Chapter 17 Chapter Fourteen

four days! There are four more days. Snow-white walls, snow-white window curtains, snow-white coffee table, a large handful of snow-white pearl plums in a snow-white crumbled glaze vase, a thin and pale face between the snow-white sheets and snow-white pillowcases! In the midsummer of July, she shuddered.In the ice cave, standing on the snow field.Spring is also far away, dreams are also crumbs, green leaves and warmth are gone.She also lost a lot of weight, but she also wore a milky white organdy short-sleeved cheongsam with a circle of white jade-like jasmine flowers on the lapel, because he liked her to wear it the most.However, white, which symbolizes holiness, purity and serenity, is also associated with the most peaceful long sleep and holy mourning!

When I was 14 years old, the scenes of accompanying my mother in the Hong Kong hospital overlapped with this ward.The three major tragedies in life: the loss of a mother in childhood, the loss of a spouse in middle age, and the loss of a child in old age.She has already suffered a lot of grief, why does the sky crush her?Don't you think her heart is not crushed? The 14-year-old girl watched helplessly as the most beautiful and kind-hearted woman in her heart died inch by inch, and a flower that fell from the green branches and leaves withered alive! The 33-year-old young woman watched helplessly as the most resolute and stubborn man in her heart died inch by inch. A huge tree was burned by the fire, leaving only a scorched torso, waiting to fall down one day .

Yes, his muscles have been plucked away by invisible killers, his thick black hair has become like a field after harvesting, only thin short flaxen hair remains, aging and death are branded on his face.He fell asleep and was injected with painkillers every hour, but he never showed pain, but the wrinkles that were originally criss-crossed were as deep as a knife carved into the bone marrow, and were as desolate as the torrents on the northwest wasteland. He is still unyielding and unyielding. However, for an old man who refuses to admit defeat, the drama of life will come to an end.His face was like the dazzling word "End" on the screen after the movie screening.

Everyone wants to "finish". But she never seemed to think that he would be "finished"! She should have thought that it had been three years since he was entangled in illness and the god of death summoned him. The first sign was the death of Joe the Winter Hound in 1955. This is a loyal and humane beagle, a small gift from his comrades in Kunming.I have been with the general for thirteen years.It carries the initial memories of bombing and war, the sweetness and anxiety of love in Shanghai, the warmth of Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Taipei, Mengluo or short-term or long-term homes, and the atmosphere of hunting and fishing in wild mountains and lakes. Flying with the general across the Yangtze River, the Yellow River, the Nidian River, the Mississippi Zihe River and across the ocean, he can be called the dog with the most frequent flights and the longest mileage in the world.It is small and exquisite, smart and brave, it is the exclamation point of vitality, they almost forget that it will grow old and die!In winter, they went to the United States, and Joe was a little lazy, and they left it at home in Taipei for the first time.When she learned that it was seriously ill and hurried back, Joe had already quietly moved to the Christmas flowers in the back garden. Every Christmas, Mrs. Chiang would give them two Christmas flowers. They always planted the Christmas flowers in the back garden. In the past few years, the height is as high as that of others, the Christmas blossoms, and the blessings of winter.The general ran over, knelt on the dirt with one leg, and stroked Joe with trembling hands. His body was soft but not stiff, but his eyes were still still when he opened them, which were still wet as if they were filled with tears.it's dead!Tears flickered in the General's eyes, and he gritted his teeth to keep them from falling, but she whimpered, "Joe—" and the General's tears rolled down.She was horrified, this was the first time in her life that she saw him cry!

They buried Joe on a hill beside the Tamsui River.During their days in Taipei, they often took a walk on the small rocky path by the Danshui River. Joe ran back and forth mischievously behind them, and when he was naughty, he did a few tricks taught by Alsop back then. My little rascal!" It is the cold and hot table of his mood, and the comfort of his lonely heart. From winter to spring, he coughed badly and often had a low-grade fever. He always thought that the chronic bronchitis was caused by the rainy spring in Taipei.He smoked harder, one Camel after another.She looked at his pale face and said anxiously: "Honey, smoke less, you cough too much." He smiled: "Honey, I always cough like this. If you don't cough or smoke, I probably don't know what to do." What's the matter." She didn't think it was funny, she saw the sadness in his heart, although he was still working non-stop, he was not happy!She urged him to go to Mengluo to recuperate for a while.

In June 1956, the family of four returned to Mengluo.Taipei Mengluo, they all call it "Hui".A few weeks later, he insisted on a family car trip to Canada.It was as if he owed her love in his previous life, and in this life he must pay her back urgently.They went to the charming Lake Louise, and he still coughed from time to time, and she was worried and distracted. In August, the whole family returned to Mengluo, but she still couldn't get rid of the haze that enveloped her. The general flew to Washington, but he went to the Army General Hospital for an annual general physical examination. At 9:00 p.m. on August 25, the phone rang suddenly. It was not too late, but her hand that picked up the receiver was trembling badly.An unfamiliar man's voice: "Mrs. Chennault, I am General Haydn, the director of the Wardley Army Hospital—" Her hand convulsed, and she leaned against the wall to keep from collapsing. The sense of terror had knocked her down!The general found a small tumor in the upper half of his left lung!The general's loud laughter hurt her eardrums: "little thing, don't be nervous, I'm fine, everything is fine. I'll have a minor operation tomorrow. Oh, the children are still up, let me tell my two My daughter said good night—" He didn't feel a little flustered, as if he was just plucking out a small boil.

The next day, she rushed to the hospital.The nurses wheeled him to the operating room, and she leaned over and kissed him, tears streaming down his face; he said, "It's all right. Everything will be fine." He smiled brightly, with criss-cross wrinkles like chrysanthemums blooming in September.She is relieved, he is her eternal support! She went back to his hospital room to wait.On the white pillowcase was a white envelope: "Anna".She rushed over, and she frantically pulled out the letterhead—is this a will? ! Tears splashed down on the letter paper!She couldn't bear to read it but couldn't stop reading it over and over again. In an instant, she had a clear and sad understanding: a man who is rough and resolute but delicate and gentle, a mortal who is unyielding and sees death as home but is nostalgic for life and reluctant to die.Everything is rooted in love.

He conquered death. Doctors found cancer cells in a biopsy!But not completely hopeless, if within twelve months the cancer cells in his lungs don't show up again, then everything will be fine. She prayed every day, he was calm and composed, and he soon worked and lived like an ordinary person. He quit smoking obediently and only held an old-fashioned pipe between his teeth. This made her ask in confusion, always feeling that he had become a history figure!He obediently made regular checks every month, and every month, she got 12 safe reports!She went to the church to worship devoutly, she went to the temple to burn incense and make a wish devoutly, and when the night was deep, she knelt down silently in the back garden.Pray to God, willing to exchange her own life for the continuation of the general's life!

She is glad.She believed that a miracle had happened to the general.His belief is: "Know your enemy." He faced any enemy without fear, defeated it, and was invincible.He is a tough guy. On August 1, Washington celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Air Force.Chennault was selected as one of the ten leaders of the U.S. Air Force, and the couple were invited to attend.They were traveling in Europe and arrived in Washington D.C. by flying from Madrid, Spain for more than 20 hours.A birthday lunch attended by 3,000 people: the banquet was held in the restaurant of the Hilton Park Hotel. After the birthday cake for the 50th birthday was cut by the US Chief of Staff Taining amid applause, the Air Force Committee screened the history of "Fifty Years of the US Air Force" Movies, from the Age of Enlightenment to the new era in January 1957 with 45 hours and 16 minutes around the world.In World War II, the planes of the Flying Tigers: Zhuang’s humble Chinese airfield: nervously firing up, passing through the clouds and fog on the hump of the roof of the world, when these shots are reproduced one by one, there is no sound The audience suddenly burst into overwhelming applause.Chennault's eyes were wet. For the three of them, the flight career from 1927 to 1957, thirty years of hard work, how much glory, how much desolation!Don't say that history is like a dream and smoke, Baiyun will testify.

After the film was screened, Jin Qing entered a climax, and the Air Force Committee selected 20 epoch-making Air Force representatives against the background of the 50-year U.S. Air Force.Lan Wu, the first U.S. Air Force pilot who is still walking like a fly in his 80s, Farley, a newly graduated second lieutenant of the Air Force, Gochen, a female aviator, Naxon, the first circumnavigation pilot, Tong Tong, a representative of the European Air Force in World War II Chennault, a representative of the Asian battlefield, and others all won this honor.When wearing the flight certificate for the youngest Farley, the elder Lan Wu said: "My whole life has been aviation, some of which are good or bad, but I have no regrets. I hope you will feel the same as me when you live to be more than 80 years old. "Chennault held her hand tightly, and she knew that his heart was going up and down.When Chennault and Lan Wu appeared on the stage, three thousand people suddenly stood up to pay their respects, and she couldn't help crying, she felt that the general's life's work was rewarded at this moment.

They also attended the AmeriCorps convention in Ojai, California, in August.This year, more "children" came to see "old man" from Tiannanhai than in any other year!children!He loves them. In July 1941, he organized a volunteer team in the United States. After the arduous training in Donggua, Myanmar, after the Pearl Harbor incident, he fought in Kunming and Rangoon, earning the fame of "Flying Tigers". In July 1942, the volunteer team was disbanded and incorporated into the The 23rd Fighter Brigade of the United States, that is, the Air Force Task Force stationed in China, persuaded; it has achieved a lot of battles and maintained the reputation of "Flying Tiger"; it was disbanded in March 1943 and the 14th Air Brigade was established. "Tiger" has a long-standing reputation.Iron-clad military barracks with flowing soldiers!But the old man can't forget the children, and the children always respect and love the old man.In the singing and talking of memories, he drank a little wine, and he said: "There is no regret in dying." She tightened his arm, no, she didn't want him to end it! God, Bodhisattva, and heaven always love to joke with kind people! In September 1957, 13 months after Chennault's operation, another small spot was found in his lung cavity! On a snowy afternoon in November, she accompanied him to the famous Lasch Hospital in Boston for a close review, and was told coldly: He only had three months to live!Even if he has extraordinary perseverance, he can only live for six months at most! Christmas in 1957, like the past seven Christmases, they returned to Taipei to spend; like the unwritten rules set on the first Christmas day after marriage, they went to work as usual.The Civil Aviation Corporation is located in Dadaocheng, a bustling business district in Taipei, about ten minutes away by car from No. 12, Wuchang Xincun, where they live.On the huge writing desk, all kinds of documents were piled up like a mountain. He bent over the desk and wrote quickly, forgetting everything.It is the evening bell of life that has sounded, so hurry up!Otherwise it will be too late.But life is still in hope, and work is glory.She came to urge him to go home, and his silhouette was burned into her field of vision, and she was surprised to find that he hadn't changed!Concentrating eyes, a resolute bridge of the nose, a stubbornly raised chin, and sharp wrinkles like a knife.He is still a proud goshawk, an old horse with aspirations for thousands of miles, he will not die!However, he calmly told her that before leaving the stage, he would hold a press conference to announce his illness to the public!He submits to death? !She burst into tears, but he still put his arms around her vigorously and said, "Little thing, I want you to promise me one thing—don't shed tears!" Oh, can this be done?She fell on his chest and wept loudly. A woman trapped in grief and despair, what else can she have besides tears? In January 1958, they flew to the United States.The journalists at the San Francisco airport were noisy and lively, and they covered a shocking topic: the death of the general!He answered with a calm smile, biting the old empty pipe, and said the same thing as MacArthur: Veterans never die! However, he had coughed up blood and was admitted to Ochler Hospital in New Orleans; he was flown to Waldley Hospital in Washington for a million-volt X-ray treatment. The spots, his hard coughing and hoarse voice were like broken tiles cutting through her heart at an inch and ten!He still works and can't forget the civil aviation company; he left a recording of thousands of words, and he can't worry about her and his daughters. In March, he miraculously walked out of the hospital, returned to Mengluo's home, and spent the last time with the person he loved the most, who was the most reluctant and most worried.He beat the 3-month death notice. In May, he was admitted to Ochler Hospital in New Orleans again. He had difficulty speaking, but he still tried his best to say: "Everything in China is beautiful, and I got the best thing in China, that is you... No matter what happens, I want you to remember that I love you very much, more than any woman I have ever loved..." She burst into tears, and she kissed him unrequitedly, and he said hoarsely: "Don't cry ...don't cry..." It was July 24, 1958!He is still alive and tenacious.Osner, the attending physician, was amazed: "He is a superman. He is so calm and stable, and he can last at least three to six months." Because he has surpassed the final death period of 6 months as determined by medicine. Why didn't she hope so!She can't live without him!However, she deeply knew what kind of pain he was enduring.This tough guy! Last night's uninvited guest—the fortune teller Edna's prediction shattered the doctor's judgment, and she also heard the footsteps of death. Does everyone have to obey death? Just after nine o'clock again, there was a hasty knock on the door.At night she lives in the room next to the general.Opening the door, Lu Fu, the wife of the general's patient, and a strange woman came in. She and Lu Fu sometimes went shopping and talked together. The doctor had told Lu Fu to prepare for her husband's funeral.At this moment, Luv's eyes shone with hope: "Anna, this is my cousin Edna. She can tell fortunes. She just told me that my husband will live for a long time. Do the calculations too." " She shook her head, but Edna was already staring at her: "Say what you want to do in your heart, don't make a sound, and look at me. Please draw a card." She couldn't help herself, this seemingly ordinary woman had A pair of black and white eyes, staring at you, like a millennium unfathomable ancient well; a deck of playing cards fanned out, covering the lower half of the woman's face.She pulled out one like a demon: the ace of spades.The woman didn't look at the cards, but stared at her fixedly: "Death. Four days." She shuddered, and then became indignant. Is this woman cursing her closest relatives?The woman just talked about her, and a deck of cards was arranged in various ways on the table: "After your husband dies, you will live in a city that you didn't want to go to. The place you live is related to the cross. You will still be in the future in your life." There are two men, but you won't remarry..." She didn't want to hear it, but she couldn't stop wanting to hear it, she was fascinated.She was creepy. The Chinese often say: life and death are determined by fate, wealth and honor depend on heaven. Does she believe it? She doesn't want him to leave this world! four days! She couldn't dispel the figure. four days! If there is divine power at this moment, what Chen Xiangmei desires is to "live the days like years"!A day is longer than a year, is her prayer.However, the clock of civilization is ticking so loudly that she gets ten years older every day. In the setting sun in the afternoon of the first day, an imposing lady walked into the ward gently, the eyes of both the general and Xiangmei lit up.Xiangmei rushed forward, shed tears before saying a word! The lady is also wearing a white short-sleeved brocade cheongsam with very thin green chive trim, green pipa buttons on the lapel, and a pair of white satin embroidered phoenix soft-soled shoes on her feet; her thick black hair is in an unruly pattern , Tie it back into a big bun.She holds a large bunch of colorful gladiolus in her hands, the tips of her ten fingers are painted with bright red nail polish, and the diamond ring the size of a lotus seed is shining on the ring finger of her right hand.This is the 61-year-old Song Meiling, her skin is still white and plump without any wrinkles.Although the three Song sisters have different beliefs, pursuits, dispositions, tempers, etc., they have one thing in common. They are well-educated in the West, and their public images are completely typical Chinese women. Cheongsam has become their eternal attire. The 61-year-old lady brought splendor and excitement. Suddenly, Chennault recalled the first time they met in the old city of Shanghai in the summer of 20 years ago!He called her his "queen".Although there are thousands of differences in this girl who derogates more and praises less, what Chennault always sees is the bright spot in her life!He and she stood at Nanjing Airport to welcome the Chinese Air Force returning from the night attack Japanese army, but because the technology was not strong enough, four planes crashed in front of her. Her happy laughter turned into tears: "What to do! What to do 1" She took his and Stilwell's arms and said childishly: "It's all right now, we have strength." She went to Washington to raise funds for China's Anti-Japanese War, at the tea party held by First Lady Eleanor at the White House Eleanor told her that the Chinese tea leaves for making tea have been preserved for more than a hundred years, and she said blindly: "In our China, this kind of tea is only used as medicinal materials..." Bit by bit, even if She is a woman who is obsessed with power, and in his eyes, she is still an attractive woman who loves power.What Chen Xiangmei felt was her human touch. He became the godmother of little Anna and Xiaoxue Diya. Chiang Kai-shek gave the two girls Chinese names and gave each a stamp. The older one was called Meihua, the younger one Meili, These are all traditional Chinese girls' names, but there is also beauty in it.Every year on the birthdays of the two girls, the godmother will send small gifts.After Chennault's illness, the couple cared for him even more, and Chiang Kai-shek also asked someone to introduce traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. Right now Soong Meiling made a special trip to visit him from Taipei Yifei. He struggled to say something, but his pronunciation was already difficult. "Colonel, don't talk." Her authentic southern American English is still gentle, and the title has not been changed since the first meeting. It is a kind of tacit understanding and trust. "This time, let me say." Not without humor and lightheartedness, this is also a wise woman. She and Chiang Kai-shek did not take advantage of Chennault. After all, there is still a relationship and friendship.However, it is by no means without grievances. The outcome of the incident between the two airlines was very unhappy for all parties.The lawsuit dragged on until July 28, 1952. The British Privy Council overturned the judgment of the Hong Kong High Court and ruled that the 73 planes parked at Kai Tak Airport belonged to the air transport company. The Hong Kong police immediately blocked Kai Tak Airport and stationed the two airlines. , The employees of the two airlines clashed with the police, many people were injured, and more than 200 people were arrested.Soon, an American escort aircraft carrier "Cape of Good Hope" sailed into Hong Kong Harbor and moored at the Kowloon dock. In just a few days, all the aircraft were hoisted onto the deck by a large crane and transported away. Obviously, this is the CIA role.Naturally, the Chinese government raised serious protests, and Taiwan was not elated, and immediately forced Chennault and Willauer to repay the $4.75 million promissory notes!The Civil Air Transport Company argued that the air transport team and the air transport company were two different things, and Taiwan refused to budge. This entangled dispute lasted until July 1954. With the help of Ge Kelun and the intervention of the US State Department, the air transport company finally gave Taiwan 2 million US dollars. Clear the factory account.Chennault was full of complaints.Complaining that the lawsuit cost the factory most of his life savings, it can be described as bankrupt.But did he realize that he was "meddling his own business"?The two brothers turned against each other and were beaten to the point of bleeding. What are you doing, an outsider, to add fuel to the flames?A family is still a family after all, of course, he is also considered a son-in-law of this family.I don't know if he regrets all these years of tossing?The CIA bought and controlled the Civil Aviation Company. Although Chennault was not allowed to know about them, Chennault still participated in a lot of planning as the chairman.On the one hand, it is the thriving commercial and passenger transportation to and from Taipei, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok and other places. On the other hand, it secretly alters the tail logo to carry out various secret activities. When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, and the U.S. government actively supported Chiang Kai-shek, such activities became even more confident.The planes of the air transport company appeared over the Korean battlefield to transport supplies and rescue the wounded; they flew to the border between China and Burma to drop ammunition and supplies to Li Mi’s remnants; On November 29, 1952, a C-47 of the air transport company departed from Seoul and flew to the northeast to try to pick up a spy, but the ground was in full swing, and the two pilots on board were killed on the spot. Two intelligence officers, Tang Nai and Fecteau was captured, Donnay was sentenced to life imprisonment, and Fecteau was sentenced to 20 years in prison.This matter lasted until Nixon's visit to China in 1971, when the Chinese government brought up the old matter again, and Nixon had to admit his mistake for this disgraceful act.The plane of the air transport company also flew over Vietnam to drop ammunition and supplies for the French army. The 300-pound "Great Earthquake" McGovern was released by the CCP and then put into this special flight. As a result, the plane crashed over Dien Bien Phu. ...Willauer finally left the air freight company because he could not cooperate with the CIA. Chennault finally felt exhausted. He sold his shares and only received normal salary. He often took his family to Monroe. Is there any confusion? And what about the great loneliness that cannot be relieved?Who knows?He is so indomitable that even if he makes a mistake, he will not regret it!Fortunately?Unfortunately?But as he himself said: "Although I am an American, I have such a close relationship with China. We all share weal and woe, live and die together, so I am also half Chinese." Aging tough guy speechless, or has nothing to say?Looking back on the 67 years of life, the vicissitudes of life are everywhere, and there is no desolation anywhere!He is strong and brave, but not vicious; he is stubborn and withdrawn, but never sinister; he is wise and resourceful, but not used to play tricks.In this Western general, it seems that he has the chivalrous style of an ancient Chinese warrior.He hates evil like a vengeful, and is a brave and fearless fighter against fascism.A scholar dies for his confidant, he can be said to be loyal to Chiang Kai-shek and his wife, no matter what situation they are in.His wrong choices in the last ten years are inseparable from this "emotional".Of course, his beliefs were anti-communist, which made him so wrong that he couldn't be right.And this kind of "sentimentalism" is also reflected in his attitude towards Xue Yue, Long Yun, etc. He understands them, so he is willing to do anything for them, and he doesn't care about Chiang Kai-shek's grievances.His views on the Communist Party, he sincerely thanked the New Fourth Army for helping the Flying Tigers during the War of Resistance, but later he became more and more hostile. Could it be related to his never having any contact with the Communists, especially the leaders?He didn't know the communists, and he didn't have the chance to develop a relationship.If we look at his air strategy and tactics from another perspective, it is actually very similar to the guerrilla tactics of the Chinese Communist Party.In fact, he was literally dismissed as "guerrilla tactics" by the West Point Academy faction.Life is fate.He had frequent contacts with Stilwell, but had no chance to become close friends. In fact, their personalities had one very similar point: perseverance.This sustains them throughout their lives.After Stilwell's death, his diary was published, and the sharp conflict between him and Chennault was revealed again. How could Chennault admit defeat?One of his pens once made Roosevelt look at him with admiration, and his pen may also vent his extremes.These two American generals have an indissoluble bond with China. Chennault's last ten years almost annihilated his brilliance during the eight-year war of resistance. Decades later, an old member of the Flying Tigers came to China for a tour. He is full, walking on the streets of Kunming, walking on the slopes of Chongqing, followed by curious dolls, and fashionable young people cast surprised eyes, but few people know that this is a glorious commemoration of the Flying Tigers!His eyes were blank.But there is no need to be too pessimistic.People still remember the Flying Tigers, remember Chennault. In June 1984, General Zhang Aiping pointed out: "General Chennault made an indelible contribution to China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. He is a concrete manifestation of the friendship between the Chinese and American people. This friendship has gone through the test of blood and fire, and it is unbreakable." Wipe away the dust of history and restore a real Chennault.There is a fair comment on merits and crimes for thousands of years.This is something. The next day, on July 25, 1958, the White House in Washington called. President Eisenhower proposed that Congress promote Chennault as a lieutenant general and it was approved. Chennault was finally promoted to a three-star lieutenant general. However, it was a full decade late. !This was only achieved through the tireless efforts of Gurcollen, Alsop, some Air Force generals and Louisiana congressmen.And Chennault is neither ecstatic nor flattered. He is calm and plain, and wealth is like floating clouds to me.Spring will still come in this world without me.Two days later, he passed away.When Eisenhower came to express his condolences, he said: "Although General Chennault and I fought on different battlefields during the Second World War, I have always expressed my admiration for his achievements and his character." The chief of staff said in the message of condolence: " Chennault is the leader of the U.S. Air Force, and he is a good example for the youth of the United States.” British Marshal Mountbatten’s condolence message pointed out with regret: “General Chennault’s deeds and great achievements have not been rewarded as they should be.” No, but, his world was created after all, and it is not so easy to be eroded by the years. The third day was spent in relative calm.Every day, Chen Xiangmei receives many condolence letters from all over the world, including familiar friends and strangers.It is commendable for people to know before they die.What Chennault is most concerned about is the recent situation of the "children" of the Flying Tigers. Chen Xiangmei always picks out the letters from the "children" and reads them to him first. She will choke up and can't make a sound while reading. The general's skinny big hands She held her hand, and she knew that he was saying: "Don't shed tears." She wrote letters to her friends in the Flying Tigers Association, and she believed that Chennault, a tough man recognized by doctors, would bravely overcome the disease, and in August Meet at the Flying Tigers annual meeting in San Francisco.Her pen is stuck on the letterhead, where is the August of the tough guy? The fourth day is Sunday.Chennault was exceptionally refreshed, and the doctor allowed him to meet the guests.Doyle, the vice-chairman of the civil aviation company, flew from Washington to visit him. Doreen, the general's female secretary, came to ask him to deal with some letters and documents. She had been working beside him for more than ten years.The general's grown-up children all came to visit him, and there was a rare contentment and leisure in his eyes.Chen Xiangmei went to the Catholic Church to attend mass. She knelt on the futon and prayed silently. She was lucky and desperate!He is finished with all the things that should be done, so is it really time for life to come to an end? !When she returned to the hospital, the general's old friends Noy and his wife were visiting Chennault. Xiangmei vaguely knew that the general had entrusted Noy and Ge Kelun to take care of her and her daughters in the future.Who said: "Death is farewell, life is farewell"?It's clearly "the living and the dead, it's okay to hate and hate"!The enthusiastic Nuoyi couple insisted on inviting Xiangmei to go out for lunch together. They saw that Xiao Xiangmei was too emaciated.Xiangmei didn't want to go, Chennault looked at her kindly, and said hoarsely: "You go, relax." She had to obey.The French restaurant on Sunday was as lively as a festival, but she was out of her mind and didn't want to taste the famous dishes one after another. She just subconsciously sipped the mint cold drink, which made her heart feel cold, but dense beads of sweat appeared on her forehead!She didn't care about being polite and thoughtful, she stood up impulsively: "I'm sorry, I think I should go back to the hospital." Her face was terribly pale, and the old man Nuoyi worriedly sent her to the car: "Are you okay? "She's fine, but she's worried about him in the hospital bed. In the afternoon, the hospital looked extraordinarily quiet without the hustle and bustle of checking the wards. She nervously pushed open the concealed door—it was a false alarm. The breeze gently blows the white georgette curtains, and the fragrance of jasmine wafts in the room.A clock was ticking, ticking, indicating three o'clock.The general seemed to have not woken up, lying peacefully.She felt relieved and tiptoed towards the bed.He opened his eyes, he was not asleep, or was he too familiar with her breath?She said: "Honey, I'm back." His eyes were suddenly bright, he sat up suddenly, and stretched out his hands enthusiastically. When she almost rushed to hold his hands, he shouted clear words : "Honey, let's say goodbye—" A mouthful of blood gushed out, and her thoughts froze!Dr. Ochsner and five or six doctors and nurses hurried in to rescue him, but his life had already come to an end.There are pools of bright and eye-catching blood and countless scarlet blood spots everywhere, like balls of fire peeling off and burning, life is burning! Dr. Ochsner said to her in pain and confusion: "I really didn't expect that he would go so quickly." He went!She just came to her senses, she was trembling all over, she threw herself on him, calling him over and over again: "Claire—Claire—" She didn't believe that he would leave her, she couldn't live without him! Instead of screaming, she begged to be left alone with him a little longer.She knelt beside him, holding his big hand that was still warm and still soft, but he no longer had the strength to hold her tightly! From now on, she will walk alone again.Oh, no, there are also his and her flesh and blood - a pair of daughters who are only eight or nine years old, and the journey is difficult.Only then did hot and humid tears well up, flowing to the corners of his mouth, extremely salty. don't cry. But she can't. "As soon as the general leaves, the big tree will fall; if the strong man does not return, the cold wind will blow!" Without a big tree, how to shelter from the wind, rain and sun?Without the general, how could there be spring in her life? She became a new widow at the age of 33, and her heart was crying blood. But there is only remembrance, no regrets. Don't say: "It's hard to grow old with young companions", and don't lament that the 11 years of husband and wife are too short. The love the general gave her, the sky and home he gave her, are probably something other women can't have even in a few lifetimes. And she already had it at the age of 33.She doesn't want to show off to the world at all, but her heart is clearly satisfied. Du Fu said, read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles.She dare not say that she has read thousands of books, but she can proudly say that she has traveled thousands of miles!Six months of the year are spent in the "Chicken Sound Maodian Moon". He took her, "flying with the waning moon at night, staying with the new moon at night", flying all over China, flying all over the United States, and want to fly all over the world. Chennault has flown all over Eurasia, Africa, South America and the Soviet Union, which is his wish. On September 9, 1953, they had the opportunity of a business visit, and their stepmother Bissie helped them take care of their two children, so they started a 60-day traveling life, which was regarded as a "double honeymoon". The capital city of Mexico makes Xiangmei refreshing.Spanish-style medieval buildings interspersed with modern skyscrapers, a brave matador and charming Mexican women told her: good men and good women.But the food in Mexico is not flattering.The bacon and coriander soup has more oil and less vegetables; the risotto has coconut bananas, which is simply unappetizing; the staple food, wheat cakes, is made of corn kernels, mixed with peppers and chopped green onions, which is really hard to swallow.She thought, eat, or in China! In Guatemala, surrounded by thousands of mountains, the orchards of green bananas are very attractive, and the wheels of carriages are often run over on the streets, accompanied by the sound of tinkling bells. In a trance, she recalled the sun and the moon in Peiping and Kunming. She was more impressed by the wealth of El Salvador and the dirty and lazy county of Nicaragua.But the most unforgettable thing was the rainy night in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. The general declined all entertainment and hugged her to a small nightclub.Candles flickered in the room; outside the window, light rain fell.The band was playing a Mexican love song: "Don't cry, Rose of Mexicali." Men and women danced, this place is famous for its beauty, but the general just hugged her without moving, "You are the only one in my heart Belle." He was intoxicated. Known as the midpoint of the world, Panama is well connected and crowded with tourists.At night, the lights along the Gulf of Panama are like a string of pearls inlaid between the purple halo of the sea and the bustling city.Back in the day, my grandfather and third uncle served as ministers here successively, and her parents held their wedding in Havana, Cuba. Now, the past is like a dream!How could she not think of her past home? When I arrived in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, it was raining continuously, and it was as cold as winter in the morning and evening.Columbia is famous for producing emeralds and phalaenopsis. She focuses on the beautiful and precious phalaenopsis. She will never forget the orchid night in Honolulu 4 years ago!At the end of the long rain, accompanied by Youren's son Yu Wangde and his wife, they took the cable car up the mountain to worship in the Great Holy Hall.The mountain is filled with smog, the thousand-year-old trees are shadowy, and there are stone steps leading to the cathedral. This is a journey before Jesus was crucified. Catholics call it the Twelve Ways of the Cross.All those who go to the sanctuary will recite and worship along the Twelve Ways of the Cross to the sanctuary.As a Catholic, she was told that she was in a daze at this moment. She was thinking that when she was a child, she never dreamed of leaving her home to such a distant place, but these days she was clearly grinding in a country known for its volcanoes!The god of fate drives you, who knows whether it is far or near? No matter when, no matter where, she can never forget her homeland!Nostalgia is hard to understand! Before that, she followed the general to Tokyo for a week.林语堂先生曾风趣地说过，人生若要惬意，应有一个日本太太、法国情人、中国厨师和英国式的房子。她不由得分外注意日本女人。可是，她发现日本女人无论脸孔如何漂亮，一双玉腿却全是罗圈形的！老天，她像是给女人的腿魔住了，也许她怎么也改变不了作家观察人的眼光？日本的皇宫就在市区中心，四面环水，岩壁陡峭，有种森森然的感觉，天皇和皇后过着怎样的生活呢？是傀儡是摆设是象征？日本伯神社是军魂的祭坛，凡是葬身异地的军魂都要来此聚集，眷属就在此追悼。神社的建筑很简洁朴实，但占地很广，庙里不准外人入内，便有一种空旷的悲壮感。香烟袅袅，梵音悠悠中，陈香梅想到的是，那些在侵华战争中死去日军，不管他们是自觉还是裹挟进了这场侵略战争中的，他们的双手都沾满了中国人的鲜血，他们都曾蹂躏过中国的山河，这样的军魂有何骄傲？ !又怎能安宁无愧？ !她的眼前浮出现的是香港围城、内地流亡的一幕幕，图景，人或许是健忘的，但有些事是想忘也忘不了的。 在这之后，她跟随将军飞到汉城，又驱车前往板门店。正是1955年元月雪后，寒风冷冽，冰雪未融，但是，汉城美艳的菊花却山灿然开放，自然界的景观该给人们怎样的昭示呢？怎么说和千的春天总是人们向往的呀。 飞行之外，他还带着她与两个宝贝作汽车旅行。地第一次回婆家时便深感当务之急是学驾汽车，当然，将军是她的老师。她学什么都是急性子。有次险些将车开到河里去，但1955年夏全家美国西南西；化八省的汽车旅行，五千英里的行程。她与将军“平分秋色”、独挡一面。他们首先去到西部牛仔国甜水乡，将军的一个弟弟就是甜水乡的市长。甜水乡一派西部风情，到处都是数以百计的牛群，傈悍的牛仔骑马耍枪，头戴宽边帽、身着紧身衣裤、脚蹬半高跟马靴，脖上还系一条丝巾，好侠尚义中不乏潇洒。美国西部与中国西部的占朴浑厚迥然不同，她更爱黄土高原的苍凉。 离了甜水乡向新墨西哥驶去，只见茫茫砂石，日出日落，远远传来土人击鼓伴歌声。她陡生“念天地之悠悠，独怆然而涕厂”的悲凉感，又不觉浮想起“一去紫台连朔漠，独留青冢向黄昏”这明妃出塞的荒凉图景。她怎么也割不断与中国的脐带！新墨西哥是一个贫瘠的省份，香梅的父亲曾出任过此地的总领事，那正是她母亲去世前后，那已结了疤的情感的创伤又被不轻不重地戳破了。可向准倾诉呢？夜宿汽车旅店，朦胧间被将军轻轻推醒，两人披衣出屋，只见皓月当空，满地淡黄月，她依偎着他，他搂紧她，不用再说一个字，“但愿人长久，干里共婵娟”，美国将军也是一样的情怀一样的月！将军留给她太多的美好的夜的记忆。 “上帝乐园”则山水秀丽、温泉处处，全是天工神斧，没有一丝人工修饰的痕迹，艾森豪威尔总统休假的小白宫亦在此处，莫非上帝也是嫌贫爱富者？相形之下，一路经过的零散的印第安人的村落，起居与文化更显落后。红种人仍有自己的酋长，逢年过节仍会穿上传统的服饰载歌鼓舞。遥想当年他们的祖先曾与白人作过无数次殊死的拚搏，眼卜却只在路边摆摊卖手工艺品，那勇猛雄风似消失殆尽了。白人中也仃为数不少的穷人，口中嚼着烟草，脚上一双沾满泥土的工作靴，平生足迹不出方圆百里，辛劳于穷乡僻壤！摩门教的发祥地盐湖城中，教徒们仍偷偷地实行一夫四妻的老规矩，尽管政府已三令五申这是违法的，查到就要逮捕。香梅想，美国也并非处处是天堂，种族歧视、贫富悬殊仍是严重的社会问题。 驱车游贯通三州的黄石公园，火山、瀑布、温泉，奇花异草，叫你目不暇接，大大小小的狗熊旁若无人地在路上优哉游哉，美华美丽又怕又欢喜，香梅这才跟孩子们乐成一团。远眺高山顶上白茫茫一片，却是厚厚的积雪；八月暑天，夜间非得围炉方能品茗。凝眸金色的火苗，香梅又记起了中国西北的谚语：早穿皮袄午穿纱，怀抱火炉吃西瓜。这是无法根治的怀乡症！年轻的美国哪有中国的名山胜水多？哪有名山胜水中的深厚的文化积淀？眼前已是异邦烟月，故园难寻，不觉怅惘不已。1956年夏，全家又驱车去加拿大旅行，这在将军，已是勉为其难了。在陈香梅，风光旖旎的路伊司湖光便永恒地叠印着将军憔悴的面容。 1957年6月，将军抱病率全家去欧洲旅行，他是这样地执拗、不顾一切，仿佛要将生命作最后一次尽情燃烧。“亲爱的，现在就去。我不想等待。”他的深棕色的眸子里有着行将熄灭的炉火般的灿烂与温柔，她的心灼痛了。雾霭沉沉的伦敦、无限风光的巴黎、葡萄牙的里斯本、西班牙的马德里，留下的不会是将军最后的足迹？她的思维一片空白，唯有马德里的斗牛，惊骇得她毛骨悚然。不要！生命不要遭受这样的摧残，让生命在宁静与和谐中度过吧，也许这是女人与男人人生观的分野处。但是再强悍的男人生命也有尽头，将军终究无力满足她在檀香山之夜许下的心愿。 他们回到了家园。 有两个家：一个在台北，一个在梦洛。 初到台北，给她的印象是安静与简朴。据说台北最初名叫大加蚋，又叫艋·、莽甲、莽葛、文甲，她听来像研究甲骨文般古奥。这里原是一片沼泽密林，郑成功驱逐荷兰殖民者后，于1了08年从福建移民到此建立村庄，很快成为繁荣的市镇。她的祖籍也是福建。他们的家在武昌新村12号，前庭后院，中间一幢两层楼的青砖房，仍旧是中国风味。静宜已嫁给了留美博士生李佑厚医生，两人都供职于民航公司，因香梅一家常飞来飞去，静宜一家也就住在这里，彼此好有个照顾。左右的邻居是阎锡山和美国驻台海军司令查理·柯克，后面住的是蒋纬国、中央银行总裁徐柏园、交通部长林金生、原杭州市长周象贤等，抗战时的老友王叔铭、薛岳、黄仁霖、何应钦、周至柔等仍会来串串门，陈诚夫妇也常见见面，交往最多的还是乔治叔叔叶公超，应了俗话：衣服是新的好，朋友是旧的好。兴趣来时，就在家中打打桥牌，并不寂寞，却也无热闹，毕竟是“休去倚危栏，斜阳正在烟柳断肠处。”让这个家充满生气的是美华美丽，曾为美华患台湾热而几天几夜没阖眼，曾为美丽淘气摔了跤而吓得魂飞魄散，琐琐屑屑的操劳担心中，幸福和期望也随之而生，只见这对小不点一天不同一天长高长大，只觉刚呀呀学语不多时怎么就叽叽呱呱，才晓得生命是一首什么也挡不住的歌！家中佣人，除了司机老汪因家眷不愿出来而没跟着他们外，全都是老的。厨子老王一口云南腔常倚老卖老话说当年，会上海话又会广东话的阿四以两千金的喂牛奶的奶妈自居，常跟老王唇枪舌剑没完没了，不过双方都将火候掌握得很好，适可而止，只给这个家乎添了几分火旺和绵长的记忆而已。有一天真光女中的陈鸣一老师上门来找事做，原来陈鸣一一有独身与老母相依为命，而今母亲已去世，举目无亲的她很有身世飘零之感。香梅见老师有难处，虽然这位老师学术平平，但香梅还是留她住下，以后就请她做了管家，她很喜欢美华美丽，也就兼做了她们的家庭教师。香梅觉得，这是个小家，又是个大家。she likes.她不喜欢的是台北的天气，炎热和寒冷之外是阴湿，雨季霏霏，连着二三十天，简直要让人的心都发霉了，这种天气对将军的慢性支气管炎是很不利的，将军的咳嗽也愈来愈厉害，她常抱怨台北的天气，但是，将军从来不抱怨一个字。其实，他有机缘去美国民航部门工作，但他不动窝，当然，是为了香梅。他太了解她，如果将她从中国的土地上连根拔起移植到美国，她怕是受不了的！他只是常常去到台南打猎，因为民航公司的大修理厂设在那。他喜欢一望无际的苍绿茂密的甘蔗林，喜欢树木参天的野山和静幽幽的河湾，他依旧眼明手快，百发百中，但是，他不再像昆明时那样勇猛果敢，他常常犹豫，尤其是见着大野兔带着小野兔逃窜什么的，他便心慈手软，有时，一天也不发一枪！是小猎物的凄惶拨动了老年再得两娇女的父亲的心弦？是岁月催人老也积淀着神圣的慈悲感？谁说岁月不会改变人呢？ 他生病后，更多的时间是在梦洛的家中度过。1955年9月，他们花费了三个月的时间，请人将科尔大街1000号的房子扩大了一倍，是作久远的打算，谁知造化弄人，三年后连再进门的勇气都没有，因为留下了太多太多的回忆。这三个月，打建筑师进门后，设计、议价，签合同、开工、监工、验收、付款以至挂窗帘、铺地毯、买家具、挂壁画等等，一切的一切，事无巨细，全由香梅一人作主张罗，将军只有一句话：“一切悉听尊便。”忙得团团转时，见他还在悠闲地读报，也会恼他，莫非他要的是“男主外、女主内”的绝对传统的中国妻子？但退一步想想，一切随她，不也是爱么？况且，他绝不是不管梦洛的家，他的兴趣和工夫花在花园和菜园里。他答应她，让一年四季都有花开着，他种植她喜爱的玫瑰、山茶、剑兰和菊花。他在菜园里种植辣椒、卷心菜、豌豆、甘蓝、红薯、甜瓜和卡浑甜瓜。他种的芜菁长达一英尺，电视台将此当作新闻播出，一个农夫说：“这不是芜菁，我种了四十年了！”将军哈哈大笑，这是芜菁，他是农民的儿子，他的血管里流淌着老陈纳德的血液，待不再经营天上的事业，他将耕种土地，他会干得很出色的。可是，命运之神不让他大显身手于土地。1958年3月，病重的他最后一次回到梦洛家中，他发着低烧，吃不下东西，但是他带着香梅和两个女儿侍弄花园菜地，直到细雨纷纷卜个不停才进屋。他在日记中写道：“十时三十分开始挖掘剑兰花坛，十一时三十分开始落雨。菜园内计有硬花甘蓝、南美甘蓝、洋葱，可供食用。豌豆、芥菜、萝！、、菠菜、甜菜与胡萝卜，有的即将或近期内即可采供食用。卷心菜也快成熟。花园有紫荆、碧玉木兰、水仙、长寿花、风信子、紫罗兰及三色紫罗兰——全是为安娜栽植的。”这个对土地有着特殊感情的男子，他选择的却是天空的事业；但他给最亲的人的爱，除了天空，还有土地，家园！ 五个月后，他归于泥土。她重返梦洛的家，满园的花卉疯狂般地怒放着，夕阳如火如血。她晕眩了，她窒息了，她没有勇气推开屋门，她逃也似地离开了他们曾经拥有的家。 爱得太深便难以自拔。 她33岁。无路可走的祖父也是33岁划上了句号。 酷夏八月，她不寒而栗。 并不懂事的美华美丽却硬是她坚强地走下去的精神支柱。 花开花落，又是一年春时，她忽然明白从不喜看电影的将军，为什么会突然痴迷《春残梦断》！也许，仅仅只是为了片名！ 春去春来，她从梦中回到了现实。她带着两个女儿飞到台北，民航公司她有自己独立的位置，虽然直到将军去世后，她才清楚地知道将军已没；有了股份！ 她走向熟悉的办公楼，走向熟悉的办公室，陡然发觉，一切已变得陌生！她的办公桌已搬到一间狭小阴暗的房间，与人共用。新的老板如此胆大妄为欺负公司创办人的遗孀！而她。从公司创办时起，就投入月刊的编辑和公共关系部的工作中，将军说：“你学航空这行，该从下层做起。”他不曾给她一个副总经理什么的，她也始终没想过要在航空公司争天霸地，他们都不是那种人，可是，遭受的是明白无误的伤害！中国职员向她投以同情目光，甚至有压低嗓门的愤愤不平声，可她不要听也不要看，不该说同情是廉价的，可被同情的终归是弱者！她默默地走了出来。 太阳的冰冷的。美国是一个最现实、最没有人情味的国度，民航公司这一幕，让她初次尝到滋味，世态炎凉，人情冷暖。 月亮会是火热的么？是宋美龄在耳边轻轻说：“请记住，你在台北有家。”是吗？可别忘了，中国有句俗话：嫁出去的女儿，泼出去的水。何况，他们自顾不暇，安及他人？ 她的脸颊像燃着了火，她的双眼像燃着了火，周身的血还是热的，全涌上了脸和眼点着了。人怕伤心，树怕剥皮。人争一口气，佛争一炉香。她不能丧失自信和名誉。自信在自己心中，名誉却在他人的心中。她能做到吗？陈香梅——陈纳德夫人。 她不寒而栗。她双手冰凉、汗浸浸的，她止不住用双手捂住脸颊，她突然发现——她没有流泪！ 不要流泪。 将军的声音撞击着她的耳膜、她的心。 “天上人间何处去，旧欢新梦觉来时。” 是梦断又梦醒的时候了。