"I remember you said you wanted to organize a private auction? Why did you take action so quickly?" Wei Ran asked confused.
Professor Alexey handed the fragrant coffee to Zhou Shujin, then sat down on the sofa and explained proudly, "Originally, I wanted to organize an auction, but Mr. Alexander offered 40,000 The high price of two thousand dollars is far beyond my highest expectations for the auction. And most importantly, he provided us with a job."
"Don't talk about the job first."
Zhou Shujin interrupted Professor Alexei’s showoff, took up the topic and said, “Wei Ran, what I mean is, the money from selling the gun will be sent back to your parents, and you won’t be short of food here either. There’s no shortage of drinks. It’s better to let your parents save such a big sum of money.”
“But I think Victor should make his own decision on the profit from that gun, let alone us. His parents have no right to decide how to spend the money for him."
Alexei directly ignored Zhou Shujin this time, "So I did not agree with her suggestion and wanted to let you wait until you come back. You decide how to spend the money."
"You two wait a minute," Wei Ran said and looked at Professor Alexei, "What do you mean, the money for selling the gun belongs to me? "
"Is it me?" Alexei asked, pointing to his nose.
"Um..."
Professor Alexey stood up, walked to the back room and opened the safe, took out a bulging small leather bag and placed it on the coffee table to open it, " I said it was a gift to you, so even if there is Stalin still smoking a pipe in it, it is still your personal belongings. Victor, you decide how to spend the money. No matter what decision you make, I will. I support you."
Looking at the stack of dollars in the open wallet, Wei Ran swallowed hard, took out the thinnest stack and stuffed it into his own. Then he locked the box with a "pop!" and pushed it to the aunt sitting next to him. "Does this still need to be decided? Of course it will be sent to my mother!"
"Look Right? You see! He is indeed my godson!” Zhou Shujin rubbed Wei Ran’s messy hair and walked out. , and at the same time, he did not forget to tell him, "I will send the money to your mother this afternoon. Remember to tell her in advance, so as not to think that I sold her precious son."
etc. Zhou Shujin left the studio in a hurry, and Professor Wei Ran and Alexey each sighed in sequence.
"You just said that Professor Alexei provided us with a job?" Wei Ran threw his backpack on the sofa and asked.
Professor Alexei nodded and said happily, "Mr. Alexander is going to invest in building a museum in Volgaski. He wants me to be the director. I also asked you to get a consultant job." The monthly salary for this job is one hundred thousand rubles!”
“Don’t you want your job as a university professor?Is this studio closed? "Wei Ran tilted his head and asked.
"These jobs do not conflict with each other," Professor Alexei explained proudly, "We only need to go to his museum to work for two days every Saturday and weekend. That's it. "
"No," Wei Ran shook his head and refused without even thinking, "And I'm sure my aunt won't agree with you going either. "
The expression on Alexei's face froze, and then he heard Wei Ran say, "And Professor, have you ever thought about it, once we work for Alexander, in the future we will trace the historical truth and bring Whose income belongs to? Or do you think he really just lets us go to the museum he invested in and get paid for free? I'm afraid we have to thoroughly investigate the history of every exhibit on display in that museum. Should we charge normal fees at that time, or should we work for free? "
"This..."
"Anyway, I won't go," Weiran said decisively, "I don't want to work for capitalists. "
"Okay, okay"
Alexei spread his hands helplessly, "Your point of view is almost exactly the same as that of your aunt. Since you both said so, this matter Just pretend I didn't mention it. Now let’s talk about you, what have you been doing these days? Are you really not fooling around with a girl? ”
“What a fool! "Wei Ran picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip, "Of course I'm going to investigate the clues about the anti-tank gun."
"Found it? "
"We have some clues," Wei Ran said noncommittally, "I think we can find out in a day or two. "
"In this case, all the work of the anti-tank gun will be left to you. "Professor Alexei stood up after speaking, "It just so happens that your aunt and I are going to Moscow to discuss a business deal in the next two days. "
"Don't leave in a hurry, there is something else. "
Wei Ran grabbed Professor Alexei who was about to stand up, "I told you before, I want to learn German and learn how to use World War II weapons and equipment. You won't forget it. Bar? ”
“Is this happening? "
Professor Alexei muttered, then patted his chest and promised, "How could I forget! You don’t have to worry about German. You can just go to class directly after the summer vacation. As for World War II weapons and equipment...just wait! "
Before he finished speaking, the drunken old man rummaged through the box and found a business card and handed it to Wei Ran, "Call this phone, mention my name, and tell me your request. "
"Valley? What's this? "Wei Ran asked in confusion.
"Valley Search Team"
The drunken Alexey explained vaguely, "It can be regarded as a relatively large-scale private digger in Russia. The Turkish Party team is also the largest war reenactment group. In their place, you can experience various Soviet and German World War II weapons and equipment. ”
“A repeat of the war? Forget it, just pretend I didn’t say it. ”
Wei Ran suddenly lost interest and directly put his handThe business card was returned to the other party. It is true that Mao Zi's war re-enactments are indeed quite like that, but the score can also be compared with others. Based on my two personal experiences in the Battle of Stalingrad and the re-enactments I have seen every Victory Day, I really compare those "actors" "They were thrown into the battlefield of World War II, and if 10 out of 100 people survived, I'm afraid the Germans were cheating on them."
Professor Alexey didn’t care at all. He threw the business card into the trash can, stood up and walked out, "Forget it if you don’t go. It’s useless anyway. If you have the time, you might as well look around more." The historical files are useful. Okay, I’ll leave it to you at the studio. If there’s business during this period, you can decide whether to accept it or not. We’ll be back in about a week and will bring you a gift.”
After sending Professor Alexei away, Wei Ran took out his cell phone and called his mother, informing her of the good news that tens of thousands of dollars would be sent back. What a worry.
After finishing all the trivial matters, Wei Ran dug out the glass jar that Kazan had put away before, took out the paint block inside, and carefully unscrewed it with the help of turpentine and rust remover. An identity capsule stuck to it.
Use small tweezers to take out the piece of paper marked with the identity information from the capsule, and carefully open it. Aleutian's name is clearly written in the name column.
Compared with the detailed information on it, Weiran opened the official website established by the Russian Ministry of Defense and easily found the general information of the other party.
According to the information found on the official website, Vaalyushin did come from a correctional camp, but before that, he actually participated in the battle to defend Moscow! And the crime for which he was sent to a correctional camp was actually desertion!
If Aleutian is a deserter, what about Captain Vanya? There are also the last group of veterans who were added before the collapse of Position 19. They are obviously very familiar with Aleutian and Vanya. So, does that mean that Aleutian and those veterans were also deserters in the same battle?
There are more questions. If they were deserters and had been sent to the correction camp, how did they come to the Stalingrad battlefield?
You must know that the Moscow Defense War ended in early 1942, and the exchange of fire at Position 19 was in July 1942. In other words, they only stayed in the correction camp for less than half a year. ?
Suppressing the doubts in his heart, Wei Ran continued to browse the content on the web page. According to the records about the Aleutians, he was indeed sent to the Don River Position No. 19, and even the position of sacrifice was a sudden death. He position No. 19. But other than that, there is no record of any military exploits related to him.
It seems that I have to talk to Nicholas if I have time. Maybe he knows something...
Making up his mind, Wei Ran stuffed the identity note back into the still The capsule solidified on the paint was tightened, put into the backpack together with the printed resume about Aleutian, and drove straight to the factory on the other side of the Volga River.
I called Federer on the way to arrange a meeting time. When he arrived, Federer had been waiting at the entrance of the factory for a long time.
"Why are you so anxious to see me?" Federer opened the door and got directly into Weiran's van.
"There are clues about that anti-tank gun"
While speaking, Wei Ran showed the paint blocks still in the glass jar, and then handed the file bag to the other party , "Based on the information found in the identity capsule, I found the last combat record of this soldier named Aleutian. Oh, by the way, I found the paint block in the can in the barrel of the anti-tank gun."< /p>
After a quick glance at the Aleutian war experience, Federer took the glass jar from Wei Ran and looked at it, "The other two identity capsules were not opened?"
"No" Wei Ran Ran shook his head, "Besides, I want to meet with your boss."
"Meet our boss?" Federer looked at Wei Ran with a strange expression and asked tentatively, "About that reaction?" Tank gun?"
Wei Ran nodded and said very seriously, "Federer, tell your boss that we may have discovered a group of unrecognized Soviet heroes."
Seeing the suspicious look on the other party's face, Wei Ran reluctantly opened his backpack, took out the photo frame he got from Nicholas and showed it to the other party, "This is a survivor I spent a lot of effort to find. ”
“I will contact Mr. Alexander immediately!”
Federer just looked at the application form for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and the signature of the applicant Aleutian, and immediately made a decisive decision. He opened the door and dialed Mr. Alexander's phone.
Less than two minutes later, Federer opened the car door again and said, "Victor, go to the city, to the auto repair shop you went to a few days ago!"
" Sit tight." As Wei Ran spoke, he stepped on the accelerator to the bottom and rushed to his destination in the city center.
When he stepped on the brakes again, Alexander, who had already put on a formal suit, had been waiting under the bright sun at the entrance of the auto repair shop for a long time. The other party's solemn attitude also made Wei Ran I feel a little more favorable towards this capitalist.
"I heard that you discovered a group of Soviet heroes?" Alexander asked impatiently before Wei Ran got out of the cab.
"A group of unrecognized heroes of the Soviet Union" Wei Ran corrected with a hint of regret in his tone.
"A hero does not need to be recognized by the Soviet Union or Russia. Come in with me." After Alexander finished speaking, he personally helped Wei Ran open the car door and led him to the gun modification workshop in the innermost room of the auto repair shop.
After the two sat down on the sofa in the lounge, Alexander lit a cigar and asked, "Young man, what is your name?"
"Victor"
Wei Ran briefly introduced his name, and then handed Aleutian his resume and the glass bottle containing the solidified paint blocks."I cleaned out a shell casing from the barrel of that anti-tank gun, and these paints were found in that shell casing."
"What else?" Alexander carefully looked at the things in his hands. After reading them again, I finally put them on the coffee table covered with velvet.
"There is also this application report for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, which I borrowed from a survivor. If nothing else, the applicant for this report is the one you just listed in the information. "The Aleutian I saw" Wei Ran handed the photo frame to the other party while speaking.
After carefully reading the content on the photo frame, Alexander thought for a moment and returned the photo frame to Wei Ran, "Young man, now tell me why you want to see me."
"I want to know what you plan to do with that anti-tank gun" Weiran asked the first question.
Alexander smiled, "If nothing else happens, it will be placed at the entrance of the Geography Exhibition Hall together with the T-34 last time."
Wei Ran secretly said He breathed a sigh of relief and continued to ask, "What are you going to do with this application report?"
"Are you going to sell it to me?" Alexander asked expectantly.
Wei Ran shook his head, "I need to know your decision first before I can decide whether to hand over this report to you."
"Of course with the anti-tank gun The artillery is placed together." Alexander naturally gave Weiran's most anticipated question.
Wei Ran relaxed completely, and after a moment of hesitation, he pushed the photo frame to the other party again, "Mr. Alexander, in accordance with the wishes of the survivor, this application report for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union will be donated to you for free. The only condition is that you have to display it and the anti-tank gun permanently for free."
Alexander looked at Wei Ran in surprise, then waved to Federer, who was standing behind him. He said something into the other person's ear.
Federer bowed slightly and left the lounge, while Alexander also lit a cigarette and asked himself, "Victor, as far as I know, you seem to be a Chinese?"
p>Seeing Wei Ran nod, Alexander continued to ask, "Since you are Professor Alexei's student, you should know the value of this application report. If it were that stingy old guy who came over, this report would There is no problem that the book can be sold for at least hundreds of thousands of dollars here."
Wei Ran smiled and replied in a calm tone, "We have a saying in China that a gentleman loves money in a proper way. . But if Mr. Alexander has uneasy conscience about this donation, he can pay some compensation and I will help you pass it on to the donor."
"I don't understand what you just said in Chinese. I don't see the greed in your eyes." Alexander smiled and said, "Let's have a cup of coffee." Wei Ran suppressed the anxiety in his heart and took a sip of the coffee. , the bitter taste does not have a trace of sweetness, but the unique aroma of coffee is exceptionally rich.
For more than half an hour, the lounge was filled withIn the silence, the two people sitting opposite each other seemed to have lost sight of the conversation, each thinking about their own concerns.
Until Federer knocked on the door and came in, Alexander seemed to have just woken up. After taking a page of A4 paper handed over by the other party, he read it carefully and wrote his name in the lower right corner. Then it was handed over to Federer to have his name stamped with a big red seal.
After reading it again, Alexander handed it to Wei Ran across the coffee table, "Victor, give it to the donor."
Confused Taking this thin piece of A4 paper, Wei Ran raised his eyebrows in surprise. It listed in detail Alexander's promise. He could even take away the vital Soviet Union at any time just by holding this piece of paper. The application report for the title of hero and the anti-tank gun!
The other party was so open, and Wei Ran had no doubts at this time. However, before he could speak, Alexander continued, "Besides, I have another thing that I need your help with. Of course, I will pay you a satisfactory reward."
"What's the matter?" Wei Ran asked warily.
"I want to know why this Aleut was a deserter, and why he only stayed in the correctional camp for half a year before being sent to the battlefield. I also want to know why he didn't receive any medals. ”
Alexander paused and continued, “This matter has nothing to do with the promise I just gave you. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to investigate. The promise on that piece of paper is still valid.”
< p>Wei Ran hesitated for a moment and then said, "Mr. Alexander, I need to think about this before I can give you an answer.""No problem"
Alexander turned his back again Federer waved, and the latter placed a particularly familiar metal gun case on the coffee table, opened it, and then placed two wads of brand new banknotes next to it.
Alexander handed over to the guard, "I am very satisfied with the investigation of that artillery. Of course, I am also far more generous than your teacher, Professor Alexei, so in addition to the agreed commission, Besides, I’ll give you this pistol as a thank you!”
“Give it to me?”
Wei Ran asked in surprise, but he remembered this very clearly. The price of a pistol that uses a lot of titanium alloy is a full 25,000 US dollars, which is far more than the investigation cost of the artillery.
Alexander smiled and returned another wad of bills on the coffee table to Wei Ran, "Besides this, I need you to help me transfer the other fifty thousand dollars to the donor."
“Aren’t you worried that I will run away with the money?”
“Just think that I used the money to buy the exhibition rights of that report. These are insignificant rewards. They deserve it."
Alexander extended his hand to Weiran in a particularly free and easy manner, "In a week, the artillery and this report will appear at the door of the Volgasky Geographic Exhibition Hall. It is on permanent display, and you and the survivor of Don Position 19 are welcome to visit at any time."
"Thank you for your generosity"
Wei Ran no longer had any doubts, shook hands with the other party respectfully, and took the gun case on the coffee table, along with the two wads of banknotes and the promise signed by Alexander himself The book left the auto repair shop.