Episode 42 Fortress Banquet

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The first one was handed over by Dongchang. According to them, the alleys around Scissors Alley were like cobwebs, and the fog caused the white Rolls-Royce to disappear from view very quickly.

At that time, when tracking, Dongchang's car was a sedan, and it was driven first, following in front. The People's Guard's truck followed behind, and it was thrown off after a turn, so the People's Guard didn't see anything on its side.

The second piece of paper is the investigation of the People's Guard Security Corps on the white Rolls-Royce of Nanjing.

In fact, there are still a lot of Rolls-Royce cars in Nanjing, but there are only eighteen of these pure white cars, which are basically used by female dependents. After investigation, eight of them were large three-row seats, which kind of Her Majesty the Empress. The remaining ten were the kind of two-row seats they saw.

Among these ten cars, two belong to the Yanping Palace, one belongs to the Changping Marquis Mansion, one belongs to His Majesty's nursing mother, Mrs. Guangde, one belongs to the Anqing Eldest Princess's Mansion, one belongs to the residence of the Minister of First Assistant, one belongs to the residence of the chairman of Liangyou Department Store, one belongs to the residence of the chairman of Ning's Mining Company, one belongs to Mrs. Hannah Rothschild, and one belongs to the manager's residence of Nanjing Morgan Bank.

Xiang Xiaoqiang looked at them one by one, and when he saw them for the second time, his eyes fell on the "Ning's Mining Company Chairman's Mansion".

Ning's Mining Company? It's a mining company...... Could it be that they were interested in themselves because they learned of their plan for "mineral exploration" with the royal family?

The mining plan he proposed at the beginning was obviously absurd in the eyes of others, and if the royal family was not in a hurry to lead the team to save people, it would be impossible for them to agree to such a child's play. What's more, these business tycoons, even more shrewd and practical people, will also believe in this kind of thing? Besides, even if they are really interested, the best thing to do is to send someone to ask for a meeting and talk about it directly! Such sneaky and clumsy snooping is really not like their means.

"Just these ten, there are no leaks?"

Xiang Xiaoqiang called for a stomachache and asked.

With a stomachache, I read this material with trepidation, and made a few phone calls to ask my subordinates, and then confidently assured that there were only ten such cars in Nanjing, and there was nothing missing.

"Very good," Xiang Xiaoqiang pointed to the Ning's Mining Company above, "Give me this company to secretly check, I suspect that the car is theirs." ”

I was a little surprised by my stomachache, and asked hesitantly:

"My lord, can you explain why you are suspicious? It's easy to check the subordinates. ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang just wanted to say, "You don't have to ask", but after thinking about it, what he said was right, he didn't reveal anything, they were really not easy to start. The matter of the mineral plan will be carried out sooner or later, and everyone will know about it when the time comes. Now don't hide yourself.

He pondered for a while, and then told him about the "mineral agreement" he had negotiated with Zheng Gongyin and Jiang Meilu.

The stomach ache is really a stomach ache, although he was inexplicably surprised, he didn't ask a word, and he didn't look at the boss with the same eyes as an alien, but he suddenly realized:

"As soon as the lord says this, his subordinates will count."

……

"Lizheng—"

In the compound of the People's Guard barracks, Xiang Xiaoqiang gave a command, and several male and female officers in front of him stood up neatly, raised their heads and chests, did not squint, and did not move at all.

Xiang Xiaoqiang looked at the few people in front of him who were about to participate in the award with him.

Lieutenant Colonel Li Gensheng, commander of the mobile unit, Lieutenant Colonel Rommel, staff officer of the mobile unit, Major Gao Dayi, commander of the 1st Motorized Infantry Regiment, Major Zhang Ruhai, commander of the 1st Motorized Infantry Regiment, Major Sun Baoguo, commander of the 2nd Motorized Infantry Regiment, Major Fan Boping, commander of the 3rd Motorized Infantry Regiment, Captain Shi Shengli, commander of the 1st Tank Battalion, and, of course, their own treasures: Lieutenant Qiu Qiu, commander of the People's Guard, and Second Lieutenant Shang Xiu, adjutant of the People's Guard.

It has to be said that the officers of the People's Guard are generally low in rank. Starting from himself, how can there be a position of commander and the rank of colonel is only a colonel, even from the perspective of the number of people under his command, it is enough to be a division commander, and the division commander is generally still a major general. Xiang Xiaoqiang knew that this was due to his age, and the generals in their twenties were too unbelievable after all. But in this way, the People's Guard is full of low-ranking "high-ranking officials". Fortunately, the foreign Rommel is only a lieutenant colonel, and if he is a colonel, it will not be easy for him to command him.

All of them wore straight military uniforms, and those with medals wore them. Large-brimmed hats with flowered hats, white gloves, high-ranking military boots, and several colonel-level officers also hung swords. This is the standard saber of the Ming army and the military uniform, which is a Western-style lightweight thing.

At the end of the procession, Qiu Yu and Xiuxiu wore blue and black naval military uniforms and wore their first- and second-class plum blossom medals, respectively.

Xiang Xiaoqiang always felt that the navy uniforms of the Ming army were better than the army uniforms, and the deep blue-black always seemed to be of a very high grade fabric, and there was a very restrained and spotless feeling. …… Of course, wearing it on his beloved two little girls is even more pleasing to the eye.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight you will all meet Your Majesty and meet many of the great figures of the Empire. Your Majesty will personally award you medals! …… Many of you have never met Your Majesty. His Majesty is very approachable, so you don't need to be nervous. After the award, there is a banquet, and after the banquet, there is a ball. The victory in the southern suburbs relied on everyone's bravery and hard work, so everything tonight is what everyone deserves! …… Well, those female officers in the headquarters are very beautiful, let's let go and ask them to dance, don't lose the face of our People's Guard! ”

The officers under his command laughed.

"Okay," Xiang Xiaoqiang smiled slightly, and ordered, "All - get in the car!" ”

Several black cars slowly drove out of the People's Guard barracks and headed for the winding mountain road of Purple Mountain.

……

On the parking apron at the entrance of the fortress halfway up the mountain, Xiang Xiaoqiang paid special attention to the cars parked here. - It's all black sedans and military vehicles, not that white Rolls-Royce.

The report said that Mrs. Li and the Marquis of Changping each had one. They also lived in the fortress. But even if their car were here, it would not be possible to park on this temporary parking apron, there must be a special garage.

Except for Xiang Xiaoqiang himself, none of the people who came with him had ever entered the Purple Mountain Fortress. As they handed over their guns, lined up to enter the heavy concrete entrance of the fortress, and passed each machine-gun hole guarded turn, inspected by a guard wearing armbands, the awe was even greater.

Xiang Xiaoqiang held his sword and strode into the deep mountainside tunnel, his footsteps echoing from afar. Every few meters on both sides, there was a Praetorian Guard wearing an armband and a steel helmet.

Qiu Xiuxiu, and Li Gensheng, the officers, followed Xiang Xiaoqiang nervously and excitedly, trying to maintain the dignity of the commander, looking straight ahead, but they couldn't help but look around.

Rommel is the most well-seen of these people, and he is also the oldest. But at this moment his face rose the reddest, his head held high, and he strode like a meteor, and he was full of the style of a Great German officer. He is a person who values the sense of honor more than anything else, although he is in his forties and no longer young, but his blood is already boiling at the moment.

They were all shocked as they followed the leading officer through the central command hall. Tall, vast, and resplendent with busy officers, huge maps, ringing telephones, and melodious echoing central announcements, like a giant ant's nest center, the Empire's supreme command center has conquered them all.

Qiu Yu and Xiuxiu, the two little girls naturally opened their mouths wide and were speechless, and even Li Gensheng's colonel-level officers were looking around, and their eyes were not enough.

Rommel's face turned red, he took off his hat, took out a handkerchief to wipe his nose, and said excitedly:

"I have to say that this great country is unconquerable. It is an honour to be in the service of such a great empire. ”

The officer who led the way was very experienced, and he took quite a few people who entered the fortress for the first time. He let them look at it for a while before politely reminding them to come along.

Passing through the central command hall, I made a few turns and went up a few flights of stairs to enter a passageway. At the end of the passage, open two doors, and there is the officer's canteen in front of you.

The junior officer, who acted as a waiter at the door, took the invitation and said:

"The commander of the People's Guard sent to the small strong man——! The commander of the People's Guard's Mobile Unit, Mr. Li Gensheng, arrived at the ——! Mr. Rommel, staff officer of the Mobile Unit of the People's Guard, arrived in ——! ……”

Xiang Xiaoqiang has never been to the officer's cafeteria, but it can be seen that it has been specially decorated today. The large dining room of more than 100 square meters is splendidly furnished. The concrete floor is covered with carpets, the walls are equipped with spotlights, and beams of strong light shine upwards, shining on the heavy cement walls, forming a special effect. There are some small doors around the large dining room, which are probably embedded in the small dining room, lounge, smoking room, toilet, etc.

Xiang Xiaoqiang knew at a glance that today was a Western-style buffet. In the hall, there are several three-story dining tables, on which all kinds of Chinese and Western dishes, desserts, fruits, silver tableware and crystal cups dazzle in the light of candlesticks. Next to each table is a trolley full of liquor, topped by a large brass ice bucket and a large bottle of golden champagne buried in the ice.

Sofas were scattered around, and some of the guests were already chatting and chatting. There was no chamber orchestra in the room, but a record player was placed in the corner of the restaurant, vinyl records were turning, and Bach's soft concertos were coming out of the golden trumpets.

In fact, all this was Zhu Yourong's idea. The veteran generals of the high command did not approve of this kind of singing and dancing when the soldiers were approaching the city. But Zhu Yourong likes these things very much, and as soon as he lives in the fortress, he can't wait to have a party. But as the old men say, this is really not the right time to play. It happened that Xiang Xiaoqiang gave her a great victory in the southern suburbs, and the war situation by the river was also improving, so she had an idea to hold a ceremony to award medals, and the banquet and dance party were just incidental to the award. There is a medal as the "main course", and no one can say anything.

There were less than ten guests at the scene, and Xiang Xiaoqiang only saw Zheng Gongyin and garrison commander Wang Hantang knowing, so he said hello, walked over with the people around him, and introduced him with a smile. Rommel was a foreigner and naturally attracted the attention of the surrounding eyeballs. Originally, it was rare to see foreigners in the fortress, and even if there were, they were British ** officials. This time, everyone saw that this foreigner had a different uniform, and he was still wearing the Iron Cross, and when he heard Xiaoqiang introduce him as a moral ** official, they all whispered after nodding and smiling.

There were a number of foreign advisers and observers in the Ming army, generally British, but also a small number of French and Americans, and a little bit of White Russian. But the Germans never appeared. Hearing that this German ** officer was still named to receive the medal, several nimble minds seemed to smell a smell, a new smell from Germany.

"Viscount Zheng Yujiao has arrived——! Miss Marquis Zheng Yuxuan arrives in ——! ”

Looking back at Xiaoqiang, Zheng Gongyin's only son and eldest daughter arrived.

Zheng Yuxuan is naturally Xiang Xiaoqiang's old acquaintance, tonight is the latest Chanel fashion, the diamonds on his neck are shining, he casually handed over the fox shawl and ostrich leather handbag to the waiter, first hugged his father's neck and screamed coquettishly, after being reprimanded by Zheng Gongyin with a smile, then looked at Xiang Xiaoqiang who was wearing a sword with a smile, nodded approvingly, and said with a smile:

"Lord Xiang is the protagonist tonight!"

Xiang Xiaoqiangqian smiled:

"Miss Zheng, don't make fun of it, why can't the protagonist be Xiang Mou's turn tonight! Xiang was able to come tonight, but it was just a fluke. ”

Zheng Yuxuan smiled and said:

"Oh, Lord Xiang is terrible, well, I'm going to be official, Xiang Xiang Xiang's ...... No, I've got to drink a little, I'm dying of thirst......"

As he spoke, he picked up a glass of champagne, took a big sip, choked and coughed, and Zheng Gongyin scolded with a smile:

"This girl, she doesn't drink water at home, she comes here like a cow to drink, and she wants to embarrass me......"

Zheng Yuxuan put down the cup, took the hot towel to wipe his mouth, and glanced at Qiu Yu and Xiuxiu behind Xiao Qiang with a pair of pretty eyes. The two shabby girls didn't want to lose face in front of the Marquis, so they both raised their heads and chests at the moment, proudly showing off their beautiful uniforms and medals on their chests.

Xiang Xiaoqiang was thinking about how to introduce her, Zheng Yuxuan smiled slightly, and turned to the side to greet the others.

Zheng Yujiao has never seen Xiaoqiang, and has heard of some of his "bad deeds", but when I saw him tonight, I felt that it was not the image of the oily and powder-faced boy in my impression, but very dignified, twenty-seven or eighteen years old, in an elegant banquet suit, looked at Xiaoqiang, patted his arm and shook hands very familiarly, and talked to him.

At the door sang again:

"His Royal Highness Shang Rong, a member of the Ming Empire and the king of the Ryukyu Kingdom, has arrived——! The Ryukyu King Princess Chen Niangniang arrived in ——! ”

Before the singing fell, the eyes of the court looked towards the door. Most people didn't know that the Ryukyu prince and his mother, Concubine Chen, were also invited tonight. This is a heavyweight. Although they are not as close to the center of power as the others present, in terms of status, they are the ones except His Majesty tonight.

A young man in a black dress walked in with a middle-aged woman in a dazzling dress. This is the future king of the Ryukyus, Shang Rong, and his mother, Concubine Chen.

Shang Rong was in his twenties, dark and thin, and his body was hidden in a black dress, making him look even thinner. The two eyes are very bright, looking around for something. Concubine Chen held her son, graceful and generous, and bowed her head in greeting.

The Ryukyu royal family has been in exile in Daming for many years, and the concubines of successive Ryukyu kings are all Chinese, and this family has long been integrated into Daming high society. Most of the distinguished guests present knew them and came forward to greet them. Because it is a Western-style occasion, men kiss and curtsy to Concubine Chen.

Zheng Yuxuan was obviously very familiar with Chen Fei Niangniang, ran over and curtsy very mischievously, then took her arm and chatted half-coquettishly.

Zheng Gongyin smiled and got up to say hello, but Zheng Yujin stared at Shang Rong, the son of the Ryukyus, with a rather unkind expression, and was secretly pulled by his father several times before he reluctantly went over to say hello.

Xiang Xiaoqiang's status is lower than that of the Zheng family's father and daughter, and they have to wait for them to say hello before they can come forward and wait to be introduced to the Shang family.

At this moment, Xiang Xiaoqiang touched his hair, straightened his uniform and sword, glanced at his subordinates, and prepared to go over to meet the distinguished guests.

Qiu Yu suddenly grabbed Xiuxiu and asked:

"Hey, Xiuxiu, what do you want to do?"

"I ...... Go to the bathroom......" Xiuxiu said cowardly, tilting her head and struggling gently, "Where is the bathroom?" ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang smiled:

"You wait a minute, you're going to introduce us soon, that's the Ryukyu princess and the future king, I have to ......"

He lowered his voice and laughed:

"I'll have to introduce you as a fiancée."

Xiuxiu's face did not show happy shyness, but was pale, and said softly:

"I ...... I don't introduce, I go to the bathroom and I'm in a hurry......"

Qiu Yu said angrily:

"Okay, how anxious can you be, a matter of seconds......"

At this time, Zheng Gongyin smiled behind him:

"Niangniang, Shizi, let me introduce you to a new star of our Ming Dynasty, this time in the defense of Nanjing, he is a great hero! …… Hey, Xiao Xiang, Xiao Xiang, hehehe, come here! Oh yes, bring your confidante too, hahaha! ”

Xiang Xiaoqiang smiled and agreed, and pulled Xiuxiu with Qiu Yun and came to Concubine Chen and Shang Rong.