Although it was already May, Harbin had just fallen with snow. Even if there is a snowfall, between the mountains and fields, in the place where the snow is not covered, you can still see a lot of green grass, between the green grass and white snow, but it is dotted with red and yellow mountain flowers, and occasionally a few wild beasts, running on the white sprite grass and red flowers. At this time, the air is fresh and fragrant, the mountains and fields are beautiful, it is a good season to step on the snow and travel in spring, not to mention tourists, it is the place where countless people should have worked in the fields, and now there is no half of a person.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves was urgent, like popping beans, breaking the silence between heaven and earth. On the road far away, two horses flew over, looking at the figure, on the horse in front of him, was a man in the prime of life, with the sturdy skills of an ordinary Northeast man, and a horse behind, but a young man in Oriental costume. Both of them covered their mouths and noses with thick masks, wore Western-style goggles in their eyes, and wore thick leather hats to protect their ears.

In the blink of an eye, the two came to the Harbin City Gate. Both of them pulled the reins of their horses tightly and slowly lowered their horses, after all, the city is no better than the wilderness, even if they are in a hurry, they can't gallop in this city.

But as soon as they entered the city, the two were a little stunned. I saw that the snow fell the day before yesterday in this city, as if it had just fallen, crisp and soft as new, smooth as a mirror, without the slightest human footprint, let alone the horseshoe ruts. This place does not look like a prosperous border city in the past, but like an ancient castle that has been uninhabited for a long time and has been abandoned for many years.

The young Oriental man knocked the horse's belly, caught up with half of the horse's body, and said to the middle-aged man with emotion: "Teacher Yuntang, no wonder the eldest brother came to this white mountain and black soil land under a pseudonym despite the ten-year appointment, this plague is really powerful!" ”

It turned out that this middle-aged man was Ma Lei Ma Yuntang, who saved Zhu Qiu in Nanyang in the past, this young Oriental man, but Miyamoto Yoshio was one of the Miyamoto brothers accepted by Zhu Qiu on the cruise ship. The two rushed to Harbin like sparks, and there was really a big news to inform Zhu Qiu and Zhu Fangsheng, who participated in the fight against the plague here.

Hearing Miyamoto Yoshio's words, Ma Lei just nodded, but he was a little anxious in his heart, one was that the news brought was really heavy, and the other was worried about Zhuqiu here, the fierceness of the plague was far from what ordinary people could imagine.

Ma Lei was anxious, so he clamped the horse's belly tightly and raised the speed, who knew that after running hundreds of steps, he still didn't see half a figure, but there were some rare ruts on the road.

"Teacher Yuntang, there's someone over there!" Yoshio Miyamoto stopped at a fork in the road and pointed to the right intersection.

Ma Lei turned his horse's head and leaned over, and sure enough, he saw several figures swaying over there, because they were all wearing white coats, white hats, and a big white mask, which blended in with the snow around them. Ma was fast just now, but he didn't even see it.

Ma Lei urged the horse over, hugged his fists at several people, and said, "Everyone hard work! Looking for people in Harbin, but I don't know where the epidemic prevention headquarters is located, I don't know if you can give me some instructions? ”

Ma Lei said politely, and several busy people stopped, and one of them said: "Fellow is polite, listen to your accent, you are also from the Northeast, right?" Are you here looking for your family? Brother, you have to be prepared. In the past six months, the old bullnose man has died. A lot of people, I don't know who it is, so they burned it, brother, if there is really your family inside, don't complain, this is also a last resort. You don't know, our team has changed three times, and most of the people in the first two teams have also been burned......"

This person was still grinding and chirping, Ma Lei was already a little impatient, and was about to interrupt the man's conversation, but the other person preemptively opened his mouth and scolded: "Old pimple, what kind of tongue is chewing, what people ask you, you can say anything, what is nonsense here!" ”

The man must have been the leader of the group, and as soon as he had finished speaking, the old pimple stopped talking, bowed his head and went about his work. The man turned to Ma Lei and said indifferently: "Don't be surprised, fellow countrymen, the brothers haven't seen many people in the past few days, and they are a little bored in their hearts, so they talk a little more." Who are you looking for in the epidemic prevention headquarters? If there is nothing to do, it is better not to go, although the plague has just stopped, but there are still many patients in the epidemic prevention headquarters, it is better not to go if there is nothing to do. ”

After hearing this, Ma Lei was even more anxious, and he really didn't want to delay any longer, so he said: "I want to find a young man, about sixteen years old, called Fang Sheng. There is something urgent at home and I want to talk to him. ”

"What? Are you here to find Fang Ye? Why didn't you say it earlier! When the man heard Fang Sheng's name, he immediately changed his attitude, "You are from Fang Ye's family?" Is something going on at home? Do you need manpower? If you need manpower, you must tell Fang Ye, our brothers are absolutely unambiguous! ”

After speaking, he turned to the old pimple and said, "Old pimple, you don't need you here." You take this fellow to the epidemic prevention headquarters to find Master Fang. Hurry up, if you miss Fang Ye's business, come back and see how I cut you! ”

The old pimple agreed, moved a bicycle from the corner of the wall, turned over and rode on, waved at Ma Lei and Miyamoto Yoshio, and rode forward.

Speaking of which, this bicycle was purchased and transported by Ma Lei to the United States in person according to Zhu Qiu's instructions. Although the climate and streets of the northeast are not very suitable for bicycles, Zhuqiu uses it because the bicycle is small and convenient, and importantly, it will not be infected with the plague. Therefore, most of the people who survived the plague in Northeast China, especially the people in the epidemic prevention headquarters, are familiar with this bicycle, ride a few high-tech things, and can play some tricks, which is also the only trace of comfort in the heavy work.

With an old pimple, I arrived at the location of the epidemic prevention headquarters in a short time. The epidemic prevention headquarters is opposite the two courtyards of the gate, the west one, which is used as a ward; The one on the east side is where the staff of the headquarters work and rest and stay.

The three of them put the cart and horses away, and Miyamoto Yoshio was about to take off his mask, but the old pimple hurriedly stopped: "This little brother, in this Harbin, the mask can't be taken off casually, this is not cold protection, it is epidemic prevention!" Ma Lei also glared at Yoshio Miyamoto, and Yoshio Miyamoto laughed embarrassedly.

Led by the old pimple, and no one stopped them, the two entered the courtyard on the east side. The snow in the courtyard has long been swept away, and there are shelves for drying Chinese medicine everywhere; In the corner of the room, rows of Western medicine shelves were exposed, and Ma Lei took a look at it and knew that it was the medicine he had bought in the United States.

The three of them walked forward, and a voice next to Leng Buding shouted in surprise: "Is it Brother Yuntang and Yixiong?" How did you guys get here? ”

When Ma Lei turned around, he saw a person who was also wearing a white coat and a thick white mask on his face. Ma Lei took a closer look, but it was Fang Xinru - as soon as the plague broke out in October last year, Zhu Qiu ordered Fang Xiaoru to stay in Hawaii and take care of the academy; Ma Lei dispatches medicines and supplies; However, he took Fang Xinru and some people from Hongmen to this northeastern place to prevent and eradicate the plague. It's been more than half a year.

"Fu Ruo, I have something to look for my son." When Ma Lei saw Fang Xinru, he felt calm in his heart, "Thanks to this brother for showing us the way!" ”

Fang Xinru looked at the old pimple next to him, smiled hehehe, and said, "It turned out to be an old pimple, and he was not an outsider." Thank you this time, I'll get some good wine when I get back, let's drink it again! ”

The old pimple smiled thickly and said, "Running errands for the third master, what is it worth!" I still have work there, so I won't delay, so as not to make Boss Zhao angry. ”

Fang Xinru nodded and said, "Thank you Boss Zhao for me, go back and tell the brothers of the fifth team, I may not be free tonight, I will have some wine tomorrow, and the brothers will have a good walk!" ”

As soon as the old pimple gave up his hand, he hurried away. After Ma Lei waited for him to leave, he glared at Fang Xinru and said, "I haven't seen you for more than half a year, you are wine when you open and close your mouth, have you practiced kung fu?" Childe allowed you to drink? ”

Fang Xinru laughed and said, "Brother Yun, the weather in Harbin is cold and cold, if you don't drink some wine, your body can't bear it." Two taels of wine a day, this is allowed by the eldest brother! ”

Seeing that Fang Xinru said this, Ma Lei didn't say anything more and asked, "Is Childe here?" I'm looking for him urgently! ”

Fang Xinru led the way in front and led the two of them, and replied, "Yes." You came by coincidence, the eldest brother has just returned from Changchun. You don't know that this plague is really bad, and once you get infected, you will die in two or three days. In the first few days when I first came, when I went out to see, there were dead bodies everywhere, and I was scared to death! Fang Xinru sighed, "No wonder the eldest brother has to come over at the risk of being discovered by the Qingmen." You don't know, if it weren't for the eldest brother and Wu Liande presiding over it well, I'm afraid there wouldn't be many people left in this northeast. ”

Ma Lei listened to Fang Xinru's words and couldn't help but feel a little emotional. It's not all about the plague in the Northeast. You must know that this Fang Xinru has been extremely stubborn since he was a child, and he is only restrained in front of Zhu Qiu, and the rest of the people, even in front of his mother, have no scruples. On Hawaii, the little bully who has a headache for everyone is talking about Fang Xinru. Unexpectedly, after coming to the Northeast for more than half a year, he was a lot more sensible. This boy is really a good hand at educating people.

This east courtyard is not big, but it is just a temporary place where several private houses are opened up around it. After a while, the three of them came to a small courtyard at the back, and Ma Lei looked at it, it was just an ordinary adobe thatched hut, compared to the Hawaii Chen Mansion, it was really a flying away.

Footsteps were heard, the left door opened, and Yoshihide Miyamoto stepped out of it. When Yoshio Miyamoto saw his brother, he was about to open his mouth to shout, but when he saw Miyamoto Yoshiei make a gesture of silence, he walked over gently and said to the three people: "Be quiet, my eldest brother has been in a hurry for a day and a night, and he just fell asleep." ”

After speaking, he nodded at Yoshio Miyamoto, but asked Ma Lei, "Teacher Yuntang, why are you here?" But what happened at home? ”

Ma Lei didn't answer, and led the three people out of the courtyard gate gently, before asking, "Why are you so tired?" Isn't Wu Liande presiding here? Where did he go? ”

Miyamoto Yoshiei and Fang Xinru looked at each other, but Miyamoto Yoshiei said: "Wu Liande went to Mukden to participate in the Plague Conference of All Nations, and he hasn't come back yet. Here is now the eldest brother in charge of epidemic prevention. ”

Ma Lei frowned, and said in a muffled voice: "This plague has not completely dissipated, what kind of plague conference!" ”

Fang Xinru shook his head and explained: "Wu Liande didn't want to go originally, but the eldest brother insisted on him going. The eldest brother said that this is a rare opportunity for China to gain a foothold in front of the world and make some contributions to the world's plague prevention and control. What Fang Xinru didn't say, but Zhu Qiu was in New York in the past, and when he saw Hideyo Noguchi in Japan, he admired it and sighed again, my China has led the trend of the times for thousands of years, and today in medicine, even Japan can't compare. This time, it happened that Wu Liande extinguished the plague, and Duan's contribution was huge, and Zhu Qiu had the intention to achieve Wu Liande's name and stand side by side with Noguchi Hideyo.

Before Ma Lei could say anything, Fang Xinru had already diverted the topic and asked again: "What's going on at home, I want you to come over in person?" ”

Ma Lei sighed and said: "At the end of April, Song Yulin and Yu Peilun raised an incident and were defeated and martyred. ”

Fang Xinru was taken aback, and hurriedly asked: "When the eldest brother came to the Northeast, didn't he have a strict order, the plague will not be extinguished, and Hongmen will not make a fuss?" How could they not listen to orders? ”

Ma Lei was also a little hateful, and said: "They did not agitate for Hongmen, but went to Guangzhou to participate in the uprising of the League organized by Sun Wen and Huang Xing. ”

Fang Xinru said angrily: "Confused! If the move is successful, the Qing State will turn its attention to the south, who cares about the plague? ……”

Fang Xinru's voice was a little loud, and everyone wanted to call him to be quiet, but Zhu Qiu's somewhat tired voice came out in the house: "Third brother, what's the noise?" Has anyone in Hongmen made a move? ”

Hearing Zhu Qiu's voice, Fang Xinru saw Miyamoto Yoshiei glaring at him fiercely, so he laughed a few times, patted his head, spread his hands, and the four of them walked towards the house.

Ma Lei entered the room and saw that Zhu Qiu had just gotten up and was fetching water to wash. The room is not big, and the furnishings are very simple, just two beds and a few chairs. The four of them came in together, but it seemed that the room was a little crowded.

Zhu Qiu saw more Ma Lei and Miyamoto Yoshio, his body paused slightly, and the work in his hand also stopped for a moment, so he asked Miyamoto Yoshio: "Yoshio, I asked you to stay in Hawaii, why did you come here." There are only two men in the Miyamoto family, and the plague is terrible, so just have your eldest brother's experience here. ”

Miyamoto Yoshio didn't expect Zhu Qiu to say this in the first sentence, and he was a little moved in his heart, and he also felt a little underestimated. Miyamoto Yoshio said: "Big brother, don't underestimate me, although I can't compare to my eldest brother, but I'm almost the same as Fu Ruo, if he can come, I can come!" ”

Miyamoto Yoshiei glared at him, but fortunately, Zhu Qiu just shook his head and said, "I don't underestimate you, the plague is dangerous, and your Miyamoto family must always leave someone to continue the bloodline." Don't you see that I didn't bring filial piety with me? ”

Zhu Qiu said, soaked the handkerchief in hot water, twisted it, and asked Ma Lei again: "Yuntang, what's wrong?" Which of the halls of Hongmen did not obey the order and made a mistake? ”

Ma Lei ran all the way just to talk about it, but when he saw Zhu Qiu, he was a little difficult to speak, because Zhu Qiu at this time was too thin, his shape was erect, his face was tired, his eyes were very red, and he must have not slept well for several nights. But Ma Lei was ruthless, and still said truthfully: "Yu Peidi came to report that on April 27, the alliance will hold an event in Guangzhou, and Song Yulin and Yu Peilun will both participate in it, and both of them ...... Martyrdom! ”

After Ma Lei finished speaking, he saw that Zhu Qiu seemed to be stunned for a moment, but after a while, he picked up the towel again, covered his face, pressed it tightly with his hands, and after a while, he took the towel off, his face was mottled with water, and he didn't know whether it was hot water or tears.

Zhu Qiu wiped his face a few more times, wrung out the towel, and said to Ma Lei: "So, in the Hongmen Yangtze River Basin, there is no one in charge again?" Are you here for this? ”

Mare nodded and said, "That's the main thing. However, on the way here, I received news from Chiji that the Qing Dynasty was going to form a cabinet, but the cabinet members had already been determined to be all members of the imperial family, and there was no Han Chinese. According to Chi Ji's analysis, this move may cause the Han people to centrifugal, and the changes in the world may be instantaneous. ”

Zhu Qiu stayed for a while, and then said: "Originally, I still planned, after the plague in the northeast is dissolved, I will move some poor people from Luyu and other places to enrich the border land, I can't think of ......"

Zhu Qiu sighed and continued: "I didn't expect that before the ten-year period arrived, it was already time to fight for life and death. ”

Zhu Qiu looked at the four people in the room and said, "Please Yuntang, immediately turn back to Hawaii, pass me on the order to the head helm of Hongmen, and order all the personnel of Zhenwutang to return to the country in full gear and act according to the previous plan; Yiying, you stay here, and when Wu Liande returns, entrust the affairs here to him; ”

"Xinru, you go and pass on my orders to rob Baiyi in the northeast, Yulun in Henan, and Hualu in Shandong, and tell them that between the white mountains and black soil, the land is vast and sparsely populated, the land is fertile, the products are abundant, and the plague has also been dissolved. I, Hongmen, will be here, protect them, and let them work hard! ”

"Yoshio followed me and went to Shanghai first to find out the news from Xiaogong."

After speaking, Zhu Qiu turned his head to Ma Lei and the others and said, "After the matter is over, we will meet in Guangzhou on June 1. Yuntang, when you came, you brought Xiaoru and Alin with you. This time, it's time for me to meet Hongmen and Qingmen! ”

The four of them listened to Zhu Qiu's instructions, and their hearts were extremely excited, and they felt that the blood in their chests suddenly became warm. Four years ago, when the storm changed in Hawaii, Fang Xinru and Miyamoto Yoshio were still young and did not participate in it, and at this moment, seeing a more magnificent and vast storm coming, they were really looking forward to it, and they couldn't wait to shout out loud.

Zhu Qiu was a little distracted, I don't know if it was caused by the fatigue of these days, or if he thought of the upcoming Hongmen incident, and he felt some emotion in his heart. After a while, he said again: "Yuntang, this place is not a place to stay for a long time, you and Yoshio should leave early." Before you get on board, make sure to change and disinfect all your clothes, as I said, and eat some herbs to ward off the plague. Do not bring the plague to the island. ”

Ma Lei nodded and said, "Don't worry, Childe, I will take care of such things." ”

Zhu Qiu nodded, and said to the Miyamoto brothers: "Your brother, I have been with me for almost ten years, and when this incident is over, I will have nothing to teach you." Yiying has also seen a lot of things that are different from Hawaii these days, and you should also think about how to deal with yourself in the future. ”

After that, Zhu Qiu looked up at the thatched roof, thinking of the deceased Song Yulin and Yu Peilun, as well as Xu Xilin four years ago, but his heart was full of feelings.

O homeland, have you waited too long, too long?