Chapter 34: Is this parade the same as that one? Luo Huiqiao nodded at the police chief without saying a word. In his heart, he was extremely disgusted with someone like the police chief. As he walked to the front of the students, Luo Huiqiao stopped and the agitated students gradually calmed down. Luo Huiqiao had always been known for his clean reputation as an official, which the students were aware of, so since he had appeared, they might as well listen to what he had to say.

  Lu Hui-chien looked at the students in front of him with a mix of emotions. He too was deeply worried about the situation in Northeast China, but as the mayor of Ningbo appointed by the National Government, he naturally couldn't join these students. At this moment, Lu Hui-chien composed himself and said loudly: "Fellow students, respected elders and brothers from all walks of life in Ningbo. If you have something to say, why do it through illegal gatherings?"

  Liu Kaifeng stepped forward and said in a serious tone, "Mayor Luo, what is an illegal assembly? Today's Double Tenth parade was approved by the government! Are we students and citizens from all walks of life wrong to love our country?" Mayor Luo Huiqiao smiled wryly in his heart. The Double Tenth National Day parade had indeed been approved, and with the resolution of the League of Nations, the situation in various places had become stable. It was the 20th anniversary of National Day, and he had originally wanted everyone to have a good time, to show the festive atmosphere that National Day should have, and thus ease the tense atmosphere caused by the Northeast situation. But he did not expect that the students would take this opportunity to turn the National Day parade into an anti-Japanese demonstration.

  Looking at the young man in front of him, Luo Hui's eyes showed a look of appreciation. Unconsciously, he thought to himself: "Hasn't he ever been young? Thinking back to when I was also a hot-blooded youth, a dare-to-do and dare-to-be person, who had once vowed to dedicate myself to the revolution! Later, I even followed the national father's side, listening to his teachings. Recalling the scene at that time, it is still vivid in my mind, as if it were right before my eyes!"

  Liu Kaifeng, on the other side, looked at Luo Huijiu who was in a daze and said with some curiosity in his heart: "Mayor Luo, we didn't come here to cause trouble, but to present our petition letter from Ningbo students. We hope you can pass it on to the Nanjing Central Government, hoping that the National Government will prioritize the country, quickly dispatch troops, recover the lost land of Northeast China and return our rivers and mountains!" After finishing speaking, he handed over the petition letter.

  Luo Huiqiao suddenly woke up from his memories, heard Liu Kaifeng's words, nodded and took over the petition letter, saying: "Everyone is marching peacefully, this is great! But don't let people with ulterior motives take advantage of you. I will definitely submit your petition to the Nanjing Central Government, everyone can go back first. Everyone must believe in the party and state, believe in the National Government!" After finishing speaking, he beckoned to the police chief.

  The police chief immediately ran over, with a flattering expression on his face, saying: "Mayor, what are your orders? Just say it." Luo Huijian glanced at the police chief and said: "Withdraw all your men." Upon hearing this order, the police chief was instantly stunned, fearing that Luo Huijian was speaking in reverse, and hastily reminded him in a low voice: "Mayor, you mean... let us leave? What if these lawless elements threaten your safety?"

  Lu Hui-chuan frowned and said, "What lawless elements are you talking about? Can't you see that they're all students and citizens? Take the police away and let everyone calm down. Let them continue their National Day parade." After half a day, the police chief finally understood that Lu Hui-chuan was serious about letting him go. He thought for half a day before ordering his men to withdraw. As soon as the police left, the students in the parade began to applaud. Seeing how calm and composed Lu Hui-chuan was, everyone believed that the purpose of this march had been achieved, so they continued their National Day parade with renewed enthusiasm. This Double Tenth parade seemed to have a happy ending after all!

  November 8th, Sunday, the beginning of winter. On this day, Liu Kaifeng arrived early at Zhang's house and found Zhang Lieyang, excitedly saying: "Lieyang, I have some good news to tell you! The Northeast Army has finally resisted Japan!"

  "What? Say it again?" Zhang Lieyang asked seriously, not quite believing his own ears.

  Liu Kaifeng slightly comforted his excited mood and said: "On November 4, 1920, the Japanese army dispatched a large number of troops to launch an attack on Nenjiang Bridge. The Chinese garrison led by General Ma Zanshan fought back bravely and repelled the Japanese army's multiple attacks! The Japanese army suffered heavy casualties!"

  Zhang Lieyang let out an "ah" and his mind went blank for a moment. Suddenly, he felt himself immersed in joy! Tears also couldn't help but well up in his eyes! But his mouth still calmly said: "A fleeting prosperity, useless! If the National Government doesn't strengthen its military and improve the quality of its troops now, it will continue like this and Japan will definitely fully invade China within five years!" After a pause, Zhang Lieyang continued to say: "If we students continue to petition like this, Chiang Kai-shek will eventually slaughter us!"

  Upon hearing Zhang Lieyang's words, Liu Kaifeng patted Zhang Lieyang and said: "Don't be so pessimistic! I think Chiang Kai-shek wouldn't stoop to harming students!"

  "Pessimistic? Don't think too beautifully!" Zhang Lieyang said, recalling the tragic experience of the Nationalist Party's suppression of students in his middle school history class before crossing over. Zhang Lieyang couldn't help but say to Liu Kaifeng: "If you don't listen to me, you will eventually learn about Chiang Kai-shek's tactics!"

  "Enough of that!" Liu Kaifeng said, looking at Zhang Lieyang who was still smiling. "In the past, the Northeast Army persisted in non-resistance and retreated step by step, with large tracts of land falling into enemy hands. Now, finally, there is a Northeast Army general leading his troops to resist and achieving victory! Such news is so thrilling today! I think we should share this good news with all our classmates! At the same time, I plan to organize a fundraising campaign at school, and you must participate!" With that, Liu Kaifeng left without waiting for Zhang Lieyang's response.

  As the name of anti-Japanese general Ma Zanshan spread rapidly across the country, people from all walks of life took action and actively carried out aid-Ma anti-Japanese activities. Students from all over the country organized propaganda teams and fundraising teams to support the front line. Shanghai students even organized a " Northeastern Aid-Ma Anti-Japanese Team" and prepared to rush to the northeast to participate in the war directly.

  Fundraising has started for only two days, and the amount of donations from Zhejiang University students has already exceeded 3 million! Far exceeding the performance of Shanghai students (3 days 700,000). Of course, a large part of the donations came from parents of Zhejiang University students. Zhang Lao Tai Ye donated 500,000 yuan as soon as he took action! Zhang Lieyang donated 1 million yuan in the name of himself and three others, Zhang Zi Han, Tang Wan Yue, and Xiao Ya Jie!

  As the situation in Northeast China deteriorated, international justice did not force Japan to withdraw its troops, and the weak League of Nations only stimulated Japan's ambition. Japanese troops were pointing directly at Jinzhou, the gateway to Northeast China. Under the current situation, students have lost their interest in studying, and even those without insight can feel the crisis facing the nation.

  This afternoon, Zhang Lieyang, who was rarely free, had just lain down for a nap. At this time, Liu Kaifeng came and pulled up Zhang Lieyang, who was sleeping soundly, and said: "How did you say it so accurately?! The National Government has taken action against the students!"

  Zhang Lieyang, who was still in a dream, suddenly woke up with a start and asked: "When did that happen?!"

  "It was on December 5th that it happened!" Liu Kai-feng sighed and said: "When the Japanese army launched a large-scale attack on Jinzhou and disrupted Tianjin, the National Government actually suggested to the League of Nations that Jinzhou be designated as a neutral zone, jointly managed by the powers. When students in Beiping learned about this, they strongly opposed it and formed successive teams to march south to demonstrate against the National Government in Nanjing. On December 5th, 1921, the team was suppressed by the military police of the National Government, with over 30 people injured on the spot and more than 180 arrested."

  "I've said it before! A cornered dog will bite, let alone a person! Chiang Kai-shek is still busy 'exterminating the Communists' and doesn't have time for these things!" Zhang Lieyang stood up, put on his clothes, and continued: "If I'm not mistaken, sooner or later Chiang Kai-shek will take action against the students!"

  "Yes!" Liu Kai-feng said with a worried expression: "The student representatives of Beiping asked for help from Shanghai students. On the morning of December 9, the Shanghai Middle School Anti-Japanese Association held a meeting at the Nanxi Gate Youth Lecture Hall to listen to reports from the Southern Demonstration Team representatives, Beijing University student Xu Xiuchen and Nanjing Central University student representative Jiang Xueqian on the truth about the "December 5th" incident. They also discussed organizing support.

  After the meeting, a group of armed agents waiting outside abducted two student representatives from Beida and Zhongda. Shanghai students from various schools fought to rescue them, and Jiang Xueqian, who was seriously injured, was rescued. Xu Xiuchen was taken away by the kidnappers. The murderer, Wang Fusheng, did not escape and was caught on the spot by the students.

  In the afternoon of December 9, more than 500 students from Jiaotong University rushed to the Shanghai Municipal Government, followed by students from Guanghua University. Then, students from Daxia, Fazheng, Fudan, Liangjiang, Meizhuan, Jiangnan, and Shangchuan arrived one after another, with a total number exceeding 5,000! They surrounded the city hall.

  At 4:45 pm, Shanghai Mayor Zhang Qun met with student representatives in the city hall square. Jiaotong University student representative Yuan Zhigang represented the university's Anti-Japanese Association and told Zhang Qun about the incident and the students' demands. He pointed out that the kidnapping was a premeditated plan by the municipal party committee and the police department, and demanded the immediate release of the arrested students, punishment for Police Chief Chen Xizhen and Municipal Party Committee member Tao Baichuan.

  At the same time, more than 300 students went to the Nationalist Party's Shanghai Municipal Committee on Linxinyi Road to demand that Tao Baichuan hand over the students. Tao Baichuan escaped through a back door. The angry students stormed into the building and smashed the doors, windows, and office equipment of the reception room and offices.

  The students surrounding the city government did not disperse overnight, and support teams from various schools continued to arrive. Zhang Qun was afraid that the situation would continue to escalate and was forced to make a decision to withdraw Police Chief Chen Xizhen, issue a warrant for Municipal Party Committee member Tao Baichuan, and immediately release Beida student Xu Xiuchen.

  After Xu Xiuchen returned to the student team, he reported on the persecution he suffered at the hands of the Nationalist Party agents. The students strongly demanded severe punishment for the murderers and their accomplices. Student representatives from various schools held an emergency meeting and unanimously passed a resolution to establish a people's temporary court to publicly try the murderer Wang Fusheng.

  On December 10, the People's Temporary Court was composed of representatives from Fazheng College, Law School, Fudan University, Meizhuan University, and Jiaotong University. On the same evening at 10 pm, the People's Temporary Court held a trial in the city government's reception room. Wang Fusheng admitted that he was a Nationalist Party member and had been instructed by his superior Xie Guisheng to beat Beida student Xu Xiuchen and send him to the Public Security Bureau according to plan.

  Wang Fusheng signed his name on the transcript of the trial, and witness Jiaotong University student Yu Tianjuan signed and sealed it. The People's Court made a decision to issue a warrant for the two criminals Chen Xizhen and Tao Baichuan.

  The Shanghai University Anti-Japanese Association issued a statement calling on "all fellow countrymen to expose their treachery and rise up together to condemn them." Under public pressure, Zhang Qun resigned from his position as mayor.