When Wen Nuan arrived at Commander Xu's office, there were already six people sitting at the conference table, each of them was the top or second-in-command in the army.
In addition to Gu Qinghan, there were also Political Commissar Li and the Chief Steward, as well as several leaders whom I had met at the National Day Gala before, all of whom were high-level cadres.
Wen Nuan knocked on the door and went in. Everyone in the office looked up at her. Some seemed surprised by her arrival, but Gu Qinghan and the quartermaster Luo Qingjun, who were sitting next to Commander Xu, looked as if it was a matter of course.
If you look closely, you can find that the corners of Gu Qinghan's lips are slightly raised. The arrival of warmth seems to make him feel extremely proud and proud.
After Wen Nuan entered the office, she closed the door and said to Teacher Xu, "Teacher Xu, what do you want to talk to me about?"
When Wen Nuan came here, she roughly thought that Commander Xu must have asked her to come here for the research institute's supplies, but she didn't expect her grandfather to act so quickly. After the call, Commander Xu had already organized a meeting for everyone.
When Commander Xu saw Wen Nuan coming in, he pointed to a seat next to Gu Qinghan and said, "Come, sit down first."
Wen Nuan walked to the empty seat and sat down. Everyone in the office looked at her and Gu Qinghan with ambiguous eyes, but perhaps because the occasion was too serious, everyone just looked at them and did not dare to comment.
Commander Xu got straight to the point and said, "The reason we are in a hurry to hold a meeting this time is because the 634 Aviation Research Institute needs our help in transporting supplies. The head called me and said that the conditions in the institute are difficult and nine out of ten comrades there are working while sick."
Political Commissar Li added: "Since the experts at the institute work day and night and the conditions are simple, we have to find a way to process the materials so that the comrades at the institute can eat healthily and conveniently as much as possible."
"As the air force unit closest to the 634th Institute, our division should support their research work, so everyone can actively put forward their own opinions."
Someone asked: "What's the point of asking us for help? We don't even know how to cook..."
"That's right. Of course we are willing to support the comrades in the institute, but shouldn't we ask the kitchen team to help us get supplies?"
Everyone in the conference room looked at Teacher Xu, who then looked at Wen Nuan and said, "Don't look at me. I can't cook delicious food either."
After saying this, everyone looked at Wen Nuan and the quartermaster.
Wen Nuan originally wanted the quartermaster to speak first, but the quartermaster motioned for her to speak first. Wen Nuan didn't want to waste too much time, so she said, "You can leave the food issue to our kitchen team. I can guarantee that the comrades in the institute will eat healthy and nutritious food."
"The last time Deputy Commander Gu went to the 112th Factory for a test flight, I made some seasoning packets and various meatballs and brought them with me. Everyone had good feedback after eating them."
Some people remembered the meatballs they had eaten in the cafeteria before, and nodded: "I've eaten it before, it's not bad."
"Since the kitchen staff can help solve the problem, then let them take charge of the supplies."
When Wen Nuan heard this, she took this opportunity to express her own thoughts, and smiled: "To be honest, the kitchen team is short-handed."
The quartermaster nodded: "Yes, our cooking team has three canteens, but the staff is just enough to meet the needs of the troops. If we take over this matter again, I'm afraid we will have to recruit more people."
Commander Xu and Political Commissar Li exchanged glances and said, "Of course there is no problem. You can handle the manpower issue as you see fit."
Wen Nuan said directly: "If possible, I want to set up a small processing plant in our army to specialize in food processing. Not only for the research institute, but also in the future when our army needs it, or other research institutes need it, we can provide them with a variety of convenient and fast food."
Commander Xu looked at everyone and asked, "Does anyone have any opinion on Comrade Wen Nuan's suggestion?"
Everyone in the office looked at Teacher Xu and Wen Nuan, and suddenly there was silence.
"What's your opinion? The institute and our air force are like one family."
"That's right. Only when the comrades in the institute eat and drink well can they concentrate on research for our aerospace industry, and only then can we fly better and more powerful fighter jets."
"Yes, yes, yes, national defense must be supported unconditionally. Now that new fighter jets are just around the corner, we must strongly support them if we can."
When everyone heard this, their eyes widened. The fighter jets used in the army now were the first twice-the-speed-of-sonic jet fighters developed by the organization, but they were imitating Soviet fighter jets. They dreamed of owning a fighter jet that truly belonged to them.
In the past few years, as relations with the Soviet Union hit a low point, they no longer provided assistance in aviation technology, so the comrades in the institute not only faced tremendous pressure, but also many technical difficulties.
If we can solve their basic food and clothing problems, it will be considered to have helped them to some extent.
Commander Xu was very satisfied with everyone's response, so he said directly: "Now our North City has entered winter, we must transport the supplies in before the first blizzard falls."
He looked at Wen Nuan and continued, "Since it was Comrade Wen Nuan who proposed it, I'll leave this matter to your kitchen team."
When the quartermaster saw everyone looking at Wen Nuan, he said, "This is the responsibility of our kitchen team. With Comrade Wen Nuan here, we will definitely deliver the supplies before the snowstorm comes."
Commander Xu looked at Wen Nuan and said, "Then I'll leave the material matters to you, Comrade Wen."
Wen Nuan was waiting for this sentence from Master Xu, and nodded without hesitation: "No problem."
Commander Xu added: "In addition to this matter, we also have to select a few people to transport the supplies. They must be highly vigilant and not easily reveal their whereabouts."
Political Commissar Li directly designated Gu Qinghan, saying: "Deputy Regiment Commander Gu is the test pilot of the new fighter jet. The data he has is synchronized with the research institute. No one is more suitable for this matter than Deputy Regiment Commander Gu."
Commander Xu turned his head to look at Gu Qinghan and asked, "How is it? Can you handle it?"
Gu Qinghan had a lot of tasks on his shoulders. Not to mention the numerous matters in the army, he was also the test pilot of the new fighter jet. Originally, he didn't have to do this personally, but Political Commissar Li was right. The technical data in Gu Qinghan's hands were almost synchronized with those of the research institute.
Based on the confidentiality of the institute, no one would be more suitable than him.
Gu Qinghan exchanged a look with Wen Nuan, then nodded: "No problem."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent and looked at the couple's tacit understanding in their eyes.
Someone looked at Gu Qinghan and Wen Nuan and said with emotion: "Look at this couple, Deputy Head Gu and Comrade Wen Nuan, they perfectly illustrate what it means when a couple is of one mind, they can break metal with strength."
Gu Qinghan will have plenty of opportunities to make contributions in the future, and it won't be long before he has another chance to be promoted.
"Okay, let's go first." Commander Xu kept Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan, "I have something to discuss with you."
*
After everyone left, Commander Xu said to Wen Nuan, "I'll leave this matter to you. I believe the General Air Force Academy will provide you with assistance in the channels for purchasing materials. You don't have to worry about this."
Hearing this, Wen Nuan felt relieved. She was still worrying whether she could prepare so many things in such a short time. Now that the supplies already had a channel, she could just do the rest.
However, Wen Nuan remembered what Gu Qinghan had told her last night. Comrade Liu planned to follow Gu Qinghan to fly into the sky to observe the problems with the new fighter plane, but the other party had asked the aviation doctor to check it out. Due to long-term malnutrition, his physical condition made him unable to follow up to check it out, and he would need to recuperate for a period of time.
So Wen Nuan had to take advantage of this opportunity to transport supplies, and she also had to prepare more meat for her comrades in the institute.
Wen Nuan thought for a moment and asked, "Captain Xu, where did you buy the black goat that won the first prize in the National Day performance?"
Upon hearing this, Commander Xu asked, "Are you planning to prepare some more mutton?"
Wen Nuan nodded: "Yes, that's right. Eating some mutton in winter is more nourishing. Besides, the winter in North City is cold. I guess the weather in the institute will be colder than here. If they have some meat, it will definitely provide them with better energy."
Commander Xu frowned and said, "I guess we won't be able to catch up. They were brought from Mongolia."
There's nothing we can do about it. It's too far a journey and we really can't catch up.
Wen Nuan said, "Then Commander Xu, I'm going to go back first. I'll discuss with the comrades in the kitchen team and work overtime in the next few days to get out the winter supplies first."
Commander Xu called her and said, "Wait a minute, I have something else to tell you."
Commander Xu said to Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan, "Although this has been arranged, as the key figures in this material transport, both of you must sign a confidentiality agreement and promise not to leak any information about the institute to the outside world. If you are exposed, you must take off your military uniforms."
Then he looked at Wen Nuan: "You have to take responsibility for this too. As for the consequences, I can tell you frankly that the severity of the matter is beyond your imagination. In serious cases, you may have to pay with your lives for it."
"Would you like to?"
Gu Qinghan and Wen Nuan nodded at the same time and said firmly: "No problem, I am willing to take responsibility."
Except for a few senior executives, even Gu Qinghan didn't know the exact location of the institute. He only knew that it was near the army.
This shows how high the level of confidentiality is.
Gu Qinghan naturally knew the seriousness of the matter. Of course, he would swear on his life that he would never betray the organization or the army.
Wen Nuan nodded firmly: "I am willing to take responsibility too."
Since joining the kitchen squad, Wen Nuan has also understood the importance of the squad. Although she is just a cook, the quartermaster once said that poisoning incidents by enemy spies have occurred before.
Now that she is in charge of the diet of colleagues in the institute, she naturally has to be extremely alert and ensure food safety, and never let anyone take advantage of it.
Commander Xu nodded and said, "Since you agree, I will call the Air Force General Hospital first. Someone will follow up with you then. You can go out first."
After seeing Gu Qinghan leave his office, Commander Xu dialed the number in Beijing, and Commander Lu on the other end quickly answered the call.
"Commander, everything has been arranged." Commander Xu was still a little nervous and asked, "Does our division really have to be responsible for this?"
Commander Lu on the other end asked, "What did Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan say?"
Commander Xu said, "I asked Comrade Wen Nuan to arrange the supplies and Comrade Gu Qinghan to deliver the supplies. They all agreed."
Commander Lu asked again: "Have you told them about the confidentiality agreement?"
"I told you about Lijia, and they had no objection."
Commander Lu smiled with satisfaction: "Isn't that enough? My granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Lu Mingfei, will never betray the organization. I believe in them."
This sentence is powerful and expresses not only the trust of an elder to the younger generation, but also the praise of a superior to his subordinates.
Gu Qinghan has always been the most valued pilot in the Air Force and one of the most outstanding soldiers in the organization. Even without this relationship, Lu Mingfei still believes in Gu Qinghan's character.
A soldier who sheds his blood on the front line to protect the rear should not be doubted.
Commander Xu certainly favored his soldiers, especially the most outstanding Gu Qinghan, but it was not appropriate for him to say this. Now that he heard Commander Lu say so, he felt relieved.
Commander Xu said: "Please rest assured, Commander, we will definitely get this done and will never let you down."
"Okay, thank you for your hard work."
*
Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan walked out of Commander Xu's office and slowly walked towards the kitchen.
Gu Qinghan looked at his wife's smiling face and couldn't help asking, "This is a bit urgent. Can your kitchen staff arrange it?"
If we make it before the snow closes the mountain, we will have to prepare three months' worth of supplies within half a month. There are more than 30 people in the institute, so the things we need to prepare are not few, but not too much either.
It’s just that the kitchen team is really short-staffed, and if we ask everyone to work overtime, I’m afraid there will be complaints.
Wen Nuan also found it a bit difficult, but in order to ensure that the colleagues in the institute could have a winter with adequate supplies, she had to go all out.
Wen Nuan said, "I plan to go back and discuss with the quartermaster to make a list of supplies first, and then I have to pick a few trustworthy people to arrange the food this time."
Although she wanted to run a small processing factory, she couldn't just hire a few people casually. Not only did they have to have some cooking skills, but most importantly, they had to be trustworthy.
It would be best if we could select a few people from the kitchen team, as these comrades can be trusted.
But fortunately it is winter now, so she doesn't have to worry about food storage for the time being. The snow in the north city is the best refrigerator in winter, and she has temporarily got some ideas.
Gu Qinghan nodded, and then said: "If you need anyone, I'll see if the group can arrange a few people for you."
Wen Nuan looked at him doubtfully and asked, "Isn't this a bit bad?"
Gu Qinghan smiled, tidied up Wen Nuan's hair that was messed up by the cold wind, then stood in front of her to shield her from the wind and said, "It's okay. The winter in North City is cold, and everyone's training intensity will be adjusted. There will be a lot more free time, and even our flight team's training will not be that heavy."
Wen Nuan looked at the tall figure in front of her and said with a smile: "If we can pick someone from the army, I will feel more at ease."
"By the way, are you going back today to select the first batch of pilots? Why don't you go back to the flight team first? You don't have to send me back to the kitchen."
Wen Nuan looked at the time. It was exactly 11 o'clock, neither early nor late. Gu Qinghan must have to go back to the flight team.
Moreover, he has been in Shenyang for more than a month. Even if there is no training today, he has to go back to check on the team.
Gu Qinghan originally planned to send his wife back, but now it was no longer snowing, so he thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll go back to the team first. If there's anything, we can talk tonight. Be careful on your way back to the kitchen."
Wen Nuan smiled and said, "I know. Don't worry."
*
After Gu Qinghan returned to the flight team, the first batch of applicants for the pilot exam had already arrived and lined up in three neat rows.
Most of them are from the army. Each of them is very young, and they all have a longing for fighter jets on their faces.
These are all selected after passing the physical examination. Now it is only the first round of selection. You can imagine how much work is left.
Liang Guoan saw Gu Qinghan finally coming back and couldn't help but ask, "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you all morning, and I'm dazzled by what I've seen."
Although Liang Guoan is the captain, he still relies on Gu Qinghan for many things, especially when it comes to judging people. Often he can tell whether a person is suitable to be a pilot after just a few minutes of observation.
There are so few pilots in their division now, not only because the requirements for pilots are high, but secondly, Gu Qinghan has higher requirements for pilots.
Gu Qinghan glanced at the people in line and said, "It's only the first round, just do a physical fitness test first, why are you waiting for me?"
Liang Guoan smiled and said, "Isn't it because you're afraid of making a mistake? I feel much more at ease with you around."
Gu Qinghan didn't want to waste time, so he looked at the queue and saw Ding Guoli in the first row with some bruises on his face. He was probably beaten by Qinglan and Yang Xiaomei as Wen Nuan said.
Gu Qinghan glanced at Ding Guoli's personal information, then directly called out "Ding Guoli"'s name and said, "You are not suitable, go back."
Ding Guoli wondered why Gu Qinghan called his name, but who would have thought that he would be eliminated before the show even started
Ding Guoli bit his back teeth and asked unconvincedly: "Deputy Captain Gu, the test hasn't even started yet, why are you asking me to go back?"
Gu Qing looked at him coldly, "Why?"
He looked at Li Daxiang in the team and shouted, "Li Daxiang, step out."
Li Daxiang took a step forward and said, "Yes."
Gu Qinghan said expressionlessly: "One hundred push-ups."
Then he added: "One-handed rotation."
Everyone gasped and looked at Li Daxiang, but Li Daxiang didn't hesitate at all. He simply supported himself with one hand and started doing push-ups.
Then Gu Qinghan looked at Ding Guoli and said, "You follow suit."
Ding Guoli's face flushed red, but seeing that Li Daxiang was already doing it, he had no excuse to back down, so he gritted his teeth and simply supported himself on the ground with one hand. However, before he even started, his arm was shaking like a sieve and he was unable to exert any strength at all.
Gu Qing looked at him coldly, his thin lips slightly opened: "If you can't use one hand, try using both hands."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter. Even Liang Guoan felt that Gu Qinghan's words were not very hurtful, but extremely insulting.
No man would like to hear the word "no". Obviously, Ding Guoli is really no good.
Gu Qinghan glanced at the people in line, and everyone immediately stopped laughing and tried hard to hold it in.
But looking at Ding Guoli's appearance, he was still watching with curiosity, afraid of missing his performance.
Ding Guoli's face looked like it was dripping with blood, but he still gritted his teeth and started doing push-ups.
Liang Guoan looked at Ding Guoli's high arched buttocks, stretched out his hand and pressed his waist, saying: "Comrade Ding, your push-ups are not up to standard, you need to push them down a little bit, and bend your arms!"
Li Daxiang over there was already sweating profusely, but Ding Guoli was still struggling to hold on. Liang Guoan pressed down with his hand and pushed him directly to the floor.
"… "
This time, everyone didn't dare to laugh anymore. Looking at the rookie Ding Guoli, they finally understood why Deputy Captain Gu told him to get out.
How did this person have the nerve to sign up
Ding Guoli lay on the floor, wanting to die. He thought his physical fitness was pretty good, so how come he couldn't even do 20 push-ups
Gu Qinghan did not give him any chance and said, "Ding Guoli is eliminated, next one."
Ding Guoli immediately got up and pleaded with Gu Qinghan, "Deputy Captain Gu, I didn't perform well just now. Please, please give me another chance."
Gu Qinghan glanced at Liang Guoan, who then laughed and said to Ding Guoli, "Comrade Ding, please go back. You are not suitable."
If I don't reply, it will be even worse if Vice Captain Gu loses his temper!
Besides, Ding Guoli is really not suitable. Not to mention being a pilot, he won't even be able to be a ground crew member!
With Ding Guoli's arm strength, he can't even pull the lever in the cockpit, okay? !
Ding Guoli wanted to fight for it, but Li Daxiang on the other end had already finished the 100 push-ups. He dusted off his hands, stood up and said, "Report, 100 push-ups completed."
Soon, different people started doing push-ups one after another, but everyone completed it easily, except him.
Even my hands can't do it.
Ding Guoli couldn't stay any longer and left the flight team directly.
*
As soon as Wen Nuan returned to the kitchen, she held a small meeting with the quartermaster.
Several colleagues in the flight crew kitchen had heard some rumors that Wen Nuan was planning to open a small factory, and now they were discussing with the quartermaster in the office where to build the site.
Rebuilding a factory building would take too long and cost too much, and it is still winter, so it is basically impossible to achieve.
Besides, Wen Nuan didn't want to waste the money, so she thought it would be better to use it to provide some meat food for the comrades in the institute. So after discussing with the quartermaster, they decided to renovate the abandoned woodshed next to the chicken coop and turn it into a small factory.
The place wasn't very big, but it had a good location, right next to the aircrew canteen, so the food wouldn't be confused with that in their army canteen, and they didn't have to go too far to stay warm.
It's such a waste to leave this firewood shed empty and unused. Now I've finally found a use for it.
In addition to site selection, there is also the matter of selecting personnel. If we rashly recruit people from outside, not only will Wen Nuan be worried, but the quartermaster will also be worried.
After discussing the address, Wen Nuan contacted Xiao Zhang immediately and asked him when the supplies would be delivered, but Xiao Zhang had already made arrangements today.
It is estimated that by the evening, a car will come from Beijing, carrying some of the supplies they have prepared this time.
So when it was time to get off work in the afternoon, the quartermaster called in a few people from the flight kitchen and asked them, "We need to prepare supplies for the institute, and we have to prepare them before the first snowstorm. Who among you is willing to help?"
Before the quartermaster mentioned the wages, Lao Zhong and Xiao Zhu stepped forward first: "We are soldiers after all, even though we hold spatulas, but if we are needed now, we will definitely step forward at the first opportunity!"
Lao Zhong scratched his ears and said, "Nonsense, I will do my best whenever the kitchen staff needs me. Isn't it just preparing some supplies? If I back down like this, I'll be unworthy of my name."
Soon, three other people stepped forward and said, "We have to prepare midnight snacks for the flight team in the summer anyway. Now that they don't fly at night in the winter, I'll do my part."
Seeing everyone signing up so enthusiastically, Wen Nuan smiled with satisfaction and said, "On behalf of all the colleagues in the institute, I would like to thank you."
Several pairs of eyes fell on Wen Nuan at the same time, and then Lao Zhong smiled and said, "Our Air Force and the Institute are family, if it's not inconvenient for them, I can go over and cook for them!"
Speaking of this, Wen Nuan also plans to write a booklet about cooking. Although there is a cafeteria at the research institute, Gu Qinghan said that they are always rushing to save time every day and basically have no requirements for food. They just eat the food as long as it is cooked.
As Lao Zhong said, if it weren't for the inconvenience at the research institute, it would be possible to go over and cook for them.
"Everyone will have to do two jobs from now on. I need your high cooperation in the next half month. But if anyone can't hold on, they must stop and rest immediately. Do you understand?"
"clear!"
"So what shall we do first tonight?"
Wen Nuan had already had flour delivered to her, so she said, "Knead the dough and make dumplings."
"What? Making dumplings?"
Wen Nuan nodded: "That's right. Although northerners know how to make dumplings, it's time-consuming and laborious. The comrades in the institute simply don't have that much time to knead the dough and roll the skin every day, so I plan to make some quick-frozen dumplings and quick-frozen braised beef noodles and bring them over."