Episode 6
"Yellow silk".
"Young lady".
"Child of the daughter".
"Spicy seasonings".
Why did Cai Yong write these words?
Does any of you understand?
I understand.
This stele -Don't tell me yet.
Let me think.
Stop!
- How many miles have we travelled? - Father.
We've travelled about 30 miles.
I've been thinking about the meaning of the few words.
Thanks to this rain, I've figured it out.
De Zu, you can say it now. -Alright.
The two words, "yellow silk"
can be combined into the word "absolute".
The two words, "young lady"
can be combined into the word "brilliant".
"Child of the daughter" makes the word "wonderful".
"Spicy seasonings" can be combined into the word "writing".
Cai Yong wrote "absolutely brilliant and wonderful writing."
Mr. Yang Xiu is intelligent indeed.
He can think 30 miles faster than me.
I'm flattered. -30 miles.
This is just a little guessing game.
It's nothing too impressive.
Since you're good at solving riddles
are you good at solving problems as well?
Minister Cao, you must be talking about this expedition.
Precisely. Yuan Family occupied Hebei and expanded their influence.
Now, we're going to face their army of 100,000 soldiers
with 20,000 soldiers.
Do you think we are bound to lose?
That's not the case.
The size of the army does not determine the outcome.
The key lies in unity and morale.
Registrar Yang, please elaborate.
Yuan Shao is a hypocrite who is only magnanimous on the surface.
He favours his relatives and his aides are less loyal.
On the other hand, you are a sincere leader who leads by example
Many loyal and righteous men are willing to serve you with their lives.
Isn't the result obvious?
You analysed well. But, Advisor Guo has already
predicted 10 victories and 10 defeats.
I've embarrassed myself before the real expert
That's not true. Great minds think alike.
Since both Advisor Guo and Registrar Yang said 10
what should I worry about?
Father, you will surely gather all talents and conquer the world.
Even an insignificant man like Sima Yi refuses to serve me.
How do I gather all talents?
It looks like I have yet to convince everyone.
There's plenty of rainwater.
The harvest this year will be good.
My dear, the weather is so good. On this wheelchair
I'm feeling so happy and healthy.
Let me go ahead and scout for you.
Slow down. Don't fall into the water.
Madam Chun Hua, Young Master Yi is in good mood.
He's starting to eat a lot more.
Next spring let's hire another physician for him.
- Perhaps, his legs can be cured. - You know him well.
He's a person who keeps things to himself.
If he shows his sadness, it'll make us even sadder.
Madam Chun Hua, to be honest, I really don't like the capital.
I wish master wasn't promoted back then. We wouldn't have to leave the countryside.
If we didn't come to Xudu, Young Master Yi might still be walking and kicking today.
My biggest regret is
sending you to transfer our rice that day.
If I sent you to chop wood
and you didn't come back in the afternoon he wouldn't be run over by the carriage.
Madam Chun Hua, please don't say that.
It's my fault.
It's my job to transfer the rice.
But, that day, I only unloaded half of the rice.
I should have unloaded it all. - Why didn't you unload it all?
Because you had another task for me.
Is that so?
You asked me to buy a few thick silver needles
because you wanted to make a few new quilts with Ms. Guo.
MY dear!
Come here! -What's the matter?
Young Master Yi! -Hurry!
Young Master Yi. -Over there!
- I thought you fell into the water. - I almost ran over it.
What's the matter? -Nothing.
Madam Chun Hua was talking about your legs.
She said that if she sent me to chop wood that day
you wouldn't -Hou Ji.
My dear, how do we walk out of the past
if you keep thinking about the possibilities?
This has to start from my childhood.
If I had taught Brother Fu properly
especially in the Common Possession of Pure Virtues
he wouldn't be unable to answer Yang Xiu at the Monthly Review.
I wouldn't have to debate with Yang Xiu.
Cao Pi wouldn't be interested in me
and Cao Cao wouldn't employ me.
Subsequently, I wouldn't be handicapped today.
However, I wouldn't be able to meet this tortoise.
Am I right, my dear?
Don't be distracted by these thoughts
when the scenery before you is so beautiful.
We'll call it "Distraction". Hou Ji.
Yes. -Rear it in a tub.
Alright. -From now onwards
I'm not alone.
The two of us will run together and go home to eat.
Young Master Yi, let's stick to "gallop".
Alright. "Gallop".
Sit tight. -Be careful.
Coming!
Arrange it properly.
Leave this one here. - You've a runny nose.
My dear.
Brother Fu is an honest guy. Will Ah Zhao like him?
Ah Zhao has been drifting. I'm sure she'll want a home.
Father, we're all waiting for you.
- Alright. Coming. - Master, we've prepared it all
as you instructed. -Let's start.
Alright.
Zhao Er. -Come on, Zhao Er.
Good. -Good.
Shi Er grabbed the brush as well back then.
Both of them are going to be intellects.
They'll live up to the reputation of
Sima Family from Henei.
Good.
Come.
Be careful. -He went to play with the chess.
Father, he grabbed the chess pieces too.
Chess'?
It's fine. But, I hope he can differentiate
the black and white.
- How dare you bite your father! - What a bad kid.
"What kind of yearning makes you so sad?"
"I wish for this love to be genuine and everlasting."
"I wish we can transform into birds in the morning breeze
and fly together in the northern forest."
Ah Zhao.
Sister Chun Hua.
Shi Er and Zhao Er are playing with Zhong Da.
So, I came to see you.
Here. Have some fruits.
You've worked hard for me and Sima Family.
I'm fine.
Besides, I enjoy staying here and taking care of
Zhao Er.
Right. Back then, when we travelled together
you always seemed like you never had enough fun.
I couldn't even imagine you getting married and giving birth.
Sister Chun Hua.
Now that you have Brother Yi, Shi Er and Zhao Er
do you feel very different?
You want to know?
Marry someone then.
"If you give me a wood whittled melon
I return the favour with an ornamental jade."
"It is not the exchange of goods that matters."
- Brother Yi. Brother Hou Ji. - Young Master Fu.
- You're looking for me? - Sit down, Brother Fu.
Chun Hua and I
are planning to propose for you.
No way.
I haven't even mentioned the girl. Are you sure?
I appreciate it. But, I'm not interested yet.
I'll marry Ah Zhao to another guy then.
Who?
- Who again? -Ah Zhao.
Really?
It's obvious that you like her.
Of course it's real. Why do you think Chun Hua made Ah Zhao stay in Xudu?
But, we don't know if Ah Zhao is willing to marry me.
You're so handsome and talented. Why would she say no?
But, she's an unfortunate child. She's an orphan.
Chun Hua saved her and she wants to stay with Chun Hua.
So, you must treat her well.
Ah Zhao is so pretty. I mean, I'm not ugly, right?
Young Master Fu, you're being inconsiderate.
Look at me.
Of all eight brothers of Sima Family
you're the handsomest. - I'll get changed.
Thank you, Brother Yi.
Young Master Yi, actually
I know. I'm actually the handsomest.
No, Young Master Yi. I'm talking about Butcher Zhang.
Butcher Zhang?
- Is he handsomer than me? - Butcher Zhang is very ugly.
But, he has a very pretty daughter
who is around my age. Can you propose for me too?
Love is in the air.
Alright. I'll do you the favour.
Young Master Yi, you're the handsomest!
"If you give me a wood whittled melon
I return the favour with an ornamental jade."
Sister Chun Hua, you know me well.
My father, the former governor of Nan Commandery was set up by a corrupt official.
My elder brother is still missing.
I won't get married before I find my brother.
We'll help you to find him. This won't affect your marriage.
Why don't we have you engaged to Shu Da first?
Sister Chun Hua. -Ah Zhao.
Ah Zhao, what are you doing? Get up.
Sister Chun Hua, you're my saviour.
I can do anything at all for you.
But, please don't force me to get married.
I'm not forcing you. This is for your own good. Get up.
No.
Alright. Let's set that aside for now.
- Get up. -Really?
Little Distraction, can you please make way?
Even though you're slow
you're better than a disabled man like me.
You can't be so unreasonable every day.
I'm talking to you.
- What are you saying to him? - I'm telling him our house rules.
What did Ah Zhao say?
- Ah Zhao needs more time. - More time?
I already talked to Brother Fu.
She said she won't get married before
she finds her brother. - What kind of reason is that?
It's an excuse.
I think Ah Zhao has someone she likes.
What? She doesn't even go out.
Who apart from Brother Fu will she like?
I heard her reading a poem when I was entering her room.
"What kind of yearning makes you so sad?"
"I wish for this love to be genuine and everlasting."
- We've a problem. - What's the matter?
Mr. Cao Pi wrote that poem.
Stop right there!
Stop right there! -Stop!
Who are you? -Sir!
I am Yuan Shads wife. This is Zhen Fu, Yuan Xi's wife.
I offer this woman in exchange for our lives!
- Take them away. - Sir, please spare us!
Sir, please spare us!
Sir, please spare us! -Sir!
Sir, please spare us! - Sir, please spare us!
Yuan Xi has fled the city. You have lost your husband.
Isn't it meaningless to kill yourself for him?
- Minister Cao has arrived! - Take her away.
Greetings, father. We've arrested all in the house.
This is Yuan Xi's wife, Zhen Fu.
You came earlier. -Yes.
Lift your head.
Yuan Xi has a beautiful wife like this
and yet, he fled without her.
- I have three requests. - Speak.
First of all, please do not harm the people.
Young lady.
My father fights for justice.
Of course he will be considerate of the people.
You heard what my son said.
If that's the case, the women and children of Yuan Family are innocent.
Please be merciful and spare their lives.
I didn't even kill Chen Lin who criticised my late father.
Why would I harm women and children?
I agree to your two requests.
Keep the third request for yourself.
Please allow me to die in this home country of mine.
All lands under the sky belong to the emperor.
Now, Hebei and the Central Plain are one.
Why should you confine yourself here?
Zi Huan. -Yes.
Pick a clean place for Lady Zhen.
Your mother will take care of her.
Yes.
Lady Zhen.
Take 20 steps forward
go past the pavilion in the lake, compose a poem
and read it out for me.
Yes.
"The lord does treasure all talents."
"He grudges not the inlaid gold."
"On the crystalline balustrade
the pool wave grass he does behold."
You composed the poem. But, you haven't walked.
Take 20 steps forward. Hurry.
Yes, father.
By the way, my dear, before you go to bed
put the tub with the "horse" on the floor.
He's growing. He might fall down.
Don't worry. He's smarter than you.
He won't hurt himself.
Look!
Don't worry.
I was watching.
Can you walk?
I'll try.
Come back.
We can't let anyone else know.
Father! Mother! -Madam!
You can't escape! Stop right there!
Let go of her! -Let go!
Let go of me!
Who is that?
General Cao Pi. Greetings, sir.
Who gave you all permission to do this?
Sir, isn't this normal?
It's time to change! Take your men out of this place!
I was wondering who it is. It's you, Zi Huan.
Uncle Zi Lian, please leave with your soldiers.
Zi Huan, they are Yuan Shao's people.
From today onwards, they are my father's people.
Even your father never stopped us from doing this.
The soldiers fought with their lives.
If they have to starve, who will fight for you?
Uncle Zi Lian, it's different today.
Do you dare to repeat that to my father?
Listen carefully!
From now on, whoever robs or kills the civilians
will be executed!
Virtues of Lush Orchid
You have musical knowledge as well.
Why are you playing the zither outside of my room?
The soldiers are conducting an examination outside.
There are noises from the fights and slaughter.
I thought you might be frightened.
So, I came to play some music for you.
I'm a captive.
My fate is in the hands of others.
Please rest assured. I will protect you.
I will not let anyone humiliate or hurt you.
It's late and cold. Please get some rest.
Colourful clothes are hung on the 6th of the 6th month.
Other wives hang clothes.
But, I'm only hanging your books.
We're different.
Our books are more important than clothes.
Fine. You can go out naked.
Or you can wear your books.
Please watch your word. We are in the courtyard.
The servants might laugh at us.
I'm not afraid.
You're unbelievable. Why are you holding an umbrella
when even books are drying themselves?
Don't attract the rain.
I'm not a tortoise. I won't attract rain.
We don't want to get tanned. Right, Distraction?
You're a tortoise.
My dear! It's raining! Keep the books!
I told you that you'll attract the rain!
Don't move!
Why are you running away?
My dear, how did it go?
Did you catch Tian Liu? Why did he run away?
I killed him. -What?
Why?
He tried to kill me.
He tried to kill you.
I found this on him.
He's been drawing us. This
Don't tell me he's from the Bureau of Investigation.
- My dear, we're in trouble. -Why?
If he's from the Bureau of Investigation
and he suddenly went missing, Man Chong will not let it slide.
But, if he tells them that you stood up today
they'll kill you.
Brother Ji Bu.
I saw it.
- I can occasionally stand. - What did you see?
I saw what happened in the rain.
Tian Liu is one of us.
The bureau has been monitoring you all for a year.
Minister Cao instructed us before he left
to kill you if we find out that you are just acting.
Brother Ji Bu.
This concerns the fate of my whole family. I beg of you.
Don't worry. I've hidden the corpse.
No one knows anything about this.
Take it as that nothing happened. Understand?
Yes. -Also
Minister Cao is angry because you rejected his offer.
Take care.
Master, in this battle, we seized four cities
countless of rations and over 300,000 weapons.
Many famous figures from Hebei came to pledge allegiance to you.
Hebei is full of talented people indeed.
Back then, when Yuan Ben Chu and I revolted. (Xun You, Name Gong Da)
they said that with their strategic location and massive army
Yuan Family could easily conquer the world.
Yet, despite these advantages
Yuan Shao died alongside his state. How sad.
Yuan Shao did not appreciate talents.
He was suspicious and indecisive. He deserves this defeat.
Yuan Shao deserves it. But, the people are innocent.
Convey my order.
We'll waive Heshuds land tax this year.
Sir, you are kind. I'll get it done at once.
I, Cao Hong, request to meet Minister Cao.
Come in.
Brother Meng De.
Bring it in.
Sir, what is this?
This is the evidence of the rebellion of our officials.
Brother Meng De, these are the letters our military officials wrote to Yuan Shao.
I just found them in Yuan Shao's residence.
These fellows colluded with the enemy just because our army is smaller in size.
Now, we see their true colours. Brother Meng De, slay these ungrateful things.
Alright. Burn them.
Burn them?
Even I felt threatened by Yuan Shao
let alone the others. Burn.
Master, you are so understanding.
You are a true hero.
- These fellows are lucky. - Guards, take it out.
Yes! -Wait.
Brother Meng De, it's good to check first.
Tell Zi Huan and Zi Jian to come.
These are letters our officials sent to Yuan Shao.
What should I do with them?
Burn them.
Check before burning.
Explain your rationale.
These people betrayed us just because our army is smaller. they are a huge threat.
Even if we don't kill them, we need to do something quickly.
Else, if they'll still help our other enemies.
As the saying goes, internal threats are more fearsome.
Brother Zi Huan, I disagree.
Zi Huan is right.
Father, you are not Ji Sun.
You don't have to fear internal threats.
These people helped Yuan Shao because he had a bigger army.
People as realistic as them will surely prepare a leeway.
Today, you have conquered both Hebei and the Central Plain.
Who can rival you now?
They'll understand this and serve you faithfully.
We still have to deal with Eastern Wu and Liu Bei.
We will confront them one day.
How can we employ these treacherous people?
Even Confucius criticised ungrateful people.
Zi Jian, don't forget
how Yuan Shao lost. It's because of Xu You's betrayal.
Brother Zi Huan, after a war, we should be rewarding people
and buying their favour. We need the talents in Hebei.
But, many opposed to father alongside Yuan Shao prior to this.
If we kill these people
how should we handle Yuan Shao's subordinates?
Everyone will feel insecure.
There is more honesty in killing in the battlefield than plotting in the dark.
Let me teach you something. The enemy can be employed
but not the traitors.
Father spared those involved in the secret imperial edict as well.
As a result, the officials are all grateful to father.
Even though we're away, there's no rebellion in Xudu.
Doesn't this prove that father made the right decision?
That's different. Dong Cheng's companions are just old officials with no actual authority.
But now, we're talking about the threats in the military.
It's not too late to kill them later when they turn their backs.
Sparing the majority will give father the reputation of a benevolent warlord.
If we kill all of them, what else do we get apart from deaths?
Zi Jian, you're too childish.
I get what the two of you are saying.
I drank a little too much.
I'm old and no longer pretty.
Who between Zi Huan and Zi Jian makes a better successor?
Why are you suddenly asking?
I've conquered the Central Plain.
For the benefit of my endeavour
it's time to name a successor.
Zi Huan is your eldest son.
In fact, he has fought alongside you for many years.
We all know that he is talented and capable.
Zi Huan
is clever and sharp.
But, he tends to overthink. He's intolerant and inflexible.
I want a person with magnanimity.
How about Zi Jian?
Zi Jian is extremely intelligent
generous, magnanimous, honest, kind and righteous.
This is what I like about him.
But, he is too naive.
He might not be able to control those ambitious minds.
Zi Jian is young. If you like him you can take your time to guide him personally.
It takes so much determination and aspiration
to conquer and unify these separated lands.
These two sons of mine
- are not reliable enough. - Since you can't decide
why don't you ask Advisor Guo?
Feng Xiao did give me a suggestion.
But, it wasn't straightforward.
I must get a clear answer this time.
Report!
Advisor Guo has fallen severely ill in Liucheng!
- Prepare my horse! -Yes!
Feng Xiao!
Feng Xiao.
- Master. -What's wrong?
He was perfectly fine before this.
Master, I've been waiting to see you
before I die.
No. Feng Xiao, I just conquered Hebei.
I need you to unify all lands.
I never believed in fate. But now, I realised that
destinies cannot be overcome.
No. Feng Xiao.
You are my youngest aide.
I still need you to...
I still need you to manage things for me after my death.
Master, listen to me.
If it is...
about internal affairs, you can ask Xun Yu and Zhong Yao.
If it's about external affairs, you can ask Xun You and Cheng Yu.
They are extremely outstanding.
They can devise plans for you.
No. I only want your advice.
Feng Xiao, I only want your advice.
Master, I asked you to come...
because apart from wanting to see you for the last time
there is something I must say to you.
Speak. I'll do anything at all for you.
Sima Yi.
What about Sima Yi?
He is even more far-sighted than me.
I thought I could suppress him for a few years
and slowly tame him for you.
But now...
We can't let him serve Han, Sun Quan or Liu Bei.
If you cannot win him over...
kill him.