Chapter 31 Chapter Thirty
In the evening, the street full of small shops in Wuhan was still bustling with people.Sun Xiangying carried a basket full of flowers of various colors and mingled among the crowd, occasionally yelling loudly.Passers-by and shoppers mostly paid no attention to her, and from time to time, someone bought a bouquet of flowers from her.Sun Xiangying came here to meet Zheng Ming.A few days ago, when preparing to transfer a batch of medicines for the North China base, an underground party was arrested by the pseudo-police station.When discussing the rescue plan, Sun Xiangying naturally thought of Zheng Ming.
Not long after, Zheng Ming appeared on the other side of the street as agreed in advance.He wasn't wearing a police uniform, and with a briefcase under his arm, he looked more like a normal clerk coming home from get off work.He stopped and stopped all the way, as if he was interested in all small traders, looking at this and asking that.In fact, he had already seen Sun Xiangying, but he didn't connect with her immediately, but carefully observed the surroundings, and continued to walk forward as if nothing had happened.When he finally came to Sun Xiangying who was carrying a flower basket and picked up a bouquet of flowers from the basket, he said in a low voice: Keep it short.I don't feel right.
Sun Xiangying glanced around vigilantly, but found nothing unusual, and asked: Are you being targeted?
Zheng Ming shook his head lightly: It's just intuition.
Sun Xiangying: One of our people was arrested, can you think of a way?
Zheng Ming took another bouquet of flowers in his hand: When?
Sun Xiangying: Wednesday, alias Li Yongbin, should be found on the list of your police station.
Zheng Ming: No problem, I will do it right away.
Sun Xiangying asked again: Did you do the attack on the movie theater?
Seeing Zheng Ming smiled, she said: This is too risky.
Zheng Ming: The risk is worth it.Teach the devil a lesson.
Sun Xiangying looked at him worriedly: Don't make an example, okay?
Zheng Ming was always observing his surroundings.At this time, he suddenly found a plainclothes looking at him not far away. When their eyes met, the plainclothes immediately turned his head and walked into a small shop as if nothing had happened.
Zheng Ming calmly put the flowers back into the flower basket: Get out of here quickly!I'm being watched.
Before Sun Xiangying could react, Zheng Ming had already left her, and stood in front of a fruit vendor across the street, picking up an apple to bargain.Sun Xiangying looked at the noisy street, and also found several sneaky plainclothes moving from both ends of the street, the target was obviously Zheng Ming.Zheng Ming picked out the apples as if nothing had happened, and never looked at Sun Xiangying again.Although Sun Xiangying was extremely anxious, there was nothing he could do.Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she slowly reached into the flower basket with one hand. Under the flowers, she held the handle of a pistol with her hand.
At this moment, Zheng Ming suddenly threw the apple in his hand, turned around and started to run.Several plainclothes men who were slowly approaching immediately gave up their camouflage, drew their guns, and chased after them yelling.Zheng Ming punched a plainclothes man who was blocking him, knocked him to the ground, and continued to run.Chaos in the street.In the chaotic crowd, Zheng Ming was finally pushed down to the ground by a large crowd of plainclothes men.
Sun Xiangying stood in the distance, watching Zheng Ming being taken away in pain and helplessness.Tears filled her eyes, but she didn't let them flow.
Colonel Chennault of the U.S. Air Force, who once served as an advisor to the Chinese Air Force, returned to Chongqing from the United States.He has been staying in the United States for a long time, raising money and recruiting troops for the formation of a volunteer air team to aid China.Due to changes in the international situation, China's important strategic role in the world anti-fascist war began to emerge, so the attitude of American political circles towards China's war of resistance also underwent a major turning point.With the support of President Roosevelt, the U.S. Congress finally agreed that China could enjoy the relevant rights and interests of the Lend-Lease Act.Not only that, President Roosevelt also issued an undisclosed executive order, making it possible for Chennault to form an air volunteer team to aid China in the United States.In order to solve the fighter equipment problem, the White House agreed to resell 100 P-40C fighter jets from the United Kingdom to China.
With these good news, Chennault came to Chiang Kai-shek's Huangshan villa, and Chiang Kai-shek and Song Meiling met him in the living room.Chiang Kai-shek was in a very good mood, and he shook hands with Chennault happily: Colonel, we finally meet again.
After listening to Song Meiling's translation, Chennault quickly said: Chairman, thank you for your interview.
Song Meiling asked Chennault to sit down with a smile, and Chiang Kai-shek also sat down on the sofa opposite him, and asked with a smile: Colonel, you are back, does it mean that our plan a year ago has been realized?
Chennault said: Yes.Three hundred members of the American Volunteer Air Corps had assembled in Burma, including one hundred pilots and two hundred ground crew, mechanics, doctors, nurses, and a priest.All are veterans and reservists of the U.S. Army and Navy.
Song Meiling said happily: You have done a very great thing.
Chennault smiled: We are waiting for the chairman's order, and we are ready to go to the Chinese battlefield at any time to regain the air supremacy from the Japanese.
Chiang Kai-shek: Very good.Immediately I will issue a formal order to appoint you as the Commander of this Volunteer Air Corps of America.
Chennault said: Chairman, as an independent organizational unit of the Chinese Air Force, my volunteer team needs a senior Chinese official to act as a coordinator between us.
Song Meiling asked with a smile: Can I?
Seeing that Chiang Kai-shek had no objection, Chennault said happily: That's great.May I ask Mrs. Jiang to be the honorary captain of the volunteer team?
Chiang Kai-shek smiled: I see no problem.
Immediately, Chiang Kai-shek changed the subject and asked: You just came back from the United States, do you have any news?good, or bad?
Chennault said optimistically: In my opinion, there will be no more bad news in the future, I mean for China.
Song Meiling asked with interest: Why?
Chennault: It is said that the U.S. Congress has decided to impose a total embargo on Japan and freeze all Japanese assets in the United States.
Chiang Kai-shek was a little surprised: why?This is something we have been calling for, but the United States has been reluctant to do.
Chennault: President Roosevelt thought the Japanese were going too far.They occupied southern Indochina and established an advance base there.The president believes that the Japanese want to seize important strategic resources in Southeast Asia, and then dominate the Southwest Pacific.Singapore is an important military port of the United Kingdom, and Manila is the naval and air base of the United States.The President considers this intolerable.
Both Chiang Kai-shek and Song Meiling were happy.Song Meiling asked: Is it reliable?
Chennault nodded: What is not known now is when the announcement will be made.Also, a person very close to President Roosevelt told me that the President is considering a suitable candidate to come to China as a political adviser to the government, so as to strengthen the communication and coordination between the two countries in major international events.At the same time, the president is also considering sending a senior military advisory group to China.
Chiang Kai-shek was a little excited when he heard it, and stood up and walked around the room: "Okay, that's good."
Song Meiling was still a little worried and said to Chennault: I hope there is no problem with your news.
Chennault confidently: Ma'am, I can assure you that this is all true.
A night of torrential rain.
Under Zheng Xianbo's persuasion, He Xuezhu went back to Beibei's nursery for difficult children.Zheng Xianbo ate dinner alone and sat on the sofa in the living room reading a book.The rain outside the window was getting heavier and heavier, and the sound of the rain was accompanied by the light of lightning and the muffled sound of thunder from time to time.Huge raindrops slapped on the window glass, and rainwater had already seeped into the walls that were shattered by the bombing.Another muffled thunder rumbled across the sky, and then Zheng Xianbo heard someone knocking on the door.He thought it was Zheng Qi who had come back, so he quickly stood up and went to open the door.
Outside the door was Xia Xinli holding an umbrella.
Zheng Xianbo was full of surprise: Why are you here?
Xia Xinli's feet were already soaked.After entering the door, there was no ordinary greeting, and he said bluntly: Mr. Zheng, there is bad news.
Zheng Xianbo reacted quickly and made a judgment in an instant: Is it from Wuhan?
This made Xia Xinli smile: You are so amazing.
Zheng Xianbo ignored him: Speak quickly.
Xia Xinli: News came from Sun Xiangying that Zheng Ming was arrested by the Japanese.
Zheng Xianbo was taken aback: What's going on?
Xia Xinli: We don't know much. We only know that Zheng Ming led his men to launch an attack on Japanese soldiers in Wuhan.He was captured by Japanese agents shortly thereafter.
Zheng Xianbo asked suspiciously: Why didn't the military command get any news?Or did they know it but deliberately conceal it and not tell me?
Xia Xinli: It is said that that operation wiped out the entire military command station in Wuhan.It is estimated that it will be difficult for the military to get news back.
Zheng Xianbo couldn't help but let out a long sigh: This is Zheng Ming!
Monica Rossi lives in a rented house near the Italian embassy.The heavy rain was still falling outside the window, and the bedroom was already a bit messy.Monica was taking a pile of clothes from the large closet and throwing them on the bed, where an empty suitcase lay open.She was leaving, and the whole Italian embassy was leaving.On the same day, the Italian and German governments officially recognized the Wang Jingwei government in Nanjing. The Chongqing government immediately took measures to sever diplomatic relations with these two countries and ordered their embassies in Chongqing to leave Chongqing immediately.Monica was in a hurry. Lin Tianjue, who was drenched in rain, walked in without knocking on the door. Monica looked at Lin Tianjue and closed the door behind him without saying hello.
Lin Tianjue looked at her very unhappy: what happened?How can you let me come directly here?
Monica smiled: don't be nervous.
Lin Tianjue moved the few clothes piled on the sofa aside and sat down, and asked suspiciously: Are you leaving?
Monica: That's why I called you here in such a hurry.
Lin Tianjue: Why?
Monica: China has broken off diplomatic relations with Italy and Germany.
Lin Tianjue was surprised: Really?But you don't have to leave, you are not an official of the embassy.
Monica said: This is not something I can decide on my own.
Lin Tianjue was a little frustrated: what should I do?
Monica: Of course I will continue to stay.The instruction they gave me was to leave you the password and the radio station, and you will contact them yourself in the future.I have since quit.
Lin Tianjue was depressed: I don't want to do it either.
Monica smiled: I can't control that.But I don't think they will let you go. The information you provide is very useful to the Japanese.I haven't had time to tell you that according to the information you provided, they have already captured that person in Wuhan.
Lin Tianjue said indifferently: Then they should think of increasing my salary.
Just as Monica was about to speak, there was a light knock on the door outside.This immediately made them nervous.Lin Tianjue looked even more anxious, and whispered: Your husband?
Monica asked loudly: Who?
Robert's voice came from outside: It's me, dear.
Monica breathed a sigh of relief, smiled disdainfully, and whispered to Lin Tianjue: It's that British guy.
Lin Tianjue said anxiously: Let him go!
Monica shook her head helplessly: He won't leave.As she spoke, she opened the door of the closet, smiled and said: I have only wronged you for a while.
Robert outside continued to knock on the door persistently, so Lin Tianjue had no choice but to hide in.It was dark in the closet, Lin Tianjue dared not vent his breath in it, and couldn't see anything.However, he clearly heard Robert coming in, followed by the sound of their kissing.
Monica is saying: You are quite brave, come here to find me.
Robert laughed: I saw your ambassador husband was having a good time with some beauties at the banquet.Afraid that you are lonely, I will come to accompany you.
Monica refused: I don't want you here, I'm busy.
Robert pestered: Don't do this, I know you are going back to Italy.Don't be so heartless.
Next, Lin Tianjue heard the slutty laughter of two people in the closet, and soon there were short gasps and happy moans...Tokyo, Japan.
Prime Minister Konoe is holding a cabinet meeting.This is the third time Konoe Fumimaro has served as the Prime Minister of Japan, but this time, the situation he faces is more difficult.The resolution of the war in China still seems to be in the foreseeable future, and the US policy towards Japan has also undergone fundamental changes. The military headed by Minister of War Hideki Tojo can't wait to start a war against the Americans.In fact, there is a hysteria now, both in politics and in the military.Even at this small cabinet meeting, the mood was clearly felt.
Hideki Tojo took the lead in speaking aggressively: The US government's hostile policy towards the empire is intensifying, and it is even doing everything possible to fight against the empire.Moreover, as the German-Soviet war was developing towards a protracted war, the trend of the United States and the Soviet Union forming an alliance became more likely.If the situation continues to develop like this, we will gradually lose our existing advantages and further widen the gap in strength with the United States.I believe that we are running out of time and must make an immediate decision.
Konoe Fumimaro looked at him and asked knowingly: You mean a military decision?
Hideki Tojo: Of course.This is also the order of the emperor at the imperial meeting.
Konoe Fumimaro said: I think it is necessary to repeat the main contents of the "Implementation Essentials of Imperial State Policy" formulated by the Emperor at that meeting.It clarified the strategy of diplomatic negotiations with the United States first, and then war preparations.
Hideki Tojo: That's no problem.But it also clearly stipulates that if the negotiations with the United States still fail to realize our requirements by early October, we will immediately decide to go to war with the United States.Now that time is running out, can anyone tell me what progress has been made in our diplomatic negotiations with the United States?We all know that the Japan-US negotiations started in April this year and have lasted for nearly six months without any results.The situation is urgent now. If you are not sure about the outcome of the negotiation, you must give up.
Konoe Fumimaro glanced at Foreign Minister Sadajiro Toyoda.
Sadajiro Toyoda said: It is a fact that there has been no progress in the negotiations with the US.However, the main obstacle is the issue of the empire stationing troops in China.The United States requires us to make an explicit pledge to withdraw troops from China.Of course, one more item has been added now, the military operations in Indochina must be ended.If the troops can be withdrawn, the negotiations with the United States are sure to make progress and even reach a compromise.
Hideki Tojo: Withdrawing troops from China is a matter of time, and it can be agreed verbally.As for the military operations starting in Indochina, it is part of a major strategy and there is absolutely no room for negotiation.I hope that matters of foreign affairs do not interfere with the military strategy of the Empire.
Sadajiro Toyoda responded: Now it is precisely the so-called military strategy that hinders diplomacy and has become the main obstacle to Japan-US negotiations.Unless diplomatic negotiations are just a cover, and the empire is determined to fight the United States.
Minister of the Navy Kawako Shiro said: Now we are at a crossroads between diplomatic means and war means.The reason why the so-called diplomacy and military hinder each other is precisely because they failed to make a choice.
Hideki Tojo asked him: Then what would you choose?
Oikawa Koshiro glanced at Konoe Fumimaro: This decision should be made by the prime minister.
Konoe Fumimaro: I think war with the United States should be avoided as much as possible. This is also the meaning of the emperor's instructions to first diplomacy and then military.There is a huge gap in strength between us and the United States, and this is a fact that must be admitted.The ratio of steel between Japan and the United States is 1:20, that of petroleum is 1:100, that of airplanes is 1:5, that of shipping is 1:2, and so on.With such a disparity, once Japan and the United States go to war, the consequences will be worrying.Diplomatic negotiations should continue. Can the Army consider an expedient measure, ostensibly accepting the withdrawal conditions of the United States?
Hideki Tojo said forcefully: This is impossible!Japan has made concessions and recognized the four principles proposed by the United States in principle, but the United States has not made any gesture of compromise so far.Such negotiations are meaningless, and it is even more impossible to reach any compromise!The situation is critical, and we don't have time to argue like this any longer.I have three options here for you.If you lose confidence in the war, it is better to stop preparing for war immediately, try hard for ten or twenty years, and strive to make Japanese industry keep pace with the United States. This is the number one.Second, immediately decide on the war, no longer consider the use of diplomatic means.Third, negotiations can continue and let it paralyze the Americans, but the war against the United States must be launched before the end of the year.
Konoe Wenmaro said: Are you determined to fight?
Hideki Tojo: This is the will of the Emperor.
Fumimaro Konoe: I once asked Admiral Yamamoto, the commander of the United Fleet, what would happen if Japan went to war with the United States.He told me that he could win in the first year, but after one year, I believe no one is sure.
Hideki Tojo stood up with a disdainful face: I'm sorry, I am on military affairs, so I will take my leave first.
Konoe Fumimaro smiled helplessly.
Konoe Fumimaro did not leave the office until the dead of night to go home.Daytime cabinet meetings left him mentally exhausted and morose.On the way home by car, Konoe Fumimaro looked out the dark window and said worriedly to the adjutant beside him: Those people in the army must be trying to force me to resign again.I stand in their way.
The adjutant said angrily: Those guys in the army are too domineering.
Konoe sighed involuntarily: some simple-minded and arrogant people.They were the ones who assured the emperor that the war in China could end within three months, believing that Chiang Kai-shek would definitely surrender and seek peace.As a result, four years have passed, and more than one million troops are still firmly trapped in it.Now going to war with the United States again?
Konoe Fumimaro was silent for a while, and said with some frustration: Maybe I should consider resigning again.
The adjutant was surprised: why?
Fumimaro Konoe: I must be powerless to stop a war against the United States. If so, my cabinet should not bear the responsibility for launching a war.Still... Before he could finish his sentence, the car was suddenly hit hard, followed by harsh braking sounds.The driver yelled and cursed in panic, seeing the car hit a big tree on the side of the road.
Konoe Fumimaro asked in a panic: What's going on? !
Outside, an army truck pulls up, and an officer in the cab shoots at the car leaning on the side of the road.The adjutant in the car immediately put Fumimaro Konoe under the pressure.However, the gunman didn't get out of the car, nor did he deliberately shoot at Fumimaro Konoe in the car. The bullets mostly hit the hood, sending out sparks.After the beating was over, the truck immediately started, roaring, accelerated and drove away.
The adjutant looked at the truck going away and said: It's from the army!
Fumimaro Konoe, still in shock, sat up and said bitterly: Make way for them.
In fact, the truck that attacked Fummaro Konoe did act at the behest of Minister of War Hideki Tojo.Hideki Tojo believes that Konoe Fumimaro has become Japan's Hamlet, hesitant and indecisive, which seriously hinders the military's determination to go to war with the United States.Therefore, forcing Konoe's cabinet to step down, or at least Konoe himself to step down, became Tojo's only option.
A few days later in the morning, the headquarters of the Japanese Army W Base.
A dozen officers sat in the war room, waiting for Saburo Endo.They have been notified in advance that Major General Endo has important instructions from Tokyo.Seeing Saburo Endo walking in quickly, the officers stood up hastily.
Saburo Endo sat down at the top of the conference table and motioned the officers to sit down as well.He glanced at everyone and said bluntly: I just received an order from the Tokyo base camp.The Konoe cabinet has resigned, and the emperor appointed Hideki Tojo, Minister of the Army, as prime minister to form a new cabinet. The empire is undergoing major strategic adjustments.Therefore, the base camp ordered that the "102 Operation Plan" be terminated immediately.
This order surprised all the officers.
Saburo Endo went on to say: In addition to leaving an aviation squadron at the W base, the Army-Navy Joint Air Force will all withdraw to the Japanese mainland within three days.
The officers were even more surprised, and some people couldn't help asking: Why?
Saburo Endo glanced at the officer unhappily: because of a major strategic adjustment!That's it, go back and convey, you homesick soldiers will be happy.
Before the officers could react, Saburo Endo had already walked outside.The base chief of staff hastily followed out.
The chief of staff caught up with Saburo Endo outside and asked: General, what's going on?Are we going to withdraw our troops from China?
Saburo Endo: The base camp is about to open up another battlefield.
Chief of Staff: Pacific?
Saburo Endo did not answer directly: The United Air Force returned to Japan and will conduct intensive training in Kyushu and Kagoshima, focusing on torpedo attack aircraft.
The chief of staff was too surprised to speak.
Saburo Endo looked at him and smiled: Are you surprised?In fact, the Navy has long been preparing.Admiral Yamamoto Fifty-Six has been thinking about attacking Hawaii and destroying the American fleet there with a fatal blow, beating them immobile. Before the American fleet regained its combat capability, Japan had already occupied Southeast Asia and sent all its strategic materials All in hand.
Chief of Staff: Is this the so-called "Plan Z"?
Saburo Endo nodded: General Onishi Takijiro left here to do this.
The chief of staff said hesitantly: Is this a little too crazy?
Saburo Endo smiled faintly: Really?I see this as a last resort.Although the Empire has always maintained a friendly attitude towards the United States, the Americans have always tried to interfere with our self-preservation and self-defense measures to protect the interests of the Empire in Southeast Asia.Recently, the United States has increased its assistance to China, which has hindered the empire's rapid settlement of the war against China.The United States even brutally cut off economic exchanges with Japan.This battle had to be fought.
That night, the W base sounded the password for emergency assembly.Pilots, their mechanics, and soldiers on guard began to gather in the open space outside the headquarters from all directions.Because the nighttime bombing of Chongqing had been terminated, everyone was puzzled by the emergency assembly.Although unable to speak, most of them secretly exchanged puzzled looks.
The officers began to count the number of people, and the base suddenly fell silent.There was only a group of Japanese patrol soldiers swimming along the long barbed wire fence in the base, their leather boots making dull sounds.
Marukawa Tomoo heard the assembly password, but he was still alone in the darkroom of the dormitory.Under the red light, the photos he had taken were everywhere on the ground. Those photos recorded the magnificence of the Yangtze River and the brutal bombing of Chongqing.On the table in front of him was a pistol.He looked blank.
The endless bombing of civilians in Chongqing has long disgusted him, and he has been forcing himself, forcing himself to persevere until the day he returns to China, until the day the war ends.Now, he has more or less heard rumors about returning to China, but returning to China does not mean the end of the war, on the contrary, a bigger war is waiting in front of him.Tomoo Marukawa was really tired and desperate.
Tomoo Marukawa's eyes stopped on the pistol, and he didn't move anymore.He slowly picked up the pistol... The Japanese soldiers who were on patrol were shocked by the sudden gunshot from the military dormitory, and immediately ran towards the military dormitory with the gun in hand.All the searchlights in the base were also turned on at the same time, and the dazzling beams of light swayed in the base.
The leaves on Mount Huangshan in the outskirts of Chongqing have already fallen, and it is already late autumn in a blink of an eye.
Lang Lang's sunlight shines on Chiang Kai-shek's office.Chiang Kai-shek sat behind his desk with his eyes closed.Sitting on the sofa opposite him were Zheng Xianbo and Foreign Minister Guo Taiqi.
Guo Taiqi is reporting the news from the embassy in the United States: the negotiations between the US Secretary of State Hull and the Japanese ambassador Nomura have not made any progress, but after the Japanese special envoy Kusu Saburo arrived in the United States, President Roosevelt met with him soon. It is said that The talks between the two sides were very friendly, and then came the "Temporary Transition Agreement" between Japan and the United States.
Chiang Kai-shek opened his eyes: What promise did the Japanese make to the United States?
Zheng Xianbo said: Japan promised not to march south, and once peace with China is restored, or a comprehensive peace is established in the Pacific region, the Japanese army will fully withdraw from Indochina.Their asking price is that the United States sells 1 million tons of aviation gasoline to Japan, and they must not take any action to hinder Japan's peace efforts. At the same time, they also want the United States to stop aiding China.This is the background of the so-called "Temporary Transition Agreement".As far as I know, the specific terms of this agreement were drafted by President Roosevelt himself.
Chiang Kai-shek said angrily: The United States knows that the Japanese are determined to go to war against it in the Pacific.They want to use this agreement to delay the start of the war as much as possible.In their view, the European battlefield is still the first, and Germany is the number one enemy.So they don't hesitate to use China as a bargaining chip and a victim again.We can't tolerate the endless appeasement policy of Western countries in China's war!
Zheng Xianbo: Americans are deliberately avoiding the word "appeasement", they call it "constructive reconciliation".
Chiang Kai-shek raised his voice: whatever he says.It is absolutely unacceptable just to mention "the United States is preparing to restore economic relations with Japan" in the agreement.Let Japan continue to obtain important strategic materials such as oil and steel from the United States?Let Japan continue to have sufficient resources to fight China?At the same time, do you want China to continue to hold back Japan's more than 1 million troops so that it cannot turn to the South Pacific to threaten the interests of the United States?Roosevelt must have miscalculated this time!The Japanese will not let them procrastinate. I can guarantee that the Pacific War between Japan and the United States will definitely break out within this year.It is impossible for the Americans not to get involved in this worldwide anti-fascist war!
Guo Taiqi asked: Committee, how do we express our position on this "Temporary Transition Agreement"?
Chiang Kai-shek picked up a sheet of paper from the table, on which was the text he had drawn up: a strong warning to the United States.This is China's attitude.
Zheng Xianbo stepped forward to take it over and looked at it.Chiang Kai-shek said to him: You read the last paragraph.
Zheng Xianbo read it: The Chinese people have reason to believe that China has completely become a victim of the United States.The result is a demoralized population and a loss of faith in democracy across Asia, which must be handled wisely by US leaders, as China's failure would be a catastrophe for the entire world.
Chiang Kai-shek said: That's it.Immediately send it to the U.S. government in the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!
Winter comes, and the foggy season descends on the mountain city again.
On the misty river, a ferry boat is drifting with difficulty to the north bank.Zhang Xudong sat on the bow of the boat, staring blankly at the white mist floating on the water.During the Japanese bombing of the Huangshan villa, one of his eyes was blinded by shrapnel, and is now covered by a black eyepatch.In the past three years, Zhang Xudong has matured a lot and became more resolute.However, although he is still wearing a thick cotton military uniform, he is no longer a soldier.
In Heishizi in Jiangbei, there was a faint smoke in Du's hall, and Du Shichao was sitting in front of a pot of charcoal fire, smoking a cigarette numbly.Xie Chengxia was teasing her half-year-old son.In the yard, Du Lanxiang, who had completely recovered her village girl's attire, picked up an empty bucket and said to the main room: I'm going to fetch water!
Du Lanxiang turned around and was about to go out, but saw Zhang Xudong smiling at her standing at the gate of the yard.Du Lanxiang couldn't recognize him immediately, because Zhang Xudong had changed too much.When she finally recognized Zhang Xudong, she shouted happily.Xie Chengxia in the main room heard Du Lanxiang's shout, and came out with the child in her arms: Brother Xudong!How did you come?
Du Lanxiang put down the bucket: what happened to your eyes?
Zhang Xudong said flatly: I was blinded by the bombing.I have become an ordinary person.
Xie Chengxia asked worriedly: In this way, what else can you do if you leave the army?
Zhang Xudong smiled indifferently: Never mind him!I'll come over to see you first, let's talk about what to do later.
Du Shichao stood at the door and greeted: Come in quickly!It's cold outside.
Zhang Xudong took the child from Xie Chengxia, held it up high, and said: How old is your son?He really looks like Du Zhiguo!
After Monica left Chongqing, the secret radio station in contact with the Japanese secret service was handed over to Lin Tianjue.
During his stay in Hong Kong, Lin Tianjue was bought by the Japanese with money and became their secret intelligence agent.He left Hong Kong to return to Chongqing, which was actually arranged by the Japanese.His main task in Chongqing was to collect information related to the Japanese bombing, and then hand it over to Monica, who then sent it to the Japanese intelligence agency in Wuhan.
Lin Tianjue hid the radio station in a piece of building ruins, and there is a basement under the ruins that was not destroyed by the bombing.Lin Tianjue thought it was a quite hidden and safe place.He is very cautious, always making all preparations in advance, sneaking here in the early hours of the morning to minimize the use of the radio as much as possible.
In the early morning of this day, Lin Tianjue came to the dark and damp basement again.He lit a kerosene lamp, took out the radio, and tuned it.Before putting on his headphones, he listened carefully to the movement above the basement.There was no sound from inside or outside the basement, as if this was a lifeless tomb.After confirming his own safety, Lin Tianjue put on his earphones and began to send a report tick-tock.
After a while, the sound of chaotic footsteps suddenly sounded outside.Before Lin Tianjue could react, several gendarmes rushed into the basement with guns in their hands, and held his forehead with the muzzle of the gun in the shadow of the swaying lights.Lin Tianjue didn't make any resistance, and raised his hand dejectedly.He knew that this day would come sooner or later.
On a night of white mist in early December 1941, the Fog Season performance kicked off again.
The Jianguo Auditorium was brightly lit, and the passionate singing of the "Yellow River Cantata" echoed. On the stage was a huge chorus and band.In the bass string group, Zheng Qi played the cello with great concentration.During the interval between the phrases, she secretly looked at the packed theater under the stage from time to time.She saw her father and mother, as well as Zheng Juan and Gu Hongyuan.Not far from them, Xia Xinli, Xia Chengyuan, Sun Xiangmeng and Xiaohua were sitting.Since it was the first performance of the whole smog season, Zhou Enlai, Deng Yingchao, Guo Moruo and many celebrities in the cultural circles were also sitting in the auditorium.
The seventh movement "Defending the Yellow River" was played.The audience didn't applaud, didn't speak, or even move, just sat quietly.But in their minds, angry music and firm singing echoed, and the waves of the Yellow River were rushing in their blood vessels.
He Xuezhu, who was sitting next to Zheng Xianbo, looked around, suddenly felt a little sad, and said quietly to Zheng Xianbo: It would be great if Zheng Ming was here.
Zheng Xianbo seemed unwilling to be disturbed, and seemed unwilling to mention Zheng Ming, so he only said softly: He can hear it, no matter where it is.
Dong Biwu came in from outside the auditorium, stood in the aisle for a while, and then quietly walked to Zhou Enlai's side, and Deng Yingchao quickly moved to a seat next to him.Dong Biwu sat down and lowered his voice to Zhou En: there is important information.
Zhou Enlai looked back at him.
Dong Biwu: The Japanese are planning to attack the US naval base in Hawaii.
Of course this news caught Zhou Enlai's attention, but he remained calm: Is it reliable?
Dong Biwu nodded affirmatively: Our people got the information from the Juntong. They just deciphered the Japanese's secret message.
Zhou Enlai thought about it, and said to Dong Biwu: Telegraph Yan'an immediately!
After Dong Biwu left, Deng Yingchao sat back beside Zhou Enlai and asked: What's wrong?
Zhou Enlai smiled and did not answer.
Following the conductor's gesture, the eighth movement "Roar, Yellow River" began.The auditorium was once again flooded by the raging waves of the Yellow River, filled with the roar of the Yellow River:
Roar, Yellow River / Rise up your raging waves / Let out your mad cries / Warn the people of the world / Five thousand years of nation / There is a lot of suffering / The people under the iron heel / The pain is unbearable / But the new China has dawned / Forty-five million people have united / Swear to the death to protect the country / You listen / You listen / You listen / The Songhua River is calling / Heilongjiang is calling / The Pearl River is screaming heroically / The Yangtze River is burning all over the Anti-Japanese War The beacon fire / Ah, the Yellow River / Roar it / Roar it / Roar it...
The last passionate note fell, Zhou Enlai stood up first, and everyone stood up.What followed was warm and sustained applause.
The early morning of December 8, 1941 came quietly in silence.It was still dark, and Chongqing was still shrouded in deep fog.
Suddenly there was an unusually rapid knock on the door of Zheng Juan's house.Zheng Juan on the bed was awakened suddenly, she looked at the clock in surprise, it was 2 o'clock in the morning, so she hurriedly put on her clothes and got up, and asked: Who is it?
The knock on the door didn't stop for a moment, and Gu Hongyuan's voice came at the same time: Zheng Juan, open the door quickly, it's me, Gu Hongyuan.
Zheng Juan opened the door suspiciously, and Gu Hongyuan rushed in excitedly, hugging her tightly without saying a word.
Zheng Juan asked in surprise: Hongyuan, what happened? !
Gu Hongyuan was extremely excited, and his eyes were particularly bright: the Japanese army dispatched nearly 200 planes and suddenly attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, and the US fleet suffered a fatal blow.
Zheng Juan asked in shock: When?
顾宏源：一个小时前，战斗还在继续。
郑娟似乎不敢相信地：真的？This is real? !
顾宏源仍然搂着郑娟不放：太平洋战争爆发了！日本人的自杀行动终于开始了！
郑娟依偎在他的胸前喃喃道：终于走到了今天！
顾宏源：郑娟，这一天终于来到了！
郑娟的眼睛里出现了泪光：是的，终于来到了……两人激动地拥抱着，顾宏源捧起了她的脸，深深地亲吻了她。
在这个普通得不能再普通的凌晨，郑先博家的客厅里，电话铃声也突然地响了起来。睡梦中的郑先博睁开眼睛，听着电话的铃声，缓慢地从床上爬起来。离开卧室前，他看了看窗外。窗外被浓雾遮蔽的天空，已经有了些许微弱的光亮。
电话铃声一声接一声地响着，似乎再也不会停下来了……