Episode 15
That's all I'll say. Goodbye.
Wait.
Open it.
You're bribing me. -This is not bribery.
This is just to assure both of us.
Alright. I'll accept it. - Mr. Cui, you're wise indeed.
From now on, we're one family.
Good bye.
Uncle, am I left with no other choice now?
Master, Sima Yi came.
How come he came as well?
Let him in. Carry the boxes away.
Yes.
De Zu.
Come.
Sir, it's been hard on you.
De Zu.
I really made a huge mistake. I should have listened to you.
What did you do wrong? I don't get it.
I shouldn't have forced my way through the Outer Palace Gate...
and ride in the palace.
It looks like you are still having a hangover.
You don't even know what happened.
Let me tell you.
Last night, you drank wine with General Cao Pi.
You got drunk.
Then, Sima Lang led your carriage...
to the Outer Palace Gate.
Don't you remember?
That's not the truth. -Yes, it is.
How else do you plan to say it?
Do you want to end up losing?
Do you want last night's mistake...
to ruin everything?
This is your lifetime ambition.
But, Sima Lang is innocent.
There are things you must sacrifice...
if you want to do great things.
If Sima Lang gets convicted, you can plead for him.
I can plead for him. His family will plead for him.
The king won't kill him. I'm sure.
This is a perfect solution. So, why not?
De Zu.
I think...
I've deviated from my original objective.
No.
Young Master Zi Jian, you are only getting...
closer to your objective.
That's the case. It was too dark at that time...
and I couldn't see clearly.
Can you think back carefully?
This concerns my brother's life as well as the fate of the nation.
I've told you everything I should say.
Mr. Cui.
This case has garnered a lot of attention.
The king will surely handle it personally.
You shouldn't visit us for personal reasons.
People will talk.
Thank you, Mr. Cui. I shall excuse myself.
Zi Huan, plead with your father for Zi Jian.
Your father wants the two of you to...
live in harmony.
I know. Father summoned me.
I will go to father now.
I'll go back then.
Help me to escort mother.
Help me to persuade Zi Huan. -Yes.
She asked you to persuade me again?
I heard that riding in the palace is a capital offense.
Father must be waiting for you to plead for him as well. I think...
you should do as father wishes.
If it is a capital offense, why should I plead for him?
But, father doesn't want the two of you to be enemies.
You're more concerned about him than me.
He's my brother. But, who is he to you?
All of you want me to plead for him.
But, if I am the one in the same situation...
will he plead for me? I have an advice for you.
For the sake of your son, don't bring up Zi Jian...
in front of me.
He hates Zi Jian because of me.
Sister Zhen Fu, Please don't imagine things.
They are brothers. -Yet...
they cannot accept each other. I've once...
seen such fate in Yuan Family. Now...
it's Cao Family's turn.
Greetings, my lord. Long live my lord.
Let's start if everyone is present.
Cui Shen, were you on shift at the Outer Palace Gate yesterday?
Yes. -In this case, you are the one...
who knows what really happened. Tell us the details.
Last night, I was resting in the guard house...
when I heard noises outside. So, I quickly went out and check.
Mr. Sima tried to pass through and was stopped by our guards.
Sima Lang was the coachman? -Yes.
Both Sima Lang and Marquis of Pingyuan were drunk.
Then, I advised them to leave.
Upon learning that he was at the Outer Palace Gate...
the marquis ordered Sima Lang to turn around.
However, Sima Lang was too drunk.
He forced his way in. - That's not the truth!
My lord, that's not the truth! I'm innocent!
My lord, please make a sound judgement!
Is Cui Shen telling the truth?
I was drunk. But...
I do remember that it was Sima Lang who led my carriage.
Man Chong, you know what to do.
Yes. Guards. -Yes!
Arrest Sima Lang. -Yes!
My lord, I'm innocent!
My lord! I'm innocent!
You may all leave. -My lord!
Zi Huan, you'll stay.
Father, how may I help you?
What are your thoughts about this case?
The Court of Judicial Review will make a verdict.
You will be fair as well. My thoughts don't matter.
Sima Lang is Sima Yi's...
eldest brother, right? -Yes.
It's hard to be fair.
Speak. Did you collude with Sima Yi...
to set the Marquis of Pingyuan up?
It wasn't me who barged past the Outer Palace Gate.
I didn't ride in the palace either.
Think properly. Think of your father, kids and wife.
How will they feel if you die?
I can bear the punishment for my master.
But, I cannot get the innocent involved.
Why did this happen to Bo Da? -Mr. Cui surprised me.
I thought he would be different.
In the end, he is just another realistic man.
A person of Mr. Cui's character shouldn't do this.
Zhong Da, do you believe that...
Bo Da is guilty?
Father, of course I trust Brother Lang.
But, Yang Xiu and Ding Yi...
aren't the only ones pressuring everyone in this case.
We both know that the king doesn't want to...
punish the Marquis of Pingyuan.
Bo Da is in deep trouble.
As long as the Marquis of Pingyuan can be saved...
the king will be lenient to Brother Lang.
If the king wants to spare his own son...
he can just say it. Why blame it on Brother Lang?
It's not as simple as that.
Now, we can only beg one person.
Greetings, General Cao Pi.
Wait. Let me guess what brought you over.
Did you go back in a hurry this morning...
because you learnt that your brother got arrested?
You wanted to save him.
So, you put hope in Cui Shen's testimony.
You went with hope. He agreed to help as well.
To your surprise, Cui Shen said something totally different today.
You were shocked. You wondered why the king...
believed in this obviously fake testimony.
The king wants to protect...
Young Master Zi Jian. -Yes.
My father wants me to speak for Zi Jian as well.
He can be helpless too.
Don't tell me you want me to speak for Zi Jian.
Precisely.
Zi Huan. You're finally back.
What did the king say? This time...
he should make you the crown prince, right?
The king wants me to help Zi Jian.
My mother, wife...
and subordinate all want me to help Zi Jian.
But, have you all...
considered my feelings?
Sir, if you do not give in at a time like this...
y0u will drift further apart from the king.
You're quibbling!
Sima Yi, tell me.
Are you just trying to save your brother?
I hate selfish people the most.
Sima Yi, I knew that you are not an honest guy!
Zi Dan, calm down.
Sir, when I decided to serve you...
I promised my father to protect the whole family properly.
Please do me a favour.
But...
did they spare Liu Zhen and Wu Zhi?
If you only consider your family's interest...
I suggest that you go home.
Sir, at a crucial moment like this...
we should be united.
You must not make any decision rashly.
You... -United?
Who is your master now?
Chang Wen, why are you still kneeling over there?
Don't you know who your master is?
Brother Lang.
Brother Fu. -Brother Lang, what happened?
Disasters struck our family one after another.
Yet, I can't do anything to help at all.
Brother Lang.
You're back. It's time to eat.
How's Brother Lang's case?
Cao Pi doesn't want to let this case...
affect his road to heirship.
Cao Family has no respect for other lives at all...
in their internal competition.
It's pointless to beg him. -This is politics.
When something bad happens, everyone hides away.
When there is benefit, everyone flocks over.
Yet, both of you got involved in such politics.
If Brother Lang resigned as you suggested back then...
this wouldn't happen. Cao Pi...
looked so sincere when he wanted to recruit you.
But now, he wouldn't help Brother Lang at all.
None of these officials are as righteous as roaming fighters.
You should leave Cao Pi.
Why are you glaring at me?
Where are you going? -I'm going to Brother Ji Bu.
You want to rescue Brother Lang?
I want to ask for a portrait from him.
Eat up before you go. - I have no appetite.
Gentleman, feel free to tell us if you need anything.
Brother Ji, after yesterday's incident...
did the Bureau of Investigation...
monitor Cui Family?
Yes. -Are there drawings...
from the monitoring? -Yes.
Brother Ji, I have a presumptuous request.
I need you to take a risk for me.
Yang Xiu and Ding Yi must have visited Mr. Cui yesterday...
and taken an extreme measure to threaten Cui Yan.
I want the evidence.
But, if that's the case...
the king can get hold of the drawings too.
How come Ding Yi and Ying Xiu aren't punished?
Even if the king sees the drawings...
he's just a father desperate to protect his son.
If that's the case...
what will you do if you find the evidence?
Since it's an evidence, I'll show it to the right person.
You want to present the bureau's drawings?
Please rest assured. I won't tell others about you.
I'll bear all the consequences on my own.
That's not what I'm talking about.
You know that there'll be a consequence.
The king won't easily spare the person who leaks the drawings.
But, my brother is in the prison. if I don't save him...
he might be tortured to death.
Alright.
My lord, what should we do with Ding Yi and Cui Yan?
Don't disclose the information or announce this to the public.
Wait for my instruction. -Yes.
Can we save Zi Jian?
Arresting Sima Lang does no help at all.
I was planning to use Sima Lang to threaten Zi Huan and Sima Yi.
If Zi Huan can lead the court officials...
to plead for Zi Jian...
I won't punish Sima Lang severely.
Did Zi Huan agree?
It looks like he wants a showdown now.
Zi Huan doesn't want to help? They are brothers.
This isn't just a competition between brothers.
It's also a conflict between the officials and me.
If we want the officials to give in...
we can only wait for words from someone.
Who?
I have yet to receive Xun Yu's memorial.
Zhong Da, do you plan to use this to save your brother?
Father, this proves that Yang Xiu and Ding Yi...
bribed Cui Shen.
If I present this evidence...
I can get Yang Xiu and Ding Yi executed.
Yes. If you present this thing...
Yang Xiu and Ding Yi will surely fall.
But, do you know that doing so...
will ruin the Marquis of Pingyuan's future?
If the king holds them responsible...
your brother will be punished for...
dereliction of duty as well.
Father.
Dereliction of duty is better than the offense of...
barging past the Outer Palace Gate.
Forcing one's way through the Outer Palace Gate...
as a subject is a capital offense.
Son, do you take political competition for...
a legal argument?
The competition of heirship is a competition for affection.
It's more about who the king favours.
Yes, barging past the Outer Palace Gate...
is a capital offense.
But, if you ruin the Marquis of Pingyuan's future...
even if the king spares you for now...
in the future, he'll find all kinds of excuses...
to kill you.
More importantly, he won't spare our family.
Father.
Brother Lang is imprisoned. We cannot just sit back and wait.
No. We must not sit back and wait.
Back then, you saved me...
with someone's help, right?
Mr. Xun, Mr. Sima Yi came.
Let him in. -Yes.
Greetings, Mr. Xun. -Sit down.
I've been expecting you. Speak.
Sir, it's been days since the case at the Outer Palace Gate.
I'm sure you know who forced his way...
through the Outer Palace Gate.
So? -My brother's life is at threat.
Please say something fair to my brother...
before the king.
The king handled and closed this case personally.
The king made his verdict based on Cui Shen's testimony.
You might not know...
but Yang Xiu and Ding Yi bribed and threatened Cui Shen...
to present a fake testimony. -A fake testimony?
What makes you say so?
I have an evidence. Please take a look.
A drawing by the Bureau of Investigation.
It must be difficult to obtain this.
What do you want to do with this drawing?
I am not taken seriously as I am an insignificant official.
I beg of you to present this drawing to the king...
with me to redress the injustice for my brother.
Zhong Da, do you think Cui Shen's testimony...
is the key to solve this case?
Do you plan to use this drawing to...
redress the injustice for your brother?
The king handles this case personally.
If this drawing is presented to the king...
you will put him in a dilemma.
The person who stole this drawing...
will also be subjected to severe punishment.
Have you thought of all these?
You are right.
But, my brother's life is hanging by a thread.
I have no other option.
I cannot do anything to help.
I understand...
your predicament. Presenting this drawing...
will only anger the king.
Never mind.
Sir, tonight, I will go to the king alone with this drawing.
You have always been a fair person.
If anything bad happens to me...
please help me to redress the injustice for my brother.
I am willing to exchange my life for my brother's life.
You are being foolishly brave! Zhong Da.
You came twice and threatened me with death.
Is this your wisdom?
Do you think you can solve all problems...
musing the same method?
You should know that in your father's case...
the authenticity of the letter didn't really matter.
It was because of the situational pressure that...
the king made changes.
Zhong Da.
"The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined forces...
and does not require too much from individuals."
I'm not the one who can save your brother...
but situational pressure and the opinion of the masses.
You need to gather support from all court officials...
"instead of being foolishly brave on your own.
You are right.
I panicked and became shod-sighted.
Please enlighten me. At this point...
how do I create pressure and win the people's favour?
Give me one night's time. -Tomorrow...
Tomorrow, I will give you a perfect solution.
Mr. Xun, no one in the court...
has the same level of integrity as you.
I know that you will surely keep your word.
I am utterly grateful.
Zhong Da.
Please rise.
You need to assist General Cao Pi...
to do great things in the future.
Keep this in mind.
Don't rely solely on your own intelligence.
You need to judge the situation and the people's favour.
This is the basic in governing.
I am still inexperienced.
From now on, please continue to enlighten me.
I shall excuse myself. -Wait.
Keep this drawing properly. Don't let outsiders see it.
My lord, Mr. Xun came.
Let him in. -Yes.
My lord, I have a memorial to present.
What is it you must present in written words?
There is nothing I cannot say to you, my lord.
Spoken words tend to reflect one's personal interest.
But, written words are records to be shown to the world.
I want to be completely fair.
Please sit down.
Sit.
Sit down. Let's take our time.
Thank you, my lord.
What is personal interest and what is fairness?
My lord, I request that you handle the case of...
"Marquis of Pingyuan's recent criminal offense fairly.
This is fairness.
I have sent Sima Lang to the Court of Judicial Review.
The fairness you seek will be declared very soon.
The Marquis of Pingyuan is the one guilty and not Sima Lang.
The Marquis of Pingyuan barged past the Outer Palace Gate.
This is an act of treason.
The news has spread to Xudu and across the entire country.
The person the people fear is not the Marquis of Pingyuan...
but you.
My lord, you supported Han Dynasty with so much loyalty.
You must not let the world question you because of this case.
If it is truly as you said...
by right, Zi Jian should be executed.
But, he is my son after all.
My lord, I dare not ask of you to execute your son.
Even though the marquis is guilty of a capital offense...
he is a prince subjected to a different set of laws.
He can surely be spared from death.
Yes.
You never do something for no reason.
You just want me to...
demote Zi Jian...
and make Zi Huan the crown prince, right?
My lord.
I am going to speak of my personal interest next.
I am a father as well.
I understand that you love your child.
If my son makes a mistake...
I will punish him strictly...
in order to stop him from making a bigger mistake.
What kind of mistake?
You may be honest. - The biggest mistakes...
are none other than disloyalty...
and lack of filial piety.
Emperor Gaozu of Han said that...
only members of Liu Family can become sovereigns.
Everyone followed the rule. Yet, I declared my kingship.
Is this considered disloyalty to you?
I received the Nine Bestowments...
muse the carriage of the emperor...
wear the crown of the emperor...
built an ancestral temple and established my own capital.
This is also considered disloyalty to you, right?
Answer me.
Master.
20 years ago, when I started sewing you...
I firmly believed that...
you would support Han and save the people.
20 years have passed. I juggled my obligations...
and carefully handled our awkward relationship.
I hoped that my dream and your ambition could coexist.
But today, I have become simple.
I can only answer you with the word...
"disappointment".
You call me "master".
But, it sounds...
so close yet so far.
It's close because...
when we first met...
you called me "master"...
with a hopeful voice.
It's far because 20 years later...
you called me "master"...
with a disappointed voice.
I wonder if...
you are disappointed because you find that...
I am no longer a subject of Han.
Back then, when you saved the emperor...
we swore to be subjects of Han forever.
But, are you still a subject of the Han government?
The positions of the Minister of Works...
prime minister and King of Wei don't satisfy you!
What do you want?
You are just one step away from it.
What you said...
make me feel so ashamed.
If it's as you said...
and I'm just one step away from it...
now that we've been together for 20 years...
would you still continue to stay by my side?
I can stay by your side...
in eliminating the treacherous and corrupted.
But, if you wish to rise higher...
forgive me for not being able to join you.
Alright.
I know that...
you appreciate and respect me. Alright.
I can support the royal family of Han...
and remain as a subject of Han for a lifetime.
But...
I thought that...
having known each other for 20 years...
we can trust each other completely.
Master, you know me and I...
know you.
The world...
has judged me wrongly.
They are wrong today...
and they will still be wrong tomorrow.
When will they ever...
get it right?