Episode Summary
Liang Jingyuan manipulates Charlie into framing Joseph Needham. This betrayal is part of a larger scheme to help Sasaki's faction eliminate the rival Higashizono-ji family. While this happens, Ding Yi and Xian Biyun plot to steal radio codes, and Gu Yangshan secures a new position by playing his own angle. The episode ends with Needham arrested and Charlie realizing he was used and demoted.
Spoiler Alert
A Tense Meeting and a Snake in the Grass
The Setup
The episode kicks off in 1945. The Japanese are holding one of their "Rural Pacification Meetings." It's basically a show of power. Ding Yi and Gu Yangshan are there. They might have their differences now that Ding Yi is with the Communists, but they still have the same goal. They both want to resist the Japanese occupation.
Also at this meeting is Liang Jingyuan. He clearly bought his way onto the committee. He spends the whole time sucking up to everyone. It's pretty gross to watch.
Needham Makes a Move
The Japanese officer, Sasaki, introduces a committee member named Anjing to Joseph Needham. Needham is our British expert. He does something clever here. He pretends to get confused and reaches for the wrong hand to shake. This lets him get a good look at Anjing's hands for some reason.
We learn that Anjing knew Needham's adoptive father. He wants to talk to Needham alone. This immediately puts Sasaki on edge. You can see the threat assessment happening in his eyes. Needham then uses the excuse that he already has a translator. He tells his own assistant, Charlie, to wait outside. Charlie definitely feels like he's being pushed away on purpose.
Liang Jingyuan's Poisonous Pitch
Liang Jingyuan sees Charlie standing outside. He can't resist taking a shot. He walks over and mocks him. He points out that Charlie can't even get into the room with his own boss. He says Needham clearly doesn't trust him.
Then he drops a bomb. He tells Charlie that Anjing is here to investigate people secretly working with the British and Americans. He reminds Charlie that Needham is British. If war breaks out, Needham's connections could be a death sentence, not a safety net.
Liang then hands Charlie a pre-written letter. He wants Charlie to frame Needham for colluding with the Allies. In return, Liang promises Charlie a spot on the committee.
Hospital Schemes and Suspicions
Xian Biyun's Dangerous Game
Over at the hospital, a military doctor comes to check on Xian Biyun's recovery. She's hiding the fact that she can feel her leg again. She needs to stay put for her own mission. Ding Yi is there and sees her trying not to react to the doctor's tests. He immediately steps in. He questions the doctor and suggests they change her treatment plan. This buys her more time.
Later, the two of them talk about the pacification operation. They agree they have to get the radio codes. It's the only way to save their comrades in the resistance bases. They also suspect Gu Yangshan is now working with Liang Jingyuan. They decide they need to act first and get Gu out of the way.
Meanwhile, Needham has his own plan. He decides to ask Sasaki for a new confidential assistant. He wants to place one of his own underground agents close to him.
A High-Profile Patient
Xian Biyun notices something odd at the hospital. A famous British heart and brain specialist named Edward has been brought in. He's treating someone on the top floor. She suspects the patient is the Duke Higashizono-ji. It makes sense. The doctor is British, just like Needham.
The Betrayal Unfolds
The Notice Board of Doom
Liang Jingyuan's wife, Ye Yin, complains to him about their finances. She thought joining the committee would help, but their money is tighter than ever. Liang just tells her to be patient.
Then Ye Yin gives him some news. The higher-ups are assigning a new secretary to Joseph Needham. Liang gets a nasty idea. He tells his wife to post the announcement on the public notice board. He wants her to use big, bold letters. He says it's revenge for a broken leg and that he's going to cut off Needham's "arm."
The plan works perfectly. Charlie sees the notice. The feeling of being replaced makes the rift between him and Needham even deeper.
Gu Yangshan Makes His Play
Gu Yangshan writes his own accusation letter to protect Ding Yi. He doesn't use the draft Liang gave him. He quietly hands his version to Liang instead. This move gets him a promotion. He's now a commissioner for the pacification committee. Everyone comes to congratulate him.
Ding Yi sees the appointment notice on the board next to the one about Needham's new secretary. He instantly understands what happened. He realizes he seriously underestimated Liang Jingyuan's power.
The Trap Springs Shut
The Aftermath
The next day, Joseph Needham is taken away for investigation.
Charlie shows up for his first day at his new job. He thinks he's getting a promotion and his own office. He's wrong. He's just another officer working in the main hall. His desk is shoved in a corner. His new boss, a section chief named Hashimoto, completely ignores him.
He learns from a secretary that Hashimoto designed the new communication codes, not Needham. Then comes the biggest shock. Charlie discovers he's been assigned to the code-breaking team. He's not on the pacification committee at all.
The Real Plan is Revealed
Charlie is furious. He goes to confront Liang Jingyuan.
This is where it all comes out. Liang admits he doctored the accusation letter Charlie gave him. The letter didn't just target Needham. It implicated the entire Higashizono-ji family in treason. This was exactly what Sasaki wanted. He used Needham as the public excuse to take down a rival faction. With the Higashizono-ji family gone, only Sasaki's group holds power. Charlie was just a pawn in a much bigger game.
