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[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 49]
I've always thought that what I did was right.
I have been taking all of you with me on this journey.
Zhong Da ended up bruised all over.
In the end, I couldn't even protect his beloved.
Have I really done wrong?
Your Majesty...
Haven't you always held on to your principles?
Your Majesty, you should already know the answer to that question.
Sister Tang's death wasn't caused by morality or justice.
Or by Your Majesty.
It was just a disaster that could've been avoided in these turbulent times.
But their sacrifices bring us too much pain.
It really hurts too much.
Have you noticed that Zhong Da seems to be a totally different person?
I'd rather sacrifice myself
than see him in such a state.
If I were in her shoes
I'd have done the same in order to save you.
No.
I'd never allow you to do so.
If you wish to do what Sister Tang did
I'll kill myself first.
Mentor... from today onward, I won't wield the sword again.
I'll be the last to study your swordsmanship.
Yes...
You said it once.
Your swordsmanship stemmed from fear.
I've lived in fear every day of my life.
It's been really excruciating.
It doesn't matter.
I've won.
But I didn't win because of your swordsmanship.
I won't wield the sword and stain my hands again.
My name will be recorded in history as an emperor...
clean and reputable.
General Who Attacks the South, Cao Ren
trespassed into palace grounds without an imperial decree.
He humiliated the princess consort into suicide.
Such a crime can't be pardoned.
However, as he qualifies as one of the Eight Deliberations
and has rendered many merits, his punishment is reduced.
Hence, he's demoted to the General of Military Guards.
A year of his wages will be confiscated to uphold law and order!
Your subject, Cao Ren, accepts the decree and is grateful for your kindness.
Long live the emperor.
There is one other matter.
Today, I'll announce it to all of the officials.
Chancellor Cao, receive the decree!
Your subject, Cao Cao, receives the decree.
Chancellor, Cao Cao, a man of illustrious virtue
and distinctive merits should be rewarded for his morality.
I shall confer him as Duke of Wei and reward him with nine bestowments.
His fiefdom is to be in Ye City.
His son, Cao Pi, has rendered many merits.
He's to be appointed as
the General of the Gentlemen of the Household for all purposes
and Vice Chancellor.
Duke of Wei may move out of the capital starting today
to his fiefdom, Ye City.
By the emperor himself.
I accept the decree in gratitude to your kindness!
Your Majesty, you mustn't do so!
Your Majesty.
Cao Ren trespassed and forced the princess consort to her death.
It's as good as treason, so how can he be spared?
Cao Cao has the desire to rebel.
How can he be conferred a feudal lord and rewarded with nine bestowments?
I beseech Your Majesty to take back the decree.
Your Majesty.
Minister Steward Kong is absolutely right.
Your Majesty has confused misconduct with merit.
How are you to face your ancestors?
How will you appease the public?
Your Majesty, please take back your decree.
When Duke of Zhou assisted King Cheng of Zhou
to conquer the states
the barbarians succumbed to them.
Duke of Wei is assisting the imperial family.
He's worked very hard to assist me.
His virtue is no less than that of Duke of Zhou's.
He deserves a fiefdom.
Officials, you need not say another word.
Duke of Wei, accept the decree.
Your Majesty is wise and virtuous!
My son and I will certainly lay our lives down until the very end
to repay Your Majesty's graciousness.
But Your Majesty, this is--
I have made up my mind.
Court is dismissed.
Duke Cao has the Central Plain.
You conquer the other areas in the name of His Majesty
and command the other feudal lords.
Now that you're retreating to Ye City
you're no different from any other feudal lord.
Duke Cao, you'll be placing yourself at a disadvantage.
Aren't you afraid that the emperor might go back on his word?
His Majesty won't do so.
It really is very hard to come by.
In the recent century
there's finally an emperor from the imperial family of Han
who has the ambition of unifying the nation.
As for where this emperor came from...
I'll have to thank Registrar Yang.
He's still not having meals?
Young Master Sima has gone two days without any food.
Second Young Master, try and talk him around.
Sure, you're dismissed.
Zhong Da?
Master, please don't disturb me from getting some rest.
Didn't you say that you were going to help me?
I need your help now.
Master, please do tell.
My father was conferred as the Duke of Wei today.
I am to assist with relocating to Ye City as the vice chancellor.
However, in the imperial court today
Fu Wan and some others objected to it aggressively.
I don't think they will give up so easily
but I don't know what they are plotting.
Zhong Da, please devise a strategy for me!
Come in.
Those bugs of the imperial family will never learn to behave.
I can have them all uncovered, one by one, for you.
I wonder if you'd like that.
Cao Ren finally made a grave mistake.
Cao Cao was obviously already at a huge disadvantage.
Princess Consort of Hongnong sacrificed her life for such a great chance
and yet Your Majesty used it in exchange for the life of a useless scholar!
Father.
All this time, Cao Cao acted without any scruples
because His Majesty was within his control.
Now that he's willing to leave the capital
His Majesty is no longer restrained.
This is the blessing of the imperial family.
Since the reigns of Emperor Shi Huan and Emperor Ling
this is our biggest achievement.
Father, you should be pleased about it.
The current situation differs from those of Emperor Shi Huan and Emperor Ling.
The princess consort's death gave us an advantage
in timing, location, and people.
Your Majesty, when should we take out Cao Cao if not now?
What about after we take out Cao Cao?
Are we to wipe out his relatives and offspring?
And thousands of his soldiers?
Elder Statesman, you should be well aware
that with the power of the imperial family
it's impossible for us to unify the nation.
Whose puppet should I be then?
The Eastern Wu territory's?
Your Majesty.
Not everyone is as capable as Cao Cao.
Sun Quan isn't, and neither is Liu Bei.
However, as long as Cao Cao shall live
he will only become more powerful without any scruples
after moving his government out of the capital!
One day, should he wish to replace the regime with his own
how will Your Majesty save the situation?
I have yet to ask you.
Elder Statesman...
Why would you consent to the princess consort's suicide?
Both Grand Commandant Yang and I
would've rather died before Her Highness did.
But Her Highness insisted that only her death would matter.
In your mind
do you think that as long as Cao Cao can be killed
none of the sacrifices matter?
You'd have me raise a rebellion to annihilate Cao Cao.
It doesn't matter even if the entire nation is thrown into turmoil.
Right?
Yes!
General Dong, Grand Commandant Yang, and Princess Consort Tang!
The blood spilled from these loyal subjects is still so vivid!
Will Your Majesty's compassion render their sacrifices fruitless?
Father.
His Majesty aches from the sacrifices of these loyal subjects
and wishes not to have more people killed in battle.
Just heed His Majesty's words this once.
Why have you become so as well?
Are you both frightened?
Elder Statesman.
I will say this again.
Should you dare to act recklessly again
don't blame me for regarding you as a rebel of the imperial family.
Your Majesty!
A rebel?
I understand now.
I'll take my leave!
When Cao Cao bids farewell to the emperor
his army will swap garrison guards with the palace guards.
Who will leave first? Cao Cao or Cao Ren?
According to the decree, the handover of the garrison guards ends at noon.
Before Cao Cao heads out
his army will be waiting outside the city.
As long as Prefect Xun can stall Cao Cao for a while longer--
Prefect Xun?
Would he be willing to help us?
Judging by his temperament
he won't betray Cao Cao openly for the imperial family.
However, now that it's life and death
we can't allow him to hesitate.
You'll just have to shut the city gates and wipe out Cao Cao
as well as his officials.
Elder Statesman, when Minister Wang tried to kill Dong Zhuo
he also used a similar method.
However, Dong Zhuo's subordinates
Li Jue and Guo Si launched a counterattack.
Should Cao Ren lead the army to attack the city
we won't have enough armed forces to suppress them.
His Majesty now holds prestige and a reputation known to the entire nation.
It's unlike those days when His Majesty was still underage.
Once Cao Cao is killed
the soldiers outside the city will be lost without a leader.
They will surrender to His Majesty's prestige.
What is it?
Master, Sima Yi is here.
Young Master, this way, please.
Young Master Sima must be here for an urgent matter
if he's visiting me so late at night.
Elder Statesman is staying up all night to discuss important matters.
How would I dare not to offer a piece of advice or two?
Besides, would killing me stop the others from finding out
what you're actually plotting?
What are you trying to say?
I should take my hat off to you.
In your mind, you think that
the imperial family is on the brink of extinction
and His Majesty is too weak.
Assuming you still consider him as your emperor.
His Majesty is weak and incompetent enough to collaborate with Cao Cao.
Fortunately, there are still loyal and righteous subjects like you.
Cao Cao will soon be taking his army away from the capital.
This is a rare opportunity that you mustn't miss out on.
Would you allow Cao Cao to leave the capital alive?
I don't understand what you're saying.
Young Master Sima already serves under Duke Cao.
You'll be promoted rapidly.
You're soon heading up north with Duke Cao.
What is it?
Are you here to insult us before you leave?
If I didn't come today
I'm afraid that the city gates would have gone up in flames
and innocent lives would've been taken.
I'd end up being wiped out by the elder statesman.
Moreover, you've been interacting frequently
with the commanders of the garrison.
Tonight, the deputy commanders have all gathered in your manor.
They can't just be here to eat and drink to the departure of Duke Cao, can they?
Sima Yi!
You're uttering such nonsense!
What exactly are you trying to say?
I've come here today to pay my last respects to you.
Speak nicely to your father.
Warn him of the consequences.
I'll dissuade him.
I wasn't informed that Your Highness was visiting today
so I haven't prepared much due to the hastiness.
Your Highness, please forgive me for the lack of formal etiquette.
I'm the one to have troubled everyone at home.
You are all dismissed.
I'd like to talk to my father.
- Yes! - Yes!
Father, come and have a seat.
Your Highness, please enjoy your meal.
I'll stand on the side to keep you company.
Father.
Have a seat.
No, I should just stand on the side to attend to you.
I came home specifically for a meal.
Father, can you not be so distant?
Father, can you just come and sit beside me for a while?
Yes.
Father surely knows what I like.
The meals at home are still the best.
It still tastes as it did 10 years ago.
Does it?
Ever since your mother passed away
I didn't care much about meals.
I still remember those days when Li Jue and Guo Si held us hostage
and we were constantly on the run
you'd have rather starved to find me the best meat
so that our cook could make it to my liking.
You were only 14 years old then.
How could I bear to see you suffer?
It was really tough on you and the late emperor.
Father, don't you think that in the recent years
it's been somewhat different in the nation?
No feudal lords fight over the Central Plains anymore.
The nation is more stable.
Our officials no longer have to be on the run.
Our people can raise children with the produce they planted.
This is Cao Cao's Central Plain!
Such stability is a insult to the imperial family!
This is His Majesty's Central Plain.
It's the people's Central Plain.
That is what Cao Cao sounds like!
This is my own opinion.
I know that a righteous ardor is burning within you.
You'd pledge your life to the imperial family.
Therefore, you're not willing to accept the current situation.
However, have you considered this?
If you succeed in your plans
all you'll have managed to do is kill Cao Cao and a few of his men.
His entire army will break up into several minor and major feudal lords.
It will cast us back into those turbulent times again.
However, if you should fail
I'll have to die along with you.
Just for my sake... quit now.
Please?
Why can't the imperial family subdue Cao Cao's army?
Are you frightened?
Ever since you met him, you've become more and more timid!
Yes.
It's because I don't wish to be cold and indifferent as I once was.
I don't wish to disregard the preciousness of life.
The current emperor has taught me what love truly means.
I love him.
I love Father.
I love the imperial family.
I also love our people.
I don't want our people to hate me or Father in the future.
Father...
I'm begging you.
My daughter...
You're still so young.
I don't wish to get you involved either.
But your mother was a royal princess.
The entire Fu family served the imperial family for generations.
I don't... have a choice.
You do.
You do, Father.
Cao Cao has yet to discover your plans.
As long as we can get through tomorrow safely
nothing can go wrong.
Then...
we'll support His Majesty.
We'll assist him.
We'll help him govern the capital.
We'll help him protect the people in the capital.
We've gone through such hardships half my lifetime.
Allow me to offer Father a chance to live out your days happily.
Enjoy your family life.
Isn't this what Mother hoped for?
Yes...
My daughter...
[Yang Meng, Wei Qiang, Fu Sheng, Yin Sheng De, Yue Sheng Zhi]
Was it thoroughly investigated?
Yes.
There are five garrison generals who colluded with Fu Wan.
But we won't have any evidence until they make a move.
They will take action.
I'll go and alert Father now.
Don't bother.
I've already leaked the information to Yang Xiu.
What?
Why?
"The years of life reach not 100"
"yet the heart is in constant worry for a millennium."
"The day is short while the bitter night is long."
"Why not go wandering by candlelight?"
Zi Jian!
The capital will soon be in serious trouble.
You're still drinking?
What serious trouble?
There's an issue with the garrison
taking over the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry's duty.
Fu Wan has been contacting leaders of the garrison lately.
I think that they will rise in mutiny when Duke Cao moves away.
Fu Wan?
Elder Statesman, Fu Wan?
Exactly. You should report this to the chancellor quickly.
This time, we must do so before Cao Pi does!
If so, perhaps Pi and Man Chong have already noticed.
Fu Wan is in grave danger.
I must report this to His Majesty immediately.
Have you lost your mind?
Have you forgotten who you are?
I'm completely sane.
This attempt is as good as throwing eggs at a rock.
If this goes wrong, the empress will be implicated!
Before there's any solid evidence to prove it
there's still a chance to save him.
Save him?
You've actually never thought of vying for it.
What is this battle between you and Cao Pi?
It can be as trivial as your life but as important as the future of the nation.
Yet you're treating it like child's play.
Why?
Why does the first one I chose behave in this way
and the second is still the same?
Even if I am to vie for it, I won't do it like this!
Your young master is drunk.
Don't disturb him.
Let him have a good sleep.
Yes.
50,000 guards of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry will head
to Ye City from Shouchun.
Are we really not going to station any men in the capital?
Since this is a deal that we agreed on
we might as well be a bit more generous.
Withdraw them all.
It was my negligence that led to such trouble.
I wasn't forced into making this decision.
It's because I think spending so much effort and so many resources
on tackling the imperial family is really not worthwhile.
I might as well make such an effort on conquering down south.
Perhaps then, before my time is up, I might sail down to the Wu Territory
and gallop through Mount Zhong.
However, I don't think those old fellows
of the imperial family will give up so easily.
Only when the water subsides can the rocks emerge.
Master, Registrar Yang Xiu seeks audience for an urgent military affair.
- Send him in. - Yes!
- Duke Cao. - What is it?
I've found out that someone is going to revolt upon your relocation.
Who is it? Get off your horse!
Marquis of Pingyuan has to report an urgent matter to His Majesty!
No one is to enter the palace unauthorized.
Please get off your horse and record your pass.
I'll have to inform them first.
It will be too late by the time you get back!
I really have an urgent matter to report to His Majesty now!
Marquis, please forgive me.
No officials are allowed in at night.
Especially on horses.
Marquis, please get off the horse and wait here.
That's the imperial pathway! No horses are allowed!
Once we get through tomorrow, will the capital be at peace?
Yes.
Fortunately, you have dissuaded Elder Statesman.
But somehow, I feel as if something is amiss.
Cao Cao can't hurt your father without any evidence.
I'm worried about someone.
Is it Yang Xiu?
No, it's Sima Yi.
He hates us, so I don't think he'd only get back at us by assisting Cao Pi.
Even if Zhong Da blames me for the death of Sister Tang
he won't hurt your father.
He's not that sort of a person.
Don't worry.
Why would anyone be riding horses in the palace?
Your Majesty!
Marquis of Pingyuan barged into the imperial pathway on his horse!
Something's wrong.
- Summon him in! - Yes.
Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highness!
What has happened?
I barged in late at night because it's an emergency!
Tell us what it is quickly!
Yang Xiu has discovered Elder Statesman's collusion with the garrison!
He must have reported it to my father by now!
My father will take action very soon!
I was only in time to warn the elder statesman.
But I can't hold my father back!
Your Majesty, please think of a solution quickly!
Your Majesty, I have to go to my father!
Cao Cao will have him killed!
You can't stop Cao Cao.
I'll go.
Your Majesty...
[The memorial tablet of the late Emperor of Han, Liu Xie]
I have sinned!
I have let you down!
Your Majesty...
I'll be condemned for all eternity...
I'll be condemned for all eternity!
[The memorial tablet of sinned subject, Fu Wan]
The north of the city will face Cao Ren's attack.
It will be the toughest.
We must transport the oil and arrows over there tonight.
Yes, Sir!
Arrest them!
Loyal subjects...
They are worth commending and admiring.
But they are so regrettably dumb.
Your Majesty was informed quite quickly as well.
Or should I say, Your Majesty already knew about it?
I will handle this.
Duke Cao, can you compromise for once?
It's too late.
[The memorial tablet of sinned subject, Fu Wan]
Why would you do so?
Didn't you promise me?
Didn't you make me a promise?
He did.
But it was already too late.
What are you doing here?
I'm here to take credit for this.
If I didn't expose this scheme
the capital would be a huge mess tomorrow.
Why would you do so?
When did you become so vicious?
However begrudged you are, you can just come at me!
Why would you hurt the innocent?
Are you done asking questions?
It's a subject's duty to eradicate rebellions.
This isn't what you are.
Why exactly did you do so?
Your Majesty must have had me misunderstood.
I have always been like this.
Your Majesty, please conduct yourself with respect.
Your Majesty.
Greetings, Chancellor.
You've done very well.
Thank you for your compliment, my wise master.
It isn't that I don't trust Your Majesty.
Your loyal subjects didn't give us a chance to trust each other.
Send her away to the Cold Palace tomorrow.
You and your wife can still bid each other farewell.
I had thought that among my sons
Zi Jian was the most capable of attaining great achievements.
However, he barged through the palace gates
and rode on the imperial pathway!
He barged into the palace late at night!
This is already an unpardonable crime.
Cane him 50 times!
The Prefect of Official Carriage who let him in is to be executed!
This son...
I'll just regard myself wrong about his abilities.
Write up a decree according to what I just said!
Yes, I'll draft it right away.
Father, you mustn't!
Father!
This is entirely my fault.
I insisted on barging in.
It had nothing to do with the Prefect of Official Carriage!
Father, please don't kill an innocent man!
All the more, you mustn't get into any conflict with His Majesty!
Treacherous son!
This is the Cao family's misfortune...
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