Jinling.

After Secretary Pei's father, Pei Rongguang, contacted Commander Chen, he also came out of the study.

Seeing his father put on a coat, Secretary Pei put down his chopsticks and walked over, "Dad, are you going out?"

"Prepare the car for me, I'm going to Lingjiang!"

Pei Rongguang retired from the position of Political Commissar of the Jiangnan Military Region, with the rank of Admiral at the time of retirement.

Although retired, based on his rank, Pei Rongguang still has comprehensive services such as guards, secretaries, clerks, drivers, and cooks.

Regarding travel, depending on Pei Rongguang's level, destination, and the confidentiality, a security team of 20 to 50 people is provided to ensure safety.

Moreover, the living benefits and treatment are very generous.

The state allocated him a spacious residence in the military district compound and provided a special car.

If the Admiral needs medical care, the medical expenses will be fully covered by the state. This generous treatment is not only a recognition of their past contributions but also a guarantee for the possible war risks they may face in the future.

But Pei Rongguang rejected such extravagant and ostentatious practices, retaining only guards and a secretary, choosing to live with his son, and discarding all the rest.

When he found out that his father was going out, Secretary Pei, the top leader of Jiangnan Province, immediately guessed that this trip might be related to his father's recent emotional fluctuations.

"Dad, I'll contact the military district for you..."

"No need to arrange."

Pei Rongguang said, "Let Xiao Chang drive me, don't bother others."

"Dad..."

"Hurry up!" Pei Rongguang showed slight impatience.

Pei Yuqing was very surprised, what happened to his father?

The old man retired as an Admiral, accompanying the country from poverty to prosperity, having participated in many foreign wars.

The current officialdom's intrigues are like child's play in front of this elder.

He has witnessed real storms and faced life and death.

But at this moment, the elder was very agitated.

"I understand."

Pei Yuqing immediately called Xiao Chang.

"If there's anything, call me immediately!"

Xiao Chang is his driver, only having served government leaders, not military leaders.

Hearing Secretary Pei's serious tone, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.

He nodded vigorously, "Rest assured, Secretary Pei, I will definitely serve the old chief well!"

"Drive." In the passenger seat, Pei Rongguang was a bit impatient.

Pei Yuqing smiled wryly, "Drive."

As the car drove away, Pei Yuqing felt uneasy.

He immediately called Pei Rongguang's guards and driver, instructing them to head to Lingjiang immediately.

Then, he called the Lingjiang Military District Guard Command.

...

7:30 PM.

A vehicle with a Wu City license plate entered Lingjiang.

Guard Xiao He said, "Chief, we have arrived at Lingjiang."

"Don't call me chief outside."

"Then what should I call you?"

"Call me leader."

"Yes, leader."

"Find a place to park."

"Yes, leader."

The car parked on the nearby roadside.

Chen Songbai made a phone call, and about twenty minutes later, a car with a Jinling license plate arrived.

Chen Songbai got out of his car, and Pei Rongguang also stepped out.

The two elders met and embraced firmly.

Chen Songbai said, "Old leader, let's go."

As Pei Rongguang was about to get in the car, the anxious driver Xiao Chang said, "Chief, where are you going?"

"To see my comrade," Pei Rongguang patted his shoulder, "Alright, find a place to rest yourself."

After speaking, he got into the car with Chen Songbai.

Xiao Chang was worried; Secretary Pei had repeatedly instructed him to follow Chen Songbai.

Afraid to act on his own, he could only follow the car and simultaneously call Secretary Pei to report the situation.

"Secretary Pei, the old chief got into a private car with a Wu City license plate, there's an old man and a driver inside, I don't know who they are, the old chief won't say..."

Secretary Pei heard Xiao Chang's anxiety, understanding his father's temperament, sighed, and said, "Stay close, my father's guards and driver are almost at Lingjiang, they will contact you shortly."

"Yes, Secretary!"

8 PM.

The car arrived at Fengmen Building.

It stopped outside the railway staff residential area.

The sky drizzled with light rain, the winter after the New Year brought a chill, colder than during the New Year.

The two elders got out of the car, guard Xiao He watched the dark, muddy path with eagle-like eyes, surveying around.

"This is it."

Pei Rongguang gazed at the closed-door small shop in front, suddenly feeling a bit nervous.

He calmed himself, stepped forward, and gently knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

Soon, footsteps sounded from inside.

Then, there was the sound of the door opening.

The two seasoned elders, at this moment, were as nervous as children, feeling a bit uneasy.

Squeak.

The door opened.

Zhong Aimin had just soaked his feet, ready to go to bed.

At that moment, he was wrapped in a military green cotton coat, standing inside the small shop, looking at the two elders through the door.

Zhong Aimin's eyes were somewhat dazed; time seemed to freeze at this moment.

"Soldier Chen Songbai of the third squadron, 752nd Unit, reporting to the old commander!"

Chen Songbai suddenly stood upright, speaking with full spirit, eyes already welling with old tears.

Zhong Aimin stepped over the threshold, walked up and gripped his hand tightly, then embraced Chen Songbai firmly.

Then, he embraced Pei Rongguang with equal strength.

"Come in."

Zhong Aimin lit a candle, brought over a small stove from the backyard, the three elders gathered around it, and soon warmth filled the space.

Xiao He stood aside, leaving a crack in the small shop's door for ventilation to prevent poisoning.

Driver Xiao Chang stood outside, calling Pei Yuqing to report in real-time, he also contacted Pei Rongguang's guards and driver, sending them the address.

By the small stove, Pei Rongguang wiped his tears, asked, "Old Zhong, why did you leave quietly back then?"

"If it weren't for you back then, that mission wouldn't have succeeded, and we wouldn't have returned alive!"

"You achieved such a feat, why did you leave?"

Chen Songbai also couldn't understand, "Old leader, why?"

Zhong Aimin smoked, seemingly reflecting, with sounds of cannons and guns echoing in his ears.

After a long time, he exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "Do you remember the Aksechin incident back then?"

"Remember!"

"Describe it."

Chen Songbai said, "In the mid-70s, the General Staff organized an overseas operation with a top-secret level, still classified today. The 752nd Unit formed a special team of six groups for a mission abroad, led by you, with Deputy Commander Pei as the deputy commander... Under your leadership, the mission was very successful."

"But when you returned, at the time of awarding, you left a farewell letter and disappeared without a trace..."

Chen Songbai got emotional again, "Old leader, why did you leave then?"

He couldn't understand.

After finally winning the battle, they were about to enjoy a good life, but the old leader suddenly vanished, unseen for decades.

Zhong Aimin calmly said, "I made a military pledge to the chief, to bring everyone there and return everyone, not one less."

"The mission was completed, but my soldiers died too."

"That wasn't my credit, it was the glory exchanged with the lives of the brothers."

"I had no face to accept the merit, nor could I bear to accept it calmly."

Listening to his words, the other two were moved, their lips trembled.

When Zhong Aimin looked up, they noticed that the over seventy-year-old leader was already in tears.

"Old leader..."

"Alright, alright, let's not mention it."

Zhong Aimin wiped his tears, "It's late, you all haven't eaten yet, I'll get something to eat."

...

Meanwhile.

In the restaurant.

Brother Tyrant finished his glass of wine, stood up, and said, "Mr. Li, Mr. Ji, take your time drinking, I'm heading to Fengmen Building to deal with that old troublemaker, to entertain you two."

Ji Lin was satisfied with Brother Tyrant's straightforward approach, "Don't kill him, just teach him a simple lesson, find an excuse to get him locked up in the police station. Director Yan, any issues?"

Director Yan, slightly drunk, patted his chest, promising, "I'm in charge of this place! Even if someone dies, I can handle it!"

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