binnovel Chapter 1068 A Very Special Dinner Party
Chapter 1068 A Very Special Dinner Party
With the supplies brought by Zhang Yunhe, the base can use them for a long time even if they are conserved.
Zhang Yunhe and his co-driver were invited into the village to rest. Liu Huilan brought them steaming ginger soup, as well as steamed buns, millet porridge, and steamed sweet potatoes.
"Have something to eat first this morning, the commander said he'll treat you to lunch, and he hopes you'll do him the honor!" Liu Huilan said to Zhang Yunhe with a smile.
While drinking his porridge, Zhang Yunhe said, "Commander, you're too kind. There's really no need for such formalities. You know me, I don't like it when people are too polite."
Liu Huilan sat down next to Zhang Yunhe, resting her chin on her hand as she watched him eat. "You brought so many urgently needed supplies this time, solving many of our difficulties and problems. The commander said he wouldn't invite you to dinner, but he feels bad about it. You should accept; it will make him very happy."
Zhang Yunhe had no choice but to agree: "Alright!"
After breakfast, co-pilot Xiao Xiang returned to the airport to inspect the aircraft, while Zhang Yunhe, accompanied by Liu Huilan, wandered around the village.
"Are all these cave dwellings like this?" Zhang Yunhe asked as he walked to the outside of a row of cave dwellings.
Liu Huilan nodded: "Yes, cave dwellings are inexpensive to build and have good insulation, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer!"
After strolling around the village, Zhang Yunhe followed Liu Huilan to the cave dwelling where she lived.
"Come in, this is the cave dwelling where I live!" Liu Huilan opened the door and pulled Zhang Yunhe inside.
“This cave dwelling looks quite large, it seems you don’t live alone?” Zhang Yunhe said as he looked around.
Liu Huilan picked up the thermos and poured Zhang Yunhe a glass of water, saying, "Yes, housing here is quite tight. Unmarried couples or married couples who don't live together usually share a room. My roommate is an older woman who is three years older than me; her husband works in another city."
"Where is she? I haven't seen her." Zhang Yunhe asked while drinking water.
Liu Huilan replied, "She went to headquarters for training the day before yesterday; she said she'd be gone for a week."
"By the way, when are you going back to the south?"
Zhang Yunhe looked up and laughed, "What, you want to kick me out as soon as I arrive?"
"No, I just wanted to know how long you're staying here so I can arrange my work and spend more time with you!"
Zhang Yunhe said, "I have to leave tomorrow. I still have a lot of things to take care of in Jiangzhou and Ganggang, so I can't stay here for too long."
"Then I'll take a day off today."
It was almost noon when the two of them got up and dressed. Liu Huilan's face was fair and rosy, and her eyes were bright and watery.
After getting dressed, Zhang Yunhe lit a cigarette.
Seeing this, Liu Huilan said, "Smoke less. Smoking is bad for your health!"
"Okay, I got it!"
Liu Huilan tidied herself up, glanced at her watch, and said, "It's almost time for the Commander to invite us to dinner. Let's hurry up and not keep everyone waiting!"
"Who are they?" Zhang Yunhe asked as he stepped out of the cave dwelling.
"It's just the commander and the political commissar, there's no one else!"
The headquarters was not far from here, less than two miles away, and the two arrived quickly.
When the two arrived, the commander and political commissar were already waiting, and the dishes were already on the table.
"I was just about to send someone to invite you over, but you've already arrived. The food is all ready, come in, please come in!" the commander greeted warmly.
The political commissar also said with a smile, "There's no one else here today. The commander is treating, and I'm just keeping him company. It's just the few of us!"
Zhang Yunhe said, "I'm so sorry to have kept you two leaders waiting!"
The place for entertaining guests was also a cave dwelling, with a small square table in the middle. The interior furnishings were simple, but it was kept very clean and tidy.
"Our living conditions here are harsh, unlike the hustle and bustle of big cities. We have nothing fancy to offer Mr. Zhang, only a few simple dishes. Please don't find them offensive!" the commander said, inviting Zhang Yunhe and his companion to the table.
Zhang Yunhe looked at the dishes on the table and said with a smile, "I've also experienced hardship. These dishes are already quite good. I know that many people still don't have enough to eat or wear. We're very fortunate to be able to eat this!"
The commander said happily, "Mr. Zhang is unlike any other big boss I've ever met. Xiao Liu's eye for people is truly exceptional! Come, come, Mr. Zhang, this is your first time here, let's have a drink together. This is our own brewed liquor, I don't know if you'll like it."
The three of them shared a drink. The alcohol was very spicy, and Zhang Yunhe knew that this must be a local specialty.
As they ate and drank, the conversation naturally flowed.
"Mr. Zhang, the plane you flew here today doesn't seem to be an ordinary transport plane. It's much bigger than a regular plane," the political commissar asked, eating a peanut.
Zhang Yunhe nodded and said, "Indeed, this plane is neither a transport plane nor a fighter jet. It is a heavy bomber that can carry up to 9000 kilograms of aerial bombs, as well as 10 machine guns and a cannon. It is the latest development of the Americans. They don't even have many of them themselves. I have some connections over there, so I bought 10 of them!"
"Originally, I planned to come by transport plane, but transport planes have no protective capabilities, and Commander Zhou of Jiangzhou is somewhat wary of me. If I come by transport plane, and he turns against me and sends fighter jets to intercept me, I will only be able to take a beating. However, this heavy bomber can not only bomb the enemy, but also airlift supplies. More importantly, it has a strong self-defense capability and is called a super air fortress by the Americans!"
The group then began discussing the international situation.
"Mr. Zhang, you've been away from home for a long time and know more about the international situation than we do. What's the situation in the west right now?" the political commissar asked.
Zhang Yunhe said, "The German army is basically unable to advance eastward. Both sides can only engage in a protracted war of attrition, neither daring to back down, and can only continuously commit more troops and equipment! The British and Americans are currently fighting the German army in North Africa, and the fighting is fierce."
"In the Pacific theater, the Japanese have completed their initial expansion, but they no longer have the strength to continue their offensive. They can only consolidate their existing gains. Overall, in terms of naval strength, the Japanese have been suppressed. In the future, the situation may become increasingly worse for them, and the United States may launch a counterattack at any time."
The meal wasn't lavish, but Zhang Yunhe enjoyed it immensely. The two left at 1 p.m., after eating for over an hour.
That night, Zhang Yunhe stayed overnight in Liu Huilan's cave dwelling, while the co-pilot, Xiao Xiang, remained in the cockpit. The next morning, after having a breakfast carefully prepared by Liu Huilan, the two piloted the plane back to Ganggang, seeing off the commander and his entourage.