Chapter 297

Wang Xiaosheng did not dare to defy Gao Peng's instructions, hastily leading a team to Immortal Ridge to carry out the so-called "carpet-style tomb sweep", feeling there was little hope, because he had already conducted an on-site visit there yesterday afternoon.

Immortal Ridge!

That was a refuge Lin Xu Chang painstakingly sought during those special years to evade danger.

Although the place is blessed with clear mountains and clean water, it is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with eighteen winding mountain paths! It is a typical poor and remote area, with fewer than ten households in the whole village, and moreover several households have already moved away.

The few elderly left behind in the village either have poor hearing or difficulty moving their legs.

You ask them in standard Mandarin: 'Elder, do you know where Lin Xu Chang's grave is?' They stare blankly, then reply nervously: 'I didn't catch any wild chickens in the mountains.'

Later, Wang Xiaosheng only found out after inquiring:

Not long ago, a bachelor in his fifties from the village caught a few wild chickens to sell in town, but was caught red-handed by forest police, who said he was illegally hunting state-protected animals.

That bachelor is now detained in a detention center, awaiting trial by the court.

This incident left a psychological shadow on the village elders.

This time entering the village, Wang Xiaosheng did not expect those left-behind elders to guide him, and decisively summoned the township head, village director, and other grassroots cadres together.

It's simple, play a nesting doll game.

Gao Peng gave Wang Xiaosheng a death order, and he in turn gave these grassroots cadres a death order, commanding everyone to mobilize the surrounding masses and find Lin Xu Chang's tomb within half an hour.

Meanwhile.

The atmosphere at Nanzhou Airport remained tense as well.

Especially Gao Peng, who only belatedly realized: General Lin sent Lin Yuzhi to Nanzhou ostensibly to mourn the departed and promote revolutionary spirit, but actually to deal with Lin Dongfan's matter.

It could be said that the visitor comes with ill intent!

When the special plane landed at Nanzhou Airport, Gao Peng's nerves were already completely taut, daring not to show the slightest lapse, his stance as solemn as that of the Nanzhou Garrison's honor guard, even more so.

In a moment, Lin Yuzhi had descended the gangway and stepped onto the bright red carpet.

Gao Peng hastily led the welcoming party forward, actively stepping up to shake hands: 'Lieutenant General Lin, I represent the Nanzhou Municipal Party Committee and Government, welcoming your arrival.'

'Indeed, hearing your name is no match for seeing you, Secretary Gao—you have even more official dignity than I imagined.' Lin Yuzhi politely shook hands, but in the course of their chatter her words were laced with barbs, full of sarcasm.

This also sent a chill down Gao Peng's spine, yet he could only force a smile.

The other officials accompanying her then came forward one after another to shake hands and greet Lin Yuzhi.

These bigwigs of Nanzhou probably never imagined in their dreams that this imposing lieutenant general before them, in the Lin family, is actually someone who gets beaten every day.

In this world, it's hard to find a second person like Lin Yuzhi.

At home she is one way, abroad another.

To emphasize the importance and necessity of this trip, Lin Yuzhi spoke with deep feeling: 'Back when my younger brother Lin Yuan Chao had just been born, my parents received orders from above to go to the Korean battlefield. There was no choice—one cannot bring a nursing baby to fight. My father therefore entrusted the child to our close friend Lin Xu Chang; who would have thought that parting would last a lifetime. This has become a great regret in my father's heart.'

Gao Peng quickly responded: 'Back then, General Lin fought for the country, and Comrade Lin Xu Chang was also loyal and righteous, not betraying General Lin's trust; his spirit of dedication is worthy of emulation by later generations.'

'Comrade Lin Xu Chang, the elder, is indeed a person of loyalty and righteousness.'

Lin Yuzhi paused briefly.

She then added emphasis: 'I have come to Nanzhou today first to fulfill my father's long-held wish, representing him in mourning the departed; second, to cooperate with comrades of the Central Propaganda Department in promoting red culture. The older generation opened a prosperous age with their blood and lives, earning today's lasting peace and stability; later generations ought to recall hardship and think of sweetness, never forgetting the military spirit.'

'Lieutenant General Lin spoke rightly; the military spirit must not be forgotten.' Saying this, Gao Peng waved his hand to guide the way: 'Lieutenant General Lin, please, everything has already been arranged; first go to the Municipal Party Committee Reception Center to rest.'

If everything proceeds according to Gao Peng's process, after resting at the reception center, there will still be visits to the Red Culture Exhibition Hall and condolences to living veterans, among other segments.

After completing these procedures, the sky will be almost dark; today one certainly cannot go to Immortal Ridge.

Gao Peng made this arrangement precisely to buy time, hoping to find Lin Xu Chang's tomb and complete its repair before Lin Yuzhi goes to Immortal Ridge to mourn Lin Xu Chang.

How could the exceptionally clever Lin Yuzhi possibly be led by the nose by Gao Peng?

Lin Yuzhi smiled faintly in the wind: 'Forget resting; in my view we should first go to Immortal Ridge. My father cares deeply, sitting before the TV waiting, wanting to see the living environment of the departed in his lifetime. That is also where my younger brother Lin Yuan Chao grew up, married, and had children—alas, father and son are forever separated by heaven and man.'

Saying this, a hint of sorrow again appeared on Lin Yuzhi's face.

This is genuine sorrow.

She is three years older than Lin Yuan Chao; as a child she was fostered in a distant relative's home, and she never saw Lin Yuan Chao in her entire life.

Seeing Lin Yuzhi speak like this, Gao Peng for a moment did not know what to say.

All plans were disrupted by Lin Yuzhi.

There was nothing to be done.

Gao Peng had no choice but to steel himself and lead the way: 'Lieutenant General Lin, since you already have a schedule, let everything proceed according to your plan—please proceed this way.'

'Please.'

Lin Yuzhi simply returned a salute, then walked out of the airport amid the entourage of Nanzhou officials.

Outside, the special vehicles were already ready.

Five vehicles were neatly parked.

Lin Yuzhi boarded the first vehicle, which is the Nanzhou Garrison's special car, bearing a military license plate with black characters on a white background.

Gao Peng was not qualified to ride in that car; he took the second Audi.

For the tense Gao Peng, today was undoubtedly an ordeal; he called Wang Xiaosheng of the Municipal Committee's Propaganda Department as soon as he got in the car.

He asked Wang Xiaosheng, "Have you found Lin Xu Chang's tomb?"

At that moment, Wang Xiaosheng was directing grassroots cadres at the foot of the mountain; he sat down in the shade, fanning himself while replying on the phone: "Not yet, still looking."

Gao Peng became anxious as soon as he heard that.

He shouted angrily, "What are you doing? You can't even find a grave!"

"Secretary Gao, you've never been to this mountain valley." Wang Xiaosheng said dejectedly, "If you saw those big mountains, you'd also get confused; the peaks are shrouded in mist, you can't see the top."

"General Lin has already left the airport and is heading for Xianren Ridge! You handle it yourself; if you can't find the grave, think about the consequences!" Gao Peng snapped.

Wang Xiaosheng looked devastated: "Secretary Gao, you should go see Lin Dongfan; once he speaks, this matter will..."

"Shut up!"

Before Wang Xiaosheng could finish, Gao Peng's anger boiled over.

Let him go beg Lin Dongfan — that would be more painful than killing him. His temperament won't allow him to do so. His status likewise won't allow him to grovel before Lin Dongfan.

Gao Peng thought of a plan in anger: "If you really can't find it, just find an old grave and replace the stele; treat it as Lin Xu Chang's tomb."

Hearing this, Wang Xiaosheng broke out in a cold sweat: "Secretary Gao, I'm afraid that..."

"What nonsense? Do as you're told!" Gao Peng, impatient, instructed Wang Xiaosheng: "Lin Yuzhi is just going through the motions; could she dig up a grave and examine the corpse? Don't be stupid — as long as the inscription on the tombstone is correct, that's enough."