Episode 2
YOU people!
Come with me!
Your Majesty!
How did it go? -Your Majesty!
Cao Cao has entered the palace!
I'm moving.
Your Majesty! Where are you going?
Anywhere will do. I need to hide.
Your Majesty, this place is the safest.
Please rest assured. My father will kill Cao Cao.
Kill Cao Cao!
Father, be careful! -Defend!
Father, I apologise for coming late! (Cao Zhang, Name Zi Wen)
You're not late at all.
This is what I expect from my prided son, Yellow Beard.
Sister Chun Hua. -Why are you back alone?
Bad news. Brother Yi, Old Mr. Sima and Brother Fu
are all taken to the palace. -What happened?
I went to the Monthly Review.
Ah Xi, take the child out and coddle him.
Go on. -I went to the Monthly Review.
A big group of people attempted to kill Cao Cao.
Cao Cao arrested and took all of them to the palace.
Were father and Zhong Da involved? -No.
Good. Cao Cao only wants to arrest the assassins.
He has nothing against father and Zhong Da.
What are you doing? You just delivered.
Something serious is going to happen in Xudu.
We need to be prepared.
Who else is your accomplice? (Man Chong, Name Bo Ning)
Mr. Xun.
Yes. -You're a respected person.
You'll question him. Perhaps, Dong Cheng will come clean.
But, I -Are you reluctant?
I obey your command.
General Dong, Minister Cao wants me to ask you
if you have accomplices.
All of them contacted me alone and even His Majesty has no idea.
Torture me if you want.
Let's see if I'll give in
to Cao Cao's torture tools.
General Dong, since they colluded with you
there must be a covenant. Where is it?
You came from a prominent family as well.
Yet, you are working for Cao Cao now.
Don't you feel ashamed when you question me?
Minister Cao, I failed you.
Dong Cheng bit his tongue and committed suicide.
You've always liked to be clean. This person dirtied your clothes.
This is my fault.
Does anyone want to surrender?
If you come out, I will be fair.
Else, I'm going to kill.
Fine.
Invite Consort Dong over.
Father.
Did you and Physician Hua
What?
Did you take sides with the emperor? - I did not.
I did not.
How regretful.
Our family has sewed Han Dynasty for generations.
Your Majesty!
Father!
Father! Your Majesty!
Minister Cao! -Save me!
Minister Cao, please spare her.
She's pregnant with my child.
This child is a prince or princess of Han.
Your Majesty.
Do you remember who was the one back then
who helped you to eliminate Dong Zhuo?
Who saved you from Guo Si and Li Jue?
It was you, Minister Cao.
Your Majesty.
I used this dagger on Dong Zhuo.
It was to kill the traitor who bullied Your Majesty
and attempted to usurp the throne.
I did not hesitate to take the risk alone.
Since Your Majesty compares me to Dong Zhuo today
please use this dagger
to kill me.
Minister Cao, you've misunderstood me.
Minister Cao, I had no idea about the things Dong Cheng did
outside of the palace.
Don't wrong me.
You are the ruler and I am your subject!
Only the ruler can wrong his subjects!
Pick up the dagger!
Pick it up!
Emperor Gaozu of Han
won his reign by killing Xiang Yu.
Emperor Guangwu of Han
won his reign by killing Wang Mang.
Yet, heroes like them
have a descendant who cannot even hold a sword.
Anyone else has the guts to speak?
Alright.
We'll start from the daughter of the sinful official.
Strangle her. -Minister Cao, I beg of you.
Your Majesty. -I beg of you. She was unaware.
Your Majesty! -This won't do.
I just want to find Dong Cheng's accomplices.
I don't know, Minister Cao.
Consort Dong knows nothing. Dong Cheng did it on his own.
Stop!
You are the subject serving the emperor and his consort!
Cao Cao, how can you threaten the emperor?
Consort Dong is pregnant with the emperor's child!
Cao Cao! Killing the emperor's child is treason!
Cao Cao! What you do is no different from what Dong Zhuo did!
The subject that threatens the ruler
ls a traitor!
Good.
After listening to your assertions
I've come to a conclusion.
In your heads, I'm already a traitor.
Alright.
The dagger is still here. Come up.
Kill me.
Come on. Come up and kill the traitor!
I
Yellow Beard. -Father.
You're too reckless! How could you simply kill them?
What if some of them are the people the country needs?
That'll be bad for the country!
Father, what has been bothering you lately
has manifested into a political disaster.
If you get involved
our whole family will be exterminated.
Just say yes or no. I will think of something.
No.
You
You don't have to know anything.
Retire.
Don't go up. Father, we're doomed if you go up.
Cao Cao.
Those are senior officials who have served three emperors.
The child in that woman's body
is a member of the royal family of Han.
Father. -Yet, you killed them.
Do you still have any respect for Han's laws?
Good. Grand Commandant Yang is so righteous and brave.
It looks like these few are your accomplices.
Father. -Guards, seize him.
Minister Cao!
My father is just agitated!
But, he's not Dong Cheng's accomplice!
Please make a sound judgement!
Father!
Mr. Sima, don't you want to say anything?
I
Beg of you
to be forgiving and spare Grand Commandant Yang.
I'm not talking about Yang Biao, but you.
Mr. Sima, you are the governor of Xudu.
You are in charge of defending Xudu. -Yes.
You organised the Monthly Review. -Yes.
The assassins came in very easily.
I was negligent. Please punish me.
But, I did not
Did not what? -Please make a sound judgement!
My father is saying that he is not involved in Dong Cheng's rebellion!
Yes. -Why should I trust you?
If I were Dong Cheng, I would bribe your father first.
Please make a sound judgement. My father was lenient because
he wanted to encourage more people to join the event.
It is unfortunate that the assassins infiltrated.
But now, everyone knows how much you appreciate talents.
My father is just trying to help both you and the country.
How eloquent.
You were the one who debated on stage, right?
Alright. Today, I will spare you.
Thank you, sir! -Guards!
Seize Sima Fang and Sima Lang.
Sir! -We're innocent!
We're innocent! -We'll find out about that
in the Court of Judicial Review.
Seize all officials of Han who do not serve my office
and try them in the Court of Judicial Review.
We're innocent!
Guilty or innocent
we'll see if your families can prove it.
We're innocent!
Mr. Yang Xiu.
Release Mr. Yang Xiu. I'm only arresting officials.
Minister Cao, I'm innocent!
We're innocent!
Minister Cao, I'm also a Han official.
Wen Ruo, are you kidding me?
Who are you to me? You're not like them.
Don't you know why
I'm arresting all these officials today?
Your Majesty, I've failed you.
I have to call it a day here.
Madam Chun Hua! Young Master Yi is back!
I was so worried. -Minister Cao
arrested father and Brother Lang.
What happened? -It's serious.
Cao Cao forced Dong Cheng to commit suicide and killed Consort Dong.
He arrested all Han officials as well.
It's a rebellion. What should we do now?
We need to find ways to save father.
Brother Fu. Hou Ji. -Yes.
Go and gather information.
I
Will go to the Bureau of Investigation.
Report! Minister Cao, Yang Xiu came to meet you!
He's bold indeed. Let him in. -Yes!
Minister Cao summons Yang Xiu!
Greetings, sir.
What brought you over? -I have a secret to disclose.
Please tell the others to leave.
Xun Yu, Feng Xiao and Man Chong are all my trusted aides.
Sir, my father is innocent!
I am innocent!
I know who colluded with Dong Cheng and Yuan Shao.
Who?
It's Sima Fang.
Mr. Yang Xiu, do you have any evidence?
There was an engagement between Sima Family and my family.
As such, I pay a lot of attention to Sima Family.
I found out that they sent letters to Yuan Shao.
If you don't believe me, you may search their residence.
I'm sure you'll find proof.
Man Chong, you'll lead the search personally.
Yes.
Stop! Put it down!
What are you all doing in broad daylight?
Do you have any respect for the laws?
If this is robbery, just take the valuables!
Put down those things!
Seize him.
What are you doing? Let go of me!
Protect these important evidences. I'll check them when I get back.
Take him away. -Mr. Man!
What did our young master do? Let go of me!
Continue to search. -Yes!
You can't take them away!
Look.
How dare you intrude our residence!
Sir, my father-in-law and husband are not around.
Can't you all be a little more polite?
Mrs. Sima, I am Man Chong, prefect of Xudu.
Minister Cao ordered me to search Sima Family's residence.
My father-in-law is the governor of Xudu.
What did he do to deserve imprisonment and this?
Minister Cao will issue a statement soon.
He's not even convicted and you all did something so rude.
I will not give in. - Guards, remove Mrs. Sima.
Yes!
I'm impressed.
Mr. Man. -How dare you!
Minister Cao doesn't like to harm women.
Mr. Man is just acting upon Minister Cao's order.
Mrs. Sima, please cooperate.
Move on and search. -Yes.
Sister Chun Hua, that guy is the person
who pretended to be after Cao Cao's life.
Advisor Guo, Sima Yi came to meet you.
Let him in. -Yes!
I am Sima Yi. Greetings, Mr. Guo Jia.
How did you find me?
I know that this is your office.
Even though you found me
I can't help you with what happened today.
Mr. Guo, I just want to say that
my father has always been a cautious person.
He won't collude with Dong Cheng
to assassinate Minister Cao.
Please help me to talk to Minister Cao.
Come forth.
Do you know why Minister spared you and Yang Xiu
but arrested your father and his father?
Please enlighten me.
You're a clever person.
You should know what Minister Cao really wants.
Mr. Guo, my father and Dong Cheng
You'd better think about it carefully. Leave.
Mr. Man.
What's the matter?
Minister Cao wants to know the result of the search.
Alright. You may retire.
Yes.
I found a letter Sima Fang wrote to Yuan Shao.
Please take a look.
It does look like Sima Fang's handwriting.
Pass it to Xun Yu.
I've checked the handwriting. It's genuine.
Bring Yang Xiu over. - Minister Cao summons Yang Xiu!
Greetings, Minister Cao.
You knew that Sima Fang colluded with Yuan Shao.
Why didn't you tell us earlier?
Minister Cao, you've seen
how cruel Dong Cheng and his cronies are.
While they were hiding, I was unprotected.
If I exposed them prior to this, I would have been killed by them.
Your father claimed to be a loyal official of Han.
Why are you exposing Sima Fang?
Aren't you afraid of being criticised by the Han officials?
My father is senile and unwise.
But, I know that you are the only one in the present day
who can bring us peace and save the nation.
Please allow me to make up for my father's wrongdoings.
Greetings, father. -Greetings, father.
Father, Grand Commandant Yang offended you as he was agitated.
Please be forgiving.
Don't worry, my son. Thanks to him, I managed to
identify Dong Cheng and Yuan Shads accomplices.
Man Chong, send Sima Fang to the prison of Xudu.
You'll interrogate him personally. -Yes.
I'd like to recruit you
to my office. Are you willing to serve me?
Thank you for the offer.
Father, De Zu and I
are like-minded in our literature studies.
Would you let him serve as my clerk?
It'll be a waste to make Mr. Yang Xiu work as a clerk.
I've another plan for him.
Since you agreed to join me
I'll reward you generously. You may bring your father back.
Thank you for the generosity!
Father, he is too clever. He might not be trustworthy.
Yang Xiu is outstanding. Brother Cao Pi
Father loves talented people.
It's a waste to cast a gifted man like Yang Xiu aside.
Zi Huan, are you wary of him?
Father, I fear that he might deceive you.
Zi Jian is most like me
when it comes to appreciating talents.
Both of you may retire. -Yes.
The two of you may speak now.
Minister Cao, I suggest that
we investigate this case carefully.
We should not conclude based on a letter alone.
What do you think, Feng Xiao? -The problem
does not lie in the letter for Yuan Shao.
Feng Xiao knows me.
They took everything? -They took all written works
and everything in father's room.
What were they looking for? - They didn't say anything.
Not even Old Mr. Sima's crime.
Isn't Dong Cheng the guilty one? Why are we involved?
What is father guilty of?
- Young Master Yi, good news! - What's the good news?
Grand Commandant Yang has been released.
I'm sure they'll release master soon.
So, father is fine now?
God blessed us. I'm sure he'll be fine.
I'll prepare a few dishes to cheer master up later.
Go. -Brother Yi!
What have you found out?
Father has been transferred to the prison.
- How many people were transferred? - Only father.
Only father? -Yes.
Oh no. -What's wrong?
Grand Commandant Yang has been released.
Prefect Man Chong is known for being ruthless
in interrogation. This shows that father
is found guilty of something else.
Let's visit Mr. Yang. -Alright.
Our master is unwell. He will not see anyone in a month. Leave.
Mr. Yang and my father are best friends.
My father is in trouble now. Mr. Yang won't refuse to see us.
Please help us to inform Mr. Yang. -Stop bothering me.
Our master said that himself. Leave.
Brother Yi, is there really a covenant?
Did Mr. Yang betray father? Else, how come he's released?
If that covenant exists and was found in our home
father won't be the only one in trouble.
What should we do? -We must find ways to meet father.
- Any findings? - Liu Bei has fled from Xudu.
- I'm aware. - But, Liu Bei is sending out statements
saying that he's going to act upon the secret edict
and attack you.
Secret edict? -Yes.
Our emperor is more than meets the eye.
Now, most importantly,
we need to identify the people who took pad.
I'm guessing that since this is such a serious matter
there must be a name list of the alliance
to prevent betrayal.
Dong Cheng killed himself in order to protect those alive.
If this name list exists, who will be the one holding it
and the secret edict?
This is something so important. Liu Bei won't take it with him.
It must be in Xudu.
They are still waiting for an opportunity to eliminate you.
The ones alive are Yang Biao and Sima Fang.
Sima Fang has a letter for Yuan Shao.
Is the name list with him too?
Does the authenticity of that letter matter to you?
He's just a weak old man.
You only need the name list, officials
and the new generation of talents
from today's Monthly Review.
But, how do I find that name list?
Do I close the city gate and search the residences of
the Han officials?
Master, it's easier if we have a clear target.
Sima Yi came to me today.
You hinted him? -A little.
The rest depends on his comprehension.
Alright.
I'll wait for Sima Yi to find his father's accomplices.
(Xudu)
Young Master Cao Pi, Sima Yi came to meet you.
Sima Yi? He even came to me.
Yes.
I'm not meeting him. -Should I
Alright. I'll tell him.
Both Mr. Cao Pi and Mr. Yang refused to meet us.
Brother Yi, what should we do?
What are you all doing? -Move!
We're from the Bureau of Investigation!
We're not the only family they are targeting.
If the covenant exists, I think it's not found yet.
Why is father the only one transferred to the prison then?
Let's go home first.
- My dear, why did you get up? - Have you thought of any way?
I can't figure it out.
If the covenant isn't found yet
why is father transferred to another place?
Perhaps, someone can help you. -Who?
When Man Chong came today, I saw an old friend among his men.
An old friend? -Yes.
He met him a long time ago. His name is Ji Bu.
He's a wandering fighter.
During the Yellow Turban Rebellion
I left my hometown to seek refuge in my aunt.
I ran into mountain bandits on the way.
He saved me and escorted me.
How come you never told me?
I never told you before this.
Also, Ah Zhao told me that
he was the one who pretended to be
after Cao Cao's life in order to capture Dong Cheng.
That guy?
He might be our hope in saving father.
Perhaps, we can obtain some clues from him.
I asked Ah Zhao to tell him to meet us
at Yuefeng Tavern tonight. Let's go together.
My dear, you should rest and take care of our child.
I'll go on my own.
Alright.
Take this with you.
He'll understand when he sees this sword.
Are you Brother Ji? -Who are you?
I'm Sima Yi. Zhang Chun Hua is my wife.
My wife told me that you will remember this sword.
Why are you alone? Where's your wife?
My wife is weak as she has just delivered.
So, she told me to come and seek enlightenment from you.
What do you want to know?
May I know what the Bureau of Investigation
found in my home today?
This is classified.
I'm just an inspector. How would I know so much?
My father is being confined.
I haven't been able to save him through anyone.
But, after your team from the Bureau of Investigation
came to our home today, my father was transferred
to Xudu's prison.
This must have something to do with my father.
Please enlighten me.
I just entered the Bureau of Investigation recently.
I'm afraid I can't help.
I understand. I shall excuse myself.
Brother Ji, I almost forgot. When I was leaving home
my wife reminded me to send her regards to you.