Chapter 488: Transporting the Wounded

Lu Cheng must persist in completing the mission of transporting supplies, and Lei Zhan Ge, after hearing that, was not surprised at all.

Instead, he agreed with the bureau's suggestion to rest, which is unlike Lu Cheng's temperament.

Lei Zhan Ge actually felt gratified; this is what he wanted—the indomitable Lu Cheng.

"Fine, since you have this resolve, the task of escorting the supplies will still be yours to handle."

"Thank you, Captain Lei, for the trust."

Lu Cheng stood up, preparing to leave, when Lei Zhan Ge, facing Lu Cheng's back, suddenly asked.

"How exactly did those two captives escape?"

Lu Cheng halted, hesitated, and was about to explain the actual situation, but Lei Zhan Ge refused to listen.

"Actually, if those two captives hadn't fled, you could have reported them to the proper department."

Lu Cheng did not turn around, merely nodded.

He believed that Lei Zhan Ge, being a soldier, would rather he file a deputy‑level report.

"The senior Company Commander of Squad Leader Ma asked me to thank you on his behalf…"

Lu Cheng took a deep breath and then left the office.

Two days later, in the evening, sunlight spilled onto the walls of the tube‑shaped building.

In front of the third‑floor railing, Yang Yin lay there, watching the sunset.

"How did you dare to act back then? I only heard you talk about it, and it already scared me."

Lu Cheng also stared at the sunset: "In that situation, you can't think much; it's either you die or I live."

Yang Yin nodded as if understanding: "So it really will be war?"

Lu Cheng placed both hands on the railing: "Yes, but it doesn't concern you; just focus on your studies."

Yang Yin fell silent, and after a while said, "How can it not concern me? What if you don't come back…"

Lu Cheng gave Yang Yin a glance, and Yang Yin, unlike most girls of this era, was bold; she met Lu Cheng's steady gaze without flinching.

"You must return safely…"

Lu Cheng ruffled her hair and laughed.

"Don't worry; even if I die, I can be reborn."

Yang Yin didn't understand the sentence until the sunset slowly set.

Time passed quickly; after entering February, all diplomatic means were abandoned, and the battle officially broke out.

From the First Stage, Frontline Troops fought ferociously, advancing like a blade through bamboo.

It was also from the First Stage of combat that all news of Wu Zhekun was lost.

It is heard that this fellow has become a Platoon Leader, thanks to his merit in destroying the enemy while escorting equipment last time.

Since the battle began, Lu Cheng couldn't spare time to inquire about Wu Zhekun; because Frontline operations required massive supplies and equipment, all transport lines were opened, and the Special Train ran almost nonstop day and night.

During the most intense periods, days and nights passed without a wink of sleep.

Yet no one complained; hearing the constant victory reports from the Frontline, everyone felt an extreme pride, as if they themselves were in the battle.

Very soon the Second Stage began, the battle entered a white‑hot state, and even from the rear, one could hear the distant Boom— artillery fire.

At this time, the Special Train became even busier, not only transporting supplies but also carrying wounded.

Lu Cheng ran back and forth directing, daring not to relax for a moment; a delay of a second could endanger a soldier's life.

"Lu Jingzhang, you should rest; we're here, you haven't slept for days."

"I'm fine; hurry and load the wounded onto the carriage, we'll depart on time in five minutes, and there's one with massive bleeding that must be taken to the hospital immediately…"

During the great earthquake in He Province, Lu Cheng had experience escorting the wounded, so handling it, though the scene seemed chaotic, everything was within the plan.

Five minutes later, the train departed on schedule; Lu Cheng felt he had only dozed briefly before being shouted at.

"Lu Jingzhang, we have arrived at the Field Hospital in the rear."

Lu Cheng wiped his face, instantly shaking off fatigue: "Has the ambulance arrived?"

"They have; already waiting, more than twenty have arrived."

"Alright, help lift the wounded, especially the one with massive bleeding; give special instructions for the hospital staff to treat on site."

"Yes, Lu Jingzhang."

Lu Cheng couldn't afford to rest; many matters still awaited his command on site, and after delivering these wounded, he still had to go elsewhere to receive military supplies.

Yet twenty minutes later, all the wounded had been off‑loaded, and Lu Cheng was about to command the closing of the carriage when, at that moment, someone came looking for him.

"Lu Jingzhang, a doctor is looking for you."

"What's the matter?"

"I don't know, they just said they wanted to find the person in charge of our train."

"I don't see why we should bother; once the wounded are delivered here it's no longer our business, we can't treat patients, we still have a mission, so get on the train and depart quickly."

"Yes, Lu Jingzhang, everyone, board the train, go haul the supplies."

As everyone boarded the carriage and prepared to close the doors, a dozen stretchers came over from the Field Hospital.

The doctor at the front ran toward the Iron Rail, shouting, "Hold on, don't depart yet!"

Lu Cheng, about to close the carriage, couldn't help but frown: "What on earth is this about?"

But the people arrived, Lu Cheng checked the time, and still jumped down from the carriage first.

"What's wrong, doctor? Haven't we already coordinated the wounded? Is there any other issue?"

The doctor, panting, said, "It's not about the previous batch of wounded; this batch here needs you to escort them to the Capital City General Hospital."

Lu Cheng, puzzled, asked, "What does that mean? If the wounded are being treated here, why bring them back to the Capital City?"

The doctor, still panting, explained, "This batch's external injuries have been treated, but because the wounds are severe, they need to be taken away for convalescence and further treatment; our equipment here can't keep up, so they must be taken back to the Capital City General Hospital."

"How about you send another vehicle? We still have a mission; we have a batch of supplies to transport."

Lu Cheng had thought that a simple explanation would make the other side back down, but he didn't expect the doctor to be so adamant.

"No, there are no other vehicles. We've been waiting for three days. After finally getting your train, we can't wait any longer; these wounded must receive follow‑up treatment as soon as possible."

The doctor's attitude was poor, and Lu Cheng couldn't argue. To be honest, with the battle at this stage, both logistics and the hospital have reached the utmost limit of busyness.

And judging by the doctor's complexion, he must have gone several days without closing his eyes.

Seeing that Lu Cheng still hadn't agreed, the doctor became irate at once.

"I know you have a mission, but right now life comes first; the hospital has the highest authority. Since the Commander has arrived, I also have the right to requisition.

Moreover, I'm telling you, each of these wounded is a battle hero; among them is a Platoon Leader who single‑handedly commanded a heavy‑machinery squad and made an outstanding contribution to the victory of the last battle. If he isn't treated now, he'll die here."

The doctor spoke in one breath, saying a lot, and each sentence came out as if he were roaring with his throat.

"Comrade, I beg you, take them away..."