Chapter Fifty-six Belongs To Our Glory

  "Tubao brothers, Tubao brothers..." As Tubao crawled across the finish line, Qu Mingjun and Feng Shaojun rushed forward to squat down and hold his body, calling out anxiously.

  "Get out - get out - I can still walk - " Tu Bao's eyes were stuck shut with mud and water, and in the wind and rain he couldn't make out who was calling him, his body desperately struggling to continue crawling forward.

  "......You've arrived, you've reached the end. You won! Tu Bao brothers, good fellow, good brother, you won!!" Qu Mingjun's lips trembled, his hands inserted from behind into Tu Bao's armpits, shouting hoarsely in Tu Bao's ear.

  Tu Bao's body stiffened for a moment, and his right hand finally let go of the damned ammunition box. Feng Shaojun hastily helped Qu Mingjun to lift Tu Bao up, and Tu Bao struggled to stretch out his hand, using the rainwater from the sky to wipe his face, and saw that he had indeed reached the endpoint with a red flag inserted, and smiled wryly.

  This smile, with water droplets all over his head and face, no one knew whether it was rain or sweat. This smile made everyone present unable to help but let out a long sigh.

  Although Tu Bao's brother had been fighting with his life, the last blow caused by slipping in the mud and water made him fall to fifth place in the third group. He has lost the opportunity to compete for the top three individual scores, and his right foot bone is shattered. Although he can recover from treatment without affecting his normal life afterwards, he is no longer suitable to be an excellent scout.

  Even after a long time, Qu Mingjun still remembered the scene of returning to Shimmen Luyuan Hospital to visit his brother Tuba with a slightly melancholy smile. He remembered that day he said: "It doesn't matter, if I really can't be a soldier, I can go back home and plant some land, plant some herbs... Hehe, then earn some money, marry another wife, our Miao family has one beauty after another, finally have a son... Have a son grow up and I will still let him be a soldier, to repay the debt of his father's military service. Damn..."

  Tu Bao turned his face towards the window, and Qu Ming Jun clearly saw that there were tears falling from the corners of his eyes. On the bedside table of Tu Bao's brothers, a medal was shining brightly...

  After the grand martial arts competition came to an end, all the contestants relaxed and rested for a whole day. The base held an awards ceremony the next day.

  "I now announce the award-winning units and individuals." Today, the sun is shining brightly, on the rostrum, a dozen or so generals are seated neatly, including the political commissar of the Eight Great Military Academies and several chiefs of staff. The host who spoke was the overall person in charge of this session of martial arts competition, looking at the senior colonel's spirited and powerful voice.

  The third place in the team competition of the 4th Military Academy's military games is... The colonel in charge raised his head and smiled at the eight teams sitting below, "Chun Cheng Military Academy!"

  "Ah——" A loud shout came from the direction of Chun Cheng Lu Institute, as if cheering for themselves, but Qu Ming Jun clearly heard a hint of regret in it. Originally, Chun Cheng Lu Institute had the possibility of getting first place in the team competition, or at least second place, unfortunately because of the Tu Bao brothers.

  Everyone was applauding warmly. The leader of the Chun Cheng Lu Institute quickly stood up, ran to the middle of the podium, took over the award certificate and trophy from the head of the headquarters, with a smile as bright as the weather.

  "The second place in the 4th Military Academy's military competition team is... Chang'an Land Institute!"

  "Ah——" The roar far exceeded the shouting voice of Chun Cheng Military Academy. In the past, when the eight major military academies competed in various aspects, Chun Cheng Military Academy and Chang'an Military Academy had always been entangled with each other, you up me down, I up you down, neither yielding to the other. This time, Chang'an Military Academy, for whatever reason, suppressed Chun Cheng Military Academy by a wide margin, making them quite excited.

  The leader of Chang'an Lu Institute also had a bright smile on his face as he quickly went on stage to receive the honor that belonged to their college.

  "The first place in the team competition of the 4th Military Academy's military games is... " The colonel in charge looked at Qiu Mingjun and his team with a smile, "Shimen Military Academy!"

  "Ahhh——" An even louder shout erupted, all the players and team leaders of Shimen Academy, including the principal of Shimen Academy who was sitting on the main stage, were filled with passion and excitement. Cui Ze simply put his fingers to his mouth and blew a long and sharp whistle.

  All the military chiefs on the rostrum heard it, but they applauded with smiles and acquiesced in this behavior that absolutely violated the discipline of the meeting, because at this moment, it was the festival of Shimen Academy, it was the glory of Shimen Academy.

  Since the training team was established a few months ago, although Captain Fan always showed a warm smile to his teammates, none of them had ever seen Captain Fan smile so brightly and proudly.

  At the same time that Captain Fan received the glittering trophy and certificate under the sun, the eight rifles supporting a trophy in the shape of a military emblem deeply engraved themselves into the hearts of all the representatives of the Shimen Academy.

  "The following is the announcement of personal ranking." After the cheers and applause died down, the athletes' march music sounded in the award venue, and the principal announced a list that made all the team members present feel their hearts racing.

  "The tenth place in the individual military competition of the Fourth Army Academy is...". Still from back to front, this time only the top ten individuals were taken, which made many team members secretly sigh.

  ……

  "The seventh place in the individual event of the Fourth Military Academy's military competition is... Cui Ze!" Cui Ze heard this and suddenly lifted his head, I actually made it into the top ten? Qu Mingjun smiled and gave him a punch on the back, also pushing Cui Ze who was stunned with surprise, this kid rubbed his head, hehe smiled and went up to the stage amidst applause.

  ……

  "The fifth place in the individual military competition of the Fourth Army Academy is... Guo Xiangyang!" Ah, Class Leader made it to the top five, that's great! Qu Mingjun was excited and clapped frantically. At this moment, Fan Shaobo suddenly glanced at Qu Mingjun, a hint of uncontrollable smile appeared on his mouth.

  ……

  "The third place in the individual competition of the 4th Military Academy's military games is...the second place is, Feng Shaojun! The first place is..." The colonel in charge suddenly announced the top three individual results in one breath, but paused for a moment before announcing the first place. Qu Mingjun had some expectations at this time, my grades are not bad, it's impossible to not be in the top ten, right? Am I the first? Is it a wild dream? Old Feng is such a great talent and got second place, how can I possibly get first place? Can't I even make it into the top ten?"

  "Qu Mingjun!" Just as he was lost in thought, the loudspeaker on the rostrum suddenly shouted out his name. Qu Mingjun subconsciously stood up and responded loudly, "Present!"

  Everyone around burst out laughing, Qu Mingjun immediately reacted, I'm the first? The awkwardness that had just risen was quickly swept away by the sudden surprise. Am I the champion? No way! I really am the champion? Qu Mingjun was stunned on the spot for a moment.

  Feng Shaojun walked over with a smile and pulled Qu Mingjun along, they followed the third place winner from Chang'an Lu Institute's brother onto the stage.

  Qu Mingjun stood in the center, facing a lieutenant general with two golden stars shining on his chest. At the beginning of the commendation meeting, he seemed to have heard that it was a leader from the General Staff Headquarters, and Qu Mingjun hastily saluted him at attention.

  The commander-in-chief returned a courtesy and said warmly in the music: "Congratulations, young man! Good luck!"

  "Yes!" Qu Mingjun's current mood was indescribably excited, and the rewards he received from his family or school honors when he was at home were simply incomparable to today.

  A golden trophy was held in his hand, a large certificate of award was hugged in his arms, and General Zhang personally hung a gold medal around Qu Mingjun's neck.

  Qu Mingjun and Feng Shaojun, the top three winners, turned around together, waving their trophies to signal to the audience below. The deafening applause, the proud mood, the radiant sunshine, the uplifting music, all of this became a frozen picture, deeply stored in Qu Mingjun's heart. Is this what honor is? This is the honor that belongs to soldiers.

  The awards ceremony also announced some small awards, such as the Style Discipline Award and the Unity Mutual Assistance Award, which were awarded to several army academies that did not win team honors. This can be seen as a kind of affirmation and balance from the higher-ups towards their achievements. Among them, the individual award for bravery and hard work was predictably given to Tu Bao, who is still recovering from his injuries in the hospital. Even the person in charge of the awards ceremony couldn't help but praise Tu Bao with special emphasis when mentioning him.

  At this time, the medal was placed on Tubao's bedside table, but Tubao only took a glance at it at first and smiled without touching it again.

  "When are you leaving?" Tu Bao eased his emotions and smiled at Qu Mingjun.

  "Tomorrow afternoon." Qu Mingjun looked at Tuo Bao brothers who had one foot hanging high and half leaning against the wall.

  "Uh-huh. Have a smooth journey." Toubao smiled, "Next time you have the chance, come visit my hometown, it's really beautiful."

  "Alright. I've long heard that the Miao family is very enthusiastic and hospitable, and their wine has its own unique flavor. When I have time, I'll definitely come to visit you." In Qu Mingjun's eyes, there was no pity or sympathy for the Tuba brothers, only respect and friendship.

  "Alright then, I won't keep you. " Tu Bao smiled and pointed to the clock on the wall, "It's time for the doctor's rounds again."

  "Alright, I'm off." Qu Mingjun picked up his hat and stood up. "I've left my contact information with you. And about your injury, if you feel that the treatment or surgery here isn't going well, you must get in touch with me. After all, my family knows a few good orthopedic doctors. Really, who knows, maybe by then your foot will be completely healed."

  "Alright. I won't be polite with you. Once the doctor says something depressing, I'll definitely contact you." Tu Bao tightly grasped Qu Mingjun's hand.

  Qiu Mingjun had already made up his mind, and after going out later, he would find a phone to call home and ask He Shu to arrange for a good orthopedic doctor to come over and take a look at Tu Bao. After all, Tu Bao's injury was not suitable for long-distance travel at present.

  "Ah, I have another gift for you." Qu Mingjun smiled and took out a small, nicely wrapped box from his pocket and placed it on Tuo Bao's bedside.

  "What good thing is this, it's so mysterious." Tǔ Bǎo smiled and was about to pick it up.

  "Hey, don't." Qu Mingjun immediately pressed down on Tu Bao's hand. "Wait until I'm gone before you look, you must wait until I'm gone before you look."

  "Huh?" Tobei was very curious.

  "It's nothing, just a small thing, wait till I'm gone to take a look." Qu Mingjun put on his hat, patted the shoulder of Tu Bao and said with a serious expression while crouching down, "Take good care!"

  "You're the same." Tu Bao's eyes had something shiny in the corners.

  Qu Mingjun greeted the doctor who had just entered the house and went out to find a phone.

  Tu Bao picked up the small box left by Qu Mingjun, opened it, and inside lay a glittering gold medal. On it was written "Fourth All-Army Military Academy Martial Arts Competition Champion". Inside the box was also a small note, on which Qu Mingjun had written in handsome running script: "Don't decline at all costs, I think only you are worthy of this gold medal, this is our shared glory!" How could it be like this? Tu Bao was shocked, almost wanting to sit up, but his legs and feet moved, causing the female doctor to cry out in alarm before he realized he couldn't move, so he slowly lay back down again.

  This Qu Ming Jun brother, Tu Bao took a look at the gold medal, looked at the note, and smiled.

  "That young man was very spirited just now, is he your classmate?" The female doctor who was doing the physical examination for admission asked curiously, she didn't look very old.

  "No, not classmates." Tuo Bao thought for a moment, looked at the puzzled expression of the female doctor, and smiled, "Brothers."

  We are brothers!