Fall in Love Episode 34 Recap
> Fall in Love Recap
Upon learning that Xu Guangyao had gone to Guangzhou with Su Hongchen, Xu Bojun grew anxious, believing Tan Xuanlin was behind it, aiming to deprive him of his only son. He declared that all old and new grudges would be settled. He noted that Tan Xuanlin had volunteered to become the garrison commander of Jiangcheng, bringing the Tan Army back and relinquishing his Shanghai command to Wu Xiangying, pondering Tan Xuanlin's true intentions.
He then ordered his subordinate to activate his contact in Jiangcheng, stating the time had come to use him. Meanwhile, Tan Xuanlin sent a telegram asking Tan Sangyu to return to Jiangcheng for his wedding with Mu Wanqing. Tan Sangyu, however, had a strong premonition that if she returned, she would not be able to leave again.
Despite Pei Shaojun’s assurances of protection and her aunt's advice to pack many things, Tan Sangyu confirmed her decision to stay with him, having left no retreat for herself. When her telegram arrived, it included a poem. Mu Wanqing understood the poem as Tan Sangyu’s wish for Tan Xuanlin to break away from the Beiyang government and embrace the national revolution.
They discussed the grave danger Tan Sangyu would face in Beijing if Tan Xuanlin openly supported the revolution, especially if Pei Xun, Pei Shaojun’s father, took her hostage. Tan Xuanlin, realizing Tan Sangyu’s unwavering resolve to stay with Pei Shaojun even through difficulties, instructed Tan Si to publish a public statement in the newspaper under his name.
The statement declared Tan Sangyu disobedient, shameless, having privately left home and eloped with Pei Shaojun, and thus expelled from the Tan family ancestral hall, severing all ties with the Jiangcheng Tan family from that day forth, regardless of her life or death. Tan Si protested, calling it madness, but Tan Xuanlin explained it was the only way to protect her from Pei Xun, as she had chosen her own path and he could not shield her for life.
Tan Xuanlin, now appointed as the Jiangcheng garrison commander by the Beijing government, arrived in the city with the Tan Army but found the gates unwelcoming. Chen Shaowu, the Jiangcheng army division commander who had managed military affairs in Jiangcheng for years, eventually emerged to greet him. Chen Shaowu openly expressed his reluctance to accept Tan Xuanlin’s soldiers, disparaging the Tan Army as mere militia from a Shanghai chamber of commerce.
Tan Xuanlin, angered, presented his letter of appointment, commanding Chen Shaowu to prepare barracks and provisions for his brothers and allow them into the city. Though Chen Shaowu reluctantly complied, ordering the gates to open, his discontent was clear, evident in his forced smile and defiant eyes. Tan Xuanlin reflected on how the Tan Army’s designation had been canceled after his father’s death and Jiangcheng became Xu Bojun’s territory, leaving them to wander.
He felt a sense of rightful return, a sentiment Mu Wanqing echoed, comparing it to her own mixed feelings upon returning to the Mu mansion in Shanghai, feeling like it was a world away despite being her childhood home. They spoke of the future, imagining their children playing in their new home.
Later, Liu Fu, an old subordinate of Tan Xuanlin’s father from their bandit days who had been his father's right-hand man and had taught Tan Xuanlin how to ride, came to visit. Tan Xuanlin was pleased but acknowledged to Mu Wanqing that ten years of separation could change loyalties. He recognized Chen Shaowu’s open defiance earlier that day, making it crucial for him to secure the support of senior commanders like Liu Fu, even if it meant taking a gamble.
During their meeting, Liu Fu praised Tan Xuanlin's growth, noting he had become a formidable garrison commander, and was introduced to Mu Wanqing. He also revealed his suspicion that Tan Zijie, Tan Xuanlin’s uncle, did not die of natural causes. Liu Fu then went to Chen Shaowu’s residence to mediate. Chen Shaowu, surprised by Liu Fu’s visit, still harbored resentment towards Tan Xuanlin’s private troops, viewing them as not conforming to rules.
Liu Fu argued that these soldiers were originally from Jiangcheng before their designation was revoked, and that accommodating a few thousand more soldiers among the existing fifty thousand would not be a problem for provisions. He appealed to Chen Shaowu to consider personal relationships over strict rules.
Chen Shaowu agreed to let the matter go "for Liu Fu’s sake," stating that as a soldier, he naturally obeys orders, and invited Tan Xuanlin to a welcoming dinner at his mansion that evening. Mu Wanqing warned Tan Xuanlin that the dinner was likely a trap, recalling how Chen Shaowu might have harmed his own uncle and that he might do the same to Tan Xuanlin.
Tan Xuanlin confidently dismissed her concerns, believing Chen Shaowu was no match for him, though Mu Wanqing insisted the situation in Jiangcheng was more complex than he imagined. At the dinner, Chen Shaowu flattered Tan Xuanlin, raising toasts. Tan Xuanlin, in turn, politely reciprocated, emphasizing it was a family feast and toasting his seniors and elders present. Chen Shaowu offered Tan Xuanlin a "Hatamen" cigarette, which Tan Xuanlin accepted.
As the banquet progressed, Tan Xuanlin complained of chest tightness and dizziness from the strong liquor, feigning light-headedness, and proposed stepping outside for fresh air. Chen Shaowu followed him to the lake. There, Tan Xuanlin feigned difficulty breathing and bent down. Chen Shaowu, seizing the opportunity in the dark, pushed him into the lake. Chen Shaowu quickly returned to the banquet hall to report that Tan Xuanlin had drunk too much and was recovering outside.
Just as he finished speaking, Tan Xuanlin appeared at the doorway, drenched, accusing Chen Shaowu of giving him a "death cigarette." Chen Shaowu, though surprised, remained defiant, smiling mockingly, not believing Tan Xuanlin would shoot him. Tan Xuanlin then shot Chen Shaowu in the head, followed by a soldier who had supported Chen. The stunned officers questioned his actions, demanding to know why he was killing innocent people.
Tan Xuanlin fired two shots into the ceiling and loudly declared that Chen Shaowu had murdered the former garrison commander, Tan Zijie. Liu Fu, understanding immediately, picked up the box of "Hatamen" cigarettes Chen Shaowu had offered earlier. He explained that Tan Zijie had died after smoking the same brand of cigarette from Chen Shaowu, which was later found to contain a high concentration of digitalis, a substance that could cause sudden cardiac arrest.
He exposed Chen Shaowu’s attempt to use the same method on Tan Xuanlin. The officers, shocked, condemned Chen Shaowu for his heinous act of murdering a superior for military control, deeming him insane and deserving of death. The next day, Liu Fu formally introduced Tan Xuanlin to the public. Tan Xuanlin seized the opportunity to announce his intentions for Jiangcheng.
Merchants in the audience worried about the implications of the change and potential new taxes, especially recalling that former Military Governor Xu had collected taxes decades in advance, fearing they would be exploited again. Mu Wanqing stepped forward, identifying herself as Tan Xuanlin’s wife and president of the Shanghai Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
She assured the merchants that under Tan Xuanlin’s leadership, there would be no more exorbitant taxes, stating her influence over financial matters, as Tan Xuanlin handled military affairs while she could speak for monetary matters. Her words brought relief and support from the merchants. Tan Xuanlin then addressed the crowd, reminding them of his reputation as the "Shanghai King" who had challenged Military Governor Xu Bojun and caused his downfall.
He explained Jiangcheng’s critical position as a frontline between the advancing Revolutionary Army, who wanted to capture this vital waterway on the north bank of the Yangtze River, and the indecisive Beijing government, who were merely observing and ready to take over if they failed. Describing Jiangcheng as "surrounded by enemies," he declared his return was not for power or personal gain, but to find a path to survival for Jiangcheng and its people.
He urged them to be pragmatic, acknowledging the Revolutionary Army’s proximity and the neglect of previous military governors, who merely saw Jiangcheng as a disposable barrier. He then unequivocally announced Jiangcheng’s support for the revolution. As some soldiers reacted with agitation and raised their guns, Tan Xuanlin calmly offered a choice: those who wished to follow him should lay down their arms, and he would not force those who chose otherwise.
After counting to five, many soldiers lowered their weapons, while some walked away. Liu Fu praised Tan Xuanlin's resolve, calling him an extraordinary figure. Tan Xuanlin then pledged to treat those who stayed as brothers, to fight alongside them, and to defend Jiangcheng to the last, stating, "As long as the man is here, the city is here." Meanwhile, Xu Guangyao, learning of Tan Xuanlin’s public declaration, felt a mix of happiness and unease.
He found the swiftness of events suspicious, particularly his father Xu Bojun’s lack of reaction, given that Jiangcheng was previously within his jurisdiction. Xu Guangyao worried his father would not give up easily. Indeed, Xu Bojun received a telegram confirming Tan Xuanlin's defection. He noted Tan Xuanlin's past connections with revolutionaries in Shanghai and considered Pei Xun's recommendation of Tan Xuanlin a grave misjudgment, stating Pei Xun was now in an indefensible position.
He revealed that "deployments" had long been in place in Jiangcheng, and they were waiting for Tan Xuanlin to fall into their trap. He believed Tan Xuanlin thought he had resolved everything by dealing with Chen Shaowu, unaware that "the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind." He then ordered his contact in Jiangcheng to proceed with the next phase of their plan, telling him it was time to close the net.
