春秋之時,宋國積弱,惹起鄰國虎視眈眈,宋君無奈與女彩鳳公主共商大計,欲選擇英豪,以保家國社稷,於是請各國王子駕臨鬥寶招親。諸國王子先後駕臨宋邦,獻上己國奇珍異寶,皆未能獲公主垂青。蔡國兵馬大元帥蓋世英代替儲君前來謁見宋國之君,雖只是兩手空空,更無寶奉上,但文韜武略無所不曉,卻被彩鳳看中,欲招為駙馬。此事激怒韓、趙兩國王子,回邦後,兩國合兵大動干戈,攻打蔡國,以報奪愛之仇。蓋世英恃才傲世,出兵之日,不理公主出謀獻策,更諷刺女兒家不識軍務。混戰之時,世英不敵韓趙兩國兵馬,大敗而逃,幸得彩鳳相救。世英自知驕兵必敗之理,與公主重整雄兵,終大敗韓趙兩國將領,兩國王子被擒,謝不殺之恩,從今以後,韓趙兩國歲歲來朝。
The Marshal’s Marriage
In the Spring and Autumn Period, the weak state of Songis subject to invasions from neighboring states. The king of Song and his daughter, Caifeng, decide to find her a husband that can be a champion and defender of the state. The king invites the princes of different states to come contend for the princess by showing the treasures they bring. Princes arrive in Song one by one and present treasures from their states, yet none of them manages to win the princess’s favor.
Marshal Gai Shiying from Cai arrives on behalf of the crown prince, bearing no treasure to display, but he impresses Caifeng so much with his civil and military skills that she agrees to marry him. This enrages the princes of Hanand Zhao who, after returning home, join forces to attack Cai in revenge. The new husband’s pride prevents Gai from listening to the princess’s advice on the first day of battle, and he belittles her for knowing nothing about war. He learns his lesson, however, after suffering a humiliating defeat and having to be rescued by the princess. Having reassembled his men with the counsel of the princess, Gai finally beats the troops of Hanand Zhao, capturing the princes alive. From then on, the two states pay tribute to Song every year in gratitude for sparing the princes’ lives.