Chapter Ten

  In the blink of an eye, 7 days have passed. During these 7 days, training grounds were built on the empty land in the base. I also ordered a large number of iron leg weights based on my previous experience, so that from now on, every soldier will be required to train with a load of 10 kilograms, which can start from as light as 1 kilogram and gradually increase to 10 kilograms. When others heard this news, they didn't have much reaction. I wanted them to get used to the training in advance, afraid that the new recruits would laugh at us later. But the result was that I heard Xing Kaiyuan, the regimental commander, say with a smile: "Well, it's time to exercise, let's start with 10 kilograms." I was shocked and felt that this old comrade was not simple. When I saw Sun Hao, who was in charge of logistics and was the thinnest guy in the whole army, wearing 10 kilograms of leg weights and running 3000 meters in front of me, he said after finishing: "Commander, is it okay to add some more? It doesn't feel like anything!" I almost went crazy. When I saw those problematic officers chatting with each other while running, I was no longer surprised. When I saw Wu Zheng, Pan Deputy Regimental Commander and Han Chief of Staff running as if nothing was wrong, I thought: Why did these bookworms train their bodies so well? On the contrary, when I saw Zheng Hui and others sweating profusely and running painfully, I angrily said: "Run faster, haven't you eaten yet?"

  "I didn't train like this." Zheng Hui muttered softly.

  "You can't even handle 10 kilograms, how are you going to start from 1 kilogram?!"

  "They can do it, we can too."

  I was left speechless after hearing it directly.

  During these days, Zheng Hui and the others were also able to carry a load of 5 kilograms. This was also a kind of miracle. Later, Zheng Hui asked me why I wanted to add weight-bearing training, and I replied: "At least, the 53rd Regiment is the best at running and forced marching."

  Today is the day to welcome new recruits, and we, the main officers of the regiment, have been busy with preparations. As the cars carrying the new recruits drove into the base one by one, I thought: It's started, the future of the 53rd Regiment begins today.

  Three months later, I was sitting in the office chair reading the latest issue of "Military Report" when Guan Chang, the commander of the artillery company, rushed in and said: "Commander, our artillery company has been training for a period of time. Can we have a live-fire exercise?" I put down the newspaper, furrowed my brow and said: "Old Guan, your artillery company is relying on technical skills, and they've only had such a short time to train. Have they mastered the basic techniques?"

  "They're all ripe."

  I looked at him and sighed: "What about the interior, military posture, and military order?"

  "This? Still.................."

  "Old Guo, these are the most basic ones, and they can best reflect the military appearance!"

  "Captain, other troops have 6 months of new recruit training, but we are formed in 6 months! Of course, we must do the most important things first!"

  "No room for discussion."

  "Squad leader, listen to me..."

  I was confused by what he said and hastily said: "Stop, stop. Your cannon must at least look to the past."

  "Then I request more food."

  I heard, delighted "You're probably the ultimate goal! Okay, approved!" Gu Changmei walked away with a smile. I saw it and shook my head. At this time, Wu Zhengwei came in and said to me: "Captain, do you agree that the artillery company should add food?" I nodded. Wu Zhengwei coldly said: "You set an example like this, the impact is not good. I disagree!"

  I was stunned and said, "You think I want to, but there's no way. Artillery is not ordinary infantry after all. They are technical troops, not just simple shooting. Moreover, six months is a tight time. I think Old Guo has achieved the current results in half the time, which is quite difficult."

  Wu Zhengwei listened and thought for a moment before saying, "I reserve my opinion."

  I shrugged and said, "Whatever."

  "This time I came over here to tell you something."

  "What's wrong?"

  "The Green Empire has already ceased fire with our country and withdrawn from our territory as agreed. They are gathering in Afghanistan to regroup."

  "What? No more fighting? The war is over?"

  "Not unexpectedly, it should be like this."

  I felt a little empty in my heart after listening to it. Wu Zhengwei continued: "Military Region Zhang's Chief of Staff has been transferred to the Central Plains Military Region. Commander Yao went to Lushan to attend the Central Politburo meeting today, and called before he left. You happened to be out, I answered the phone, and the chief asked me to remind you not to forget the task he assigned to you. Also, from now on, the team's expenses will be paid by the Lanzhou Garrison District. Nothing else, so I'll go first. Oh, Commander Yao also ordered me to keep an eye on you at all times and pour cold water on you."

  I heard these words and thought in my heart: Is something going to happen? I didn't expect it to really come true.

  By the end of August 2060, the Republic of Longwei and the Empire of Green signed a ceasefire agreement. The Empire of Green unconditionally released our military prisoners of war and withdrew from Afuhan. In exchange, our military released more than 20,000 prisoners of war from the Empire of Green. Immediately after, major domestic newspapers published the spirit of the Lushan Conference, with in-depth interpretations of the Chairman's conference summary. A bigger storm then swept in, with three founding generals who were named by the Chairman as wanting troops and power at the meeting being arrested. More than 20 military leaders and high-ranking cadres implicated in this incident were also captured. On the other hand, Vice-Chairman Lin and his followers occupied important positions one after another. A new round of purging movement unfolded with great fanfare.

  At the end of November, Commander Yao and his entourage arrived at the base for an inspection and watched the soldiers of the 53rd Regiment training. He highly praised the training results of the 53rd Regiment. In the conference room of the 53rd Regiment headquarters, Commander Yao had a private conversation with me alone. Commander Yao's face was full of wrinkles, and his back was slightly hunched, I said: "Commander, how is your body?"

  "It's all right, Tang Ning. I'm relieved to see that the 53rd Regiment has its current combat effectiveness."

  "Thank you for the compliment, leader."

  "What I mean is that your 53rd Regiment will go to the border city of Xincheng District, just like other troops in the 27th Army, and also maintain local law and order."

  "Yes. Where to go?"

  "Ma Tie Gai. Departure after 7 days."

  "Yes."

  "Now in every locality so-called revolutionary committees have been set up, you'd better be careful."

  "Yes."

  "If there's anything, just call Bai Jiansheng, the commander of the 27th Army, he's also your old superior now."

  "Yes."

  "Tangning, from now on, whatever you do, remember one word: 'endure'."

  "Really? Yes."

  "Fine, I'm leaving."

  "Ah? Yes, I'll see you off, Commander."

  I watched the motorcade of the chief leave, and Wu Zhengwei said beside me: "Captain, things are going to change today!" I listened without speaking, raised my head to look at the sky, and slowly said: "As long as we have a clear conscience." After finishing, I turned around and walked towards the office building.