Episode 95
Three Kingdoms
Is this He Jin's ancestral temple?
There's a stone stele over there.
Bring me the torch.
In the first year of Zhongping,"
He Jin, the Intendant of Henan, was promoted to Commander-in-Chief.
The Ten Regular Attendants abused power"
and He Jin plotted to kill the eunuchs."
However, the eunuchs discovered his plot."
In the sixth year of Zhongping, on the seventh day of the eighth month,"
he was ambushed by Zhang Rang in Jiade Hall"
and was killed in the incident."
This is indeed the ancestral temple of He Jin.
Forty-five years have passed so quickly.
Life is but a dream.
People have already forgotten He Jin.
His ancestral temple is also in a such a state of disrepair.
Father,
civil war has torn the country into three kingdoms.
If we trace the origin, it all started with He Jin.
His desire to eradicate the eunuchs led Dong Zhuo into the Capital,
and then the realm fell into chaos.
No, that's not correct.
The turmoil in the realm wasn't caused by He Jin's killing of the Ten Attendants.
It's due to the fact that the Han dynasty had been in decline,
and the Imperial power had fallen into the hands of others.
Father, you're right.
Oh right.
Jingshu happens to be a descendant of He Jin.
Remember.
Send people to repair this temple in the next few days.
We'll fulfill the obligations of filial piety on Jingshu's behalf.
Yes, Father.
Your Majesty, please take your medicine.
Your Majesty, Sima Yi is here upon your orders.
Send him in.
Yes, Your Majesty.
His Majesty summons Sima Yi!
My humblest respects to Your Majesty.
Long live Your Majesty!
Lord Sima, please rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Lord Sima.
You've faithfully served your country in Yong-Liang
and have suffered a great deal.
Look, your hair has more white than black!
I was engaged in war with Shu for many years.
Though I've depleted many provisions and funds.
I haven't scored any quick victories.
I haven't measured up to Your Majesty's expectations.
Please don't say that.
Even though you've used some provisions and funds.
you've protected our kingdom, defeated the army of Shu,
and even brought about the demise of Zhuge Liang.
No one else has such capabilities.
This is all due to Your Majesty's grace.
I don't dare to claim credit.
Lord Sima.
After the death of Zhuge Liang,
would the Shu troops dare to mount another attack?
I believe that while Shu and Wu exist,
peace cannot be secured in the realm.
War will break out again someday.
You're right.
Lord Sima, you're advanced in years.
I can't bear to let you command the army anymore.
I shall appoint you Grand Commandant. Have a good rest.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Is that you, Master?
Master.
Get up.
Please get up.
Sit here.
What are you doing?
I'm sewing a padded overcoat for you.
I was planning to send it to your camp before the start of winter.
That won't be necessary.
I'll never go back to the military camp
and neither will I ever leave you again.
Is that true. Master?
Absolutely true.
Carry on with your work.
I'll just sit here for a while.
I'll make some tea for you.
No need.
Carry on with your work.
I'll just watch you from here.
It's been more than three years.
I've always wanted to sit beside you
and just gaze at you.
You look the same as you did in my dreams.
You haven't changed at all,
but I've become a decrepit old man.
You've seen me in your dreams?
Yong-Liang was barren and cold.
and there were no women in the camps.
So, those cold nights felt like an eternity.
I don't deserve your affections.
I'm only a lowly maidservant.
Not in my heart.
Then what am I?
My wife.
Master...
Master, what are you saying?
Jingshu, I've done a divination.
The seventh day of the eighth month is an auspicious day.
Let's hold our wedding on that day.
My humble respects to Your Majesty.
Cao Shuang,
my death is imminent.
Your Majesty... Your Majesty!
You mustn't speak that way.
Listen.
Although Zhuge Liang is dead,
Sima Yi is still alive.
I cannot feel completely at ease.
Since Your Majesty is so concerned.
why don't we put the entire Sima family to death
and save ourselves from future trouble?
Sima Yi has commanded the army for many years.
His disciples and followers are everywhere.
I cannot simply kill him.
Besides, he has been extremely prudent in his actions
and has even confined himself to his home.
I have no legitimate reason to kill him.
The Emperor needs no excuse to kill someone.
cannot kill a worthy official without reason
It'll only lead to upheaval.
Your Majesty!
As long as Sima Yi is still alive, he will be a threat to the Court.
Please don't be deceived by Sima Yi!
Order the officials to submit a memorial.
Owing to Sima Yi's high esteem and achievements.
they'll request for me to bestow upon him the position of Regent.
I want to see how he responds to it.
If he decides to accept the post.
it will indicate his ambition is unabated.
You can then get rid of him.
Yes, Your Majesty.
My humble respects to Your Majesty.
Please rise.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
As you can see, I am near death.
Oh, Zhongda,
all the officials have advised me
to follow Liu Bei's example of conferring his son to the care of Zhuge Liang,
and entrust the Crown Prince to you.
You and Cao Shuang will help the Prince rule the country.
Your Majesty's good fortune fills the Heavens.
Surely you won't leave us.
My illness is incurable.
Lord Sima, please agree to my request.
How can an incompetent man like me
shoulder such a great responsibility?
Besides, I'm approaching seventy.
I suggest
Regent-General Cao Shuang and Commander-in-Chief Xiahou Ba jointly take the responsibility.
I just want to linger on in my feeble existence at home
and pray for the Court.
Cao Shuang detests you.
Why are you still endorsing him?
The Regent-General detests me
because of Cao Zhen's defeat by Zhuge Liang.
This matter is very much to my regret as well.
This is a debt that I owe Cao Shuang.
However, I cant upset the political situation out of my own selfishness.
Lord Sima.
Have you ever considered that
if Cao Shuang assumes the position of Regent,
he might make you suffer?
I've thought about that.
Besides making me suffer.
Cao Shuang will kill me and all of my family.
However, upon second thought.
Your Majesty is the only one who can save me.
I'm hardly able to save myself.
How can I save you?
Please...
Please remove me from all my official positions.
and revoke the military authority of Guo Huai, Sun Li and the 52 other generals of Yong-Liang.
Also, demote my two sons, Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, to commoner status.
Only then will Cao Shuang feel at ease
and allow me to live out a peaceful life.
Lord Sima...
Is that really necessary?
Your Majesty, these are my most sincere words.
I beg you to grant my wishes.
Leave now and wait for my edict.
Your Majesty.
Did you hear all that?
Yes, I did.
So what do you think?
Ill go along with whatever your decision is, Your Majesty.
Forget it.
Allow Sima Yi to spend his remaining years in peace.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I have something to tell you.
Since the era of the late emperor,
there has been a pair of watchful eyes beside Sima Yi.
For more than ten years.
this pair of eyes has kept Sima Yi under surveillance for the Court.
When my time comes,
I'll hand over these eyes to you.
In the third year of Jingchu of Wei, Emperor Cao Rui passed away.
He was thirty-six.
The Emperor has arrived!
His young son, Cao Fang succeeded the throne.
All court officials shall pay their respects!
Long live Your Majesty!
Master here is the water.
Let's water it.
Jingshu.
Around this time next year,
this tree will have grown and grown and grown
and will be about my height.
Master.
You should rest a while.
All right, I will.
Master.
All right.
What's wrong, Jingshu?
I... I think I'm with child.
Good heavens.
I, Sima Yi, am already halfway into my grave,
and yet I have another child on the way.
Heaven is really generous to me.
I'm extremely grateful!
Jingshu.
Jingshu...
Madam, Madam...
Madam.
Oh no!
Madam is having a difficult labor. It's been four hours and she still hasn't given birth!
How is Father doing?
Madam! Madam!
Oh... Madam!
Madam!
Madam! Madam!
Master! Master!
Father! Father!
Madam!
Father has just suffered a stroke.
Go and get the physician!
Yes, my lord.
I'll go right away.
Your Highness, Sima Yi's wife just died from a difficult labor.
Overwhelmed with grief, Sima Yi has suffered a stroke!
Are you sure?
It's true.
I also heard that a funeral is being prepared at Sima Yi's residence.
A rumor is hardly sufficient.
You must go to his residence and check it out in person.
Report their movement to me immediately.
Yes, sir.
Oh, Sima Yi...
Sir.
I'm under Lord Cao's orders to visit Sima Yi.
This way,, please.
Lord Sima.
Your Highness.
Sima Yi remains unconscious and is on the verge of death.
His family is already making a coffin for him.
In your opinion, how much longer will he endure?
Judging from his situation, he wont last longer than a few days.
Tomorrow happens to be the Qingming Festival.
Sima Yi certainly chose a good day for his demise.
Yes.
Inform all the officials.
Tomorrow, I will accompany His Majesty to Gaoping Tomb to honor the ancestors.
All high-ranking court officials
shall accompany His Majesty on the trip.
Yes, sir.
What's going on out there? Why is it so lively?
It's Qingming today. When I entered the city, I saw Cao Shuang going to Gaoping Tomb with the Emperor.
Who else?
I heard that all high-ranking court officials accompanied the Emperor.
The Cao nobility went as well?
Of course.
Lets go.
Father.
Aren't... aren't you critically ill?
I've been critically ill for over ten years!
Grand Commander.
Cao Shuang accompanied the Emperor to Gaoping Tomb.
All the high-ranking court officials joined the entourage.
including the Cao nobility.
Generals, here are my orders!
Yes, sir' Generals, here are my orders!
Guo Huai to the South Gate, and Sun Li to the East Gate!
Summon the troops from all camps
and await further orders at Luoyang Bridge!
Yes, sir!
Sima Shi will stay here in the residence.
Sima Zhao will lead 5,000 elite troops
and follow me to the Palace!
Yes, sir!
My humblest respects to the Empress Dowager.
Sima Yi?
I thought you were critically ill.
I was suffering from an illness of the mind and I've just recovered today.
Empress Dowager,
Cao Shuang betrayed the late emperor's trust.
He subjected the young emperor to endless intimidation
and seized power in the Court.
His crime is unpardonable.
The late emperor was kind to me,
so I have no choice but to rally loyal men and denounce the rebel.
Now, the city's armory and Imperial Guards
are under my control.
I've prepared this memorial.
It states clearly that Cao Shuang committed treason
by his intention to usurp power.
Empress Dowager, please order me to eliminate this traitor.
Empress Dowager.
As matters stand now,
you might as well comply with Lord Sima.
Sima Yi.
You may kill Cao Shuang,
but you must cause no harm to His Majesty.
The Empress Dowager is wise.
I shall do as you decreed.
In accordance to the Empress Dowager's decree,
rally the troops and destroy the rebels!
Hurray! Hurray!
Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has issued a decree.
What decree?
Give it to me. I'll present it to His Majesty.
The Empress Dowager has instructed that the decree be announced in public.
The late emperor has entrusted his son to Cao Shuang, the Regent-General,"
and ordered him to assist the young emperor."
Cao Shuang should have served the throne loyally"
but he was corrupted by power,
establishing his own dictatorship and engaging in nepotism.
"His actions have tormented the country and left the Court in great disorder."
"And thus, the country knows only of the Regent-General's power,"
and not of the Emperor's."
His treachery has incurred the greatest indignation."
Today, the Imperial Tutor, Sima Yi,"
is called upon to take charge of state affairs and place Cao Shuang and his followers under arrest"
reforming the Court and reinstating the Emperor's reign."
All officials should know what is right"
and join Sima Yi in establishing proper order in the Court."
Those who conspire with Cao Shuang to defy the decree
shall be punished without leniency."
Sima Yi!
You... How dare you feign illness to ensnare me!
Cao Shuang,
Sima Yi's generals have taken command of the Imperial Guards.
Now, he has all of Luoyang In his grasp.
With your limited military strength.
you're destined to fail if you decide to resist.
His Majesty is right here.
Everyone, join me to protect the Emperor and kill this Sima traitor!
Everyone,
your family members have been escorted by General Sima Zhao
to the camps of the Imperial Guards.
Can you bear to see your families die?
Your Majesty, Sima Yi has more men than you.
Please consider the situation.
Do not resist under any circumstances!
Your Majesty, Sima Yi is only after Cao Shuang.
You will not be harmed!
Your Majesty, please order Regent-General Cao Shuang to surrender!
Let me ask you this.
Why are the soles of a man's feet paler than his face and his hands?
I do not know.
Because he always has them hidden.
Our ancestors have ruled for three regimes.
yet we have fallen to such a tragic end.
Sima Yi...
Sima Yi, you've won.
In just one day.
you were able to seize the lands built over the four regimes of the Cao family.
I may wield my sword only once in my life,
but I have spent over ten years honing its blade.
Your forefather, Cao Cao, deserves the credit for teaching me that.
The Tomb of Jing Shu
Eighteen years ago,
you were the one who brought Jingshu to my residence, were you not?
Yes, however, the one who offered her to you was not I.
It was your former master,
the late Literary Emperor, Cao Pi.
You can now tell me everything, can you not?
Eighteen years ago,
the Literary Emperor sent Jingshu to you.
She was ordered to eavesdrop on your conversations
and to observe your every movement.
I thought you would be unable to see through her.
But when you feigned illness to deceive Cao Shuang,
I suddenly realized.
You knew about Jingshu long ago.
Even though I knew,
I was still in love with her.
That is something that I didn't foresee,
that you, would be capable of loving someone.
You were the one who brought Jingshu to me.
Moreover,
Jingshu saved my life.
Thanks to her presence,
the Late Emperor and the Cao nobility
assumed that I was under their surveillance.
Hence, they were able to put their worries to rest.
Otherwise, I would've been killed long ago.
Zhongda, let me ask you a question.
I hope you can tell me the truth.
Did you kill the woman buried here?
Why would you think such a thing?
I loved her.
No. no.
What you love most in this world
is fame and achievement.
Jingshu was merely a useful pawn to you.
As soon as she was no longer useful, naturally you got rid of her.
You're indeed an astute observer.
You're correct.
I bribed the midwife
to swap her medication to something that would increase the bleeding.
Before the child was delivered, she bled profusely and died.
Didn't you say you loved her?
Do you really have no feelings for her at all?
Didn't you just say that
fame and achievement are my only loves in the world?
On an elm tree in the garden sits a cicada."
In song, it thirsts for the clear dew,
Thirsts for the dew...
unaware of the mantis ready to pounce from behind."
Father.
The Imperial Tutor of Wu, Zhuge Ke, led an attack on Xuchang.
Who?
Zhuge Ke!
He's the son of Zhuge Jin and the nephew of Zhuge Liang!
What are they trying to do?
They invaded Xuchang and are waging war upon us.
Elder Brother went south with 100,000 troops to battle the enemy.
What did you say?
Who's battling the enemy?
Sima Shi went south with 100,000 men!
Your elder brother left with the troops.
You have,to stay behind in the Capital.
It's crucial to leave a way out at all times.
Yes, I understand!
Little Yan.
Grandfather.
Sit here.
Recite again.
On.an elm tree in the garden sits a cicada.
In song, it thirsts for the clear dew,
unaware of the mantis ready to pounce from behind.
On an elm tree in the garden sits a cicada."
In song, it thirsts for the clear dew,"
unaware of the mantis ready to pounce from behind."
In A.D. 251,
Sima Yi passed away at the age of seventy-two.
By then, the Sima family had already dominated the court affairs of Wei.
Twelve years later
Sima Zhao defeated Shu and Liu Shah surrendered.
After another two years,
Sima Yan usurped the throne
and the Jin dynasty was established.,
Ln A.D. 280,
Sima Yan conquered the kingdom of Wu.
The three kingdoms once again became one
under the rule of the Sima family.