Hu Tong Episode 9 Recap
> Hu Tong Recap
Li Hongying escorted Tian Zao and Meihe back home. Meihe was distressed, asking if his sister Chun Xi was in jail and if she would ever return. Tian Zao reassured him that Chun Xi had been sent to school for education, not jail, and would be back soon. Tian Zao then asked Xiulan to take Meihe to sleep, as she needed to speak with Li Hongying.
Li Hongying sternly confronted Tian Zao about her reckless act of stopping a military vehicle. Tian Zao admitted she knew it was wrong but confessed she couldn't read the official documents and hadn't understood the reform policy for prostitutes. Li Hongying explained that the transformation of prostitutes was a significant move by New China to liberate women, helping them escape misery and start anew.
Tian Zao expressed her desire to be a street activist, to do practical work for the neighborhood residents. Li Hongying regretfully informed Tian Zao that her name had been removed from the list of approved street activists due to the incident, making her aspiration a "complete failure." Tian Zao pleaded with Li Hongying to reconsider, but Li Hongying explained she had already argued on her behalf all morning and even received a reprimand from her superiors.
In despair, Tian Zao turned to Tie Dan for help. She urged him, as a government official and her fiancé, to intercede for her. Tie Dan, however, explained that his Public Security Bureau operated separately from the district government and he had no authority to intervene. He also reminded Tian Zao that if not for Li Hongying and Director Lin Zheng, her actions could have been mistaken for counter-revolutionary activity. Frustrated, Tian Zao stormed off to see Li Hongying again.
Back at Li Hongying's, Tian Zao tried to argue her case once more. Li Hongying revealed that Lin Zheng had called Tian Zao a "time bomb," implying her impulsiveness was a risk. Tian Zao felt that Lin Zheng harbored a personal dislike for her. Li Hongying dismissed this, then gently explained that Tian Zao's impulsiveness stemmed from her lack of education and understanding of the Party's policies.
She informed Tian Zao about the city-wide orphanages and literacy classes being established, which would provide homes and education for children like Dayong, Xiaofeng, and Meihe, and help Tian Zao herself understand Party policies better. Tian Zao was deeply moved and excitedly declared her desire to join the Communist Party. Li Hongying encouraged her but emphasized that learning was a prerequisite. Li Hongying then took Tian Zao and Meihe to visit the reform school.
Tian Zao was surprised that it didn't resemble a prison. Li Hongying showed them the living quarters and the study area where women were learning to read and acquire job skills. They met Chun Xi, who looked transformed in her new Lenin uniform and happily described her fulfilling life. Tian Zao shared that she and the children were also attending literacy classes, cared for by the government. Meihe proudly announced his new formal name, Kong Jianguo.
Tian Zao also told Chun Xi that their "third brother," So Qian, had been lightly sentenced to six months of labor reform. Chun Xi felt guilty, believing he did it for her. Deeply touched, Tian Zao reaffirmed her loyalty to the Party and asked Li Hongying to keep the street activist spot open for her. Li Hongying agreed, contingent on Tian Zao's performance. Meanwhile, the Public Security Bureau intensified its efforts to apprehend Zheng Qiang.
Wu Feng, Gao Zhiyuan, and Tie Dan led teams to raid three suspected hiding places overnight. Despite their exhaustive search, Zheng Qiang was nowhere to be found, having been tipped off. Gao Zhiyuan reminded the team that Zheng Qiang was a cunning spy, necessitating a prolonged struggle, but Tie Dan was confident he could not escape the people's encirclement in Beijing. At the same time, the Korean War escalated.
Zheng Qiang gathered his dormant agents in Beiping, playing a Taiwan radio broadcast announcing US intervention. He declared that World War III was imminent and the Nationalist army's counter-offensive was at hand, ordering his agents to arm themselves and cooperate with the Party-State to regain power. In response to the conflict, citizens of Beijing rallied in support of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army. Tian Zao and Li Hongying organized a donation drive.
People lined up to contribute cotton shoes, grain, quilts, and letters for the frontline soldiers. Li Shen diligently sewed shoes, Uncle Gui donated his cooking pot for making bullets, and Tong Xiaoting brought fine grains, choosing to keep coarse grains for himself. Inspired by the patriotism, Dayong told Tian Zao he wanted to sign up for the army and go to the battlefield. Seeing his ambition, Tian Zao gave him her full support.
However, when Tian Zao proudly presented the collected donations to Li Hongying, including cooking pots and kitchen knives, Li Hongying became concerned. She criticized Tian Zao for going too far, pointing out that people couldn't cook without pots or eat well without basic food items. Li Hongying emphasized that the Party’s purpose was to ensure people lived good lives, not to send them back to hardship. She reminded Tian Zao that donations should be voluntary and proportionate.
Realizing her mistake, Tian Zao returned the items to the neighbors, explaining the Party's true aim. Later, Tie Dan brought Tian Zao roasted sweet potatoes. He noticed she had lost weight and suggested they get married immediately so he could take care of her. Tian Zao insisted they wait until the war was over, as everyone was focused on supporting the front lines. Tie Dan agreed, noting the immense pressure on the Public Security Bureau with rampant spy activity.
Before leaving, he gave Tian Zao his entire month's salary for nourishing food, but she secretly saved it. Meanwhile, So Qian felt idle as everyone else contributed to the war effort. He went to the textile factory to see Chun Xi and discuss their marriage, but she was working overtime weaving for the soldiers and had no time for him. Dejected, he sought Tian Zao's advice on how he could help.
Recalling his past misadventures, Tian Zao told him the best contribution he could make was to stay put and not cause trouble. Feeling belittled, So Qian was determined to do something great to prove them wrong.
