Chapter 11 chapter Ten

A few days later, because of the bombing of the British embassy in Chongqing, the British ambassador to Japan, Craig, submitted a formal protest note to the Japanese government in Tokyo through Hachiro Arita, the Japanese foreign minister. He issued a verbal apology, insisted it was an accident, and expressed the Japanese government's intention to continue to maintain good relations with the British government.Kleiqi drew Arita Hachiro's attention to the fact that the bombing of Chongqing by Japanese aircraft caused a large number of civilian casualties. Arita Hachiro argued that it was inevitable in the war.

Although the meeting between the two is not tense, it is quite blunt. In the evening, the Japanese military and political leaders held a so-called "five-phase meeting" to discuss the actual effects of the Chongqing bombing and the diplomatic consequences of the bombing of foreign embassies in China.Newly appointed Prime Minister Kiichiro Hiranuma, Navy Minister Mitsumasa Yonei, Minister of War Seishiro Sakagaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hachiro Arita, and Minister of Finance Shotaro Ishiwata attended the meeting. In front of a large conference table, Minister of the Navy Mitsumasa Yonei was introducing the results of the bombing of Chongqing over the past few days, Kiichiro Hiranuma and Shotaro Ishiwata beside him whispered in low voices.

Mitsumasa Minai's face was filled with excitement: ...During that long foggy season, the navy and army air force completed a series of exploratory bombings. On May 3, three months after the bombing was suspended, the Naval Air Force dispatched 36 medium-sized attack planes, took off from Hankou W base, and carried out an unprecedented bombing of the urban area of ​​Chongqing, dropping a total of 98 bombs and 68 incendiary bombs; On May 4, the Naval Air Force once again dispatched 27 bombers to carry out the bombing, dropping a total of 78 bombs and 48 incendiary bombs. Kiichiro Hiranuma: What about the specific results?

Minai Mitsumasa smiled: At present, construction and casualty figures are being collected.Unfortunately, I can only tell you that the whole city has completely turned into a sea of ​​flames from the sky above Chongqing! All five of them laughed. Hachiro Arita added: According to figures released by the Chongqing government, more than 8,000 people were killed or injured in two days. Seishiro Sakagaki went on to say: As a Japanese soldier, I am proud of this successful air strike.The Chinese government in Chongqing is still loudly advocating the war of resistance to the end, and is still hoping to delay the war so as to survive.I dare to predict that as long as we continue to use powerful air strikes to suppress the political and strategic center of China, the Chongqing government will surely be demoralized and demoralized, and will soon fall into an irreversible collapse.

Kiichiro Hiranuma nodded in agreement: Although Sakagaki-kun seems too optimistic, I basically agree with this.Maybe we can create a miracle of taking the enemy's capital by air power alone. Minai Mitsumasa said: In this case, the imperial army has opened a new page in the history of world wars. Ishiwata Shotaro: Continue to bomb, keep bombing!Until the Chongqing government surrenders!However, this may bring a lot of trouble to Arita-kun? He looked at Hachiro Arita humorously after speaking, which immediately caused a burst of easy laughter.There was an air of optimism and hubris at the meeting.

At this time, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hachiro Arita smiled and moved his body slightly: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is originally used to deal with these so-called troubles. As long as the war in China can be ended as soon as possible, I don't mind.However, I just received an official protest note from the UK government, and it looks like they mean business. Kiichiro Hiranuma glanced at Mitsumasa Minai: Did a bomb hit the British embassy directly? Minai Mitsumasa smiled nonchalantly: This cannot be confirmed yet. Seishiro Sakagaki's attitude is more arrogant: even so, it is inevitable.Brits are being screwed over by Germany, ignore them, nothing more than an informal apology.

Hachiro Arita: I have already formally apologized to the British government through Ambassador Craig.But it looks like things are not over. Seishiro Sakagaki: What else do they want to do? Hachiro Arita: The British demanded compensation. Seishiro Sakagaki says: Arrogant Brit!Let's make compensation together after we get out of the war in China and continue to march south, liberating their colonies in Southeast Asia! Everyone laughed. Hiranuma Kiichiro said slowly after laughing: I think compensation to the UK can be considered, if the British's demands are not too excessive.Britain and the United States have largely maintained a satisfactory silence on the war in China so far, and we cannot allow this incident to be an excuse for a change of attitude by the British.Appropriate compensation would be a small reward for keeping the British silent.Arita-kun?

Hachiro Arita: I immediately arranged for someone to negotiate with the British ambassador on compensation. Seishiro Sakagaki smiled and said to Sotaro Ishiwata: Be careful with your wallet! Then, there was another burst of arrogant laughter. May is the season of blooming flowers, but the Japanese bombing of Chongqing turned this warm spring moon into a hell of steel and flames.Roaring planes and roaring bombs continued to devastate the already riddled mountain city.At the same time, the Central China Expeditionary Force of the Japanese invaders, with the 11th Army under the command of Neiji Okamura as the main force, launched a campaign against the Fifth Theater led by General Li Zongren in an attempt to attack the Fifth Army of the Chinese Army on the Suixian and Zaoyang lines in Hubei. The main force in the theater is encircled.After days of fierce fighting, the Japanese army continued to advance and went straight to Zaoyang. The battle situation was already very unfavorable to the fifth theater commanded by Li Zongren.

The May sun slanted on the bomb-cratered street.A black car crawled slowly, dodging from left to right, and Robert and Gu Hongyuan were sitting in the car. Since the British embassy was bombed by Japanese planes, Robert, who has always been proud of his neutrality, made a 180-degree turn in his attitude towards the bombing.Of course, the suffering suffered by the civilians in Chongqing during the bombing also shocked the British reporter greatly.He wrote several reports in a row and sent them to his own newspaper, trying to arouse the attention of British public opinion on the indiscriminate bombing by the Japanese army that broke through the relevant provisions of the "International Air Combat Agreement", although he knew that the distant United Kingdom could do nothing about the current Chongqing.

Also because of this change in attitude, when Gu Hongyuan asked Robert to help transfer Jiang Qingdong to Hong Kong for treatment, Robert immediately agreed and went to the British ambassador Carl.Under Karl's mediation, things quickly took shape. At this moment, Robert was excitedly telling Gu Hongyuan: ...Carl was really helpful this time. He sent three telegrams to the Governor of Hong Kong in one day, and even got in touch with the director of Elizabeth Hospital.In this way, Jiang Qingdong could be hospitalized for treatment as soon as he arrived in Hong Kong. Gu Hongyuan was very happy, and thanked repeatedly: Thank you for your great help.

Robert: You're welcome.I will send you to Jimin Hospital right now, go and tell them the good news. Gu Hongyuan: Great.Their family will be very happy.Let me thank them first. Robert looked at him and smiled: Gu, you didn't seem to tell me that Jiang Qingdong's wife is the female press officer of the Chongqing government?That beautiful but loud-talking woman? Gu Hongyuan smiled and asked: Really?How did you know? Robert: You didn't hide it on purpose, did you? Gu Hongyuan quickly explained: I must have forgotten.Please trust me. Robert smiled ambiguously: Greet the female press officer for me.In fact, you know, I'm pretty proud of myself for having done this.Right now, it is more meaningful for me to be able to help one suffering Chongqing person than to write ten reports. Of course, Gu Hongyuan understood Robert's feelings: Then I should thank you for Chongqing people, or Chinese people. Robert stopped talking and turned his gaze to the street outside the car window.After a while, he looked back at Gu Hongyuan, and said softly: Gu, I have never regarded you as a Chinese, but now, I am aware of your true identity. Gu Hongyuan nodded and pondered: To be honest, I have never been so painfully aware that I am a Chinese. The car stopped outside Jimin Hospital, Gu Hongyuan got out of the car, turned around and smiled at Robert, and walked in. In the ward of Jimin Hospital, Jiang Qingdong was still in a coma, still receiving oxygen and infusion.Zheng Xianbo and Zheng Juan are here to guard him.Sunlight came in through the window, shining on Jiang Qingdong's bloodless face. The door of the ward was pushed open, and Gu Hongyuan appeared at the door with a smile on his face, and said to them without even a word of greeting: I have brought good news! Zheng Xianbo and Zheng Juan quickly turned to look at him.Zheng Juan asked hopefully: What news? Gu Hongyuan: It has been arranged!Mr. Jiang can be sent to Hong Kong for treatment! Zheng Juan was too happy to believe it. Zheng Xianbo said: Thank you, Mr. Gu. Gu Hongyuan quickly said: No, it is Robert and Ambassador Archibald who are doing this. They are very sympathetic to Mr. Jiang's injury. Zheng Juan: If I have the opportunity, I will definitely thank them in person. Gu Hongyuan looked at Jiang Qingdong lying on the bed and asked: Is he awake? Zheng Juan nodded and said: I woke up once in the middle of the night last night. Gu Hongyuan: That's good, there is hope in Hong Kong.I think you have to find a way quickly, because there are not many planes going to Hong Kong now. Zheng Xianbo: That's right, we can only ask Commander Liu Zhi to find a way in the military. Gu Hongyuan said goodbye: Hurry up and make arrangements.I will not bother. Gu Hongyuan left, Zheng Juan ran out from inside and caught up with him in the corridor outside the ward: Mr. Gu! Gu Hongyuan stopped.Zheng Juan came to him, but did not speak.The two looked at each other, but Zheng Juan's eyes became moist. Gu Hongyuan quickly smiled and said: What's the matter?You should be happy! Zheng Juan: Thank you! Gu Hongyuan still said: Don't thank me.This is not what I can do, it is Carl and Robert... Zheng Juan shook her head vigorously: No, no, I know that you are helping us, without you, Carl and Robert maybe... I know, I should also thank them... I mean you helped me when I was totally at a loss. Gu Hongyuan patted her on the shoulder lightly: "Don't be like this, go find a way to arrange to send Mr. Jiang to Hong Kong."What else needs to be done just say it, you're welcome. Suddenly, the air raid sirens sounded outside again.In the corridor of the hospital, many nurses suddenly appeared, shouting to transfer the patients to the air-raid shelter. Gu Hongyuan said: The enemy plane is coming again, so I am leaving. Zheng Juan: You must be careful. Gu Hongyuan smiled and left.Zheng Juan looked at his back silently. Just after the bombing, Zhang Xuming came to the antiaircraft artillery position in the suburbs. On the battlefield, the soldiers with gunpowder faces began to leave the artillery positions and return to the barracks.In front of an artillery position, Zhang Xudong, Du Zhiguo, and several soldiers were cleaning shell shells, ammunition boxes, etc. on the position.A soldier passed by them and patted the steel helmet on Du Zhiguo's head hard: Du Zhiguo, you still act like that today! Just as Du Zhiguo smiled, he saw Zhang Xudong looking back at him with contempt still in his eyes.The smile disappeared from his face instantly, and he sat down on the empty ammunition box. Zhang Xuming, who was wearing a captain's uniform, came from the small road leading to the barracks. He stopped several returning soldiers and asked, "Where is Zhang Xudong?" The soldiers quickly saluted and pointed to the gun emplacement. Zhang Xuming returned the salute and walked quickly towards the emplacement.He saw the news of the Suizao battle in the newspaper, so he took the initiative to find the office of the 33rd Army in Chongqing and asked to return to the team.Due to the tension of the war, the office immediately agreed to his request.Before leaving, he decided to come and see Zhang Xudong. Zhang Xudong was surprised when he saw his brother suddenly appearing here: Brother, why are you here? Zhang Xuming smiled: I'll come and see you, I'm going back to the army tomorrow. Zhang Xudong: Is there going to be a war? Zhang Xuming: The fight has already started.I have to go back. Zhang Xudong looked at him worriedly: Be careful!There are also sister-in-law and children at home. Zhang Xuming smiled.At this time, all the soldiers on the battlefield left, and they all saluted Zhang Xuming when they passed the emplacement.Zhang Xuming saw Du Zhiguo who was still sitting on the ammunition box, looking at the sky in a daze, and walked to his side.Du Zhiguo glanced at Zhang Xuming in front of him, but did not respond. Zhang Xuming smiled and said: Soldier, don't you know that you have to salute when you see an officer? Zhang Xudong looked at Du Zhiguo coldly, and said contemptuously: Do you think he looks like a soldier?He had already been terrified by the bombing of enemy planes, and he was completely... Zhang Xuming glared at him, and Zhang Xudong fell silent.Du Zhiguo got up suddenly, as if he was about to leave.Zhang Xuming stopped him: You wait. Du Zhiguo stood in front of him blankly. Zhang Xuming asked: Do you have a wife at home? Du Zhiguo nodded slightly as an answer. Zhang Xuming: Like me, I also have a son who is under one year old.I often think of them on the battlefield, and I will be very afraid of death, worrying about what will happen to their orphans and widows after I die, and I am even afraid of going to war again. Du Zhiguo looked at him strangely, obviously these words surprised him. Zhang Xuming pointed to his younger brother: Don't look at him as brave, and even look down on others because of his own bravery.But I dare say that he also has times of fear in his heart, and sometimes he is so scared that he wants to leave his position.Zhang Xudong, am I right? Zhang Xudong didn't speak either. Zhang Xuming: Why are you ashamed to admit it? Who is not afraid of death?There is no shame in being afraid of death.But we are soldiers, and the difference between soldiers and ordinary people is that we must learn to overcome the fear that everyone has in our hearts, and learn to hate... By the way, we must learn to hate.Your comrades-in-arms are dead, your relatives are dead, your hometown was burned by devils, your country was occupied by devils, and the city in front of you was bombed by devils.Can't a soldier generate hatred?Don't want revenge yet?Still don't want to kill all the devils?With hatred, you have nothing to fear.You try it. Du Zhiguo still didn't say a word, but Zhang Xuming's words had already had an effect on him.Zhang Xuming smiled gently at Du Zhiguo, called Zhang Xudong, turned and left. Facing Zhang Xuming's back, Du Zhiguo slowly raised his right hand, saluting like a real soldier in a standard manner.However, Zhang Xuming and the others did not see it. Japanese base W in Hankou. Several bright beams of searchlights were slowly sweeping across the airport. Where the beams of light passed by, rows of fighter jets and bombers were neatly arranged on the tarmac, forming a dense darkness.Along the long barbed wire fence, Japanese patrols carrying rifles cruised. In a dark room filled with dark red lights in the Japanese barracks at the base, Japanese mechanic Tomoo Marukawa was developing the photos he had taken.In the darkroom were many rolls of film developed and drying.In front of a fairly professional-looking workbench, Tomoo Marukawa was using a magnifying machine to develop and print photos, one after another, all of which were the urban areas of Chongqing that he took from a bomber, and the urban area was full of smoke and fire.Under the dark red light, there are no loud explosions, choking smoke, and citizens' cries. Those scenes don't look exciting, and Marukawa's work seems very relaxed, humming some Japanese tunes .However, a photo soaked in fixer caught his attention. He was watching carefully when Yoshioka, the bombardier on the same crew as Tomoo Marukawa, opened the door a little and asked, "Marukawa-kun, are you done yet?" Tomoo Marukawa turned around from the fixer he was fiddling with and said: Come on! Ji Gang came in, looked around and sighed: You took so many photos! Tomoo Marukawa proudly: How about it, isn't it great? Ji Gang: Interesting. Tomoo Marukawa flipped through the photos in the fixer, and the photo of the big slogan that Guo Moruo led people to paint on the high wall appeared on the water. Ji Gang asked curiously: What is this writing? Marukawa Tomoo pretended to be serious, and read word by word: hit, fall, Japan, Japan, invader, invader! Then, both of them burst out laughing at the same time. Ji Gang said: The Chinese people are really obsessed with it. They still can't understand that the Great Japanese Empire wants to liberate the whole of Asia from the European colonists and build a co-prosperous Asian Asia? Marukawa Tomoo: Yes, poor Chinese people. Ji Gang said: What a pity, what they can do now is to write slogans on the ruins. Marukawa Tomoo scooped up the photo from the water with tweezers and tore it up. The British embassy under the moonlight.Because the bomb directly hit the embassy, ​​a corner of the house was blown up. Many Chinese workers were repairing the destroyed building overnight, and many bricks, tiles and cement were piled there.In a room in the embassy, ​​thick curtains block the light in the room.Zheng Xianbo and British Ambassador Carl sat face to face on the sofa, drinking coffee.Outside came the sounds of workers at work and loud and forceful speeches. Carl said: Mr. Zheng, I admire the enthusiasm of the workers in your country. Their progress is really amazing.I know that there are still many places in this city that need them, so I would like to express my gratitude to you for arranging people here in time. Zheng Xianbo smiled: It's not worth mentioning.We have always regarded your country as a friend. Carl muttered: Damn Japanese. Zheng Xianbo: Yes, damn Japanese.Their bombing here was completely wanton and crazy. It can be said that the bombing was not aimed at so-called military targets at all. They directly targeted civilians for massacres. This is appalling in the history of world wars.I have noticed the report of the bombing by your correspondent Mr. Matthews, Sir Archibald, have you read that report? Carl nodded: I have read it.He draws an interesting comparison between the bombing here and Guernica. Guernica is a city in Spain. In April 1937, the Luftwaffe, which supported the Spanish fascist leader Franco, carried out a large-scale bombing of Guernica, completely destroying the defenseless rear city far from the front line. , turning the entire city into a sea of ​​flames and a slaughterhouse.On the third day after this frenzied bombing, when Franco's army occupied Guernica, Franco immediately declared to the outside world that Guernica was destroyed by the malicious arson of the anti-fascist People's Front. To confuse the public and cover up the truth. Zheng Xianbo went on to say: However, the madness of the Japanese far exceeded the bombing of Guernica.Mr. Ambassador has probably noticed that they have made no secret of this terrorist bombing targeting civilians, and they are blatantly challenging the "International Air Combat Agreement" and all international agreements. Carl interested: Interesting point of view. Zheng Xianbo: The Japanese are so arrogant. They have openly declared that in order to win the final victory in the war in China, they will attack the enemy's capital both materially and spiritually, causing terror and riots there, leading to the final collapse of the government organization.Even more shameless, they also declare that the people must be decisively targeted, because they are unbearable, so that a quick fix can at least be considered an act of charity. Karl: The Japanese theory is really strange. Zheng Xianbo shook his head: This is the argument in the book "Air Command" written by an Italian general in 1921, but it is even more bloody and cruel when it is quoted and played by the Japanese at this time.Sir Archibald, I think the British government and the international community must condemn such crazy bombing.This is for international justice, but also for the interests of the United Kingdom.Because in the days to come, the building we are in is still full of dangers. Carl didn't speak.After a while, I slowly said: Yes, the whole of China is full of dangers.However, Mr. Zheng, what I want to tell you is that the Japanese government has formally apologized to the British government and promised compensation.The British government accepted. Zheng Xianbo was extremely shocked and surprised, he stood up: Sir Archibald, this surprised me very much.That is to say, for the bombing of the embassy, ​​your government will settle with the Japanese in private like Germany and Italy? Carl looked helpless: It seems so. Zheng Xianbo said angrily: betrayal, this is a betrayal of a friend!Sir Archibald.At the same time, your government has betrayed the axiom and justice of the international community! Carl spread his hands: Mr. Zheng, I personally have full sympathy for China.However, I am only a diplomat and I cannot personally change the position of the British government. Zheng Xianbo was expressionless, shook hands with Carl politely, turned and walked out.After walking a few steps, he turned back and said: Sir Archibald, although I am personally angry at this behavior of the British government.But I am very grateful for your help in arranging my son-in-law to go to Hong Kong for treatment.excuse me. After finishing speaking, Zheng Xianbo left without looking back.Carl sat on the sofa blankly, thinking. During the day, the National Government Building, Chiang Kai-shek's office. At this time, Chiang Kai-shek was not here. In the huge room, Lin Tianjue and some technical and editorial staff of China Central Radio were busy under the surveillance of several guards, busy connecting the power supply, placing equipment, and placing microphones on the desk... ... Lin Tianjue is the person in charge, and he is busier than others, making a fuss and pointing fingers. A secretary came in, glanced around with a frown, and asked impatiently: Are you ready? Lin Tianjue said quickly: It's time to start. Then, Song Meiling appeared.She looked around critically, and asked defiantly: That's it? Lin Tianjue walked up to Soong Meiling in a hurry and courteously: Madam Jiang, get ready. Song Meiling glanced at him reservedly: Are you from China Central Radio? Lin Tianjue said quickly: Lin Tianjue from China Central Radio Station, Madam Jiang, please give me some advice... Soong Meiling walked to the desk without listening to him, and put a speech in front of the microphone. On the first page of the speech were a few large characters : A letter to all compatriots across the country.At this time, Chiang Kai-shek just walked in.With a gloomy face, he went straight to the microphone and sat down without looking sideways. When he picked up the speech, he glanced at Soong Meiling and said, "It's started?" Song Meiling nodded.The sound engineer hurriedly started recording.Lin Tianjue and other staff of the radio station froze in place, silent like cicadas.The secretary put a glass of boiled water in front of Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang Kai-shek cleared his throat, and slowly began to record his speech: My compatriots all over the country, for the past few days, the Japanese invaders have been raging with planes, bombing our cities and villages indiscriminately behind the Anti-Japanese War. This kind of murder and arson without military value by the Japanese aggressors certainly shows the despicability and shamelessness of the Japanese aggressors, but the people of the country need to recognize that their tyrannical purpose is nothing more than three points: First, they want to threaten us with continuous bombing. The spirit of the anti-Japanese war among the people of the whole country hopes that our compatriots will bow their knees and surrender; secondly, they want to use violent bombing to cut off the lives of our compatriots, in an attempt to make our compatriots displaced, reduce production, and affect the future of the war of resistance; thirdly, they want to use The concentrated bombing disturbed the tranquility of our society and tried to disturb the order in our rear... At the airport in the suburbs, a military transport plane took off at the end of the runway. Zheng Juan, Gu Hongyuan, and Robert, who came to the airport to see Jiang Qingdong off, stood far away at one end of the tarmac, watching the plane gradually blending into the sky.Soon, there was no shadow of the plane, and even the roar disappeared.The empty airport seemed unusually quiet, and the sun shone brightly on the cement runway, even a little dazzling. Due to the intervention of Liu Zhi from the Air Defense Command, Zheng Xianbo and Zheng Juan finally found a military plane to Hong Kong and arranged for Jiang Qingdong to leave Chongqing.Although no one can tell whether Jiang Qingdong's departure will really save the day, but after all, it gives people hope.At least, everyone didn't have to worry about Jiang Qingdong's safety during the bombing. Zheng Juan looked at the blue sky and white clouds, and her moist eyes were full of worry and sadness.Although Jiang Qingdong's trip was the result he most hoped to see, as the shadow of the plane disappeared into the distant sky, Zheng Juan felt a parting from life and death, as if her husband's departure was an eternal disappearance. Gu Hongyuan, who was standing beside Zheng Juan, also looked at the sky.When everything calmed down, he looked away, looked at Zheng Juan, and patted her shoulder lightly to express comfort: go back. Zheng Juan wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and smiled at them. Robert also smiled: well, there is nothing to worry about. Zheng Juan said sincerely: Thank you, Mr. Matthews. Robert said: Let's go. Looking at Robert who was walking in front, Gu Hongyuan said: He is right. Mr. Jiang will recover soon when he arrives in Hong Kong. There is nothing to worry about. Zheng Juan looked at him and nodded.Then they took Gu Hongyuan's arm naturally, and walked towards the outside of the airport together.