Training the Heavens

Chapter 383 The Great Escape
According to the original history, Ma Xiangbo fell seriously ill when passing through Lang Son, Vietnam on his way to escape from Guilin to Kunming. He stayed there for a while. Feeling that his time was up, he insisted that even if he died, he would die on Chinese soil.

During this period, Mr. Ma fell into a coma for a long time. Once he woke up, he would ask, "Where are we?"

His granddaughter Ma Yuzhang, who was with him, replied, "This is Lang Son."

When Mr. Ma heard that they had not yet entered China, he immediately said anxiously, "Let me go! This is not our land. I want to go back home!"

Later, when Mr. Ma woke up again, everyone was still in Vietnam. In order to comfort Mr. Ma, Ma Yuzhang told him that they had arrived at the border between Yunnan and Guizhou. Only then did he feel a little relieved.

Now that he can die in Kunming, on a completed campus, Ma Xiangbo must feel a little more at ease.

When the news spread, the entire Southwest Associated University was immersed in great sorrow. Zhang Xingjiu stopped the teachers and students who came to pay their respects and read out Ma Xiangbo's will to them, "I wish I could donate another sum of money to the country. After my death, all the money I receive must not be used by you. Donate it all to the anti-Japanese front! If you dare to disobey, you will no longer be a descendant of the Ma family!"

Then a simple funeral was held and he was temporarily buried next to the campus of Southwest Associated University. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, he would be moved to the campus of Aurora University. This was his final resting place.

During the funeral, Zhang Xingjiu and his family saw Ma Xiangbo off for the last time. Unfortunately, his eldest son still couldn't come. Zhang Guoqiang was still in northern Shaanxi, and he really couldn't leave because the war was urgent.

Zhang Guowei hurried over from Hong Kong, took a boat from Hong Kong to Vietnam, and then took a train from Vietnam to Kunming.

After the funeral, Zhang Guowei originally wanted to spend a few more days with his family, but was driven away by Zhang Guoqiang because he had more important work to do.

Since the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, although the British government has deliberately maintained Hong Kong's neutral status, many Hong Kong Chinese have contributed money and effort to the motherland's war of resistance, and many national salvation organizations have also carried out anti-Japanese activities based in Hong Kong.

Zhang Guowei’s contribution was naturally indispensable. Several factories under his name switched to producing various military supplies, which strongly supported the domestic war of resistance.

Therefore, the Japanese repeatedly protested to the British Hong Kong authorities about the anti-Japanese behavior of the Chinese in Hong Kong, and had already secretly prepared a plan to attack Hong Kong.

Zhang Xingjiu was well aware of this, so he specifically called Zhang Guowei over and privately told him his assessment of the situation in Hong Kong. The Japanese attack did not meet expectations, so they had to find another breakthrough.

Now that the war has broken out in Europe, countries like Britain and France are temporarily unable to take care of Asia, and have even withdrawn their troops from Asia back to Europe. Their ability to intervene militarily in Asia has been greatly weakened.

In addition to the conflict between the Japanese army and navy, the navy certainly could not bear to watch the army capture cities and territories without achieving any success, so they would inevitably launch an attack on the colonies of European countries in Asia.

As one of Asia's most important ports, Hong Kong would inevitably become a key target for the Japanese attack. Given the British military presence in Hong Kong, there was no way they could stop the Japanese attack. Once they launched their attack, the fall of Hong Kong would begin. Therefore, Zhang Guowei had to hurry and prepare for retreat, not wasting time on personal matters.

"I understand. I will go back to Hong Kong now and ask the workers to seize the last time to produce while making preparations for evacuation. Even if we blow up the factory, we will not leave it to the Japanese." Zhang Guowei also realized the seriousness of the matter.

"When the time comes, you must first protect yourself and your family. It is best to send them to Kunming first. Then, if you still have the strength left, you can try to take a few British people away." Zhang Xingjiu continued to remind him.

"Don't be fooled by the Japanese fighting fiercely now. In fact, they have no chance of winning. The British will come back after the war. If you save them, you will be doing them a big favor. These favors will be of great use after the war."

Zhang Guowei was a little confused. "After we drive away the Japanese, we should also take back Hong Kong, right?"

Zhang Xingjiu shook his head. "Driving away the Japs is just the beginning. The Nationalist government has been plagued by complaints over the years. In comparison, northern Shaanxi is thriving. Once the Japs are kicked out of China, there might be another fight."

"If Shaanxi wins, Britain and the United States will undoubtedly see China as a thorn in their side, and they will do their utmost to blockade China internationally. By then, keeping Hong Kong will provide a window for entrepot trade, and your responsibilities will be even greater."

"You should use the connections you've built over the years to purchase much-needed supplies and equipment for the country to support domestic construction. So if you can, it's best to save more people."

Zhang Guowei finally understood. "Father, don't worry. I've been in Hong Kong for these years and have met many people from all walks of life. They might not be reliable if you ask them to do something serious, but every rat has its own way. Asking them to smuggle people or rescue people from prison is the right approach. As long as they're willing to spend money, rescuing a few British people won't be a problem at all."

"Well, that's good. You must also protect yourself. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, our family will return to Shanghai to reunite." Zhang Xingjiu patted Zhang Guowei's shoulder solemnly.

"Dad, where is my eldest brother now? You always say that he is studying abroad, but it has been so many years, how come he hasn't come back even once? Even if the research is very important, there should be time to rest, right?" Zhang Guowei couldn't help asking.

"I'll tell you when the time comes. You'll know in a few years."

Zhang Guowei's doubts were still in his mind. He returned to Hong Kong with doubts and immediately began to prepare according to Zhang Xingjiu's arrangements. He held banquets every day, especially for the prison guards working in the prison. Even if the Japanese came in the future, some of them would stay to continue serving. These people were the key to saving the British.

In 1941, the Japanese took over Hong Kong in just 18 days. Governor Mark Young surrendered, and Zhang Guowei, along with a group of British people holding important positions in the Governor's Office, fled Hong Kong using a route that had been prepared long ago, successfully completing the escape.

(End of this chapter)