How to pronounce "天方夜谭"

[Silent Honor]

[Episode 9]

Reporting to Comrade Jianfeng.

I have suspended all personnel involved in the Hong Kong incident

for self-reflection and disciplinary action.

This incident occurred due to my negligent supervision.

I've ordered Section 4 to work around the clock

to decode the telegrams sent by Zhang Hao's team as soon as possible.

I hope to redeem myself through this service.

However, I

still suspect

that Deputy Chief Wu may be collaborating with the Communists.

I've heard that at the Kinmen victory banquet

General Chen Baocang was dissatisfied with the President

for hiring Lin Baoyuan as a strategic advisor

and had a conflict with Commander Yin.

Deputy Chief Wu openly sided with Chen Baocang.

Chen Baocang was previously investigated for supporting the Communists,

though the case was temporarily shelved due to insufficient evidence.

But I am certain

he must be connected to Communist spies.

General Chen is about to go to Taichung to inspect military supplies

and report directly to Deputy Chief Wu.

Deputy Chief Wu will also be involved in the Southwest operations.

They worked together in the Fourth District during the war.

If they join forces,

it could be detrimental to our party.

You should quickly find someone to verify this matter.

Yes, sir.

Last time at the banquet

you spoke up for me, Yuxun.

I've been wanting to thank you properly.

I wanted to invite you to my house

for a proper meal.

But my wife isn't at home,

and I can't cook.

So I came out

and found this Fuzhou restaurant.

These dishes are really good.

Most importantly, the chef here

is supposedly from your hometown in Minhou.

You're too kind, Zizhen.

Do you like Fuzhou cuisine?

I don't really like it.

I prefer simple food,

like donkey meat burgers.

I know.

Besides, I'm treating you.

I can't just offer you donkey meat burgers.

Why not?

Let's go. Take these with us

and find some donkey meat burgers.

No, no, Yuxun, listen to me.

I've asked around.

There are few donkey farms in Taiwan,

let alone finding donkey meat burgers.

Come on, let's sit down.

Stuck on this island,

many people are like me.

It's so hard to find a taste of home.

But this little restaurant has this,

Laobaigan liquor.

Here, Yuxun, cheers.

Oh, it's you.

Have one. Just bought it. It's very sweet.

Its tough skin gets stuck in your teeth.

What's so good about it?

Let's chat for a while.

It's so boring just waiting around here.

I heard Chief Zhou assigned you

to inspect military supplies of all units on the island.

Yes.

I agreed so readily

because he asked me

to report directly to you.

It's a good job.

You think this is a good job?

It has its pros and cons.

If done well, everyone's happy.

If not, you'll make enemies.

You might have forgotten

what I've been doing these past few years.

I used to be the Chief Supply Officer in Shandong.

I know all too well about

the shady dealings in the Nationalist Army's logistics.

A vice commander in Xuzhou's Suppression General Headquarters

pockets the pay for 800 ghost soldiers.

Higher-ranking officers take more; Lower-ranking ones take less.

By the time it reaches the soldiers,

each man gets less than one jin of food per day.

After the Xu-Beng Campaign,

all 5 main forces have been starving.

Do you think these military supplies

can withstand inspection?

Wasn't it the same during the War of Resistance?

Thinking about it now,

after the victory,

I never commanded troops again.

Perhaps that's a blessing.

In times like these,

trying to stay uninvolved

is difficult.

What is it now?

I just noticed

your gun doesn't have a hammer.

You've got sharp eyes.

Of course.

Let me take a look.

I'm interested in these things.

Let me see.

Smith & Wesson, huh?

You really know guns.

You've filed off the hammer here.

Why did you do that?

Back when I was in the military,

we had holsters and straps.

Now I wear plain clothes more often.

Keeping it in my pocket is inconvenient.

The hammer catches on the pocket when drawing.

Do you draw your gun often?

Do you sleep with your gun?

Yuxun,

on the other hand, the Communist Army has

over 1.5 million civilians

pushing wheelbarrows

and traveling long distances to deliver food to them.

It's truly like heaven and earth.

Look at us with our planes and artillery.

We have everything.

But who would have thought

that soldiers at the front would go hungry

and not have enough to eat?

How is it that the Nationalist Army

can't even seize food by force,

yet civilians willingly give it to the Communist Army?

Zizhen,

when I was at the Fuzhou Pacification Office,

Director Zhu Shaoliang gave me some advice.

Walls have ears.

Be careful what you say and do.

These words of yours

can be spoken here with me,

but shouldn't be said outside.

Yuxun,

we're the only ones in this restaurant.

What can't be said?

Alright, don't worry.

What we discuss today

won't leave this room.

But anyway,

if I can't talk to you about these things,

I'll burst from keeping it in.

I heard Madam and the children have arrived too.

The two younger ones came.

What about Shaocheng and Lancheng?

Are they separated from you now?

What choice do we have?

We'll take it one step at a time.

I never expected

that on October 1st,

even Mrs. Sun Soong Ching-ling,

along with Zhang Biaolao, Li Jishen and other dignitaries,

would all stand on the Tiananmen rostrum.

Even General Zhang Zhizhong,

who represented the Nationalist Government in negotiations,

ended up staying as the talks progressed.

Now the Nationalist Army is retreating on all fronts,

and Taiwan is isolated across the sea.

How long we can hold out

remains uncertain.

Yuxun,

I advise you to make plans early.

What plans should I make?

I can't decide that for you.

But you should think about your children.

I feel it's unfair to you.

Look at General Zhang Zhizhong,

when he decided to stay,

Mr. Zhou Enlai immediately arranged

to bring all his family members to Beijing.

But look at our side,

the BIS keeps harassing you every other day.

Children have their own fortune.

Compared to Shaocheng and Lancheng,

I'm more worried about you, Zizhen.

Your straightforward manner and outspoken nature

might get you into trouble

here in Taiwan.

You haven't changed a bit.

You can't tolerate the slightest dishonesty.

Yes.

Unless I'm reborn.

But you have changed quite a bit.

"Heaven won't tolerate the Kuomintang surviving."

Those were your words back then.

Do you dare say them now?

I don't.

That Wu Yuxun who once shared my passion for justice

is gone.

Instead, there's now

a cautious Deputy Chief Wu.

Perhaps we're too optimistic.

Zizhen

is still as genuine as he was back then.

It's just a pity

that I can't

have a heart-to-heart talk with him now

and I had to dampen his spirits today.

I actually think

Deputy Chief Wu's character is extremely reliable.

For decades, he's never touched gambling, prostitution, or drugs.

Just this alone

is extremely rare and valuable.

After all, you haven't seen each other for many years.

It's understandable that he's being cautious.

General Chen is a man of character.

Even if we can't tell him the truth,

I believe

he can understand your difficult position, sir.

After Taiwan is liberated,

I'll have a good drink with him.

What is it?

You may go.

Yes, sir.

Father.

Urgent wire from the Southwest:

Liu Bocheng's Communist force has launched an all-out drive

from western Hunan-Hubei toward eastern Sichuan-Guizhou.

How many troops do they have?

According to the frontline report,

there are more than 300,000 soldiers in total.

In southwest China,

our army has a million troops.

We hold an absolute advantage.

But tactically,

we need flexible strategies

to increase our chances of victory.

Tell Gu Zhutong

to immediately come up with

a counteroffensive plan against the Communist Army.

Yes, sir.

Sir, you're needed at the meeting.

Chiang is getting anxious.

Liu Bocheng caught him off guard.

How did he attack?

Toward Chongqing?

He's cutting straight from western Hunan to Chongqing.

Chiang is worried

because he can't bear to lose

either Chongqing or Chengdu.

What advice did those two Japanese give?

They want Luo Guangwen's troops from Guizhou

to attack from the outer line.

That's absurd.

Not a single Nationalist Army unit

is capable of that now.

Chiang himself knows it's impossible.

These Japanese people are just taking things for granted.

But there are still sensible people at the Ministry of Defense.

I'm worried someone might suggest

gathering a large force in Chongqing.

Chongqing is easy to defend but hard to attack.

That would be troublesome.

So I'm thinking at the meeting later,

I'll see if there's a chance to propose,

exploiting Chiang's reluctance to lose territory

and suggesting he defends both Chengdu and Chongqing.

If he accepts,

he'll definitely split his forces between the two cities.

This way, the PLA

will have opportunities to defeat enemies on multiple fronts.

Everyone,

I've been following the President

[Gu Zhutong, First-level General of the Army]

commanding at the front lines recently.

[Chief of the General Staff of KMT Ministry of Defense]

[Commander-in-Chief of the Army]

This time I've come to Taiwan

on the President's orders

to coordinate military operations in southwest China.

If we cannot come up with

a foolproof plan this time,

I won't be able to return to Chongqing.

Please look here, everyone.

You all can see the current battlefield situation.

Although Liu Bocheng's Communist Army forces

have limited troops,

they're coming on strong.

The Ministry of Defense previously assessed

that the Communist Army's main offensive in southwest China

would be in northern Sichuan.

But now it seems we're on the defensive.

If Director Song Xilian continues to retreat,

the Sichuan-Hunan-Hubei Border Pacification Office

might as well be renamed the Chongqing Pacification Office.

Everyone,

how can we break this stalemate and counterattack?

I hope you can contribute your ideas.

Director Huang,

what do you think?

Chongqing is mountainous,

easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Even the Japanese army could do nothing about it.

If Director Hu

could lead his 13 armies

of nearly 400,000 men

from Hanzhong in northern Sichuan to Chongqing,

and rely on the Wujiang River, Wuling Mountain,

and the natural barrier of the Yangtze River,

building three defense lines,

we can surely break the siege of Chongqing.

But the Communist Army's vanguard is already approaching Qianjiang River.

And Director Hu's main forces are still far away

in the Qinling Mountains and Hanzhong areas.

Only Unit One is in Guangyuan and Bazhong.

This plan would have worked well a month ago,

but now I'm afraid distant waters can't quench immediate thirst.

So, Deputy Chief Liu,

what do you think?

I believe we should have Song Xilian

and Luo Guangwen's troops in northern Guizhou

abandon eastern Sichuan-Guizhou directly.

We should consolidate our forces

and concentrate them to defend Chongqing at all costs.

When Director Hu's forces arrive,

we can attack from both inside and outside

and will surely destroy Liu Bocheng.

If we abandon so many positions,

I'm afraid the President won't accept that.

Besides, there's also Li Yannian's

precedent of abandoning Pingtan Island.

Song Xilian and Luo Guangwen may not

be willing to execute this order.

If we don't make choices,

even the best plans are meaningless.

Don't speak such discouraging words.

Deputy Chief Wu,

what's your opinion?

I have no opinions,

only concerns.

If Director Hu's main forces and Song Xilian's corps

all rush to support Chongqing,

then northern Guizhou will certainly be vulnerable.

If Liu Bocheng

passes through northern Guizhou and southern Sichuan,

bypassing Chongqing

and heading straight for Chengdu,

wouldn't that be disastrous?

Liu Bocheng is known for his cunning military tactics.

Deputy Chief Wu's concerns are not without merit.

Deputy Chief Wu has a high position

and a broad perspective,

and always hits the nail on the head.

Do you have any strategy to defeat the enemy?

Director Hu has great military power

and is trusted by the President.

He should be able to take care of both Sichuan and Chongqing.

As long as Director Song Xilian in the front

can hold the Wujiang-Pengshui line,

our army still have a chance.

Sir, what did the Chief say to you?

He conveyed Chiang's opinion to me.

Advance without retreat, protecting both Chengdu and Chongqing.

He ordered the Ministry of Defense to come up with a plan immediately.

Looks like they're going to split the forces.

As expected, they don't want to lose either Chongqing or Chengdu.

Chiang has always deployed troops this way,

overestimating the Nationalist Army's fighting capability.

At the beginning of battles, he tries to cover everything.

Then he wants to occupy more major cities.

In the end, he can't hold onto anything.

It happened in the Liaoxi Campaign,

and in the Xu-Beng Campaign as well.

So your proposal to protect both Sichuan and Chongqing

plays right into his hands.

This is my previous plan,

but it needs to be detailed.

As long as Hu Zongnan splits his force,

the PLA have a chance to take the Southwest.

So the plan

must be finished tonight.

Great. We'll work through the night.

Got off work?

Quite on time today.

Let me do it.

You should head home too.

Madam, I still have some work to finish.

What work is so urgent that it must be done today?

The Chief urgently needs a deployment plan.

He's waiting for me to call him when I'm done.

Get off work no later than 9 PM every night,

go home and rest.

Look at the time.

Well, it's 9:05 PM now.

It's up to you, Yuxun.

Alright, Madam. We won't work tonight.

Good night.

I'm not going back today. I'll just stay here

and tomorrow morning...

You should hurry back to be with Mei.

Go home early to be with Mei.

Come early tomorrow.

Come early.

Okay.

Madam, I'm leaving now.

Good night.

Good night.

Dou,

make a pot of rice porridge later

and prepare several more dishes.

Madam,

Adjutant Nie and Mr. Wu were up all night.

Do we need to prepare so much food now?

Awake now?

Yes.

How was your sleep?

Very well.

No dreams?

No.

I've been under a lot of pressure lately.

I slept really well.

Wu Yuxun,

since when did you learn to put on an act with me?

Dou already told me everything.

Who?

Dou.

She saw you and Nie Xi

spending the whole night in the study.

What about our agreement?

Have you forgotten it all?

There is indeed a critical task

that needs to be completed quickly.

What critical task?

Isn't your life critical?

Morning, Qian.

Morning, Adjutant Nie.

Sir, I'm here.

Stay in bed.

I'm still mad at you.

Just keep sleeping.

Lie down.

Okay.

Madam.

You're here.

How was you sleep yesterday?

Very well.

I haven't slept this well in a long time.

I bought breakfast too. It's still warm.

Have a seat.

Nie Xi,

doesn't Mei

blame you for doing this?

Mei?

What would she blame me about?

You come here at 7 AM sharp every morning.

And after work,

you either work overtime at the office

or in your study.

You never get home before 10 PM.

And Mei has never blamed you for this?

I called her several times the other day.

No one answered in the dormitory.

Yes, she was working overtime at her office.

Didn't I tell you about that before?

Then what about last night?

What about last night?

She didn't work overtime last night.

I went home early last night.

Anyway,

it's good to get some rest.

You can lie to me,

but don't keep lying to Mei.

It's not easy for her to be with you.

You need to treat her well.

A harmonious family brings success in everything.

Honesty is the most important thing between husband and wife.

Yes.

So,

invite Mei over for dinner tomorrow.

Consider it

my way of apologizing to Mei

on behalf of your mentor.

No need, Madam.

Mei might be a little unhappy,

but it's really not that serious.

Just some minor family issues.

Not a big...

Listen to my wife.

Ask Mei to come over tomorrow.

You need to apologize to her.

Last night we

worked in the study all night

and didn't sleep at all.

Busted.

Busted again?

I'm sorry, Madam.

You haven't slept all night.

Let me check your blood pressure.

You're still smiling.

My wife hates being lied to.

We chose this job.

Whether it's you to Mei

or me to my wife,

we should all feel guilty.

Yes.

It'll be soon, Sir.

When Taiwan is liberated,

we can make it up to them.

Yuxun.

Come here.

Coming.

[Li Qing, Field Service, Counterintelligence Section, BIS, KMT]

Adjutant Nie.

Morning.

Morning.

I'd like 4 fried dough sticks.

Coming right up.

[Missing Notice: I, Chen Li, am looking for my long-lost younger brother, Chen Dong.]

[Chen Dong is about 35 years old, thin, with a slight beard.]

[Due to a family incident, we brothers were separated.]

[Anyone with information, please notify. There will be a generous reward.]

Ju.

Ju.

I'm going out to buy some toiletries.

Will you be okay going by yourself?

Sure, no problem.

Changcheng showed me around the other day.

It's not a big place. I'll be fine.

No.

What's up?

What... what are you doing?

What's wrong? What's wrong with Mom?

Bao.

Changcheng,

come home quickly, hurry.

I told Ju not to call you back,

but she wouldn't listen.

Sorry for troubling you.

Go back to work.

I can't be lost.

It's fine, Mom. I'll stay with you.

Yesterday at the market,

I saw a woman selling cigarettes,

and then she was chased and beaten by police.

Why did that happen?

Mom,

those

aren't regular police.

They're tax officers from the Monopoly Bureau.

Now in Taiwan,

necessities like cigarettes, alcohol, sugar, and tea

are government monopolies.

Private sales are prohibited.

Really? When did this start?

It started as soon as Japan surrendered.

It was established by the provincial chairman at that time.

The profits from cigarettes, alcohol, sugar, and tea are the highest.

This government holds Japan with one hand

and clings to American aid with the other.

It's truly clever.

Changcheng,

as the child grows older,

expenses will increase.

Have you thought about

making some extra money on the side?

I've thought about it too, Mom.

But if I really had that ability,

wouldn't I have quit this job long ago?

Changcheng, let me ask you,

are there many people

from mainland in your department?

Not just many.

Almost everyone is from there.

Hardly any locals.

You see?

People from all over come to Taiwan

and they all want a taste of their hometown food.

Right?

Many people want chili oil.

I was thinking

if we bring in some things not available locally

like chili powder, Sichuan pepper powder and such,

the sales should be good, right?

And even if they don't sell right away,

they're dry goods, easy to store,

don't you think?

Mom, I've heard you're great at business.

Tell me more about it.

Look,

in such a lively market,

there are chili peppers but no chili powder.

With just simple processing,

we've got ourselves a business opportunity.

Why don't we do some research today?

You can ask about chili prices,

and I'll find a processing place.

Let's get to it right away.

How about we split up?

Today?

It's inconvenient in this outfit.

If you want to make money, you need to find a way.

If we succeed, it's your credit. If we fail, it's on me.

Alright, Mom.

[Jianchang Store, Contact Point of CPC Taiwan Work Committee]

Ma'am,

we're doing inventory today.

Not selling anything.

Please try another store.

I'm from back home.

I'm looking for Zheng.

Please come in.

Our boss is stacking goods in the back.

Please come in and wait.

Okay.

This way.

Please sit.

Okay, thank you.

I'll get you some water.

Okay.

Where are you from, ma'am?

Hong Kong.

What brings you to Taipei?

My back home sent me to purchase goods.

How is your family's medicine business?

The medicine business is difficult these days.

We've switched to selling tea now.

Were you sent by Manager Wang?

No,

it was Mr. Wan,

Mr. Wan Jingguang.

He sent me here.

How can you prove it?

I have a handwritten letter from Mr. Wan.

Please pass the letter through the door crack.

Mr. Wan instructed me

to deliver this to Zheng in person.

[Cai Xiaoqian, Code Name Zheng, Secretary of CPC Taiwan Work Committee, ]

Mr. Zheng,

I've seen your photo.

My name is Zhu Feng.

Where's the letter?

This is too careless.

You shouldn't carry the letter with you.

The situation in Taiwan is critical.

We need to be more cautious.

Alright, I understand.

Relax now. It's alright.

Comrade Zhu Feng.

Call me Mrs. Chen.

Hello, Comrade Zheng.

Mrs. Chen,

since we received Mr. Wan's message from the radio station,

we immediately placed

a missing person notice in the newspaper.

I've been waiting at the shop almost every day,

finally meeting you today.

Recently,

spy activities have become rampant.

Everyone is on high alert.

Did it frighten you?

It's alright.

They've specially sent a courier over.

The East Sea Intelligence Team has quite a high rank.

Have you made contact with them yet?

Our superiors require

that we establish a communication line first,

before we can contact them.

Yes.

That's the proper procedure.

Did you bring the radio?

The inspection at Taiwan entry is too strict.

I couldn't even bring in an antenna.

So regarding the communication line establishment,

I'll have to trouble the Taiwan Work Committee.

That's what we just decided in the meeting.

To establish a communication line

as a bridge between the East China Bureau

and the East Sea Team.

Thank you for your help.

Is this your first time in Taiwan?

Yes, first time.

The White Terror in Taiwan is very severe.

Since you're unfamiliar with this place,

come to us if you have any difficulties.

Okay.

But before entering,

you must check the blackboard at the entrance.

If it says "Mellow Flavor",

it's safe for rendezvous.

If "Flavor" is changed to "Finish",

it's dangerous.

No rendezvous then. Remember that.

Okay, got it.

What happened just now?

False alarm.

Come.

The courier replacing Comrade Zhang Hao

has arrived for the rendezvous.

What intelligence did she bring?

Nothing.

The East Sea Intelligence Team

Comrade Zhang Hao belongs to

is extremely important to the Party.

Comrade Zhang Hao has sacrificed his life,

and the radio is gone.

We have so much intelligence that needs to be delivered.

So you need to rebuild the communication line

and take this intelligence from Taipei to Hong Kong.

How much time do you need?

One week.

Give me one week.

I promise to complete the task.

On behalf of the Party, thank you.

Zheng,

trust me.

Ju,

hasn't Changcheng returned?

What's going on with you two?

Didn't you go together?

He's back.

Mom.

Mom, where have you been?

I've been looking for you.

I was so worried.

Changcheng.

I think

I must have taken a wrong turn.

And I felt like

I was getting further and further away.

Then I hired a rickshaw

to come back.

Did you find a place to make the chili powder?

Yes, I did.

I found a Chinese medicine shop.

The owner is very nice.

I told him

to process it for us,

and afterward,

for every package sold, we can take commission.

He agreed right away.

Right, I just wrote down the address.

I think

it's not too far from here.

Take a look.

This shop?

But selling chili powder in front of a medicine shop,

is that appropriate?

As long as the owner agrees,

why not?

Besides, I think that shop

has a bustling street in front of it,

with lots of people passing by.

I think we can do good business there.

Then I'll give it a try?

Yeah, try it.

[Silent Honor]

[Episode 9]

Reporting to Comrade Jianfeng.

I have suspended all personnel involved in the Hong Kong incident

for self-reflection and disciplinary action.

This incident occurred due to my negligent supervision.

I've ordered Section 4 to work around the clock

to decode the telegrams sent by Zhang Hao's team as soon as possible.

I hope to redeem myself through this service.

However, I

still suspect

that Deputy Chief Wu may be collaborating with the Communists.

I've heard that at the Kinmen victory banquet

General Chen Baocang was dissatisfied with the President

for hiring Lin Baoyuan as a strategic advisor

and had a conflict with Commander Yin.

Deputy Chief Wu openly sided with Chen Baocang.

Chen Baocang was previously investigated for supporting the Communists,

though the case was temporarily shelved due to insufficient evidence.

But I am certain

he must be connected to Communist spies.

General Chen is about to go to Taichung to inspect military supplies

and report directly to Deputy Chief Wu.

Deputy Chief Wu will also be involved in the Southwest operations.

They worked together in the Fourth District during the war.

If they join forces,

it could be detrimental to our party.

You should quickly find someone to verify this matter.

Yes, sir.

Last time at the banquet

you spoke up for me, Yuxun.

I've been wanting to thank you properly.

I wanted to invite you to my house

for a proper meal.

But my wife isn't at home,

and I can't cook.

So I came out

and found this Fuzhou restaurant.

These dishes are really good.

Most importantly, the chef here

is supposedly from your hometown in Minhou.

You're too kind, Zizhen.

Do you like Fuzhou cuisine?

I don't really like it.

I prefer simple food,

like donkey meat burgers.

I know.

Besides, I'm treating you.

I can't just offer you donkey meat burgers.

Why not?

Let's go. Take these with us

and find some donkey meat burgers.

No, no, Yuxun, listen to me.

I've asked around.

There are few donkey farms in Taiwan,

let alone finding donkey meat burgers.

Come on, let's sit down.

Stuck on this island,

many people are like me.

It's so hard to find a taste of home.

But this little restaurant has this,

Laobaigan liquor.

Here, Yuxun, cheers.

Oh, it's you.

Have one. Just bought it. It's very sweet.

Its tough skin gets stuck in your teeth.

What's so good about it?

Let's chat for a while.

It's so boring just waiting around here.

I heard Chief Zhou assigned you

to inspect military supplies of all units on the island.

Yes.

I agreed so readily

because he asked me

to report directly to you.

It's a good job.

You think this is a good job?

It has its pros and cons.

If done well, everyone's happy.

If not, you'll make enemies.

You might have forgotten

what I've been doing these past few years.

I used to be the Chief Supply Officer in Shandong.

I know all too well about

the shady dealings in the Nationalist Army's logistics.

A vice commander in Xuzhou's Suppression General Headquarters

pockets the pay for 800 ghost soldiers.

Higher-ranking officers take more; Lower-ranking ones take less.

By the time it reaches the soldiers,

each man gets less than one jin of food per day.

After the Xu-Beng Campaign,

all 5 main forces have been starving.

Do you think these military supplies

can withstand inspection?

Wasn't it the same during the War of Resistance?

Thinking about it now,

after the victory,

I never commanded troops again.

Perhaps that's a blessing.

In times like these,

trying to stay uninvolved

is difficult.

What is it now?

I just noticed

your gun doesn't have a hammer.

You've got sharp eyes.

Of course.

Let me take a look.

I'm interested in these things.

Let me see.

Smith & Wesson, huh?

You really know guns.

You've filed off the hammer here.

Why did you do that?

Back when I was in the military,

we had holsters and straps.

Now I wear plain clothes more often.

Keeping it in my pocket is inconvenient.

The hammer catches on the pocket when drawing.

Do you draw your gun often?

Do you sleep with your gun?

Yuxun,

on the other hand, the Communist Army has

over 1.5 million civilians

pushing wheelbarrows

and traveling long distances to deliver food to them.

It's truly like heaven and earth.

Look at us with our planes and artillery.

We have everything.

But who would have thought

that soldiers at the front would go hungry

and not have enough to eat?

How is it that the Nationalist Army

can't even seize food by force,

yet civilians willingly give it to the Communist Army?

Zizhen,

when I was at the Fuzhou Pacification Office,

Director Zhu Shaoliang gave me some advice.

Walls have ears.

Be careful what you say and do.

These words of yours

can be spoken here with me,

but shouldn't be said outside.

Yuxun,

we're the only ones in this restaurant.

What can't be said?

Alright, don't worry.

What we discuss today

won't leave this room.

But anyway,

if I can't talk to you about these things,

I'll burst from keeping it in.

I heard Madam and the children have arrived too.

The two younger ones came.

What about Shaocheng and Lancheng?

Are they separated from you now?

What choice do we have?

We'll take it one step at a time.

I never expected

that on October 1st,

even Mrs. Sun Soong Ching-ling,

along with Zhang Biaolao, Li Jishen and other dignitaries,

would all stand on the Tiananmen rostrum.

Even General Zhang Zhizhong,

who represented the Nationalist Government in negotiations,

ended up staying as the talks progressed.

Now the Nationalist Army is retreating on all fronts,

and Taiwan is isolated across the sea.

How long we can hold out

remains uncertain.

Yuxun,

I advise you to make plans early.

What plans should I make?

I can't decide that for you.

But you should think about your children.

I feel it's unfair to you.

Look at General Zhang Zhizhong,

when he decided to stay,

Mr. Zhou Enlai immediately arranged

to bring all his family members to Beijing.

But look at our side,

the BIS keeps harassing you every other day.

Children have their own fortune.

Compared to Shaocheng and Lancheng,

I'm more worried about you, Zizhen.

Your straightforward manner and outspoken nature

might get you into trouble

here in Taiwan.

You haven't changed a bit.

You can't tolerate the slightest dishonesty.

Yes.

Unless I'm reborn.

But you have changed quite a bit.

"Heaven won't tolerate the Kuomintang surviving."

Those were your words back then.

Do you dare say them now?

I don't.

That Wu Yuxun who once shared my passion for justice

is gone.

Instead, there's now

a cautious Deputy Chief Wu.

Perhaps we're too optimistic.

Zizhen

is still as genuine as he was back then.

It's just a pity

that I can't

have a heart-to-heart talk with him now

and I had to dampen his spirits today.

I actually think

Deputy Chief Wu's character is extremely reliable.

For decades, he's never touched gambling, prostitution, or drugs.

Just this alone

is extremely rare and valuable.

After all, you haven't seen each other for many years.

It's understandable that he's being cautious.

General Chen is a man of character.

Even if we can't tell him the truth,

I believe

he can understand your difficult position, sir.

After Taiwan is liberated,

I'll have a good drink with him.

What is it?

You may go.

Yes, sir.

Father.

Urgent wire from the Southwest:

Liu Bocheng's Communist force has launched an all-out drive

from western Hunan-Hubei toward eastern Sichuan-Guizhou.

How many troops do they have?

According to the frontline report,

there are more than 300,000 soldiers in total.

In southwest China,

our army has a million troops.

We hold an absolute advantage.

But tactically,

we need flexible strategies

to increase our chances of victory.

Tell Gu Zhutong

to immediately come up with

a counteroffensive plan against the Communist Army.

Yes, sir.

Sir, you're needed at the meeting.

Chiang is getting anxious.

Liu Bocheng caught him off guard.

How did he attack?

Toward Chongqing?

He's cutting straight from western Hunan to Chongqing.

Chiang is worried

because he can't bear to lose

either Chongqing or Chengdu.

What advice did those two Japanese give?

They want Luo Guangwen's troops from Guizhou

to attack from the outer line.

That's absurd.

Not a single Nationalist Army unit

is capable of that now.

Chiang himself knows it's impossible.

These Japanese people are just taking things for granted.

But there are still sensible people at the Ministry of Defense.

I'm worried someone might suggest

gathering a large force in Chongqing.

Chongqing is easy to defend but hard to attack.

That would be troublesome.

So I'm thinking at the meeting later,

I'll see if there's a chance to propose,

exploiting Chiang's reluctance to lose territory

and suggesting he defends both Chengdu and Chongqing.

If he accepts,

he'll definitely split his forces between the two cities.

This way, the PLA

will have opportunities to defeat enemies on multiple fronts.

Everyone,

I've been following the President

[Gu Zhutong, First-level General of the Army]

commanding at the front lines recently.

[Chief of the General Staff of KMT Ministry of Defense]

[Commander-in-Chief of the Army]

This time I've come to Taiwan

on the President's orders

to coordinate military operations in southwest China.

If we cannot come up with

a foolproof plan this time,

I won't be able to return to Chongqing.

Please look here, everyone.

You all can see the current battlefield situation.

Although Liu Bocheng's Communist Army forces

have limited troops,

they're coming on strong.

The Ministry of Defense previously assessed

that the Communist Army's main offensive in southwest China

would be in northern Sichuan.

But now it seems we're on the defensive.

If Director Song Xilian continues to retreat,

the Sichuan-Hunan-Hubei Border Pacification Office

might as well be renamed the Chongqing Pacification Office.

Everyone,

how can we break this stalemate and counterattack?

I hope you can contribute your ideas.

Director Huang,

what do you think?

Chongqing is mountainous,

easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Even the Japanese army could do nothing about it.

If Director Hu

could lead his 13 armies

of nearly 400,000 men

from Hanzhong in northern Sichuan to Chongqing,

and rely on the Wujiang River, Wuling Mountain,

and the natural barrier of the Yangtze River,

building three defense lines,

we can surely break the siege of Chongqing.

But the Communist Army's vanguard is already approaching Qianjiang River.

And Director Hu's main forces are still far away

in the Qinling Mountains and Hanzhong areas.

Only Unit One is in Guangyuan and Bazhong.

This plan would have worked well a month ago,

but now I'm afraid distant waters can't quench immediate thirst.

So, Deputy Chief Liu,

what do you think?

I believe we should have Song Xilian

and Luo Guangwen's troops in northern Guizhou

abandon eastern Sichuan-Guizhou directly.

We should consolidate our forces

and concentrate them to defend Chongqing at all costs.

When Director Hu's forces arrive,

we can attack from both inside and outside

and will surely destroy Liu Bocheng.

If we abandon so many positions,

I'm afraid the President won't accept that.

Besides, there's also Li Yannian's

precedent of abandoning Pingtan Island.

Song Xilian and Luo Guangwen may not

be willing to execute this order.

If we don't make choices,

even the best plans are meaningless.

Don't speak such discouraging words.

Deputy Chief Wu,

what's your opinion?

I have no opinions,

only concerns.

If Director Hu's main forces and Song Xilian's corps

all rush to support Chongqing,

then northern Guizhou will certainly be vulnerable.

If Liu Bocheng

passes through northern Guizhou and southern Sichuan,

bypassing Chongqing

and heading straight for Chengdu,

wouldn't that be disastrous?

Liu Bocheng is known for his cunning military tactics.

Deputy Chief Wu's concerns are not without merit.

Deputy Chief Wu has a high position

and a broad perspective,

and always hits the nail on the head.

Do you have any strategy to defeat the enemy?

Director Hu has great military power

and is trusted by the President.

He should be able to take care of both Sichuan and Chongqing.

As long as Director Song Xilian in the front

can hold the Wujiang-Pengshui line,

our army still have a chance.

Sir, what did the Chief say to you?

He conveyed Chiang's opinion to me.

Advance without retreat, protecting both Chengdu and Chongqing.

He ordered the Ministry of Defense to come up with a plan immediately.

Looks like they're going to split the forces.

As expected, they don't want to lose either Chongqing or Chengdu.

Chiang has always deployed troops this way,

overestimating the Nationalist Army's fighting capability.

At the beginning of battles, he tries to cover everything.

Then he wants to occupy more major cities.

In the end, he can't hold onto anything.

It happened in the Liaoxi Campaign,

and in the Xu-Beng Campaign as well.

So your proposal to protect both Sichuan and Chongqing

plays right into his hands.

This is my previous plan,

but it needs to be detailed.

As long as Hu Zongnan splits his force,

the PLA have a chance to take the Southwest.

So the plan

must be finished tonight.

Great. We'll work through the night.

Got off work?

Quite on time today.

Let me do it.

You should head home too.

Madam, I still have some work to finish.

What work is so urgent that it must be done today?

The Chief urgently needs a deployment plan.

He's waiting for me to call him when I'm done.

Get off work no later than 9 PM every night,

go home and rest.

Look at the time.

Well, it's 9:05 PM now.

It's up to you, Yuxun.

Alright, Madam. We won't work tonight.

Good night.

I'm not going back today. I'll just stay here

and tomorrow morning...

You should hurry back to be with Mei.

Go home early to be with Mei.

Come early tomorrow.

Come early.

Okay.

Madam, I'm leaving now.

Good night.

Good night.

Dou,

make a pot of rice porridge later

and prepare several more dishes.

Madam,

Adjutant Nie and Mr. Wu were up all night.

Do we need to prepare so much food now?

Awake now?

Yes.

How was your sleep?

Very well.

No dreams?

No.

I've been under a lot of pressure lately.

I slept really well.

Wu Yuxun,

since when did you learn to put on an act with me?

Dou already told me everything.

Who?

Dou.

She saw you and Nie Xi

spending the whole night in the study.

What about our agreement?

Have you forgotten it all?

There is indeed a critical task

that needs to be completed quickly.

What critical task?

Isn't your life critical?

Morning, Qian.

Morning, Adjutant Nie.

Sir, I'm here.

Stay in bed.

I'm still mad at you.

Just keep sleeping.

Lie down.

Okay.

Madam.

You're here.

How was you sleep yesterday?

Very well.

I haven't slept this well in a long time.

I bought breakfast too. It's still warm.

Have a seat.

Nie Xi,

doesn't Mei

blame you for doing this?

Mei?

What would she blame me about?

You come here at 7 AM sharp every morning.

And after work,

you either work overtime at the office

or in your study.

You never get home before 10 PM.

And Mei has never blamed you for this?

I called her several times the other day.

No one answered in the dormitory.

Yes, she was working overtime at her office.

Didn't I tell you about that before?

Then what about last night?

What about last night?

She didn't work overtime last night.

I went home early last night.

Anyway,

it's good to get some rest.

You can lie to me,

but don't keep lying to Mei.

It's not easy for her to be with you.

You need to treat her well.

A harmonious family brings success in everything.

Honesty is the most important thing between husband and wife.

Yes.

So,

invite Mei over for dinner tomorrow.

Consider it

my way of apologizing to Mei

on behalf of your mentor.

No need, Madam.

Mei might be a little unhappy,

but it's really not that serious.

Just some minor family issues.

Not a big...

Listen to my wife.

Ask Mei to come over tomorrow.

You need to apologize to her.

Last night we

worked in the study all night

and didn't sleep at all.

Busted.

Busted again?

I'm sorry, Madam.

You haven't slept all night.

Let me check your blood pressure.

You're still smiling.

My wife hates being lied to.

We chose this job.

Whether it's you to Mei

or me to my wife,

we should all feel guilty.

Yes.

It'll be soon, Sir.

When Taiwan is liberated,

we can make it up to them.

Yuxun.

Come here.

Coming.

[Li Qing, Field Service, Counterintelligence Section, BIS, KMT]

Adjutant Nie.

Morning.

Morning.

I'd like 4 fried dough sticks.

Coming right up.

[Missing Notice: I, Chen Li, am looking for my long-lost younger brother, Chen Dong.]

[Chen Dong is about 35 years old, thin, with a slight beard.]

[Due to a family incident, we brothers were separated.]

[Anyone with information, please notify. There will be a generous reward.]

Ju.

Ju.

I'm going out to buy some toiletries.

Will you be okay going by yourself?

Sure, no problem.

Changcheng showed me around the other day.

It's not a big place. I'll be fine.

No.

What's up?

What... what are you doing?

What's wrong? What's wrong with Mom?

Bao.

Changcheng,

come home quickly, hurry.

I told Ju not to call you back,

but she wouldn't listen.

Sorry for troubling you.

Go back to work.

I can't be lost.

It's fine, Mom. I'll stay with you.

Yesterday at the market,

I saw a woman selling cigarettes,

and then she was chased and beaten by police.

Why did that happen?

Mom,

those

aren't regular police.

They're tax officers from the Monopoly Bureau.

Now in Taiwan,

necessities like cigarettes, alcohol, sugar, and tea

are government monopolies.

Private sales are prohibited.

Really? When did this start?

It started as soon as Japan surrendered.

It was established by the provincial chairman at that time.

The profits from cigarettes, alcohol, sugar, and tea are the highest.

This government holds Japan with one hand

and clings to American aid with the other.

It's truly clever.

Changcheng,

as the child grows older,

expenses will increase.

Have you thought about

making some extra money on the side?

I've thought about it too, Mom.

But if I really had that ability,

wouldn't I have quit this job long ago?

Changcheng, let me ask you,

are there many people

from mainland in your department?

Not just many.

Almost everyone is from there.

Hardly any locals.

You see?

People from all over come to Taiwan

and they all want a taste of their hometown food.

Right?

Many people want chili oil.

I was thinking

if we bring in some things not available locally

like chili powder, Sichuan pepper powder and such,

the sales should be good, right?

And even if they don't sell right away,

they're dry goods, easy to store,

don't you think?

Mom, I've heard you're great at business.

Tell me more about it.

Look,

in such a lively market,

there are chili peppers but no chili powder.

With just simple processing,

we've got ourselves a business opportunity.

Why don't we do some research today?

You can ask about chili prices,

and I'll find a processing place.

Let's get to it right away.

How about we split up?

Today?

It's inconvenient in this outfit.

If you want to make money, you need to find a way.

If we succeed, it's your credit. If we fail, it's on me.

Alright, Mom.

[Jianchang Store, Contact Point of CPC Taiwan Work Committee]

Ma'am,

we're doing inventory today.

Not selling anything.

Please try another store.

I'm from back home.

I'm looking for Zheng.

Please come in.

Our boss is stacking goods in the back.

Please come in and wait.

Okay.

This way.

Please sit.

Okay, thank you.

I'll get you some water.

Okay.

Where are you from, ma'am?

Hong Kong.

What brings you to Taipei?

My back home sent me to purchase goods.

How is your family's medicine business?

The medicine business is difficult these days.

We've switched to selling tea now.

Were you sent by Manager Wang?

No,

it was Mr. Wan,

Mr. Wan Jingguang.

He sent me here.

How can you prove it?

I have a handwritten letter from Mr. Wan.

Please pass the letter through the door crack.

Mr. Wan instructed me

to deliver this to Zheng in person.

[Cai Xiaoqian, Code Name Zheng, Secretary of CPC Taiwan Work Committee, ]

Mr. Zheng,

I've seen your photo.

My name is Zhu Feng.

Where's the letter?

This is too careless.

You shouldn't carry the letter with you.

The situation in Taiwan is critical.

We need to be more cautious.

Alright, I understand.

Relax now. It's alright.

Comrade Zhu Feng.

Call me Mrs. Chen.

Hello, Comrade Zheng.

Mrs. Chen,

since we received Mr. Wan's message from the radio station,

we immediately placed

a missing person notice in the newspaper.

I've been waiting at the shop almost every day,

finally meeting you today.

Recently,

spy activities have become rampant.

Everyone is on high alert.

Did it frighten you?

It's alright.

They've specially sent a courier over.

The East Sea Intelligence Team has quite a high rank.

Have you made contact with them yet?

Our superiors require

that we establish a communication line first,

before we can contact them.

Yes.

That's the proper procedure.

Did you bring the radio?

The inspection at Taiwan entry is too strict.

I couldn't even bring in an antenna.

So regarding the communication line establishment,

I'll have to trouble the Taiwan Work Committee.

That's what we just decided in the meeting.

To establish a communication line

as a bridge between the East China Bureau

and the East Sea Team.

Thank you for your help.

Is this your first time in Taiwan?

Yes, first time.

The White Terror in Taiwan is very severe.

Since you're unfamiliar with this place,

come to us if you have any difficulties.

Okay.

But before entering,

you must check the blackboard at the entrance.

If it says "Mellow Flavor",

it's safe for rendezvous.

If "Flavor" is changed to "Finish",

it's dangerous.

No rendezvous then. Remember that.

Okay, got it.

What happened just now?

False alarm.

Come.

The courier replacing Comrade Zhang Hao

has arrived for the rendezvous.

What intelligence did she bring?

Nothing.

The East Sea Intelligence Team

Comrade Zhang Hao belongs to

is extremely important to the Party.

Comrade Zhang Hao has sacrificed his life,

and the radio is gone.

We have so much intelligence that needs to be delivered.

So you need to rebuild the communication line

and take this intelligence from Taipei to Hong Kong.

How much time do you need?

One week.

Give me one week.

I promise to complete the task.

On behalf of the Party, thank you.

Zheng,

trust me.

Ju,

hasn't Changcheng returned?

What's going on with you two?

Didn't you go together?

He's back.

Mom.

Mom, where have you been?

I've been looking for you.

I was so worried.

Changcheng.

I think

I must have taken a wrong turn.

And I felt like

I was getting further and further away.

Then I hired a rickshaw

to come back.

Did you find a place to make the chili powder?

Yes, I did.

I found a Chinese medicine shop.

The owner is very nice.

I told him

to process it for us,

and afterward,

for every package sold, we can take commission.

He agreed right away.

Right, I just wrote down the address.

I think

it's not too far from here.

Take a look.

This shop?

But selling chili powder in front of a medicine shop,

is that appropriate?

As long as the owner agrees,

why not?

Besides, I think that shop

has a bustling street in front of it,

with lots of people passing by.

I think we can do good business there.

Then I'll give it a try?

Yeah, try it.