Chapter 1169: Armed Cross-Country Race

After lunch, the recruits of the new recruit company took their midday rest in the barracks.

"Squad Leader Assistant, you're truly awesome!"

Wang Yan, with his hands pillowed behind his head, asked with a smile: "How did everyone run?"

"Two minutes thirty-five seconds; just barely missed passing."

"I hit exactly two minutes thirty; I nearly ran myself to death."

The recruits reported their results one after another in a clamor; Xu Sanduo on the upper bunk did the same.

Lying prone on the upper bunk, he stretched his neck out: "Wang Yan, I ran two minutes fifteen!"

"Good job, but you cannot be arrogant; you must continue working hard and constantly break through. A soldier satisfied with merely passing grades is not a good soldier."

Wang Yan provided Xu Sanduo with emotional validation; the latter indeed grinned like a simpleton. In short, Xu Sanduo also hoped for others' recognition; no one wishes for everyone to dislike them, for humans are ultimately social animals living in groups.

From childhood to adulthood, no one had ever said he was capable; up to now, only two people recognized him: one was Shi Jin, and the other was Wang Yan. Therefore, affirmation from Wang Yan was especially important to Xu Sanduo.

Wang Yan swept his gaze over the others and said, "The same applies to you; those who failed must strive to pass, and those who passed must strive for faster times. Currently, our squad's results are the best in the entire company; we must maintain this and absolutely not slack off, allowing other squads to surpass us. I asked the Company Commander; the best-performing squad will each receive an honorary reward, recorded in our files, which will also count as bonus points when transferring to non-commissioned officer status later."

"That's a given; we'd rather die than let anyone surpass us. Our Squad Leader is right; if we do it, we do it as number one."

"Cut it out; you're currently the worst in our squad; you still have the nerve to say that? Even Xu Sanduo adds extra training every day; do you have the shame?"

"What kind of talk is that, making it sound like our Sanduo lacks something? Right, Squad Leader Assistant?"

Wang Yan nodded: "That's correct; Comrade Xu Sanduo is no longer dragging us down and is performing quite well. In that case, you rest tonight; starting tomorrow night, I will accompany you for extra training."

"Maybe it's better to..."

"Hmm? Speak louder; I didn't hear clearly." Wang Yan tilted his head, turning his ear sideways.

"I said I will definitely work hard to improve and absolutely will not drag our squad down."

Wang Yan hummed in satisfaction: "Someone always has to be last, but there is a difference between one last place and another; you must work hard."

"Yes, yes, yes; what the Squad Leader Assistant says is right; we must align ourselves with the Squad Leader Assistant."

After a few more jokes, they fell asleep one by one. Inside the barracks, snores rose and fell, and the smell of stinky feet permeated every corner, leaving nowhere to escape.

Fortunately, the recruits had long since adapted to the noise and smells within the barracks; no matter how loud it was, they could still sleep soundly...

Wang Yan had previously heard Gao Cheng mention running an armed cross-country race; he figured it wouldn't be long, but he didn't expect it to be today!

In the afternoon, they practiced tactical movements and physical training as usual; after dinner, they conducted ideological study, followed by another rigorous inspection of internal affairs, thus ending the day.

Wang Yan again accompanied Xu Sanduo for extra training for over an hour.

Strictly speaking, Xu Sanduo's results were now in the upper-middle range of the new recruit company; he no longer needed extra training and only needed to perform seriously during daytime drills. However, Xu Sanduo's understanding was simple; he feared others catching up to him, worrying that his personal results would delay Shi Jin, Wu Liuji, Wang Yan, and the entire squad. He did not want to delay others and also wanted to help them, so he added extra training every day, and Wang Yan accompanied him daily.

After such tossing and turning, they finally washed up and went to sleep...

No one knew how long had passed when a shrill whistle suddenly sounded. The sleeping recruits were startled awake; within just a few breaths, their drowsy minds snapped sharply awake, and some soldiers began calling out to those nearby.

"Wake up, wake up, emergency assembly, hurry up."

They suppressed their voices, daring not to shout loudly.

Because regulations for emergency assembly stipulated: no lights allowed, no noise allowed, and assembly outside the barracks fully equipped and ready to depart within five minutes.

In past times, the recruits had already undergone training for this subject. At irregular intervals, an emergency assembly would occur. Although not yet accustomed, the recruits had basically mastered it; it was merely a matter of speed and duration.

Wang Yan, of course, got up immediately, then began patting the upper bunk, calling out to those left and right, urging them to wake each other up quickly. While calling people, he was also rapidly dressing, then swiftly packing his backpack, and finally swept a quick glance around to check everyone else's progress; confirming there were no issues, he ran straight out.

He was certainly not the first to arrive, but no one in his squad was slower than five minutes.

Gao Cheng was yawning and smoking; veteran soldiers looked left and right at the situation, disciplining those talking in the ranks and also those whose armed gear was too sloppily packed. Shi Jin held a stopwatch; after five minutes passed, Shi Jin put the watch away.

After a rush of frantic, chaotic busyness, the more than ten who still failed lined up in a row and began weighted push-ups, fifty per person. Euphemistically called: waking up the spirit.

After such a round of torment, Gao Cheng smiled: "Good; although there are still those who failed, you are new recruits, so it is understandable. Those lagging behind should reflect on themselves; I see quite a few familiar faces; you must reflect, find your own reasons; if you are slow once, slow twice, then being slow every time means there is a problem."

"Do you think it's over and you can go back to sleep? Then you are mistaken. Everyone knows we have an armed cross-country race, but we haven't run it yet; today you fulfill your dream: a five-kilometer armed cross-country race. In a moment, we'll add a few bricks to each of you, for a load of fifteen kilograms. Since this is your first run, we'll count thirty minutes as passing. It is now four o'clock; treat this as morning exercises; after running, rest a bit, then eat breakfast directly. Alright, begin."

"All troops! Right face!"

The recruits marched their formation to the corner of the parade ground, stuffing bricks into their backpacks one by one.

At this moment, Wu Liuji arrived; unlike other veterans who wore light gear to prepare for unexpected situations, he was fully equipped just like the recruits, and had slung his Type 81 rifle across his shoulder.

"Wang Yan, thirty kilograms, are you game!" He spoke with certainty.

"Don't say thirty kilograms; even sixty kilograms, I'll go with you."

Unexpectedly, Wu Liuji actually hesitated for a moment, then shook his head in refusal: "This is your first run; better not be so aggressive. Let me tell you, in an armed cross-country race, carrying even one extra jin makes it an entirely different level of difficulty. And do you think it's a direct cross-country run? We must first march five kilometers over there, and only then formally begin the run."

"Holy crap!"

Before Wang Yan could reply, the recruits, who were huffing and puffing while stuffing bricks into their packed backpacks, cried out; they had all thought they would be running on the parade ground.

Gao Cheng evidently understood the recruits' thoughts; he did not scold them but explained with a smile: "What is called cross-country? Can running two laps on the parade ground be called cross-country? Don't sigh and groan. Haven't you seen that I am also carrying a pack?"

He was indeed carrying a pack, though its weight was certainly not as heavy as the recruits'. After all, he was an officer, and the assessment standards were different. Furthermore, if it truly came to physical fitness, he originally could not beat the soldiers under his command, since their training orientations were different.

Wang Yan was also straightforward; he smiled and nodded at Wu Liuji, then stuffed twelve red bricks into his packed backpack. These were proper bricks from a legitimate kiln, each weighing a little over five jin; twelve bricks amounted to roughly sixty-five jin, approaching seventy jin.

"I'll give you a handicap of ten or eight jin."

"No need." Wu Liuji refused outright, also added a few bricks, added weight.

"Then pay attention; friendship first, absolutely do not force yourself; getting injured would not be good."

"As if I need you to say that? Let's go quickly."

After reforming the formation, the recruits began a five-kilometer march at regular speed, their steps heavy...

Armed cross-country training is, of course, necessary; as a soldier, physical fitness is the foundation of everything. In actual combat, a soldier fully armed basically carries just over ten kilograms. But this cannot guarantee sufficient wartime supplies; no matter how good the logistics, it takes time to resupply the front lines. And on the battlefield, time is the most precious thing, more valuable than life itself.

Therefore, for infantry to truly engage in combat, with various light and heavy weapons, ammunition, food, and emergency medical supplies fully prepared, the load must double again, reaching around thirty kilograms.

During the Afghanistan War, the average load for US troops was fifty to sixty kilograms. The requirement for the US Marine Corps was even sixty to seventy kilograms.

Of course, this is not mandatory, as there are distinctions between branches. For example, the Seventh Company is a mechanized infantry reconnaissance company; in actual combat, mechanized infantry fighting vehicles can drive directly to the front lines, shuttle back and forth within the battlefield, and possess very strong capacity for carrying supplies.

And several decades later, a great divine tool in the military, the 'Kitty Cart', bears a cute name yet comes in various forms, truly perverse. The individual mobility of infantry, the capacity for carrying supplies, and even individual long-range strike capabilities are all greatly enhanced.

However, ultimately, the better the physical fitness, the better; what is truly reliable is still the soldier's flesh and blood, and their iron will.

"Wang Yan, I added two extra bricks to my pack," Xu Sanduo whispered, afraid others would notice.

Wu Liu Yi, marching alongside them, cast a sidelong glance: "Now that's more like it. A person must have ambition, and a soldier even more so."

Everyone could see Xu Sanduo's effort, progress, and diligence; he had earned the respect of the new recruits and even gained a little favor from Wu Liu Yi, finally no longer being the annoying sight he once was.

Wang Yan nodded from the side: "Why whisper so quietly? Afraid someone will hear? Adding weight yourself is a good thing, but if you fail the run, you'll be the one losing face. Tell you what, let me give you some motivation."

"Report!" The next moment, Wang Yan shouted loudly.

Shi Jin walked over: "Speak!"

"Comrade Xu Sanduo added two extra bricks himself, increasing his load by five kilograms."

"Oh..." Shi Jin laughed. "This proactive spirit of pursuing improvement deserves praise, but criticism is also necessary: one must act according to one's ability, understand?"

"Platoon Leader, I can definitely finish the run."

"Did you add extra training last night?"

"That doesn't matter; I can definitely finish!" Xu Sanduo grinned, repeating himself to display his confidence.

"Good, then run well. If you truly cannot keep going, you can take out the extra bricks halfway."

"I can definitely finish!" Xu Sanduo repeated for the third time, his smile gone, his face utterly serious and solemn.

Shi Jin paused for a moment, then grew serious as well: "You must pass."

At this, Xu Sanduo beamed: "Yes! I guarantee to complete the mission."

Gao Cheng was not far away; of course, he heard and saw it all, but that was the limit. It is easy to make someone dislike you, but to make someone like you after they already dislike you—that is difficult. First impressions are always the most important.

After marching for an hour, they reached the cross-country running site around five o'clock.

The new recruits rested briefly, made their preparations, drank some water, and then, at Gao Cheng's command, began to run. As soon as they started, they naturally formed groups by squad, everyone rushing forward together.

However, three people were exceptions: Wang Yan and Wu Liu Yi, who intentionally sought a contest, and a veteran soldier responsible for timing who ran with a light load. Carrying over thirty kilograms of weight, the two men shot out the moment Gao Cheng shouted "Start." After passing just two small hills, the new recruits behind could no longer see their figures.

"You kid are really something," Wu Liu Yi panted heavily, turning his head to look at Wang Yan beside him.

"Oh, still able to talk? Then you're not tired yet. Come, come, let's pick up the pace; I'll ramp up the intensity for you." As he spoke, Wang Yan accelerated, overtaking Wu Liu Yi. He even chased after the lightly loaded timing veteran, running with a fierce roar.

That veteran was truly roaring as he ran, cursing under his breath while doing so. He had no choice but to run; being lightly loaded, he was almost bare-handed with little hindrance, but if Wang Yan and Wu Liu Yi caught up to him, he would lose too much face.

Wu Liu Yi fell silent now, unable to smile, gritting his teeth as he desperately chased behind Wang Yan...

Cross-country running, as the name suggests, takes place on uneven wilderness terrain. Stepping deep one moment and shallow the next consumes stamina; adding significant weight to one's body naturally consumes even more.

That is one aspect; another is the rhythm of running. In long-distance running, or indeed in various long-distance competitions, this point is especially crucial. Take marathons, for example, or road cycling.

Everyone has their own rhythm of sustained, stable output; within this rhythm, one can keep some reserve while maximizing power output.

Therefore, in such competitions, the way to defeat an opponent is to constantly change the rhythm. This is particularly evident in road cycling competitions. Over a course of dozens or even hundreds of kilometers, they constantly vary their speed to engage in a tug-of-war with opponents, draining their stamina. Within a few exchanges, they can exhaust an opponent, thereby continuously eliminating riders from the main peloton.

This was exactly what Wang Yan did.

Amidst Wu Liu Yi's curses, Wang Yan alternated between fast and slow. Since Wu Liu Yi did not want to fall behind, Wang Yan's changes in speed became his own; yet whenever he slowed down thinking he could rest, Wang Yan would accelerate again, greatly draining Wu Liu Yi's stamina.

Not to mention Wu Liu Yi; even the timing veteran running ahead was nearly exhausted, cursing just as much.

However, Wang Yan also had his limits; after all, completing the entire course safely was the priority. Thus, for the final kilometer, he ran at a constant speed.

Even so, when Wu Liu Yi reached the destination, he collapsed onto the ground immediately, panting wildly.

"Damn it, you kid are truly wicked." His tongue hung out, his mouth agape, his face looking as if he were dying, his chest heaving rapidly, sweat pouring down like rain.

At this moment, the timing veteran beside them spat, exhaled two long breaths, checked his stopwatch, and immediately cursed, "Holy crap!"

"19 minutes 32, 19 minutes 43; both broke the twenty-minute mark! Carrying thirty kilograms of weight, truly damn awesome!"

Wu Liu Yi laughed: "But you kid are likable. You broke my personal record! Haha~"

"Wang Yan, were you holding back?" the timing veteran asked.

Wang Yan was also panting heavily; he shook his head: "I was nearly at my limit too. Changing rhythms is a tactic that kills a thousand enemies while damaging oneself by eight hundred. Come on, Old Squad Leader, let me loosen up your legs so they don't cramp. Let me tell you, you've struck gold. I may be an old traditional doctor, but I am proficient in everything: tuina and bone-setting, acupuncture and massage. I've learned a few tricks; my ability to relax tendons and activate blood flow is first-rate.

Hey, don't disbelieve me; just this set of techniques of mine. If I opened my own shop, I'd charge at least two hundred yuan per session. Once you experience it, you'll know. I'll charge you less, though; just repay me later with two cartons of cigarettes."

"If I weren't out of strength, I'd put you in a qinna hold right now."

"Even with strength, you couldn't overpower me."

"How beastly of you."

"Hey, can't take a joke, is that it?"

"I'm praising you; 'big livestock' is a good term in our unit..."

"Thanks a lot."

"No need for politeness; after all, I am your Old Squad Leader."

Wu Liu Yi started acting playful as well.

After all, he was just a young man in his twenties, lively by nature.

Wang Yan smiled cheerfully; he had originally intended to use a gentle technique, but feeling the Old Squad Leader's goodwill, he temporarily decided to apply a more efficient set instead.

For a moment, on the slope of this small hill, echoes of Wu Liu Yi sounding as if he were dying, yet somehow mixed with a hint of satisfying relief, resonated throughout...