Episode Summary
The grain crisis in Macau ends as shipments arrive, frustrating Sawa Eisaku. Huang Gongjie investigates the scheme, leading to a tense confrontation where he kills his subordinate, Rotten Gambler Rong, for betrayal. Sawa attempts to prosecute He Xian but drops the case after receiving a promotion and orders to maintain stability. The group celebrates their victory, and Ma Wanqi plans to establish the Dafeng Bank with He Xian.
Spoiler Alert
The Grain Arrives and Sawa Seethes
The wait is finally over. Governor Dai Sile stands at the docks and makes the announcement everyone in Macau needed to hear. The grain has arrived. He credits the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and various charities for the save. The crowd goes wild. It is a massive win for the city after months of starvation and plague.
Not everyone is celebrating. Sawa Eisaku watches the cheering crowds from a distance. He looks furious. His plan to squeeze the city failed. He storms off.
Gongjie Gets a Gift
Huang Sanhe intercepts Huang Gongjie on the road. He throws some insults around. Gongjie loses his cool and draws his gun. Guanye steps in immediately. He reminds Gongjie that Macau has laws. Sanhe leaves, but not before pointing Gongjie toward a "gift" left in the northwest corner.
Gongjie investigates. He finds He Xian tied up and beaten in a corner.
The Interrogation Room
Gongjie drags He Xian back for answers. He Xian stays calm. He answers every question and subtly shifts suspicion onto Rotten Gambler Rong. Gongjie turns his attention to Rong. Rong claims he lost his pass, but he hides his run-in with Sanhe.
Gongjie wants to trust his man. He needs verification. He sends someone to call Magistrate Zhao. The news comes back fast and bad. Zhao is dead. Reports say guerrillas killed him while he tried to run with the money.
This changes everything. With Zhao dead, He Xian and Yang Chang have no loose ends tying them to the scheme. Gongjie forces a confrontation. He puts He Xian and Rong in the same room. Rong panics. He yells about his innocence, but his story has holes. He Xian picks him apart.
A subordinate walks in with the nail in the coffin. They found proof Rong was at Haoxing Fang the previous night. They also found a blood oath in his room. Gongjie sees this as the ultimate betrayal. He makes the hard call. He shoots Rotten Gambler Rong dead. He still suspects He Xian, but he has no proof.
Sawa's Promotion Saves the Day
Business owners Cui and Fu show up demanding their grain. Gongjie hides. He sends He Xian to handle them. He Xian talks them down. He warns them that dragging the Japanese into this will hurt everyone.
Gongjie takes He Xian to see Sawa. On the way, he gives strict orders. Lie about the grain price. Blame everything on the dead guys, Zhao and Rong. Gongjie knows He Xian has the authorization letter, but he can't find it. He has to play along for now.
Sawa grills He Xian and He Hongshen. They stick to their stories. Sawa gets ready to tear them apart, but his phone rings. It is Yazaki Kanji. Sawa is getting promoted to Colonel. The orders are clear: stop making trouble. Sawa swallows his pride. He makes He Xian sign a statement and closes the case.
A New Bank and a Fresh Start
He Xian walks home and sees people carrying rice. The risk was worth it. He heads to the Flower Tail Ferry. His friends are waiting. Ke Lin, Ma Wanqi, and the rest welcome him back.
They celebrate at He Xian’s new house that night. Ma Wanqi proposes a big move. He wants to start the Dafeng Bank with Chinese merchants. He wants He Xian as the General Manager. He Xian agrees but insists on starting as a regular employee first.
Later, He Xian walks Qiao Yinwan home. She is taking a job teaching music at Jinghu School. He promises to help her move.
Loose Ends
Ke Zhengping visits Ma Wanqi. Ma sees potential in him. He suggests Ke Zhengping go into business. It is a good cover for his underground work.
He Hongshen thanks He Xian. He realizes He Xian tipped him off earlier to keep him safe. He suspects He Xian was behind the whole grain operation. He Xian just smiles and reminds him they are both Chinese.
On the street, Gongjie thinks he spots Mary. He jumps out of his car to look. He finds nothing. Nearby, Yang Chang keeps Mary hidden in the shadows.
