Episode 19 Gitanjali

"Adult ,......".

Xiang Xiaoqiang noticed that when Fourteen Gege was in front of others, he always called himself "adult" in a regular manner. Once she is alone with herself, she must call herself by her first name.

“…… My lord, the adjournment cannot be long, but I will briefly state my thoughts, and you can consider it. ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang glanced at Xiuxiu and said:

"Ah, princess, please speak."

Fourteen Gege also glanced at Xiuxiu, smiled slightly, and said:

"I think the adults also feel that supporting a team of thousands of people requires so many things, and it is definitely necessary not to try. Now it is clear that the Navy has seized this opportunity and is eager to come out of the nest. They want to make this matter bigger, aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, minesweepers are going to go, too many people need a chance. Moreover, it is the state's money that is spent anyway. ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang frowned, that's really the case. It's a bit of a "eating public money" feeling.

But......

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind: although it was extravagant to dispatch so many ships, what the two naval commanders said made sense, and it was necessary to dispatch every type of ship, and if it was arbitrarily reduced, it would probably lead to the failure of the mission. And Fourteen Gege is saying that now, is it ......?

Xiang Xiaoqiang's heart tightened, and he was suffocated: Could it be that she was still secretly planning for the Manchu Dynasty?

But Fourteen Gege smiled and continued:

"But it's up to you how you look at it. You now hold in your hand the edict authorizing your Majesty to restrain the armed forces of the nation. The whole country is armed, apparently including the navy. But the problem is that before today, you had an empty edict, and no one really listened to you. ”

When Xiuxiu heard this, she raised her eyebrows, rolled her eyes, she had already understood, and turned her face to look at Xiang Xiaoqiang.

Fourteen Gege continued:

“…… But today is different. Today you have the nominal power to mobilize the navy, and the navy is willing to listen to you. It's a well-deserved opportunity. This time His Majesty has left the matter to you, and the Navy has sharpened its head and wants to make a move, and they will listen to whatever you arrange, as long as you fulfill their wishes - a big move. As long as it succeeds this time and the Taihang Mountain Column is lifted up the road, the navy will be the first hero.

"This benefit, the entire Ming army will see it. In this case, a good precedent will be set this time. Everyone knows that you Xiang Xiaoqiang is the most favored general in the whole army, and knows that as long as any military action is carried out by you, you will get the greatest support from Your Majesty, and you will fight with you, and you will have the greatest certainty of victory and meritorious service. There is a first time and a second time for this kind of thing. A few more times, and your edict will no longer be a piece of paper. ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang was a little bit plucked by her, and his mind suddenly brightened. yes, it's not worth the cost at all, it's a great opportunity!

He looked at Fourteen Gege, his heart was really moved, and he also felt guilty for his doubts just now. He was glad he had fourteen squares by his side.

"Don't show them His Majesty's signature," added Fourteen Gege, "and after His Majesty signs the battle plan, you put it away, and then you rewrite it yourself, sign your own name, and mobilize the navy yourself." If someone doubts, take out the edict. They will definitely obey you this time. If they obey you the first time, they will obey you a second time. ――As long as it doesn't hurt. …… But remember, you must ask Your Majesty to sign first, just in case. ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang stretched out a hand to Fourteen Gege, and said excitedly:

"Thank you, Your Highness Princess! …… How can Xiang Xiaoqiang be able to get such help from Her Royal Highness the Princess! Alas, I'm so glad! ”

Fourteen Gege smiled humbly, glanced at Xiuxiu, held Xiang Xiaoqiang's hand, and the two shook it vigorously.

Xiuxiu was on the side, jealous and admired Fourteen Gege in her heart.

Her eyes moved from Xiang Xiaoqiang's face to Fourteen Grids, and from Fourteen to Xiang Xiaoqiang's faces, and finally to their clenched hands.

The two held hands tightly, and Xiuxiu stared at them tightly, pretending to stand there with low eyebrows, her heart sour.

……

Returning to the meeting, Xiang Xiaoqiang listened to the more detailed plans and requirements of the navy, and then asked the people of the army aviation to fully discuss with them, make judgments on the sidelines, and at the same time absorb the nourishment of naval and air operations.

Finally, Xiang Xiaoqiang made a decision, and the East China Sea Fleet was immediately organized into a detachment, which set off for the north at 5:00 p.m. today and moved to the Dongjiang Fleet. The ships of the detachment are equipped with:

The battleship Hongwu, the aircraft carrier Tianxuan, the aircraft carrier Tianji, the heavy cruiser Lü Bu, the heavy cruiser Sun Wu, and twelve destroyers. The two aircraft carriers unloaded bombers and torpedo planes, all carrying Kingfisher fighters at sea.

The Navy's other requests for supply ships and minesweepers were denied. On the one hand, Xiang Xiaoqiang wants to show his will and authority, and on the other hand, these miscellaneous ships are readily available in the Dongjiang Fleet. And there were already several light and heavy cruisers, as well as destroyers. To be honest, it was enough to send aircraft carriers and battleships over this time.

At the same time, Xiang Xiaoqiang instructed Li Guoliang to prepare fifteen Junkers-52 transport planes, prepare for more than ten hours, and then load supplies and take off.

He also ordered his stomach to ache, and in these ten hours, keep in touch with the backbone of the Taihang Mountain Column, that is, the members of the underground organization of the Heaven and Earth Society, and ask them to select a suitable airdrop area, and then send it back with a password.

This first airdrop, in addition to the first batch of food, urgently needed daily necessities and medicines, will also airdrop them to ten portable radio stations, as well as batteries. This makes it easier for them to break up and disperse their actions when they are forced to do so.

In addition, there is a group of information that is crucial to their development in the mountains: a bundle of detailed military topographic maps of the Taihang Mountains, maps of civilian political regions, maps of the distribution of military forces of the Qing army in and around the Taihang Mountains and even in North China, maps of the county towns of more than a dozen large counties between the Taihang Mountains and the Luliang Mountains, and the basic information of several large bandits in the Taihang Mountains, their numbers, weapons, and general range of activities. The intelligence of these bandits was obtained by spies in the police stations of the surrounding big cities such as Baoding, Shijiazhuang, Zhangjiakou, and Taiyuan.

In the next few airdrops, Xiang Xiaoqiang is also ready to send them officers in order to train and control them, regularize them, and at least become guerrillas instead of bandits.

As for the money, it must wait for the officers sent to control them before it can be given. Otherwise, with the current mass of undisciplined loose sand, it will only be a disaster to suddenly see a large amount of money.

……

After the meeting, looking at the empty conference room and the huge sliding map board, a strong excitement surged into Xiaoqiang's heart.

I finally took direct command of the navy! This time, with a stroke of his pen, one battleship, two aircraft carriers, two heavy cruisers, twelve destroyers, and ships with a total tonnage of 150,000 tons were dispatched!

This feeling, this kind of enjoyable feeling, I have never experienced it myself, and I can't imagine it at all.

Xiang Xiaoqiang sighed alone for a while, and after recalling the feeling of dispatching thousands of troops just now, he returned to his office.

Stomach ache has been waiting there. When he saw Xiang Xiaoqiang, he immediately came over and said mysteriously:

"My lord, my subordinates have found out."

"What?"

Stomach ache and lowered his voice: "The adult asked his subordinates to check it in the morning, and the four English songs, the subordinates found it at noon!" I had a meeting in the afternoon, and I haven't had time to tell you......"

"Oh, oh," Xiang Xiaoqiang glanced at Qiu Yu and Xiuxiu, and saw that the two little girls were cooing, so he hugged his stomach to the side and asked in a low voice, "How is it?" ”

Stomach ache whispered:

"My lord, those guys at the sticky pole are really good at picking songs, this is not an ordinary song at all, and most people don't know about it! These songs are all adapted from English poems, and they are all very good poems...... Its composer is called Yepez, a young guitar composer in Spain...... It's written by a terrible writer, guess who? ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang frowned, glared, his stomach hurt, he smiled, and said in a low voice:

"It's Rabindranath Tagore! …… That's a great poet! These four lyrics are from one of his English poetry collections, called Gitanjali, and are four of them......"

"Ahh

"My lord, this collection was originally a collection of poems, there are more than 100 in total, and the young man named Yepes is also a genius, and he actually composed each of them into guitar songs, which can be played and sung...... Two years ago, a British music company bought them and made them into records, but they didn't sell well...... Because that company is dead-eyed, it has given more than 100 songs and made a complete set of records, and people have to buy a complete set if they want to buy it, who wants to buy it...... The lyrics and songs of these songs are really good, and in the end, the British princes and nobles, as well as the wealthy people in the upper class, bought dozens of sets, and the company lost less......"

Xiang Xiaoqiang slowly understood. Two years ago, when Zhu Yourong was studying in the UK, she must have bought a set, and she must have liked it......

"What about the lyrics?" He anxiously asked, "Where are the lyrics?" ”

"I brought it to you," he said with a stomachache smile, took out a book of poetry from his bag and handed it to him, "It's this one, the Chinese version, and I folded the corners of the four poems that adults want to check." ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang held it in his hand, this is a thin book with a gilded cover, with the words "Gitanjali" on the cover, and when he opens it, there are lines of poetry printed vertically. Brand new, brand new, and inky. This guy won't read any poems with a stomachache, and this book looks like a new purchase.

His fingers stopped on a folded page, slowly opened it, gently smoothed the creases, and saw that the page read:

……

The song I am about to sing has not been sung to this day,

Every day I adjust the strings on my instrument.

The time has not yet come, the lyrics have not been filled, only the pain of hope is in my heart.

The stamens have not yet opened, only the wind sighs and walks by.

I didn't see his face, I didn't hear his words. But all I could hear was the sound of his footsteps walking behind me.

The long day was spent setting up a seat for him, but the lights were not yet on, and I could not invite him in.

I live in the hope of meeting him, but the day has not yet come.

……

Looking at these clear Chinese verses, Xiang Xiaoqiang's heart trembled.

Zhu Yourong sang last night, it turned out to be these verses?

But all I heard was the sound of his footsteps walking behind me...... I live in the hope of meeting him, but the day of this meeting has not yet come......"

How much this suited the situation at the time!

Zhu Yourong not only discovered himself at that time, but also hinted at himself by playing the guitar and singing softly in the moonlight!

Xiang Xiaoqiang's heart was pounding, his face was red and white, and he slowly turned to the corner of the next page.

He gently smoothed it and read silently:

……

"The net is tough, but it hurts when I have to tear it apart.

I want to be free, but I'm ashamed because I want to be free.

I know for sure that the priceless treasure is with you, and that you are my best friend.

But I can't bear my house full of mundane things.

I was clothed in dust and the garment of death. I hated it, but held it tight with love.

I have a lot of debts, my failures are great, and my shame is secret and deep.

But when I came to pray, I trembled, lest my supplication be granted, and astronomy was tenacious...... I want to be free, but I'm ashamed because I want to be free...... You're my best friend......"

These poems are as if they were written for Zhu Yourong and himself......

Zhu Yourong is bound by a tenacious net, and she wants to be free. But her birthright, the education she received from a young age, and the responsibilities she shouldered...... All this made her ashamed of her desire for freedom...... Reason told her that this "freedom" was immoral and irrational......

Xiang Xiaoqiang read silently, and the more he read it, the more his lips trembled:

"But when I came to supplicate, I trembled, lest my supplication be granted......"

Xiang Xiaoqiang read this sentence, closed his eyes, and felt in his heart what Zhu Yourong felt at that time, the feeling of shame, longing, and inner struggle......

After a moment, he opened his eyes slightly, took a deep breath with a shudder, and slowly flipped to the next place.

"I'm just waiting for love to finally give myself into your hands.

They want to restrain me with laws and regulations, but I always avoid them.

For I am only waiting for love, to finally deliver myself into your hands.

They rebuke me, and I know they have a point......

But......

I'm just waiting for love, waiting for finally giving myself into your hands......"

……

Xiang Xiaoqiang closed his eyes and felt his heart trembling violently, and the intense pain spread throughout his body.

Zhu Yourong, the empress of a country and a girl who loves her deeply, was in a mood when she was playing the guitar and singing these verses while crying!

She was confessing, she was confessing to herself at that time!

Confession, this is something that everyone can do, but how difficult it is for Zhu Yourong to do it! How difficult it is! What a moral bondage, what a great sense of shame she had to overcome!

Everyone can confess to the person they love, but she can't! She had to hold her guitar, face the moon, and sing in song!

It is conceivable that these four beautiful and appropriate English poems were carefully selected by her and sung to herself......

And after all this, thinking that she had finally made her choice, she was ......

Nothing happened.

Nothing was gained.

The man she was expecting, hiding behind the bushes, after listening to her confession of shame and admiring her shame and tears, did nothing, and turned away without saying a word.

Only she was left, with the moonlight, the lake, and the guitar in her arms.

……

Xiang Xiaoqiang stared blankly at the opposite window, and the poetry book in his hand fell on the table. Then it fell to the ground again.

With a "snap", Qiu Yu and Xiu Xiutou looked back at him, and were startled when they saw him like this, and hurriedly ran over.

Xiang Xiaoqiang held on to the table and waved his hand blankly, they asked anxiously something, but they couldn't hear it. He shook his head lightly twice, and said hoarsely:

"I ...... I'm fine, I want to stay by myself for a while......"

Then he fell into the chair with his ass.

But the three of them didn't dare to leave when they saw him like this, especially Qiu Xiuxiu, and the two kept asking him anxiously and softly, what was going on......

Xiang Xiaoqiang was angry, and he raised his palm and was about to slam the table, but he fell halfway and slowly stopped.

He looked up, looked at his beloved two wives, smiled sadly, and took each of them by a hand:

"I shouldn't have slapped the table with you...... I'm sorry...... It's my fault...... However, I just wanted to be alone for a while. ”

After speaking, Xiang Xiaoqiang stood up with difficulty against the table, bent down to pick up the book of poems, and walked out almost stuck.

Qiu Yu wanted to chase after her and ask again, but Xiuxiu gently grabbed her.

The stomach hurt and felt that he was like a super light bulb just now, and now it was easy to seize the opportunity, and he quickly apologized to the two ladies, saying that he still had something to deal with, and slipped away.

……

Xiang Xiaoqiang came to the conference room, closed the door, and locked it.

Then he looked at the empty conference room, slumped into a chair, pulled a cigarette from the cigarette on the table, lit it in his mouth.

Xiang Xiaoqiang threw his feet on the conference table, smoke spewed from his mouth and nose, and two tears flowed down his face.

But he didn't wipe his tears, just silently dragged over a full ashtray, poured it on the ground, and then put it on the table, smoking while playing the ashes.

At this time, he felt that only the nicotine of cigarettes and the pungent smell could ease the pain in his chest a little.

Xiang Xiaoqiang took a cigarette on his lips, put the poetry book on his lap, and read the poems softly again.

……

He clearly knew how much harm he had inadvertently done to Zhu Yourong.

Such a good girl, who loves herself so much, has broken through many inner barriers in order to love herself...... She gave herself a chance, but she couldn't take it.

The reason for not grasping it is ridiculous and sad to say - I don't know English!

What's even more ridiculous and sad is that Zhu Yourong doesn't know this! Why not know? I lied to her personally!

…… Intelligence Officer of the Sixth Intelligence Division...... Ha ha!

**！！！

……

A hand was placed on his shoulder.

Xiang Xiaoqiang's scalp exploded, startled, jumped up, touched the holster and turned to look......

Fourteen Gege stood in front of him with a stack of papers in his arms, his head bowed, and a handkerchief in one hand.

Then, he stuffed a handkerchief into Xiang Xiaoqiang's hand again, with a kind of big sister's tenderness in his eyes.

"Holy!"

Xiang Xiaoqiang's blood surged, holding a fourteen-grid handkerchief in his hand, he didn't wipe his tears, but stared at her, "hum-" and blew his nose fiercely.

Throwing his handkerchief on the table, he looked at the fourteen squares and asked:

"Why are you here?"