Episode Summary
The Japanese, aided by the traitor Sun Yulin, successfully escape the besieged Gucheng. Their escape is covered by a brutal diversionary attack on a village, which results in the capture and public execution of several characters' family members, including Liu Zuguang's wife. In the aftermath, a grieving Wang Yu decides to sell her family's estate to fund the resistance but faces opposition from her clan.
Spoiler Alert
The "Great" Escape Plan
So, the Japanese in Gucheng are completely stuck. They have no reinforcements coming. Their commander, Yamashita Satoshi, knows they need to break out. But he's also smart enough to know a breakout is a perfect opportunity for an ambush. He figures there are spies everywhere watching his every move.
He calls a meeting with his staff and the puppet security guys. One of them, Zhang Zhiping, comes up with a plan. He suggests they pretend to dig in for a long siege. This is all a trick, of course. He wants to lull their enemies into a false sense of security. To sell it, Yamashita puts the city on lockdown and has his troops take over all defense posts. Zhang Zhiping then casually flicks a cigarette off the city wall. It's a signal. The breakout is on.
A House Divided
On the other side, Liu Zuguang is in charge of the whole operation. He gets the intel about the enemy's movements. Just as his officer, Chen Shouzheng, asks to see the intel, Zhuang Qifeng snatches the paper and burns it. He says he has to protect the identity of the spy. This does not go over well.
Sun Yulin's Big Ego
Chen Shouzheng and another commander, Sun Yulin, are clearly annoyed. Sun Yulin is a real piece of work. He's got a big force and plenty of ammo. He thinks he can take the city and stop any Japanese reinforcements all by himself. He basically wants to run the whole show.
Zhuang Qifeng sees right through this guy. He scribbles a note to Liu Zuguang. It says, "Don't agree." He knows Sun Yulin can't be trusted.
A Terrible Decision
Liu Zuguang is in a tough spot. To keep the peace with his arrogant ally, he pretends to go along with Sun Yulin's plan. He orders his troops to adjust their positions. Zhuang Qifeng tries to warn him again. He tells Liu Zuguang that this is a huge mistake and that Sun Yulin is up to no good. Liu Zuguang just blows him off.
And what happens next? The second the troops are moved, Sun Yulin sends a secret message to the Japanese. The betrayal is instant and obvious.
The Inevitable Betrayal
Yamashita gets the message. He immediately sends his own people to meet with Sun Yulin and another shady character, Erheitou. The trap is set.
Zhuang Qifeng is furious. He vents to another officer, Zhou Mi. He says Liu Zuguang's decision to trust Sun Yulin is going to let Yamashita walk right out the door. Zhou Mi is more cautious. He points out they have no hard evidence that Sun Yulin is a traitor. Without proof, their hands are tied. They have to follow the commander's orders. He also tries to explain the pressure Liu Zuguang is under.
The Diversion
Just as Liu Zuguang's forces get ready to attack the city, all hell breaks loose behind them. Erheizi, the bandit, has launched a surprise attack on Dawang Village. The soldiers from that village are frantic. Their homes are being destroyed and their families are in danger. They all demand to go back and help.
The City is Empty
While Liu Zuguang tries to control the chaos, a scout returns with bad news. The city is empty. The Japanese are gone. Zhuang Qifeng finds tracks at the east gate, proving they escaped from that side. This was the sector Sun Yulin was supposed to be watching. Sun Yulin, of course, denies everything. He claims the Japanese must have left before his troops were in position. He refuses to take any blame.
Unspeakable Tragedy
When backup forces led by Liu Baisong finally reach Dawang Village, it's a massacre. The village has been burned and looted. Many people are dead. An old survivor tells him the worst news. Erheizi has taken hostages. The list includes Wang Xiangfo, Zhuang Qifeng's parents, and Liu Zuguang's wife. The ransom is a fortune.
The Cliffs of Gucheng
To crush the army's morale, Erheizi does something monstrous. He drags nine hostages to the top of the cliffs at Gucheng for everyone to see. He shouts his threats and demands.
Liu Zuguang's wife sees the impossible situation. She refuses to be a pawn used against her husband. She screams for everyone to kill the traitors. Then, she jumps from the cliff. The bandits then throw the other hostages off the cliff as well. It's a bloodbath.
Picking Up the Pieces
The aftermath is devastating. Wang Yu has lost her parents. Liu Zhumei has lost her mother. They are all reeling from the loss.
A few days later, the core group meets. They are grieving, but they are also determined. They are desperately low on weapons and supplies. Wang Yu makes a decision. She will sell her family's land and property to fund their fight. But when she goes home, her clan elders refuse. They tell her a woman has no right to sell ancestral property.
