Chapter 52: The Soul of Huangpu Military Academy

  "Uncle! What did you say? Lieyang went to take the entrance exam for Nanjing Central Military Academy?" Liu Kaifeng asked in surprise.

  "Really! Don't you know? Didn't my maid tell you?" Zhang Qihu asked in puzzlement.

  "I didn't see Zihuan all day yesterday, I thought she was sick so I came to take a look! Since parting with Lieyang in Shanghai last time, I haven't seen him again!" Liu Kaifeng explained.

  After a while, Old Man Zhang and the others returned. Zhang Zihuan saw Liu Kaifeng and took out the letter written by Zhang Lieyang from his bag and handed it to him. Liu Kaifeng took the letter and asked: "What's this?!"

  "This was written by my brother, you see for yourself!" Zhang Zihuan said as she walked towards her own room.

  Liu Kaifeng slowly opened the letter and read it for a while, saying faintly: "I, Liu Kaifeng, am not as good as Zhang Lieyang!" Upon hearing Liu Kaifeng's words, Old Man Zhang curiously took over the letter, glanced at it, and returned it to Liu Kaifeng before heading towards the study.

  The next day, Zhang Lieyang's "Male Ode" written for Liu Kaifeng suddenly became popular throughout the Zhejiang University campus!

  Before he knew it, the day of the Central Military Academy entrance examination had finally arrived! The first morning was a cultural exam, and these exams were naturally a piece of cake for Zhang Lieyang. Every time, he would finish ahead of schedule. By the time Zhang Lieyang handed in his paper, the invigilating teacher was already used to it!

  In the afternoon, it was an oral test. For most candidates, this subject is the most difficult one, because based on their current level of understanding, it's hard to come up with unique insights that can meet the strict standards of the examiners. But for Zhang Lieyang, who came from the 21st century and had spent several years studying at Zhejiang University, where he was a prominent figure, this oral test was just a small matter. Zhang Lieyang handled it with ease. With his knowledge acquired before crossing over and what he learned at Zhejiang University, plus his debating skills honed in the book club, Zhang Lieyang left all the examiners speechless, then shocked, and finally overjoyed. By the end of the oral test, the examiners, who were full of admiration for him, unanimously gave Zhang Lieyang the highest score among all candidates - a perfect score! Just as Zhang Lieyang was about to leave, one of the examiners suddenly asked: "Why do you want to apply for military school?"

  Upon hearing the question, Zhang Lieyang turned around and looked at the questioning instructor, counter-questioning: "Does this question belong to the assessment or not?!"

  "This doesn't belong! This is a personal matter of mine, because with your knowledge you shouldn't be among the people taking the military school exam!" The examiner replied seriously.

  Zhang Lieyang smiled and said, "Originally I didn't want to answer you! But out of respect for the examiner, I'll still answer you!" As he spoke, Zhang Lieyang took out the paper with the poem "The Man's Way" from his bosom and said, "This is my answer!" With that, Zhang Lieyang put down the paper and left.

  The examiner opened the paper placed on the table by Zhang Lieyang, took a look and exclaimed: "If this child does not enter our military school, who else is qualified to enter the military school?!" As he spoke, the instructor copied down Zhang Lieyang's poem "Male Heroism".

  The next day, a physical examination was arranged. For Zhang Lieyang, it was even more relaxing and simple. With his extraordinary physique, Zhang Lieyang left the hospital early under everyone's envy.

  After a few more days, in the afternoon, the admission list of the 9th batch of recruits at the Central Army Military Academy was finally posted on the gate of the Central Military School. Zhang Lieyang, who was tense with anxiety, saw his name prominently displayed on the admission list, and to his surprise, he was ranked first! After seeing the admission list, Zhang Lieyang immediately sent a telegram to Old Man Zhang. Soon after, in the afternoon, Old Man Zhang replied with a telegram to Zhang Lieyang, which read: "My heart is greatly comforted, I hope you study hard and will defend our country in the future! Everything at home is fine! Don't worry!"

  Two days later, Zhang Lieyang received the formal admission notice from the Central Military Academy in the hostel. The people living together in the hostel naturally congratulated him without a word, and even chipped in to buy some food to hold a small celebration ceremony for Zhang Lieyang at the hostel. Although the ceremony was simple, it still made Zhang Lieyang so happy that he couldn't stop smiling foolishly. The next morning, he set off early for the Central Military Academy. When Zhang Lieyang arrived at the gate of the Central Military Academy, he found that the gate had not yet opened. However, there were already a group of young people waiting at the gate. Upon inquiry, it turned out that they were all new recruits who had been admitted this time. Since everyone knew that they would be living together for three years in the future, they naturally chatted and laughed, with a very harmonious atmosphere.

  After a long time, the gate of the Central Military Academy opened! The sentry on duty checked everyone's admission notice one by one and told them the location of the reception office. At the reception office, each person received two sets of military uniforms, two pairs of shoes, a pair of leather shoes and a pair of military boots, as well as a copy of "Political Education". At the same time, all new students were informed that the Dean of Education would give a speech to freshmen at 9:30 in the morning, after which the old students from the reception office would take the new students to their temporarily assigned barracks.

  Zhang Lieyang arrived at his own dormitory and found that four of the twelve beds already had people on them, it seemed that there were not a few people more enthusiastic than him! The other four people had already hastily changed into their military uniforms, and they all nodded to him in a friendly manner when he came in. Zhang Lieyang also smiled and greeted them one by one. Seeing that the four of them were wearing military uniforms, Zhang Lieyang immediately changed into his own military uniform as well.

  The military uniform was a bit ill-fitting, but as soon as Zhang Lieyang put it on, he suddenly remembered his appearance when he first enlisted. As the number of people in the dormitory gradually increased, the atmosphere in the dormitory also became more and more lively. Zhang Lieyang was also infected by this lively atmosphere and returned to reality. After everyone introduced each other, all the people in the dormitory unanimously recommended Zhang Lieyang as the dorm leader after feeling his profound knowledge and rich experience.

  Before long, a duty officer with a red armband appeared at the door of the new recruits' dormitory, went from room to room to inform them that they would be receiving an educational lecture from the education officer in the auditorium soon, and told them about the etiquette involved and helped them tidy up their military appearance. Then, leading the neatly lined-up new soldiers, he left the dormitory and headed towards the auditorium.

  When entering the auditorium, Zhang Lieyang learned from the old students to sit upright and gaze straight at the podium. At this time, Zhang Lieyang's dormitory mates also sat up straight like him. Other new students who were curious saw that the newly arrived students were all sitting upright, so they didn't dare to look around or fiddle with things anymore, and also sat up straight in imitation.

  The surrounding old students couldn't help but put away their contemptuous expressions when they saw the new students' behavior. Before long, several people walked onto the stage. A loud voice rang out: "Everyone rise! Salute!" All the old students stood up in unison and saluted. The new students all stood up not knowing where to put their hands, only Zhang Lieyang and the old students simultaneously raised their hands. Next, the sound of military music started, accompanied by the stirring music, the old students began to sing "The Song of Whampoa" in unison: "Raging waves surge, party flags fluttering, this is revolutionary Whampoa. Ideology must be carried out, discipline must not be relaxed, prepare to be the vanguard of struggle. Pave a bloody road, lead the oppressed masses. Hand in hand, move forward, the road is not far, don't be afraid. Cherish and guard forever! Carry on our school spirit! Carry on our school spirit!"

  At this time, all the new students were completely disoriented. They looked at each other in mutual embarrassment. After a while, which was just an instant for the old students but seemed like an eternity to the new ones, when the singing stopped, that loud voice said again: "Sit down!"