Nine Songs of Anti-Japanese War

It's the season of falling leaves again.

The color of the sky is very pale, like a water-blue cloth that has been polished.In the last century, the city had a memory that it also turned gray due to changes in the color of the sky. Hundreds of millions of suspended solids wandered in the thick gray fog, penetrating into every hole, pushing countless citizens into a desperate situation where they had difficulty breathing.If it was said that gray symbolized people's mood at that time, what about now?

Pale water blue... a touch of melancholy?

The London eyelids twitched.Who has time for "a touch of melancholy"?When people get busy, they either fall asleep when they have time, or their nerves are too tense, which leads to insomnia all night long.When I am insomnia, my thoughts are chaotic, as if there are many scenes and information passing by my eyes, and I can't fix the focus at all when I want to grab them.Such a large number of opportunities for rest are wasted, but it has nothing to do with "leisure".

But I got enough sleep yesterday.For a month, the German bombing of their air base did not achieve the expected results. Relying on the advanced radar system, the British army shot down more than twice as many enemy planes.According to this situation, the fight for air supremacy... probably won't be a problem.

Thinking about it, London picked a stone bench and sat down, gesturing for the other three to sit down too.

"First of all, I would like to thank everyone for coming to Hyde Park at the appointed time for my unfeeling request. You have been sitting in the meeting hall for 8 hours. I hope you can come and relax. There is nothing important. It is said that there have been fewer enemy attacks in the past two days. One point, is this news consistent with what you have encountered?"

Portsmouth nodded: "It's true. There have been no enemy attacks in the past two days, and the radar has not shown that they are wandering nearby." He glanced at Brighton and Southampton as he spoke, and the two quickly echoed a few words.

"It's good to be true. You have withstood a lot of pressure in the south bank for a month, and I really want to thank each of you city lords in person. Although I can't do this, at least I want to thank you in a personal capacity for your loyalty and loyalty. Tough pays homage."

"Thank you." Portsmouth said, "The city lords in the Northeast have endured more than us. It's a pity that they are far away from the capital, and they can't come here to do a stage summary with us, otherwise they can communicate with us to deal with the enemy's attack. experience."

"Well, I sent them a telegram of condolences in the morning. Any experience with enemy attacks..." London smiled wryly, his eyes wandering to the southwest of the park.The setting sun melts gold, and the twilight merges. The simple and majestic figure of Wellington Arch is covered with a dark golden coat. The bronze statue on the top of the arch tells the legend of the goddess of peace descending on the four-horse chariot. Looking at the infinite clouds, they seem to have been floating in the clouds, and they are about to spread their wings and fly to a higher and farther heaven.

France could not wait any longer to save its hero, and was held at the throat by the sharp sword of the Nazis.What about Britain?General, are you watching your descendants from heaven with pity?Can your soul protect the skies of the British Isles 150 years from now?

"I have watched the enemy attack from a distance in the southern suburbs, and I can see how crazy the Germans are. They have made little movement in the past two days, so there must be fraud. It is only a month of defeat, and they will never let it go."

Brighton said: "They may have to change the focus of the attack. Bombing the air base is not going to work, they have many options..."

"Yeah, there are too many. So I still can't confirm the 'only'." Southampton turned to look at London, "What does the king think?"

London looked up at the sky and remained silent for a long time. Five seconds later, the sound of aircraft engines came from far and near from the southeast direction—more precisely, the direction of Wellington Arch.

Everyone understood in an instant.

And when the alarm beeped with some sluggish response, and the first bomb roared and landed in the city at the same horizontal speed as the mother plane that dropped it, Southampton grabbed London's sleeve and hid in the nearby bunker, but the other party's tone was cold muttered a word.The background sound was very noisy, and it was incredible that he could hear this sentence clearly.

"It's useless to look forward to. The ideas of the staff in Berlin are not very good."

Throughout the summer and early autumn of 1940, whether on the western front of Europe or the east of Asia, they were equally anxiously waiting, hesitating to make decisions, and people repeatedly tried to clean the windows that blocked the prospect despite knowing that they had failed. The effort of the mist on the glass fades.

But if you turn your attention to the north and south of eastern China, the atmosphere shrouded in those areas that have been painted as shadows on the map is sometimes a little more positive than that in the west.

For the Japanese and puppet officers and soldiers stationed in the North China Plain, the "security" situation in the second half of the year undoubtedly caused them an extremely headache.Originally, it is easy to destroy and difficult to build. I am used to siege and show off my power. After sitting on the top of the city, I know that the days of peace are far from coming.The battle along the Zhengtai Railway quickly ignited North China like a prairie fire. Watching the erratic Eighth Route Army soldiers suddenly become high-profile, climbed on the bunker less than a kilometer away from the city, and cheered. The captain threw away the binoculars and turned to the man behind him angrily: "Didn't you see that we are sending troops out? What are you doing here? Add to the chaos!"

"Don't dare. I am worried about the safety of all the warriors, and I have trouble sleeping and eating. I am here to observe your heroic demeanor in fighting the enemy." Datong set up a pergola and looked at the bunker. "Ah, it's so far away..."

"Stay away!"

"Didn't you hit the root of the city yet?"

"Nonsense! If they hit our feet, we can't explain it to the Japanese!"

"It's okay, Captain. I guess the Japanese should have more headaches than you." Datong said slowly, "Anxiety hurts the liver, so take it easy."

The squad leader also gave him a look of resentment, impatience and suspicion.Then they received an order to go out of the city to meet them, and another group of people came up, and hurriedly led the soldiers away amidst the hoarse and tune-changed roar of the boss.

Datong is a bit lonely.Even if others don't give him a good look, he rarely runs up to his own city wall to look at the scenery. It's more interesting to have someone to accompany him to comment on current affairs than to be alone in the bleak wind.Located on the edge of the Loess Plateau, autumn is merciless, and the desolation of vegetation is often just a one-night event, which can easily arouse sentimental emotions.Looking down, the green sky and yellow leaves outside the city gate are full of flying sand and stones, and the eardrums are buzzing by the noise, really...

Very lonely.

"Xiaoyan is in the southwest, so I can't see the scenery. It's still possible in Tianjin... That guy from Yan'an will do what he says, yes, he will become a good man in the future..."

"Yan'an? Yan'an!"

Yan'an, who was immersed in Sun Tzu's art of war, couldn't react for a while when he saw Xi'an running out of breath and appeared at the door, he was so shocked that the book fell to the ground with a thud.

"What's the matter, Yan'an...you can't even recognize your brother's voice?" Xi'an's tone was slightly reproachful, but there was a smile on his face.

"Brother has been visiting for several days. Even strangers should be familiar with it. I was distracted and didn't hear it." Yan'an picked up the book, greeted Xi'an to sit down, and poured tea, "Brother, why is it so urgent?"

"It's not that I'm in a hurry, but I want you to know and be happy sooner." Xi'an flicked Yan'an's forehead, "The Northern Subei Command has sent a messenger."

"Oh? What did he say?"

"The plan to connect the two base areas in North China and Central China is completely feasible. In fact, General Chen has already led him across the river to the north, and he can join forces with the Fifth Column of the Eighth Route Army by mid-October at the latest."

Yan'an jumped up: "Great! In this way, the Eighth Route and the New Fourth can support each other, and then build a base area, absorb the local people, and expand the results... I never thought that the devil could find anything that could give us a fatal blow Yes! Brother, do you remember that Brother Peiping went to the North Jiangsu Headquarters? No, no, it was called the Jiangnan Headquarters at that time. We wanted to test the possibility of going north. Brother Peiping not only agreed, but also gave a lot of valuable opinions after returning . . . and he would be very happy to know!"

"I knew you would think of him. Don't worry, your brother Peiping will know soon."

"I was a little afraid that after the battle in North China slowed down, the Japanese and puppets would have to fight back with all their strength. At that time, whether there will be a way to retreat, whether the support and supplies can keep up in time... don't worry too much!" Yan'an excitedly Pacing back and forth, saying, "Who said the CPC can't fight a big battle? Our performance will only be better than the Central Army, right, bro!"

Quiet.Xi'an immersed himself in Sun Tzu's Art of War and pressed on a certain page.Ru Mo's long hair was bent over one shoulder and draped over his chest, and his sharp outline was somewhat blurred in the dimly lit cabin.

"Brother." Yan'an felt a trace of uneasiness.Even if Xi'an doesn't run over, his guards will tell him the good news in 5 minutes.Xi'an wants to have a conversation with him alone while outsiders are away, right? "Brother, please tell me, I will listen to your suggestion carefully."

"The combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army is nothing short of equal, even compared to the troops of the direct line. Tactically, it is also very good to take the initiative to attack and destroy the traffic lines and pull out the enemy and puppet strongholds that have entered the base area. It is also very good to give full play to the advantages of flexibility and mobility. However, Yan'an, you may have overlooked a basic truth in the art of war - how many troops you have in North China has been exposed."

"The Japanese and puppets are not completely ignorant. Let them know more. It won't pose much danger."

"I'm not referring to the Japanese puppets. Yan'an," Xi'an sighed and stood up. "It was originally said that no less than 22 regiments were mobilized to attack the Zhengtai Railway to break the 'cage policy'. Unexpectedly, the snowball got bigger and bigger, and got out of the There are more than 100 regiments. Do you think Chongqing will not be surprised? One army has engulfed so many troops. In 38, you asked for an additional division. Do you remember how the chairman refused? "

"...For the purpose of resisting Japan, we naturally need to attract more people. If we don't add more, we won't add them, and we haven't violated the order."

"Everyone is fighting against Japan. But when people look at it, they will think, why does the CPC have more than 100 regiments in the northwest? In addition to the guerrilla armed forces in Shandong and southern Hebei, how many troops do you have without reporting? Take a step back Said," Xi'an pressed Yan'an's shoulder worriedly, "You fought very well, very vigorously, and very fun. Chongqing should also send you a commendation telegram, but you have to be more cautious in your future strategies... "

"Instead of being suspicious of us, they should live up to themselves. Yichang fell and Chongqing was bombed. Sichuan is looking like it is about to be attacked. If they fail to win, they will know about peace talks. If it wasn't for the devils who wanted to go to Nanyang, relax a little bit. I don’t know if Inner Mongolia and Manchuria will suffer from this peace talk! Why don’t you reflect on your own incompetence and worry about what we do?” Yan’an shook his head vigorously, as if trying to shake off the haze that lingered in his heart, “Brother, to tell you the truth, When I agreed to allow so many regiments to join the battle, I thought not only of fighting the enemy, but also of my brothers in Inner Mongolia, Shenyang and Harbin in the Soviet Union... I want all the Chinese to have a little more confidence, don't Betray their wishes, don't break your promise to persevere to the end!"

"I know, I know everything. There is nothing wrong with developing strength." Mentioning Shenyang, Xi'an's eyes darkened.To be fair, KMT and CPC are not particularly pure in their intentions compared to Shenyang, who only want to regain their hometown. However, it is too much to make use of this war, which is obviously unpopular, and the Chongqing side also understands this. "Brother, I believe and agree with every word you say. I also support you in this battle. I just hope that you will maintain a keen mind in the future, and walk the next road smoothly, and don't be held back by unnecessary internal friction. Footsteps... four years, almost four years of cooperation?"

Yan'an silently nodded.He was caught off guard by Xi'an's suddenly softening tone.

"How did my brother use the sword to force the king to agree? I remember every detail clearly. You are very smart, and you must understand how your brother feels. You must continue to cooperate safely until the invaders are driven away. To repair this devastated country; until China is really strong, no longer insulted and oppressed by anyone; until the world is no longer full of smog, full of bullying, and the weak... cooperate forever. Promise me, Yan'an!"

"Don't be like this, brother! I...I promise you, we will be careful without your telling." Yan'an has never seen such a sincere and extremely tough Xi'an.He ran to the door in a panic and said, "Well, the political commissar has come to see us. Shall we go pick us up together?"

Xi'an smiled, took a deep breath quietly, and followed out.Am I too nervous? I have lived too long and become cautious about everything. This is not okay.No problem, right.

It was cloudy and rainy.

It was the third day after the London city was bombarded day and night.

The streets were deserted and there were few pedestrians. In the middle of the ruins of residential buildings that had been blown into rubble, an old postman was dragging mail out of the only mailbox that was still in shape.A young man in a black raincoat wandered the streets for a while. When he saw the postman, he walked quickly and asked about the route to the city lord's office.After he came down from the port, he wanted to take the familiar bus, but was told that the road was destroyed and temporarily unable to operate.

"Is that so, there is only a long detour. Thank you."

The accent isn't native, or from anywhere in the UK I can think of—wait, what's that face?The old postman turned around hesitantly, and the young man in the black raincoat had already hurried away in the gradually falling night.

"Mr. London! What are you doing here?"

Hong Kong walked near the station, only to find London sitting on a bench under the dim street lights.

London looked up, as surprised as the other party: "It's you? Hong Kong? You...why are you here?"

"I heard that you and your citizens are being bombed violently. I am very disturbed and want to see the situation. I didn't notify you in advance for fear of causing trouble to you."

"You shouldn't come. London is not a safe place. Forget it, come as soon as you come..." London said haggardly, put down the pen in his hand, and closed the notepad, "Just leave early, at least your home is not in danger .”

Hong Kong caught a glimpse of the bandage exposed during London's action, wrapped around the collarbone revealing faint bloodstains, presumably there is still under the clothes: "I'm fine. Are you injured?"

"I encountered a time-delay bomb on the way to inspect the basement of Buckingham Palace."

"You seem to be seriously injured. It's so cold and you're still sitting in the rain. Go back soon?"

"Don't be like them in Southampton. I lay in the hospital for two days and one night, and there were always people around me, saying something to sleep well and rest quietly. If I go to sleep, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep forever. If you get some rain, your brain will be fine Be sober. Sit down and talk to me."

It turned out that he sneaked out...Hong Kong sat down beside London obediently without compromising.

This is not destined to be a lively conversation.With Hong Kong's character, it is unlikely to take the initiative to speak up, and London has no such intention. It just said: "Look, these people waiting for the bus."

The air was damp and cold.Since the damaged sewers hadn't been repaired, the sewage had seeped into the ground, and the air that should have been fresh on rainy days was also mixed with a strange smell.There were fewer pedestrians, only a few long lines of very tired citizens, as pale as their castellan, waiting for the last bus.Lurking in the slowly falling curtain of night are vicious enemies and looming dangers.Anyone who visits this city sees this scene and will naturally think, what kind of torture is this city enduring?How much suffering do people have to go through in the severely disturbed life order?How long will this bleak situation last?How many days?How many months?several years?

Nothing in the world consumes one's vitality more than long waiting.I don't know where the end is, and I can't stop it, so I just wait, wait, watching the casualties of relatives and friends, watching the homeland being destroyed, watching the blue sky of my hometown being slowly eaten away by gunpowder smoke.

The rain dripped down, and there was a coolness on his face.A layer of autumn fog and drizzle, covering the dilapidated residential area stretching into the distance, the hazy silhouette of Notting Hill is desolate and lonely.

Hong Kong sat quietly.Although London was by my side, maybe he was too weak, maybe it was too cold, but there was no warmth from him.Hong Kong recalled the poem Guangzhou had read to him a long time ago, and couldn't help chanting softly: "Autumn mountains after autumn mountains, autumn rains on the mountains. Yesterday we fought against the river mouth, today we fight against the mountains..."

"What are you reading? Chinese poetry?" London asked.

Hong Kong nods.If London had seen him do such a thing in the few years when he was ceded, he would have been a hundred unhappy, but today it seems to be very peaceful.

"What means?"

"It's about autumn. It means that the autumn mountains are connected with the autumn mountains, and the autumn rain makes the whole mountain appear dark red, like old blood. Yesterday there was a fierce battle at the mouth of the river, and today there was another fight on the side of the mountain..."

"And then? You don't seem to have finished reading."

"The following sentences have nothing to do with the present. They are all about the tragic war and the defeat of the royal army. But Mr. London will not fail, he just needs to endure temporarily."

London was silent.After a while, he said: "Think carefully, your family members in the past are also suffering extraordinary hardships. When did Guangzhou fall?"

"October 38. There was a period of time before that, and the citizens of Guangzhou were bombed almost every day."

"A lot of people must have died."

"Yeah. There was a ballad at that time: Since the enemy bombed me, nine out of ten houses were deserted. The big family sheltered foreign ghosts, and the small family returned to their hometown. I have my hometown but can't return. I will splash my blood on the Pearl River."

"It's a very generous song." London smiled. "I almost forgot that there are so many cities and so many people who are enduring the same or even deeper pain than ours."

"So you can survive, sir. Besides, the conditions of the Commonwealth are much better. Even if the bombing is more varied and more intense, as long as it is handled properly, the losses can be kept to a minimum."

"Thank you for your kindness, Hong Kong. I have never thanked as many people as I have these days, but it is worth it. I used to feel completely alone in the summer, but I was wrong, very wrong. With your With support, I can walk through these difficult two months with peace of mind, and I was ridiculed by Berlin and still walked on the path I decided for two months.” London looked directly at Hong Kong and said sincerely, contrary to people’s impression that the Commonwealth of Nations Wang's indifferent image, "However, passive defense is not a long-term solution... It's time to give them a little bit of pain."

He picked up the pen again and finished writing the interrupted content on the notepad.

"To the Chief of Staff of the Air Force from the capital:

The "retaliation" action I mentioned earlier does not mean the violent bombing of the densely populated cities of Germany, which is not only condemned by conscience, but also unnecessary.The attempt to terrorize the civilian population is unlikely to be repeated, but small, sudden air strikes against smaller German cities on a few scattered nights might calm the German people's frenzy and make them less aware of the current situation. A little more sobriety, and not credulous every word the enemy says to them.Of course, we must take into account many factors, from methods and technologies to the timing of the announcement, all of which require a period of preparation.I hope you can take my opinion into consideration and reply within a week. "

February 9, Berlin.

The final signing of the Triple Alliance Treaty was completed by the officials in the meeting room, and the capital princes came to the courtyard early for a walk, and by the way, they said some compliments that were difficult to distinguish from true to false but must be pleasing to the ear.

When seeing Rome, Berlin wanted to slightly reproach the Italian army for its unauthorized actions in East and North Africa.Although some results have been achieved, the victory achieved by relying on absolute numerical superiority will also come with many follow-up questions.If the British army takes care of things in Africa, the prospects will not be very optimistic.

"Even if you are in a hurry to build your great Roman Empire, you have to measure your combat effectiveness in advance."

He really wanted to express his dissatisfaction with Roma, but Roma slipped too fast, and within a few steps, he said that the secretary had something to do with him, leaving the huge courtyard for him and Tokyo to wander around slowly.

——In fact, what Rome is thinking, what he wants, what position he stands in the country, and what kind of influence he exerts. When I think about it carefully, he can't extract valuable information, and it's all a fog.The few words that Rome left them with were all ambiguous, saying they were passive and pursuing, saying they were pursuing and escaping.

How could the oriental man beside him have a clear plan, and he didn't mind letting his allies know.

"The dust has settled." Stopping, Tokyo looked at the building behind him, with a worried expression on his face, "Prince of Berlin, I hope your country will support our country's business in Greater East Asia."

"That is certain. We have always respected Japan's leadership in the new order of Greater East Asia."

"Washington and Berlin..." Tokyo withdrew the second half of the sentence, and shifted his gaze to the blooming pansy with a bit of reserve.

"The Germans do what they say, so please don't worry too much. When the time is right, we will do everything in our power to support your country's actions."

"Thank you very much." The focus of Tokyo's eyes turned back, and a smile that was not entirely out of courtesy appeared on his face, "It is always reassuring to talk to the King of Berlin. Our previous cabinet, when it was time to be conservative, attacked, Retreat when it is time to advance, making a lot of twists and turns in vain, thanks to your country's understanding, the alliance was formed."

"I also understand the hesitant voices in your country. After all, the two countries have different interests, but the alliance is a historical trend and a world trend. This step must be taken. I think they have already woken up."

"If the alliance can cover more countries according to this trend, it will be great. Your country must have already made arrangements?"

"Naturally. Military matters, even if there are guarantees first, after all, they are not as strong as our covenant, and we can't entrust all the desire to maintain it to the other party." Berlin pointedly compared to the east, "How are you and the Soviet Union? Is there still friction?"

"It's been quieter lately. There's been no direct, intense friction."

Berlin responded approvingly.He didn't want one more rash companion to mess up his overall plan.Japan has not resolved the incident in China for a long time, and now it is going south again. No one with a clear mind would be eager to find another enemy in the north.In short, it is a win and a loss.

"We must be cautious with Siberian bears, and we must not let them go into muddy waters that are not planned. Stabilize Moscow, needless to say, Eastern Europe and Southern Europe, I will take care of it..."

In addition to discussing political and military speculation, Berlin actually doesn't like spending too long with Tokyo.He is polite and a good ally, but it is unknown how much is hidden under the mask of humility and calmness.He connived at the behavior of the army on the way to attack East Asia. It is not unheard of in Berlin, and the domestic people also have quite a few criticisms.But afterwards, as usual, it was bypassed lightly.Therefore, Berlin quickly found an excuse, and returned to the lounge alone to continue the train of thought just now.

Bulgaria's joining must be done quickly, and the Soviet Union must not take the lead; and it must not be too tight, so as not to provoke unnecessary resistance.Foreign countries must pay attention, and there are still problems to be dealt with domestically.Although most of the city lords have shown their support for him and their belief in the National Socialist Party, there is always a little bit of discordant notes, which stubbornly exist through the dictatorship of the city lord, like Weimar... yes, the republic that he leads Being overthrown and feeling unhappy is a normal reaction, but there is no need to be uncooperative everywhere, right?Was he satisfied that a weak republic ruined Germany's future?Sneering like Paris.

He frowned at the thought of Paris.They were benevolent to France, they didn't interfere with people's daily life, and they didn't impose the previous tough measures, but every time he asked Paris to negotiate with him in a friendly manner, it was nothing more than a refusal, or a direct accusation, such as "I am very incompetent." , you are more despicable" and so on.Paris' temperament changed a lot during the house arrest. She was still arrogant, but showed bipolarity. Sometimes she was extremely cold and didn't say a word to others, and sometimes she was extremely hyperactive, and her words were often very aggressive.In view of this, he could only keep her under house arrest until the day she figured it out.Just wait.If the real cards are not available, the Pétain government will have to face another big hurdle to win trust...

"You guys, why don't you understand." He murmured.

If people in the opposing camp heard this sentence, they would probably sigh in exactly the same way.

Tragically, communication breakdowns have been a constant throughout human history.