Ace Troops Episode 17 Recap
> Ace Troops Recap
The soldiers of Regiment 702 gathered at Zhangmu Train Station. They were surprised to find Jiang Nanzheng also present, having been reassigned to the Communication Company and now accompanying the main force to the border. (Previously, she had been sent to the cultural troupe but was brought back by the division commander to the Communication Company, which was considered less dangerous). Male and female soldiers exchanged salutes.
As the troops prepared to board the train, Zhao Hongliu, who had been attending to his gravely ill sister, rushed back to rejoin his unit. When his company commander asked why he returned instead of staying with his sister, Zhao Hongliu explained that when his bus stopped in Huining, he saw Division 231 troops boarding a train. He understood a war was coming and immediately ran back, declaring, "Even if I do the nastiest things, I can’t be a deserter."
His comrade, Gao Liang, proudly exclaimed that now all the Ninth Squad brothers were present, they would not let the enemy succeed. Just before the train's departure, Xiu hurried to the station with canned food, but guards blocked her from entering. Qin Hanyong appealed to Deputy Chief of Staff Song Jianshe, hoping the newlyweds could have a moment together. However, Song Jianshe adamantly refused, citing strict wartime discipline.
Seeing this, the Ninth Company soldiers impulsively surged forward, trying to help Zhang Fei reach Xiu, but they were held back. Overcome with sorrow, Zhang Fei repeatedly yelled for Xiu to go back, promising, "I’ll come back alive. When I come back, we will live a good life." Eventually, Xiu stopped insisting on entering. Through her tears, she managed a beautiful smile, then bowed deeply to all the soldiers on behalf of the common people before turning and running away.
As the train slowly pulled away, Song Jianshe watched for a long time, then pulled out a family photo from his pocket, his emotions complex. Inside the train, the soldiers realized Gu Yiye was missing. Their confusion turned to astonishment when they heard his voice outside and saw him speeding alongside the train on a motorcycle, carrying Xiu. Qin Hanyong quickly ordered the train doors opened and told Zhang Fei, "Wear my cadre uniform!"
Zhang Fei quickly donned Qin Hanyong's uniform with four pockets, showing it to Xiu. Many of the female soldiers in the Communication Company were visibly moved by the scene. Xiu called out to Zhang Fei, assuring him, "You can fight at ease and don’t worry about home. I’m not going anywhere, just going home. I will take care of our mom. Feed the pigs at home well. Make contributions to our country."
As the train approached a fork in the road, Qin Hanyong ordered all soldiers to salute. The soldiers collectively saluted Xiu, raising the five-star red flag. Xiu, in turn, untied her red scarf and held it high, letting it flutter in the wind. Later that night, as the train continued its journey through the darkness, the atmosphere in the carriage gradually calmed, no longer as somber.
When Qin Hanyong asked who had arranged the car for Gu Yiye to bring Xiu to Zhang Fei, Gu Yiye revealed it was Song Jianshe, a revelation that caught Qin Hanyong completely by surprise. " Song Jianshe, that bastard!" Qin Hanyong exclaimed, expressing initial frustration, then softened, adding, "Just for this, I’ll apologize to him later." Qin Hanyong acknowledged Gu Yiye's resourcefulness, but Gu Yiye cautioned him, "Cut the compliments. It’s a sensitive matter."
The train was soon to arrive at its next stop. Zhang Fei went to meet Gu Yiye, who was waiting on the platform, bringing him two steamed buns he had saved. During the brief halt, Gu Yiye sat with Zhang Fei outside, listening as Zhang Fei shared the story of how he and Xiu first met.
Zhang Fei recounted that during a home visit, his mother, worried about him being nearly thirty and unmarried, insisted he go on a blind date. On his way down the mountain for the date, he encountered Xiu ascending. " The minute I laid my eyes on her, my heart started beating, beating as rapidly as I could imagine. I wondered who this girl was. So beautiful."
He continued, saying he had moved along, not daring to stare, but Xiu had caught up and stopped him. She asked if his uniform was borrowed, which made him anxious, as it was his official People's Liberation Army uniform. He remembered her then bursting into laughter and saying, "Uniform is nice. I really admire soldiers from People's Liberation Army."
A matchmaker had told him that Xiu came from a good family, raised bees in the mountains, and had high standards, rejecting many suitors. But Zhang Fei decided to pursue her anyway, proudly declaring he was a PLA soldier, would be promoted to "four pockets" soon, and was the best-looking in his army. To his surprise, Xiu replied, "Comrade, I’m not seeing anyone. How about we try and date?" And so, their relationship began.
Zhang Fei reflected, "I must have done tons of good deeds all my life, and was being paid back with luck. Otherwise I could never meet Xiu. Xiu completes me." Gu Yiye responded, sharing his own realization: "I always thought that the reason I joined the army was for my dream of being a soldier. It was not until today when I heard of what Xiu said to you, I understood the meaning of being a soldier.
I truly comprehend the meaning of 'people.' They trusted us and relied on us with all their hearts. I should never trifle with them, so as to be worthy of their trusts, and not disappoint them." Zhang Fei then expressed his deep affection for Gu Yiye, saying, "In the army, I’m the platoon leader, and you, the sergeant. But in private, I think of you as my brother, my beloved brother."
He made Gu Yiye promise, "No matter what happens, you must not die before me." Zhang Fei vowed, "I’ll definitely take all the bullets for you if we’re in the battlefield." This, he explained, was the duty of an old soldier protecting his comrades. At the Division 234 frontline command, Division Commander Zheng Yuan was meticulously tracking the various regiments' battle situations and upcoming actions.
According to army group deployment, Regiment 702 was assigned to eliminate four enemy strongpoints on the left flank. Regiment 700 was to secure the enemy's main position from the front, then seize additional positions, specifically positions 175 and 286. Finally, Regiment 720 would execute an infiltration maneuver, circling behind the enemy to support Regiment 700, with the objective of completely annihilating enemy Division 177.
Zheng Yuan proposed swapping Regiment 720 and Regiment 702's positions, suggesting Regiment 702 take the infiltration task. However, the military working group insisted that Division 234 must secure Division 230's flank. They were concerned that Regiment 720 might not withstand the heavy task, despite intelligence suggesting the infiltration route, though deep behind enemy lines, was relatively less risky. After hearing the report, Zheng Yuan quietly left the command post.
He confided in Commissar Xing that he wanted to "make a mistake" for his child and that his heart was unsettled. Commissar Xing firmly told him that Jiang Nanzheng could not be reassigned. Zheng Yuan acknowledged his feelings, admitting he felt "not qualified to be a father" and that "the sound of the artillery messed him up." He asked Commissar Xing to visit Jiang Nanzheng on his behalf, explaining, "I can’t. I’ll break down if she calls me 'Dad.'
I can’t go." The specific mission for the Third Platoon remained unannounced, and Platoon Leader Zhang Fei awaited orders. He instructed his soldiers to prepare resolution statements. Amidst discussions about the grim realities of war, where one soldier questioned if the front line was a park from which one could easily return, Jiang Weixing and other comrades discussed what to write, ultimately settling on "die for my country." Niu Mancang, however, simply wrote, "survive."
Gao Liang, seizing a moment when Gu Yiye was distracted, snatched his resolution paper, only to discover it was a will. Gu Yiye quickly took it back, but Gao Liang vaguely recalled a line. Another soldier then read part of the will: "My passion comes from my parents. Now the country needs me, I dare not keep half a drop for myself. My last words are as follows."
This sentiment of passionate devotion to the nation, originating from family, resonated with everyone. As orders came for all troops to advance to their attack positions, Qin Hanyong led the Ninth Company, whose mission was to act as the regiment's cover. He emphasized their responsibility: "Protect the whole regiment in the process of interspersed, decisive and forceful, action without delay. The main force is not trailed and not surrounded.
At the same time, do not leave any of your comrades behind." As they prepared to depart for the front line, Zhao Hongying appeared with a group of female soldiers, standing in the middle of the road. Zhao Hongying announced they were there to see off the soldiers, forming "one-to-one pairs for mutual encouragement." Tong Bing discreetly placed a photograph into Jiang Weixing's hat, hoping for his safe return. Unable to contain her emotions, Jiang Nanzheng embraced Gu Yiye, telling him, "I’ll be up there, waiting for your triumph."
