Episode 41
I have known Your Majesty for 23 years.
I have sewed Your Majesty for 18 years.
I do wish to attain outstanding achievements.
But, I have no intention of betraying Your Majesty.
Not in this lifetime...
and not in...
an eternity.
I've already wasted this life.
Does eternity matter to me?
Your Majesty's life has never been a waste.
In this lifetime...
Your Majesty replaced Han with Wei...
put an end to the civil war...
restrained the nobles and strengthened the country.
The Western Region offers tributes to Wei.
Sun Quan has surrendered to Wei as well.
Your Majesty accomplished...
what the late emperor failed to do.
It is my honour to serve Your Majesty...
and see Wei prosper.
I will...
die with no regret.
Since you've no regret...
you shall accept death.
Guards! -Yes!
Send Sima Yi to the Court of Judicial Review...
to await punishment! -Yes!
Father, if I frame Zi Jian...
how will you punish me?
I'm still alive...
and you brothers have become enemies!
I'll leave Sima Yi for you.
Keep this in mind.
From now on, he's no longer your friend.
He's your subject. Don't be swayed by emotions.
Rulers are known to be lonely.
Ah Weng!
Your Majesty, Shi Chun... Shi Chun is still being confined.
Free him at once.
He is one of the very few I can trust now.
Yes.
How did it go? Did you manage to find out anything?
Madam Zhang, I did not get to meet the emperor.
But, Zhong Da was sent to the prison by the emperor.
Why?
Because of Consort Zhen.
He's imprisoned again.
Alright.
I'll deliver food to him.
It's the death-row prison of the Court of Judicial Review.
I'll go and collect his corpse then.
Zhong Da is so lucky to have...
a brave and magnanimous wife like you.
I want him to know that lam still by his side.
If he's worried about me, he'll try harder to survive.
At this point, I shall not beat about the bush.
I know that you are a resourceful person.
Tell me. What else can we do?
I've sewed the emperor for a long time.
I've some knowledge of the political situation.
I'd like to meet Zhong Hui and Deng Ai in private.
What do you think?
Alright.
Ms. Ling Yun, do you really plan to do this to help Sima Family?
If the emperor finds out...
If you think I'll get you into trouble...
you can report to the emperor.
Ms. Ling Yun, that's not what I meant.
You have your mission and I have my choice.
This is a crucial period. I won't force you to help me.
Ms. Ling Yun, I'm aware of your feelings.
Don't worry. I'm willing to serve you.
Xiao Yuan.
Thank you.
Madam Ling Yun.
Greetings, Madam Bai. - Greetings, Madam Bai.
Since it's an emergency, let's skip the formalities.
In order to save Consort Zhen and Prince Rui, my husband...
got himself imprisoned for...
interfering in the emperor's family affairs.
This is a capital offense.
I'll gather the officials to appeal.
Let's go. -Wait.
The emperor already feel disrespected.
At a time like this, threatening the emperor...
will only make it worse.
I invited the two of you over...
because both of you are my husband's trusted aides.
Only the two of you can save my husband now. But...
two things need to be done.
Firstly, leave the appeal to Chen Qun and your father.
Please tell Old Mr. Zhong to remind the emperor that...
only my husband can restrain his relatives.
I understand. We need to save our teacher's life first.
What's the second thing? -Secondly...
you all need to be even more...
tolerant to the emperor's relatives.
Else, it'll be worse for my husband.
We'll do our best to protect our teacher.
Go back quickly then.
Very soon, the emperor will order you all to...
draft a decree for the installation of the empress.
Our teacher can trust you to take care of his household.
We shall excuse ourselves.
This way.
How's he? -We've used torture.
But, he hasn't confessed.
Your Majesty. I'm innocent.
I know I misbehaved under the influence of alcohol.
I'm unforgivable.
But, I'll never dare to rebel, Your Majesty!
If I don't put you through this...
you won't understand life and death.
I'll give you another chance.
The mat and the door...
are 7-8 steps apart
You may speak of your innocence as you walk over.
From the pot of...
frying beans...
on a beanstalk fire...
came weeping...
from the beans...
in the pot of dire.
From the same root, we grew as siblings.
Why eagerly us are you boiling?
Open the door.
I just found out that...
over the past decade...
she copied down all the poems you wrote for her...
and hid them in the jade pillow she used every day.
All these years...
these poems comforted her.
I can't believe...
there's such pure love in this world.
What happened to her? -She...
She committed suicide.
No...
No way.
Leave. Go.
Leave the capital. -No.
Leave the capital.
Zi Jian.
From now on...
the two of us...
shall not meet again.
Don't wake him.
Let him sleep.
Dear all, let's have a toast.
Cheers. -Cheers.
Zi Dan, your diversion tactic really impressed me.
As expected, Sima Yi and Zhen Fu fell for it.
I was worried about Sima Yi taking the clever move...
and watching from the sidelines. Surprisingly...
after being an official for more than 20 years...
he's still so conceited.
Now, Sima Yi is in the death-row prison...
and Prince Rui has become the son of a sinner. I think...
we'll be the ones selecting the crown prince.
What are you thinking about? Worried about your son-in-law?
Why should I worry about him? Even if Sima Family falls...
I can still support both him and my daughter.
What's bothering you then?
I find it a little unbelievable.
Think about it.
Do you think the emperor can really bring himself to...
execute Sima Yi?
Your Majesty, even though Sima Yi...
intruded into a prohibited area...
please be merciful considering the fact that...
he has contributed greatly to the country...
and that he is needed for the new policies.
If the Secretariat loses Sima Yi...
is it a good or bad thing to the new policies?
Of course it will be a loss to the country...
as I cannot handle the new policies alone.
My relatives hate Sima Yi to the core.
If he stays in the secretarial...
he'll be targeted. If I execute Sima Yi...
the nobles will be satisfied.
The new policies have gradually matured.
He's not indispensable anymore. If I suppress the secretarial...
the nobles will be generous towards me.
Politics has always been a trade of interests, isn't it?
Your Majesty has expended much care and thought.
But, if you kill Sima Yi...
the nobles will become even more difficult to restrain.
He cast his life aside himself.
Yet, you still came to plead for him.
This is evident of Sima Yi's reputation.
But, I don't believe that...
the government can't operate without Sima Yi.
Chen Qun.
Instruct the Secretariat to prepare a decree for...
the installation of the new empress.
Yes.
Long live Your Majesty!
Kneel!
Long live Your Majesty!
Kneel!
Long live Your Majesty!
Rise!
Consort Guo is virtuous, grateful...
respectful, kind, filial, thrifty and humble.
She possesses the qualities of the praised Empress Mingde of Han.
Today, she shall be installed as the empress.
Duke of Qi, Cao Rui, is my eldest prince...
who is young, diligent and motherless.
He shall be adopted and raised by the empress...
and installed as the Prince of Pingyuan.
That is all.
I, Ministerial Director, Zhan Qian...
have a few words to say. -Speak.
A ruler needs not only loyal and honest subjects...
but also a virtuous wife.
Jie of Xia was banished to Nanchao because of Mo Xi.
Zhou of Shang created cruel punishments to please Da Ji.
These are examples of disasters caused by vile consorts.
An emperor must choose his empress carefully.
The empress must be a woman of blue blood...
in order to be the leader of the royal harem.
It is stated in "I-Ching" that "the right ways in families...
create a right world". The "Spring and Autumn Annals"...
says that "exalt not a concubine to be the wife".
Consort Guo is a childless woman of a humble background.
She is but a concubine.
If Your Majesty elevates the status of a lowly one...
because of personal preference...
there is no respect for the rites at all.
How dare you!
The empress is the mother of the nation.
Yet, you insulted her.
How should I punish you? Man Chong!
Your Majesty, he is guilty of being disrespectful.
According to law, he should be punished severely.
Take him out. -Your Majesty!
I am loyal to the country!
I am loyal to the country! Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! I have done nothing wrong!
Your Majesty!
I have done nothing wrong!
Your Majesty!
L...
went through so much with the empress over the past decade.
We swore to stay with each other for an eternity.
L...
shall make her my empress today.
No one can object to my decision!
Shi Ji, you came.
Teacher.
Rise at once.
When I was stuck in this prison back then...
it was your father who delivered dishrag and food to me.
Now, it's your turn.
It looks like I'm fated to befriend Zhong Family...
and return to this prison.
Unfortunately, I'm going to disappoint you.
I'm not here to deliver food.
My father has a huge collection of copybooks.
Are you aware? -Yes.
He told me to bring you some in case you feel bored here.
You can practise calligraphy whenever you feel bored here.
Your father treats his copybooks as family treasures.
He never lends them.
My imprisonment turns out to be a blessing in disguise.
When Confucius heard Shao...
for 3 months he did not know the taste of meat.
For these copybooks, I can resist meat for a year.
The Court of Judicial Review can still afford to serve meat.
Teacher, I actually came with the emperor's decree today.
It is not an official one. Please rise.
I must still pay my respect to the emperor.
The emperor ordered me to inform you of two things.
Firstly, the emperor has made Consort Guo the empress...
and ordered Her Highness to raise Prince Rui personally.
Wei has been saved.
Secondly, our scouts have reported that...
Liu Bei has sent an army of 70,000 soldiers to attack Wu...
to avenge Guan Yu.
That's all? -That's all.
Liu Bei holds on to Xichuan after losing Jingzhou.
He's using the excuse of revenge...
to give it a shot. Wu and Shu are enemies now.
Wei is no longer at threat. - But, many officials say that...
we should take this opportunity to attack Wu.
That is a very bad idea.
Wu will be sandwiched.
Isn't it a good thing to have Wu crushed in one go?
If we help Liu Bei to eliminate Sun Quan...
Liu Bei who has Kong Ming as his advisor...
will acquire the land of Eastern Wu...
and grow into a huge threat.
It'll be like killing a wolf to feed a tiger.
We both discussed this before.
To win, we must first make the country rich and strong.
It is the best time to implement the new policies...
when Wu and Shu are at war.
If we engage in war...
state affairs will become military affairs again.
By then, the generals of Cao Family...
will be the powerful and influential ones again.
The new policies will be abolished.
I get it now. Now I know why the emperor...
ordered me to ask for your advice alone.
I'll surely convey your message.
The emperor understands.
I shall excuse myself to report to the emperor.
Go back to your work.
Teacher, please bear with it for a few days.
Deng Ai and I will surely save you.
I prefer staying the prison over staying near the emperor.
Even if the emperor forgives me...
my political enemies in the court won't spare me.
You and Shi Zai should visit my wife more often...
and assist the emperor properly.
Alright. Please rest assured.
Shi Ji.
Tell the emperor that stress hurts the body and heart.
A gentleman should take good care of his body.
Yes, teacher.
Where was I? -The Deer Posture.
Deng Ai is being ridiculous!
He can't even speak smoothly!
I can't believe a lowly man like him became an official...
and even messed with me!
Return of embezzled grains? I'll show him what my soldiers...
can do to him!
I'll see if he'll still want the grains back!
Uncle Zi Lian, calm down.
Forget about your soldiers.
The emperor isn't interested in war now.
What can your soldiers do?
Uncle Zi Lian, why don't you just...
turn in the person-in-charge and the rations?
Else, this might reach the emperor's ears.
I want the emperor to know and see...
how they are bullying Cao Family now!
We only took 860 barrels of grains...
and he wants to kill my subordinate! Dream on!
Is the blood I shed for the country...
wor1h less than 860 barrels of grains?
I know. Uncle Zi Lian.
Generals are the ones who restore peace. But...
generals are not rewarded with peace.
Now that there's no war...
we're worthless.
Uncle Zi Lian, let's take you for example.
Who doesn't know that you protected the late emperor...
with your own life back then?
But, it looks like the emperor...
has forgotten about it.
Instead of attacking when Sun and Liu are at war...
he wants us to focus on farming.
Now, he's supporting some unreasonable outsiders.
I must tell him that he'll cause the state's downfall!
Uncle Zi Lian, if you want to admonish...
I will surely follow you.
Alright. Deal. -Deal.
Alright!
The Governor of Military Agro-Colonies...
told me to come.
I came.
Have you turned in the man who embezzled the rations...
and the 860 barrels of grains? -No.
3 days ago...
we sent out a document to demand that...
you turn in the rations and your subordinate in time.
Did you receive it? -Yes.
But, I've nothing to offer.
Do you intend to go against the country's law?
What stupid law? I fought with my life...
to build this empire.
The laws are written by Cao Family!
You have no right to threaten me with law!
Disregarding the country's law means disrespect to the emperor.
The emperor?
The emperor has been brainwashed by you people!
When I was expanding our territory with the late emperor...
for every city captured, 30% of the city's wealth...
would be used to reward us.
I only took 860 barrels of grains...
and you have the guts to demand me to return them!
If I didn't fight for Wei...
you weaklings wouldn't be here today!
General Cao, are you dissatisfied with...
the emperor's System of Military Agro-Colonies?
I'm dissatisfied with many things.
Why are we farming like cowards...
instead of attacking when Sun and Liu are at war?
You lot brainwashed the emperor into giving up on war...
and harming his brothers.
You all are a huge embarrassment to the late emperor!
Did you all write it down?
Yes. -Yes.
Scoundrel, how dare you set me up!
I dare not.
I am not good with words.
To avoid making mistakes, each time I communicate...
with an official over work...
my clerks will record the conversation.
Record this as well.
Yes. -Yes.
Even if you tell the emperor, I am his uncle!
Guards!
How dare you! Are you asking for death?
Do you want to accompany your teacher in the prison?
Take him away. -Despicable man.
Despicable man!
Just wait and see. I won't spare you.
Just wait and see! I won't spare you!
He said that I am a huge embarrassment to my father?
To avoid misunderstandings, I always have two clerks...
recording my conversations.
How should I punish him?
If General Cao did not come personally...
he would only be guilty of conniving at corruption.
But, he admitted to the embezzlement...
and refused to return the grains.
He even picked a fight and attacked the guards.
These crimes are beyond my jurisdiction.
Please pass the case to the Court of Judicial Review.
Isn't he guilty of defaming me as well?
Embezzlement is a capital offense. Yet, he used his merits as excuse.
We shall punish him according to the military law.
Execute him.
Zi Dan!
You came.
Zi Dan.
I can't believe you still have the mood for this.
I need to stay fit. I'm still waiting...
to see Wei's future prosperity. - It looks like you don't know yet.
Uncle Zi Lian has been sentenced to death by the emperor.
I know.
Look. Uncle Zi Lian killed the wife of that stammerer.
Of course he'll instigate the emperor to kill Uncle Zi Lian.
Why aren't you helping then?
Let's go. Keep your sword. Let's plead with the emperor...
and save Uncle Zi Lian. Put down your sword. Let's go.
What can we do at this point? Uncle Zi Lian said that...
the emperor is a huge embarrassment to the late emperor.
I can't believe he said that.
This is almost the most offensive remark to the emperor.
I think Uncle Zi Lian is doomed this time.
But, we still need to try.
He's our uncle after all.
Of course we need to do something.
Cao Family will avenge Uncle Lian afterwards.
Bo Ren.
I've said it clearly.
No one can save Uncle Zi Lian this time.
So, we should be thinking about how to avenge him now. Understand?
I've thought about it. Uncle Zi Lian's biggest value...
is in the fact that he saved the late emperor...
as well as his reputation in the military.
Think about it. If someone makes the emperor...
kill his father's saviour...
what will happen? The soldiers will be upset.
Do you remember how the late emperor...
appeased the soldiers?
With a life.
If we get a scapegoat, the soldiers will take out...
their frustration on this scapegoat...
and that settles it.
In the past, it was Yang Xiu. Now...
it's going to be Deng Ai and Sima Yi's turn.