The setting sun casts a ray of sunlight on the horizon, and the warm breeze blows through the street one after another, making the pedestrians on the street extremely comfortable. On the street, the vendors who had just finished their business and the peasants who had sold the last handfuls of greens in their burdens were rushing home full of joy.

Jiujiang has always been a city that is not inferior to the provincial capital, although after several wars, it still quickly recovered its livelihood, although there are still Japanese troops around, but the people in the city seem to quickly adapt to this life, with the restoration of urban order, all kinds of commercial activities and entertainment venues have also begun to flourish.

As the sky gradually darkens, the most prosperous Huaixi Road in the city also begins to be lively, all kinds of electric lights begin to turn on, this is the largest commercial street in Jiujiang, many shops are concentrated here, it is the most prosperous place in Jiujiang every night.

There is another street only one street away from Huaixi Road, this street is not a commercial street, there are not many pedestrians on the street, but there are many police and soldiers patrolling the street, and many houses here are high-walled and deep courtyards, and it is not a place where the rich gentry gather in the city.

There are several red lanterns hanging in front of a building on this street, and in front of the door are several heavily armed soldiers wearing yellow central military uniforms standing in front of the door, looking at passers-by with fierce eyes.

An Italian-made Fiat sedan slowly drove from the street and stopped in front of the door, and Zhao Manlu, dressed in a gray-green straight military uniform and wearing the rank of lieutenant colonel on the collar, stepped out of the car.

"Stand upright...... Salute! ”

Seeing the delicate and heroic Zhao Manlu coming towards him, the two soldiers at the door were stunned. Then he hurriedly stood up and saluted her with a gun.

Zhao Manlu quickly returned the salute and walked in.

As she walked through two courtyards, she came to a large living room. A commotion came from inside.

When Zhao Manlu's figure appeared at the door of the living room, she could feel that the dozens of noisy voices in the living room paused for a moment, and countless eyes stayed on her. As a sensitive woman, she could even feel the surprised gazes of many people.

It's just that Zhao Manlu has long been immune to such a gaze, and under the flow of her gaze, she scanned the tasks in the living room, but when her eyes swept in the living room, there was a slight look of disappointment in her eyes. It's just that this look is fleeting, and no one notices it. However, when she saw Liao Liping, Cao Yunwei, Cen Ting and other officers from the Ministry of Military Affairs stationed in the 202nd Army in the crowd talking with several people wearing military uniforms of the Central Army, her expression moved slightly, and she walked towards them.

But at this time, one was originally surrounded by everyone. Dressed in an old-fashioned robe and horse coat, an old man with a long beard and a long beard, accompanied by several gentry-looking people, came to Zhao Manlu. I saw him smile and said to Zhao Manlu: "This must be Director Zhao who doesn't let the woman shave his eyebrows, and the old man has long admired Director Zhao's name." Director Zhao's ability to repeatedly make great contributions to the party and the country as a daughter is really admirable, and today he can come to the old and decrepit home in person. I am very grateful! ”

Although on weekdays, Zhao Manlu has heard a lot of such flattery. Normally, she doesn't pay attention to such words, but she can't help but show a compliment from an elderly person, whether it is out of guest etiquette or respect for the elder.

Zhao Manlu saluted the old man and said: "Mr. Cao has won the award, Manlu just relied on the superior's mistaken love to take up a position, and he deserves such praise from the elder." Besides, today is Mr. Cao's 60th birthday, and he has to come to congratulate Mr. Cao in person. ”

"Hahaha...... Director Zhao was too polite. Mr. Cao laughed, turned around and said loudly, "Ziang, come over and receive Director Zhao." ”

With Mr. Cao's words. A middle-aged young general wearing a central military uniform walked over and smiled at Zhao Manlu, "Miss Zhao." We meet again. ”

Seeing the visitor, Zhao Manlu showed a trace of helplessness in his eyes, and saluted the person who came, and said solemnly: "Hello Sir Cao!" ”

"Huh...... Miss Zhao is too polite, didn't I say it a long time ago, we are not subordinate to the superiors, so don't call me sir, and today is my father's birthday, so why don't you call me Ziang. ”

"This can't be done, there is a difference between the upper and lower levels, how dare the rank and department exceed it!" Seeing that this person was so familiar with the words that made him call him, Zhao Manlu rushed to his brain with a pain, and dared to excuse himself in a hurry.

After hurriedly dealing with this Chief Cao for a few words, Zhao Manlu found an excuse and walked quickly towards Liao Liping and the others.

Seeing Zhao Manlu coming, Liao Liping smiled and said, "Director Zhao, Chief Cao is so enthusiastic, but you left him behind and ran to mingle with our group of bosses, isn't it?" ”

Let Zhao Manlu be informal, but when she heard Liao Liping make fun of her like this, she couldn't help but glance at him, such a situation appeared on Zhao Manlu, who has always been heroic, but it was particularly amorous, but for a while, he stunned several people around him.

Liao Liping was stunned for a moment before he smiled bitterly: "It is worthy of the eldest lady of the Zhao family who was famous in Chongqing in the past, and now I finally understand why Chief Cao came here so fearlessly, if I were ten years younger, I would have come." ”

"Chief Liao, if you let Chief Cao hear this, it is estimated that he will fight with you." Cao Yunwei, who came back to her senses on the side, also began to joke.

"You guys!" Seeing that these people had been making fun of themselves, Zhao Manlu could only shake her head helplessly and stop talking.

However, some people were not convinced, but Cen Ting said lightly: "Chief Cao naturally dares to come, after all, Chief Su will leave for Hengzhou in a few days, and now the Japanese have been scared by Chief Su, with Chief Su's residual power, Jiujiang will not have any problems in the short term, it can be gilded and chase beauties, why not?" ”

......Hearing this, Cao Yunwei couldn't help laughing.

Liao Liping frowned and said, "Director Cen, be cautious!" Now that Chief Cao is the commander of Jiujiang's city defense, commanding more than 20,000 soldiers of the national army in Jiujiang, you must give him enough respect in public and private. ”

Liao Liping is the highest-ranking person of several of them, and he is also the boss of these people, and when he speaks, Cen Ting will not speak.

Cao Yunwei smiled, "Chief Liao, don't be too harsh on Brother Cen, I think that Chief Cao's mind can be seen by everyone, and there must be nothing to avoid, and after Chief Su and the people of the 202nd Army withdraw in a few days, he will be the emperor of the soil here, from this point of view, Brother Cen is right!" ”

Hearing this, Liao Liping, Cen Ting, and Zhao Manlu all frowned secretly. It is no secret that Su Jin wants to withdraw to Hengzhou with the 202nd Army, and he also officially raised his expression to the Ninth Theater Command, and Xue Yue also agreed.

And it stands to reason that the candidate for the city defense commander of Jiujiang should naturally be arranged by Xue Yue, after all, the geographical location of Jiujiang is so important, and who else can be more familiar with it than him, the commander of the theater. But the blame is here, this time Chongqing actually intervened, the Ministry of Military Affairs directly parachuted a city defense commander down, and this was originally only a senior staff member of the Ministry of Military Affairs, this is not counted, this senior staff member also brought a team of more than 20,000 soldiers and horses, to say that there is no cat here, even ghosts do not believe it.

As for this Cao Commander Liao Liping and the other officers from Chongqing, they still know that this military talent cannot be said to be absent, but it is only limited to the work and theory on the map, otherwise he would not have stayed in the Ministry of Military Affairs for several years. And that's it, although this Cao Gaoshen has passed the age of establishment, this guy is a master who can't walk when he sees a beautiful woman.

Since the death of his original partner due to illness, this guy has not remarried, but hunting everywhere, the year before last in Chongqing after meeting Zhao Manlu began to pursue her passionately, but also very persistent, made Zhao Manlu distressed, she came to the 202nd Army to serve in fact there is a reason to avoid this Cao Gaoshen, but I didn't expect this Cao Gaoshen to be a native of Jiujiang, this time he chased here with a ghost, tonight in the name of his father's birthday to invite the gentry and officers at all levels of Jiujiang to celebrate his birthday, Old Man Cao is one of the best gentry and celebrities in Jiujiang, and Zhao Manlu can't shirk and can only come, which caused Cen Ting to ridicule.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a little cold for a while, Liao Liping also sighed and said, "Okay, let's not say a word." Today is the birthday of the old man Cao, don't make it too stiff, let Chief Cao seize the handle, and you will feel good when the time comes. ”

Cen Ting pouted: "What are you afraid of, anyway, when the time comes, we will probably follow the 202nd Army to Hengzhou, why bother looking at that guy's face." ”

It's just that although he said this, he also restrained a lot and stopped being sarcastic.

Just then, the door opened, and a female officer with the rank of major walked in. The female officer was tall and skinny, with a white and red melon seed face, and was wearing a well-fitting gray-green German-style military uniform. The whole person exuded a cold and slightly arrogant look, and there was a small Beretta M1934 pistol pinned to the armed belt at his waist.

After seeing the comer, Liao Liping, who was originally whispering, couldn't help but be dumbfounded, and Cen Ting even lost his voice: "My God...... How did this one come to ......" (To be continued.) )