Chapter 66: This little friend isn't bad

  The VIP ward is still very convenient, and many inconvenient things are helped by nurses and caregivers. Bao Yulin can't do much in his daily life. In fact, the accompanying rooms in the general hospital's VIP ward are mostly for secretaries or security personnel to live in. Generally, all living problems have been solved by nursing staff. Moreover, although the old man's leg is broken, his hands are fine and his spirit is good. He can solve problems like eating on his own. After Bao Yulin put breakfast on the small table for his mother, he could only sit and chat with her, chatting occasionally, watching his mother eat wontons contentedly. Bao Yulin felt extremely happy. In fact, this feeling of happiness was enough for Bao Yulin, and he didn't have any higher demands.

  "Director, what can I do for you?" After washing the dishes, the nurse took them away to disinfect. Just then, the TV was showing an opera that the old man liked to watch. Seeing Bao Yulin's uncomfortable expression, the old lady simply drove him out. Bao Yulin thought of the old cadre he had met at the door earlier and came under the tree.

  Minister Lin had already finished his radio calisthenics and was now reading the newspaper with his glasses on. Hearing Bao Yulin's greeting, he looked up through the upper edge of his glasses, saw that it was Bao Yulin who had arrived, and took off his glasses with interest, sizing him up from head to toe.

  "You're in good shape, young man! I hear you're serving in France now, a lieutenant in the French Army?"

  When asked this, Bao Yulin felt a bit embarrassed in front of such an old comrade-in-arms. His current identity was something that many people at the time couldn't understand. Subconsciously, Bao Yulin stood up straight and replied: "Oui, monsieur le capitaine." As soon as the words left his mouth, he suddenly remembered this wasn't France and hastily corrected himself: "Yes, sir, Commander-in-Chief."

  Minister Lin heard Bao Yulin's answer and knew that he had made Bao Yulin nervous, so he couldn't help but laugh. After all, it was still a military habit, and the sound of laughter was quite loud. Several elderly cadres who were resting in the courtyard nearby were attracted by this.

  "What's so funny, Old Lin?" An elderly cadre who was reading a newspaper nearby folded it up and walked over.

  "Hey, this kid is interesting." Minister Lin pointed at Bao Yulin without any concern: "Do you know how he answered me just now? He said: Yes sir. I don't know why but it sounds like the Nationalist soldiers answering questions back in the days."

  "Seems interesting, is this young man that French army lieutenant?" The person who walked over was also a seasoned military man, not very tall, but gave off an air of being more energetic with age.

  Bao Yulin already knew that the provincial foreign affairs office, Director Lan, had arranged for his mother to be in a high-ranking cadre ward. Most of the patients here were high-ranking military cadres, with many retired high-ranking military cadres. For these old cadres who had gone through life and death for China's revolution, he still had great respect.

  "Reporting to the superior, I am a retired soldier from the Wuhan Military Region of the original Chinese People's Liberation Army." Bao Yulin was really embarrassed to say that he was an active captain in the French army in front of these old revolutionaries, which was not worth boasting about.

  "Hey, young man, don't be nervous. Don't mind that we two old guys are still wearing our military uniforms, but we've already retired. We're not considered leaders anymore." Minister Lin looked at Bao Yulian's tense appearance, especially his previous answer, which made the old minister very satisfied. He pointed to the stone bench beside him: "Come on, come on, sit down and chat with us two old men!"

  If it were usual, these old cadres would be most unwilling to listen to words like "retire" or "old age", but they often say so themselves, and there is a bit of self-deprecating tone. However, the old minister was quite happy today. It's rare to have such a young and energetic person here, and he's also someone with a lot of stories.

  Seeing the two old men sit down, Bao Yulin had no choice but to sit down properly.

  Watching Bao Yulin sit up straight, Lin knew he was still a bit reserved. Director Lin spoke up and said: "Hey, don't be so tense, just treat it as if you're talking to two elders at home. Looking at your age, you're only in your early twenties. So, you can call me Grandpa Lin or Old Master Lin, this is Old Master Xu. I'm bored from staying in the hospital, that's why I asked you to come and keep us company."

  Although he didn't know what the two were originally, Bao Yulin was clear that since others hadn't mentioned it, asking would be very impolite. However, since they were retired cadres standing in front of the high-ranking officials' hospital ward, their rank couldn't be low. Not to mention other things, just based on how quickly they knew his identity, these people's abilities wouldn't be small.

  Bao Yulin nodded: "Grandpa Lin, Grandpa Xu, hello! To be honest, I don't know why, but seeing the two of you makes me a bit nervous. I guess it's because I'm used to being in the army." Bao Yulin's words were not flattery, but his genuine feelings after relaxing.

  As soon as they heard this, and looked at Bao Yulian's attitude, the two old men burst out laughing. They were both shrewd people who could tell what kind of person someone was just by looking at them. Bao Yulian's sincere words made them very satisfied. As an old soldier, he had hoped for this outcome.

  "How about it? I think this young man is quite interesting," said Director Lin with a smile, showing off to Old Man Xu.

  Mr. Xue nodded: "Well, it's interesting." As he said this, Mr. Xue asked Bao Yulin: "What's your name? I heard you went to Vietnam in '79 and were a first-class meritorious citizen?"

  Bao Yulin's face turned gloomy: "My name is Bao Yulin, and I was originally from the Wuhan Military Region. During the counterattack war, I was wounded and captured in Vietnam, and the First-Class Merit was awarded later as a supplementary record, but at that time I had already left the country."

  "It's like that!" The two old men didn't say a word. They knew some of the situation at that time. In fact, they already knew about Bao Yulin's affairs yesterday, and today when they saw Bao Yulin's appearance, they naturally knew how much this matter had hurt Bao Yulin.

  "Hey young man, don't be discouraged. Our country won't forget heroes like you. Isn't that so? You were awarded first-class merit, weren't you?" Old Man Lin comforted Bao Yulin.

  "Two old men, you don't know. Because of this matter, the people in our family didn't even dare to go out the door. My father only dared to go jump into the water at midnight and ended up dying from it. In order for my dad to be buried in our ancestral tomb, my sister was forced to drive me out of our home and told me never to come back again. Even the crematorium didn't want me, saying it was for the honor of their unit, they couldn't keep someone like me around. At that time, I had no choice, if only there was a way, I would have left the country too. Until now, I still don't even know where my father's grave is. I don't know how people in the village will look at me when I go back looking like this. I'm scared!" Bao Yulin said, leaving behind tears of pain.

  Mr. Xu patted his thigh: "Ah, Xiao Bao, I really feel sorry for you!" The old man said with a bit of pain and regret: "Sometimes our people are a bit extreme. They always think that if a soldier is captured by the enemy, it's a great shame, but they don't think about it. Sometimes things on the battlefield can't be explained clearly. In those years when we fought in the three major battles, how many Nationalist soldiers did we capture? Many of them became heroes later on. Not to mention someone like you."

  Bao Yulin slightly shook his head: "Actually, I don't blame my fellow villagers. After all these years, I've come to understand things. At that time, it was just the environment. Fortunately, heaven has eyes, and my problem is now clear. Moreover, in recent years, I haven't disgraced China, and everyone in the village knows about my meritorious deeds. I think that after a few days when my mother recovers a bit, I'll discuss with my sister and go pay respects to my father." These things had always been Bao Yulin's greatest heartache. If his mother hadn't been hit by a car, he would have gone back to pay respects to his father long ago.

  "Yes, it's time to go back and pay respects to your father." Old Master Lin said with a sigh. Perhaps it was Bao Yulin's words that touched something in his heart, he suddenly felt that he hadn't gone back to pay respects to his own father for many years. In the past, he always said he was too busy with work, but now that he didn't need to work anymore, he should go back and take a look.

  "By the way, is Xiao Bao now in the French Foreign Legion? I asked the secretary, if foreigners want to join the French nationality, the simplest way is to join the French Foreign Legion, and after a few years they can join the French nationality. But I heard it's very difficult to be an officer there." This was what Old Master Xu asked. After all, he was a soldier, so he was more interested in military affairs, and also wanted to ease the atmosphere a bit.

  Bao Yulin smiled wryly: "These are all unavoidable things, I was sneaking out at the time and didn't even have a passport. In order to settle down, I had no choice but to join the French Foreign Legion. However, becoming an officer was something that happened after I left the Foreign Legion. I distinguished myself during a UN peacekeeping mission, and the 29th Action Bureau of the French Intelligence Agency thought I was okay, so they let me join. As long as you enter this unit, you can apply for citizenship in advance. Later, I was lucky again and distinguished myself, which is how I became an officer."

  Bao Yulin explained, and when he got to this point, he found that the expressions of the two old men were not right. He hastily reflected on it and only then realized that the title of the French Intelligence Bureau had alerted the two old men. So he hastily explained: "The 29th Action Bureau of the French Intelligence Bureau is actually a special forces unit. We mainly carry out UN peacekeeping missions and anti-terrorism activities in the Middle East, which do not involve intelligence work. And if I were an intelligence officer, I wouldn't tell you two about these things. Besides, this time when I return to France, my contract will be fulfilled, and at that time, I can retire. When that happens, I will still return to my country."

  The two old soldiers nodded thoughtfully. They were originally high-ranking cadres in the army and were still very sensitive to matters involving intelligence.

  "Xiao Bao, you said the 29th Action Bureau is a special forces unit? What's your main way of fighting?" Old Xu still had some interest in special forces. Before his retirement, he was the commander of a certain group army in the Guanglan Military Region, and the current Guanglan Military Region Reconnaissance Brigade was formed from the reconnaissance battalion of their group army.

  When it comes to special forces, people easily think of elite troops from abroad. In fact, China's history of using special forces dates back a long time. During the Red Army era, there were already elite pistol teams; during the War of Resistance against Japan, the enemy's rear guard team made a great show of its prowess; during the Korean War, Chinese special forces blew up important bridges of the US military and disrupted the entire battle plan of the US military. The most famous was the surprise attack by Chinese special forces on the headquarters of South Korea's elite Capital Division White Tiger Unit, which made a decisive contribution to China's defeat of the White Tiger Unit.

  At that time, there was no concept of special forces, nor could they be equipped with so many advanced weapons like the 29th Action Bureau where Bao Yulin served. Generally speaking, these units were organized as battalions, companies, and platoons within corresponding military units such as armies, divisions, and regiments, and were referred to by names that included "scouting" or later "special duty company". In fact, the emergence of these units was often forced out by circumstances.

  In the early stages of the Sino-Vietnamese War, the Vietnamese side was unable to confront the Chinese army head-on, so they launched large-scale special forces (or commando) attacks on the Chinese side, causing significant casualties. At that time, the Vietnamese commandos were all seasoned veterans who had been tempered through many years of war and had extremely rich combat experience. They were very ruthless and their ambush techniques were highly skilled, making them particularly difficult to deal with. The capture of Bao Yulin at the time was a masterpiece of the Vietnamese commandos.

  Later, the Chinese side found that being passively led by the Vietnamese side was not a good way. So they began to concentrate on using reconnaissance battalions, companies and platoons of various armies, divisions and regiments. They also used small teams to launch surprise attacks or counter-ambushes against the Vietnamese army. The soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army had a great advantage not only in terms of equipment but also physically. As a result, special forces from both countries continuously launched attacks, causing heavy casualties on the Vietnamese side. Moreover, they were no longer able to gain any advantage. Later, the Vietnamese side had to broadcast a request for both sides to stop the special warfare. After all, they could not withstand the rotating attacks of the Chinese army's "special forces". This special warfare ended with Vietnam essentially surrendering.

  After that, the Chinese military also began to pay more attention to the tactical training of various reconnaissance units, and there were reconnaissance battalions directly under each army. Old Xu had not retired yet. He clearly remembered that when the Military Region wanted his army reconnaissance battalion, it almost broke his heart. As soon as he heard that Bao Yulin's unit in France was a special forces unit, he couldn't help but want to know more about the situation.

  When Xu Lao Ye asked this, Bao Yu Lin was a bit confused. Although he was abroad, he still cared about the domestic situation, and foreign radio stations and newspapers often had comments on the special warfare between China and Vietnam. From the propaganda, it's not hard to see that China is always in a favorable position. However, Bao Yu Lin knew that compared to China, the French disliked Vietnam even more. After all, Vietnam was once their colony, and they were driven out by the Vietnamese people. So Bao Yu Lin didn't know if the French propaganda had some bias. But based on the performance, China's special forces were very powerful. Now, hearing Xu Lao Ye ask about France's special forces, and even the most basic combat methods, this made him surprised.

  Bao Yulin's hesitation led Old Man Xu to misunderstand, thinking that Bao Yulin was unwilling to speak due to confidentiality or some other reason. He quickly added a sentence: "Of course, if there are confidentiality rules, then let's just forget I asked." Although this is what the old man said, his face fell.

  "Old Master, you've misunderstood. Actually, I was just thinking that when I was in France, we often saw publications, including our internal ones, talking about China and Vietnam engaging in special warfare. They said our country's special forces were very formidable. According to analysis, if China's special forces were to fight without logistical support, their combat and tactical level should be among the world's top ten. So I thought our country's special forces training was already quite systematic, don't misunderstand."

  Two old men, as soon as they heard that the French special forces' internal publication said that China's special forces were powerful, immediately forgot to ask about other things and kept asking Bao Yulin, what did outsiders say about China's scouts. They were not used to saying the word "special forces".

  Now, Bao Yulin has become a storyteller. Whatever he remembers about the outside world's comments on China's special forces, he has to talk about it. Afterwards, the two old men will comment on it again. Sometimes, when some things are inconsistent with what the Chinese side says, the old man will also criticize them.

  It wasn't clear when it started, but the voices of these two old men began to rise, and soon others joined in, making the discussion increasingly lively. Bao Yulin later became impatient, remembering that he still had a few copies of "Special Forces World" published in France in his tactical backpack. He quickly ran upstairs to fetch the books, which suddenly became treasures. By the time the nurse came out to ask these leaders to go for injections and medication, Bao Yulin could no longer see the shadow of the book. However, these old revolutionaries did not forget to take care of Bao Yulin, and when they had a chance, they would continue to ask him to tell them about special forces, which made Bao Yulin cry with laughter. Thinking about it, he realized that these elderly men and women were all high-ranking officials, at least at the division level or above, equivalent to generals in France, even if they had already retired. As a junior lieutenant, he was far inferior to them. Yet, he had become an explainer and judge. If he didn't know better, he would have thought that they were going to hold a drill here.

  After all, Bao Yulin's mother had just been hospitalized. After the ward rounds in the morning, a series of examinations and test results came out. Although there were nurses to help take care of her, Bao Yulin followed along, as his mother was an illiterate peasant who couldn't even recognize characters. Her accent was also heavy, and Bao Yulin worried that if he wasn't by her side, she would be anxious. So he accompanied her all the time.

  After a day of examination, it was almost time for dinner. Although the high-ranking ward has meal ordering service, Bao Yulin accompanied his mother to various examination rooms all day and missed the meal ordering time. The nurse in the hospital also knew that Bao Yulin's status was not a high-ranking official, but rather relied on his son's influence, so she didn't treat him with the same courtesy as other retired officials. Although he received the same service, he missed the meal ordering time and no one would make an extra trip for him. Anyway, there is a small canteen where he can go to order food directly.

  Bao Yulin didn't think that much. He looked at the time and saw it was time to eat, so he asked a nurse for a wheelchair, asked where the small cafeteria was, pushed his mother in and headed straight for the small cafeteria.

  In general, the leaders rarely come to the small canteen for meals. Their diet is controlled by doctors and nurses. Like these older leaders, they all have some cardiovascular problems, and their diet is strictly controlled in peacetime. Things like big fish and meat, high protein and fat, and alcohol are basically banned, even if there's no problem, they're not allowed to eat much. If it's someone with a problem, of course, it's strictly prohibited. So this small canteen has basically become the exclusive canteen for those secretaries or attendants.

  After returning, Bao Yulin didn't dare to wear his usual French military uniform and run around. He had to put on the casual clothes he bought in Paris, after all, it was a fashion capital. French fashion indeed has its charm. Unfortunately, when Bao Yulin wore these clothes into the small cafeteria, it felt a bit too eye-catching. The people sitting in the small cafeteria were all wearing uniforms (as they served with their leaders, casual wear was not allowed), only he and his mother, whom he was pushing, were wearing casual clothes. This feeling made Bao Yulin feel very uncomfortable.

  Luckily, just as he entered the cafeteria, someone helped him out of the predicament. Someone called out to him from a small table: "Little Bao, come over, come over."

  Bao Yulin took a look and, hey, he really recognized them. They were indeed the old Master Lin and old Master Xu whom he had met just that morning. He pushed his mother's wheelchair quickly forward for two steps, then greeted them: "Hello, you two gentlemen!" As he spoke, he introduced his mother in the wheelchair to the two old men: "This is my mom."

  Bao Yulin said, weighing his words as he introduced to his mother: "This is Old Man Lin, this is Old Man Xue, we met them this morning, and these two are..." Bao Yulin thought for a moment, but really didn't know how to introduce the two old men.

  Lin Lao Yezi, having been the Minister of Politics, understood at a glance that Bao Yulin was embarrassed and didn't know how to introduce himself and Old Xu. He hastily took over the conversation: "Big sister, this son you've raised is quite good, he's a fine young man. From this morning on, we're friends."

  Nothing makes a mother happier than someone praising her child, and Bao Yulian's mother is no exception. Upon hearing this, she was overjoyed and humbly said: "I don't dare to say that, my child is still young, I don't dare to make friends with the two leaders."

  Mr. Xue waved his hand: "This has nothing to do with age." As he spoke, he crooked his finger, beckoning Bao Yulin over, indicating that he had something to say.

  Bao Yulin was puzzled, what secret did this old man have that he had to be so secretive about? After thinking for a moment, he still leaned his ear in towards Old Xu.

  "Later, you buy an extra fried shrimp, and then buy a roasted chicken, a stir-fried pork, and grab a bottle of Maotai. After your mom finishes eating, bring it to the big tree at the bottom where we met this morning, and consider that our treat for you." Old Man Xu said carefully and clearly.

  Bao Yulin was taken aback, but quickly understood the reasoning behind it. It seemed that these two old men were waiting specifically for him, just to get a meal out of it. Apparently, in order to protect their health, no one around them dared to help them buy these things, and they probably didn't even have any money on them. Today, these two old men were really craving food.

  Bao Yulin suppressed his smile, quietly straightened up and nodded slightly, making an "OK" gesture with his hand. He understood that the two old men had definitely understood. As soon as he left, the two old men also left the small canteen. During dinner, Bao Yulin's mother was puzzled, wondering why her son wanted so many dishes and even ordered a bottle of expensive Maotai wine. Having no choice, Bao Yulin whispered in his mother's ear that it was for treating guests to dinner. This time, the old lady didn't say anything else, probably thinking that treating guests to dinner was the most normal reason.

  After returning to the ward, Lao Ren Jia only reminded Bao Yulin: Don't drink too much. She didn't even ask her son who he was drinking with in this unfamiliar city.

  Watching the two old men eating so deliciously, Bao Yulin drank beer while chatting with them from time to time. In fact, Bao Yulin also knew that it was not good for these two old men to eat such things, but looking at their spirit, there should be no big problem. Just by looking at the way they ate, you could tell that they hadn't eaten in a long time. According to Bao Yulin's philosophy of life, in such situations, one should still satisfy his own desires, and birth, aging, illness, and death are natural laws, which are actually not scary. Besides, eating occasionally shouldn't be a problem.

  Mr. Xue, who was drunk and full, belched and said to Mr. Lin: "You're right, this little package is not bad, it has a bit of an old friend's flavor."

  "That's it!" Old Man Lin said with a wave of his hand. But after thinking for a moment, he added: "What a pity, he is a foreigner now. However, no matter what, this little friend is still not bad!"

  Bao Yulin was so angry that he couldn't help but laugh and cry, he's already 25 years old, yet someone still calls him a little kid. Moreover, there's another crucial point, he doesn't want to cause any trouble.

  "Two old gentlemen, we had an agreement, you mustn't sell me out, otherwise, forget about being friends, I'm worried I'll be caught and thrown in jail for a few days."