Episode Summary
In this episode, Hua'er forces Xiao Baima's hand, bringing his bandits into the war. Lao Shandong then devises a clever and dangerous plan to recruit a family of skilled fighters, culminating in a deadly double-cross that wins them valuable new allies.
Spoiler Alert
The Bandits Finally Join the Fight
Hua'er's Ultimatum
So, Hua'er decides she's done waiting around. She gets the second and third-in-command drunk and gives them a heartfelt speech about fighting the Japanese. They're on board. But Xiao Baima, the main leader, is still dragging his feet.
When Xiao Baima gets back from a revenge mission, he walks right into an ambush. The other two leaders tie him up, or so it seems. Hua'er lays it on the line. She tells him she's taking the men and their unborn child down the mountain to join the war. If he doesn't agree, he'll never see his kid.
A Change of Heart
It turns out the ropes were loose. The whole "tying him up" thing was just a show for Hua'er's benefit. She is not amused. She tears into all three of them. She calls them lazy cowards who are nothing compared to the real soldiers dying in the field.
Her words hit home. Xiao Baima is so ashamed he actually pulls a gun on her. But Hua'er doesn't even flinch. She just reminds him again about the baby. That stops him cold. He finally agrees to seriously think about it. Later, when Lao Shandong arrives, we learn Xiao Baima is in. He's bringing thirty of his men to the fight.
Recruiting New Blood
The Three Brothers of Wild Horse Beach
With the bandits secured, Lao Shandong points out a problem. Their new little army needs more skilled fighters. Xiao Baima knows just the guys. He tells them about Old Donkey's three sons from Wild Horse Beach. These guys are masters with all kinds of weapons. The Japanese tried to recruit them, but they refused. In retaliation, the Japanese stole their horses and burned their house down.
The problem is, the brothers don't want to join any group, not even Xiao Baima's. Lao Shandong and Hua'er figure they need a better plan than just asking. So, Lao Shandong pretends to be a starving beggar and collapses near their home. The plan works. The three brothers find him and take him in.
A Dangerous Test
Old Donkey, the father, is immediately suspicious. He sees Lao Shandong's injuries and assumes he's a bandit. Lao Shandong tries to convince him to let his sons join the resistance, but Old Donkey isn't buying it. He tells Lao Shandong to leave.
That night, things get serious. The sons tie Lao Shandong up for real this time. They threaten to literally carve him up if he doesn't tell them who he is. Lao Shandong admits he's with the anti-Japanese resistance and is trying to gather scattered soldiers. Old Donkey then plays a dangerous card. He lies and says he's already working with the Japanese. He claims he's turned in other resistance fighters before. Lao Shandong doesn't break.
The Ultimate Double-Cross
To prove his point, Old Donkey and his sons drag Lao Shandong to a Japanese garrison. Old Donkey starts haggling with the Japanese commander. He doesn't want the gold offered for a resistance fighter. He wants land. When the commander scoffs at him, the act is over.
Old Donkey and his sons kill every single Japanese soldier in the room. They take their guns and leave behind a token from the Black Wolf Fortress bandits. Lao Shandong is completely baffled.
Back at their home, Old Donkey explains everything. The Black Wolf Fortress bandits are collaborators who work with the Japanese. By leaving their token, he's just started a fight between two of his enemies. He then tells a story about a resistance hero he once tried to save. It's clear his hatred for the Japanese is real. Inspired, Lao Shandong convinces him to rally all the men of Wild Horse Beach. Old Donkey agrees, sending his sons to gather the villagers for the cause.
