Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 31 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Sima Yi anxiously questioned Fu Shou about the timeline of the poison that afflicted Tang Ying, recalling how long it took for Dong Cheng's poison to react. Fu Shou reluctantly informed him that Tang Ying had approximately three days, but reassured him that Liu Ping would return in time. Sima Yi confessed his distress, lamenting that Tang Ying had spoken of wanting to go home with him just the night before.
He felt that despite his love for a princess consort, he couldn't overcome destiny and save her from this state, especially after having just reunited. Fu Shou tried to comfort him, noting Tang Ying's resilience and hoping she could hold on given her past hardships and their fated reunion. Cao Zhi arrived to escort Fu Shou, inquiring about his second brother, Cao Pi.
Meanwhile, Wang Fu, who had not killed Cao Pi, challenged him on his apparent fearlessness and asked if he intended to use him to threaten Cao Cao. Cao Pi, instead, demanded Wang Fu kill him quickly. Wang Fu, impressed by Cao Pi, offered to teach him the "Wang Sword Technique," which emphasized swiftness and fury, believing Cao Pi's deep-seated hatred made him an ideal student.
Cao Pi initially refused, but when Wang Fu offered him a sword to take his own life, Cao Pi hesitated, revealing his true feeling of grievance rather than fear of death. Wang Fu then shared his own tragic past, including the death of his family, which led him to master his sword technique, and his own unwillingness to be defeated by this chaotic world. Cao Pi, resonating with Wang Fu's sentiments, admitted he felt the same.
Wang Fu explained that the era of wandering warriors was over, and having lost his previous successor, he saw potential in Cao Pi, despite being the son of his enemy. He desired to teach Cao Pi to bring an end to the turbulent times, challenging him to learn the sword and "speak with his sword." Moved by Wang Fu's words, Cao Pi accepted him as his mentor.
Liu Ping went to find Mister Fei for the antidote, but Ren Hongchang informed him that Fei was dead, killed by Guo Jia, and Guo Jia himself was also in critical condition after being poisoned by Fei. Down the mountain, Sima Yi refused Cao Zhi's order to return to the Cao Camp, insisting on waiting for Liu Ping with the antidote. When Liu Ping eventually returned, Sima Yi was distressed to learn that he was empty-handed.
Liu Ping explained that since Fei was dead, the only way to get a cure for Tang Ying was for Guo Jia to wake up and create it, which necessitated sending both Guo Jia and Tang Ying back to the Cao Camp. Sima Yi was distraught, fearing Tang Ying's safety if she were returned to Cao Cao's hands yet again, reminding Liu Ping of her past sufferings for the Han Dynasty.
Liu Ping, however, asserted that this was the only viable path and that he now possessed the leverage needed to negotiate with Cao Cao. Liu Ping then agreed to accompany Cao Zhi back to the camp. Guo Jia was escorted back to Cao Cao's camp.
The military doctors reported that Guo Jia's condition was complex, explaining that they found no clear signs of external poisoning but rather an exacerbation of his chronic illness, involving a delicate balance of numerous medicines, some even lethal. They admitted their inability to treat him. Cao Cao, deeply worried, lamented that while he had won the Battle of Guandu, he could not bear for Guo Jia's life to be the price of that victory.
Gao Lan then informed Cao Cao that all the camp doctors were stumped, but Ren Hongchang had suggested that the Emperor, Liu Ping, could save Guo Jia. Shortly after, news arrived that Cao Zhi had returned with Liu Ping. Cao Cao went to greet Liu Ping, noting with surprise and admiration how much the Emperor had matured in two years and how his presence had contributed to Cao Cao's victory.
Liu Ping, sitting in the carriage with Sima Yi, displayed a calm and confident demeanor, unafraid to confront Cao Cao. Outside the camp, Liu Ping spoke with Cao Cao, observing his deep concern for Guo Jia's condition. Liu Ping confidently declared that he could save Guo Jia. When Cao Cao questioned how he possessed an antidote, Liu Ping clarified that he had the knowledge of a cure rather than a specific antidote.
He explained that Fei had concocted an antagonistic poison specifically designed to react with Guo Jia's long-term medications. Liu Ping revealed that Leng Shouguang, a palace eunuch skilled in medicine, had previously warned him about the dangers of Guo Jia's medications and provided a formula to balance their effects during severe illness. To prove his sincerity, Liu Ping revealed that Tang Ying, who was also poisoned, was with him and required Guo Jia's recovery for her own cure.
Liu Ping then proposed a condition: in exchange for his help in curing Guo Jia, Cao Cao must allow Tang Ying to leave once she recovered and publicly announce that she had died at Guandu at the hands of Yuan Shao. Cao Cao, seeing Liu Ping's genuine concern for Tang Ying and his principled stance against using lives as threats, accepted the terms.
He stated that while he would not interfere with Tang Ying's "family matter," he expected her not to meddle in state affairs in the future to avoid complications for Liu Ping. Liu Ping then proceeded to administer the medicine to Guo Jia. As Cao Cao exited, he passed Ren Hongchang, who watched him with conflicted emotions but did not reveal herself or act against him.
Cao Cao, seeing Sima Yi, commended him, remarking on how much his old friend's son had grown. He reassured Sima Yi about Guo Jia's treatment by Liu Ping and then invited him to join a celebratory banquet to boost military morale. Later, Fu Shou expressed her anxiety about Guo Jia's condition to Liu Ping. Liu Ping, however, reassured her that Guo Jia had taken the medicine, and his pulse had stabilized, confirming the effectiveness of Leng Shouguang's formula.
He also mentioned that Ren Hongchang was tending to Guo Jia, anticipating that she would be the first person Guo Jia would want to see upon waking. At a celebratory banquet, Cao Cao, recalling Sima Fang's earlier assessment, playfully asked Sima Yi if he still believed Cao Cao was only fit to be a county commandant. Sima Yi, with calculated wit, affirmed that at the time his father made the recommendation, Cao Cao was indeed qualified for that position.
When an officer accused Sima Yi of disrespect, Sima Yi cleverly countered, citing Zhuang Zi and elaborating that a hero grows with the times. He lauded Cao Cao's past merits as a county commandant and his subsequent grand achievements in pacifying rebels and unifying the Central Plains. He concluded that Cao Cao's current status as Sikong was a testament to his adaptability and loyalty to his duty, implying that one's ambitions evolve with their position.
His articulate response greatly pleased Cao Cao, who declared his intention to repay Sima Fang's past kindness by recommending Sima Yi for office. Sima Yi, however, politely deferred the offer, stating his desire to remain close to his parents and the need to consult his father first. Ren Hongchang diligently cared for Guo Jia until he finally regained consciousness. His first words were a complaint about the bitter medicine he had been given.
He then inquired if his junior, Leng Shouguang, had come to cure him, but Ren Hongchang revealed that it was Liu Ping who had saved him. She informed Guo Jia that Liu Ping also hoped he would, in turn, save Tang Ying, who was still unconscious from Fei's long-acting poison. Ren Hongchang then asked Guo Jia how he had discovered her true identity.
Guo Jia, with a knowing smile, replied that in the entire world, only Diaochan possessed such extraordinary beauty, leading to a moment of renewed affection between them. Liu Ping, having checked on Tang Ying, asked about Sima Yi's whereabouts, learning he was still with Cao Cao. Guo Jia, after examining Tang Ying, recognized the poison as similar to the one Fei had given him.
He explained that gathering all the necessary medicinal ingredients would take too long, making a conventional cure impossible. However, he revealed there was one quick method: using his own blood. The long-term medicines he had consumed meant their properties were now present in his blood, which, in sufficient quantity, could act as an antidote. When asked how much was needed, Guo Jia estimated three bowls, to be taken three times.
Liu Ping and others vehemently objected, fearing for Guo Jia's fragile health. Guo Jia, however, insisted, stating that he would rather die trying than live with the inability to repay his life-saving debt to Liu Ping, considering it a greater insult than death itself. At the military camp, Cao Cao celebrated his recent victory, commanding that Shen Pei and his son be brought before him. Upon seeing Xu You, Shen Pei's rage flared, regretting not killing him earlier.
Xu You attempted to persuade Shen Pei to surrender, praising Cao Cao's benevolence. Shen Pei feigned compliance, and when his bonds were loosened, he seized a sword and fatally stabbed Xu You. Despite this, Cao Cao still sought to recruit Shen Pei, but Shen Pei steadfastly refused, declaring his unwavering loyalty to the Yuan clan and accepting death as his only end. His son, Shen Rong, bravely echoed his father's resolve to die.
Admiring their loyalty, Cao Cao granted Shen Pei's wish to be executed facing north. However, as they were led away, Sima Yi intervened, pleading for Shen Rong's life. He argued that killing the father would honor his loyalty, while sparing the son would demonstrate filial piety and allow the Shen lineage to continue, also projecting Cao Cao's compassionate image to the world.
Although Shen Pei initially rejected Sima Yi's interference, Cao Cao was deeply impressed by Sima Yi's ingenious reasoning and agreed to spare Shen Rong. Shen Pei, accepting his fate, urged his son to live as a scholar and avoid politics. Cao Cao remarked on Sima Yi's remarkable skill in "winning people's hearts." Despite his weakened state, Guo Jia proceeded to cut his wrist and draw blood for Tang Ying.
He instructed Liu Ping on how to mix the blood with the medicine and administer it. Liu Ping thanked him for saving Tang Ying, but Guo Jia stated that this act served as repayment for Liu Ping saving his own life, thus settling their debt. Later, Cao Cao pressed Sima Yi for a definitive answer regarding his offer of an official position.
Sima Yi boldly asked if it was a command or a recruitment, explaining that if it were merely a recruitment, he was unwilling to serve. He candidly stated that he was a highly competitive individual and believed that if he served under Cao Cao, he would inevitably clash with Guo Jia in terms of intelligence and courage, which, under a discerning lord like Cao Cao, would only lead to his own demise.
Cao Cao laughed at Sima Yi's unique reasoning and self-confidence. Sima Yi then stated his intention to return home to further his studies and refine his character, adding that now that Cao Cao had pacified the Central Plains, he would not dare challenge Guo Jia elsewhere. Recognizing Sima Yi's resolve, Cao Cao ultimately respected his decision to decline the offer.
