Episode Summary
Lü Shiqing's attempt to test Zhang Zhiping backfires, leading to his own death and allowing Zhang to solidify his cover. The Eighth Route Army uses this opportunity to launch a successful surprise attack on the city, capturing vital supplies. The Japanese retaliate with a brutal poison gas assault, leading to a bloody trench battle. Though the army holds its ground, they suffer heavy losses. The episode ends with the arrival of a defeated Nationalist division seeking refuge, adding a new complication for Zhou Mi and Liu Baisong.
Spoiler Alert
The Set-Up
This episode kicks off with a few different plans getting put into motion. Some are for the better. Others are about to go very, very wrong.
A Deceptive Visit
Lü Shiqing shows up to see Kuroki. He has transfer orders in hand. He asks for permission to see his old master, Lü Ying, before he starts his new job with the plainclothes team. Kuroki doesn't suspect a thing. He arranges for Lü Shiqing to go to Zhang Zhiping's house.
The Japanese Plan
Over at Japanese command, Yamashita and Murata are cooking up a big attack. They want to hit Lü Family Village hard. The plan is to send in cavalry first to find the main Eighth Route Army forces. Once they spot them, they'll surround them. Then they'll call in heavy artillery and tanks to finish the job.
Right on cue, a report comes in from their brigade headquarters. It says the 115th Division's Independent Regiment is now inside their encirclement zone. The new orders are simple. Find them and destroy them. Murata gets the command and immediately moves his troops out.
The Trap Springs
Back in the city, Lü Shiqing's visit turns into a deadly test of loyalty. He walked into the wrong house.
Zhang Zhiping's Test
Lü Shiqing arrives at Zhang Zhiping's place. He claims he's just there to check in on behalf of Zhang's father and Lü Shicai. He starts talking to Lü Ying. He carefully tries to convince her to go back to Lü Family Village with Zhang Zhiping. She isn't sure what to do.
Just then, Zhang Zhiping walks in. He acts all friendly and greets Lü Shiqing. But as he offers him a cigarette, he spots the gun and identification papers on Lü Shiqing's belt. Zhang Zhiping then steers the conversation toward the anti-Japanese resistance.
A Calculated Kill
Lü Shiqing takes the bait completely. He tries to convince Zhang Zhiping to defect to the communists. That's all Zhang Zhiping needed to hear. He pulls his own gun and shoots Lü Shiqing dead on the spot.
Zhang Zhiping then has the body taken to Kuroki and Ono. He acts furious. He tells them Lü Shiqing was testing his loyalty while pretending to recruit him. He says he only discovered the man's new identity after he killed him. Kuroki and the others had no idea Yamashita sent Lü Shiqing. They are completely fooled by Zhang Zhiping's act. They apologize over and over and even host a dinner for him to make things right.
The City Falls
With the Japanese officers distracted, the Eighth Route Army makes its move.
A Surprise Night Attack
That night, the army launches its planned assault. The attack is fast and brutal. They capture the city tower and the main gate. At the same time, other units hit the garrison regiment's barracks, the police station, the Japanese camp, and the armory.
During the chaos, Zhang Zhiping puts his own plan into action. He pretends to risk his life to protect Ono and the other Japanese officers. His performance works perfectly. He completely earns their trust.
A Hard-Won Victory
The battle is a massive success. Almost all the Japanese and puppet troops inside the city are wiped out. The Eighth Route Army captures a huge amount of military gear. They leave the city with more than ten carts loaded with weapons, ammunition, and supplies.
The Last Stand
The fight isn't over yet. The Japanese outside the city are furious and looking for payback.
Gas Attack
Kuroki rushes to the Japanese command center. He tells Yamashita and Murata what happened and begs for reinforcements. Yamashita refuses to let the army's advance detachment just get away. He decides to gather all his remaining troops for one final, massive attack.
The Japanese artillery opens fire on the Eighth Route Army's position. But this time, they use poison gas shells. A yellow fog starts spreading through the mountains. Liu Baisong and Zhou Mi order their soldiers to hold their ground and keep fighting.
A Brutal Fight
Liu Baisong leads the reserve troops directly into the front-line trenches. Bayonets flash in the smoke. The two sides clash in a horrible, close-quarters battle. The trenches are soon soaked with blood.
While this is happening, Zhou Mi is directing medics to help the soldiers who have collapsed from the gas. He gives his own gas mask to a badly wounded soldier. This damages his own lungs. He keeps organizing the evacuation of the wounded, coughing violently the whole time.
New Alliances and Old Problems
The battle finally winds down, but new challenges appear almost immediately.
An Unexpected Arrival
Murata sees that his attack has failed. He orders his troops to pull back. He decides to shift his forces to go after the main Eighth Route Army units near Gucheng County instead. Yamashita suggests using a small, elite unit to try a flanking sneak attack, and Murata agrees.
The Fourth Squadron manages to break through the Japanese encirclement. Liu Baisong stands on the battlefield, looking at all the bodies. He feels a deep frustration that their weapons are still so much worse than what the Japanese have.
Then, a new group arrives. It's Qi Menglong, the commander of the Nationalist 27th Division, with the few soldiers he has left. He tells Zhou Mi that the Japanese overran his defensive zone. His division was crushed. He had no choice but to bring the survivors, including many women and children, to the army's territory to regroup. Zhou Mi agrees to help. He lets Qi Menglong's people settle for now in Songshanyu. Zhou Mi and his own troops will head back to Baishi Village to prepare its defenses.
