Chapter 131: Escort Mission

Opening the Introduction Letter, Lu Cheng looked at its contents while Feng Jin Long explained beside him.

"This Comrade is named Tian Shukuan, he is from our Capital City Metallurgy Department Research Institute, a Section Staff responsible for research work."

Lu Cheng nodded at him, returned the Introduction Letter to the other party, but he didn't quite understand why Feng Jin Long was introducing such a person to him.

"Hello Comrade Shukuan, you have Director Gao of the Metallurgical Department; I also know him."

Lu Cheng extended his hand; at that time he was hospitalized, and the Metallurgy Department sent a visiting representative, who was a Director surnamed Gao.

Tian Shukuan shook his hand, with an admiring expression said, "I've heard of your story; you are Lu Cheng. If you hadn't captured that enemy spy back then, our Metallurgy Department's subordinate Steel Factory would have suffered great losses."

Lu Cheng wore a smile; it seemed he could still get a free meal later—after all, he had prevented such a huge loss for your Metallurgy Department, so treating him to a meal wouldn't be too much.

But it turned out to be completely different from what he expected.

At this moment, Feng Jin Long said beside him, "Group Leader Lu, Comrade Tian Shukuan has a piece of technical data in his hand that needs to be delivered to the One Steel Plant in Spring City.

But to reach Spring City, one must first pass through Gongzhuling; just now Comrade Tian Shukuan heard a broadcast, urgently found me, and now he has no time to wait."

Lu Cheng didn't quite understand: "Now it's a natural disaster; if we don't clear the snow ahead, we can't do anything either."

Feng Jin Long looked troubled: "I said the same just now…"

Before Feng Jin Long could finish, the anxious Tian Shukuan interrupted, explaining, "Group Leader Lu, here's the situation: this data is extremely important, concerning the maintenance of a large piece of equipment. Our Research Institute ordered me to reach the One Steel Plant in Spring City before tomorrow night; otherwise, each day's delay would cause a significant production loss."

Seeing Tian Shukuan speak so seriously, Lu Cheng looked at the Train Captain, and Feng Jin Long also seemed helpless.

"Comrade Tian Shukuan means he hopes we can send someone to take him there first; given the current train speed and the situation at Gongzhuling, it would probably take until the day after tomorrow, or even the day after that, to reach Spring City."

So that's the case; it concerns the nation's major production, and Lu Cheng dared not delay.

"Alright, when we reach the next station's Railway Bureau, I'll talk to them to see if they can dispatch a vehicle to safely escort Comrade Tian Shukuan to Spring City."

Feng Jin Long wore a wry smile: "Now the railway workers along the line, any that can be mobilized, have all rushed to Gongzhuling to clear snow; there's no extra manpower, so I'm afraid we'll have to trouble Group Leader Lu with a hard trip."

Lu Cheng hesitated a moment; this mission wasn't simply a matter of escorting a person.

Along the way, they would have to face harsh weather, rush through the night, and the surroundings are full of mountains and dense forests, where they might encounter some huge beast.

Seeing that Lu Cheng didn't immediately agree, Feng Jin Long quickly explained.

"This isn't my personal decision; honestly, I also don't want to send you, but just now the Metallurgy Department called the Railway Department, and the General Bureau sent me a message specifically naming you to go."

Lu Cheng understood instantly; no need to say, it must have been arranged by Tang Qiusheng.

Since they are brother units, Tang Qiusheng wouldn't refuse to help.

And for such a mission, if it were ordinary railway workers, Tang Qiusheng wouldn't be confident; only Lu Cheng is the most suitable choice.

Since it's a mission that can't be refused, what else could Lu Cheng say.

"So that's it; then Train Captain Feng, just say it straight, we two have been going around in such a big circle."

Feng Jin Long showed an awkward smile: "It's not that we want to trouble Group Leader Lu; it's just that outside it's freezing, and there's no comfort on the train either."

"No problem, inside or outside the car it's all for work; Train Captain Feng needn't feel any pressure, leave this to me."

Seeing Lu Cheng agree so readily, Feng Jin Long also said, "Director Tang has arranged it; your Dry Rations for the whole journey come from the train's dining car, and if you need anything else, you can tell me."

Lu Cheng glanced again at Tian Shukuan; he was rather tall but thin, clearly a lifelong office worker, and such a person couldn't be relied upon if any emergency arose on the road.

Seeing Lu Cheng looking at him, Tian Shukuan smiled friendly, "Thank you, Group Leader Lu, I'll trouble you this time."

"It's nothing!" Lu Cheng turned, looking at Feng Jin Long, "Train Captain Feng, I know the train's personnel are tight right now, but I still have to take someone away."

Feng Jin Long agreed without hesitation, "No problem, we indeed need someone to look after the route; you don't have to worry about the work on the train. If manpower is insufficient, I'll call the dining car staff out."

The only help Feng Jin Long could provide on the train was Dry Rations and water.

At the next station, Lu Cheng took Da Kui and went to the local Railway Division.

The three of them were all big; Lu Cheng felt at ease, except for Da Kui, who was single‑minded—once Lu Cheng wasn't there, no one could restrain him, so he just took him along.

Moreover, there was an advantage: if the vehicle slipped on the snow, Da Kui's ox‑strength could pull it straight up.

At the local division, they received a jeep.

Not daring to waste time, they got into the driver's seat; the snow outside was still falling but not heavy, and the road's snow accumulation wasn't deep, so it didn't affect the vehicle's movement.

Only the situation behind was unknown.

Lu Cheng started the vehicle, pre‑heated the engine for a while, watching the drifting snowflakes; the sky was dark, and he couldn't help feeling a bit worried.

Just as the engine was nearly warmed up, Tian Shukuan leaned his head out from the rear seat and impatiently said, "Group Leader Lu, let's set off."

Lu Cheng shifted gears and said, "Sit tight, my speed will be fast."

Tian Shukuan nodded, "Faster is good, make it even faster."

Lu Cheng smiled, pressed the accelerator, and kicked up flying snow.

The train would temporarily stop here to refuel with coal; along the railway line, they quickly overtook the train.

The preceding stretch of road was fairly smooth, but the closer they got to Siping, the more noticeably the snow deepened.

Lu Cheng wasn't driving slowly; he thought that at this pace they wouldn't need until tomorrow night—by tomorrow noon they could reach Spring City.

But after arriving at Siping, it was already midnight; after consulting the local division about the situation ahead, they learned the road was impassable by vehicle.

This was a mission personally issued by Tang Qiusheng; all divisions along the line had to cooperate fully, and throughout the journey, Lu Cheng ate well and drank well.

The Siping Division also cooperated vigorously; given the current special circumstances, the only way to continue forward was to ride a horse‑drawn Snow Plow.

It was still midnight, the road was pitch‑black, and the danger factor instantly doubled.

For safety, Lu Cheng said he needed a gun; otherwise there was truly no way to proceed.

But the division wouldn't dare give him a gun; Lu Cheng had no choice, regardless of the time, and only called Tang Qiusheng, who was far away in Capital City.

After explaining the current situation, considering the real danger, Tang Qiusheng didn't hesitate and ordered the division to issue a gun.

It was a Type 56 semi‑automatic rifle, holding ten bullets per magazine, and Lu Cheng was quite satisfied.

He couldn't help but sigh; a proper train duty had turned into wilderness survival.