chapter one

The monument to the victory of Jigong Anti-Japanese War was dark and hidden in the foggy sea. The mountain city where the Yangtze River and Jialing River meet is shrouded in thick clouds. This gloomy morning has brought people into another turbulent year.

In this extremely prosperous city, although the sky is so gloomy, the streets on New Year's Day are still crowded with pedestrians as usual.

"Selling newspapers, selling newspapers! Central Daily News! Peace Daily ... "The barefoot newsboy, running in the fog, shouted:" Look 1948 Where is China going? ..... Look at the atomic military exercises in the United States, the Third World War is about to break out ... "

In the voice of selling newspapers, he suddenly shouted, "Look at the orders of the garrison headquarters! Chinese New Year, no firecrackers, no fireworks, no fire! "

In the endless sea of people, a young man in a hurry suddenly heard "fire alarm!" " "When he turned to look, the newsboy had disappeared, but there was a fading cry from the crowd:" Look at the news of this city, public officials were trapped in the year, and the whole family took poison, leaving a dead letter ... "

This young man coming in a hurry is Yu Xinjiang. Today, instead of wearing a worker's uniform, he changed into a clean blue cloth tunic suit. Under the eyebrows, a pair of eyes looking straight at everything are deeply embedded; He is only in his twenties, but his expression is particularly solemn, and he looks thinner and more calm than young people of the same age. Hearing the newsboy's shouts, his eyebrows shrank slightly and he quickened his pace. Two long arms, swinging back and forth in a hurry, sleeves wiping skirts, and cables ringing rhythmically. I don't know whether it was hot or convenient, but he put a slightly longer cuff on his arm, revealing a long black wrist and a big hand covered with cocoons.

Crossing this noisy street, he gave way to a bus with black smoke at the end many times. This worn-out diesel car, with the bumpy and harsh noise from the rolling ground, coupled with the cries of vendors and stalls selling surplus American goods, the panicked shouts of rickshaw cases and the noise of pedestrians all over the street, turned the festive street into a pot of porridge rolling around.

Yu Xinjiang had something on his mind and left in a hurry. However, the strange scenery all over the street kept breaking into his eyes. High-rise buildings, shopping malls, banks, restaurants, dance halls, employment agencies and auction houses with unusually prosperous business on both sides of the street are decorated with Chinese characters such as "Celebrating New Year's Day" and "Congratulations on the New Year". I don't know which ingenious commercial company took the lead. This year, there has been a new pattern that has never been seen in previous years: a long ribbon tied with a brand-new 10,000-yuan bill has actually replaced red and green colored silk and hung from a foggy high building. In some places, 1 10,000 yuan notes are even used instead of110,000 yuan notes, as if to welcome the upcoming million yuan notes. Maybe the businessman pays the bill, and the money is cheaper than red and green silk? Unfortunately, the paper and printing of 100000 yuan notes are not bigger and better than 10000 yuan notes, but they are not as eye-catching as10000 yuan notes because of their blurred colors. The breeze blew, and these ribbons made of "fiat money" danced and rattled. This strange sight does not seem taboo, so it is not officially banned like setting off firecrackers and fireworks.

Yu Xinjiang disdains to see more tricks, letting those "new year's goods sale, regardless of blood!" "Buy one get one free, suffer pain and sacrifice!" Posters in big characters, shaking in the cold wind. As we all know, before those posters were posted, a "0" was added to the price tag of almost all commodities; Moreover, behind those posters, who knows how many sad faces are hidden, dying and on the verge of bankruptcy?

A few long car horns alarmed pedestrians all over the street and dispersed a group of street children grabbing cigarette butts. At this time, a woman's vibrato came from the loudspeaker on the top of the Jigong monument: "Good flowers don't bloom often, good times don't often ..."

Yu Xinjiang inadvertently turned around and saw a white police car galloping through the street, followed by several streamlined cars that were also galloping. There is a star-spangled banner in the car, which is painted with conspicuous Chinese characters: "American Information Office". These heavily armed military and police officers drove police cars to the Victory Building to attend the New Year reception held by the municipal authorities for the "Allied Forces". Yu Xinjiang looked coldly at the passing cars, as if he saw Americans who often went to the arsenal from the window. At this time, he suddenly found a big slogan posted on the ass of the last car: "Get out of China!" " "Bah!" Yu Xinjiang spat at the place where the car ran over, and then walked on through the downtown area.

He calmly turned a few blocks, convinced that there was no "tail" behind him, and went straight to the dormitory 5 of Dachuan Bank. This is a residential area near the city center. The roadside is covered with trees, which is very quiet. There are few pedestrians on the street during the Chinese New Year. He held out his hand and rang the doorbell. After a long wait, the black paint door slowly opened. A middle-aged man in a navy serge suit appeared at the door, wearing a coat. Seeing Yu Xinjiang, he nodded slightly and let him in. I'm used to looking at the street again before closing the door.

It can be seen that this is a person who is used to living in a complex environment.

The small living room, carefully decorated, looks neat. The small round table was covered with a tablecloth and a bottle of blooming wintersweet was added, which smelled fragrant; Some colorful New Year cards and some sweets adorn the atmosphere of the New Year. The single picture hanging on the wall, in addition to the original, also added a shaft of horses painted by Xu Beihong. The red charcoal fire in the brazier drove away the cold, and the whole room was warm. This place didn't make Yu Xinjiang feel as comfortable and free as a humble worker's shack, but he didn't have much resentment. The struggle is complicated. Underground workers under the white terror must defend the organization and themselves, and their work is necessary. Zhigao Pu, the owner of the apartment, can certainly use this lifestyle as a cover. Yu Xinjiang went to a new sofa by the window and told his master:

"Lao Xu asked me to come to you."

"Yes, I saw a fire in the factory on the other side last night, and I was thinking ..." Zhigao Pu hung up his coat and made tea politely while talking. "Do you like Longjing or fragrant tablets?"

"It's all the same." Yu Xinjiang casually replied: "I am used to drinking cold water." "no! Comrades, they came to me, and they want to practice capitalism, and share the blessings! "

Zhigao Pu smiled and handed the bowl to the tea table. He stared at each other's sunken eyes and patted him on the shoulder: "Xiaoyu, didn't you sleep all night?" How did it catch fire? "

Zhigao Pu is a member of Shaxi District Committee of the Communist Party of China, in charge of economic work. He asked about the factory with concern and eagerness, but it made Yu Xinjiang feel particularly uncomfortable. Xiao Yu seemed to see the raging fire again, burning in front of his eyes, and the huts were swallowed up by flames, which reflected half the sky. He didn't answer for a moment. He excitedly picked up the tea bowl and took a sip, as if he were thirsty.

"Don't worry!" Zhigao Pu said with confidence: "The living difficulties of workers can always be solved. What does Lao Xu mean? How much does it cost? "

Zhigao Pu paused and asked with concern, "Did you read the newspaper? It is said that the workers accidentally caught fire! " He picked up a central daily newspaper, pointed to a subtitle, and then threw the newspaper aside. "I think there is another article here! What did you say?/Sorry? Xiaoyu. "

Yu Xinjiang's black eyebrows quivered, and Huo Ran stood up and said loudly to Zhigao Pu, "What's the matter? It was a spy who set the fire! I saw it with my own eyes. " He remembers that when he rushed to the fire, he met the crowd coming from the fire. Master Xiao, secretary of the branch of the artillery factory, and many comrades are here. Two arsonists were escorted with their bodies tied. The workers recognized the two gangsters, who were agents in the supervision room of the general factory.

Yu Xinjiang stared at the opposite white wall like a spy. After a long time, he turned around and told Zhigao Pu: "Two agents who set fire were caught red-handed, and they confessed that they set fire on the orders of the second office of the Southwest Chief Executive's Office!" "Second place?" Zhigao Pu one leng. "That's a military secret service organization!"

Yu Xinjiang was still angry and didn't notice Zhigao Pu's interruption. He took two steps forward, and his tone was full of resolute strength: "You can outrun the monk, but you can't run out of the temple. Workers' losses should be fully compensated by the enemy! "

He knew that before the fire broke out, there were many ominous signs in the branch of the Yangtze River Ordnance General Factory. At first, a large number of military police entered the factory and forced workers to work overtime. Later, the shanty towns of coal factory workers were included in the expansion of the factory, forcing workers to tear down their houses and move. Now, the enemy's arson has intensified the struggle! Workers from the branches of Changjiang Ordnance General Factory will gather at the gun factory today. Although the factory employees escaped, the angry workers were determined to move the building materials prepared by the factory to the fire site and rebuild the factory workers' dormitory. Without victory, the struggle will never stop! Yu Xinjiang clenched his powerful fist and struck hard on the small round table, causing the wintersweet in the bottle to fall down one after another.

Zhigao Pu was impressed by his emotional contagion, and he was very excited. Although he rarely has the opportunity to participate in mass movements because of his work, he still knows the political situation very well.

"yes. Chongqing's arms industry accounts for 80% of Chiang Kai-shek's total production capacity! He wants to be a good transport captain to supplement the consumption of American equipment. Of course he wants to catch Chongqing! " Zhigao Pu eyes flashing, revealing a rare excitement. "Light rain, do you remember? Last spring, Xinhua Daily stopped publishing, and Wu angrily questioned the enemy: "Look, opposite us is your arsenal. For months, I worked day and night to build arms. Excuse me, what is this for? The United States and Chiang Kai-shek reactionaries insist on civil war and are eager to expand arms production, which has reached the point of unscrupulous means. This time, our party must lead the workers to the end! " "We Chongqing workers can't take our innocent hands to be accomplices of reactionaries!" Yu Xinjiang said loudly that at the moment he felt the great significance of the struggle against demolition and expansion. "Lao Xu said that he decided to publicly expose the enemy's arson crimes and strive for justice and unity in all aspects; And mobilize workers in various factories in the city to raise funds to solve the living difficulties of factory workers before the enemy compensates for the losses ... ""When the donation is not available, I can try ... "Zhigao Pu interrupted him before he finished speaking in Xinjiang. Yes, it is not easy to support hundreds of workers at present. Moreover, some expenses of the underground party economy were originally within his responsibility.

Yu Xinjiang nodded bluntly, said the amount needed at present, and said, "Old Xu said that the money you put in will be returned from the donation later."

"No problem, I can give you the money tomorrow." Although the financial sector was in a state of tension just after the New Year, Zhigao Pu did not emphasize the difficulties, but offered: "If it is not enough, you can try to get more."

He looked at Yu Xinjiang's heavy eyebrows and urged, "Xiao Yu, you are too tired." Take a break and eat something before you go. " He looked at his watch and added, "My wife has gone shopping and will be back soon."

He said that during the Chinese New Year, he specially asked the hired old lady to go back to her hometown to reunite with her family. These days, he and his wife cook and eat by themselves.

Yu Xinjiang ignored each other's concerns. He is not very talkative and has the driving force to pay attention to nothing but work. As long as something happens, he even forgets to eat. For this reason, his mother often complains that he should not destroy his health. Lao Xu also criticized him. But this temper is not easy to get rid of. But now, his mind is full of work, and he can't even eat or sleep. In fact, Lao Xu's temper is similar to his. This morning, after listening to Yu Xinjiang's report, he rushed to the factory without even eating breakfast. He was assigned a lot of work when he broke up. "One more thing." Yu Xinjiang suddenly looked at Zhigao Pu and said, "Lao Xu is going to set up a backup liaison station in the sand magnetic area."

This idea came with the development of the workers' movement in various factories in Shami area. However, Lao Xu didn't want this junction to be mixed with other work of the three district committees he was in charge of, so he never decided who to give this task to. Recalling Lao Xu's thoughtful expression at that time, after explaining his intention, Yu Xinjiang told Zhigao Pu: "The liaison station must be separated from the mass work, so I am going to hand it over to you; Lao Xu wants to ask your opinion. "

"Jiang Jie is leaving soon, and the district intends to put me in charge of some student movements!" Zhigao Pu smiled demurely and said nothing. He accepted the task without reluctance. No matter what he does, increasing his work is what makes him happy now. "Shapingba area is a cultural area, and it is appropriate to have a bookstore. Economic problems can also be solved. However, there are still several shop assistants. "

"Lao Xu considered the staff at the junction station."

"who?"

"Chen Songlin." Yu Xinjiang introduced: "Comrade workers, my good friend."

"Great!" Zhigao Pu asked, "When will he come?" "Do you know the situation in the factory ... it will take several days."

When he heard Yu Xinjiang say that Lao Xu had originally considered opening a bookstore, he smiled knowingly and became more excited. Yu Xinjiang also said that Lao Xu has taken care of it, and the bookstore should be gray and not sell progressive books ... "Yes, yes! A few years ago, I had a contact station. " Zhigao Pu nodded and smiled, and then changed the subject: "Xiao Yu, have you read the latest issue of the" Forward "?" He conveniently took out a roll of pink printing paper from his pocket. Before Yu Xinjiang came, he was studying the secret newspaper of the underground party carefully and repeatedly at home. "The epoch-making document" The Current Situation and Our Tasks "written by Chairman Mao is so inspiring! The China revolution has reached a great turning point, the day of victory is coming, and our underground party member will suffer! "

Zhigao Pu waved the newspaper and shook out a piece of paper with thick handwriting, revealing his inner passion. "I have been thinking for two days: how can I be worthy of the great era? We should make more contributions to the party in mass movements and fierce struggles! The thought of the future, I feel the whole body with inexhaustible power ... "

Just then, the doorbell rang suddenly. He confidently told Yu Xinjiang: "She must have come back from shopping. Do you know that she has a crush on you? Workers can also write poems-she has read all the short poems you published in Xinhua Daily ... "Zhigao Pu refused to let Yu, who was in a hurry to leave, stand up and said firmly," She really wants to see you. She cooked some side dishes. You must love them. It's so cold, I can't let you work for the party on an empty stomach, cold and hungry! " Say that finish, and enthusiastically put the paper shaken out from the newspaper in advance into Yu Xinjiang's hand, saying that after reading Chairman Mao's documents, he spent two nights writing a learning experience, ready to give it to the underground party magazine for publication, and asked Yu Xinjiang to have a look and make some suggestions. At this moment, the doorbell rang again. Zhigao Pu just smiled, put on his coat and walked out of the living room.

Shapingba Street has opened a new "Shaping Bookstore".

This bookstore is still small for the time being. It sells ordinary books and magazines, and buys and consigns all kinds of old textbooks. Most of its customers are students from nearby universities and middle schools.

The clerk is a round-faced young man, eighteen or nineteen years old, short and chubby. He was transferred from the garage to Chen Songlin. He hasn't come back since he left the factory, and no one knows that he has become a shop assistant. He was not used to doing such a job at first; I feel particularly lonely coming out of the fierce struggle in the factory. He is very concerned about the situation of the gun factory, but he can't ask or ask casually. As it happens, this bookstore is just a backup liaison station, and Lao Xu has never been here once, so he always feels that he has done too little work for the Party.

The bookstore is led by Zhigao Pu, who still works as the accountant in the bank and the bookstore manager. Recently, he often came to the bookstore to help Chen Songlin, who is not familiar with his business. His leadership is concrete, experienced and diverse, and he quickly won the respect and trust of Chen Songlin.

Chen Songlin doesn't know anyone here. Every Monday when the bookstore is closed, he goes to the nearby Chongqing University. Zhigao Pu asked him to send some publications published in Shanghai and Hongkong to a student named Huawei. As a result, he and Huawei became friends who met every week.

Today is another festival. Chen Songlin changed his clothes, rolled up two Hong Kong-published "people" into a tube, wrapped them in a newspaper, took them with him, locked the shop door and headed for Chongqing University.

Leaving the main street of Shapingba and turning to the street corner of Chongqing University, he saw the youth hall opposite Shaci Hospital, which was decorated with colorful decorations. There are two blue sky and white flags crossed at the door, and a red paper poster says which professor to invite to give a lecture: "On the True Meaning of Saving the Country by Reading", and also indicates that a movie will be shown after the meeting. Chen Songlin took one look and walked away.

On the way to the campus, posters of students selling clothes and books were once plastered on the walls, but now many notices are posted. Chen Songlin was surprised to find that these notices actually called on students to raise money for factory workers. One of the biggest red paper notices reads: "Give a sympathetic hand to support the workers who are hungry and cold!" " "Also published a special newsletter, introducing the story that the workers in the artillery factory of the Yangtze River Ordnance General Factory were set on fire by spies for refusing to produce civil war weapons and demolishing houses and expanding factories. However, this notice was painted with a reactionary slogan: "Down with Chihua Medical College!" "rumors! "

Another slogan was posted next to it: "Defend freedom of speech and oppose civil war!" "

There are also many tit-for-tat slogans nearby, showing the fierce struggle between different forces. This is quite different from the ambiguity about "true meaning" he just encountered. He also saw some wall newspapers, but some of them were torn off and some were scribbled with dirty pens: "traitor's remarks", "insulting the president" and "undermining the prestige of the government". What impressed Chen Songlin the most was a wet comet newspaper, which was torn to pieces, leaving only the picture on the front page and half an editorial. The headline of the editorial is: protesting against the plot to expand the civil war.

Chen Songlin heard from Huawei that Chongqing University, like other schools, is planning a struggle to support the workers who suffered from the fire. Who would have thought that at this time, the school was already in full swing! Chen Songlin was particularly excited to watch along the way and saw an eye-catching notice:

The Student Self-government Association of Chongqing University specially invited workers' representatives from the artillery factory of the Yangtze River Ordnance General Factory to report the truth of the artillery factory tragedy. Venue: Student Commune Time: 9 am on Monday.

Next to Zhang Gangfa's post, the Youth League Committee of Chongqing University urged Professor Hou Fang to give a lecture on the true meaning of saving the country by reading. Venue: Shapingba Youth Hall Time: 8: 30 am on Monday (after the meeting, a colorful Hollywood blockbuster: Lotus Out of the Water will be shown) "Bastard, singing against Taiwan!" Chen Songlin scolded 1 angrily. You can see at a glance that Sanqing Group wants to compete for the masses with sensual movies! Playing anti-Taiwan and double-package cases has always been their specialty!

There are a lot of miscellaneous posters, and there is also a notice in the middle that the law school food group urges to pay the food expenses. Chen Song Lin Shun saw "overdue stop!" A few words of threat, move on.

Just then, there was a noise in the distance. Chen Songlin followed the sound and saw a group of students crowded at the door of discipline in the depths of the tree.

Groups of students came running from all directions, and some people shouted as they ran: "Students! Students! Come to discipline! ……"

Chen Songlin unconsciously quickened his pace. With more and more students, he walked towards the dense crowd. Whether he is a student of Chongqing University or not, he is not as anxious as others. Many students from behind asked each other what was going on and ran in front of him. By the time he arrived, the dark crowd had blocked the wall in front and surrounded the training center. He seemed to see Huawei in the crowd and pushed straight ahead, but he couldn't see it for a moment. In front, a clear voice is asking ... Is the safety of students guaranteed? Sorry, Dean! ..... "Chen Songlin think this girl is very familiar with, and can't figure out who is talking at the moment. In front of the wall, Chen Songlin stood on tiptoe and still couldn't see anything, not to mention the female student who was talking.

"Don't make any noise! It is not allowed to gather people for extortion. " A dry tone, pretending to be calm, came from the discipline and interrupted the female students' questions. "Who is your representative? Everyone should be quiet except the delegates! "

"I am a department representative of the College of Liberal Arts!" The voice of female students appeared again. "Which department? . Your student number? Name? "

The female student was not intimidated by the dean's question, and her voice clearly replied: "I am a freshman in Chinese Department. My name is Cheng Yao."

"Cheng Yao?" Chen Songlin was taken aback. Isn't she the director's sister? This girl, whom Chen Songlin often saw in the past, also knew that she was studying in Chongqing University, but in his impression, she was just a smart and lively little girl who rarely raised her voice. Now, she has become a student representative and can bravely put forward her classmates' demands in public.

"She is the representative of our department, let her speak!"

"Shh-"The crowd was booed by the destroyer.

"shh? Stand up and let everyone see your face! "

"Students, the thing is-"The noise was slightly suppressed, and Cheng Yao continued to speak with the support of many students. Her voice was clearer and calmer. "Last night, the College of Liberal Arts held a department representative meeting to discuss various proposals to support the victims of the gun factory tragedy. Wei Jibo, a spy student-"

"Why slander good people?" Someone in the crowd asked loudly, "What proof do you have?"

"Not military is the central! Who doesn't know Wei Jibo! " Someone retorted loudly.

"Don't make any noise!" The instructor's cold voice rang in the room again. "Only representatives can speak, and solemn colleges and universities should have sufficient basis to speak!" "Of course I have a basis!" Cheng Yao's voice is more intense. "Spy Wei Jibo tried to sabotage the meeting. After failing, this morning, he was blacklisted and caught by our classmates. Look, class, this is evidence. He wrote the blacklist himself! I also found the secret order of the garrison headquarters from him! "

The college students were outraged. Suddenly, like a volcanic eruption, it burned violently:

"There is no spy. Where is Wei Jibo? Pull it out for me! " This is a tall and thin student, wearing a blue robe, standing in front of Chen Songlin, shouting angrily.

"Wei Jibo in the dean's office, we ask the school to deal with it seriously! Students, please listen to me, this is his secret order and his blacklist ... "

"Trial, trial! Take a picture of him for everyone to see! " "yes! Please ask the Ministry of Justice to prepare for public trial! "

"Students, don't get emotional, please calm down, calm down! Our academic institution, the highest institution in southwest China, can neither arrest people illegally nor have the right to judge ... "The cold and anxious voice of the dean appeared again.

"Excuse me, Dean, is it illegal or legal to open a blacklist?"

"Dean! What is emotional impulse? " It's the tall and thin student in the blue robe shouting again. Chen Songlin was excited to see his face go red. "Students, open institutions of higher learning, there are no spies. We ask the school authorities to be responsible for ensuring the safety of all teachers and students! "

"yes! Agree! "

Just then, someone found a figure quietly jumping out of the window behind the training center and running away in panic, followed by a loud shout: "Wei Jibo escaped!" " "

"The training office let the spy run away!"

The students suddenly roared like a raging tide.

"Special agents can't run away from instructors, so we need instructors!" "Hand over the spy! Hand it over! " Chen Songlin couldn't help shouting with the students. "Boys and girls, catch him!" The shrill voice shouted, "Come on, hurry up!" It is the tall and thin student in the blue robe who is shouting. He rushed out of the crowd, angrily lifted his skirt and was the first to catch up. Immediately, groups of students followed suit. The tall and thin man in the blue robe runs fast, always leading and getting closer and closer to the pursued person.

Oh, we'll catch the spy! Chen Songlin couldn't help but get excited, and walked quickly towards the path taken by the pursuer. He is as eager to catch the spy as the students present.

The flying spy turned a corner and ran deep into the forest. The tall and thin student, far ahead, was about to rush into the Woods, but he shook. His clothes were lifted and his hands suddenly hugged his head. He stopped and fell to the ground as soon as he was soft. "What is this?" When Chen Songlin heard a voice, he was surprised: "The spy is attacking!" "Students, go and save people!" A closer look shows a figure moving in the Woods, and then the sound of the car engine. A jeep rushed out from the depths of the tree-lined, carrying escaped spies and several murderous guys, bypassing the campus and quickly disappearing into the distance. Not long after the jeep came, Chen Songlin heard the sound of the car at the gate of the training center just now, but like those excited students, he didn't notice the relationship between the car and the development.

"The editor-in-chief of Comet is injured!" Someone was answering someone's question: "We are in the third year of law."

Comet? Chen Songlin thought quickly for a moment, and then remembered that he had seen the progress poster torn down by the bad guys when he first came. The tall and thin student who was injured in a blue robe turned out to be the editor-in-chief of the comet.

The injured man was rescued, and the stone broke his head and his face was covered with blood. A group of people supported him and kept shouting: "Li Jigang, Li Jigang!" " "Huawei also follows the crowd. He didn't see Chen Songlin and hurried to the boiling crowd.

Many students gathered at the gate of the training center again and shouted for the instructor who let the spy escape to come out and answer.

Angry Chen Songlin, who didn't want to see anything, bypassed Songlinpo and went straight to Huawei's dormitory. He has strong feelings and sympathy for the injured student named Li Jigang.

(Baidu has a rule that the full text cannot be sent within 10000 words. )