Chapter 26 Twenty-six

Zhao Kejiu came to Shanghai from his hometown on impulse, and spent many days fooling around under the command of Section Chief Qian on impulse, but now he wants to get rid of the life of "selling dog skin plaster", not on impulse, but repeated hesitation and calculation the result of. When he first put on the military uniform that didn't fit him well, Zhao Kejiu was really proud; the military uniforms of his colleagues all had collar badges, at least a warrant officer, such as Xiao Lu, but Zhao Kejiu didn't. He was a short-term pickpocket, but he was in high spirits at the time, so he didn't care about these details.The first two times he asked for leave to visit Yan Jiexiu and Luo Qiuzhi in Shanghai, it was a bit like showing off his "encounter" in front of the "classmate boy".

But today he finally asked for another day off to visit his "old friend", and his mood was not as cheerful as before.However, he was full of hope. He could not think of any reason to prove that he should not seek these two "old friends", and of course he never doubted that his two "old friends" would refuse his request. Now he's huddled in the corner of the truck, waiting patiently for the "stage III guy" to drag him to his destination.The dozen or so people in the same car were not from the same unit as him, and they didn’t know each other, and they didn’t come from the same background as him. They had a theoretical and systematic world view, about nature, society, and the same upbringing. It is difficult to speculate when speaking, so he can only use meditation to pass the not so long time.

He thought about home, his parents, sister-in-law, younger sister, nephew, and even the "Ah Hua" at home. He also thought of some people in his hometown, Xie Jisheng, "Fried Hozen", Wang Baochang and so on.Then I thought of the noisy "welcome party" on the eve before he left home.This grand event led to his ridiculous life in the last few days.Without this meeting, he wouldn't be familiar with Section Chief Qian, and he wouldn't be able to take their special car to Shanghai, and naturally he wouldn't be able to wear this uniform and get a monthly allowance of eight yuan as an employee.Eight yuan, he naturally didn't pay attention to it.In almost two months, the amount he paid for compensation was always four, five, or eight yuan; this is the real proof that he often confessed that he was not doing it for a living, but for patriotism.However, the one who answered his sincerity was rolling his eyes, and even sneered.Then it's no wonder that he is discouraged now, and decided not to "mess around" anymore, and started to make his own plans.

He thought, thought, and felt that since the preparatory period of the "comfort meeting", he was dreaming a big dream; in this dream, he played the role of "Ji Kang" in "Aesthetics". , It's really ridiculous and pitiful, but he himself believes that he has a clear conscience! When the truck entered the western suburbs of Shanghai, people kept getting out.In the end Zhao Kejiu was left alone. The driver knocked on the side of the car and asked him if he was going to Nanshi.Zhao Kejiu just jumped out of the car, but he remembered Chen Keming again.But Chen Keming had already left.

Zhao Kejiu calmed down and planned the route, and decided to go to Yan Jiexiu first. It was already nine o'clock at this time, and the concierge of the Yan mansion looked up and down at Zhao Kejiu for a long time, no matter what the other party said, he always replied in one sentence: It's too early, the masters haven't got up yet. Zhao Kejiu had no choice but to change his plan and seek information from Luo first. He regarded Luo Qiuzhi as an "old friend", and after meeting him, he revealed all his plans in a few words. Luo Qiuzhi neither agreed nor refused to this "friend"'s request, but frowned and asked like a seasoned worker:

"But why did you join the army in the first place?" "It's not emotional," Zhao Kejiu replied frankly, "It's just for fun." "Hey, you are wrong! How important is the work of the army, how can you play around with you!" "No, Lao Luo, I didn't think like you at the beginning, but the facts disappointed me..." Zhao Kejiu defended himself with a blushing face. "It's all bureaucratic. People give us a nickname, which is very unpleasant." "However, Misto Zhao, you should know that this was deliberately created by unscrupulous elements to undermine the prestige of the government. This should be refuted. However, you have become confused and lost confidence! This is something you should first review yourself !"

"Hmm! Ah!" Zhao Kejiu opened his eyes wide in surprise, looking at Luo Qiuzhi.He didn't understand why Luo Qiuzhi suddenly had such an official tone?Where did you learn it?Although he was not as skilled and impressive as Section Chief Qian, it was already disgusting. "When we young people do things, we must first have perseverance. You have only worked in the army for two months, so you have no perseverance!" "Old Luo!" Zhao Kejiu couldn't bear it any longer, "Don't talk like that and keep lecturing people! You haven't done it before, how can you conclude that it's work? Tell you: it's not work, it's cheating!" You lied, you lied to yourself, you lied to others! That’s not doing things, that’s dawdling! You say you need to be persistent? May I ask you: How can you ask people to show perseverance when you give them eight yuan a month?”

"Why did you only get eight yuan?" "Eight yuan is still a trivial matter. I am basically a laborer, working part-time. My name is not on their roster!" "Oh!" Luo Qiuzhi was a little stunned, but in an instant he straightened his face again, and took out the routine he had recently heard from the "cat-faced man" Secretary Hu and his kind, and continued to teach: " However, Misto Zhao, you made a mistake again. When we work for the government, we shouldn’t care about our status; when we serve the country, we shouldn’t care about remuneration at all! We have the money to contribute money, and we have the strength to contribute!…”

"Forget it, forget it! I shouldn't have come to you at all!" Zhao Kejiu stood up angrily and was about to leave. This scares Luo Qiuzhi.He hadn't been trained to be absolutely shameless after all.He blushed, pulled Zhao Kejiu to sit down, and stammered, "Hey, hey, why—why be angry. It's me, what I said was wrong." "You haven't experienced it yourself, so it's easy to talk about it." Zhao Kejiu also softened his tone, looked at Luo Qiuzhi, and waited for his more humane expression. Luo Qiuzhi sat there with a face full of bewilderment, but did not speak.

"Old Luo!" Zhao Kejiu couldn't wait any longer, "Do you think my hope is sure?" "What hope?" Luo Qiuzhi asked in surprise. "Hey, didn't I tell you as soon as I came in! I'm an engineering student, um, I haven't graduated yet, but once this war broke out, I guess my family won't be able to support me to study anymore. I have to find a job. Your father is well-known in the industry, can you think of a way for me?" Luo Qiuzhi listened carefully to what Zhao Kejiu had said, and he breathed a sigh of relief as if he understood.He looked at Zhao Kejiu sympathetically and shook his head.

"Can't it work?" Zhao Kejiu was a little anxious. "I don't know if it will work or not," Luo Qiuzhi said slowly, "But, I can't answer casually, it's irresponsible. My father is not in Shanghai, but went to Hankou." "Of course you can't decide. Then, how about sending a telegram to Hankou?" "It may not be effective. I know my father's temper. If he wants to introduce someone, he must first meet this person and understand his character and ability." "You can explain it to him!" "Well," Luo Qiuzhi shook his head slightly, blushing again, and added softly, "It's not that I don't want to." Looking at the situation, Zhao Kejiu understood that Luo Qiuzhi's words had no place in front of his father, and felt that the hope on this side was over.He looked at his watch and saw that it was past ten o'clock, so he got up and said goodbye. When he arrived at Yan's mansion, Mrs. Zhongping just got out of the car.Hearing that he claimed to be Jiexiu's classmate, Mrs. Zhongping asked him what's the matter. Zhao Kejiu looked at the lady who was probably Yan Jiexiu's mother, and her attitude was very gentle, so he answered bluntly: "I'm going to ask her to find something for me." Mrs. Zhongping smiled, and invited Zhao Kejiu in. As she walked, she said to a child: "Jiexiu likes to talk big things. Did she agree to find you a job? But what are you wearing this suit for? Are you an officer in the army?" Zhao Kejiu was a little embarrassed, he hesitated a few times "yes" or "no", but didn't know how to answer.He had a presentiment that this hope was once again in question. After entering the living room, Mrs. Zhongping's very friendly attitude inspired Zhao Kejiu's courage again.He honestly told all about how he joined the team and how dissatisfied he was. Mrs. Zhongping heard him say that she was like a "day laborer" and a "job", so she couldn't help but pursed her lips and smiled.She said sympathetically: "You are also a young master, how can you get used to it in the army!" "Now I just want to do some small work in some factory. I studied engineering. I have no burden, and the salary doesn't matter." Mrs. Zhongping kept nodding while listening to him. "Jiexiu isn't at home." Mrs. Zhongping said apologetically, "She went to Hankou. She didn't say whether she found it for you." "No. I just remembered to ask her to find something today. It's a pity that she left again." Zhao Kejiu felt completely hopeless, but he heard Mrs. Zhongping's gentle voice say again: "Our own factory has moved to Hankou, but Jiexiu's father is still in Shanghai. Let me ask him for you. Maybe he has a solution. Come back tomorrow and give you an answer."