The King's Woman Episode 40 Recap
> The King's Woman Recap
Lv Buwei slowly turned to face Queen Dowager, who, upon seeing him, was moved to tears by his enduring handsomeness. He requested to speak with her privately. Gongsun Li, sensing no immediate ill will, waited outside the door, but not before warning Lv Buwei not to harm Queen Dowager, to which he replied that Queen Dowager was his woman in this lifetime.
Once alone, Queen Dowager expressed her long-held thoughts of him, asking where he had been and if he was surprised she was still alive. She even mentioned Ying Zheng’s visit to him in Luoyang, but quickly dismissed it, stating that their presence together now was enough. She tried to gauge his feelings, asking if she was no longer beautiful in his eyes, if he no longer liked or wanted her, and inviting him closer.
Lv Buwei, however, bluntly stated that their age meant such romantic notions were in the past. He had come to discuss pressing matters. He then revealed his true purpose: he wanted Queen Dowager to tell Ying Zheng to bring the Qin army outside Handan.
Lv Buwei claimed he could then force the King of Zhao to abdicate, replace him with Zhao Jia, and have Zhao Jia submit to Qin, thus turning Zhao into a vassal state without shedding a single drop of blood. Queen Dowager was disheartened, realizing his visit was purely for political scheming. Lv Buwei urged her to stop feigning madness, stating this matter concerned all three of them, and even shook her violently to make her sober.
Queen Dowager, however, lamented that she had hoped he would reconcile their broken relations and discuss their son, Ying Zheng. Lv Buwei dismissed her hopes as naive, reminding her that their current predicament was due to their son. He insisted that Ying Zheng was destined to be a ruthless, tiger-like leader, born to unite the world, and nothing else mattered. Queen Dowager vehemently refused to listen, crying out her sorrow.
As she became hysterical, Lv Buwei tried to calm her, reminding her of the urgent battle between Qin and Zhao and demanding she immediately relay his message to Ying Zheng. Queen Dowager, distraught, accused him of not caring about her or their son, only his own power and ambition, declaring she would never be his pawn again. She struggled against him, prompting Gongsun Li to rush in.
Lv Buwei, seizing the opportunity, held a dagger to Queen Dowager's throat, threatening to kill her if Gongsun Li came closer. He demanded to see Ying Zheng personally, warning that if Ying Zheng refused, he would kill his mother. Gongsun Li, fearing for Queen Dowager's life, reluctantly agreed to bring Ying Zheng to him, but vowed to make him pay if he harmed Queen Dowager.
In the Qin army's main camp, Ying Zheng convened with his generals to discuss battle strategies. General Wang Jian proposed a feigned attack using cavalry to draw in the enemy's middle army, while foot soldiers would lie in wait on the left flank. However, Wang Jian quickly elaborated on the formidable challenge posed by Li Mu, describing him as a general who "handles troops like a god."
He predicted that Li Mu would instantly discern their ambush, pull back his forces, and lure the Qin army deeper before launching a counterattack, rendering their foot soldiers useless and leading to the cavalry's annihilation. Wang Jian expressed his helplessness against Li Mu's exceptional foresight and adaptability. Ying Zheng, however, told Wang Jian to rise, acknowledging Li Mu's rare talent but confidently stating he was "not totally out of countermeasures."
When asked about his wise strategy, Ying Zheng quoted Confucius, emphasizing that "the supreme art of war is to be able to make your enemies submit to you without fighting." He then simply ordered the army to continue pressing forward towards Zhao State and for everyone to act according to the circumstances, displaying a determined confidence.
That night, Zhao Jia frantically went to Lv Buwei’s manor, only to discover from a servant that Lv Buwei had been absent for several days on an important matter. Zhao Jia expressed his dismay that Lv Buwei was gone at such a critical juncture, explaining to Sikong Ma that a grave issue had arisen. Guo Kai had intercepted a secret letter alleging that General Li Mu had been colluding with the Qin State, throwing the palace into disarray.
While Zhao Jia and Sikong Ma both found it unlikely that Li Mu, a loyal general, would betray Zhao, Zhao Jia admitted that there was hard evidence, and the King of Zhao, who already distrusted Li Mu, had likely found the pretext he always sought.
Desperate, Zhao Jia urged Sikong Ma to find Lv Buwei immediately, but Sikong Ma admitted Lv Buwei had not revealed his destination, leaving them no choice but to wait for his return, which Zhao Jia feared would be too late. On the blood-soaked battlefield, the Qin and Zhao armies were locked in a fierce confrontation.
As the Qin army feigned retreat, Li Mu, a general renowned for his tactical genius, correctly deduced it was a trap orchestrated by Wang Jian to lure his forces deeper. He promptly ordered his middle army not to pursue. However, even as he cautioned his subordinate against premature celebration, recognizing Ying Zheng's extraordinary resilience, a detachment of royal cavalry arrived from the palace, bearing an urgent decree.
Li Mu initially feared for the King of Zhao’s safety, but the cavalry officer presented a royal edict: General Li Mu was accused of conspiring with Qin to overthrow the Zhao government, with "evidence" gathered by Minister Guo Kai already verified by the King. He was ordered to immediately surrender his commander's seal and return to Handan for trial. Li Mu, realizing Ying Zheng's cunning "sowing dissension" strategy, demanded to see the evidence.
The officer claimed secret letters between Li Mu and the King of Qin were in the King's possession, their authenticity confirmed by Li Mu's recognizable handwriting. Li Mu vehemently denied ever exchanging letters, branding the evidence a fake orchestrated by Ying Zheng using jianghu realm experts to copy his handwriting. Despite his protests and his subordinates' anger, the cavalry insisted on his arrest.
His soldiers prepared to fight, but Li Mu stopped them, explaining that resisting the royal decree would confirm his "guilt" and utterly demoralize the Zhao army, ensuring their defeat. Recognizing his impossible position and unwilling to return to the palace, Li Mu declared that since the King of Zhao no longer trusted him, he would die to prove his unwavering loyalty.
He took his commander's seal, let out a cry of despair, and committed suicide, his ultimate sacrifice echoing across the battlefield as his soldiers knelt in anguish. With Li Mu’s death, the Zhao army’s morale crumbled, leading to successive defeats and leaving the state without military or popular support.
A blood-soaked Zhao Jia confronted the King of Zhao, holding a sword to his throat, accusing him of being a fatuous king who killed Li Mu and blaming Guo Kai, the crafty minister, for Zhao’s downfall. Zhao Jia vowed to kill Guo Kai to avenge Li Mu. The King of Zhao, trembling, pleaded for his life and suggested he could negotiate with King Zheng of Qin to save Zhao.
Zhao Jia's subordinates also urged him to prioritize preserving Zhao over killing the King, suggesting surrender as a path to survival. Recognizing the paramount importance of saving the state, Zhao Jia put down his sword. Soon after, Lv Buwei arrived at Prince Jia's Manor, appearing calm despite Zhao’s precarious state. Lv Buwei reassured Zhao Jia, explaining his recent absence was for this very issue.
He confidently stated that Ying Zheng would meet him, and he would force Zhao Qian to abdicate, ensuring the throne for Zhao Jia. Zhao Jia, skeptical, questioned how Lv Buwei, whom Ying Zheng previously wanted dead, could now command his attention, and what use the throne would be if Ying Zheng intended to annihilate Zhao.
Lv Buwei asserted that he possessed leverage over Ying Zheng, believing that Ying Zheng’s return to Handan would stir painful childhood memories, a "worry" he could never forget. He was certain Ying Zheng would come to the Handan Pub to meet him. After much consideration, Zhao Jia reluctantly agreed to trust Lv Buwei one last time, reminding him of his past debt for saving his life and warning him not to disappoint.
The Zhao national flag slowly descended, and the city gates of Handan were thrown open. Ying Zheng, accompanied by Gongsun Li, Madame Min, and the Qin army, stood before the city. The King of Zhao presented the surrender letter and the treasured He family jade.
Ying Zheng, declining to read the letter immediately, instead took the jade, remarking to Gongsun Li that while it was the most beautiful jade among the six states, it was still "a bit inferior" compared to her beauty. Gongsun Li acknowledged the jade's beauty but soberly noted it had been obtained at the cost of General Li Mu’s life, expressing her lament for the people of Zhao.
Ying Zheng dismissed her concerns, stating the King of Zhao’s fate was self-inflicted and promising to erect a stone tablet for Li Mu once he returned to Qin. Gongsun Li then informed Ying Zheng that Queen Dowager had already entered Handan and was awaiting him. Gongsun Li led Ying Zheng to the Handan Pub, advising him to remain calm. Inside, Ying Zheng found Queen Dowager seated at a table. To his shock, Lv Buwei slowly emerged from behind a curtain.
Ying Zheng’s eyes narrowed, disbelief warring with anger as he accused Lv Buwei of being alive all this time, hiding in Zhao, and being the mastermind behind Qin’s previous setbacks. Lv Buwei, acknowledging Ying Zheng's cunning in eliminating Li Mu through dissension, even complimented him, stating he had "underestimated" Ying Zheng. Ying Zheng furiously told him not to call him "Zheng'er."
Lv Buwei then attempted to convince Ying Zheng that they, as father and son, should unite to conquer the world, claiming he only desired to enjoy the fruits of their efforts with Ying Zheng and Queen Dowager in Qin. Ying Zheng, however, silenced him, believing Lv Buwei still coveted his throne and had lied to him for years. Just as Ying Zheng drew his sword, the commotion of Zhao Jia approaching from downstairs echoed up.
Convinced this was a setup by Lv Buwei and Zhao Jia to harm him, Ying Zheng disregarded Queen Dowager’s frantic cries of denial. Before Lv Buwei could offer any explanation, Ying Zheng, in a fit of rage and impatience, thrust his sword into Lv Buwei's chest. Lv Buwei collapsed as Queen Dowager wailed in anguish. Ying Zheng knelt, tears streaming, unable to comprehend his actions.
He briefly closed his eyes, then reopened them with a renewed, cold clarity, rising and storming out with his sword, consumed by a mixture of pain and hatred. Enraged, Ying Zheng ordered a massacre of Handan, transforming the city into a living hell. Upon hearing this, the King of Zhao, who had already surrendered and given the He family jade, was bewildered and panicked, wondering how Ying Zheng could break his word.
As chaos consumed the royal palace, the King of Zhao attempted to flee with his retinue, only to be confronted by Madame Min, who appeared with a short dagger. She fiercely denounced him for his heartlessness and womanizing ways, recalling her past dreams of being his queen and how he had trampled upon and fooled her, despite his promises to guard her for a lifetime. She revealed her true motive for marrying into Qin and helping Zhao Jia: revenge.
She wanted to see him suffer and witness Zhao's demise under his watch. The King of Zhao, momentarily distracted her by feigning wistful thoughts about their past, then pushed her aside and fled. Watching him flee like a hunted ghost, Madame Min let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh, then raised her dagger and took her own life. Handan City was now a landscape of corpses.
Ying Zheng walked through it, proclaiming his return and recalling his past as Zhao Zheng, a hostage who lived on those very streets. He remembered how everyone there had looked down on him, bullied him, and how they knew his real father was Lv Buwei, not Zichu. He vowed that no one would escape today. A man, Li Cai, crawled out, crying and pleading for his life, reminding Ying Zheng that they had grown up playing together.
Ying Zheng, however, coldly replied that he remembered Li Cai well, vividly recalling the taunts and insults, how they had surrounded him, rode on him, and even urinated on his head. He declared that he would never forgive him and swiftly stabbed Li Cai to death. Ying Zheng then gazed upon Handan with a bloodthirsty intensity, proclaiming that from now on, no one in the city would dare to bully him again.
Queen Dowager lay in unbearable pain, and the royal physician regretfully informed Gongsun Li that he feared Queen Dowager could not be saved, her pulse being very weak, sustained only by her breathing, with perhaps only half a day to a day left. Gongsun Li accepted the grim prognosis, dismissing the physician. Queen Dowager, in her final moments, weakly murmured Ying Zheng's name, desperately asking for him. Just then, Li Zhong rushed in.
Gongsun Li immediately asked if Ying Zheng was with him. Li Zhong reported that Ying Zheng had been at the forefront, fighting the royal guards of Zhao Jia and continuously charging towards the city center, but had mysteriously disappeared from sight. A troop of Huben Army that was supposed to be following him had also become separated, leaving Gongsun Li deeply alarmed.
