The Long Ballad Episode 14 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Asher Sun sent men to Daizhou. When Tuka She heard the news, he prepared to send troops, but Asher Sun sent a message warning the Bear Warriors not to act rashly. Tuka She was unwilling to yield to Asher Sun, but A Dou sneered and used reverse psychology to provoke him into attacking without authorization, bringing A Dou along as a bargaining chip. On the battlefield, Tuka She brought A Dou forward and humiliated him.
Li Changge was shocked to see A Dou in the hands of Asher’s Tribe and cried out to leave the city to rescue him. Xu Feng and others stopped her, as the Bear Warriors were just one wall away. Opening the gate would doom Junzhou. A Dou knelt before the army. Instead of begging for rescue, he was willing to sacrifice himself in battle to become a true general.
Li Changge could not go to him, so she tearfully approached from within the city, wanting to bring him back. But A Dou remained kneeling. He was not afraid of death; becoming a general had always been his dream, and he had no regrets. Then A Dou shouted that Daizhou had fallen and there were no reinforcements. Tuka She killed A Dou, realizing his surrender was a ruse and that he had delivered real intelligence.
A Dou died on the battlefield, and soon people dressed as Tang soldiers arrived. Li Changge knew they were Asher’s Tribe in disguise and ordered ten thousand soldiers to open the gates and meet the enemy. A bloody battle broke out in front of Shuozhou’s gates. Li Changge fought fiercely, and the Tang soldiers fought to the death. Asher’s Tribe lost the advantage. Asher Sun ordered a retreat.
Though Li Changge personally killed the one who murdered A Dou, she was heartbroken—she had lost yet another person she cared about. After A Dou’s death, Gongsun Heng and Li Changge led others to honor him with a general’s funeral and brought him back to the city. From that day on, A Dou was no longer a nameless figure but General Dou of Shuozhou. As Junzhou’s provisions dwindled, Gongsun Heng devised a strategy to repel the enemy.
He wrote a letter and gave it to Xu Feng to deliver to Asher Sun. Li Changge also had a plan. She presented it to Gongsun Heng, suggesting they use the east wind to engage Asher’s Tribe in a desperate fight. Gongsun Heng acknowledged that her strategy could work, but it would cause the people to become refugees—something he couldn’t accept. He defended the city not for the Li Tang dynasty, but for the people.
At night, Gongsun Heng went to meet Asher Sun, who came alone. Gongsun Heng had heard about Asher Sun’s reputation. Unlike others in Asher’s Tribe, he was not bloodthirsty. So Gongsun Heng offered to surrender the city, hoping Asher Sun would protect its thousands of citizens. To show his sincerity, Gongsun Heng promised to give Asher’s Tribe a valuable gift. Asher Sun was not a warmonger.
Since Gongsun Heng was willing to surrender, he agreed without hesitation and promised to protect Junzhou’s people. At the Gongsun residence, Gongsun Heng held a family feast to say farewell. He had decided to offer his own head to Asher’s Tribe to ensure the safety of Junzhou’s people. Old Qin, who had served by his side for years, instantly understood what he meant. Madam Gongsun, his wife of many years, also sensed his intent to sacrifice himself.
She wanted to go with him, but Gongsun Heng mentioned their daughter Yuan Niang and asked her to live well for her sake. He then summoned Li Changge to the study, handing over all vital items: military tallies, defense maps, and more. He already knew she was Princess Yongning. With her heart for the people, he felt assured entrusting Junzhou to her.
He also told her of his plan—he was willing to sacrifice himself so the people could live in peace. His only remaining concern was his wife and daughter, whom he entrusted to Li Changge, hoping she would care for them in his stead.
