Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 32 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Cao Cao visited Guo Jia and noticed a wound on his hand. Guo Jia tried to brush it off, stating it was part of his treatment and the poison had been removed, needing only time to nurse his health. Cao Cao expressed his concern, acknowledging Guo Jia's exhaustion in helping him fight Yuan Shao for over a year and promised to find the best doctor for him in Xudu, emphasizing Guo Jia's importance for assisting Cao Zhi.
Guo Jia then revealed that their great victory at Guandu was actually due to Liu Ping's assistance. Cao Cao's demeanor immediately changed, and he questioned if this was why Guo Jia released the Emperor to Guandu. Guo Jia confirmed, explaining he gave Liu Ping a chance to witness the world and choose someone to end the chaotic times.
Cao Cao admitted that the Han Dynasty and he had long been united in appearance but divided at heart, doubting Liu Ping's sincerity. He noted how much Liu Ping had changed in two years, and how he had become involved with Sima Yi, who had suddenly gained the Emperor's favor and boasted as a patriot. Cao Cao believed Sima Yi would learn to curb his arrogance after this incident.
Guo Jia hinted that since Cao Cao had spared Sima Yi, he should extend similar leniency to the Emperor. Guo Jia then asked Cao Cao for a favor concerning Ren Hongchang. Cao Cao, remarking that Guo Jia was protecting too many people, granted his wish if she could bring him happiness.
However, Cao Cao clarified that he allowed Sima Yi to return home because he had not fully understood Sima Yi's background and feared keeping him close would be a danger. He declared that once back in Xudu, he would thoroughly review the dramatic changes of the past two years. Cao Pi safely returned to the military camp and casually told Cao Zhi that he had escaped from Wang Yue during Yuan Shao's defeat.
Cao Zhi, unaware of the truth, was relieved and informed Cao Pi that their mother was also at the camp, having been worried sick since he left. When Cao Pi met his mother, he immediately confronted her, revealing his knowledge that she was behind Zhang Xiu's killing of his elder brother. He accused her of being ruthless. His mother defended her actions, claiming she did it for the sake of Cao Pi and his brothers.
Cao Pi retorted that she only did it for his fourth brother, realizing this was why, despite all his efforts in poetry and combat, he had never earned his father's favor. He painfully confessed that in his father's eyes, his elder brother died because of him, and he felt like a scourge, wishing he had died with his elder brother so everyone would be happy. Enraged, his mother slapped him.
She told Cao Pi that his father didn't dislike him because of that incident, but because Cao Cao sought a hero capable of inheriting his grand undertaking and ending the chaotic world, not a son merely vying for affection. Such a hero, she explained, must be able to endure insults, bear sins, and remain unwavering through all hardships. After visiting Tang Ying, Sima Yi told Liu Ping it was time to discuss his dealings with Cao Cao.
Liu Ping happily informed Sima Yi that he had made an agreement with Cao Cao: Cao Cao would publicly announce Princess Consort Tang's death, allowing Sima Yi to take her away. Furious, Sima Yi slapped Liu Ping, accusing him of a last-minute betrayal that nullified everyone's efforts. Liu Ping offered to endure more blows if it would appease Sima Yi, explaining that his actions were for the sake of the world's citizens.
He reasoned that if Yuan Shao had won, he would have deposed the Han emperor and escalated the conflict, causing widespread suffering. He viewed his struggle with Cao Cao as merely a power struggle that shouldn't ignite a larger war across the land. Sima Yi angrily countered that Cao Cao was a thousand times more terrifying than Yuan Shao.
He argued that the fire at Yangwu not only destroyed Yuan Shao's provisions but also the hope for the Han Dynasty's revival, asserting that the Han House could no longer contend with Cao Cao's now overwhelming power. Liu Ping, however, maintained that while Cao Cao's power would increase, the Han Dynasty would gain support from northern aristocratic families and officials.
He believed the Han's legitimate rule and reputation for righteousness would prevent Cao Cao from overstepping his bounds, and he was working to win over Guo Jia and Xun Yu to establish a new balance. Still seething, Sima Yi called Liu Ping an "idiot" and declared that he would take Tang Ying and leave, refusing to help Liu Ping any further or return to the Imperial court.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiu engaged in conversation with Cao Zhi, lamenting how much he had missed in Xudu's literary world while accompanying Cao Cao. Yang Xiu praised Cao Zhi's sentimental compositions, noting their ambition extended beyond poetry. Cao Zhi, in turn, expressed his ambition to unite the nation, bless its citizens, and achieve everlasting merit beyond just literary accomplishments.
Yang Xiu affirmed their shared ambitions, recognizing that the defeat of Yuan Shao and the pacification of Hebei meant a new era of rebuilding, requiring benevolent and ambitious individuals like Cao Zhi. He pledged his loyalty, hoping to forge an eternal legacy with Cao Zhi, who reciprocated, declaring that a gentleman dies for a bosom friend, accepting Yang Xiu's allegiance. Tang Ying eventually woke up, playfully questioning if she was in the underworld.
Sima Yi explained she was in Cao Cao's military camp, where only Guo Jia could save her, and indeed, Guo Jia used his own blood to cure her poison. Distraught, Tang Ying feared Cao Cao would not let her go and refused to return to her identity as Princess Consort Tang, wishing Sima Yi had simply taken her back to Wenxian.
Sima Yi reassured her, reaffirming his promise to take her back and declaring that Liu Ping had already compelled Cao Cao to agree that Princess Consort Tang no longer existed. He told her that Liu Ping and Fu Shou even promised to sneak out of the palace to drink their wedding wine in Wenxian. With the carriage waiting, they prepared to depart for Wenxian. That night, as Sima Yi drove the carriage away, Liu Ping rushed to see him off.
Liu Ping told Sima Yi that even after he left, news of his deeds would reach Sima Yi's ears, suggesting he had matured and learned to "talk big" from Sima Yi himself. Sima Yi, on behalf of Tang Ying, expressed his gratitude for Liu Ping's actions and wished them a peaceful life, while Liu Ping hoped Sima Yi and Tang Ying would enjoy a similar peaceful existence.
As Sima Yi departed, Cao Pi watched, observing to Liu Ping that Sima Yi was leaving because of him. Liu Ping, unfazed, acknowledged that their positions would be different upon returning to Xudu, but he would never forget Cao Pi's courage in rescuing him on the mountain. Cao Pi, in turn, apologized for his earlier disrespectful speech before taking his leave. While practicing sword fighting with Wang Yue, Cao Pi's swordplay was full of hostility.
Wang Yue asked who had offended him, to which Cao Pi deliberately revealed that Wang Fu was betrayed by the Emperor, not by Cao Cao or Tang Ying, suggesting the Emperor was the true cause of Wang Fu's death. Ren Hongchang confessed to Guo Jia that she saw Cao Cao again and still harbored an intense hatred for him, a debt owed by millions who drowned in Xiapi, not just Lu Bu. She decided to leave.
Guo Jia admitted he was present when Cao Cao flooded Xiapi and understood the merciless nature of water and fire in battle, which he believed was necessary to end conflicts efficiently and minimize casualties. Ren Hongchang questioned if his intelligence was solely for efficient killing, but Guo Jia countered that he sought the most efficient way to avoid killing, citing her sacrifice to kill Dong Zhuo and save the Han citizens, or assisting a wise master to end the war.
He envisioned a peaceful world where people could live normal lives. He expressed his hope that Ren Hongchang would remain by his side until that day arrived. Ren Hongchang, longing for a normal life in a world consumed by war, embraced him. On the roadside, Shen Rong waited for Sima Yi, expressing gratitude for saving him.
He commented that if he had known Sima Yi's relationship with Tang Ying earlier, he might have helped break her out of Yecheng Guards Prison, potentially preventing his current plight. He advised Sima Yi to be cautious of Cao Cao, whom he described as ambitious and ruthless.
Sima Yi responded that he would no longer involve himself in their conflicts, but Shen Rong warned that Sima Yi, given his character and the current era, would not be able to escape entanglement. News of a great victory at Guandu reached Xun Yu: Yuan Shao's army was defeated, and Yuan Shao himself fled back to Yecheng, where he died from vomiting blood, thus pacifying Hebei.
Xun Yu rejoiced, noting that an achievement expected to take ten years was accomplished in one stroke, sparing the citizens of Hebei years of hardship. Man Chong then arrived, not just for the military news, but to report that over a hundred scholars from Hebei had come to Xudu, seeking refuge with the legitimate dynasty, but were held at the city gates without documents.
Xun Yu, delighted by the influx of talented scholars, immediately ordered Man Chong to let them in and provide them with lodging, food, and clothing. When Xun Yu asked who their benefactor was, one of the scholars, Lu Yu, discreetly revealed that it was the Emperor. After Yuan Shao's death, Cao Cao's forces occupied Yecheng.
Cui Yan, recognizing the futility of resistance, led the city's officials in surrender, offering a list of households and asking Cao Cao to hold him solely accountable while pardoning the citizens. Cao Cao assured him there was no blame, as Cui Yan was merely serving his master, and reiterated his commitment to consoling the people, not punishing them. Cui Yan then reported that Yuan Shao's sons had fled, with Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang escaping to Wuhuan.
Liu Ping expressed concern that they might collude with Wuhuan to invade the Central Plains, reigniting war in the north. Cao Cao, examining the submitted documents, remarked that Jizhou, with its 300,000 soldiers, was truly a significant region. Cui Yan boldly chastised Cao Cao for focusing on acquiring soldiers rather than inquiring about the suffering citizens or local customs upon his arrival, stating this was not what the people of Hebei expected from a wise master.
Liu Ping intervened, asserting that Cao Cao loved the citizens like his own children and surely had a plan to console them, waive taxes, conduct a census, and help them rebuild. Seizing the opportunity, Cao Cao then announced a one-year tax exemption for Jizhou, allowing the citizens to recuperate and putting their hearts at ease. Cui Yan, on behalf of Jizhou's citizens, thanked both Liu Ping and Cao Cao.
Cao Cao thanked Liu Ping and Fu Shou for accompanying him to Guandu, risking danger to defeat the Yuan army and, as he put it, "handing the hearts of the people" to him. Fu Shou countered that popular support was not a transferable commodity; Cao Cao won because Yuan Shao lost the people's trust. Liu Ping added that Cao Cao's ability to retain control of the Central Plains would depend on the principles of justice he upheld.
Fu Shou then brought up Xuzhou, asking if Cao Cao's current principles differed from those he espoused in the past. Realizing Fu Shou was recalling a painful memory, Liu Ping gently took her hand, acknowledging the devastation in Xuzhou where only a tenth of its 100,000 citizens survived, and stating that someone would always ask Cao Cao on their behalf.
Cao Cao, accepting the criticism, affirmed that her question would be recorded in history and that he would keep her words in mind, stating he wouldn't accept her scolding if he couldn't face the Xuzhou citizens or the soldiers who died. Soon after, Cao Cao's subordinates brought in the women of Yuan Shao's family, including Zhen Mi. Cao Cao lamented that Yuan Shao's sons had abandoned their wives and daughters.
He instructed Cao Pi and Cao Zhi to hand them over to their mother for care and provisions. Upon seeing Cao Pi, Zhen Mi, recognizing him as "Wei Wen," was shocked and publicly declared their marriage agreement, demanding if he would acknowledge it. She vowed to die rather than suffer insult at the hands of her enemies if he denied their bond. Cao Pi confessed to his father, stating he had no choice when saving people in Yecheng.
Seeing the situation, Liu Ping intervened, confirming Cao Pi and Zhen Mi's mutual affection and previous marriage promise. He acknowledged the impropriety of their private arrangement but emphasized that Zhen Mi had saved both him and Cao Pi, urging Cao Cao to approve their marriage. Honoring his son's word and Liu Ping's intervention, Cao Cao bestowed Zhen Mi upon Cao Pi. Cao Pi thanked his father and Liu Ping, while Cao Zhi jokingly teased him.
