Xu Xuzhi

Chapter 55 Rime
In March of the Chinese New Year, Fengjiu was very happy that the school finally started again, and she handed over the carefully written report to her supervisor, Professor Bu, after studying hard for a holiday and not interrupting the Chinese New Year.After reading it carefully, Professor Bu brought her in, and together with two other colleagues who taught the same course, they raised several questions for discussion with her.

After confirming that Feng Jiu had indeed carefully studied a main textbook, three supplementary textbooks and other related materials related to this course, the three professors all expressed their appreciation for her deep understanding of European history and expressed her appreciation Coursework papers, deserving of a good grade, are eligible for advanced standing.

Feng Jiu was very happy. She planned to do the same for other qualified courses, so that she could graduate two years earlier.

This year's spring is quite unusual, the weather is weird, it is obviously the time when the willows are sprouting and the breath of early spring is strong, but there is another freezing rain in Fengtian, which will bring the spring that has already appeared to its original shape overnight.

But what is this? The well-informed Fengtian people have long been prepared. The winter clothes did not dare to wash, dry, and put them away after anti-moth treatment. So everyone dug out the big woolen clothes in the wardrobe, Warm equipment such as cotton-padded jackets and trousers, scarves and hats, and handbags, re-arm yourself, and wait for the unruly cold days of the wayward God to pass without any temper.

Ning Zheng stood in front of the window, dressed in military uniform, he had just got off the train and hadn't had time to change.

This time he came back suddenly from Beiping, and it was the old commander who ordered him to find out what the old courtiers who stayed in Fengtian's hometown thought about the current situation.Many things are inconvenient to say on the phone, "people are afraid of meeting", it is better to speak directly face to face.

He came back suddenly, and did not ask his servants to inform Feng Jiu when he entered the house.At this moment, he was looking out intently, with his hands in his pockets and his legs slightly spread apart. Seen from behind, his figure was slender and straight, and he wore a pair of breeches even more handsomely.

After finally catching him back, Yang Liren, who made an appointment and seized the opportunity to come immediately, sat on the single sofa next to the desk, lazily raking his hair, stood up, and subconsciously followed Ning Zheng's motionless gaze. : Not surprisingly, I saw Ning Zheng's wife, Tang Fengjiu, walking slowly in the small garden outside the study, wearing a red veil and white fur cloak, her cheeks were red from the cold, against the backdrop of the plain silver, His eyebrows became more and more picturesque; followed closely by the little girl Qiu Sheng, who has also grown taller in recent years, stumbling after Feng Jiu, wrapped in a lynx fur coat, rolling like a ball forward.

Because of the freezing rain that fell last night, both the tall pines and cypresses and the low shrubs were covered in thick ice: the brown pine cones were wrapped in layers of ice rain like glutinous rice balls. Crystal clear amber balls, short pine needles and old green pine branches are all wrapped in ice water chestnuts into popsicles. Under the rising sun, they are bright and colorful, and even the skilled craftsmen are hard to describe. This delicate handicraft of nature.

Yang Liren turned his eyes back, just in time to see Ning Zheng suddenly take a step forward, as if he saw something that made him anxious, he paused again; looking out again, he saw Feng Jiu fell to the ground, Qiu Sheng stretched out his hand Pulled her, but was also dragged down. The master and servant struggled to get up on the rime-watered garden ground, and then fell down, but none of them lost their temper. The hearty laughter, Feng Jiu's laughter is especially clear and sweet, like wind chimes through the thick glass windows, reaching people's hearts, just clinging to it and not leaving.

Yang Liren sighed, turned around and came back to sit on the sofa: "The two of us are really, I pretended to be in love with someone, and it was very hard to act; as for you, you often have to restrain your love for someone. It's been hard work." Ning Zheng didn't speak.

Yang Liren is best at singing one-man shows, and whether there is anyone taking over, it doesn't affect his self-satisfied performance, "I can't change, I was attracted by this wicked woman, I am the only one, my ancestors did not accumulate virtue; you say you Why bother? For the position of your wife, I dare say that more than half of the school-age single ladies in the country are vying for it. There are plenty of suitable candidates. I don’t believe that you can’t pick someone who likes you and you like it. Why bother with someone who doesn’t Do you care about your little girl’s misfortune? Harming others and yourself, harming others and yourself!"

Ning Zheng was still staring at Feng Jiu intently. Now she walked under several sycamore trees. On the top of the trees, a large group of small sparrows were chirping, and suddenly there was no sound; then, they began to chirp again. , Feng Jiu greeted behind him, pointing at them, as if talking about something, Qiu Sheng also laughed.

Yang Liren babbled again: "You like her, but you trap her in this position. This is actually unkind. What do you call this real liking? You are making her suffer, and she wants to study abroad, right? Because of you, going abroad It's a mess, and I have to give birth to you in the future...By the way, you two haven't consummated your marriage yet, have you?"

Ning Zheng turned around from the window, walked to the long sofa opposite him and sat down, "Don't talk nonsense, what do you want from me?"

Yang Liren hurriedly changed from an uninvited marriage consultant to a weak baby waiting to be fed: "Brother! You must pity me, a filial son who sold himself to save his father. My precious wife has paved the way for me. Now it's just a matter of time." With this procedure of yours, once you are kind, I will be able to repay her favor, and it will be convenient for me to get a divorce in the future, and I will repay more than half of the kindness of parenting."

Ning Zheng is not unsympathetic to his old classmates: he is not the eldest son, but it is really not easy to be a top player. He relied on his fate to marry the beloved daughter of the leading rich businessman in the Southwest, and gained fame in the Southwest through the influence of his wife's natal family. , and has been recognized by the family, as if he has become the next head of the Yang family.Now they want to cooperate with the Northeast to expand mining channels and mine silver mines. They have the technology and capital, and their strength is sufficient; besides, if the Ning army wants to enter Shanxi in the future, they will have to cultivate cronies through profit sharing.Now, as long as Ning Zheng issues an order, Ning Jun's income can increase, and the arsenal's equipment will also have a sales channel, which can be said to be the best of both worlds, mutual shareholding, and mutual benefit.

"No problem." After clearing a few joints, it was nothing serious, Ning Zheng readily agreed.

So far, the Ning army has 40 soldiers, the navy has 21 warships, and the fleet has more than [-] officers and soldiers; the weapons and equipment are what make warlords of all departments terrified, because since Ning Zheng shot the corrupt After being the director of Fengtian Arsenal, the productivity has increased by five times-the daily output can arm a battalion. Among them, the rifle models are Type [-] and Type [-], and the mortar Type [-] is among the best in East Asia.

Whether it is the rectification of the army, or the aviation flight brigade established later, or even the most important arsenal, Ning Zheng's excellent management ability has attracted people's attention, and it has also made the warlords of various departments secretly envy the old commander Ning who gave birth to a good son.

However, the biggest problem now is that the Ning Army is facing the Northern Expedition Army...

Ning Zheng sent away the grateful Yang Liren, went out of the study and entered the living room, sat down on the sofa, and after a while, he heard Feng Jiujiu and Qiu Sheng chasing each other and laughing as they entered the room.

Wu Ma only heard a few words in a low voice, Qiu Sheng stopped talking immediately, and after a while, only the sound of Feng Jiu's footsteps wearing leather boots on the floor was getting closer and closer.

Ning Zheng turned his face to look at the entrance of the living room, and a fresh face appeared immediately, his plump cheeks seemed to be painted with the most colorful rouge.

She smiled, "You're back from Beiping!" The two hadn't seen each other for over a month.

She supported the door frame with one hand, took off two long leather boots with one hand, changed into light embroidered slippers, and walked in lightly; Ning Zheng didn't speak, just smiled, and patted the empty space around her.Feng Jiu unbuttoned the cloak, hung it on the coat rack, walked over, and obediently sat in the seat designated by Ning Zheng.

Ning Zheng stretched out his hand to pick her up and put her on his lap, Feng Jiu just let him do her movements submissively.

Feng Jiu suddenly felt a little weird: no matter what, she has been married to Ning Zheng for almost two years, and they are inevitably becoming more and more familiar and intimate, just like now, when Ning Zheng waved, she would automatically and spontaneously Sit over, hug him and kiss him as you please, anyway, you can't listen to him... So, what a terrible thing to get used to.

Ning Zheng didn't speak, as if he was very tired, Feng Jiu also knew that it was difficult for him, looked at his tired face, half turned around on his lap, and gently rubbed his temple.

Her hands were very cold, bringing a sense of coolness, Ning Zheng lowered his eyes, and let out a contented sigh after a while.

Ning Zheng looked up at her eyes, as if he had noticed her eyelashes for the first time: they were neither dense nor curled up, but they matched just well with her playful eyes like the sika deer in Wanquan Park, which made people feel The so-called standard beauty of thick eyelashes would stain her clear eyes.

After Fengjiu pressed for a while, her hand started to feel sore, she flicked her wrist, and was about to press again, when Ning Zheng held her hand: "Enough, it's very comfortable, my headache has relieved a lot, thank you." Ning Zheng is European and American in interpersonal communication, and will not take other people's care for him for granted just because he is close to someone.

Feng Jiu looked at Ning Zheng embarrassedly: "Is it also effective if I press blindly?"

Ning Zheng looked at her amusedly: "I didn't expect my wife to be so self-taught without a teacher, and she has such a high level of comprehension, and every press is just right."

Feng Jiu naturally knew that Ning Zheng was teasing her, "Then I'd better find a master to learn massage, this can be regarded as a 'special skill'."

Ning Zheng nodded: "So sensible." Feng Jiu looked up at him suspiciously, sensible?In his opinion, is this sensible?But haven't you always been sensible?
She thought it was a little funny, Ning Zheng lowered his head and kissed Feng Jiu's slightly cool lips lightly, put away the usual barbarism that always swallowed her up with a kiss, and then hung his head on her shoulder.

Ning Zheng's breathing was shallow, and the heat from her nose penetrated through the thin jacket and penetrated into her skin. The little bit of warmth on her shoulders seemed to be able to spread throughout her body, making her whole body warm up. like.

Feng Jiu was embraced by him, so he couldn't do much, he could only sniff his breath with his nose up, Ning Zheng's body trembled a few times, as if he was laughing: he had a unique coolness and freshness in winter, and he was still warm. It smelled of the "central" sandalwood soap he had been using, mixed with a scent that she had become more and more familiar with over the past few years, and it was reassuring to smell.

They didn't talk any more, Feng Jiu turned his head and looked at the snow on the bare branches of the peach tree outside the window, and there were two big magpies parked on it, one high and one low, screaming happily "Jia Jia", as if arguing, and then It seems to be chatting.

Feng Jiu suddenly found that in the winter in Fengtian, except for sparrows, magpies and crows, it seemed that he had never seen any other birds. They all froze away, right?It's so embarrassing.

She couldn't help feeling admiration for the three remaining humble creatures.

The two big magpies seemed to know that Feng Jiu was praising them, so they suddenly turned their heads and flapped their wings at Feng Jiu, "Hello." Feng Jiu greeted the magpies in a low voice and waved his hands gently.

Ning Zheng, who seemed to have fallen asleep just now, didn't look up, but as if he had seen her, he accurately grasped her swaying white hand and kissed her fingertips.

"Do you know, we have known each other for three years... Are you happy?" Ning Zheng suddenly asked in a low voice.

three years?It's been three years, why did he suddenly say this?Feng Jiu felt that Ning Zheng seemed to be planning some schedule related to him, but he didn't know it.

Are you happy?Her heart is at peace right now: she is in good health, her family is stable, she is going well in college, and the person around her... is also very good to her.So, it should be happy, right?

She smiled slightly and asked back, "What's the matter?"

Ning Zheng raised his head, his dark eyes locked onto her clear eyes, and he looked at her for a while, then suddenly put her on the sofa, his tall body was pressed down, and his face flushed , bowed his head to look for her lips eagerly.

Feng Jiu sighed secretly, stretched out his hands to support his left and right, and shouted: "Now you are honest, I will be happier!"

Ning Zheng's whole body seemed to be frozen all of a sudden, and he couldn't help laughing dumbfounded. He fell on top of her with a loud bang, making Feng Jiu's breath sound like when the kettle was being boiled dry.Ning Zheng smiled, raised her upper body, and patted her plump forehead, "You!"

What am I?Feng Jiu looked back puzzled, but Ning Zheng still didn't say anything, he just put her down and let her go into the study to read and study.Tai Shan, who had been lingering at the door just now and did not dare to come in, hurriedly followed behind Feng Jiu, and they entered the study one by one, looking for a place to sit or lie down, each in their own place.

He himself sat on the sofa for a long time, crossed his legs, put his hands in his pockets, tilted his head and looked at the magpies and sparrows outside the window, looking very silent.

Feng Jiu had a great time studying, but the life of Ning Zheng and the old man in the customs was still not peaceful, even to the point where he was stuck in the mud and couldn't extricate himself.

For the first time, Ning Zheng resolutely expressed his disapproval of his father's strategy, and took advantage of his friendship with many European and American envoys stationed in China to invite them to take turns to fight, and tried his best to persuade his father to withdraw from the border and no longer compete with the new warlords.

The old handsome is not the kind of person who, in the Northeast dialect, is a "dead-eyed man" who makes mistakes again and again. As he judges the situation, his rock-solid heart begins to loosen.

Just after the spring break at the beginning of May, Ning Zheng, who was in Beiping, suddenly sent an urgent telegram to ask her to come to Beijing and bring some luxurious clothes for the banquet.

Feng Jiu didn't know what to do, so he had to pack up a few sets of evening dresses, not forgetting to bring something for Qiaozhi and Xiuwei by the way.When He Qiusheng was leaving by car, Hong Si, who was dressed in the uniform of a major in the Anguo Army, was waiting at the door with a khaki-colored U.S. military M-1912 combat backpack, saying that the old man asked him to go too.

Feng Jiu naturally agreed, and they arrived at the train station in the same car, and then got on the special train.

From Fengtian to Peiping, it will take more than [-] hours at the fastest.

It was more than four o'clock in the afternoon when they boarded the car, and soon at night, the handsome chef who was on shift in the dining car brought them a few dishes, including "sour sand carp", "braised vegetable fat sausage", "oil splashed lamb Legs" and "Scorched Pine Flowers".

The two sat facing each other and had a meal. The brightly colored stained glass chandelier above the dining table emitted soft light. Feng Jiu was listening to Hong Si's anecdote when he was in the martial arts lecture: How many times have they been locked up?Feng Jiu couldn't help being amused and laughed.

Ning Zheng sat across from her in a daze. This situation seemed to have returned to the time when she was still planning the activities of the two schools with herself in Tongze. Fengjiu, bathed in the soft warm yellow light, was still wearing a fishbone braid. , wearing an off-white thin cashmere sweater with a shawl collar, revealing a little bit of lake blue soft satin jacket inside. Indeed, there is not much change, and it is still elegant and beautiful as usual, but if you look at it carefully, you will become more beautiful and more intellectual.

At around nine o'clock in the evening, Qiu Sheng had already gone to sleep in the bedroom next door. The two said good night and went to bed.This special train does not have a carriage with a large bedroom, but ordinary first-class sleeper carriages. Each sleeper room is equipped with two single beds covered with striped linen sheets and duvets of the same color.

Hong Si lay flat on the bed, clasped his hands, pillowed under his head, his ears unconsciously caught the movement of Feng Jiu who was separated by a wall, he could even hear the annoyed sound when she accidentally bumped her head against the wall when she turned over, and wished to reach out He used to rub her for her, and when he realized what he was thinking, he laughed at himself.

Early the next morning, Feng Jiu got up to wash up first, then sat on the single sofa next to the small table by the window, resting his chin on the car window and staring at the receding early summer scenery; after a while, Hong Si also came over, and the two Sitting opposite each other, just watching the scenery silently together, and occasionally talking softly, this feeling is the tranquility of a close old friend, without a trace of embarrassment.

At noon, the train had entered Zhengyangmen East Station, and Feng Jiu saw Ning Zheng waiting on the platform.

The couple hadn't seen each other for almost a month. Ning Zheng was handsome and handsome in military uniform, and the gray-blue Anguojun military uniform made him so dazzling, just like the ones that turned green in the early summer that Fengjiu saw along the way. Mulberry trees, the trees are covered with a layer of gold-like leaves by the sun, and there are also scattered spots of stars.

It seems that he came directly after the military meeting again.

As soon as the car door opened, he took a step forward and helped Feng Jiu, who had changed into a lake green dress, get off the door pedal. A muscle protruded from the side of his face, as if he was suppressing something.

Fengjiu secretly laughed that he didn't notice Hongji who was following behind him, and Hongji didn't say anything, the two of them tacitly didn't point out.

Ning Zheng took Feng Jiu's arm and walked out. At this time, people were coming and going on the platform, and curious and amazed eyes swept over them. Feng Jiu saw that Ning Zheng was still not restrained, so he stretched out his hand imperceptibly. Gently pinched his waist to make him pay attention.Ning Zheng smiled, bowed his head and whispered in her ear, "Why, I think my wife is still wrong?"

Feng Jiu smiled and pointed behind him, only then did Ning Zheng see his nephew, and his face blushed rarely.Ning Hongsi saluted Ning Zheng, and Ning Zheng returned the salute. After asking, he found out that the old man called him specially to ask him to come.Ning Zheng felt thoughtful when he heard it.

Walking out of the platform, Zhi Changsheng was already waiting beside a gray "Packard" car. He solemnly gave Fengjiu and Hongsi a military salute, then politely asked Hongsi to sit in the co-pilot seat, and then sat in the car by himself. Qiu Sheng got into the car driven by other members of the second guard brigade.

Zhi Changsheng knew that as long as Feng Jiu took the car, Ning Zheng would always open the door for his wife himself.

This car was ordered by the old man five years ago from a small car company in the United States. It cost [-] yuan and used the "Packard" base, nicknamed "Fengtian No. [-]". It is now used by Ning Zheng.Three horses can stand on the pedals on both sides. Once someone stabs, they can fight back at any time.

The car was extremely long and wide, with protective armor and removable windows made of louvered bulletproof armored steel.Looking forward, Feng Jiu almost stared out his eyes—a large round hole was cut out in the windshield of the car, and a Browning water-cooled heavy machine gun was protruding from it, with a black and shiny barrel Pointing straight ahead maliciously, full of intimidation.

Ning Zheng followed Feng Jiu into the back seat, and suddenly found that the car was a bit special today: all the windows between the front seat and the rear seat were covered with several layers of white gauze curtains, and he was taken aback for a moment. Only then did he understand, and he couldn't help expressing his appreciation for Adjutant Zhi's wink.

Feng Jiu turned his head and stared at him, seeming to have noticed this too, so why not be polite, Ning Zheng hugged Feng Jiu into his arms, and was immediately intoxicated by her sweet breath.

Hong Si in the front seat heard Feng Jiuyin's indistinct "uh", and his heart suddenly felt as uncomfortable as thousands of kittens scratching.

Feng Jiu broke away from Ning Zheng, covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes were full of warnings, and he was not allowed to do any more nonsense.

Ning Zheng stared into her eyes and licked the gap between the bases of her fingers. Feng Jiu's face turned red and he quickly withdrew his hand. This feeling was more ambiguous than kissing.

Ning Zheng knew that Feng Jiu had a thin skin and he had to worry about his nephew in the front seat, so he could only taste it, so he made a gesture of surrender with both hands, and gave up for the time being.

Only then did Feng Jiu have the time to continue to observe this magical car: the interior is mainly made of mahogany, the seats are covered with purple-gold brocade cushions, the floor is covered with woolen carpets of the same color, and the back seat where she and Ning Zheng are sitting is spacious. It is really in line with the old man's unchanging luxurious and festive aesthetics until he can lie down completely.

What Feng Jiu didn't know was that this car was the world's first twelve-cylinder bulletproof car, and it could be called a light tank.The old man who was at his apartment in Tianjin specially called Ning Zheng to tell Ning Zheng to drive this car to pick up Feng Jiu today, but he didn't know what he was thinking.

The most special thing is that there is a small green reading light on the left hand side of the back seat. Ning Zheng told her that it was used by his father to read newspapers when he was traveling. Feng Jiu once again lamented that the rumors were misleading, and that her husband was really not illiterate.

But looking at this car opened her eyes: because whether it is her own car, Ning Zheng's own car or even Bao Buyi's car, they are all simple and simple. After all, the main purpose is to travel conveniently. Local arrogance, it seems that he is not short of money, and has many enemies.

Ten years ago, the situation was different from the present. At that time, the capital was full of dangers and assassinations among warlords were common. Now it is no longer that era, and Beiping is still firmly in the hands of the Ning faction.

Since there was nothing to do in the car, Ning Zheng simply opened the white gauze curtain on the right car window for Feng Jiu. Feng Jiu tilted his head, coveting the scenery on the street: she doesn't like to look at those crowded shops, but I like to watch pedestrians on the street:

There are rickshaw drivers who wear monkey hats that can be pulled down to keep your ears warm when it’s cold, and can be rolled up when it’s hot, and those who beat on small leather drums collect rags, and those who carry almond tea. But Fengjiu thinks his favorite is "Sugar gong beater" - as soon as the small mallet hit the gong, after a few hits, the doors of every house facing the street were opened, and piles of children rushed out.Putting snacks in the ingot basket behind the hanging toys in the front can attract the attention of children the most. At this time, the car was driving very slowly, so Feng Jiu saw kaleidoscopes, sand swallows, sub-waisted gourds and other small things, as well as the children. The sour dates, sweet-scented osmanthus, crispy sugar, tuckahoe cakes already in their hands... The mischievous little tricks are bargaining with the small businessmen, and it is very lively.

The car window also passed a young girl wearing an egg blue silk cheongsam with a goose yellow gauze bow on her shoulder, and a gentleman in a navy blue robe with half of black trousers exposed underneath.But in Feng Jiujue's opinion, people in Peiping are still the same as when she came here a few years ago, they don't know how to dress up very much, and they are not as fashionable as in Shanghai.

Along the street, a few standard Beijing curses floated in from the window from time to time, what a vibrant city of Peking.

The car quickly passed through Taipingqiao Street and Jinshifang Street, and finally a majestic mansion appeared in front of him, with a few words written on it-"Shuncheng County King's Mansion", Feng Jiu was surprised to find that there were no lions in this mansion hold the door.

The door was opened, and the car drove in slowly.When they arrived at the first courtyard, Ning Zheng opened the door and got out of the car, and stretched out his hand to take Feng Jiu out, "This is our home in Beiping, come and see if you like it?"

Hongsi followed down, greeted them, and left with Zhi Changsheng who also got out of the car; Qiusheng followed them, led by the handyman who came up, and took the luggage to the living room, ready to unpack it.

It should be said that the three of them left very tactfully.

(End of this chapter)