"Yes, as you know, my family left me with some connections."
Yesterday, Uncle Zheng went to the village to pick up vegetables, and I went with him to the county town to make some contact. It turned out they had some goods on hand, so I stayed.
Uncle, you're having trouble, why didn't you tell me?
Cheng Jin paused, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"You've already given us so much money. How can we, a bunch of grown men, rely on just a little girl like you?"
Simple and straightforward.
"Do you think I'm stupid?"
Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice.
When it comes to fighting, going to the battlefield, and defending our country, I am no match for you.
But tell me, with the mountains blocked by heavy snow, can you conjure up enough food and drink for so many people?
If you refuse to cook for yourself, how can I just stand by and watch you go out to rescue others while starving, only to come back without a full meal?
When my brother comes back and sees you all so thin, skin and bones, with chilblains all over your hands and feet, how will he feel?
Look at their hands, they're all cracked. Their shoes are worn out, the few that are still in good condition are all showing, either the heels are torn or the soles have fallen off.
Don't talk about others, look at yourself, look at the soles of your shoes,"
The temperature in the cafeteria had risen, and in just a short while, the frozen mud and snow on his shoes had melted. Cheng Jin shifted his feet uncomfortably, leaving behind a footprint mixed with red.
Jian Dan immediately looked like he had caught someone red-handed.
"Look at yourself, yours is in this state, so what about theirs?"
At this moment, Jian Dan's feelings were somewhat complicated. To be honest, this year's soldiers were all new recruits. There were not many like Xiao Wu and his group who had hunted wild boars together or were familiar with each other. It would be a lie to say that they had a deep bond.
However, it is simple and clear that this is Cheng Cheng's obsession with them, a responsibility engraved in their bones. No matter who it is, they are the same.
Cheng Jin himself didn't realize that after walking so much, he was already completely frozen and numb, unable to feel the pain. The soles of his feet were worn through, but he didn't notice.
Seeing Jian Dan's angry expression, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed; he hadn't thought things through as thoroughly as the child.
"Hey, I didn't even notice."
Alright, alright, I know I was wrong. I made you worry too.
Thanks to you, we'll treat ourselves to a nice meal today.
Cheng Jin's helplessness can be roughly understood. After all, this external support is not a long-term solution. Ultimately, their main source of living supplies is still the overall allocation from above.
Vegetable greenhouses or pig farming are at most side businesses that can enrich the meager diet, but overall, the scale is still somewhat insignificant compared to the number of people waiting to eat.
This side consists of junior leaders like Cheng Jin, and their main task is training new recruits, mostly freshmen who have just left home to join the army.
However, on the other side of the border, although it is not far away, there are many mountains, and the area below the mountains is desolate with little vegetation and lots of sand and gravel. The natural environment is harsh, with half a year of wind and sand and drought, and half a year of heavy snow blocking the mountains. There are also polar days and polar nights. In addition, there are occasional border frictions, so those stationed there have to suffer even more.
Otherwise, when Cheng Zhuo and his wife wanted to go, Cheng Jin and Cheng Chao disagreed. Compared to the established family compounds in the Northwest, the border area was much more rugged.
The housing, the hospital, and the barracks were all simple. The only thing that was anything but simple and hadn't been skimped on was the garrison. No matter how many times Cheng Chao went there, he felt the same way.
Apart from that, almost every time I see her, I feel a deep sense of desolation.
Cheng Jin and Lin Zhengde naturally thought of the simple idea as well. Not to mention that Cheng Zhuo was there, it was originally the jurisdiction of the garrison here, and it was their responsibility.
Cheng Jin quickly forced a smile.
"Old Lin, hurry up, watch them cook more meat. I need to go back and tidy up so we can have a good meal later. Then we'll discuss how to divide these things and make sure they're used where they're most needed."
After saying that, she helped the person up and limped away, seemingly trying to escape. Jian Dan, feeling a bit helpless, didn't say anything. She had come out with Lao Zheng just to take a look, and now that she had delivered the things, she was already thinking about going back.
There are two children at home; I can't imagine how worried they are.
Thinking about it this way, she became even more restless. Cheng Jin hadn't returned yet. After searching around, she found Lin Zhengde, who was grinning from ear to ear amidst the pile of supplies.
"Uncle Lin, Uncle Lin,"
"Hey? Niece, are you hungry?"
"Wait a minute, Old Zhang is making braised pork. Dinner will be ready soon. You should try Old Zhang's great cooking."
Thinking of home, Jian Dan felt an overwhelming longing to return, and she had no appetite for meat at the moment.
"No, Uncle Lin, I have to go back. My two children are still at home. If I don't go back soon, they'll worry."
This is something. Other people's children spent their own money to find connections, sending them food and meat, but they couldn't even get a bite of meat before they had to leave.
Lin Zhengde cannot allow this.
He immediately turned around and gave instructions.
"Quickly, tell Old Zhang to pack up all the braised pork he's made and take it all with him. Hurry!"
"Huh? No need..."
This is probably Lin Zhengde's last stand; he refuses to give up no matter what.
Simple persuasion failed, and after much pleading, they only accepted three lunchboxes, pushing the other five back.
"These few are enough for the three of us sisters to eat for several meals,"
After saying that, fearing he might try to shove it at her again, she turned and ran away.
She didn't see the group's enthusiastic gratitude, nor did she like that kind of scene. Not far from the camp, she put away the lunchbox while it was still hot.
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