Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

The open and secret struggle between Zhu and Zhang came to an end temporarily because of the sudden return of Yao Sizhong.The whole world was shocked when newspapers revealed the truth that more than one million people starved to death in the Henan famine.Before Chiang Kai-shek went to Cairo to attend the Big Three meeting, he made a decision to thoroughly investigate the inaction of the Henan authorities.He was afraid of being questioned by Roosevelt and Churchill in Cairo.In a big country, it is shameful enough to be weak in fighting foreign invasion. If millions of people are allowed to starve to death, what qualifications does your government have to lead the people to fight against the enemy?One of the important measures to thoroughly investigate the problem is to send special commissioners to various districts in Henan.

No one thought that the special commissioner sent to Nanyang was actually Yao Sizhong, who had not heard from him for five or six years.While the Nanyang officials were waiting eagerly for Commissioner Yao at the Nanyang Office, his convoy turned from Xinye to Tongbai County. Just before lunch, three jeeps and a large truck full of guards stopped at the gate of Yaoji Restaurant.The well-dressed Yao Sizhong got out of the car, straightened his glasses, and looked at the four big characters of "Yaoji Restaurant", he couldn't help feeling a lot of emotion.He was surrounded by his subordinates. The secretary went to the front and wanted to open the door for the boss, but Yao Sizhong waved his hand and pushed the door open with his own hands.Inside the restaurant, it was a lively scene.Zhang Ruohong was getting wine from behind the counter.Seeing Yao Sizhong's demeanor, the guy who greeted the guests at the door was a little at a loss, so he hurriedly ran to the counter and said, "Miss Boss, here are the distinguished guests." Zhang Ruohong responded, "Got it, let's invite them to sit down at the table inside. I'm coming."

Yao Sizhong took a few steps to the counter, and said emotionally: "Ruohong, I'm back." Zhang Ruohong turned around and slowly put the wine jar in his hand on the counter, a little unbelievable what he saw: " You...Sizhong...are you really Sizhong?" "Yes, I'm back." Yao Sizhong grabbed her hand, shook it vigorously, turned around and said to the entourage, "Come and meet Madam, this is my Wang Baochuan who has been guarding the cold kiln for six years." "Hello ma'am!" The entourage shouted in unison. "Wang Baochuan, I'm not too nasty. My name is Zhang Ruohong. Everyone, please sit down." Zhang Ruohong gave Yao Sizhong a coquettish look, and she came out from behind the counter and said, "Xiaowang, clear the tables inside." He waved: "Let the guests of the restaurant go away. This Yaoji restaurant will be kept as the old residence in the future. Boy, tell the master chefs in the back kitchen to tidy up a table of dishes and send them to the backyard. Secretary Wang, Cui Adjutant, let's go, I'm going to host a family banquet in my humble house to entertain you."

"It's better to let the customers in the store leave after eating. Everyone, our shopkeeper is back, and today's food and drinks are free. Secretary Wang, Adjutant Cui, and you guys, this way please." After finishing speaking, Zhang Ruohong Take everyone to the backyard.When the guests heard that the food and drinks were free, they all applauded. A large group of people quickly gathered around the entrance of the restaurant, some pointed at the five cars, and some wanted to enter the restaurant.Xiao Wang stopped at the door and said: "Don't come in, don't come in, the restaurant is closed." A guest asked: "What is closed, isn't there someone eating inside?"

"That's because they were lucky, and came to eat before the big shopkeeper came back. Do you know? Our big shopkeeper has become a high-ranking official, and he is surrounded by secretaries and adjutants. He is very grand. The proprietress can be regarded as a leader." Xiao Wang said.Another customer said: "Xiao Wang, what are you proud of? The restaurant is closed, you guys can only drink the northwest wind." Xiao Wang scratched his head and said, "That's right, why am I so happy?" At that time, the elopement of Huaiyuansheng's eldest lady with the poor teacher Yao Sizhong was a sensational event in Tongbai, and people of a certain age have deep memories of this incident.At that time, everyone thought it was a matter of flowers being planted on cow dung.Later, Yao Sizhong became a bandit, and everyone thought he had good eyesight.A few years later, it was suddenly learned that he had become a big shot, and everyone thought it was a legend.After a while, most people in the county knew that Yao Sizhong had returned home.

Zhu Guoliang knew that the special commissioner took up his post in Nanyang today, and was sulking at not being able to attend the dinner welcoming the special commissioner.But when he knew that the special commissioner turned out to be Zhang's son-in-law Yao Sizhong, he couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat.Out of intuition, he thought that he should give Yao Sizhong a meeting gift, and this gift should not be light.So, he immediately took a generous gift and took a car to Yaoji Restaurant. As soon as Zhu Guoliang got out of the parked jeep, the accompanying adjutant jumped out of the car early and shouted to the people around the door: "Get out of the way, get out of the way, Commander Zhu is here." Xiao Wang greeted him: "Commander Zhu, You are here, sorry, please eat somewhere else." Zhu Guoliang asked: "Is Commissioner Yao in there? Please inform me." Xiao Wang hurriedly said: "Commander Zhu wants to see our shopkeeper, come in and sit down , I'll report right now."

The originally dark and narrow living room in the backyard of the restaurant was lit with a few lights, but it was set off by the table full of colorful wine and dishes, making it look magnificent.Yao Sizhong and Zhang Ruohong sat at the master's seat, and the entourage took their places, somewhat cautiously.The guys in the restaurant shuttled back and forth to serve the dishes. Yao Sizhong greeted cordially: "Everyone, be casual, be casual. My home is also your home. You're welcome, eat, eat." Secretary Wang raised his glass and said, "Madam, I would like to respect you. Commissioner Yao often mentions you, and I admire you very much." , thank you very much."

Xiao Wang walked in and reported: "Old...Master, Commander Zhu of the County Security Corps is here, do you want to invite him in?" "I'm reuniting with my wife today. I don't have business. Tell him to meet me in Nanyang." Yao Sizhong waved his hand, raised his wine glass affectionately, looked at his wife and said, "Come on, Ruohong, I'll toast you too , these years, you have suffered." Gao Liansheng was shopping with Zhang Ruolan, when he heard that Yao Sizhong had become a special commissioner, thinking about the importance of this matter, he hurried to Yaoji Restaurant.The two got off their horses at the entrance of the restaurant, just in time to see Zhu Guoliang leaving in the car with a dark face.Gao Liansheng called Xiao Wang: "Xiao Wang, come here, what's going on?"

"Master Liansheng, you're here, but Master Shijie didn't come with you? I have good news for you. Our shopkeeper is back and has become a very big official, so big that even Commander Zhu doesn't look down on him? Hey hey Hey, Miss, wait a minute, let me go in and make an announcement..." Gao Liansheng raised his hand and slapped Xiao Wang, and taught him a lesson: "You don't even know the second lady?" I saw Second Miss, and I thought it was a fairy descending to earth. Please come in quickly." "Stop talking nonsense. Feed the horse." After Zhang Ruolan finished speaking, she raised her legs and entered the restaurant.

As soon as Yao Sizhong looked at Zhang Ruohong's natal family, he exchanged greetings and said, "Ruolan and Liansheng, I won't mention the past. Please go back to Taiping Town and report to the elders, saying that Ruohong and I want to drop by in the afternoon. .If today is inconvenient, you can look for another opportunity. However, when you are busy with business, it will be difficult to find opportunities. Ruohong, what do you think?" "I'll listen to you." Zhang Ruohong said.Yao Sizhong said: "Tell the elders that Ruohong and I have to go to Nanyang in the evening, and we can't stay at home for long. Secretary Wang, you take the car to take them back home. You wait outside. Everything depends on the arrangement of the elders."

Zhao Jiusi and Zhang Shijie were studying at the alcohol factory to deal with the investigation of the ambush group. When they heard that Yao Sizhong had become a special commissioner, they were also confused. "He didn't say what level of commissioner he is?" Zhao Jiusi said.Gao Liansheng took out a business card and handed it to Zhao Jiusi, saying, "This is his business card, and I haven't looked at it. I don't think it's too low. Zhu Guoliang wanted to see him, but he ignored him." Zhao Jiusi said, "Henan Provincial Senator, First Special commissioner stationed in southwest Henan in the war zone. His status is not low. You two go back and inform the elders first, and Shijie and I will go home in a while." Zhang Shijie ordered: "Remember, don't talk too much, mom won't eat this One set." After Zhang Ruolan and Gao Liansheng left, Zhao Jiusi paced and thought for a while and said, "We have no grasp of this situation at all. Yao Sizhong's identity has changed too much." "It's something that you can't even dream of. If there is no extraordinary adventure, this kind of thing would not happen. As soon as I come back, I will come to meet my relatives, and my tone is quite loud. My mother..." Zhang Shijie said.Zhao Jiusi said: "It doesn't matter what his background is. He wants to recognize relatives, which is not a bad thing for us. Sending special commissioners to important places is a face project to punish corruption. If we can play the card of Yao Sizhong well, it will be a good thing for us to get out of the current situation. The predicament is helpful. Let’s do this, you go to the county right away, and warmly congratulate Yao Sizhong on his return home, and I will persuade the old lady to recognize his relatives immediately. Zhu Guodong has returned to Nanyang frequently these days, there must be a conspiracy." In this way, Zhang Shijie rode straight to the county seat.When Zhao Jiusi rushed to Zhang's living room, Li Yujie hadn't made a statement yet.Seeing Zhao Jiusi come in, Zhang Dewei immediately said: "Mr. Zhao, you are well-informed, we will listen to you on how to deal with this matter." Zhao Jiusi said: "Uncle, aunt, in troubled times, you must follow the rules of troubled times. Ruohong was at fault for what happened back then. This matter has passed for many years, so it is not appropriate to investigate it in detail. If Yao Sizhong recognizes his relatives, let's give him face. This special commissioner is like the imperial envoy in ancient times, with great power in his hands. My opinion is to invite them back, to return to Taiping Town in a prosperous way. Besides, it’s not that we are crying to recognize this relative, we just found a daughter. Aunt, what do you think?” Li Yujie snorted. Said: "If this piece of Ruohong had married out of this family gracefully at the beginning, she would naturally come back gracefully now. That Yao Sizhong, let alone a special commissioner, even if he became the president, I don't think so. He is a serious person. Master, when Shijie got married, you received the gift that Mr. Zhao handed over. You can decide this matter. Indus, pack up my things, I want to take Wanlong back to Lijiazhuang Stay for a few days." Zhao Jiusi bowed again and again: "Auntie, Auntie, you can't go, this important event cannot leave you." Zhang Dewei hurriedly persuaded: "Yujie, ten years have passed, do you still remember?" What did Ruohong swear back then? Now that Yao Sizhong has made a fool of himself, why don't you use this step to let Ruohong come back. During these years and festivals, have you ever shed tears for Ruohong?" Li Yujie stood up abruptly, and said angrily: "You old man, what are you talking about in front of these juniors? Who cried? Who cried for that heartless person? I don't care if I say it! Wan Long Let’s go, let’s go to uncle’s house with grandma.” Zhang Dewei hurriedly stopped him and said, “Okay, okay, I said something wrong, and I was the one crying, don’t go.” Zhang Ruolan and Zhang Shijun hurriedly pulled Li Yujie said, "Mom, sit down quickly, sit down and talk slowly." "Auntie, stay here. In troubled times, the enemy is not just little devils. The more you maintain yourself, the more strength you have. Although the special commissioner is not as good as the president, he can affect the situation in a place. Give them a face .” Zhao Jiusi persuaded again. "Forget it, Mr. Zhao, if you stretch out your hand and don't hit the smiling man, I'll show you face today. Shijie, Shijun, go and get Zhang Ruohong and that Yao Sizhong over." What I wanted to say was said. Yao Sizhong—the news that Commissioner Yao was going to take his wife back to Taiping Township to meet relatives spread quickly throughout the area.Zhu Zhaolin, Zhu Guodong and Zhu Guoliang father and son did not know how to deal with this emergency.Zhu Guoliang drove back to Taiping Town directly after he was refused an interview at Yaoji Restaurant.After all, this purge campaign is directed at people and things that make the country suffer and make money. If you are targeted by the special commissioner, the consequences will be disastrous.Right now, he urgently needs Zhu Guodong to come up with a big idea.Zhu Guodong returned to the border of Nanyang this time and brought a battalion of troops.This battalion has been moved from the garrison to Tanghe territory in the name of training.Under his lobbying, Chen Xiangting has expressed his intention to abandon Zhang Shijie.The security forces of Tiaotongbai, Tanghe and Xinye encircled and suppressed Yang Kaitai's bandits and Zhang Shijie's Huaiyuan guards who were suspected of major collusion, and only waited for an order from Chen Xiangting.At this juncture, a special commissioner's son-in-law suddenly appeared in the Zhang family, and Chen Xiangting would most likely refuse to make this deal. Zhu Guoliang took the lead in breaking the death-like silence in the room: "I almost shivered. You don't need to wait for Chen Xiangting to issue the paper. One of your battalions plus my security team will eat Yang Kaitai, just like playing." Zhu Guodong said : "Where's Zhang Shijie?" "How long can the special commissioner stay in Nanyang? Getting rid of Yang Kaitai is equivalent to cutting off Zhang Shijie's left and right hands. Wait for Yao Sizhong to get out, and then deal with Zhang Shijie. As long as Chen Xiangting's interests in Taiping Town can be guaranteed, he doesn't care about Zhang Shijie's life or death! This time No shot..." Zhu Guoliang said.Zhu Guodong couldn't listen any more, shook his head and said, "You don't understand anything! If I could do this in the first place, I would have done it in the years when I was stationed in Tanghe and Xinye. Without Chen Xiangting's warrant, doing so would undoubtedly commit suicide. Yao Sizhong followed What's the relationship with Yang Kaitai? You're so confused. Take a step back. Clean up and go to Zhang's house to meet this Yao Sizhong later." Zhu Guoliang yelled: "Ah—" Zhu Zhaolin said: "Listen to your brother. You can only do great things if you can bend and stretch. The old lady of the Zhang family, she is such a staunch person, she still knows how to be soft! I don’t know which ancestral grave in the Zhang family has smoked, but in the past few years, they have always managed to turn bad luck into good fortune. It’s not good if you don’t accept your fate. It’s better to back up generous gifts .” After a while, the sound of gongs and drums welcoming the commissioner came from outside.This is a program specially prepared by Zhao Jiusi for Yao Sizhong by the Self-Defense Force.The motorcade stopped at the Zhang Family Courtyard, and the Zhang Family Courtyard suddenly became lively like the New Year.Zhang Dewei, Li Yujie and several elders of the Zhang family sat in the living room, while Zhang Shifan, Hui Lan and Zhong Wutong stood aside with their children.The three Zhang Shijie brothers and sisters accompanied Zhang Ruohong and Yao Sizhong into the living room. Zhang Ruohong, who was already in tears, saw his parents, and choked up a sob called "Mom and Dad", and hurried forward. "Ruohong, wait a minute." Yao Sizhong held her back and said.Everyone's eyes were focused on the two of them, and the sound of drum music outside stopped in due course.Yao Sizhong took Zhang Ruohong's hand and walked up to Li Yujie and Zhang Dewei. He knelt down first and said, "Father, Mom, son-in-law Yao Sizhong has saluted the two elders." After speaking, he firmly kowtowed three times.Immediately, Zhang Ruohong also knelt down and kowtowed.Zhang Dewei said repeatedly: "Get up, get up." An elder said hello and applauded, and everyone applauded accordingly, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately became lively. Li Yujie wiped her eyes involuntarily and said, "Shijun, Ruolan, help your sister and husband up." Zhang Ruolan and Zhang Shijun helped Yao Sizhong and his wife up, and two maidservants came over with tea trays.Yao Sizhong first served tea to Zhang Dewei, and then to Li Yujie.Everything was carried out according to the old etiquette of the new son-in-law coming to the door for the first time, which looked solemn and solemn.Yao Sizhong took out his pocket watch to look at it, cleared his throat and said, "Father, mother, brothers and sisters, I am so touched that you can recognize me as a worthless son-in-law and brother-in-law." Zhang Shijie hurriedly continued: "Brother-in-law, let the past one Let's go." Yao Sizhong said: "Well said. In the past few years, I have narrowly escaped death, and I know the importance of relatives. Without Ruohong's encouragement, I would not be able to get out of this Tongbai Mountain; without Ruohong's waiting, I would not be able to live Today. On the battlefield, in Jiujiang, in Chongqing, in Nanjing, in Wuhan, if I hadn’t thought that there was a good wife waiting for me to return after I made contributions, I would have died a hundred times. I assure you, I will use Twelve points of effort to repay Ruohong's love for me. Father, mother, I will take Ruohong to the post." Zhang Dewei hurriedly said: "Go and go. The country is the country, the country is big. The business is important. " Yao Sizhong walked into the yard, just in time to meet the two brothers of the Zhu family who were dressed in military uniforms.After much deliberation, Zhu Guodong decided to spend some money on this person.He hurried over after he ordered his adjutant to rush to Nanyang first to arrange the newly built mansion for Yao Sizhong to live in.Zhu Guodong raised his hand to give Yao Sizhong a military salute and said, "Special commissioner, do you still remember us?" Yao Sizhong smiled and said, "What do you think of me? Brother Guodong is a talented person of the party and country and a pillar of the military. Brother Guoliang It is the patron saint of Tongbai. Am I right?" Zhu Guodong said: "Compared to you, the pillar of the party and the country, we are nothing. This morning, I only found out that Commissioner Yao Fuguo is you. Commander Chen and the others don't know In fact, I thought you came to Nanyang alone to take up the post, and the apartment I found for you was not spacious enough. I often go to Nanyang, and I just renovated a house I bought last year. I thought, this house is just right for you and Ruohong My sister's new house." "How embarrassing." Yao Sizhong said.Zhu Guodong said: "When Commander Chen heard that you might take a detour to pick up your family, he also wanted to find you a mansion. Whether I can be filial is hard to say. Let's go, I will escort the special commissioner to take up his post." Yao Sizhong said: " This is not to be taken for granted." After the courtesies and gestures were complete, a group of people hugged Yao Sizhong and Zhang Ruohong out of the gate. Zhao Jiusi did not see Yao Sizhong.He watched the convoy heading towards Nanyang at the silk drying field of Zhang's house in the east of the town.Zhang Shijie came over and said, "Zhu Guodong lent his mansion to my brother-in-law, no, Yao Sizhong. I really didn't expect Yao Sizhong to rescue us." Zhao Jiusi said, "See the flaw?" "He didn't talk about the history of his fortune. He only said how much he suffered. He has been to Nanjing. Could he be a traitor?" Zhao Jiusi nodded and said, "Anything can happen. I'll check his history The bottom line. The people in Zhenhe have withdrawn. The Zhu family brothers will not make any more plans for Taibaiding in the near future. This is not good for Yang Kaitai's awakening. You go to Taibaiding and talk about Yao Sizhong." Zhang Shijie said: "I know .” "I give you a piece of advice, that is, you must do your best to avoid meeting and talking to Guo Bingxue alone. My advice is well-founded. Yang Kaitai cares about Guo Bingxue very much. This Guo Bingxue has never given up on you. Besides, don't Say no to Yao Sizhong in front of your sister. Women are pure emotional animals, and if they are not done well, big things will be ruined. Let your sister live a good life in her dream for a few days. When you see the Zhu brothers, just pretend that nothing happened .Treat Chen Xiangting as always." After the instruction, Zhao Jiusi got on his horse and left.Zhang Shijie stood for a long time among the five-colored silk fluttering in the wind, thinking hard about how Yao Sizhong got his fortune. The important mission of the special commissioner is to investigate the dereliction of duty and corruption of military and government officials in recent years.Therefore, the dinner party for Yao Sizhong was very grand.All the military and political officials who should have come and should not have come were present.When the commissioner arrived, he was notified very late, and Chen Xiangting didn't know that Commissioner Yao Fuguo was Yao Sizhong, who had been a bandit leader for a while.Zhu Guodong offered to lend the mansion to Yao Sizhong, and Chen Xiangting readily agreed.After the dinner, Chen Xiangting and other Nanyang military and political officials sent Yao Sizhong and Zhang Ruohong to the gate of the mansion. Zhu Guodong had never lived in this mansion after it was furnished, and the furniture and bedding inside were all new.Zhang Ruohong listened to the compliments at the banquet all night, and was surrounded by officials, guards and servants and sent to such a residence. Seeing that the house was full of brand new ones, she suddenly felt like a dream.When she left Tongbai County, she packed some luggage. She opened the luggage, took out an old quilt from it, put it on the bed, and hugged the new quilt aside. Yao Sizhong staggered in and asked, "Ruohong, what are you doing?" Zhang Ruohong spread out the old quilt and said, "After all, this belongs to someone else. This is the quilt we got when we got married. After you left, I will It has been built for another six and a half years, and during these six and a half years, I have shed tears on it." Yao Sizhong hugged her and said, "Everything is over, Ruohong. I am no longer the poor schoolteacher I used to be, and I am no longer hiding in the east. The bandits in Tibet are no longer Tubalu with patches on their clothes. I am a dignified provincial senator and a special commissioner in Southwest Henan. You didn’t see how many people fawned on me at the banquet just now. Ruohong, You are no longer the proprietress of a small restaurant in the county town, you are the wife of the special commissioner who is ten times more noble than Miss Zhang's family. The brand new quilt covering the two of us is the result of its previous life. " Zhang Ruohong smiled and said: "I never heard that you need to practice as a quilt. Sizhong, I only feel at ease when I spread this old quilt on the bed. Six years, only six years, you will be so successful? I always thought This is still a dream." Yao Sizhong shook his head in pain and said, "You don't know what I'm suffering. When I first left the New Fourth Army, I often only had a meal in a day or two. If I hadn't thought about your instructions before leaving , I ran back a long time ago. I was robbed by bandits and went up the mountain for half a year. The bandit leader wanted me to be a military adviser. I didn't close my eyes for two whole days and one night, and walked two hundred miles on two legs." Zhang Ruohong wiped her tears and said distressedly: "Sizhong, you have suffered. I know I miss you at home, so I didn't write a letter." Yao Sizhong said in a low voice, "Do you know what department I have been working in? The intelligence department. I understand. Your Japanese is a great help to me. In that kind of department, confidentiality is the first priority. In the past few years, although my life has been stable, my heart is even more bitter. I miss you, and sometimes I sleep all night. Before I realize it, God still takes care of us, and I can finally see you again." "I also entrusted many people to inquire about you, but there is no confirmation. I am anxious. I am not afraid that you will die in battle, or that you will be injured. I am only afraid that you will become a traitor like Yang Ziyun and Zhu Guozhu." Yao Sizhong was stunned, and blushed and said loudly: "How can I, Yao Sizhong, be a traitor? Even if the devil cuts me into pieces, I won't be a softie. What do you think of you? Because of discipline, I stand up I can’t tell you the credit. Your man is now a great hero of the party and the country.” Zhang Ruohong hurriedly apologized and said with a smile: “Don’t be angry, great hero. After Ziyun and the third son of the Zhu family became traitors, my heart…” Yao Sizhong interrupted : "The two of them can't be traitors. That Yang Ziyun, I joined the Communist Party before I left the New Fourth Army. You know, the Communist Party has always regarded me as an old bandit and refused to reuse me. The two of them will become popular as soon as they go , they cannot be traitors." "If they hadn't become traitors, why did Shijie kill them? He almost lost his life, and after recovering from his injuries, he casually married Zhong Wutong. At that time, I thought, if you also become a traitor, I will kill them myself." Kill you." "Stop talking about destroying traitors. Traitors are not easy for anyone to become. Generalissimo Jiang just returned from the meeting of the Big Three in Cairo, and the World Anti-Fascist Alliance has been formally established. China is already a big country, and little Japan is about to die Yes. In such a good situation, you talk about traitors and traitors as soon as you meet, what a disappointment!" Yao Sizhong said unhappily. After Zhang Ruohong stayed with him for a long time, Yao Sizhong's anger finally subsided. The war situation in China did not improve because Chiang Kai-shek became the four leaders.On the day Zhang Shijie's son Zhang Wanlong was two years old, news came from the radio: Zhengzhou has fallen!Now, the situation in Henan suddenly became tense. Zhao Jiusi hadn't shown up for a long time, Zhang Shijie didn't know how to deal with this unexpected situation.He was going to inquire about some upper-level news from Yao Sizhong.Years ago, Zhao Jiusi went to the base to investigate for a long time, but he still couldn't find out Yao Sizhong's fortune history.Therefore, Zhang Shijie's doubts about the special commissioner were eliminated a lot. Zhang Shijie rushed to the mansion, just as Yao Sizhong was about to go out.He cut to the chase and asked, "Brother-in-law, how big is the devil's operation this time? Will the flames of war reach Nanyang? In the past six years, the devil hasn't touched Zhengzhou. I think it's a dying struggle." Yao Sizhong tied his tie. Said: "Don't worry. In the European battlefield, the Allied forces are already opening up a second battlefield. The devil's defeat in Southeast Asia is already certain, and it's no big deal." "I'm asking about Henan." Zhang Shijie said anxiously. "Don't worry, Henan has 400,000 troops. The fall of Zhengzhou is just a small defeat. The Japanese are used to sneak attacks, and even Pearl Harbor in the United States can't stand up to it, let alone Zhengzhou, which is easy to attack and difficult to defend. When the time comes, I can't accompany you." You, why don't you go to the theater with me? I heard it's a famous actor from Luoyang." Zhang Shijie shook his head in disappointment and said, "I'm not interested." "Then you can talk to your sister, don't leave at night, let's have a good chat when I come back." Yao Sizhong said and walked out. Zhang Ruohong's face was drawn very long, and she said dissatisfiedly: "It's like this all day long, there are endless banquets and endless songs." "It's not like this kind of official, this kind of government, can we still drive away a little Japan in six or seven years? Sister, I'm going back." Zhang Ruohong held his younger brother and said, "Shijie, just stay with me, this official wife My life is so boring, it would be better for me to open a tavern in the county." Zhang Shijie said in surprise: "Sister, brother-in-law, he..." "He has changed. Do you know what I have been mainly doing in the past six months? Receiving gifts at home! Your brother-in-law is too courageous, he dares to accept gifts from anyone who comes to give them. In the first few months, he told me that I could start receiving gifts. During the ceremony, I saw some clues to important cases. In the past few months... Come and see, there are so many gold, silver, jewelry, antique calligraphy and paintings at home that I have nightmares at night." Zhang Ruohong smiled bitterly, and said disappointedly, While taking Zhang Shijie into a secret room, he opened several large boxes.Looking at the large amount of treasures in the box, Zhang Shijie said: "No wonder Nanyang only hit a few flies. Sister, you are rich." "I don't want to give away this kind of national calamity wealth." Zhang Shijie shook his head, "Apart from my brother-in-law's love for money, other aspects..." Zhang Ruohong said: "It's okay for other things." Zhang Shijie comforted his sister a few words and left disappointed.He stayed in Nanyang for three days, and all he heard was bad news.Two days after returning to Taiping Town, the news of the successive fall of Xingyang, Mixian and Gongyi came from the radio.Zhang Shijie couldn't sit still, and went to the guerrilla camp again.When Cao Zhenhe saw Zhang Shijie, he said sadly: "In just a few days, six of the county towns have been lost! The superiors just came to give instructions, saying that the devils are determined to open up the Pinghan Road this time, and they want us to prepare for the fall of the whole of Henan." preparations. The relocation of the alcohol factory should be prepared early.” At this time, Taiping Town was completely in chaos. After listening to the broadcast of Xinzheng's siege, Zhu Zhaolin slumped on a chair and ordered: "There is no escape, prepare to pack your things." "Run, you know how to run. As soon as we heard that the devils are coming, we must be the first to run, and we will be the first to run. If you want to go, go, I will stay and fight the devils. Look at the Zhang family, the guys are all learning how to shoot. " Zhu Jianzhen vented for a while, and ran away angrily. "That's right. In the past few years, we went out to run the old days twice, and let the Zhang family establish a prestige in Taiping Town. This time, we should be more cautious. Anyway, there are 400,000 troops in Henan. How can we say that we are defeated? Defeat. Laifu, go to the county seat and call the Second Young Master back..." Zhu Zhaolin laughed at himself.Lai Fu said: "Master, the second young master has gone to Nanyang to hear the news." Zhu Guoliang had just arrived in Nanyang at this time.There were few pedestrians on the street, and a newspaper boy waved his newspaper to the gate of the security commander's headquarters and shouted: "Sell newspapers, "Frontier News", the latest news: 'The three cities fell, Xinzheng was besieged, and the national army retreated again—— —'" Zhu Guoliang, who got out of the car, frowned, and said to his followers: "What kind of national army is retreating again, and saying such things at the security headquarters, isn't it slapping us in the face? Go, drive that child away." He entered the headquarters, came to the office of a deputy commander-in-chief with whom he had always had a good relationship, and asked if Nanyang was in danger.The deputy commander-in-chief patted Zhu Guoliang on the shoulder, and said helplessly, "Brother Guoliang, I'm also in a panic. Our regular army and the Japanese army have been confronting each other on both sides of the Yellow River for several years. In terms of military strength, we are absolutely superior." , I didn’t expect the Japanese to come over after crossing the river. The regular army retreated step by step. How much can our security team do? Once Xinzheng is lost, Xuchang will be in danger. When Xuchang goes to Nanyang, it will be flat. As soon as it moves, Nanyang will be called to make buns." Zhu Guoliang wiped the sweat from his forehead, and panicked: "What should we do now?" "What should I do? It's very easy for you in Tongbai, just run up the mountain and fight guerrillas." "I heard that Japan only has 60,000 troops in one army, and Commander Guangtang of our first war zone has hundreds of thousands of people..." Zhu Guoliang asked puzzled.The deputy commander-in-chief said meaningfully: "Brother, why don't you get the hang of it? Let me tell you this, your fellow Special Commissioner Yao has already packed his things in the house and is about to evacuate. He has someone up there, and the news is better than ours. Well-informed. This special commissioner, surnamed Yao, can be regarded as a lot of money." Zhu Guoliang returned to Taiping Town to discuss with his father in the middle of the night, and decided to secretly prepare for the westward retreat.Face is important, but real money is of course more important. Zhang Dewei and Li Yujie are still living a peaceful life with their grandchildren.Huaiyuansheng's alcohol factory is still producing alcohol, and the business is still going on, which makes Zhu Zhaolin baffled.Zhang Shijie plans to move the alcohol factory to Taibaiding when Taiping Town is in danger.On the second day after Luoyang fell, he took two machine guns and thirty rifles to Taibaiding. When Yang Kaitai saw it, he was surprised and said, "Has the devil arrived in Nanyang?" Zhang Shijie said, "Brother, you recruited a lot of troops a while ago, I'm afraid your guns are not enough. Luoyang has fallen, and Nanyang can't hold it. It’s hard to say. The devils are here, and we have to twist into a rope and fight with them.” Before Yang Kaitai could make a statement, Guo Bingxue spoke first: “Thank you, Master Zhang Er, this gift is too much for us to accept. Please come in for a cup of tea, There is no news on the mountain, and we would like to hear your opinion on the current situation." "Shijie, Liansheng, please. Lao Cai, you distribute the guys brought by Master Zhang Er to the newcomers, and lead them to train well. Shijie, the Pinghan line has been opened by the devils. Nanyang may be suspended this time." Already." Yang Kaitai ordered his subordinates, and accompanied Zhang Shijie and Gao Liansheng into the conference hall. Zhang Shijie said: "If you want to hold the Ping-Han line, the devils will definitely expand westward along the railway line. Whether the devils will attack Nanyang is hard to say. The Kuomintang army did not resist at all, which fueled the devils' arrogance to a certain extent." Guo Bingxue Shaking his head and sighing, "I never thought that the 400,000 army could not stop the 60,000 enemy! Once the regular army retreats, the armed forces in those places either become traitors or follow suit. Such a government and such an army are really disappointing." Zhang Shijie looked at Yang Kaitai eagerly, and said excitedly: "Brother, I came up to the mountain this time to make an alliance with you on behalf of the Huaiyuan Guards. Once the Japanese come, we will fight against the enemy together and protect the safety of Taiping Town. I don't know what you want." Yang Kaitai nodded without hesitation and said: "Shijie, Taiping Town is also my home, don't worry, once the Japanese enter Tongbai, I, Yang Kaitai, will not make it easier for them." Zhang Shijie said: "Also, I want to use you The land on the northern hillside. Once the devils hit Nanyang, I want to transfer the machines of the alcohol factory. Alcohol production cannot be stopped, and the machines cannot fall into the hands of the devils." "No problem, I'll let the brothers build a house right away and stock up on more food." Guo Bingxue said: "The Communist Party still has a vision. Don't worry, Kaitai and I will never exchange your head for a bounty. There are no outsiders It’s not dangerous for you to admit that you are the Communist Party. What annoys me the most is hiding among friends.” Yang Kaitai said: “Bingxue! Why are you mentioning this? Jingui, prepare wine and food.” Zhang Shijie said seriously: “Brother, sister-in-law, this Over the past few years, I have done some things for the Communist Party, but I..." Guo Bingxue said: "It's fine, fine, don't explain. You are just a businessman who made a fortune for the country." When the wheat shoots turned yellow, the Japanese army, which had completed the scheduled combat mission, stopped its offensive.Thirty-eight cities in Henan Province were occupied by less than 60,000 Japanese troops at a rate of one a day.Ordinary people in Nanyang didn't know the devil's strategic intentions, and they were still in panic all day long. After planting the corn, Zhao Jiusi brought good news: a part of the Eighth Route Army in Shanxi was about to cross Henan and go down to Henan to open up a base area behind the enemy. "Is this true?" Zhang Shijie asked in surprise.Zhao Jiusi said: "The Kuomintang is passively resisting, and the Japanese will definitely make progress. They will never be satisfied with just occupying the Ping-Han Railway. It seems that the whole of Henan will become an enemy-occupied area. Once the regular Kuomintang army withdraws, it will be a good time for us to establish a base area. The central government has determined The grand strategy of managing the Central Plains. At the same time as the Eighth Route Army crossing Henan, the Fourth and Fifth Divisions of the New Fourth Army will also send their main force into Henan. The situation is changing very quickly.” Gao Liansheng said happily: “That’s great, Mr. Zhao, Second Brother, we Bring the Self-Defense Forces to rendezvous.” Zhang Shijie gave Gao Liansheng a blank look and said, "I don't even think about where Tongbai is. The Eighth Route Army going south, and the troops of the Fourth and Fifth Divisions of the New Fourth Army going west and north, can't reach Nanyang without half a year's bloody battle. The devil took it in his hand." It's a gun. Lao Zhao, what should I do? Tell me." Zhao Jiusi praised: "I haven't seen you in half a year, and you have matured. You have a good view of the overall situation. You handled the alcohol factory properly. After this battle, Henan局势已非，南阳不免一战。这次中原之战，中央军溃败是表面现象，本质在于蒋介石要保存实力。所以，南阳沦陷后的局面，我们必须估计到。你们现在要做的是两件事，一是借保卫家园为名，扩大自卫队的力量，二是要利用各种关系争取各县的武装力量。具体一说，当务之急是争取到三百到五百人自卫队的编制。” “陈香亭是只老狐狸，他肯定不会让自卫队坐大。”张世杰道。赵九思道：“事在人为，这事儿可以采取边扩张边请示的办法做。另外，要用用姚思忠促成这事。”张世杰道：“姚思忠的口碑可不怎么样。新郑沦陷后，他就准备跑了，这件事影响很坏。对了，你又查到了什么没有？” “他在军统九江站服务过两年，在武汉和南京都待过，四二年春天到的重庆。从他的升迁速度看，他当汉奸的可能性不大。军统是很厉害的。姚思忠收了不少礼不假，可他也替陈香亭这些地方实力派遮掩了许多丑事。陈香亭会给他面子的。” 于是，张世杰赶到南阳姚公馆，张若虹正和两个下人在院子里晾晒古画。前一段下了几次连阴雨，好多张画上都长了绿毛。张世杰惋惜道：“太可惜了。你们别弄了，我找几个装裱师傅弄吧。这是怎么搞的？” 张若虹哀叹道：“五尺高的大男人，硬是能叫鬼子吓破胆。丢人呢！鬼子还在新郑，他就让人把这些东西装了箱。局势平稳后，我说把东西拿出来晒晒，他不肯，说鬼子离南阳只有一百多里，铁甲车说来，半天就到了。这不，鬼子没来，连阴雨倒来了。亏他还说自己跟鬼子拼过刺刀，肯定是吹牛。” 因要用姚思忠，张世杰只好替她开脱。在南阳待了十天，陈香亭才答应再批给自卫队五十个编制。姚思忠把陈香亭的手令交给张世杰，语重心长道：“世杰，你要看清大形势，染红如今又是大罪过了。不是我在查案子时给陈香亭留足了面子，他早把你的自卫队撤掉了。共产党能成什么气候？穷得叮当响，提着脑袋帮他们，能挣几个子儿？”张世杰只能诺诺地答应着。 春节在一种惶恐不安的气氛中如期来临了。虽说大家都没什么心思过这个年，但该进行的程序一样都不少，每家大门上都贴着新门神和对联，门口的地上落着一层厚厚的红红的鞭炮纸。惶恐归惶恐，过年了，该尽孝的还要尽孝，该走动的还得走动。 正月初四，朱国栋回家给父亲拜年。中原战事一起，他都没回过太平镇。看见家里有些冷清，他说：“这个年过的，不像个年嘛。” 朱照邻喷出一口烟道：“过年，还有心思过年吗？你们吃着皇粮拿着官饷，就是要你们保家卫国，可日本人来了，你们就知道跑。朱家一个儿子是团长，一个儿子是保安司令，河南大半江山落入敌手，你们都干了啥？年，我只能过简单点。”朱国栋满腹委屈地说：“爹，你以为我想撤吗？我是个军人，上面有命令往后撤，我不撤行吗？” “老爷，你就别难为他们两个了，大家还不都是一样。张家那个女婿，那个特派员，听说日本人刚占领新郑就想跑。谁不知道日本的洋枪洋炮厉害，你愿意让咱们家的人都去当炮灰呀。”朱太太说道。朱照邻道：“唉！几十万大军吃河南喝河南好几年，怎么能一见鬼子就跑呢？七年多了，还是过不了个安稳年。” 丫头孙小凤跑了回来，进门就喊：“老爷，老爷，张家那个特派员女婿来了，见个小的就发一份压岁钱，出手可大方了。你看，还给了我一份呢！”朱照邻一巴掌打掉孙小凤手中的两个银元，嚷道：“没见过钱是不是？去，把咱家的小的都叫回来，我要发压岁钱，一人发一百大洋。老二，去看看特派员，请他晚上来家里吃顿饭。” “还是先打听一下人家晚上走不走再说吧。小凤，你再跑一趟，问问清楚。”朱国栋道。孙小凤出了门，看见高连升和张若兰出了家门去了张家的酒精厂。 张世杰看见两个人，眉头一皱道：“你们俩到底有什么事，快说吧。”张若兰堆着笑脸说：“二哥，我这才知道你是个大英雄。八路军过黄河……”张世杰大喝一声：“高连升，你找死！”高连升嗫嚅道：“二哥，若兰天天缠着我要去投奔共产党，我看她很坚定，就……” “二哥，你放心，我就是死，也不会说出你们的身份。三哥跟朱家见真好，你们可别让他知道你们是干什么的。二哥，我没别的要求，只求你放了连升哥和我去投奔八路军或者新四军。”张若兰兴奋地接着说道。张世杰瞪着高连升道：“怎么着？翅膀硬了？”高连升道：“二哥，咱们在这儿做这点事，人多了窝工。不如……” “你们死了这条心吧！若兰，你听着，从今天起，你就是我们的外围人员，以后怎么办，要看你的表现。”张若兰马上道：“放心吧二哥。有的事，我做起来比你们做方便。我是女的。”张世杰道：“你回家盯着，看看姐夫他们……”高连升道：“他们已经到家了……”张世杰拿起外套冲出去道：“哪大哪小你都弄不清！这种糊涂蛋，你还想另立山头？” 张家客厅中间生了一盆火，张德威和张世范陪姚思忠夫妇坐着。姚思忠看了看，觉着气氛不够热闹，便说：“爹，我和若虹回来了，是不是把镇子上的老人们请到家里来，大家一起热闹热闹？”张德威说道：“大年下的，各家都要招呼自家的客人，再说，日本人还在河南横行霸道，谁有心思凑这个热闹。”姚思忠道：“放心吧，日本人占了平汉路，不会再有大动作，南阳没事的。”张世范道：“桐柏离平汉路这么近，鬼子人不来，飞机说不定什么时候就来了。”姚思忠反驳道：“日本的飞机大部分都在太平洋战场上，打了这么多年的仗，他们哪还有那么多炸弹。日本快完蛋了。”张德威叹了一口气道：“唉，耻辱啊，就这个已被战争耗空的小日本，六万人就打败了咱们的四十万人……你说说，都是这样的军队，我们这些小百姓哪还有安全感？”姚思忠道：“这是上面的策略……”张德威道：“我才不管它什么策略不策略，真是丢人呐。” 钟梧桐走了进来，说道：“姐姐、姐夫，妈说她身体有点不舒服，不来陪你们了。我已经把大姐以前住的房间收拾好了，你们先去休息一会儿吧。”姚思忠刚要说什么，张若虹站了起来，说道：“爹、大哥，我们先去休息一会儿。”钟梧桐带着姚思忠和张若虹朝后院走，姚思忠斜眼看了看她的腰身，问道：“二弟妹只有万隆一个孩子？”钟梧桐应了一声：“是。”姚思忠开玩笑道：“这年头，不能让肚子空着，生孩子也是抗日。”钟梧桐笑道：“照这么说，姐夫回来快一年多了，姐姐的肚子还没有一点情况，姐夫是不是想当汉奸啊？”张若虹脸色变了，气道：“梧桐，你会不会说话？”钟梧桐忙说道：“对不起，姐姐。姐夫和我开玩笑，我也是和他说着玩呢。姐夫这么大的官儿，哪能当汉奸呢？”一个丫鬟跑了过来道：“二少奶奶，太白顶的杨夫人来拜年，大少奶奶让你去把她带的年货收了。” “杨开泰的夫人来了，我得去见见她。”姚思忠来了兴趣，说着转身就往前院走。 客厅里这时的气氛才有过年的感觉。张若兰和朱见真正围在郭冰雪身边，张世杰、张世俊和高连升站在一边，大家的脸上都带着笑容。 张若兰拉着郭冰雪的胳膊晃了几下，高兴道：“冰雪姐，我早盼着你下山了。” “怎么，想让我带松子给你吃？放心吧，我带了很多。”郭冰雪问道。“她才不是要吃的，她想和你比比枪法。张二小姐已经会使双枪了，早就想找个机会展示展示。”朱见真说道。郭冰雪道：“真的吗？你们淮源自卫队有的是神枪手，跟他们过招就行了。”张若兰道：“他们都是男人，我才不愿跟他们比。”郭冰雪哈哈一笑道：“呵，想向我挑战？行，只要伯父伯母和你二哥答应，哪天我带你到信阳城去打鬼子，咱们找几个日本鬼子当靶子。”张若兰几乎蹦了起来，雀跃道：“真的吗？咱们什么时候去？” “若兰，冰雪在和你开玩笑。你就喜欢听这些打打杀杀的事儿，一点女孩样都没有。”张世杰说道。“二哥，你别拿大道理来教训我，中国现在需要的不是大家闺秀，而是能打日本鬼子的女英雄。” 姚思忠走了进来，笑道：“谁是女英雄？我看看，嗬，满屋子的美女俊男，看了都觉得中国大有希望。”张世杰忙迎上去，微笑道：“姐姐、姐夫，你们来了。”姚思忠道：“世杰，快给我介绍介绍，这位是不是开泰老弟的夫人？这么年轻，这么漂亮，眼都看花了。” “姚特派员真会开玩笑。我就是太白顶土匪头子杨开泰的老婆。”郭冰雪笑道。姚思忠笑了起来：“杨夫人，弟妹，我这会儿的身份不是什么特派员。说起来，我也曾在开泰老弟手下干过一阵子，按山上的规矩，不序年龄，只序品阶，论起辈分来，我该叫你一声大嫂。”郭冰雪忙道：“不敢当。若虹姐，好久不见了。你比以前瘦多了，不过，也漂亮多了。”张若虹走过来拉着她的手，说道：“冰雪，怎么没把孩子带来？”郭冰雪道：“大冷天的，我很快就回去了。”姚思忠走了几步，说：“听说你的父亲以前也是政府要员，那你应该好好引导引导开泰老弟，占山为王不是长久之计，如果他想为党国效劳，我愿意做个引荐之人。” “谢谢姐夫。我们还是在山上自己找活路吧，省得像那四十万正规军，吃着老百姓，喝着老百姓，到头来把老百姓扔给鬼子，遭人唾骂。”姚思忠尴尬道：“我看大家都误会政府了，其实这只是一个策略？”张若虹突然大声说道：“你就别再讲你那什么策略了，这儿没人愿意听。老百姓只知道我们四十万大军打不过六万鬼子，三十七天丢了三十八座县城！” 此言一出，大家顿时都愣住了。 钟梧桐走进来，打破了暂时的沉默，她说：“杨夫人，妈让你到后院去，她想和你说说话。”张世范带着朱国梁进来了：“都站着干什么？快坐，快坐。妹夫，国梁找你。”朱国梁对姚思忠说道：“特派员，见你一次不易，请你吃个饭也不易。碰巧，我哥也回来了。今天中午或者晚上，你能不能赏脸过去喝杯薄酒？” “你太客气了。那就中午吧。借住你们的房子，我还没机会说个谢字呢。若虹，一起过去吧？”张若虹道：“我又插不上嘴，不去。”姚思忠道：“也好。晚上借家里的地方，我作东，请国栋、国梁兄弟来家吃个饭。世杰，你帮我张罗张罗。” “是。你放心吧。”朱国梁道：“特派员太过细了。” 姚思忠夫妇回南阳后，李玉洁把张世杰叫到后院，见面就说：“梧桐说你姐回来两天掉了两回眼泪。你见这姓姚的多，你说说他到底是不是个东西。豫西南地区特派员，那是多大的官？他怎么做出事儿来，还是一股下贱气？” 张世杰憋了半天，还是不知该怎么回答。