Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 37 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Liu Ping noticed Fu Shou was preoccupied all day and asked if she was still concerned about the ten-day pact. Fu Shou questioned him about Guo Jia’s condition, deducing that Guo Jia wanted Liu Ping to marry Cao Cao’s daughter. Liu Ping denied agreeing to any such thing, but Fu Shou revealed that Cao Pi had already informed her. She then said she had seen Liu Ping and Miss Cao treating soldiers together, and they looked well-matched.
Thinking she was being selfish, Fu Shou offered to abdicate her empress position to Cao Jie. Liu Ping embraced her, reiterating that he only wanted her as his empress and that they would be together forever. Meanwhile, Jia Xu had sent a letter to Guo Jia, understanding that Guo Jia had already gleaned part of the great secret.
The letter revealed that the current Emperor was Emperor Ling’s biological son and the late Emperor’s twin, trying to continue the dynasty with a pure heart. Jia Xu urged Guo Jia to make his own choice about whether Liu Ping was a puppet or a benevolent ruler, emphasizing that a true ruler should possess both talent and compassion for his people.
In another place, Tang Ying found Sima Yi asleep and wanted to drape a coat over him, but he playfully pulled her into a hug. They chatted, and Sima Yi joked about his father’s implicit approval of their marriage, as he had sent yams meant for Tang Ying to Sima Yi. Their happy moment was interrupted by a messenger delivering a letter from Liu Ping.
Sima Yi read it and muttered that Liu Ping was causing trouble for him again, prompting Tang Ying to ask if something had happened to His Majesty. In Xudu, scholars gathered at the palace gates, demanding an audience with His Majesty. Man Chong threatened them with arrest, calling their actions rebellious, but Xun Yu arrived and dismissed Man Chong's guards. Xun Yu told the scholars that the Emperor was ill and recuperating, urging them to leave quietly.
However, Superintendent Kong Rong openly questioned Xun Yu's words, suggesting that the Emperor was not merely sick but had been forced by Grand Minister Cao to accompany the army, implying Cao Cao had committed a crime. Xun Yu insisted that state affairs should be addressed through memorials, not by causing a disturbance outside the palace.
Despite this, Kong Rong remained unconvinced, reminding Xun Yu of a previous incident where the Emperor was said to be sick but was actually taken to Guandu. Kong Rong accused Xun Yu of serving two masters and lamented that such a talented individual would earn the reputation of a "servant of two masters." Kong Rong's words struck a deep chord with Xun Yu.
Unbeknownst to many, Sima Yi had secretly contacted the scholars, instructing them to spread the rumor that Cao Cao had taken the Emperor hostage with ill intentions. His aim was to escalate the issue, forcing Cao Cao to protect the Emperor from public backlash. At the next court session, ministers discussed the Emperor's ten-day absence due to illness.
Kong Rong then dramatically announced that the evil Cao had forced the Emperor to go north ten days ago, accusing him of usurping the throne. He rallied the ministers to submit a joint memorial to deter Cao Cao from rash actions, his emotional outburst, which included weeping for the 400-year history of the Han Dynasty, moved many to tears. That night, Cui Yan secretly visited Xun Yu, seeking to know the truth about Liu Ping’s whereabouts.
Xun Yu claimed Liu Ping had volunteered to accompany the army, but admitted that in the current climate, no one would believe it. He stated that he had painstakingly urged Cao Cao against it, but Cao Cao insisted, leaving Xun Yu no choice but to cover it up to prevent court unrest. Cui Yan reminded Xun Yu of his principled past, when he joined Cao Cao with the intent to assist the rightful government.
Xun Yu, though acknowledging Cao Cao’s appreciation, wondered if Cao Cao truly remained a subject of the Han Dynasty. Cui Yan shared his own experience of being "awakened" by His Majesty, which seemed to resonate with Xun Yu. Separately, Tang Ying and Sima Yi discussed the spreading news of the Emperor’s northern journey. Sima Yi asserted that even if Cao Cao were to expose Liu Ping's true identity, the public would dismiss it as a fabricated excuse for usurpation.
He believed this would compel Cao Cao to protect the Emperor. Tang Ying worried about Cao Cao disregarding public opinion, but Sima Yi declared it his "only bet," vowing to see it through even with a slim chance, likening politics to a high-stakes gamble. He confidently stated that his every move was meticulously calculated and compared the world to a chessboard. Back in the camp, Fu Shou helped Liu Ping wash his hands, still worried about the ten-day pact.
She noted his recent happiness in treating soldiers and being with her. To protect him, Fu Shou offered to stay and confront Cao Cao and Guo Jia, suggesting Leng Shouguang take Liu Ping back to Xudu to gather forces and protect the Sima family. Liu Ping refused to leave her. Instead, he planned to have a frank discussion with Guo Jia, trusting in Guo Jia's character and believing he could be persuaded.
Leng Shouguang examined Guo Jia, offering him ten years of peaceful life if he retired to the mountains. A letter from Xudu was delivered, further interrupting Guo Jia's recuperation and drawing Leng Shouguang's rebuke. Guo Jia, however, scoffed at the idea of a life devoid of political schemes, asking what fun that would be. He then questioned why Leng Shouguang wished to save him. Leng Shouguang replied that His Majesty had ordered him to.
Reading Jia Xu's letter, Guo Jia realized that Jia Xu’s notorious reputation as a "servant of three masters" was a calculated facade to protect the Han Imperial Family. Ren Hongchang, nearby, asked Guo Jia about his plans, but he only stated that he was a subject of Lord Cao. Cao Cao, upon receiving intelligence from Xudu, was furious about the disturbance caused by the Han officials.
His son, Cao Zhi, suggested publicly announcing the Emperor's presence with the army to boost morale. However, Cao Pi strongly disagreed, fearing it would diminish Cao Cao's achievements. Cao Zhi argued that cooperation with the Emperor was essential for unifying the world. Cao Cao, with a meaningful look at Cao Pi, questioned who leaked the information about the Emperor's northern journey, as only a few knew. Cao Pi vowed to punish anyone who dared to oppose his father.
Liu Ping met Guo Jia, acknowledging that Guo Jia knew the full truth. They exchanged veiled remarks about Sima Yi's influence. Liu Ping, while initially feigning ignorance, eventually admitted to having a twin brother whom he wished Guo Jia would help him find. Guo Jia confirmed he knew Liu Ping's true identity but deemed it useless, as Cao Cao could use it to destroy the Han Dynasty. Liu Ping then directly asked for Guo Jia's stance.
At the same time, Fu Shou, communicating with Leng Shouguang, expressed her dire backup plan: if Liu Ping's negotiation with Guo Jia failed, she would commit suicide as a sacrifice for the Former Emperor. She hoped this would spark a public uprising against Cao Cao and provide Liu Ping with a legitimate reason to return to Xudu and join forces with Sima Yi. Leng Shouguang tried to reassure her that Cao Cao and Guo Jia ultimately sought unity, not destruction.
In their negotiation, Liu Ping shrewdly hinted that if anything happened to him, the aristocratic families in Xudu would cause immense trouble for Cao Cao. He offered to issue an imperial decree for the northern expedition, which would appease Xudu's officials and help Cao Cao unify the Central Plains. Liu Ping questioned Guo Jia’s true aspiration, suggesting it extended beyond merely assisting a feudal lord. They reached an agreement.
Upon returning, Liu Ping informed Fu Shou that he had settled things with Guo Jia, who would not declare war on him until the battle was won. Liu Ping promised to protect both Fu Shou and Sima Yi. Meanwhile, Cao Pi furiously practiced swordsmanship, enraged by Sima Yi's unwavering loyalty to Liu Ping. He confided in Wang Yue that Liu Ping was the sole obstacle preventing him from claiming the throne and the strategists he desired.
He then proposed to Wang Yue a plot to assassinate the Emperor. Wang Yue, smiling, acknowledged that the world would blame Cao Cao for the Emperor's death, while Cao Pi would be the true beneficiary. Wang Yue observed that Cao Pi had severed "the last affection" in his life and predicted his future achievements would surpass his own. Cao Pi defiantly declared that all affections in his life were mere illusions.
Ren Hongchang visited Liu Ping and Fu Shou, thanking them for their comfort and acknowledging their sincere bond with Guo Jia. She asked Leng Shouguang if Guo Jia's life could truly be prolonged by ten years. Leng Shouguang confirmed it was possible if Guo Jia cleared his mind and distanced himself from conflicts, but noted the current campaign was detrimental. Ren Hongchang expressed deep worry about Guo Jia's rapidly weakening health. Suddenly, Wang Yue ambushed them.
Ren Hongchang bravely shielded Liu Ping and was fatally struck by an arrow. Leng Shouguang intervened, sustaining severe injuries while blocking Wang Yue. As reinforcements arrived, Cao Pi spotted Guo Jia among them, realizing his assassination plot was compromised. He cleverly feigned being taken hostage by Wang Yue but seized an opportunity to wound his master. Shocked by Cao Pi's betrayal, Wang Yue fled, dragging Cao Pi along.
In a secluded area, Wang Yue, unable to kill his only successor, imparted a final message: practicing the Wang Family Sword Technique would forever shackle Cao Pi with "fear and rage," a gift and a curse. With those words, Wang Yue succumbed to his wounds and died. Guards soon located Cao Pi, who was now safe.
