national hero
Fengyue looked out the window at the children playing. They were about the same age as she and Zhang Chenglin had been when they first met many, many years ago.
Fengyue suddenly smiled. The chaotic world has passed, and these children who met in this peaceful and prosperous era will surely form many enviable marriages in ten or twenty years.
This is a luxury they could never obtain, even after their reunion in a chaotic world.
Fengyue returned to her hospital bed, gazing at the pristine white walls of the room above her. Her pale lips parted slightly, and she murmured a song:
"A heavy snow fell in the early winter of the 25th year of the Republic of China, burying the old city and the deceased..."
——
The news of the passing of Ms. Gu Shiyue, curator of the National Museum of the War of Resistance Against Japan, spread like wildfire, and many citizens spontaneously mourned and commemorated this woman who made countless contributions to the museum.
Whether it's her title as the curator of the National Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall or the contributions she made to the memorial hall, she deserves to be recorded in the annals of the National Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall and remembered by future generations.
However, she left very little information. The file that Aunt Rong from Huayuelou gave her, which was found in Zhang Chenglin's house, only showed her original name "Gu Shiyue" and two dates: her birth date "September 19, 1905" and the date she entered Huayuelou.
There is no other information about her.
The clerk who compiled the historical materials came from Shanghai and said, "If I remember correctly, Gu Shiyue should be the eldest daughter of the Gu family in Shanghai. Let me find her birth date and compare it with the time when the Gu family was raided."
After the clerk who compiled the historical materials finished writing the introduction about Fengyue, several people with authority at the National Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall held a meeting. They had no objection to most of the information in the materials, but Ji Yuxing and Dai Zining had different opinions on Fengyue's place of origin.
Dai Zining said it should be Shandong. Zhang Chenglin's family is from Shandong, and she later lived in Shandong with Zhang Chenglin, as well as with Zhang Qizhong. Logically and emotionally, Shandong is the place where she finally returned to her roots.
Ji Yuxing said that Shanghai is where Gu Shiyue was born and raised. She also met Zhang Chenglin when they were young in Shanghai. Moreover, for Zhang Chenglin, Shanghai is his home.
The two held firm to their own opinions, and neither was willing to give in.
Ultimately, the two sides reached a stalemate, so Dai Zining changed the subject and threw the question to Xin Jie: "You've been with Zhang Chenglin and Gu Shiyue the longest, so tell me, where would be the most suitable place for you to settle down?"
Xin Jie first looked at Ji Yuxing, then at Dai Zining, and finally said in a very firm tone, "Shanghai."
Dai Zining: "?"
“The gentleman once said that after the war was over,” Xin Jie recalled the past and old friends, a hint of sadness in his eyes, but he smiled and said, “he and Miss Fengyue are going to settle down in Shanghai.”
He said "go back," not "go away."
From beginning to end, he always acknowledged that Shanghai was his home.
The matter thus came to an end, the dust settled, and information about Feng Yue spread. Those young men and women who had been captivated by Gu Shiyue in their youth couldn't help but feel saddened upon hearing the news.
On the day of Fengyue's memorial service, Zhuang Eryi also came and stood with He Zhonghua, discussing the unresolved issues from the Puyu Chamber of Commerce's leadership transition meeting that year.
"See, I told you so. There's a strange sense of familiarity about her, like meeting an old friend you haven't seen for many years."
As soon as Zhuang Eryi finished speaking, He Zhonghua did not refute as he had before, but said, "It's not just similar, she is that old friend."
The two exchanged a smile, and He Zhonghua continued, "Besides, the marriage you arranged haphazardly back then, wouldn't you say that's a kind of fulfillment?"
Zhuang Eryi seemed lost in thought and didn't answer He Zhonghua's question. Instead, she spoke again, "Back then, when Fengyue and I were talking about Gu Shiyue, I said, 'Who would she, with her otherworldly beauty, bow down for?'"
“Feng Yue answered without any hesitation, ‘He will definitely be a very, very good gentleman.’” Zhuang Eryi said, recalling the past, and then suddenly laughed: “She had already given me the answer back then, it’s just that I didn’t think of Zhang Chenglin.”
“Yes,” He Zhonghua said with a slight smile, “Very good, very good sir.”
As Dai Zining emerged from the main hall, she listened attentively to the conversation between He Zhonghua and Zhuang Eryi from a distance. She couldn't help but recall what the doctor had said in the hospital not long ago:
“Her illness came on suddenly. If it’s just because of overwork, she should get better after taking some medicine and resting.”
"It's been so long and I haven't seen any improvement because I'm lovesick. Heartache... there's no cure for it."
So... the root of her illness was planted so early on.
The memorial service for Feng Yue was organized by Dai Zining, and all party members had to take it seriously, so they all came to attend the memorial service.
Ji Yuxing didn't arrive early, but he brought with him an official document that the Party organization had just approved that morning.
Comrade Zhang Chenglin was posthumously awarded the title of "National Hero".
After offering incense, Ji Yuxing placed the document beside the incense table. He thought that Fengyue would be very happy if she knew.
After handling the aftermath of her affair in Shandong, Dai Zining took Zhang Qizhong with her on her way back to Beijing.
Call her arrogant or just stating the facts, she doesn't believe anyone is more suitable than her to accompany Zhang Qizhong as he grows up.
*
In the spring of 1952, at the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country attached great importance to industrial development. At a time when everything was in ruins and the country needed money for many things.
While he was still relatively lucid, after talking with Jiang Xiaoxiao and Jiang Guanyu, he asked Jiang Xiaoxiao to write a letter on his behalf to Ji Yuxing, the person in charge of East China at the time, saying that he wanted to meet with him.
Jiang Yuanxing could have directly spoken to He Zhonghua, the person in charge in Shanghai at the time, but he felt that he had been at the top of the food chain for so long that he was qualified to meet not only Ji Yuxing, but even the Chairman.
By choosing a less desirable option, Yu Xing represents a humble attitude, which implicitly reveals his loyalty to the country.
Ji Yuxing has more authority to speak than He Zhonghua, and it is easier for him to handle many things.
The day Ji Yuxing went to the hospital, the weather was sunny and cloudless, a beautiful day even in spring.
"Old Jiang." Ji Yu greeted him as he entered the ward, then put the gifts he had brought aside.
More than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye. Back then, people in Shanghai would still address Jiang Yuanxing as "Mr. Jiang" or "Boss Jiang." At that time, he was an evenly matched opponent and a friend who fought side by side.
I don’t know when it started, but people began to call him “Old Jiang” or “Uncle Jiang”. His status changed from a big shot in Shanghai and the richest man in the country to a very respectable senior.
Just as the Yangtze River's waves push the previous ones forward, young people, whether in the business or political spheres, all have their own paths to follow.
"Mr. Ji." Jiang Xiaoxiao and Jiang Guanyu stood to the side and greeted Ji Yuxing very seriously.
Jiang Xiaoxiao was also silently observing Ji Yuxing, who was sitting by Jiang Yuanxing's hospital bed, humble, polite, and well-mannered. This was A Lin's former best friend. Times had changed, and after more than a decade of war, he had become even more outstanding and easily spotted in a crowd.
“The country needs to develop its industry. I own several steel mills, machinery factories, and an oil field in the Northeast. During the war, my Chiang family didn’t contribute much. Now that things are peaceful, I, Old Chiang, can’t just stand by and do nothing.” As Jiang Yuanxing spoke, he suddenly coughed twice and then breathed heavily uncomfortably.
Ji Yuxing got up slightly, picked up Jiang Yuanxing's cup from the bedside table, and poured him water himself.
Jiang Yuanxing was used to being in a position of power his whole life, so he didn't think there was anything wrong with it and naturally took a few sips.
After finishing the drink, he handed it back to Ji Yuxing.
Ji Yuxing smiled faintly, put the cup back on the bedside table, and listened to him continue.
"So I plan to give some of the factories and oil fields to the country to help the country's industrial development." Jiang Yuanxing said, pausing for a moment. "I called you here today to ask you to help me submit a report. If the leaders agree, let Xiaoxiao sign the contract with you. If the leaders don't agree, then forget it."
After listening to his words, Ji Yuxing remained silent for a moment before saying, "Alright, leave this matter to me. Wait for my news."
When Ji Yuxing returned home, he happened to run into Dai Zining, who was staying with Ji Ruqiong while on a business trip in Shanghai.
Ji Yuxing casually mentioned this matter to Dai Zining. It wasn't a report to his superiors; he just wanted to hear Dai Zining's opinion.
Dai Zining listened to his words and simply nodded, then explained the implications of the matter: "Jiang Yuanxing has been in this position for decades, so of course he knows better than anyone else that the Jiang family is too powerful. If the country wants to regulate the market and capital, it will definitely target the Jiang family first."
"From the perspective of a potential rectification order, if I were to sign such an order, I would sign the order against the Chiang family first. So he took the initiative to relinquish power in exchange for the Chiang family's peace in Shanghai. I must say, he is indeed a very clever businessman."
"Then this matter..." Ji Yuxing asked one last time, also wanting to see Dai Zining's attitude.
"Submit a report," Dai Zining said with a smile as she turned and went into the house, her voice carried on the wind, "The Central Committee will approve it."
The central government's approval came in a month later, much faster than Dai Zining had expected.
The person in charge of signing the contract from the central government came along with the approval process. Jiang Xiaoxiao, carrying Jiang Yuanxing's instructions, held firm to the bottom line while intentionally making concessions, giving the country the greatest benefit. Therefore, the contract was signed smoothly without any setbacks.
Ji Yuxing accompanied her when the contract was signed. After the central government representatives left, Jiang Xiaoxiao and Ji Yuxing walked out together, and Jiang Xiaoxiao sincerely said, "Thank you."
“Don’t mention it,” Ji Yuxing chuckled, “I can’t accept your thanks.”
Jiang Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow and glanced at him sideways.
“Back when I was in Shanghai with Ah Lin,” Ji Yuxing said, “you took good care of me.”
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