On December 20, the Sichuan Army Police Academy held a grand first graduation ceremony on the playground of the headquarters. The newly decorated reviewing stand was surrounded by dragon flags, and the colored doors that were temporarily built were red silk floating on them, which was a festive atmosphere.

More than ten local officials, including Sichuan Governor Zhao Erxun, Chengdu Governor Yu Zongtong, etc., sat on the rostrum, and more than 300 representatives from all walks of life sat on both sides of the platform, whispering in groups of three or three, whispering in a low voice.

The newly established military band of the Sichuan New Army 33rd Association also came to support the show. At the age of 20, he was born in Zhenghuang Banner, Aisin Gioro. Zhong Ying personally stood in front of the band to conduct. Although the sounds made by various Western musical instruments were uneven, they could also set off a festive and warm atmosphere.

Two months ago, he could not resist the urge to change the old appearance of Shu and transferred to Zhou Shanpei, the General Office of the Xichuan Quye Road. At this time, he was sitting next to the Governor Zhao Erxun in a complicated mood. His keen eyes glanced at each familiar face in the neat square formation below the stage, feeling both proud and regretful.

He is proud that the 48 graduates in the team below were approved and recruited by him personally. He spent more than 120 unforgettable days and nights with this group of energetic and ambitious students. Unfortunately, two months ago, he finally transferred to the General Office of the Quanye Road, which can better reflect his own value and show his ambitions, but failed to persist until the graduate of this class of students and handed over the good fruits to the Commission Zhou Zhaoxiang.

Zhou Zhaoxiang, who was born in a juren, was sitting next to Zhou Shanpei at this moment. This elegant figure who is good at painting plum blossoms and lotus flowers and is a master of painting in the country. He achieved great contributions without much effort. Naturally, he had no regrets. It was not an exaggeration to say that he was full of spring breeze and was full of complacent ambitions.

Looking at the golden silk pocket watch, it was nine o'clock two minutes away, Zhou Zhaoxiang walked behind the Governor Zhao Erxun: "Sir, the auspicious time has come, and it's time to start."

"Well, then let's start."

Zhao Erxun stroked his long beard and replied leisurely. No one knew that his half-closed eyes were staring at Xiao Yiming, who was standing first in the team below.

Zhou Zhaoxiang responded humbly and strode to the side of the front of the platform, and the military music stopped. Zhou Zhaoxiang took advantage of the noise of the audience that had not yet calmed down, and leaned out and greeted in a low voice: "Commander Zhong, you should come up and sit and watch the ceremony. The Taiwan Master laughed at you just now for not caring about your morality."

The young Manchu general Zhong Ying laughed and said "offending", then jumped onto the platform and walked towards his seat, but he did not forget to give the Governor a bright smile, which made Zhao Erxun helpless in this rough and heroic love general.

After the whole audience was quiet, Zhou Zhaoxiang, the General Officer of the Xinjin Academy, gave a literary opening remark, and then thanked the Governor for his long-standing care and support, thanked the various yamen for their strong help, thanked the New Army Commander, Lord Zhong Ying, for his support and assistance, and the love of all sectors of society. Finally, I would like to thank the first General Officer of the School, Mr. Zhou Shanpei, for his own family. His words and emotions won warm applause from the audience.

Zhou Zhaoxiang retreated amid applause, and He Lunkui, the newly-elected education director of the Army Police Academy, stepped forward. This Hubei civil servant, who is over 30 years old, is also a romantic figure. He is skilled in calligraphy, painting and seal carving. He is also a famous collector of ancient books from all over the country.

Just after the graduates' breakup dinner yesterday evening, he and his colleague Zhou Zhaoxiang specially summoned the top three of the graduates of this class - Xiao Yiming, Liu Bingxian and Zeng Chaoran. The two not only gave the three proud students high praise and expectations, but also gave each of them a carefully prepared gift.

What Xiao Yiming got was a vertical scroll of ink and water plum blossoms by Zhou Zhaoxiang. On the right side of the simple and vigorous plum blossom picture, it was written "The fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold". The signature on the left also uses the official seal and nickname seal that Zhou Zhaoxiang rarely uses, which is very rare and precious.

He Lunkui gave Xiao Yiming a carefully carved chicken blood stone seal, which was covered with two ancient seal fonts with excellent spirit and shape.

The generous gifts worth a thousand gold gifts given by the two teachers still surprised Xiao Yiming very much, and he had a new understanding of the bureaucrats of this era.

He Lunkui routinely introduced the brief situation of this class of graduates, emphasized the dedication of the instructors and the diligence of the students, and finally read out the list of outstanding winners with great enthusiasm.

Xiao Yiming from Chengdu, Liu Bingxian from Chongqing, and Zeng Chaoran from Luzhou, lined up to the stage amid warm applause, accepting the personal awards from the Governor and congratulations from the audience.

Zhong Ying on the stage waved her hand, and the military band of more than a dozen people under the stage began to play and beat again. surrounded by a group of officials, Zhao Erxun walked towards the three young men standing straight with a smile on his face.

Zhao Erxun first gave the third place Zeng Chaoran, and the second place Liu Bing first issued a graduation certificate and a letter of appointment by the ninth-rank inspector. He gave the two a few simple words, and finally came to Xiao Yiming and looked at the handsome young man with great enthusiasm:

"Xiao Yiming, you impressed me. I hope you will be diligent and self-reliant, be cautious in arrogance and impetuousness, do your best to serve the court, and go further."

"Sir Xie! Xiao Yiming will definitely remember it in his heart!" Xiao Yiming replied with his chest outstretched.

Zhao Erxun nodded with satisfaction, took the graduation certificate and appointment letter presented by Zhou Zhaoxiang, and handed it to Xiao Yiming who stretched out his hands: "Have you thought about where to go?"

Xiao Yiming was stunned: "Sir... isn't it uniformly distributed by the General Administration?"

Zhao Erxun smiled mysteriously, said nothing, and left gracefully shaking his official sleeves. A group of officials of all sizes quickly shouted "Send him respectfully" and there was a busy schedule on and off the stage.

The Education Director He Lunkui hurried forward, thanking all the guests and colleagues at all levels. He announced the end of the celebration and chased the Governor who had descended from the steps. The three young people who were still foolishly on the platform hurriedly stepped down and returned to the team to accept the envious congratulations of the students.

Xiao Yiming finished the gift one by one and walked towards Zhuang Sen and Betty who came to watch the ceremony.

Zhuang Sen, who was dressed in a formal suit and dressed up in a formal manner, met his friend, grabbed Xiao Yiming's hand, and then a bear hug:

"Xiao, no matter where you are, you are so outstanding, it's really jealous."

Xiao Yiming laughed and let go of his hands before he could thank him. Betty, a beautiful white girl wearing a gorgeous white dress and a lilac veil, had already come up, hugged Xiao Yiming's arms and presented a veneer:

"Xiao, I'm proud to have friends like you."

Originally, the appearance of Zhuang Sen and Betty was already eye-catching. At this moment, the young and noble Betty actually came down in public, which immediately caused exclamations from the crowd around her, and they all watched in amazement.

Zhao Erxun, who was about to go to the bridge, happened to see this injustice scene. He had just lifted into the sedan chair and slowly retracted his front foot, turned to Zhou Zhaoxiang on the side, and whispered:

"Song Ling, go and call me that proud and obsessed boy."

Everyone was very surprised. When did the Governor care so much about a small policeman? The careless people began to worry about Xiao Yiming, while the careful people envied Xiao Yiming - listen, listen carefully! The Governor actually said such intimate words as "a gangster". It seems that this guy named Xiao Yiming is difficult to be underdeveloped!

Only careless and deeply favored by the Empress Dowager Xigong, who is now a young general, is an exception. He smiled and looked at Xiao Yiming, who was helpless in the distance, and was unscrupulous and funny:

"Master of Taiwan, I didn't expect that there would be a romantic figure among our army police? Haha, always look at that foreign girl, tsk! She has a hot figure, a tender skin, and looks even better. I wonder if she will be like a White Russian woman, with a slutty body."

More than 20 officials from all over the country, including Gaotai, Daotai, Fantai, etc., were laughing.

Zhao Erxun glared at Zhong Ying in anger. Seeing Xiao Yiming strode towards him, his face was full of anxiety. He immediately lowered his face and scolded him: "You are now an official in the court. How can you become a court official in broad daylight?"

"I... Beizhi didn't know this would be like this... The customs of this foreigner are different from ours. Her... that move was just a congratulations... When Beizhi suddenly remembered something bad, it was too late to avoid it..."

Xiao Yiming had never stuttered like this. In front of everyone, his handsome face turned red and his head was covered in sweat, which caused everyone to laugh.

Zhong Ying looked interesting and laughed happily. Then he patted Xiao Yiming on the shoulder heavily and said, "Don't panic, boy, the master of the Taiwan Strait didn't say he was going to cut you alive. Why are you panic? By the way, I'll tell my brother quietly, how does that kiss taste?"

Everyone burst into laughter again. Xiao Yiming wanted to kick the young general who specialized in sprinkling salt on the wound. But even thinking about it, he didn't dare to make any mistakes, so he had to bow his head and admit his mistake:

"The commander was joking. How could this be a kiss? Just touch it gently with your face...just just a moment."

The laughter started again. This time, even Zhao Erxun, who had always shown his serious face, couldn't help but smile. After laughing, the Governor shook his head and gave a few stern advices, and then he stopped pursuing the matter. He got into the sedan chair and left with a group of smiling officials.

After all the officials were finished, Xiao Yiming dared to express his integrity quietly and apologize to his teacher He Lunkui, who was accompanying him. He ran to Zhuang Sen and the others and said a few words, and then went to see off his classmates at the police academy who went their separate ways.

Half an hour later, Xiao Yiming, who was pulled to Roboting's house to celebrate, became excited again. He never expected that Zhuang Sen and Roboting's family would prepare an unexpected gift for themselves:

Zhuang Sen gave a Colt M1903 pistol, Betty gave a guitar made by a famous British musical instrument workshop, and Robbeting gave a new "Earl Brand" pocket watch. Finally, Mrs. Robbeting launched a stainless steel cart with a beautiful birthday cake on it.

"Xiao, I heard that your birthday is the day after tomorrow. The Chinese call the day you were born in the "Winter Solstice". But today is a wonderful day. Not only did you get admitted to the police school with the first place, but you also graduated easily with the first place. It is amazing and worth celebrating! Thank God, we have met you." Mrs. Roboting smiled sincerely.

Despite their cooperation, Xiao Yiming has always done all kinds of evil in history books or film and television dramas. He only knows that he has been deeply wary of foreigners who collude with the government to exploit kind people. At this moment, he is really moved, his eyes are red, and he can't help but step forward and gently hug Mrs. Roboting:

"Thank you, madam, thank you! I can't even remember my birthday... At this moment, my heart is full of excitement and gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you and Zhuang Sen! It is my luck to be able to meet you and become friends. Although I don't believe in religion, at this moment, I also want to thank the omnipotent God."

Everyone laughed and started blowing candles and pouring champagne. After the fun, they sat down and talked quietly.

The cute and silly Betty insisted that Xiao Yiming present a guitar song, and the Roboting and his wife and Zhuang Sen also agreed with anticipation.

Xiao Yiming did not hesitate at all this time. He held the guitar that he had not had for a long time and caressed it for a long time. He gently stroked the string with his index finger on the string, and immediately a series of pleasant notes floated out.

Xiao Yiming began to tune the strings and played several preheating songs in succession. He took a deep breath and sat in a straight position: "This is the best guitar. I seemed to smell the fragrance of British sequoia and American acacia wood. I felt that there was an elf singing the song of nature inside the guitar."

"God! It's so heart-pounding... Xiao, it's a pity if you don't go to be a poet in the chanting!" Zhuang Sen, who has a strong literary cultivation, exclaimed. This was the first time he saw Xiao Yiming's sentimental and romantic side.

The Roboting and his wife looked at each other and were slightly moved. There was a little strangeness in their eyes. They only felt that the young man in front of them who brought him wealth and valuable business opportunities was so excellent and so unsightly.

Betty stared blankly at the Chinese man who seemed to be getting taller and taller in front of him, and couldn't help but ripples in his heart.

Xiao Yiming smiled humbly: "Thank you Zhuang Sen for your praise. I'll play a song that I personally like. The name of the song is "Childhood" to mourn the past."

Xiao Yiming's fingertips moved slightly, and the rhythm of the familiarity that made his heart tremble slowly floated out. This music that could be familiar with the scattered songs with closed eyes instantly brought him into the hazy artistic conception. He seemed to have truly seen the clear pond, the singing cicadas, the gentle swing, the loving teacher, the seductive comics...

The finger stopped, the rhythm gradually faded, and Xiao Yiming was still immersed in endless memories, and the warm applause could not awaken him.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter completed!