Back to 1978

Chapter 137: Recalling the Militia

When Xie Hushan heard that Yakou wanted him to open a few more kilns, he did not agree. Opening kilns was only a temporary solution and not a fundamental solution. To put it bluntly, after a few years, the red soil for making bricks in Yakou would be mined out, and the brick factory could just replace it with a team that had red soil and continue working there. There would be no need to transport soil here specifically to make bricks.

But at that time, whether for cost reasons or normal human feelings, when hiring workers, you must consider using members of the brigade, otherwise why would they let you use soil.

As for the earthwork work that I had been thinking about before, there was no need to even think about it. It was not the turn of the Yakou Brigade at all, and there was no way.

The reputation of the Yakou Brigade has been ruined by the Liu family, and now they still owe the country money and grain.

It's good enough that the county didn't ask Yakou to pay off the debt. Now it has arranged a one-on-one assistance program. From the county's perspective, this is the most it can do. It is impossible to snatch the assistance policies of other brigades and give them to the Yakou Brigade.

Why is Zhongping Village so domineering and dares to grab any good thing? It is not only because of their bullying, but also because they grow a lot of grain and are confident enough to tell the county leaders with confidence that the country eats the grain they grow.

Old Liu from Yakou Village might have been cruel before, but he only dared to be cruel to the villagers under him and was submissive to the county, because in the eyes of the county leaders, Yakou could only barely make ends meet by relying on state relief.

It’s like Zhongping is a kid with good grades in the class. If he asks the teacher for study materials, the teacher will definitely take it seriously and after some investigation find that it can indeed improve his grades. Even if there are some difficulties, most of them can be solved for Zhongping.

But a kid like Yakou, who always ranks last in the class, would tell the teacher that he would study hard and need learning materials. He has played this trick many times. When the teacher hears him say this, his first reaction is disgust, thinking he is not worthy of trust.

Xie Hushan hesitated for a long time, and finally picked up a pear from the peaches placed in front of the kang table and observed it in his hand.

Xie Hushan has eaten this thing several times at Taozi's house, from winter to now.

It is not easy to eat fresh fruit in winter. This pear matures in September, but after being picked, it can be stored over the winter like persimmons. It is still juicy when eaten in March or April of the following year, just like it was just picked from the tree.

The only problem is that this thing doesn't taste good. Even the children in Xishan don't like to eat this red-skinned wild pear. The fruit is sour and astringent, not very sweet, and there are a lot of residues when you take a bite.

Every household in Yakou would pick a few baskets of pears to visit relatives during the New Year, or hide them until spring to trick their children. When the children were hungry, they would let them eat two pears and fill their stomachs with water.

"I think it would be better for your team to study and sell these pears." Xie Hushan said as he handed the pears in his hand to Lao Jiang.

There are many wild pear trees on the mountains near the cliff. In autumn, they are full of pears with red and yellow skin.

Lao Jiang took the pear and smiled awkwardly, thinking that Xie Hushan was just trying to please him, so he nodded repeatedly and said no more.

Their ancestors have all been from Xishan for generations. If this pear was delicious and could be sold for money, they would have sold it long ago. Why would they need Xie Hushan to teach them?
"I'm not kidding. I went to Hong Kong Island a while ago and met a big brother from Yanjing. When we were chatting, he talked about all the delicious local food in Yanjing. He said that in winter, when larger companies in Yanjing distribute fresh fruit to workers, the most common local products are four kinds: Kaba fruit, red pear, mountain red, and Xinlimei."

"Among them, the red gauze pear he mentioned looks very similar to our pears. They also grow on the mountains near Yanjing. Because the skin is slightly reddish, as if covered with a layer of red gauze, they named it the red gauze pear in Yanjing. But I heard him say that it tastes much better than our pears. What do we call it?"

"We don't know what to call it, so let's call this fruit Xishanhong." Lao Jiang said to Xie Hushan:

"The main thing is that it doesn't taste good no matter what you call it, let alone for human consumption. If you pull a cartload of it to sell to other brigades to feed their livestock, they won't buy it when they hear you have to pay for it. They say they're afraid that if you feed too much, the livestock's stomachs will get cold and they won't grow fat anymore."

"Find an agricultural technician who has reliable skills and knows how to cultivate fruit trees at the Lingguanying Commune Agricultural Technology Station. The brigade will send someone with money to invite him to go to Yanjing with your brigade members to do one thing: find out where the red pears that Yanjing people eat grow. Go to the local area to see if the pears there are the same species as ours, and whether there is any way to graft or cultivate them." Xie Hushan said to Lao Jiang:

"If it really is something, then don't be afraid to spend money. Find out how to steal their skills and why the pears on their mountain are delicious. This thing can be kept for a long time. If Yakou can really make it, there will be no shortage of buyers."

Lao Jiang looked at the pear in his hand, then at Xie Hushan, and after making sure that the other party was not joking:

"Third brother, how about I give you the money? You've seen the world and been to Yanjing. You can help..."

"I am Yakou's son-in-law, and my household registration is in Zhongping. I have to help you with this matter. What's the matter? Yakou will reserve a homestead for me, give me a few acres of land, and give me a share of the dividends at the end of the year?" Xie Hushan said to Lao Jiang in a slightly heavier tone:

"Everyone knows that the coachman is capable and has seen the world. Has the coachman seen the world since he was born? Didn't he drive the coach himself, walking hundreds of miles in fear, step by step? You can't rely on others to see the world. If you don't have courage and ideas, you will continue to be poor and hungry."

Lao Jiang lowered his head after being scolded by Xie Hushan and said nothing more. After a long time, he stammered and stood up to say goodbye.

I thought Lao Jiang didn't have much courage, but unexpectedly, Jin Mancang told Xie Hushan the next day that Lao Jiang had invited a master from the agricultural technology station and two driver's drivers who had traveled far away, and the four of them formed a group and actually bought train tickets and went to Yanjing with a lot of luggage.

Xie Hushan stayed in the brick factory for more than a week, but he didn't see the person who tricked Han Hongzhen into supplying coal come again.

Apart from his work at the brick factory, his most important thing every day was to slack off at Taozi's stewed pork stall, and by the way teach Erxi to be magnanimous and give Dahei a way out.

Because ever since Erxi was forced by Dahei by a sneak attack, he has been at the point where he will bite Dahei whenever he sees him.

Moreover, Xie Hushan discovered that Erxi, the stolen dog, was quite powerful. Dahei didn't know if it was because he was too weak due to overwork during this period, but he couldn't beat Erxi.

The first time the two dogs fought head-on, Dahei was knocked over by Erxi's head, and then his thigh was bitten by Erxi. If Xie Hushan and others had not pulled them apart in time, Erxi's big mouth would have bitten off Dahei's leg.

Until now, Dahei still dares not use his injured leg. He limps on three legs to find Xie Hushan every day, and has to be like a thief, on guard against Erxi biting him in case he sees him.

He no longer had the majestic aura he had before, and his pitiful appearance made Xie Hushan feel very distressed.

He wanted to find a foreign wife for Dahei, not find an ancestor for it. Finally, Xie Hushan made up his mind and handed Erxi over to Taozi, asking Taozi to take Erxi to the stall every day and tie him to the stall with a chain.

In fact, he was not on a leash for the first two days. People in rural areas rarely put dogs on leashes.

Moreover, Erxi seems very docile and friendly to people. Even an annoying kid like the fourth child of the Jin family can rub and hug Erxi after getting familiar with him.

Although Erxi was reluctant, he would never scare the child or run away. Instead, he silently endured the bullying of the naughty child and was very patient.

There is only one bad thing about it, other animals are not allowed to appear in its territory. Anyone who dares to appear will be attacked.

After following Taozi to set up the stall for two days, three dogs near the cliff have been bitten. The most serious one had its neck broken by Erxi.

After Dahei was named Liu Jinsuo of Yakou, Erxi was called Xie Hushan among dogs.

After all, Xie Hushan dealt with Liu Jinsuo, and Erxi also bit Dahei.

As long as Erxi saw other dogs appear, he would definitely pounce on them and fight. Unless Taozi took out the soles of the cloth shoes given to her by Xie Hushan and slapped Erxi in the face with them, Erxi would never give in.

At present, Erxi is only afraid of Xie Hushan, or rather, he is afraid of the soles of Xie Hushan's shoes.

Because it was hit in the face by the soles of shoes countless times on the way back to Zhongping by Xie Hushan, which left it with psychological trauma.

Before, Taozi's braised pork stall often attracted cats and dogs from the neighborhood to hang out because of the aroma of meat. But ever since Erxi showed up to accompany Taozi to the stall, not to mention cats and dogs, even the passing coachmen who wanted to eat a bowl of braised pork would subconsciously tie their large animals away from the stall.

Taozi was left with no choice but to tie Erxi next to the stall. Occasionally, when there were not many people around, she would let Sanpang take him for a run.

"Dahei's way of courtship is a bit messed up, and he has too many wives, but he is essentially a good dog..." Xie Hushan sat on a small stool, touching Erxi's head and muttering to himself.

Taozi was frying buns nearby, and would glance at Xie Hushan with a smile from time to time.

If any of Xie Hushan's friends accidentally got a blister while firing the kiln, he would definitely scold the other person for being a good-for-nothing and would never say a word of comfort. But when Dahei was bitten, he was so heartbroken that he came to apologize to Erxi on Dahei's behalf every day, hoping that Erxi would forgive Dahei's previous behavior and give Dahei a chance to live.

"Lao Meng is here." Taozi looked up and forward while working. When she saw Lao Meng and Sanpang'er, each waving a stick, walking slowly towards her, she said to Xie Hushan.

Xie Hushan let out a long sigh and said to Taozi:
"I guess Lao Meng is here to call me. He's probably telling me to go back to Zhongping."

Taozi did not try to persuade him to stay. She just hummed softly while working.
"You've been out for more than a week. It's time to go back and see grandma. Grandma must miss you. I'll be waiting for you..."

Taozi was trying to instruct Xie Hushan in a soft voice, but Xie Hushan interrupted her and said very seriously:
"I'll leave Erxi with you. I won't take him back to Zhongping. I have to take Dahei back with me. I guess Dahei doesn't want to see Erxi again in his life."

Taozi sighed and smiled at Xie Hushan. You say this man has not grown up. He is very capable, but if you say he is mature, he is about to die at this time, and he is thinking about what to do with the dog.

"You, why don't you just become sworn brothers with Dahei?" Taozi thought of this and said to Xie Hushan with a smile:
"The dog in Chief of Staff Han's home is closer to you than to Chief of Staff Han."

At this time, Lao Meng had already walked over, scooped up some cold water and took a big sip, then wiped his mouth and said to Xie Hushan:

"Thank you, Commander. Just now, the commune here sent someone to the brick factory, saying that the team is looking for you. Fourth sister asked you to return to the brick factory as soon as possible."

Xie Hushan nodded to Lao Meng: "Got it, I'll go back now."

Then he walked to Taozi, took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his wife's face, and said:
"Put your things away, put your money away, spend your money however you want, wear your clothes when they are meant to be worn, don't put yourself in a difficult position."

Taozi looked at him without saying anything, and the third brother gave her some money and a bunch of beautiful clothes.
"You have to grow up, big sister. You are as thin as a straw. Han Laoer and his gang of rascals ask me every day if I have rubbed her back. I think to myself, damn, Taozi can't even wear the smallest size underwear I bought for her, what's the point of rubbing her back?" Xie Hushan said to Taozi in a low voice:
"Besides, you are always reluctant to eat and wear. Sooner or later, you will become a yellow-faced woman. If other pretty girls flirt with me at that time, I will run away with them. You are so unlucky. Women, you have to be nice to yourself."

Taozi's face turned a little red. Not only did her third brother bring her back a bunch of beautiful outerwear from Hong Kong Island, but also some women's underwear.

I don’t know how he bought them. What’s even more outrageous is that he, a man, actually taught himself how to wear these underwear.

The Hong Kong police didn't even arrest him as a gangster...

"Did you hear that?" Xie Hushan saw Taozi was silent and asked:
"Eat more and eat better."

"Hey, go quickly, go quickly, and ride slowly on the road." Taozi pushed Xie Hushan out of the stall and said:

"I understand. Say hello to grandma for me. I'll go see her when I'm free."

She watched Xie Hushan and Lao Meng walk away before returning to the stall. Seeing that her sister had a smile on her face and was not sad about her third brother's departure, Sanpang felt that he would not anger his eldest sister at this time, so he poked at Taozi and asked:
"Big sister, what does back rubbing mean? Why do Second Brother Han and the others ask Third Brother if he has his back rubbed every day?"

Then Sanpang saw that the eldest sister's face, which was originally full of smiles, suddenly became scary and horrible just because he asked a question.

"Clap clap clap clap!"

"Are you still asking?" Taozi continued to burn the fire and asked Sanpang. Sanpang hissed and covered his spanked butt with both hands: "No more questions."

When Xie Hushan returned to the brick factory and walked into the office, Han Hongzhen stood up and looked at him and said:

"Just now, Lingguanying Commune sent someone to deliver a letter. Secretary Yang called and told you to go back quickly and go directly to his place. By the way, he also said that only Lao Meng and I will stay here, and three militiamen will stay to watch over the kiln. The rest will have to go back with you."

Xie Hushan was a little surprised to hear Han Hongzhen's words. Yang Limin had been in the county for a few days, probably because he had some news with Jiao Peng and asked him to go back to discuss it. But why did the other militia suddenly withdraw? It was still early for the wheat harvest.

"Didn't they say anything on the phone that required us to go back?" Xie Hushan asked.

Han Hongzhen shook her head: "No."

Xie Hushan scratched his head, but couldn't figure it out. He could only give up thinking about this problem and looked at Han Hongzhen:
“How much money has the brick factory made during this period?”

Han Hongzhen opened the account book and handed it to Xie Hushan: "Including the deposit, there are more than 7,000 yuan now."

"Take five thousand back with me, and leave the rest to the brick factory. As for manpower, select three with the best control of the firing process to stay, and the other eight, pack your luggage and take the brick-carrying truck back." Xie Hushan said to Han Hongzhen.

Han Hongzhen ran out in a hurry, not knowing where she put the money. It took her a long time to hand the money to Xie Hushan:

"What are you going back for?"

"I, your third brother, am going to be a peasant capitalist." Xie Hushan put the money into his backpack and said to Han Hongzhen with a smile:

"Keep an eye on Taozi for me. When you two go to bed together at night, persuade her to eat well and eat something good. Don't save money for me."

"I've tried to persuade her, but it didn't work. Taozi has her own idea now." Han Hongzhen laughed when she heard Xie Hushan asking her to do some ideological work on Taozi.

"That means you didn't try your best. In this way, if you succeed in persuading her, I will also give you two sets of bras as labor protection supplies..." Xie Hushan offered benefits to tempt Han Hongzhen.

None of Taozi's underwear could be worn by her. She tried them on Han Hongzhen and the young widow could wear them. This also allowed Xie Hushan to successfully grasp their approximate sizes.

"You're asking for death! Get lost~" Han Hongzhen kicked Xie Hushan out of the office before he could finish his words:

"Every time I say something serious, I have to say something disgusting."

Xie Hushan hurried back on his bicycle, while the others took Dahei and rode slowly back on a brick-carrying truck.

When I pushed open the door of Yang Liming's office, I saw Old Yang, whom I hadn't seen for more than a week. His face was a little swollen, his eyes were dark circles, and he was drinking hot water from a teacup.

"Did you sacrifice your looks for Zhongping? You look like you've been abused by someone." Xie Hushan pulled out a chair and sat opposite Yang Limin and asked:
"Going to the county for more than a week, how come this looks worse than living in my house for two months? Did your sisters-in-law… accompany you?"

Yang Limin put down the teacup, looked at the energetic Xie Hushan, and said with a smile: "You look quite energetic."

"That's right. I'm not a bad person like you. You rubbed my sister-in-law's back before you got married and made yourself so tired." Xie Hushan picked up the cigarette box on the table and lit it.

Yang Limin took one and held it in his mouth and said:
"What are you thinking about? I drink every meal and vomit several times a day. I feel a bit embarrassed."

"Okay, on behalf of the vast majority of farmers in Zhongping, I sympathize with the leaders' miserable fate of eating lavish meals. Next time you want to eat, take Daxi and the others with you." Xie Hushan used a lighter to light Yang Limin's cigarette, and then turned to the main topic:
"So, did Lao Jiao agree to a promotion?"

"Deputy Director Jiao should be promoted from deputy section chief to full section chief this time, and will become Director Jiao." Yang Limin took a puff of cigarette and said to Xie Hushan:

"Our county's United Front Work Department was established in 1953, abolished in 55, and restored in 64, only to be abolished again. After the Third Plenary Session of the th CPC Central Committee last year, the higher authorities re-issued a document to strengthen the work of the United Front. The county responded to the higher authorities' request and prepared to resume the work of the United Front and re-establish the United Front Work Department. In the near future, the main tasks will be to correct wrong cases, unite non-party democratic figures from all walks of life, and strengthen overseas Chinese affairs. Because Deputy Director Jiao has a history of dealing with Hong Kong compatriots and has made remarkable achievements, the team leader is considering letting him serve as the director. It will probably be within the next half month."

"If you don't do this job well, you'll easily offend people on both sides." Xie Hushan was stunned when he heard that Jiao Peng was going to be transferred to the newly established Bingyang County United Front Work Department as the director.

He really didn't know that the United Front Work Department of Bingyang County had been abolished before this year.

If it were 2024 in his previous life, if Lao Jiao had become the county's United Front Work Department Minister, he would at least have been a member of the county party committee standing committee, an absolute leader of the county's decision-making level. Xie Hushan would have been sincerely happy for him.

But in this day and age, even a farmer like him can see that the work of the United Front Work Department is not easy.

After all, the most difficult part of united front work right now is actually correcting mistakes. If he is not careful, Lao Jiao will easily end up being unpopular with both sides.

"These county leaders are too cunning. Old Jiao relied on his connections in Hong Kong to help the county get 100,000 yuan, but in the end, he was asked to do a job that even old officials might not be able to do well? They didn't want to offend anyone, and just took the opportunity to push Jiao Peng to do this job..." Xie Hushan muttered:

"One hundred thousand yuan, even if it's given to the head of a county supply and marketing company."

Yang Limin smiled and said to Xie Hushan: "You don't have to complain on behalf of Deputy Director Jiao. The organization has already talked to him and he agreed."

"Come on, is Lao Jiao addicted to being a concubine? He gave up his job as the top section chief in a government agency and went to the county party committee compound to be the concubine of a bunch of department-level leaders. Does he like serving his mother-in-law so much?" Xie Hushan said to Yang Liming.

Seeing that Xie Hushan didn't believe it, Yang Limin lowered his voice and whispered:
"As far as I know, the county leader who was in charge of agriculture and animal husbandry and promoted Deputy Director Jiao has returned to his job. Without the 100,000 yuan, I estimate that it would take only a year or so for Deputy Director Jiao to be promoted to Director of the County Animal Husbandry Bureau. This is like icing on the cake, so that he no longer has to stay in the county bureau, and can go directly to the county party committee compound to work under the supervision of that leader under the pretext of uniting overseas Chinese. Otherwise, do you think it is easy for a section chief to enter the county party committee compound? How many people want to be his wife but don't have the chance."

"I understand, I understand." Xie Hushan nodded suddenly.

He understood what Yang Liming said. Jiao Peng's old leader had turned over a new leaf. After that, he took advantage of this incident to transfer Jiao Peng, who had insisted on withstanding the pressure and never let go of his grievances, to his side for an important position and to give him advice at any time.

According to this statement, Jiao Peng's job as a daughter-in-law in the county committee to serve the leaders and their mothers-in-law is indeed more promising than a lucrative job in the county supply and marketing corporation.

After all, this is equivalent to one of the mothers-in-law being Jiao Peng's biological mother. Even if the other mothers-in-law want to set rules for Jiao Peng, a young daughter-in-law, they have to get through Jiao Peng's biological mother first.

Yang Limin picked up a piece of paper beside him and said, "Deputy Director Jiao told the county that Comrade Xie Hushan, a militiaman sent by the County Animal Husbandry Bureau to perform escort missions, saved Mr. Cao Tianbao, a Hong Kong businessman, by chance. His ancestors were from Zhili. So out of attachment to his hometown and gratitude for the help from his fellow villagers, he took out 100,000 yuan and specifically donated it to the Zhongping Production Brigade."

"Why talk about the ozone layer? Anyway, the county will definitely not give the money to Zhongping." Xie Hushan said to Yang Liming with a smile.

"We still have to go through the procedures. Deputy Director Jiao asked me to ask you, Mr. Cao, are you interested in coming to visit your hometown and serving as a vice chairman of our county's Overseas Chinese Federation? Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, our county's Overseas Chinese Federation has not had many overseas Chinese and their families, and the Overseas Chinese Federation is also considered a part of the united front work."

"That depends on how much benefit the county gives to Zhongping."

"That's right. Since Deputy Director Jiao has asked such a question, it means the time has come. That's why I asked you to come back quickly and make your request as soon as possible. Strike while the iron is hot." Yang Limin flicked the ash off his cigarette and looked at Xie Hushan:
"You'd better not let me drink so much for nothing. You're asking for too much. No matter whether you can satisfy me or not, just send it over first. Anyway, you have to bargain slowly. In the end, I'll have to build you a steel mill after you get half of the price down."

"I've already found out. A new domestic steel rolling mill costs 50,000 yuan. We don't want a new one, we want an old one. It's said that the old one sold for 10,000 yuan before. So let the county have a talk with those factories and give our farmers six of the old rolling mills. It's not too much, right? You'll be responsible for cutting half of them, so you have to get back three."

Yang Limin took a pen and wrote it down on a piece of paper, saying, "Go on."

"There must also be matching annealing furnaces and cutting machines, right?"

"Ah."

"Rolling steel requires a gantry crane..."

Yang Limin stopped recording and shook his head. "Stop, I know the price of the crane. A new gantry crane that can carry more than 10 tons costs more than 100,000 yuan. The county factory purchased it that year, and the leaders attended the ceremony. We can't give it to you. You can't ask for so much. There's no way to bargain with others for a gantry crane. No matter how hard you try, the county can't give such a large machine to a team-run factory in Zhongping for free."

"You proposed it first, and if the leader doesn't agree, you can exchange it for two old tractors. That's not too much, right? A good second-hand tractor is only worth more than 2,000 yuan, and the cheapest ones are just over 1,000 yuan."

"Any more?"

"Gone."

"That's all?" Yang Limin looked at Xie Hushan in surprise: "You didn't mention orders or talent."

How can we open a steel rolling mill without processing orders and technical personnel? If the county does not help us get some from other steel mills, I am afraid no one will even understand how to operate a steel rolling mill.

"I want to be the factory director." Xie Hushan looked at Yang Liming and said.

Yang Limin was stunned for a moment: "I know, Secretary Han also agreed. He just said one thing, it's okay to start a sideline factory, and you can be the factory director, but you have to find the workers yourself. We can't let the labor force of our brigade go to the factory to work, which will delay agricultural production."

"It's not that. What I mean is that if I become the factory director and the factory makes money, I will only give 20% of the profit to the brigade and I will take 10% for myself. The remaining 70% can be used to expand production or be distributed to the workers. I have the final say." Xie Hushan said to Yang Liming with a smile.

Yang Limin sighed after hearing this:
"Wait for me here. I'll help you run around, and you can pull the cart from behind and defeat my army."

"I want to contract the earthwork. You persuaded me and I listened to you. Now I'm going to persuade you too. Do you want to listen?" Xie Hushan put out his cigarette and said to Yang Limin:
"If you agree to do it, you have to show courage and withstand the pressure from the commune and Han Laogou. If you don't, I will go back to the brick factory and you can ask Secretary Han to take people to the county to collect the debt."

Yang Limin rubbed his swollen face and asked, "How are you going to deal with the orders and technical talents?"

"Whenever the equipment you begged for from the county arrives, I will definitely bring back technical personnel and orders on the same day."

"When will you change your unwillingness to suffer loss?" Yang Limin also extinguished his cigarette and lit another one. He didn't look up at Xie Hushan until he finished the second cigarette.
"Let's do as you say. There's a saying in the countryside that if you want to keep animals working, you have to feed them good fodder. We can't expect the masses to have the same high level of consciousness as the Party members. You just happen to be one of the masses with low consciousness."

"I will help you with the alms-gathering equipment in the county, and I will help you with the ideological work of Secretary Han. Just do this one thing well. If you fail, I will be infamous in Zhongping forever."

Xie Hushan and Yang Limin looked at each other for a long time before they laughed:
"Old Yang, I used to think that you, the secretary of the Youth League Committee of Zhongping Commune and the second secretary of Zhongping Production Brigade, were too timid and far worse than me. Now I have a new respect for you. Everyone in Zhongping Village should remember today. They can live a good life because you risked your future and took the risk today."

Yang Limin curled his lips and said, "The conditions you just mentioned are obviously to let me take the risk for you and stop involving the masses."

"By the way, why did you ask the other militiamen from Team 3 to come back?" Xie Hushan suddenly remembered that Han Laoer and the others were just coming back, and asked Yang Liming in confusion.

Yang Limin shook his head:

"It's not me. Minister Zhang asked me to inform you when I called that Special Envoy Feng is short of trustworthy personnel. He's not here right now. You can go see Minister Zhang first. I see he looks a little unhappy."

(End of this chapter)