Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 42 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Cao Cao visited Guo Jia’s burial site, expressing deep sorrow and regret over his friend's hasty burial due to concerns for army morale during the campaign. He lamented not having seen Guo Jia one last time. Cao Pi then presented Guo Jia's final strategies, including a plan for attacking the Wu territory. Cao Cao was overcome with emotion, stating that Guo Jia was far more than just a military strategist to him.
Cao Jie mentioned that Guo Jia had hoped for collaboration between Cao Cao and the Emperor. She then revealed that Guo Jia had left a pouch containing a strategy to defend the city, deliberately concealing the existence of a second pouch from an alert Cao Pi. Cao Cao continued to mourn the loss of his most trusted confidant.
Upon Cao Cao’s return to Xu Du, the streets were filled with cheering citizens, who praised the young Emperor Liu Ping for his capable command in defending Lulong and defeating the Xianbei Tribe. Many suggested Liu Ping was even more remarkable than Cao Cao, and expressed their desire for peace and stability rather than dynastic change. Hearing this, Cao Cao looked displeased.
Empress Fu Shou, observing the public's fervent support, joyfully told Liu Ping that the Great Han now truly had an Emperor in the eyes of the people. Meanwhile, Tang Ying excitedly welcomed Sima Yi back to their residence. Their reunion was tender, and Sima Yi, with his characteristic playfulness, shared his battlefield experiences, detailing how he outmaneuvered the Hu commander at Lulong.
Tang Ying, observing his enthusiasm, noted that Sima Yi seemed much happier on the battlefield, fulfilling his ambitions, rather than living a quiet scholarly life. They briefly discussed Pan Yang's death; Tang Ying, with a philosophical view, suggested it was a fitting end for a martial artist burdened by vengeance. Sima Yi gently reassured her that she was his "best and happy ending."
He then informed her he needed to change and proceed to the palace, promising to return for dinner. In the palace, Liu Ping was devouring a meal, his hunger evident after his time at the borders. Sima Yi remarked on how the distinguished Emperor had been starved. Liu Ping, after eating, bowed deeply to Jia Xu, first to thank him for providing horses and saving the nation, and then for keeping his true identity a secret.
He asked Jia Xu when he had learned the truth. Sima Yi expressed his surprise, and Liu Ping explained that Jia Xu's insights had been crucial in resolving misunderstandings with Guo Jia. Jia Xu confirmed he had known of Liu Ping's true parentage since his birth, a secret he learned due to his past involvement in palace affairs under Dong Zhuo. Sima Yi questioned why Jia Xu had kept such a vital secret from both Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao.
Liu Ping asserted that Jia Xu acted to protect the Han Dynasty and vowed to restore his reputation once the imperial bloodline was secured. Jia Xu, however, dismissed the need for personal recognition in his old age, simply urging Liu Ping to follow his own heart and determine the empire's future. Suddenly, a large contingent of Cao Cao's troops stormed into the imperial chambers.
They announced Cao Cao's order to arrest Sima Yi for deceiving the Grand Minister and evading conscription. Sima Yi attempted to resist, demanding to speak directly with Cao Cao, but the officer insisted he was merely following orders. Liu Ping was powerless to stop the arrest as Sima Yi was taken away. Feeling betrayed, Liu Ping expressed his dismay, recalling Cao Cao’s promise to spare Sima Yi.
Jia Xu cautioned him, explaining that Cao Cao's "sharp blade" had only been raised, and Sima Yi's ultimate fate would depend on Liu Ping’s subsequent actions. Elsewhere, Fu Wan angrily confronted Fu Shou, chastising her for not allowing Cao Cao to perish in Lulong, which he believed would have been an opportunity to revive the Han Dynasty. Fu Shou argued that they could not sacrifice innocent citizens for a political struggle.
Fu Wan retorted that they had merely paved the way for Cao Cao's victory while exposing their own limited power, warning that Cao Cao would not spare them. At that very moment, a subordinate reported Sima Yi's arrest, prompting Fu Wan to cynically declare this was Cao Cao's "repayment" for their leniency. Liu Ping sought an audience with Cao Cao to plead for Sima Yi, but Cao Cao claimed to be too busy and sent Cao Pi instead.
Liu Ping suggested that Cao Cao was ashamed to face him for breaking his word. Cao Pi explained that Sima Yi’s actions warranted either a marquisate for his merits or execution for his deceit, and Cao Cao's patience had been exceptional. He warned that Cao Cao would never tolerate a genius like Sima Yi potentially becoming a rival, and Liu Ping’s continued concern for Sima Yi only made him a greater target.
Cao Pi urged Liu Ping to "let Sima Yi go" if he wanted him to survive, emphasizing that public support could not protect him indefinitely. Liu Ping, distraught, lamented that his own minister required his abandonment to be saved and questioned the possibility of cooperating with Cao Cao. Cao Pi then revealed that Cao Cao was willing to reconcile and release Sima Yi, but only on a certain condition.
Tang Ying, believing that Liu Ping should not concede any further to Cao Cao, informed Fu Shou of her plan to break Sima Yi out of prison. She dreamed of a life for them in a peaceful mountain retreat, far from war, where Sima Yi could freely pursue his interests, and she could lay down her sword.
Fu Shou tried to dissuade her, cautioning that success would mean they could never return to Xu Du as long as Cao Cao lived. However, Tang Ying, determined to escape the "cage" of Xu Du, remained resolute. Reluctantly, Fu Shou agreed to assist, promising to arrange an internal contact within the prison and an escape route through the city gates for that very night. Tang Ying covertly observed as Cao Pi visited Sima Yi in his cell.
Cao Pi began by telling Sima Yi he was a "dragon-phoenix," destined for greatness, not a reclusive life. He claimed to understand Sima Yi's ambition and enjoyment of wielding power, asserting that only he, not Liu Ping, could fulfill these desires. Sima Yi, however, remained steadfast, asking Cao Pi to plead with his father to spare the Sima family.
He challenged Cao Pi's sincerity, suggesting that neither Cao Pi nor Cao Cao would ever truly trust him if he betrayed Liu Ping. Cao Pi then hinted at Liu Ping’s limited options for saving Sima Yi, even mentioning a jailbreak by a martial artist, with a pointed glance towards Tang Ying's hiding place. He warned Sima Yi that such an escape would only lead to a life of hiding, forcing him to abandon his aspirations and endure perpetual loneliness.
Sima Yi angrily dismissed Cao Pi’s interference. After Cao Pi departed, Sima Yi was left in a furious rage. Later that night, Liu Ping and Fu Shou anxiously awaited news. Fu Shou reassured Liu Ping that she had made all the necessary arrangements for Tang Ying’s escape. Liu Ping expressed his profound sadness, believing he might never see Sima Yi again and lamenting that Fu Shou was now his sole companion.
The next morning, reports confirmed that no prison break had occurred at the Xu Du Guards Office, leaving Fu Shou puzzled by Tang Ying’s inaction. Liu Ping, realizing his friends' efforts wouldn't suffice, resolved to personally save Sima Yi through official means. He convened court, presenting Sima Yi’s case as one balancing great merit (saving the Emperor during the Lulong crisis) against great crime (evading conscription).
Cao Zhi stepped forward to argue against punishing Sima Yi, citing historical examples of wise men who chose reclusion without penalty. Cao Ren, however, dismissed Sima Yi’s military contributions, questioning a scholar's qualifications for such merit. Amidst the ongoing debate, Tang Ying entered dramatically, carrying Prince Hongnong's memorial tablet. She passionately invoked the memory of the late Prince's tragic death and the shame of the Han Imperial Family's vulnerability.
She asserted Sima Yi’s "sky-high merit" in saving Liu Ping and defiantly declared that if defending him was a crime, she would accept the same punishment to face her late husband and Han ancestors without shame. Moved by her powerful appeal, Kong Rong and many other Han officials knelt, imploring Liu Ping to pardon Sima Yi. Liu Ping then instructed Cao Ren and Cao Pi to convey the imperial decree and the collective plea of the officials to Cao Cao.
Following the court session, Yang Xiu confronted Tang Ying, pointing out that by publicly leveraging her identity as Prince Hongnong's widow to save Sima Yi, she had made it politically untenable for any future marriage to an official, as she would face severe criticism. Tang Ying calmly responded by stating her commitment to guarding her deceased husband's memorial hall for the rest of her life.
Concurrently, Cao Pi reported to Cao Cao on Liu Ping's proposal: the Emperor was willing to grant Cao Cao the prestigious, long-vacant Chancellor position in exchange for Sima Yi's freedom. Cao Cao expressed surprise at Liu Ping’s willingness to concede such a powerful office for a mere scholar.
Cao Pi then knelt, urging his father to accept the offer as a show of goodwill and to trust him with managing Sima Yi, emphasizing his desire to have Sima Yi serve under him.
