Believing the country is not ready for war with Japan and that he must first wipe out the Communists, Chiang orders his troops not to resist the Japanese as they invade Manchuria and attack Shanghai. Despite protests by his advisers, as well as artists and filmmakers, Chiang refuses to reconsider his policy. At the conclusion of part five Chiang Kai Shek is kidnapped and the fate of the revolution is in question.