Sparks Between White Mountains and Black Waters

The first chapter of "Sparks Between White Mountains and Black Waters" "September Alarm" focuses on Shenyang City on the night of September 18, 1931. Zhao Zhensheng, a 17-year-old student from the High School Affiliated to Northeastern University, was actively discussing boycotting Japanese goods with his classmates in the evening. After returning home, he was waiting to reunite with his father who was guarding Beida Camp, but his peace was shattered by the sudden sound of artillery fire from the direction of Beida Camp. News of the Japanese raid broke and the Northeastern Army was ordered to retreat. My father sent orderlies to rush his wife and children to flee to the suburbs for refuge. Before escaping, Zhao Zhensheng witnessed the violence committed by Japanese troops on the streets and the Japanese expatriates who were his neighbors being picked up in advance. Then he recalled the illusion of "China-Japan friendship" during the day, and the illusion of peace in the young man's heart completely collapsed. He held on to his father's instructions to "keep the home", put away his unfinished essay certificate, and helped his mother evacuate amidst the gunfire and cries. That night, the firelight of Shenyang City reflected his awakening from an ignorant student to facing the national crisis, and also laid the first spark of the fourteen-year struggle.