Chapter 3 third chapter

There was no news of his son, and Guo Bingxue went to Jinzhugou again. The more Zhu Zhaolin thought about it, the more he felt that this was a big deal.He immediately sent someone to Xinye and asked his eldest son Zhu Guodong to return to Taiping Town to discuss countermeasures.The third son joined the New Fourth Army, the son of the Zhu family abducted the fiancée of the son of the Zhang family, and his unmarried daughter-in-law had an accident on the road. Whatever happened was not small. After Zhu Guodong patiently listened to his father and his second brother's narration, he said: "It depends on the nature of the problem. It is impossible for Guozhu to abduct Yang Ziyun. I believe the Zhang family thinks the same way. This kind of rumor can only let it fend for itself. Come forward to explain, but it can only be described more and more black. Cousin Bingxue went to Jinzhugou alone to find someone, and you all stopped her. She can only be responsible for anything that happens to her. She is not a three-year-old child. I analyze the truth of the matter It should be like this: Zhang Shijie is the Communist Party, he took Yang Ziyun and his friends to vote for the Communist Party, and our third child also followed. Things can only be like this. If Zhang Shijie really joins the New Fourth Army, he will be in big trouble." Zhu Zhaolin After listening to the elder son's analysis, he blamed himself for a while, and asked Zhu Guodong what to do.Zhu Guodong thought for a while and said: "I said earlier that Zhang Shijie is a character, and he should not be underestimated, and he should not be allowed to grow up. There are only two ways to control him: one is to let him bring someone to me, and the other is to tie him up in Taiping. It’s in our family’s best interest at the moment. What I mean is: take the initiative to force Zhang Shijie to return to Taiping Town.”

After discussion, the father and son decided to formally go to the Zhang family to talk about the matter.It's easy to find out, the 14th of next month is Zhu Zhaolin's 60th birthday, send an invitation to invite Zhang Dewei and Li Yujie to have a drink. In the back garden, Li Yujie heard Wutong say that Zhu Zhaolin and Zhu Guodong came to send invitations, and said casually: "It won't be a good thing for a wild cat to enter the house. Go and call the young master back. You have to save face." Li Yujie entered the living room, Naturally, he congratulated Zhu Guodong on his promotion to colonel first, and naturally lamented that his sons were short-sighted and hopeless.

Zhu Guodong said a few words modestly, then changed the subject and said: "Uncle, aunt, the Zhu family and the Zhang family, both are prosperous and both are prosperous. Our two families have been able to prosper for a hundred years and have been rich for three generations. It is the result of following the old rules. This old man The rule is: be loyal to the emperor when there is an emperor, and never fight against the government when there is no emperor." Li Yujie also said with a face: "My nephew seems to have something in his words. Tong Shunxing understands the rules, but we Huaiyuansheng don't understand Is it the rules?" Zhang Dewei said: "Brother Zhao Neighbor, Nephew Guodong, please speak up if you have something to say."

Zhu Zhaolin said: "Your Shijie has done business with the Communist Party for the past two years..." Li Yujie interrupted bluntly: "The Kuomintang and the Communist Party have already cooperated, and they have already stirred the spoons in the same pot." Zhu Guodong laughed, "The Kuomintang and the Communist Party More than ten years ago, it was as good as one person. How did it turn out? In the 16th year of the Republic of China, there was a "April 12" incident in Shanghai, a "Ma Ri" incident in Changsha, and a division of the Communist Party in Wuhan. Blood flowed like a river. Then, the Communist Party also started to grab the guns. This fight lasted for ten years. Uncle, aunt, listen to me, it is not a trivial matter when it is involved in red. I heard that Shijie brought more than 20 people I went to Jinzhugou to join the New Fourth Army, and my third child also went with me. This is not a trivial matter. I made a special trip back from Xinye to discuss with you old people how to deal with this matter." Zhang Dewei and Li Yujie really didn't know how to answer.It is said that Shijie never went to Jinzhugou, so there is no evidence to prove it.It is said that Zhu Guozhu and Yang Ziyun went to Jinzhugou, but there is no evidence to prove it.Besides, after all, Yang Ziyun was a daughter-in-law who had never been married to her own family, and it hurt her face to say that she ran away with the young master of the Zhu family.

Seeing that the two were in a daze, Zhu Zhaolin continued, "As soon as they left, they took away the ice and snow from the Guo family. We must find a way to find them in Jinzhugou." Li Yujie was rude, "I understand, you are here to sue Shijie! Shijie came out with the goods, at least hundreds of people in Taiping Town saw him. You said he went to Jinzhugou to defect to the Communist Party, and he always had to show Is there evidence? Both Master Guozhu and Ms. Guo are not three-year-old children. Shijie can’t order them to do anything. I don’t know if you have heard of Miss Guo smashing the door lock of Yang’s house with a hammer. We all heard Having said that, I just thought she was too young and was confused by some rumors, so I didn't care about it. It stands to reason that the daughter of the Yang family is our daughter-in-law who has never been married. What kind of festival does Miss Guo have with her? As for smashing the door of others? Having said that, I don’t feel ugly anymore. People in the town are saying that your family’s Guozhu abducted our family’s Ziyun. Of course I don’t believe it. If we listen to the wind, it will rain. I came to your door to ask you for someone. Didn’t we do that? Some of our two families were out and didn’t come back on time, but these are two different things. I think it’s better to sweep the snow in front of their own houses. Jinzhugou is not far away, and the Communist Party His territory is not Longtan and Tiger's Den, so let's send people to inquire, won't we be able to get to the bottom of it? If Shijie really lured these young people to Jinzhugou, our family must find a way to bring him back and punish him. But, what if you wronged him? What if your family Guozhu really kidnapped our family Ziyun? What will you do?"

These words left Zhu's father and son speechless.Zhu Guodong smiled awkwardly, "This is impossible." Before he finished speaking, Zhong Wutong ran in from outside and shouted: "Master, madam, the second young master and the others are back." Li Yujie stood up abruptly, "Where are they? How many people have come back?" Zhong Wutong said: "They are unloading at the head office. Our people are all back. Also, there is one more person..." Zhang Dewei asked: "Who?" Zhong Wutong said: "Miss Guo." Zhang Dewei said: "Where is Ziyun? Where is she? Tell me quickly!" Zhong Wutong muttered: "No, I don't know...Master, I'll ask."

"No need." Li Yujie said: "Brother, nephew, let's go meet Shijie together." Zhu's father and son had no choice but to stand up.As soon as the four of them walked to the front yard, Zhang Shijie and Liu Jinsheng came in carrying some tea leaves.Li Yujie said sharply: "Shijie, tell the truth to Mr. Zhu and Commander Zhu, what have you been doing these days? Have you seen Guozhu? Where is Ziyun now? Are you going to take these people with you?" Go to the Communist Party? Say it!" Zhang Shijie understood the situation when he heard his mother's voice, "Jin Sheng, take out a few cans of Longjing and Tieguanyin. Wuhan is about to fall. Zhejiang, Zhejiang, It will be difficult to drink tea from Jiangsu and Fujian in the future. Get some more and ask Commander Zhu to take it with you." Li Yujie glared at her son, "I'm asking you something! Also, why is Ms. Guo with you?" Zhu Zhaolin said: "Yes, what is going on?" Zhang Shijie smiled and said: "Mom, you have too many questions. Let me answer backwards. Ms. Guo was robbed by bandits in Xiaoyang Valley, and she was called again." The bandit Yang Kaitai was rescued, Brother Yang entrusted us to send Ms. Guo to Taiping Town. You owe Brother Kaitai a big favor this time." Zhu Guodong said in surprise: "He, he is not a member of the New Fourth Army? Why?" Zhang Shijie said: "I don't know much about this. Ziyun, Guozhu and my brother-in-law have all followed the main force of the New Fourth Army to march eastward. What's the matter with you? Ziyun and Guozhu have always wanted to join the New Fourth Army. I asked me to introduce them. This is an opportunity. I took them there. Both of them understand Japanese, and the chief of the New Fourth Army attaches great importance to them. I don’t know if I understand it?” Zhu Guodong said: “Shijie, you don’t want to join the New Fourth Army?” Zhang Shijie said: “The threshold for the New Fourth Army is very high. , I can't climb high. I haven't seen their rags yet! Besides, I just got interested in doing business, and I don't want to carry a gun to fight."

After the truth came out, it was difficult for both parties to say anything.Zhu Guodong said a few words of apology and self-blame, and walked away with his father carrying tea.Zhang Shijie didn't ask the guys to hide the truth from his father and mother. Before dinner, Li Yujie had already figured out all the important things that Zhang Shijie and the others experienced during their trip to Jinzhugou.After dinner, Li Yujie stopped Zhang Shijie and asked his son to recount what happened in the past few days.Zhang Shijie knew how powerful his mother was, so he told all his subordinates what he knew.Li Yujie nodded after listening carefully, "It's not in vain to support you, and I can hear a few truths from you. Tell me what to say about you, you are too lenient to Ziyun. How can she do whatever she says?" What do you want her to do? A girl’s family, what kind of soldier? You don’t want to lose face, Huaiyuan wants to. You said that you shot a bird in Jinzhugou, so you were not allowed to join the New Fourth Army. You will not wait for a while Leaving home secretly again, to find Ziyun?" Zhang Shijie sighed, "Mom, don't worry, I won't leave Taiping Town." Li Yujie said: "I can't help you, I know I can't stop you Since you are not leaving for the time being, go to Nanyang to see Shijun and Ruolan, give them some money, and don’t let them cause any trouble. Zhang Ruohong has already appeared in the family, and you are so restless, if they continue If something happens, I have no choice but to kill myself." Zhang Shijie hurriedly replied: "Yes."

Zhang Dewei saw that Li Yujie was almost exhausted, and continued: "Let's rest at home for a few days, and then go to Nanyang and Xiangyang to have a look, and find a way to get some raw silk, preferably Sichuan silk. Little Japan is pressing every step of the way. The common people have no intention of raising silkworms. The weavers in Tanghe, Xinye, and Tongbai are all regular customers, and we should give them a way out." Zhang Shijie said seriously: "It is difficult to enter raw silk. The waterways and dry roads entering Sichuan are all blocked by the army. It is too risky to purchase goods from Yichang. Moreover, Wuhan and Xinyang are in danger, and all companies are shrinking and waiting to see. They store too much raw silk, and the risk is even greater." Zhang Dewei knocked on the cigarette pot, "People always have to eat and wear clothes. The Japanese are really calling. Is it safe to deposit silver? Huaiyuansheng is a large and time-honored brand, so it should be a bit tolerant. Everyone is watching, we are doing it, and maybe we can make money. Xinyang can’t keep it, the semicolon We must persevere. The Japanese also have to let people eat and dress. Raw silk must be imported. Shifan, what do you think?” Zhang Shifan finally interjected, “It is necessary to prepare some goods. Risk." Zhang Dewei said: "You brothers should discuss this matter. Shijie, go to Nanyang to meet your uncle and let him make up your mind."

The Roman watch-shaped tooth wound bitten by Yang Ziyun's fine rice teeth on Zhang Shijie's wrist has just healed, and Wuhan and Xinyang have fallen one after another.The defeated Kuomintang troops who participated in the Battle of Wuhan, and more than a hundred thousand people poured into the front lines of Nanyang and Xiangyang.Zhang Shijie sent Liu Jinsheng to Xinyang to check the loss of the Xinyang branch, and he took Gao Liansheng to Nanyang. After the Japanese army occupied Xinyang, they tried several times to take advantage of the situation to open up the Zhengzhou-Xinyang section of the Ping-Han Railway, but finally gave up due to insufficient troops.In this way, the Japanese invaders formed a new strategic confrontation between the Seventh Division of the Eleventh Army centered on Wuhan and the Kuomintang Army in the Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth Theaters.With the gradual stabilization of the situation, especially the victory of the Xintang Campaign, Nanyang became the political and cultural center of Henan, and the market became increasingly prosperous.More than a year after the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, relying on the support of his uncle Li Guangdou, as well as Zhang Shijie's own unique vision and flexible purchase channels, Huaiyuan Shengnanyang Branch's business has become more and more prosperous, and its income has surpassed that of Taiping Town.While doing business, Zhang Shijie always transported progressive intellectuals who had moved to various universities in Wanxi, all kinds of weapons stationed in Nanyang's regular and informal teams, and medicines and medical equipment from major hospitals to Jinzhugou. .Before coming to Nanyang this time, Zhang Shijie received instructions from Zhao Jiusi to get a batch of weapons for the Tongbai Mountain guerrillas, preferably one or two machine guns.

Having just lost a battle, the national army is very war-weary. With Li Guangdou's relationship, it is very convenient to use money to buy weapons.There are dozens of guns and tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition missing in the armory, and only the warehouse list is used to fill in the lost on the battlefield, and the silver dollars are in the pockets of officers at all levels.If it weren't for the many checkpoints on the road and the difficulty of transportation, it would not be difficult to get equipment for a battalion or even a regiment.At this time in Nanyang, various forces are intertwined.The defense zones of Tang Enbo and Sun Lianzhong's troops in the first and fifth theaters of the Central Army overlapped in many places in Nanyang.Local emperors like Bie Tingfang, who started their careers on local self-government, are still very powerful in Nanyang, so big that even Chiang Kai-shek wants to give them face.Doing business in this kind of place, whichever wharf is not visited, may bring disaster.Therefore, for three days in Nanyang, Zhang Shijie's main task was to entertain people from all walks of life in the political and military circles in the name of Huaiyuan Sheng Shaodong's family. On the fourth day, he made a special trip to Neixiang with generous gifts to visit Bie Tingfang, who had just become the commander-in-chief of security in the Sixth Special Zone of Henan.Most of the Central Army's garrison in Nanyang is temporary. Once there is a big battle, these troops may disappear overnight.Local power factions like Bie Tingfang have been operating in Nanyang for more than ten years, and their slogan is to vow to live and die with Nanyang.Therefore, when doing business and doing things on the Nanyang land boundary, looking for Bie Tingfang as a backer will be more effective with half the effort. After returning to Nanyang from Neixiang, Zhang Shijie had time to visit the semicolon.From afar, he and Gao Liansheng saw Guo Bingxue looking outside the semicolon.Gao Liansheng said in surprise: "Miss Guo, it's really strange. Every time we come, we can always see you here." Guo Bingxue fanned the air in front of his nose with his hands, "It smells like alcohol! Bee Commander is quite willing. I I want to know that it’s such a big deal that Huai Yuansheng’s young master came to Nanyang. It’s too easy. It’s a pity, you are a cunning rabbit. I have been guarding here for three days before I bumped into you. .” The Guo family has great influence in Nanyang, and Zhang Shijie also wanted to use the Guo family to do something.This is also an important reason why Zhang Shijie did not avoid contact with Guo Bingxue.Since Guo Bingxue came to your door, let her help with something.Zhang Shijie looked around Guo Bingxue, "Miss Guo's flesh injury seems to have healed." Guo Bingxue suddenly grabbed Zhang Shijie's left hand to look at the scars, "You lied to me, this injury was caused by a woman biting her teeth. Yes. Do you think so?" Zhang Shijie said, "Come and sit in the store. If you say yes, let it be." The two entered the semicolon.Guo Bingxue said with a dazed expression: "Yang Ziyun is really ruthless, how much effort does this take! It's true that only a dog that doesn't bark bites. However, two bites are useless. Time and distance will matter. Dilute everything. Believe it or not? In less than a year, this circle of tooth marks will be invisible even with the sharp eye." Zhang Shijie said: "Miss Guo, can you not talk about this?" Guo Bingxue grinned, "The topic Sensitive, aren’t you? Don’t call me Ms. Guo from now on, you’ve already called me Xiaoxue, so just call me that in the future. Are you going to get a gun again this time? Do you want me to help?” Zhang Shijie looked at the beautiful woman in front of him. The enthusiastic girl didn't answer right away.In the past few years, Zhang Shijie has noticed all the changes that have happened to this girl.Could it be possible to develop her into her own person? Guo Bingxue's changes in the past few years were all caused by love. Everything she did was to get the love of the man in front of her.The Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the Nanjing Massacre, the great victory at Pingxingguan, and the bloody battle at Taierzhuang finally made Guo Bingxue, who had never been interested in politics, get angry and act.This year, she participated in various parades organized by various circles in Nanyang, and donated several sets of jewelry alone.She believes that Zhang Shijie will become a hero.She wanted to be the woman next to the hero.Last fall, she asked Zhang Shijie if he would like to go to the army, and she could ask his father to help him.At that time, many of their classmates joined the army and went to the front.Zhang Shijie is not interested in her proposal, he has been running around doing business, it seems that he usually wields guns and clubs just to protect Huai Yuansheng's goods, and studies furiously just to make the business bigger and earn more money money.Zhang Shijie's abnormal performance aroused Guo Bingxue's interest even more. She tried every means to find out Zhang Shijie's whereabouts, and finally found out to her that Zhang Shijie always went to Jinzhugou every once in a while, and before going to Jinzhugou, he always came once. Nanyang, exchange a batch of weapons with scarce supplies.It was judged that Zhang Shijie went to Jinzhugou last time to lead his troops to join the New Fourth Army, and it was also judged from the fact that he went to Nanyang to buy weapons.This time, Zhang Shijie bought so many weapons that Guo Bingxue thought he would never come to Nanyang again.Guo Bingxue did not believe that the New Fourth Army refused to allow Zhang Shijie to participate because he shot a bird.She thinks there must be something serious about this matter.If Zhang Shijie hadn't been a person with a secret mission, he certainly wouldn't have watched his fiancée join the New Fourth Army alone.Zhang Shijie is a mystery.Guo Bingxue decided to solve the mystery. Seeing Zhang Shijie's surprised face, Guo Bingxue knew that her idea of ​​solving the mystery was correct, and continued: "What your uncle can do, my father can also do, and of course I can do it too. Don't lie to me that you are doing it for your own sake." You are helping the Communist Party, maybe you have been a Communist Party for a long time. Don’t worry, I am interested in everything about you, but I will not publish my research results on you to any third party.” Zhang Shijie laughed "Xiaoxue, Xiaoxue, why do you have so much curiosity about me?" Guo Bingxue sighed, "Don't play dumb. It was a mistake for God to introduce Yang Ziyun to you first. I really hope I can rely on you and me Power to correct this mistake. I think I am more suitable for you than Yang Ziyun..." "All right, all right!" Zhang Shijie didn't dare to entangle any longer, "I heard that your father's attitude towards your marriage with Zhu Guozhu is very clear: let you wait for Zhu Guozhu to return from the front line. Xiaoxue, apart from being husband and wife, men and women can also be friends." Friends. Guozhu and Ziyun are fighting against devils now. You and I are disrespectful to them by talking about it in the rear. I can tell you clearly: No one in the world can replace Ziyun in my heart In turn, I believe that my position in her heart is the same. It is inhumane to ask you to wait for a man you don't love to come back to get married, but I have no ability to help you. Xiaoxue, people can't do whatever they want. You and I are engaged people, we can do things together, but we can’t talk about personal affairs. This is the bottom line for us to continue our relationship. If you want to cross the line, I can only break up with you. I’m always what I say and do Arrived." Guo Bingxue shook her head helplessly, "A lot of people think that if I change roles with Ziyun, it might be a happy ending. Don't be angry, I won't talk about this topic in the future, and I don't want to lose you as a friend. I It is unconditional to help you. Tell me, what kind of weapon do you want?" Zhang Shijie looked at Guo Bingxue calmly, "I am here to buy guns and ammunition, and the purpose is to lead people to fight devils. I already have what I want Whereabouts. Miss Guo, oh, Xiaoxue, there is one thing that is hard to get, maybe you can help. I want to buy a high-power telescope for the battlefield, and the best one is made in Germany." Guo Bingxue happily accepted the task of building a telescope.That night, Zhang Shijie treated his younger siblings to a meal at Yipinxian Restaurant on Fuya Street, and invited Guo Bingxue and Zhu Jianzhen, the youngest daughter of the Zhu family, to the family banquet.Several high school students scolded the government and the army for their incompetence at the dinner table, and proposed to go to the front to kill the enemy and make meritorious service.Zhang Shijie talked badly, so he persuaded a few people.During the dinner, Guo Bingxue proposed to teach in Taiping Town Primary School and asked Zhang Shijie if he would welcome her.Zhang Shijie knew that he couldn't stop him, so he could only say a warm welcome.For the first time, Zhang Shijie felt that most women in love were lunatics. Early the next morning, Zhang Shijie met Zhu Guodong, who was dressed in military uniform, sleek and cunning, at the gate of the semicolon.Zhu Guodong explained his intention straight to the point, "Shijie, I have thought about it for a long time, and I have come up with a plan for you and me to cooperate. As you can see, the little devil is still very rampant. In one battle in Wuhan, we lost more than 20 divisions. The army There is a great shortage of talents. I came to Nanyang this time to select candidates at Henan University. There is an old saying that says that the country’s unfortunate poets are lucky. I think it can also be said that the country’s unfortunate soldiers are lucky. You should consider joining my regiment. It’s about being a battalion commander. Nanyang, Xiangyang and Yichang have been battlegrounds since ancient times, and sooner or later there will be big battles. At this time, joining the army is the best choice for men. If you die in battle, you are a national hero. To be alive is to be a general and a prime minister." Hearing these words suddenly, Zhang Shijie was stunned, so he could only say: "Brother Guodong, you flatter me too much. Battalion commander? I can't even be a platoon leader. War matters , I don’t know anything, and I can only be cannon fodder when I go to the front line. Thank you for your kindness.” Zhu Guodong left a sentence, “Let’s meet in Taiping Town for a detailed discussion in a few days.” Get in the car and leave. Gao Liansheng listened to the horn of the car, curled his lips, "Second brother, I don't think Zhu Guodong has any good intentions in wooing you." Zhang Shijie thought for a while, and said: "He is now stationed in Xinye, and he must be staring at Taiping Town. We can't let He has pulled young people from Taiping Town into his team, we have to find a way. How about this, you discuss business matters with shopkeeper Li at the semicolon, and I will go to my uncle's house to see if the guy is available. Must Pull people to Huaiyuansheng first. Nanyang can't stay long." Uncle Li Guangdou had already obtained two American-made light machine guns and a German-made 16-power telescope for Zhang Shijie.Zhang Shijie was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth from ear to ear, he held up the binoculars and refused to put it down, looking here and there.Sitting aside, Li Guangdou looked at his favorite nephew, and said, "You're playing with machine guns and binoculars. What do you want to do? Are you still going to join the New Fourth Army?" Zhang Shijie said, "A good horse never turns back. The world Rise and fall are everyone's responsibility. Who said that only the army can fight devils? Besides, the world is in chaos, and business has to be done. There is a telescope, which can see far, and can detect danger early. There are two machine guns. Said, only to die." Li Guangdou said: "You can fool me." Zhang Shijie said aggrievedly: "How dare I fool you?" Li Guangdou pointed his fingers and said: "In the past two or three years, light has passed through my hands, you say you How many guns did you get? With other sources, I think it’s enough to equip a battalion. Tell me, where did all these guns go? Jinzhugou! Shijie, I’m a provincial senator. I don't understand? Lao Jiang agreed to cooperate with the Kuomintang and the Communist Party because he was forced to do so. I think you will score points sooner or later. I know you are very safe, but you often walk by the river, how can you not get your shoes wet? A few years ago, killing Don’t you know how many Communists have been killed? Using machine guns to escort the goods? Isn’t this courting death? Jiang, Song, Kong, and Chen are all in business, so they dare to use the army to escort them. You understand the truth. Whether you are the Communist Party or you sympathize with the Communist Party, I I have no objection. I just remind you not to be too ostentatious in doing things, and don’t leave behind. The Zhu family has always been ruthless in doing things, and they have always driven them to death. If you really succeed with the Communist Party, the Zhu family may have nothing to do with your family. You This kind of practice is very dangerous now. In the future, if the Kuomintang and the Communist Party are torn apart, Huai Yuansheng will collapse for a common crime." Hearing his uncle confiding his heart like this, Zhang Shijie didn't want to hide everything.After listening carefully, he said, "Uncle's reminder is very important. I did sell those weapons to Jinzhugou. The price they gave was not low. As for me, I really sympathize with the Communist Party. So, Ziyun advised me I went to vote for the Communist Party, so I went. However, this time, the purpose of engaging in weapons is not to make money. Just this morning, Boss Zhu found me and made it clear that he wanted me to be his battalion commander." Li Guangdou asked: "You How do you answer?" Zhang Shijie said: "Resignation. It is okay to resign once or twice, but simply refusal is not a long way. I want to create a coat that legally owns heavy weapons. Do you see if this idea works: Bie Tingfang is not Has he just been promoted? He, the Wanxi King, has been promoted to become the commander-in-chief of the sixth district of Henan. He must want to expand his actual influence to the entire Nanyang area. He will directly dispatch and command the establishment of a branch in Wandongnan. He should not object to the army. In this way, we have the legal armed forces to contend with the Zhu family. I would like to ask you to help run this matter." Li Guangdou nodded with satisfaction after hearing Zhang Shijie's words, "Your view of the overall situation is good. Well, that's a good idea to kill several birds with one stone. I'd like to help you. It's not a trivial matter, and there's no rush." After staying in Nanyang for another two days, Zhang Shijie returned to Taiping Town with Huai Yuansheng's foreign convoy and the guns he got.Before leaving, Guo Bingxue put two 16-magnification binoculars, two small pistols, and four boxes of bullets in front of Zhang Shijie. Zhang Shijie was so surprised that he didn't know what to say, and after a long time he called the shopkeeper Li to prepare silver dollars.Guo Bingxue was upset, "I'm not doing business with you! In order to get these things, I drank so much that I drank and danced until I became weak. It's not that I have a little capacity for alcohol, if it's not that I have the status of the daughter of a provincial senator , I am no longer a daughter. Zhang Shijie, please remember: I am only willing to do things for you." After finishing speaking, he turned his head and left.Zhang Shijie sat blankly for a long time, not knowing what to say. The structure of Tongbai County is different from that of Taiping Town. Taiping Town is a long street that occupies all the bustle, but the county town has four short streets forming a "well" character, and the bustling is at the four intersections.To the south of the intersection in the northeast of the city, there is a two-story tavern with a small door and a signboard of "Yaoji Restaurant".Entering the door, the inside is arranged tightly and compactly, with a few scattered tables, the small door leading to the kitchen is next to the stairs, and under the stairs is the counter.The owner of this restaurant is Zhang Ruohong, Zhang Shijie's sister.When Zhao Jiusi was teaching in Taiping Town more than ten years ago, 16-year-old Zhang Ruohong also went to the school to attend classes for a period of time. This handsome and bold Miss Zhang disturbed the hearts of every single teacher. The exception was that he had a special mission at the time, so he didn't express anything, and could only watch her being chased by Yao Sizhong.After a planned peasant uprising failed, Zhao Jiusi was ordered by his superiors to leave Tongbai even though he did not reveal his identity.A few years ago, he returned to Tongbai with a new mission to develop his favorite student Zhang Shijie into a capable subordinate, and Zhang Ruohong's tavern became their contact point. At noon that day, the meal was over, Zhang Ruohong sat at the counter and waited for the two men who were fisting to eat while paying the bill.Four men led four tall Mongolian horses to the shop.The leader is a man in his early forties, of medium build, moderately fat and thin, with a good appearance, and his eyes are extremely penetrating and lethal.Xiaoer tied up the horse and led the four guests to the lobby.The middle-aged man turned his gaze towards the lobby, walked straight to a table by the window, opened the window, and sat down.Like all beautiful women, Zhang Ruohong was annoyed by men who peeled off their clothes with their eyes, and felt neglected by men who didn't even look at her.She saw that the four men ignored her and walked over by herself.Zhang Ruohong asked with a smile: "Gentlemen, what would you like to eat? What would you like to drink?" The leader replied politely: "Liudaogui's special dishes, two special soups, only rice, steamed buns, and some wine. No drink. Please feed the horses for us. We will pay for it." Zhang Ruohong was very disappointed because the four men with stern expressions didn't even look at her face.How did she know that these four people were actually spies of the Japanese Eleventh Army!The leader is Masao Yamamoto, the chief of the secret service of the 11th Army, and the Army Colonel.The purpose of their trip was to go deep into the front lines of Nanyang and Xiangyang to spy on the defense situation of the Chinese army. The four of them ate very gently and quietly, but at a fairly fast pace, and ate thoroughly.This kind of eating is in sharp contrast to the eating of the Chinese in the corner of the lobby.After the last dish was ready, Zhang Ruohong decided to deliver the dish by herself.After Zhang Ruohong put the dishes on the table, he asked with a smile: "Gentlemen, I see that you are not happy eating, is it because the food is not tasty?" A skinny man hurriedly put on a very sincere smile, pointed at the dishes, and subconsciously said in Japanese "Yoxi, yoxi!" Zhang Ruohong asked: "Would you like thinner? Have another soup? Three delicacies soup, hot and sour soup, cabbage tofu soup? Which one do you want?" The skinny man pointed to the soup box, "Tofu soup , yo!" Masao Yamamoto put down his chopsticks, with a livid face, raised his hand and slapped the thin man across the face.The thin man stood up, stood at attention, and shouted: "Hai!" Masao Yamamoto showed anger and fear, stood up, swung his arms, and slapped the thin man twice.The thin man finally realized, and said in blunt Chinese: "I was wrong." Masao Yamamoto smiled at Zhang Ruohong, who was dumbfounded, and said in fluent Chinese: "I stutter and talk, and when I am in a hurry, I hahaha, Xixi, beat me." Two slaps are enough. The food is good, the meal is good, and the lady boss is even better. Settle the bill." Zhang Ruohong said: "Don't eat?" Yamamoto Masao said: "Don't eat. How much?" Zhang Ruohong said: "Give me a big ocean Masao Yamamoto said: "You also fed the horses for us, take two oceans." The thin man wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, took out two oceans and gave them to Zhang Ruohong.This is the first time Zhang Ruohong has encountered such a strange thing.Watching the four go west on tall horses, Zhang Ruohong turned back to the shop, staring at the six clean and empty plates on the table in a daze. Zhao Jiusi and Cao Zhenhe entered the restaurant.According to the prior agreement, it was time for them to meet Zhang Shijie.Zhao Jiusi looked at Zhang Ruohong's still sharp silhouette, and joked, "The proprietress is thinking about spring!" Zhang Ruohong turned her head and said, "You are called Chun! Mr. Zhao, there is a little widow next door who was still inquiring about you a few days ago. Quite intentional. Why don't you marry her? The war is in turmoil, and guns don't have eyes!" Zhao Jiusi said, "Yao Sizhong is marrying a little widow, why don't you? Ruohong, you really shouldn't let Yao Sizhong go out. For three or five years, he might be..." "Crow's Mouth!" Zhang Ruohong slapped Zhao Jiusi across the face, "Wang Baochuan waited in the cold kiln for eighteen years, and finally it was his husband's return to his hometown. Zhang Ruohong, I am willing to wait ten or eight years for this day." As he said, he was about to clean up the table bowls and plates.Zhao Jiusi looked at the plates and bowls on the table, "Who is so hungry, the plates don't need to be washed anymore." Zhang Ruohong told what happened just now.Zhao Jiusi didn't wait for Zhang Ruohong to finish, and said anxiously: "Wait a minute. Are they riding Mongolian horses? Is that horse bigger than our two horses?" Zhang Ruohong said: "What's wrong with you? I don't understand horses. The horses are bigger than yours. They are not decent people?" Zhao Jiusi said: "Most likely they are devils." Zhang Ruohong exclaimed: "Devils? Are they devils?" Zhao Jiusi said: "Sit on a chair with a straight body and eat well. Keep the leftovers, get three slaps and stay still, no wonder it’s not a devil! They didn’t want to dilute it, they praised your food as delicious. Zhenhe, let’s go.” Saying that, he rushed out and mounted his horse and headed west. The two of them ran into Zhang Shijie and the others not far out of the city.Zhang Shijie came to deliver guns to the guerrillas.Zhao Jiusi shouted from a long distance: "Shijie——have you seen the four men riding Mongolian horses?" Zhang Shijie said: "Yes, it's been a while." Follow me. Those people are devils." When they heard that the devils were coming, everyone cheered up immediately, Zhang Shijie and other seven or eight people turned their horses and headed west.Zhang Shijie turned around and ordered: "Put the goods in the restaurant first, and wait for us to come back." At this time, the four of Masao Yamamoto were riding on Mongolian horses, standing on a hill, overlooking the beautiful Taiping Town.Masao Yamamoto asked: "How far is it from Xinyang?" The thin man looked at the map: "It's less than 100 kilometers." Masao Yamamoto said: "Take the exact direction. Taiping Town has a beautiful name and beautiful scenery. Go north. The thin man said: "Master Yamamoto, the road to the north leads to Biyang, and the road to the northwest leads to Nanyang." Masao Yamamoto threw a series of sneers, "This is not the northeast or North China to go there! This is the hinterland of China Tongbai, if there is a slight mistake, we will die without a place to die. In the area we are going to investigate, there are at least 600,000 regular and local troops in China. You must keep this number in mind. From now on, Kusano-kun can speak , the identity of the two of you is my dumb follower. Do you understand?" Masao Yamamoto raised his binoculars and looked north, just in time to see Zhang Shijie who was holding up his binoculars to look at them.Zhang Shijie yelled: "They are over there, hurry—stop them—" He said, patting his horse and chasing after him.The foot strength of Mongolian horses is so good that it is impossible to catch alive.Zhang Shijie shot and knocked off Masao Yamamoto's top hat.Nine people chased to a valley, and the Japanese had disappeared without a trace.Zhao Jiusi looked at the bullet holes in the top hat, "Any two inches lower, and the little devil will be reimbursed. I guess they are here to collect information." Masao Yamamoto and his party rode wildly for dozens of miles before they dared to stop.Several people drank water and horses, and seeing that it was getting late, they had to sleep in the open in the valley.Masao Yamamoto judged that someone already knew their identities, so he decided not to go to Biyang County, and returned to Xinyang directly from the campsite over the mountain.In order to avenge his revenge, Masao Yamamoto included Taiping Town in the first batch of key air strike targets. Zhang Shijie was full of hope, and wanted to get the exact news about Yang Ziyun from Zhao Jiusi, but Zhao Jiusi also knew nothing about it.心情一坏，一碗酒下肚，张世杰就醉得不省人事。 朱照邻六十大寿这一天，请了两个戏班子在镇子两头迎宾。一大早，一会儿镇东头响了锣鼓，一会儿镇西响了唢呐，镇子的热闹劲儿，快赶上过年过节了。 大户人家较劲儿，较的是内功，只要没把脸彻底撕破，面子上一定要搞出个一团和气。按照有老不显少的老规矩，张德威和李玉洁决定带着长孙张万圣去吃寿面。为了表示对朱家老掌柜六十大寿的重视，张世杰亲自带了十个淮源盛的伙计，做了自动帮忙的知客，在镇子西头负责迎接前来贺寿的宾客。父亲六十大寿，朱国栋肯定回来。朱国栋回来，肯定要重提张世杰做他的营长的话题，礼节上没做亏，谈起话来就会主动很多。成立合法武装的事刚刚启动，一切都需要小心应付。 贴身当家丫环钟梧桐听家里密谈听多了，对朱家的成见很深，实在不愿意为朱家人多花一块大洋。见老爷和太太已穿好节日盛装来到客厅，钟梧桐只抱来一只红木盒子。李玉洁看一眼红木盒子，“梧桐，怎么跟你说的？忘了吗？”钟梧桐把盒子放在八仙桌上，“这件独玉《五女拜寿》，已经花了五百大洋，拿得出手了。”李玉洁把张德威的马褂正了正，“听话。再拿盒老人参，那朵灵芝，也拿上。快去。”钟梧桐口里答应着，却不挪动脚步。张德威清清嗓子，“听见外面的鼓乐声没有？朱家摆的阵势不小，一件贺礼，丢淮源盛的人。去吧。”钟梧桐很不情愿地进了屋。 大少奶奶慧兰牵着儿子进来了，“妈，你看这套衣裳行吗？”李玉洁爱怜地打量着孙子：“不错，红的黄的，看上去喜庆。万圣，走，和爷爷奶奶吃酒去。梧桐，快点。”祖孙三个出了客厅，钟梧桐抱着三个精致的盒子跟着出去。大少奶奶喊了一声：“梧桐，当心门槛。”钟梧桐答道：“知道了。一千多大洋呢！真让人心疼。”李玉洁在前面摇摇头，“小家子气。”钟梧桐不服气地说：“老爷去年过六十大寿，朱家送的礼，顶多值七八百。”外面的锣鼓声节奏突然加快，唢呐也吹出一个高亢欢快的调门，张德威说道：“听听，大概是朱国栋回来了，万圣，咱们走快点儿，看大卡车去。”祖孙两个拉着手快步往前走。“这老头，没见过汽车似的！”李玉洁在后面嘟囔着，加快了步子。 此刻，同顺兴总号和朱家的大门结着彩绸，前来拜寿的人熙熙攘攘，大门口的几张桌子上堆满了礼品。一辆吉普车后面跟着两辆大卡车开过来，正在门口招呼客人的朱国梁听到动静，对正在寒暄的客人拱了拱手：“周主任，您先屋里请，我哥回来了，我去接接他。”满面春风朝吉普车走去，门口几个客人也跟了过去。 街上有许多看热闹的人，高连升等人站在淮源盛总号门外，远远看见吉普车门打开，身穿笔挺军服的朱国栋被朱国梁等人簇拥着进了朱家大门，十几个保安队员走向卡车，卡车上跳下来八个士兵，一箱一箱往下搬东西，朱家的管家迎上来，把士兵往院子里让，保安队员们抬着箱子跟了进去。“中央军到底不一样。”刘金声一件一件数着箱子，啧啧称赞。高连升撇撇嘴，“这是戏，演给镇子人看的。”张世杰从店里走出来，“瞎说什么呢！让你们去帮忙，你们跑回来做什么？一点都不能忍，能成什么大事？” 一辆吉普车停在门口，郭冰雪从车里跳出来，叫道：“世杰。”张世杰打量着郭冰雪身上的新旗袍，“冰雪，来给你姑父拜寿吧，正好，你大表哥刚回来，你快过去吧。”郭冰雪嫣然一笑，细细的白牙和旗袍上镶了钻石的别针一样闪闪发光，“别急，先把给你的礼物卸下来。抬下来。打开。”吉普车司机和一个随从从车后面抬下两个箱子，打开，黄澄澄的子弹让高连升和刘金声瞪大了眼睛，齐声说：“子弹！这么多，郭小姐，你太能干了！”郭冰雪看着张世杰道：“不够的话，说一声。我在南阳的军界，已经有了郭一坛的美名，一坛白酒才能放倒本小姐。够意思吧。”张世杰叹气摇头道：“何必呢？身体要紧。”郭冰雪很洋派地耸耸肩，“无所谓。能为你效劳，是我的荣幸。不过，春节后你再问我要这些玩意儿，就难了。本姑娘郑重告诉你：下个学期，本人的身份将是国立太平镇小学的国文老师，月薪为二十大洋。按照师道尊严的老规矩，你这位太平镇小学的老毕业生见到我也该执弟子礼。”说罢，自己笑了起来。张世杰朝郭冰雪鞠个深躬，“郭老师好！”郭冰雪笑得没个正形了。 突然，张世杰神色大变，抬头看着天。蓝天上，四架飞机已经开始向镇子俯冲。一街看热闹的人都被飞机巨大的轰鸣声震在原地。张世杰大叫：“不好！快趴下！都快趴下！不要靠近房子！”拉着郭冰雪跑到总号石狮子旁厉声说：“蹲下，别乱跑，不管看到什么，都不要动！”抬头看见父亲、母亲和小万圣、钟梧桐都站在家门口盯着天空傻看，疯了似的冲过去，边跑边喊：“快，快贴墙根趴下——快——”飞机继续俯冲，投下一串串黑点。小万圣高兴得拍着手直叫：“飞机拉羊屎了，飞机拉羊屎了——”张世杰看准自家门口石狮子与院墙之间有个死角，忙把父亲、母亲、小侄子和钟梧桐拉了过去，“躲着，别动——”话音刚落，炸弹尖利的破空声响过，便是一片震耳欲聋的爆炸声。一枚炸弹刚好落在几个人刚才站立的地方爆炸了。接着，又是机枪的扫射声。几个人躲在死角看着几个乱跑的人中弹倒地。哭喊和哀嚎顿时响成一片。 四架喷着太阳旗的飞机抬头飞走了。张世杰抖抖身上的碎石碎土，看看四个亲人都没受伤，站起来说：“还没完。你们千万别离开这个地方。梧桐，抱好万圣，抱紧了。”撒腿就往淮源盛总号跑去。李玉洁喊：“世杰，你快躲起来——”钟梧桐也在喊：“二少爷，你别跑——”张世杰跑到总号门口，大声喊：“拿机枪——快——”高连升端着机枪出来了，“二哥，这玩艺怎么弄？”郭冰雪跑过来说：“要不要我帮忙？我会打机枪。”张世杰说：“这是爷们儿的事！你快躲起来！连升，蹲下，抓住这两条腿，反了，背对我站着，举到头顶。对了。听着：看见飞机冲下来，不要怕。来了，来了。朝墙根儿站站。” 两架飞机朝张家大院和淮源盛总号冲了过来。张世杰大叫着，扣动扳机，打出几个点射。飞机突然间拉起来，把炸弹投了下来。张世杰再次打出点射。飞机射出的机枪子弹打得房上瓦片乱飞。失去准头的炸弹接连在远离街道的地方爆炸了。另外两架飞机这次的主攻目标是停有两辆大卡车和三辆吉普车的朱家大院门口和同顺兴总号门口。朱国栋等人用步枪朝飞机射击。飞机照样俯冲下来，把炸弹准确地投到朱家的院子里。机载机枪扫射到几张桌子上的礼品，精美的玉雕礼品大半被毁掉了。四架飞机盘旋一圈后，又对镇子俯冲轰炸一回，因发现镇子有机枪防空，不敢俯冲太低，炸弹多半都被投到空地上。这一轮轰炸后，飞机飞走了。 张世杰把机枪递给高连升：“没事了。都起来吧。你们派人四处看看，先救人，再救火。你们都没事吧。小雪，小雪——你没事吧？”郭冰雪站起来，“我没事，只是腿发软，站不稳。”刘金声捂着屁股大叫起来，“我的屁股——”张世杰过去看看，“没事儿，弹片划破的，快去店里处理一下。冰雪，谢谢你这些机枪子弹。你快去看看你姑姑家，看看伤人没有。”钟梧桐跑过来喊：“二少爷，二少爷，你没事吧？”张世杰道：“我们都没事，就金声挂了彩。你们都没受伤吧？大哥和大嫂他们呢？”钟梧桐道：“人都没事，后院的两间柴房叫炸塌了，小少爷养的四只兔子都死了。小少爷都哭成泪人儿了。”二顺跑过来喊：“二少爷，学校完了，着了火，伤了人，你快去看看。”张世杰朝学校方向跑过去。 朱家损失惨重，房子被炸塌十几间，有人被炸死，有人挂了彩，朱照邻的右胳膊也叫弹片划伤了。郭冰雪从乱作一团的人群里找到了一点伤都没受的姑姑后，问候两句朱照邻，又跑走了。朱国栋已经冷静下来，把忙得跟绿头苍蝇一样的朱国梁叫过来问：“张世杰有机枪，你怎么没告诉我？他从哪里弄的机枪？快说。”朱国梁懵懵懂懂道：“机枪？我不知道他有机枪。我不知道他从哪儿弄的机枪。他弄机枪干吗？”朱国栋恨恨地盯了弟弟一眼，“糊涂到家了你！你身为县保安司令，不知道机枪能干什么？总有一天，脑袋搬家了，你哭都来不及！跟我走，到学校去。”朱国梁不解地说：“到学校干什么？爹受了伤，身边总不能没人吧？”朱国栋抓住朱国梁就走，“学校挨了炸，死了人，你身为县保安司令，不到现场组织救人救火，你这个司令还有脸当吗？县城挨没挨炸，还不知道。看完学校，你马上去县城。听明白没有？”朱国梁忙说：“听明白了。这种时候要做做样子，收买人心。”朱国栋道：“你不笨嘛。记着，到县城后，你要把爹的伤势说重一些。” 浓烟散去，太平镇的天空又恢复了晴朗，但悲愤的气氛越来越浓，哭喊亲人的呼声不断传来。位于河边一块高地的太平镇小学已成为一片废墟，两个年轻人把蒙着白布的一具尸体抬离现场，被熏成大花脸的张世杰等人默默地跟了过来。 朱国栋跑过来问道：“伤亡很严重吗？”张世杰长吁一口气，“死一个，伤一个，亏得今天是礼拜天，要不然……国栋哥，你家里……”朱国栋长叹一声：“一个丫环死了，伤了七个客人，我爹也伤了胳膊。”张世杰关切地问：“大叔他……”郭冰雪接了一句：“我姑父没事，叫弹片划了一下。那炸弹再向东偏个五六米，肯定会死上十个八个。两位表哥，你们知不知道他刚才用机枪打飞机的事？”朱国梁道：“就是啊？你怎么会有机枪呢？机枪是重武器……”朱国栋打断道：“世杰这是在打鬼子，他用大炮打，都应该表彰。世杰，对付空袭，你挺有办法嘛。你的处置都很正确。这些，你都是从哪里学来的？”张世杰苦笑道：“这叫瞎猫碰上了死老鼠。看见飞机，我差点吓尿裤子。我又没把鬼子的飞机打下来。”朱国栋锐利的目光扫了张世杰两眼，“那你就是打仗的天才。世杰，都看见了吧，躲是躲不了的。怎么样，跟我干吧。你肯定行。”张世杰搓了搓手，“家里实在离不开我。”朱国栋指了指一棵被炸成两段的杨树，“这笔血债呢？你不管？”高连升赔着笑接道：“管也轮不到我家二少爷管。俗话说，天塌下来，先由高个子顶着。太平镇有你这位堂堂中央军上校团长，啥仇报不了？”张世杰瞪了高连升一眼，“多嘴！国栋哥，我是枣核解板儿，不是大材料。再说，我这人又恋家，真的是不能重用。仇嘛，当然要报。”朱国栋恨恨地说，“放心，朱国栋不是缩头乌龟。世杰，皮之不存，毛将焉附。孰轻孰重，你自己掂量掂量。”转身走了。 张世杰从废墟中拣起写有“太平镇小学校”几个大字的木牌，蹲在地上，用手擦去上面的烟灰，声音低沉却又是一字一顿地说道：“不能待在太平镇等着挨炸。这个仇一定要报。这不是欺我们太平镇没人嘛！”郭冰雪接道：“世杰，你打鬼子，别忘了带上我。太平镇小学教师，暂时当不成了。”