Episode 147 To live like a human being

Zhu Yourong got out of the car first, Xiang Xiaoqiang got out of the car, and without saying a word, he immediately pulled the commander of the Jiangxinzhou fortress aside, and ordered him to keep it a secret and not to leak the news that His Majesty and all the ministers were in Jiangxinzhou. Even on Jiang Xinzhou, this news should be known as little as possible. This is no joke, Jiang Xinzhou is 11 kilometers closer to the Qing army's artillery position on the other side of the river than the Forbidden City, and the Qing army can completely achieve "precision strikes". In case it is heard by a spy of the Northern Qing Dynasty, and then sends a message to tell the north, then the north will concentrate a heavy artillery and smash it, which is likely to reimburse the entire Ming high-level.

The commander of Jiang Xinzhou Fortress originally did not belong to Xiao Qiang, but Xiang Xiaoqiang gave such a strong warning, and he also understood the power of it, so he immediately ordered it. Then Xiang Xiaoqiang didn't bother to ask Zhu Yourong, and immediately asked the officer of the fortress to take him to the nearest phone. Xiang Xiaoqiang grabbed the phone in a duty room, connected to the People's Guard Headquarters, and asked Li Changgui to immediately send a battalion of Praetorian Guards to Jiangxinzhou Fortress as fast as possible to provide protection for His Majesty and all the ministers, and escort him throughout the whole process when he returned.

Xiang Xiaoqiang ran fast young man, and as soon as he finished making the call, several commanders also ran over out of breath. Zhang Zhaoxian was still out of breath, and asked Xiang Xiaoqiang first what kind of phone call he made. After getting the answer, Old Man Zhang seemed very satisfied, and then he also grabbed the phone and connected to Cao Mingqin, the commander of the eastern section of the Yangtze River defense line. On the phone, Zhang Zhaoxian ordered the entire Nanjing section of the defense line to enter combat preparations, especially the artillery units, to be ready to shell the opposite bank at any time.

The next callers were made by the Chief of the General Staff of the Navy and the Commander of the Navy. They connected with the General Staff of the Navy and sent a secret telegram to the Dongjiang Fleet on the Changshan Islands off the coast of Liaodong, ordering them to immediately put all bombers and fighters into combat readiness, start ground inspections, fill up fuel, and load bombers with bombs. As soon as they received the news that Jiangxinzhou in Nanjing had been shelled, they immediately took off and bombed Beijing.

……

Zhu Yourong, the protagonist who made the entire empire's high-level nervous, acted like no one at this time, and did not give any explanation, and first stepped on the Jiajiang Ferry. Then the others had no choice but to follow the ferry, sail across the two or three hundred meters wide Jiajiang River, and officially set foot on Jiangxinzhou.

The ministers and generals thought that Zhu Yourong was bringing everyone to Jiangxinzhou Fortress to visit the soldiers and boost morale, so they were very worried that it was too dangerous to go deep into the barracks without preparation, and not even do basic security work. The Yangtze River defense line is a key infiltration target for spies in the Northern Qing Dynasty, and it is certain that there are spies. When His Majesty penetrates deep into the ranks of the officers and soldiers, at least all the guns below must be concentrated. Even if you don't have guns, at least you have to put away all the bullets.

But Zhu Yourong was unexpected, and did not propose to visit the soldiers, but went straight into the fortifications with his ministers. In this way, everyone's hearts are relieved. Entering the fortifications, even if it is shelled from the north, it will be much safer. Compared with the Zimu Continent, which once fell during the Nanjing Defense War, Jiangxinzhou is much larger, so the fortress fortification system above is also much stronger and more perfect. At its thinnest, the reinforced concrete is also more than a meter thick.

Zhu Yourong quietly ordered the commander of the fortress, and the commander of the fortress obeyed the order, leading the way in front, and Zhu Yourong followed behind. Everyone also followed Zhu Yourong, walked through the thick reinforced concrete passage, went down a few steps, passed through several underground ammunition rooms, fuel rooms, electromechanical rooms, ambulance rooms, personnel lounges, etc., and walked up a staircase. Finally, I suddenly opened up and entered a large room.

This is a riverside observation fort, three or four meters wide and more than ten meters long. An uninterrupted observation window also extends more than ten meters, and the Yangtze River is more than 1,000 meters wide. July is the flood season of the Yangtze River, and the water volume is the largest. The surface of the river can be described as rolling waves, and gray and yellow whirlpools are one after another.

On the other side of the river, it is the Northern Qing Dynasty.

After Zhu Yourong and the ministers and generals all came in, the commander of the fortress bowed like Zhu Yourong, and then called the soldiers in the observation fort out, and closed the door and went out. The spacious observation bunker was filled with the participants of the Empire's Supreme Military Council.

It's just seven o'clock in the evening, and it's not completely dark outside, and you can still see a lot of river views. However, the red light has been turned on inside the observation fort. Although this kind of observation fort has an observation window more than ten meters long, the height of the observation window is very narrow, only 30 centimeters high, so the lighting is very poor, and it has to rely on lighting both day and night. As in the submarine, the observation fort has two lighting systems that are different day and night. Use regular incandescent bulbs during the day and red bulbs at night. Because at night, red light does not affect a person's vision when they look out.

In front of the observation window of more than ten meters, a cannon mirror is placed every few meters. Zhu Yourong walked straight to the observation window, first bent down, looked at the opposite shore with the gun mirror for a while, and then straightened his waist and looked out with the naked eye.

Xiang Xiaoqiang and Shen Rongxuan glanced at each other, and they both felt that it was time to "force" His Majesty to give everyone an explanation. The two of them walked towards Zhu Yourong in unison, and the ministers and generals on both sides automatically dodged the way for them.

Zhu Yourong leaned against everyone, stood in front of the observation window, looked at the Yangtze River in the twilight, as if he already knew that they were coming, and said:

"Elder Shen Ge, stand out, and everyone, I know what you want to ask......

As she spoke, she turned to face everyone, and said with a smile:

"I said I'd take you to a special place to finish the meeting. This special place, this is it. We had a three-day meeting, and I listened to it for three days. Some of them advocated the Northern Expedition, while others opposed it. I haven't said anything. I know that whether you are in favor of or against the Northern Expedition, you are doing what you think you should do. Although your opinions are left-wing, you are all for the country and the people, and for the good of the Ming Dynasty.

"Actually, I am also a member of the Northern Expedition. Everyone probably knows this for a long time. Including all the ministers who opposed the Northern Expedition, they probably knew it before the meeting. But at the meeting, you still said loudly that you should not go on a northern expedition, and you did not cater to me against your will. …… For that, I want to thank you. The Ming Empire is really lucky to have you. ”

As soon as she said this, the ministers, especially those who were anti-Northern Expedition, were a little sneering.

Zhu Yourong smiled and said:

"The reasons for my support for the Northern Expedition have also been said a lot in the past three days, citing data and facts, involving political, military, economic, and geostrategic ...... However, the opposition to the Northern Expedition faction was not to be outdone, and it also cited data to present the facts, and also refuted them one by one from the political, military, economic, geostrategic and so on. Actually, there is truth in what both sides say. However, it is only political, military, economic, geostrategic ...... None of this was enough to make me decide to go north. What really made me decide to go on the Northern Expedition...... Do you know what it is? ”

The ministers looked at each other, including Xiang Xiaoqiang and Shen Rongxuan, the two close ministers who were closest to Zhu Yourong and most "knew the holy will", and they were also confused. Facing the inquiring gazes of the ministers, Shen Rongxuan lowered his gaze in a low-key manner, looking at his nose and his nose at his heart. Xiang Xiaoqiang glanced around the ministers, coughed dryly twice, and looked up at the cement slab above his head.

Zhu Yourong also lowered his head, muttered for a while, and said lightly with a sad smile:

"Since you don't know yet, use your eyes and see. …… Everyone hasn't eaten yet, and I just ordered the commander of the fortress to finish the meal soon. …… Of course, the food will not be very exquisite, it is the usual food of the officers and soldiers here. …… I don't dislike it, and I hope you don't dislike it either. ”

I have to say that Zhu Yourong's sales are too high-level, and the ministers who sold them have no temper at all. Xiang Xiaoqiang lowered his head and scolded fiercely in his heart:

"I'm done."

……

Sure enough, after a while, the commander of the fortress came in with several high-ranking officers and personally carried the lunch box. He also knew that His Majesty should have a very confidential matter to discuss here, so in order to keep it secret, he did not let the kitchen cooks and orderlies come to deliver the meal.

The lid and cage cloth of the lunch box were lifted, and inside were military lunch boxes. Several officers personally sent them to Zhu Yourong and the ministers. Sure enough, as Zhu Yourong said, it is an ordinary boxed lunch, which is the ordinary food of officers and soldiers.

Everyone stood with their lunch boxes, looking at Zhu Yourong in unison, waiting for her to take the first bite first.

Zhu Yourong took the rice spoon, lowered his head, scooped half a spoonful of rice, scooped half a spoonful of vegetables, and slowly put it into his mouth. Although there are also rice and vegetables, meat and eggs, they are all big pot dishes. Compared to the exquisite food she usually eats in the palace, it can be regarded as extremely rough.

Zhu Yourong took the food in his mouth, chewed it slowly a few times, and then swallowed it. I didn't show any unpleasant expressions.

Several ministers looked at the commander of the fortress with reproachful eyes, meaning why didn't you count in your heart, whether Your Majesty told you to "experience life" or "go deep into the masses", why did you still take it seriously, and really give your rough food to Your Majesty!

The commander of the fortress looked at everyone, and his eyes were also very innocent: His Majesty came without prior notice, there are only ordinary officers and soldiers in the kitchen, and it is too late to cook them!

But in any case, under the leadership of Zhu Yourong, all the ministers and generals, these imperial elites who usually have fine clothes and food, also stood and devoured the rough box lunch. Xiang Xiaoqiang didn't care, but instead recalled the time before the time. In the company, the kind of 10 yuan lunch that the boss orders for everyone at noon is usually not as delicious as this.

While he was eating, suddenly an officer ran in and reported loudly to the commander of the fortress:

"My lord, the other side has signaled! They're getting started! ”

Everyone was startled, and they all looked up and stared at the officer in shock. "They're going to start", what do you mean? Could it be that the Qing army on the other side is going to shell?

Zhu Yourong put down the lunch box, his expression was excited, he strode to the observation window, bent down in front of a gun mirror, and looked hard at the other side. As soon as the "hula" sounded, dozens of ministers also rushed to the observation window, and a few who grabbed the cannon mirror used the cannon mirror to look at it, and those who did not grab it used the naked eye, all trying to see through the vast night, trying to see the other side.

Zhu Yourong ordered:

"Turn off the lights!"

The only faint red light in the observation fort was turned off, and the inside of the castle was pitch black, and the scene outside was a little clearer.

But by this time, it was already completely dark, and even if the indoor lights were turned off, you could only see a few hundred meters on the river by the moonlight. Far away, it was pitch black.

Several officers held a string of binoculars and distributed them to each of the ministers and generals. Those who didn't grab the cannon mirror raised their binoculars one after another, trying to find "them" in Zhu Yourong's mouth.

The Minister of the Admiralty couldn't stand it at first, and said:

"Your Majesty, dare to ask Your Majesty to solve your doubts, what did Your Majesty take us to see?"

Zhu Yourong stared at the cannon mirror and said softly:

"Look at those people...... Those who want to swim from the opposite shore...... Before, they were just numbers for you and for me......"

Zhu Yourong then raised his voice and said loudly:

"But after today, they will change from numbers back to people, to live, bloody people again! …… Then you will understand why I am willing to go on the Northern Expedition! …… It is not because we have air superiority, it is not because the Qing army buys and sells officials, it is not because we can win the war, and it is not because Japan will not take advantage of the fire to rob ...... I'm here for them...... So that they don't have to swim across the Yangtze River so hard in the future...... You guys...... Do you understand? This is the only reason for my Northern Expedition! ”

……

There was silence in the dark observation fort, and no one could see anyone's expression. However, most people understand what Zhu Yourong means. A few people hadn't understood yet, and were still whispering to each other.

Xiang Xiaoqiang also understood what Zhu Yourong meant.

Every year, tens of thousands of Northern Qing people "escaped without a license" from their respective places of residence and defected to the Ming Dynasty. They have gone through a lot of hardships and hid like rabbits and hunters all the way to avoid being hunted. In the end, only a few thousand people made it to the river alive.

Then, at the risk of dying for their lives, these thousands of people had to swim desperately from the north shore to the south shore. But nine-tenths of these stowaways will be bloodied on the Yangtze River under the machine guns of the Qing army, or they will be swallowed by the river because of their exhaustion of strength and body temperature, and they will not be able to set foot on the land of the Ming Dynasty. In the end, only a few hundred people managed to escape to Nanming.

Those who were fished alive by Qing patrol boats would also be treated most brutally as "traitors". It is usually a thick wire that is threaded through the body and strung to prevent escape. It's very bloody. Then they were escorted, and in the bleeding and suppurating wounds, they were made to walk back to their hometowns, and they were executed in public. so as to intimidate the people of the country, and not to flee. The families and relatives of the defectors were also arrested and sent to labor camps to be slaves.

Despite this, every year, a large number of people in the Northern Qing Dynasty still fled south in every possible way, regardless of life and death. And the number of people fleeing south is increasing year by year.

The Ming Dynasty organized various southward escape organizations in the Northern Qing Dynasty to help them flee southward in an organized manner, improve the success rate, and strive to let as many people escape alive as possible. This kind of escape to the south occurs all year round. However, winter is the "low season". Although it was the dry season and the river was the narrowest, the ice water was biting, and few people could swim alive. In summer, although the river is wide and the water temperature helps to maintain physical strength, it is the "peak season".

There was a large-scale southward escape tonight, organized by an underground resistance group in the north, and Dongchang had been notified in advance, and the specific location chosen was opposite Jiangxinzhou. Please respond to the defense line on the south bank when the time comes, shoot smoke bombs on the river, cover the southern escapees from the bullets of the Qing army, and let as many people as possible come alive.

This kind of action happens quite often. is also like Zhu Yourong said, after a long time, these people are just "numbers in the report" to the ministers. These ministers, generals, and Zhu Yourong themselves all knew about the southern escapees from the report, and they had never seen it with their own eyes. But tonight's smuggling operation was a little different. Because there is an important figure in the southern escapees this time, and this figure is very important to both the Northern Qing and Southern Ming. Therefore, this time, the East Factory specially reported to Zhu Yourong.

Shen Rongxuan also knew. But he didn't expect that Zhu Yourong would take this opportunity to take the ministers to see in person, so that she and the top levels of the Ming Empire would come to see it for themselves before the Northern Expedition.

……

The Yangtze River in the distance was pitch black, and the river wind was whistling, and the "woo" poured into the observation fort, which made the fort extremely cool. Everyone held binoculars, trying to see through the night on the river, to see the southward escapees hidden in the reeds on the opposite bank, those who had put their hopes for the rest of their lives on tonight.

It was quiet inside the observation fort, and no one spoke. Just now it was reported that "they are going to start", but after such a while, there is still no movement on the other side. Someone took out a pocket watch and looked at it, and more than ten minutes had passed.

A light suddenly flashed in the darkness in the distance, and everyone was stunned, and dozens of telescopes were pointed in that direction at the same time.

It was more than a thousand meters away, and the Qing army's machine guns were firing. However, only the light of the fire can be seen here, and no sound can be heard.

In the blink of an eye, several tongues of fire on the opposite shore flickered. Immediately afterwards, several searchlights on the opposite bank were turned on, and the snowy pillars of light swept on the surface of the river.

Two flares hit the sky. Small parachutes hung with magnesium sticks, spraying the most dazzling light. Within seconds, half of the river was illuminated as daylight.

"Look! Person!! ”

Someone in the observation bunker shouted loudly, and everyone else saw it—

Nearly a kilometer away, the pitch-black water reflected the magnesium light of the sky, and between the bright reflection of the snow and the dark water waves, two ant-like people were desperately making a splash, swimming desperately.

Tracer bullets marked the line of machine-gun fire and fluttered over their heads, and in the blink of an eye, one of them stopped moving, and was swallowed up by the river. And the other is still swimming desperately.

"Where's the smoke bomb?" Zhu Yourong anxiously turned around and shouted, "What about the smoke screen?" Why don't you shoot a smokescreen yet?! ”

"Back to Your Majesty," replied the Commander of the Fortress at once, "we will not be able to fire a smoke screen until the captives have discovered them, and we will be fighting in a matter of seconds...... Your Majesty, listen, hit! ”

Sure enough, there was a "bang" sound on the left and right, and dense smoke bombs pierced the night sky and fell on the river on the opposite bank. Soon, a cloud of smoke was released.

But the wind was very strong on the river, and the smoke screen was blown away before it could spread.

"Launch again! Launch again! Zhu Yourong shouted anxiously, "Fight more!" Don't be reluctant! Call me out! ”

The Commander of the Fortress quickly explained:

"Your Majesty, it's not reluctant, with the number of artillery and the rate of fire of our Jiang Xinzhou, this is already the limit!"

"Alas!!"

Zhu Yourong stomped his foot, turned to stare at the river in the distance, and bit his lip deadly.

Soon, more stowaways appeared on the river in the distance. However, more machine-gun fire also swept over their heads. In the blink of an eye, several more people were shot and sank.

From several places, patrol boats of the Qing army also appeared. The dinghy, with machine guns and searchlights on it, was speeding across the river, searching. The Qing soldiers on the boat were shirtless and carried an anchor hook in their hands, and when they saw a stowaway, they would drive over, and then wave the anchor hook to hook the stowaway in the water and drag him out of the water in blood......

However, many more are still swimming desperately. There is only one thought in their minds at the moment:

Swim! Desperately swim! Swim to the other side of the river is Daming! When you arrive in Daming, you can be fed and clothed! You won't be bullied! When you are a common person in Daming, you can live like a person!

In order to live like a human for the rest of my life, swim!

For the sake of their children and grandchildren, they can live like people and swim!

Swim!!!