Chen Lan, upon hearing how difficult things were for the team, had an idea and decided to help Xu Mingxuan a bit.
She then looked up and asked, "Brother Mingxuan, including you and Commander Zheng, how many people are there in total in your border defense camp?"
When Xu Mingxuan heard Chen Lan's question, he immediately looked at her with a vigilant and serious expression. "Lan'er, why are you asking this?"
Seeing Xu Mingxuan's reaction, Chen Lan knew he misunderstood her, thinking she was trying to pry into military secrets.
So, she quickly explained, "Brother Mingxuan, please don't misunderstand. It's not me asking. It's my father-in-law who asked me to ask. Father-in-law said he wants to give every soldier in our border defense camp a set of winter clothing from head to toe: cotton-padded coats, cotton shoes, cotton hats, cotton pants, as well as cotton gloves and scarves."
Hearing Chen Lan's explanation, Xu Mingxuan realized the situation and a heavy weight was lifted from his heart. His tense mood immediately relaxed, and his stern face turned sunny.
With a smile, he eagerly asked, "Really! Lan'er, is it true? Did Father really say that? That's great! Father is truly a timely rain!"
Chen Lan saw how happy Xu Mingxuan was and knew she had made the right decision.
Xu Mingxuan continued, "Lan'er, to be honest, I've been worrying about the soldiers' winter protection for the camp lately.
The country is being rebuilt from scratch, and money is needed everywhere for construction. Our camp doesn't want to add any extra burden to the organization. We also need to be self-reliant and find our own solutions.
Moreover, the winters in Changbai Mountain are not like other places; temperatures are below zero for half the year. In the extremely cold deep winter, the soldiers still have to patrol the snowy border. How can they do without thick cotton clothes, cotton shoes, and cotton hats?
This is perfect! Father has solved a big problem for our soldiers and our camp. Lan'er, please pass a message to Father for me, saying that I, on behalf of all the soldiers, thank him."
Chen Lan was stunned by Xu Mingxuan's words.
The couple quickly picked chestnuts while chatting. Chen Lan said, "Brother Mingxuan, Changbai Mountain is rich in resources, and there are many edible things in the mountains. You can organize the soldiers to go up the mountain in autumn to pick mushrooms, chestnuts, and walnuts. In spring, they can also dig for wild vegetables. They can also hunt to supplement their meals."
Xu Mingxuan looked up and smiled, "Lan'er, do I need you to tell me this? Our soldiers have always done this. Our unit's tradition is self-reliance and hard struggle."
The two quickly gathered five large snake-skin bags. Chen Lan said, "Brother Mingxuan, that's enough. Let's stop picking. Chestnuts don't keep well. If we pick too many and don't eat them in time, it'll be a waste."
Xu Mingxuan looked at the five large snake-skin bags of chestnuts and then up at the still green chestnut balls on the trees, saying regretfully, "What a pity, there are still so many chestnuts on the trees!"
Chen Lan also felt it was a pity to waste the mountain's resources like this every year. But they couldn't build a chestnut processing plant in this valley right now! That would truly be "asking for death."
Feeling depressed, she put the five large snake-skin bags of chestnuts into the system's warehouse and calmly turned to leave, with Xu Mingxuan watching in stunned silence. Xu Mingxuan trotted behind her.
Chen Lan checked the time; it was still early. Since they had come all the way to the mountains, it wouldn't be worth it to rush back just for lunch.
So, she turned to Xu Mingxuan, who was following closely behind, and said, "Brother Mingxuan, let's not go back for lunch today. Can we just have a simple meal in the mountains?"
Xu Mingxuan smiled and said, "Why not? Lan'er, you're staying in the mountains and not going back for meals. Do you have other ideas?"
Chen Lan gave Xu Mingxuan a thumbs-up and said, "Brother Mingxuan, you're amazing, you guessed it without me even saying anything!"
Xu Mingxuan immediately asked curiously, "Lan'er, what are you planning to do?"
Chen Lan stopped being mysterious and said, "Brother Mingxuan, I'll take you to the place where we hunted the wild boar last time. Let's see if we can hunt a few more wild boars to help everyone in the valley get through the winter."
Upon hearing that they were going to hunt wild boars, Xu Mingxuan became excited and looked eager to try. He also said happily, "Perfect! I'll hunt a wild boar for the soldiers in the camp too, to improve their meals."
Seeing Xu Mingxuan's excitement, Chen Lan decided to pour some cold water on him and tease him. She said, "Brother Mingxuan, you're going to hunt wild boars? What will you use to hunt them? Your fists?"
Xu Mingxuan didn't fall for it and slowly replied, "Lan'er, I'll hunt the way you hunt."
Chen Lan saw that Xu Mingxuan wasn't taking the bait and lost interest in continuing the conversation. So, she bought bread and milk from the system, and the couple ate while leading Xu Mingxuan towards the valley where the wild boars were.
Having been there a few times before, and with the system's assistance, the couple quickly found the valley. Although they approached from another side of the valley this time, they were closer to the wild boar herd. As soon as the couple emerged from the woods, they saw a group of wild boars in the valley leisurely rooting around with their long snouts.
Chen Lan immediately pulled Xu Mingxuan to a halt and they ducked behind a nearby tree. Xu Mingxuan watched her movements and smiled, but didn't make a sound.
Chen Lan immediately frowned at him, rolling her eyes, and grumbled softly, "No more smiling, Brother Mingxuan. I know you've been on the battlefield and killed enemies, and I admit your combat experience is far greater than mine. But this is hunting, and you've never hunted before. How can you know I'm not as good as you?"
After speaking, Chen Lan ignored him and took out two crossbows from the system's warehouse, handing one of the earliest purchased crossbows to Xu Mingxuan, while she used the newly bought one. Since both crossbows had similar external designs, anyone who hadn't used them wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Then she continued, "Brother Mingxuan, let's compete today to see who hunts more wild boars. We'll count by number, not by size.
However, there's one rule: adult wild boars and those carrying young are not to be hunted, otherwise, it will be considered a foul. Fouls will be punished."
Xu Mingxuan casually asked, "What's the punishment? Is there only punishment and no reward?"
Chen Lan said very seriously, "Of course, there are rewards. Brother Mingxuan, listen carefully. The punishment is that whoever fouls will have to give all their hunted prey to the other person.
The reward is that if you don't foul, I'll reward you with the four largest wild boars, which will be perfect for your camp's winter supplies. What do you say, are you in?"