The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

A small black line on the horizon gradually thickened, finally showing the appearance of land.

Fan Heyan stood with his hands behind his back, looking into the distance with a smile, and said to Zhou Hexuan and Song Ziwen beside him: "We are finally landing, Mr. Song and Mr. Zhou, I hope you two can show off your skills!"

"Don't look at me, look at Mr. Zhou." Song Ziwen's tone was still a bit strange.

Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Don't be anxious, take your time."

Song Ziwen didn't care anyway. He had long given up hope for this trip. He was even completely disappointed with the Nanjing government.

Historically, after Song Ziwen resigned in 1933, he devoted his energy to investing in finance and industry.

Although Song Ziwen also came forward to help during this period, such as participating in quelling the silver trend and completing currency reform, and assisting Soong Meiling in solving the Xi'an Incident, he has been excluded from the core leadership of the government for seven years. .

It was not until June 1940 that Song Ziwen was reactivated by Chiang Kai-shek. As a personal representative and a government representative, he went to the United States to seek economic and military assistance. From then on, he changed from an economic expert to a diplomatic expert.

Being able to make his brother-in-law so angry that he has no intention of becoming an official shows how awesome Chang Kaishen is - Song Ziwen is a person who really wants to do things.

The ship was getting closer and closer to the port, and the crowds of people and the fluttering flags could be seen in the distance.

"We're here, get ready to go ashore!" Fan Heyan said to everyone.

The attachés went back to the cabin to get their carry-on luggage. Fan Heyan directed them in an orderly manner and even warned the attachés to pay attention to etiquette and not to lose the face of the Chinese people in the United States.

Don't think that Fan Heyan is just here to make soy sauce. This guy is a talented person, and it is no fluke to become the deputy secretary-general of the Central Bank. Not only is this man a good money manager, but he is also very knowledgeable in gold, stone and antiques. He will also become one of the founders of Taiwan's "United Newspapers" in the future.

As the ship gradually docked, Fan Heyan was startled by the situation on the dock and couldn't help but muttered: "The scene is really big."

The welcome scene was indeed huge. All the prominent Chinese in San Francisco came, and Situ Meitang led the big guys from the Hongmen headquarters to personally welcome him. Not only that, but San Francisco Mayor Rosi also came in person, as well as representatives from the local theater industry in San Francisco, representatives from Hollywood in Los Angeles, representatives from the Writers Guild of the American West... there were a lot of people from the political, artistic and literary circles.

The people accompanying them all straightened their backs and followed Zhou Hexuan, Song Ziwen and Fan Heyan to the ground.

Song Ziwen's face looked a little ugly, because he saw several banners in front of him, one of which read "Warmly welcome Mr. Zhou Hexuan and Mr. Mei Lanfang to the United States for exchanges." Song Ziwen happened to be missed. As for Fan Heyan, everyone automatically ignored him.

Fan Heyan also saw the banner and quickly gave up his position before landing. He turned to Mei Lanfang and said, "Boss Mei, please come ahead."

"That's fine." Mei Lanfang smiled and didn't care.

Ever since, the scene seemed a bit weird.

Zhou Hexuan and Mei Lanfang stepped on the ground at the same time, followed closely by Song Ziwen and Fan Heyan, as if they were their followers.

There is no way, only Zhou Hexuan and Mei Lanfang are well-known in the United States, and Americans only recognize them two. As for Song Ziwen, haha, Cai Tingkai of the 19th Route Army was more popular than him - the heroic anti-Japanese deeds of the 19th Route Army were widely reported in the United States. When Cai Tingkai visited the United States, the mayor of San Francisco also personally went to the dock to greet him.

Song Ziwen really became famous in the United States after 1940, when he became known to Americans as a diplomat.

Mayor Ross of San Francisco took the lead in leading the government officials over and shook hands warmly: "Mr. Zhou, Dr. Mei, on behalf of the San Francisco Municipal Government, I would like to warmly welcome you two!"

Mei Lanfang smiled and said: "Thank you. I am very honored to visit the United States again."

Zhou Hexuan said: "Mr. Luo Shi, you're welcome. I grew up in the United States, and the United States is also my hometown. I'm just going home."

"Haha, then, welcome home!" Luo Shi laughed.

Zhou Hexuan then began to introduce: "Mr. Luo Shi, this is the famous Chinese economist Mr. Song Ziwen, a Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University."

Luo Shi really didn't know who Song Ziwen was, but the title of Doctor of Economics from Columbia was enough to attract his attention. He immediately shook hands and said, "Welcome to visit Dr. Song!"

"Thank you!" Song Ziwen glanced at Zhou Hexuan. He was very satisfied with Zhou Hexuan's introduction - he did not say that he was Chiang Kai-shek's brother-in-law.

Zhou Hexuan introduced Fan Heyan again, deliberately avoiding his position in the central bank, and only said that Fan Heyan was the editor-in-chief of a newspaper and an expert on antiques.

Luo Shi introduced the officials behind him, as well as representatives from the American art and cultural circles. After an exchange between the two parties, Situ Meitang also came forward with representatives of overseas Chinese to greet them.

"Old sir, long time no see!" Zhou Hexuan said with his fists in hand.

"It's easy to say," Situ Meitang laughed while stroking his beard, and then said to Mei Lanfang, "Boss Mei, I have been looking forward to you day and night, and finally I can feast my ears again."

Mei Lanfang said: "Thanks to the old gentleman for your love."

Situ Meitang was not so polite to Song Ziwen and Fan Heyan, and just said: "Hello."

Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Old sir, Dr. Song is an anti-Japanese faction in the Kuomintang. He advocates active resistance to the war."

"Really?" Situ Meitang's attitude immediately changed, and he quickly shook hands again, "Dr. Song, I'm neglecting you, don't mind."

Song Ziwen could only smile bitterly: "It doesn't matter."

Since the outbreak of the September 18th Incident, Hongmen in the United States has actively participated in the anti-Japanese and national salvation movement and initiated overseas Chinese to raise funds to support the motherland's war of resistance. Situ Meitang even personally took the money and materials collected from the donation and took a boat to Shanghai to express condolences to the 19th Route Army, and publicly severely condemned Chang Kaishen's non-resistance policy.

As for Song Ziwen, he did not openly promote the idea of ​​​​anti-Japanese war. He only opposed the unnecessary civil war and advocated developing the national economy with all his strength and accumulating national strength to deal with the future Sino-Japanese war. Even so, Song Ziwen is already considered a very rare "anti-Japanese" - his economic policies have offended too many officials, and he is "slandered" by his political opponents as a radical anti-Japanese.

Song Ziwen only knew that Zhou Hexuan was very famous in the United States, but it was not until this moment that he had an intuitive feeling.

From the pier to the hotel, wherever the delegation went, whether they were Chinese or Americans, they all treated Zhou Hexuan with warm hospitality and respect. Ross, the mayor of San Francisco, simply became Zhou Hexuan's tour guide, speaking with infinite respect.

Song Ziwen couldn't understand why Zhou Hexuan, a historian and writer, was so admired by Americans. Scholars and officials are easy to understand, perhaps because they admire Zhou Hexuan's intellectual talent, but why do ordinary American people welcome Zhou Hexuan so much?

It's very simple, because "Titanic" has become popular in the United States, and various drama adaptations have been performed countless times. This novel alone can make Zhou Hexuan receive preferential treatment from the Americans.