Episode 7
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.
Alright. I get it. Say no more.
Master.
I can no longer join you in your endeavour...
and rejoice with you.
Whenever you think of me...
you can sprinkle wine onto the floor.
It must be fine wine though. -Fine wine.
Of course. I have all the fine wine in the world.
I will drink with you every day.
Go! Summon my private physician! -Yes!
Feng Xiao.
God, why are you so jealous of Feng Xiao?
Father, please take care. Do not be too sad.
- The Bureau of Investigation. - Do you know the duty of the Bureau of Investigation?
Yes, I do. The Bureau of Investigation monitors officials and identifies spies.
While protecting you.
Feng Xiao has been the one managing the Bureau of Investigation.
But, he left ahead of me.
Who do you think can take over the bureau?
The Bureau of Investigation handles classified information.
It can only be the person you trust the most.
The person I trust the most?
Who are you talking about?
Father, if you trust me, I would like to volunteer.
Alright.
I'll hand you this token. But, I want to entrust you with a task.
- You must keep this in mind. - At your command.
Feng Xiao said one thing on his deathbed.
He said that Sima Yi should either be employed or killed.
In the 13th year of Jian'an Reign
Cao Cao conquered Hebei and became the prime minister.
All hail the prime minister!
Ms. Guo.
Ms. Guo, I came to pass a message from Mr. Cao Pi.
Congratulations on your triumphant return, sir.
Xun Yu, thank you for guarding Xudu for me.
Was it peaceful in Xudu while I was away?
Yes, sir.
After eliminating Yuan Shao, I found...
over 100 letters
our officials secretly sent to Yuan Shao.
- Who are they? -I don't know.
- You don't know? - I burnt all those letters.
Even I felt threatened by Yuan Shao back then
let alone the officials under me.
Sir, you are forgiving and magnanimous.
The officials will surely be grateful to you.
You taught me to take both soft and hard approaches.
- I'm flattered. - So, I forgave all of them.
- Have his legs recovered? - Whose legs?
Sima Yi.
It's been 2 days...
and you haven't completed that drawing.
Who exactly are you drawing?
This is Zhuge Kong Ming.
Is he the "Crouching Dragon" you often bring up?
Why don't you draw his facial features as well?
I've never met him. I don't know how he looks like.
- I'll just roughly illustrate. - You want to be a man like him?
Who doesn't want to be a man like him?
The "Crouching Dragon" and "Fledgling Phoenix" are idols to all strategists.
I can never be compared to him.
But hopefully, I can meet him once in this lifetime.
- I've one thing better though. - What is it?
My wife is prettier than his.
But, you haven't even seen him.
It's true. Rumour has it that his wife, Huang is nicknamed "Ugly" because of her appearance.
I'm better than you in this.
You're judging a book by its cover too?
- I'll grow old too. - Sorry. I won't say that again.
Brother Yi.
Brother Fu. -Sister Chun Hua.
- You got it right. - What do you mean?
Yuan Shao lost. Prime Minister Cao returned.
I heard Prime Minister Cao burnt Yuan Shao's rations to demoralise his army.
Prime Minister Cao did a great in this battle.
He won despite being out-numbered
and put into a disadvantageous position.
Prime Minister Cao is a true hero.
Alright. Thanks for the information.
Call me if you need anything.
- What are you worried about? - We might get into trouble.
You think he might come after you again?
He has realised his goal of defeating Yuan Shao.
He won't allow anyone useful to him to go against him.
But, he should have forgotten about you by now.
My dear.
The cause of Tian Liu's death is unknown.
Even though Brother Ji Bu is concealing the truth for us
Prime Minister Cao is extremely suspicious.
I'm afraid it's inevitable.
I'll take responsibility for Tian Liu's death. I'll say
I killed him because he tried to murder you.
This concerns the fate of the whole family.
Help me to get changed.
I'm afraid something will come up soon.
Brother Yi.
Mr. Cao Pi wants me to pass you a message.
Guo Jia said on his deathbed that
you should either be employed or killed.
Young Master Yi.
Mr. Cao Pi came in his Armour to meet you.
I'll go out. -Yes.
Young Master Yi! You can stand!
- Is this a good or a bad thing? - A good thing.
- Go out with me then. - Yes.
This is such a good news.
Sister Chun Hua, Brother Yi can walk now.
Greetings, General Cao Pi.
You can stand and walk now.
For the sake of my family, I must be able to stand and walk.
You don't have to kneel since you haven't fully recovered.
If you join me, I will surely treat you will respect.
I'm afraid I'm not good enough to be an advisor.
You are surely good enough.
Since you know my desire...
you should know my ambition as well.
Am I only after the position of my father's successor?
I joined the army since 7 years old and travelled with my father.
I've seen enough death and despair.
I aspire to put an end to the war and restore peace for the people.
I dare to tell you this. Do you dare to assist me?
I'm not forcing you. This is your last chance.
Forgive me for being blunt.
Sir, I always find you quite approachable.
But, I don't know if Prime Minister Cao
will spare my life this time.
Yecheng is vast and wealthy.
Prime minister Cao, you have conquered Hebei
and should be installed as a sovereign based in Yecheng
with an appointed successor.
We request that you declare your sovereignty
and name your successor!
Enough.
You all are more impatient than me. Retire.
I thought you could act a little longer.
The prime minister summons Sima Yi!
Greetings, Prime Minister Cao.
I heard you have eagle eyes and a wolf's face.
Lift your head and let me see.
Come.
Stand up.
I dare not. -Stand up.
Walk. Turn around.
Have your legs recovered?
I'd like to employ you to serve in my office.
Will you accept my offer?
Thank you, sir.
You may take care of the horses in the backyard.
Thank you, sir.
- You may retire. - I shall excuse myself.
It's true.
Go.
Come and take a look at our mirrors!
Gentleman, take a look at our mirrors!
Gentleman.
Come and take a look at our mirrors!
Do you want it?
Gentleman, that's too much!
Thank you, gentleman.
Madam Chun Hua, please get some rest.
I'll wait for Young Master Yi.
I'm fine.
Young Master Yi. -Zhong Da.
You're finally back.
Why are you back so late?
What are you holding?
- I bought a mirror. - You came back late because you went to buy a mirror?
We have enough mirrors at home.
I looked at him.
And?
He looked back at me.
But, since you went to meet him
of course you would have looked at him in his eyes, right?
Young Master Yi looks quite scary
when he dads a look at someone sometimes.
Yes. That's the face.
What did he say to you?
- He asked me to manage his stable. - His stable?
- What did you say? - I agreed.
Alright. It's not a bad thing. At least you can stand and live.
It's better than lying down and acting dead.
I'm glad I came back alive.
Father!
Chong Er, how are you doing
in your studies? -Father.
Mr. Xu Shu just taught me "Analects".
What do you think of Mr. Xu?
Confucius said, "see what a man does mark his motives and examine in what things he rests."
"How can a man conceal his character?"
Mr. Xu does his best to teach me.
I like Mr. Xu a lot.
Good. Even though he wouldn't advise me
I'm glad that he's willing to teach you.
Chong Er, I've high hopes for you.
You must learn from Mr. Xu properly.
Father, I won't let you down.
Go and get the tribute pastries from the north we received this morning for Chong Er.
Sir, that box of pastries was left in the office and when Registrar Yang and Young Master Zi Wen came
Registrar Yang took it away when he saw it.
Why? -| I do not know.
He's getting bolder.
It looks like he still doesn't understand
why I spared him back then.
General Xu. -Yes.
Let's go to Zi Jian's place. -Yes.
Father, don't be angry. It's just a box of pastries.
Chong Er, be good. Go and do your revision.
Give me the sword.
Sir, please let me hold it for you.
Here you go. One for you.
One for you and one for you.
This is a gift from the prime minister.
It's tasty. Eat up.
If you won't eat, I'll eat.
It's tasty. Eat up.
Is it tasty?
Young Master Zi Jian, how could I leave you out?
- Come. Take one. - You took it without asking.
Isn't this disrespectful to my father?
Can you read these few words?
- "A Box of Pastries". - No. It's read as...
"One For Each".
The prime minister wrote it. So, it's an order.
How can I defy his order?
De Zu, you're so smart.
But, this belongs to my father.
We shouldn't be rude.
Young Master Zi Jian. Sit down.
Do you know why the prime minister likes you?
- My father likes my poems. - That's not all.
The prime minister sees your magnanimity through your poems.
It takes good judgement and courage to eat this pastry.
General Cao Pi doesn't have those qualities.
- But you must possess these qualities. - You mean I must outshine Brother Zi Huan before my father?
Please tell me honestly. Sir, what is your ambition?
- You want to be a great poet? - Of course not.
I aspire to be a person like my father.
I want to serve the country and the people.
I want to build a legacy that will be praised forever.
Good. How well-said.
But, being the son of the prime minister alone won't take you so far.
- But now... - I'll be straightforward.
Before the prime minister conquered the north
the competition between you and General Cao Pi was vague.
But now, the prime minister has conquered the north
and he needs a successor.
You are the prime minister's favourite son.
I'm willing to assist you, sir.
But, Brother Zi Huan is the heir apparent.
Yes, the heir apparent is of course the first in line.
This is indeed to General Cao Pi's advantage.
- But, this is also his weakness. - Why?
The old and mediocre are those who support the heir apparent
and these officials are mostly loyal to Han.
If General Cao Pi is surrounded by these people
how can he carry forward the prime minister's ambition?
My father himself needs these old officials.
He's only using them to stabilise the situation.
The prime minister knows that
Han's system and legacy are too outdated!
In war, rules must be broken! For the sake of the country and people
a new system must be formed and a new era must be unlocked!
De Zu, I finally understand your aspiration
and why my father appreciates you so much.
For the world, the prime minister you and myself
I hope that you can take after
the prime minister's aspiration and magnanimity
and show the world what scholars like us can do.
I'm willing to help you to realise great things at all cost
I hope that one day...
you will do me the favour.
Please rise. De Zu.
We are best friends. Of course we will join forces.
- The prime minister has arrived! - Don't move.
- Greetings, father. - Greetings, Prime Minister Cao.
You all ate this?
Who didn't eat it?
- Who didn't eat it? - I didn't eat it.
Get up.
Why didn't you eat it?
Eat. Eat it.
"One For Each". Why won't you eat it?
Mr. Yang Xiu, assist my son properly.
Yes.
Goodbye, father.
Kong Rong and Mi Heng went against the prime minister
and both paid a huge price for it.
Greetings, Registrar Yang.
Our meeting comes with both a good news and a bad news.
The good news is, your legs have recovered.
The bad news is, despite being so talented
you ended up managing astable. Where's your ambition?
- Do you need a horse? - I'm going out with Zi Jian.
Give me a horse. The wilder, the better.
Please wait for a shod moment.
Registrar Yang.
- Give me the horse whip. - Sir, this horse is unruly.
Let me guide you for a while. -Alright.
The prime minister is no ordinary man.
You can't trick him so easily.
I dare not say that I have no aspiration at all.
But, managing the stable is a job that suits me.
In war, it's the survival of the fittest.
The mediocre and weak are bound to fall.
The prime minister spared you only because of the situation.
Now that he has conquered the north
the Han supporters have lost their backing.
Soon enough, the prime minister will make all of them pay for it.
The prime minister is a man with great ambitions.
In assisting him...
you should be kind and tolerant.
Unfortunately, this is an era of war. Only the strong and cruel will survive.
Back then, our fathers were both arrested before Hanzhang Hall.
So many Han officials spoke righteous words.
Yet, they all ended up dead.
Cao Family isn't even the ruler yet.
Fortunately
we both managed to save our fathers.
Give me the whip.
Registrar Yang, it's a bumpy ride ahead.
Please be careful.
It's a bumpy ride ahead. That's why I must give it a shot.
With this one whip
I will climb to the highest mountain.
As ordered, I attacked Yuan Shao.
I emerged victorious at Guandu and eventually conquered Hebei.
Even though this is already a good news
there is an even better news.
Sir, you have conquered Hebei and ended the war in the Central Plain.
What can be better than this?
Sir, congratulations on earning the talents of Hebei.
Registrar Yang knows me well.
There are many talented people in Hebei.
We have Cui Yan who is known for his integrity.
And Chen Lin who is famous for his writings.
I remember that when I first met Mr. Cui
I said that I could gather 300,000 soldiers in Jizhou.
To my surprise, Mr. Cui talked back and said...
"you came to Jizhouand counted our soldiers without even declaring your righteous cause."
"Is this what the people of Jizhou want?"
Shouldn't I be happy to hear something so honourable?
I am guilty. I talked back (Cui Yan)
was I wished to beg for your mercy.
For the people of Hebei before my death.
To my surprise, instead of despising me
you entrusted me with such important position.
I feel ashamed to have spoken so rudely to
a magnanimous man like you. I am just an egoistic scholar.
You are the hero who can save the Central Plain.
It is difficult to find a friend who can argue with me
let alone an official.
I admire you very much.
Cui Family from Qinghe
is indeed as honourable as rumoured.
Today, I shall express my sincerity.
I would like to be Mr. Cui's relative by marriage.
Mr. Cui, what say you?
But...
I'm too flattered.
Sir, which child of mine are you interested in?
I heard you raise your elder brother's daughter
as though she is your own child.
This lady is educated, elegant and virtuous.
I would like to propose for my son.
Sir, my daughter is not good enough for the young master.
However, it is our family's honour to have her serve the young master.
In terms of intelligence, of all my sons
only Zi Jian deserves to be your son-in-law.
Zi Jian, go forth and bow.
Father, I am young and ignorant.
I am not good enough for Mr. Cui Yen's daughter.
You are giving me and Mr. Cui a hard time.
Go forth and greet your future father-in-law.
Yes.
Greetings, father.
Please rise, Young Master Zi Jian.
Congratulations, Prime Minister Cao.
Congratulations, Mr. Cui Yan.
Congratulations on the perfect marriage.
Congratulations, Prime Minister Cao.
Of course I'm happy with the marriage between
Cao Family and Cui Family.
- But... - But what?
Zi Huan is the eldest. Yet, he is still single.
How come you betrothed Cui Yen's daughter to Zi Jian?
Cui Family from Qinghe is the leader of the scholars.
Everyone respects them.
Marrying Cui Yen's daughter will benefit Zi Jian in the future.
As for Zi Huan...
didn't he save Zhen Fu, Yuan Xi's wife?
Zhen Fu is very pretty. I'll make her his wife.
You let Zi Jian marry a lady from a famous family
and gave Zi Huan the wife of a captive.
Isn't it too unfair?
Zi Jian told me that he likes Zhen Fu and I didn't even allow him to have her.
How can we let a woman like this marry our eldest son?
You think I don't know what's on Zi Jian's mind?
This is exactly why I let Zi Huan have Zhen Fu.
- Why? - Let me tell you why.
Firstly, I can't let Zi Huan marry a woman from an influential family.
This is for his own good.
Secondly, the competition between Zi Huan and Zi Jian
is inevitable.
Zi Jian is too filial. If Zi Huan doesn't back out
Zi Jian can't make up his mind to compete with him.
There must be hostility in competition.
I want Zi Jian to become lacking.
I want him to be mean to his own brother.
I want him to show me and the world what he is capable of.
Ah Man, they are both your sons.
How can a father make his sons fight?
This is a world where we compete to survive.
My son has to conquer the world!
They must fight. In fact, they must fight gloriously!
But, I feel bad for Zi Huan.
You can't feel bad for everyone.
"A general builds his success upon the lives of his soldiers."
The river that flows...
is the endless stream of the blood shed by the heroes.
It carries the sadness of so many people.
It's the sadness of countless of people.