Chapter 610: Even in Death, I Must Die on the Railway

Lei Zhan Ge's body can no longer endure long journeys, which is why everyone is trying to stop him.

"Lao Lei, at a time like this, you mustn't lose your temper."

"Yes, Lao Lei, listen to the doctor and hurry back to the hospital."

Everyone unanimously believes that now that Lei Zhan Ge has seen the Internal Combustion Engine Train, his wish is fulfilled, and there is no need to risk taking a train.

Yet, in the face of everyone's admonition, Lei Zhan Ge pays it no mind.

But he is now a dying old man who can no longer command anyone.

Of course, he knows everyone cares about his health, and Lei Zhan Ge is grateful to these old comrades, but what he wants is not concern.

He can only place his hope in Lu Cheng.

If anyone here understands him, it is only Lu Cheng.

When Lu Cheng saw Captain Lei's almost pleading gaze, he hesitated, but only for an instant before making a bold decision.

"Pan Factory Director, have the driver prepare; depart on time in twenty minutes."

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Lei Zhan Ge showed a relieved smile, but several leaders immediately leapt forward.

"Lu Cheng, where are you taking Captain Lei?"

Lu Cheng knew persuading these leaders was impossible, so he offered no explanation, replying with a smile.

"To the Northeast, to let Captain Lei see that vast black land."

"Are you crazy? This is sheer nonsense. The Northeast is so far; with Captain Lei's current condition, aren't you afraid he'll die… If anything happens on the way, can you bear that responsibility?"

Lu Cheng glanced, and after Captain Lei's eye signal, he slowly approached the leaders.

"Director Tang, leaders, you should understand Captain Lei; even if we send him back to the hospital now, he will only die on the sickbed.

I think, rather than that, we should fulfill his wish; we cannot let him leave this world with regret."

Hearing Lu Cheng say that, the leaders were momentarily at a loss for words.

Although they could not voice it, their turned bodies indicated they still disagreed with Lu Cheng's decision.

Seeing the leaders fall silent, Lu Cheng had no choice but to walk toward the reporters.

"Aren't you here to interview? We have twenty minutes now; you can ask me any question."

The reporters exchanged glances; constrained by the tense atmosphere, they were unsure whether to ask the questions they had prepared in advance.

Lu Cheng didn't mind and answered himself: "You just asked me, what prompted me to develop the Internal Combustion Engine, right?"

The young reporter nodded: "You said it was about love and responsibility, didn't you?"

"Love and responsibility are only one side; the reason the Internal Combustion Engine was developed so quickly is that I made a promise to someone, and that person is our Captain Lei."

"Captain Lei spent the first half of his life fighting to build the New China, and the second half he devoted to the Railway Industry, diligent, responsible, and selflessly dedicated.

Previously we didn't know he was seriously ill, until he collapsed at his desk, still thinking about work; to call him great, I am less than one percent of him."

"There are many people as great as Captain Lei, such as the comrades at the Research Institute, Chief Engineer Tan, the comrades at the Vehicle Factory; for railway construction, for our ability to surpass other nations, each person is working at the risk of their lives."

"The Internal Combustion Engine Train is also a great reform, marking the rise of our nation's railways, but this is only the beginning; the road ahead is long and arduous."

"No matter how difficult, we must keep going; this is the mission of railway workers, and I speak this today hoping everyone can see our resolve, even if we die, we must die on the railway..."

The surroundings fell silent, only Lu Cheng's calm, low voice echoing on the Platform.

"Click," the photographer captured Lu Cheng's profile as he faced the crowd for the interview, freezing it on film.

The reporter jotted down on his notebook: "Even if we must die, we must die on the railway"—that is the railway worker's resolve.

This sentence is so powerful it could serve as a front‑page headline in the Newspaper.

After Lu Cheng finished speaking, he no longer looked at the leaders, turned, and boarded the train.

Tang Qiusheng looked at the other leaders, who offered no further resistance, and therefore had those doctors board the train as well, to ensure Captain Lei's health is well cared for.

Twenty minutes later, as the train slowly started, low sobs rose from the crowd; many female comrades wept.

They knew that once Captain Lei left, he might never return.

Captain Lei is their spiritual totem, and now this totem will drift with the train toward the motherland's mountains and rivers.

In the locomotive cab, Lei Zhan Ge was supported by Niu Da Kui, his withered hand repeatedly stroking the instruments.

Pan Jihai, standing nearby, explained: "Captain Lei, the commonly used Steam Locomotive has a top speed of about 80 km/h, but its actual operating speed is usually only 40 to 60 km/h.

The thermal efficiency is very low, only around eight percent, especially with heavy manual tasks like adding coal and cleaning the furnace; frequent stops for water and coal greatly affect long‑distance average speed."

"Now our Internal Combustion Engine Train has a top speed of 100 to 120 km/h, with an actual operating speed of 70 to 90 km/h.

The thermal efficiency can reach about thirty percent, it runs continuously strong, and its start‑stop and hill‑climbing performance both surpass the Steam Locomotive."

Lei Zhan Ge nodded as he listened: "Good, good, our nation's railways are finally speeding up."

Pan Jihai continued: "Indeed, Captain Lei, this will greatly improve the public's travel efficiency, but it is still not enough.

We Chief Engineer Tan said we will keep improving, producing faster, more stable trains."

"Good, good, you are all exemplary, exemplary..."

Listening to Lei Zhan Ge's weak voice, Pan Jihai said concernedly: "Captain Lei, why don't you rest a moment?"

Lei Zhan Ge shook his head with difficulty: "I don't have much time left; let me experience the accelerated train once more, and see the motherland's splendid rivers and mountains again."

The cab fell quiet, only the instrument panel's beeping remained, no longer the sound of shoveling coal, no splashing furnace ash; the entire cabin was clean.

The train driver was also relaxed; a gentle press of a button could make the train accelerate or decelerate.

When Lei Zhan Ge looked out the window, mountains, forests, dirt roads, low houses all receded rapidly.

Just like his life, it was vanishing swiftly.

Just as he felt he could barely hold on, a lit cigarette was suddenly handed to him.

Lu Cheng smiled: "Captain Lei, have a puff."