Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 19 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Liu Ping remained alone in the Internal Affairs Storage Room, where he located the files pertaining to his birth parents. While there, he overheard a conversation between a man and a woman and, out of curiosity, concealed himself to listen. He discovered Tang Ying secretly meeting with an envoy from Yuan Shao. The envoy noted that Tang Ying's recent intelligence reports had been unclear to their superiors and demanded direct answers.
He pressed Tang Ying to ascertain who was coercing the Emperor into personally leading an expedition to assist Cao Cao, specifically asking if it was Guo Jia or Xun Yu, and urged her to dissuade the Emperor from going. Furthermore, the envoy conveyed Yuan Shao’s desire for Tang Ying to find a way to assign him to the Ministry of Works, as he had been unable to monitor the Emperor since the palace fire.
Tang Ying, exasperated, instructed the envoy to inform Yuan Shao that she controlled everything in the capital and that he should cease issuing her orders. This revelation deeply shocked Liu Ping, who had placed immense trust in Tang Ying, only to discover her allegiance to Yuan Shao. He then left the Internal Affairs Storage Room, feigning ignorance of what he had just witnessed.
Fu Shou arrived to reassure Liu Ping about Yang Xiu, reporting that Guo Jia had not subjected Yang Xiu to torture, so he needn't worry. Liu Ping then asked if Tang Ying had visited, and Fu Shou confirmed she hadn't yet but expected her soon. With a serious tone, Liu Ping cautioned Fu Shou not to disclose his true intentions for leading the expedition to anyone, especially Tang Ying.
Fu Shou expressed surprise at Liu Ping's sudden distance from Tang Ying, to which he explained that the situation was too grave to risk others dismissing his ideas as "wild imaginations." He then affirmed his trust in Fu Shou, comparing her to Sima Yi, as someone he could confide in. Shortly after, an attendant announced Tang Ying's request for an audience with the Empress, and Liu Ping decided to join the meeting.
During their conversation, Tang Ying questioned Liu Ping about the rumors of his personal expedition, asking if he was being forced by Guo Jia. Liu Ping asserted it was his voluntary suggestion, falsely claiming he was merely trying to curry favor with Grand Minister Cao to secure Yang Xiu's release from torture. Tang Ying, while appearing to accept his explanation, warned him against letting the pretense become reality and being drawn into actual combat.
Liu Ping, maintaining his deception, assured her that he had only mentioned it casually to Director Xun, who had vehemently opposed it, and that she should not worry. Satisfied, Tang Ying took her leave. After Tang Ying departed, Fu Shou again questioned Liu Ping's unusual wariness towards her.
Liu Ping confessed that he wanted to keep his true motives for the expedition secret from everyone except Fu Shou, requesting her promise not to reveal it to either her father or Tang Ying, as they would face this challenge together. When Fu Shou asked about his plan, Liu Ping simply stated, "Wait. Wait for Yuan Shao." Meanwhile, Yuan Shao met with his strategist, Mister Fei, to discuss the alarming news of the Emperor’s proposed personal expedition.
Yuan Shao expressed concern, fearing it would be detrimental to his cause. However, Mister Fei calmly analyzed the situation, suggesting that the Emperor’s actions were an attempt to coerce Yuan Shao into cooperation by appealing to public opinion, which Yuan Shao valued greatly. Yuan Shao acknowledged the Emperor’s cleverness but Mister Fei countered, describing the Emperor as a pitiable hostage, pressured to an extreme by Cao Cao and Guo Jia.
He argued that having the Emperor as an "internal spy" would be highly advantageous. Yuan Shao initially considered sending Tang Ying, but Mister Fei advised against it, suggesting Tang Ying, a valuable pawn, should be reserved for a more critical juncture. Thus, Yuan Shao decided to dispatch Pan Yang instead, with a dual mission: to establish contact with the Emperor and to assassinate Guo Jia if the opportunity arose.
Mister Fei, however, reminded Yuan Shao of their prior agreement: Cao Cao was Yuan Shao’s target, but Guo Jia was his. Concurrently, Cao Pi's wounds had healed, and he questioned his mother about the removal of all spies surrounding the Emperor. His mother explained that she was grateful to the Emperor for saving Cao Pi's life and believed it was inappropriate to monitor their savior, fearing it would tarnish his father's reputation if discovered.
Cao Pi feigned agreement, but he privately decided to personally monitor the Emperor under the pretext of learning the "Five Catch Act." Fu Shou and Liu Ping were aware of Cao Pi’s true intentions. Fu Shou observed that Liu Ping was either too naive or excessively broad-minded in believing he could influence Cao Pi's heart, but Liu Ping preferred to be open and poised rather than constantly fearful.
Fu Shou pointed out that Liu Ping's announcement of the expedition had already heightened Cao Cao's vigilance, making it harder to contact the outside world, regardless of whether Guo Jia had guessed his true motive. Liu Ping then wondered how Yuan Shao would attempt to contact him. In a secluded location, Pan Yang, dressed in black, met with Tang Ying. He addressed her as "Senior Brother," indicating a shared past.
Pan Yang, sent by Yuan Shao, sought Tang Ying’s help to meet the Emperor, citing Yuan Shao’s concern over the Emperor’s planned expedition. Tang Ying informed him that the Emperor was currently residing in Cao Cao’s manor, which visibly enraged Pan Yang, for Cao Cao was the slayer of his entire family.
Tang Ying questioned if he could control his rage when facing Cao Cao's household, noting that after all she had endured, she doubted revenge would truly resolve their problems. Pan Yang passionately countered, reminding her that they had followed Yuan Shao for years precisely to avenge their families and the Xuzhou massacre. He insisted that only by eliminating Cao Cao could they find true freedom from their past as the last remaining Xiyuan Guards.
Moved by his words, Tang Ying ultimately agreed to help him meet the Emperor. Meanwhile, Liu Ping reflected on the twelve days since announcing his expedition, still awaiting contact from Yuan Shao. He voiced his concern to Fu Shou that tight surveillance by Guo Jia might prevent Yuan Shao’s agents from reaching them. Fu Shou correctly surmised that Yuan Shao would undoubtedly have spies within Cao Cao's residence.
An attendant then arrived, conveying a message from Tang Ying: it was Prince Hongnong's death anniversary, and she needed more incense for offerings at his memorial hall. Recognizing this as a pre-arranged signal, Liu Ping initially instructed the attendant to send incense but then abruptly changed his mind, deciding to attend the ceremony himself. As Liu Ping prepared to depart, Guo Jia intercepted him, stating he had been about to seek an audience to discuss Yang Xiu's matters.
Liu Ping explained he was going to the memorial hall to pay respects to his royal brother, whom he had neglected due to state affairs. Guo Jia offered to accompany him, suggesting they discuss Yang Xiu during the journey, but Liu Ping, sensing Guo Jia's true intent, tried to refuse, only for Guo Jia to press the issue, questioning Liu Ping's reluctance to be accompanied. Guo Jia arranged for Yang Xiu to join the army at Guandu.
Despite his reluctance, Yang Xiu had no other option. His father, Yang Biao, sorrowfully saw him off, providing dry rations and urging him to avoid further trouble. Yang Xiu, resentful at being forced to leave Xu Du, defiantly told his father he would be careful and intended to challenge Guo Jia on the battlefield. As Liu Ping and Guo Jia traveled by carriage, Guo Jia explained his decision regarding Yang Xiu.
He believed that killing Yang Xiu would be pointless, and keeping him in Xu Du would only lead to more unrest. Instead, after his recent "lessons," Yang Xiu would likely refrain from contacting Yuan Shao, making him suitable for frontline service to atone for his misdeeds. Liu Ping expressed admiration for Grand Minister Cao’s magnanimous approach to recruiting talent, noting that Cao Cao viewed such individuals as future loyalists once he achieved victory.
Guo Jia also informed Liu Ping that Grand Minister Cao had declined his offer to personally lead the expedition, deeming the battlefield too perilous for the Emperor and preferring him to remain peacefully in Xu Du as the greatest support. Liu Ping acquiesced, agreeing to follow Cao Cao’s wishes. Guo Jia then probed Liu Ping, asking if he had considered the true consequences of his proposal for the expedition.
Liu Ping feigned a naive concern for Cao Cao, but Guo Jia directly stated that Yuan Shao, not Cao Cao, would be most affected by such news, lamenting his past failure to bring the Emperor to his side. Guo Jia further implied that Liu Ping's true intention was to use the expedition as a means to interact with Yuan Shao. Their conversation led them to the Hongnong King’s Ancestral Temple, where they discovered signs of a recent struggle.
Man Chong arrived, reporting that he had received an anonymous tip about a Yuan Shao spy attempting to approach Princess Consort Hongnong. Fearing for her safety, he had dispatched men to protect her, but the spy, a highly skilled martial artist, had managed to abduct Princess Consort Hongnong and escape. Liu Ping remained impassive, expressing that it was "also good that he escaped," as Prince Hongnong's spirit would not wish for his Princess Consort to be forced into wandering.
He then left the temple in frustration. Upon returning to his chambers, Liu Ping confided in Fu Shou about overhearing Tang Ying being a spy for Yuan Shao. Fu Shou, calmly continuing her flower arrangement, acknowledged that Tang Ying had indeed worked for Yuan Shao in the past but had long since ceased her activities for him. Liu Ping found the timing too coincidental, with Yuan Shao’s agent appearing right after he announced his expedition, and doubted Tang Ying’s innocence.
Fu Shou countered his suspicion with a shrewd observation: if Tang Ying were still an active spy for Yuan Shao, Liu Ping’s true identity as a fake Emperor would have been exposed long ago, and Yuan Shao would have no reason to be concerned about his expedition plans. Liu Ping was convinced by Fu Shou's reasoning, realizing he had misjudged Tang Ying. He expressed relief at having Fu Shou by his side in Sima Yi’s absence.
He hoped Tang Ying was safe, acknowledging her immense sacrifices for the Han Dynasty. Fu Shou believed Tang Ying was likely in hiding, waiting for an opportune moment to reconnect. Liu Ping, reflecting on their resilience, remarked that the strength of the two women sometimes made him feel ashamed. After their escape, Tang Ying and Pan Yang sought refuge, guided by Sima Yi's network.
A servant ensured their comfort, stating that his Young Master's instructions were to fulfill any of Tang Ying’s wishes, no matter how extreme. Once alone, Pan Yang questioned the identity of this mysterious "Young Master," to which Tang Ying revealed it was Sima Yi of Wenxian. Pan Yang, shocked that a Princess Consort had ties to such individuals, became suspicious of Sima Yi’s help, cautioning Tang Ying against trusting strangers easily.
However, Tang Ying asserted her own judgment, assuring him she wouldn't jeopardize their mission, and reiterating that their immediate priority was to locate the Emperor. She believed the Emperor and Empress would not give up, and they would find an opportunity to contact him by monitoring the Grand Minister's residence. Elsewhere, Man Chong reported to Guo Jia, confessing his failure to collect more grain, as the citizens had nothing left to donate.
Guo Jia, however, dismissed his concerns, stating that the existing supplies, combined with a shipment of five thousand "dan" of food en route, would be sufficient to sustain the army at Guandu for two months, more than enough time to secure victory. Man Chong then reported his continued inability to find Yang Ping, suspecting a deeper plot.
He theorized that the key lay in Wenxian, noting that both Deng Zhan and Zhao Yan had experienced critical events shortly after returning from there, implying they had encountered the true Yang Ping. Man Chong suggested that the Sima Clan of Wenxian was likely behind the manipulations.
Impressed by Man Chong’s deduction, Guo Jia assigned him a task: to travel to Wenxian, ostensibly to invite Sima Lang, the eldest son of the Sima family, to serve in Xu Du, but primarily to investigate Yang Ping and the Sima clan. Simultaneously, Shop Manager Zhang, a spy for the Sima family in Xu Du, reported back to Sima Yi and Sima Lang. He recounted Zhao Yan’s suicide and Yang Xiu’s exile to Guandu.
Most significantly, he revealed that Princess Consort Hongnong, Tang Ying, had sought refuge at their rice shop. Sima Yi, who had anticipated Tang Ying's move, commented on Guo Jia’s swift methods. Sima Lang questioned Sima Yi’s involvement with a Princess Consort, but Sima Yi deflected, asking Zhang about Guo Jia’s grain collection. Upon confirming that their own provisions for Cao Cao had been doctored as instructed, Sima Yi ordered Zhang to burn Cao Cao’s military rations.
A shocked Sima Lang protested, but Sima Yi explained his strategic reasoning: with the battle at Guandu intensifying and Cao Cao's forces already strained, the destruction of provisions would force Guo Jia to leave Xu Du, allowing Sima Yi to act. Sima Lang relented, and Sima Yi then dismissed Zhang with a final instruction to celebrate after completing the dangerous task. When Sima Lang pressed him again about Tang Ying’s background, Sima Yi again artfully dodged the question with a poetic verse about tranquility.
