Explore Chapter 31 of 'Moment in Peking' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
The ancient city of Beijing had finally fallen. On July 28th, Japanese troops marched into this venerable imperial capital. Panic seized the city's residents. Both the Yao and Zeng families faced a life-and-death decision. Mulan, gazing upon the city where she had lived for so many years, felt a profound mixture of grief, fury, and helplessness. She understood that an old era had drawn to a close, and a new one would be born in blood and fire.
When Sunya returned home in haste, his face was etched with gravity. He told Mulan that the Japanese had seized control of the entire city, many shops had been sealed, and the streets were teeming with Japanese soldiers. Mulan asked, "What should we do?" Sunya shook his head and replied, "For now, we can only stay home and wait to see how things develop."
Mulan's father, Yao Si'an, though advanced in years, remained composed. He gathered the family and declared his decision: they would leave Beijing and head south. He said, "This city no longer belongs to us. The Yao family has been in business for generations, but now that the nation is in peril, we cannot stay here and become slaves to the invaders." Hearing her father's words, Mulan felt both sorrow and a surge of inspiration. She knew that this departure might be a final farewell.