Chapter 7 7. Chiang Kai-shek bids farewell to Jinling

On the evening of December 6, Chiang Kai-shek's temporary residence. At this time, due to the bombing by Japanese planes day and night, Chiang Kai-shek moved his temporary residence to the safer Weiwen Villa in Qingliang Mountain. After dinner, Song Meiling was instructing the servants to pack things in the room.A guard came in and reported that Rosen, Secretary of the German Ambassador Taudman, wanted to see the Chairman.Chiang Kai-shek wondered in his heart: The Sino-Japanese armistice negotiations mediated by the German ambassador Taudman have broken down. What else is there for the ambassador's secretary to come to me?While thinking, he stepped out of the door and saw the secretary of the ambassador was already waiting in the living room.Seeing the Chairman, Rosen quickly stood up to pay tribute, and then said: "Ambassador Toddman has gone to Wuhan two days ago, and left a letter before leaving for me to present to the Chairman. The ambassador also said that the Chairman will He flew to Wuhan on the 7th and asked me to come to see you off on behalf of him tonight."

Chiang Kai-shek was taken aback when he heard this, and wondered if there was a traitor around him?Otherwise, how would the German ambassador know about this top-secret arrangement?He skimmed through Taudman's letter, and then said calmly: "I haven't made the final arrangements about leaving Nanjing for Wuhan. As for the matter mentioned in the ambassador's letter, please ask Mr. Secretary to go to Wuhan tomorrow." Come here at three o'clock in the afternoon, and I will give you an answer in person." After the secretary left, Chiang Kai-shek returned to his room and told Soong Meiling about the incident. His wife smiled and said, "Da Ling, you are leaving Nanjing early tomorrow morning. Why do you still ask me to meet you tomorrow afternoon?"

Chiang Kai-shek also smiled slyly and said: "Isn't it enough to ask Commander Tang to deal with him tomorrow afternoon? Ma'am, soldiers are not tired of cheating. If you tell him about going to Wuhan tomorrow morning, who knows if he will betray the information to the Japanese." what!" After all, the couple looked at each other and smiled.Afterwards, Chiang Kai-shek looked at his watch and said, "Madam, let's go to Commander Tang to say goodbye, and arrange things for tomorrow afternoon." The car drove into Tang Shengzhi's mansion in Baiziting. Tang Shengzhi was talking with his staff in the living room. When he heard the Chairman coming, he hurried out to greet him.

After Chiang Kai-shek and his wife sat down in the living room, they exchanged some pleasantries and asked about Tang Shengzhi's physical condition. Chiang Kai-shek said with great concern, "Brother Meng Xiao, you haven't recovered yet. I'm sorry if you stay in Nanjing." Tang Shengzhi said: "This is the duty of a soldier." Chiang Kai-shek said appreciatively: "The country is in danger, it's rare that Brother Meng Xiao understands the righteousness and stepped forward." Tang Shengzhi said: "Chairman, I still want to repeat what I said to you before. I can do 'not chaotic in the face of danger, and meticulous in the face of difficulties!' Without your order, I will never evacuate Nanjing!"

Chiang Kai-shek nodded again and again: "That's good, that's good." After sitting for a while, the couple got up to say goodbye. Before getting into the car, Chiang Kai-shek held Tang Shengzhi's hand again and said emotionally, "Brother Meng Xiao, it's rare for you to help you in times of need. This is a friend in need!" Tang Shengzhi was also moved, and quickly said: "Chairman, you should leave quickly! You can rest assured about everything here. I will stick to Nanjing and lead my troops to kill the enemy without turning back!" Chiang Kai-shek said again and again: "Brother Meng Xiao, everything in Nanjing is up to you!" After speaking, he boarded the car, stuck his head out of the car window, and waved his hands.The car slowly drove out of Tang Shengzhi's mansion and sped towards the Qingliangshan mansion.

At five o'clock in the morning on December 7, a convoy slowly left the temporary official residence in Qingliangshan.Chiang Kai-shek looked out from the window of the car, and on the empty street shrouded in night, the yellow leaves on the steps were rustling down in the bitter cold wind, and he couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion. Nanjing, a famous ancient capital in history, has a myriad of atmospheres: the Zijin Mountain has a majestic atmosphere, the stone city is dominated by tigers and dragons, the Qinhuai River is full of singing and dancing, the Yangtze River is majestic, the prosperity of Xinjiekou, the noise of the Confucius Temple...all of these , together with his 10 years of hard work and sweat, will be destroyed by the war and washed away by blood.Thinking of this, Chiang Kai-shek couldn't help feeling bitterness and sorrow.

When the convoy drove into the Ming Palace Airport, Chiang Kai-shek and his wife got out of the car and saw a large row of generals standing on the airport who had come to see them off. airplane. Under the escort of a small group of Air Force fighter jets, Chiang Kai-shek's special landline "Meiling" soared into the sky, and he ordered the pilot to circle the sky over Nanjing.With infinite affection, Chiang Kai-shek looked out of the window and saw several raging fires not far from the outskirts of Nanjing. There was turmoil, panic and uneasiness below.He knew that a fierce battle was about to begin, and that Nanjing would fall into the hands of the Japanese army sooner or later, so he couldn't help saying sadly: "Ma'am, I have been working in Nanjing for 10 years, but now I want to hand it over to the Japanese." Yes, it's really unexpected!"

Song Meiling comforted: "Da Ling, don't be too sad, we will come back!" Chiang Kai-shek hit his leg with his fist and said fiercely: "Yes, we must come back!" The plane circled over Nanjing, and then flew westward.What remained behind it was a besieged city, flashing fire, rumbling artillery.