latelenovela Chapter 261 Veterans
Chapter 261 Veterans
The car wasn't going fast, and the road surface was relatively smooth, making for a stable ride. Upon closer inspection, a layer of coal ash could be seen on the road surface.
"Brother Tie Niu, Jinan has changed so much!" Zhang Shishou exclaimed, looking at the tall chimneys belching thick smoke in the distance.
“Yes! Shandong has been developing rapidly in recent years. Every time I come back, I can find something different!” Zhang Tieniu nodded and said.
As the "birthplace" of Shenzhou Refinery, Shandong has developed rapidly in recent years. Under the planning and guidance of Shenzhou Refinery and with the investment of a large amount of capital, factories and mines are everywhere in Shandong.
Branch lines have been built to every prefecture, and the ore from the mountains is being mined piece by piece, turned into molten iron, and then sent to steel furnaces to become solid steel.
Shandong's annual steel production has exceeded two million tons, and many steel plants are still under expansion.
This steel will then be sent to various factories to be made into cars, tanks, cannons, and all kinds of machinery.
These large heavy industry enterprises will in turn spawn countless supporting enterprises, power plants, and various processing plants, which will spring up like mushrooms after rain.
As Shandong is the largest gold-producing region in China, Shen Lian certainly wouldn't waste it. With modern data at his disposal, a large number of gold mines have been developed, now producing tens of tons of gold annually.
This gold also provided Shen Lian with significant financial support!
Coal mines, copper mines, aluminum mines, lead mines, and other mineral deposits are constantly being discovered. Shandong's abundant resources have attracted investors from many countries around the world.
Electrolytic aluminum technology has existed for a long time, but it was not yet mature. With the covert "guidance" of Shenyang Refining & Chemical Co., Ltd. in Shandong, their technology far surpasses that of the rest of the world. They have already passed trials and are preparing to build a factory for large-scale production.
Various factories and mines have absorbed millions of industrial workers. The living expenses of these people, including food, clothing, housing, and transportation, have contributed to the increasing prosperity of cities throughout Shandong.
The only discordant element was the towering chimneys everywhere, spewing thick smoke that blotted out the sun. But for the sake of Shenlian's development, there was no other option but to intensify afforestation efforts.
With the widespread use of honeycomb briquettes, the demand for timber has greatly decreased. Some previously barren mountains have been planted with trees, and uncultivable wastelands have been required to be planted with trees.
In addition, there are strict requirements for wastewater discharge from factories and mines, although current technology is limited. However, building graded sedimentation tanks is still feasible, and copper sulfate pentahydrate can also be used to clean wastewater.
Shen Lian also gathered some experts to study how to clean up sewage.
The reason why various places submitted so quickly is also closely related to Shandong's economy.
Merchants traveling throughout the country brought news of Shandong back to their respective regions, and officials in each province were generally aware of Shandong's strength. Anyone with a modicum of sense knew the terrifying power of the enemy and couldn't even entertain the thought of resistance.
Shandong's rapid development has led to increased productivity, resulting in a significant increase in product output and a decrease in prices.
Various types of machinery, textiles, cigarettes, and other goods began to be sold in large quantities to various regions. At the same time, raw materials such as grain, cotton, and tobacco leaves were purchased from various regions.
As connections among people grew closer, merchants and commoners from all regions no longer supported opposing the new dynasty. The eventual pacification through the issuance of a proclamation was merely a natural consequence.
After spending one night in Jinan, Zhang Shishou urged Zhang Tieniu to return to his hometown together.
Early in the morning, two cars and two trucks left Jinan and headed straight for Dongchangfu.
"Stop!" As they passed a bus stop outside the city, a tall figure caught Zhang Tieniu's attention, and he immediately called out, causing the driver to stop the car.
In the bus shelter by the roadside, a soldier with a broken leg, leaning on a single crutch, stood proudly. His neatly packed backpack was slung over his back.
He appeared to be a retired soldier, as his military uniform no longer displayed his rank insignia. He wore several medals of varying sizes on his chest, along with a National Founding Commemorative Medal.
The disabled veteran stood proudly amidst the admiring gazes of the crowd, refusing offers of a seat. He stood there straight, his body as upright as a pine tree despite having lost a leg.
"Old soldier, where are you going?" Zhang Tieniu asked as he got out of the car.
"Reporting to the commander, Second Lieutenant Xiang Peng of the 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Regiment, 1st Division, has been ordered to retire and return home!" The veteran, seeing that it was a senior colonel, quickly stood at attention and replied.
"Hmm! Very good! 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Regiment, 1st Division? You did a good job in this expedition against Japan! You captured the Japanese Emperor, didn't you?" Zhang Tieniu returned the salute and said.
"Yes, sir!" Hearing the other party mention the great merit his company had made, Xiang Peng couldn't help but straighten his chest even more.
Because of this achievement, the entire company was commended and awarded the honorary title of "Special Merit Company".
"Your company commander is Chen San, right? We're old acquaintances. Hehe!" Zhang Tieniu laughed.
"Are these Chen San's soldiers?" Zhang Shishou also got out of the car and came over.
"Greetings, Commander!" Xiang Peng quickly saluted again. Zhang Shishou returned the salute and nodded.
“Yes! That kid is lazy and unambitious, and he’s still just a company commander after all these years! But he did a great job in Japan this time, capturing the Emperor and his family. He’s about the same as you!” Zhang Tieniu shook his head and said.
All three participated in the first imperial conscription. Chen San almost wasn't selected and ended up in the supply corps. During the attack on Tianjin, he ran into Zhang Tieniu again, and the two essentially teamed up.
"Xiang Peng, where are you from? If it's on our way, we can give you a ride." Zhang Tieniu took out a cigarette and offered one to Zhang Shishou, then handed one to Xiang Peng.
"Thank you, sir. I'm from Boping County, Dongchang Prefecture. I've heard that there are caravans traveling between Quancheng and Dongchang every day. I can just hitch a ride with them!" Xiang Peng said, taking the cigarette.
"Hehe! What a coincidence, we're from the same hometown! We're also heading back to Dongchang Prefecture, our hometown is Tangyi. Xiao Yi, help Xiang Peng load the things onto the car!" Zhang Tieniu nodded and directly instructed the guard.
"Thank you, Commander!" Xiang Peng's face flushed red, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"Hey! It's just on the way, what can I do when we're from the same hometown! Right? If Chen San finds out I didn't take care of his soldiers, that kid will be cursing me behind my back! Haha!" Zhang Tieniu waved his hand.
"Xiao Yi, Xiang Peng has difficulty walking. Let him ride in the car, and you go to the truck in the back!" Zhang Tieniu instructed again.
"Yes, sir!" Guard Xiao Yi helped Xiang Peng into the passenger seat of the car, then ran to the truck behind.
"Xiang Peng, tell us about the war in Japan?" Zhang Shishou asked impatiently as the car started.
Zhang Tieniu also wanted to hear about it. Neither of them had been able to go on the expedition this time, and they were both very interested in the war situation in Japan.
Xiang Peng organized his thoughts and began to explain in detail...