On March 5th, the Chinese government issued a statement announcing that, effective immediately, all Chinese border troops would be withdrawn back to Chinese territory. The following day, troops on both the eastern and western fronts began their withdrawal.
Su Xingran and a group of surgeons followed the troops in their retreat. During the withdrawal, the Chinese troops continued their attacks on the enemy, clearing out any remaining enemy forces in the border region. On the 16th of the same month, all Chinese border troops withdrew to China, marking the victorious end of the Sino-Vietnamese War.
Su Xingran returned to the unit that had first arrived before the war. She and the doctor who had come from the same place were waiting for the unit's arrangements—when and how they would return to Beijing.
The final arrangement for them to go home was that these doctors would take a train back, and the military would arrange train tickets for them, assigning them to the same carriage and seats.
A dozen or so surgeons from Beijing, dressed in uniform military attire, were transported to the train station in military vehicles. Military leaders personally saw them off at the station.
People arriving at the train station to catch their trains were quite surprised to see such a scene. Later, upon learning that the people were doctors who had participated in the self-defense counterattack, they all gathered around and clapped.
Someone shouted, "You doctors are all outstanding, making great contributions to the Chinese army and people. We wish you a safe journey home."
The military leader stood on the side of the carriage entrance and said to the group of doctors, "You have worked hard. You are all great doctors. It is a blessing for China to have doctors like you who bravely move forward, unafraid of difficulties and sacrifices. I wish you all a bright and successful future. Finally, I wish you all a safe journey home."
The leader stood up straight and saluted the group of doctors in front of him. Su Xingran and the others also stood up straight and returned the salute. They boarded the train under the watchful eyes of the leader and the soldiers.
Sitting on the train, Su Xingran finally breathed a sigh of relief. For the past month, she had been in a state of tension and busyness every day. She had been experiencing and facing the unknown and potential for injury or death. Even with the best mental fortitude, there were bound to be times when she couldn't hold on.
Su Xingran and the other doctors were much more familiar with the return journey than on the way there. Having worked together for a month, they were truly comrades-in-arms.
The day after the Chinese government issued its statement, Huang Zhenhua instructed Huang Taihe to inquire about when Su Xingran could return home. Huang Taihe was also very concerned about this matter and kept asking around for information.
Huang Taihe was actually quite worried. He knew the cruelty of the battlefield; even medical personnel working in logistics could be ambushed by the enemy. He was concerned that if Su Xingran didn't return safely, his old man might not be able to bear the consequences.
Huang Taihe received the news only after all the Chinese border troops had withdrawn back to China. All the doctors on the list of those dispatched from Beijing had returned safely.
The local military will arrange for these doctors to return to Beijing; the specific return time is yet to be confirmed. Huang Taihe, knowing that the doctors had safely returned to China, finally felt relieved.
The night Huang Taihe heard the news, he rushed home after work. He needed to tell his father, who had been unable to eat or sleep well during this time.
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