Episode Summary
The British surrender Hong Kong to the Japanese, sparking chaos and mass evacuations. He Xian sacrifices his family's financial security to honor a debt to a criminal. William betrays Yang Chang to save himself, but Yang Chang later agrees to help William's family escape to Macau. Qiao Renyu is captured by the Japanese after trying to save bank assets.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 3 Recap: The City Falls and Wallets Empty
The Last Penny
We open with a serious gut check for He Xian. He is staring at the family's last bit of savings. It is not actually his money. It belongs to a depositor who hasn't shown up yet. His wife, Guo Qiwen, is the practical one here. She tells him to keep it. They are moving to Macau. Everything costs money. She wants him to think about her and the kids. The depositor might not even be in Hong Kong anymore. He Xian doesn't say yes or no immediately. He is torn between being a good father and being an honest banker.
British Delusions vs. Reality
Qiao Renyu is the smartest guy in the room. He tells his sister, Qiao Yinwan, to stop volunteering at the orphanage. She needs to pack. The British Governor claims Hong Kong can hold out for six months. Renyu knows that is garbage. He thinks the city will fall any minute.
He takes this warning to HSBC. He tells the manager, Rodley, to move the gold and cash reserves immediately. Rodley is arrogant. He refuses to see the crisis. He thinks the Japanese army can't beat the Royal Army. He actually says the Japanese are only good for bullying Chinese people. Renyu has had enough. He quits on the spot.
Rodley’s confidence lasts about five minutes. He chases Renyu out the door. The Governor just called. The British are surrendering at 6:00 PM. Rodley apologizes and begs Renyu to help move the assets. Renyu agrees. He doesn't do it for Rodley. He does it to keep the resources away from the Japanese.
The Smuggler and the Scapegoat
William Jones is frantic. He is a British Navy captain caught up in a tungsten smuggling scandal. He needs a way out. He begs his wife, Mary, to talk to her relative, Colonel Lyons. His plan is dirty. He wants to pin the crime on Yang Chang, a water police squad leader.
Mary feels guilty. She still does it. Yang Chang gets thrown in jail. He yells that he took bribes but isn't a traitor. He sees Mary at the jail and begs for help. She can't look him in the eye and walks away.
Later, chaos breaks out. The British are moving prisoners and goods. Japanese bombers attack. The convoy scatters. William finds Yang Chang in the mess. He forces Yang Chang to help him load cargo at gunpoint. But the planes come back. William jumps in a car and flees. He leaves Yang Chang behind. Yang Chang falls into the sea. He survives, but he is furious.
An Honest Fool
He Xian makes his choice. He goes to the bank to wait for the depositor. Guo Qiwen doesn't nag him. She supports him. She sells her jewelry and valuables to scrape together some cash.
The depositor shows up. It is Huang Gongjie. He is broke and hiding in a shack. He hears today is the deadline to get his money. He plans to kill the banker if they ask for a receipt he doesn't have. He Xian recognizes him. He hands over all the money, more than thirty thousand, without asking for a single paper. Huang is stunned. He takes the cash and runs.
He Xian’s honesty costs him everything. Yang Chang goes looking for Huang Gongjie for revenge. He finds out Huang has already fled to Macau on an opium boat. The Dahao Gang is also looking for him. They start prepping boats to smuggle refugees to Macau.
Surrender and Escape
The radio broadcast hits the streets. Governor Young announces the surrender. Hong Kong belongs to the Japanese now. The mood shifts from panic to despair.
The Japanese take over HSBC. They seize the funds. Qiao Yinwan watches from the crowd as soldiers drag her brother, Renyu, away. She is helpless.
Yang Chang gets a gun from Huang Zixia. He goes to William’s house. He wants blood. He finds William and Mary. He doesn't shoot. Mary begs him to save them. She knows they will die if they stay. Yang Chang hates William. But he agrees to help them escape.
The Underground
The Communist underground is moving fast. Ke Zhengping is in charge of getting VIPs out of Hong Kong. His boss, Liu Shaowen, gives him specific orders. Once they get to Macau, a contact named "Buddha's Hand" will take over.
He Xian goes home empty-handed. He feels terrible. His dad, He Chengxi, steps up. He tells his son not to worry. The He family started with nothing. They can start over again.
