Military career: Starting with a recruitment letter

Chapter 143 Turning Around, Also Setting Off

In the company's mess hall.

The plump mutton dumplings were ready, and the cooks were busy serving the departing soldiers their last lunch.

On the training field, the duty officer had urged them several times, but no one moved.

The company commander shed tears, the veteran wept bitterly, and the private was bewildered.

Military reductions always happen so suddenly; someone always has to go first.

Cheng Dong took off his hat, his eyes bloodshot, and faced the ranks, shouting, "Reconnaissance Company!!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The shouts of battle shook the heavens, dispelling some of the sorrow of parting.

"What are you crying for? You're all men, what are you crying about?" Cheng Dong took the lead in wiping away his tears: "Isn't it better to go home?"

"Remember, we are soldiers. Once a soldier, always a soldier. Just because you can't stay in the barracks anymore doesn't mean you're no longer soldiers."

"If you're not in the military, will the people you know not recognize what you've learned here?"

"Remember, there are no cowards in our reconnaissance company. When we're together, we're a blazing fire; when we're apart, we're stars in the sky. Spend more time with your parents when you go home. And whoever becomes a boss or makes something of themselves in the future, never forget our Third Reconnaissance Company."

"I wish my comrades all the best in the days to come, and that all your wishes come true."

"Now, everyone, turn right, destination: the cafeteria, three lines, run!"

"One two one, one two one, one two three four."

Tap tap tap.
With the sound of powerful footsteps, the column, under the command of the company commander, began to rush towards the mess hall.

Outside the reconnaissance company's gate, two vehicles from the motor transport company were already in position, waiting to take people away.

But on ordinary days, when they eat, it's like someone is fighting over their food; the soldiers wolf down their food.

I don't have much of an appetite today.

Everyone sat there, staring blankly at the bowl full of dumplings.

Chen Mo sat down on the third-class side, wanting to spend one last meal with his two brothers before boarding the bus.

In fact, the privates in the company knew about the discharge two days ago. Yang Dali was alright; he was naturally a bit outgoing. Apart from being depressed, he occasionally looked up and his eyes flashed with a hint of confusion.

There wasn't much sadness.

Li Zhiang's behavior was quite obvious.

Ever since I found out I was on the layoff list.

In the past two days, he has rarely spoken. Peng Wei has tried to persuade him, the instructor has stepped in, and even the company commander and Chen Mo himself have talked to him.

Li Zhiang kept shaking his head, repeatedly saying that he was fine, that he could pull through, and that everyone should rest assured.

But when he sat down at the dinner table and was watched by a group of veterans, no one took the dumplings from his bowl; they all let him have them.

After swallowing the first dumpling, Li Zhiang's emotions completely collapsed.

Tears flowed uncontrollably, like a burst dam.

"Zhi'ang".

Chen Mo raised his hand and patted his shoulder, wanting to comfort him, but when he opened his mouth, he didn't know what to say.

I've said everything I could in the last two days.

"Vice squad leader, it's me."

"I also want to be a good soldier. I don't want to leave. I haven't learned how to fire a pistol rapidly yet. I haven't even run for twenty minutes in full gear. I haven't even seen what a military camp looks like in the summer."

"I haven't even been in the army for a year."

"I'm not even a qualified scout."

Suppressed sobs and trembling shoulders revealed Li Zhiang's deepest reluctance to leave the military camp.

His cries also made the others who were about to leave unable to hold back their emotions any longer.

Cheng Dong stood silently at the entrance of the canteen, but what could he say?

As the company commander, he knew all the soldiers in the reconnaissance company, even the privates, and no one was willing to see their comrades leave.

Soldiers are no different from anyone else; they are just as mundane, experiencing the same joys and sorrows.

Whenever he was awarded for his meritorious service, he would immediately put on a reserved act. When he saw a pretty girl, he would think about how to marry her. If he wanted to rest or be lazy, he would also shamelessly pretend to be sick to the squad leader.

Aside from serious matters, there's no time when they wouldn't throw a tantrum.

But there are also differences.

If the enemy comes, with fighter jets, tanks and cannons, some people ask them, as reconnaissance soldiers with only rifles and submachine guns, would they dare to go in?
They would reply, "Go ahead and attack? What are you thinking? Those guys have airplanes and cannons. Going up there is just suicide."

Because this is a hypothetical situation.

But if the enemy really comes, the moment the battle order is given over the loudspeaker...

If anyone asks again at this point...

They'll tell you with their tightly gripped steel guns, "Who cares what the enemy is using, who cares how many people are coming?"

Behind us are the motherland's rivers and mountains, the Great Wall, the Yangtze River, our loved ones, and our people. Even if we only have one gun, even if our equipment is outdated, at least we can hold off our country for a few seconds, right?
In this lifetime, blocking for a few seconds is enough.
The honor of soldiers needs to be passed down from generation to generation. After you take off this uniform, go home safely.

Rest assured, our motherland will be well, our people will be well, and we will take the gun from your hands, continue the fight, and advance fiercely.

A meal of dumplings served before boarding the train left everyone feeling suffocated.

finally.

Under Cheng Dong's firm order, none of the remaining ninety-odd men in the company were allowed to send anyone away.

Everyone was kept inside the cafeteria, watching as those leaving, carrying their bags and blankets, walked away step by step.

Get in the car and start the engine.

go away.

It's right not to let them see you off. Where does the journey to see off a comrade-in-arms end?

Chen Mo stood in the crowd, watching a group of familiar people leave, turning back every few steps, until they were far away.

If nothing else happens.

For many of them, there was almost no chance of ever seeing each other again.

The crowd gradually dispersed; some went back to their dormitories, while others ran to the curb of the training field and sat there in a daze.

With dozens of familiar faces missing from the company, it's not easy for the remaining soldiers to adapt.

I reckon it will take a few days before they can slowly regain their former enthusiasm.

Chen Mo sighed. He was about to go back to his dorm to lie down and rest for a while to calm himself down when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and saw that it was Lao Pao.

"Monitor."

"Hmm, can you still adapt?" The old man's eyes held a hint of worry.

No matter how well Chen Mo performed or how hard he worked, in the end, he was still just a private who had only been in the army for a short time.

Zhou Yongjie was worried that he would be the only new recruit left in the reconnaissance company, and that he wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure without his fellow recruits.

"I'm fine, squad leader. I'll just go back and lie down for a while and get some rest." Chen Mo took a deep breath.

It's normal to feel empty when a comrade leaves the unit; in his previous life, he also applied for a transfer to civilian work during a downsizing.

After serving in the army for several years, I saw off batch after batch of people. When it was my turn, I quietly slipped away because I couldn't bear the scene of parting.

This kind of thing happens no matter how many times you experience it; it's impossible to achieve true peace of mind.

"Come on, come with me."

The old man didn't explain what he was going to do; after he finished speaking, he led him straight to the company headquarters.

Without saying hello to anyone, they drove the company's old-fashioned jeep and had Chen Mo sit in the passenger seat.

He was in charge of driving, and the engine roared as they drove away from the camp.

along the way.

Old Pao didn't say a word, but he caught up with the people who had just left at the entrance of the military camp in Tao Village.

The vehicle didn't get too close; the two men simply sat inside, silently watching the soldiers from Tao Village, who had also been laid off, board the vehicle with their packages.

Chen Mo saw Yang Dali and Li Zhiang. Both of them were lying at the back of the carriage, straining to peer into the camp through the gate.

That's where the recruit training is held.

Perhaps the two were too engrossed in their conversation to notice that, just thirty or forty meters away, in a car parked on the side of the road, sat two people they knew very well.

I waited for about ten minutes.

Chen Mo didn't get out of the car, mainly because there was no point in getting out; what else could he say?

It only adds to the sorrow of parting.

Once the troop transport trucks restarted, Lao Pao started the car, turned around, and sped off in the opposite direction from Tao Village.

Chen Mo didn't ask where they were going, since Lao Pao wouldn't just take him wandering around aimlessly anyway.

Weary from our journey.

It took a full half hour to get there.

They also came from a military camp.

However, judging from the size of the main gate and the camp area, it is more than three times larger than the reconnaissance company's garrison.

The car couldn't get in.

The old man got out of the car, walked to the gate, showed his sergeant's badge and said, "Tell your Battalion Commander Liu that Zhou Yongjie from the Third Company has something to do and needs to come over."

"Yes!"

The soldier on duty at the gate saw a sergeant, with a serious expression, running over with a private.

Without delay, he immediately picked up the walkie-talkie and started making calls.

"This is the 2nd Tank Battalion of our brigade. I'm fairly familiar with their battalion commander. Please wait a moment."

The old man stuffed his sergeant's certificate into his pocket and casually introduced it to Chen Mo.

Old Pao spoke lightly, but Chen Mo was taken aback.

The Second Battalion was the unit where they were assigned to the Eighth Platoon of new recruits, Zhu Gaituan, and Feng Junling.

After the connection was established.

Chen Mo also tried to contact the Second Battalion and the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion to inquire about the situation of these two men.

However, he didn't know many people, and Liang Pai didn't have many connections either. The camp was also far away, so he hadn't been able to get any useful information out of him.

All that is known is that Feng Junling was first transferred to the artillery battalion, where he trained with artillery shells every day. When his physical fitness couldn't keep up, he was transferred to the repair platoon of the 2nd Tank Battalion.

I don't know anything else. I never expected that the old man would bring him here today.

"Squad leader, the battalion commander said he's on his way and wants you to go in first." The soldier on guard duty reported the message over the walkie-talkie.

He jogged up to the two of them.

Upon hearing this, the veteran simply nodded slightly.

Then, without any hesitation, he led Chen Mo into the Second Battalion.

Chen Mo was unfamiliar with the new camp area.

He was just following the old man, and not long after, a lieutenant colonel came running from the main road ahead, followed by a captain.

"Haha, old squad leader, what brings you here today?"

The lieutenant colonel saluted, and although his movements weren't perfect, it was still a gesture of respect.

After all, no matter how good a non-commissioned officer is, he is still a soldier, and no matter how bad a lieutenant colonel is, he is still a battalion-level officer.

"It's alright, I'm just bringing the scholar over to familiarize himself with the way."

"Hello, Chief!!"

Upon hearing the veteran introduce himself, Chen Mo immediately stood at attention and saluted.

"Haha, why call me 'commander'? My name is Liu Hongyun, and I'm the battalion commander of the Second Battalion. Lao Pao used to be my squad leader. You're not at a disadvantage calling me 'battalion commander'."

"Yes, battalion commander."

"Hmm." Liu Hongyun looked Chen Mo up and down with a smile. He was a fellow soldier in the camp, and he might not recognize the private in front of him.

But I've definitely heard of them, including him.

It's not just because of the old guard.

Xiucai caused quite a stir in the recruit training camp and even after he joined his unit, among the group of veteran soldiers. Moreover, the fact that he won two trophies during the competition was known to all the officers in the brigade.

Even now, the two trophies that Xiucai (a scholar) won are still kept at the brigade headquarters.

Liu Hongyun knew about the reconnaissance company's situation.

This round of troop reductions didn't involve many of their main battalions; the reductions were mostly targeted at directly subordinate units and cadres in administrative departments.

Furthermore, with the main battalion of the 7th Brigade at the critical juncture of its fifth batch of equipment replacement, and the Type 96 main battle tank about to be fully deployed, it is impossible for there to be a large-scale reduction.

Chen Mo and Battalion Commander Liu chatted briefly for a while.

The group headed towards the tank company's barracks, a tacit understanding among the veterans.

I know why the old gunman brought a private with him.

In the second platoon, fourth squad, Chen Mo saw Zhu Gaituan sitting at the dormitory entrance, holding something that looked like a manual, scratching his head and trying to memorize it.

When Lao Zhu was struggling with his memorization, he felt a few people standing in front of him, and he subconsciously looked up.

I noticed that the battalion commander, company commander, and even the squad leaders and deputy squad leaders from the recruit company had all walked up to me without me noticing.

He wasn't Chen Mo after all; he wasn't as eloquent. When he suddenly saw so many people, he hurriedly stood up, but couldn't utter a single word.

He even forgot to stand at attention and salute, standing there awkwardly.

"Alright, alright, I'll give you an hour's leave. The scholar is here, show him around the camp."

The company commander, the captain who had just been with Liu Hongyun, waved his hand and said.

"Yes, Captain!"

Zhu Gaituan excitedly rubbed the corner of his clothes, waiting until the battalion commander and company commander were far away, and even the old gunman was gone.

He rushed excitedly to Chen Mo and hugged him, saying, "Deputy Squad Leader, what brings you here?"

"The class monitor brought me here," Chen Mo said with a smile.

It has to be said that the veteran actor took good care of him.

Of course, Chen Mo wasn't naive. He knew the old man's intention in doing this, and it wasn't just because his fellow soldiers from the same year had all left.

More importantly, as a clerk, Chen Mo had already received information that the notice of this year's promotions would be announced soon.

The company commander and political instructor had analyzed the situation privately and asked around, and they felt that there was a high probability that they would be included in the latest batch of promotion lists.

Under such a major disarmament move, many things that were previously arranged will change to varying degrees.

And this is not the first time the military has been downsized; there will be more to come.

The old man wanted to meet with all his comrades from his time as a recruit before Chen Mo set off.

Who knows what big changes might occur after I actually go to the academy and come back?

Zhu Gaituan was the kind of person who was oblivious to things; he didn't notice anything different about Chen Mo's demeanor.

He just excitedly grabbed the squad leader and ran straight into the distance.

“Squad leader, let me tell you, that scoundrel Lao Feng, the artillery battalion doesn’t want him anymore. He’s in my company now, in the fourth platoon. I’ll take you to find him.”

"Honestly, I really miss the days of basic training. We used to be so close together. Ugh, I was like a madman back then."

"Single-mindedly thinking about how great it would be to be assigned to a unit is actually not good at all."

On the way.

Zhu Gaituan kept talking: "You know, squad leader, our squad only has four people. Almost all the squads in this tank company don't have many people."

"Damn it, take the lousy squad I'm in for example. The other three are all veterans: a tank commander, a gunner, and a driver. I'm just waiting to be assigned to a position."

"They make me memorize parameters and main gun ammunition quantities all day long. It's driving me crazy."

Listening to Zhu Gaituan's complaints, Chen Mo couldn't help but chuckle.

If memorizing parameters is tiring, then the training of the reconnaissance company must be truly hellish.

The company's combat squad consisted of twelve squads, each corresponding to a main battle tank. Zhu Gai's regiment was one of the combat squads.

The fourth platoon was the maintenance platoon of the entire company. The two men, who were eagerly anticipating their arrival, ran all the way to the dormitory where the fourth platoon was located.

What left Chen Mo speechless was...

Feng Junling didn't need to be specifically looked for; he was exactly the same as Zhu Gaituan from earlier.

He was also chased to the dormitory entrance by the veterans, sat on a small stool, held his head in one hand and a manual in the other, and was reciting with a worried expression.

The two brothers' actions were exactly the same.

"Old Feng, look who's here."

As they approached, before Chen Mo could utter a sound, Zhu Gaituan let out a loud howl, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

It's normal to be excited.

Chen Mo was doing quite well in the company, and even he couldn't get in touch with those two, let alone them.

Upon hearing the voice, Feng Junling subconsciously looked up. Old Feng, who looked just like Xiao Tou Dad, was taken aback when he saw Chen Mo.

Then, with an incredulous look on his face, he exclaimed, "Holy crap, Old Chen?!"

"Why are you here?"

"Damn, long time no see! I heard you won a trophy in the reconnaissance soldier competition a while ago?"

"Come on, come with me." Without waiting for a reply, Feng Junling pulled Chen Mo along, preparing to return to the dormitory.

"What's wrong? Why are you being so enthusiastic?" Chen Mo was a little confused.

Even though they hadn't seen each other for two months, the two of them were still grown men.

There's no need to rush straight to the dorm as soon as you meet someone.

"You have no idea, Lao Chen. When I heard you won a trophy in the competition, I told the veterans in my class, 'I used to be in the same class as you.'"

"But they didn't believe me. They even said I was from the Beiyang Fleet and that it was impossible for me to know anyone from the reconnaissance company."

"You have to help me clarify this."

"By the way, what does 'Beiyang Fleet' mean?"

Forehead.
Chen Mo was a little stumped; this was a difficult question to answer.

"Well, how should I put it?"

"Tell me, isn't it amazing?"

“Impressive, definitely impressive.” Chen Mo smiled: “From its inception to its demise, the Beiyang Fleet’s combat record remained very stable, with almost no major fluctuations.”

"Let's not disturb the old comrade."

In the end, Chen Mo still did not choose to join the repair team, not because he was afraid of losing face, but because even the veteran could make a mistake when selecting soldiers.

It's not that Feng Junling isn't trying; it's just that his physique makes him unable to handle even slightly more demanding subjects.

He was transferred away less than half a month after joining the company. Even the entire anti-aircraft artillery battalion couldn't keep him, and he was specially assigned to the maintenance platoon of the tank battalion.

In this situation, there's really no need to argue with those veterans.

In the end, it was Lao Feng who got hurt in the argument.

Because the company commander did not approve leave for Feng Junling.

The three of them couldn't go too far, so they found a place to sit and chat in the open space in front of the fourth dormitory.

Upon learning of the layoffs, Li Zhiang and Yang Dali were both laid off and have now left the military, currently on their way home.

Zhu Gaituan and Feng Junling exchanged a glance and fell silent.

They probably never imagined that leaving the Tao Village recruit training camp would lead to such a drastic change in their lives.

Fortunately, by this time, Chen Mo's mood had almost recovered.

Veterans, even after being discharged from the army, are ready to go to war.

Although Li Zhiang and his comrades could not be considered veterans, they had at least worn military uniforms, so their time in the army was not in vain.

Turning around might also mean embarking on a new campaign.

Often, people's pessimism is not the same.

For example, Feng Junling didn't actually want to stay in the army, but after being transferred around, he ended up staying.

Li Zhiang really wanted to stay and worked very hard, but in the end he boarded a train back home.

Another example.

On the morning of April 29, 1999, Chen Mo was chatting with his comrades at the Second Tank Battalion.

The notice regarding the promotion to officer and entry into the academy in May 1999 has been issued to the company level.

Chen Mo's unique journey has finally begun.

(End of this chapter)