Nominal: Energy sector enters Handong, breaking the deadlock

Wang Laoshuan felt embarrassed, but he still told the truth: "Commander Zhou, there are a few young retired soldiers in the village."

Most of them went out to work, and no one stayed in the deep mountains.

"The mountains offer no way to make a living, and they can't keep people who have seen the world."

It's a heartbreaking truth.

Zhou Tiejun sighed softly: "Oh well! I was planning to visit and comfort the veterans in the village tonight."

Since that's the case, let's leave it at that.

Wang Laoshuan suddenly slapped his thigh and said, "Commander Zhou, although there are no retired veterans, there is a women's rescue association director in the village, my aunt Lu Guifen."

It is said that back then, the entire rear support for the mountainous area relied on her command.

Zhou Tiejun was a little impatient. "That's the deep bond between the military and the people."

Back then, while our soldiers fought bloody battles on the front lines, the rear couldn't do without the help of female comrades who raised food supplies and treated the wounded.

In terms of merit, female comrades are no less than soldiers.

Now that I know there's a former director of the Women's Salvation Association, I, Zhou Tiejun, must pay him a visit.

Qi Tongwei chimed in, "Yes, we should also remember the unsung heroes in the rear."

Song Yunhui also wanted to visit the veteran comrades. "Since there are senior comrades here, Secretary Wang, please take us there quickly."

"Yes, sir." Wang Laoshuan turned on his tin flashlight, illuminating the bumpy dirt road.

"Let's go, I'll take you all there."

My aunt is 85 years old this year. She is still in good health, but her legs are not as strong as before, and she stays at home most of the time.

Now that I'm older, I rarely go out.

Yu Shanqing directed his entourage to bring over some rice, flour, cooking oil, and milk.

The group walked along the bluestone path towards the east side of the village.

The mountain night breeze carried the scent of earth, and the white beam of a flashlight swayed back and forth on the yellow mud wall.

Before long, a small courtyard with a low wall reaching waist height came into view, and there was also a vegetable garden inside.

Inside the main room.

The radio was broadcasting the news: "Yantai City introduced the Hanbang Technology Agriculture Project; Provincial Party Secretary Sha Ruijin wrote an inscription on-site to promote the music-based pig farming industry and contribute to rural revitalization..."

The old lady, Lu Guifen, was furious and muttered, "What a waste of money! It's just a pointless waste of time!"

Old Wang pushed open the slightly ajar courtyard gate. "Auntie, are you listening to the radio?"

Song Yunhui and his group followed them into the courtyard.

The curtain in the main room was lifted, and Lu Guifen, with a full head of white hair and a thin figure, stood on the steps, leaning against the door frame, and began to complain to Wang Laoshuan: "Shuanzi, you be the judge."

There is no running water or paved roads in the mountains, making it difficult to see a doctor and seek medical treatment; nobody cares about it.

On the contrary, the pigs in the pig farm listened to the music first.

Even pigs can enjoy a life of leisure; it's a complete waste of money.

What a waste of money!

What a waste of money!

Zhou Tiejun put down the rice in his hand, grasped the old man's calloused hand, and said, "Senior, please don't be afraid."

Don't get angry and ruin your health.

I am Xiao Zhou from the Provincial Military Region. I have come here today specifically to visit you, a revolutionary hero.

Lu Guifen shook her head, "I'm just a rural woman, I can't be called a hero. I just did what I was supposed to do back then, I don't deserve such a high title."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group went inside.

Zhou Tiejun helped Lu Guifen up, "Senior, would you mind telling us about your experiences supporting the front lines back then?"

Lu Guifen sat in the armchair and said, "Back then, the Japanese devils entered our Handong and carried out a large-scale mopping-up operation in the Yantai area."

The soldiers on the front lines lacked food and clothing. I was one of the first to join the Women's Salvation Association and even participated in training provided by the provincial Women's Salvation Association.

During the day we farmed and cleared land, and at night we sewed military uniforms, wove straw sandals, and made pancakes, sending supplies to the front lines overnight.

No one interrupted; Song Yunhui, Qi Tongwei, and the others listened quietly.

Lu Guifen continued, "If there wasn't enough fabric, we would dismantle old cotton-padded jackets, and we would save as much of the rations as possible for the soldiers."

We gnawed on tree bark and ate wild vegetables.

On rainy or snowy days, the mountain roads are muddy, and people push wheelbarrows to transport grain and medicinal herbs.

After the wounded were evacuated, they were carried into the cave and cared for day and night with boiling water and bandaging.

Back then, everyone was dedicated to selfless service; no one complained. They all had one thought in their minds: to drive out the Japanese invaders and live a life where they could have enough to eat.

Lu Guifen said with a touch of melancholy, "Now, life is getting better year by year, but some of the sisters who supported the front back then are now buried in these mountains, and some have passed away a few years ago."

I'm all alone now.

The soldiers back then were so good; they wouldn't take a single needle or thread from the people.

Song Yunhui poured a bowl of water for the old man and added half a spoonful of soup. "Senior, it is because of your selfless dedication back then that we have the Handong we have today."

"Whatever your wish, as long as it's within my power, I, Song Yunhui, will certainly not refuse."

Song Yunhui really wanted to do something for the old man.

Lu Guifen didn't want to trouble anyone.

I knew the governor and commander were coming, but I didn't expect them to come specifically to see me.

He slowly revealed his innermost thoughts, "I know my days are numbered."

I only wish to see the soldiers from back then before I die.

As for who has passed away and who is still alive.

She really doesn't know.

Moreover, more than sixty years have passed, and the unit designations and such must have changed.

Zhou Tiejun quickly stood up, took out his notebook, and said, "Senior, tell me the clues and the names, and I'll take care of it."

Lu Guifen recounted some rather vague clues, and Zhou Tiejun shook his head repeatedly.

Following Lu Guifen's account, I wrote down the soldiers' names.

They are Wang Baocheng, Guo Quande, Qi Zhenwu, Cao Qingping...

Qi Tongwei saluted and said, "Senior, our Public Security Bureau will cooperate with the military region to do everything we can to find clues about them."

Lu Guifen felt as if she had found her pillar of support, and holding the hands of Zhou Tiejun and Qi Tongwei, she recounted what happened back then.

Song Yunhui, Zhou Tiejun, Qi Tongwei, and others did not leave until late at night.

Walking along the mountain path, Qi Tongwei turned on the flashlight on his phone.

Actually, he was a little worried. "Commander Zhou, I have a feeling that some soldiers may already be gone."

Song Yunhui can empathize with soldiers; his brother-in-law Lei Dongbao was once an engineer, and his nephew Lei Weihua was also a soldier.

Not wanting to disappoint Lu Guifen, he said, "Director Qi, remember, even if the soldiers are gone, the elderly must not know."

Go look for it as much as you can. Don't get discouraged if you haven't looked yet.

With information so readily available now, if you can find a clue about one person, it's easy to find the others.

Qi Tongwei nodded: "Governor Song, I understand. I will definitely do my best to investigate."

Zhou Tiejun stopped and looked up at the moon in the sky.

Only in this way will the tears in my eyes not fall.

"Director Qi, let's divide the work. I'll check the relevant files in the military region, and you can use the household registration system to find similar personnel and try to find the soldier that Lu Guifen mentioned."

Qi Tongwei saluted and said, "I guarantee I will complete the mission."

Thus, the task of finding the person was assigned to Qi Tongwei and Zhou Tiejun.

The next day.

Early in the morning.

Jiang Baichuan, Director of the Water Resources Department of Handong Province, Xia Mingyuan, Director of the Tourism Bureau of Handong Province, and Professor Dong Jianming, Dean of the Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering Department of Handong University, arrived with their teams.

After preparing all necessary supplies.

Guided by Wang Laoshuan and Zhao Erzhu, Song Yunhui, Zhao Qilun, Li Dakang, Jiang Baichuan, Dong Jianming, Gu Changming, Ma Weiguo and others entered the mountains to begin their investigation.

The further into the mountains you go, the more difficult the road becomes.

As I walked, my phone even lost signal.

Xia Mingyuan pointed to the beautiful landscape ahead and said, "Governor Song, this is truly a wonderful place."

"A good place?" Old Wang was a little confused.

They were so poor they couldn't be poorer; no girls from outside wanted to marry into their family.

If I had wings, I would want to fly out of the mountains.

Song Yunhui smiled. "Secretary Wang, Director Xia means that we have abundant natural resources and great potential."