Chapter 652 - 320: You Have Your Connections, I Have My Uncle Zhao!

Upon hearing this, Kangle instantly realized there was definitely more to this.

A remittance slip of three thousand yuan.

This could say it completely severed ties with bribery.

Even if someone really wanted to corrupt Zhao Yimeng, they would never use such a disrespectful way.

Three thousand yuan?

It’s likely that corruption failed, and instead, they might earn resentment.

Thinking this, the senior spoke again leisurely:

"By the way, if I remember correctly, Commander Zhao is also from Shandong, sort of like half a fellow countryman to you."

"Shandong? Where in Shandong?"

"Yi Meng Mountain."

Kangle sat opposite Zhao Yimeng, reflecting on what the senior said, feeling quite sentimental.

Indeed, only the wrong name is called, never the wrong nickname.

Zhao Yimeng remained silent, without saying anything.

Kangle also remained quiet, just silently observing the person in front of him.

To be fair, Zhao Yimeng’s looks are the classic image of a soldier.

But probably because he hasn’t had a good sleep in a long time, his stern face showed some fatigue.

Beneath the starry brows and sword-like eyes, there was a hint of sadness, with clearly visible bloodshot eyes.

Could it be the impact of that remittance slip?

As Kangle was pondering this, Zhao Yimeng unexpectedly spoke first:

"Judging by your accent, you’re from Shandong too?"

Kangle laughed along and said, "Yes, I’m also from Shandong, in Shanyin County."

"Oh, that’s not far from Yi Meng, I grew up in Yi Meng Mountain."

Perhaps aided by the shared accent, Zhao Yimeng spoke a bit more.

The atmosphere in the office also became more pleasant.

"Before I came, the senior told me that Commander Zhao, you received a remittance slip?"

The previously pleasant vibe abruptly halted at this moment.

Commander Zhao returned to being withdrawn, and Kangle wisely started sipping his tea.

Just as Kangle was about to finish a pot of tea, Zhao Yimeng finally spoke.

"Since we’re fellow countrymen and you’re a military reporter, take a look at this..."

He took a letter from the drawer and then handed it to Kangle.

Kangle took a glance at the address on the envelope; the remittance slip was sent from a county in Shanxi.

Opening the envelope, there were a few very brief sentences:

Yimeng, why did you send money to your "aunt" again? I have money; don’t worry.

"This money, I sent to my comrade’s mother, but every time I send it, it gets returned, never accepted..."

Zhao Yimeng’s voice was low, the self-blame and pain in his words were heartbreaking.

Another silence followed.

Zhao Yimeng composed himself, looked at Kangle, and showed a weary smile: "I wonder if you’re interested in hearing a story from me."

Kangle eagerly nodded: "Of course, please go ahead."

At that moment, he felt an inner excitement!

He never managed to successfully interview the always reserved Commander Zhao, but now he’s done it!

Not to mention anything else, just the firsthand information from the interview, especially with Commander Zhao, would certainly add a layer of prestige to his career!

Commander Zhao slowly got up, and Kangle followed him to the southeastern corner of the office.

On the wall there, hung two old, somewhat yellowed, photographs.

Zhao Yimeng revealed a nostalgic look in his eyes, pointing to the photo on the left:

"The story I’m going to tell has him as half the protagonist."

"He is Wang Wenxi, whose hometown is a small town in Shanxi Jinnan. Originally, he was the squad leader of our second platoon, later sacrificed on the battlefield. At that time, I was the instructor of our company."

Without waiting for Kangle to examine the selfie carefully, Zhao Yimeng pointed to the photograph on the right:

"This photo is of his family taken in front of his martyr’s tombstone; the kindly old person is his mom, the young one beside her is his wife, and the two slightly immature-faced kids in front are his daughter and son."

Hmm?

Before Kangle could think more, Zhao Yimeng began to narrate the story slowly.

——

You should have some idea that I was born into a military family.

When I graduated from military school, I came out to work in a publicity department in a certain army, just like you.

Later, due to my mother’s strong urging, I was assigned to the third company as an instructor.

Honestly, at that time, I didn’t want to go at all.

I was working as a photographer in the publicity department back then, an excellent job.

But I was impatient and didn’t perform my duties well, plus I didn’t handle relationships with colleagues properly.

So, everyone felt happy inside when they learned I was leaving the publicity department and assigned to the company, although their faces were as calm as usual.

I took a train to the southernmost city.

When I saw it for the first time, I was deeply terrified.

It was a small city where residents couldn’t even use tap water.

But I found my fear was premature.

At the time, military vehicles were requisitioned due to tension at the border.

The squad leader urged us to quickly pack our luggage, as we needed to catch the tractor soon.

Otherwise, when it got dark, the fellow countryman’s tractor returned to the village, we’d have to advance cross-country.

When the tractor arrived at the place, my legs were already numb, trembling as I got up, thinking finally I could rest a bit since I reached the place.

The squad leader sounded the assembly whistle again.

Thirsty and tired, we rode ox carts under the setting sun, eventually reaching the company.

Wild mountains with no signs of life.

Even though the third company wasn’t near the frontier, it was about a hundred miles from the living area.

Looking at the desolation around, only one thought was left in my mind: luckily, I didn’t let the camera come along, or else, weighing dozens of pounds, I wouldn’t have made it to the company.