The Legend of Mi Yue Episode 76 Recap
> The Legend of Mi Yue Recap
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Qin officers arrived at the scene, witnessing a fallen soldier, and immediately accused Huang Xie of engaging in a private brawl. Huang Xie protested that the deceased soldier initiated the altercation and denied the killing, but the officers insisted on taking him to the Chief Justice for questioning. Meanwhile, an accomplice informed Prince Heng that he was being framed for murder and that Qin officials were pursuing him.
Though Prince Heng maintained his innocence, the accomplice convinced him that his enemies would prevent him from defending himself and ensure his death in Xianyang. Fearing for his life, Prince Heng agreed to the accomplice's plan to flee Xianyang and return to Chu. After being questioned by the Qin officers, Huang Xie returned to find Prince Heng gone. His attendant explained that the Prince had fled, believing he had caused a major incident.
Realizing that Prince Heng had fallen into a trap, Huang Xie attempted to follow. However, General Meng Ao intercepted him, questioning him about Prince Heng's alleged crime and escape. Huang Xie reiterated that Prince Heng was innocent, but Meng Ao, citing the Prince's flight as a grave offense, prevented Huang Xie from leaving Xianyang, stating it was by the King's direct order. Meng Ao even implied Huang Xie might be attempting to escape himself.
Yong Rui then informed Mi Yue about Prince Heng's alleged murder and escape. Mi Yue expressed surprise, knowing Prince Heng's usual caution as a hostage, and suspected a setup. Mi Yue questioned if Yong Rui was behind it, but he admitted that while he wasn't the originator of the scheme, he had learned of the framers' plans and allowed them to unfold, thus providing Qin with a legitimate reason to act against Chu.
Mi Yue was concerned for Huang Xie, but Yong Rui assured her that he had arranged for Huang Xie to remain safe, acknowledging his talent. Later, in the grand hall, Qin officials urged Mi Yue to punish Chu for the hostage prince's escape and demanded war. Mi Yue, seizing the opportunity, declared the alliance between Qin and Chu broken by Chu's disrespectful behavior. She then decreed that Qin would unite with other states to launch a military campaign against Chu.
After Qin's invasion, Chu suffered significant losses, including the cities of Chong Qiu and Xiangcheng among others, leaving the King of Chu in a state of panic. Jin Daifu reported to the King about Qin's superior cavalry and Chu's disorganized forces, urging a swift resolution. The King tasked Jin Daifu with attempting to salvage the Qin-Chu alliance. Nan Hou, however, advocated for severely punishing Prince Heng to appease Qin, blaming him for the calamity.
The King, unwilling to harm his son, declared that he would take responsibility for Prince Heng's actions, believing that killing him now would be futile as war had already erupted. Jin Daifu then explained to the King that Qin's Queen Mother and King were attempting to preserve the alliance, but other states' meddling had sown distrust within Qin. He suggested a meeting between the two kings to clarify misunderstandings.
Nan Hou, still intent on Prince Heng's downfall, expressed frustration at the King's leniency. In a private meeting, Jin Daifu proposed that Nan Hou persuade the King to send Prince Heng as a hostage to Qi, creating another opportunity to orchestrate his ruin. Nan Hou reluctantly agreed, seeing it as the only option to achieve her goal. The King of Qin later informed Mi Yue that the King of Chu had agreed to the alliance meeting at Wu Guan.
He sought her opinion on Yong Rui and Wei Ran's strategy, which aimed to gain territory peacefully. Mi Yue, while acknowledging the appeal of a bloodless acquisition, seemed to sense a deeper implication. The King conveyed a message from Yong Rui, urging Mi Yue to consider the welfare of the entire world, not just a single person or country. Mi Yue assented.
Subsequently, Wei Ran reported to Mi Yue that during the meeting at Wu Guan, the King of Qin had abruptly ordered the gates closed and detained the King of Chu, intending to bring him to Xianyang. Mi Yue was appalled, criticizing the act as an act of bad faith that would provide other states with an excuse for hostility, contradicting the earlier understanding of a peaceful agreement.
In a court assembly, Mi Yue sought Chu Li Zi's counsel on how to handle the detained King of Chu. Chu Li Zi warned that such an action, following an agreed alliance, would severely damage Qin's credibility among the states. Yong Rui, however, dismissed these concerns, arguing that Prince Heng's flight and the Chu King's evasiveness justified Qin's actions. He asserted that other states' perceptions of Qin would ultimately depend on Qin's strength, not on explanations.
Chu Li Zi conceded that while strength was crucial, Qin's current power was insufficient to disregard international opinion. He proposed sending a skilled diplomat to tour the states and present a convincing justification for Qin's actions. Mi Yue, regretting the absence of Zhang Zi, accepted Chu Li Zi's offer to undertake this mission.
Mi Yue then devised a narrative: Chu Li Zi was to tell the states that the King of Qin was not responsible, but that Mi Yue, acting as a "mere woman" swayed by personal grievances with her brother, the King of Chu, from their past in the Chu palace, had unilaterally ordered the detention. She suggested this emotional act, unworthy of a gentleman, could be understood as a family matter, and once resolved, the Chu King would be released.
Chu Li Zi praised Mi Yue for sacrificing her own reputation for the King, a notion Mi Yue humbly dismissed. General Bai Qi approached Mi Yue, offering to help her fulfill the ultimate goal of unifying the world. He proposed that with the King of Chu detained, Qin should seize the opportunity to launch a full-scale invasion, marching directly to Yingdu to conquer Chu. Mi Yue expressed doubts, citing Chu's long history of resilience.
Bai Qi countered with the example of Wu Zixu's successful invasion of Chu, explaining it was due to naval forces, internal discord, and a swift advance. Applying this, Bai Qi proposed a two-pronged attack: his own force across the Qinling Mountains for a frontal assault, and Sima Cuo leading Bashu troops up the Wujiang River to Li Ye, then down the You Shui and Yuan Shui rivers, directly threatening Yingdu. He urged Mi Yue to pursue unification.
Mi Yue, though swayed, remained uneasy. Subsequently, Yong Rui and Sima Cuo independently met with Mi Yue, also suggesting an immediate attack on Chu while it was leaderless. Yong Rui stressed the transient nature of such a strategic opportunity for lasting power, while Sima Cuo outlined a riverine assault from Bashu. Mi Yue noted their shared vision, confirming she had summoned them for this very discussion.
Yong Rui praised Mi Yue for her strategic foresight, overcoming any "woman's benevolence" for her homeland, and fulfilling the late king's vision for Qin's greatness. Mi Yue instructed them to collaborate with Bai Qi on a detailed military strategy. Alone later, Mi Yue revealed her inner conflict, lamenting that this decision would cause her deep shame towards "one person."
When her attendant hinted at Huang Xie, Mi Yue, without explicitly naming him, instructed the attendant to summon him to the Xuan Hall the following day. In the Xuan Hall, Huang Xie confronted Mi Yue, expressing his dismay at her decision to detain the King of Chu, which he deemed a betrayal of trust.
Mi Yue defended her actions, arguing that Huang Xie shouldn't grieve for a ruler who disregarded loyal ministers, citing the King of Chu's treatment of Qu Yuan and Huang Xie himself. She suggested that in a unified world, the concept of national loyalty would disappear. Huang Xie, however, clung to his identity as a Chu subject, lamenting the impending destruction of his 800-year-old homeland and its five thousand li of rivers and mountains.
Mi Yue then revealed her grand vision: to become a second Son of Heaven, unifying all under heaven as Zhou did eight centuries ago when Chu was merely a small fief. She argued that while unification might necessitate a great war, it would ultimately usher in centuries of lasting peace, allowing soldiers to return to their homes. She urged Huang Xie to stay and contribute to this vision for the greater good of the world, not just for Qin.
Huang Xie, deeply pained, rejected her proposition, condemning Qin's use of deceit and its Legalist policies, which he believed prioritized expediency and immediate results over ethics, justice, and lasting sustainability, leading to widespread suffering and making the common people angry but afraid to speak. He refused to be part of a path that he viewed as morally corrupt and unsustainable. Mi Yue maintained her belief that he would eventually see the wisdom in her actions.
Heartbroken, Huang Xie told Mi Yue that she was no longer the "Yue'er" he knew, but merely the Empress Dowager of Qin. He declared his unwavering intent to leave, unable to assist her further, and departed with profound sorrow.
