THE REBEL Episode 14 Recap
> THE REBEL Recap
After Nanjing's forced intervention, Chen Moqun reluctantly released Zhu Yizhen, but had her secretly monitored. Upon arriving home, Zhu Yizhen was met by her devoted servants, Aunt Zhang and Sister Wang, who immediately expressed their relief and concern. They noted she looked thinner and must have suffered. Aunt Zhang mentioned preparing her favorite braised pork shank for nutrition, and also that she had prepared grapefruit leaves for a bath, which they believed would cleanse away bad luck.
Meanwhile, Zhang, still bearing injuries, returned to his ravaged tailor shop, feeling a sense of desolation at the sight of the mess. That night, Gu Shenyan calmly stood by his window, aware that he was still under surveillance, a target of suspicion. In her room, Zhu Yizhen privately reflected on the harrowing experience and the sacrifices of her comrades, deeply affected by Lin Nansheng's deception. Overwhelmed, she broke down in tears.
Lin Nansheng, having regained his composure, reported to Chen Moqun as if nothing had happened. Chen Moqun informed him that he had read all the reports and believed Lin Nansheng had not made any mistakes during his engagement with Zhu Yizhen, concluding the issue lay with other factors. Convinced that Gu Shenyan would eventually make a mistake, Chen Moqun reassigned Lin Nansheng to the record office, ordering him to observe Gu Shenyan's daily activities and uncover any vulnerabilities.
Lin Nansheng then reported to Gu Shenyan, who, while understanding Lin Nansheng's secretive mission for the Station Chief, sternly warned him against using personal excuses like his mother's health again, joking that it might bring bad luck. Gu Shenyan then offered Lin Nansheng coffee and genuinely expressed that he had missed Lin Nansheng during his absence. Zhu Yizhen was expelled from Shenjiang University.
Her father, Zhu Xiaoxian, tried to persuade her to leave Shanghai, suggesting she go to Hong Kong, England, France, or America to continue her studies, as Shanghai had become too dangerous. However, Zhu Yizhen was adamant about staying, hinting at an unfinished mission. Zhu Xiaoxian, comparing her to her impulsive mother, cautioned her against involvement in politics, reminding her how few people arrested by the Secret Service ever truly escape unharmed.
He expressed his deepest wish for her safety and sorrow that he couldn't protect her forever. He also appealed to her by detailing the distress her arrest caused their household staff, mentioning Sister Wang secretly crying in the kitchen and Aunt Zhang desperately seeking help from a relative connected to the government fire department to secure her release. Zhu Xiaoxian emphasized that these people loved her like family and had watched her grow up.
Zhu Yizhen, moved, promised to take care of herself, but her father insisted she consider those who cared for her. Later, Section Chief Lu of the telecommunication department reported to Chen Moqun that the Communist superior's radio station, previously silent, had suddenly become active, transmitting frequent calls throughout the night with the same message. Chen Moqun surmised that after Zhu Yizhen's arrest, the Communists' superiors were desperate for information.
He ordered Section Chief Lu to continuously monitor the channel, with strict instructions to track its location the moment it resumed transmitting. He expressed his belief that this could lead them to the core members of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee, the Mailman, and the entire underground organization in Shanghai. The telecommunication department later requested access to archived materials on Communist radio activities from Gu Shenyan.
Seizing the opportunity, Gu Shenyan subtly probed Section Chief Lu for any new developments regarding the Communist radio, while emphasizing the importance of analyzing historical records. Soon after, Deputy Chief Wang Shi'an sought Gu Shenyan's advice on how his cousin could do business with the influential Zhu family. Gu Shenyan astutely suggested capitalizing on Zhu Yizhen's recent release, reasoning that Zhu Xiaoxian would be deeply indebted to Director Zhou for his intervention.
Gu proposed a business partnership where Zhu Xiaoxian would provide capital, Wang's cousin would manage, and Director Zhou would receive shares and year-end dividends, thus leveraging this connection to gain influence in Nanjing, potentially reaching Minister Kong. Wang Shi'an was thrilled by the ingenious plan and profusely thanked Gu Shenyan, insisting he take a share in the venture, which Gu politely refused, offering only his advice.
Gu Shenyan then used Wang Shi'an's phone to call Shengji Fishery, confirming an existing order for flower crabs and requesting more, stating he would pick them up himself. This was a coded message to Ji Zhongyuan, disguised as the stall owner. At the fishery, Gu quickly informed Ji that he was being tailed and that both the Zhu family and Zhang's tailor shop remained under heavy surveillance, with two Secret Service squads assigned to Zhu Yizhen's residence.
Gu explained that Zhu Yizhen and Zhang were still in grave danger; they couldn't flee without being deemed absconders, yet staying exposed them to constant risk of re-arrest. He also mentioned that Comrade Sun Fuan and several other comrades had been killed, creating a precarious situation. Gu Shenyan revealed to Ji Zhongyuan that the Secret Service had found a radio in Zhu Yizhen's house during her previous arrest, which was used for receiving instructions from their superiors.
He explained that the main transmitter was securely hidden in her family's bank safe, a place no one would suspect. Due to the recent complex events and the killings of comrades, Gu stressed the urgent need to report back to their superiors with his plan for assistance. Later, while sharing flower crabs, Chen Moqun tried to gauge Gu Shenyan's thoughts on the Communist's next moves.
Gu feigned agreement with Chen's frustrations about the relentless Communists, subtly advising him not to overexert himself, reminding him that personal well-being should not be sacrificed for work. He also expressed admiration for Chen Moqun's dedication, making Chen feel secure. When Chen regretfully attributed the failure in Wang Zhi's case to other departments, Gu gently corrected him, admitting that the Communists had simply outmaneuvered them this time. Chen, however, declared his unyielding resolve to hunt down all Communists in Shanghai.
Chen then hypothetically asked Gu what he would do as the head of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee in this situation. Gu shrewdly suggested prioritizing the safety of his people and maintaining silence until the opportune moment, acknowledging that without activity, there was nothing for the Secret Service to track. Just then, Section Chief Lu arrived, and Gu took the opportunity to tell Lu that he would have Lin Nansheng deliver additional records of Communist radio activity.
Aunt Zhang, while at the market, was approached by a man who mysteriously handed her 50 yuan, asking her to return it to Zhu Yizhen as repayment for a loan for his child's medical treatment. Aunt Zhang relayed this to Zhu Yizhen, who, upon inspecting the banknote, noticed "Guangci Gynecology" subtly written on it. Understanding the coded message, Zhu Yizhen promptly went to Guangci Hospital, heading directly to the gynecology department.
Secret Service agents, who had been following her, were unable to enter the women-only area. Inside, a nurse, sent by Ji Zhongyuan, met Zhu Yizhen. Zhu Yizhen expressed deep remorse for her past recklessness and its damage to the party, requesting disciplinary action. The nurse assured her that her message would be conveyed and then entrusted her with an important new mission. Following her instructions, Zhu Yizhen contacted Banque de l'Indochine to arrange access to her safe deposit box.
A report from surveillance agents to Chen Moqun highlighted the suspicious exchange at the market, Zhu Yizhen's unmonitored visit to Guangci Hospital, and her scheduled bank appointment, leading Chen Moqun to suspect a possible trap and caution his men against hasty action, recalling the previous botched arrest. The next day, Zhu Yizhen went to the bank and retrieved a large, heavy black suitcase from her family's safe deposit box.
Immediately after leaving, she instructed her driver to run red lights and circle the city, clearly attempting to shake off her tail. Agents reported her suspicious behavior and evasive driving to Chen Moqun, who acknowledged the potential significance but remained wary. Meanwhile, Gu Shenyan made a calculated move. He publicly called Palace Hotel, booking room 209 under his name, ensuring Lin Nansheng would overhear the details before leaving the office for the afternoon.
Lin Nansheng, as expected, reported this information to Chen Moqun. Simultaneously, surveillance agents reported Zhu Yizhen's continued evasive driving, which, when analyzed by Chen Moqun's team, showed her route converging on Palace Hotel.
With Zhu Yizhen carrying a large, heavy suitcase – which Chen suspected to be the high-powered Communist radio from the bank safe – and Gu Shenyan booking a room at the same hotel, Chen Moqun concluded they were meeting to either transmit urgent information or relocate the device. Convinced he had uncovered their secret rendezvous, Chen Moqun mobilized a large team of agents to the Palace Hotel, intending to catch them red-handed.
Chen Moqun, confident in his intelligence, led his team to storm the private room. Gu Shenyan, playing his part, greeted Chen with feigned surprise, inquiring about the intrusion. Ignoring Gu's questions, Chen demanded that Zhu Yizhen's suitcase be opened, convinced it contained illicit Communist materials.
Despite Gu's protestations that it belonged to the Zhu family, Chen forced it open, only to find it filled with gold bars and a shareholders' equity statement for "Shanghai Yimei Trading Co., Ltd." The document listed Zhu Xiaoxian with 50% shares, Zhou Yaoting with 30%, Wang Shi'an with 10%, and even Gu Shenyan himself with 10%.
Just then, Zhou Yaoting, Wang Shi'an, and Zhu Xiaoxian emerged from an adjacent private dining room, revealing they were in the midst of a business meeting. Zhou Yaoting was furious, sarcastically questioning Chen Moqun's presence, accusing him of overstepping his authority and trying to expose him for bribery. Chen tried to explain it was a "misunderstanding," but Zhou dismissed him, declaring that Chen had caught him "red-handed" and promising to commend his "contribution" to headquarters.
Zhu Xiaoxian attempted to express gratitude for Zhou's help in clearing his daughter, but Zhou, still seething, outright rejected the business partnership and advised Zhu to donate the gold bars to a social welfare organization or orphanage.
