Episode 13 recap: Wu Qiang was sent to the Korean battlefield, while Ye Lan went to the vanguard company to bid farewell to Luo Xiang Qian.
Luo Xiang Qian was busy with the soldiers on the construction site when Wu Qiang excitedly ran over with a newspaper in hand. It turned out that Chairman Mao, the leader of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, had decided to send troops to North Korea to resist the United States and assist Korea. Upon hearing this news, Luo Xiang Qian and the soldiers were thrilled. They hadn't been in a battle for several months and were eager to fight.
While commanding everyone not to delay the road construction work, Luo Xiang Qian himself couldn't wait and hurriedly ran to the regimental headquarters to receive his mission from Captain Ma. However, Captain Ma reprimanded him and told him not to be in a hurry because they hadn't received the latest orders from higher-ups. Until the orders were issued, Luo Xiang Qian had to stay there and focus on the road construction.
Disappointed, Luo Xiang Qian returned and faced the hopeful eyes of everyone. He believed that they were the vanguard company and once the orders came, they would definitely be sent to the frontlines. He decided to have the soldiers write letters of application to join the battle. Wu Qiang thought it was a good idea and also emphasized that they shouldn't neglect the road construction.
Luo Xiang Qian also encouraged everyone, saying that when they entered the battlefield, they would be brave soldiers fighting the enemy. Until they were sent to the actual battlefield, this place was their vanguard company's battlefield, and they couldn't let the team down. They must hold the line until the very end. Dr. Yu also brought his letter of application, and Luo Xiang Qian believed that fighting was a man's duty. Dr. Yu told him that he was among the first group of medical personnel from the New Fourth Army and that the Korean battlefield would definitely need them.
Finally understanding, Luo Xiang Qian quickly accepted Dr. Yu's letter of application. When he saw that Dr. Yu's letter was five pages long, Luo Xiang Qian was deeply moved. Zhang Biao had written his letter of application but hesitated to submit it. Luo Xiang Qian took it from him, telling him that even Dr. Yu had written one, and the whole company was excited. Zhang Biao shouldn't procrastinate.
Luo Xiang Qian collected all the letters of application from the entire company and prepared to submit them to the regiment. To prepare for the war, Luo Xiang Qian ordered the soldiers of the vanguard company to work on road construction during the day and train at night. They were determined to improve their combat skills and be ready to fight the enemy at any time. Director Zhao held a meeting and informed everyone of two things. One was that Professor Tian Jian and Comrade Ye Lan's proposal to change the road construction route based on their exploration and practical experience had been approved by the Ministry of Railways and the State Council, which meant that the construction time for the Chengdu-Chongqing Railway could be shortened.
The spirit of initiative shown by Tian Jian and Ye Lan was praised by everyone. Director Zhao also informed everyone about the other matter, which was the Korean War. The Southwest Military and Political Committee ordered all units to return to their designated positions and be prepared to go to the frontlines. This raised some confusion among the experts. If everyone went to fight, who would work on the roads? Liu Xinmin told everyone that they had to fight the war and build the roads as well.
After the main forces left, a portion of the military and political cadres would remain behind to organize the rapid recruitment of civilian workers to continue the road construction efforts.
Ye Lan learned from Director Zhao that Luo Xiang Qian's vanguard company was going to Korea, so she came over to bid him farewell. She gave Luo Xiang Qian a pen as a gift, which made him very excited. In return, Luo Xiang Qian gave Ye Lan his military medal.
Ye Lan thought the gift was too precious, but Wu Qiang explained to her the significance of the medal to Luo Xiang Qian. Luo Xiang Qian insisted that she keep it, hoping that the medal would bring Ye Lan good luck and happiness.
Ye Lan also visited Sha Kai and brought him his favorite snacks. Learning that Ye Lan would soon join the vanguard company to work with him, Sha Kai was particularly happy. The two of them went to the Tuojian River and expressed their aspirations and hopes for the future.
After the meeting, Director Zhao and Liu Xinmin stayed behind to talk to Tian Jian about work. Through the exploration and survey, Professor Tian had gone through many experiences and showed composure in the face of crisis, demonstrating the integrity and courage of Chinese intellectuals. After careful consideration, the Party Committee decided to appoint Tian Jian as the head of the Technical Department. Tian Jian couldn't understand why Sha Menghai, who was doing well in that position, needed to be replaced. Director Zhao explained to him about Sha Menghai and Sha Kai's theft of Luo Xiang Qian's technological invention, feeling that Sha Menghai still had deep-rooted bureaucratic habits and needed serious transformation. Other technical personnel also believed that Sha Menghai was no longer suitable for the position.
After hearing this, Tian Jian pondered and suggested that Sha Menghai become his deputy. Ye Lan came to bid farewell to Tian Jian, and he solemnly told her about Sha Menghai's theft of Luo Xiang Qian's invention. He was worried that Ye Lan would have difficulty handling her relationship with Sha Kai.
Luo Xiang Qian was conducting night training with the soldiers when he suddenly received an urgent meeting notice from the regimental headquarters. Ye Lan was feeling down at night, and her mother, seeing her, urged her to marry Sha Kai quickly. Ye Lan told her mother that her biggest wish now was to see the Chengdu-Chongqing Railway completed as soon as possible, fulfilling her father's wish.
The three cadre members from the vanguard company arrived at the regimental headquarters, but the news announced by Captain Ma made Luo Xiang Qian lose his smile. As a political officer, Wu Qiang was going to the battlefield, while Luo Xiang Qian and Zhang Biao were to stay behind for road construction. They all had mixed feelings, but as soldiers, obeying orders was their duty. They had no choice but to accept the arrangement. Faced with Sha Kai's taunts, Luo Xiang Qian couldn't help but throw a punch at him.
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