Subtitles by DramaFever
[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 23]
Young Master, please halt!
Young Master Sima, please halt.
[Cui Yan, courtesy name Ji Gui] I'm Cui Yan.
Greetings.
It's actually the Cavalry Commandant, Duke Cui.
This old fellow never shows up for anything good.
He must be here to pick on us.
Duke Cui is knowledgeable and experienced in long-term planning.
I've always admired you. May I ask what you'd like to advise me on?
I wouldn't call it advising.
This might be your first visit to Ye City
but with Young Master Shen accompanying you
you should know what the current situation is like.
The three provinces Qing, Ji, and Yi of Hebei Commandery
are equally important due to their difference strengths.
However, judging by what you said
you seem to hold quite a prejudice against scholars outside Ji Province.
It's unlike a gentleman to form factions.
He's just trying to scare you. Ignore him.
I wouldn't dare not to take the advice of an older person.
However, I've also heard that the many heroes Duke Yuan recruited
are all vying against one another in private.
Those who win are just like Duke Shen.
They get a territory to rule.
As for those who lose, they end up like Tian Feng and Tian Yuan Hao.
They are imprisoned.
I wonder which side Duke Cui is on?
Since I'm advising you against forming factions
why would I do so to be ridiculed by others?
That all sounds nice
but who doesn't know that you and Xin Pi are a team?
Young Master.
Be sure to have good grounds for saying so.
You mustn't tell tales.
I'll do as the locals do.
I understand that Duke Cui has no other choice but to do so.
However, as Confucius once said
"When all below heaven follow the principles, he can serve the government."
"When it loses the principles, he can hide his talents."
There isn't just one path.
Besides, Duke Cui, you outshine the others.
Why do you have to take the post of the Cavalry Commandant?
What do you mean by that, Young Master?
I mean, there's still the emperor of the Han Empire's imperial family.
Duke Cui prides yourself to be of high standing.
Why don't you pledge allegiance to him in the capital?
Zhong Da, let's not waste our breath on him.
We should get going.
I'll take my leave.
Not only did we teach those scholars a lesson today
but you also rendered that old fellow, Cui Yan, speechless.
It feels great! Awesome!
It's a pity. Duke Cui is a renown official under Duke Yuan.
Yet I am but a scholar of a humble lineage.
I've offended Duke Cui today.
I believe that things will just get even harder for me from now on.
What have you got to fear?
I'll talk to my father when I get home.
He can assign you to an official post.
Then you'll also be Duke Yuan's official.
My father will also defend you.
Who do you have to fear?
Thank you, Young Master.
Is anyone home?
Why isn't there anyone in such a big village?
Minister Cao and Yuan Shao have been at war for half a year.
War breaks out in this area often.
The people either fled or were killed.
Not even a crowing of the rooster in a thousand miles...
That's what it's really like.
We should find a place to stay out of the cold.
What if the soldiers catch up with us?
We've been running all night.
We're cold and tired.
The empress can't stand such fatigue much longer.
We have to find a place to warm ourselves up.
If they catch up with us when we're worn out
then we're truly doomed.
- Go on. - Yes.
They already left so they won't leave anything behind.
We'll find a spot so that the empress can get some rest.
Your Highness, allow me.
- We can do it. - It's fine.
I told you not to bother.
Your Majesty. Your Highness.
It's clean water.
Use this to wash up.
Thank you for saving me.
Why did Chunyu Qiong arrest you?
Guo Jia and Chunyu Qiong have stayed in contact.
I wanted to find out why Deng Zhan was sent to Wen County.
Why was he sent there?
He didn't tell me.
I know how it is between Your Majesty and my father.
I wish to help...
I wish to help my father find out about Your Majesty's forces.
I deserve to die.
Please punish me, Your Majesty.
You're quite honest.
Get up first.
Your father and I might share very different opinions in politics
but that doesn't mean that I can vent my frustration on you
and disregard your life.
I followed my father to battles since I was eight years old.
I've seen all sorts of people.
But honestly, Your Majesty, I really can't figure you out.
You're still so young and you already speak like an old man.
If you wish to be punished
go and look around to see if there's any food nearby.
I'll get it done now.
However it is, he's still the Cao family's son.
Your Majesty.
You're raising a snake.
But he's also our companion.
Matters of the politics should remain in the imperial court.
He's actually quite honest.
Look at Cao Jie
and the other children in the Cao family.
Judging by that, I'd quite like to know what Cao Cao really is like.
Your Majesty still has hopes for the Cao family?
I don't know.
But perhaps this could be an opportunity for us.
All right.
From today onward, you can take any risk if you wish.
I'll follow you as I wish.
If you're going to risk your life at will
don't expect me to escape without you.
I won't change your mind and you shouldn't expect to change mine.
Sure.
Your Majesty and Your Highness, look.
We have food now.
Your Majesty is the emperor.
Why are you so good at cooking and miscellaneous chores?
When I was held hostage by Li Jue and Guo Si
what difference was there between an emperor and officials
when we were on the run?
We had to do much on our own.
Once you get used to it, you can do almost anything.
Your Majesty, you had a hard time.
What are your plans, Your Majesty?
What about Second Young Master?
What are your plans?
Are you going to join Minister Cao in Guandu?
No.
I'd like to go to Ye City.
I'd like to see what Yuan Shao's territory is like.
Sure.
We'll take a look in Ye City.
Ye City?
I had intended to go to Ye City.
We haven't even approached Yuan Shao.
Cao Pi is deliberately luring you there.
Nothing ventured... nothing gained.
Empress...
have you forgotten what you just said to me?
All right.
I'll accompany you.
The nation has been chaotic for 10 years.
The emperor suffers but the people suffer even more.
This village is damaged and dilapidated.
Who knows how many more of such villages there are in the Central Plain?
It's barren and desolate.
The thought of it breaks my heart.
"Their bleached bones lie unburied in the waste."
"For vast distances, not even a rooster crowed."
"Where a hundred once lived, now just one remains."
"Thinking of it wrenches the heart." (Cao Cao's "Marching Amid Wormwood")
Your Majesty.
Someone's coming.
Is it the soldiers?
There shouldn't be many of them.
I can handle them.
We'll hide ourselves first.
Don't... don't kill me!
Who are you?
This... this is my home.
This is my sword.
This is your sword?
Where is your family?
They have all moved away.
War keeps raging on and our villagers either escaped or died.
Some were forced into military service.
There's no one left in the village.
Why have you returned?
You have a good sword.
It certainly doesn't belong to an ordinary farmer's family.
Have you killed someone?
Or did you steal this from elsewhere?
I didn't!
There was a battle here a few days ago.
I took this sword from a corpse.
I didn't dare to let my parents know, so I had to hide it here.
So you've come back here for the sword?
I'm going to fight on the battlefield.
I want to render merits!
I need a sword for that!
You're joining the army?
Minister Cao or Yuan Shao?
Who are they?
In turbulent times, all feudal lords are at war with one another
fighting for their own masters.
1 out of 100 people survives.
It's too difficult to render merits.
I'm not scared!
But your parents are still alive.
Why must you join the army instead of taking care of them?
How can I take care of them?
Farm lands?
The taxes are so high.
If we farm lands, the local authorities either collect or snatch rations from us.
We still end up starving to death.
I might as well just join the army.
If I join the army, my entire family won't have to pay rent.
Once I render a merit and obtain an official post
no one will bully my family!
I think that you've made the right choice.
A real man shouldn't only pursue the happiness of his own family
when the entire nation is in distress.
Do kings, barons, generals, and ministers rise only from a certain background?
If you never fight a battle, you can never be a general
and make a name for yourself in history.
Take this blade with you and serve in Minister Cao's army in Guandu.
Someone will help you get settled.
Really?
Minister Cao?
Who exactly is he?
He will be the winner of this war.
Sir, Madam. Have you seen a child come this way?
He's about this young man's height and age.
He's quite tanned.
He carries a blue bag.
We saw him.
He's gone to serve Minister Cao.
What?
He left?
He still left in the end!
Don't worry, sir.
Just wait for the news of his victory and merits.
Merits?
Isn't this as good as killing my son?
News of victory?
I'm afraid that I won't even know where he ends up dead!
It's just me and my wife now.
Both my first and second sons were forced to serve in the army.
They haven't even sent their remains home to us yet!
All we have left is our youngest son.
We just hope that he can stay alive but now...
Now--
Sir, don't get upset.
I know some people in Minister Cao's army.
Someone will look after him.
No, this won't do!
Which way did he go?
In the direction of Guandu.
Guan--
My third son!
You mustn't go there! You mustn't!
This is the nation under my reign.
But this is also the nation that I'm going to change.
Assistant Officer of Ye City Guards?
I had wanted to keep you in a position by my side.
But my father said that you're meticulous and witty.
You also contributed to the arrest of the spies.
He said it's more suitable for you in the Ye City Guards.
You're in charge of investigating suspicious people in Ye City.
Once you render a merit, my father can promote you right away.
I'm very grateful to Duke Shen for acknowledging my talent.
But then it seems I didn't prepare food and drinks worthy of it.
We'll just have another meal tomorrow.
I'll treat you to a big one to congratulate you!
Sure.
It depends on whether you can wake up tomorrow.
I might not study as well as you do
but in terms of drinking, I'm good enough to be your tutor.
This is pear blossom liquor that's been aged for 20 years!
Sweet and intense.
How rare.
Young Master does have good taste.
Place fine wine in my halls and great guests come streaming in.
I drink this toast to you for acknowledging my talent.
We don't have to stand on such ceremony.
I owe it to you, Zhong Da.
I got to make those scholars look bad.
Today, I'm happy that you've been promoted.
Here's a toast to you!
After you.
How is it?
You do drink really well.
One more!
Bottoms up!
Here.
This really is great wine!
Here, Zhong Da.
- Have a bit more! - No...
- Bottoms up! - Drink!
Another!
If you drink with a great friend, 1,000 cups won't be enough!
Here, drink!
Here.
Here, let's keep drinking.
Young Master...
I... I can't drink anymore...
Zhong Da!
Why have you fallen asleep when we're still drinking?
Zhong Da!
- No... - Zhong Da?
I... I'll also sleep for a while.
Zhong Da... It's cold. Sleep with a blanket.
Sleep for a while longer in here.
Young Master Sima.
What brings you here at such a late hour?
Congratulations, Master Sima!
I was just appointed so I came to take a look around.
Shall I show you around?
Don't bother. I'll take a look around on my own.
Take it. Get some wine and food for the others.
Yes. Sir, feel free to let me know if you need anything.
- Go on. - Yes.
Ying, here I am.
You're simply fooling around!
How is this fooling around?
You're the one fooling around by getting yourself into this state.
Besides, if I can rescue you from this place
it will demonstrate my ability.
You might then fall for me.
That fellow didn't lie to me.
Who are you referring to?
How did you get in here?
From now on, I can come and go as I please.
Right.
I brought you some pastries and ginger broth.
Have some ginger broth first.
Quickly.
Warm yourself up with some ginger broth.
Be careful. It's hot.
Are you moved by me?
Sima Yi!
Ying, I don't mind staying in prison as long as I can be with you.
Ying... I have to go.
It'll be troublesome if that fellow wakes up.
Who exactly are you talking about?
Someone who can help me rescue you from here.
Rescue me from here?
Yes.
I'll be able to get you out of here soon.
Sima Yi...
Have you forgotten who I am?
I'm the Princess Consort of Hongnong who rebelled against Cao Cao.
I'm also a West Garden Guard who betrayed her master.
I can't stay on Cao Cao's turf or Yuan Shao's turf.
I'm a spy in the eyes of His Majesty and Her Highness.
If I leave here... I don't know where else I can go.
You're definitely coming with me to Wen County to be my wife.
Ying...
The pale clouds, light breeze, and bright sun high up in the sky.
What you've been through...
Do you still wish to go back into the darkness again?
Don't worry.
From today onward, I'll be by your side.
I'll watch over you.
I'll protect you.
For a lifetime.
You're not to cry.
If you do, I won't be able to leave.
Don't worry.
I'll visit you whenever I have the chance.
I really have to go now.
Take it.
I'm leaving.
You lost Dong Cheng.
You lost Second Young Master.
You lost the emperor.
Military Libationer Guo Jia runs away overnight
like a homeless dog.
I've never seen you in such a state.
You only left in the same carriage so you could laugh at me, didn't you?
What is an old bag of bones supposed to do alone
in the capital after all of you, the young ones, have left?
Am I to watch Man Chong and Kong Rong quarrel?
You're always acting ignorant but you know very well deep down.
You're only going there for the emperor.
Aren't you worried that the emperor will slip out of your hands
and escape to a distant place?
The emperor is just like a child.
The more you tie him down, the more he wants to leave.
Just let him go out and have a look.
Eventually, he'll know that home is still the best place to be.
"Long and tedious will be our marching."
"We shall starve; we shall parch."
Life out there isn't easy.
I wonder how the emperor is doing up in the north.
How could there not be any Guo Feng Xiao's informants around?
The emperor is clever.
With them around
they should be able to handle the situation even if the sky falls.
If not, why would Dong Zhuo go against all ethics to abolish Prince of Hongnong
and make His Majesty the emperor?
Therefore...
a cunning old fox like you was willing to serve under Dong Zhuo
just because he had the intention to restore the Han Empire to glory?
His Majesty prevented the imperial family from breaking at the young age of 20.
He wouldn't have been able to do so if he weren't so strong-willed.
I just wanted to see if the world would then be different.
Right now...
you've seen it.
What have I seen?
I'm old and muddleheaded.
I keep nodding off as I speak.
Fine.
I'll also sleep for a while.
I'm going to sleep now.
Bed time.
The strongest is like that of steel.
The highest excellence is like that of water.
You, Jia Wen He, chose him as the emperor.
I'd like to see what earthshaking feats he can possible pull off.
Take some pity on us.
Give us some food.
We've been starving for so long that I wanted some nice food in Ye City.
Looking at this place, restaurants aside
I don't even think we can even find any clean steamed buns.
Please take pity on us.
Take it.
I still have some.
Please take pity on us.
Please give us some food.
I still have the last one.
It's mine! Give it to me!
Let go!
It's mine!
Ye City claims to be the most prosperous in Hebei Commandery.
I also heard that Yuan Shao gave orders to allocate housing to the poor.
Why is this place is such shambles?
You must be from the other regions.
Duke Yuan divided Ye City into the new city and the old city.
The ones in the new city are all of the officials and the rich.
We were allocated housing in the old city.
The more people fighting for housing, the more chaotic it gets!
He might seem generous but he hasn't established strict rules.
This is Yuan Shao's Ye City.
What's the matter?
It's nothing important.
I just suddenly recalled some words that Guo Jia said to me.
What did he say?
When Yuan Shao sees those suffering from starvation and frigidity
he cares for those nearby, but not those out of sight.
It's just superficial compassion.
Let's go.
Give me one.
- Give me one. - Thank you!
Take pity on us and spare us some food!
Thank you.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Give me one.
- Give me one. - Thank you.
- Take pity on me. - Give me one.
Give me one!
We finally had a proper meal.
At the moment, Minister Cao holds the emperor hostage in the capital.
Duke Yuan takes hold of Hebei.
Utter nonsense.
Come and take a look.
The feudal lords fought among themselves.
The imperial family is weak
so it's only a matter of two to three years before dynasties change.
In your opinion, who will rule the next dynasty?
Duke Yuan is taking 100,000 soldiers to fight against Cao Cao in Guandu.
Once Duke Yuan seizes victory
do we still need to ask who shall reign next?
- Great! - Great!
A man of such limited outlook dares to discuss important affairs.
Who are you?
How dare you say that I have limited outlook?
I'm a nobody.
I was just passing by.
Who are you to be barking here?
I wouldn't dare.
Show them the true spirit and glory of the imperial family.
What are you doing?
- Don't move. - Let go of me!
Listen carefully.
- Let go-- - Beating people up isn't some ability.
If you have any opinion, feel free to express it.
What I'm going to talk about today isn't the political trend of the world.
It's a story.
Who cares what you have to say?
We wont let you off if you can't tell it well!
Exactly! We won't let you off!
The story goes back to the sixth year of the Zhong Ping Reign.
Emperor Ling passed away.
The empress's relatives rose to power.
The upsurge of eunuchs.
Dong Zhuo entered Chang'an.
Do we need you to tell us that?
Dong Zhuo abolished Emperor Shao
and conferred Prince of Chenliu as the emperor.
Everyone knows that he's just a puppet.
Exactly!
The third year of the Chu Ping Reign, Dong Zhuo died.
Li Jue and Guo Si entered Chang'an.
They held the emperor and officials hostage.
Li and Guo attacked each other.
Thousands died. The emperor traveled to Anyi.
That's enough!
I thought that you really had some opinions to share
but you're just telling us what children know.
Then Cao Cao brought the emperor to Luoyang
and moved the capital to Xu Chang.
After being Dong Zhuo's puppet, he's just Cao Cao's puppet now.
Why can't I say that the imperial family is weak?
- Am I right? - Yes!
You're right to say so!
That's why I said that your outlook is limited if you judge narrow-mindedly.
I have a few questions for you.
The first year of the Xing Ping Reign.
There was famine in the three metropolitan areas.
The price of grains shot high.
A vessel of grains cost 500,000 taels.
People resorted to cannibalism in Chang'an.
Who offered aid equally and saved the people from suffering?
It was the emperor.
How do you know?
My older brother was in Chang'an then.
If it weren't for the emperor's decree to offer relief and great judgment
in punishing Hou Ji, who embezzled the rations
my brother would have starved to death.
The emperor was only 13 years old then, wasn't he?
He certainly is a wise ruler.
Li Jue and Guo Si fought among themselves.
Chang'an nearly turned into ruins.
Who made the decision to move out of Chang'an?
Who lived up to the expectations of the people so much
that Yang Feng and Dong Zhuo chose to betray their master
to escort him to safety?
It was the emperor.
- It was the emperor! - The emperor!
Who was it that stopped the Han Empire from collapsing
amid the struggles between the feudal lords?
Also the emperor.
- It was the emperor! - The emperor!
Will the late emperor be forever replaced?
His identity to be concealed and never to be known or worshipped?
- It was the emperor! - The emperor!
Although the imperial family is now as weak as a flickering flame
a single spark is enough to kindle a huge fire.
The capital might be small, but it is where the emperor is.
There are great talents
so how can one know that there aren't any loyal officials in the imperial court?
- Good! - Good!
May I ask who you are?
I am Liu Ping of Hongnong.
I am from the Liu family of Hedong.
Liu Yi.
Let's go.
What's so interesting about a few poor scholars' boastful talk?
That poor scholar is a lot more difficult to tackle than the others.
Is he?
I don't think he's any different from those scholars who babbled nonsense.
Moreover, I have you, Zhong Da.
Who am I to fear?
Wherever there's trouble, that's where you'll be.
Brother Liu, you're far beyond our depth.
You have great insight.
We're very impressed.
You have great talent and insight.
Master, I have the information.
The one who just gave a speech is a scholar from the capital, Liu Ping.
Liu Ping?
Brother Liu, I'm truly impressed.
I'm so impressed.
- You're remarkable. - Exactly.
You're really talented.
Are you Mister Fu's student, Lu Yu?
[Lu Yu, courtesy name Zi Jia] I am. You are...
I'm Mister Fu's daughter.
That's impossible.
Mister Fu has only one daughter.
She is the current--
Your--
You must not bow before me in public.
Your...
Your Highness.
What brings you here?
Bear in mind that the speaker is actually His Majesty.
He's under the alias of Liu Ping.
I command you to assist and protect His Majesty from today onward.
Keep this confidential.
You're not to tell anyone.
Yes, Your Highness.
Judging by what Young Master Liu said
the capital is the royal city and renown scholars are gathered there.
Why aren't there any huge gatherings of scholars like this one in Ye City?
There are renown scholars Fu Wan and Minister Steward Kong Rong.
They are great masters of prose.
Their disciples are all over the nation.
Although the two of them now serve the imperial court
they never stopped trying to recover the ancient rites.
Well said!
- Well said! - Well said!
Great!
Step aside!
Brother Liu, well said!
Step aside!
- Step aside! - What are you doing?
- Get lost. - What are you doing?
You're Liu Ping?
Indeed.
You thought that you were some expert.
You're just young scholar.
What knowledge can you have?
I don't claim to know much.
Fu Wan and Kong Rong are but scholars of undeserved reputation.
How can they be compared to Duke Yuan's prestigious family?
Counselor Fu's ancestor is Fu Sheng.
Minister Steward Kong is the descendant of Confucius.
They are indeed inferior to the four generations of the Three Excellencies.
You've admitted defeat?
Young Master Shen.
Who do you not know? Fu Sheng or Confucius?
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