The Guardians Episode 4 Recap
> The Guardians Recap
Joseph Lee's cryptographic system, an extremely complex one-time pad that uses intricate functions to encrypt information, made it nearly impossible to decipher simply by intercepting existing messages. The immense computational demands of this system required a large pool of trained cipher specialists. Ding Yi, leveraging his exceptional memory, asserted to Takeda Eisho that he had already mastered the core algorithm and held the key, guaranteeing the system's continued operation even without Joseph Lee.
Gu Yangshan then briefed Ding Yi on his next mission: during his upcoming class at the MSS, he was to inform Takeda Eisho that the cipher system he had designed had been compromised and that he no longer wished to work for the Japanese. Ding Yi was skeptical, believing the Japanese wouldn't readily accept such a story. Gu Yangshan, however, assured him that they would orchestrate an operation to lend credibility to his claims.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Luo expressed concern about the cipher's security if Joseph Lee were indeed an enemy spy, especially given that the new algorithm he provided had significantly aided their efforts in northern Jiangsu. Luo ordered a discreet search of Joseph Lee's room at the Metropolitan Hotel and tighter surveillance on William's Residence, noting the difficulty of penetrating the British Director's territory but hinting at a potential solution. Gu Yangshan questioned Ding Yi about his flawless memorization skills.
Ding Yi, proud of his "people skills, mimicry, and great memory," explained he simply memorized the correct solutions Joseph Lee presented. To test this, Gu Yangshan gave Ding Yi a thick book of problems. Ding Yi confidently stated he could memorize and write them all down within a few hours. After Ding Yi successfully completed the task, Gu Yangshan was impressed, realizing Joseph Lee had chosen the right person.
He advised Ding Yi to slow down his writing to appear as if he was thinking, but Ding Yi retorted that true genius doesn't require such deliberation. Soon after, Xian Biyun arrived, requesting to see Gu Yangshan. At Maxin Theatre, she reminisced about her past desire to rent the venue, a dream thwarted by her limited funds. She astutely deduced that Gu Yangshan was hiding Ding Yi there, describing Ding Yi as a "ticking time bomb" in Shanghai.
Gu Yangshan, in a gesture of gratitude for her insight, offered her the use of Maxin Theatre for three days. Xian Biyun then revealed that Mrs. William had invited her to a farewell banquet at William's Residence that evening and, critically, that Japanese spies had already observed Joseph Lee's car there. Gu Yangshan immediately grasped the urgency and assured her that Joseph Lee would be present at the banquet.
He asked Xian Biyun to persuade Mrs. William to corroborate the story that Joseph Lee had been a guest at their home. Xian Biyun, however, merely stated that her informing him was "kind enough." When asked what he could do for her, she simply instructed him to "take good care of Ding Yi," and promised to pick them up at six o'clock.
Gu Yangshan then informed Ding Yi that the plan had changed: Takeda Eisho was sending Japanese agents to the banquet to verify Joseph Lee's presence, making Ding Yi's attendance mandatory. He emphasized that this event would demand more than mere memorization; tonight, Ding Yi had to truly "become" Joseph Lee, as the real challenge was beginning ahead of schedule.
With only seven hours remaining until the banquet, Gu Yangshan began transforming Ding Yi into the image of a sophisticated, British-educated Joseph Lee. This involved a bespoke suit fitting, during which Gu Yangshan meticulously taught Ding Yi the proper way to wear a tuxedo, including leaving the front button unfastened and ensuring no shirt showed between the vest and trousers. He noted Ding Yi's natural resemblance to Joseph Lee but stressed that appearance alone was insufficient.
Gu Yangshan then presented Ding Yi with a pair of genuine cufflinks, explaining that Joseph Lee had coveted membership in the International Mathematicians Association and had worn imitations, while his own were authentic. Ding Yi, surprised by this detail, remarked on the "vanity" of intellectuals, a comment Gu Yangshan swiftly corrected. Additionally, the importance of facial grooming was highlighted. With less than three hours to spare, Gu Yangshan focused on teaching Ding Yi table etiquette.
He corrected Ding Yi on how to use a napkin, demonstrating it should be folded and placed on the lap, not used as a bib. He further instructed Ding Yi never to serve himself. For their meal, Gu Yangshan ordered Angus ribeye, precisely 150 grams, to mimic Joseph Lee's specific dining habit.
Ding Yi found the portion extravagant and was visibly repulsed by the rare, bloody meat, refusing to eat it due to fear of stomach upset and asking for French escargot instead, as it had no blood. Shortly before the banquet, Xian Biyun arrived to pick them up, only to find Ding Yi thoroughly intoxicated.
Gu Yangshan explained that he had initially tried to get Ding Yi just one glass of wine to avoid awkwardness, but Ding Yi, eager to prove his superior alcohol tolerance and encouraged by another individual, had consumed an entire bottle. Xian Biyun, seeing Ding Yi's state, was alarmed and suggested canceling the operation, fearing he would betray their secrets. Gu Yangshan, however, insisted it was too late to back out, as Mrs. William's crucial cooperation was hard-won.
In his drunken stupor, Ding Yi mistook Xian Biyun for "Juliet," affectionately addressing her and reminding her to keep safe the rose he had given her. Upon their arrival at William's Residence, Xian Biyun was welcomed by Mrs. William's servant and apologized to Mrs. William for her late arrival, an apology graciously accepted. As Xian Biyun went to speak with Mrs. William, she sternly warned Gu Yangshan to closely supervise Ding Yi to prevent any mishaps.
Gu Yangshan then roused a nauseous but less dizzy Ding Yi. Just before entering the hall, Ding Yi realized he didn't have Joseph Lee's specific glasses, to which Gu Yangshan clarified he had given Ding Yi his "own" glasses, which Ding Yi put on. As Gu Yangshan and Ding Yi entered the banquet hall, Gu Yangshan spotted Meng Jie accompanied by two Japanese men, Kobayashi and Kondo Saburo.
He realized that Meng Mingyi, Meng Jie’s father and the Deputy Director of the Health Agency, had become a collaborator. Gu Yangshan noted that Meng Jie appeared nervous, suggesting she was being coerced. Ding Yi, feeling increasingly ill from the alcohol and the sight of raw snails, complained about being on the verge of vomiting. Gu Yangshan urged him to hold on until Kondo Saburo and Kobayashi noticed Joseph Lee.
As Kondo Saburo approached, Gu Yangshan quickly escorted Meng Jie away to prevent her from accidentally revealing their identity. Unable to hold back, Ding Yi unfortunately vomited in front of Kondo Saburo. Kondo Saburo, already suspicious, then led Ding Yi towards the restroom, deliberately testing his "eye problem" along the way. Ding Yi cleverly feigned a stumble to maintain his blind facade. Meanwhile, Xian Biyun encountered her former movie-making friend, Ye Yin, at the banquet.
Ye Yin discussed her husband's mistreatment by the BIS and his subsequent support for Chairman Wang's peace movement, and also hinted at some information she heard from Director William that might interest Chairman Wang. Xian Biyun, however, deferred the conversation. In the restroom, Kondo Saburo continued his tests, first asking for a towel that was directly in front of a "blind" Ding Yi, then pointedly asking if "Mr. Lee" liked eating snails, a question Ding Yi answered with visceral disgust.
He then threw a cake on the floor to see Ding Yi's reaction. Ding Yi responded by stumbling over it. Unsatisfied, Kondo Saburo then took off his own suit, draped it over Ding Yi's, and challenged him to pick out his own suit. Kondo Saburo asserted that a truly blind person would either take the top suit or feel from the top down. However, Ding Yi accurately and swiftly retrieved his own suit from underneath.
This prompted Kondo Saburo to draw a pistol, accusing Ding Yi of faking his blindness. Gu Yangshan intervened, reminding Kondo Saburo that Joseph Lee was Takeda Eisho's guest, but Kondo declared Ding Yi an enemy. Undeterred, Ding Yi challenged Kondo Saburo, calling his accusation "barbaric" and "ridiculous" for trying to kill him over picking the right suit. He claimed any gentleman could distinguish two suits without sight, "except for you," and offered to prove it using Kondo's suit.
Ding Yi then meticulously explained that a bespoke suit's fabric and weave are its "face." He elaborated that his suit was uniquely hand-stitched with a wool lining, perfect for Shanghai's unique weather, allowing him to recognize it by touch. In contrast, Kondo's suit had no lining.
When Kondo Saburo countered that Ding Yi hadn't touched the suits but had grabbed his directly, Ding Yi agreed, revealing he identified his suit instantly by a distinct, mended hole on its lapel, a subtle detail he felt immediately. Ding Yi then gave a detailed historical and technical explanation of the boutonnière, or "flower hole," on a suit lapel, noting his tailor's unique, world-exclusive stitching method.
He sarcastically suggested that Kondo's suit might also have been made by his tailor, implying he should have taken more time to "feel" for a boutonnière. Defeated, Kondo Saburo admitted his suit had no boutonnière. At that moment, Mrs. William appeared, chastising Kondo Saburo for his aggressive behavior and demanding to know who allowed Japanese individuals to bring weapons into her residence. She apologized to Mr. Lee, but informed him that Takeda Eisho wished to see him.
