It is very troublesome for the fleet to meet in the reverse direction of the inland river, and the width and depth of the river, as well as the dry and wet periods, greatly restrict the free movement of the fleet. As required, both fleets lowered their speeds and used flags and whistles to determine their positions and actions.

Insiders look at the doorway, and laymen look at the liveliness. The passengers on the ship were all big laymen, just watching the two fleets move slowly and staggered with each other. They couldn't understand the tension between the two captains and the first mate. Just looking at the parts of the boat on the surface of the water and going in the opposite direction side by side do not show any danger, the problem is that the undercurrent stirred up by the underwater part of the ship is impossible to fully imagine. Fast speed is not good, but too slow is actually disastrous. This will inevitably make the two boats come together against each other. Fortunately, Mr. Yan Fu is indeed proficient in piloting and ship knowledge, and although the two captains who graduated from the naval school in the base area are worried, there is no problem in the intersection. Relieved, the captains greeted each other with their friendly whistles, and the two fleets faded out of each other's sight.

The people on the ship watched the slow convoy meeting up close, and Huang Xing's interest in talking with Song Jiaoren and Wang Shangshang was greatly reduced. The direction of everyone's discussion turned to when they could arrive in Fengtai County. And it seemed that the last word on the ship was this comrade guide. The guide himself had never been on a tugboat, and he had to frankly admit that he didn't know. Song Jiaoren knew that the guide didn't like to talk, so he basically didn't say a word during the whole journey. He didn't say anything more.

The tugboat fleet is not slow, reaching an average speed of 10 kilometers per hour. In addition to adding water and coal at the mooring point, there was no stop in between. It took less than 20 hours for the crowd to reach their destination, the current headquarters of the People's Party, Fengtai County.

"It's not slow." Huang Xing said. Song Jiaoren just nodded, but did not speak. In front of him was the ruling center of the BJP, the capital of a real "state within a state". After seeing so many big cities, Song Jiaoren couldn't help but think of this current revolutionary center of China as a real city before seeing Fengtai County with his own eyes. If it were not a real city, how could the People's Party use this as a base to sweep half of Anhui?

When he really saw Fengtai County, Song Jiaoren couldn't help but be disappointed. It's not a huge county. Compared with Anqing and Hefei, and even compared with the ancient city of Shouzhou that has been seen on the waterway, Fengtai County is relatively small. However, if you look closely, Fengtai County is different from other cities, with some tall buildings towering in Fengtai County. And the wharf in Fengtai County is far more lively than other places, and even Anqing can't compare with it now.

As soon as I got on the pier, a strong atmosphere of excitement came to my face. Stevedores load and unload goods with the help of simple machinery, either in pigtails or with short hair. Is there so much that can be loaded and unloaded in such a small Fengtai County? Song Jiaoren was very strange. Without waiting for him to observe in detail, the guide had already urged Song Jiaoren and Huang Xing to hurry to the reception.

The pier leads to the county seat on a newly built gravel road, the road surface is quite flat, and it is very comfortable to walk on it. Song Jiaoren walked for a while before he realized that his original perception of Fengtai County may not be correct. On both sides of the road are newly built red brick houses, and there are few shops, but the people on the street are obviously making a living, and everyone looks very energetic. This appearance made Song Jiaoren a little puzzled, the prosperous areas are all places where shops gather, and Fengtai County is quite prosperous now, but there are no merchants in sight. This kind of streetscape is too quirky.

After continuing to walk forward for a while, Song Jiaoren found another special feature, there are too many people wearing "uniforms" in Fengtai County, but the proportion of ordinary people in ordinary clothes is far lower than that of all kinds of people wearing "uniforms". Under the influence of the uniformed crowd on the street, Song Jiaoren even felt that he had arrived in a military city.

The reception is in front of a row of houses in Fengtai County. It's even more lively with people coming and going, but it's not a downtown at all. When Song Jiaoren saw the house, he opened the street, and two signs were hung on both sides of the main entrance. The sign on the left reads "Fengtai County Government of Anhui Province" and on the right "Fengtai County Committee of the Chinese People's Party".

Although he recognized the words on the sign and understood the meaning of the words on the sign, Song Jiaoren had no way to connect the yamen in Fengtai County with the official yamen he imagined. There are no high walls, no lobby and no other traditional layout. Except that this row of houses is a little far from the street, vacating a space-like space, the Fengtai County Government looks like an ordinary house for a wealthy family. And the open space is neatly planted with trees, and there are some strange stone seats under the trees. Other than that, there is no setting at all that is reminiscent of majesty. The people who enter and leave the county government are also ordinary people, who go in and out of the gate of the county government just like visiting the door. In these years, the people have nothing to do, who is willing to deal with the government, this abnormal appearance made Song Jiaoren extremely surprised.

"Let's go in, two." The guide saw that Song Jiaoren looked left and right and refused to continue walking, and couldn't help urging.

As soon as he entered the door of the county government, Song Jiaoren saw that there were tables and chairs in the house, but it was not as high as the traditional lobby. The floor of the whole room was stone, light and hard, but it was all in one piece. There were a few ordinary tables in the middle, and two men and two women sat behind them, and the people were waiting at the tables.

"You ask about the sale of grain, go to the second door in the corridor on the left."

"Housing applications need to be registered first, or a certificate issued by the unit. Proof that you are a ...... who works for that unit. …… The certificate of the private unit is not good, and the private unit needs to go to the industrial and commercial bureau to issue a certificate. Proof that they hired you to work over there. ……，…… Why, you ask? If the private sector is in arrears of wages, you can go to the industrial and commercial bureau to apply for legal mediation. ……，…… When I say legal mediation, I mean that the court or the judicial department in the ward is in charge of the matter......"

"If you want to go to court, you're going to go to the courthouse, and it's about a hundred steps west of the courthouse. ……，…… Our government is different from the old government, and our government is not responsible for lawsuits. The court is responsible for the lawsuit. ”

There were many people in the room, and several cadres in military uniforms in the main room explained to them where to go to do things. I also have to be responsible for some explanations. Song Jiaoren and Huang Xing saw that these four cadres were very young, and one of the little girls looked like they were not even twenty years old.

The three of them waited in line, listening to the skillful answers of these reception staff, Song Jiaoren became more and more admired in his heart. Although he did not understand the model of forming a new-style government, after listening to it for a while, he could also feel that Fengtai County under the rule of the People's Party had someone in charge of everything. Instead of managing everything and not managing everything well like the original government.

The people were not familiar with the work of the government, and some people pestered them when they saw that the government had received them kindly. The staff could only get up helplessly and lead the people to the department in charge. There are also some people, especially those who apply for housing, who are obviously confused in the face of complicated procedures. As a result, I don't know what results I got inside, anyway, I ran outside to pester the reception staff, which is really a good thing to say. But the reception staff didn't actually do the job, so they got entangled. Song Jiaoren listened to the content, but it was actually nothing more than a proof.

Some of the people didn't know how to issue a certificate at all, and some clerks came back from outside, and the reception staff asked these clerks, who were obviously responsible for leading the way, to take the people to issue the certificate. Song Jiaoren watched it with relish, but Huang Xing was a little impatient. The trivial matters of the people were concentrated in this room, and a group of super patient clerks were responsible for telling them who to solve, Huang Xing was tired, tired and sleepy, and his mood became extremely bad. After standing for a long time, they were not able to take Huang Xing's turn.

However, there was one thing that surprised Huang Xing, he had also organized some revolutionary actions with the participation of the people in the past, and the people's behavior was extremely unruly, and as a result, everyone lined up in the county government. As long as someone dared to cut in line, the other people immediately scolded and stopped. This kind of spontaneous rule is very different from that of the people in other places. Huang Xing waited impatiently, and asked Song Jiaoren, "Could it be that the folk customs of Fengtai County are different from other places?" ”

At this time, some people who came out of it wanted to talk to the clerk, and the people in the back of the queue immediately became noisy, "Line up, queue up!" ”

The people who wanted to cut the line wanted to pretend not to hear, but the clerk also lowered his face and said to the people who tried to cut the line: "Please go to the back of the line." ”

"I'll just say one more thing." The people who tried to cut the line pleaded.

"You go first and line up later." The clerk did not give accommodation at all. The people were helpless, and they went to the back of the queue.

After reading this, Song Jiaoren replied in a low voice: "Brother Huang, there are always rules for queuing." ”

Huang Xingzheng wanted to speak, but he heard the guide next to him, who had not spoken, say in a not very friendly tone: "Queuing is not for the sake of rules, queuing is the most efficient." It's also the fairest, first come, first served. Once you've done one thing, start a new one. Swarms huddle together, and nothing can be done. ”

The tone of the words was unkind, but it made sense. Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren turned their heads to look at the guide, but saw that the guide turned his head with some contempt and looked at the clerk at the front of the team listlessly.

"Brother Tai, your words are too arbitrary. You have to follow the rules in everything you do......" Huang Xing was a little angry.

The guide was also very tired, his body was tired, and his mood was naturally not very good, so he continued to say angrily: "The purpose of making rules is to solve problems faster and more effectively, so abiding by the rules is not for the rules themselves, but for getting things done." Everyone is willing to queue up, but they feel that although they are anxious to wait, it is already the best way. If you can get things done in a hurry, you see that everyone will definitely rush to the top. ”

was robbed, and Huang Xing was naturally unconvinced. Song Jiaoren hurriedly stopped Huang Xing, he agreed with the guide's words in his heart, but he couldn't help the guide speak. Therefore, stopping Huang Xing and preventing the conflict from continuing was Song Jiaoren's only choice.

After waiting for a while, it was finally Huang Xing's turn. They were greeted by the youngest girl at the reception, who had been paying attention to Huang Xing and them for a while. The girl looked up and asked, "What do you need help with?" ”

The guide said, "These two comrades are comrades from outside and want to see Chairman Chen. Who should I call for reception? ”

After hearing this, the girl stood up, "Comrades, please follow me." ”

When you enter the corridor on the right, the door of the innermost room reads "Office of External Work". Several people entered the room, and the girl said with a smile: "I am Ren Qiying, director of the Office of the Fengtai County Party Committee." I'm in charge of reception. ”

The guide knows the status of the director of the office of the county party committee, and he can basically do this position as a member of the standing committee of the county party committee and executive deputy county magistrate, and in the base area, especially in the old base area like Fengtai County, this is already a senior cadre. The guide immediately stood up and saluted, "Comrade Ren Qiying, I am Ma Hongsheng, the guide of the Anqing Municipal Party Committee Office. These two are Mr. Huang Xing and Mr. Song Jiaoren of the Alliance. Mayor Zhang Yu ordered me to bring two people to meet Chairman Chen Ke. Report complete. ”

Although the guide Ma Hongsheng said "report" in his mouth, his attitude was so confident and natural, as if a distinguished person introduced his guests to distinguished guests.

After listening to this, Ren Qiying stretched out her hand to Ma Hongsheng, "Comrade Ma Hongsheng, you have worked hard. Is there anything else you would like to explain? ”

"Nope." Ma Hongsheng replied while shaking hands with Ren Qiying.

"Then I'll write you a certificate now." After Ren Qiying finished speaking, she sat down on the left and began to write documents.

Song Jiaoren watched the two of them handing over the task, and was very surprised. These two seem to have a superior-subordinate relationship, but they don't have the slightest sense of dignity and humility. Except for the different levels of work, the two people seem to be completely equal. There is no status oppression, and there is no pride. This attitude has a completely irrational and absurd feeling in this era.

Of course, Song Jiaoren didn't know that Ma Hongsheng and other "guides" were all from the reconnaissance unit of the Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army, and Ren Qiying was a young cadre that Chen Ke admired very much. Both of them are outstanding talents and key personnel in the department. He thought that the cadres of the People's Party had such quality and cultivation. This can bluff Song Jiaoren a lot.

Ma Hongsheng took the certificate and read it carefully, and then put the certificate into the envelope. After saying goodbye to everyone, he left the reception office in a relaxed state.

Ren Qiying got up and asked Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren to sit down, and then poured water for the two. The base office uses glasses, not to show off wealth, but now the base glassware is cheap and can be recycled. Song Jiaoren did not know this situation, and looked at the glass window of the office, the carafe and the glass cup for water, and the "rich wealth" of the People's Party surprised this high-ranking cadre of the League.

"I have heard of the two, Mr. Huang Xing is in charge of the military, and Mr. Song Jiaoren is in charge of government affairs. You are the right-hand men of Mr. Sun of the League. Ren Qiying spoke very politely. These are the contents of Chen Ke's letter, and after Chen Ke briefly introduced the situation of the Alliance, he unceremoniously continued to write that if the Alliance sent someone, he didn't have to care too much about it, just send someone to Chen Ke.

I don't care about Huang Xing and Song Jiaoren in my heart, but Ren Qiying will not be rude, the host will hold a handful of guests, which is also a courtesy to receive people and things.

Sure enough, Huang Xing's unhappy look was a lot happier. He smiled and said, "Miss Ren, we are entrusted by Mr. Sun Yat-sen, President of the Alliance, to meet Mr. Chen Ke, Chairman of the People's Party. Is Mr. Chen Ke in Fengtai County? ”

"Chairman Chen is now going to the countryside near Fengtai County to inspect the local elections, and he is not in the county seat now. A few of you came by tugboat, right? ”

"Yes."

Ren Qiying said heartily: "Then you must be tired, in this way, I will arrange for the two of you to rest first." Wait tomorrow to see if Chairman Chen has returned. Shall we talk about it then? ”

After hearing this, Song Jiaoren said: "Miss Ren, as far as we know, it is very likely that the Manchu Qing will send troops to attack the base area of the People's Party within a month, so you are not in a hurry?" ”

"In a hurry? Is it useful to be in a hurry? Ren Qiying asked in a friendly manner.

Soong thought about it, and apart from pointing out the "crisis situation" of the People's Party, he could not think of a better way to persuade the People's Party to join the League. Along the way, he saw that the territory of the People's Party was huge, and although he could not see the number of troops, the number of Anhui people who had already attached themselves to the People's Party was really quite a lot.

His own family knew his own affairs, and Song Jiaoren knew that the current strength of the League would not be able to help the People's Party at all, and if the People's Party won again in the next war, the League would no longer be able to make the People's Party have the slightest interest. In fact, he had given up on the idea of having the People's Party join the League, and what Song hoped for was "cooperation", as long as the People's Party could announce even one call through the League, such as a call for Chinese students in Japan. Song Jiaoren is confident that he can make the greatest use of this opportunity.

Ren Qiying's answer made Song Jiaoren feel nervous, but he hadn't given up yet. He felt that Ren Qiying was just a young girl who didn't know much about the military. Although Ren Qiying said that "it is useless to be anxious", that is just a wrong view.

"Miss Ren, the Manchu army is pressing, and the situation is not critical." Song Jiaoren had to continue to bluff.

Ren Qiying stood up and pointed to the map of China on the wall, she smiled and asked, "Since Mr. Song said so, then I want to ask Mr. Song, what is the route of the Manchu army pressing the border?" Where are their troops hoarded? What is the number of the troops? How many are there? Who is the commander? Mr. Song, can you tell me about the map? ”

Song Jiaoren only felt that the muscles on his face were twitching, and when he saw Ren Qiying, he felt that Ren Qiying was young and very kind. There is no "impulsive" temperament of Qiu Jin's female revolutionaries at all. So I couldn't help but feel that Ren Qiying was a weak girl. was snatched away by Ren Qiying's gentle attitude and smile on her face, Song Jiaoren felt that he had really lost his eyes. The girl in front of him was not weak at all, but a real smiling tiger.