A New Dawn for the Whitlocks Chapter 36

Snow covered the mountains in the distance and the mining area. The office of Shanhe Coal Mine was a house built with logs. Caleb Whitlock was leading a few workers to hang the blue sky and white sun flag on a tall flagpole. Shaojing came over on a motorcycle and said, "New Year, new atmosphere! Our Shanhe Mine has also kept up with the trend." Caleb Whitlock said, "Zhang Xueliang announced the change of flag in Northeast China. How can we not respond?" Shaojing said, "Yes, when I see this flag, I know that Shanhe Coal Mine belongs to the Chinese."

Connor Whitlock came out of the room and called them, "Come in, let's have a small meeting." The two entered the office and saw that several key persons in charge of the mine were all there, looking very worried. Shao Jing said, "We just fired the first shot of the New Year today, which is a good omen. Why are you all so upset?" Chuan Jie said, "Yes, it's not just for the New Year. Young Marshal Zhang Xueliang announced that the Northeast would submit to the Nanjing National Government. This is a big deal! The Japanese's dream of dominating the Northeast has failed! We should be happy!"

A staff member wearing glasses said: "Manager Pan, Manager Zhu, this is what happened. I just received a call. The Manchuria Railway notified us to reduce the number of cars carrying coal by half." Caleb Whitlock's face immediately darkened and he said: "The evil spirit has come to me again." Shaojing asked: "Can't the Manchuria Railway make some concessions?" The glasses-wearing staff member said: "I asked, and they said that this is a matter for the entire railway network and there is no room for compromise." Caleb Whitlock said: "BullSh!t! They just want to squeeze out the Shanhe Mine." Connor Whitlock said: "We should thank them too! Isn't it better to not cut off all the cars than to cut off the railway of the Shanhe Mine?" Shaojing said: "But the mined coal cannot be transported out, where can we pile it?" Connor Whitlock said: "Then open two more yards." Caleb Whitlock said: "But in the long run, it's not a problem, right?" Connor Whitlock said: "Then reduce the amount of mining." Shaojing said: "In this way, won't the Shanhe Coal Mine shrink day by day?" Caleb Whitlock said: "Dad, we are thriving now!"

Connor Whitlock smiled and said, "You have all seen a big play, right? Which big play has all the excitement at the beginning? It's the same thing with us now. The Japanese want to play a big play with us, and reducing the number of wagons is just a small introduction to the big play!" Shao Jing said, "General Manager, do you think so?" Connor Whitlock said, "How else can we look at it? They cut off our railway just after Shanhe Mine started operation, and wanted to strangle Shanhe Mine to death in one go, but they didn't do it! Now they have changed their tactics again, starting with reducing the number of wagons to play another big play." Caleb Whitlock said, "What kind of big play could it be?" Connor Whitlock said, "I can't think of it now, but I feel that this taste is similar." Shao Jing said, "What should we do now?" Connor Whitlock said, "I think there is no way. We can only hold on like this and see what gongs and drums the Japanese will beat, what roles they will play, and what kind of play they will perform next, and then we will respond."

Wen's mother and Xiu'er were sitting in a rickshaw. Xiu'er was carrying a basket and hesitantly said, "Mom, should I go back?" Wen's mother said, "Xiu'er, you have said this several times on the way. Are you still unhappy with Yilang?" Xiu'er hurriedly said, "Mom, I didn't say that." Wen's mother said, "Then why?" Xiu'er said, "I was thinking, don't I have some work to do at home?" Wen's mother said, "No matter how much work there is, you are not needed today. Look, we are already here."