When they entered Yunzhai and saw the arrival of the Hurricane Camp and the people from every household came out to greet them, Shi finally understood what Bao Qing meant. Looking at the expressions of the people, Shi frowned and an indescribable feeling surged in his heart.
It turns out that most of the people living in the deep mountains of Yunling are disabled.
Men, women, young and old, all had numb expressions. It was normal to have missing limbs. Some were even carried out by their families because their entire lower body was missing. She even saw a teenager who had lost his feet.
Xiao Yue looked normal, but the other soldiers looked sad. They were all people who had come here with Bao Qing before.
There is no village chief in the village. The person in charge is the oldest man with the most seniority. He is intact, but his face is covered with healed scars, including his eyes, which only have two creepy black holes, looking very creepy.
He is very famous in Yun Village, and everyone calls him "Grandpa Yun."
Shi also followed Xiao Yue silently, listening to his negotiations with the people of Yunzhai. Only then did he realize that they lived in Yunling and could not live without the mountains and water. They could be killed or injured by an explosion if they took three or two steps. Even when it rained and thundered occasionally, they were very scared, fearing that the villagers in the village had stepped on a mine again. They lived in fear every day.
According to local records, since the war years, more than 10,000 people in Yunzhai have been disabled or killed by thunder. The victims ranged in age from 8 to 84. Now they don't even have prosthetic limbs, and can only linger on to survive.
Why are they willing to live here in such a dangerous place?
Grandpa Yun smiled. Although his dark eyes showed no emotion, his tone was calm: "We have lived here for several lifetimes. It is not easy to leave at any time. Besides, Yunling is so small. Where can we move to?"
Shi also pursed his lips. The Yunling Mountains stretch for tens of thousands of miles and there may be mines hidden everywhere. It would be better to stay in a familiar place.
This is an emotional bond and a sense of belonging to their hometown. It's not that they don't want to leave, but they don't have a more suitable place. They can't find a job in the city, and without a city hukou and housing, how can they live?
Moreover, different places have different customs and habits. Yunling is their hometown. Leaving their hometown is not as simple as it sounds. Their ancestors have lived here for generations and have lived this way. Over time, naturally, no one will leave. Yunling is Chinese land. If the minefield is not dealt with, it will bring big trouble sooner or later.
The mine-sweeping team is not only working for the local people, but also for the country and for the safety of more people.
"Comrade, thank you for coming to Yunling. You bring us hope." Grandpa Yun stretched out his hand tremblingly. His wrinkled hands were mostly covered with wounds that had healed from the explosion.
Xiao Yue held his hand and said solemnly: "Don't worry, our mine-clearing team will do our best."
Grandpa Yun expressed his gratitude, his voice gradually becoming choked with sobs, and at the same time, the sound of low sobs from the villagers could be heard around him.
Bao Qing walked out with red eyes, stood at the door, and looked at the mountains in the distance that were shrouded in clouds and mist.
"No wonder you were scared." Shi also sat on the stone bench and glanced at Bao Qing.
Bao Qing wiped the tears from his eyes and smiled bitterly, "I finally understand why Lao Xiao didn't let me come, but now that I'm here, how can I back out? This time, maybe I really won't be able to go home alive."
He was not a professional minesweeper, he followed here only because he was worried about Xiao Yue. However, seeing the people of Yunzhai living in dire straits every day, he felt extremely uncomfortable. While he felt sympathy and pity for them, he was also worried about his own fate.
After negotiating with the people from Yunzhai, the people who went out to perform the mine-sweeping mission today have not returned yet. Just as Bao Qing inquired, there are only seven mine-sweeping soldiers left in Yunling, and these seven people are actually from four mine-sweeping teams.
They lost their organization and their leader, but still stayed in Yunzhai, carrying out mine-clearing missions day after day.
Today's mission is to meet up with these seven people. At noon, everyone stayed in Yunzhai. However, they did not accept the hospitality of the people of Yunzhai. Instead, they cooked their own meals. The dry food was very rough, but it was good enough to fill their stomachs.
While eating, the soldiers were absent-minded and the atmosphere was depressed.
They are all mine-sweeping soldiers who are able to skillfully use mine detectors and mine rods. During training, they learn various theoretical knowledge, repeatedly disassemble and assemble various types of simulated explosives, obtain mine-sweeping qualification certification, and become glorious mine-sweeping warriors.
They had been to the minefield on the northwest border and had truly seen death, but looking at the appearance of the common people in Yunzhai, they still felt extremely heavy in their hearts. While chewing on dry food, their minds had already returned to their hometown, thinking about how to write a "suicide note" at night.
Shi also sat next to Xiao Yue. Noticing everyone's depressed mood, he sighed softly.
Xiao Yue finished his dry food in a few bites and looked at everyone. In his previous life, he severely reprimanded a group of guilty and short-tempered soldiers. When they really went to the minefield, they stayed there one by one. Only then did he realize that fear should not be reprimanded when facing death.
"Brothers, our Hurricane Battalion is the backbone of the entire Northwest Frontier Defense Camp, and you are the most elite mine-clearing force. When you come to the Yunling border, every time you clear a mine, you are eliminating a huge threat to the country and the people."
"You have seen the appearance of the people in Yunzhai. Although the mine-clearing mission is difficult and dangerous, this is a moment to demonstrate our value. Remember, we are not fighting alone. The motherland and the people are behind us."
"Every time we bend down to investigate, we are protecting the peace of our motherland."
"I firmly believe that we can eliminate the landmine threat, welcome victory, and return to the northwest with glory."
Xiao Yue's voice was not loud, nor was it passionate, it was even calm, but it was like boiling water falling into a frying pan.
"The captain is right! We are all minesweepers. We know from our training that we are just playing hide-and-seek with the King of Hell every day. What is there to be afraid of? If we can clear more mines before we die, it can be considered a contribution to the country!"
"That's right! I might even get a first-class merit award! My family and the country will definitely make arrangements for me by then!"
"Hey, I'm not married yet, and I haven't left any offspring for my family, so please keep an eye on me when I'm clearing mines!"
"..."
The scene suddenly became lively with people talking and laughing, and the depressed mood eased.
Time: Three months.
Mission: 5,000 square meters of minefield.
This arduous task almost meant that it would be impossible for everyone to return safely.
Shi also took a bite of the steamed bun, thinking in his heart, he felt it was both heroic and tragic.
The baked buns are fragrant and sweet when you put them in your mouth, but they are dry and painful when they pass through your throat.
Suddenly, chaotic shouts were heard outside Yunzhai. Xiao Yue pressed Shiye's shoulder and said, "You stay here."
After saying that, he strode towards the source of the sound. Bao Qing and Li Xueshan quickly followed him. The soldiers who were eating also put down their work and went forward to help. Shi also frowned and vaguely heard someone shouting, "Help."
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