Episode Summary
In this episode, Wu Shi successfully manipulates a major KMT military strategy to favor the Communists, all while the secret police are growing more suspicious of him. At the same time, Zhu Feng makes her first successful contact with her high-level handler in Taiwan, setting the stage for her intelligence work to begin.
Spoiler Alert
The Walls Are Closing In on Wu Shi
A Complaint Goes Up the Chain
The episode kicks off with Wu Shi being seriously annoyed. He goes straight to his superior, Zhou Zhirou, to complain. He tells him that Gu Zhengwen’s secret police followed him all the way to Hong Kong. They were watching his every move. This surveillance nearly wrecked a deal for American aid.
Zhou Zhirou gets angry. He goes to his own boss, Mao Renfeng, and protests. This forces Mao to go apologize directly to Chiang Ching-kuo. Mao says he has already pulled all the agents out of Hong Kong. But he doesn't stop there.
Mao Renfeng's Suspicions
Mao tells Chiang Ching-kuo that he still suspects Wu Shi. He also thinks Wu Shi's old friend, Chen Baocang, is a Communist sympathizer. He points out that they served together in the past. Wu Shi even defended Chen publicly.
Mao is worried. If those two team up, the entire KMT plan for the southwest could fall apart. Chiang Ching-kuo doesn't dismiss it. He orders Mao to investigate the matter and find out the truth as fast as possible.
An Old Friend Tries to Help
A Thank-You Dinner
Chen Baocang wants to thank Wu Shi for defending him. He takes Wu Shi out to a restaurant that serves Fuzhou food. It's a nice gesture. During the meal, we learn Chen has a new job. He's been assigned to inspect military logistics all over the island.
Chen is not thrilled about this. He already knows the KMT's supply chain is a corrupt mess. He sees the job as a thankless task. The only reason he agrees to do it is because he gets to report directly to Wu Shi. Wu Shi offers him some words of encouragement.
A Warning Shot
Chen has seen some things that worry him. He saw KMT soldiers fighting on the front lines while starving. He also saw regular people helping the opposing PLA forces, pushing carts full of grain for them.
He gives Wu Shi a serious warning. He tells him to start thinking about an escape plan for himself. Chen is basically telling him to get out of Taiwan before it's too late. Wu Shi knows exactly what he means. But he can't reveal that he's a spy. He just tells Chen to be very careful about what he says and does. The secret police are always watching.
The War Room Heats Up
Wu Shi's Big Gambit
Back at military headquarters, Chiang Kai-shek gets bad news. The PLA has launched a massive attack in the southwest. The KMT has a million soldiers there, but they were caught completely by surprise. Chiang Kai-shek is furious and demands a new battle plan.
Wu Shi sees an opening here. He's worried Chiang will send all his troops to defend the city of Chongqing. It's a fortress and would be a disaster for the PLA to attack. So, during a defense meeting, Wu Shi makes a suggestion. He proposes splitting the KMT forces between two cities, Chengdu and Chongqing. This is a brilliant move. It seems logical, but it actually relieves the pressure on the PLA. Chiang Kai-shek buys it. He approves the plan.
A Secret Work Session
Wu Shi says he needs to work through the night to finalize the details. His aide, Nie Xi, offers to stay and help. But Wu Shi's wife, Wang Bikui, puts her foot down. She's worried about his health and forbids him from working late. She even sends Nie Xi home.
Later that night, Wu Shi waits for his wife to fall asleep. Then he sneaks into his study to work. Nie Xi also sneaks back to the house to help him. They work all night creating the new battle plans. The maid, Adou, wakes up and sees Nie Xi there. The next morning, she tells Wu Shi's wife everything. Wang Bikui is angry and confronts her husband. He has to explain that the work was absolutely critical.
Zhu Feng Makes Contact
The Signal and the Cover Story
Zhu Feng finally gets the signal she's been waiting for. It's a coded "missing person" ad in the local newspaper. She knows she has to meet her contact. To get out of the house, she comes up with a clever excuse. She suggests to Wang Changcheng that they start a small business. They can make and sell chili powder and chili oil. It would give mainlanders a taste of home and earn them some money. He thinks it's a great idea.
This gives her the perfect reason to go out. She tells him she's going to find a shop to process the peppers.
Meeting "Lao Zheng"
Zhu Feng goes to the agreed-upon meeting place. The moment she walks in, the door is locked behind her. Inside is a man named Cai Xiaogan, who uses the codename "Lao Zheng." He is the top Communist party official in Taiwan. He's the person she needs to connect with.
They exchange coded phrases to confirm their identities. He asks for a letter she's carrying, but she refuses to hand it over until she sees his face. He steps out of the shadows. She recognizes him, gives him the letter, and he burns it on the spot. Her mission is now officially underway. They agree to establish a secure communication line within a week. There is a lot of intelligence that needs to be sent back.
