After listening to Lu Zuofu's account of the difficulties faced by Yichang, Shao Fei thought that this was an impossible task.

Yichang in Hubei Province, known as the "throat of Sichuan and Hubei", has always been a battleground for soldiers. Since 1876, after the signing of the Treaty of Yantai between China and Britain, Yichang has been established as a treaty port, and it has become an important transshipment port on the Yangtze River route.

During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Yichang became the throat of China's fate. In November 1937, after the fall of Nanjing, the Nationalist Government announced the relocation of the capital to Chongqing, and determined that Sichuan was the rear area during the war, and the passage in and out of Sichuan became an important transportation route for the Anti-Japanese War.

At that time, there were few highways into Sichuan, let alone railways, and the only way to go was the Yangtze River. However, the Three Gorges channel above Yichang is narrow, with complex bends, many waves and many dangerous waves, and only one boat can pass through in some places.

Ships of more than 1,500 tons could not go up the river, and all the big ships heading west from Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan and other places could not go directly to Chongqing at that time, and passengers and goods had to get off the ship in Yichang to "transfer" and change to a small boat with high horsepower that could go to the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River in order to continue to trace the river into Sichuan.

As the Battle of Wuhan drew to a close, Yichang, which is more than 300 kilometers away from Wuhan, became the focus of attention of both the enemy and us, and its important strategic position became even more prominent. This is because Yichang is the throat of the Yangtze River and the gateway to Sichuan.

Especially at the beginning of the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, the Nationalist Government announced the relocation of the capital to Chongqing and determined that Sichuan was the rear area during the war. The evacuation of a large number of people and materials became the biggest problem of transportation in wartime.

There are pitiful few planes, a drop in the bucket, and to no avail; The train line was blown up and scattered, and it could not be operated normally; Road transportation not only has high freight and few cars, but also has few roads and cannot directly enter Sichuan.

Therefore, the Yangtze River waterway has become the most convenient route into Sichuan, and has become the most important "golden waterway" connecting the front and rear during the Anti-Japanese War.

At this time, the situation in Yichang was very critical, in chaos and panic. This is because the factories and equipment hastily evacuated from Shanghai, Nanjing, Nantong, Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, and Wuhan have been concentrated here, and the government offices that have been evacuated from Nanjing and the schools that have been evacuated to the rear have also been concentrated here.

Nearly 100,000 tons of machines have been piled up on both sides of the river in Yichang, covering hundreds of acres of land. The lives of the whole of China's military industry, aviation industry, heavy industry, and light industry are completely delivered here.

In particular, it is worth mentioning that many of the more than 30,000 people who have been evacuated from various places to prepare to enter Sichuan are teachers, students, doctors, engineers, businessmen, and civil servants, bringing together elites from all walks of life in China. There are also more than 10,000 orphans in the nursery, plus countless refugees.

What's more, Yichang at that time was only a small city, with so many people at once, all the houses were already crowded, and many people had to sleep on the streets.

Japanese planes continued to bomb and Japanese troops approached one after another, and fear and uneasiness hung over people's hearts. All units, enterprises, and organs are scrambling to demand that they withdraw from Yichang as soon as possible. Yichang was in chaos and panic.

Difficulties. It is difficult to evacuate materials and personnel, but it is still the panicked hearts that are difficult. Therefore, the company will have an endless stream of people to negotiate, and Shao Fei saw the scene just now.

Lu Zuofu finally sighed: "There are people everywhere, equipment everywhere, and it is terrible to panic people's hearts. The authorities in charge of transportation scolded the steamship companies and the personnel who fought for the transportation of equipment, and they also scolded each other. ”

Shao Fei understood that Yichang was at a very important and severe critical juncture at this time. Lu Zuofu faced three major difficulties.

First, it is the fairway. Yichang guards the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River and is the throat of the Yangtze River. Upstream from Yichang, the channel is narrow and crooked, the beach is turbulent, and the reefs are numerous, and ships of more than 1,500 tons cannot go directly to Chongqing, and cannot sail at night.

Second, it's time. There are only 40 days left before the annual dry season of the Sichuan River, and when the dry season comes, the water level drops, and the ships carrying large machinery and equipment cannot sail at all.

Third, there is a great shortage of transport vessels, in addition to the 22 steamships of the Minsheng Company, there are only 2 Chinese steamers and a few foreign ships. According to the calculation of the transportation capacity of that year, it will take at least one year for so many people and so many materials to arrive in Chongqing.

However, the chairman's task was to transport all these personnel and goods out of Yichang and to Chongqing within 40 days.

A year becomes 40 days, which is a completely impossible task. There are also strong obstructions from objective and subjective factors on all sides. Can Lu Zuofu use his great wisdom and courage to create the greatest miracle in modern history?

"You're the king of ships, you can do it."

Shao Fei's compliment made Lu Zuofu leak a rare smile, and then picked up a cup of strong tea on the table and took a sip. He also heard that Shao Fei was from the future, and he said okay, so he had more confidence.

Lu Zuofu gently placed the teacup on the table and asked Chen Haotian: "I still have to rely on your Chen family this time, is there no problem with food?" ”

Chen Haotian leaned back in his chair and replied, "How can it be okay?" The soldiers at the front need food, and there are 100,000 mouths waiting here, so we can only do our best and obey the destiny of heaven. After all, the Chen family is a merchant, and the source of food still depends on the state. I will try my best to coordinate and bring food from various shops. But the price ......"

Chen Haotian hesitated and said, "Sell according to the purchase price, Mr. Lu, what do you think?" The Chen family is responsible for costs, transportation, and other expenses. ”

The Japanese army had already occupied half of China, and the Chen family grain store was not as prosperous as it was back then. The embankment burst at the mouth of the garden, and the red land was thousands of miles, which caused huge losses to the Chen family. It is not easy for Chen Haotian to do this.

Lu Zuofu expressed his understanding, but grain purchase was not within his jurisdiction, and he only had full authority to coordinate Yichang's affairs, so he said: "Okay, I will report to the chairman." ”

At this time, Lu Zuofu looked at Shao Fei and asked, "The day after tomorrow, the first batch of ships will leave the port." The goods, of course, take precedence over the military industry. As for the personnel, there are students, intellectuals, civil servants, officials, soldiers, and refugee children. Shao Fei: Let me ask you, which one is the priority? ”

Shao Fei laughed after hearing this, and said, "How can adults fight with children?" ”

"Ha~Ha~Ha~"

Lu Zuofu laughed heartily and shouted, "Someone! ”

The major who had sent Shao Fei over before walked in and said, "Mr. Lu, what do you command?"

Lu Zuofu stood up and introduced to Shao Fei: "This major's name is Xue Bing, and he was specially sent by the chairman to assist and protect my personal safety, and now it belongs to you." ”

Shao Fei stood up and said, "How dare I ask for someone who protects Mr." ”

Lu Zuofu replied: "Didn't you introduce your friend to me last time, and he is now protecting me." You should know what he is capable of, and it is enough to have him to protect you. Xue Bing understands the situation in Yichang, and you need his assistance. But the ugly words are ahead, if you don't do well in Yichang's security and traffic, don't blame me for turning my face and not recognizing people. ”

Lu Zuofu is talking about Gao Xiaowei. Shao Fei understands Gao Xiaowei's abilities, he is the best sniper, and understands the mentality of assassins. Shao Fei was very relieved to have him as Lu Zuofu's bodyguard, so he gladly accepted Lu Zuofu's kindness.

Then, Lu Zuofu waved his hand and said, "Okay." Xue Bing, in the future, you will listen to his command and take him to understand the situation first. I've said hello to all departments and gone to his place where he should go. ”

"Yes!"

Subsequently, Xue Bing left with Shao Fei. And Lu Zuofu has to stay up all night to formulate a set of effective plans, and he will give everyone an explanation tomorrow.

What is a miracle? The miracle is to use your own wisdom to put in the effort, and then the impossible will be possible.

(End of chapter)