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

Your Majesty.

After Guo Jia entered the manor, he went to visit Lady Bian.

Zhi boasts too much.

Fourth Young Master takes after Duke Cao the most.

With Fourth Young Master by his side

they can recite and write poetry together.

It helps relieve many of Duke Cao's troubles.

Zhi is still young.

He will need a teacher like you to guide him.

What a pretty young lady.

This is...

I'm Ren Hong Chang.

Greetings, Lady Bian.

I picked Miss Ren up on my way here.

She is homeless.

I took it upon myself to take her back to the capital.

Libationer Guo has really sharp eyes for having picked up such a beauty.

Does Libationer Guo often pick up beautiful ladies?

I've made an indiscreet remark.

Now that he has you, those other ladies aren't considered beauties anymore.

Greetings, Lady Bian.

Greetings, Libationer Guo.

Lord Man, do get up.

I was too flustered out of concern for my son.

Seeing Pi severely injured... it was inevitable that I got agitated.

I lashed out at you.

Libationer Guo has already explained it to me.

I shouldn't have caused the commandant's office any trouble.

I hope you won't take it to heart.

No...

There was indeed negligent duty on my part.

Madam, you've put me to shame for being so forgiving.

Please get up, Lord Man.

Duke Cao is occupied with military affairs in Guandu.

We'll each do our part here in the capital.

Do not trouble him any further.

Fortunately, Libationer Guo has returned.

Those higher up and lower down in the ranks should behave.

Madam, please rest assured.

I won't let the Ministry of Works be in a dangerous situation again.

I knew that I wouldn't even have the time for some wine

once I got off the carriage.

I'll go and visit Second Young Master first

and then His Majesty.

The both of them hold a grudge against you.

I think that you should return to the commandant's office first

and we'll talk at length later.

Thank you, Sir.

Lord Man of the capital, Xu Chang.

Sight goes before hearsay indeed.

What is it with you?

When a tiger or a rhinoceros escapes from its cage

when a tortoise shell or jade is damaged in its repository...

as the defender of the capital, I can't deny not being at fault.

I won't make any mistakes to put you in a dilemma again.

I don't feel troubled.

I truly fancy the capital in this state.

- Libationer Guo-- - Young Master, stay put.

Let me take a look.

You've only lost some blood.

After recuperating for a few days, you will be fine.

Libationer Guo, do you know who saved me?

I heard about it from Man Chong.

It was His Majesty.

Don't you find it strange?

His Majesty has always been sickly and frail.

No one ever knew that he was skilled in medical practice

or trained in martial arts.

Why would you find it strange that an emperor conceals his abilities?

Although I don't know His Majesty very well

I felt that there's more than his abilities that he's concealed.

It's his true capability.

Now that Dong Cheng has failed

where does His Majesty's true capability lie?

Libationer Guo.

You must know that many of those serving by my father's side

as well as those in the capital, have submitted to Yuan Shao, don't you?

Yuan Shao's armed forces are three times those of Duke Cao.

During times of war

it's normal that there are those who would waver between both sides.

Troubles often are stirred up from within one's own camp.

If the emperor has also chosen to side with Yuan Shao in secret...

What if Dong Cheng's rebellion was the emperor's scheme to distract us?

Young Master, you're very sharp.

I already have an idea in mind.

I'll seek audience with His Majesty later.

I should be able to figure out more or less what His Majesty plans to do.

Libationer Guo...

Can you write me a letter for my father?

Convey my concerns to him.

Once I've recovered, I wish to assist my father at the front line.

I'll be sure to convey your love and concern for your father.

However, Duke Cao wishes to have you stay in the capital

to keep your mother company and study well.

Cultivate your moral self and regulate your family.

Then you can govern the country well and ultimately achieve peace in the world.

As for war and the battlefield, it's best for you to stay away for now.

How is Zi Jian (Cao Zhi) doing by my father's side?

He's doing very well.

Duke Cao often says...

with Fourth Young Master by his side

it's just like how he took you with him before.

Really?

Young Master.

It's best for you to get some rest.

Recuperate well.

I'll seek audience with His Majesty first.

Libationer Guo.

I'll wait for you to clear the layers of mysterious fog here in the capital.

Your Majesty.

Her Highness sent me to bring you some hot soup.

If I hadn't been to the capital

I wouldn't know how imposing it is to coerce the emperor

into controlling feudal lords.

The Minister of Works' libationer can keep the emperor waiting.

The emperor must have regarded me as his mortal enemy.

I'm just giving His Majesty some time to soothe his mind.

It isn't only His Majesty who treats you as a mortal enemy.

Look.

Young Master Yang.

Congratulations to you that you've deigned to take an official post.

Feng Xiao.

No, Libationer Guo.

I should congratulate you for getting rid of Lü Bu

and making a name for yourself.

Young Master Yang, you're too kind.

I'm here to seek audience as decreed.

Young Master Yang, do lead the way.

This is... Madam Guo?

Miss Ren. My roommate.

His Majesty summoned Libationer Guo.

I'm afraid that it might be inappropriate

for this young lady to join you.

She is but a woman from the countryside

who is curious and wishes to see what the emperor looks like.

She'll just wait out here in the hallway without going in.

Libationer Guo really doesn't conform to the secular ethics.

This way, please.

Young Master Yang is so talented.

Isn't it a waste of your talent to be the head of the palace guards?

Is there any other duty that's more important than protecting His Majesty?

Besides, it's been chaotic in the capital recently.

It worries me greatly.

Young Master Young need not be overly modest.

With Xu Fu around, not even Wang Yue can have it his way.

Why would you be worried?

Libationer Guo is indeed well informed.

Upon arriving back in the capital

you already had my subordinate investigated?

Lady Bian heard that it was him who saved Second Young Master

so she would like to reward him.

How about that?

Why don't we assign him an official post?

He's quite an eccentric man.

He never obeys my orders.

An official post won't suit him.

If Lady Bian assigns him to the commandant's office, I'm afraid...

it's inevitable that he will get into conflicts with Man Chong.

It seems that... you're not fond of Man Chong either.

That is one similarity you share with Lady Bian.

Man Chong and I have our own roles.

What is there to dislike?

If Xu Fu joins the commandant's office

he and Man Chong each take their own role.

I don't think that he'd disobey your father's orders, would he?

People like you simply can't have a proper conversation.

This is making me so anxious.

Young Master Yang, I'll say it on his behalf.

What he means is that since you bullied his subordinate

it's only fair that your subordinate works under him for a few days.

If not, his subordinate will pick on you.

Did I get it right?

Someone could actually read Guo Feng Xiao's intentions.

That's not simple at all.

This is why I can't do anything about her.

Your subject, Guo Jia, greets Your Majesty.

Libationer Guo, please do rise.

I've heard that Your Majesty has recovered from your ailment.

The imperial body of the emperor is naturally blessed with vigor.

I'm relieved beyond words.

The imperial physicians often see to my health.

Since I moved into the Ministry of Works

Lady Bian has been more than generous with her hospitality.

I've also been practicing a regimen with this eunuch.

I have recovered gradually.

There are many hidden talents here in the palace.

I'm happy for Your Majesty.

However, excellent guards should be stationed at an emperor's residence.

Dong Cheng rose in rebellion.

There was an assassination attempt at the ritual.

Sun Yi died in line of duty.

Young Master Yang is, after all, a scholar.

As for the duties in defensive measures...

I'm afraid that isn't one of his strengths.

Shouldn't we appoint a highly skilled officer to protect Your Majesty?

Young Master Yang has carried out his duty well.

If we are to change the head of the palace guards so often

I'm afraid it would only make it even more chaotic.

Oh no...

However, Libationer Guo's concern is indeed reasonable.