Resumen y trama del episodio 13 de The Promise of Chang'an

> The Promise of Chang'an
> Resúmenes de The Promise of Chang'an

Prince Xiao Chengyao defiantly refused to lead his troops in retreat, challenging Emperor Xiao Chengrui to punish him, confident that punishing a meritorious general would dishearten the entire army. Xiao Chengrui was enraged by this insubordination. Prince Xiao Chengxu intervened, suggesting that if Xiao Chengyao was unwilling to fight, they could compel him to do so. That night, a large fire mysteriously broke out in the camps of Prince Xiao Chengyao and Prince Xiao Chengtan.

The incident was attributed to escaping Liang soldiers, who allegedly burned all the acquired spoils of war during their escape. Xiao Chengxu then appeared, rallying the disheartened troops by emphasizing glory in battle over material gains, inspiring them to attack Great Liang's Ning City and capture General Xue Ji. Seeing the renewed morale, Xiao Chengyao could barely contain his anger.

Emperor Xiao Chengrui was satisfied, acknowledging that Xiao Chengxu's clever scheme had forced his brothers to engage in battle, though he worried about Xiao Chengyao's reaction if he discovered Xiao Chengxu had orchestrated the "escape" of the captured soldiers. Xiao Chengxu dismissed these concerns, affirming his duty to support the Emperor. Soon after, Prince Xiao Chengxuan rushed in with news that Xue Ji had led a breakout through the southern gate of Ning City.

Unaware it was a trap, Prince Xiao Chengyao pursued Xue Ji and fell into an ambush, now trapped deep within enemy lines with his fate unknown. Xue Ji, confident that Xiao Chengrui would not abandon Xiao Chengyao's two elite battalions, had set up a trap in a mountain pass, planning to decimate the Sheng rescue forces. Emperor Xiao Chengrui immediately began organizing a rescue, acknowledging Xiao Chengyao's faults but stressing the necessity of saving the thousands of soldiers.

Xiao Chengxu volunteered to lead the rescue, having devised a potential solution. Despite Xiao Chengxuan's pleas to reconsider, Xiao Chengxu insisted he was going not for Xiao Chengyao, but for the soldiers of Great Sheng. Xiao Chengxu successfully rescued Xiao Chengyao and his troops, returning victorious to the camp. Xiao Chengrui commended Xiao Chengxu, asking how he had outsmarted Xue Ji.

Xiao Chengxuan proudly revealed Xiao Chengxu’s ingenious tactic: by having his soldiers polish their armor and shields to a high sheen, he used the sunlight in the mountain pass to disorient the Liang forces, allowing them to break through the ambush. Emperor Xiao Chengrui then ordered Xiao Chengyao to thank Xiao Chengxu, but Xiao Chengyao, arrogant and full of self-importance, refused to acknowledge Xiao Chengxu's contribution, instead boasting about his past glories and questioning Xiao Chengxu's worth.

Xiao Chengrui was furious, rebuking Xiao Chengyao for his insubordination, but Xiao Chengyao remained defiant. Later that night, Xiao Chengyao confronted Xiao Chengxu, punching him. Xiao Chengxu retaliated, and a brawl nearly erupted before Xiao Chengxuan intervened. Meanwhile, Great Sheng's forces were advancing on the Liang capital, causing panic within the city. The Liang Emperor Ming De was relieved when supporting troops and General Xue Ji arrived.

Emperor Xiao Chengrui found himself in a difficult position, unable to advance or retreat, and acknowledged Xue Ji as a formidable opponent whose removal was crucial for Great Sheng's long-term peace. Observing his distress, Helan Mingyu offered her counsel. Xiao Chengrui expressed his admiration for Xue Ji's capabilities and the trust placed in him by the young Ming De Emperor.

Helan Mingyu, drawing on historical parallels and the Ming De Emperor's track record of frequently changing prime ministers, suggested he might harbor suspicions about Xue Ji. Inspired, Xiao Chengrui decided to employ a counter-espionage tactic to sow discord. A secret letter was dispatched to Xiao Chengxu. Soon after, rumors began to spread in Liang that Xue Ji was colluding with Great Sheng to force a humiliating peace treaty.

The Ming De Emperor, hearing these rumors, sent spies to Great Sheng's camps for information. Xiao Chengxu’s soldiers captured two such spies disguised as commoners. Pretending to believe their story, Xiao Chengxu allowed them to overhear a staged conversation between him and a subordinate, detailing Xue Ji's alleged agreement to negotiate peace and a planned fake attack. The spies were then deliberately released. Xiao Chengxu remarked on the necessity of such deception in warfare, noting his emperor's cunning nature.

Convinced by the spies' report that Great Sheng had indeed retreated five li as part of a "negotiated" peace, the Ming De Emperor furiously ordered Xue Ji's execution for treason. Xue Ji was beheaded, his loyalty cruelly wasted. Emperor Xiao Chengrui celebrated this bloodless victory with Helan Yunqi and Helan Mingyu, acknowledging Helan Mingyu's insightful contribution to the strategy. Helan Mingyu, however, perceived Xiao Chengrui's underlying regret at not being able to recruit a talent like Xue Ji.

Later, Helan Mingyu confided in Helan Yunqi about her guilt, realizing her casual words had led to Xue Ji's death and caused suffering for the common people. Her greater concern was for Xiao Chengxu. She feared that if he discovered the truth about Consort Mu's death, involving Xiao Chengrui and his brothers, he would be no match for Xiao Chengrui's ruthless ambition.

She believed no amount of favor could mend such a deep-seated grievance and foresaw an inevitable, decisive clash between Xiao Chengrui's ambition and Xiao Chengxu's resentment. She worried that Xiao Chengxu would be forced to become like Xiao Chengrui to contend with him, a fate Helan Yunqi assured her would not befall him.

Emperor Xiao Chengrui continued to discuss state affairs, proposing reforms to allow commoners and even captured prisoners to participate in imperial exams, seeing all people as his subjects. Helan Mingyu fully supported him, emphasizing that winning the hearts of the people was paramount to winning the world. However, Xiao Chengyao vehemently opposed these reforms, referring to prisoners as "lowly slaves" and arguing against any policies that would sacrifice immediate profits.

His shortsightedness further angered Xiao Chengrui, who decided it was futile to argue with him and Xiao Chengtan. Instead, he resolved to cultivate the younger princes, particularly the highly talented Xiao Chengxu. Meanwhile, Su Yuying approached her aunt for help in creating opportunities to meet Xiao Chengxu. Her aunt was preoccupied with arranging a marriage for Su Yuying's younger sister to Prince Xiao Qihan, hoping to secure a powerful ally.

Su Yuying, however, shrewdly pointed out that Xiao Chengxu's status was far superior to Xiao Qihan's, convincing her aunt that pursuing Xiao Chengxu would yield greater political advantages. Her aunt agreed to assist but stressed that winning Xiao Chengxu's affection was entirely Su Yuying's responsibility. To welcome Xiao Chengxu back, Su Yuying arranged an elaborate celebration, complete with a redecorated stable and a "prettier" new horse to replace his old warhorse.

Xiao Chengxu was displeased, immediately ordering his own horse to be returned and reprimanding his stablehand for allowing the princess to interfere. Su Yuying became upset, accusing him of ingratitude for her efforts. To appease her, Xiao Chengxu agreed to take her riding. During their ride, Su Yuying reminisced about their childhood and boldly asked if he would have loved and married her if Helan Mingyu had not entered his life.

Xiao Chengxu gently but firmly clarified that he regarded her as a wonderful little sister, but held no other romantic feelings for her, a fact he insisted could not change. Unfazed, Su Yuying refused to give up, confident that over time, she could melt even his "heart of stone."

Resumen del episodio 12

Resumen del episodio 14