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[Secret of the Three Kingdoms]
[Episode 50]
If I'd known, I'd have had you put this on sooner.
You would've looked gorgeous.
Zhong Da.
Zhong Da!
You've won.
Zi Jian barged into the palace and rode on the imperial pathway.
It is a severe crime.
Although Father didn't have the heart to depose him
he's already announced his crime to the nation.
Now, he's no longer qualified to vie against me.
No.
You're the one who has won.
Has Duke Cao left you in charge of investigating Fu Wan's revolt?
My father said that Yang Xiu deserves credit for reporting the case.
He is to join me in the investigation.
That's good.
Young Master, you should assist him in investigating it well.
Investigate carefully and thoroughly.
But we were a step behind him.
He took the credit for such a huge merit.
Will he assist Zi Jian to get back in the game?
No, he'll only find out when he is going to die.
Make me a promise.
Don't allow them to desecrate my father's body.
I'm still the emperor.
I'll surely protect your family.
I'll protect you.
As the empress, the last thing I can do to uphold my dignity
is not be a burden to you.
Cao Cao won't spare me from such a crime.
Your Majesty...
You mustn't betray the imperial family because of me.
If you do, I'll never rest in peace.
You mustn't say so.
There must be some other way.
There must be.
Your Majesty...
This time...
I have let you down.
Empress!
Empress...
Don't cry.
Stop crying.
Stop crying...
Master.
Fu Wan is dead.
This should come to an end.
If you keep investigating
it will only put you at a great disadvantage!
You've finally come to such peaceful terms with the imperial family.
Once you convict the empress...
it'll be hard for you as a subject to deny mistreating the monarch!
Master, you and the imperial family will truly be irreconcilable.
Master, do you really wish to see the capital turn into a battlefield?
All of the efforts that you and His Majesty made will be in vain!
Prefect Xun, you're only standing up for the emperor!
But did you see what they have done?
On the one hand, they tricked me into a peace negotiation.
On the other hand, they are plotting to assassinate me in the capital.
Assassination!
Rebellion!
They are after my life!
The veteran officials plotted all that! It had nothing to do with His Majesty!
Master, you are well aware of the truth.
However, you'd let all of your efforts go to waste for one or two people.
Master, I truly feel bad for you!
The veteran officials?
Why have I forgotten?
Prefect Xun, you're also a veteran official.
If Fu Wan had succeeded in killing me
what would you have done?
Would you have chanted three cheers for the emperor outside Hanzhang Hall
to celebrate the revival of the imperial family's glory?
I've exhausted my thoughts and efforts for your ambition.
Since you're now doubtful of me
I have nothing more to say.
I'll take my leave.
Greetings, Master.
Master of Writing Cui, are you also here because of the empress?
I'm here to report to you about the scholars' meeting
that I'm hosting with Minister Steward Kong.
We were hosting it in two days.
I wonder if we should still host it as scheduled.
Master of Writing Cui is a lot more open-minded.
The world is at peace now, so we should host such a good event.
Yes, Chancellor.
Kong Rong is very enthusiastic about gathering the scholars.
Yes.
This is the first scholars' meeting since we relocated the capital.
Although this is an academic event among the commoners
it's a distinguished event to promote Confucianism.
As Confucius's descendant and the leader of the academic circle
Minister Steward Kong is bound to work his heart out on this event.
That's good.
You'll work with Minister Steward Kong to host this event well.
Agree to any requests he has.
He's a sage, after all.
He should be noble and virtuous as a sage would.
He shouldn't be distracted by the other worldly affairs.
If Kong Rong won't make a scene about the empress's conviction
you should take credit for it!
Master.
I'd like to ask another question.
I wonder how you intend to deal with the empress?
How should rebels be dealt with?
I... understand.
Your Majesty had the advantage the previous time.
This time, I'm sorry, but I'll have to offend Your Majesty.
There's solid evidence to prove Fu Wan guilty of treason.
In terms of his crime, three generations of his clan are to be executed.
I beseech Your Majesty to part with your beloved.
Order the empress to take her own life.
Treason?
How strange.
How is an empress supposed to rebel against her subject?
Many empresses and consorts were killed by the imperial family.
What if I refuse to do so?
What do you intend to do?
March your army in here to force me?
I was first a chancellor and then a feudal lord.
I have the duty to correct Your Majesty's wrongdoings.
Should Your Majesty remain so obstinate and bend the law to suit your interests
an official can also clear the emperor of corrupt influences.
So much for clearing the emperor of corrupt influences.
There are also many treacherous subjects who ruined their reputations
rebelling in the name of clearing the emperor of corrupt influences.
Your Majesty, are you going to meet me on the battlefield?
Duke Cao, you forced me into it.
For the future that Your Majesty promised me
I've been putting up with you for a long time.
Your Majesty's birthright is questionable!
I've put up with that.
Tang Ying attempted to assassinate me!
I've also put up with that.
I've made compromises, one after another.
In return, all I had was Fu Wan and the others at my heels.
This time, I refuse to put up with it.
Duke Cao, have you wondered how this all started?
If it weren't that for years
you overshadowed your monarch with your military power
why would you have ended up with such enmity from the imperial family?
Do you still consider yourself a subject of the Han Empire?
I finally understand how this all started.
It was the empress!
Perhaps, Your Majesty is truly sincere about collaborating with me.
You have aspirations for a peaceful world.
However, those treacherous subjects who look up to the empress don't!
In the beginning, they wanted to cover up the late emperor's death
so they brought you here to take his place!
Isn't this so that they can tackle me?
If you want me to leave the capital, you have to get rid of this cause!
How atrocious!
You are the subject.
The empress is your monarch.
I can announce to the nation to suppress the subject who offends his monarch!
Sure.
Your Majesty can make another belt edict.
Who will you summon to your aid this time?
Liu Bei?
Sun Quan?
Whose puppet would you like to be?
If you would make blood drench the lands...
of the Central Plain for a woman
I will take you on until the end!
Long live the emperor!
It seems that Duke Cao isn't worried about Your Majesty at all now.
He's allowed you to leave the palace at will.
Is Your Majesty here to rid yourself of treacherous subjects?
I'm here to see who the Zhong Da I once knew really is.
Young Master, it's time for your meal.
Put the food down.
However serious, I'll discuss it after I've had my meal.
Yes.
Our cook from back home made the pastries.
Aren't you having any?
Have some snacks.
Try this first. It's very good.
Is it good?
Zhong Da...
I know why you've come to see me.
I still don't believe it.
What's not to believe?
We're just after different things in life.
I came here to tell you...
I don't even have anyone to talk to.
If I choose to abdicate my throne now
will Cao Cao spare my empress?
Abdicate?
Go home?
Is this how you decide to settle this?
I can't wage war upon Cao Cao.
But I can't allow him to hurt my empress.
Can you feel the pain in losing one's wife now?
If you hate me, you can kill me.
But it has nothing to do with the empress.
Kill you?
If I kill you, I'll be convicted of murdering the emperor.
Wouldn't that be getting myself killed?
You wish to pursue your life and take your own path.
That's fine.
It's fine as well if we meet on the battlefield.
But why must you hurt the empress?
I'm not interested in betraying Fu Wan just to see you tormented.
It just so happens that Fu Wan lent me a hand.
I have always been like this.
I have my own ways.
I have people I love.
I have my family.
I've tried to change myself.
Just so that you could fulfill your ambition.
But I realized that I was wrong!
Therefore, I'm now going to use my own methods
to manipulate these turbulent times.
Zhong Da...
I don't want you to become a demon.
Yi He...
You wish to save the empress?
There's a way to do so.
You just have to abandon your benevolence.
And your compassion.
Then you'll be able to save her.
Come with me for a walk.
We should digest this meal.
Do you know what place this is?
Abyss Dragon Temple.
Do you know who built it?
Master of Writing Cui and Minister Steward Kong had this built
for the upcoming scholars' meeting.
It was named "Abyss Dragon" to be named jointly with White Tiger Temple.
Kong Rong wanted this meeting to be like the seminar in White Tiger Temple
and leave its mark in history.
Exactly.
But he didn't name it the "Azure Dragon."
He chose the "Abyss Dragon."
As said in the "Classic of Changes," nine in the first place
the dragon in the abyss is not of use.
Kong Rong used to to hint at my vulnerability and Cao Cao's tyranny.
What do you think Cui Yan and Kong Rong are going to do here?
It's for the scholars' meeting tomorrow.
Push this.
Why is it so?
Didn't Minister Steward Kong and Master Cui supervise the construction?
They did.
It's the result of great craftsmanship.
The pillar was added later.
It's smeared with inflammable varnish and oil of the phoenix tree.
So with just a...
Once the flames flare up and the temple falls
all the scholars will die in here.
Then, everyone will question who caused such a disaster.
Those scholars had just voiced their objection of Cao Cao.
What will their families think?
What will the people think?
They are going to sacrifice hundreds of scholars to frame Cao Cao?
Exactly.
Everyone is using the most effective way possible to help you.
Burn down the Abyss Dragon Temple.
The fury of the nation will frighten Cao Cao into taking a step back.
As for you... you'll get to save your beloved empress.
I won't allow this to happen.
Don't be so sure of yourself.
Didn't you pledge a lifetime of love to your dearest Fu Shou?
What is it?
Don't you want to save your beloved?
This is your only opportunity.
Whether you take it or not, it's up to Your Majesty.
Your Majesty Duke of Wei has given orders!
Your Majesty, please halt.
Tell Duke of Wei to abolish me first before commanding my guards.
Your Majesty!
I was wrong.
Your father died because of me.
I also got you into this predicament.
Didn't we already agree not to say those three words again?
It isn't that we made the wrong choice.
We just couldn't betray our own conscience.
I chose you, so I've also chosen to take your path.
Both ideals and love are too wonderful.
Once you've met and gotten involved with them
you can never live without them.
Ever since I fell in love with you
I couldn't deceive myself anymore.
I couldn't deny myself of my feelings.
Taking innocent lives won't bring us the ideals.
It can only drag out our lives like the living dead.
I hope that you'll always be in love with the woman I am now.
Having you here...
I'm already very happy.
Tonight...
let me forget the past.
Forget the future.
I'll just spend it with you.
Please?
Brother Lu, it's been a while.
Brother Liu.
This way, please.
Let's go.
Cui Ji Gui!
I told you to visit Cao Cao in order to save the empress.
Where are you going now?
Minister Steward, have you forgotten?
It's the scholars' meeting.
If you aren't attending, I will.
The empress is now imprisoned by Cao Cao.
When the whole world is about to come crumbling down
why are you still attending some scholars' meeting?
Have you been scared out of your wits by Cao Cao just like Xun Yu?
This meeting will have an impact on the survival of our nation.
Minister Steward, judging by the current situation
what do you think we should do?
When facing Duke Cao
should we persuade, beg, or argue with him?
Do you think any of that would be of any use on Duke Cao?
If we can't persuade him, we can use our deaths to remonstrate!
If our deaths can't dissuade him, we can use the public opinion!
Until every last scholar's blood runs dry
we won't allow a treacherous subject to deceive the emperor!
Duke Cao is now in a fury.
He also has a great reason for it.
Duke Cao made those compromises previously due to the circumstances
as well as His Majesty.
Minister Steward.
Your methods... won't work this time.
Those of my kind study the classics of the sages.
We only care about what's righteous and what's not.
We don't care if it works or not!
Minister Steward.
What I'm doing this time will be of use.
I wish to ask you to use your brush to help me realize this plan.
What is it about?
Should any accident occur at the Abyss Dragon Temple today
that kills me and the scholars in there
it must have been done by Cao Cao.
I'd like Minister Steward to use your brush
to make this known in history and to all of the people.
The scholars were slaughtered because we opposed Cao Cao.
In the future...
I'll leave you to save the empress.
Cao Cao is going to kill those attending the meeting?
Hold on!
You will all die in there.
The Abyss Dragon Hall was constructed under your supervision.
No! Cui Yan, are you out of your mind?
I'm totally sane.
I'm doing so because not even the righteousness
written in the classics of the sages can rescue the empress.
Therefore...
Therefore, I can only resolve it with the ways of the turbulent times!
Even so, you can't sacrifice so many students for it!
"If the acquisition of the realm required a single unjust act"
or the murder of one innocent man, they would not do it."
Am I out to acquire the nation?
I'm trying to save it!
If we could sacrifice a few hundred lives to save the entire nation
it would be worth it.
For matters of the nation...
we should all make an effort!
Stop right there!
Let go of me!
Cui Yan!
You can't do this!
If you do so, you'll be the sinner of the academic circle!
Cui Yan!
Cui Yan! Let me out!
You mustn't do so! You mustn't!
Let me out!
I have already instructed them.
Someone will come to let you out once the deed is done.
Cui Yan, get back here!
Brushes and ink are in the room.
I'd like to know what Minister Steward would write about me.
Cui Yan!
What a pity.
I won't be able to read it.
Open the door now!
"When will this sun expire?"
"Then you and I will all perish!"
Cui Yan!
Cui Yan, get back here!
Master of Writing Cui, it's been a while.
It's been a while.
After you.
Please enter.
Master of Writing Cui.
Lord Man?
What brings you here today?
I never knew that you were also a scholar of the academic circle.
Master of Writing Cui's gathering of the scholars
is one of the major events in the capital.
As the county commandant of the capital, I should attend.
Should you or the scholars need anything
the commandant's office will be in time to provide it.
Since it is so...
please head inside.
After you.
Today, Confucian scholars from across the nation are gathered here.
This is a grand event for the academic circle of Confucianism.
At the same time
this is so that our future generations can know
about the era we lived in.
Apart from war and chaos, there's still decency and sophistication
passed down from generation to generation.
However...
Before we begin our discussion
I'd like to pay my respects and offerings to two people.
He's paying respects to two people?
Which two Confucian scholars have passed away?
Zhao Yan and Fu Wan?
Aren't they both sinners?
They were both killed by Duke Cao.
Zhao Yan was Minister Steward Kong's disciple.
Fu Wan was the descendant of the Qin and Han dynasties' Confucian sage, Fu Sheng.
They are both role models of our academic circle.
Apart from us, no one dares to make offerings to them
as they rightfully deserved.
The survival of the Han Empire's imperial family!
It all lies in this single feat!
No! The hall is about to crumble!
Quickly! Run!
Run!
Who locked the door?
Let us out of here!
Help!
Open the door!
Open the door quickly!
Open the door!
Help! Help!
Anyone there? Anyone?
Set out to the Abyss Dragon Temple.
Get out of here!
It's not safe in here!
We're in the middle of a ritual!
Who dares to make a commotion?
Cui Yan.
Do you want to bury these scholars here with you?
Man Chong...
As Cao Cao's minion
you killed both of these deceased scholars.
Now, you're interrupting the ritual.
What is your intention?
Why has Cao Cao sent you here today?
[Abyss Dragon Temple]
His Majesty arrives!
Master of Writing Cui.
Your Majesty...
You...
Greetings, Your Majesty.
My dear subjects, please do rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty!
Since Minister Steward Kong has arranged to pay respects
to Court Adviser Zhao
and Elder Statesman Fu during the scholars' meeting
It's only right that I attend.
Master of Writing Cui has gathered all of you here to discuss principles of life.
Principles of life...
It is the beginning of the myriad things, the standard of right and wrong.
A man upholds principles throughout his life.
A nation's survival also lies in the principles it upholds.
Principles of life...
It's not only used to regulate the subjects and the people.
It should all the more be used to regulate a monarch, a ruler.
My principle is that for every sacrifice made in such turbulent times
I should always feel ashamed and guilty.
Now that the imperial family has declined and the world is in great chaos
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.
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