THE REBEL Episode 16 Recap
> THE REBEL Recap
Lin Nansheng took on the role of Lan Xinjie’s driver, regularly escorting her to and from work. Meanwhile, the team tasked with monitoring Ikeda Eisuke, led by Hu Daoyi, found it impossible to get close to the suspected Japanese spy. The surveillance team reported their findings to their superiors, detailing that Ikeda moved with extreme caution, was always accompanied, and restricted his movements to places frequented by Japanese businessmen and soldiers.
This made direct surveillance challenging, preventing the team from gathering any useful intelligence. Wang Shi'an, the station chief, was displeased with the lack of progress and the pressure from higher authorities in Nanjing. He firmly instructed his team to find new solutions, expressing his belief that Ikeda was engaged in illicit activities in Shanghai, despite the absence of concrete evidence. During this period, Lin Nansheng had discreetly inquired with Lan Xinjie about Ikeda's true identity.
While Lan Xinjie acknowledged Ikeda as a regular client at the dance hall, she adhered to her policy of not prying into clients' personal affairs. Lin Nansheng explained his urgent need for information, as he was unable to make direct contact with Ikeda himself. Lan Xinjie agreed to try and help, though she made no guarantees.
She then proposed that Lin Nansheng act as her driver, reasoning that this way her assistance wouldn't be uncompensated, and it would simplify the exchange of any information she uncovered. Lan Xinjie's sharp observational skills led her to notice fine sand in Ikeda’s shoes. Having grown up by the sea, she recognized the distinct sand and concluded that Ikeda frequently visited the beach.
This observation added to the intelligence agency's existing suspicions, as Ikeda was publicly known as the head of a fishery trading company whose activities included purchasing stock from beaches, an unusual task for a company president. Lin Nansheng later borrowed Lan Xinjie’s car to visit the beach and investigate further. Upon his return, he pressed Lan Xinjie for more information, particularly concerning the upcoming Tenno Festival party at Ikeda's home, to which she had been invited.
Lan Xinjie expressed her reservations, pointing out that as a dancer, people naturally withheld sensitive information from her. She felt she had already provided sufficient help to a friend. Lin Nansheng emphasized the critical importance of the matter, describing Ikeda as a dangerous figure far more complex than he appeared. He also acknowledged her need for compensation, promising to discuss payment with his superior. Driven by his desire to remain in Shanghai, Lin Nansheng sought out Wang Shi'an.
Despite Wang Shi'an's initial resistance and a reminder of his transfer order to Nanjing, Lin Nansheng stated his determination to investigate Ikeda and earn a chance to stay. He revealed that the surveillance team had already been withdrawn and presented his findings, explaining that he had obtained information through a "peripheral agent" and had secured an opportunity to get close to Ikeda and enter his residence.
Lin Nansheng detailed Ikeda’s upcoming Tenno Festival party, a celebration of the Japanese emperor's birthday, to which his agent, Lan Xinjie, had been invited. He requested Wang Shi'an to officially recognize Lan Xinjie as a peripheral agent and approve her payment. Wang Shi'an, impressed by Lin Nansheng's initiative, agreed to fund the mission. He then inquired if Lin Nansheng would still proceed without the promise of remaining in Shanghai.
Lin Nansheng firmly affirmed he would, explaining his conviction that the Japanese were invaders and must be stopped. Satisfied, Wang Shi'an promised Lin Nansheng could stay if he successfully uncovered Ikeda's true identity and operational goals in Shanghai. He then instructed Lin Nansheng to equip his agent with a miniature camera to obtain solid evidence.
When Lin Nansheng informed Lan Xinjie of the full scope of the mission, she first shared joyous personal news: she was getting married to a soldier from the 87th Division, a man she loved who would finally give her a home. She then admitted her desperate need for money to plan for her future, as her fiancé did not wish for her to continue working at the dance hall, and his military pay was meager.
Upon seeing the miniature camera, Lan Xinjie hesitated, acknowledging the extreme risk involved in taking photographs compared to merely gathering verbal intelligence. Lin Nansheng apologized for placing her in such danger but stressed that this was their only opportunity to get close to Ikeda, whom he identified as an invader intent on harming the Chinese people. Lan Xinjie, recalling the horrors of the January 28th incident and the Japanese bombing of Zhabei, eventually relented.
She requested Lin Nansheng teach her how to use the camera and made him promise to pay her the agreed-upon sum immediately upon the mission's completion. Lin Nansheng readily agreed and instructed her on operating the device. Before the party, Lin Nansheng met Zuo Qiuming, whom he had previously observed with Ikeda and Takahashi at the dance hall.
Zuo Qiuming explained he was in Shanghai on a business venture for a Ministry of Transport official's relative, and his work primarily involved dealings with the Japanese. Lin Nansheng, aware that Zuo Qiuming would attend the Tenno Festival party, asked him to look after Lan Xinjie, especially if she found herself in danger. Zuo Qiuming inquired if Lan Xinjie was part of Lin Nansheng's network, but Lin Nansheng insisted she was simply his friend.
Zuo Qiuming also revealed he knew about Lin Nansheng's transfer order to Nanjing, and Lin Nansheng confirmed his desire to stay in Shanghai, explaining that the Ikeda investigation was his chance to remain. Zuo Qiuming acknowledged the risks involved, given the chaotic nature of the party, and explicitly agreed to help, assuring Lin Nansheng he would do his best. On the day of the Tenno Festival party, Lin Nansheng drove a visibly nervous Lan Xinjie to Ikeda's opulent residence.
Seeing her anxiety, he urged her to calm herself, even offering to abort the mission, but she bravely asserted her resolve. He reminded her that her safety was paramount and that while taking photos was crucial, she should not force herself if the risk was too high. He also provided instructions on how to react if she encountered trouble.
At the entrance, Ikeda was waiting, but the guards still rigorously checked Lan Xinjie's invitation, a stark reminder of the mission's gravity. Inside, as Ikeda, Takahashi, and Zuo Qiuming engaged in animated business discussions, with Zuo confirming his boss's satisfaction with their commitment and his own efforts to foster harmonious relations between the two nations, Lan Xinjie excused herself to use the ladies' room.
From there, she discreetly made her way to Ikeda's private study, using the miniature camera to photograph documents and pictures on the wall. Meanwhile, Ikeda noticed her prolonged absence and, excusing himself from the conversation, began to search for her. As he approached his study, Colonel Fukuda unexpectedly arrived, asking for Ikeda in the front yard, thereby diverting Ikeda and narrowly saving Lan Xinjie from discovery. During her clandestine search, Lan Xinjie stumbled upon a disturbing photograph that fell from a book, depicting Ikeda brutally killing innocent civilians, leaving her visibly shaken.
