12dz Chapter 403 truly made us proud.
Chapter 403 truly made us proud.
In front of the jeep, several herdsmen stepped forward and stuffed hand-sewn Mongolian robes, handcrafted sabers, and some local specialties into the jeep's trunk.
“This is just a small token of our appreciation,” Bayar explained. “We hope you like it.”
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou thanked everyone repeatedly, then waved goodbye, started the jeep, and embarked on their journey home.
"Xiangyang, we really made a name for ourselves this time. How much bonus do you think Director Zhao will give us when we get back?" Wang Ergou asked casually, leaning against the car window.
Li Xiangyang stared intently at the road ahead, adjusting the steering wheel: "I don't know, but there should be quite a few."
The jeep bumped along the rough road, and the two chatted idly, reminiscing about their experiences over the past few days.
Before we knew it, the sun had risen high in the sky, and the outline of Qili in the distance gradually became clear.
"Here it comes!" The experienced driver was already waiting at the intersection. When he saw the jeep approaching, he quickly waved to signal it.
Li Xiangyang stopped the car, got out, and shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with the experienced driver.
"How's it going? Is it resolved?" the experienced driver asked anxiously as he helped carry the luggage.
Wang Ergou patted his chest proudly and replied, "Absolutely! Now those wolves have become our guardians; they'll never harm the herders' cattle and sheep again."
The experienced driver looked shocked: "Really? How did you manage to do that?"
Li Xiangyang briefly explained how they tamed the wolf king and then used the wolf's social structure to control the entire pack.
"Incredible! Absolutely incredible!" The experienced driver shook his head repeatedly, his eyes filled with disbelief. "In all my years, this is the first time I've ever heard of taming a wolf into a dog."
Just as the three were about to board the truck and leave, the flag bearer and the director rushed over.
"Comrade Li, Comrade Wang, don't rush off!" Director Bu called out breathlessly, his face covered in sweat.
Li Xiangyang turned around and quickly got out of the car: "Director Bu, what's going on..."
Buhe was followed by four or five people, each carrying large and small bags.
"We heard you're going back, how could we let you go empty-handed?" Director Buhe said with a smile. "These are all local specialties of our banner: beef jerky, milk tofu, mare's milk wine, and a few pieces of fine sheepskin."
A bespectacled man who looked like an official handed over a finely crafted leather bag: "This is the best mare's milk wine from our banner, specially prepared for you."
"And this too," Director Buhe pulled two red envelopes from his pocket and stuffed them into Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou's hands, "is a small token of our appreciation from the banner. You've solved a huge problem for us; this is what we deserve."
Li Xiangyang declined, saying, "Director Bu, you're too kind. We're just completing a task."
"No, you've done far more than just complete the task," Director Buhe said solemnly. "You've solved a problem that generations of people in our banner couldn't solve; these gifts are nothing."
Under Director Bu's insistence, Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou had no choice but to accept the gifts and red envelopes, and thanked him repeatedly.
As they parted, Director Buhe grasped Li Xiangyang's hand: "Comrade Li, we grassland people value relationships. If you need anything in the future, just let us know."
Li Xiangyang nodded: "Director Bu, you too, if you need any help, just send someone to us anytime."
After saying goodbye, the three of them boarded the truck and drove away from Qili.
On the bus, Wang Ergou quietly opened the red envelope and saw a full fifty yuan inside. His eyes widened in surprise: "Xiangyang, look..."
Li Xiangyang also opened the red envelope, and found the same amount. He smiled and shook his head: "Looks like we not only helped a lot this time, but we also made quite a bit of money."
The experienced driver said enviously, "You guys are really lucky. This business trip is worth more than half a year's salary for me."
The three chatted and laughed all the way on the long, bumpy journey back to the forestry bureau.
Back at the Forestry Bureau, Director Zhao had already received the news and was waiting for them in his office.
Upon seeing the two enter, he immediately stood up, his face beaming with smiles: "You're back! I just received a call from Ulan Banner; they said you did a great job."
"There have been some results," Li Xiangyang replied modestly.
"Don't be modest!" Director Zhao patted Li Xiangyang on the shoulder. "This trip has truly made us proud. Wow, they've completely solved a problem that's plagued them for years. That's a major achievement!"
Wang Ergou grinned from side to side, looking very happy.
"Come, sit down and let's talk." Director Zhao invited the two to sit on the sofa and had his secretary pour tea. "Tell me, how exactly was it resolved?"
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou recounted in detail how they tamed the wolf king and then used the wolves' natural instincts to control the entire wolf pack.
Director Zhao was stunned, and it took him a long time to recover: "This...this is simply a miracle! I originally thought you would at most kill a dozen or twenty wolves to scare the others, but I never expected you to come up with such a method."
“The main issue is the special circumstances,” Li Xiangyang explained. “If we simply kill a few wolves, the problem won’t be solved at its root. The wolves will become more cautious and harder to catch, but their attacks on livestock won’t decrease. Only by completely changing their behavior patterns can we truly solve the problem.”
Director Zhao nodded repeatedly, deeply agreeing: "Yes, yes, that's the fundamental solution. No wonder they were so grateful to you."
At this point, Director Zhao smiled somewhat sheepishly: "Well... regarding the bonus, we previously agreed on a reward of twenty yuan for each wolf killed. But given your approach, it's clearly not fair to calculate it based on the number of wolves killed."
Li Xiangyang and Wang Ergou exchanged a glance, feeling a pang of disappointment.
“But don’t worry,” Director Zhao continued, “I’ve already applied to my superiors for a special reward of 150 yuan per person. It’s not much, but it’s a small recognition of your efforts.”
"One hundred and fifty?" Wang Ergou's eyes lit up and he blurted out.
One hundred and fifty yuan is a considerable sum.
An ordinary worker's monthly salary is only thirty or forty yuan, enough to live on for two or three months.
"Thank you so much, Director Zhao," Li Xiangyang said sincerely.
"Of course, of course," Director Zhao said with a smile, waving his hand. "The bonus has been applied for, but it still needs some time to go through the procedures. We'll try to get it to you before the Chinese New Year. You've worked so hard, go home and rest."
The two bid farewell to Director Zhao, walked out of the Forestry Bureau gate, and breathed in the familiar air, feeling exceptionally relaxed.
"Another hundred and fifty yuan!" Wang Ergou rubbed his hands excitedly. "I'm set for the New Year!"
Li Xiangyang smiled and nodded: "Yes, I'll buy my family some good food and new clothes when I get back."
"Come on, let's get something to eat first, I'm starving." Wang Ergou pulled Li Xiangyang toward a nearby small restaurant.
The two found a small restaurant, ordered a few home-style dishes, and chatted while eating, relaxing their tense nerves.