Ace Troops Episode 3 Recap
> Ace Troops Recap
Gao Liang and Gu Yiye were forced to return to the station warehouse, leading to the termination of their previously prepared plans. Both felt disappointed, as even though it was merely a drill, it represented the honor of the entire army. Jiang Nanzheng and others arrived at the warehouse to bandage the wounded. Gu Yiye took the opportunity to get a tourniquet.
Jiang Nanzheng personally bandaged Gao Liang, who initially tried to turn away, apologizing for failing to complete the task. Jiang Nanzheng insisted he turn his face over, asking if it hurt, to which Gao Liang stubbornly replied he wasn't in pain. Jiang Nanzheng conceded he was like a stone, then asked him to remove his hat to change the dressing. Gao Liang commented that if he had completed the task, he would feel good.
Jiang Nanzheng told him to rest and see the medical officer the next day. That night, Army B selected several rookies to unload the doors of the last two train carriages. Gu Yiye calculated the capacity of the carriages and predicted their plan to use the railway line for reinforcement, transporting weapons and ammunition to South Town to catch Division 234 off guard.
Gao Liang initially suggested learning from the Railway Guerilla to blow up the train, but Gu Yiye pointed out the danger of the ammunition inside and the potential for rush repairs even if the tracks were destroyed, citing that even a bombed airport could be repaired in a few hours. Gu Yiye proposed a simultaneous operation to derail the train, which would be irreparable and demonstrate sufficient destructive power without causing overly severe consequences.
Gao Liang summarized it as wanting a free meal without paying. With everyone's help, Gao Liang and Gu Yiye escaped the warehouse via the roof, evading the patrolling scouts, and split into two groups. Gao Liang used a tourniquet to siphon gasoline, then crafted makeshift incendiary bottles, bundled them with two hand grenades, and buried them in a pit directly in front of the train.
Gu Yiye, meanwhile, infiltrated the train, subdued the veteran guard, and started the train's engine, but did not move it. A whistle sounded, and Gao Liang detonated the hand grenades, causing a fiery explosion that drew everyone's attention. This symbolized the success of their action to disable the railway. Gao Liang reflected on his brother, Gao Shan, recalling how the sight of explosions always reminded him of his brother and made him feel closer to him.
He expressed that wearing the same military uniform and having successfully damaged the railway for the first time made him feel he had achieved something important, and he deeply wondered what his brother thought when bombs exploded near him. The Directing Department reported the rookies' disturbance at Zhangmu Train Station, which prevented the reinforcing artillery and armored forces from departing on time. Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuan, Division Commander, proudly called Meng Zhongchi, Division Commander of Army B.
The two old comrades engaged in a tense strategic exchange. Meng Zhongchi was furious, but Zheng Yuan claimed that promising rookies were like sharp needle tips that would eventually stand out, and his "steel nails" (experienced soldiers) would prove their worth at the crucial moment. Zheng Yuan also hinted at a "gift" he had sent.
As Zheng Yuan finished speaking, Qin Hanyong burst into Division 230's command post, wearing a light raincoat that concealed two large bundles of explosives, placing him in close proximity to Meng Zhongchi. Qin Hanyong announced he was the "gift" sent by Zheng Yuan and challenged Meng Zhongchi, asserting that at such close range, escape was impossible. Ultimately, Division 234 secured a narrow victory in the drill.
Squad Leader Zhang Fei and Lu Pingfan led all the new recruits, shouting for the veterans to release them, followed by jubilant celebrations. Gao Liang felt joy, being lifted and cheered for the first time, and realized he wanted to share his feelings with Jiang Nanzheng, whom he spotted in the cheering crowd that night. The official report from the Directing Department attributed the final credit for the victory to Qin Hanyong and Xia Lin.
Although Gu Yiye and Gao Liang were the ones who prevented the train's departure, they were deemed to have violated organizational discipline. Their actions included organizing a rookie mutiny, unauthorized departure, fighting along the way, stealing hand grenades without permission, causing a derailment incident, and damaging national facilities. These transgressions overshadowed their achievements, leading to a judgment of "merit not offsetting demerits."
Zheng Yuan demanded that Regiment Commander Chen Dashan conduct a self-criticism and thoroughly investigate the matter, especially to educate rookies. He emphasized that victories based solely on luck were uncontrollable and more dangerous than defeat. Chen Dashan attempted to defend the rookies, explaining that they only created a large hole beside the track and started the train without moving it, signifying their intention to demonstrate capability rather than cause severe damage.
However, Zheng Yuan dismissed this as "shielding a fault" and ordered a swift and serious investigation to identify the masterminds and perpetrators, even suggesting dismissal if necessary. He stressed that while rookies could be dismissed, the regiment could not, and the internal issues needed to be addressed from within.
Chen Dashan then requested five cadres, but Zheng Yuan only approved two, promising the best from the division to "train, cultivate mindset, style, and discipline from the rookies" to be the "foundation" of Regiment 720. Zheng Yuan asserted that peacetime army problems, though seemingly simple, are like hidden enemies, and reckless solutions could harm allies.
He concluded that winning by luck, as achieved by two scouts, was not a true victory and was more dangerous than failure because it couldn't be controlled. On the way back, Zhang Fei recounted Xia Lin's commendation, awards, and exceptional promotion, urging everyone to learn from him and Qin Hanyong.
Gao Liang immediately insisted he was the one who fired the signal flare, adding that he used the gun of Mr. Li from Army B, but since Gu Yiye was not present at the time, he couldn't corroborate his story, and no one believed him. The new recruits arrived at Regiment 720's station on the day Chen Dashan was in his office, frustrated by Zheng Yuan's orders.
He was already troubled by the new recruit training and the reports of this year's batch being particularly unruly, making it difficult to deliver a satisfactory report to the Division Commander. Song Jianshe, Chief of Military Affairs Unit, proposed centralized management for the new recruits rather than dispersed management.
He recounted the recruits' fights on the way and their undisciplined actions during the Zhangmu Train Station drill, admitting he still broke out in a cold sweat thinking about it, and estimated there were over eighty such recruits. He argued that concentrating the "troublemakers" would be easier to manage and develop them, and if successful, they could become a model company to inspire others.
He also suggested temporarily suspending the disciplinary action against Gu Yiye and Gao Liang to observe them further. However, Chief of Staff He Zhigeng had demanded Chen Dashan handle the matter swiftly and thoroughly. Chen Dashan knew that Lu Pingfan, who had come from the division headquarters, was aware of the railway incident but couldn't be punished, as he was a grassroots officer from the Division whom Chen Dashan had specifically requested.
Thus, he decided to make an example of the two rookies, Gao Liang and Gu Yiye, telling Song Jianshe and Lu Pingfan that they were "not" involved in the railway incident or the new recruits' unauthorized departure. Lu Pingfan argued it was unfair to the new recruits, but Chen Dashan, referring to him as a "student officer," asserted that soldiers only adhere to discipline and sacrifice.
An awards ceremony was held outside to present collar badges and cap cockades to the new recruits, a practice unusual for rookies but ordered by the Division Commander, signifying encouragement and motivation after they had passed the test. However, Gao Liang and Gu Yiye were absent. After waiting for a long time, Song Jianshe called them into the Military Affairs Office and informed them of their dismissal.
He detailed their "three problems": fighting on the road, organizing a mutiny and unauthorized departure at Zhangmu Train Station, and stealing weapons to damage the railway. Gao Liang denied the mutiny and clarified that they intended to save comrades and only created a pit beside the track, not actually damaging the railway. He accused the cadres of using them as scapegoats now that the drill was over.
Song Jianshe insisted that Division 234's victory was not due to them and that their actions had been risky, potentially causing immeasurable losses. He stated that the Military Affairs Unit, with the Regimental Party Committee's approval, had decided they were unsuitable for the army and would be discharged. Gao Liang, enraged, refused to accept it, questioning why he was being dismissed and claiming he would not return even if begged. He then stormed out.
Gu Yiye, visibly restraining his emotions, asked Song Jianshe if there was any other way to change the outcome. Song Jianshe replied there was no possibility, as it was a decision from the regiment leaders, implying that the only remaining option was to seek out Division Commander Zheng Yuan. Upon hearing about their dismissal, Jiang Nanzheng rushed to the male barracks but was stopped by a guard, who explained that female soldiers were not allowed in male dormitories.
Jiang Nanzheng asked if he could call Gao Liang and Gu Yiye out for a quick chat, but the guard refused. Jiang Weixing intervened, offering to help. He found Gu Yiye absent and Gao Liang busy inside, so he told Jiang Nanzheng that Gao Liang was unavailable. Jiang Nanzheng, accompanied by Tong Bing, turned to leave.
Jiang Weixing, having been taken by Tong Bing, then asked for Jiang Nanzheng's name, expressing his admiration and introducing himself by referencing "The East Is Red" satellite, prompting Jiang Nanzheng to quickly leave with Tong Bing. Zhang Fei instructed the other recruits to clean up and then deliberately left Niu Mancang to comfort Gao Liang, while he discreetly watched from the doorway. The new recruits' testimonies were crucial in the disciplinary process.
To avoid implication, all of them distanced themselves from the incident, effectively disregarding Gu Yiye and Gao Liang's contributions. Niu Mancang confessed his remorse to Gao Liang.
He explained that as the only young man from his village to enlist, he carried the hopes of many, and his parents had even knelt before him on his departure, making him feel he lacked the courage to return home in disgrace, potentially facing his father's threat to break his legs if he were dismissed. Zhang Fei, overhearing Niu Mancang's words, was deeply saddened.
He immediately sought out Song Jianshe, asserting that Gao Liang and Gu Yiye's actions during the drill had his approval and he took responsibility. He offered to resign to save the two new recruits. Lu Pingfan shared Zhang Fei's sentiment, putting Song Jianshe in a difficult position, reminding Zhang Fei of his own family situation.
Zhang Fei then revealed that Xia Lin had fired a dud during the drill and that Gao Liang had actually fired the signal flare, an event that Li Shaobing, a company commander from Regiment 700, could corroborate. Realizing the gravity of this new information, Song Jianshe hastily rushed to the division headquarters to report the situation.
Meanwhile, Xia Lin, feeling triumphant after his promotion, was leaving the division headquarters when he encountered Gu Yiye, who had come to see Division Commander Zheng Yuan. Lacking proper identification and having failed to report to the headquarters' security post beforehand, Gu Yiye was stopped by the guard.
Inside the Military Affairs Office, Song Jianshe and Lu Pingfan were being severely reprimanded by Mr. Zhang, the section chief, having seemingly exhausted all their personal favors to speak on behalf of the new recruits. Mr. Zhang sarcastically questioned Lu Pingfan's "student officer" status and his own involvement as an "old bureaucrat," but also admitted to appreciating Lu Pingfan's rule-breaking.
After Mr. Zhang departed, Song Jianshe and Lu Pingfan observed Gu Yiye still standing at the division headquarters' entrance through the window. They bet he wouldn't last more than half an hour, noting a new recruit's usual limit of 40 minutes, but Gu Yiye persevered for several hours. His body became soaked in sweat, his legs trembled uncontrollably, his face was pale and haggard, and he soon collapsed from exhaustion.
