At about seven o'clock, an adjutant came to report that a car was waiting for the two officers outside.
Kang Ze and Lu Ming hurried downstairs and outside the door, they saw a luxury car parked in front of the door.
The adjutant quickly stepped forward and opened the car door for them. At this time, a head stuck out from the assistant's chair in front and said with a smile: "You guys can get in my car."
Kang Ze and Lu Ming were both surprised. They thought that when Mr. Jiang said he was in the same car with Mayor Wu, he meant that they were in the same motorcade, but they didn't expect that they were actually in Mayor Wu's car.
Lu Ming hurried over and said with a smile: "Mayor Wu, hello."
"You're Xiaolu, you're fine. Come on, get in the car."
"No, you should sit in the back and I'll sit in the front." Lu Ming said respectfully.
"You don't have to worry about these things. I like to sit in the front and have a wide view." Mayor Wu said with a smile.
After hearing what he said, Lu Ming and Kang Ze had no choice but to sit in the back seats.
As soon as they sat down, the car started.
The car was traveling very fast, and soon it was on the main road from Shanghai to Nanjing, and merged into a convoy. In front of the convoy was a motorcycle clearing the way, and behind it was a truckload of soldiers.
There are more than ten cars in this fleet, and of course not all of them are luxury cars. Lu Ming doesn't know who is sitting in those cars.
Mayor Wu said: "The theme of the Supreme Military Council's discussion today is how to defend Shanghai. General Jiang and General Cai also went to Nanjing for a meeting."
Only then did Lu Ming realize that the two generals Cai Tingkai and Jiang Guangnai of the 19th Route Army stationed in Shanghai were also going to Nanjing for a meeting. The people sitting in the other cars should be the adjutants, confidential secretaries and other entourage members.
Needless to say, Mayor Wu's entourage was also in other vehicles.
Along the way, Lu Ming and Kang Ze did not dare to speak, and Mayor Wu also remained silent, not knowing what he was thinking.
Two hours after the car hit the road, Mayor Wu looked at his watch and said, "Turn on the radio."
The driver turned on the radio, which first heard the noise of electronic signals, and then adjusted the channel. A clear voice came out. What was reported on the radio was the reaction of all walks of life in Shanghai to the four demands put forward by the Japanese Consulate General.
Lu Ming closed his eyes and raised his ears, listened carefully, and commented that so far, the Shanghai Municipal Government has not made any response.
While listening, the announcer suddenly paused and said: "Now a news break."
Generally speaking, only major news would be interrupted. When Lu Ming heard this, he opened his eyes and straightened his body.
"I just received news that General Koichi Shiozawa, Commander of the Japanese Naval Squadron, issued a statement: If the Shanghai Municipal Government does not satisfy the Japanese side with the four demands made by the Consul General of the Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai, Matsui Kuramatsu, the Japanese Navy shall not
No appropriate action will be taken. This is the latest news our station has just received."
Listening to the announcement on the radio by a female announcer with a soft and waxy voice unique to Jiangnan, Lu Ming felt the hairs on his back stand up: This was the signal to start fighting.
Of course, the war will not start so soon, and there are still some steps needed, but the Japanese army has sent a clear signal, which is a big step forward.
Mayor Wu suddenly turned off the radio and said angrily: "You bastard Japanese, I will never give in. If I can, I will start a war."
The driver asked while driving: "Mayor, what if we really want to fight?"
"What should we do? Evacuate all the residents. I and the troops of the 19th Route Army will fight with the Japanese. At worst, Shanghai will be reduced to rubble and will be rebuilt later. I don't believe they dare to blow up all the concessions."
Mayor Wu said angrily.
"Mayor, what's the use of just you wanting to fight? I don't think people from all walks of life in Shanghai want to fight." The driver said in a very calm tone.
It could be heard that the driver had a very close relationship with Mayor Wu. He spoke casually and did not show much respect for the mayor.
"Xiaolu, why did I hear that you got an internal Japanese message, saying that the Japanese army only wanted to create a local conflict this time and would not start a full-scale war with us?" Mayor Wu turned around and asked.
"That's true, Mayor Wu." Lu Ming replied.
"Is your information accurate? Can you be sure?" Mayor Wu asked again.
"I'm 100% sure that the Japanese just want to scare us and get some benefits." Lu Ming said calmly.
Kang Ze quickly tugged at his lapel to remind him to be careful what he said.
The driver said self-righteously: "Intelligence is true and false. If we don't start a fight, who knows what will happen? If there really is a fight in Shanghai, all the foreign markets ten miles away will be reduced to ruins, and the foreigners won't do it, right?"
Lu Ming didn't answer. He didn't like the driver's tone and accent.
"If you can't give up these things, you can only let others blackmail you. The foreigners will only sidetrack you. They are facing the Japanese instead of us. As a mayor, I will not only have to suffer from the cowardice of the Japanese, but also from the British and American bosses."
Angry." Mayor Wu complained.
As he spoke, he turned back and asked Lu Ming: "Xiaolu, do you think I should agree to their conditions?"
Lu Ming solemnly said: "Mayor, if you want to listen to my opinion, I will never accept it. As you said, the worst case scenario is war."
The driver sneered: "It's good for young people to be bloody, but fighting is not fun."
Lu Ming ignored him and continued to Mayor Wu: "The Japanese mentality is actually like this. These four demands are far from their purpose. Whether we agree or not, they will go to war. Since agreeing is
To start a war, if you don’t agree, you are still starting a war, so why agree to such a condition that would cost you your power and humiliate your country?”
Kang Ze grinned as he listened. He was considered a brave person, but he would never dare to say these words to Mayor Wu.
"Nonsense, if we agree to all their demands, what reason would they have to start a war?" the driver said disapprovingly.
Lu Ming sneered: "That's because the Japanese have decided to fight a war, and they will fight no matter what. Besides, the Japanese never need a reason to start a war."
Mayor Wu nodded: "Well, what you said makes sense, I will think about it carefully."
Listening to what Mayor Wu said, the driver no longer acted strangely, but concentrated on driving.
It was already past 12 noon when the convoy entered Nanjing, and the car drove directly to the gate of the Nanjing Headquarters and stopped.
Lu Ming and Kang Ze got out of the car and saw that the parking lot was full of cars, trucks, and motorcycles of various types parked elsewhere.
Cars drove up one after another, and people wearing general uniforms got out of the cars one after another and walked toward the gate.
The soldiers guarding the gate did not check their IDs, so they probably all knew these important people.
Lu Ming and Kang Ze also walked in. Kang Ze was not wearing a Chinese tunic suit today, but a military uniform and a military coat. Lu Ming was wearing a straight Chinese tunic suit and a wool coat outside. He was completely dressed like a civilian.
Not far after the two entered, they saw Deng Wenyi.
Behind Deng Wenyi, several colleagues from the Lanyi Society headquarters stood aside, seemingly performing security tasks.
When Deng Wenyi saw them, she hurried over and said she was waiting for them here.
"Brother Deng, tell me why we are called to attend the Supreme Military Conference today. I have no idea at all." Kang Ze said with a wry smile.
Deng Wenyi said in surprise: "Brother Lu, didn't he tell you?"
Kang Ze was startled and said, "Tell me what?"
"Brother Lu, you are truly worthy of your profession, and you are very good at keeping secrets." Deng Wenyi laughed.
Kang Ze looked at the two people with a confused face, not knowing what they were talking about.
"I'm telling you, this guy is going to show his face today and give a situation analysis report at the Supreme Military Council after lunch." Deng Wenyi patted Lu Ming on the shoulder and said.
"What?" Kang Ze was shocked when he heard this.
"Brother Kang, I didn't tell you. I'm really embarrassed to say it. You asked me to speak at the Supreme Military Council. Isn't this asking kindergarten children to give lectures in university classrooms?" Lu Ming looked embarrassed.
said.
"It's not that serious anymore. Just repeat what you told the principal yesterday and add some random things." Deng Wenyi, Kang Ze and Lu Ming said as they walked.
Kang Ze looked at Lu Ming for a long time, and finally said: "You are awesome."
Lu Ming smiled bitterly and said, "Why am I so awesome? My legs are trembling now."
"Don't be so nervous. If it doesn't work, just close your eyes and pretend you are calling someone." Deng Wenyi came up with a bad idea.
After saying that, Deng Wenyi led Lu Ming and Kang Ze to a canteen on the side of the auditorium and had a simple lunch.
It is said that this was specially ordered by the chairman of the committee. All participants should have a light meal at noon and not drink alcohol.
After a quick bite of food, they arrived at the entrance of the auditorium in advance, waiting for the meeting to begin.