Pastor Charles looked at the visitor carefully, and finally smiled: "It turned out to be Guo Xuan." I didn't expect to see you here. It's been more than ten years. Are you still in Hong Kong? Have your Chinese set up their own telecommunications company? Let's talk inside, and I'll give you a taste of the smoked ham I made myself. ”

Guo Xuan said in his heart that Charles still worships his Heavenly Father with one mind and does not ask about the world. He patted a teenage boy next to him on the head. "Little one, don't run around. Charles, where did these four or five kids in the church come from? ”

"It's not four or five, it's six. They were all orphans in China, and their parents were killed by satan-possessed demons, those hateful Japanese. I adopted them and worshipped the Father with them. ”

Guo Xuan grew up in a wealthy family, and after studying at the Royal Military School of the Duke of York, he met the old British nobleman, Lord George Ingalls, who admired this student from Hong Kong, a colony of the British Empire, and often invited him to his home for small gatherings. Charles, the Puritan, was the polar opposite of his father, and it was his life's work to spread the gospel of God. Charles and Guo Xuan are also very close to each other, thinking that this person is not obsessed with worldly wealth, and is dedicated to studying technology, which is not good. I always wanted to convince him to donate all his possessions and go on a mission together in the most remote parts of China.

Although Guo Xuan also believes in Catholicism, he believes that God's shall be to God, and to Caesar what is Caesar's. Earthly matters need to be solved by the laity themselves. All three have different outlooks on life and can only go their separate ways. In order to further his studies, Guo Xuan went to Soviet Russia, the elder Ingalls stayed in England to teach, and Charles went to China after a big quarrel with his father.

The two walked into the dining room in the church, and Charles took out smoked ham, bread, and milk, and said, "There is an old Chinese saying: If a friend comes from afar, he will not talk about it? Nice to meet you. How did you come to Shanghai? ”

Guo Xuan sat down, wrapped a napkin around him, and while buttering his bread, he replied: "The war has disrupted my plan to start Chinese's own telecommunications company. In the twenty-first year of the Republic of China, I returned to China to participate in the Battle of Songhu. It's been almost a decade, and there is no end to this war. How did you come to Shanghai? I remember when we parted, you said that you were going to the mountainous areas of Yunnan-Guizhou, China, to spread the gospel of God. ”

"It's hard to put into words. By the way, there is something I want to tell you, my father is coming, and he will be there tonight. I think you'd like to meet him, because your profession is the same, and you have more in common with him than I do. ”

"I know. Sir George found you by another of his students, Akira Kagesa. ”

Charles was curious: "How do you know?" Do you know that Japanese guy with Kagesa Akira? ”

Guo Xuan smiled faintly: "I don't know." But we know each other very well because we're rivals, he's been thinking about me and I've been studying him. It can be said that God has been friends for a long time. ”

Charles, who was cutting the smoked ham, stopped what he was doing: "Opponent? An opponent of the Japanese? Guo Xuan, who are you? ”

"Isn't it weird? China and Japan are fighting fiercely, and all Chinese are opponents of the spy leader of Kage Akira. As for who I am-" Guo Xuan paused, put down the knife and fork in his hand, and said: "Colonel Agent of the Military Command Bureau of the Chinese National Government, Boss Dai's special envoy, former deputy station chief of Shanghai Station, although I have been away from Shanghai for a while, my name is still in the top three of Ying Zuo Zhenzhao's wanted list. In the front, there was Heiichiro Ono, and then there was Akira Kagesa, who wanted to buy my head for fifty gold bars. Now that this opportunity is in front of you, you can make a windfall. ”

Charles was very angry: "Guo Xuan, you are insulting my personality by saying this. I am the Lamb of God, how could I do such a thing? However, Guo Xuan, I am very disappointed in you, how did you become such a person? Let us entrust everything to our Heavenly Father, God is omnipotent and omnipresent, the final judgment will come, and the wicked will go to hell if they do not repent. We cannot punish in God's place. ”

Guo Xuan replied: "I don't think so. Indeed, it is God's business to forgive the executioner or not. But what I'm going to do is I have to send them to God first! ”

"I can't convince you, and I can't convince my father. I guess let's do what we think is right. Let's eat first, and then when my father comes, you can talk." ”

In the evening, Sir George Ingalls came. The father and son met, and after the initial excitement and unfamiliarity, the two chatted for a long time, but in the end no one could convince anyone. Seeing that his father, who was over sixty years old, had gray hair, Charles was also emotional, although he still refused to agree to get married, start a family, and inherit the family business, but finally agreed to return to England with his father to visit relatives in ten days, and then decide his future life. Sir George was so pleased with this dismal result that he did not dare to make any further requests. Charles then said: "Guo Xuan, do you remember? He's here, waiting to see you. However, I have something to make clear, Guo Xuan is now a member of the Military Command Bureau of the Chongqing government in China. See him or not, decide for yourself. ”

Sir George was delighted: "Well, I haven't seen him for more than ten years. Invite him over for a cup of tea. It doesn't matter who he is, just as this war between China and Japan has nothing to do with the British Empire. We are teachers and students, just meeting and catching up. ”

Charles called Guo Xuan, who was teaching several children how to learn calligraphy. Guo Xuan smiled and said, "Sir George, I'm glad to see you. I'll tell you the truth, I have something I want to ask you for help with. ”

George Ingalls said with a smile: "Chinese like to beat around the bush when they speak, but you are different, you are always so straightforward, I haven't seen you for so many years, and it hasn't changed at all." If there's anything, say it, if it's your own business, I'll do my best. ”

"We have an old Chinese saying: the country is easy to change, and the nature is difficult to change. I'm afraid I can't change my temper in this life. I don't have any personal matters. What I would like to ask you to ask is, if possible, please go to Chongqing and give a few lessons to the trainees of the Military Command Telecommunications Training Course. If not, please give me some advice, Mr. Sizzle, I have some questions that I have not been able to understand. Just like when I was in school. ”

George shook his head and said, "Guo Xuan, I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you." If China is now in an era of peace, as your former teacher, let's learn professional knowledge, nothing. However, China and Japan are in a state of war, and the British Empire, China and Japan are all normal countries with diplomatic relations, and at this time, we cannot take sides. ”

Guo Xuan replied: "I understand everything you said. But this war was a war of aggression imposed on China by the Japanese. In addition to diplomacy, interests, etiquette, I think the most important thing is justice, Sir George, you can't deny that, right? ”

"I understand, I also sympathize with the Chinese. But this is a matter between you and Japan, and I can't help it. ”

Guo Xuan persuaded: "Sir George, with all due respect, the appeasement policy pursued by the British Empire in Europe has suffered a great loss from Nazi Germany. Now that most of Europe is under the iron heel of the Nazis, Britain and Germany are officially at war. If we do not change course, we will continue to pursue a policy of appeasement towards the Japanese in Asia, and we will certainly repeat the same mistakes. Not to mention the interests of the British Empire in China, colonies such as Hong Kong and Singapore will also be ceded to the Japanese. ”

"You are alarmist, Guo Xuan, the Japanese will not dare to provoke the empire on which the sun never sets. Although there was constant friction between Britain and Japan, the Japanese were not arrogant enough to fight on two fronts. Don't forget, I'm an instructor at the Duke of York's Royal Military School, and I've seen farther than you. To be honest, it is precisely because of the critical situation in Europe that Britain cannot turn against Japan in Asia. This is not a show of weakness, in the words of you Chinese: this is called knowing the current affairs. ”

The teacher and the student talked for more than two hours, but the words were not speculative, and there was no result. Guo Xuan could only give up, he said: "Sir George, you are really stubborn. Well, I'm not tough. Then I'll take my leave. There is a sentence that must be said in front: You have seen Kage Satsuaki, please don't say that you have seen me. ”

George Ingalls laughed, "I don't think he would have asked." Take care of yourself, and when you come to England as a private person, you must come and see me and taste the wines made on my estate. ”

Guo Xuan came to Puji Temple overnight and told Zhou Chengbin that he had found nothing in meeting Sir George. Zhou Chengbin sighed: "You can't be blamed for this, we can't make it difficult for us." I will report truthfully to Mr. Mao. Lao Guo, I saw that production line today, and if it is to be transferred out completely, a large ship with a carrying capacity of more than 200 tons is needed. The plan for piracy was more difficult than we expected. It is estimated that Ye Junyuan will come in the next two days, let's discuss it again with the three of us. ”

The next day, 14 May, Mr. and Mrs. Akira Kagesa hosted a dinner party to greet Sir George and congratulate them on their father-son reunion. Heiichiro Ono and Li Shiqun were invited to accompany their families. Heiichiro Ono lost his wife in middle age five years ago, and his daughter Tsuruko Ono accompanied him to the dinner. By the way, I made a cameo translation for Mr. and Mrs. Li Shiqun, who didn't understand English, and Mrs. Kageza Zhenzhao. Kagesa Zhenzhao got up and said: "When I was studying in England, Sir Domont George preached and solved doubts, and Kagesa's family was poor, and he was also taken care of by his teachers in life. Kagesa toasts you. ”

After three rounds of drinking, Shadow Akira asked, "I wonder when Sir George will leave Shanghai?" Kagesa needs to do something, just ask. Over the years, I have been looking for an opportunity to repay my teacher's kindness. I didn't know that Pastor Charles was your son, and I didn't take care of it. Now you know, you two are leaving Shanghai again. ”

Sir George replied: "I can go at any time, but Charles has collected a lot of Chinese cultural materials over the years, and others seem worthless, but he himself regards it as a priceless treasure." There are also a few children who want to bring it to the UK with them. The pastor sent by the church to take Charles' place will not arrive in Shanghai until half a month later. Therefore, the tentative departure is scheduled for May 29. I've agreed with the first mate of the ocean liner Queen Victoria to book a cabin. ”

"Great. Sir spent a few days in Shanghai, and Ying Zuo also had the opportunity to listen to the teachings. Shadow Zo Zhenzhao turned his head to Ono Heiichiro and Li Shiqun and said: "I'm not afraid of the two of you laughing, Shadow Zuo is one of Sir George's most unsuccessful students, plus these years of officialdom and mundane affairs, the original learning has been returned to the teacher." If you give a good relationship today, you will have the opportunity to ask the teacher for advice, how fortunate it is. I'll give you another drink. ”

Sir George thought that Shadow Zuo Zhen Zhao and Guo Xuan had the same idea, and wanted to ask him for the latest experience in deciphering cipher programming, but he was about to excuse himself and refuse. Unexpectedly, Heiichiro Ono said, "I also toast Sir a glass." Sir George, Ono has a reluctant request: when you are instructing Shadow Sakun, can you allow a few telecommunications professionals to attend and teach together? ”

George Ingalls was stunned, isn't this equivalent to opening a short-term professional training course? This is much more excessive than Guo Xuan's request. immediately refused: "You know, Kagesa, I am a military instructor of the British Empire, an active soldier, and not a civilian who can do things according to his own wishes." The British Empire, Japan and China were all normal diplomatic allies. Now China and Japan are at war, and Britain remains neutral in this war. How could I possibly accept your request to do things for the Japanese? ”

This book was first published in Reading Books