Liu Mama, having received Chen Lan's confirmation, immediately wiped her tears and joyfully hurried to Xiang Xi's large study.
Just as Chen Lan had predicted, it wasn't long before Xiang Xi burst out of the study, his face beaming with excitement. He shouted, "Little Lanzi, Little Lanzi, you're really going to Suifenhe to visit relatives, and you're willing to take me with you?"
Chen Lan decided to tease him and asked, "What? You don't want to go? Then I'll take someone else."
Xiang Xi immediately groveled, "Little Lanzi, don't say that. Who are we to each other? How close are we? Don't say such things, you'll break my brother's heart! I've been driven nearly crazy by my mother in the valley. This is finally a chance to get out and about with you, you can't strip me of this right."
Chen Lan feigned difficulty, "Taking you along isn't a problem. But Liu Mama just gave me an important task, you know! Ever since I was little, I've never opposed anything Liu Mama said or any reasonable request she made! So this time, you must cooperate with my work. Otherwise, it's all off."
Upon hearing Chen Lan's words, Xiang Xi deflated like a leaky balloon, lowered his head, and fell into thought.
Chen Lan decided to add fuel to the fire and began to mutter to herself, "Legend has it that over one hundred and sixty years ago, Suifenhe was actually a small fishing village. It was originally inhabited by fishermen who made a living from fishing. Because the area was rich in fish resources, it was called 'the paradise of fishing tribes.' However, in 1860, after the Second Opium War, Tsarist Russia coerced the Qing Dynasty into signing unequal territorial treaties with Russia, and Suifenhe then became a border area between China and Russia."
After speaking, Chen Lan secretly raised the corner of her eye and glanced at Xiang Xi, who was still looking down opposite her. She noticed he was all ears.
So she continued, "Since Suifenhe is a border between two countries, there must be trade between them. As the Industrial Revolution in Russia progressed, the Sino-Russian trade volume across the border increased rapidly. Therefore, Suifenhe, as the only port on the easternmost section of the Chinese Eastern Railway on the Sino-Russian border, with its unparalleled transportation and geographical advantages, began to develop border trade between the two countries rapidly."
Chen Lan looked up again at Xiang Xi opposite her and found him listening intently.
Then she continued to mutter to herself, "This Suifenhe! It was liberated several years earlier than the capital. Suifenhe was liberated in 1945. In the more than ten years since liberation until now, Suifenhe has always been an important port for transporting Sino-Soviet strategic materials and import/export goods, so the locals call Suifenhe '(the town brought by the train)'."
Hearing this, Xiang Xi finally couldn't help but ask, "Little Lanzi, tell me honestly, if we go to Suifenhe now, can we still do business with the Russians?"
Chen Lan nodded seriously and whispered mysteriously, "Little Watermelon, haven't you always wanted to do business? But there's no opportunity now. The purpose of me taking you to Suifenhe this time is to let you practice and get your fill of doing business. What do you think? Am I not good enough? I remembered to bring you along even though I'm visiting relatives. I didn't even bring my own son and daughter. What do you say? Shouldn't you cooperate with my work?" Sudanan Novel Network
Xiang Xi gritted his teeth and agreed with a look of determined resignation, "Okay! Little Lanzi, I promise you, but I'll find my own wife. You're not allowed to make arbitrary arrangements for me."
Chen Lan retorted dismissively, "Hmph! If I don't, I don't. What's wrong with making arrangements? They all seem to be living well! The children are already running around."
Since it was decided to take Xiang Xi along, the letter of introduction would need to specifically state that it was for brother and sister visiting Suifenhe together.
So, at dinner, Chen Lan asked Zheng Sanpao to arrange for the letter of introduction and the delivery of food. Zheng Sanpao readily agreed, smiling and saying, "Little Lan, don't worry! I'll go to the battalion tomorrow morning and will definitely get your letter of introduction sorted out! I'll also deliver the message about the food!"
With Zheng Sanpao personally handling it, the matter proceeded very smoothly. Zheng Sanpao also brought back some good news for Chen Lan.
As he handed Chen Lan the completed letter of introduction, he said with a grin, "Little Lan, by chance, someone from the battalion is preparing to go to Changchun on business with the vehicles delivering supplies to the battalion in the next few days. You and Xiang Xi can tag along with them to Changchun. The time will be set for the day the food is delivered. After you and Xiang Xi deliver the food, you'll meet them at the battalion and then take the supply vehicle to Changchun together. From Changchun, you can travel directly along the Chinese Eastern Railway to Harbin, and then take a train all the way to Suifenhe Station."
Chen Lan and Xiang Xi were wondering where to start. This was like a pillow arriving just when one was sleepy. With escorts and ready transportation, the two were naturally overjoyed.
Chen Lan also had to start packing what she needed to take to Suifenhe. Her mother-in-law then mobilized all the women in the entire valley to prepare supplies for the border defense battalion and Xu Mingxuan. Everyone pitched in, packing potatoes, sweet potatoes, grinding flour, and grinding corn flour. It took two full days to prepare the supplies for the border defense battalion and the food and dried chickens, dried rabbits, cured lamb, and pork for Xu Mingxuan.
All the supplies were ready. Chen Lan stored both sets of supplies into the system's warehouse.
After dinner, the whole family sat in the living room, and Chen Lan told everyone about her plan to visit relatives in Suifenhe. Her mother and mother-in-law already knew that Chen Lan was going to Suifenhe, so they didn't say much. Her mother just repeatedly cautioned, "Lan'er, be careful on the road. Don't be too curious, don't meddle in other people's business, understand? Remember to go and come back early!"
Chen Lan readily agreed, "Mom, don't worry! With all my strength, even three little watermelons couldn't beat me?" She then waved her big fist.
Just as Chen Lan had calmed her mother, she saw Jiahui pouting with displeasure. The youngest in the family, Wang Jiahe, immediately ran up, hugged Chen Lan's neck, and began to act spoiled. Wang Jiahe, who was almost eight years old, pouted and said, "Mom, I'm the youngest at home. You should take me with you."
The older brothers and sisters in the family immediately scoffed at him. Chen Lan smiled and said, "Jiahe, you're already a third-grader. If you go with Mom to visit relatives, what about your studies?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Jiahe's spirit immediately sagged, but he still clung to Chen Lan's neck.
Chen Lan smiled and promised, "Mom is going with your uncle this time to scout the route. Next time, I'll take you all with me. I promise to bring back gifts from the Russians for you this time. How about that?"
When Jiahui heard Chen Lan boast so grandly, she immediately seized the opportunity to state her demand. She said, "Mom, I want a music box that dances."
Chen Lan generously agreed, "No problem. If anyone else has any requests, speak up quickly. Mom is leaving before dawn tomorrow, so speak up now, or it'll be too late!"
Chen Lan used all her might and finally managed to appease the pile of children at home!