Finished Any Day Now?

Early the next morning, County Magistrate Diao, who had long been 'absent from court,' personally handpicked his men. The Finance Section chief, who never had any money; the Construction Section chief, who never reported project progress; and the Social Affairs Section chief, who was always shirking responsibility—all of them turned up, along with Zhu Shiqing and his superior Xu Gang, who were attending together. A group of seven or eight men reported their work to him. It was worth mentioning that perhaps no one at this moment could clearly realize Jiangning County's importance to Nanjing's defenses. As Nanjing's southwest gateway, Jiangning County actually controlled a very large area. Besides the county itself, to the southwest of the county seat lay Niushou Mountain, and to the southeast Fangshan. The two mountains stretched out to either side, with the Qinhuai River running between them, forming a broad river valley between the mountains. And in the later story, Jiangning County, backed by Yuhuatai, really did become the main direction of the Japanese attack. From that perspective, the Military Affairs Commission's decision to focus on strengthening the defenses of Jiangning's two mountains and one river was undoubtedly correct. But this report did not lessen Diao Yuxiu's anxiety in the slightest. It was as if they had rehearsed it. The Finance Section claimed that every year it had allocated construction funds in full and in the right amounts, with everything written in black and white and all receipts complete. The Construction Section claimed that it had long since arranged for the township militias to rush the work, and that the previous checks had basically turned up no problems. The Civil Affairs Section said that although the matter had little to do with them, they fully supported the work of their brother departments. ... Zhu Shiqing seemed somewhat disdainful. Alone in a corner, he made vague laughing sounds and now and then jotted down a line or two of meeting minutes. By custom, there was no need to keep records of such meetings; in the end, the materials would be purely fabricated anyway. If anyone said the sections were pure and aboveboard, Zhu Shiqing would not believe it even if he cut off his own head. Naturally, County Magistrate Diao believed it even less. After so many years, everyone knew what sort of people they all were; the pot shouldn't call the kettle black. Take one example: Magistrate Diao himself had embezzled funds to buy several shops and houses in Shanghai. Who knew how much the men below him had split for themselves? 'All right, gentlemen, let's not beat around the bush. I won't pursue anyone's responsibility. Just tell me: how much longer until it's completed, and can it pass the inspection coming from above?' Magistrate Diao had surrendered and admitted defeat, a touch of impatience in his words. After exchanging glances, the several middle-aged men realized the seriousness of the situation. This was no time for sly tricks or official double-talk. The Construction Section chief drew his head in and lowered his voice. 'What's going on, Old Diao? You came back late yesterday, so the brothers didn't come to chat with you. What are the people above trying to do?' 'What's going on? In a few days, the higher-ups will send people to inspect. Let me ask you one thing: how exactly are the fortifications coming along? Can you give me a straight answer?' Xu Gang leaned sideways, his voice almost inaudible. 'Old Diao, they came a few times before, and nothing happened, didn't they?...' That was true. The reason everyone could sit here calmly was precisely because nothing had gone wrong before. But the person who had previously been in charge of this matter was the former county secretary who had been transferred to the central government. 'In any case, seeing is better than hearing a hundred times. We'd better go take a look.' Diao Yuxiu heaved a long sigh and turned his gaze to Zhu Shiqing in the corner. 'Little Zhu, then I'll trouble you to make the trip?' Zhu Shiqing was a bit stunned. He did not understand what there was to see. The money had not been given in full, yet they still expected the project to be completed on schedule. Wasn't that absurd? But then he thought: the construction funds had already turned into houses. Even if they sold the houses now, it would be too late. Zhu Shiqing had no choice but to agree. The county required him to find out the situation at the three sites that day and report directly to the county magistrate in the evening. There was nothing else to it; it was a matter of state. Zhu Shiqing did not hesitate. He picked two newcomers and set off for Niushou Mountain. These two newcomers were quite interesting. They had only joined the county at the end of last year and were now assisting in the section. One was a man from Hubei, named Fang Wenjian. He was tall and burly, almost half a head taller than Zhu Shiqing, with thick dark hair on his arms, looking just like a bodyguard. The other was surnamed Zhao, given name Qian. He had a sly look in his eyes, a lean, wiry body, sunken eyes, and a slightly stooped back. He truly looked like a sickly weakling. Niushou Mountain to the west was not an isolated peak. Beside it, Yangshan and Zutang Mountain encircled it, while in the distance Daduan Mountain and Guanshan answered from afar. Even Zhu Shiqing, who had no experience commanding troops, could not help but sigh. Truly strategically vital ground. Zhu Shiqing loved reading military strategy and was well versed in historical records. This was thanks to his master finding him a good teacher. One teaching from that teacher Zhu Shiqing always remembered. 'If born in a chaotic age, read the books of Sun Tzu and Zhuge Liang, and emulate the deeds of Yue Fei and Yu Qian; if born in an age of peace and plenty, read the books of Confucius and Mencius, and practice the virtuous governance of Emperors Wen and Jing.' Young Zhu Shiqing actually asked, 'Teacher, would this time be considered an age of peace and plenty or a chaotic age?' Unfortunately, the teacher never gave him an answer. After the teacher was gone, the pattern in the books remained: the founding of a new dynasty often brought new prospects and new vistas, at least a few days of good living. The Republic of China alone had been beset by misfortune from the very first day of its founding. As they jolted along, the mountains ahead began to take shape, and at their foot there was a village called Yangshan Township. The three reached the village entrance, reined in, dismounted, and went straight into the village. The villagers were not blind. It was obvious that officials from above had come, and several people hurried forward to greet them. 'Officer, officers, what brings you here this time?' 'Call out your township head.' Zhu Shiqing put on official airs, not slowing his step in the least. 'Also, summon the leader of the local militia. I'll wait for them at the township office.' Hearing this, and seeing that the man had not even announced his name before demanding the township head and the militia, they did not dare ask further. They found a few young boys and sent them running off. The township head, Xie Yuanhua, past fifty, was having a meal at home. When he heard a young brat arrive at the door shouting that people had come from outside, he nearly spat out his soup. No one had told me in advance today. Xie Yuanhua cursed, quickly got up and straightened his clothes, not forgetting to tell his two wives to hurry up and eat, before preparing to go to the township office. For the township, even the descent of a tiny sesame-sized official was enough to make him sweat. Jiangning County being incorporated into Nanjing was good for everyone but him; for no reason at all, he had to endure inspections.… But unexpectedly, before the brat had even caught his breath, he had only gotten half a sentence out. Only then did the part about summoning the militia captain reach Xie Yuanhua's ears. As luck would have it, the militia captain was Xie Yuanhua's own nephew, and today both of them were actually required to appear at the same time. Surely that thieving brat hadn't forced himself on some family's sister-in-law and got caught, had he? 'Go, go, go! What are you standing there for? Go and fetch that little bastard Xie Biao as well.' Xie Yuanhua did not think further and set off first himself. Hurrying into the township office, he ran into the three men who had arrived not long before. 'Township Head Xie, it's been a while.' Zhu Shiqing smiled slightly and actually stepped forward to greet him with clasped hands. Only then did Xie Yuanhua's mind catch up. Wasn't this the pretty-faced young fellow from the county government? He had come often before to check household registers. At that thought, Xie Yuanhua's tense heart slowly calmed. Since he was from the county, at least nothing too bad would come of it. 'Greetings, Officer. May I ask what brings you here?' Zhu Shiqing's smile did not fade. He waved his hand, motioning for everyone to sit, then said, 'Township Head, I have come on the county magistrate's orders to inspect the work. Has the militia captain been summoned?' 'He's coming, he's coming.' Xie Yuanhua quickly called someone over. 'Little Li, go see where Xie Biao is, and prepare some gifts for the officers while you're at it.' Before his words had faded, a man outside arrived cursing and grumbling. 'Uncle, I was sleeping soundly when you suddenly called me.' Xie Biao stepped into the main hall, only then noticing Zhu Shiqing and the others standing to the side. He quickly dropped his arrogant manner, bowed, and put on a fawning smile. 'Oh, my apologies, my apologies, Officer. I didn't know you were here.' Looking closely at the newcomer, he too had long hair, a beard covering half his face, a mouthful of yellow teeth, and a stench wafting from his body. 'It's no matter. Are you the captain for this village?' 'To be honest with you, Officer, it's not just our village. The militias of all the surrounding townships and villages are led by me alone.' Xie Biao sounded rather proud. Xie Yuanhua could not stand it any longer and immediately barked, 'Answer what you're asked and stop running your mouth!' 'It's fine, it's fine,' Zhu Shiqing continued. 'I have come on the county's orders to look into the defense situation at Niushou Mountain.' 'Defense...' Xie Biao suddenly hesitated, his eyes darting toward Xie Yuanhua. 'What's this? Neither of you remembers?' Zhu Shiqing shifted his gaze back to Xie Yuanhua, his expression gradually stiffening. Xie Yuanhua was slightly taken aback, but quickly recovered his smile. 'So it's about the mountain defense works. To think they made you come all this way for such a trifle. I must say, Magistrate Diao really has wasted a talented man.' As he spoke, Xie Yuanhua told a few servants to serve tea to the three, then instructed Xie Biao, 'Biao, brief the three officers on the progress of the works.' Xie Biao understood and began to speak smoothly. 'Three officers, our militia is mainly responsible for constructing fortifications along the line from Yangshan to Niushou Mountain to Chaotang Mountain. The defense line is roughly a hundred li or more. We have built more than fifty permanent pillboxes, and skirmish trenches based chiefly on kneeling and standing trenches have basically completed three-line deployment. There are also large trenches still being dug; they can be finished any day now.' Zhu Shiqing was himself an old hand at bureaucratic double-talk, so he naturally knew that a flawlessly comprehensive answer was precisely what could kill a man. He pursed his lips and looked at the two beside him. 'Since we're already here, why don't we go take a look at the site?' Fang and Zhao quickly caught on and echoed, 'Since we're here, let's take a look while we're at it.' With no way out, Xie Yuanhua led Xie Biao and this bunch, with two or three attendants carrying three rifles on their backs, and headed up the mountain. The mountain path was difficult. Xie Yuanhua clearly struggled to climb, and from time to time the young men beside him had to support him. The kid Zhao Qian looked aloof and gloomy, but he was kindhearted enough. Suddenly he blurted out, 'Township Head, we're only here to take a look. You could have stayed at the foot of the mountain. Why wear yourself out climbing up here?' Xie Yuanhua smiled bitterly, quickly waved his hand and said it was nothing, but his body was honest enough; he basically had to lean on the young man beside him to walk. Well, well. Zhu Shiqing had not looked closely before, but the gear these people carried was surprisingly new. At a time when many local troops were still shouldering Hanyang rifles, these men already had Zhongzheng rifles on their backs? It did not bear thinking about. Zhu Shiqing only felt it was surreal. Soon, the first cluster of defense lines came into view. As far as the eye could see, horizontal ditches and vertical ravines were arranged in clear order, and every five hundred meters an angular bastion had been built. This time, Zhu Shiqing was truly shocked.… Had the sun really risen in the west?