HBWnovel Chapter 17 The situation changes suddenly
Chapter 17 The situation changes suddenly
April 1927
"Cat, hurry up, the photographer has urged me several times, do you want to take a picture?!" Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao's messy doctor's uniform and immediately raised his hands in surrender. He pulled Zhan Zhao , put his clothes back on for him, and continued nagging,
"How many times have I told you that today's graduation ceremony is a big event, and those questions of yours can't be solved in a short while, so you can't prepare them earlier. I'm really anxious!"
"Well, well, I'm all right. Oh, where's my hat!"
Standing outside the door, Bai Yutang held the doctor's hat with blue trim in both hands, and wailed,
"Doctor Zhan, can you hurry up?"
In the evening, the graduation dinner that Bai Yutang specially prepared for Zhan Zhao was finally swept away under the predation of the two.It was rare for Zhan Zhao not to break the dishes at home when he helped wash the dishes.After washing his hands, Bai Yutang stood in front of Zhan Zhao and took out two kinds of paper as if by magic, and handed them to Zhan Zhao.The latter took it in doubt, and happily read,
"April 4, New York port to Marseille port, is this the ferry ticket?"
Bai Yutang hugged Zhan Zhao, kissed him vigorously, pressed his cheek against Zhan Zhao's, and said,
"Cat, haven't you always wanted to go to Europe to see Ji Yingci and Ouyang? Before, you were reluctant to spend money and time, but now you have finally graduated. I want to take you around Europe, just like when you came to Europe When I was in the United States, I promised you that. Cat, I will do everything I promised you. As I said, I will be with you for the rest of my life, and I will definitely do it. Believe me!"
Zhan Zhao's eyes were red, he hugged Bai Yutang back, and whispered,
"I believe, I have always believed in you!"
At the end of June, the cruise ship finally docked at the port of Marseilles. After completing the landing procedures, the two arrived at the hotel they had booked long ago without stopping. A newspaper bought on the way to the hotel.Bai Yutang packed everything up, and ordered the restaurant of the hotel to make two steaks and deliver them to the room. He looked up and saw Zhan Zhao who had seen some news, and was frowning and arguing with himself. He walked over and hugged him and asked with concern. road,
"What's the matter, cat, what's going on makes you nervous."
Zhan Zhao suddenly patted the table with his hand, quickly passed the newspaper in his hand to Bai Yutang, turned his head to look at the food on the dining car, and suddenly lost his appetite.Bai Yutang also frowned and finished reading the news, then put down the newspaper, took the napkin from the dining car, put it on his chest for Zhan Zhao, held his hand, and said,
"Cat, we are staying here tonight. There is a train to Lyon tomorrow, where we can directly transfer to the train to Paris. At most, we can arrive in Paris in two days. I will send a telegram to Yuehua and the others later. Tell them that our itinerary has changed, I guess they are also considering this matter in Paris. At that time, we should also be able to help. Come on, you eat first, it’s a day, and you haven’t eaten anything yet Don’t worry, it’s probably not too late for us to rush there. Didn’t the Japanese envoy end the negotiations with Paris in early July? I don’t know who the Beijing government sent to handle this matter.”
Zhan Zhao didn't want Bai Yutang to worry, so he picked up a fork and ate something, then pulled the newspaper again and said to himself,
"Could it be that the Japanese can't bear it anymore! Yutang, Qingdao and Jinan have always been the fortress cities in Northeast China, so it's not so easy to land casually. Qingdao was lost because of those unequal treaties a few years ago. They have gained a lot of rights and interests, and have always been paid attention to by patriots in China. This time, the Japanese chose to forcibly garrison troops in Qingdao. Therefore, no matter who is sent to negotiate this time, it is estimated that compromise will be the main focus. Hey, this government is simply incompetent!"
Bai Yutang called the waiter to evacuate the dining car, handed Zhan Zhao a cup of coffee, and sat beside Zhan Zhao with the cup, saying,
"I remember that year when the First World War just ended, it seemed that the peace talks were also held in Paris. Some overseas students marched and demonstrated in front of the embassy. I guess it's the same way this time. I don't know if Ji Yingci and the others have any plans. If Ouyang also comes Come to Paris, with his fiery temper, it is estimated that he might assassinate that bastard second lieutenant officer."
Zhan Zhao looked at Bai Yutang vigilantly,
"Also Ouyang, you are still the same! I think this is your own idea. Assassination is just a bad idea. It doesn't solve any problems at all. It can only give the Japanese more excuses not to withdraw their troops. Yutang, when we arrive in Paris, we will first Go to Yingci and the others to understand the situation, don’t impulsively participate in any activities. I think it’s better to listen to Yingci’s opinion, he is calmer and considerate.”
Bai Yutang held Zhan Zhao's hand and comforted him,
"I know that I will not act rashly. I will definitely discuss it with you before making any decisions. You don't have to worry about me."
Bai Yutang knew that Zhan Zhao's personality was calm and steady, while he himself seemed impulsive, so in the past, whenever he needed to make a decision, Bai Yutang had to discuss it with Zhan Zhao before taking action, and the results were basically the same as Zhan Zhao's every time. It is speculated that it is close to ten.
这次的事件是这样的,5月中旬,蒋介石率兵北伐,迫使大军阀孙传芳等人退兵至山东一带。日本人于是借口在山东境内的铁路沿线有大量日侨和大规模投资,于24日由日本内阁决定以保护日侨的名义出兵山东,27日,先遣团2000日兵由东北进入山东。尽管在6月初,北京政府照会日本驻华使馆,要求日本迅速终止派兵赴青岛,但是日方置之不理。6月中,日军再次增兵2000余人,利用便衣形式进入济南,随即田中内阁派出前陆军大臣梨半造大将赴北京会晤张作霖,并几次派人与南京政府互访,实则在暗地里达成默契,获取了在东北的特殊地位和更多的权益。
Zhan Zhao closed his eyes and thought about the news he had just read. He recalled what he had talked with Chen Zuyan, Zhao Zhen, and Ding Lingxian when they had dinner in Boston. The big family's monopoly position in the economy and military, and selling the Northeast to the Japanese may be just a small step in these actions.
Bai Yutang is also worried about the same problem. Whether it is the Bai family who controls the power of the Qing Gang, the Ding family who is in politics, or even a pure businessman like Lu Fang and the others, they can be said to be the biggest vested interests in China at present. Interested parties, these big family forces monopolize China in all aspects and make huge profits from it.Whether it's me, Zhan Zhao, or Ji Yingci, Ouyang and the others, if they want to truly realize the road of democracy and national salvation, it means that they must first get rid of their own family, and in the end it may be the lives of these beloved relatives and friends.
The two of them thought about their own things all afternoon, and they couldn't fall asleep for a long time at night.
Paris in two days
When he arrived in Paris, Bai Yutang noticed that Zhan Zhao's complexion was particularly bad. He knew that Zhan Zhao's body was a bit overwhelmed by the travel of the past few days, so he got off the train and met Ji Yingci and the others. He pulled Ding Yuehua aside who hadn't seen him for a long time, and said,
"Yuehua, is our place ready?"
With a forced smile on Ding Yuehua's face, he said,
"Of course, I haven't seen my third brother for seven years, besides..."
Bai Yutang stopped her from speaking,
"Girl, go and tell Ji Yingci, no matter what, let him take Zhan Zhao to the place where he lives and let him rest for a while. He hasn't slept much in the past three days. He wrote something along the way, I know he I am anxious to discuss with Ji Yingci about the Japanese, but you also know his body, I am afraid that his heart will not be able to bear it. I saw that when he got off the train this morning, the color of his lips changed, I am afraid of him... "
Ding Yuehua heard worry from Bai Yutang's words, and immediately nodded,
"Little fifth brother, don't worry, I will find a way to let my third brother go to rest first."
Soon, she found an excuse, pulled Ji Yingci aside alone, and talked about Bai Yutang's worries. The latter looked at Zhan Zhao, saw that his face was indeed pale, and his lips were a bit abnormally purple, so he walked over Tell Zhan Zhao,
"Zhan Zhao, you came early today, Ouyang arrived in the evening, and a few friends also came from the south. How about this, I think you are quite tired after traveling continuously for the past few days. Me, and Yuehua is going to the school to call some students over. In the evening, we will go through the general situation and analyze the current situation with you. The peace talks will be in the morning of the day after tomorrow, so we have enough time to come up with countermeasures."
Ding Yuehua also said,
"Tonight, we have arranged a reception banquet at a Chinese restaurant, and we will talk freely at that time. Third brother, you are not allowed to leave first."
Zhan Zhao stroked Yuehua's hair, smiled lovingly, and said,
"Fourth sister, you really are different, you don't look like a little girl acting like a spoiled child in front of your parents."
Ding Yuehua blushed when he said that,
"Yes, so many years have passed, how can you not grow up. But you, third brother, haven't changed much."
A few words brought everyone back to the Mohua Village where there was no worry seven years ago. Thinking of the current situation where the warlords in the country were fighting, and the situation was divided, and there were powerful enemies around, everyone stopped talking for a while.
In the afternoon, Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao came to the small hotel that Ding Yuehua had booked for them, entered the room, Bai Yutang talked about it, and then made Zhan Zhao put down the pen that he was writing all the time, and lay down on the bed.For a long time, Bai Yutang saw that he was tossing and turning and couldn't fall asleep, so he simply folded his clothes and lay beside his lover, patted his back with his hands, and after a while, Zhan Zhao really fell asleep.
In the evening, when Zhan Zhao woke up, he didn't see Bai Yutang, and when he was wondering, he heard a knock on the door.He went down to open the door, and saw a big man with a black face standing outside the door. When he saw Zhan Zhao who came to open the door, he gave a military salute, and then shouted,
"Zhan Zhao, it's me, I'm Ouyang Chun!"
Zhan Zhao also nodded with a smile,
"I know it's you! The European sun makes you tan!"
After speaking, the two hugged excitedly, Ouyang Chun even wiped his eyes,
"Zhan Zhao, in fact, what everyone misses most is you and Bai Yutang. We meet twice a year anyway. It's just the two of you. It's seven years since we parted!"
Zhan Zhao hurriedly welcomed him into the room and sat on the sofa. Zhan Zhao looked around again and said,
"In the afternoon, Yutang and I came back to have a rest, and then I fell asleep. I don't know where Yutang went!"
"Ah!" Ouyang Chun exaggeratedly slapped himself on the forehead and said,
"I saw Yingci just now, and he asked me to tell you that Bai Yutang was picked up by his brother! He also said, if you wake up, go downstairs, everyone is waiting to see you in the living room!"
Zhan Zhao was taken aback when he heard this, and asked in a daze,
"Who do you think took Yutang away?"
"His brother, ah, is Bai Jintang. It is said that he controls the entire Anglo-French concession in Shanghai! I saw him in the afternoon, um, he looks really domineering!"
"Yeah..." Zhan Zhao felt something was wrong, but he didn't have time to think, so he just stood up and said,
"Ouyang, let's go down quickly, didn't you say that everyone is waiting for us downstairs?"
Coming downstairs, the small living room of the small hotel seemed to be crowded with these young Chinese students. Ji Yingci saw Zhan Zhao coming downstairs, grabbed his arm, let him stand beside her, and then raised his hand to signal everyone be quiet,
"Everyone, everyone, let me introduce to you. This one is Zhan Zhao, Dr. Zhan, whom Ouyang and Xiaoyan often mentioned. He just came from the United States. He is our good brother, and he is Yuehua's brother. .”
Everyone cheered, Zhan Zhao was moved by the enthusiasm, smiled and nodded to everyone,
"Hi everyone, I'm Zhan Zhao, nice to meet you."
Knowing that Zhan Zhao was shy, Ji Yingci greeted everyone and said,
"There will be a brother coming in a while, and I will introduce it to you later. We are going to the labor restaurant now. I paid for the meal tonight. Today is not only to welcome Zhan Zhao and the others, but at the same time, we also want to conclude the parade Make sure. Let's go, we'll see you then."
Everyone dispersed and left in twos and threes.Zhan Zhao greeted Ji Yingci and asked,
"Yutang's elder brother also came to Paris, why didn't Yutang mention it?"
Ji Yingci shook her head,
"I don't know too well. In short, Yutang and I were drinking coffee and chatting about your affairs in the United States when you were sleeping in the afternoon. Then we saw a black car parked at the door. Brother Yutang, have you seen "
Zhan Zhao shook his head, Ji Yingci pouted,
"Well, it doesn't look like Yutang. His brother is quite fierce. I waved to him, and I saw Yutang's expression in disbelief. I probably didn't expect to see his brother here. However, before his brother took him away , I heard that we have a party at night, so I promised to send him over at night."
Zhan Zhao nodded thoughtfully and asked,
"Yuehua, why haven't I seen her Yingci, I think you and Yuehua have changed."
"Oh, it's getting better, or is it getting worse?" Ji Yingci asked Zhan Zhao with a smile.
Zhan Zhao thought for a while and said,
"The two of you have become very similar, both of you are so enthusiastic. You have lost some bookishness, but you have more heroism. Yuehua has matured a lot, should I thank you for this!"
Ji Yingci smiled even more happily, put his arm around Zhan Zhao's shoulder and said,
"Brother, to tell you the truth, I finished four years of college and stopped studying. I told my family to work here. In fact, guess where I went"
Zhan Zhao shook his head to express that he didn't know.
Ji Yingci went on to say,
"I went to a labor factory and worked with the so-called laborers who were tricked by human traffickers from China. Zhan Zhao, I think my four years of reading books are useless. I really learned something. In the evening, I will introduce a few people to you, and you will also benefit a lot."
Zhan Zhao nodded happily.
"Also," Ji Yingci whispered in Zhan Zhao's ear,
"I married Yuehua last month."
"What?" This news really shocked Zhan Zhao, he immediately asked,
"Didn't you tell your family that you married Yuehua?"
Ji Yingci laughed again,
"No, we are a free love union, there is no need to report to anyone. Of course, if we return to the country, we will naturally explain to the elders. Zhan Zhao, you also came out of that kind of big family, You know the distress of us people. We have to obey the words of the matchmaker at home and obey the orders of our parents, but what about our own thoughts? I don’t want to compromise with the old ethics. I love Yuehua, and she loves me too. enough."
Zhan Zhao listened silently and didn't say anything. Ji Yingci thought he had an opinion and asked,
"Why don't you talk? I thought you were open-minded, but I didn't expect you to be the defender of the old system and old morality!"
Zhan Zhao shook his head,
"Yingci, don't get me wrong, I respect your choice and Yuehua's choice, as long as you two are in love, I will bless you. It's just..."
"Don't just stop, brother, let's go, let's go to the labor restaurant too, don't let everyone wait for us."
In the evening, Bai Yutang never showed up, but Zhan Zhao was called away by another person, Bai Jintang.In the small coffee shop next to the Labor Restaurant, Zhan Zhao and Bai Jintang chatted for two or three hours before walking out.After the two said goodbye politely, Zhan Zhao, who had an extremely ugly face, returned to the restaurant. Seeing Ouyang Chun greet him, he lifted his spirits, walked over, and asked,
"What are you discussing and how are you going to arrange the day after tomorrow's activities?"
Ouyang Chun said,
"Everyone is arguing about the purpose of Japan sending troops to Shandong this time!"
Seeing that Zhan Zhao was back, Ji Yingci asked,
"Zhan Zhao, you're back, where's Yutang? We're discussing the Japanese military dispatch this time. Do you think this is an accidental event, or they planned it for a long time?"
More than a dozen people calmed down one after another, waiting for Zhan Zhao's answer, but Zhan Zhao was worried about other things. Seeing everyone's enthusiastic eyes, he calmed down and said,
"I'm not sure, because in the past two years, both China and Japan, the political landscape has changed a lot. I think this incident was caused by several reasons. First, after World War I, Japan has been dissatisfied with the Washington system. However, due to the pressure from Europe and the United States, we can only bear with it. Last month, Sun Chuanfang's defeat gave the Japanese a good excuse, and it also shows that they have been waiting for an opportunity."
"I just said that the Northern Expedition will sooner or later divide China, and you still say that the Northern Expedition is for the unification of the whole country!"
"Then what should we do? If the government doesn't resist, will we just watch Japan encroach on our territory?"
"Don't stop Zhan Zhao, he hasn't finished talking yet! What about other reasons? What will happen next?"
A few young people were chatting and chatting, and Ding Yuehua squeezed in, and when he saw Zhan Zhao, he asked,
"Third brother, where's little fifth brother?"
Zhan Zhao felt a little uncomfortable on his face, pointing to the outside of the door,
"His elder brother came just now and said that something happened at home in Shanghai. They will go back tomorrow first. We will meet again in Shanghai."
Ding Yuehua frowned and said,
"What a coincidence! Also, why did Brother Bai come to Europe himself?"
Zhan Zhao didn't answer, seeing other people still arguing, Zhan Zhao touched Ji Yingci with his arm,
"Yingci, I have two words to tell you. Is there any convenience?"
Seeing the seriousness on his face, Ji Yingci immediately nodded and said,
"Come on, let's go to the bar next door."
The two came to the bar, Ji Yingci symbolically ordered two glasses of beer,
"What do you want to say?"
"Yingci, how did you plan?" Zhan Zhao's face was full of worry,
"I just saw how excited everyone was, so I can't say it, but, Yingci, I heard that you are going to besiege the Japanese embassy?"
Ji Yingci looked at Zhan Zhao with narrowed eyes, and asked,
"How did you know?"
Zhan Zhao's brows furrowed even tighter.
"Yingci, don't worry about how I know, I think your plan is wrong. I always think you are the calmest and most stable among us, but assassination will not solve the problem, and will put everyone in danger Situation. Yingci, I have written a petition these two days, we can submit it to the representatives of the Beijing government, and then wait..."
"Zhan Zhao, I have thought about what you said, but if the petition was useful, the matter would have been resolved long ago. We have been pursuing to use our school hours to change this country, but you are passively beaten again and again. Don’t you understand, if you want to get rid of the situation of being beaten behind, you have to fight back.”
Zhan Zhao shook his head and said excitedly,
"If you don't solve the problem fundamentally, what you're doing is just hitting a stone with an egg, which is futile. Yingci, listen to my advice, let's go back and discuss with Ouyang and Yuehua, and have a long-term plan."
Ji Yingci also shook her head and let out a long sigh,
"Zhan Zhao, do you think I want to die? Yuehua and I can finally be together. She is two months pregnant. I look forward to seeing the birth of the child, growing up with him, and Yuehua. We live together forever, but, as Tan Sitong said in the past, there are no walkers, no way to plan for the future, no dead, no way to call up the future, then I will be the one who enlightens future generations, so why not! Let’s go, Zhan Zhao , don't persuade me anymore, let's go, let's go to Yuehua and the others, you brothers and sisters haven't seen each other for seven years. Zhan Zhao, wait a minute," Ji Yingci said, holding Zhan Zhao's hand slightly said in a trembling voice,
"If anything happens, Zhan Zhao, take care of Yuehua and the child for me. You are my best friend and Yuehua's brother. I am most at ease entrusting her to you. If possible, I will persuade Yuehua to remarry!"
"Yingci, don't be like this, let's think again!"
On the way back, Zhan Zhao was speechless all the way, thinking of Bai Yutang who suddenly lost his freedom and was "escorted" back to Shanghai, thinking of Bai Jintang's threatening words with a smile, thinking of Ji Yingci's generous heart to die, thinking of Looking at Yuehua's difficult road ahead, Zhan Zhao's heart is in a mess.
One month later, Japanese Prime Minister Shinichi Tanaka arrived in Paris as scheduled, and negotiated with government representatives sent by the Beijing government to discuss the withdrawal of Japanese troops from Jinan. Whether it was students studying in Europe, local laborers, or business people, they all paid special attention.At this time, news came from the country that Chiang Kai-shek's troops were transferred back to Nanjing, and the Northern Expedition was stranded. Immediately after Chiang Kai-shek went to the field, the Beijing government's attitude towards Japan became more ambiguous, which made everyone extremely worried. Finally, further news confirmed that the government would compromise with Japan. In order to maintain law and order, all the powerful forces sent troops, and the whole country was in an uproar and condemned for a while.At this moment, the Japanese embassy where Shinichi Tanaka lived was attacked at the same time as the Chinese embassy where the representative of the Beijing government lived, with unknown casualties.
That night
"Hurry up, hurry up, everyone, take it easy. Fourth, go see if the doctor you contacted is here!"
"Ouyang, the doctors and nurses are ready, send the person in quickly."
"Okay, okay," was Ouyang Chun's trembling voice, when he saw the doctor, he grabbed the gloved hand excitedly and said,
"Doctor, save him quickly. Also, he has had a bad heart since he was a child, you..."
The doctor nodded without talking nonsense, and the two nurses quickly pushed the patient into the operating room.Ouyang Chun finally slumped on the floor, thinking of Ji Yingci who hadn't come out of the small building of the Japanese embassy, and burst into tears.