Chapter 69 New Year's Eve: James would not casually reveal the specific location of the shipwreck's route to the other party.
No matter how honest and simple Xia Ming on the other side looked.
Moreover, he knew that these people were far more complex than they appeared on the surface.
After exchanging words for a while, Xia Ming and the others realized that the other party did not trust them at all. They did not provide specific route longitudes, but simply said that it would take about seven days to reach their destination from here.
Upon hearing this, Old Hu, who was standing nearby, immediately had several points come to mind.
After combining this with the rumored merchant shipping routes, they estimated the approximate location of the route to be in international waters about 15 miles east of the Xisha Islands.
Receiving a knowing look from Lao Hu, Xia Ming understood what was going on.
He then selected some skilled individuals as examples, explaining what they needed to do, the preparations before going into the water, and the dangers they needed to be aware of. At the same time, Xia Ming also confirmed the equipment and location multiple times.
James said that not too many people are needed, as long as there is a warship following them.
Secondly, it might be necessary to equip them with some weapons, since salvaging items on the high seas is an unclaimed business, and neighboring small countries will definitely get involved.
Xia Ming, sensing the danger once again, frowned deeply.
If it weren't for the fact that he had been so rude as to borrow their equipment, he really wouldn't have been willing to take his team on such a risk.
"Captain James, my colleagues are all researchers who only know how to write; they're really not very skilled in combat." He was thinking, "If it's so dangerous, why not have fewer people?"
James waved goodbye as he left, saying, "Well, I've heard of your reputation, Mr. Xia. Besides, this is international waters, and it's so close to your country. It's a perfect storm of favorable conditions. Furthermore, the agreement stipulated that I needed personnel, and I need ten divers."
He looked confident and smug. "I don't think you'll miss this rare opportunity!"
Xia Ming and Lao Hu's expressions changed repeatedly, probably because he had once again guessed their thoughts.
“We’ve already arranged the manpower; ten divers will do, but I still need to bring some more people.” Xia Ming gritted his teeth and made the final decision: to take a gamble.
After they parted ways and returned to their temporary restrooms, Lao Hu asked him about the matter.
"Are we really going to take the rest of them?"
What he really wanted to say was that the risk this time was really high!
"Yes, he's right about one thing. This is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which is very meaningful for our nascent ocean exploration. Since they're using us as a tool and insurance, why don't we go all out and learn from them directly? At least we won't be completely inexperienced in this area in the future."
"Old Xia, your idea really surprises me."
Hu Wenhua had never realized that Xia Ming was an adventurous and radical.
But after hearing these words, he deeply felt that this guy was going all out.
But considering the current situation, who can say for sure? "I'll do it! But I wonder if the other guys in the team will be scared?"
He was reminding Lao Xia to remember to keep the morale of the troops stable.
Otherwise, if something goes wrong and chaos ensues, the team will definitely be difficult to manage.
"I know, I will tell everyone."
"Clap clap clap~"
"Comrades, please be quiet. I have something to say."
The inescapable small gathering reappeared in the camp, with thirty or forty companions sitting around listening to the leader's explanation from above, but no one responded until the leader finished speaking.
"I know this trip is extremely dangerous, but comrades, where is the path of archaeology not dangerous? It is not dangerous to spend years and years conducting field investigations at the grassroots level with little to show for it, it is not dangerous to spend day and night consulting ancient books and traversing mountains and valleys just to find hidden sites, it is not dangerous to lead by example and study diligently day and night. This mission is just a concrete, visible one."
"Comrades, we archaeologists must rise to the challenge, possessing a magnanimity and courage that ordinary people lack, a tenacity and perseverance that others do not have, and more confidence and courage than other workers. I, Xia Ming, would like to thank you all for your cooperation and hard work over the past two months, which has helped us successfully salvage the No. 1 shipwreck and taken a big step forward for our marine archaeology. I believe that in the near future, when this great achievement is recognized worldwide, your names will also be remembered."
"Okay, Dean Xia, don't worry, I'll follow you and do it."
This was someone he used to work at the same research institute with.
“I’ll go too, Mr. Xia, I’ll follow you and write the first record of our ocean exploration.”
"Yes, I'll follow too, we'll all follow you!"
Everyone echoed the sentiment with boundless enthusiasm, and many people's eyes welled up with tears.
Xia Ming's words were so touching and sincere that they deeply moved everyone present.
Every word they said resonated deeply with the archaeologists.
Of course, they were all deeply moved, and even Luo Yin and the other soldiers listening nearby wiped away tears.
"Impressive! I never expected Elder Xia to be so eloquent."
After a long pause, Luo Yin finally spoke.
Xia Mingjiang looked up with red eyes: "Xiao Luo, I've decided to write a letter later. If I really can't come back, I'll have them pass it on to my parents."
Thanks to this mobilization meeting, the participants were quickly identified the following day.
Apart from the comrades that Elder Yu took with him, the remaining fourteen people all followed.
Whatever the reason, Xia Ming looked at the names on the list and felt a mix of emotions, his voice choked with emotion.
"Old Xia, don't overthink it. We're all good comrades, well done!"
Hu Wenhua knew that he had a hard time too, because those words had kept him awake for two nights in a row, the pressure was so great that he really couldn't sleep.
This involves more than a dozen lives, all because of his decision to risk everything.
Xia Ming had never had such an experience before. This kind of thing had been bothering him, but he had no one to talk to.
Xia Ming didn't dare reveal too much about Lao Hu, the only person he truly loved.
"Okay, I'm fine. It's almost the 29th, let's all have a lively New Year celebration."
"Hey, you know what, I wonder if the warships can make it back on New Year's Eve. If they can, this year will be much better."
Xia Ming was unusually in a better mood. "Yes, they will definitely be able to come back."
From that day on, the camp was filled with a joyful atmosphere again, and everyone helped prepare for the New Year.
Given the limited resources on the island, everyone took on their respective roles, keeping everything simple and replacing tasks wherever possible.
They began cleaning the surrounding area, striving to make the camp clean inside and out, at least to make it look bright and spacious.
Some people started searching the island for everything edible, including wild fruits, seafood, and wild vegetables.
Because of Chef Zhang's words, most people got involved and started searching around the beach and shore. Those who were good at it went into the water to catch it, while those who were not so good at it used nets to scoop it up.
The warship that had been mentioned successfully returned to Nanwei Island on the evening of the seventh day.
Everyone was very happy, and then the ship's captain took the initiative to bring down their New Year's Eve dinner equipment.
Chef Zhang was overjoyed and grabbed a few helpers to get to work.
Old Xia and Old Hu went into the cabin to ask Captain Chen about the trip, but what they talked about remains unknown.
However, when it came time for dinner, everyone sat around a table, and the meal was laid out in a lively atmosphere.
Two couplets and the character "福" (fortune) were even pasted up next to it.
Everyone cheered and jumped for joy, welcoming the New Year together in an unfamiliar place. Luo Yin sat to one side, looking at the moon outside, and suddenly felt very homesick.
I miss her little horse, I miss the sheep on the grassland, I miss my family!
“Ani, Dad, Mom, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, I miss you all so much.”
Let's all raise a glass to welcome the new year!
Cheers! New Year, new beginnings!
Happy Chinese New Year.
Many comrades who were away from home for the first time became even more enthusiastic in the lively atmosphere.
Looking at my close companions, I felt an even stronger sense of camaraderie. "This is my first time spending the New Year away from home. I don't even know how my family is doing."
"Me too, my daughter must miss me."
Seeing that things weren't going well, the older comrade quickly changed the subject: "Hahaha, it's okay, let's work hard and we'll have a chance to go home for the New Year in the future."
"That's right, let's not waste this delicious food and wine. Let's quickly taste Chef Zhang's culinary skills."
Master Zhang looked on with emotion, and upon seeing this, he took a sip of his wine. "Come on, let's drink together!"
He pointed his glass at Elder Xia and Elder Hu, and the elderly comrades politely took a small sip.
Seeing that he was drunk, they advised him not to drink too much, lest he harm his health.
The younger researchers, knowing their own limits, didn't dare to provoke trouble; those with a higher alcohol tolerance, like Hossen and his group, couldn't be bothered, as safety was always a top priority.
Xia stayed up all night with her friends, drinking heavily until she got drunk.
Seeing that he couldn't sit still, Huo Sen felt annoyed and helpless. After thinking for a moment, he could only pick him up and drag him out.
Since it was New Year's Eve, we gave everyone a two-day holiday, and everyone ate and drank their fill and started looking for fun.
Some people went to the nearby stream to catch fireflies, while others discovered that sand crabs appeared on the beach at night and went to catch them with their friends. Luo Yin, on the other hand, dragged Sister You to a nearby high ground to climb up and look at the moon.
Yulizhu looked at her, then at the moon overhead.
At this moment, some clues were noticed: "Are you homesick?"
"I miss home. This is the first time I've been so far from home, and I haven't even made a phone call back."
Yu Lizhu gave her a comforting hug, saying, "You'll get used to it; this kind of thing will definitely be common in the future."
"Sister You, are you trying to comfort me?"
"No, how could someone as smart as you not know? Xiao Luo, life is very long, and you will meet many, many more people, but those you cherish and remember will always remain in your heart."
Luo Yin never expected her to say such a thing.
This was clearly unlike her usual self. "Sister You, what about you?"
"What's wrong with me? I'm fine!"
The two stood not far from the camp, the sparse lights and the clear moonlight revealing the sadness on her face.
Luo Yin glanced at her again subconsciously, and then hugged her as if she had just remembered something.
"Happy New Year, Sister You!"
"Happy 1977, Xiao Luo."
Just as the two were getting along well, a drunken male voice rang out from not far away.
"I don't want it, I want to find my brother, he hasn't given me my New Year's money yet!"
Grabbing the drunken Xia, Huo Sen used even more force to drag him away.
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