Chapter 123: I Want to Be a Good Soldier

"I want to be a good soldier!"

Lu Yang thought carefully and gave his answer.

He Zhen Tao asked, "What kind of good soldier?"

Lu Yang: "When I take off my uniform, leave the unit, return among the civilians, and recall my time serving, I am without shame to the unit, to the country, to the people, and even to my own heart."

The dim yellow light inside the tent, unevenly illuminated, fell on the delicate young man's face.

He Zhen Tao looked at Lu Yang's serious and steadfast gaze, and a smile appeared on his face.

This was perhaps the most concrete, most interesting answer he had received after questioning so many new recruits.

He Zhen Tao did not judge these words, but said, "In this society, many people are anxious; they are busy with various matters, worried, troubled."

"Those who strive to be strong and competitive always like to set high demands and lofty goals for themselves; but whenever they fail to achieve them, they fall into self‑reproach, anxiety, and various negative emotions."

"Guo Yongwen is the best example; he is very anxious, at least he was anxious before."

"But you are different; I can see that you are not anxious at all, each of your steps is firm, and you are good at seizing every opportunity around you."

"From Ding Tengfei's early misconduct, to later theft that caused a trust crisis with the Squad Leader, to fever, IV drip, phone calls, including leaving a good impression on the Regiment Commander, and even a wild boar injuring someone…"

He Zhen Tao looked at Lu Yang with a peculiar gaze, re‑examining him.

It made him increasingly feel that this new recruit was distinctive and outstanding.

Outstanding people tend to become arrogant, even more prone to complacency, but Lu Yang remained unusually calm.

This time Lu Yang took the initiative to speak, perhaps the atmosphere had built up enough, making him feel he should say something.

"Instructor, actually regarding how to be a good soldier, I have never had a particularly clear concept."

"Even before enlisting, I had a bit of personal idolization of the term 'soldier'."

"My understanding of soldiers is greatness, bravery, selflessness, risk, responsibility, duty…"

He Zhen Tao half‑turned, took a tea jar from the table, the tea inside still warm.

He took a sip and asked, "And now, do you still think so?"

Lu Yang nodded, then shook his head: "After actually joining the unit, I found the gap between reality and ideals is quite large. Soldiers also have flaws, bad habits, insurmountable hurdles, and unresolved knots."

"Even at the beginning, Kong Long asked this question: he said, how could a scoundrel like Ding Tengfei be recruited into the unit, and does he even deserve to be a soldier?"

"That question troubled me for a long time, but yesterday's sudden downpour made me see it through completely."

"You noticed that Ding Tengfei has changed, right?"

He Zhen Tao crossed his legs, held the tea jar, and said with a smile.

Lu Yang: "Although I had always heard the unit described as a great melting pot, hearing it and seeing it with my own eyes, experiencing it, is a completely different concept."

He Zhen Tao nodded and said, "In a little over three months, you've understood more thoroughly than many Conscript's two years. The facts are indeed as you think; not every person who enters the unit is born able to become a good soldier."

"Harsh unit life is meant to temper a person's character, but like the stones in a polishing machine, not every piece can be shaped."

"The former th Class Squad Leader, being an old veteran, took shortcuts, was deceitful and slippery; so his fate was almost predetermined."

He looked at Lu Yang, with a solemn face, and said, "Lu Yang, I'm talking to you about this to tell you that serving is not easy, especially being a good soldier."

"Regardless of whether tomorrow's commissioning ends, whether you go to Seventh Company or Sixth Company, that place will be your new starting point."

The Instructor, truly an experienced political officer, spoke with great depth.

Even Zhou Kaidong, who was eavesdropping outside the tent, felt it was a bit petty, gauging a gentleman's heart.

He wasn't trying to brainwash Lu Yang or poach him; rather, he wanted to teach him some principles of being a soldier and a person, helping him go farther after the next company.

Lu Yang naturally knew that life after the next company is the start of a military career: "Instructor, where should my endpoint be?"

"I don't know; that depends on you," He Zhen Tao shook his head.

"Each stage has its own struggle goals."

"Take your Squad Leader as an example; his goal is to earn more merits and perform well within these two years, ideally obtaining a Third‑Class Merit and securing a chance to stay for a fourth term."

"Guo Yongwen needs no further comment; as for Gao Feng, the Seventh Company Commander, he has always wanted to operate within the battalion, aiming to become Deputy Battalion Commander of the Third Battalion, but always fell just short."

"As for me, it's the same; I also have short‑term goals I want to achieve but can't reach."

"Additionally, there is something you might not know: this year's new training assessment actually includes a Third‑Class Merit, but it was taken by a new recruit from the Division Training Base."

Lu Yang understood; indeed, as he suspected, the Third‑Class Merit existed, but it had already been claimed by someone quick.

He Zhen Tao told him that the new recruit was also outstanding, a top graduate of Tsinghua and Peking University, with well‑rounded moral, intellectual, and physical development.

The Division placed great importance on him, and he had already been pre‑assigned to the Zhencha Daitui.

"That place is where true immortals clash; if you get a chance, you must go see it."

"Is the Zhencha Daitui considered Special Forces?"

"Not exactly, but it's close enough. Its training regime is extremely brutal; even some Soldier Kings who go there can't handle it, and occasionally there are very dangerous real‑combat missions."

Lu Yang isn't afraid of danger; he's afraid of lacking opportunities to earn merit, and of learning military skills that have no use!

Seeing Lu Yang's eyes gleam with excitement, He Zhen Tao splashed a basin of cold water.

"The Zhencha Daitui is a steel blade against the enemy, a bone‑splitting knife internally; it's not a place ordinary people can go, nor a place ordinary people can stay."

"Now you are still ten thousand eight hundred li away from them, but if an opportunity arises in the future, you can give it a try."

Lu Yang understood that the Instructor said so much to tell him something.

The unit after the next company is just a temporary foothold.

If you want to move forward, you must join a stronger unit.

Earn merit, perform well, become the most elite warrior; only then can you earn merit and go farther.

Zhencha Daitui, Lu Yang noted; after the next company, if he has time to meet them, it should be quite interesting.

"Alright, it's getting late; you should get some proper rest."

"Remember what you said: be a good soldier, be a good soldier without guilt to your heart."

"Yes!"

Lu Yang salutes, then turns and leaves the tent.

Instead, He Zhen Tao, sitting on the bench, feels that perhaps they said a little too much this time?

For a fresh recruit about to be assigned to a company, is it not a bit too early to say all this?

Walking out of the tent, Lu Yang happens to meet Zhou Kaidong, who is "going to the bathroom nearby," and the two walk back together.

But midway, he stops, gives Lu Yang a cigarette, lights it, and takes the chance to say a few words.

But being inexperienced, Zhou Kaidong can only say one thing: "Do your best, your future will exceed your imagination!"

Lu Yang smiles broadly; no matter who he meets, they sincerely care for him and help point the way forward.

However, after joining the company, Lu Yang plans to explore and learn in his own way, striving to climb to the top step by step as soon as possible, so he won't leave regrets in his military career.

Back in the tent, everyone has already fallen asleep, and Lu Yang lies down on his own bed.

After some guidance from the Instructor, he doesn't overthink or worry about where he'll be assigned.

As long as he keeps moving forward, actively striving upward, he will inevitably experience separations and even see familiar faces leave the unit.

The ironclad barracks and the ever‑changing soldiers—this is something everyone must experience on the road to growth.

At least, Lu Yang feels that, given his current mindset, he should be able to hold steady.

Inside the tent, there is a quiet serenity.

In the forest, there is little wind and no rustling of branches.

After two days of assessments, everyone can finally get a sound sleep.

The recruits smile in their sleep, seemingly full of anticipation for tomorrow morning's rank conferment ceremony.

Yet within this tranquil atmosphere, the Training Section's small conference room is filled with swirling smoke and the smell of gunpowder.

Company Commanders, Deputy Company Commanders, and Instructors gather in the conference room, beating the table with fierce looks, prompting Gao Feng to give them an explanation…