Crossing the Western Tianshan Mountains

"Also, when we walk, we must keep our ears perked up! If we hear the sound of flowing water but can't see the water, then we must pay attention to our feet. If you can hear the sound of flowing water, it means the water is very close to you. If you don't pay attention at this time, you may fall into the ice cave!"

"Another thing to note: if you see green grass or trees emerging from the snow in the middle of winter, be careful. There's water underneath, and plants can only grow with water. Some plants aren't afraid of freezing and can grow as long as there's water. So, it's not safe underneath!"

"Another very important point is that around the ice cave, there are sometimes piles of sand and gravel, that is, stones and clods of earth. Why is it formed like this? It's because the water is flowing, and when it flows, the sand and gravel are washed and accumulated together. At this time, if you see these things, you must be careful. There are ice caves and water sources nearby. Don't fall in..."

During these lessons, Wu Yongjie and Ling Fengxi listened carefully from beginning to end. Although Ayiboli had little cultural background and their expressions were not accurate, they understood them.

Aiboli is a true citizen of the Western Tianshan Mountains. He knows everything about the Western Tianshan Mountains. The experience he provides is also valuable. The precautions he mentioned are even more complete and vivid than the experience and information about crossing the glaciers shared by some explorers that Ling Fengxi found.

Ling Fengxi suddenly remembered that he and Wu Yongjie almost froze to death during the expedition before they settled in Western Tianshan. It was the old man Jiayi Laobai who woke them up and gave each of them a sip of milk. After that, they developed a closer connection and interaction with the old man Jiayi Laobai and his family.

Think about how dull this year in the camp would have been without the Gailaubai family.

The survey schedule was packed, but it still ended up being the end of the year...

Ling Fengxi suggested that they wait until after the Lunar New Year holiday, which lasted seven or eight days. But Wu Yongjie refused to wait, and his reasoning was sound. "The new equipment and machinery have arrived, and we're going to survey now. It feels fresh and energizing. Lunar New Year is a time for relaxation, but a week of feasting and drinking might dampen our ambition and spirit, and lead to problems."

"But it's Chinese New Year after all. Your families will be worried if you go into the glacier like this."

"If we go after the Chinese New Year, won't they be worried?" Wu Yongjie insisted on his opinion.

Lin Jinghui, Li Jianguo and others also shared the same opinion. They felt that they would just eat and drink in the camp during the New Year, and at most they would go down the mountain to Wensu County to play. If they thought about it carefully, it would be better to do something practical.

If the survey is successful, all the workers need to do is get back together to resume construction after the New Year.

As the saying goes, the minority serves the majority, and the actions of the engineering team are not completely under Ling Fengxi's control. As a result, on the 29th day of the lunar year, which should have been a day for family reunion, Wu Yongjie personally led the team into the mountains.

Before leaving, Fang Ya gave Wu Yongjie a set of sheepskin knee pads. "This is what I asked Ayala to make. Your leg has not healed at all, but you insisted on going into the mountains. Your leg can't be any worse. You must wear this well. Also, those Chinese medicine bags. If conditions permit, try to soak your legs and legs in them at night."

"Yaya, are you concerned about me?" Wu Yongjie's old habit came back again, and he was teasing Fang Ya. Fang Ya was also angry inside. In fact, everyone could see that he cared about Wu Yongjie.

But Wu Yongjie seemed to be unaware of this and kept shouting it out so loudly.

So she said coldly, "It's just concern between colleagues. After all, if you have no legs, who will lead everyone to work? If you are a cripple, you may not be able to find a wife. So I care about you more to prevent you from being single in the future."

Wu Yongjie looked down at his legs, then at Fang Ya... and said with determination, "Don't worry, I will definitely save my legs and my wife."

Everything else that needed to be prepared had already been prepared. This time the survey team consisted of 37 people, which was much larger than the last one. Of course, they also brought more equipment and supplies.

This time I must succeed before I can retire.

This time, almost everyone in the camp came to see them off. Because of the direction, they couldn't even walk on the snowy path that had been trampled out. Instead, they rushed directly into the deep mountain snowfields in the direction specified by the instrument. The people who saw them off stared for a long time until the sun rose high and shone on the snow, and the reflected light stung people's eyes.

People then withdrew their gazes and returned to their dormitories.

Ayala looked at their direction and said to Ling Fengxi with some concern, "That direction is not good, it's dangerous, but I know you have to go. If you need our help, please tell us."

Ling Fengxi nodded, "I understand. Thank you."

Ling Fengxi spoke very little, and Ayala seemed to be familiar with his temperament, or had known it for a long time. The two of them did not feel awkward walking together without talking. Occasionally, they looked at each other, and it seemed as if there was the throbbing of their youth. However, Ayala quickly controlled herself and stopped. She waited until Ling Fengxi walked away and there was some distance between them before she continued walking forward.

Ling Fengxi actually had the same feeling as Ayala, but he knew that there was no possibility between the two of them. He knew that Ayala had stopped, but he did not stop and went straight back to the dormitory.

Ye Minglang came in with a fried pancake in his hand. "The fried pancakes in the cafeteria today are very fragrant. It's a pity that Captain Wu and the others are not here, so we can't eat them."

Ling Fengxi took a fried pancake, took a bite, and said, "Captain Wu and the others will have a very hard time this week. They won't be eating or sleeping well. It may take ten days or even half a month for them to come back. Ask the cafeteria to make some plans. They should replenish their bodies when they come back, and leave them with some good food."

Don’t wait until the New Year when all the good things are eaten up and the people who come back from the survey can only eat leftovers. Wouldn’t Wu Yongjie be so angry that he would die?

As the two were talking, they heard the crackling of firecrackers outside.

The horse Ayala was riding was startled and reared up, almost throwing Ayala off. This scene was very thrilling, but Ayala was not afraid. She smiled and said, "I'm going back to celebrate the New Year too. Happy New Year everyone. Tomorrow, the milk will be delivered as usual. Everyone must have a good New Year."

Yes, we must have a good new year.

The first year in Western Tianshan.

When Ling Fengxi came out, Ayala had already left. He only saw some workers setting off firecrackers on the snow slope in front of the camp.

Ye Minglang suddenly said, "There won't be an avalanche here, right?"