THE REBEL Episode 33 Recap
> THE REBEL Recap
After arriving in Chongqing, Lin Nansheng spent a restless night. The next morning, he went to the Inspection Department to see Director Hu but was informed of his unavailability. As he was leaving, his former colleague, Sis Zhang, from the Shanghai station's telecommunication department, recognized him and greeted him warmly, inviting him to lunch. During their meal, Sis Zhang commented on Chongqing's peaceful atmosphere compared to Shanghai and expressed disbelief regarding the corruption accusations against Deputy Chief Gu Shenyan.
Lin Nansheng then inquired about Lan Xinjie, asking if she was among those evacuated from Shanghai. Sis Zhang confirmed that Lan Xinjie had brought her child, but a guard officer forcibly separated them, preventing the child from leaving Shanghai. Sis Zhang described Lan Xinjie's heartbroken state during the journey and mentioned hearing that Lan Xinjie later worked as an operator at the headquarters due to being a late soldier's wife.
She suggested Lin Nansheng could inquire at the headquarters to find her. Lin Nansheng eventually managed to meet Director Hu. Lin introduced himself and immediately brought up Deputy Chief Gu Shenyan's case, stating that as a long-time colleague, he was certain Gu Shenyan was not corrupt and believed there must be a misunderstanding. Director Hu acknowledged Lin's concern and handed him Gu Shenyan's file, instructing him to read it thoroughly and offer his opinion.
Hu emphasized that, given Lin's history with the Shanghai station, he would know Gu Shenyan best, presenting this as a show of trust from their superiors. After settling in, Lin Nansheng attended a banquet where he was warmly greeted by his former Nanjing Special Training Class instructor, Bai Xianming. Bai praised Lin's military achievements and introduced him to several colleagues from the Sino-American Cooperative Organization preparatory office.
When a toast was offered in honor of Lin’s contributions, particularly his role in Uemura Netto’s assassination, Lin politely declined, citing his current health. Bai interceded, explaining Lin's previous injury and drinking on his behalf. Later, Bai pulled Lin aside and advised him about the political landscape in Chongqing. He stressed the importance of their international cooperative organization, especially to Chairman Jiang.
Bai then brought up Gu Shenyan's case, revealing that the specifics of his alleged corruption were not the core issue. He explained that Gu Shenyan was being used as a public example, a "worthy sacrifice" to deter corruption within the party, and warned Lin not to jeopardize his own promising future over such a "minor matter," especially since his attitude towards the case would be closely watched.
Lin, though acknowledging his understanding, still expressed concern that some accusations in the files seemed false. As Lin Nansheng processed this, he noticed Lan Xinjie, elegantly dressed, descending a staircase with several male officers. Nearby, a group of male officers openly mocked her, labeling her a socialite who only associated with high-ranking officials and speculating about her financial gains.
Outraged, Lin Nansheng interrupted them, declaring that Lan Xinjie was the widow of a soldier who sacrificed his life in Nanjing, and that she had contributed to the Military Intelligence Bureau, thus deserving their respect. Embarrassed by the public confrontation, Lan Xinjie quickly announced her departure. Lin Nansheng pursued her, apologizing for his outburst and asking about rumors that she had been fired.
Lan Xinjie, however, avoided discussing her situation, briefly asked about his arrival, and then, after being called by a foreign officer, promised to treat Lin to a meal another day before getting into a car and leaving. Unknown to Lin, Lan Xinjie was in tears on her way back. Lin Nansheng diligently reviewed Gu Shenyan's files, even consulting records from the Shanghai station, and found what he believed to be inconsistencies.
He reported to Director Hu that many of the accusations against Gu Shenyan seemed false, suggesting he was being framed. However, Director Hu was unimpressed, stating that the higher-ups expected him to find evidence of corruption, not to question the validity of the existing claims or protect a "corrupted officer." He dismissed Lin, telling him to return once he had "made up his mind."
Undeterred, Lin Nansheng then sought an audience with Deputy Chief Zhou Yaoting, responsible for the Inspection Department. He presented his findings, highlighting discrepancies like the alleged embezzlement of compensation money for the August 13th Incident victims, where the reported amount exceeded what the station had actually received.
However, Zhou Yaoting reiterated that Gu Shenyan was clearly corrupted, citing the illegal sale of firearms as a death-penalty offense, and instructed Lin to focus on finding more incriminating evidence, not disputing the charges. Later, Bai Xianming confronted Lin, having heard about his attempts to "complain" to Deputy Chief Zhou. Bai explained that Gu Shenyan's case was a high-level political decision.
Mr. Dai intended to use Gu Shenyan's punishment as a severe deterrent to combat corruption, meaning the case was "fixed," and no amount of evidence could alter the outcome or save Gu Shenyan from the death penalty. Lin was aghast, calling it the killing of an innocent man, but Bai dismissed his arguments. Bai further warned Lin against meddling, reminding him of the political implications for Director Hu and himself, and urged him to consider his own future.
Lin, however, maintained that he hadn't joined the organization solely for personal advancement. After considerable internal conflict and disappointment with the Chongqing authorities' handling of Gu Shenyan's case, Lin Nansheng made a decisive choice about his path. The following morning, he went to Director Hu, apologizing for his previous "unruly behavior." He then requested permission to personally interrogate Gu Shenyan, arguing that his familiarity with Gu Shenyan's past operations would allow him to uncover more details.
Director Hu cautiously agreed, after warning Lin against letting personal feelings interfere with his work, and reminded him that finding the firearms Gu Shenyan allegedly sold would be key to closing the case. Lin promised to be merciless if he found any corruption. Lin Nansheng proceeded with the interrogation of Gu Shenyan, while Director Hu secretly listened in. Lin confronted Gu Shenyan with the accusations from the files, including embezzling compensation money, selling firearms, and a high-power radio.
Gu Shenyan denied the embezzlement, implying others were responsible, and explained that the radio was sold by someone from the Special Higher Police who then framed him. Regarding the firearms, Gu Shenyan stated he had sent them to the Loyal Salvation Army and accused the black market dealer, Xu Ah Da, of framing him due to a past arrest.
Lin tried to prompt Gu Shenyan to defend himself by appealing to his past service under Minister He, subtly hinting that he should seek help from powerful connections. However, Director Hu, having overheard the entire exchange, furiously reprimanded Lin Nansheng. He accused Lin of not genuinely interrogating Gu Shenyan but rather attempting to "point him in the right direction" and "collude" to free him by hinting at Minister He's involvement.
Lin tried to explain his genuine belief that the case was flawed, but Hu cut him off, forbidding him from further involvement in the investigation and angrily dismissing him. Undeterred by the reprimand, Lin Nansheng spent the night organizing all the evidence he had found. The next day, he waited a long time to see Minister He, but was told by Secretary Liu that the Minister was too busy.
Lin then entrusted Secretary Liu with a detailed letter outlining Gu Shenyan's alleged corruption cases, with specific rebuttals, asking him to deliver it to Minister He. Later, Lin Nansheng sought out Lan Xinjie and apologized for inadvertently involving her as an informant, which he felt had led to her current hardships. Lan Xinjie, initially reluctant to discuss her situation, eventually recounted her ordeal.
During the evacuation from Shanghai, her son, Zi Lu, was forcibly separated from her by a guard officer who feared his crying would attract Japanese attention and jeopardize the boat. She was threatened with a gun and forced to proceed to Chongqing alone. Upon arrival, she worked as an operator but was later fired by the Inspection Department for sending money to Zi Lu in Shanghai, as this was deemed "helping the enemies" in occupied territory.
She then tried to join the 192nd Division, hoping to return to Shanghai and reunite with her son, but was rejected due to her prior dismissal from the Military Intelligence Bureau. Unable to return or send money directly, she resorted to paying half her earnings to intermediaries to deliver funds to Zi Lu's nanny. While she spoke, an air raid alarm blared, forcing them into a shelter.
Inside, a distraught woman frantically searched for her lost child, "Long Long," crying and pleading with guards to let her out, terrified he would die. Lan Xinjie observed this heartbreaking scene, noting that such tragedies were commonplace in Chongqing, and recalled her own desperate pleas for Zi Lu, which were met with threats of death. Despite her dire circumstances, she stated that as long as she and Zi Lu were alive, it was enough for her.
Deeply moved by her story and the plight of the refugees, Lin Nansheng promised to find a way to help her return to Shanghai to see her son, though Lan Xinjie cautioned him against interfering.
