The Song of Glory Episode 33 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
The Suiyuan Army, on its way to Matou City, was ambushed by Wei soldiers. During the intense battle, General Shen Tingzhang was injured and captured after falling into a trap. His son, Shen Zhi, desperately tried to save him, but Shen Tingzhang, prioritizing the survival of his troops, ordered them to retreat and forget about him. His subordinates pulled Shen Zhi away, ensuring their escape, and returned to the city that night to report the grim news.
Shen Lige was distraught upon hearing that her father had been captured. When Shen Zhi informed Liu Yikang of the ambush and his father's order to conserve strength, Shen Lige immediately declared her intent to rescue her father, despite Liu Yikang's warning against impulsive actions and assurance that General Shen Tingzhang would be safe for the moment. Shen Lige, however, felt a deep responsibility as a daughter to attempt a rescue, given their family's difficult reunion.
Liu Yikang, concerned, ordered Xu Zhan to prevent her from leaving the city. Nevertheless, Chen Shaoxun and Kong Cheng, understanding Shen Lige's determination, decided to accompany her, gathering their weapons for the journey. Meanwhile, General Li Chengxun and other lieutenant generals knelt before the Military Hall, requesting Liu Yikang's permission to infiltrate the Wei Army camp to rescue General Shen Tingzhang. They argued that their loyalty to General Shen and the morale of the troops demanded action.
Shen Zhi, arriving at the scene, conveyed that while he understood their sentiments, military affairs must take precedence. He explained that General Shen Tingzhang's ultimate wish was for them to defend Matou, and his sacrifice was meant to preserve their forces, not to trigger a reckless rescue that could jeopardize the entire war effort. His words convinced the generals to set aside their personal desires for the greater good.
Later, Wang Zijin comforted Shen Zhi, acknowledging his pain but reiterating that General Shen Tingzhang would not want the war delayed on his behalf. She encouraged Shen Zhi to focus on winning the battle, believing his father would then return. Shen Zhi, resolute, vowed to secure victory. He then urged Wang Zijin to return to Jiankang for her safety, but she refused, having already unpacked her belongings.
She declared her intention to stay by his side during the inevitable battle for Matou, stating that wherever he was, she would be. After she pleaded to stay, Shen Zhi ultimately consented to her decision. Shen Lige again attempted to leave the city, but Liu Yikang firmly stopped her. He reassured her of his commitment to saving General Shen Tingzhang but warned that any rash move would fall into the Wei Army's trap.
Shen Lige, however, insisted on going, stating her duty as a daughter, even at the risk of her own life. Liu Yikang reissued his order to keep her within the city walls. Shen Zhi then calmly explained to Shen Lige that their father's sacrifice was to protect them and that his specific instruction was not to rescue him.
He elaborated that a hasty attempt would be futile and would disappoint their father, emphasizing that General Shen Tingzhang, while family, was also a soldier whose fate was part of a larger military mission. Shen Lige finally understood and calmed down. Shen Lige then sought out Liu Yikang to apologize for her earlier impetuousness. Liu Yikang, in turn, expressed his shared concern for General Shen Tingzhang.
Just then, a secret report arrived from Liu Yixuan, confirming that Huo Yun was leading reinforcements to Matou and would arrive in three days. Liu Yikang, now with a new strategy, pledged to save General Shen Tingzhang. Shen Lige agreed to follow his plan but demanded to participate in military discussions and fight in the upcoming battle, a request Liu Yikang reluctantly granted. Meanwhile, in the Wei camp, soldiers complained about severe food shortages.
General Wan Jingsheng, equally frustrated by dwindling provisions, confronted Shen Tingzhang. He attempted to persuade Shen Tingzhang to defect, citing his past glorious victories and alleged mistreatment by his own side. Shen Tingzhang defiantly refused, declaring his unwavering loyalty to Great Song. He then shrewdly pointed out the Wei Army's weakened state and lack of provisions, urging them to retreat.
Enraged by Shen Tingzhang's defiance and his accurate assessment of their vulnerability, Wan Jingsheng ordered his guards to leave Shen Tingzhang exposed in the scorching sun. Following the secret report and the agreement with Shen Lige, Liu Yikang swiftly put his new plan into action. He ordered Shen Feng to lead elite troops on a night raid to ambush and burn the Wei Army's granary.
Despite seeing his father, Shen Tingzhang, in distress during the mission, Shen Feng remained focused on burning the granary, prioritizing his military duty over his filial sentiments. Next, Liu Yikang dispatched Xu Zhan to accompany Shen Lige in a surprise attack on the Wei Army's vanguard camp. He explained to Shen Lige that these coordinated strikes would signal the arrival of reinforcements to the Wei Army.
With their provisions destroyed and their vanguard decimated, the Wei forces would be compelled to use General Shen Tingzhang as a bargaining chip for peace negotiations, creating an opportunity for his rescue. Shen Lige understood and gratefully accepted her role in the plan. Shen Lige, with Xu Zhan, led a successful surprise attack on the Wei Army's vanguard camp at Hulukou Valley.
Despite Xu Zhan's caution, she quickly used the valley's topography to trap the Wei forces, intending to annihilate them. The Wei vanguard suffered heavy losses, with no escape route. Xu Zhan returned to Matou to report the success. Liu Yikang, anxious about Shen Lige's bold move, was about to ride out himself when he saw her leading her returning troops, utterly exhausted. She managed to report her victory before collapsing.
Back in the Wei camp, Wan Jingsheng received news of the granary's destruction and the annihilation of his vanguard. In a fit of rage, he threatened to kill Shen Tingzhang but was dissuaded, reminded of Shen Tingzhang's value as leverage. Wan Jingsheng then decided to use Shen Tingzhang's life as a bargaining chip to propose peace negotiations. Liu Yikang watched over the recovering Shen Lige. Soon after, a messenger from the Wei Army arrived, delivering a letter proposing peace negotiations.
The Song generals were suspicious, fearing it was a trap, and strongly advised Liu Yikang not to attend. Liu Yikang, however, explained that he had orchestrated the attacks on the granary and vanguard precisely to force Wan Jingsheng to negotiate. He intended to use these talks to buy time for Huo Yun's reinforcements, who were expected to arrive on the day of the negotiations.
He also anticipated that Wan Jingsheng would bring General Shen Tingzhang to the meeting, creating a chance for his rescue. Despite the generals' concerns for his safety, Liu Yikang was resolute, declaring it a necessary gamble they must win, and ordered all soldiers to prepare for battle. In Jiankang, Liu Yixuan encountered Xiaoxin, who revealed that she had rescued San Bao from confinement in the manual labor wing. San Bao had then rushed North with urgent news.
Ji Shu, whom Liu Yixuan had instructed to investigate war reports, confirmed that all recent reports of victory were false, a deliberate deception by Lu Yuan. Recognizing a conspiracy, Liu Yixuan resolved to pressure Lu Yuan. During a court session, he publicly praised Prince Peng Cheng, Liu Yikang, as a model for the military and people of Great Song. He then ordered Xie Hao to draft an imperial edict promoting Protectorate Lieutenant-General Lu Yuan to Vanguard General.
The edict explicitly commanded Lu Yuan to ensure Prince Peng Cheng's safety and secure return to court, warning that any mishap would result in capital punishment. This was a calculated move to place Liu Yikang's life directly in Lu Yuan's hands. Later that night, Shen Lige insisted on accompanying Liu Yikang to the peace negotiations.
She conveyed her deep desire to face any dangers alongside him as his family and lover, refusing to remain alone in the city consumed by worry. Liu Yikang, moved by her determination to live and die together, agreed, promising they would both return safely to Matou and Jiankang.
