Chapter 76

This anti-mosquito and fly extermination campaign was initiated by the Lin City government, covering all counties, towns, and communes under its jurisdiction.

Individual households, institutional offices, restaurants, shops, hospitals, schools, and even streets were all within the coverage area, mobilizing all local residents.

However, beyond this, there were still large numbers of water channels, sewers, bridge cavities, unrepaired wartime ruins – all damp, dirty, and littered places, that were breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

If these places weren’t covered simultaneously, they would lose their meaning.

But to cover everything would inevitably require a large amount of manpower to participate—weeding, dredging, spraying pesticides – a huge amount of work.

The local government didn’t have enough manpower to cover such a large area.

So what to do?

Coincidentally, there was a place locally with abundant manpower resources. Yes, you guessed it, the army.

The army lacked nothing but people. They were all able-bodied men.

The government coordinated this matter, and the army provided support.

After all, the army belongs to the people, and soldiers are the sons and daughters of the people.

Every year during the double harvest season, if the weather turned unusual, the army would also send out a large number of people to assist the farmers in all directions.

In war, they defend the homeland.

In peace, they assist the countryside.

This is the people’s army, the sons and daughters of the people.

This time, they borrowed people from everywhere, from all over. Yan Lei took the opportunity to go to Xiahekou Town.

Everyone knew his wife had recently started working at the town committee broadcasting station. Even on weekends, they could hear Qiao Wei’s clear Mandarin broadcast from the loudspeaker.

Everyone joked that Yan Lei was using public resources for private matters, saying he must be taking advantage of the opportunity to visit his wife’s workplace.

They didn’t know that Yan Lei wasn’t just there to see his wife.

Yan Lei also wanted the people at his wife’s workplace to see him.

When Yan Lei shook hands with Secretary Gao, they could both feel each other’s strength.

“To be honest, we’ve met before,” Yan Lei smiled and said, “Two years ago, there was a coordination meeting in the city, and I went with Mr. Pan. At that time, I saw you speaking. Our Major and I could tell at a glance that you must have been a soldier. Later, when I went out for a smoke, I asked around, and found out you were from the old 71st Division. When you were fighting, I hadn’t enlisted yet. You’re a seasoned revolutionary.”

Having served in the military and been on the battlefield is a lifelong honor. If it weren’t for getting injured and having to transfer, Secretary Gao wouldn’t have left the army so early, leaving behind regrets.

When people mention his past, he feels infinite emotion, a mixture of nostalgia and sighs. He exclaimed, “Can’t compare to you, the hero of battles. I’ve heard of your deeds but never met you. I didn’t expect to meet you so soon. It’s fate!”

Releasing their hands, he welcomed the comrades from the supporting troops into the meeting room.

Attending were the secretary of the town committee, the mayor, deputy mayors, and heads of various departments. Chief Xie from the propaganda department was also present.

Leading the military delegation was Yan Lei.

Currently, the military still operated under the “three-three” system. As a regimental commander, he had three battalions under his command, and all three battalion commanders had come along. There were also several company commanders and two medical officers.

So many people crowded the relatively small meeting room of the town committee.

After everyone was seated, Secretary Gao called out, “Don’t bother with that, fetch the tea from my shelf at home.”

Sitting in the guest’s seat at the head of the table, Yan Lei raised his hand and smiled, “No need to be so polite with me. I’m not a stranger here.”

What did he mean by not being a stranger? This statement left everyone slightly puzzled.

Under the gaze of everyone present, the young and promising Regimental Captain Yan smiled and said, “My wife works here at the town committee, so I’m not a stranger to everyone.”

Secretary Gao was pleasantly surprised and said, “Look at me, I had no idea. That indeed makes you not a stranger. Which department is she in?”

Yan Lei replied, “She works as a broadcaster at the broadcasting station.”

Huh?

With that sentence, everyone on the town committee fell into confusion.

A broadcaster… who?

There were about four or five “broadcasters” listed at the broadcasting station, indeed some of them were military dependents.

First, they ruled out that Qiao Wei.

Then, then… ah, then who? Who could be Yan Lei’s wife?

They couldn’t find anyone who matched.

Secretary Gao hadn’t ruled out Qiao Wei. After all, such rumors wouldn’t reach this strict leader’s ears. But in fact, when Yan Lei mentioned his wife was a broadcaster, an image flashed through Secretary Gao’s mind – that young female comrade was really good, her Mandarin was very standard, her speech was hearty, her demeanor was generous, and most importantly, she was such a beautiful young female comrade, yet she maintained such a humble and austere style.

It was moving.

She seemed so compatible with the handsome and capable young officer in front of him.

Although these thoughts flashed through his mind for an instant, Secretary Gao, as the leader, naturally couldn’t speak recklessly. If he made a mistake, it would be a joke. He directly looked at Chief Xie, silently asking with his eyes: Who is it?

Chief Xie looked utterly puzzled.

He knew very well who worked at the broadcasting station, but after ruling out Qiao Wei, he couldn’t think of anyone who could be Regimental Captain Yan’s wife.

None of them… seemed right.

Yan Lei intentionally paused for a few seconds, allowing everyone’s confusion to focus on him.

Chief Xie couldn’t think of anyone and asked somewhat embarrassedly, “W-who is it?”

Yan Lei smiled and lightly tapped the table with his fingers, “It’s Qiao Wei. My wife’s name is Qiao Wei, and she started working at the broadcasting station this month as a broadcaster. Oh, and she speaks Mandarin quite well. I’m sure you’ve all heard her.”

“My child might have been seen by everyone too. He’s a bit tall, almost four years old. His name is Yan Xiang.”

“Indeed, Comrade Qiao,” Secretary Gao said happily. “I guessed it was Comrade Qiao. Comrade Qiao has been very good here, both in spirit and performance. She’s a very good comrade.”

These two young comrades, one outstandingly beautiful and the other handsome and promising, and both young, how perfectly matched they were.

However, unlike Secretary Gao’s cheerful mood, a strange silence filled the meeting room, creating a very subtle atmosphere.

Everyone looked at Chief Xie.

Chief Xie, given a mission by everyone’s eyes and also to satisfy his own curiosity, asked Yan Lei for confirmation somewhat awkwardly, “Comrade Qiao Wei is Regimental Captain Yan’s wife?”

Yan Lei asked, “And you are…?”

“I’m Xie, head of the propaganda department.”

“Chief Xie, Qiao Wei often mentions you,” Yan Lei smiled.

“She has received a lot of help from you since she started working. As her spouse, I’m very grateful.”

Yan Lei raised his hand, bending his thumb and extending four fingers, “She’s four years younger than me and still young. You’re her leader, so please guide her.”

Only four years’ difference.

Yan Lei was also a leader, but not like those leaders who spent their days in the office reading newspapers and sipping tea.

If those like Chief Xie were civil officials, then Yan Lei was a military general.

A military general has his own style, exuding a sense of authority. Though he smiled and spoke politely, there was an aura around him that filled the meeting table, and only Secretary Gao seemed unaffected by it.

“Let’s not dwell on this. Let’s talk about the task at hand,” Yan Lei took out his red leather notebook and opened it, steering the conversation back. “The 17th Regiment has 1,500 troops ready. How much area do you need us to cover? How much pesticide powder did the county distribute? Is it sufficient?”

“Will the labor tools be provided by the town committee or the army?”

“How will meals be arranged?”

…

…

The meeting didn’t conclude until half past ten.

The specific work arrangements were actually not the most important content. The army had done all kinds of tasks, from harvesting wheat to planting rice seedlings, from building houses to constructing bridges. A mere mosquito extermination task posed no challenge to them. They had manpower and organizational capabilities in abundance.

But although the army was there to support, some things couldn’t just transfer the costs to the local government. Many details still needed to be negotiated.

Labor could be provided, but the local government couldn’t fleece them.

When everything was settled, the people from the town committee felt strangely exhausted.

Usually, meetings were dull and sleepy affairs.

But this one… felt like if they closed their eyes, they’d feel a row of soldiers in green uniforms aiming their bows and arrows at them.

Tense.

Tired.

“The pesticide powder will be moved over today.”

“Our vehicle is right outside.”

“Chief Wang, how’s it going on your end?”

“The pesticide powder has all been moved to the entrance, just waiting for the comrades from the Liberation Army to load it onto the truck.”

Yan Lei said to his three battalion commanders, “You guys take the pesticide powder back, I won’t ride back with the truck.”

The battalion commanders chuckled and said, “Send our regards.”

Yan Lei was too young, and the battalion commanders were all older than him, so it didn’t feel right to call them “sister-in-law.”

But rank hath its privileges, and since Yan Lei outranked them, he was their leader, so they couldn’t call his spouse “little sister-in-law” either.

Just omit the subject; as long as the meaning is conveyed.

The battalion commanders, along with the company commanders and medical officers, followed the town committee members to load the truck and would head back directly afterward.

Secretary Gao’s aura was very compatible with Yan Lei’s. He smiled and said, “Let’s go, I’ll take you to the broadcasting station.”

But Yan Lei replied, “No rush, it’s not quitting time yet. Let her work.”

He added, “I’d like to take a tour of the town committee. You go ahead, I’ll wander around on my own.”

When a guest says, “You go ahead, I’ll wander around on my own,” it’s just polite speech. A host couldn’t actually leave their guest alone.

If Yan Lei had come as a private individual, that would be his own business and would be fine.

But today, he came on official business, and a regimental-level cadre needed to be received accordingly.

Especially since Secretary Gao and Yan Lei, despite the age gap, got along well, he gestured, “Come, I’ll accompany you on the tour.”

When a top official brings a guest in military uniform for a visit, no matter which department they visit, the staff must quickly stand up to welcome them.

The top official introduced, “This is Regimental Captain Yan, who came to support our town this time.”

Of course, he had to add, “Regimental Captain Yan’s spouse is Qiao Wei from the broadcasting station.”

Regimental Captain Yan politely smiled and said, “You’re busy, don’t let me delay your work.”

Regimental Captain Yan stood tall and straight, filling out his military uniform with his broad shoulders and chest.

The brim of his cap shaded his long eyebrows, revealing a pair of bright eyes and a sharply defined jawline.

With every move, he exuded the same aura of authority as the secretary, full of oppressive force.

The female staff in the departments were already feeling their hearts race at first glance, but just as their hearts were skipping a beat, the secretary said this was the spouse of that Qiao Wei?

Huh? Huh?

The father of little Yan Xiang?

… You don’t say, but when you look closely, little Yan Xiang’s features, eyebrows, and lips really do resemble the regimental commander in front of them.

Everyone had always thought little Yan Xiang was so cute because his mother was so beautiful.

But it turns out, his father’s looks weren’t lacking either.

The top official personally took Yan Lei to tour every department before finally arriving at the broadcasting station.

Chief Lu quickly stood up and said, “Secretary, any instructions?”

“It’s okay. Where’s Comrade Qiao Wei?”

Glancing around, Comrade Qiao was coincidentally not in the office.

Yan Lei’s excitement was dashed, and he felt disappointed. Suddenly, someone exclaimed, followed by a familiar childish voice calling out, “Daddy!”

Yan Lei turned around, and it turned out that Qiao Wei had taken Yan Xiang to visit the operator’s room. Just as they came out, they saw the familiar green military uniform and the tall figure.

Yan Xiang ran over. Yan Lei bent down and lifted him up high, then hugged him close. “Didn’t expect this, huh?”

Yan Xiang asked, “Daddy, why are you here?”

Qiao Wei also walked over quickly. “You came here without even mentioning it beforehand.”

A woman who didn’t even bother to defend her own man didn’t deserve to know in advance.

Hmph.

Yan Lei said lightly, “Here on business. Nothing much to say.”