A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 26 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
Gu Yizhong orchestrated a wedding ceremony to gain the Japanese's trust, inviting Zhou Zhifei and specifically Kondo Masao as witnesses. Following Western customs, he and Haimo exchanged vows in a church wedding. Xiao Ruotong attended as a guest, heartbroken by the sight and focusing on the familiar pen on Gu Yizhong's chest. Deeply distressed, she left before the ceremony ended and later tearfully asked her brother why Gu Yizhong hadn't confided in her about the marriage.
Her brother tried to reassure her that it was a pretense and they needed to trust Gu Yizhong, but Xiao Ruotong remained troubled. Later, Gu Yizhong and Haimo were alone in their room. Haimo warned that his leaving the room would arouse suspicion and suggested they stay in the room overnight to maintain appearances. She offered to sleep on the sofa while he took the bed, but Gu Yizhong insisted on taking the sofa himself.
They ultimately lay in the room, with blankets separating them. The following morning, Gu Yizhong and Haimo visited his father's shrine to pay respects. Haimo initially called his father "Uncle Gu," but Gu Yizhong corrected her, telling her to call him "Dad" to get used to it and avoid raising suspicion. Haimo complied, calling him "Dad." When Gu Yizhong asked if his father had left any instructions for her, Haimo replied she could not say, adding "Why the secret?"
before changing the subject to ask what their next steps should be. Gu Yizhong simply instructed her to continue paying respects. Gu Yizhong recalled his last meeting with his contact, Lao Huang, who was also known by the code name Yuanwai. Yuanwai informed him that their current liaison point was being shut down. Gu Yizhong was given a new code name, "Lonely Boat," inspired by lines of poetry, and provided with a new method for future contact and codes.
During this meeting, the two addressed each other by their code names, "Lonely Boat" and "Yuanwai." Gu Yizhong also recalled shaking Yuanwai's hand. Meanwhile, Xiao Ruotong was back at the New Fourth Army base, showing significant improvement in her training. She was informed of a new mission requiring her return to Shanghai under a different identity.
This new role meant shedding her military appearance, wearing qipaos, portraying a sophisticated lady, and needing to make her skin fairer and gain some weight. Xiao Ruotong asked the officer briefing her (likely Wang 科长) if he had inquired about Gu Yizhong's affiliation, expressing her unwavering belief that he was on their side and hoping their mission might involve assisting him.
To prepare for the role, she was instructed to stay indoors for five days to improve her complexion, which she agreed to despite initially suggesting a week. It was later revealed that Junxia would be her partner for the Shanghai mission. In Suzhou, Mr. Li met urgently with Zhou Zhifei. They discussed the recent Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the resulting increase in Japanese arrogance in Suzhou.
Mr. Li shared the significant news that Lin Sen, representing the National Government in Chongqing, had officially declared war on Japan, Germany, and Italy. Mr. Li explained that this move by Chiang Kai-shek aimed to demonstrate China's will and ability to fight to the US and UK, hoping to draw them into the war and leverage their power against Japan.
He contrasted this with Wang Jingwei's Nanjing government, which had also declared war on the US and Chongqing but was dismissed by the Japanese as insignificant due to its lack of military strength. Through this discussion, Zhou Zhifei understood Mr. Li's emphasis on the critical need for them to build their own armed forces to have influence in the future.
Mr. Li then assigned Zhou Zhifei and Junxia a crucial mission to infiltrate the Peace Army's 33rd Independent Division in Shanghai. Their target was the division's commander, Luo Wuqiang, and their task was to interact with personnel and work to bring Luo Wuqiang and his troops into the Anti-Japanese National United Front. By 1943, the international situation was shifting. Kondo Masao discussed the formal dissolution of the Comintern.
When asked for his view, Gu Yizhong analyzed its likely impact on local communist forces, predicting their eventual collapse. Gu Yizhong also analyzed Soviet Russia's situation, suggesting their struggles against Germany would compel them to seek aid from the US and UK, potentially leading to a threat against Manchuria. Kondo Masao confirmed the Japanese strategy involved withdrawing troops from Southeast Asia and moving them north to counter Soviet Russia.
Before this redeployment, however, he stressed the need to eliminate the New Fourth Army forces in the Suzhou area, specifically in Wu County, Changshu, Kunshan, and Taicang, to consolidate their "pacification" efforts. He assigned Gu Yizhong to draft a detailed blockade plan for this operation, stating he did not trust Zhou Zhifei and wanted Gu Yizhong to take more responsibility for station matters henceforth.
Later, Kondo also questioned Gu Yizhong about the long delay in his father's burial, mentioning a rumor about a will stating the burial must wait until the Japanese leave Suzhou. Gu Yizhong offered excuses based on traditional Chinese customs requiring finding an auspicious date, time, and location through feng shui, insisting he too wished for an early burial but the process was ongoing. Kondo assertively declared that Japan would never relinquish Suzhou, viewing it as their Kyoto in China.
Leaving Kondo Masao's office, Gu Yizhong encountered Miao from the telecommunications section, who delivered his magazine. Miao mentioned the extensive checks being conducted on all station communications by Japanese inspectors. Upon returning home, Gu Yizhong used chemical means to reveal a hidden message in the magazine: an urgent request from Yuanwai to meet this Sunday at 3 p. m. at the Yong'an Department Store in Shanghai.
His son, Junsheng, reminded Gu Yizhong that it was Haimo's birthday, a fact he had forgotten. Using Haimo's birthday as a pretext, Gu Yizhong called Zhou Zhifei to request leave for the weekend to take Haimo to Shanghai for shopping, claiming she had long been asking. While also disciplining his own child, Zhou Zhifei dismissed the request as trivial and told Gu Yizhong he no longer needed to ask for such small matters, effectively granting the leave.
He also suggested Gu Yizhong handle more station affairs, claiming a sore back. Immediately after the call, Zhou Zhifei contacted Wan Lilang at Shanghai's No. 76, instructing him to watch Gu Yizhong. Zhou Zhifei also received a report from a subordinate, nicknamed Mazi, about new Japanese neighbors at Gu Yizhong's residence, noting their frequent visitors and Japanese belongings, indicating Zhou Zhifei's active surveillance of Gu. In Shanghai, Gu Yizhong took Haimo and Junsheng to the Yong'an Department Store.
While Haimo and Junsheng shopped, Gu Yizhong managed to evade surveillance and meet secretly with Yuanwai in a fitting room. Yuanwai confirmed that Zhou Zhifei remained suspicious of him. Gu Yizhong passed on intelligence, reporting Kondo Masao's orders for an expanded blockade and sweep operation in the Suzhou region, which he interpreted as a significant counterattack following the failed "pacification" efforts.
Yuanwai explained the urgent meeting was for a new mission based on reliable intelligence: Lieutenant General Kobayashi Nobuo had replaced Major General Di as commander of the 60th Division and was implementing an operation called "Armed Work." Gu Yizhong's critical task was to infiltrate the Japanese Kobayashi Division's Suzhou command headquarters to obtain the specific plan, goals, and details of this operation, a task Gu Yizhong noted was seemingly impossible as only Japanese personnel were allowed inside.
Yuanwai provided funds for Junsheng's living expenses, urging Gu Yizhong to find a way, given his unique position. Haimo, meanwhile, bought two identical scarves, remarking to Gu Yizhong that buying them was the price for accompanying him on his liaison trip, clearly indicating her awareness of his true purpose. Back at home, Gu Yizhong learned from Wang Ma about new neighbors who had recently moved in next door, noting frequent visitors and Japanese belongings.
Gu Yizhong was also aware they were being watched by someone near the wonton stand across the street. Wang Ma also received rice balls (sushi) as a gift from the new neighbors. Later, Haimo deliberately played the piano loudly, which led a Japanese man from the neighboring house to visit, confirming their Japanese identity and raising Gu Yizhong's suspicion about their purpose (likely surveillance).
