Episode 26
Zi Dan. Dear all.
Cheers. -Come.
Zi Dan, you are 100 times...
more knowledgeable and capable than me. From now on...
I'll be counting on your leadership.
Uncle Zi Lian, I'm flattered.
If Zi Wen really killed me back then...
would you cry for me?
Zi Dan, how can you say that?
Zi Dan, all of us are like brothers.
Let's forget about the past. Now, we need to be united...
to support Zi Huan. You're closest to Zi Huan.
You'll lead us to write our first proposal.
I heard that Chen Qun entered Sima Yi's residence yesterday...
and haven't come out since.
I'm wondering if they are also devising...
new policies for the country? - We can't let them steal the show.
Zi Dan, tell us.
What does the king desire the most? We'll propose it.
Right. -Yes. We'll proposal...
whatever he likes.
Alright. Since you all trust me, I'll just say one thing.
The late king said this on his deathbed.
What is it?
"If this is my fate...
I am willing to be the second King Wen of Zhou."
What does that mean? -King Wu, King Wen's son...
killed King Zhou and founded Zhou Dynasty.
The late king wanted his son to replace the emperor of Han.
Bo Ren, your son is smarter than you.
You're smart!
You're smart
Zi Huan is going to declare himself emperor?
The late king was burdened by his reputation.
He had to serve Han for a lifetime.
But, the current king has never been a Han official.
It's his destiny to declare himself emperor.
Yes. If Brother Zi Huan declares himself emperor...
we'll all be kings.
Yes. We'll all be kings. -We're all kings.
But, if he declares himself emperor at a time like this...
won't it trigger some problems? -What problems?
Cao Family should have done so earlier.
If it isn't for our family...
the court of Han would have collapsed since a long time ago.
Right. -Besides...
we're just proposing it. Even if it doesn't work out...
Zi Huan will be grateful to us. No one can...
steal the glory from us. -Well said.
So, our current priority is to draft the proposal quickly.
We can't let others get ahead of us.
Dear all, Sima Yi heard what the late king said as well.
I am sure they are also discussing about this now.
So, we must draft the proposal quickly. Then...
I'll visit Chen Qun. -Why Chen Qun?
We need to rope in a few impoflant officials...
to sign our proposal.
In terms of position, we are the marquises.
Their signatures must be behind ours.
This way, Zi Huan will see us as...
the ones contributing the idea.
Zi Dan, but... Are we going to ask Chen Qun only?
What about Sima Yi? - Should we find him too?
Yes. -No way!
Are you suggesting that Zi Huan will not do it...
if Sima Yi doesn't agree with it?
What a joke! -Right!
You should drink up.
Brother Yi, here's your breakfast.
I heard from Sister Chun Hua that...
you and Chen Qun pulled an all-nighter.
What did you two talk about?
We drafted a new policy. Read it.
Suppress the nobles and eunuchs and restructure the system of...
recruitment of officials? -Yes.
I only see one word from this long essay.
Which word?
"Criticism".
What makes you say so?
If this is really implemented...
all eunuchs and nobles will hate you.
Also, the king doesn't allow others to take any advantage.
The late king mostly employed surrendered officials...
or people recommended by classmates or fellow townsmen.
He also depended on the Monthly Review.
He wanted to have full control over...
the recruitment of talents.
Your method is about a systematic way in...
selecting talents, right?
Go on. -Brother Yi.
You're fighting over power with the king.
You'll get into trouble. -What trouble?
Brother Yi, you often warn me to be cautious in court
But now, you are getting yourself into trouble.
Why?
"The bow is cast aside when the birds are gone."
"The hound is boiled when the cunning hare is dead."
Shu Da, I really see you in new light now.
I'm not fighting with the king. I'm fighting for him.
I'm not fighting for his power either. Give it to me.
Eat your breakfast.
Don't be late to the court meeting.
Whose power is it then?
Master, General Cao Zhen came.
Marquis of Lingshou? Invite him in quickly.
Yes.
I inherited the legacy of the late king.
I bear a great responsibility to rule and lead.
I often warn myself to be cautious.
Today, I issued an order to seek advices.
From now on...
please serve me as how you all sewed the late king.
Those who do not hesitate to...
tell me about my gains and losses...
are the loyal and honest officials.
My lord, 25 of us including Chief Commander Xiahou Dun...
Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Cao Ren and Xiahou Shang...
have a proposal to submit.
We have a proposal.
Is it something so impoflant that...
so many of you are proposing it together?
My lord, China has been in a constant state of decline...
since the reigns of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling.
The people are homeless and laws are disregarded.
Today, Wei has accomplished feats. The people...
wish to be led by you. This is a natural flow...
no one can resist.
For heaven and the people's sake...
please replace Han Dynasty with your regime...
and save the people.
Please replace Han Dynasty for heaven and the people's sake...
and save the people.
I'm too young and inexperienced for that.
I'll just let everyone read this proposal.
Mr. Sima, you seem to have a proposal as well.
I would like to propose 10 new policies.
New policies?
What new policies?
I've no idea. -What new policies?
The Nine-Rank System for selecting officials.
Tell us about it.
The 10 new policies include the simultaneous recommendation...
and election of officials through the Nine-Rank System...
prohibition of intervention in state affairs...
by eunuchs and relatives of consorts...
appointment of cavalier attendant...
and assistant cavalier attendant...
was the king's personal clerks...
and policy regarding the system of agriculture.
Mr. Chen Qun and I came up with them together.
The details are in the proposal I submitted.
Is there any opinion from anyone?
My lord, in my opinion...
Liu Bei might attack to avenge Guan Yu anytime.
It's more impoflant to stabilise the regime.
We must not change our policies so suddenly.
Yes, my lord!
Yes, my lord! -We can't change our policies!
We can't change our policies!
My lord, Confucius once said...
"he is filial if for 3 years he does not...
deviate from the way of his father."
The mourning for the late king has just ended...
and Mr. Sima wants to change the late king's policies.
Sima Yi, what is your motive? - Exactly! What is your motive?
Sima Yi! -What is your motive?
Why should we change our policies?
We built this kingdom by fighting in the battlefield!
Not by writing essays! - Right! We fought for it!
The bottom line is, you all just want to...
change the policies...
to prove your capability!
Right!
General Cao is right! -I agree!
General Cao has a point! -He's right!
Enough.
There is an ancient saying that goes...
"hear and follow my counsels...
and you shall have no cause for great regret".
This is what all rulers and subjects earnestly seek.
I have heard...
everyone's opinions. Mr. Sima, you heard them as well.
Dismiss.
Dismiss!
Mr. Chen.
What's the meaning of this?
I thought you promised to support my brother.
Yes. But today, I suddenly felt like...
this isn't the right time yet.
Besides, if I don't take sides so soon...
the king will find it more convincing later on.
Shu Da, don't be rude.
Brother Chang Wen is just being patient. Right?
Zhong Da, why don't we set the new policies aside first?
You should advise the king to declare himself emperor...
so that the king doesn't misunderstand.
My uncles and brothers, this isn't the right time...
to replace Han Dynasty yet.
My lord, you have earned the people's favour.
This is the best opportunity.
Zi Huan, if you are worried about reputation...
we can force the emperor...
to abdicate. We'll lead our armies over...
and camp near Xudu. He won't dare to say no.
Right. -Yes, make him abdicate.
No one can complain by then.
Please return. This requires a lot of planning.
My lord, may I know...
what Mr. Sima's new policies are about?
Also, what does the Nine-Rank System mean?
It's just a conservative method. It's not worth mentioning at all.
Zi... -Let's call it a day.
Dismiss.
We shall excuse ourselves.
Come in. -Please come in, Ms. Bai.
You saw all court officials.
What do you think of Sima Yi?
My lord, you are fortunate to have an official like him.
It looks like I do not need to choose for you.
You have made a choice. - This is for you, my lord.
I shall obey all your orders.
Zi Huan is too prideful.
We need to persuade him so many times.
He's like a girl. -Uncle Zi Lian.
You don't know. He needs to be persuaded.
This is courtesy and integrity.
This... -Uncle. Father.
I feel like the king... - What about the king?
He's becoming more and more unpredictable.
In fact, he's getting more and more like the late king.
Kid, the king has become a lot more mature.
This is a way to control his subjects.
He's using it on those officials.
But, who are we to him? We are his relatives by blood.
Don't over think. -There's Sima Yi too.
I wonder what his new policies are about.
Uncle, you need to be careful.
After all, he's no longer just the academician back then.
Even though he's the Vice Censor-in-Chief now...
he's still a scholar.
A scholar like him has no say in the court.
I think... -Enough. Say no more.
Listen to your uncle. Come to my place for a drink.
Uncles, please follow me. -Let's go.
I thought he's a clever man.
He can be stupid at times too.
He figured out what I meant.
But, he can't figure out what the king has in mind.
He isn't stupid. He's protecting himself.
He hasn't figured out...
the path the king wants him to take yet.
Does he dare to take this path?
If some are born at the wrong times...
some are born with missions in their lives.
He has no way out.
Come. Cheers.
Uncle Zi Lian, cheers. -Come.
More wine.
Zi Huan.
You're drinking alone over there. You're so lonely.
Come down.
Come. Zi Huan.
Come closer, so that you can see clearer.
Come. Sit down.
Zi Huan, I'm so happy today.
I feel so happy for you. For so many years...
you were treated so unfairly. Luckily...
we won!
From now on, there are great things for you to do.
Rest assured. When you ascend the throne...
I'll support you. We'll settle everything for you.
I appreciate... -Sit here.
Your effort
Let's drink. -It's not difficult at all.
We just have to make the emperor abdicate.
We've discussed about it.
We'll use the excuse of homecoming...
to send an army of 100,000 soldiers to Qiao County.
We'll march around Xudu every day.
That emperor by the surname of Liu...
won't even be able to sleep.
One month. In just one month...
he will abdicate.
It's a good idea. But, this isn't the right time.
Zi Huan, after you ascend the throne...
was your uncle, I'll become a sovereign, right?
Let me have this one.
As you wish, uncle. - Isn't Zi Huan generous?
Yes. After fighting so many battles...
I can finally enjoy life.
Back then, when I went with the late king...
to attack Dong Zhuo...
we were ambushed by Xu Rong. Suddenly...
a huge rock hit the leg of the late king's horse.
The late king fell right off the horse.
It seemed so hopeless. Who was with us...
in that battle? -We were all there!
Zi Huan and the rest were still little back then.
There were just the few of us.
I knew I had to do something.
I quickly rushed over and gave the late king my horse.
I led my horse with one hand and fought with my other hand.
I slashed so hard. My body was covered in blood.
Then, I finally rescued the king.
Let's drink! -Kids like Zi Huan...
know nothing about our tough battles back then.
Enough, Uncle Zi Lian. Stop boasting.
Zi Huan. -|...
Vice Censor-in-Chief, Sima Yi...
have come to present a proposal.
Uncle Zi Lian is right. My father fought hard...
to build this kingdom.
- Cheers for the late king! - Right! Cheers for the late king!
I, Vice Censor-in-Chief, Sima Yi...
have come to present a proposal.
Drink! -Alright!
Come. -Let's drink.
I, Vice Censor-in-Chief, Sima Yi...
have come to present a proposal.
The Nine-Rank System? Sima Yi.
You're the Vice Censor-in-Chief.
Yet, you always write these useless things.
What do I need you for?
This concerns the wellness of the state.
My lord, you should read it...
before you decide whether it is useless or useful.
Are you saying that I do not heed advices?
What if I refuse to read it? - Zi Huan, why should you read it?
Hey, Sima Yi, since you came...
drink with us. -I'm wearing my official suit.
I can't drink liquor.
Sima Yi! -You interrupted my banquet.
I can spare your life. But, you can't escape punishment.
Sima Yi, did you hear that? You'd better know your place.
If you won't drink, I'll lend you a hand.
I am in my official suit. Allow me to drink on my own.
At least you know your place.
Drink! -Sima Yi!
Drink! -Drink!
Good one!
Good one! -Good one!
Sima Yi, why are you so persistent?
This is the late king's wish.
You know the late king's wish.
But, do you know my wish? -|...
shall excuse myself.
Come, Zi Huan.
Leave.
Zi Huan, let's drink.
Zi Huan, drink.
Uncle, come. -Come.
All are drunk except for you.
Don't hold me. -My lord.
Come. -How arrogant.
How treacherous.
- Who do you all take me for? - My lord, what's the matter?
- Who do you all take me for? - Get a bowl of hangover soup.
Yes.
- This is a mess. - I'm dim-witted.
I just started learning.
I'll solve it for you.
My lord, if you play like this, there'll really be no solution.
This is how we should do it.
This is how...
My lord. - we should do it.
My lord.
How could he make you drink so much wine?
I drank a little too much at one go.
He's binge drinking right after mourning for his father.
He's another foolish ruler.
Why can't I say that? -Young Master Yi.
Eunuch Shi came.
Who? -Eunuch Shi.
Tell him to leave. -invite him in.
You're drunk.
Let him in. -Yes.
Eunuch Shi, please come in.
Mr. Sima, I came to visit you.
How are you? You're so drunk.
Help me up. -It's alright.
Please remain seated. -Forget it.
Greetings, Eunuch Shi.
What brought you over?
Mr. Sima, the king ordered me to...
deliver something to you. -More wine?
It's a bowl of hangover soup.
Thank you, my lord. Thank you, Eunuch Shi.
I'm so sorry, Eunuch Shi.
You're sorry? For what?
I proposed to limit the authority of eunuchs.
That doesn't matter to me.
It's all for the king. -Yes.
But, does it matter to the king? No.
Mr. Sima, you should wake up.
Don't push yourself if you can't hold your liquor.
Go easy on yourself. I shall excuse myself.
Goodbye, Eunuch Shi.
What's the meaning of this?
My dear, let me freshen up and go to my reading room.
How do you write in this state?
I'll fetch some water for you.
Uncle.
You came at the right time. Come.
How do I read this word?
This one. -This is "LAN" of "Lanting".
"Ian"? -Yes, "LAN".
No wonder it looks so familiar. Don't you think...
it looks too complicated? It's so hard to memorise it.
What brought you over in the middle of the night?
Uncle, I'm very worried about one thing.
I can't sleep without asking you first.
You want to ask me a question? -Yes.
Sure. Ask. -I read Sima Yi's proposal.
Please take a look.
There are so many words.
- I'll pass. Tell me about it. - He proposes to change the...
recommendation system to election system and...
Wait. Election system?
Yes, election. -What does that mean?
It's hard to explain it in a few words.
To make it simple, officials are divided into nine ranks.
The Secretariat will send officers...
to select local talents...
to go through a standardised test.
If this approved, the authority to select and recruit talents...
will go to the Secretariat.
I wonder if they will only pick the children of...
"scholar-officials. If that's the case...
we can never again make the king appoint an official...
based on recommendation alone.
Sima Yi is too schemeful.
I knew that he has a motive. Look.
We are the ones who helped to build this kingdom...
and he wants a share of power.
Don't worry. Let me think.
It's so late alright. Why don't you write tomorrow?
This is very impoflant. The king can't do it himself.
I need to do it for him.
What do you need to do for him? -I'll do as he wishes.
You won't understand.
Father.
Father. -Father.
Why are you still awake at this hour?
Will you even make an enemy...
out of his relatives in Cao Family for him?
Father, you understand. - If I don't intervene...
you'll be made use of.
It looks you intend to bet on this new policy...
with your life at stake.
Father, the king and I are helping each other.
The king needs the new policy to suppress his relatives...
while I need the new policy to help the scholar-officials.
If the noble generals need to blame it on someone...
I'm the best choice. - But, they are relatives!
They share the same surname! -Father.
The king doesn't want to offend his own relatives.
So, he's making use of you.
Rulers are schemeful and headless.
Those generals will skin you alive and eat you up!
Can the king protect you? - Yes. Father, you're right.
Zhong Da, you are throwing eggs at stones. You need to give up.
It's true that they are stones.
But, if I give up now, I will really die horribly.
You're too stubborn. -Father.
Please allow me to think about it.
Please go to bed. -You...
Father.
How stubborn.
Father.
What are you doing? - Father ruined my work.
You're still so stubborn? - Yes, I'm stubborn.
Go to bed.
Be gentler. It contains potteries. Don't break them.
Yes.
Father, where are you going? -I had a dream.
I saw our ancestors' tombs washed away in a flood.
It's now the season of the spring tide. I'm worried.
I want to go back to Wen County to check. Go.
Tell Zhong Da to come. I want him to go with me.
Father, you just need to take two servants along...
or send our younger brothers over.
You don't have to go personally.
Will he leave with me if I don't go personally?
You want to take Brother Yi away? -Shu Da.
He'll be in danger if he stays in Yecheng.
He needs to hide. -But, he's different now.
He's the Vice Censor-in-Chief. He can't leave just like this.
You'll apply for a leave for him. Just claim that...
he hurt his lungs from drinking too much...
and needs to go back to recuperate.
Tell them to find the person who forced him to drink. You too.
You must come with me and leave this land of conflicts as well.
Else, the king might try to use you next.
I'll get someone to apply for a leave for you.
Go and get Zhong Da. -Father.
Hurry up. Tell him that...
if you two don't leave with me...
I'll kill myself halfway through the journey.
Xuan Er's interpretation isn't necessarily right.
How does he prove that we are Sima Yi's targets?
Besides, the king refused to read it.
Sima Yi's proposal upholds the late king's spirit of...
appointing only the talented. For the country's development...
it's actually a good idea. - Boy, what's wrong with you?
I... -Why are you speaking for Sima Yi?
Listen. Sima Yi is jealous of us.
He wants a share of our power.
Get it? -Uncle.
You're right about that point.
If the king really approves this suggestion...
we will no longer have any say in...
the appointment of officials.
Bo Ren, tell this kid to shut up! He's uttering nonsense!
Uncle, I... -Enough.
He's just a child. - He's uttering nonsense!
Uncle, he's too young. Don't listen to his nonsense.
Think about it. Yes, the king refused to read it.
But, Sima Yi is determined. He proposes again and again.
If this goes on and all scholars learn about it...
they'll all support Sima Yi. We can't let this happen.
In my opinion, we need to teach him a lesson now...
and make him give up. - But, Sima Yi is different now.
He's the Vice Censor-in-Chief. We can't humiliate him.
Else, the court's reputation will be damaged.
The king will be upset. - Are you helping your son?
Why are you so stupid too? - The child is right, uncle.
No way! Nonsense! -Father.
What did he say? Don't you understand?
Can you all stop arguing?
I'll teach that fellow a lesson! -Zi Lian.
Don't worry. I won't hurt him.
Zi Lian! Stop right there! Grandfather!
Uncle. Please sit down.
Please sit down.
Uncle, I think...
we should let Uncle Zi Lian go. Think about it.
Uncle Zi Lian is a meritorious general.
He's also the king's uncle.
Even if he goes too far, the king will forgive him, right?
You made your silly uncle do the dirty deed...
while you watch from the sidelines.
That's not true. I won't watch from the sidelines.
Alright. I'll go to the king now.
I'll ask for the king's opinions. Alright?
Just wait.
Zhong Da, I always listen to you.
This time, you need to listen to me. I'm old.
I often think of Bo Da lately. I'm too old for these troubles.
You need to learn from the examples of Bo Da, Cui Yan...
Xun Yu, Yang Xiu and Ding Yi.
Father, are you saying that Brother Yi must resign?
Everyone thinks they can be luckier than...
the preceding ones.
But, disasters come without warning.
No one knows whether the victim is extraordinary or not.
What are you doing? I'm warning you.
This bucket isn't full yet.
Fill it up with the grains in your sack quickly.
No. -Alright. I'll fill it up.
Deng Ai! What are you doing?
What are you doing? How can you...
Do you want to die?
Enough. Don't hit him. Get up quickly. Calm down.
Deng Ai, what's wrong with you? Are you stupid or something?
Every scoop of grains can be used to buy our wine.
This is from the civilians to the government.
You still don't give up? Beat him!
How can you all beat him? -Stop!
Take my grains. -Who do you think you are?
Don't act holy! -Just take all my grains.
Please stop. I beg of you.
Brother Yi, I'll go and check. -No.
A man who dares to anger many must be strong enough himself.