Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 4 The Great Red Warriors

As dawn breaks and the haze fades, a faint blue hue is revealed.

Inside the black boxcar
The sounds of roaring engines, rattling guns, and scraping against each other mingled together.

Wu Wanli held the Type 38 rifle tightly in his hands, unable to sleep.

"I don't know how different it is from actual combat and exercises."

Wu Wanli wiped the blackened muzzle of the gun and muttered to himself.

Before his soul transmigrated, he had also served in the military, but he was not like a special forces soldier.

He only served as a soldier for a few years, and after that, he went back to his hometown to run a veterans' barbecue business.

Now that a war is about to break out, especially a war that will determine the fate of the nation, it's understandably nerve-wracking.

"Dry!"

Not far away, Yu Congrong was walking back, cursing and swearing.

"What's wrong? Did you wet your pants again?"

Lei Gong, puffing on his pipe, looked at Yu Congrong with a hearty laugh.

"The wind direction changes so quickly, how come Pinghe knows the wind direction so well?"

Yu Congrong rolled up his trouser legs and sat down, saying...

“My brother said that Pinghe is the company’s sharpshooter, so it’s normal that he knows the wind direction better.”

Wu Wanli couldn't help but speak up.

"Hey! You haven't seen this before. Last time we were in a stuffy train car, Pinghe's butt sticks out and he can't relieve himself in the cold wind. He can only finish when we get to the station."

Yu Congrong leaned close to Wu Wanli's ear and whispered.

"I will join the army!"

Pinghe threw a bullet casing at him and shouted.

"Hey, Pinghe, are you born in the Year of the Eagle? I can even hear people talking about you like that."

Yu Congrong rubbed his forehead and said with a mournful tone.

"Hahahahahaha..."

Laughter erupted again inside the carriage.

It only quieted down a bit when Wu Qianli and Mei Sheng arrived.

However, this time the two did not intend to reprimand anyone, but instead walked straight to Wu Wanli.

"How's it going? Are you still used to it?"

Wu Qianli took out a piece of candy and tossed it to Wu Wanli.

"Comrade Wanli, do you miss your parents?"

Mei Sheng touched the photo of his daughter in his pocket and asked.

"Brother, instructor."

"I'm not just used to it, I'm also a little excited."

Wu Wanli smiled slightly and looked up.

"Excited?"

Lei Gong exhaled a cloud of mist and glanced at Wu Wanli with some surprise.

"You little rascal, war isn't a play; it involves bloodshed and sacrifice."

Wu Qianli shook his head and reminded him.

Homesick, fearful, and nervous recruits were common in the Seventh Company, but excited recruits were rare. "Fight for the people, fight for the new China, even sacrifice is an unparalleled honor!"

A glint flashed in Wu Wanli's eyes as he proudly stood up, supporting himself with his gun.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Seventh Company couldn't help but cast admiring glances at him.

"Fighting a war is not about having a lot of enthusiasm; it's more important to preserve yourself in order to eliminate more enemies."

Wu Qianli looked at his younger brother sternly and reprimanded him.

"I know brother."

Wu Wanli nodded.

"Handle your gun carefully, and never point it at your own people."

"By the way, Comrade Wanli, can you read?"

Mei Sheng then adjusted the muzzle of Wu Wanli's gun and asked with a smile.

"I know, but not completely."

Wu Wanli hesitated for a moment before speaking.

He has a university education, but such a level of education was extremely rare in the early days of the People's Republic of China.

To avoid arousing suspicion, it's best to cover it up a bit.

"This is for you."

"Read it carefully, and perhaps you will become a great Red warrior!"

Mei Sheng handed a copy of "Selected Works of Mao Zedong" to Wu Wanli and said.

"Tsk tsk tsk, instructor, I've never seen you see me off when I joined the army!"

Yu Congrong pointed to the book in Wu Wanli's hand and complained.

"You silly boy, when have I ever seen you enjoy reading books?"

Lei Gong shook his pipe and joked.

"Dad Lei, why do you always expose my shortcomings?"

Yu Congrong's face flushed slightly as he protested.

"Alright, if you're not satisfied, then keep an eye on Comrade Xiao Wanli and make sure he watches carefully."

Mei Sheng shook his head, both amused and exasperated, and prepared to leave with Wu Qianli.

"Um... Instructor."

After Wu Wanli took it, he saw that the man was about to leave and quickly called him back.

"What's wrong, Comrade Wanli? Is there a word you don't understand?"

Mei Sheng turned around and asked.

"When...can I write my application to join the Party?"

Wu Wanli mustered his courage and asked.

"Hahahaha... Kid, you've got guts!"

Looking at Wu Wanli's resolute face, Wu Qianli sighed.

"Wait until the red flag is planted on the enemy's position, until you become a true soldier, until you truly understand this book."

"The Party organization will accept you."

Mei Sheng straightened Wu Wanli's clothes and said.

(End of this chapter)