1936, December 12, the twenty-fifth year of the Republic of China.
Everything is as usual.
In the early morning, the citizens of Nanjing get up one after another, take out the toilets in their homes, wait for the "late night" people to come and get them, and then prepare breakfast for their husbands and children.
The vendors on the street came out early in the morning, and the shouts were endless.
Meng Shaoyuan got up half an hour later than before.
Yesterday, he almost didn't sleep all night.
Others don't know, but he knows that something big happened in distant Xi'an at 5 o'clock this morning.
Calm and composed?
Who can really stay calm knowing that something big that will shock the whole country is going to happen?
He went out and ordered a bowl of porridge, an egg and two steamed buns from the breakfast shop nearby. After thinking about it, I went to the fried dough sticks stall next door and bought another fried dough stick.
Young people have a good appetite.
After eating, Meng Shaoyuan paid the bill and slowly walked towards his work place.
"Team Leader Meng, Meng Shaoyuan."
Zhu Yanni caught up from behind: "Have you had breakfast?"
"Just ate."
"Hey, I'm interested in a house in Nanjing. I want to buy it. When will you be free to help me check it out?"
"You are rich now."
"That's not because of you, Master Meng."
"Xiao Zhu, listen to me seriously and don't buy a house in Nanjing for the time being."
"Why, haven't you already bought a house in Nanjing?"
Meng Shaoyuan couldn't say anything more to her: "It's from a little girl's house. What do you know? It's better to rent than buy..."
We talked and laughed all the way, and when we entered the unit, we greeted everyone we saw.
Everything is as usual.
Meng Shaoyuan sat in the office for a while, checked the time, picked up a document and walked out.
Arriving at the main telecommunications station, he opened the door and went in: "Oh, Mr. Wei, are you still supervising the formation here in person? Have you had breakfast? Send a telegram to Shanghai for me later."
Chief Wei Daming usually takes advantage of Meng Shaoyuan, and all his telegrams will be sent first.
But today he was uncharacteristically: "Xiao Meng, put your telegram on hold for now."
"What's wrong?" Of course Meng Shaoyuan knew what was going on, so he asked knowingly.
"Hurry up and get in touch." Wei Daming scolded him sternly, then pulled Meng Shaoyuan out of the door, looked both ways, and whispered:
"It stands to reason that the telegram from Xi'an should have arrived two hours ago, informing the Chairman of the Generalissimo's situation, but things have gone crazy today. So far, there has not been a telegram, and we cannot contact Xi'an."
"No way, the radio is broken?" Meng Shaoyuan looked like an amateur.
"Xiao Meng, you don't understand the knowledge and arrangements of telecommunications. The radio station is broken? Are you kidding me?" Wei Daming did not say more to him: "Director Dai will call and ask in a few minutes. I won't say more. I have to go in first. I will try my best to arrange a time to send you your telegram."
"Okay, thank you for your hard work, Mr. Wei."
Meng Shaoyuan stood at the door and lit a cigarette.
It’s a mess, it’s going to be a real mess soon.
However, this is also the beginning of changes in China's overall situation.
In a few hours, this place will be a mess.
When it was time to eat at noon, the cafeteria was calm.
Only Wei Daming still did not show up, but his subordinates came to prepare some meals.
"Team Leader Meng."
Zhu Yanni and Lin Xuan sat down opposite Meng Shaoyuan with their lunch boxes. Zhu Yanni said excitedly: "Xiao Lin just told me that 'Modern Times' will be released in Nanjing. Do you know who will play it? Chaplin! Invite us to watch it." It’s a movie.”
See a movie?
Soon there will be no time to sleep to keep you busy.
Before Meng Shaoyuan could speak, Kong Jinan hurried to the cafeteria and took a look: "Xiao Meng, finish your meal quickly. Director Dai asked you to go there."
"I'm coming."
Meng Shaoyuan put down his lunch box and followed Kong Jinan out of the cafeteria.
"Huh, stingy, Xiaolin, why don't we go see it together..."
"Report!"
"Come in! Close the door."
Dai Li's expression was not very good: "Xiao Meng, have you met Song Ziwen?"
"I've seen it before."
"What about today?"
"Ah?" Meng Shaoyuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Director Dai, how can I see a person of Song Ziwen's status every day? It was him who sent someone to find me last time."
"Ah, yes, I'm confused too."
Dai Li immediately said: "Call Tang Dujin now and ask him if he knows the situation in Xi'an."
"Now?"
"Yes, right now, I'll fight in my office."
"yes!"
Meng Shaoyuan dialed Tang Dujin's phone number and chatted for a few words: "Brother Tang, how's it going in Xi'an? Oh, okay, okay, hey, I'll treat you to dinner when I'm free in a few days..."
Before he finished speaking, Dai Li had already pressed the phone and asked impatiently, "How is it?"
"Director Dai, Tang Dujin said everything is normal and there is nothing wrong."
"No, something happened, something must have happened." Dai Li murmured: "It has been several hours and I still can't get in touch via telegram. I contact the Chairman every day, but today, it's not normal. This is very abnormal."
Meng Shaoyuan pretended to be surprised: "Director Dai, did you say that Chairman..."
"It's not confirmed yet. I'm doing my best to restore contact with Xi'an." Dai Li always regarded Meng Shaoyuan as his confidant and favorite general. At this time, he was in chaos again, and he didn't hide anything from him:
"I hope there is some accident. I am unreasonably worried...but in case...I asked the committee members not to go to Xi'an and to be careful of Zhang and Yang. I must be careful, but..."
Meng Shaoyuan knew that Dai Li was not trying to excuse himself.
In 1936, Dai Li's intelligence work made significant progress, and the Northwest District urgently reported that Zhang Xueliang had secret contacts with northern Shaanxi. Dai Li immediately rushed to Luoyang to report to the Chairman.
However, the chairman of the committee disagreed and ordered the investigation to continue.
Soon after, the news was confirmed before the Chairman left for Xi'an.
Dai Li reported immediately, but the Chairman of the Standing Committee questioned Dai Li's intelligence due to internal disagreements between the Northeastern Army and the Northwest Army.
Even if the boss says there is no problem, how can the subordinates continue to work in this company if they waste words?
In this way, the Chairman went to Xi'an, and Dai Li worked as usual.
"Director Dai, I think the chairman of the committee will be fine because of his good fortune." At this point, Meng Shaoyuan could only say this.
"I hope so, I hope so." Dai Li kept murmuring and repeating: "Xiao Meng, from now on, all your people will carry guns and be ready for missions at any time."
"Yes, Director Dai."
Some things cannot be hidden.
The anxiety also began to spread quietly.
Feng Xiaocai from the General Affairs Section called Meng Shaoyuan over with a phone call: "Xiao Meng, the application for weapons and ammunition you submitted before was originally going to take some time, but just now Director Dai personally called and said that the weapons and ammunition will be approved for you. .Here, this is the bill of lading, I tried my best, but now those people above are very stingy."
"Thank you, Chief Feng." Meng Shaoyuan threw a cigarette.
"Don't leave in a hurry, let's have a cup of tea." Feng Xiaocai poured a cup of tea for Meng Shaoyuan and lit a cigarette: "Hey, you are the popular person in front of Director Dai. Have you heard anything about it?"
"What's the rumor?" Meng Shaoyuan asked in a pretentious manner.
"You kid, stop pretending to be stupid with me." Feng Xiaocai lowered his voice: "I heard that we can't contact Xi'an?"
"Chief Feng." Meng Shaoyuan looked like he was shocked: "Don't dare to talk nonsense about this matter. I am just a little spy. How could I know about such a big thing."
Feng Xiaocai sighed: "Hey, Xiao Meng, we are close friends. I'm going to say a few words, but don't spread it out. Just keep it in my office. Whatever you say, it doesn't matter. We here rely on the support of Director Dai. As for Director Dai, his biggest backer is also the one above..."
He pointed at the ceiling: "It can even be said that he is Director Dai's only support... The CC group has always been at odds with Director Dai, and they always say bad things about him whenever they find an opportunity... Over the years, we have not offended many people. Young Master, I’m used to walking sideways, but if we suddenly want to tuck our tail between our legs and behave like a human being, if we admit it, they might not let us go, right?”
Are you starting to think of a way out?
"Xiao Meng, we are confidants." Feng Xiaocai mentioned the word "confidant" for the second time in just a few words: "You have many opportunities to go out in the field and know many people. As for me, I have been doing this for so many years. There are also a few acquaintances who are willing to help. At this time, we have to help each other more and more. If anyone finds a way, don’t forget our brothers."
Although he didn't say anything explicitly, the meaning was all in it.
"Chief Feng, you are out of touch when you say this. What is our relationship? Can we help where we can? Besides, the matter may not be as serious as you think."
No one is allowed to get off work today.
This was the order Meng Shaoyuan gave to his first group.
I hope the boss Yanni and Lin Xuan are not happy.
I originally wanted to go shopping together after work.
It's fine now, are you in trouble?
"What happened?" Tian Qi asked.
"I don't know." Meng Shaoyuan said nothing and took out the money: "Changle, go and buy some food for everyone. Dinner will be settled here."
Time passed by minute by minute.
Dinner was eaten and things were put away.
But Meng Shaoyuan didn't give any tasks.
He is waiting.
Everyone is waiting.
The only difference is that Meng Shaoyuan knew what he was waiting for.
What's even more surprising is that Meng Shaoyuan even prepared weapons for everyone.
Submachine guns, revolvers, Brownings.
Does this look like something big is going to happen?
The atmosphere in the office is very depressing.
The phone rang.
Meng Shaoyuan quickly picked up: "Yes, I understand, I'll be right away."
Dai Li, who was sitting there, was pale and sweating profusely. If he paid attention, he would find that the intelligence chief, who was always known for his calmness, was trembling slightly.
"Something happened, something really happened."
"Over there in Xi'an?"
"Don't ask just yet."
Dai Li cheered up: "Xiao Meng, immediately take your people and rush to the outskirts of Nanjing. Strictly block the peripheral roads. We must ensure that the convoy from Shanghai passes safely!"
"yes!"
"Any unscrupulous person who tries to get close will be shot without mercy!"
