Episode Summary
A new official, Chen Shouzheng, arrives in Gucheng to replace the popularly elected magistrate, Zhou Mi. He is rejected by the local council. Chen only backs down when Zhou Mi informs him of an imminent Japanese attack. As the military leaders argue over strategy, the Japanese exploit their division. The Japanese army launches a surprise attack, breaching a weak section of the city wall and surrounding the defenders.
Spoiler Alert
The Takeover That Wasn't
A New Magistrate Shows Up
So, a guy named Chen Shouzheng rolls into town. He's carrying a document and says he's the new county magistrate. Right away, Zhuang Qifeng tells him to pump the brakes. He explains that the current magistrate, Zhou Mi, was actually elected by the people.Trying to replace him without a vote is not going to go over well.
Zhuang Qifeng also points out a key player. A powerful silk merchant, Jin Kaiming, backed Zhou Mi's election and has a lot of influence. Just then, Zhou Mi himself shows up. He's covered in mud from working in the fields with the villagers. Chen Shouzheng is disgusted and yells at him for looking so undignified. Zhou Mi just brushes it off. He says a public servant belongs in the mud with the people.
The World's Most Awkward Meeting
Chen Shouzheng isn't getting the message. Zhuang Qifeng takes him to a county council meeting. Chen presents his official-looking paper, but nobody cares. The council members are not impressed. Zhuang Qifeng and the council speaker, Jin Kaiming, explain how things work here. The magistrate has to be elected by the council, then approved.
Chen tries to just force his way into power. This backfires spectacularly. The council members start listing all the things the Communist party has done right. They talk about fair trade, new tax policies, and rules for official salaries. Then they get personal. They ask Chen if he can follow those rules. They even bring up his messy private life and taking of concubines. Utterly humiliated, Chen Shouzheng storms out.
A Change of Heart, Courtesy of Fear
Chen isn't done yet, though. He barges into a military meeting being led by Zhou Mi. Liu Baisong is visibly annoyed by the interruption. Zhou Mi pulls Chen aside for a private chat. He calmly drops a little hint. The Japanese army is planning to attack Gucheng.
That's all it takes. The fear of an impending battle makes Chen Shouzheng completely change his tune. He immediately withdraws his own appointment. He tells Zhou Mi to stay on as the magistrate. Problem solved.
Arguments and Strategies
To Fight or To Flee
With the leadership crisis over, the military meeting gets back on track. Peng Yong gives his analysis of the situation. He argues that their forces are no match for the Japanese. He suggests a strategic retreat to save their strength for another day.
Liu Baisong is furious. He wants revenge for his father's death and sees this as running away. He accuses Peng Yong of being afraid of the Murata regiment. Peng Yong fires back that the army wins by being smart, not by fighting battles they can't win. The two of them are practically at each other's throats.
The Enemy's Plan
While they argue, the Japanese are making their own moves. Satoshi Yamashita sees the conflict between the local factions as a golden opportunity. He plans to use it to throw their defenses into chaos. Elsewhere, Zhang Zhiping is working his own angle.He gets a Japanese officer named Ono drunk. The plan works. Ono gets arrogant and boasts that they'll take Gucheng in three days, even making a bet.
The Attack on Gucheng
A Trap Is Sprung
Liu Baisong gets intelligence that the Murata regiment is on the move.With Zhou Mi and other leaders away, he's the highest commander. He orders the city's defenses to be prepared. He also arranges for Zhuang Qifeng, Liu Zhumei, and Wang Yu to evacuate to the countryside.They later meet up with Zhou Mi, who confirms that orders from above are to avoid a direct, costly battle.
Standing on the city wall, Liu Baisong watches the Japanese set up their artillery. He notices two cannons are missing and feels something is wrong. The Japanese begin shelling the main gate, and the battle starts. His officers urge him to act, but he hesitates, sensing a trap. He finally sends out the cavalry.
It was a trap. The two missing cannons were moved to target a weak, poorly constructed part of the city wall. They blast a hole in it, and a small Japanese unit breaks through. Seeing his plan work, Murata orders his forces to surround the city from three sides.
