God of War

Ming forces led by General Yu Dayou launch a frontal assault on a fortress held by the wokou pirates. The attack is repelled, and Ming troops suffer heavy casualties. The wokou veterans display a formidable defense that foreshadows a protracted struggle.

It is revealed that the wokou are a mixed force, not a single faction. Japanese ronin, disgruntled Han Chinese, and samurai under Commander Kumasawa fight together. This diversity signals a broader threat than mere raiders.

Following the failed assault, General Qi Jiguang is appointed to lead the Ming defense. He begins recruiting hardened villagers to build a new, more resilient army. The stage is set for a counteroffensive.

Qi executes a successful sneak attack on the Japanese fortress, catching the defenders by surprise. The surprise assault forces the Japanese to retreat under pressure. The Ming gains a foothold and renewed confidence from the victory.

Despite the success, Qi is nearly arrested for failing to capture the Japanese and is accused of colluding with them. He must weather political scrutiny while his strategic plan unfolds. The episode tests his resolve and legitimacy.

The Japanese divide their forces into three targets: Xinhe, Taizhou, and Ninghai. Kumasawa's army pursues Xinhe and Taizhou while the ronin head for Ninghai. The plan risks stretching Ming defenses thin.

Qi learns of the three-pronged attack and decides to intercept the ronin first. He defeats the ronin, then heads back to Taizhou to defend the provincial capital.

Qi rushes back to Taizhou to defend the provincial capital, fully aware that his wife there is left vulnerable in Xinhe. The decision highlights the personal costs of war for the commander and his family.

Qi's wife rallies the soldiers' families in Xinhe to form an impromptu defense. Their mobilization helps hold the city long enough for relief to arrive. The scene foregrounds civilian courage in wartime.

In Taizhou, Qi is nearly overwhelmed, but Lord Imagawa defies Kumasawa and presses the attack. Last-minute Ming reinforcements arrive and turn the tide, forcing the Japanese to retreat. The capital's defense buys time for the wider counteroffensive.

With Taizhou secured, Qi's forces pursue the fleeing Japanese and prevent their escape by sea. He then rushes back to Xinhe to relieve the city under siege.

Qi and Kumasawa duel in a climactic confrontation. Kumasawa is defeated and commits suicide after sending Lord Imagawa to safety. The Japanese retreat marks the end of the immediate threat.

The film ends with Qi's wife waiting for her husband at their home. She calmly goes inside to await his return, a quiet counterpoint to the war. The final image emphasizes the human cost of the conflict.