The Justice Episode 7 Recap
> The Justice Recap
Leizi reported to Huang Ruhong that he had exploited Jin Yishan's weakness, leading Jin Yishan to promise his resignation from the Chinese director position. Huang Ruhong acknowledged Leizi's intelligence and sent him to Liao Lan for his reward. When Huang Ruhong questioned Cheng Yizhi about Leizi's methods, Cheng Yizhi expressed his disapproval.
He explained that he had already known Jin Yishan's wife's whereabouts, but he believed that comforting a sorrowful man was more effective than threatening him, especially since their conflict was purely business. Cheng Yizhi felt the situation could have led to a friendship, but now Jin Yishan, out of spite, had chosen to resign the respectable position rather than yield.
Huang Ruhong, having great expectations for Cheng Yizhi, who he considered a potential son, announced he would personally reward Cheng Yizhi and then presented him with a brand new Cadillac. Cheng Yizhi bowed deeply in gratitude. Cheng Yizhi eagerly took Wu Lizi for a drive in the new Cadillac. Wu Lizi, initially surprised he could drive, teasingly tried to instruct him, believing he was nervous. Cheng Yizhi played along before demonstrating his masterful driving skills.
Wu Lizi then pressed him, inquiring what significant task he had completed for Huang Ruhong to earn such a gift. Cheng Yizhi downplayed it, claiming he had failed his assignment, and the car was merely an encouragement for future success. Wu Lizi remained unconvinced, remarking that if failure led to such rewards, all of Huang Ruhong's associates would own cars.
Cheng Yizhi, teasingly calling her out on her earlier feigned nervousness, commented that she was skilled at acting, but reaffirmed that he would never put her in danger. Wu Lizi mused that her father had never taken her for such drives. Later, Bell asked to borrow Cheng Yizhi's Cadillac for a day, and Cheng Yizhi generously offered it for the entire weekend.
Bell informed him that Jin Yishan had not only resigned from the Chinese director position but also from his role as director of the General Chamber of Commerce of Shanghai, attributing this to fear of Leizi. Meanwhile, Leizi presented a Hetian Jade Ruyi to Liao Lan, a gift for Commander Liao, and then proposed to Huang Ruhong the idea of opening a new club, essentially a casino, on Bixun Road in the French Concession.
Leizi argued that such a bold move, in a location overseen by the Municipal Council, would solidify Huang Ruhong's reputation as the true power in the area. Huang Ruhong gave him full authority to proceed. Other associates offered congratulatory remarks to Cheng Yizhi regarding Huang Ruhong's favor, but Cheng Yizhi humbly deflected their praise. Cheng Yizhi was then summoned to Huang Ruhong's study, where Leizi was also present.
Huang Ruhong asked Leizi about recent events, and Leizi reported on Jin Yishan's resignation from the General Chamber of Commerce director role. Huang Ruhong then recognized the now-vacant position. Cheng Yizhi seized the opportunity, volunteering to spearhead Huang Ruhong's campaign for the directorship and vowing to ensure his victory without compromising his reputation.
Huang Ruhong agreed, and Cheng Yizhi then requested permission to make donations to Jin Yishan's Tongzhou Charitable Foundation, explaining it was to show respect for Jin Yishan's decision to withdraw. Huang Ruhong granted his approval. Cheng Yizhi met with Secretary Feng of the Customs Bureau to discuss Huang Ruhong's bid for the directorship. Cheng Yizhi lauded Secretary Feng's influence over import-export trade, which he believed was crucial to the election's outcome.
Secretary Feng, however, expressed a lack of interest in Huang Ruhong, instead stating he thought highly of Cheng Yizhi himself. Nonetheless, he offered to assist Huang Ruhong out of respect for Cheng Yizhi's loyalty, on the condition that Longying Private Bank participate in Shenqin Cotton Mill's fundraising efforts. Cheng Yizhi and Bell visited Shenqin Cotton Mill, but a guard turned them away, claiming Director Zhao refused to meet with banks and private banks due to prior commitments with larger institutions.
Despite the rejection, Cheng Yizhi observed the mill's strong financial standing, evident in its ability to thrive amidst Japanese yarn dumping, and realized Secretary Feng was challenging Longying Private Bank to stand out. Cheng Yizhi then sought out Director Zhao at the cotton market. There, he impressed Director Zhao by expertly identifying cotton that had been adulterated with gypsum powder and grease.
Cheng Yizhi introduced himself, explaining how he deduced Director Zhao would be at the market, much like his friend Director Gao Dayong who sought specific tung trees for tung oil purification. Recognizing Cheng Yizhi as a financier for Zhenzhen Tung Oil Factory, Director Zhao apologized for earlier turning him away and extended an open invitation to visit the mill anytime. Cheng Yizhi continued to visit the mill frequently.
Secretary Zhang, a mill staff member, subtly warned him that despite his efforts, success was unlikely as another person was even more diligent in their pursuit of the financing deal. Cheng Yizhi discovered this person was Ki, who was skillfully explaining machine principles and combed cotton weaving techniques to the workers.
Cheng Yizhi tried to engage Ki, who preferred to be called by his nickname and declined to disclose his banking affiliation, citing a confidentiality agreement with Director Zhao regarding his presence in the workshop. Ki did mention Shenqin's ambition to produce combed standard yarn. Cheng Yizhi later asked Wu Lizi to translate technical textile books, admitting his lack of expertise in the field. Wu Lizi attempted, but explained the difficulty without a specialized dictionary.
Cheng Yizhi decided to tackle the material himself. Bell's investigation into Ki yielded no results, with no major Chinese or foreign banks knowing him. Cheng Yizhi suspected Ki might be working for foreign interests, though he found it improbable that a foreign bank would place a Chinese person in such an important role. Concluding that Ki would likely secure the financing, Cheng Yizhi quickly revised his assessment, believing Director Zhao was holding out for an even more advantageous partner.
Recognizing he couldn't outcompete Ki on technology, Cheng Yizhi resolved to find "another way," focusing on worker welfare. He then prepared a comprehensive proposal outlining plans for worker dormitories, a kindergarten, a basketball court, and disability insurance, and submitted it to Director Zhao. Bell delivered a newly made long shirt for Cheng Yizhi to Wu Lizi, expressing her acceptance of Cheng Yizhi's marriage and trusting his choices.
Wu Lizi took the shirt to Cheng Yizhi's study and, while there, discreetly searched through his books, discovering a car dealership contact card. When Cheng Yizhi unexpectedly returned, she feigned a phone call. As Cheng Yizhi made a genuine business call to Bell, requesting him to arrange a meeting with the general manager of Kangtai Insurance, the card slipped from the book. Cheng Yizhi picked it up and casually pocketed it.
Wu Lizi then urged him to try on the shirt. While he was in the bedroom, she quickly checked the book again, confirming the card was gone. After Cheng Yizhi put on the shirt, Wu Lizi unexpectedly remarked that he looked handsome. At a meeting with sixteen banks and private bank representatives, Director Zhao announced that Shimazaki Tadashi from Zhaozheng Bank and Cheng Yizhi from Longying Private Bank would jointly finance Shenqin Cotton Mill.
Director Zhao praised Shimazaki Tadashi's expertise in machinery and technology and his commitment to industrial advancement. He then lauded Cheng Yizhi for his profound concern for worker welfare, highlighting his proposals for dormitories, a kindergarten, a basketball court, and disability insurance, commending his "foresighted" vision and "generosity." Assistant Manager Wan offered mock congratulations to Cheng Yizhi for having to collaborate with a "Japanese," to which Cheng Yizhi retorted it was merely "sour grapes."
Chen General Manager congratulated Cheng Yizhi and proposed a celebratory drink. Meanwhile, Wu Lizi accompanied Liao Lan to visit Commander Liao in the hospital. Commander Liao, still recovering, expressed his anger that Huang Ruhong had not visited him, bitterly calling him "ungrateful." Wu Lizi, hearing this, discreetly left to peel an apple.
Liao Lan later confided in Wu Lizi, clarifying that contrary to rumors, Huang Ruhong did not marry her for money or power; rather, she had "desperately wanted to marry him," going against her father's wishes. She revealed that a childhood horse-riding accident had left her infertile, a fact she disclosed to Huang Ruhong soon after their marriage. Despite this, he remained devoted to her, making her feel eternally indebted.
She recounted how Huang Ruhong, even when he was a poor clerk, showed immense compassion by helping an injured gatekeeper, ultimately describing him as a "real tough guy." Returning home late, Wu Lizi found Cheng Yizhi waiting. He asked if she had noticed anything different, then proudly revealed he had bought her a piano, which he had ordered a month ago and was eager to surprise her with.
Seeing the piano and recalling the car dealership contact card she had found, which was in fact a musical instrument shop card, Wu Lizi was overcome with guilt for having misunderstood Cheng Yizhi. She profusely thanked him, feeling manipulated by her own suspicions. When everyone urged her to play, she explained she couldn't without sheet music. Despite the late hour, Cheng Yizhi enthusiastically offered to take her out to buy some.
As they drove through the night, searching for an open bookstore, Wu Lizi's eyes fell upon the sign for "Innovation Construction," bringing to mind her father's recommendation of Xu Shu, a returned PhD scholar, to that company.
