Ace Troops Episode 20 Recap
> Ace Troops Recap
Gao Liang returned from the hospital, reporting to Company Commander Qin Hanyong. He admitted to feigning sleepwalking and a mental condition to secure an early discharge, eager to rejoin his comrades. Qin Hanyong, though chiding him for the deception, instructed him to diligently tend to his wounds to prevent infection. Shortly after, Division Commander Zheng Yuan unexpectedly visited the Ninth Company. He inquired about Qin Hanyong's twice-wounded status, cautioning him to regularly check his perforating injury to avoid complications.
Zheng Yuan then announced Qin Hanyong's impending promotion to battalion commander of the Second Battalion after attending a military crash course. Though this meant not returning to the Night Tiger Company, it was a significant advancement. Zheng Yuan explained his visit was driven by a desire to see his soldiers, which he affirmed was not a lie. He asked Qin Hanyong to take him to the platoon that suffered the most casualties.
Meanwhile, Gu Yiye was painstakingly recording the names of fallen soldiers, including Ma Zhigang, Chen Haibo, Zhang Shaojun, Wu Yongzhong, and He Bing. He was particularly devastated to learn that He Bing, who had been rescued and operated on, ultimately succumbed to his injuries after a week. Gao Liang entered, expressing his frustration over the grim task, noting that only twenty-seven men from the company survived, with seventeen still hospitalized. Gu Yiye insisted the record-keeping was necessary for official processing.
The two sat together, recalling the heroic sacrifices of their comrades: Shu Jiagui, who fearlessly cleared a minefield with his body; Sergeant Mao, who was exceptionally formidable in combat; the Commissar, who, despite a neck wound, crawled to a radio to send a distress signal; and Zhao Hongliu, who rushed back to the front from leave and bravely fought despite his injuries. Gao Liang tearfully reminisced about Hongliu, wishing he could fool him "ten more times" if he were alive.
Overwhelmed, both Gu Yiye and Gao Liang broke down in tears, remembering their fallen brothers. Qin Hanyong then discussed with Zheng Yuan the company's desolate state, suggesting they merge mess operations with the Third Company to alleviate the loneliness. Zheng Yuan agreed, noting the Division would consider the organizational changes. He then instructed Qin Hanyong to prepare a dinner with strong liquor for the soldiers that evening. Later, Zheng Yuan visited the Ninth Squad dormitory, finding Niu Mancang sitting dejectedly.
Qin Hanyong explained that the empty bed belonged to Zhang Fei, the Third Platoon Leader, who, despite being entitled to a private room, chose to stay with his squad. Zhang Fei had sacrificed himself to cover his comrades. Observing Niu Mancang's grief, Zheng Yuan gently dismissed everyone else, choosing to remain in the room alone to reflect on the immense loss.
That evening, as the surviving soldiers gathered for dinner, Zheng Yuan acknowledged the profound sadness within the company, emphasizing the unprecedented tragedy in their Division's history. He encouraged them to openly grieve and cry, asserting that heroes are not emotionless stones. During the meal, Gu Yiye poured his wine on the ground to mourn the fallen comrades. Qin Hanyong discreetly urged Gao Liang to watch over Zheng Yuan, sensing the Division Commander's own distress.
Gu Yiye approached Qin Hanyong, requesting leave as he could not bear to drink, and handed him a list of merits. Qin Hanyong discovered the list contained only the names of fallen soldiers, excluding Gu Yiye himself. He gently rebuked Gu Yiye, stating that the living who fought bravely also deserved recognition. Zheng Yuan intervened, instructing them to eat first and address the matter later.
He then called Gu Yiye forward and, through Gao Liang, had the Ninth Company's battle-scarred flag brought out, bearing the powerful words, "Live and Die Together," which Gao Liang revealed Gu Yiye had personally written. Zheng Yuan lauded Gu Yiye's leadership for rescuing both his and other companies' comrades, wounded and fallen alike, never abandoning anyone.
He praised Zhang Fei for sacrificing his life to save thirteen unknown comrades from the First Company, and Niu Mancang for bravely rushing out with Gao Liang to save his life. Zheng Yuan spoke of the soldiers' unwavering determination, their selfless charging towards the enemy, and their commitment to peace as the ultimate goal, declaring such an army invincible.
He announced that the Regiment 720 had proposed the title "Hero Company for Standing Your Ground" for the Ninth Company's outstanding performance, but suggested it be changed to "Live and Die Together Company." Qin Hanyong passionately agreed, stating that if the Ninth Company earned this honor, he would gladly forgo his promotion to Regiment 700 and remain with his brothers. The spirits of the soldiers visibly lifted.
Suddenly, Zhao Hongying rushed in, fulfilling a promise by publicly embracing Qin Hanyong, to the joyous cheers of their comrades. After Zheng Yuan departed, visibly pleased with the renewed morale, Chen Dashan and Song Jianshe expressed their relief. Qin Hanyong credited Gao Liang for the successful evening, acknowledging his insight into both the Division Commander and the company's needs.
He then stressed the urgency of processing Zhang Fei's death notice, as Xiu had been waiting at the town's hotel for over ten days. Song Jianshe confirmed previous attempts to expedite the process and pledged to follow up immediately. Qin Hanyong and Gu Yiye proceeded to the hotel, where they found Gao Liang already visiting Xiu, generously offering her canned meat, compressed biscuits, and even grenade pull-rings, emphasizing she was part of their military family.
Xiu, in turn, had brought hometown specialties and ginger slices for Gu Yiye's cough. Xiu confronted them, sensing their discomfort and avoidance of Zhang Fei's name. She revealed she had been prepared for Zhang Fei to return wounded or disabled, ready to care for him for the rest of her life, but never considered the ultimate sacrifice before their marriage reports were even finalized.
Her heartbreaking words left Gu Yiye devastated, deeply recalling Zhang Fei's kindness and his own regret for never calling him "brother." Gao Liang and Niu Mancang were also moved to tears, and Qin Hanyong, standing outside the door, silently grieved. In the days that followed, Niu Mancang's sorrow manifested as three consecutive nights of self-imposed sentry duty for his fallen comrades, refusing to speak or eat during the day.
Despite the efforts of Qin Hanyong, Gao Liang, and Gu Yiye, Niu Mancang remained inconsolable. Finally, the Commissar approached Niu Mancang, speaking of Shu Jiagui, Niu Mancang's childhood friend and fellow soldier. The Commissar handed Niu Mancang a letter found in Shu Jiagui's belongings—his final words, which caused Niu Mancang's eyes to well up with tears.
