Chen Yuan was quite moved. After a moment of hesitation, he reached out and took the money, saying, "Thank you, Uncle."
This address, "Uncle" instead of "Commander," was both a farewell to the military and a way to draw closer to Li Zhan.
Li Zhan coughed lightly, pulled a note from his pocket, and handed it to Chen Yuan: "This has the address of another one of your father's old Comrades. When you return to Yanjing, go visit him and bring the old man a remembrance."
Chen Yuan took the note and immediately understood its deeper meaning.
This was telling him that he could use this connection after returning to Yanjing!
He nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, Uncle, I will definitely deliver this remembrance. I don't have any other relatives, so my father's old Comrades are all my elders, my uncles."
Li Zhan nodded, his approval even stronger. After a moment of thought, he took off the watch on his wrist and handed it to Chen Yuan: "This watch was confiscated from an American soldier back in the day and has been with me for many years. Now I'm giving it to you, as a remembrance of the military!
Remember, even if you're no longer in the military, you must still contribute to the country!"
Chen Yuan took the watch, feeling its weight, and his mind was clear.
He solemnly put it on his left wrist, straightened his back, and gave a perfect military salute: "Please rest assured, Commander! I will always remember your teachings and will not let you down."
Li Zhan stood up and returned the salute.
Chen Yuan did not linger. He turned and left, returning to the dormitory to pack his luggage. There wasn't much: a few clothes, a book, a harmonica, and a simple wooden suitcase were enough to hold everything.
He walked around the camp one more time, briefly said goodbye to some Comrades, and then set off on the road to Jingdu.
......
The train slowly started, and the scenery outside the window changed.
Chen Yuan chose a window seat, gazing at the rapidly passing fields and villages outside, occasionally lost in thought.
After a few days, he had accepted the fact of his transmigration.
Since he had come, he would make the best of it.
He was filled with a certain longing for the unknown life: a respectable job, a bit of everyday life, and a chance to experience the charm of this era.
By chance, he might even be able to use the advanced knowledge in his mind to help the country accelerate its development!
What's more, he still had a system waiting to be activated!
The train weaved through mountains and rivers, heading north, towards the ancient city that carried so much history.
......
After more than three days of bumpy travel, he finally arrived at Si Jiu City.
From then on, he would be a Yanjing native!
Chen Yuan checked his watch. It was noon, and the sun was just right.
He felt the note in his pocket and, after a moment of contemplation, decided to visit his father's old Comrade first.
It's easier to get things done with acquaintances, and the posts arranged for demobilized soldiers were certainly divided into different grades.
He definitely needed to aim for a job with good prospects.
Moreover, most residences in those days were assigned, and he needed to live in South Luogu Lane to receive the system's rewards.
"Going unannounced like this, I'll probably need to bring some good gifts. Even the best comradeship needs to be nurtured...."
Chen Yuan calculated, preparing to buy some things. It would be impolite to show up empty-handed.
He opened the kraft paper bag. Inside, besides a stack of money, there were also many various tickets.
Buying things in this era wasn't just about having money; you also needed corresponding tickets.
After exiting the station.
The streets were bustling, with peddlers hawking small goods and rickshaw pullers shouting energetically.
Chen Yuan hailed a pedicab and headed straight for the nearby Baihuo Dalao.
Pushing open the glass door, the spacious hall was not crowded, and the goods on the shelves were neatly arranged by category.
The sales clerks, dressed in uniform, sat with their legs crossed, cracking sunflower seeds, not even looking up when people came in. After all, they were officially employed!
These details made Chen Yuan feel the uniqueness of the era.
He stopped in front of the liquor section. After some consideration, he finally chose two bottles of Maotai and a pack of Huazi cigarettes, spending a total of eleven yuan and two fen. This price could definitely be considered a luxury.
Looking at these two brands, which would still be incredibly popular decades later, Chen Yuan couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
When paying and presenting the tickets, the sales clerk carefully checked each ticket, then packed the goods in a cloth bag and handed them to Chen Yuan.
"Thank you, Comrade."
After leaving the Baihuo Dalao, Chen Yuan followed the address on the note, passed through several hutongs, and arrived at a quiet lane in Xicheng District.
The hutongs here were well-preserved, with grey walls and dark tiles, possessing the unique traditional charm of old Beijing.
Following the address on the note, he finally found an extremely exquisite three-courtyard Four-in-one courtyard.
The gate tower was tall and elegant, far from comparable to ordinary residences, and two armed guards stood at the entrance, patrolling the surroundings.
"It seems this old Comrade is doing very well. Alas, if my cheap father hadn't died, I'd probably be a second-generation 'red' as well, experiencing the life of a big compound kid!"
Chen Yuan sighed a few times, guessing in his heart that he should be able to get a good job.
He was about to step forward when a guard noticed him and strode over: "Comrade, you can't loiter here. Please leave."
Chen Yuan quickly explained: "Hello, Comrade, I'm here to see Comrade Li Jianjun. My name is Chen Yuan. Please inform him."
The guard looked Chen Yuan up and down, his eyes scrutinizing: "Do you have proof?"
Chen Yuan pulled out the note Li Zhan had given him: "Uncle Li is my father's old Comrade. My father is no longer with us, so I specifically came to visit and bring the old man a remembrance."
"Young Comrade, you're a soldier, aren't you? My apologies. Please wait, I'll go inform him right away." The guard took the note, glanced at it, his expression becoming much kinder, and walked to a wall-mounted phone by the door, dialing an internal line.
"Minister Li...."
After a few brief exchanges, the guard returned and nodded to Chen Yuan: "It's confirmed. Please come in, follow me."
Passing through the exquisite front courtyard, Chen Yuan was led into a spacious inner courtyard.
Flowers and trees flourished in the courtyard, several old trees provided shade, and the ground was paved with bluestone slabs, giving it an ancient and elegant feel.
Soon, a vigorous middle-aged man walked out of the main house.
His temples were gray, he wore a neat Chinese tunic suit , and his demeanor exuded authority, yet also the kindness of an elder.
"You must be Old Chen's child, right?" Li Jianjun walked quickly, his gaze carefully examining Chen Yuan's face.
"You're Uncle Li, aren't you? I heard my father mention you when I was little. My father often talked about you, saying you were...."
Chen Yuan immediately presented the gift in his hand.
Li Jianjun waved his hand and said: "Just coming is enough, why bring anything? Come in and sit!"
Although he said so, Chen Yuan could see the relief in Uncle Li's eyes—as an elder, seeing a junior who knew proper etiquette was naturally pleasing.
Li Jianjun took Chen Yuan's hand and cordially led him into the house, looking at his leg as they walked and saying: "I've heard about your situation. A tiger father has no dog son! You, young man, are a hero!"