Chapter 224: Almost Went to a Military Court

The closer we got to the border, the fewer platforms there were; the train made no more stops along the way and kept up high speed.

Lu Cheng led the men to act as cheese‑oven workers, taking turns resting with the Jiwu Section staff; when tired, they wrapped themselves in a cotton quilt and slept on the floor of the carriage.

Traveling day and night, the train cut through wind and snow; when it reached the border‑inspection post, Soviet‑style buildings came into view.

Because Manzhouli guards the national gate and the international situation is sensitive, the stationed border troops were conducting strict checks, filling the area with mystery and tension.

The train slowed to a stop, and Liu Baoquan glanced at his watch; there were still twenty minutes before the agreed delivery time, so this counted as completing the mission.

Liu Baoquan let out a long sigh; never before had any supply run been this tense.

"Group Leader Lu, we've arrived, no overtime."

Hearing Liu Baoquan's words, everyone felt the weight in their hearts lift.

Delivering the supplies on time despite the road being blocked by an avalanche was only possible thanks to Lu Cheng's vigorous coordination and excellent command.

There's another thing; now Liu Baoquan recalls that he's only grateful he listened to Lu Cheng back then.

It was that at the start he didn't compromise by slowing down to yield.

At the time he thought it wouldn't matter, that a two‑hour delay wouldn't affect anything; Lu Cheng, relying on the military supplies' top road rights, firmly refused to yield, appearing overly harsh.

But in hindsight, it was precisely because he stayed ahead of schedule, saving those two hours, that they ultimately avoided overtime.

The train rolled in, crossing the icy sea of snow; a white layer of ice and snow coated the outside of the carriage, and Lu Cheng was pounding the door with his men.

Finally, after struggling to pull the carriage door open, everyone leapt out, having held their breath the whole way, and at last could breathe fresh air.

Though the air was biting cold, it felt refreshing; the group looked at the Soviet‑style border post buildings and whispered their comments.

"Haodazi…" Lu Cheng draped his arm over Wu Zhekun's shoulder; having gone through so much together, their bond had naturally grown closer.

"Could you stop calling me that? I'm older than you, and besides, we're on our turf…"

"Yo, threatening me? Now that we're on your turf, does your Military District even make sense?" Lu Cheng said, pointing at the platform.

"I've worked hard to deliver the supplies on time; you can't even line up a welcome, there's not a single person to meet us on site—how incompetent."

Wu Zhekun was left speechless; it was indeed unreasonable—after all the hardship, at least send a car to pick us up for a reception.

"Probably an exercise; weren't there a few soldiers inspecting? I'll go ask about the situation."

Wu Zhekun hurried over and returned a short while later.

"What's the situation? Is there any reception or not? If not, we'll pull back."

Wu Zhekun replied, "Yes, yes—Zhang Yingzhang will be here shortly. I asked; earlier there was indeed a reception, but the Military District, upon learning we were blocked by an avalanche, thought it would take a few days for them to arrive. They didn't expect us to deliver the supplies on time."

Lu Cheng didn't mind further; anyone in that situation would lose hope.

Ten minutes later, the responsible officer Zhang Yingzhang arrived with several military trucks.

As soon as he got out, he grasped Lu Cheng's hand: "Group Leader Lu, well done. We couldn't provide an early reception; we simply didn't expect you to arrive on time. If you'd been later, our delay report would have been sent to your department."

Lu Cheng felt a jolt; the Military District's discipline was indeed strict—if you're told to arrive at a certain time, you must be there exactly then; even a minute late leaves no room for negotiation.

If the delay had been days, affecting the Military District's operational deployment, Lu Cheng would have certainly faced a military court.

Seeing Lu Cheng look frightened, Zhang Yingzhang laughed heartily: "Don't be nervous; you did deliver on time. Managing that despite an avalanche‑blocked road is impressive; the process must have been very difficult, right?"

Lu Cheng forced a thin smile; it was more than difficult—it felt as if Heaven itself refused to let him live.

But facing the soldier‑born Zhang Yingzhang, he stood straight and said, "Report to you, Zhang Yingzhang: we won't discuss the difficulties, only the result."

Zhang Yingzhang was taken aback; he hadn't expected such a young fellow to speak and act with such resolve.

If cultivated, he'd be perfect for leading troops in battle.

He liked soldiers who could solve problems when they arose, not those who merely complained about difficulties.

"Not bad, comrade, have you considered enlisting? I can make an exception and recruit you directly."

Nearby, Liu Jian'an's eyes widened; wherever Lu Cheng went, people clamored for him. The reason he could be transferred to Beijing Station was because Lei Zhan'ge had taken Lu Cheng away.

Team Captain Zhou of the Xizhimen Train Police Unit was almost spitting blood with anger at the time.

Lu Cheng took Zhang Yingzhang's comment as a joke: "Zhang Yingzhang, you're flattering me; being allowed to transport supplies for the Military District is already my honor."

Hearing that Lu Cheng had no intention of enlisting, Zhang Yingzhang didn't press the issue, having them settle in comfortably before loading the supplies onto the trucks.

After resting at the border post for two days, they were set to return.

On the day of departure, Wu Zhekun and his comrades came especially to see them off.

"Old Lu, we didn't meet by fighting, but after that scuffle, please don't hold a grudge against me."

Lu Cheng laughed: "What are you talking about? There's no senior arguing with a junior. Train well here, and I'll be waiting for you to earn merit and return, so I can give you a proper welcome."

Wu Zhekun smiled brightly, waving his hand and shouting loudly, "Bon voyage!"

Lu Cheng also waved goodbye; the emotions of youth are the purest, a purity that merges the individual entirely into the destiny and passion of the era's torrent.

They were in the prime of their brilliance…

Their enthusiasm overflowed…

Clad in the most sacred uniforms, they took root on the frontier, vowing to defend every inch of the motherland's mountains and rivers.

Lu Cheng believed that, given Wu Zhekun's temperament, he would surely achieve merit and success in the barracks.

The train traversed the boundless snowfield, pulling a long whistle, while rising gray smoke drifted away on the wind.

When the train, like a child returning home, arrived back in the Capital City, everyone was exhausted to the limit.

Amid the crowd on the platform, Lu Cheng slung his canvas pack on his back, ready to go home; Lei Zhan'ge had told him in advance that after this delivery, he would head straight to university enrollment, granting him a half‑month's leave.

But just as he was about to leave the platform, a staff member called out, "Group Leader Lu, your phone."

Lu Cheng wondered who was calling and how they knew he'd just stepped off the train; when he answered, it turned out to be Cheng Jianhua.

"Hey, Group Leader Lu, you've just arrived in the Capital City, right? I've been thinking you'd be here soon; I called several times before and finally got you."

Lu Cheng was at a loss for words, having been stuck by this all along.

"Hehe, Director Cheng, I really have just arrived. Do you have something for me?" Lu Cheng asked deliberately, and indeed Cheng Jianhua grew impatient.

"Lu, we're not about to waste time. Regarding the cafeteria renovation funds in our bureau, you need to inquire about it. Please help us out, and I'll treat you to a meal later."

Lu Cheng, holding the phone, laughed, "Alright, Director Cheng, rest assured; since I promised you, I certainly won't break my word. I'll go help you ask right now…"