Chapter 49: Mine Detector

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Mine Detector

After saying this, Zhang Qiao stared at her, his expression a mix of confusion and caution. "Zheng Chuan would never tell you this himself. Sister-in-law, has someone deceived you?"

"Zheng Chuan isn’t going to defuse landmines. Sister-in-law, you shouldn’t worry yourself over it."

Zhang Qiao turned away, avoiding her gaze, and his words sounded slightly dismissive.

Su Wan wasn’t too disappointed. ’After all, it was enough that he could bring me to see Political Commissioner Lin.’

Su Wan fell silent. Zhang Qiao looked like he wanted to say something more, but seeing that she had no intention of speaking, he held his tongue.

The military vehicle drove for half an hour. After a long, bumpy ride, it arrived before several rows of buildings.

After getting out of the vehicle, Zhang Qiao led her straight into the building before them.

Su Wan followed calmly behind. Along the way, soldiers saluted Zhang Qiao, and he in turn saluted his superiors.

The entire building was filled with uniformed soldiers. They kept their eyes forward when they saw Su Wan, not looking over with any apparent curiosity.

But out of her line of sight, the soldiers had already gotten a clear look at her from the corners of their eyes. A hint of stunned admiration flashed in the eyes of many.

Su Wan rubbed her lower back from time to time.

Walking for too long while pregnant inevitably led to an aching back.

Fortunately, they didn’t have to walk for long. In an office on the third floor, they saw Political Commissioner Lin just as he was emerging from a conference room.

"Comrade Su Wan? Xiao Zhang? You’re here?"

Political Commissioner Lin had an aide pour Su Wan a glass of hot water and invited her into his office to sit and talk.

Zhang Qiao briefly explained Su Wan’s situation.

"Alright, I understand. Xiao Zhang, go and handle the handover with Xiao Liu. I’ll speak with Comrade Su Wan personally," Political Commissioner Lin said, his tone still gentle, not at all angry.

Once only the two of them were left in the room, he gave her a kind smile. "Comrade Su Wan, please, tell me what’s on your mind. I imagine it’s something you wouldn’t say in front of others."

Su Wan was surprised by how perceptive Political Commissioner Lin was; he seemed to have gleaned her intentions from her expression and subtle movements.

She took a deep breath and handed the drawings she had prepared to Political Commissioner Lin. "Political Commissioner Lin, you may think I’m joking, but I swear that everything I’m about to say is true."

"On my way to the Southwest Army base, I met some local villagers on the train. They mentioned that in certain areas, their poultry had been dying unexpectedly. I only caught parts of it, but I asked about the terrain, thinking I would mention it to Lu Zhengchuan when I arrived. I completely forgot until now. These are topographical maps I drew based on their verbal descriptions."

"...Reported by villagers?" Political Commissioner Lin’s expression was serious. He didn’t laugh. He calmly flipped through the drawings she had handed him, his own expression unreadable as he asked with feigned composure, "Comrade Su Wan, you drew these yourself? You’re sure you haven’t seen any actual topographical maps?"

"Political Commissioner Lin, I know you probably think I’m just making trouble, but these really are based on what the villagers described. I wouldn’t have even remembered the conversation if I hadn’t suddenly heard one of the wives in the family compound yesterday mention that soldiers of the Southwest Army also have mine-sweeping duties."

Su Wan didn’t frame it as being about her worries for Lu Zhengchuan. "I just thought, what if something was truly missed? I hope that by bringing this to your attention, we can prevent soldiers from being sacrificed."

’After all, you couldn’t alarm the army’s leaders over a personal matter. If every family member came running here like this, how would the commanders ever get anything done?’

"Comrade Su Wan, I understand," Political Commissioner Lin said with a nod, gathering up the drawings. "I will do my best to have my men verify this."

Su Wan couldn’t tell from his expression whether he was just humoring her or taking this seriously.

"You may go for now. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."

Political Commissioner Lin gave her a curious look.

Su Wan sighed in frustration. ’I have no power or influence. The leadership probably won’t believe me.’

’So how am I supposed to save Lu Zhengchuan?’

’And of all the rotten luck, I only had the dream after he’d already left.’

’It looks like my only option is to find one of Lu Zhengchuan’s comrades to help me. I just have to hope I can contact him privately.’

"...Thank you, Political Commissioner Lin."

Su Wan knew that pressing the issue would be unwelcome, so she pressed her lips together and could only nod in acceptance.

’If this method doesn’t work,’ she thought, ’I’ll just have to find another way.’

Su Wan took two steps toward the door before Political Commissioner Lin called out to stop her. "Comrade Su Wan," he added, "I expect you to keep this matter confidential until we have some results."

Hearing this demand, Su Wan actually felt relieved. It meant Political Commissioner Lin had truly taken her seriously.

"Yes, Political Commissioner Lin."

Su Wan left the office.

Political Commissioner Lin stared at the drawings in his hand for a long moment. They had seemed familiar the instant he saw them, but for the life of him, he couldn’t place where.

His expression instantly turned serious. He called out, and Xiao Liu entered.

"Xiao Liu, bring me the atlas for Lin Province."

Xiao Liu immediately complied, turning to retrieve several thick military atlases. Political Commissioner Lin flipped through them rapidly and, to his surprise, found a location in one of the books that was identical to Su Wan’s drawing, save for a few minor differences in the treeline.

"It’s the area around National Highway 218 in Lin Province."

For a moment, Political Commissioner Lin wondered if Su Wan somehow knew of the maps of Lin Province and had drawn this deliberately, or if her story was actually true.

"Xiao Liu, this is Comrade Su Wan’s first time in Lin Province, isn’t it?"

"Yes, Political Commissioner," Xiao Liu confirmed after a moment’s thought. He asked curiously, "Is something wrong, sir?"

"Does Battalion Commander Lu’s current mission route take him along this road?" Political Commissioner Lin asked.

’He didn’t believe Su Wan could have a map of Lin Province. These detailed military maps were only available to the army and couldn’t be found on the civilian market.’

"No, sir," Xiao Liu said, shaking his head. "Battalion Commander Lu and Master Ji’s original plan was to avoid the national highway."

Hearing this, Political Commissioner Lin breathed a sigh of relief. ’It seems Comrade Su Wan isn’t a spy using a fake tip to pry for information about Xiao Lu,’ he thought.

’She was probably just scared by the chatter from the wives in the family compound, lost her composure, and came running to me to ’save’ Xiao Lu.’

Xiao Liu saw the Political Commissioner relax but didn’t understand why. He simply stuck to his duties. "Sir, do you still need these books?"

"No, you can put them back," Political Commissioner Lin said with a wave of his hand. As he watched Xiao Liu gather the books to leave, he thought for a moment then added, "Contact the soldiers on duty along National Highway 218. Have them inspect these specific sections."

"Yes, Political Commissioner." Xiao Liu saluted and turned to leave.

After a few seconds, Political Commissioner Lin called out to him again. "Have them take mine detectors."

"Yes, sir!"

The mine detectors in the barracks were older models by international standards.

The domestic models were designed primarily to detect metal landmines; their ability to find low-metal or non-metal mines was extremely limited.