Chapter 312: Business Trip to the Northwest

The undercurrents among the senior staff of the Steel Rolling Mill have not yet settled, and an urgent and important mission, like a massive stone falling into a lake, shattered the surface balance and temporarily diverted the attention of all factions— a batch of crucial supplies marked "Top‑Secret, Deliver by Deadline" must set out immediately, escorted to a classified base in the northwest.

At the mission briefing, the atmosphere was heavy. Factory Director Yang Weiguo personally gave the orders, stressing the mission's extreme importance and absolute secrecy. Li Huaide sat nearby, his eyes flickering, his thoughts unreadable.

Li Ping'an sat in the audience, listening to the vague yet pointed description, and his heart jolted. "End of 63… northwest… top‑secret supplies…" the keywords linked together, and an earth‑shattering thought detonated in his mind—"That's it! In less than a year, that world‑shocking Eastern thunder will tear the sky over Lop Nur! This batch of supplies is very likely destined for the deep Gobi that nurtures the Republic's backbone and dignity!"

An indescribable surge of excitement and heroism rose in his chest, but he immediately forced it down, turning it into a steadfast glint deep in his eyes. This is a mission that tolerates no failure, and also a chance to witness history and contribute a modest effort!

"Security Department is responsible for the fully armed escort, ensuring the supplies are flawless! Li Chief, you lead the team personally and select the most reliable personnel!" Factory Director Yang Changzhang's gaze fell on Li Ping'an, bearing unquestionable trust and heavy responsibility.

"Yes! I guarantee the mission will be completed!" Li Ping'an rose, his voice steady and strong, without any hesitation.

After the meeting adjourned, he immediately returned to the Security Department to make arrangements. The mission was perilous, the route long, the conditions harsh. His first principle was: prioritize sending capable personnel who are unmarried or have light family burdens. He could not let comrades with wives, children, or elders take this risk; the "what‑if…" he dared not contemplate.

His gaze swept over several capable subordinates and finally settled on Battalion Commander Chen Jianghe. This brother‑in‑law is strong, loyal, and reliable, but his sister Pingle has just given birth to twins, and the children are still young, unable to be away from their father.

"Jianghe, you stay," Li Ping'an said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "The department's routine work, especially the core security of the plant area, must not slacken. While I'm away, you have full authority; for major issues, report directly to Li Huaide and Factory Director Yang Changzhang. As for the home… please look after it as well." He lowered his voice for the last sentence.

Chen Jianghe was initially stunned, then understood his brother‑in‑law's implication—it was both protection and a heavy trust. He nodded gravely: "Chief, rest assured! The plant and the home, both have me!"

Then he called in Section Chief Wang Dahu, a stout, down‑to‑earth, highly principled veteran guard. "Dahu, I'm taking the escort team; this part of the plant, you and Jianghe must pay extra attention. Especially during this special period, keep your eyes sharp and ears keen, ensuring the Steel Rolling Mill, this pillar, produces no defects!"

With everything arranged, dusk had already settled with the first lights glowing. Li Ping'an rode his bike back to the Siheyuan, his steps a little heavier than usual.

In Xi Kua Yuan, the aroma of food lingered; Lin Xueqing was tutoring her son Yaozong by the lamp, while Little Nuanqing cooed in the cradle, everything warm as usual. Li Ping'an inhaled deeply, burying all the gravity and resolve in his heart, and a familiar gentle smile appeared on his face.

After dinner, having soothed his daughter to sleep and urged his son to finish the evening medicinal bath and basic training, Li Ping'an finally pulled Lin Xueqing into the inner room and closed the door.

"Xueqing, there's an urgent task at the plant; I have to go on a business trip for a while," he tried to make his tone sound relaxed.

Lin Xueqing, ever so clever, saw her husband's deliberately relaxed yet unmistakably solemn expression and felt an instant tightening in her heart. "Where are you going? How long will you be gone? Is it dangerous?" she blurted out a string of questions, her voice trembling subtly.

As a doctor, she had witnessed countless partings of life and death; as a wife, she understood all too well what her husband's status implied, and a routine mission would never require such an explanation.

"Northwest. The timing is uncertain. The mission is classified," Li Ping'an replied concisely, gripping his wife's slightly cool hand, "Don't worry, it's just a routine escort; I'll take good care of myself."

Even so, both knew deep down that a mission secret enough to send Li Ping'an himself could not be easy.

Lin Xueqing's eyes reddened instantly, but she forced herself not to let tears fall. She knew her husband bore a heavy burden and she could not hold him back.

She clasped Li Ping'an's hand tightly with her other hand, all the words boiling down to a single plea: "Please… please come back safely! The kids and I… are waiting at home!"

Li Ping'an felt a warm current rise in his heart, tinged with bitterness. He hugged his wife tightly and whispered in her ear, "Rest assured, for you all, I will definitely return."

He called his son over; four‑year‑old Xiao Yaozong seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere and stood up straight.

"Yaozong, Daddy has to go out on business. You're the little man of the house now; when Daddy's away, you must protect Mom and your sister. Can you do that?" Li Ping'an crouched, looking straight into his son's eyes.

Little Li Yaozong nodded vigorously, his small face set tightly: "I can! Daddy! I will protect Mom and my sister! I will practice diligently every day, waiting for you to return for inspection!" That youthful voice carried a responsibility beyond his years.

"Good! Daddy believes in you!" Li Ping'an said comfortingly, rubbing his son's hair.

Late at night, after confirming his wife and children were sound asleep, Li Ping'an slipped silently to a corner of the courtyard where a small cellar lay.

He let his consciousness sink into the Spiritual Spring Space, carefully transferring a portion of the stored fine provisions (rice, refined flour), air‑dried meats, and some long‑lasting eggs and fruit, filling most of the cellar.

These supplies would be enough for his wife and daughter to maintain a life far above ordinary standards during his absence, ready for any eventuality.

After completing all this, he returned to the house, cast one last glance at his sleeping wife and children, and slipped a small note about the cellar's supplies into a medical book that Lin Xueqing often read.

At dawn the next day, before light broke, Li Ping'an, dressed in a crisp travel outfit, gently kissed his still‑sleeping wife and daughter, brushed his son's sleeping cheek, then resolutely turned and joined the carefully selected escort team, boarding a truck shrouded in heavy canvas and loaded with the Republic's hope.

The convoy, moving through the thin morning mist, slowly left the Steel Rolling Mill, exited Four Nine City, and headed steadfastly toward the vast, mysterious northwest.

Outside the windows, fields and villages receded continuously; inside, Li Ping'an wore a solemn expression, his sharp gaze scanning the road ahead.

He fully understood the significance of this journey and the thousand‑pound burden on his shoulders. It was not merely a mission, but a charge toward the depth of history.

He might never be able to tell outsiders the details and glory of this trip, but he knew everything he did was tightly linked to the Eastern thunder that would soon reverberate across the world.

Meanwhile in Xi Kua Yuan, Lin Xueqing, on the morning after her husband left, discovered the note in the medical book and the cellar brimming with supplies. She held the thin slip, looked at the food enough to sustain her and her daughter for a long time, and tears finally fell silently.

She knew her husband had arranged everything he could think of for them. She dried her tears, carefully stored the note, and the worry in her heart turned into a more resolute waiting and support.

Little Li Yaozong also began to practice horse‑stance squats and fist forms more diligently, planting a seed in his young heart—to become, like his father, a man who can protect his family and stand tall.

Life in the Siheyuan continued amid petty daily matters, but the main beam of Xi Kua Yuan had already set out on the long western road, bearing a silent oath and hidden ambition, rushing toward that silent rendezvous tied to the nation's destiny.