Traveling through the Great Northern Wilderness and marrying the most beautiful educated youth.

Xiao Liu stared at the telegram and read it again.

"Qingyun, what this says... is it really an airplane?"

Su Qingyun folded the telegram and stuffed it into her pocket.

"It's not a model."

"It can fly."

Xiao Liu gasped.

He knew that Su Qingyun wanted to buy an airplane.

Knowing is one thing.

If a plane were actually transported from the Soviet Union, that would be a different story.

Hearing the commotion, Dong Guangping came out of his office.

He took the telegram, his brows gradually furrowing.

"Qingyun, in principle, the prefectural committee should support investment in production."

"But this thing isn't a tractor."

"Buying it is easy, but how do you fly it?"

"Airspace, pilots, maintenance—you can't bypass any of them."

Dong Guangping spoke very harshly.

The plane is really going to crash.

Then it's not an economic issue.

"Secretary Dong, look at this."

Su Qingyun opened the canvas bag and took out a reply letter.

Dong Guangping looked down.

Agricultural Aviation Team of Provincial State Farms Bureau!

"I sent a letter inquiring about the payment even before it was made."

"The plane is returning to the Beidahuang Farm."

"Pilots and maintenance personnel are assigned by the air force."

"They usually handle agricultural tasks, and their flight plans are submitted by them."

"The fees earned from the assignments will be split between the two parties."

Su Qingyun tapped the official seal below with her finger.

"They have agreed."

"We'll send someone over to inspect it once the plane arrives."

After reading the reply, Dong Guangping's expression softened.

"You little rascal, you'd already paved the way all along?"

"I'm not that stupid to spend 50,000 rubles to buy a lump of iron."

Su Qingyun smiled.

"This aircraft is an agricultural type."

"I can do everything: spraying pesticides, spreading fertilizer, and sowing seeds."

"Take care of two or three thousand acres of land a day is no problem."

"Two or three thousand acres?"

Xiao Liu's eyes widened in surprise.

A strong laborer carried a sprayer on his back.

Even if you walk all day until your legs cramp, you still can't cultivate many acres of land.

The plane flew overhead.

How can you work on thousands of acres a day?

This is not just a little faster.

There's simply no comparison!

Dong Guangping returned the reply letter.

"OK."

"I'll coordinate the railway, freight yard, and transportation for you."

"But let me make this clear from the start."

"No tampering is allowed without inspection by the air force."

Su Qingyun nodded.

"I don't know how to drive."

……

Nine days later.

The freight station has three more Soviet-made wagons.

One flatbed cart and two covered carts.

Outside the freight yard, commune members were still harnessing oxcarts, while a Soviet airplane lay inside a metal carriage.

The news was leaked by someone, but no one knows who.

The area outside the station was packed with people.

There are workers.

There are cadres.

There were also villagers who came from nearby villages to watch the spectacle.

"Everyone, step back!"

"Don't push!"

Su Qingliang, along with the farm's security team, pulled up the rope.

Several children even tried to crawl under the car.

He grabbed them by the collar and threw them out.

"You brat, are you looking for death?"

"If the train moves even slightly, it'll crush your legs!"

The children weren't afraid either.

After getting up, he craned his neck to look inside again.

"Uncle Liang, where's the plane?"

"Why can't I see any wings?"

"Tear it down!"

Su Qingliang pointed towards the covered wagon.

"The wings are inside."

"Go home first."

"Let's see after it takes flight!"

The voice just fell.

Two jeeps drove into the freight yard.

The agricultural aviation team from the Provincial State Farms Bureau has arrived.

The team leader is Han Changsheng.

He was in his forties and was originally an air force pilot.

After leaving the military, he worked in agricultural aviation.

He jumped out of the jeep and first looked at the Russian markings on the vehicle.

Only then did he extend his hand.

"That Comrade Su Qingyun, right?"

"Captain Han."

The two shook hands.

Han Changsheng didn't say anything polite.

He took the shipping document and glanced at it.

"Fifty thousand rubles for an An-2?"

"right."

"To be honest, this price is a bit low."

Han Changsheng closed the shipping document.

"It wasn't a malfunctioning machine, was it?"

"Is it true? Open it and take a look."

Su Qingyun offered no explanation.

Han Changsheng nodded.

"Drive a car!"

Railway workers untie the chains.

The crane slowly turned around.

The tarpaulin on the flatbed truck was gradually lifted.

A section of the green fuselage was revealed.

The paint on the outside is already quite old.

Two pieces of sheet metal are still riveted to the tail of the aircraft.

A murmur of discussion immediately arose from the crowd.

"You call this an airplane?"

"It's in such a dilapidated state, and you still spent 50,000 rubles?"

"Look at that patch."

"I patched my water bucket like this too!"

An old worker stood on tiptoe and looked for a long time.

He pointed to the tail of the plane.

"Take a look."

"This thing is just made of canvas!"

"You dare to send canvas flying into the sky?"

"What if the wind blows and you can't tear it anymore?"

Several members joined in the laughter.

Han Changsheng, however, did not laugh.

He walked quickly to the side of the fuselage and tapped it with his hand.

He then climbed into the cockpit.

"Find the technical files!"

Two mechanics climbed into the boxcar.

A short while later, a locked metal box was brought out.

Cut the lock open.

It contains all Russian materials.

There's also a thick flight logbook.

Han Changsheng took it and looked at it more and more seriously.

"Old Gu, come here!"

A bespectacled aircraft engineer quickly approached.

The two of them checked the records in hushed tones.

The onlookers stopped laughing.

Everyone craned their necks, waiting for the result.

A good ten minutes or so passed.

Han Changsheng then jumped off the plane.

He dusted off his hands.

"Who said this was a malfunctioning machine?"

"Produced in 1969".

Total flight time: 1,137 hours.

"It underwent major repairs last year."

He then pointed to the two pieces of sheet metal at the tail of the aircraft.

That's not a patch.

"It's a reinforcing plate for agricultural installation equipment."

The old worker who had just mentioned the water bucket looked a little embarrassed.

He stiffened his neck and pointed to the wing.

"That canvas isn't fake, is it?"

Han Changsheng walked over and reached out to press the leather cover.

"Aerospace fabric".

"Several layers of varnish have been applied."

"You might not be able to cut it even with a knife."

"It'll tear as soon as the wind blows."

"You're so ignorant, stop spouting nonsense!"

A burst of laughter immediately erupted around them.

The old worker blushed and shrank into the crowd.

At that moment, shouts came from inside the covered wagon again.

"Team Leader Han!"

"The engine has been found!"

Several workers worked together to lift the wooden crate out.

The box panels were pried open.

Inside was an engine wrapped in oil paper.

There are also complete sets of cylinders, magneto and piston rings next to it.

Old Gu took out a flashlight and first looked at the nameplate.

Then the seal was opened again.

"Captain, this engine has also undergone major repairs."

"It has only been running for sixty-three hours."

"Just like new!"

Han Changsheng squatted down and twirled his hand around.

The more he looked, the wider his smile became.

"Mr. Su, you've gotten a really good deal."

"This engine and its spare parts alone are worth a lot of money."

"In China, even if you have the money, you still have to wait in line to buy it."

Su Qingyun wasn't too surprised.

Before the airplane was loaded onto the truck.

Damian has already sent over the engine number.

He checked every single repair record.

"Where's the spraying equipment?"

Su Qingyun asked a question.

Old Gu quickly flipped through the shipping manifest.

"Box number forty-seven."

The workers quickly found the wooden crate.

The box was opened.

An aluminum medicine box.

Two sets of spray booms.

There are also nozzles, a medicine pump, and connecting pipes.

Nothing is missing.

Han Changsheng picked up the spray nozzle and examined it carefully.

"OK."

"With this kit, we can get to work as soon as we assemble it."

"It's much better than the two old Y-5 transport aircraft in our team."

Qiu Tingjiang, who was standing next to him, listened with a beaming smile.

He reached out and touched the fuselage.

"Old Han, can this thing really help with crops?"

Han Changsheng turned to look at him.

"President Qiu, one planeload of pesticides will cover five or six hundred acres."

"Fill the medicine box, and fly a few more times a day."

"Do you think it's possible to serve you?"

Qiu Tingjiang slapped his thigh hard.

"Damn it!"

"Now our Xiaheyan Town has really upgraded its equipment!"

……

Aircraft cannot be assembled in the cargo yard.

To the east of the cargo yard of the military reclamation farm, there is an abandoned dirt track.

After it was repaired, it was only used a few times.

This came in handy.

Three Jiefang trucks.

Two tractors.

They borrowed another crane.

It took a whole day to finally get the plane delivered.

Han Changsheng, along with the maintenance crew, began the assembly.

Su Qingyun did not interfere recklessly.

Industry specializing in surgery.

Airplanes are not agricultural machinery.

Even a single misinstalled screw could be fatal.

He only takes responsibility for finding whatever is missing.

There isn't enough aviation fuel.

The local party committee intervened and transferred personnel from the military reclamation farm.

Aluminum gaskets are missing.

The paper mill workshop was operating overnight.

The technical documents are all in Russian.

Su Qingyun found two translators from the industrial group.

A subsidy of twelve yuan per day.

Food is plentiful.

Four days later.

The two wings have been installed.

Several large white characters were also painted on the green body.

Beidahuang Farm.

"Qingyun, that's really impressive!"

Su Qingliang circled the plane several times.

Finally, it stopped in front of the nose of the aircraft.

"I just don't know if it can fly."

"If you stand in front of the propeller, it definitely won't fly."

Su Qingyun pulled him aside.

"Get away from me."

"We'll be test driving it later."

The temporary approval for the test flight from the Provincial State Farms Bureau has arrived.

Dong Guangping also arrived with his men.

People gathered again on both sides of the track.

Han Changsheng put on his flight suit and inspected the plane.

He then personally shook the wings and control surfaces.

No problem confirmed.

He then climbed into the cockpit.

Old Gu went in from the other side.

"Everyone back off!"

"Twenty meters from the propeller!"

The mechanic waved a small red flag.

The crowd slowly dispersed.

The switch is on.

The engine made two noises first.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

Then, nothing happened.

Someone in the crowd muttered to themselves.

"Is it broken?"

"I told you, the Soviets can't sell good things."

Su Qingliang clenched his fists.

My palms were sweating.

The mechanic re-pressurized the oil.

Han Changsheng pressed the start switch again.

"Rat-a-tat-tat..."

The engine is running continuously.

next second.

The propellers suddenly accelerated!

"Rumble..."

A strong gust of wind swept over.

The grass clippings and dust along the runway were all blown up.

The onlookers were so frightened that they backed away repeatedly.

Some people even sat down on the ground.

The roar of the engine made my chest tingle.

Su Qingliang grinned and burst into laughter.

"It rang!"

"Third Brother, it really rang!"

The plane slowly taxied toward the runway.

Han Changsheng turned the plane around at the end.

It paused for a few seconds.

The engine noise suddenly increased.

The plane started to surge forward!

One hundred meters.

Two hundred meters.

The front wheels slowly lifted off the ground.

Immediately afterwards, the entire fuselage took off!

Those who were just discussing it all looked up.

There was a moment of silence on both sides of the runway.

Then, cheers suddenly erupted.

"It's flying!"

"It really flew!"

"Qingyun's plane is airborne!"

Qiu Tingjiang was so excited that his face turned red.

He grabbed Dong Guangping's arm.

"Secretary Dong, look!"

"We have airplanes now, right here in our little riverside!"

Dong Guangping's arm ached from being gripped so tightly.

But they couldn't break free.

He looked up at the plane, grinning from ear to ear.

In the past, the local party committee wanted to use agricultural aircraft.

You need to submit a report to the provincial authorities two months in advance.

It's not even certain that it will be your turn.

What now?

There's only one of them parked in my own territory!

The plane circled twice over the runway.

They climbed to a higher place.

A dozen minutes later, it was re-aligned with the runway.

The wheels landed steadily.

Han Changsheng opened the hatch and jumped out.

Su Qingyun walked over.

"How is it?"

Han Changsheng took off his flight cap and wiped away his sweat.

"The engine is powerful."

"The fuselage is also straight."

"After two more ground inspections, we can sign the acceptance form."

He glanced back at the plane.

"Fifty thousand rubles."

"You've traded even the Sukuri people's underwear for this."

The people around immediately burst into laughter.

Dong Guangping walked over and patted the airplane.

"Qingyun, the first one is ready."

"Would you like to buy a second one?"

Su Qingyun looked at the wing, her tone calm.

"Use it for now."

"We just need to take good care of these 10,000 mu of soybeans this year."

"We'll talk about it when the area gets bigger."

The voice just fell.

A commune jeep crashed onto the runway.

The car hadn't come to a complete stop yet.

Zhao Xiaoling pushed open the door and jumped down.

She was running so fast that she almost twisted her ankle.

"President Qiu!"

"Qingyun!"

"Something's happened in the field!"

The smiles on their faces vanished instantly.

Su Qingyun went to meet him.

"where?"

Zhao Xiaoling held onto the car door, catching her breath.

"Mahutun, and Sanlaba Village."

"The bean sprouts have been infested with insects!"

"They devoured seventy or eighty acres in one night!"

"The people are going crazy with anxiety."

"Some people are already carrying hoes, ready to uproot the bean sprouts and plant corn instead!"

Qiu Tingjiang's expression changed.

"What kind of bug?"

Zhao Xiaoling shook her head.

"A completely dark mass."

"Even the agricultural technicians weren't sure."

After listening, Han Changsheng turned to look at the plane.

"What a coincidence."

"The plane just arrived, and the work has already started."

Su Qingyun, however, did not panic.

Plant 10,000 mu of soybeans.

He had already taken precautions against pests.

He turned to look at Su Qingliang.

"Qingliang, go back to the farm warehouse."

"Bring over the entire package: pesticide solution and aerial spraying equipment."

"Notify all villages as well."

"Don't remove the seedlings yet."

"Anyone who dares to make a move will bear the consequences themselves!"

Su Qingliang turned and left.

Han Changsheng was stunned for a moment.

"Have you prepared all the medicine?"

Su Qingyun picked up the map from the car.

"With so much land to cultivate, how can we not guard against this?"

He pressed hard on the spot where Mahutun was located.

"Captain Han, take a break."

"We'll drive there this afternoon."