Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 43 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Emperor Liu Ping resolved to offer the position of Chancellor to Cao Cao, a move that would consolidate Cao Cao's power and pose a significant threat to the Han dynasty. This decision deeply troubled Yang Biao and Fu Wan, who feared that with Cao Cao as Chancellor, the Three Grand Ministers would be abolished, leaving him unchecked and the Han powerless.
Liu Ping explained that Cao Cao already wielded immense authority and considered rivals like Sun Quan, Liu Biao, and Liu Bei his primary adversaries. He believed that by cooperating with Cao Cao, they could unite the nation. Empress Fu Shou supported Liu Ping, reminding her father, Fu Wan, that the Imperial family's prestige had grown by backing Cao Cao in the successful Guandu and Wuhuan campaigns, and they should leverage this alliance to restore Han's glory.
Reluctantly, Fu Wan and the others accepted Liu Ping's reasoning, though still wary of "setting a tiger free." Cao Pi visited Sima Yi in prison, delivering a royal decree that appointed Sima Yi as a literary officer in the Chancellor's Office. He informed Sima Yi that Liu Ping had offered the Chancellor position to Cao Cao in exchange for Sima Yi's freedom. Sima Yi, acknowledging Liu Ping's efforts to save him, accepted the appointment.
He then challenged Cao Pi, asking if he feared Sima Yi's potential betrayal. Cao Pi smiled, stating that as long as Sima Yi was willing to serve him, he could tolerate other matters. Upon his release, Sima Yi confronted Liu Ping, angrily accusing him of foolishness for selling him out at the cost of the Chancellor's position. Liu Ping defended his choice, citing necessity and Cao Pi's genuine admiration for Sima Yi's talent.
Sima Yi retorted, blaming Liu Ping for not allowing him to kill Cao Pi in Lulong, which he believed would have averted their current predicament and spared Princess Consort Tang Ying the need to intervene publicly. With events already transpired, Sima Yi concluded they could only proceed cautiously. Later, Sima Yi entered Liu Ping's private chambers and discovered Tang Ying waiting for him.
Overjoyed, he embraced her, expressing concern that a distinguished princess consort should not have to appear before officials to plead for him. Tang Ying confessed her initial plan to break him out of prison but explained that such a rescue would have prevented him from returning honorably and achieving his ambitions. Sima Yi understood her profound sacrifice and embraced her tightly. Tang Ying then reminded him that a Han princess consort could neither remarry nor have children.
Sima Yi disregarded these concerns, declaring his sole desire for her. Tang Ying shyly revealed that she had never consummated her marriage with the Hongnong King, a revelation that delighted Sima Yi. As they rekindled their intimacy, a "homeless" Liu Ping, who had lent his sleeping quarters to Sima Yi, sought shelter with Fu Shou. He had also arranged for the palace gates to be closed, ensuring their privacy.
Fu Shou was understanding, and Liu Ping expressed his hope to personally host their wedding once the nation was united, believing it would be recorded as a beautiful romance. The following morning, Sima Yi went to see Liu Ping, who advised him to leave the palace quickly to avoid suspicion. Sima Yi, however, discreetly inquired about Liu Ping's marital relations with the Empress.
Liu Ping burst into laughter, surprised that Sima Yi, despite his previous teachings, seemed to lack practical experience in such matters. When Fu Shou entered, Sima Yi quickly covered Liu Ping's mouth, urging him not to disclose their conversation. Meanwhile, Cao Pi was informed that Sima Yi had stayed overnight with the Emperor to discuss political affairs and was angered by what he perceived as Sima Yi's blatant arrogance.
Xun Yu, worried about Cao Cao's potential retribution for their unauthorized troop deployment, spoke with Jia Xu. Jia Xu, seeing Cao Cao's drift from his original purpose of supporting the Han dynasty, subtly encouraged Xun Yu to reconsider his allegiance to Cao Cao and align with the Han. Taking Jia Xu's words to heart, Xun Yu approached Liu Ping, expressing his fears for the officials and scholars involved in the troop dispatch.
Liu Ping, prioritizing the greater good, proposed setting aside personal grudges to collaborate with Cao Cao for the unification of the realm. Deeply moved by Liu Ping's magnanimity and wisdom, Xun Yu pledged his loyalty, noting Liu Ping's changed demeanor and recalling Guo Jia's final wish for ruler and subjects to unite for peace. Man Chong stood before Guo Jia's memorial tablet, expressing guilt for not fulfilling Guo Jia's wishes during his lifetime.
Liu Ping arrived, and Man Chong asked about Guo Jia's dying words. Before Liu Ping could answer, Cao Cao arrived to pay his respects. Noticing the inscription "Deceased Han Military Libationer" on the tablet, Cao Cao looked thoughtful. Liu Ping affirmed he had personally written it, believing Guo Jia's soul would approve, and explained that Guo Jia's aspirations were for the people, not just one family.
He conveyed Guo Jia's dying wish for Cao Cao and himself to work together to pacify the world. Cao Cao agreed, declaring his intent to lead an expedition to Jingzhou and conquer Jiangdong, asking for Liu Ping's support in maintaining stability in Xudu. Cao Cao then showed Liu Ping a map Guo Jia had made before Guandu, predicting the unification of Hebei.
He then proposed a marriage alliance as a condition for cooperation: Liu Ping would marry Cao Cao's daughter, and their child would be named Crown Prince, ensuring twenty years of peace. Liu Ping staunchly refused to sacrifice his love for political ends, stating he would not agree even if Guo Jia were resurrected. Cao Cao noted that the former Emperor would never have uttered such words.
Later, a despondent Cao Pi invited Sima Yi for drinks, lamenting his father's clear favoritism towards Cao Zhi ("Zijian") despite Cao Pi's own lifelong dedication to martial and political achievements. Acknowledging Sima Yi's loyalty to Liu Ping, Cao Pi nevertheless sought Sima Yi's help in securing the position of Heir Apparent, assuring him it would not harm the Han dynasty. Sima Yi pointed out that ancestral laws favored the eldest legitimate son, suggesting public opinion was on Cao Pi's side.
Cao Pi, however, countered that his father always disregarded public opinion. In the 13th year of Jian'an (208 A. D. ), Cao Cao launched a massive expedition to Jingzhou, aiming to conquer Jiangdong. Cao Pi and Yang Xiu accompanied him, while Liu Ping (referred to as Yihe by Sima Yi) and Sima Yi remained in Xudu.
Sima Fang, Sima Yi's father, and his elder brother secretly visited Sima Yi, expressing concern about his involvement with Cao Cao and urging him to distance himself from the political turmoil. Sima Yi explained that a hidden force was still at play, and Liu Ping's identity would eventually be exposed. He asserted his need to remain in the capital to control the situation and protect the Sima clan.
He then advised Liu Ping that Cao Cao, having been conferred a noble title, would soon name his heir. Sima Yi argued that the Han dynasty must influence this decision. While Liu Ping felt a sense of obligation to Cao Pi, who had risked his life to save him, Sima Yi countered that Cao Pi's ambition was too great to coexist peacefully with the Han.
He advocated for supporting Cao Zhi, whose temperament was more aligned with Liu Ping's and would be safer for the Han. Sima Yi pressed Liu Ping to make a strategic choice, not an emotional one, even suggesting the audacious move of deposing the eldest son for the younger. He proposed a marriage alliance between Cui Yan and Cao Zhi as a means to gain support.
Liu Ping still felt conflicted about betraying Cao Pi, but Sima Yi admonished his sentimentality, urging him to learn from his own "heartlessness" for the sake of survival. Playfully, Liu Ping asked Sima Yi to take the throne if he ever tired of being emperor, but Sima Yi declined, preferring a life with less responsibility.
Man Chong's subordinates reported that Sima Yi's father and brother had visited him, and Sima Yi had immediately gone to the palace afterward, noting that Wen County appeared to be a source of the Emperor's power. They questioned whether further investigation would anger Cao Cao, who seemed to tolerate these actions. Man Chong instructed them to continue closely monitoring Sima Yi and his family for any unusual activities.
