Chapter 22 twenty two

Seeing a street stall at the corner, Cui Daosheng stopped again. Standing neatly in two rows, the hot gold or silver letters on the spine are shiny new; this is the "University Series", the "Business" edition, not complete, but there are about ten volumes of each; it is a world famous book from another company translation, not in volume.The paperback miscellaneous books are stacked randomly on both sides, in different sizes, but they are all brand new. These days, bookstalls like this can be seen everywhere; some people say that these are goods from the bookstores in Hongkou and Zhabei, which were stolen by hooligans and sold in whole truckloads and crates, which are said to be cheaper than old newspapers.

Cui Daosheng seemed to be interested in those "college books", bent his waist, and carefully looked at the imitation Song characters on the spine of the book, but secretly squinted at the sidewalk on the left corner of the street. There was no suspicious person on the sidewalk. A neatly dressed young "grandmother" slowly passed by pushing a baby sleeping car. "The man at this time got on a rickshaw and went straight to the east of the road. Cui Daosheng heaved a sigh of relief, and turned to look at the owner of the stall.In his twenties, he arched his shoulders and sat in a corner with his back against the wind, still shaking, with no blood on his face. "Another refugee!" Cui Daosheng thought, and was about to leave. Unexpectedly, the "refugee" picked up the thickest volume in the "University Series" and presented it to Cui Daosheng:

"Sir! This is a classic book on economics, and it's priced at two dollars and fifty cents. Now it's only on sale for one piece!" Cui Daosheng didn't care to look at the title of the book, and quickly shook his head, but he felt a little apologetic, thinking to himself: "Hey, he's still an intellectual!" Subconsciously, he reached out to the pile of miscellaneous books lying flat and flipped through them casually. But I turned to the second issue of "Unity".Cui Daosheng seemed to have touched a hot piece of red coal, and quickly withdrew his hands, but at the same time he heard the man whisper apologetically:

"Sir! This is not for sale!" "Oh!" Cui Daosheng glanced at the man in surprise, thinking in his heart: "So, is this what you are looking at?" But he didn't say anything, sighed softly, turned around and left. Not far ahead is Jixiangli.Cui Daosheng felt even more restless, and his feet became even slower.He couldn't figure it out himself, was he afraid that someone would nail him?Still afraid of a "showdown" with Yan Jizhen and Chen Keming. "What should I pay attention to? Luo Qiuzhi's words may not be reliable?" Cui Daosheng asked himself, and at the same time reviewed the words Luo Qiuzhi said a few days ago.In fact, that day Luo Qiuzhi just warned Cui Daosheng "don't be used by others" as ordered by the "cat-faced man", and he didn't say that someone nailed him.This is Cui Daosheng's own nervousness and his own invention.

Jixiangli is just ten steps away.Cui Daosheng once again peeked to see if there was any suspicious person nearby, then he deliberately raised his chest and head, looking proud, and walked straight to the inner gate.He stumbled past the Shikumen with the small sign of "Unity Weekly Society", squinted his eyes, and felt that everything was the same as before, so he suddenly slowed down, turned into the horizontal alley, walked back, and walked in a half-covered house. Outside the back door, he stopped to look around again, and then rushed through the door with a stride. Seeing that Yan Jizhen and Chen Keming were already sitting in the living room, Cui Daosheng quickly wiped away the nervous expression on his face.

Sitting in front of the desk was Chen Keming, with his head tilted, as if thinking, with his kind smile still on his lips.Opposite him, across the writing desk, Yan Jizhen folded his arms across his chest, resting his neck on the back of the swivel chair, resting his feet on the edge of the writing desk, and searching the room with two shining eyes under thick eyebrows , showing impatience. "Ah, here we come!" Yan Jizhen saw Cui Daosheng first, stood up screaming, and stretched out his hand. "I'm late, sorry, sorry." Cui Daosheng shook hands with Yan Jizhen and Chen Keming with a smile on his face, and sat in a wicker chair facing outwards at one end of the desk.He showed his usual bold gesture, glanced at Yan Chen and the two, and said "good weather" in relief, and stroked his face with his hands, but thought in his heart: These two, just now Yirou, you have set up your formation to fight with me today, just wait for them to speak first!

Sure enough, Chen Keming spoke first in his serene tone, but it was not what Cui Daosheng expected, but a thunderbolt of news. "Brother Daosheng, I'm afraid you don't know yet, the old Liu in the club disappeared this morning!" "Old Liu?" Cui Daosheng was completely stunned, "Which old Liu?" "Old Liu who is in charge of publishing." Yan Jizhen replied. "How do you know he's missing?" Cui Daosheng recovered his composure and took a breath. "This is a conclusion deduced from various facts," Chen Keming said. "I don't have time to discuss it in detail now, let's discuss what to do first."

"What should we do?" Cui Daosheng spread his hands, his eyes widened, and then he shouted very passionately: "The one who is missing is missing, can we just stop here? I want to stick to it to the end! " Yan and Chen glanced at each other, but did not make a sound, suddenly Cui Daosheng patted the table with both hands and said loudly: "Okay, let's talk about some editorial issues. Brother Keming, we have talked about it two or three times. Today I want to hear Brother Jizhen's opinion." He said the words "Brother Ji Zhen" very hard, and at the same time, he turned to look at Ji Zhen with a very resolute and serious attitude, as if he was concentrating on listening to the other party's opinion, or that he had already made up his mind, but the other party's Opinions should also be heard.

Yan Jizhen smiled, stretched his left leg, and casually threw himself on the arm of the chair. He was kind and calm, and replied softly: "My opinion is the same as Keming's. We didn't bring any new opinions today. Brother Daosheng, tell me yours!" Cui Daosheng saw that Yan Jizhen was unexpectedly calm today, and he couldn't guess his reason for a while, but the set of "tactics" that he had planned had to be modified.He also smiled, put away his serious and determined expression, and said frankly: "I don't have any new opinions. Cui Daosheng is still Cui Daosheng. Everything is for the truth, there is absolutely no personal emotion, and there is no conflict of will. We are all for the country and the nation. Of course—not to mention personal gains and losses."

He paused for a moment, his eyes moved from Yan Jizhen's face to Chen Keming, Yan Jizhen was listening attentively, his thick eyebrows were moving slightly, and there was excitement in his eyes.Chen Keming rested his chin on his right hand, but kept his eyes fixed on Cui Daosheng.For some reason, this gaze made Cui Daosheng shudder.He suddenly remembered the "warning" conveyed by Luo Qiuzhi, and couldn't help but smile wryly, and then said: "I don't express my opinions casually, and I don't want to abandon my opinions easily. Even if someone says that I am being used by others, I still do my own way."

"But," Yan Jizhen hurriedly interjected, with a hint of explanation, "Brother Daosheng, no one would say that you are being used by others. We have different views on the situation in Shanghai, and each has his own opinion. No one is being used by others. " Chen Keming also spoke: "Ji Zhen and I are ready to revise our views at any time. We might as well have a public discussion in our publication." "How to discuss it publicly?" Cui Daosheng turned to look at Chen Keming and asked in surprise. "For example, divide our different opinions into three issues, both pros and cons, and publish them at the same time, and readers are welcome to join the discussion." "Oh, so, what three problems are you going to do?" "The first is about the issue of sticking to the Songhu front at any sacrifice—" Yan Jizhen rushed to say, with a very excited attitude. Chen Keming corrected: "That's not how it was mentioned. The first is the relationship between the gains and losses of the Songhu War and the long-term war of resistance." "Oh, so, what about the second one?" Cui Daosheng's expression became a little unnatural. "The second is how to get foreign aid—" "What about the third one?" Cui Daosheng's voice was also a little strange, but he forced a smile. "The third is the issue of self-reliance," Yan Jizhen said, looking straight into Cui Daosheng's face. "That is how to fight the war while building; that is, to strive for foreign aid while not seeing foreign aid as the only hope." Cui Daosheng laughed dryly, but did not speak. A moment of silence.Then Chen Keming spoke again calmly: "Of course, there can be a fourth and fifth question, these three are just what Ji Zhen and I thought of. Brother Daosheng, what's your opinion? " "very good!" Behind these two simple words was full of resentment, and Chen Keming felt it immediately.He winked at Yan Jizhen, Yan Jizhen nodded knowingly, and said: "Brother Daosheng, you said that it's not a dispute of emotions, and there is no element of personal feelings. I admire your attitude. I will first express my opinions on these three issues, and please criticize them. Before discussing them publicly in the journal , let’s have a private discussion first. If my reason is not sufficient, of course I admit my mistake.” These words turned Cui Daosheng from his resentful attitude.He believes that his claim is unassailable, and he also believes that he can definitely refute the opponent.Especially he thought that after such a debate, Yan Jizhen and Chen Keming would probably give in again like last time. But the lively debate lasted only ten minutes.Yan Jizhen and Chen Keming repeatedly pointed out that Cui Daosheng's proposition violated the principle of the long-term war of resistance. They were neither refuted by Cui Daosheng, nor did they intend to retract the proposal of "open discussion".At the end, Cui Daosheng said slowly in a hoarse tone: "Very good, very good; everyone has their own opinions and freedom. I have no objection to you expressing your opinions and opinions in journals. As for me, I have already expressed my opinions many times, and now I don't want to play against you again." However, the title of editor-in-chief of "Unity" is well deserved, so I have no choice but to thank you for not being sensitive!" After speaking, he stood up, glanced at Yan Chen and the two, and smiled generously on purpose. Another moment of silence. Yan Jizhen and Chen Keming also stood up at the same time.Their faces were a little nervous, but not panicked.This made Cui Daosheng disappointed.He originally thought that his last card would be played, and the opponent would be at a loss; but at least twice when he only showed a little bit of this card, Chen Keming quickly changed his tone? Finally, it was Chen Keming who broke the deadlock of silence again. "Brother Daosheng, I hope you will continue to cooperate with us! If you quit, the outside world will have a bad impression of us—the publication." Cui Daosheng watched Chen Keming say it word by word, as if he estimated the weight of every word Chen Keming said.He glanced at Yan Jizhen again, who was looking down at the watch on his wrist. "This is the formation they have set up to fight with me. Is this the so-called soldiers who never tire of deceit, is it false or true?" Cui Daosheng thought in his heart, with a wry smile on his lips, he replied at the same time: "It's not that I don't want to cooperate, I don't want to cooperate, but that I can't continue to cooperate. Brother Keming, have you forgotten? When my proposition was published in the journal, for two issues in a row, I used the identity of the editor-in-chief. In the name of the "Unity" Weekly, we are making a call to the society! Now I want to change all my views. In order to show my responsibility, of course I can no longer be the editor-in-chief. And in order to prevent misunderstandings in the society, I I also have to publicly declare that from the next issue, I will break away from the relationship with "Unity." When he said the last few sentences, Cui Daosheng was a little excited, he waved his arms, his voice was high, and his face was red. "Brother Daosheng, this is your fault. If there is a change in opinion, there will be no issue of responsibility." Yan Jizhen still said calmly. "Besides, the authorities are finding fault with our publication. Lao Liu disappeared today, and the party is also instigating, saying that you have been a tool for me and Keming—Brother Daosheng, under such circumstances, if you leave, the outside world will Wouldn't believe you were being tricked in order to show responsibility! Even if someone believed it was about liability issues, they would interpret it differently than you. They think you are trying to clear your suspicion of being a tool! " When Yan Jizhen said these words, Chen Keming repeatedly wanted to interrupt it.Chen Keming felt that these words were too provocative and explicit, and Cui Daosheng might turn embarrassment into anger.Unexpectedly, Cui Daosheng listened quietly, and only replied lightly: "Who cares about other people's gossip!" "However, brother Daosheng," Chen Keming said hastily, "I hope you think twice. No final decision today. " "Thank you for your attention, Keminke, I'm not only thinking twice, I've already thought twice. Brother Ji Zhen said that the party is provoking, saying that I have been used as a tool. Hey, I'm afraid it's not only provocative, maybe there is also intimidation-- " Daosheng stopped talking suddenly, his face flushed; he remembered that when Luo Qiuzhi conveyed the "warning" to himself that day, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt a little restless for several days, although he said to himself many times , "I, Cui Daosheng, am I the one who is intimidated", but now, I feel really hard to explain myself.He stretched out his hand to touch his hot cheek, forced a smile, and continued: "As for what people think of me, I can't control that much!" Suddenly shouting "Goodbye" boldly, Cui Daosheng turned around and left. This time, Cui Daosheng walked through the front door, Yan Jizhen and Chen Keming walked to the door, and Chen Keming said: "Brother Daosheng, I hope we can talk again tomorrow." Cui Daosheng was startled, raised his eyebrows and glanced at Chen Keming, as if to say, "Are you still reluctant to part with me?" He shook his head with a wry smile, shook hands with Yan and Chen solemnly, and walked away with his chest held high. When he passed the corner bookstall again, he stopped unconsciously, looked at those "university books", and thought again in his heart: "Okay, this is the right way to end the relationship with them. No matter what Luo Qiuzhi said Whether it is reliable or not, there is no doubt that I have received attention for the sake of "Unity" in the past month. It is good to take advantage of the cold!" Feeling very happy, he actually spent one yuan to buy the translated economic classic.After taking the unnecessary book, he jumped into a rickshaw lightheartedly and with peace of mind, without mentioning the price. Yan Jizhen and Chen Keming returned to the living room, for a long while, neither of them spoke.Both of them were very heavy-hearted, and both were very anxious about the future of the weekly "Unity".They know that the government is looking for an excuse to oppress this publication, and now, if Cui Daosheng, the "publisher and editor", declares his separation, it will just give the government an excuse! "He was trying to sabotage the situation," Yan Jizhen said angrily, "When he entered the door, he made up his mind!" Chen Keming nodded: "Probably made up your mind to break up with us. You said to him just now that people would think that he did this just to show that he is not our tool; at that time, I thought your words were a bit too serious. But looking at it now Come on, these words are serious, but they really pierced his heart. In the past, I thought he was just not clear-headed, subjective, and conceited, but now I realize that he is simply despicable and hypocritical!" "However, if he thinks that this will bring down the publication, then he must not laugh too early!" Yan Jizhen raised his eyebrows, and the heavy look on his face suddenly disappeared. "Keming, let's find someone to say hello, the publication can still be published. Cui Daosheng thinks that we have nothing to do except for him to name it. That's a joke!" "Of course there is a solution. But, aren't you going to Hankou soon?" "It doesn't matter. There's always time to finish it before leaving." Yan Jizhen said and looked at the watch on his wrist, "I don't have time to discuss in detail today. I made an appointment with Jiexiu to visit Su Xinjia at Huimin Hospital. It's half an hour late now." "Then you go first. I still have to wait for Xiao Li to come back to see if he has found out about Lao Liu's whereabouts." "Oh! In this matter, I have some ways to go. A few days ago, in order to move the factory, I went to more than ten yamen, and Jiexiu can also help to go to the government to negotiate with the government. She has Her hand. Goodbye, Keming, call again tonight, or, please come to my house. " After Yan Jizhen left, Chen Keming held his chin and meditated for a while, then walked around the room, looking up at the weather from time to time; later, he sat in front of the writing desk, took out the manuscript from the drawer and read a few articles, but found it in the drawer again. In the corner I found a bundle of letters from readers.While reading the letters, he patted the table in surprise; most of these letters expressed doubts about Cui Daosheng's "claims", but Cui Daosheng always ignored them, and even hid them, never letting Chen Keming see them.