pjbooks Chapter 9: Value Multiplication
Chapter 9: Value Multiplication
Silent all night.
The next day, Tang Zhenghong got up at around 3 a.m.
I took a hot shower and ate breakfast in the space, and changed into my railway police uniform. It's the 55-style winter uniform for this season, dark blue with bright red stripes on both sides.
The red lines on Master Lu Zhang's clothes are 7 millimeters wide, while Tang Zhenghong's are 2 millimeters wide.
After fastening the lace-trimmed five-pointed star buttons, tying the belt with the August 1st emblem, putting on leather shoes and a peaked cap, Tang Zhenghong gave a few empty salutes in place before stretching his body with satisfaction.
Tang Zhenghong didn't have many nationally valid grain coupons, but he thought they should be enough for the time being.
These tickets could be redeemed for grain and non-staple foods nationwide. People likened them to tickets that "flew all over the country," hence the name "Flying All Over the Sky."
After thinking about it, I decided to pack the cotton coat in my bag. It's a long trip, so it's better to be prepared.
Old Man Yan was fast asleep. Last night, he had a burst of youthful energy and completed a perfect assignment, but afterwards he felt weak all over and slept like a log.
"Honey, I think I heard Zheng Hong knocking on the door. Go check it out."
Yan Bugui, still sleepy, opened the door with his eyes half-closed. He immediately woke up when he saw Tang Zhenghong in his police uniform and instinctively bowed.
"Comrade, my name is Yan Bugui, and I am a teacher at Hongxing Primary School."
"Teacher Yan, wake up. I'm about to leave. Could you please close the door again? Don't blame me if something goes missing after I leave."
The reason everyone chose Yan Bugui as the third uncle was because he lived in the front yard, which made it convenient to lock the gate at night.
Yan Bugui, now fully awake, blushed with embarrassment and glared at Tang Zhenghong, asking, "What were you doing in the middle of the night?"
"Of course I'm going to work. I call this serving the people. Hurry up, or I'll get in trouble if you delay my work."
Yan Bugui looked embarrassed. Luckily, he hadn't called her anything inappropriate. Wasn't he supposed to be called "comrade"?
Railway Police Department of Sijiucheng Railway Police Team.
Before each shift, Lu Zhang would make a point of arriving a little early to review the areas with frequent safety incidents along the railway police lines he was traveling with, ensuring he was well-informed.
"Is everything arranged at home? We're on the connecting train No. 13."
The thirteenth international freight train is the one from Sijiucheng to Pyongyang.
Of course, the domestic segment only goes as far as Andong before the handover.
"Go get your equipment. There's a pre-departure safety meeting at the station later, so take this manual and familiarize yourself with it."
Tang Zhenghong took the national railway passenger train timetable from his master. It was a 1957 Spring Festival edition, with several pages of GG at the beginning, including GG from Qinghe Woolen Mill, GG from Shenyang Glass Instrument Factory, carbon and sulfur determination device, and a Soviet-style BTN gas analyzer, all in color.
There are usually four police officers on a train, but this train was led by Master Lu Zhang, with two officers per shift.
Tang Zhenghong received the Type 54 Truth and magazines, carefully equipped himself at his waist, and only picked up his yellow cloth bag and set off when Zou Yishui called for assembly outside.
"Brother Zou, this is my first mission, so you'll have to give me some pointers."
Zou Yishui took the economical cigarette offered by Tang Zhenghong: "It's not my turn. The captain should be in the same class as you. Listen more and talk less. Don't panic if something happens. Be quick-witted. He's a veteran policeman with a lot of experience."
After the usual assembly and introductory remarks, Master Lu Zhang, Tang Zhenghong, Zou Yishui, and Huo Chong set off for Qianmen Station.
Qianmen Station, also known as Zhengyangmen East Station, is located on the east side of Zhengyangmen.
The eleventh express train, with both hard and soft seats, runs from Sijiucheng to Sankeshu.
Thanks to the developed industry in Northeast China, the Northeast Railway Bureau has the most branches in the country, and there are many trains going to Northeast China. The eleventh train is the same as the one to Andong, which is a direct express train with soft and hard seats, and there is also a dining car. However, their train does not depart until 8:50, so they can sleep in a little longer.
The Northeast region is rich in local specialties, and it's not just the police who like to go there; even train attendants and train inspectors enjoy it, since they can bring back some things for their relatives and friends.
This is also one of the hidden benefits within the "railway giant's" work system.
"Chongzi, I heard Zhengzi and the others are taking the eleventh train this time?"
"Are you jealous?"
"What am I envious of? I heard that he's dating a train attendant on that train. Now the young couple can enjoy each other's company on the train and strengthen their bond."
Zou Yishui is 26 years old and got married at the end of last year. He is a newlywed and always misses his wife when he goes on missions. Sometimes he can only come back after half a month, so his words are tinged with jealousy.
After getting used to it, Tang Zhenghong actually quite liked the job, and the atmosphere in the team was also good.
"Zhenghong, do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?"
When the topic of women came up, everyone except the master, who was too aloof to participate in the young people's conversation, had their eyes light up and were very enthusiastic.
"Not yet."
"With Zheng Hong's physique and looks, he won't have trouble finding a girlfriend. Old Zou, could you pass on some tips to Zheng Hong later?"
"Hehe...isn't this something our bodies instinctively do?"
Huo Chong grinned mischievously: "Who knows, maybe Zheng Hong hasn't awakened this talent yet."
Seeing the two getting increasingly outrageous, and fearing they might corrupt his innocent apprentice, Lu Zhang coughed and said, "Mind your manners!"
According to regulations, trains must arrive at the station two hours before departure to prepare. The staff of the Sijiucheng Railway Section must clean the station, boil water in the boiler, and conduct safety checks before departure. The tractor will pull the train to the platform forty-five minutes before departure.
After inspecting the train and carriages, a pre-departure meeting is indispensable, mainly focusing on safety issues. The meeting is chaired by the three key figures: the train conductor, the railway police captain, and the inspection chief.
Even though it was the same old story, the train attendants, crew members, and even the water supply workers were all taking notes seriously, their expressions focused.
The International Connecting Train No. 13 departs from Sijiucheng to Pyongyang, with its domestic terminus at Andong Station. The train is 1120 kilometers long, departs at 7:00 AM, and arrives at 4:00 AM the following day.
Of course, this is just an estimated travel time, and the actual time is uncertain. Many railway sections are one-way, and sometimes trains have to wait to pass. In addition, with an average speed of about 50 kilometers per hour, the travel time can often double.
This train has a total of ten carriages. Carriage 1 is still for the post office, carriages 2-6 are hard-seat carriages, carriage 7 is the dining car, carriages 8 and 9 are hard sleeper carriages, and carriage 10 is a soft-seat carriage.
Tickets for the 9th and 10th are usually sold on a case-by-case basis, since staff need rest during shift changes, or for business travelers.
"Let me see your notes."
After the meeting, Tang Zhenghong followed his master to put his luggage in carriage number 9. When he returned to the platform to prepare, his master called him back. Fortunately, he hadn't been dawdling and had taken notes seriously, otherwise he would have really embarrassed himself.
"Okay, after we get back from this trip, you need to reorganize your notes and summarize them carefully. I will be checking them later."
Having a mentor these days is great, Tang Zhenghong said gratefully, "Thank you, Captain."
When we're talking about job titles, if we don't have enough political experience, we'll make up for it with our TV drama experience. Thanks to Secretary Yuliang.
Tang Zhenghong was filled with curiosity about the train station of that era. There was a railing at the rear of the No. 13 train, and a woman was standing on it holding a flag, doing something that was unclear.
"Don't look around blindly, that's the transfer vehicle driver."
Tang Zhenghong had heard of this position in the original timeline. It seemed to be a guard car in the freight car department, the work car of the transfer car manager. This was the first time he had seen it in passenger car. It was a long section outside the last car for people to stand, surrounded by guardrails.
"The boarding process is the most chaotic, and some people with their eyes on goods will take advantage of this time to steal. Also, once the passengers are on the bus, we will conduct our routine patrols. Stay close to me and pay special attention to your belongings so that no one takes advantage of the chaos to steal from you."
The captain wasn't joking. He heard that last year, a railway police officer on a train was robbed by the audacious "Old Rong," who even took his equipment, took responsibility, and ruined his future.