Episode Summary
In this episode, the town mourns a fallen hero, leading to an unexpected reunion between Lu Changshan, Gao Yunhu, and Wan Fuqing. Gao Yunhu shares a tearful and intense farewell with Da Kuo Zhi before leaving to rejoin the fight. Faced with overwhelming enemy forces, the unit is ordered to retreat to the Soviet Union but lacks the means to get there, prompting them to execute a daring heist to steal a herd of horses from the Japanese army.
Spoiler Alert
The Long Way Back: Episode 17 Recap
This episode opens on a really sour note. The Japanese army has killed the resistance founder, Yang Jingyu. To make it worse, they drop 200,000 leaflets from a plane to brag about it. The people in Songlin Town are furious. The whole town, led by the tavern owner Da Kuo Zhi, hits the streets to mourn. She even brings out her own private stash of liquor for everyone. It's a somber moment. She also hands out buns to the townspeople, which is her usual way of helping out.
A Long-Awaited Reunion
Lu Changshan is back in town. He's looking for his old comrades, Tang Deyuan, Wan Fuqing, and Gao Yunhu. He's having no luck. He's tired, he's hungry, and he ends up squatting on a street corner. A kid walks by with a bun and tells him where to get one. By the time Lu Changshan gets there, the buns are all gone. But Da Kuo Zhi gives him two that she had saved for Gao Yunhu.
Lu Changshan offers to help her carry a food box. She doesn't say no. She leads him right to where Gao Yunhu is staying. Lu Changshan hears his friend's voice and rushes inside. He finds not just Gao Yunhu, but Wan Fuqing too. It’s a huge, emotional reunion.
Lu Changshan immediately starts telling them everything that's happened. He met an old ginseng collector, Lao Batou. He got a rare, hundred-year-old ginseng root and sold it for a good price. With the money, he and Tian Xiaogui started recruiting more fighters. He even got Hua'er to convince Xiao Baima and his men to join the fight against the Japanese. He's managed to find almost all his scattered friends. The only one missing is Tang Deyuan. Lu Changshan feels like something is off there, that Tang Deyuan must have a good reason for not being around.
A Tough Goodbye
Now that they're reunited, Lu Changshan wants to take Gao Yunhu and Wan Fuqing to the main forces. Wan Fuqing is ready to go instantly. Gao Yunhu asks for two days. He needs to talk to Da Kuo Zhi first. Wan Fuqing calls him a coward for it. Lu Changshan shuts him down. He can see that Gao Yunhu has someone important to him here. He tells Gao Yunhu to think it over carefully.
The next morning, Gao Yunhu goes to the tavern to say goodbye to Da Kuo Zhi. She can tell something is on his mind. He explains that Lu Changshan found him and he has to leave to rejoin the fight. He thanks her for saving his life. He wanted to stay and repay her, but this is his duty. Da Kuo Zhi understands she can't keep him. She supports his decision to go fight. As long as he keeps her in his heart, that's what matters. They share some drinks and have a real heart-to-heart.
Later, Gao Yunhu leaves with Lu Changshan and Wan Fuqing. As their boat is about to depart from the riverbank, Da Kuo Zhi comes running. She's there to see him off one last time. Gao Yunhu pulls her into a tight hug. She bites his neck hard, leaving a deep mark so he won't forget her. Then she gives him all of her life savings. She promises to wait for him to come back so they can get married. It's an incredibly emotional farewell. Gao Yunhu is in tears, and even Lu Changshan and Wan Fuqing are moved.
A New Mission and a Heist
The story then gives us some context. It's around 1940. The anti-Japanese forces in the northeast are in a bad spot. To save what's left of the army, their leaders go to the Soviet Union. They negotiate a deal. Soviet forces will help any Chinese units that need to retreat across the border. Three crossing points are set up.
Back with our guys, Zhao Youwang delivers a new order from the party. They are to retreat to the Soviet Union. Lu Changshan does not want to go. He wants to find the main army and fight, not run away. But he's a soldier, so he follows his orders. In October, he leads his unit toward the Soviet border. The journey is brutal. They're constantly attacked by the Japanese, and they take heavy losses.
During a rest, Gao Yunhu points out the obvious. They'll never make it to the crossing point on foot. They need horses. This gives Old Donkey's three sons an idea. They want to steal back the horses the Japanese took from their family. They know the guy, Zhang Dache, who delivers hay to the Japanese stables. Xiao Baima comes up with the plan. Find the lead horse, and the rest of the herd will follow it anywhere.
So they set their plan in motion. The oldest son, Da Lüzi, hides in the hay cart. His two younger brothers wait outside to provide a distraction. Da Lüzi gets past the Japanese guards and finds the lead horse. He signals his brothers. They immediately ride back to tell Lu Changshan.
Lu Changshan brings his men and sets up an ambush near the stables. The younger brothers blow the stable gates open. When the Japanese soldiers run out, Lu Changshan's men open fire. In the chaos, Da Lüzi jumps on the lead horse and bolts. Just as planned, all the other horses follow him out of the stable. Lu Changshan's group makes sure the horses are clear, blows up a Japanese truck for good measure, and then they all ride off on their new mounts.
