Chapter 29: The Token of Affection

  Sitting next to Zhao Hu, Cui Zhen Shan looked at this iron-like man and was surprised to see him crying like a child while holding an old pocket watch. He also wondered who had given the pocket watch to Zhao Hu, causing this well-known figure in both military and political circles of South Korea to show such puzzling emotions.

  Perhaps noticing Choi Jin-san's confusion, Tie Xingwu, who had just taken over the Northeast Military Region, walked in and recognized Choi Jin-san immediately. As the head of one of South Korea's four major conglomerate families, although he had retired to a secondary role, his influence on South Korea's political and economic circles was not to be underestimated. Moreover, the group controlled by his family was also a well-known large enterprise in South Korea. Such a figure was naturally an important object of attention for the Chinese military.

  At the end of the war between the two Koreas, at each round of North-South talks, our commander would always accompany the team. And this time, this former high-ranking official from South Korea naturally couldn't be absent from such a high-level meeting that wasn't open to the public. Plus, this time the old chief, in many cases, was able to find this doctor thanks to his help, and Jiro showed relatively more courtesy to Choi Jin-san, both publicly and privately.

  He quickly became somewhat sentimental and said: "Director Cui, this pocket watch was given to the old commander-in-chief by Commander Han of the Volunteer Army as a reward for his meritorious service. According to the old commander-in-chief, this pocket watch was given to Commander Han by Taizu. Perhaps it was because of this heavy object that the old commander-in-chief ended the war and rose all the way to the position of Great Military Region Commander.

  It's a pity that when General Han passed away, the old leader rushed to hear the news but didn't make it in time to see him one last time. This made him always feel somewhat guilty and regretful towards General Han's trust, and he kept this pocket watch as a treasure. More than ten years ago, I accompanied the old leader on an inspection of border defense, but unfortunately was bitten by a highly venomous snake that suddenly appeared beside the road.

  At that time, due to the remote location and the strong toxicity of the venomous snake, I would have died before reaching the hospital. Just at that critical moment, we met a passing doctor who saw my situation and took the initiative to rescue me by removing the poison. So that I could hold on until I reached the hospital and snatch this little life back from the hands of the King of Hell.

  Ke Lao Shou Zhang is the kind of person who knows how to repay kindness. When we went to inspect the border defense, all we had on us were guns and ammunition, nothing valuable at all. Although that doctor refused to accept gifts, Shou Zhang didn't want to owe him a favor he couldn't return, so he gave him this pocket watch he always carried with him.

  At that time, things were urgent, and the old chief didn't think that he would never find the other party again. As a result, this pocket watch became a heart disease for both the old chief and me. At that year, I almost searched all the villagers in the nearby countryside to ask about the whereabouts of this doctor, but it was like looking for a needle in the ocean, and there was no news at all.

  "Now that I see this pocket watch, the stone in my heart can finally be put to rest. The old chief no longer has to apologize every day for losing the pocket watch given by Commander Han."

  Listening to Tie Xingwu's words, which were tinged with a hint of sighs, there was a story about this pocket watch. Cui Zhen Shan, who had also served in the army back then, understood this honor that only belonged to soldiers. Although it was an old-fashioned pocket watch, it represented the responsibility passed down from the older generation of soldiers to the newer generation, and its value couldn't be measured by money!

  Perhaps it was hearing Tie Xingwu recount the history of the pocket watch that Zhao Hu suddenly wiped away tears and said: "Tie Tou, put this pocket watch back. I think this is Old Chief's spirit in heaven knowing I miss him, calculating that I have this fate, specially letting the person who obtained this pocket watch come back to save my life again. This is Old Chief's intention, I cannot refuse."

  Just as Zhao Hu said this with a hint of reluctance, a young voice suddenly came from the room. A slightly hoarse voice said: "Old man, since it's fate, I think you should keep this pocket watch!"

  As soon as the voice came out, the eyes of the three people immediately turned to the person who said this. Only then did they discover that Han Ankang, who was still in a daze just now, had opened his eyes and was looking at them with a somewhat tired expression.

  Before the three of them could speak, Han Ankang shifted his body slightly and continued to smile bitterly: "About this pocket watch, Grandfather told me that it was given to him as a gift when he first started practicing medicine, but he always felt guilty about it. However, at that time, he saw that you all had guns on your bodies, so he was afraid that if he refused the gift, it would delay the rescue of the patient, so he could only accept this pocket watch from you.

  I hope you can take it back one day, but I waited until my death and still couldn't wait for you. This pocket watch was placed inside, actually also grandfather's will left to me, hoping that someday I can meet the owner of the pocket watch. Return this pocket watch to its original owner, let Grandpa fulfill this wish.

  Besides, my grandfather also mentioned to me that when he was young, he saw the old man in the photo and knew he was a hero who stood up for justice. So whenever he had some free time, he would take out the pocket watch to clean and maintain it. Even I, after a period of time, would take it out to wind it up and clean it, fearing that it would break and I wouldn't be able to face the owner of the pocket watch.

  Actually, when Han Ankang fainted, he was clear that his vital energy had been consumed a bit too much, which led to this fainting situation. When the doctor gave him an intravenous drip, he was actually awake, but just quietly adjusting his breath, not wanting to waste his strength talking. Later, he suddenly heard that the grandfather's pocket watch, which he often took out for maintenance, had such a secret hidden in it.

  It's really a small world! Two generations of grandfather and grandson became acquainted with each other through an old pocket watch, connecting the new and old soldiers.

  After hearing Han Ankang's words, Zhao Hu and Tie Xingwu also felt that they might have really been brought together by this pocket watch to form a bond with the Han family. In the end, it made them owe the Han family a life, and the pocket watch was their old leader Han Siling's. This is indeed a fate predetermined by heaven!

  Facing Han Ankang, Zhao Hu said that he had taken out a pistol and a pocket watch for the doctor to choose from, otherwise he would not let him leave. Perhaps it was this misunderstanding and Zhao Hu's tough attitude that made Han Ankang's grandfather choose the pocket watch. After all, for a soldier, which one is more important between a pocket watch and a handgun is self-evident.

  But never thought that in the end they would die, and could not see each other again. This watch was with him at the most critical moment of his life. Miraculously, it turned a corner and returned to Zhao Hu's hands. The fate between them is really moving and makes one sigh at the wonder of fate!

  Holding the pocket watch, Zhao Hu clearly understood that this was also the old doctor's last wish, so he couldn't decline. He quickly tucked it away, treasuring it like a precious gem. Turning his head, he asked with concern: "Child, how are you feeling now? Is there anywhere uncomfortable? Do you want me to let the doctor come in and give you another thorough examination?"

  Facing the old general's concern, Han Ankang squeezed out a smile and shook his head: "No need, I'm also a doctor, very clear about my current state. As long as I rest well for two days, I believe it'll be fine. On the contrary, old sir, your heart load is just barely okay now, you mustn't have too much emotional fluctuation, or else something will really happen and I'll be powerless at that time."

  "If the old man doesn't object, I think we should change to a different place for treatment. Although the environment of this hospital is not bad, it's not very beneficial for your and my recovery. I prefer quieter and more spacious places. If there are more green spaces around, that would be even better, which will also help with my recovery, and for you, old man, to adjust your body and mind. Being surrounded by disinfectant all day isn't necessarily good."

  As soon as he heard this, Tie Xingwu immediately responded: "Old Chief of Staff, why don't you move to the military region's sanatorium? The environment and medical conditions there are not bad, I think it will be good for your recovery.

  I don't like the taste of this disinfectant water either, why not listen to Dr. Han and go to the sanatorium for recuperation? There, you can also meet Liu Zhengwei and others and chat with them, how great is that!

  The environment of the military rest home is indeed beautiful, with lush green trees and excellent medical care provided by a team of experts. However, Zhao Hu, who has been used to doing everything himself since joining the army, strongly opposes wasting so many resources on taking care of these old men.

  But he also understood that even if he didn't like such extravagance and waste, other retired generals liked it! So, this former commander of the Huaxia Military Region, who had stepped down from his position, hadn't lived in his retirement villa for a single day after it was built.

  After retiring, he moved back to his old house in the countryside to live. Except for two sons who invited a nanny and driver to take care of him, with salaries deducted from his pension, this old general really didn't enjoy any special treatment.

  It is precisely this rare and precious attitude of guarding simplicity and cleanness that makes many current high-ranking leaders in the Chinese military respect this "Northeast Tiger" old general, who was once named by Commander Han. No matter what, generals like Zhao Hu who grew up participating in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea are really becoming fewer and fewer.

  So in these years, the military region has been unable to persuade Tie Xingwu on the issue of receiving retired old cadres. Many old generals like Zhao Hu are also very stubborn. Even the original political commissar of the military region who is now living in the sanatorium was invited by him in a similar manner as Liu Bei's three visits to Zhuge Liang. The purpose is to hope that these younger military leaders will take care of these old leaders from back then.

  Compared with the sanatoriums of other military regions, Tie Xingwu asked himself that the sanatorium of the Northeast Military Region, except for better environmental and medical conditions, did not have any luxurious or wasteful situations like other sanatoriums. The officers and caregivers assigned to the sanatorium were also reduced to a minimum, striving to achieve no idle personnel while also making sure that the elderly leaders who entered felt taken care of.

  Now that Han Ankang has finally spoken up, he wants to find a suitable place for treatment and recuperation. In Tie Xingwu's opinion, what place could be more suitable than the military district's sanatorium?