Siheyuan: Starting from a Truck Driver

Niu Yong looked at Li Xiaodong carefully. His performance had surpassed that of ordinary drivers. With the help of the sprinkler, he might be able to complete the task smoothly.

"Let's go, this matter involves confidentiality, let's go to the office to discuss it in detail."

After arriving at the office, Niu Yong took out a file bag from the drawer and handed it to Li Xiaodong.

"The task is simple: deliver a batch of steel components to the state-owned 9621 factory."

Hey, this is to deliver supplies to comrades in the third-line areas.

Li Xiaodong checked the archives and learned about the situation of the state-owned Factory 9621.

This is the only recoilless gun production plant in the country. It is located near Zhangjia City. The Fifth Machine-Building Department is responsible for production planning, and the steel rolling mill supplies parts.

The area is located in a mountainous area and there is no railway, so the transportation task naturally falls on the shoulders of the fleet.

It is about 200 kilometers from Beijing to Zhangjia City. Even if the truck is fully loaded and cannot speed up, it can still reach the destination in less than seven hours at a snail's pace of 20 kilometers per hour.

As a veteran captain, does Niu Yong really need to use intimidation to manage?

Niu Yong noticed that Li Xiaodong looked confused, handed him a cigarette, lit it, and slowly explained: "The task was issued 9621 minutes ago. The state-owned factory urgently needs this batch of steel components. The superiors asked us to deliver it before midnight."

"Time is indeed tight, but as long as we set off immediately, we may still catch up." Li Xiaodong exhaled a puff of smoke and spoke firmly.

Niu Yong went on to say: “The key is that on the way from the capital to Zhangjiakou, you must pass through Tan Gou.”

Tan Gou? This name seems familiar!

Li Xiaodong stood up, walked to the map and started looking.

When his fingers touched the curved line on the map, his eyes instantly focused.

Isn’t Tangou the location of the Tangou Tunnel which is known to the world as the Valley of Death?

Since the founding of New China, more than two to three hundred accidents have occurred around Tan Gou, causing hundreds of deaths.

The cause of the accident was simple and clear, it was all due to the failure of the car's braking system.

The Tangou section is six kilometers long, with continuous bends and steep slopes, with a slope difference of up to three hundred meters.

After continuous braking of large trucks, the brake system often fails due to overheating, leading to tragedies.

It was difficult for trucks in the previous life to avoid accidents, let alone the patchwork vehicles in the fleet.

"Originally, this type of task would usually be assigned to Lao Bai, or a few more vehicles would be found to share the task. But today all the vehicles have been dispatched, and it is too late to wait for them to return." Niu Yong's eyes were full of anticipation.

"Captain, don't worry, I will take charge of this mission!" Li Xiaodong put out his cigarette and nodded firmly.

As an experienced driver with tens of thousands of driving experiences, this is a piece of cake for him.

...

Seeing Li Xiaodong accept the task, Niu Yong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

If a task of this political nature fails, the consequences will be serious.

At the very least, he as the team leader might be dismissed, and at worst, the entire team would be implicated.

"Okay, when you come back, I will personally..." He patted Li Xiaodong on the shoulder, ready to encourage him.

But he was interrupted by Li Xiaodong: "No, Captain, don't cause me trouble, I'm afraid."

"Cause trouble? What trouble? Is that what the red flag means?" Niu Meng looked confused.

"Nothing, time is running out, I'll set off now!" Li Xiaodong looked at his watch, "It's 3:30 now, I'll try to cross Tangou before dark."

Niu Yong also urged: "Get in the car now and go to the first workshop to pick up the steel parts.

I called the workshop right away. The dispatch form, introduction letter, and special pass were all in the document bag.

There is also a national highway map in it.”

Li Xiaodong took the file bag, checked it carefully, then rushed out of the office and headed straight for the parking lot.

The dark green truck looks majestic and magnificent against the white concrete ground.

Uncle Zhang put two barrels of gasoline into the truck. Han Zhizhi took the barrels and tied them securely to the front of the truck with thick hemp ropes.

The ZIL 150 is a big fuel consumer, consuming up to 35 liters of fuel for every kilometers fully loaded.

The fuel tank capacity is too small to meet round-trip needs.

There are few gas stations along the way, so you need to carry extra fuel when you go out.

Other maintenance workers were also surrounding the truck, doing final inspections.

When they saw Li Xiaodong and Niu Meng coming, they all turned around and looked at him with gratitude.

The team is a whole and the mission is not the responsibility of one person but the mission of the entire team.

Old Zhang patted Li Xiaodong on the shoulder and said earnestly: "My child, if you are unable to do it, don't force yourself. We will bear the difficulties together."

Li Xiaodong grinned and said, "Old comrade, you are testing me!"

Old Zhang pursed his lips and said no more.

He knew very well that even without the sprinkler equipment, Li Xiaodong had to complete the trip today.

If Li Xiaodong retreats, the responsibility will follow that of Niu Yong, Niu Meng, and even the maintenance workers themselves.

In any case, the steel had to be delivered to the arsenal before midnight.

"Thank you for your hard work!"

Even in the face of severe challenges, Li Xiaodong still walked around the truck to check the amount of oil, water and the condition of the tires.

Once the truck leaves the convoy gate, it is isolated and helpless.

After confirming that everything was normal, Li Xiaodong opened the car door and jumped into the driver's seat.

"Apprentice, start the truck and go!"

Niu Meng frowned, inserted the black iron rod into the small hole on the front of the truck, and shook it hard.

With a "boom", a faint blue smoke rose from the rear of the truck.

Release the clutch, press the accelerator, and release the brake in one smooth motion.

The truck started slowly like a beast.

Niu Yong, Uncle Zhang and the maintenance workers stood in the cold wind, watching the truck disappear behind the gate, still reluctant to leave.

Han Zhizhi curled her lips and said, "That little guy looks like he'll live a hundred years. Is there any need to worry about him?"

Everyone was silent.

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After several days of familiarization, the roads within the factory were already well known, and the truck arrived outside the workshop in less than five minutes.

Li Xiaodong honked the horn without waiting for the car to stop completely.

The shrill sound of the horn instantly penetrated the interior of the workshop.

Director Liu had learned about the situation over the phone and rushed out.

Seeing that it was Li Xiaodong who was driving, he was surprised and asked, "Xiaodong, today's work is unusual. Why did you come here in person?"

"Hey, because we are not ordinary people!" Li Xiaodong opened the car door, took out a cigarette and threw it to him, "Hurry up and load the goods. If there is a delay, we can't bear the responsibility."

"I understand!" Director Liu put the cigarette in his pocket without even lighting it, then turned and ran towards the workshop.

The workers are busy working.

Director Liu picked up the iron speaker and shouted loudly: "Attention all workshop personnel, please put down your work immediately and load the steel from Warehouse No. 2 onto the truck. Time is running out, so everyone needs to move quickly."

The workers were well aware of the importance of this batch of goods, and they all put down their work and went to the warehouse next to the workshop.

Even Guo Daqizi, who was usually lazy, rolled up his sleeves and joined the moving team with great enthusiasm.

Director Liu nodded with satisfaction. This group of people really knew what to prioritize.

Hey, what's going on with that lesbian?

Why did she go to Warehouse No. 1?

Oh, isn’t that Qin Huairu!

When Qin Huairu heard that she had to move heavy objects, she quietly slipped to the back, planning to find an excuse to be lazy.

Under normal circumstances, Director Liu would not have argued with the female worker, but this batch of goods was really urgent.

If the production of the arsenal was delayed, he, as the workshop director, might also be implicated.

Director Liu immediately became furious, grabbed the iron speaker and shouted:

"Qin Huairu, where are you going? You want to be lazy again!"

Qin Huairu was called out in public, her face turned red with shame and she stood there in a daze.

This made Yi Zhonghai so angry that his mouth twitched. How could his most proud student be so confused!

Director Liu is the workshop director after all. If his apprentice is lazy at this time, wouldn't it be embarrassing for him?

However, he was his disciple after all, and he couldn't bear it.

In order to rescue his apprentice, Yi Zhonghai, who didn't need to contribute any effort, stood up and joined the moving team.

He shouted to Qin Huairu, "Come here and help me move this box to the car."

As an eighth-level fitter, assisting in the transportation brought honor to Liu Mingyi.

He just glared at Qin Huairu and didn't continue to blame her.

Yi Zhonghai picked up the box and thought to himself that something was wrong.

The box filled with spare parts weighed more than 300 kilograms. He felt unbearable pain in his waist, but he could only grit his teeth and persevere.

Qin Huairu rarely does heavy work, and at this moment she was finding it extremely strenuous, with unbearable pain in her arms.

The two men staggered and carried the box out of the workshop.

The truck bed was one meter above the ground and they tried twice but failed.

Yi Zhonghai was experienced and said to Qin Huairu, "Disciple, the two of us will slowly carry the box to the car."

Yi Zhonghai issued an order and used all his strength to swing the box upwards.

However, Qin Huairu's thoughts were wandering.

She saw Li Xiaodong standing on the car window, smoking leisurely, with an extremely proud attitude.

I didn't coordinate well and the box almost fell to the ground.

This time, Yi Zhonghai was under tremendous pressure.

After the box tilted, the weight of more than 300 kilograms fell on him.

"Ouch, ouch, my waist seems to be broken." Yi Zhonghai suddenly let go, covered his waist, and screamed in pain.

The box fell to the ground, but fortunately it was a sturdy military box and did not break.

Li Xiaodong jumped down from the truck and held him up: "Uncle, what's wrong with you?"

"Waist...waist..." Yi Zhonghai bent forward, beads of sweat oozing from his forehead, and spoke unclearly, "Hurry...help me, I want to go to the hospital."

Li Xiaodong rubbed his ears and confirmed: "What did you say? You don't need my help? You want to finish moving the boxes?"

As an old man, your spirit of sticking to your post despite being slightly injured is indeed worthy of learning for all of us!"

"...No, I want to go to the hospital..."

Yi Zhonghai groaned in pain, wondering why this young man was as stubborn as a hard-of-hearing old lady.

However, when he saw the admiring looks from the workers around him and even Director Liu gave him a thumbs up, a sense of pride surged in his heart.

What an honor!

He took a few deep breaths, straightened his body, twisted his waist a few times, and found that the pain seemed to be relieved a little.