After walking along the path for a while, Master Song stopped and looked around for a long time.
The place he was looking for hadn't been here for many years. Time had passed, and people had developed it. The terrain near the village had also changed, so he needed to search carefully.
Master Song walked forward a little with uncertainty. When he saw a big pine tree between two mountain ridges, he finally showed a hint of joy. He said to himself, "Looks like I didn't find the wrong place!"
After saying that, Master Song walked a little faster. Soon, the group of people walked along the path for about a mile into the mountain.
Then, Master Song found a winding path that was almost covered in weeds.
Huang Fang saw that Master Song seemed to want to walk into the path, so he quickly signaled for his two subordinates to lead the way. This path could only allow two people to walk side by side at most, and it was overgrown with weeds. If there was a snake or something hiding inside, it would be troublesome.
Song Rui carefully supported Master Song and asked, "Grandpa, why did you bring us to this barren mountain?"
Master Song's eyes showed a hint of nostalgia. He said, "You'll know when we get there."
This winding path wasn't easy to walk on, so everyone's speed was much slower. After walking for about ten minutes, Master Song also showed a hint of fatigue.
Xia Ruofei quickly said, "Chief, sit down and rest for a while!"
"It's okay, I can do it!" Master Song said as he waved his hand, slightly out of breath.
Director Lu also showed a hint of helplessness. Along the way, not to mention Master Song, even he, who was a little older, felt that he couldn't take it.
But since the old man had spoken, everyone could only obey.
Xia Ruofei took out a mineral water bottle from his bag and said, "Chief, have a drink! Since we're already here, there's no rush. "
Master Song took the mineral water bottle with a smile and said, "Okay! Then we'll listen to Little Xia! "
Xia Ruofei had prepared the flower petal solution diluted with a large amount of space pool water in advance. Although the composition of the flower petal was very small, it would be no problem for the old man to drink it to restore some physical strength.
Master Song returned the bottle to Xia Ruofei after drinking half of the water.
He stood up and said, "Let's go! This old man isn't even tired! You guys should be fine too, right? "
Director Lu quickly said, "No problem! Sir, watch your step. "
Thus, the group continued to walk into the mountains.
After walking for another ten minutes, Master Song finally stopped and said, "This is the place!"
Everyone stopped and saw that this place was overgrown with weeds. There was nothing special about it.
However, Master Song had already taken the lead and walked into the bushes at the side.
After Master Song pushed aside the weeds, everyone saw a mottled tombstone.
"Sir, this is …" Director Lu couldn't help but ask.
Master Song looked at the grave that was completely covered in weeds and sighed. "One of my comrades lies here …"
Everyone was stunned. This lonely little grave hidden in the weeds was actually the tomb of a martyr?
Xia Ruofei was the first to react. He quickly walked forward and said, "Everyone, come and help!"
Director Lu and the others also quickly came forward to help clean up.
There was strength in numbers. Soon, the weeds around the grave were cleared, and a clean space was cleared in front of the grave.
A weather-beaten mottled tombstone, and behind it was a small grave.
If Master Song hadn't said it, no one would have thought that a martyr was buried here.
The handwriting on the tombstone was still vaguely discernible.
The words "Martyr Yan Xiaodong's Tomb" were written in large letters, and there was a line of small letters next to it. It was a series of military code names and the birthplace of Martyr Yan Xiaodong, "Gan Province, Xingguo County, Donggao Village."
Martyr Yan Xiaodong actually came from the famous "General County."
Master Song stared at the tombstone for a long time before turning around and saying, "Xiao Rui, take out the things I asked you to prepare!"
Song Rui quickly took off his backpack and took out cigarettes, liquor, yellow paper, candles, and other items.
Only then did he realize that his grandfather had asked him to prepare these items when he was in Sanshan City. It turned out that it was to pay respects to his comrades.
Master Song personally placed the offerings in front of the grave and lit the candles. He also lit three Huaxia cigarettes and stuck them in the soil in front of the grave. Then, he poured three glasses of liquor and silently sprinkled them on the ground.
Song Rui helped burn the paper money. Everyone stood silently to the side and did not disturb the old man who was remembering his comrades.
After a long time, Master Song sighed and stared at the tombstone. He said, "Back then, after the army liberated Chongan County, they continued to move south. Although most of the enemy troops were defeated, the terrain in this area was complicated and the mountains were high and dense. Therefore, there were still small groups of troops who became bandits in the mountains. Therefore, our troops were left behind to clean up the remaining enemies."
Master Song's gaze was very fleeting when he spoke, as if he had traveled back in time and returned to the days when the smoke of war was everywhere.
"Xiaodong was only 19 years old when he died. He was my guard." Master Song said, "At that time, I was leading a dozen soldiers to escort supplies. We were ambushed here by the remaining enemies. Xiaodong blocked the fatal bullet for me …"
Everyone was silent. Xia Ruofei silently looked at the old tombstone. In those days of war, countless martyrs fell dauntlessly on the road of war. As their descendant and a former soldier, Xia Ruofei's heart had always held great respect for these martyrs.
Master Song continued, "He was only 19 years old! There were only eight enemies that day, and a cheap bullet had taken his life. I still remember that before he died, he said to me intermittently, 'Captain, please help me tell my mother that I can't be filial to her anymore …' "
Speaking of this, Master Song's eyes could not help but moisten.
A general's success was built on the bones of thousands of soldiers. Master Song's life in the military was certainly not a small number of comrades who had been separated by life and death. However, this experience had become a mark that could not be erased for the rest of his life.
Director Lu could not help but say, "Sir, how could there be no one taking care of the resting place of martyr Yan Xiaodong? This … "
Master Song said faintly, "This tombstone was rebuilt when I came to pay respects to Xiaodong 30 years ago. Back then, there was only a wooden board marking this location … There used to be a garrison nearby, and every year, people would come to clean the grave. Later on, the troops might have been transferred away due to a defense adjustment! It looks like Xiaodong's grave has been abandoned for many years … "
"What is the local government doing?!" Director Lu said somewhat angrily. "Sir, I'll call the comrades in the Southeast Province right away. This is too outrageous!"
Master Song waved his hand and said, "Xiao Lu, there's no need for that. Once you show up, things will change. When the time comes, a large group of people will tremble in fear and tread on thin ice. One by one, they will come to reflect on their mistakes. Who knows, in order to curry favor with me, they might even build a new grave or erect a statue or something. This would go against my original intention. I don't think Xiaodong would want that either. "
"But …" Director Lu found it difficult to understand.
Master Song said faintly, "I believe that Xiaodong would prefer to silently watch over the green mountains and clear waters that he once fought for."
Then Master Song said, "Speaking of which, I'm also responsible. Back then, I didn't want things to change, so I didn't personally come to greet him. All these years, I've wanted to come and take a look, but due to various matters, I couldn't get away. That's why my brother's grave has been abandoned like this."
Xia Ruofei also felt rather emotional. Master Song was an old chief of his generation, and it could be said that he did not have any selfish thoughts at all.
If it were a small number of officials now, this was simply unimaginable.
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