Globe Trekker

Chapter 66 New arrival
It was dusk when Wu Ming and his party arrived in Quzhou by boat.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, Ximen Wharf looked quite deserted, with garbage and sewage all over the ground, and a group of chickens, ducks and a few black piglets running around around a few rows of dilapidated brick and wooden houses near the city wall not far away. The scenery was very different from what Wu Ming had seen last time, except that the majestic gate towers and tall city walls built in the Ming Dynasty were still so majestic and solemn.

Under the guidance of Ma Zhizhai, Wu Ming and others, who had changed into military uniforms, entered the west gate on horseback amidst the salute of the city gate officers and soldiers, crossed half of the urban area, and went directly to the West Zhejiang Security Command at the foot of Fushan Mountain.

After seeing Wu Ming entering the city, Ma Zhizhai, who had been looking around and walking with the horse, introduced to Wu Ming:

"Quzhou is the thoroughfare of four provinces and the gateway to the west of Zhejiang. It can be regarded as a large-scale ancient city in the country. The ten-mile city wall and six gates are basically intact. The 36 streets and 72 lanes in the city are criss-crossed like a chessboard. It is still very prosperous, just because a few days ago The news of the "September [-]th Incident" and the noise of the news caused panic everywhere. Students and some businessmen went on strike, smashed two Japanese business houses in the city, and almost burned down the evangelical church on Jiaochi Street. It caused the entire province to shake, and Commander Fang had to impose a curfew, but the people who didn't know the truth thought that the Japanese were about to call, causing chaos and confusion, and our life is not easy, you have to have a thought Just get ready."

Wu Ming thanked in a low voice. He understood the many meanings that Ma Zhizhai wanted to convey. Fang Youchun had just made a comeback, and he must have offended many people. Officials in the yamen of the special agency definitely don't want to see the army overpowering them, and they will do everything possible to Fang Youchun, who abides by the principle, and even secretly restrain him.

Without saying a few words, the gate of West Zhejiang Security Headquarters was in sight. Wu Ming got off his horse with Ma Zhizhai, and under the curious gaze of the officer on duty and several sentries, he informed him to enter. He turned around the wide road on the left side of the playground and walked forward After walking for more than fifty meters and heading north, I soon saw Fang Youchun's family and several well-dressed military officers waiting in front of the gray-tiled and white-walled courtyard with smiles on their faces.

Fang Zhichun, who was wearing a cheongsam, hid behind Mrs. Fang, and when she saw Wu Ming in military uniform following Ma Zhizhai, she almost couldn't recognize that the tall, mighty and heroic young officer in front of her was the Wu Ming she was familiar with. It took a while before he opened his almond eyes and stared at Wu Ming bitterly.

Looking at Wu Ming in front of him with the standard of military etiquette, Fang Youchun showed a rare bright smile. After returning the salute, just as he was about to introduce some school officers around him to Wu Ming, his son Xiao Xin broke free from his mother's hand, slipped through the gap, and rushed to Wu Ming. On Ming's lap: "Uncle, Uncle, where have you been? Don't you want me?"

Wu Ming hugged Xiaoxin and kissed him, then he realized something, Jun blushed, looking very embarrassed, everyone laughed and started to compliment each other, Fang Youchun had no choice but to invite everyone into the room and stand by the prepared wine table Decided to introduce the four school officials to Wu Ming:

"This is our deputy commander, Colonel Tang Yuntao, an old alliance member, graduated from Japan's Dongbin Military Academy, and is a long-standing revolutionary senior in our Zhejiang Army."

Wu Ming saluted respectfully: "Hello, Commander Tang!"

"Okay, okay, okay! Haha, brother Wu is really a good-looking talent!" Tang Yuntao, who is over forty years old and has a fat body, is very kind. The round and big nose on the white and round face and the slightly small eyes make people feel very good. He is amiable and amiable, like a smiling Maitreya, and he doesn't take the airs of seniors in the army at all.

Fang Youchun was very satisfied with Wu Ming's performance, and then introduced the next person: "This is Lieutenant Colonel Zhou Wenyan, the deputy chief of staff and chief of the political training section who was just transferred from the provincial government. Lieutenant Colonel Zhou is two years older than you, but has a rich party background. If there is anything you don’t understand in the future, you should ask Deputy Chief of Staff Zhou for advice.”

Wu Ming stepped forward and saluted: "Deputy Chief of Staff Zhou, please take care of me!"

Zhou Wenyan, who was thin and elegant, quickly returned the salute: "Brother Wu, please don't be polite. The commander praised me. Zhou is really ashamed of himself! During the short training in Nanjing a month ago, Director Xu mentioned Brother Wu's name. It is a great honor to meet Brother Wu today, and I will ask Brother Wu to help you a lot in the future!"

As soon as this remark came out, everyone was shocked. Fang Youchun thought about it a little, and he understood what was going on.

But Commander Tang's reaction was quite different. The amiable smile on his face froze instantly, and he looked into Zhou Wenyan's eyes with a look of shock. Tang Yuntao knew that Zhou Wenyan, who was only 28 years old, had a profound background. After graduating from the Central Party Affairs School, he joined the Central Party Department due to his excellent character and learning. He was transferred back to his hometown Hangzhou half a year ago to serve as the deputy chief of the personnel department of the Provincial Party Department. It is a signal that the party headquarters has strengthened supervision of the security forces in western Zhejiang.

But no one had heard Zhou Wenyan mention the matter of Nanjing before. The director Xu he casually mentioned was undoubtedly Xu Enzeng, the director of the general affairs department of the Central Party Department and the chief of the party affairs investigation section. The high-spirited lieutenant colonel's deputy chief of staff is likely to be the confidant of Chen Lifu, the head of the Central Organization, and also Xu Enzeng's confidant in the Zhejiang military circle!
Wu Ming also came to a judgment similar to Tang Yuntao's, but he was more calm than Tang Yuntao. There was no abnormality on his face, and he was still so humble and peaceful.

"This is Lieutenant Colonel Chen Qian, the Chief of the Military Affairs Section I mentioned to you, and this is Lieutenant Colonel Gu Yueheng, the new chief of the Military Supplies Section." Fang Youchun finally introduced the two confidants.

Wu Ming hurried up to meet him politely. He knew that Chen Qian, the Chief of the Military Affairs Section, was originally a strong general under Fang Youchun. Longyou was seriously injured in the first battle, leaving his legs disabled. The chief of staff of the brigade, the chief of the training section of the headquarters, the captain of the gendarmerie of the headquarters, etc., was transferred to the chief of the military affairs section two years ago until now. Because of his fairness and prestige, no one dared to touch Fang Youchun after he was framed and stepped down.

Gu Yueheng is Fang Youchun's cousin. He graduated from the ninth engineering division of Baoding Military Academy. When Fang Youchun made a comeback and was promoted to a higher rank, he immediately called his trustworthy cousin back to serve as chief executive.

Everyone politely sat down one after another, and after drinking for three rounds, it became lively.

Fang Youchun told Wu Ming without hesitation: "Don't be in a hurry when you first come here. First, you should familiarize yourself with the situation in the army. You will be temporarily staying with me tonight. I have asked someone to repair the small yard next door. I will move in tomorrow."

Before Wu Ming could express his opinion, Deputy Chief of Staff Zhou said with a smile: "Commander, I might as well move to the small courtyard next door tomorrow. The small western-style building opposite is only for me. It's too wasteful. Let others have it." A colleague who has a family."

Deputy Commander Tang pondered for a while, and immediately praised Zhou Wenyan's high morals, and asked Fang Youchun in a negotiating tone: "Commander, do you want to slightly renovate that small western-style building and use it as a special guest house? If a big man comes suddenly, Living outside is definitely not reassuring, and just security matters can exhaust us to death."

Zhou Wenyan echoed: "Deputy Commander Tang's opinion is very good. In my opinion, although the bandit suppression operations in the five provinces in the south of the Yangtze River have temporarily come to an end due to the September [-]th Incident, and Commander-in-Chief Jiang also left Nanchang and rushed back to Nanjing to preside over the overall situation, but I always I feel that the battle to suppress the bandits is still going to be fought, and it will be fought hard!"

"Quzhou is an important place in the throat of the four provinces. In the past year, military deployment, assembly, military ration procurement and even rest have relied heavily on Quzhou. For a long period of time in the future, this situation may be more and more frequent. Otherwise, the provincial party headquarters and the provincial government would not deliberately raise the status of our security forces in western Zhejiang and order us to quickly supplement the establishment of [-] officers and soldiers."

Fang Youchun, who survived the catastrophe and was blessed by misfortune, has changed a lot. Now he is doing good, and immediately made a decision: "Since everyone agrees, it is so decided! Yue Heng..."

"Have!"

Gu Yueheng, chief of the military supplies section, stood up quickly and stood at attention.

"You are in charge of this matter. Come up with a renovation plan within three days and submit it to Deputy Commander Tang for approval!" Fang Youchun ordered.

"Yes!"

After sitting down, Gu Yueheng quietly took out a small notebook and recorded it.

Tang Yuntao was very satisfied with Fang Youchun's delegating power. He picked up his wine glass and laughed, and turned to Wu Ming: "Come on! Brother Wu, I would like to toast you. You have worked hard all the way!"

Wu Ming quickly stood up, picked up the wine glass, and respectfully toasted Tang Yuntao. The sentence "Commander, you can do whatever you want, and I will finish it" won the general favor of everyone. People think this is arrogance, but they think Wu Ming is mature and stable, and knows how to advance and retreat.

After drinking the wine in the glass in one gulp, Wu Ming respectfully invited Tang Yuntao to take a seat, and then humbly toasted everyone present, immediately winning applause from the whole house.

Seeing Wu Ming being so polite, Gu Yueheng and Chen Qian slowly let go of the little worry they had in their hearts, and happily clinked glasses with Wu Ming in turn.

Ma Zhizhai was even more proud. He had seen Wu Ming's astonishing drinking capacity, so he had already made up his mind to play tricks secretly, to see who would make a fool of himself first tonight. Who knew that when they parted happily at the end, no one was poured down. A proven veteran of the liquor industry.

In the middle of the night, Wu Ming, who had changed into clean casual clothes after taking a shower, was invited to Fang Youchun's study room. Fang Youchun had already brewed a pot of top-quality Yunding tea and was waiting for Wu Ming's arrival.

"Good tea!"

Wu Ming put down the cup cherishingly, only to feel the peace and sweetness, and the fragrance in his mouth.

Fang Youchun smiled and said, "I know you like good tea, and I prepared it specially for you. Tell me, what do you think of Tang Yuntao and Zhou Wenyan?"

Wu Ming pondered for a moment, and said his opinion truthfully: "Although I don't know Tang Yuntao's background and personality, I think he is an old fox. Brother, you should be more careful in the future. As for Zhou Wenyan, I have a good impression of him and he is principled." , pursuit, not greedy to enjoy the overall situation, no matter whether he is here to monitor us or to help, I think this kind of person is worth fighting for, not to mention that the people behind him have a lot of connections with the big brother, probably Zhou Wenyan himself You will feel that the eldest brother belongs to the same camp as him.”

Fang Youchun raised his thick eyebrows, and admired him greatly: "Young brother is amazing, he hit the nail on the head! He was able to analyze many aspects of the two of them so accurately when they met for the first time. In comparison, my elder brother would be ashamed! If it weren't for your sister-in-law Repeatedly reminded Ma Zhizhai, I'm afraid I'm not as accurate as you! Very good! From now on, you have to stay by my side, help me think carefully and share more."

Wu Ming was in a hurry: "Brother, you can't count your words!"

Fang Youchun laughed out loud, and bursts of cheerful laughter came from outside the door. Wu Ming raised his head in surprise and found that Ma Zhizhai, Gu Yueheng and Chen Qian came in cheerfully.

(End of this chapter)