Subtitles by DramaFever
[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 29]
I already have the emperor's secret belt decree.
Cao Cao can no longer claim to act upon the emperor's decree.
That's good enough.
We shouldn't let our morale be affected because of an envoy and a spy.
Behead him.
Master!
The envoy of the imperial family represents the emperor.
You mustn't kill him!
It matters not.
If you really wish to kill me, I have only one request to make.
Have Pan Yang carry out the execution.
Do you know Pan Yang?
I wouldn't dare.
Why not?
Do you know him?
He's the emperor of Great Han!
What?
The emperor?
The emperor came out here?
Summon Wang Yue over!
What did you say?
Grand Commandant.
Do you find my belt decree handy?
How would you know that he's the emperor after a brief meeting?
I've really underestimated you.
You are quite bold indeed.
You even dare to impersonate the emperor!
Grand Commandant Yuan.
When Dong Zhuo was going to abolish my brother from Luoyang Palace
you argued with him over it.
I still remember your demeanor then.
After 12 years
Grand Commandant Yuan has forgotten me completely?
The emperor...
It turns out... that you're now working for Yuan Shao.
Is he really the emperor?
He nearly died by my hands.
He is the emperor.
Greetings, Your Majesty!
Your subject, Yuan Shao, greets Your Majesty.
I deserve to die for offending Your Majesty.
Do rise.
Untie him quickly!
Yes!
Your Majesty.
May I see Princess Consort Tang now?
Your Majesty, as you wish.
This emperor...
There's more to him than meets the eye.
An emperor who walks right into our snare...
Interesting.
Your Majesty!
Sister Tang...
You've suffered.
Your Majesty, why did you come to Yuan Shao's camp alone?
You even exposed your identity!
I had to save my neck.
Where are the empress and Sima Yi?
The empress has returned to the capital.
Sima Yi has escorted Cao Pi to Cao Cao's military base.
He's gone to Cao Cao's military base?
Sister Tang, you needn't worry.
Cao Pi is indebted to him for saving his life.
He'll be much safer in Cao Cao's camp.
I'll rescue you from here and bring you to Zhong Da as soon as possible.
Your Majesty, what are your plans?
Before I got here
I thought I could collaborate with Yuan Shao to defeat Cao Cao.
However, since I got here
I realized that Yuan Shao is far more arrogant than I thought.
It's the same with his strategists.
Guo Jia was right about him in every aspect.
Yuan Shao never has been a loyal subject of the imperial family.
Therefore, the late emperor had never fled from the capital
to seek refuge with Yuan Shao.
I can now understand how difficult it was for my brother
to keep both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao in balance.
What if the outcome of the battle upsets the balance?
Your Majesty, how will you choose between them?
In fact...
Your Majesty can take your own path.
You don't have to go along with what the late emperor
Grand Commandant Yang, and the empress had planned.
Zhong Da told me that true cowardice isn't being weak or compassionate.
It's losing track of one's own principles and goals.
I already chose my path right from the beginning.
My goal isn't just to take out Cao Cao.
Your Majesty will have to get away from here as soon as possible.
If you stay, you'll only become Yuan Shao's hostage.
He'll drag you to the battlefield.
He isn't capable of that yet.
Now that the emperor really is here
it's actually quite troublesome.
Master.
The emperor is a very useful weapon.
Isn't Cao Cao unbridled in his attacks
because he claims to act upon the emperor's decree?
Cao Cao is the descendant of a eunuch.
He definitely has to rely on the emperor.
My family served as one of the Three Excellencies over four reigns.
Why would I need to command the feudal lords in the name of the emperor?
Now that he's here
am I to ask him for his approval or not when I give commands to the others?
Or should I do as Pang Ji said and send him to the front line?
If so, Cao Cao wouldn't dare to launch an attack on us.
It can't do any good to Master's reputation
if you drag the emperor to the front line.
If we back him into a corner
and he reprimands you at the front line, won't that be helping Cao Cao instead?
What should we do then?
It's troublesome to keep him here.
But we can't kill him either.
It isn't that we can't kill him.
Master.
It's just not the right time to do so.
This emperor happens to come in handy at this time.
Tell me...
How does he come in handy?
The emperor isn't of much use to you, but Cao Cao can't do without him.
Master, aren't you worried that Cao Cao's army isn't taking action?
Now that we have the emperor
Cao Cao will have to take action even if he doesn't want to.
Does that mean I won't have to pretend to surrender to Cao Cao?
What is it?
You aren't willing to go over to him?
However, Cao Cao might not believe us.
There are but a few people who have met the emperor.
Therefore, we'll need the help of Mister Zi Yuan all the more.
What does that mean?
First of all, when you go over to Cao Cao
you have to tell him that our rations are stocked in Wuchao.
Second, you have to inform them that the emperor is here with General Yuan.
Make sure that many more people are informed of this matter.
Good!
This is great!
If Cao Cao finds out that the emperor is alive and well here with me
he's sure to sit on pins and needles.
However, I can't stop worrying that this young emperor has more tricks
up his sleeves for certain.
Mister Zi Yuan.
I remember that the emperor tried to reach out to you in Ye City.
I wonder what that was for?
I don't know.
He only sent his attendant to send a message.
I didn't get to meet His Majesty.
Master, I think we'll have to send Mister Zi Yuan
to figure out the emperor.
Your subject, Xu You, greets Your Majesty.
Do rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You've finally come to see me.
Your Majesty knew that I'd come?
You knew that without my assistance
your trip to Cao Cao's camp would be a one-way journey.
How is that so?
Cao Cao is suspicious by nature.
Guo Jia has unparalleled wisdom.
Anyone who brings them false information is essentially seeking his own doom.
It's no wonder that Mister Fei is so frightened of Your Majesty.
However, Cao Cao is already at his wit's end with the shortage of rations.
Someone who is backed into the corner would often believe
in matters that he normally doesn't.
What will be a desperate situation for you?
Would you lie to yourself
and believe that you can survive this trip to Cao Cao's camp?
All that Mister Fei cares about is his competition against Guo Jia.
He cares not for anyone's life.
Sir, you're a smart man.
Could you not tell?
Indeed.
My family...
He has my family.
Why... why would I say this to you?
The outcome of the Battle of Guandu is obvious.
It's only a matter of time before Duke Yuan defeats Cao Cao.
Are you willing to be the one to turn the tables?
This...
The Battle of Guandu will play a huge role in deciding the future.
This battle will surely go down in history.
Would you rather be just another anonymous soul killed in this battle
or a hero who turned the situation around?
Tell Cao Cao... where Yuan Shao's rations are truly hidden.
Your... Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, you... you wish to assist Cao Cao?
No.
I'm just helping myself.
I'm also helping the imperial family and the entire nation
so that less blood will be spilled.
Your Majesty is actually already...
disappointed in Duke Yuan.
I don't dare to stay here much longer.
I ask to leave now.
This meeting with me will serve as the amulet for your trip to Cao Cao's camp.
And...
take this letter with you.
I almost forgot.
Duke Yuan sent me here to see Your Majesty
to find out why you wished to see me in Ye City.
I had wanted to get the list of Cao Cao's subordinates
who secretly defected to Yuan Shao.
Would you still like it, Your Majesty?
I don't need it anymore.
It's enough that I have you.
I'll soon lead the army to launch an attack on Cao Cao's camp
and assassinate Cao Cao.
This is our mentor's swordsmanship manual.
I've read it so many times that it's broken.
This is the last stance that you didn't get to learn.
When you have the time, be sure to master it.
Are you afraid that you won't make it back alive
and our unique swordsmanship will be lost to the world?
You'll feel guilty if that happens.
I've taken Yuan Shao's poison.
Why do you think that I'll outlive you?
Once Cao Cao is defeated, the world is Yuan Shao's to take.
You have nowhere to hide.
You can only stay by his side in order to survive.
Pass on our mentor's swordsmanship to disciples.
Can we really do nothing to change our destinies?
Our mentor's bidding.
Military orders.
Friendship.
They are but different cages to us.
What is there to change?
Sima Yi...
If you don't make it here soon
I'm afraid... I'll never see you again.
Your Majesty.
I'm Gao Lan.
My master has given orders.
Your Majesty, please don't leave your tent.
You're Gao Lan?
Along with Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Zhang He
you're one of the Four Pillars of Hebei?
Exactly.
Your Majesty has actually heard of me.
I've always admired the generals of Hebei.
It's a pity that I never met Yan Liang and Wen Chou
before they died by the blade of Guan Yun Chang.
What a pity.
Your Majesty, how have you been?
I've been dwelling in the tent all day.
I was about to take a look at Grand Commandant Yuan's army
but General Gao...
If so, allow me to show you the way.
Your Majesty, after you.
This...
Master has given us orders. This is...
I'll accompany His Majesty, so what can go wrong?
I'll continue the conversation with General Gao
when I return from observing Grand Commandant Yang's army.
I'll help Your Majesty leave this place.
Duke Cui, aren't you afraid to defy Yuan Shao's orders?
I don't wish to see Duke Yuan leave behind a marred reputation in history
for holding the emperor hostage.
If Yuan Shao is defeated, you should prepare for it in advance.
Cao Cao won't be able to persevere for too long.
However...
Why would Your Majesty say that Duke Yuan is bound to be defeated?
Could it be...
Does Your Majesty intend to assist Cao Cao?
Isn't that the empress?
Your Majesty, look.
I'll leave the rest to you.
Yes.
Empress.
Did you come here alone?
Would anyone dare to abduct the empress?
I've already properly handled the matter that weighs on your mind.
Since Your Majesty is here, I'll have to follow you here.
Your Majesty and the empress are indeed very much in love.
Her Highness came over here of her own accord.
I'm very grateful for Your Majesty's sincerity.
It's because the Yuan family served in all four reigns.
You're all loyal subjects of the imperial family.
What were you discussing with Duke Cui just now?
Duke Cui appears to be somewhat flustered.
I'm indebted to Duke Cui for his assistance in Ye City.
I promised him that should we defeat Cao Cao this time
he'll be appointed as one of the Three Excellencies.
Your Majesty, I'm too flattered!
I didn't expect Your Majesty to be looking forward to
rewarding the officials after our victory in this battle so soon.
Certainly.
However, Duke Cui has already made his choice.
I won't elaborate much.
Her Highness must be travel-worn.
Your Majesty and Your Highness should get some rest soon.
- Guards. - Present!
Escort His Majesty back to his tent.
Prepare a feast as a treat.
Yes!
Your Majesty, this way, please.
What has happened here?
We'll talk when we get back to the tent.
Duke Cui...
You helped the emperor when he was in Ye City.
Did you know his identity then?
I only knew then that he was a scholar.
He was sympathetic and a leader among the other scholars.
Hence, I offered him some help.
You now know who he is.
He didn't act out of sympathy without any motive.
What happened to your hand?
Why didn't they apply medication and dress your wounds?
It's not so bad.
Empress, why have you come here?
You really shouldn't be here.
I believe...
You must have revealed your identity because you endured hardships
that I can't possibly imagine.
When I first arrived
I claimed to be the secret commissioner of the imperial family.
Yuan Shao is too full of himself.
He's ambitious but lacks in ability.
You can imagine what happened.
How is Sister Tang?
She's here.
But she's in a perilous situation.
We'll give it some time.
We'll come up with another plan after we've defeated Cao Cao.
That's why I have to be here.
I've come to rescue Sister Tang
and assist Your Majesty in subduing Yuan Shao.
We'll get the list that we need.
After all...
I dealt with Yuan Shao for much longer than you did.
Empress...
Have you ever considered...
What is it?
Your Majesty.
Are you keeping something from me?
I already noticed there was something amiss about the way
you spoke to Yuan Shao and Cui Yan.
This battle...
Yuan Shao won't win.
What?
Yuan Shao schemed for Xu You to defect to Cao Cao
and inform them that Yuan Shao has stocked his rations in Wuchao.
It's to lure Cao Cao to his trap in Wuchao.
And then?
But Xu You will tell Cao Cao about the real location.
It's in Yangwu.
Did you tell him to do so?
Your Majesty, are you lying to me?
I'm not lying.
That's why I told you I'm using Yuan Shao as a cat's paw
to assist Cao Cao in winning the battle
and to buy us some time to turn the tables.
Are you insane?
What did you tell me when we parted in Ye City?
What did you tell Sima Yi then?
Yuan Shao's ambition lies in conquering the world and taking the throne!
If Yuan Shao were to win this battle
the imperial family would never be able to survive.
Who had all of Xu province massacred?
Who flooded Xiapi?
Who coerced the late emperor?
Who killed Consort Dong?
Who kept the imperial court under his control
and humiliated the officials?
Cao Cao did!
Didn't Your Majesty promise to kill Cao Cao
and save the imperial family with me
to bring forth a future for us and the entire nation?
What have you been through these past few days
that made you forget your determination?
But in comparison to Yuan Shao
Cao Cao has a greater ambition and ability.
It's beneficial to the Central Plain and the imperial family.
Who told you that Cao Cao had great ambitions?
Guo Jia or Cao Pi?
Your Majesty, have you even met Cao Cao in person?
Empress!
Empress, you--
Let go of me.
Let go of me!
Empress!
Trust me this once.
Trust me just this once!
If I hadn't seen Yuan Shao for who he truly is
how could I possibly have resorted to this method?
It doesn't matter if I have to be his puppet
as long as he kills Cao Cao, right?
I'm sorry.
Does Your Majesty think I've been so blinded by hatred
that I no longer care about the imperial family and the nation?
No.
You've already assumed too much responsibility
for the imperial family and the nation.
I thought that we already agreed to...
keep going toward that goal, however hard it might be.
Once we've killed Cao Cao
we can reveal your true identity and be together officially.
Judging by how things are...
that will be no more than an illusion and a tomorrow that never comes.
I have not forgotten my promise.
Nor have I gone back on my word.
This is a wish that solely belonged to Liu Ping.
And an oath.
It's just that we'll have to put up with this situation for a while longer.
However, I believe no matter how hard this might be
we'll keep marching on together.
I've finally figured out why Guo Jia allowed me to come to Guandu.
Guo Jia?
Tell me.
Did Yuan Shao send you here?
Or is it His Majesty?
It's no wonder His Majesty keeps taking such astonishing actions.
His Majesty has already conspired with Guo Feng Xiao in advance.
Go on.
What did His Majesty say?
Xu You has defected to Cao Cao!
Xu You?
Yes, Cao Cao went to welcome him last night
barefoot and with his hair undone.
He told Cao Cao where Yuan Shao stocked the rations
and that His Majesty is now in Yuan Shao's hands.
Did he hand over a list of officials who colluded with Yuan Shao?
I don't think he did.
That means Xu You hasn't really defected to Cao Cao.
He's just bait.
Cao Cao headed out with the army early this morning.
I've been ordered to set out immediately with Zhang Xiu.
We're attacking Wuchao from the side.
This means Cao Cao's camp is vacant.
Only Cao Cao's two sons are here.
Do you think that His Majesty purposely--
That fellow did a good job.
He managed to vacate Cao Cao's camp by just using Xu You.
I'm afraid Cao Cao won't make it back this time.
Is it really him?
Set out with the army, but don't act recklessly.
Wait for the right time and we'll charge back to Cao Cao's camp.
However...
I'm not confident that Zhang Xiu would turn against Cao Cao yet.
We'll make sure that Zhang Xiu has to revolt.
Second Young Master, Sima Yi is here to see you.
Leave me alone.
Second Young Master.
Zhong Da, you got me into great trouble.
I did act recklessly that time.
I should've thought about the remedy to the case
but I hastily offered you a solution before figuring out the crux.
I did get you into trouble.
What is the crux of the issue?
It doesn't lie with you or Fourth Young Master.
It lies between you and Minister Cao.
Xu You came here last night.
He said that His Majesty is now at Yuan Shao's camp.
My father was furious.
He said that I took action without permission and lost His Majesty.
He had me reprimanded sternly.
Cao Zhi even spoke up for me.
You've told me that you were once close to Minister Cao.
He used to bring you along with him to the battlefields.
When did Minister Cao's attitude toward you begin to change?
Was it after the Fourth Young Master was born?
It isn't so.
It seems...
It seems that my father's attitude toward me changed after Cao Ang's death.
Nothing I do seems to be right.
That's why you're so persistent in finding out about his death.
If so, we should unravel the true reason behind his death.
I have been doing so all this time, Zhong Da.
Have you forgotten?
I nearly died in the Ye City Guards' Office because of it.
It's different this time.
This time...
I'll help you.
I have it all set up.
But you'll have to put up an act with me first.
Your Majesty, Your Highness, please enjoy your meal.
Master Cui sent us over.
You work under Cui Yan?
Master Cui has made the arrangements.
After you've changed into the outfits
you'll join Duke Cui's troops to leave the camp for Ye City.
What about Princess Consort Tang?
Duke Cui has made other arrangements.
No.
We can't just leave like this.
I'll go and fetch Sister Tang.
Empress...
Wait for us at the meeting point.
Lead the way.
- I'm meeting Grand Commandant Yuan. - Yes!
Your Highness, this way, please.
Your Majesty, we--
We'll stick to the plan.
Yes.
Sir, are you heading out to war?
We're heading out to collect rations.
Collect rations?
Why do you have to cover the hooves to collect rations?
Isn't that a way to ambush the enemies at night?
Don't we have to collect the rations by force?
Is this Minister Cao's orders?
Minister Cao has strict orders not to commit
the slightest offense against the civilians.
We're running out of rations so Minister Cao has to make an exception.
Sir, heed my word of advice.
You mustn't go there against Minister Cao's orders.
This is a violation of the military law.
Even if it's Minister Cao's orders, you should call in sick.
You shouldn't go all the more.
Why?
After you've robbed the people of rations
he's bound to have you all killed for violating the military law
so as to appease the people.
Minister Cao would uphold his righteous and loving image all the more
in times of great adversity.
It seems that you understand Minister Cao very well.
My father recommended him as
the Commandant of the North District in Luoyang.
He's the descendant of a eunuch
but he slaughtered all factions of eunuchs as soon as he took office.
When he defeated Lü Bu, he cut off his hair in place of his head.
Some time ago, he killed his rations officer.
He's best at winning people over with his acting.
He uses the lives of others to build his reputation.
He's 10 times tougher than Yuan Shao.
Young Master is very straightforward.
However, in politics, how many people in this world can really tell
what is sincere and what is no more than a pretense?
If Minister Cao is so bad at acting that anyone could tell at a glance
he's only good enough to be a county commandant
as your father once said.
General, may I ask for your name?
Let's set out!
If we can make it back, I'll be sure to drink heartily with you
to thank you for your advice.
Cao Cao truly has a great many talented men serving under him.
The joke about being good enough to be just a county commandant
was only told by Father to Cao Cao.
He's Cao Cao?
Yi He didn't plan to kill Cao Cao.
Tell me.
Why did His Majesty send you here?
It seems that it really was His Majesty who kept my head on my shoulders.
Who are you?
Sima Yi of Wen County, Henei Commandery.
It's actually Zhong Da?
Come here.
I have a letter for you and you'll understand after reading it.
Are you fooling around with me?
Keep your arguments to yourselves!
I'm just in charge of delivering the letter.
It doesn't concern me.
It was His Majesty who switched sides at the last moment.
Go and beat him up if you can!
I have another question.
Ask away.
It's as I've been sitting on pins and needles all day.
My life is at stake.
Where is Tang Ying?
Your Highness, this way, please.
I've heard from His Majesty that when Dong Zhuo was in power
you used to conduct yourself with perfect etiquette to mock that rebel.
I've long admired your spirit.
I'm finally able to witness your graceful demeanor today.
It's hard to keep up etiquette during times of war.
Your Highness should adapt to suit the circumstances.
I've come here today to ask you one question.
How can you be sure that Xu You won't truly defect to Cao Cao?
Your Highness, what do you mean by that?
Xu You and Cao Cao were once past acquaintances.
Cao Cao is also a very cunning man.
Should he manage to get the truth out of Xu You...
Your Highness, can you tell me what truth that might be?
Grand Commandant, did you get up to give the seat up to me?
Your Highness, please have a seat.
Certainly... I mean to refer to the real location
where Grand Commandant Yuan stocked up the rations.
If Xu You told Cao Cao the truth
wouldn't your carefully devised plan have been in vain?
Rest assured, Your Highness.
Cao Cao's every move is within my control.
But Cao Cao is cunning and he's skilled in misleading enemies.
Ordinary scouts can't possibly gather accurate information, can they?
I'm really worried that you'll fall for Cao Cao's trick.
All right, Your Highness.
I'll show you where my information comes from.
Your Highness!
How can you rely on some letters from anonymous sources?
General, you are too quick to trust others.
Hold on!
I almost fell for the lie that Your Highness knows nothing of politics.
Leave Cao Cao to me.
Your Highness should head back to keep His Majesty company.
The guards have changed shifts.
Your Majesty should set out now.
Where's the empress?
She's still in General Yuan's tent.
Your Majesty, it will be too late if you don't leave now.
We'll wait.
I have another request to make.
Release Princess Consort Tang from confinement
and let her stay with us.
Aren't you concerned that she will be in the way
should you and His Majesty wish to be intimate?
Whatever identity she had
she's now the princess consort of the Han Empire and my sister-in-law.
The imperial family won't cooperate with anyone who humiliates our kin.
Your Highness and Your Majesty are truly too kind to Princess Consort Tang.
It's no wonder that she betrayed me to remain loyal to His Majesty.
Sure.
I can agree to it.
But since I am cooperating, shouldn't it go both ways?
I don't understand what the imperial family has
as bargaining chips to negotiate with me.
Both the emperor and empress are right here on your turf.
Do you really think that the imperial family isn't prepared for this?
Fine!
Guards!
Escort Her Highness to see Princess Consort Tang!
Empress...
Shouldn't you free her now?
Yes.
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