War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1669: Order troops and generals
"Your luck is as bad as mine"

“You’re so lucky”

In the wooden house with the curtains drawn, Uncle Chabu and Ninel, holding their wine glasses, gave different comments at the same time.

"My luck is not very good, but fortunately, it is not too bad."

Wei Ran smiled and gave his self-evaluation of the card drawing activity just now. The eyes of the three people were all focused on the three poker cards that were turned over.

On the first playing card, in addition to the "3 of Hearts" at the corner, there is also a helicopter printed in the middle. In a sense, it is outdated, but in another sense, it is enough to be called an economical Ka-26 helicopter.

Strictly speaking, this thing is not even a military helicopter. At most, it can be classified as a "Soviet helicopter."

"Why do you still have such outdated things in your warehouse?" The person who asked this question was not Wei Ran, but Ninel who picked up the playing card.

"Of course there are, and there are a lot of them."

Uncle Chabu replied as a matter of course, "No one is more suitable for spraying pesticides than these hardworking Soviet dragonflies. They are the most effective helpers in my vineyard. Of course, in addition to pesticides, they are also very effective in spraying incendiary agents."

At this point, Uncle Chabu directly snatched the poker card from Ninel's hand and pushed it to Wei Ran, "Take it, this poker card is worth three Ka-26 helicopters."

"3?"

Wei Ran looked at the other person in surprise, then lowered his head to look at the "3 of Hearts" on the corner of the playing card.

"certainly"

Uncle Chabu poured himself a glass of wine, drank it down with half a pickle, and said like a simple old farmer, "I've said it before, I'm an honest arms dealer, and my reputation in the industry is obvious to all."

Hearing this, Wei Ran couldn't help but look at the second card, which had a "face value" of 2 of clubs. Printed on the card was a Mi-34 helicopter.

"Two Mi-34Bs. I will give you two Mi-34Bs in the best condition."

Uncle Chabu made the promise very straightforwardly, and judging by his casual attitude, it was obvious that he did not take the two helicopters seriously at all.

Do I need so many helicopters to go home and eat cheap food?

Wei Ran muttered to himself while looking at the last card. It was a 2 of spades, and there was a plane drawn on the card. Ji Ma had one, Sui Sui had one, and it looked like he would have one too soon. He might also have two An-74 small planes.

"An-74, two."

Uncle Chabu threw a piece of ham into his mouth, laughed and said, "Victor, your luck is really bad. I was a little nervous just now, worried that you would take away an Il-76."

"Now I think these are too expensive." Wei Ran laughed dumbly. He had never seen anyone give flying vehicles in such a timely manner.

"Compared to the souvenirs you gave me, these things are nothing."

Uncle Chub quipped in dissatisfaction, "Besides, where is your courage regarding nuclear bombs and chemical weapons?"

"Or how about exchanging these that I just drew for a nuclear warhead?" Wei Ran asked excitedly.

"Not so good. You are better at business than your girlfriend. But I will keep the nuclear warheads. If they are handed over to a young lunatic like you, it will be a disaster for the world."

Uncle Chabu picked up the wine glass that Ninel had just filled, and said, "Well, those gifts will be delivered to you in various ways one after another. It may take a while, but they will definitely be delivered before next summer.

Enough about gifts, now let's have a drink."

"Then I'm not welcome."

As Wei Ran spoke, he also picked up the wine glass and clinked it lightly with the other party and Ninel, then brought it to his lips and drank it all.

"last question"

Uncle Chabu put down his glass and sniffed the slice of ham in his hand. "When are you going to let her show up?"

"Any recommendations?"

Wei Ran asked back. He knew clearly that the other party was referring to Ms. Nale who was hidden by him.

"Not too early, but not too long either." Uncle Chabu thought for a moment and said, "Before spring comes."

"I'll tell that lady," Wei Ran promised with a smile, and clinked glasses with the other party and drank another glass of wine.

"Okay, Victor, go spend time with your girlfriends."

Uncle Chabu put down his empty glass and said, "It's been a long time since I last met that troublesome little bastard Ninel. Let's catch up."

"You guys chat"

As Wei Ran spoke, he picked up the wine bottle and filled both parties' glasses. Then he took the three playing cards that belonged to him and left the cabin, walking towards the exhibition hall alone.

'He's a lunatic'

Next to the screen window, Ninel, hiding in the shadow of the wall, looked at Wei Ran's blurry back outside and said fearfully, "I can feel that he is very eager to get a nuclear bomb or a highly toxic chemical warhead. I guess he has even thought about where to use them."

"He has the talent to be an arms dealer," Uncle Chub exclaimed.

"An arms dealer needs talent?" Niniel couldn't help but sneer, "What talent? Being honest and dutiful?"

“It seems you are also very talented.”

Uncle Chabu patted Ninel's shoulder vigorously and said, "Good boy, make friends with that lunatic, or at least don't become his enemy."

"What if we kill him?" Ninel asked abruptly.

"you?"

Uncle Chabu snorted and said as he walked towards the sofa by the fireplace, “Give up, you have to trust the judgment of an arms dealer.

Ninel, not only can you not kill him, but he will probably drop a nuclear bomb on you in revenge.

By then, not only you will be killed in the explosion, but also your girlfriend and that crazy female partner. Even I might be on his revenge list."

"Is it that exaggerated?" Ninel, who was just making a hypothesis, asked nonchalantly.

"For a person who learns of the opportunity to possess nuclear bombs and chemical warheads one second, and who hopes to obtain them the next, and who probably already has a target for their delivery, I would not be surprised if he bombs the Kremlin tomorrow morning."

After saying that, Uncle Chabu sat down on the sofa and said, "Good boy, come and have a few more drinks with me. I will leave after dark, and we may meet again when it will be."

"For the sake of your health, you should drink less and lose weight." Ninel couldn't help but say.

"I will seriously consider your suggestion after I die." As Uncle Chabu spoke, he had already picked up the wine glass that Wei Ran had just filled for him.

While the two of them were hiding by the fireplace and chatting and reminiscing about the past, Wei Ran, who was walking back alone, rubbed the poker cards in his pocket and couldn't help but sigh with regret.

"It would be really exciting if there was a nuclear warhead."

Wei Ran quickened his pace while muttering to himself, but in fact, he was not as excited as Chabu and Ninel thought.

On the contrary, he was even trying his best to suppress his fear.

Just think about it, an arms dealer who intends to give away nuclear warheads as gifts must at least have nuclear bombs and chemical warheads in his hands.

But anyone can hold this kind of thing? This is enough to explain a lot of things.

In the next two days, Sui Xin and Chen Luoxiang became the resident musicians of the exhibition hall, and Olga's classmates, friends and teachers also came in waves.

Even Sui Sui, who had repeatedly said that she would not talk about work this time, pulled Teacher Dalia, Olena and her parents into the room every day to talk about business matters.

In contrast, Ninel was like a young wife who never left the house. She drove Ivan's patrol boat diligently every day, going out early and coming back late, and no one knew what she was busy with.

In the blink of an eye, it was the morning of the third day. Olga was still busy "doing art" with Sui Xin, Chen Luoxiang and her classmates and friends. Wei Ran, Sui Sui and others, led by Daria, Olena and her parents, boarded the fishing boat driven by Ninel with various camping equipment and large and small bags of food, and headed north along the river that was about to freeze into Lake Ladoga.

"Where are we going?"

On the deck blown by the cold wind, Wei Ran, who was wrapped tightly, asked in a hoarse voice.

"Zelenetz Island"

Old Ivan explained, "It's on Lake Ladoga, it's a very beautiful island, let's go there."

“Purely sick”

Wei Ran blatantly gave his evaluation in Chinese, which the other party could not understand. How could it be more comfortable to wander around on a desert island on such a cold day than to hide in a room, drink tea and roast sweet potatoes by the fireplace?
"Although I don't understand Chinese, I can guess that you definitely didn't say anything nice." Ivan said unhappily.

"You are wrong. I was admiring the beautiful scenery of Lake Ladoga in winter." After Wei Ran said this, he did not forget to tighten the wind rope of his hat.

"I'm going to need your help later."

Su Su, who had been holding Wei Ran's arm and was laughing so hard because of his nonsense, said:

"What favor?" Wei Ran asked nervously, "Can I refuse?"

"It's not a big deal, don't worry, it's something you are good at." Sui Sui continued to keep the suspense with a smile.

There's no way I can be so relieved. Wei Ran muttered to himself, feeling increasingly uneasy.

As if she could see Wei Ran's reluctance, Sui Sui couldn't help but explain, "This is a rare opportunity I fought for you. You are not allowed to give up. If you perform well, you will be rewarded."

"What opportunity?" Wei Ran couldn't help but ask, "How is the reward?"

"Let Uncle Ivan explain it to you." Sui Sui ignored the second half of her man's nonsense and kicked the ball to Ivan who was standing on the deck watching the scenery.

"This summer, my local fisherman friend accidentally discovered a war relic on the island we were going to."

Ivan explained with a smile, “To be precise, they accidentally detonated a can bomb dropped by the Germans. Although no one was injured, they accidentally discovered something extraordinary.

So after my active recommendation, they hope to invite the well-known historian Mr. Victor to help them find out what those things are about.”

"Just to satisfy curiosity?" Wei Ran was stunned and asked, trying to dispel the memories of the can bomb.

Daria explained at the right time, "Victor, you haven't appeared in positive news in Russia for a long time. This is an opportunity for you."

"Taking advantage of my recent good relationship with local officials, I plan to vigorously publicize this matter, just like the interview you gave in China this National Day." Sui Sui said meaningfully.

Hearing this, Wei Ran sighed silently.

Obviously, neither the purchase of the winery nor the construction of a kindergarten at her doorstep gave Su Sui enough sense of security. In short, she was planning to make a big splash on the official media channels of the Russians, so as to find another big tree to shield him from the wind, especially since the recent news about him and the film studio he holds shares in were also involved.

"Thank you," Wei Ran hugged Sui Sui and whispered in her ear.

"Who are we going to follow?"

Sui Sui patted Wei Ran's back righteously, and her little face was smiling like a flower in the cold wind.

Seeing this, Wei Ran could only sigh silently. If Teacher Dalia and the others were looking forward to letting their big tree take root deeper and provide them with shade, then Sui Sui almost mindlessly hoped for her own safety and tried to seize every opportunity to make herself safer.

"So what was found there?" Wei Ran finally took the initiative to ask.

"Wait and see for yourself," Teacher Daria sighed, "It's just a war tragedy."

"Yes?"

Wei Ran was stunned again when he heard this, and decisively ended the topic and started talking about the island.

We ran in the cold wind for more than an hour amidst the chatting and the noise of the engine, and a group of islands appeared right in front of the bow.

This island group is not small. The visible part alone is probably two or three kilometers square. The entire island group consists of three large islands and countless small islands and even reefs.

In particular, the satellite map that Wei Ran had just retrieved showed that this island was almost exactly in the middle of the starting point and end point of the Ice Life Road.

"We should get off the boat now."

Ivan greeted Ninel as he stopped the boat, and, supporting his beloved daughter and wife, he stepped onto the gangplank that Ninel had just built and walked onto the obviously makeshift pier.

The island is located in the southwest corner of the entire island group and is one of the three largest islands. On satellite maps, the outline of the island is almost a mirrored "F" shape.

On the island, almost everywhere you look are tall pine trees, leafless birch trees, and dry bushes.

However, less than 50 meters away from the pier, there was a particularly conspicuous open space. Without even going close, he noticed several green tents built on the edge of the forest next to the open space.

Under the guidance of Daria and others, Wei Ran and his group walked to the door of the tent and went straight in.

There was no one in the tent, but there was a rusty and definitely rare 72K type 25mm anti-aircraft gun.

On the gun shield of this anti-aircraft gun, which is full of bullet holes and marks, there are four red five-pointed stars painted, which are obviously the battle record of this gun.

But in addition to this, there is a Russian version of "Calling the Troops" born in the war written in red paint on the gun shield: A German walked out of the thick fog, pulled out a knife from his pocket, and it's you who I want to kill and shave.

Walking around to the other side of the gun shield, Wei Ran couldn't help but sigh. The two rear wheels of this anti-aircraft gun, which was not produced in large quantities, had been blown off. Even the elevation mechanism and observation and aiming equipment were partially missing, and the broken parts showed signs of being torn after the explosion.

“In the forest behind, we also found a cemetery.”

Dahlia said at the right moment, "It's a cemetery that is not recorded in any official archives."

"It's not in the official archives?" Wei Ran looked up in surprise.

"no"

Dahlia replied, "Through some connections, I visited a survivor who used to work as a courier on the Road of Life. According to his description, this island was indeed a rest stop and emergency shelter for courier personnel, and that it was indeed home to an anti-aircraft militia unit known as the last line of defense."

"Militia?" Wei Ran raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, the militia." Olena took over the topic, "but this is all we know."

“And the rest stop is not on this island.”

Ivan added, "On another island, we have found the remaining wooden house foundation of the rest station on that island according to the survivor's memories."

Glancing at Sui Sui who was following him like a tail, Wei Ran hesitated for a moment and then sighed resignedly, "Take me to see the cemetery."

"Come with me!"

After Olena finished speaking, she was the first to get out of the tent, followed closely by her mother, the lady, and her real mother Daria, who also followed and grabbed Olena in no particular order.

"There might be some canned bombs left in this forest."

Ivan said as he also went out, "Ladies, please stay here for a while. I will take him to see him. Ninel, you can follow too."

"Be careful," Sui Sui warned worriedly.

"It's okay"

Wei Ran patted the other's arm gently, and he and Ninel followed Ivan into the forest one after the other.

After the three of them went about seventy or eighty meters deep, Ivan stopped, pointed ahead and said, "That's it."

Looking in the direction of the other person's finger, it was just an ordinary clearing in the forest.

In fact, it is not accurate to call it a clearing in the forest, because the distance between the densely growing trees here has not increased. It only appears more spacious because the vast majority of birch trees have lost their leaves and the dry bushes have been cleared away.

“See that birch tree with a Y-shaped fork?”

Ivan raised his hand and pointed at a birch tree in front of him. "When we found this place, there were still a few shell casings hanging on the branches. We used a metal detector to search around. Although there were no dangerous canned bombs here, we did find a few graves."

"Did you dig it up?" Wei Ran asked with a frown.

"no"

Ivan shook his head. "That's not a grave at all. It's just a body placed on the ground with some rocks piled around it. You can see the bones by digging up the rotten leaves."

After a moment of silence, Wei Ran asked, "How many are there in total?"

"Fourteen, or more."

Ivan pointed and said, “We only know the details of two of them. One of them contains the remains of a woman who is probably no older than Olena.

The other was a boy, probably sixteen or seventeen, or even younger.”

"It's not small anymore." Wei Ran murmured almost subconsciously.

"But no one knows who they are," Ivan continued, "Do you know?"

"Is this the part that needs my help?" Wei Ran asked.

Ivan just spread his hands and didn't answer the question, "Is there anything else you want to see?"

"No more, let's go back." After Wei Ran said this, he turned around and walked in the direction he came from.

"You seem to be very resistant to this matter?" Ninel, who was following behind him, asked curiously.

“This is a losing business for me.”

Wei Ran made a poor excuse for himself, "You've already given me a losing business, and now I have another one.

Honestly, I haven’t made money from my profession in so long that I’ve forgotten what it feels like.”

"I'll introduce you to a profitable business when I have the chance," Niniel said nonchalantly, "Also, are you short of money?"

“Lack of money and making money are two different things”

Wei Ran said perfunctorily and vaguely. He certainly wasn't short of money now, but because of this, he really didn't want to suffer.

"It may not make you much money, but it will allow you to appear in the public eye with a positive image again."

The one who said this was Teacher Daria, who was walking alone from the direction of the dock. "Victor, you can't always be on the Russian news with news of attacks and murders.

It makes ordinary people think you are a troublemaker, especially if you are not Russian.”

"Are you referring to the document that has been released that mentioned creating conflicts between the Chinese and Russian people?"

Wei Ran asked with a frown. Among the documents that he brought back from his last trip to Kharkov and had been made public, there was a fund-raising plan to control him and Sui Sui and then control the film studio as a public opinion tool, which included a plan to use him, a Chinese, to stir up conflicts.

"To use your Chinese description, this is a sun strategy." Teacher Daria uttered a self-created, non-standard Chinese word.

"Open conspiracy," Wei Ran corrected in his native language.

“So you need some positive shots.”

Teacher Daria switched back to Russian and said, "I hope you can tell a good story that is true enough before the Russian Christmas."

"Did a brother who had a badass provoke you? Can't he just have a peaceful birthday?"

Wei Ran muttered incoherently, not only did these two people want to make him work for nothing, but even the closing date of the case was only a few days away.

"Don't put on that kid's face that doesn't want to do homework"

Ivan patted Wei Ran on the shoulder and said, "When I was young like you, I was very hardworking. How come you are like the giant panda sent by your Chinese people, who only know how to eat and sleep every day?"

“Thank you so much for your description.”

Wei Ran snorted more angrily, and asked as he continued to walk back, "What are your plans for the next few days?"

"Before the river freezes over, let's go to my house."

Ivan said excitedly, "I heard from Aurora that you like camping very much, so I will take you to the forest to hunt and camp, and also go ice fishing on Lake Onega. Yana will also make delicious fish and mushroom pies for you."

"Is there no entertainment activity by the fireplace?" Wei Ran asked lazily.

"You can mend your nets by the fireplace"

Ninel said in a slow tone, "When I was kidnapped to their house for the first time, I helped this old man mend his fishing nets by the fireplace for a whole night."

"That's an invitation!"

Ivan argued with a glare, "How could my Olga fall for a jerk like you who has a mental problem?"

"I believe what you said"

Wei Ran patted Ninel's shoulder to fan the flames, then quickened his pace towards Sui Sui.