Episode Summary
He Xian orchestrates a high-stakes plan to transport grain to Macau by outsmarting local gangs and corrupt officials. The team uses a gambling addict to steal necessary permits and forces a shipping route change to evade Japanese detection. The grain arrives seconds before the Portuguese government signs a restrictive treaty with Japan, saving the city from a food crisis.
Spoiler Alert
The Art of the Double Cross
He Xian is playing a dangerous game. He walks right into the lion’s den to meet Huang Gongjie. He brings contracts from Hong Kong merchants to sweeten the pot. It works. He gets Huang’s trust and, more importantly, a handwritten authorization letter. That letter is his get-out-of-jail-free card.
But Huang isn’t an idiot. He is still suspicious. He decides to partner with the Japanese merchant Saito for the shipping. He also assigns "Rotten Gambler" Rong to watch He Xian like a hawk. He Xian plays it cool. He agrees to use the Lianchang Company fleet. He knows he has to roll with the punches.
The Young Upstart and the Old Vice
At the Lianchang office, we meet He Hongshen. This guy is sharp. He mastered Japanese and Portuguese in a month. Saito trusts him. He handles the paperwork efficiently.
Huang Zixia brings Yang Chang to see He Xian. Yang Chang is done being an enemy. He feels guilty about his past actions. He kneels, apologizes, and swears loyalty. He Xian sees an opportunity. He tries to give He Hongshen some gambling chips. Hongshen refuses. He doesn't gamble.
"Rotten Gambler" Rong is a different story. He takes the chips and heads straight for the tables. This is exactly what the team wanted.
Blood on the Table
Yang Chang follows Rong to the casino. He provokes him. They bet big. Rong loses everything. He owes a debt he can't pay. Huang Sanhe steps out of the shadows. He wants to enforce gang rules. That usually means death.
The other merchants fake some sympathy. They beg for Rong's life. Rong is desperate. He swears to rejoin the Dahao Gang. He cuts off his own finger and writes a blood oath. It is gruesome. It is also a distraction. Yang Chang gets the injured, drunk Rong back to his room and steals the shipping permits right off his body.
Changing the Route
The team huddles up. They have the permits, but the timeline is tight. Ma Wanqi is worried. Even with a delay, the fake fleet and the real fleet might cross paths. That would blow the whole operation.
Huang Sanhe has a solution. They will block the Hengmen waterway. This forces the ships to take the Modaomen route. It buys them the time they need.
The Morning Scramble
It is the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. Guo Qiwen packs He Xian’s bags. It is an emotional send-off. Qiao Yinwan plays the violin. Everyone knows He Xian might not come back.
At 5:15 AM, Rong stumbles to the Macau pier. He is late. He checks his pockets. No permits. He Hongshen is on duty. He sticks to the rules. No papers, no passage. He tells Rong he has to wait until the government office opens. That won't be until 9:30 AM. The delay works perfectly.
A Forgery and a Gun
He Xian is already at the Zhongshan pier. Magistrate Zhao is there to check the grain. The Dahao Gang arrives, disguised as the Lianchang fleet. Zhao takes a bribe, but he gets suspicious about the route change. He calls the checkpoint.
The checkpoint says the main route is clear. Zhao insists on issuing a pass for Hengmen. This ruins the plan. He Xian has to act fast. He physically alters the pass. He scratches out "Hengmen" and writes "Modaomen."
The fleet hits the Modaomen checkpoint. The Japanese officers see the messy permit. They call Magistrate Zhao to verify. Luckily, the guerrillas have already stormed Zhao’s office. They have him under control. Zhao confirms the route change over the phone. They are clear.
Down to the Wire
Back in Macau, the clock is ticking. The Portuguese government is about to sign the deal with the Japanese. Dai Sile is sweating. Sawa Eisaku looks smug. He thinks he has won.
Dai Sile picks up the pen. Luobo rushes in and stops him. He points to the window. The grain ships are docking. The people on the pier go wild. Dai Sile drops the pen. He refuses the Japanese terms. Sawa’s plan falls apart. Macau eats today.
