Secret of Three Kingdoms Episode 53 Recap
> Secret of Three Kingdoms Recap
A subordinate reported to Liu Ping that Guan Yu had flooded the Seven Armies at Fancheng, capturing Cao Cao's commander Yu Jin and annihilating his entire force. Guan Yu was currently in a deadlock with Cao Ren, who was guarding Fancheng, and rations to the city had been cut off. Guan Yu was openly declaring his intention to march on Xudu to welcome the Emperor. This was Cao Cao's greatest setback since the Battle of Chibi.
Many in Cao Cao's army suggested transferring the Emperor to Yecheng to avoid Guan Yu's advance, as Guan Yu's forces were proving unstoppable. Liu Ping, however, expressed confidence in Cao Cao, believing he would not be at a loss with Sima Yi by his side. He instructed his subordinate to draft a decree to Cao Cao, telling him to be at ease and assuring him that he would guard Xudu until the end.
However, Liu Ping's greatest concern was Cao Cao's worsening headaches, which had become grave; if Cao Cao died, Guan Yu would become an invincible force. Liu Ping visited Cao Jie and informed her of Cao Cao's severe headaches. He explained that he had been studying the Green Salve Anthology and wished to personally treat Cao Cao. Cao Jie asked if Liu Ping no longer harbored resentment towards her father.
Liu Ping affirmed that Cao Cao's well-being was a great fortune for the people of the Central Plains. Meanwhile, Cao Cao, despite his illness, consulted his strategists on how to counter Guan Yu and whether to move the Emperor to Yecheng. His officials exchanged glances, none daring to speak. Frustrated, Cao Cao questioned if Guan Yu was truly an unrivaled and undefeatable force. Sima Yi then stepped forward, offering a strategy.
He contended that neither fighting nor abandoning Fancheng were good options. Instead, he proposed allying with Eastern Wu against Liu Bei. Sima Yi explained that Jingzhou had been forcibly borrowed by Liu Bei from Eastern Wu for ten years without being returned, and Guan Yu's arrogance had already strained the Sun-Liu alliance to its breaking point. If Liu Bei were to secure Fancheng, he would never return Jingzhou, and Sun Quan would not allow Liu Bei to become more powerful.
Sima Yi suggested sending an envoy well-connected with Eastern Wu to incite their generals. Cao Cao approved of the plan and entrusted Cao Pi with selecting the envoy for the mission. Cao Pi praised Sima Yi's brilliant strategy, but Sima Yi humbly stated that Cao Cao had likely already conceived the idea and was merely testing his subjects. Cao Pi confessed that he was nearing his ambition but remained worried about where Sima Yi's true loyalty lay.
Sima Yi advised Cao Pi, as a man with the world in his heart, not to utter such childish words, suggesting a ruler should use a strategist for their utility, not concern himself with their heart. As they spoke, Liu Ping arrived with Cao Jie. Cao Jie immediately rushed to her father's bedside, and Cao Cao affectionately asked why she had come. Setting aside their past conflicts, Liu Ping offered to cure Cao Cao.
He explained that, according to Hua Tuo's Green Salve Anthology, the treatment required opening the skull and removing "wind sputum" after administering anesthetics to render the patient unconscious. Cao Cao was skeptical, recalling that he had executed Hua Tuo for proposing the same treatment. Liu Ping acknowledged the tragic loss of Hua Tuo but insisted that his current intention was simply to treat his patient.
Cao Cao then dismissed Cao Jie and Cao Pi, wishing to speak with Liu Ping alone. Before leaving, Cao Jie assured her father that Liu Ping genuinely wanted to save him. Once they were alone, Cao Cao asked if his end was near. Liu Ping confirmed it and urged Cao Cao to let him try the treatment.
Cao Cao sighed, regretting that he would miss the beautiful winter snow in Luoyang and would no longer have the chance to discuss heroes with Liu Ping over plum wine. Liu Ping, in turn, praised Cao Cao, calling him a hero for his lifelong ambition to unite the Central Plains.
Cao Cao reflected that he once believed Liu Bei and Sun Quan were his greatest adversaries, only to realize that his strongest and most revered enemy had been by his side all along. Liu Ping, however, corrected him, stating that it was not he. Liu Ping then asked if Cao Cao still considered him an enemy. Cao Cao affirmed that he did, explaining that in these chaotic times, most feudal lords merely sought to carve out independent territories.
He noted that Liu Ping, alone, aspired to a unified country and the welfare of its citizens. Cao Cao lamented how Liu Ping had attracted talented scholars like Cui Yan, Kong Rong, and Xun Yu, men he himself could never persuade to his cause. Liu Ping proposed that they collaborate one last time to bring peace to the world. Cao Cao, however, expressed his deep-seated paranoia, stating that human hearts are unpredictable.
He regretted that if he were a decade younger, he would have joined forces with Liu Ping, and together, they could have united the great country. But he acknowledged that human efforts sometimes fall short, and his time was running out. He gently dismissed Liu Ping, saying he could not feel at ease with him remaining. As he left, Liu Ping conveyed his profound regret, and that of the world, that they could not collaborate.
Outside, Cao Jie, understanding that Cao Cao had refused, offered to go back and persuade him. Liu Ping then approached Cao Pi, asking about his plans after Cao Cao's inevitable death. He subtly suggested an alliance, referencing Cao Cao's regret at not being able to collaborate with Liu Ping. Cao Pi gave an evasive answer, stressing filial piety and the importance of not altering his father's aspirations.
Liu Ping later met Sima Yi in secret, and the two brothers embraced warmly after six years apart. Liu Ping confessed that he had genuinely intended to save Cao Cao. He then detailed his extensive preparations over the past six years: 50,000 soldiers stationed around Xudu, a civilian army of 100,000 ready for mobilization, and secret pledges of allegiance from local officials along the southeastern line from Shouchun to Fancheng.
He explained that Guan Yu's recent victory had inadvertently created opportunities for his men to be promoted within Cao Cao's ranks, allowing him to largely control the southeastern front. Sima Yi then presented Liu Ping with a roster of Cao Cao's 450,000 personal soldiers, who were reportedly willing to submit to the Han Dynasty. Sima Yi offered this formidable army to Liu Ping as a critical advantage in his confrontation with Cao Cao.
A subordinate soon reported to Liu Ping that Cao Cao had indeed allied with Sun Quan, achieving a decisive victory against Guan Yu, who was killed by Eastern Wu, his head sent to Cao Cao. Liu Ping acknowledged Sima Yi's shrewd calculations and mourned Guan Yu as a hero tragically consumed by the cruel era. Meanwhile, Cao Pi discussed the victory with Sima Yi.
Sima Yi advised Cao Pi against holding a celebratory banquet, instead urging him to grant Guan Yu a grand burial befitting a marquis. He explained that Cao Cao deeply admired Guan Yu and was far from pleased by his death. As Cao Cao was returning to the city following his victory, his illness worsened, and he died. News of Cao Cao's death spread quickly.
Liu Ping's allies reported that Cao Pi was unable to control the 300,000 Qingzhou Army stationed in Luoyang, who had mutinied. Furthermore, Cao Zhang was marching from Chang'an with 100,000 men, challenging Cao Pi for power. Seeing this internal and external turmoil as a golden opportunity for the Han dynasty, Liu Ping resolved to mobilize his army and march north. Cao Pi, facing a multi-front crisis, discussed the looming conflict with Liu Ping with Sima Yi.
When Cao Pi asked Sima Yi whose side he would take, Sima Yi replied, "The victor." Enraged, Cao Pi threatened to drag Sima Yi down with him should he lose. He then shrewdly assessed the situation, recognizing that the Sun-Liu alliance also posed a significant threat. Ultimately, Cao Pi decided to seek peace talks with Liu Ping, ordering a 300,000-strong army to advance south towards Xudu for the negotiation.
