Restarting life in Siheyuan

"Comrade Xiao Zhu, you're back really late this time."

When he returned to the hotel room, it was already dawn and past four in the morning. He didn't expect that Mr. Xiao from the Ministry of Petrochemical Industry was still waiting for him in the lobby. Zhu Xuefeng was very surprised. Could it be that the negotiations were not going well? Didn't both parties have demands?

"I've kept you waiting. What are you doing?"

Leader Xiao was very polite, "This is not the place to talk, young man, if you still have energy, let's go back to the room and chat?"

"No problem at all."

The two men entered Zhu Xuefeng's guest room, and Leader Xiao explained the situation.

"It's not going very smoothly. The other party is willing, but we still face many difficulties in carrying out the work."

It turned out that Leader Xiao just found out that the existing oil field mining rights of Shat are in the hands of several American companies. Although Shat agreed to sell, it would be difficult to bypass these companies for the transaction, and now the progress is stuck here.

"We don't have any good solutions at the moment, but they are the landlords. Is there any other way to solve this problem?"

Leader Xiao hopes that Zhu Xuefeng can help again and persuade the Shate side to take the initiative to think of a solution.

"Leader Xiao, I've thought about what you're talking about before, and I've discussed it with their princes. If I want to get rid of these companies, I can only think of other ways. Let me tell you if it's possible. If it's possible, I can help contact them again."

"Oh, they've considered it? Why didn't anyone bring it up during this negotiation?"

"Leader Xiao, I don't know whether they have considered it or not. What I mean is that their prince has considered it. Without third-party confirmation, I don't think he would rashly report it to the royal family."

Leader Xiao nodded. "That makes sense. Can you tell me about your discussion?"

Zhu Xuefeng made a cup of coffee for Leader Xiao. It was almost dawn and no one was in good spirits, especially Leader Xiao, who looked exhausted.

"Thank you." Leader Xiao took it politely. He was not familiar with Zhu Xuefeng, but since he was introduced to his office by his superior, he must not be an ordinary person.

"Let me put it this way. What our country wants is oil, and they are willing to sell it. The key now is that these oil companies may not be willing to sell it to us. That's the contradiction, right?"

Zhu Xuefeng was bored and kept Leader Xiao in suspense, just to get revenge for not letting him rest until almost dawn.

"Yes, that's the contradiction. We didn't know it clearly before we came here. We didn't expect that a sovereign country would not have the mining rights in its own hands. This led to our misjudgment."

Zhu Xuefeng took a sip of the boiling hot coffee, raised the cup and motioned for Leader Xiao to have a taste as well.

"It tastes good and refreshing. After one mouthful, my mind becomes much clearer."

Leader Xiao took a sip helplessly. Apart from the bitterness, he couldn't feel that there was anything good about it. What did this young man mean? The person introduced by his superiors couldn't be unreliable, right?

In fact, the request Zhu Xuefeng received was just to make a connection. After all, the two sides did not have a very formal communication channel. The freshwater project was an opportunity. Zhu Xuefeng actually had a friendship with the prince, which was of course a good breakthrough. However, Leader Xiao did not assign Zhu Xuefeng the task of brokering this cooperation. He took it for granted.

"Comrade Xiao Zhu, if you have any good ideas, please tell us and we will consider them."

Leader Xiao was a little anxious and couldn't figure out Zhu Xuefeng's intention, so he reminded him again as gently as possible.

Zhu Xuefeng couldn't just leave his leader alone, so he spoke slowly.

"Leader Xiao, if we ignore these oil companies and buy their other oil, will there be no problem?"

"Of course, but now all the oil fields are owned by these few companies..."

Leader Xiao suddenly realized, "You mean, other oil fields? Yes, they don't have the exploration technology, but we do. They don't have the ability to exploit, but we do. Comrade Xiao Zhu, thank you, your idea is very good. I will plan it carefully and report it to my superiors. If it succeeds, you will have made a great contribution."

"No, no, no, leader, I didn't say anything. This is all your own idea. I dare not take credit for it. However, I think they will definitely consider your idea. After all, it is in their interest."

Leader Xiao agreed with the refreshing effect of coffee and left with great confidence. What remained was to ask for instructions first and then negotiate, which had nothing to do with Zhu Xuefeng.

Today’s domestic officials still have too little dealings with the outside world, unlike the experienced negotiators who will appear decades later.

For the rest of the time, with the prince's warm hospitality, Zhu Xuefeng left the team and visited the "Edge of the World", "Diliye Ancient City", "Prophet's Mosque", "Museum" and so on.

The museum doesn't have many exhibits, but it is very grand and has a large outdoor garden.

"As one of the four great civilizations, I personally feel that the museum's exhibits are a bit too few and cannot fully showcase the great Babylonian civilization."

The prince was a little embarrassed. "You should know that we have been looted by the damned white guys more than once. Most of our treasures either disappeared in the war or were looted by the damned. Of course, the ones preserved in the museum in Baghdad are more abundant. We can go to Baghdad to have a look when we have a chance in the future."

"Oh, it's my fault. I shouldn't have mentioned this sad history. I'm sorry."

"Nothing. Although I studied in London, I don't have the slightest fondness for the Anglo-Saxons. The more I learn about their history, the deeper my dislike becomes."

The prince made no secret of his likes and dislikes, which made Zhu Xuefeng very surprised. Saudi Arabia's current situation is very delicate. It is trying hard to integrate into the descendants of Muhammad and find its own position, but it cannot do without the American oil economy economically. Many things can only be done secretly. The United States and Europe are in the same boat.

"Our current economy is too dependent on them. You have to know that it is very risky for a country's economy to be controlled by others."

Zhu Xuefeng did not express his opinion. It is understandable that he was in such an awkward situation. Decades later, he was still unable to escape this embarrassing situation. It was only after he got closer to the country sixty years later that he gained some confidence and became a little tougher.

"We are also looking for suitable partners, which is why we set our sights on Southeast Asia. Our contact with your country has made us realize that this world is still very wonderful, haha."

The prince did not explain too much, but he made it clear that although getting close to the East was just an attempt, they were very sincere and also had expectations, because the world is wonderful, isn't it? The arrogant Americans can't gain any advantage in the East.

On the return flight, Zhu Xuefeng was absent-minded, which once again aroused Director Jiang's curiosity.

"I say, classmate Xiao Zhu, you are homesick. Why are you so worried? Are you worried that you will not be able to complete the heavy workload when you go back?"

"Director Jiang, please don't laugh at me. I'm almost done with the fourth grade courses. It's not a big problem. I don't have any worries. I just think that when we go back, they will all go to military training, but I don't know where to go. I don't know where to report."

"That's it. In my opinion, you should use this time to review on your own. I heard that you have been excellent in several military trainings. You are not reluctant to give up this opportunity and want to get more excellent grades."

Zhu Xuefeng sat up and said, "From what you said, you have successfully completed the task this time, and you will definitely be commended when you return."

Director Jiang paid no attention to Zhu Xuefeng's teasing, but leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Don't interrupt me with your teacher. You are excellent. Leader Xiao praised you this time. Although I don't know what you have done, "a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind." You should know that you need to pay attention to some things. Besides, there are some problems with the atmosphere in the school now. Try not to get involved and focus on your own studies."

Zhu Xuefeng deeply admires Director Jiang, who always thinks of himself.

"Well, I will."

"You don't have to go to military training when you return to school. I'll write a note and ask you to study hard in the library and go to class with the seniors. Don't make a fool of yourself by failing the assessment."

After saying that, Director Jiang closed his eyes again and began to rest. Zhu Xuefeng also covered his eyes with his hat and began to think.

What he was concerned about was that he had already received news in Shat that, as expected, India had launched an unreasonable provocation and invasion. The two sides had already fought, but he didn't know how Yan Zi and the others were doing. There were at least several million in profits there, which was something that the autonomous region urgently needed.

Although the royal family was very satisfied with the rocket launcher, which had a much higher range, mobility, accuracy and power than artillery shells but was less than half the price of artillery shells, and placed an order of 4 million in one go, which could greatly alleviate the financial difficulties of the autonomous region, who would complain about having too much wealth? Of course, except for the princes, Zhu Xuefeng readily proposed to transfer the production technology after they decided to purchase rocket shells worth 4 million US dollars. Who knew that the royal family actually rejected such a good thing.

"Brother, I won't hide it from you. Even if we don't talk about getting these raw materials, it will be very troublesome to build a military factory. It is more appropriate for us to buy them. You should find someone to help us produce them. We are willing to spend money to buy them."

Calculating the time, Yan Zi and the others must have set out as planned. However, they were in the vast mountains and had no way to contact each other. Zhu Xuefeng had no choice but to give up. He believed that with his guidance and Yan Zi's treasure hunting skills, they would definitely return with a full load.

In fact, Li Xiaojun had already led the team to the designated location. According to the plan, a temporary settlement was set up on the border. There were high mountains and steep cliffs here, and there was no human habitation at all. There was no checkpoint on this side, and there were only simple checkpoints set up on the opposite side, with no patrols at all.

Without a helicopter, it is difficult to cross the mountains on foot. The continuous mountains have become the most natural barrier and created a de facto boundary.

"Report."

After the scouts came in to report, Li Xiaojun put away the map.

"Ayou, what's going on ahead?"

"Reporting to the commander, our group of five people went over and found that the enemy's checkpoint was empty. Judging from the scene, they must have escaped. We went down the mountain and entered the market town. Ninety-nine percent of the families had fled, and only a very small number of people who could not move remained in the town. We finally captured two people alive. It turned out that the landlords in the town had all fled, and the villagers were also afraid and fled to the mountains in the west. Now the deputy squad leader and a soldier will continue to explore forward. I will leave two soldiers to monitor and support, and come back to report."

"Well, very good. It's just as the commander said. The battle has only been going on for three days and there's no one left here. They're easily defeated. Haha, they're really a bunch of pussies. Pass on my order. Leave four people to guard the stronghold. The rest of you follow me on the plane and rush to the town first."

"Li Xiaojun, I remind you that we haven't found the place where the two sides are fighting yet. According to what my senior brother said, we shouldn't go in so early, as it will easily expose us."

Liang Yan, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened her eyes as she watched the team members carry out orders.

"Miss Yan Zi, the commander is right in making this arrangement, but there is no one in the town now, so why worry about being exposed? The commander asked me to take command, and I can make decisions on the spot. Please obey orders and follow me."

"Although what you said makes sense, I always feel that you are in a hurry to move because you don't want to feed mosquitoes in the mountains."

Li Xiaojun laughed, looked around to see that there was no one around, and then spoke in a low voice.

"Auntie, please don't say anything even though you know the truth. These commandos have been training in the ravine for almost a year and are used to feeding mosquitoes. Don't look at me. Although I was also a scout, I am really tired of feeding mosquitoes here. Miss Yan, how can you bear it? A few mosquitoes here can be fried into a plate."

Liang Yan then stood up, threw a small sachet to Li Xiaojun, and said with a smile.

"I thought you were so awesome because you were scouts. I'll give you this. If you carry it with you, there won't be any mosquitoes. This was given to me by my senior. I thought you weren't afraid. Haha, let's go."

"That's too much. The chief didn't share the good stuff with me, which made me have to bite so many pies."

Li Xiaojun muttered something behind him, causing Liang Yan to turn back and stare.

"Don't be ungrateful. My senior brother only has two copies. He gave me one and sent the other away for research. I'm giving it to you now. I have none left. If you don't want it, just give it back. You actually slander my senior brother. Be careful or I'll complain."

"How can that be possible? It's impossible, right? Miss Yan, please be merciful. I'll find a few people with good marksmanship to teach the team members when we get back."

Seeing that Li Xiaojun admitted his mistake with a good attitude, Liang Yan snorted.

"You are quite sensible. Let's go, Comrade Commander."

The team acted quickly, and soon two helicopters took off and flew north over the mountains.

The town was indeed empty. There were only two households with elderly people left, and they stayed at home and never went out. The whole town was dead silent, without even a living thing. It was so clean. All the livestock and poultry were taken away. They ran away completely.

"Find a house, light a fire and cook, set up guards. We haven't had hot food for three days. Let everyone take turns to rest and recover their strength."

A few days ago, when Li Xiaojun heard that Asan had taken action, he wanted to lead his team into the garrison, but was rejected by Song Yan.

"The commander said that we will not fight back until a few days later. We should wait until we fight back before setting off."

"What if the commander makes a wrong judgment? We should go into the station and not show our heads. We should just conduct reconnaissance. This way we can better understand the progress. Can we rely solely on the radio broadcast?"

Li Xiaojun also had a strong argument. Seeing that he was eager to fight, Song Yan dragged on for a few days without receiving any news of the counterattack, so he agreed to let Li Xiaojun lead the team to set off. Li Xiaojun had no choice but to feed mosquitoes for a few days at the base. He finally received the news from the radio that the counterattack had begun, and he endured for another two days before sending out scouts.

"You said that our troops have never harmed the civilians. This town is so far away from the battlefield, how could they run away?"

The team members were very confused. The town had not suffered any baptism of war, but it was escaped cleanly.

"You don't know this, right? The battlefield is in the north. The narrowest part there is only 20 kilometers, just a long corridor. As long as we strangle that place, this side will be cut off from the north and become an enclave. The people are fine, but why don't the landlords run away? They are waiting to die."

They are now practicing private land ownership. Farmers basically have no land and they hide in the mountains only because they are afraid. Of course, the rich have run away.

Li Xiaojun took out a map and pointed at it. "Look, this is the Gulixili Corridor. It's a good place. It's a plain with abundant food. This is his Achilles' heel. If you keep an eye on this, the lower half will be destroyed. This is a battleground. If you take it, the lower half will not be able to escape."

What Li Xiaojun was talking about was the famous economic corridor. In peacetime, the four neighboring countries conduct frequent trade here, and it is a place where countless people make their fortunes. But once a war breaks out, this place becomes a burial place.

"Commander, you said we are not too far from here, and there are no other forces in between. Why don't we stay here? Isn't the land below ours? This is considered as expanding territory, right? Commander, I'm sure you will be happy with it. We can also grow crops and do business. How great."

Li Xiaojun glared and knocked the soldier on the head. The soldier covered his head with his hands, unwilling to accept it.

"Isn't it our duty as soldiers to expand our territory? This is also wrong."

"Le Xiaojun, don't think that just because you're called Xiaojun, I won't beat you. You can say such stupid things. Don't you think about how big the opponent is? If they can't beat our family, it will be easy for me to beat you."

Le Xiaojun still refused to accept it. "Why? Our comrades were able to drive them away in just a few days. Why do you say we can't do it? We were all in the same boat..."

Li Xiaojun knocked again with a smile, "You still said that this question does not need to be explained. The commander has already explained that the counterattack team will withdraw soon. Let's not cause trouble to ourselves and our families. If you stay there, they will definitely think that your family members did not withdraw. Let's go and cook first. After dinner, someone else will continue to scout northward."

In fact, Li Xiaojun was also tempted, especially when the chief said that this piece of land was an independent small country a few years ago. It was only after being threatened by the north that it was forced to be incorporated a few years ago. However, the chief's strict order made him realize that such a small move would bring trouble to his family, so he reluctantly gave up the idea.

The information received in the middle of the night made Li Xiaojun realize that the retreat here was cleaner than he had imagined. Thirty kilometers ahead, the situation was almost the same as that of a small town.

It was already daybreak, but the team had not yet set out. Li Xiaojun was visiting the deserted sawmill, where there were countless scattered pieces of wood.

"What a pity, I can't take it with me. Old Yang will definitely want all these equipment."

"Report, there is no one in the mine ahead, and there are a lot of ores scattered around."

Li Xiaojun waved his hands regretfully, "Don't look at anything else, just look for the warehouse of the garrison here. Don't look at anything else, you can't take anything away."

This was also found quickly. Faced with the empty camp, it didn't take long to find the hidden underground warehouse. The stock in the warehouse made Li Xiaojun very satisfied.

The sealed weapons and equipment could arm at least fifty people, and there were also many sabers wrapped in oil paper.

"Hurry up and transport all of this over. Then we'll continue on our way at night. We'll only search for granaries, banks, and military camps. Don't look at anything else. It's a waste of time." (End of this chapter)