Chapter 122: The Elusive Strong‑Army Hometown

"What's the situation?"

"Looks like there's suspicious personnel approaching!"

"Suspicious personnel? Thugs? Robbers? Whoa, a third‑class merit!"

The rookie on guard nearby, seeing the commotion near Lu Yang, rushed over like a flash.

Not for any other reason, just to hitch a ride on that fresh, hot third‑class merit.

They'd all heard the veteran Squad Leader say that if, during guard duty, they encounter an attack and subdue it, the third‑class merit is guaranteed!

But when they ran over, excited, and shone their flashlights, they found it wasn't quite as they imagined.

The guy Lu Yang had pinned to the ground was wearing a motorcycle helmet, looking about thirty‑something.

He wasn't carrying any weapon, and didn't look like he intended to commit a crime.

In the flashlight's beam, Lu Yang saw the other's face and thought it looked somewhat familiar.

He recalled that earlier Zhou Kaidong had ordered delivery to the wrong address, and it was this delivery person who brought the goods.

"Is that you?"

"I am I, comrade soldier, I'm a law‑abiding citizen, a big‑time law‑abiding citizen!"

Lu Yang released him, eyes wary, and said, "Aren't you the milk‑tea shop delivery guy? Why are you out here late at night, sneaking around?"

The delivery guy took off his helmet, looking embarrassed, "It's not that I..."

Before he could finish, Instructor He Zhen Tao jogged over as soon as he heard the news.

Seeing the other, He Zhen Tao also froze for a moment and called out, "Zhang?"

The delivery guy, seeing a familiar face, immediately got excited: "Instructor He! I'm so happy to see you, your troops almost took my arm off!"

He Zhen Tao, seeing this, realized there must be a misunderstanding, so he repeated the question Lu Yang had asked earlier.

Zhang awkwardly explained, "I'm just off work, and on my way back I suddenly saw a light here, like a tent, so I wondered if you were holding a field training."

"I went back specifically, brought some goods, and wanted to ask if you wanted to buy..."

【Detected new knowledge point: Strong‑Army Hometown!】

【Knowledge point analysis: Residents near the garrison live as itinerant vendors, operating around outdoor bases and training fields, greatly solving soldiers' supply shortages in the field...】

Lu Yang suddenly realized that this Zhang was not only a milk‑tea delivery guy, but also moonlights as a Strong‑Army Hometown.

Since he lives nearby, whenever the Regiment conducts field training, he finds ways to earn some side income.

In fact, it's not just him; many nearby villagers also take on this side job.

Those who drive a vehicle to sell goods are called Strong‑Army Battle‑Cars.

Legend has it that on the steppe there is a very special entity called a 'Strong‑Army Cannon‑Car', whose existence remains to be verified.

The Strong‑Army Battle‑Car is a non‑existent 'shadow unit', the soldiers' greatest logistical support, and a key embodiment of the close bond between military and civilians.

Never underestimate them; within the Strong‑Army Hometown there are hidden masters, many experts.

Some elders can, without you noticing, locate your hidden ambush and whisper in your ear.

"Wowo head, four for one yuan, hehe~"

Some aunties, braving a hail of gunfire, deliver instant noodles into your trench, then keep asking.

"Bobo chicken, one yuan per skewer, want some?"

Even more, some will scout the locations of both Headquarters, general battle deployments, ambush sites ahead of the exercise...

Then ask if you want a 'passage guide'?

In short, they're a group of extraordinarily capable civilians, and also a very cute bunch.

After understanding the situation, He Zhen Tao apologetically told Zhang.

"Every year during each unit's field training, you know the schedule better than us, like a market day; before the tents are even up, the cart selling cold noodles has already arrived."

"This time we just set up a couple of tents so the rookies can get a taste, only a day or two, and they'll be taken down tomorrow morning."

Zhang, greatly disappointed, said, "Ah, I see, I thought you'd have to stay here for several days?"

To avoid wasting his trip, He Zhen Tao asked what he had there.

If the quantity is modest and the price fair, he'll pay out of his own pocket to buy it, sparing the other a wasted trip.

Zhang quickly led them that way; on the dirt road outside the woods stood a motorcycle, the one Lu Yang had seen before.

Attached to the back was a large metal box bearing the four characters "A‑yi Milk Tea".

Opening the box revealed various drinks, meat‑filled buns, fried chicken strips, and the like.

The quantity wasn't large; two or three hundred yuan would cover everything, just enough to earn a bit of extra cash.

He Zhen Tao handed over three hundred yuan: "All inclusive, enough?"

Zhang laughed so hard his mouth couldn't close: "Oh dear, we don't need that much. Look at you guys, really. If everyone says PLA comrades are easygoing, I love dealing with you soldiers!"

He Zhen Tao smiled, turned his neck toward the following rookies and Lu Yang, and said, "Why are you standing around? The Instructor is treating you, don't be shy; tomorrow we'll all go down the line."

"Oh!"

Lu Yang, quick‑eyed and swift, snatched a bottle of iced black tea and a grilled sausage.

The rest were divided among everyone, not just those on guard duty.

Some rookies inside the tents also heard the news and came over to get a share.

Even Kong Long grabbed a bottle of cola, and there he and Ding Tengfei each took a sip.

The goods were cleared; Zhang's face was full of smiles. Though he was pinned as a 'thug', he still earned a bit of extra cash, so the trip wasn't in vain.

"Only soldiers like you understand compassion; during festivals you always help the village elders with farming, laundry, bathing, sanitation."

"Last year our village's wheat field caught fire, and you helped extinguish it with iron shovels, not even taking a sip of water before leaving."

"If I had a son, I'd definitely send him to enlist when he grows up!"

He Zhen Tao said it was only natural: soldiers of the people serve the people.

"Fine, you go back early as well; be careful on the night road."

"Alright, you all have worked hard too."

Xiao Zhang put on his helmet, mounted the motorcycle, and vanished like a puff of smoke.

He Zhen Tao turned around, had Zhou Kaidong find someone to replace Lu Yang at the post, and led him into his own tent.

Zhou Kaidong, fearing the Instructor might say something to Lu Yang, told the others to go to sleep quickly, then under the pretense of using the restroom, tiptoed after them.

Lu Yang entered He Zhen Tao's tent; the officer's tent was no different from a recruit's.

It was only a bit more spacious, with two beds and a simple desk.

This was the place where the Instructor and the Company Commander rested and worked, but at the moment Gao Feng's figure was not seen; perhaps he went to the unit to report the new training assessment results?

"Sit, just sit by the bed."

He Zhen Tao took a chair and sat opposite Lu Yang.

Lu Yang roughly guessed that the Instructor wanted to tell him something.

Administrative work is comfortable and easy, but overly leisurely days are indeed meaningless.

He still prefers shooting, firing guns, and that kind of bone‑crushing violent combat; that's what being a soldier is.

He Zhen Tao looked at him: "I called you here for two things. First, congratulations—you've become an outstanding recruit of our company."

"The certificate will be given to you before tomorrow's transfer; this honor, like the commendation, will be recorded in your file and go with you to the next company."

"Hmm."

"Second thing," He Zhen Tao, seeing Lu Yang's slightly restrained demeanor, smiled and said, "Don't feel any pressure; the Instructor knows you're talented, and administrative work is a waste of your ability, so I don't expect you to stay with me after you transfer."

Those words indeed caught Lu Yang off guard.

But on reflection he could understand; after all, forced fruit isn't sweet.

Moreover, after the excellent recruits transfer, they'd sit in the office, write and draw, and the superiors wouldn't approve.

He Zhen Tao said, "I called you here to have a brief heart‑to‑hand before you transfer."

"But you're not an exception; in fact, during the days you were at the training unit, I've spoken with every recruit in the Whole Company."

"I asked everyone about their feelings on joining, the meaning of the uniform, whether they miss home, or what kind of soldier they want to become."

He looked at Lu Yang and asked seriously, "As for you, we'll skip the previous questions; have you ever thought about what kind of soldier you want to become?"

Lu Yang fell into contemplation, because he truly hadn't given that question serious thought before…