Secrets of Three Kingdoms (三国机密 / San Guo Ji Mi)

You've been taking this medication for several days.

Do you feel better?

No.

Is there a problem with the prescription?

Yuan Shao's army was ambushed and defeated?

You worry about all sorts of matters every day

so even an elixir can't save you.

You're my elixir.

Libationer Guo, urgent military report!

All rations in transport to Guandu were burned.

Repeat that.

The rations in transport to Guandu suddenly caught on fire.

They were all burned.

Even Guo Jia sometimes makes mistakes?

Interesting.

Your holiday... is over.

You're right.

Don't you find Guandu interesting suddenly?

What will Libationer Guo's lecture be about today?

We won't have a lecture today.

This is an herbal wine that I concocted.

It dispels the cold and nourishes one's health.

Your Majesty seems to be troubled about state affairs recently

and appears to be less energetic.

Why don't we have a drink or two quickly while Prefect Xun is absent?

This is a lot more useful than the imperial physician's medication.

We're having a drink?

I've aged this wine for years.

If it weren't being offered to His Majesty

I really wouldn't be able to bear sharing it.

Won't Your Majesty try some?

It is indeed good wine.

What Your Majesty now needs isn't the knowledge from books

but to take a trip out there.

Your heart is restless, but your body is in shackles.

That will make you ill easily.

The nation is haunted by war year after year.

I'm just a bit troubled.

How is it that I'm restless?

However much you worry about it here, it won't affect the outcome.

Now that the snow is melting and spring blossoms bloom in warmth

Your Majesty is trapped in the palace.

Why don't you sneak out with me and have a good time?

Libationer Guo's suggestion might not conform to the rites.

What's not to conform?

What emperor in history hasn't been out on personal trips?

Besides, who said that the emperor was out traveling?

Libationer Guo.

What do you mean?

I've prepared two outfits.

We'll sneak out tomorrow morning and return by night.

Come! You're not the emperor anyway!

I'm not the Military Libationer either.

Tomorrow, we'll just be two petty officers who slacked off on their jobs.

I can promise Your Majesty that you'll be rid of all illness tomorrow.

Hasn't Your Majesty always wanted to be carefree?

I'll come and fetch Your Majesty early tomorrow morning.

Libationer Guo.

I'll see you tomorrow, then.

Guo Jia has even sent the clothes over.

I haven't worn such clothes in a long time.

What is Guo Jia like?

How could he possibly invite you along on a field trip for no reason?

He's using you as bait to lure Sister Tang out!

I'd like to take on the challenge.

We'll see what he means to do by playing cat and mouse.

But once you let your guard down, you'll get Sister Tang in trouble.

But this is our only chance.

Even if it might be a trap, I have to take a chance.

All right.

I'll go with you.

When necessary, I'll cover you.

It's just as I wished.

No matter how Guo Jia tries to figure me out

I'll just be a fatuous emperor who cares only about beauty.

I'll evade the topic and talk about something else.

Why are you still joking around?

Do you think this looks nice?

Besides, I look forward to seeing my empress in a casual look.

Great archery skills!

Your Majesty, I'm too flattered.

His Majesty has been burdened by me.

He's been stuck in the palace for five years

so the farthest place he's been is the ceremonial platform.

Who knew that his equestrian skills had become so rusty?

Didn't we say that I'm not the emperor today?

I haven't felt so carefree in a long time.

I'd rather stroll along slowly.

I fear that time will fleet by too quickly

and the good times will come to an end.

Exactly!

Brother Liu has great ambitions.

You're too bored to be stuck in the palace.

These few wild hares are enough for us to have with wine.

It's a pity that winter lasted so long this year.

Be it the foxes or hares, their essence and blood all went to their fur.

Therefore, they are too lean in their flesh.

It's good to use their fur for brushes, but they won't taste too good.

The smell of its blood really is astringent.

Who knew that Brother Liu was such an expert?

When we came from Luoyang to Chang'an, it was a harrowing journey.

Many officials starved to death along the way.

Fortunately, His Majesty learned to hunt.

The Qin dynasty lost the deer

and all under Heaven joined in its pursuit.

Now that the deer is dead, hares and foxes are still everywhere.

I wonder which tiger will end up eating them?

With both the tiger and the wolf out in the open, there are uprisings of war.

In the government, they are the carnivores devising strategies.

I've long lived deep in the palace and am finally able to take a field trip.

My priority is to feast my eyes upon beautiful sights.

Why does it matter to me who wins or loses?

If you truly care not for the outcome

why would Your Majesty wish to lead the expedition?

I thought we were neither the emperor nor the libationer today?

Why would there be a discussion about leading an expedition?

You're right!

I'm not used to it yet.

"Let me drive forth and travel there, to dissipate my sorrow."

Empress, you don't dare to ride alone, do you?

Why don't you ride with me and I'll take you for a ride?

No.

What will others make of it if they see us?

Song Yu once said that the customs of the commoners and the kings differ.

It's normal for couples to head home on the same horse.

Madam, you don't have to be on this trip as an empress, do you?

Stop teasing her.

I won't be able to save you

if she gets back at you once we return to the palace.

You're misbehaving as well outside of the palace?

You are known by the company you keep.

What is wrong with this horse?

Stop!

Help!

Help me!

Help me!

Your Majesty!

Libationer Guo!

Go and save His Majesty! Go after him!

Your Highness can't ride.

If I go after His Majesty

what am I to do should any mishap befall you

while you're out here alone in the wilderness?

Aren't you going to save His Majesty?

I'll go with Your Highness to look for His Majesty.

Brother Liu!

Brother Liu!

Libationer Guo.

Go and get your men here.

Where has His Majesty gone?

Your Highness, fret not.

His Majesty will be fine.

Guo Jia, you're still laughing?

There's no need to alarm everyone.

War horses from the Ministry of Works are all wearing horseshoes.

As long as we follow the prints of the horseshoe

we'll surely find His Majesty.

Your Highness, look.

We've found him.

Your Majesty!

Empress was right.

You're really capable of finding me.

Your subject, Pan Yang is here to visit Your Majesty

upon the orders of Duke Yuan.

Do rise.

I heard that Yuan Shao's envoy abducted Princess Consort of Hongnong.

It does seem to be true.

He's my senior.

Your Majesty, my other identity is a West Garden Guard.

Yuan Shao established the West Garden Guards.

Sister-in-law, you've remained in the capital all these years

just to spy on me.

Everyone serves a different master.

It seems that I'm not the only master of this nation.

I have let Your Majesty and the empress down.

Thank you for looking after me all these years.

Since your mission is accomplished and your identity is exposed

you should head off to Hebei for your reward.

What are you still doing here?

Am I still of any importance to you?

Your Majesty.

I've come here this time to contact my junior

to escort Your Majesty to Guandu to fight against Cao Cao.

I can't leave yet.

Your Majesty.

What is it?

Did Grand Commandant Yuan order the two of you to bring me up north?

Grand Commandant Yuan wouldn't dare to offend Your Majesty.

What is Your Majesty's decision? Please do tell.

Grand Commandant Yuan, receive my decree.

Your subject, Pan Yang, receives the decree

on behalf of Grand Commandant Yuan.

I've heard that Elder Statesman Dong will be secretly sent to Guandu.

I command Grand Commandant Yuan to have him intercepted without fail.

By the emperor himself.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Grand Commandant Yuan wants you to bring me to him.

Isn't it just so he can have claim to suppress rebels upon my decree?

The decree written on my belt has been given to Dong Cheng.

Doesn't Grand Commandant Yuan know what he should do?