War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1414 Life-Saving Talisman PLUS?

In the spacious and bright living room on the first floor of the villa, Wei Ran, who was sitting on the sofa, suppressed his surprise and swiped the screen again with his finger.

In the fifth photo, it is an M548 crawler transport vehicle. The cargo bed of this vehicle is filled with Agent Orange barrels one after another.

Continuing to scroll back, in the sixth photo, there is a table full of cameras and various lenses in moisture-proof boxes!

These cameras include a Nikon Big F and a Leica M3, as well as a Minolta SRT-101 camera, plus an early waterproof Nikonos camera.

These four items were almost the most common “weapons” in the hands of field reporters who accompanied the army during the Vietnam War.

But in addition to these four cameras, there were two huge medium format cameras placed on the table.

Just looking at the iconic shapes, you can tell that these two almost identical cameras are Pentax 67s. Not only that, most of the various lenses installed in moisture-proof boxes on the table and even under the table are also the same as these two cameras. Camera adapted.

Thanks to the clear enough picture taken on the tablet, Weiran can easily identify one of them after zooming in. One of them is a third-generation Pentax 67, and the other is a fourth-generation Pentax 67II.

There is no doubt that these two cameras would not have participated in the Vietnam War. Even the relatively early third-generation camera did not start production until the late 80s, while the other one would not be launched until the late 90s.

What's more, it's rare for an exam-specific pencil to carry such a large weight to the front line to take pictures. It's just like jumping in line at the gate of the Palace of Hell.

However, because of this, Wei Ran judged that the original owner of these cameras was most likely a war reporter, and it was very likely that he continued to make a living in photography after the war.

He could also see that this man was a wealthy man with plenty of money in his pocket, whether before, during or after the war.

Sure enough, without him asking, Zha Xifeng took the initiative to explain, "The owner of these things is Zach Kidd. He was sent to the front line as a war correspondent in 1967. In 1970, he returned to the United States ”

After a pause, Zha Xifeng continued, "During the difficult period, he met a difficult friend, Li Youfu, who was Zach's translator and guide, and also his photography assistant. In 1968, they were still with the army. I was captured while filming.

Later, Zach escaped from the prisoner of war camp and returned to the United States successfully with the help of his friend Le Huu Phuc, but Le Huu Phuc chose to stay and join the Viet Cong. "

"Join the Viet Cong?" Wei Ran raised his eyebrows.

"right"

Zha Xifeng nodded, "The last contact between the two parties was after the Vietnam War ended, which was already the autumn of 1976.

Mr. Zak, who has returned to his hometown to run a photo studio, received a package from Saigon, which contained the camera he used when he was captured, his pistol and watch.

Zach was very sure that those were sent by his friend Li Youfu, but in the rest of his life, he went to Yue Di many times, but never found or contacted his friend. "

"How can he be sure that his friend is still alive?" Wei Ran asked after pondering for a long time.

"Those Buddhist items were sent to Mr. Zak from Saigon or Da Nang one after another after 76."

As Zha Xifeng spoke, she lit up the tablet screen again, called up the second photo, and re-displayed the rather beautiful Buddhist knick-knacks, "This thing here was sent last Christmas. "

Looking at the position of the other person's finger, it was a magic pestle that looked a little thicker than a cigarette. Judging from the color, it was most likely made of silver.

"You were still sending gifts last year?"

Wei Ran was stunned for a moment, then swiped the tablet screen again, pointed at the Buddha statues in the fourth photo and asked, "Are these too?"

"These are not"

Zha Xifeng shook his head, "These are all souvenirs that Mr. Zac bought when he visited difficult places to visit his friends."

"Can't you find it through the logistics information?" Weiran asked.

"Cannot be found"

Zha Xifeng shook his head, "The address and contact information used to send gifts every time are fake. Even if the identity information is true, it is basically stolen."

After reaching out and swiping on the screen a few times, Wei Ran pointed at the things in the other photos and asked, "What's going on with these things?"

"Except for the two largest cameras, which were used by Mr. Zak when he ran a photo studio after returning to the United States, the rest were sent to him by Li Youfu after the war."

Zha Xifeng explained one by one, "Except for his own sidearm, he bought all the other weapons, equipment and vehicles at a charity auction organized by VN15."

At this point, he added as if he just remembered, "I forgot to mention that Comrade Channing, who introduced us to us, is also a member of VN15, and all the charity auctions of VN15 in recent years have been organized by Channing for free. Yes, if I remember correctly, the tracked armored vehicle and the jeep in the photo are the collections he sent for the photo. "

Hearing this, Wei Ran turned off the screen of his tablet, leaned on the sofa, closed his eyes and thought secretly.

To this day, his transport truck, which serves as a safe, contains a statue of Mazu cast in gold and a statue of Mazu carved in mutton-fat jade.

The former came from the little devil's private stash on the isolated Pacific island where he was trapped with his friends on the Johnston. The latter comes from the suitcase left by Ryukyu journalist Yukio Sometani at the Tsumen Love Letters Apartment.

He also remembered that when Jia Ya came to visit, she said that there were only 23 gold statues in total, and only five of them were still alive. There were only three statues of Mazu carved from mutton-fat jade, but only one of them was still alive. carving.

So the headless statue in the photo is matching the head sculpture?

So, who owns that head sculpture? In the hands of Jia Ya’s boss?

He still remembered that just the golden statue made Jia Ya promise that her boss would do his best to help him if she encountered unsolvable troubles.

So what about this headless statue of Mazu?

If that golden statue is a life-saving talisman, wouldn’t the one in the photo be a life-saving talisman plus?

From this point of view alone, this reward alone is enough for him to take the risk.

Admittedly, he didn't know how powerful Jia Ya's boss was. In order to avoid misunderstandings, he specifically reminded the Katenka sisters not to rashly investigate that dangerous woman and everything behind her.

But being unclear doesn't mean that you don't understand. Not to mention the few words vaguely revealed by Qin Er's beast before, Brother Yang not long ago seemed to have brought enough "shock" to Cha Xifeng sitting opposite.

What's more, since Greva got involved in the tropical fruit business, they have never encountered any trouble in Papua New Guinea.

If someone hadn't said hello to me, let alone making a lot of money by transporting the fruit back, there would be a question mark as to whether the transport plane could fly back in one piece.

At least let's see if the headless statue of Mazu is real.

Thinking of this, he finally opened his eyes again, looked at Zha Xifeng sitting opposite and asked, "Do you have any detailed information about Li Youfu?"

"not much"

While Zha Xifeng was speaking, she picked up the tablet computer between the two of them again. After rummaging around for a while, she pulled out a colorful photo and handed it to Wei Ran, "This is Li Youfu and Mr. Zac in Nha Trang in 1967." The photo taken." Taking the tablet again, Wei Ran couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. In this colorful photo, there was a beautiful coastline in the background, and there seemed to be some soldiers wearing fourth-class uniforms fighting in the distance. volleyball.

At the focus of the camera, on the left is a short Asian man wearing a British field shirt, shorts, and American jungle boots.

He wore a Jones hat, which was popular at the time, without any military rank or armband, but around his neck were a Minolta SRT-101 camera and a waterproof Nikonos camera.

There were not only cameras in pairs, but also two American-style water bottles on his belt. In addition to these weights, he seemed to be carrying a lightweight metal frame on his back. On the bottom side of the back frame, the handle of an obstacle-clearing knife was faintly exposed.

In addition, in his hand, he also held a MAT49 submachine gun produced in France and using nine-millimeter paragon bullets.

Look at the white man next to him who is much taller than him and has a strong body that looks more like a boxer than a reporter.

He was wearing a fourth-class horse uniform without any markings and a helmet wrapped in camouflage cloth.

There seemed to be a bottle of insecticide and a dark cylinder fixed on this cool helmet with a black elastic band.

In addition to these, a white anti-war symbol can be vaguely seen on this helmet.

Similarly, there are two cameras hanging around his neck - the Nikon Big F and the Leica M3 camera that I have seen in the photos before.

On his belt hung two relatively lightweight plastic water bottles, a canvas holster containing a 1911 pistol, a first aid kit and an L-shaped flashlight.

On his back, he was carrying a small, lightweight, but bulging M1961 backpack.

"The white man in the photo is Mr. Zak, and next to him is his friend Li Youfu."

Zha Xifeng made an unnecessary introduction, "According to Mr. Zak's will, he hopes that Li Youfu will inherit part of his estate."

"Does Mr. Zach have any family members still alive?" Wei Ran turned off the screen of his tablet and looked up at the other person and asked.

"He had a daughter."

Zha Xifeng put away the tablet and said, "His daughter was also a member of VN15, but she and her boyfriend died in a strange car accident about ten years ago."

"A strange car accident?" Wei Ran raised his eyebrows.

"As I just mentioned, there are many Vietnam veterans who don't want to talk about Agent Orange, especially those who personally spread the 'rainbow herbicide'."

"Like the one who tried to hire me for $288 million?"

"Who knows?"

Zha Xifeng spread her hands, "In short, Zach's daughter and her boyfriend are dead. At that time, the Ford sedan driven by her boyfriend rear-ended a container truck and rushed off the viaduct.

The results of the police investigation revealed that the young man who was also a member of VN15 and Zach's daughter both overdosed on the drug, and nearly grams of the drug was found in the wreckage of their car. "

"It's so old-fashioned and easy to use," Wei Ran couldn't help but muttered.

“It’s really old-fashioned but it’s really useful”

Zha Xifeng also mocked, and then said in an outsider's tone that "it's none of my business", "I know about this much, Victor, 15 US dollars, plus Mr. Zach's warehouse Are you interested in those collections?”

"I" Wei Ran opened his mouth, but he couldn't answer the question at all.

Is he interested? Of course I'm interested!

But just being interested in the headless statue of Mazu, as well as the Vietnam War and the talking tree, it’s an unforgivable sin no matter how much you think about it.

"I want to see the relics he left behind first."

In the end, Wei Ran couldn't resist the temptation of "Life-Saving Talisman PLUS" and gave an impeccable answer with extra caution, "I want to take a look at what he left behind first to see if there are any valuable clues before I can make a decision. Decide."

"This"

What he didn't expect was that Zha Xifeng looked embarrassed, "Frankly speaking, this is a bit difficult."

"What difficulty?" Wei Ran raised his eyebrows.

"I can't bring those things to Kazan. His belongings are sealed in the house where he left them. I'm not even a member of VN15 and have no right to take those things out."

Zha Xifeng said apologetically, “What’s more, some of them that seem to be more valuable have been deposited in a bank safe in advance by the lawyer hired by Zach before his death.

So if you want to see his relics, I'm afraid you have to go to the United States with me. Allentown, Pennsylvania, is not too far from New York. "

To the United States? at this time?

Wei Ran was hesitant again. Just a few months ago, they staged a drama in which Gorman's wife, Mrs. Uma, faked his death in Kiev, and a few months later, they also had Gorman fake his own death.

Is it too arrogant to go to the United States at this time?

But thinking about it on the other hand, if I am invited to go to the United States at this time, it seems that it can dispel some of the doubts that have accumulated in me.

After thinking for a moment, Wei Ran pretended to be apologetic and said, "Mr. Cha, I'm afraid I can't give you an answer so quickly whether I'm going or not. You know, I just came back. I'm afraid I need to rest for a few days and deal with the backlog of things on hand. Just work.”

"Of course, I understand, this matter is not very urgent." Zha Xifeng quickly replied.

"If it's convenient, why not send me those photos first?"

Wei Ran made a new request, "Whether I go or not, I can at least try to see if I can find any clues through the photos."

Naturally, Zha Xifeng would not refuse this request. After he sent the photo, the two of them made a tacit agreement not to continue this topic.

While Wei Ran called Suisui to tell him that there was a guest at home, Zha Xifeng also summoned his wife and daughter back.

In the subsequent chat, Wei Ran also learned that in addition to being an investigator for VN15, Zha Xifeng's wife was also a Chinese teacher.

But what’s even more outrageous than this woman’s career is that Cha Xifeng’s daughter Daofeng, a beautiful girl whose English name is Cecilia, has learned something completely off the charts and has never heard of it. Even after hearing about it, people will inevitably doubt the existence of "canine cultivation"!

When asked by Wei Ran why she chose such a major, this young girl who had just entered college gave an impeccable answer as a matter of course, "The tuition is cheap, only 800 US dollars per semester, and Americans definitely I will become more and more inseparable from Inuma.”

It really deserves the name Knife Bee.

Wei Ran couldn't help but twitch his lips. From a certain level, what this little girl was studying was much more "interesting" than what her father was studying.

Just imagining the touching scene in which this girl will plant canine and hemp all over every farm in North America in the future, a certain historian can't help but feel excited, wondering if he will find an opportunity to secretly invest a start-up capital for this girl in the future.