A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 7 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
Following the earlier events, concerns were raised regarding Gu Yizhong's whereabouts. Despite checking major hospitals and Gu's Garden, no trace was found. It was speculated he might be hidden elsewhere, perhaps with his doctor uncle, as large hospitals were too obvious and no doctor visits were recorded at Gu's Garden. Meanwhile, news reported air force victories, and a discussion revealed Gu Yizhong's grave had been tampered with, suggesting the "death" was a cover.
His injuries were healing, but his mental state was poor. The plan was for him to go to Hong Kong or hide in the Shanghai concession while awaiting a ship. He was receiving care from Dr. Lu at a hospital, who noted suspicious people recently. In the hospital ward, Gu Yizhong received an anonymous note. It instructed him that the only way to find the traitor was to join No. 90 and obtain the details of Cell 8.
This message triggered significant internal conflict, as he understood the implications of joining No. 90 but felt compelled to execute the order. His father came to pick him up from the hospital. Gu Yizhong dismissed the housekeeper to speak with his father privately. He revealed his decision to join the No. 90 Agent Station, asking for his father's understanding.
As anticipated, his father was enraged, stating that the gun had failed to kill him, and now he sought death by joining collaborators. His father had planned to send him away to ensure he could live a pure life, untainted by collaboration, thus preserving the Gu family's Yuqing Hall's reputation of over a thousand years. However, Gu Yizhong asserted his decision was deeply considered.
He claimed he could not abandon his cousin, who had been implicated because of him, and argued that leaving now would prevent him from ever clearing his name, leaving the family reputation permanently stained. Referencing the Gu family motto of filial piety, fraternity, loyalty, and integrity, he argued that since filial piety and fraternity were already difficult to uphold, his father should allow him to fulfill loyalty and integrity.
His father sternly warned him that if he dared to enter No. 90 or have any association with the Japanese, he would be disowned, forbidden from entering the Gu family home again, as the Gu family had no place for such degradation. Gu Yizhong, acknowledging his father's anger and his own filial disobedience, bowed respectfully from outside the closed door before leaving, carrying his luggage.
Jin Jiang reported urgently to Zhou Zhifei that Gu Yizhong had arrived at No. 90, claiming to be Cell 8 who had infiltrated the Communist Party. Zhou Zhifei expressed surprise upon hearing that Gu Yizhong was alive. Gu Yizhong was brought to meet Kondo Masao. He denied being Cell 8 but explained that both the Japanese and the New Fourth Army were pursuing him, with the latter believing him to be Cell 8.
He stated he came to No. 90 because he didn't want to live in hiding like a street rat. Kondo Masao indicated they needed his father, Gu Xixing, not him. Gu Yizhong asserted that they "did" need him. Zhou Zhifei questioned his motives, listing known Chinese collaborators like Wang Kemin, Liang Hongzhi, Wang Jingwei, Chen Gongbo, and Zhou Fohai, asking if Gu Yizhong aspired to be like them and become a traitor.
Gu Yizhong insisted he was sincere, but Zhou Zhifei accused him of acting, even ordering men to aim guns at him. Gu Yizhong remained defiant, quoting Mr. Lu Xun about solitary beasts and flocking cattle/sheep, and stated his desire to live. Later, Huang Xinzhai arrived with Gu Yizhong to introduce him to Zhou Zhifei, informing him that Kondo Masao had approved Gu Yizhong joining them. Zhou Zhifei voiced his disbelief that the Japanese would trust him.
Gu Yizhong responded that while they might not fully trust him, they recognized his usefulness. Zhou Zhifei scoffed, saying only his father was useful. Gu Yizhong countered with a philosophical point about the "use of the useless." As Gu Yizhong and Huang Xinzhai prepared to leave, Zhou Zhifei warned Gu Yizhong about the dangers and difficulty of surviving in No. 90, to which Gu Yizhong replied that having faced death once, he was no longer afraid.
Earlier, Zhou Zhifei had met with Kondo Masao, who informed him that Gu Yizhong's defection had been accepted. Zhou Zhifei argued that Gu Yizhong was feigning surrender. Kondo Masao smiled and explained that Gu Yizhong, like Zhou Zhifei's son Youfei studying in Kyoto, represented the concept of mutual neighborly friendship contributing to the Empire of Japan. Kondo then gave Zhou Zhifei a letter from Youfei. Later, Zhou Zhifei read the letter with his wife, Yuqing.
Using a pre-arranged code involving ink dots on the stationery, they determined that Youfei had been beaten eight times in two weeks. Zhou Zhifei was deeply distressed by this, viewing it as retribution for his own actions as a collaborator. After Zhou Zhifei left, Kondo Masao asked Huang Xinzhai for his assessment of Gu Yizhong's sincerity regarding his defection.
Huang Xinzhai gave a guarded reply, stating that if true, Gu Yizhong's arrival was too sudden and lacked sufficient reason, and if false, participating in the "peace movement" (collaboration) was too serious a matter to fake. Kondo revealed that Gu Yizhong's action was indeed a pretense, but he accepted him to use him as leverage against Gu Xixing.
Kondo's explicit goal was to force Gu Xixing to become the magistrate of Wu County, believing that only then could Suzhou be truly brought under Japan's control. Kondo stated clearly that if Gu Xixing continued to resist, both he and his son would face death. Meanwhile, Gu Yizhong returned to Gu's Garden to collect some necessary items.
While there, he encountered Haimo amidst others discussing the rumors of him joining the Japanese and becoming an agent, warning that such an association would stain his reputation. Haimo, however, knew Gu Yizhong well and believed he had a hidden reason for his actions. She offered to help him pack, but he gently stopped her from lifting a heavy box. He told her their pre-arranged engagement was no longer binding and that she was free.
He urged her to leave Gu's Garden immediately as it was no longer safe and return home to Guangzhou for refuge with her cousin. Haimo lamented that people in troubled times had no true home. Carrying his luggage, Gu Yizhong walked towards his father's quarters but did not enter, offering a silent, respectful bow outside the door before leaving. A servant remarked that he had still left despite his father's anger.
Haimo commented that No. 90 was a "Devil’s Cave," where people turned into devils upon entering. Huang Xinzhai led Gu Yizhong to the agent dormitory, describing it as a safe place hidden from their enemies like those from Chongqing or the Communist Party. He showed Gu Yizhong his own room on the second floor and introduced Miao, mentioning he handled repairs around the station.
Huang also pointed out Gao Hu, an agent who had been transferred from the Changshu Substation to the Suzhou Head Station by Zhou Zhifei. Later, Huang privately advised Gu Yizhong that Gao Hu, while ostensibly there for protection, was actually assigned to monitor him because Zhou Zhifei was suspicious and didn't trust people.
Huang advised Gu Yizhong to be careful around Zhou Zhifei and perform well in the upcoming training class led by Zhou Zhifei, noting that Zhou Zhifei and Kondo Masao had different views on Gu Yizhong's defection. Huang also expressed that they were now "on the same side" and working alone in No. 90 was difficult.
Zhou Zhifei received a telegram from the organization, deciphered by Huizhong, ordering an immediate suspension of the pursuit of Gu Yizhong, without requiring clarification regarding the reason. His subordinates questioned the decision, arguing that Gu Yizhong was clearly a traitor and should still be apprehended. Zhou Zhifei, however, insisted they must obey the organization's orders, stating the organization had its reasons and there should be no excessive speculation. Training for new agents began.
Zhou Zhifei explained that agent work was a secret undertaking driven by politics, distinguishing it from the work of police detectives, investigators, or military spies, though acknowledging similarities. He described them as "political police." He outlined the station's structure, including the four main sections (General Affairs, Training, Intelligence, Investigation/Execution) and subsections, emphasizing the principle of absolute secrecy in organization, methods, and identity. He taught essential skills like shadowing, which involved identifying targets, understanding their identity, and requiring self-protection and disguise.
He also taught how to build "internal cells" by "infiltrating" and "pulling out" individuals to make them work for them, stressing the necessity of obtaining "evidence of their dirt" or weaknesses to maintain lifelong control. Another crucial skill taught was strike resistance – the ability to endure torture without betraying the organization, prioritizing death over divulging secrets. He mentioned these methods were similar to those used by the CCP's Gu Shunzhang, quickly correcting himself.
During a training break, Gao Hu spoke to Gu Yizhong, expressing his reluctance and desire to quit. He admitted he joined No. 90 simply to make a living and didn't expect the training to be so brutal. Gu Yizhong stated he came to No. 90 to survive. Gao Hu suggested they escape together using a key to the east door, claiming no one would know as it wasn't a place for people to stay.
Gu Yizhong warned him that a guard post was located behind the east door with military police on twenty-four-hour duty, and unauthorized departure would result in immediate execution. He also advised Gao Hu to stay away from him for his own safety. The training resumed with strike resistance exercises. Zhou Zhifei called out Gao Hu and Gu Yizhong, criticizing Gao Hu for not putting enough effort into the drills and urging him to try harder.
