Chapter 73

The atomic bomb is not terrifying, there are many ways to defend against it.

Seeing the flash is a signal, quickly lie down using the terrain.

Cross your hands in front of your chest, close your eyes, tighten your abdomen, and open your mouth.

Qiao Wei: “…”

With just a casual flip, there it was, such hardcore content, accompanied by clear illustrations.

Qiao Wei closed the book and glanced at the cover again: “Militia Training Manual”.

The name was so crude that it made one shudder, and the content was so intense that it shocked her.

It primarily focused on rebuilding a country from scratch after the world had been leveled by nuclear war.

It was similar to some of the online novels in later times that either let you overlook them at first glance or lured you in to kill you.

The things people pondered in this era were different from those in later times. The shadow of war always loomed overhead, and everything was contemplated from the starting point of “one day the enemy might launch a nuclear bomb at us”.

Above, there were coordinated steps to evade nuclear explosions. Below, there was cleaning guns, burying mines, and digging latrines.

This book covered almost all aspects of military knowledge, explained in a straightforward manner, using the simplest language to teach you how to counter the most advanced and powerful weapons of the time.

As long as you could read, it could teach you. In the world of transmigration, it was called a treasure trove, with this book in hand, you could stride through the apocalypse.

Although Qiao Wei had heard of this divine book in some novels, it was still the first time she had seen the actual thing, which was even more impactful than the descriptions in those novels.

Yan Xiang called it “particularly interesting”.

“The Militia Training Manual”, “The Friend of Dual-Use Military Personnel”, and “The Barefoot Doctor” were collectively known as the three divine books of transmigration.

But actually, the last time Qiao Wei went to the county bookstore, what she really wanted to buy was another heavyweight, also a divine book of this era, the “Hundred Thousand Whys”.

This book was highly sought after online as well. It was completely different from the book of the same name in later times, covering a wide range of topics, still in the post-apocalyptic style, and primarily focused on restarting civilization.

But after browsing the bookstore, she couldn’t find any of these books. Even the bookstore staff hadn’t heard of them. Qiao Wei didn’t dare to ask again, guessing that maybe they weren’t published yet, considering the timeframe.

Qiao Wei asked Lu Tianming, “Do bookstores have these kinds of books?”

Lu Tianming replied, “Bookstores wouldn’t have them, these are publications from higher authorities for workers, farmers, and soldiers.”

So that’s why “The Militia Training Manual” was in the town committee’s library.

Glancing at the back cover, it was published in the late 1950s.

She wondered if the others had been published as well. But it didn’t matter; those few books were likely of a similar nature to this one, and it was highly probable that they also belonged to publications for workers, farmers, and soldiers. If they were published, they would sooner or later appear in the town committee’s library. She just needed to pay more attention.

She glanced at Yan Xiang, who was looking at her, his lips moving.

Yan Xiang wanted to tell Qiao Wei that this book mentioned many things he was eager to know more about.

Qiao Wei seemed to understand what he wanted to say; she gave him a look, and the mother and son understood each other without speaking. Yan Xiang didn’t say anything.

In the original text, Yan Xiang never communicated these inner thoughts with anyone else.

But with Qiao Wei coming to this world, things had changed.

Yan Xiang was willing to share all his thoughts with his mother. But he would talk about it at home later; there were too many people in the office.

They whispered to each other at home that evening.

Yan Xiang liked that book.

Qiao Wei could understand. Although the language of the book seemed crude, it actually contained a huge amount of information.

Yan Xiang asked about atomic bombs, “Are they really powerful?”

“They are the most powerful weapons of today,” Qiao Wei said. “One atomic bomb can destroy an entire city. M country dropped two on R country, destroying two cities.”

A look of concern appeared on Yan Xiang’s small face.

“Mom, imperialism’s desire to harm us never dies. What should we do?” the child asked.

In these days, she had been studying the thoughts of the great leaders earnestly. Yan Lei was her study partner.

But when they studied together, Qiao Wei asked Yan Xiang to listen on the side.

Sure enough, he absorbed it.

“Don’t be afraid,” Qiao Wei kissed his forehead. “We have them too.”

“Last year, we successfully tested them, it was reported in the news, our country also has atomic bombs now. Imperialists are afraid we might use atomic bombs against them, so they dare not strike first. As long as we both have them, neither side will use them. Just keep them as a deterrent.”

“This, having them but not using them, is called deterrence.”

“Then will there be no wars?” 

“There will still be wars. Our country is surrounded by too many other countries, big and small, and there are many battles to fight. But don’t worry, we will become stronger and stronger, and we will make more guns and cannons. Truth only lies within the range of artillery.”

There was a gleam in Yan Xiang’s eyes.

“Mom, when I grow up, I want to make guns and cannons to make our country stronger, so that no foreign country dares to attack us!”

Qiao Wei smiled, her eyes twinkling, “Sure, then you better grow up quickly.”

She kissed the child’s forehead and lulled him to sleep.

Back in the bedroom, Qiao Wei talked to Yan Lei about their morning ride. “… The sunlight was so good, and there was a gentle breeze blowing on our faces, with poplar trees on both sides of the road.”

“Do you know about the Tyndall effect?”

“… Then light takes on a shape.”

“Mmhm!”

Her mouth was covered, and she couldn’t speak anymore.

After the tenderness, she lay on his chest with her eyes closed. Yan Lei asked, “You like bicycles so much?”

In another world, they were everywhere on the streets, just had to scan the code and ride away.

But here, everything was different.

Qiao Wei lazily replied, “It’s not that I like bicycles, it’s that I like the good morning sunshine, riding on the countryside roads.”

And the morning breeze blowing on my face.

Yan Lei thought to himself, isn’t that liking bicycles? Even if it’s not about liking bicycles themselves, you still need a bicycle to have that feeling.

He gently patted her back, “Got it…”

Qiao Wei fell asleep in his arms.

On Saturday, Qiao Wei turned on the radio, but didn’t see Yan Xiang.

“Where’s Yan Xiang?”

“Manman took him to see the wax paper flyers.”

“Oh, the ones for propaganda? I haven’t seen them yet. Why didn’t they wait for me to go together!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Hu Sui spat at her, “You’re already a grown-up, and you’re a mother.”

“Even mothers have curiosity.”

Laughter filled the office. Qiao Wei waited for the broadcast to end, quickly turned off the machine, and went to the propaganda department to join in the fun.

When she arrived, she found everyone gathered around Yan Xiang, watching the excitement.

Yan Xiang stood on a chair, holding the roller and ink with a serious expression. Roll once, print one, roll again, print another.

Accidentally, a black ink streak ended up on his cheek.

“What are you doing, Yan Xiang?” Qiao Wei couldn’t contain her laughter.

Yan Xiang raised the ink roller and said, “I’m printing.”

Everyone laughed, “If he wants to do it, let him.”

“It’s great that Yan Xiang is here, it makes things easier for everyone.”

“Keep up the good work!”

“Go for it!”

Qiao Wei lifted Yan Xiang off the chair, and said sternly, “Didn’t I tell you, no causing trouble for the uncles and aunties.”

Yan Xiang defended himself, “I’m not causing trouble, I’m helping.”

“We need to print a lot of these, and the kids are too slow. Let the adults help.”

The shameless mother took the roller from the child’s hand without hesitation, “I’ll do it.”

Yan Xiang: “…”

Lu Manman laughed, “Wei Wei, haven’t you played with this before?”

Qiao Wei said, “I’ve never even seen it before.”

She understood the principle of this thing now. The wax paper had a thick layer of wax on top. Perhaps using iron wire or a special “pen” to write or engrave on it.

Then it was placed in a special toolbox. The box lid had wax paper attached, and white paper was placed inside the box. Ink was brushed into the strokes, then the lid was closed and pressed down, printing the content written on the wax paper onto the paper inside.

Lifting the lid, the printed sheet was taken aside. Then the next one was printed.

Quite relieving.

Anyway, Qiao Wei was having a great time.

Yan Xiang looked on eagerly and said, “Mom, I also…”

“After two more, after two more, I’ll give you a turn.”

“But we’ve already done a few more twos.”

The people in the propaganda department burst into laughter.

In this era, there were no printers, and daily internal printed materials were all done using wax paper printing. The people in the propaganda department bore this responsibility, and they were practically tired of it.

And now someone was eager to do it.

After letting Yan Xiang play for a while, they returned the tools to the people in the propaganda department.

“We won’t delay you any longer.”

After all, they were novices, and their efficiency was nowhere near that of the seasoned professionals in the propaganda department.

Propaganda department colleagues: Well, actually…

Qiao Wei and Lu Manman took several copies of the printed materials. These were the specific arrangements for the anti-mosquito campaign distributed from above. They were going to take them back to start broadcasting the campaign.

The two of them led Yan Xiang back to the broadcasting station.

The people in the propaganda department had no choice but to reluctantly start printing again.

“You know, Qiao Wei’s son is really cute. So sensible.”

“From what I heard, only this one is biological, the previous five were all brought along by the front one.”

“Oh, really?”

Today is Saturday, Qiao Wei’s last day of rotation. Tomorrow it’s Lu Manman’s turn again.

On Sunday, the ordered mud and brick team arrived with horse carts.

Seven or eight men were hauling yellow soil with two horse carts.

Qiao Wei asked quietly, “Do you need meals?”

Yan Lei said, “No need, they’ll arrange their own lunch.”

Qiao Wei communicated with the mud and brick workers for a while. They understood her intentions, “Just to cover it up, to make it look like adobe walls?”

The men couldn’t help but think about this woman… had too many ideas.

Sure, the wall repairs looked a bit ugly, but they were livable. They didn’t need to spend money plastering mud to cover it up.

The key point was, they felt that plastering yellow mud wasn’t as good as leaving it as it was. Although the walls looked a bit shabby, a stone house was ultimately of a higher class than an adobe house.

Their lack of sophistication made their thoughts inevitably show on their faces.

Qiao Wei noticed.

“Mainly,” she said, “for warmth. Stone houses are too cold, unbearable. Adding a layer of yellow mud outside serves as an insulation layer.”

This explanation was much easier to accept.

Seeing her speak and behave like a city person, and Yan Lei couldn’t even tell she was from the countryside, they thought they didn’t understand. So they specifically told them, “It must be that the chimney in the kang wasn’t cleaned properly. It must be cleaned thoroughly before winter arrives, so it will be warm when you burn it in winter.”

“Okay, we’ll clean it thoroughly when the time comes,” Qiao Wei promised.

The craftsmen set up ladders for work.

The pre-arranged lunch was self-service, but the villagers brought only flatbreads, which they ate with a large spring onion.

Qiao Wei found it odd. Since the stove was boiling water, she cracked three eggs directly into it, making egg drop soup. She also added some shredded pickles and small greens – ones Yan Lei grew himself – and boiled them together in the pot.

As soon as the water boiled, the soup was ready, and she served it to everyone, saying, “Here, have some soup.”

The craftsmen were very happy, each one taking their own teapot to ladle soup, which was better than munching on dry flatbreads with plain water.

After eating their fill, they worked even harder in the afternoon than in the morning.

When the sun was slanting westward, the work was done.

The entire exterior of the house was plastered with yellow mud.

Perhaps it was because of Qiao Wei’s egg drop soup, the craftsmen worked very meticulously, smoothing the plaster very finely.

Qiao Wei stood in the courtyard with her hands on her hips, looking up very satisfied, it was exactly the look she wanted.

The mud hadn’t completely dried yet, so the color was slightly darker. The craftsmen said that once it dried completely, it would be the light yellow color she wanted.

Below the adobe wall, two bamboo lounge chairs were placed, and three cushions were temporarily placed flat on the cool bed, but you could still tell that the color and material matched the yellow adobe wall very well.

Pure pastoral style.

Turning her head, Yan Lei stood with his hands on his hips, gazing at the repaired house.

“Looks like my house,” he seemed nostalgic.

There was a mixture of sadness and joy in his eyes.

Humans are truly complex creatures.

Yan Lei, originating from the countryside, harbored a strong longing for the big city deep down inside and had been striving in that direction all along.

Yet, deep down, he cherished the rural life. Looking at this adobe-like house, he felt an immense sense of familiarity.