Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 38 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Liu Ping desperately tried to stop the bleeding for Ren Hongchang, but her injuries were too severe. He indicated to Fu Shou that Ren Hongchang's condition was beyond saving. Guo Jia rushed in, clutching Ren Hongchang in his arms. He lamented that he had always expected to see her off in death, but now it was she who was departing first. He promised to take care of the children.
With her last breaths, Ren Hongchang asked Guo Jia not to harm Liu Ping and his companions, for they had shown her a glimmer of hope in these chaotic times. Guo Jia promised her. Ren Hongchang then expressed her weariness from a life of wandering, and Guo Jia held her, saying she had overturned cities and nations, and deserved to rest.
He then told her to wait for him, as she would not be lonely for long, before collapsing and spitting blood. Liu Ping, seeing Ren Hongchang's passing, called out her name in sorrow. Liu Ping then instructed Fu Shou to fetch medicine for Guo Jia. Fu Shou quickly went to find Leng Shouguang, only to discover he was also gravely wounded. Fu Shou asked him where he was hurt, expressing concern that he had done all this for her.
Leng Shouguang recounted his life, saying that since he first saw her at 14, despite being only half a man, he had only wished to protect her for a lifetime. He regretted not being able to complete his promise. He then handed Fu Shou the "Green Salve Anthology," Master Hua Tuo's life's work, asking her to give it to Liu Ping, believing it would bring great grace to the world.
Fu Shou, desperate, asked if there was any method in the book to cure his own injury, but Leng Shouguang was beyond help. With a final smile, he expressed his happiness that she had finally called his name, Shouguang, before he passed away. Outside, Cao Zhi discovered the bodies of Cao Pi and Wang Yue. He immediately questioned Cao Pi, asking if he was the one who injured Wang Yue, and if he himself was hurt.
Cao Pi remained silent, his gaze fixed on Wang Yue's corpse, before he departed in a daze. Liu Ping later discussed Wang Yue's assassination with Fu Shou, asserting that Wang Yue would never attempt such an act without cause. He urged them to strengthen themselves and investigate the truth to avenge Ren Hongchang and Leng Shouguang. Fu Shou suspected Cao Cao, noting that Wang Yue had attacked when the guards were conveniently moved to Cao Cao's main camp.
Liu Ping dismissed this, explaining that Wang Yue would not follow Cao Cao's orders, and Cao Cao would never risk the charge of regicide, which would unite all feudal lords against him. Fu Shou then wondered who the true mastermind was. Liu Ping clarified that Wang Yue sought only revenge, not allegiance to anyone, implying someone must have revealed the truth behind Wang Fu's death to him.
Fu Shou considered Yang Xiu, but Liu Ping concluded that regardless of their identity, this person was surely operating close to them. Cao Pi came to visit Guo Jia, who, despite his severe injuries, directly asked Cao Pi when he began training in sword techniques with Wang Yue. Cao Pi denied it, claiming Wang Yue had almost killed him before.
Guo Jia, acknowledging he might not be a martial artist but was not ignorant, warned Cao Pi that Lord Cao was incredibly perceptive and would not tolerate him playing with fire right under his nose. Cao Pi, despite his hidden murderous intent as he gripped his sword, ultimately swore his unwavering loyalty to his father, calling upon Heaven and Earth as witnesses. Guo Jia, visibly weakening, simply told him to leave, to take care of himself.
Cao Pi, still unsettled, then secretly stood guard outside Guo Jia's room. When Cao Cao later approached, he questioned why Cao Pi was outside instead of attending to Guo Jia. Cao Pi explained he was guarding outside as Liu Ping was examining Guo Jia. Inside, Cao Cao inquired about Guo Jia's condition.
Liu Ping informed him that Guo Jia's pulse was very weak and his situation was grim, suggesting it might be connected to the internal injuries sustained during Wang Yue's assassination attempt. Cao Cao, looking at Guo Jia, stated that his investigation had revealed someone had deliberately transferred the guards away during the assassination. He vowed to thoroughly investigate this "spy" and provide both Liu Ping and Guo Jia with a satisfactory explanation.
Guo Jia, meeting Cao Pi's gaze, then requested a private conversation with Lord Cao, causing Cao Pi to worry intensely outside about what Guo Jia might reveal. Back in their quarters, Fu Shou anxiously inquired about Guo Jia's condition. Liu Ping somberly admitted that Guo Jia's pulse was very weak, and he feared the man would not last long.
When Fu Shou asked if Hua Tuo's "Green Salve Anthology" held a cure, Liu Ping could only lament the absence of Leng Shouguang, who might have found a way. Later, when Liu Ping visited Guo Jia, he tried to offer further treatment, but Guo Jia refused, stating that his time was short. He expressed that if he could assist Lord Cao in pacifying the northern Central Plains, he would have no regrets.
Guo Jia then urged Liu Ping to focus on state affairs rather than just his life or death, believing Liu Ping understood him, just as he understood Guo Jia. Fu Shou, still troubled, questioned whether Guo Jia might reveal Liu Ping's secret to Cao Cao before his death.
Liu Ping, filled with admiration for Guo Jia's outstanding breadth of mind and talent, expressed his regret at still harboring doubts about a man he had always wished to recruit to their cause. Meanwhile, outside, Cao Pi was tormented by Wang Yue's dying words about the fear and rage inherent in the Wang Family Sword Technique, which Wang Yue had called both a gift and a curse. He wept as he recalled them.
A subordinate then informed him that Grand Minister Cao wanted to see him without delay. Liu Ping, observing the sound of horse hooves and military movements outside, realized the situation had shifted. He wondered if Guo Jia had already made his critical choice. He then went to see Guo Jia, asking about Cao Cao's departure from Lulong.
Guo Jia confirmed it was his strategy: to feign illness and remain behind, leaving Cao Zhi to guard Lulong, while Lord Cao led a light cavalry for a surprise attack on the Wuhuan tribes. Liu Ping expressed concern that if the strategy succeeded and Wuhuan fell, Lulong's defenses would be vulnerable to other enemies. Guo Jia, however, confidently stated that his presence alone would be sufficient to hold the city.
Guo Jia, making offerings to his deceased friends, explained to Liu Ping that allowing Yuan Shang, who had fled to the Wuhuan tribes, to grow stronger would harm border citizens and delay the empire's unification. He sought to secure Lord Cao's victory, even if it meant facing great danger. He confided in Liu Ping that his wish was simply to live long enough to witness Lord Cao's triumphant return.
Liu Ping promised he would, and that he would cure Guo Jia's illness. Guo Jia then reflected on Ren Hongchang and Leng Shouguang, both of whom had promised to see him off but died before him. He found contentment in the thought that Liu Ping would see him off, and trusted Liu Ping would not waste their sacrifices. Liu Ping, realizing Guo Jia had not revealed his secret to Cao Cao, was correct in his assumption.
Guo Jia explained that Liu Ping, coming from commoners, possessed benevolence and kindness, and had not changed his fundamental character despite many dangers. Guo Jia believed Liu Ping uniquely understood the duty of an emperor, not merely to eliminate a powerful subject. He saw Lord Cao and Liu Ping as similar, both desiring to end the war and unify the empire. Guo Jia later cautioned Cao Zhi, who was concerned about his health, to keep his critical illness a secret.
He warned that revealing it would cause Cao Cao and the frontline morale to waver, attracting the attention of the Hu soldiers and endangering Lulong. Cao Zhi, wishing Guo Jia well, assured him that Liu Ping's medical skills would help him recover. Miles away, Sima Yi reviewed intelligence confirming Liu Ping's safety after Cao Cao's surprise attack on Wuhuan.
Tang Ying, however, worried that after Cao Cao's return in three months, he would investigate the scholar's protests, which would likely put Sima Yi in a difficult position. Meanwhile, Yang Xiu visited Fu Wan, informing him that Cao Cao had led a light cavalry for a surprise attack on Wuhuan, leaving only Cao Zhi to guard Lulong. Fu Wan, surprised by Yang Xiu's knowledge, was reminded that Yang Xiu's close relationship with Cao Zhi gave him access to such information.
Yang Xiu subtly accused Fu Wan of not caring about the Han Dynasty's survival, prompting Fu Wan to ask his true purpose. Yang Xiu explained that if Cao Cao's surprise attack succeeded, he would pacify the entire north, leaving no place for the Han Dynasty. He proposed informing the Xianbei tribe, who were historically at odds with Wuhuan, that Lulong's defenses were empty.
This would prompt Xianbei to attack Lulong, cutting off Cao Cao's retreat and trapping him between two enemy forces, ensuring his defeat. Fu Wan expressed concern for Liu Ping and Fu Shou's safety in Lulong. Yang Xiu dismissed these fears, arguing that they had survived Guandu, and rescuing two people from a besieged city would not be difficult.
He pressed Fu Wan to take this risk, stating that only a slight danger for his daughter and son-in-law could eliminate Cao Cao and revive the Han Dynasty. Yang Xiu confessed his sole purpose was to surpass Guo Jia and Sima Yi, and this scheme merely offered a convenient benefit to the Han, but Fu Wan called him a madman. Yang Xiu corrected him, saying he was merely a gambler, and left the decision to Fu Wan.
Guo Jia, aware his end was near, confided in Cao Jie that he would not live to see Grand Minister Cao's victorious return. He instructed her to keep his death a secret and hold no funeral, to prevent the Hu army from seizing the opportunity to attack Lulong, which would then be guarded by Cao Jie and Fourth Young Master Cao Zhi. He handed her two brocade pouches. The first contained a military strategy for repelling the enemy.
The second, he explained, held the secret of Liu Ping's true identity, an emotional issue he could not resolve himself. He told Cao Jie that if Grand Minister Cao and Liu Ping ever reached an irreconcilable point, she should open the pouch and make a choice for the world. When she questioned why it should be her, Guo Jia replied that she would understand in the future. Cao Jie, distraught, tried to summon help as Liu Ping arrived.
Guo Jia, dismissing Cao Jie, asked her to leave, stating he had words for Liu Ping. Liu Ping offered acupuncture, but Guo Jia refused, saying his time was short and he had crucial words to impart. His greatest worry was the Xianbei tribe's Hu army attacking in their vulnerable state, fearing Cao Zhi might not be able to hold the city.
Liu Ping reassured him, promising to do his utmost to help Cao Zhi and prevent the Hu barbarians from advancing south if Xianbei attacked. Guo Jia then shared his heartfelt thoughts. He felt fortunate to have met Lord Cao, who allowed him to pursue his aspirations, and equally fortunate to have met Liu Ping, who showed him a glimmer of light on the right path amidst the chaos.
He regretted that Heaven would not grant him more years to assist two such wise rulers in pacifying the world. Liu Ping expressed his deep admiration for Guo Jia's bond with Cao Cao, and sorrow that their first truly sincere conversation came at the moment of their eternal parting. Guo Jia then bowed deeply to Liu Ping, expressing his great fortune in meeting such a wise ruler in these chaotic times. Liu Ping returned the bow.
Despite his immense pain and nearing death, Guo Jia continued to attend to military affairs, giving instructions. Liu Ping silently left, respecting Guo Jia's wish to spend his final moments dedicated to his duties.
