The Japanese don't have any good cards to play for the time being. Even if the belligerent was as warlike as Uehara, after the 11th Division's crushing defeat at Jiaozhou Bay, it could not stop the government from seeking peace. The two veteran divisions were surrounded by Chinese like iron barrels, and the troops had no food and no winter clothes (they thought that a month would be enough to end the war at most, so the sending army did not prepare winter clothes), and the situation was extremely difficult. Lieutenant General Michiharu Umezawa telegraphed to the base camp three times in a week, asking for a breakthrough to the coast with the strength of the troops still having the strength to fight, but was not allowed.

There are two reasons for not being allowed, one of which is military. According to Lieutenant General Umezawa's report, the strength of the 6th Division had dropped to half of its pre-war level, and the lack of artillery shells and a large number of wounded were the main difficulties faced by the 6th Division. The lack of food and grass is a secondary dilemma, and the troops are currently relying on killing horses to satisfy their hunger, and the horses cannot find food anyway. Another problem was the lack of pack horses, which reduced the mobility of the troops.

The Chinese troops surrounding the 6th Division included the 16th Division and the 2nd Division, a total of five brigades, and the strength was at least four times that of the 6th Division! Because both the 16th Division and the 2nd Division have been reorganized in a timely manner. The Chinese army also had a brigade (16 Brigade) that could be put into the Changyi battlefield at any time, and the General Staff Headquarters estimated that the hope of breaking through was extremely slim. And sticking to the spot may find a way out.

The second is diplomatic efforts. After discovering the real predicament of the 3rd and 6th Divisions, the General Staff Headquarters, including the newly appointed Chief of Staff, Senior General Yusaku Uehara, could no longer oppose the peace talks. The peace talks became a realistic hope for saving the two veteran divisions. In Japan, both the Cabinet and the Ministry of War. No one dared to say that they would abandon these two veteran divisions and regiments that had made great contributions to the country, so that objectively, the remnants of the two Japanese divisions and regiments became "hostages."

In this case, Japan is no longer obsessed with details such as the location of the negotiations. The Kato delegation arrived in Beijing on November 12 and officially kicked off the peace talks. They traveled by sea to Tianjin, then took the train to Beijing and stayed at the Japanese Embassy. According to the British side's proposal, the venue for the talks was the Liuguo Hotel in Dongjiaomin Lane.

On the morning of the 13th, the Sino-Japanese peace talks officially began. China's chief negotiator is Foreign Minister Tang Shaoyi.

The Japanese finally tasted the humiliation of defeat and peace. They know in their hearts that they will not be able to make some substantive concessions this time.

Despite his best preparations, Mr. Kato's offer surprised Mr. Kato with the conditions he put forward: to return Taiwan and all its colonies in China. The "high price" of withdrawing the Chinese garrison troops and compensating for the war losses of 300 million Chinese yuan cannot be promised under any circumstances. Even a public apology to China will be difficult. This is far from the final negotiation bottom line that was finally confirmed before departure.

The Japanese wanted to "open" the encirclement first. Humanitarian assistance such as food and medicine was given to the besieged Japanese army, and then the specific conditions for ending the war were determined. Tang Shaoyi, however, held that the issue of encirclement could only be studied if the two sides agreed on conditions and signed an armistice agreement. Who has ever heard of humane assistance to the besieged forces of the enemy while the war is still going on?

"Humanity? You know how to be humane! Tang Shaoyi sneered, "Invade other countries for no reason." Massacre of innocent civilians. A country that destroys the homes and livelihoods of people in other countries also deserves to talk about humanity? He unceremoniously rejected Jurdian's partiality for Japan on the issue. Now Foreign Minister Tang's waist is very hard. After the bloody battle of Jiaozhou Bay, Tang Shaoyi understood that the Japanese had no other way but to give in.

The Japanese officers and men in the encirclement were suffering from hunger and cold. But now it is unrealistic to let the Chinese open the encirclement. Zhu Erdian believes that this is not the point, in the eyes of these gentlemen, soldiers are consumables, consumables paid for the interests of the country, and they are not worth caring about.

Leaving aside the Japanese besieged officers and soldiers, the British thought that China had gone too far. Zhu Erdian tactfully pointed out that China's offer of such conditions is strict and lacks sincerity in peace talks. Tang Shaoyi took a good time to recall the negotiations at Shimonoseki after the First Sino-Japanese War, compared the losses of the two wars, and concluded that China's request was not too much at all, and that the Chinese government was merciful enough to be merciful enough than Ito Hirobumi when he forced Li Hongzhang.

Negotiations have reached an impasse. But Tang Shaoyi was not in a hurry, he firmly believed that he could drag it, but the Japanese couldn't afford it.

Xu Yi insisted on participating in the second batch of military support groups organized by Jiangsu, and considering her status, the Wuxi Municipal Education Bureau agreed to her request. Xu Yi left the child with her mother-in-law and mother, followed the condolence group to Jinan by train, and then changed to a truck to the front line. Xu Yi received permission from the regiment, she did not follow the regiment, but was incorporated into the Henan regiment, because the condolence target of the Henan regiment was the 16th Brigade that was resting in Qicheng.

After they arrived in Jinan, they heard from the newspapers about Japan's request for peace. The members of the group were very excited, talking about it, everyone thought that we should not make peace with little Japan, we have surrounded the little devils like an iron bucket, why should we talk about peace with them? Xu Yi was thinking, if the peace talks are successful, her husband will be safe, and she won't have to go to the battlefield anymore. Although he said in the letter that the wound on his hand had completely healed and would not affect his life in any way, she was still very worried and looked forward to seeing him sooner.

The driver learned that her husband was Chen Hao, a well-known heroic battalion commander in the whole army, and specially arranged for her to sit in the cab.

After the outbreak of the war, condolence groups were organized all over the country. The second batch of people sent by Jiangsu are mainly people from the educational and cultural circles, and they will go to Gaomi to express their condolences to the troops of the 18th Division, because the 18th Division was formed in Jiangsu, and 70% of its soldiers are children of Jiangsu. But Xu Yi wanted to see her husband, so she made humanized adjustments on it. This is also the light of Chen Hao, who made great contributions to the Battle of Qingdao, and has become a combat hero of the Central Military Region and even the Ministry of National Defense. The wife of a hero comes to the front to offer condolences, and when she sees her husband, she should be satisfied.

The heavy snow that fell a few days ago has not yet melted. The temperature has dropped to around freezing, and the road is not in good condition, with a particularly muddy section. Xu Yi greedily observed the scenery outside the window, the road was full of people's teams in front of the branch, they drove the carriages, and each carriage full of ammunition had a flag with a number written on it. There are soldiers on duty at every intersection, and they look very heroic.

Xu Yi is riding a truck for the first time. It's bumpy. The cab is not well sealed, the cold wind always penetrates through the gaps, and it is very noisy. But thinking that this kind of stupid-looking car was produced in her own country, Xu Yi was still very proud. She felt very happy when she thought that her companions were still freezing in the canvas-covered carriage in the back.

The driver was very talkative, told Xu Yi a lot of battlefield stories, and told her with certainty that he was running this line and gave the 16th Brigade supplies. They are resting, and recently they are not fighting. The driver also knew about the peace talks. Say to her. Maybe the battle won't be fought, the little devil's reinforcements were beaten by our army in the Jiaoxian area, they have no strength to fight, it says that both Gaomi and Changyi's devils have been out of food for a long time. A few more days. And they all starved to death. The driver also talked about Chen Hao. It is not easy to say that Battalion Commander Chen is the winner of the Order of Heroes of the Second Class. You must know that there are very few winners of the Order of Heroes of the Second Class who are "alive" at this level, and they are all awarded to the heroes who have died. Camp Chief Chen is really good. It is estimated that it will be raised soon.

Xu Yi didn't think about her husband's promotion. Although she knew that her husband's background was deep. When she got acquainted with Chen Hao, she didn't know that he was born in poverty, but he actually met many big figures in the republic, and even President Long knew him! Now she only wants her husband to live well. Before coming, Xu Yi went to Tao Jing's house to say goodbye to her good friend, and talked about the war, Tao Jing was very calm, saying that she had long known that we would win, and the Mengshan army had such a few men, and overthrew the Manchu Qing Dynasty with three strikes and five divisions, and now the country is unified, and his group of tiger and wolf generals are all there, and he is fighting in his old base in Shandong, how can there be no reason to win? I'm just curious about what benefits he can get for the country this time. Father Tao, who usually doesn't talk about state affairs, was very excited that day, saying that this was the first real foreign victory of my Chinese kingdom in a hundred years.

Why do they call the president, who is deeply admired by the people, "he", Xu Yi did not think deeply.

On the evening of the 15th, the Henan condolence group arrived in Qicheng. The driver told Xu Yi that entering Qicheng would be regarded as entering the battlefield. Xu Yi had imagined what the battlefield would be like, but there was no trace of war in Qicheng except that the streets were full of soldiers.

The condolence group lived in the Qicheng County Government Compound, the former Qicheng County Ya. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the troops, and Director Liu of the Political Department of the 16th Brigade was already waiting in front of the county government, shook hands with the members of the condolence group one by one, and welcomed them into the government compound. The house has long been prepared, the house is equipped with an iron stove, warm as spring, Xu Yi is a southerner, there is no habit of building a stove at home in winter, I feel extremely comfortable, and the fatigue of the journey seems to be swept away. There were four people in one room, but there were only three women in the delegation, which was a small bargain. Xu Yi glanced at the furnishings in the room, three wooden beds, and an old table, but the bedding on the bed was all new military supplies, even toothbrushes and towels. What impressed Xu Yi the most was that the quilt was neatly folded, as square as tofu cut out of a knife, I really don't know how to do it, even the tooth jar and toothbrush placed on the window sill were neatly arranged. Xu Yi, who had never experienced life in the barracks, felt very novel.

"The conditions are really good, I didn't expect it." A female parliamentarian in Xuzhou, Henan Province, exclaimed.

Dinner has been prepared, four dishes, fried shredded radish, fried lamb with green onions, fried tofu, and fried lamb blood. The staple food is noodle soup and steamed buns, and wine is also served. The people who came forward to receive them were all people from the 16th Brigade Political Department, because the 16th Brigade Headquarters was stationed in Qicheng. When dinner was about to end, Brigadier General Qu Zhiyong came in a hurry, and said sorry repeatedly, "I'm really sorry for everyone, there are urgent military affairs to deal with, it's late, on behalf of the 16th Brigade of the Army, I warmly welcome the condolence group from Henan, there are many Henan children in our brigade, they are all good, and they have never embarrassed the Henan fathers and elders!" The supply in the war zone is tight, and there are no good things to entertain everyone, so please bear with me. ”

The congresswoman who lived with Xu Yi said in a thick Henan accent, "I didn't expect life in the army to be so good." ”

Brigadier General Qu Zhiyong put away his smile, "Everyone, don't think that the troops are living such a life. This is because you are representatives from the homeland of the officers and soldiers, and the troops have done everything they can to entertain you. At this time, on the front line of Changyi, not far from here, tens of thousands of national defense officers and soldiers were still squatting in muddy trenches, tightly surrounding tens of thousands of devil soldiers. Sometimes they can't even drink hot water, let alone a house with an iron stove. ”

The congresswoman suddenly lost her words and apologized to Brigade Commander Qu repeatedly. Brigade Commander Qu said with a smile, "There is no need to apologize, the army, the responsibility is to protect the family and defend the country, climb the ice and lie in the snow, shed blood and sacrifice are all within the scope of the matter, for the happiness and well-being of the people." You're welcome! ”

"It's still General Qu who speaks at a level!" The head of the Henan regiment is the deputy speaker of the provincial council, "Our national defense army is working hard for the people on the front line, and the rear cannot be idle, asking for people and money, this time the people of Henan have raised a sum of money, which is to comfort our army, and they have brought it, try to buy some delicious things and send them to our soldiers!" General Wangqu also arranged for us to go to the front line to visit the troops, but we couldn't stay here as guests and cause trouble to the troops. ”

The condolence group has a total of 31 people, all of whom are celebrities from various states and counties in Henan, because there are only three women, Qu Zhiyong toasted to the three female guests alone, and learned that Xu Yi is Chen Hao's wife, Qu Zhiyong immediately said to the adjutant, "Inform Camp Commander Chen to come over, come over tonight, arrange a room for them, and let them talk to each other." Then he said to the members of the Henan regiment, "Battalion Commander Chen is the heroic battalion commander of our brigade, and it is good to fight Qingdao, Gaomi, and Qicheng, don't say that I am biased." ”

"It should be, it should be." The delegation applauded warmly. Applause has become a kind of etiquette in officialdom, and these parliamentarians or officials are very familiar with it.

Xu Yi was very happy. But it wasn't until the early hours of the morning that Chen Hao rushed to Xu Yi's residence, and Xu Yi cried when she saw her husband, because her husband was dark and thin, with deep eye sockets, a scruffy beard, and his clothes were covered with mud, almost unrecognizable. Xu Yi couldn't wait to grab her husband's hand to check, but Chen Hao hid his right hand behind him, Xu Yi dragged it over to see, and only cried in distress, Chen Hao comforted, "It's all right, the index finger and thumb are there, nothing will matter." Shoot as you go. ”

"It hurt, didn't it?" Xu Yi stroked her husband's hand.

"Where can I take care of it? You don't know how tense it was, the troops were crushed in the trenches, soldiers were killed every second, where could you care? Chen Hao grinned, "I really didn't expect you to come." ”

The young couple stayed warm for a while, Xu Yi asked Chen Hao if he had eaten, and Chen Hao said that he had eaten. Xu Yi still handed her husband the steamed buns that she brought back from the dinner table and baked on the stove, poured boiling water for him, and watched her husband gobble up, Xu Yi felt heartache again, "Are you not full of food?" ”

"Rice is filling, but hot rice is rare." In two bites, Chen Hao swallowed two golden steamed buns.

"How so?"

"Hey, no wonder you. The troops are squatting in the trenches, and it will be cold when the hot food is delivered, this time is much better, our brigade is resting, there are too many recruits, we have to hurry up and train, otherwise it will be terrible to go up, and we will die in vain. If it's in battle, it's common to eat one meal a day, so where can you take care of hot and cold meals? ”

"And what about you sleeping at night?"

"There is a military blanket, spread half and cover half. It's very happy to be able to sleep well, and it can't be compared to being at home. Chen Hao thought for a while, "But the war is almost over, I heard that Beijing is making peace with the devils, peace talks are a fart!" Forget it if you completely destroy the devil with one brain. This is all a bunch of civilian officials coaxing the president, and the army has a lot of opinions. ”

"Then you're not going to the front again, are you?"

"That's not for sure. The 16 Brigade is the ace brigade of the whole army. What is Ace? It is to eat well and use well in peacetime, and put it on the most critical battlefield in wartime. I think that if the talks fail, our brigade will definitely be transferred to Gaomi or Changyi to participate in the final general attack. ”

"Then let's hope for the talks. By the way, you haven't met your son yet, have you? I brought his photo, and when my mother heard that I was coming to the front, she insisted on taking her son to take a picture and asked me to show it to you. ”

"Really? Show it to me. Chen Hao was excited. (To be continued......)