How to pronounce "脚步"

[Silent Honor]

[Episode 10]

Sir, a telegram from the Southwest Office.

Have Wujiang and Pengshui fallen so soon?

They've fallen.

General Song Xilian failed to hold Wujiang,

and even lost Pengshui. Now…

Colonel Wang,

don't speak words of discouragement.

Sichuan and Chongqing will surely stand as solid as a fortress.

You must have confidence.

Yes!

Is there any liquor left in the office?

Yes, there is.

Sir, would you like a drink?

It's not appropriate in the office, is it?

Yes.

Let's drink at home.

I'll join you.

Drinking at home isn't appropriate either.

Madam won't allow it.

Then why did you ask?

Can't I just ask?

I'm off work. I'll head out first.

Go ahead.

I still have to work overtime.

Two files still haven't come back from

Wu's and Zhou's offices.

It's so annoying.

Zhenhua,

if you're in a hurry,

I can cover your shift.

Really?

I actually made plans to see a play with some friends.

Then go already.

But you've been busy all day.

It doesn't matter.

We're roommates;

helping each other is what we should do.

If you want to go, hurry up.

But next time when I need something,

you have to cover my shift.

You're the best!

I'll bring you back some taro cake.

Go now.

[Office of the Deputy Chief, Ministry of Defense]

Come in.

Sir,

there's still one more document you haven't filed.

The chief says I can't leave

until all the files are filed.

When did you get here?

Sir, I checked in at the Confidential Office just yesterday.

I meant when did you arrive at my door.

Just before I knocked.

File it, comrade.

Li Qing—"Li" as in dawn, "Qing" as in clear sky.

Okay, Clerk Li.

Mr. Wu.

You're back on the dot.

Exactly.

What's wrong?

Do you really have to transfer Xuecheng?

Is there no other way?

A few days ago,

Ms. Li, the Chinese teacher

at Qiuzhen Middle School,

was seized by BIS

for spreading Communist propaganda

in class

and executed

the next day.

Her family arrived

only after it was over.

Then...

That thing her best friend

showed her

was really too dangerous.

Yes.

That's why she has to transfer schools.

Don't worry too much.

Don't tell her—no need to scare her.

I won't.

And you shouldn't worry too much either.

I'll take her to school tomorrow

and have a chat with her.

Adjutant Nie,

do you also live at

the Ministry of Defense officers' quarters?

Yeah. Why?

Could I get a lift back with you?

Are you in a hurry to get back?

No, I just worked late today.

I'm a bit scared to walk back

alone in the dark.

No problem.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Adjutant Nie, do you also like listening to the radio?

Occasionally.

I like Zhou Xuan and Bai Guang.

I vaguely heard you listening to the radio

in the office today too.

Whose songs do you usually like to listen to?

I don't usually listen to songs.

I listen to news—

Central News Agency broadcasts.

But not always,

I just tune in to whatever's on.

It doesn't matter to me.

Hearing can be deceiving anyway.

Sometimes sound isn't so reliable—

like just now, I didn't hear

your footsteps before you knocked.

Is that so?

Maybe you were just

too focused on work.

Everyone in the ministry knows

you and Deputy Chief Wu

are swamped with official business.

Adjutant Nie, you can stop there.

I haven't had dinner.

I'd like to grab a bite before heading back.

Forget it.

Let's just go back now.

Why?

I'm afraid of taking up your time.

I just realized that

it's so dark now.

If I eat alone and then go back,

I'll be scared again.

Go ahead and eat.

Would you like a bowl too?

No, thanks.

I'll wait for you in the car.

Boss, two bowls of misua, please.

Sit over there. It'll be ready soon.

Adjutant Nie,

I ordered two bowls just now.

Would you like to try some?

Thank you.

♪ To the ends of the earth ♪

Li Qing, what's going on?

Why did you come back with Adjutant Nie?

Don't tell me he actually drove you back.

He's so old-fashioned—

did he drove you back?

I just waited for him to return the files, sign in,

and we grabbed a late-night snack.

You two had a late-night snack together?

Did he treat you?

Just a bowl of misua.

A bowl of misua is a big deal!

What are you thinking about?

Wait a minute.

Were you really trying to help me,

or was there another reason?

Of course I was trying to help you.

Yeah?

Obviously.

Honestly

though,

I think Adjutant Nie

is actually quite a nice person.

Oh, come on.

Don't set your sights on him.

He's already married.

Then why have I never seen

Mrs. Nie at the office?

Trouble in the marriage?

You've noticed too, huh?

When we all worked late,

every officer's wife

brought fresh clothes for her husband.

But not him.

He's like a bachelor.

Mrs. Wu even

brings an extra set for him.

No idea why.

Could it be that he doesn't have a wife?

Who told you that?

His file says he does.

I even saw her

in the hallway before.

But lately, she hasn't shown up.

Everyone's saying

maybe something happened at home.

You've fallen for him?

I can tell.

What do you think about all day?

You've definitely fallen for him,

haven't you?

You like him?

Really?

You've really fallen for him?

No.

What are you doing?

Come on, just admit it.

Wash up and get ready for bed.

Hurry up.

I'm not kidding.

Do you really like him?

Are you done yet? Come on, hurry.

Father,

the enemy is advancing on southwestern Sichuan

and the areas south of it.

Song Xilian's two corps

have only a little over 30,000 men left.

Send a telegram to Hu Zongnan

to order him to march south from northern Sichuan at once,

and hold Chengdu at all costs.

Yes, Father.

Last time, Deputy Chief Wu

suggested that Song Xilian hold the Wujiang

and Pengshui line.

Now that both positions are lost,

many in the Kuomintang are whispering that

he did it on purpose.

The Kuomintang strives to quell the uprising and needs capable hands.

With the war so tense on all fronts,

you must unite the generals within the Kuomintang

to steady morale.

Have Chen Cheng and Gu Zhutong come here immediately

to come up with a new counterattack plan.

Yes, Father.

Please, take a seat.

At this critical moment of the Southwest Campaign,

losing contact with Song Xilian's forces

has left the eastern Sichuan front wide open,

disrupting some of our original plans.

We must make new adjustments now.

In addition,

I've received an urgent telegram from Yan Xishan,

strongly recommending that I take command in Chongqing

to turn around the Kuomintang and Nation's declining situation.

After careful consideration,

both emotionally and rationally,

I must set aside

personal safety and honor,

and stand with the military and political cadres in the southwest—

sharing life and death, facing hardship together,

and striving to

turn the situation around.

President,

I'm willing to follow you to Chongqing

and face any peril together.

We're willing to face any peril with you.

Please take a seat.

I am deeply gratified

by such a spirit.

I've already handed the list

of accompanying personnel to Jingguo.

Let's depart tomorrow.

Oh, by the way,

Deputy Chief Wu.

At your service.

Recently, I've heard some questioning

whether our party should employ the White Group.

To me, this is utterly absurd.

During the War of Resistance,

Mr. Wu suffered the pain of losing his son,

yet he still worked diligently,

serving as an interpreter for me and the White Group,

and helping to draft strategic guidelines.

Such a spirit of putting the greater good above personal grief

is all the more precious

in this time of national crisis.

Everyone,

you should take Deputy Chief Wu as an example

to put the country above yourselves in this time of crisis.

I really want to see

how charming Adjutant Nie is

to have you so smitten.

Don't talk nonsense.

Lu Zhenhua,

hurry and take the files I asked you to organize

to Deputy Chief Wu for signature.

Okay.

Is there any mail for me?

I just picked them up.

Sir!

Come in.

Here are some documents

that need Deputy Chief Wu's signature.

He is in a meeting.

I'll give them to him when he returns.

[To Section Chief Zhao, personal]

Are you sure you didn't see my letter?

I don't think so. It's all here.

That's not right.

I should have received a letter today.

How could it be missing?

Ms. Zhao,

you are looking for this, right?

Lu Zhenhua, how can you handle things like this?

Can you just send my personal letters anywhere like that?

Can't you tell documents and envelopes?

I think you shouldn't work here anymore.

Go down to the archives immediately.

Nobody goes to the basement

for ten or fifteen days,

so you won't make mistakes again.

I'm sorry, Ms. Zhao.

I didn't mean to.

Sorry.

Ms. Zhao,

this is not just Lu Zhenhua's fault.

I accidentally sorted them wrong

while we were talking.

Playing the hero now, are you?

Since you're so righteous,

why don't you take her place

and work in the archives?

Ms. Zhao,

don't be so angry. Calm down.

Adjutant Nie,

you don't know

how difficult these new recruits

are to manage.

I know.

You in the Confidential Section

deal with important documents,

including some top-secret national files.

If anything goes wrong,

none of us can bear the consequences.

Mr. Wu went to a meeting.

I saw that this was your letter,

and I didn't know if it was important,

so I just handed it to you right away.

These two are new recruits.

They didn't do it on purpose.

Please be lenient with them.

They won't let it happen again.

Fine, since you've spoken for them,

but this is the last time.

Thank you.

Lu Zhenhua, I need to

have a proper talk with you

about this.

Adjutant Nie,

thank you for helping me out just now.

I wouldn't have known what to do otherwise.

We're colleagues.

No need to thank me.

Zhenhua is my good friend.

I couldn't bear to see her scolded by Ms. Zhao.

I didn't expect you to be so righteous.

You've helped us so much.

Can we treat you to a meal?

The front line situation is urgent.

I haven't had a proper rest for the past two weeks.

Let's skip the meal.

Thank you.

Still, we have to thank you.

You should head back now,

or Ms. Zhao will give you trouble again.

Everyone,

we have fought on many fronts

and it is rare to gather together today.

For this first toast,

I propose we all drink to the President,

in honor of restoring order, saving the country,

and facing national crisis together.

Restoring order, saving the country,

and facing national crisis together.

For the second toast,

I want to honor the soldiers who will follow the President

on the expedition to the Southwest.

I give you this send-off.

Please, everyone be seated.

Yuxun,

please wait a moment.

The President has not publicly praised anyone

for a long time.

You fully

deserve this honor.

A toast to Deputy Chief Wu.

A toast to Deputy Chief Wu.

I'm deeply grateful for the trust of the President,

the Chief, and everyone here.

It is my great honor to serve

the Kuomintang and the Nation with all that I can.

Please be seated.

Make yourselves comfortable.

Deputy Chief Wu,

you are our role model.

We should all learn from you.

Deputy Chief Wu,

a toast to you.

Alright, thank you.

Mei,

come on, quick.

Don't be shy, have a seat.

It's getting late. They're still not back.

Why don't we start

without them?

Here,

have some more of this.

Thank you.

Mei,

I invited you here today

mainly to apologize

on behalf of Yuxun.

He always makes Nie Xi work late,

which affects you as a couple.

Both of them work so hard.

I'll talk to him

and ask him to let Nie Xi work less overtime.

Did he only say that I complained about him working overtime?

He didn't say that.

But you complained about him

because he was working overtime, right?

That's why you were unhappy.

I called you several times but nobody answered.

Madam,

he lied to me.

He lied to you?

What did he lie about?

Tell me. I'll help you.

When we first came to Taiwan,

I insisted on bringing the child with me.

But he said the boat ride would be rough

and the child might feel unwell,

so he would bring the child by plane.

But when we arrived in Taipei,

he came alone.

I thought

we could settle in first

and then bring the child over.

Every time I asked him after that,

he just brushed me off—

putting it off

day after day.

Always telling me it will be soon.

I feel like he doesn't care about the child

and doesn't want our family to be together.

I really couldn't take it,

so I had to move out.

You're not going to stay with Nie Xi anymore?

I can't continue for now.

We are living apart.

Living apart?

Wait, Mei.

You have to think carefully.

Living apart is a serious matter.

I remember Yuxun told me that

at that time it was Nie Xi

who insisted on coming to Taiwan,

so he left the child in Fuzhou.

And he even told us that this was done

with your consent.

How could I possibly agree?

How could I ever agree to

be separated from my child?

Even if I die, I want

our family to die together.

Nie Xi really went too far.

He not only lied to me,

but also to you and Mr. Wu.

He didn't want to tell his mentor,

maybe because he has his own difficulties.

Mei,

men sometimes

face a lot of pressure outside.

I'll ask him for you later.

You should also think about it.

It might be best to move back.

I've seen you two

fall in love,

and your relationship hasn't been easy.

Life is so short,

just a few decades.

Don't do anything

that will make you regret it.

And sometimes, with a man,

you have to give him some face.

Madam,

over all these years,

have you ever complained about Mr. Wu?

Yes.

Of course I have.

But he is my...

He's my husband.

As long as he is well and the child is well,

it doesn't matter

what happens to me.

I wish I could be like you.

I've tried,

but I just can't.

It's okay, Mei.

It's okay.

I get so angry

when I think about him lying to me.

Thinking about him keeping me apart from my child—

it hurts so much.

There, there.

I miss my child so much.

Madam,

is there really no way to bring the child over?

I also have two children on the mainland.

I completely understand how you feel.

But you can see the situation now:

Fuzhou is already under Communist control.

It's not as simple as getting back

with just a boat ticket.

Mr. Wu,

I've been working myself

to the bone,

begging everyone I can,

and we're still short 200 trucks.

The First Army was personally assigned by the President.

If we can't deliver to Chongqing on time

and miss the opportunity,

I can't bear that responsibility.

How about this?

I'll call Officer Bai Chongxi

and see if he can help us arrange some.

Mr. Wu, saving a life is the greatest virtue of all.

Officer Bai will definitely honor your request.

I'm on it.

General Chen is looking for you.

Zizhen, you're here too.

Did Chief Gu ask you to come?

Chief Gu didn't.

It's about work.

I'm here to see the Chief and you.

What for?

To submit my resignation.

I can't handle the task of

inspecting military equipment on the island.

Please find someone more capable.

Resignation?

Where are you planning to go?

Where else could I go?

I'll go to Tainan to train new recruits.

Goodbye.

Zizhen,

are you in some kind of trouble?

Not at all.

What trouble could I possibly have?

I just heard that you

served as translator for the President and White Group,

and even received high praise from President.

I, Chen,

feel I fall short in comparison.

No wonder President holds you in such high regard.

You've really changed in just a few days.

I've been too slow to realize.

I always thought you were

Wu Yuxun, fearless and fighting side by side

at Battle of Kunlun Pass, spilling blood for the cause.

But now, Deputy Chief Wu,

you've devoted yourself to easing the burdens of the nation,

even forgetting the hatred for the Japanese for your own son.

I just don't understand

why you put on such airs

right in front of General Hu

at the victory banquet after the Battle of Guningtou?

Do you take me for a fool?

Fine.

I know I don't have your

vision or ability,

so it's best to have someone capable

handle the inspection of military equipment on the island.

I'm just an ordinary, insignificant person.

Go enjoy your celebration drink.

What more do you want?

Zizhen,

it's hot and unhealthy in Tainan.

Take care.

Sir,

why was General Chen in such a bad mood just now?

How is he? Everything okay?

It's nothing.

He came to submit his resignation

to me and the Chief,

asking to go train new recruits in Tainan.

Come on, don't just stand there, drink up.

Alright.

You drink so much,

doesn't it make you feel unwell?

It does.

Bikui,

remember the rules we agreed on?

The second is

no drinking outside.

Alright, alright.

Let's not talk about this now.

Mei came over for dinner.

She's still pretty upset with Nie Xi.

What do you want?

I...

I told you before,

when Mei comes over for dinner,

you and I should both apologize to her.

You don't make enough promises, do you?

Actually, when Mei comes,

you, me, and Nie Xi

should all be there.

Yeah, yeah. Here.

Lie down.

Why does Mei seem so upset with Nie Xi?

She said he's been hiding a lot of things from her.

Hiding a lot?

Like what?

Alright, let's not get into that.

From now on, make sure Nie Xi comes home on time

and finishes work earlier.

Yuxun,

are you keeping anything from me too?

No.

Not even a tiny little thing?

No.

Tomorrow, Xue Cheng is transferring schools.

You'll go with me.

Xuecheng.

Xuecheng,

the transfer is for your own good.

You'll understand later.

I don't understand.

Li Yuanzhen was brought here

from Fuzhou by her parents too.

We never wanted to come to Taiwan,

but you all dragged us here.

And another good friend of ours

stayed in Fuzhou.

We don't even know

when we'll see them again.

And now you're going to separate me

from my best friend again.

How is that for my own good?

Hello, Teacher.

Wu Xuecheng!

Wu Xuecheng!

Li Yuanzhen!

♪ Long ago, mile on mile ♪

♪ Ancient road, dust not dried ♪

♪ Evening wind, flute's sad cry ♪

♪ Sun goes down, past the hill ♪

♪ At world's end ♪

♪ Where are you? ♪

♪ O my friend, it's God's will ♪

♪ For a taste of wine few ♪

Bikui,

go tell Xuecheng

she's not transferring anymore.

Sir, you're here.

Today is General Chen's departure day.

Has he still decided to go to Tainan to train the new recruits?

Yes.

Let's go. I'll see him off.

[Keelung Harbor]

Attention! Salute!

Where were these soldiers recruited from?

General Chen,

these are all student soldiers.

They volunteered to join the army and serve the country,

to be assigned as reinforcements to the 201st Youth Division.

Are they all volunteers?

Yes, they all volunteered!

Boy,

do you want to go home?

Don't be afraid.

While I'm here, no one will stop you.

Anyone who wants to go home can leave now.

Go.

Reform the ranks!

General Chen!

General Chen.

Why are you here?

You're leaving today,

and Sir has been thinking of you.

This is a small token from him.

With all the hardships of travel,

he hopes you

and your men

will take good care of yourselves in Tainan.

Donkey meat burger?

It's the taste of home.

The taste of our hometown.

Sir,

Mr. Chiang just arrived in Chongqing and asked you to meet with the White Group.

There won't be any major changes, will there?

Mr. Chiang sees Chongqing as an anti-Communist stronghold.

He definitely won't give it up easily.

Last time, I suggested that Liu and Deng

might bypass Chongqing

and strike directly at Chengdu;

He actually listened.

He's now moved all of Hu Zongnan's main forces

to Chengdu,

leaving only the First Army, long absent from real battle,

to reinforce Chongqing.

That actually works in favor of liberating Chongqing.

It's a long, mountainous road from northern Sichuan to Chengdu.

Even if the First Army makes the trip, it won't make any difference.

Judging from the recent deployments of the PLA,

Liu and Deng are focusing all their efforts on wiping out

Song Xilian's corps.

They also do not want them to fall back to Chongqing

and regroup.

So what we need to do now

is keep Liu and Deng constantly updated

on how much reinforcement Chongqing can expect from the rear.

Once the new courier arrives,

we will send this deployment out.

Lately, I've almost been

sleeping with the radio.

Don't worry,

I definitely won't miss any messages from the courier.

[Silent Honor]

[Episode 10]

Sir, a telegram from the Southwest Office.

Have Wujiang and Pengshui fallen so soon?

They've fallen.

General Song Xilian failed to hold Wujiang,

and even lost Pengshui. Now…

Colonel Wang,

don't speak words of discouragement.

Sichuan and Chongqing will surely stand as solid as a fortress.

You must have confidence.

Yes!

Is there any liquor left in the office?

Yes, there is.

Sir, would you like a drink?

It's not appropriate in the office, is it?

Yes.

Let's drink at home.

I'll join you.

Drinking at home isn't appropriate either.

Madam won't allow it.

Then why did you ask?

Can't I just ask?

I'm off work. I'll head out first.

Go ahead.

I still have to work overtime.

Two files still haven't come back from

Wu's and Zhou's offices.

It's so annoying.

Zhenhua,

if you're in a hurry,

I can cover your shift.

Really?

I actually made plans to see a play with some friends.

Then go already.

But you've been busy all day.

It doesn't matter.

We're roommates;

helping each other is what we should do.

If you want to go, hurry up.

But next time when I need something,

you have to cover my shift.

You're the best!

I'll bring you back some taro cake.

Go now.

[Office of the Deputy Chief, Ministry of Defense]

Come in.

Sir,

there's still one more document you haven't filed.

The chief says I can't leave

until all the files are filed.

When did you get here?

Sir, I checked in at the Confidential Office just yesterday.

I meant when did you arrive at my door.

Just before I knocked.

File it, comrade.

Li Qing—"Li" as in dawn, "Qing" as in clear sky.

Okay, Clerk Li.

Mr. Wu.

You're back on the dot.

Exactly.

What's wrong?

Do you really have to transfer Xuecheng?

Is there no other way?

A few days ago,

Ms. Li, the Chinese teacher

at Qiuzhen Middle School,

was seized by BIS

for spreading Communist propaganda

in class

and executed

the next day.

Her family arrived

only after it was over.

Then...

That thing her best friend

showed her

was really too dangerous.

Yes.

That's why she has to transfer schools.

Don't worry too much.

Don't tell her—no need to scare her.

I won't.

And you shouldn't worry too much either.

I'll take her to school tomorrow

and have a chat with her.

Adjutant Nie,

do you also live at

the Ministry of Defense officers' quarters?

Yeah. Why?

Could I get a lift back with you?

Are you in a hurry to get back?

No, I just worked late today.

I'm a bit scared to walk back

alone in the dark.

No problem.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Adjutant Nie, do you also like listening to the radio?

Occasionally.

I like Zhou Xuan and Bai Guang.

I vaguely heard you listening to the radio

in the office today too.

Whose songs do you usually like to listen to?

I don't usually listen to songs.

I listen to news—

Central News Agency broadcasts.

But not always,

I just tune in to whatever's on.

It doesn't matter to me.

Hearing can be deceiving anyway.

Sometimes sound isn't so reliable—

like just now, I didn't hear

your footsteps before you knocked.

Is that so?

Maybe you were just

too focused on work.

Everyone in the ministry knows

you and Deputy Chief Wu

are swamped with official business.

Adjutant Nie, you can stop there.

I haven't had dinner.

I'd like to grab a bite before heading back.

Forget it.

Let's just go back now.

Why?

I'm afraid of taking up your time.

I just realized that

it's so dark now.

If I eat alone and then go back,

I'll be scared again.

Go ahead and eat.

Would you like a bowl too?

No, thanks.

I'll wait for you in the car.

Boss, two bowls of misua, please.

Sit over there. It'll be ready soon.

Adjutant Nie,

I ordered two bowls just now.

Would you like to try some?

Thank you.

♪ To the ends of the earth ♪

Li Qing, what's going on?

Why did you come back with Adjutant Nie?

Don't tell me he actually drove you back.

He's so old-fashioned—

did he drove you back?

I just waited for him to return the files, sign in,

and we grabbed a late-night snack.

You two had a late-night snack together?

Did he treat you?

Just a bowl of misua.

A bowl of misua is a big deal!

What are you thinking about?

Wait a minute.

Were you really trying to help me,

or was there another reason?

Of course I was trying to help you.

Yeah?

Obviously.

Honestly

though,

I think Adjutant Nie

is actually quite a nice person.

Oh, come on.

Don't set your sights on him.

He's already married.

Then why have I never seen

Mrs. Nie at the office?

Trouble in the marriage?

You've noticed too, huh?

When we all worked late,

every officer's wife

brought fresh clothes for her husband.

But not him.

He's like a bachelor.

Mrs. Wu even

brings an extra set for him.

No idea why.

Could it be that he doesn't have a wife?

Who told you that?

His file says he does.

I even saw her

in the hallway before.

But lately, she hasn't shown up.

Everyone's saying

maybe something happened at home.

You've fallen for him?

I can tell.

What do you think about all day?

You've definitely fallen for him,

haven't you?

You like him?

Really?

You've really fallen for him?

No.

What are you doing?

Come on, just admit it.

Wash up and get ready for bed.

Hurry up.

I'm not kidding.

Do you really like him?

Are you done yet? Come on, hurry.

Father,

the enemy is advancing on southwestern Sichuan

and the areas south of it.

Song Xilian's two corps

have only a little over 30,000 men left.

Send a telegram to Hu Zongnan

to order him to march south from northern Sichuan at once,

and hold Chengdu at all costs.

Yes, Father.

Last time, Deputy Chief Wu

suggested that Song Xilian hold the Wujiang

and Pengshui line.

Now that both positions are lost,

many in the Kuomintang are whispering that

he did it on purpose.

The Kuomintang strives to quell the uprising and needs capable hands.

With the war so tense on all fronts,

you must unite the generals within the Kuomintang

to steady morale.

Have Chen Cheng and Gu Zhutong come here immediately

to come up with a new counterattack plan.

Yes, Father.

Please, take a seat.

At this critical moment of the Southwest Campaign,

losing contact with Song Xilian's forces

has left the eastern Sichuan front wide open,

disrupting some of our original plans.

We must make new adjustments now.

In addition,

I've received an urgent telegram from Yan Xishan,

strongly recommending that I take command in Chongqing

to turn around the Kuomintang and Nation's declining situation.

After careful consideration,

both emotionally and rationally,

I must set aside

personal safety and honor,

and stand with the military and political cadres in the southwest—

sharing life and death, facing hardship together,

and striving to

turn the situation around.

President,

I'm willing to follow you to Chongqing

and face any peril together.

We're willing to face any peril with you.

Please take a seat.

I am deeply gratified

by such a spirit.

I've already handed the list

of accompanying personnel to Jingguo.

Let's depart tomorrow.

Oh, by the way,

Deputy Chief Wu.

At your service.

Recently, I've heard some questioning

whether our party should employ the White Group.

To me, this is utterly absurd.

During the War of Resistance,

Mr. Wu suffered the pain of losing his son,

yet he still worked diligently,

serving as an interpreter for me and the White Group,

and helping to draft strategic guidelines.

Such a spirit of putting the greater good above personal grief

is all the more precious

in this time of national crisis.

Everyone,

you should take Deputy Chief Wu as an example

to put the country above yourselves in this time of crisis.

I really want to see

how charming Adjutant Nie is

to have you so smitten.

Don't talk nonsense.

Lu Zhenhua,

hurry and take the files I asked you to organize

to Deputy Chief Wu for signature.

Okay.

Is there any mail for me?

I just picked them up.

Sir!

Come in.

Here are some documents

that need Deputy Chief Wu's signature.

He is in a meeting.

I'll give them to him when he returns.

[To Section Chief Zhao, personal]

Are you sure you didn't see my letter?

I don't think so. It's all here.

That's not right.

I should have received a letter today.

How could it be missing?

Ms. Zhao,

you are looking for this, right?

Lu Zhenhua, how can you handle things like this?

Can you just send my personal letters anywhere like that?

Can't you tell documents and envelopes?

I think you shouldn't work here anymore.

Go down to the archives immediately.

Nobody goes to the basement

for ten or fifteen days,

so you won't make mistakes again.

I'm sorry, Ms. Zhao.

I didn't mean to.

Sorry.

Ms. Zhao,

this is not just Lu Zhenhua's fault.

I accidentally sorted them wrong

while we were talking.

Playing the hero now, are you?

Since you're so righteous,

why don't you take her place

and work in the archives?

Ms. Zhao,

don't be so angry. Calm down.

Adjutant Nie,

you don't know

how difficult these new recruits

are to manage.

I know.

You in the Confidential Section

deal with important documents,

including some top-secret national files.

If anything goes wrong,

none of us can bear the consequences.

Mr. Wu went to a meeting.

I saw that this was your letter,

and I didn't know if it was important,

so I just handed it to you right away.

These two are new recruits.

They didn't do it on purpose.

Please be lenient with them.

They won't let it happen again.

Fine, since you've spoken for them,

but this is the last time.

Thank you.

Lu Zhenhua, I need to

have a proper talk with you

about this.

Adjutant Nie,

thank you for helping me out just now.

I wouldn't have known what to do otherwise.

We're colleagues.

No need to thank me.

Zhenhua is my good friend.

I couldn't bear to see her scolded by Ms. Zhao.

I didn't expect you to be so righteous.

You've helped us so much.

Can we treat you to a meal?

The front line situation is urgent.

I haven't had a proper rest for the past two weeks.

Let's skip the meal.

Thank you.

Still, we have to thank you.

You should head back now,

or Ms. Zhao will give you trouble again.

Everyone,

we have fought on many fronts

and it is rare to gather together today.

For this first toast,

I propose we all drink to the President,

in honor of restoring order, saving the country,

and facing national crisis together.

Restoring order, saving the country,

and facing national crisis together.

For the second toast,

I want to honor the soldiers who will follow the President

on the expedition to the Southwest.

I give you this send-off.

Please, everyone be seated.

Yuxun,

please wait a moment.

The President has not publicly praised anyone

for a long time.

You fully

deserve this honor.

A toast to Deputy Chief Wu.

A toast to Deputy Chief Wu.

I'm deeply grateful for the trust of the President,

the Chief, and everyone here.

It is my great honor to serve

the Kuomintang and the Nation with all that I can.

Please be seated.

Make yourselves comfortable.

Deputy Chief Wu,

you are our role model.

We should all learn from you.

Deputy Chief Wu,

a toast to you.

Alright, thank you.

Mei,

come on, quick.

Don't be shy, have a seat.

It's getting late. They're still not back.

Why don't we start

without them?

Here,

have some more of this.

Thank you.

Mei,

I invited you here today

mainly to apologize

on behalf of Yuxun.

He always makes Nie Xi work late,

which affects you as a couple.

Both of them work so hard.

I'll talk to him

and ask him to let Nie Xi work less overtime.

Did he only say that I complained about him working overtime?

He didn't say that.

But you complained about him

because he was working overtime, right?

That's why you were unhappy.

I called you several times but nobody answered.

Madam,

he lied to me.

He lied to you?

What did he lie about?

Tell me. I'll help you.

When we first came to Taiwan,

I insisted on bringing the child with me.

But he said the boat ride would be rough

and the child might feel unwell,

so he would bring the child by plane.

But when we arrived in Taipei,

he came alone.

I thought

we could settle in first

and then bring the child over.

Every time I asked him after that,

he just brushed me off—

putting it off

day after day.

Always telling me it will be soon.

I feel like he doesn't care about the child

and doesn't want our family to be together.

I really couldn't take it,

so I had to move out.

You're not going to stay with Nie Xi anymore?

I can't continue for now.

We are living apart.

Living apart?

Wait, Mei.

You have to think carefully.

Living apart is a serious matter.

I remember Yuxun told me that

at that time it was Nie Xi

who insisted on coming to Taiwan,

so he left the child in Fuzhou.

And he even told us that this was done

with your consent.

How could I possibly agree?

How could I ever agree to

be separated from my child?

Even if I die, I want

our family to die together.

Nie Xi really went too far.

He not only lied to me,

but also to you and Mr. Wu.

He didn't want to tell his mentor,

maybe because he has his own difficulties.

Mei,

men sometimes

face a lot of pressure outside.

I'll ask him for you later.

You should also think about it.

It might be best to move back.

I've seen you two

fall in love,

and your relationship hasn't been easy.

Life is so short,

just a few decades.

Don't do anything

that will make you regret it.

And sometimes, with a man,

you have to give him some face.

Madam,

over all these years,

have you ever complained about Mr. Wu?

Yes.

Of course I have.

But he is my...

He's my husband.

As long as he is well and the child is well,

it doesn't matter

what happens to me.

I wish I could be like you.

I've tried,

but I just can't.

It's okay, Mei.

It's okay.

I get so angry

when I think about him lying to me.

Thinking about him keeping me apart from my child—

it hurts so much.

There, there.

I miss my child so much.

Madam,

is there really no way to bring the child over?

I also have two children on the mainland.

I completely understand how you feel.

But you can see the situation now:

Fuzhou is already under Communist control.

It's not as simple as getting back

with just a boat ticket.

Mr. Wu,

I've been working myself

to the bone,

begging everyone I can,

and we're still short 200 trucks.

The First Army was personally assigned by the President.

If we can't deliver to Chongqing on time

and miss the opportunity,

I can't bear that responsibility.

How about this?

I'll call Officer Bai Chongxi

and see if he can help us arrange some.

Mr. Wu, saving a life is the greatest virtue of all.

Officer Bai will definitely honor your request.

I'm on it.

General Chen is looking for you.

Zizhen, you're here too.

Did Chief Gu ask you to come?

Chief Gu didn't.

It's about work.

I'm here to see the Chief and you.

What for?

To submit my resignation.

I can't handle the task of

inspecting military equipment on the island.

Please find someone more capable.

Resignation?

Where are you planning to go?

Where else could I go?

I'll go to Tainan to train new recruits.

Goodbye.

Zizhen,

are you in some kind of trouble?

Not at all.

What trouble could I possibly have?

I just heard that you

served as translator for the President and White Group,

and even received high praise from President.

I, Chen,

feel I fall short in comparison.

No wonder President holds you in such high regard.

You've really changed in just a few days.

I've been too slow to realize.

I always thought you were

Wu Yuxun, fearless and fighting side by side

at Battle of Kunlun Pass, spilling blood for the cause.

But now, Deputy Chief Wu,

you've devoted yourself to easing the burdens of the nation,

even forgetting the hatred for the Japanese for your own son.

I just don't understand

why you put on such airs

right in front of General Hu

at the victory banquet after the Battle of Guningtou?

Do you take me for a fool?

Fine.

I know I don't have your

vision or ability,

so it's best to have someone capable

handle the inspection of military equipment on the island.

I'm just an ordinary, insignificant person.

Go enjoy your celebration drink.

What more do you want?

Zizhen,

it's hot and unhealthy in Tainan.

Take care.

Sir,

why was General Chen in such a bad mood just now?

How is he? Everything okay?

It's nothing.

He came to submit his resignation

to me and the Chief,

asking to go train new recruits in Tainan.

Come on, don't just stand there, drink up.

Alright.

You drink so much,

doesn't it make you feel unwell?

It does.

Bikui,

remember the rules we agreed on?

The second is

no drinking outside.

Alright, alright.

Let's not talk about this now.

Mei came over for dinner.

She's still pretty upset with Nie Xi.

What do you want?

I...

I told you before,

when Mei comes over for dinner,

you and I should both apologize to her.

You don't make enough promises, do you?

Actually, when Mei comes,

you, me, and Nie Xi

should all be there.

Yeah, yeah. Here.

Lie down.

Why does Mei seem so upset with Nie Xi?

She said he's been hiding a lot of things from her.

Hiding a lot?

Like what?

Alright, let's not get into that.

From now on, make sure Nie Xi comes home on time

and finishes work earlier.

Yuxun,

are you keeping anything from me too?

No.

Not even a tiny little thing?

No.

Tomorrow, Xue Cheng is transferring schools.

You'll go with me.

Xuecheng.

Xuecheng,

the transfer is for your own good.

You'll understand later.

I don't understand.

Li Yuanzhen was brought here

from Fuzhou by her parents too.

We never wanted to come to Taiwan,

but you all dragged us here.

And another good friend of ours

stayed in Fuzhou.

We don't even know

when we'll see them again.

And now you're going to separate me

from my best friend again.

How is that for my own good?

Hello, Teacher.

Wu Xuecheng!

Wu Xuecheng!

Li Yuanzhen!

♪ Long ago, mile on mile ♪

♪ Ancient road, dust not dried ♪

♪ Evening wind, flute's sad cry ♪

♪ Sun goes down, past the hill ♪

♪ At world's end ♪

♪ Where are you? ♪

♪ O my friend, it's God's will ♪

♪ For a taste of wine few ♪

Bikui,

go tell Xuecheng

she's not transferring anymore.

Sir, you're here.

Today is General Chen's departure day.

Has he still decided to go to Tainan to train the new recruits?

Yes.

Let's go. I'll see him off.

[Keelung Harbor]

Attention! Salute!

Where were these soldiers recruited from?

General Chen,

these are all student soldiers.

They volunteered to join the army and serve the country,

to be assigned as reinforcements to the 201st Youth Division.

Are they all volunteers?

Yes, they all volunteered!

Boy,

do you want to go home?

Don't be afraid.

While I'm here, no one will stop you.

Anyone who wants to go home can leave now.

Go.

Reform the ranks!

General Chen!

General Chen.

Why are you here?

You're leaving today,

and Sir has been thinking of you.

This is a small token from him.

With all the hardships of travel,

he hopes you

and your men

will take good care of yourselves in Tainan.

Donkey meat burger?

It's the taste of home.

The taste of our hometown.

Sir,

Mr. Chiang just arrived in Chongqing and asked you to meet with the White Group.

There won't be any major changes, will there?

Mr. Chiang sees Chongqing as an anti-Communist stronghold.

He definitely won't give it up easily.

Last time, I suggested that Liu and Deng

might bypass Chongqing

and strike directly at Chengdu;

He actually listened.

He's now moved all of Hu Zongnan's main forces

to Chengdu,

leaving only the First Army, long absent from real battle,

to reinforce Chongqing.

That actually works in favor of liberating Chongqing.

It's a long, mountainous road from northern Sichuan to Chengdu.

Even if the First Army makes the trip, it won't make any difference.

Judging from the recent deployments of the PLA,

Liu and Deng are focusing all their efforts on wiping out

Song Xilian's corps.

They also do not want them to fall back to Chongqing

and regroup.

So what we need to do now

is keep Liu and Deng constantly updated

on how much reinforcement Chongqing can expect from the rear.

Once the new courier arrives,

we will send this deployment out.

Lately, I've almost been

sleeping with the radio.

Don't worry,

I definitely won't miss any messages from the courier.