Chapter 296

On the third day after Lin Dongfan was arrested, Lin Yuzhi, dressed in military uniform, boarded a special flight to Nanzhou.

Translation: On the third day after Lin Dongfan's arrest, Lin Yuzhi, dressed in military uniform, boarded the special plane bound for Nanzhou.

Accompanying her were two guards, a communications officer, a dedicated driver, and a CCTV media reporter arranged by Xie Yuxin of the Z Propaganda Department.

Translation: The entourage consisted of two guards, a communications officer, a dedicated driver, and a CCTV media reporter arranged by Xie Yuxin of the Central Propaganda Department.

This time, Lin Yuzhi's stated purpose for coming to Nanzhou is not to rescue someone.

Translation: This time, Lin Yuzhi's stated purpose for coming to Nanzhou was not to extract someone.

Rather, she came in place of the old master to fulfill a wish—to commemorate the deceased! That deceased person is Lin Lao Gen, who once regarded Lin Dongfan's father, Lin Yuanchao, as his own son.

Translation: But rather, she came to fulfill an old wish—to commemorate the deceased! That deceased person was Lin Lao Gen, who had treated Lin Dongfan's father, Lin Yuan Chao, as his own son back then.

According to the tone set by Xie Yuxin of the Z Propaganda Department, this is to advocate revolutionary spirit and promote red culture.

Translation: Following the guideline set by Xie Yuxin of the Central Propaganda Department, this is to advocate revolutionary spirit and promote red culture.

The city also received the notice.

Translation: The city also received the notice.

Early that morning.

Translation: Early that morning.

The Nanzhou Municipal Party Committee convened the heads of the Municipal Propaganda Department, Veterans Affairs Bureau, Culture and Tourism Bureau, Public Security Bureau, and other departments to form a high-standard reception team, personally led by Gao Peng.

Translation: The Nanzhou Municipal Party Committee convened the heads of the Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department, Veterans Affairs Bureau, Culture and Tourism Bureau, and the Faction, forming a high-standard reception team personally led by Gao Peng.

The Nanzhou Garrison District also dispatched a guard duty unit and an honor guard, responsible for security protection and ceremonial support.

Translation: The Nanzhou Garrison District also sent out a guard duty team and an honor guard, responsible for security and ceremonial support.

Although Lao Gen (Lin Xu Chang) was not posthumously awarded martyr status after his death, he fulfilled the obligation of caring for orphans by treating the eldest son of a revolutionary soldier as his own, raising him to adulthood, and arranging his marriage and children.

Translation: Although Lin Lao Gen (Lin Xu Chang) was not posthumously awarded martyr status after his death, he fulfilled his obligation to care for the orphaned, treating the eldest son of a revolutionary soldier as his own, raising him to adulthood and arranging his marriage and children.

Who would dare say that Lao Gen is not a martyr?

Translation: Who would dare say that Lin Lao Gen is not a martyr?

Referring to the "Regulations on Public Memorial Services for Martyrs," following the standard procedure, today's ceremony should include playing the national anthem, a moment of silence, and presenting flower baskets, among other segments.

Translation: Referring to the Regulations on Public Memorial Services for Martyrs, following the standard procedure, today's ceremony must include playing the national anthem, a moment of silence, and presenting flower baskets.

From Nanzhou Airport to Lin Dongfan's hometown, Xianren Ridge.

Translation: From Nanzhou Airport to Lin Dongfan's hometown, Immortal Ridge.

The entire route must be cleared by police cars.

Translation: The entire route must be cleared by police cars.

Gao Peng had been waiting at Nanzhou Airport with his team since early morning; although today it is not General Lin Mu Yuan himself coming to Nanzhou, Lin Yuzhi's rank is also not low.

Translation: Gao Peng had been waiting at Nanzhou Airport with his entourage since early morning; although today it was not Old General Lin Mu Yuan himself coming to Nanzhou, Lin Yuzhi's rank was also not low.

As early as five years ago, Lin Yuzhi had already attained the rank of air force major general.

Translation: As early as five years ago, Lin Yuzhi already held the rank of Senior Colonel in the Air Force.

Now Lin Yuzhi has been promoted to lieutenant general and serves in the Strategic Planning Department. The "Southern Heaven Gate Plan" that Lin Dongfan once predicted has already been put on her agenda.

Translation: Now Lin Yuzhi has been promoted to Lieutenant General and serves in the Strategic Planning Department. The "Southern Heaven Gate Plan" that Lin Dongfan once predicted has already been placed on her agenda.

Although Gao Peng is a vice-ministerial-level official, he still feels somewhat inferior in Lin Yuzhi's presence.

Translation: Although Gao Peng holds a vice-ministerial rank, he still feels somewhat inferior in Lin Yuzhi's presence.

For this reason, Gao Peng dares not be the slightest bit careless.

Translation: Therefore, Gao Peng dares not be the slightest bit careless.

While the special plane had not yet landed, Gao Peng solemnly asked Wang Xiaosheng of the Municipal Propaganda Department: "Have all arrangements been made for Xianren Ridge? Has Lin Xu Chang's grave been properly maintained?"

Translation: Before the special plane even landed, Gao Peng solemnly asked Wang Xiaosheng of the Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department: "Have all arrangements been made for Immortal Ridge? Has Lin Xu Chang's grave been properly maintained?"

"Well..."

Translation: "Well..."

Wang Xiaosheng suppressed the truth, momentarily unsure how to speak.

Translation: Wang Xiaosheng suppressed the truth, momentarily unsure how to speak.

He actually wanted to repair Lin Xu Chang's grave to demonstrate the Nanzhou government's attention to revolutionary martyrs. The problem is, he doesn't even know where Lin Xu Chang's tomb is located.

Translation: He actually wanted to repair Lin Xu Chang's grave to demonstrate the Nanzhou government's respect for revolutionary martyrs. The problem is, he doesn't even know where Lin Xu Chang's tomb is.

He went to ask in the village, but nobody there knew either.

Translation: He went to ask in the village, but nobody there knew either.

The only way to find out is to ask Lin Xu Chang's relative, Lin Dongfan, but Lin Dongfan has been arrested—how can he ask? He went to the detention center last night to see Lin Dongfan, who told him to get lost.

Translation: The only way to find out was to ask Lin Xu Chang's relative, Lin Dongfan—but Lin Dongfan had been arrested, so how could he ask? He had gone to the detention center the previous night to look for Lin Dongfan, who told him to get lost.

Seeing Wang Xiaosheng hem and haw without giving an answer, Gao Peng suddenly flared up in anger: "The old general wants to commemorate the deceased; this must be on CCTV news! I notified you yesterday—how come you still haven't fixed the grave? What have you been doing all this time? If we end up filming a grave overgrown with weeds, how can we broadcast it?"

Translation: Seeing Wang Xiaosheng hem and haw with no answer, Gao Peng flared up in anger: "The old general wants to commemorate the deceased—this needs to be on CCTV news! I notified you yesterday; how come you still haven't fixed the grave? What have you been doing all this time? If you end up filming a grave overrun with weeds, how will it ever be aired?"

「！！！」

Translation: "!!!"

Wang Xiaosheng was scolded so severely he dared not raise his head.

Translation: Wang Xiaosheng was scolded so severely he dared not raise his head.

He thought, "You're overthinking it; I really don't know where Lin Xu Chang's grave is, and even a weed-choked ruin isn't something you can just film whenever you want."

Translation: He thought, "You're overthinking it; I really don't know where Lin Xu Chang's grave is, and even a weed-choked ruin isn't something you can just film whenever you want."

The consequences of this matter are indeed quite serious.

Translation: The consequences of this are indeed quite serious.

Not even being able to locate Lin Xu Chang's grave shows that Nanzhou's work in caring for martyrs' families and promoting red culture is extremely inadequate!

Translation: Not even being able to locate Lin Xu Chang's grave shows that Nanzhou's work in preferential treatment for martyrs' families and red propaganda is extremely inadequate!

By then, not to mention how the public will view this, the old general and the Z Propaganda Department people will also wield the big stick of blame, and inevitably someone will have to take responsibility.

Translation: By then, never mind how the public will view this; the old general and the people of the Central Propaganda Department will also wield the big stick, and someone will inevitably have to take responsibility.

Wang Xiaosheng naturally does not want to become the one who takes the blame.

Translation: Wang Xiaosheng naturally did not want to become that scapegoat.

Thus, Wang Xiaosheng steeled himself and blurted out the truth: "Secretary Gao, while the special plane hasn't landed yet, you had better go personally look for Lin Dongfan."

Translation: Thus, Wang Xiaosheng steeled himself and blurted out the truth: "Secretary Gao, while the special plane hasn't landed yet, you had better go find Lin Dongfan yourself."

"What does this have to do with Lin Dongfan? It's utterly bewildering!" Upon mentioning Lin Dongfan, Gao Peng's face darkened with anger, and he felt like shooting Lin Dongfan on the spot.

Translation: "What does this have to do with Lin Dongfan? It's utterly baffling!" Upon mentioning Lin Dongfan, Gao Peng's face darkened with anger, and he felt like having Lin Dongfan shot on the spot.

Wang Xiaosheng, feeling depressed to the point of his scalp almost bursting, said: "That Lin Xu Chang is Lin Dongfan's grandfather. Nobody in the village knows where Lin Dongfan buried Lin Xu Chang, and now we can't even find the grave."

Translation: Wang Xiaosheng felt fit to burst: "That Lin Xu Chang is Lin Dongfan's grandfather. Nobody in the village knows where Lin Dongfan buried Lin Xu Chang, and now we can't even find the grave."

「？？？」

Translation: "???"

Gao Peng's millions of brain cells instantly went dizzy—he was just completely bewildered.

Translation: Gao Peng's hundreds of millions of brain cells went numb on the spot, leaving him with nothing but a blank stare.

Who am I?

Translation: Who am I?

Where am I?

Translation: Where am I?

What the hell have I encountered?

Translation: What the hell has happened to me?

This matter shouldn't be overthought; the more he thinks about it, Gao Peng feels like slapping Wang Xiaosheng in the face to warn this bastard not to spout nonsense!

Translation: Dwelling on it too deeply only makes Gao Peng want to slap Wang Xiaosheng in the face, warning this bastard to stop spouting nonsense!

Faction Household Registration Section staff said that Lin Xu Chang had no biological daughters before his death.

If Lin Dongfan is Lin Xu Chang's grandson, then isn't that saying Lin Dongfan is the blood grandson of General Lin who drifted away?

Gao Peng warned Wang Xiaosheng with a cold face: "Lin Dongfan bears the surname Lin, and Lin Xu Chang, who had no sons or daughters, also bears the surname Lin! Did Chu Jinsong approach you, asking you to seize this opportunity to pull Lin Dongfan out, and thus you forced a connection, helping Lin Dongfan forge kinship ties? If so, then you, as the Propaganda Department head, have gone too far!"

"!!!" Wang Xiaosheng wiped cold sweat in shock: "Secretary Gao, this isn't me helping Lin Dongfan forge kinship ties. The household registration data provided by the Faction shows that Lin Xu Chang's adopted son is Lin Yuanchao, and Lin Yuanchao's son is Lin Dongfan. There's no mistake about this—Lin Dongfan is General Lin's...."

"Impossible, absolutely impossible." Gao Peng snorted angrily: "The Household Registration Section staff must have tampered with the records; how could Lin Dongfan possibly be General Lin's grandson?"

Seeing Gao Peng unwilling to accept this reality.

Wang Xiaosheng also had no alternative; fortunately, City Bureau's Xu Liangyuan was present, so he asked Xu Liangyuan: "Director Xu, Lin Xu Chang's household registration information has already been cancelled; regarding the family information, you haven't made a mistake, have you?"

The perpetually silent Xu Liangyuan couldn't hold back and directly fired at Gao Peng: "Secretary Gao, you don't believe the Propaganda Department, nor do you believe our Faction—so why did you summon us?"

"How dare you speak like that!" Gao Peng's face darkened with anger: "Now is the time for General Lin to commemorate the departed, to recall hardship and sweetness in forging the army's spirit, to promote red culture! This is a top-priority matter for Nanzhou, not just my personal affair! If anything goes wrong today, do you know how serious the consequences would be?!"

Since you don't want any mistakes, you should trust us even more.

The current Xu Liangyuan is no longer the hesitant Xu Liangyuan of the past; from today on, he fears Gao Peng not at all.

Before Gao Peng could speak.

Xu Liangyuan added, neither humble nor arrogant: "Instead of doubting us here for falsifying records, why don't you personally go meet Lin Dongfan? Only Lin Dongfan knows where General Lin's grave is, and time waits for no one. By the time the special plane arrives at Nanzhou Airport, we might not even have a chance to repair the tomb."

Faced with Xu Liangyuan's confident and eloquent arguments, Gao Peng wanted to scold but found himself speechless.

Gao Peng turned and again questioned Wang Xiaosheng: "Since you're so certain that only Lin Dongfan knows where General Lin's grave is, why didn't you go look for Lin Dongfan!"

I went to look for him, but he told me to get lost. Wang Xiaosheng, lacking Xu Liangyuan's bravery and fearlessness, always meekly accepted the scolding.

But Gao Peng clearly had no inclination to lecture now.

Time truly waits for no one; Gao Peng lifted his wrist to check his watch—if nothing unexpected happens, the special plane will arrive at Nanzhou Airport in five minutes.

Gao Peng ordered Xu Liangyuan: "Go to the detention center right now and communicate with Lin Dongfan; have him reveal the location of the grave."

"I've already looked for him, and he also told me to get lost." Xu Liangyuan frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then dealt Gao Peng a heart-piercing remark: "Lin Dongfan told you to go yourself."

Upon hearing this, Gao Peng flew into a rage: "Damn bastard! He's threatening me!"

"I also feel he's threatening you, a blatant threat—it's really over the top!" Xu Liangyuan struck a pose of righteous indignation: "He's just a prisoner, refusing to honestly confess his crimes, yet he dares to bargain with us! Secretary Gao, do you really want to go see him yourself or not?"

!!!

When it came to personally going to find Lin Dongfan, Gao Peng fell silent again.

He seemed to already see Lin Dongfan's smug face, and to already feel the humiliation of being made things difficult by Lin Dongfan on the spot.

In an instant, he looked deathly pale from pent-up frustration.

Gao Peng simply steeled himself and ordered Wang Xiaosheng of the Municipal Party Committee's Propaganda Department: "Take people right away to Immortal Ridge and launch a carpet search! I refuse to believe that without Lin Dongfan showing the way, we can't find Lin Xu Chang's grave."