Episode Summary
Liu Pengju, after being beaten for his betrayal, is turned into a double agent by Zhang Zhiping to spy on Japanese collaborators. Zhuang Qifeng recovers and learns of the heroic deaths of He Dashan and his son, vowing to honor their memory before accepting a promotion. In a painful farewell, Wang Yu rejects Liu Baisong's proposal to leave with him for Chongqing, choosing her revolutionary duties over their relationship.
Spoiler Alert
A Traitor's New Job
So, the garrison officers are furious. They saw what the Japanese army did to that village, and they're looking for someone to blame. Their target is Liu Pengju, the guy who sold out his own people. They beat him until he's a wreck.
Liu Pengju runs for his life. He goes straight to Zhang Zhiping, begging for a way out. Zhang Zhiping sees an opportunity here. He tells Liu Pengju to use the beating to his advantage. He wants him to go crying to Kuroki, the Japanese officer. Zhang's logic is pretty sharp. The Japanese will love seeing conflict within the garrison. It makes them feel like they're in control. This will actually make Kuroki trust Liu Pengju more.
But there's a catch. Zhang Zhiping makes it clear who's in charge now. From this point on, Liu Pengju reports to him first. He also gives him a new assignment. He has to secretly find out who else in the garrison is working with the Japanese. Liu Pengju is so relieved to have a path to survival that he promises to get it done.
A Hero's Goodbye
Zhuang Qifeng is finally healed from his injuries. Wang Yu shows up with the cavalry squad to escort him back. Before they leave, though, Zhuang insists on making a stop. He has a bad feeling about the He family and needs to see them.
When he gets to their home, it's quiet. Too quiet. He walks into the main hall and sees two memorial tablets. They are for He Dashan and his son. Zhuang Qifeng finally understands. The father and son who helped him both died fighting.
The realization hits him hard. He falls to his knees in front of Mother He and just breaks down. Seeing her all alone in the now-empty courtyard is devastating. Right then and there, he tells her he will be her son from now on. He also makes a silent vow. He will make sure every soldier in the Eighth Route Army knows the story of the He family's sacrifice.
As he leaves, Mother He gives him a bundle of peanuts and dates she prepared. Tucked inside the bundle are the seven silver dollars he left with her before. She just stands at the gate, watching them ride away.
A New Responsibility
Back at the county committee headquarters, things are grim. Zhuang Qifeng finds Zhou Mi looking pale and sick. He learns the base is facing a massive food shortage. The situation is so bad that civilians have started eating tree bark to survive. Zhuang doesn't hesitate. He immediately orders the army's food rations to be cut. The saved food will go to the people first.
Then, Zhou Mi announces an official decision. Zhuang Qifeng is being promoted. He is now the deputy secretary of the county committee and also the deputy political commissar for their advance team. It's a huge responsibility, but Zhuang formally accepts the position.
A Fork in the Road
Things are about to change for Liu Baisong. He's heading to Chongqing to attend a special class at the Central Military Academy. After he graduates, he'll likely command a modern, well-equipped army. It's a world away from the tough guerrilla fighting of the Eighth Route Army.
A Tough Choice
Before he leaves, Liu Baisong makes a big move. He gets flowers and a family ring. He finds Wang Yu and lays it all out on the line. He wants her to come with him to Chongqing.
Wang Yu says no. It clearly hurts her, but her mind is made up. She has seen the corruption within the Kuomintang and can't follow that path. She loves him, but she won't abandon her revolutionary ideals or her comrades for a relationship. She cuts things off for good.
Moving On
Liu Zhumei sees her friend Wang Yu return with red eyes. When she finds out her brother is still leaving for Chongqing, she tries to stop him. She even brings up the memory of their parents' sacrifice. It doesn't work. Liu Baisong is determined. He gets on his horse and rides away without looking back.
Zhou Mi sees it's no use trying to force him to stay. He gives Wang Yu full responsibility for the work in District One. Wang Yu watches Liu Zhumei come back alone. She looks a little sad, but you can tell she was prepared for this.
She tells Liu Zhumei that she envies her relationship with Zhuang Qifeng. Even though they're often apart, they share the same beliefs. They're on the same path. She even nudges Liu Zhumei to think about marrying Zhuang soon. The two friends say goodbye at a crossroads. Suddenly, a soldier appears and gives Wang Yu a bouquet of flowers from an anonymous sender. She holds them for a moment in the evening wind, then continues on her way.
