THE REBEL Episode 35 Recap
> THE REBEL Recap
Just a few years after the momentous victory of the Sino-Japanese War, Shanghai underwent drastic changes, yet the underlying conflict between the Nationalist and Communist parties persisted. Wang Shi'an was informed by Chen Moqun that Lin Nansheng would soon be transferred back to Shanghai as the deputy chief. Chen Moqun recounted Lin Nansheng's impressive track record in Chongqing, including his report on Gu Shenyan that led to Gu's downfall and his success in seizing Japanese spy radios.
Chen Moqun, despite noting Lin Nansheng's former close ties with Gu Shenyan, remarked that Lin Nansheng prioritized career over friendship. Wang Shi'an initially dismissed Lin Nansheng as a mere youth, but Chen Moqun urged caution, reminding him that a deputy chief position often leads to becoming a station chief.
As a gesture, Chen Moqun handed Wang Shi'an a list of prisoners, drawing particular attention to a man named Xiao Yun, who posed as a businessman but was, in fact, the head of the New Fourth Army's intelligence service. Chen Moqun presented Xiao Yun as a valuable asset to help Wang Shi'an solidify his standing, stressing that such a high-ranking New Fourth Army cadre had never been captured in Shanghai before.
Wang Shi'an thanked him, remarking on their shared duty to serve the party-state. However, Wang Shi'an remained suspicious of Chen Moqun's intentions, believing Xiao Yun couldn't be a truly important figure if Chen Moqun offered him so readily. Consequently, he assigned the interrogation of Xiao Yun to Director Liao Tong, a less competent officer, stating that Liao Tong deserved some credit for remaining in Shanghai during the war.
Meanwhile, Meng Annan contacted Chen Moqun by phone, reporting on the KMT's deployment of personnel to Shanghai via American planes and the Communist Party's defensive maneuvers. Meng Annan offered to expose Zhu Yizhen's location to conclude his deep-cover mission, and inquired about the Chongqing peace talks. Chen Moqun dismissed the idea of peace talks, citing the vast military disparity between the two parties.
Meng Annan expressed his desire to rejoin the Nationalist Party, lamenting that despite his efforts, he hadn't accessed core Communist Party intelligence and felt left behind by his classmates, many of whom had become generals. Chen Moqun retorted that many of those classmates were now dead, cautioning Meng Annan against reckless ambition. He stressed that Meng Annan's role would become crucial in the upcoming campaign to destroy the communists.
He instructed Meng Annan to maintain a strong relationship with Zhu Yizhen, as she was his pathway to advancing within the Communist Party. Chen Moqun then warned him against using the emergency number again, advising him to use newspaper notices for future contact. Zhu Yizhen and Meng Annan, in disguise as workers, observed the KMT Military Intelligence Bureau's new office at Router Doumer 70.
They witnessed Lin Nansheng, who had just arrived by plane and was now the deputy chief, entering the building. Zhu Yizhen noticed the moving personnel were from the Loyal Salvation Army. After confirming they hadn't been noticed, she and Meng Annan departed. Later, Zhu Yizhen met with Ji Zhongyuan, reporting on the KMT's new headquarters and the need to relocate nearby comrades and cease radio operations within a ten-kilometer radius.
She then revealed she had seen Lin Nansheng, now the deputy chief of Shanghai. Ji Zhongyuan acknowledged it had been years since their last encounter. Zhu Yizhen confessed that she still harbored feelings for Lin Nansheng, despite their differing political paths. She wished he were an ordinary person, but acknowledged he was not. She admitted that although she had mentally prepared for a reunion as enemies, seeing him again made her realize she couldn't fully detach herself emotionally.
Ji Zhongyuan, unable to reveal Lin Nansheng's true identity, reminded her that their chosen path required enduring loneliness that was unbearable for most. Lin Nansheng formally met with Wang Shi'an, maintaining a cordial facade. Wang Shi'an feigned warmth, advising Lin Nansheng to rest first, but Lin Nansheng insisted on prioritizing work. Lin Nansheng praised Wang Shi'an for his steadfastness in Shanghai during the war.
He presented transfer reports and personnel files for agents returning to Shanghai, assuring Wang Shi'an that work would commence swiftly with support from higher authorities. Lin Nansheng then conveyed Dai Li's directive to surpass the Communist Party in gaining public favor and to address unresolved bureau cases, especially regarding commissions issued by the Wang Jingwei regime. Wang Shi'an later learned from his subordinate that Lin Nansheng, while satisfied with his new office, had refused the settling-in allowance.
The new directors of the intelligence and telecommunication departments were Lin Nansheng's former Chongqing associates. Wang Shi'an, concerned about Lin Nansheng's growing influence backed by Dai Li, noted that only Director Liao Tong and Director Qin remained loyal to him among the veteran directors. Lin Nansheng had dinner with Zhao Jinglong, who mentioned his new role as squadron captain of the operation squad. Zhao Jinglong observed Wang Shi'an's wariness of Lin Nansheng.
He recounted the betrayal of the Press Service and expressed his conviction that Wang Shi'an had colluded with Chen Moqun by intervening on Chen's behalf in the Qingpu District. Zhao Jinglong suspected Wang Shi'an was responsible for leaking the Press Service's assassination plans. However, with Chen Moqun's current high-ranking position and the absence of other traitors, concrete evidence was lacking. Zhao Jinglong assured Lin Nansheng that an opportunity would arise.
Zhao Jinglong also mentioned that Jessfield 76 had received several Communist prisoners, and only Liao Tong was regularly visiting, seemingly desperate for promotion. Zhao Jinglong then showed Lin Nansheng a photo of his child, who Lin Nansheng found adorable but said didn't resemble him. Lin Nansheng subsequently went to Jessfield 76 to seal records. He learned Chen Moqun was absent, and Liao Tong was in the interrogation room.
Rushing there, Lin Nansheng discovered Liao Tong using two Japanese war criminals, transferred from a POW camp, to torture Xiao Yun. Two other prisoners were already dead, with one dying just that morning. Lin Nansheng confronted Liao Tong, condemning the use of Japanese war criminals for interrogation and the deaths of prisoners, suggesting it made Liao Tong appear to be a murderer. Liao Tong admitted to being overly anxious.
Lin Nansheng ordered the Japanese war criminals to be returned to the camp. Liao Tong immediately went to Wang Shi'an to complain, accusing Lin Nansheng of interfering with his interrogation and trying to assert his authority. Wang Shi'an, feigning support, promised to "have a good talk" with Lin Nansheng, implying he had reserved the deputy chief position for Liao Tong.
Liao Tong, touched by this, reaffirmed his eight years of loyalty and offered to share his ideas on Xiao Yun's case. Separately, Wang Shi'an received a report that Zhao Jinglong had unexpectedly visited Director Song of the Press Office that morning. Wang Shi'an suspected Zhao Jinglong was investigating the old Press Office assassination, linking it to Lin Nansheng's past suspicions of Wang Shi'an's betrayal. Fearing Director Song's timidity might lead to a leak, Wang Shi'an implicitly ordered Song's elimination.
Lin Nansheng visited Xiao Yun in the hospital. The doctor reported Xiao Yun had multiple wounds but needed time to recover due to his poor health. Lin Nansheng encouraged Xiao Yun to be grateful for the help and "give it a good thought." Xiao Yun, despite his severe injuries, continued to deny being a Communist, insisting he was merely a businessman. Later, Lin Nansheng met with Ji Zhongyuan using pre-arranged codewords, expressing his excitement to work with him.
Lin Nansheng inquired about the three captured Communist comrades. Ji Zhongyuan confirmed that two had died and their families would be contacted. He then asked about the third, Xiao Yun. Lin Nansheng revealed Xiao Yun was severely injured but had been admitted to the hospital, having endured brutal interrogations without yielding. He noted that Xiao Yun, the New Fourth Army intelligence director, was arrested after being reported by a deputy commander.
Lin Nansheng explained that Xiao Yun was heavily guarded, making rescue extremely difficult, and that KMT agents viewed him merely as a bargaining chip for promotion. Lin Nansheng admitted his strong desire to save Xiao Yun, but Ji Zhongyuan reminded him to prioritize protecting his own identity. Lin Nansheng acknowledged this, reflecting on Gu Shenyan's sacrifice and vowing to protect his "Mailman" identity at all costs.
He then asked about Zhu Yizhen, and Ji Zhongyuan assured him she was well and missed him, explaining that organizational rules prevented him from revealing more. Lin Nansheng expressed his contentment at knowing she was safe. A subsequent message from the organization appeared, instructing him to rescue "Comrade 301," implicitly referring to Xiao Yun. Lin Nansheng then visited Lan Xinjie and her son, Zi Lu. Lan Xinjie, surprised to see him, offered him water.
She explained that for the past two years, fearing Chen Moqun, she and Zi Lu had been in hiding, using her savings from Chongqing. After the Japanese surrender, she found work as a department store salesperson and rented a new home, finally feeling settled. Lin Nansheng asked about Zi Lu, who seemed withdrawn. Lan Xinjie tearfully recounted an incident where Japanese parents had slapped Zi Lu after he refused to give up his toy to their child.
The trauma caused Zi Lu to stop speaking, and despite visiting all available hospitals, doctors were uncertain if he would ever recover his speech. Lin Nansheng consoled her, promising to find the best doctor for Zi Lu. To further cultivate Wang Shi'an's trust and facilitate his mission, Lin Nansheng later visited Wang Shi'an, bringing green plants for his office, citing Wang Shi'an's weak lungs and the office's favorable environment.
He then presented an invitation card for a "Mid-Autumn Festival Roundtable Meeting," requested by headquarters, seeking Wang Shi'an's input. Wang Shi'an noted the meeting was for former Wang Jingwei regime personnel and questioned whether the purpose was to arrest them or simply engage in discussion.
