What the poor lack is bread, and what the rich lack is appetite.

- Germanic proverb

Teacher Li Wen stopped talking, put down the thermos in his hand, and quietly sat aside to write materials.

Lu Dacang stared at the big eyes and asked with a confused expression, "Where did I just go?" ”

Niu Wanshan replied: "Su Xiu expatriate. ”

Lu Dacang patted his head with his hand and said loudly:

"Yes, the Su Xiu diaspora.

After a large number of peasants and herdsmen fled the border areas, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps dispatched a large number of cadres and masses to these areas to carry out substitution farming, management, and pastoral work in an effort to reduce production losses.

To be honest, the three generations of personnel have played a vital role in stabilizing the situation in Xinjiang and preventing the infiltration and sabotage of the Soviet Union.

The expansion of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps has brought about tremendous changes in Xinjiang's population. Before 1949, the Han Chinese population accounted for only 4% of Xinjiang's total population. This year it's already 40 percent.

We have carried out ideological education among the local masses to publicize the greatness of the motherland and the glory of being Chinese.

Company commander, I'm done. ”

Lu Dacang grinned and said with a smile: "Intellectuals are intellectuals. Say it one by one. Alright, go back and rest. Tomorrow morning, when I hear the bugle, I will immediately get up and take part in the morning exercise. ”

It was under this historical background that Niu Wanshan and Ma Yumin, as the vacancy of the personnel, were fortunate to become a glorious soldier of the corps.

The work and life of the Corps is hard.

Niu Wanshan and Ma Yumin lived in a simple nest.

Ma Yumin and other workers cultivated land in the ancient Gobi Desert, sweating like rain. At noon, in order to save time, they did not go back to the camp to rest, and often nibbled on dried steamed buns on the ice and snow. In the fall, they harvested wheat, corn, and vegetables.

Niu Wanshan's cooks basically work indoors, which is relatively comfortable. He enthusiastically steamed steamed buns and fried big pot dishes for the employees. The workers affectionately call him Uncle Niu along with the ethnic minorities.

The work and life of the Corps is hot.

Niu Wanshan, Ma Yumin, and workers from all over the world worked and studied together, broadened their horizons, increased their knowledge, and gradually changed from free and unemployed vagrants to soldiers with strict style and strict discipline.

With the improvement of the living environment, the workers built more and more neat adobe houses, and completely moved out of the dark and damp ground.

More and more married workers are bringing their wives and children from the mainland to settle down.

More and more unmarried workers are falling in love, starting families, and subsequently having children.

The battalion headquarters of the 3rd battalion not only had a bright infirmary, but also opened a nursery and a school.

In the autumn of 1963, Niu Wanshan and Ma Yumin discussed for a while, and decided to ask the company commander Lu Dacang for family leave, planning to go back to his hometown in Gansu to pick up his wife and children.

Lu Dacang happily approved the leave for them, and instructed: "Let your wives have more dolls in the future, and mobilize them to become heroic mothers!" ”

Niu Wanshan and Ma Yumin soon returned to Linxia, Gansu, and then went their separate ways.

Niu Wanshan returned to Gayindai's home, told Gong Lamei about the excellent situation in Xinjiang and the XPCC, and persuaded their mother and daughter to go to Xinjiang together.

At that time, Gong Lamei was in the limelight of her career. Not only did she serve as the captain of the Gayin Dai production team, but she was also preparing to join the party organization under the training of Lin Guizhen, and she also took care of Hameki and Ayishe, whose parents died.

In order to find a large piece of flat land for growing crops, in order to let the children have a good environment to grow up, and in order to seek a better life, Gong Lamei finally decided to follow her husband to Xinjiang after a few days of serious thinking.

They did not have the financial means to bring Hameki and Ayisha to Xinjiang. Other relatives are also in dire straits, unable to raise their two children. Gong Lamei sent them to an orphanage in Linxia County and entrusted them to the staff there.

Althea repeatedly begged the staff: "You have to be kind to these two Gawas, they have no parents at such a young age." ”

The staff smiled and said, "Don't worry." Gawa here has no parents. ”

Tears welled up in Hamaki and Ayisha's eyes.

Gong Lamei left the orphanage with tears in her eyes, returned home to pack her clothes and dry food, and embarked on a journey to Xinjiang.

When they left Gayindai with their luggage, relatives, friends and villagers who had been helped by Gong Lamei came to see them off with steamed buns, pot helmets and fruits.

In the minds of the villagers, Xinjiang is a wild and desolate place far away from the horizon, a prison for exiled prisoners, and it must be full of unspeakable bitterness and bitterness. The difference between them and Gong Lamei this time is the difference between life and death in this life and this life.

The comfort and blessings of the villagers made Gong Lamei, Niu Wanshan and Xiao Haiche's hearts warm.

When Niu Wanshan, Gong Lamei and Niu Mulan crossed several hillsides, they could still clearly hear the sad cries of Ga Sophie, the daughter of Niu Zhanhai, the grandfather of the regiment leader, and Maiyan, the daughter-in-law of Niu Yinshan.