Episode Summary
The 170th Division gets a massive public send-off before heading to war, which worries the Nationalist leadership. A high-ranking official, Bai Chongxi, reveals a secret contingency plan in case the government gives up the fight. Ren Suning accepts her dream job as a war reporter but witnesses the horror of war firsthand when Japanese bombers destroy a remote village. With their equipment destroyed, the newspaper staff decides to move their operations into a cave to continue their work.
Spoiler Alert
A City Says Goodbye
The Big Send-Off
The 170th Division is shipping out. They are heading to the front lines to fight the Japanese. The local newspaper, the Salvation Daily, thinks this is a big deal. The editor decides they need to hold a proper send-off ceremony.
Everyone gets on board with the idea. People start preparing for the parade on their own. Two editors even go out to personally invite local intellectuals. They make sure to put Wang Luyan on that list.
On the day of the event, the turnout is huge. Tens of thousands of people flood the streets to see the troops off. They wave small anti-Japanese flags. They hold up big, bold signs. Students organize themselves and start singing the "March of the Volunteers." The whole scene is powerful. You can see it on the soldiers' faces. They understand their duty now. Each one seems to make a silent promise to drive the invaders out of China.
Politics and Back-Up Plans
Bai Chongxi's Secret Strategy
This massive send-off was organized by the Communist Party. It definitely gets the attention of the Nationalist Party leadership. They are shaken by the display of public support.
A Nationalist official, Bai Chongxi, is also preparing to go to the front. Before he leaves, he has a private talk with the local governor, Huang Xuchu. Bai Chongxi has some inside information. He knows the top brass in the government are waffling. Their commitment to the war is not solid. His troops are already heading into battle. If the government suddenly decides to make peace, his men will be the first to be sacrificed.
So, he gives Huang Xuchu some instructions. He tells him to get friendly with the local "political alliance." This group has a reputation for being intellectual and progressive. Bai Chongxi lays out his real plan. If their city, Guilin, falls to the Japanese, the alliance could stay neutral. They could even declare independence, just like what happened in the Northeast. It's a pretty cynical move. While soldiers are marching to their deaths, some officials are already plotting their own escape routes.
A New Job and a Rude Awakening
Ren Suning's Dream Comes True
The newspaper is getting bigger. Its circulation is growing, and it needs more help. The paper sends an official invitation to Ren Suning. They ask her if she wants to stay on as a frontline reporter for the editorial department.
Of course, she says yes. Ren Suning is so excited she almost cries. This is her dream. She wants to be a war correspondent. She wants to use her pen to expose Japanese atrocities. She wants to call on all Chinese people to fight back.
The Bombs Fall
Ren Suning's first task is to recruit more people. She goes to see a writer named Ai Wu. He lives in a remote mountain village. He spends his days writing while his wife supports them. Ren Suning asks him to join the paper. Ai Wu agrees to put his personal life on hold and go work at the editorial office. The work is demanding and there is no pay. The people who stay are true believers.
Ai Wu starts packing his bags. Suddenly, they hear the sound of airplanes overhead. At first, Ai Wu isn't worried. He thinks they are too far out in the countryside. He assumes the bombers won't come to such a remote area.
He is wrong. The words are barely out of his mouth when bombs start exploding all around them. The Japanese planes have come deep into the mountains. Buildings collapse. People are crushed and killed. The streets fill with rubble, crying, and calls for help.
Ren Suning pulls herself up from the ground. She just witnessed a peaceful village turn into hell in a matter of seconds. She frantically looks for Ai Wu. Luckily, he is not hurt. He struggles to his feet. Without a second thought, he runs back into the danger to find his wife.
Starting Over
The Newspaper Moves Underground
The newspaper's printing presses and equipment were hit in the bombing. They are severely damaged. The leadership doesn't know when the next air raid will be. After some serious thought, they make a decision. They will move the entire newspaper operation into a nearby cave. Then they will focus on raising money to start printing again.
