Forward Forever Episode 52 Recap, Plot

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The Beiyang Army convened an oath-taking ceremony where Brigade commander Fang Ru Lin declared a great victory at Nanan city, claiming to have killed 373 rebels and seized numerous weapons. He branded the rebel army as unrighteous. During the event, Si San, present as a reporter, was startled to see Yang Zhen in a military uniform on stage.

Meanwhile, Zhou Jue led the revolutionary army's Sixth Battalion, which had retreated to Hefankou, over thirty miles southwest of Nanan city, to construct defensive positions guarding a crucial transport route. A subordinate reported severe casualties from the Nanan city battle, with 129 killed or missing and 54 gravely wounded, including a company commander and three platoon leaders.

Despite the heavy losses, Zhou Jue insisted that the Sixth Battalion had resisted heroically against a full Beiyang Army brigade, taking personal responsibility for the outcome. Zhou Jue instructed his subordinate to send a report to the army department via messenger, not radio, to avoid interception of their defense plans. He inquired about their remaining heavy weapons, learning they had only three heavy machine guns with 20,000 bullets and one 75mm mountain cannon with three shells.

Zeng Guoliang, a platoon leader, suggested they should rest and recover, as the battalion was depleted by over 40% and lacked heavy weaponry for direct engagement. He argued for preserving their strength to await a counterattack, given the First Army's total strength of only 8,000 men. However, A Yi vehemently opposed this, accusing Zeng Guoliang of cowardice.

A Yi reminded them that the Sixth Battalion had stayed behind at Nanan city to allow the main force to withdraw to Xu Pengxi for rest. He stressed that retreating further would leave the army headquarters vulnerable and negate any chance of a counterattack. A Yi passionately argued that every day they held the Beiyang Army back was another day for the main force to regroup, increasing their hope for victory.

Zhou Jue then issued a firm order to all officers and soldiers of the Sixth Battalion: they were not to retreat a single step from Hefankou. Following the ceremony, Brigade commander Fang Ru Lin held a press conference. An Asia newspaper reporter asked when the army would eliminate the bandits and bring peace to Sichuan.

Fang Ru Lin boasted of their successes and pledged to attack Xu Pengxi next, though he admitted he was awaiting military orders for the coordinated annihilation. A reporter from Times newspaper then questioned him about public protests in Guangdong, Hunan, and Shandong against Yuan Shikai's enthronement. Fang Ru Lin, angered by the question, ordered the reporter to be forcibly removed, denying his right to ask such sensitive questions.

After the assembly, Si San returned to the newspaper office to develop his photographs. He re-confirmed Yang Zhen's presence behind Fang Ru Lin and immediately sent the pictures to Chongliming. Meanwhile, Hua Jiuqing, having received full medical attention, finally regained consciousness. Chongliming received Si San's letter, recognized Yang Zhen in the photographs, and was filled with seething rage. Since the disbandment of Yan Shi Fan, Can Yan Xin had become despondent and succumbed to opium addiction.

He accumulated gambling debts and was severely beaten by his creditors, who threatened to skin him if he didn't return the money with interest within a day. Wagner, now running a private clinic, was living a peaceful life with Qinger, who was heavily pregnant and due any day. Can Yan Xin frequently approached Wagner for money.

Wagner, treating Can Yan Xin's injuries, gently advised him to quit opium and offered to pay for his rehabilitation at a treatment center next month. Can Yan Xin, however, claimed he was almost clean. Before leaving, he borrowed thirty silver dollars from Wagner, ostensibly to "settle things," but then went directly to an opium den. There, he reserved a private room, ordered premium opium paste with brandy, and requested the prettiest prostitute to prepare his pipe.

Hua Jiuqing, after waking, sought out Chongliming. They stood on the Forbidden City wall, gazing out at the capital. Hua Jiuqing expressed how long she had slept and how much everything had changed. Chongliming echoed her sentiment, reflecting on his past ambition when he oversaw the Forbidden City as a Baylor, a Shenji camp official, and then leader of Yan Shi Fan.

He once believed he was upholding the royal family like his Erji family ancestors, destined for great deeds, but ultimately felt betrayed and used as a pawn by the dynasty he swore to protect, leading to its demise. Hua Jiuqing commented on their shared plight in these chaotic times, noting that "Heaven and Earth are a cage," but differentiated Chongliming, asserting that he was never truly trapped.

She believed he always knew what he wanted, what his choices were, and what his ideal world looked like. She encouraged him to trust his inner judgment, assuring him that any choice made from the heart would be the right one. Chongliming then informed Hua Jiuqing that he had arranged for her to study at the University of London, a place she had once lived. She wondered if they would ever meet again.

Chongliming later returned to the desolate Shenji camp mansion, which was now in ruins. The absence of Wang Rui and the memory of their camaraderie deeply saddened him. Chongliming found Can Yan Xin, who, mistaking him for his creditors, panicked and tried to flee. Noticing Can Yan Xin's severe bruises, Chongliming pressed him for answers. Can Yan Xin, heartbroken and angry, lashed out, blaming Chongliming for disbanding Yan Shi Fan.

He lamented that with the Qing Dynasty gone and their brothers scattered, he had endured an "inhuman" existence for the past four years. Chongliming, though reproaching him, explained that disbanding Yan Shi Fan was meant to offer them a new path, freeing them from a corrupt court. Can Yan Xin, however, continued to weep, asking Chongliming where the "right path" was for someone like him, who was "neither human nor ghost." Deeply moved, Chongliming bandaged Can Yan Xin's wounds.

He learned from Can Yan Xin that Si San had gone to Sichuan years ago, and Wen Gou had become an arms dealer in the capital, though he hadn't seen him in two years. Chongliming then revealed that Yang Zhen had been found and asked Can Yan Xin to lead him to Wagner, indicating he needed their help. The following morning, Can Yan Xin led Chongliming to Wagner's clinic.

Wagner and Chongliming shared an emotional reunion after four years, embracing warmly. Chongliming noticed Qinger's advanced pregnancy, with her due date just days away. The Wagners happily welcomed both Chongliming and Can Yan Xin. Witnessing their peaceful and content life, Chongliming decided to keep the news about Yang Zhen a secret. He subtly prevented Can Yan Xin from speaking about it, instead suggesting a simple get-together for the brothers.

That night, Wagner, Chongliming, and Can Yan Xin ventured to the eight hutongs in search of Wen Gou, the arms dealer. They discovered Wen Gou being pursued by several minor warlords. Chongliming and his companions immediately intervened, fending off the attackers. Wen Gou was overjoyed to reunite with Chongliming, tears welling up in his eyes. He explained that his pursuers were warlords from the northwest, demanding compensation for damp ammunition he had sold them two years prior.

Chongliming jokingly called him "wicked," but Wen Gou defended himself, stating they wanted cheap goods. Having accumulated considerable wealth from his arms dealing, Wen Gou insisted on treating everyone to a meal at Old Horse Head's mutton soup restaurant. Old Horse Head himself was delighted to see the brothers reunited. As they feasted and drank heartily, Wagner and Wen Gou quickly succumbed to the alcohol. Can Yan Xin offered to borrow Old Horse Head's cart to take them home, but as he stepped outside, he came face-to-face with his persistent creditors once again.

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