Chapter 114: Vast World, Great Prospects

"You're digging so skillfully, the little shovel's about to fly off?"

A few veteran members of the Cook Squad, seeing Lu Yang's earth‑digging so deft, laughed and teased.

Lu Yang explained that he had previously dug a simple shelter in the training unit, and the principle is essentially the same.

When they heard about building a simple shelter, several new recruits, including Kong Long, perked up their ears.

Even Senior Private Liu Cheng of the Cook Squad wore a puzzled expression.

The reason is simple: it touches on a blind spot in Liu Cheng's knowledge.

Although he's a second‑class soldier, he has never learned how to build a shelter as a member of the Cook Squad.

"Lu Yang, when you were in the training unit, did you learn a lot of military skills?"

"You mentioned building a simple shelter—how exactly do you build it? With stones or sandbags?"

"Have you ever fired a sniper rifle there? I heard the troops now all use the Type‑85 sniper rifle, and that thing even has an optical sight!"

In an instant, Lu Yang became the focus of the crowd.

Because up to now they have only practiced Gun‑Pivot Aiming, never actually fired a weapon, let alone any professional military skills or shooting techniques.

In fact, even now many new recruits can't tell the difference between short bursts and sustained fire.

Some don't even know the difference between an automatic rifle and a semi‑automatic rifle.

To satisfy everyone's curiosity, Lu Yang spoke freely; some of it he learned in the training unit, some he read in books.

And the conversation sparked a gleam in many new recruits' eyes, opening early the door to life in the next company's training.

Everyone knows the New Recruit Company teaches only basics, a beginner's guide to enlistment.

Now hearing Lu Yang's stories, everyone feels a nervous excitement as if they want to pick at their toes.

What they look forward to most is finishing the assessment quickly, being assigned to the next company, though they don't know which unit they'll end up in.

Lu Yang, while working, recounts the amusing anecdotes he heard from the troops, including things like the chief pitmaster and deputy pitmaster...

His vivid description fills the new recruits with enthusiasm; even though their stomachs are empty, they work with great vigor.

Senior Private Liu Cheng's ears are perked up, and as he digs, he feels a sour pang in his heart.

Because some of what Lu Yang says even this "veteran" doesn't know.

"Isn't it just that you've fired a gun? That's the same as those who haven't."

"Damn, without our Cook Squad, you wouldn't have the strength to fire weapons or train."

The Cook Squad Leader, noticing his mood, comforted him: "Xiao Liu, a revolutionary soldier is like a brick—move wherever needed, no resentment."

"When the basic training ends and we go back, I'll teach you to stir‑fry; even after discharge, you'll have a solid skill."

"That's far better than learning to shoot; who knows, you might even open a restaurant and become a boss someday."

Liu Cheng clasped the shovel with both hands, excitedly shouting: "Really? I can get on the stove, I can learn to stir‑fry?"

The Cook Squad Leader patted him: "Keep digging; when we heat the wok later, I'll teach you to stir‑fry a couple of small dishes!"

"Got it!"

Liu Cheng swung the shovel vigorously, digging with even more vigor.

"Whoa, this braised eggplant in oil is really tasty!"

"This roasted meat too—why does the flavor differ from what we ate before?"

"Squad Leader, can I have more rice? This meal is too delicious!"

"Go ahead, go ahead!"

The Squad Leaders waved their hands, looking at their own little foodie, and couldn't help but laugh at how someone who hasn't even had a proper meal is so eager.

But they themselves went through the same process; seeing these kids so energetic shows they're growing stronger.

As the old saying goes, being able to eat is a blessing.

Eat well, sleep well, and life will be worry‑free.

Lu Yang, eating the food from his lunchbox, also thought the meal tasted quite good.

Perhaps because this was field‑cooking fire‑rice, or perhaps because everyone was starving.

In short, today's meal was the best they've had since their very first enlistment meal.

Everyone clustered in groups of three to five, squatting on the ground, shoveling rice from their small lunchboxes into their mouths.

Every now and then they looked up at the sky, then down at the ants on the ground.

Sniffing the fresh grass scent in the woods while eating the Cook Squad's rice gave them a unique flavor.

"Enough?"

Zhou Kaidong stood up, ready to get more, and asked Lu Yang.

Lu Yang also stood, smiled and shook his head: "Fire‑cooked rice is just fragrant; even when you're full, you still want more."

After saying that, he also helped Kong Long, and Ding Tengfei each added some food to their bowls.

Especially the rice mixed with the broth of various side dishes, pouring into the mouth—a sheer delight.

"Squad Leader, my stomach hurts a bit."

Just after finishing, Kong Long clutched his stomach and asked Zhou Kaidong where the toilet was.

Zhou Kaidong laughed at the remark: "Toilet? What do you need a toilet in the wild? The vast world, great possibilities."

Kong Long was stunned: "You mean... defecate in the wild?"

Zhou Kaidong: "Any problem?"

Seeing his uneasy expression, Zhou Kaidong smiled: "If you're embarrassed, just hold it for two days and deal with it when we get back."

That's unbearable.

Kong Long jogged to the back of a tree and immediately began marking the spot.

And this would be the second task they'd do later: constructing an outdoor latrine.

Marching and fighting so casually is rather unbecoming, and it easily reveals the target and the exact numbers.

Moreover, if it gets dark and we aren't careful, what if we step on it?

Therefore, during field training we usually find a secluded spot and start digging an outdoor latrine.

Later, we put a simple plastic sheet as a cover outside, and then the troops all use it there.

After finishing, we backfill the soil, which becomes nourishment for the earth.

Lu Yang finally understood why a patch of land on Hou Shan behind the firing range grew especially lush.

Even in deep winter, with such low temperatures, the vegetation stays evergreen; it turns out it's because of year‑after‑year irrigation and nourishment.

"At ease!"

"Stand at attention!"

"Speak up!"

At four p. m., the sky was dim and heavy.

From time to time, gusts of foul wind would blow over.

It made the recruits hunch their necks and shiver; it rattled the marching tents with a whooshing sound.

Inside the tents, rows upon rows of simple folding cots formed the place where the recruits slept at night.

Although rather crude, it was still far better than sleeping outdoors with the sky as a blanket and the ground as a bed.

Gao Feng gathered all the recruits and said gravely, "Today, the main task is to pitch tents, to let you get familiar in advance with the post‑company life rhythm."

"Field training is arduous and an important part of military life, but not every unit gets this chance,"

"Being assigned to a heroic unit like the Special Third Regiment is both a blessing and luck for you!"

The recruits stared unblinkingly at the Company Commander.

Now, they already know what distinguishes a titled unit from other units.

The heroic unit's illustrious history and the successive victories of its martyrs also fill each of them with pride.

"Later, each squad will arrange its own brief review of weak subjects; the formal assessment begins at first light tomorrow."

"Then, perform well; the Regiment Commander and the regiment leadership will be watching, so don't slip up!"

"Report, Company Commander!"

At that moment, a recruit from Eighth Squad named Zhang Jiaheng shouted.

Everyone immediately turned their gaze toward him.

"Speak."

"Company Commander, I heard our Squad Leader say that if the New Recruit Company can fire five perfect tens, they can earn a third‑class merit. Is that true?"

When the words were spoken, all the recruits on the spot became restless, and even Lu Yang's heartbeat quickened a few beats.

If it's true, that third‑class merit is something he is determined to obtain!