Defend the Northeast
Zhang Chenglin, Ji Yuxing, and others stayed in Shanghai for thirteen days, holding one Party organization meeting after another. As the expressions on Sheng Dongsheng and Tan Yuanbo's faces grew increasingly grave, the atmosphere in Shanghai became increasingly tense.
finally--
On a not-so-peaceful night in mid-to-late February, Japanese troops crossed the Yalu River into Northeast China, marking the beginning of the full-scale invasion of China.
In an instant, alarms were sounded throughout the country, and people were filled with fear. Patriots stepped forward one after another, and countless people rushed to the Northeast from all corners of China.
After another tense organizational meeting, Sheng Dongsheng and Tan Yuanbo appeared under the cover of night at the place where Zhang Chenglin and Ji Yuxing lived. Several other party members under Sheng Dongsheng and Tan Yuanbo's command, as well as Yi Boyan, Ji Ruqiong, and Zhou Zhu, were also present at the meeting.
Sheng Dongsheng flipped through the meeting minutes in his hand and spoke rapidly: "The war in Northeast China has begun. Everyone knows that this is not just a war in Northeast China. If we do not deal with it in time, it is very likely to become a war in China. At that time, the people will face not only suffering, but also fear."
"So now, we must make proper arrangements and assign everyone to appropriate places to fight for the country, for the Party and the people." Sheng Dongsheng spread his notebook out on the table and then pressed the middle flat. "Although the situation in the Northeast is tense, we cannot transfer all of you to the Northeast. Some of you need to stay in Shanghai to ensure that if the Northeast really falls, someone can provide timely support to North China or even East China."
Tan Yuanbo handed him the notebook with the list and said, "You can arrange the people on my side as you see fit. I will make other adjustments if they are not suitable."
"Okay." Sheng Dongsheng took the notebook from him, then looked at the group of people sitting or standing in front of him and asked, "Are any of you willing to go to support the Northeast?"
All 26 people present raised their hands without exception.
Tan Yuanbo, whose expression remained unchanged, revealed a hint of a smile in his deep, unfathomable eyes, which also carried a sense of appreciation.
Sheng Dongsheng looked at them and nodded. "In that case, I will make my own arrangements for those going to the Northeast and those staying in Shanghai."
"Put your hands down first."
Sheng Dongsheng looked at Zhang Chenglin and Ji Yuxing, who were standing in the middle with their backs against the table, and said, "Zhang Chenglin and Ji Yuxing, one of you will go to the Northeast, and the other will stay in Shandong. I respect your opinions."
“I’m going to the Northeast!” Ji Yuxing spoke first, his voice firm and unquestionable. “Mr. Sheng, as you know, the Northeast is my home. Standing here at this moment, I am more qualified than anyone else to go to the Northeast.”
"For many people, going to defend Northeast China is fighting for the Northeast, for the country, and for the Party and the people. But I'm not just fighting for those things; I'm also fighting for my home."
Sheng Dongsheng naturally had no objection. He wrote something in his notebook and nodded, "Okay, then Zhang Chenglin will stay in Shanghai for the time being."
Zhang Chenglin nodded in agreement: "I will follow your instructions."
“Mr. Sheng, I also want to apply to go to the Northeast.” Ji Ruqiong took two steps forward, her expression serious. “My reason is the same as Ji Yuxing’s.”
After saying this, she turned to look at Ji Yuxing and saw the reluctance and determination in his eyes.
"No!" It was Tan Yuanbo who said this. He had taken the cigarette out of his mouth at some point, and his face had an unquestionable expression. "You and Zhang Chenglin stay in Shanghai."
"Why should I?" Ji Ruqiong frowned, her gaze fixed on Tan Yuanbo, as if she would never obey his arrangements unless he gave her a reasonable explanation.
Before Tan Yuanbo could speak, Sheng Dongsheng spoke first, his tone much better than Tan Yuanbo's: "Since your family only has two children, you and Ji Yuxing, if something happens to him in the Northeast, at least one person in your family will still be alive."
Ji Ruqiong's heart skipped a beat. Yi Boyan, who was next to her, reached out and gently patted her shoulder. Sheng Dongsheng glanced at her and continued to make the arrangements: "In that case, Ji Yuxing, Bo Muge, Di Bingli, Zhou Zhu, Gu Zichen... you 17 people will go to support the Northeast. Lao Tan will go with you. The organization will also arrange for some other people to come. Lao Tan will explain the specifics to you later."
“Zhang Chenglin, Ji Ruqiong, Yi Boyan, Nan Yuxuan… the nine of you will stay in Shanghai with me for the time being, awaiting further arrangements from the Central Committee.”
"I only have one option: once the war is over and everyone comes back to Shanghai, I'll treat everyone to drinks, and we won't leave until we're all drunk!"
"Okay, that's all for today's meeting. Everyone, please get some rest."
*
Overnight, the Party organization quickly divided all Party members in Shanghai into two factions: one to support the Northeast, and the other to remain in Shanghai to await further instructions.
The group that went to support the Northeast set off for the Northeast early the next morning.
Zhang Chenglin and Ji Ruqiong were still in the alley of the village, listening to the deafening roar of cars starting up outside.
Zhang Chenglin stood at the second-floor window and looked down, watching cars with different license plates come and go, picking up people, dropping them off, and then coming back.
Watching those people's resolute backs, Zhang Chenglin finally understood Ji Yuxing's words—"Take one more look, maybe that one look will be the last."
Finally, after a long time, Ji Yuxing appeared at the doorway. As if sensing something, Ji Yuxing turned his head and glanced at the small window on the second floor.
A sheer curtain hung inside the small window, making the person standing by the window somewhat blurry, but he still recognized Zhang Chenglin at a glance.
So before getting on the bus, he saluted in this direction.
Zhang Chenglin watched, silent, motionless, and without a smile.
The afternoon after they left, Sheng Dongsheng returned from a meeting with news that caused immense grief to countless people.
Sheng Dongsheng: "The Japanese burned, killed, and looted in Northeast China. In just two days, many soldiers have sacrificed their lives, and seven cities have been occupied by the Japanese army. And today, I don't know which city's big landlord took the lead, but five or six of the top landlords in Northeast China have taken their wealth and their workers to join the Japanese army."
"As a result, the situation in Northeast China became even more out of our control, and the people of Northeast China began to live a life of misery."
"I am passing this message on to you. You should also be prepared to go to support the Northeast again at any time. Secondly, you should stabilize morale in Shanghai and not lose your composure before even entering the battlefield."
Before leaving, Sheng Dongsheng's gaze suddenly fell on Zhang Chenglin, who had been standing silently in the corner: "Zhang Chenglin, come with me for a moment."
Zhang Chenglin followed Sheng Dongsheng to his residence. Sheng Dongsheng didn't keep him in suspense and got straight to the point: "Keep an eye on these people in Shanghai for me."
“Okay.” Zhang Chenglin agreed without asking why or what the cause was.
Watching Zhang Chenglin walk out, Sheng Dongsheng reached out and rubbed his temples, but his gaze inadvertently fell on a name written in his notebook—Yi Boyan.
Sheng Dongsheng reached out and gently closed the notebook. Just as he was about to stand up, he heard a knock on the door.
"Enter."
Yi Boyan pushed open the door and entered, greeting people first: "Mr. Sheng."
Sheng Dongsheng nodded. "Sit down."
"Thank you, Mr. Sheng." Yi Boyan sat down opposite him, watching him pour himself a cup of tea. "Mr. Sheng, who was looking for me?"
"Have you been scared by the news from Northeast China lately?" Sheng Dongsheng asked with his usual kind smile, as if he were concerned for a younger person.
"How could that be?" Yi Boyan picked up the tea he had poured, took a sip, and then smiled, "I can't wait to go to the Northeast and contribute."
Sheng Dongsheng nodded with satisfaction after hearing his words: "It's good that you think this way; it's the attitude a qualified Communist Party member should have."
"I called you here not for any other reason than to hear how your work has been going lately."
It turned out that he was to give a report. Yi Boyan had already considered this, and he calmly and slowly began to explain, listing out the items that he would usually report to Sheng Dongsheng one by one.
Occasionally, when Sheng Dongsheng pressed him for answers, he would smile and slowly explain again or add some more details.
Sheng Dongsheng nodded repeatedly upon hearing this. He had never doubted or worried about Yi Boyan's meticulousness and conscientiousness.
After finishing his report, seeing that Sheng Dongsheng had nothing else to do, Yi Boyan offered not to disturb him. Sheng Dongsheng naturally had no objection, as he had always done so.
It was the perfect balance that allowed them to advance and retreat.
But it was precisely this person, who thought highly of everything, who got into trouble that gave Sheng Dongsheng the biggest headache.
So much so that when Sheng Dongsheng first heard about it, he did his best to defend him.
Rather than being misunderstood by others, he hoped that Yi Boyan, whom he had personally nurtured, would not disappoint him.
*
After Ji Yuxing and his team went to Northeast China, good news kept coming from the region within half a month.
Telegrams from Zou Yechun, the highest leader of the Northeast Army, arrived almost daily.
Seeing this situation, the Party leaders in Shanghai, who had been frowning and overwhelmed with worries, finally relaxed a little.
By mid-March, a month had passed, but Japan's offensive in Northeast China showed no signs of abating, as if it had endless rear support. For a time, letters and telegrams from Northeast China once again put Shanghai on edge.
At that time, Ji Yuxing, along with Tan Yuanbo and Zou Yechun, led the troops in Northeast China to resist stubbornly. They were fearless on the battlefield and had already recaptured three major cities occupied by the Japanese army.
But just then—an unexpected turn of events occurred.
The supplies originally intended to be sent from Shanghai to the Northeast were intercepted by a small Japanese squad when they reached the Yellow Sea area. This was the last guarantee for the troops led by Tan Yuanbo and Zou Yechun, and their last escape route.
If this support is cut off, let alone whether they can continue fighting, they might not even be able to survive.
After looting that ship of supplies, the Japanese army completely cut off the Communist Party's communications between Shanghai and Northeast China, doing so silently. The Party organization only learned of this after Tan Yuanbo sent a telegram saying that Northeast China could not be defended and that he had led his men back to Shandong.
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