Chapter 49

Devil's Town

On Friday, mom and dad went to work, and a large group of children moved into the Nie family's yard, which immediately became a nest of children.

"Are there really ghosts in the Devil City? Dadan, can you catch two for us to play together?" Chen Tiantian followed behind Nie Weimin, muttering to herself.

After a while, she said, "I want to go, too."

She ran home and asked her mother, "Mom, can I go to the Devil City?"

"It's so desolate, what's the fun in that place? You're not allowed to go." Sister Wang rejected her immediately. "Hey, Tiantian, bring Jinbao with you when you go out to play. Why are you running away alone?"

Tiantian was so sad that she couldn't go with Nie Weimin and Erdan. She squatted beside her sister's cage and cried.

"When we get back, I'll tell you how fun it is, okay?" Nie Weimin said seriously, like an older brother, and even wiped the saliva from the corner of Chen Tiantian's mouth.

"I'll catch a ghost for you to play with." Erdan said, making a very sly gesture. Perhaps in his opinion, this expression of pretending to be a ghost is the coolest.

"Okay, I'll let my mother help watch over the kang for your family, and I will also protect my sister." Chen Tiantian held the rabbit cage and amused the two brothers to burst into laughter. She kept making promises, and her voice was so sweet.

The white and chubby little sister has a strong ability to survive. After being frozen for a whole winter, it is already May. It has shed some of its fur and looks as round and plump as Chen Tiantian and Erdan. So beautiful.

"Nieh Weimin, Nieh Weimin." Outside the door, a little girl kept calling out.

When Nie Weimin saw that it was Liu Xiaohong, his face immediately turned red. "You and I are not good friends, and I don't know you."

Liu Xiaohong bit her frozen red lips and said, "I have something to tell your mother. Isn't she at home?"

"My mother went to work on the farm, and she won't be your mother."

In fact, the origin of Nie Weimin's dislike for Liu Xiaohong was the joke made by Nie Bozhao, saying that Liu Han wanted Chen Lina to be the stepmother of his own child.

Later, Liu Xiaohong kept saying, "Wei Min, your mother is so nice. I wish I had a stepmother like her." This planted a shadow in Nie Wei Min's heart, making the child afraid that his mother would leave.

"I don't want your mother to be my mother, and I'm leaving the base."

"Ah, where are you going?"

"My father is doing labor reform at Loulan Farm behind Devil City. He sent me a message, saying that he wanted me to go over there and live with him. I have to go now."

"Go, go, goodbye." Nie Weimin was secretly happy, thinking that from now on, he would not be afraid of his mother leaving.

However, he was also a kind-hearted child. He always saw Chen Lina giving Liu Xiaohong gifts, so he took the initiative to go into the house, took out a few large biscuits from the biscuit jar, and handed a stack of biscuits to Liu Xiaohong. "This is what my mother gave you. Remember, you can only eat one piece a day. Eating two pieces will cause tooth decay."

"Thank you, Weimin."

"Let's go, let's go, goodbye, and have a safe trip." said Nie Weimin.

"Big Egg, I want some cookies too." Chen Tiantian said while licking her lips.

Taking the biscuits without her mother's consent was actually the same as stealing, but Nie Weimin still gave Chen Tiantian two slices. There was no other way, who told her to always eat so deliciously?

Although the Devil City is not far from the base, the road is very difficult to travel because there is no highway.

Chen Lina's small car couldn't drive to that place, so the family of three had to park the car in Umay and take the oil plant's large truck.

The border area has cadres and all kinds of people, and the farms and mining areas are even more mixed.

"Have you heard about what happened to those people who fled to the Soviet Union now?" Everyone in the car was packed like a can, and one person asked another person next to him.

"You mean the mass escape in the 1960s? I heard that they all lived like cadres when they got there."

"That's right. Look at the life we ​​are living now." The two of them talked to each other.

Someone immediately agreed, "Yes, yes, the workers are now also eating steamed buns, and life on the farm is even harder. I'm going to Loulan Farm to visit my brother. I had a fight with my wife last night and only got a steamed bun as a gift. I can't even afford a can of food. Oh! I heard that those who fled to the Soviet Union now have rice every day and unlimited soda."

"Alas, we are living in poverty and we don't know when it will end." A group of people sighed.

"We are not allowed to accuse and expose each other's words today, otherwise, we will all be dead." After a while, someone else said.

The speech cannot be suppressed, and because the border is adjacent to the Soviet Union, the public sentiment is actually very turbulent.

Everyone is always envious of those people who made up their mind to flee to the Soviet Union.

Nie Bozhao could not help but say, "Comrades, the country's difficulties are temporary, and the Soviet Union is not always rich. After all, people can only harvest if they produce. It's like we grow 1,000 kilograms of grain a year and eat the same 1,000 kilograms. This is called solving the problem of food and satiety.

If we work harder next year and grow 1,200 kilograms of grain, eat 1,000 kilograms, and still have 200 kilograms left, that would be called solving the problem of food and satiety. But the Soviet Union is not like that. It only grows 800 kilograms of grain a year, but eats 1,200 kilograms. Where does the surplus come from? It is borrowed from somewhere else. I want to ask you, is borrowed grain safe to eat? "

When everyone saw this man wearing a navy blue liberation suit with the buttons tied tightly, looking gentle and refined, and holding a white and clean child with round eyes in his arms, they knew at first glance that he was a gangster.

It's just that he was squeezed in the innermost part and didn't notice it just now.

"If the Soviet Union wants to borrow food, someone has to lend it to them. If I can borrow food, I can just pay it back next year, but now I just want to have a full stomach. Comrade cadres, tell me, am I right?" There are always people who are not afraid of death, and one of them said bravely.

Nie Bozhao took off his glasses, his face still a little deformed from being pressed against the iron sheet. “Comrade, the country is different from us as individuals. Why do we say that the Soviet Union is revisionist? It is because, although it seems to believe in Marxism-Leninism, it is actually just wearing a layer of Marxism-Leninism. In fact, it is taking the road of capitalism. The people do not work or produce, but just gain. Such days are like our New Year’s Day. Everyone eats to their heart’s content, but there will definitely be a shortage of food after that. Because it is a country, a skinny camel is bigger than a horse and can last longer.

However, as the leader said, we have to wait another 30 years to see whether what we do today is right or not. We will know the answer in 30 years.

What we are doing and fighting for now is for our future generations, for these children. If there are people who just want to have fun, then go for it bravely. Who is good and who is bad will be clear in 30 years."

"Then why do we have to endure the wind and sun in the frontier so much, after all, comrades?" someone asked.

Nie Bozhao pointed to Nie Weimin in his arms and Chen Lina, who was also squeezed in a corner with two danglings on her body, and said, "For them to have enough food to eat in the future, for them to be able to hold their heads high in front of the Soviets, and for the construction of our new China."

As for us Chinese, regardless of whether we are good or bad by nature, we all believe that hard work will pay off, and we believe that hard work will bring us fruitful results.

So, although no one spoke in the car at this time, many people were still convinced by Nie Bozhao.

Someone handed me a cigarette and said, "I can tell you're an officer. Are you used to smoking our 1.5-cent Red Plums? Officer comrade, have one."

Nie Bozhao waved his hand and said, "I don't smoke."

Seeing the man was about to light a cigarette by striking a match, he immediately said, "My wife and children can't stand the smell of smoke either. Let's be patient and wait until we get to Loulan Farm before you smoke. How about that?"

As he spoke, he opened Nie Weimin's cup with one hand, took out half a pack of Ashima from his pocket, and said, "Here, one for each person, I'll treat everyone to a smoke."

Ashima, the top-grade cigarette, a car full of men started scrambling for it.

Of course, everyone just endured it. During the journey, no one in the car lit a match or a cigarette.

"Of course, Lao Nie, you are amazing. The Soviet Union is indeed rich now, but in another 20 years, they will disintegrate. Those who defected in the 1960s will want to come back by then, but unfortunately, this will no longer be their homeland." Chen Lina was full of admiration.

This is the old trouble of her previous life.

He was handsome, gentle, and could speak Chinese and English fluently. When he went to Nasdaq to discuss the listing, he wore a white shirt with a tie made by her. He spoke with a fluent London accent, which immediately won over everyone at the CSRC.

"The wisdom of a leader can be summed up in four words: foresight and foresight. Moreover, from an economic perspective, the Soviet Union was doomed to collapse. I am an academic, so I only have two words to describe it: rigor," said Nie Bozhao.

Outside Loulan Farm, everyone had an Ashima cigarette. The one who gave up the cigarette smiled and waved to Nie Bozhao, "Comrade cadre, my brother's family is in the second production team of Loulan Farm. Ask around and find Gou Ercai. Let's have a big steamed bun together tonight."

As he spoke, the man raised the big steamed bun in his hand.

The frontier people were hospitable and warm-hearted. They would probably wait for Nie Bozhao to arrive tonight before everyone could eat the big steamed bun. So, Nie Bozhao of course righteously refused.

"Mom, mom, look, that's Liu Xiaohong. She said she was going to Loulan Farm. Why didn't I see her in the car just now? Also, I don't know the person who brought her."

In fact, Chen Lina had already discovered that Liu Xiaohong was in the car.

Liu Xiaohong got off the car only after everyone else had gotten off. The little flower gloves on her hands were given to her by Chen Lina.

The two women who brought her didn't look unfamiliar. Chen Lina remembered that they were members of the Loulan Farm.

On the way, Chen Lina was actually listening to the conversation between the two girls in secret, so she did not impress them and did not say hello to Liu Xiaohong.

The two women started talking in Chinese and didn't talk about much, but halfway through, one of the women spoke a few words in Kazakh.

But because of her stiff accent, Chen Lina could remember what she said, but did not understand what she meant.

She recalled the Hami language she had learned from her Hami mother, and kept wondering what it meant.

"Xiaohong, who are these two aunts? Why don't I know them?"

Liu Xiaohong said, "Loulan Farm came to pick me up. My brother has already arrived at Loulan Farm, and my father also took me here to live."

The two women were quite nice to her. One patted Liu Xiaohong's wrinkled clothes, and the other even tied up her messy hair. They spoke in a mainland accent again, "We are here to pick her up on her behalf. Do you want to come and play with us? Our Loulan Farm is no worse than Mulan Farm."

Chen Lina smiled and shook her head, saying no.

She would also stay overnight at Loulan Farm so that she could investigate further. If Liu Han was not able to do it, she would consider taking Liu Xiaohong back with her.

"Mom, let's go to the Devil City as soon as possible." Erdan pulled his sleeves and Sandan jumped up and down.

As for Nie Bozhao, he went to hire a tricycle.

"Comrade Xiao Chen, I just feel like something is not quite right," Nie Weimin said.

"Why?" Chen Lina asked.

Nie Weimin said, "Liu Xiaohong seemed to be crying."

"You actually found that she was crying?" Boy, Chen Lina thought to herself, you finally saw that girl in your eyes.

"Not strong enough." Nie Weimin blushed and ran away with a jump.

At this time, a go-go car was hired, the children were thrown onto the go-go car one by one, and the whole family went to the Devil City.

Not only are there demons, the Devil City is so desolate that there is not even a single person in it.

However, the rugged rocks and raging sandstorms are truly magnificent. When you come to such a place, you can feel the insignificance of human power and the greatness of nature, and what is the uncanny workmanship of heaven and earth.

The buggy passed through the mountain without any vegetation. The wind blew like the sound of ghosts. It is called the Devil Town and the name is really worthy of it.

After making a fuss for a long time, the three brothers tried to catch ghosts with their eyes wide open. Occasionally, they heard a little echo. They rushed up the mountain to look, but there was nothing. Well, the echo was also made by themselves.

But when the buggy finished this section and went over a hill, there was a clear blue river on the opposite side. It was May, and the poplars on the opposite bank were green. The sky and the earth were transparent, clear, and beautiful to the point of being mesmerizing.

This is the Irtysh River. Most of the songs on the border praise this river.

Of course, this was also an important site for the development of the two bombs and one satellite.

The scenery is full of jagged rocks one second and beautiful mountains and clear waters the next. This shock and contrast makes people feel that the scenery seems to come from the sky.

"Stop, that was once an important research and development site for the two bombs and one satellite. Now it is only for leaders to visit and exchange ideas. Where are you from? You are not allowed to go through." But before the car reached the river, someone came to stop it.

The old man from the Kazakh ethnic group who was driving the buggy also waved his hands, "This is a forbidden area, you can't go in."

Nie Weimin's head drooped immediately. "Dad, I still want to catch a fish."

Living in the endless desert, the child is extremely curious about water and the fish swimming in the water.

Of course, this is also the reason why Nie Bozhao wanted to take them to the hot spring.

However, decades later, the research and development site of the two bombs and one satellite was still a restricted area for outsiders.

Even Chen Lina had never been there in her life. She really wanted to get close to nature by the Ertix River. That feeling was like returning to her hometown, to Ertix.

The comrades of the security team saw through Chen Lina's thoughts at a glance. "This female comrade, judging from your clothes, you should be an officer. Please support our work. You should know that we will directly shoot anyone who crosses the cordon without permission. You should know the significance of two bombs and one satellite to our republic. Our military secrets must not fall into the hands of the Soviets."

Well, the kids didn't catch the devil, and they can't even go to the lake, so it looks like they have to go home.

"If it was your fork in the apricot tree, what would he do at this moment?" Nie Bozhao asked jokingly when he saw Chen Lina's face full of regret.

"He would buy the entire river and let me swim in it alone," Chen Lina teased him.

Eat it, it’s better to eat it until you die of jealousy.

"I don't have the ability to buy you a river, but I still have the ability to get close to nature." Nie Bozhao was unwilling to be defeated by an apricot tree fork.

"Comrade, I am a scientific researcher in the Umayyad mining area. My name is Nie Bozhao..."

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and shook the hand of the comrade opposite him.

"Oh, Comrade Nie Bozhao? Yesterday, the leader was praising you on the radio, saying that we not only have two bombs and one satellite, but we also have oil workers who work hard on the front line. Therefore, we don't need to be a superpower. As long as we work hard, we can leave the superpowers far behind." The comrade of the security team pointed to the loud singing in the house of his patrol team and said, "I specially listened to the names of all the advanced workers in the border area, and yours was one of them. I am a soldier, please allow me to salute you and express my highest respect."

If there is anything good about this era, it is that we respect those who truly contribute to society.

So, even though Nie Bozhao had to mop the floor, chop wood, and build a warehouse by himself at home, he was a famous figure who was often mentioned in newspapers and commended by leaders.

"I'm traveling with my family to investigate the geology and soil here. I want to write a paper about it. Should that be okay?"

"No problem, no problem. How about I invite a local professor to come for you?"

"It depends on their situation. If there is anyone available, we can send one," said Nie Bozhao.

They ran to the riverside and no matter how fast Chen Lina hurried, she finally caught up with them and saw the three brothers taking off their pants.

When these naughty kids saw the clear lake, the first thing they thought of was to pee in it.

Of course, they received it immediately, a hot and loud slap on their buttocks.