Episode Summary
A slick new Tiger Guard named Wang Pu gains the trust of the imprisoned strategist. Gu Yu agrees to hand over his military power to the New Emperor to force peace, a move approved by Prime Minister Gao. However, tragedy strikes when Wang Pu slaughters Gu Yu's men and kidnaps him. Xie Huaian vows to rescue Gu Yu while warning the Prime Minister not to betray their loyal general.
Spoiler Alert
The New Guy is a Hustler
We meet a fresh face in the capital. His name is Wang Pu. He joins the Tiger Guard. He looks like a frail scholar. Don't let that fool you. The guy is sharp. He knows exactly what to say to anyone. He buys the best goods for pennies. He even talks a carriage driver into a free ride.
Yan Fengshan likely hired him for this specific talent. He puts Wang Pu in charge of the important strategist hidden in the prison. Wang Pu drops some news immediately. Liu Ziyan is dead. The strategist doesn't blink. He knew Liu Ziyan was the Tiger Guard's top killer. Liu was there to "care" for him, which really meant waiting for the order to kill him.
Wang Pu changes the vibe. He cooks a gourmet meal with fresh ingredients. The strategist loves it. He gives Wang Pu a message for Yan Fengshan. It’s a cryptic note about fetching tea from the capital.
The Chess Match
The New Emperor calls Gu Yu to the palace. Gu Yu controls the city's defenses. These are his personal troops. The Emperor sets up a chessboard. He asks a heavy question. What would Gu Yu do if he were the enemy?
Gu Yu plays his piece and offers a solution. He plans to hand over his military power in public. He will do it in a few days at court. This is a smart play. It strips the other vassal kings of their excuses. They will have to give up their armies too. The Tiger Guard will lose its teeth. A comeback will be impossible.
The Emperor likes what he hears. Gu Yu leaves. Prime Minister Gao steps out of the shadows. He was listening the whole time. Gao admits Gu Yu is clever. This was actually Gao's plan all along. The Emperor respects the general. Gu Yu might have disabled legs, but his mind is clear. He puts the people above his own power.
A Good Night Gone Wrong
Gu Yu visits his old brothers at the city gates. It gets late. The soldiers are on guard duty. They sit down and eat together. The mood is warm. They even carry Gu Yu down the stairs when he leaves. Gu Yu relaxes. He tells his attendant that the New Emperor is a good man. He feels safe giving up his command.
That peace lasts about five minutes.
A signal flare shoots up. The city defense is under attack. Gu Yu turns his carriage around. He rushes back to the gates. It is a slaughter. The "White Kiss Tiger" guards are all dead. Their bodies are piled into a hill. Gu Yu is furious. He was just laughing with these men. Now they are corpses.
The Ambush
Assassins jump out from the pile of bodies. They rush Gu Yu. His legs fail him. His personal guards try to fight, but they get distracted. Wang Pu makes his move. He grabs Gu Yu. He issues an ultimatum. Gu Yu comes with him, or every single guard left alive dies. Gu Yu hates the bloodshed. He surrenders to save his men. He leaves with Wang Pu.
Xie Huaian sees the signal from his courtyard. He rushes to the scene. He is too late. Gu Yu is gone. Xie speeds to the palace. The Emperor isn't there, but Prime Minister Gao is. Xie tells Gao to stick to the plan. He will go rescue Gu Yu himself. He leaves Gao with a warning. Trust Gu Yu's character. Don't discard him like a broken tool once the war is over.
