A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 14 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
The aftermath of the Changzhou military rice case leaves Japanese high command furious. Kondo Masao assigns Gu Yizhong to investigate the matter thoroughly. Zhou Zhifei, aware of his own involvement with Ding Jiansheng, realizes that if the truth is exposed, his complicity will lead to severe consequences. When Ding Jiansheng goes missing again, Zhou Zhifei, suspecting Gu Yizhong, intensely questions him about Ding's whereabouts.
Gu Yizhong claims he was drinking with Gao Hu at No. 90 at the time Ding disappeared from the Shanghai Rong Society Club, thereby missing the opportunity to apprehend Ding. Zhou Zhifei learns from his subordinate that Ding was located at the Shanghai Rong Society Club but was subsequently taken by force, and his subordinate denies Gu Yizhong's involvement, stating Gu was in Suzhou.
Suspecting other parties, Zhou orders his men to intensify the search for Ding Jiansheng, emphasizing that he must not fall into the hands of No. 90. Zhou Zhifei initially attempts to pressure Gu Yizhong by interrogating Gao Hu, but Gao Hu remains loyal to Gu, refusing to cooperate despite harsh methods. Zhou Zhifei then abandons this approach. He later confronts Gu directly again, asking if Ding Jiansheng is in his custody.
Gu denies this, reiterating his alibi of being with Gao Hu at No. 90. Zhou reveals intelligence from his "Cell 8," claiming Ding Jiansheng is now held by the Communist Party in Suzhou. Gu expresses disbelief, but Zhou insists on Cell 8's reliability and asserts he maintains control over this asset through certain leverage. Zhou speculates on the Communist Party's motive for holding Ding.
He then proposes a deal: he will refrain from reporting Ding's alleged capture by the Communists to Kondo, and will also drop investigations into Gu's entry into No. 90 and his father's death, if Gu hands over Ding Jiansheng, even if only his corpse. Gu reiterates that he genuinely does not know where Ding is and asks for clarification on who he should report the military rice case findings to in the future.
Zhou tells him to report to Kondo, but is visibly annoyed when Gu refers to Kondo as "Ta-kun," deeming Gu "suitable for being a traitor" for adopting the term, which Zhou states is used by Huang Xinzhai but not others at No. 90, who call him 'the devil'. Zhou also advises Gu to limit his association with Huang Xinzhai.
Later, Zhou instructs Captain Zhang to cease bothering Gao Hu, praising Gao as a resilient agent who would "rather die than surrender," implying Gao withstood pressure. Separately, Zhou directs Xie Wenchao to continue the hunt for Ding Jiansheng in Suzhou, bringing in reinforcements from Kunshan, and orders him to sideline Gao Hu, considering him untrustworthy despite the earlier praise. Facing mounting pressures, Zhou Zhifei attempts to disengage from Spring.
He informs her that he has completed his reply to Xu Enzeng, which she had come to seek, and presents her with a train ticket to Shanghai, indicating she can depart the following day. Spring refuses to leave, adamant about staying with him, stating her home is with him now that her son is a hostage in Japan.
Zhou argues that her departure is necessary for her safety, explaining that Kondo is targeting him and her presence could put her in grave danger, potentially leading to them dying together. Spring reminds him of past instances in 1927 and 1937 when he left her after promising to stay, declaring that she will not allow him to deceive her a third time and is resolved to face death with him this time, having endured enough separations over the years.
Zhou remains firm, insisting she must leave the next morning. Ding Jiansheng, held captive, learns his abductors require him to facilitate obtaining a large quantity of medicine by paying a ransom of 100,000 yuan in legal tender, US dollars, or gold bars, explicitly refusing reserve bonds or Japanese military currency.
Gu Huizhong, informed of the need for 100,000 in funds, contributes her personal gold bars to help meet the required amount, which also included legal tender, despite the sum representing their collective "entire livelihoods" and her initial intention to use the gold for her son. Hu Zhiping coordinates the transaction with Zhou Zhenwu, who carries out the exchange with a comrade. Zhou Zhenwu and his comrade meet a seller introduced by Ding Jiansheng. During the exchange, Japanese soldiers unexpectedly appear.
Zhou Zhenwu navigates the tense situation, showing the money and gold bars to the soldiers, who are revealed to be the suppliers of the medicine. One soldier recognizes Zhou Zhenwu, mentioning he previously studied at Soochow University and noting they have conducted business with "Mr. Si," also complaining about kickbacks from buyers from Chongqing. Zhou Zhenwu successfully secures the Atropine and Quinine injections from the soldiers. Afterward, the comrades discuss what to do with Ding Jiansheng.
One advocates for releasing him as promised to his son, Ding Zonghai, now that the medicine is obtained. Another, He, suggests holding him longer to report to their superiors, noting Ding's connections, including with the Japanese. They decide to await instructions. Meanwhile, Zhou Zhifei reports to Kondo Masao, confirming the intelligence from Cell 8 that Ding Jiansheng is with the Communist Party in Suzhou.
Kondo demands Ding's capture and instructs Zhou to utilize Cell 8 for this task, threatening to remove Zhou from his position if Cell 8 fails, despite Zhou's assertion of control over Cell 8 through certain leverage. Zhou reminds Kondo that his position as director is ultimately determined by "Mr. Li" at the headquarters, not solely by Kondo. Separately, during the medicine exchange, Xiao Ruotong receives a note that reads, "Whoever kills Ding Jiansheng would be Cell 8".
Gu Yizhong visits his father's grave, where his caretaker, Fu Gui, informs him that Miss Haimo regularly visits to pay respects and is currently staying at the Feng Garden Story-telling Theatre, showing deep reverence for his late father. Fu Gui expresses his unwavering loyalty to Gu and his disbelief that Gu is a traitor, asking to be included in any future actions against the Japanese.
Gu then goes to the theatre and witnesses members of the Guangyu Performers' Guild disrupting Haimo's performance, protesting against female performers and demanding she join their guild if she wishes to continue performing. Gu intervenes, using his identity as a No. 90 agent to force the disruptors to leave.
Haimo expresses her gratitude and explains the guild's control over the storytelling community and their past conflict with her master, Mr. Zhang, who was ostracized for his refusal to follow their strict rules and for the popularity of his unique performance style. Gu later seeks information from Huang Xinzhai regarding Cell 8.
Huang describes Zhou Zhifei's character as cunning and selfish but acknowledges his strong position, supported by his connections and the vital role of Cell 8 in combating Communist forces in Suzhou, a key objective of the current regime. Huang hints that Cell 8 has previously leaked information and understands Gu's potential interest in its identity, but remains evasive, confirming only the asset's importance to Zhou.
The note received by Xiao Ruotong during the medicine transaction, stating "Whoever kills Ding Jiansheng would be Cell 8," adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding events concerning Cell 8's target. Gu Yizhong also engages in a conversation with his cousin, who questions his perilous actions and motives, suggesting his path is thankless and morally ambiguous, while Gu maintains that his actions are simply what any conscious Chinese person is compelled to do in the current times.
