Restarting life in Siheyuan

Chapter 454: First Battlefield
"You want to go back? You've only been out for a few days, have you finished filming?"

After having fun with my younger brother and sister at the beach in the villa area for a few days, Gao Bo unexpectedly came to visit.

"It's not short. It's been more than ten days. We finished shooting yesterday. There were only a few stand-in shots. It's really interesting to shoot a movie, but I feel uneasy. I always feel like something is going to happen. I want to go back and take a look first."

I patted this young man on the shoulder. Over the past two years, he has indeed matured a lot and is able to take on some responsibilities.

"I didn't expect you to believe this. You can make your own decision on this matter. You've been there once, so you know how to get here. My brother and sister are also planning to go back tomorrow. Do you want to go with them?"

Gao Bo took the cold drink from Zhu Xuefeng, drank it all in one gulp, and agreed even more readily, "That's great. The things here are not suitable to take home. I also want to go to Yangcheng and buy some things to take back. How about this, I will take them around Yangcheng, and then we will go back together, so that they can have a companion on the way."

Zhu Xuefeng took out a stack of big black tens and handed it over. "Don't take the money you earn here to exchange, it's easy to get into trouble. Use this money first. My brothers and sisters have some too. This is for you to use on your journey. Buy an extra gift and tell your dad that it's from me. Haha, it saves me from making another trip."

Normally, you can only bring one duty-free item. If you bring more than that, you have to pay tax and go through further processing. It will also be a nuisance if you bring it back. Zhu Xuefeng has always been aware of this and must not make any low-level mistakes.

Gao Bo probably knew something about it, but he just twitched the corners of his mouth, still didn't say anything, and took it silently.

"Then wait at the martial arts hall tomorrow. Someone will take you there and buy your tickets. You can just wander around Yangcheng for a few days before going back."

"Well, don't worry, Brother Feng. I will definitely send my younger brother and sister home safely. Leave the summer vacation to me."

"Thank you for your hard work. They will go back to their hometown to escape the summer heat when they return home. You don't need to worry about them during the summer vacation. I will go back in a while."

...

"Qianqian, I have to go too. As you know, there's a fight going on over there, and I still have no news about your two sisters. I have to go."

"Go ahead. I'm not ignorant. I know you can't let it go. Go quickly. I also hope that your two sisters are safe."

Wu Qianqian didn't say much, but Zhu Xuefeng knew that she was reluctant to leave. Although she was very tired during this period, it was the longest time he had been with her, and he also accompanied her to meet his parents.

Wu Qianqian's parents are ordinary people. They originally complained about their daughter being a mistress, but now they don't have much objection. It may be because Wu Qianqian has been showing up in public a lot recently, which has made many neighbors jealous.

"By the way, since Mr. Hu is looking for cooperation, let's cooperate. I have asked someone to investigate this person and he is reliable, but you have to check the detailed plan. It would be even better if they can join."

Mr. Hu, as Zhu Xuefeng refers to him, is a boss of moderate size. He opened the first transistor radio factory in Hong Kong three years ago and also sourced goods from Sony. At that time, transistor radios were a rare commodity in Hong Kong and were extremely popular. By contracting Sony's manufacturing contract, Mr. Hu was able to produce nearly 4000 radios per month, with considerable profits. He is considered one of the founders of the budding electronics industry in Hong Kong.

With his successful example, many smart people also discovered this opportunity, and the radio business began to flourish in Hong Kong. There were three radio factories in Hong Kong the year before last, which increased to 13 last year and 15 this year. The number of employees has rapidly increased from dozens to nearly now.

This rapidly expanding manufacturing industry, mainly carried out in small homes, required only a dozen workers to assemble hundreds of radios a day.

But this year there have been some changes. First, several well-known electronics companies in Hong Kong set up factories in Hong Kong to assemble discrete components such as magnetic core storage components, diodes, transistors and capacitors.

Then there was the competition between Dongsheng Company and Sony, which directly led to the small factories that purchased goods from Sony suddenly losing their supply. Those with stronger financial resources also went to Europe to purchase goods, but their scale was too small and the cost was difficult to share. Dongsheng Electronics, as the largest electronics factory at present, was still able to maintain profitability, so these small companies began to think about finding support.

Of course, the current banner is the Hong Kong Electronics Association Alliance. This alliance has now directly affected the employment of nearly 6,000 people and indirectly affected more than 15,000 people. The supporting factories are also growing and developing like mushrooms after a rain, and have already possessed a certain influence.

The electronic watches and calculators that later flooded the streets of the mainland were the achievements of these small companies after their later development. The 1970s and 1980s were the golden period of their booming development. Now is the rapid start-up stage, but they have encountered the first difficulty.

"We can only produce more than 20,000 sets per month now. The domestic supply of alternative products has been slow. The profit is not high now. If we expand, the risk will be high. If there is a slow sale, we will lose money. If we support them now... Husband, should we be conservative and wait until the domestic alternative products come out?"

"If you don't compete for the market, it will get smaller and smaller. Even if you make less money, you're still making money. Go for it. Once the brand is established, new products will naturally benefit. By joining forces, we can also share the costs, which is good for everyone. Besides, the market is divided into many levels, and we can't occupy them all. It's also good for us to cultivate a few more competitors for Sony.

Wu Qianqian had no choice but to accept the man's advice. In her opinion, these were also potential opponents, and it would be better for Dongsheng if they couldn't survive. She didn't expect the man to think this way.

"As for the products I mentioned, you can find someone to keep an eye on them. We also need to enrich our own products. We can't just rely on radio to conquer the world. There are still many things in Xiao Ri Zi that we can learn from."

The two discussed electronic products several times. Zhu Xuefeng was very interested in tape recorders, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, televisions, and VCRs, but he really didn't have the energy to take care of them.

Seeing Zhu Xuefeng bringing up the old topic again, Wu Qianqian had a headache. These electronic devices and home appliances sounded very promising, but she really didn't understand them. If she were to be in charge of this, she would have to spend several times more energy than in other industries.

"Well, I know, I know my husband wants to tire me to death and make money for your Zhu family. Do you want to stop having so many ideas? Husband, I'm really too busy. The airline company has just started planning, and there are still many things to do later."

Zhu Xuefeng knew that Wu Qianqian was in a difficult situation. The airline was involved in a lot of commotion and there were many things to do. There were many aspects that needed to be coordinated. He hugged Wu Qianqian in his arms, stroked her black hair tenderly, his eyes full of apology.

"It's really too difficult for you. The electronics industry will definitely expand, and you don't understand it. How about this, we can hire Mr. Hu and let him handle the electronics business. He is very capable. He designed the radio they produced a few years ago. At that time, your husband had not even graduated from high school..."

Wu Qianqian just wanted to eat this. The man's sympathy quickly calmed her down, but she still raised her head and asked a question. "He has more than 300 people. Would they be willing to come to work? He is a boss, and he has a great reputation in the industry."

"We can let him become a shareholder in the electronics factory. He is not considered an employee. I will briefly introduce my next idea to him. If it doesn't work out, I will take time to come and talk to him in September. He is a typical electronics enthusiast who has a sincere heart to serve the country through industry. As long as he sees that the electronics industry can develop, he will definitely be interested. We should be able to reach an agreement."

Zhu Xuefeng will never give up on the electronics industry, as the future lies there.

When we set foot on the territory of the autonomous region again, the atmosphere here has indeed become very tense. There are still less than a thousand people in the westward-moving troops who have not withdrawn. The territory recovered during the Spring Festival has just been stabilized, and Jiesha is facing a large number of troops pressing in again. As a new force, while expanding westwards, it has to fight two major wars in half a year. The pressure is still extremely great.

"What's the situation now? Also, is there any news about Miss Lin and Miss Xia?"

"Don't worry, Commander. The ones following the two husbands... and the two ladies are twelve elite commandos led by Xia Gong. They are fully equipped with weapons. They promise that even if they all die, they will ensure your safety. Brigade Commander Zhou is leading five hundred people outside to support them. If anything unexpected happens, they will act without hesitation. No one in the west can withstand our wrath."

Zhu Xuefeng then breathed a sigh of relief and did not ask any more questions. Now was not the time to ask the reason.

"What about Jiesha? What's going on?" "We fought two battles with the enemy outside Jiesha City, and both sides suffered losses. Now they are camping about ten kilometers outside the stronghold, and their defense is very tight. We did not launch an attack, and I guess they are waiting for follow-up reinforcements."

Zhu Xuefeng felt a little sad when he heard about the injuries. There were also injuries last time, but they were very small. After all, there was no fierce battle and the opponent fled.

"What are the casualties? Is the enemy's firepower very strong?"

Song Yan then began to report the battle process under a simple model. It turned out that Song Yan had set up two strongholds, one on the left and one on the right, five kilometers outside Jiesha City. There were only a few hundred people guarding the high ground in each stronghold.

Now the enemy is coming from the east and have fought two battles for the eastern highlands. The other side used artillery fire and launched a fierce attack. After fighting for two days and two nights, they failed to take it down. More than twenty guards of the position were killed and dozens were injured. These new recruits have seen blood.

"Properly place the fallen soldiers, comfort their families, and provide pensions. The two high grounds outside the city are to prevent Jiesha City from being surrounded."

"Yes, if Jiesha City is surrounded, we will have fewer tactical options and will be too passive. Now we can effectively mobilize the enemy. As long as they move, there will be loopholes and we will have a chance."

"Where is Li Xiaojun? Is he in command in Jiesha City?"

"Jiesha is now under the command of Brigade Commander Zhou Xingguo, and Li Xiaojun is leading his men to prepare for the assault."

Without asking in detail, you will know that Li Xiaojun still wants to do it like last time. This was also agreed upon, but the plan did not allow him to lead the team. Zhu Xuefeng was a little upset.

"He is not needed for this kind of raid. According to our plan, he should stay in Jiesha. He is really capable."

"Commander, no one can match him in night flying, so I agreed to let him go. I approved the change in the combat plan, please criticize me, Commander."

Zhu Xuefeng was worried. There were only two trustworthy people there, and he was really afraid something might happen. But there was nothing he could do at this moment. He couldn't ask him to withdraw temporarily, otherwise the morale of the commando team would be lost.

"Take me to the front line later. By the way, where is Lao Yang? Didn't he have a talk with the other side? How come they started fighting so quickly?"

According to Zhu Xuefeng's estimation, the negotiations would definitely take several rounds, and the war would have to start at least a month later. He didn't expect that he had only been there for less than ten days, and the fighting had already lasted for two days.

"The other side had a new commander who thought the predecessor was too weak and overturned the previous proposals. The first negotiation collapsed. It was a bit hasty. Fortunately, we were well prepared. Lao Yang went to collect food supplies. The enemy was coming aggressively, and he was afraid that the food he had prepared before would not last that long."

Jiesha City always has a month's supply on hand, and now most of the ammunition can be produced by themselves, so there is no need for the previous worries. Several people still plan to use surprise attacks and try to resolve the battle in one or two months.

"Let him go. He probably sees too many enemies and is afraid of holding on to Jiesha for too long. It doesn't matter if he stores more food."

Only Song Yan and Li Xiaojun knew about this military plan, so it was understandable that Lao Yang was worried.

"By the way, how is the simple rocket launcher I designed now?"

"Well, it requires low materials and is very simple to manufacture. I made more than 20 of them and tested three of them. The effect is quite scary. It can hit targets 30 to 40 kilometers away. It's just that the explosives are too special and difficult to make. Otherwise, if we equip them with this, we don't need artillery."

"We have a way to get explosives now. We will produce them in the future depending on the situation. This time I will take them all away and find a way to make money for the autonomous region."

Jiesha City seemed very peaceful, as its defensive fortifications had not yet been tested. Although the city had become much quieter, one did not see much panic among the people. Perhaps this small city had been constantly ravaged by war over the past few years, and those who were able to stay had become accustomed to it.

"There's nothing to see here. Let's go to the highland stronghold and boost morale."

The enemy had been attacking for two consecutive days and had suffered heavy losses. They had now retreated ten kilometers to rest and recuperate. There was no danger, so Song Yan did not stop them. He said goodbye to Zhou Xingguo, and the two of them, along with a small team of guards, pulled a cart of canned food and supplies and went to the front line.

During the two days of war, the position suffered a lot of artillery fire. The hilltop looked a little miserable. The temporary shelter was filled with smoke and the smell of blood. The corpses had been cleared away, but Zhu Xuefeng, who was stepping onto the battlefield for the first time, felt a little depressed.

The temporary command post was built with mountain rocks and large trees. It was relatively hidden and sturdy. Captain Xiao, the position commander who had received the news early, had already assembled a team to welcome it.

Knowing that he had to say a few words, Zhu Xuefeng walked forward and stood at the side of the queue. Battalion Commander Xiao turned around, ran over and saluted.

"Report to the commander, the 122nd Battalion has assembled. Please give instructions."

Zhu Xuefeng knew that this referred to the Second Battalion of the Second Brigade of the First Division. He returned the salute and walked to the front.

"Good job, comrades."

"Defend Guoming, and don't be afraid of sacrifice!"

The soldiers roared in unison, their enthusiasm for fighting was still very high. It seemed that Battalion Commander Xiao was very good at leading his troops, as he could maintain high morale despite such a difficult guard mission.

"I know that many of you have homes behind this mountain. Some of you may come from Jiesha or Pagang, but no matter where you come from, we all come from the same place, that is, the Guoming Autonomous Region. Now that our elders and fellow countrymen have a better life, the rich people in the south can't stand it and want to enslave us. Tell me, should we fight them back?"

"Fight back! Fight back!"

"There will be sacrifices in war, are you afraid?"

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." The response was very unanimous, and Zhu Xuefeng was very satisfied.

"Well, we will resolutely fight them back and make them never dare to offend this land again. We will make them pay a bloody price for their offense this time, and use their lives to commemorate our fallen comrades."

"Now let us take off our hats and observe a minute of silence for our brave and fearless comrades!" Everyone took off their hats and there was silence.

(End of this chapter)