Chapter 30 Chapter Twenty Nine

The desperate Sun Xiangmeng was on duty at the hospital at night when he suddenly received a call from He Xuezhu.When she was told that Xiaohua was in Beibei Nursery, she didn't respond.He Xuezhu yelled a few times on the phone, and Sun Xiangmeng came back to his senses. He couldn't help crying and said out of breath that he would rush to Beibei immediately.He Xuezhu comforted him by saying that there is no need to worry, he happened to be going back to Chongqing tomorrow, and he could bring Xiaohua over by the way and send her home. The next morning, Chongqing was again bombed by the Japanese.As soon as the bombing was over, Sun Xiangmeng and Xia Chengyuan returned home, prepared meals and waited for their son to come back.But it wasn't until dusk that he saw He Xuezhu pull Xiaohua out of the house.As soon as Sun Xiangmeng saw his son, he immediately rushed forward and hugged Xiaohua tightly.

Xia Chengyuan quickly let He Xuezhu into the room: Dean He, thank you so much! He Xuezhu smiled and said: Fortunately, this child was sent to our nursery, otherwise, I really don't know where he will go. Xia Chengyuan patted his son's head affectionately: Xiaohua, Mom and Dad are so anxious that they can't find you everywhere! Xiaohua let Sun Xiangmeng hug and cry, but said nothing with a blank face.Xia Chengyuan pulled Xiaohua to him and told Sun Xiangmeng to bring out the food quickly, his son must be hungry.Only then did Sun Xiangmeng rush into the kitchen, and brought the meals that had been prepared a long time ago to the table one by one.

Xia Chengyuan held Xiaohua in his arms: tell dad, where have you been these days?How did it go? Xiaohua looked at Xia Chengyuan indifferently, and broke free from his arms. Both Xia Chengyuan and Sun Xiangmeng were stunned, and Sun Xiangmeng looked at He Xuezhu suspiciously.He Xuezhu walked up to Xiaohua, patted Xiaohua's head caressingly, and said to Sun Xiangmeng comfortingly: The child must have suffered a lot outside.Many children are like this when they first come to daycare. Sun Xiangmeng: But how could he... He Xuezhu said: Don't worry, there will be no problems.Children go through terrible things and are psychologically traumatized, and it takes time, and it will heal over time.

He Xuezhu is leaving.Xia Chengyuan and his wife knew that she hadn't come home yet, so they didn't make much effort to keep her.He Xuezhu went over and took Xiaohua's hand: I'm leaving, I'll come see you when I have time, okay? Xiao Hua still ignored him. After He Xuezhu left, Xia Chengyuan and his wife looked at their son who had become very strange, completely at a loss. Sun Xiangmeng: Xiaohua, come over for dinner.Look at how much delicious food Mom has prepared for you. Xiaohua just sat down at the table, picked up his job bowl without saying a word, and started to gobble it up.Seeing his son like this, Sun Xiangmeng burst into tears again.

Xia Chengyuan watched from the side, and kept handing the food to Xiaohua, saying: "Eat slowly, slowly." Xiaohua still didn't speak, just continued to gobble up.It wasn't until we were almost done eating that we raised our head to look at Sun Xiangmeng, and finally said a word: Mom, I want to sleep. When He Xuezhu returned home, it was already dark. She opened the door and went in, and saw Zheng Xianbo was busy in the living room.The living room had become a mess from the bombing during the day.Zheng Xianbo was standing on the table, hanging sheets on the windows.On the ground are broken ceramic vases and broken glass.The lamps hung loosely from the ceiling, as if they were about to fall.

Seeing He Xuezhu's return, Zheng Xianbo said happily: "Why are you back?" He Xuezhu smiled and said: If I don't come back, this house will be in such a mess that there is no place to set foot. Zheng Xianbo got down from the table, patted the dust on his hands and explained: A bomb just fell not far outside today. He Xuezhu started to tidy up the messy house together, asking, "Where's Xiaoqi?" Zheng Xianbo: I'm still rehearsing, I haven't come back yet. He Xuezhu asked again: Still no news about Zheng Ming?He is also really, no matter what, he should send a letter to his family.

Zheng Xianbo said: his job is like this, it is not his fault. He Xuezhu picked up a picture frame on the coffee table. It was a group photo of the family when An Fuyao and Zheng Qi got married: An Fuyao, Zheng Qi, Zheng Juan, Jiang Qingdong, He Xuezhu and Zheng Xianbo, and of course Lin Tianjue.He Xuezhu blew the dust that fell on it, feeling a little sad.She held the mirror frame and sat down on the dusty sofa, and suddenly said to Zheng Xianbo: I don't want to work in the nursery anymore, I want to come back. Zheng Xianbo was surprised: why? He Xuezhu looked at the frame in his hand and sighed: Our family has become too deserted.An Fuyao and Jiang Qingdong have left, and Zheng Ming hasn't heard from him for so long, you and Xiaoqi are the only ones at home... Xianbo, may I come back to accompany you?I originally thought that work could make me forget the pain and sorrow, but since Jiang Qingdong... I have thought about it a lot.I don't want to go on anymore, I want to go home with you and live a few days in peace.

Zheng Xianbo said: Can I be at peace when I return home?The devil's bombing has turned Chongqing into a front line. Although we can't see the enemy here, the nature of the war is the same. He Xuezhu looked at him: That's why I want to come back.I'm afraid that one day the devils will come to bomb again. If something happens to you again... Zheng Xianbo comforted her with a smile: I'll be fine.You don't have to be so pessimistic. He Xuezhu: Don't you think it's dangerous?Bombs have fallen on the doorstep. Zheng Xianbo: I know there is danger.I believe that the Japanese will continue to bomb, but their decision makers must be more anxious than us.From resolving the war in China within three months at the beginning of the war to three years of indiscriminate bombing, their strategic goals have never been achieved.Chongqing is still there, and China has not surrendered.If the international situation undergoes fundamental changes, our war of resistance may usher in a major turning point.And I don't think that day is too far away.

He Xuezhu: Are you too optimistic? Zheng Xianbo: I am not optimistic, but more and more clearly see.Maybe the devil's bombing will continue for a while, that's true.Since the year before last, the Japanese have been bombing until now, hurting so many innocent people, and the city has been engulfed in flames again and again.But has Chongqing been bombed?Have the Chongqing people been bombed?Have the Chinese been bombed?No!The abacus of the Japanese is the abacus of the small island nation. Even with modern weapons, they will never be able to calculate the spiritual strength of the Chinese people, or the bearing capacity of the people of a big country.

He Xuezhu smiled, sighed and said: You are so naive.Forget it, I'm hungry.You didn't eat, did you? Zheng Xianbo said: Yes, the two of us only ate boiled noodles. After Sun Xiangying's repeated requests, Xia Xinli finally helped to speak out. Zhou Enlai and the Southern Bureau finally agreed to send Sun Xiangying back to Wuhan to work.Of course, Sun Xiangying did not explain part of the reasons why she must go to Wuhan.After obtaining the approval of the organization, she did not try to contact Zheng Ming.Zheng Ming is a member of the military commander, while she belongs to the CCP's underground organization.Even during the period of cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, this kind of relationship between them is dangerous and may cause damage to the other party.

In the afternoon in Wuhan, it was unbearably sweltering. Zheng Ming was wearing a pseudo-police uniform, holding a baton in his hand, and walked slowly down the street.The street is not too wide, and there are various stalls on both sides.There are some pedestrians on the street, and some people buy things at the stalls and bargain with the small vendors.There were some sweat stains on Zheng Ming's face and body, but he didn't seem to care. Suddenly, Zheng Ming heard the voice of a woman yelling and selling flowers from the other side of the street.He felt that voice was very familiar, followed the prestige, and unexpectedly saw Sun Xiangying dressed as a flower girl.Sun Xiangying carried a basket full of flowers on his arm, and was yelling, walking towards him.Zheng Ming was stunned for a moment. Sun Xiangying also saw Zheng Ming, she stopped walking and shouting.The two looked at each other for a while, but their faces were well concealed and there was no expression.Zheng Ming didn't hint anything either, and continued to walk a few steps forward, then turned into an alley next to the street.Sun Xiangying looked around vigilantly, making sure no one was paying attention, and followed Zheng Ming into the alley.When I got there, I found that the alley was empty, and there was no sign of Zheng Ming.Sun Xiangying thought for a while and continued walking forward.When she walked through a door opening, Zheng Ming suddenly stretched out his hand from the door opening and pulled her over.Before Sun Xiangying could put down the flower basket in her hand, Zheng Ming embraced him excitedly. When the two met, they seemed to have a lot to talk about, but obviously they couldn't be allowed to stay longer here.Zheng Ming eagerly asked to meet Sun Xiangying again, Sun Xiangying hesitated for a moment, and finally agreed.In the end, she made an agreement with Zheng Ming to meet at the bank of the Yangtze River at night. In the evening, Zheng Ming and Sun Xiangying came to the riverside, and they easily hooked up.Although the place they were in was already very quiet, under Sun Xiangying's suggestion, they still talked slowly like a couple, walked for a walk, and came to a field of reeds.Through the reeds, you can see the dark surface of the Yangtze River, a lonely boat docked on the bank, with a faint light on.Startled by the sound of their soft footsteps, several sleeping birds fluttered up and disappeared into the night. Zheng Ming: I heard that there was a serious suffocation incident in an air-raid shelter in Chongqing?How many people died? Sun Xiangying described the general situation of the tragedy on June 5. When Zheng Ming learned that the death toll had reached 3,000, he was shocked and did not speak for a while. Sun Xiangying: Chiang Kai-shek has dismissed Liu Zhi, commander of air defense, and Wu Guozhen, mayor of Chongqing, because of the severe criticism of the Communist Party by citizens and public opinion. Zheng Ming: They should take responsibility!Perhaps, the shooting is not wronged! Sun Xiangying hesitated for a moment before saying: Maybe, you don't know about your brother-in-law yet... Zheng Ming looked at her suspiciously: Jiang Qingdong?What's the matter with him? ! Sun Xiangying said: He committed suicide. Zheng Ming was amazed: how come? !Is he also responsible? Sun Xiangying shook her head: I heard that after the tragedy, Jiang Qingdong was directly responsible for dealing with the aftermath. Maybe he couldn't stand seeing too many dead. Zheng Ming swears harshly, "God's devil", and then falls silent again. On the evening of July 4th, the American National Day reception was held in the American embassy as usual.Several American flags hung in the living room of the embassy as a holiday decoration.Diplomatic envoys stationed in Chongqing and many Chinese officials gathered here.A band played popular American tunes of the time, adding a little festive vibe to the living room.Zheng Xianbo, American Ambassador Jason, and British Ambassador Carl held wine glasses and chatted together.The topic of course is the current battle situation. Zheng Xianbo: How does Mr. Jensen evaluate Germany's offensive against the Soviet Union? Jason: It's not going well.In less than a month, the German army advanced more than 200 kilometers eastward. More than 20 divisions of the Soviets were wiped out, nearly 70 divisions were severely damaged, more than 2 million people were injured, and more than 2,000 aircraft were lost. Karl also said: If things go on like this, it is possible for Hitler's "Plan Barbarossa" to succeed, and maybe he will be able to reach the city of Moscow before winter comes. Zheng Xianbo: I also asked General Chuikov of the Soviet embassy in China. His opinion was that the German army would have the upper hand on the entire front in the early stages of the war.However, once the German front is stretched and winter comes, there will be some turning points in the war.He believed that Hitler's "Plan Barbarossa" would end in failure just like Napoleon's attack on Russia. Jason: I hope so. Zheng Xianbo said: What I am concerned about is whether the United States and Britain can maintain close cooperation with the Soviet Union under such a situation.If, at this time, there were unnecessary rifts in the International Anti-Fascist Front for some other reason, then Hitler must be happy. Carl: I don't think that's going to happen.Germany's attack on the Soviet Union was a bad thing, but it actually gave us an opportunity for our ideological enemies to stand together and fight together.Only, I hope the Soviets don't give up too quickly. Zheng Xianbo: I firmly believe that the Soviet Union will not be defeated by Germany in this way, just like China will not be defeated by the Japanese. Jensen nodded and said: There is a call in the United States for material assistance to the Soviet Union. I think there will be results soon. Robert and Monica also attended the reception, and at the moment they were drinking and flirting in a corner of the hall.When Monica saw Lin Tianjue and Zheng Qi coming in from the door, she quickly said to Robert: Honey, I'm going out for a while and I'll be right back. Robert smiled and said: Why, leave me here all alone? Monica made an ambiguous smile: Be patient, I won't delay too long. Holding a wine glass, Monica left Robert and came to Lin Tianjue and Zheng Qi.When she passed them, she didn't look at Lin Tianjue or Zheng Qi, but stepped out of the hall gracefully.Of course Lin Tianjue saw Monica, but he didn't respond, he still looked around naturally.When a waiter passed by them with a wine plate, he immediately reached out and took two glasses of wine from a waiter's plate, handed Zheng Qi a glass and said: "Xiao Qi, wait here for a while, I will be right back." Zheng Qi asked strangely: What are you doing? Lin Tianjue: I'll go out for a while. Zheng Qi said unhappily: I don't want to come, but you insisted on dragging me here, and you want to leave just now? Lin Tianjue quickly put on a smile: just for a while. Lin Tianjue left, and Zheng Qi looked at the crowd in the hall boredly. Outside the living room is a large balcony.Monica stood there, looking at the scenery outside seemingly bored.After watching for a while, she turned around, because she had heard Lin Tianjue's footsteps.Lin Tianjue walked to Monica's side without saying hello to her, leaning against the edge of the balcony and casting his gaze into the distance shrouded in night. Monica: Lin, is there anything for me? Lin Tianjue looked behind him, then took out a photo and handed it to her.Monica looked at it, and it was a group photo of Lin Tianjue and Zheng Ming: What is this? Lin Tianjue said in a low voice: That person is Zheng Ming, an intelligence officer of the Military Command, and he has arrived in Wuhan now.Perhaps, you should remind the people over there to pay attention. Monica wondered: Why did you take a photo with him? Lin Tianjue was a little embarrassed: he is my cousin. Monica looked at him in surprise, and put the photo in her satchel: What else? Lin Tianjue handed another note to Monica: This is more important, you will like it.Chiang Kai-shek will hold a supreme military meeting in the Huangshan Villa, which has the time, as well as the specific location and architectural features of the Huangshan Villa. Monica: Is the information accurate? Lin Tianjue: Absolutely accurate. I heard that senior generals such as He Yingqin, Bai Chongxi, and Zhang Zhizhong will be present at that time.You should send the information out immediately. Monica: I know that.You go in first. Night in Wuhan. In a secret, empty basement of the Wuhan workstation, Zheng Ming and several others squatted on the ground, gathered in front of a rough orientation map.Zheng Ming shined a flashlight on the map, and was explaining his plan: I have already done a field survey, and there is a small street here, directly facing the entrance of the cinema. Cars from Base W usually come from this street and stop here.We can ambush in this place in advance and launch an attack when the devils get off the car. A colleague was a little worried: Boss, this is too risky. Zheng Ming: It is a bit risky, but we have to do it. Another asked disapprovingly: Why? Zheng Ming said: The Chongqing side once ordered us to destroy Base W. I thought about it carefully. The guards of Base W are very tight, and it is very difficult for us to have a chance to attack.But the devils from the base often come here to watch movies, so we can only ambush them here. Colleagues said: Is there any point in doing this? Zheng Ming looked at him dissatisfied: Have you heard of what happened in Chongqing Shibati?You can ask those people who were suffocated to death in the air-raid shelter in Chongqing, and you will know if it makes sense! The man said: But we can't bring them back to life by doing this. Zheng Ming said angrily: This is a war!War is life and death, if the devils blow up our people, we must kill their people, it's that simple! His colleagues, visibly hesitant, fell silent.Zheng Ming glanced at everyone: Who wants to quit?Speak now! What Zheng Ming got was still silence.Zheng Ming didn't want to give these timid people another chance, and said decisively: That's good, no one quits. That night, the Japanese soldiers at Base W were going to the city again to have fun.As usual, Tomoo Marukawa rejected this boring way of killing time in disgust, but was finally dragged by Yoshioka-san onto the truck heading into the city.Marukawa Zhixiong didn't insist, because Yoshioka told him that he was just going to watch a movie tonight and would never go to a brothel or the like. After the truck full of Japanese soldiers left base W, it took a long time to bump into the city.When the cinema finally appeared in front, the Japanese soldiers shouted happily. On a small street next to the cinema, there are no street lights.A car was parked in the hazy shadows. Zheng Ming and two colleagues sat in the car, staring at the open space in front of the cinema, waiting.Then, they saw the truck full of Japanese soldiers coming from another direction with its headlights on and parked in the open space in front of the cinema.As soon as the truck stopped, the Japanese soldiers happily jumped out of the truck.Zheng Ming gestured decisively to the driver, and the car started immediately.Several other people in the car held the grenade in their hands and removed the insurance.The engine of the car roared, and it rushed out of the dark side street and rushed towards the crowd of Japanese soldiers.At the same time, Zheng Ming and the others also threw out the grenades.The car made a frantic turn in front of the crowd and headed in the other direction of the street.Several grenades exploded violently the moment the car left, and the Japanese soldiers were thrown backwards and forwards. All this happened so suddenly that the Japanese soldiers were caught off guard. Yoshioka was hit in the head by shrapnel from a grenade, and fell beside Tomoo Marukawa without saying a word.Several other wounded Japanese soldiers cried and howled, struggling on the ground, blood splashed on Marukawa's face and clothes.He looked at Ji Gang, who was lying in a pool of blood, and at the crying and dead Japanese soldiers. He neither went to rescue Ji Gang, nor to rescue others, with a strange blankness on his face. Zheng Ming's attack resulted in the death of four Japanese pilots and the injury of six others.The next morning, Saburo Endo went into a rage in the war room of Base W. Saburo Endo said angrily: The murderer must be caught!I order that all unnecessary outings of base personnel will be canceled from today!Any violation will be severely punished!have you understood? The officers said in unison: Yes! Saburo Endo tried his best to calm himself down, because the bombing mission to be carried out tomorrow is likely to be decisive. If the bombing is successful, it will have a major impact on the entire Chinese war situation, and may even free the Japanese army trapped in the Chinese battlefield. go south. Saburo Endo came to a map of Chongqing and said: I will personally participate in the bombing operation tomorrow. The officers all looked at him in surprise.An officer dissuaded him: General Endo, what kind of mission is it? Is it necessary? Saburo Endo sneered: According to the information from Chongqing, Chiang Kai-shek will hold an important military meeting at his Huangshan official residence tomorrow. All senior commanders of the Chinese army will attend this meeting. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!Saburo Endo pointed to the map: This is Huangshan Mountain on the south bank of Chongqing, with an altitude of 400 to 680 meters.Chiang Kai-shek's villa is in this location, called Yunxiu Tower, it is a three-story building. An officer: General, if Chiang Kai-shek's villa is in the woods, it will be difficult for us to identify it from the air. Saburo Endo nodded: I know.According to information, the walls of Yunxiu Building are black-gray, and the roof tiles are also gray-black.If the weather conditions are favorable, target identification is possible.Our task is to use precise bombing tactics to wipe out Chiang Kai-shek and his senior military generals in one fell swoop!If this operation is successful, it will also achieve our ultimate strategic goal of bombing Chongqing on a large scale. Another officer: According to the weather forecast, there will be clouds tomorrow. Saburo Endo: The bomber entered the bombing route about 200 meters below the cloud layer, and dropped bombs intensively as it approached the target.This time it must succeed, get ready to execute the mission! All the officers shouted: Yes! The next morning, Chongqing was indeed covered by thin clouds, but the clouds were not low. On a hill far away from Huangshan, there is an anti-aircraft artillery position hidden in the woods, which is specially used to guard Chiang Kai-shek's official residence.Zhang Xudong is now a squad leader of this antiaircraft artillery position.On this sweltering morning, he was leading the soldiers to maintain the anti-aircraft guns. A soldier kept driving away the mosquitoes hovering above his head, complaining: Damn, there are so many mosquitoes in this ghost place! Zhang Xudong smiled: When you get here, you are the most elite anti-aircraft artillery unit. Are you still afraid of mosquitoes? The soldiers also joked: Can the elite troops use anti-aircraft guns to fight mosquitoes? Zhang Xudong glanced at Huangshan inadvertently, and saw many cars and military trucks lined up on the side of the road below the Huangshan official residence.Up and down the hillside, there are soldiers in charge of vigilance.He knew that there must be some important person having a meeting in the Huangshan villa today. In the conference room of Chiang Kai-shek's official residence, the Supreme Military Conference is going on.Chief of General Staff He Yingqin, Deputy Chief of General Staff Bai Chongxi, Foreign Minister Guo Taiqi who succeeded Wang Chonghui and former ambassador to the UK, newly appointed Commander of Chongqing Air Defense Command He Guoguang, Commander of the Sixth Theater Command Chen Cheng, Commander of the Ninth Theater Xue Yue, etc. The high-ranking official was listening to Chiang Kai-shek, who was sitting at the head of the table, speaking: ...Since the battle of southern Shanxi, our army has not had more contact with the Japanese invaders on the frontal battlefield.That ignominious defeat took a toll on our morale.I have invited all of you here today to discuss with you how to adjust our military deployment. We must make an appearance on the frontal battlefield in order to explain to the people of our country.According to the current situation, I believe that the Japanese army may look for opportunities to fight our army on the front line of Changsha.Therefore, the Ninth War Zone where Chief Xue is located and the Sixth War Zone where Chief Chen is located must be prepared... The Japanese bomber formation flew close to the clouds and was gradually approaching the sky over Chongqing. Yoshioka died, and Tomoo Marukawa sat in the bombardier's place instead.Beside him, Saburo Endo and his adjutant.Saburo Endo sat upright, leaning on his saber with both hands, staring at the smoky clouds outside the plane window with a serious face. The captain reported loudly: Report, altitude 5500, heading 180, we are ready to enter the bombing route! Saburo Endo: Order the bombing formation to violently attack downtown Chongqing as planned! 012 and 013 follow my plane, ready to attack the core target! Tomoo Marukawa listened to Saburo Endo's order with a blank face.The bomber shuddered and began to lower its altitude, drilling into the clouds.It was suddenly dark in the cabin.After a while, the bomber descended below the clouds.In the distance, the dim Yangtze River and the lush mountains beside the Yangtze River can already be seen. The meeting in the Huangshan villa was still in progress, and suddenly a stern air defense siren sounded outside, which surprised all the participants.As the sirens sounded, Chen Bulei hurried in, walked up to Chiang Kai-shek and said: Please sit down, the Japanese bombers have already flown over Chongqing. Chiang Kai-shek said to everyone very calmly: Well, let's go to the air-raid shelter and continue the meeting. Everyone stood up and hurriedly packed the things in front of them.Chiang Kai-shek wasn't too flustered, he went to the window and looked outside. Chen Bulei urged on the side: Please sit down, please go to the air-raid shelter. Chiang Kai-shek said unhurriedly: Let's go, let's go. Zhang Xudong and the soldiers had already entered the antiaircraft artillery position on the top of the mountain opposite the Huangshan official residence.There was a deafening roar of aircraft in the sky, bombs had already fallen in the direction of downtown Chongqing, and there was a distant and dull explosion. A soldier reported loudly: Three enemy planes were found, approaching my defended airspace! All the muzzles were immediately adjusted to the direction of the enemy plane, and then the anti-aircraft guns fired together. The bomber that Saburo Endo was on was hit by the explosion of an anti-aircraft shell. The plane shook violently, and the sound of the explosion filled the entire cabin.Saburo Endo sat motionless. The captain shouted: Enter the bombing course!Ready to bomb! Tomoo Marukawa was ready to drop the bomb. Saburo Endo: Height? Navigator: 5300. Saburo Endo frowned: It's too high! Captain: Sir, the enemy anti-aircraft fire is too heavy to lower the altitude, it is too dangerous! Saburo Endo paused for a moment before giving the order: Start attacking! Captain: Drop the bomb! Tomoo Marukawa dumbly pressed the bomb button. Chiang Kai-shek and his group had just entered the entrance of the air-raid shelter when they heard the roar of bombs falling.Then, a series of flames and smoke rose from the woods on the mountain, and explosions followed one after another.Outside the Huangshan villa, two guard soldiers were about to lie down when a bomb roared down and exploded beside them.The glass windows of the Huangshan villa were shattered, and a soldier was lifted up by the blast.Another soldier waited for the dust to settle, and ran over quickly. The soldier had already passed away. Several bombs fell one after another and exploded violently at the entrance of the air-raid shelter.The lights in the air-raid shelter suddenly went out, and Chiang Kai-shek and his senior officials were plunged into darkness.In the dark, Chen Bulei said in a panic: It may be that the power supply line was blown off. Chiang Kai-shek scolded angrily: Mother Xipi!Let's keep meeting. A guard immediately lit two lanterns, and the air-raid shelter was illuminated.Chiang Kai-shek motioned for everyone to sit down at a simple wooden table, and smiled self-deprecatingly: It seems that the Japanese want my head this time. Others were infected by Chiang Kai-shek's emotions and relaxed a little. Chiang Kai-shek looked at He Yingqin and said: Well, respectfully, tell me about the situation on the Soviet battlefield. He Yingqin said: The German army continued to advance eastward in the Soviet Union, but the speed has slowed down.According to the statement released by the Soviet Union, since the start of the war, the German army has lost 2 million people, 8,000 tanks, and more than 7,000 aircraft.Recently, the Soviet army concentrated 10 divisions with a total of 150,000 people on the front lines of Leningrad and Estonia, launching a strong attack on the German army, which is estimated to slow down the pace of the German army's blitzkrieg. Guo Taiqi: Madam, the United States and Britain have begun aiding the Soviet Union.According to our information, the US aid planes to the Soviet Union have arrived in the Middle East and will be transported to the Soviet Union via Iran.It is said that the British side has already formulated a plan to send the air force to the Soviet Union for joint operations. Chiang Kai-shek nodded frequently: The change in the attitude of Britain and the United States is good news for us.We must do something on the Chinese battlefield to form a whole with the European battlefield... The bombing by Japanese planes continues violently. On the antiaircraft artillery position opposite Huangshan, Zhang Xudong and his soldiers braved the flames and smoke that were constantly exploding around them, and tenaciously fired into the air. Suddenly, a bomb fell through the treetops and exploded near their battery.Splashing shrapnel whizzed away a swath of leaves and twigs.In the choking smoke, Zhang Xudong's head suddenly fell back, he struggled a bit, but did not fall down.The soldier next to him rushed over and supported him.Zhang Xudong tightly covered his eyes with his hands, and blood flowed down his fingers. Under the frenzied bombing of Japanese aircraft, the entire urban area of ​​Chongqing was already filled with thick smoke.In the thick smoke, there are still violent explosions that continue to set off flames and dust.In the air, the bombing formation that Saburo Endo was in had already left Huangshan. Because of the fierce artillery fire on the ground and the foggy clouds, the bomber never descended to the ideal height to drop the bomb, and even failed to find the clearly marked Chiang Kai-shek's official residence.This made Saburo Endo a little frustrated.However, he still has a glimmer of hope, because looking back from the sky now, there are still many places on Huangshan that are still smoking. After the bomber approached the urban area, the ground artillery fire was obviously less violent.The bomber began to descend, preparing to continue dropping bombs on the urban area.When they flew over the Yangtze River, Tomoo Marukawa, who was observing with a telescope, suddenly discovered that the US warship Tutula on the river was also billowing thick smoke.In the thick smoke, the American flag and the flag of the US Navy were faintly visible. Tomoo Marukawa exclaimed: The Tutula was shot! When Saburo Endo heard this, he asked for a telescope and looked down: it was indeed the Tutula. Tomoo Marukawa said: But General, we should not provoke the Americans. Saburo Endo gave Tomoo Marukawa a cold look. Tomoo Marukawa hastily bowed his head and said: I'm sorry. Saburo Endo didn't mean to blame, and said: There is nothing to be surprised about.The Yankee's warship is parked on the Yangtze River, which is a very interesting target. Tomoo Marukawa said puzzled: I don't understand. Endo Saburo: It will be a matter of time before the imperial army and the United States go to war. Perhaps, this can be counted as a drill for the imperial air force to attack the American army. In the air-raid shelter near the British embassy, ​​Zhou Enlai and Ambassador Carl were talking. As they talked, the sound of explosions outside kept coming in, causing annoying reverberations in the dugout.Carl was refilling Zhou Enlai's teacup when another bomb exploded outside. The violent shock was transmitted into the cave, making Carl's hand tremble, and the water spilled out of the cup. Karl apologized: Mr. Zhou, unfortunately, our tea meeting can only be held in the air-raid shelter. Zhou Enlai smiled: The Japanese don't want us to have a good conversation, there is nothing we can do about it. Carl: The bombing has been so intense this month, the Japanese seem to have gone crazy?I really don't understand their war logic. Zhou Enlai looked at Karl, and calmly talked to him about his own, which was actually the opinion of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.The Japanese bombing so violently can only show that they want to end the war in China as soon as possible.The Chinese theater has held back more than 60% of Japan's troops. If they can withdraw their forces from the Chinese theater, they can implement the strategy of advancing southward more recklessly.After Hitler raided the Soviet Union, the Japanese government immediately proposed the so-called "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" to establish the basis for Japan's "self-preservation and self-defense".Immediately afterwards, the attack on southern Indochina in late July had only one purpose: to control the strategic vital points in the Far East and eliminate the impact of the British and American embargo on Japan. Carl shook his head after listening: Mr. Zhou is very reasonable, but I still insist that the Japanese are indeed crazy.With Japan's current military strength and material reserves, didn't they think that it would be a suicide act to stretch the front so long? Zhou Enlai smiled and said: Maybe so.The Japanese are a suicidal nation.However, such suicidal acts can also be very damaging if we are not vigilant about their strategic goals.I think that when the Soviet Union is temporarily unable to defeat the German attack, the Japanese will still fight in the Far East. Carr: Against British and American interests? Zhou Enlai: Why is it impossible? Carl: Maybe, but I don't see any good results from this kind of challenge. Zhou Enlai: Of course there will be no good results in the end. Carl, I have studied in Japan, and I can at least partially understand some of the unique mentality of this nation.So, none of us should take this challenge lightly. Carl: Mr. Zhou seems a little pessimistic? Zhou Enlai smiled: On the contrary, I am a little optimistic.If my judgment is correct, I believe that once the Japanese attack the targets of Britain and the United States in East Asia, the situation of China's independent resistance in East Asia will be completely changed.Whether you like it or not, neither your government nor the U.S. government can stay out of it. Carl asked: Do you want to sacrifice the interests of our country and the United States in East Asia in exchange for more active involvement of the two countries in the war against China? Zhou Enlai: I didn't say anything to sacrifice.In fact, you also know that since the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the number of people who have died in China is more than tens of thousands?The Chinese people and the army struggled to support and dragged the Japanese invaders into a deep quagmire. No matter how you look at it, it was a great contribution to the world's anti-fascist front. Carl: I agree with that.However, I think that Britain has already faced Hitler in Europe, and it will not and cannot be more involved in the war in China.The key to the change of the situation in East Asia is the United States. Zhou Enlai nodded in agreement: It depends on what kind of policy President Roosevelt's government adopts at this critical moment.If the Japanese challenge can be used to mobilize the American people and officially draw the United States into this war, the dawn of China's war of resistance will appear. Carl: Maybe we should pray that Roosevelt will act as soon as possible. Zhou Enlai laughed: You know, I am a communist and an atheist, so I am afraid I cannot pray with Mr. Ambassador.But I have no objection to your praying, at least, you and Roosevelt both speak English and he can understand it. Carl also laughed: It seems that I can only pray alone.