Episode Summary
In this episode, a Japanese plan to annihilate Zhou Mi's forces is disrupted when Qi Menglong, after some convincing, agrees to an alliance. While the initial battle is a success, the victory is short-lived. Zhou Mi's health worsens, and Liu Baisong's refusal to retreat creates a new vulnerability. Meanwhile, Qi Menglong finds himself surrounded by traitor armies and must consider a desperate ploy to survive.
Spoiler Alert
The Walls Are Closing In
This episode felt like a giant chess match. Every side is making moves. But some are definitely smarter than others. The board is set for a major clash, and not everyone is going to walk away from it.
A Trap Is Set
The episode kicks off with Zhuang Qifeng and the District Squad. They're putting together a care package for Zhou Mi's detachment. His troops are shattered after a rough battle. So, Zhuang Qifeng and Wang Yu gather food and herbs. Dr. Du even pitches in with some special medicine for gunshot wounds. He's trying to make up for some past mistakes.
But they have no idea what's coming. Satoshi Yamashita has already laid a trap. He's placed a small team of soldiers in Songshanyu to act as a distraction. His main force, two full companies, has secretly surrounded Baishi Village. The plan is to launch an all-out attack at midnight. He wants to wipe Zhou Mi's detachment off the map.
A Plea for Help
Zhuang Qifeng's group arrives at Songshanyu and immediately spots the Japanese troops. Zong Jiasheng is sharp. He instantly realizes this isn't the main attack. It's a diversion. He figures out that the only other real resistance force nearby is Qi Menglong's army. So, the Japanese troops here must be a pinning force. They're meant to keep Qi Menglong from reinforcing Baishi Village.
Zong Jiasheng doesn't hesitate. He sends Zhuang Qifeng and Wang Yu to persuade Qi Menglong to act. The idea is simple. Qi's army can help them crush this smaller Japanese unit. Then they can all race to Baishi Village to save Zhou Mi.
A Reluctant Ally
Qi Menglong is already dug in at Songshanyu, and he has a bad feeling about it. His own chief of staff suggests negotiating with the Japanese. This sends Qi into a rage. He flat-out refuses to be a traitor.
Right then, Zhuang Qifeng and Wang Yu show up. They lay out the whole situation. They explain the enemy's likely plan and beg him to move his troops. But Qi's chief of staff pushes back. He argues that their 800-man force is too small. They should just hold their ground and protect their own people.
Qi Menglong hesitates. This makes Wang Yu furious. She reminds him that Zhou Mi gave him this territory in the first place. Now he's just going to sit back and save himself? She's done trying to convince him and is ready to go fight on her own. Zhuang Qifeng makes one last appeal. He tells Qi that if Zhou Mi's forces are destroyed, Qi's army will be the next target.
Finally, something clicks for Qi Menglong. He calls out to them as they're leaving. He's moved by Wang Yu's courage. He decides to personally lead his troops to help Zhou Mi and Liu Baisong. He's determined to prove he's not the kind of man who abandons his allies.
The Battle and the Betrayal
The combined attack from both armies completely shatters Satoshi Yamashita's strategy. He's forced to fall back on a contingency plan. Liu Baisong is fired up. He sees a chance to pursue and annihilate the Japanese forces. He asks Qi Menglong to join the chase.
Qi agrees but has a more pressing problem. He helps escort a wounded Zhou Mi away from the front line. Zhou Mi is coughing up blood, and everyone is seriously worried.
At the same time, Sun Yulin receives new orders from the Japanese. He is to attack Songshanyu and eliminate Qi Menglong's army. He feels he has no choice but to obey. Seeing a chance to save his own skin, Chen Shouzheng makes a demand. He wants Sun Yulin to give him a 700-man unit with its own independent command. This is his exit strategy. He wants to break away from the Japanese and avoid being branded a traitor alongside Sun Yulin. After thinking it over, Sun Yulin agrees.
Cornered
Zong Jiasheng figures out Yamashita's new line of march and quickly sets up an ambush. He leads most of his soldiers down the mountain to hide in the woods. The plan is to hit the Japanese fast-moving units as they disembark. This will buy time for the main force to reposition. Zhuang Qifeng is ordered to hold their mountain position with the remaining men.
Wang Yu is sent with a message for Liu Baisong. She needs to convince him to pull back. Liu Baisong knows why she's there but stubbornly refuses to listen. He's sticking with his plan to attack.
Things go from bad to worse. Sun Yulin and Li Shaotang's forces surround Qi Menglong's army. They call out to him, demanding his surrender. Qi is trapped. He's worried about his family's safety. He considers a fake surrender, assuring Zhou Mi he would never truly become a traitor. But Zhou Mi has a better idea. He suggests that Qi can exploit the rivalry between Sun Yulin and Li Shaotang to create an escape route. Qi agrees to try it.
