"Yes, Prime Minister" season two ends: one last outtake?

After all, even though the Bloodborne Archon has stepped down as Grand Secretariat Secretary, the position is not his yet, and he still needs to maintain the current balance as much as possible. Otherwise, if news were to spread during his term that the Grand Secretariat Secretary was forced to resign due to a scandal, it would be easy for suspicion to fall on him.

Upon hearing the Bloodborne Archon's outspokenness, including his statement that "the unemployment rate could be halved at any time, but I'm afraid the government doesn't have the guts," Theresis, even though she was somewhat prepared, was still startled and exclaimed in surprise:

"The master tape is in VBC's hands? Do you know the consequences? It'll be headline news tomorrow morning! Think of something, Bernard!"

"--Prime Minister, I've already solved it."

However, just as Theresis was starting to get anxious, Manfred immediately informed him that the crisis was over, explaining, "I just had lunch with the producer; he was my classmate at the Royal Guard Academy."

"He had no intention of airing it, so I asked him for the careless parts of the tape."

As he spoke, Manfred took out the mother tape and handed it to Theresis. Theresis's expression visibly relaxed, and she asked Manfred with a hint of joy:

"Is this the master tape?"

Manfred smiled and nodded.

"Does Humphrey know you got it?"

Manfred smiled and shook his head.

As Theresis's smile widened, the audience chuckled knowingly. Meanwhile, at Lungmen, Wei Yenwu, watching this scene, couldn't stop laughing and remarked:

"This Bernard is indeed very promising. He's always pretended to be less intelligent than his boss, but he's already got the situation under control."

"Huh? Wei Yenwu? Why do you say that?" Chen Huijie was standing to the side, asked, somewhat puzzled.

Facing a group of young people casting curious glances at him, Wei Yenwu knew his chance to show off had come again. After taking another deep drag of his cigarette, he began to explain his views in a leisurely manner:

"Haven't you noticed that Bernard, although he's basically always the straight man in every scene, and every time you ask him a question he seems completely clueless, that's exactly what makes the leader feel at ease, because this subordinate is less intelligent than them."

"Bernard, in particular, had to juggle two roles: appeasing the civil servants led by Humphrey and saving face for the Prime Minister. At first, he was a bit inexperienced, but now he knows what to do."

"For example, he brought back the master tape of Humphrey's outspoken remarks, which both helped Humphrey and made the Prime Minister feel like he had gained something, consolidating his position on both sides and making the Prime Minister trust him even more."

"If you ask me, Bernard is the one who should be Grand Secretariat Secretary. Humphrey... he's too arrogant and lacks experience."

Wei Yenwu also expressed his views in detail. He even began to think that it would be great if he had a secretary like "Bernard". This is the kind of person who can really help him solve problems, and he wouldn't have to worry about him undermining his power. He is someone who knows his place very well.

Sure enough, thereafter, Theresis had Manfred summon the Bloodborne Archon to "listen" to the recording.

"Prime Minister, everything I'm telling you must be kept secret."

"Of course, Bernard, I will respect your sense of confidentiality." Theresis and Manfred exchanged a smile, reaching a consensus at that moment. While the other went to invite the Bloodborne Archon, Theresis kissed the master tape in her hand with particular ecstasy.

When the Bloodborne Archon arrived, Theresis quickly hid the master tape in her clothes. The Bloodborne Archon, still in shock, walked in, trying to appear calm.

Theresis made no attempt to hide anything and immediately asked the Bloodborne Archon about the interview.

"You answered very cautiously, didn't you?"

"... Why do you ask that?" The guilty Bloodborne Archon had no way to answer the Prime Minister directly. He had vaguely sensed that the other party had discovered something, but he still stubbornly denied it.

"Was there any caution at all?"

"Yes."

"'Yes' or 'no'?" Theresis pressed, completely oblivious to the Bloodborne Archon's increasingly panicked expression.

"Yes!"

"Humpy ~?" Theresis couldn't even control her expression, uttering Humphrey's "nickname."

"Don't you think I'll answer cautiously?" The Bloodborne Archon really didn't want to dwell on this issue any longer. After Theresis had just given a trusting answer, his cheek twitched as he preemptively replied, "Then that's settled?"

The Bloodborne Archon, thinking he had gotten away with it, casually asked as he sat down, "Why do you ask that, Prime Minister?"

"--Nothing, VBC just gave me a tape."

"Bang!"

Almost instantly, the Bloodborne Archon, who had just sat down, jumped up as if he had been electrocuted, his expression visibly filled with fear, and he could no longer even pretend to be calm.

"A belt? What belt?"

"I think you should listen to the tape you broadcast." Theresis was also pretending not to understand, not giving Lord Bloodfiend Demon any chance. The meaning behind her words was only one thing—you must lose face today.

"No, no, no, that's boring!"

"Boring?" Theresis's expression control reached its peak, and she continued jokingly, "The Grand Secretariat secretary is speaking to the whole country, huh?"

In the end, the Bloodborne Archon couldn't persuade Theresis to change her mind. He knew he couldn't avoid this hurdle, and Theresis then gestured:

"Release him, Bernard."

Manfred pressed the button on the recorder he had brought, and soon, the Bloodborne Archon's familiar, unfiltered words echoed once more. After listening to the contents, Theresis realized that Manfred's use of "unfiltered" was actually a very euphemistic way of putting it.

"Did you say that?" Theresis was startled when she heard it for the first time. Facing the Bloodborne Archon, who was on the verge of collapse, she said sternly, "That's nonsense and irresponsible."

Unable to defend himself, the Bloodborne Archon finally resorted to his "ultimate explanation" under Theresis's persistent questioning!

"--This is someone learning ventriloquism."

"Hahahaha!" XN

The Bloodborne Archon, having reached the end of his rope, resorted to a tactic no one wanted to believe. In an instant, all the loyal viewers of "Yes, Prime Minister," regardless of whether they were of lower, equal, or higher status Humphrey, were laughing heartily and enjoying Humphrey's predicament on television.

Clearly, Humphrey's misbehavior and arrogance in the TV series have created a peculiar affection for Humphrey character among the public, officials, and those in power.

Everyone loves the character Humphrey, as evidenced by the award he received at the film festival for the role of the Bloodborne Archon. But without a doubt, everyone also "hates" characters like Humphrey.

Now, Humphrey has finally been "punished for his crimes," much to the relief of all viewers!

You little brat, you've finally met your match! Your luck has finally turned! You should have been taught a lesson a long time ago!

Chapter 166: Yes, Prime Minister Season 2 Ends, Final Extras?

"This is a real problem for me, Humphrey. What should I do? I need advice." In the show, Theresis, facing the Bloodborne Archon in a predicament, said with a mix of teasing and seriousness:

"Perhaps we should let the Grand Secretariat have a say and hear their opinion."

"Oh, please..." The Bloodborne Archon's voice was almost breaking with tears upon hearing this. However, Theresis paid no attention to the Bloodborne Archon's condition and continued to name department after department, which would only worsen the Bloodborne Archon's situation:

"Or the Privy Council?"

"Oh, no..."

"Why not give it to His Majesty the Emperor?"

"Lord..."

Clearly, the Bloodborne Archon was completely devastated when Theresis uttered the word "Emperor." Meanwhile, in Londinium, the two Grand Dukes, after their laughter subsided, couldn't help but comment:

"If such a thing were to happen and be reported to His Majesty the Emperor, then I'm afraid Humphrey's knighthood would be revoked, wouldn't it?"

"And that's not all." Duke of Windermere also wore a very fierce smile. Her face, already imposing due to the scars, became even more terrifying with this smile. She spoke each word clearly:

"Countless people will not protect him after he falls; instead, they will tacitly kick him while he's down. At that point, he will be deserted by everyone, and no one will be willing to speak up for him."

"This crime may not be punishable by death, but it is enough to keep him away from the center of power and exile him to the frontier to take on some insignificant position."

As he spoke, the Duke of Windermere's smile widened, and his expression turned cruel as he looked at the pitiful Humphrey on the television screen. He said:

"If I encountered a guy like that... I would probably try to get him transferred to the front lines. People like him are better off being sent to the border, to argue with the logistics department. If he can't get supplies, then he can just find a place to be buried."

"I've always dealt with officials sent by the central government this way, but it's a real shame I've never commanded a Grand Secretariat secretary before."

The Duke of Windermere spoke these words, but his eyes never left the television. In the drama, the Bloodborne Archon, knowing he had made a grave mistake, was practically begging, but he still hoped the Prime Minister would give him a chance to make amends.

"I can say I was mistaken—I checked, and it's not true!"

"But it's true!" Theresis continued to set a trap for the Bloodborne Archon, who, having lost his composure, could only try to salvage the situation, hurriedly saying, "I can say it's not! No one can disprove it, has anyone tried!"

"Are you going to hide the truth from the public?"

"Yes! For you, Prime Minister!"

The Bloodborne Archon's attitude underwent a complete 180-degree change. Just a dozen minutes earlier, when Theresis asked him to prove that he hadn't been eavesdropping, he was a completely different person. Now, he had changed his tune again, solely to protect himself.

Clearly, the Bloodborne Archon wasn't as "righteous" as he claimed, nor was he as "honest" as everyone thought. He immediately came up with his own solution. "We can issue a clarification!"

"I think you've made yourself clear enough." This was the first time Theresis had heard the other person express their views so directly, as recorded on the video.

"No, Prime Minister, the purpose of a clarification statement is not to clarify things, but to clear people's names."

"... Oh, the intricate web we've woven."

Even at the very last moment, the Bloodborne Archon was still flaunting his value, so Theresis retorted with the same words the Bloodborne Archon had used. But at this point, he felt he had had his fill and had avenged his great grudge.

However, revenge alone is not enough. Now that he has matured considerably, Theresis has finally found a weakness in his opponent's hands. What he needs to do now is to take this opportunity to consolidate his authority, and the best way to do that is to make Humphrey do things according to his wishes.

Thinking this, Theresis finally took out the master tape she had hidden for so long from her bosom, held the tape in her other hand, and said to the Bloodborne Archon in front of her, word by word:

"This is a copy, but this is the original, the master tape, retrieved from VBC."

"... Who retrieved it?" The Bloodborne Archon was also somewhat shocked. Theresis glanced subtly at Manfred beside him, and after receiving a hint from Manfred, he offered a seemingly profound explanation:

"Intelligence personnel."

Now, the Bloodborne Archon couldn't care less about anything else. Still shaken, he looked at the master tape in Theresis's hands, his tense expression beginning to relax, and he couldn't help but say, "So, no one else will know?"

"--That depends on how I explain it to them." Theresis looked at the two items in her hand, first making a gesture as if to give them to the Bloodborne Archon, then said, "Of course, I can return them to you directly..."

As the Bloodborne Archon instinctively reached out to take it, Theresis silently sat back down, watching the Bloodborne Archon's eyes, which already seemed to understand something, and continued:

"Or... I can take it first and consider the safety and disciplinary issues."

"I have no intention of participating in any 'despicable deception'."

"--That reminds me, have you thought about how to talk to the special committee?"

"Yes, Prime Minister." Theresis finally revealed his true intentions, and now the Bloodborne Archon finally knew what he had to do. At this point, only by helping his Prime Minister cover up the lie, by vouching for him as his Grand Secretariat secretary, and by establishing the Prime Minister's authority, could he prevent his scandal from spreading.

"I've made up my mind. For the sake of national security, the only honest way is... to confirm what you said in the House of Commons of Commons."

"So Halifax's phone lines have never been tapped?" Theresis wasn't going to let the Bloodborne Archon get away with it. He was forcing Humphrey to explain his next move; he couldn't let the muddy waters slip by.

This scene is similar to the one in a certain film of the same "World Heritage" level, where Zhang Mazi forces Huang Silang to explain "what a surprise is." Only when the other party explains it clearly can the matter be considered settled. There must be no loopholes, and no opportunity for the other party to take advantage of the situation.

The Bloodborne Archon was well aware of this, and said with a mournful face, "Saying I have no evidence..."

"No, Humphrey." Theresis's tone became unusually firm, and he said, enunciating each word clearly, "Say the government never authorized wiretapping members of Congress."

In the end, the Bloodborne Archon had no choice but to agree with an expression as if he were being tortured, but he still asked with great concern, "What if they discover the truth?"

"Then just say no one told you." Theresis ultimately used the opponent's own methods against them, defeating them with her own moves, and said calmly, "Because you don't need to know, okay?"

Finally, everything was settled. The Bloodborne Archon, exhausted, rose and asked the Prime Minister for the mother belt, "Then can the belt be returned to its rightful owner?"

"... tomorrow."

Theresis picked up the tape, then put it down again as if remembering something. He was now able to do things without leaving the slightest flaw, and without giving his opponent any chance to turn the tables.

He had completely become a true political animal. In his repeated battles with the Bloodborne Archon and the Grand Secretariat, and after being repeatedly thwarted, breaking his promises, and making concessions, this was arguably the most mature performance Theresis had ever shown. He had finally suppressed the Bloodborne Archon once again.

In the end, the Bloodborne Archon, with a profound gaze, tinged with helplessness and unprecedented vigilance, looked at the man before him who had grown stronger step by step. Reluctantly, yet unwillingly, he uttered his final words of surrender:

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Amidst laughter and applause, the second season of "Yes, Prime Minister" finally came to an end.

The ending of this season is similar to the previous one. None of the three main characters eliminated anyone else; they had their share of wins and losses, but the story continues. This seemingly uneventful ending seems to suggest that the story of the three will continue.

When the list of names was announced, the Duke of Windermere was somewhat taken aback. She, who had been watching with great interest, stood up in surprise and walked to the television, saying:

"What? It's over already? I've only watched two episodes! Two episodes a day is way too slow!"

As he spoke, Duke of Windermere, still somewhat skeptical, patted the television, employing the most primitive method of television repair. Ablana, standing nearby, couldn't help but whisper a reminder:

"Your Grace, it's over. This is the finale of the second season of 'Yes, Prime Minister.' If you want to watch it, you can only watch the replay."

"Moreover, Director Chen Qi's efficiency is already very high. The script was written on the spot, and the filming was done a week in advance. There was also editing and other things to do. Most people simply couldn't do that."

"--When will he film the third season?"

The Duke of Windermere immediately asked the question, but no one could answer it for the time being. After all, they didn't know if Chen Qi had any plans to film a third season of "Yes, Prime Minister".

The Duke of Windermere was also quite frustrated. She didn't have any other hobbies. Apart from spending time with her daughter, she spent most of her time in the army and rarely even had time to watch TV. Now that she had finally found something to enjoy, it ended after only a short while.

"There's really no other way. Looks like we'll have to take the videotape back and watch it later..."

Just as Duke of Windermere was saying this, he suddenly noticed a flicker on the television. Soon, instead of the commercials following the end of the story, the familiar figures of Theresis, the Bloodborne Archon, and Manfred reappeared.

"* Victoria slang*! I told you it wasn't over! Hahaha! There's more to come!"

Duke of Windermere reacted quickly, returning to his seat almost immediately and watching with great excitement once more.