Episode Summary
Tang Deyuan survives a suicide mission and secretly plans an escape with his estranged brother, Xiao Tielin. The laborers stage a strike for better food, leading to a strange punishment. Gao Yunhu uncovers a deadly conspiracy in Songlin Town and vows revenge.
Spoiler Alert
A "Trip" to the Mountains
The episode kicks off with a classic bad guy move. The Japanese announce they're sending the old, sick, and weak laborers to the mountains. They say it's for a "rest." You and I both know that’s a lie.
Tang Deyuan sees this as a potential escape route. He's ready to jump on that truck. Fuqing, his loyal friend, smells a rat. He thinks it's a terrible idea and wants to go with Tang. Tang shuts him down and insists on going alone. He fakes a stomach bug to get himself on the vehicle. Just as Fuqing tries to follow, Katayama Shinji stops him.
Later, we learn the horrifying truth. The Japanese are using these men as disposable demolition crews. They give them explosives with short fuses to blow up parts of the mountain. No one ever comes back alive. Fuqing is sick with worry.
An Unlikely Reunion
Just when you think things can't get more complicated, they do. Xiao Tielin, who has free run of the construction site, runs into Tang Deyuan. He's not happy to see him. He has his goons drag Tang into the woods for a little chat.
Surprise. They're old "brothers." They had a falling out years ago over different beliefs. Xiao mentions Tang's parents. This gives Tang an opening. He asks Xiao to help him escape during the upcoming Autumn Festival so he can see them. Xiao actually agrees. This should be interesting.
Right after this secret meeting, Tang stumbles back into camp. He's beaten up but alive, much to Fuqing's relief. When asked what happened, he just says he had an accident. He keeps the reunion with Xiao a secret.
Trouble in Songlin Town
Over in Songlin Town, Gao Yunhu gets some bad news. Da Kuo Zhi tells him the fur shop owner and three resistance fighters are dead. They were killed by the Japanese. Gao feels responsible and wants to leave so he doesn't bring more trouble to Da Kuo Zhi.
Da Kuo Zhi tells him to stay put. He says the Japanese rarely come to town. He also reveals a crucial piece of information. The shop owner wasn't found by chance. He was ratted out by a local gangster named You Shilong. Gao wants to know more about this guy. The problem is, anyone who has seen You Shilong is dead.
Later, Gao does some digging on his own. He discovers a whole conspiracy. You Shilong is working with Niqiu, Jin Batou, and Liu Dabiao. They murder gold miners and steal their earnings. Gao vows to get revenge for the dead miners.
The Camp Heats Up
A Risky Plan
Tang Deyuan is not sitting still. He organizes a full-blown labor strike. His goal is to create a diversion to scout the area for his escape. This forces Fujimoto to come down and negotiate.
Wan Fuqing becomes the spokesman. He complains about the terrible food. They're sick of moldy bread and bland vegetable soup. Even Katayama Shinji agrees with them, calling the food pig slop. Fujimoto is furious. He calls Katayama a deserter and threatens him. In the end, Fujimoto gives in and promises better food. But there's a price. Wan Fuqing and Katayama are punished by being stuffed into large jars.
Digging Their Own Graves?
Things get even darker. A new batch of laborers arrives. They're put on the hardest tasks. Meanwhile, Tang, Wan Fuqing, and the others are forced to dig a massive pit. They all suspect the worst. They believe the Japanese are preparing a mass grave.
Tang asks Katayama if the Japanese kill people during the Autumn Festival. Katayama denies it. But nobody believes him.
