THE REBEL Episode 21 Recap
> THE REBEL Recap
Chen Moqun, now with no other recourse, sought out Takahashi Senbei, offering the intelligence he possessed. He disclosed details about secret contact points of both the Kuomintang (KMT) and Communist Party (CCP) in Beiping, Qingdao, and Tianjin. Takahashi welcomed him, and Chen Moqun specifically revealed that Beiping's Military Intelligence Bureau Radio Station 001 was located at No. 7, Ganmian Hutong, specifying the first house on the left, owned by Li Li Ming, who lived with two cousins.
He explained a vase code: below the window meant occupied, by the window meant vacant. For Qingdao, he identified Du Geng, a teacher at Huide Girls' Middle School, and his wife Xie Xiu Juan, as Military Intelligence Bureau agents who had been sending intelligence about Japanese force deployments to Chongqing since 1938. Takahashi was satisfied but made it clear he was more interested in information about Shanghai and the Communists. Chen Moqun assured him he knew even more about Shanghai.
Impressed, Takahashi promised him a rank higher than his previous one and a position as Director of the Central Committee in Wang Jing Wei's upcoming puppet government. Following this, Japanese forces, using Chen Moqun's intelligence, swiftly dismantled the Military Intelligence Bureau strongholds in Beiping and Qingdao. Takahashi then arranged for a photograph with Chen Moqun, which was published in a newspaper, publicly confirming his defection. Meanwhile, Lin Nansheng remained in confinement.
Zhao Jinglong, having recovered from his injuries, visited Lin Nansheng and shared the shocking news of Chen Moqun's betrayal, showing him a newspaper article. Lin Nansheng was deeply distraught, almost collapsing. Zhao Jinglong also reported that the Military Intelligence Bureau's Wuning Road contact point had been destroyed, and their liaison had attempted suicide to protect documents but was gunned down along with his family and children by the Japanese.
Gu Shenyan, suspecting the Pudong Detachment of the Loyal Salvation Army was planning to defect, approached Wang Shi'an, actively advising against providing them with more firearms and ammunition. He pointed out their unusually high demand for firearms and supplies despite a lack of recent operations. Wang Shi'an, preoccupied with the fallout from Chen Moqun's defection, dismissed Gu Shenyan's concerns, demanding solid evidence before he would consider an investigation.
Undeterred, Gu Shenyan met with Ji Zhongyuan, reiterating his suspicions about the Pudong Detachment and explaining that Wang Shi'an was unwilling to act. He instructed Ji Zhongyuan to intercept the coming batch of supplies, convinced the detachment would defect once they had the arms. Ji Zhongyuan later successfully posed as a representative for the usual buyer to collect the arms and ammunition.
Wang Shi'an convened a meeting to relay an urgent order from the Chongqing Headquarters: assassinate Major General Uemura Netto, deputy chief of Garrison Command of the China Expeditionary Army, at all costs. Wang Shi'an explained that Uemura Netto, notorious for his involvement in the 1937 Nanjing massacre, typically maintained a low profile, making his planned appearance at the upcoming celebration for Wang Jing Wei's puppet government in Shanghai the ideal opportunity. He assigned Gu Shenyan to lead the mission.
Gu Shenyan reported that intelligence indicated Uemura Netto would fly to Shanghai and then take a private car to a military post. Assassination would be exceedingly difficult once he reached the city or the celebration venue. The only viable window would be during his journey from the airport to the city. However, the Japanese Army controlled the route with sentries every 200 meters, ruling out planted explosives. An ambush using grenade launchers was suggested.
Gu Shenyan expressed deep concern that Chen Moqun, being intimately familiar with the Military Intelligence Bureau's methods and personnel, would easily anticipate their plans. Concurrently, Chen Moqun settled into his new role. Hu Daoyi, now director of the intelligence department, visited Chen Moqun, showering him with gifts and celebrating his defection.
He also revealed that Wang Shi'an had made his life difficult after Chen Moqun's transfer to Nanjing, even accusing him of desertion after Hu Daoyi's men were annihilated while bombing a Japanese airport during the August 13 incident. Chen Moqun was later summoned by Takahashi Senbei. While waiting, he was surrounded by Japanese officers speaking a language he didn't understand, prompting Takahashi to suggest he learn Japanese.
Takahashi assigned Chen Moqun the critical task of ensuring General Uemura Netto's safety during the celebration. Chen Moqun requested Uemura Netto's exact schedule, the number of his bodyguards, and the weather forecast to formulate his security plans. Takahashi also informed Chen Moqun about a Communist radio station discovered in the central north part of the Nanshi District, believed to be operated by "Fisherman" of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee.
Chen Moqun acknowledged "Fisherman" as a highly mysterious leader of the Communist underground intelligence network, admitting he only knew of his reputation, not his identity. Takahashi tasked Chen Moqun with locating this crucial radio station. During a discussion about the Uemura Netto assassination, Gu Shenyan reiterated his concern that Chen Moqun's knowledge of the Military Intelligence Bureau's agents would make any plan vulnerable. He subtly advocated for Lin Nansheng's release, emphasizing his loyalty and capabilities as a potentially invaluable asset.
Wang Shi'an, however, dismissed the suggestion, accusing Gu Shenyan of defending the person responsible for Chen Moqun's escape and warning him of potential repercussions. Wang Shi'an then turned his attention to finding someone close to Chen Moqun who could provide information. He found Lan Xinjie's name on a list. He recalled her past as a peripheral agent who helped in Eisuke Ikeda's assassination and noted her long-standing acquaintance with Chen Moqun.
He also knew her husband, a second lieutenant in the 87th Division, had died in the 1937 Nanjing battle, leaving her to raise their son alone. Wang Shi'an visited Lan Xinjie at her home, bringing gifts like biscuits, milk powder, and chocolate. After polite conversation, he directly asked her to gather intelligence on Chen Moqun.
When she questioned why she was chosen, he pressured her, first with flattery about her intelligence, then by implying she was not receiving due compensation as a deceased soldier's family member, and finally by appealing to her desire for her son's well-being, offering financial aid for a better home and kindergarten in the French Concession. Reluctantly, Lan Xinjie agreed, but on the condition that she and her son be safely relocated to Chongqing after the mission.
Wang Shi'an accepted her terms. Meanwhile, Zhu Yizhen found and rented a suitable house in the French Concession to establish a new radio station for the party. Chen Moqun, assisting Takahashi with radio monitoring, detected a brief transmission from a Communist radio. Although he couldn't pinpoint the exact location due to the short duration of the signal, he confirmed it originated from Avenue Petain in the French Concession.
Takahashi was informed that "Fisherman's" radio had moved from Nanshi District but expressed confidence that Chen Moqun would eventually locate it. Gu Shenyan visited Lin Nansheng in his confinement cell, observing his profoundly dejected state. Lin Nansheng acknowledged Chen Moqun's defection and admitted his misjudgment, accepting his punishment for letting Chen Moqun escape. Gu Shenyan, drawing from his own long service since joining the Huangpu Military Academy in 1925, expressed understanding for Lin Nansheng's inner turmoil.
He explained that Lin Nansheng wasn't merely grieving Chen Moqun's defection but was grappling with hesitation and profound doubt, questioning his faith and fearing his sacrifices might be in vain. Gu Shenyan reassured Lin Nansheng that his initial patriotic sentiment to defend the nation was fundamentally correct. He urged Lin Nansheng not to anchor his faith in any individual but to forge it through continuous struggle and practical action.
Gu Shenyan, who had observed Lin Nansheng closely, harbored intentions of recruiting him into the Party. Expressing his concern for Lin Nansheng's disheartened state, Gu Shenyan encouraged him to regain his composure and find a way out of confinement to continue serving the country and its people. Lin Nansheng affirmed that he would show no mercy to traitors. Later, Lan Xinjie met Chen Moqun at the Jindie Dance Hall. They exchanged brief greetings, acknowledging the long time since their last encounter. Chen Moqun, however, remained visibly cautious.
