Chapter 259: What Number Is This?

Li Li Xuewu first shook hands with Zheng Zheng Fuhua, whom he was meeting for the first time, then shook hands with Chief Duan Youting, before introducing the team from the recycling station.

"This is Li Li Wenbiao, the representative of the Scrap Products Company."

He really dared to say that!

Following Li Li Xuewu's introduction, the heads of the various units shook hands with one another.

Some of these people might have met on certain occasions, while others had never met before.

For instance, Li Li Congyun, the Vice Principal of Huaqing, had never met Li Li Wenbiao, the representative of the Scrap Products Company.

Neither the heads of these units nor the participants in the event felt that a strange unit had slipped into their ranks.

Although the name "Scrap Products Company" didn't sound impressive, it was undeniably a bureau-level unit; if they had a representative, it surely had to be the person in charge of that entire sector.

This statement was not incorrect, as Li Li Wenbiao was indeed legitimately the:

Person in Charge of the Special Tripartite Acquisition Agreement for Scrap Recycling and Secondary Sales at the Jiaodaokou Nanluogu Lane (Supply and Marketing Cooperative) of the Jingcheng Scrap Products Company.

Abbreviated as: Person in Charge of the Jingcheng Scrap Products Company.

Speaking this way, he could be considered a regional warlord of the Scrap Products Company.

Regardless of whether the Scrap Products Company acknowledged it, as long as Li Li Wenbiao acknowledged it, it counted.

The few men exchanged greetings and got to know one another, all thinking that having more friends meant having more paths; knowing one more person might prove useful in the future.

After everyone had chatted for a while, Yin Yin Mancang walked in, shook hands with each leader, exchanged greetings, and then invited everyone to walk toward the construction site's foundation.

The frozen ground here had already been dug up, and a trench for the foundation had been excavated around the rectangular dormitory area, with a pile of foundation stones prepared along the edge of the trench.

These materials were all sourced locally; the mountain had every kind of material, and since labor cost nothing nowadays, the progress was truly not slow.

Yin Yin Mancang waved to the villagers watching from the sidelines and said, "Quiet down a bit, let's listen to the speech from the training base leaders, applause!"

It was just that concise and to the point, because if he spoke too much, Yin Yin Mancang feared exposing his ignorance in front of so many urban cadres, so ending with applause was sufficient.

Li Li Huai De, Li Li Congyun, and Zheng Zheng Fuhua were all high-ranking leaders from the units participating in this event; after mutually deferring to one another, they ultimately pushed Li Li Huai De forward to give the speech.

Thus, Li Li Huai De stood very happily in the middle of the grounds and said to the watching villagers and the secretary who was taking photographs, "Comrades, fellow villagers, the position where we now stand will become the cornerstone for enhancing the protective strength of our co-constructed units, will become the stage for the professionalization of militia training in our co-constructed units, and will inevitably become an opportunity for Red Star Village to step out of the great mountains."

"Good~"

Yin Yin Mancang acted like the one leading the applause; wherever applause was due, he let out a earth-shaking cheer, as the villagers didn't care what you were saying.

Yesterday, the village secretary had promised that whichever family contributed more labor would get priority, from top to bottom, when the training ground or the Rolling Steel Factory recruited people in the future.

Now seeing the leaders of the Rolling Steel Factory arrive, how could they not try to curry favor?

Good heavens, the scene was quite magnificent!

It was truly: gongs and drums filling the sky, firecrackers ringing in unison, red flags waving, and people forming a sea and a mountain.

Li Li Huai De was also infected by the villagers' enthusiasm; waving his hand, he said, "Today we are here to help, not to watch the excitement; everyone lend a hand, let's make this foundation solid so it can serve us for a hundred years."

"Good!"

Seeing that Li Li Huai De had spoken, everyone rushed into action together; some carried stones, while groups of three used crowbars to pry and exert force to push them into the foundation pit.

The secretary brought by Li Li Huai De held a camera, continuously snapping photos of the leaders from various units and the villagers as they worked.

Especially one shot capturing Li Li Huai De, Li Li Congyun, and Zheng Zheng Fuhua carrying a large stone together and throwing it into the foundation pit was accurately caught by the secretary.

In less than an hour, the foundation for a two-story small building sufficient to garrison two hundred people was completed.

On a gate pier that had already been repaired, Yin Yin Mancang hung a large wooden plaque covered with red cloth, invited Li Li Huai De, Li Li Congyun, and the third person to stand together, pulled the rope to unveil the red cloth, and simultaneously lit a string of 500 firecrackers.

This lively scene was also captured by the photographing secretary.

Finally came the group photos, starting with a photo of the heads of each unit.

Li Li Huai De, Li Li Congyun, and Zheng Zheng Fuhua stood in the front, while Yin Yin Mancang, Lao Lao Biaozi, and Ji Wang Weidong stood in the back for a photo.

Next, Li Li Xuewu, Wu Wu Youqing, Fu Bin, Shen Fang, and Chief Duan Youting joined in for another photo.

Finally came the grand group photo; all the workers on site, some standing on mounds of earth, others surrounding the leaders of the various units in the center, either standing or sitting, were all framed within the viewfinder under the secretary's direction.

"Click."

With the sound of the shutter, this commemorative photo of the foundation-laying ceremony for the six-unit co-constructed base was fixed onto the film.

When leaving, Li Li Congyun took Wu Wu Youqing to speak with Li Li Xuewu first.

He expressed gratitude for Li Li Xuewu retrieving the school's weapons and also showed a strong willingness for future cooperation.

As for the requests of his "biological uncle," Li Li Xuewu naturally supported them, for this uncle was truly a blood-relative paid for in gold and silver.

"Li Ke, can our equipment be delivered tomorrow?"

Seeing Department Head Wu Wu Youqing, the "wealthy household," asking, Li Li Xuewu smiled and said, "It's already crated; just have our school's logistics department come to receive it tomorrow. It will absolutely guarantee quality and quantity; I've been personally supervising it."

Just look at Li Li Xuewu's wording, "our school"; the Northeastern dialect influenced by the old lady sounded warm and comfortable.

The implication, both explicit and implicit, was that we are all insiders, and I would absolutely not deceive you.

"That's right; I have considerable trust in Li Ke's character, nothing more to say; we in the security system should exchange and communicate more."

Wu Wu Youqing had figured out Li Li Xuewu's pulse; as long as you stroked his fur in the right direction, he would certainly not kick up his heels.

Li Li Xuewu looked at the smiling Li Li Congyun and said, "Old Uncle, this isn't called forming cliques or factions, nor is it based on our familial relationship; it's just that Section Head Wu and I hit it off."

"Oh?"

Wu Wu Youqing exclaimed in surprise; only now did he realize the relationship between Li Li Xuewu and Li Li Congyun. No wonder Li Li Xuewu had previously said he had connections with the school's leadership.

"Aiya, Li Ke, you... you have this layer of relationship with our leader, why didn't you say so earlier? How could we have ended up like this?"

"Hehehe, you don't know; your leader, my uncle, is an upright and impartial man with an iron face and no favoritism; even I, his biological nephew, am not within his scope of special care. Would I dare to bring it up?"

As he spoke, he watched Li Li Congyun's attitude shift from wanting to explain earlier to becoming reserved.

Li Li Xuewu continued, "If we don't mention it, we can still cooperate; but if we did mention it, my uncle would absolutely not allow us to have any entanglement of interests."

"Cough, cough!"

Li Li Congyun hadn't expected this opportunistic nephew to be so damn capable of blarney, turning white into black.

Since when had he become his biological uncle?

How did I become so impartial and unyielding?

Cough, cough, well of course, what he said was right; I am indeed that kind of person.

"Li Xuewu, don't speak carelessly in front of Director Wu; relatives are relatives, work is work, right? They must be kept separate."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Li Li Xuewu nodded to admit his mistake, then looked at Wu Wu Youqing and said, "Well, Director Wu, you heard it too; my uncle has given his instructions, so we must be careful in our future interactions, and you mustn't put my uncle in a difficult position."

Was Wu Wu Youqing watching these uncle and nephew put on a show for him?

Had he failed to fully comprehend the leader's intentions?

"Principal Li, this is where you are wrong; the cooperation between our school and the Rolling Steel Factory's Security Section flows naturally with the current and has not a single cent to do with your familial relationship with Li Ke; you cannot obstruct our section's cooperation with the Rolling Steel Factory's Security Section."

While speaking, Wu Wu Youqing took Li Li Xuewu's hand and said, "Li Ke, I see your training methods are quite systematic; if we were to commission you to train an emergency response team with similar skills for us, what conditions would you require?"

"This..."

Li Li Xuewu looked at Li Li Congyun and asked, "Old Uncle, does this violate work discipline?"

Li Li Congyun, looking at the two men where one was willing to strike and the other willing to be struck, what could he say?

"We still need to pay attention to procedure, right? It must be reasonable and compliant, correct?"

"Rest assured, this is just normal work."

Wu Wu Youqing said a sentence to Li Li Congyun, then turned to ask Li Li Xuewu, "What is your opinion?"

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "I have no problem on my end; the training can be commissioned to us, and the school only needs to cover the costs for food, accommodation, and training; I will draw up a price list for us later—rest assured, it will absolutely be a fair price."

"Alright, I'll go back and screen the team members immediately; we'll start by training twenty people, and next Monday they will report to your place along with the finance staff."

"No problem; pleasant cooperation, Director Wu."

"Pleasant cooperation, Li Ke."

Watching the two shake hands, Li Li Congyun felt somewhat amused yet helpless; he jumped into the jeep and said to Li Li Xuewu, "If only you had your brother's honesty."

Li Li Xuewu opened the car door for Wu Wu Youqing, saw him into the vehicle, and closed the door before turning to Li Li Congyun and saying, "My brother can afford to be honest at the school because he has you, his own uncle, looking out for him; if a foolish lad like me, who knows nothing of the ways of the world, were honest at the Rolling Steel Factory, I'd be eaten alive and skinned by others."

"Only you know how to chatter; I have matters I cannot leave before the New Year, so let's do it after; on the sixth day of the first lunar month, I'll come to your home to visit my old aunt."

Li Li Congyun could do nothing about this relative; who asked him to fall for that trick in the first place?

At first, he had reluctantly accepted it with a pinched nose, but later, after learning about Li Li Xuewen's family situation, he finally viewed this kinship properly.

After saying this, Li Li Congyun rolled up the car window and drove away.

Having seen off the Tsinghua School group, Li Li Xuewu had just turned around when he saw Zheng Zheng Fuhua emerge with Shen Fang and Chief Duan Youting.

"Director Zheng, won't you sit a while longer? Have lunch here; I'll go up the mountain and shoot a couple of rabbits for you."

"Heh heh heh."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu speak such polite words, Zheng Zheng Fuhua laughed heartily.

One does not strike a smiling person; this chief of the Rolling Steel Factory's Security Section was truly no ordinary character.

"There is still work at the Bureau; today I came first to inspect the training base that Director Shen has been recommending, and second, to come see you."

Zheng Zheng Fuhua said this with a smile, speaking of work that could not be more serious.

"Hahaha."

Li Li Xuewu also smiled and said, "I am extremely honored."

"Haha, do you have that much confidence?"

Li Li Xuewu knew that Zheng Zheng Fuhua was asking about his confidence in the training grounds, but on another level, he was asking about Li Li Xuewu's confidence in himself.

"May I ask Director Zheng, what are your impressions of the training grounds, and of me?"

Zheng Zheng Fuhua glanced at the bustling construction site and said with emotion, "The future holds great promise; you have made an excellent move."

"Heh heh heh heh."

Li Li Xuewu did not engage in excessive humility; now that the stage was set, everyone knew Li Li Xuewu was definitely about to unleash a combination of moves.

Excessive humility is pride, so Li Li Xuewu accepted Zheng Zheng Fuhua's praise with composure.

Zheng Zheng Fuhua pointed at Li Li Xuewu, then looked at Shen Fang and the other and said, "Now you understand what it means that there are skies beyond the skies and people beyond the people; it's not just our station that produces talented individuals in discipline; the security system also has capable people."

Shen Fang spoke humbly, saying, "I have always admired Li Ke's talents; otherwise, how could I have supported Li Ke serving part-time as our station's deputy director back then?"

Chief Duan Youting looked at Li Li Xuewu, then said to Zheng Zheng Fuhua, "Director Zheng, I'm actually envious of Shen Fang's good fortune; why don't we let Li Ke serve part-time as a deputy director at our station as well? Hahaha!"

This remark, half joking and half serious, subtly flattered Zheng Zheng Fuhua, who had advocated for Li Li Xuewu's part-time appointment, flattered Shen Fang, who had reaped the benefits, and finally added another layer of flattery for Li Li Xuewu.

Who says rough men cannot navigate twists and turns? When one is in the Jianghu, even a Zhang Fei can learn to embroider.

"You certainly dream big."

Zheng Zheng Fuhua chided Chief Duan Youting with a remark, then turned to Li Li Xuewu and said, "I know you have opinions regarding the work of our Bureau and stations, and you are preparing to personally lead an operation."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu about to explain, Zheng Zheng Fuhua waved his hand and said, "If there is a mistake, one must admit it; if it is our error, we must bear the responsibility."

While speaking, Zheng Zheng Fuhua said to Shen Fang and Chief Duan Youting, "Protecting the property and lives of residents is inherently our duty and obligation; now that flaws have appeared in our work, we must humbly accept the opinions and suggestions of other comrades."

Li Li Xuewu said with embarrassment, "Leader, speaking like this makes me feel ashamed to show my face."

After giving instructions to the two, Zheng Zheng Fuhua turned around, took Li Li Xuewu's hand, and said, "Do not belittle yourself; I know whether you have the ability or not."

"Our two stations will fully cooperate with your operation; if you need personnel, we will provide personnel; if you need guns, we will provide guns; we will ensure this operation is effectively implemented to severely crack down on unstable factors within the jurisdiction."

"Yes!"

Li Li Xuewu, Shen Fang, and Chief Duan Youting all saluted in response.

This was no ordinary order, nor was it ordinary trust; the three of them had to treat and execute it correctly.

Speaking of which, Li Li Xuewu carried two credentials on his person, one of which fell under Zheng Zheng Fuhua's management; now that the big shot at the Bureau had given instructions, Li Li Xuewu had to salute and answer affirmatively.

Zheng Zheng Fuhua also saluted the three of them and said, "It is our duty."

Li Li Xuewu replied, "It is my bounden duty."

"Good, hahaha!"

Zheng Zheng Fuhua glanced at Shen Fang and the other person, who had no reply ready, then smiled with satisfaction, patted Li Li Xuewu's shoulder, and climbed into the jeep.

Shen Fang looked at Li Li Xuewu with envy; damn, so you're the only one with culture, huh?

"The station is waiting for you to attend a meeting tonight, Scholar Li."

After mocking him with a laugh, Shen Fang also jumped onto the jeep, waved goodbye to Li Li Xuewu, and departed.

After seeing off Shen Fang, Zheng Zheng Fuhua, and the others, Ji Wang Weidong did not wait for Li Li Xuewu to escort him, having already emerged sitting in a jeep.

Pulling up beside Li Li Xuewu, he rolled down the truck window and said, "There's business at the team; I'm heading off first. Call if there's an issue; otherwise, keep contact to a minimum."

Li Li Xuewu replied in kind, "Then don't come this Sunday; we won't include your share."

"Don't even think about it; I haven't settled the account with you over the clothes yet."

Having thrown out that remark, Ji Wang Weidong's vehicle had already sped away.

When Li Li Xuewu turned back, only people from the Rolling Steel Factory remained on site; Lao Lao Biaozi and the others were not here, having gone to the village for inspection, and would soon head up the mountain for further surveying.

Their purpose in coming was not directed at the base, but rather at the chickens and rabbits belonging to the local villagers.

This might sound somewhat like Uncle Desert, but it is an entirely different matter; Lao Lao Biaozi and his group pay money for the villagers' rabbits and chickens.

It is the kind where money is truly given, not just empty talk.

When Li Li Xuewu returned to the work shed, Fu Bin withdrew his complex gaze, replaced it with an expression of appreciation, and said, "Li Ke is indeed capable, making friends everywhere without losing ground."

Damn, are you laying a landmine for me?

Making friends everywhere with whom? Green Forest heroes?

Do you believe I won't call back that wave of Green Forest heroes who just left and take you back for interrogation?

"Hehehe, I am someone who simply enjoys making friends; of course, it must be done with sincerity, absolutely adhering to your requirements, never making fair-weather friends."

"In accordance with your requirements, I would absolutely never engage in treating guests at the unit to gather fair-weather friends; the unhealthy trend of excessive eating and drinking that you severely criticized is something I have always kept myself alert against."

Upon hearing Li Li Xuewu say this, Li Li Huai De's gaze was drawn over; did the implication of these words refer to him?

Who does not know that Vice Factory Director Li Li Huai De most enjoys entertaining friends at the Rolling Steel Factory's Xiaoshitang? What did Fu Bin's requirement imply?

"No... Vice Factory Director Li..."

Fu Bin was about to explain, but seeing the gazes of the entire office staff, he knew the landmine Li Li Xuewu had planted for him had detonated.

Li Li Xuewu looked at Fu Bin with a probing gaze, then explained to Vice Factory Director Li, "Our Director absolutely had no intention of referring to you."

This remark caused Fu Bin to look at Li Li Xuewu with a complex expression.

This damn fool thinks he isn't dead yet, so he damn well added another stab.

"Alright, hehehe, Li Ke, should we not be heading back?" Li Li Huai De said, feigning an appearance of magnanimity.

Yin Yin Mancang grasped Li Li Huai De's hand and said, "Vice Factory Director Li, please stay for lunch here today."

"Hehehe, no need; um, there are matters at the factory requiring attention; you are busy as well, so we will not add to your troubles."

Li Li Huai De had originally intended to tour this training ground today, but now he had lost all mood for it.

Li Li Xuewu waved toward where the jeeps were parked, and the drivers for Li Li Huai De and Fu Bin drove their jeeps over.

First, he opened the rear door for Li Li Huai De, escorting Li Li Huai De and his secretary into the vehicle, then subsequently escorted Fu Bin and the people from the office into their car.

Only then did he shake hands with Yin Yin Mancang, saying, "Secretary Yin, please continue with your work; we are departing now."

Just as he was about to board the vehicle, he whispered an instruction to Yin Yin Mancang, "Uncle, you must ensure safety."

"Understood, understood," Yin Yin Mancang solemnly assured Li Li Xuewu.

Once aboard the vehicle, Li Li Xuewu saw Yu Yu Haitang sitting in the inner seat; he frowned slightly, ignored the Miss who was looking at him, picked up the intercom, and spoke to the lead sidecar motorcycle: "Target: Rolling Steel Factory, depart."

From the intercom came the sounds of 'whoosh whoosh whoosh, zzzz zzzz' from the front sidecar motorcycle: "Received, target: Rolling Steel Factory, departing."

As the front sidecar motorcycle started moving, Fu Bin's car, Li Li Huai De's car, and Li Li Xuewu's car started in succession, with only the recycling station's vehicle missing.

This was not because Li Li Xuewu had left them behind; rather, they still had work to attend to, and would return to the recycling station on their own once finished.

Yu Yu Haitang watched Li Li Xuewu issuing orders; his stern face, fierce scar, and decisive tone radiated an aura of masculinity throughout his entire being.

Compared to her current boyfriend, it was truly a difference between heaven and earth.

Compared to the hearsay in the anonymous letter, Yu Yu Haitang preferred to believe what she saw with her own eyes.

On the way there, Li Li Xuewu had completely ignored her; at the event site, Li Li Xuewu had further run up and down, chatting and laughing freely with leaders from various units.

This caused Yu Yu Haitang, standing aside to interview and record, to unable help but take notice.

What kind of man was this? Above, he could converse fluently with bureau-level and sub-bureau-level leaders; below, he could share leaf tobacco with the folks at the construction site, sharing hardships and labor alike.

Toward leaders, he was neither humble nor arrogant, reasonable and well-grounded; toward subordinates, he was warm and caring, leading by example.

Especially when Li Li Xuewu was working, he was intensely focused, his eyes emitting a captivating light.

In fact, what fascinated Yu Yu Haitang most was Li Li Xuewu's complexity; previously, rumors called him the Tiger of the Security Section, the nemesis of criminals, while now rumors labeled him a "heinous" two-faced person.

Having seen Li Li Xuewu's articles in the newspaper, his writing was brilliant and his viewpoints unique, even required study during organizational learning sessions, yet in reality, he was an iron-blooded tough guy.

The more complex a person is, the more they attract the attention of young Misses inexperienced in the world; these Misses all possess a thirst for exploration and knowledge.

They simply want to see what this person is like; they simply want to approach this man and examine the mystery surrounding him.

But in the process of exploration, it is also easiest to lose oneself.

One glance at Li Xuewu and a lifetime is ruined, after all.

Li Li Xuewu had no idea he had already bewitched the young Miss beside him; right now, he was staring out the window.

Because just moments ago, the front sidecar motorcycle reported hearing an explosion sound under the bridge ahead.

Li Li Xuewu did not believe that anyone would dare idly blow up a bridge for fun at this time, so he ordered the convoy to slow down and approach cautiously.

Anyone familiar with the road between Mount Miyun and Si-Jiu City knows that there is a rather large river here, called the Chao Bai River.

This river is not only wide but also long; as far as Li Li Xuewu knew, it flows from the Mount Miyun Reservoir all the way to Jinmen, passing through Jingcheng, L-Fang, and Jinmen.

Since Li Li Xuewu and his group had to cross the bridge over the river to return, Li Li Xuewu instructed the driver to overtake Li Li Huai De's and Fu Bin's cars from the side and rush toward the bridge first.

The sidecar motorcycle and Li Li Xuewu's jeep arrived at the road beside the bridge simultaneously.

Seeing the sidecar motorcycle ahead had stopped, Li Li Xuewu also ordered the driver to halt, unbuttoned his military greatcoat, pushed open the door, and leaped out.

The sun was blazing bright now; its glare reflecting off the ice nearly blinded Li Li Xuewu, making it impossible to see clearly what was happening below.

Before Li Li Xuewu could squint and adjust his eyes to the light over there, he heard the guard on the sidecar say, "Li Kezhang, it looks like they were dynamiting fish; someone has fallen into the water."

"Hm? This is a flowing river; how can anyone dynamite fish here?"

Li Li Xuewu squinted toward the river, trying to ascertain what exactly was going on.

Only then did he realize they weren't dynamiting fish in the middle of the river, but in a river branch.

Those who often play near the water know that when the Dahe River bends or is guided by certain strange terrains, the current continuously strikes the bank, forming a channel extending inward from the shore.

The water flow in such channels is peculiar, filled with whirlpools and undercurrents; because the water is churned, accumulated food constantly surges, attracting fish and shrimp to linger there.

One could say some river branches are natural fish ponds; what Li Li Xuewu saw now should be precisely such a structure.

The Chaobai River had already frozen over, with ice more than a meter thick, yet the water beneath the ice remained flowing, so fish and shrimp were always present.

Simply chop a hole in the ice within a river branch, toss in a few large blasting caps, and then just wait by the shore for the fish to fly onto land themselves.

The idea was damn good, but the current results looked mediocre; those dynamiting fish weren't adults from the nearby villages or towns, but a bunch of half-grown kids.

Seven or eight stood on the bank, while three floundered in the water.

Those in the water cried out continuously for help, while the seven or eight on shore jumped up and down in anxiety.

But no matter how anxious they were, none dared jump in to rescue them, for anyone could see the current swirling the three around; whoever went down would die.

It was winter after all; everyone wore padded jackets, which in the water became dozens of jin of armor.

That they hadn't sunk yet was solely because these three children had grown up by the river.

"Damn it, Old Wei, hurry to the trunk to find a rope, bring men down to support me!"

Having figured out the situation, Li Li Xuewu shouted at the guard beside him and ran downward, stripping off his clothes as he ran.

Old Wei hadn't expected Li Li Xuewu to jump in and save people immediately; flustered, he turned and shouted at two guards, "Hurry to the three leaders' jeeps to find a rope!"

At this time, ropes were essential equipment for vehicle travel, much like jacks in later generations.

Because automotive craftsmanship was flawed back then, cars frequently broke down and had to be towed back with ropes, so finding a rope wasn't difficult now.

Just then, Li Li Huai De and Fu Bin's vehicles arrived; after being forced to stop by the guards, before they could understand what was happening, they saw a guard retrieve a rope from the trunk, sling it over his back, and run down the slope.

As soon as Li Li Huai De exited his vehicle, he saw someone running ahead down the slope, stripping off clothes while running, followed by his factory's guards carrying ropes.

"What's going on here? Is the one stripping his clothes Li Li Xuewu?"

Yu Yu Haitang, who had exited the car earlier and heard everything clearly, now ran up to Li Li Huai De and Fu Bin to report, "Just now, Li Ke led the guards on reconnaissance and discovered children had fallen into a river branch while dynamiting fish; Li Ke has gone down to rescue them."

"This... this is winter! How can anyone withstand these temperatures? Let's hurry down!"

Seeing that rescue preparations had already begun down the slope, Li Li Huai De also led his men downward.

Meanwhile, Li Li Xuewu had already taken the lead, reaching the riverbank, and asked the panicked few on the shore, "Are these the only three children?"

The tallest boy, speaking with a tearful voice, said, "Just those three; we told them not to skate here while we went dynamiting fish, but they wouldn't listen."

At that moment, a half-grown boy nearby pointed into the river branch and said, "Look, the water monkey is dragging down a substitute victim!"

Li Li Xuewu saw that one child could no longer hold on and was sinking; his heart sank accordingly.

If the child were clinging to the ice surface, it might still be manageable; but if he sank, regardless of the river branch's depth, the undercurrents alone could drag a person into the main river.

Then there would be absolutely no hope; he would be sealed directly beneath the ice, and his corpse wouldn't be recovered until next year when the ice melted.

Strangely enough, corpses of those who died violently in winter-frozen rivers do not drift downstream with the water; they remain sealed in place.

Once spring arrives and the ice thaws, one is certain to retrieve the river drifter at that exact location.

But for those not yet dead, it is different; they will inevitably drift downstream with the river current until they breathe their last.

"Old Wei, hurry up!"

Li Li Xuewu shouted at the guard behind him, then turned to the several children and said, "Find pieces of wood, throw them into the water, toss them toward those two so they can grab on and float!"

Hearing Li Li Xuewu's shout, those seven or eight children finally found a backbone; they ran up the sandy slope to search for deadwood.

Old Wei rushed to Li Li Xuewu, grabbed one end of a rope, and said panting heavily, "Li Kezhang, please reconsider; this is the depths of winter! If you go down, you'll... shouldn't we wait for the villagers to arrive?"

Li Li Xuewu glared furiously at Old Wei, snatched the rope, and began tying it around his waist, cursing as he tied, "Get the hell out of here with that nonsense! Can't you see one has already sunk? Cut the crap, hold the rope steady; I'm not waiting for you—when the other two arrive, tie that end to them!"

Having finished speaking, Li Li Xuewu saw a brat dragging a log as thick as an arm running toward him; he immediately ran over and grabbed it.

Taking three steps as two, he charged into the icy water; ignoring the shiver that racked his body, he forcefully pushed the now-floating tree trunk toward the two floundering children.

"Grab hold and float; wait for me!"

Having said this, he swam with a standard breaststroke toward the position where the child had just sunk.

On shore, Old Wei continuously fed out the rope in his hands, ordering the guards who had run over to connect this end to newly fetched ropes and continue paying it out into the river.

Li Li Xuewu was truly cold now, chilled to his core; by winter-swimming customs, one should first rinse the body with cold water, wait until acclimated, and then enter the water.

But how could Li Li Xuewu wait now? He charged straight in, and even that felt too slow.

By the time he swam to approximately the right position, he could no longer see the child from before.

Li Li Xuewu also felt the river's undercurrents; he tried to sense the direction, but the river water had no discernible direction at all, battering his entire body.

Never mind that; gritting his teeth, Li Li Xuewu suddenly dove into the river.

Damn it; the moment he entered, Li Li Xuewu cursed his mother.

The water below was not clear at all; it was full of sand, far too turbid to see anything.

This was because the bank consisted of sandy soil; the river water continuously scoured and churned, stirring up muddy water that kept surging—which is precisely why it could attract fish and shrimp.

Li Li Xuewu searched in the muddy water for over three minutes, even touching the bottom, yet still could not find that child.

But now he had to surface, for the oxygen in his lungs was insufficient; he had to reserve enough air for the return journey.

"Hoo~"

Li Li Xuewu broke the surface, wiped the water from his face, exhaled a cloud of white breath, ignored the shouts from Li Li Huai De and others on shore, took a few deep gasps, and dove back into the water.

This time Li Li Xuewu was prepared; knowing this river branch was over three meters deep, he felt his way inward along the branch.

Enduring the searing pain as silt and sand battered his eyes, Li Li Xuewu squinted, searching the riverbed; he had already spotted several large fish, yet still could not find that child's figure.

Damn it, could it truly be a water monkey grabbing a substitute?

Laozi simply does not believe in such evil today; I have already sent off over a hundred living people, so why should I fear a single dead ghost?

Even if the King of Hell, Laozi, came today, I would still snatch this person back.

Li Li Xuewu surfaced again to catch his breath; this time, he clearly felt his body slowly adapting to the water's temperature, yet he also knew this was a warning that his body temperature had peaked.

The fact that he no longer felt cold meant his body was continuously reducing organ function while generating massive amounts of thermal energy.

This peak was limited; once exceeded, it would cause irreversible damage.

After catching his breath several more times, Li Li Xuewu plunged back into the water once again.

Having searched both directions and left only the path leading deeper into the river, Li Li Xuewu swam inward along the current.

This terrified those on the bank holding the rope, who could not tell whether Li Li Xuewu had been swept in or had voluntarily swum inward.

Old Wei looked at Li Li Huai De and Fu Bin and asked, "My lords, should we pull? I fear Li Ke might get swept in."

Li Li Huai De was now tense as well, but as the highest authority present, he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Start the timer; after three minutes, pull the rope no matter what."

"Yes."

The several people wearing watches began counting the time.

Fu Bin watched Li Li Xuewu disappear beneath the surface, an indescribable expression crossing his face.

At this moment, Li Li Xuewu was about to swim into the main river channel, clearly feeling the surge of the current.

The silt and sand here were even thicker than inside, yet the water was much clearer.

He could already see the dim current ahead and the patches of light reflecting down from the ice sheet above.

Found him!

Li Li Xuewu had spotted a dark shadow slowly drifting toward the river channel.

Fortunately, the child's cotton jacket had absorbed water and become as heavy as iron; had the child been naked, he or she would have long been washed away into the river.

Li Li Xuewu swam desperately toward that child, grabbed the floating hair with one hand, and tugged the rope tied around his waist.

Feeling the tug on the rope in their hands, Old Wei and the others knew Li Li Xuewu was sending a distress signal.

"Li Ke is signaling; pull the rope quickly!"

Including the two young men from the guard squad, three guards, and a crowd of office staff, everyone lent a hand to pull the rope.

Underwater, Li Li Xuewu clearly felt the tension on the rope and shifted his grip to embrace the child.

"Coming up, coming up!"

It was Yu Yu Haitang who saw Li Li Xuewu emerge from the water holding the child; she pointed in Li Li Xuewu's direction and shouted excitedly.

Once above the surface, Li Li Xuewu realized the child in his arms was a little girl; her face was purple-blue, and she had stopped breathing.

Upon reaching the shore, Li Li Xuewu pried open the little girl's mouth to check; seeing no foreign objects inside, he turned to Yu Yu Haitang, who had gathered around, and asked, "Do you dare to perform artificial respiration?"

Since the child looked critical but was a girl, it was best to have Yu Yu Haitang assist him.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu standing naked without a shred of clothing, Yu Yu Haitang ignored her own cold and felt an impulse to save the life. "I dare; just tell me what to do."

Li Li Xuewu pointed at the girl's mouth and said, "In a moment, when I tell you to blow air into the child's mouth, you blow; do you hear me?"

Yu Yu Haitang paused for a second, then was roused by Li Li Xuewu's call and replied, "Understood."

Having spoken, she knelt beside the girl and waited.

Li Li Xuewu tore open the girl's cotton jacket and trousers, wrapped her in the military greatcoat Fu Bin handed over, located the position of her chest with his hand, and began compressions.

None of the crowd understood what Li Li Xuewu was doing, but seeing his professional demeanor, they could only watch.

From afar, the shouts and cries of villagers had already arrived; evidently, some children had gone home to fetch the adults.

Li Li Xuewu paid no heed to those noises; after thirty compressions, he said to Yu Yu Haitang, "Lift her chin and blow two breaths."

Although Yu Yu Haitang had never learned this, she followed Li Li Xuewu's instructions; during the first blow, the child's chest did not rise, so Li Li Xuewu ordered another blow, and this time the child's chest rose.

Li Li Xuewu resumed compressions; after another thirty, he again instructed Yu Yu Haitang to blow air.

At this moment, the child's mother must have run over; seeing her daughter lying on the ground with a purple-blue face, she ignored what Yu Yu Haitang, who was performing rescue, was doing and wailed as she lunged forward.

Seeing the first aid about to be interrupted, Li Li Xuewu stood up, slapped the lunging woman hard across the face, then kicked her, directly stunning her and knocking her flat.

Now the woman neither cried nor lunged forward; she simply stared blankly at Li Li Xuewu.

Li Li Xuewu roared, "Get aside and wail there!"

Then, watching Yu Yu Haitang finish blowing air, he resumed chest compressions.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu lose his temper, the arriving villagers did not know who this person was or what he was doing to the child who already appeared "dead."

Meanwhile, the parents of the two children in the river had stripped off their clothes and, using pieces of wood the children on the bank had just found, swam into the river fork to attempt a rescue.

Here, Li Li Xuewu continued compressing without cease while Yu Yu Haitang kept blowing air; even after those two children were rescued, this girl had still not regained a heartbeat.

Even the child's mother, who had now recovered her senses standing to one side, gave up and knelt there, sobbing continuously.

The child's father also stood to one side, wiping tears from his eyes with a bitter expression.

Naked and wearing a fierce expression, Li Li Xuewu never stopped the emergency treatment.

Just as Yu Yu Haitang finished blowing air and was about to ask Li Li Xuewu whether to give up, Li Li Xuewu felt the child's heartbeat.

"Quick, quick, continue; the child has a heartbeat!"

A joyful smile spread across Li Li Xuewu's face as he resumed compressions; now the child's reaction was more pronounced, the purple-blue hue on her face gradually fading, leaving only the pallor of severe freezing.

"Ah! Wu-wu-wu~ Ah~~~"

Suddenly seeing the child open her eyes, the child's mother could not help but wail aloud once more.

"She's alive, she's alive!"

"Truly miraculous!"

Li Li Xuewu held up one finger and asked the child, whom Yu Yu Haitang had helped sit up, "How many is this?"

Hearing Li Li Xuewu's question, everyone held their breath, eager to hear the child's answer.

At this moment, everyone knew Li Li Xuewu's purpose was simply to see if the child's mind had been damaged.

The little girl had just opened her eyes and looked around; seeing a naked person in front of her asking a question, she said timidly, "Fin... fingers."

"Hahaha, she's alive! This child isn't simple-minded!"

"Hahaha!"

Yu Yu Haitang also laughed until tears came; saving a life with her own hands made Yu Yu Haitang feel deeply moved.

"Thank you, big brother; my daughter hasn't started school yet, so she doesn't know how to count."