Chapter 12 Chapter Nine To Kunming

Winter of 1942. In the outskirts of the ancient city of Kunming, Chennault and his partners drove a jeep and hunted along Dianchi Lake. Winter in Kunming is also beautiful.The flower capital is like spring all the year round, and the fields in winter are equally colorful.They lost no time in pulling the trigger when flocks of wild ducks and pigeons flew up from the shelter of the bay.The Chennault party issued a cheerful order: "Come on, Joe—" A beagle rushed out like an arrow, Joe!It is its name. Under Chennault's training, it can play tricks such as picking up wild mice, and Chennault loves it very much.

Of course, this is a rare leisure time in the tense wartime.But Chennault never forgot his addiction, as long as he had the time, it was a panacea for homesickness. In the early winter of 1938, when he arrived in Kunming, he immediately fell in love with this ancient city in the remote southwest.And the hunting in the countryside made him feel in a daze, as if he had returned to his hometown in the southern United States!Looking at the rows of shiny green and gray feathers of wild ducks and pigeons on the hood of the car, he said with satisfaction: "This makes up for a lot of homesickness." Oh, and there are also spicy dishes in Kunming. The spiciness of my hometown!Four years later, he truly regarded Kunming as his second hometown.

Kunming is different from his hometown. The long history and rich cultural heritage of this ancient city are full of mystery and temptation.According to legend, Genghis Khan's cavalry and the Burmese king's armored elephants fought at the Yunnan border; emperors of all dynasties have never forgotten this land, conquering the natives, and at the same time exiled the rebels here; there are also innocent people in the royal court. Innocents, for various reasons, are also exiled here in disguise. What comforts their nostalgia and resentment is the palace building full of the flavor of the capital; in the streets paved with cobblestones, you can often see people wearing jingling silver ornaments The natives in ancient costumes, the creaking wooden wheeled carriages running over the road, mixed with the ringing of rickshaw bells; while the cars of dignitaries, the honking of American jeeps and trains obviously constitute the modern urban landscape.In fact, Kunming has long been a blend of remoteness and prosperity, quietness and bustle, closedness and openness.In Marco Polo's travel notes, it is recorded: "Yunnan was the only road from Beiping to Mengcuo in northern Myanmar in ancient times to buy jewelry and jade." Later, Indochina became a French colony, and the French built a road from Haiphong and Hanoi. On the railway leading to Kunming, the French come to Kunming every rainy season, and there are countless small French-style houses in the greenery.Cuihu, Daguanlou, Longmen, Yuantong Temple, Qiongzhu Temple...there are ancient and interesting stories recorded.Chennault loves to read, and especially loves to study history, but at the moment, he can only feel superficially about all this.He thought that after the war was over, he would study in detail at his home in Kunming.

He already has a "home" in Kunming.My home is near Kunming University and close to the airport.A tile-roofed adobe cottage shaded by cypress, eucalyptus and pepper trees, surrounded by paddy fields.Even so, it left countless bullet marks on the wall that did not escape the strafing of enemy planes, but it is still home!There are carpets in the house, beds, desks, flowers, and kitchens.Four Chinese serve him: Lao Wang's cook, Lao Wang's driver, and two footmen nicknamed "Yacht" and "Gunboat".Living together in this room are old partner Dr. Gentry, Alsop who has just been released from the Hong Kong Concentration Camp, and new partner Colonel Scott. General Deng made him commander of the 23rd Fighter Group, and he got along very well with Chennault.Another was Colonel Cooper, who was a legend.He was an ace fighter pilot in the Polish Air Force after World War I, later filmed on location in Africa and Asia, and directed Hollywood horror films.After the Pearl Harbor incident, he originally served in Stilwell's Chongqing headquarters, but one day he took his luggage roll and defected to Chennault!Chennault hit it off with him at first sight, maybe they were both deviant, full of adventure and pioneering spirit.Cooper is more informal and disheveled, but he is a meticulous and hardworking man of action, and even a genius tactician.He and Scott became Chennault's right and left arms.

When mentioning the 23rd Fighter Group, Chennault became angry with Stilwell and Marshall.It wasn't until the American Volunteers were disbanded that Chiang Kai-shek and him discovered that the so-called 23rd Fighter Brigade was in name only!He had to make a small plan to invite the 16th Fighter Squadron to China to "experience" life in India because of the rainy season, and never let them go back; he had to fight for every plane and every pilot , and even every spark plug per gallon of gasoline!The Air Force Task Force in China was cobbled together from whatever was available in China in the summer of 1942.As a result, the team members laughed at themselves as "the stepmother's children of the 10th Air Force far away in New Delhi", and said humorously: "If we have a periscope, we can use the P-40C aircraft as a submarine!"

The organizational facilities of the entire China-Myanmar-India theater are unreasonably disorganized and intertwined.Both Chongqing and New Delhi have headquarters, and Chennault's request for instructions must first go to New Delhi and then return to Chongqing!What else could he do but shrug helplessly? Even so, the Air Force Task Force stationed in China still lives up to its mission, wins more with less, and continues to recreate its glory. It is still the Flying Tigers of Megatron in the Far East. Chennault knew himself and his enemy with confidence.He sent the 75th Squadron to Hengyang, the 76th Squadron to Guilin, the 16th Squadron to Yunnanyi, the 74th Squadron to stay in Kunming, and the B-25 bombers of the 11th Bomber Squadron to temporarily station in Guilin and Hengyang.The goals and tasks he determined were: to harass Japan's shipping routes on the coast and sea of ​​China, cut off the Japanese army's supplies; protect China's airports, and destroy the enemy's bombing attacks.In a word, use offense as defense instead of being passively beaten!

The Flying Tigers praised the old man for his ability to predict things like a god, he was simply the natural enemy of the Japanese plane, and they reminded and protected them.Chennault also loved and envied these batches of Flying Tigers from the bottom of his heart, if only he could be ten years younger! Hill suffered from malaria in the summer, but he still led the squadron to defend Hengyang.Strafing during the day and intercepting enemy bombers at night.Once he flew a plane alone to attack Hankou at night, and dived and bombed the airport recklessly. The Japanese plane was caught off guard and could not attack Hengyang that night.For this, Hill was awarded the Silver Star.

Scott's bravery is extraordinary and courageous. Just look at the 41-1456 fighter he drove. After dozens of battles, he shot down 18 enemy planes, and this fighter was shot more than 500 times!riddled with holes.Because there were more than 200 bullet holes that could no longer be repaired, Scott wept when the plane could no longer fight. The plane and the 6 machine guns on it seemed to be brothers in need who shared life and death with him!Naturally, his body was also full of scars. When the plane bomb exploded next to his plane, five rivet heads flew into his back the next day!During the operation in Chongqing, when the old doctor learned that he was a lonely hero, he said excitedly: "No, child - you are not alone when you fly into the blue sky - it is not you who have done all this, you have the greatest God in the world Your co-pilot, even if the cabin is only the size of one person's room—no, you're not alone."

Yes, the Flying Tigers are never alone.No matter where the Flying Tigers were injured and landed, as long as they met the Chinese people, they would receive selfless rescue and miraculously return to the team.On the back of each Flying Tiger team member's shirt, there is an identification and rescue sign written in Burmese and Chinese under the banner of Stars and Stripes: "Come to China to help foreigners (USA) in military and civilian rescue".In a night battle over Hengyang, the pilot Johnny first encountered five enemy bombers. When his comrades had no time to help, he was desperate and almost fired close to the enemy bombers. The bomber exploded in the air and ignited a fireball, and Johnny was also shot. bombed, had to land in the river.The fierce battle in the night sky was in full swing, and the people of Hengyang were so excited that they spontaneously picked up sticks and hoes, and went out to hunt down the enemy pilots.Johnny was also surrounded by ordinary people, and his nationality could not be distinguished in the dark. Fortunately, he could speak Chinese: "I am an American!" Only then did he recognize that he was a member of the Flying Tigers, and Fang immediately carried him to the hospital.Johnny's P-40C aircraft that landed in the river weighed 9,100 pounds. With bamboo sticks, hemp rope and strength, the common people insisted on lifting the plane to the river bank and transporting it to the airport.Airplanes are too precious to the Flying Tigers!Chennault respected the Chinese people from the bottom of his heart.Over the years, he has witnessed with his own eyes thousands of migrant workers, under the threat of hunger, plague, bombing, and death, desperately rushing to repair the airports and runways damaged by Japanese planes, and desperately rushing to repair new airports one after another. Carrying stones and pebbles, its speed makes the world dumbfounded!At Guilin Airport, migrant workers filled 45 bomb craters in just two hours; in order to keep the few planes flying continuously, they held smoking kerosene lamps for lighting at night.What a wonderful Chinese people!They are unknown worker ants, and they are also stars twinkling in the night sky.He missed the farmers in his hometown, living on the cotton fields, the rapids of the Mississippi River washed the good boats to pieces, and people were still struggling with the odds!Ordinary people live a hard life, but they are still kind and persevering. He loves them, whether they are Chinese or American.

Cooper's "guerrilla tactics" made Chennault full of praise.Cooper loves to surprise and win by surprise, and he is down-to-earth and careful. He cooperates with Chennault tacitly.Is a good staff.In autumn, they did not sleep a wink for six days and nights, planning a surprise attack on Hong Kong. On October 25th, General Haynes, who looked like a gorilla, led 12 bombers, and Scott led Hill and other 4 fighter jets to fly to Hong Kong at lightning speed, and severely bombed the Japanese transport ships; Japanese fighters rushed to battle.Fighting until the sky was dark, the Flying Tigers lost 1 fighter and 1 bomber, but wiped out 19 enemy planes.The results of the battle were so brilliant that the Japanese invaders were terrified.It is particularly interesting that because the Japanese radio station once vilified Haines as "an aging transport pilot", he printed a large number of leaflets in Japanese and English at his own expense beforehand: "These bombs are the It’s a gift from Si.” How should the Japanese soldiers who were devastated by the bombing feel when they picked up the leaflets?

Chennault admired this style.Later, he and Cooper set up traps again, and raided Tokyo Bay, Sandu Island Airport, and Guangzhou Tianhe Airport. 71 aircraft, and their own losses are very small.Could Chennault be proud and gratified for such partners? American newspapers continued to praise the Flying Tigers, because the whole situation was not optimistic.The Japanese landings on Guadalcanal, the fighting in the Aleutians, the fighting in Europe, the fighting in Burma, there was little good news to report.Only the Flying Tigers went to various places and the news of success spread frequently. Can the newspapers and periodicals make the Flying Tigers a hot topic?This gives the impression that there seems to be a huge US Air Force fighting in China!Who would have known that this prestigious air force had only 6 medium bombers and 50 scarred fighters?The military supplies are insufficient, and at the same time they are facing a shortage of food and clothing!Everything has to rely on the transportation line of flying over the hump, and various supplies are often detained in India.Chennault and the Flying Tigers had to rely on themselves, relying on this piece of Chinese land to support themselves.Vegetables, pigs, cows, and chickens are all local. Whiskey and coffee have become luxuries, but they are also used to drinking Chinese tea and local beer.Relying on mountains to eat mountains, and relying on water to eat water, their hunting is not just due to interest. Taking a nap in the warm winter sun, looking at the wild birds piled up on the car hood, their green-gray feathers shining brightly, Chennault thought, let everyone have a good meal tonight.Looking at the crumpled and even patched underwear of his comrades, Chennault was helpless. The patchwork trousers became the emblem of the Chinese air force contingent, but Stilwell and Bissell kept accusing them of being disheveled. God!He felt more and more unable to talk to them!He hopes to have a separate air force stationed in China, and he doesn't want to waste his energy in all kinds of entanglements and frictions. There are transfers. In early October 1942, President Roosevelt sent special envoy Wilkie to China to conduct field investigations. Wilkie was really shocked when he learned the truth about the contingent and achieved the successful surprise attack that everyone was looking forward to. He asked to visit and communicate with Chennault talked, and Chennault suggested that Stilwell's permission must be obtained.So, Stilwell bit the bullet and took a car with Wilkie to Chennault's place. Wilkie and Chennault talked indoors for more than two hours, and Stilwell sat in the office outside. Naturally, this feeling was uncomfortable. Wilkie was an independent politician who ran for president in 1940.He wanted Chennault to write directly to Roosevelt, and he could deliver the letter himself.Godsend!Chennault felt the blood rushing to his face, and he had to seize the opportunity tightly. In order to win this war, he should explain his strategy and tactics concisely. Air power should not be ignored!He is not only a military genius, but also loves literature and history. He immediately wrote a letter with more than 3,000 words. This report letter lists 14 items, and one point is not forgotten in the detailed analysis: I only need a small U.S. Air Force: 105 newly designed fighter jets and 30 medium bombers, and I am sure to destroy the Japanese Air Force, maybe half a year, at most one year. This is a very seductive and charismatic promise. This report letter quotes from many sources, not only laying out the strength and experience of the Flying Tigers, but also citing the battle between ancient Scipio and Carthage, and the modern American Civil War as examples to demonstrate the credibility of this commitment. At the same time, this letter is still burning with fire-like passion, highlighting the indomitable and invincible determination. The letter touched Roosevelt's heart. When all kinds of depressing war reports clouded his vision, Chennault's letter gave him a blue sky of hope. Why not try it? And it's such a small price to pay. He forwarded the letter to the War Department.And firmly remembered Chennault's name. Around this time, Chennault's old friend, McHugh, the U.S. naval attache stationed in the Chongqing Command, wrote a report to Secretary of the Navy Knox, relaying Chiang Kai-shek's suggestion that Chennault should succeed Stilwell. He also agreed with this suggestion and believed that Stilwell's desire to retake Burma was purely an expression of personal ambition after a humiliating defeat, and the effort expended in retaking Burma would interfere with Chennault's plans for an air battle. The letter was also forwarded to the War Department. The deviant and unorthodox Colonel Cooper also wrote a personal letter to Major General Donovan, director of the Strategic Intelligence Service, stating the plight of the Air Force Task Force stationed in China lacking various supplies.Donovan was a close friend of Roosevelt, and the letter circulated in Washington. All this brought a turning point to the fate of Chennault and the Flying Tigers. Lucky?Woe? All this aroused the fury of Secretary of the Army Stimson, and Marshall, Arnold, Stilwell, and Bissell were naturally even more annoyed.They wanted to move Cooper, move McHugh, and see Chennault as an unscrupulous ambitious man.In the following days, they watched the air battle commanded by Chennault with somewhat distorted mentality. Chennault was not ignorant. At this moment, when he was smoking Camel cigarettes, he felt a bitter and heavy feeling.Should it be justified?He shook his head, in order to win this war, so what?Anyway, he has a clear conscience. He rubbed his fingers vigorously on his forehead, as if trying to wipe away all unpleasant thoughts.The gray-green feathers of the wild birds are beautiful, let's think about a big dinner, the team members get together, and invite a few Chinese girlfriends.Needless to say, he likes Chinese women very much. In the black eyes of the Chinese woman, he has an inexplicable, misty and persistent search. The days of winter pass with rare peace.Because it is not a good time for fighting, both sides are resting. On February 19, 1943, Arnold received news that the Air Force Task Force stationed in China would be reorganized into the 14th Air Force and would no longer be under the command of Bissell; Chennault would be promoted to major general, and Bissell would also be promoted to major general.US President Roosevelt also had to level the bowl of water in the complicated and intricate interpersonal disputes. On March 10, Washington called to announce the organization of the US 14th Air Force in China, under the command of Major General Chennault.The Air Force Task Force stationed in China has become history again. At dusk, Chennault walked alone by the lake.The airport and the aviation school are between the city and the lake. The mountains on the east side of the lake are undulating. Facing the airport is a bright red steep cliff, which has become a symbol of the airport. Over the past few years, Hongyayan has helped many American pilots take off and Landing, so the team members affectionately called it "Old Baldy".At this airport, he has trained batch after batch of pilots, how do you say this in Chinese?Iron-clad barracks with flowing soldiers.On this lakeside, he and Song Ziwen walked side by side, talking heart-to-heart, how do you say it in Chinese?Gold is easy to get, but a confidant is hard to find.He knew that the turning point of fate was inseparable from the hard and soft efforts of Chiang Kai-shek and the Song family. He was proud of what the Air Force Task Force had achieved in nine months.A total of 149 enemy planes were shot down, 85 may be shot down, and 16 P-40C planes were lost; 65 bombing missions were undertaken, 314 tons of bombs were dropped, and one B-25 bomber was lost by itself, shaking the Japanese army on the vast bases of the Asian continent. safety.And this is the smallest, fragmented branch of the U.S. Air Force!The team members lacked supplies and were dressed in rags, so they did not pay attention to etiquette and did not know official documents, but they were still a veritable Flying Tigers. In the twilight, the old man stared at the "old bald man", tears welling up in his eyes. His mood is soaring and heavy. The 14th Air Force makes its big debut in Italy.Supplies brought in via the hump did not increase.With everything lacking and bad weather, Chennault still managed to fight a series of battles in the old streets of Indochina, destroying the phosphate mines there.The enemy planes also attacked Yunnan Post and Kunming, and Chennault's new chief of staff, Brigadier General Glenn, was also slightly injured. On April 20, Stilwell called Chennault urgently, asking him to meet at the airport at 5:00 p.m.After getting off the plane, Stilwell's face was frosted, and he mocked, "Where's your luggage? Don't you plan to leave?" Chennault was inexplicably surprised.A few months ago, this "jealous boss" also had the same expression, throwing a stack of materials in front of him: "Don't you know this?" The medal was awarded to Chennault.Chennault did not know anything in advance, but Stilwell was full of suspicion, thinking that Chennault had instigated and planned it.Chennault could only heave a long sigh.What is it for this time?It turned out that Chiang Kai-shek had telegraphed Roosevelt requesting that Chennault be recalled to Washington to report on plans for an air offensive from China.So the War Department recalled Chennault and Stilwell to Washington to attend the Joint Chiefs of Staff, code-named Trident.This time, the vinegar vat of the vinegar boss was overturned, and he reprimanded Chennault and Lao Jiang for playing tricks behind his back!Chennault tried to explain the matter, and he immediately flew to Chongqing, but Chiang Kai-shek would not budge, but instead asked him to seize the opportunity and pass the air offensive plan. Washington in May is the most beautiful and lively season.At the Trident meeting in the Pentagon, the debate between Chennault and Stilwell also reached a fever pitch. The military dignitaries attending the meeting were richly dressed, with medals and ribbons on their chests; Stilwell and his large entourage were no exception; Chennault and his only entourage, Morgan, were dwarfed by the corner seats assigned to Chennault inside.But the poorly dressed junior general became the man of the meeting. When Prime Minister Churchill saw him for the first time, he asked the adjutant: "Who is that American major general?" The adjutant replied humorously: "It's 'China' Chennault." Churchill exclaimed: "Such a face! Such a face! Thank God he is on our side!" Chennault's face was persevering and resolute, making people unforgettable; Chennault's speech was even more memorable, full of gunpowder, no, it was a volcanic eruption, of course, aimed at Stilwell. Stilwell stubbornly believed that the most urgent task is to attack Burma first!Therefore, it is urgent to complete the 200-mile-long Lido Highway, which passes through deep mountains and old forests and spans the Lido River in India; Chennault was tit-for-tat. He believed that the war in Burma would be a protracted affair, and China could not wait to build the Lido Highway.Increase the transportation volume of the hump, reinforce the 14th Air Force, launch an air offensive, and defeat the Japanese army in China first. This is the top priority. Shi Wei retorted: he believed that doing so would only irritate the Japanese, cause a strong reaction, and destroy everything in China.He ridiculed Chennault in his diary for thinking he was "the world's greatest strategist". Chennault would not give an inch. He thought Stilwell's plan was ridiculous and would take at least ten years.He also laughed in his heart that the old man still only wanted to rely on donkeys, horses and large trucks for transportation, and to solve the war with trench warfare, which was really rigid. Both Roosevelt and Churchill favored Chennault.If Churchill was inclined to Chennault because Britain was not interested in the Burma War, Roosevelt was interested in the stubborn Chennault from the bottom of his heart.Roosevelt was well aware of the importance of the Chinese battlefield, and the only shortcut to Japan was through China, and China was the gate of victory to conquer Japan.On this point, Stilwell has always maintained a clear understanding. Roosevelt twice summoned Chennault alone.He asked: Could the air force stationed in China sink a million tons of Japanese ships within a year?Chennault replied firmly: Yes.As long as there is a supply of 10,000 tons per month.Roosevelt immediately wrote: "If you can sink a million-ton Japanese ship, we can break Japan's back." Roosevelt had high hopes for Chennault. Chennault was eager to return.However, the lengthy meeting dragged him on for more than a month. During appointments, interviews, banquets, cocktail parties, speeches and other activities with various great people and celebrities, he would often be absent-minded and anxious. He misses China. At the end of spring and the beginning of summer, the Japanese army had launched a crazy ground offensive in East China. Chennault believed that his air force could effectively stop the Japanese ground offensive, because any major offensive would use rivers—rivers and river transport were the main arteries of the Japanese army's lifeline. Stilwell waited and watched jealously. Chennault had a good grasp of things. The Japanese army was going up the Yangtze River and approaching Yichang, pointing directly at Chongqing; the bombers and fighter jets of the 14th Air Force frequently dispatched, one after another severely beat the Japanese army and the transport ships in the river that launched the ground offensive, and attacked the Japanese transport ships along the coast. The attack was suppressed. Stilwell's prediction was not unfounded. The Japanese planes intensified their attacks and bombings on Guilin, Hengyang and other places. Whether it was out of irritating annoyance or a well-thought-out campaign plan by the Japanese side, in short, the cities and towns where the Flying Tigers air bases were located were violently bombarded by the Japanese planes. Indiscriminate bombing, the Flying Tigers naturally did not show weakness, and could often see thrilling scenes of fierce battles in the air regardless of day or night. Guilin naturally lost its tranquility and beauty. After each bombing, the city was burning, smoking, weeping and moaning, and there were a few more scorched earth ruins, and more displaced and homeless refugees. Duxiu Peak, Diecai Mountain, and Fubo Mountain are still there, serving as witnesses of history silently. People fled one after another, heading west, west, to Guiyang, Kunming, and Chongqing. Chen Xiangmei and her four younger sisters were also wrapped up in the fleeing crowd, each holding on to the sleeves of their clothes for fear of being scattered.Without Bill and Jingyi as companions, Chen Xiangmei felt a heavy burden on her shoulders. They have almost nothing left. After a big bombing, they came out of the Qixingyan air-raid shelter, but they couldn't find the relative's house they were staying with! Broken walls, rubble everywhere, charred bodies, bleeding wounded.The black fire crows fluttered in the sunset, and they had no home to return to. The five sisters held hands and stood stiffly, their hands were convulsing, their teeth were chattering, and their hearts were trembling, but none of them shed a single tear, not even the youngest Xiangtao. Is the heart broken?Is the heart hardened?It is the war that has cruelly tempered this heart. It is still kind, but it must be wrapped in roughness and tenacity. Otherwise, it will not survive this war. Fortunately, the rest of the jewelry is still sewn in the cheongsam that Xiangmei wears, so let's start all over again, as long as she is alive. The next afternoon, she tidied up even more than usual, and went to Qixingyan for afternoon tea.This is the "tradition" of Lingnan University. For more than half a year, Lingnan University has been in exile everywhere.There are traces of it in the suburbs of Guilin and the big village of Qujiang.Halfway up the mountain, shaded by green bamboos and old trees, a few scattered huts are their classrooms and dormitories.When the weather is fine, they like to take classes in the field, accompanied by the bursts of pines. The history of Chinese literature taught by the teacher is as long as the world; when it rains, they read Du Fu's "Song of the Thatched House Broken by the Autumn Wind" in the muddy leaky house, worrying about the country The thoughts of worrying people have never been so intense; they drink mountain springs and use well water, study and write letters under the smoking tung oil lamp; I know a little bit. Originally, the countryside was not the main target of the enemy planes' strafing, but for the university in exile, the enemy planes' sense of smell was like the nose of a hunting dog, and they often followed and strafed them. They had to migrate from one village to another.Sometimes the plane flew very low, and they could see the ferocious face of the Japanese pilot clearly; sometimes the Japanese plane did not straf, but swooped fiercely again and again, like a cat playing with a mouse in its claws!Is trampling, ravaging, and conquering the hearts of Chinese youth a major target of the Japanese bombing? "Wild fires are endless, and spring breeze blows and regenerates." Like the green grass in the mountains, like the green pines on the mountains, the green of life is inexhaustible.Even the weak flowers will never stop blooming in the flames of war.Although the Lingnan University in exile is irregular in all aspects, only the teaching content is the same as in peacetime. Compared with the past, the professors are extraordinarily hard-working, and the students are extraordinarily serious. They all know how to cherish life? Chen Xiangmei likes to take the Chinese literature class taught by Professor Wu Chonghan the most.Professor Wu is not thin, elegant, suave and romantic like some of the writers. He is just a ball, short and fat.His brush-like hair is comically parted in the middle, and behind the gold-rimmed glasses are a pair of small bony eyes, and he looks like he is in a hurry when he does everything, which makes people laugh, reminding him of cartoons and clowns on the stage .He also often put on a sad face and said: "Look at my flesh and blood. Fortunately, I am a poor teacher. If I enter politics, people will definitely be regarded as corrupt officials!" Chen Xiangmei likes his humor and optimism, and his informality.He is also not like other professors, who hung down a gray cloth robe in a depressing way, pure Chinese style.He always wears a wrinkled Western-style shirt and trousers, and sometimes a wrinkled tie. Only his feet are always a pair of clean Chinese-style black cloth shoes. What Chen Xiangmei likes and admires the most is that he is full of knowledge!He is a native of Fujian, and his stubborn Fujian accent confuses all dental sounds into compound accents, and his speech seems to be missing a tongue, but his lectures are very popular among students.He never brought his lecture notes, and from pre-Qin literature to novels of Ming and Qing Dynasties, he has countless treasures, and it is as easy as picking them up.He has very strict requirements on the students, and the word "back" forced some students to mutter under the tung oil lamp in the middle of the night.Otherwise, he will punish you mercilessly and let you stand a class.Once a classmate who was punished retorted and said: "In this precarious and chaotic world, what's the use of carrying this trouble?"After a long time, he silently walked to the door of the hut, looked up at the sky, and said in a trembling voice: "The ancient country with a civilization of 5,000 years, the splendid Chinese culture with a long history and a long history is the cohesion and cohesion of our nation..." The hut was quiet, saying The classmate who made a mistake bowed his head in shame. Immediately, he turned around, faced the students, and raised his fists high: "You are the future of China! The hope of China! China will not perish! The Chinese have never been completely conquered!" Scream, an unforgettable scene.Two lines of tears flowed down my husband's face. Many years later, Chen Xiangmei became a world-renowned celebrity. In her article in memory of her uncle Liao Chengzhi, she said deeply: "The Chinese people may have been born in China, which has a vast land and abundant resources. It has 5,000 years of culture and history, and has been influenced by Confucian ethics Therefore, whether you study literature or martial arts, learn swordsmanship or painting, whether you are in the field or in the government, you have a sense of mission all the time. This sense of mission transcends parties, regions, and even time and space. The spirit of the party's dedication. The Chinese people have a deeper and more consistent sense of mission than any nation, and Liao Chengzhi was driven by this mission all his life, so his dedication is absolute." The 18-year-old Chen Xiangmei may not have realized this sense of mission, but the fire of life was ignited.In her spare time, she wrote essays and novels with intoxication, and she showed them to Professor Wu with trepidation, wondering if he would reprimand her for writing such plain vernacular?After Professor Wu finished reading, he gave a thumbs up: "Talented woman! Talented woman!" Under his recommendation, "Inch Grass Heart" and "Distant Dream" were published in newspapers and periodicals.He bluntly said: "Literary genius is born, and the cultivation of the day after tomorrow is secondary. I don't want you to go back to ancient times, but ancient prose is the foundation and foundation." He did not hide his preference for Chen Xiangmei.After class in the afternoon, he always invited her to his thatched hut to drink tea, which was Fujian bitter tea.A clay pot was put on the charcoal stove fire, and half a pot of tea was put in it, boiled until boiling, and then sprinkled around the tea tray, saying: Xu Ce ran to the city.Cook it until it boils again, then sieve it into a teacup like a small wine cup, and say: "Han Xin orders soldiers."Chen Xiangmei tilted her head: Zhou Yu ordered the general.When you first taste it, it is extremely bitter; after drinking it again, it becomes sweet, and over time, it becomes a little addictive.He said half-jokingly and half-seriously: "This symbolizes your life, which is bitter before sweet." She said: "Isn't it the same, sir?" He shook his head: "No. I am old and old, you are a fragrant plum, no After a lot of frost and frost, how can plum blossoms release the fragrance?" Yes, she has been suffering from suffering since her mother died of illness, but only in this way can she taste the sweetness in the depths of life and write works early? The female professor Xian Yuqing didn't like her, saying that this little girl was really a genius.What about her, can't afford to provoke or hide?Is it okay not to take her class?She thought that Professor Wu had a preference for her, and Professor Xian might be a little jealous. There is a preference and jealousy, and the university in exile is still in the world. Green trees and gray cliffs, stone tables and benches.Professor Wu and several students were sitting around drinking tea, and they reserved a stone bench for her. They chatted freely as usual.Talking about Li Houzhu's Ci, Daiyu's "Funeral Flower Ci", Li Qingzhao's graceful Ci and bold and unrestrained poems, all without mentioning yesterday's bombing, may be a little numb, but the little people in troubled times can do otherwise. how?Maybe this is still a challenge?Challenge the war, challenge the destiny. When we parted, Professor Wu said quietly, "Your sisters should move to the school too." Yes, they know everything, but don't make a fuss, yesterday is in the past, hopefully tomorrow. She shook her head.They had already received a letter from their eldest sister, Jingyi, who served in the 14th Air Force, asking them all to go to Kunming; and said that their father had asked General Chennault to take care of them. Professor Wu pondered for a moment and said, well, Lingnan University is planning to move part of it to Kunming, so your studies will not be delayed. The five sisters left Guilin by car. Tickets were expensive and rare. As the fleeing crowd flocked to the station, the station was already in chaos.They finally squeezed their way to the rattling, smoky wreck, a sleazy passenger car assembled from obsolete American truck parts that was worth a hundred bucks.Countless people squeezed towards the door, and the luggage of those near the door was thrown onto the roof roughly, so that the fleeing crowd could be stuffed into the overloaded car.The driver stood proudly aside with an American cigar in his mouth, squinting his eyes, like a slave owner looking down on his slaves.Bloody people cursed at him, cowardly people begged him, but he was completely indifferent. Someone offered him a small bottle of quinine flatteringly, and he yelled five times and gave the "briber" a seat with a little ventilation.Chen Xiangmei observed all this coldly in the crowd, how abominable the ugly side of human nature is. The sisters finally squeezed into the broken car.A car of people squeezed, pressed, twisted, far less orderly than canned sardines. The driver and his two concubines sat in the cab, and the broken car coughed and panted like an old man with asthma. Suddenly, the body shook violently, and then stumbled out like a drunk. Xiao Xiangtao asked in horror: "Will it explode?" Xianglian smiled wryly and said silently: "Don't worry, no one will know before the explosion. Don't be afraid." 小香桃也笑了：“和姐姐们在一起，就是爆炸也不怕。” 香梅欣慰地透了口气，妹妹们渐渐学会了一种生活艺术，以不变应万变，从苦难中解脱出来，随遇而安。 晓雾从河面升起，迅速地漫向公路。公路两旁蠕动着逃难的人流，扶老携幼、挑担推车的在飘荡的雾幔中，浑浑噩噩西行，香梅仿佛回到了去年的夏的逃难中，流亡、流亡，何时何处是尽头？ 在她的内衣口袋里，一直珍藏着爱莲捎给她的毕尔的信，“为了我俩，勇敢些。”山高路远，战争阻隔，信件传递需很长时间，而更多的情况是信件遗失，空留相思！她只收到毕尔两封信，从信上得知毕尔还给她写过许多信，而她给毕尔的信，毕尔竟一封都未收到！她与他，是有缘颗是无缘？如若中尔再寄信。桂林城的亲友家已不复存在，谁来收这遥远的情书呢？她只有千遍万遍地为他祝福：祝你平安！happiness! 口袋里还有一张墨迹新鲜的字条，是吴教授送别时题写的：“几生修到梅花福，添香伴读人如玉。”乍读暖昧，她羞赧了；但回过味来，是最纯最清的师生情，他喜欢并器重她，且袒露出来，只是今生无缘！ 雾漫漫，路漫漫。 姘妇点亮了桐油灯代车前灯照明，司机可不安分，一路放肆地与两个女人调笑，突然路边行人愤怒大叫大骂，窗边女人也尖叫：“车要开到河里了！”这司机反倒放浪大笑。 香梅的心刺痛了。车厢里，座位上挤叠着人，过道空隙处东倒西歪地站叠着人，人肉的墙手臂的森林窒息着她，她想回眸桂林一眼都动弹不得，思维总还是自由的吧，可这厚颜无耻的司机却压根不把乘客当人！ 她愤怒地叫道：“你为什么不好好开车？！我们是人，不是货物！” 司机轻薄地答话：“小妹子嗳，要是货，那倒值钱，人嘛，得分老嫩——” 一大高个的男人怒吼了：“你他妈的住嘴！发国难财发得你骨头发酥！你他妈的少挨了揍！”这男人站着，车顶太矮，他像虾似的弯着，两手撑在车窗上，窝囊得慌。 司机还嘴硬：“你是哪方的爷？不坐车请下呀。”但口气软多了。 一白发老者息事宁人：“算了算了，这年头，唉，心字头上一把刀，忍忍吧。” 两个姘妇也打圆场：“同船过渡前世修，同车逃难怕得三世修。大家难得。好好开车嘛，我们也都在车上嘛，你就不肉疼？” 真叫人啼笑皆非。 于是，稍稍安静下来。破车嘎吱着、喘息着、晃荡着西行。 路漫漫其修远兮，吾将上下而求索。 她已在求索么？陈香梅问自己。 四季如春的昆明在召唤着她们么？ 月亮在灰白的云朵中穿行。 一条灰黑的大虫，在荒凉的云贵高原上爬行。这时是相对幽静的瞬间。因为这是一条疯狂的大虫，说不准即刻就会疾奔，转而又咣哨咣哨倒退百里，呜呜地停住，给你来一个时空倒转，几天前的小站依旧混乱喧嚣，骚动的人群疯狂地涌向疯狂的大虫！ 这是荒诞时代满载逃难者的荒诞列车。 车是极简陋腌躜的棚车，车厢称为一等车厢，人和行李填塞着空间，水泄不通中弥漫着变天时茅厕翻缸的混浊臭味，但这里毕竟可以避避风雨。车顶被荣称为二等车厢，无遮无挡，倾斜的车顶只有边缘极矮的扶手可作保护，稍不留心就会被抛到车外；日晒雨淋，听天由命，苦中作乐者曰，躺在大自然母亲的怀抱里。三等车厢在最底下，原本关猪关鸡的，人得蜷缩着，犹如从军的囚犯。 不论哪等车厢，都人满为患。只要停下，就有难民疯狂地向上挤，也许人们都糊涂了，不知是逃命还是玩命！这是随心所欲的一列火车，没有时间表，也不依什么车站不车站。只要它乐意，在荒无人烟的山谷里停上个三五天，饥渴得你气息奄奄；也有发善心的时候，在吆喝着茶叶蛋蒸米糕洗脸水的小站停下，等你慌慌地采买时，它呜地一声又疯狂地冲出，铁轨上便狂奔着脱车的人们，呼天抢地、捶胸顿足，直到火车没影了，他们石雕般僵立着，车带走了他们的亲人！ 陈香梅平躺在车厢顶上，眼睁得大大的。从贵州省的金河镇，她们就挤上了这列车，许多的苦难日子过去了，许多的惊心动魄的恐怖过去了，眼见贵阳近了，她们姊妹都活着，没有离散！她想跪下来祈祷，感谢苍天护佑。但她动弹不得，就在前天晚上，一女人在睡梦中懵懂立起，火车正经过低矮的隧道，一声凄惨的叫声后，是死一般的漆黑、死一般的寂静。车顶上的人全吓醒了，等到出了隧洞，只留下星星点点浓热的血迹！不久前的夜间，一位年轻的孕妇因为害羞，想躲到两节车厢间的梯子旁方便，一脚没踩稳，葬身车轮下！孕妇的母亲扒着梯子悲号：“早晓得这样，还有什么羞不羞啊！早晓得这样，老娘代死，留着你两条命啊！”女婿拉住她：“别哭了，这年头，死了比活着强。”夜风呼啸，人们战栗着，不知厄运还将降临到谁头上？就在狂风中，一个女孩又被刮出车顶，母亲没命地扑过去：“停车！停车！我的女儿！我的女儿掉下去了！”父亲死死地攥住她：“不要哭喊，火车不会停下约。要是女儿命大，或许还活着。会有人收养她的。唉，幸亏掉下去的不只是我的女儿，不要哭了。”男人总是更冷静地接受现实：火车决不会因为哭泣而停下！ 女人和孩子的生命力终究柔弱些。女人们不敢在棚车尚未停稳时就猛虎般扑向站台，又像老鹰掠食般见什么抢购什么，旋即冲回车上。女人们在棚车停稳后还犹疑着，怕它突然又中邪似地开走，于是总要邀上伴，不管熟悉的还是陌生的，好像拉着了一两个陪斩的。思虑着下了车，剩下又差又贵的食品，女人有伴，更是讨价还价，左挑右拣，顷刻间火车发动了，心慌腿软，男人们敢拚死拚活扒车跳车，她们只有跟着火车屁股后哭嚎咒骂，待火车早已无影无踪了，她们还会跌坐在铁轨上哭诉着，追述着刚逝去的恐怖一幕的种种细节。所以家中有男人的，很少让女人强盗般地窜上跳下。香梅五姊妹没有男人可依傍！起初很害怕，买不上食品，只有饿肚子；也有好心的同车人，买了吃食后分给她们一点，但是，当火车在荒瘠的崇山峻岭倒来倒去几天几夜也买不上一点食品时，香梅就觉得欠了人家天大的情，本来人家可以将那点吃食留给孩儿，孩儿也不会这般嗷嗷哭叫着饿，让人伤心呵。于是，陈香梅狠下心来，跟男人们一样扑下车跳上车，甚至上下都冲在最先，因为她灵活敏捷。上下车的瞬间，四个妹妹都像诀别般地喊一声：二姐——当心！看着妹妹们香甜地吃着，她会淘气地弯起胳膊，鼓着阴劲：“嗨，瞧瞧，我的肌肉变得像农民了吗？还是运动员？”泪花便在妹妹们的眼里闪烁，因为她与贫民区里又黑又瘦的拾煤渣的女孩别无二致了！望着“满面灰尘烟火色”的妹妹们，那笑纹也就僵僵地凝在了香梅的嘴角。并不算漫长的流亡生涯已混淆了贵贱贫富，谁要在这棚车上下讲什么身世、学历、地位、财产，那将是荒唐可笑的事，大家都在生死线上挣扎，活下去的就是强者。想起母亲的谆谆告诫，要她们成为淑女，她不觉又苦笑起来。母亲是有福的，死于战前；母亲只能承受落花月缺的淡淡的哀愁，这样的大苦难大动荡大起大落，母亲纤弱敏感的心怕是承受不起的。不过也很难说，外公外婆只怕很难想象她们姊妹能历经磨难，还在不屈不挠地向前！外公外婆现在在哪里？他们在经受怎样的磨难呢？ 有一回，她在一个小站买了一袋食品，上车前又见着了卖甘蔗的！甘蔗可是流亡旅途中的固体甘霖，再贵她也买了两根，就在这时，列车启动了，她飞跑着，上了梯子，可是拿甘蔗的手帮不上忙还碍事，得扔掉甘蔗，才能乘车速不算快时攀上梯子，她没有扔！她艰难地挪着步，车飞奔起来，风在耳边呼啸，她整个身子被风掀翻过来，只有左手痉挛地抓住梯子，双脚还踩在梯子上，但她再也没力气向上攀一步，她紧紧闭住眼睛，不敢往下看，也不敢往上看，她隐约听见妹妹们在哭喊着她，她想：我不能掉下去！我不会掉下去！车顶上妹妹们已扑了过来，香莲欲下梯子时，一位壮汉于心不忍，挡住香莲向香梅伸下双手，吼道：“丢掉甘蔗！快！抓住我的手！”她仍不敢睁开眼，她想扔掉甘蔗，但却攥得更紧，她的脑海已失掉思维了。壮汉只有再探下身，抓住她的胳膊强扯了上来。妹妹们围着她，仍失魂落魄地哭喊着；她脸色死灰跌坐在车顶上，说不出一句话，缓过气来，才知道在阎王殿上走了个来回！壮汉又好气又好笑地啐她：“你这小女子！甘蔗比你的命还金贵？！”她自己也傻笑了，她后来根本没有了理念，也许求生的本能并不排斥甘蔗？总之，她交了好运，保住了命也保住了甘蔗。壮汉还颇感蹊跷地说：“小女子，你左手哪来的忒大的劲？”她仍傻傻地笑笑，不接话。她从小就是个左撇子，只是母亲说这不规矩，强制着她改右手。要不，在宴会上，一个淑女左手拿箸，岂不跟邻座“打架”？ 她们遇上了热心肠的侠义男人。但是，她们也目睹过另一类男人的表演。与她们挤坐一处的一家，父亲壮年，六个儿子中五兄弟年轻力壮，最小的儿子只有8岁；母亲却瘦小干瘪，不是儿子们的面貌都酷似老娘，真难相信麻雀能下半打鸡蛋？香梅一旁观察，做母亲的几乎没吃上什么东西，一块米糕留得变了颜色，为的是怕小儿子喊饿。火车停靠一个小站时，父亲吆喝着一家全下车，说是喝碗热面条暖和暖和，母亲眨巴着眼小声问：“要是车开厂呢？”父亲喝道：“就你晦气！”不幸言中，热面条没吃上，火车就跑了，这家人奋力追车扒车，总算回到了棚车顶上，父亲的左胁还死死挟住小儿子时，忙不迭清点人数，尔后，抹抹满头大汗，庆幸地笑了：“还好还好，都上来了！”有人提醒说：“你老婆没上来呵。”他说：“是呵，只丢了老婆，女人呀，真是累赘。”望着胁下还死死挟住的小儿：“儿子呵，爹可是拚了命挟你上车的！你是爹的命！”说毕，又回味无穷地笑着。 香梅的心被狠狠地挫伤了，她再也按捺不住，一边神经质地哭泣，一边质问：“儿子！儿子！你这做父亲的难道只知道儿子？你们这些做儿子的难道不知道还有母亲？女人不是人？你们还笑？还有没有人性？” 那男人敛了笑容，尴尬又不解地问：“跟你有什么相干？又不是你们家的女人！” 香梅哭得更伤心，妹妹们也齐声恸哭，或许理解了二姐的伤心感触，或许得将一路上的苦难宣泄为快？ 苦不堪言。 在烈日中炙烤过一百回，在高山寒流中颤栗过一百回，在电闪雷鸣狂风暴雨中洗礼过一百回，在敌机俯冲扫射中死过一百回，在饥渴中挣扎过一百回，不要问这颗心在盐水里浸、碱水里煮，血水里蒸过几多回？那盐水、碱水、血水就是她们自身的泪水、汗水和心淌出的血。 那男人还在嘀咕：“女人，真是累赘，女人，坏事的女人。” 蓦地，香梅想起了一年前的流亡途中，波贝说出这些话时，毕尔跳了起来，愤怒地吼道：“你这自私鬼！你给我滚！” 她想念毕尔。也许，女人永恒地渴求被爱和被保护。 但是，在桂林独秀峰上，不正是她自己拒绝了爱和庇护么？也许，追求独立亦是女人永恒的渴求？ 往事不堪回首月明中。 今夜的月光水一般温柔，今夜的棚车子缓晃荡如母亲手中的摇篮，许多个瞬间过去了，运行正常平安，许多人放心熟睡了，此起彼伏的鼾声揉进列车的咣·声，黑魃魃的石崖峻岭飞快掠过，声音和剪影无处不藏着杀机，是梦是醒？她不顾一切地坐了起来，双手交叉胸前，狠狠捏着左右臂，右臂的扭伤左臂的拉伤疼得她龇牙咧嘴，那么这和平安宁是真的？ 她就这样痴痴地坐着，月的清辉如泉的沐浴，渐渐地，她觉得五脏六腑都水洗过般清净；渐渐地，她回忆起往事，北京的外祖父家、广州的祖母家、香港的红房子……零星点滴、琐琐屑屑，岁月的筛子留下的竟是家庭琐事。她突然顿悟到，前不久在桂林演出的话剧，为什么那样轰动感人，多少人泪水沾襟！清人沈三白，一个在当时无声无息的落拓文人，写了一部薄薄的，记闺房之乐，记坎坷之愁，记闲情之趣，记浪游见闻，并无记大事的冠冕堂皇，而是记琐事的自传散文，一个没有跌宕起伏的情节却仍是永恒的爱情故事，在他妻子死后写成。偏偏就是这种珍爱家庭琐事的回忆扣动了人们的心弦，和沈三白的名字流传后世。本来也不宜改编成话剧，况且是战争年代，但是，它硬是征服了观众，催人泪下。这个时代梦魇一般，什么也靠不住，人们总得抓住一点实在的、可靠的东西吧。朴实的亲情就显得特别可贵。 dear!她打了个寒噤。许多的日子，她躲避着对父亲的思念和怨恨。一个声音总追踪着她：他抛弃了妻子！她抛弃了女儿们！他是一个自私的男人。是的，如果和父亲在一起，她们肯定不会经受这么多的磨难。但是，或许如静宜所说，父亲有父亲的难处呢？话又得说回来，再大的难处也不能抛妻弃女置之不顾吧？ 18岁的少女过早地成了80岁的老妇，她有着苍老灰黯的面容和千疮百孔的心，然而，这颗心并没有变硬，柔软的心房仍填弃着宽容和企盼，企盼着苦难的日子很快就会到尽头，因为贵阳不很远了。 到了贵阳，她们可以到静宜信中写的航空队的联络站休整几天，尔后搭乘军车去昆明。 四季如春的昆明也就不很遥远了。 眼下，处处是吉兆。 她度过了一个罕见的平安之夜。 她迎来了一个罕见的平安的黎明。 晨曦中，灰色的山地点缀着一片片红和一片片白，她是灿烂的罂粟花在开放。 初冬的昆明，温暖又晴朗。 古老的圆石子路两旁是挂着各式老字号招牌的店铺，锣鼓喧天的地方戏与伙计们大减价的吆喝声混杂一片。古老的马车骡车独轮车缓缓碾过路面，人力车夫奔跑着不停地揿响车铃，而年轻的男男女女骑着自行车在人车的缝隙中穿来梭去，更将车铃揿得山响。 一辆美军吉普没命地按着喇叭疾驰，车流人流无形中自动闪开一条路，人们朝吉普侧目，车上除了美军外，还有一位着白色护士装的中国女子，跟美军往来的女子常被人揶揄为“吉普女郎”，但这位女子仪态端庄，此刻，她泪流满面。 她是陈静宜。 吉普在“美国第14航空队总部”这幢泥红色的古老石头建筑物前戛然刹住，静宜急切地从车上跳下，几乎冲进了大门，冲过幽暗的走廊，在一间间办人室前，她却犹疑地站住了。 这里的氛围热烈紧张繁忙，但又分明井然有序。各种肤色各种语言各种身份的人物川流不息于此。 战局愈来愈紧张。几个月以来日军在沿海海面屡遭第14航空队袭击，他们为地面部队提供的给养几乎全沉没于台湾海峡和南中国海的海底，因此日军欲摧毁美在华的空军基地，并在中国北部和东部发动频繁的攻势。陈纳德从夏季以来，已将空中游击战术转变为有计划有组织的主动的战略进攻。文森准将被派往华东战区，在对付日机的空袭的同时，还要袭击日军的地面部队；第23战斗机中队和第11轰炸机中队进行战略进攻；固守昆明的战斗机中队和308轰炸机大队，在条件允许的情况下，四出轰炸日军基地。陈纳德已成功地组建了中美混合飞行联队投入战斗。这支美国海外最小的空军，其活动范围已达到西起顷甸、东至台湾、北抵长江、南达回归线以北的日空军基地。但是，第14航空队仍处于缺乏飞机和物质补给不足的境况中，陈纳德在三叉戟会议上向罗斯福总统承诺的，半年至一年内摧毁日本空军，击沉100万吨日本船只的诺言，是难以实现的了。总部指挥调度便显得格外紧促急迫，而军界政界的显要表情严肃地进进出出，更平添了威严和神秘。 陈静宜往后退缩了。哪能为自家的事去打搅将军呢？将军怕也顾不上这“区区小事”。 与不苟言笑的军政人员相对照的，是三五成群的不拘小节的记者编辑们。尽管战局的发展与陈纳德的愿望相悖，但是，陈纳德和飞虎队的知名度却与日俱增。人们总是崇拜英雄，陈纳德名副其实。总部便多了喧闹：美国、欧洲和近东的记者纷至沓来采访，美国各出版社版商为了争得陈纳德和飞虑队的独家报道而不断来此找他签约；斯科特上校回到美国后，果然写出一部书，书名就叫《上帝是我的副驾驶员》，好莱坞已买下了拍电影的版权，斯科特希望陈纳德至少应该在银幕上出现3分钟以上；霍茨上尉正组织前飞虎队员编写《跟随陈纳德将军：飞虑队故事》一书；帕克斯顿则在纽约忙于成立一个“飞虎协会”，出版一本美国志愿队年鉴；因为一些冒名顶替的假飞虎队员已频频出现在新闻媒介里！ 凡此种种，身为第14航空队护士的陈静宜也略知一二；她还知道，陈纳德不想让自己的名字去宣传一本书或一部电影，他的任务是忙于打击敌人，而不想让出风头的罪名强加到自己头上。想到这，静宜掉转头，又朝大门走去，她责怪自己糊涂，别给将军添乱了。 “嗨，雪狄雅，你上哪去？你不是要见将军？他请你立即进去。”陈纳德的副官艾尔索普从后面喊住她。 她驻足回首：“谢谢。我，不想打扰将军了。” “为什么？”艾尔索普诧异了。 “因为，因为我这回来……不是因为飞虎队队员……”泪水止不住又夺眶而出。 护士们因为飞虑队员的伤亡情况来到总部，陈纳德从来是立即召见，只要能分得开身，随即就同赴医院。可静宜这回是为了她的四个妹妹：香莲、香兰、香竹和香桃，她们失踪了！ 艾尔索普摇摇头：“看你哭得像个泪人儿，将军都知道了，他让你马上去见他，提供线索，他会尽力寻找到你的妹妹们。” 静宜破涕为笑，跟着艾尔索普来到陈纳德办公室。 陈纳德忙得不亦乐乎。一只手握着话筒说话，一只手还在写着什么。他对静宜慈祥地点点头，放下话筒后，快捷又简捷地说：“真对不起，陈小姐，我们只能谈五分钟。情况我已知道，你父亲也从美国托人请我帮助。我刚刚跟文森准将联系过，他会派出特别搜索队，在贵阳附近的铁路沿线寻找。陈小姐，你的任务是在尽快的时间内，给我们提供她们的照片，能做到吗？” 静宜忙从兜里掏出证件，取出夹在里边的六姊妹合影：“这是两年前我们六姊妹在香港时照的，我一直随身带着。” 将军接过照片：“好兆头。姊妹情深，相信很快能找到她们。” 静宜却疑惑着：“人海茫茫，能找着吗？” 将军微笑着：“要有自信。无论打仗还是生活。” 静宜点点头：“谢谢您，将军。我该告辞了。真抱歉，我们家的事，打挠了您作战的大事。” 将军扬起了双眉，困惑地说：“陈小姐，为什么这样说？我们作战、打击敌人，不正是为了人民的安宁？况且你是我们的护士，你父亲还是我的朋友呢。” 静宜热泪盈眶，答不上话，她的心在说，他不只是位英勇善战的英雄，更是位仁爱慈祥的叔叔伯伯。 将军又说话了：“陈小姐，你的大妹妹已在衡阳吧，让她搭乘军车先来昆明好了。” 静宜拭去泪水：“哦，她不会同意的，她在信中说，她要沿着铁路线一辆辆火车一个个村子找，不找到四个妹妹，决不来昆明。” 将军大笑：“哦，你有这么一个倔强的妹妹？看来她跟你的性格不太一样，叫什么名字？” “陈香梅”。 “陈香梅。”将军轻声重复道。 这时，陈香梅正在贵阳附近的村子里蹒跚而行。她形容憔悴、声音嘶哑，已经半个月了，她就这样从一个村子走向另一个村子，焦灼地喊着妹妹们的名字，从天亮到天黑，怀着希望却找来十几个失望！ 她不相信命运竟会这样残酷地捉弄她！ 事情就出在那个罕见的平安的黎明。 在金色的曙光中，列车驶进了一个祥和又闹热的小站，这在乱世也是极罕见的。一排排的小吃摊热气腾腾，最诱惑人的是每个小摊上都摆满了十几个小瓶瓶，瓶中装着五颜六色的佐料调料，是辣椒酱芝麻酱青葱熟蒜茴香粉？刹那间飘荡出平安的家常气息。摊主又多是女人，包着蜡染的头巾，系着蜡染的围裙，抑扬顿挫的贵地腔腔吆喝着，韵味无穷。还有一伙细妹子，肩上压根竹扁担，一头是暗红的炭炉，一头是盛着热水的陶罐，扁担上晾着罗帕巾，这是洗热水脸的挑子！车上的人全搔动了，谁不想洗净手脸、脸上厚厚的污油垢？车站上的女人细妹子子增添了安宁和温馨。嘈杂躁动中有人喊道：“车在这停一个钟头呢，来一个最后的饱餐吧。”也不管是谣言还是可怕的预言，人们欢欣鼓舞、蜂拥下车。 香梅的妹妹们也跃跃欲试，香梅犹豫着，隐约有种不安的预感。香莲说：“二姐，你身上怕没多少现钱了，把我这儿的带上吧。”一边掏出了钱。香梅以往总怕脱了火车，因此一直留了一小半钱在香莲处，以防万一。一路下来，她袋里的钱也花得差不多了，便接过了钱。小香挑则央求说：“好二姐，让我们跟你一块下去，不喝热汤，就想洗个热水脸。”香梅想想，果断地作出安