Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 4 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Chief Eunuch Zhang Yu entered, greeting Liu Ping and Fu Shou. Fu Shou questioned his late-hour visit, but Zhang Yu directly asked her where the real Emperor was, stating that he had served His Majesty for eighteen years, from Luoyang to Changlan and then to Xudu, and was intimately familiar with him. He firmly declared that Liu Ping was not the true Emperor of the Han Dynasty.
Zhang Yu revealed that he had noticed clues during the palace fire and confirmed his suspicions after another day of observation. He assured them he had not told Cao Cao's men or anyone else, only seeking an explanation for the Emperor's safety. Fu Shou, convinced Zhang Yu posed a threat, grabbed a dagger to silence him. Liu Ping swiftly intervened, sustaining a bite from Fu Shou while declaring that he did not want anyone else to die tragically.
He then confessed to Zhang Yu that his imperial brother had already passed away. Zhang Yu, distraught, mourned for the deceased Emperor. Meanwhile, Sima Yi was resting calmly at Tang Ying's residence, much to her annoyance. He casually remarked that he hadn't slept since the previous night and playfully wondered if she preferred him to sleep inside. Tang Ying, after threatening him, eventually allowed him to rest.
Back in the palace, Liu Ping presented Zhang Yu with a last will left by his royal brother, which stated that he was passing the throne to Liu Ping to restore the Han Dynasty. Zhang Yu, realizing Liu Ping was the late Emperor's twin, was amazed by their resemblance. Liu Ping explained that though his ascension was not lawful, it was for the sake of the Han Dynasty and his brother's wish.
Zhang Yu then asked about the late Emperor's body. Fu Shou revealed the corpse was that of the eunuch who died in the fire, explaining that burning the imperial chamber and substituting a body were all part of the late Emperor's plan. She added that Man Chong had seized the body and was holding it at the Xudu Guard Office. Zhang Yu, unable to tolerate the Emperor's body being defiled, declared that he would retrieve it himself.
He requested permission to resign and return to his home province, offering to go to the Xudu Guard Office, cremate the Emperor's body, and take the ashes with him for a proper burial. In the prison, a subordinate informed Man Chong that the dead body had ingested medicine shortly before death. Unsure of the specific drug, Man Chong ordered Imperial Physician Zhao to examine it, brushing aside concerns about the physician's status.
The subordinate also reported that five men sent to monitor Dong Cheng's manor had gone missing, with no bodies found. Man Chong noted Dong Cheng's unusual efficiency, speculating he was preparing for a major move. Fu Shou expressed concern about Zhang Yu's ability to retrieve the body from the heavily guarded Xudu Guard Office. Liu Ping suggested Zhang Yu seek help from the Sima Family's people in Xudu, but Fu Shou worried this would draw too much attention.
Zhang Yu assured them he had his own method. Zhang Yu then questioned if the late Emperor's true identity would ever be revealed, to which Liu Ping promised to establish a memorial hall for his imperial brother. Zhang Yu observed that Liu Ping's kindness was a stark contrast to the true Emperor's decisiveness, and pondered whether such kindness was beneficial for the heavy burden of the Han Dynasty. He then bid them farewell.
Man Chong discussed Dong Cheng's missing men with Xun Yu, inferring a significant upcoming action, possibly connected to Yuan Shao and the Emperor himself, given the Emperor's recent order for Dong Cheng to reorganize the Chamber Guards. Xun Yu, concerned, acknowledged the growing number of officials secretly communicating with Yuan Shao. Meanwhile, Liu Ping expressed his longing for Sima Yi, feeling lost without his presence.
Fu Shou cautioned him against showing excessive care for those around him, explaining that such attachments would only bring them danger, and that to truly protect them, he must learn to detach and act more like an emperor. She asked why Liu Ping had not resisted when she bit his hand. Liu Ping responded that he allowed her to vent her emotions, sensing her immense tension and need for release.
Fu Shou admitted her sleepless anxiety over Zhang Yu and the late Emperor's body, and worried about Tang Ying's safety, especially since the fire occurred after her arrival. Liu Ping assured her Tang Ying was capable. He vowed that if they succeeded, he would ensure a worthy funeral for his brother and honor for Tang Ying, though Fu Shou urged him to focus on the present.
Zhang Yu presented an oral decree from Liu Ping at the Xudu Guard Office, ordering the cremation and proper burial of "Eunuch Chen Rong'er," who had died protecting the Emperor. The guards refused to comply without Man Chong's explicit orders, leading to a tense standoff. Just then, Colonel Chong, the patrol guard leader and an acquaintance of Zhang Yu, arrived.
After confirming Zhang Yu's right to interfere given the imperial decree, Colonel Chong personally ordered the coroners to cremate the eunuch's body. Zhang Yu watched mournfully as the body was consumed by flames. Elsewhere, Man Chong informed Xun Yu of his intention to interrogate Yang Jun, believing his "robbery" case was linked to the palace fire. However, an urgent military report arrived, announcing Liu Bei's rebellion in Xuzhou.
Facing this new crisis, Xun Yu ordered the arrest of both Zhang Yu and Yang Jun the following morning. In the palace, Fu Shou's anxiety about Zhang Yu's mission weighed heavily on her. She forced herself to stay awake, fearing any loss of control. A messenger finally arrived, confirming that Zhang Yu had completed his task. With a sigh of relief, Fu Shou's tense nerves relaxed, and she gently leaned on Liu Ping's shoulder, finally falling asleep.
Liu Ping, while reviewing memorials, found his thoughts drifting to Sima Yi and the challenges of safely escorting Zhang Yu out of the city. He was roused from his thoughts when Fu Shou awoke from a nightmare. She confided her lingering worry about Zhang Yu's safe departure, despite their plan to dismiss him under the guise of delaying the palace fire's suppression.
Liu Ping cautioned her that Man Chong's loyalty lay only with Cao Cao and Guo Jia, and that they must be careful when ministers would inevitably question Zhang Yu's expulsion. Outside Xudu, Man Chong's men intercepted Zhang Yu's carriage, which was being escorted by Palace Guard Wang Fu. Man Chong, citing the palace fire investigation, insisted on questioning Zhang Yu. Despite Wang Fu's protestations about the Emperor's decree, Man Chong refused to let Zhang Yu proceed.
Zhang Yu, realizing he could not leave, requested permission to first bury the ashes of his "co-fellow from his province." Man Chong agreed but then roughly rummaged through the urn containing the ashes. Heartbroken and powerless, Zhang Yu dug a grave with his bare hands, his fingers bleeding, to bury the late Emperor's ashes. A new report reached Liu Ping: Zhang Yu had been taken back to the Xudu Guards by Man Chong.
As Sima Yi woke, he saw a stranger. He immediately identified him as Yang Xiu. Sima Yi fearlessly questioned Yang Xiu about his brother, Yang Ping's, whereabouts. Yang Xiu stated that Yang Ping was in the Han Dynasty and that the Han Dynasty needed him, urging Sima Yi to return home and forget everything. Sima Yi countered by invoking the power of the Sima Family, suggesting that challenging such a formidable clan for a "weak Han Dynasty" would be unwise.
Yang Xiu dismissed Sima Yi's claims, recalling his father's reclusive nature and suggesting he would not interfere for an adopted son. Sima Yi maintained that even alone, he could disrupt the Han Dynasty's plans. Yang Xiu proposed a game: if Sima Yi could guess their plan within a day, he would be allowed to see Yang Ping. Sima Yi accepted the challenge and departed confidently.
After Sima Yi left, Yang Xiu told Tang Ying that Sima Yi must die, but not by their hands. He proposed orchestrating Sima Yi's death at the hands of Cao Cao's men, believing it would incite Sima Fang and Liu Ping's hatred for Cao Cao, proving that some individuals are more valuable dead than alive.
Sima Yi, at the Zhang Rice Shop, used a coded request for "common millet" to speak with the manager, who recognized him as "Second Young Master." Sima Yi requested records of government employee movements, a map of Xudu with city defenses and secret passages, and ordered increased surveillance on Supreme Commander Yang Biao and his son, Yang Xiu. The shop manager hesitated, questioning if these orders came from Sima Yi's father. Sima Yi confirmed they were his own command.
He also inquired about recent unusual events in Xudu. The manager listed the palace fire, Liu Ping's relocation to the Secretariat, and Yang Jun's encounter with bandits. The manager then revealed an urgent military report that Liu Bei had revolted and established an independent government in Xuzhou. Sima Yi observed the strategic implications: "Xuzhou, Guandu, Wancheng, Jingzhou. Xudu is surrounded by enemies on all four sides. What a coincidence."
