A generation of soldiers begins with Feng Yuxiu traveling through time and space with Xu Sanduo

Chapter 541

Miao Lian's luggage was already packed, his canvas backpack was packed tightly, and his military green blanket was folded into a neat square.

He glanced at the familiar company headquarters.

The banner of the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company on the wall has faded a bit, the tactical diagram drawn during the last exercise is still on the corner of the table, and the "August 1st" lettering on the enamel mug is worn shiny.

He picked up the group photo of the entire company on the table, ran his fingertips over the young faces in the photo, and then shoved it into his backpack.

He raised his hand and tore off the rank insignia on his shoulder, then pried off the collar insignia and cap badge. The sharp edges of the metal hurt his palm, and the point directly pierced his thumb and forefinger. Blood seeped down between his fingers. He clenched his fists even tighter, his knuckles turning white, but he didn't utter a sound.

Without shedding a single tear, Miao Lian picked up his backpack and slung it over his shoulder, then turned and walked out the door, his military boots clattering crisply on the concrete.

As soon as he opened the door, he stopped abruptly.

Outside the gate, the entire company of soldiers stood in neat rows, their formation more orderly than ever before.

The flag fluttered loudly in the wind, its red background and yellow lettering almost blinding.

Old Lin, the squad leader of the second squad, had a taut face and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Salute!"

Swish!
Hundreds of arms were raised to their brow bones simultaneously, the movements perfectly synchronized.

Miao Lian's Adam's apple bobbed violently. Her heart, which had been hard just moments before, felt as if it had been struck by something. She could no longer hold back her tears, which streamed down her cheeks and splashed onto her chest.

He raised his hand and pressed it against his temple, which was not covered by a hat, his fingertips rubbing against his burning skin, returning the gesture forcefully, his arm taut and straight.

"Report! Company Commander, the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company has assembled! Please give your instructions!" The lead soldier's voice boomed, tinged with barely suppressed sobs.

"At ease!" Miao Lian's voice trembled slightly, and he quickly cleared his throat.

The soldiers stood at ease, their chests ramrod straight, but their eyes were all fixed on Miao Lian, and many of their shoulders were trembling quietly.

"Comrades! From today onwards, I am no longer your company commander!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several people burst into tears, and suppressed sobs echoed through the ranks.

Miao Lian's face hardened, his brows furrowing: "What are you crying for? Cry your ass! Have you forgotten the rules of the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company? We shed blood and sweat, not tears! Wiping away tears like a woman, what kind of reconnaissance soldier are you!"

"Nonsense! Does the army belong to you? Or to me? Neither! It belongs to the country! It belongs to the people!"

He took two steps forward, his gaze sweeping over the tearful faces. "If you need me to be a company commander, I'll take up my gun and go! If you don't need me, you have to obey orders! That's a soldier's duty!"

He stared at the soldiers wiping away their tears, his voice as deep as iron: "Heads up! Stand tall! Don't let the other companies laugh at our Night Tigers!"

The soldiers gritted their teeth and held back their tears. One by one, they slowly raised their heads, their eyes red like rabbits', tears still hanging on their chins, but no one dared to wipe them away.

“I’ve been a company commander for too long, ten years, that’s long enough, it’s not appropriate for me anymore.”

Miao Lian's voice softened a bit, and his gaze drifted into the distance, as if he had returned to the past. "I went to the front line at the age of fourteen. I hadn't even gotten used to handling a gun before I followed my old squad leader to charge into the position. I joined the Party and was promoted to officer on the front line in the 12th Reconnaissance Battalion. At the age of twenty-two, I was carrying the flag of the Night Tigers, and I carried it for ten years!"

He clenched his fist, gripping the bloodstains on his palm, his voice deep and heavy:

"I haven't read many books, I can't read a lot of characters, I haven't seen any high technology, all I have left is a heart full of passion and the experience I gained fighting the Japanese on the front lines. I'll leave all of that to you!"

He raised his hand to wipe his face and continued:
"You are all trained by me, Lao Miao, and you are all outstanding, the best reconnaissance soldiers! I, Lao Miao, am proud to have fought alongside you!"

The sound of the wind whipping the company flags past swept by, and his eyes reddened:

"But the army remains, while the soldiers come and go! Times have changed! The future is high-tech warfare, drones, information technology—what good is our rope and knife then?"

"The 81st Group Army is a Class A main force of the military region and a strategic reserve of the Central Military Commission. It must be able to win high-tech wars! Do I understand? I don't understand!"

He suddenly raised his voice, with a hint of self-mockery, "I'm not afraid to fight the enemy with bayonets! But when it comes to computers and information technology, I'm completely blind! So I have to leave!"

Xiwa stood in the line, tears streaming down his cheeks and dripping onto the collar insignia on his chest. He bit his lip tightly, not daring to make a sound.

The soldiers all had red eyes, and their shoulders were shaking even more violently.

"I figured this out a few years ago; I was prepared for this career change!"

Miao Lian stiffened her neck, trying hard not to let her tears fall, "I'm not crying, why are you crying? Don't cry!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers could no longer hold back; their suppressed sobs turned into whimpers, and some even wiped away their tears.

"you……"

Miao Lian's tears also fell, landing on the ground.
"All of you, behave yourselves! Train hard and don't slack off! The new company commander is here, so no throwing tantrums or acting like seniority! Because you are the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company, soldiers trained by me, Old Miao! I can't let anyone laugh at our Night Tigers! Remember, the Night Tiger Company will always be the best!"

He suddenly clenched his fist and roared, "Reconnaissance Company!"

The soldiers, as if ignited, roared in unison, "Kill!"

Miao Lian said no more, picked up his luggage, turned around and walked towards the jeep parked by the roadside. His military boots crunched on the gravel, and he didn't look back once.

"Company commander, let me see you off!" Xiwa broke free from the ranks and took two steps to catch up.

Miao Lian whirled around, his eyes wide, and roared:

"Nobody is allowed to go! Anyone who dares to go, I'll slap them across the face!"

"Company Commander!" the soldiers called out in unison, their voices filled with reluctance.

Miao Lian's voice softened a bit, "Listen! The new company commander is a master's graduate from the Army Command Academy, a student officer, and has never led troops before. You all need to cooperate with him and uphold the reputation of Night Tigers! Understand?"

"Understood!" the soldiers responded in unison, their voices trembling with tears.

"I'm leaving!" He turned and got into the car, his movements clean and efficient. As he opened the car door, his shoulders trembled slightly, but he still didn't look back.

The jeep started up and sped away, kicking up dust. The soldiers watched the jeep's rear end, tears streaming down their faces. Some raised their hands in salute until the jeep disappeared at the end of the road.

Suddenly remembering something, Xiwa abruptly turned around and ran towards the camp, clutching something in her hand.

Under a tree not far away, a fair-skinned captain stood, wearing glasses, his skin a stark contrast to the dark complexion of the soldiers.

The soldiers all caught a glimpse of him, their eyes filled with resistance.

The captain walked over, rubbed his hands together with a wry smile, and said in a low voice, "I know I've come at a bad time, but the company can't be without a commander for even a minute. My surname is Zhao, and I'm your new company commander."

He adjusted his glasses and continued, "I just graduated from the Nanjing Army Command with a master's degree in strategy and operations. I've interned in the military, but this is my first time truly leading troops and serving as a commanding officer. I know I have many shortcomings, and my tactical experience is not as good as yours. I ask the platoon leaders, squad leaders, and veterans for their help and guidance."

Old Lin, the squad leader of the second platoon, stood in the front row and muttered under his breath, "What a load of crap! Crocodile tears!"

The sound wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for the people around to hear.

Company Commander Zhao's ears twitched, and the bitter smile on his face froze for a moment, but he didn't reply.

If student officers want to win over rank-and-file soldiers, they need to put down their books and start fighting from scratch.

You can only manage this company well if you treat them like brothers.

He is ready.

Jingle Bell.

Lone Wolf Squad.

The hyena on duty paused for a moment, then put down the phone.

A short while later, Xiao Zhuang came running over from a distance, a smile on his face. "Squad Leader Coyote, you were looking for me? What's up?"

"Your phone is ringing; someone is looking for you."

Xiao Zhuang wondered who was looking for him now.

After answering the phone, Chen Xiwa's voice was choked with sobs, "Xiao Zhuang... Waaah... Miao Lian is so professional. His train is at three o'clock this afternoon. He didn't let us see him off, but I knew I had to tell you."

The smile on Xiao Zhuang's face gradually froze.

(End of this chapter)