Chapter 61: Children Meet Without Recognizing Each Other

  Xue turned off the officer's certificate and said, "Don't be too happy too early, this matter needs to be carefully planned. If you and I go directly to inform the leadership of the Revolutionary Committee, it will inevitably cause them shock. They just need to make a phone call to the Central Committee, and they will know that we are acting on our own initiative, which is absolutely unacceptable. Let's wait until nightfall, at dawn, spread this news in the streets. Firstly, the sudden event will not give people time to think, and their first reaction must be to evacuate and find a safe place; secondly, you need to go to the military district to deliver something, I just happen to have a friend there, mobilize forces, and make it public."

  Xue Xiang knew when the earthquake would erupt, three or four hours were enough for most people to find shelter, it wasn't that he didn't want to give everyone more time to evacuate. In fact, the longer the time, the more likely people would doubt the authenticity of the message, and the longer they dragged on, the easier it was to be exposed.

  Ma Tiechui listened to him speaking solemnly and logically, nodding repeatedly. He had simple thoughts and didn't consider how Xue could be more certain than himself about the time and location of the earthquake explosion. Ma Tiechui readily agreed: "Alright, let's do it as you said. It's already past 8 o'clock, we're approaching the city area, should we find a place to rest first or go directly to the military district?"

  Xue Xiang was also in a predicament, and it was clearly not suitable to go find Liu Ying'er now. The original plan was to take her away without saying a word, but since the plan had changed, he couldn't be so abrupt. Once the news spread, there would naturally be an excuse to take her away, and with his car, after notifying the crowd to evacuate, there would be enough time to find a shelter for her.

  "Let's find a quiet place and take a nap in the car, if you're hungry, I have food and drinks in my bag." Xue didn't want to go to some reception center, the environment was too comfortable, sleeping through the night would be terrible.

  Ma Tiechui was willing to take the lead, and after seeing Xue Xiang's documents, he had already put himself in a position of being led. He was able to work with J Committee cadres on a task, and it was such a creative task - saving thousands of people - that he was naturally proud and enthusiastic. It was also fortunate that he was straightforward and down-to-earth, otherwise, who would be willing to risk their life with someone they had only known for less than a day?

  The car had entered the city center, turned onto the main road and drove into the vast August 1st Square. The August 1st Square is the largest square in Qin Tang, covering an area of over 1,000 mu, with only a flag-raising platform in the center of the square and a flower pool at each corner, without any other buildings. I don't know how many so-called counter-revolutionaries, worker traitors, and running dogs were knocked down and struggled here, it was indeed a gathering place for the masses to carry out ZZ life.

  Ma Tiechui parked the Great Wall car steadily on one side of the flower pool in the northwest corner, where it was cool and shaded, making it an ideal place to rest and avoid the heat. Xue Xiang was exhausted and fell asleep as soon as the car stopped, leaning against the seat. Ma Tiechui looked at Xue Xiang's tired face, shook his head, smiled stupidly, pulled out a gray cushion from under the seat, got up and lifted Xue Xiang's legs onto his own seat, helping him lie down and gently moving his head to put the cushion in place. After settling Xue Xiang, Ma Tiechui opened Xue Xiang's bag, rummaged for food, ate a big meal, and then flipped out of the driver's room, entered the trailer, tidied up a space, and fell asleep.

  The morning sun is just right, the beautiful Qin Tang is colorful and beautiful under the sunlight. Who knows that tonight, this beautiful city will be reduced to ruins. Is it a tragedy? Yes, isn't destroying good things a tragedy?!

  The golden crow fell, the jade rabbit rose, Xue Xiang woke up from his sleep, raised his hand to look at his watch and it was already 8:01. He was really too tired, although he had been reminding himself in his heart that he must not oversleep, but he still slept soundly. Xue Xiang got up, opened the driver's cabin, the lights were just turned on, the lamp was shining brightly, the jade plate was half-missing, and the night was beautiful. He didn't have any thoughts to appreciate the beauty in front of him, time was urgent, he turned to the trunk door, saw that the big gate was slightly ajar, and knew that Ma Tiechui was sleeping there.

  Xue Xiang opened the big gate, lightly knocked on the side wall, and Ma Tiechui suddenly sat up: "Brother, what time is it? You guys slept soundly this time."

  Xue Xiangdao said: "It's past eight o'clock, it's about time, let's set off."

  Ma Tiechui hastily got off the bus and rushed to the driver's cabin, "Hey, brother, what's that?" He pointed to the northeast sky, where a humming noise was coming from, like an airplane taking off right next to your ear. Hundreds, thousands of dragonflies covered the sky, sweeping past, quite frightening.

  "Dragonflies, Maomao, look at all these dragonflies! I've never seen so many before. Hurry up and follow me, I'm going to find Little Ming's brother to help me catch some!" A little girl with pigtails excitedly shouted to her companion, then ran off into the distance.

  "Wait for me, wait for me! I want a dragonfly too, I also want..." shouted the boy named Mao Mao as he chased after them.

  Xue Xiang's face turned serious as he rushed towards the driver's cabin: "Ma Ge, hurry up, the earthquake is likely to happen tonight, if we're late, it'll be too late."

  Ma Tiechui didn't need Xue Xiang to remind him, his family had a deep understanding of the situation, and he knew that the scene in front of him was not a good omen. As soon as Xue Xiang got on the car, before he could even close the door, the accelerator under his foot roared to life, speeding towards the military district.

  Qin Tang Military Sub-district is under the jurisdiction of the Capital Garrison, and only the 166th Division of Army A is stationed here. Ma Tiechui's skills are superb, and he quickly arrives at the location of the 166th Division in a short time. The division is located in the northwest corner of Qin Tang City, and Xue Xiang sees from afar that there is a blockade line set up in front of the two-story small building of the military sub-district office, which is identical to the setup at Qiu Zhiguo's residence.

  As they approached the gate, Ma Tieke slowed down and stopped at the window of the guardhouse. He took out a document and a small green hardcover certificate from his bag and handed them over. Before long, the barrier was lifted, and Ma Tieke stepped on the accelerator, and the car slid in.

  Ma Tiechui rushed towards Xue with a smile and said: "Your ID is too scary, just use the pass they gave you."

  Xue Xiang couldn't help but smile, looking at his sturdy build, yet his thoughts were quite meticulous. The car stopped at the position guided by the guard soldiers, and Xue Xiang led Ma Tiechui straight to the division command post.

  "Hey, hey, where are you going? The logistics department is over there." The little warrior who was receiving them pointed to the left and shouted.

  Xue Xiang had never been to the Qin Tang Military Sub-district before, but he was still familiar with the layout of the units within the army. Ma Tiechui wasn't here for the first time, so he knew the location of the logistics department, but this time he came with the military officer to handle important matters, and naturally everything followed Xue Xiang's lead. Xue Xiang took out his military ID and handed it to the little soldier: "Take us to see your commander." The commander of the 166th Division was also the commander of the Qin Tang Military Sub-district.

  The little warrior took over the officer's certificate, opened it and was stunned on the spot. Well, such a young J deputy staff member, still an Anban cadre, isn't this going through the sky?

  The little warrior was shocked, Ma Tiechui's mouth was wide open like a lotus flower, and he exclaimed in his heart. I thought that being a soldier was just the same as others, but I didn't expect Xue Xiaoge's certificate to be so powerful, whoever it catches will be shocked.

  "Ahem ahem." Seeing Little Warrior hadn't spoken for a long time, Xue cleared his throat twice.

  Little warrior suddenly stood up straight and saluted: "Commander, this way, please. I'll lead the way for you."

  The crimson office door was opened, and Little Warrior shouted "Report!" A low, melancholic male voice replied: "Come in."

  "Report to the officer, this is a high-ranking official from the Central Committee's Security Office, who has come to discuss something with you." The little soldier made a simple introduction, without revealing Ma Tie's identity. Because he couldn't understand for the time being how a high-ranking official of the Central Committee would arrive by cargo truck, unless it was a secret visit, or there was some special task. The little soldier retreated to one side, his mind racing with speculation.

  The moment the office door opened, a familiar figure appeared in Xue's eyes, it was Hong Ying, the commander of the 166th division. The last time he saw him was eight years ago at the military district compound, and at that time he was still the commander of the 512th regiment. Hong Ying was over forty years old, with a ruddy face and a standard military youthful appearance, which was exactly what Xue An Yuan had been trying to preserve.

  Xue Xiang stared at Hong Ying, lost in thought for half a day without speaking, which made Hong Ying feel awkward. Although Xue Xiang was young, he held two important positions: the Central Committee and the Security Bureau. No matter how big your position is, military etiquette must be followed, and subordinates must salute their superiors. Since Xue Xiang didn't salute first, how could Hong Ying take the initiative to salute him? As a standard professional soldier, Hong Ying couldn't do such a thing without dignity. He didn't believe that someone as young as Xue Xiang could have a higher rank than him.

  Hong Ying furrowed his brow, just about to speak, when Xue Xiang suddenly realized he had been silent for a while and hastily gave Hong Ying a salute: "Chief." He was wondering in his heart, do we still need to go through this formal courtesy? He forgot that he had grown from a young boy into a tall and proud youth, with a completely different appearance, and how could Hong Ying possibly recognize him.

  When the other party saluted, Hong Ying let out a sigh of relief, at least he didn't have to lose face. Although he was straightforward, he wasn't reckless and didn't want to offend the military commission's people over this small matter. If Xue Xiang didn't salute again, he planned to find an excuse to ask him directly about his intentions, to avoid awkwardness. Hong Ying raised his hand to return Xue Xiang's salute, waved his hand for the orderly and little soldier to retreat, and said: "I don't know what Comrade Delegate has come to my place for, if there is a superior order, I will strictly execute it." He was a straightforward person who didn't like to speak empty courtesy or nonsense.

  Xue Xiangda was puzzled, and Hong Ying was really playing with me? He couldn't help but say: "Brother Hong, everyone else has left, this is my brother, we don't need to be so formal, it's too tiring."

  Brother Hong? Are we so familiar with each other? We just met today, didn't we? Besides, even if you were sent by J, judging from your appearance, you're only 17 or 18 years old. I'm more than 20 years older than you. You shouldn't be calling me brother like that without my permission, it's too impolite.

  Hong Ying was also feeling annoyed in his heart, running into someone so presumptuous, he really didn't know how to deal with him. He scratched his head and said: "Comrade J, what's your surname and given name?"

  "This remark came out, Xue turned silent and lost his smile: "Blame me, blame me, haha, Hong Ge, take a closer look, I'm Xue Lao San, the one who used to snatch your gun."

  Hong Ying stared at Xue Xiang, blinked his eyes, and slapped his thigh with a "pa" sound: "Ah, it's Old Three! Good kid, it's been many years since we last met. The old chief forbade me from visiting him, let alone finding you guys. It's suffocating me! Come here, give me a hug. Little Old Three has grown up to be a big guy too, with a height of over 1.8 meters, even taller than me, Hong Ge!" Hong Ying was extremely excited and ran over to give Xue Xiang a hug, speaking non-stop like a machine gun. He was the iron-hearted confidant of Xue An Yuan, the son of Xue An Yuan's old partner, Comrade Hong Jun, who had sacrificed himself in the 42-year anti-sweeping campaign. After that, Xue An Yuan arranged for him to join the army. Hong Ying had always served in Xue An Yuan's personal domain, rising rapidly through the ranks without a single misstep. As the son of a martyr, he hadn't suffered any setbacks, only being transferred away from the capital and sent to Qin Tang.