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[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 51]
I hope that all of you will uphold the principles of a noble man
to extend civilization and protect our people.
It's because every one of you is the hope that we have
of taking us out of the turbulent times.
We shall remember Your Majesty's teaching!
Your Majesty...
Lord Man.
Please lead the scholars out of here in an orderly manner.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Gentlemen, this way, please.
Master of Writing Cui.
Your Majesty...
Why have you come here?
I couldn't allow you to do so.
To sacrifice one's life for the sake of righteousness...
That is what an emperor should adhere to.
It's not a command to others.
However...
supporting the emperor is supporting the imperial family.
It's the entire nation. It isn't just one or two lives.
However, the imperial family must not survive
on the sacrifices of such young lives.
What did you tell me when we were in Ye City?
You asked me to save these scholars.
Those were the lives you'd save even at the risk of betraying Yuan Shao.
They were the ones who were in here.
I haven't forgotten my original intention.
What about you?
But then, what of the imperial family?
What of the empress?
The empress won't allow you to do so either.
Your Majesty, why did you have to be born into such times?
You were born at the wrong time.
Master of Writing Cui.
We can change our fortune.
But not our hearts.
Am I right?
All right.
Your Majesty, please head back first.
I'll take the memorial tablets of Court Adviser Zhao
and Elder Statesman Fu back with me.
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, you already knew about it, didn't you?
Why did you still choose to come here?
It's exactly because I found out about it
that I had to be here.
I think... I seem to understand it now.
What do you understand?
What is happening?
- It's on fire! - Master of Writing Cui?
Your Majesty!
Master of Writing Cui!
Your Majesty, run!
Why would the Abyss Dragon Temple suddenly collapse and catch fire?
His Majesty actually ran into the fire to save Master of Writing Cui.
An emperor would actually risk his life?
It was such a close shave!
Your Majesty!
- Duke Cui! - Your Majesty!
Why did you come here? Why did you save me?
Duke Cui.
You once promised me that we'd restore peace to the nation.
I'd like you to see it for yourself.
I've let Your Majesty down...
I've let Your Majesty down!
- Duke Cui! - Duke Cui.
That's enough.
Escort Duke Cui to the Imperial Academy of Medicine quickly.
- Yes! - Yes!
Duke Cui, slowly.
You are all dismissed.
Yes, Your Majesty!
Are your hands all right?
They are all right.
I deserve this.
Why would you say so?
I didn't finish what I was saying before.
Forgive me for being disrespectful.
I finally understood why even after finding out about Your Majesty's identity
Libationer Guo chose not to reveal it.
Your Majesty does indeed live up to
Libationer Guo's expectations of an emperor.
I also know the identity of that corpse I pulled out from the fire.
Therefore...
even if my hands do not heal
I deserve such retribution.
Your Majesty.
Return to the palace quickly.
Empress...
Zhong Da.
I know of your relationship with His Majesty.
This is too cruel for you.
Allow me.
Young Master, you're out to seek great achievements.
If you hold this drug in your hands
it will make you the murderer of the empress.
You'll be criticized for it.
Leave this sort of matter to me.
I'm a cruel man.
If I am to carry out a cruel act, I have to remain cruel until the end.
Open the door!
Duke Cao has given orders.
Fu Wan raised a rebellion.
The empress, Fu Shou, is his daughter.
She is guilty as an accomplice.
As she has served His Majesty for several years
she's granted the favor of keeping her corpse intact.
Sima Yi.
If you wish to take vengeance on him, you have already done so.
I'll go and keep Sister Tang company in your stead.
Sure, you can both watch from above just what my retribution will be.
Young Master.
The empress, Fu Shou, has already passed away.
Head inside and examine her.
Yes.
Your Majesty, my condolences.
- You're dismissed. - Yes.
Your Majesty.
How fortunate I am to have met you in this lifetime.
When I've accomplished my mission...
When I've protected those I should protect...
I'll go looking for you.
Our ambition...
It's fine as long as we both understand it.
I don't understand...
Once we're dead, there's no hope left.
What ambition is this?
You and I can't understand it.
But it doesn't mean that such an ambition doesn't exist.
It's just that you will put an end to their ambition.
Just like the ashes after a fire...
we're all smoldering in the same furnace.
Young Master, you've lost your composure.
I hate him.
I hate him for not even being able to protect his empress.
But I'm also thankful to him.
Even if I turn into ashes
I want to be the ruler of such turbulent times.
Your Majesty.
It was the empress's family that committed an unpardonable crime.
As a subject, you killed your monarch.
Even killing you isn't enough to redeem your sin.
Your Majesty chose this ending for the empress.
This nation, these turbulent times...
They're like a hell that burns with the flames of karma.
If you wish to save lives from the fire
you'll have to bear with the pain that burns your flesh.
As for my sins...
the gods might punish me.
However...
my sins are not for Your Majesty to judge.
My father consented to bury the empress
as an empress rightfully should be buried.
I'll take my leave.
You mean to say...
the emperor found out about it?
I guess it is so.
Several hundreds of scholars...
If all of them died on the same day
I could never clear my name from having killed Confucian scholars.
I'll always be criticized by everyone.
Am I right?
Yes.
Fortunately, His Majesty stopped that in time--
Fortunately?
Their motive is condemnable.
Didn't Cui Yan wish to die?
Let him!
His Majesty saved Cui Yan from the fire.
Will you leave him here in the capital to incite more scholars?
Cao Cao!
Treacherous subject!
Let me in!
Step aside!
Let him in.
Cao Cao!
How dare you murder the empress?
I reckon the deed should be done by now.
She was just the daughter of a sinned subject.
She was not fit to be the empress of Great Han.
As a subject, you've murdered your monarch.
The historians will have you recorded in history
as far worse than Dong Zhuo!
Didn't you come here to scold me because you had no other solution?
Aren't you trying to seek the easiest way
to prove your loyalty by death remonstration?
You--
I simply won't allow it.
Man Chong!
Sentence Kong Rong and his entire clan to death
for violating the prohibition order.
You...
Traitor!
You won't be able to kill everyone who writes about your sins!
As for how everyone will write about me
a pedantic Confucian like you won't get to see it!
Nor will you be able to envision it.
Man Chong!
Minister Steward Kong.
This way, please.
Father.
I have come to report back to you.
The imperial physician has already examined her.
The empress has passed away.
Did Sima Yi carry out the orders?
Yes.
His Majesty was enraged.
He wielded his sword to kill Sima Yi.
I fended it off for him.
Are you really... going to employ Sima Yi?
I know how forcefully he wielded that sword.
If I hadn't fended him off
Sima Yi surely would have died.
A subject who could make his ruler fend off a sword for him...
He's the real sword that can drive right into the ruler's heart.
Since you've chosen him, you should consider the consequences carefully.
Sima Yi is as sharp as an eagle and as vicious as a wolf.
He's bound to interfere with your personal life.
I've already thought it through.
My father wants to kill Cui Yan and Kong Rong.
It's as I expected.
There are always some people who are so eager to seek death.
You can't hold them back.
Tell me.
Why would His Majesty rescue those scholars personally?
Could he not know that once Cui Yan's scheme succeeded
he'd be able to save the empress?
In this world, there are two types of losers.
One is stupid.
The other is foolish.
Yuan Shao belongs to the stupid.
He saw, but failed to understand and hesitated in crisis.
His Majesty is the foolish type.
He couldn't size up the situation and even restricted his own actions.
He couldn't bear to see those scholars die.
Yet he went and wrecked his loyal subject's plan.
Before Cui Yan's death
I wonder if he'll lament over his misjudgment of character
or admire His Majesty even more than ever?
That's why at times, I really hate him so much.
I hate him for his persistence even in the flames of disaster.
I'm also afraid of him.
I'm afraid of the scholars and the people's expectations of him.
Zhong Da.
Do you still have any expectations of him?
However much I once expected of him...
that's however much I hate him now.
That's all in the past now.
In the past?
We haven't had Fu Wan's entire clan annihilated yet.
I believe Yang Xiu must have rushed over to handle it.
Take them all away.
Imprison them for further trial.
Search Fu Wan's manor thoroughly.
Keep all documents intact and sealed.
Nothing is to be missed.
Yes!
Take them away.
Get up! Move along!
Yang De Zu! You're also the descendant of Great Han's official!
You were once my master's distinguished guest!
Why would you hold a candle to the devil?
Can't you show some mercy for old time's sake?
It's your master's fault that he didn't know any better.
Registrar Yang does act quickly.
Young Master has been in the palace for some time.
I was concerned that you might not have the time
so I came here first.
Registrar Yang always thinks things through.
It seems that you won't need my father's men to help.
I've brought the guards of the commandant's office.
The investigation results will be handed over to Duke Cao to deliberate on.
If you insist on having the investigation done yourself
does that mean that you and Duke Cao are not of the same mind?
Registrar Yang, what have you found so far?
Nothing yet.
Fu Wan was notified before his death.
He burned many of the important documents.
I'm afraid that the crucial evidence can't be found anymore.
However, we can still find some clues in regular letters.
I'll take a look for you.
[Best regards, Yang Biao.]
These letters might not be authentic.
Fu Wan could have planted these as his last means to frame others!
Since you said that we'll leave it to my father to deliberate
my father can then decide if this is just a setup.
We found two letters in Fu Wan's manor.
One is from Prefect Xun.
The other is from Grand Commandant Yang.
What does it say?
Prefect Xun advised Fu Wan not to act recklessly.
Grand Commandant Yang pledged himself to support Fu Wan.
Is the handwriting verified?
Yes, it is.
It's the handwriting of Prefect Xun and Grand Commandant Yang.
Please look into it, Duke Cao.
Fu Wan burned many documents before his death.
However, he only left these two behind.
This was his scheme to sow discord between his enemies
when he knew he wouldn't live long.
Is there any other evidence?
Yes.
We should thank Registrar Yang for this.
He had Fu Wan's entire household rounded up.
After interrogating Fu Wan's housekeeper
it's confirmed that Fu Wan did contact Prefect Xun and Grand Commandant Yang
before his plan was aborted.
Prefect Xun is Duke Cao's confidant.
How could he not report it if he knew?
It's obvious that the letter is fake!
You might know a friend for a long time without understanding each other.
A man's mind...
only the gods know.
I can just ask the ones who wrote the letters to verify them.
Summon Xun Yu over.
- Summon Yang Biao. - Yes.
Duke Cao.
My father has already retired from the imperial court.
Even if he did act foolishly
I believe that with your magnanimity
you'd find it beneath you to hold him responsible.
Duke Cao, what you need are young and capable subjects.
I'm willing to assist Duke Cao in pacifying the nation
to redeem my father's mistake!
It seems that Registrar Yang also believes the letter to be real.
Duke Cao has just pacified a revolt.
At the moment, there are widespread rumors in the capital.
Duke Cao's priority should be to appease the people.
You shouldn't punish more people who are implicated in this case.
Why is it inappropriate to punish those implicated in this case
when it concerns your family?
By saying that rumors are widespread, do you mean many are keen to rebel?
That's enough!
Are you threatening me?
You think that your talent and wisdom are second to none
so I can't bear to part with you.
Hasn't the Yang family done enough behind my back?
I can tolerate you once or twice.
But not a third time.
In the Yang family, I'm the capable one.
If Duke Cao doesn't trust my family
I...
I'm willing to die in my father's stead.
My father is in his old age.
He will retire and pass away in his own hometown.
No longer will he add to Duke Cao's troubles.
Arrest him.
Duke Cao, you've been fighting all the way up to this day.
Can you be free from worry now that you've wiped out all of your opponents?
Duke Cao has the nation under your sway
and yet you failed to protect your own son!
Who will inherit your glorious ambition?
Drag him out of here!
Yang Biao...
Xun Yu...
Prefect Xun...
I have a few words to say to Registrar Yang.
All lands under Heaven belong to the monarch.
Where else do you think I can flee to?
Registrar gave himself up to be killed.
He won't run away.
Are you waiting to see how I will die?
You've been heartless all your life.
Who knew that you'd still be so filial?
Wisdom can't rid one of kinship.
This is the first time I've been impressed by you.
You plotted all of this... to avenge Tang Ying?
Don't you know who really killed Tang Ying?
I'll see you off to your death first.
As long as you live... I can't sleep well.
You really are straightforward.
The world is one battlefield.
A bet is a bet. I admit defeat.
Who is the next one?
Liu Ping or Cao Cao?
Or is it you and Cao Pi?
Whoever it might be...
Young Master Yang, you won't be around to find out.
We all think that we're capable of turning destiny around.
In the end, we're still stuck on this battlefield.
It's just the same old tricks used in the struggle for power.
The monarch and the subject turn against each other
brothers break off their friendship, people kill one another.
This might all seem fun.
But I'm already tired of it.
I won't play along anymore!
If you still wish to go on with the game
you should give up on that weak and incompetent man.
I already did.
You might be able to deceive Cao Pi, but not me.
In the underworld...
I'll be waiting to see what becomes of you.
Sure.
Then I must be sure to put on quite an exciting performance
so as not to let you down.
Having lost to you...
I'm not ashamed.
We'll be separated by death.
Take care.
You need not see me off!
Wen Ruo.
You've worked hard.
Greetings... Duke of Wei.
Minister of Masses, Chancellor, Duke of Wei...
Aren't all of those titles just me, Cao Cao, Cao Meng De?
Prefect Xun, are you still working?
There are still some documents that I have yet to handle.
Have you finished writing all of the official edicts
to execute Fu Wan's family?
Prefect Xun, you joined me on my expedition to the north and south.
You wrote military reports on horseback.
Even so, you still wrote 10,000 words a day.
Who would have known...
there would be a time when even you'd be at loss for words to write?
Duke Cao...
Although Fu Wan was punished as he deserved to be
he was, after all, an imperial relative and a veteran official.
Yet now...
the elder statesman and empress have taken their lives.
The execution of the empress was already highly debatable.
Duke Cao, please be lenient in the punishment of her family.
Allow the people to see that you had no choice but to do so.
It isn't that I had no other choice but to do so.
Do you think that you're left with no choice?
Who would criticize me for it?
Duke Cao, you should understand the current situation in the nation.
The nation?
Everyone in the nation opposes me.
Do you also blame me for killing the empress?
Or do you actually mourn for Fu Wan
as of grieving the loss of your kind?
The nation is still that of the imperial family of Han.
The people are still grateful to the imperial family.
I'm... just worried about Duke Cao's reputation!
Please be a fair judge of this!
Fu Wan planned to revolt! He already told you about it!
As the Prefect of the Masters of Writing...
My most trusted confidant... actually kept this from me!
I was wrong from the very beginning.
I shouldn't have made you the Prefect of the Masters of Writing!
Deep down in your mind...
you'd already betrayed me.
The Prefect of the Masters of Writing...
I made the decision to take that post.
You didn't appoint me to it.
Why?
Why would 30 years of friendship lose to a phantom-like imperial family?
Ever since...
since the day I advised you to hold the emperor in respect
the imperial family no longer only existed in appearance.
I remember you said to me
that when you passed away, you wanted these words on your tombstone:
"The tomb of the late General who Conquered the West, Marquis Cao."
Back then... our ambition was to assist the imperial family
and rescue the people from misery!
So many years have gone by...
I've been caught between you and His Majesty
constrained on both sides, and stuck in a dilemma!
I was doing all that I could to maintain that awkward balance!
It was just so that your aspirations
and my ambition could be realized together!
Now that it has come to such...
I...
I'm terrified.
I was the one...
who underestimated your aspirations.
I... have strayed so far away from my original ambition!
I've strayed so far away
that my ambition seems to be no more than a mirage!
I don't know what to write!
All the more, I don't know...
how I should face the people!
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