Episode Summary
A plan to prove Ding Yi's loyalty goes horribly wrong, leading to Uncle Gu's sacrificial death. While Gu Yangshan arranges for Ding Yi's escape to Hong Kong, a traitor in their midst, Ye Yin, orchestrates a raid on the Chaosheng Troupe, leading to the arrest of all its members.
Spoiler Alert
A Plan Goes Up in Smoke
This episode was all about a plan falling apart. And then a backup plan falling apart. It was messy.
The whole thing starts with Takeda. He's furious the Japanese crypto-code has been leaked. He wants to drag everyone to the Plum Blossom Agency for a little chat. I’m sure that would be pleasant.
A Photo and a Fake Fight
Ding Yi tries to calm things down. He pulls out a photo that Xian Biyun slipped him earlier. It’s a picture of him (as Joseph Needham) with his very powerful adoptive father, Duke Higashizono-ji. The message is clear. He would never betray the Japanese Empire.
Takeda still isn't buying it. So Ding Yi starts mocking him. He pushes Takeda to run a test, but Takeda thinks it's ridiculous.
Then things get physical. Uncle Gu suddenly attacks Ding Yi. It’s all part of the act. They need Takeda to believe this is real. Gu Yangshan pulls Uncle Gu toward a window, which was supposed to be an escape route.
A Sacrifice to Sell the Lie
The escape never happens. Uncle Gu knew coming here was a one-way trip. He was prepared to die to make the whole performance believable. And he does. He dies right there.
Gu Yangshan is devastated, but he understands the sacrifice. Xian Biyun, ever the actress, keeps the drama going. She frantically calls for an ambulance for Ding Yi. Takeda, still suspicious, issues an air raid siren anyway. But when the Communists also raise an air raid alarm, it makes Gu Yangshan wonder about who Ding Yi really is.
The Aftermath
Later, Ding Yi is grieving. He’s angry at Gu Yangshan. He thinks Gu Yangshan’s lack of trust got Uncle Gu killed.
The Blame Game
Gu Yangshan tearfully explains the real plan. He was supposed to be the one to "assassinate" Ding Yi. But Uncle Gu stepped in to protect him. He took Gu Yangshan's place. The plan was for allies to grab Uncle Gu from the window and get him to the docks. It just didn't work out.
We also learn the truth about Uncle Gu. He was a Communist comrade. Xian Biyun confirms it. He just wanted to do his part.
Meanwhile, Takeda reports his failure to his superior, Sasaki. He offers to commit suicide to atone for the mistake. Sasaki tells him no. He needs to fix the problem, not die. Takeda is still hung up on Joseph Needham's identity. Sasaki gives him an idea. Find someone who isn't afraid of the Duke's connections. Let them investigate and watch the tigers fight.
An Escape Plan Forms
The next morning, Gu Yangshan prepares an escape for Ding Yi. He arranges a boat to Hong Kong for that night. He's even arranged for someone to pick up Ding Yi's mother. He gives Ding Yi a box with a passport and a lot of cash.
One Last Goodbye
Xian Biyun is also making plans. She decides the Chaosheng Troupe will go on a "tour" in the countryside. It's a good way to get out of the city and avoid the Japanese.
The Walls Close In
Before he leaves, Ding Yi wants to say goodbye to his friends at the troupe. Gu Yangshan goes with him. But just as they arrive, so does Ye Yin.
Here’s the twist. Ye Yin was the one who hinted to Takeda about the leak. She overheard it from Xian Biyun. Takeda asked her to investigate. In return, he promised a good job for a man named Liang Jingyuan at the Plum Blossom Agency.
Ye Yin creates a distraction. She drags Xian Biyun out for a shopping trip. That's the signal. The Japanese get the local police to raid the theater. They arrest everyone. In the chaos, one of the members, Lao Die, shoves Hong Yu out. He tells her to run and find help.
