Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 49 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
Liu Ping stood in the courtyard, overwhelmed by guilt for Tang Ying's death and disturbed by Sima Yi's profound anger. Empress Fu Shou approached him, gently draping a coat over his shoulders. She assured him that Tang Ying's death was not his fault but an unavoidable disaster of the turbulent times, adding that she too would have made the same sacrifice to save him.
Liu Ping, recoiling from the thought, declared that he would never allow her to sacrifice herself; her death would be more unbearable than his own. Meanwhile, Cao Pi, having achieved his ambitions, decided to bury the sword given to him by his master, Wang Yue, symbolizing his departure from his master's sword technique and his past.
He claimed he no longer needed to wield a sword or stain his hands with blood, desiring a clean and reputable name as an emperor. However, as he shoveled earth, he felt as if his hands were covered in blood, and he plunged into a fit of madness, unable to escape the past. During a public court session, Liu Ping announced his verdict on Cao Ren for forcing Princess Consort Hongnong to her death.
Having already reached an agreement with Cao Cao, Liu Ping demoted Cao Ren to Wuwei General and confiscated a year's wages, citing Cao Ren's past merits. The lenient punishment immediately drew protests from officials like Kong Rong, who argued that Cao Ren's actions bordered on rebellion and that Cao Cao harbored ambitions to usurp the throne.
Ignoring their pleas, Liu Ping then declared Cao Cao Duke of Wei, granting him Ye as his feudal land, and appointed Cao Pi as General of the Gentlemen of the Households and Deputy Chancellor, tasked with assisting his father in transferring to Ye. Liu Ping defended his decision by comparing Cao Cao's contributions to those of Duke of Zhou, stating that Cao Cao's assistance in stabilizing the Han Dynasty was outstanding and worthy of the title.
With his mind set, Liu Ping dismissed the court. Outside, Yang Xiu questioned Cao Cao, noting that withdrawing to Ye made him no different from any other feudal lord and asked if he feared the Emperor would renege on the deal. Cao Cao dismissed the concern, stating that the Han Dynasty finally had an emperor with the world in his heart, and for that, he thanked the Yang family.
Cao Pi excitedly went to see Sima Yi, only to be told that Sima Yi had not eaten for two days due to grief. Cao Pi shared the news of his father's new title and the relocation to Ye, expressing concern that Fu Wan and other Han loyalists would not let the matter rest. He asked Sima Yi for a strategy.
Sima Yi, still in his chambers, declared that the "bugs and flies" of the Han Dynasty would never stay still and he would eliminate them one by one. At his residence, Fu Wan chastised Liu Ping for squandering the opportunity created by Tang Ying's sacrifice, using it only to save a scholar's life. He saw this as a prime chance to eliminate Cao Cao.
Fu Shou, however, argued that Cao Cao's withdrawal from Xudu was a blessing for the Han Dynasty, freeing the Emperor from his control. Liu Ping countered, questioning the endless cycle of violence. He pointed out that eliminating Cao Cao would only lead to more conflict, leaving him a puppet to another power. He pressed Fu Wan, asking if any sacrifice, even plunging the world into chaos, was acceptable so long as Cao Cao was removed.
Fu Wan affirmed that eliminating Cao Cao justified any cost. Liu Ping, seeing Fu Wan's single-minded obsession, warned him that any rash action would result in Liu Ping treating him as a treacherous subject of the Han Dynasty. Enraged at being called a traitor for his loyalty, Fu Wan stormed out. Despite Liu Ping's warning, Fu Wan proceeded with his plan.
He gathered his associates to plot a military coup, intending to assassinate Cao Cao during his farewell visit to the Emperor. They discussed closing the city gates and attacking Cao Cao and his escorts, believing that without a leader, Cao Cao's army outside the city would surrender. Suddenly, Sima Yi arrived, openly acknowledging his awareness of Fu Wan's entire scheme.
He provocatively questioned if Fu Wan, knowing the Emperor was soft and seeking cooperation with Cao Cao, would let this opportunity to kill Cao Cao slip. Fu Wan, feigning ignorance, accused Sima Yi of insulting them. Sima Yi then detailed Fu Wan's overt plotting, including his recent contact with city defense guards, before chillingly stating he had come "to pay his last respects" to Fu Wan. Worried about her father, Fu Shou returned home, having asked Liu Ping for permission.
She attempted to dissuade Fu Wan from his plan, reminiscing about their shared hardships during past chaotic times. She urged him to see the emerging peace in the Central Plains and consider the well-being of the citizens, regardless of who ruled. Fu Shou pleaded with her father to abandon his dangerous plot, arguing that failure would lead to chaos, and success would only fragment the empire further.
She declared her love for Liu Ping, her father, and the people, stating she no longer wished to treat life as a trifle. Fu Wan, however, remained resolute, citing his family's generations of service to the Han imperial family and his inability to choose otherwise. Fu Shou tearfully begged him one last time to focus on assisting the Emperor and protecting the people, but Fu Wan only expressed sorrow that he had to involve her, reiterating his conviction.
Cao Pi presented Sima Yi with intelligence confirming Fu Wan's mutiny plot, noting the lack of direct evidence if Fu Wan didn't act. Sima Yi calmly revealed that he had already leaked this information to Yang Xiu. Meanwhile, a drunken Cao Zhi was interrupted by Yang Xiu, who relayed the same intelligence about Fu Wan's impending mutiny. Cao Zhi, concerned for Fu Wan and the Empress, immediately wanted to persuade Fu Wan to stop.
Yang Xiu, criticizing Cao Zhi's idealism and lack of ambition compared to Cao Pi, knocked him unconscious to prevent him from interfering. Cao Cao, discussing the troop withdrawal with Cao Ren, lamented the wasted years fighting the Han Dynasty and expressed a desire to focus on southern expansion, dreaming of travel in his old age. His thoughts were interrupted when Yang Xiu arrived, confirming the mutiny plot. Cao Cao's face darkened, feeling betrayed by Liu Ping once more.
Later that night, Cao Zhi, having recovered, furiously rode his horse into the palace, defying palace guards, to warn Liu Ping. He breathlessly informed Liu Ping and Fu Shou that Fu Wan's collusion with the Chamber Guards had been discovered by Yang Xiu and likely reported to Cao Cao, who was about to act. Fu Shou, horrified, cried out that her father would be killed and rushed to save him, but Liu Ping held her back.
At his manor, Fu Wan knelt before the memorial tablet of Emperor Xian, lamenting his crimes and failure. Fu Shou burst into her father's home, only to find him dead. Sima Yi emerged from the shadows, stating that Fu Wan had indeed promised to stop, but it was too late. Fu Shou, distraught, accused Sima Yi of ruthlessness and viciousness, blaming him for her father's death.
Sima Yi coldly responded that he was merely claiming merit for eliminating a rebel and that he had "always been this kind of person." Shortly after, Cao Cao arrived with Liu Ping, commending Sima Yi for his actions. He told Liu Ping that despite their agreement, Liu Ping's loyal subjects had not given them a chance to cooperate. Cao Cao then ordered Fu Shou to be sent to the cold palace the following day, allowing them one last farewell.
Cao Cao publicly chastised Cao Zhi for trespassing into the palace and riding a horse on the imperial fast lane, deeming it an unpardonable crime. He ordered Cao Zhi to be flogged fifty times and the Director of Official Carriages, who had allowed him passage, to be executed. Despite his injuries, Cao Zhi pleaded with his father, taking full responsibility and begging him not to harm innocent people or create further conflict with Liu Ping. Enraged, Cao Cao roared at Cao Zhi, calling him a disobedient son and a disgrace to the Cao family.
