As the sun set, the sea became deeper and deeper. Zuo Zhong and Shen Dongxin looked at the stars and lights in the distance, which were the lighthouses at Sanjiangkou, Ningbo. The wanderers finally returned home.
Shen Dongxin said with emotion: "Zuo Zhong, you're home. It's great to be at home, but it's difficult to go out. I finally understand this."
Zuo Zhong held on to the railing: "Things are expensive when you leave your hometown, but people are cheap when you leave your hometown. What our ancestors said makes sense. You don't need to be too anxious. If you really can't go to the Central Military Academy."
Shen Dongxin didn't say anything. He said it easily before, but he wasted several years and gained nothing. Not only was he unable to explain to his parents, but it was also a huge blow to himself.
In this turbulent era, young people always think about how to contribute to the country and nation, and joining the army is the most direct way, such as the Huangpu students.
After a while, Shen Dongxin said frustratedly: "It's easy for you to say. Admission to the Central Army Officers' School requires the approval of the Chairman. Unfortunately, my father has nothing to do with it."
Zuo Zhong smiled slightly and said nothing. The fact that Shen Dongxin was admitted to the best military academy in France is enough to show his academic level and talent. Mr. Zhu Jiahua should be willing to help.
The agents from the Intelligence Section had already packed their luggage and were scattered in twos and threes around Zuo Zhong, vaguely separating the nearby people. Song Minghao and others were standing respectfully not far away. The passengers seemed to be aware of this group of people. It was unusual, they all stayed away from here, and there was a large empty space around them.
Gu Qi came over and said, "We'll get off the boat later. I've asked the captain to make arrangements."
Zuo Zhong looked at Shen Dongxin and walked to the side with Gu Qi. He warned: "Let everyone pay attention to abide by discipline and protect your carry-on luggage. We have more equipment to prevent anyone from taking advantage of us."
This is no joke. The security situation at the Republic of China Pier Station is very complicated. It doesn't matter whether you are a spy or an officer. You can often hear about a certain official being pickpocketed at the train station.
Shen Dongxin, who was bored here, looked at the people in Chinese tunic suits nearby, and became more sure that Zuo Zhong's identity was not that simple. Moreover, when they first met, he asked about Zuo Zhong's work, and Zuo Zhong immediately changed the subject, presumably because he did not want to talk about it. This question, is this old friend's job very sensitive?
Just when he was thinking wildly, Zuo Zhong suddenly turned around and said: "Dongxin, we will disembark together later. Which cabin do you live in? I will have someone help you pack your luggage, so you don't have to go back."
Shen Dongxin was stunned for a moment and replied: "The second-class cabin No. 28 has the lower bunk. There are only some clothes and books in it, but isn't this bad?"
Gu Qi smiled on the side: "Mr. Shen, it's okay, just leave this kind of thing to me." After saying that, he left without waiting for his reply, and took away two Chinese tunic suits, looking very angry.
Seeing that Shen Dongxin was still a little uneasy, Zuo Zhong patted him on the shoulder: "Lao Gu is a warm-hearted person, and he is the same in the police station. He is always so eager to help others. Just thank him later."
Shen Dongxin thought about it, and turned to chat with Zuo Zhong about anecdotes about his time studying in France. There was indeed no shortage of jokes about the French, and the two of them laughed loudly from time to time when they talked about funny things.
Zuo Zhong's warm-hearted Lao Gu was currently rummaging through boxes and cabinets in second-class cabin No. 28. Two agents took out all Shen Dongxin's belongings and put them all on the ground for inspection one by one.
Books, clothes, a suitcase, a few foreign-style gifts, and some common toiletries. Gu Qi picked up the books first. He didn't recognize the text on them, but the illustrations inside were all about weapons and formations. They should It is a textbook from the French military academy, which is consistent with the other party's background.
Putting the book down, he picked up the collar of a suit and touched the pockets and collar with his hands. There were no pockets or items. He also checked several other items in the same way, and found no problems.
As for the inner layer of the suitcase, toiletries and small gifts, Gu Qi opened them and looked at them. Everything was normal. It seemed that there was nothing wrong with Shen Dongxin. This was good, as it spared them the trouble of being subordinates.
Gu Qi put down the things and said to the agents: "Restore it to its original state and pack your luggage. If I know someone is talking too much, be careful of military law."
The two agents lowered their heads and said, "Yes, Deputy Chief Gu."
Soon Gu Qi came back with his luggage. After meeting, he nodded gently to Zuo Zhong. Zuo Zhong's face remained calm and he felt relieved. Shen Dongxin's words about proletarians made Gu Qi strongly suspicious. The only thing I can do is check it out. It’s better for everyone if there is no problem now.
Gu Qi handed the suitcase to Shen Dongxin and apologized: "Mr. Shen, my people are very rude and the packing is a bit messy. Please forgive me."
After Shen Dongxin took it, he quickly waved his hand: "If so, thank you Mr. Gu."
While talking, the Yao Bei passenger ship reduced its speed and slowly approached the port waterway. More passengers carried their luggage onto the deck.
"Woooo." The passenger ship sounded its whistle to warn people on and off the ship.
Usually when night falls, Sanjiangkou is already dark, but with the long blast of the whistle, the silence of the night is broken, and the pier begins to come alive, gradually brightened with lights and bustling with people.
The crowd of people receiving guests who were blocked by the iron gate at the exit of the pier stood on their feet, their necks stretched out, looking eagerly at the empty passage.
Among them were a father and son and several strong men. The father was wearing a satin robe and a gentleman's hat. When he saw the ship docking at the shore, the young man beside him was very excited: "Dad, the eldest brother must be on top."
The middle-aged man looked serious and reprimanded after hearing this: "Zuo Jun, what did I tell you in the past? A gentleman wants the mountain to collapse without changing his appearance..."
"The elk thrives on the left but does not blink. Then it can control the advantages and disadvantages and wait for the enemy. Dad, you are talking about the old almanac." The young man interrupted impatiently.
The middle-aged man glanced at his younger son and said nothing. It was enough that he could remember the words. If he wanted to understand and apply them, the little guy needed to understand them himself.
At this time, someone finally came out of the pier, and the waiting crowd immediately became commotion. With shouts of "Come on, come on!", the pick-up area became even more crowded.
But to the disappointment of many people, a group of men in black walked out of the passenger passage. They looked like they were in the same group at first glance. They looked serious and did not look like they were easy to mess with.
Zuo Zhong led his men and walked off Yao Beilun under the unhappy eyes of all the passengers. His feelings at this time were very complicated, with instinctive homesickness and entanglement. Worrying about gains and losses is very appropriate to describe it.
He inherited all the memories and emotions of the original Zuo Zhong. In a sense, it can be said that he is the original Zuo Zhong, but with an additional modern memory, Zhuang Zhou dreamed of a butterfly, and a butterfly dreamed of Zhuang Zhou, who can tell the difference.
So when he saw his father and younger brother in the crowd, the trace of connection in his blood caused a heartfelt smile to appear on Zuo Zhong's face, and his steps became a little brisker unconsciously.
Everyone in the Intelligence Department was a little surprised when they saw this. Many people said that the section chief was young, mature, sinister and sinister, and he was a smiling tiger. In their eyes, Zuo Zhong was indeed a very dignified boss. They didn't expect that there was such a side. It seemed that everyone had a deep heart. There is a soft side, such as facing family.
Zuo Zhong walked quickly towards the exit, and behind him, Shen Dongxin and his men hurriedly quickened their pace to keep up.
Zuo Shanwen looked at his eldest son who was getting closer and closer, with a hint of warmth in his eyes. Zuo Zhong's character was as taciturn as his own, and he didn't know if he had suffered any disadvantages in the past two years outside.
Zuo Zhong walked up to Zuo Shanwen and bowed: "Father, Zuo Zhong is back."
Zuo Shanwen helped him up: "Just come back. Your grandfather and mother are waiting for you at home."
The young man also pulled Zuo Zhong's sleeve, his eyes red: "Brother, you are back."
Zuo Zhong smiled and rubbed his younger brother Zuo Jun's head: "You are already a young man, why are you still crying like a little girl? A man bleeds but does not shed tears. Do you understand?"
Zuo Jun wiped his nose and said unconvinced: "I didn't cry, I just...just..."
After thinking for a long time, he didn't give a reason. Zuo Shanwen and Zuo Zhong looked at each other and laughed.
However, Zuo Zhong still had doubts and asked Zuo Shanwen: "Father, how did you know that I would be back today? I am planning to give you a surprise."
Zuo Shanwen smiled and revealed: "Your teacher sent a telegram home, saying that you will take the Yao Bei back to Ningbo today. So, Zuo Jun and I will come to pick you up. It seems that your teacher thinks highly of you."
Oh, it turned out to be Dai Chunfeng's arrangement. Zuo nodded, sighing that Lao Dai's skills were really good, and people couldn't help but feel grateful.
Thinking of this, Zuo Zhong quickly introduced his subordinates to Zuo Shanwen.
"Father, this is my colleague, Gucci, who helps me a lot at work."
When Gu Qi heard the section chief introduce himself, he quickly said modestly: "Thank you for the award. These are what I should do, and I have benefited a lot."
Zuo Shanwen shook hands with Gu Qi with a smile on his face, but he had more questions in his heart. What on earth was his son doing? Was he really at the police station?
Zuo Zhong only said in the letter that he was following the teacher, and they subconsciously thought he was a teacher from the police academy. Now it seems that is not the case, because this person named Gu Qi has too much official flavor.
But there must be a reason why his son didn't tell him. Zuo Shanwen got to know Song Minghao, Wu Chunyang and others kindly. When he met He Yijun, his attitude became even more kind, which made Zuo Zhong a little embarrassed.
He Yijun said hello to Zuo Shanwen, and hid behind the crowd with a blushing face. Everyone in the intelligence department laughed secretly, thinking that even a hero among women would be like this.
"Uncle Zuo, please save my nephew's life!" Shen Dongxin shouted from the side, breaking the weird atmosphere.
Zuo Shanwen had seen the Shen boy a long time ago and thought he and Zuo Zhong happened to meet each other. He didn't expect this to happen and was immediately shocked.
Zuo Zhong quickly explained in a low voice, and Zuo Shanwen twisted his eyebrows: "The Japanese just deserve to be beaten. Don't be afraid, Dongxin. I'll tell your father that you have boosted my national ambitions. Well done."
Everyone thought that he was indeed the section chief's father, and he hated evil as much as he hated him. He really had a family background.
At this moment, there were more and more other passengers, and large groups of passengers came, some carrying the old and the young, carrying the old and the young, and crowded to the exit in the resounding Ningbo dialect, mixed with a few light and soft words from time to time. Nuo Shanghai dialect.
Zuo Zhong walked out of the dock and saw an extremely familiar sight.
Under the dim street lights, the familiar yellow fish car still screamed "wuah ah ah" and slithered through the crowd like a snake.
The old lady selling tea eggs and the little woman selling wonton buns are still shouting and soliciting business in the same place...
(To all my friends who are working hard away from home)
