The First Department of Military School Chapter 24 What is a Soldier?

  Within two days, all the people who could hurry back to Qu's house had returned, including Qu's sixth and seventh uncles. The Qu family estate was once again bustling with activity.

  No matter how the undercurrents were surging in the peaceful background, the Qu family still spent a lively and festive Spring Festival during the year of the snake. Today is again the sixth day of the first month, the day of the spring banquet, the Qu family opened their doors early to sweep the floor and welcome guests. According to the Qu family's convention, several brothers of the same generation as Qu Mingjun should have been waiting at the door to represent the Qu family in welcoming guests, but the third master of the Qu family said that since Qu Mingjun is now also a member of the military, it wouldn't be suitable for him to welcome guests at the door again. So only Qu Mingli and several other brothers went to welcome the guests.

  Qu Mingjun didn't mind, and he took advantage of this rare leisure time to sleep in and spend some quality time with his wife. Unfortunately, he wanted a relaxing break, but it wasn't necessarily what he got.

  "Brother Mingjun." The one who ran into the house was Qu Mingjun's youngest paternal cousin, only 11 years old this year, and very much doted on by his elders at home.

  "Yangyang? Come sit down." Qu Mingjun also liked this little brother who was usually very close to him.

  "No, no, Ming Jun brother, Qiao Qiao sister, you guys go to the main hall quickly." Qu Mingyang ran over, panting.

  "Huh? And me?" Shen Qiao wondered on the side.

  Qu Mingyang nodded heavily and said: "Big brother Jiang Anjie has arrived, along with his sister Jiang Annie. Third Grandfather says to let you go keep the guests company."

  He's here...... He really is here.

  Qū Míng Jùn's heart felt as if it had been struck by something. Although he had mentally prepared himself, when he suddenly heard the news of Jiāng ān Jié's arrival, he still felt a considerable impact.

  Let me go with him? Indeed, in the eyes of San Ye and others, I am the most suitable companion. After all, Jiang Anjie is a soldier, and I am also a soldier, so we must have many common topics to talk about. But, deep down, I'm still a little afraid of being awkward and don't dare see him.

  It's been two years, and the unpleasantness of that year is still vivid in my mind. In the days after joining the army, I had calmed down and thought it over carefully. Although I was also provoked by Qu Mingli at the time, after all, I was young and impulsive, and Jiang Anjie came to visit without any malice. However, although I no longer resent him, a thread of guilt has been knotted in my heart, and now that I see him, what can I say...

  "Brother Jun? Brother Jun!" Shen Qiao found it amusing, why was Brother Jun always spacing out lately?

  "Ah." Qu Mingjun came back to his senses.

  "Come on, I'll introduce you to this beautiful girl." Shen Qiao smiled brightly.

  "Big beauty?"

  "Ah, it's Jiang Anni. You haven't met her, but she's my good sister. Hurry up and let's go!" Shen Qiao pulled up Qu Mingjun with one hand and dragged Qu Mingyang with the other, running out together.

  "Hey, hey, slow down, don't pull Yangyang over..."

  ……

  "Anjie big brother, Happy New Year! Wow, Nini, you've joined the army too?" Shen Qiao exclaimed in surprise.

  At this time, in the side hall of Qu's house, two military personnel were sitting, one was a male officer with the rank of upper lieutenant, and the other was a female student wearing a red badge. The upper lieutenant was Jiang Anjie, who had a past conflict with Qu Mingjun. As for the red-badge female student, it seemed to be Jiang Annie, Shen Qiao's good sister.

  Jiang siblings stood up laughing, Jiang Annie even stretched out her hands and hugged Shen Qiao who rushed over, the two girls laughed and jumped together.

  Jiang Anjie, with a square-shaped face and eyes that shone brightly despite their moderate size, wore a pair of corduroy winter pants and had unusually large hands shaped like a spade. Two years ago, he had given Qu Mingjun quite a bit of trouble.

  Jiang Anni, with peach-like eyes and apricot-like cheeks, is indeed a great beauty, just as Shen Qiao said. Moreover, she has a classic kind of beauty, but wearing this military uniform, she has the spirit of "Chinese girls have unusual aspirations, not loving red dresses but loving military uniforms" as said by Chairman Mao. Standing there, she looks elegant and refreshing, and together with the lovely and moving little girl, the scenery is especially beautiful.

  Qū Míng Jùn felt a bit awkward, looking at Jiāng ān Jié who was dressed in military attire and smiling at him. He unconsciously stood up straight and called out: "ān Jié gē."

  "Hmm. Little brother Ming Jun, I heard you've entered the military academy?" Jiang An Jie looked like he didn't remember any of the unpleasantness from back then and was very happy as he patted Ming Jun's shoulder and said.

  "Yes, I'm in the Reconnaissance Department of Shimen Military Academy." Qu Mingjun quickly got rid of the awkwardness and smiled.

  At this time, Jiang Anni and Shen Qiao were pointing at Qu Mingjun on one side, the two people didn't know what they were whispering about, soon Shen Qiao's face turned slightly red as she hit Jiang Anni a few times, Jiang Anni covered her mouth looking at Qu Mingjun laughing non-stop.

  Also didn't know what he was arranging for himself, Qu Mingjun's face turned a little red.

  "Nice to meet you!" Jiang Anni smiled and walked up, extending her small hand to Qu Mingjun. Geez, this girl is really tall, seemingly a bit taller than Qu Mingjun.

  Along with the girl's bright words came a faint, refreshing scent from her body, which Qu Mingjun had never smelled before. Dazed for a moment, Qu Mingjun quickly reached out to shake hands. Keeping a girl waiting wasn't gentlemanly behavior after all.

  "You must be Qu Mingjun. I'm Jiang Anni, studying surgery at the Second Military Medical University." Jiang Anni was straightforward and confident, "Hmm, I've heard about you from Xiaoqiao and my older brother before, but it's not as good as meeting in person."

  It's better to hear about someone than to meet them in person? This girl can't be so straightforward, right? Qu Mingjun smiled wryly.

  "Haha." Jiang Anjie walked over with a smile, "Nizi, you're starting to sell your mouth again. Be careful that in the future you won't be able to get married."

  "Stop teasing me, Jiang Anni!" Annie said unwillingly.

  "Alright, alright, you girls talk about your girl stuff, I'll take Ming Jun out for a walk." Jiang An Jie shook his head, seemingly having no other choice with his sister. He called out to Qu Ming Jun and the two of them headed outside.

  As soon as they stepped out, a gust of cold wind hit them, invigorating their spirits. Qu Mingjun and Jiang Anjie simultaneously took a deep breath, then looked at each other face to face, and together laughed as they walked along the small path towards Qu Mingjun's place.

  "How is it? What does it feel like being a soldier?" Jiang Anjie asked with a smile.

  "It's not what I thought it would be, but still has a pretty good taste." Qu Mingjun suddenly remembered his comrades in the class and smiled.

  "Huh? I thought you'd regret joining the army." Jiang Anjie was somewhat surprised.

  "Why did you say that?" Qu Mingjun asked.

  "Because... because the feeling you gave me was too good to be true, too perfect. But the army, in fact, is not what many people imagine it to be. Ever since I heard that you enlisted, I've always felt that you, hmm, would be disappointed."

  "...At first, I was indeed a bit disappointed. But now, it's okay."

  "By the way, why did you want to join the army? I heard that you should be the next head of the Qu family."

  "No particular reason, maybe just curiosity." Why? Was it to argue with you? Qu Mingjun felt a bit embarrassed.

  "Curious? Haha." Jiang Anjie probably had some idea in his mind, but after all, it was a year after Qu Mingjun enlisted and the unpleasantness between them happened, so he wasn't particularly sure.

  "What about you? Why did you join the army?" Qu Mingjun suddenly asked Jiang Anjie. The two of them had walked to a small pavilion by a pond in the backyard of the Qu's house and sat down. They seemed to be enjoying the feeling of the cold wind blowing against their faces.

  "Me?" Jiang Anjie shook his head, took out a box of Su cigarettes, and nodded at Qu Mingjun. After getting a negative answer, he lit one up himself and took a deep drag.

  "I grew up in the big yard of the troops since I was a child. From the age of five, I started to exercise with the guards at home. At the age of twelve, I entered the military academy, and it was natural for me to join the army after growing up. Now, what do you think I can do besides being a soldier?"

  Qu Mingjun was stunned, the Jiang family and the Qu family were different, the Jiang family's power came from the military, since the Republic of China era, almost every generation had someone join the army and become a high-ranking commander, it can be said that they were a military family. Indeed, with such a life background as Jiang Anjie, it seemed that he was destined to join the army and become a soldier for life, how could he possibly do anything else?

  "You, don't you regret it? Haven't you ever thought of leaving the troops?" Qu Mingjun asked tentatively.

  "What do you think soldiers are? Or rather, what are Chinese soldiers?" Jiang Anjie fell silent for a moment, staring at Qu Mingjun and asking back.

  "What is it? The people's sons and soldiers? The defenders of the regime? The state's violent machine?" Qu Mingjun couldn't keep up with Jiang Anjie's train of thought for a moment, and casually mentioned a few terms from political books.

  "Haha." Jiang Anjie burst out laughing.

  Qu Mingjun's face turned red and his ears were burning with anger as he said, "What did you say Chinese soldiers are?"

  "Hehe, I'm not laughing at you. What you said is all correct, such as 'sons of the party', 'defenders of the regime', and 'machines of violence'. However, I think that the army should be the backbone of the country!"

  "I've been a soldier for ten years, from a new recruit to the current company commander. Over the years, every time I see those young and inexperienced new recruits grow into excellent soldiers, every time I see my comrades go on missions where they would rather shed blood than tears, every time I see old veterans retire and hug us while crying, at that moment, I feel that they are so outstanding, so proud."

  Jiang Anjie said quietly, "I don't know if there's anyone else in this world who can dedicate their youth and even their precious lives selflessly like us soldiers. Maybe some people think it's not worth it, maybe some people think we're foolish, but I know that as long as we can stand tall with our proud backs, then our country and people can also stand tall with their proud backs."

  "When I saw my childhood classmates making a name for themselves in politics and business, I used to feel resentful. But every time I put on my uniform and marched out, listening to the thunderous sound of the bugle behind me, I knew that I was not alone, I had brothers, I had ideals, and I also had the pride and honor of being a Chinese soldier."

  "Everyone lives in this world to take on responsibilities. Although I don't have a stage that can fully showcase my abilities and values, I am silently building a stable and reliable life stage for the majority of people, which is my responsibility, as well as the responsibility of us soldiers."

  "Remember, being a soldier is not a title that anyone can wear casually. The Whampoa Military Academy once had a couplet: 'Those who fear death and covet life, please take another road; those who seek promotion and wealth, do not enter this door.' Being a soldier is a responsibility, a responsibility borne by all of us who wear uniforms."

  Qu Ming's mind was in disarray, he had never thought that being a soldier would require so much thinking. Although Jiang Anjie said some things that he couldn't digest at once, but it seemed like he had never felt the pride and arrogance of being a soldier like Jiang Anjie did. What have I taken the army for? A playground? Am I really suitable for the army? Can I become what they call the strongest soldier? Even if I do, does it really have any meaning?

  My road, how should I walk...