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[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 36]
"My mind is not a stone; it cannot be rolled about."
I can smell the hatred in your heart.
Very good!
Let it run free.
Let it grow.
Imagine how it feels like to be betrayed by everyone.
That will make you unbeatable.
I said that I'd seek revenge on your behalf.
Now, an opportunity has come along.
My father sets out on the expedition tomorrow.
The emperor and empress will join the army secretly.
They are no longer heavily guarded in the palace.
This is a god-sent opportunity for seeking revenge.
Set out!
Speak up.
Who do you work for?
Young Master, I work for Young Master Yang Xiu.
I work for Second Young Master.
I work for Lord Man.
Young Master, regardless of our past employers
we'll all work for you now.
Am I right?
Yes, exactly.
You're right.
This is Sima Yi's territory now.
Even if you refuse to take the gold tael, you can't stay here anymore.
Moreover, you can't walk out of this door either.
Young Master, I work for your eldest brother, Sima Lang.
He...
He's worried about you!
You actually work for my brother?
Take it.
What are you worried about?
Fields of green buckwheat.
This land is so beautiful.
Why won't you take a good look at my nation?
Your Majesty, how can you still be smiling?
Aren't you afraid that while you're away
you'll lose control of the officials that you worked so hard to win over?
What have you got to fear when Duke Cui and Zhong Da are around?
Now that we get to distance ourselves from the politics
I'll be able to keep you company.
Aren't you happy about it?
Over here, quickly!
Give me a hand!
Hold it steady!
I need a few men here!
Hold it steady!
Coming!
Here!
Coming!
Hurry up!
Over here, quickly!
Grab on to it!
Hold it tight!
Hurry up!
Send a few men here!
Coming!
Over here, faster!
Send a few more men!
You're burning up!
I'm fine.
What's wrong?
I'm all right, Father.
Father.
Push!
Do you feel better?
I'm much better.
Here.
This rain won't stop any time soon.
After being in the rain for several days
more and more soldiers have fallen ill from catching a cold.
Minister Cao, the path ahead has been cut off by torrential rain!
We can't pass through!
Yes!
Master, we can be stationed temporarily in Lulong.
I've prepared very carefully for this battle.
We even opened up two canals to ensure the transport of rations.
Who could have known that once we passed the Great Wall
we'd be caught in a heavy rain that hasn't occurred in a decade?
Many of our soldiers and generals have fallen ill.
Could it be the gods' will to stop me from uniting the Central Plain?
A meteorological phenomenon lasts only for some time.
The nomads are faraway and defenseless.
Master is sure to return victorious by attacking them off-guard.
What's the hurry in doing so?
Convey my orders to set out to Lulong.
[Lulong]
Minister Cao, please come in.
It's been raining heavily for days.
Minister Cao must have had a hard time traveling.
I've prepared pork and lamb as a treat for the army
and to welcome Minister Cao.
Bring some hot soup!
There's no need for a welcoming reception.
The soldiers have been in the rain for days, so there's a flu epidemic.
If there are doctors in the city, send for their services quickly.
Yes, I'll have that arranged right away.
Minister Cao, have some hot soup to warm yourself up.
Convey my orders.
After entering the city
all armed forces are to seek shelter in clean households.
No one is to harass the civilians.
Whoever disobeys... kill.
Yes!
Send some soup over to Young Master Liu who came with me.
Yes.
Jie.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Don't speak.
It's best to recuperate quietly.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, how is Jie?
Miss Cao's cold isn't too severe.
It's just that she's had the cold for a long time, so she's very frail.
She mustn't travel in the rain again.
I've heard that Palace Steward Leng excels in medical skills.
Why don't you attend to Feng Xiao as well?
If you can cure Feng Xiao, I'll reward you handsomely.
This is an old ailment of mine.
No medication can cure it.
I'm already used to it by now.
All right. Feng Xiao must be tired from the traveling.
Go and get some rest now.
I'll stay here with His Majesty.
I'll take my leave.
Libationer Guo.
How is Miss Cao feeling?
Let me know if she needs anything.
I'll get it done.
She's all right.
That's good.
I don't think that you seem to be in good health.
Should I send for the medical officer?
It's just an old ailment.
Don't bother.
Who is this Young Master Liu?
Why did Minister Cao ask to let him have the best room in our bureau
and treat him with such respect?
Young Master Liu is a strategist whom Minister Cao recruited
specifically for this expedition up north.
Minister Cao respects him as his distinguished guest.
A mere strategist is treated in such a manner...
Could he be even more resourceful than you?
This Young Master Liu is hundreds of times more important than I am.
Minister Cao treats men of talent so kindly.
I'm very impressed.
Truly impressed.
Brew this one awhile longer.
More and more soldiers have fallen ill.
His Majesty is worried that there aren't enough medical officers.
He's sent him over to help them.
His Majesty also often treats the patients personally.
Everyone in the army holds Young Master Liu in quite high regard.
Feng Xiao, have you noticed
that His Majesty changed drastically in a year?
I still remember on our way to Xu Chang when we first relocated the capital
it was also raining heavily.
His Majesty sat up tall and upright in his carriage.
He even reminded us that in such a weather condition
it was more likely for assassins to strike.
He had me assign 100 soldiers to protect him up close.
But now, His Majesty loves his people as if they are his children...
I really can't figure him out.
Times have changed.
Perhaps, His Majesty has matured.
He now understands the value of the human mind.
[Royal Hongnong Manor]
Miss Tang, my young master told me to wait here
to lead the way.
You're finally here.
How did you know that I could still sneak out?
Prince of Hongnong's shrine, Ye City Guards' Office
and Cao Cao's royal manor for the princess consort...
As long as we wish to see each other
there's no place in this world that can keep us apart.
Come over here quickly.
I've been waiting so long for you.
Come and let me take a good look at you.
If you wish to look at me, come over here.
[Cao]
It's such a lovely day.
Up here, the scenery of the north lies right before your eyes.
It refreshes one's mind.
Your Majesty, why are you unhappy?
I'm thinking that there's bound to be many casualties in this battle.
The moans and groans will be louder than what we hear today.
It pains me to think of it.
Your Majesty cherishes your people deeply.
You hope for peace throughout the world.
However, have you ever wondered why Minister Cao didn't stop fighting
after he defeated Yuan Shao, but took the war even further?
He's just like Your Majesty.
He also hopes that the world can be at peace sooner.
For his ambitions
Minister Cao can have Xu Province massacred and Xiapi flooded.
But I can't.
In his early days, Minister Cao did carry out some cruel deeds in war.
I already knew about Hong Chang's identity.
But I never exposed her.
Apart from the fact that I'm fond of her
it's also because of what Minister Cao did.
However difficult the future might be
we'll have to keep moving forward.
Minister Cao has been fighting battles for the past 10 years.
None of his children or siblings fear death.
Isn't he just trying to pacify the world sooner
so that the people won't have to go on killing each other?
Minister Cao's plan is to end killing with killing.
Won't that just jumpstart even more killing?
Your Majesty isn't how you used to be.
All you had on your mind then was the imperial family and hatred.
Now, you have the nation and compassion in your heart.
I have an idea.
It might perhaps bring peace to the world sooner.
I'm all ears.
Your Majesty, why don't you join forces with Minister Cao?
Libationer Guo, you must be joking.
I'm not.
In the current world, there's Zhang Lu in the west
the Wuhuan Tribe in the north
Wu Territory of the Sun family and Liu Biao in the south.
The Central Plain is where the battles are fought.
We can't withstand internal strife.
If Your Majesty can join forces with Minister Cao
the unification of the nation will speed up by at least 10 years.
Put the past grudges to rest in exchange for 10 more years of peace.
Why wouldn't you do so, your Majesty?
Even if I were to suggest joining forces with Minister Cao
he might not believe me.
I'll be honest with you, Your Majesty.
What I just said is what Minister Cao has in mind.
He wishes to marry his daughter to you.
Then, Your Majesty and Minister Cao will become family.
A family can work hand in hand.
Miss Cao is of a noble birth.
Wouldn't it be too upsetting for her to be just a concubine?
Who said anything about being just a concubine?
Do you mean that Minister Cao wants me to abolish the empress?
Libationer Guo, you might not be aware
but there are some principles and limits of mine that can't be meddled with.
This includes matters of the empress.
Young Master?
What a coincidence, Young Master.
What are you also doing here?
Young Master! Spare me!
Go and earn an honest living.
If you break the law again, we surely won't spare you.
Thank you for sparing my life!
Look at me.
I've found a decent job.
Who are you?
Have you mistaken me for someone?
But...
Have you met Young Master Liu?
Perhaps... I've got it wrong.
Next time, watch what you say.
I won't dare do so again.
What did Guo Jia tell you?
Bring that young military officer on the fortress here.
Yes.
What happened?
That young military officer saw Yang Ping once.
What?
What did Young Master Liu say to you?
Young Master Liu?
I might have really mistaken him for another person.
Fortunately, Libationer Guo didn't punish me for it.
You mistook him for someone else?
Who did you think he is?
It's a long story.
Make the long story short.
Yes.
It goes back to quite a few years ago.
I was just a mere soldier then.
The first battle I fought in was lost.
The general died.
I didn't dare to head back.
Therefore, I wandered around with a few comrades.
Young Master, think about this. I was still very young then
and I had neither farmland nor abilities.
I could only make a living by robbing others.
You don't have to tell me any of that.
Who exactly did you mistake him for?
We later headed to Wen County.
Wen County?
Yes.
Libationer Guo asks you over for questioning.
Libationer Guo is asking for me?
Have I been blessed with the star of benefactors today?
Wen County?
Wen County...
Why did Libationer Guo ask to see me?
I'm not sure either.
Guo Jia has taken away that young military officer.
He might have found out by now that I'm actually Yang Ping.
He'll report this to Cao Cao very soon.
Cao Cao will also send his men here to arrest Your Majesty right away.
This won't do.
We mustn't linger.
Your Majesty, you have to leave immediately.
Where am I to go?
Wherever it is, you have to escape from the camp first.
It's much better to go against Cao Cao with the forces we have in the capital
than to sit here doing nothing.
Will you leave with me?
No.
I have to stay here.
I'll have to stall Cao Cao so that you can escape safely.
It might not be as bad as we think.
The abolishment of an emperor is a matter of the people's will.
A statement of a young military officer can't serve as deciding proof.
I have to see Guo Jia.
Isn't this as good as confessing it to him?
No.
I'm just going to be plain honest with him.
This might turn the situation around.
I have to persuade Guo Jia before Cao Cao finds out.
Do you know that
what you just heard and saw could cost you your life?
Libationer Guo, please save me!
I still have an 80-year-old mother!
I can't just die like this!
I will save you.
And I'm the only one who can save you.
As long as you obey me, you won't die.
I'll be obedient.
I'll definitely be obedient!
Answer me.
Who was it that you just saw?
It... was Young Master Yang.
I don't know him!
I didn't hear a word! I didn't see anything!
Take him away.
Keep him guarded. No one is allowed to go near him.
Not even Minister Cao.
Yes!
Who did he see?
What exactly are you up to?
You seem to be very worried.
You're acting all mysterious.
If you're up to any mischief, I won't spare you.
I wouldn't dare.
Sadly, I'll have to let you down tonight and leave you to sleep in the tent alone.
I'm waiting for someone.
Someone, bring in the wine.
Second Young Master.
I saw you summon a young military officer here.
Where is he now?
It's just a misunderstanding.
That young military officer had offended the emperor.
I've already handled it.
Romance is priceless.
Second Young Master, do you wish to spend all night drinking and chatting with me?
I'll take my leave.
Your Majesty.
Or should I say...
Young Master Yang?
What are you talking about, Libationer Guo?
I don't quite understand.
Your Majesty, you should know that I've always had this doubt on my mind.
Who knew...
the truth was actually so close to what I'd guessed.
Since that fire in the palace
everyone thinks that Your Majesty seems different.
Everyone has been guessing what that fire has covered up.
Who would have thought it was actually the identity
of the man upon the throne that the fire was trying to conceal?
Am I right?
Young Master Yang.
Libationer Guo, you do understand what you're saying now, don't you?
If these are words that you're uttering in a drunken stupor
I won't hold them against you.
Blazing flames at midnight, the dragon is replaced by the phoenix.
You're a clever man.
Do you really think that no traces were left behind in such a clumsy plan?
Even though Zhang Yu killed himself, Deng Zhan is dead
and the Sima family has tampered with the evidence in Wen County
you mustn't forget that justice has long arms.
Young Master, you just sent Palace Steward Leng in a hurry
to take that young military officer away.
Wasn't it so that you could have him silenced?
Indeed, it's the scariest to be at odds with Libationer Guo.
However, you're mistaken about one matter.
There is no Young Master Yang in this world.
If I truly did come from some questionable origin
why would the imperial family accept me?
Wouldn't that be more ridiculous than having Minister Cao
accept the emperor's abdication as the monarch?
10 days...
I'll keep this secret for Your Majesty for 10 days.
I'll verify your identity in the next 10 days.
Your Majesty, please use the next 10 days to consider
if you'll accept Minister Cao's wish to seal the alliance in marriage.
Since Libationer Guo questions my identity
why are you so eager to have me make up my mind?
Aren't you afraid to mess up Miss Cao's marriage?
Shouldn't Your Majesty be looking for a chance to save yourself?
I've already told you.
That's impossible.
Your Majesty, you don't have to turn me down so quickly.
After much consideration, you'll eventually understand
that's the only solution you have.
After all...
the empress doesn't belong to Your Majesty anyway.
What's wrong, Your Majesty?
What exactly is the matter?
- What happened? - Nothing.
Libationer Guo said that he'll verify my identity within 10 days.
We still have 10 days.
Is that all?
Didn't he bring up any other conditions?
He didn't.
Second Young Master, please halt!
This is my family's military camp.
Why can't I go in there?
Libationer Guo gave orders to ban anyone from entering.
I'm just carrying out the orders.
Please forgive us.
What if I insist on entering?
Second Young Master.
This concerns confidential military information.
It's best not to make a scene.
Please do tell Libationer Guo that it can't do him any good
to keep secrets from my father.
Then... go and inform your father.
Second Young Master told you to tell me that?
He did.
I told him to tell Cao Cao.
He didn't dare to do so.
Cao Cao trusts you and the Fourth Young Master
more than he trusts Cao Pi.
He's quite pitiful as well.
For some reason, ever since Second Young Master returned from Guandu
he seems to have changed completely.
There's this aura of rage and malice about him.
Perhaps... is it because he was tortured by Wang Yue?
He's not a bad person by nature.
Are you worried about the weather again?
I think it's actually good that it's raining.
You can have a few more days off.
How long will you be able to live should you have to travel non-stop?
Having the world's most beautiful woman to bury me
my life is worthwhile, however long I live.
Your Highness, Second Young Master asks to see you.
- Invite him in. - Yes.
Second Young Master, please enter.
Greetings, Your Highness.
What have you come to see me for?
I've noticed that Your Highness appears to be anxious recently.
Are you worried about His Majesty?
What do you know about His Majesty?
My father has the intention to marry my sister to His Majesty.
Libationer Guo has spoken to His Majesty in detail.
Your Highness, did you not know about that yet?
I heard you.
Thank you, Second Young Master.
I have another matter to report to Your Highness.
Speak.
I wish to tell you that no matter what happens, I'll protect you.
Your Majesty!
Let's go.
Your Highness.
Wind and rain landed us in a grim situation.
What brings Your Highness to the military camp?
I'm here to take a look at His Majesty.
The medical officers are assisting His Majesty.
It's best for Your Highness to get some rest in your room.
Father!
Your Majesty.
Father, I've been going around with His Majesty to treat the soldiers.
I've learned much about medicine.
His Majesty is really skilled in medical practice.
Your Majesty has been working around the clock for days.
You've cured many of my soldiers.
It's been really hard on you.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Miss Cao is gentle and attentive.
She's offered me much help.
My daughter has grown up.
If Your Majesty can get along so well with Duke Cao
won't that be wonderful for the imperial family?
His Majesty treats his subjects well for the sake of the nation.
I hope Duke Cao can also abide by his duty as a subject
to repay the imperial family.
Someday, I'll be sure to pick out a husband for you.
Someone who is second to none.
Only such a man is good enough for my daughter.
Father!
If Minister Cao has someone in mind, I'll be sure to prepare a generous gift.
I'll attend the wedding with the empress to congratulate you.
I mustn't miss out on attending the wedding.
How could Your Majesty miss out on my daughter's wedding?
What is the matter?
You've seemed so absent-minded all day.
Are you still worried about the 10-day pact?
Once Zhong Da gets my message, he'll know what to do.
Who am I to you?
You're definitely my empress.
I'm not the kind of empress who dwells deep in the palace, ignorant of politics.
Tell me right now.
What exactly is the condition that Guo Jia proposed?
He wants you to marry Cao Cao's daughter.
Am I right?
He doesn't.
Don't take any wild guesses.
Cao Pi already told me everything.
That's Cao Cao's wishful thinking.
I didn't consent to it.
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