The Song of Glory Episode 34 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
Liu Yixuan's recent actions led Grand Consort Sun to suspect he knew someone was conspiring with Lu Yuan. When Xie Hao reported that San Bao was missing, he suggested Liu Yixuan might have rescued him, further fueling the Grand Consort's suspicions. Grand Consort Sun, however, felt that if Liu Yixuan truly had San Bao, he would have confronted her directly, given his character.
She ordered Xie Hao to find San Bao quickly and eliminate him, stressing the need for more careful future planning. She also noted that Liu Yixuan's dispatch of reinforcement troops to the North indicated his awareness that the frontier victory reports were false, confirming her fears about his growing insight into the conspiracy. Meanwhile, Lu Yuan, the Protectorate Lieutenant-General, intercepted a secret report that General Huo Yun had brought reinforcements south of Xuyi County, thus ensuring Matou City remained isolated.
While acknowledging Huo Yun's swiftness and command skills, Lu Yuan declared that anyone who opposed him would ultimately face a dire fate. He then expressed his desire for Liu Yikang to meet his doom during the upcoming peace negotiations. Inside Matou City, the generals were busy with defense preparations. Liu Yikang was deeply worried as no trace of reinforcements had been found.
Shen Lige reassured him, asserting that while the people could retreat south, soldiers were born to fight, and the gateway of Great Song absolutely had to be protected. She expressed her belief that all soldiers in Matou City were willing to follow his lead and fight. Liu Yikang, in turn, asked if she was afraid, to which she responded that as long as they were together, she feared nothing.
Inspired, Liu Yikang rallied his generals and soldiers, reminding them of historical victories where smaller forces triumphed. He asked if they had the confidence to defeat the Wei Army and defend Matou City even without reinforcements, to which they responded with a resounding affirmation.
Liu Yikang immediately issued orders: Xu Zhan was to head south to provide support for the reinforcements, Li Chengxun was to arrange for the people's swift evacuation south, and Shen Zhi was to intensify the city's defenses. Liu Yikang declared that he would absolutely not cede the city for peace, emphasizing that the Battle of Matou was inevitable. The soldiers pledged their lives to defend Matou City.
When the time came for the citizens to evacuate, they adamantly refused to leave. Expressing their gratitude for the Suiyuan Army's protection, they vowed to fight the Wei Army alongside Liu Yikang, declaring Matou their home to be defended together. Deeply moved by their loyalty, Liu Yikang agreed, welcoming them to stay and fight. That evening, after the citizens were settled, Wang Zijin brought a drink to Shen Zhi. Li Chengxun playfully pressed Shen Zhi about marrying Wang Zijin.
Liu Yikang and Shen Lige then arrived, and Liu Yikang spontaneously offered to officiate their wedding that very night. With military drums as music, Liu Yikang declared: "May you both join hands and vow to be united and rely on each other for the rest of your lives." Shen Zhi made his solemn vow to Wang Zijin, and she joyfully accepted his proposal, to the cheers of the assembled soldiers.
Shen Lige, moved by the evening's events, prepared a meal for Liu Yikang, even admitting to secretly stashing some wine. Despite shortages of salt and firewood, making the food bland and undercooked, Liu Yikang appreciated her effort. As they shared a toast, Shen Lige recalled their first encounter at the Grand Consort's birthday banquet.
Liu Yikang corrected her, reminding her that their true first meeting was at the dance hall, where she, the masked dancer, had once been his sworn enemy. He then noted the profound shift in their relationship, as she was now his beloved. Shen Lige reflected on her "Dance to Send Soldiers Off," which she had practiced for years out of resentment but never imagined it would lead to such a destined and deeply cherished love.
She thanked him, and with Liu Yikang playing the zither, she performed the dance once more, symbolizing a farewell to their tumultuous past and the ravages of war, in a heartfelt prayer for peace. The next day, on the date of the peace negotiations, Liu Yikang, accompanied by Shen Lige, arrived at the river bridge pavilion where the Wei Army awaited.
Wan Jingsheng initially praised Liu Yikang's courage, but Liu Yikang, asserting his role as host, countered Wan Jingsheng's jabs about the Song army's stretched forces by pointing out the Wei camp's own limited provisions. Wan Jingsheng then proposed that Liu Yikang cede Pengcheng and Matou in exchange for an immediate troop withdrawal. Liu Yikang vehemently refused. In response, Wan Jingsheng had Shen Tingzhang brought forward and ordered his subordinates to beat him.
Shen Tingzhang, despite the assault, defiantly urged Liu Yikang not to surrender territory under humiliating terms. Liu Yikang cautioned Wan Jingsheng, highlighting that Shen Tingzhang was the Suiyuan Army's Commanding General, and if he suffered any mishap, his loyal subordinates present would become uncontrollable. Simultaneously, Wan Jingsheng’s main force launched a sneak attack on Matou City. Inside the city, Shen Zhi beat a war drum, alerting Liu Yikang to the treachery.
Wan Jingsheng then openly taunted Liu Yikang for stalling for reinforcements, before a full-scale battle erupted. Outnumbered, Liu Yikang and Shen Lige were forced to flee, heading towards Jiufeng Mountain. Meanwhile, upon learning the peace negotiations had failed, Lu Yuan instructed Xue Dai to assemble elite troops and divide them into two groups: one, led by Xue Qiu, was to pursue Liu Yikang, while the other remained on standby.
Lu Yuan correctly surmised that Liu Yikang would seek refuge in Jiufeng Mountain. As they entered the Pangu people's territory, Liu Yikang warned Shen Lige that the mountain was known for its intricate traps. Inside a cave, they found evidence of habitation but no people, and soon discovered they were walking in circles.
Hearing a woman's cries for help, they followed the sound and stumbled upon a tense tribal dispute where the deputy chief, Mei Ya, was publicly accusing the chief's daughter, Mei Qi, of murdering her father and concealing his token of authority. Mei Qi vehemently denied the accusation, countering that Mei Ya was the true culprit who had poisoned her father. An elder who vouched for Mei Qi's character was brutally murdered by Mei Ya.
As Mei Ya prepared to burn Mei Qi at the stake, Shen Lige swiftly intervened and rescued her. Just then, Xue Qiu's pursuing troops arrived. Seizing the chaotic moment, Mei Qi urged them to follow her, leading Liu Yikang and Shen Lige to safety.
