Episode 23 recap: Wei Ruo Lai and Shen Tu Nan had a dispute.
Shen Tu Nan decided to crack down on the counterfeit money den and called Mr. Song for support. Wei Ruo Lai gathered the Huangbaoche brothers for assistance. Huang Cong Yun expressed concern about the danger, as they didn't even have any weapons for self-defense. Shen Tu Nan led Wei Ruo Lai and Huang Cong Yun to seal off the counterfeit money den, but they faced strong resistance from the opposing side.
Wei Ruo Lai discovered that the counterfeit money was being produced by high-ranking officials from the Nanjing government and wanted to continue the investigation. However, Shen Tu Nan disagreed, leading to a heated argument between the two. Yu Zhi Ying publicly announced that the Huangbaoche drivers were accomplices in the counterfeit money case, and Wei Ruo Lai protested against it.
Wei Ruo Lai carefully inspected the counterfeit money workshop in Zhabei and left no corner unchecked. When Shen Tu Nan called for him to leave, Wei Ruo Lai remained deep in thought, staring at two melting crucibles of silver. Lin Qiao Song noticed this and worried that Wei Ruo Lai might discover something, so he had Wen Biao keep a close eye on Wei Ruo Lai and report back at any time.
As Wei Ruo Lai pondered more and more, he realized that something was amiss. It was impossible to produce three thousand silver coins a day with just two small crucibles. Wei Ruo Lai also remembered the suspicious look in the eyes of the arrested individuals. He concluded that it wasn't a counterfeit money production den. Wei Ruo Lai rushed to a phone booth that night to report the matter to Shen Tu Nan, while Wen Biao's subordinates listened attentively from a distance.
As Wei Ruo Lai had suspected, the real counterfeit money production was happening at the Xieqiao Ironworks. The place was heavily guarded, and Lin Qiao Song would come here regularly to supervise the operation. Due to recent rumors, he had the workers rest during the day and work overtime producing counterfeit money at night. One worker who took a few silver coins due to family difficulties was shot dead on the spot by Lin Qiao Song. Wen Biao hurriedly came to report to Lin Qiao Song, but Wei Ruo Lai discovered that it was a fake den. Lin Qiao Song ordered Wen Biao to personally keep an eye on Wei Ruo Lai to prevent him from discovering the counterfeit money factory.
Upon learning of this, Kang Shao Jie severely reprimanded Lin Qiao Song and gave him a deadly order: anyone who approached the factory should be killed without mercy. Shen Tu Nan discussed countermeasures with Wei Ruo Lai and Huang Cong Yun. Wei Ruo Lai inadvertently discovered that they were being followed. Shen Tu Nan and Wei Ruo Lai got off the vehicle halfway and took a Huangbaoche to Qibao Street, heading directly to Wei Ruo Lai's rented house. Wen Biao and his men pursued them closely, while Huang Cong Yun instructed the driver to follow Wen Biao.
Niu Chun Miao hurriedly returned home and warmly offered ginger slices soaked in honey for Shen Tu Nan to taste. Shen Tu Nan ate one, and Niu Chun Miao went to the kitchen to cook and entertain Shen Tu Nan. Wen Biao waited downstairs until it was dark but didn't see Shen Tu Nan and Wei Ruo Lai coming out, so they had no choice but to leave. Huang Cong Yun followed his car and left.
Niu Chun Miao chatted with Shen Tu Nan about everyday life and discovered that Shen Tu Nan had a strong sense of justice. Thinking he was a member of the Red Army, she wanted to stop Wei Ruo Lai from intervening, but Shen Tu Nan, aware that Niu Chun Miao's hometown was a base of the Red Army, asked her about the situation of the Red Army. Ignoring Wei Ruo Lai's advice, Niu Chun Miao expressed her true thoughts, believing that the corrupt Kuomintang wouldn't last long. Shen Tu Nan listened to her words and fell into contemplation.
Huang Cong Yun tracked Wen Biao and found the Xieqiao Ironworks. He immediately reported to Shen Tu Nan, suspecting it to be the real base for counterfeit money production. Shen Tu Nan didn't want to tip them off and suggested asking Mr. Song to send the tax police to seal off the factory. Huang Cong Yun immediately called Mr. Song, but there was no answer. Wei Ruo Lai suspected that Mr. Song was intentionally avoiding their call. Concerned about the passage of time, Shen Tu Nan decided to personally investigate the factory with his team. Wei Ruo Lai suggested seeking assistance from the Huangbaoche Association, and Shen Tu Nan readily agreed.
Shen Tu Nan arrived at the Xieqiao Ironworks with the bank security team to conduct a search. Lin Qiao Song and his men fiercely resisted, firing at Shen Tu Nan's group. Niu Chun Miao and Jiang Hu Hao arrived with the Huangbaoche drivers just in time to provide support. Taking advantage of the chaos, they stormed in through the back door and held Lin Qiao Song hostage, forcing him to allow Shen Tu Nan and his team to enter.
Inside the counterfeit money workshop, Shen Tu Nan discovered stacks of silver coins. Niu Chun Miao was astonished by the sight. Meanwhile, Huang Cong Yun found a large amount of tobacco in a hidden room. Shen Tu Nan ordered the confiscation of the counterfeit money and tobacco.
Yu Zhi Ying and the police arrived shortly after. He ordered the execution of everyone present. Shen Tu Nan realized that he intended to kill everyone to eliminate witnesses. Niu Chun Miao led them to escape through the back door, but the driver Huangbaoche Er Dan was shot and killed in the crossfire. Jiang Hu Hao was furious about the loss.
Shen Jin Zhen, hiding on the opposite rooftop, injured Yu Zhi Ying with a gunshot. The police were in disarray. Taking advantage of the situation, Shen Tu Nan and Wei Ruo Lai led the group to escape. The police pursued them relentlessly. Shen Jin Zhen shot and killed several police officers.
Amidst the gunfire, Shen Tu Nan and his group managed to escape. Huangbaoche Er Dan's family arrived upon hearing the news. Shen Tu Nan vowed to seek justice for Er Dan's death and thanked Jiang Hu Hao and the others for their assistance. Shen Tu Nan instructed Huang Cong Yun to develop the film from the scene as evidence.
Mr. Song sent Secretary Lu to invite Shen Tu Nan. Shen Tu Nan arrived at Mr. Song's residence, where Kang Shao Jie and Yu Zhi Ying were also present. Shen Tu Nan swore to hold them accountable. Wei Ruo Lai took Niu Chun Miao, Jiang Hu Hao, and the others to the hospital to treat their wounds. The police arrived shortly after and arrested Jiang Hu Hao and the others. Wei Ruo Lai sought Shen Tu Nan's help and encountered Shen Jin Zhen at the entrance. Wei Ruo Lai smelled gunpowder on Shen Jin Zhen and suspected that he was the sniper, but Shen Jin Zhen made various excuses to cover up.
Shen Tu Nan returned home and was forced to compromise. The counterfeit money and tobacco were means for high-ranking officials in the Nanjing government to amass wealth. The higher-ups ordered Shen Tu Nan to destroy the confiscated counterfeit money and tobacco, and then find two scapegoats. Shen Tu Nan also had to hand over all the evidence and information he had. He felt deeply indignant but powerless. Wei Ruo Lai was unwilling to close the case like this. They risked their lives to obtain solid evidence, and the tobacco and counterfeit money were the root of the nation's suffering. However, the case involved high-ranking officials in the Nanjing government, and Shen Tu Nan was helpless. He advised Wei Ruo Lai to choose compromise, but they ended up having a heated argument.
Upon hearing Shen Tu Nan and Wei Ruo Lai's words, Shen Jin Zhen advised Wei Ruo Lai to face reality. In a fit of anger, Wei Ruo Lai slammed the door and left. Shen Tu Nan held a press conference and publicly announced Lin Qiao Song and the police officer Liu Zhi Xin as the masterminds. Yu Zhi Ying accused the Huangbaoche drivers of spreading counterfeit money. Wei Ruo Lai stepped forward to argue with him, but Shen Tu Nan loudly restrained Wei Ruo Lai, ordering Huang Cong Yun to take him off the stage.
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