mtl008 Chapter 391 Departure, to the Grasslands
Chapter 391 Departure, to the Grasslands
The two chatted as they made their way into the city. When they arrived at the Forestry Bureau, the gatekeeper recognized them and let them through.
"Director Zhao is waiting for you in his office, hurry up!" the security guard shouted to them.
The two arrived at Director Zhao's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" came Director Zhao's booming voice from inside.
Pushing open the door, I saw Director Zhao sitting behind his desk, which was piled high with documents.
Upon seeing the two enter, he immediately stood up.
"You're here? Have a seat, please have a seat." Director Zhao pointed to the chair in front of his desk.
The two sat down, and Li Xiangyang got straight to the point: "Director Zhao, I heard you wanted to see us about something?"
Director Zhao nodded and took a document from his drawer: "It's like this, a wolf attack has occurred in the western grasslands, and the situation is quite serious. The province has decided to mobilize resources to support them. Our forestry bureau is responsible for organizing personnel and supplies."
He paused, looking at the two of them: "Considering your hunting skills, I'd like you to come along. This will help protect the supplies and, once we're there, help the locals deal with the wolf problem."
Li Xiangyang frowned slightly: "To the grasslands? How long will that take?"
"About half a month to a month," Director Zhao said. "We'll provide you with ample ammunition and equipment. Furthermore, the compensation will be excellent."
Wang Ergou's eyes lit up as soon as he heard about the compensation: "Director Zhao, how much exactly is the compensation?"
Director Zhao smiled and said, "In addition to the basic salary, each person will receive a subsidy of 150 yuan, and an additional 20 yuan bonus for each wolf hunted."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ergou immediately decided, "I'll go!"
Li Xiangyang didn't immediately agree. He thought of his pregnant wife at home: "Director Zhao, my wife is pregnant. Leaving now..."
“We’ve considered that,” Director Zhao nodded understandingly. “I’m familiar with the Agriculture Bureau. If you need, we can arrange for your mother to take a few days off to go back to the village and take care of your wife.”
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangyang quickly nodded, "Okay, I'll go too."
"Alright!" Director Zhao clapped his hands. "Go back and prepare. Meet at the Forestry Bureau entrance early tomorrow morning; a truck will take you directly there."
After leaving the Forestry Bureau, Li Xiangyang said to Wang Ergou, "You go back and get ready. I'm going to the Agriculture Bureau to find my mother."
Wang Ergou nodded: "See you tomorrow!"
Li Xiangyang rode his bicycle to the Agricultural Bureau, registered, and then found his mother busy in the logistics department.
"Mother, I have something to tell you."
Seeing her son, Linzhi smiled and said, "Xiangyang, what brings you here?"
Li Xiangyang told his mother about Director Zhao's arrangements in detail.
"That's so far?" Lin Zhi asked with some concern. "The climate on the grasslands is harsh, and there are wolves; it's too dangerous."
“Mother, don’t worry, I have experience in hunting,” Li Xiangyang comforted her. “It’s just that when you go back, there will be no one to take care of Xiaohua…”
Lin Zhi immediately understood her son's meaning: "Don't worry, go ahead. Let Xiao Hua stay with Wang Ying for a few days; your Uncle Wang will look after the two children."
"Okay, I'll go home and talk to Xiaoyun first, so she won't worry." Li Xiangyang breathed a sigh of relief.
Before leaving, Linzhi added, "Be careful on the road. Conditions there are tough, so bring plenty of clothes and don't get cold."
"I understand, Mother," Li Xiangyang replied with a smile.
On his way back from the city, Li Xiangyang secretly planned what he needed to prepare for this trip.
The temperature on the grassland is even lower than here, and the wind is stronger, so you need to bring more warm clothes.
Additionally, if you really want to fight wolves, you might need some special equipment.
After arriving home, Li Xiangyang told Li Xiaoyun what had happened.
"The grassland? That's so far away?" Li Xiaoyun's face showed a worried expression.
“Yes, Director Zhao said he’ll be back in half a month to a month.” Li Xiangyang held his wife’s hand. “I’ve already spoken to my mother; she’ll be back tomorrow to take care of you.”
Although reluctant, Li Xiaoyun nodded and said, "Don't worry, Mom and I will take good care of ourselves."
That evening, Li Xiangyang packed his belongings, preparing warm clothing such as thick cotton-padded clothes, leather jackets, leather hats, leather gloves, and sleeping bags, as well as several bags of cured meat and dry rations.
Li Xiaoyun was helping him pack when she suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, I bought a wool scarf at the market a few days ago. Take it with you; it's windy on the grassland."
She took out a thick gray scarf, carefully wrapped it around Li Xiangyang's neck, and tied it for him.
"Take good care of yourself, and don't overexert yourself." Li Xiaoyun stroked her scarf, tears welling in her eyes.
Li Xiangyang hugged his wife tightly: "Don't worry, although we have a mission, Director Zhao didn't expect us to play any role. You know how skilled those horse-taming men are, they're all strong and capable. It's not like we're any help. Even with the wolf attack, it's hard to say whether they'll even need Er Gou and me."
Hearing Li Xiangyang's words, Li Xiaoyun finally felt relieved.
Indeed, as Li Xiangyang said, people living in the grasslands, even young girls, are incredibly fierce, so there's really nothing to worry about.
The next day, before dawn, Li Xiangyang got up.
He quietly dressed, slung his bag over his shoulder, gently kissed the sleeping Li Xiaoyun on the forehead, and then tiptoed out the door.
In the courtyard, Xuanmao and Xiaohu had been waiting for a long time.
The little tiger wagged its tail rapidly, while the black cat lazily licked its paws.
“You two can’t come this time,” Li Xiangyang squatted down and patted the two little ones on the head. “Stay home and take good care of Xiaoyun.”
Little Tiger seemed to understand its master's meaning and whimpered, while the black cat rubbed its head against Li Xiangyang's hand.
Li Xiangyang took a deep breath, looked at the gloomy winter sky, and turned to walk towards the village entrance.
A dilapidated jeep was already waiting at the village entrance; it was sent by the Forestry Bureau.
Wang Ergou was already in the car, yawning.
"Let's go, to the city," Li Xiangyang said to the driver as he got into the car.
The jeep bumped along the rugged mountain road and soon arrived at the forestry bureau.
A military green Jiefang brand truck was parked in front of the Forestry Bureau. The truck bed was already full of supplies and covered with a thick waterproof tarpaulin.
Several workers are busily reinforcing the ropes.
Director Zhao, wrapped in a coat, stood aside and hurried over to greet the two when they arrived.
"They're here? This is the weaponry and ammunition prepared for you." Director Zhao pointed to a wooden crate next to the truck. "Besides your own hunting rifles, there are some rifles and enough ammunition."
Li Xiangyang nodded, checked the equipment in the wooden crate, and after confirming that everything was in order, he and Wang Ergou loaded the crate onto the truck.
"Be careful on the road. Once you arrive, follow the instructions of the local command center," Director Zhao instructed. "If anything happens, contact us by radio."
"Understood," Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou replied in unison.
The grain delivery convoy consisted of three trucks, along with Li Xiangyang, Wang Ergou, several escorts, and a driver.
With a command given, the convoy slowly started and headed towards the western grasslands.