Chapter 17 Chapter Seventeen

The Communist Party's three-way army joined forces in Tongbai County, and Taiping Town, which had just calmed down not long ago, became restless again. Li Yujie asked Zhang Dewei: "Master, the big families in the town are preparing to leave, what should we do? How about packing up first?" Zhang Dewei said: "Wait for Shijie, let's see what he has to say." There was a burst of noise from outside Noisy, Zhu Zhaolin and Zhu Guoliang pushed the heavily tied Zhang Shijun into the living room.Seeing this, Zhang Ruohong asked, "What are you doing? Why are you tying people up?" Zhu Guoliang said angrily, "Ask him. He took our family to join the Communist Party." Li Yujie asked, "Shijun, Is there such a thing?" Zhang Shijun poked his neck and said: "Yes. The Communist Party is not bad." Li Yujie raised his hand and slapped his son, "Stubborn! Guoliang, thank you. Take care of my brother and sit down." Zhu's father and son I sat down.Zhu Zhaolin said earnestly: "A mistake will cause eternal hatred, and you must not let the child jump into the fire pit." Zhu Guoliang looked around, "Uncle and aunt, you can really hold your breath, the Communist Party has already hit Tongbai, you Home is still the same as everyone else."

Gao Liansheng and Zhang Ruolan walked into the yard, and Gao Liansheng said as they walked, "Godfather and godmother, the second brother told me to pack up quickly...Master Zhu, Commander Zhu." Zhu Guoliang asked, "Gao Liansheng, where is Shijie?" Zhang Ruolan replied, "I The second elder brother went to inspect the semicolon below. I never expected that Commander Zhu would run for fifty li in a fright because of the Communist Party's several local officials." Zhu Guoliang said: "How many local officials? Tens of thousands of official officials! Uncle, Auntie, the Communist Party is a poor party, and we are not in the same family! If you stay here, there will be absolutely no good fruit to eat. This place is only a few dozen miles away from the county seat, so hurry up and bring Shijie back. Whether to leave or stay, it’s time to make up your mind.” Zhang Dewei hurriedly ordered: "Lian Sheng, go find Shijie quickly."

"I'll look for it right away." Gao Liansheng went out, and Zhang Ruolan followed suit.Li Yujie shouted: "Ruolan, why are you going?" Zhang Ruolan replied: "Go to my second brother." Li Yujie said loudly: "Stop! You are a girl who runs outside every day, is it reasonable? You used to say you were going to fight Devil, I won't stop you. From now on, you stay at home. Ruohong, I handed over Ruolan and Shijun to you, watch carefully, don't let them run around." "Mom, you have no right to interfere with my personal freedom!" Ruolan said anxiously while stomping her feet.Li Yujie educated Ruolan earnestly: "I am your mother, I have no rights, who has rights? Brother Zhaolin, Guoliang, don't worry, Shijun, I will take a close look at it. Ruohong, you should be careful first. Pack up your things, as for whether to leave or stay, wait for Shijie to come back before making up your mind." Zhu Guoliang stood up, "Uncle and Auntie, if you want to leave, go to Nanyang. I hope Shijie can bring the self-defense force to hurry up." Withdraw to Nanyang."

Zhang Ruohong hurriedly went out to find Gao Liansheng: "Liansheng, did Shijie go to see Lao Zhao? Listen, our Eighth Route Army didn't go west after we hit the county seat, which means we don't have enough manpower. You have to manage the team well." If you don’t do it right, it will cause big trouble.” Gao Liansheng admired: “Elder Sister is really a hero among women. She stands tall, sees far, and is calm when things happen. She is much better than me. No wonder Mr. Zhao is always praising you these days.” Zhang Ruohong smiled slightly: "I'm a person who died once. If Lao Zhao hadn't shown me this new path, I wouldn't be alive. If I had read the book written by the leader of the Communist Party, maybe...you can trust me, Think of me as a person, I can’t be shameless, and I don’t hit the bell if I become a monk. Does Shijie want to bring the team over?” Gao Liansheng nodded while listening, and then said: “He thought about it seven years ago. Eldest sister, the second brother is not here, we will divide the work, I will take care of the team, and you will be the housekeeper."

Zhang Shijie found Zhao Jiusi and repeatedly emphasized that he must surface this time.Zhao Jiusi went to see the old chief who came back with the army.After listening to the report, the chief said: "Comrade Zhang Shijie has indeed made a lot of great achievements, which shows that his appointment over the years is correct. The organization has not forgotten his contribution over the years, and the contribution of your Comrade Zhao Jiusi has not been forgotten." Zhao Jiusi He waved his hands again and again: "Don't get me wrong, chief, I definitely don't mean to show merit. I mean that Zhang Shijie will definitely do more when he is in the main force."

"Do you think the revolution is about to win? The time is ripe to compete in the Central Plains, and you also want to lead troops to fight? Do you know how many enemies there are around our 60,000 to 70,000 people?" the chief asked back.Zhao Jiusi quickly replied: "I know there will be more and more enemies. People are needed only when there are many enemies." The chief shook his head and said, "Your thinking is bad! Right now, we don't have the strength to fully compete with Chiang Kai-shek. Your It's not appropriate to disclose your identity." Zhao Jiusi said: "Let Zhang Shijie disclose it. His self-defense force has hundreds of people, and it can't be hidden or concealed. Recently, the Central Army and the local forces over there are fighting this The idea of ​​a team."

"Where is he? Right in front of you? Tell him to show up. I'll be the villain." The chief said.Zhao Jiusi yelled into the woods, and Zhang Shijie ran over immediately.Zhang Shijie shook out all the thoughts in his heart: "If I can't fight, I will not be allowed to be the main force. I will obey. But if I can fight, if I am not allowed to be the main force, I just can't figure it out! Commander, in the past few years, we The number of devils killed was at least three hundred. This credit should be attributed to the Communist Party, but it can only be credited to Bie Tingfang and Chen Xiangting. What is this called?" The chief patted Zhang Shijie on the shoulder and said, "Since your family ran After the establishment of the alcohol factory, our hospital will be much easier to run. You are a hero, a great hero. However, the revolutionary cause requires you to stay in Taiping Town." Zhang Shijie was unwilling to hear this: "Chief, our troops have already occupied the town. Is it necessary for me to hide in Taiping Town?" The chief thought for a while and said: "We occupied the county just as a gesture, which is called military service for politics. Negotiations are underway at the top. Comrade Shijie, the revolution is far from success." It’s still far away! Let’s not talk about anything else, just talk about the base of Tongbai, it may be lost soon, maybe we will have to fight a protracted war like the War of Resistance Against Japan. The strategic position of the Tongbai area is very important. Our current strength cannot be maintained or developed. Within 200 kilometers, there are 300,000 enemy troops. So, Comrade Shijie, your public identity can only be that of Huai Yuansheng’s young master, Huai Yuansheng. From the captain of the guard. From the overall perspective, we must secretly deploy a surprise soldier in this place. How about this, the regular army will also give you an identity: the chief of the Secret Service, which is considered to be at the regimental level. If we can stand firm, I will definitely let you You take a regiment to fight." Zhang Shijie was silent for a while, and said: "I obey the organization's decision. However, I have a request. The Huaiyuan Guard cannot stay in Taiping Town. Its target is too big now. Self-Defense Force members We can fight hard, we can’t leave them to the Kuomintang.” Zhao Jiusi also added: “Chief, our army needs this force.” The chief thought for a while: “We can bring the troops here, but we must do it skillfully. You can’t reveal your identity, and you can’t let your opponent know that this matter is related to you.”

After Zhang Shijie and Zhao Jiusi discussed a plan, Zhang Shijie went directly to Nanyang.The purpose of his public disclosure in Nanyang was to check the accounts.After arriving in Nanyang, I had a quick lunch and sat behind the counter in the Nanyang branch, looking through the account books seriously.Shopkeeper Li said from the side: "Since the semicolon resumed business, the business has been good, but it can't be compared with Tong Shunxing. Ever since the young master of the Zhu family was stationed in Nanyang, Tong Shunxing has always wanted money and goods. , our uncle is not in Nanyang now, so many things are really difficult." Zhang Shijie closed the account book, looked up and said, "I am very satisfied with the current situation." Li shopkeeper said in a low voice: "Second young master, what do you say? Can the Communist Party stay in Tongbai for a long time, and will it hit Nanyang?" Zhang Shijie hurried forward, and said in a low voice, "Hush! Shopkeeper Li, let's not talk about this matter. Tell me about you Now that the devils are finished and the situation is different, what measures should we take in this shop?" Just as he was talking, a clerk led a soldier in and said, "Second Young Master, Commander Zhu sent someone to deliver a letter to you The soldier saluted and said: "Master Zhang Er, by order of the regiment seat, invite Master Zhang Er to come to the regiment headquarters for a reunion." Zhang Shijie was waiting for this result, and immediately followed the soldiers out.

When there was a commotion in Tongbai, Nanyang became a big barracks again.Although Zhu Guodong's army was stationed outside the city, his regiment headquarters was located in the original municipal office building.Upon hearing the news that Zhang Shijie had come to Nanyang, Zhu Guoliang immediately reported to Zhu Guodong.When Zhu Guodong sent someone to call Zhang Shijie, Zhu Guoliang asked about the situation in Nanyang. Zhu Guodong said lightly: "In recent days, all over the country are transferring troops to Nanyang. The Communist Party wants to use tens of thousands of people to compete with the party and the country in the Central Plains. This dream is outrageous." It is already the headquarters of the Communist bandits. Brother, give me a letter, when will the higher-ups plan to encircle and suppress them?"

Zhu Guodong said: "It won't be too long. We can't control this kind of thing, let's discuss how to deal with Zhang Shijie." Zhu Guoliang said: "There is nothing to discuss, as long as he is willing to come here, detain him, and then go Send a letter from Taiping Town to let all his self-defense forces go to Nanyang, and the matter will be over." Zhu Guodong shook his head, "I always feel that something is wrong. Although I haven't caught Zhang Shijie's handle these years, but According to my judgment, Zhang Shijie must have something to do with the Communist Party. Now that the Communist Party has attacked Tongbai, he didn’t show up, but came to Nanyang alone. First, take advantage of this opportunity to get the Self-Defense Forces, add my people, and then go to the top to do activities, brother, you can really get a teacher..."

The guard brought Zhang Shijie in.Zhu Guodong hurriedly stood up and said: "Shijie, you are here, please sit down quickly. I heard that Tong Shunxing's shopkeeper said that you have come to Nanyang. I still don't believe it. I didn't expect that you are really in Nanyang." Zhang Shijie cupped his hands and said: "Brother Guodong, second brother Guoliang, the Communist Party has occupied Tongbai County, and Huaiyuansheng should find a way out. I'm considering whether to move the head office to Nanyang. My elder brother is gone, and I can't bear the burden of Huaiyuansheng. Who will you choose?" Zhu Guodong looked at Zhang Shijie inquisitively: "You mean that you should concentrate on doing business in the future?" Zhang Shijie said, "Exactly. Big brother Guodong, second brother Guoliang, in order to fight Japan, I set up the The Self-Defense Forces, the Japanese have been defeated now, and it is useless for the Self-Defense Forces to support so many people. Let me tell you the truth, the Self-Defense Forces are already competing with the alcohol factory for food. I plan to leave a hundred or eighty housekeepers, The rest will be sent to Big Brother Guodong, I wonder if Big Brother will accept it?" Zhu Guoliang was overjoyed: "Yes, why not? Shijie, you finally think about it..." Zhu Guodong said: "Shijie, I hope You can come with the Self-Defense Forces, as long as you join the regular army, it’s not difficult to take care of your family’s business.” Zhu Guoliang said, “That’s right, if you want to come, come here thoroughly, why keep a hundred or eighty people. Shijie, You see, our family has my brother's regular army and my security team. When will we need to guard the house? Every time there is a mess, our family's people and wealth can be transferred to a safe place immediately. They still use military vehicles..." Zhu Guodong cut off Zhu Guoliang's words, "Shijie, I'm working on it, as long as you come, within half a year, I promise to give you a letter of appointment as regiment leader." Zhang Shijie looked distressed: "Our family really I can't do without me, let me think about this matter. Let's talk about my men first, when will we send them over?" Zhu Guodong said: "I welcome you at any time. Guoliang, I will immediately send an adjutant to accompany you and the world. Jie went back to Taiping Town to discuss specific matters..." When Zhang Shijie and Zhu Guoliang returned to Taiping Town, the Zhang family was in chaos.Zhang Ruohong was instructing his family to load things into the carriage, while Zhang Dewei and Li Yujie sat outside the door shaking their heads and sighing.Zhang Shijie asked suspiciously: "Sister, what happened?" Zhang Ruohong said: "Gao Liansheng has caused a big disaster. He was worried about the warehouse of the New Fourth Army, and he took two or three hundred people to make a surprise attack and asked him to make dumplings." Zhang Shijie Furious: "You bastard! Where are the others?" Li Yujie said, "I don't know if he's dead or alive. That damned girl Ruolan also went with her. Go over there and beg for mercy." "That's not right! Your self-defense team is quite capable of fighting, two or three hundred people, and none of them came back?" Zhu Guoliang was a little confused.Zhang Ruohong replied: "Four escaped back. Shijie, hurry up, the Communist Party will definitely come to retaliate." Zhang Shijie said: "Could he have gone to join the Communist Party?" Zhu Guoliang said: "Yes." Li Yujie said: "No way. His mother is still in the town." Zhang Shijie said: "Come on, hurry up and arrest Gao Liansheng's old lady. This kid proposed several times to raid the Communist Party's warehouse, but I didn't agree. Isn't he really He wants to attack the Communist Party? How could he escape only four when he went to fight a warehouse with two or three hundred people? It seems that he really has the heart to join the Communist Party. Sister, you take your parents to Nanyang to avoid it first, and I will check it out. matter." Zhang Dewei said: "See if Ruolan is still alive." Liu Jinsheng rode over with a few people.Liu Jinsheng handed a letter to Zhang Shijie, "The Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army have withdrawn from the county. This is a letter sent to you by their cavalry commander. Lian Sheng and Miss Er also wrote letters." Zhu Guoliang said: "They must I have defected to the Communist Party." Zhang Shijie handed the letter to Zhu Guoliang after reading it: "Weak bone! Only then did I realize that this was causing trouble for Huai Yuansheng, it was too late. Sister, don't withdraw it now, let's see the situation. Jin Sheng, Bu Good alert." Zhu Guoliang knocked on the channel with his hand: "Shijie, I don't think this Gao Liansheng is telling the truth." Zhang Shijie said sadly: "I am really blind to recognize such a bastard brother! I'm sorry, Second Brother Zhu. I I've become a poor commander... I'm really sorry." In a blink of an eye, the year passed, spring went, and the first summer after defeating the devils also came.For more than half a year, Zhang Shijie has contracted the problem of drinking too much again.He has already seen that the Central Plains War is imminent, with 60,000 people surrounded by 300,000 to 400,000 enemies, and the Central Plains has become a dangerous situation.At such a critical moment, I can only play the role of the young shopkeeper in Taiping Town. How can I relieve the sorrow in my heart without drinking?The business is still going on, and the team that comes to deliver the cocoons every day is as long as two miles.Liu Jinsheng was in charge of collecting silkworm cocoons, Zhang Shijun was in charge of distributing silver dollars, and Zhu Jianzhen was helping.Zhu Guoliang came over and saw Zhang Shijun and Zhu Jianzhen staying together very intimately, frowned and coughed.Liu Jinsheng hurriedly stood up and Song: "Commander Zhu—" Zhu Guoliang grabbed a handful of silkworm cocoons and looked at them, "The business is good." Liu Jinsheng said, "Thank Commander." Zhang Shijun also stood up, "Second Brother Guoliang— ——" Zhu Guoliang looked at his sister: "I've only been back from Nanyang for a few days, and I'm not at home." Zhu Jianzhen said: "I have nothing to do at home." Zhu Guoliang said: "If you have nothing to do, you won't talk to Dad? The two of you Where's the young master?" Liu Jinsheng hurriedly said, "The second young master is at the silk drying yard." Zhu Guoliang glared at his sister, turned his head and left. The Zhangjia silk drying field is also a busy scene.Zhu Guoliang found Zhang Shijie by the dyeing vat: "I heard that Gao Liansheng and your family Ruolan both joined the Communist Party." Zhang Shijie didn't blink his eyes, "Are you going to get involved? I'm so breathless!" Zhu Guoliang said: "There are a lot of rumors, you You have to have an attitude." Zhang Shijie said: "Are you telling me to kill Mrs. Gao? I really want to kill her. But if she kills her, what will my sister do? You're not sure! Are you suspicious of me?" Zhang Shijie somewhat Excited.Zhu Guoliang said: "Shijie, if you were the Communist Party, you would have surfaced a long time ago. I said this for your own good and for the good of Taiping Town. Li Xiannian, Wang Shusheng and Wang Zhen can't carry it for too long." Zhang Shijie said: "I can see that this time the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army are more dangerous than good." Zhu Guoliang said: "It's good to know. My father celebrates his birthday on the tenth day of the lunar new year. You should go and have a drink." Zhang Shijie smiled and said: "I will never forget .Second brother Zhu, there is good wine to drink, I will go if you don’t invite me.” Zhao Jiusi hadn't shown up for a long time, Zhang Shijie didn't know what to do for the besieged army.The next day, he asked the accountant to check the accounts for the past six months, and withdrew 20,000 oceans for emergency.After the army broke through, there were many places to spend money.You obviously can't beat him, why don't you leave?Zhang Shijie was very anxious.Liu Jinsheng ran to the accounting room and said: "The third child of the Zhu family has returned with his wife. They are all wearing the colonel's military uniform, and they are very proud." Zhang Shijie gave Liu Jinsheng a white look: "It's important to mind your own business. Let's go and have a few drinks with me. Yesterday, Two more divisions over there have arrived at Tanghe, why don't our people break through the encirclement!" Yang Ziyun and Zhu Guozhu hurried back to Taiping Town from Nanyang after they learned of the plan to encircle and wipe out the Central Plains Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army.They went to Nanyang for business, and there was no radio station around them.Yang Ziyun decided to use Zhang Shijie to get in and out of this information. As soon as the two of them arrived home, all the children of Zhu's family were present.Zhu Zhaolin looked at the people in the room and said happily: "After so many years, this day finally comes. Well, Guodong Guoliang, wait until my birthday, bring your wives and children, and our family will be reunited. "Zhu Guozhu handed over a box and said: "Father, this is a wish from Ziyun and I. I wish you a happy family like the East China Sea and a longer life than Nanshan." Zhu Guoliang said: "Guozhu, your gift is too early. , should be brought out at the birthday banquet. Father has long wanted relatives and neighbors to watch you and Ziyun brothers and sisters wear military uniforms to pay homage to him." Zhu Guozhu said: "Father, I'm sorry, we can't attend your birthday banquet, and we can't be at home Stay, we have to rush back today." "I'm leaving today? Can't you stay at home for a day?" Zhu Zhaolin was a little disappointed.Mrs. Zhu also said: "Yes, Guozhu, Ziyun, you can stay for a day, I have arranged a new house for you. After you got married, you have never lived at home." Zhu Guozhu said: "Father, wife, brother two Brother, we really want to stay at home, but the military order is like a mountain." Zhu Zhaolin nodded, "Since the military order is like a mountain, we won't keep you. It's still early in the morning, so please talk to us for a while longer." Zhu Guozhu said awkwardly "Father, Ziyun, she wants to visit the Zhang family." Yang Ziyun said in a low but firm voice, "Father, the Zhang family has been kind to me in nurturing me, so I must go and see it." Zhu Guodong said : "Should, should. Guozhu will also go, and apologize to the elders of the Zhang family. Bring some decent gifts there." Yang Ziyun and Zhu Guozhu came to Zhang's house.Only Zhang Dewei came out to receive them.A cup of tea was waiting to cool down, but Li Yujie was still nowhere to be seen.Yang Ziyun looked at the door, his eyes were red: "Uncle, I'd better go see my aunt." He stood up while talking.Zhang Dewei hurriedly said: "Sit down, sit down. She, she likes to take a nap, she has a bad temper, and the servants dare not call out. Come on, hurry up and urge your wife." Li Yujie came in in response: "When will I become a mother?" Tiger? Oh, is this really Miss Ziyun? Oh, it’s Guozhu! It’s so beautiful, so beautiful. Sit down, sit down. Ziyun, although you and Guozhu are married outside, you can go back to Taiping Town We still want to hold a banquet, let us also have a cup of wedding wine. Anyway, you have been my daughter in this house for several years..." Yang Ziyun knelt down towards Li Yujie, and said: "Auntie, uncle, Ziyun is sorry for you, Kowtow to you." After finishing speaking, he kowtowed a few times.Zhang Dewei hurriedly stood up and said: "I can't do it, I can't do it..." Zhu Guozhu also knelt down and kowtowed his head: "Guozhu is sorry for you too." Li Yujie's eyes turned red: "Get up, get up. How can this be your fault? I only blame this world. What about Shijie? Is Shijie drunk again? Go, find the second young master. If he hasn't drunk, let him come back and meet Ziyun." Yang Ziyun said: "I really want to see you Shijie." Zhong Wutong dragged his son into the living room.Li Yujie said: "Wutong, go, send someone to bring Shijie back to me, Ziyun wants to see him." After drinking two more cups of tea, Zhang Shijie staggered in and asked, "Who is crying and calling to see me? Oh, Miss Yang, Master Zhu San. Come back to celebrate your father's birthday?" Li Yujie stood up and said, " Let's go, let them talk. Guozhu, you know, you Shijie used to have no problems. Now, some people say that he is full of five poisons. But he loves to listen to Ziyun... Zhang Dewei said: "Yujie, don't say a few words." Zhu Guozhu said: "It's my fault. Ziyun, let's have a good talk." After speaking, he walked out of the living room.Li Yujie looked at Wutong standing outside the door: "Let's go, let's go." Zhang Shijie looked at Yang Ziyun with a strange smile: "Why do you still see me? I am hopeless. I have been involved in eating, drinking, whoring, gambling and smoking. Last year, even Gao Liansheng betrayed me. Why did you choose Zhu Guozhu?" That’s right. I’ve already blessed you from Taibaiding. Why come to my house in military uniform to show off?” He said, tears streaming down his face, “Killing people can’t kill you, please don’t torture me again. "Yang Ziyun also cried: "I know it's not good for me to do this, and it's not fair to you. But this matter is very urgent." He took out a letter from his military uniform: "Shijie, please do it as quickly as possible. Find Mr. Zhao Jiusi Zhao and give him this letter. If you accomplish this, you just... just pretend it. Remember, don’t let anyone know about it.” Pushing the letter into Zhang Shijie’s arms, He ran away in tears.Zhang Shijie couldn't think of the cause and effect of this incident for a while, so he took a horse and rode to the place where the guerrillas were active. After the main force withdrew from the core area of ​​Tongbai, a small number of people were still left on the mountain to fight guerrillas.These days, Zhao Jiusi was thinking about the survival of the guerrillas after the main force broke through.After Zhao Jiusi read the letter, he immediately ordered the radio operator to send the report: "This information is very important. Comrade Ziyun and Guozhu have made great contributions again? Why are you looking at me like this?" Zhang Shijie suddenly exploded: "Zhao Jiusi, you are too I'm so cruel, I used to be in so much pain, you obviously only need to say a word, you can relieve my pain, it's not that you don't know, but you didn't say it. You made me misunderstand her and hurt her. When she left, it was flow She walked away with tears, those tears, I made her shed. I, I am such a bastard." He punched himself in the chest and squatted on the ground with his head down.Zhao Jiusi walked over and squatted beside him: "Shijie, I said earlier that revolution requires sacrifices. I only found out their real identities from the chief last spring. They have been pretending to be husband and wife fighting on the hidden front. Go. Of course, I didn’t tell them your real identity, Ziyun also misunderstood you.” Zhang Shijie was stunned for a long time, and murmured: “I really hope that the revolution will win soon, so that I have the opportunity to ask her forgiveness.” Zhao Jiusi said: "Let's talk about the immediate matter first. The central government has agreed to break through in three ways." "What about me? Stay in Taiping Town?" Zhang Shijie hurriedly asked. "You can only stay in Taiping Town and persevere. You really shouldn't let your people go to the main force. Even if you go up, it's like breaking your arm. I don't even dare to think about the difficulties you will face in the future. I just received an order , to lead the guerrillas to lead the way for the advance troops to break out of the siege. During the days when I am away, everything is at your discretion. Remember: the task I give you is to survive, and you can do anything to survive.” On the evening of the third day, the besieged 68,000 Route Army and the New Fourth Army began to break out of the encirclement.In the first half of the night, Zhao Jiusi, Gao Liansheng and others carried Zhang Ruolan, who was unconscious, into the courtyard of the Huaiyuan Sheng headquarters.Zhang Shijie asked, "What's going on?" Gao Liansheng said, "I don't know, yesterday afternoon, she suddenly had a high fever..." Several people entered the room and put Zhang Ruolan on the bed.Zhang Shijie said, "Liansheng, you wouldn't run away for Ruolan..." Zhao Jiusi hurriedly said, "Liansheng and the others are in charge of scouting the road and sending Ruolan back by the way. A large army will pass through the border in the middle of the night." Zhang Ruohong came in with the clothes: "You all go out." Several people went out, Zhao Jiusi said: "Liansheng, you go to the army." Gao Liansheng walked a few steps, turned around and said, "Second brother, my mother... Zhang Shijie replied, "It's all right. Let's go." Gao Liansheng turned around and left the yard.Zhang Shijie, Zhao Jiusi, and Liu Jinsheng walked into the room. Zhang Ruohong had already changed Zhang Ruolan's New Fourth Army uniform, threw it on the ground, poured some alcohol on the clothes, and set them on fire.Zhao Jiusi said: "I have to go too, Shijie and Ruohong, remember, your task from now on is to protect yourself." Zhang Shijie nodded: "I know." Zhao Jiusi shook Zhang Daojie's hand: "You want to I believe that the difficulties are temporary, and we will definitely come back!" Zhang Ruohong asked: "How long will it take?" Zhao Jiusi said: "I can't say. Maybe soon, maybe a long time, but we will definitely come back. Take care." After speaking, he rushed to the yard.Zhang Ruohong chased to the door and shouted: "Jiusi, you must come back alive!" Zhao Jiusi replied in the yard: "You must come back alive!" Zhang Ruohong came back, picked up the fragments of the military uniform with a wooden stick, and watched the flames burn the uniform completely.Zhang Shijie said: "Sister, Ruolan is in your hands. Jin Sheng, wake up all the brothers at home." Liu Jinsheng asked: "What are you doing?" Zhang Shijie said: "Take the guys and prepare to chase the New Fourth Army." Zhang Ruohong screamed all the time." Are you crazy?" Zhang Shijie said: "If you don't fire a few shots, can the brothers of the Zhu family let us go, and execute the order." He stepped out the door.Zhang Ruohong chased after him: "What should I say? Ruolan came back unexpectedly, what should I say?" Zhang Shijie smiled: "Is this difficult for you?" Zhang Ruohong stomped her feet anxiously: "Make up your mind." Zhang Shijie said: "Gao Liansheng threatened Ruolan to go to the Communist Party with him, but Ruolan refused, and was tortured by that bastard Gao Liansheng. This time, taking advantage of the opportunity of the national army to suppress the Communists, Ruolan escaped from death. That's all." Zhu Guodong really wanted to make great achievements in this Central Plains War and be promoted to an official position.Unexpectedly, Wang Zhen and Wang Shusheng, who broke through to the west, moved too fast and entered the Wanxi Mountains overnight.Depressed, Zhu Guodong stayed in Nanyang for a few days before going to Tongbai County.Zhu Guoliang comforted him and said: "Brother, don't be discouraged. The Communist Party is good for us. The opportunity to be the king of Tongbai has come." Zhu Guodong said: "There is Zhang Shijie in Taiping Town, and Yang Kaitai in Taibaiding. Do we dare to be kings? Did Zhang Shijie really lead people to chase down the Communist bandits?" Zhu Guoliang said: "That's still fake, I saw it with my own eyes." Zhu Guodong sighed: "Zhang Shijie is too cunning. What's the matter with Yang Kaitai?" Zhu Guoliang said: "He also sent people When I went down the mountain, of course, I didn’t catch anything.” Zhu Guodong snorted: “He has a lot of eyes. Then let’s be King Tongbai first. Zhang Shijie must show his original shape. Didn’t you catch a few The wounded of the New Fourth Army, I think, just use those wounded to force him." Zhu Guoliang asked puzzledly: "Forced? How?" Zhu Guodong said: "Of the wounded you caught, three were once Zhang Shijie's subordinates. You take them to Taiping Town and execute them publicly. Let Zhang Shijie participate in this matter. His sister comes back one day early and asks him to protect her sister. As long as he wants to save people, I will have an excuse to kill him. If he allows you to kill this A few people, and there will be fewer people following him in the future. You post a notice and kill people in three days." At noon on the fourth day, five wounded members of the New Fourth Army were locked in two wooden cages and pulled into the Zhangjia Silk Drying Field in Taiping Town by horse-drawn cart.Spectators poured in from all directions towards the silk drying yard.Zhu Guoliang and dozens of security guards were already waiting at the silk drying yard. He looked at more and more people, and told the adjutant beside him: "Go, get Zhang Shijie, and I will let him deal with the traitor with his own hands." In the courtyard, an old man, a young woman and a five or six-year-old girl were kneeling.In the living room, Zhang Shijie sipped tea slowly.Zhang Ruohong rubbed his hands aside: "What should I do? Shijie, hurry up and make up your mind. You can't do nothing, can you? This is one of your own." Zhang Shijie said, "Sister, calm down! Can't you see Zhu Brother's sinister intentions? Let me think about it." Zhang Dewei walked from the backyard to the front yard.The old man kowtowed and said, "Old boss, help me!" Zhang Dewei closed his eyes in pain: "I am no longer in charge of the family. You should go and beg Zhao Neighbor brothers. This Taiping Town is now under the Zhu family's world." The young woman said : "I've begged, it's useless." Li Yujie came over and said: "Get up. This is fate, admit it. I just went to see Zhao Lin, and he said that this is the law of the country. Zhuzi and the others violated the law of the country." Zhang Ruolan rushed into the living room dragging her weak body, "Second brother, you can't just ignore death. They are all your...brothers! Let me ask you, are you going?" Zhang Shijie said, "What do you know that can save you?" Will I not teach?" Zhang Ruolan said: "You are a coward, afraid of death! If you don't go, I will." Zhang Dewei walked into the living room and slapped Zhang Ruolan across the face: "Bastard! Without your second brother's support, you would die!" "Death is death, I'm not afraid." Zhang Ruolan said and ran outside.Zhang Ruohong hugged Ruolan tightly: "Don't make trouble! This is a big deal, I have to listen to your second brother. Sit down." "Father, Mom, the disaster is imminent, and it's all my fault. They're tempting me. People, I can't save them. Don't go out. Don't let them go either." Zhang Shijie said, and walked out of the living room.The young woman cried, "Second Young Master, we kowtow to you." Several people kowtowed loudly.Zhang Shijie said: "I'll do my best. Get up, sit in the room and wait for me." A maid ran over from the backyard in a panic: "Second young master, second young master, young master has a fever again, second young lady told you Hurry up." Zhang Ruohong ran out of the living room, "Hurry up and call the doctor!" Zhu Guoliang's adjutant ran to the door and said, "Captain Zhang, I'll be waiting for you, please." Zhang Shijie walked out of the yard.Zhang Dewei said: "Ruolan, the Zhu family brothers have thousands of people under their command, how many people does your second brother have under his command? Chairman Jiang would rather kill three people by mistake than let one go. Today's situation is not as good as it seems. If we are not careful, we will not survive. We are not allowed to go out!" On the silk drying field, the exorcising team had already supported five wounded members of the New Fourth Army and stood in front of hundreds of townspeople.Seeing Zhang Shijie approaching, Zhu Guoliang took a few steps forward to greet him: "Captain Zhang, you are long in coming." Zhang Shijie replied, "What a coincidence, Wan Long is suffering from measles, fever, crying and fussing." Zhu Guoliang said: "It's a coincidence. You didn't bring a gun," Zhang Shijie said, "It's enough to have the commander's gun." Zhu Guoliang said, "That's different. Do you know this pillar? He is a traitor of your Self-Defense Force." Zhang Shijie looked at it Zhuzi smiled and said, "You're thin, the Communist Party didn't do you any favors." Zhuzi spat at Zhang Shijie.Zhang Shijie shook his hand and slapped him: "Don't be brave." Zhu Guoliang took out his pistol and handed it to Zhang Shijie: "This bastard is handed over to you." Zhang Shijie took the gun and looked at it: "Good gun. Here you are. He belongs to the Self-Defense Forces Traitor, it's a pity I didn't catch him personally. I have no right to deal with him." Zhu Guoliang said: "What if I hand him over to you?" Zhang Shijie smiled: "I have my principles of doing things, and killing him violates this principle. Principle. Besides, I have no right to deal with suspected Communists. It is the power of the security commander to kill or release. Today, I am just a spectator. To be honest, I really don’t want to see this bastard.” Zhuzi scolded: “Zhang Shijie, You bastard who is greedy for life and afraid of death! I am really blind and convinced, and misunderstood you. I have become a ghost, and I will not let you go!" Zhang Shijie slapped him again: "Shut up!" Zhu Zi continued to curse "Zhang Shijie, it's a good thing that I defected to the Communist Party. You villain who considers a thief as your father. Zhu Guoliang, you dare to touch my wife and children..." The old man ran over madly: "Commander Zhu, it's not fair! The second lady of the Zhang family also joined the New Fourth Army. Why don't you arrest me? Zhang Shijie, you are unkind, don't blame me for being unrighteous. I will expose that Gao Liansheng's wife and the second lady of the Zhang family are hiding in the Zhang family..." Zhuzi shouted: "Father! Don't talk nonsense." The old man knelt down to Zhu Guoliang: "It's all true. Zhuzi, Dad doesn't want you to die! Commander Zhu, Zhuzi will take the blame and make meritorious service." Zhu Guoliang said, "Second Miss is different from Zhuzi. He escaped. Shijie, Gao Liansheng Why are you keeping her?" Zhang Shijie shook his head and said, "You can't kill me today. Gao Liansheng made me into a poor commander, and almost killed Ruolan. I want to keep this old lady as a bait, and find her. Gao Liansheng calculates the general ledger." "That makes sense." Zhu Guoliang cleared his throat, "Folks, the execution of these five communists today is to carry out the order of the leader. This is also the duty of the security commander of my county. From now on, if the Communists are caught, they will be executed on the spot. Execution!" The law enforcement team took the five wounded away, and after a while, several gunshots were heard.The old man yelled and fell to the ground. That night, Zhang Shijie called Zhang Ruohong and Liu Jinsheng into the hut and said, "There are only three of us party members left in Taiping Town, and we must survive. Zhu Guodong is also back, and he wants our self-defense force. Chen Xiangting died, we didn't靠山了。从目前的形势看，只要我还掌握着这支队伍，他们就会不停地搞阴谋。现在，只要有一个莫须有的通共罪名，他们就能动手了。我决定由金声带着自卫队过去。” “过去？去哪里？”张若虹问。刘金声道：“让朱家兄弟收编。”张世杰点点头：“对。世俊也要过去。越快越好。” 第二天一大早，朱家兄弟开始商量对张世杰采取进一步行动。朱国梁主张一劳永逸、彻底解决，不惜采取血腥的手段。朱国栋认为只要谋划好了，张世杰会屈服的。朱国梁急了：“哥，现在剿他，理由是现成的，说他通共就行。”兄弟俩正在商量，副官报告说张世杰带着弟弟和刘金声来了。朱氏兄弟来到前面客厅。张世杰三人忙站起来。张世杰说道：“国栋大哥，你也在这儿。国梁二哥，我想让金声和世俊带着自卫队编入你的保安团，请你务必收留。”朱国栋迟疑片刻，问道：“他们编入保安团，你呢？”张世杰叹了一口气，“打打杀杀，腻了，不想再摸枪了。家父年迈，早就不理事了，大哥又叫鬼子杀了，淮振盛的生意，总不能让我姐一人打理吧。国军一统天下，也就是一两年的事。到那时，生意会好做些吧！”朱国梁问：“你真不想摸枪了？”张世杰诚恳地说：“真的。我不想摸枪，不是讨厌枪。生逢乱世，枪真是个好东西。所以，我让世俊摸枪。他和见真，青梅竹马，只怕没什么力量能把他们分开了。见真在家闲着，你们也烦。昨天我姐问她，她说她愿意来县城教书。”朱国栋点头叹道：“可惜了。张世杰不从军，真的太可惜了。”张世杰无奈地摇摇头：“你们都看到了，我是一事无成。经营多年，一事无成啊。国梁二哥要是不收留他们，我去找找唐河的胡司令……”朱国梁忙说道：“收留，一定收留。不过，金声和你没法比。他只能做个营长。”张世杰道：“连长都行。多谢了。” 张世杰、张世俊、刘金声三个人一起往外走。朱家兄弟站在窗户边看着张世杰三个人的背影。朱国梁说道：“哥，多好的机会呀，这会儿动手，就等于捏死三只蚂蚁。”朱国栋目光牢牢落在张世杰的背影上，自言自语地说：“张世杰已经屈服了，你看没看到他头上的白发，留着他吧，我做事情喜欢有观众。张世杰这样的人来给我做观众，感觉不错。再说，你别忘了他还有个舅舅。” 消息传到太白顶，杨开泰感叹道：“张世杰可真能忍。真不明白他为啥能对共产党死心塌地。”郭冰雪道：“你什么意思？他眼睁睁看着朱国梁杀共产党的伤兵，你还说他是共产党？”杨开泰道：“那天，朱国栋的一个营，离太平镇只有五里地。世杰如果要救那五个伤员，朱国栋敢血洗太平镇张家。”郭冰雪道：“真有这事儿？” “朱国栋什么事不敢做，冰雪，别再和我斗气了。朱家兄弟下一步恐怕该对付我了。他们的心可真大。想动我，没那么容易。”一属下跑过来道：“大当家的，太太，太平镇张世杰求见。”杨开泰问道：“就他一个人？”属下答道：“他带了个小男孩。”杨开泰道：“冰雪，我们去见他。该帮的忙我们一定帮。”他们没想到张世杰是让他们代养儿子的。郭冰雪道：“我那两个表哥不至于……”杨开泰道：“他们有这个胆。小万隆我们帮你养着。世杰，我想听你说句实话。你是不是认为共产党真的能成事！”张世杰坦然道：“肯定能成事。三五年内，中国的局面肯定大变。大哥，中国确实应该推倒了重建。”郭冰雪道：“张世杰，你这个人真让人摸不透。你能不能亲口告诉我们你到底是不是共产党？”张世杰只是笑，没有回答。郭冰雪追问道：“你说话呀？”张世杰道：“我是不是共产党并不重要。重要的是中国肯定会大变，往好处变。你们……”张世杰话还没有说完就技杨开泰打断T：“你不用说了。我这个人不看到事实，不会下决心的。我很服你，你身上有股劲，九死不悔的劲儿。放心大胆干吧。” 赵九思再次出现在太平镇，已经是第二年的夏天了。张世杰跑到晒绸场，看见赵九思，久久说不出话来。赵九思道：“又见面了，真好。”张世杰感慨颇深地说：“去年夏天，五个伤员就是在这里被……我……我还算个帮凶。先生，我这心里真的苦啊。”赵九思拍拍张世杰的肩，“不要自责了。这是必须的牺牲。”张世杰痛心地说：“可这牺牲也太大了。金声和世俊他们进了保安团，我呢，只能经商。为防万一，我把我儿子送到了太白顶。你看看我又添了多少白发？给你说这些干什么？”赵九思道：“说吧，说说好受些。你为党保留了一支武装。重要的是你小孟尝张世杰还活着，没被朱家兄弟除掉。”张世杰道：“好在这一年没出叛徒。我真的受够了，受够了。收音机里今天说胡宗南占领了延安，明天说山东有了什么大捷，听得我……”赵九思道：“延安是丢了，不过是我们主动放弃的。全国的形势，变好了。刘邓大军已经渡过黄河，正向大别山挺进。陈谢大军也过了黄河。”一听到这里，张世杰马上兴奋了起来：“过来多少人？”赵九思道：“差不多三十万。”张世杰道：“三十万？我把队伍拉过来吧，实在受不了。”赵九思道：“不行！不是时候。”张世杰问：“那我做什么？”赵九思道： “做你的生意。我估计今年冬天，这里会姓共。准备一些棉布，酒精也要存一些。”张若虹跑了过来：“老赵，你回来了，你真的活得好好的回来了？”赵九思迎了上去，“我这不是活蹦乱跳站在你面前吗？”张若虹使劲地握着他的手，上上下下看着赵九思，忽然脸一红，马上松开了手问道：“是不是我们的队伍也要回来了？”赵九思回答：“很快就回来了。我这次回来的任务就是为大军解放桐柏地区做准备。” 没过几天，太平镇的百姓都知道了共产党的部队已经杀回来了。深秋的一天，赵九思带来一项任务：派十来个人到宛西去做向导，陈谢大军要在宛西打大仗。张世杰精选十个人，谎称去南阳送货，连夜离开了太平镇。临行前，张世杰让刘金声尽快把自己的人拉出来。朱见真一听说共产党的部队已经打到平顶山、宝丰一带，忙和张世俊一起去找张若兰。三个人当夜就离开太平镇。他们要去投奔八路军。 第二天一早，张家和朱家都乱了。李玉洁看看儿女留下的倍，摇摇头：“乱了套了，投共产党了！”钟梧桐道：“妈，儿大不由娘，他们去投奔共产党，未必是坏事。”李玉洁冷冷地看着钟梧桐：“识几个字，真长进了。去，让他们把世杰和若虹叫回来。这件事能要人命，一个字都不能说。”钟梧桐道：“我懂。穷人要坐天下了。” “你懂个屁！如今你是淮源盛张家的少奶奶！你可是真长进了！”李玉洁丢下钟梧桐出去了。 得知刘金声把自己的人拉了出去，朱国梁感到事情不妙，忙吩咐亲信带人冒充刘金声的人去太平镇把张世杰的父母妻儿接出来。刘金声带人去张家接人时，张德威、李玉洁、钟梧桐已经不知去向。刘金声自责道：“大小姐，怪我考虑不周，没想到朱国梁会下此毒手。你放心，我就是拼着一死，也要把他们给救出来。”张若虹道：“谁能想到南阳一下子会乱成这个样子。我跟你一起去县城找吧。” 张德威、李玉洁和钟梧桐被关进桐柏县城一座四合院里，院门紧闭，院内有四个保安团士兵持枪把守。朱国梁安排好撤退的事情后，去了四合院。此时中午已过，八仙桌上已经摆了七八个菜。李玉洁一见朱国梁，说道：“大侄子，果真是你捣的鬼。”朱国梁坐下道：“吃吧，菜都凉了。梧桐，你怎么了？”钟梧桐说道：“你到底想干什么？”张德威拿起筷子吃起来，“吃吧吃吧。国梁这么做，肯定有难言之隐。”朱国梁道：“还是伯父了解我。我这么做，也是没办法。吃啊。明说了吧，刘金声是共产党。听到一点风声，他就把队伍拉走了。世杰又不在家，我不把你们接出来，是怕万一他把你们扣下当人质，逼着世杰跟共严党走……高连升，刘金声，都不是好鸟啊。”李玉洁也拿起筷子：“大侄子想得真周到。梧桐，吃吧。为你肚子里的孩子想想吧。”朱国梁端起酒杯道：“恭喜你呀，梧桐，伯父伯母，也恭喜你们又要当爷爷奶奶了。伯父、伯母，共产党跟咱们能一条心吗？只有穷鬼，才愿意跟着他们瞎闹。共产党来了，只会共我们的产，共我们的妻。我给世杰留了信，就等他来共赴国难了。你们家世俊带着我们家见真跑了，八成是去投了共产党。我要不这么做，淮源盛就让高连升、刘金声这两个穷鬼、奴才，给毁了！” 开始的几天，朱国梁还在幻想着这次只是虚惊一场。直到第六天，刘邓大军从东边杀到平汉铁路的消息传来，他再也待不住了。他决定趁早撤到襄阳一带。 人质自然是要带上的。两辆马车停在四合院门口。四个兵押着张德威、李玉洁和钟梧桐从院子里出来。李玉洁问道：“这是要去哪里？”一个士兵答道：“新四军打来了，朱司令要带着你们去襄阳。”话音刚落，刘金声、张若虹带人冲过来，顷刻间就把四个兵打死了。李玉洁三个人站在马车前不知所措。张若虹跑过去：“妈，让你们受惊了。”刘金声叫道：“快上车！这里不安全。”一阵枪响，两个自卫队员倒下了。朱国梁带人冲了过来。大家手忙脚乱地上了马车。刘金声和三个自卫队员在第二辆马车上还击。马车沿着街道飞奔。突然，张德威的身子一震，栽倒在李玉洁的怀里。张若虹大声喊道：“爹，爹，你怎么了？”李玉洁把手抬起来，看到手掌上全是鲜血。 张世杰和赵九思从宛西回到太平镇，张德威已经长眠在黑漆棺材里了。张世杰扑通跪在棺材前，叫了一声：“爹——”泪水如泉般涌出。