Resumo do episódio 34 de THE REBEL
> Resumos de THE REBEL
Lin Nansheng found Lan Xinjie and promised to find a way to help her return to Shanghai and reunite with her child. However, Lan Xinjie refused his help, explaining that the bureau considered such an act a grave offense and would treat it as treason, with severe penalties. Lin Nansheng then offered her some money, pointing out the inadequacy and sporadic nature of their pension distributions. Lan Xinjie declined the money as well.
She clarified that she did not regret her past actions for them and understood the bureau's discipline, including being separated from her child and forbidden from sending him money. Yet, she expressed her deep frustration and disappointment, having witnessed officials at clubs indulging in lavish meals and drinks while her husband died fighting Japanese soldiers and no pensions were paid during the war. She asserted that she could manage on her own in Chongqing.
Meanwhile, Headquarters continued to pressure for a quick resolution to Gu Shenyan's case. Chief He Ying Qin had returned Lin Nansheng's letter, a sign that no high-level intervention would occur. Zhou Yaoting, under orders from an impatient Commissioner Dai Li, commanded his subordinates to torture Gu Shenyan to extract a confession. Zhou Yaoting expressed frustration with Lin Nansheng, calling him "stubborn" for persistently defending Gu Shenyan, and ordered him to stay out of the matter.
Lin Nansheng attempted to see Chief He again, but was stopped and advised that no one, not even the Chairman, could change the course of events. Lin Nansheng fiercely argued that he knew the true embezzler was not Gu Shenyan, pointing out that salaries were still being claimed for deceased members of the 5th Communications Group.
He condemned the bureau for planting evidence on Gu Shenyan, whose war injuries, he claimed, weighed more than the gold they accused him of stealing. His colleague Bai Xianming explained that while the higher authority was determined to punish corruption, subordinates were eager to claim credit, and no one cared about Gu Shenyan’s contributions or sacrifices.
He warned Lin Nansheng to abandon the case and think of his own future, as Lin Nansheng's closeness to Gu Shenyan and his current defense made him a potential accomplice. He suggested Lin Nansheng interrogate Gu Shenyan himself, as getting a confession would bring him credit, but failing would lead to his own demise as an accomplice. Lin Nansheng, disillusioned by this blatant disregard for justice, questioned if such actions constituted serving the country.
His colleague advised him that in their current situation, survival was paramount, but Lin Nansheng countered that "to live, there must be hope." His repeated experiences of witnessing the KMT officials' corruption and the sacrifice of his comrade Zuo Qiuming, coupled with the injustice towards Gu Shenyan, ultimately broke his spirit and solidified his decision to join the Communist Party. Following instructions from Ji Zhongyuan, Lin Nansheng published the poem "Guandukou" in the Central Daily News.
Soon after, Yu Zhengwen, representing the Chuandong Special Committee of the Communist Party's South Bureau, contacted Lin Nansheng. He confirmed that they had been awaiting the poem and expressed their understanding of Lin Nansheng’s principled and aspiring character, noting that Ji Zhongyuan had been planning his recruitment for a long time. The plan had been delayed due to Lin Nansheng's injury and transfer to Hong Kong.
Yu Zhengwen informed him that Ji Zhongyuan would serve as his referee, and from then on, Yu Zhengwen would be his sole liaison in Chongqing. Lin Nansheng expressed his gratitude and solemnly declared his complete break from the Nationalist Party, pledging to fight wholeheartedly for the liberation of the country and its people.
Facing towards Yan'an, Lin Nansheng took the oath, vowing to adhere to party discipline, not fear hardship or sacrifice, and to fight to the end for the Communist cause. Immediately after his induction, Lin Nansheng urgently informed Yu Zhengwen about Gu Shenyan's perilous situation, requesting the party verify if he was "Mailman" and arrange for his rescue.
Even if Gu Shenyan was not a comrade, Lin Nansheng implored the party to save him, recognizing him as a man of integrity falsely accused and facing imminent execution, suggesting he could be recruited. Yu Zhengwen promised to relay the urgent request and verify his identity with the party at once. Following his meeting, Lin Nansheng approached Director Hu, offering his services to extract a confession from Gu Shenyan.
However, Director Hu angrily informed him that Gu Shenyan had escaped during a morning bombing, using the air raid as cover while the guards sought shelter. Director Hu immediately ordered a city-wide search by the gendarmes. Lin Nansheng, unable to find Gu Shenyan, drove around the city. While he was speaking with a searching officer, who explained that they were looking for a high-priority fugitive and had found no trace despite extensive searches, Gu Shenyan subtly entered Lin Nansheng's car.
They drove to a safe room, where Lin Nansheng acknowledged Gu Shenyan as "Comrade Mailman," having seen the poem and received confirmation from the party. Lin Nansheng told Gu Shenyan that his escape was perfectly timed, as he had learned about the impending torture. He planned to intervene in the case, stall for time, and then rescue him.
Gu Shenyan, however, asked Lin Nansheng to stop trying to clear his name, revealing that Lin Nansheng was already under suspicion as an accomplice. Gu Shenyan disclosed that he had stored a cache of guns and gold bars at No.53 Rue Ratard in Shanghai. He instructed Lin Nansheng to expose this "embezzlement" after his death.
This, he explained, would serve two purposes: firstly, to dissociate Lin Nansheng from the case, and secondly, to provide a stepping stone for his future promotion within the bureau. Lin Nansheng questioned why Gu Shenyan wanted to be branded an embezzler when he was clearly being framed. Gu Shenyan explained that KMT suspicions about his true identity began years ago when he provided a radio to Ji Zhongyuan.
Only by solidifying his image as a corrupt official could he dispel these suspicions. He further elaborated that in 1938, six sleeper agents were transferred to Yan'an through him. These agents had since been turned and were feeding false intelligence to the KMT. If he were to disappear without a clear reason, the KMT would immediately suspect his true loyalty, label him a defector to the Communists under a high threat alert, and cut off contact with these valuable agents.
For the sake of preserving this crucial intelligence line and protecting the comrades involved, Gu Shenyan was prepared to die. He reiterated that he was ready for any sacrifice, emphasizing that this was the "easiest and most effective way" to ensure the line's safety. He implored Lin Nansheng to convey to the party his suggestion that Lin Nansheng inherit the "Mailman" code name. Lin Nansheng adamantly refused to let Gu Shenyan sacrifice himself, insisting they would find another way.
Gu Shenyan urged Lin Nansheng to believe in himself and keep going, then slipped away, asking Lin Nansheng to wait. As search personnel stormed the building, Lin Nansheng tried to distract them by asking for tea and engaging an officer in a conversation about a personal favor. Taking advantage of the diversion, Gu Shenyan deliberately exposed himself to the enemy downstairs. He was gunned down while attempting to flee.
Lin Nansheng pursued him, witnessing Gu Shenyan's bloody collapse, and then swiftly left, his emotions completely overwhelming him once he was out of sight, sinking into a corner to weep uncontrollably. Following Gu Shenyan's sacrifice, Lin Nansheng submitted a report to Zhou Yaoting and Director Hu, "confessing" that while he couldn't extract anything from Gu Shenyan during interrogation, Gu Shenyan's subsequent absconding proved his guilt.
He then "recalled" the likely hiding place for the stolen goods: No.53 Rue Ratard in Shanghai, presenting a detailed report. Zhou Yaoting, previously frustrated by the lack of evidence for Gu Shenyan's corruption, was delighted by this new information. Lin Nansheng was subsequently commended for his "full dedication and excellent work" in the case and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, gaining significant trust within the military.
Despite the profound grief over Gu Shenyan's death, the Communist Party honored his last wish, assigning Lin Nansheng the code name "Mailman" to continue the vital underground work. Lin Nansheng then arranged for Lan Xinjie to return to Shanghai. He invited her for a meal, telling her he had found a way to send her back.
He offered her his personal savings, but she declined, understanding that his "most trustworthy friends" (the Communist Party) involved in this risky favor did not want money. Lin Nansheng then personally escorted her to a car, and she was secretly transported out of Chongqing by the Communist Party, thus beginning Lin Nansheng's dual identity.
Time passed quickly, bringing the joyful news of Japan's unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, marking the victorious end of China's War of Resistance against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War. Lin Nansheng was overcome with emotion, shedding tears as he reflected on the years of hardship, sacrifice, and undercover work. In Shanghai, as Japanese forces began their withdrawal, Wang Shi'an officially took over the 76th Station.
Chen Moqun was appointed Deputy Commander of the Shanghai Operation Squad, tasked with preventing Japanese and collaborationist forces in Jiangsu and Zhejiang from surrendering to the Communist New Fourth Army. Wang Shi'an and Chen Moqun met in Shanghai for a handover. During a private conversation, Chen Moqun informed Wang Shi'an that headquarters had notified him of Lin Nansheng's imminent transfer back to Shanghai as the new Deputy Station Chief, acknowledging his rapid ascent within the Chongqing ranks.
