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

Step aside!

- Step aside! - What are you doing?

You're Liu Ping?

Indeed.

Fu Wan and Kong Rong are but scholars of undeserved reputation.

How can they be compared to Duke Yuan's prestigious family?

Counselor Fu's ancestor is Fu Sheng.

Minister Steward Kong is the descendant of Confucius.

They are indeed inferior to the four generations of the Three Excellencies.

You've admitted defeat?

Young Master Shen.

Who do you not know? Fu Sheng or Confucius?

Duke Yuan is bringing scholars from all over the country to Ye City.

Do Fu Wan and Kong Rong dare to compare their achievements to his?

Confucius said of the head of the Ji family

who had eight rows of pantomimes in his area

"If he can bear to do this, what may he not bear to do?"

What does that mean?

What?

He means that it's the emperor's right to gather the scholars, not Duke Yuan's.

How impudent!

How dare you slander Duke Yuan!

You try to please the public with antics!

You're going to rebel!

Arrest him!

I dare you!

Are you going to rebel as well?

How can you throw your weight about when scholars debate over principles?

If you're truly capable

you can debate with Brother Liu about various topics.

- Exactly! - Have a debate!

- Debate if you can! - Debate!

Do you think that I won't dare to arrest you?

I'd like to know which law I've violated.

- Exactly! - Exactly!

Which law did he break?

He might not have broken any yet, but that doesn't mean that he won't!

If you dare to rattle off such nonsense again

I won't let you off!

Let's go!

This is how Yuan Shao employs.

He appears tolerant but is grudging at heart.

He recruits them but doubts them.

He appoints only those close to him.

Duke Cao is stern but perceptive.

He employs men according to their talents and trusts those in position

regardless of relationships.

This is his fourth advantage.

What is it?

It's nothing important. Let's go.

Zhong Da! You have to help me out!

What's the matter?

Who would dare to bully Young Master Shen here in Ye City?

It was that Liu Ping!

He won the others over with his antics and hoodwinked them.

Scholars from other provinces are all flocking to him.

They disrespected my father and Duke Yuan and even insulted me!

Are you going to arrest him?

If you do so, those pedantic scholars will disagree with you even more.

You'll only make him even more famous.

However, I'll be sure to get back at him for you.

You have a way to do so?

Zhong Da!

You're such a great friend.

It's about time to teach him a lesson.

So beautiful.

What is?

The moon is very beautiful.

Don't you think so?

Your Majesty made a name for yourself today with that debate.

You won over quite a few admirers.

I wouldn't have dared to do so if you hadn't encouraged me.

I hope to attract Yuan Shao's attention by doing so.

Who knew that you could be so sharp during a debate?

Have you always pretended to talk to me in another manner?

I only spoke as my heart impelled me to.

I've kept those thoughts on my mind for a long time.

It's a pity that I can't share my opinions with my brother.

I didn't expect you to know so much about the late emperor.

He's my twin brother.

He's the only true kinsman that I've met.

Yet I never even got to talk to him in this lifetime.

I can only look him up in the historical records

to try to get to know him and understand what he was like.

I've never heard you mention him.

I thought that...

I'm worried that it will upset you.

Then...

do you still remember what Zhang Yu said?

What was it?

Are you referring to establishing a memorial shrine for the late emperor?

I certainly do remember it.

I'll definitely have the late emperor acknowledged

and worshipped as he rightfully should be.

What about us?

What is it about us?

Once you announce the truth about the late emperor to the world

what will happen to our relationship?

I...

I will...

Brother Liu!

So?

There are none.

Not even one?

There's not even one.

How could it turn out like this?

How do you expect to stay at an inn with no money?

It's normal to be turned away by innkeepers.

This is the wealthiest city, Ye City.

How can there be no compassionate innkeepers at all?

If I had known that you didn't have any money, I wouldn't have had that meal.

I'm the emperor.

How could I possibly have money on me?

You're even an emperor who is traveling in disguise.

An emperor is actually out here wandering the streets.

A subject would rather die than see his monarch humiliated.

Please do not worry.

I'll be sure to find a place to stay.

Get up quickly.

Young Master Liu.

My master would like to invite you over.

Who is your master?

Young Master, you'll know when you see him.

It must be one of your admirers.

Is it a man or a woman?

Young Master Liu, this way, please.

Please wait here for a moment.

My master asks only to meet Young Master Liu.

Young Master Liu, this way.

Greetings, Mister.

May I ask who you are?

I am Cui Yan.

You're actually Duke Cui?

Excuse my manners.

Why has Duke Cui asked me over at such a late hour?

I'd like to ask you for an opinion.

Please be honest with me.

I'll be sure to tell you what I know.

Please tell me your true identity.

I'm from the Liu family of Hongnong Commandery.

I've come upon my father's orders to answer to Duke Yuan's recruitment.

Today, I overheard your speech outside the forum.

Your knowledge and insight are far beyond those of the other scholars.

You didn't come here upon Duke Yuan's recruitment.

You're here upon the orders of the emperor

for the sake of the imperial family. Am I right?

Duke Cui is indeed right.

I'm the secret commissioner of the imperial family.

I've come to visit all feudal lords upon the orders of the emperor

to contact the loyal subjects and warriors.

Secret Commissioner?

Since Duke Cui has figured it out

will you expose my identity to Shen Pei?

You're quite bold.

You're waiting to see if I'll sell you out.

What a pity.

I am, after all, Duke Yuan's subject.

Isn't Duke Yuan the emperor's subject?

We have a place to stay.

- Where is it? - Right here.

Before we got here, he already had the rooms prepared.

Who is he?

Cui Yan, Cui Ji Gui (courtesy name).

Yuan Shao's Cavalry Commandant.

The best scholar of Hebei Commandery.

Congratulations on winning another subject over, Your Majesty.

Brother Liu.

Brother Liu?

Give me this. I'm buying it.

What is this?

This looks so tender.

Should we also get some of this?

Why are you buying so much?

You've shopped the entire market here in Ye City.

I haven't seen this vegetable before.

There are regional differences.

Who knew that they had such different produce in Ye City from the capital?

What are you laughing at?

I'm laughing at you for not recognizing a familiar thing.

We've had these vegetables before.

For instance, the red vine spinach.

The red vegetable soup we often have is made with this.

And the sauce that we often have on the grilled meats

is made with the garlic chives.

A green vegetable can be made into a red soup?

Then... we'll have red vine spinach soup and grilled meats tonight.

Sir, I'm buying these.

Sure!

Madam, you just moved to Ye City so you must not cook often.

The garlic chives are in season!

It's a pity to just use them for sauces.

They're very tasty in wantons.

Is that so? I'll get some as well.

Sure, 27 pennies.

Sir and Madam, there must be many people in your household.

Not at all, it's just us and an attendant.

Madam, if you're making wantons, you should get a big radish.

It will be even tastier if you mix in radish with the meat and garlic chives.

We've really bought plenty.

Madam, you don't have any children yet, do you?