Hu Tong Episode 13 Recap
> Hu Tong Recap
Wu Feng and Tie Dan reported to Gao Zhiyuan that Shangguan Xiaolong, as a telegrapher, likely kept his radio station in the courtyard on Beichizi Street. Gao Zhiyuan acknowledged the agents' cunning choice of location, which he called "dark under the lamp." He promptly ordered a direction-finding vehicle to monitor the vicinity, instructing them to prepare for an immediate arrest once a radio signal was confirmed.
Meanwhile, Zheng Qiang, after meeting his handler at a winery, noticed police surveillance as he returned to the courtyard and fled. Shangguan Xiaolong and Li San waited anxiously for Zheng Qiang, but as the time to send their telegram to headquarters approached, they decided to proceed without him. The direction-finding car intercepted their transmission, and Gao Zhiyuan ordered the raid. The officers apprehended Li San and Shangguan Xiaolong, but Zheng Qiang was nowhere to be found.
During interrogation, Li San refused to disclose Zheng Qiang's whereabouts or the identity of the informant who had previously tipped them off, declaring his unwavering loyalty. Shangguan Xiaolong, interrogated by Tie Dan, claimed ignorance about Zheng Qiang's movements or his online connection. He vehemently defended his sister, Shangguan Xiaolan, insisting she was an innocent citizen who merely withdrew money on his behalf without knowing its true purpose. When pressed about their escape from Shichahai, Shangguan Xiaolong initially denied any tip-off.
However, after persistent questioning, he recalled that as they were preparing dinner, a peddler's distinct cry from outside the window caused Zheng Qiang to dramatically change his expression. Zheng Qiang then threw down his chopsticks, declared they were exposed, and ordered them to pack up and flee. Tie Dan immediately recognized this as a crucial clue, concluding that the peddler's cry was a coded signal. Tie Dan swiftly reported this to Gao Zhiyuan.
Acknowledging the difficulty of finding one specific peddler among many, Tie Dan suggested seeking help from Tian Zao and Li Hongying, who had organized neighborhood activists to stake out Zheng Qiang's courtyard that day. Li Hongying gathered the activists, and Tian Zao recalled seeing an unfamiliar peddler behind the courtyard, shouting. She described him as over 1. 7 meters tall, in his fifties, with a somewhat rough appearance, selling "rouge, gouache, needles, thread, and other daily necessities."
Li Hongying instructed everyone to search for a peddler matching this description. Lin Zheng, having been informed by Dapeng about the peddler clue, immediately went to discuss the situation with Gao Zhiyuan. Gao Zhiyuan informed Lin Zheng that the city bureau would order a city-wide search for the peddler. Despite the extensive search, which involved Tian Zao identifying numerous peddlers, no specific person was found.
Tian Zao grew frustrated, questioning the effectiveness of identifying so many peddlers, especially if the informant was merely disguised. Tie Dan, however, explained that while the method might seem indirect, the peddler was their only lead, and their superiors likely had a broader strategy in mind beyond just finding the peddler, aiming to uncover Zheng Qiang's leader. Tian Zao, still suspicious of Qin Defu, had been secretly following him for several days.
She observed him changing into plain clothes and heading to a large courtyard. Peeking through a window, she witnessed Qin Defu meeting the peddler. Convinced she had found the mole, Tian Zao burst into the room to confront Qin Defu, who pulled out a gun and threatened her. Just then, Lin Zheng arrived and, with his team, apprehended both Qin Defu and the peddler. After the arrest, Tie Dan questioned Tian Zao about her independent actions.
Tian Zao reiterated her long-held belief that Qin Defu was the spy and, seeing no other progress, decided to follow her instincts. She recounted the days of discreet surveillance, culminating in catching him red-handed. While Li Hongying praised Tian Zao's vigilance, Tie Dan chastised her for not informing him, to which Tian Zao retorted that fewer people knowing was better and if Lin Zheng had believed her earlier, Zheng Qiang would have been caught sooner.
Gao Zhiyuan explained to Tie Dan and Tian Zao that Lin Zheng had long suspected Qin Defu, beginning his investigation after realizing there was an internal spy. Lin Zheng came to Gao Zhiyuan with his suspicions, and together they orchestrated the city-wide peddler search as a "startle the snake" tactic, hoping to force Qin Defu to contact the peddler.
Lin Zheng elaborated on his suspicions, revealing that after reviewing all major cases since liberation, he noticed Qin Defu's involvement in every critical moment, including the assassination of Zhou Ping and previous failed attempts to capture Zheng Qiang. He realized Qin Defu's "accidental" leaks were deliberate. Gao Zhiyuan admitted their plan was a calculated risk, but credited Tian Zao's initiative for the breakthrough.
Lin Zheng further revealed he had been secretly protecting Tian Zao during her surveillance, impressed by her superior tracking skills and knowledge of the terrain. Tian Zao, though thankful for Lin Zheng saving her life, still maintained that earlier action based on her suspicions would have prevented many complications. During his interrogation by Wu Feng, Lin Zheng, and Gao Zhiyuan, Qin Defu admitted his betrayal.
He recounted his disillusionment with the Kuomintang, having witnessed the Communist Party's genuine efforts to improve people's lives in Beijing, eliminating social ills and bringing peace. He cited the Korean War, where the Chinese Volunteer Army defeated the Americans, as further proof that the KMT's dream of retaking the mainland was "daydreaming." He described the remaining KMT agents in Beijing as "stray dogs lingering on," having lost all hope.
Qin Defu agreed to cooperate in capturing Zheng Qiang, stating that only he could do so. He revealed that he had a scheduled meeting with Zheng Qiang in three days and advised them to keep his arrest a secret, assuring them that Zheng Qiang "is sure to come." Three days later, Zheng Qiang arrived at the appointed winery, where Lin Zheng and disguised officers, along with Qin Defu, awaited him.
Zheng Qiang expressed relief to see Qin Defu, recounting his desperate plight and begging Qin Defu to facilitate his escape from the "horrible city" of Beijing. Qin Defu calmly told him, "Zheng Qiang, you can also be relieved." At that moment, Lin Zheng and his team moved in and apprehended Zheng Qiang. Shortly after, Tian Zao received devastating news.
Li Hongying had just shared a letter from Dayong, written two months prior, detailing his bravery and rewards on the Korean battlefield, and expressing his longing for everyone back home, including Tian Zao, with whom he promised to marry after the war. However, a Volunteer Army comrade then arrived to inform Tian Zao that during a mission in Korea, Dayong's company was ambushed. Dayong displayed immense bravery but "gloriously sacrificed" himself while covering his retreating comrades.
The comrade explained that Dayong had been highly commended, awarded a first-class combat hero certificate, and the Korean People's Army's Warrior Medal of Honor, confirming him as a "true fighting hero." When Tian Zao asked for his body, the comrade solemnly explained that Dayong's remains, like those of thousands of other fallen volunteers, were buried in North Korea, where he would continue to guard the "three thousand miles of mountains and rivers in Korea." He then presented Tian Zao with Dayong's personal effects, leaving her heartbroken and sobbing uncontrollably as she clutched her brother's belongings.
