Chapter 53: Graduation Ceremony!

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  Thanks for the starting coin reward from brother ssq1976! Thank you very much!

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  Zhang Xinghan and Zhou Wei simultaneously stopped in their tracks, turned around, and saw Director Zhang Zhizhong walking towards them with a stern expression.

  General Zhang Zhizhong is not only the Minister of Education for this term under Premier Zhang Xinghan, but also the Minister of Education for Zhou Wei, and the instructor and teacher of both men.

  "Director of Education!" Zhang Xinghan and Zhou Wei almost simultaneously stood up straight and saluted.

  "What are you doing?" General Zhang Zhizhong returned a salute and asked solemnly.

  Zhang Xinghan didn't say a word, Zhou Wei stuttered and said: "N-nothing. We're just cross-examining each other!"

  "What are you hesitating about? You've already lost, and I can see the killing intent in your eyes! Zhang Xinghan is your junior, you're both students of Huangpu, the future elite of the party and country. Now that the nation is in a time of crisis, you should be united against a common enemy! Your enemy isn't one of your own people, but the Japanese imperialists who are invading our northeastern provinces! You should clench your fists to fight the Japanese, not each other! Do you understand?" General Zhang Zhongzheng rebuked.

  "I understand!" Zhang Xinghan and Zhou Wei replied in unison.

  "Disperse immediately! Gather together, what a sight!" General Zhang Zhong continued to scold.

  "Yes!" The two of them exchanged a glance, Zhou Wei snorted and immediately turned around and strode away.

  The students who were watching also dispersed in all directions and left.

  Just as Zhang Xinghan was about to turn around and leave, General Zhang Zhizhong spoke up: "Xinghan, come to my office for a moment, I have something to discuss with you."

  "Yes!" Zhang Xinghan was stunned for a moment, then turned around and stood up straight, saluting respectfully.

  General Zhang nodded meaningfully and immediately stepped out, walking towards his own office.

  Zhang Xinghan made a gesture with Sun Siwei and Zhao Desheng, and hurriedly followed them in quick steps.

  Following General Zhang Zhizhong to his office, General Zhang sat behind the desk and beckoned to Zhang Xinghan with a serious expression: "Sit down, don't be polite or too restrained."

  "Yes!" Zhang Xinghan responded, sitting down in a wooden chair in front of the office desk, somewhat awkwardly saying: "I don't know why the Director of Education has called me here, what instructions do you have?"

  "Oh! There's nothing special, I just wanted to inform you in advance. Aren't your students almost graduating? It's like this: the Frunze Military Academy has selected its most outstanding students for this semester and is preparing to send them to China for a 12-month special training program. After discussion with Comrade Chairman and the Soviet side, our Central Military School will also select 30 excellent students from this semester to participate in the training together, to learn more about modern warfare theories and knowledge."

  "Of the thirty people, we can only select twenty from this batch of students, and the remaining ten will be selected from the Training General Headquarters. You also know that the Training General Headquarters and the Central Military Academy are closely related. What I want to tell you is that in the list of these thirty people, Chairman Chiang has already specifically chosen you to participate!"

  "What?" Zhang Xinghan was somewhat surprised. In fact, with the military theories and knowledge he had learned that were at least 60 or 70 years ahead of this era, it was not necessary to participate in any special training. However, it seemed that precisely because of his outstanding performance, Chairman Chiang would intentionally cultivate him.

  But this way, I'm afraid there's no way for me to get married with Du Qianxue this year. Zhang Xinghan thought to himself.

  "Yes! So you must be mentally prepared, this time, you not only represent the Central Military Academy, but also represent Chinese soldiers and Soviet people's joint training! Although it is mutual learning and discussion, we cannot lose the face and due momentum of our Chinese soldiers!" General Zhang Zhong said solemnly.

  "Yes! The students understand! I guarantee not to lose face for Whampoa, nor to tarnish the reputation of Chinese soldiers!" Zhang Xinghan knew he couldn't shirk his responsibility and accepted it with a smile. After all, learning from the outstanding talents of the future Soviet Red Army wouldn't be bad either. As for his marriage to Du Qianxue, it could only be postponed.

  "Hmm!" General Zhang Zhizhong nodded in satisfaction, and immediately raised his hand to signal: "Alright, there's nothing else. You can go back first. Also, don't mention this matter to the other students for now, as the list of others is still being finalized."

  "Hmm!" Zhang Xinghan solemnly nodded and immediately stood up with a crisp salute: "Student taking leave!"

  General Zhang Zhizhong didn't say a word, but nodded profoundly and gestured with his hand.

  Zhang Xinghan immediately turned around and strode away with big steps.

  Back in the dormitory, Zhao De Sheng and Sun Si Wei, who had been waiting for a long time, along with some familiar students, immediately surrounded Zhang Xing Han.

  "Awesome! Your performance today was truly amazing, single-handedly holding a gun and hitting every shot, it's really impressive!"

  "It's just that your bare-handed combat skills are quite formidable, and Zhou Wei is simply no match for you!"

  "Today is really exhilarating, I bet that guy with the surname Zhou is so angry his lungs are about to burst! Haha!"

  Everyone was chattering away, each saying their own piece, and Zhang Xinghan could only respond with a smile.

  …….

  In the blink of an eye, more than twenty days have passed. The time has come to June 5th of the Republic of China's 25th year. In June, Nanjing is scorching hot with the sun shining brightly and flames raging everywhere. The entire city of Nanjing seems to be in a huge furnace.

  Today, the graduation ceremony of the 10th batch of students was held at the Central Military Academy as scheduled.

  In the grand auditorium of the military academy, over a thousand tenth-term cadets gathered inside, each sitting in their seats waiting for the commencement ceremony to begin.

  As the graduation ceremony had not yet begun, Director Chiang and Minister Chang had not arrived, so the entire auditorium was filled with the sound of students' discussions.

  Zhang Xinghan sat in his seat with his eyes closed, while Zhao Desheng and Sun Siwei on either side of him were whispering to each other. After all, graduation was approaching, and the two couldn't help but imagine what would happen after they graduated.

  However, at this time, the most yearned thing in the hearts of most students should be to put on military uniforms, pick up steel guns, rush to the front line, and engage in a bloody battle with the invaders to recover the lost territory of the motherland.

  At this time, every student is full of passion and ambition to serve the country. As long as Chairman Chiang gives the order, they will rise up in response, take up arms, rush to the front line, defend their homeland and fight against the enemy! Protect their homes and defend their country!

  About half an hour later, a loud voice from an instructor rang out: "Principal Chiang, Director Zhang has arrived!"

  All the students suddenly stopped discussing and sat up straight. The entire auditorium was silent for a moment.

  Just as it had become quiet enough to hear a pin drop, a sudden loud and rapid footsteps echoed, breaking the brief tranquility.

  Zhang Xinghan slightly opened his eyes, and saw that at the front entrance of the auditorium, Chairman Chiang, wearing a brand new military uniform, equipped with a central sword, walked into the auditorium with his head held high and chest out, surrounded by people like Education Minister Zhang Zhizhong who were also wearing military uniforms.

  Just as Principal Chiang and Director Zhang had just stepped onto the stage, the loud voice of the instructor from before rang out again: "Everyone rise!"

  More than 1,000 people stood up simultaneously with a "brushing" sound.

  Chiang Kai-shek smiled and pressed his hands slightly: "Alright, everyone, take a seat."

  After everyone sat down, General Zhang Zhizhong behind Director Chiang shouted loudly: "Now I declare that the graduation ceremony of the 10th class of the Central Military Academy has officially begun. Please give instructions, Principal Chiang!"

  All the students started clapping and applauding with a "pa pa" sound, Zhang Xinghan and two others also followed suit and clapped a few times.

  "Gentlemen!" Chairman Chiang raised his hands to signal for silence, and after a pause, said: "Fellow students, the Central Military Academy has always been a base for cultivating elite talents for the party, state, and nation. After three years of study and training, you have qualified to become a qualified military personnel. What I want to say is that from today on, once you step out of the school gate, you will shoulder an additional heavy responsibility, which is to defend your home and country, and revive China!"

  "Defend our homes and safeguard our country! Revitalize China!" All the students shouted in unison with all their might.

  "At present, the country is in a state of internal and external troubles, it is the time for the party-state to use people! As your principal, I hope that after graduation, you will definitely remember the teachings of the school and teachers, inherit and carry forward the Whampoa spirit, be kind and sincere, unite as one. Bravely fight against the enemy, serve the country!" Chairman Chiang continued his impassioned speech with great satisfaction.

  "Dearest, utmost sincerity! Unity of heart! Bravely kill the enemy! Dedicate to the country!" All the students shouted again with fervent passion. At this time, their enthusiasm had been completely ignited, and everyone was eager to leave school, join the army, and experience those years of war and bloodshed. Little did they know that on the battlefield, someone would sacrifice every moment, and human life is the cheapest thing on the battlefield.

  Chiang Kai-shek nodded his head in satisfaction, and after the voices of the crowd had died down, he continued to say loudly: "Now let Minister of Education Chang come forward to make an announcement!" As soon as he finished speaking, Chiang Kai-shek took two steps back.

  General Zhang Zhizhong nodded to Director Chiang, took two steps forward, and came to the microphone. He paused for a moment before speaking in a calm tone: "Fellow students! I'm delighted to present your graduation certificates today. Over the past three years, you've transformed from being naive and ignorant to becoming mature and composed. From having no skills whatsoever, you've become qualified professional soldiers. During these three years, especially during the first year of military training, many of your classmates were eliminated. However, survival of the fittest is an iron law that makes a nation and its people strong and prosperous.

  "Whether in military school or on the battlefield, only the strong survive. Our Central Military Academy has always cultivated the elite of the army, the pillars of the nation, and the backbone of the national army! So each and every one of you should feel proud and honored to have persevered until the end and obtained your graduation certificate! Because you are the future backbone of the military, the elite of my Huangpu Military Academy, and the pillars of talent for our Chinese nation's resurgence!"

  Zhang Zhizhong's sonorous voice stirred the emotions of everyone present. As soon as he finished speaking, including Chairman Chiang, all those present burst into warm applause.

  "Now I announce that the 10th batch of students from the Central Army Officer School have officially graduated!" General Zhang Zhizhong declared loudly after the applause subsided.

  "In addition, after discussion with the Education Department and the Party Committee, Principal Chiang has approved to select 20 students from this semester who have performed exceptionally well. You will represent the Central Military Academy and the Soviet Union's Frunze Military Academy special training team to participate in a one-year special military training and cultivation! Except for the selected students, the rest of you will graduate as usual, and the assigned troops will be announced later." General Zhang said, "Now, please let Vice Officer Li announce the list of students!"

  Deputy Li held a document in his hand, walked up with his head held high and chest out, and read solemnly: "Zhang Xinghan, Sun Siwei, Zhao Desheng, Li Sihai, Wang Youzhe..."