This day is the day of Rong Bin's "breaking seven". Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info

Because they were absent from the previous funeral, this time all the ceremonies were done by Rong Ziyi and Zizhong themselves. Wu Yuzhen didn't stop them, but just gave a little pointer on some old customs.

The brothers hung white paper lanterns at the gate and bought the three animals and fruits for the sacrifice, and Rong Ziyi personally wrote the couplet: "The love is heartfelt, and the red tears are all blood; The heart gives birth to all the sons, and the colors suddenly turn into hemp. ”

The ritual of chanting and confession is set at the Jing'an Temple in western Shanghai, which is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Shanghai. After this ceremony, it can be seen as a mourning period. Rong Bin's spirit tablet will be sent to the ancestral hall of his hometown in the countryside of Hangzhou to be placed.

The chanting of the monks had turned into an inaudible "buzzing" sound in Rong Ziyi's ears. Rong Ziyi wondered, has his father completed the six reincarnations in the seven seven and forty-nine days since he died? It is said that after death, the best people will immediately ascend to heaven, the worst people will immediately go to hell, and most people will have to go through excessive atonement in order to be reborn. To ask the monks to be excessive, is to let the deceased have a good family. If it really can, then let him live in an era of peace without war and killing, Rong Ziyi secretly prayed. Although, from the bottom of his heart, he doesn't believe in that. When a person dies, he dies, and there is nothing left. These ceremonies are just to make the living feel good and give psychological comfort to the families.

Many relatives and friends of the Rong family participated in the ceremony and sent coins, incense, paper, wax, gold and silver buckets to pay respects. What was more unexpected was that Yang Renjie also brought someone over. This person, named Fu Shishuo, is Zhang Taiyan's niece and son-in-law, who served in the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Finance of the Nationalist Government, and is currently a member of the Central Executive Committee in the new government. He asked his entourage to present couplets and offerings, claiming to express his condolences on behalf of the new government for the death of Chairman Rong.

Yang Renjie said to Rong Ziyi: "Ziyi, Commissioner Fu heard that you are here today to do something for your father, and specially asked to come over and have a look. Committee member Fu also studied economics, and also founded the Mansion University, serving as a trustee and professor of the Mansion. The two of you have similar experiences, so there must be a lot to talk about. ”

Fu Shi said: "I have read several economic works of Brother Rong Shi, and I have benefited a lot, and I have long been willing to make friends. I am also saddened to hear that your father has died. However, Chairman Rong has a son who has achieved this, and he must be very comforted by Jiuquan. ”

Rong Ziyi hurriedly said: "Don't dare, don't dare, Commissioner Fu praises falsely." ”

"I heard from your uncle that you used to study abroad at the University of Tokyo. Coincidentally, I also studied there. I've always missed those years of studying abroad. I didn't expect to meet alumni here. Today is not the time, when I have the opportunity, I will talk to Brother Rong Shi. ”

Fu Shi said a picture of the modest attitude of Corporal Lixian, and Rong Ziyi had no choice but to agree. Wu Yuzhen saw this scene from a distance and was very unhappy in her heart. Like her husband, she believed that the new government's cooperation with the Japanese was a traitorous act of betraying the country and seeking glory, so she was not proud of having a high-ranking official of the new government come to pay respects, but was ashamed. Rong Ziyi's dealings with his uncle, who served as the deputy director of the Purge Committee in the new government, are inseparable from blood and family, but if he still makes friends with other officials, his position is not firm, and he does not distinguish between right and wrong. I should find a way to find a chance to talk to him.

The ritual is nearing its end. Wu Yuzhen thought of her and her husband's decades-long relationship, such as today, people are separated forever, and there will be no day to see each other again, and she can't help but burst into tears. She was afraid that the children would be sad to see, so she found an excuse to go to the backyard to breathe. Unexpectedly, after walking a few steps, he met Yang Renjie head-on. She had to reluctantly nod her head in response.

Yang Renjie saw that her face was haggard, her body was thin, and she looked pale and slender in a black cheongsam, which was very different from her decisive and capable appearance in the past.

"You...... Mrs. Rong, are you alright? Yang Renjie was silent for a long time before Fang asked.

"It's fine. Thank you for your concern. Wu Yuzhen replied.

"Have you taken care of everything at home?"

"It's pretty much done. I haven't thanked you for sending a driver to pick up the two Ayi brothers. I was oversighted for a while, and I bothered you. ”

Yang Renjie sighed: "Yuzhen, your attitude towards me is so cold. When did it start, we became so rusty. ”

"When?" Wu Yuzhen's smile was bleak: "Isn't it like this since a long time ago?" After saying that, she left without looking back. Only Yang Renjie was left staring at her back in a daze.

The few people who returned to the Rong Mansion after doing the ritual were all in a very low mood. The white paper on the gate was removed, and according to the rules, from this moment on, they could change into mourning clothes.

No one wants to talk. Rong Zifan, who was tired of crying, asked his mother to coax him to rest. Zixiao said that she wanted to accompany her grandfather, and she also went upstairs. There are only two Ziyi left.

Rong Ziyi said to Zizhong: "Let's go for a walk in the garden." ”

Zizhong nodded and followed him silently.

The two of them walked in the garden for a long, long time.

--------------------------------------------------------

Yang Renjie returned to his office at 76 Jisfar Road.

There are three departments of the new government: the Purge Committee, the Central Social Department, and the headquarters of the secret service, which is a lot of talk about. The secret service headquarters is a very important secret intelligence department of the new government, but since it has not been listed, most people call this department that seems mysterious to outsiders, and it is called 76. Since all three departments were presided over by Li Shiqun and under the direct leadership of Zhou Fohai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the new government, the offices were all located in the same place. However, the Purging Committee and the Central Social Department had simple personnel and only occupied a three-bay and two-entry shikumen building to the west, while the western-style houses and more than 20 newly built bungalows, as well as the renovated flower sheds, the newly built electric office and the detention center, were all used by the secret service headquarters.

As deputy director of the Purge Committee, Yang Renjie's main task is to organize the military, the Federation of Religions, religious organizations, charitable organizations, and party affairs groups to draw people into the new government from all quarters and to raise the flag for Chairman Wang's "peace movement." At the same time, he will also cooperate with the secret service headquarters to do some intelligence work. This time, because Li Shiqun's mentor Ji Yunqing was assassinated at the Lanxin Theater, in order to find the murderer, all the personnel in No. 76 have been working for two weeks in a row. Ji Yunqing died, and the entire secret service was tossed and turned upside down.

Before he could sit down in the office, Li Shiqun's secretary called: "Director Yang, Director Li is looking for you, let you come to his office." ”

Yang Renjie scolded his mother in his heart, but he didn't dare to slow down a little on his feet, and walked all the way to Li Shiqun's office. When he met Wu Shibao, the captain of the guard corps, he withdrew from the office wet, with tea on his shoulder, looking embarrassed, and left in a hurry without saying hello. Obviously, he was just scolded by Li Shiqun and splashed a cup of tea by him.

Yang Renjie was a little apprehensive in his heart. When he heard him called from inside, he immediately dressed up and walked in.

I saw Li Shiqun with a blue face, sitting behind his desk, with a water stain on the ground and broken teacup porcelain. He knew that Li Shiqun was still angry, so he hurriedly hung his head and stood up, waiting for orders, and didn't dare to say more.

"Where have you been? Why are you here now? Li Shiqun asked, his tone not good.

"I went to Jing'an Temple to participate in the ceremony, but fortunately it was not far away......

"I'm so busy here, are you still in the mood to do personal business?" Li Shiqun's tone was cold, which was a precursor to anger.

Yang Renjie hurriedly said: "Please Director Li listen to the explanation of the humble position." This service was done for my cousin-in-law, who passed away not long ago. His eldest son, a well-known expert in economics, has just returned to Shanghai. Mr. Zhou attaches great importance to it and specially sends Member Fu to accompany me, in the hope that he will be able to take up a post in the new government. ”

"Oh, I seem to have heard Mr. Zhou mention this. What's your nephew's name? ”

"Rong Ziyi." Yang Renjie hurriedly replied.

"Rong Bin's son? The man had a strange temperament. ”

"This child is different from his father. Young man, open-minded, not as old-fashioned as his father, not to mention our nephew and uncle. ”

Li Shiqun nodded, and asked again, "How did I explain what I did to you?" ”

Director Li was relieved that the documents had been handed over. In accordance with your instructions, we have requested that the Secret Service Headquarters be set up with six additional Operations Brigades to complement the work. ”

"Alas, there is too much work and a serious shortage of manpower. I mentioned it to Mr. Zhou several times before he tentatively agreed to this idea. Therefore, you must seize the time, strike while the iron is hot, and win over this personnel change as soon as possible. Once approved, recruitment will begin immediately. It's up to you. ”

"Thank you Director Li for reusing."

"You're going to take care of it for me. Talent is hard to come by now. Recruit more people who are young and strong with good physique. The hooligans of the Green Gang also picked some of them. These people are familiar with Shanghai, so they will give some when they get started. All in all, this work is related to the development of the secret service headquarters in the future, and you must do it well. ”

"Yes, yes. The humble duty must go all out and live up to the mission. ”

"Let's go down."

Yang Renjie was about to leave, but Li Shiqun stopped him again: "Warrant Officer Shibuya has a lot of complaints about my recent actions, have you heard about this?" ”

The Shibuya warrant officer mentioned by Li Shiqun refers to Shibuya Ichiro, the commander of the Japanese military police detachment stationed in No. 76. As a rule, they should be informed of the operation of the 76th major and carried out under their supervision. But this time to arrest Ji Yunqing's murderer, Li Shiqun was anxious and did not announce it. So it's common for Shibuya Ichiro to be dissatisfied. But Yang Renjie won't say this, he doesn't want to be caught between Li Shiqun and the Japanese, because he can't afford to offend either side. So, he pretended not to know and said, "I don't have much to do with Warrant Officer Shibuya, and he doesn't say anything to me, so ......."

"Hmm." Li Shiqun waved his hand and motioned for him to go out. He had long had enough of Shibuya Ichiro always dictating to him, dictating and interfering in his actions without authorization. He thought hatefully, sooner or later, one day, I will drive this Shibuya out of No. 76!