Chapter 93 Atrocities

"Help--"

The shrill call for help came one after another, resounding on the surface of the Yangtze River.

The cold sea water made some survivors who fell into the water almost unconscious. Some of them stopped moving because their bodies were almost frozen. After the cotton-padded clothes were soaked by the river, they began to sink into the river, and some people tried to swim hard to swim towards the shore. In such a cold river, if you stop, your body will soon be frozen and you must move your whole body. Maybe some people don't understand that doing so will save their lives. It's just an instinctive unconscious action to survive.

A few minutes after the explosion, the nearby river ships, barges and cargo ships began to drive towards the Wuchang wharf after the initial panic. In the cry for help, the people on the ship silently rescued the people who fell into the water.

Compared with the river, the area with a radius of one kilometer centered on Wuchang Merchants Wharf is like the end of the world. The originally prosperous streets seem to have become the battlefield of Europe. The old wooden buildings were torn apart by the shock wave of the explosion. Although the new reinforced concrete buildings have been spared in the explosion, the glass windows are The shattered glass fell on the street and became a deadly weapon. The previously bustling streets were full of groans and cries of the injured. At this moment, thousands of people lost their relatives, husbands lost their wives, wives lost their husbands, fathers lost their sons and mothers. Daughters and children have lost their parents... In the crying and moaning, everyone is asking the same question - what's wrong? What happened?"

"Imperial Times" January 27th of the 11th year of the lunar calendar - "Questions of the deceased - What's wrong?"

"... Although I didn't see what happened there, although I couldn't go to Wuhan, I saw thousands of citizens in Wuhan doing New Year's shopping with smiles. There men are working hard, women are smiling, and children are celebrating the New Year, which is the same as everywhere in China. People are preparing for the Spring Festival on the day of the Spring Festival. But now I only see the cruel massacre on their heads... I saw that in the explosion, people lost their relatives. I saw that the husband lost his wife, the wife lost the husband, the father lost the son, the mother lost the daughter, and the child lost their parents. I saw it, I saw it. ......"

The sad, indignant, painful and tearful sobs came from Gu Peng's voice. His sobs spread all over the country through the radio waves. The people who were originally doing New Year's goods were stunned. They looked at the people around them at a loss. What's wrong? Who did it?

"I saw the most brutal atrocities in the world, and I saw unforgivable atrocities..."

At this time, another note was sent to him. Gu Pengqi looked at the note and was stunned for a moment. As he guessed, it was not an explosion in the Hanyang Arsenal, not an explosion of firecrackers. The center of the explosion was located at the temporary Yingbin Pier, which was a terrorist attack against the president of the nobles' house. After a moment of silence, There was a trace of perseverance in his eyes.

"Just now, the live reporter of the radio station in Wuhan has sent back further news. Although as a media person, it is impossible for us to make a final betrayal like the agents of the Bureau of Investigation, but it is certain that this is a game against Yuan, the president of the House of Lords. Shikai's terrorist attack!"

Although a broadcaster has the creed of "never asserting without knowing the truth", this time, Gu Pengqi broke his promise.

"... There has never been a person like me who has so firmly believed that the republic is the development direction of the world and the only way for China to become rich and strong. As a republicanist, I have also advocated republicanism on the radio. I believe that I would rather believe that republicanism will lead China. Republicanism must be the final choice of the people. I won't take back a word of what I once said. However, all this, today, at this moment, has disappeared due to the current scene..."

In the seemingly messy studio, Gu Pengqi looked sad and angry. Through the glass window, everyone could see that when he mentioned republicanism, his eyes were even crying.

"No matter who caused this terrorist attack, it was planned by any organization. Here, as an ordinary citizen, I have only one request to kill them! Even the end of the world will not be let go!"

Cold words burst out in Gu Peng's voice. These cold words spread all over the country through radio waves. Everyone in front of the radio heard this sentence, but when they heard this sentence, they had no doubt, and even expressed their will with applause and shouts.

"Your Majesty, the director of the Investigation Bureau has arrived."

Listening to the report of the attendant, Chen Moran looked at Jiang Baili in front of him. Just a few minutes ago, he had just signed the order to implement temporary surname guard throughout the country and military control in Hubei Province.

"Bai Li, execute the order!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

With that, Jiang Baili and others left the office. After they left the office, Chen Moran first took a deep breath to calm himself down.

"Let him in."

The authoritative and calm voice spit out from Chen Moran's voice. Zha Zhiqing did not come immediately. It was expected that he had to collect information and rush over, otherwise he could not answer his questions at all.

"Your Majesty!"

Entering His Majesty's office, Cha Zhiqing bowed deeply. He didn't even raise his head, but just bowed.

"Why don't you straighten your waist!"

Chen Moran, who was looking at the intelligence report he had just received, didn't even raise his head when he asked Zha Zhiqing.

"I am guilty!"

Guilty!

With a hum, Chen Moran still didn't look up.

"Guilty, what crime?"

Standing on the thick carpet, Zha Zhiqing didn't know how to answer for a moment. Could it be that he had received the alarm before?

But, if you say so... This situation has not escaped Chen Moran's attention. Having been the superior for so many years, it is very understandable when people tell the truth and when they tell lies.

"Hmm, tell me, what's wrong with you!"

With the tone mentioned, Chen Moran's voice turned cold, and his eyes even began to turn cold. This time he had raised his head and forced him to look at Zha Zhiqing's face.

"Your Majesty..."

Although Zha Zhiqing lowered his head, Chen Moran still noticed that his hands were soft, cold and sweaty.

"Your Majesty..."

Once again, Cha Zhiqing, who felt that his forehead began to sweat, said nervously.

"We have received a security alert, but...but..."

In front of His Majesty, Cha Zhiqing never dared to hide anything. Of course, one premise is that if he asks, but Cha Zhiqing knows how to make things profitable for him.

"But what is it?"

He glared at Cha Zhiqing. At this time, Chen Moran had only one impulse to kill him.

"Your Majesty, we consider that the assassination of an officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has just occurred in Wuhan, and under the light of daylight, Wuhan's vigilance has also been strengthened. Therefore, we believe that there will be no bad security incident in Wuhan in the short term. Therefore, we believe that they may attack other targets, or Prepare for the next round of attacks..."

While defending himself half-truly, Cha Zhiqing continued to explain.

"Because of that security alert, we destroyed a republican weapon accumulation point in Guangdong and arrested 63 radicals in Shanghai... In the past five days, in order to avoid the occurrence of evil incidents, the Bureau of Investigation has raided republican radicals nationwide..."

At this time, when talking about the credit of the Bureau of Investigation, Cha Zhiqing's initial timidity was gone.

But his words did not have the effect on the owner of the office.

"The Bureau of Investigation is indeed meritorious in many things, but..."

Looking at Cha Zhiqing, Chen Moran's heart has a kind of time and space error in his heart. Isn't the "911 incident" also due to an intelligence error in another time and space? He was silent for a moment and sighed.

"This must not be concealed, the fault of the Bureau of Investigation in this incident!"

Looking directly at Cha Zhiqing, Chen Moran spoke again.

"It is your neglect of intelligence that has led to the deaths of thousands of civilians. This... is an unforgivable fault."

"Your Majesty, I..."

Facing His Majesty's anger, after a moment of silence, Zha Zhiqing said.

"I will resign from the Bureau of Investigation to show my responsibility!"

"This... unpaid is not a solution,"

Chen Moran deliberately paused for a moment, and at the same time, he paid attention to Cha Zhiqing's expression. He noticed that his hands trembled slightly and immediately understood his real thoughts. The previous words were not his true feelings.

"However, what the people need now is not the resignation of the director of the investigation bureau, but the truth. The people need the truth, and I also need the truth. Give you half a month, and I want to get the truth! Give an order to the people!"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will live up to Your Majesty's expectations and strive to solve this case as soon as possible. I will never let any participants go."

Finally, when he heard His Majesty's order, Cha Zhiqing knew that he had passed this test, and the rest would develop as he had planned. Although the cost was very high, in the end, history will understand that the choice he made was beneficial to China, and the future of the empire would be in this event. To get the most fundamental guarantee, anyone who tries to destroy the current situation and overthrow the empire will be sanctioned.

To be precise, all those who try to "split" the empire will be cleaned up. This will be a scene... When walking through the government building, Cha Zhiqing only felt the sense of mission of the future a while ago. He knew that a new historical chapter had unfolded, and the calendar at this stage In history, the Bureau of Investigation will take on an unprecedented mission, and he himself will also... "Zha Zhiqing..."

Standing by the window and looking at Cha Zhiqing who came out of the Qinzheng Building, Chen Moran's eyes became colder and colder. If it hadn't been for the terrorist incident in Wuchang, maybe he could have tolerated some things. However, now it seems that Cha Zhiqing... shook his head in his heart. Sometimes, some people will always be wild. At first, he only suspected that it was the work of the Bureau of Investigation, but now, the incident in Wuchang has strengthened Chen Moran's understanding. Now there is only evidence, but this matter must not be investigated. If a real investigation is carried out, even if it has nothing to do with him, it will have nothing to do with it. At that time, your reputation!

"Zhiqing, Zhiqing! This time, you have circled me in! That's right, there are some things that someone has to do, but there is no order..."

Chen Moran turned back to his desk and sat down. There were more things to deal with. As for other things to settle accounts after autumn!

The transport plane of the Army Air Force is actually a bomber. Because the Prime Minister took the plane, the ground crew even deliberately put a sofa on the plane, and even specially prepared two beds of military blankets. The reason for preparing the military blanket is very simple. When the plane flies at an altitude of two or three kilometers, the plane The temperature in the cabin will drop by about ten degrees, which means that the whole sailing temperature is about minus six or seven degrees. In order to prevent the "frost" of the Prime Minister, the army aviation team naturally has to make all the preparations, such as sofas, blankets, hot water, coffee, etc., but what disappoints them is that all this, in the whole voyage, except that Outside the sofa, the Prime Minister didn't enjoy anything.

"Are you almost in Wuchang?"

Guan Mingtang, who was sitting on the plane, couldn't even remember when he asked this question. Now he can't even wait to fly to Wuchang at once to check the scene and visit the injured in the hospital. As a prime minister, this is his duty.

"Your Excellency, it will take another half an hour!"

After the pilot in the front cabin calculated the distance with a ruler, an army sergeant went to Guan Mingtang and whispered. When reporting, he took another look at the security personnel sitting behind the cabin. This time, there were as many as 10 security personnel who went to Wuchang with the Prime Minister. It is said that the Wuhan garrior zone has entered the city. On alert, the Hubei Military Management Area has also carried out control over the whole province. Now there will definitely be no security problems in Wuchang.

Nodded. Guan Mingtang looked out of the cabin. He frowned and his face was full of sadness. Although he hoped to get the truth as soon as possible, he was also heartbroken by Yuan Shikai's assassination, but what he was more distressed were the civilians who died innocently in the explosion, especially those students, those teenagers... Half an hour later, the plane landed at Wuchang Airport. When the plane landed, Guan Mingtang could clearly see that there were hundreds of officers and soldiers standing in the airport, and there were still more than 20 trucks parked on the edge of the airport. Machine guns were placed on the truck without exception. This is... "Your Excellency, I am the person responsible for the Wuchang Garrison Area..."

After getting off the plane, Guan Mingtang pointed to the trucks and said without waiting for the lieutenant colonel to finish his words.

"What are they doing here?"

"Sir, they will be responsible for your safety during your stay in Wuchang!"

Cheng Gongwang quickly replied that this is a direct order from the Chief of Staff. China can no longer bear the assassination of a prime minister. A president of the aristocracy is enough to cause great turmoil in the political situation in Nanjing, and now they must do anything to protect the minister from any harm.

"Sick them out immediately. I believe that now, the soldiers are not me, but the wounded..."

When he spoke, he didn't wait for Cheng Gongwang to defend, but Guan Mingtang had already walked out of the airport.

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency..."

"You lead the way to the dock!"

In the end, at the insistence of Cheng Gongwang, in addition to the four cars, there was a truck full of soldiers escorting the convoy to the dock. Along the way, soldiers with live ammunition could be seen everywhere. The faces under the helmets looked very solemn, while most of the citizens on the roadside were panicked. State.

"How can there be so many soldiers?"

Seeing that there were many more soldiers on the street than he thought, Guan Mingtang asked.

"Your Excellency, in order to avoid the deterioration of the incident, with the consent of the military district, the new recruits in the training camp were also sent out. They are all natives from Hubei, so..."

When Cheng Gongwang spoke, Guan Mingtang noticed that in addition to the solemn expression of those soldiers, there was more anger. Many of them even their eyes were slightly red, and perhaps their families... "Your Excellency, the quarantine area has arrived, please..."

When the car stopped at a checkpoint, Cheng Gongwang reminded the prime minister around him that not to mention such a civil servant, even he, a soldier who had been on the battlefield, was stunned by the tragedy near the dock.

"Get off here!"

Opening the door, Guan Mingtang first heard the endless sound of ambulances. The soldiers carrying stretchers still kept carrying the wounded to the truck to the hospital. On both sides of the street, there were doctors in white coats everywhere.

"They are students of the Medical College of Ziqiang University. Now all the hospitals in Wuchang are full of the wounded. In order to accommodate the wounded, all the schools have been converted into temporary hospitals. The staff has agreed to use the medical reserves of the military jurisdiction..."

"Why are there so many wounded?"

Although he was psychologically prepared for casualties, Guan Mingtang was still shocked by the scene in front of him, because it had been three hours, but the injured were still carried out continuously. This was not a matter of efficiency, but... there were too many injured.

"Your Excellency, today is the New Year, and the area around the dock is the most lively place in the outer city of Wuchang..."

There is no need for Cheng Gongwang to continue to explain. How could he not know that the streets of China's Spring Festival are the same before and after the Spring Festival. The streets of China are full of people outside, including the city and the countryside... Finally, more than ten minutes later, Guan Mingtang and his party came less than 200 meters away from the dock. The place was completely razed to the ground. In addition to the building debris on the street, there were more... limb debris. Even when he looked up, Guan Mingtang saw a soldier taking a broken foot from the tree... Ouch...

(to be continued)