The off-road vehicle roared and stopped next to the flagpole of Lianbu. In the two lamp posts, the silhouette of distant mountains can be seen amidst the snow curtain. It's already minus 30 degrees Celsius in the wilderness. Before getting off the car, I wrapped myself tightly. My comrade who took me to the outpost was also wearing a round military coat, with hot air coming from his mouth and nose under the cotton cap. His name is Yi Yongjin, from Chongqing, and he is the artistic backbone of this border defense company. How long have you been at the border? "To reach the outpost, we need to walk through a river valley and chat while walking. It's been 7 years since the new recruit was here! ”He stomped his feet as he walked, vigorously shaking off a clump of snow that had accumulated on the collar of his coat. The river valley in the wind and snow is empty and increasingly lonely. We walked with great effort, our military boots stomping on the thick snow, rhythmically making a creaking sound. After walking for a while, I stopped and looked up. The dense stars in the night sky seemed to be waving countless hands faintly. The unpredictable climate is the norm of life on the border, with the saying 'the sun shines when it rains, and the stars shine when it snows'. Climbing from the valley to the mountain pass is the outpost we are going to. Yi Yongjin, who was striding forward, suddenly stopped. I thought he thought I was walking too slowly and was about to speak when he let out a 'shh'. I thought something had happened, and my heart tightened instantly. Seeing that he didn't move, I held my breath and perked up my ears to listen. But on this endless desolate snowy night, only the fierce mountain winds rushed forward one after another, without any movement. I was wondering when Yi Yongjin turned around. Under the moonlight, he said somewhat mysteriously, "Okay, let's go." There are two dormitories on the first floor of the outpost, and Yi Yong and I live in the opposite bed of the same room. Although I often go to the plateau, I still have some reactions. I couldn't sleep well all night and didn't fall asleep until around 5am. I woke up at 9am. 9 o'clock on the western plateau is equivalent to 7 o'clock on the mainland, with a two-hour time difference. I stood up and looked out the window. The wind stopped and the snow stopped. The golden sunlight shone through the window glass, illuminating most of the dormitory. Under the dazzling sunlight, I noticed a row of stones in the corner of the wall. They are of different sizes, colors, and some even shine with a rainbow like luster. Following this row of stones, I curiously walked into a doorway, next to which was a workspace of only a few square meters. Yi Yongjin was leaning down, holding a fine pen and finely carving a palm sized pebble. I approached and saw a turbulent river drawn on a stone, with a person half lying down in the river. On the shore, there was also a person lying naked, crouching on horseback, stretching out their arms to pull the person into the water. The overall character lines are simple and simple, and the picture is vivid and lively. I asked, 'Who is this painted on?' 'When I was a new recruit, I fell into the river and the platoon leader was pulling me.' 'Is this your platoon leader? Paint your memories on a stone?' He nodded with a smile. Interesting! "I said as I scrutinized the stones one by one: there were neat formations, advanced weapons, as well as a grass, a cluster of flowers, a mountain, and a cloud patrolling the road. Originally, these stones recorded their border life! Before coming, I had heard that the battlefield culture of this border defense regiment was quite distinctive. Before we have a discussion, I think it's necessary to first get to know Yi Yongjin. Speaking of himself, he felt a little embarrassed. His father is a worker at Chongqing Iron and Steel Plant, responsible for lathe pressing molds. I often watch my father make panel compositions at home, and he has fallen in love with painting since childhood. After coming to the army, he was often responsible for the art design of the company bulletin board, and would also paint the national flag or party flag on the giant stones with his comrades during patrols. At the time when Yi Yong arrived at the border defense company for six months, that unexpected conflict occurred. In the battle, several comrades from brother units, including Chen Hongjun, Chen Xiangrong, Xiao Siyuan, and Wang Zhuoran, sacrificed their lives. Those days, he walked past the honor wall on the playground, even if he deliberately didn't look at the photos of his comrades, tears would flow uncontrollably. In order to commemorate the four heroes that cannot be forgotten, comrades in arms have been holding altars for them. In front of the altar, there are pebbles brought back by everyone from that riverbank. That day, he stood in front of the altar, tears rolling down his face, blending into a reddish brown shape. He picked up a stone, held it in his palm, and walked to a high hill. From then on, he felt a sense of unease in his heart. That is a desire to confide, with a language like the wind. At one moment, he heard a gentle call in the wind. That gentle call was both familiar and distant, bringing him a deep emotional shock. He was also present at the scene when the conflict broke out. He felt that the gentle call came from here, so he immediately returned to the dormitory and found his paintbrush. Soon, those cold stones began to accumulate temperature - in the valley where the morning sun was rising, Chen Hongjun smiled and immersed himself in the silence of dawn; On the pebbles, under the azure sky, Chen Xiangrong stood upright with a dazzling gaze, gazing into the distance; In the scene of the distant mountain road, Xiao Siyuan's gaze was deep, as if searching for something; At the flag tower of the outpost, Wang Zhuoran tilted his head slightly, his eyes clear and firm... After the completion of the first set of stone paintings, his comrades couldn't put it down one by one, causing a considerable sensation here. Gradually, more and more people came to the door to ask for "paintings". The retired soldiers and comrades who had gone on missions often handed over the selected border stones to him. I want to be like the stones on this border, not afraid of the cold wind. ”If I sacrifice here, please draw me on this stone and send it to my mother. ”I want a golden snow mountain to illuminate... "And so, from morning till night, day after day; From spring and summer to autumn and winter, year after year. These stones on the snowy border have become memories of being able to speak and walk, and the heroic youth of the officers and soldiers has been repeatedly painted and widely circulated. When speaking, Yi Yongjin moved the joint of his wrist. Due to prolonged use of a paintbrush, the first joint of his right index and middle fingers has become protruding outward. It can be imagined that every stroke drawn on these stones requires holding one's breath, gathering energy, and putting in effort. I asked him if he was too tired to keep drawing like this. He said, 'Of course it's tiring, but whenever I have to give up, I go into the wilderness to listen to those voices and feel full of strength.' As he spoke, I immediately mentioned his' shh 'sound at the pass last night and asked him if it was because of those lovely comrades? He smiled and said, "It's not just them. In our border defense, officers and soldiers need to be able to understand the messages in the blizzard..." (Xinhua News Agency)