Defend Namsan Park

Chapter 109 Elite or Not

Li Wenxuan suddenly realized he had seen them before. Just ten minutes ago, they were chatting and gossiping by the roadside. Now, they were striding confidently across the Yalu River, entering in neat rows, dressed in uniforms, perfectly aligned, six in front and five behind, seven men and four women. The six at the front wore dark navy blue uniforms, peaked caps, and carried two stripes on their shoulders. Their numbers, insignia, shirts, and ties were all present—clearly a well-trained unit.

"Security guard," Li Wenxuan said.

The five men at the rear, dressed in bright orange-red work uniforms—a one-piece design with silver reflective strips, polyester material with a PU coating—were impeccably dressed and appeared to be a highly experienced team.

“Cleaning,” Li Wenxuan said.

This combined security and cleaning team was carrying tools such as walkie-talkies, flashlights, brooms, dustpans, and buckets, showing that each member possessed unique skills.

"Everyone has one!"

Liu Guoqing suddenly shouted.

"Greetings, Commander!"

The mixed contingent stood tall and proud, as if in a military parade.

"Director Wang, Director Li, please allow me to introduce you both." Liu Guoqing, clearly having planned this for a long time, rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Standing before you are our last remaining, most important, and most senior elite forces... Everyone! Please introduce yourselves to the two directors one by one!"

“My name is Sun Dayou. I am from Zigong. I was born in 48 and am 70 years old this year. I retired in 08. After retirement, I worked as the captain of the security team at the warehouse center. I worked diligently and conscientiously. During my tenure, I was dedicated to protecting the state property of the warehouse center. I have worked for many years without losing a single item and have been recognized as an outstanding veteran three times.”

“Zhou Baoguo, a native of Chengdu, was born in 49 and is 69 years old this year. He retired in 09 and worked as a security guard at the warehouse center after retirement. I have a positive work attitude and never leave my post without permission. I have caught thieves who sneaked into the unit three times, which has effectively protected state property from loss.”

"Wu Kaimei, a native of Wenchuan, was born in 52 and is 66 years old this year. She retired in 07 and worked as a road cleaner at the warehouse center after retirement. For the past four years, I have been on duty every day without fail, rain or shine. I have received an award for outstanding veteran from my unit."

"Wang Shengli, a native of Wanzhou, was born in 1943 and is 75 years old this year. He retired in 2003 and worked as a road cleaner at the warehouse center after retirement. As the most senior cleaner, I have effectively ensured the hygiene and cleanliness of the warehouse center. In addition, I am good at catching snakes and have caught more than 20 snakes!"

Grandpa Wang swung his right hand with great force; it was this iron hand, like an eagle's claw, that captured more than twenty snakes.

The mixed brigade introduced themselves one by one. Between sentences, Li Wenxuan quietly nudged Liu Guoqing:
"Director Liu, what kind of military unit did you bring in? The security and sanitation brigade?"

Liu Guoqing patted him on the shoulder, signaling him to relax:
“Outside this factory, you can call them the security and cleaning team, but once you're inside, what should you call them? Brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts—that's not how you introduce yourself. Everyone, get to the point! Say something the leaders like to hear!”

The elderly men and women exchanged glances. Sun Dayou, the leader, stepped forward, removed his hat, unzipped his jacket, and took off his security guard uniform. His gaze swept over Liu Guoqing, Wang Xiangbing, Li Wenxuan, and the silent equipment and machines in the factory, like an aging general inspecting his troops. Despite being over seventy, the old man's voice was still booming: "I, Sun Dayou, born in 1948, started working in 1965. I served as a staff member in the Machinery Industry Division of the Second Industrial Department of the Chongqing Municipal Committee, a grassroots cadre in the Production Command Group of the Chongqing Revolutionary Committee, a soldier, squad leader, deputy platoon leader, and platoon leader in the hull workshop of Factory 429, director of the heat treatment workshop and machining workshop of Factory 468, and deputy director of Factory 479. I have 43 years of service and have received commendations from the First Ministry of Machine Building, the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building, and the State Planning Commission a total of nine times!"

After his introduction, he stepped back and rejoined the queue, and the next old man stepped forward:
"Zhou Baoguo, born in 49, started working in 1971. He served as a worker, team leader, and deputy director in the casting workshop of the Southwest Aluminum Processing Plant, and as deputy director and director in the die forging workshop. In 1972, he participated in the national machinery industry campaign and served as the deputy leader of the technical research group for the assembly of a 3-ton vertical hydraulic press. He had 38 years of service and had received a total of 7 commendations from the State Construction Commission, the State Science and Technology Commission, the National Defense Industry Office, the Ministry of Materials and Equipment, and the State Complete Equipment Administration!"

"Wu Kaimei, born in 1952, started working in 1970. She served as assistant engineer in the process design institute of the Third Design Institute of the Eighth Ministry of Machinery Industry, engineer in the process design office of the Chongqing Iron and Steel Design Institute of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, deputy director and director of the mechanical equipment office. In 1977, she participated in the formulation of the Sichuan Provincial Machinery Industry Heat Treatment Technology Development Plan. She retired in 2007 with 37 years of service. She was a provincial model worker and a provincial March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter!"

"Wang Shengli was born in 1943. He joined the army at the age of 16 and served in the 314th Regiment of the General Logistics Department's Engineering Corps, supporting the construction of the Third Front and undertaking the construction of anti-aircraft artillery bases in the Chongqing area. Later, he was transferred to the Engineering Corps of the Chengdu Military Region. In 1971, he transferred to local work and served successively as deputy squad leader and squad leader of the lathe section of the No. 1 Machining Workshop of Factory 406, deputy platoon leader of the metalworking section, head of the technical section, and head of the production section of Factory 204. He had 12 years of military service and 47 years of work experience. He was once received by Comrade Xiaoping at the 100mm anti-aircraft artillery production base on the southern front of Chongqing!"

The elderly workers took off their uniforms one by one, their slightly thin and hunched bodies standing straight again. Facing the silent people and machinery inside the factory, they reflected on the changing times and their past achievements. Those rows of lathes, planers, and gear grinders represented their nation. As Liu Guoqing said, outside the factory, you can call them security guards and cleaners, but what should you call them once you step through the factory gates?

Liu Guoqing quietly asked Li Wenxuan:
"Elite or not?"

Li Wenxuan stood there, stunned, unsure whether to be shocked or impressed. Wang Xiangbing, his eyes red, stepped forward and shook hands tightly with the elderly men and women. These old men and women had worked there for longer than they had lived. The eldest uncle from the construction office was extremely excited, his voice trembling, his words earnest, and tears streaming down his face.

"Teacher Sun!"

"Teacher Zhou!"

"Teacher Wu! Teacher Wang! Teacher Shen! Teacher Han! Teacher Yang! Seniors! Teachers! Please, please come out of retirement and lend us a hand! Our giant machine manufacturing is at a critical juncture and urgently needs the assistance of technical experts. Your strength is indispensable on the battlefield against the angels!"

Li Wenxuan suddenly felt relieved. Why should he worry? Fate always has a mysterious arrangement. There will always be people in this world who step forward again and again, using their shoulders and spines to hold up the floodgates of a massive flood, leaving you a way out. Li Wenxuan took out his phone and sent a message to Shang Lu. An hour ago, Shang Lu had sent him a message asking about the situation, but he hadn't replied. Li Wenxuan never liked replying to Shang Lu's messages.

"How is the situation?" This was Shang Lu's message.

Li Wenxuan looked down and pressed keys on his phone:

“There are veterans here.”

When Shang Lu received the message, he was walking on the streets of Yuzhong District, holding an umbrella, beneath the giant spear of Balat Brahma Temple, in its enormous shadow. The people around him had almost grown accustomed to the existence of this giant spear, as if it had always existed, was meant to exist, and was an integral part of this world. Shang Lu looked up at the giant spear, glanced down at the message from Li Wenxuan, and then closed his umbrella.

The sun peeked out from the gaps in the low-lying clouds, and sunlight streamed through the drizzling rain like glass.

The sky cleared up.