Ace Troops Episode 15 Recap
> Ace Troops Recap
General Zheng Yuan vehemently argued the necessity of repairing the readiness road to Deputy Commander Xiao, stating that he would pursue the project even if it cost him his career. He expressed his deep fear of the military being unable to deploy swiftly when needed, recalling how the 234th Division's main force was stranded for twelve hours during the Southern 83 Exercise.
Zheng Yuan underscored their division's role as the military district's premier motorized infantry division, questioning who would protect them if they couldn't advance. Outside, the Ninth Company assembled, having marched six hours over Banyueling after a two-kilometer section of roadbed was washed away by rain, rendering vehicle passage impossible. Company Commander Qin Hanyong reported their return to Deputy Commander Xiao, assuring him they completed the training within the allotted time.
Deputy Commander Xiao, seeing the unwavering determination in the soldiers' eyes—a spirit he recognized from his comrades on the Long March, the anti-Japanese front, and the Korean battlefield—was deeply moved. He considered Zheng Yuan and Political Commissar Xing's proposal, acknowledging the soldiers' hardships, and ultimately secured funding for the road from headquarters, a significant reversal. Despite the secured funding, the allocated amount still fell short by two to three million yuan.
Zheng Yuan declared that they would "tighten their belts" and complete the strategic road themselves. The most treacherous section of the road was assigned to Regiment 720, including the Ninth Company, to further sharpen their combat readiness. Their construction speed was remarkably fast, earning commendation. However, a typhoon brought torrential rain and mountain floods, threatening the No. 3 National Defense Readiness Depot. Zheng Yuan had previously instructed them to reinforce the warehouse's back wall as a precaution.
The military ordered Regiment 720 to withdraw for safety, but the soldiers were still desperately fortifying the depot, a critical national strategic reserve. When Director Zhao pleaded with Company Commander Qin Hanyong not to abandon the depot, Zheng Yuan arrived and directly countermanded the withdrawal order, likening the situation to wartime. He ordered Qin Hanyong to secure the depot, and Gao Liang immediately led a team to the front.
While personally joining the rescue efforts, Zheng Yuan slipped and fell down a slope in the darkness. Despite others trying to hold him, the surging flood swept him away, leaving him severely injured. Gao Liang bravely rescued Zheng Yuan and rushed him to the hospital, where doctors declared him to be in critical condition. Upon hearing the news, Jiang Nanzheng hurried to the hospital, overwhelmed with guilt for her past hurtful words.
Facing her father's precarious state, she finally realized that all previous grievances paled in comparison to the fragility of life. In the Intensive Care Unit, as her father's blood pressure dropped dangerously low, Jiang Nanzheng called out to him, promising to obey his wishes, even if it meant transferring away. Miraculously, her heartfelt pleas seemed to awaken a response, and Zheng Yuan's vital signs stabilized, prompting the medical staff to rush in and continue treatment.
While waiting, Gao Liang recounted to Jiang Nanzheng the many hardships Zheng Yuan had faced over the years, including the numerous unsent letters he had written to her, fearing her worry. Deeply touched, Jiang Nanzheng wept. She remained by her father's bedside until he gradually regained consciousness. Zheng Yuan, though weak, acknowledged Gao Liang.
He then asked Jiang Nanzheng to step out for a moment, teasing Gao Liang to help him with a bedpan, which helped to lighten the somber mood. After a period of recovery, Zheng Yuan was discharged from the hospital, his health fully restored and his spirits high. His relationship with Jiang Nanzheng had also visibly improved.
Political Commissar Xing informed Jiang Nanzheng that the military political department had approved her transfer to the military district Art Troupe, a move that would help her achieve her dream of singing and dancing. It was later revealed that Zheng Yuan had discreetly recommended her to Colonel Ge of the Art Troupe to secure this opportunity. To celebrate, Zheng Yuan sent Gao Liang to buy two bottles of good liquor, but the service agency had none left.
While at the service agency, Gao Liang encountered You Qianjin, who introduced himself as a comrade-in-arms of Gao Shan and showed a group photo as proof. You Qianjin then offered Gao Liang two bottles of liquor and, lamenting his own difficulties, subtly asked Gao Liang to use his position as Zheng Yuan's aide to help him secure a promotion slot.
Although Zhang Yuejin explicitly warned Gao Liang not to abuse his position as the Division Commander's public servant by knowingly violating discipline, Gao Liang, swayed by You Qianjin's supposed connection to his brother, failed to uphold his principles. Later, at a meeting to discuss soldier promotions, Division Commander Zheng Yuan noticed that Zhang Fei from the Ninth Company was absent from the list. He ordered an investigation, which uncovered Gao Liang's involvement.
It was revealed that earlier, when Deputy Section Chief Wu Jianwen from the cadre section came to report the promotion list and Zheng Yuan was away inspecting troops, Gao Liang had "casually" mentioned You Qianjin, asking Wu Jianwen to "help him out." Wu Jianwen had misinterpreted this as an instruction from Zheng Yuan and subsequently allocated Zhang Fei's promotion slot to You Qianjin. That evening, Political Commissar Xing brought Gao Liang before Zheng Yuan.
Zheng Yuan reprimanded Gao Liang for his improper actions and exposed You Qianjin's deception. The man in the photograph, supposedly Gao Shan's comrade, was actually named Guan Zili and had already transferred to civilian work; You Qianjin had merely inserted himself into the photo. Zheng Yuan also highlighted You Qianjin's history of dishonesty, including previously usurping an old squad leader's promotion spot. Considering it Gao Liang's first offense, Zheng Yuan did not formally punish him.
Instead, he purchased two bottles of the same inferior liquor that You Qianjin had passed off as good quality, dramatically smashed them on the ground, and told Gao Liang to consider it a lesson learned for his future. Gao Liang even commented that the shattered bottles smelled like the "inferior liquor" he had drunk. Later, Jiang Nanzheng came to Zheng Yuan's home for dinner.
Zheng Yuan, using soup in place of wine, expressed his gratitude to Gao Liang for saving his life. Watching her father and Gao Liang interact warmly, Jiang Nanzheng felt a deep sense of peace. Meanwhile, Gu Yiye diligently continued his arduous training in Ninth Company, determined to become an elite soldier. Zhang Fei, now promoted to Platoon Leader, was preparing to marry his fiancée, Ah Xiu, and asked Gu Yiye to help him pick a red dress for her.
Gu Yiye initially refused, arguing it was inappropriate for him as an outsider to choose a dress for Ah Xiu, believing that a husband should make such choices. However, Zhang Fei insisted, explaining that Ah Xiu's love for him and his love for her were not contradictory; he wanted to give her the best, regardless of who picked it. This simple yet profound expression of love resonated with Gu Yiye, who agreed to help.
At the dinner, at Zheng Yuan and Gao Liang's suggestion, Jiang Nanzheng stood up and sang for them. Gao Liang became increasingly emotional as she sang, eventually tearing up and excusing himself. Jiang Nanzheng, understanding his sadness at her impending departure, followed him outside and comforted him until he was fully appeased.
