Episode 23
My lord! -My lord!
"Bright is the moon's spark."
"When can I pick it apart?"
"Thoughts of you from deep inside...
cannot settle or subside."
"Friends drop by from a country road."
"The respect they pay really show."
"A long due reunion we fest."
"Sharing past stories we possessed."
"Bright is the moon's spark."
"When can I pick it apart?"
"Thoughts of you from deep inside...
cannot settle or subside."
"Friends drop by from a country road."
"The respect they pay really show."
"A long due reunion we fest."
"Sharing past stories we possessed."
"No mountain is too steep."
"No ocean is too deep."
"Sage pauses from meals when guests call."
"So at his feet the empire does fall!"
"Sage pauses from meals when guests call."
"So at his feet the empire does fall!"
MY lord!
Father.
I'm here, father.
Father.
Zi Jian.
Father.
General Zi Dan.
We shouldn't worry about Cao Zhi, but Cao Zhang.
You're the one I'm most worried about.
If I'm gone...
what will happen to you?
Father, that won't happen.
You'll recover.
In the end...
I'm the one at fault.
I got you into trouble.
You're a good poet.
But, you're not a good ruler.
Zi Wen will not make a good ruler either.
I can only let the one who can rule well...
be the ruler...
the one who can lead armies well...
be a military leader...
and the one who can write poems well...
be a poet.
I gave you false hope.
When I'm gone...
you must not overstep your authority.
Live on properly.
Yes, father.
I dare not harbour wishful thoughts again.
How regretful.
I cannot return to Yecheng...
or meet Zi Huan again.
Tell Zi Wen to...
come back from Chang'an.
Perhaps I can still see him.
Yes.
Let all of them come in. -Yes.
I shall excuse myself.
MY lord!
My lord! -My lord!
MY lord!
My lord! -I've wasted your youth.
The state is in a difficult time.
The wealth we obtained from conquests...
were all used to reward the soldiers and generals.
I did not let you all...
enjoy a life of luxury.
You all have suffered.
No. -My lord.
It's our honour to serve you.
No man in this world can be as heroic as you.
Heroic spirit comes to an end as well.
I can only leave behind some spices.
My lord. -Split them among yourselves.
All of you may live at the Bronze Sparrow Terrace...
which overlooks my mausoleum at the west.
Sell incense and cloth and learn to make sandals...
to provide for yourselves.
Don't cry. -My lord.
My lord.
Don't cry.
We've been together for years.
I don't want to let you all see...
how pathetic I look before I die.
MY lord!
How deep is my sorrow.
No being in this world...
can escape death. -My lord.
My lord.
My lord! -My lord!
Hurry! The king...
Hurry!
I disciplined my army with laws.
This must not change.
I made many mistakes out of anger.
Do not follow my example.
The state is still unstable.
The people are exhausted.
Make my funeral simple.
There is no need to abide by the ancient rites.
As for my funeral clothes...
just use my usual clothes.
Officials...
who mourn for me in the central hall...
may stop after fifteen cries.
After the funeral...
all officials may take off their mourning outfits.
Officials must be dutiful.
Soldiers and generals guarding our lands...
must not leave.
The state is still unstable.
Please work hard.
When burying me...
do not include grave goods.
All my valuables...
and clothes...
shall be split between...
the queen...
Zi Huan and Zi Jian.
Father.
No one...
can leave the world...
with a country.
Father! -My lord!
My lord! -My lord!
MY lord!
Father!
Father! -My lord!
Father!
What is it?
Young Master Zi Jian, General Cao Pi is in Yecheng...
while General Zi Wen is in Chang'an.
You're the only one in Luoyang.
God is helping you to be the next king.
My father made Brother Zi Huan the crown prince.
How could you say that?
General Cao Pi hates us.
If he succeeds to the throne, we will die horribly.
I'd rather die than go against my father's will.
Father's death has caused insecurity in the military.
Wei cannot afford a civil war at a time like this.
There is insecurity because there is no leader in Luoyang.
Many soldiers are deserting the army every day in Qingxu.
At this rate, Wei will be doomed.
For the sake of the state, you should succeed to the throne.
Sir, have you forgotten about Yang Xiu's advices?
Mr. Jia, we need to be prepared.
You mean, they intend to rebel?
The king has passed away and the crown prince isn't here.
Cao Zhi has the advantage in terms of proximity.
Cao Zhang is probably on his way to Luoyang.
If the two of them intend to seize the throne...
the crown prince might lose his position.
The king summoned Cao Zhang...
to see his son for the last time. Yet...
This might be a disaster.
Zhong Da, what do you think?
I think we should quickly send the coffin to Yecheng...
and quickly pass the seal to the crown prince.
But, according to the rites, the crown prince should come.
Rules can be changed at special circumstances.
We are the ones in charge of the funeral.
If they really support Cao Zhi or Cao Zhang...
or if the crown prince gets attacked on his way...
the two of us will become the greatest sinners of Wei.
Come with me.
This is the imperial seal of Wei.
Leave the city with it quickly.
I'll transport the coffin.
Even if there is a rebellion here...
with the seal, the crown prince...
can still succeed to the throne in Yecheng.
Mr. Jia, do you plan to stay and confront...
Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang alone?
The ancients said, "when brothers are in trouble...
one must survive."
Today, we are facing a crisis together.
We can consider ourselves brothers.
Go. The crown prince needs you. -Thank you for trusting me.
I will surely deliver this seal to the crown prince.
You're back.
Come and eat. -Alright.
How come you came back so late today?
I was busy with something else. -Try the soup cake.
I learnt it in Luoyang. -Alright.
My dear, let me show you something.
What is it?
This is... -The imperial seal of Wei.
Why is it with you? -My dear.
You need to do something for me.
Once the city gate opens tomorrow...
leave with this seal and head to Yecheng in full speed.
Hand the seal to the crown prince...
and tell him to succeed to the throne immediately.
Why me? -I only trust you.
Go with me then.
I can't leave you behind.
On his deathbed, the king assigned me and Mr. Jia...
to organise his funeral.
If I leave, Ding Yi will immediately...
seize the throne for Cao Zhi.
Cao Zhang's army is heading towards Luoyang too.
I need to stay and deal with them.
But, if Cao Zhang and the others realise that...
I've left with the seal...
won't it be worse for you? - If you can make sure that...
the crown prince succeeds to the throne...
before Cao Zhang enters the city, I'll be safer.
If that's the case, I'll leave immediately.
My dear, the city gate has been closed.
If you go now, you will attract attention.
Leave and head towards Yecheng...
was soon as the gate opens tomorrow.
Don't let anyone stop you.
If the crown prince refuses to succeed to the throne...
find the queen.
- This is ridiculous! -No! We must follow the rites!
We need to be flexible in times of emergency!
That's absurd!
Stop arguing!
Dear all, listen to me.
We do not have a new king yet. The state is unstable.
We cannot keep the king's coffin in Luoyang.
Mr. Jia, I don't agree.
The crown prince hasn't come. There isn't even a simple ritual.
How can we send the coffin away? -Right.
Mr. Jia, you are being disrespectful to the late king!
How dare you!
No way! We need to follow the system!
This is the king's will!
The king said to ignore the rites. The armies are uncertain.
We should return quickly to meet the crown prince...
"instead of being rigid with the rites.
Still, we can't take this matter so lightly!
Right! -Rushing it is like fleeing!
The armies will feel even more uncertain!
The crown prince is the one who can assure everyone...
not the king's coffin!
Sima Yi and I are in charge of the funeral.
Please honour the late king's will...
and depart quickly.
So what if you're the one in charge?
Don't forget that the king's son is here!
Marquis of Pingyuan, can you allow them to...
humiliate the late king?
Right.
This funeral is taken so lightly.
As the king's son, how can I feel assured?
Jia Kui. Sima Yi. The two of you are...
causing turmoil by defying the rites.
- What is your motive? - Right! What is your motive?
If you have no personal agenda...
you should wait for the crown prince to come!
Who would believe that...
it's fine to leave like this? - Exactly!
General Cao, we need to prepare for the succession to the throne.
This is a dangerous time. Do we just wait for the disaster?
Tell me then. Why would there be a disaster?
Right! What disaster? -Shut up!
The king appointed the funeral commissioners himself!
No one can challenge them! Guards!
Zi Dan, are you going to fight with your own family members?
Report!
Cao Zhang has charged into the palace with his army!
Don't move!
Father!
I came late!
I galloped at full speed for 5 days!
I brought you my troops.
I still want to crush Eastern Wu...
and conquer the world with you!
Your great ambition has not been realised yet!
Wake up!
Wake up, father!
Father! -My condolences, sir.
Sir, you are the elder son here. -Father!
We'll be counting on you to make decisions for us.
They want to carry out the funeral procession today!
What?
Where is my father's seal?
The imperial seal belongs to the King of Wei.
It should be handed to the crown prince.
Others are not allowed to ask! -You...
We have a crown prince! How can we hand you the seal?
No, Brother Zi Wen! -Zi Wen!
What are you doing? -Brother Zi Dan, we are brothers.
Don't be fooled by him! - I can't be fooled by you!
Are you planning to overthrow the crown prince?
These two are the ones holding the seal.
I'm not going to overthrow the crown prince.
I'm just going to eliminate the villains!
Zi Wen! How dare you hit me! Guards!
From today onwards, no one can leave Luoyang.
Without my token...
no one can leave the city!
Report!
Sir, we've interrogated the guards of the city gates!
Sima Yi sent a person out this morning!
Who?
My wife went home. -Soldiers!
Yes! -Seize her!
Yes!
Sima Yi!
This...
Sima Yi!
Stop right there! Draw your bows!
Hand us the seal and we will spare you!
Else, we'll shoot!
You won't be able to escape!
Isn't this what you all want?
Take it!
Pick it up! -Yes!
Stop! People like us have no right to look at...
"something so valuable!
Take it to the marquis. -Yes!
Sir, I found this. -Take it back as evidence.
Yes!
Stop right there! -Greetings, sir.
Thank you for saving the day. - What did my father say...
on his deathbed?
The king held the hands of the Marquis of Pingyuan in sorrow...
and called for you. I'm sure you understand...
the meaning behind this.
You mean, my father wanted to reappoint his crown prince.
So, he summoned me to make me support Zi Jian?
I thought he made Brother Zi Huan the crown prince.
No king appoints his crown prince...
without a formal ritual.
General Cao Pi's appointment was done over a single decree.
The king was forced to name General Cao Pi his heir...
as he was pressured by Sima Yi and the others.
He only did it to assure the officials.
The Marquis of Pingyuan has always been the king's...
ideal crown prince.
You are loyal and filial.
You also possess military authority.
God wants you to fulfill the king's last wish.
I believe my father summoned me...
for another impoflant reason.
Sir, everyone knows that the king wanted to appoint...
the Marquis of Pingyuan as the crown prince.
At a time like this, this is the best way...
to convince the officials and soldiers.
In the near future...
you will be the elder brother of the king...
"meritorious for aiding the king.
Besides, the Marquis of Pingyuan prefers literature over politics.
You will be the one making decisions for the state.
However, we still have the crown prince in Yecheng.
You need to join hands with the Marquis of Pingyuan.
With his reputation and your military power...
the two of you can occupy Luoyang to fight.
How do we fight against Brother Zi Huan?
Kill Jia Kui and Sima Yi.
Sima Yi is Cao Pi's right-hand man...
and Jia Kui is Cao Pi's loyal supporter.
We must kill those two...
to cut off the contact between Yecheng and Luoyang.
Scoundrel! -Please forgive me.
Where is Zhang Chun Hua? -She...
She fell into the ice water.
I... I only found this.
Stop.
Where is the seal?
Wei has an heir to the throne.
You have no right...
to the seal.
If I tell you that I have captured your wife...
would you exchange the seal for her?
Do you recognise this?
Hand me the seal and I will free your wife.
"Oh, you with the blue collar."
"You have long been in my head."
Zhong Da!
It wasn't easy for the king to build this kingdom.
You must not destroy the legacy of Wei!
Beat them!
Stop!
What are you doing?
Brother Zi Wen, please be merciful.
They are important officials after all.
You can't kill them. - I'm doing this for you!
Brother Zi Wen, he's right.
Father fought so hard to build this kingdom.
But, what are we doing now? If brothers fight...
Wei will only be divided!
We'll only destroy our father's kingdom!
Yuan Family fell because Yuan Shads sons...
competed for power. Cao Family...
must not repeat Yuan Family's mistake!
I've stopped.
You should give up as well. -Shut up!
Because of your cowardice and incompetence...
Brother Zi Huan became the crown prince!
You don't deserve to be father's son!
If we don't fight for military power now...
we'll be bullied by the crown prince in the future!
Brother Zi Wen, if you kill them...
the two of us will really have to die.
Do you think Brother Zi Huan will spare you?
Oust him! -Brother Zi Wen.
Brother Zi Wen! You can't do this!