Back To The 80s: President's Doted Wife

Chapter 451: Chapter 451: Eager for Quick Success and Instant Benefits

Outside the window, the snowstorm still raged. Qi Taiguo stood by the window, squinting, his face betraying neither joy nor anger.

The encirclement and suppression operation ended with the death of the bandit leader, Zhao Wei. The entire Village of Sin, except for the old, weak, sick, and disabled, had all their men and women captured. Those who hadn’t been apprehended were successively listed on wanted notices by the public security, who continued to capture them one by one.

It could be said that the Village of Sin was finished.

The crackdown was a success, yet it wasn’t without flaws. Hidden within the village were homemade bombs, and some desperate bandits ignited them during their resistance. Two soldiers were severely injured and needed amputations, while another died on the spot.

This was a grave casualty incident, and Qi Taiguo was completely devastated when he returned to the unit.

The commander erupted in anger. Upon Qi Taiguo’s return, he bore the brunt of it, becoming a target for the commander’s rebuke. He was accused of abandoning his post, acting on his own accord, and gross negligence.

Qi Taiguo offered no explanation. However, those who had gone with Qi Taiguo to pursue Zhao Wei were indignant and couldn’t help but defend him. They argued that the radio wasn’t working, and they had reported their location afterward.

The commander grew even more furious. Qi Taiguo ordered the young soldier aside and took it all on himself.

No matter whether the commander was using him as a scapegoat, he hadn’t obeyed orders, leaving the encirclement without reporting first, which was a breach of discipline. Military discipline only recognized absolute obedience, without any hindsight excuses.

It was just a pity that they hadn’t captured Zhao Wei alive—he was simply too late.

”Commander Qi.”

Qi Taiguo turned around, only to see Chiang Qing in military uniform standing behind him, gazing at him with concern.

After such an explosive accident, Chiang Qing and the military doctors and nurses who accompanied her finally found use, even if it was to deal with the aftermath of the explosion. The two seriously injured ones were saved by timely emergency treatment, but their hands and legs couldn’t be saved.

For a soldier, becoming disabled meant retirement, possibly only able to rely on welfare in the future. Regardless, that essentially left them disabled for life.

”Doctor Chiang.” Qi Taiguo nodded, then looked away again.

Chiang Qing walked over, standing beside him, watching the snowflakes fall outside the window.

”The snow is really coming down hard, isn’t it?”

Qi Taiguo did not speak, only grunting through his nose after a long while.

”Don’t blame yourself; this isn’t your fault. You were just acting out of necessity given the urgency of the situation. Who would have expected the bandits to be so extreme?” Chiang Qing tried tentatively to comfort him. ”But what about Master Wei? If you hadn’t chased after him, he might have actually escaped.”

Qi Taiguo gave her a faint glance.

Chiang Qing was a bit excited but didn’t hear any response from him, which made her somewhat nervously ask, ”Did I say something wrong?”

”As a soldier, the first thing you learn is to obey orders,” Qi Taiguo said calmly. ”The commander was right; this time, I wanted quick success.”

Chiang Qing grew agitated. ”How can this be seen as seeking quick success? Is it considered a success to let the boss escape? This...”

”Doctor Chiang, no need to say more.” Qi Taiguo raised his hand to stop her and said, ”It’s already very late, and Doctor Chiang has been busy for a long while. Go rest.”

Chiang Qing’s heart warmed, a sweet sensation seeping through her body.

Qi Taiguo didn’t wait for her to speak, crushing the cigarette butt in his hand and walking forward before taking two steps and then stopping. He looked at Chiang Qing and said, ”Doctor Chiang.”

”Yes?”

”Thank you for saving those two lives,” Qi Taiguo spoke slowly, then gave her a military salute.

Boom—something erupted within her chest, like fireworks dazzling brightly. Chiang Qing watched Qi Taiguo’s retreating figure, her eyes filled with an unprecedented brilliance.