Enlist in the Youth Army

  August 9th, 1947, was a day with crisp autumn air.

  The Taohong Town of Baoqing Prefecture in Hunan Province was exceptionally lively. The Military and Political Office of the National Government, the Baoqing Military and Political Office, and the Taohong Town Military and Political Office posted an announcement to recruit young special soldiers. Many young talents and students came to sign up one after another, and for a time, the gate of the Military and Political Office was as lively as a fair.

  The Military Government Office is located on Xin Street, a wide road that runs from west to east across the street, with very convenient transportation. Xin Street is the most prosperous street in Taohong Town, with people coming and going, bustling with activity. The shops and stalls on both sides of the street are everywhere, and the vendors' cries of selling rise and fall, never-ending.

  On the right side of the street was a simple and elegant two-story building, which was the military government office of Taohong Town. To the left of the office was the town's number one inn, the Four Seas Inn. On the gate of the Four Seas Inn was posted a notice about recruiting young special soldiers. In front of the notice were many ambitious young people, and standing in the front was a young man around twenty years old. This young man was tall and broad-shouldered, with a tiger's back and bear's waist, a square face and flat head, thick eyebrows and big eyes. He wore light blue coarse cloth clothes and flat-bottomed cloth shoes, looking a bit rustic but very majestic. He was none other than my eldest maternal uncle, Xiao Kunling.

  Xiao Kunling lived in Wentang Village, Sangecun Township, Taohong Town (now Wentang Village, Sangecun Township, Longhui County). He graduated from the Northeast Middle School of Taohong Town founded by General Cai E at the age of 17. In the spring of 1945, he participated in the anti-Japanese war. He served as a senior sergeant clerk in the 3rd Special Service Company under the command of Yang Ying, commander of the 19th Division of the Nationalist Party's 100th Army. He made outstanding contributions in the Longtan Battle and Xuefeng Battle. After the victory over Japan, he took leave to return home due to illness.

  Xiao Kunling returned home, and his parents repeatedly urged him to marry his cousin Sun. It was difficult for him to disobey his parents' orders, so he had no choice but to settle down and start a family, living a rural life.

  Not long ago, his adoptive father Sun Guitian came to the door and said: "Kunling, your military service name has arrived. You should make an early decision whether to pay or serve. If you can't pay on time, once the Military Government Office arrives, you won't be able to help yourself."

  Xiao Kunling listened to his adoptive father's words and thought to himself: If he pays the money, he can buy a substitute for military service, but his family is too poor to afford it; if he doesn't pay the money, he will have to serve in the army. Weighing the pros and cons, Xiao Kunling had no choice but to come to town, first to inquire about the whereabouts of the 19th Division, and second to find some work to do to earn money to buy a substitute for military service. As soon as he arrived in town, he heard people talking excitedly about the Military Government Office recruiting young special soldiers.

  What a great opportunity! Xiao Kunling was overjoyed after hearing the news, he walked quickly to the entrance of the Four Seas Travel Agency next to the Military and Political Office, pushed through the crowd, squeezed to the front, and carefully read the announcement:

  Announcement on Recruiting Young Specialized Soldiers for the National Revolutionary Army

  To build a new China with the Three Principles of the People, cultivate a new type of army for the Republic of China, and strengthen national defense, we are now recruiting young men of ambition from all over the country. The recruitment notice is as follows:

  I：Recruitment objects: intellectuals, peasants, workers and merchants. All young people with aspirations who are over 16 years old can sign up.

  II：Cultural level: above primary school culture, priority is given to those with junior high school culture or above.

  III：Examination procedure: divided into oral examination and written examination. Only those who pass the oral examination can enter the written examination. Both oral and written examinations must be passed in order to be admitted.

  IV：Treatment: all enrolled students will receive 100 yuan as a silver dollar allowance for settling down at home. After enrolling, students will go overseas for collective training. During the training period, the government will provide each student with an annual subsidy of 300 silver dollars. Students who complete their studies with excellent results can take on important positions in the military.

  This announcement shall come into effect as of the date of its promulgation. We hope that young people with aspirations will actively sign up.

  Baoning Military and Political Office of Sichuan Provincial Government in Taohong Town.

  August 1947

  Next to the notice is a wooden sign that reads: Applicants please go to the second floor recruitment office.

  Xiao Kunling finished reading the notice, glanced at the wooden sign next to him, walked in through the door and went straight up to the second floor.

  As soon as I arrived upstairs, a military officer-like person walked over with quick steps.

  "Brother, are you signing up?" The officer asked with a pleased smile.

  "Hmm." Xiao Kun Ling nodded, and took a glance at the officer. He was about thirty years old, with a square face, high nose, wide mouth, and thick eyebrows under which shone a pair of bright eyes. He wore a neat military uniform, and a pair of shiny leather boots, looking spirited and majestic.

  "Brother, go to the third room in front to sign up, there is someone working there."

  "Thank you!" Xiao Kunling said politely.

  Xiao Kunling arrived at the door of the third room, hesitating, the door was slightly ajar, with three large characters "Recruitment Office" written in red paper, strong and powerful.

  "Report!" Xiao Kunling's voice boomed loudly.

  "Come on in! The door isn't closed." Someone inside the house replied. Xiao Kunling pushed open the door and walked in with a swagger.

  "Xiao Kunling, little brother, is that you? You're still alive? That's great! From now on, we can fight side by side again." The examiner in the house suddenly exclaimed with surprise.

  Xiao Kunling took a closer look and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise:

  "Brother Jie Xue, it's really you! I'm so glad to see you! I thought you had died in the war, but unexpectedly, you're still alive and well, thank goodness!"