Director Li nodded. "About the same, right? It sounds like if it's fast, it'll be back in about five months. If it's slow, it'll probably take more than half a year."

"Anyway, it's either before the New Year or after the New Year. You and Chu Min had better bring your winter clothes so you don't get cold on the way back."

“····”

Although Chu Tian wanted to ask, the truck bed is so small, and it can't carry much stuff from south to north, why send a truck to make a trip? Can't we use the train? But thinking about the fact that many places don't have trains yet, he kept his mouth shut...

However, Chu Tian couldn't help but ask again, "Then what are we going to pull to the south?"

Director Li spread his hands and said very bluntly, "To be honest, I didn't even know you were going to Kouli until last night! Anyway, you should drive to the division headquarters tomorrow morning to gather. We'll pack the stuff there. You should know by then, right?"

"Well, no matter what you do or what you're given, just think of it as a chance to see the world. This opportunity is so rare. If I didn't have to have a driver's license and a mechanic's license, I'd want to go..."

“····”

Very good, perfect and perfunctory answer!

After Director Li finished speaking, he waved his hand and chased Chu Tian out the door like a herd of cattle and sheep. "Alright, don't ask any more questions. Go back and explain to the team members. Then go home with Chu Min to pack up your things. We have to leave early tomorrow morning to gather at the division."

After chasing Chu Tian to the door, Director Li didn't forget to say one last word, "Don't worry, while you're away, Deputy Director Chen said he will come to take care of and arrange for the members of your team."

"good···"

Chu Tian returned to the second team's lounge and saw that all the members of the second team were there, so he spoke.

"In the future, Chu Min and I will not be in the team. Deputy Director Chen will arrange your tasks..."

Zuo Zhuang was stunned. "Master, what are you and Brother Chu Min doing?"

Chu Tian explained with a smile, "...that's it. This time only Chu Min and I can go, so..."

After hearing what Chu Tian said, Zuo Zhuang's shoulders slumped instantly, and his tone was full of disappointment. "Ah, I still need a car repair license? I would have taken the test earlier..."

The other team members were also extremely disappointed. This was such a good opportunity to go out and broaden their horizons. If they had known earlier, they would have listened to Chu Tian and taken the car mechanic's license exam.

Alas, it’s a pity that knowing it earlier is priceless...

Chu Min stood there in a daze, then grinned happily, thinking to himself, how good it is that he got the car repair license, otherwise he would have missed the opportunity to go out of Xinjiang and see the world.

Chu Tian saw Chu Min's happy expression from the corner of his eye, and he couldn't help feeling a little happy himself. In fact, he also wanted to go to Kouli and collect some antiques that would be valuable in the future to leave as heirlooms for his descendants, which would be quite nice.

Well, I am a homebody, and I still find it hard to accept that I will be away for several months this time.

However, he had to accept it even if he couldn't. After all, he and Chu Min were the most suitable people now...

Chu Tian tidied up the things on his desk, locked the more important things in the drawer, then stood up, looked at the lost team members, and smiled.

"Okay, don't be disappointed. If you feel it's a pity, you can go and take the test this winter when you are not busy. I heard from the director that the division will send a transport team from the regiment to Kouli every year in the future."

"As long as you pass the exam, I will let you go too."

Zuo Zhuang still showed no interest after hearing this, and said listlessly, "But even if I go, I don't know if I can go to the south in the future..."

Chu Tian patted his shoulder helplessly, "Okay, stop saying these discouraging words, there will always be a chance, why rush?"

This year is the second half of 1975. In 1978, the country will hold a meeting to fully restore and develop the rural free market. By the 1980s, even remote areas will have fully liberalized free trade. By then, won't you be able to go wherever you want?

"Okay, Deputy Director Chen will come to arrange your tasks during the autumn harvest. Chu Min and I will leave first."

After he finished speaking, Chu Tian nodded to several team members, turned around and walked out with Chu Min. As soon as he walked out of the lounge, Master Adili called him.

Chu Min patted Chu Tian's shoulder and said, "I'll wait for you in the carport."

Chu Tian nodded and turned to look at Master Adili.

"Master Adili, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Adili scratched his head in a simple manner and asked in quite standard Chinese, "Captain, I would like to ask you to help me bring back some food from my mouth. Is it possible..."

Chu Tian raised his eyebrows, "But, I don't know where we will go."

Adili quickly said, "I don't have any specific things I want you to bring. I just want you to bring me some rare or unavailable items in Xinjiang..."

"Hey, my daughter is getting married in March, and I want to give her some as a dowry..."

Chu Tian was stunned for a moment, "Your daughter is getting married next year?"

Adili nodded, "Yeah, what's wrong?"

Chu Tian hesitated and asked tentatively, "Isn't it a bit early?"

He remembered that Adili's master's daughter seemed younger than Daya. Daya was born in 1958, and now it is 1975...

Adili smiled and waved his hands, "It's not early, it's not early, it's late!"

“·····”

Chu Tianxin said, well, people get married earlier these days, and in some rural areas, there is no such thing as a marriage certificate. Having a meal under the witness of the parents of both families is considered a marriage.

It seems that ethnic minorities get married earlier, for example, Master Adili in front of us, he is about the same age as Chu Min, but he already has several grandchildren...

Seeing Chu Tian was silent, Adili hurriedly said, "Captain, I won't let you work so hard to bring it back in vain. I can give you..."

Before he could finish his words, Chu Tian quickly waved his hand to interrupt, "No need, if I have the chance, I will go and see what is suitable for dowry, and if there is any, I will bring it back to you."

Adili's face was filled with surprise, "Captain, thank you!"

Chu Tian smiled and said, "No need to be so polite. Okay, I see Deputy Director Chen has gone to the meeting room. You should go to the meeting as well!"

"Um···"

When Chu Tian and Chu Min returned home, there was no one at home, and they thought there would be no one there. It was the autumn harvest season, and everyone, from the elderly in their seventies and eighties to children of three or four years old, would do something within their ability.

They each went home to change into work clothes, and then went to the fields together to look for their wives.

Just when Zhang Ping was about to take a break, she saw Chu Min and Chu Tian walking towards them from the end of the field.

"Dazhu's father, little brother, why are you back at this time? Didn't you go to work today?"