50s: Starting with a storage ring

Chapter 249 I Want to Be an Army Soldier

"In the field of diplomacy, which is the department responsible for foreign affairs, foreign countries are more advanced than our country, and we are currently at a disadvantage. It is not easy to do our job well under such circumstances."

“Hongying, your English is good, which is an advantage. You can start by working as a translator to develop your skills and then work towards a career in diplomacy in the future.”

“You’ll need to continue your studies once you’re in the diplomatic service; your current knowledge isn’t enough.”

"Dad, I'm not afraid of studying."

"So you've decided?"

"Well, the more challenging the better, so I'll go for an internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"Okay, I'll arrange it for you on Monday. You can go there in advance; you don't have to wait until you get your graduation certificate."

"Okay, thank you Dad."

Sun Zhiwei, as a father, was pleased that his youngest son was willing to follow instructions. However, when he saw his son still silently eating, he would get angry, and he couldn't get a word out of him.

"Patriotism, huh? Stop focusing on eating, what are your thoughts?"

"Dad, I'm going to join the army."

"Good, the military camp is a great melting pot, where even scrap iron can be turned into steel."

"Which branch of the military are you planning to join: Army, Air Force, or Navy each has its advantages and disadvantages."

"The army's charge into battle is the most valiant, the most dangerous, and the easiest to achieve merit, but it is also the most arduous."

"But if there is no war, the army may have to go to remote border posts, and promotion will be very difficult."

"It's better not to go to the army; we can't take care of them anyway," Tong Jiajia quickly interjected.

Tong Jiajia's younger brother, Tong Xuebin, was serving in the Southwest and hadn't been home for several years, which infuriated the elderly couple in Qingdao. Every time they wrote to Tong Jiajia, they would scold their son.

Therefore, Tong Jiajia didn't have a good feeling about joining the army.

Sun Aiguo usually listens to his mother, but he didn't respond immediately when Tong Jiajia said that.

Sun Zhiwei could tell that this child had his own ideas, but he didn't express them, which was frustrating to watch.

"Both the Air Force and the Navy are high-tech military branches. Among them, the Air Force's aircraft can fly high in the blue sky, overlook the earth, fight the enemy in the air, and defend the motherland's airspace."

"The downside is that our air force's aircraft are not advanced enough, and sometimes we feel a bit frustrated when facing the enemy's advanced fighter jets."

"Let me tell you a story about 'Crazy Storm No. 1,' and you'll understand why I say the Air Force is frustrated."

Then, Sun Zhiwei explained the "Raging Storm No. 1" tactic of mutual destruction. Tong Jiajia was very worried when she heard this and began to oppose Sun Aiguo becoming an air force officer.

However, Sun Aiguo's fighting spirit was aroused, and his eyes were shining. Sun Zhiwei sensed something was wrong and immediately changed the subject.

"Speaking of the navy, the navy also has an air force. During this training trip to Qingdao, I found that apart from having fewer aircraft than the air force, the navy has a much wider variety of fighter jets."

"The navy also has a powerful weapon: the H submarine, like a ghost in the deep sea, hiding on the seabed like an assassin. At the critical moment, a missile is launched and the deal is done."

"But being in the navy also has its drawbacks, namely that once you go to sea, you may not be able to return for several months."

“Submarines are even more cramped. You have to stay in such a small submarine for months at a time. The loneliness is indescribable and can drive a person crazy.”

"By the way, Aiguo, you can't swim, can you? You can't be a navy officer if you can't swim."

“Who says I can’t? I can swim.” Sun Aiguo was hit where it hurt, and he stopped eating and looked up to refute Sun Zhiwei’s slander.

"You just learned how to doggy paddle, what are you yelling about?" Sun Aiguo, who had just gotten a bit tough, was immediately silenced by his older sister, Sun Hongying. Unwilling to give up, Sun Aiguo muttered to himself, "So what if I doggy paddle? Doggy paddle is still swimming."

Sun Hongying, who was next to him, didn't even want to talk to him and just rolled her eyes.

"Whether it's the navy, the air force, or the army, our weapons don't have an absolute advantage, but why have we won every battle over the years?"

"It is clear that combat still depends on people; relying solely on weapons and equipment is incorrect."

"Alright, I've analyzed the three main branches of the military for you. You can choose now."

If he really had to choose, Sun Aiguo wouldn't know how to choose.

Looking back on the decades to come, Sun Zhiwei realized that the army would only have one last battle left in the southwest. After that, the country would enter a period of peace, and the opportunities to earn merit in battle would be greatly reduced.

The army, in particular, has been completely overwhelmed in its surroundings and has no enemies left. Its million-strong force can only conduct exercises at home every day.

The same applies to the air force; unless they are flying strategic bombers, they cannot see the enemy.

Once the Rocket Force is established, nearby enemies will be within missile coverage, leaving the Air Force with even less of a role to play.

The navy is still somewhat promising. There are always troublemakers in the south who try to cause trouble, although there haven't been any real battles. Sooner or later, they will take action in the east, so there are still many opportunities.

"If you don't know which to choose, then choose the Navy. The Navy has great potential for future development."

Sun Zhiwei had already given his advice, but Sun Aiguo did not agree immediately. He did not urge him, but waited for him to figure it out himself.

He doesn't actually want his children to decide for themselves, because their current education and life experiences are not enough to fully understand the meaning of a choice.

However, children nowadays all have their own ideas, and if he is too forceful, it will affect the father-son relationship.

Even if Sun Aiguo chooses the Army or Air Force, he can still find a way to transfer to the Navy in the future.

The navy has naval aviation and marines, and there is room for each branch of the military.

"Dad, I want to join the army."

Sun Zhiwei raised an eyebrow when he heard his son's choice.

"Have you thought about it?"

"Think about it."

Looking into Sun Zhiwei's eyes, Sun Aiguo explained somewhat guiltily, "When soldiers fight, it's all about real weapons. You can't even see the enemy in planes and ships. It's like playing a video game, which is boring."

"Just don't regret your choice. I'll submit it for you, and you can wait for my notification soon."

At this moment, Tong Jiajia looked at Sun Zhiwei with a hint of hesitation.

Sun Zhiwei understood what she meant. The army was too dangerous. Having a younger brother in the army was already troublesome enough, and now that his son was going too, it would be even more troublesome.

She was unaware that war was about to break out in the south in a few years; if she had known, she would have been even more furious.

That evening, Sun Zhiwei comforted Tong Jiajia. She knew that children her age were not very obedient, which was obvious from time to time.

Now that the child has chosen the army, forcing them to change their mind could cause conflict between parents and children, which would be counterproductive.

Moreover, even if war breaks out, it will be several years later, and there will be very few troops participating in the war; they will mainly be troops from the southwest.

He'll make arrangements then, and send Sun Aiguo to serve in the Northeast, far away from danger.

(End of this chapter)