In 1959, what's wrong with me pedaling a tricycle?

The next day, the organization arranged for staff to come and talk to Wang Xingguo.

Wang Xingguo's heart tightened. Why did the conversation sound so similar to what happened when he first arrived at the oil transportation department?

It's a bit strange that we've already come to this point, and we're still having this kind of conversation.

However, Wang Xingguo didn't have time to think too much and honestly answered the staff's questions.

After the staff left, Li Zhong came over again.

Now Wang Xingguo understood completely; there must be some task assigned to him.

As expected, Li Zhong asked, "Xingguo, if you were to be transferred to the southern border to carry out a supply transport mission, would you be willing to go?"

Wang Xingguo hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, since the organization needs me, I'll go."

Li Zhong sighed and said, "This time, the higher-ups asked us to send manpower, including one key person from each of the oil transportation departments and one key person from the materials transportation department. Director Kong originally wanted to lead the team himself, but considering how heavy the task is for the materials transportation department, I suggested that you lead a few comrades to carry out the mission there."

Wang Xingguo was no longer worried. It was just transporting supplies; it was just a business trip that would take a little longer. His son and daughter were both grown up now, and there was nothing for him to worry about at home. So he went.

So Wang Xingguo replied, "Grandpa Li, just let me go. Don't assign anyone else to the team. Don't separate too many comrades from their families. I can go alone."

After thinking for a moment, Li Zhong asked, "Okay, but this time we'll need to assign you to support the effort for six months. Can you accept that?"

Upon hearing that the timeframe was six months, Wang Xingguo nodded and said, "No problem, I can accept this arrangement. Please rest assured, I will definitely complete the mission!"

Wang Xingguo asked, "What kind of work are these many people assigned to?"

Li Zhong explained, "Most of the personnel were transferred to Liuzhou and Nanning. They were responsible for transporting supplies from all over the country to Pingxiang Station in Guangxi. Some personnel were responsible for assisting the Pingxiang Management Office, while others were responsible for escorting supplies into North Vietnam, handing over supplies to the other side in Dong Dang or Lang Son in North Vietnam, and coordinating the transportation operations."

Wang Xingguo nodded and said, "Understood. When do I leave?"

"You should rest for three days and spend quality time with your family. On the evening of the third day, I will send someone to pick you up, and then you can take the train."

Wang Xingguo saluted, then went to hand over his work to his colleagues before riding his bicycle home.

Wang Xingguo was having a headache, unsure how to tell his family about his six-month business trip.

He doesn't mind doing this job because he has been working in the logistics industry for so long and has the experience and ability to handle this kind of confidential work.

We can provide aid to Vietnam now, but we can't do it openly, so as not to give American imperialism any pretext.

Therefore, this mission to transport aid supplies to Vietnam was a strictly confidential operation. Wang Xingguo had such experience, and he was actually quite suitable for this job.

Moreover, Wang Xingguo understood very well that the reason he was transferred there was to have him mentor newcomers and cultivate some qualified individuals.

The six-month period is clearly intended to allow him to train new employees and then have them take over the job.

Upon returning home, Wang Xingguo received some unexpected news.

Li Xiuping is pregnant with her third child!

Wang Xingguo was very happy, but he was also conflicted.

He had just taken on a new assignment that would require him to be away from home for six months, and now Li Xiuping was pregnant. What was he going to do...?

Li Xiuping was very perceptive and noticed that something was wrong with Wang Xingguo.

So she asked, "Honey, I'm pregnant with our third baby. Aren't you happy?"

Wang Xingguo hesitated for a moment, but decided to tell her the truth: "Honey, of course I'm very happy. It's just that I've been assigned a mission that requires me to be away on business for six months, and you're pregnant. I'm a little worried about you..."

Li Xiuping was shocked to hear this; she couldn't believe her ears.

Her voice trembled as she asked, "What did you say? You're going on a business trip for six months?"

Wang Xingguo held Li Xiuping in his arms, looked into her eyes, and said earnestly, "Wife, I'm sorry, I didn't want this either, but I have a mission to complete and I can't refuse. Take good care of yourself during your pregnancy, I'll arrange everything, and we'll set off in three days."

Tears welled up in Li Xiuping's eyes. She buried her head in Wang Xingguo's arms, choking back sobs as she said, "Why do I have to send you on business trips again? None of your business trips are ever good. Before, you were on business trips for most of the month, sometimes even more than a month. Now, it's even worse, half a year of business trips! What are your leaders thinking? Are they treating you like a cow?"

Wang Xingguo gently patted Li Xiuping's back and comforted her, "Honey, don't be angry. Just consider this a one-time business trip for me. I'll be back in six months, and then I can spend every day with you and the children like this again."

When everyone learned of this that evening, there was an uproar.

We've only been settled for a short while, and now we have to travel around like this again. Everyone's feeling bad.

When they went to sleep at night, Li Xiuping held Wang Xingguo tightly, as if he would disappear if she let go.

Wang Xingguo was also quite helpless. The weather was so hot that it was uncomfortable for the couple to hug each other, but his wife was in a bad mood, so he didn't dare to say anything.

Thankfully, the fan made the room much cooler, otherwise it would have been really hard to sleep.

The next day, Wang Xingguo started chatting with people, asking his clansmen to look after his wife and children. He also spoke with his parents-in-law and asked Director Zhao for help with household matters.

Finally, there was the security department. Wang Xingguo instructed them to keep an eye on the house. He didn't need to talk about the adults, but mainly about the children, who were starting to run around. He told them to watch the children and make sure they didn't wander off outside.

After spending three days with his wife and children, Wang Xingguo packed his backpack, carried his suitcase, and got into the car that came to pick him up. He leaned out of the car window and waved goodbye to his tearful wife and children.

After leaving the compound, the car headed straight for the train station.

After arriving, Wang Xingguo received his work ID and various supporting documents, and together with a group of other personnel who had been selected, they officially boarded the vehicle and set off.

They traveled on the Xiang-Gui Railway, starting from Beijing and passing through Hebei, Henan, Hubei, and Hunan, finally arriving at the railway hub in Liuzhou. Since everyone had different tasks, only three people accompanied Wang Xingguo and arrived at Pingxiang Military Station in a jeep.

After so many days of travel, everyone was exhausted. Even though it was a sleeper bus, it was impossible to sleep well.

After arriving at the Pingxiang military post, Wang Xingguo and his group met with the local personnel, completed the formalities, and were given accommodations. They were told to rest and recuperate for the next day before officially starting their work the day after.