Chapter 54: Scout Selection (Part 1)

  When we arrived at the destination, I saw the busy figures of the class leaders.

  The squad leaders are unloading equipment from their comrades who have arrived at the destination.

  Everyone who reached the end point was exhausted and collapsed on the ground.

  The monitor came over to help us take off our equipment.

  "Xiao Bin, take off Zhang Yu's combat vest." The class leader shouted at me.

  I nodded and turned Zhang Yu over, who was already somewhat weak, then took off the tactical vest from his body.

  "Class monitor, we didn't disappoint you, did we?" I said to the class monitor.

  The class monitor smiled and gave me a kick on the butt that was neither light nor heavy: "You little brat, don't be so smug, it's just getting interesting in the back."

  "Yes, don't worry, class leader, I guarantee to complete the task." I replied with a smile and a salute.

  At this time, Class Leader Chen Feng also walked over, and Hu Xingwei went up to greet him, shouting: "Class Leader."

  Chen Feng nodded and whispered to us three: "You three remember, when sleeping at night, don't sleep too soundly."

  My classmate Zhao Zhijie heard that and immediately shouted to Chen Feng: "Chen Er Duanzi, what are you doing, don't give them three hints."

  Chen Feng, the class monitor, pursed his lips and left with a hint of a smile.

  My class monitor glared at us three and left as well.

  It's just us three now. You look at me, I look at you.

  The three of us sat on the ground, rubbing our tired legs, waiting for the next selection.

  More than 10 minutes later, our selection personnel gathered again.

  Lian Chang stands before us.

  "Comrades, tonight will be the most stable and sufficient sleep you can have during this selection period. I hope everyone cherishes and grasps it well."

  "Alright, you all fall in by squad and get some rest."

  After the commander's instructions were completed, we started camping in a tent for each company's participating members.

  In the tent, we opened our backpacks and spread out the camping mats on the grass, sleeping in our clothes.

  The three of us were still chatting like other comrades-in-arms.

  After being reminded by Chen Feng, our class monitor, the three of us all knew that we didn't have much sleep time left, and it was certain that we wouldn't be able to really sleep until dawn.

  Calm mood, I tried hard to fall asleep.

  I don't know how long I slept, but a series of urgent assembly calls rang out one after another.

  "All selection personnel, bring your weapons and equipment and assemble."

  In the darkness, we quickly gathered our equipment.

  When we came out, I found that some comrades were actually sleeping naked before, and now they are hastily putting on their clothes.

  After we had gathered for several minutes, our lagging comrade finally ran out of the tent.

  Lian Chang stood these dozen people and us apart.

  Among these more than ten people, there are 3 old comrades of our new company, and I feel sorry for them.

  Lian Chang did not let them off just because they were new recruits.

  They took off their armbands and left our team, boarding a military vehicle that drove them away from the selection venue.

  Of the 21 new and old soldiers who came with us, only 10 are left now. Just a while ago, during the 20-kilometer sprint, some people couldn't hold on and dropped out of the selection.

  One of them was a veteran in our class at Xin Yi, and everyone else in our class except for the deputy class monitor participated in the selection.

  Now there is only one person left in Class 8, I must be selected, and I cannot let down the class leader and the comrades of Class 8.

  Lian Chang appeared once again in front of our troops.

  "Comrades, there are still 71 people left. I hope someone can hold on to the end. I don't want to see everyone eliminated."

  When Commander Lian announced the end of today's selection subject, we returned to the tent once again.

  After last time, no one dared to sleep naked this time.

  I am clear in my mind that today is just a beginning and there is still a long way to go with more challenges waiting for us.

  The second day, our selection began again, from yesterday afternoon until now, we haven't eaten a single grain of rice or drunk a drop of water.

  Enduring hunger to participate in the selection.

  This assessment is a foot march.

  Lian Chang told us that this march is only five kilometers long and there will be muddy ponds and smelly ditches along the way.

  Following the team, we set off.

  The environment here is a farmland, and we move forward along the muddy ditch on the edge of the farmland.

  It wasn't an easy journey, we carried 35 kilograms of equipment on our backs, walking in the muddy swamp, our feet sinking with every step, making each step difficult, and our combat boots were already covered in mud.

  When I and Hu Xingwei walked out of the mud pit, we found that Zhang Yu had fallen into the mud pit.

  Just as we wanted to go back and help Zhang Yu, Lian Chang yelled at us: "Get out of here, let him come himself."

  I and Hu Xinwei can only stand far away to cheer Zhang Yu on.

  "Jia you, Zhang Yu, you can do it."

  Zhang Yu struggled to move his legs out.

  Lian Chang shook his head and scolded Zhang Yu: "If you can't come out, then just stay there, the new company doesn't need a cowardly soldier like you."

  We who were standing outside were anxious and couldn't wait to rush over and pull Zhang Yu out.

  "Can't you come out?" Lian Chang shouted again.

  Zhang Yu shouted back at Lian Chang: "I can."

  Zhang Yu was unwilling to give up and used all his strength to pull one foot out of the mud pit.

  Finally, Zhang Yu struggled in the mud pit for a long time before coming out.

  No time for more talk, I and Hu Xingwei pulled Zhang Yu to quicken our pace forward, because we had already fallen far behind the others.

  When we three came to Chou Shui Gou, we felt a bit nauseous.

  Can't spit it out.

  I saw Zhang Yu wanting to vomit and immediately shouted at him.

  Hu Xingwei also saw him and shouted to Zhang Yu: "Zhang Yu, don't vomit! We are in a period of hunger now. If you vomit, you won't be able to hold on!"

  In the end, Zhang Yu persisted.

  The three of us walked forward in the stinky ditch.

  Try not to think about the smelly and dirty water under your feet.

  When we all arrived at a small stream, Lianzhang ordered us to wash off the mud on our pants.

  Everyone jumped into the brook and started washing off the mud on their pants legs.

  When we finished washing up, the platoon leader gathered us together and shouted through a loudspeaker: "The next selection subject is a 10km sprint. This time, the 10km will be conducted under conditions of hunger and fatigue, so I don't require a time limit. I'll wait for you all at the finish line. There are still 71 candidates now, but only 60 can enter the next stage."

  Lian Chang finished speaking and sat in a military off-road vehicle, leaving first.

  When the reconnaissance team sounded the whistle, all of us who participated in the selection set off.

  Because of hunger and fatigue, we all started walking and running.

  At this time, all participants in the selection gathered together.

  We encourage each other and help each other.

  The able-bodied help those who are unable.

  When we ran again, one of our new comrades suddenly knelt down on the ground.

  "Class Vice Monitor."

  "Little summer."

  We immediately returned and ran to the side of Old Soldier Xia Tian.

  "Brothers, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on with everyone until the end." Old soldier Xia said with a forced smile.