Forward Forever Episode 20 Recap
> Forward Forever Recap
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Mary provocatively implied a deep connection with Chongliming from their time in England, even claiming she taught him how to be a gentleman and care for women's feelings. Yuchu, exasperated by Mary's taunts and clear jealousy, left in a huff, instructing Si San to guard Mary for the night. She then confronted Chongliming, declaring her intention to terminate their engagement. Chongliming, realizing she was jealous, repeatedly insisted there was nothing between him and Mary.
Yuchu, however, listed his past romantic exploits in England and accused him of only using their engagement when it suited him, suggesting he had no real affection for her. Chongliming attempted to defend himself, arguing the engagement had saved her from marrying another, but Yuchu was unyielding. Provoked by her persistence, Chongliming, in a fit of anger, agreed to break off their engagement, and they parted acrimoniously. The following morning, the brilliant situation members prepared for their mission.
Wen Gou playfully recorded their departure as Chongliming, Yuchu, and the others set off to escort the British delegation to Nanan, Sichuan. Upon their arrival at the Nanan railway station, Zhou Jue was rallying a crowd with a megaphone.
He passionately protested the Qing government's move to sign away the Sichuan-Han Railway rights to the British, revealing what he termed a foreign conspiracy to seize control of the railway, which had been built through the arduous efforts and investments of the Sichuan people. Chongliming immediately recognized Zhou Jue as he and the brilliant situation members escorted the delegation from the train.
When Qing soldiers attempted to arrest Zhou Jue, Chongliming dispatched A Yi to protect him from the pursuing troops. Chongliming intervened by revealing his identity as Ergije Chongliming, the Shenji Camp commander, who was tasked with supervising the signing. The brilliant situation members drew their weapons, causing Wang Yongfu, the Third Battalion's frontier officer, to quickly apologize and comply with Chongliming's orders.
Chongliming instructed Yuchu, Si San, and Wagner to evacuate the civilians, while he led the remaining members to secure Mary. Meanwhile, Zhou Jue and Yang Ming, a former brilliant situation master, discreetly entered an inn. A Yi, who had been following Zhou Jue, was ambushed by Yang Ming from behind. Yang Ming, employing a unique "Gun Fighting Technique," subdued A Yi. Zhou Jue quickly stopped the fight.
Learning that A Yi was sent by Chongliming to protect them and that their mission involved the signing ceremony, Zhou Jue took A Yi to Dexing Inn, introducing Yang Ming as Uncle Li. A Yi, not knowing Yang Ming previously, expressed his confusion about the protests and asked Zhou Jue to elaborate on the railway contract. Chongliming and Mary went to the county office to meet Qian Daren of the Ministry of Post and Communications, who was out inspecting.
County Magistrate Cao received them, promising to relay their message to Qian Daren. Cao also acknowledged the public's intense anger over the government's decision to nationalize the railway only to sell it to the British, revealing that such officials were deemed corrupt by the people. Meanwhile, Zhou Jue explained to A Yi that the Sichuan-Han Railway was predominantly funded by the local populace, who collectively raised five million taels of silver.
In contrast, the imperial court only contributed 500,000 taels and then, without consulting the people, sold the railway rights to Britain for the same paltry sum. This meant the public's 4. 5 million taels of investment were lost, leading to numerous failed protests and the formation of the Railway Rights Protection Federation. Zhou Jue revealed he was an Alliance Congregation Commissioner, sent to reclaim the railway rights.
He urged A Yi to inform Chongliming of these facts, convinced that Chongliming would then oppose the signing. A Yi, intrigued, learned from Zhou Jue about Sun Yat-sen's vision for the Alliance Congregation: to create a society where all people live equally, with dignity, free from poverty and oppression, revolutionizing the old era for a brighter future. A Yi was profoundly moved by this explanation.
County Magistrate Cao tried to persuade Mary to stay at his office, offering military protection, but Mary politely declined, insisting on returning to the Far East Railway Company headquarters, stating Chongliming and the brilliant situation would suffice for her security. Upon his return, A Yi immediately reported the shocking truth of the railway deal to Chongliming and Yuchu, detailing how the people's four and a half million taels were essentially forfeited.
Both were furious, and Chongliming declared he would confront Mary for clarification. Qian Daren subsequently arrived at the Far East Railway Company, where Mary, eager to proceed, pressed for the contract signing. Qian Daren suggested appeasing the public first, but Mary was unyielding. Chongliming openly exposed the scheme, revealing that the Far East Company was purchasing rights to a five-million-tael railway for only 500,000. He demanded renegotiation for a fair price, warning that otherwise, the deal would be off.
Mary became enraged, yelling at Chongliming. Qian Daren proposed compensation for the people's stock capital. When Chongliming suggested the original five-million-tael price, Mary vehemently refused, threatening to return to the capital to negotiate directly with the Regent. Qian Daren promptly reported this stalemate to the imperial court. Chongliming returned to his quarters, frustrated by the lack of progress. He believed the people's rights were paramount and that the contract should not be signed without resolution.
A Yi, impressed by Zhou Jue's conviction, prepared to update him. Chongliming warned A Yi to distance himself from Zhou Jue, reminding him he was a revolutionary. However, A Yi, now convinced by Zhou Jue's ideals of equality and dignity, retorted that he could discern right from wrong and left defiantly to seek Zhou Jue. Meanwhile, Wen Gou and Can Yan Xin arrived at the Far East Railway Company, where a tense altercation quickly erupted with the British delegation's bodyguards.
Yuchu intervened, defusing the standoff and sternly reprimanding Allen, who appeared to be the British leader or "godfather." Yuchu was tasked with protecting Mary, but Mary persisted in making cynical remarks, questioning Yuchu's perceived conservative nature and highlighting Chongliming's past romantic history in England. Yuchu informed Mary about the Railway Rights Protection Federation's loud protests outside the company, explaining that the public's deep-seated anger would escalate if the signing proceeded.
She urged Mary to acquire the railway at its original cost to prevent further outrage. Mary refused, dismissively asking about the benefits of Chinese railways for China itself. As the protests intensified outside, Yuchu advised Mary to stay indoors for her safety, but Mary defiantly rejected the suggestion. Mary then produced a personal letter from Lord Zhe Yu, instructing Yuchu to cooperate fully to ensure the signing.
Despite the direct order from her uncle, Yuchu firmly refused to comply with Mary's commands. Back in her hometown, Fang Er, now the head of the Green Dragon Society, convened an urgent meeting with local gentry to address the railway crisis. Liu Juren, chairman of the Railway Rights Protection Association, voiced strong opposition to the contract. Some participants expressed concerns that small-scale protests were ineffective and only harmed their livelihoods, especially with work halted for months.
The Second Master of the Green Dragon Society argued for more decisive action, while Liu Juren worried about military suppression. Suddenly, Xiao Ke, a member, burst out, proposing to kill the foreigners to forcefully prevent the signing. Liu Juren strongly disagreed with such a violent approach, fearing severe repercussions, but Xiao Ke argued that bloodshed was necessary to vent public anger and deter the foreigners.
