Fruitful

In the 24th year of the Republic of China, early autumn was slightly cold.

A passenger train from Hankou Railway Station has entered the station.

Among the bustling crowd, Meng Shiqiu stood on the platform, any noise had nothing to do with him, his expression was silent and his eyes were calm.

A figure came down from the row of boxes, wearing a navy blue coat, a black top hat, and carrying a suitcase in his hand.Meng Shiqiu's eyes fell on him, and after a moment of confirmation, he walked over to him.

"Sir." Meng Shiqiu took the suitcase in his hand, "The car is already prepared outside."

Zhou Shuwei nodded and walked outside the platform.The Zhou family had a mansion in the French Concession in Hankou, which was just an idle property.

The car drove into the mansion. There was a small fountain in the front yard. Although the two-story brick red building was not luxurious, it was very grand. There were many magnolias planted in the front and back yards. The white flowers had just fallen, and the dark green leaves were shiny.

The staff in the Zhou mansion is very simple, except for Meng Shiqiu, a young housekeeper, there is only one Mama Lin who is in charge of cleaning and cooking.

"Sir, if you have any orders, broadcast the inside line."

Zhou Shuwei watched Meng Shiqiu leave the room.

Along the way, Meng Shiqiu didn't say a word, he was not only reticent but also had a stern expression on his face, his whole body was like a river covered with thin ice, but Zhou Shuwei felt that there was also a river in his eyes, a flowing river hidden under the ice layer.

After tidying up briefly, Zhou Shuwei went downstairs.Because of the small number of people, the mansion seemed deserted. Zhou Shuwei walked around downstairs and then went to the kitchen.Lin's mother was preparing dinner, Meng Shiqiu took off his coat, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and wore a dark brown apron, and was helping Lin's mother.

Meng Shiqiu suddenly turned his head, his eyes stopped on Zhou Shuwei who had just arrived at the door, and asked, "What's the matter, sir?"

Zhou Shuwei was startled and looked at Meng Shiqiu.When Zhou Shuwei saw his photo in Nanjing, he just felt that the person in the photo was handsome, clean, quiet and introverted, but he did not expect him to be so vigilant, keeping an eye on everything around him without showing any signs of expression.

"It's okay. Just go around. You are busy." Saying that, Zhou Shuwei left the kitchen and went to the living room.

After returning to China, Zhou Shuwei was arranged by his father to work in the Central Bank of Shanghai. He personally experienced the Battle of Songhu on January 21 in the [-]st year of the Republic of China.

And just two months ago, Army Commander-in-Chief He Yingqin formally replied to Yoshijiro Umezu, Commander of the Japanese Garrison in North China, banning anti-Japanese groups and activities in Hebei Province, which in fact gave up the sovereignty of North China.

By chance, Zhou Shuwei's social skills and financial ability attracted the attention of Director Dai of the Lixing Society's Secret Service Department. After many contacts, Zhou Shuwei joined the Lixing Society's Secret Service Department and became the direct offline of Director Dai.

It is the purpose of the Lixing Club, the core organization of the Blue Shirts Society, to match the dark with the bright, so the members of the Lixing Club have multiple identities, both bright and dark.From then on, Zhou Shuwei's identity was not only the eldest son of Minister Zhou of the Central People's Training Department, but also the "Han Shan" of the Lixing Society's Secret Service.

The change of identity allowed him to better understand some secrets within the party. Jiang Gong adhered to the national policy of "to fight against the outside world, we must first settle the inside". At the same time, he was also very aware of the external crisis. Prepare to negotiate, while actively resisting", Lixingshe is his other preparation.

This time I came to Hankou, on the surface, the central bank was on a business trip to check the accounts of the Hankou branch, but in fact it was to inquire about the trend in the Japanese Concession.The Japanese Concession in Hankou was the most remote among the local five-nation concessions, and its business was not prosperous. Some powerful Japanese companies, such as Yokohama Specie Bank and Nissin Kisen Co., Ltd., all went to the Anglo-French Concession in Hankou to gain a foothold.

However, the Japanese Concession in Hankou was recognized as a base camp for smuggling and drug trafficking.The Japanese military operations in China became more and more rampant. The news of the hoarding of arms and hidden armaments in the Japanese Concession in Hankou has always been difficult to distinguish between true and false.

"Sir. It's time to eat."

In the dining room, there were four dishes and one soup. Zhou Shuwei was sitting at the table, holding a bowl but could not put down his chopsticks.Meng Shiqiu and Lin Ma stood beside her, accompanying them.There were only three people in the family, and it was already very deserted, and it was even more lonely facing the long table.

"Sit down and eat together." Zhou Shuwei smiled and said to Meng Shiqiu and Lin's mother, "There are only three of us, and there are not so many rules. Come, sit down."

Meng Shiqiu nodded to Mama Lin, and Mama Lin went to the kitchen to get the bowls and chopsticks, and the two sat at the table, but the restaurant was embarrassingly quiet except for the sound of the bowls and chopsticks touching.

In a blink of an eye, it has been more than half a month since I arrived in Hankou. Zhou Shuwei has not gone out much, and has been dragged by illness. The only time he went out was to go to the branch in Hankou, and then he went to a business in the French Concession to buy a camera. Read a book at home, or bask in the sun in the small garden, and take pictures.

Until one afternoon, Zhou Mansion received a call from Hashimoto Junichi, the vice president of Yokohama Specie Bank.

Zhou Shuwei hung up the phone, intending to go back to his room, passing by Meng Shiqiu's room, he opened the door and walked in out of curiosity.

Meng Shiqiu was very wary of outsiders, Mama Lin, and even Zhou Shuwei.His room only had a bed, a wardrobe and a sofa for one person. When he opened the door of the wardrobe, there were only two suits and three shirts inside. Zhou Shuwei looked around the whole room, and there was no sign of anyone here.

"Sir looking for me?"

As expected by Zhou Shuwei, Meng Shiqiu appeared soon.

"I'm going out."

Meng Shiqiu scanned the room, nodded and said, "I'm going to prepare the car."

The car was driving on a path full of fallen leaves, and the sunlight fell on the car window like stars through the plane trees on both sides. Zhou Shuwei sat in the back seat of the car, his eyes fell on the back of Meng Shiqiu's head.

On the first night when he first arrived in Hankou, Zhou Shuwei went to find Meng Shiqiu in the middle of the night to be precise. Before he knocked on the door, Meng Shiqiu had already made a sound in the room.

"Sir looking for me?"

Along with the questioning, Meng Shiqiu opened the door, wearing a white shirt and suit pants, Zhou Shuwei glanced at his bed, there was almost no trace of sleeping.

"A bird that is frightened will die if it is comfortable." Zhou Shuwei asked him if he was always so vigilant, and Meng Shiqiu answered bluntly.

"Hankou is not a battlefield. There are only you and Mama Lin in the Zhou mansion."

"Where you are, there is the battlefield."

Meng Shiqiu's face has always been stern, he will not be moved by anything, he silently pays attention to everything around him, Zhou Shuwei didn't understand it at the time, he just felt that even if the mountains and rivers are precarious, living in this world should not be like this.

"You and I, Paoze, still have a long way to go in the future, don't you even have to be vigilant against me?"

"Shocking Bird is just a code name, and Meng Shiqiu is just a name. I can be anyone in life, and nobody in death. This is my mission. My husband and I are not robes, I am just one of thousands of forest birds, and I can be killed at any time." sacrifice."

A hard blow.

Zhou Shuwei never knew that the so-called frightened bird was such an insignificant existence, and Meng Shiqiu's calmness was not due to his original nature, but his original self was obliterated by despair.

"Family and country. Faith. You paid for it, didn't you think you would regret it?"

The moonlight fell on Meng Shiqiu's eyes, like the reflection in the tranquil river water, but he lost his mind for a moment, and in the blink of an eye, he regained his impenetrable sternness.

"Family and country, faith. I haven't come to think about it yet."

I haven't had time to think about it yet, but I have already entrusted my life.Perhaps this is the cruelty of war. People think about themselves the most in the peaceful and happy world. In troubled times, you often can’t help but think about it. You have been forced to go on a road that is difficult to turn back. There are mountains of swords and flames ahead, and cliffs when you go back. .

"Xiao Meng. From now on, I will call you Xiao Meng. When there is no one, you can call me by my name, don't call me Mr. What."

Meng Shiqiu didn't answer, Zhou Shuwei stood in front of him, but couldn't see his appearance clearly, couldn't see clearly but had an inexplicable sense of trust, maybe they were the only Han Shan and Scared Bird in each other's lives.

"Where is sir going?"

Meng Shiqiu's voice pulled Zhou Shuwei's thoughts back into the car.

"Go to Wanguo Department Store."

Meng Shiqiu nodded and drove to Wanguo Department Store in the French Concession.

Wanguo Department Store is the largest department store in Hankou, all goods are imported, and it is also a place where the upper class come and go.Zhou Shuwei took Meng Shiqiu to start shopping from the first floor. Pens, hats, and leather shoes seemed like big purchases, which attracted the attention and discussion of many people.

"Sir, do you want to buy anything else?"

Compared with Zhou Shuwei's swagger, Meng Shiqiu seemed very uncomfortable.

Zhou Shuwei glanced at his unhappy expression, smiled triumphantly, and said, "Go to the men's clothing department and buy some new suits for you. The housekeeper of my Zhou mansion, how can there be only two sets for change."

"Sir, no need. . . . sir."

Zhou Shuwei ignored Meng Shiqiu's refusal at all, and strode forward. Meng Shiqiu had no choice but to follow after carrying the big and small items he bought.

Suddenly, Zhou Shuwei stopped in front of the watch counter, pointed to a watch for the salesman to take a look at.

Meng Shiqiu was a little annoyed.Zhou Shuwei turned around and took the bag in his hand, put it aside, took his hand, put the watch on his wrist, smiled and admired it for a while.

"It's pretty. I bought it for you." Zhou Shuwei didn't care whether Meng Shiqiu liked it or not, and motioned for the salesperson to pay.

Meng Shiqiu grabbed him, "Sir, this watch is too expensive, I don't want it."

"It's because it's expensive, so I give it away. Everything I bought today is for you. You have to ask for it, and you have to ask for it if you don't want it."

"Sir, I'm just a housekeeper, I don't need these."

Zhou Shuwei handed the money to the salesperson to check out, then turned to Meng Shiqiu and said, "The vice president of Yokohama Specie Bank, Junichi Hashimoto, called and asked me to go to the club in the French Concession this weekend. You and I go together."

"Sir, it's not appropriate for me to accompany you. You'd better find a female companion."

"It's just you and Mama Lin in our family. Are you planning to let Mama Lin accompany me?"

Meng Shiqiu looked embarrassed and helpless, Zhou Shuwei couldn't help covering his nose and smiling when he saw his appearance at that time.

After shopping around, the two returned to the Zhou mansion.Zhou Shuwei had just entered the room, before he could take off his coat, Meng Shiqiu knocked on the door and walked in.One look at his expression, you can tell that he is here to make trouble.

"What do you want to say, say it. I'll listen." Zhou Shuwei took off his suit, sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and listened attentively.

"Your behavior today is too ostentatious. If this is the need for action, I have nothing to say. But I hope you remember that I should not remain in anyone's memory." Meng Shiqiu said, taking a step closer to Zhou Shuwei, He lowered his already low voice, and continued: "Meng Shiqiu is just a name, not a real person. In Hankou, I am Meng Shiqiu. When I leave Hankou, I can be anyone."

Zhou Shuwei couldn't laugh anymore. The boulder on Meng Shiqiu's heart was heavier than he imagined. He didn't know what method the Secret Service used to train him. What he knew about Meng Shiqiu was only Director Dai's description. "Children of Whampoa, elite talents."

"Xiao Meng, we are partners who live together and die together. Don't always say that you are nobody."

"As I said, we are not Paoze. Protecting Hanshan's safety and ensuring the smooth completion of the task is an instruction given to me by the chief. What he means is that I can die, but you must live. So we will not live and die together, nor will we We can live and die together."

Zhou Shuwei looked into Meng Shiqiu's eyes, such bright eyes, but he could only see the hopeless situation with no way out, the river flowing in his eyes, buried deep under the ice.

Hashimoto Junichi's invitation arrived as scheduled. The French Concession Club is a gathering place for consular dignitaries. Hashimoto's purpose is obvious. On the one hand, he wants to test the real purpose of Zhou Shuwei, a commissioner of the Central Bank, who came to Hankou; If you can win, you can win.

The central bank is directly under the Ministry of Finance, and finance has always been the lifeblood of the country. Zhou Shuwei has a special status. Not only has he become a commissioner of the central bank at a young age, but his father is also a celebrity in front of Chairman Jiang. No matter what level of relationship, Hashimoto can't Let go of this opportunity.

Zhou Shuwei has been in Hankou for more than a month. Although he seldom has contact with these important officials, the news has been released long ago. He is a commissioner of the Central Bank. The ground is comparable.The consuls of France, Russia, and Japan had long intended to invite them, and Junichi Hashimoto facilitated this.

Meng Shiqiu tugged on the collar of his suit. He was not as comfortable as Zhou Shuwei. He didn't want to show his face too much, but the suit Zhou Shuwei bought for him was too ostentatious, and it would attract the attention of the ladies in the club from time to time.

Seeing that he was uncomfortable alone, Zhou Shuwei drew back, handed him a glass of wine, and whispered in his ear: "You will attract more attention like this. The best disguise is to blend into the scene. Go find a pretty girl and dance. , it’s impossible for those who come from Huangpu to fail.”

Meng Shiqiu also felt that he was out of place here, and the dogma solidified his thinking. He couldn't be a social expert like Zhou Shuwei, but at least he couldn't hold him back here.

Taking a deep breath, he turned his head and smiled gracefully at Zhou Shuwei, "Sir, go greet your friends. I will take care of myself."

Zhou Shuwei laughed. I hadn't seen him smile before for more than a month. I didn't expect that the first smile was for the mission. The Secret Service is really an amazing place.

The club in the Han Concession allowed Zhou Shuwei to establish a relationship with the Japanese Concession. In the next two or three months, Hashimoto became a frequent visitor to Zhou’s mansion, and Zhou Shuwei also became an acquaintance of the club.

Winter in Hankou is very cold and damp, and Christmas is coming soon. Although you don’t believe in God, if you want to deal with foreigners, you still have to show them your respect for their religion.Zhou Shuwei asked Meng Shiqiu to buy some poinsettia, which foreigners call Christmas red.

Meng Shiqiu went to the concession and bought a whole trunk, and it was already dusk when he returned to the Zhou mansion, and he walked into the living room from outside with a handful of Christmas reds in his arms.

"Xiao Meng."

Meng Shiqiu searched for the sound and looked towards the second floor, and Zhou Shuwei took advantage of the opportunity to press the shutter.

"Sir, aren't you going to the club tonight?"

Meng Shiqiu put down the flowers in his hand, took off his coat and went up to the second floor, took the camera from Zhou Shuwei who was full of pride, and pulled out all the negatives without any explanation, "I'll get you a coat."

Zhou Shuwei looked sadly at the camera and film in his hand. He couldn't remember which volume it was. Meng Shiqiu personally destroyed his masterpiece because he always secretly took pictures of him from time to time.

"I can fit into the scene, but I shouldn't be in the picture."

Zhou Shuwei did his best, just trying to keep his smile and melt the ice in his eyes.

The Christmas dinner held by the French consul invited all the military and political officials in Hankou. In this era, socializing is not only a means of liaison, but also a political means of tightening interests.Zhou Shuwei needs this kind of just right attention and distance that seems to be there.He always mocks himself that he is like a social butterfly, but Meng Shiqiu just laughs at it.

Hankou has well-developed railway transportation, both water and land transportation, and is located in the middle of the north and south, and has convenient connections with other provinces and cities. If the Japanese set up their armory here, then once the war breaks out, Hankou will become a hub for their transportation of materials. , while the Nationalist government was completely passive, doing all kinds of harm to the war situation but no benefit.

Zhou Shuwei's father has always maintained a pro-Japanese attitude. In addition, Zhou Shuwei himself expressed either explicitly or implicitly that he is very supportive of his father and Mr. Wang's attitude. Moreover, Zhou Shuwei also helped with the cooperation agreement submitted by Hashimoto Junichi to the Hankou branch. busy.In the past few months, he has gained most of the trust of the Japanese consul Akiyama Masataka.

Meng Shiqiu has also learned how to play tricks and greet people with a smile in the past few months. It seems that he can handle any situation with ease.

Until that moment, he was completely defeated.

During the banquet, Mayor Feng greeted him with a smile, and led a gray-haired officer in military uniform to Zhou Shuwei.

Shen Duo, commander of the 88th Division of the Central Guard Division of the Nationalist Government.The backbone of the whole division are all the children of Whampoa, the troops directly descended from Generalissimo Jiang.Zhou Shuwei also heard from his father that this Mr. Shen is famous for his integrity.In the previous 87 Songhu Battle, the 88th Division, [-]th Division and other central armies were integrated into the Fifth Army to reinforce Shanghai, and the ace elite division deserved its reputation.

A few years ago, Whampoa Wuhan Branch and Nanjing Main School merged. Recently there were rumors that Wuhan Branch would be re-established. Shen Duo, as Chairman Jiang’s confidant, went to Wuhan via Hankou. The rumor that Wuhan Branch was to be re-established was true. up.The Whampoa children have always been Chairman Jiang's most important thing, and they are also the national army's top taxes. It seems that the situation has indeed reached a critical juncture, and I am afraid that this battle must be fought.

After Zhou Shuwei chatted with Mayor Feng, he found that Meng Shiqiu had disappeared. After searching for a long time, he finally found him in the corner of the garden. He sat quietly on the bench, staring at the darkness not far away.He sat there without saying a word until the end of the banquet.

Just now, Meng Shiqiu escaped from the banquet. That military uniform, that figure, thought that there was no ripple in his heart, but was aroused by thousands of waves, which destroyed the embankment and drowned all the strength.

On the way back, Zhou Shuwei didn't let him drive, and he didn't insist. He just sat in the passenger seat silently. Zhou Shuwei couldn't feel any warmth from him. He was as cold as the damp cold air.

The watery moonlight reflected the white magnolia outside the window. Meng Shiqiu was wearing only a thin shirt, leaning against the window with his arms around his shoulders, staring at the fountain in the yard absentmindedly. Zhou Shuwei opened the door and walked in. He didn't notice it until When Zhou Shuwei came closer, he came back to his senses and reached out to wipe away the tears that fell on the corner of his mouth.

"Xiao Meng..." Zhou Shuwei wanted to ask, but Meng Shiqiu in front of him made him unable to ask.

"He's a lot older." Meng Shiqiu smiled weakly, and his eyes were rippling when he looked out of the window, "Before, he was very angry when he spoke, and he didn't have so many gray hairs....I have no choice." , I was just chosen. I am not afraid of death, I am just worried that no one will tell him when I die.”

Zhou Shuwei opened his mouth but couldn't find words to comfort Meng Shiqiu, so he stretched out his hand and hugged him into his arms. His whole body was cold, as if no matter how he covered him, he couldn't get warm.In the best years of his life, he became a victim of the war, his previous pride was polished away, and he became a stranger to his closest relatives.

You may not have the opportunity to talk in your lifetime, and you will be buried forever when you die.

"Xiao Meng...survive. The war will always end, and you will be his pride."

Zhou Shuwei felt the person in his arms trembling slightly. Although he tried his best to suppress it, the tiny sobs still overflowed from his throat.

However, one year after Zhou Shuwei left Hankou, in the second battle of Songhu in August 25 of the Republic of China, and in the battle of Nanjing in December of the same year, the 38th, 87th, and 88th divisions were the most well-equipped trump cards Division, fighting desperately with the Japanese army, became the first batch of troops to sacrifice their blood and lives in the War of Resistance Against Japan, and all soldiers eventually became permanent numbers on the list of heroes.

After Hankou, it became eternal.

On New Year's Eve, Lin's mother returned to her hometown for the New Year, and only Zhou Shuwei and Meng Shiqiu were left in the Zhou mansion.

There were only two bowls of Yangchun noodles with eggs for the New Year’s Eve dinner. Zhou Shuwei proudly showed Meng Shiqiu the pocket watch he just bought. The case on the back was opened, and there was a small picture embedded in it, which looked like Meng Shiqiu was holding a full poinsettia.

Those photos that Meng Shiqiu ripped off, Zhou Shuwei still did not give up and sent them to the photo studio, but only this one survived.

"Sir, you shouldn't have kept this picture."

"It's just you and me here, don't call me sir."

Meng Shiqiu silently lowered his gaze, it wasn't that he didn't want to speak, but he was afraid of being entangled.Because no one can guarantee whether tomorrow will be a farewell.

Self-esteem, pride, identity, personality, everything has been polished away, he is a bullet, already loaded, ready to be ignited at any time, and die with the enemy.

When death is no longer a matter of one person, bondage only brings double damage, the closer the person is, the deeper the injury.

"Xiao Meng, can I tell you your real name?"

"I'll tell you when you're not Han Shan and I'm not Scared Bird."

The sound of firecrackers was full of joy, Zhou Shuwei set off fireworks in the small courtyard, put aside everything else, and simply celebrated the new year.Looking back, Meng Shiqiu stood under the sky illuminated by the fireworks, his smile was faint but brightened by the fireworks.

The fireworks that night were bright and bright, and the smiles that night were precious.

After the new year, it is spring in a blink of an eye.The longer the time passed, the more dangerous it became. The appearance of Shen Duo made Zhou Shuwei feel more urgent than ever. The Nanjing government was already on the line, and a large-scale war was about to strike not far away.

Zhou Shuwei is the representative of his father and President Wang in contacting foreign aid, and he is an out-and-out pro-Japanese faction.These are his best disguises. His purpose is to get close to Consul Akiyama, find out the authenticity of the Japanese army's hoarding of ordnance and hidden armaments, and use Akiyama Masataka to establish contact with the Japanese military and political circles for more important tasks in the future.

But Akiyama is too cunning and suspicious.Like Zhou Shuwei, he also smelled something unusual from Shen Duo's appearance, so he became more cautious.Originally, Zhou Shuwei threw out the bait of Dean Wang's intention to establish a new government, which was almost close to the military core of the Japanese Concession in Hankou, but he was pushed to the edge again because of Akiyama's prevarication.

Right now, he has to find a way to disarm Akiyama.

The day of Zhou Shuwei's return to Nanjing is just around the corner, and anxiety wells up in his heart, and the last chance is the farewell dinner held by Hashimoto for him, and he must not let it go.

The dinner party was at the Hanjiang Hotel on Jiangtan Road. It was said that the dinner party was actually only Hashimoto, Qiu Shan and Mayor Feng. Zhou Shuwei saw that the dinner party was Qiu Shan.Cunning people are often mercenary. The bait thrown by Zhou Shuwei is too tempting. Although Qiushan has doubts, he is still reluctant to give up such an opportunity.

During the meeting, Qiushan tested Zhou Shuwei again and again, talking about President Wang's assassination in November last year, and asked about his current situation, Zhou Shuwei answered in detail, and his words were full of worry.

"Mr. Wang has always been a good friend of ours in Japan. He and Chairman Jiang have different attitudes towards the Communist Party. We understand this very well." Akiyama said, pouring a glass of wine for Zhou Shuwei.

Zhou Shuwei raised his glass and drank with Qiu Shan. "You should have heard about the methods of the Blue Shirts Society. Mr. Wang's assassination appeared to be suffering on behalf of Jiang Gong, but in fact, they directed and acted on their own. They borrowed Sun Fengming's hand. The purpose is to eliminate dissidents. In the end, they will kill people and silence them without evidence."

Akiyama listened and watched his words.

"To tell the truth to Consul Akiyama, even my father and I have been targeted by them. It's not that we insist on setting up another government, but that the government can't tolerate us."

Both Mayor Feng and Hashimoto remained silent, they were both Akiyama's confidantes.Before Zhou Shuwei arrived in Hankou, Director Dai had already told him that Feng Yuanying was the umbrella of the Hankou smuggling group.

"As far as I know, Mr. Zhou is a popular figure in front of Generalissimo Jiang. How could the Blue Shirts dare to attack him?"

"Mr. Wang, in front of outsiders, isn't he also Jiang Gong's most trusted person?"

Qiu Shan smiled and toasted Zhou Shuwei, but remained silent.It seems that it is not easy to gain his trust.

"Mr. Zhou, after we return to Nanjing, we need to keep in touch." Hashimoto changed the subject, obviously wanting to end the momentum of the discussion.

Zhou Shuwei smiled unhurriedly, "Definitely, definitely."

A bullet broke the harmonious atmosphere of the Hanjiang Hotel. Hashimoto and Mayor Feng crawled under the table in fright, and then several bullets scattered the dishes and cups on the table.

Hearing the sound, the guards who rushed into the private room protected the four of them and exited the private room. When they walked out of the Hanjiang Hotel, they were shot at them again.

Meng Shiqiu ran out of the car and held Zhou Shu behind him, but a bullet still hit Zhou Shuwei's arm.It wasn't until a large number of policemen arrived that the shooting stopped, and Mayor Feng became majestic, yelling at the police to search around and arrest the shooter.

"Sir, you should leave Hankou early. This is not the first time such an assassination has happened, and you shouldn't put yourself in danger again." In the hospital ward, Meng Shiqiu persuaded Zhou Shuwei worriedly.

"How often do I not know the danger. It's just for my father and Mr. Wang, how can I back down."

Akiyama Masataka opened the door and walked in, smiling and caring. Although the police station hadn't caught anyone yet, they had already found the place where the gunman was lying in ambush and found a few bullets that had been ejected.

Akiyama put an ejected case on the table beside the bed, it was a case of a special bullet for the national army.

Zhou Shuwei frowned, and sighed bitterly: "The government won't allow me, Jiang Gong won't allow me."

Qiu Shan patted Zhou Shuwei's shoulder and comforted him: "Mr. Zhou can heal his wounds at ease. We will definitely protect our friends."

After sending Qiu Shan away, Zhou Shuwei breathed a sigh of relief, and smiled at Meng Shiqiu. The play was not in vain, and the shooting was not in vain. The old fox Qiu Shan finally let go of his guard.

Zhou Shuwei planned the assassination, and Meng Shiqiu arranged the operation.

Meng Shiqiu went offline and arranged for the killers of the Blue Shirts Club. They didn't know that this was just a show, and the order they received was to assassinate Zhou Shuwei.

A few days later, Zhou Shuwei returned to the mansion and complained to Meng Shiqiu who was changing his dressing, "If I was really beaten to death, I would not be wronged."

"With me here, you won't die."

Zhou Shuwei looked at Meng Shiqiu who was wrapping gauze around his arm with secret joy, until the bandage was finished, Meng Shiqiu saw his straight eyes as soon as he looked up, and hurriedly avoided.

"Because I'm Han Shan?" Zhou Shuwei asked intentionally.

Meng Shiqiu knew that he did it on purpose, and had long been used to his temper, so he ignored him and walked out of the bedroom with medicine and gauze.

Zhou Shuwei looked at his back, couldn't help laughing, and shouted at the door that had just been closed: "You just can't bear to part with me."

Just as Meng Shiqiu closed the door, he hurriedly opened the door and said angrily, "Keep your voice down. Mama Lin is at home."

"Mother Lin is not here, so you admit it?"

Meng Shiqiu rolled his eyes, "You should cover your mouth too." Then he turned and left.

Zhou Shuwei felt that the shot was worth it.

With his back to the bedroom door, Meng Shiqiu sank into deep thoughts.

A few days later, Akiyama invited Zhou Shuwei to the Japanese consulate.Akiyama Masataka's purpose is very clear. Zhou Shuwei is the bridge between them and Wang Jingwei. Wang Jingwei has always been anti-communist, and now he intends to form a new government. This is an excellent opportunity for the Japanese.

"I also ask Mr. Zhou to convey our sincerity for cooperation to Mr. Wang."

"Of course....It's just that the party-state's army is in the hands of Duke Jiang, so it's not easy to establish a new government. Besides, the Blue Shirts have already targeted us and Mr. Wang, and we need Mr. Qiushan to think of a way."

Qiushan rolled his eyes hidden behind the glasses, and smiled slyly, "To be honest, I am also very embarrassed. Take Hankou as an example, gangs and radicals have been rampant for more than a year, and they have been rampant in the concession. Burn it.... I am as heartbroken as Mr. Zhou. To show my sincerity, I want to give him a gift." With that, Qiu Shan led Zhou Shuwei to the window.In the courtyard of the consulate, the guards escorted several blood-stained young men, passed by Meng Shiqiu who was waiting for Zhou Shuwei in the car, and walked to the center of the courtyard.

Meng Shiqiu glanced at them, opened the door and got out of the car, and looked upstairs in a blink of an eye.

"These people were handed over to me by Mayor Feng. They were the ones who assassinated Zhou Jun at the Hanjiang Hotel that day." Qiushan stared at the young men with fierce eyes, showing a cruel smile, "After the torture , They still denied it.... Zhou Jun, for this kind of person's attitude, to paraphrase Mr. Wang's words, 'It is better to kill a thousand by mistake than to let one person go'."

With that said, Akiyama waved to the guards downstairs, gunshots resounded through the clear sky, and the corpse was dragged away, leaving long bloodstains.

Zhou Shuwei's heart seemed to be shot at that moment, and his young life just passed away.

"gentlemen."

Meng Shiqiu's voice frightened Zhou Shuwei's grief and anger away, and Zhou Shuwei's eyes gradually became clearer when Meng Shiqiu looked up.Meng Shiqiu's gaze is true, it is the gaze that a loyal person's housekeeper and accompanying guard should have, and the life and death of others are meaningless to him.

"Sir, are you all right?"

"fine."

Zhou Shuwei looked away, turned around and responded to Qiu Shan's move with a smile, "I am the same as Consul Qiu Shan. I like Mr. Wang's words very much."

In the transaction of interests and rights, both parties must first release their chips.Zhou Shuwei went to the telegraph office before returning to the mansion, and sent a telegram to his father in Nanjing, replying to him about the agreement with Qiushan, and at the same time explaining Qiushan's attitude to him. Once the new government is established, The power belongs to Mr. Wang, but the military power must be controlled by Japan.

Along the way, Zhou Shuwei was extremely serious, or he kept suppressing his anger.After returning to the mansion, Meng Shiqiu took Lin Ma out of the house, leaving only him and Zhou Shuwei in the mansion.

"Should you give me an explanation?" Zhou Shuwei threw his coat on the sofa.

Meng Shiqiu walked over, picked up the coat, tidied it up and hung it on the hanger. "Haven't you already guessed it, sir?"

Zhou Shuwei was furious, and smiled coldly, "It's impossible for you not to know that your downline was arrested, why didn't you try to rescue him?"

"They have already made preparations to die." Meng Shiqiu's expression was stern, and there was a decisive determination in his eyes. "Up to now, I don't intend to hide it from my husband anymore. Although the Japanese Concession is not prosperous, it is the largest concession area in Hankou. Director Dai also sent people to investigate, but they all failed....My task, apart from cooperating with Besides, sir, after finding out the exact location of the armory, blow it up."

For a moment, Zhou Shuwei felt like a fool being used by others.

"Before my husband came to Hankou, I had arranged for people to destroy and harass the Japanese Concession as local gangs and radicals. The purpose of this was to avoid suspicion for my husband. To blow up the armory, I also had to ensure that my husband would not be The Japanese were skeptical and escaped smoothly... The task must be completed, and it must be leak-proof and foolproof."

Zhou Shuwei suddenly felt that Meng Shiqiu was very strange, and the so-called social skills he showed in front of him were like juggling. He was pretending so deeply, and without Zhou Shuwei's knowledge, he had already made so many arrangements.

"It's so watertight and foolproof... What other arrangements do you have that I don't know about?"

"Sir has his tasks, and I have mine. I will cooperate with you, and please don't interfere with me. Our direct line is Director Dai, that's all." Meng Shiqiu said honestly.

Compared with Zhou Shuwei, Meng Shiqiu always handles everything with the calmness trained by the Lixingshe. All sacrifices are for the completion of the task, at all costs, and at the cost of anyone's life, including himself.

"What about those people who were killed? Watching them being executed, can you really be indifferent? ... Or, you arranged their death?" Zhou Shuwei asked.

"There is only one cold mountain, but there are thousands of birds. Mister, I will watch more execution scenes in the future. On the battlefield, if there is no determination to die, there is no hope of life." Meng Shiqiu said, there is still a little gleam between his brows Worried, "If Mr. cannot face it calmly, the road ahead will be very difficult."

Zhou Shuwei finally understood that this war without gunpowder smoke was more cruel than fighting with real swords and guns, and he was too reckless.

In the next few days, there was a condensed air between Zhou Shuwei and Meng Shiqiu. Even Lin's mother felt that there was something wrong with them, and advised Meng Shiqiu not to make trouble with the master.

Zhou's father's letter arrived within a short time, and a letter from President Wang was also attached.

On the day when Zhou Shuwei brought Wang's letter to meet Qiu Shan, he witnessed the bombing of a warehouse hoarding grain in the concession. Zhou Shuwei understood that it was Meng Shiqiu who