Zhenniang: The Three of Us (Chapter 34)
That was of course impossible; the war would break out again in just one year.
The Treaty of Peaceful Coexistence was torn up, and Heian-kyo changed hands once again.
Although they all live on the same land, they don't hold back when fighting each other.
Arrests were being carried out throughout the city, and among all the targets, Zhao Zhenniang was a very special person.
During the War of Resistance against Japan, the area around Ping'an City was always the territory of the Communist Party. Zhao Zhenniang was active in this area, and there was a high possibility that she was infected by the Communists. Her political orientation was very dangerous.
However, she was also a patriotic businesswoman who was well-known in the Ping'an area during the warlord era. She made great contributions during the War of Resistance against Japan, and many high-ranking people in the party had received her favors and had connections with her.
He was even personally commended by his superiors.
Such a person, even with the slightest move, can stir up huge public opinion, and cannot be dealt with hastily.
Therefore, the newly arrived officers chose to protect her warmly, but although it was protection, she was not allowed to leave her residence.
After so many years of wandering and hardship, I'm still not used to crises; my heart aches dully.
But crises are not meant to be gotten used to, but rather to be accepted.
Zhao Zhenniang closed her eyes, her mind filled with a jumble of thoughts. She looked at the tangled mess before her like an outsider.
After an unknown amount of time, things finally took a turn for the better.
The garrison officer had been waiting for a response from above, and not only did they receive a response, but they also sent someone to assist them.
The door was opened, and this time it took careful observation to discern the person's appearance.
Before they knew it, they were both nearing fifty. Lan Shuyan looked nothing like she had when they last parted.
But she still waved cheerfully to Zhao Zhenniang: "Hi."
...
In such a chaotic world, once two good friends are separated, they basically never see each other again. Now that they have been able to reunite, they are both very happy.
Their hands were clasped tightly together, looking into each other's faces, and they couldn't help but sigh, "We're getting old, we're all getting old..."
Those carefree, youthful days seem like a thing of the past.
I thought I was still young, but seeing my friends made me realize that time really does take its toll.
The two sat down, drank tea, and chatted.
The situation has been chaotic, but technology has continued to develop. Many countries have profited from wars abroad, and their own cultures have evolved rapidly, including their food cultures.
Lan Shuyan specially ordered many Western-style pastries that she had eaten before and that she remembered as being quite delicious, for Zhao Zhenniang to try.
Zhao Zhenniang's rustic tastes and mindset meant she always had a defensive attitude towards Western-style pastries, as if they were a formidable enemy, and even when she had money, she dared not cross the line.
Given her position, no one would be so idle as to specially invite her for snacks.
Zhang Ying dislikes talking to people while eating. When she sees someone coming, even if she is eating, she will put the food in her mouth first and never communicate with people about food.
Zhao Zhenniang stood shrewdly outside the Western-style pastry shop, but she was actually quite curious.
But the fancy appearance of the Western-style pastries acted like an invisible compass, creating an unseen deterrent that made her afraid to reach out.
Now, with Lan Shuyan, the long-cherished wish that I had always longed for but dared not touch has finally come true. The Western-style pastries probably aren't that special, are they?
She scooped a spoonful of cake into her mouth, and the rich cream spread throughout her mouth. Without hesitation, Zhao Zhenniang stuffed the whole cake into her mouth in a few bites.
Eat quickly! Otherwise, Auntie will be here soon!
Watching Zhao Zhenniang wolf down her food, Lan Shuyan fell silent: "Why are you eating so fast? Nobody's going to take it from you..."
Zhao Zhenniang shook her head: You don't understand!
Although my aunt said that if there is anything delicious, we should offer it to her first.
But Zhao Zhenniang felt that she should make offerings to herself first, and then buy more for her aunt later. It wouldn't make a difference if she had to make one or two more offerings.
After finishing the cake, I tried drinking some coffee.
It tastes a bit like burnt beans, not like a proper drink, but according to Lan Shuyan, if you taste it carefully, you can actually taste a special flavor.
Zhao Zhenniang's boundaries regarding Western food have been broken for the first time. It seems she was too arbitrary before; Western food also has its merits!
Nothing makes Lan Shuyan happier than preparing food for her friends and having them enjoy it.
But no matter how exquisite the pastries or how luxurious the accommodations, they cannot change the fact that this is a cage.
Lan Shuyan lowered her eyes and asked in a businesslike manner, "Then can you tell me what your political leanings are?"
Zhao Zhenniang: ...
It's easy to fake it in front of an enemy, but it's too difficult to fake it in front of a friend. Sometimes, you don't even need to say it out loud; the other person will already understand.
Seeing that she was about to get some answers, Lan Shuyan quickly put down her porcelain cup and interrupted herself: "Forget it, let's not talk about such unpleasant things as soon as we meet. I'll invite you to see a movie first."
Zhao Zhenniang was placed under house arrest in her own home, but there were always guards outside the door. They looked embarrassed when they saw them going out.
Lan Shuyan was very lively and enthusiastic in front of Zhao Zhenniang, but she was not kind in public and even seemed a bit arrogant: "What orders did you receive, to protect or to arrest?"
guard:……
As someone sent by the political core, Lan Shuyan held absolute authority over the local people, and the guards below dared not obstruct her.
Walking on the streets of Ping'an City, which had just been occupied, there were guards coming and going, but few pedestrians. The streets looked even more desolate than when she last came back.
The cinemas are open, but it's impossible to find a movie that has nothing to do with the War of Resistance Against Japan.
Whether it's a domestic or foreign film, it all starts with a war story.
Even the joys and sorrows of ordinary families must be set against the backdrop of war and incorporated into ideology.
For ordinary people, there might be some resonance, but for those who are actually in the situation, it's really annoying.
If she were to start a film company, she would first make a movie that has nothing to do with politics and is purely comedic; it would definitely be very popular.
Film companies in various countries are making all sorts of random movies, just following the crowd without any independent thought.
The movie was a disappointment, so Lan Shuyan apologized to Zhao Zhenniang: "Next time, let's not watch movies. Let's do something else instead."
Lan Shuyan didn't come all the time, but each time she did, she brought Zhao Zhenniang a brief period of freedom, and Zhao Zhenniang still looked forward to her visits.
The two seemed to have forgotten about the current situation, and like two ordinary friends, they wandered around, riding bicycles and cruising on gravel roads.
It was difficult for a bicycle to cross such a road, so I had no choice but to get off and push it forward.
Seeing that no one was around, Lan Shuyan finally asked the question she had always wanted to ask: "I don't understand why you chose the Communist Party."
"The Communist Party's slogan is 'Down with the big landlords and big capitalists, distribute the land equally.' Who do you think you are?"
"This is the first time I've seen someone who's turned against themselves. You worked so hard for your business all those years ago, and now you're giving it all up. Don't you feel any regret at all?"
Zhao Zhenniang's driving skills were actually quite good, but when Lan Shuyan got off, she followed behind her. She wasn't someone who liked to drive in front.
"It is a pity, of course, but people always have to sacrifice unimportant things for more important things."
Lan Shuyan smiled: "What is more important?"
Zhao Zhenniang looked at her: "Just like you said before, life is precious, love is more precious, but freedom is the most precious of all. Don't you have something more important in your heart?"
Lan Shuyan never expected that Zhao Zhenniang would remember what she said when she was young: "Aren't you free now? What else could possibly make you unfree?"
After saying that, Lan Shuyan suddenly felt something was off; talking about freedom with the current Zhao Zhenniang was a bit ridiculous.
He immediately added, "As long as you change your mindset, with your illustrious resume, you can still receive preferential treatment here, and you can get everything you want."
"Once you reach a high position, nothing can restrict your freedom."
Zhao Zhenniang almost immediately interjected, "But freedom with limitations is not true freedom. As long as slaves exist in the world, even if someone becomes a master, they will not be free."
“If you sow grain seeds in the ground, grain will grow; if you sow grass seeds, weeds will grow. You can’t sow grass seeds in the soil and expect the crops to grow on their own.”
"How can you harvest grain by constantly sowing grass seeds in the fields? The world will not progress without changing its distribution system."
"Productivity is an axe; it can be used to kill people or to chop wood."
"An axe always gets sharper the more it's honed. As long as a person lives, they will sharpen this axe to become sharper and sharper, because this axe can make life better."
"But if your thinking is wrong, no matter how sharp you sharpen an axe, you'll only use it to kill people."
"When someone kills, someone else is killed. No one knows if they will be the one killed, so everyone can only pick up an axe to kill, and the wood-chopping is neglected."
"A world where you can only kill or be killed is terrifying. Even if I could kill skillfully, I wouldn't like that kind of world. I want a new future!"
Even if that future rejects you?
Even if it rejects me!
"After crops have grown for a few years, they will deplete the nutrients in the soil. At this time, the crop stalks should be broken up and buried in the soil."
"If it can bring a better harvest next year, I'd be willing to be one of those buried in the ground."
"Because tomorrow will definitely be better than today!"
Lan Shuyan: ...
The air was silent for a long time before Lan Shuyan finally sneered and squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "You really dare to say such things to my face."
Zhao Zhenniang: ...
Now that we've gotten to the point, and it's all over, we still have to be honest.
Zhao Zhenniang immediately and honestly admitted her mistake: "You can pretend I didn't say anything. My stance is not actually that firm, and I can adjust myself at any time."
Lan Shuyan: ...
"Hahaha!"
It was so funny; Lan Shuyan hadn't laughed like that in a long time.
I laughed so hard my back was bent over.
He laughed for a long time before finally saying expressionlessly, "You can go now. Your people are waiting for you."
Zhao Zhenniang paused, "What?"
Lan Shuyan's smile faded: "You were indeed kind to me back then, but by the time we met again last time, I had probably repaid it all and don't owe you anything."
"I could really kill you, but I don't think you deserve it."
"So go, just like I left Heian City back then, now it's your turn to leave."
Zhao Zhenniang: ...
"Then how will you explain yourself when you go back? If your people find out that you helped me escape, you will also be executed."
Lan Shuyan took out a pistol from her pocket, cocked it skillfully, and held it to Zhao Zhenniang's face.
"Is it because I'm still called Lan Shuyan that you think I'm no different from before?"
“I haven’t lived in vain in places you can’t see.”
"So, I really will shoot."
...
Zhao Zhenniang took a few steps back, got on her bicycle, and ran away.
Lan Shuyan watched her walk away, took a deep breath, pressed the gun against her arm, and with a determined heart, pulled the trigger.
Upon hearing the gunshot, the guards in the distance immediately rushed over and were shocked to see Lan Shuyan's arm bleeding profusely: "Commander Lan!"
The gun moved faster than a person could back out. Lan Shuyan was in so much pain she wanted to cry, but she had no chance to back out.
He could only grit his teeth and say, "Zhao Zhenniang has indeed been turned to the Red. Her companions rescued her and even injured me."
Upon hearing this, the guards immediately raised their guns to give chase. Lan Shuyan was furious when she saw this: "Is the fugitive more important than me? You see I'm injured and don't help me first, but go after the fugitive?"
guard:……
Both are important to them, and they can't bear the responsibility for either one, but Lan Shuyan is more important right now.
Once Lan Shuyan is taken to the hospital, and we return to search for her, she will be able to be transferred abroad.
The garrison commander went to the hospital to find Lan Shuyan in a panic: "Commander Lan, didn't the higher-ups say, 'Better to die a glorious death than give it to someone else'?"
Lan Shuyan hit herself, but of course she couldn't bear to hit herself too hard. She looked up at the garrison commander and asked, "Have you read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?"
Which man doesn't love reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms? But the garrison commander didn't understand her words, so he carefully replied, "I've read it."
Lan Shuyan remained expressionless: "Then let me test you. The Sima family wanted to usurp the throne and kill the emperor, but they didn't want to do it themselves, so they hinted to their subordinates to do it. Their subordinates actually helped them kill the emperor. What was their fate?"
Garrison commander: ...
He hasn't seen this part...
Lan Shuyan: ...
As an extra bit of background information, Lan Shuyan continued, "If people don't want to go down the wrong path, they must learn from history."
"Someone didn't want to do it themselves, so they pushed the task onto you, and you got to kill them all without any trouble."
"But Zhao Niangzi, who is renowned throughout the land and has disciples everywhere, you should consider whether you can afford to kill her."
"Leaving aside how many members of the Zhao family are above you, just imagine if the Communist Party wanted to retaliate against you and sent you a lotus dart—did you think you could survive?"
Having figured this out, the garrison commander suddenly had a jolt and immediately asked nervously, "Then, sir, what do we do now?"
Lan Shuyan covered her arm, her face unchanged, and said, "I will personally apologize when I get back. The higher-ups just want an explanation. Whatever the explanation is, why should I take the blame upon myself?"
"Be more quick-witted, don't let others use you as a pawn and rush headlong into things."
"Orders may come from others, but your life is your own."
The garrison commander immediately nodded, not only ceasing the pursuit but also expressing deep gratitude for Lan Shuyan's guidance, hoping she would promote him upon her return.
Lan Shuyan readily agreed and ordered the garrison to prepare a boat for her immediately so she could return and report back.
I don't plan to continue recuperating. If I do, I might as well go back now and be able to file for work-related injury compensation.
Over the years, she has become too familiar with these official tactics to handle such matters with ease.
But I never think back to the books I read and the words I said when I was a student.
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