War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1409 A gift to Wei Ran

Chapter 1409 A gift to Wei Ran

In the pouring rain, the group passed through the ports between the two countries without any hindrance. Under the leadership of Zha Xifeng and his son, they got into a Coaster minibus that was waiting in advance.

The only people leading the team this time were Zha Xifeng, his son and Wei Ran. Among the people accompanying him, there were only Lu Yao's son Lu Ming, the no longer young Hai Dongqing and his daughter Gerile, the equally no longer young Wang Beizhan and the prisoner Li Dazhai, and Li Dazhai. His son Li Shangwu.

Finally, there is Cha Yongfang’s younger brother Cha Yonghua, and even Cha Yonghua’s son Cha Zhiqiang.

After all the calculations, it was just like Wei Ran's "dream" experience that he managed to get 11.

Fortunately, when we come back this time, we no longer have to pass through deadly minefields, endure jungles full of locusts and poisonous snakes, and we don't have to hide from the more difficult people everywhere.

"This is what my father left behind"

Before the car started to drive, Zha Xifeng took the gun case handed by her son from the passenger seat, opened it, took out a Bayi gun with a large five-leaf camouflage cloth strip wrapped around the butt, and handed it to I saw Hai Dongqing sitting in the first row.

Almost at the same time, on the Panlong River on the other side of the border, Xia Shushi, who was left to help entertain many family members, also took out the relics belonging to Squad Leader Dao that Wei Ran had temporarily entrusted to him for safekeeping, and gave them to Lu Yao.

Not to mention the sighs of the people on both sides, when the car drove into the Dongfeng Mine Clearance School in the heavy rain, the veterans in the car also subconsciously looked in the direction of the bombed ammunition depot, and the juniors and comrades beside them The family members once again talked about their combat experience that year.

Finally, the car stopped under a makeshift rain shelter near the entrance of the natural tunnel.

When the car door opened, Brother Yang, who had specially changed into a large five-leaf camouflage, wore a Bayi chest strap, and carried a Bayi bar on his shoulders, immediately raised his chest and raised his head to salute Hai Dongqing and others who came down.

Almost subconsciously, Hai Dongqing and others also raised their hands to return the salute, looking at the young and strong Brother Yang with burning eyes, looking at the camouflage uniform and ammunition carrying equipment on his body, as well as the weapons on his shoulders, as if from his On my body, I saw myself from back then.

When Hai Dongqing, still holding the Bayi Bar in his hand, led the others and followed Zha Xifeng and his son through the entrance of the cave, which was guarded by Brother Yang himself, Wei Ran, who was walking at the end, stopped at the entrance of the cave.

"Mr. Wei, won't you follow him?" Brother Yang said, taking the initiative to give Wei a cigarette.

"not going"

Wei Ran shook his head, took the cigarette and lit it, "Is it safe?"

"Do not worry"

Brother Yang pointed to the top of his head and replied, "I have sent people to guard this mountain from the top to the foot of the mountain. I have also sent people to guard the other two entrances of the cave and the surrounding villages, including the mountain where the cave you discovered last time is located. People are guarding.”

"I'm not worried about the knife squad leader"

Wei Ran simply sat down on the steps at the entrance of the cave and asked sullenly, "But the bodies of the two martyrs over there must be taken back through official channels. Will these monkeys cause trouble?"

"They are not the only ones who can cause trouble."

Brother Yang's answer was particularly confident, "Don't worry, Mr. Wei, there won't be any surprises or obstacles in this matter."

Wei Ran nodded and didn't ask any more questions. He just stretched out comfortably and stared blankly at the mountains and jungles in the rain.

During the slightly long wait, the crisp sound of firing from the Bayi Bar came from the other end of the mountain.

"Lend me your gun"

Wei Ran stood up as he spoke, took the Bayi bar from Brother Yang, pulled the bolt of the gun, pointed it above his head and pulled the trigger.

"Da da da!"

"Da da da!"

"Da da da!"

At both ends of the mountain, two Bayi bars fired three volleys of guns in tacit agreement. Under the leadership of these two Bayi bars, the helpers guarding around the mountain each raised their Eight-One guns. With one stroke, three shots were fired one after another.

In the thick rainstorm, gunshots echoed repeatedly in the valley, teasing everyone's eardrums, but they could not wake up the sleeping veterans no matter what.

After a while, the mountains became quiet again, leaving only the sound of the rain and the sighs of some people deep in their hearts.

After an unknown amount of time, Zha Xifeng walked out of the cave carrying a wooden beehive. Behind him, his adopted son Zha Xifeng opened a black umbrella in advance before the former walked out of the cave.

"Did you get it?" Wei Ran asked Cha Xifeng, whose eyes were red.

"Received"

Zha Xifeng nodded, turned to look at the old beehive on his back and said, "As his son, I helped him pick the bones. Now we are taking my father with me to see what he is looking for." A lifelong comrade.”

"Go, go."

Wei Ran glanced at the old beehive on Zha Xifeng's back, which still had green paint and the words "67 Type Wooden Handle Grenade" on it. It was made of three grenade boxes stacked on top of each other, and then reinforced with wooden boards and nails. It is spliced ​​together, but even so, even if it is not very beautiful, it is still strong enough.

Watching Zha Xifeng carrying his father into the car, and watching Hai Dongqing and others also get in the car, Wei Ran and Brother Yang finally walked in and closed the door.

"Prepare for war, Dazhai, let's sing a song!"

When the car completed the U-turn and gradually picked up speed, Hai Dongqing suddenly suggested.

"Okay! It's time to sing a song!" Li Dazhai was the first to agree.

"Prepare for war, you start!"

As Hai Dongqing spoke, he actually took out a bottle of Xifeng wine that was full of dust from his arms, wiped it with his sleeve and then unscrewed the cap.

“Climb high mountains—cross dangerous peaks—get ready—sing!”

“Climbing high mountains—crossing dangerous peaks—we are the people’s scouts!”

In the carriage, Hai Dongqing, who had just taken a sip of Xifeng wine, handed the bottle to Li Dazhai and started singing along.

As the bottle of Xifeng wine was passed around everyone's hands, Li Dazhai kept up with the tune. Li Dazhai's son Li Shangwu, Hai Dongqing's daughter Gerile, Lu Yao's son Lu Ming, and even squad leader Cha's My elder brother, even Brother Yang, sang the same old song together.

"The steel knife penetrates the enemy's heart!

Go deep into the tiger's den to find out the enemy's situation!

Hey Hey! A red heart full of courage!

Be the vanguard on the road to victory!

Be the vanguard on the road to victory!

"

In this small carriage, more and more people were singing, and the singing was becoming more and more powerful. However, the three veterans who took the lead in the chorus had already burst into tears and buried their heads in their arms. It seems that their red youth is hidden in the singing.

"Across the plains - through the dense forests! We are the people's scouts!"

Beside Hai Dongqing, his daughter Gerile stood up and directed everyone to continue singing louder, singing the old song that encouraged the three veterans.

Along the way, this song was sung over and over again, and the bottle of Xifeng wine brought back from the tomb of Squad Leader Dao was also passed on to everyone, including Wei Ran, over and over again, until in the end, there was no more in it. A drop of wine is as bitter as if it were filled with tears.

Finally, this minibus full of songs and memories arrived at Ganzhu Village and stopped. Zha Xifeng, who was well prepared, also gave everyone an old-fashioned rubberized raincoat and a pair of vital raincoats. Iron-footed horse.

After everyone was dressed up, Zha Xifeng once again carried the box containing the remains of Squad Leader Knife, and once again walked at the front.

In just two days, a three-meter-wide winding mountain road has been opened up the mountain behind the village.

On both sides of these mountain roads, wooden piles with iron chains were even temporarily installed to serve as handrails for climbing.

Not only that, the young students of the Dongfeng Mine Clearance School even built a suspension bridge suspended over the flood-prone valley on the other side of the back mountain.

Although the suspension bridge is not wide, it is strong enough for everyone to cross. It is strong enough for Cha Xifeng to carry his father and the squad leader with a knife on his back to take a look at the comrade he has been looking for all his life.

Still at the end, Wei Ran looked at the veterans who were still singing and the family members who had learned the song, but his heart became increasingly sad.

You are in my memory, but I am not in your memory

Wei Ran sighed secretly, and at the same time couldn't help but slow down a little.

"Can't walk anymore?"

The person who asked this question was not Brother Yang who had been walking beside Wei Ran, but Lu Ming in front of him - Lu Yao's son.

“I can still hold on”

Wei Ran smiled, but saw that the other party also slowed down. He also took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took out two and gave them to Wei Ran and Brother Yang, and then he took one himself.

"I heard from Brother Zha and my eldest nephew Zha that it was you who found my father's comrades?"

Lu Ming lit the cigarette in his mouth and asked, "I also heard from nephew Zhan Zhan that the waterway where you dived is not close."

"lucky"

After Wei Ran finished speaking, he also lit the huazi given to him by the other party, and explained indiscriminately, "When I was diving, the water level was not that high, and there was still a thin layer of air at the top, otherwise I can’t dive in either.”

"No matter what, you are quite awesome and very courageous."

Lu Ming gestured with his thumb and exclaimed, "If it were another person, he would definitely not dare to go down. If it was washed away by the underground river, he would really not be able to find it."

Wei Ran was about to say something exactly when he heard the other party continue, "But it's really thanks to you that now Uncle Dao, Uncle Xiao Xifeng and Uncle Cha have been found, and my father's worries have finally been solved. This He has been thinking about this all his life."

"Teacher Lu Lu."

"Alas! You don't know"

Lu Ming took a few puffs of cigarette and said in a puff of smoke, "Ever since we brothers and sisters can remember, we have spent August 1st in that small courtyard in Wenshan almost every year. During the winter and summer vacations, we also take turns to go to each other's houses. I lived in that small courtyard for the whole holiday. My eldest brother, Qingyan, was the oldest, and Sister Qiangwei was the second. At that time, they were the primary parents, supervising our homework, taking us to play, and supervising each of us. Do laundry and clean.

At that time, I drank honey water every day, and every now and then, I could also drink royal jelly sent by Uncle Dao. "

At this point, Lu Ming sighed, but since the summer vacation of 98, Uncle Dao has never come back. At that time, my eldest brother, Qingyan, wrote letters here almost every week, or I would save my pocket money to secretly make long-distance calls to Grandma Jiang, who was looking after the house.

But until Uncle Wang moved to the small courtyard, he didn't wait for a reply from Uncle Dao.

From that time on, my dad would take a long vacation at the end of March every year and live here by himself for half a month. I heard from my mother that sometimes he would drive the truck left by Uncle Dao to the surrounding areas. In the woods, once I go there I don't come back for several days.

When he went back, he was unshaven and looked like he had lost his soul. "

In the silence of Wei Ran and Brother Yang, Lu Ming took off the bunny hat on his head and twirled it on his fingertips and continued, "Since that year, we have never eaten the royal jelly brought by Uncle Dao. I never received a hat made by him again.”

"then."

Wei Ran glanced at Cha Xifeng, who was walking in the front, his back blurred by the rain. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Didn't Squad Leader Dao mention Cha Xifeng back then?"

"no"

Lu Ming shook his head, "Don't talk about Brother Cha, he hasn't said where he is hiding for so many years.

I remember that before 98, Uncle Wang once went to find Uncle Dao in the same village we visited before, but he could not be found at all. At that time, my dad said that if Uncle Dao wanted to hide, no one would be able to find him. "

Yes

Wei Ran couldn't help but look at Zha Xifeng at the front again. The old detective who had been trained in the war wanted to hide, so how could anyone find him?

"I heard you are at Mao Zi's side?" Lu Ming asked as if he had nothing to say.

"Yes, Kazan." Wei Ran replied absently, "I'm studying for my Ph.D. there."

"Uncle Wang's daughter is also studying at Maozi's school."

Lu Ming followed the topic and said, "But she is in Irkutsk, right on the edge of Lake Baikal."

"Oh, what are you studying?" Wei Ran, who was still distracted, asked casually.

"Space Physics"

Lu Ming came up with a professional term that Wei Ran had never heard of before, and then added, "If it weren't for the tight time this time, she would definitely come back."

"You brothers and sisters are quite close," Wei Ran said in a confused tone.

“After all, we grew up together”

As Lu Ming spoke, he calmly dusted off the two locusts attached to his bunny hat, and then put it back on his head.

After a brief chat, the three people at the end also distanced themselves from the people in front.

Seeing this, the three of them flicked their cigarette butts away and sped up to catch up.

Thanks to the mountain roads that were temporarily opened in the past two days and the bamboo sheds that the demining students had set up along the way, everyone braved the rain and climbed over the last mountain at around 4 p.m. that day and arrived at the original guard site. In front of the dug hole.

In the past two days, the cave that could barely allow the sanitary ignition to be drilled out has been enlarged enough for a jeep to drive in. Even the trees and weeds around the entrance of the cave have been cleared and leveled. At the same time as the ground was built, a flood control dam was also built.

Just like when he went to pick up Squad Leader Dao, Wei Ran still didn't come up to him this time. He just watched from a distance as Zha Xifeng carried the remains of Squad Leader Dao and led Hai Dongqing and others into the cave.

"Let's go back," Wei Ran suddenly said to Brother Yang who was standing beside him.

"Now?" Brother Yang looked at Wei Ran in surprise.

"Yes, now." Wei Ran turned around and walked back as he spoke.

Looking up at the sky, Brother Yang hurriedly said hello to the guard near the entrance of the cave, and then quickly caught up with Wei Ran.

"Aren't you waiting for them?" Brother Yang asked after catching up with Wei Ran, "They are probably going to rest here for the night. I see that Mr. Cha has even set up the tent in advance."

“No more waiting”

Wei Ran shook his head, and then explained as if he was afraid that the other party would misunderstand, "Mr. Cha can bring them here even without me. There is no need to stay and wait for their thanks, and they don't have to thank me. On the contrary, I should thank them."

At this point, Wei Ran smiled and said, "In that case, it's better to leave at this time. Seeing that they found them, I felt relieved and could go home. To tell you the truth, I rushed back from Kazan. I haven’t gone home to see it.”

"That's fine, but the road is not easy to walk at night." Brother Yang reminded.

"Then walk slowly, we have plenty of time anyway." Wei Ran responded with a smile, but then quickened his pace.

Brother Yang smiled when he saw this, threw the Bayi Bar in his hand over his shoulder, and also quickened his pace.

At seven o'clock that evening, the two of them returned to Ganzhu Village quietly without any trouble. They took a car driven by Brother Yang overnight and rushed back to Ha Giang City, which is only 20 kilometers away from the border between the two countries, and stayed in a local family. A hotel in pretty good condition.

Waiting until early the next morning, Wei Ran said goodbye to Brother Yang in the drizzle, crossed the border between the two countries alone, and returned to Tianbao on the other side. He met Suisui and her beauty who had come to wait in advance after receiving the news. Followers.

"Are we going home now?" Suisui asked before Wei Ran could close the car door, "I'm still waiting to see those martyrs come back."

Wei Ran bumped into the car door and replied, "Go home first, we have nothing to do here anymore."

"also"

Suisui seemed to notice something and simply said hello to Wan Qiu, the beautiful tour guide in charge of driving, "Sister Wan Qiu, please take us to the airport."

"Okay." Before the beauty Wan Qiu finished speaking, she had already slowly stepped on the accelerator.

They were chatting about what happened on the way with the veterans to find their comrades. When the car was about to drive to the airport, an off-road vehicle with military plates honked its horn at them, and then honked. Flash stopped on the side of the road.

"What's wrong?" Suisui, who was about to fall asleep on Wei Ran's shoulder, opened her eyes in confusion, "Are you at the airport?"

"Almost there, wait for me to get off."

Wei Ran said, unbuckled his seat belt, opened the car door, and stepped out.

Almost at the same time, the door of the military-branded off-road vehicle was pushed open from the inside. Immediately afterwards, Luo Qingyan, who had only met once, got out of it and walked straight towards Wei Ran.

When the distance between the two was less than two meters, Wei Ran stopped with a smile on his face, followed closely by Luo Qingyan, who also stopped in the drizzle and slanting wind, raised his hand and looked towards seriously Wei Ran saluted.

"Comrade Weiran"

Luo Qingyan put down his arm, then pulled out a long camouflage cloth roll from his jacket pocket and handed it to Wei Ran, "Thank you for helping me find my father! This is my gratitude. I hope you can accept it as a souvenir!"

With that said, Luo Qingyan handed the cloth roll in his hand to Wei Ran, who looked surprised.

"This is the bunny hat my father gave me when I was 18 years old."

Luo Qingyan said while Wei Ran hesitantly took the roll of cloth, "Comrade Wei Ran, I give this to you as a souvenir. I hope you like it."

"This"

Wei Ran said quickly, "No, this is too valuable. You should take good care of it."

"Take it"

Luo Qingyan said apologetically, "I asked Brother Cha the day before yesterday, and he said that you only accepted his two cigarettes, two bottles of wine, and two boxes of bees.

I really don’t know how to thank you, and I don’t know what to use to thank you, so I’ll give you this hat. Although it is not very valuable, at least it can be used as a souvenir. "

"That's good too!"

Wei Ran clenched the light but heavy gift in his hand, "I accept this gift. If you want to return this gift someday in the future, you can contact me at any time. Mr. Cha has my contact information. "

"Okay" Luo Qingyan responded simply.

"Are you ready to leave too?" Wei Ran asked carefully, "If you shouldn't ask, just pretend I didn't say anything."

"Um"

Luo Qingyan nodded, and after a moment of hesitation, he added, "I have a mission, it's urgent."

"Thank you" Wei Ran said abruptly.

"Thank me?" Luo Qingyan didn't respond for a moment, "Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for the protection you have provided us, and thank you for the peace you have created." Wei Ran said, and deliberately gave the other party a military salute, "Also, thank you for the gift, I like it very much."

Hearing this, Luo Qingyan's face showed a simple and honest smile that was very similar to that of Platoon Commander Luo back then. He raised his hand and saluted again, "Comrade Wei Ran, I wish you a smooth return voyage. Goodbye."

"Goodbye"

Wei Ran put down his arm, shook hands with the other party one last time, watched as the other party turned around and got into the military-branded off-road vehicle, and then watched them disappear into the misty rain.

Looking down at the gift in his hand, Wei Ran unfolded the double-sided camouflage bunny hat with an increasingly bright smile, and carefully put it on his head to block the wet wind. It also blocked the cold rain.


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