Ace Troops Episode 11 Recap
> Ace Troops Recap
The military district commander had issued a directive, demanding that negative examples be identified from every company, meaning the Ninth Company could not escape punishment. Chief Song Jianshe presented Company Commander Qin Hanyong with two choices: either identify two leaders to take the fall, or the entire company would face punishment. Qin Hanyong defiantly questioned why he should obey and challenged the men, asking if they were afraid to admit what they had eaten.
Gao Liang immediately stepped forward, offering to take sole responsibility for everyone. Song Jianshe dismissed this, reiterating his choices: either one person accepts punishment, or two, three, or even four, including Qin Hanyong himself, would be penalized. Qin Hanyong adamantly insisted that only he should be punished, not his soldiers, while Gao Liang quietly reassured him not to worry. Later, Song Jianshe spoke privately with Gao Liang, who tried to downplay the incident, suggesting they could simply compensate the villagers.
Song Jianshe revealed the seriousness of the situation, explaining that the military district commander's order meant Gao Liang faced discharge. He pressed Gao Liang for the "truth," stating that "loyalty and friendship" were irrelevant. Gao Liang maintained that he alone instigated the pig hunt, trying to shield Gu Yiye. However, Song Jianshe revealed that Gu Yiye had confessed to killing the pig "with" Gao Liang, implying shared responsibility.
Song Jianshe warned Gao Liang that if he stuck to his story of sole responsibility, he would lose the opportunity to ever compete with Gu Yiye again. He then urged Gao Liang to consider doing the "right thing" by protecting himself and "solving the problem" rather than clinging to a "good-looking" but self-destructive honesty. Gu Yiye, recalling his father's teachings, understood the strategic advice: "Emotionally, trust Gao Liang. Tactically, always leave some leeway."
His father's philosophy was clear: a strategist must cast aside all emotions, friendships, and dignity—everything but victory. He emphasized that being a winner was harder than being a hero, requiring one to "confront nature" and shed "emotions and weaknesses" to avoid losing everything by a single wrong step. Song Jianshe proposed a solution where Qin Hanyong, Gao Liang, and Gu Yiye would share responsibility, with Song Jianshe taking a minor self-criticism.
Despite this, Gao Liang remained firm, stating he would not lie, as it would be "a lifelong regret" and he wanted to prove he was "better" than others. Song Jianshe, recalling his own past regrets, warned Gao Liang that he had "no turning back" like Gu Yiye, who would merely "molt" while Gao Liang would be "crushed." Gao Liang acknowledged Song Jianshe's intent to help him, but politely refused to take the easy way out.
Division Commander Zheng Yuan arrived at the Ninth Company to assess the situation. Qin Hanyong, seeing an opportunity, complained about food shortages due to intense training, then passionately defended Gao Liang, explaining that they had mistakenly thought the domestic pig was a wild boar. He offered to accept demotion if Gao Liang were spared, which Zheng Yuan dismissed as misguided "brotherly loyalty."
As they discussed, a commotion led them to discover a genuine wild boar in the trap Gao Liang had dug. Zheng Yuan skillfully slaughtered it, demonstrating his own experience from his days as a new recruit. He then instructed the cadres, including Chen Dashan, to help prepare the meat for the soldiers while sending the soldiers to rest.
He also ordered Chen Dashan to procure twenty thousand catties of rice and over ten pigs from the division's farm to alleviate food shortages in needy companies, but warned Regiment 720 to significantly improve their training performance to avoid being completely humiliated in competitions.
Zheng Yuan then turned his attention to Song Jianshe, criticizing the Military Affairs Unit for "stiffly following the rules" and "lacking understanding of the cause and effect," deeming their initial handling of Gao Liang's case as "mishandled." He instructed Song Jianshe to "reconsider" the punishment. Song Jianshe, despite being praised for his toughness, stood firm, stating that his investigation was "complete and accurate," and due to immense pressure from the military district, he "cannot change" the outcome without "solid evidence."
The Political Commissar attempted to temper Zheng Yuan, explaining the pressure from higher command and downplaying Gao Liang's military abilities by contrasting him with Gu Yiye, who was also involved. Zheng Yuan, however, angrily retorted that such a comparison was irrelevant, emphasizing that good soldiers, like Lei Feng and Dong Cunrui, might be overlooked.
He declared his intention to protect Gao Liang by transferring him to his own side as a public servant, asserting that he would personally demonstrate how to train soldiers. Meanwhile, Jiang Nanzheng arrived at the Ninth Company, carrying the results from the cross-country combined training. She found the mess hall filled with the joyful commotion of a pork feast.
Qin Hanyong introduced her as the telecommunication company's training pacesetter, here to deliver the results of a pairing event, which he framed as a challenge for his soldiers to improve. He then officially announced Zheng Yuan's presence, urging everyone to show their enthusiasm. Zheng Yuan shook hands with the soldier who helped kill the pig, then noticed Jiang Nanzheng, asked her name, and commented on her popularity.
Amidst the celebratory atmosphere, some soldiers quietly worried about Gao Liang, still in confinement, hoping Zheng Yuan's visit would lead to a reprieve. Zheng Yuan, observing the hearty appetites of the soldiers compared to the more reserved cadres, stopped the cadres from eating the special meat, ordering it to be given to the cooks and duty officers and his own table to be served with the soldiers' standard fare.
He then announced a late-night meeting, challenging any cadre to claim hunger later. After the meal, he admitted to being "bureaucratic" and apologized for neglecting the soldiers' daily lives, promising to ensure they were well-fed to perform their duties. He encouraged them all to strive to be "training pacesetters" like Jiang Nanzheng.
He concluded by instructing Qin Hanyong to send another bowl of braised pork to Gao Liang, emphasizing that it was the "real wild boar" this time, a subtle jab at the earlier mistake. Gao Liang was released from confinement. Qin Hanyong advised him to cherish his military uniform and work diligently as a public servant, emphasizing the qualities of "hard work, diligent study, and diligent practice" that Zheng Yuan appreciated. Gao Liang apologized to Qin Hanyong before preparing to leave.
Gu Yiye approached Gao Liang's vehicle, joking that he was "giving up" the vice sergeant position and that Gao Liang "owed him." He then presented Gao Liang with his personal study notes, urging him to continue learning, visit the division library, and share good books. As Gao Liang departed, the soldiers of the Ninth Company saluted him and shouted encouragement. Gao Liang's journey to the division headquarters proved arduous, with the vehicle breaking down twice.
By the time he arrived in the afternoon, he was covered in dust, resembling someone who had "just crawled out of a coal pile." At the division headquarters, Jiang Nanzheng, feeling frustrated, was sweeping the barracks after her squad leader, Han Chunyu, denied her request for extra machine training. Her mood instantly lifted when she saw Gao Liang.
Han Chunyu, initially believing Gao Liang was about to be "expelled from the army," was genuinely surprised and delighted to learn he had been promoted to public servant at the division headquarters. Gao Liang, boasting about his "personal qualities," confirmed his new role. Jiang Nanzheng, however, was less impressed, mockingly suggesting he check his "tongue" for injury, earning a rebuke from Han Chunyu, who then sent her to sweep another area.
Han Chunyu expressed her sincere happiness for Gao Liang's unexpected good fortune. Gao Liang proceeded to Division Commander Zheng Yuan's office to report for duty, finding Zheng Yuan in a meeting. He observed Zheng Yuan's palpable frustration regarding the military district's prolonged delay in approving the report for a crucial readiness road. Zheng Yuan angrily identified Deputy Commander Xiao as the obstructionist, continually demanding "more investigation."
The Political Commissar advised Zheng Yuan to maintain respect for superiors and avoid "liberalism," but Zheng Yuan was resolute, declaring that as long as he was the Division Commander, the readiness road "must be built." After the meeting, Zheng Yuan introduced the dusty Gao Liang to the Political Commissar and other leaders, using Gao Liang's arduous journey (over 60 kilometers with two car breakdowns, taking half a day) as a stark example of the critical need for the readiness road.
The Political Commissar, seeing Zheng Yuan's determination, offered his full support for the road construction. Gao Liang then moved into his new dormitory, where he met Zhang Yuejin, the Political Commissar's public servant, who introduced himself as "little Wangcheng" (from Wangcheng, Hunan, Lei Feng's hometown).
Zhang Yuejin provided Gao Liang with a detailed schedule of Zheng Yuan's daily routine, including his early morning hot water, specific wake-up time, simple breakfast (steamed bun, egg, water, and stomach medicine), and his habit of reading materials in the car. Zhang Yuejin mentioned he kept a diary, inspired by Lei Feng, for self-improvement, and revealed that Zheng Yuan also kept extensive diaries spanning decades, all locked away in a cabinet.
During a subsequent cleanup, Gao Liang found a box inscribed with "Zheng Beizhan from the Third Red Company, Division 234." Zhang Yuejin explained that Zheng Yuan had previously served in field units and later in "defense diplomacy" abroad, and that his name had been changed.
Recalling Jiang Nanzheng's earlier revelation that her father was a company commander in the Third Red Company, who divorced her mother when she was an infant, and knowing that only Zhou Xiangqian, Zhao Zhanlei, and Zheng Yuan remained in the military district from that specific group, Gao Liang realized the startling coincidence and suspected that Zheng Yuan was Jiang Nanzheng's biological father. Eager to reveal his discovery, Gao Liang intercepted Jiang Nanzheng during her training, offering her fresh lychees.
Jiang Nanzheng was initially annoyed, thinking he was merely exercising his new authority, and asked his purpose beyond the gift. Before he could fully explain, she was called away for a telecommunication contest. In a rush, Gao Liang blurted out, "I know who your father is." Jiang Nanzheng stopped, stared at him, then angrily threw the lychees back at him before turning and running away, leaving Gao Liang bewildered. Her agitated state immediately impacted her performance in the telecommunication contest.
She made several critical errors, connecting to the Ninth Company twice, and completed the task in six minutes and thirty-five seconds with three mistakes, significantly worse than her usual record. Commander Zhao Hongying noticed Jiang Nanzheng's obvious distraction and inquired about what had happened.
Later, Han Chunyu spoke to Zhao Hongying, arguing that despite Jiang Nanzheng's poor performance that day, her talent was undeniable; she had reached a passing score in only three months, a feat that took Song Xiaoluo three years. Han Chunyu fabricated an excuse, blaming the squad's recent sanitation duties for causing "issues" that distracted Jiang Nanzheng. Han Chunyu then confirmed her decision to forgo her own promotion opportunity, offering the spot to Jiang Nanzheng.
She acknowledged the rarity of such a promotion, but asserted her duty as a squad leader to "select the best soldier" for the army. She declared that her "pride" and "dignity" would not allow her to suppress Jiang Nanzheng's potential by taking the spot herself. Respecting Han Chunyu's unwavering stance and principled sacrifice, Zhao Hongying called the company to attention.
She then announced that, following a decision by the company's party branch and approval from the regimental committee, Song Xiaoluo and Jiang Nanzheng had been selected as the reserve team members to represent their company in the upcoming military district telecommunication contest. The announcement was met with applause, bringing a relieved smile to Han Chunyu's face, while Jiang Nanzheng, still reeling from the day's events, looked genuinely surprised.
