Episode Summary
The Japanese leadership is fractured, with Murata withdrawing support and leaving Yamashita with only three cannons. Zhang Zhiping confirms the Japanese are weakening but learns of their new artillery. He solidifies an internal rebellion with his security captains, who agree to help the Eighth Route Army. After Yamashita reveals a secret underground bunker to his inner circle, the Eighth Route Army sends the final signal for the attack via a specially marked kite. Zhang Zhiping receives the message and prepares for the assault on Gucheng, assigning a crucial final task to his wife, Lü Ying.
Spoiler Alert
Our Homeland Episode 34 Recap
Alright, let's get into it. The pieces are finally moving into place for the big assault on Gucheng. This episode was all about final preparations, double-crosses, and one very important kite.
The Japanese Disagree
The episode kicks off with Satoshi Yamashita and Murata looking over the ruins of Dongji Town. It's a mess. Murata thinks Gucheng isn't worth holding anymore. He wants to pull back as part of a bigger strategy.
Yamashita does not agree. He's spent years building this place up. He refuses to just give it up. He demands more support. Murata isn't having it, though. He decides to pull his own troops out. As a compromise, he leaves Yamashita with just three artillery cannons. It's a pretty clear sign that Yamashita is on his own.
Doubts and Drinks
Zhang Zhiping and his security guys overhear some of this. They don't get all the details. So, Zhang Zhiping does what he does best. He invites the Japanese officers Ono and Kuroki for drinks to get more information.
During the drinks, Kuroki is a total downer. He's convinced they've lost the war. He says the only end for a soldier is to die in battle or commit suicide. He looks at a photo of his wife and kids while saying this. Ono gets angry at Kuroki's negativity. They almost get into a fight. Zhang Zhiping has to step in and play peacemaker.
Later, Yamashita gets a report about the resistance's movements. He still doesn't trust Zhang Zhiping at all. He wants him watched closely. But then he hears something that calms him down a little. Liu Pengju has reported that Zhang Zhiping plans to send his wife and son away. Yamashita figures Zhang is scared of what the Eighth Route Army will do to him later. This makes him relax his guard just a bit.
The Turncoats Make Their Move
Things get interesting when three of Zhang Zhiping's own security captains visit him at night. They have a plan. They ask Lü Ying if they can leave their guns with her while they talk privately. She's suspicious, but they convince her it's fine.
Once the drinks start flowing, the captains get straight to the point. They tell Zhang Zhiping that Japan's defeat is certain. They say their only real choice is to surrender to the Eighth Route Army. Zhang Zhiping realizes they are serious about switching sides. The timing is perfect. He tells them he agrees. Together, they start planning to help the Eighth Route Army from inside Gucheng during the attack.
The Final Plans
The Eighth Route Army gets official approval to attack Gucheng. At first, the higher-ups were worried they didn't have enough soldiers. But a detailed report from Qiu Jiasheng and a message from Zhang Zhiping convince them. The plan is a go. They want to give Yamashita a taste of his own medicine.
Zhang Zhiping learns about the Japanese reinforcements and the new cannons. He takes Liu Pengju to scout the Japanese camp, but security is too tight. So, he goes back to his old trick. He gets Ono drunk. Ono spills that his commander Murata's unit will be leaving soon. But he also brags that the new heavy cannons will make Gucheng's defenses much stronger.
Liu Pengju manages to map out where all the Japanese cannons are. Zhang Zhiping gives him a new mission. He wants him to destroy one of the artillery positions. This will force the Japanese to rearrange their defenses and create chaos.
A Secret Weapon and a Signal
After a military meeting, Yamashita pulls his most trusted men aside. This includes Ono and Zhuang Ziqiang. He takes them to a secret location. Underneath the Rong Residence is a massive, hidden underground bunker. This is his final ace in the hole.
The Eighth Route Army is ready. They just need to get the final signal to Zhang Zhiping. They decide to use a simple but reliable method.
The next day, Zhang Zhiping is inspecting the city wall defenses with Liu Pengju. He looks out over the landscape. Suddenly, he sees a kite in the sky. It has a special marking on it. He understands immediately. He rushes home and tells Lü Ying the big news. The final attack is tomorrow. They will finally be able to go home. Then, he gives her one last, critical task to perform.
