Chapter 611: The Train at Life's End

The train roared along, passing through the mountains, the fiery sun hung in the west, its rays poured into the Carriage.

Lei Zhan Ge took a deep drag of his cigarette, exhaled slowly, and couldn't help sighing.

"Haven't smoked for months, still have to feel comfortable with you kid."

Lu Cheng also laughed, "Don't say I'm stingy, I can only have one."

Captain Lei took another deep puff, feeling a lot of strength return to his body.

"One is enough."

And today was also the most satisfying day for Captain Lei.

"This train is really fast, it's my first time riding such a fast train…"

Lu Cheng smoked in silence; Captain Lei could never have imagined that in the future there would be high‑speed rail faster than any train, reaching three to four hundred kilometers per hour.

"Captain Lei, do you have any other wishes?"

Captain Lei fell silent this time, and after a long while said, "If one day the Railway could be built to the Qinghai‑Tibet Plateau, that would be wonderful."

The wish is huge, and the difficulties in this era are unimaginable.

"That day will come; you must believe that we Railway people can overcome any difficulty."

"I believe we Railway people are the toughest, and I also believe you…"

Captain Lei kept staring at the sun outside the window until it slowly set and the sky grew dark.

"Lu Cheng, I'm tired."

Lu Cheng stepped forward to support him, "Captain Lei, get some good rest; when we reach Ha City, I'll call you."

After handing Captain Lei over to the doctor, several of them helped him lie on the bed, and Niu Da Kui stood guard beside him.

At this moment, Pan Jihai gave Lu Cheng a look.

To save time, this production used a small Internal Combustion Engine Train, pulling only two Carriages, with a third carriage for food, aiming to minimize stops and reach Ha City as quickly as possible.

The middle Carriage was for everyone to rest; to avoid disturbing Captain Lei, the two went to the front driver's cabin.

"What's the matter, Factory Director Pan?"

Pan Jihai glanced at the rear Carriage, turned and said, "Lu Jingzhang, I'm a bit worried about Captain Lei; he might not make it to Ha City."

Lu Cheng could of course feel it too, "Give it your all, go wherever you can; Captain Lei has worked too hard all his life. In the final stretch of his life, let this be his Special Train."

Pan Jihai nodded, telling the train driver to maintain high speed.

It was Lu Cheng's first time riding this Internal Combustion Engine Train, and earlier, in front of Captain Lei, he hadn't dared to ask about any drawbacks.

There are certainly drawbacks, Pan Jihai said, "The biggest now is the high fuel consumption; when we return, I'll report it to Tan Zonggong. Otherwise, this oil tiger will greatly increase transport costs."

It's just the beginning; problems are normal and need gradual improvement, and the department has ample time. Lu Cheng's biggest worry now is still Captain Lei's health.

Fortunately, Captain Lei had already fallen asleep.

The train continued forward in the night, and when it met other Steam Locomotives, the blaring whistles sounded as if paying tribute to this Internal Combustion Engine Train.

When the two trains diverged in opposite directions, it signified the intersection of the old and new eras, materializing from that moment.

Another night fell; at the current speed, Ha City was still three hours away.

A doctor's shout suddenly rang through the Carriage, jolting everyone awake, who rushed to Captain Lei's side.

"Captain Lei, Captain Lei…"

"Doctor, what's wrong with Captain Lei?"

The doctor couldn't even answer, performing a series of examinations on Captain Lei's body; unfortunately, this wasn't a hospital, so equipment was scarce, but being in a hospital now seemed irrelevant.

"Captain Lei… seems to be failing."

Hearing the doctor's words, everyone's hearts sank to the bottom of a valley.

Pan Jihai anxiously said, "Doctor, try to save him again; we're almost at Ha City."

The doctor stood up, sighed, and shook his head.

At that moment, Captain Lei struggled to open his eyes, the first thing he looked for was Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng hurriedly crouched beside him, "Captain Lei, I'm here."

"Lu Cheng… remember what I said… you must remember…"

At that moment, Captain Lei seemed to murmur unconsciously, and Lu Cheng didn't know which words he was trying to convey.

After all, Captain Lei had previously instructed him many things: work diligently, develop the Railway Industry, scatter his ashes on the Iron Rail, and build the Railway to the Qinghai‑Tibet Plateau…

But Lu Cheng, to reassure him, simply nodded in response.

"I remember, Captain Lei, don't worry; I've kept your words in my heart. Do you have anything else to pass on?"

Everyone could see that Captain Lei was at his end; in his final moments, he reflected on his life.

From the clashing steel on the battlefield to the present Internal Combustion Engine Train…

His life had been sufficiently spectacular, leaving no regrets.

Captain Lei shook his head slightly, finally fixing his gaze on Niu Da Kui beside him, and with an outstretched arm said,

"Da Kui, from now on you must listen to Lu Jingzhang's words…"

Niu Da Kui, eyes reddened, said nothing, and when that outstretched arm fell weakly, he let out a wailing sob.

"Lei Yeye, Lei Yeye, don't abandon Da Kui…"

Niu Da Kui's heart‑wrenching cries made everyone present feel deep sorrow.

Three hours later, dawn broke.

When the train finally slowed, Pan Jihai called out, "Lu Jingzhang, look."

Lu Cheng was exhausted at that moment, not physically but mentally.

During those three hours, he also reflected on his past, from joining the Traffic Police Unit, to his first mission, and then meeting the old man Captain Lei.

It was this old man who constantly protected him, giving him many opportunities to prove himself, leading to his current deputy‑division‑level position.

Now his beloved Captain Lei has left, and from now on no one will protect him either.

When, following Pan Jihai's shout, he looked out the Carriage window, Lu Cheng's vigor only returned a little.

He saw the outside of the Carriage window crowded with Railway workers and some onlookers who had come by reputation.

The news that Lei Zhan Ge was coming to the Northeast had already been spread.

No one organized them; they were completely spontaneous, some holding colored flags, some pulling banners, to welcome this Captain Lei who gave his life to the Railway Industry.

They were so enthusiastic, their expressions so innocent, loudly shouting words welcoming Captain Lei.

Lu Cheng didn't know how to face this scene, and then Pan Jihai opened the Carriage door.

When they saw the Captain Lei they had been waiting for was already a cold, lifeless corpse, everyone's expressions froze there, and the slogans they shouted stopped on their lips.

Lu Cheng forced himself to stand; although Captain Lei had left, his spirit remained.

"Thank you all for coming to see Captain Lei, and I also ask you to give this old revolutionary his final journey…"