New Year's Eve in 1940 was particularly cold.

It seems like it can freeze into ice with just one breath.

But no matter how cold the weather is, it can't stop the children's enthusiasm.

As soon as we finished eating at noon, the sound of firecrackers started ringing in the street.

Then, the sound of children playing was heard again.

Wu Jingyi's residence has been busy for a long time.

We have New Year's Eve dinner here.

A total of three tables were set up, one in the living room, and a special room was set aside for two tables.

During the Chinese New Year, everyone should always have fun together.

This New Year's Eve is different from usual. None of the detachment captains who were away came back.

The Japanese army's winter raids were so brutal that the detachment leaders had no choice but to distract themselves.

The news that came from the past two days was that there were exchanges of fire everywhere in northern Jiangsu.

Even Yuan Zhonghe, an important official who was sent to Yancheng to guard one side, was injured.

Fortunately, the injury was not serious.

There was also the Northern Jiangsu guerrillas commanded by Kong Chuanbo. In three days, they exchanged fire with the enemy six times, an average of two battles a day.

In Wuxi, Suzhou, and Changzhou, news of small-scale exchanges of fire also came one after another.

Sometimes, Meng Shaoyuan was not even willing to read those reports.

Because he was worried about seeing his familiar name on the casualty list.

He was sitting alone in the yard, with a stove at his feet.

Still cold.

Meng Shaoyuan didn't feel it.

Although the situation in Shanghai is under control, the situation in other places has become more serious.

And although Kai Ziwei's appointment gave the military commander a chance to breathe and make adjustments, the Japanese were bound to refuse to give up.

After all, Shanghai is still a Japanese-controlled area.

In one month, Wang Jingwei's puppet government will be established.

It was then time for the bayonet to see red.

This year’s New Year is not easy to pass.

Wu Jingyi is back.

He saw Meng Shaoyuan sitting there in a daze: "Master, what are you doing, sitting in the yard in the cold weather?"

"Waiting for you." Meng Shaoyuan immediately regained his playful smile: "If you don't come back, won't I miss you?"

"Glib talk." Wu Jingyi scolded: "I just settled all the matters in the district, why don't I rush back now? Yu Yanchu and the others are here, right?"

"They're all here, they're all here." Meng Shaoyuan said with a smile, "Hurry up and take charge."

When Wu Jingyi walked into the room, she called Li Zhifeng over: "What happened to this man today?"

"I don't know either." Li Zhifeng spread his hands and said, "I came back from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and have been in a daze here until now."

At this time, Meng Shaoyuan was already thinking about how to spend 1940.

If others don't think about it, he can't help but consider it.

Sophia moved a stool and sat next to him.

She was specially invited by Meng Shaoyuan.

"Hey, it's freezing outside, what are you doing out here?"

"I don't understand what they are saying. I see that they have prepared many dishes, which seem to be from both the south and the north." Sophia felt helpless.

She has been in China for a long time, but she still doesn’t understand the living habits of the Chinese people.

"Where I live, there are both southerners and northerners." Meng Shaoyuan said with a smile: "Northerners eat dumplings during the Chinese New Year, and southerners want fish to have more than enough every year, and they also have radishes, which are called Nian radishes. Hi,

It’s useless to explain so much to you.”

"They all seem to be talking about you." Sofia looked back at the room: "But they spoke too fast."

"Three women, one drama." Meng Shaoyuan laughed again: "I know what they are saying about me. As the district chief, I really have no dignity at all in their hearts."

"But I know you're a good person."

Sophia actually took the initiative to hold his hand for the first time: "But you like to disguise yourself. Among you and your friends I know, you may be the one who lives the most tiring life. After all, there are so many people waiting for you.

You take care of it."

The one who knows me is Sophia.

And Wu Jingyi too.

besides?

Forget it, don’t think about it anymore.

"Such a big stall is waiting for me."

Meng Shaoyuan sighed: "Sofia, have you ever thought about returning to China?"

Sofia suddenly misunderstood what he meant: "Do you want to drive me away? Don't forget, I am your bodyguard."

"No, you misunderstood me." Meng Shaoyuan shook his head: "Shanghai is getting more and more unsafe. Sophia, if you are willing to stay by my side, I have something to ask you to do."

"What's up?"

Meng Shaoyuan was silent for a moment: "Although the public concession is an isolated island, it will be occupied by the Japanese sooner or later. We people stay in Shanghai just to fight the Japanese, but there are many family members and non-combatants among our staff.

Members, once the concession falls, these people who have no fighting capacity will definitely bear the brunt of it.

I have contacted Joey and the Knights Hospitaller, and using their special status, I am preparing to transfer these people in batches within a year. Also transferred together will be some valuables, documents, machines, etc.

I would like to ask you to be mainly responsible for this matter, including liaison with Joey. Your foreign status can provide you with convenience."

Sophia didn't hesitate at all: "You are my boss, since you asked me to do this, there is no problem."

"That's good." Meng Shaoyuan was reassured: "The first batch of evacuated personnel and materials will be scheduled for the eighth day of the Lunar New Year. Sofia, it's okay if the materials are lost, but we must ensure that the evacuated personnel arrive in Chongqing safely. I'm sorry for any loss.

My brothers."

"Do not worry."

Meng Shaoyuan was already thinking about what would happen after the fall of the isolated island.

By then the situation between the enemy and ourselves will be completely reversed, the public concession will completely fall into the hands of the Japanese, and military command must be fully transferred to underground work.

What should the brothers do with their families in Shanghai?

How many people would worry about what would happen if their family members fell into the hands of the Japanese, while fighting bloody battles with the Japanese?

At least, we need to relieve their worries first.

Or, to put it in another despicable way:

If these are sent to the rear, they are also hostages.

Once an agent is arrested, they will take this factor into consideration when deciding whether to defect.

Meng Shaoyuan is no longer the same Meng Shaoyuan he was when he first came to this era.

He is now the head of Meng District.

What he has to consider is the overall situation, not the gains and losses of any one person.

"What about you? Aren't you leaving?" Sophia suddenly asked.

"I won't leave, and I can't leave." Meng Shaoyuan smiled bitterly: "I am the district chief. I am in charge of so many people. Others can leave, but without orders from superiors, I must stay here."

"What if you are caught by the Japanese?" Sofia's voice was full of worry: "Although I don't understand your industry, I also know that the Japanese hate you very much."

"The person who can catch me has not yet been born."

Meng Shaoyuan was very high-spirited at this moment: "Don't worry, those Japanese are not enough for me!"

"Ready to eat."

There was a cry from inside the house.

"Let's go have New Year's Eve dinner."
Chapter completed!