Ace Troops Episode 12 Recap
> Ace Troops Recap
Gao Liang quickly settled into his new role at the division headquarters, diligently looking after Division Commander Zheng Yuan and keeping his living quarters impeccably clean. One evening, finding Zheng Yuan relaxed, Gao Liang subtly inquired about his family. Zheng Yuan, sensing Gao Liang's curiosity, told him to put on headphones, then sat and spoke, his words initially muffled by loud music.
Gao Liang quietly lowered the volume, finally hearing the story of Zheng Yuan and Jiang Nanzheng's mother, Jiang Yihui, and the reasons for their separation. Zheng Yuan recounted that in 1966, during the army's first scout training, he was sent for six months of isolated training in Heyuan, unable to contact his family. During this time, his wife, Jiang Yihui, was unwell and emotionally vulnerable.
She had hoped he would transfer back to Jiangsu or leave the military to be closer to home. However, intense combat training prevented him from agreeing, and his prolonged absence, compounded by her feeling avoided, escalated their existing conflicts, leading to their breakup. Jiang Yihui, originally a promising pianist, had changed careers to become a music teacher to settle down with him. Zheng Yuan admitted he felt he had wronged her.
Upon hearing this, Gao Liang revealed to Zheng Yuan that Jiang Nanzheng was his daughter. Stunned by the news, Zheng Yuan had his staff secretly investigate, confirming that Jiang Nanzheng was indeed his biological daughter. Meanwhile, Gao Liang enlisted Han Chunyu's help. Under the pretense of training in stick fighting, he orchestrated a meeting between Jiang Nanzheng and Zheng Yuan.
However, Jiang Nanzheng reacted with anger upon seeing Zheng Yuan, ripping off her training uniform and running away, showing no joy. This failed father-daughter reunion caught Gao Liang by surprise, as he had expected Jiang Nanzheng to be eager to meet her father.
Later that evening, Jiang Nanzheng tearfully called her mother on a local line, confessing that she thought she was strong enough to not need a father, but when faced with him, she realized that blood ties were unbreakable. Her mother, Jiang Yihui, responded with "I'm sorry" and offered to call Zheng Yuan to tell him everything. Jiang Nanzheng questioned why they kept their past a secret and if they had truly loved each other.
Jiang Yihui suggested coming to the troop to explain everything in person, but Jiang Nanzheng asked her not to, expressing how much she missed her. Simultaneously, Zheng Yuan placed a call to Jiang Yihui, stating he knew she would call eventually. He confronted her about keeping their daughter a secret, arguing it was unfair to Jiang Nanzheng, to which Jiang Yihui retorted if he had been fair to her.
That night, Gao Liang saw Zheng Yuan sitting alone, lost in thought. He then found Jiang Nanzheng running laps on the parade ground, seemingly to vent her emotions, eventually collapsing and crying. Her training for the telecommunication contest had stalled for days, so she requested to withdraw. Company Commander Zhao Hongying then revealed that Han Chunyu had voluntarily given up her own spot for Jiang Nanzheng, believing Jiang Nanzheng to be the most talented soldier with potential.
Learning of Han Chunyu's sacrifice, Jiang Nanzheng resolved to train hard and not squander the opportunity. In the days that followed, everyone diligently performed their duties. Jiang Nanzheng and Gu Yiye maintained their connection through letters, mutually encouraging each other.
However, during a capture-and-counter-capture exercise, Gu Yiye, in an attempt to save his comrade Lin Beihai, fell from a cliff, sustaining a severe comminuted fracture to his left arm and brain damage, including severe optic nerve papillary hemorrhage and increased intracranial pressure. He was rushed to the military hospital. Upon receiving the news, Jiang Nanzheng and Gao Liang hurried to the hospital, anxiously waiting outside the operating room.
The surgery was successful, and Gu Yiye was out of danger and transferred to a ward. Jiang Nanzheng stayed by his side, even collecting a large box of popsicles from the service center, including those from the Communication Company and Zhao Hongying, to help lower his fever. Her intense worry and care were evident to everyone. After Jiang Nanzheng left, Qin Hanyong called Sergeant Zhang Fei outside to discuss Jiang Nanzheng and Gu Yiye's relationship.
He chastised Zhang Fei for not reporting their situation earlier, expressing his belief that while both had the potential to be good soldiers, they shouldn't be pursuing a relationship at the wrong time. Qin Hanyong ordered Zhang Fei to keep a close watch on Gu Yiye, intending to transfer him to the cooking corps after he recovered, hoping this would temper his spirit. At that moment, Zhao Hongying arrived to speak with Qin Hanyong, also concerning the soldiers' romantic entanglements.
Both known for being protective of their subordinates, they initially clashed over who was more responsible. Zhao Hongying suggested they not report the matter to avoid ruining two promising talents, and Qin Hanyong agreed, echoing her sentiments. Unbeknownst to them, Gao Liang was eavesdropping nearby, struggling to suppress his laughter. Gu Yiye, who had already woken up but was feigning sleep, finally opened his eyes in pain when Gao Liang, prompted by the nurse, pinched his philtrum.
Gao Liang then updated Gu Yiye on his condition, sarcastically criticizing his "reckless opportunism" in the exercise. Gu Yiye, however, explained his philosophy: the army is like a beast, and if its claws and teeth are not constantly sharpened, its fighting ability will disappear. He stressed that without this relentless self-discipline, the line between what is real and fake can blur, making the fake become real.
This explanation clarified to Gao Liang why Gu Yiye always treated him like a class enemy during training. Gao Liang then declared that he would show no mercy in the "battlefield" for Jiang Nanzheng's revolutionary friendship. Meanwhile, Zhao Hongying spoke directly with Jiang Nanzheng, ordering her to comply with the organization's decision and immediately end her relationship with Gu Yiye, even their ordinary comrade friendship. Jiang Nanzheng protested, saying she couldn't.
Zhao Hongying firmly stated it was an order, not a discussion, emphasizing that while understanding the order was flexible, its execution and completion were mandatory. Back in the ward, Gao Liang continued to eat popsicles and listen to the radio. When Gu Yiye fully awoke from his nap, Gao Liang handed him a popsicle, complaining that he had eaten half a bucket and his brain hurt.
Gu Yiye, realizing from Gao Liang's words how much Jiang Nanzheng cared for him, felt a warmth. Gao Liang, grumbling, called Jiang Nanzheng "stupid" and said she would be a burden if they were together. Gu Yiye immediately retorted, defending Jiang Nanzheng and then, catching on to Gao Liang's choice of words, suddenly realized Jiang Nanzheng might be in trouble because their relationship was now known. Gao Liang confirmed that Qin Hanyong and Zhao Hongying were already conspiring.
