Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 1 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
At the twilight of the Eastern Han Dynasty, imperial authority waned and warlords vied for control. Cao Cao, holding the emperor captive, commanded the feudal lords from the newly christened capital, Xudu. Following his victory over Lu Bu and campaigns against Yuan Shao in the north and Sun Ce in the south, Cao Cao emerged as the dominant power in the Central Plains.
His autocratic rule, however, deepened the rift with the Han Emperor, stirring discontent both within and outside the capital, signaling an impending upheaval. Yang Ping, raised in the Sima family by his adoptive father Yang Jun, enjoyed a carefree youth untouched by the era's turmoil. He shared a close bond with Sima Yi, the Sima family's second son, and they were like brothers, often riding and hunting together.
In the spring of the Jian'an fourth year, a village was ravaged by bandits. Sima Yi and Yang Ping intervened, saving a family and their newborn. Sima Yi, a skilled fighter, showed no mercy, swiftly eliminating the attacking soldiers. However, Yang Ping, despite aiming an arrow at a fleeing youth who had stolen some bread, shot it at his feet, sparing him. The wounded youth had begged for his life, claiming he was starving and hadn't harmed anyone.
Yang Ping urged him to seek an honest living, warning of harsh consequences if he turned to evil again. Sima Yi, critical of Yang Ping's compassion towards "murderers and thieves," likened him to the overly benevolent Duke Xiang of Song. Yang Ping countered that the youth was injured and innocent of violence. Later, Yang Ping even rescued a bloodied lamb, hoping to save it.
Sima Yi, observing Yang Ping's gentle nature, remarked that such kindness was ill-suited for the chaotic times. Yang Ping, in turn, acknowledged Sima Yi's grand ambitions, playfully suggesting only the emperor's throne would suffice for him, while he himself only aimed to be a county magistrate.
As they rode, Sima Yi discussed the volatile state of the realm, noting the presence of Western Liang soldiers, remnants of Dong Zhuo's forces, and powerful warlords like Yuan Shao, Zhang Xiu, and Cao Cao all coveting their lands. Yang Ping expressed a desire to remain aloof, but Sima Yi emphasized that the world would not permit such detachment.
Yang Ping then proposed that Sima Yi lead in defending the land and repelling invaders, while he would focus on pacifying the populace, asserting that troubled times called for both resolve and compassion. Sima Yi, dismissive of the insatiably greedy dukes and princes, found himself neither wishing to withdraw from society nor accept an official post. It was then that Yang Ping declared Sima Yi's true calling: "The Emperor."
Upon returning to the Sima Manor, Yang Ping was surprised to find his adoptive father, Yang Jun, whom he hadn't seen in three years. Yang Jun quickly informed him that he had been summoned to Xudu by Minister Cao to assume a new post and had come to take Yang Ping with him.
Expressing gratitude to the Sima family head for fostering Yang Ping for twelve years, Yang Jun insisted on an immediate departure, despite Yang Ping's desire to bid farewell to Sima Yi. Yang Ping was reluctant to leave the home he had known for so long, recalling Sima Yi's childhood assurance that the Sima family was his true home.
Before leaving, a servant handed Yang Ping his medical book, a gift from Sima Yi, and Yang Ping asked them to tell Sima Yi goodbye and ensure the injured lamb received care. The head of the Sima family also quietly advised Yang Ping to seek out the "Zhang Rice Shop on Tongtuo Street" if he encountered difficulties in the capital.
As their carriage proceeded, Yang Ping again questioned his father's urgency, but Yang Jun merely promised answers upon their arrival in the capital. Suddenly, Yang Jun drew a dagger and killed their coachman. Another carriage then approached, carrying Yang Xiu, Yang Jun's nephew. Bewildered, Yang Ping demanded an explanation. Instead of answering, Yang Jun shockingly severed his own right arm. Ignoring his grievous wound, he ordered Yang Ping to follow the people in the second carriage.
Inside, Yang Ping discovered Supreme Commander Yang Biao, who showed him a token of authority. Yang Biao then explained that Yang Jun, a loyal and brave soldier, had carried out a crucial task. He further revealed that if Yang Ping went with them, his father would only lose an arm; if he refused, he would lose his life. Faced with this desperate choice, a tearful Yang Ping ultimately complied.
Yang Xiu, meanwhile, staged the scene, leaving a disfigured corpse on the ground. Back at the Sima Manor, Sima Yi, troubled by Yang Ping's sudden departure, looked at the injured lamb and ordered his horse prepared, intending to follow his brother. Inside the carriage, Yang Biao unveiled an astonishing truth to Yang Ping. He informed Yang Ping that his real name was Liu Ping, not Yang Ping.
His birth mother was Meiren Wang, a consort of the late Emperor Ling, and his true father was the Emperor himself. The reigning Emperor, Liu Xie, was Liu Ping's older twin brother. Yang Biao recounted that Meiren Wang had given birth to twins, but Empress He, fearing for her son Liu Bian's position, sought to harm them. Empress Dowager Dong intervened, saving Liu Xie.
To ensure at least one twin survived, Meiren Wang entrusted Liu Ping to Yang Biao, who was then the commander of Emperor Ling's imperial guards. Yang Biao, in turn, arranged for Yang Jun to claim Liu Ping as his son and raise him outside the palace. Yang Jun then resigned his post and sent Liu Ping to the safer Sima family. Meanwhile, Sima Yi, following the carriage tracks, arrived at the fabricated crime scene.
A passerby informed him that the Yang family had been attacked by bandits, Yang Jun was gravely wounded, and Yang Ping was tragically killed, a disfigured corpse left behind. Sima Yi was stunned by the news. He later found Yang Jun at a nearby inn, where Yang Jun, feigning great sorrow and injury, explained that "Ping'er" had died and his corpse was in the shed.
Yang Jun then told Sima Yi that he was going to Xudu to recuperate and would later retrieve Ping'er's ashes, asking him not to distress his own father with the grim details. Back in the carriage, Yang Biao elaborated on the elaborate deception to Yang Ping. Yang Jun's self-inflicted wound and the anonymous corpse were all part of a plan to fake Yang Ping's death and erase his past identity from the world. Yang Ping questioned the necessity.
Yang Biao revealed the plan was to send him into the palace to his imperial brother. He explained that Cao Cao, while pledging allegiance to the Emperor, had effectively reduced him to a puppet, controlling all political and military affairs. Veteran Han officials, like Yang Biao, were being systematically purged. The Emperor was living in a perilous situation, and restoring the Han Dynasty's glory was the fervent hope of these loyal officials and the Emperor himself.
Yang Biao emphasized that both the Han Dynasty and the Emperor desperately needed Liu Ping. Still struggling to comprehend, Yang Ping was told he would understand everything once he met his imperial brother in the palace. Sima Yi, however, was not convinced by Yang Jun's story. He confided in his older brother, Sima Lang, that the corpse was not Yang Ping's; he was too familiar with his brother to be deceived.
He surmised that Yang Ping must have faked his own death because he was in grave danger and decided he had to go to Xudu to help him. Following Yang Biao's instructions, Yang Ping arrived at a memorial hall dedicated to Prince Hongnong. Yang Biao told him his own identity was too sensitive, and someone inside, a relative, would escort him into the palace.
Yang Biao then discussed with Yang Xiu his concerns about Yang Ping's capability, but Yang Xiu was confident, asserting they would maintain control. Inside, Yang Ping discovered a memorial tablet for Liu Bian, Prince Hongnong, the former Emperor and Liu Xie's elder half-brother, who had been tragically poisoned by Dong Zhuo. He then met Tang Ying, Consort to Prince Hongnong, who confirmed that her husband resided there.
Yang Ping, still struggling to believe Yang Biao's "inconceivable" story, asked Tang Ying for the full truth. She advised him to see for himself and told him to change into eunuch attire to meet his imperial brother. Tang Ying and Yang Ping, disguised as a eunuch, attempted to enter the imperial palace in her carriage.
They were stopped by Man Chong, a formidable subordinate of Cao Cao and a disciple of Guo Jia, who had implemented strict martial law and increased security due to a recent attack on an official outside the capital. Tang Ying, stepping out of the carriage, calmly explained that Empress Fu Shou had sent her to deliver medicine to the ailing Emperor. After a thorough inspection, Man Chong allowed them to pass.
Chief Eunuch Zhang Yu, a loyal servant to the Emperor for many years, greeted Tang Ying. He expressed concern about the Emperor's health and mentioned seeing "a comet attacking the Purple Star," a celestial symbol for the Emperor. Tang Ying explained she was bringing fragrant herbs for the Emperor's sleep. As they approached the Emperor's chambers, Zhang Yu, unaware of the plan and adhering to strict protocol, attempted to prevent the unfamiliar "eunuch" Yang Ping from entering.
However, Empress Fu Shou, a fiercely loyal ally to Emperor Liu Xie, intervened, dismissing Zhang Yu and all other attendants. Inside the sleeping chambers, the Empress, her beautiful face betraying a flicker of emotion, commanded Yang Ping to raise his head. The striking resemblance between Yang Ping and the Emperor was undeniable, and Yang Ping finally accepted the truth of his identity. He greeted his imperial brother, but the Empress informed him he had arrived too late. Emperor Liu Xie had passed away that very morning, ascending to the heavens, symbolized by the "comet attacking the Purple Star."
