Hu Tong Episode 7 Recap
> Hu Tong Recap
Outside Luo Wenhui's hideout, Tie Dan was questioned by Gao Zhiyuan about Luo Wenhui's whereabouts, but he confirmed no one had exited. Wu Feng then discovered a secret passage, deducing that Luo Wenhui had escaped through it and stating that he was too cunning, having arranged an escape route early. He immediately dispatched agents to pursue, with Tie Dan and Gao Zhiyuan following. Despite their efforts, they found no trace of Luo Wenhui.
Later that night, Da Yong and Xiao Feng rushed to inform Tian Zao that Tie Dan was selling vegetables near Tianqiao. Tian Zao, without hesitation, went to Li Hongying to relay the information. Li Hongying expressed concern about Tie Dan's presence in Tianqiao, especially disguised as a vegetable seller, so close to the upcoming celebration, and suspected he was undertaking some mission. She emphasized the importance of the clue and urged Tian Zao to report to Lin Zheng.
Tian Zao was reluctant, upset that Lin Zheng had seemingly "reused a bad man," but Li Hongying insisted they go together, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Lin Zheng was alarmed by the news, explaining that the Tianqiao area was on the main route to Xiannongtan, where the celebration would be held. He immediately reported the grave situation to his superiors, as Tie Dan, if a spy, posed a significant threat to the Party leader.
Meanwhile, Gao Zhiyuan, Wu Feng, and Tie Dan scoured the Tianqiao area but found no trace of Luo Wenhui. Wu Feng remarked on Luo Wenhui's fox-like cunning, believing he would not appear before his planned action. With the National Day celebration only a day away, Wu Feng suggested interrogating Liang Liqun and Gu Qing to find out where Luo Wenhui intended to strike. The three men hurried back to the prison.
Gao Zhiyuan interrogated Liang Liqun, confronting him about being a spy sent by Mao Renfeng to assassinate Party leaders. Liang Liqun feigned ignorance, claiming not to understand what Gao Zhiyuan was talking about and denying being a spy, insisting he was wrongly accused. Gao Zhiyuan warned him about the futility of resistance. Simultaneously, Tie Dan and Wu Feng interrogated Gu Qing.
Tie Dan revealed his true identity as an undercover agent for the Communist Party, sent to infiltrate the Kuomintang Secrecy Bureau. Terrified, Gu Qing immediately confessed the specific area where the assassination was planned. Armed with this critical information, Gao Zhiyuan gathered his comrades, explaining that they now knew Luo Wenhui's operational area and that tomorrow was their last chance to apprehend him.
He stressed the importance of preventing Luo Wenhui's bullets from ever being fired, as the consequences would be dire. The comrades collectively vowed to defend the Party Central Committee to the death. Back at the Public Security Bureau, Lin Zheng informed Tian Zao that her tip had been taken seriously by the superiors, but the assassination case was under the Central Ministry of Social Affairs, with the Public Security Bureau only assisting.
He advised her to go home and wait for updates. However, Tian Zao was distraught at the thought of Tie Dan being an assassin and vowed to keep searching, even mobilizing the children to help her in the dark. Li Hongying noted that Tian Zao and the children, knowing Tie Dan well, might indeed provide timely clues. Despite searching through the night, Tian Zao and the children found nothing.
The National Day ceremony began, with excited citizens lining the streets awaiting the arrival of the leaders. Gao Zhiyuan, Wu Feng, and Tie Dan meticulously searched the crowd. Zheng Qiang, observing from a distance, grew uneasy when he didn't spot Liang Liqun and Gu Qing among the assembled agents. As the motorcade approached, Tie Dan spotted Luo Wenhui.
Just as he shouted for Luo Wenhui to stop, Tian Zao, who had been tirelessly searching, suddenly ran forward and tackled Tie Dan to the ground, thinking he was the spy. Luo Wenhui seized the unexpected diversion to slip away. Lin Zheng and his team, alerted by the commotion, arrived and joined Tie Dan in the pursuit, with Tian Zao following close behind.
In the midst of the chaos, Tian Zao caught a glimpse of Zheng Qiang but had no time to ponder it. Working together, Wu Feng and Tie Dan's team finally cornered and apprehended Luo Wenhui. Lin Zheng verified Wu Feng's work ID and allowed them to proceed. Tian Zao watched the scene unfold, bewildered by Tie Dan's involvement in catching a spy.
After the incident, Wu Feng provided a detailed report to Lin Zheng and Li Hongying, explaining that Comrade Sun Tie had joined the Party in 1947, had been assigned to a Kuomintang secret service training program as an instructor, earned their trust, and then served as a deep cover agent in Beiping. His mission was to gather crucial intelligence, leading to the identification and capture of the Kuomintang's top assassin, Luo Wenhui, and foiling the plot.
Wu Feng clarified that due to the sensitive nature of Comrade Sun Tie's mission, he reported directly to the CPC Central Committee's Social Department, which meant local authorities were not informed, causing misunderstandings. Li Hongying was thrilled, believing Tian Zao would be overjoyed. However, when Tie Dan revealed his true identity to Tian Zao, expecting her to be proud, she erupted in anger.
Calling him a "complete bastard," she accused him of deceiving her for two long years, declared she would never see him again, and told him to remain with his Communist Party. Li Hongying found Tian Zao sobbing, heartbroken. She gently tried to explain that Tie Dan was a soldier on the hidden front, carrying out special Party tasks under strict discipline, which prevented him from disclosing his identity even to family.
Tian Zao, however, was inconsolable, arguing that she was his closest person, her parents had entrusted her to him, and he had lied to her for two years, making her feel like a simpleton. She expressed how she had worried herself sick, even getting a high fever, while he was out making contributions and becoming a hero, only to return and tell her she was wrong to scold him.
Tian Zao insisted that while the Communist Party might have its rules, it should also consider human feelings. Ultimately, she concluded that Tie Dan didn't have her in his heart and had broken it. Later, Tie Dan went to Li Hongying to lament Tian Zao's reaction. He had expected her to be joyful but instead, she turned against him, hitting him and vowing never to see him again.
He reiterated that he had to obey Party discipline, which prohibited him from revealing his identity even to his parents. Li Hongying, reflecting on her conversation with Tian Zao, told Tie Dan that Tian Zao, being a kind, simple girl who "dares to love and hate," couldn't grasp the Party's principles and confidentiality discipline. She explained that Tian Zao felt betrayed because she had entrusted her life's happiness to him, and his deception was something she couldn't accept.
Li Hongying advised Tie Dan to give Tian Zao space, to avoid seeing her for a while until she had calmed down and thought things through, promising to persuade her in the meantime. Tie Dan, though disheartened by Tian Zao's hatred, reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, Wu Feng and Gao Zhiyuan interrogated Luo Wenhui about his accomplices.
Luo Wenhui, the self-proclaimed "number one killer," refused to cooperate, believing he had nothing to lose and that his colleagues were already scattered like "frightened birds." He dismissed their efforts, claiming they would never catch his associates even if he confessed. He admitted defeat to the Communist Party but requested to see the man who identified him on the street before he was executed. When Tie Dan appeared, Luo Wenhui asked how he was recognized amidst the crowd.
Tie Dan replied that he recognized Luo Wenhui by the sour smell of someone who hadn't bathed in days. Luo Wenhui, acknowledging his carelessness due to the poor conditions in Tianqiao, conceded his capture was a deserved outcome, remarking that "heaven's net is slow, but it misses nothing." Before being led away, Luo Wenhui asked for Tie Dan's name and, upon hearing "Sun Tie," expressed his admiration.
As Chairman Mao solemnly announced the founding of the People's Republic of China, the jubilant crowds celebrated in the streets. Following the celebration, Li Hongying actively promoted the election of street activists in her district. Tian Zao was among the candidates, publicly vowing to serve the people wholeheartedly, which garnered enthusiastic support from her neighbors, who promised to vote for her.
Li Hongying later informed Tian Zao that Comrade Sun Tie's former department had merged into the Ministry of Public Security, and due to his excellent completion of Party tasks, he had become a police officer in the city security department's second division. Tian Zao feigned disinterest, claiming it had nothing to do with her, but Li Hongying playfully called her "stubborn," noticing Tian Zao's hidden smile.
With Luo Wenhui's arrest, the Kuomintang spies, including the key contact "Night Wolf," became dormant, their sabotage attempts foiled by the public security system. However, underground radio stations remained active, constantly changing codes and posing a challenge to the outdated surveillance equipment. Gao Zhiyuan announced that the Party's directive was to mobilize the masses and rely on them to uncover these hidden spies, stressing that they would eventually be exposed.
Back in Tian Zao's neighborhood, Aunt Li urged Tian Zao and Tie Dan to get married soon, expressing frustration that they were acting like enemies. Tian Zao, however, deflected the topic. Uncle Gui advised Tian Zao to reconcile with Tie Dan, and Xiu Lan even offered to mediate, but Tian Zao politely declined. Meanwhile, Lin Zheng's application for marriage was approved, much to Li Hongying's delight.
She suggested they get their marriage certificate soon, but Lin Zheng expressed reservations about Tian Zao's suitability for Party work, considering her "wild" and uneducated. Li Hongying vehemently disagreed, citing Tian Zao's strong mass base, enthusiasm, and love for the Party, but Lin Zheng decided not to argue. Later, Suo Qian visited Chun Xi, only to find her being forced by the madam to entertain clients. He protested, leading to a confrontation where he was thrown out.
Suo Qian angrily cursed the madam, vowing to earn enough money to redeem Chun Xi someday. That night, Tian Zao tossed and turned, replaying the words of Aunt Li and Li Hongying. She worried whether Tie Dan might fall for another woman. Unbeknownst to her, Tie Dan stood outside her home, hesitant to go in. Tong Xiaoting and Mei He spotted him from afar.
Mei He told Tian Zao about Tie Dan being outside, but by the time Tian Zao rushed out, he was gone. Mei He's master had playfully suggested that Tie Dan and Tian Zao were wasting each other's time in their standoff. Suo Qian, walking alone, also reaffirmed his determination to redeem Chun Xi.
