In Nanjing in July 1937, the climate gradually became hotter, and what made Xu Ming even hotter or more anxious was the waiting for an upcoming event that would change history.

The Xi'an Incident and the Suiyuan Incident still happened the same, but no one would have thought that a military conflict in Wanping City would change the history of the entire China, the entire East Asia, and even the entire world.

Xu Ming read the newspaper every day for the past few days, for fear of breaking the major events in North China, but until July 7, the newspaper was completely normal. From the first page of the "Central Daily", the advertisements of the "National Collection Rare Book", the meeting of the Executive Yuan, the meeting of the Sichuan Kang army, the success of the British and American flight experiments, local news, and excerpts of prose and poetry. I can't see the treacherous situation in North China at all.

On July 8, 1937, at 5:30 a.m., outside Wanping City in the western suburbs of Beiping, the morning on the horizon just radiated light. The infantry brigade of the Chinese garrison army, the captain of the third brigade of the first wing, Ichiki Qingzhi Nakasa, raised his saber against the Longwang Temple on the north side of Wanping......

Two hours later, Hashimoto Group, chief of staff of the garrison army, issued an order to all units in Tianjin to prepare for sortie. At 3 p.m., Wing Commander Mu Tian arrived at Lugouqiao Station. Then, the brigade commander Kawabe Shozo arrived at Fengtai. Command on the spot, preparing to launch an attack on Wanping City.

While the Chinese garrison brigades stationed in North China were carrying out operations, the militarist apparatus at home and abroad in Japan also began to operate at high speed.

Japan's Kwantung Army issued a statement, saying: "With regard to the violent 29th Army, the Kwantung Army has maintained great concern and resolute determination, and is seriously watching the development of events. He also ordered the 1st Independent Mixed Brigade and the 11th Independent Mixed Brigade to be on urgent standby, and the Aviation Corps to be ready for sortie.

The commander of the Japanese Korean and Xian armies, General Koshiki Kuniaaki, ordered the 20th Division to be dispatched at any time. And reported to the General Staff Headquarters: "Take advantage of this incident to promote the ambitious plan to govern China!" ”

On the morning of July 8, Japan held a summit; In the afternoon, a cabinet meeting was held.

On the evening of July 8, the prime minister of the land ordered the 40,000 troops to stop demobilization.

On the same day, the Japanese Navy also made emergency preparations.

I don't know how the Chinese side will respond to Xu Ming, who was sweeping the newspaper with his eyes wide open on the morning of July 8.

First Edition, First Sheet, Advertisement; the second, International News; The third, poetry and prose.

Second Edition, First Sheet, Advertisement; the second, news from all over the country; 3rd ......

3rd and 4th editions, advertising, poetry and prose, sports journalism......

He crumpled the newspaper in a ball of hatred and threw it on the ground. Lin Qianyu just pushed the door in and was startled.

Lin Qianyu put down the coffee on the plate and said softly: "Drink the coffee and put out the fire." ”

Coffee may not be able to extinguish the fire in his heart, but his wife's tenderness cannot be disappointed. Xu Ming picked up the coffee and drank it clean. Pointing to the group of newspapers, he said angrily: "If you look at these articles, the situation in North China is as dangerous as an egg, and the newspapers are still singing and dancing one after another. This bastard poet still says that the summer is beautiful and the soft breeze is intoxicating. The warm wind blows the tourists drunk, and Hangzhou is Bianzhou! ”

Lin Qianyu picked up the newspaper and opened it to take a look, "Hu Die's masterpiece: "Sister Flowers" - I have to read it, and I have to watch it if I haven't read it, and I ...... if I haven't read it."

On 9 July, Chinese public opinion finally began to report, and the first big-character headline on the third page of the "Central Daily": The Japanese army in the Pingjiao exercise suddenly shelled our troops yesterday morning. At the same time, the news of the protest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also issued. But this edition, and the rest of the editions, remains the same: Kien Harrow's movie covers, Fortress's advertisements, Haiyue's prose......

Regarding the response of the Chinese side, Xu Ming was already speechless.

He was angry, not to blame the poets and merchants, the situation was serious, and they could not be held responsible. He was angry about China's early handling of the Lugou Bridge incident.

In this era, Xu Ming has done enough, and the positive propaganda against China and the reverse propaganda against Japan in the United States have become very popular. The country's gas mask factory and mine factory have also been completed with technical support from the government, and the remaining cement plant will be ready for production by the end of the year. He also established the Anti-Japanese War National Salvation Fund with overseas Chinese in the United States, Europe, and Nanyang, and raised $33 million last year alone, of which Xu Ming alone invested 21 million. The Yuming group was about to be squeezed dry by him, and Xu Ming used the money to buy strategic materials such as guns, gasoline, and aircraft parts for the Nationalist Government.

Xu Ming was desperately preparing. Once the war starts, the procurement of materials will not be so smooth, or the cost will rise significantly. For his country, Xu Ming can say that everything that can be done has been done.

But this was not the case with others, and the three major warlords, Song Z, Yan Xishan, and Han Fuqu, had been trying to find a balance between the central government and Japan in order to preserve their rule. In all fairness, these three people are not bad in character and ability, and Song Zy is generous to his subordinates; Han Fuqu is also a subordinate subordinate; Yan Xishan is poor in this regard, but the people of Shanxi under Lao Yan are very outstanding in China in terms of living standards and education standards, and Shanxi was rated as the first model province in China at that time.

But for war, the criterion by which everything is evaluated is military. The speculation and war-avoidance mentality of these three men brought great harm to China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Now it is not yet Yan Xishan and Han Fuqu, and after the Lugou Bridge incident, it is Song Zzy, chairman of the North China Jicha Political Affairs Committee, who has been pushed to the forefront.

And Song Zy has always tried to compromise and back down, pinning his hopes on the mercy of Japan's men. I don't want to think about it, since the Battle of the Great Wall in 1933, Japan has paid huge manpower and material resources in North China, is it to serve you Song Zy!

When Xu Ming thought of this, he was both sad and angry. During the extremely critical period when the Japanese army deployed troops, Song Zy did nothing, the army had almost no targeted deployment, and even demolished some of the city fortifications. As a result, Beiping and Tianjin, two major cities, were lost one after another within 2 days.

Beiping, the capital of the Yuan, Ming, Qing and Beiyang governments, and the first city in northern China! Tianjin, China's second-largest economic metropolis, after Shanghai! There was little effective resistance. Two of China's six major cities were easily occupied by Japan. Xu Ming raised a total of more than 30 million US dollars to prepare for the Anti-Japanese War, but the value of these two cities is not only 10 30 million US dollars!

You can't just watch this happen! Never!

On July 10, Xu Ming sent a telegram to Song Z.

"Chairman Song Jun Jian:

Hearing the sound of Wanping's cannon, he suddenly learned that the situation was serious, and he was planning to make a statement for the sake of the general.

Since ancient times, chiefs have been willing to make mistakes rather than be slow to react to situations. It is rumored that the general is still in Leling, dodging delays, stealing the move of cocooning himself and waiting to be killed.

Today, China's reunification is deepening, and Japan is pressing on China step by step. At critical moments, decisions must be made as soon as possible.

In front of the general, he was faced with three choices.

Ichiya, take refuge in the Japanese. With the prestige and ability of a general, he should be able to become the head of the Jicha region. However, this leader is not a general who can make decisions independently, and it is best to do it without Puyi of Manchukuo. Now Pu Yi, named King, is actually a prisoner. Marriage cannot be decided, ancestors cannot be worshipped, and food and drink are afraid of poisoning. He is surrounded by Japanese advisors. If you, General, envy such a life and disregard the honor of your ancestors, I have nothing to say.

Second, in response to the Nationalist Government, the Central Army was invited to go north and resolutely resist Japan. With Japan's arrogance, it is naturally unbearable. China and Japan are now on the same footing, and if the general sets this example, he will inevitably fight the Japanese army.

Not surprisingly, you end up as a mere army general, with the title of Commander-in-Chief of an army group or a little higher. I know this situation is not satisfactory to you, but in all fairness, is it far better than being a traitor? At least general, you can face your parents and family and public opinion calmly. Your children and grandchildren will become heroic sons and daughters, and your ancestors will also be revered by future generations.

Sanya, who continued to find a balance between the central government and Japan, thought that he was the leader of the warlords.

Although this is a wonderful thing, it is not, and I am the most worried about it.

Since ancient times, there has been a prerequisite for seeking balance between the two strong! That is, the two strong ones themselves are equal in strength, so they dare not be too persecutive for the centrists.

At present, the Nationalist Government can be said to be tolerant of the general, but I am afraid that you will defect to Japan. But is Japan afraid to take action for fear that you will defect to the Nationalist Government?

With the audacity of the Japanese warlords, how can they be cautious?

Zhang Zuolin of Huanggutun and Zhang Hanqing of 918 are examples of generals.

Japan has always despised our country, how can it tolerate a government in North China that is out of their control, and if you cannot satisfy its pro-Japanese, and Manchurian attitude, you will not be able to contribute resources and economy. Japan will take action!

Japan spent countless manpower and painstaking efforts to force China to sign the Tanggu, Hemei, and Qintu agreements, and gradually penetrated into North China. They came all the way from the northeast, Rehe, and northern Hebei, and now, Pingjin is just a stop under the Japanese Empire.

Politicians are the most taboo fantasies. Now general, your worst choice is this. If you try to curry favor with both sides, General, it will be too late to seek resistance against Japan when the Japanese army has completed its deployment and your troops have been attacked.

At that time, you lost not only the territory of Hebei, but also the morale of the people. I am also deeply concerned that the general will be the laughing stock of the ages.

If you don't give up, I am willing to come to North China and sacrifice my dogs and horses for the general.

Looking forward to replying.

Xu Ming

Respectfully"

On July 11, Xu Ming received a reply from Song Zy and invited him to go north.

At 3 o'clock in the morning the next day, on Jinpu Road in the middle of the night, there was a sparse flow of passengers heading north. Xu Ming was at Pukou Station, alone, and stepped on the train to Beiping......