Original subtitles

Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com

[ The Advisors Alliance ]

[ Episode 1 ]

In the final years of the Eastern Han Dynasty,

there did not yet exist an Imperial examination in this country.

Scholars were promoted to the capital based on the evaluations made by high-ranking and famous individuals.

In Nanyang, Xu Shao and his brothers were very famous throughout the empire for having good moral standing.

On the first day of each lunar month,

they would pass judgment on certain people or make comments on certain literature, paintings or calligraphy.

So long as the person can pass their evaluation,

immediately their social status would rise and they would be famous throughout the empire.

Literary students and scholars rushed like ducks. (T/N idiom: an unruly mob on a wild goose chase)

People then started to call this "yue dan ping." (T/N "first day of the lunar month evaluation").

- Is it ready? - Ready. - Quickly deliver it outside.

Hurry.

Sima Yi, hurry up and get in here!

- I'm coming! - Hey, Lord, where are you going?

- My wife's calling me! - You can't enter the birthing chamber. What if she relaxes?

I'll accompany her!

Second Brother! Second Brother! He's here!

- The "Miracle Doctor" is here! - Miracle Doctor Hua, please enter.

Madam, please drink the anesthetic.

Dad.

Uncle, why are you bringing a blade out?

- Blade? - Blade?

To open her womb to take out the child.

I don't want the child, I want Chunhua!

We agreed on certain conditions. Don't you trust me?

Sima Yi, you shut up!

Let the doctor in!

Okay.

Zhongda, please leave. (T/N Courtesy name of Sima Yi)

Please.

Madam!

Madam!

A'Man. (T/N pet name from his wife, means "deceiver/liar")

Hua Tuo! Hua Tuo!

Father, the Surveillance Office has already sent men to find him.

Hua Tuo will be here in a bit.

- Miracle Doctor Hua. - Congratulations, Lord Sima.

- What? - Both mother and child are fine.

- Uncle, you must be tired. - Thank you, Miracle Doctor Hua.

You have worked hard, Uncle!

It's really rare to find a woman as brave as your wife.

- You people— - Get out of the way!

Doctor Hua!

What orders does the Sikong have? (T/N Minister of Works officially, as this time)

Doctor Hua, the Sikong has given orders

that you must immediately enter his manor.

Don't frighten the patient here. Please wait a moment.

Doctor Hua, this...

Zhongda.

I'm leaving you the "Five Animal Frolics". (T/N a series of exercises)

Study it by yourself.

Uncle, this is your lifework.

As long as it can benefit people, my hard work won't be in vain.

Thank you, Uncle.

Doctor.

I saw you signed your name on the secret Imperial edict. (T/N Eastern Han Emperor Xian, Liu Xie)

I can only entrust you with the task of saving the people and our nation from now on.

You are making a move?

Those are your political matters, not a matter for we medical practitioners.

I know what to do.

Both mother and child are safe. Wife, you have worked hard.

Wife, you have suffered.

I told you to come in earlier.

- You have suffered. - Why didn't you come in?

You scared me.

You scared me, my wife. I was so frightened.

You scared me to death...

The illness of Sikong Cao can be cured.

We just need to open up his skull and take out the collection of fluid in his brain.

There are so many people in this world [ Sikong Cao Cao, courtesy name Mengde ]

who are after my head.

If the Sikong refuses to do the operation,

there can only be one way.

Go into seclusion within the mountain forests and springs,

stay away from being preoccupied with complicated and troubling matters,

quietly nurse your brain using very clear and pure air.

After ten years, you will be completely healed.

There is chaos in the Central Plains. Feudal lords are rising in arms.

Yuan Shao has led an army of millions south.

A great war is looming, and you want me to go into seclusion?

Miracle Doctor Hua, such a wise move.

A doctor has the heart of a parent.

I am trying to save your life, Sikong.

Save my life?

What if I refuse to go into seclusion?

Miracle Doctor Hua, do you still have other methods to cure me?

Are they through sharp blades, or poison?

I have long known that there are people who are discontented.

So it is through this method.

For my whole life, I have only known how to cure diseases.

Sikong, you are one of the greatest heroes in this world.

Are you afraid of a tiny medical blade?

- Men. - Here!

- Here! - Drag Hua Tuo out and interrogate him using cruel torture.

This... You..!

Drag him out! Interrogate him thoroughly!

Yes!

If the illness of the mind cannot be eliminated, a lot of illnesses will not be cured!

Sikong, Hua Tuo is after all known as a "miracle doctor".

Carefully investigate the people he has interacted with!

Check who has he seen here in Xuchang and for what reasons.

Sikong, take care. I will go investigate it now.

I heard he arrested Hua Tuo!

Informing Your Majesty, that evil Cao is paranoid and cruel.

Hua Tuo only advised him to retire,

but suffered such a vicious consequence.

What if he learns about the secret Imperial edict?

He will kill you all, and depose me!

Your Majesty, do not worry. Hua Tuo is a righteous man.

- He will never betray Your Majesty! - You cannot guarantee it.

General, do not forget how good those people in the Surveillance Office are in forcing people to confess.

Your Majesty, there are already numerous high ministers who pledged on the secret Imperial edict

to gather hundreds of personal assassins.

They are ready for any attack. We cannot let this evil Cao continue to oppress Your Majesty!

Fine! I also do not want to wait any longer!

General, I am entrusting you

my life, my worth, and the four-hundred-year-old Han dynasty.

General, you must not disappoint me!

I have investigated it. Hua Tuo entered the Sima Manor to deliver his daughter-in-law's child.

Hua Tuo has been in Xuchang for fifteen days and cured fifty-three people.

But his circle of friends only include Sima Fang and the Imperial Uncle, Dong Cheng. (T/N Father of Emperor Xian's lady, Guiren "Noble Lady" Dong)

In this half a day, did Dong Cheng make any suspicious movement?

Libationer Guo, Dong Cheng entered the palace two hours ago. (T/N Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao, Advisor to Cao Cao and confidant)

Yuan Shao has now led his army south.

The great war is upon us.

Someone in Xuchang will surely attempt to harm the Sikong.

Any subjects who are connected with Yuan Shao,

for example Yang Biao, Liu Bei, Dong Cheng, and Sima Fang,

they must be strictly investigated.

Yes!

Sikong, after Hua Tuo arrived in Xuchang,

he only socialized with Sima Fang and Dong Cheng.

The drawing does not look like it at all.

We also did not find poison in Hua Tuo's medicine box.

He's a divine physician, he wouldn't use such an inferior method like poison.

He wants me to step away from politics, it is the same goal as those who want to kill me.

Tell Man Chong, if interrogating doesn't yield answers, then execute him.

Yes.

Help me change.

Assemble all the ministers.

A'Man, you are not yet fully recovered.

Time will not wait for me. Hua Tuo manages illnesses,

while I manage the world.

In our present nation, if there are immoral talents wandering among the citizens,

or brave and resolute men who are willing to give their all in fighting our enemies,

or petty scholarly officials with great talent and unusual attributes,

or unkind and not filial persons but with governing and military commanding skills,

all commanderies are hereby ordered to recommend who you know and not leave out anyone.

This talent-seeking order by the Sikong was written with great strength and extensive imposing manner.

When these talents see it, they surely will feel the sincerity of the Sikong.

I fear that even the famous scholars and talents of Jingzhou, Hebei, and Jiangdong

will also come because of your great reputation.

Sikong, according to our Han's four-hundred-year-old rule in choosing talents,

it has always been the virtuous who are given official posts.

But in this talent-seeking order, you are openly calling for those unkind and not filial to come forth?

I fear that this might encourage those villains who seek immediate success.

What is virtue?

Approaching the front-line and being able to attain victory,

not letting soldiers to die wrongfully is virtuous!

Governing the nation so the people live in contentment and in peace,

not letting the people be cold and hungry is virtuous!

As for those who just sit and discuss the righteous principles, spouting big words to fool others,

and only know how to put on airs and pretend to be lofty,

fake gentlemen who never truly contribute to the nation...

the Imperial Court does not have enough money to keep lazy people!

What I want are useful talents who can govern the nation, command the soldiers,

and pacify these chaotic times!

Sikong, I hear Yuan Shao is gathering troops to head south.

A great battle is upon us, and rumors are everywhere.

Can we delay such a largescale talent recruitment?

I just want the people to know

that Yuan Shao isn't a problem!

We will continue to live our lives as usual.

We will continue to pick talents as usual.

In Xuchang, every first day of the lunar month,

do we still follow the 'yue dan ping' custom?

We do. Since we transferred the capital here to Xuchang, the lives of the citizens have slowly stabilized.

The custom of 'yue dan ping' has slowly been revived.

A lot of famous scholars travel here to seek a good review.

Once they get a good evaluation, only then can they seek an official post.

Which famous scholar organizes

and is the one appraising the people and writings?

It's Xuchang's top scholar, Grand Commandant Yang Biao's son, Yang Xiu, courtesy name "Yang Dezu".

Oh. I have long heard of your son's reputation for talent.

The day after tomorrow is the first of the month?

- Yes. - Hang the talent-seeking notice.

Let those who seek an official post join the 'yue dan ping'.

Let them each showcase their talents. Let the 'yue dan ping'

become the standard for evaluating their talents.

I'll help Young Lord Yang conduct

a grand 'yue dan ping'!

Hiring talents is an important matter. My son is young.

It will be difficult for him to bear such a huge responsibility.

It has always been the rule for 'yue dan ping' that it be headed by the top famous scholar.

"An able subject who can govern the world, an unscrupulous careerist in chaotic times",

weren't those the evaluations given to me by that Xu Shao and his brothers?

How about this? I will let Director Xun (of the Imperial Secretariat) and Lord Sima

help out your son in this matter.

How's that?

Yesterday, Hua Tuo was put in prison by Cao Cao.

We two should no longer meet in the future.

- The original planned marriage alliance must also be immediately canceled. - This...

This is so that if something were to happen to one of us,

the other can avoid suspicion and protect himself.

This is also giving the Han Imperial Family and His Majesty a bit of hope.

That person did not sign.

Return to me the secret Imperial edict.

Then will he tell Cao Cao?

Although he is Cao Cao's confidant, he is still a Han minister.

Sikong, you plan to use the talent-seeking order and 'yue dan ping' as bait

to lure those people to make a move?

It's to lure the entire world to make a move.

Rather than letting those thieves always plot to take me down,

why don't I be the one to choose the right place, time, and fortune?

This strategy is good, but it's too publicized.

I'm afraid Dong Cheng may not take the bait.

Fengxiao, you really think I will be fishing directly?

I will go bend this fishing rod for you then, Sikong.

It is still you, Fengxiao, who are not restricted by the average and know my intentions best.

A wise man will not stand under a dangerous wall.

At that time, their people from all over will surge into Xuchang.

The Sikong should still take extra precautions and be very careful.

They think that I've been the Sikong (as Minister of Works officially now) for too long,

and this sword has gone blunt! (T/N no longer capable as a warlord)

A sword striking someone down or a sword stopping right on your neck,

which one is scarier and will make people submit?

It's easy to ask for death, it's difficult to have to ask to live.

To have ask to stay alive will give birth to fear.

Father, look who's here.

I am your nephew, Xu Shu, and greet you, Uncle.

Isn't this Yuanzhi? (T/N Xu Shu's courtesy name)

- It's been many years since I last saw you. - Indeed.

Come, come, come. Please sit.

- Come. - Come, let's sit and chat.

- Please, Uncle. - Please.

Young Lord! Young Lord! Master!

- What's wrong? - Something's happened!

Divine Physician Hua was killed by the Sikong!

- What? - What? Why?

They said Divine Physician Hua plotted to murder the Sikong!

How is that possible?

- Father. - Uncle.

I need to return to my room.

Return to my room.

- Zhongda. - Father.

About this matter, no one among you should mention it again.

- Don't mention it. - What matter, Father?

Nothing. Nothing.

- Hou Ji. - Yes.

Hurry and bring my father some ginseng soup.

Yes.

- Zhongda, this... - If we didn't have Divine Physician Hua,

my wife and son would've already lost their lives.

When he went to do a consult in the manor of the Sikong,

he ended up losing his life.

Zhongda, Cao Mengde is extremely suspicious. (T/N Cao Cao's courtesy name)

It is too early to say that Xuchang is indeed peaceful.

Just now, my father did not only have sadness in his eyes.

There was also deep fear.

Father!

Father, you're back.

The Sikong has ordered that their office will help you organize the 'yue dan ping' tomorrow.

At the same time, he posted a talent-seeking order.

Me? Isn't that giving me the power to choose officials?

Their people aren't showing themselves, and instead are using you as their weapon.

Father, it was I who rebuilt the 'yue dan ping' here in Xuchang.

I believe there's no one else who is more suitable than I am to officiate.

Father, you are indeed pure, noble, and lofty.

But you must be clear that the current political situation...

is under Sikong Cao's control.

Don't say those kinds of things in front of me!

Father, Sikong Cao has executed Hua Tuo!

Why does Father care so much about Hua Tuo?

You know he wasn't wronged, right?

I only know he is a world-renowned Divine Physician.

Ending up in that state, wouldn't it make you grieve?

What is this?

Old Master asked us to take out all the betrothal gifts from the Sima Family and send them back.

Ah. You may go.

Wait!

According to Cao Cao's personality of loving talents,

he surely will go to the event to supervise.

Lord Sima is the one hosting the event.

Our people can mix in with the crowd.

I've already trained a hundred suicide soldiers.

With just one order from His Majesty,

we can

annihilate this evil Cao!

Cao Cao is crafty and suspicious.

He organized this 'yue dan ping'

and will personally attend it.

Won't he have set up a strong defense?

I am personally acting as bait in that 'yue dan ping' event.

if we fail, based on Cao Cao's unyielding character,

he surely will go to the palace to pursue the rebels.

He'll believe the assassins are completely eliminated.

and lower his guard.

At that time,

in the palace,

we'll hide another surprise troop.

My Young Master said that he has no fate with your house's Third Miss. The betrothal gifts must be returned.

From now on, all ties are severed.

They are allowed to be married to others. This is the letter written by my Young Master.

The head of our house went to the 'yue dan ping' and isn't home.

The cancellation of the engagement is not child's play.

Once the head of our house is back, he will visit Grand Commandant Yang.

Please receive the letter, Young Master, and I will take my leave.

"Gentleman, your family has a broad-minded style.

Your Second Son is a scholar from a ducal house who married an uneducated wild lady.

Your Third Son is already of adult age, but is content to be mediocre.

My younger sister has the attributes of a big willow catkin. (T/N has a weak, soft body)

I fear that she might not be tolerated by the wives of her husband's brothers.

I fear that even if our families are compatible, they are not a perfect pair,

that they will not be able to harmoniously be together forever."

Eldest Brother, this Yang Xiu is bullying us intolerably.

A gentleman will not request his friend to exhaust etiquette and offer his loyalty.

He insulted my Third Brother and my Second Sister-in-law.

Eldest Brother, if it is canceled, then it is canceled.

The Yang Family is an aristocratic clan for four generations and a ducal house for three to begin with.

I was very nervous about this marriage.

He was wrong to slander Second sister-in-law. But his saying that I am mediocre,

I don't think he was wrong either.

I feel relieved that it was canceled!

Is this only about you?

This is looking down on our Sima Family!

If this were to get out, wouldn't the whole world laugh at us?

What's there to laugh about?

Father cannot even bear to buy meat usually, but he is quite generous in giving out betrothal gifts.

There's gold and jade.

Wow!

Eldest Brother, you are right. We cannot just swallow this anger.

I really want to see what abilities this Yang Xiu has.

Shuda, bring your scholar's certificate and come with me to the yue dan ping.

I want him to know that my younger brother is a jade of Jing Mountain. (T/N valuable)

Ah Zhao is coming today. I still have to fetch her!

Ah Zhao knows how to get here. Put down that item and come with me.

Good! Good!

So great!

[ Yue Dan Ping ]

Right.

There's quite a lot of people today.

If you want to enter the government, I can recommend you to my father.

Why must you still go to the yue dan ping?

Gonggan wants to suppress everyone with his skills and monopolize the admiration.

Zihuan, be careful! Zihuan, be careful!

Zihuan, be careful!

- Thank you for saving me, Young Lord. - It's a relief you were not injured.

Miss, it is much more stable riding in a carriage next time.

It is not because my riding skill is not good.

- Do you know why my horse got startled? - Why?

It is because you smell too fragrant!

My horse is very sensitive to fragrances.

Miss, it is because of the scent pouch I have with me.

Take it!

- Sorry to have caused you trouble. Take care. - I dare not. Thank you, Young Lord.

Brother Yuanzhi.

Zhongda, didn't you say you weren't coming? You couldn't resist?

That Yang Xiu rejected my younger brother's engagement proposal and even said harsh words.

No matter how kind and behaved Shuda is, I must not let others casually mock him as being untalented.

I brought him here to vent some anger.

I thought it was nothing serious.

Look? It is still Shuda being broad-minded.

Zhongda, you really are not going up the stage?

You may look indifferent,

but in my opinion, you are just too proud.

We scholars were unfortunately born during these chaotic times.

There are only two reasons to continue living.

First, to make ourselves useful.

Second, strive for some hope on behalf of these ordinary citizens.

What do you say?

Brother Yuanzhi, you are thinking too far out. I just came here with my younger brother to vent some anger.

Young Lord Yang!

Young Lord! Young Lord Yang Xiu!

Young Lord!

[ Yue Dan Ping ]

Stop!

The Sikong has promulgated a Talent-Seeking Order,

hoping that talented men in this world will enthusiastically come forward

to seek peace for all citizens.

The yue dan ping will proceed as usual

and be hosted by Young Lord Yang.

Director Xun, please.

Lord Sima, please.

I am Yang Xiu.

I was ordered by the Sikong to respectfully welcome the famous scholars from all over the country.

Please.

I am Liu Zhen from Dongping. I am honored to meet you, Young Lord Yang.

Please appraise my poem.

I've read your poem.

I won't hide it, I'll appraise it honestly.

Young Lord Yang, I have never published my usual poems and essays,

but they actually caught your eye?

From the "Three Hundred Poems" of the ancient Han style

to the works of current gentlemen,

as long as one poem is created, I will know it.

If I have not read the poems in this world, how could I dare evaluate the gentlemen of this world?

Your poem has a healthy concept, full of merit, fresh, and robust.

But the energy overpowers the words, lacking in polish and embellishment.

- Second rank. - Second rank? How is it second rank?

This Young Lord Yang indeed has very accurate eyes.

May I ask for the basis of such an evaluation?

I am sure you know about your good traits.

But if you are to ask about what you lack,

your poems do not go beyond the mountains and rivers, your odes are always about the wind and land.

And they are mostly about getting the favor of a beauty or vulgar topics.

In our current nation, you can only get a second rank.

I will then be bold and ask you,

since you have appraised me as the second rank, then who is the first rank,

so that I may have a way to learn and an example to follow?

Young Lord Liu, since you asked, I will add a few words of evaluation.

The top-ranked persons in this world

are the Sikong Cao and his son Cao Zhi.

Sikong Cao's poems are down-to-earth, upright, and powerful.

They even contain a sorrowful air.

Their energy can gobble up the rivers and seas, look disdainfully at the world.

The poems of Young Lord Cao have an unusually high strength of character, the words are vibrant and lush,

overflowing with splendor that can last for a long time, standing above the common crowd!

They and their poems are like Duke Zhou and Confucius with their teachings on moral virtues,

like the dragon and phoenix when it comes to types of scales and feathers.

If Sikong Cao gets up on the stage or Young Lord Cao enters the room,

then you, Wang Can, and other gentlemen

can only sit in between the columns.

- Great! - Great!

This Yang Xiu is quite amazing in experience and rhetoric.

I'm a bit afraid to go up.

Young Lord Yang, I learned that there are talents beyond mine in this world.

To be below Sikong Cao and Zijian, (T/N courtesy name of Cao Zhi)

I am very willing to be seated in the portico.

This second rank, I'll accept it!

Next!

It's your turn!

- Go quickly! - What are you afraid of?

Hurry up.

I am Sima Fu from Henai, I request that Young Master Yang please discuss and evaluate me.

So it turns out you are Young Master Sima? Nice to meet you.

Today, may I ask you now to discuss and compare these paintings.

Or literary works? I myself studied the sacred texts under Master Hu Zhao. (T/N Another name for Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming)

I have summarized the existing six Shangshu categories as one article, and in return invite Young Master Yang for a point by point commentary. (T/N The Book of History/Documents, Old vs New Text arguments)

Knowledgeable and distinguished as you clearly must be to summarize the Shangshu,

among these, there exists one section that is incorrectly written.

It's very unfortunate that such a skillful effort has been blemished.

Go back and re-write that one, and then return.

- Which one in particular? - The one from last year, the distinguished Confucianism expert Zheng Xuan's declaration. (T/N Zheng Xuan was a proponent of Old and New Text both)

Xuan declared that the Old Text Shangshu centrally exists and for all to exist harmoniously in one volume,

but at the same time that there are some fraudulent works.

These all have the one virtue of being considered part of the Shangshu for a very long time,

how then can one comprehend the same group's speech that is engaged in completely deposing them?

Could it be that Zheng Xuan is mistaken?

Third Brother, well done! Third Brother, well done!

Perhaps I am wrong.

Exactly!

Return again after studying harder.

In that case, Zheng Xuan can't possibly have made a mistake?

- Who is this? - Who?

Who is rash enough to criticize the famous and virtuous top Confucian scholar, as you willing to come up on stage to discuss it?

Second Brother.

I did not expect Young Master Yang to admit to me that a mistake exists.

But I think Sima Qian's holding that there exists one virtuous composite administrator titled "yin" (as in "Yi Yin") confuses one thing with another that is not appropriate. (T/N father of Chinese historiography)

Zheng Xuan by means of overlooking some works and splitting some while joining others together is mistaken, to conveniently conclude that all of them are correct is mistaken.

Young Master, since you have come up on the stage, you have approached to give me your scholarly views in such a loud voice!

I was taking part in a discussion with this one Young Master,

I do so to avoid discussions with onlookers who might seek to overpower the discussion.

I am Sima Yi, and I did not expect to disagree with Young Master Yang.

I have come onto the stage on behalf of my younger brother and in his defense,

my younger brother has studied these books well and is not mistaken.

So as it turns out, this is the older brother coming to defend the younger one, even though he's wrong?

Then I want to ask both of you, to get to the bottom of the matter, what sort of unusual books have you studied

capable of daring to conclude that Sima Qian together with Zheng Xuan are mistaken?

Pray forgive my ignorance, though Sima Qian together with Zheng Xuan are are both honorable in every way and sages,

but is it likely that sages never make a mistake?

It is widely accepted that there is one essay on virtue declaring

that the Mandate of Heaven is changeable, thus the ruler should constantly cultivate virtue in order to preserve his royal title, (T/N concept that the ruler is chosen by the heavens, rule by divine right)

so that if the ruler stops cultivating virtue, soon afterward he will lose his royal title?

These are precisely Kongzi's and the Spring and Summer Annals' profound words, the main points of their writing, (T/N Confucius; Chronicle of Lu State, 722-481 BCE)

and also precisely as compiled in the Shangshu's main tenets, this is fundamental.

In keeping with the Spring and Autumn Annals' main point of writing not necessarily having been actually original text of the Shangshu,

they tend toward the sensational, embellishment and interpretation, they really are not written using a scholar's research and methods.

Young Master Sima, in your extensive search for scholarly knowledge, your intentions are good,

but to do scholarly research is precisely to have accumulated knowledge and delivered it slowly in this matter. (T/N good preparation is key to success)

Even if you must not have wide learning and a retentive memory to start somewhat to initiate this position,

there are none who do not drift with the waves and go with the flow, to say what everyone else says. (T/N two idioms: follow the crowd blindly; conform with majority view)

Thank you very much, Young Master Yang, for your guidance.

I myself believe that as this world is in chaos, more than half of the literary works' content has already been lost.

We do scholarly research precisely as it is vital to never destroy chapters simply while remodeling our civilization.

At its highest level, the gathering of sage and wise men's thoughts flow downward to benefit the nation's citizens,

certainly not to lay blame or judge picked verses of chapters to war against each other.

These writings above all may advise the sovereign, and going downward may guide the multitude of the common people.

and in that case ought to be handed down to future generations along with research and commentaries,

how else otherwise can these writings be other than worthless merits?

Scholars of knowledge in opposition are mistaken in not caring less about how the writing style should be taken

and should replace their attitude concerning them!

- Great! - Great! Great!

- Kill! - Great!

Young Master, take my sword!

Father.

Let's go! Hurry and leave with me!

Sikong's orders! Those on stage are not allowed to leave!

Father. It is still safer here.

Kill that wicked Cao!

General Dong! General Dong, be careful!

Not even one may be allowed to escape! Kill them!

- General Dong! - Xu Huang? I am Xu Shu!

Right now, you are a legendary dragon needing to enter the oceans' depths! Let's go! (T/N you need to hide)

- General Dong! General Dong, be careful! - Quick, let's go!

[ Yue Dan Ping ]

Father.

So it really is you, isn't that nice.

Actually, I was already weary of all of your posturing.

Libationer Guo, you've found a good swordsman?

Commoner Ji Bu pays respects to the Sikong.

Escort and protect these hundreds of officials to the palace.

I'm going to personally question everyone, question Guiren Dong, question the Son of Heaven, and then finally figure out what to do! (T/N Noble Lady - Harem rank)

Sikong...May the Sikong please be careful.

You definitely cannot offend the Emperor, or you give Yuan Shao and others of his people that remain information that may be used as a source for gossip.

Right before we go to war against Yuan Shao, I think it's important to provide them with a little countenance.

Allowing their followers to be presumptuous,

baring fangs and brandishing claws, this time of peace will be over. (T/N idiom: making threatening gestures)

This action is very possibly their refraining from shooting a rat to avoid destroying the vase. (T/N idiom: not acting against someone evil to avoid damage to the innocent)

This will allow these people to send troops against the Sikong without it seeming unusual.

I believe this action is feasible...

Trusted Advisor, actually your thoughts are the same as my own.

I'll leave this place to Fengxiao. (T/N Guo Jia's courtesy name, Libationer (advisor) to Cao Cao)

There needs to be a full invegation, including the dead and wounded.

Understood.

Sikong, you definitely must not harm even the robe of the Son of Heaven, or you'll be subjected to ridicule.

They set it up to go down in this way as an aspect of an assassination,

Lord Magistrate, hoping to take advantage and injure me?

"Gossip is a fearful thing." (T/N idiom)

The Lord Magistrate knows me, I have always been unafraid of rumors.

Zijian! Let's go back to the manor.

Yes.

All of you, come with me!

[ Yue Dan Ping ]

Translation and Timing carefully crafted by the Mei Daxia Team at viki.com