Who taught you to be a soldier like this!

Chapter 592

I sat opposite Tao Jianguo.

Zhao Weihong could smell the earthy scent that the mountains had given him.

That was the smell of soil mixed with plant sap, which had settled on Tao Jianguo's body.

Once upon a time, Zhao Weihong also had this scent; it was an indispensable part of the childhood experience for children from Northwest China.

Looking into Tao Jianguo's pair of bright black eyes, Zhao Weihong suddenly felt a strange emotion.

He is Tao Jianguo, who left the mountains.

Tao Jianguo, on the other hand, is Zhao Weihong, who was unable to leave the mountains.
This idea gave Zhao Weihong a jolt, and his right hand trembled almost imperceptibly. He quickly opened the lunchbox in front of him and Tao Jianguo.

Zhao Weihong moved quickly, as if she were trying to cover something up.

As he moved, a long-accumulated aroma of food burst forth, dispelling the earthy smell lingering at Zhao Weihong's nose.

"Grandpa, come here."

Smiling, he reached out and handed the chopsticks to Tao Jianguo.

Zhao Weihong looked down and glanced around, then suddenly felt that something was missing from the meal. She immediately shouted loudly towards the entrance of the office area.

"Old Chen! Old Chen!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zheng, who had been hiding in the shadows around the corner and secretly watching Zhao Weihong and the other person, quickly came out.

"what happened?"

"Could you please give me and the old man a whole bottle of wine?"

"It has to be white, and if it could have the flavor of Xifeng from my hometown, that would be even better."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zheng, who had just finished dealing with the experts sent by the city and hadn't even had a sip of water, immediately rolled his eyes at Zhao Weihong in an annoyed manner.

"And the west wind? Do I look like the west wind?"

"What time is it? We're still in the countryside. We should be grateful if we can get you some strong liquor or Erguotou!"

Although Chen Zheng's attitude seemed somewhat impatient and resistant.

But he did not refuse Zhao Weihong's request in the end, leaving behind the words "Wait!" before hurriedly walking out.

Don't even say it.

It's hard to say whether Chen Zheng was lucky or Zhao Weihong and Tao Jianguo were simply fortunate.

Although they couldn't get their hands on Xifeng and Laobaigan, they did manage to get two bottles of "sweet white wine" in mineral water bottles.

Although it's called baijiu, it's actually just rice wine made by local people through steaming and fermenting glutinous rice. It has a low alcohol content, but it's very easy to get drunk.

Because of its good taste and rich flavor, it tastes like an ordinary beverage to many people. Before they know it, they drink too much and end up passed out on the table, unconscious.

Because of this characteristic, the locals gave their rice wine a very poetic name.

The gods are drunk.

Upon hearing the name, even Chen Zheng, who had already eaten, found an excuse to sit down next to Zhao Weihong, ready to try this "Immortal's Intoxication" and see what it was that made it so daring to come up with such a name.

The off-white liquor, with a hint of golden luster, poured down and filled the wine glasses in front of Zhao Weihong and the other two.

Zhao Weihong toasted Tao Jianguo and then began to wolf down her food, leaving Tao Jianguo speechless. A moment later, as if possessed, he picked up a piece of food for Zhao Weihong with his chopsticks.

Before he could even put the food into Zhao Weihong's lunchbox full of rice, Tao Jianguo already regretted it.

Although he and Zhao Weihong had met once.

But now, he doesn't even know Zhao Weihong's name.

Judging from the way everyone treats Zhao Weihong, Zhao Weihong is probably the leading "high-ranking official".

His sudden act of serving food to Zhao Weihong was rather presumptuous.

After hesitating for a moment, Tao Jianguo still put the food into Zhao Weihong's lunchbox.

He didn't want to get closer to Zhao Weihong.

It was Zhao Weihong's fierce eating manner that reminded him of the old "Agou," now Tao Qiang.

Thanks to the abundant local produce, Tao Qiang's childhood was much more comfortable than Zhao Weihong's.

But no matter how rich the mountains of Yunling were, meat was still a very rare commodity in their time.

My stomach is dry, so no matter what I eat, I'm not full.

In addition, Tao Qiang was a lively person. When he was four or five years old, he started running wildly all over the mountains and fields with Tao Jianguo. He expended a lot of energy, so his appetite was naturally large as well.

Tao Jianguo works hard all day, and at least two-thirds of the food he earns ends up in Tao Qiang's stomach.

Faced with Tao Qiang's affectionate gesture, Zhao Weihong did not show any disgust or resistance. Instead, she smiled naturally and replied with a warm smile.

"Thank you, uncle!"

Zhao Weihong's smile and words seemed to instill courage in the taciturn and honest Tao Jianguo.

Or perhaps, it reminded him of the only thing he cared about in this world.

"Boss."

"Pfft!"

Hearing Tao Jianguo's dialect-accented, half-baked "boss," Zhao Weihong was shocked and almost spat out all the food in her mouth!
"Sir! Just call me Xiao Zhao! If that doesn't work, just call me comrade!"

"Don't call me boss!"

Looking at Chen Zheng standing to the side, he was observing Zhao Weihong, who was covered in sweat, with great interest, and he was almost laughing out loud!
It's rare to see a scene that puts Zhao Weihong in such an awkward position!
You absolutely have to take a good look at it!
"Okay, okay, I understand."

Although I don't understand why Zhao Weihong had such a strong reaction.

But since Zhao Weihong had already confessed, Tao Jianguo changed his story accordingly.

"Comrade."

"Eh!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Weihong immediately breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed completely.

"Sir, please speak."

He cautiously observed Zhao Weihong's expression.

Tao Jianguo hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, his head bowed, as if he were muttering something.

"Would you say I've done something meritorious?"

"I don't want money or anything."

"I just want to ask, is there any chance my child can be saved?"

As he finished speaking, Tao Jianguo's voice grew softer and softer, becoming as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

This poor father, this humble father.

Even at this critical juncture, even though his biological son had recently been beating him up.

Tao Jianguo still thought about him.

Seeing this, Chen Zheng, who had just taken a sip of rice wine, sighed silently, thinking to himself that Tao Jianguo was simply fanciful!

According to his confession, Tao Qiang was clearly the "principal offender" in the team.

They were choosing hiding places and "mobilizing" their blood relatives to help transport supplies.

Based on these two points alone, Tao Qiang has no chance of being classified as an "accomplice"!

But seeing Tao Jianguo's almost pleading expression, Chen Zheng really couldn't bear to shatter his hopes.

"uncle."

"I really can't guarantee you something like that."

"What I can guarantee is that the information you provide is true."

“Then you will be the undisputed hero.” “But we don’t yet know the specifics about your son.”

At this point, Zhao Weihong paused, then raised her glass and extended an invitation to Tao Jianguo.

After drinking two cups of rice wine, Tao Jianguo's mood seemed to have stabilized considerably.

Zhao Weihong then continued speaking.

"If his crime was minor and he was not involved in the core decision-making process of smuggling contraband, or was he a leader in it."

"Given your meritorious service, he could indeed be classified as an accomplice and given a lighter sentence."

"However, you are probably aware of our country's attitude towards prohibited items."

"Even with a lenient sentence, the term of imprisonment will not be short."

"Sir, you can understand this, right?"

Upon hearing this, Tao Jianguo, whose eyes were vacant, let out a heavy sigh. After a long while, he nodded hurriedly.

"I understand, I understand."

"As long as I can stay alive, that's enough."

"I'm useless, I don't understand education, it's my fault as his father."

"Going in for some reform wouldn't be a bad thing."

"My old bones can still move around. When he gets out, I can take care of him."

This statement came out.

A suffocating sense of oppression instantly enveloped Zhao Weihong, making him feel irritable and wanting to explode!
But faced with such a pitiful father, Zhao Weihong couldn't bring herself to say a harsh word, so she awkwardly changed the subject.

"Sir, we can talk about the future later."

"You're getting on in years. Even if you're not enjoying your retirement, you can't let such a beast ruin your life, can you?"

"The blisters on my feet are from walking all by myself!"

"You don't need to blame yourself for this!"

After saying that, Zhao Weihong didn't give Tao Jianguo another chance to speak, but instead invited him to eat.

After receiving comforting words from Zhao Weihong that "there is a possibility of leniency," Tao Jianguo immediately regained his spirits, finally picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat.

Chen Zheng silently watched the old man and the young man, whose relationship was complicated, devour the food in front of them like a whirlwind.

After the rice wine that Chen Zheng had brought, along with the food in front of them, was completely devoured, Zhao Weihong offered Tao Jianguo a cigarette.

Amidst the smoke.

Zhao Weihong asked Tao Jianguo a question without changing her expression.

"uncle."

"You're saying that the last batch of contraband is about to be delivered in the next few days?"

Tell the truth.

This was the umpteenth time Tao Jianguo had been asked this question, and he was getting quite annoyed by it.

But seeing Zhao Weihong's kind attitude reminded him of his son when he was young, Tao Jianguo perked up once again and told Zhao Weihong the whole story in great detail, afraid of missing any details.

Zhao Weihong, on the other hand, skillfully guided the conversation.

The existence of Tao Jianguo's son was downplayed, and the questions were focused on the entire drug trafficking gang.

Under these circumstances, Tao Jianguo spoke of this information with increasing ease and answered very readily.

With such highly efficient communication, Zhao Weihong had obtained all the intelligence that Tao Jianguo knew in just over ten minutes.

Regardless of whether the intelligence is true or false.

Based on this skill alone, Zhao Weihong can be considered a qualified "interrogation expert".

"Sir, it's getting late!"

"Let me take you to rest first."

"Please stay with us tonight. Someone will take you home early tomorrow morning and also tell you a few things."

Looking at Zhao Weihong's still sincere smile, Tao Jianguo exchanged a few more pleasantries with him before Zhao Weihong personally escorted him to his residence.

Lying in bed.

Tao Jianguo tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Zhao Weihong, who hadn't rested for long, was also busy at the moment.

"Tao Jianguo's home has been searched, but nothing was found."

"The support personnel have all arrived and are conducting comprehensive group deployments to control Tao Jianguo's home and the cliff he mentioned."

Logically speaking.

Along with the support, there should also be one, or even several, leaders and commanders in charge of coordinating the operation.

Although Qian Wanli and Chen Zheng were present at the moment.

But given their level, they're qualified to lead a team to stake out locations.

However, for such a "major case" where intelligence has been clearly obtained and it involves a gang operation, it is indeed a case where "one's voice carries little weight" and it is easy to lose control.

But it's strange.

The city's forward command, apart from sending them much-needed manpower support, had no intention of "meddling" in their affairs. They didn't even bother to inquire about the basic situation, merely going through the motions and offering encouragement to Chen Zheng and his team regarding the tasks they would face next.

Chen Zheng was initially puzzled by this.

But looking at Zhao Weihong, who was calm and composed at this moment, displaying the demeanor of a "general",...

Chen Zheng suddenly understood why his superiors hadn't sent anyone to "take over" the case.

Because Zhao Weihong was already there, and she represented the highest authority in the operation.

Headquarters!

Let alone a township, if necessary, even the base command and forward command must obey Zhao Weihong's command!
As for taking on the main responsibility, there may be questions he will face.
This was no problem for Zhao Weihong.

After all, Zhao Weihong has proven her abilities countless times.

"Ah."

After listening to Qian Wanli and Chen Zheng's reports.

Zhao Weihong nodded and began to explain the next course of action in a concise and to-the-point manner!
"Because the authenticity of the information cannot be confirmed."

"In the coming week, in addition to support personnel, our existing staff will continue to patrol and inspect major transportation routes and border crossings."

"Simply put, keep everything as usual and don't alert the enemy."

"The people our superiors assigned to us are to continue to monitor matters related to Tao Jianguo!"

"Tomorrow morning, Lao Chen, you need to make sure Tao Jianguo himself continues to supply D."

"I'll lead the team to that cliff and monitor the entire process!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zheng nodded, then immediately frowned and added.

"I will ask Tao Jianguo to try to get one or two people out of the cave and to a location where we can observe them."

"If we can confirm that there are indeed people inside that crevice in the mountain, then the authenticity of the information can be basically confirmed!"

This once invincible duo on the training field is now once again working together!
"That's right!"

"Once we can confirm that the intelligence is correct, the next step is to stake out and set up surveillance!"

"Until the last batch of contraband mentioned by Tao Jianguo appeared."

"That's the moment we'll close the net completely!"

(End of this chapter)