The Long Ballad Episode 11 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
When Li Changge heard that Gongsun Heng was going out to meet Sima Tu to discuss the northern defense strategy, she originally intended to go along, but Gongsun Heng refused her. Changge didn’t press the matter further, thinking there would be other chances in the future.
In the grassland tribe, upon learning that Asher Sun had entered Shuozhou City alone with Mu Jin, Tuka She decided to lead the Bear Division to capture Jizhou first, to prove who was truly the descendant of the Wolf God. Asher Sun and Mu Jin arrived in Jizhou City to scout the enemy situation. Asher Sun noticed the city's insufficient defenders and its difficult-to-attack walls.
While observing local customs in the street, he happened to run into Li Changge, who had just finished eating noodles and had no money to pay. Asher Sun once again stepped in to help her out. Changge escorted Asher Sun out of the city. He tried to persuade her to leave Jizhou, and said that if she was willing, she could go to the grasslands with him. Changge refused — the Tang Dynasty was her homeland.
During their conversation, several galloping horses passed by. Asher Sun recognized them as the vanguard of Asher's Tribe and realized they were about to launch an attack. Since he still had subordinates stationed in the north, he took his leave of Changge and rushed back to his tribe. Li Changge and A Dou also hurried to Jizhou City. Changge informed Gongsun Heng that Asher's Tribe was about to attack and urged him to light the wolf smoke signals immediately.
Seeing the army approaching, Gongsun Heng remained calm. Changge couldn’t help but criticize his poor command on the spot. Left with no choice, Gongsun Heng ordered Changge and A Dou to return to the mansion and rest. Changge was deeply disappointed in Gongsun Heng and began to doubt whether she had come to the right place. Gongsun Heng later visited her with his subordinate Xu Feng, who explained that there were three thousand archers hidden along the walls.
If Asher's cavalry charged, they would be within range of the arrows. Once the arrows rained down, the cavalry wouldn’t have time to turn back, and they would open the gates to finish the battle — a sure win. Changge, having studied military strategy, was surprised that Gongsun Heng had used the Yan Yue formation. Gongsun Heng was also intrigued by her intellect and invited her to sit and discuss the next deployment strategy.
As she laid out her plan, she realized Gongsun Heng's ambush was just a feint — the city didn’t actually have that many hidden troops. Her attitude shifted, and she praised his strategic brilliance. Though rash, Changge had risked her life climbing the city walls for the sake of the people. Gongsun Heng admired her for that, thanked her on behalf of the people, and agreed to have her defend Jizhou City alongside him.
Though the Bear Division was not annihilated, they had alerted the enemy. After the defeat, Tuka She remained arrogant. Asher Sun did not argue with him but said he would report everything truthfully to the Great Khan. The failed ambush by Asher’s Tribe heightened Gongsun Heng’s vigilance. He sent Xu Feng to request reinforcements from the chief commander, knowing Asher’s true elite forces had yet to appear. Changge was surprised that even the well-defended Jizhou City needed reinforcements.
Gongsun Heng showed her a map: a river between Shuozhou and Asher's Tribe had no guards, allowing free passage for the enemy — Jizhou’s greatest threat. Changge, smart and resourceful, suggested turning the river path into a battlefield and shared her own strategy for defeating the enemy. Her insight impressed Gongsun Heng greatly and reminded him of Prince Qin. Back then, Prince Qin had used the same tactic she suggested to carve a bloody path and win a decisive victory.
Upon hearing Li Shimin’s name, Changge gritted her teeth and kept silent about her identity. She followed Gongsun Heng’s order and delivered a letter requesting reinforcements to the imperial court. Sima Tu invited Gongsun Heng to his mansion for a talk. Although Gongsun Heng suspected his ill intent, he couldn't reject the invitation and decided to go alone.
Knowing the risks and the city’s vulnerable situation, he instructed Elder Qin that if he didn’t return, he was to hand over military command to Changge and assist her in protecting the people of Jizhou. At the Sima residence, Sima Tu accused Gongsun Heng of mobilizing troops without orders and detained him. He publicly claimed Gongsun Heng was just staying overnight to rest.
This action was influenced by his brother, who tried to persuade Sima Tu to betray the nation and join Asher’s Tribe. Sima Tu did not give a direct answer. Xu Feng returned to the mansion and urgently informed Elder Qin that Gongsun Heng had been detained at Sima’s residence. Elder Qin acted decisively — only he, Xu Feng, and Changge knew of this. He ordered Xu Feng to closely monitor the Sima residence and said he would personally visit tomorrow.
As for Changge, she was to remain quietly in the mansion. Sima Tu’s brother was Sima Jian, Tuka She’s military strategist. Asher Sun, having learned of his identity, became suspicious and assigned subordinates to monitor Sima Tu to prevent interference with the Eagle Division’s plans. Meanwhile, a scout reported that Gongsun Heng had been imprisoned by the Chief Commander’s Office. Though Asher Sun respected Gongsun Heng for guarding Jizhou for years, he sighed at how a famous general had fallen prey to treachery.
