amaotonovel Chapter 44 Secret Mission
Chapter 44 Secret Mission
Zhao Yuan, Lu Tiejun, and Yang Fushan had just stepped out of the county committee compound when they encountered Tu Chenglong riding a bicycle towards the compound.
“Zhaoyuan, I finally found you. I called Director Liu Wenbo of Daguang Commune. Director Liu came to your house to look for you. Your wife told me that you went to a meeting in the county. I thought you must have come to the county committee for a meeting. I called the county committee and they told me that the meeting had just ended. That’s why I rushed over here. I almost missed you.”
Tu Chenglong rode in front of Zhao Yuan and got off the bicycle.
"Director Tu, is it urgent?"
Zhao Yuan greeted Tu Chenglong with a smile.
"This is Tu Chenglong, the director of the county library."
Zhao Yuan introduced Tu Chenglong to Lu Tiejun and Yang Fushan.
"Director Tu, this is Lu Tiejun, the factory director of Honghonghuo Fireworks Factory, and this is Yang Fushan, the factory director of Feiteng Fireworks Factory."
Zhao Yuan then introduced Lu Tiejun and Yang Fushan to Tu Chenglong.
The three greeted each other.
"Director Tu, will it take a long time? If it's not long, I'll ask Director Lu and the others to wait for me. If it takes a long time, they can go back first."
Zhao Yuan asked.
"It won't take long, but you'll need to come to my office. I'll be going on a business trip for a while, which may take a few days."
Tu Chenglong said.
"Alright then, Director Lu, Director Yang, wait for me a moment, I'll go see Director Tu and be right back."
Zhao Yuan spoke to Lu Tiejun and Yang Fushan.
"You go ahead, we'll go to the commercial building and browse around. You can find us there later."
Lu Tiejun said.
"Ok."
As he spoke, Zhao Yuan followed Tu Chenglong toward the county Xinhua Bookstore.
Upon arriving at Tu Chenglong's office, Tu Chenglong unlocked the drawer, pulled it open, and handed Zhao Yuan a bulging envelope.
"Look, this is good stuff."
Tu Chenglong said with a smile.
"What good stuff is it?"
Zhao Yuan smiled as he accepted the envelope, tore it open, and inside was a stack of "big unity" coupons, along with some nationally valid grain, oil, cloth, and meat coupons. There was also a large red booklet, authored by the National Translator, with Zhao Yuan's name written on it.
"Your translation has been highly praised by your superiors. Among the hundreds of translated documents nationwide, yours has received unanimous recognition. Based on your translation, the task was completed perfectly. This is your reward and compensation for this translation."
"This is the payment for translating those four documents; here's 520 yuan. I don't know how much is in your envelope; it was given to you directly by your superior, and it includes both a bonus and payment."
"There's an even more confidential mission this time. You need to go to the capital in person. Your train leaves at 9:00 AM tomorrow. I've already bought you a sleeper berth. Someone will pick you up at the Beijing train station. Go back today and prepare yourself, and tell your sister-in-law. I don't know the specifics of the mission, I only told you it might take a few days, but I didn't say exactly how many."
Tu Chenglong continued.
Upon hearing the news, Zhao Yuan felt both excited and nervous. He carefully put the envelope away and expressed his gratitude to Tu Chenglong.
"I will definitely complete the mission successfully!" Zhao Yuan said firmly.
Tu Chenglong patted Zhao Yuan on the shoulder and encouraged him, "I believe in your abilities, Zhao Yuan. This mission is a rare opportunity for you. Make the most of it and contribute to the country."
Zhao Yuan nodded; he knew the importance of this mission.
After leaving the Xinhua Bookstore in the county, Zhaoyuan went straight to the bank. He counted his earnings; the total was 980 yuan. He deposited 900 yuan as a fixed deposit and kept 80 yuan in change. Zhaoyuan then went to the Commercial Building to find Lu Tiejun and Yang Fushan, and drove his Yuejin truck back to Daguang Commune.
After traveling several more miles, he returned home and handed the 900 yuan savings book to Lin Fangfang.
Lin Fangfang looked at the money and shouted out loud, then whispered back down, afraid that someone might overhear her.
Wow, how come there's so much money this time?
"I translated four documents this time, as well as a classified document. The classified document was highly appreciated by my superiors, and the reward and compensation were about the same as translating four books."
Zhao Yuan said with a smile.
"Fangfang, there's something else I need to discuss with you. I'm going to Beijing on a business trip for a few days, but I didn't say exactly how many. My train leaves at 9:00 AM tomorrow. You'll be taking care of the children at home by yourself."
"It's a good thing to be appreciated by the leader. Don't worry, I'm out of confinement now and can do everything at home. Zhou Jiefang helps out in the pigsty, so I don't have to do much. Even though he's never raised pigs before, he's kept the pigsty very clean, and there's not a smell in it at all."
Lin Fangfang said.
“I’ve been turning over the fields these past few days. I’ll plant more corn this year. I think all the corn can be used to feed the pigs, so there’s basically no waste. Cornfields are also easier to manage.”
Lin Fangfang continued.
“You decide on these matters. For now, the pig farming will be entirely handled by Zhou Jiefang, but Zhou Jiefang won’t be staying here for long. He should be returning to the city soon.”
Zhao Yuan said.
"That's a good thing. I'll learn more about pigsty management from him in my spare time. Zhao San has come to your house several times, but you're never home."
Lin Fangfang said.
“My sister Lin Xuefang has also come to the pigsty a few times. I wonder what kind of trouble she’s going to cause this time.”
Lin Fangfang continued.
"Your sister is a busybody, so try to stay away from her. If she comes, just say hello."
Zhao Yuan said.
“I’ll go to the pigsty and talk to Zhou Jiefang about what he needs to bring back or what he needs to say when I go to Beijing this time.”
As he spoke, Zhao Yuan walked toward the pigsty.
After finishing his work at the pigsty, Zhou Jiefang usually moved a table to the front of the pigsty and was reading a book there.
"Jiefang, read a book. I'm going to Beijing for a meeting tomorrow. Is there anything you want me to bring home? You can write a letter and I'll take it for you."
Zhao Yuan said.
"Yes, Brother Zhao is back. I've finished my work. I just need to feed the pigs once more later. I've also chopped a lot of hay, enough for two months, so I'm taking a break to read a book."
Zhou Jiefang looked up and explained, afraid that Zhao Yuan would misunderstand.
"I saw you were happy reading. I called you here partly to help me, partly because you know how to raise pigs and you'll be better at feeding them than we are, and partly so you'll have more time to read."
Zhao Yuan said with a smile.
"I'll write a letter later and you can give it to Gong Xianjin for me. As for my family, they're probably still in the countryside and won't receive it, so let's just forget about it."
After Zhou Jiefang finished speaking, he silently lowered his head.
"Alright, you can continue reading. I'm going to cook. Just tell me if you need anything from the capital, don't be shy. I believe you'll be able to go back soon."
Zhao Yuan patted Zhou Jiefang on the shoulder and then went to the kitchen.
After dinner, Zhaoyuan once again instructed Zhaozhaodi and Zhaolaidi to listen to their mother and study hard.
After dinner, Zhaoyuan was packing his luggage in his room. At this moment, Lin Fangfang came over, handed Zhaoyuan the bankbook she had prepared during the day, and also took out a hundred yuan from her pocket and gave it to him.
She said gently, "Brother Yuan, take all of these with you. A grown man should carry extra money when he's out and about. You can buy whatever you like; don't worry about running out of money. There's still money at home, so don't worry about things there."
Zhao Yuan looked up at Lin Fangfang, hesitated for a moment, but finally reached out and took the passbook and money, then carefully stuffed them into his underwear pocket. He said softly, "Okay, I'll keep it."
Lin Fangfang continued, "By the way, you should also put some change in your pocket. It'll be more convenient when you need money. I've heard that trains aren't very safe these days, and there are a lot of pickpockets. It's a long journey, so it's better to have some change. If you encounter someone openly asking for money, just give them some change to get rid of them. After all, safety is the most important thing when traveling!"
Zhao Yuan smiled and replied, "Don't worry, I know. But this time I bought a sleeper ticket, which is a little safer than a seat ticket. Besides, am I, a grown man, afraid of being robbed?"