That morning, after picking up Ma Xiaoyan, Li Long met Li Xiangqian and the others in the Supply and Marketing Cooperative's courtyard. The two vehicles drove into the mountains, one behind the other.
The big truck carried another load of supplies: bricks, timber, cement, and assorted tools.
Li Long had originally planned to pick up a few Taibazi to use as tools when they passed through Qingshui River Village to collect Meng Hai and the others.
Unexpectedly, Li Xiangqian had arranged for all five Taibazi in the cooperative's warehouse to be loaded onto the truck.
Now they did not even need to prepare tools.
After picking up Meng Hai and the others at Qingshui River Village, they drove straight into the mountains to Jade Mountain River's winter camp.
Everyone got out and unloaded the supplies together. The big truck could go no farther toward Talihaal's winter camp, so Li Long led Meng Hai and the others in carrying bricks and timber there on Taibazi, two men to each one.
Li Xiangqian and the others helped carry timber, too. Ma Xiaoyan hurriedly took out her camera and started shooting. This was excellent material.
Talihaal's and Jade Mountain River's winter camps were less than a kilometer apart. Most of the route followed a mountain ravine, with a low hill to cross near the end. Overall, it was not difficult going.
After delivering the first load, Li Long told Li Xiangqian and the others:
"I think a tractor could get through this ravine. Keep moving the supplies. I'll fetch one."
"Sure. This ravine's too narrow for a truck, but a tractor might actually make it." After putting down his timber, Li Xiangqian found somewhere to sit and spoke as he rested.
Li Long strode quickly back on his long legs. Once he reached