The Knockout Episode 34 Recap
> The Knockout Recap
Wang Li, having previously refused Gao Qiqiang's large sum of money and subsequently been threatened with a gun, nervously approached Zhao Lidong to resign. Zhao Lidong, asking if he had been threatened, expressed regret, reminding Wang Li that his appointment as Deputy Director was expected by the end of the month, but ultimately agreed to his request to return to his hometown, Lishui County.
Wang Li explained that he felt Gao Qiqiang could easily find a scapegoat for the robbery, turning it into a simple case, and everyone understood this except Officer Lu Han, who relentlessly pursued the truth. An Xin affirmed that Lu Han's persistence was driven by his refusal to collude with criminals. Wang Li, feeling deeply indebted to Lu Han, asked An Xin to tell him if Lu Han was ever found, believing he owed him.
An Xin assured him that Lu Han would have appreciated his honesty and that they were "even." An Xin then recorded Wang Li's testimony. Meanwhile, Fang Ning and Yang Youzhu from the special investigation team visited Zhao Lidong's office to inquire about the 228 robbery and shooting case. Zhao Lidong was not there, so Secretary Wang received them warmly, subtly hinting at the pressures and emotions that arise when the investigation team appears.
Secretary Wang, while seemingly lamenting the situation, subtly glorified Zhao Lidong, portraying Yang Jian and Ma Tao as "black sheep" who monopolized Jinghai's power system, harming businesses, government credibility, urban development, and most importantly, the public's interests. He then shared a story from 2017: a major pharmaceutical plant project, personally spearheaded by Mayor Zhao for two years, faced persistent delays because the Power Supply Bureau withheld approval for its construction plan.
Eventually, a local company, Jinghai Electric Power Industrial Company, was brought in to redo the plan, inflating the project cost from 10 million to 30 million yuan. He pointed out the "unusual relationship" between Ma Tao, the general manager of that company, and Deputy Director Yang Jian of the Power Supply Bureau, implying a corrupt exchange of interests, and questioned who truly profited from the inflated project costs.
Realizing the investigation team was at his office, Zhao Lidong angrily used a burner phone to instruct Guo Shanfeng to go to Lishui County and eliminate Wang Li, fearing Wang Li would speak carelessly and create problems for him. He reminded Guo Shanfeng that without his intervention, Gao Qiqiang would have eliminated Guo Shanfeng long ago. Separately, Mr. Huang summoned Zhao Lidong to a nursing home, urging him to set aside his conflicts with Meng Dehai and Gao Qiqiang.
He advised them to unite against the guidance team's investigation, warning that "if the boat capsizes, no one would escape." Zhao Lidong expressed his willingness to work towards stability and unity, though he subtly shifted blame, suggesting Mr. Huang "teach Meng Dehai a lesson" for his arrogance. He also revealed that the special investigation team was reopening Yang Jian's case for Deputy Director, implying Xu Zhong was trying to "swallow Jinghai."
Fang Ning and Yang Youzhu later presented their findings to Xu Zhong, detailing a systematic corruption in Jinghai's electricity sector. Developers were forced to collaborate with Ma Tao's company from the start, with fake bids from other companies. Electricity project costs were severely inflated, and non-compliance led to denial of permanent power. Even after these inflated payments, the Power Supply Bureau, under Yang Jian, would invent excuses to delay building acceptance, extorting more "inspection fees."
These costs were ultimately passed on to homebuyers. Xu Zhong was horrified, describing the situation as Jinghai residents unknowingly funding a group of "vampires" with their mortgage payments. He speculated that Meng Dehai would soon face difficulties and that Gao Qiqiang would eventually seek mercy. He also reiterated his belief that Gao Qiqiang should "take his money and get out" if he were smart, stating he couldn't allow him to be captured alive by the guidance team.
That evening, An Xin waited in the rain at a street food stall outside a seafood restaurant where Yang Jian was dining. Yang Jian, having just finished a celebratory dinner with Gao Qiqiang and his associates, spotted An Xin and approached him. An Xin offered him food, but Yang Jian, claiming he was starving after drinking all night, refused.
An Xin reminisced about his former disciple, Lu Han, who loved similar street food and wondered if he was alive and merely hiding. An Xin then directly brought up the 228 shooting case and its victim, Wang Li, noting that Wang Li had competed with Yang Jian for the Deputy Director position. An Xin suggested that if Wang Li hadn't left Jinghai, he might have disappeared like Lu Han.
Yang Jian, growing defensive, claimed ignorance, stating he only "heard about" the cases. An Xin then pressed Yang Jian to swear on the police badge visible on his old police vest that he knew nothing and was never involved. Yang Jian reluctantly swore, and An Xin, though seemingly accepting, cryptically remarked, "Let's see who pays next time."
Later, walking home in the rain, Yang Jian recalled a conversation from seven years ago when Gao Qiqiang approached him, offering assistance with his Deputy Director promotion. This moment marked the beginning of their corrupt association. Yang Jian gazed at the old police vest he still wore, reflecting on his choices. Soon after his meeting with An Xin, Wang Li was ambushed by Guo Shanfeng, disguised as a cleaner, near his home.
Guo Shanfeng knocked him unconscious and transported him in a garbage truck to a sand-dredging boat. Wang Li awoke bound and attempted to escape but was quickly subdued by Guo Shanfeng, who revealed they were both "the leader's people" and that Wang Li's mention of Tan Siyan to the special investigation team was his undoing. Guo Shanfeng explained that by eliminating Wang Li after his meeting with the special investigation team about Gao Qiqiang, suspicion would fall on Gao Qiqiang.
Guo Shanfeng then killed Wang Li and encased his body in concrete. A patrol boat passed nearby, but Guo Shanfeng calmly concealed his actions. Meng Dehai and Meng Yu returned home from the hospital, where Yang Jian had prepared dinner. Meng Dehai sent Meng Yu away to pick up their daughter, stating he needed to speak with Yang Jian alone.
Meng Dehai confronted Yang Jian about the rumors linking him to Gao Qiqiang, exacerbated by the guidance team's scrutiny of the Power Supply Bureau. He urged Yang Jian to tell him the truth so he could "save him." Yang Jian confessed that his business dealings with Gao Qiqiang had started early and were extensive, always conducted through Tang Xiaohu to shield Gao Qiqiang.
He maintained he had no knowledge of the 228 shooting case or Lu Han's disappearance, attributing it to Gao Qiqiang's extreme caution in avoiding direct involvement and leaving evidence. Meng Dehai was shocked by the depth of Yang Jian's entanglement but was relieved to hear he wasn't involved in any murders. Yang Jian then asked if he still had a chance to rectify his mistakes, admitting that Meng Yu likely suspected some of his illicit activities.
Meng Dehai assured him he would handle Meng Yu. Xu Zhong later informed An Xin of Wang Li's disappearance, noting that surveillance yielded no clues. An Xin reasoned that Gao Qiqiang was unlikely the culprit, as he would have acted much sooner if Wang Li had incriminating evidence. He suspected someone was deliberately trying to "muddy the waters" in Jinghai.
Xu Zhong then revealed that Meng Dehai and Yang Jian had been unusually active, and due to their close relationship, Meng Dehai himself was under suspicion. He suggested An Xin recuse himself from the investigation due to his personal ties to Meng Dehai. An Xin, however, insisted he was the most suitable person to lead the investigation, emphasizing his long-standing relationship with Meng Dehai, whom he called "uncle."
He stressed that while Meng Dehai was proud, he was not inherently evil, and An Xin's unique perspective made him the most appropriate choice to handle the unavoidable situation. An Xin then invited Gao Qiqiang to dinner. Gao Qiqiang complained about An Xin choosing an expensive restaurant, implying An Xin wished to financially ruin him. An Xin retorted that Gao Qiqiang would eventually "have a home."
Gao Qiqiang tried to offer An Xin some "stick rice with chicken," calling it the best. An Xin then directly questioned Gao Qiqiang about Wang Li's disappearance, to which Gao Qiqiang adamantly denied any involvement, claiming ignorance. Gao Qiqiang expressed his frustration at being "surrounded by enemies" and blamed for everything in Jinghai, urging An Xin not to be swayed by others.
As An Xin attempted to press for more information, Gao Qiqiang abruptly brought his sister, Gao Qilan, to their table, remarking that it had been over twenty years since the three of them last dined together. Gao Qiqiang clarified that Gao Qilan had never been involved in his business, past or present, emphasizing her innocence. He then openly suggested that An Xin should marry Gao Qilan and promptly left, claiming a meeting, having already paid for his meal.
He urged An Xin to be clear if he did not care for Gao Qilan, noting her twenty-year wait. Gao Qilan apologized for her brother's actions and discussed her injured arm, expressing resignation that it might never fully heal. She revealed her intention to join a medical team going to Africa and subtly invited An Xin to accompany her as a family member. An Xin, while declining the invitation, promised to drive her to the airport when she departed.
Later, Gao Qiqiang called Secretary Wang, stating that An Xin was closely monitoring him and requesting Zhao Lidong's help, citing his years of service to the mayor. Secretary Wang dismissed Gao Qiqiang's importance, reminding him that many others also contributed to Jinghai. Gao Qiqiang then subtly threatened Secretary Wang by mentioning his knowledge of Tan Siyan and a "recorder." Secretary Wang suggested Gao Qiqiang develop his business elsewhere for everyone's benefit, implying he should leave Jinghai.
Gao Qiqiang angrily refused, asserting his roots in Jinghai, and hung up. He then called Tang Xiaohu, informing him that he had "turned against" Zhao Lidong and predicted the imminent downfall of Yang Jian and Jinghai Electric Power Industrial Company. He instructed Tang Xiaohu to prepare their own exit strategy, suggesting that liabilities from some smaller projects could be shifted to project managers and accountants, who would only face "three to five years" in prison.
Tang Xiaohu mentioned that Ma Tao had a gun, to which Gao Qiqiang responded positively, encouraging Ma Tao to "cause as much trouble as possible." Finally, Ma Tao was observed consuming drugs disguised as milk tea. He claimed to someone present that he had been clean for years, with all his urine tests being clean. Moments later, members of the special investigation team arrived to apprehend him, asking him to cooperate with their investigation.
