Episode Summary
An E and Tian Han find their friend Hong Shen in despair after being blacklisted by a new KMT order. In response, Zhou Enlai decides to recruit all the purged cultural workers. He also maneuvers to protect key allies like Guo Moruo. As a foreign observer documents the people's resilience, Li Kenong works to block an anti-Communist from gaining power by successfully nominating the influential Soong Ching-ling to lead the Guangxi Political Department.
Spoiler Alert
A Writer on the Brink
An E and Tian Han's Reunion
An E finally gets home from her latest mission. She finds her husband, Tian Han, completely lost in his work. He's so focused on writing that he doesn't even hear her walk in. It’s a sweet reunion.
Tian Han is excited about a script he found. It's by a writer named Hong Shen. He says the guy is brilliant. But he's also really frustrated. The political situation is making it impossible for talented people like Hong Shen to work. The Japanese are still invading. The KMT, however, is busy starting fights with its supposed allies. It makes no sense. An E heard Hong Shen was having a hard time. She suggests they go visit him right away.
The Despair of Hong Shen
When they get to his place, Hong Shen is in a bad way. He shows them a new order from Chiang Kai-shek. It says anyone associated with the Communist party is banned from working in the Third Bureau. This is a huge blow. Hong Shen is furious. The two parties just won some battles together. Now the KMT is stirring up internal conflict again, and people are suffering for it.
The situation in Chongqing is a mess. An E tries to convince Hong Shen to come with them to Guilin. She thinks he can find work there. But he refuses. He says he used to work for the KMT. He feels too ashamed to go back to Guilin and face his old friends. Tian Han also tries to talk him into it, but it's no use. Hong Shen has given up. He just spends his days drinking and lashing out. An E tells him to be strong and wait for things to get better. He just shakes his head. He has no hope left at all.
The Communist Counter-Move
Zhou Enlai Steps In
An E goes to report the Third Bureau's new purge to Zhou Enlai. Guo Moruo is in the office with him. He's also ranting about Chiang Kai-shek's petty and short-sighted order.
Zhou gets on the phone to confirm the details. He realizes Chiang Kai-shek is serious about this internal fight. So, Zhou makes a decision. He will welcome all the cultural workers kicked out by the KMT. If the KMT doesn't want them, his party will take them.
Saving a Few Key Players
Zhou then makes another call, this time to a man named Wen Yanbai. He asks him to protect a few progressive individuals working in Guilin. He wants to make sure they can keep their jobs. Wen Yanbai looks over the list and sends it up the chain. The approval comes back fast. Everyone on Zhou's list is safe. That includes the furious Guo Moruo. It's a small victory, but it matters.
New Alliances and Old Problems
An Outsider's Perspective
A foreigner, Mr. Kalman, has arrived in China. He's here to see the effects of the invasion. He visits Yan'an first and is impressed by the fierce revolutionary spirit he finds. Then he travels to Guilin. There, he sees something else that moves him. Progressive locals have adopted orphans who lost their families in the bombings.
These kids are living in caves and bombed-out ruins. Their living conditions are awful. But they are strong. They sing patriotic songs and are still dedicated to their studies. Mr. Kalman takes a lot of photos. He seems genuinely touched by their resilience.
A Strategic Nomination
Now, we get back to the political games. Li Kenong learns that a man named Liu Hancao is after a big job. He wants to be the head of the Political Department. This is bad news. Liu Hancao is a loyal Chiang Kai-shek supporter and an aggressive anti-Communist. Li Kenong knows he can't let that guy get into such an important position.
So, he comes up with a plan. He gathers a group of respected elders and influential figures in Guilin. These are people who support a united front against Japan. They all agree on a counter-move. They decide to nominate Soong Ching-ling for the job instead.
Soong Ching-ling Accepts
Xia Yan and a few others go to Soong Ching-ling's home to ask her directly. She greets them warmly. They explain why they've come. After thinking about what's best for the people of Guangxi, she agrees to take the position. She doesn't hesitate. Everyone in the room is ecstatic. They know that with Soong Ching-ling in charge, the cultural front in Guangxi has a powerful protector.
