PDLP Chapter 103 The Watchers of the North
Chapter 103 The Watchers of the North
When Hu Yuling cried, the atmosphere at the educated youth settlement became somewhat ambiguous.
Hong Ye also stood warily beside the two, while He Yunqing, whose fighting spirit had been rekindled, was thinking only of 'futile waiting'.
"Xiao Chen, Dr. Hu, you two chat. I need to call the community center back to report on my work."
Chen Tuo is a tough young man to deal with. Although there is still a chance for the Fishing and Hunting column, futile waiting will give him a better chance.
He Yunqing personally experienced the hardships, helplessness, and unfulfilled potential of educated youth sent to the countryside.
With Chen Tuo's idea, He Yunqing felt confident that she could do it herself.
It's even possible to carve out a new path specifically for venting one's grievances, between reflection and trauma.
With its bitter and resentful experiences, it evokes painful memories for many former educated youth, and it is sure to resonate with many people!
"Teacher He, would you like to finish your meal and drink before you leave?"
"No, work is more important!"
"Since Teacher He is busy with work, I won't keep you any longer. The road is slippery, please be careful!"
He Yunqing, who had just looked dejected, left the educated youth settlement with high spirits.
Chen Tuo shook his head. If this guy got carried away, it probably wouldn't end well.
Hu Yuling was distracted, and Chen Tuo didn't chase after her to learn foreign languages. Instead, he went back to his room to write down the inspiration he had just had.
"The Watchers of the North? Chen Tuo, didn't you tell Teacher He and Sister Lingzi that watching was futile?"
Hong Ye, who had intended to follow along and solidify his position in front of Hu Yuling, was somewhat dazed when he saw the title written by Chen Tuo.
"Hong Ye, there's no such thing as pointless waiting, nor is there any such thing as unappreciated talent. There's only a lack of perseverance and strength!"
"This black soil beneath our feet is soaked in the blood of too many guardians; how could we be indifferent?"
"Which of the sentries in the northern frontier, the forestry workers and railway soldiers in Songling, are they all standing guard in vain?"
"Including the educated youth who have already left, the blood and sweat they shed on this black soil were not in vain..."
Denying his earlier statement about "futile vigilance," Chen Tuo pointed to the vast expanse outside the wooden house and said:
"On this black soil, there are far more moving stories than self-pitying lamentations. What our times need now is a spirit of struggle, not reminiscing, sentimentality, and escapism!"
"The sentinels of the northern frontier, the hunters in the mountains, the workers of the forest farms, the builders of the railway, the pioneers of the Great Northern Wilderness—there is so much to write about."
As they talked, inspiration struck, and Chen Tuo wrote the words "Northern Border Series" on the discarded ledger.
With these four words, works such as "Right Bank of the Ergun River," "Manchukuo," "Tales of Hulan River," "Village in August," "Field of Life and Death," and "Me and the Forest Farm" were created.
All of these should be included in the creation and adaptation schedule.
In literary creation, the simplest approach is nothing more than putting new wine in old bottles, especially in medium-length and long novels.
Looking at the words "Northern Territory Series," I kept enriching my writing plan.
Chen Tuo did not put these inspirations into writing.
"I don't want to be a deserter; I want to be a watchman on the northern frontier!"
Hearing Hu Yuling's vow at the door, Chen Tuo turned around and asked with a smile:
"Sister, at best you're a barefoot doctor at the Forestry Bureau. What can you possibly protect now? Are you even qualified to perform major surgery?"
With just one sentence, Chen Tuo froze Hu Yuling in place.
While her theoretical foundation is undeniably strong, her clinical experience is pitifully small.
All she could do was take the first step in the treatment process: take a medical history!
She could have the remaining surgeries and treatments, but with the forest area hospital and the No. 235 Hospital in Jagdaqi, she was not qualified to perform the surgeries.
"So, returning to the city for further studies is the best choice for you. If you can't let go of your convictions, you can always come back."
"Oh...it would be best to bring one or several hospitals back to the Songling Forest Area."
Hu Yuling heard Chen Tuo's suggestion clearly, but she looked troubled.
She can accumulate enough clinical experience, but building high-standard hospitals in the various counties and districts of the Xing'anling region is extremely difficult! Extremely difficult!
Infrastructure is one hurdle, medical equipment is another, but the biggest hurdle is medical personnel.
"Xiao Chen, I can't do that!"
"So you should go back to the city and work hard! This is a goal for you, and it can also provide your children with a better education."
Pointing to the Sun family boy outside the gatehouse, who was stuffing himself with food, Chen Tuo teased:
"If all else fails, sister, you can be a modern-day female Yu Gong (a legendary figure who moved mountains), and your descendants will be endlessly blessed..."
"You're so slippery!"
Completely persuaded by Chen Tuo, Hu Yuling wiped away the frozen tears on her face and looked at Hong Ye.
"Xiao Hong, get along well with Xiao Chen. He won't treat you badly. Don't be jealous of your sister. I already consider him my own brother."
Although Hu Yuling is not good at scheming, can someone who is proficient in the entire Tungusic language family be a fool?
She understood Hong Ye's subtle actions.
She didn't say anything because she didn't want her sibling relationship with Chen Tuo to be tainted by shady dealings and sordidness.
"Sister Lingzi, I..."
"I know you also want to leave Songling, but before you leave, why not leave yourself with the most beautiful memories?"
Hu Yuling's words made Hong Ye's face darken. Compared to this pretty doctor, she had neither a good family background nor a face that everyone would covet.
These are all Hu Yuling's assets.
Compared to Chen Tuo, she lacked the talent to become a young writer or poet.
She also wanted to be an idealist watching over the North, but the burdens of real life were too heavy.
Although Hu Yuling expressed her opinion, Hong Ye still felt that the only one who truly understood this handsome doctor from the forest area was Chen Tuo, whom she admired and relied on.
Even in her bulky cotton-padded jacket and trousers, Hu Yuling's good figure was still undeniable.
Despite having six children and still possessing a youthful and beautiful appearance, Hong Ye suddenly felt a surge of gloomy thoughts.
As Hu Yuling said, Hong Ye really didn't want to stay in Songling; she wanted to go to the South where there was no winter.
This handsome doctor may well have hoped to leave behind a most beautiful memory.
"Sis, what are you saying? She's still a girl, she doesn't understand what you're talking about..."
Hong Ye's naive charm made Hu Yuling cover her mouth and giggle.
After laughing, she asked Chen Tuo again in Evenki whether he had slept with Hong Ye.
The Tungusic language branches such as Evenki, Oroqen, Buryat, and Yakut not only lack a written script, but also have exceptionally rough and simple languages.
Helplessly replying to Hu Yuling, Chen Tuo wanted to continue recording the inspiration he had just had.
"Xiao Chen, haven't you ever thought about leaving Songling?"
Hu Yuling asked the same question that Hong Ye wanted to ask; what she wanted most was for Chen Tuo to go south with her.
"Sister, I don't want to leave. It's so nice here! We're free and unrestrained. We can go hunting in the mountains and fishing in the river. The city is too noisy..."
Chen Tuo's talk of seclusion also reminded Hu Yuling of her fond memories of Songling.
Although life was a bit tough, with Sun Changkui protecting her all the way, her life wasn't difficult at all, and it was quite fulfilling.
The hardships one endures in terms of food and drink cannot diminish the joy brought by spiritual fulfillment.
As Chen Tuo said, life in cities, especially big cities, is filled with too much chaos and noise.
Living in Songling, you can ignore all this chaos and noise.
But once they return to the city, they can't integrate into the chaos and noise, and they will only suffer.
In retrospect, being the "Northern Watcher" that Chen Tuo spoke of was not entirely pointless.
This also reminded Hu Yuling of Liu Qing, a female college student who, like her, came from Shanghai and settled in the forest area.
That barefoot doctor wandering the countryside must be the true Watchman of the North...