A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Ding Xiang quickly said, "Miss, you should wait for Brother Cheng to come back before going out."

Guier smiled and said, "The service desk is on the first floor, don't worry."

I went to the first floor, borrowed a phone from the front desk, and called back to Jiangcheng.

As soon as I dialed the number, I heard Sha Yanxiao's voice: "Guier, is that you?"

Gui'er was surprised. Sha Yanxiao should be in the military camp at this time. "Brother, why are you in the mansion? Didn't you go to the military camp today?"

Sha Yanxiao's tired voice came from the phone: "How can I feel at ease if I don't receive your call?"

Gui'er's heart warmed. She excitedly told Sha Yanxiao about her experiences on the train over the past few days, and also mentioned the Guangzhou specialty she had just tasted. "Brother, you must not know what braised golden and silver gluten is. It's made by cutting up cured pork liver, stuffing it with white fatty bacon and salted egg yolk, and steaming it. The salted egg yolk represents "gold" and the white bacon represents "silver," hence the name "gold and silver gluten." It's salty, fragrant, and refreshing, and so delicious. I really hope I can give it to you someday."

Sha Yanxiao felt relieved when he heard her cheerful voice. Guier asked again about what happened in the Marshal's Mansion in the past few days. Sha Yanxiao repeatedly reminded her to be careful and to call back to report her safety when she arrived in Hong Kong. Only then did the two hang up the phone.

Guier hung up the phone and asked the waiter to thank her. In addition to the phone bill, she also gave a few dollars as a tip. The waiter was naturally very happy.

When she turned around and wanted to go back to the room upstairs, she suddenly heard a newsboy outside the door shouting: Newspapers for sale, newspapers for sale, big news, the Japanese army in Shanghai used "a soldier missing" as an excuse to attack the Chinese army stationed in Zhabei, Shanghai, and bombarded the Zhabei area. The 88th Division of the Chinese Army immediately counterattacked.

Gui'er was startled, then suddenly realized, could a fight have started? So she hurried out the door, snatched a newspaper from the crowd, paid for it, and began to read it eagerly.

The headlines read "Japanese soldiers in Shanghai provoked the enemy yesterday morning, and our army suffered heavy losses in the war of resistance": Facing the provocation, the Chinese army launched a swift offensive, forcing the Japanese army's core stronghold in Shanghai, the Hongkou Concession, and our army captured a Japanese stronghold" and "Street fighting in Zhabei continued, and soldiers risked their lives to charge forward." At the same time, the newspaper also called on people from all walks of life across the country to support the war of resistance.

Gui'er felt dizzy. She had not expected this day to come so soon. The newspapers in the newspaper boy's hands were sold out in an instant. He skipped away happily. Those who had read the newspapers started talking about it. Some were shocked, some were indignant, and some were afraid and worried.

Guier suddenly realized something and quickly picked up the newspaper and ran back upstairs.

Ding Xiang had been waiting impatiently for a long time. As soon as she saw her, she hurried over and said, "Miss, there was a big commotion outside just now. I heard there was a war."

Guier nodded and said, "Yes, we fought the Japanese in Shanghai."

Ding Xiang heard this and said with lingering fear, "Why are they fighting again? A lot of people died last time. What's going to happen now?"

Guier saw some of her clothes being taken out and asked Dingxiang, "Why are you taking things out?"

Ding Xiang said, "I see you haven't taken a shower these past few days because you've been running around. Let me help you get your clothes out."

Gui'er thought for a moment and said decisively, "No, pack your things and take the valuables with you. I think with the Japanese's character, they are likely to do more than just attack Shanghai. We must be ready to run away at any time."

Ding Xiang's face turned pale: "Miss, are you saying that we will also call here?"

Gui'er shook her head. It had been so long since she traveled through time that she could no longer remember anything. However, she felt that even if there was no ground attack, there would definitely be bombing, because Guangzhou was heavily bombed by the Japanese during the Anti-Japanese War. Moreover, they were now living in the Aiqun Hotel, which was the tallest building in the area and was extremely easy to become a target of bombing.

The two of them quickly packed some valuables into a bag and prepared to carry it with them.

At this time, Acheng came back from outside.

As soon as he entered the room, he said breathlessly, "Miss, we are lucky. We bought tickets to Hong Kong in two days. As soon as we bought them, a large number of people suddenly came to buy tickets. They said they wanted to leave Guangzhou quickly because they were afraid that the Japanese would attack."

Gui'er said to Ah Cheng, "Brother Ah Cheng, we're about to move somewhere closer to the bus station. We can't stay at the Aiqun Hotel anymore. Do you have any way to contact Wu Mingqiang? I'm afraid it's not safe. The Japanese won't necessarily call us, but it's not safe for us outsiders here. Some people might take advantage of the chaos to rob us."

Ah Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Miss, you make sense. I'll send a telegram to Brother Qiang right away. As for your idea of ​​moving out, I don't think it's a good idea. The streets could indeed get chaotic, but the owner of the Aiqun Building is said to have connections in the Guangzhou government. We'll be safer here than in those small hotels."

"But." Gui'er was still worried about being bombed.

"When I came back, the streets were in a state of panic. Ruffians and scoundrels were on the move. If we go out now, won't we just run into their trap? I think you and Dingxiang should just stay here for the next two days while I go out and see what's going on. Get a feel for the local situation. If Brother Qiang can come pick us up, that would be great. If not, I can use some connections to escort us to the ship."

Gui'er thought about it and felt that what he said made sense, so she agreed.

After that, Guier went downstairs to buy a newspaper every day to read the latest war situation.

The Chinese army's initial offensive was swift and at one point forced the Japanese army's core stronghold in Shanghai, the Hongkou Concession. However, the Japanese army relied on its naval and air advantages and strong fortifications to put up a tenacious resistance. The two sides engaged in fierce street fighting in Zhabei, Yangshupu and other places.

Newspapers like Shen Bao and Ta Kung Pao highly praised the Chinese soldiers' courage to face death head-on, published excerpts from letters from frontline soldiers to their families (such as "I swear to live and die with Shanghai"), and launched the "Donation for National Salvation Bonds" initiative to mobilize people in the rear to donate money and materials.

Gui'er also saw fundraising on the streets of Guangdong, and people were donating generously, so she also donated a few silver dollars.

However, the next day's newspaper reported the latest war situation, noting that the Japanese army had also attacked cities surrounding Shanghai, including Suzhou and Wuxi in Jiangsu and Jiaxing in Zhejiang, potentially creating conditions for a siege of Shanghai. People were whispering to each other, hoping that our army could drive them out. There was even a parade in Guangzhou, mostly composed of students. Other members of society also held high banners and flags protesting the Japanese invasion and expressing support for the war of resistance. The procession passed by the Aiqun Hotel, a sight that filled Gui'er with excitement. She wanted to join in, but Ah Cheng stopped her.

On the third day, in addition to the battle situation, the newspapers also condemned the Japanese bombing, such as reporting that "Japanese fighter planes bombed Shanghai South Railway Station, causing heavy civilian casualties", which aroused the people's anti-Japanese sentiment.