The four of them, father and sons, were still wearing clothes from over there, but now in n’s attire, which was easier to explain.
They seed to be surrounded. Tan Shaoting raised a white flag.
Three sea patrol ships quickly surrounded them. Each of them was ard with real guns aid at the father and sons.
"I’m a citizen," Tan Shaoting quickly raised his hands, and the three children did the sa.
In fact, the Sea View Base had already received the ssage. Orders from above instructed them to take care of the four. Seeing that the numbers matched, and since they were wearing clothes from over there and speaking the national language, they felt sowhat reassured.
Soon six people ca aboard. The father and sons stood aside waiting.
"Comrade, I’m a citizen. Can we sort this out ashore?"
There was naturally no objection from them. After checking the diesel quantity was insufficient and added so more, the father and sons were transferred to another sea patrol boat, their fishing boat now piloted by the sea patrol.
Once aboard, the father and sons visibly relaxed.
"Comrade, what’s your situation? Are you citizens or Japanese?" one person, who seed like a leader, asked the father and sons seated together.
"Comrade, I’m a citizen. There are so things it’s inconvenient to explain now. I’ll make a call once we’re ashore. Then there will be an explanation from above."
The person nodded, "Sorry, but we still need to conduct a search."
Tan Shaoting nodded, "I will cooperate with all procedures."
Two sea patrol mbers ca over while the others still held their weapons aid at them.
Tan Shaoting truly understood. This was normal. But the three children were not happy. However, seeing their father’s actions, they allowed themselves to be frisked.
After finding no issues, "Thank you for your cooperation. Please understand."
"Absolutely understand. Comrade, how long until we reach shore?"
"Another ten hours. We ca over imdiately upon receiving orders. I think I didn’t make a mistake."
Tan Shaoting nodded. Ten more hours, and this order was probably given by Zeng Zhenqing. He’ll call him once they disembark.
There was food on the ship. But the children didn’t like the food from over there. The sea patrol’s food was just stead buns.
Honestly, he and his wife had never let the children want for anything. The three children had never had such food.
But they were obedient, understanding that in the current situation, they couldn’t be picky. So they each ate half a stead bun.
Tan Shaoting had no choice. This was the best he could do at the mont.
Because Tan Shaoting’s situation was unknown, they were still under surveillance, and the father and sons huddled together.
Until 3 a.m., they finally disembarked. Luckily, it was this temperature, otherwise, they would’ve suffered.
After disembarking, they were imdiately surrounded, "Comrade, please take to make a call. I have important information to report."
"Sorry, comrade. We need our leader’s approval. Let take you to see our leader."
Tan Shaoting nodded and followed him into the office, where a man in his fifties was seated.
He Yanchuan looked at the newcors, recognizing their attire. Honestly, incidents like these at sea were not uncommon. "So you’re the four who caused a ruckus over there."
Tan Shaoting looked at He Yanchuan, "Leader, I’d like to make a call to Leader Zeng Zhenqing."
He Yanchuan raised an eyebrow, "Go ahead."
"Leader, you’re welco to listen in."
Actually, it’s sotis better for officials at their level not to know everything.
The three children stayed close to Tan Shaoting. He quickly dialed the number.
Given the ti, it was likely a secretary would answer first. But Tan Shaoting knew Zeng Zhenqing’s secretary.
The call connected, and after a few rings, soone answered.
"Who is this?"
Tan Shaoting recognized Secretary Wu’s voice.
"Secretary Wu, it’s Tan Shaoting. I’d like to speak with Leader Zeng."
Secretary Wu thought he misheard, "Who are you?"
"I’m Tan Shaoting. I need to speak with Leader Zeng."
"Tan Shaoting? The garrison head Tan Shaoting?"
"Yes, that’s . Can you reach Leader Zeng imdiately?"
"Mr. Tan, are you alright? Where are you? Sorry, I’m just overwheld. I’ll contact the leader right away. Please call again in ten minutes." He recognized Tan Shaoting’s voice. If he hadn’t been seasoned by years of experience, he might have dropped the phone in shock. Tan Shaoting was actually alive? Truly alive, as this conversation was happening.
"Thank you, Secretary Wu. I’ll call again shortly. Please tell Leader Zeng that I’m at the Sea View Base."
"Yes, yes."
After hanging up, He Yanchuan had overheard the conversation. He didn’t know Tan Shaoting, but hearing Secretary Wu’s words, he realized this was soone of significance.
"Please sit. Attendant, serve them water and have the kitchen prepare food."
Tan Shaoting quickly refused, "Leader, that’s not necessary. Warm water is fine, and could we possibly get so clothes? I’m willing to pay."
"Not now, the logistics aren’t available at this hour. Tomorrow morning."
"Thank you."
The three children sat with their father. Soon, hot water was brought in.
Tan Shaoting and his sons synchronized their watches with the office clock, waiting for Zeng Zhenqing’s call.
Before the ti ca, the phone rang.
He Yanchuan answered, "Hello."
"This is Zeng Zhenqing. Is Tan Shaoting there? Let him take the call."
"Yes."
Tan Shaoting took the phone, "Leader, it’s Tan Shaoting here."
On the other end, hearing the familiar voice, Zeng Zhenqing, a man who faced countless life-and-death monts, shed tears.
"It really is you. This is wonderful, just wonderful. Don’t say anything else. I’m sending a helicopter for you imdiately."
"Thank you, Leader. How’s Yuanyuan?" Tan Shaoting also heard the sobs from Zeng Zhenqing and grew emotional.
"You’ll see her once you arrive. Don’t worry, I’m dispatching the nearest helicopter."
"Thank you, Leader."
"No need for thanks. Hand the phone to the person in charge there."
He Yanchuan had been listening intently nearby. They ntioned Yuanyuan just now. That jogged his mory: the husband of the Deputy Minister Su Yuanyuan, who went missing five years ago with three children, was nad Tan.
He respectfully took the phone, "Leader, I’m He Yanchuan."
"Good, I’ve noted your contribution. The helicopter will be there soon. Make the necessary arrangents."
"Yes, sir."
"Alright." After hanging up, Zeng Zhenqing imdiately asked Qin Zhiyuan to make the call. He sat there, smiling foolishly.
Qin Zhiyuan was dumbfounded too, but quickly notified the helicopter team to pick them up and bring them to the Capital.
Hanging up the phone and seeing the expression on the leader’s face, he found it hard to describe. "Leader, should we inform Minister Su?"
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