The little star from the Gobi Desert, handed over to the state, is hailed as a national treasure.

"Poisoning?" Commander Liu's eyes blazed with anger. "Can you confirm that Wan Hongxin was responsible?"

"When Wan Hongxin was assisting Professor Jiang Guoqiang in his previous case, chemical agents were involved. Although the source has not yet been found, it cannot be ruled out that he will use the same methods to frame Professor Zheng Hong," Brigade Commander Bai analyzed.

"What you're saying has no solid evidence! We haven't obtained any physical evidence or witness testimony." Commander Liu called over his bodyguard, "Immediately send a telegram to Beijing, reporting the situation truthfully and requesting the assistance of the Ministry of State Security to investigate and determine whether poisoning occurred!"

"Comrade Gao Yanzhou!"

He turned his head, his face solemn: "Your problem is very serious! If your deliberate concealment caused a delay in Comrade Zheng Hong's treatment due to poisoning, you must accept severe punishment from the organization!"

"Yes, I understand..." Gao Yanzhou's face was full of shame. "Commander, I was wrong. I shouldn't have concealed this matter. I've harmed my teacher... I've let my teacher down, and I've let my teacher's wife down even more..."

"Commander," Professor Qian interrupted his self-blame, "whether Professor Zheng has been poisoned is only our preliminary judgment. The most urgent task is to send him to a major hospital for toxicology testing and blood tests so that a definitive diagnosis can be made."

"But Professor Zheng's current condition can't withstand a long journey," said Dr. Sun, looking troubled.

Commander Liu asked, "What is the biggest risk of moving him?"

"We lack effective monitoring and rescue methods," Dr. Sun said, spreading his hands. "If the bumpy ride triggers a secondary attack, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"I'll handle the road conditions!" Commander Liu waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Call the provincial hospital and tell them to send a professional ambulance with all the necessary equipment. No matter how many hours it takes, they have to get it over here!"

Sun, the military doctor, breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes, the commander is very thoughtful."

Having solved the medical problem, a new challenge has emerged.

"With no one in charge of the pipeline laying project, is it going to come to a standstill?"

"We can't stop!"

Gao Yanzhou suddenly stood up and blurted out.

Just moments ago, he looked dejected, his face filled with self-blame and regret, his mood at its lowest point. But as soon as the project was mentioned, he seemed to transform into a completely different person, instantly becoming serious and resolute.

"My lords, I understand your feelings, but the pipeline project is at a critical juncture in its final stages, and we can't afford to waste a single day! This was what our teacher was most concerned about before he collapsed. If we completely stop work for investigation, not only will the subsequent progress be severely hampered, but it will also result in a huge waste of manpower and resources."

He took a step forward, his eyes filled with determination and courage. "I admit that I was not clear-headed enough before, and my selfishness and fear of taking responsibility got the better of me. If my mistake caused my teacher to be in danger, I would be guilty even if I were to die a thousand deaths."

"But please give me a chance to make amends!"

"I request that I continue to oversee the technical work at the construction site, strictly adhere to the plans and drawings formulated by my teacher, complete the final construction tasks, and never let my teacher down!"

His words were powerful and sincere. Accompanied by tears streaming down his face, his grief and determination intertwined, making it hard not to move everyone present.

Commander Liu remained silent for a moment, without immediately expressing his opinion.

Commander Liu remained silent for a long time, not immediately expressing his opinion. He walked to the bedside, gazing at Zheng Hong's furrowed brows and withered face, even under the influence of medication, and felt a deep sense of guilt.

"Old Zheng, I'm sorry... it was our base that failed to protect you."

"But we must protect the hard work you've put in and never let it go to waste."

"Comrade Gao Yanzhou!"

"arrive!"

Gao Yanzhou immediately stood up straight. Although he was not a soldier, at this moment, his back was as straight as a javelin.

"You're right. The pipeline irrigation project embodies the hard work of you, your teacher, and countless colleagues, and it certainly cannot be halted indefinitely. As Professor Zheng's prized student and assistant, you are intimately familiar with the planning and technical details of the entire project."

Commander Liu's gaze deepened: "Therefore, before he awakens and takes command personally, having you temporarily act as the on-site technical commander is indeed the best solution at the moment."

He abruptly changed his tone, becoming stern, "But let me make this clear: you must strictly adhere to the established blueprints and standards during construction. All critical procedures must be inspected on-site by Professor Qian, Chief Designer Wang, or someone I personally appoint, and both signatures are required before proceeding. Simultaneously, safety checks must be conducted, with a focus on monitoring the air and water quality at the construction site. Can you manage that?"

"able!"

Gao Yanzhou's voice was strong and resolute: "Please rest assured, Commander! I will do my utmost to complete the task with high quality and quantity, and I will never let my teacher down!"

"This is what I owe my teacher." After saying the last sentence, the silent tears flowed even more fiercely.

Commander Liu sighed softly, stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Comrade Gao Yanzhou, please don't blame me for getting angry. I'm just worried about Comrade Zheng Hong. You have another important task: carefully recall all the details of Wan Hongxin's contact with Zheng Hong, write a report and submit it to me. I need to report it to the National Security Department."

"Yes! I'll write it down right now," Gao Yanzhou wiped away his tears and looked at Dr. Sun. "I just don't know if what I've told you will help in treating my teacher."

Dr. Sun shook his head and said frankly, "Then it depends on the experts and equipment at the provincial hospital... We can only do our best."

Upon receiving the news, the provincial hospital immediately dispatched experienced experts and medical staff, equipped with advanced medical equipment. The next day, at the crack of dawn, the ambulance left the hospital and headed towards the remote base.

However, conditions were harsh at the time. There were no highways or smooth provincial roads, and vehicles often had to switch between paved roads and dirt roads. Once they entered the Gobi Desert, they could only move at a snail's pace to prepare for the ever-changing and harsh desert environment.

After a journey of nearly six and a half hours, the ambulance finally arrived at the base with great difficulty.

Professor Zheng Hong, who remained unconscious, was lifted into the ambulance by medical staff. After receiving basic emergency treatment, the car immediately turned around and headed back. Standing before the gate, everyone watched the winding tracks left by the ambulance, their hearts heavy with sorrow.

"If only we had a decent road..." someone muttered softly in the crowd. "It would save a lot of trouble when others come in and when we go out."

He was met with only silence.

Who doesn't understand the importance of building a road? Convenient transportation is the foundation of all infrastructure, but right now the country is weak, and every penny has to be spent sparingly. The national treasury has already been emptied by scrimping and saving to raise funds for missile development; where will the money come from to build another road?

Everyone shook their heads, sighed, and returned to base with somber expressions. The series of misfortunes had caused their spirits, which had been slightly relieved by the improved food, to sink once again.

Among the crowd, only Liang Zhe gazed at the rolling yellow sand in the distance, lost in thought.

"Daddy, Daddy!"

A tender voice rang out in his arms. Liang Zhe turned his head and saw his daughter looking up at him with her little face upturned.

"Sweetie, what's wrong?"

He composed himself, and his voice unconsciously softened.

"Over there," Sweetie pointed forward and said in her childish voice, "an auntie is calling me."