General and I Episode 55 Recap, Plot

> General and I
> General and I Recap

Bai Pingting observed the last remnants of the Great Liang army, reflecting on their plight as their country was destroyed, leaving them homeless and with nowhere to return. Yet, they still steadfastly guarded the last banner of the Liang Army, enduring years of harsh warfare across mountains and rivers, ready to fight with every last ounce of strength even when their retreat was cut off.

Chu Beijie comforted her, explaining that they had brought grains, grass, weapons, and money, hoping these provisions would help the Liang forces recruit new soldiers and gather their remaining brave warriors. He expressed his belief that while the Bailan army had swept across the land with a seemingly irresistible force, they lacked the true capacity to unite the world.

He Xia's army was notoriously cruel, and countless brave warriors across the land were unwilling to submit to him, making his downfall inevitable. Upon their arrival at the Liang military camp, General Ruo Han initially expressed his confidence in Bailan's power but then sought advice from Bai Pingting. Chu Beijie then announced their presence, stating that his wife had led them there.

General Ruo Han was curious how they found the hidden camp, and Chu Beijie credited Pingting's miraculous foresight in observing the wind, streams, and mountain terrains. Pingting clarified that she simply understood Ruo Han's emphasis on defense and concealment in his military tactics, which led her to this location. Soon after, a caravan arrived, bringing the much-needed supplies. Ruo Han thanked Chu Beijie and Pingting for saving the Liang Army, and the soldiers rejoiced over the provisions.

Pingting acknowledged Chu Beijie's deep concern for Emperor Sima Hong, whose whereabouts remained unknown after the destruction of Great Jin's capital. She understood that he felt a knife twisting in his heart but had still come to aid the Liang Army. Chu Beijie reassured her, stating that no news of the Emperor was good news, as his trusted subordinate Chu Moran was with His Majesty and would ensure his safety.

He emphasized that as long as the Jin royal bloodline endured, the faith of its people would not be shaken. However, the situation for Great Liang was different; both Chief General Ze Yin and its king were dead, leaving its people without faith and their state without a backbone. If the spirit of Great Liang were to be completely crushed by Bailan, then Great Jin alone would be unable to resist Bailan's power.

Chu Beijie explained that He Xia had now returned to Bailan, and his first action would likely be to consolidate power by eliminating old influential figures. Once he had reestablished imperial control, he would undoubtedly launch another military expedition. They had to use this short window of time to complete all their secret contacts and mobilize their troops, preparing for a decisive victory.

Chu Beijie then earnestly requested Pingting to never speak of leaving him again, stating he needed her by his side at every moment to overcome the challenges ahead and find His Majesty as soon as possible. Pingting promised she would always stay by his side. Meanwhile, Chu Moran was leading Emperor Sima Hong and Shuang Er in a desperate flight. Chu Moran urged the weak Emperor to eat and drink, but their brief peace was shattered by an attack.

Chu Moran quickly ordered Sima Hong to hide and bravely fended off the attackers. Sima Hong recognized his loyal general, who apologized for being late and for the hardships His Majesty had endured. Chu Moran reassured the Emperor that the Bailan army had not yet discovered their precise location but insisted they must depart before dawn for safety. Sima Hong deferred to Chu Moran’s military expertise, wishing that Chu Beijie were with them.

Chu Moran confirmed the widespread rumors of Prince Zhenbei's return, and upon hearing this, Sima Hong declared with renewed hope, "Then, my Great Jin will not perish!" He Xia returned to Bailan to a hero's welcome, greeted by cheering crowds. However, an attendant from Princess Yao Tian's manor informed him that Her Highness wished to see him immediately.

Despite Fei Zhaoxing's warnings that this unusual summons, combined with the Princess's failure to formally welcome him at the city gate, might signify danger, He Xia decided to go alone, instructing Fei Zhaoxing to regroup the army and return to camp. He understood the potential peril but knew he could not evade it. Upon meeting He Xia, Princess Yao Tian immediately asked him to vow that he would never become the King of Bailan.

He Xia questioned how their relationship had reached such a state. He explained that when he first arrived in Bailan, he simply wanted to survive, but his encounter with her had led him to his current high position. He asserted that ever since he decided to seek revenge for the destruction of Jing'an Manor, there was no longer a path of retreat for him. Yao Tian desperately pleaded with him, insisting they did have a retreat path.

She took his hand and placed it on her pregnant belly, urging him to feel their child, their bloodline, moving within her, arguing that their child offered them a way out. He Xia admitted he loved the child but lamented that "he has come at the wrong time." Yao Tian reminded him of their marital vows, emphasizing that a husband and wife are one and questioning why they couldn't both step back from this path.

He Xia explained that they stood on a precipice, but he faced the abyss, meaning if he took a single step back, utter destruction awaited him. He contended that even if Yao Tian were to spare his life, the old court officials and nobles would never allow him to truly retreat; they would perceive him as an outsider and grind his bones to ashes if he laid down his sword.

Yao Tian countered that they were not alone; they had their child, proposing, "Let our child be the king. Is that okay?" He Xia responded that under different circumstances, he would indeed wish for their child to be the future King of Bailan.

However, he stressed that even his own death or his child’s kingship could not change the will of his one hundred thousand soldiers or the common people, making it impossible for him to wait for his child to become king. Following his meeting with Princess Yao Tian, He Xia swiftly consolidated his power. Orders were issued across Bailan to close the city gates and impose a strict curfew.

In the imperial court, an official, acting on He Xia’s behalf, read a decree purporting to be from Princess Yao Tian. It lauded Prince Consort He Xia’s victorious campaigns, his expansion of Bailan territories, and his virtuous reputation among the common people. The decree proclaimed him Prince Regent, granting him command over all imperial officials. Immediately, several court officials protested, deeming the decree impossible and fake.

They accused He Xia of long coveting Bailan's political power, pointing to his elimination of trusted officials as proof of his ulterior motives to control the kingdom and remove obstacles. He Xia challenged their defiance, asking why the Princess could not appoint him. An announcement was then made that anyone who opposed the decree would be executed on the spot.

Faced with this brutal display of power, the remaining officials quickly knelt and pledged their allegiance to He Xia, addressing him as Prince Regent. News reached He Xia that Bailan scouts had finally located Sima Hong. Pleased, He Xia declared that Sima Hong would now find it difficult to escape his tight encirclement, and once dead, nothing would stop him from conquering Jin. Meanwhile, Chu Moran was leading Sima Hong and Shuang Er in a desperate flight.

Bailan soldiers caught up, demanding their surrender. Chu Moran bravely fought them off, instructing Sima Hong to hide while he held the enemy back. Chu Beijie, hot on their trail, discovered recently deceased bodies, confirming that His Majesty was just ahead and hoping they were not too late. Despite Chu Moran's valiant efforts, the Jin forces were too weak to protect the Emperor completely. Chu Beijie arrived just as Sima Hong sustained a severe knife wound to his chest.

He rushed to his royal brother's side, embracing him as Sima Hong weakly recognized him. Back in Bailan, He Xia encountered Feng Yin. Observing her hands, he took a distinctive ring from her finger, remarking it was time to return it to its owner, Gui Changqing. He then had one of Feng Yin's severed fingers, still bearing the ring, delivered to Gui Changqing in the imperial prison.

The messenger informed the imprisoned Prime Minister that He Xia was now the Prince Regent. Gui Changqing was utterly shocked and enraged, vehemently denying He Xia's new title and heroic status. Upon seeing the finger and recognizing the ring, Gui Changqing realized the gravity of his situation and his own powerlessness. He desperately screamed for the guards to let him see Princess Yao Tian, but his pleas were in vain.

Consumed by despair, Gui Changqing used a white rope to end his own life in the prison cell. Chu Beijie joined the wounded Emperor Sima Hong, who, despite his severe injury, recognized his royal brother. Chu Beijie reassured him that they would find a way to break through the tight encirclement. Chu Moran, deeply remorseful, knelt before Bai Pingting, apologizing for failing to protect His Majesty.

Pingting told him there was no blame, acknowledging his brave efforts against He Xia's relentless pursuit and thanking him for saving Sima Hong. She then sent Chu Moran to rest, emphasizing the need to focus on their next strategy. Later, Chu Beijie inquired about Sima Hong's condition. Pingting confirmed the Emperor was gravely wounded, exhausted both mentally and physically from the relentless flight, and unlikely to recover soon.

Chu Beijie, also weary from his journey, informed Pingting that he had made careful arrangements for their evacuation and assured her they would reach safety, urging her to rest. He then asked why she was doing so much for Sima Hong, given their past grievances. Pingting replied that past matters were water under the bridge; since they were both well, there was nothing to fuss about.

She added that with His Majesty so seriously wounded, it was only right for them to stay by his side and care for him. After this, Pingting concluded that Sima Hong was too severely injured to be moved. When Chu Beijie expressed his desire to stay with the Emperor a while longer, Pingting promised to handle everything else.

To buy more time for Chu Beijie to be with the Emperor and delay the approaching Bailan forces, she instructed Chu Moran to gather all their remaining provisions—grain, weapons, tents—along with the bodies of their fallen comrades, and ignite them at a windy mountain pass. She reasoned that the sight of the raging inferno would compel the Bailan army to investigate, and even a minute gained would increase their chances of survival.

Episode 54 Recap

Episode 56 Recap