Episode Summary
In this episode, Ren Suning experiences the full horror of the front lines, documents Japanese war crimes during a poison gas attack, and narrowly escapes death. Back in Guilin, the party plans a cultural resistance, and a disgruntled enemy spy is secretly targeted for recruitment into a new anti-Japanese association.
Spoiler Alert
Ren Suning on the Front Lines
A Brutal Reality Check
So, Ren Suning is finally at the front. It is nothing like she could have imagined. This isn't a story. It's real life, and it's horrifying. She's surrounded by constant gunfire and explosions. Young soldiers are dying everywhere.
Sometimes there is no time to even try to save them. Other times, there are no medical supplies. It's a completely grim situation. Ren Suning is watching this happen every single day. She hears the soldiers' stories. She learns more about the atrocities the Japanese are committing.
Our side fights back hard against two enemy attacks. But the Japanese just keep coming. Eventually, the Chinese soldiers run out of ammunition. They have to fix their bayonets and prepare for hand-to-hand combat. Despite all this, their spirit is strong. They keep encouraging each other. They are determined to drive the invaders out.
A Close Call with a Camera
The Japanese have much better equipment. They have heavy artillery. They also have chemical and biological weapons. They start using poison gas bombs. This is a clear violation of international law. The gas is devastating. Our side suffers terrible casualties. They have to retreat and move the wounded immediately.
The Japanese soldiers advance behind the gas, wearing gas masks. It’s a nightmare. Our guys have to fight them off while also dealing with the effects of the poison.
In all the chaos, Ren Suning drops her camera. She makes it to a safe area, then realizes her camera is gone. Without hesitating, she runs back to get it. She has to document this. Just as she grabs it, Japanese soldiers rush into the courtyard.
She hides behind a door. She finds a pair of medical scissors. That's her only weapon. She is fully prepared to die fighting rather than be captured. It's an incredibly tense moment. Thankfully, some Chinese soldiers realize she's missing. They turn back. They storm the courtyard and push the Japanese forces back, saving her just in time. Her photos are vital. They are proof of the gas attacks and the unbreakable will of the soldiers.
The War Effort Shifts
Fighting with Words in Guilin
The news from the front spreads through newspapers. People are furious. They see what the Japanese invasion really means. The country is mobilizing.
The fight isn't just happening on the battlefield. In Guilin, the party leadership is planning a new strategy. Li Kenong and An E get new orders. They need to build a cultural resistance. The idea is to create a steady stream of support for the front lines from the home front. They must build a united front against Japan.
A Hero's Return
Ren Suning comes back from the front. She successfully completed her mission. She brought back invaluable photographs and information. When she gets to Guilin, Li Kenong asks her to speak. He wants her to tell everyone what she saw.
She talks about the revolutionary faith she found in Yan'an. She describes the incredible sacrifices the soldiers are making. Everyone listening is moved. Her story fills them with a sense of purpose and hope.
Political Games in the Rear
A New Association and a New Target
The party in Guilin wants to create a new group. It's called the Literary and Art Circles Anti-Enemy Association. This is where things get a little political.
We meet a man named Liu Hancao. His real identity is a secret. He's a spy for the Dai faction, the opposition. But he's been undercover in Guangxi for a long time with no orders. He's just sitting around, getting frustrated. He doesn't support the new association, but he doesn't oppose it either.
Secretary Xie, an aide to the general Bai Chongxi, has his eye on Liu. He thinks Liu's frustration makes him a potential asset. He believes Liu can be turned to help their cause. So, Xie quietly adds Liu Hancao's name to the list of candidates for the new association. The game is afoot.
