Chapter 306: This batch of new recruits isn't bad

Where are they? Where did they run to?

Damn it, we let them run!

These bastards run too fast, we can't catch them at all!

In the pitch-black outskirts, the new recruits were panting, but they couldn't see those few people at all in their field of view.

Lu Yang mixed in with the new recruits, deliberately turning his head and speaking in a low voice: "What kind of troops are these, how can they run so fast?"

Then he flashed to the rear, switching to a sharp voice: "Could they be motorized infantry? They're all like flying legs, especially the one who ran first—whoosh, gone in a flash, practically an Asian flying man!"

They must be from the Iron Foot company; does the Special Third Regiment have anyone who runs faster than them?

Only then did the new recruits realize the gap between the elite company and ordinary units...

Lu Yang constantly changed positions and switched tones, quickly bringing up the rhythm.

Upon hearing that these few might be Iron Foot soldiers, everyone was instantly filled with righteous indignation.

Each thought that when they were assigned to a company, if they could get into the Iron Foot company, they could then beat these despicable old soldiers and vent their anger.

LiMin, clutching his still-aching waist, gritted his teeth and said: "I'll lay down my words today—once I'm in the Iron Foot, I'll make them look bad!"

Right, we must clean them up!

What's so great about old soldiers? They were just chased by us, fleeing like dogs!

If we don't fight for three days, we'll tear off the roof tiles; assigning recruits to companies is just to intensify the training for the old soldiers!

The atmosphere in the New Recruit Company instantly heated up; those three words 'Iron Foot' were etched into everyone's mind.

After finishing the ad, the instigator Lu Yang sneaked out of the group chat, hiding his merit and fame.

Just ahead, one li outside, the fortunate escapees Liu Ziqiang and the other two leaned on trees, gasping heavily.

Although the Iron Foot company's soldiers all ran extremely fast, they couldn't withstand the enemy's superior numbers.

Moreover, with the surroundings pitch-black, not daring to turn on a flashlight and lacking night-vision devices, they were bound to stumble while fleeing.

Kang Changyi, panicking and not watching where he was going, slammed headfirst into a tree, causing his nose to bleed.

These new recruits are too bold; I told them we're old soldiers, yet they dare to attack.

You can't say that either; if you were messed with all the way—having your pants pulled off, being grabbed by chickens, being smeared with feces—you'd lose your mind too.

How can we blame ourselves? All the dirty tricks were Lu Yang's; we were just following orders. By the way, where did he run off to? I didn't see him charging ahead—how did he disappear?

Don't mention him; just talking about him makes me angry!

Kang Changyi, filled with righteous indignation: "That guy is terrible—he rushed to the front, hid, looked for a chance to mix in with the new recruits, and joined us in hunting us down!"

Liu Ziqiang and the other two stared in shock: "No way?"

Kang Changyi, fuming: "Even if his voice turned to ash, I could still recognize it. That earlier line—'Don't let them run, chase, kill'—was his shout!"

Hearing that, Liu Ziqiang and the other two slapped their thighs, lamenting that they still needed to learn Lu Yang's cunning.

The 'shout thief to catch thief' trick really was played out by him.

Then why hasn't he shown up yet?

Who knows? Maybe he's already been exposed and is now being surrounded and beaten.

In my opinion, not only should he be surrounded and beaten, but his pants should be pulled down and a thorny branch used to whip his buttocks repeatedly!

You strike, I strike, he strikes...

Can you bring me one?

Sure!

As soon as Kang Changyi finished speaking, he suddenly shivered.

The three of them slowly turned their heads, only to see a deathly pale ghostly face right behind them.

The three were so frightened they tried to run, but one of them got hit on the head by Lu Yang.

Lu Yang turned off the upward-pointing flashlight and rolled his eyes.

You can't even handle this small thing—letting you pretend to be ghosts, yet you still got beaten.

If I had you wear long hair and pretend to be female ghosts, you'd probably lose your chastity.

Fortunately I'm resourceful, confusing their senses and misleading their pursuit direction; otherwise, you three could have escaped so easily?

Lu Yang scolded them like a child, and the three obediently admitted their mistakes, almost capsizing in the gutter.

Then Lu Yang asked whether they wanted to go back or continue following him.

Of course we're following you—what fun is there in going back?

These days the company's training load has increased again, everyone's exhausted to the point of stupidity; having finally gotten out for a trip, we must enjoy ourselves to the fullest!

Platoon leader, rest assured—this time we definitely won't mess up; just watch!

Lu Yang looked at the three, eager to try, wishing he could immediately regain the scene, shaking his finger with a smile.

This final item is not only a test for the new recruits, but also a trial for us old soldiers.

What exactly is the trial?

I won't reveal the specifics now; you'll know when we get there. I can only say the mission is arduous, the process grueling, but the spirit will be greatly enriched. Still going?

Go, of course we must go—up to heaven and down to earth, there's no place in our country's magnificent lands that we soldiers dare not go!

Alright, let's first go to the county town to buy some supplies.

Squad leader, how much farther is it?

Soon.

Where exactly is the destination?

Right ahead.

Exactly which part ahead? Give me a definite answer—whether I believe it or not, it's been morning ahead, my legs are about to give out...

Fine drizzle floated in the sky, the rugged mountain path became especially slippery.

The ground showed clear, interlocking ruts from vehicle tracks; the new recruits wore raincoats and walked wearily across the muddy ground.

Their combat boots had been smeared with yellow mud, yet despite that they continued upward under the leadership of the veteran soldiers.

Suddenly, QiDelong slipped, his knee landing straight in the mud; plus the raincoat blocked his view, and he failed to get up twice.

LiMin and another recruit reached out, pulling him up: "Slow down, the ground is slippery, watch your step."

QiDelong's exhausted face squeezed out thanks: "Thanks."

As the slope grew steeper, both new recruits and veteran soldiers found it extremely strenuous.

This feeling was like stepping in a mire; each time they pulled their foot out, it took tremendous effort.

"I can't walk anymore, I really can't walk, I really, really can't go on."

"Someone started it, and just like a contagion, the whole troop became dispirited."

The three-day, two-night loaded march had long exhausted all their strength.

They drank simply filtered raw water, gnawed compressed biscuits and ate fried noodles, slept in the wild countryside, even on LuanZangGang.

What they experienced in these three days was something they'd never dare imagine in a lifetime, and it had long surpassed what their age could accept.

If they weren't wearing uniforms and still had rifles slung around their necks, they would have long wanted to quit and split their luggage to go home.

Even along the way, some new recruits couldn't bear such pressure and secretly wiped away tears.

Moreover, from drinking raw water and eating compressed biscuits, they suffered nonstop diarrhea, their legs wobbling as they walked.

Seeing the troop dwindle and become increasingly disorganized, even the squad leader LiMin drooped his head listlessly, unable to muster spirit.

Gao Feng shouted sternly: "The finish is just ahead—everyone, I order you to take off your raincoats, straighten your backs, and perk up!"

The new recruits took off their raincoats, and ahead along the mountain path a cluster of somewhat dilapidated houses suddenly appeared.

They resembled dwellings, yet not quite; the walls were huge, and the exterior walls were actually built of rammed earth.

On the walls, red paint was used to write the words "Langlang Mountain Hope Primary School" in a mottled style.

At the school gate, a middle-aged man and woman stood, leading many dirty-faced children.

The children saw the troop from afar, excitedly jumped up, and vigorously waved the small red flags in their hands.

"They're soldier uncles, the soldier uncles are here!"

"Little friends, let's welcome the PLA uncles together!"

The children's innocent voices sounded like war drums, beating against each new recruit's chest.

"The children are watching—come on, puff out your chests and stride forward!"

Before Gao Feng could remind them, the new recruits all straightened their backs and shook off fatigue.

Cheng Jun shouted at the flag-bearing LiMin up front: "Raise the flag and shout out the spirit!"

LiMin lifted his head, puffed his chest, and raised the New Recruit Company's flag: "One-two-one, one-two-one, one, two, three, four!"

The new recruits gripped their rifles with both hands, formation neat, began marching in step: "One! Two! Three! Four!"

Watching the rifle-bearing troops and their handsome, spirited bearing, the children's eyes lit up, and they excitedly jumped and hopped.

Inside the school, in a room that could tentatively be called a cafeteria, Lu Yang led a gang busy at the stove, bustling with activity.

Hearing the slogan outside, the four stopped their work together, poked their heads out the window to look, and involuntarily broke into tranquil smiles.

Lu Yang remarked feelingly: "This batch of new recruits is actually not bad!"