After Waking up Beside the Villain

When the content of the telegram was read out, the entire office of the editorial department of Oriental News froze silently as if frozen in time.

This moment is very short, and it seems to be an extremely long torment.

Chu Yunsheng saw the editor leaning over to read out the content of the telegram taking a deep breath, his eyes flushed, his cheeks clenched tightly, as if trying to restrain his trembling muscles.

But this patience soon shattered.

"Oriental people are extremely shameless!"

As soon as the shout came out, like a spark falling into a gunpowder keg, it immediately blew up the momentary silence in the office into an uproar, and the crowd was excited.

"Is this news true or false?"

"How can it be false, the news from Peking, you read the telegram down, saying that this matter has already been reported in the newspapers in Peking!"

"Wenhe, you have studied in Dongyang, tell me, how can Dongyang do such despicable things!"

"This matter turned out to be true, what should I do!"

"Such unreasonable demands must not be agreed! The meeting is not over yet, there may be a turning point, as long as the delegation is firm..."

"I'm afraid the delegation's firmness will not help. Didn't you read what the telegram said? It is likely that the refusal is invalid, and the protest is invalid! The situation in our country is like this. When the delegation just went to Europe a few months ago, people saw their own jokes. If you’re not single-minded, what are you going to fight for!”

"Can't we just sit and wait for death?"

"Mr. Fang!"

In the fierce quarrel and indignation in the editorial department, eyes turned to Fang Jiming. He is the editor-in-chief of Oriental News and a patriotic intellectual with great influence in all walks of life.

Fang Jiming stood up at some point, he opened his mouth under the gaze of all eyes, and only said: "Bring the telegram."

The editor with the telegram in his hand hurried over and handed the crumpled telegram to Fang Jiming.

Fang Jiming had already turned the piece of paper briefly written on the effects of antibiotics upside down on the table. He took the telegram and read it word by word carefully. Although the content was only a few short lines, he read it for a long time before speaking again. , his voice became hoarse: "This is a telegram from Mr. Song Yongnian."

A very young editor said in a daze: "Then it is indeed true... But Mr. Fang, weren't we the victorious nation in the European battle?"

Another editor said: "How can there be so much reason to talk about the power of self-righteousness!"

Suddenly, the editorial office became quiet again.

Chu Yunsheng's eyes swept over these editors.

He still remembers that just a few minutes ago, when he and Yu Jingzhi walked in here, all these young faces were still full of vigor and vigor, as if they were full of endless energy, You have to pay for those progressive things, and you have to burn your youth and strength.

But at this moment, these faces are dimmed, like a fire that is about to go out, and a dying day.

Chu Yun knew clearly that these hesitant eyes might just be appearances, they still had a fire in their chests, and they still wanted to shout out and charge forward.But at this time, the confusion and powerlessness are still real.

They can't predict the future, and they don't know whether they are filling in the bottomless deep sea or the bridge leading to the new world.

"The original front page will be removed."

The telegram in Fang Jiming's hand was slapped on the table.

He sat down again, tore off the manuscript paper that was almost full before, picked up the pen, and began to write vigorously.

At this moment, a series of hurried footsteps sounded outside the editorial office.

Chu Yunsheng raised his eyes, but saw that the person who came was Zheng Yuansheng who hurriedly put on only a shirt and forgot to bring his coat. He also had a telegram in his hand.

As soon as he entered the door and saw the atmosphere, he knew that Oriental News had also received news.

Zheng Yuansheng saw that Fang Jiming was writing an article, so he stood aside and did not immediately disturb him.

Fang Jiming wrote with a fire burning in his chest. He didn't write long, only a few hundred words, and then stopped writing.The paper is full of handwriting, the force pierces the back of the paper, born of anger, almost like a sword, extremely sharp.

"Mr. Fang, I have something to tell you." Zheng Yuansheng said.

Fang Jiming glanced at Zheng Yuansheng, handed the article to an editor, and then opened a door next to it. Inside the door was a small lounge of the editorial department, with two beds and some tables and chairs. Stayed here until late at night.

No one invited Yu Jingzhi, but Yu Jingzhi followed along in a daze. Seeing this, Chu Yunsheng naturally followed closely behind.

The four of them entered the lounge, and Zheng Yuansheng went straight to the point: "Mr. Fang, you know the news from Europe, are you still unmoved?"

Fang Jiming sat on a chair with a heavy expression on his face, and instead of answering, asked, "Yuansheng, the European conference is still three months away, do you think there is still room for recovery?"

Zheng Yuansheng frowned, and said with difficulty: "It's difficult."

He paced with tense legs: "There is a delay in the domestic news. We got this telegram, and at least two more rounds of conferences have been held in Europe. Some officials and foreigners in Haicheng should be a day or two ahead of our news. But look at their reaction."

"Besides, it must be premeditated for Dongyang to make such a request. Our country... I'm afraid we don't have so much power to speak."

At this time, some voices sounded in the office separated by the door.

Zheng Yuansheng's words paused, as if he had listened for a while, and then he continued: "Perhaps... Let this matter be known to all citizens, and gather the strength of [-] million people..."

Fang Jiming interrupted him: "It's not difficult, it's simply impossible."

Zheng Yuansheng froze, and suddenly turned his head to look at Fang Jiming: "Mr. Fang—"

"Don't talk about the voices of [-] million people. Even if there are more voices, double, triple, or a hundred times, there will be no waves. At most, it will make Peiping firm and refuse to sign. It's impossible. Do you know why?"

Fang Jiming said: "Do you know how did the opium come about, how did the coalition forces come about, how did those clauses come about, and how did the concession at your feet come about?"

"You really can't see through the situation at home and abroad?"

"They don't tell us about those axioms, do they really not understand? No! It's because they think we are unworthy!"

"I also often think about it. I think about it when I'm sitting, when I'm lying down, and when I write articles. I think about the future of Huaguo and the future of you young people. But I can't think of anything. Everything seems to be a road with no future. .”

"You often say in my ears that politics and economy are not good, that we need to reform completely, that we should learn from foreigners' step-by-step methods, and that we need reformism. One criticizes the extreme, and the other criticizes the conservative. , but not better, and still don’t know where to go, and it’s right or wrong.”

Hearing this, Zheng Yuansheng stopped in his tracks and became excited: "Mr. Fang, we can go wrong, but we have to go! If we don't even have the courage to explore a road, fight for it, shed blood for it, and give everything Yes, then the Hua Kingdom is truly defeated!"

Fang Jiming did not say something related to Zheng Yuansheng's position as usual, but sighed and said, "That's right."

He looked at Zheng Yuansheng, and said slowly: "The philosophy of Oriental Daily will not change, but I am personally willing to support some causes. It's not for other reasons, but I just don't want to meet again if there is another meeting like this in the future to such a telegram."

His eyes fell on Yu Jingzhi again.

"Jingzhi, I know what you're asking for, and I can agree."

Chu Yunsheng followed Fang Jiming's gaze and looked at Yu Jingzhi.

Since the arrival of that telegram and the news of the thunderbolt, Yu Jingzhi has been silent, frowning in deep thought.

On this kind of foreign matter, his news will not be much faster than Fang Mingming's, so the shock and anger when he hears it is no different.

Chu Yunsheng could see the veins on the back of Yu Jingzhi's hand, and the tense and stiff back at that moment.But Yu Jingzhi didn't let his anger spread, nor did he feel powerless.

Even if there is only a glimmer of hope, he is the kind of person who will not give up.

What's more, compared to before, now he still has the changes brought about by Chu Yunsheng.

"Sir, the matter may not be at the end of the mountain." Yu Jingzhi said, "Have you forgotten the paper just now? We still have some bargaining chips, but we don't know if we can impress other countries at that meeting."

Fang Jiming was taken aback for a moment, and then a look of surprise and joy appeared on his face: "In this case, there may be hope..."

Seeing the change in Fang Jiming's expression, Zheng Yuansheng was a little dazed, but before he could ask, Fang Jiming continued: "However, the situation in the Northeast has deteriorated a lot in the past six months, and I always feel uneasy. Before you Show me that piece of paper, don’t you also want to send it and other medicines northward?”

"There shouldn't be many such things..."

Yu Jingzhi said: "It will be mass-produced. And, sir, you may have misunderstood. I don't intend to directly take out antibiotics as a bargaining chip, but plan to try those Chinese patent medicines first."

If you show your cards too early, you will lose everything.

After speaking, Yu Jingzhi looked at Chu Yunsheng and asked for his opinion. After all, Chu Yunsheng was the master of the prescription.

Chu Yunsheng was naturally willing to do so, but he didn't think that the outcome of that meeting would be greatly changed by those Chinese patent medicines or antibiotics.Perhaps Yu Jingzhi also had this mental preparation, so he didn't directly take out antibiotics.

The war in Europe has stopped, but artillery fire is still spreading in the northeast of China.

The Orientals have entered the Northeast, and now they are going to take the Qingzhou Peninsula, which is obviously gaining momentum.

Even if Chinese patent medicines and antibiotics impress other countries, Dongyang will not sit still. As long as they don't plan to give up the fat of Huaguo, they will definitely pay more benefits and regain the support of other countries.

And when the benefits given by the Orientals are sufficient, other countries can steal and snatch Huaguo's prescriptions and antibiotics for use or research, and there is no need to work hard to talk about bargaining chips.

A weak country has no justice, and a weak country has no diplomacy.

That just doesn't make sense.

Sitting on the seat, Fang Jiming pondered for a while, finally nodded, and sighed: "Let's try it for now. The day after tomorrow I will go to see Mr. James of the US Emperor. Jingzhi, you can go with me."

When it came to Chinese patent medicine, Zheng Yuansheng showed a look of sudden realization, with surprise and hope in his eyes, and he didn't ask any more questions.

After the conversation ended, Chu Yunsheng and Yu Jingzhi left the editorial office of Oriental Daily, which was much busier than before.

The car started slowly, and Chu Yunsheng looked at the receding scenery outside the window, and suddenly asked, "Has the location of the arsenal been decided?"

Yu Jing was stunned, and the tired look on his face disappeared a bit: "Not yet."

Chu Yunsheng's eyes were calm, but there was a hint of deepness in his tone: "Make it as soon as possible."

As if he understood Chu Yunsheng's meaning, Yu Jingzhi slowly closed his eyes, his slightly long hair fell down, casting a deep shadow between his eyebrows and eyes.

In the next few days, Yu Jingzhi fell into the busyness of running around again.

Chu Yunsheng moved from the hospital to a two-story bungalow a few hundred meters away. The environment here is cleaner and it is convenient for Yu Jingzhi to arrange some protection.

The Oriental Daily and other major newspapers in Haicheng, on the second day after the news came, Qiqi published the incident on the front page.

The whole city was in an uproar, and the whole country was shaken.

News of the student demonstrations came from Peking, and people from all walks of life were running around for the country, and their anger was unbearable.Haicheng also erupted with countless shouts and appeals. Newspapers were printed one by one like snowflakes, protests of strikes and strikes, rallies, speeches and parades.

In the short distance from Chu Yunsheng's residence to the hospital, he could see groups of young people holding banners high and shouting angrily.

He was also a little excited, smashing the restaurants and businesses of the Dongyang people, making the patrol room overwhelmed.Some conflicts suddenly increased, and Chu Yunsheng's hospital was overcrowded, and they were all young people.

In the consulting room on the first floor, Chu Yunsheng saw the student screaming while the nurse was treating the wound. He was a frequent visitor in the hospital these days.

The gentle and elderly female nurse frowned, rubbed the medicine on him, and said, "It's chaotic outside, you just go to school, what kind of assembly are you going to? This time someone fired a gun, maybe next time someone will shoot. You are so young, how many lives do you have?"

The student grinned and said, "It's a pity that there is only one life. If there is another one, I will also go on stage to give a speech and protest!"

The nurse asked, "What are you protesting?"

"Sister Xu, don't you know? Protest and sign!" the student said.

"It's such a big mess, of course I know it. But what's the use of you doing this? This is the way of the world." The nurse sighed and said.

"I do not believe."

The student said sternly: "I believe everything will be fine. The world will be fine, the future will be fine, and our country will be fine. But this is not something you can just sit and wait for. Someone has to say something and do something. This Well, even if I can't see it, my son and grandson will be able to see it sooner or later."

"I believe that in the future, everyone will be equal, there will be peace and tranquility, and no one will look down on us anymore!"

As he said that, the student who was so enthusiastic about himself looked at Chu Yunsheng who was passing by and stopped, and asked with a smile, "Doctor Chu, do you believe it?"

Chu Yun paused, and his voice was calm and powerful: "I believe it."

Coming to this intricate world, he knows that he also has too many limitations and powerlessness.

Facing the wheels of the times, the changes in the world, and the future of our country, his or Yu Jingzhi's personal strength may be too fragile to stand in the way.

However, they will never be alone.