Liaodong

Cao Pi pauses mid-sword to spare the dust-covered Lady Zhen—her beauty revealed as he vows to protect her. Meanwhile, Cao Cao secures Jizhou, mourns Yuan Shao with tearful sacrifice, and heeds Cui Suo’s counsel to aid the suffering people. When the insolent Xu You mocks him, Xu Chu’s blade speaks for justice. At Pingyuan, Xu Huang cuts down Pang An, routing Yuan Tan’s army and slaying Tan himself. Generals from Yuan Xi’s forces surrender; the Wuhuan pledge fealty. Cao’s column scatters Tadu Dun’s cavalry in the northern wastes, while Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, betrayed by Gongsun Kang, meet their end—Guo Jia’s final stratagem fulfilled.