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

Your Majesty! Princess Consort Tang sent me to report to you

that Court Adviser Zhao killed himself.

He rammed his body into Man Chong's sword.

Was Guo Jia there as well?

Yes.

We understand. You are dismissed.

I still failed to save him.

From the moment he returned to the capital

he chose death.

No one could have saved him.

So many loyal subjects have died.

Don't you feel anything for them at all?

Your Majesty, do you think that my hands...

are stained with blood?

In the past, these were the hands of a young girl.

I used them to play the zither and pick flowers.

I fed fish and birds with them.

I used them to help my mother with needlework.

I also helped my father hand out porridge and pastries with them.

Until...

Until the late emperor held them.

Since then...

I could no longer see an ordinary world.

These hands...

They can only wield the sword for the imperial family now.

I'm sorry.

I was wrong.

I shouldn't have said those words.

No.

Your Majesty isn't at fault.

It's the turbulent times that can't tolerate Your Majesty's compassion.

Eunuch Zhang and Court Adviser Zhao...

They were both loyal subjects.

They would sacrifice their lives under the late emperor's orders.

However, this time...

the sacrifice they made for Your Majesty is different.

Join me in changing the turbulent times.

Stop sacrificing the innocent.

How?

Are we to tell Cao Cao?

Are we to tell everyone?

Not everyone is like Zhao Yan.

Not everyone will believe in you!

If we wish to defeat Cao Cao, we have to wage a war!

If there's a war, blood is bound to spill!

Lives will be sacrificed!

Your Majesty!

Sima Yi... is right.

Empress, your tears made me realize...

deep down, you're just like me.

Empress, I ask that you trust and assist me.

We'll pacify the turbulent times together.

And then...

I'd like to hear tunes of the zither played by these hands.

General Dong, how have you been?

Libationer Guo, this way, please.

Is this all that the commandant's office can do?

They even had to ask Guo Jia to interrogate me personally.

Why would I need to use instruments of torture?

I've only come here today to catch up on old times with a friend

and ask a few questions.

General Dong.

My men...

You already had them all captured and killed.

My daughter also died at your hands.

As an official of the imperial family, I have nothing to say to you!

What a pity.

You've always kept the imperial family on your mind.

However, you didn't even know that you'd just be their abandoned pawn.

Zhao Yan is dead.

Haven't you killed enough loyal subjects?

Before Zhao Yan died, he was investigating a matter.

It was a bizarre matter.

I believe that General Dong must be well aware of this matter.

This matter is... the truth behind the palace fire.

What truth?

I don't know.

Zhao Yan knew of the truth.

He knew of the truth before he died.

He also knew that the truth was related to His Majesty.

That was why he trespassed into His Majesty's private quarters.

Unfortunately, when he walked out of there

his tongue was sliced off.

Since General won't have the drink...

the deceased can enjoy it.

Zhao Yan, Zhang Yu, and Sun Yi...

And your daughter.

Anyone who came close to finding out the truth is dead.

Don't you find that strange, General Dong?

What do you mean by that?

Yang Xiu betrayed you but His Majesty still holds him in high regard.

Who were you sacrificed for?

The night has yet to come to an end.

General Dong, why don't you give it some thought?

You should know what Minister Steward Kong's temper is like.

After his student left my quarters, he died by the sword of Lord Man.

I couldn't pacify him when he came in such grief and indignation

to impeach you both.

I'm also very curious.

Why was Court Adviser Zhao's tongue sliced off when he left your quarters?

I'm also quite curious.

Why would Libationer Guo lead the guards of the commandant's office

to wait outside the Ministry of Works late at night?

I'm at fault this time.

I'm happy to admit defeat.

If Young Master Yang wishes to lead the palace guards again

why doesn't Your Majesty summon him back?

Libationer Guo, you'd let Young Master Yang lead the palace guards?

The palace guards are yours, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty can decide for yourself.

But now, Dong Cheng confessed that he only rose in rebellion

because Young Master Yang deceived you.

Next time, before Your Majesty recruits anyone

it's best to verify and confirm first.

As for how Dong Cheng confessed, it depends on the commandant's office.

If Your Majesty is concerned that Dong Cheng was tortured into confessing

you can see for yourself.

Libationer Guo would allow me to visit him?

Your Majesty keeps making me feel uneasy today.

Who am I to hold Your Majesty back from wherever you wish to go?

If you wish to visit Dong Cheng

how about summoning Young Master Yang over right away

and arranging transportation?

Sinned subject greets Your Majesty!

General Dong, do rise.

General Dong.

You've suffered for my sake.

I'm incompetent.

Your Majesty trusted me but I let you down!

I deserve to die!

General Dong.

This isn't your fault.

Get up quickly.

Guo Jia has my every action and word under surveillance.

Your Majesty shouldn't have come here.

You rose in rebellion under my decree but unfortunately failed.

Since you were imprisoned, I've been worried about you.

How could I leave you in distress?

My deteriorating body isn't worthy of Your Majesty's grace.

Rest assured, Your Majesty.

Even if my life is at risk, I'll never give Cao Cao any chances.

Your life won't be at risk.

I've come here today to tell you that I'll rescue you.

Man Chong.

It's about that time.

Go and escort His Majesty out of there.

The prison of the commandant's office is indeed as impressive as said.

I thought that finding out about any matter in the world

was but a piece of cake for Libationer Guo.

You didn't have to stoop to such unpleasant tactics.

I'm just too lazy.

I like to assign some tasks to people who don't pay attention.

No wonder you overlooked something so important.

What a pity.

Young Master Yang is referring to your reinstatement?

You won't notice day and night in here.

Why would Libationer Guo even bother pretending to be kind?

Since returning to the capital

you've disassembled His Majesty's confidants

as if pulling out a rotten stump.

You've separated me from His Majesty.

Zhao Yan's death has set you back on your heels.

It's just like making one single mistake at the end of a winning game

and losing everything.

I find that quite a pity as well.

Young Master Yang is certain that the game has come to an end

because you heard that I'm heading back to Guandu?

I'm such a nuisance to Young Master Yang.

It saddens me to know that.

No, no.

Libationer Guo's efforts went down in vain.

When you return in victory, we can bet on another round

with the world as the chessboard and stars as the pawns.

I'll take my leave.

It's unlike Libationer Guo to fly into a rage out of humiliation.

Young Master Yang is so anxious to end this round.

I won't hold you up much longer.

Your Majesty, please come in.

Libationer Guo, what is this about?

I'm sorry for asking Your Majesty to come to such a filthy place.

We might as well get everything done here.

Bring him in!

Young Master...

This is a setup.

Is it?

Deng Zhan was captured by Yuan Shao in Wen County.

Young Master, didn't you send him to contact them for you?

Young Master Yang, how resourceful you are.

It's just that you overlooked something very important.

It's just like making one single mistake at the end of a winning game

and losing everything.

I also find it such a pity.

Young Master...

I've let you down.

This is a setup!

I won't admit to anything.

Libationer Guo.

If you're really going to try this case

don't interrogate them in such a place.

How about a joint trial with the Ministry of Justice