Chapter 487: Sending Squad Leader Ma Home

The remaining enemy soldier, his face scratched by the broken stone fragments, ran hunched over while muttering curses under his breath.

The kid really pretended to be asleep; he can endure, having held out the whole way, letting the two of them lower their guard.

Thereby making the two think there was a chance to escape.

Just now a single shot hit a comrade; too cunning, that hateful Hua Guo person, not kind at all!

But the enemy soldier no longer had time to mourn his comrade; he kept his head down and ran toward the riverbank.

Close—already very close—if he jumps into the river, he can escape.

Lu Cheng saw this and knew his gun only had two bullets left.

It originally had three rounds, but when Squad Leader Ma fired a salute, he used one.

Normally a regular soldier's death warrants three salutes, but Lu Cheng wanted to reserve the last two shots for the enemy.

He believed that this was the true tribute to Squad Leader Ma.

However the final shot missed; watching the remaining enemy about to jump into the river, Lu Cheng shouted urgently, "Give me a gun!"

The four young soldiers looked at Platoon Leader Wu Zhekun.

Wu Zhekun did not hesitate, grabbed the submachine gun and sprayed at the fleeing enemy below.

The enemy, at the moment of falling into the water, convulsed, and his blood quickly turned the river red.

The scene fell silent; the river flowed quietly, carrying the enemy's blood downstream.

The reason for the silence was that everyone simultaneously had a question.

The question: how did these two prisoners, whose limbs were tightly bound, suddenly escape?

Wu Zhekun first glanced at Lu Cheng, then looked at the untied rope in the Carriage, and remained silent for a while.

In the end he asked nothing.

He only shouted to everyone, "Two prisoners attempted to escape and were shot dead on the spot!"

The others immediately straightened up, then boarded the train and continued onward.

Lu Cheng stared at the river for a while, and only after the blood in the water faded did he close his eyes and keep sleeping.

This night had worn him out; he was truly exhausted and soon fell asleep.

…

When they turned back, the train roared all the way toward the Capital City.

Lu Cheng sat beside the open Carriage, lit a cigarette, with another lit cigarette beside him, and next to that was a simple coffin made of wooden planks from the forest farm.

"Squad Leader Ma, we are home…"

Beijing Station had received the notice early, and when the military Special Train returned to the Capital City, the Platform was already under martial law.

Along both sides of the Platform, railway police were stationed.

Train Police officer Lei Zhan'ge, Railway Bureau's Tang Qiusheng, and several department leaders waited on the Platform with solemn expressions.

As the train approached with a long whistle, it could not drown out the sudden wailing cries from the crowd.

In those cries were elders, women, and children, all relatives of Ma Dagang.

The train slowed to a stop, and at Tang Qiusheng's signal, four railway police stepped forward and lifted the coffin.

The crowd's wailing grew louder, crying as they lunged at the coffin, shoving the four railway police into a stumbling chaos, unable to be restrained.

Lu Cheng kept his head down on one side, daring not to face the scene.

On the train, a few Railway Troops were discussing that during close combat with the enemy, it seemed they had killed people.

Some were said to have been killed with stones, others with hunting rifles.

Yet regardless of the method, they realized they had killed, and for a moment their bodies trembled slightly—not from fear…

An indescribable feeling, but overall they felt very proud.

But when they looked again at Lu Cheng, who had sat silently in the Carriage all the way, they thought the most deserving of pride was Lu Cheng.

Aside from the Platoon Leader with the surname Wu, Lu Cheng had killed the most enemy soldiers.

He was truly bold, yet now facing the relatives, he cowered like a coward in the corner, not daring to step forward.

Suddenly, someone lightly patted Lu Cheng's shoulder.

"Captain Lei, I was at fault, unable to bring Squad Leader Ma back safely."

Lei Zhan'ge inhaled lightly, "Alright, you're tired; come back with me to the unit first. Director Tang will handle Squad Leader Ma's funeral personally."

In the office, Lei Zhan'ge opened a pack of special cigarettes, took one for himself, then handed the rest to Lu Cheng.

The two sat there, neither speaking first, and smoked several cigarettes in a row.

Lei Zhan'ge, usually patient, couldn't help but speak first upon seeing the gaunt Lu Cheng.

"I understand the situation; on your way here, the department held a meeting. Next time we deliver supplies, we'll increase Railway Troops and equip them with firearms, body armor, etc., to ensure our safety."

Lu Cheng nodded lightly.

"Hmm? Also… you've already made two trips, you're certainly tired. I've already proposed to the bureau that you take a proper rest for a while; others will handle the supply transport later."

"As for your assignment? Once you're rested, return directly to the train line you oversee. Da Kui and the others miss you; they've been mentioning you these past days…"

This time Lu Cheng neither nodded nor shook his head; he simply smoked in silence.

Lu Cheng's demeanor truly unsettled Lei Zhan'ge.

The old Lu Cheng feared him not at all; he dared any joke.

Lei Zhan'ge now wanted to hear Lu Cheng say something, anything at all.

"Hmm? My suggestion to the bureau for you to rest wasn't because I look down on you; I know you're not afraid…"

Lei Zhan'ge forced an explanation, then realized it was meaningless.

He knew exactly what kind of person Lu Cheng was.

He would never be frightened by a single brutal battle that nearly cost his life.

Lei Zhan Ge stopped explaining, opened the drawer, and took out an Appointment Certificate stamped with the Official Seal.

"Xiao Lu, I know you care a lot about Squad Leader Ma's affairs after his death; you don't need to worry about that. The troops over there have requested a commendation for Squad Leader Ma, and our department will properly arrange matters for Squad Leader Ma's family.

Including Squad Leader Ma's children, they will also be placed into Railway work in the future."

Lu Cheng nodded again, and soon an Appointment Certificate was pushed in front of him.

"The troops over there have also requested a commendation for you; following the department's proposal, you are promoted to Deputy Division Rank."

From an ordinary Train Police to Deputy Section Rank is already a height many people look up to.

Don't underestimate this small step; aside from those truly capable who are quickly promoted, the rest mostly endure seniority.

From Deputy Section to Section is also a matter of seniority—short as three to five years, long as… a lifetime, which is quite normal.

Sometimes the unit simply looks at your lifelong dedication and, as you near retirement, gives you a consolation reward.

From Section Rank to Division Rank, beyond seniority, the rest truly depends on ability.

This is a dividing line; many people spend their whole lives and still find it hard to reach Division Rank.

And Lu Cheng, within less than a month of being promoted to Section, was promoted another level—truly at rocket speed.

A 23-year-old Division Rank cadre is not common.

"Do your best; this is the department's trust in you. Of course I believe your ability goes far beyond this—your future road is still long, and you have many more opportunities…"

Lu Cheng suddenly stood up and said the first words he had spoken upon arriving at the office.

"Captain Lei, take this Appointment Certificate back first; after you complete the mission of transporting military supplies, I'll come back to retrieve it!"