In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 347 For soldiers, anything related to military missions works best; the fierce man who slaughtered monkeys in the village.

"how?"

Wang Zheng looked at Xie Wei in confusion, "Isn't that how it is? They fought for the country before, risking their lives, and died a worthy death... But now it's different, they are no longer fighting for the country..."

Wang Zheng's words stunned Xie Wei.

He had laughed because Wang Zheng asked, "What if they feel it's dangerous and they're unwilling?" But after hearing Wang Zheng's explanation, he realized that Wang Zheng wasn't referring to whether they were afraid of sacrifice, but rather whether they were willing to fight for money.

“You are also working for the country… and you even have to endure a lot of grievances for the country. They know this and will agree.”

Xie Wei did not mock Wang Zheng.

Many veterans fight for money, especially mercenaries in Europe and America.

Of the PLA veterans who have retired, it's not impossible that some continue fighting for money, but they are a minority.

"It's different. To die on the battlefield is to sacrifice oneself for one's country, but to serve as my bodyguard, after one's death..."

Wang Zheng sighed.

Because he once dreamed that after he died, his body would be covered with the national flag.

But now...

Therefore, I have a better understanding of the feelings of these soldiers who have just retired from the military.

"Also, things are different in China than abroad. Abroad, most things can be solved with money; money can buy almost everything... But in China?"

Wang Zheng's words surprised Xie Wei even more.

I didn't expect this guy to have thought so much about things in such a short time in Hong Kong.

Indeed, in the early days of reform and opening up, various goods in China were still supplied by coupons. Although it is true that you can't do anything without money and you need to pay for everything, without coupons, you simply couldn't buy scarce items even if you had money.

It is very different from the capitalist world where everyone strives for money.

"Let's go and have a look."

Xie Wei stared at Wang Zheng for a while, then took out a cigarette and tossed one to Wang Zheng. Wang Zheng then used the Zippo lighter he had snatched from Xie Wei to light it for him. After finishing the cigarette, Xie Wei very rudely threw the butt on the ground and stomped it out with the ball of his foot, then said...

The guesthouse meeting room.

Zhou Zhiyong looked solemnly at the dozen or so comrades-in-arms in front of him, who had not been in the same unit before but were discharged in the same batch.

He had already explained the conditions offered by Wang Zheng to everyone.

A basic salary of HK$6000 per month is indeed shocking, but amidst the shock, dissatisfaction appeared on everyone's faces: they were unwilling to go to Hong Kong!
I don't want to fight for capitalists.

Even if being a bodyguard is just about protecting people, they don't need to risk enemy fire to carry out dangerous missions.

“Captain Zhou, although I have retired and am no longer a soldier, the beliefs and code of conduct I established in the army over more than ten years tell me that I should not fight for money, much less fight for capitalists!”

"Yes! I am a Party member, and I will dedicate my life to the country. Even if I am not in the military, I can still realize my life's value by participating in national development in my local area..."

"Although I only received 55 yuan a month in the army, including subsidies, while the other party offered me a month's salary that would be equivalent to three years of my hard work, I felt more at ease receiving 55 yuan a month..."

The reactions of the crowd were not unexpected for Zhou Zhiyong.

Everyone here has just come out of the military.

Although they were in different units before, the worst among them were reconnaissance squad leaders; there wasn't a single ordinary soldier.

Retirement is not because they are not good enough. In the context of large-scale troop reduction in the military, they need to make room for younger people with more potential and higher education.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I haven't made myself clear. Although Comrade Wang Zheng is now a Hong Kong resident, he was originally a Chinese citizen..."

Zhou Zhiyong knew Wang Zheng's true identity, but he couldn't tell everyone.

They need to adhere to principles, but they also need to integrate into the capitalist world, otherwise it will cause trouble for Wang Zheng.

"Captain Zhou, can we choose not to go?"

When someone raised this question, the meeting room fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes turned to Zhou Zhiyong.

After they retired, they didn't even go home; they were immediately asked to come here.

Retiring at this time is somewhat abnormal in itself.

The document did not specify what the mission was, nor did it require them to go to Hong Kong.

Seeing everyone staring at him expectantly, Zhou Zhiyong was in a dilemma. He had always been a leader in the army, especially on the counterattack battlefield in the south.

He was the commanding officer of the unit, not an instructor who did ideological work.

"Do~Do~Do~"

Just as an eerie silence fell over the conference room, there was a knock on the door.

Without waiting for an answer from inside, Xie Wei led Wang Zheng through the door.

"What? Nobody wants to go?"

Xie Wei felt the oppressive atmosphere as soon as he entered the room. He glanced at everyone and asked Zhou Zhiyong in a low voice.

With a wry smile, Zhou Zhiyong told Xie Wei about the situation.

Wang Zheng stared at Xie Wei with a bitter expression: See? I told you they wouldn't agree.

"Gentlemen, I know what you all think. I'll say a few words, and if you still don't want to go after I've said that, I won't force you. I'll not only provide you with return travel expenses, but I'll also arrange jobs for you..."

Seeing that some people disagreed, Xie Wei added, "It will definitely be better than the normal resettlement benefits after retirement."

"Director Xie, please speak frankly."

A man in his thirties spoke up. They knew Xie Wei's identity and understood what it meant for their superiors to send them directly to Xie Wei, a young man, to report for duty.

"Before going to Hong Kong, Wang Zheng was the director of the Industry-University Cooperation Office at Harbin Institute of Technology. The purpose of establishing the Industry-University Cooperation Office at Harbin Institute of Technology was twofold: firstly, to transform the university's research results into products for the market to recoup research funding; and secondly, to raise research and development funds for some of the university's independent projects through market operations..."

Xie Wei started by talking about the school-enterprise cooperation office.

Everyone frowned.

They didn't want to hear those official platitudes and clichés.

What happens to Harbin Institute of Technology's Industry-University Cooperation Office is none of their business.

Zhou Zhiyong wanted to remind Xie Wei that everyone was in the military and had the simple idea of ​​contributing to national defense. No one cared about any particular university or anything like that.

"To put it simply, the university's enterprise affairs office is actually more about raising funds for some military projects that have been cancelled..."

The crowd's reaction spurred Xie Wei into action. He didn't bother with any preamble and directly told them that while he couldn't guarantee they wouldn't be easily bribed in the future, they shouldn't be so easily bought off now.

"What? A military project?"

"How could military projects be researched by universities? Aren't there military factories?"

"What kind of military factory is this? It's a military research and development unit..."

Upon hearing Xie Wei mention the military industry project, everyone's indifference and impatience vanished instantly, replaced by confusion and doubt.

"I can't tell you the specific projects the school is involved in... Since you're the elite soldiers in the reconnaissance unit, I imagine you're familiar with sniper grenades and 80mm disposable rocket launchers..."

"What? The 'non-artillery' individual gun that provides infantry with artillery-like firepower is something your school was involved in developing?"

"You guys developed those useless, discarded, and useless 'tubes' that everyone carries during missions, which aren't even part of the official staff?"

"What a pity. When I was in the army, I was assigned a worthless bullet gun. It was said to be able to blow up bunkers and operate tanks, but it never fired a single shot... Director Xie, since you said it was designed and developed by you, can it really blow up bunkers? Can it really destroy a Type 59 tank with just one shot?"

The gasps of surprise from the crowd interrupted Xie Wei's words.

Upon hearing these unfamiliar titles, Xie Wei looked at Zhou Zhiyong in astonishment.

He was focused on developing advanced heavy equipment and paid no attention to the individual weapons that Tang Daoxian, who was working with Zhai Xinguo, was developing.

Director Xie, who didn't pay much attention to long-range rocket artillery, and whose military procurement was limited to a small batch each year for reconnaissance units to test or conduct operational trials, was even less concerned.

"The term 'no artillery support' is what infantrymen call the Type 79 40mm sniper grenade launcher, also known as the 'man-portable gun'... In combat, when encountering enemy fortifications or concealed firing positions, neither hand grenades nor 40mm cannons could reach them, so previously we could only call for artillery support... Artillerymen had to request permission to fire... After the sniper grenade launcher was introduced, the squads on missions used this term directly..."

As a battalion-level officer, Zhou Zhiyuan was quite familiar with the new equipment used by the troops.

"Is 'baijia tong' what the military calls a disposable rocket launcher?"

Xie Wei quickly understood.

“Exactly. The outer launch tube is very rigid and lightweight, making it much easier to use than other rocket launchers… It’s really wasteful to just throw it away after firing…” A retired officer said with a frown, “It should be like other rocket launchers, able to be reloaded after firing the rockets…”

Got it!
I designed this to make it easier for them to carry out their missions, but they complain that the design is wasteful.

"Gentlemen, we can discuss these things another time if we have the opportunity. Of course, we can also ask Wang Zheng, who also participated in the research and development..."

Seeing that the conversation was getting off-topic, Xie Wei quickly steered it back on track, "The reason I'm telling you this is to let you know that although Comrade Wang Zheng is from Hong Kong and is a capitalist, he is also making his own contributions to national defense. Specific details involve classified information, so I can't reveal too much..."

"I go!"

"What's there to consider? We're risking our lives to go to the capitalist world!"

"When do we leave?"

Although Xie Wei didn't say anything else, everyone's attitude changed instantly when they learned that Wang Zheng's mission was related to some equipment.

"Alright, you can talk to them now."

Xie Wei said to the dumbfounded Wang Zheng, then beckoned Zhou Zhiyong to come out with him.

Zhou Zhiyong knew Xie Wei's identity was mysterious. Before Xie Wei spoke, he didn't know what connection Xie Wei, Harbin Institute of Technology, and the military had. Only now did he realize that his superiors had sent them to find Xie Wei to carry out a more difficult mission.

"Director Xie, please rest assured, I will personally lead a team to guard this place. I will go to Hong Kong after the new comrade takes over."

When Xie Wei explained the situation at Wenxuan Auto Service Company, he didn't mention He Qiang's name. There were plenty of capable fighters in the army; he simply didn't believe Zhou Zhiyong would know He Qiang.

Zhou Zhiyong patted his chest and assured everyone that he would do a good job.

"Um, Director Xie, that person you mentioned, should I give him a try?"

"No need, I've already requested an investigation from my superiors, and the results should be out in the next couple of days. You only need to arrange two people here; besides protecting Wang Zheng, you have more important matters to attend to over there..."

Xie Wei told Zhou Zhiyong about his plan to establish an international security company in Hong Kong.

Zhou Zhiyong looked shocked: "An international mercenary?"

"No, the security company!"

Xie Wei shook his head, "The main task is to protect some of the staff we've assigned there, to prevent them from being targeted by criminals, and also to prevent..."

"understand!"

Xie Wei didn't say it explicitly, but Zhou Zhiyong already understood.

"Director Xie, you're still here!"

Just as Xie Weigang was finishing his conversation with Zhou Zhiyong, Yuan Zhenyue, covered in sweat, ran in from outside, looking relieved.

"what's up?"

"Principal Li sent a telegram asking you to wait for him here. He's flying to Huadu tonight and has something important to discuss with you."

Yuan Zhenyue said hurriedly.

Seeing Xie Wei reach for the telegram, he awkwardly explained, "The telegram is addressed to the Special Economic Zone Office. It's a formal telegram asking you to wait here; he'll be arriving in Huadu tonight. The office is calling Langqi Company..."

He was afraid that he wouldn't explain things clearly and that Xie Wei would misunderstand.

"Okay, I see."

Xie Wei nodded. "The joint venture should be finalized as soon as possible."

"do not worry!"

Yuan Zhenyue hurriedly said that he would do his best to handle the joint venture matter.

Because of his changed attitude towards Yuan Zhenyue, Xie Wei did not keep Yuan Zhenyue any longer.

After Yuan Zhenyue left, he turned to Zhou Zhiyong and said, "Since Principal Li is coming here tonight, tell them not to rush to Hong Kong, but to meet with Director Li first, and then leave tomorrow. You come with me to the airport tonight to pick up Director Li."

Xie Wei did this to reassure everyone.

Li Rui, the newly appointed deputy director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, is far more convincing than Li Rui, the deputy director of the school's industry-university cooperation office.

"it is good!"

Zhou Zhiyong suppressed his excitement and straightened his back even more.

"Didn't I tell you to pick me up? How did you know it was this flight?"

As soon as Li Rui stepped out of the terminal, he saw Xie Wei waiting outside with a middle-aged man who was sitting ramrod straight. He couldn't help but glare at Xie Wei.

"Hello, Director Li!"

Before Xie Wei could introduce him, Zhou Zhiyong straightened his chest and gave a standard military salute.

"I'm dressed in casual clothes, so I don't reveal my identity."

After returning the greeting, Li Rui quietly gave instructions to Zhou Zhiyong.

Zhou Zhiyong said he understood.

Soon, Li Rui got into Xie Wei's Hongguang, which was parked outside.

"Why did you bring this thing to Huadu?"

"How long has it been since you paid attention to school matters, old man? The Harbin Hongguang aircraft that Factory 122 is cooperating with us on has been selling in Huadu for several months now..."

Xie Wei looked at Li Rui speechlessly.

The old man doesn't pay any attention to the development of the civilian products sector.

"I don't have time for that. By the way, the documents you requested were only returned by He Qiang two months after the troop withdrawal last year..."

"Captured?"

Xie Wei didn't look at the materials, but frowned when he heard Li Rui's introduction.

During the counterattack in self-defense, the PLA also had a small number of personnel captured due to injuries or being surrounded by the enemy. These captured personnel suffered all kinds of humiliation, and many were insulted by monkeys and then shot. When prisoners were exchanged later, almost none of the people who were exchanged were intact.

"No, he belongs to the category of personnel whose whereabouts are unknown after being separated from their units on the battlefield..."

Li Rui's expression turned serious.

"He didn't confess?"

Xie Wei's brows furrowed as well.

“He confessed. The situation was too unusual, and intelligence gathering over there was difficult, so many things couldn’t be verified. But some of the things he confessed were intolerable to the military…”

"Oh?"

"Massacre the village!"

What the hell?

Xie Wei suddenly stood up, "Ouch!"

Xie Wei was truly shocked; he hadn't expected that the seemingly ordinary He Qiang would be so formidable.

"Sir, are you talking about He Qiang?"

Zhou Zhiyong, who had been driving silently without saying a word, suddenly asked.

"you know?"

Xie Wei and Li Rui asked in unison.

Xie Wei, in particular, never mentioned He Qiang to Zhou Zhiyong.

"Hasn't he already disappeared?"

Zhou Zhiyong looked surprised. "That guy was a real tough guy. He wasn't in our unit, but he was quite famous. He was a reconnaissance company commander... When he was leading a platoon on a reconnaissance mission, they saw a guerrilla group led by Houzi raiding a village. He didn't care about being exposed and saved the village. But that night, the women and children in the village attacked them with guns and knives... In the end, he escaped with only one wounded comrade. His comrade died on the way..."

Xie Wei and Li Rui never expected that something like this would happen to He Qiang.

No one could remain calm in that situation.

“That village was a guerrilla stronghold; the women, children, and even the elderly had blood on their hands… He Qiang didn’t report it to his superiors…”

(End of this chapter)