THE REBEL Episode 28 Recap
> THE REBEL Recap
Gu Shenyan had planned a third assassination attempt on Chen Moqun, anticipating his movements accurately. However, Lin Nansheng disregarded orders and went to the Press Office alone to ambush Chen Moqun. Zhao Jinglong had informed Gu Shenyan that Lin Nansheng insisted on going solo, believing Gu Shenyan was indispensable for coordination and that Zhao Jinglong, with a wife and child, should not be put in danger. Gu Shenyan deemed this decision reckless.
Lin Nansheng soon realized that the man he shot was merely Chen Moqun's double, and he had fallen into a trap. As gunfire erupted and Lin Nansheng fought his way out, Gu Shenyan and Zhao Jinglong rushed to his aid. They quickly picked him up in their car just as they were about to be surrounded. After escaping through Japanese blockades and dealing with the vehicle in the outskirts, they returned to a backup liaison point.
Lin Nansheng, feeling guilty, apologized to Gu Shenyan for disobeying orders and offered to accept any punishment. Gu Shenyan, however, told him not to dwell on immediate successes or failures, stating that every bullet they fired was a proclamation of their unwavering spirit. Upon his return, Wang Shi'an seemed unfazed by the assassination's failure. He used this as an opportunity to suggest postponing "Plan Fengye," emphasizing the need to conserve their forces.
Wang Shi'an then falsely reported that he had been ambushed at the Qingpu liaison station by Traitor Wang's Peacebuilding National Army, claiming that two of his men and the couple from the station were killed, and he barely escaped. Gu Shenyan found Wang Shi'an's account suspicious and believed someone might have leaked his whereabouts. Wang Shi'an tried to dismiss any investigation, claiming it was probably part of a general "mopping-up operation" and pointless since their men were dead.
Though Gu Shenyan appeared to accept his explanation, he later dispatched Zhao Jinglong to Qingpu to investigate the truth of the matter. Wang Shi'an's hurried departure and mention of securing a new residence only heightened Gu Shenyan's suspicions. Meanwhile, Zhu Yizhen, who had been anxiously waiting, saw a wounded Lin Nansheng return. She quickly went to him. When Mrs. Fukiishi appeared, Zhu Yizhen skillfully composed herself and helped Lin Nansheng conceal his injury from their host.
Once they were alone in their room, Zhu Yizhen immediately tended to Lin Nansheng's deep wound, carefully removing a bullet and dressing it, a silent exchange that fostered trust between them. She stayed by his side throughout the night, comforting him as he recovered. Wang Shi'an, feeling his position precarious after recent events, began converting his assets into gold and US dollars in preparation for any future need to escape.
His assistant retrieved gold bars and US dollars from his former residence. During this time, the assistant also informed Wang Shi'an that Gu Shenyan had been to the communication department to send a telegram to the Loyal Salvation Army near Qingpu. Using a B-level codebook, Gu Shenyan had asked them to investigate the Qingpu contact point, confirming Wang Shi'an's fear that Gu Shenyan was probing into his fabricated story.
A new liaison, Old Pan, arrived from the base to replace Ji Zhongyuan. He met with Gu Shenyan, exchanging vital intelligence. Gu Shenyan informed Old Pan about the rebuilding of the Shanghai division of the Military Intelligence Bureau and the planned attack by the Taicang Detachment of the Loyal Salvation Army on the New Fourth Army's stronghold in Taicang, noting their acquisition of a powerful 75mm mountain gun.
Old Pan, in turn, provided Gu Shenyan with the location of a new, secluded safehouse in the countryside and confirmed that other contact methods would remain unchanged. Old Pan also met with Zhu Yizhen, praising her quick actions in informing the base after the previous contact point was destroyed. He confirmed she had successfully contacted "Comrade Mailman" and that most other comrades had been safely evacuated.
Old Pan then appointed Zhu Yizhen as his key intelligence officer and instructed her to move to No. 25 Route Cardinal Mercier, their new contact point, as soon as possible. This meant Zhu Yizhen would be moving out of Lin Nansheng's residence. Zhu Yizhen informed Lin Nansheng of her impending departure, suggesting they share a last meal together. Lin Nansheng agreed, though he needed to go out first despite his injury.
He later took a list of military intelligence defectors to Gu Shenyan. They discussed the failed assassination attempt, and Lin Nansheng reiterated his suspicion that Wang Shi'an had leaked the plan to Chen Moqun, citing Chen Moqun's use of a double and the unusually tight security. Gu Shenyan concurred, revealing Zhao Jinglong's findings at Qingpu: only handgun cartridges were found, contradicting Wang Shi'an's claim of an ambush by Traitor Wang's forces which would have used rifles.
Furthermore, Gu Shenyan's own inquiry to the Loyal Salvation Army confirmed that Traitor Wang's troops had not conducted any operations in Qingpu during that period. Despite this, Gu Shenyan expressed frustration that without direct evidence, they might never definitively know the full truth behind the dyeing mill's destruction.
Meanwhile, Wang Shi'an met with Chen Moqun, informing him that Chongqing had agreed to his return on three conditions: he would be appointed director of the Shanghai Enemy Rear Working Committee, provide intelligence on Traitor Wang's government, and protect military intelligence personnel in Shanghai. Chen Moqun accepted but demanded a letter of appointment signed by Mr. Dai Li himself. Wang Shi'an promised it would be delivered and suggested they cease meeting to ensure their safety.
Chen Moqun then requested Wang Shi'an to urge headquarters to cancel "Plan Fengye." He also voiced his concern about Gu Shenyan's investigation into the Qingpu incident, suggesting that Gu Shenyan's continued presence in Shanghai could endanger both of them. Later, Wang Shi'an received Chongqing's directive to immediately terminate "Plan Fengye." Lin Nansheng was bewildered by this decision.
Gu Shenyan explained that traitors like Chen Moqun were opportunists who would always seek new patrons, and Chongqing might be using him to gather intelligence. Gu Shenyan expressed a deeper concern: this termination order could signal a dangerous precedent, implying that betrayal was negotiable and that higher-ranking defectors could secure better deals. He found this prospect more terrifying than the brutality of the enemy.
Lin Nansheng still believed they needed to confirm if Wang Shi'an had pulled strings for Chen Moqun with headquarters from Qingpu, which would conclusively link him to the leak of the Press Office operation. Gu Shenyan, however, highlighted the difficulty of obtaining such confidential information, especially now that "Plan Fengye" was terminated.
As Zhu Yizhen was returning home from her meeting with Old Pan, on her way to share her farewell meal with Lin Nansheng, she was spotted by patrol officers who recognized her, thereby exposing her identity. The officers, realizing the significance of the capture, moved to apprehend her.
