Episode Summary
In this episode, Weng Lianwang's infiltration leads to the capture of Cai Xiaoqian, a major communist leader. While Gu Zhengwen tries to turn Cai, the focus shifts to Zhu Feng. Her cover is nearly blown due to a tapped phone, and she narrowly avoids being caught. Wu Shi and Nie Xi become desperate to get her out of Taiwan before it's too late, but her every move is being watched.
Spoiler Alert
The First Domino Falls
Cai Xiaoqian Gets Caught
So, Weng Lianwang has been deep undercover. He's pretending to be Zhuang Achen to get inside the Taiwan Provincial Working Committee. It works. He immediately sets a trap for Chen Zemin.
Gu Zhengwen’s team grabs Chen Zemin. They torture him badly. They also threaten his wife and kids. Chen Zemin breaks. He tells them where to find Cai Xiaoqian.
Gao Zhongquan leads the raid on the Jianchang Trading Post himself. Cai Xiaoqian manages to escape. He slips away and goes to see his sister-in-law. But then he gets greedy. He risks going back to his old place at 26 Quanzhou Road. He has gold bars hidden there. Weng Lianwang is waiting for him. He catches Cai right on the spot.
A Very Civil Interrogation
Gu Zhengwen learns about Cai Xiaoqian’s past. The guy was a Long March veteran. He built the entire Taiwan committee and even started armed forces. Gu Zhengwen actually respects him.
So, there's no torture for Cai. Instead, Gu Zhengwen brings him coffee. He knows Cai likes it. He tries to persuade him to talk. He wants the names of other communists in the government. He especially wants to know about the East Sea Intelligence Group.
Cai claims he knows nothing about them. Gu Zhengwen then offers him a deal. Help find the leader of the East Sea group, and he'll get a life of comfort. Cai agrees, but you can tell he's just buying time.
The Net Closes on Zhu Feng
Tapped Phones and Missed Meetings
Wu Shi gets special travel passes for Zhu Feng and Li Qing. He wants them out of Taiwan as soon as possible. Nie Xi is tasked with getting the passes to them. He calls Zhu Feng's daughter's house to set up a meeting.
But there's a problem. The daughter's husband, Wang Changcheng, already suspects Zhu Feng is a communist. He had her home phone line redirected to his office. He listens to the entire call between Zhu Feng and Nie Xi.
Zhu Feng goes to the mountain teahouse for the meeting. She quickly realizes someone is following her. She plays it smart. She just walks around for a bit and then heads home. Back at the house, she sends her daughter out on an errand. Then she tries calling Nie Xi again.
Wang Changcheng is listening in from his office. Someone walks in to talk to him. He panics and hangs up the listening device. Zhu Feng hears the click on the line. She knows her phone is tapped. She realizes her cover is probably blown. She can't risk endangering the family, so she starts packing her bags to leave.
A Desperate Escape Plan
Nie Xi waits at the teahouse, but Zhu Feng never shows. As he leaves, he runs into Li Qing. He gives her one of the travel passes and tells her to get out. Li Qing then drops a bombshell. She tells Nie Xi that Cai Xiaoqian has been captured.
Nie Xi tries calling the house one more time. Wang Changcheng answers. Nie Xi quickly makes up a flimsy excuse and hangs up.
Later, Nie Xi goes directly to Wu Shi's home. He tells him about Cai's capture. Wu Shi is terrified. This changes everything. He tells Nie Xi to get Zhu Feng off the island immediately. Nie Xi wants to try the teahouse again tomorrow. Wu Shi forbids it. It's too dangerous. He says he will find another way to contact her.
Games of Deception
Steak and Stalling
Gu Zhengwen is giving Cai Xiaoqian the VIP treatment. Cai lived a very lavish life, and Gu is indulging him completely. Cai says he wants a steak. Gu takes him to his favorite Western restaurant.
While Cai enjoys his meal, Gu again pushes him to cooperate. Cai gives his full agreement. But he says he doesn't personally know the East Sea group's leader. He claims it's too late tonight. He promises to arrange a meeting for Gu another time. Weng Lianwang is there too. He can't stand the rare steak. He doesn't get why Cai would even like this stuff.
A Mahjong Alibi
Zhu Feng needs to get a message to Nie Xi. She tries to head out but sees she's still being followed. She needs a cover. She walks right into the Dou Residence, where a mahjong game is happening.
As it turns out, Wu Shi's wife, Wang Bikui, is one of the players. Zhu Feng acts casual. She sits and watches the game for a little while. Then, she slips out the back door.
Wang Changcheng is the one tailing her. He waits outside the front of the Dou Residence. He waits until it gets dark. Zhu Feng never comes out. He finally asks a servant and learns she left through the back hours ago. He got played.
