THE REBEL Episode 39 Recap
> THE REBEL Recap
Overwhelmed by grief and seeking an end to her suffering, Lan Xinjie was intent on dying. However, Lin Nansheng persuaded her to choose life, urging her to remain strong to honor her late husband and son, and to eventually witness the downfall of their enemies. Grateful for Lin Nansheng's intervention and his continuous care over the years, Lan Xinjie realized that the military police department would scrutinize their relationship if they did not formalize their engagement.
Understanding the complications, she proposed that they marry soon. Lin Nansheng secretly contacted Ji Zhongyuan, and the organization approved their request for a fake marriage. Despite preparing for his arranged marriage, Lin Nansheng remained deeply concerned for Zhu Yizhen. He visited a coffee shop opposite a jewelry store, where he observed Zhu Yizhen retrieve a butterfly brooch that had been left for repair.
The store staff and her neighbors all referred to her as "Mrs. Shen," indicating she was married and appeared to be living a settled, normal life. Relieved by this sight, Lin Nansheng quietly departed. Meanwhile, Meng Annan discovered Wang Shi'an's missing person advertisement for "Kuang Hui Dong" in the newspaper. Feeling conflicted by the notice, Meng Annan burned the paper. In September 1948, a lavish wedding ceremony for Lin Nansheng and Lan Xinjie was held in the Lin family garden.
Many high-ranking officials from the military and government, accompanied by their families, attended. Even Commissioner Mao Renfeng, from a distant province, sent his secretary with a substantial gift. This display of influence made Wang Shi'an wary of Lin Nansheng and his powerful connections. As she sat before her dressing table, Lan Xinjie's thoughts drifted to her past.
She recalled how, during her first marriage, she had yearned to wear a wedding gown, but her husband had to return to his unit, leaving no time for preparations beyond a simple family meal. He had promised a proper wedding upon his return, but he was killed in Nanjing before her gown even arrived. She mused that she no longer needed a wedding gown. She then asked Lin Nansheng if he had ever envisioned his own wedding.
He confessed that during his school days, he harbored feelings for a girl and had imagined their wedding taking place on a basketball court. Throughout the reception, Lin Nansheng and Lan Xinjie expertly played the part of an affectionate couple, drawing admiration from the guests. Lin Nansheng subtly used the opportunity to inquire with Director Tang about the whereabouts of Peng Daisen, whom he had previously asked the director to locate.
Director Tang informed him that the inspection department in Nanjing had no record of such a person and he found it inappropriate to press the matter further. Later, Wang Shi'an suggested a "family portrait" of the station members, symbolizing unity. The year 1948 marked the beginning of the Liaoshen Campaign. Due to critical intelligence leaks, Jinan fell, leading to a significant victory for the Chinese Communist Party and the liberation of Northeast China.
During this period, Lin Nansheng maintained his prominent position within the Kuomintang, while Meng Annan continued his undercover surveillance near Zhu Yizhen. Wang Shi'an convened an urgent meeting to discuss the intelligence operative codenamed "Fisherman." Nanjing authorities identified "Fisherman" as the mastermind behind the critical decisions that led to the Communist army's success in Jinan, recognizing him as the nerve center of the East China Bureau's underground intelligence network.
They believed he had been operating from Shanghai even before the war, and Nanjing ordered an immediate and thorough investigation. Following the meeting, Lin Nansheng met with Ji Zhongyuan to relay this vital information, urging him to take necessary precautions. Lin Nansheng disclosed that the State Secrecy Bureau's intelligence department had formed two search groups, one in Nanjing and one in Shanghai.
While they only knew "Fisherman's" code name and believed he was in Shanghai, they were unaware of his true identity or the full extent of his operations, with some analysts even suggesting it might be a fake code name or shared by multiple individuals. Lin Nansheng warned Ji Zhongyuan not to underestimate their investigative capabilities, as they now understood "Fisherman's" crucial role in the party's intelligence network.
Zhu Yizhen concealed intelligence within an embroidery and entrusted it to Meng Annan for delivery to the "Wu Yue Embroidery" shop. Unbeknownst to them, military police agents had already staked out the area. They had been following another Communist liaison, referred to as "Situ" in the subtitles. As "Situ" arrived at the shop, the agents raided it. A shootout ensued, during which "Situ" fired at the agents, causing casualties.
In the chaos, the shop owner, who seemed to be protecting Meng Annan, urged him to escape through a back underground passage. The owner and a worker were both shot dead by the agents, while Meng Annan, though wounded, managed to evade capture. Lin Nansheng arrived at the compromised embroidery shop.
Upon discovering a handkerchief with Zhu Yizhen’s distinctive embroidery style, which had the name "Situ" embroidered on it, he discreetly ensured all evidence was collected and taken back to the station for thorough examination. He then went directly to Zhu Yizhen’s grocery shop and confronted her, asking if she had sent an embroidery with "Situ" sewn on it. She feigned ignorance, prompting Lin Nansheng to warn her not to panic, assuring her he had no intention of arresting her.
He revealed that her information had been seized, her contact point at the embroidery shop was compromised, and her comrades were dead, with one escapee being actively pursued and likely to be caught alive. Zhu Yizhen questioned why he would come to save her, to which Lin Nansheng explained it was out of their shared bond from fighting the Japanese.
He warned her that this was a one-time gesture and that she should never again dispatch information through embroideries or use that specific "Situ" seal. He emphasized her luck that only he recognized her distinctive work, otherwise, she would have suffered the same fate as her comrades. He then cautioned her not to disclose his visit, as he did not wish to be implicated. Shortly after Lin Nansheng's departure, a wounded Meng Annan returned.
Zhu Yizhen expressed relief and concern for his safety, asking about his prolonged absence and if he was aware of the incident at the embroidery shop. Meng Annan, minimizing his injuries, confirmed the deaths of the owner and worker and the seizure of the shop's contents, explaining he had found a hideout to escape. Zhu Yizhen carefully questioned him about whether he had encountered anyone suspicious on his way back, relieved when he confirmed he had not seen anyone.
Meng Annan then incorrectly reassured her that it was merely a basic contact point and no crucial information had been compromised, while Zhu Yizhen instructed him to stay home for the next two days. Meanwhile, back at the station, Wang Shi'an examined the photographic film recovered from the embroidery. It was a deployment map of the 2nd Army in Dangshan.
The Communist Party had ingeniously photographed the map, made a film, and concealed it within the embroidery, using this method for non-verbal intelligence transmission. Wang Shi'an, surprised by the Communists' access to such sensitive military intelligence, ordered further investigation, including consulting more embroiderers, as the initial expert found nothing unusual about the stitches.
Concerned about the possibility of false intelligence affecting troop movements, he decided to first confirm the map's authenticity with the Ministry of Defense before reporting it to Chongqing, to avoid potential embarrassment for the station.
