Three Kingdoms (2008) - full transcript

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?

[t 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?

- It's Pingan!
- 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

Ten thousand troops 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

Military Advisor?

Zhuge!

Zhuge! That's right.

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

Whosoever defends this camp must be dead

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.

Let the rain be our sign.

When the enemy is in disarray...

because of the storm

We will cut down the enemy's general flag
and sap their fighting spirit

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

Attack!

Attack!

Attack!

You cut down the enemy's general flag

"WVanguard" I will kill the vanguard's leader

Brother,

Brother, I'll help you

Brother...

Follow me.

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

"Phoenix Heights"

The defeat of Cao's forces...

enraged Cao

He decided to personally lead a massive army

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
- 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

Come in quickly

Zilong!

Brother!

Zilong!

Brother!

We were attacked by Cao's soldiers

Where are the two ladies and the young lord?

I've lost them

Brother, Zhang Feil!

How dare you to defy me?

To kill him, you'll have to kill me first

Stop it!

Brother, Zhang Feil!

You brat!

Your skill was outstanding, young man

Brothers, lay down your weapons

My people are suffering because of me

I am to blame for all this

I'm willing to go look for the young lord
on behalf of Pingan

Bestow my armor upon this 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.

I just want to...

complete the circle with you

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
- Brother 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

Please spare Pingan of any punishment,

Regardless of my success or failure
in rescuing the young lord.

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! Didn't I order him to be captured alive?!

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

I envied him

Finally Changshan had its hero

Zilong was invited by his townmen

He returned to Changshan with glory

Zilong, our hero,

Zilong, We have something special for you
"Puppet shadow show"

- Welcome...
- It's great.

This way please

Here comes our mighty warrior!

I am Zao Zilong!

Watch out for my sword!

Beware of my spear!

Watch out for my sword!

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

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

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

The title Left General is conferred upon Ma

He is to lead 50 thousand troops to guard Xichuan

The title Guard General is conferred upon Huang

He is to lead 50 thousand troops

To guard Zhongjun

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, they fought
valiantly against the enemies of peace

Only to fall one by one First, the brave Guan Yu

Next, the strong Zhang Fei

Soon the only Five Tiger General left standing...

It 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!

Uncle 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

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"

llMall

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 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

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?

IIZhangll llzaoll IIGuanll

the first pouch should be open...

when we come to a fork in the road

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

Guan, I fear that you will be too slow...

and fall behind enemy lines

Your kind offers are appreciated

"Han

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

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

- Stop
- Fire

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

General, congratulations for making history

you have succeeded in diverting the Cao's army...

allowing me to invade and conquer six counties...

I've ordered Guan and Zhang...

to be the main force
in capturing Cao's six counties...

Once the six counties are being captured...

Our troops will carry on to conquer
and unify the country

Before the marching of our troops...

I found out that the Cao's army
had appointed their Chief Commander...

who turned out to be Cao's granddaughter, Cao Ying

Cao Ying mastered her grandfather's strategy

General just need to hold Cao Ying...

for six hours until sunset

Guan and Zhang will then return

And together we'll terminate Cao Ying

General!

How could Prime Minister Zhuge
treat you like this?

General!

How can he do that?

I can't believe it

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 is like a prophet

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

War is full of deceivers

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

Nice

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

"Mengde (Cao Cao)"

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!
- Yes

Envoys should never be harmed in war

Poised as a mountain and unpredictable
like the Cao 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

IIGuanll

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

The Kingdom of Liu has no descendants,
it will soon be terminated

The whole country will be Cao's territory

I should have killed Cao Cao last time
It's all my fault

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

Commander!

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 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?

General...

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

Go and fight for our Great Kingdom of Shu

I shall follow closely behind

Commander

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 tell you

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

Did you think about it?

You think I made this far

In fact, we have both been going around in circles

In the end, I believe that man
can prevail over destiny

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, Shu or Wu

But under a new "Jin" Dynasty

"How many things before and after
All melt into gossip and laughter"