Although the Republic of China era was dark and turbulent, and the people were struggling to make a living, it was a golden period of a hundred flowers blooming and celebrities in terms of ideology and literature.

Those literati or "masters" of the Republic of China usually have the so-called "independent" character, and their personalities are more or less weird, and they are called crazy and crazy to put it mildly, and they are wild and uninhibited to put it mildly - the chaotic situation of the late Qing Dynasty and the traditional Chinese literati's "arrogant princes and slow ministers" are all important factors in the consciousness and character of this group of people - which makes many black and white bigwigs, especially politicians, quite annoying.

For example, Chairman Chiang Kai-shek at this time has always found it incomprehensible that now that he has become the leader of the whole country, there are still so many people who dare to openly scold him in the newspapers - shouldn't they sing praises of virtue one by one, sycophants like a tide, and shout Shengming?

But the literati in Shanghai don't think so, over the years of the Republic of China, they have long been accustomed to seeing the changes in the wind and clouds, the ebb and flow of the tide - how majestic was Premier Duan Qirui back then, and now he is not in the limelight? The former General Wu Peifu fought all over the world invincible, and after the defeat of the army, now he can only go to the field to be a duke? What virtues and abilities do you have in Chiang Kai-shek, and what merits do you have for the country and the nation, and you dare to sit in the world for the rest of your life?

Anyway, this Jiang may step down one day. Therefore, no matter how many official titles he has on his head now, he still has to scold when he should scold!

As a result, what made Chiang, who insisted on compromising with Japan and "first settling the interior of the country," felt extremely annoyed was that almost from the outbreak of the "September 18 Incident" and the fall of Northeast China, no matter how he banned anti-Japanese speech. Launched a cultural "encirclement and suppression", banned progressive literature and periodicals, and persecuted left-wing writers and cultural workers. He repeatedly told his last resort, and for a while he claimed bitterly: "...... Guns are inferior to people. Artillery is inferior to man, education and training are inferior to man, machines are inferior to man, factories are inferior to man, so what can be used to fight Japan? If you resist Japan, you will be destroyed in three days at most. ”“…… China is dead to imperialism, and we can still be slaves of the country. can still linger; If he dies in the Communist Party, he will not be able to get it even if he is willing to be a slave. After a while, he scolded violently: "...... Those who talk extravagantly about anti-Japanese will be killed! But there was still no understanding. The anti-Japanese salvation movement throughout the country is still intensifying. Many hardcore rightist intellectuals who used to call him haode for his bloody purge of the party in "April 12". At this time, they all turned around and scolded him for "flattering Japan" and "betraying the country", and even shouted "anti-Chiang and anti-Japanese...... This made him can't help but have the illusion that the whole country is full of spies......

- Old Chiang forgot one thing, the extreme rightists are often also ultra-nationalists, and the reason why they are willing to support Chiang Kai-shek. It is to support a person who can suppress the people at the bottom internally. Napoleon, who played the national and military prestige to the outside world, not a decrepit man who could only carry a gun in the nest!

For example, it is true that the German Nazi Party is anti-communist, but which Nazi party dares to openly support the United States, Britain, France, and other countries to turn Germany into a colony?

Obviously, Chiang Kai-shek's repeated defeats in suppressing the Communists and his clumsy performance of surrendering to the outside world made them feel deeply disappointed in their desire to revive the Chinese nation.

In this way, the leftists thought Lao Chiang was reactionary. The rightists thought that the old Chiang was incompetent, Chiang Kai-shek, the supreme leader. For a while, he really became a "lonely person".

In short, as early as the "128" incident the year before last, when the 19th Route Army carried out the first Songhu War of Resistance, many patriotic democrats in Shanghai initiated the organization of the "Shanghai Citizens' Local Maintenance Association", and swore together, "I hope that I will not be a slave of the country before my death, and I will not be a ghost of the country after my death", and called on the people of the country "If you cower and retreat, I am afraid that you will still not be able to keep your wealth and property, so it is better to move forward together and fight the war to save the country." shouted anti-Japanese and criticized Lao Jiang.

After the end of the war in Shanghai, Song Qingling, Cai Yuanpei, Yang Xingfo, Shi Liangcai, and other famous literati launched the "China Civil Rights Protection League" movement, and while using their high prestige to actively rescue the arrested patriotic democrats, they also openly called for opposition to Chiang Kai-shek's civil war of "suppressing bandits" in spite of the danger of the nation. Subsequently, Soong Ching-ling led the convening of the Far East Conference of the "Shijie Anti-Imperialist War Committee" in Shanghai, where he scolded the Nanjing authorities for their compromise line against Japan. Even Cai Yuanpei, the president of Peking University, who helped Chiang Kai-shek draw up a list of "Qing Communists" during the "April 12" incident and vigorously advocated the bloody cleansing of the red elements, also felt bitterly at this time that the country had been lost, the civil war was linked, and a strong national sentiment and patriotic spirit had erupted, and his thinking was becoming more and more radical...... It can be seen how unpopular Chiang Kai-shek, the "leader of the party-state", was in China at that time.

These small knives from the public opinion position behind made Chiang Kai-shek, who was in Nanchang, hate it so much that he wanted to do "412" again, but he threw himself into a trap - Sun Yat-sen's widow Song Qingling is the "mother of the country" and the sister of his wife Song Meiling, and the political risk of moving her is too great, almost no less than the assassination of the emperor by a Japanese officer...... He had just kicked away Song Ziwen, who was "talking about resisting Japan", and drove this guy back to Shanghai, which had greatly offended the Song family among the four major families, and if he killed Song Qingling again, then not only the four major families would break out in internal strife, but the Nanjing Nationalist Government would collapse, and the title of "Sun Yat-sen's heir" would be completely lost, and even his wife might have to be replaced again.

And Cai Yuanpei, as the president of Peking University, is also full of peach and plum, and his connections are all over China, and the consequences of moving him may be no less than the assassination of Song Jiaoren back then...... Therefore, in view of the persimmon to pick a soft pinch, Chiang Kai-shek Zuihou sent spies to assassinate Yang Xingfo, using bloody means to temporarily frighten the progressive literati in Shanghai and barely suppress this round of anti-Japanese movement - but this also made the progressive literati in Shanghai completely break with Chairman Chiang from then on.

Therefore, as the so-called "pressing the gourd to float the scoop", the "China Civil Rights Protection League" had just been frightened by the death of Yang Xingfo, but Shi Liangcai, the ideologically progressive "Declaration" tycoon, jumped out again, first unceremoniously criticized many political and military measures of the Kuomintang government, and scolded those party-state elites who regarded themselves very highly. Later, he published a supplement "Freedom Talk" against the wind, publishing articles by Lu Xun and other famous left-wing writers. made "Freedom Talk" an important position against Chiang Kai-shek's "cultural encirclement and suppression", which made Chiang Kai-shek so angry that his forehead was bruised.

Speaking of which, this boss Shi Liangcai dared to argue with the government with a newspaper. is also a strange person in the Republic of China era.

——Shi Liangcai, a famous family repair, a native of Nanjing, Jiangsu, a famous newspaper tycoon. At the beginning of the 20th century, China's most outstanding newspaper operator, who had been the general manager of the newspaper since 1912, vowed at the beginning of his career that he would "not be intimidated by power or moved by money." It was once famous for outwitting Yuan Shikai and resisting Yuan's restoration of the imperial system. As the king of Shanghai's newspaper industry, Shi Liangcai once said a very famous sentence: "...... The state has a national personality. There is a report and a person's personality. If the three grids do not exist, people will not be people, and the report will not be reported. The country will not be a country! "In addition. He also often stressed to the staff of the newspaper: "...... The newspaper is the mouthpiece of the people, and in addition to the oppression of the special shili, it is always necessary to say something for the people in order to be justified. ”

Therefore, since the days of the Beiyang government, the "Declaration" sponsored by him has gained a reputation for paying attention to social hot spots, daring to criticize the evils of the times, and exposing the dark rule of the authorities, and has been praised by the British as China's "Times". At the time. The newspaper has the largest circulation in China, and the power of public opinion is not insignificant. Often, the publication of a "heroic article" can cause a national sensation.

In order to resolve the public opinion attack on the "Declaration," the Kuomintang authorities first tried to lure Shi Liangcai to the executive director of the Zhongshan Culture and Education Center and the chairman of the Shanghai Provisional Senate, but to no avail. As a result, the "Declaration" was banned from being mailed by Chiang Kai-shek's warrant and suspended for 35 days, but Shi Liangcai still refused to give in, but Chiang Kai-shek was forced by all parties to withdraw the warrant and allow the "Declaration" to resume publication.

Subsequently, Chiang Kai-shek asked Du Yuesheng to accompany Boss Shi Liangcai to Nanjing for a meeting, and the two sides had a formal showdown - in order to seize the right to speak in society from the hands of the "Declaration", Chiang Kai-shek arrogantly lowered his face to reveal his background: "Don't provoke me, I have a million soldiers under my command." The bold Shi Liangcai was not afraid to argue with the government, and replied coldly: "I'm sorry, I also have a million readers!" At this point, Chiang Kai-shek had made up his mind to get rid of this person, but because of the urgency of the war at the front, in order to prevent chaos in the rear, he had not yet done so.

But now, the front line of the "suppression of bandits" is progressing smoothly, and the "red bandits' nest" Ruijin is just around the corner, and the complacent Chairman Jiang thinks that he has leisure and can finally free his hands to take care of these little bedbugs behind him.

For this reason, Chairman Chiang secretly summoned his confidant and confidant, Dai Li, the head of the special services of the Fuxing Society (i.e., the Blue Coat Society), on this night.

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“…… Chairman, did you call me over late at night, was there anything urgent? ”

As soon as Dai Li entered the door, he asked. Although his face was a little dusty, his appearance and clothes were still meticulously cared for.

At this time, Chiang Kai-shek was standing in front of the window with his hands behind his back, looking up thoughtfully at the dark night sky. Hearing Dai Li's words, he slowly turned around, but he didn't rush to speak, but slowly looked at this junior newcomer, and was satisfied to see that the other party's appearance was quite decent.

After examining it for a moment, Chiang Kai-shek raised his hand and handed Dai Li's hand a copy of the "Declaration" from a few days ago, which was full of various commentary articles opposing the civil war, criticizing the government, and advocating anti-Japanese resistance, and then said quietly, "...... At a time when the officers and men of our party and state were fighting the Red Bandits, there were quite a few remarks attacking the government like this in Shanghai! It seems that I am too focused on the frontline battlefield, but I am a little too indulgent on the cultural front! ”

“…… Report to the Commission! The literati of this generation have repeatedly refused to change their teachings, are stubborn, do not know the government's sufferings, and most of them have deteriorated (reddened) and have ill intentions, so it is useless for us to punish them with small punishments and big commandments, and we have to teach them a cruel lesson! Dai Lian hurriedly echoed and replied.

“…… Oh, yes! How can these literati know that there is nothing to worry about outsiders, and that internal bandits are really a problem for their henchmen, and if they do not eliminate the internal bandits, they must not be insulted by outsiders! We must concentrate on the united suppression of bandits, for the great plan of long-term peace and stability of the country, and for the establishment of a deep-rooted foundation for the revolution, and we cannot but eliminate this problem of henchmen...... No matter how much criticism and slander are made from the outside, we always clear the bandits from the inside first. For the only priority, if not, it is putting the cart before the horse. Inverted successively. ”

It seemed that he suddenly started talking, and as if he wanted to vent the grievances that he had suppressed in his heart during this time, Chiang Kai-shek nagged Dai Li for a long time before turning to the topic: "...... Now, how are you doing in Shanghai? When can I do it to Shi Liang? ”

“…… The report is that his subordinates have arranged an assassination team and are ready to leave Shanghai by the time they leave. Do it in the countryside to avoid unexpected disruptions and minimise social impact...... "Dai replied. “…… If, of course, the commissioner wishes to act as soon as possible......"

“…… No need, everything is on the safe side, try to do it decently! Chiang Kai-shek waved his hand. It means that there is no need to rush. “…… Alas, in a place like Shanghai, everything must be done with international influence in mind, and it is more appropriate to do it in the countryside just in case. Let him live a few more days. Of course, as soon as the target dies, we will arrange for our personnel to reorganize the "declaration", and we must no longer let public opinion always go against the government! ”

In the end, the assassination of Shi Liangcai was finalized. After issuing an execution order to the Blue Coat Society, Chiang Kai-shek changed his mind again. He still mentioned the "crime of colluding with the Communist Party" of many left-wing writers in Shanghai: "...... Freezing three feet, not a day's cold. The reddening of the minds of these literati in Shanghai was not achieved overnight, and if they want to reverse this bad trend, I am afraid that it will not be possible to kill a historical measure. So ......"

Chiang Kai-shek touched his chin and thought for a while, "...... In addition to Shi Liangcai, the target of killing, there are some other disobedient literati in Shanghai, who seem to need to be beaten well. How to implement it and who should be included in the list, I am in Nanchang, so I don't know very well, so it will be at your discretion. Of course, depending on the circumstances, it is not necessary to be imprisoned or executed, just teach them a little lesson and don't make the scene out of control...... In Nanjing and Liangguang, there are still many people waiting to find out what I did wrong......" he advised.

For this temporary small task, Dai Li, who was thinking about assassinating Jihua, easily agreed to it.

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A few days later, when the "Shi Liangcai Assassination Team" arranged by Dai Li received the order to "start the operation", the Shanghai office of the Blue Coat Society also received important instructions to launch a new round of "cultural encirclement and suppression". So there was immediately a cheer: "...... Here's our chance to get rich! ”

At this time, the Blue Coat Society was not only a secret agency, but also a political organization and social group. What's even worse is that after several years of corruption and transformation, the Blue Coat Society is already full of redundant people, and people from three religions and nine streams are full of people, which is really a miasma.

Therefore, as soon as the instructions to launch a new round of "cultural encirclement and suppression" arrived, they immediately found out the addresses of many writers in Shanghai and the house numbers of various bookstores, and were ready to show the spirit of concocting "red capitalists," "red big landlords," and "red slave owners" and relentlessly reap the catch!

Well? How do you make money? Of course, if you arrest someone and wait for your family to come and deliver a ransom, or if you close the shop and wait for the boss to come and pay tribute.

“…… Although this person is quite generous, he lives in the French Concession, and if he wants to be arrested, he has to say hello to the patrol house and Huang Jinrong. ”

“…… The bookstore doesn't need to be closed down — it closed last month because business was so bad, and it's now a pastry shop. ”

“…… This writer, whom I know, lives in a dilapidated pavilion with no oil or water, and just slips a threatening letter under the crack in the door. ”

“…… Huh? I remember that in the past two years in Shanghai, there was a female writer named Qiong Yao, who should also be quite famous......"

Just as everyone was burying their heads in trapping their prey, a somewhat abrupt voice suddenly sounded, "...... Why not on this list? ”

“…… Mr. Qiong Yao? The female writer who wrote the romance novels "Water and Clouds" and "Plum Blossom Branding"? Her work doesn't seem to have anything to do with the red bandits! Speaking of which, I still like to read her "Tianzhu Hot Wind Record", I really can't imagine that the diplomats of the Tang Dynasty are so powerful, they can 'destroy a country with one person'...... Hehe, shouldn't it be because this woman scolded the negative man in the book and offended Xiao Liu, you prodigal! ”

After a moment of silence, another suddenly replied with a smile, followed by a burst of laughter.

“…… It violates women's morality and alludes to the supreme leader...... Aren't these two counts enough? Well, there is also a smear of Shanghai's social outlook - you must not have seen her latest comic "Sanmao Wanderings", that thought is really red and speechless......" Seeing that everyone seemed to disagree, the little Liu rolled his eyes, and quickly added, "...... This woman is quite rich! There is a big house in Nanshi, and you can earn more just by collecting rent! ”

“…… Oh? Is it? Since this Mr. Qiong Yao is very rich, then add her to the list! The others were finally moved," ...... Anyway, it's not to arrest her and kill her, it's just to lock her up for a few days and scare her, and then knock out a sum of money to make the brothers happy......"

So, just before the female Wenqing of the Republic of China "Mr. Qiong Yao" Jin Qina knew it, a terrible storm had swept towards her...... (To be continued......)