The railway distance from Beijing to Alashankou is 4245 kilometers.
The structural speed of the forward steam locomotive is 80 kilometers per hour.
In order to ensure the safety of trains and passengers, the speed of general operating trains is limited to 60 kilometers per hour.
In order to reach Alashankou as soon as possible, the speed of the rescue train was always maintained at 80 kilometers per hour.
The driver team works in two shifts, and people park their cars non-stop.
So when the comrades on the driver's team encountered physiological excretion problems, they would directly open the door behind the driver and open the brakes to release water directly on the moving train.
Of course, there are tricks to releasing water.
The wind speed was very high on the train.
Even if the king of heaven comes, I can't do it.
It would be a bit embarrassing if it was blown in and spilled on the pants.
So it’s like jumping off a train and releasing water toward the rear.
…
After overcoming numerous difficulties along the way, the rescue train finally arrived at Alashankou in the early morning two days later.
"Comrade driver, there are many people ahead. We should reach our destination."
The co-driver, Liu Qingquan, retracted his head from the window and reported with his sun-reddened head straight.
It's summer now. The terrain on the border is high and the ultraviolet radiation is strong. Liu Qingquan has been sticking his head out for the past two days, and he's almost turning into spicy crayfish.
Cheers also came from Lao Mao's radio station: "Sizzling sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes, mochi here, the sweet potatoes are ripe and ready to be dug out."
Without the need for translation, Li Aiguo knew that the destination was ahead. He immediately became energetic and slowly pushed the handbrake.
The speed of the train suddenly dropped and it slowly stopped along the tracks.
Poof
With a violent exhaust sound, the train door opened.
Dozens of young comrades wearing tan uniforms and hats gathered around.
They looked anxious and had a hopeful look in their eyes.
"Commander in chief, you are finally here!"
Zhang Gong, captain of the rescue team, led the rescue team members down from the train.
He first jogged all the way to the front of the car, held the hands of Li Aiguo and Cao Wenzhi through the car window, and said words of gratitude.
"Comrades on the railway, thanks to you this time, we were able to get to Alashankou in time without fear of hardships and overcoming all difficulties."
"When the rescue is successful, I will ask the Ministry for credit!"
"The rescue mission is about to begin. We are destined to meet again!"
Then he began to direct the team members to unload the rescue boring machine on the train.
Li Aiguo stopped the train and, together with Cao Wenzhi and others, inspected the inside of the front of the car.
After making sure there was no problem, he jumped off the train.
After a few days of jolting on the train, my whole body was almost paralyzed. It felt really good to step on solid ground.
It was early morning.
The morning mist is lingering, and the Ala Mountain in the distance is like a sharp sword, breaking through the morning mist and thrusting straight into the sky.
Surrounded by the bare Gobi Desert, the Ala Mountain is full of green. The original pine forest is green and tall, and the mountain wind blows the pine waves.
"Let's go, Patriot. The local comrades have prepared the truck. We can go back to the capital."
By driving the rescue train to the predetermined location, the task of the driver team is completed.
Since the track is a dead end, the train has no way to turn around and can only temporarily stop on the track and wait for the locomotive depot to send a locomotive to pull it back.
These trivial matters are handled by comrades from the local locomotive depot.
Li Aiguo and other members of the driver team need to take the Liberation Truck to the county seat more than 200 miles away and return to the capital by train.
Cao Wenzhi's shouts were heard in the distance. Li Aiguo threw his cigarette butt on the ground, looked back at Alashan, and ran quickly towards the liberation truck.
Cao Wenzhi and Liu Qingquan were already squatting on the truck.
After two days and two nights of running around, even veteran drivers like them were exhausted and needed to go back and have a good rest.
Li Aiguo was about to climb up on the wheels when a voice came from the distance.
"Driver Li, please wait."
Turning around, I saw Zhang Gong and Lao Mao walking side by side.
"Comrade Li Aiguo, the rescue team is going to the mountain for rescue soon. I hope you can also participate."
Zhang Gong explained his intention directly.
"I am just a train driver, and I have to go back and drive the train." Li Aiguo hesitated.
He doesn't know how to rescue himself, so even if he follows him into the mountains, it may not be effective.
Zhang Gong: "This is Comrade Lao Mao's suggestion. We have already informed your locomotive depot."
Li Aiguo looked at the old cat, and the old cat blinked at him, looking a little proud.
Li Aiguo frowned.
I don’t understand the old cat’s intention.
But since the rescue team gave the order, he had no way to shirk it.
Zhang Gong used the word "notice", which is enough to explain everything.
Cao Wenzhi and the others couldn't figure out what was going on, but seeing Li Aiguo's hesitation, they all offered words of advice.
"Patriotism, rescue is of great importance. It is your honor to be able to let you participate in the rescue team."
"You don't have to worry about the crew. We have mobile drivers in the workshop."
See this situation.
Li Aiguo nodded heavily and said, "Then we'll see you in the capital!"
"goodbye!"
The liberation truck emitted a puff of black smoke and disappeared into the boundless Gobi Desert.
In this way, Li Aiguo became a non-staff member of the rescue team.
This situation seems incredible. There is no formality and the person is left with just one phone call.
But in this hot era, it is very common.
As the saying goes: We are a brick, we can move it wherever needed.
Now Li Aiguo's brick has been moved to the rescue team.
His immediate supervisor is Lao Mao, and his specific work content is unknown.
Currently, they are assisting truck drivers in delivering rescue equipment to the collapsed cave entrance.
Li Aiguo accepted the order and ran quickly to the truck.
Zhang Gong looked at his back and turned to look at the old cat.
"Comrade Lao Mao, do you think this guy is good?"
"It's not just good, it's simply excellent."
The old cat chuckled and said, "You were also on the train when the train was about to overturn. It was Li Aiguo who was in danger and saved everyone on the train."
He took out a cigar from his pocket and lit it. Ignoring Zhang Gong's envious gaze, he squatted on the ground and continued.
"On the way here, I have fully analyzed the collapse accident, and I always feel that there is something wrong with it.
“This time we have to both rescue and uncover bad elements, which is very difficult.
“We are in need of comrades with reliable backgrounds, courage, and ability.
"Li Aiguo has no connection with the rescue team or the geological team and can be trusted.
No matter how sophisticated the enemy's layout is, they would never expect that a train driver could join the rescue team.
“One more comrade and one more pair of eyes will increase your chances of winning.”
Of course, Lao Mao has accessed Li Aiguo's files and knows some things that cannot be leaked.
When Zhang Gong heard this, his fingers trembled and he frowned: "Do you even doubt the comrades of the rescue team?"
The old cat chuckled: "The situation is indeed serious. Not only the rescue team, but you and even my investigation team are also among the suspects."
Zhang Gong turned to look at Old Mao. His face was obscured by the smoke and he could not see clearly.
The old cat does not belong to the rescue team or the Ministry of Petroleum Industry, but from a special department.
It is normal to develop a habit of doubting others after years of hard fighting.
The old cat stood up, and the smoke swayed in the wind, taking away an almost inaudible sentence.
"Even I doubt myself all the time."
(End of chapter)
