Er Zhuang was happily driving the ox cart, full of zest, when he heard Xiang Xi's words and awkwardly scratched his buzzed hair, chuckling, "Lack? How could we not be lacking? It hasn't rained for so long, and it's been dry like this. However, our political commissar, Ming Xuan ge, led the soldiers to dig reservoirs and store water years ago. Now we have several large reservoirs with water. The basic drinking water needs of our soldiers are guaranteed."
Chen Lan thought to herself, this makes sense. She remembered reading about the water shortage in Suifenhe in her past life. Suifenhe, being located in a mountainous region and at a high altitude, has historically been a place with severe water scarcity. There's even an old saying that describes it: "There is no river in Suifenhe, and the little river doesn't reach the ankle."
So she began to explain, "Little Watermelon, the real Suifenhe is just a place name. What we're talking about now is the border river between China and Russia. This border river is a tributary that flows into Dongning Town. After flowing into Dongning Town, it continues into Russian territory and finally merges with the East Sea in Vladivostok. Strictly speaking, it's just a border river between China and Russia, not an inland river within Suifenhe."
Er Zhuang repeatedly said, "Right, right, that's correct. Suifenhe is both a place name and a border river. Many people get it wrong and think it's a large river."
Xiang Xi impatiently interjected, "Enough! You two are getting more and more muddled. Sometimes it's a river, sometimes it's not. Who cares if it's a river or not? I say, Er Zhuang, this ox cart is making my butt ache. When will we get there?"
The ox cart rumbled along the bumpy road, moving slowly. In truth, it was much slower than walking.
Chen Lan also asked, "Yes! Er Zhuang, how much further is it to your camp?"
Er Zhuang smiled and replied, "Sister-in-law, Brother Xiang Xi, it's not far now, we're almost there! We're taking the shortcut through the mountains. We've already covered more than half of it. I estimate we'll reach the camp by dusk. Oh, right! Sister-in-law, how is Ming Wei? Are my parents and sister doing well? How are the elders at home?"
Chen Lan and Xiang Xi were both leaning against their large backpacks, chatting with Er Zhuang. Their posteriors were starting to hurt from the jolting. Seeing Er Zhuang's question, Chen Lan shifted into a more comfortable position and replied, "Everyone is well! Everyone is doing fine! Ming Wei is even better!"
At this moment, Xiang Xi impatiently interrupted, "Hey, Little Basket, if you have something to say, just say it! You know Er Zhuang wants to know about Ming Wei the most, so why are you beating around the bush? Let me tell you. Er Zhuang, do you know what? You're a dad! Ming Wei gave birth to a big, healthy baby boy for you. He's already two years old this year. Surprised? Unexpected, right!"
Er Zhuang suddenly turned his head, his mouth spread wide in a happy grin, and he shouted, "Sister-in-law, Brother Xiang Xi, is it true? I have a son? I'm a father? Hahaha!"
Chen Lan nodded and said, "Yes! That's right. I have some things Ming Wei asked me to bring you, and a letter. I also have photos of her and the baby. I'll show them to you later. It's getting dark, let's hurry!"
The ox cart continued along the winding mountain road. As dusk approached, Er Zhuang suddenly spoke, pointing to a patch of woods ahead, "Sister-in-law, Brother Xiang Xi, we'll reach our camp's outpost after we pass this forest. There are also two large water reservoirs we dug not far ahead."
Chen Lan turned her head to look ahead, then immediately turned back and quickly put the two large backpacks into her system's warehouse. She then signaled to Xiang Xi to get off the cart. Without a word, Xiang Xi quickly jumped off the ox cart with Chen Lan. As she jumped, Chen Lan immediately opened her system with her mind and began taking things out of the system's warehouse. In an instant, the ox cart was piled high with all sorts of cured and dried meats.
When Er Zhuang sensed something was wrong and called out, "Whoa, whoa," stopping the ox cart, he turned back to look at Chen Lan and Xiang Xi, his mouth agape in surprise, but he made no sound. He saw the well-trained soldiers and quickly calmed down. After a while, he finally managed to ask, "Sister-in-law, Brother Xiang Xi, what is this?" He didn't know how to phrase the question.
Chen Lan didn't make it difficult for him and explained with a smile, "Er Zhuang, don't be afraid. This is a meeting gift from my father-in-law, your father-in-law, for the soldiers in your camp. There's also a lot of grain! The ox cart can't hold it all. You take the meat on the cart back first. Go back and tell your Ming Xuan ge to arrange for someone to come to the woods ahead to pick up the grain. Also, make sure to tell him to have the recipient write a receipt with their name signed. If you have an official seal, it would be even better to stamp it!"
Although Er Zhuang didn't fully understand everything, he remembered every word Chen Lan said. He agreed, "Sister-in-law, Brother Xiang Xi, you two walk slowly behind. I'll drive the cart and go ahead now."
After saying that, he gently prodded the ox and shouted, "Giddy up, giddy up." The ox cart quickly sped forward.
Chen Lan and Xiang Xi followed behind slowly. Xiang Xi grumbled, "Little Basket, do you know that you almost scared Er Zhuang to death just now? If he weren't a well-trained soldier, he would have fainted from fright."
Although she had done it, Chen Lan didn't want to be blamed for doing a good deed.
So, she began to con him, "Little Watermelon, please choose your words carefully. This has nothing to do with me at all. It was my father-in-law who did this suddenly! What could I do?"
Xiang Xi was about to retort again, but upon hearing Chen Lan's words, he immediately shut his mouth.
The two stopped bickering and quickly reached the edge of the woods. Chen Lan mentally opened her system warehouse and took out all the supplies prepared for Xu Mingxuan and Er Zhuang, arranging them neatly. Then, she took out two large backpacks from the system's warehouse and handed one to Xiang Xi.
At this point, both of them were cold and hungry! Chen Lan tightened her worn cotton jacket and asked, "Little Watermelon, are you hungry? How about we eat something first?"
Xiang Xi immediately refused, "I don't want to eat steamed buns anymore! Little Basket, can't you get me something else?" Su Dan Novel Network
Chen Lan smiled and retorted, "Little Watermelon, you're just being fussy. You're truly a young master who doesn't understand the hardships of life. Think about those refugees. If they had steamed buns to eat every day, they wouldn't have to flee from famine."
Although Chen Lan said that, she still ordered a large bag of braised food that Xiang Xi liked from the system. She also bought herself some duck necks and braised lotus root.
So, the two of them ate their braised food while waiting for Xu Mingxuan to send people to collect the goods.