General and I Episode 23 Recap
> General and I Recap
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
General Ruo Han advised the Liang King against waiting for the Huai River to freeze, a strategy suggested by another general, and instead proposed a detour through shallow areas to cross immediately before Chu Beijie's reinforcements arrived. The Liang King, however, dismissed the idea of reinforcements. Citing his army's struggle with waterways, he chose to delay, wanting Chu Beijie to live longer to fully experience betrayal.
Meanwhile, General Ze Yin, having learned that He Xia manipulated Bai Pingting's strategy to use poison for lifting the siege, which led to the princes' deaths, sent a letter to Chu Beijie. His wife hoped the letter would clear Bai Pingting's name. Ze Yin's subordinate, Wei Ting, delivered the letter. Chu Beijie was surprised, questioning why Ze Yin, now in seclusion, would contact him.
After reading the letter, which detailed He Xia's conspiracy with the Zhang family and his manipulation of Bai Pingting's advice, Chu Beijie exclaimed He Xia's name in realization. Bai Pingting, observing the celestial signs, informed Chu Moran that a windstorm would strike, causing temperatures to plummet and the Huai River to freeze early. She emphasized the need to seize this preemptive opportunity. Accompanied by loyal soldiers disguised in protective cloaks, Bai Pingting covertly infiltrated the Liang army's camp.
Masked, she confronted the Liang King, wielding a knife to demand his immediate withdrawal. She explained her analysis, stating that crossing the Huai River would inevitably spark a major war between Jin and Liang. She warned that He Xia, the true mastermind, would likely exploit the conflict, benefiting from both sides' losses. General Ruo Han supported Bai Pingting's assessment, confirming the battle was a trap set by He Xia and that his betrayal would be disastrous for the Liang army.
The Liang King, however, accused Bai Pingting of merely trying to save Chu Beijie and condemned her for inciting disharmony. Undeterred, Bai Pingting fearlessly pointed out the King's critical mistake: pitching his camp in a low-lying area. She declared that if she didn't exit the tent within fifteen minutes, a hundred thousand Jin soldiers positioned on the mountain would unleash a volley of arrows upon his tent. A soldier soon reported trouble.
The King looked outside and, seeing numerous figures on the mountain, was convinced that Chu Beijie had received massive reinforcements. He reluctantly ordered a full retreat. General Ruo Han confirmed the retreat to Bai Pingting, who expressed her hope that they would not be opponents in the future. The King remained unaware that the "reinforcements" were merely scarecrows set up by Bai Pingting and Chu Moran.
Soldiers excitedly reported the Liang army's retreat, and Chu Moran arrived, revealing that he had brought Bai Pingting. Chu Beijie, who had been wracked with anxiety for days, could hardly believe the news. His emotions overflowed, and he pulled Bai Pingting into a tight embrace, overjoyed to see her after missing her intensely. Princess Yaotian and He Xia were astonished to hear that Bai Pingting was alive and had seemingly brought 100,000 reinforcements for Chu Beijie.
He Xia confessed he wouldn't have believed it if not for a direct report. Yaotian wondered if Chancellor Zhang had gone back on his word, while He Xia speculated that Chu Beijie's stabbing of Bai Pingting must have been an act. Yaotian expressed deep concern that with the Liang army having retreated, Chu Beijie might lead his 100,000 troops in a counter-attack, which Bailan would be powerless to resist.
The Prime Minister had advised placating the Jin army to ensure the conflict between Bailan and Jin ended peacefully and to avoid giving Jin an excuse for an attack. He Xia agreed to this strategy, reassuring Yaotian that others were even more anxious about Chu Beijie's survival than they were. Bai Pingting confided in Chu Beijie her concern that, upon his return to the imperial court, someone would still try to harm him.
Chu Beijie admitted he shared the same feeling but lacked concrete evidence. He then revealed his intention to resign from his position after reporting back to the palace and live a secluded life deep in the woods with Bai Pingting, far from worldly affairs. He painted a picture of their future, enjoying nature, reading, hunting, and fishing together. Bai Pingting questioned if he was truly serious, and Chu Beijie assured her every word came from his heart.
He explained that while he had always been devoted to the Emperor and unafraid of dying in battle for Great Jin, this recent conflict changed him. The thought, "I must not die. If I die, who will take care of Pingting?" constantly replayed in his mind. He realized that while many could serve as Prince Zhenbei for the Emperor, only he could be Bai Pingting's Chu Beijie, and he could not let her down.
He also reassured her that he now knew the truth about the princes' deaths and promised to handle all remaining matters, vowing never to let her shed tears again. Chu Moran inquired about their army's next move, noting the soldiers' anxiety to return home. Chu Beijie decided to wait, expressing confidence in Bai Pingting's strategy of "winning by striking only after the enemy has been struck." He instructed Chu Moran to tell the soldiers to be patient.
Soon after, an envoy from Bailan arrived, conveying Princess Yaotian's invitation to a banquet for the Jin soldiers. Chu Beijie consulted Bai Pingting, who advised accepting the invitation, reasoning that the soldiers were hungry and cold after the arduous battle, and a free banquet was an opportunity not to be missed. Chu Beijie agreed to attend. Before the main banquet, Chu Beijie encountered He Xia.
He Xia mocked Chu Beijie for Bai Pingting's apparent resurrection, asking how he would explain it to the Emperor. Chu Beijie retorted that Bai Pingting was innocent of the princes' deaths. He Xia accused Bai Pingting of betrayal and Chu Beijie of acting, but Chu Beijie called He Xia the true hypocrite, who had sullied Bai Pingting's name and caused her suffering.
He Xia then challenged Chu Beijie, questioning the absence of his "100,000 soldiers," to which Chu Beijie confidently replied he needed no army to deal with He Xia alone, noting that Princess Yaotian would not allow He Xia to kill him. He Xia darkly confessed he had prepared a coffin for Chu Beijie but found life uninteresting without him, before leading the way to the banquet.
At the lavish banquet, Chu Beijie courteously greeted Princess Yaotian, who expressed gratitude for Jin's help. Chu Beijie, however, used his toast to honor the Jin soldiers who had died in the battle. He lamented that they had perished in a foreign land and their bodies could not be brought home, expressing his profound grief.
In response, Yaotian presented a "spy," publicly accusing him of spreading false military intelligence that caused Bailan's army to go astray and prevent their timely rendezvous with the Jin army, leading to heavy Jin casualties. The spy tearfully confessed he was bribed, unaware he was working for the Liang people. Yaotian furiously ordered his public execution.
Chancellor Zhang, He Xia, and other officials then feigned remorse, offering to contribute three years of their wages to compensate the families of the fallen Jin soldiers. Yaotian praised their initiative, announcing that the state treasury would also provide relief funds and promised to open the Silk Road for trade with Great Jin, presenting a letter of credence. Chu Beijie rejected these offerings, stating that the Jin army did not fight for money but for the lives of Bailan's people.
He chastised Yaotian for her "half-hearted" attempt to cover up the military mishap with a mere "spy," calling it an insult to the thousands of Jin soldiers who died. When Yaotian asked what he proposed, Chu Beijie demanded that she personally travel to Great Jin to humbly apologize to the Emperor, which alone could prove Bailan's innocence and truly appease the people of both nations. He Xia interjected, threatening forceful means.
Chu Beijie, unfazed, revealed he had already instructed his remaining soldiers to spread the truth about the war among the common people, believing that public sentiment would ultimately judge Yaotian and He Xia. Understanding his resolve, Yaotian dismissed Chu Beijie, wishing him a safe journey. Later, Chancellor Zhang was perplexed by the Liang army's retreat and Bai Pingting's survival. Zhang Consort urged him to devise a counter-strategy to conceal their involvement. Chancellor Zhang then resolved to dispatch his own assassins to ensure Chu Beijie would not return to Great Jin alive.
