The Knockout Episode 27 Recap
> The Knockout Recap
The Third Guidance Team for education and rectification, led by Xu Zhong and Ji Ze, arrived in Jinghai. Mayor Zhao Lidong and his leadership team were waiting at the highway exit, but Xu Zhong ignored them, directing the driver straight to the guesthouse. Soon after their arrival, their preferred tennis court was converted to a table tennis hall.
Xu Zhong reported to his leader about the achievements of the Jinghai campaign against gang crimes, particularly the crackdown on Chen Tai's Construction Engineering Group, but noted new intelligence suggested a more concealed criminal organization was operating in the city. He realized a tough battle lay ahead, as the opposition was well-informed about their activities and preferences. The guidance team's arrival coincided with the unexpected death of Gong Kaijiang, Vice Chairperson of CPPCC.
Investigations uncovered significant assets of unknown origin under his name. Ji Ze was particularly frustrated, as he had identified Gong Kaijiang as a potential "soft target" for their initial investigations. However, Gong Kaijiang’s sudden demise due to what was officially deemed an accident, along with the subsequent arrest and interrogation of his secretary and driver by local Jinghai authorities, prevented the guidance team from interfering directly, further deepening Ji Ze’s frustration.
Later, Xu Zhong met with An Changlin, Secretary of the CPLAC, who acknowledged that while some in Jinghai's political and legal system wished the guidance team would leave, others, like himself, welcomed their presence. Xu Zhong emphasized that their mission was to expose corruption from within, and this process would inevitably cause discomfort among many. An Changlin pledged his support. Meanwhile, Zhang Biao led a police team to raid an underground casino, successfully apprehending a long-wanted suspect.
An Xin was present to film the operation but, much to Zhang Biao's irritation, focused on recording rather than assisting when a suspect attempted to flee. In the car ride back, Zhang Biao tried to discuss the case, but An Xin, appearing indifferent, spoke about early retirement, even musing about re-evaluating an old arm injury to qualify. Their conversation escalated into an argument when Zhang Biao confronted An Xin about frequently watching movies with Gao Qilan.
An Xin defended himself by citing Gao Qiqiang's status as a respected entrepreneur, philanthropist, and member of the CPPCC, prompting Zhang Biao to accuse An Xin of trying to marry into the powerful Gao family. An Xin, annoyed, demanded the car be stopped. Gao Qiqiang, aware of the guidance team’s arrival, deliberately orchestrated reports to them about his underground casinos to divert their attention.
He was observing the 20th anniversary of Chen Shuting’s death, a day he observed annually by hosting a family dinner at their old house. He personally went to the market to buy groceries, visiting his former fish stall. He saw a young man named Diao now running the stall, reminiscing about his early struggles.
Diao, not recognizing Gao Qiqiang, proudly told him that the old chair in the stall once belonged to Gao Qiqiang, Jinghai's most influential figure, and declared his ambition to become the next Gao Qiqiang. Gao Qiqiang, amused, bought a fish and then left. Gao Qiqiang cooked a large dinner, with Tang Xiaolong and Tang Xiaohu invited to join the family.
He reiterated to Tang Xiaolong that he still suspected Shuting’s death was not an accident and instructed him to continue the investigation, authorizing him to handle any discoveries of foul play without seeking further permission. When Gao Qilan arrived home, Gao Qiqiang asked her to light incense for their late parents, brother, and Shuting. Gao Qiqiang had anticipated his adopted son, Xiaochen, would return for the dinner, but Xiaohu informed him that Xiaochen had refused to come.
Annoyed, Gao Qiqiang insisted that Xiaohu keep calling Xiaochen, demanding his presence, especially given the solemn occasion. Huang Yao expressed her concern to Gao Qilan about Gao Qiqiang’s potential anger over Xiaochen’s absence. Huang Yao then went to find Xiaochen, who was with friends, preparing to race motorcycles. Xiaochen was dismissive and impatient, refusing to return home and telling Huang Yao that the old house was "not his home."
After persistent pleading, Xiaochen challenged Huang Yao: if she dared to ride with him for a lap and did not cry out of fear, he would return home. Huang Yao accepted. They sped off on their motorbikes, ignoring police orders to pull over, and assaulted a traffic police officer who attempted to intervene. Xiaochen and his friends were subsequently arrested and taken to the Jinghai City Public Security Bureau Criminal Investigation Unit.
Gao Qilan received a call from the police, informing her of Xiaochen and Huang Yao's arrest for dangerous driving and assaulting an officer. She hastily left the family dinner, fabricating an emergency at the hospital to conceal the truth from Gao Qiqiang. At the police station, Gao Qilan claimed that Gao Qiqiang was hospitalized, and she, as Xiaochen’s aunt, was overwhelmed and offered monetary compensation for the incident. Soon, Gao Qiqiang arrived with Tang Xiaolong and Tang Xiaohu.
Gao Qiqiang then called Zhang Biao, who, after a private conversation with the injured traffic police officer, released Xiaochen. After this incident, An Changlin informed Xu Zhong about a deep-seated network within Jinghai’s political and legal system, suggesting that the source of the city’s problems might even extend to the provincial level, involving individuals in high positions.
He recommended An Xin to Xu Zhong, highlighting An Xin’s extensive experience in public security and his intimate knowledge of Jinghai’s situation, particularly his understanding of Gao Qiqiang. An Changlin subsequently wrote a heartfelt letter to An Xin, lamenting his transformation over the past two decades from an upright young officer to a weary, grey-haired middle-aged man. He acknowledged An Xin's numerous, yet fruitless, whistleblower letters that had gone nowhere due to the immense power of their adversaries.
An Changlin urged An Xin to cooperate with the guidance team, emphasizing that this was the opportune moment for his "blade" to finally be unsheathed. The guidance team distributed self-investigation report forms to all officers in the Jinghai public security system, instructing them to truthfully disclose any receipt of company property and their interactions with individuals like Gao Qiqiang. An Xin completed his form honestly, detailing his interactions with Gao Qiqiang.
Xu Zhong and Ji Ze, having reviewed his report and discussed his background, invited An Xin to a meeting at a swimming pool, chosen specifically to thwart any potential listening devices. An Xin, however, remained evasive, offering only vague pleasantries and claiming ignorance of high-level city affairs, stating he only knew "family trivialities." He admitted to being wary, especially since he felt he was being watched by his colleagues as the first to be interviewed.
Xu Zhong and Ji Ze observed his guarded demeanor, concluding that An Xin harbored hidden secrets they needed to uncover. In their investigation, Fang Ning discovered an anomaly concerning Gong Kaijiang: he had illegally approved Qiangsheng Group's renovation project in Mud Loach Village. The project had proceeded despite receiving consent from fewer than half of the villagers, far below the required 80%, and lacked the necessary environmental department’s signature.
Xu Zhong dispatched Fang Ning and Sun Xu to Qiangsheng Group for an explanation. They were told that Gao Qiqiang was not available, as he was busy doing volunteer work at a nursing home. At the nursing home, Gao Qiqiang was meticulously tending to plants, explaining to an elderly resident how he used "pearlite," "fish pond mud," and "egg shells" to help them thrive, while also tidying up to ensure safety.
Back at Qiangsheng Group, Tang Xiaohu claimed complete ignorance about the Mud Loach Village project. Fang Ning and Sun Xu then visited the Construction Committee, where a staff member placed all blame on Gong Kaijiang. The staff member explained that he had initially marked "No" on the approval document due to incomplete paperwork but was pressured by "senior" officials to expedite the project, leaving him caught between displeased villagers and demanding leaders.
He revealed that Gong Kaijiang had specifically pushed for the project's quick approval. Realizing that everyone was conveniently pinning the blame on the deceased Gong Kaijiang, Xu Zhong instructed Fang Ning and Sun Xu to visit Mud Loach Village directly, to inquire about the village cadres involved and investigate any instances of violent demolition. Upon arriving at Mud Loach Village, Fang Ning and Sun Xu attempted to question residents about the voluntary nature of their consent to the demolition project.
However, the villagers were resistant, many walking away or simply refusing to engage. One villager stood with a large dog by an open gate, subtly intimidating the investigators. The guidance team members split up to question different households, but encountered universal uncooperativeness. At home, Gao Qiqiang spoke with Huang Yao, advising her about Tang Xiaolong's health, mentioning that Tang Xiaolong still skipped breakfast and drank too much.
Huang Yao, who was rotating through various departments at Qiangsheng Group, confirmed she had completed seven rotations and would move to the finance department next month. Just then, Tang Xiaohu informed Gao Qiqiang that the guidance team had sent people to Mud Loach Village.
