 Honour, 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 practise
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.

The climate has weakened
Cao Cao's army.

Disease is rampant Great.

Your Honour, let's seize
this chance and attack.

The navy is still healthy.

We must not act recklessly.

Your Honour, this is
the time to attack.

Yes.

This is a battle of honour.

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 armour 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.

Honoured 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 honour to fight
alongside your men.

We believed in the same goal.

Achieving it will not
be so easy after all.

Take care.

Take care.

We shall meet again.

Aren't you leaving?

A man must honour 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 practise 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 ploughs 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.

Marvellous.

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 Honour, 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.

Return to your positions.

Thank you Prime
Minister for your gift.

Thank you...

Marvellous.

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 honour 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 colour.

Your Honour.

Did he reach one hundred thousand?

The total is ninety-nine
thousand six hundred.

Now what?

Well...

Your Honour, 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.

Honoured 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.

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 on board 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 defence

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 stabilise 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 favour.

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 centre.

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 Honour, 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 Honour...

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.

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 practise?

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 Honour, 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 honour?

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
savour 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
colour 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 Honour, 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 Honour, 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 HuaTuo.
- 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.

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 Honour.

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.