Chapter 14 Chapter Thirteen

Tokyo, Japan.In the reception room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sunlight came in from the windows and fell on the bright floor.British Ambassador to Japan Craig and Japanese Foreign Minister Hachiro Arita sat on the sofa, behind them were two translators.Hachiro Arita didn't look directly at Claire, but seemed to be admiring the light and shadow on the floor. Claire said solemnly: Your Excellency, the British government is very concerned about the incidents in the Tianjin Concession.If the Japanese army does not give up the siege of the Tianjin Concession, it will inevitably cause serious diplomatic conflicts between Britain and Japan and affect the relationship between the two countries.

Hachiro Arita: According to our information, there is no doubt that the Chinese arrested in the Tianjin Concession were members of the Ninth Army.They were terrorists who were directly responsible for the deaths of two Japanese soldiers and a Chinese.It is ridiculous that the officials of your country's consulate in Tianjin actually protected them. Claire: Your country's army not only surrounded our concession in Tianjin, but also personally insulted our citizens! Hachiro Arita retorted: Mr. Ambassador is exaggerating.What our army has taken is nothing more than necessary and preventive measures.

Claire: Defensive?Could it be that the body searches of our women and forcing them to take off their clothes are also preventive? Hachiro Arita: In extraordinary circumstances, this is necessary to prevent the murderer from escaping. Claire: Your Excellency, the reaction of the Chinese government and people to the incident in the Tianjin Concession was strong. Under the pressure of the House, the Chinese government will be forced to take corresponding countermeasures. I think your Excellency should understand this. Hachiro Arita said calmly: Mr. Ambassador, there is no need to intimidate our government.If your country's consulate in Tianjin agrees to hand over the murderer, this undesired disturbance will naturally subside.

Craig is quite restrained, but there is still some ultimatum in his voice: I have conveyed my country's wishes to Your Excellency on behalf of my government. I believe that Your Excellency and your government will seriously study this incident and our country's Attitude. Hachiro Arita: Of course we will study it carefully, but I don't see any need for our government to change the current policy, because we must bring these murderers to justice. Claire stood up: In that case, Mr. Arita, I will take my leave. Arita Hachiro also stood up and bowed slightly: Goodbye, Mr. Ambassador.

Claire and her interpreter walked out of the reception room.Hachiro Arita's translator walked up to Hachiro Arita, and asked in a murmur, "Does Arita-kun think that the British really want to fight us this time?" Arita Hachiro smiled inexplicably: What are you talking about, confrontation? In the evening, a cafe in downtown Chongqing was full of people.Despite the bombing during the day and even the destruction of the cafe itself, people still don't pass up the chance to relax together.It has been several months, and the devil's bombing has not stopped. Of course, Chongqing people will not give up their lives because of the continuous bombing.Existing with the bombing seems to have become a natural attitude.

In a corner of the cafe, An Fuyao and Zheng Qi were sitting face to face, talking enthusiastically. Zheng Qi: How about the pilots of the Soviet Air Force from your place? An Fuyao: Who knows, looking at them is impressive, and the plane is not bad.So far, though, I've only seen their dancing and drinking prowess. Zheng Qi: Are you a little jealous? An Fuyao: Jealousy?It's a little bit.Their I-15 and I-16 fighters look pretty good, at least a lot better than my old Fiat. Zheng Qi: Soviet pilots have already fought air battles with Japanese devils in Nanjing and Wuhan. An Fuyao: That's right, that's why I'm only jealous of their planes, not their people.

Zheng Qi laughed, but her smile froze immediately - because she saw Lin Tianjue walking across from her with a dark face, standing beside An Fuyao.During the rehearsal in the afternoon, Lin Tianjue ran to the theater to find her and said that he wanted to invite her to dinner.Zheng Qi lied that she had to rehearse a quartet tonight, but she turned it down. Zheng Qi: ... Tianjue, why are you here? With a gloomy face, Lin Tianjue sarcastically said: I came to listen to your string quartet, but I didn't expect to see a duo! An Fuyao also recognized Lin Tianjue at this time: Oh, this is not... Zheng Qi: My cousin, Lin Tianjue, is a reporter from China Central Radio.

An Fuyao extended his hand friendly: Yes, Mr. Lin, hello! Lin Tianjue didn't intend to shake hands with him, and only looked at Zheng Qi: Xiao Qi, what's going on? Zheng Qi: What's the matter? Lin Tianjue: Didn't you say you were rehearsing? Zheng Qi: I... are you following me? Lin Tianjue: Yes, I am following you!I just want to know, where is the holiness that would be worthy of you to lie to me! Zheng Qi was furious: what are you doing? ! Lin Tianjue: You are too much! Zheng Qi: You are too much! An Fuyao obviously knew what was going on from the conversation between the two, and he quickly persuaded: Zheng Qi, Mr. Lin, if you have something to say, there is no need to be here... Lin Tianjue interrupted An Fuyao angrily : What qualifications do you have to be a peacemaker here? !

An Fuyao: Don't get me wrong, Mr. Lin, I mean it well. Lin Tianjue: Good intentions?If you mean well, stop trying to seduce girls with your Air Force uniform.Xiaoqi is naive and can't stand such a temptation.If you have the ability, go fight the Japanese who bombed Chongqing, and don't waste your energy on seducing girls. Zheng Qi angrily: What nonsense are you talking about? ! An Fuyao stood up with a gloomy face: What did you just say? Lin Tianjue was still chattering: I said, if you are really capable, go beat the Japanese.If it weren't for the incompetence of your air force, could Chongqing be bombed like this? !

An Fuyao restrained: You are too much! Lin Tianjue: I just want to say, what's the matter?No wonder the Japanese planes are so rampant. It turns out that our air force officers and soldiers have no intention of fighting at all, but are only interested in women! An Fuyao was enraged, he slapped Lin Tianjue's face suddenly, while Lin Tianjue was still covering his cheek, An Fuyao had already jumped in front of him, grabbed his neck fiercely, and pushed him to the ground , by the way brought a chair and a cup of coffee to the ground, and the coffee cup shattered crisply.An Fuyao rode on Lin Tianjue, raised his palm, and slapped Lin Tianjue several times.Lin Tianjue was beaten up and screamed, and there was a sudden chaos in the coffee shop, and people surrounded him one after another.

Zheng Qi's tears came out, and she pulled An Fuyao hard: stop beating, let's go! An Fuyao let go of Lin Tianjue and stood up: You talk too much!After speaking, An Fuyao took out a few banknotes and threw them on the table, and left the coffee shop with Zheng Qi. Amidst the discussions among the crowd, Lin Tianjue sat up from the ground in embarrassment, touched the corner of his mouth with his hand, and touched a little blood.He spat blood from his mouth onto the ground. This evening, Chiang Kai-shek's reception room in the government building was shrouded in soft light, and Chiang Kai-shek, Wang Chonghui and Zheng Xianbo were sitting on the sofa.Zheng Xianbo came back from England and brought news that the British government might resolve the "Tianjin Concession Incident" forcefully.Of course Wang Chonghui was happy, so he insisted on letting Zheng Xianbo come with him to meet Chiang Kai-shek.Zheng Xianbo briefly reported his mission to the UK, but emphasized that his judgment on the situation was only cautiously optimistic. Chiang Kai-shek looked at Wang Chonghui with a relaxed look: Liangchou, what is your judgment? Wang Chonghui: Xianbo went to England this time, and at least most of the information he got was positive.The British House of Representatives reacted strongly to the incident in the Tianjin Concession, and the Chamberlain government was under tremendous pressure.According to my knowledge of British politics, if British MPs put enough pressure on the government, the government cannot ignore it. Chiang Kai-shek: British gentlemen can't bear it anymore!The Japanese are reckless, bombing their embassy in Chongqing and now messing around in their Tianjin Concession.First off, let me know your opinion. Zheng Xianbo hesitated for a moment before saying: Commissioner, I think there will be several diplomatic bargains between Britain and Japan, and accidents may also occur during this process.Because, after all, we cannot rule out the possibility that this incident in the concession was the Japanese deliberately testing the cards of the British. Wang Chonghui took a look at Zheng Xianbo, and said: First bomb the embassy, ​​and then surround the concession, isn't this kind of temptation a bit too much? Zheng Xianbo: The British embassy was bombed, perhaps by accident. The German embassy and the Italian embassy were also bombed. The Japanese bombed Chongqing without distinguishing targets. Chiang Kai-shek: What is the opinion of Ambassador Guo Taiqi to the UK? Wang Chonghui: Guo Taiqi's interpretation of the British response is also optimistic. Although he knew that he might spoil the mood of the Chairman and even anger Wang Chonghui, Zheng Xianbo still insisted: Chairman, Minister Wang, through the introduction of Ambassador Guo Taiqi, I have met with many people from the British government, and also met Mr. Churchill.They all believed that the British government would not let the Japanese go easily this time.What the Japanese army did after encircling the Tianjin Concession was too detrimental to the face of the British.Still, based on my experience and what I know about the British, we should still be wary.The British may also give up the gentleman's face for their own benefit. Wang Chonghui: Churchill should be regarded as a hawk in Britain, and his attitude is probably credible. Zheng Xianbo: Mr. Churchill believed that the British government would respond strongly.But he was addressing me, a diplomatic envoy from China.In other words, his statement may also be a political strategy. Chiang Kai-shek smiled softly and waved his hands: No matter how much the British talk about Fairplay, they can't give up their interests in China and the Far East.The British have been watching the war in China from the other side, and now, the fire is finally burning on themselves.Well, we don't have to guess any more.No matter how far the negotiations between Britain and Japan go, at least this incident in the concession is an opportunity, maybe the British and Japanese will turn their faces.If the British decide to turn against the Japanese, then our diplomatic initiative will increase a lot. Wang Chonghui: I agree with the chairman's judgment. Zheng Xianbo hesitantly: I don't think you can be too optimistic. Chiang Kai-shek: I am afraid you are too pessimistic again. At the air force base on the outskirts of Chongqing, the grass next to the tarmac is full of wild flowers.The wildflowers were so colorful in the sunshine that it seemed that war had become a very distant thing. In the restaurant at the base, Du Lanxiang and several chefs prepared various vegetables together. At this time, the Soviet pilot Kilichenko walked into the restaurant with a bouquet of wild flowers in his hand.The chefs all knew that Kirichenko was looking for Du Lanxiang, and they secretly turned their attention to Du Lanxiang.Kirichenko walked up to Du Lanxiang directly: Dear Miss Du, please accept my flowers. Under the eyes of the chefs, Du Lanxiang was very embarrassed: your flowers?Isn't this a wild flower? Kirichenko is calm and composed: The wild flowers I picked are for you.Of course, they are not as beautiful as you. Du Lanxiang was even more embarrassed: This... you can keep it for yourself. The chefs couldn't help laughing when they saw this scene. Kirichenko was not disturbed: Miss Du, please don't reject me.Perhaps, you Chinese don't want others to say that you are beautiful, but I still want to give you flowers. At this moment, the base's alarm suddenly sounded.Kirichenko had no choice but to put the wild flowers on a dining table and ran out in a hurry.Looking at his back, a chef imitated Kirichenko and said in blunt Chinese: Dear Miss Du, they are not as beautiful as you! Du Lanxiang scolded: What a stinking mouth!After speaking, she picked up the bouquet of flowers on the table and walked outside the restaurant. On the runway of the airport, Kirichenko and a group of other Soviet pilots could be seen running towards their plane from a distance. The pilots of the Chinese Air Force, including An Fuyao, also climbed into their plane.The siren continued to sound, and at this time the roar of the aircraft engine was added.Then, one by one, the planes taxied onto the runway and took off. Watching Kirichenko fly into the air, Du Lanxiang was thoughtful, and subconsciously put the wild flowers in his hand to his nose and smelled them. Antiaircraft artillery positions in the suburbs.Amidst the rumbling of the planes, the anti-aircraft guns in the anti-aircraft artillery positions fired in unison.Zhang Xudong was shooting from his gun emplacement, and Du Zhiguo kept delivering shells to him. A Japanese fighter jet swooped down and aimed at a nearby gun emplacement. Zhang Xudong yelled: Enemy planes strafed, take cover! Before the soldiers on that emplacement had time to hide, they were hit by a Japanese plane, and they all fell down. Zhang Xudong stood up and continued to fire, and then shouted: Du Zhiguo, shells! There was no answer behind him.Zhang Xudong shouted angrily: Du Zhiguo!Are you fucking hiding again? !You bloody coward! Still no answer. Zhang Xudong: Du Zhiguo! Du Zhiguo's voice came from the gun emplacement next to him: I'm here! Zhang Xudong turned his head to look, only to find that Du Zhiguo was already standing on the gun emplacement, replacing the fallen soldier just now, aiming at the air and firing.Another soldier with blood on his face pressed shells for him.Zhang Xudong suddenly laughed and shook his fist at Du Zhiguo. Over there, Du Zhiguo also smiled at Zhang Xudong, and continued firing. In the air, Japanese bombers were shaken by the blast of anti-aircraft shells.The sound of explosions continued to come from outside the cabin.Tomoo Marukawa observed the bombing on the ground with a telescope. The navigator shouted: Enter the bombing course! Captain: Drop the bomb! Ji Gang repeated: Drop the bomb! Tomoo Marukawa suddenly shouted: No! Captain: What's going on? Tomoo Marukawa: The bomb from the plane in front almost hit the US warship on the Yangtze River, it seems to be the Tutula! Ji Gang disdainfully: It's a pity that my bomb didn't land on their deck. Tomoo Marukawa: Are you crazy? !Do not bomb the Americans! Captain: Marukawa-kun, don't make a fuss, even if you bomb the Tutula, it's nothing. Yoshioka: How about, Marukawa-kun wrote a letter to President Roosevelt after he went back, saying that we bombed their warships, what do the Americans say? ! The crew members all laughed. Marukawa Tomoo was about to say something, but the plane shook violently with an explosion.Tomoo Marukawa looked out of the cabin in horror: the enemy fighter plane, the plane was injured! Tomoo Marukawa looked at the fighter planes passing by, felt unfamiliar, quickly grabbed the model identification map to check, and then shouted loudly: Strange, how could the enemy have Il-16? ! The aircraft that ended the air battle landed on the runway of the air force base.Some planes were smoking, while others were already on fire.Fire trucks blared their sirens and rushed towards the burning plane.Many people also ran over with the fire truck.Duranxiang ran with the people, still holding the bouquet of flowers that Kilichenko had given her.Halfway through the run, her speed slowed down.Finally, she stood on the side of the runway, stopped, and looked far ahead. At the other end of the runway, Kirichenko, flying cap in hand, emerged from the chaotic crowd. Du Lanxiang was embarrassed when he saw Kirichenko.She looked at Kirichenko in a panic, and Kirichenko saw the bouquet of flowers in Du Lanxiang's hand from a distance and smiled.Then he also slowed down, and as he walked over, he gave Du Lanxiang a naughty military salute. A shy smile appeared on Du Lanxiang's face. The gloomy weather in Tokyo, Japan. The reception room in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building was also lit in broad daylight.The British ambassador to Japan, Craig, and Japanese Foreign Minister Hachiro Arita sat at a table with the text of the Arita-Craig agreement in front of them.Interpreters from both sides also sat on the sidelines. Hachiro Arita was reading a passage in the "Agreement": "...the British government is fully aware of the actual situation in China where large-scale hostilities are taking place; Its own security and the maintenance of public order in the areas it controls have its special needs, and it must suppress or eliminate any activity or behavior that would hinder it or benefit its enemies." Craigie listened impassively.This passage was finally decided after several rounds of debate between the two parties.Craigie knew it all too well. After Hachiro Arita finished reading, he asked: Mr. Ambassador, do you have any objections to the wording of this passage? Craig: I know that Your Excellency must appreciate this passage very much, because it actually acknowledges Japan's occupation of China. Hachiro Arita smiled: Mr. Ambassador, don't you admit this established fact? Claire: Are you asking about my personal attitude, or the attitude of the British government? Hachiro Arita: What does it matter?Isn't Mr. Ambassador the plenipotentiary of Britain to Japan?If you have no more comments, then shall we sign? Claire didn't speak, but directly signed the text.After the two sides exchanged texts, they signed again.After they finished signing, two waiters walked to both sides of the table carrying champagne. Hachiro Arita picked up a glass of champagne from the waiter: Mr. Ambassador, let us have a toast for this important agreement and for your unremitting efforts. Claire stood up, but did not go for champagne: Your Excellency, as the plenipotentiary representative of the United Kingdom in Japan, I only did my duty.I am not surprised that you and your government are pleased with this agreement.Sorry, I take my leave. Hachiro Arita's face was not good-looking, but he didn't say anything, he just bowed slightly, watching Criqi and his translator go out.Then, he drank the champagne in his glass in one gulp, smiled at the interpreter beside him and said: Hmph, typical British arrogance. United States Washington. Hu Shi and Senator Pittman sat in a chair by the pool near the Lincoln Memorial.The water in the pool was calm, reflecting the dark clouds in the sky.There were not many people by the pool. Pittman looked at the weather: the weather is not very good, it might rain. Hu Shi: Senator, the news you just told me is more depressing than this weather. Pittman: Yes, Mr. Ambassador, I'm really sorry. It is very unfortunate news for you and your country that the amendment to the Neutrality Act was rejected by the House and Senate.Of course, a sad result for me too. Hu Shi looked at the pool in front of him and sighed: Months of painstaking efforts were wasted. Pittman: This is the general trend of US domestic politics, Mr. Ambassador should understand. Hu Shi nodded: Of course I can understand.I just feel sad for the shortsightedness of American politicians. The "Neutrality Act" amendment has a huge effect on China, but at the same time it also involves the status of the United States on the international stage and its interests in Asia and Europe. Pittman: That's right. Hu Shi: No matter what, I still want to thank you, Mr. Senator, for your friendship to the Chinese people and your efforts for the amendment. Pittman: Hopefully time will change that. Hu Shi: When I met with President Roosevelt, he also mentioned the time.However, time meant more difficulties and sacrifices for the Chinese government and people during the War of Resistance, especially in Chongqing, which was bombed by Japanese planes. Pittman: I believe your government and people will persevere. Hu Shi said slowly but firmly: We will. The Huangshan Villa in Chongqing was quiet under the setting sun, except for a few birdsong in the woods outside, there was no sound at all. In the office above the Huangshan villa, Chiang Kai-shek was furious at Wang Chonghui and Zheng Xianbo: What happened? !Americans are selfish, but that's all. How could the British do such a sad thing? !I have long had no illusions about the revision of the US "Neutrality Act".But the British were really despicable this time. After being humiliated, they officially recognized the Japanese occupation of our country! Both Wang Chonghui and Zheng Xianbo listened quietly to Chiang Kai-shek's vent, not daring to speak. Chiang Kai-shek: Liangchou, your Ministry of Foreign Affairs must conduct a deep self-criticism!In such an important diplomatic event, what did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Guo Taiqi in London, do? !The news you brought me is that the British will not compromise with Japan this time, but now, they have come up with the "Arita-Craig Agreement"! Wang Chonghui: Appointed, the British are really disgusting this time.But... Chiang Kai-shek interrupted Wang Chonghui: But what?Your mediation was very unsuccessful, is there any reason?Zheng Xianbo, after you came back from the UK, didn’t you say that the British government and the public, including Churchill, had a unanimous reaction and strong opinion on the incident in the Tianjin Concession? ! Zheng Xianbo: That's right, but I also suggested at the time that we should be vigilant against the British... The angry Chiang Kai-shek didn't let him argue at all: Your judgment of the British is completely wrong!I heard from Liangchou that you once studied in the UK, but you were kept in the dark by the British!I want to dismiss you! Wang Chonghui hastily said: "Appointed seat, Bo will go to England first, it should be said that the mission has been completed well." Chiang Kai-shek was in a bad mood and turned his anger to Wang Chonghui: You also have to make a deep self-criticism!We have been waiting for change for so long, and finally a diplomatic opportunity appeared, but it brought such a result!If you can't make a breakthrough in diplomacy, what use is your Ministry of Foreign Affairs? ! Wang Chonghui: Please sit down, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will definitely conduct a review on this matter.About Xianbo... Chiang Kai-shek interrupted Wang Chonghui again arbitrarily: no more! In the evening, He Xuezhu was preparing dinner in the kitchen when she heard the door bang and knew that her husband had returned.She put down the work in her hands and hurried to the living room, saw Zheng Xianbo coming in with a gloomy face, ignored her, and threw the briefcase in her hand on the sofa. He Xuezhu: Xianbo, ready to eat. Zheng Xianbo didn't answer He Xuezhu, and sat down on the sofa, his eyes were fixed, and he didn't know where he was looking.He Xuezhu knew that something was wrong with him, so he went to pour a glass of boiling water, and walked over with concern: What's the matter? Zheng Xianbo still didn't speak.He Xuezhu stopped asking, and just handed the water glass to Zheng Xianbo.Zheng Xianbo looked at He Xuezhu, put the cup to his mouth, paused, but didn't drink. He sighed and said: I was fired. He Xuezhu: Dismissed? ! Zheng Xianbo: The chairman fired me in front of Minister Wang and me. He Xuezhu was very puzzled: why? ! Zheng Xianbo: The amendment to the "Neutrality Act" was rejected for the United States, mainly because of the "Arita-Craig Agreement" signed between the United Kingdom and Japan! He Xuezhu: What does this have to do with you? Zheng Xianbo: The amendment to the "Neutrality Act" was rejected, and the chairman's plan to intervene in China's war could not be realized.The British and the Japanese reached a compromise on the Tianjin Concession, in effect formally acknowledging the Japanese occupation of China.Didn't I go to the UK once? The chairman of the committee thinks that I and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are ineffective in this matter. He Xuezhu sat down beside Zheng Xianbo, and comforted him: But you can't influence the decision of the British, let alone the Americans. Zheng Xianbo sighed: Who doesn't understand this truth? !Weak countries have no diplomacy!In this world, who is willing to put a poor, weak and battered China in their eyes? !I know that the Chairman attaches great importance to these two matters, so he was furious.I was just a scapegoat, an object to vent on. He Xuezhu: It is precisely because a weak country has no diplomacy that the chairman of the committee cannot dismiss you. You, an ordinary diplomat, can turn things around? Zheng Xianbo gradually calmed down, but there was a hint of sadness in his tone: a great country with a great history is at the mercy of a tiny country and abandoned by world powers.I am a diplomat, can I not feel sad? !I don't care if I am dismissed or even shot!I can't swallow this breath in my heart!The British and Americans have their national interests, and it is not surprising that they made such a decision.I just hope that China can be strong, so strong that they have to consider China's interests when safeguarding their own national interests! He Xuezhu sighed, not knowing how to comfort Zheng Xianbo. In a cave dwelling in Yan'an, flickering candlelight was lit.Zhou Enlai returned to Yan'an to attend the meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee being held here.Around a wooden table in the middle of the cave, Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, Bo Gu and others sat. Mao Zedong first talked about his analysis of the current situation of the War of Resistance, then turned to Zhou Enlai who was sitting aside, and said with a smile: Comrade Enlai, let me talk about your views.You have been in Chongqing all along, so you are better informed than those of us in the valley. Zhou Enlai expounded his point of view in a nutshell: Although the Kuomintang army had just won a battle in Hubei and annihilated more than 10,000 people in Okamura Ningji, it had no fundamental impact on the entire anti-Japanese front.In terms of diplomacy, the national government is now facing a huge crisis.The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives rejected the amendment to the "Neutrality Act", which means that it is impossible for the Americans to provide decent assistance to China's war of resistance in a short period of time.Britain and Japan had just signed the "Arita-Craigie Agreement". The British not only made concessions on the Tianjin Concession, but also openly recognized Japan's occupation of China and its right to do whatever it wanted in the occupied area.Chiang Kai-shek's strategic goal of "exchanging space for time" was to try to bring Britain and the United States into China's war of resistance, but these two diplomatic incidents showed that neither the United Kingdom and the United States were willing to get involved in China's affairs. No small blow. Zhou Enlai concluded that the current situation of the War of Resistance is quite difficult, and ended his speech. After listening, Mao Zedong nodded in agreement: after the economic collapse in 1929, Americans have become ostriches with their heads buried in the sand, which is not surprising.It is really detrimental to the gentleman's demeanor that the British actually gave in after being so insulted in Tianjin. Bogu: Enlai, what kind of countermeasures do you think we should take now? Zhou Enlai: The protracted war of resistance will still be the theme for some time to come.In order to prolong the war of resistance, we must do our best to maintain the united front, create a good atmosphere for the whole country to unite against the enemy, and tide over the difficulties. Mao Zedong agreed: Well said well.The Japanese bombing of Chongqing was nothing more than trying to break the will of the national government in a relatively short period of time, resolve their war in China as soon as possible, and then expand the battlefield to other places.We must hold high the banner of unity at this time, so as not to allow the Japanese aggressors to take advantage of it, nor to let Lao Jiang waver and look for opportunities to compromise with the Japanese. Zhou Enlai: I agree with the Chairman's judgment.Therefore, our work in Chongqing must be strengthened. Zhu De: But Lao Jiang's heart is not dead. At this time, he still creates troubles for the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. Mao Zedong smiled contemptuously: Lao Jiang's abacus would make one or two wrong beads at any time.As long as we persist in the united war of resistance, the people will stand by our side. At this time, a guard came in with a pot of corn buns: Chairman, Chief, it's time for dinner. Mao Zedong: Well, I feel hungry a long time ago.After dinner, we will continue the meeting. The cornbread was served on the table, and the guards took out the bowls and chopsticks.Another guard brought a pot of soup. Mao Zedong took one and gnawed on it: Enlai, our food here is not comparable to yours in Chongqing. Zhou Enlai also took a cornbread and ate it: But I think Yan’an’s cornbread is more fragrant than Chongqing’s Kung Pao diced meat. With food stuffed in his mouth, Mao Zedong still did not forget to say humorously: Well, when the two of us change places, let me go to Chongqing to eat a few Kung Pao diced pork! Everyone laughed.