In June 1937, the Pingjin area was covered with war clouds and murderous opportunities. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that war is imminent and inevitable, but people cannot predict when, where, and in what form it will break out.

In order to ease the increasingly tense Sino-Japanese relations, at 10 a.m. on 6 June, Song Zheyuan, chairman of the Political Committee of the Jicha Prefecture and commander of the 29th Army, held a banquet at the Huairen Hall in Zhongnanhai, Beiping, to entertain officers above the squadron leader level of the Japanese North China Garrison Army stationed near Beiping, accompanied by officers of the 29th Army at or above the regimental level in Beiping.

Present at the banquet were more than 30 Japanese people, including Kawabe, head of the North China Garrison Brigade, Takayo Matsumuro, chief of the special service of the North China Garrison Army, and advisers Matsushima and Sakurai. On the Chinese side, Song Zheyuan, commander of the 29th Army, Qin Dechun, mayor of Beiping, Feng Zhi'an, commander of the 37th Division and ** of Hebei Province, Li Wentian, deputy commander of the 38th Division, He Jifeng, commander of the 110th Brigade of the 37th Division, Dong Shengtang, commander of the 114th Brigade of the 38th Division, Li Zhiyuan, commander of the 26th Independent Brigade, and Yang Gansan, commander of the 227th Regiment of the 114th Brigade, were also invited.

During the banquet, Song Zheyuan, Qin Dechun, Feng Zhi'an, Hebian, Matsumuro, Matsushima, Sakurai, Wu Peifu and others were seated**, and the rest of the officers from both sides were seated. At each table, three or four Japanese officers sat in guest seats, and four or five Chinese officers sat in the main seats. At this time, except for the two tables of **, there were talking and laughing, and the Chinese and Japanese officers at the other eight tables had a reluctant face on each other, except for the necessary politeness.

Although Wu Peifu has been disarmed and returned to the field and retired from the military circles, he is still a heavyweight in the eyes of the world, and he is naturally arranged on the guest of honor. This former marshal is not very happy today, he hates these Japanese very much, since he retired from the military circles, he has gradually begun to eat fasting and chanting Buddha, no longer participating in political affairs, and today he is just to give Song Zheyuan some face.

When the wine was half-drunk, a Japanese officer asked to sing a song to cheer up, and Major General Kawabe, commander of the Japanese North China Garrison Brigade, nodded in agreement, and the Japanese officer sang a Japanese song of homesickness with deep affection.

The Chinese officers listened indifferently, but the Japanese officers had tears in their eyes.

Wu Peifu was irritable when he heard this, so he impatiently asked the translator next to him: "What is this kid's number?" ”

The interpreter whispered: "He sings a song of homesickness." ”

Wu Peifu snorted: "If you are homesick, go home, what are you doing here?" ”

Wu Peifu's voice was not high, but it was very clear, and the interpreter was so frightened that he hurriedly looked around, for fear that the Japanese officers present would hear it and cause a diplomatic dispute.

Major General Hebian, who knew some Chinese, looked at Wu Peifu, frowned, and whispered to Takashi Matsumuro, the head of the Japanese North China Garrison Army, who was beside him: "This Marshal Wu is very uneducated. ”

Matsumuro Takara smiled: "This Marshal Wu is known as a Confucian general in the Chinese military circles, and he likes to dance and write ink, according to our intelligence, Marshal Wu does not like the Japanese very much, and has anti-Japanese sentiments, I am afraid that the rudeness he showed just now was deliberate, and the general does not have to mind." ”

After the Japanese officers finished singing, they bowed to the audience again and again, and the Japanese soldiers present all responded with warm applause, and the Chinese soldiers also symbolically slapped their hands a few times.

The emcee on the Japanese side stood up and said, "Next, can we ask Wu Peifu, a veteran of the Chinese military circles, to put out a show?" ”

The Chinese soldiers applauded enthusiastically.

Wu Peifu didn't hear what the Japanese emcee said clearly, so he asked the translator: "What is he muttering?" ”

Translator: "He said, let you put on a show." ”

Wu Peifu: "Let me also sing a song on stage?" Lao Tzu is here to eat, not to be a drama, but I can help the fun......" Wu Peifu stood up: "Pen and ink are waiting." ”

The scene of the party immediately became quiet.

The translator whispered: "Dashuai, when I was preparing for this party, I didn't expect this to happen, so I didn't prepare any stationery supplies. ”

Wu Peifu: "No pen and paper? Then send me a car, go to the glaze factory Rong Bao Zhai to buy, the four treasures of the study I will recognize Rong Bao Zhai. ”

Song Zheyuan's adjutant dared to be lazy, and hurriedly stood up: "Please wait, Dashuai, I'll buy it right away." Then he walked out.

The emcee of China and Japan discussed for a while, and the emcee of the Chinese side announced: "When the pen and paper arrive, I will invite Wu Dashuai to give a show, and now the party will continue, and the following program is ......"

Matsushima, the adviser of the Japanese North China Garrison Special Service, was a little drunk at this time, and he stood up and shouted: "I'll give ...... Dance knife for everyone...... Cheer up. ”

The Japanese officers applauded desperately.

Matsushima is a master of kendo, although he is a little drunk at this time, but he is not ambiguous when he dances the sword, and the sharp Japanese saber is whirring in his hand, and the moves are full of murderous energy. The atmosphere at the banquet grew tense, and in the eyes of the Chinese officers, it was a provocation to show off their force, and they all put down their glasses and watched the situation change with cold eyes.

At this time, Major General Dong Shengtang, the commander of the 114th Brigade, finally couldn't hold it back, he threw away his chopsticks, got up, jumped into the field with an arrow and sneered: "I'll also set up a gossip palm to play with you." ”

The Chinese master of ceremonies shouted: "Next, the Chinese 29th Group Army Brigade Commander Dong Shengtang will perform Chinese martial arts...... Baguazhang. ”

Officers on both sides clamoured.

Dong Shengtang is a native of Xinhe County, Hebei Province, he and his younger brother Dong Zhentang are known as "brother generals" in Chinese military circles, and his younger brother Dong Zhentang is more famous than him, as early as seven years ago, he was a major general and brigade commander of the 73rd Brigade of the 26th Route Army of the National Army, and at that time the eldest brother Dong Shengtang was still a colonel in Zhang Zizhong's 38th Division, but the brothers did not take the same road. In December 1931, Dong Zhentang, together with Zhao Bosheng, Ji Zhentong and others, led the officers and soldiers of the 26th Route to hold an armed uprising in Ningdu, Jiangxi Province, and participated in the Red Army of the Communist Party of China. Dong Shengtang has been practicing martial arts since he was a child, and is good at Baguazhang, Xingyi Fist and Snow Flake Knife. After entering the military circles, his training department supplemented the knife technique with the Tiangang step of the Bagua Palm, the footwork is flexible, and the knife technique is fierce, Dong Shengtang's requirements for the troops are, "One step is not surprising, one step is not surprising, one step is the only way to be able", so in the battle sequence of the 29th Army of the National Army, Dong Shengtang is known for being good at hand-to-hand combat.

Dong Shengtang bowed his hand to the four seats, and then played Baguazhang, his boxing skills were both rigid and soft, tiger and tiger, showing a deep martial arts foundation. The Chinese officers in the audience applauded loudly.

He Jifeng, the commander of the 110th Brigade, took a sip of wine, jumped onto the empty table and bowed his hand to Song Zheyuan: "Military seat, I'll sing a song to help Brigade Commander Dong." ”

Song Zheyuan nodded in agreement.

He Jifeng sang "Song of the Huang Nationality" loudly: "The Huang people should enjoy the power of the Yellow Sea, and the Asian people should plant Asian fields." Young people, don't kill each other in the same species, and teach Europe and the United States to be the first to whip. He is not afraid of death, he does not love money, and his husband will never be pitied. The flood is raging, only one hand turns the tide, the party does not live up to the stone pen, and the sages of the later philosophers. ”

Major General Li Zhiyuan, commander of the 26th Independent Brigade, also threw away his wine glass, jumped into the field and shouted: "I will also play with you......"

The Chinese officers boiled and applauded wildly.

Zhang Youlin heard that Wu Dashuai was arguing with the Japanese in Huairentang and needed a pen, ink, paper, and inkstone. He pondered, Wu Dashuai named Rong Bao Zhai's stationery supplies, which is simply too much for Rong Bao Zhai's face, not to mention that Wu Dashuai wants to argue with the Japanese, which is a big news, and it is a golden opportunity for Rong Bao Zhai's fame to improve. This matter can not be neglected, the stationery supplies sent by Wang Renshan are not enough to show the importance of Rong Bao Zhai, or it is appropriate for him, the proprietor, to go on a trip in person, so Zhang Youlin didn't say a word, picked out some stationery supplies and came to Zhongnanhai Huairentang with Song Zheyuan's adjutant by car.

The Yamato nation is also a nation that likes to compete, and when they saw that the Chinese officers were playing fists and singing, the Japanese officers were also excited, so two more Japanese officers drew their sabers and jumped into the arena and danced with Matsushima.

Dong Shengtang saw that everyone was playing with real guys, so he yelled: "Staff Officer Zhang, bring me a knife!" ”

Li Zhiyuan also shouted: "Don't forget my lancet." ”

A lieutenant officer walked into the hall with two knives and shouted, "Brigade Commander Dong, Brigade Commander Li, take the knife!" With the shout, two knives flew into the field, Dong Shengtang and Li Zhiyuan reached out to catch them, and each danced the knife.

Wu Peifu slapped the table and applauded loudly: "Okay! The officers of the 29th Army also applauded in unison, while the officers of China and Japan looked at each other angrily, and the situation was about to erupt.

When Zhang Youlin walked into Huairentang with the adjutant, he was just in time for the Japanese master of ceremonies to announce: "Our officers said that in order to show Sino-Japanese friendship, they decided to put out a program together, officers, let's start!" ”

The Japanese officers suddenly rushed into the banquet and jointly lifted Song Zheyuan and Qin Dechun above their heads, and they let out a strange "whoop" sound.

Dong Shengtang's face turned pale: "Ho, are you playing with lifting people?" Brethren, too, we say hello! ”

Some young officers of the 29th Military Academy rushed up and concocted the Japanese Major General Kawabe and Takayo Matsumuro above their heads and threw them into the air again and again......

Dong Shengtang's adjutant approached Dong Shengtang and whispered: "Brigade seat, there are still a few 20 rounds in our car, which are already full of bullets, if they dare to turn their faces, they will kill them first, do you want me to bring the gun in?" ”

Dong Shengtang thought for a moment and shook his head: "No, we can't do it first, I don't think we can do it today." ”

The young officers on both sides competed, but the unfortunate ones were the senior officers who were thrown into the air again and again, Song Zheyuan, Qin Dechun, and Kawabe and Matsumuro Takara were so dizzy that they were tossed, and it was not appropriate to turn their faces on this occasion, so they had to let the officers on both sides fiddle with it wantonly.

Wu Peifu laughed out loud, in his eyes, these senior officers who were thrown into the air were all small characters, and there was nothing to lose their identity if they let young people play a few tricks. The adjutant pointed at Zhang Youlin and whispered to Wu Peifu: "Mr. Zhang Youlin, the owner of Rong Bao Zhai, personally sent you stationery supplies. ”

Wu Peifu stood up and nodded at Zhang Youlin: "The owner of Rong Bao Zhai? Good come, I have long thought that I will, I am a regular customer of your shop, and I only use Rong Bao Zhai's four treasures in the study. Adjutant, keep Mr. Zhang for me, and I will invite him to dinner in the evening. ”

Zhang Youlin returned the salute.

As he spoke, the feet of Song Zheyuan, Hebian and others finally fell to the ground, and the guards on both sides breathed a sigh of relief, saying in their hearts that there was no major incident, otherwise how would it end today?

The Japanese master of ceremonies announced: "For the last program of this party, we invite the special guest of the party, Wu Dashuai, a veteran of the Chinese military circles, to perform calligraphy. ”

The Chinese officers applauded enthusiastically, and Zhang Youlin stood beside Wu Peifu and watched with interest. The venue was rearranged, a table was set up in the center, the soldiers were spreading rice paper and grinding ink, Wu Peifu stepped forward with a smile, picked up the brush, pulled out the broken hair on the tip of the pen, and seemed to say casually: "How can the pen be abandoned for the sake of words?" After saying that, the pen has fallen on the snow-white rice paper, only to see him splash ink and wave, like flowing water, in one go, four vigorous, handsome big characters jumped on the paper: "Return my rivers and mountains." ”

After writing, Wu Peifu threw away the brush, turned around and walked away.

Song Zheyuan couldn't help but applaud loudly: "Yushuai's drunken pen can be described as a must!" ”

The Chinese emcee showed Wu Peifu's banner "Return My Rivers and Mountains" to the participants.

The Chinese military crowd at the venue was excited, and all of them stood up, raised their arms and shouted: "Give me back the rivers and mountains!" Give me back the rivers and mountains......"

Zhang Youlin's blood rushed to his head, and the blood in his body seemed to be burning. This Wu Dashuai is really a man, although this person has a lot of behaviors that are criticized by the world, but in terms of major rights and wrongs, Wu Peifu is definitely a man with national dignity.

The Japanese soldiers present looked at them coldly, did not say a word, and the banquet ended hastily.

It was late at night when Zhang Youlin got home, he hurriedly washed up and went to bed, but he couldn't sleep after tossing and turning, so he simply got up again, leaned on the head of the bed and pondered, and kept smoking.

"Sleep, I'll think about it tomorrow." He Jiabi urged.

Zhang Youlin frowned: "Jiabi, just now Wu Dashuai said at the dinner table, in September last year, the Japanese garrison troops stationed in the Chinese barracks in Fengtai, Fengtai is the intersection of Pinghan and Pingjin railways, losing Fengtai, Beiping fell into the Japanese north, east, and south of the three sides of the encirclement, now there is only one exit to the southwest to Lugou Bridge, Beiping is like a dish on the table, the Japanese want to do it when they want, they can eat you at any time, alas, if the Japanese really occupy Beiping, what should Rong Bao Zhai do?" ”

Zhang Youlin's worries are also reasonable, these years, with Rong Bao Zhai Beiping head office as the center, following the Nanjing branch, and successively opened the Shanghai branch, Luoyang branch, Wuhan branch and Nanjing second branch, business is booming, if the war together, I am afraid that the hard work of the past few years will be in vain.

"Don't think so far ahead, the Japanese are really coming, no one can stop them, and it's not our family to open a shop, so let's go wherever we go." He Jiabi said.

Zhang Youlin shook his head: "It's not that simple, do you think it's so easy to be a slave in the country?" The appetite of the Japanese is too great, there is no public international law in their eyes, there is no human morality, they are beasts in the jungle and only believe in the law of the jungle. For them, the vast East Asian continent only means resources and living space, and only the strong are qualified to occupy it......"

"Young forest, once the war breaks out, will we lose the country?"

Zhang Youlin pondered for a moment and replied: "Impossible, we have 40,000 people, a long history, a broad and profound culture, and it is impossible for any invader to conquer us!" ”

A flash of light passed by outside the window, and there was a faint thunder in the sky, Zhang Youlin got up and pushed open the window, he stared at the dark night sky for a long time, and his thoughts fluctuated, until the east was slightly white, and then he returned to bed to rest.

A few months later, at about 5:30 a.m. on July 8, 1937, Zhang Youlin was awakened by a violent explosion, he turned over and sat up, and in a moment, the explosion of shells mixed with the sound of gunfire was already ringing out.

He Jiabi was terrified: "Young forest ......"

"Don't be afraid." Zhang Youlin took He Jiabi in his arms and comforted him for a while, and the two got up and got out of bed and came to the courtyard.

I saw the southwest sky flickering, thick smoke billowing out, and the sound of gunfire became more intensive, Zhang Youlin and He Jiabi stood on the steps and watched, Zhang Xiaolu ran from the backyard in pajamas: "Dad, where is the fight?" ”

"In the direction of Lugou Bridge, Wu Dashuai really said that the Japanese did it!" Zhang Youlin's tone was heavy. The three of them stood for a while, and Zhang Youlin instructed Xiaolu: "You go change clothes, let's go to the shop to have a look." ”

Wang Renshan had rushed to Rong Bao Zhai before Zhang Youlin, he came in from the back door, the guys all got up, and were cleaning up the bedding and bedding, Xu Hai was frightened, he stuffed the pillow into the cabinet, and both times he slipped out and fell to the ground, Wang Renshan went over to help him put it away, Xu Hai asked tremblingly: "...... Manager, what's going on? ”

Wang Renshan shook his head: "I don't know. He looked at the guys, and everyone looked unsettled.

"Shall we still open the door?" Li Shandong asked.

Before Wang Renshan could answer, there was a quick knock on the door, Li Shandong opened the door, several students stood at the door, Wang Renshan knew one of the tall boys, his name was Yu Peinan, and he used to be Wang Renshan's neighbor.

Yu Peinan said politely: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, we are from the Peking Student Federation, and we want to buy some stationery and write leaflets to comfort the officers and soldiers of the 29th Army." ”

Wang Renshan walked over: "Please come in, what's going on?" ”

Yu Peinan wiped the sweat on his head as he walked inside: "We also just got the news that the Japanese have occupied the bridgehead of the Huilongmiao and Pinghan Railway, and now the 219th Regiment of the 29th Army is organizing death squads to recapture it." ”

While talking, the sound of gunfire became dense again, Wang Renshan told Yu Peinan, what do you need, just say, he beckoned the guys to put down the work in their hands, and first prepared the things that the students wanted.

Yu Peinan took out a slip from his pocket and handed it to Li Shandong: "It's all here." ”

Li Shandong took the list and glanced at it: "Please wait a while, it'll be fine for a while." ”

At this time, Zhang Youlin and Zhang Xiaolu entered the shop, and Wang Renshan greeted him and introduced Yu Peinan: "This is our host and our young owner." ”

"Hello! I'm sorry for your trouble. Yu Peinan is still polite.

Zhang Youlin sat down: "You're welcome, just take what you want, how is the battle ahead?" ”

"The officers and men of the 29th Army fought very tenaciously and desperately tried their best to recapture the positions seized by the Japanese......"

Song Huairen came in from the side door of Rong Bao Zhai's backyard, and heard the sound of talking in the front hall, he didn't go in, but stood outside the door and pricked up his ears and listened carefully. The guys prepared the rice paper and pen and ink, and Yu Peinan asked Wang Renshan: "How much do you calculate?" ”

Zhang Youlin waved his hand: "What kind of money is not money, can it still be counted as money to comfort the national army that fought Japan?" ”

Yu Peinan was excited when he heard this, and he bowed deeply to Zhang Youlin: "Mr. Zhang, on behalf of the Beiping Student Federation, I thank you!" ”

"What other condolence activities do you have?"

"The next step is to mobilize the citizens of Beiping to organize a support association to resist the enemy."

Zhang Youlin waved his fist: "Okay, Rong Bao Zhai is also a part!" ”

Zhang Xiaolu sent the classmates to the gate, and Song Huairen walked in with a gloomy face, and he muttered in a low voice: "This is a war, and there will be more donations of money and things in the future, who is it?" ”

Although Song Huairen's muttering voice was not loud, everyone present heard it, and Wang Renshan was slightly stunned: "If you count the shop, can you still count it?" ”

"Shop? Isn't the wool out of the sheep? Don't the guys in the shop still have a human resource unit? Speaking of which, doesn't it have to be spread on everyone? Song Huairen was obviously a hundred unhappy, and he didn't say hello to Zhang Youlin, but walked straight to the account cabinet, found the account book, and "crackled" and started to calculate.

Zhang Youlin pondered for a moment and stood up: "That's it, Manager Wang, the money to support the fight against Japan is recorded in my account." ”

"The owner, where is this, everyone has a part in beating the Japanese, and I will record it in the account of the shop's expenses." Wang Renshan glanced at Song Huairen with disdain.

Zhang Youlin flatly refused: "No, everything that listens to me is recorded in my account." After speaking, Zhang Youlin turned around and ran to the backyard.

The citizens of Beiping who sent condolences to Lugou Bridge gathered together, including ordinary citizens carrying burdens and pushing carts, students carrying bulging bags on their shoulders and banners in their hands, and a few rich children driving private cars. Li Shandong, and Zhao Sanlong each pushed a cart, which was piled with food donated by Rong Bao Zhai.

Yu Peinan held a loudspeaker in his hand and began to shout: "Please pay attention, please pay attention, please form a two-way column, two columns, and ......set off immediately."

Zhao Sanlong asked Li Shandong: "What is a two-way column?" ”

Li Shandong pointed to the front: "Look, that's not it, two people in a row." ”

Zhao Sanlong and Li Shandong stood in a row, unfortunately, there was an extra citizen in front, Zhao Sanlong pointed to Li Shandong: "Uncle, we are together." ”

"Brother Sanlong, you stand behind me, it's all the same."

The citizen echoed: "Isn't it, condolences to the national army that fought Japan, all the same." He looked at Li Shandong carefully: "Brother, why do I look at you familiarly?" ”

Li Shandong smiled: "I am Rong Bao Zhai's buddy. ”

The citizen pointed to the things on the car: "Your shop really donates a lot." ”

"Citizens, let's go now, please keep up with the team, please keep up with the team......" Yu Peinan walked in front with a loudspeaker, and led the team to send condolences to set off.

A prostitute dressed in fancy clothes squeezed out of the crowd with a bag of steamed buns, put the steamed buns on Li Shandong's car, and smiled charmingly at him: "Big brother, you can help bring it." ”

Li Shandong grinned: "Cheng, I told the brothers in the national army in front of me, and I said that this is the ...... of the ladies of the Eight Hutongs to comfort them."

The crowd erupted in laughter, and the prostitute's face flushed: "Fuck you!" "Turn around and burrow into the crowd.

The sound of gunfire was still ringing, and the team marched to the vicinity of Lugou Bridge, Yu Peinan raised a loudspeaker: "The team stops here, it will be dangerous to go any further, please unload the condolences in place......"

Everyone began to unload the car, Li Shandong unloaded and stopped, a group of wounded soldiers covered in blood and supporting each other passed in front of them, Li Shandong ran over and grabbed the hand of a wounded soldier: "Big brother, tired, how was the fight?" ”

The wounded soldier scolded and scolded: "The Japanese devil raised by the son of a bitch, the stone of the thatched house - it is stinky and hard, we have taken back the Huilong Temple, and the railway bridge is almost over." ”

Zhao Sanlong walked over with a big white steamed bun and handed it to the wounded soldier: "Big brother, are you hungry?" Take two bites first. ”

The wounded soldier took the steamed bun and was stunned: "Three dragons? ”

"Brother Tiezi? How are you? Zhao Sanlong also recognized the wounded soldier.

Li Shandong looked at the wounded soldiers, and then at Zhao Sanlong: "You guys...... Know? ”

Zhao Sanlong unexpectedly saw his relatives in his hometown, and he looked very excited, and his face was slightly red: "This is my daughter-in-law who has not passed through the door embroidering her brother." Brother Tiezi, are you also a soldier? ”

Tiezi took a bite of the steamed bun: "I've been a soldier for two years, and this is the first time I've fought a war." ”

Li Shandong handed over the kettle, Tiezi drank it with a clatter, Zhao Sanlong squatted down and looked at Tiezi's injured leg, and said to Li Shandong: "I'll send me Brother Tiezi to the hospital, you can take care of it here." ”

"Go ahead."

Li Shandong helped Zhao Sanlong unload the food on the cart, and helped Tiezi to sit firmly on the cart, watching their backs disappear into the crowd in the distance......

After the Lugou Bridge Incident, the Japanese side quickly mobilized heavy reinforcements from Northeast China and Korea under the cover of "peace talks," and launched a general offensive against Beiping on 28 July. The Japanese concentrated heavy artillery fire on the ground and the bombers of the air force took turns to bomb the Chinese troops stationed in Nanyuan, and the Chinese troops suffered heavy casualties, and the deputy commander of the 29th Army, Tong Linge, and the commander of the 132nd Division, Zhao Dengyu, were martyred. At 11 o'clock in the evening of the same day, Song Zheyuan ordered the whole army to retreat to the south bank of the Yongding River, and the next day, the Japanese army entered Beiping, and the citizens of Beiping began an eight-year life of occupation. This is the third time in modern times that Beiping has been occupied by foreign troops after the Second Opium War in 1860 and the Gengzi Incident in 1900.

Hikaru Inoue Mura is straight, and he walked into the office of General Terauchi Shouichi, commander of Japan's North China Front, with the characteristic steps of a soldier. Shouichi Terauchi was standing by the wall studying the map, and when he heard the door knocking, he turned around: "Inoue-kun, I've been waiting for a long time." ”

Inoue Mura Hikaru gave a military salute: "Mr. Commander, I'm sorry, I encountered harassment on the road, so I'm late." ”

Terauchi Shouyi let Inoue Mura Hikaru onto the sofa: "Is Lord Lingzun okay?" "Hikaru Inouemura's father was a teacher at Terauchi Shouichi when he was a student at the Army University, and Terauchi Shouichi was one of his most proud students.

"I just received a letter from home the day before yesterday, and he is very worried about you and greets you."

Shouichi Terauchi looked deeply: "I won't disappoint the teacher, I transferred you this time, I hope you can give better play to your talents and serve His Majesty the Emperor." ”

Inoue Murakatsu stood up from the sofa and stood upright: "Please give me orders." ”

"Sit down."

Inoue Murako sat down, and Terauchi Shouichi looked serious: "Beiping is the junction of the three strategic regions of North China, Northeast China, and Inner Mongolia, and in the war of conquest of China, Beiping will be the most important strategic base for attacking North China and Northwest China. Now that we have successfully occupied Beiping, considering that you have carried out some work in Beiping before the war, we have decided to send you to serve as the cultural liaison officer of the North China Front Army in Beiping. ”

"Yes."

Shouichi Terauchi looked at Hikaru Inoue: "Beiping is an ancient cultural capital, we must not only conquer Chinese by force, but also conquer them spiritually, Inoue-kun, I know that you have always been obsessed with Chinese culture......"

There was an imperceptible change in Inouemuramitsu's eyes, and his heart moved.

“…… There's nothing wrong with that, conquest is also an art, okay, go check in! ”

Inoue Murakaru stood up and saluted: "Yes, Mr. Commander." ”

Coming out of Shouichi Terauchi's office, Mitsucho Inoue Mura let out a sigh. These days, he has been on the road continuously, he has been ambushed several times, and he almost lost his life, but now it is good that he can stay in Beiping - he raised his head and looked around, the courtyard was full of flowers and green trees, and the arrow tower at the front door was faintly visible in the distance. Yes, Beiping is still the same as before, he is familiar with this ancient city, and loves the unique cultural atmosphere of Beiping. Inoue Murakaru did not take the car, he walked through the familiar street and slowly walked back to his residence.

Inoue Muramitsu frequently appeared on various social occasions in Beiping, he was still polite and polite to the old friends he had known before, but except for those who were determined to be traitors, the rest of the people respected him.

One day in October, Jin Shaoshan "Duracell" performed "Serial Set", and Inoue Mura Hikaru also went to the theater garden to join in the fun, but his interest was not on the stage, but from time to time he looked around and greeted acquaintances. In this way, he wants to shorten the distance between him and everyone as much as possible, and practice goodwill between Japan and Japan.

Pu Dong, the owner of the Red Bean Pavilion, was watching with relish, and Zhang Youlin walked in gently and sat beside Pu Dong. Pu Dong was a little surprised: "Why are you late?" ”

"There's something in the shop, and I can't get out."

Inoue Muramitsu sat in front of Pu Dong's right side, and he turned around and greeted Zhang Youlin.

In the performance of "Thief Hook", Jin Shaoshan's sentence "There is a buried ...... in the wine" won the applause of the audience, and Pu Dong seemed very excited: "Mr. Zhang, 'Duracell' is the first to bloom in the face group, not to mention anything else, just this sentence, his Songzhu Society has a foothold in Beiping." ”

Zhang Youlin let out an absent-minded "um".

Pu Dong put away his smile: "You seem to be ...... Not in a good mood? ”

"It's not that the mood for 'Duracell' is not high, it's a recent thing, alas." Zhang Youlin sighed.

Pu Dong pointed at Inoue Mura Hikaru and lowered his voice: "He has looked for you?" ”

Zhang Youlin nodded and leaned into Pu Dong's ear: "The Japanese wanted to give me an errand, but I didn't respond." ”

"It's foolish, he also looked for me, I pretended to be sick, I didn't see it."

"Are you still going to Nanjing?"

Pu Dong shook his head: "No, as soon as the Japanese come, the errand over there will be over." ”

Zhang Youlin frowned: "You are done, close the door and live by yourself, you love to sing two sentences and sing two sentences, you don't like to sing, you still have food to eat when you write, write and paint." My shop is poked in the glass factory, people can do whatever they want, we can't hard top, it's difficult! To tell you the truth, I have the heart to shut it up. ”

Pu Dong's eyes widened: "Don't pay the price, how many people point to Rong Bao Zhai to eat?" Brother, I'm also one, I see that this way is coming, the famous characters can rest all the rest, and the future drama is getting less and less, I am counting on the Rong Bao Zhai pen list to earn money, you are accumulating virtue and doing good. ”

After listening to Pu Dong's words, Zhang Youlin was speechless for a long time, and only after the end of the scene did he say slowly: "Since everyone treats Rong Bao Zhai as a rice bowl, then I can't close Zhang no matter what, but, Mr. Pu, you have to hurry up, you can't press it for a year and a half, the guest wants to paint, the guy sent you the size, grasp it tightly, and draw it for people, and it won't take much trouble for you to do Nalan and bamboo." ”

Pu Dong arched his hand: "Certainly, definitely, Mr. Zhang, your great kindness and great virtue will be rewarded in the future." ”

Zhang Youlin smiled bitterly: "Good retribution is not a picture, and it will be Amitabha Buddha to live a peaceful life!" "Zhang Youlin is sober, the Japanese occupied Beiping by force, and at present, the people of Beiping are the role of being slaughtered by others, can there be any extravagant hope for such a situation?

Song Huairen thinks differently from Zhang Youlin, he has no property and no backing, and has no way out except for relying on personal struggle to live a worry-free life of food and clothing. For so many years, his eagle-like eyes were always watching for any even the slightest turn of fortune, and as long as he found it, he would not hesitate to pounce on it, firmly grasp it in his hands, and transform it into a ladder to climb upward. Song Huairen met Inoue Village Hikaru at the door of the Neptune Village painting shop in Liulichang. That afternoon, Inoue Mura Hikaru was dressed in civilian clothes, wandering around the crowd, Song Huairen came out of the Neptune Village painting shop, and saw Inoue Murako at a glance, he thought for a moment, and then walked up quickly: "Yo, isn't this Mr. Inoue?" But I haven't seen you for seven or eight years, and you're coming to Peking again? ”

Inoue Mura Hikaru looked at Song Huairen, he couldn't remember this person.

"Mr. Inoue, don't you know me? Song Huairen, I am now the deputy manager of Rong Bao Zhai, and you have been to my shop. ”

Inoue Muramitsu suddenly realized: "Oh, I remember, Mr. Song." ”

Song Huairen looked very attentive: "You go to Rong Bao Zhai to sit for a while?" ”

"I'll go shopping first, and I'll be over later."

"Yes, I'll make good tea and wait for you in the shop, you can definitely come." In this way, Song Huairen took the initiative to catch the line of Inoue Muramitsu and changed his life from then on.

Pan Wenya's cousin Pan Wen'an came to Peking from the United States to serve as the director of Peking Tzu Chi Hospital.

The waiter took Zhang Youlin into a private room in the western restaurant, Pan Wenan greeted him, the two shook hands tightly, Pan Wen'an was very fluent in Chinese: "Mr. Zhang, I have heard Wenya talk about you a long time ago." ”

"Is Gentleness okay in the United States? We haven't seen each other in years. ”

"Fat, you won't recognize it when you see you again, Mr. Zhang, please take a seat."

Zhang Youlin sat down, he looked at Pan Wen'an suspiciously: "Mr. Pan, you need courage to come to Peking at this time, admire, admire." ”

Pan Wenan smiled: "Isn't everyone the same? The Japanese don't have three heads and six arms, what's so scary? The contract between me and Tzu Chi Hospital was signed a long time ago, and it is only natural that I will come now. ”

The waiter brought dinner, they chatted while eating, Pan Wenan said sincerely: "Mr. Zhang, although I am meeting you for the first time, but you are a friend of my cousin for many years, I will not go around the corner, Wenya and some patriots in the United States donated a sum of money, they want to bring penicillin and some other drugs in short supply into the patient's rehabilitation equipment, hoping to donate to the Chinese army fighting against the Japanese army, do you have any way to contact the recipient?" ”

"It's a good thing, so we have to work together with the Japanese." Zhang Youlin pondered for a moment, "As for the person who receives it...... There's nothing readily available at the moment, so I'm trying to find a way to find one. ”

"To be on the safe side, the fewer people who know, the better." Pan Wen'an admonished.

At this time, heavy footsteps were heard outside the door, and the waiter came in with the Japanese military police to check the documents.

Pan Wenan stood up, and he changed to Japanese: "Sir, hard work, have a glass of brandy." Pan Wenan poured a glass of brandy and handed it over.

The Japanese military police did not answer, he looked at Pan Wenan's American passport: "Thank you, I am on official business, please remember that this is Peking and not New York, the curfew time is coming soon, please leave as soon as possible." The Japanese military police looked at Zhang Youlin's certificate of good citizenship again, turned around and left.

Pan Wenan shook his head at the back of the Japanese military police, and spread his hands helplessly.

It was late at night, in the Tanzhe Temple outside Beiping City, Master Ming'an was meditating in a dormitory with his eyes closed, and suddenly, his eyes opened, and a surprised expression appeared on his face. After pondering for a moment, Master Ming'an sat down, he lit the oil lamp, laid out the paper and ink, wrote a letter, and sent someone into the city early the next morning.

Zhang Youlin pondered in his heart what Pan Wenan said last night, he was just about to enter Rongbao Zhai, but was blocked by Wang Renshan at the door: "Boss, I was about to look for you, let's go, let's find a place to sit." ”

Song Huairen chased out: "Manager, you and the owner have a good total, the Japanese are still waiting for a reply." ”

Wang Renshan turned his head: "You stare at paying the bill, and I'll come back when I'm done." ”

Zhang Youlin wondered: "Renshan, what's the matter?" The gods are mysterious, and they can't be said in the shop? ”

Wang Renshan looked around: "Let's go to your house and say." ”

When he came to the living room of Zhang's house, Wang Renshan finished talking about the matter with a sad face, and Zhang Youlin listened to it and was speechless for a long time.

Seeing that it was noon and it was time for lunch, Wang Renshan urged: "Boss, what do you say you should do?" ”

Zhang Youlin was still contemplating and pondering, and Wang Renshan sighed: "Alas! It's all recruited by Huairen, when is it now, the Japanese can't hide, and he is still in a hurry to invite people to the shop and make trouble, right? Doing things for the Japanese, isn't this a traitor? I don't do it, I can't do it anyway, it's a big deal. ”

"What should I do if you're gone? Rong Bao Zhai closed? Zhang Youlin finally accosted.

"It was precisely because I thought of this layer that I didn't say anything to death, otherwise I would have kicked Song Huairen out." Wang Renshan gritted his teeth with hatred.

Zhang Youlin stood up and paced in the living room: "Alas, the people take food as their God. ”

Wang Renshan pondered: "What do you mean...... Shall we respond? ”

Zhang Youlin stopped: "No, neither of us should let Song Huairen come forward, let him carry the things he recruited, I pondered, let's kick this basin to him, Song Huairen is probably in the middle of it, right?" ”

Wang Renshan nodded: "That's right, look at his stammering Japanese face, I hate to be a grandson for others." But...... Song Huairen is just a deputy manager, can the Japanese agree? ”

"The Japanese are short of dogs, Song Huairen took the initiative to send them to the door, there is no reason not to accept them."

As he was talking, the servant came in with a letter: "Master, your letter." ”

Zhang Youlin took the letter: "Who sent it?" ”

"It's a monk."

Wang Renshan stood up: "Boss, just do what you want, I will leave." ”

Zhang Youlin was supposed to leave for Tanzhe Temple as soon as possible, but at this time, the national army was defeated in the Battle of Songhu, Shanghai fell, and the main force of the Japanese army continued to advance to Nanjing, the capital only more than 300 kilometers away from Shanghai.

Zhang Xi'er of the Nanjing branch sent an emergency telegram requesting permission from the main office in Beiping to evacuate the clerks to Beiping.

The telegram arrived at the head office in Beiping, Wang Renshan was about to send someone to invite the owner, Zhang Youlin had already arrived in a hurry with the newspaper in his hand, and he said anxiously: "Renshan, the situation in Nanjing is not good......

Wang Renshan handed him the telegram: "Dongjia, this is Zhang Xi'er just sent it." ”

Zhang Youlin took the telegram and quickly scanned it: "Did you call back?" ”

"Not yet, I'm waiting to discuss it with you."

At this time, the guys all paid attention to the conversation between the owner and the manager, and Zhang Youlin glanced at everyone: "What else to discuss with me, tell them, all withdraw." ”

Song Huairen took the telegram and looked at it: "All withdrawn?" Who's in charge of that shop? ”

Zhang Youlin pondered for a moment: "Find a local to watch first." ”

"Let the locals watch? With such a big shop, there are no people from us, what if people get rolled? ”

Zhang Youlin glanced at Song Huairen: "If you don't worry, then you go and watch?" ”

Song Huairen was choked by Zhang Youlin's face turned red, and he stopped talking, and the guys covered their mouths and snickered. Wang Renshan started a round: "Huairen, when is this?" If it really starts, it's hard to say whether your life can be saved or not, and it's still a shop? ”

"A few years of hard work, if it is ruined like this, alas!" Song Huairen muttered quietly.

Li Shandong walked over and said solemnly: "Deputy Manager Song, aren't you the president of the maintenance committee?" Discuss with the Japanese, stop fighting Nanjing, go back wherever you want, or point them out the location of the Nanjing branch, don't bomb there when the cannon is fired, and keep you a profitable deal. ”

Song Huairen was angry: "Go and go, you don't have a place to take a stubble here." ”

Li Shandong turned around and had fun with Zhao Sanlong.

The suburbs are still rumbling with cannons, and Zhang Xier is the only one left in the Nanjing branch. The Japanese bombers whistled and dropped bombs not far away, and after a few loud bangs, the dust that fell from the ceiling was scattered on the counter, and Zhang Xi'er picked up a rag to wipe the counter clean.

Zhang Naiguang's secretary Wei Dongxun hurriedly walked in: "Yo, Manager Zhang, why are you still here?" ”

Zhang Xi'er greeted him: "The guys are all gone, I'll stay here to watch the shop." ”

"Where is this truth, the guys are all gone, let the manager look at the shop?"

"Our host sent a telegram and told them all to go back." Zhang Xi'er shook her head and looked around, "With such a big shop, no one can do anything, and I don't worry about throwing it to anyone." ”

Wei Dongxun lowered his voice: "Manager Zhang, I can tell you that there is a chance that Nanjing will not be able to be saved, and there is no telling when the Japanese will attack it." ”

"Then you ......"

"I still have official business, and I will be withdrawn in a while, and we will keep the boat at the Shimonoseki wharf."

Zhang Xi'er was taken aback when she heard this: "Withdraw? Didn't Chief Tang Shengzhi say it? All the defenders lived and died with the city of Nanjing, fighting to the last soldier. ”

Wei Dongxun waved his hand: "Hey! You listen to his nonsense, this is not fooling Chairman Jiang. ”

"It's all this time, and you're still here?"

"There's no way, Director Zhang insists on taking all the ordered paintings away."

Zhang Xi'er was full of apologies: "Mr. Wei, I'm sorry, the order of this war is completely chaotic, and the head office has sent the goods on time, but they can't be shipped." ”

"Alas, then there is no way, we will have a period later, you take care." As he spoke, Wei Dongxun was about to go out.

Zhang Xi'er stopped him: "Don't be busy, there are still some samples in the shop, why don't you take them first?" ”

Wei Dongxun pondered: "Is this appropriate?" ”

"Hey, Director Zhang is an old guest, what else is suitable or inappropriate, how can you go back empty-handed."

"Then I'll pick a few, and I'll thank you for Director Zhang......"

After sending Wei Dongxun away, Zhang Xi'er closed the door.

When it was dark, Song Xuan shouted outside the door: "Xizi, Xizi!" ”

Zhang Xi'er poked her head out of the upstairs window: "Why didn't you leave?" ”

"Let's go in and talk."

It turned out that Song Xuan led the guys to finally squeeze onto the train, and at the moment when the whistle sounded, he changed his mind, and after telling everyone a few words, he didn't bother to take the cover, and jumped off the train through the window.

After entering the shop, Song Xuan first picked up the tea bowl and poured a few mouthfuls of water, and then wiped the water droplets from the corners of his mouth and said: "I took a turn outside the city, and it is estimated that in just these two days, the Japanese will have to come in, I think you should go." ”

Zhang Xi'er's eyes widened: "You just came back to persuade me to leave?" ”

Song Xuan nodded: "Even if it's okay, the two of us have been together for so many years, and at this time, nothing can be said to let you stay here alone." ”

"Hey, really." Zhang Xi'er frowned.

"I'll find someone to help me buy a ticket tomorrow morning."

As he spoke, the sound of gunfire rang out again, and it sounded like it was nearby. Song Xuan was taken aback: "Xizi, I feel that something is wrong, why is the gunfire so close?" He turned and walked towards the door of the shop.

Not too far to the east, there was already a fire, Song Xuan stood on the steps of the door and looked at the fire, several citizens ran over in a panic, Song Xuan stepped forward and asked, "What's going on over there?" ”

One of them replied, "Run, the Japanese have already entered the city." ”

"Huh?" Song Xuan was stunned for a moment, then turned around and ran into the shop. He anxiously grabbed Zhang Xi'er: "Xizi, let's go, if you don't leave, it's too late, the Japanese have already entered the city." ”

"Let's go, I'll guard the shop." Zhang Xi'er looked very calm.

"Why are you doing this?"

Zhang Xi'er looked around: "The Nanjing branch can have today, it is everyone's hard work, and it can't be thrown away in vain." ”

"Even if this is thrown away, when there is no war in the future, we can open a new one." Song Xuan was anxious.

Zhang Xi'er looked at him affectionately: "Bolt, I have received your wishes, I am the manager appointed by the owner, no matter when, as long as the shop is still there, I Zhang Xi'er will never leave half a step, you go quickly." ”

After a while, Song Xuan let go of his hand, and he shook his head: "If you don't leave, I won't leave either." ”

A cannonball whistled down on the roof of the Nanjing branch, and after a loud bang, the fragments of houses and utensils were raised high by the air waves, and then fell one after another, and then a raging fire ignited, and the fire soon stained half of the sky red......