The Knockout Episode 37 Recap
> The Knockout Recap
Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection Standing Deputy Secretary He Liming summoned Xu Zhong for questioning. Xu Zhong meticulously reviewed the complaint materials and pointed out that the winery and properties listed in the report had all been recently transferred to his name. He explained this was a clear attempt to frame him and hinder his investigation. He Liming expressed trust in Xu Zhong's integrity and suggested submitting the evidence against Gao Qiqiang to the Provincial Committee.
This, He Liming believed, would swiftly resolve Xu Zhong's predicament. Xu Zhong disagreed, arguing that a premature conclusion would only serve the interests of their adversaries. While he couldn't immediately offer an alternative, he emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation. Despite being temporarily suspended, Xu Zhong stated his commitment to cooperating with the investigation and returning to work as soon as possible.
He Liming reminded him of the Party and State's unwavering determination in combating organized crime and rectifying the political and legal teams, emphasizing that progress must be shown. Meanwhile, Zhao Lidong, seeking to gain time against Gao Qiqiang, had instructed Jiang Tian to fabricate the bribery allegations against Xu Zhong. Zhao Lidong also ordered Jiang Tian to uncover Gao Qiqiang's weaknesses and then eliminate him.
Gao Qiqiang, wary of Xu Zhong's potential return and strong retaliation, had orchestrated a "ruse" (the recent assassination attempt) to divert the investigation's focus onto Jiang Tian. Huang Yao visited Xiaochen at the hospital, where Gao Qilan was also present. During their conversation, Huang Yao innocently mentioned a large sum of "technical service fees" that Gao Qiqiang had instructed her to transfer to Hong Kong.
Gao Qilan immediately realized that Gao Qiqiang had hired the assassins and secretly asked Huang Yao for a favor. Soon after, Gao Qilan and Xiaochen disappeared without a trace. Gao Qiqiang dispatched Tang Xiaohu and his men to search for them, then called An Xin, inquiring if Gao Qilan had contacted him. Jiang Tian, upon hearing of their disappearance, sent his own associate, Guo Shanfeng, to find Gao Qilan and Xiaochen, intending to use them as leverage against Gao Qiqiang.
Gao Qiqiang, however, preempted Jiang Tian by orchestrating the kidnapping of Jiang Tian's wife and child in Hong Kong. He contacted Jiang Tian, demanding he commit suicide in front of the city hall within an hour, or his family would be doused with gasoline and killed. In despair, Jiang Tian called the guidance team, confessing that his report against Xu Zhong was a fabrication and that he had been forced.
He offered to reveal everything he knew if his family could be rescued. Deputy Team Leader Ji Ze immediately instructed Fang Ning to report Jiang Tian's information and clues to the Provincial Public Security Department, who then contacted the Hong Kong police. Sun Xu was assigned to locate Jiang Tian's phone and ensure his safety, preventing any drastic actions. The Hong Kong SDU swiftly responded, locating and safely rescuing Jiang Tian's wife and child from their captors.
Two members of the central supervision team arrived in Linjiang Province to assist with the investigation. They quickly established Xu Zhong's innocence, confirming that all the allegations against him were false. The "hidden gold in wooden horse" was indeed a ploy orchestrated by Jiang Tian, and the offshore account that the alleged bribe was transferred to belonged to Jiang Tian's wife, not Xu Zhong. Back at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, He Liming acknowledged Xu Zhong's vindication.
Xu Zhong expressed an urgent desire to return to Jinghai and resume the investigation. He Liming suggested Xu Zhong remain and report on their progress, hinting at his own aspirations for promotion. Xu Zhong, however, clarified that he had little interest in career advancement and was solely focused on continuing the investigation into the Qiangsheng Group. He Liming ultimately conceded, reminding Xu Zhong to prioritize the broader objectives and avoid unnecessary complications.
Xu Zhong also learned that Jiang Tian had committed suicide. Unbeknownst to Gao Qiqiang, Tang Xiaohu's wife, A Lian, discovered suspicious sounds emanating from another house she and Tang Xiaohu owned, leading her to suspect Tang Xiaohu of infidelity. She confronted Gao Qiqiang and even brought her brother to catch Tang Xiaohu in the act.
Gao Qiqiang had been hiding the male and female assassins from Hong Kong in that very house, intending to move them once the immediate danger subsided. Fearing A Lian's actions would expose the assassins, Gao Qiqiang hastily ordered Tang Xiaohu to relocate them to Chen Jinmo's old house. Tang Xiaohu moved the assassins, but upon arriving at Chen Jinmo's old house, he discovered Gao Qilan and Xiaochen were already hiding there.
Xiaochen immediately recognized the two assassins as his recent attackers and lunged at them, seeking revenge. Tang Xiaohu desperately restrained him, explaining that their presence was part of Gao Qiqiang's intricate plan. At that moment, Guo Shanfeng appeared and shot the male assassin with a crossbow. Tang Xiaohu quickly pulled Xiaochen and Gao Qilan inside, just as Guo Shanfeng threw a torch into the house, engulfing it in flames. Gao Qilan promptly called the police.
Tang Xiaohu bravely covered their escape through a window. Guo Shanfeng then killed the female assassin with another crossbow bolt. Tang Xiaohu engaged Guo Shanfeng in a desperate struggle, sacrificing himself to ensure Gao Qilan and Xiaochen's retreat. Guo Shanfeng shot Tang Xiaohu dead, but Tang Xiaohu held onto him firmly until his last breath. The police arrived swiftly and rescued Gao Qilan and Xiaochen, while Guo Shanfeng managed to slip away.
An Xin attempted to question Xiaochen about their hiding place and how the assassins had found them, but Xiaochen remained silent, emphasizing that Tang Xiaohu had saved them and they were victims. An Xin, suspecting Gao Qilan knew Gao Qiqiang's secrets and was protecting Xiaochen, earnestly urged Xiaochen to tell the truth and escape the constant danger. Gao Qiqiang abruptly arrived and angrily sent An Xin away, preventing further interrogation of his son.
Meanwhile, Xu Zhong returned to the guidance team and was warmly welcomed by Ji Ze and his colleagues, who assured him their work had not faltered during his absence, and updated him that Gao Xiaochen was currently being questioned by An Xin and Sun Xu. Later, Gao Qilan confronted Huang Yao by the sea, demanding she disclose everything she knew about Gao Qiqiang's affairs. Before Huang Yao could fully respond, Gao Qiqiang arrived.
He dismissed Huang Yao, intending to have a private conversation with Gao Qilan. He attempted to discredit An Xin, claiming he was manipulating their family, but Gao Qilan countered that she could no longer distinguish truth from lies in their turbulent lives.
