Fall in Love Episode 19 Recap
> Fall in Love Recap
Wanqing presented her strategy to her father, Mu Zhiyuan, regarding the Japanese Chamber of Commerce. She explained that while the Japanese held a large trade volume, their mistreatment of workers, which even led to deaths, created an opportunity. She proposed that if the Mu family offered fair wages, Japanese factories would be deserted, making it impossible for them to compete.
Citing military strategy, she advised that while the Japanese were strong, their current troubles made them vulnerable, and it was time to strike decisively. Mu Zhiyuan agreed, recognizing her as his capable daughter, and they immediately set off for the Japanese Chamber of Commerce building to deliver what he called the "final blow." At the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, workers were protesting, demanding justice, apologies, and compensation for a murdered colleague.
Mu Zhiyuan arrived, and Wanqing addressed the crowd, inviting them to join the Mu family cotton mill with a guaranteed monthly salary of thirty silver dollars. She promised this in writing and assured them that even if the cotton yarn market faltered, the Mu family's extensive assets, including warehouses, wharfs, and a shipping company, would sustain them.
She also pledged that her father, acting on behalf of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, would negotiate with the Japanese to secure justice for the deceased workers. Meanwhile, Mr. Yamashita, the President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, observing Mu Zhiyuan's tactics, saw an opportunity. He decided to approach Tan Xuanlin, Shanghai's new commander, believing Tan Xuanlin would be interested in their profitable foreign yarn business, especially given his financial incentive.
He reasoned that "money talks" and was confident he could sway Tan Xuanlin. At her office, Xu Guangyao questioned Wanqing's decision to resign, recalling their successful cooperation. Wanqing explained that recent family changes necessitated her managing the Mu family's business to fulfill her filial duties. Xu Guangyao sensed a change in her attitude, wondering if his words at the hospital had upset her. Wanqing denied it, affirming her decision was final.
He expressed concern about rarely seeing her once her family's old residence was repaired and she resigned. Wanqing reassured him that it was normal for busy people not to meet daily. Accepting her decision, Xu Guangyao asked her to remember him as a brother should she ever need help. As Wanqing left, she reflected on the painful irony: her own brother had been killed by Xu Guangyao's father a decade ago, yet Xu Guangyao treated her with such brotherly affection.
She realized she had to distance herself to prevent hatred from harming him. Tan Xuanlin met with Mr. Yamashita from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce. Tan Xuanlin stated he had no prior dealings with them. Yamashita asserted that the Japanese Chamber of Commerce represented all Japanese businessmen in China, valuing harmony and abiding by rules. He dismissed accusations of wrongdoing as slander. Yamashita then sought Tan Xuanlin's opinion on their recent dispute with the Mu family.
Tan Xuanlin feigned ignorance of business, claiming to be merely a soldier. Yamashita argued that their foreign yarn was high-quality and low-priced, selling well and affecting local mills, which he presented as natural market competition. He accused the Mu family of malevolent competition, instigating workers, disrupting prices, and poaching their employees, calling their actions exclusionary and detrimental to Shanghai's citizens.
Tan Xuanlin conceded that the Mu family had gone too far but reiterated that the cotton business was outside his military jurisdiction. Yamashita then proposed a business deal: since their cotton mill could no longer operate due to the Mu family's interference, he planned to transport foreign yarn from Qingdao to Shanghai, which was more economical than building a new mill.
He requested Tan Xuanlin to grant unrestricted access through Shanghai's ports and wharfs, guarded by Tan Xuanlin's militia, promising a share of the profits. Tan Xuanlin quickly grasped the offer, confirming he would make money by allowing their goods into Shanghai. He readily agreed, proclaiming that only a fool would turn down money and that Yamashita would become his source of wealth. Wanqing confronted Tan Xuanlin about his cooperation with Mr. Yamashita.
She noted his unpredictable nature and expressed her confusion about his intentions. Tan Xuanlin cryptically stated that he was feigning alliance, and she would understand his true motives when the time was right. He brushed off her concern about him not consulting her on Mu family matters, remarking that he anticipated Yamashita's anger. Later, at the Shilupu Wharf, Yamashita’s men were unloading a shipment when Tan Xuanlin’s subordinates, led by a junior officer, appeared.
The officer expressed surprise at the small two-truck shipment, as Tan Xuanlin had prepared a large warehouse. Yamashita's men explained it was only the first batch, with more to come. Later, as another ship was being unloaded, Tan Xuanlin's men, led by Tan Si, suddenly blocked the operation, demanding a pass for transport from the wharf to the warehouse, a rule Yamashita's men claimed they had never heard of.
Tan Si insisted it was a new rule and ordered all goods detained and taken to the command headquarters. When Yamashita's men protested, citing Commander Tan's prior approval and his shareholder status, Tan Si retorted that Tan Xuanlin, as a commander, should set an example by following the rules, and advised them to take their complaints directly to Tan Xuanlin. Mr. Yamashita furiously confronted Tan Xuanlin about the detained cotton yarn.
Tan Xuanlin feigned ignorance of the pass rule but then revealed a fee of 5,000 silver dollars per truck. Yamashita accused him of extortion. Tan Xuanlin shamelessly admitted his background as a bandit who only sought quick money, explaining that he desired a guaranteed profit from each shipment regardless of whether Yamashita sold the goods. He justified the high fee by citing the pollution and disruption caused by Yamashita's ships at the wharf.
Yamashita attempted to negotiate down to 500 silver dollars per truck, but Tan Xuanlin flatly refused, implying the Japanese were wealthy enough to afford the original price. Yamashita accused Tan Xuanlin of feigning cooperation while secretly siding with the Mu family. Tan Xuanlin brazenly declared he would side with whoever paid him 5,000 silver dollars per truck. Yamashita threatened to protest to the Beijing government, but Tan Xuanlin dismissed the threat, stating the government did not control him.
When Yamashita threatened not to pay, Tan Xuanlin vowed to detain all his goods, stating his army needed cotton yarn and he could sell any excess for military pay, ensuring no losses. Yamashita left in a rage. Tan Xuanlin's aide remarked on his anger, to which Tan Xuanlin replied that he had held back, or he would have made Yamashita die of anger. Late that night, a group of Japanese men set fire to the goods in a wharf warehouse.
Tan Si and Tan Xuanlin's men swiftly intervened, capturing the arsonists. Tan Si revealed that Tan Xuanlin had anticipated their malicious act and had laid a trap. The Japanese were shocked to find the fire already nearly extinguished, realizing they had fallen into a pre-arranged ambush. The incident was widely reported in the "Minduo News" newspaper, which praised Wanqing as a "business genius" for her role in inflicting heavy losses on the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
At a subsequent meeting of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, fellow businessmen lauded Wanqing for her brilliant strategy of recruiting workers from the Japanese mill, forcing them to halt production, and her foresight in maintaining cotton yarn stock to dominate the market when Japanese supplies dwindled. Mu Zhiyuan, while pleased, humbly deflected credit, expressing joy that his daughter could now share his burdens.
Tan Xuanlin's subordinate also acknowledged Wanqing's growing fame, even in foreign newspapers, but Tan Xuanlin playfully boasted that her success was due to "the man behind her," and although she was intelligent for a girl, she still had "good taste in men." Mu Zhiyuan then informed Wanqing of his decision to gradually entrust the Mu family business to her, recognizing her exceptional business acumen, especially after her insightful strategy against the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.
He revealed his declining health since the family's recent upheaval, which had led to sleepless nights, and his intention to seek recuperation and peace at Fayuan Temple. He expressed his complete trust in her farsightedness and wisdom, assuring her he was confident in her ability to manage the family's affairs. Wanqing pledged not to disappoint him and promised to diligently protect the Mu family's legacy.
Meanwhile, Mr. Yamashita met with Military Governor Xu Bojun, complaining that Tan Xuanlin had dared to cheat the Japanese Chamber of Commerce for the Mu family's sake, an unprecedented act for a Shanghai commander. He warned Xu Bojun that Tan Xuanlin was growing too close to the Mu family, potentially breaking free from the Military Governor's Office's control and seizing Shanghai for himself.
Xu Bojun acknowledged Tan Xuanlin's cunning, noting his formation of the militia and his increasing intimacy with the Mu family. Yamashita reminded Xu Bojun of the Japanese aid a decade prior that helped him defeat Military Governor Luo and ascend to power, implying a debt of gratitude. Xu Bojun affirmed his appreciation for Yamashita's crucial assistance.
Yamashita further argued that Tan Xuanlin, Xu Bojun's own protégé, was openly defying him and acting like the "Mr. Bigshot of Shanghai," which would lead the populace to recognize only Tan Xuanlin, not the Military Governor's Office. Xu Bojun reassured Yamashita that the Military Governor's Office would compensate for his lost goods and provide full support for future Japanese business ventures.
As for Tan Xuanlin, Xu Bojun declared his plan to first weaken him, then sever his ties with the Mu family before moving against him, asserting that keeping Tan Xuanlin unchecked would be akin to "cherishing a snake in one's bosom." Yamashita departed, satisfied. Xu Bojun then inquired about the renovation of his old Shanghai residence. His subordinate confirmed it was nearly complete and ready for occupancy after cleaning.
Xu Bojun announced a grand inauguration ceremony, which he would personally host, inviting Mr. Mu and other Shanghai businessmen. When his subordinate questioned the extravagance for a mere house renovation, Xu Bojun explained it was a direct response to Tan Xuanlin's actions, specifically his interference with Yamashita's business to aid the Mu family.
The subordinate noted Tan Xuanlin's frequent visits to the Mu family during Xu Guangyao's hospitalization but believed that Wanqing, being Xu Guangyao's childhood sweetheart, would side with them, making Tan Xuanlin's efforts futile. Xu Bojun ordered increased surveillance on Tan Xuanlin and resolved to use the inauguration ceremony as an opportunity to propose a marriage between his son and the Mu family's daughter, recalling how Tan Xuanlin had disrupted their previous attempt at a union.
Later, Tan Xuanlin's aide informed him of Mr. Liao's arrival. Mr. Liao immediately addressed Tan Xuanlin, reminding him that despite previous warnings that the assassins were not revolutionary forces, Tan Xuanlin had still blamed the Revolutionary Party when closing the case. Tan Xuanlin admitted he hadn't been able to find the truth or any clues at the time.
Mr. Liao pressed him, suggesting it was more a matter of unwillingness to investigate, understanding Tan Xuanlin's need to maintain his army in Shanghai without a stable base. However, he explained that this had caused foreign firms in the concession to view Guangdong businessmen with suspicion, preventing him from acquiring Western medicine from his usual contacts.
He revealed that Anton Phil, a key director, believed the Revolutionary Army intended to harm Joseph and had instructed all foreign firms to cease trade with Guangdong merchants to prevent supplies from reaching the revolutionaries, implicitly accusing Tan Xuanlin of ruining his business. Tan Xuanlin realized Mr. Liao was involved in the Western medicine trade. Mr. Liao confirmed this, stating it was his old profession from his time as a military doctor under Tan Xuanlin's father.
He then hinted that Tan Xuanlin's "old business" (transitioning from a bandit to a garrison commander under his father) was akin to "revolution." Tan Xuanlin openly confronted Mr. Liao, assuring him that he would not arrest him, even if he were a revolutionary, due to Mr. Liao's past support for the Tan family army and his personal care. He then asked Mr. Liao what he wanted.
Mr. Liao admitted he worked for the Revolutionary Army, which was currently fighting Xu Bojun's forces and desperately needed aspirin and quinine. Tan Xuanlin pointed out that these were controlled drugs, and his involvement could lead to accusations of colluding with the enemy.
Mr. Liao then tried to persuade him, recalling how Tan Xuanlin's family (except for him) had perished in warlord conflicts, and how he, as a fifteen-year-old, had led thousands of soldiers, yet Xu Bojun and Luo Bingwen had shown him no mercy. Tan Xuanlin retorted that he did not need their mercy and would reclaim what was his.
Mr. Liao questioned what Tan Xuanlin truly desired, suggesting he could eventually replace Xu Bojun but would then become just another warlord, climbing to power over the "blood and bones of common people" only to be toppled himself. He argued that the Revolutionary Army fought for a better world, to save people from endless warlord conflicts, and their wounded soldiers were now dying without Western medicine.
He implored Tan Xuanlin not to let those "who fight for all the people just die without doing anything." Later, Tan Xuanlin met with Wanqing, who eagerly noted they had been apart for "six days and ten hours," expressing how much she missed him. Tan Xuanlin playfully mentioned his phone call, but Wanqing joked that calls weren't enough since they couldn't touch.
Tan Xuanlin teased back, threatening not to call her anymore due to his busy schedule, which made Wanqing immediately retract her statement, admitting she wanted to see him every day. She then acknowledged they were at a critical juncture and needed to be patient to overthrow Xu Bojun. Tan Xuanlin expressed his hope that victory would come soon so he could openly marry her without secrecy.
Wanqing asked why he had chosen to meet her in the concession, a place safe from Xu Bojun's scouts, while she was going to the Municipal Council. Tan Xuanlin revealed he was meeting Anton Phil to find Western medicine suppliers for aspirin and quinine. Wanqing was surprised and asked why he didn't seek help from her father, who sold Western medicine. Tan Xuanlin claimed he didn't want to bother her, but Wanqing insisted that bothering her was his right.
Sensing he was hiding something, she pressed him until he admitted he needed aspirin and quinine. Wanqing immediately recognized them as controlled drugs commonly used by front-line troops and correctly guessed he was buying them for a "friend from the south" (due to quinine's use for malaria, common in warmer regions). Tan Xuanlin confessed he was buying the drugs for an old friend working for the southern forces, to whom he was indebted and felt compelled to repay.
Wanqing agreed that debts of gratitude must be paid and offered to procure the medicine for him. As she prepared to leave, Tan Xuanlin expressed a desire to prolong their embrace, lamenting that since she no longer worked at the command, he didn't see her often.
