Chapter 25 Chapter Twenty-Four

Spring has finally arrived.The trees on the hillsides around the air force base were sprouting, and the grass was already green beside the empty tarmac.The wild flowers blooming all over the ground add some vitality to this place.The sky was drizzling, and everything looked moist and fresh.Gu Guosong, who was doing morning exercises with dozens of Air Force soldiers, saw Du Lanxiang squatting in the grass in front of the barbed wire fence at the edge of the airport, looking for dots of wild flowers that had just opened, red, white, yellow, purple, small flowers, She already had a lot in her hands.After the team disbanded, Gu Guosong did not go back to the dormitory with the others, but walked towards Du Lanxiang.

The rain is heavier than before. Hearing footsteps behind her, Du Lanxiang turned her head and saw Gu Guosong, so she stood up with a handful of wild flowers and smiled at him. Gu Guosong walked up to Du Lanxiang: It's raining heavily, why come here to pick flowers? Du Lanxiang said softly: Today is Qingming Festival. Gu Guosong was stunned for a moment, he knew it was for Kirichenko again.So he persuaded with a wry smile: You can't always be like this. Du Lanxiang said: I want to go to the cemetery to see him. Gu Guosong had no choice but to say: No problem.I will drive you there.

Du Lanxiang glanced at him gratefully.The rain became more and more dense, Gu Guosong took off his military uniform and spread it on her head: Let's go back, it's raining heavily. Du Lanxiang didn't refuse, and followed him towards the cafeteria.After walking for a while, she suddenly said: You always care about me so much, they are all laughing at you. Gu Guosong's answer was short and calm: I know. Du Lanxiang sighed softly: You are a good person.I know you like me, but my heart is dead, I... Gu Guosong didn't let her go on: don't say anything, as long as you can live well, it doesn't matter how you treat me.You are still so young, and the days to come are still long.Maybe... soon, I won't be able to take care of you anymore.

Du Lanxiang asked in surprise: Are you leaving? Gu Guosong said: I heard that this base will be closed soon.You see, there are not even a few planes here.We may have to transfer to the airport in Yunnan for training, where there will be new fighter jets. Du Lanxiang asked: What about Chongqing?What if the Japanese come to bomb in summer? Gu Guosong smiled wryly: Actually, the Air Force has long been unable to defend this city. Both of them stopped talking and walked silently in the rain. Lin Tianjue quit his job in Hong Kong and came back to Chongqing.Early this morning, he called Zheng Xianbo's family and invited the whole family to have dinner at Guansheng Garden today.Zheng Xianbo was a little surprised by Lin Tianjue's sudden return to Chongqing, but out of politeness, he still agreed to the invitation.However, he himself will not go, Wang Chonghui has already informed him that there will be a meeting for him to attend at night, and it is even more impossible for He Xuezhu to come in Beibei.Zheng Xianbo contacted Zheng Juan, but Zheng Juan and his wife had other arrangements.Zheng Xianbo had no choice but to find Zheng Qi and Zheng Ming and asked them to have this meal with Lin Tianjue no matter what.Zheng Ming readily agreed, and Zheng Qi hesitated at first, but Zheng Xianbo's tone was very firm, so she had no choice but to agree.

Zheng Ming left his father's house to go to work in the military command, but was told that his boss asked him to go to the office because he had an urgent task.Zheng Ming hurried to the director's place.Zheng Ming's new boss was a fat colonel. As soon as Zheng Ming entered the room, he asked him to sit down at his desk and began to assign tasks. Director: According to reliable information, Japanese secret agents are preparing to blast and destroy several arsenals in Chongqing. Their first target is the No. 34 arsenal in the suburbs.The time is tonight.The orders from above must not allow the spies to succeed.The action team is yours.

Zheng Ming was puzzled: Director, I am going to Wuhan Workstation soon, why should I participate in this kind of operation?This does not seem to be in line with our practice. The director made a helpless look: there is really no manpower available.Boss Dai has agreed to the plan.Just stop talking.Also, it's just a simple task.No need to live, just kill on the spot. Zheng Ming had no choice but to say: Yes. Then the director put a photo on the table, pointed and said: This is the person. Zheng Ming picked up the photo, and the person in the photo turned out to be Xia Xinli.This made Zheng Ming secretly surprised: This person is a reporter from "Xinhua Daily", I have met him before.How could it be a Japanese spy?Is the intelligence reliable?

The director gave him a displeased look: Your task is not to verify the credibility of the intelligence. Zheng Ming argued: If the information is wrong, it will cause trouble. After the "Southern Anhui Incident", the relationship between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party has become very tense... The director interrupted him: This is not something you should care about!Execute the order. Zheng Ming: Yes. At this time, the little secret agent who had sued Zheng Ming black came in from the outside with a "report".The director said to Zheng Ming: He is your assistant in today's operation.

Zheng Ming glanced at the little spy coldly, but the little spy smiled at him nonchalantly. Zheng Ming left the director's office together with the little spy, feeling a little vigilant in his heart, but he still couldn't judge what it meant to make an exception for himself who was already preparing to go to Wuhan to participate in this operation. After noon, the rain stopped.The empty air force base was wet.There are more wild flowers blooming on the grass, and the stars are gorgeous.Gu Guosong drove a jeep across the tarmac, stopped outside the canteen door, and lightly honked the horn twice.Du Lanxiang came out from inside, still wearing a white work apron.She walked up to the jeep and looked at him.

While jumping off the car, Gu Guosong asked strangely: Why do you look like this?Take off your apron quickly.Where are the flowers you picked this morning? Du Lanxiang still stood there and said: I don't want to go. This surprised Gu Guosong: why is this?Didn't you say yes? Du Lanxiang asked back: How many times have you accompanied me to his cemetery?Do you remember? Gu Guosong smiled helplessly and did not answer.Du Lanxiang looked at him: You don't care, I know.Because you are a good person. Gu Guosong worried: What happened to you today?What's going on? Du Lanxiang finally said: I suddenly feel that this is unfair to you.

Gu Guosong comforted her and said: You don't have to think so, I did it voluntarily.Kirichenko and those Soviet pilots who died are also my comrades in arms. Du Lanxiang looked at him: that's another matter.But I think maybe I should really forget about him.I know you have always liked me and cared about me the most.After Kirichenko's sacrifice, without you...maybe I wouldn't be able to live long ago. Gu Guosong suddenly didn't know what to say, all this obviously surprised him. Du Lanxiang looked at him and asked: You love me, right? Gu Guosong still didn't answer, he was very hesitant.He wanted to admit loudly to Du Lanxiang that yes, he had always loved her, and he did so until now.But he knew that he could no longer say these words now.Maybe it's too late and inappropriate.He and other Air Force soldiers have been ordered to leave here for Kunming soon.The war was still going on, and he didn't know if he would live to see her.

At least, he didn't want Du Lanxiang to fall into the sadness and pain of losing Kirichenko again. The 34 arsenal in the suburbs is the arsenal where Xia Chengyuan is working now.In the afternoon, Zheng Ming and the little spy came here.Across the road from the arsenal, there is a dilapidated two-story building, which seems to have been unoccupied for a long time.In the downstairs room, some old furniture was piled up in a mess.Through the tattered window paper, the houses of the arsenal opposite can be observed.After Zheng Ming and the little spy entered the room, they immediately saw a rifle with a sniper scope placed under the window. Zheng Ming looked around the room, and then looked across the street through the window.According to the information given by the director, Xia Xinli, known as the "Japanese spy", will carry out the explosion here.Zheng Ming looked at it for a while, then turned his head and said to the little spy: The workshop of the 34 Arsenal is in the cave behind the house. If the Japanese spies want to explode, they must go in.He's in the cave, and there's no use for us staying here.But if he just blows up the house outside, it doesn't make sense at all.Have you thought about it? The little spy echoed: Yes.Who knows what's going on. Zheng Ming stared at him: Are you pretending to be a fool with me? The little spy smiled all over his face: How dare I?boss. Zheng Ming suddenly found several packs of explosives and detonator fuses piled up in the corner of the room, and asked: What are those for? The little spy said indifferently: "Probably another action team put it here. This stronghold has been used for more than a year." This increased Zheng Ming's inner doubts.He disguised himself well, though, and pulled up a dusty chair to sit down.The little spy hurriedly picked up a rag and wiped the chair.Zheng Ming sat down, looked at his watch and said: It's still early, don't you want to go out for a walk? The little spy smiled and said: I dare not.If you want to take a walk outside, you can go, I will guard here. Zheng Ming: If I leave, why don't you file a complaint again? The little spy laughed: Boss, that was a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding.Don't take it to heart. Zheng Ming said: I happen to have a dinner tonight at Guansheng Garden.you go with me. The little secret agent was a little tempted, but he still said: No need, you go by yourself. Zheng Ming looked at him and smiled: You have to follow me, otherwise if something goes wrong, you and I won't be able to tell. When it was getting dark, Zheng Qi came out of the rehearsal field and walked unhurriedly towards the Guanshengyuan Hotel in the city center.She hoped that Zheng Ming would arrive before her. Although An Fuyao was gone now, she still felt uneasy leaving her and Lin Tianjue alone.Although Zheng Qi has come out of the shadow of An Fuyao's sacrifice, she no longer blames herself or feels guilty, but deep in her heart, there is still an uncontrollable sadness from time to time.Lin Tianjue once invited her to stay in Hong Kong for a period of time, but she declined.She knew that Lin Tianjue still wanted to get back together with her, but she couldn't accept it.Zheng Qi walked slowly all the way, trying to buy time, but in the end, Guanshengyuan Hotel inevitably appeared in front of her.And from afar, she saw Lin Tianjue waving at her. Lin Tianjue came over with a smile on his face: Xiaoqi!It makes me happy to see you are still so pretty. Zheng Qi forced a smile, looked at Lin Tianjue, his clothes were more foreign than before: You are still so fashionable. There are not many people in the restaurant.After Lin Tianjue entered, he led Zheng Qi to a table.Several dishes and a bottle of wine are already set on the table.Although it was not particularly rich, it should have been very expensive in that era.Lin Tianjue arranged for her to sit down in a very gentlemanly manner, then sat on the opposite seat himself, and asked: They haven't come yet, let's wait. Zheng Qi also looked at the door and said: Dad and eldest sister can't come tonight because they have something to do.Zheng Ming agreed, he should come. Lin Tianjue didn't seem to care too much: it doesn't matter.I just came back, and I just wanted to meet my family, but I can't do it today, I'll arrange it in two days. Zheng Qi glanced at the wine and dishes on the table: Actually, is it different when you come to the house?Why do you make it so grand. Lin Tianjue sighed with interest and moderately, and looked at her: It's different now.I have become an outsider in your family.I offended everyone at your wedding, I know that.Today also has the meaning of making amends. When it came to the wedding, Zheng Qi suddenly stopped talking.Lin Tianjue said hurriedly: I'm sorry. Zheng Qi smiled concealedly, and said casually: Are you still working at the radio station when you come back? Lin Tianjue: No more returning to the radio station.He stayed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and did some civilian chores.How about you?Still in the band? Zheng Qi nodded absently, and looked at her watch again.Fortunately, Zheng Ming showed up in time with that little spy, and Zheng Qi finally got rid of the embarrassment. Seeing Lin Tianjue and Zheng Qi, Zheng Ming hurried over and introduced the little spy to everyone: This is my colleague.We happened to be doing errands together today. Lin Tianjue shook hands with him equally warmly.Then, without waiting for the four of them to sit still, Zheng Ming took the initiative to fill the glass with wine, and then laughed and chatted with Lin Tianjue and the little spy for a few more drinks.Zheng Qi looked at Zheng Ming, and felt strange about his state today, because she had never seen Zheng Ming drink by himself like this, so carefree.But it's not easy for her to ask anything. After toasting again, Zheng Qi quietly looked at her brother with questioning eyes, Zheng Ming noticed Zheng Qi's gaze, and immediately gave her an unclear hint.Then, he stood up again, yelled a toast to Lin Tianjue, and took the opportunity to stuff a pre-written note into Zheng Qi's hand.This action was so fast that not only Lin Tianjue didn't notice it, but the little spy didn't notice either. After dark, in the cave of the No. 34 Armory, there were still faint sounds of machinery coming out.Outside the arsenal, there were lights coming from a few bungalows near the road.However, the light was also very weak, and it was not far away before being melted by the deeper night.Beyond the halo, there was only darkness left. The two agents took the explosives and fuses from the house across the street and set to work quietly under the cover of night.They deftly placed a pack of explosives, then released the wires of the detonating device, and dragged them a long way. After Zheng Qi received the note secretly handed to her by Zheng Ming, she quickly found an excuse to leave, which made Lin Tianjue feel very disappointed.Zheng Ming continued to have a drink with the little spy, and dragged Lin Tianjue to guess the drinking orders together.Zheng Ming bid farewell to the depressed Lin Tianjue until he felt that Zheng Qi had gone far away, and left with the little spy. After leaving Guanshengyuan, Zheng Qi hurried to the sales department of "Xinhua Daily" to find Sun Xiangying.Ever since he met Sun Xiangying, Zheng Ming often asked Zheng Qi to deliver messages to Sun Xiangying, so the two became friends. Just as Sun Xiangying turned off the lights and came out of the sales department, she saw Zheng Qi running up to her with sweat all over her head, panting and stuffing the note into her hand: My brother said there was an emergency!Sun Xiangying looked around vigilantly, and then unfolded the note by the dim streetlight.She read it hastily, and immediately turned back to the sales department, saying to Zheng Qi: You go back.I'm going to make some calls! Zheng Qi asked anxiously: What happened? Sun Xiangying said without looking back: It's very urgent, so don't ask. Zheng Qi couldn't ask any more questions, so she left.Sun Xiangying returned to the sales department and immediately called around to find Xia Xinli, but neither the editorial office of "Xinhua Daily" nor the Zhou residence knew where Xia Xinli was. At this time, Xia Xinli, Zheng Juan and seven or eight people were in the press club because Robert of The Times had returned from England.There is no light in the club, but a small screen is temporarily hung on the wall, and a 16mm projector is showing the film brought back by Robert.The film was silent, and the projector was old, and the hissing sound of the machine was very clear throughout the projection.The screen is full of shots of German planes bombing Britain, bombs falling continuously, cities that exploded and burned, ruins of buildings, injured children and so on. Robert stood in front of the screen and made a simple explanation, with bright and dark lights flickering on his face: ... This was filmed during the 57 consecutive days of large-scale air raids on London by Germany ... The routes of the German Air Force are almost every day. This happened every time. They went up the Thames, but they didn't have any interest in the airports and industrial facilities along the way. They always rushed directly to the center of London... According to the statistics of the British military, during these 57 days, the average daily There were 165 bomber sorties over London. As you can see now, the whole of London has almost turned into a sea of ​​fire and ruins... Subsequently, the German air strikes expanded to Coventry, Birmingham, Southampton, Bristol Cities such as Seoul and Liverpool... This is the night of November 14, 1940. Please note that this is the central city of Coventry.In this bombing, the Luftwaffe first used incendiary bombs to turn Coventry into a huge flame zone, followed closely by the bomber fleet, and carried out a carpet bombing of the entire city... The city was completely paralyzed... After it was over, everyone was a little silent.Xia Xinli got up and turned on the light, saying: This is probably the "terrorist bombing" that the Germans claimed. Zheng Juan said: The scene I saw just now is infuriating, but for the city we are in now, I am not surprised or shocked. Robert immediately agreed: When I was hiding from the bombing in the UK, I often told people around me, who I knew or didn’t know, that such bombings were terrible, but they were not new.The so-called "indiscriminate bombing" of non-military targets was pioneered by the Japanese, and China's wartime capital, Chongqing, has persisted in such bombing for three years. A reporter said: I think that one day, the same "indiscriminate" "bombing" should be carried out in Tokyo, Japan and Berlin, Germany. This is just. Zheng Juan objected: Then we are no different from a fascist country, and we are also inhumane. The man said: War itself is inhumane. Zheng Juan: But there is a difference between justice and injustice in war. Seeing that they were about to quarrel, Robert interrupted with a smile: I finally came back here, and I didn't want to bring disputes to everyone.But I think wars, whether they are just or unjust, are disgusting. Xia Xinli smiled: Robert, you are still stirring up a bigger argument!He seemed to glance at Zheng Juan casually, and then asked Robert: I haven't had a chance to ask you yet, why didn't Gu Hongyuan come back with you? A person put the film that had just been screened in the tin box and returned it to Robert. As he took the film box, he said regretfully: Sorry, I am too eager to let you see these pictures.Gu asked me to greet everyone for him... Zheng Juan asked with some anxiety: Is he still staying in London? Robert: No, he should be in Manila by now.Take care of some personal affairs. Xia Xinli thoughtfully asked: Is there a crisis in his marriage? Robert couldn't help exclaiming: Don't you know it all? Seeing Xia Xinli's inscrutable smile, Robert couldn't help but say: It's true, his wife is a Filipino, and as far as I know, he often has some affairs.Of course, this is also related to Gu Niannian being outside.But this time it seems that something has gone wrong, and his wife has decided to divorce. Zheng Juan was a little confused when she heard the news, but she tried her best to hide it.When Xia Xinli met her eyes, Zheng Juan didn't dodge, but smiled almost helplessly.At this moment, the phone on the bar rang, and then a waiter came to Xia Xinli: Mr. Xia, your phone number. After answering the phone call, Xia Xinli hurriedly said with a nervous expression: I'm sorry, I have to take a step first. Seeing that his expression was not right, Zheng Juan hurriedly asked: What happened? Xia Xinli: There was an accident at the 34 Arsenal, and my son was probably injured.They want me to hurry there. Zheng Juan: Is it serious? Xia Xinli replied: They didn't say anything. Both Zheng Juan and Robert asked: Do you need help? Xia Xinli refused with a smile, then left them and walked out the door.In fact, during the whole process, there were two spies in another corner of the club watching Xia Xinli from a distance.Seeing Xia Xinli leaving in a hurry, they followed without making a sound. 34 There are no lights in the dilapidated house opposite the arsenal. In the darkness, Zheng Ming and the little spy stood in front of the window facing the street, observing the outside.There is also a special agent hidden behind another window, checking the sniper rifle used for shooting.Zheng Ming looked at his watch, it was already past ten o'clock in the evening.Because the news has already been sent through Zheng Qi, he is not in a hurry now.He looked at it for a while, then turned around and asked the little spy: Why hasn't there been any movement?The information is correct, right? The little spy smiled strangely: You are the boss, how would I know? Zheng Ming left the window and walked to the center of the dark room, took out a cigarette, and lit a match.When he was lighting a cigarette, by the light of the match, he found that the explosives and fuzes that had been placed in the corner during the day seemed to have disappeared.He hurried to the corner and lit a match again.Sure enough, there was nothing in the corner.Zheng Ming turned around and asked: Where did those explosives go? Another spy said: When it was just dark, people from the third office came by car and took away the explosives. Zheng Ming couldn't see that person's face.He took a deep breath. Time passed by in silence, and the area around Arsenal 34 was completely shrouded in darkness and gradually gathering mist.Zheng Ming suppressed the strong anxiety in his heart and stared at the road outside.The gunman was lying on the window sill, the sniper rifle was already in his hand.At this time, only the little secret agent seemed calm. He stood beside Zheng Ming calmly, secretly observing Zheng Ming's every move. When Zheng Ming looked down at his watch again, the little spy suddenly said: Here we come. Zheng Ming hurriedly looked out the window.On the road, Xia Xinli hurried out from the night and mist. On the shooter's side, there was a soft "crash", and the bullet was loaded. Xia Xinli was walking on the dark street, and saw the 34 Arsenal in front, and the lights of several houses outside the cave had been extinguished.There was silence all around, obviously it didn't look like anything was happening.Xia Xinli immediately became vigilant, then slowed down and looked around.There is nothing unusual around.Xia Xinli thought about it, but decided to move on. In the house opposite the arsenal, the gunman's scope has already set Xia Xinli in the center.Zheng Ming stood stiffly in front of the window, glanced at the shooter on his side from the corner of his eye, and ordered in a low voice: Wait for my order before shooting. Xia Xinli on the road was still walking, but his pace was getting slower and slower.Finally, he stopped again and looked around warily again.Zheng Ming in the house looked at Xia Xinli, not knowing how to deal with the crisis in front of him, feeling a little desperate.An all-or-nothing thought popped up in his mind, perhaps, only by ignoring himself can he rescue Xia Xinli... He was about to make a final decision when suddenly there was a huge explosion outside.Accompanied by the light of the explosion, Zheng Ming saw the bungalows in the arsenal across the street collapsing in the smoke.At the moment when Zheng Ming was a little dazed, the little secret agent beside him rushed out. Xia Xinli on the road was also stunned by the sudden explosion. Before he could move, seven or eight shadows appeared from the darkness and rushed towards him, shouting, "Catch the spies!"He is a Japanese spy!Xia Xinli knew that he had fallen into a trap and could not escape, so he did not resist.The spies rushed over and pinned him to the ground, tied his hands with ropes, and dragged him up from the ground.The little secret agent who had already run to the road waved towards the darkness, and a strong beam of light suddenly lit up at the other end of the road, and two cars drove over and stopped in front of them. Zheng Ming stood in front of the window blankly, watching Xia Xinli being stuffed into the car.Beside him, the shooter was unhurriedly removing the scope of the sniper rifle, and smiled at him, saying: It's over. Zheng Ming walked out of the house and came to the scene.The car holding Xia Xinli has already left.A few people on duty in the arsenal heard the explosion and ran out quickly, but saw that "Japanese spies" were being arrested, so they didn't dare to say anything, just stood aside and watched blankly.The little spy was standing in front of another car, waiting for Zheng Ming to pass by. Zheng Ming walked up to him and said with a gloomy face: Well done. The little spy just smiled strangely: I'm sorry, boss. As soon as he finished speaking, Zheng Ming slapped him angrily and severely, cursing: Fuck you! The little spy was enraged, and raised his pistol and pointed it at his forehead.Zheng Ming had already put his own gun on his face.The gunman hurried over and stood among them, urging them: Forget it, they are all our own people, don't hurt your peace! The little spy put down the gun, and still said to Zheng Ming viciously: "Why the hell are you so proud?"If it weren't for seeing you, you would have gone to the Japanese territory to fight desperately. Even if I shot you to death today, no one will redress your grievances. Zheng Ming paused, and finally put down the gun in his hand. The little spy snorted, got into the car with the gunman, and drove away in a hurry. The night was getting late, and the fog was getting thicker. The small commotion caused by the explosion outside the arsenal quickly subsided. After all, this was the suburbs and there were not many households around.When Zheng Ming left there, everything returned to silence. On a road connecting the urban area and the suburbs, Sun Xiangying rode a bicycle and came towards the 34 Arsenal.Occasionally, a truck passed by her, and the bright headlights illuminated her messy and fluttering hair, and her face was covered with fatigue, anxiety and sweat.Suddenly she slowed down. She saw Zheng Ming sitting on the side of the road. Zheng Ming had seen her a long time ago, but sat still. When she came in front of her, Zheng Ming smiled wryly at her. Sun Xiangying asked: Why are you here?Seeing that Zheng Ming lowered his head without answering, Sun Xiangying already knew something had happened, and asked anxiously: Did they kill him? Zheng Ming shook his head: Take him away. Only then did Sun Xiangying breathe a sigh of relief: it was a step too late.I can't find him anywhere. Zheng Ming blamed himself: I'm too stupid, I haven't been able to figure out what they want to do. Sun Xiangying looked at him: What's going on? Zheng Ming: When everything was over, I finally understood that they killed two birds with one stone.They arranged an explosion outside the arsenal, blamed it on Xia Xinli, and wanted to arrest him as a Japanese spy.What he told me was that he was going to be killed on the spot and that I was to be the person in charge of the assassination. Sun Xiangying: Are they suspicious of you? Zheng Ming nodded: It must be so.I am leaving soon, and there is still a lot of preparation work to be done, but such a task is suddenly assigned to me, and I feel strange.They were testing whether I would inform Xia Xinli after I received the mission.You failed to stop Xia Xinli from coming to the arsenal, but I was lucky enough to get through it.