flstandardbreds Chapter 336 Maoist Lieutenant Colonel Tovalev
Chapter 336 Maoist Lieutenant Colonel Tovalev
Three days later, Li Zhen slowly descended from the clouds, his feet firmly planted on the vast territory of the Great Mao Kingdom. For this trip, he had specifically chosen the fastest flight, just to save every second and shorten his journey home.
Near the border between Great Russia and China, there lies a hidden warehouse, where military supplies, piled high like small mountains, stand silently, like remnants of a war-torn era, recounting past glories and hardships. Li Zhen, holding a detailed list, traverses this sea of steel and gunpowder, his eyes sharp as an eagle, meticulously checking each item without missing a single detail.
After a thorough inspection, a satisfied smile appeared on his lips as he turned and cast an approving glance at the middle-aged secretary beside him. The secretary, with a composed expression, had eyes that gleamed with anticipation and pride at the impending successful completion of the task. Between the two, no words were needed; everything was understood without them speaking.
Looking at the pile of equipment in front of him, Li Zhen sighed softly, his brows furrowing slightly: "Judging from the quantity, it should be enough. It's just a pity that we lack those heavy firepower equipment that can intimidate people."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged secretary's expression turned solemn, and his tone carried a hint of barely perceptible authority: "Mr. Li, you may not know this, but the export of heavy weapons by Norinco is a decision made after careful consideration by the top management, and it is no small matter. It is already extremely difficult for you, Mr. Li, to secure these equipment for you this time, and it is truly commendable."
Li Zhen smiled and said to his middle-aged secretary, "Alright, the gold and goods have been delivered. I will transport these things away in the next few days. Secretary Zhe, you can go ahead and do your work."
After saying goodbye to the capable middle-aged secretary, Li Zhen gently picked up the telephone on the table, his fingertips deftly dancing across the keys, dialing a familiar number. From the other end of the line, a slightly teasing yet unusually warm voice pierced through the barriers of time and space.
"Hey, Li Zhen, have you forgotten about your old friend somewhere? So much time without a word, it's really disheartening!"
On the other end of the phone, Li Zhen smiled; the familiarity and warmth of the voice seemed to instantly relieve him of the fatigue of his journey. "Tovalev, you're joking! I just stepped into Mauritius, and the first thing I thought of after getting off the plane was to call you. Where are you working now? I'm just thinking of giving you a visit..."
In their conversation, their friendship, like fine wine, grew stronger with age. No embellishment was needed; their tacit understanding and affection flowed between the lines.
In a simple military camp office on the border of Mauritius, under the dim light, Tovalev and Li Zhen sat side by side, each holding a bottle of warm Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor). The aroma of the strong liquor from the East mingled with the cold northern wind, creating a unique flavor. On the table, a thick slice of Salo lay quietly, next to a small knife gleaming coldly, as if it were the finishing touch to this simple feast.
Salo is a unique flavor from Mauritius, a cured delicacy carrying ancient traditions. It is made entirely from carefully selected pure fatty pork, taken from the fattest and thickest parts of the pig's back or belly. It is not just a food, but also an indispensable warm comfort in the Eastern European winter. Its salty and savory flavor, with a touch of richness, seems to instantly dispel the cold and awaken memories deep within the taste buds.
In ancient recipes, the preparation of Salo is an art form interwoven with time. Selection is the starting point of this wonderful journey—only the most prized part of the large white pig, the back or the side of the loin, contains the thickest and most delicate fat, just the right thickness, more than three centimeters, to bear the subsequent transformation of flavor.
These carefully selected pieces of meat seem to be given a prelude to life, first immersed in the gentle embrace of high-concentration brine, where two to three days slowly flow by, carrying away impurities and quietly planting the seeds of the initial flavor. Then comes a romantic encounter between salt and meat, with salt being meticulously applied to every inch of the meat, as carefully as an artisan would treat a precious gem.
Wooden crates became their temporary home, layer upon layer, with chunks of meat stacked between them. Between each layer, grains of salt, like tiny stars, silently spread out, both separating and connecting them. Paper or cloth gently covered them, as if giving them a thin layer of dreams, while the weight pressing down on them was the weight of time, allowing everything to slowly settle in the stillness.
Finally, all of this was moved to a cool, low-temperature secret corner, where time flowed slowly at its own pace, and Salo began its long journey of fermentation and curing. Here, every day was an accumulation of flavor, every night a transformation of texture, until the day when they appeared on the table in a completely new form, people would marvel at the perfect fusion of ancient wisdom and modern palates. Salo, in the end, became a delicious legend bestowed by time.
After being pickled for a period of time, Salo becomes salty and delicious with a firm texture. It can be eaten directly in slices or with bread and vegetables, and is especially considered an excellent snack to accompany drinks.
Salo is not only popular in Mauritius, but its history dates back to the 14th century, when it was already very popular in the Kievan Rus' region. Some believe that salo may have been introduced to the Dnieper River region from the Italian peninsula, or it may have been a type of ration carried by the Zaporizhzhia Cossacks of Ukraine during their marches and campaigns. Due to its high nutritional value and high calories, salo became an important source of energy for ancient Cossack soldiers after long journeys.
Now, Tovalev has been promoted to lieutenant colonel and still firmly controls the lifeline of various military supplies, a responsibility that undoubtedly makes his power even more entrenched.
Li Zhen gently set down the wine bottle in his hand, his fingertips gliding across the surface as he cut off a piece of salted meat, which he then put into his mouth and savored. As he chewed, his words carried a hint of casualness yet unwavering determination: "This time, we need to find a way to acquire some heavy firepower equipment, as well as light warships and the like. It doesn't matter if they are brand new and shiny or weathered old machines; as long as they can be put to use, they will be excellent."
At this moment, although Tovalev had finished an entire bottle of strong liquor, his eyes remained sharp and his mind was as clear as ever. He stared at Li Zhen, his words carrying an undeniable sincerity: "Li Zhen, between you and me, the word 'friend' carries the weight of Mount Tai. Whatever you need, whatever it may be, just say the word, and I will go through fire and water to get it for you. However, this transaction must be in cash; that's the rule."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhen frowned, lost in deep thought. After a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of probing: "What if we exchanged it for gold?"
Upon hearing this, Tovalev's eyes flashed with approval, and he laughed heartily, pulling Li Zhen into his arms: "Haha, gold? That's perfect! In that case, we'll use the international gold price as the benchmark for fair trade, with no deception of the young or old. Come, to this trust and friendship, let's down another bottle, and let this strong liquor witness our transaction!"
As he spoke, he picked up another bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor), and the two smiled at each other, as if everything was understood without words. The liquid in the bottle became a testament to their friendship and their transaction.