Chapter 13 Chapter 10 The Dream Lover

Flowers are flying everywhere in Spring City. Kunming is like spring all the year round, and spring is a surging sea of ​​flowers.And Chen Xiangmei is an invincible red plum blossom in the sea of ​​flowers. From winter to spring, she has returned to her slim and radiant appearance.Is time just a good medicine to heal the trauma of the soul?For young people, it is a natural medicine to erase the vicissitudes of life.She resorted to writing about the suffering of the past, and her novels and essays were published in daily newspapers, evening papers and various magazines. In the literary and artistic circles, Chen Xiangmei's name can be regarded as "Xiaohe just showed her sharp edge".

A part of Lingnan University has been moved to Kunming, where Chen Xiangmei is intensely completing her final studies at the university.At the same time, Jingyi's friend introduced her to work as a tutor for a wealthy businessman.The rich businessman lives in a single-family house in the beautiful Xiba. The rich businessman and his wife are uneducated. This house is very strict, and there are very few guests. It was later discovered that this is the residence of the concubine and two children of the rich businessman. The rich businessman must be afraid of internal affairs.Chen Xiangmei is not interested in these at all. What she likes is the innocence and liveliness of the children, and the Nanshan tea that is full of yards. The trees are tall, the flowers are big and colorful, and they are colorful, very pleasing to the eye.During the day, she goes to university to attend classes, and when she comes back to tutor children, the owner gives her a hut. Among the impoverished college students, she is regarded as a room and board owner.Go out early and return late every day, and don't forget to have a panoramic view of the scenery and street views while rushing on the road.I like the sunny sky in Kunming, and the cloud silk floating like a cicada's wing, which stirs up the vast memory; I like the trees in Kunming, which are green, green, light and yellow, and it is always spring; I like the place names and street names in Kunming, Xiaodong Street, Jinjinlou, Cuihu, Jinbi, and Wujiaba are all full of poetic and philosophical meanings; I like the atmosphere of the old city wall root stall tea shop. For a dime, you can eat a bowl of hot bridge rice noodles, or spicy rice noodles. Spicy fried bean curd fruit, as well as afternoon tea, is still a repertoire for literati, scholars and college students!I also like the rain in Kunming. The feet of the rain are like ropes that affect the world. I can't help but recite Wei Zhuang's words: "Everyone says Jiangnan is good, but tourists only like Jiangnan. , Bright wrists frost and snow. Don’t return home before you are old, and you must be heartbroken.” The beauties in Yunnan have heard that Mayor Pei’s wife has the appearance of a moon-shame flower, but she has never seen it; Nanping Theater and University Mrs. Liu, the female proprietor of Guangming Theater, happened to witness it, and she was surprised that there was a masculinity in her natural beauty.She doesn't like the American soldiers that can be seen everywhere. People here call those women who deal with the US military Jeep girls, and those who deal with foreigners are collectively called "international routers". She also feels the same.She couldn't equate these people with the Flying Tigers, and of course, she didn't want to suddenly bump into her idol in this group of people——Chennault!

She is still a pure and romantic female college student, even though she has gone through a thousand calamities. She graduated.In the reality of "unemployment after graduation", two newspapers expressed their willingness to accept her, one is a magazine in Kunming, and the other is a local evening newspaper. They both published her articles and met several times. She has a solid foundation in Chinese and English, she is young, beautiful and steady, so she has a good impression.She was not satisfied with the envious eyes of her classmates. She thought, my wings have been honed in the wind and rain, and I should fly higher and higher.

The God of Destiny, who had cruelly played tricks on her, showed her favor in Kunming. Jingyi invites her to accompany her to a nurse's wedding.The nurse married a native of Yunnan in politics.Walking into their house, Xiangmei was really taken aback. Such a luxurious house is one of the best in Hong Kong.The huge garden is full of Chinese-style red lanterns, the sparkling swimming pool reflects fire trees and silver flowers, the gorgeous dance hall is decorated with lights and festoons, and the main hall is impressively dedicated to Guanyin Daren and the three stars of fortune, fortune and longevity!When Xiangmei was not at all impressed with the mix of local and foreign in this house, Jingyi told him that the traditional Chinese wedding ceremony of worshiping heaven and earth had already been held during the day, and at night it was a completely Western-style dance.Although Xiangmei likes to dance, she still feels bored. She leaves the lively dance hall and walks to the balcony alone.The light from the red lanterns spills into the green lawn, everything is indistinct, and today and yesterday are also swaying. Is this the rear of the war?

"Xiangmei, why did you hide here?" Jingyi led a man to the balcony, "Do you remember Mr. Gao?" The moon is as clear as water, but she doesn't know this tall and handsome man, so she shook her head. But Mr. Gao laughed loudly: "It's really a girl's 18th change! How can you be so reserved and conservative now, the little one who wrote the love letter?" The warmth and romance of True Light Girls High School is not far away, and I vaguely remember a half-truthy warning to her from a tall boy: "From now on, you'd better be careful! You put too much thought into it." Then, Mr. Gao Is that the boy from back then?The world is so small.But the man has changed a lot, he is completely different.She smiled sheepishly.

Mr. Gao still laughed at her: "I have read your masterpieces published in newspapers and periodicals, and I thought the little one was still the same. Ms. Jingyi said, you just graduated from university, do you want to join the Central News Agency?" She jumped up: "Puppy doesn't want to go!" Meeting Mr. Gao's sly gaze, she was discouraged: "Mr. Gao, don't play tricks, okay?" Jingyi said: "Mr. Gao works in the Censorship Bureau and is a good friend of Mr. Chen Shutong. He really wants to help you. It depends on whether you have enough qualifications."

The director of the Central News Agency is Mr. Xiao Tongzi, headquartered in Chongqing, and the director of the Kunming branch of the Central News Agency is Mr. Chen Shutong. Mr. Gao smiled slyly again: "Speaking of conditions, I think Miss Xiangmei meets ninety-nine requirements, but unfortunately there is only one that you can't meet." Xiangmei became serious: "Which one? I will work hard." "This one, you can't work hard." He was not joking: "You are a woman, and the reporters of the Central News Agency are all men." Xiangmei was angrily: "What era is this! I'm not a three-inch golden lotus with bound feet, why is the journalist job so patriarchal?"

Mr. Gao laughed loudly: "Still the same. You look like a young rooster that has just begun to crow, and you are aggressive. I have the confidence to introduce you. I will take you to see Director Chen tomorrow. How about it? Right now, Miss Chen please dance Qu, how are you?" The dance music sounded, it was Johann Strauss' waltz "The Blue Danube", which she liked.In the rapid rotation, she was so light that she seemed to fly away with the wind. The next day, Mr. Gao really took her to Director Chen's house. Director Chen has read some works written by Chen Xiangmei, and he said bluntly: "Miss Chen, I can tell you frankly that we are looking for a young reporter who has a national background and English knowledge, so that he can adapt to the current battlefield interview. However, a woman Yes, heh, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you can’t do it, it’s just that the Central News Agency hasn’t set a precedent for this.” He hesitated.

Chen Xiangmei was in a hurry: "Director Chen, the rise and fall of a country is everyone's responsibility. How can a woman be blameless? In ancient times, Hua Mulan joined the army instead of her father. In today's China, among the journalists from various countries who come to interview, female journalists are indeed still rare, but, They are outstanding, and women are not inferior to men. Why does the Central News Agency set up barriers for Chinese women? After the fall of Hong Kong, our sisters fled thousands of miles and came to Kunming. My greatest wish is to be a war reporter. make an effort."

Director Chen had no choice but to nod, but said, "The only thing I'm not sure about is that the Chongqing General Society won't approve the use of women?" Chen Xiangmei said softly: "Director Chen, you might as well try me first, and if you are satisfied, then notify the Chongqing Headquarters. During this period, it is considered as a good trial." Director Chen agreed: "That's it." Mr. Gao laughed loudly again: "Miss Chen, what is the plan? Cook raw rice and cooked rice. I dare say that Miss Chen must be the first female reporter of the Central News Agency. Don't forget me, Bole Gaoqi So also."

A week later, Chen Xiangmei was notified to go to work at the Central News Agency. The working environment of the Central News Agency during the war was also very difficult.Editor-in-chief Mr. Shao Yizhi shared a large office with journalists of all ages.Editor-in-Chief Shao sat in the center, and the desks of young and old journalists were crowded and lined up in two rows. The desks were piled with messy papers.Chen Xiangmei likes this kind of atmosphere. When we met for the first time, editor Shao and his male colleagues were not very enthusiastic about her. After Mr. Shao introduced her to everyone with great seriousness, she sincerely bowed 90 degrees, and was rewarded with sparse applause. The older reporters seemed indifferent, immersed themselves in reviewing manuscripts, with the appearance of "seeing no injustice, and listening to no injustice"; the younger reporters couldn't suppress their curiosity and whispered among each other.Some crushed words hurt her eardrums: "like a flower like a jade", "outstanding among chickens", "crane? Little hen"... She really wanted to talk endlessly, from the death of her mother to the fall of Hong Kong, from the 18-day siege to thousands of miles of exile, she Chen Xiangmei has suffered all kinds of hardships, and she is a little girl who advocates walking independently.But she didn't say anything.In the last winter of her study at Lingnan University, when the students sat around the fire and said goodbye, she told her experience of exile, but the tearful female student said: "Chen Xiangmei, you are a genius writer, your legend is so touching. gone." She is clearly telling her personal experience, but people always think she is making up legends.Is it because the 19-year-old flower season is too delicate?Well, start from scratch.Don't talk about the suffering experience, don't talk about the background of the family, starting from a 19-year-old female reporter. Mr. Shao led her to a desk in the corner, on which a mountain of press releases had already been piled up.Mr. Shao said: "You start as an assistant editor. You read all the news releases that come in every day. You have to correct the errors in content, words, and grammar, and you have to add a title to each news. The workload is not light." She nodded. Mr. Shao added: "Your working hours are at four o'clock in the afternoon every day. By this time, telegrams from various places have been sent and received one after another. After all the press releases are processed, you can leave work. It must be after midnight. Working hours are also very hard." She nodded. She never shakes her head.This is not due to the submissiveness of traditional Chinese women, but the unyielding stubbornness, she is competent for all jobs. She said nothing, and went to work.All Chinese press releases are delivered in electronic codes.There are about 9,000 words in the news vocabulary, and each word has a corresponding code. The more complex the word, the greater the number.Her first job is manual decoding, which is rigorous and boring, but it is the basic training that every reporter must receive.She spent sleepless nights forgetting to eat and drink by force, and by the third week, she had proficiently mastered about three thousand codes, and the speed of translation was greatly accelerated.After the code is translated into Chinese, it is necessary to proofread the authenticity of the content, whether the syntax and grammar are correct, and even the names of people and places, and the date.She does the last item with great relish, and creative work always brings pleasure. At first, I had to work until three or four o'clock in the morning every day; after I became proficient, I could finish all the work in the middle of the night.But she was afraid of walking at night, so she fell asleep on the desk for a while, and returned to Xiba after dawn.The rich businessman didn’t care about the daytime of tutoring and reform. On the contrary, the concubine was somewhat happy, which dispelled her loneliness during the day. She always asked Xiangmei to ask questions, like a bird in a golden cage yearning for the sky outside.However, if she is placed in the free sky, she will still be nostalgic for the golden silk cage!Xiangmei looked at her concubine who was wearing gold, silver and jewels, and felt sad for her misfortune and angry for her indisputability. One day at dawn, it began to rain lightly.She didn't bring an rain gear, and hesitated at the gate whether to take a carriage back to Xiba. This is a luxury, and she usually uses walking instead of a car, anyway, she has already developed a pair of iron feet. Just as she was about to greet the carriage, an oil-paper umbrella with a dark red background and emerald green lotus leaf pattern swam towards her, and she was stunned for a moment.Slanting wind and rain, see the umbrella but not the face.Is it Bill?It's Bill!He said that one day, on rainy days, he would suddenly appear in front of her holding this umbrella! Her eyes were wet, and she muttered: "Bill..." She was expecting the umbrella to pick up, and he said, "Girl, I'll take you home." Are you dreaming or waking up?Both true and illusory. Pulling back the umbrella, she was a woman with dark complexion and big eyes. She turned her face away, unable to hide her loss and disappointment. But the woman with big eyes turned to her: "Excuse me, are you Miss Chen Xiangmei? I am Fang Dan, a reporter from Yunnan Daily. Fang Fang is square and square, Dan of Shandan Danhua. To be honest, I came to meet you this morning , It can also be said that I came here because of your reputation. I have read your masterpieces one by one, and I have admired them for a long time. Now you are the first female reporter of Central News Agency. You just want to make friends with you, you don't think I'm too reckless, do you?" Hey, the bamboo tube is pouring beans, crackling.Talk fast.This is a bold, cheerful, and a bit pungent woman. Chen Xiangmei has a different personality from hers, but Chen Xiangmei does not dislike her. There is such an undefended friend in the circle. Chen Xiangmei said, "Where is it? Miss Fang, why don't you come into my office for a while?" Fontaine laughed: "I have stayed up all night and have to work around the clock. I have figured out your work and life rules. I'm sorry, this is the work inertia of our industry. Otherwise, the interview will be half the effort, or even nothing. Come, come under my umbrella, and I will take you back to Xiba." She complied.Like a weak little girl willing to be under the umbrella of a pungent big sister. The two of them didn't go back to the rich merchants in Xiba, but went straight to Daguanlou. It's not that I haven't been to Daguanlou, and it's not that I haven't read the first long couplet of 180 crosses inscribed for Daguanlou by Sun Ran, a poet of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty. "Five hundred miles of Dianchi Lake, rushing to the bottom of the eye. Wearing the bank cape, the joy is vast and the sky is boundless. Look: the gods are flying in the east, the spirit instrument in the west, winding in the north, and plain in the south. Talented people, why not choose to win Come on. Take advantage of Xieluozhou, comb and wrap the misty temples of the phoenix. Ping the sky and reeds, embellished with green feathers and red clouds. Don’t let it down: Surrounded by fragrant rice, ten thousand hectares of clear sand, nine summer hibiscus, three spring willows.” Fang Dan cadenced Read the upper line. "Thousands of years of the past, poured into the heart. Lingxu wine, who is the hero? Think: Han Xi building boats, Tang Biao iron pillars, Song wielding a jade axe, Yuan Kua leather bags. Great achievements, exhausted efforts to move mountains All the pearl curtains and painted buildings, the volume is not as good as the evening rain and the morning clouds. The broken steles are all paid for by the smoke. Only a few poles of sparse bells, half of the river fishing fire, two lines of autumn geese, and one pillow of clear frost." Chen Xiangmei is depressed Desolation recited the second couplet. Fang Dan said, "Xiangmei, do you know about Sun Ran's life?" Xiangmei shook her head: "Not sure. But a native of Yunnan?" Fang Dan said: "He was originally from Sanyuan, Shaanxi. He was very intelligent since he was a child. He took the children's examination when he was a teenager. The examiner ordered the examinee to be searched. He thought it was humiliating, so he left and never took the examination. Therefore, he never served as an official in his life. He is a poor and down-to-earth commoner poet." Xiangmei sighed and said: "The article hates fate. It is enough to leave this long couplet for generations to appreciate." Fang Dan said: "He loves plum blossoms the most. He planted a tree of plum blossoms with his own hands and called himself 'ten thousand plum blossoms and one commoner'. Xiangmei, I am afraid that you and this poet here have a romantic relationship." Xiangmei was amused by her: "Maybe. I also feel that my name symbolizes my destiny. I am only nineteen years old, but my life is full of legends, and these legends are suffering together with suffering, so Why, I can't be as lively as you. Are you twenty?" Fang Dan sighed for a long time: "I am seven years older than you, twenty-six years old. Don't look at me laughing and laughing, wow, wow, why am I not in pain? It's just that my pain is self-inflicted. My home is in Dali , the wind in Xiaguan, the flowers in Shangguan, the snow in Cangshan Mountain, and the moon in Erhai Lake are the wind, flowers, snow and moon in Dali. I love Dali. My family is a tea merchant, and my parents treat me well. There are too many, the world in my heart is bigger, I always want to fly higher and farther with wings. When my family found a husband’s family for me, I resisted. I can’t give my life’s happiness to a man who doesn’t understand at all. The family cut off their source of income and wanted to force me to submit. Can a woman single-handedly conquer the world? Can she be independent? I just broke out to show them. I went to Kunming alone, tutoring, clerical, staff, everything. I have nothing to do to starve and suffer from cold, and I have been wronged by bullying and have nowhere to appeal. I have not found happiness, but I have suffered enough, but I don’t regret it. I am very satisfied with my current job as a reporter. To prove that women can stand alone in the world, and that women can fight with pens, and they are no worse than men. I don’t like to cry, and I only cry for myself.” Under the umbrella of green lotus leaves under the dark red background, Fontaine's big eyes are piercing.Chen Xiangmei looked at her fixedly and hit it off right away.Yes, I'm afraid they have a romantic relationship.Stubbornness and independence are what they have in common. With Fontaine as a close friend, Chen Xiangmei's life is more fulfilling.The two often got together to read and write poems, and Fang Dan unreservedly imparted his experience in editing and editing. Finally one day, Editor-in-Chief Shao stood beside her table very seriously and spoke.In the past, Editor-in-Chief Shao would often stand by her desk and check her electronically translated manuscripts. If there was something unsatisfactory for him, he would not speak. Appreciate the majesty and meticulousness.The title and subtitle written by Xiangmei, if he is very satisfied, will be returned to Xiangmei's desk after the manuscript is used. There are double rows of red circles under the title and subtitle. This is the Chinese teacher's reward for good sentences in a good composition. Xiangmei is grateful to this strict teacher in her small complacency, this is the editor-in-chief who cherishes words like gold. Editor-in-Chief Shao said: "Miss Chen Xiangmei——" She stood up obediently. Editor-in-Chief Shao said: "Ten-thousand-foot high-rise buildings start from the ground. Running news requires a solid professional foundation, perseverance, and patience. You have done a good job in the past few months. You are not like ordinary girls. This comes from you. I can also see your handwriting, your handwriting is strong and powerful, not like girls' handwriting." She was mischievous: "Report to the editor-in-chief, girls are not the same, and girls who are strong and powerful are also girls." Editor-in-Chief Shao was stunned for a moment, and then smiled: "Yes, this is the first time you walked into this office, I was really worried that the flowery girl is just a vase ear." He was naughty for a while, and quickly stopped: "Yes In this way, Director Chen talked to me, starting tomorrow, you will accept the interview task. The first task, you go to interview General Chennault, commander of the 14th Air Force, he will hold a press conference at the headquarters tomorrow—” She jumped up and asked aloud, "General Chennault?" She couldn't believe her ears! Chennault was a man, not a god. He has a feeling of being attacked from all sides and exhausted physically and mentally, but he is still unyielding. The field in late autumn is desolate after the harvest; the big tree covering the red tile house with mud brick walls, the night wind blows the leaves rustling; a crescent moon hangs on the top of the tree, and Chennault sits alone on the stone pier under the tree Smoking a cigarette, he was preoccupied, his brows were furrowed.In the deep night, when a pack of Camel cigarettes was exhausted, the well-behaved beagle Joe took out another pack from the house. Chennault picked it up and stroked its shiny black fur. The brows stretched out. However, there is no way to get rid of the sorrow, so I lowered my brows and raised my heart again. It's another autumn. The situation on the East China battlefield is extremely critical.China has reached the most dangerous time. As early as April 8, he was deeply worried about the massive build-up of Japanese troops in East China. He wrote to Stilwell, arguing that "the enemy's ground troops deployed in China are more threatening than the situation since Pearl Harbor". However, the hump transport tonnage for the 14th Air Force was decreasing month by month. Chennault hoped that Stilwell would give him reinforcements. At this time, Stilwell had gone deep into the Burmese jungle to command operations.In all fairness, it was not easy to launch the Burmese offensive advocated by Stilwell again. The attitude of the British army was not positive. Give China more supplies.In the early winter of last year, the Burmese counter-offensive war started again. The Chinese Expeditionary Force fought with extraordinary tenacity and bravery, defeating the Japanese army. Stilwell's command was burning with passion. His greatest interest was to directly watch the progress of the battle with a telescope.Conquered the Lagasu Highlands, leveled the New Pingyang, stormed Meng Huan, and wiped out the most elite 18th Division of the Japanese Army. Stilwell said, "War is the consumption of steel and spirit. The advanced weapons of the United States, Plus the bravery of the Chinese soldiers, what army in the world is stronger than this?" Now, he had to risk everything to attack Myitkyina before the rainy season, and Chennault's letter came at an untimely time, and Chennault pointed out sharply: "After all, your campaign in Burma opened up a better supply line to China. As I said, I believe that the security of China itself is now at stake." Stilwell refused to send reinforcements to Chennault. An angry Chennault gave Chiang Kai-shek a report on the air situation on April 15th, and at the end he told worriedly: "As far as the current situation is concerned, it is necessary to tell your Excellency that the combined air force stationed in China (not counting the ultra-long-range plan) may cannot withstand the Japanese air offensive, and will certainly not provide air support to the Chinese ground forces in the area and size it desires. In order for the Air Force to carry out these tasks by itself, firm measures must be taken to adequately supply and strengthen them .Since the threat from Japan appears to be imminent, such measures should be taken without delay." Chennault had the sharp eye and keen sense of smell of a military commander.On the night of April 16th, the Japanese army mobilized three divisions, together with tanks and armored vehicles, to cross the Yellow River. Thousands of troops ran over the green crops in the Henan Plain, and launched a ground attack with overwhelming madness.The defense of Henan has been a success or failure. Chiang Kai-shek ordered to defend Tongguan, otherwise, Xi'an is over! Chennault's report to Chiang Kai-shek aroused Stilwell's strong dissatisfaction. When Chennault tried his best to mobilize the air force to attack the Japanese ground forces and attack the enemy's traffic on the Yellow River and Yangtze River, railway junction stations and enemy airports. Wei is somewhat gloating.He wrote bitterly in his diary: "He is ready to leave a retreat for himself, saying that if he has a little more (we will not give him), he can still do it. To those who had pointed out this danger to him long ago and tried to remedy it. He failed to disrupt the Japanese supply lines. He did not cause the Japanese to retreat. On the contrary, our preparations have had what we expected, That is: eliciting a reaction from the Japanese." How could Chennault's heart not be soaked in sadness? Chennault had already tasted enough of the taste of open guns and dark arrows from his own camp.He had gone with Chiang Kai-shek to the Cairo conference last winter, but Chennault felt "nothing accomplished," and the envy from the War Department made him lament: "It makes me feel like they treat me like the Japanese, because every time After the Japanese planes bombed Kunming, the Japanese announced that I was killed!" This is really a tearful smile. Make bricks without straw.However, Chennault was still struggling unremittingly. On May 3, he ordered the 308th Brigade to blow up the Yellow River Bridge and strafed the Japanese ground troops, cavalry and armored convoys; The railway from the north of Hankou to Xinyang attacked the railway junction station and the enemy's airfield, and guarded our airfield along the Hengyang, Guilin, and Nanning lines. Chennault had already smelled the imminent battle in the south of the Yangtze River. On May 11, General Wei Lihuang, who once again served as the commander of the Chinese Expeditionary Force stationed in Yunnan, ordered the 20th Army to cross the Nu River, and the 14th Air Force participated in the battle.The brutal and bloody scene of the Nu River defense battle two years ago has reappeared before people's eyes. This time, the expeditionary force has become irresistible and has quickly captured Pingjia and Datangzi. The cover of the magazine: The New 1st Army and the New 5th Army under the command of Zheng Dongguo, with the cooperation of the American Air Force, stormed the Myitkyina Airport on May 17. This is like a nail in the heart of the Japanese army in northern Myanmar. Wei initially regained face, and his accompanying reporters announced that the theater commander had won a major victory, but Shi's forces failed to take the city after capturing the airstrip west of the city.The two sides dug trenches and stood guard, and the rainy season has quietly arrived. In the area south of the Yangtze River in May, the Japanese army launched the largest ground offensive.The 6th Army Corps of the Japanese Army moved southward from Hankou and stormed Changsha in 7 routes.Guarding Changsha is General Xue Yue, Commander-in-Chief of the 1st Corps of the 9th Theater. He has led the defense of Changsha three times. He has no tanks or cavalry. The army surrounded and annihilated, cut into pieces.What about this time? Chennault and Xue Yue have already forged a deep love on the battlefield.Xue Yue's army crossed the Xiangjiang River to defend the airfield of the 14th Air Force. The initial friendship was established through radio and battle reports. In the code, they were called Da Hu and Xiao Li, because Xue Yue was said to be small and thin.When they first met, Chennault was still unexpected.Chennault exaggeratedly described that the thin Xue Yue liked to wear a pair of black long boots, so his whole figure seemed to sink into the boots.The prestigious Changsha Tiger has the flavor of an elegant scholar, with soft speech and elegant manners, and he has to be orderly in the complicated Chinese etiquette. Chennault is almost fascinated by him.Xue Yue took some time to send some Hunan mushrooms to Chennault, and Chennault returned them with whiskey and Camel cigarettes. In the autumn of 1944, the Japanese army dispatched 40,000 troops to attack Changde. Xue Yue led the troops to fight hard for three months. The soldiers in ragged padded jackets were barefoot in winter, with a thin bag of dry food on their shoulders. They were tortured by hunger and disease. There is also a rifle for two or three people, but they are good at fighting and used to fighting.When the inhumane enemy army released poison gas on them, their only way to protect themselves from the poison gas was to tear out the cotton from the torn uniforms and cover their mouths and noses with their own urine!Chennault had great admiration for Xue Yue and his troops. During the three months of hard fighting, the 14th Air Force always cooperated with Xue Yue's troops.However, Xue Yue was not only not favored by Chiang Kai-shek, on the contrary, he was the object of Chiang Kai-shek's vigilance.Fighting alone for three months, Xue Yue's army had only 14,000 men and 2,000 rifles left. Finally, the Japanese army invaded Changde. dead body!Only five days later, Xue Yue's troops launched a counterattack and took back Changde. In the ruins of Changde, Xue Yue gave Chennault two trophies: a Japanese commander's samurai sword and a P-40 Chennault has always treasured the Japanese steel helmet pierced by bullets.He respected Xue Yue and believed that Xue Yue was far better than Stilwell in terms of strategic planning and field command.He said humorously that when most American professional soldiers were still cheering at the West Point football game, Xue Yue was the commander of a division who made great achievements in the famous Northern Expedition.Chennault made no secret of his friendship with Xue Yue. Although he knew Chiang Kai-shek's attitude towards Xue Yue, he was an upright soldier, not a snobbish politician.Maybe he can't figure out the complex and subtle intertwined interpersonal interests in the political and military circles, maybe he reflects his own experience in the US military circle from Xue Yue?This time, Xue Yue's troops, who had not yet recovered from the Battle of Changde, planned to stick to Changsha. Xue Yue assembled his artillery team on Yuelu Mountain. The ditch is ready to hold on, but how long can a lone army without supplies or reinforcements hold on?Chennault sent fighter-bombers to attack the supply lines of the Japanese army as hard as possible to help Xue Yue. At the beginning of June, Stilwell finally came out from the headquarters in the Burmese jungle. On his way back to Chongqing, he stopped for 30 minutes at the Kundan 14th Air Force to discuss the issue of the East China base. Stilwell Refusing to take any steps to resolve the situation in East China, but agreeing to increase Hump supply to 14th Air Force to 10,000 tons. On June 8, Stilwell declared a state of emergency in East China. On June 18, the Japanese army surrounded Changsha like a flood. Xue Yue's defenders, who had run out of ammunition and food and had no reinforcements, were unable to hold on. Changsha fell, and Chongqing was in panic.Soon the Japanese army flocked to Hengyang again. Hengyang is located in an important point and is the transportation hub from Hankou to Nanning.General Fang Xianjue, under Xue Yue, had fought bloody battles in Taierzhuang and participated in two battles to defend Changsha. He led the 10th Army, built the Great Wall with flesh and blood, and vowed to defend Hengyang to the death.Chennault ordered Vincent and Hill to lead fighter jets to attack frequently, bombing and strafing the besieging Japanese army.The fighter jets are dispatched many times a day. As soon as they fly back to the airport, the weapon loader will rush forward and hang the anti-personnel bombs and explosive bombs on the wings; After the combat mission, he ran back to the cockpit and rushed to the sky.But in the end they were outnumbered, the Japanese army approached the airport, and the fighter group had to evacuate, and then exploded and burned the airport.The critical situation in East China finally attracted the attention of the United States. The 20th U.S. Bomber Fleet launched an air strike on the Japanese mainland on June 19, and Arnold personally served as the commander of the B-29.This was the first major air raid against Japan, and many dignitaries and journalists managed to set up the B-29 fortification in the air.It is called putting pressure on Japan and reducing the pressure on Chennault's East China base.However, Chennault was saddened to find that the 20th Bomber Fleet was competing with the 14th Air Force for fuel, and the bombing of Japan's local steel base could not immediately alleviate the crisis in East China.The Japanese army surrounded Hengyang, and the Japanese anti-aircraft artillery team fired wildly at the ancient city. The ancient city was ablaze.Chennault asked Stilwell for an airdrop, but Stilwell refused.Chennault had no choice but to airdrop food and medical supplies to Hengyang. In the last days of defending the city, Vincent and his team members flew to Hengyang, which was in flames, and accurately dropped a batch of 75mm artillery shells and 0.50 caliber bombs. of ammunition. On August 8, Hengyang fell and had been besieged by the Japanese army for 48 days.The setting sun was like blood, and what was left behind was a tragic picture of 5,000 Chinese soldiers who looked at death as if they were home. Chennault's heart was bleeding too. Also in August, the situation on the battlefield in Myanmar has changed.Zheng Dongguo commanded the expeditionary force to surround and attack the northern city of Myitkyina.The rainy season has not yet passed, the Chinese soldiers rushed to kill in the pouring rain, opened fire in the waist-deep muddy trenches, fought hard for more than 20 days, and finally took Myitkyina. The situation in East China is still extremely urgent.Only 5,000 Xue Yue's troops remained, and they were still struggling to stop the Japanese army in the Guilin area.Chennault tried his best to keep the last batch of bases in East China. He once again advocated giving General Xue Yue weapons!He is willing to donate 1,000 tons of materials to deliver light machine guns, grenades and blasting tubes to General Xue. He is not afraid of taking any political risks.He asked Brigadier General Hearn of Stilwell's headquarters in China, and Hearn contacted Stilwell again, but Stilwell's view was: "It is not the time to take the measure of sandwiching raw rice. Free gifts like this will definitely delay major events. It is beneficial to those people. Now, the cards are all on the table, but there is no answer. If they don’t reply, let them suffer.” Xue Yue didn’t get any help, and they were close to the Japanese army! On the morning of September 14th, Chennault and Stilwell flew to Guilin for inspection. They had the last meeting with General Wen Sen and Zhang Fakui. Stilwell approved the final decision: "Blow up and evacuate." In the midst of destruction, his years of painstaking efforts will go up in flames.In the middle of the night, the blasting began.Carbine gunshots, oil drums exploding, raging flames engulfed the houses on the base, burned the entire land, and the night sky was also burned red.Vincent and Hill were the last to leave by plane, and Bai Xiude, a reporter from "Time" magazine, was also on board.They flew to Liuzhou, the last base of the Fourteenth Air Force in East China.But how long can Liuzhou hold on? Chennault's heart was also burning. On Sept 17th, Stilwell approved the shipment of 500 tons of American weapons and ammunition to Xue Yue's troops only after he fully understood that East China was irretrievably lost.But too little, too late. In the deep night, Chennault shivered.The field on a moonlit night, as desolate as a dream, is like his heart.He got up and went back to the room, his knee joints clicked. At this moment, he felt a little old.He thought of Mengluo's home, his children and his wife.All six boys had a connection to the military, Jack was the captain of the fighter group in the Aleutian Islands, Max was the traffic dispatcher in the Air Service, Pat was the pilot of the P-51 in the UK, Pugh was the radio mechanic of the air force, Bob was a cadet at aviation school, and Dink was doing well aboard the USS Helena in the Solomons, which he took comfort in.内尔和女儿们也都很好，只是，他已深深感到他和内尔的心隔得越来越远。也许，他有负于内尔，他在中国不能没有女人；可是，内尔绝对不愿同他一块来中国，卢克机场夫唱妇随的日子一去不复返了。而他，跟中国真可称得上血肉相连了。他抬手抹了一把脸，不愿再想这不愉快的事。还是想想明天的记者招待会吧。当然，他绝不会像老娘们那样诉说战局的紧张、形势的危急；也不会透露半点各种势力各种人际间不可理喻的复杂关系；并非想隐瞒什么粉饰什么，把最鼓舞人的战讯、把最美好的希望告诉给人们吧。他深恶痛绝一些美国将领和一些记者制造“华军不愿战”的舆论，因为他亲眼目睹中国军民在血与火中的苦斗，他要把这一切告诉给人们。 “得儿，得儿”，马蹄声声，敲击着古老街巷圆石子铺就的路面，也叩击着少女激动的心。 陈香梅端坐在马车上，她仍穿一袭已洗旧了的阴丹士林布旗袍，脚着黑色的布鞋；与往常不同的是多了些点缀：两条小辫上扎了两只黑底白点的蝴蝶结，脖了上系了条雪白的乔其纱围巾，左手的中指上戴上了母亲的泪钻戒指。青春和漂亮，她都拥有。 为了今天的装扮，昨晚她特意到静宜那要来了化妆品：庞斯面霜、美国口红和眉笔。这在战时是妇人罕见的珍贵品，静宜托人飞越驼峰带来的呢。静宜不解地问：“我说过好多回，如果你想见将军，有机会我可以领你去。你只是一个劲摇头。这回你兴致怎么这样高？”她仍旧笑着摇头。她本想说：“由别人领着和自己独立走着，是两码事。”静宜随后叮嘱她，明晚务必再来，有要事相商。她蹙起了眉头，准是父亲又来了催命信，而眼下大姐不愿败坏她的兴致罢了。 天没亮她就起了床。浓妆艳抹一番，不满意，洗去；淡妆素裹后，对着小圆镜顾盼生辉，尔后换上唯一的高跟鞋，穿上唯一的织锦缎旗袍；就在出门的一刹那间，她的自信彻底动摇了，她退回小屋，颓丧地坐到床上。我这是干吗？又不是新嫁娘，更不是吉普女郎！我是一个战地记者，怎能脂粉气薰人？于是，又一番大折腾，洗尽铅华，归真返璞。但毕竟还是女人，这些小点缀，她舍不得取下。 折腾来折腾去，她担心“起了个大早，赶了个晚集”，便坐上了马车。她的脑海中像塞满了种种思绪，却又分明是一片空白。哦，大姑娘上轿——头一回的心情，也不过如此吧。 她要去见陈纳德——她心中仰慕已久的英雄，这将是他们的第一回见面。其实，她不过是去参加一个新闻发布会，在众多的中外记者中，大将军或许对她这乳臭未干的小记者不屑一顾呢？或许大将军注意到她后，会认为中央社甚荒唐，怎么派出个黄毛丫头？ 心乱如麻。 昆明的早晨，已展现出喧闹和繁忙。各种小吃摊和馆子店热气腾腾，抑扬顿挫的叫卖声此起彼伏；街两边的商店也早早地卸了门板，像赶热闹似的，不少店铺都播放着京剧和地方戏。上班的男人们、买菜的主妇们和上学的孩子们汇成熙熙攘攘的人流。一时间，你会忘了这仍是紧张的战时！有飞机的嗡嗡声响过，陈香梅抬眼蓝天，几架银燕掠过，怎么说美国航空队对日军的狂轰滥炸也起到了扼制作用。 美国第14航空队总部到了。 她跳下马车，颇有几分忐忑不安地将簇新的记者证掏出，中国卫兵接过，啪地给她行了个军礼，这倒让她刺激得兴奋起来。 果然，她是最晚到的记者。 会议室里，围着长形的疤痕累累的木，已坐满了中外记者，全是男人，他们正热烈地讨论着什么。 她又感到窘迫，站立着打量着，寻找一个座位。 “陈小姐，请进。”一位瘦长的男子站了起，大声招呼着。他是同一个大办公室的同事冯鲍勃，大家喊他大冯。 霎时间会议室寂静了。所有的男人的目光逼射着她，灼灼又咄咄，她的脸立即烧成绯红。她在大冯已迎着她走来：“来，我给你留了个座位。” 她低着头跟他走向座位，可还没坐下，大冯已大声说：“先生们，这是安娜·陈香梅小姐，我们中央通讯社的第一位女记者。你们看，我刚才没有扯谎吧！” 原来刚才热烈讨论的话题竟是她！如果是一个新来的男记者，决不会有如此的“礼遇”！嘈杂的议论声又响起了，不少同业站起礼貌地与她打招呼，一位美国记者居然轻佻地喊道：“喂，安娜！”还有一位竟打了一个长长的唿哨。 因为她是一位女性！她感受到无意和有意的女性歧视。不敢的泪水涌了出业，但她狠命地噙住，她给大家鞠了一躬，尽管不伦不类，她恨自己在化妆上浪费了太多的时间，早点到，或许不会有这样尴尬的一幕。 会议室尽头的一扇门打开了，一个高挑瘦削、满头黑发的美国军官走了进来，他身后还跟着几个中美军官。刹那间，会议室鸦雀无声。 “老板！”大冯对陈香梅耳语。 “将军！”陈香梅喃喃道。像有一股低压电流麻遍全身，她幸福地颤栗着。她想看清将军，但是男人们的身躯挡着她的视线，她只有仰起脖子、挺直腰杆，仍不行，她试图将椅子稍稍挪动一下，这一挪，竟挪出难听的吱嘎声，她吓慌了，抬起头来，她的目眺跟将军的目光怦然相撞！ 其实，陈纳德耳背，并没有听见什么，是第六感官起作用，他的目光准确地搜寻到她！ 他怔了一秒钟。 这一秒钟却长于半个世纪。 五十年的记忆、五十年的梦幻、五十年的等待，那金色晕眩中惑着他的黑眼睛，就近在咫尺！这个慌乱的小东西，像是一头撞进了陷阱的小鹿。哦，是女人！还是梦？ “你一半是女人，一半是梦。”他的心在吟诵。 摄影记者已乒乒乓乓的光亮闪烁中，捕捉到将军迷茫又执著的目光。 陈纳德还是陈纳德。他威严沉稳的扫视全场后，以浑厚的美国南方腔向大家致意：“早上好，先生们。”他又看了一眼小东西，满怀仁爱与慈祥：“以及女士！” 小东西偏过脑袋，笑了，露出一对可爱的小虎牙。 他继续以沉稳的声调，简明扼要地声明当前的战局形势及第14航空队的作为，有时停下来，矮个子的舒伯炎便用湖南腔的国语翻译。将军身后，金发的新闻官何登中校像水银似地动个不停。记者们则唰唰地笔录。 陈香梅仍痴痴地仰视着将军。那陈旧的飞行皮夹克肩上是两颗银星，银星衬托着一张树皮脸，那是历经了千百次风吹日晒的飞行生涯地而烙刻下来的吧，这样的脸不漂亮，但这是真正的男子汉的脸。他也有一双黑色的眸子，那眸中流泻的目光，仿佛注视着遥远的地平线。她依稀记起了海南岛文昌县的“大眼鸡”三桅船，那船首的大眼睛，就是凝睇着远方的地平线的。还有他的倔强的下巴，他的浑厚又柔和甚至有点慢条斯理的声调，都让她痴迷，他像磁铁般吸引着她。 大冯轻轻杵杵她：“安娜，你不作点记录？” 糟糕，笔记本已摊开在膝上，笔捏在手中，可她忘了记录。邵总编曾叮咛：“你的英文好，争取与将军直接对话，我要原汁原汤的东西。” 将军很快结束了公开声明，中外记者纷纷提问。陈香梅也想提个聪明的问题，但是，除了痴痴的注视，她开不了口。 “将军，能公布飞虎队这几个月的战况吗？”一位美国记者问道，“我需要确切的数字。” “可以。我们前沿梯队的飞机从5月26日到8月1日飞了5287架次，其中，有4000架次是战斗机飞的，总共扔下1164吨炸弹，打了100多万发子弹，主要是扫射。打掉了敌军595辆卡、14座桥梁，使敌人伤亡1.3万人，打下114架日机和1100多艘船只。我们自己的150架飞机中损失了43架。飞虎队是尽力而为了的。” “将军，有人认为'华军不愿战'所以才造成眼前这种溃败局面，您以为呢？”一位欧洲记者弦外有音地发问。 “这是诋毁。我并不认为所有的华军军官都英明能干，所有的华军部队都善战惯战，哪国不如此呢？持'华军不愿战'论调者，目睹过血与火中中国军民的鏖战吗？目睹过长沙、衡阳、桂林失陷后，几千名中国士倒在废墟血泊中吗？都是血肉之躯，寡不敌众，没有增援、没有补给，供应太少太迟，是造成目前悲剧局挚国重要原因。” 一片沙沙的记录声。 将军的右拳猛击左掌：“是的，如果有弹药、飞机和粮食的及时补充，情况决不会这么糟！” “将军，你和史迪威将军在战略战术乃至供应等诸方面已存在严重的分歧么？” 将军一愣：“对不起，无可奉告。但我相信，我们的共同目标是一致的，击败日本侵略军。” “将军，请问柳州能守住吗？”大冯焦虑地发问。 “我希望能守住。不管战斗是如何的艰苦，我们决不停止战斗，永不屈服。我永不改变、永不放弃。我要重申的是，我们的飞虎队一直在半饥饿状态下作战。这半饥饿包括食品、弹药、飞机和人员，一切的一切。哦，我们需要的食物，这对中国也是个大难题。我们一天吃的肉几乎是中国人全家一年吃的肉，我们一早上就要吃两三个鸡蛋，中国人竭尽全力供应我们。他们自己呢？我曾经巡视过东部各基地，许多灾情严重的地方吃的是观音土、草皮和树根。平时中国人吃的也是少量的米饭面食。而飞虎队由于人员奇缺，一切军队的勤务，都由中国人担当。中国飞行员也和我们并肩作战，许多中国地勤兵，在空袭时不顾弹如雨下，在飞机旁坚守岗位，以致丢了性命。这几年，所有的机场，包括给空中保垒B—29机用的大型跑道，全是成千上万的中国民工肩挑手提修建的。我在低飞经过成都附近正在修建的大机场时，就目击到见所未见的动人景象。哦，当年埃及的金字塔正在建造进，尼罗河流域也像这样子吧。而我要告诉你们的是：他们中的大多数竟是老人和背着孩子的妇女！”陈纳德稍稍停歇了一下，因为激动，他有点喘息。会议室静得连针掉下地都听得清，眼下，他不只是在例行公事、答记者问，而是自发演说，他想说，他要说！“中国人的友谊最宝贵的表现，莫过于在日军战领区救援被击落的美国飞行员，无论是落在汉口前线，还是香港、海南岛附近的海里，只要遇到中国人，中国人则竭尽全力救助他们，跋山涉水、辗转周折，有的历经几个月，但终于回到了自己的基地。救助美国飞行员的中国人，有纯朴善良的农民，有平素小心谨慎的市民，有华南海面的海盗和私枭，有各战线的华军，还有长江沿岸的新四军、游击队。是的，新四军救过我们许多航空人员！我希望你们多报道这些中国人。没有他们，飞虎队不可能取得这么多的胜利。” 会议室一片寂静。大概“新四军”这一敏感的话题从将军嘴里毫无偏见地说出，反而镇住了原本唯恐天下不乱的记者们。俄倾，不知是谁率先鼓起掌来，于是，暴风雨般的掌声经久不息。 陈香梅忘情地鼓掌。她仰视他，崇敬他。他不仅是一个勇敢无畏、刚毅智慧的美国将军，而且是一个正直善良、热爱中国的美国人。她蓦然感到，他很亲切、平凡，他与大家毫无阻隔感。 记者招待会结束了，她还痴痴地坐着。大冯说：“安娜，你几乎没作笔录。写稿有困难，请来找我。” “谢谢你。”她站了起来，却仍神不守舍，像是等待着什么。 将军大步流星向她走来，向她伸出手：“是陈小姐？陈香梅小姐？” “是的，将军。”她受宠若惊，喉头竟哽哽的。他的大手有力地与她的小手相握时，她又幸福地颤栗着。 “去年我就记住了你的名字。我笑过你们家姊妹的名字就像植物园，这对我这个出身农夫的军人来说，倍感亲切。不过，我没想到你还是个小不点，至少应比你现在这样子高大壮实些吧。”将军自己都有点奇怪，怎么变得饶舌啦？ 陈香梅答不出话，她也奇怪，平素她可不是这样局促不安的小家子相呵。 将军有点犹疑了：“没搞错吧？刚才我问何登中校，他说你是中央社的女记者陈香梅。你应该是陈应荣先生的女儿吧？静宜是你的姐姐吧？不过，中国人同姓同名的太多。” 她的圆脸蛋涨得血红：“是的是的……” 她说话时，将军微微弯下腰来，因为他太高，而且又耳背。但在娇小的香梅看来，这姿势有父兄般的慈爱。这种慈爱，在她以往的生命历程中，似感受过，又似未感受过。 “如果你不急着赶回去写稿，跟我们一块喝杯茶好吗？云南的晋洱茶。” 她连连点头。天赐良机，她得想出几个聪明的问题，写出一篇特写稿，让将军以活生生的人性化的形象出现。 但是，她仍然神不守舍。机智的题目想不出，就是普洱茶的滋味也浑然不觉，她竟然像个乡下小姑娘般怯场，将军和他的伙伴们却谈笑风生，何登中校甚至调皮地取笑说：“听说中国古典词语中，可怜有时等于可爱，我想，安娜小姐便是这个词语最好的注释。” 在哄笑声中，将军微微弯下腰，慈祥地对她说：“陈香梅小姐，如果你需要，欢迎你以后常来采访。我相信，不要多久，你就不会有局促的陌生感。” 她这才结结巴巴地说：“是的，我需要，很需要，而我，太年轻，是初出茅庐的晚辈，请你不要太拘泥形式，叫我香梅，或者安娜吧。” 何登中校又打趣：“我想要喊你——亲爱的安娜。” 她的脸颊又烧得赤红。但她并不讨厌这位高大年轻的美国军官，他并不轻浮，只是活泼调皮。从将军伙伴的身上，似乎可以折射出将军性格的另一面。 这是一次难忘的上午茶，尽管她临场发挥失常。 回到办公室，铺开稿纸，她仍写不出一个字。其实，平日里静宜也告诉过不少有关将军和飞虎队的故事。她是怎么啦？邵总编并不责难他，只是说：“磨刀不误砍柴功，我等着你的特写稿。期着你将陈纳德将军和他的部下们，亲切地予以人性化的姿态出现，你能做到。可你得记住：新闻的生命在于真实。而时间，是新闻的第二生命。”她默默地点头，眼里噙着不争气的泪水。邵总编又慈祥地说：“你姐姐来过电话，让你写完稿早点去她处，你还是先去她那，稿不必太急。”她冲出了办公室，泪水啪哒落下。她究竟怎么啦？ 静宜宿舍乱糟糟。衣橱敞开着，里边的衣物都扔到了床上，地上则放着两只空皮箱。静宜心绪不宁地整理着，这是历经逃难后还保留着的母亲当年的衣服，仍象千红万紫百玄色的绫罗绸缎的河。这两年，她们姊妹几乎没添置过一件像样的旗袍。香梅推门进来，正是暮霭像雾一般漫进的时刻，她呆住了，她明白，静宜要去美国！她的心顿觉悲凉：“姐，你真的要走？” 静宜直起腰：“是的，非走不可。”边说边忙着点灯，又开抽屉寻什么。 香梅冲动了：“姐，我以为你已经留了下来，跟我同心同德呢。故事，是你帮忙我才进了中央社；姐，是你亲口对我讲了将军和飞虎的许多故事；我知道，你敬爱他们，你也热爱自己的工作。你是护士，我是记者，我们都能为这场战争献一份力，为什么要离开自己的国土？！姐，别这样望着我，让我说完。我今天见着了陈纳德将军，是第一次。第一次的感觉是最真实最新鲜的，我生生地被他震住了。是的，出不了声，说不出话，写不成文章。在他面前，我像个小傻瓜！这是怎样的威力？我此刻悟到了，这叫伟大。他是一个伟大的人。他是个美国人，有妻室儿女，有恬静的家园。可是他已离开美国七年多，和中国人民的抗日同步，而且建立了丰功伟绩！他却没有一丁点的自傲，他的眼里心里敬重着中国军民，姐，你要是知道今天他的记者招待会上是怎么真诚地赞叹评价中国军民的，你一定不会走！也不能走！姐，别忘了我们是中国人呵！” 桐油灯的火苗跳跃着，冒着缕缕黑烟；小小的空间，摇曳灯光变幻着各种投影；绫罗绸缎的河也波光粼粼，将姊妹俩横亘两岸似的。 静宜定定地望着她，好一会才伏在绫罗绸缎上：“安娜，你真厉害，像是在审判一个叛沈者。唉，你能不能先看看爹地给你的信？”她的右手举着一只浅蓝色的信封。 香梅接过信，伏在绫罗绸缎的另一端，就着昏黄又跳跃的灯光读信。父亲在下“最后通牒”，如果她执意不去美国，那么，父亲将断绝对她的任何经济援助。 香梅气呼呼地将信掷到彩色的衣河上：“我，受不了这种威胁的口气。继绝就断绝吧，我没做错事。即便为我的选择付出了代价，我也不悔。姐，你说话呀？姐，留下来吧，跟我做个伴。” 静宜握住了香梅的手：“我何尝不想呢？我早知道谁也无法改变你。我了解你，甚至还有几分羡慕你，你从小就主意大，独立倔强，很有股不达目的、誓不罢休的不屈不挠劲。所以，我一点也不责备你。我也希望你不要责怨我，人，常常要作出妥协和让步，我不想太伤爹地的心。唉，因为你一定不会走，所以我一定得走，懂吗？” she understands.她紧紧握住静宜的说：“姐——别忘了给我写信、多多写信！” 静宜叹口气笑了：“谢谢你的'恩准'。收拾收拾，我请你吃饭。·，这些衣物，你喜欢的就都留下。今晚你就住这吧，明天一早，我就要飞了。” 她站了起来，心头更觉沉沉甸：“这么快？莫非我今生注定了要一个人行路？” 静宜试图改换话题：“我想，你今天的采访一定挺顺？刚才那番话真像激昂慷慨的社论呢，很有感召力。这点，你跟陈纳德将军很像，第14航空队的队员们都钦佩他，说老板的话是火花，是闪电，是霹雳，燃烧着你，震撼着你。嗳，你的稿邵总编挺欣赏吧？” 香梅苦笑着摇摇头：“我不是说过了，我被将军震住了，说不出话，写不出一个字！你看糟糕不糟糕？” 静宜狐疑地看着她，点燃一支烟：“安娜，告诉我，你是不是爱上了他？” 她像遭了雷击，但又割然开朗！她以为她已历过爱：青梅任竹马、两小无猜有过，患难相依、生死与共也有过，但是，都没有这一回的感受：失却了理性，心慌意乱，六神无主！难道这就是爱？ ! 火苗在婀娜起舞，人影在迷离变幻今天才发生的一切却已成了久远的事，难道他们早已相识在梦中？ 她捧着发烫的双颊，喃喃道：“我不知道，爱是什么？不知道……” 宜轻轻地吐出一口烟，摇摇头：“我也不知道。但是坠进爱河的人，怕是逃不脱别人的眼睛的。也许应了'旁观者清'？”