Chapter 13: Innate Reconnaissance Cartography Prodigy

"The draft, I've already drawn; you can just copy it up...."

"No, I only turned my head for a moment, and you already have the outline almost done?"

By the roadside flowerbed, in front of the propaganda board.

Instructor He Zhen Tao and Lu Yang each worked on their own side, drawing separately.

Anyone who's done a blackboard poster knows that before drawing on the big board, you need to find reference points, i. e., proportional scaling.

But He Zhen Tao was still using a ruler to measure proportions, while Lu Yang had already sketched the rough framework.

He didn't even use a ruler, acting as if his eyes were a ruler.

This gave the veteran political officer, who'd been making posters for years, a feeling of being washed ashore by a younger wave.

"Lu Yang, be honest with the Instructor; you really only studied sketching for a few months, yet I see you as if you've studied for years!"

"Just a few months, really."

Lu Yang, clutching chalk in his hand, turned his head while standing on a stool.

He truly only learned sketching for a few months, but it was driven by his interest.

He used to not pay attention in class, always liking to doodle on textbook illustrations.

Over time, his drawing fundamentals improved, and because he liked comics, he would copy them whenever he had free time.

Eventually, he took over all the class's blackboard posters; the more he drew, the more proficient he became.

He Zhen Tao saw that the lines Lu Yang produced offhand were even more accurate than those he found with a ruler, and couldn't help but sigh that he'd found the right person.

"Do you think my draft needs any improvements? Give me some suggestions from your professional perspective."

"Instructor, I think it's fine as is; there's nothing to change."

"No, you must give an opinion; this is an order!"

The unit's propaganda board is never just decoration; it must convey positive energy and proactive thinking.

It must be visible to the soldiers, and higher-ups will notice during inspections, so carelessness is not allowed.

As the political officer in charge of ideological education, He Zhen Tao cannot tolerate any flaw when promoting the unit's spirit.

Especially in the early stage of new training, ideological work is paramount, so he places extra emphasis on the poster's content.

Lu Yang, at a loss, casually suggested: "That upright steel spear in the corner looks a bit lonely; how about adding a flag-wrapping effect?"

As he spoke, he used red chalk to sketch a few upward-sweeping lines on the steel spear.

They represent the red flag gently brushing the spear, fluttering in the wind far away, echoing the mountains and rivers on the right.

He Zhen Tao immediately used a red pen to make the same few strokes on the draft, and those brief lines instantly brightened his view.

Not only did the left and right sides gain interactivity, but the poster became more vivid, and its spiritual core richer.

"Kid, not bad, you've got something!"

"I'm just turning into a snake..."

"It's the finishing touch! Come on, you sketch the outline; I'll handle the details later."

The two cooperated, and soon produced the rough prototype of the revised poster.

To avoid delaying Lu Yang's training, He Zhen Tao let him finish first and resume after lunch.

"Instructor, shall I go train now?"

"Go ahead, go ahead."

Watching Lu Yang put down his colored chalk, he sprinted toward the training ground.

He Zhen Tao smiled, his impression of him improving further.

He loves reading, aspires to study, and can draw posters—truly a born civil-service prodigy.

He stood a bit farther, watching the poster on the propaganda board, growing more satisfied with Lu Yang's ingenuity.

"Your flowing hair brushes my steel spear... an iron man's tenderness, symbolizing devotion to Motherland's embrace!"

As an old political officer, he habitually ascribes various educational meanings and spiritual connotations to things.

But at the time, Lu Yang only thought the lone spear looked empty in the picture, never imagining all that.

Coincidentally, Company Commander Gao Feng, after inspecting the recruits' training, walked over from a distance.

"Moving so fast, has the large one already emerged?"

"Hehe, I found a helper."

"Yo, our Company, and also a little painting whiz?"

"That kid never studied systematically; he's just naturally gifted. Look, his casual sketches are more accurate than the shapes I find with a ruler."

"Which squad?"

"Third Squad's, the one who brought a lot of books on the inspection day, named Lu Yang."

"Tsk tsk tsk, he's a good reconnaissance cartographer!"

Hearing Gao Feng's teasing, He Zhen Tao rolled his eyes.

"Skinny arms and legs, doing reconnaissance cartography? If you ask me, he's a desk officer, a good cultural propaganda hand."

"Hahaha, say what you will..."

Gao Feng didn't argue, but he noted this soldier Lu Yang.

Although his physical condition is a bit lacking, a soldier with artistic talent deserves extra attention.

When reconnaissance soldiers infiltrate the enemy, their main task is to map and mark terrain, topography, and enemy key facility distribution, facilitating effective strikes by rear heavy fire units.

This involves proportional scaling and certain drawing techniques.

Coincidentally, this recruit has that talent, making things much easier.

"Report!"

"Return to the unit!"

Lu Yang shouted a report and returned to the Third Squad formation.

Kong Long saw him return and squinted, "Is the bulletin board finished?"

Lu Yang: "Not yet; we still have to keep busy at noon."

Kong Long, enviously: "Does that count as getting in good with the Instructor?"

Lu Yang said irritably, "It's just voluntary labor, pure grunt work."

Even so, the other recruits still felt a bit envious.

In the New Recruit Company, aside from the Company Commander, the Instructor holds the greatest authority.

Earlier by the propaganda board, they also saw the two of them chatting and busy together.

If the Squad Leader is likened to a homeroom teacher, then the Instructor is like the school's dean of education; being able to joke with the dean right after enrollment— isn't that impressive?

This scene also gradually broke the composure of Ding Tengfei, who had long been the school's "celebrated figure"; he grew increasingly annoyed at the hometown rival's show‑off.

Since enlisting, he went from the revered "Brother Ding" to a constantly scolded little grunt, and that disparity inexplicably gave him the urge to put Lu Yang in his place!

"Quiet!"

Zhou Kaidong, unusually, did not lose his temper.

Usually, there would be chatter in the ranks.

He would either shout "Shut up", or fling his cap, or make someone step up to speak.

This time, it was purely for Lu Yang's face; Zhou Kaidong could also see that the Instructor liked Lu Yang.

In the unit, producing a bulletin board is a big deal; during festivals or when leaders inspect, the board's content must be updated.

Those with this skill often more easily earn the appreciation and favor of civilian officers.

It's like a soldier with a chef's certificate—especially prized by the Cook Squad.

The "beep‑beep‑beep" whistle sounded, and First and Second Squads quickly gathered here, forming a Platoon.

Zhou Kaidong, also serving as First Platoon Leader, stood at the front of the formation and shouted, "In a moment we'll run three kilometers; unlike before, this time we'll not only time it but also count it toward your regular scores!"

"This is your first test since enlistment; give it your all, especially those who usually dawdle!"

"Everyone, turn half‑right onto the track!"

The recruits swarmed onto the track, and each Squad Leader took out a Score Book and a Stopwatch, ready to record the results.

For their first post‑enlistment drill, the recruits took it especially seriously, each rubbing their fists, eager for a good score.

Lu Yang also moved his joints, stretching muscles and tendons; he couldn't wait to see how long, at his current fitness, it would take to sprint the full three kilometers.

During the preparation, he suddenly saw Ding Tengfei staring at him provocatively, as if to challenge him.

Lu Yang was no less, returning a hard stare.

Along with that, Kong Long shot a fierce glare back.

"What are you worried about?"

"What are you looking at me for?!"

"Not convinced? Want to compare?"

"If you want to compare, let's compare!"

All the recruits of the First Platoon took their positions; as the whistle blew, a figure sprinted out.

Watching Ding Tengfei's dust‑clearing silhouette, Zhou Kaidong's brows immediately knit.

The First Squad Leader and Second Squad Leader both wore smirks, waiting for the show.

Sure enough, after a hundred or two hundred meters, the kid clutched his side ribs, his face showing pain.

"Damn, I'm out of breath!"

"Mountain cannon!"

Moments later, Kong Long surged past from behind and gave him a middle finger.

Lu Yang chose to ignore it, advancing at an even pace by breathing in every three steps and out every two steps, moving steadily forward.