The three deputies to the UN General Assembly who came to Chongqing to petition the government for a wage increase were Zhou Binglin, Wu Youxun, and Chen Xueping.

Zhou Binglin, a jurist and economist, is a former professor at Peking University and currently the dean of the Law School of Southwest Associated University.

Wu Youxun, physicist, former dean of Tsinghua University of Science, the first Chinese to win the title of academician in Western countries - became an academician of the Halle Academy of Natural Sciences in Germany in 1936. Qian Weichang, who scored 5 points in the physics exam that year, was clamoring to switch to physics, and Wu Youxun made an exception to agree.

Chen Xueping, a psychologist, is a former professor at Peking University, and he will have a son-in-law named Yu Yingshi in the future.

The lineup for a salary increase is reasonable, with economist Zhou Binglin in charge of analysing economic issues, psychologist Chen Xueping in charge of contacting Ministry of Education officials, and Wu Youxun in charge of supporting the scene — China's first Western academician, after all.

It's a pity that after they arrived in Chongqing, they didn't even see Chen Lifu in person, and they were perfunctory and fooled by the bureaucrats of the Ministry of Education.

In desperation, the three of them could only go to the Zhou Mansion to ask for help.

Cui Huifu brought tea and snacks, and Zhou Hexuan beckoned everyone to sit down and said, "I received a handwritten letter from Principal Mei two days ago, but unfortunately I couldn't find the three gentlemen. ”

Wu Youxun said: "We stayed in a small hotel. ”

Zhou Binglin said: "We didn't ask Mr. Zhou for help at first because asking for a salary increase is a public matter, and it is the reasonable opinion of the majority of teachers, and we are not willing to mix any personal factors. ”

Zhou Hexuan nodded and said, "I understand this." ”

Chen Xueping said: "But those officials of the Ministry of Education have always passed the buck, and they all said that they can't call the shots, so let's go to Minister Chen Lifu." The problem is that Chen Lifu doesn't show up at all, and we can't see him in person at all! ”

Zhou Binglin said: "Mr. Zhou, the purpose of our visit to the Zhou Mansion this time is to ask you to introduce us and arrange for us to meet Chen Lifu. ”

"Let's go, let's go," Zhou Hexuan joked, "I see that the three gentlemen are in a hurry, and if you go to Chen's house now, maybe you can have dinner." ”

Chen Lifu lived in Banan County, which was later known as Banan District, Chongqing City.

Not far from the Central Chengchi University, there is a Western-style villa, which is the residence of Chen Lifu, the Minister of Education.

Zhou Hexuan took the three professors to change cars by boat, walked for a distance, and finally arrived at their destination when it was almost dark.

As one of the two leaders of the CC Department of the Kuomintang, Chen Lifu's mansion must be guarded by guards, and there are more people who want to kill him. The porter was also discerning, and asked respectfully, "What's the matter with the gentlemen?" ”

Zhou Hexuan smiled: "I'm Zhou Hexuan, and I have something important to do with Minister Chen." ”

"It turned out to be Mr. Zhou, please wait." The porter immediately went in to report it, and at the same time made the guards look at the door.

After a while, Zhou Hexuan and a few people were led in, and Chen Lifu laughed and said, "Brother Mingcheng came just in time, I was just about to have dinner." Yo, and three friends, let's have a few drinks together. ”

"Then it's better to be respectful, Minister Chen's food must be very fragrant." Zhou Hexuan said happily.

Chen Lifu said: "Brother Mingcheng is too foreign, and he doesn't have to call his position at home. ”

Zhou Hexuan smiled: "Then I will take the liberty to call Brother Chen?" ”

"Yes, yes, you are older than me," Chen Lifu enthusiastically pulled Zhou Hexuan inside and asked, "Who are these three friends?" ”

Zhou Hexuan introduced: "These three are Professor Wu Youxun, Professor Zhou Binglin and Professor Chen Xueping of Southwest Associated University. ”

Hearing the words "Southwest Associated University", Chen Lifu's smile suddenly froze, and then he returned to normal, and said with a smile: "It turns out that they are all university scholars, and today the cold house is full of flowers, so you must drink a few more cups." ”

"Well said, well said!" Zhou Hexuan also followed haha.

Wu Youxun was a little anxious, and couldn't wait to say: "Minister Chen, we ...... this time."

Chen Xueping quietly pulled Wu Youxun's sleeve and said with a smile: "It's rare to be able to see Minister Chen, and I will definitely ask more questions today." ”

Chen Lifu waved his hand and said: "Don't dare to ask for advice, I have a master's degree in Pittsburgh, and my knowledge is definitely not as good as your doctors." ”

"Minister Chen has been in charge of the Ministry of Education for several years, and the cause of education has developed rapidly during the difficult period of the Anti-Japanese War, and he is indeed the first major contributor to China's education since the late Qing Dynasty." We are all engaged in education, and Minister Chen must have unique views on education, which are worth learning from. ”

Thousands of clothes, no sycophants, Chen Xueping scratched Chen Lifu's itch all of a sudden, no wonder this person will be the acting minister of education in a few years. It is very likely that Chen Xueping later rose to prominence in the Ministry of Education, and it was because of this request for a salary increase that he had a friendship with Chen Lifu.

After Chen Xueping finished a few words, the little unhappiness in Chen Lifu's heart disappeared immediately, he happily invited everyone to sit down, and specially introduced his wife Sun Luqing.

Sun Luqing is also a cultural person, at this time he was a professor of the art department of Central University, and he was already married to Chen Lifu when he was 13 years old. Although it is an arranged marriage, the husband and wife are very affectionate, but Chen Lifu must have a lover quietly.

Sun Luqing beckoned everyone to sit down to eat, and took the initiative to chat with Zhou Hexuan: "Mr. Zhou, I have admired you for a long time, and Ms. Wanrong has been saying good things about you all day long. ”

"Wanrong also often praises Ms. Sun's painting spirit, and your ink landscapes are quite unique." Zhou Hexuan touted it smoothly.

During the Anti-Japanese War, there were many painters in Chongqing, but there were not many female painters, Wanrong and Sun Luqing must have known each other, and the friendship between the two was very good.

Sun Luqing said with a smile: "Wanrong came back from Dunhuang some time ago, and suddenly her painting skills rose sharply, and her style changed greatly, which made me want to go to Dunhuang to copy the murals." ”

Zhou Hexuan said: "When the Anti-Japanese War is won, I will organize a Dunhuang tour group, and Ms. Sun will have to sign up at that time." ”

"Then it's decided, I will definitely participate," Chen Lifu suddenly raised his glass, "Come, let's wish the victory of the Anti-Japanese War and drink this cup!" ”

The atmosphere of the banquet soon became warm, and everyone was busy eating, drinking, and chatting.

Zhou Binglin and Wu Youxun wanted to talk about the salary increase several times, but they were stopped by Chen Xueping, because the time was not yet in place.

Chen Xueping patted Chen Lifu's sycophants in various ways, and Zhou Hexuan also took the wife's route and chatted with Sun Luqing very happily.

After three rounds of drinking, Chen Lifu was already a little drunk, and Chen Xueping suddenly sighed: "Alas! ”

Sun Luqing asked, "Why is Professor Chen sighing?" ”

Chen Xueping said: "Since the Anti-Japanese War, it has been rare for me to have such a sumptuous dinner. Thinking about my big wine and meat in Chongqing, my colleagues from the Southwest Associated University can only go hungry in Kunming, and I can't help but feel ashamed in my heart, so I sigh. ”

"The teachers at the United Nations University are hungry?" Sun Luqing was a little puzzled.

Chen Xueping said: "The professor with the highest salary in the United Nations University is only 470 yuan a month, how can he not go hungry? ”

"So low? Our professor at Chung-Ang University ......" Chen Xueping suddenly realized something, immediately shut up, and turned her head to look at her husband Chen Lifu.

"Ahem," Chen Lifu coughed twice and sighed, "The War of Resistance is difficult, and the finances are limited, so it's really hard for everyone." ”

Wu Youxun finally couldn't hold back anymore and said: "Minister Chen, we have no other requirements, we just hope that the salary of teachers at Southwest Associated University can be the same as that of Central University." It's all about teaching and educating people, so you can't favor one over the other, right? ”