Chapter 217 Chapter 217

Zhang Yuandong pulled the man up and asked the person behind him: "Doctor Liu, who is this person?"

Doctor Liu was the doctor accompanying the troops this time. He walked over and patted Shadan's body a few times, explaining, "This guy was rescued by a new soldier from the Eighth Company. He's a fool. We reported to the police but couldn't get in touch with his family, so our team arranged to place him in a nearby village. But he always likes to come here."

He was afraid that Zhang might misunderstand him, so he quickly explained: "He is a fool and eats a lot. Although he gets subsidies in the village, he is always hungry. He comes here occasionally, so we should consider it as improving his diet."

Shadan has been here for nearly half a year. Although he is stupid, he never causes trouble and occasionally helps with work. As time goes by, everyone has basically accepted his existence and they have developed feelings for him. They are all helping him sincerely. Everyone saves money by eating frugally and saving a few pieces of clothes and food, and they all give them to him.

Zhang Yuandong frowned. The border defense base had strict discipline and generally did not allow outsiders to come. However, the situation of this idiot was special. He had not been back for a while and was not clear about the situation and could not make a decision.

Moreover, there were always regimental-level cadres on duty here, and they knew better how to resolve this matter, so Zhang Yuandong did not say much, just nodded, and continued walking towards the office area.

When Shadan saw that the man had left, he looked around curiously, looking like a thief. Doctor Liu pulled him and said unhappily, "I had a nice dress, but you pulled the sleeves off. Look at me, what does it look like to wear it?"

Silly impatiently shook off his hand and said perfunctorily: "It's hot!"

"What kind of weather is this? You're not hot at all! Two months ago, you wanted to wear a padded jacket, but now you feel hot!"

Doctor Liu saw that Shadan didn't listen to what he said at all, and his attention was all on Captain Zhang, so he reminded him: "Behave yourself, Captain Zhang is very powerful, if you get into trouble, watch out for your skin!"

Shadan still didn't say anything. His eyes were attracted by the file bag in Zhang Yuandong's hand. The file bag swayed back and forth with Zhang Yuandong's steps, and his head followed it a little bit. Finally, he couldn't bear it anymore and pounced over from behind like a naughty big animal.

Zhang Yuandong sensed something was wrong and turned around. Just as he was about to attack, he realized that the person coming was that idiot again, so he quickly withdrew his hand. Just as he hesitated, the document bag in his hand was snatched away by the idiot.

Shadan laughed and held the briefcase high up. He was afraid that it would be snatched away, so he jumped hard and quickly opened the briefcase. Just as the documents were about to be taken out, Zhang Yuandong quickly grabbed one of his arms and snatched the briefcase back.

He gave Shadan a cold look and said to a soldier not far away, "Keep an eye on him and don't let him cause any more trouble."

The soldier recovered from his shock, quickly answered "yes", and coaxed the fool away.

The base was not very big, and the office was not far from here. Someone had heard the noise and came out of the house, calling out, "Xiao Zhang, who is so mean? You just came back, and they didn't let you rest at home, and ordered you to run around!"

Zhang Yuandong smiled faintly and followed the man into the house.

This is the commander of the Second Regiment, Zhu. After Zhang Yuandong finished talking to him about government affairs, he curiously asked, "What's the matter with that idiot? Is it safe to keep him in the army? Have you checked his situation?"

Captain Zhu smiled and said, "I know what you're worried about, but I don't think he's pretending. I heard that when the guys from the Eighth Company found him, he was covered in dust and was so chapped that he looked unsightly. If he can pretend like this, I really admire him."

Seeing that Zhang Yuandong was interested in this man, he simply explained to him: "The team has checked him. He had been stealing around before. He is fast and can't tell good from bad. When he is hungry, he just steals a few bites of food from someone's house. If he hadn't sprained his ankle accidentally, he wouldn't have been discovered by our people.

The reason why he stayed in the camp for the past two days was because of this. When a few patrol soldiers found him, he was covered in wounds, as if he had been beaten badly and escaped. I felt really sorry for him, so I decided to let him stay here for a few days. After two days, when there was no work, I asked someone to take him back to see what was going on.

Zhang Yuandong smiled and said, "Zhu Tuan, I don't have any other intentions. I'm just curious and asked casually."

Zhu Tuan waved his hands and smiled, "What's the big deal? It's impossible for anyone not to be curious when seeing him for the first time. Not to mention you, I'm a little curious too."

Zhang Yuandong smiled and did not continue the topic.

It was almost noon, and he was not in a hurry to go back. Instead, he went to the cafeteria with Captain Zhu to have lunch.

Of course, he was not here just to deliver a document. In the afternoon, Commander Zhu gathered all the soldiers who were not on duty to the training ground. Zhang Yuandong could stay for a long time this time. He summarized a set of experience in fighting with the soldiers on the other side of the river. He explained to everyone in detail the attack characteristics and combat methods of the Russians, and simply taught them some experience in fighting the enemy. He emphasized: "The other side of the river has a tough attitude and is unwilling to fire the first shot. They also want to treat us as soft persimmons. We must not take it lightly and not give them any opportunity to take advantage of us!"

The soldiers had long been enraged by the harassment from the other side of the river, and this was also a time when they admired Captain Zhang the most. When they heard his words of admonition, they were suddenly filled with heroic spirit and gave thunderous replies.

Zhu privately consulted with him: "Since you have taught everything, why not teach more comprehensively? Stay here for a few more days and give everyone some guidance!"

Zhang Yuandong smiled and said, "Old Zhu, don't worry. I came back with a mission this time. When I return to the troops, I will start the real training."

Captain Zhu was not satisfied. "It will take another half a month for my soldiers to go back. By then, you will have already left! Anyway, these two days are the weekend, and you will have a rest when you go back. Why don't you help me guide them for two days here!"

Zhang Yuandong looked at Captain Zhu in confusion, "I just came back yesterday, and you already ordered me to do something with a clear conscience. Even Zhou Baopi is not as righteous as you!"

Zhu, the head of the group, coaxed her, "Don't worry, I won't let your help be in vain. I heard that your sister-in-law is good at making clothes, and I happen to have a connection..."

"Stop!" Zhang Yuandong said quickly, "My wife doesn't have time to go to work. She's tired enough taking care of the kids at home. She doesn't have the energy to go to work anymore!"

It’s not that Zhang Yuandong doesn’t want Lin Yue to go to work, this is also Lin Yue’s own idea.

Lin Yue had thought about going out to work before, but there were not many jobs that could be arranged for military dependents in the army. The township was not close to the army, and the mountain roads were difficult to travel, especially in winter. It was a problem to go out, let alone walk so far to work.

As for other military wives, in addition to the long journey, there is also a very realistic problem. Before the Great Movement, most of those who joined the army were hungry rural soldiers, and the wives they married were not well educated, so it was not easy to arrange jobs for them.

Zhu said angrily, "How many people came to your sister-in-law to ask her to help them find jobs, but she refused to give in, and you are still being hypocritical!"

Before 1966, in order to accommodate the children of military personnel, the Military Commission's Children's School implemented a boarding system, which was abolished at the beginning of the Great Turmoil. During those years, Captain Zhu's wife did not need to be tied down by her children, and went directly to work in a clothing factory in the city, and could only come back once in a long time. ①

Zhu rolled his eyes at Zhang Yuandong, but he had something to ask for, so he continued, "Who told you about the job introduction? Do you think it's that easy to get a job in a factory? I'm talking about something else! Your sister-in-law's factory has a batch of sewing machines that are going to be phased out, and employees have priority to buy them. I wonder if my sister-in-law can use a sewing machine, and if she's interested in it?"

"Sewing machine?" Zhang Yuandong's expression changed immediately. He moved closer and said warmly, "Brother, you still have a way. If you want it, why don't you want it? Can my sister-in-law really be exchanged? When can you get a definite answer? Tell me, I'll prepare the money and tickets!"

"You don't need the ticket, but I have to make it clear in advance that this is what your sister-in-law discarded from the factory. It's not new. Don't be disgusted by it when the time comes!"

Zhang Yuandong assured again and again: "Look at what you said, how can that be possible? Anyway, I don't have any other requirements. I just need my sister-in-law to take the trouble to pick a better one for me!"

"Of course, we are brothers, your sister-in-law will definitely not cheat you!"

Zhang Yuandong couldn't leave, so he simply called the troops and stayed here for two days with peace of mind.

When he returned home two days later, he found out that something big had happened at home.

The Mid-Autumn Festival was coming soon, and the bakery that Lin Yue had built in the yard some time ago was ready to use. She pulled Lingling along and started making mooncakes.

Lingling was only interested in eating. Once her novelty wore off, she could no longer stay there. She moved around here and there out of boredom, her mind having long since wandered off to who knows where else.

Just then Wanli came over here, and she excitedly pushed him in front of her mother and said flatteringly: "Mom, my hands are too clumsy, I can't help you much and always cause trouble for you, I won't bother you here, let Wanli help you!"

Wanli didn't have any objection. He really liked playing these things with his mother more than with Lingling.

Lin Yue was helpless. She wanted to seduce Ling Ling, but she was not interested and he could not force her. He simply said to her, "Hurry up and leave. Don't delay us!"

Lingling chuckled and ran away quickly.

Wanli actually had some tricks up his sleeve. He was more curious about making mooncakes, but was too embarrassed to move forward, so he just wandered around nearby, trying to attract his mother's attention.

Wanli was a good student. Lin Yue put corn syrup in his hand and taught him how to make mooncake skin. He understood it after just one try and made it very well.

Seeing that he was doing a good job, Lin Yue let him do it himself while he crushed the nuts.

As Lingling walked out of the door, she saw her sister squatting in the corner of the wall near the door, carefully placing a pile of her precious stones on the ground one by one. Some were arranged into specific shapes, and some were covered with thatch and small handkerchiefs.

Sisi's little hands gently stroked her favorite stones, imitating her mother's movements and whispering, "Oh, oh~ go to sleep, little darling!"

Lingling almost burst out laughing. She stopped laughing and said deliberately, "What's the point of playing like this? I can make your stone more beautiful. Do you want to try it?"

Sisi looked over suspiciously and asked, "Really?"

"How can I deceive you? When have I ever deceived you?"

Sisi was caught off guard and obediently picked up the stone and handed it to her sister.

Not long after, Sisi's deafening cries could be heard from outside the courtyard wall. She ran into the house crying and shouted aggrievedly: "Mom, my sister bullied me, please take care of her!"