Episode 41
Dali.
I cannot go.
If I go,
Hill Hutou will be damned,
and my soldiers will die in vain.
My Gosh.
Pl Leader.
Renjie Zhang is not a sensible person.
Pl Leader, do you remember
the cipher officer Xiangfu Zhang?
He was locked up.
Why?
It was all due to Renjie.
He insisted that Xiangfu is a traitor.
And he said it was because he gave Japs
the intelligence that Village Yang was attacked
and Commissar Li died as a result.
He locked up Xiangfu
and forbade him from eating and sleeping
for several days,
forcing him to confess about his crimes.
And when he came back today,
he blamed 3rd Bn Commander
for losing the combat, and he said
2nd Bn Commander will be investigated.
If he continues to do so,
our 1st Bn will be damned sooner or later.
This is not the place to stay.
We are running out of time, Pl Leader.
Come with me.
Dali.
When you came in,
what did you do to the sentries at the door?
I just knocked them out.
I knew every place in our regiment
just as my home.
No other person saw me entering here.
Leave here, as if nothing had happened.
Pl Leader...
Go.
I
shall not be a coward.
But Pl Leader...
Go.
OK. I’ll listen to you.
Pl Leader. Take care.
Dali.
When you are back, contact Jie and Shuisheng.
Ask them to control the transceiver if necessary.
Yes.
Weiguo, I'll see what you have to say.
Weiguo.
Have you figured it out?
I don’t need to figure anything out.
I haven't done anything wrong.
I know you will say so.
What about this?
I’ll do you a favor and confess for you.
Do whatever you want.
The name of your father
is Jixian Zhou, isn’t it?
How do you know?
How do I know?
Your father is President of Japanese
Peace Maintenance Council in Suzhou.
He is a downright traitor.
If you dare to say that again,
I will strangle you.
Look at it yourself.
Why don’t you speak?
Didn’t you ask for a Party Congress?
OK. Even if all of the problems
we mentioned before did not exist,
I wanna ask you a question.
Do you really know Weiguo Zhou?
I know what you are thinking.
Today I wanna tell you
I do not bear any personal grudges
against Weiguo at all.
If I have any complaints about him,
that is
required by my duty.
Today, I’ll tell you the truth.
His father, Jixian Zhou,
is President of Suzhou Maintenance Concil.
A downright traitor.
Here is the evidence.
Take a look yourself.
Reporting to duty.
Come in.
Regt Commander has spat blood.
Sorry? Pardon?
Regt Commander has spat blood.
There is plenty of blood on the ground.
How is he now? Have you sent for the medic?
When I came here,
they’ve already sent for the medic.
Go. Go.
Regt Commander.
Mr. Zhou, Mr. Zhou. Wake up.
Mr. Zhou.
Weiguo, Weiguo. Wake up.
Don’t scare us.
He feinted from agitation.
He was well in the morning,
and how could he spit blood in the afternoon?
How much did he spit?
Renjie Zhang.
Are you determined to persecute Mr. Zhou?
What do you mean?
How could you be so cruel and inhuman?
Regt Commander Zhou has been spitting blood,
and you are still talking those bullshit.
I know he spat blood.
Why are you shouting at me?
Renjie Zhang.
Dali Yang. Let go of our hands.
Dali. Dali. Let go of our hands.
Listen.
If there is anything wrong with Pl Leader,
I will tear you in halves.
Dali Yang. Let go of your hands.
Do you wanna hound Mr. Zhou to death?
OK. Stop it.
Doctor, how is he?
What he needs most is to take a good rest
and intake enough nutrition.
Dali.
Enforce a blockage all over Village Yang.
OK.
Get out of my way.
Jie Zhao. What are going to do?
What am I going to do?
Do you want everyone to know about
Commander Zhou’s sickness
and invite the Japs to kill us all?
I know
and I understand
anyone who has read the newspaper
will take my father as a traitor.
Weiguo.
Your father is your father. He is not you.
No matter what happens, I trust you.
Yi Chen.
You may not know
that my mother passed away when I was young,
so it was my father who taught me about
loyalty, filial piety, courtesy, and justice,
about right and wrong, bravery, and integrity.
He always told me
to be a good men.
He was such a righteous man.
I don't believe he would be a traitor.
Weiguo.
I hope the issue of your father
won’t affect you too much.
You should pull yourself together.
My father was a monument in my heart,
but at this moment,
the monument corrupts.
If you should be like this,
the monument in my heart will also corrupt.
Actually,
I have something to tell you.
Go ahead.
I want to tell you
I will take care of you in the rest of your life.
No matter what happens,
we will never part with each other.
No matter what you say,
it is a deal.
Yi Chen.
Why don't you say anything?
I am not in the mood
to be in love.
We’ll talk about it later.
I have already brought it up.
What do you mean by talking about it later?
I don’t dare to make you any promise.
When I was a kid,
my father told me
where he is,
where it is my home.
Yi Chen.
I am always eager to tell you
where I am,
where it is your home,
but I don’t dare to say it.
I am a soldier.
If one day
I should die in the battlefield,
the home will be gone.
Now, listen.
If there should be such a day,
wait for me in the world beyond.
Yi Chen.
If there should be such a day,
let’s make a deal
that we’ll be happy in the next life.
Yes.
We still have the next life.
We’ll be happy in the next life.
Shit.
You two, send Weiguo and Hu
to the cave in back hill secretly.
Nobody can meet them without my order.
Yes.
Commander.
Our troops are assembled.
Please give us the combat order.
In this encirclement campaign, we must
destroy all resisting forces in Hill Hutou.
Yes.
Senior Captain Kawaguchi.
In this action, Takeshita
will have full authority to act on my behalf.
Yes.
Takeshita, are you ready?
Yes.
Thank you for trusting me.
I wish you a speedy success.
Set out.
Reporting to duty.
Two regiments of Japs
are heading to Yangcun HQ through Qifengkou.
Fine. You may leave.
Yes.
Commissar Zhang, let me ask you again.
Where do you keep Weiguo?
I will answer you again.
This is a political secret.
Please be aware that you are a Communist.
Now, Japs are about to enter the mountain,
and you still won’t release Weiguo.
Please tell me if you are a Communist.
I can tell you explicitly,
in this battle,
if Weiguo is not the commander,
we are sure to lose.
Chu Zhang.
You are a Communist.
How can you deify a KMT officer,
who is even suspected of being a traitor?
Suspected of being a traitor.
Where is the evidence?
Show me the evidence.
I’ll tell you again
Weiguo is not a Nationalist.
He is the Regt Commander
of Eighth Route Army in Hill Hutou.
Mind your attitude.
Do you mean without Weiguo
Communists will not fight against Japs?
You...
Reporting to duty.
Come in.
County Brigade is here under orders.
I’m glad you are back.
Have a seat.
Where is Weiguo?
Ask him.
Commissar Zhang, where is Weiguo?
He is under investigation.
No one shall meet him.
Now we are faced with powerful enemies,
how long do you want to keep him?
Chu Zhang.
Chu Zhang. Do you think I’m afraid of you?
Let me tell you.
I have done no harm to him,
but it is impossible to let him go.
Calm down.
Commissar Zhang. I think
it is in time of danger,
we should restore Weiguo to his position.
Just because it is in time of danger,
we should be highly alert
and keep the organization pure.
Reporting to duty.
Come in.
The enemies are 10 li away from Village Yang.
You may go.
Zhenming Lu.
Here.
I order you to lead 1st Section of County Brigade
to escort villagers and gov't to retreat.
OK.
Yi Chen.
You will be responsible for villagers and gov't.
Take good care of yourself.
Yes. I will accomplish the mission.
Be ready to set out.
Yes.
Chu Zhang.
Despite our disagreements
over the issue of Weiguo Zhou,
you are still a good man in my heart.
You are a good Communist.
With the enemies in front of us,
our priority
is to resist the enemies
and guard the base area.
OK. I’ll take a look at the frontline.
Please think of a solution.
Kawaguchi, order your troops
to attack after 5 minutes.
Yes.
Attack fiercely at the frontline incessantly.
Rest assured.
Miyamoto.
Yes.
Tell the commando to be prepared for combat.
Yes, but master,
what shall we do in the combat?
The commando and I will attack from the back.
Yes.
Chief of Staff,
Governor Chen
has started to transfer villagers and officials
through the back hill.
Chief of Staff,
please make the decision now.
How shall we fight?
Dali. You must delay the enemies
to gain time for transferring the villagers.
I will go back to the headquarters
to release Weigou.
Rest assured. I’ll be here. Hurry up.
-Go. -Yes.
Attack fiercely.
Renjie Zhang, I’m asking you for the last time
whether or not you will release Weiguo.
Chu Zhang, what are you going to do?
It is not the time
to solve the problem of Weiguo.
Now that we are being attacked by Japs,
why don’t you release Weiguo?
I don’t believe
without Weiguo
we cannot resist the Japs.
OK. Then tell us what is your combat plan.
Hold fast to Village Yang and kill the enemies.
Now I believe an old saying.
What old saying?
The scholar corrupts the country.
You.
-Jie Zhao. -Here.
Take the task force to break out of encirclement.
After breaking out, connect Zhihui Liu
and Ziming Zhu in Cool Breeze Village.
Persuade them to attack Laiyang.
OK, no problem.
Stop.
I disagree.
You disagree. When you agree,
we will be arrested. Go.
Yes.
Are you OK?
Rest assured, I will protect you.
Otherwise,
no one will take the blame of Weiguo’s matter.
Hurry up.
Hurry up. Come on.
Master, shall we attack or not?
These villagers are not our target.
Watch out. Hurry up.
Take cover.
Shield people to retreat.
Come on.
Comrades, withdraw.
Watch out.
Zhenming, take people to retreat.
Governor Chen, you should take them to retreat.
I will stay here.
This is an order. Move.
Zhenming.
Weiguo. Farewell.
Weiguo.
What is your relationship with Weiguo Zhou?
Take her away.
Shuisheng, let everyone spread out and
fight on his own, to render Japs in chaos.
Yes. Go. Go.
Reporting to duty.
Brigadier.
Why are you in such a hurry?
I have an important intelligence.
This is...
This is my Third Brother.
My surname is Liu. Nice to meet you.
Have a seat.
I don’t need to sit down.
Brigadier, I’m here to ask for a battle.
Asking for a battle?
Yes. Japs’ Laiyang Brigade is launching
a full-on attack at Hill Hutou.
I know this.
You are not asking to send troops there, are you?
Since Japs have sent out all the troops,
Laiyang is now left unguarded.
It is a good chance to seize Laiyang.
What?
You wanna attack Laiyang. Are you crazy?
Just think
even if you capture Laiyang,
the Japs will turn back to attack you
after destroying the base of Hill Hutou.
Can you resist it?
Brigadier Tang, why are you so sure
the Japs can defeat the Eighth Route Army?
Oh. Third Brother.
Do you think I don’t know who you are?
You are in the Eighth Route Army.
Brigadier.
It is said that Weiguo Zhou
was punished by the Communist Party.
Not yet. He is under investigation.
What a pity! Weiguo, my poor brother.
Oh, why did he emulate Zuo Wang?
[Zuo is a hero who cuts off his arm.]
I am not ignorant
of your intentions.
Zhihui, I just wanna ask you
what if I won’t let you send troops.
I’ll go to Hill Hutou by myself.
OK. That’s the answer I want.
Messenger.
Here.
Pass my order that Arty Bn will be led by Zhihui,
and other troops should be ready for combat
and assist Zhihui to attack Laiyang.
Yes.
Zhihui, just make a feint attack.
By rescuing Hill Hutou from the siege,
we will be doing Weiguo a great favor.
Remember, use the shells at your will,
but you cannot use up
all of my ammunition in this battle.
Thanks, Brigadier.
Don’t thank me. It is just for fighting the Japs.
Right? Third Brother.
Thank you, Brigadier Tang.
I owe you.
You may go.
Take care.
Third Brother, please.
Reporting to duty.
Come in.
What happened?
The KMT army is attacking the town.
What?
Show me.
Hurry up. Come on.
Come on.
Withdraw.
Go.
Shit. Shit.
Sir, the attack is fierce.
Our troops cannot resist any more.
Telegraph Takeshita.
Order him to come back, right now.
Yes.
Commander. An urgent telegraph says
Laiyang is under fierce attack
and troops outside Village Yang are attacked.
Weiguo, I lose again.
Shall we fight against each other to death?
Master, what shall we do now?
Telegraph Kawaguchi to withdraw his troops,
leaving the 1st Squad to ambush pursuers.
Our troops will return to Laiyang directly.
Yes.
Hurry up.
Reporting to duty.
Didn’t I order you to transfer?
In the back hill, there are Japs.
Governor Chen and Commander Lu...
What happened to Yi Chen?
Commander Lu died,
and Governor Chen was arrested.
What? Yi Chen was arrested?
Yes.
You may leave.
Yes.
What are you going to do?
I will rescue Yi Chen.
Calm down.
Put down your gun.
If I can’t rescue Yi,
I won’t be able to face Weiguo.
Get out of my way.
Japs have withdrawn.
What are you two people doing?
Dali, protect the Commissar.
Yes.
Behave yourself.
Dali. Put down your gun.
Come out with me.
What is the matter?
Chief of Staff, the Japs have withdrawn.
I got it.
Dali, this is my report to the authorities
in the name of myself.
Tell Jie Zhao to control the transceiver
and send out the report.
Find out the whereabouts of Weiguo Zhou.
Yes.
-Niu Tie. -Here.
Follow me with your Garrison Pl.
Yes.
What are you doing?
Obey the orders.
Sir, the Japs that attacked Hill Hutou
are withdrawing to Laiyang.
Great.
Brother, I guess
after a few hours
we will be able to
inflict great damages to Weiwen Jin.
Master Zhu,
our strategic goal has been achieved,
and the main enemy forces
have withdrawn.
So, we should withdraw soon.
Brother, it is a great pity to retreat now.
Grand Master, Zhihui.
Here, in representative of Eighth Route Army
and Weiguo, I express my appreciation.
Brother, please don’t say so.
Fighting against the Japs is our mutual goal.
I am Weiguo’s Grand Master.
Zhihui is Weiguo’s brother.
Yes. You are right.
But I have to go back to Hill Hutou immediately
to rescue Weiguo.
I’ll part with you now.
Third Brother, will my brother be fine?
Brother, shall I go with you
to arrest that son of a bitch?
Thank you, Grand Master.
But it is an issue within our army;
your involvement may not do Weiguo any good.
Please rest assured
that I’ll rescue Weiguo.
See you.
Thank you.
Take care.
Yuzhong Guo.
Here.
Order the troop to be ready to withdraw.
Yes.
Hurry up.
Come on.
Hurry up.
Chief of Staff, we’re about to leave Hill Hutou.
-It is better to march on in concealment. -OK.
Take cover.
Niu Tie.
Ambush. Spread out.
Sixth Brother.
We can’t be here like tortoise hiding in shells.
Comrades, charge.
Lie down.
Come out, Japs. Come out.
Reporting to duty.
Commander.
Some of the enemies chasing us
from Village Lilong have been killed.
Good job.
Reporting to duty.
Commander Jin
has sent men to take away the female captive.
Where is she now?
At the Military Police Station.
Come with me to the Military Police Station.
Yes.
Right. A small group of Eighth Route Army
is waiting to take actions.
Pass my orders.
Divide the 1st and 2nd Squad into several teams
and keep ambushing in main paths of Hill Hutou.
Yes.
Hey.
You’d better
tell the truth and cooperate with IJA
to avoid the torture.
Otherwise,
after you’ve tried my instruments,
of course,
and those torturing the body,
you will still cooperate with us.
Please try them.
Good.
Stop it.
Takeshita.
Sorry, Commander.
I have to take away this woman.
This woman
knows important military intelligence.
And that is the reason
why I have to take her away.
I don’t think it is a good reason at all.
This woman
is not to go with you.
She is captured by my commando,
and my commando
does not belong to
the Combined Brigade led by you.
My commando is directly affiliated to
the North China HQ under General Okamura.
So, this woman should be in my hands.
Brigadier,
do you want me to ask for the orders
of General Okamura?
Shit.
Commander, her wounds are bound up.
Thanks. You may leave.
Yes.
I’m sorry.
Save your efforts.
I won't say anything.
I don’t want you to tell me anything.
But,
I admire your courage,
and I feel happy for my friend.
Your friend.
Weiguo Zhou.