A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 13 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
Gu Yizhong received Cui Yaomin's interrogation file. He saw a mention of a man named Ding Jiansheng, who was involved in dealing scarce medical supplies needed by the New Fourth Army near Taihu Lake and was accused of helping the enemy. Earlier, Deputy Station Chief Huang discussed the Ding Jiansheng case with Gu Yizhong, noting that it was an assignment from Mr. Nearo and suggested that capturing Ding could potentially improve Gu's standing with Station Chief Zhou Zhifei.
Gu Yizhong then questioned Huang about the apparent tension between Zhou Zhifei and Mr. Nearo, to which Huang replied that Mr. Nearo simply looked down on Zhou Zhifei. That afternoon, Gu Yizhong arranged for someone to take him to Ding Jiansheng's house, only to find it had been empty for over two months. Gu Yizhong climbed over the wall and discovered a pipe inside. Not understanding its significance, he took it to an appraiser.
The appraiser identified the pipe based on its craftsmanship and the inscribed number "JACK-08" as a unique identification token issued to the twenty founders of the Rong Society Club at the Paramount in Shanghai. Possession of such a pipe granted free entry to the club. Meanwhile, Haimo visited the resting place of the late Mr. Gu. She expressed her deep gratitude for the care he had shown her while she stayed at Gu's Garden.
Butler Fu was present, still appearing to misunderstand Gu Yizhong's actions. Haimo did not attempt to convince him directly but recounted the story of Lin Chong being framed and misunderstood as an analogy. She asserted that no matter how people in Suzhou viewed Gu Yizhong, she believed he was incapable of killing his father. Gu Yizhong went to the bank to find his senior, Chen Chen.
Chen initially refused to see him due to Gu's participation in the "He Yun" movement (likely referring to the peace movement or collaboration) and the perceived betrayal related to his family. Gu Yizhong insisted and entered Chen's office. Gu reminded Chen that he had designed the Shanghai Rong Society Club and that Ding Jiansheng was a fellow founding member.
Chen confirmed he designed the club but had only a superficial acquaintance with Ding Jiansheng, describing him as a popular figure in the He Yun movement whom Gu might find easy to talk to. Gu Yizhong then presented some architectural survey documents, part of tasks assigned by Mr. Sicheng (Liang Sicheng) to survey Suzhou residences. Having lost contact with Mr. Liang since 1937, Gu asked Chen, given their close relationship, to forward the documents and share Mr. Liang's whereabouts.
Chen informed him that Mr. Liang and Mr. Lin were currently in Li Zhuang, Sichuan, leading colleagues from the Architecture Research Society in surveying ancient architecture in the Southwest provinces, along with Liu Dunzhen in Kunming. Chen advised Gu Yizhong to "get ashore" soon. Gu thanked his senior and left. As it was raining outside, Chen had a subordinate give Gu an umbrella and a note. The note stated: "This Saturday 6 p. m. , Rong Society 6th anniversary celebration."
Separately, during a conversation, Mrs. Zhou and Liu Ma discussed Station Chief Zhou Zhifei's past relationship with a woman named Qu Xinping, who had recently returned to Suzhou as the new KMT CC Bureau section chief. Liu Ma suggested Zhou's defection from the CCP to the KMT years ago was a result of a "honey trap" involving Qu Xinping.
Later, Deputy Station Chief Huang also mentioned Qu Xinping's return to Gu Yizhong, viewing her potential contact with Zhou as an opportunity to undermine the Station Chief. Back at the station, Zhou Zhifei questioned Gao Hu because he had failed to keep track of Gu Yizhong. Gao Hu claimed he was at Min Sheng Hospital caring for his mother, who was critically ill with cholera and needed atropine, and had permission from Acting Section Chief Xie.
Just as Captain Zhang was about to physically reprimand Gao Hu, Gu Yizhong arrived. Gu told Zhou Zhifei he had been on Guanqian Street. Zhou Zhifei, feigning acceptance, patted Gu Yizhong's shoulder as he left but subtly brushed his sleeve, noticing the fabric was damp and his hat soaked by rain.
Deducing that Gu must have been in Shanghai, where it had recently rained (unlike the Suzhou, Changshu, Taicang area), Zhou Zhifei immediately ordered Captain Zhang to take men to Shanghai. Zhou Zhifei suspected Gu Yizhong went to find Ding Jiansheng and instructed Zhang to thoroughly search the Shanghai Concession, including luxury hotels, specifically mentioning the Dazhonghua Jinjiang Hotel which Ding Jiansheng liked, and the Rong Society Club. He emphasized that Zhang must find Ding Jiansheng "before" Gu Yizhong did.
Zhang understood the urgency and was instructed to leave immediately. Quan Shui deliberately presented a pitiable situation to Mrs. Zhou, claiming she had been with Mr. Li for seven or eight years, had two abortions for him which left her unable to bear children, and now he had abandoned her.
Mrs. Zhou was sympathetic, told Quan Shui to treat their home as her own, and even offered to go to Shanghai to confront Mr. and Mrs. Li on her behalf, suggesting they should seek compensation. Zhou Zhifei, overhearing the conversation during dinner, was visibly annoyed. Later, Quan Shui told Zhou Zhifei that she understood he married her because she was simple, which allowed him to feel at ease at home.
Mrs. Zhou later offered to buy Quan Shui new fabrics for cheongsams to help her feel better. Xiao Ruotong went to Zhaohe Hospital to see Dr. Lu, seeking medicine, specifically quinine. Dr. Lu explained the Japanese military had very strict controls over medicine, especially quinine. He only had three doses left, which were meant for her treatment, and the empty vials had to be returned to Manager Shen at Baiji Pharmacy as the Japanese were watching.
He refused to sell her the doses. Xiao Ruotong declined the treatment for herself, stating others needed the medicine more. Eagle, who was with her, then told Dr. Lu to administer the injection. Outside the hospital, Gu Yizhong's cousin handed Xiao Ruotong the pipe found at Ding Jiansheng's house.
He informed her about Ding Jiansheng, who ran Xinglong Trade Company dealing in scarce supplies like quinine and atropine, and suggested he might appear at the Rong Society Club in Shanghai on Saturday evening, with the pipe serving as entry. In Shanghai, at the Paramount/Rong Society Club, Gu Yizhong was also present. Xiao Ruotong and Eagle entered the club, presumably using the pipe. They inquired about Ding Jiansheng but were told he hadn't been there recently.
Gu Yizhong sent a note to Xiao Ruotong via a waiter, instructing her to go to the "Elephant Room." Xiao Ruotong understood this referred to the private room of the club's boss, who was one of the Nanxun Four Elephants and also named Gu. Deciding to investigate despite the potential risk, she and Eagle headed towards the Elephant Room area.
They encountered No. 90 agents there and heard a commotion, realizing the agents (led by Captain Zhang) were attempting to kill Ding Jiansheng. Xiao Ruotong and Eagle intervened, creating a diversion and helping Ding Jiansheng escape the agents. Gu Yizhong witnessed Ding Jiansheng's escape with Xiao Ruotong and Eagle. He then decided to leave, deploying a decoy before departing. He returned to Suzhou by train, which was faster than traveling by car.
Upon his arrival in Suzhou, he was met by Captain Zhang and Gao Hu, who were waiting. Zhang questioned Gao Hu about Gu Yizhong's whereabouts, suggesting he had just returned from Shanghai. Gao Hu maintained their pre-arranged cover story, claiming they had been drinking together all night and were about to rest. Zhang, still suspicious and likely looking for damp clothes, questioned Gao Hu about his trench coat. Gao Hu showed him his own dry trench coat to deflect suspicion. Gu Yizhong then instructed Gao Hu to sit down, helping to sell their story and deceive Captain Zhang and the other agents.
