Chapter 151 He Yuzhu Transports Steel Back Home
He Yuzhu waited at the border post in Manzhouli for more than half a month.
The batch of steel transported from the Russian steel mill finally arrived at the station.
It was during this wait that He Yuzhu truly witnessed the formidable productivity of the Maoxiong Steel Plant.
He secretly pondered to himself that if this amount of steel were produced and distributed domestically...
I don't know how many days and nights it will take to gather them all and ship them out.
The entire 500 tons of steel were transported in a single truck trip.
This batch of steel only occupied half of the space in the train car.
The remaining carriages were still empty, but could hold a lot more goods.
After completing all the handover procedures with the personnel on the Russian side.
International freight trucks parked in Manzhouli were immediately replaced by domestic locomotives.
Immediately afterwards, the entire freight train was taken over by military personnel.
This was because the batch of steel that He Yuzhu was escorting, along with other military steel on the vehicle, was being transported.
All supplies must be urgently transported to Andong to ensure the needs of the front lines are met.
He Yuzhu had something on his mind: he wanted to go to Andong to find out the exact whereabouts of the 6th Army.
So he took out his discharge certificate from his bag.
They proactively approached the company commander leading the escort team and discussed matters related to accompanying the group.
The company commander took He Yuzhu's discharge certificate and carefully looked through it.
He immediately straightened up and gave He Yuzhu a solemn military salute.
"Hello, Deputy Battalion Commander He!"
The company commander had long been familiar with the name of the 27th Army.
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir earned this unit a renowned reputation throughout the entire army.
In particular, He Yuzhu's division participated in the Shuimenqiao blocking battle.
It was even featured in military newspapers and widely circulated.
However, the military report only recorded the unit's achievements and did not specify the names of the specific participants.
"No need to salute, I've already left the military."
"You can call me Comrade He or Section Chief He now."
He Yuzhu raised his hand in a gesture of support and said in a calm tone.
"You are a hero who came from the Korean Peninsula battlefield, and you deserve our respect."
The company commander spoke firmly, still addressing him as "Battalion Commander He."
Which unit do you belong to?
He Yuzhu looked at the company commander and asked him about his affiliation.
"Reporting to Deputy Battalion Commander He, we belong to the Northeast Logistics Force."
"Dedicated to protecting trucks transporting supplies and ensuring their safe delivery."
The company commander maintained the rigor of a soldier throughout, reporting word by word.
Seeing that the company commander insisted on not changing his form of address, He Yuzhu did not press the matter further.
"Can I come with this train to Andong?"
He Yuzhu stated his core demands.
"Of course, you are the person responsible for receiving this batch of steel."
"Your presence in the vehicle is entirely in accordance with regulations and there are no issues whatsoever."
Without the slightest hesitation, the company commander immediately agreed.
"Okay, then I'll ask one more question: will there be any dangers along the way?"
He Yuzhu's expression turned slightly serious, and he became more cautious.
"Under normal circumstances, there is no danger; there are controls along the way."
"But we can't rule out the possibility of encountering some clueless individuals who cause trouble."
The company commander answered truthfully, without concealing anything.
"May I be equipped with a gun, just in case?"
He Yuzhu's eyes were calm as he made a request to be provided with a gun.
Upon hearing this, the company commander looked troubled and did not dare to make a decision on his own.
"This... I need to consult my superiors immediately."
"I need to temporarily take your documents for record-keeping."
"No problem, just take it and get it done."
He Yuzhu readily nodded and handed the documents to the company commander.
The company commander, holding his identification, strode to the communications office and dialed his superior's number.
A few minutes later, the company commander hung up the phone and returned.
The way he looked at He Yuzhu had completely changed.
His eyes were filled with intense respect and undisguised admiration.
The man before me is a true combat hero.
The superiors not only approved He Yuzhu's request to be armed.
He also specifically instructed that if any emergency occurred during the journey...
All the soldiers on the train obeyed He Yuzhu's command.
The company commander had vaguely learned about He Yuzhu's achievements over the phone.
He not only participated in the fierce battle of Shuimen Bridge, but also personally experienced the Battle of Shangganling.
These were all the toughest and most dangerous battles on the battlefield.
Such outstanding combat skills are far beyond what their logistics and escort units can match.
Of course, the company commander also knew that the soldiers from the Fourth Field Army were no less capable in combat.
"Deputy Battalion Commander He, your superiors have approved your issuance of a rifle."
The company commander strode up to He Yuzhu and said respectfully.
"What kind of firearms would you like to equip?"
What kind of equipment do you have here?
He Yuzhu did not answer directly, but asked a question in return.
"Our escort this time is equipped entirely with standard Russian equipment."
The company commander immediately responded truthfully.
"Then equip me with a Mosin-Nagant rifle."
He Yuzhu pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Also, are you equipped with a handgun?"
"We have a Tokarev TT-30/33 pistol, would that be suitable?"
The company commander quickly reported the pistol model.
"Okay, these two will do."
He Yuzhu nodded in agreement.
"I've provided you with the highest standard of ammunition, is that alright?"
The company commander took the initiative to inquire, wanting to ensure that ammunition was adequately stocked.
"No problem, go ahead and get it."
He Yuzhu did not refuse at all.
"Okay, by the way, if I may take a moment, I haven't had a chance to ask you anything yet."
"Company Commander, what's your name?"
He Yuzhu looked at the other person and asked in a calm tone.
The company commander immediately put his feet together and stood at attention with a straight posture.
"Reporting to Deputy Battalion Commander He, my name is Chai Xiaohu!"
"Please rest, Company Commander Chai."
Looking at his perfect military salute, He Yuzhu felt a sense of nostalgia, as if he were back in the army.
"yes!"
Chai Xiaohu answered loudly and dropped from his standing-at-attention posture.
"When will our train depart?"
He Yuzhu looked at the train in the distance and asked about the itinerary.
"Reporting to Deputy Battalion Commander He, we will depart on time tonight."
Chai Xiaohu responded immediately.
"Okay, now take me to get my gun."
He Yuzhu said no more and went straight to the point.
"yes!"
Chai Xiaohu responded and turned to lead the way to the weapons storage point.
It wasn't until 11 p.m. that the train, fully loaded with steel, slowly started moving.
The locomotive emitted a deep rumble as it headed toward Andong.
Most of the escorting soldiers rested in a sealed freight car.
Soldiers were also positioned on the roof of each freight car, holding onto the railings to guard the surroundings.
He Yuzhu followed Chai Xiaohu into the freight car.
Chai Xiaohu was thoughtful and specially found a well-fitting military uniform for He Yuzhu.
They also provided He Yuzhu with all the necessary supplies, including military water bottles and food bags.
However, this military uniform did not have a cap badge or collar insignia.
The soldiers in the carriage were filled with doubt as they looked at He Yuzhu, who had suddenly appeared.
Everyone was secretly observing, unsure of the young man's identity.
Chai Xiaohu noticed the confusion among the crowd and walked to the middle of the carriage.
He briefly explained He Yuzhu's status as a combat hero to the soldiers.
After hearing Chai Xiaohu's words, the way all the soldiers looked at He Yuzhu changed instantly.
All doubts vanished, leaving only deep respect and admiration.
He Yuzhu was already used to this.
He knew perfectly well that the military had always revered the strong, and this was an age-old truth.
Only heroes who fight valiantly can earn the respect of all soldiers.
The straight-line distance from Manzhouli to Andong is not far.
The train was fully loaded with thousands of tons of steel, which was extremely heavy.
In addition, the road conditions along the way are complicated, and the railway tracks are not flat.
The train was moving very slowly, making the journey very long.
When the train reached the border area between Heilongjiang Province and Jilin Province.
He Yuzhu was dozing off against the carriage.
Suddenly, I was jolted awake by the sound of gunfire coming from outside the carriage.
He opened his eyes instantly, his gaze sharp, and immediately realized the train had stopped.
Outside the train carriage, the chaotic gunfire grew increasingly intense.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Snapped!"
"Snapped!"
Gunshots of various kinds rang out, breaking the silence of the night.
He Yuzhu opened his eyes and saw that the soldiers around him were all in action.
Everyone quickly climbed out of the sealed freight car.
This boxcar was specially modified, with handrails and climbing ladders installed on the outside.
Soldiers could use ladders to access the front and rear carriages, or climb directly onto the roof.
"What's going on? What happened outside?"
He Yuzhu reached out and grabbed a soldier next to him, asking urgently.
"Sir... there's a group of people outside trying to steal the goods from the truck!"
The soldier looked nervous and answered respectfully.
"Robbing? Do you think they can even move all this steel?"
He Yuzhu frowned, looking puzzled, and asked in return.
"I...I don't know either, they just rushed towards the train!"
The soldier shook his head, his tone full of confusion.
"Where is your company commander? Where is he?"
He Yuzhu continued to press for answers.
"The company commander has gone to the locomotive to check the situation!"
The soldier responded immediately.
"Alright, go ahead, but be careful."
He Yuzhu released the soldier's hand.
"Yes, sir!"
The soldier responded loudly and quickly climbed out of the carriage.
He Yuzhu walked to the carriage door and looked outside.
The sky was pitch black, and the thick darkness obscured all vision.
"Stealing steel? Are these guys crazy, or are they just stupid?"
"The steel is so heavy, even if they were to dismantle it, they simply couldn't move it."
He Yuzhu stood at the door, puzzled and unable to understand the other party's intentions.
Just then, a loud "boom" was heard.
A loud explosion came from the direction of the locomotive.
The explosion was deafening, and flames shot into the sky in an instant.
"Damn it, this isn't just a simple robbery or pickpocketing!"
He Yuzhu's eyes darkened, and he suddenly realized.
This group is here to cause trouble; they want to blow up the train and intercept the steel shipment!
Having figured this out, He Yuzhu no longer hesitated.
He quickly slung the Mosin-Nagant rifle over his shoulder and secured the ammunition belt tightly to his body.
He fastened his Tokarev pistol to his waist with swift and skillful movements.
After doing all this, he quickly walked to the carriage door.
Looking around, he couldn't see any trace of the enemy because it was too dark.
He followed behind a soldier and nimbly climbed onto the top of the carriage.
After regaining his footing, he lowered his body and ran quickly across the roof of the carriage.
When he encountered adjacent carriages, he simply leaped across them with ease.
He jumped directly through the covered carriages.
For the uncovered carriage, he clung to the side walls with his bare hands and moved forward quickly.
The soldiers on guard at the top of the carriage were all dumbfounded when they saw He Yuzhu's actions.
They are highly trained and spend most of their time on trains.
However, they dared not jump and climb so boldly on the bumpy train.
A slight misstep could result in falling off the train and causing a major disaster.
But He Yuzhu's movements were as steady as Mount Tai and as fluid as flowing water.
It fully demonstrates the formidable skills and mental fortitude gained from years of battlefield experience.
The soldiers were secretly amazed; this was the strength of a combat hero.
Ignoring everyone's gaze, He Yuzhu rushed to the locomotive at top speed.
At this point, the fighting near the locomotive had become extremely intense.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The sound of rifle fire continued incessantly.
"Da da da!"
The sound of machine gun fire was piercing and rapid.
"Rat-a-tat-tat!"
The sounds of various firearms mingled together.
Upon closer inspection, He Yuzhu realized that there had already been casualties on our side.
Several soldiers collapsed to the side, and medics were urgently bandaging and treating them.
Chai Xiaohu was standing at the front of the vehicle, calmly directing the machine gun team to counterattack.
The machine guns on the train and the enemy's machine guns below were firing at each other fiercely.
Chai Xiaohu was concentrating on giving instructions when he suddenly heard footsteps behind him.
He turned around and saw that it was He Yuzhu, his face full of surprise.
"Deputy Battalion Commander He, what brings you here? It's too dangerous here!"
Chai Xiaohu quickly spoke up.
"I came to check the situation and lend a hand in holding off the enemy."
He Yuzhu spoke calmly, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield.
"What is our casualty situation?"
"The enemy's close-range shooting is extremely accurate, and our machine gunners have been replaced."
Chai Xiaohu's expression was serious as he quickly responded.
"Any enemy that approached the train was eliminated by us."
"All our men were on the vehicle, and the enemy was everywhere below it."
"If you want to help, find your own fighter jet and don't worry about anyone else."
Chai Xiaohu was unsure of He Yuzhu's actual combat abilities, so he could only let him improvise.
"Okay, you continue giving instructions, don't worry about me."
He Yuzhu nodded, and as he spoke, he took the rifle off his back.
He thought to himself that this group of people looked like bandits.
Such accurate marksmanship at close range is something that ordinary bandits cannot possess.
There must be more to this story than meets the eye.
He Yuzhu quickly lay down on the roof of the carriage, his movements were standard and skillful.
He quickly chambered a bullet and scanned the enemy firing positions under the vehicle through the crosshairs.
He quickly locked onto an enemy machine gun that was firing wildly.
Hold your breath, aim steadily, and gently pull the trigger with your finger.
"Bang!"
A crisp gunshot rang out, shattering the chaos of the battlefield.
The next second, the machine gun under the vehicle went silent.
He Yuzhu felt the recoil of the rifle and nodded to himself.
This gun is highly accurate and very easy to use.
After confirming that the firearm was correct, He Yuzhu no longer hesitated.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
He pulled the trigger repeatedly, emptying the magazine in one go.
Every bullet hits the target precisely.
The machine guns under the vehicle ceased firing one after another.
He Yuzhu quickly changed the magazine and reloaded.
Chai Xiaohu, who was standing nearby, witnessed this scene and was completely stunned.
His gaze toward He Yuzhu was filled with disbelief and shock.
With perfect accuracy and deadly accuracy, such marksmanship is truly terrifying.
"Alright, get on with your troops and don't worry about me."
He Yuzhu didn't even look up, and said in a deep voice.
"You...I...are okay!"
Chai Xiaohu snapped out of his daze and became so excited that he stammered.
He quickly turned around and continued to focus on directing the soldiers to counterattack.
Just then, a soldier came running quickly from the back of the train.
"Company commander! Something terrible has happened! A large number of enemy reinforcements have arrived at our rear!"
The soldier looked flustered and reported loudly.
Chai Xiaohu's expression changed drastically. He was attacked from both sides, and the situation instantly became dangerous.
"You go to the rear to take command, I'll hold the line at the front."
After loading the bullets, He Yuzhu spoke in a deep voice.
"Deputy Battalion Commander He, I'm entrusting the rest of the way to you!"
Chai Xiaohu's eyes were firm, and his tone was solemn.
"The locomotive absolutely cannot have an accident; this train carries a thousand tons of steel!"
"This batch of supplies is crucial to the overall situation; we absolutely cannot afford any mistakes!"
"I know, I guarantee the locomotive will not have any problems."
He Yuzhu's tone was firm and resolute.
"Alright! I'll go to the rear. Machine gun team, send one squad with me!"
Without further hesitation, Chai Xiaohu gave the order loudly.
"yes!"
The two machine gunners immediately raised their machine guns and followed Chai Xiaohu as he ran to the rear.
After Chai Xiaohu left, the enemy launched another attack.
The new enemy machine guns began firing wildly at the train again.
Strangely, none of the machine guns could empty a single magazine.
As soon as the machine gun fires, He Yuzhu will accurately kill him in the next second.
The enemy under the vehicle saw their firing positions being destroyed one after another.
They started to approach the train in droves, frantically groping their way towards it.
He Yuzhu glanced around and saw that there were at least a hundred enemies.
In the darkness, the enemy's rough roars could still be heard.
"Quick! Quick! Charge up there!"
"This is your chance to get promoted and make a fortune! Everyone, give it your all!"
"Anyone who dares to back down, I'll shoot them on the spot!"
Shouts rose and fell, filled with arrogance and domineering attitude.
"Do you have cannons?"
He Yuzhu shouted loudly to the soldiers beside him.
"Sir, we have no heavy artillery!"
A soldier responded immediately.
"We only have grenade launchers, do you think that will work?"
"Okay, give me the grenade launcher right now!"
He Yuzhu gave the order loudly.
"Why didn't you use grenade launchers to retaliate just now?"
Looking at the chaotic battle, He Yuzhu asked in confusion.
"We've tried it, but our soldiers weren't accurate enough; they couldn't hit the enemy at all!"
The soldier looked annoyed and spoke with a guilty tone.
"Bring me the grenade launchers and all the grenades!"
He Yuzhu said in a deep voice.
"yes!"
Without hesitation, the soldier immediately handed over the grenade launcher and grenades.
He Yuzhu took the grenade launcher and quickly inspected it.
He precisely adjusted the firing angle based on the enemy's distance.
Their movements were skillful and professional, demonstrating the qualities of a seasoned battlefield veteran.
After making adjustments, he loaded the grenade and fired decisively.
"Thump!"
The grenade traced an arc and landed precisely where the enemy was clustered.
A violent explosion rang out instantly, accompanied by the enemy's miserable cries.
"what……"
The machine gunner on the roof, using the flash of the explosion, immediately fired precise bursts.
"Da da da!"
He Yuzhu continued working, reloading the grenade and firing it quickly.
"Thump!"
"Boom!"
Another wave of enemies was scattered and fled by the grenades.
"what……"
The enemy under the vehicle was utterly terrified.
A minor leader ran up to the bandit leader and said, trembling.
"Boss, the enemy's artillery is too accurate; we can't possibly win!"
"If we keep fighting, all the brothers will be finished. Let's retreat!"
Upon hearing this, the bandit leader was instantly enraged.
He pulled out a pistol from his waist and fired several shots into the air.
"Clap clap clap!"
The gunshots deterred the bandits who wanted to retreat.
"Fuck you, I'm the regimental commander now!"
"Whether I can become a brigade commander or not depends entirely on this!"
"Charge forward! Anyone who retreats will be killed without mercy!"
The leader's face was contorted with rage as he roared fiercely.
The bandits were intimidated and had no choice but to grit their teeth and charge forward again.
He Yuzhu, with his sharp ears, clearly caught this scene.
His eyes turned cold, and he thought to himself, "The one firing a shot into the air to supervise the battle must be the enemy leader."
This is an excellent core objective that must not be overlooked.
He immediately adjusted the angle of the grenade launcher and aimed it at the spot where he had just fired.
He decisively loaded the grenades and fired them directly.
"Thump!"
The grenade landed precisely and exploded next to the bandit leader.
The violent explosion instantly engulfed the leader.
"The boss is dead! The boss has been beaten to death!"
The bandits nearby were terrified at the sight and cried out in alarm.
"Get out of here! Get out of here right now!"
The shouts instantly echoed across the enemy lines.
The bandits, who had only made it halfway through their charge, instantly lost their morale and scattered in all directions.
They had lost all will to fight and were only concerned with escaping.
The machine gun at the locomotive immediately seized the opportunity and opened fire with all its might.
"Da da da!"
"Da da da!"
Bullets rained down on the fleeing enemy.
He Yuzhu put down the grenade launcher and picked up the rifle again.
The enemy was too scattered in their escape, and using grenade launchers would be too wasteful of ammunition.
He held his breath, aimed at the fleeing enemy, and fired with precision.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
With each gunshot, an enemy fell to the ground.
He was like a calm sniper, picking off each target one by one, never missing a shot.
The enemy ahead was quickly and completely driven back.
The enemies behind the train were also defeated by Chai Xiaohu and his men, and fled in disarray.
A fierce battle of attrition quickly came to an end.
He Yuzhu only slowly got up after the enemy had completely disappeared.
He even felt a little unsatisfied; he hadn't had enough of a battle of this scale.
After dealing with the war situation in the rear, Chai Xiaohu quickly arrived at the locomotive.
After learning about the battle from the soldiers around him, he was deeply moved.
He walked quickly to He Yuzhu and stopped.
He solemnly saluted He Yuzhu with a standard military salute.
"Deputy Battalion Commander He, thank you!"
Chai Xiaohu's tone was full of gratitude and admiration.
"If it weren't for you, we would have had a very difficult time completing this escort mission."
"I never imagined that you were not only a superb marksman, but also so accurate with a grenade launcher."
"It's all part of my job, no need to be so polite."
He Yuzhu gently raised his hand and returned the salute.
"Have you found out who these people under the car are?"
He Yuzhu asked in a serious tone.
"They must be the bearded men from outside the pass, the bandits who have taken up residence in this area."
Chai Xiaohu's face was gloomy as he responded.
"I just don't know who they were bribed to dare to intercept the military train."
"The railway has been bombed. What should be done next?"
He Yuzhu looked at the damaged railway tracks and asked a question.
"We are equipped with military radios; I'll contact my superiors right away."
Chai Xiaohu immediately said.
"Request that higher authorities dispatch professional personnel to repair the railway."
"Okay, go and make the arrangements."
He Yuzhu nodded.
Chai Xiaohu turned around and went to the communications office to send a telegram.
The soldiers near the locomotive gathered around.
The way everyone looked at He Yuzhu was full of admiration and respect.
"Commander, did you really participate in the Battle of Shuimen Bridge and the Battle of Shangganling?"
A young soldier mustered his courage and asked.
"Yes, I've participated in all of them."
He Yuzhu nodded slightly and responded in a calm tone.
"Sir, could you tell us some stories from the battlefield?"
The soldiers looked on expectantly and began to plead.
"Okay, I can tell you."
He Yuzhu looked at the young soldier in front of him and spoke slowly.
"But remember, listen attentively while remaining at your posts."
"We must not let our guard down and must prevent the enemy from returning."
"Yes, sir! I guarantee I will complete the guard duty!"
All the soldiers responded in unison, their voices loud and clear.
Immediately afterwards, He Yuzhu stood on the carriage and slowly recounted his battlefield experiences.
He spoke of the extreme cold of Changjin Lake and the fierce battles fought by the soldiers.
It tells the story of the desperate resistance at Shuimen Bridge and the unwavering defense of Shangganling.
He spoke with meticulous detail, without the slightest exaggeration, yet every word resonated deeply.
The soldiers were deeply moved, their eyes reddened, and they were filled with admiration.
"That's exactly how you should beat those ************** imperialists! It's so satisfying!"
A soldier clenched his fist and shouted excitedly.
"Our soldiers have suffered so much on the battlefield; it's been so tough for them!"
"Yes! We should strike the enemy hard! I can't wait to get to the Korean Peninsula battlefield!"
The soldiers were in high spirits and began to speak one after another.
Immediately afterwards, everyone shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the night sky.
"Down with imperialism!"
After sending the telegram, Chai Xiaohu quickly returned.
He listened to He Yuzhu's stories of the battlefield and felt a deep sense of regret.
As soon as He Yuzhu finished speaking, Chai Xiaohu immediately stepped forward.
"Deputy Battalion Commander He, after this escort mission is completed..."
"Could you give our entire company a complete account of your battlefield experience?"
Chai Xiaohu asked earnestly, full of anticipation.
Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu did not respond immediately.
"Sir, please tell us, we'd love to hear it!"
"Yes, sir, we'd like to hear your stories from the battlefield!"
The soldiers echoed their sentiments and made the same request in unison.
"Okay, I'll tell everyone when we get to Andong."
Looking at the expectant eyes of everyone, He Yuzhu finally couldn't bear to refuse.
Then, Chai Xiaohu pulled He Yuzhu to a secluded spot.
He lowered his voice and spoke solemnly.
"Deputy Battalion Commander He, I have reported the situation of this battle truthfully."
"Those fleeing bearded men have been ordered to be rounded up and wiped out by the higher-ups; they can't escape."
"Furthermore, I will truthfully report your great contribution to my superiors."
"There's no need to report my contributions; it was all just a small favor."
He Yuzhu waved his hand lightly and said calmly.
"No, this is an honor you deserve; it must be reported!"
Chai Xiaohu remained firm and showed no sign of backing down.
"Alright, whatever you say."
Seeing that he was determined, He Yuzhu stopped refusing.
"By the way, Company Commander Chai, your company needs to strengthen its combat training in the future."
He Yuzhu looked at him and gave him earnest advice.
"Yes! We didn't have the chance to go to the Korean Peninsula battlefield; this is the first time we've encountered a large-scale attack."
Chai Xiaohu looked guilty and said in a self-reproachful tone.
"The soldiers were indeed somewhat lax and lacked combat capabilities. I have let the unit down."
"Shame inspires courage; once you recognize your shortcomings, do your best to make up for them."
He Yuzhu patted Chai Xiaohu on the shoulder and said in a deep voice.
"Yes, sir! We will resolutely remember Deputy Battalion Commander He's teachings!"
Chai Xiaohu immediately straightened up and answered loudly.
Before long, the railway repair team quickly arrived at the scene.
They came from the direction of Andong, a locomotive pulling a tool carriage.
The repair crew that came down numbered about a platoon.
He Yuzhu watched their upright strides and efficient movements.
It was immediately obvious that these people were all veterans.
Upon arrival, the repair team immediately began work, with clear division of labor and excellent teamwork.
The damaged railway tracks were repaired as quickly as possible.
After the railway was repaired, the repair crew did not return immediately.
Instead, they attached the locomotive they brought to the very front of the train.
The dual locomotive traction greatly increases the train's speed.
After resting, the train started again and headed smoothly towards Andong.
Not long after, the train arrived smoothly at Andong Station.
He Yuzhu got off the vehicle first and cooperated with the relevant units to complete the steel handover procedures.
Verification of quantity, inspection of quality, and signature confirmation are all carried out meticulously.
After the handover was completed, He Yuzhu fulfilled his promise.
He arrived at the rest camp of the escorting soldiers and gave the entire company a complete account of his experiences on the Korean Peninsula battlefield.
The soldiers listened with tears in their eyes, and applause and shouts rose and fell.
After the narration ended, all the soldiers lined up neatly and saluted He Yuzhu.
The commotion attracted a large crowd, who all asked He Yuzhu to continue his story.
He Yuzhu politely declined all of their requests.
This area is close to the border battlefield, making the situation unique.
He has already left the military and no longer needs to recount his battlefield exploits here.
Afterwards, He Yuzhu declined Chai Xiaohu and the soldiers' repeated attempts to persuade him to stay.
He handed over all of his rifle, pistol, and remaining ammunition.
He then went alone to the Andong Military Control Commission.
He wanted to find out the exact whereabouts of the 6th Army to fulfill his wish for this trip.
With the assistance of the staff of the Military Control Commission, He Yuzhu received accurate information.
After completing its initial mission, the 6th Army has been redeployed to Tianjin to garrison the city.
Upon hearing the news, He Yuzhu finally felt relieved.
He didn't linger any longer and went to Andong Railway Station to buy a ticket back to Beijing.
With a few simple bags, I boarded the train back home.
When we set off for the border with Russia, it was still the height of summer.
After a long and winding journey, I finally returned to Beijing in late November.
The train slowly pulled into the Beijing Railway Station, and He Yuzhu stepped off the train.
The chilly autumn wind brushed against my face.
He walked out of the train station and found a secluded, deserted corner.
After confirming that no one was around, he took out the gifts he had prepared for his family from his personal storage space.
Packed into a thick parcel, full of heartfelt wishes.
He then hailed a tricycle at the station entrance.
We loaded the package onto the car and drove towards the courtyard house.
This time, he had money in his pocket and readily paid the fare.
As I entered the courtyard, I saw several middle-aged women chatting together in the front yard.
When the older women saw He Yuzhu returning with large and small bags, their eyes were filled with complex emotions.
His eyes held apprehension, fear, and an undisguised envy.
They all knew that He Yuzhu had gone on a long trip and must have brought back many good things.
But no one dared to step forward to stop them, much less ask any questions.
A while ago, He Yuzhu gave a report meeting on heroes at the subdistrict office.
Let everyone know that he is a hero who fought bloody battles on the battlefield.
He has a tough personality, and no one dares to provoke him easily.
Furthermore, they were all afraid of being singled out as examples and taken away for ideological education and labor reform.
It's embarrassing and troublesome; nobody wants to get into this mess.
Ignoring everyone's gaze, He Yuzhu carried the package and walked straight into the central courtyard.
As soon as I entered the Intermediate Court, I heard Jia Zhangshi's dissatisfied spitting and cursing behind me.
As Jia Zhangshi watched He Yuzhu's retreating figure, her heart was filled with jealousy.
She spat on the ground and muttered something sarcastic.
"Pshaw, what's so great about it? It's just a long trip, everyone's been on one!"
Hearing this, Yang Ruihua, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but make a joke.
"Hey, old Jia, you've been outside Beijing? Tell me, where did you go?"
Jia Zhangshi was speechless when asked the question, her face turning pale and then red.
"Hmph, why should I tell you, you ignorant fool!"
She rudely threw down a sentence, turned around, and went back to her own house.
"Tch, you've only ever been back to your old village, Zhangjia Village, and you still have the nerve to show off."
Yang Ruihua pursed her lips and muttered under her breath.
When Jia Zhangshi entered the room, Qin Huairu was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) coaxing Banggeng.
Hearing the noise, Qin Huai looked up and asked softly.
"Mom, who came back outside? What were you talking about?"
"Why bother with all that? Who comes back is none of your business."
Madam Jia scolded him irritably.
"Wash all of Bang Geng's dirty clothes and diapers clean in a bit!"
"Okay, Mom."
Qin Huairu lowered her head silently, a hint of grievance flashing in her eyes, and responded softly.
She gently shook the stick in her hand, saying nothing more.
He Yuzhu walked into his house, but the main room and kitchen were empty.
He put down the package in his hand and shouted loudly into the inner room.
"Mother, I'm back!"
As soon as he finished speaking, two surprised voices came from the inner room.
"Zhu Zi's back? Come inside quickly, let your mother see him!"
"My eldest grandson is back! Come inside quickly and let your wife have a good look at him!"
He Yuzhu put down his things and quickly went into the inner room.
The old lady and her mother, Chen Lanxiang, were sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) taking care of their three children.
When Wang Siyu saw He Yuzhu, her eyes were timid, and she called out softly.
"Big pot!"
"Zhu Zi, why did it take you so long to come back? Your colleague got home a long time ago!"
Chen Lanxiang looked at her son and asked with a face full of heartache.
"Mom, there was nothing we could do. We waited for the truck in Manzhouli for more than half a month."
He Yuzhu explained patiently.
"After successfully delivering the steel, I immediately rushed back without wasting a moment."
"Is the weather cold there? Do you like the food? Are the people there easy to get along with?"
Chen Lanxiang looked worried and asked a series of questions.
"Fortunately, it wasn't winter when I went, so I didn't feel cold."
He Yuzhu responded with a smile.
"I'm not used to the food, but I get along with the people there pretty well."
"You, the child just got back, and instead of asking if he's hungry, you're just asking all sorts of questions."
The old lady held He Yuzhu's hand and complained with heartache.
"Zhu Zi, are you hungry? If you are, I'll ask your mother to make you something to eat. Oh dear, my grandson has gotten so thin."
"I'm not hungry, ma'am. I ate something on the train."
He Yuzhu smiled and reassured her.
"Are you going out again this time? You've been gone for several months."
The old lady asked with a face full of reluctance.
"I went out in the summer, and now it's almost winter, and my family is worried about me every day."
"I won't know the follow-up arrangements until I report to my workplace, and I don't know anything about it."
He Yuzhu told the truth.
"What kind of job is this? You're away for months at a time."
The old lady couldn't help but complain, her heart filled with worry.
"Going to such a far place, we're worried sick every day."
"It's alright, madam. We're familiar with the route and the people here now."
He Yuzhu comforted her softly.
"Next time I go, it definitely won't take this long, and I'll be back soon."
"That's good, that's good."
The old lady nodded repeatedly, relieved.
"Are you tired? If you are, go back to your room and rest."
The old lady looked at her son and said with heartache.
"I'm not tired, ma'am. I slept on the train."
He Yuzhu said with a smile.
"Aren't you tired? I heard from your colleague that they took more than ten days by train to get there."
The old lady was still worried and asked another question.
"Madam, my last trip back was by train from Andong. It's a short journey, and I've had plenty of rest."
He Yuzhu explained patiently.
"That's good, that's good."
The old lady was finally completely relieved.
Chen Lanxiang stood aside, her heart filled with longing for her son.
But the old lady beat me to all the questions I wanted to ask.
She could only look at her son with a smile on her face, her eyes full of doting affection.
"Oh, by the way, I brought gifts for all of you this time I went out."
He Yuzhu looked at his mother and wife and said with a smile.
"You silly child, why buy a gift for your business trip? We have everything in Beijing."
Although Chen Lanxiang scolded him verbally, her heart was filled with warmth.
"Zhu Zi was thinking of us; that's why he brought these specially since they're hard to buy in Beijing."
The old lady immediately shielded He Yuzhu and said with a smile.
"I'll go get the things and bring them in so you can see them."
As He Yuzhu spoke, he turned and walked out of the inner room.
He went into the main room and carried in two bulging backpacks.
"Oh my, child, how much stuff did you buy!"
The old lady was stunned when she saw the two large backpacks.
"Exactly, all you do is waste money. You're not young anymore, you should start saving up to get married."
Chen Lanxiang followed up, her face full of helplessness.
"Mom, I'm only 18. The government stipulates that you can only get married at 20."
He Yuzhu retorted with a smile.
"That's less than two years left. Don't waste money like that next time."
Chen Lanxiang glared at him, but she knew that once something was bought, it couldn't be returned.
"Okay, I understand. These things will last a long time, so I won't buy them next time."
He Yuzhu quickly replied.
"Since you've bought it, let Zhu Zi bring it out so we can see it."
The old lady said to Chen Lanxiang with a smile.
"Hmph, I'd like to see what you've bought."
Chen Lanxiang said, feigning anger.
"Hehe, you two take a good look."
He Yuzhu smiled, opened his backpack, and began taking things out.
"This is a leather hat, it's warm to wear in winter, I bought it especially for my wife."
"These are knee pads and a fur vest, which the old lady wears in winter to protect herself."
"These are silk scarves and woolen shawls for Mom; they're stylish and warm."
"This is a thick overcoat for Dad. It's made of thick material and is windproof and warm."
"These are new clothes for Rain, including a skirt."
He Yuzhu carefully explained as he took the items.
Chen Lanxiang and the old lady were saying that he was wasting money.
Holding the gift in his hand, his face was full of smiles and joy.
Soon, the kang (a heated brick bed) was covered with all kinds of clothes and items, a dazzling array.
Wang Siyu sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), her eyes fixed on the doll on it.
Her eyes were bright and sparkling, but she sensibly didn't ask for anything.
She just stared at He Yuzhu with longing eyes, full of anticipation.
"Siyu, come here to your older brother."
He Yuzhu picked up the doll and waved to the little girl.
"Big pot!"
Wang Siyu used both hands and feet to quickly crawl over.
"This doll was bought especially for you."
He Yuzhu smiled and handed the doll to the little girl.
"Really? Thank you, brother!"
Wang Siyu hugged the doll tightly, a bright smile spreading across her face.
After thinking for a moment, the little girl stood up and walked up to He Yuzhu.
"Big brother, hug me."
"Okay, okay, big brother, hug me."
He Yuzhu bent down and picked up the little girl in his arms.
You should know that Wang Siyu is usually most afraid of He Yuzhu and always sticks to He Yushui.
The fact that she's now actively asking for a hug shows that she's truly overjoyed.
Two little ones, He Yuxin and He Yuchen, were sitting by the kang (a heated brick bed).
Following Wang Siyu's example, she stood up unsteadily and walked towards He Yuzhu.
He hadn't taken more than two steps when he plopped down on the kang (a heated brick bed) and crawled forward using both his hands and feet.
He mumbled incoherently, "Pot, pot!"
The two children did not recognize He Yuzhu.
He just followed Wang Siyu around every day, imitating how she greeted people.
The two little ones had only climbed halfway when Chen Lanxiang carried them back.
The children kicked and struggled in my arms, still calling out, "Pot, pot!"
"Xiao Xin and Xiao Yu can call me 'brother' now?"
He Yuzhu looked at his two younger brothers and asked with a smile.
"You're one to talk. If you had come back a few days later, these two kids would have been running all over the place."
Chen Lanxiang said irritably.
"This word 'brother' was taught to me by Xu Damao teasing me every day, and I still can't pronounce it clearly."
"Hehe, it's a business trip, so I have to get things done."
He Yuzhu said with a smile.
"You're so righteous. By the way, Xiaoman, your Aunt Ping, and Aunt Xia, did you buy them?"
Chen Lanxiang suddenly remembered and quickly asked.
"I bought it all, including silk scarves and shawls."
He Yuzhu pointed to the clothes on the kang (a heated brick bed) and said.
"Grain Buds and Rain Water, as well as Lenin suits and dresses."
"You didn't even ask about the size, so will the clothes you bought fit?"
Chen Lanxiang picked up the dress and asked with a worried expression.
"It's too cold to wear this dress now."
"If I can't wear them, I'll save them for next summer. Rainwater sizes are big, so I can wear them for two more years."
He Yuzhu explained with a smile.
"I bought the size based on my guess for Xiaoman (the 6th of the lunar calendar), it should be about right."
"You silly child, Xiaoman will definitely be thinking about this dress every day now that I bought it."
Chen Lanxiang said helplessly.
"But the style is really nice. Should I keep it for now and give it to her next year?"
"I'll do whatever you say. You can arrange it however you like."
He Yuzhu readily agreed.
As the dress unfolded, Wang Siyu's gaze was once again drawn to it.
"Siyu is still young. When you grow up, your older brother will buy you one too."
He Yuzhu looked at the little girl and said with a smile.
"Okay, thank you, brother."
Wang Siyu nodded obediently, reluctantly looking away.
A short while later, He Yuzhu took out another toy.
The little girl immediately put down her doll and moved closer to He Yuzhu.
"Big brother, big brother, what is this?"
Wang Siyu asked curiously, her eyes sparkling.
He Yuxin and He Yuchen also struggled in Chen Lanxiang's arms, crying out, "Yes, yes!"
Chen Lanxiang held her two children tightly, not daring to let go.
She was afraid that her child would crawl over and break the toys, and even more afraid that her child would bite the metal toys and hurt their teeth.
"This is a train, and there are tracks. My brother took this train on his trip this time."
He Yuzhu held up a toy train and patiently explained.
"Really? So this is what a train looks like. But it's so small, can people even sit in it?"
Wang Siyu asked with a face full of curiosity.
"Haha, this isn't for people to sit on. The train that Big Brother rides on is a real train, much, much bigger than this."
He Yuzhu was amused by the little girl and said with a smile.
"When you grow up, your big brother will take you on a real train."
"Yay! Yay!"
Wang Siyu clapped her hands happily and cheered.
"Could we bring Sister Xiaoman, Sister Yushui, and our two younger brothers along?"
The little girl thought for a moment and quickly added.
"Bring them all, not one of them will be left out."
He Yuzhu felt a warmth in his heart and said with a smile.
"Pillar, this toy is really exquisite. The items from the Russian bears are much more refined."
The old lady looked at the toy train and couldn't help but sigh.
"Who is this toy for?"
"Put it in the main room so that all the children in the family can take turns playing with it."
He Yuzhu said with a smile.
"You only have this one toy; the kids will definitely fight over it later."
Chen Lanxiang said with a helpless smile.
"You can take turns playing with them, or you can put them away if you really can't."
He Yuzhu said casually.
"Go away, even if you put it away, they'll find it again and show it off."
Chen Lanxiang rolled her eyes at him and said with a smile.
"You just spoil these kids."
"Our family has the means and the ability to buy these things for the child, so naturally we should spoil him."
He Yuzhu said with a smile.
"That's true. My eldest grandson is capable; let others be envious."
The old lady said with a proud look on her face.
"Grandma, you're just spoiling him. These are rare items; if he wears them out, people will be jealous."
Chen Lanxiang said helplessly.
"Let them be jealous. If they're so capable, they can buy it too. We'll never be jealous."
The old lady said nonchalantly, her tone full of pride.