Training the Heavens

Chapter 379 Startup
"Mr. Zhou Ping is right. Then please serve as the chairman of the Relocation Committee, and we will serve as vice-chairmen, obeying Mr. Zhou Ping's orders and taking charge of the overall situation. Each school will then select two or three cadres who are proficient in general affairs to serve as members. All matters related to the relocation must be subject to the orders of the committee." Mei Yiqi and the other two agreed to Zhang Xingjiu's plan without hesitation.

"Secondly, we must immediately formulate a relocation plan. We must determine what needs to be done based on the current situation, when the relocation will be initiated, how it will be carried out, what channels and routes will be used to transport teachers, students, and supplies, what problems may be encountered along the way, and how to resolve them. We must make plans in advance so that we don't panic when something happens."

"Everything is established through preparation, while failure to prepare leads to failure. Mr. Zhou Ping is absolutely right."

"When marching or fighting, the staff must formulate plans in advance. Our migration south is similar to a march, and we also need to formulate a plan. Perhaps we can ask a few staff officers who have formulated marching plans to help us formulate a specific plan."

After Zhang Xingjiu's reminder, they also thought of some good ideas. Zhang Xingjiu immediately agreed and was ready to use his own connections and reputation to find suitable candidates.

"Third, military training must be strengthened in all schools, even if it means a slight delay in learning. It's better to sharpen your weapons before the battle than not to do so at all. The journey to Kunming is 5,000 miles. If we don't emphasize discipline and develop good habits, even if we have access to passenger ships or trains, chaos will easily arise."

"Fourthly, summer vacation is in two months, and July and August are the best times for the Japanese pirates to attack. If it's a few months later, we'll have to consider winter supplies. So, don't have this summer vacation. Gather all the teachers and students for military training. If anything happens, we can immediately move south according to the plan."

"Fifth, prepare supplies and money in advance. Each teacher and student will be given a small bag containing dry food, cash, common medicines and other supplies. This way, even if you get lost on the way, you will have a chance to catch up with the main group."

"Sixth."

"Seventh."

Zhang Xingjiu had been preparing for the relocation of universities for several years, and had also sought help from experts in advance to develop a plan. Now he told everyone in detail about all the years of preparation. Mei Yiqi, Jiang Menglin, and Zhang Boling were more and more impressed as they listened.

After he finished speaking, Mei Yiqi breathed a sigh of relief. "When I thought about the relocation earlier, I felt that it was a tedious matter and I didn't know how to start. Now that I have heard what Mr. Zhouping said, I feel relieved and will make preparations according to Mr. Zhouping's instructions."

"That's right, Mr. Zhou Ping's plan is comprehensive. We will adjust and refine it according to the situation of each school, and strive to not leave behind any teacher or student, and bring everyone to Kunming safely!" Zhang Boling nodded repeatedly.

"Compared with Tsinghua University, our Peking University's preparations for relocation are indeed lagging behind, so we have the most preparation work to do. If Mr. Zhou Ping doesn't mind, he can live in Peking University these days, right?" Jiang Menglin was a little worried. Mei Yiqi started preparing a few years ago, but he didn't listen to the persuasion and start preparing until Zhang Xingjiu went north. There were also many setbacks during the preparation process, and the work was indeed not as good as that done by Tsinghua University.

As for Nankai University, they are in Tianjin and will not become the focus of the Japanese's attention immediately. They have a little more time than Tsinghua University and Peking University.

"Not only our three schools, but other colleges should also be persuaded as much as possible to make preparations. However, these matters must be kept confidential as much as possible, otherwise it will easily cause unnecessary trouble, and even the public may not understand." Zhang Xingjiu reminded.

The war hadn't even begun, and the universities in the capital were already preparing to evacuate. If word got out, it would be a huge blow to public morale. Given Zheng Sanfazi's personality, he might even order all schools to halt their relocation plans upon hearing the news, which would be incredibly troublesome. All three of them had been presidents for many years, so they understood these things easily with a little reminder.

The next day, they gathered the school's most capable and trustworthy cadres and formed a relocation committee, establishing a decision-making body. Zhang Xingjiu reminded them, "The government plans to convene a symposium to discuss state affairs. The four of us will be on the list. So when the Japanese attack and we are forced to relocate, we may not be in Peking. At that time, the responsibility of presiding over the relocation will fall on you."

"Mr. Zhou Ping, it is indeed not appropriate for the four of us to go to Lushan. No matter what, someone has to stay behind to take charge of the situation. Why don't you let me stay? I will find an excuse when the time comes, saying that I am unwell and cannot go, and ask the vice president to attend the meeting on my behalf." Mei Yiqi did not care about the possible displeasure caused to Zheng Sanfazi at this time. The relocation was the most important thing.

"Okay, as soon as I get any news, I'll rush back to Shanghai from Lushan and wait for you there." Zhang Xingjiu agreed after a brief thought. He then consulted with Jiang Menglin and Zhang Boling, and finally announced, "Then, while the three of us are away, Principal Mei will chair the Internal Relocation Committee."

"When it comes to matters concerning internal relocation, Peking University teachers and students must obey the orders of President Mei." Jiang Menglin followed up with the order.

"It's the same at Nankai University." Zhang Boling followed up.

"It's the same at our school." Representatives from other universities also echoed.

After the meeting, the staff officers who were urgently called in immediately began to work on a specific plan. All schools also stepped up their preparations in accordance with Zhang Xingjiu's previous instructions, increasing the time for military training courses, taking inventory of the school's equipment and books, purchasing various tools needed for packaging, and so on.

At the end of June, the four of them received a notice from the government asking them to go to Lushan for a meeting. Zhang Xingjiu had to take a train south with Jiang Menglin and Zhang Boling. When the train left the city, they couldn't help but look back in the direction of Peking for a long time, because they didn't know when they would be able to come back once they left.

When we arrived at Lushan, many well-known people from all walks of life had already arrived. Most of them had serious expressions on their faces, because all signs showed that the Japanese might launch an attack soon. In such a situation, no one would be in a good mood.

At the beginning of July, before the symposium even started, the tragic news of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident reached Lushan. As soon as Zhang Xingjiu received the news, he quickly found Zheng Sanfazi to ask for leave, so that he could take Jiang Menglin and Zhang Boling to Shanghai to meet the relocation team.

Zheng Sanfazi was a little unhappy, but Zhang Xingjiu was too experienced and enjoyed great reputation both at home and abroad. He also hoped that Zhang Xingjiu could expose the true face of the Japanese devils internationally, so he did not stop them and even arranged transportation for them.

In Peking, Mei Yiqi saw that the situation had reached this point and immediately launched the relocation plan according to the contingency plan.

(End of this chapter)