Chapter 1069 The details and tragedy hidden on the airdrop box
"Kellero?"
Under the white sheets that rustled in the cold wind, Wei Ran tentatively called out the other person's name.
"What's wrong?" Kelelao, who had been staring above his head, asked without looking back.
After thinking for a moment, Wei Ran asked, "How far are we still?"
Hearing this, Kelailuo finally looked around and responded, "It's not far away. In about ten kilometers, we will reach the place where sister Ke Na works. The vehicle technical service point where you work shares the same place with them.
big tent, so when you find them, you find your place to work.”
After looking at the set of skis placed on the sledge, Wei Ran was silent for a moment and asked, "How is this job?"
“Can fill your stomach”
Kelailuo said in an extremely simple manner, "As long as I can get to Kobona, I can have a full meal, and every time I come back, I can bring a piece of bread to Sister Kobona."
"Sister Ke Na?" Wei Ran looked at the young man next to him strangely.
"She's a few months older than me."
Kelailuo pulled the back of his head and explained matter-of-factly, "She asked me to call her sister. She said she has 23 other younger brothers and sisters. I have never seen them. Brother Victor, is that true?
"
"Indeed it is"
Wei Ran nodded absently, "You will meet those younger brothers and sisters if you have the chance. They are all living in the air-raid shelter now."
"The Germans are like rabid dogs recently. This road is too dangerous."
Kailuo paused and continued, "Although I really want to see them, I don't want it to be at this time. I encountered a snowstorm yesterday. If my Sasha hadn't been smart enough, I might have lost my way."
"It's Sasha again..."
Wei Ran secretly grinned and listened quietly to the young coachman describing his adventures on this ice road. From time to time, he also asked for some key information in a sideways manner.
From Kelailuo's few words, Wei Ran finally learned that this night was March 4, 1942.
In addition, he was assigned to drive a bulldozer at a certain vehicle technical service point on the Ice Highway, and that vehicle technical service point happened to be at the same location as where Kona worked. Even, listening to what he meant, it seemed that this was
Political Commissar Yin Liqi specially arranged it.
After an unknown amount of time, the roar of aircraft engines overhead gradually faded away, and anti-aircraft fire ceased fire one after another.
After waiting for a while, the red lights lit up one after another, first flashing, and then turning into steady light spots.
Until this time, Keleluo lifted off the canvas blanket covering the mule as quickly as possible, folded it twice and spread it on the sledge. He also picked up a brush and brushed it as quickly as possible.
Dropped the snow and ice on the mule.
At the same time, Wei Ran also folded the white sheet covering the sledge and put it back in place. He also checked the condition of the two wounded people and removed the lid of the iron bucket.
Soon, the horse-drawn sledge returned to the original road and continued to run towards the other end of the road under the guidance of the traffic controllers who were on duty with red lights.
Along the way, Wei Ran saw horse-drawn sledges running in the same direction, trucks one after another, and militiamen standing on the roadside every 500 meters to direct traffic.
Those militiamen with frost on their clothes and eyebrows all had oil lamps that emitted red light hung around their waists, and they all had skis at their feet.
Whenever there is a congestion on this one-way ice highway, these hard-working militiamen will immediately rush to evacuate the traffic.
On the way, he also saw a major driving a GAZ sedan who was trying to jump in line. He was stopped by the young female militiamen, who mercilessly used their weapons to persuade him to go back to the line and continue queuing.
After looking at the aurora still surging above his head, then at the dim environment around him, and at the carbide lamp hanging around his waist, Wei Ran wisely gave up on taking out his camera to take pictures.
Sitting on the sledge obediently and letting the hard-working animal pull him for more than half an hour, Keleluo shouted to the mule to stop, raised his finger and pointed in the direction and said, "Sister Kena and their tents
It's in that direction. If you walk along the fork in that direction for about two hundred meters, you'll see it. It's the only tent nearby, so I won't send you there."
"I can just go there by myself"
While Wei Ran was talking, he had already jumped off the sledge and walked to the roadside with the set of skis in his arms, "Kailalo, please pay attention to safety on the road."
"You too, Comrade Victor." Kelailuo saluted Wei Ran in a decent manner, shouted at the sledge and started running along the road again.
Leaving this busy ice road along the fork in the middle of the windshield wall with a height of more than one meter made of snow, Wei Ran fumbled to put on his skis, pushed the snowball with all his strength, and pulled away from the man behind him.
The distance of a highway.
Soon after, a large yurt-style tent made of white oilcloth appeared directly in front. In the center of the tent, there was a chimney emitting blue smoke.
Next to it, there is not only a pile of boards and logs covered with snow and a tight pile of coal covered by canvas, but also parked a little further away is a tracked truck that is also covered with snow and spray-painted white.
Bulldozers. A little further away, there seemed to be many 200-liter oil drums buried.
After a moment's hesitation, Wei Ran took off his skis, lightly tapped the canvas curtain of the tent with his snowball, waited for a moment, and then gently opened it.
What he didn't expect was that after entering the tent, there was a square wooden sign hanging directly in front of it. There were also two conspicuous white arrows painted on the sign. Right below the sign, there was an iron bucket without a lid.
Inside were several sets of skis of different lengths and two manual oil pumps.
Looking left and right, there was another cotton curtain on both sides of the arrow. They seemed to lead to two spaces.
He took out the flashlight from the metal book and turned it on with his hand covering the head of the lamp. He looked at the wooden sign with a little light leaking between his fingers.
The sign points to the arrow on the left and reads "Vehicle Technical Service Point" in white Russian. Under the arrow on the right, it says No Entry.
Seeing this, he wisely walked to the left side, opened the cotton curtain, and at the same time made the fingers covering the lamp head wider.
Through the light, he could see that in this space that only occupied less than half the area of the tent, the ground was covered with a layer of pine needles and wooden boards. There were several boxes containing maintenance tools and some carpentry tools placed beside it.
There was also an anvil, a box of horseshoes of various sizes, and a box of tools that were most likely used for hoof trimming.
There is a small table closest to the curtain. On it is not only an oil lamp, but also a Volga radio, as well as an enamel lunch box containing Morhe cigarettes and a few newspapers. Under the table,
It is a small foot-operated generator.
Behind the table, next to the thin canvas that separated it from the next door, there was a narrow camp bed. When he walked to the bed, he could still feel the warmth coming from the next door, and
A faint red light can be seen.
After thinking for a while, he lit the kerosene lamp, then walked out of the tent and looked around. He was relieved when he saw that there was no light coming out.
When he opened the curtain again, the cotton curtain on the right just opened, and a thin female soldier who wrapped herself tightly walked out.
After a brief silence where their eyes met, the female soldier asked, "Are you the bulldozer driver sent here, Comrade Victor?"
"it's me"
Wei Ran, who was holding the curtain open, took a step back and waited for the thin female soldier to come out, then said, "I am Victor."
"Kona told me about you"
The female soldier took the initiative to reach out to Wei Ran and said, "I am Ekaterina. Like Kona, I am also a traffic controller."
"Hello, Comrade Ekaterina." Wei Ran took off his gloves and shook hands with the other party.
"Let's wait in our dormitory, it's warmer there."
Ekaterina lifted her finger and pointed behind her, "I'm going to change shifts with Kona right now. She'll be back in about half an hour."
"Are there any other ladies inside?" Wei Ran asked politely.
"If you had come half an hour earlier, you could have met two other girls."
Ekaterina said while putting skis on her feet, "But they have just gone to the road to wait for their boyfriends, so you may have to wait until a little later to see them. Okay, the rest will wait until Kona comes back.
After that, let her introduce you, goodbye, Comrade Victor."
After saying that, the skinny girl had already put on her goggles, used her strength to support the snowball fight, and bravely slid out along another fork in the road.
Watching the other party go away, Wei Ran first went to the compartment on the left to pick up the newly lit kerosene lamp, and then got into the relatively spacious tent compartment on the right.
In this compartment, there are also thick pine needles and wooden boards under the feet. On one side of the door, there is also a table. There are also a row of six enamel cups, three kettles and a small table on one side.
A small mirror, and a glass bottle of what seemed to be grease.
Although these supplies look like they are for six people, in fact, there are only two beds in it.
In the middle of the two beds, near the canvas partition, was the German airdrop box that Wei Ran was very familiar with.
However, not only was this box painted white, but the cast iron stove in the basement was also fixed on the end of the main body near the handle!
Holding an oil lamp and getting closer, this cast iron stove did have the Russian words "Putilov Arms Factory" cast on it, but upon closer inspection, Wei Ran slapped his forehead. This stove that released warmth was just the same model.
, not the one in the basement.
Of course he cares whether this is the stove in the basement, because if it is the same one, it means that Ke Na has most likely gone back - even though it seems that there is no need to specially transport a broken stove from that basement.
After coming back to his senses, Wei Ran also noticed that in order to fix the stove on the main frame of the airdrop box, even one-third of the space in the airdrop box was given up, and look at the smaller box.
You will know from the hard work that the person doing this DIY work is at least very skilled in carpentry skills.
Not only did this person replace the box with a thicker wooden board, but it was also wrapped with a thin layer of iron sheet from who knows where.
However, at first glance, there are no personal belongings in this short box. There is only a half-meter-long panel saw and a Finnish ax of about the same length fixed with straps on the inside of the lid. The remaining items are
The leather case underneath, judging by its size, seems to be used to fix the fire strip.
As for the main space of the box, it is filled with briquettes. Instead, it is a long strip-shaped compartment with a wooden lid that is surrounded by wooden boards on the side.
Opening the wooden lid of this compartment, the inside was divided into three small spaces. In the first space was a German Gems brand gasoline stove that was very familiar to the company. When he picked up the oil stove, there was another one underneath that he was also very familiar with.
The familiar German kettle—these were the things he prepared for Kona before they left.
In the other two small spaces, the larger one on the side is empty, but the small one in the middle contains particularly interesting things. The top is a Budyonni hat wrapped in white cloth, and the bottom is placed
What was hanging on was the wine bottle and harmonica given to Ke Na by Wei Ran. Underneath these two items was a pair of knitted gloves. Under the gloves was an unopened can of condensed milk.
After restoring these things to their original state, Wei Ran looked at the stove that was firmly fixed on the metal frame of the airdrop box with thick screws.
The coals in the stove are glowing dark red, and a steaming enamel kettle is placed on it. On the chimney, there is a circle of hooks made of thick wire, on which are hung items such as socks, gloves, and shoes.
Something that needs to be heated or dried, even the end of the obviously reinforced handle has an unlit kerosene lamp hanging on it.
This craftsmanship is really good. Is there a carpenter living here?
Wei Ran muttered to himself and turned to look at the camp beds on both sides of the stove.
There were no personal belongings on these two beds, just three neatly stacked blankets on each, with different names written in white paint on each blanket.
However, on the ammunition box placed on the bedside of the bed on the left is a set of two copies of "War and Peace", while on the ammunition box on the right side of the bed is Lev Tols
Tai's other work "Resurrection", coincidentally, this book is also divided into two volumes.
Although it was easy to determine Ke Na's bed through the books, Wei Ran could also easily determine from the blankets with different names written on them that the only two beds were probably used by six girls in turn.
Of course, if you remove the thin canvas used as partition in the middle of this tent, you will find that together with the bed next door, the three beds arranged in a π shape actually share the stove mounted on the airdrop box.
Hanging the kerosene lamp in his hand on the support pole in the center of the tent, Wei Ran also checked himself.
This outfit has not changed much from before, except that there is an unlit carbide lamp on the waist.
After taking off the sack bag on his back and opening it, Wei Ran took out the contents one by one. In addition to a Soviet army lunch box containing several pieces of calcium carbide, there was also a worker's lunch box wrapped tightly in a towel.
, opened the lunch box, and what was inside was a few boiled potatoes only the size of eggs!
After re-closing the lid and placing it on the stove to slowly heat, Wei Ran rummaged through his bag and successfully found a letter folded into a triangle in an enamel jar with a lid.
Before he could decide whether to take a peek at the letters written by the children to Kena, there were sounds of stamping feet and slapping clothes outside the tent.
Upon seeing this, Wei Ran immediately coughed, and then he heard Kona shouting in surprise outside, "Is it Brother Victor? When did you arrive?!"
Before she finished speaking, Kona ran in wearing a Shapka cotton hat on her head and before she could take off her goggles and bearskin gloves.
After taking off her goggles, the girl with chilblains on her face warmly hugged Wei Ran and kept asking, "Are your brothers and sisters okay? How are you doing in the air raid shelter? Can they eat?
Are you full?"
Feeling the cold air on this girl's body, Wei Ran waited for the other party to let go of him, and helped her pat the snow off her shoulders and hat. At the same time, he explained with a smile, "They are all fine. Not only do they have to go to class every day,
, and also assigned them some work, of course, they can all have enough to eat."
As he spoke, Wei Ran handed the other party the triangular letter he still held in his hand, "This is a letter written by the children. They probably introduced their life in the air-raid shelter in the letter."
Ke Na took off the bearskin gloves that once belonged to Wei Ran, took the triangular letter and asked with a smile, "You didn't peek, did you?"
“It’s not too late”
Wei Ran spread his hands, pointed to the lunch box placed on the stove and said, "That lunch box was also brought to you by the children."
"What is it?"
Kona, who was about to open the letter, immediately walked over, picked up the lunch box, opened it, and then saw the boiled potatoes inside.
"The children saved it," Wei Ran said with a smile, "They were worried that you would be hungry."
“I have no shortage of food here.”
Kona muttered, but still picked up a boiled potato with ice and carefully took a small bite. Then she put it back, closed the lid of the lunch box, and placed it on the table by the door, "These
Let’s eat the potatoes when my friends come back. We often share food.”
"up to you"
Wei Ran took out the enamel jar from his bag, picked up the kettle on the stove, and poured himself a cup of hot water. "I thought you secretly brought the stove in the basement here."
"I was shocked when I saw this stove."
Ke Na sat on her bed and motioned to Wei Ran to sit opposite and explained, "This vehicle technical service point was built by my partners and I a few days ago. When we went to pick up supplies, I glanced at
I just fell in love with this stove.”
"Who put it on this little sled for you?" Weiran pointed at the airdrop box and praised, "This is really good craftsmanship."
But he didn't expect that as soon as he said these words, Kona, who had a look of joy on her face just now, fell into silence, and then unstoppable tears welled up in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Wei Ran immediately realized that he had asked a stupid question.
"fine"
Kona wiped the corners of her eyes and explained with sadness, "Uncle Yakov did it for us. He is a bulldozer driver, a car maintenance engineer at this service point, and a carpenter. He can also make mules and
Matthew Hooves is also Krochikova’s father.”
"he..."
"Two days ago, when he was changing a tire on a truck, he and the truck fell into an ice hole because of a bomb dropped by the Germans."
Kona buried her hands in her arms and explained with suppressed tears, "Krochikova, who was responsible for lighting on one side, also fell. Neither father nor daughter survived. We...we didn't even survive.
Fish them out."
"Look at the letters the children wrote..."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! After Wei Ran finished speaking, he sighed, took off the oil lamp and placed it on the lid of the airdrop box, and turned the light a little brighter.
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"Yep"
Kona hurriedly wiped her face covered with frostbite and tears, and tremblingly opened the triangular letter in her hand.
No longer curious about what was written in the letter that might bring some comfort to Ke Na, Wei Ran took his belongings and temporarily left the small compartment, got into the smaller compartment next door, and groped around
I found the enamel lunch box containing Mohe cigarettes, used a small piece of cut newspaper, awkwardly rolled myself a Mohe cigarette, shivering, lit it with a match in the lunch box and took a puff.
.
After a while, the small cubicle was filled with choking smoke, Wei Ran's uncontrollable cough - and, of course, the faint choking coming from the next door.
After a long time, the choking sound turned into a moving melody played by the harmonica.
The melody played once, twice, and three times before finally stopping. Kena next door also asked through the thin canvas, "Victor, can you play this tune?"
"I'll try it," Wei Ran, who had already extinguished Mo He's cigarette, replied hoarsely.
After a while, Ke Na opened the canvas that served as a partition and handed the harmonica to Wei Ran.
Fortunately, when he brought the harmonica to his mouth, the muscle memory given by the metal book also allowed him to play the tune just now.
And Kena, who was next door, also sang the song she wrote herself in a whisper:
The white Neva River is filled with red artillery fire
In that cold ruins, there are a group of happy little guys
