Chapter 50 Returning

The magazine has poor paper, but its handwriting is elegant and well-proportioned, and its ink tastes rich. It is obviously just released. It contains academic articles full of Marxism. Chen Zikun took a look at it casually and praised: "Good articles, insightful."

Deng Xixian said: "These articles are all written by Enlai."

Chen Zikun raised his respectful words: "Brother Enlai is a talented man."

Zhou Enlai smiled and said, "I wrote it right, but Xiao Deng used a carving knife to carve it on wax paper one by one, and printed it one by one with a mimeographer to bind it into a book."

Chen Zikun said: "Is this a publication founded by Brother Enlai?"

Zhou Enlai said: "No, this is the internal journal of our Chinese youth living in Europe."

"Who is Brother Enlai?"

"Enlai is our propaganda committee member." Deng Xixian replied, and suddenly asked again: "Are you willing to join us?"

Chen Zikun was stunned. He still remembered the last time he joined the Kuomintang in Shanghai. He was a fledgling boy at the time, but now he has seen the world. He knew very well what he was promoting. He was a public student and would have to hold a certain position in the army in the future. Joining such a radical organization on the eve of his return to China is probably not good for his future.

"Haha, I'm not a European student, I'm afraid I'm not right." He wanted to shun the past with a light sentence.

Deng Xixian said quickly, "Aren't you on your way to Europe now? It's not a contradiction."

"Little Deng." Zhou Enlai stopped Deng Xixian with his eyes and said: "The croissants here are good, Brother Kunwu eats more. By the way, have you played here in Paris? Do you want me to be a guide to take you around?"

Chen Zikun said: "I have seen the famous scenic spots everywhere when I came to France last time. This time I mainly visited various universities."

After chatting for a few more words, the bell rang at twelve o'clock, and Zhou Enlai said, "I'll treat you to a meal."

Chen Zikun thought everyone would go to a Western restaurant and order a bottle of red wine to celebrate the reunion of old friends. However, Zhou Enlai led everyone upstairs. One room upstairs was Zhou Enlai's bedroom, which was not large in size, only seven or eight square meters. There was a bed, a table, and a large number of books piled up in every corner. There was a coal stove on the ground and an iron kettle stewed on it.

"Xiao Deng, go and get the noodles. I'll make two special dishes for you to try." Zhou Enlai rolled up his sleeves and began to wash the pot and wash the vegetables.

"I'll buy two bottles of wine." Chen Zikun volunteered, and Wang Ruofei also said, "I'll go with you."

After the two of them walked away, Deng Xixian said, "Enlai, why don't you fight for him? I think his thoughts are quite progressive."

Zhou Enlai said: "Xiao Deng, you don't know that he was sent to the United States by the Beiyang government to study military affairs. He is not the same as us. Everyone has their own ambitions and cannot force others."

"It turns out that it's the warlord's tyrant, it's such a pity." Deng Xixian sighed.

Nie Rongzhen interrupted and said, "You can't say that, I think you can still fight for it."

Zhou Enlai said: "Yes, this is the reason, but we must proceed step by step and not be too reckless. Our career needs to unite all forces that can be united. Chen Zikun will be a senior officer in the warlord's troops in the future, which is the talent we urgently need."

Deng Xixian nodded thoughtfully: "I understand."

Chen Zikun and Wang Ruofei went to a nearby shop to buy two bottles of burgundy red wine, a few onions, cheese and red sausages. When they came back, Zhou Enlai had already prepared a specialty dish, braised lion head, and everyone sat on the ground, served red wine in teacups, rice bowls, and lunch boxes, and raised their glasses together: "Cheers for the future of China."

After the meal, they were not busy cleaning up the mess, but lit a cigarette, and once again started a heated discussion. They all advocated a thorough transformation of China in the Soviet Union's way, carried out riots and overthrew the corrupt Beiyang government, and implemented people's democratic dictatorship. This time, Chen Zikun did not reserve his opinion, but put forward his own views.

He believes that the primary issue of China at present is not revolution, but unification. Only when the country is unified can it be consistent with the outside world.

Wang Ruofei immediately raised an objection, saying that Yuan Shikai wanted to unify and Duan Qirui also wanted to unify by force. Now Wu Peifu proposed this idea again, but with these corrupt and reactionary warlords, it is impossible for them to complete the great cause of unification. Only the advanced and well-organized party can take on this important task.

"However, Marx's set of things comes from his fantasy and has not been proved by practice." Chen Zikun retorted again.

Wang Ruo smiled and said, "Brother Chen, I doubt whether you have any intention when reading those philosophical books? Marx's Theory of Capital was written by looking up the vast amount of materials. How could it be imagined? Besides, the examples of Soviet Russia are right in front of you. Have you selected to ignore them?"

"Soviet Russia..." Chen Zikun couldn't help but sneer. Andrei's description of the sailors massacred officers appeared in his mind. "Soviet Russia killed too heavily. If it were that kind of revolution, it would rather not."

"Since naive." Wang Ruofei shook his head, "Of course the red flag must be stained with blood, otherwise how could it be called a revolution?"

Chen Zikun was unwilling to have an idiotic dispute with him. In terms of eloquence, he was no match for these students, but when he saw them blushing in the smoky humble room, he suddenly felt a little moved.

On the way back, Zhou Enlai accompanied Chen Zikun for a long time. Before leaving, Zhou Enlai said earnestly: "Brother Kunwu, to change China, we have to rely on our generation and the armed party. As long as you are willing, our party's door will be open to you at any time."

The Seine River water sparkled in the night, and a wandering singer played the violin. Amid the melodious music, two young hands held together.

"The same destination is for the rise of the Chinese nation. I will meet again in China, Brother Enlai." Chen Zikun revealed his true feelings and held Zhou Enlai's hand tightly.

They didn't know that it was many years later when they shook hands again.

Originally, Jianbing wanted to stay in Paris for a day, but the travel expenses were really tight, so he had to leave in a hurry. Before leaving, Chen Zikun put 500 francs in an envelope and sent them to Zhou Enlai, and then took Jianbing to Belgium by train.

Their route was to travel around Europe, the top of the Alps, the Danube, the town of Bern, the Belgian gun factory, the Munich brewery, and the Romanian castles all left their footprints. They originally wanted to visit Moscow, but because Chen Zikun held a public passport in the Republic of China, he was refused entry.

After traveling through Europe, they finally embarked on a journey back home. They crossed the Strait of Gibraltar through Spain and arrived in Morocco in Africa. After experiencing the North African style, the two of them took a boat to Egypt again, leaving a permanent commemoration with a German Zeiss camera under the majestic pyramid.

Since I arrived in Africa, I would just go south along the Nile River and visit East Africa for a walk. This trip was amazing. The hot African malaria epidemic almost cost Jianbing's life. I hurriedly embarked on the return journey and still walked through the Indian Ocean, the Strait of Malacca, the South China Sea, Saigon, Hong Kong, and all the way back to Shanghai.

When we arrived in Shanghai, it was already Christmas Eve in 1922. The ship slowly sailed into the Huangpu River under the night sky. Neon lights on the west bank were flashing, and the prosperity was even better than the past. I was close to the hometown feeling, and my eyes were a little wet. Chen Zikun looked at the shore with a railing, but his eyes were a little calmer.

Shanghai, I'm back.

The ship docked at Taikoo Wharf, and the passengers lined up to get off the boat. Chen Zikun and Jianbing had a lot of luggage, so they temporarily waited in the cabin. The second mate on the boat came in and bowed and said, "Mrs., I'll take you off the boat." After that, he arranged a few servants to help them get off the boat with their big bags and small luggage.

As soon as he stepped onto the solid land, several headlights lit up opposite him. Four large black cars were parked on the dock. A man wearing a top hat and a long tweed windbreaker was sitting on the front of the car, looking at them with a cigar in his mouth.

Chen Zikun smiled. He hadn't seen him for more than two years, and Li Yaoting became much more mature. He had two beards on his lips, and his eyes were not as green as before, but full of confidence and wisdom.

"Da Kunzi!"

"Little Shunzi!"

The two of them quickly stepped forward and hugged each other tightly. After a while, Li Yaoting raised his head and looked at Jian Bing who was smiling and said, "Sister-in-law, you are beautiful again."

Jian Bing smiled and said, "You are really good at praising people, I am obviously fat."

Li Yaoting blinked, snapped his fingers, and shouted behind him: "I'm not here to call someone."

A woman wearing a cheongsam and fox fur came over, with a slightly shy expression and said in a soft voice: "Hello brother, hello sister-in-law."

"Her name is Bing'er, it's my woman." Li Yaoting held the woman's shoulder and smiled generously.

Jian Bing and Chen Zikun looked at each other, and both of them found that Binger was simply the number one Jian Bing. His figure and appearance could not be said to be carved from the same mold, at least he looked like a sister of a mother, but his temperament was a little worse.

"Sister is so beautiful. Come and take the gift from my sister-in-law." Jian Bing took out a brocade box from the Kun bag and handed it over, but Bing'er didn't dare to answer it, and looked at Li Yaoting with a timid look.

Li Yaoting took away the cigar and sprayed a stream of smoke and said, "If you ask me to take it, I'm not an outsider."

Bing'er took the brocade box and opened it, and was stunned: "How can you look good?"

The box contains a finely crafted platinum crystal headdress. It was bought by Jianbing in Vienna. The workmanship and materials are exquisite, but they are not very valuable.

Bing'er's exclamation showed her timidity. At least she had never seen too much of the world. Jian Bing smiled and felt that the gift was chosen too correctly.

"Let's go, the reception banquet is ready, just wait for the protagonist." Li Yaoting waved his hand and someone had already come forward to reward the servants, picked up his luggage, and the group got into the car and headed straight for the French Concession.
Chapter completed!