It was not that Li Long had actually forgotten. He had been busy lately and simply had not found the time.
When he escorted Xie Youcai to the Cave, carrying those things would have been a nuisance, so he had hidden them in the grass. Afterward, he had not had time to retrieve them.
Now that everything was settled, Li Long had visited the Supply and Marketing Cooperative twice without Li Xiangqian mentioning any further news. Only then did he have time to fetch them.
The biggest haul was the several hundred silver dollars in the Black Briefcase—but to Li Long, the saber inlaid with gemstones, with gold on its hilt, was the most appealing item.
It had to be a renowned blade. At least, after all these years, its edge had barely rusted and still seemed sharp. It had clearly drawn blood, too. How could he not keep it?
He had not asked Li Xiangqian, but he had given the matter some thought.
Would the higher-ups suspect that Li Long had secretly taken something before making his report?
Someone was bound to suspect it-that was human nature, and quite a few people knew what had happened. More than ten, in fact.
Of course, only those few leaders knew the specific details. Li Xiangqian had also told Li Long that orders had come from above: this matter had to remain strictly confidential. Nothing could get out. If any information leaked to the public, there would be a thorough investigation and severe punishment.
That was also protecting Li Long.
Of course, Li Xiangqian had not said whether any leaders had suspected Li Long of keeping something for himself during their meetings, and Li Long had not asked.
He was not about to protest so much that he gave himself away.
In