The way home is close at hand, but sometimes the more you return to your heart, the more you feel that the journey becomes long and long.

After separating from Lu Yan, Shizhu took the train from Tianjin to Xuzhou the next day. After arriving at Tongshan Station, Shi Zhu wanted to get a train ticket from Xuzhou to Xinpu, but he wanted to save some entanglement so that he could buy some things for his grandmother, so he pondered learning from Zaozhuang's railway team to pick up the train.

The train from Xuzhou to Haizhou, Shizhu is quite familiar, after all, he has taken it once before.

Early the next morning, the stone pillar lay in ambush not far from the platform of Tongshan Station, put the golden retriever in his satchel, and after the first train to Haizhou passed, he jumped and jumped on it. He first mixed into the carriage, and as usual, the carriage was not full, but Shi Zhu noticed that unlike before, there was a Japanese soldier sitting in front of each carriage, just like the train from Mukden to Tianjin. It seems that this place has really become the world of the Japanese.

In order to avoid attracting attention, Shi Zhu found a seat at the back of the carriage, and when he met someone checking the ticket, he quietly hid in the toilet. After coming down twice, the Japanese soldier sitting in front of him was still suspicious of the stone pillar, and the man walked quietly to the side of the stone pillar.

Shizhu was a smart man, because he didn't buy a ticket, he was already wary, but now when he saw the Japanese soldier coming, he knew from the man's eyes that it was aimed at him, so he got up and walked towards the junction of the two carriages.

"Stop!" The Japanese soldiers in the back suddenly shouted at the stone pillar.

Shi Zhu obviously understood the meaning of the Japanese soldier's shout, but he was not stupid, how could he stand still and be captured, so he quickly climbed to the top of the train. The Japanese soldier believed that he had a gun in his hand, and when he saw that the stone pillar was alone, he forgot to whistle and call his companions, and chased after the roof of the car alone, pointing a gun at the stone pillar.

When he got to the roof of the car, Shi Zhu simply stopped running, and after hearing the Japanese soldier talking to him, he slowly took out the certificate of good citizenship from his shoulder bag, and said with a smile: "Taijun, I am a good citizen, you can look at this certificate!" With that, he raised his hands and walked slowly towards the Japanese soldier.

When he arrived, Shi Zhu slowly handed over the certificate of good citizenship, and at the moment when the Japanese soldier was about to take it over to check, Shi Zhu suddenly snatched the gun in his hand, kicked him hard, and kicked him off the train.

"Dare to come up alone, isn't it looking for death!" The stone pillar looked behind him and spat hard. As for whether the Japanese soldier died or when he got up, he does not know. Then, when the train passed a pond, he threw his gun into it, and then quietly got into the carriage without arousing suspicion.

When he arrived at Sinpo, Shizhu mixed in with the crowd and left the station, and by the time the Japanese searched for the missing soldiers everywhere and blocked the station, he had already walked a few miles south to Sinpo Street.

Located in the center of Sinpo City, Sinpo Street may be one of the earliest streets in Xinpu and one of the most prosperous streets, with many shops, including century-old famous shops and small traders and vendors. A little northeast of Sinpo Street, there is also a "back street", which is not as prosperous as Sinpo Street, but it is also prosperous.

There is a vacant lot next to the back street, which has been used as a court of law since the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, and during the Republic of China, the government transformed it into an execution ground. After the Japanese came, they continued to use it, shooting the "prisoners" in the back streets.

When he crossed Xinpu Street and came to the vicinity of the back street, Shizhu suddenly saw a wave of people running in the direction of the execution ground, shouting as he ran: "The Japanese are going to kill people in the killing field, go and see!" ”

Shi Zhu originally wanted to walk around Xinpu Street to see what to buy and bring some for his grandmother, but now that it was lively, he followed the crowd towards the direction of the execution ground.

The place of execution was not very large, but there was a table on the concrete floor of the presiding quarter, covered with a white tablecloth, like a white cloth covering a dead person. There are also two teacups on the table - Shi Zhu estimates that this cup is also for the sake of good looks, and when the real murder is real, who can drink tea calmly? There were also several policemen on both sides of the execution site to maintain order and prevent idlers from approaching, and at this time the crowd was already crowded on both sides, and some even climbed the telephone pole.

After a while, the "prisoners" were finally escorted in from the side, and they were actually four monks, their hands tied behind their backs. When Shi Zhu looked at it, he couldn't help blurting out: "Aren't these the masters of 'Haining Temple'!?" How did they become prisoners?? ”

A stranger next to him leaned on the stone pillar and said: "Yes, they are the masters of the temple, they have been paraded through the streets for several days, and I am afraid that they will be shot today!" Alas, the Japanese on dog days! ”

"This big brother, what the hell is going on? What about the abbot of the temple, Venerable Renfang? Where is it now? Shizhu asked suspiciously.

"Young man, don't you know, since the Japanese came, they have done all kinds of evil. The masters of Haining Temple used the sesame oil money to buy some guns and ammunition, and formed a guerrilla team to fight the Japanese in the mountains. Last month, exactly one day before the middle of July, the Japanese attacked Yuntai Mountain with a large group of men and horses, and went to the temple to ask the monks to hand over the guerrillas. Master Renfang refused, and was stabbed to death by the devil at that time......"

"Yes, yes! I've also heard that the mage didn't fall down until he died, and he stood there with his hands still in a heap! At this time, an older man next to him interjected.

The stranger continued: "Later, the monks in the temple were arrested, and the Japanese set fire to many places in the temple. I heard that there were a few monks running on the road, and in the end, the Japanese devils only caught these four masters. You see how they were beaten by the Japanese, they didn't look like it anymore! But they are not bad breeds, and they have not explained anything about the guerrillas, and the Japanese have gone crazy and paraded them in the streets for several days. What a hate! ”

The people around echoed: "Which one says no!" This year, good people have come to this end! Extinct Jap! ”

Hearing this, Shi Zhu also probably knew what happened, and he understood why Master Renfang said to them when she followed Xiaoyu to Haining Temple to make incense last year.

At this moment, several commanders entered the arena slowly and sat on the prison platform.

On the left sat a fat official, dressed in a robe and coat; Sitting next to him was a Japanese officer, like a prison officer - this person Shizhu recognized at once, it was Gangqi Xiuzhong who wounded Zhu Huaiqing, and it was he who led the Japanese and the puppet army to Yuntai Mountain to exterminate the guerrillas. Behind the two men were several Japanese soldiers.

Shi Zhu clenched his fists at this time, he really wanted to go up and kill this little devil, but this was not the roof of the train, and he was not facing an enemy.

After a while, Gangqi waved his left hand, and a person standing next to him nodded to him knowingly, then walked to the front, waved his hand to the onlookers, and said, "Everyone be quiet!" Today we executed four monks from the 'Haining Monastery' at the execution site, who colluded with the mountain people to fight against the imperial army and harbored guerrillas, and refused to confess, which is a hein,......ous crime."

Hearing this, Shi Zhu really felt sad, these devils are completely reversing black and white, the righteous rebels have become criminals, and the aggressors regard themselves as judges? What is even more despicable is that many Chinese have actually become traitors, lackeys, and accomplices of the Japanese!

As for what the person standing in front of the stage said, Shi Zhu didn't want to listen to it anymore, but finally heard: "......, these four monks are: Long Gang, Dexuan, Juexuan, and Renyi!" Read it out! ”

Immediately, the crowd erupted into noisy shouting.

After a while, the fat official took out a watch from his arms, looked at the time, and turned to Gangqi to say something, and Gangqi immediately nodded. With permission, the fat officer shouted to the man standing, "Execution!" ”

"Prepare for execution! Prepare ......"

At this time, the timid among the spectators turned their heads, and the adults would block the eyes of the children, and some of the older ones would have tears in their eyes. What Shi Zhu didn't believe was that Gangqi, who was sitting on the stage, really picked up the teacup, lifted the lid of the cup, blew it gently, and tasted the tea calmly, as if everything that was going to happen in front of him was as usual, and the death of a few people was just commonplace for him!

"Put!"

After a few gunshots, the four monks fell to the ground.

Shi Zhu did not see any heroes from the green forest come to rob the Dharma field, nor did he hear anyone shout "keep people under the gun", and then read the "holy decree" to pardon the "prisoner", of course, he himself could not do anything about it. At this moment, he felt that in front of these guns, even if he had a thousand ambitions, he was just an ordinary spectator, although he was not insensitive, but what could he do except hatred and regret?

Soon, the crowd dispersed and the streets were bustling again.

The bodies of the four monks were dragged away and hung on the Qiyang Gate in Haizhou in an attempt to set an example. At night, someone quietly collected the body and buried it in a place unknown to anyone.

After the execution, Shizhu walked around the street for a while, bought some things, carried them all the way, and finally returned home in the evening.

Seeing that Shi Zhu was back, Shi Yu was very happy: "Zhu, you are finally back!" No wonder when I sent your second grandmother back to Luo, the magpie in the tree kept barking! I look forward to you every day, just come back, just come back! Tired of it, right? Quick, sit down, take a break, and drink some water! ”

Shi Zhu took a big sip of water and said, "My grandmother, I miss you too!" I've got something for you, and lo and behold! Also, I took a little lion dog on the way and brought it home! ”

Shi Yushi didn't look at the things on the table, but picked up the puppy, and said angrily and happily: "You kid, you'll come back when you go back, buy everything blindly!" This little lion dog is not bad, it is quite similar to the one raised in the palace, and it is just right to keep it at home! ”

"The Imperial Palace?" When Shi Zhu heard this, he asked suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing! Pillar, you rest first, I'll go get you food! ”

In the evening, Shi Zhu told his grandmother about the experience of the way to the northeast, of course, he was afraid that the old woman would worry, and did not tell her about the many things he had encountered at sea with Japanese devils and fell into the sea, but only lightly said that he had a cold on the ship, thanks to the doctor on the ship who saved him. In addition, Shi Zhu did not tell all about the attempted assassination of Liu Fulong and the fact that he was hanged by the Japanese for three days and three nights, but only said that he was slightly injured during the assassination of Liu Fulong.

Even so, Shi Yu pinched his sweat for his grandson, "Zhuzi, look at it, these things are a little scary when you think about them!" I'm just a grandson like you, and the Shi family has your bloodline, in case there is a three-long and two-short, how can I explain! ”

When Shi Zhu talked about meeting someone in Changchun who sneaked into the (pseudo) Manchukuo palace and wanted to assassinate Emperor Puyi, Shi Yu asked: "Zhuzi, is this Puyi Emperor of Manchuria the original Qing Emperor?" ”

"Yes, but it's not called the Qing Dynasty now, and Pu Yi is just a puppet emperor, and the Japanese behind it say it!"

"Then if the Japanese were still in China, this (puppet) Manchukuo would not have died?"

"Maybe, I don't understand this anyway, it's all like a chess piece, maybe the Japanese will lose it one day!"

Shi Zhu didn't know why her grandmother was interested in this matter, and since she mentioned the palace just now, she always felt that there were many things in her that she didn't know. But for so many years, grandma has never said it, so naturally she has a reason, so Shi Zhu didn't ask.

After being silent for a long time, Shi Yu came back to his senses and asked, "Zhuzi, what are your plans to come back this time?" ”

"I rested at home for a few days, and then I planned to go to my uncle, and he said last time that he would help me find an errand to do at the Banpu Vinegar Factory. If I say yes, I'll work in the vinegar factory, close to home, and I can come back to see you often! ”

"Well, that's good! But the little guy you brought back won't be able to follow you, so he just stays at home with me! ”

"My grandmother, I haven't told you yet, I named it 'Golden Retriever', it's human, and it has helped me a lot along the way!" Subsequently, Shi Zhu began to know the golden retriever, and told a lot of its heroic deeds, and the more Shi Yu listened, the more he liked this little guy, and kept touching his head.

After chatting about himself, Shi Zhu asked: "My grandmother, during the time I went to the Northeast, was there anything going on at home?" ”

"Alas! You know all those things before you left, the devil killed a lot of people in other villages, did all the bad things, and later heard that in Banpo, Yilu and Dayi Mountain, many places went to rob things, and many people were killed! However, the guerrillas also gave the Japanese and the two dogs the color to see! Our little Japan hasn't come for the time being, and it is estimated that sooner or later it will not be able to hide, and now everyone is scared in their hearts, and many big girls have cut their hair, smeared some dust on their faces, and dressed up as young men. There are also many people who want to escape, but now that half of China is Japanese, where can they flee to? ......”

"Yes, this is the incompetence of the government, which has caused us ordinary people to suffer! The National Government should have collapsed a long time ago, and someone else should do it! ”

"Who can I change? It's not all the same! The country's shortcomings are too deep, and the Qing Dynasty has begun, not a matter of one or two days, and it is not easy to drive away the Japanese! After saying that, Shi Yushi sighed deeply, then picked up the needle cone and flicked the wick.

Shizhu said: "Whoever resolutely fights the Japanese devils should be given to sit on this river, as long as the Chinese unite against the Japanese, sooner or later they will be driven out." I saw those people in the Northeast who fought against the Communist Party, and I heard them say that most of them are the Communist Party's army, and I think that if the world is under the control of the Communist Party, it will definitely be stronger than the national army! ”

The grandfather and grandson talked about the Cao family marrying a daughter-in-law a few days ago, and was robbed of her relatives, and then the whole Cao family went out and snatched the bride back, and so on, and so on, and before you knew it, it was late at night.

The next day, Shi Zhu went to visit Zhang Banxian, although Zhang Banxian was only his elementary school teacher many years ago, but Shi Zhu has always respected him, in addition to Mr. Zhang's profound knowledge, Shi Zhu's favorite thing is to listen to him talk about those things he doesn't know, although there are some things he doesn't dare to agree with Mr. Zhang.

Shi Zhu knew that Zhang Banxian's grandson Da Mao was also at home, so he specially brought some biscuits and a few pieces of candy to him. Da Mao will also be much taller, and when he got something good, he immediately happily hid aside and ate it.

Although Zhang Banxian is now fifty-five years old, except for some minor problems, his body is quite tough. Seeing Shi Zhu come to see him, he was even more happy, and while shaking his fan, he beckoned Shi Zhu to sit down, and then picked up his cigarette pouch and prepared to get over his addiction.

After asking for warmth, Shi Zhu asked Mr. Zhang what he thought of the current situation.

Hearing this question, Zhang Banxian changed his previous style of rare words, and the conversation box seemed to open up in an instant: "If you want to talk about this little devil, you have to put it together with the German devil to say, the two countries are embarrassed, colluding with each other, cheering each other, and both countries must be defeated!" The German devils have already shown their fangs in Europe, constantly aggressive against foreign countries, Britain and France have declared war on Germany, but this is far from enough, if you want to completely defeat Germany, you must participate in the superpower Soviet Union! ”

Zhang Banxian took a puff of cigarette and continued: "Look at the Japanese devils again, this projectile is short of *****, and now they are trying to dominate Asia, but the front is too long, I believe that although the national government has temporarily abandoned part of the country, the national army is fully capable of dragging down the Japanese devils and finally achieving victory!" However, if the Soviet Union in the north could help us at this time, it might have driven the Japanese out earlier! ”

"Isn't Lao Maozi fighting with the little devil?" Shizhu said.

"That being said, but the old Maozi and the little devils are not fighting in the Haraha River for our country, but for their own interests, which is the same as the battle they fought in Zhanggufeng last year. I estimate that after this battle, the Soviet Union will not declare war on little Japan, and now China will have to rely on itself and the national army! ”

"But Mr. Zhang, I still have some doubts about the national army, many times, they are not defeated, but flee without a fight! Moreover, now that the enemy is present, they are still going to fight the communist army! ”

Zhang Banxian took two puffs of cigarette again, and said: "Yes, at this juncture, it is okay if the national army does not unite with the communist army, but it should not attack the communist army!" After all, the Communist Party is sincere in resisting Japan, and I have heard a lot about them! This is the first time that Shizhu has heard Zhang Banxian praise the Communist Party like this, you know, he has always looked down on the Communist Party before, and even likes to call it a "bandit".

After chatting for a while, I didn't realize that it was almost noon, and at this time, Zhang Banxian's daughter-in-law Zhang Zhushi also came back, and when she saw the stone pillar there, she said: "Zhuzi, stay at home for dinner tonight, I'll get it!" ”

Shi Zhu knew that it was not easy for everyone's family, and it was inconvenient to stay and eat, so he said: "Auntie, don't bother, I just haven't been here for a long time, I'm at home today, come and have a look, sit for a while and go back, my grandmother is still waiting for me at home!" After hearing this, Zhang Zhushi didn't force him to stay, but just called Da Mao to help bring some firewood over. Shizhu stayed for a while and then went home.

In the past two days, Shizhu's best playmate, Luo Erfang, was not at home, and went to work outside with the people in the village, Shizhu was really bored at home, so he took a porcelain basin and a small basket, and went to the village to catch fish and play. After a while, many children came over to join in the fun, and some simply went down to the river to touch it together. When he was having fun, Liu Shanxiu suddenly appeared, went to the stone pillar and said, "Brother Zhuzi, you're back!" ”

Seeing Liu Shanxiu coming, Shizhu washed his hands and went ashore, and said to the little minions: "You touch it first, I'll come up and rest!" Then he joked with Liu Shanxiu: "Hey, the girl is getting more and more smart!" ”

Seeing this, Liu Shanxiu gently pinched the stone pillar and said "hate" shyly, but the stone pillar was not angry and asked, "You don't study anymore, what are your plans at home?" ”

Liu Shanxiu pouted and said helplessly: "What else can I plan, my mother and I are forcing me to get married quickly, and they don't let me go out every day, saying that it's not good for girls to show up all day long; I heard that you were back, but I still sneaked out! ”

"Who are you going to marry you to?"

"I want to marry Ding Facai!" Liu Shanxiu lowered his head when he said this, and his voice was very small.

"Wouldn't that be nice! The door is right, and the conditions at his home are also good! ”

"What's good, I haven't liked him since I was a child, relying on some money in the family, he is rude, bullying the soft and afraid of the hard, and he will have no interest in the future. His family's conditions are good, I am not rare, and marrying someone is not married to money! ”

"And who do you want to marry?"

"Brother Zhuzi, you are so annoying! Think for yourself! After speaking, Liu Shanxiu got up, and wanted to pinch down the stone pillar again, but his hand retracted, "I have to go back, otherwise I will be found by Da and I will have to scold me to death!" Looking at Liu Shanxiu's back gradually moving away, Shi Zhu could only smile bitterly, and went down to the river to catch fish again.

The next day was the autumn equinox, and Shi Zhu planned to go to the port to find Zhu Guanglian and talk about going to the vinegar factory. He went to Zhuzhuang first to see his aunt, and her spirit was much better than in winter, and she coughed a little less. Then, he went to Zhu Huaiqing to sit down, their family is very good, I heard that Chun Tao has been pregnant for almost three months, Shi Zhu is really happy for them.

Shi Zhu's aunt Zhu Dong asked Shi Zhu half-jokingly: "Zhuzi, you see that my grandson will be a father in the spring next year, and your grandson must also grasp it, when will I hold my grandson!" ”

Shi Zhu said: "My uncle, it's still early, your grandson's daughter-in-law hasn't been found yet!" ”

"Girls aren't ready-made! We have a lot of Zhuzhuang, who do you like, I'll tell you to go to the matchmaker! ”

After everyone laughed, Shi Zhu was also a little embarrassed: "My uncle, don't make fun of me!" I'm going to go to my uncle's to find him something, so I'm leaving, you have to pay attention to your body! ”

Shizhu left Zhuzhuang and hurried slowly, and when he arrived at the "Guanglian Commercial Bank", it was almost dark.

Zhu Guanglian was very happy when he saw Shizhu coming, and hurriedly asked Mama Hu to prepare a few more dishes, and he wanted to have a few drinks alone with Shizhu in the evening. The two uncles and nephews have not seen each other for several days, and they talked very happily during the banquet, and Shi Zhu told Zhu Guanglian in detail about the things on the way to the northeast, and also took special care of Zhu Guanglian, not to tell his grandmother about those dangerous experiences, so as not to worry the old man.

As for the situation of the commercial bank, Zhu Guanglian also said a lot:

After the Japanese called, they used the original Lianyun City Hall as the office location. Since the firm helps the Japanese to transport goods, the daily business volume is a lot more, and the Japanese do not interfere much in the daily affairs of the firm, but Zhu Guanglian feels that helping the Japanese is really not a taste in his heart, but what can he do?

Of the eight people under Shi Zhu's original hand, except for Zhu Huaiqing, only Lu Da, Xu Wei, Xu Wei and Li Bao remained; Zhang Lin originally wanted to stay, but his father, Lao Zhangtou, didn't want his son to have anything to do with the Japanese, so he quietly let him join the Eighth Route Army to fight the Japanese devils; Zhang Yunsheng went to find another way to make a living; The most pitiful is Shang Dajia, who originally returned to the port to do odd jobs, but he didn't want to be forcibly dragged to the "Thirteen Houses" by the Japanese, and was forced to do hard labor for the Japanese......

Zhu Guanglian knew that Shizhu came to Banpu Vinegar Factory this time, so he specially said to him: "......, speaking of which, the Banpu Wang family and our Zhu family still have some things to do with it - your uncle's brother and daughter-in-law, that is, my third concubine, and Mrs. Wang's sister-in-law are sisters, and I often heard the third concubine mention them when I used to visit relatives. Later, I had more people to deal with in the mall, and I got to know Mr. Wang. ”

Speaking of this, Zhu Guanglian and Shi Zhu drank another small glass, ate a mouthful of food, and continued: "Before the Japanese hit Haizhou last year, they sent planes to bomb Banpu several times, and the vinegar factory was also affected and was forced to stop production for a period of time, and then slowly resumed production. After the Japanese came, the vinegar factory workers lost a lot, and Mr. Wang wanted to find someone who was practical, diligent, and had some skills to escort materials and goods to him, so I recommended you to him. Master Wang was naturally very happy when he heard this, and told me that he could take you to him at any time. ”

Zhu Guanglian continued: "Without further ado, tomorrow I will take you to the vinegar factory to visit Master Wang." It happened that the day after tomorrow was half August, and this time I went back, I just happened to be able to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival in Zhuzhuang! You'll go to bed early, and we'll leave tomorrow morning before dawn......"

Although the uncle and nephew were very happy after the reunion, they were both battle-hardened people, especially when they encountered important things and did not dare to be greedy, so the two did not drink much, and withdrew from the table after drinking all their hearts.

Zhu Guanglian said to the stone pillar again: "Pillar, you still slept in the original room at night, and kept it for you." After walking such a long way today, it is estimated that you will also be staggered, wash and go to bed early, and go to Banpo tomorrow morning, and you will have to come to catch the carriage. I'm going to look for you now, Daddy Shen has some things, and I'll call you tomorrow morning. ”

"Well, my uncle, I see. You also rest early! With that, the pillar rested.

Zhu Guanglian went to Shen Congwang and explained that it was almost the Mid-Autumn Festival, and all the wages that should be paid should be settled, so that the workers could celebrate the festival. The two drew up a list of gifts together, and after a busy stop, Zhu Guanglian fell asleep.

Before dawn the next day, Zhu Guanglian woke up the stone pillar, and specially asked him to bring two boxes of "Guanshengyuan" bean paste moon cakes to Mr. Wang - he knew that Mr. Wang's family did not lack anything, but there was a request for people, and it was not good to go empty-handed, if the gift was too heavy, I was afraid that people would not accept it, but it would be embarrassing, so it was just right to send two boxes of local rare moon cakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Immediately, Shizhu drove the carriage and drove towards Banpo in a puff of smoke.