Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 36 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Cao Pi practiced sword fighting with Wang Yue, harboring deep resentment towards Sima Yi for refusing to join him. Wang Yue encouraged him to fully unleash his hatred to achieve maximum power. Cao Pi shared his plan with Wang Yue, revealing that Liu Ping was about to embark on an expedition, which presented a prime opportunity for them to avenge their Senior Brother.
He noted that with the Emperor and Empress secretly joining the army and away from the palace's strict security, it would be their best chance for vengeance. Meanwhile, Sima Yi discreetly spent a significant sum to buy off the various factions who had sent people to monitor him. One of the servants confessed he had been sent by Sima Lang, Sima Yi’s older brother, out of concern for his well-being. Sima Yi accepted the explanation and gave the servant money.
Liu Ping and Fu Shou accompanied Cao Cao on his expedition to Wuchao. They encountered heavy rains, and Cao Jie, who was also with them, fell ill with a cold but insisted on continuing. Liu Ping actively helped the soldiers set up camp in the rain, and Cao Pi, witnessing this, also joined in to assist. Inside the camp, Cao Zhi was tending to his sister.
Guo Jia informed Cao Cao that the rain showed no signs of stopping, and many soldiers were falling ill from the prolonged exposure. A subordinate reported that the road ahead was washed out by a flash flood, making further travel impossible. Guo Jia suggested they temporarily station at Lulong. Cao Cao lamented how he had meticulously prepared for this campaign, only to be met with the heaviest rainfall in decades.
He questioned if Heaven was against his unification of the Central Plains. Guo Jia, however, suggested that since the barbarians were far and undefended, a surprise attack would surely lead to victory, questioning why Cao Cao would rush it. Cao Cao eventually agreed to Guo Jia’s advice and ordered his army to encamp in Lulong, stressing that they must billet in clean houses within the city and not disturb the local residents, with any disobedience punishable by execution.
While drinking ginger soup, Cao Cao thought of Liu Ping and instructed a servant to send a bowl to him as well. Liu Ping personally treated Cao Jie’s cold, informing Cao Cao that her weak condition made continued travel inadvisable. Cao Cao, impressed by Liu Ping's medical skills, attributed them to Regular Palace Eunuch Leng and asked Liu Ping to have Regular Palace Eunuch Leng treat Guo Jia’s chronic illness. Guo Jia, aware of the true circumstances, politely declined.
A local official at Lulong expressed his confusion over Cao Cao's exceptional deference towards Liu Ping. Guo Jia explained with a smile that Liu Ping was a strategist specially invited by Cao Cao for the northern expedition, and was a hundred times more important than himself. Liu Ping’s diligent participation in all tasks had earned him significant prestige within the army.
Guo Jia relayed this to Cao Cao, who then mused about the emperor's past, noting how drastically Liu Ping had changed within the past year. He recalled how the previous emperor would focus on personal safety during rainy journeys, whereas the current emperor prioritized the welfare of his citizens, which perplexed Cao Cao. Guo Jia suggested that perhaps Liu Ping had matured and understood the importance of winning people's hearts. Under someone's guidance, Tang Ying arrived at a mansion.
She saw a figure in a wheelchair who then turned around, revealing it to be Sima Yi, whom she had longed for. Tang Ying was overjoyed and asked how he knew she would be able to leave. Sima Yi assured her that if they truly wished to meet, no obstacle in the world could prevent them. He then rose from his wheelchair and embraced Tang Ying, stating he had waited for her for a long time.
Later, Guo Jia and Liu Ping stood on the city wall, admiring the scenery. Liu Ping expressed his deep concern for the suffering that the impending war would bring upon the common people. Guo Jia acknowledged that Cao Cao's early campaigns indeed involved cruel acts but maintained they were all for the sake of achieving peace sooner.
He argued that both Liu Ping and Cao Cao shared the same desire for a swift peace, and that Cao Cao's approach was to "kill to stop killing." Guo Jia encouraged Liu Ping to collaborate with Cao Cao, suggesting that their combined efforts could unify the empire ten years earlier and spare the citizens from prolonged conflict. Liu Ping was moved but doubted Cao Cao's willingness to trust him.
Guo Jia seized the opportunity to propose that Liu Ping depose Fu Shou and marry Cao Jie instead, as a means to earn Cao Cao's complete trust. Liu Ping, however, stated that he had certain inviolable principles, and Empress Fu Shou was one of them. While on the city wall, Liu Ping unexpectedly encountered the young field officer he had spared years ago. The officer joyfully greeted Liu Ping, but Liu Ping denied knowing him.
Guo Jia intervened, confirming the officer had mistaken Liu Ping for someone else. This interaction, however, was observed by Cao Pi. Upon returning to his quarters, Liu Ping urgently informed Fu Shou that someone had recognized "Yang Ping." He immediately dispatched a messenger to bring the field officer to him. Meanwhile, Cao Pi questioned the field officer about who he had supposedly mistaken Liu Ping for.
The officer began recounting his past, mentioning "Wenxian" before being abruptly summoned away by Guo Jia’s men. Liu Ping realized that Guo Jia had taken the field officer, fearing Guo Jia now knew his true identity and would report it to Cao Cao. Fu Shou urged Liu Ping to flee, but Liu Ping decided against it. He reasoned that deposing an emperor would gravely affect public morale, and the field officer's testimony alone was not strong enough evidence.
He resolved to confront Guo Jia directly, hoping to secure his support before Cao Cao became aware of the truth. Guo Jia interrogated the field officer, threatening him and warning him that his life depended on revealing what he knew. The terrified officer confessed that the person he saw was "Young Master Yang." Guo Jia, visibly startled, ordered the officer to be taken away and strictly guarded, explicitly forbidding anyone, even Grand Minister Cao, from approaching him.
Later, Cao Pi attempted to demand the officer from Guo Jia, but Guo Jia dismissed him, stating it was merely a misunderstanding and the officer had offended the Emperor, so he had "taken care of him." Liu Ping then sought out Guo Jia. Guo Jia greeted him as "Sir Yang," though Liu Ping maintained his denial. Guo Jia, however, was clearly convinced, suggesting that Liu Ping's identity switch after the palace fire was no secret to him.
He pointed out that despite attempts to destroy evidence and silence witnesses, no such clumsy scheme could truly erase all traces, and that even the Sima family's efforts to cover up events in Wenxian couldn't hide everything. Guo Jia further noted that Liu Ping's hurried attempt to silence the field officer confirmed his suspicions. Liu Ping, still feigning his emperor persona, retorted that while being Guo Jia’s enemy was indeed terrifying, there was no "Sir Yang" in the world.
He argued that if his identity were truly questionable, the Han Imperial Family would never have accepted him, making it a greater farce than simply abdicating to Cao Cao. Guo Jia gave Liu Ping ten days, promising to keep his secret while verifying his identity. During this time, Liu Ping was to consider Cao Cao's marriage proposal. Liu Ping refused, to which Guo Jia subtly reminded him that Fu Shou was "not your empress" before departing.
Separately, Ren Hongchang prevented Cao Pi from forcibly taking the field officer. Cao Pi later visited Fu Shou and informed her of Cao Cao's intention to marry Cao Jie to Liu Ping, noting that Guo Jia had already discussed this in detail with Liu Ping. Seeing Fu Shou's evident distress, Cao Pi pledged to protect her no matter what. Fu Shou later observed Liu Ping and Cao Jie chatting cheerfully, and she felt a pang of jealousy.
Cao Cao, seeing them, told Cao Jie he had found her "the best husband in the world," casting a meaningful glance at Liu Ping. Liu Ping, however, took Fu Shou's hand and, addressing Cao Cao, said that if Cao Cao had someone in mind, he and Fu Shou would certainly prepare a generous gift and attend the wedding together.
Later, Fu Shou confronted Liu Ping, asking about the conditions Guo Jia had proposed and revealing that Cao Pi had already told her about Cao Cao's plan to marry Cao Jie to Liu Ping. Liu Ping reassured her, telling her not to overthink things, and that he would never agree to such a marriage.
