Chapter 108 full of expectations

The Kuomintang was defeated steadily in the military and began to prepare for its southward withdrawal.The Ministry of Education sent personnel to Peking University and Tsinghua University to convey the government's opinions on the school's southward relocation. Sicheng, Huiyin and their friends Zhang Xiruo, Qian Duansheng, Jin Yuelin, Chen Daisun, Zhou Peiyuan, etc. had already decided not to go anywhere, but to stay in Beijing and the school, waiting for changes.They were dissatisfied with the Kuomintang's rule to despair, and they were no longer willing to believe in the promise of this government.

They believe that the new regime also needs people who are technically savvy and professional.In Liang Sicheng's words: "The Communist Party also needs to build houses." What's more, the Communists they came into contact with had left a good impression on them.There is confusion and anxiety in their waiting, but more hope. This year, Sicheng and Huiyin's old friend Fairbank published his first book in the United States --- "America and China".This book is known as "the best single-volume history of China". After several reprints, it has become the best-selling work on "China Question" in the West.

Sicheng and Huiyin soon received the gift book from Fairbank.For a while, this book became the central topic of the Liang family's tea party.Some of the issues covered in the book, which they had discussed with Fairbank in the past, are also what they are concerned about now. Lin Huiyin wrote a special letter on Fei Zhengqing's book, which was Lin Huiyin's last letter to Fei Zhengqing and Fei Weimei.Shortly thereafter, mainland China and the United States cut off any communication. In December 1948, the city of Beijing was shrouded in clouds of war. The Chinese People's Liberation Army besieged the city for more than a month, but Fu Zuoyi's troops held on to the city without war or peace.

Tsinghua Garden is located in the western suburbs, isolated from the traffic in the city.There are various rumors circulating on campus. Some people say that Peking University and Yanjing University in the city have been closed for many days, and many professors have left Beijing to move south.Some people say that the Dongdan shopping mall area was rebuilt into the airport, many surrounding houses were demolished, and the roof of the Beijing Hotel was torn off.Others said that Tsinghua University will move into the city and merge with Peking University.There were various reactions among the students. Progressive students were doing all kinds of preparations for liberation; most students could no longer go to class with peace of mind.

The Kuomintang government drew up a list of professors to be "rescued" in various universities in Beijing, and Liang Sicheng was also "rescued".The plane that picked them up stopped at Nanyuan Airport. Hu Shi and his wife left, Mei Yiqi left, and Chen Yinke left, but Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin stayed, and more people stayed. Prices are soaring, materials are in short supply, gold coupons are depreciating, and the life of teaching staff is insecure.After the headmaster Mei Yiqi went south, school affairs were maintained by a group of people from the school affairs meeting.In the Tsinghua campus, people have a lot of opinions on the personnel who act as agents of school affairs.Feng Youlan, chairman of the school council, borrowed an old Tsinghua saying: "Professors are gods, students are tigers, and people who handle affairs are dogs."

Tsinghua University, which is not managed by anyone, is in a state of "anarchy". At night, Huiyin couldn't sleep, only heard the rumble of vehicles on Pingsui Road, from north to south, all night long.Sicheng said that it must be the Kuomintang army retreating south. On the afternoon of December 13th, the sound of cannons on the north side of Tsinghua Park rang out.The Artillery Regiment of the Central Army of the Kuomintang marched into Tsinghua University, and placed three cannons on the weather station on the campus. The area west of the school gymnasium was under martial law.

power cut.At night, there is a nervous atmosphere in the quiet night sky.Some faculty members and their children rolled up their beds and lived in the school library.Because the building of the library is strong, it can prevent the bombing of shells. This night the moonlight was like water, although the people in Xinlinyuan lived in peace, they were worried and couldn't sleep all night.