The Justice Episode 14 Recap
> The Justice Recap
Heart-shaped Face insisted on reviewing the accounts before committing to buying shares. Unable to decide, Manager Jiao made a phone call to Zhou Guangxian for approval, then handed over the financial records to Heart-shaped Face. Examining the ledger, Heart-shaped Face noted the first five investors, among them Fumantang Rice Shop. Cheng Yizhi sought assistance from Mr. Lin, who accompanied him to Fumantang Rice Shop to place a rice order.
To their surprise, the most common varieties of rice were all out of stock. Mr. Lin, testing the manager, fabricated several rice names like Wuxi Rice, Tongli Rice, Changshu Yiziqing, and Beipu Rice, all of which the manager claimed were also unavailable. Mr. Lin pointed out that Beipu Rice didn't even exist in Shanghai. This confirmed Cheng Yizhi's suspicion: Fumantang was merely a front, and Zhou Guangxian was using it for money laundering.
Recalling the accounts left by Wu Zhifu, Cheng Yizhi now had proof that Zhou Guangxian was the mastermind behind the illegal production of Rejuvenation Agent. He returned home, intending to retrieve Wu Zhifu's ledgers for a detailed comparison. Wu Lizi, having drawn a hot bath, playfully offered to scrub his back, urging him to relax and get some sleep. Cheng Yizhi, however, felt far from relaxed. He knew that exposing such secrets could unleash new dangers.
He was particularly anxious about keeping Wu Lizi out of this perilous truth, promising her that he would personally clear her father's name and restore his reputation. The next morning, Cheng Yizhi confronted Zhou Guangxian directly. He accused Zhou Guangxian of stealing his nephew Zhou Wenquan's formula for an oral analgesic and illicitly manufacturing Rejuvenation Agent, using Fumantang Rice Shop to launder the proceeds.
Cheng Yizhi threatened to inform Richardson, the tax officer of the Municipal Council, about Fumantang's suspicious operations and tax evasion. Zhou Guangxian countered, questioning Cheng Yizhi’s influence in the International Settlement compared to his own. Cheng Yizhi then warned that the proliferation of Rejuvenation Agent was hurting the opium market, and powerful gangs were already seeking the mastermind behind it.
He explained that he would not reveal Zhou Guangxian's drug activities to any third party, including Zhou Wenquan, if Zhou Guangxian agreed to his terms: resign immediately as general manager of Shanghai Deposit Bank, cease all involvement with drugs, and publicly restore Wu Zhifu's reputation. Zhou Guangxian questioned if Cheng Yizhi was doing all this for Wu Lizi.
When Cheng Yizhi confirmed it, Zhou Guangxian cryptically hinted at Wu Zhifu's true cause of death, warning Cheng Yizhi not to let Zhou Wenquan get involved with "Persian Red" and "Dianchuan Aroma." Suddenly, newsboys outside shouted about an extra edition of Shen Bao. Manager Jiao rushed in, presenting Zhou Guangxian with the newspaper.
The headlines exposed Zhou Guangxian's secret production and sale of Rejuvenation Agent, his money laundering through the grain and oil company, and announced the rehabilitation of Wu Zhifu. Almost immediately, law enforcement officers from the Anti-Smoking Department arrived and arrested Zhou Guangxian for drug manufacturing and trafficking, taking him into custody. Cheng Yizhi, seeing the newspaper, immediately suspected Wu Lizi. He hurried home to confront her.
Wu Lizi, unaware of his anger, was jubilant, preparing a special meal and a bottle of ten-year-old Taidiao wine to celebrate her father's vindication. Cheng Yizhi sternly asked if she had taken documents from his study and given them to Shen Bao. Wu Lizi admitted to it, defending her actions by reminding him of his promise to help. Cheng Yizhi was furious, feeling used as a "tool."
Wu Lizi retorted, accusing him of doing nothing and protecting Zhou Guangxian because of his significant investment in Zhou Wenquan's factory, implying he didn't want to suffer a financial loss. Cheng Yizhi was deeply hurt, realizing she had been investigating him and didn't trust him. He lamented that her reckless actions had ruined his carefully planned, less destructive solution, leading to the collapse of Shanghai Deposit Bank, his father-in-law's legacy, and harming countless innocent depositors.
Wu Lizi countered that the bank had "died" when her father died, and a bank engaged in criminal activities deserved to be ruined. The argument escalated, and they parted ways unhappily. Wu Lizi later reflected, wondering if she had been too impatient and if Cheng Yizhi would have kept his promise given more time. Outside Shanghai Deposit Bank, angry depositors clamored for their money. Cheng Yizhi witnessed the chaos, a heavy burden on his heart.
The collapse of the bank was exactly what he had wanted to avoid. Zhou Guangxian deserved his fate, but his mysterious words about "Persian Red" and "Dianchuan Aroma" still troubled Cheng Yizhi. Meanwhile, Huang Ruhong met Secretary Feng. Huang thanked Secretary Feng for his support in Huang's election as a director of the General Chamber of Commerce, explaining that he had used Cheng Yizhi's name to secure the meeting, knowing Secretary Feng might not meet him otherwise.
He praised Secretary Feng's appreciation for Cheng Yizhi. Huang Ruhong then advised Secretary Feng on the changing political landscape, noting the Northern Expedition and the National Government's moves toward customs autonomy, including the establishment of the Customs Administration under the Ministry of Finance to take over customs affairs. He suggested Secretary Feng, with his extensive experience and connections in the Inspector-General of Chinese Maritime Customs Service, should seize the opportunity to join the Kuomintang for a promising career.
Secretary Feng agreed. Cheng Yizhi went to see Zhou Wenquan, who was distraught and blamed himself for his uncle's arrest, believing his pursuit of chemistry and painkiller research brought disaster. Cheng Yizhi reassured him that Zhou Guangxian's fate was his own doing. He revealed that Zhou Guangxian had been involved with drugs, specifically "Persian Red" and "Dianchuan Aroma," long before, and faced severe consequences. Cheng Yizhi promised to continue supporting Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory.
He explained that the factory's cooperation with Shanghai Deposit Bank had not yet fully commenced, and the termination of their contract with Longying Private Bank was not yet effective. Cheng Yizhi assured Zhou Wenquan that Longying Private Bank would remain his steadfast supporter. Zhou Wenquan was moved by Cheng Yizhi's loyalty. Later, Cheng Yizhi chose not to go home, instead sitting alone at the private bank.
Heart-shaped Face brought a pearl necklace, a gift from the Jing'an Branch staff for Wu Lizi, celebrating her father's rehabilitation. He also mentioned meeting a nurse during the Rejuvenation Agent investigation. Cheng Yizhi, still cautious, instructed Heart-shaped Face to continue investigating the source of opium. Cheng Yizhi then orchestrated a transaction to trace the opium supply. He met a seller, inquiring about "Big Persia" opium.
He demanded a thousand cakes for delivery the day after tomorrow, paying a 3,000 yuan deposit upfront and promising 13,000 upon delivery. The seller was hesitant due to the large quantity and tight timeline, fearing repercussions from "Persian Red," but Cheng Yizhi persisted, mentioning the "Gang of Dai" and the widespread availability of various opium types, such as "Big Persia, Small Persia, Local Persia, Foreign Persia."
Wu Lizi confided in Charlie at a cafe, regretting her impulsive decision to leak the accounts to Shen Bao without Cheng Yizhi's knowledge. She explained her rationale: Zhou Guangxian's efforts to raise funds for the struggling bank, even after her father's death, suggested he didn't desire her father's demise. His involvement in the dangerous opium trade, which was typically controlled by gangs, also seemed atypical for a banker, leading her to believe he was manipulated by a more powerful "mastermind."
Charlie understood, concluding she suspected this mastermind was the real killer. Meanwhile, Leizi reported to Huang Ruhong about the Atlantic Club's declining performance compared to the new Bixun Road casino. Leizi suggested differentiating the clubs to reduce internal competition. Huang Ruhong approved and encouraged Leizi to be more assertive, affirming his trust in him.
Huang then explained his seemingly benevolent investment in Zhou Wenquan's factory as a strategy of "trying peaceful means before resorting to force," hinting that his true intentions were far from friendly. Later, Huang Ruhong made a public show of goodwill, distributing rice to needy families at a grain store, with Leizi by his side, singing his praises.
Cheng Yizhi observed from a distance, seeing Leizi's subordinate report something to Leizi, who then added embellishments to the report for Huang Ruhong to take credit. Although Cheng Yizhi couldn't hear their conversation, he pieced together clues, concluding that Huang Ruhong was not genuinely helping Zhou Wenquan. His fear intensified. That evening, Mrs. Wang informed Cheng Yizhi that Wu Lizi was playing mahjong at Shanghai Cafe and would be home late.
Zhou Wenquan called Cheng Yizhi, mentioning Huang Ruhong's public announcement praising his anti-tuberculosis medicine research at the General Chamber of Commerce. This detail chilled Cheng Yizhi, making him realize Huang Ruhong's apparent support for Zhou Wenquan was a deceptive facade, intended to set a trap. Overwhelmed, Cheng Yizhi sought Professor Lu's counsel. He confessed to having "gone astray" and leading others into peril, expressing his deep regret and confusion about how to rectify his mistakes.
Professor Lu, without demanding specifics, understood Cheng Yizhi's dilemma. He advised Cheng Yizhi to confront reality, abandon the wrong path, and start anew, emphasizing that while difficult, it was the only way to atone for his mistakes. Inspired, Cheng Yizhi revisited Zhou Wenquan. He explained that Wenquan Pharmaceutical Factory's debts with Longying Private Bank must be settled promptly.
He clarified that this decision was not due to any issues with the factory's progress in developing antibacterial medicines, but rather for Zhou Wenquan's and the factory's own good. He promised to arrange alternative funding from other institutions, urging Zhou Wenquan to quickly review and sign the new contract. Suddenly, Cheng Yizhi received an urgent call from a subordinate: "Ms. Lan asked you to return to the Huang residence immediately; the Elder Master has been shot!"
Rushing back, Cheng Yizhi found the residence in turmoil. Ms. Lan quickly took control, silencing the panicked subordinates, assuring them Huang Ruhong's injuries were not severe but required rest, and strictly forbidding anyone from leaking news of the incident. When Cheng Yizhi and Wu Lizi arrived, they found Huang Ruhong bandaged. Leizi, distraught, demanded to kill "General Luo Rengu," whom he called a "lunatic."
Cheng Yizhi, however, questioned this, noting General Luo Rengu's reputable Yizhong Company and his generally polite demeanor. He suggested there might be a misunderstanding, implying that Luo Rengu's violent act was uncharacteristic. Sensing a deeper, undisclosed conflict, Cheng Yizhi respectfully asked to be excused from the room. Leizi remained downstairs, ready for Huang Ruhong's orders.
