Chapter 52: Forming the Reconnaissance Platoon

  It was just dawn...

  Our troops quietly got up, washed and had breakfast...

  The superior gave us an order, this gathering must not disturb the people.

  Actually, we all know this is to avoid alarming the citizens.

  When our troops gathered outside, we found that the reporter had been waiting there for a long time.

  It wasn't until later that we found out the mayor and secretary had come to see us off.

  After we got on the bus, it wasn't long before our large fleet of cars set off when all personnel were confirmed to be present.

  When we set off, firecrackers started going off in the city.

  At this moment, each of our hearts is filled with pride and satisfaction, proud of the green military uniform we wear.

  When people are in trouble, we soldiers don't go up, who else will?

  After daybreak, we were all abnormally excited.

  Sitting in the car, we gazed at the scenery outside.

  All along the way, military songs resounded loudly.

  Fifteen days of flood relief efforts, making it extremely unforgettable for us...

  The convoy had not been on the highway for long when the military vehicle stopped again.

  After we all got off the bus.

  Lian Chang shouted at us: "Want to pee faster..."

  I'm going to go, even if Lao Zhang doesn't say anything it's fine, but as soon as he speaks I suddenly feel like everyone has to pee.

  Umm... To put it bluntly, it's just a tease, pulling out and then putting back.

  When we get on the bus again.

  I found that everyone started to get tired, most comrades began to doze off, and I also started to feel dizzy.

  Unconsciously fell asleep back to back with Hu Xinyin.

  When I woke up again, I was already at the entrance of the dormitory building.

  After we got off the train and lined up, a big string of firecrackers was lit at the entrance of the regimental headquarters.

  Rustling and crackling sounds...

  There were many red banners hanging around the department building.

  "Welcome back, comrades."

  The comrades who stayed behind lined up to welcome us.

  The pride in our hearts is unparalleled, and the sense of accomplishment is overflowing.

  After returning to the company, we started a thorough cleaning of the whole company.

  More than ten days away from the unit, the comrades who stayed behind cannot thoroughly clean every place.

  The first thing we did when we returned to our unit was a big cleanup.

  After adjusting for one day, our military training started again.

  After this flood rescue operation, we cherish our lives even more. Everyone's training is very hard.

  This time in disaster relief, many of our soldiers saw corpses for the first time.

  Still remember when I first saw a corpse that had been soaked in water for a long time being pulled ashore, most of the people present covered their mouths and vomited violently.

  Alas, I won't write this anymore, continuing would be all tears...

  Business as usual training.

  Just after August 1st Army Day, on that day, when we were halfway through our training, the company commander suddenly led us back to the barracks.

  We all went back to our dormitory with hats and belts on and gathered at the training ground.

  After we gathered, we found that Lian Chang and our monitor Zhao Zhijie as well as the monitor of Class 7 Chen Feng stood in front of us with all their luggage.

  At this time, the instructor came forward and shouted to us: "Comrades, our regiment is going to form a reconnaissance company. Our battalion commander will be transferred to the reconnaissance company as the company commander. Your seventh and eighth squad leaders will also go together. Next, we invite the battalion commander to say a few words to us."

  Applause erupts.

  The reconnaissance company was finally formed. I looked at Hu Xinnuo and found that he was extremely excited, as if he couldn't wait to follow the company commander to set out immediately.

  "After bowing to us and smiling, he said: 'Comrades, thank you all for bringing one honor after another to our new company in these days. In this period of time, I saw the spirit of not being afraid of hardship and fatigue among everyone, especially during this flood relief operation. Every comrade was able to uphold the spirit of our troops' fearlessness of hardship and fatigue, even under extremely harsh conditions. Comrades were able to overcome hunger and defeat fatigue. As your company commander, I feel deeply comforted by this. I hope that in the future, everyone will strive even harder and create a brilliant new first company.'"

  "Bang bang bang..."

  Applause rose again.

  Lian Chang waved his hand and waited for our applause to stop before continuing: "This time, the higher-ups have formed a reconnaissance company, and apart from the personnel who were transferred, there are 11 more places that will be selected from our regiment. Of course, I hope someone from our company can stand out and become a scout."

  I and Hu Xinwei and Zhang Yu have been waiting for Lian Chang's words.

  When our company was sending off the company commander and two platoon leaders with drums and firecrackers, my platoon leader Zhao Zhi-jie pulled me to his side and whispered in my ear: "Xiao Bin, you son of a bitch, if you don't make it through the selection to become a scout in our company, you'll owe me one. You know that? If you get eliminated in the first round, I'll beat you up every time I see you."

  I was so frightened by what I heard that I hastily said: "Yes, Monitor, I will do my best."

  The platoon leader and squad leaders arrived at the new company, after returning to the company, everything was taken care of by the instructor. In just a few days, the newly appointed platoon leader took office. This new platoon leader was previously the deputy platoon leader of Red First Company, and my deputy squad leader became our class's acting squad leader. And because I performed outstandingly, the instructor let me take on the role of acting deputy squad leader. Suddenly, I felt some pressure.

  The old soldiers in the class didn't show anything on the surface, but I knew that they were actually very resentful in their hearts. I knew they would think to themselves, "Why should a new recruit like me be appointed as deputy monitor?"

  I also found an instructor because of this.

  "Counselor, I...I think I'm still not suitable for being deputy class monitor." I said with my head down in front of the counselor.

  The instructor took a sip of tea: "Xiao Bin, the company's arrangement for you to serve as deputy platoon leader is a recognition of you."

  "But..."

  "No, but there is still one more thing, have you ever thought of joining the reconnaissance company's selection?" The instructor asked me.

  I didn't expect the instructor to ask this suddenly.

  I nodded at the instructor and said: "Instructor, I'm ready to participate in the selection of the reconnaissance company."

  "Have you ever thought of staying with our new company?"

  The instructor's words left me at a loss for what to say in response for a moment.

  "Instructor, to be honest with you, I'm an ambitious person. I want to become stronger and my class leader also hopes that I can become a scout." I said firmly to the instructor.

  I could tell that when I said this sentence, the instructor felt uncomfortable.

  For a moment, I was in a dilemma, on one hand was my ideal, and on the other hand were the instructor's expectations of me.

  Suddenly, the class monitor's words flashed through my mind.

  "Xiao Bin, you damn well better not have come to Recon Company as a soldier without passing the selection process. If you didn't make it through the first round, I'll take care of you every time I see you."

  At this moment, I was even more determined to join the scouts.

  As I came out of the instructor's room, I took a deep breath.

  "I will make it, I must make it, I will definitely stand out."