Chapter 60: All of us are here to serve—why the treatment is so unequal?

"What's the situation like?"

"Damn, why does everyone look like they've lost a battle?"

In the back kitchen, an old soldier with a Tianjin accent stuck his head out, his face full of bewilderment.

Why are these new cons in the Cafeteria either wrapped in gauze on their heads or with bandages hanging from their arms?

Some even have wooden boards strapped to their legs, limping as they walk.

This sight—how is it any different from seeing a ghost in broad daylight?

"When did we fight a war?"

"I don't know which one."

"I didn't sleep that deep last night."

The old soldier scratched his scalp, turned back and asked Senior Private Liu Cheng, who was sneaking a tea egg, a question.

"Xiao Liu, do you know what's happening?"

"I really have no idea."

Liu Cheng, with an egg stuck in his mouth, chuckled at him.

If even the old soldier and the Non-commissioned Officer don't know, how could a Conscript possibly understand?

At that moment, the Cook Squad Leader patted his head from behind, urging him to get to work and not use the chance to slack off.

"If the new cons are like this, there must be a reason."

"I heard that over at the Division Training Base, a new recruit fractured a bone during training, and when the Platoon Leader dealt with it, it wasn't handled properly, resulting in a secondary injury that could leave lasting aftereffects."

"Huh, my own mother, that must be terribly painful."

Liu Cheng craned his neck, his hometown dialect bubbling out.

The Cook Squad Leader, while working, said: "So, the higher-ups are taking this matter very seriously. Right now the whole New Recruit Company is undergoing intensive battlefield emergency medical training, and on Saturday higher leadership will come to inspect."

Everyone suddenly realized: "No wonder they all look like they've lost a battle; they've all become wounded patients."

The Cook Squad Leader glared at them: "These days, just stay out of trouble, especially you, Xiao Liu..."

"What did I do?"

"You say what did I do? Stop pulling any more nonsense!"

"Oh, understood."

Liu Cheng gave an awkward nod.

The earlier incident can't be blamed entirely on him.

He was also doing his utmost to safeguard the Cook Squad's property.

Besides, what's the point of stealing a pack of fried noodles? Just hand it over directly.

That stuff sits in the Warehouse, only eaten a few times a year; it's just a formality when new cons join.

At that moment, the Director of Affairs entered from outside, hands behind his back: "Come, put down what you're doing and listen up."

The Squad Leader quickly led several cooks over to stand at attention, awaiting the Director of Affairs' instructions.

Director of Affairs: "You've all heard about the Whole Company's battlefield emergency medical training, haven't you?"

Higher command demands that this time we not only inspect the new cons, but also evaluate the veterans' emergency rescue proficiency.

When you have downtime, train together to avoid being caught by leadership on Saturday.

The Cook Squad Leader's weary face fell: "Director of Affairs, aren't you making this hard on us?"

The others quickly echoed: "We're a Cook Squad, not a combat unit; cooking is already enough, and we also have to tend the garden on Hou Shan, where's the time to train this?"

"Director of Affairs, maybe on Saturday we could take hoes up the mountain and work the fields?"

Director of Affairs glared at him: "Enough chatter, carry out the order!"

"Yes!"

The Director of Affairs finished his briefing and left, leaving the Cook Squad with a sour look.

"Squad Leader, are we a New Recruit Company or a training detachment?"

"Just dealing with the new cons is enough; why keep bothering us cooks?"

"Had I known there'd be so many hassles, I wouldn't have come. Staying in our communications company, the workload is light and we get to see the female soldiers every day..."

The Cook Squad Leader also has a splitting headache; cooking is fine, but battlefield emergency rescue is not his strong suit!

The New Recruit Company is a temporary unit, lacking a medic, and with only about a hundred personnel, there's no need.

It really gives a headache, like with Lu Yang before, just drive them straight to the Tuan Bu infirmary.

Usually only training grounds the size of the Division Training Base, with thousands of trainees, assign permanent medics.

Suddenly, he thought of the First Platoon Leader, who was reportedly praised by the Company Commander last night.

He decided to ask him for help, give everyone a quick training, just to get by.

Platoon Leader, is the food tasting okay today?

After the meal, Zhou Kaidong, with the Third Squad of new cons, was about to leave when the Cook Squad Leader stopped him.

He was straightforward, directly stating his request, hoping Zhou would lend a hand.

Zhou Kaidong laughed: "Looks like your Cook Squad wants to become all‑round elite troops? Cooking and rescuing."

The Cook Squad Leader forced an awkward smile: "Platoon Leader, don't joke with us; battlefield emergency rescue is truly not our strong suit. Could you spare some time to guide us? We won't take up much of your time; we've pretty much forgotten it ourselves."

Zhou Kaidong grabbed Lu Yang and pulled him over, patting his shoulder with a grin.

"Him?"

The Cook Squad Leader looked up and down at Lu Yang, clearly skeptical.

Although Lu Yang has performed outstandingly in the regiment, even having a spot with the Regiment Commander.

But battlefield emergency rescue knowledge isn't something everyone possesses, especially since this kid is still just a Conscript.

Zhou Kaidong didn't waste any words, let Kong Long and the others go back first, then led Lu Yang to the back kitchen, preparing to let him show a couple of simple moves.

Bandages, splints, triangular bandage, and cotton pads were all prepared, and the Senior Private named Liu Cheng was responsible for cooperating with Lu Yang in the demonstration.

"Let's begin, demonstrating head wound bandaging."

"Understood."

When it comes to training matters, Lu Yang never is vague.

Each practice is an improvement of his own ability.

"Earlier we demonstrated a head injury; next we'll demonstrate a facial injury."

Lu Yang swiftly removed the bandage from Liu Cheng's head, and immediately began explaining while demonstrating the facial injury bandaging procedure.

"Wrap the triangular bandage around the victim's face, covering it completely; be sure to tighten firmly, otherwise the cotton pad will slip off. Then loop it around the forehead to the eyebrow area and tie a knot."

"Next, expose the victim's nose, eyes, and mouth. During the operation be extremely careful; the tip of the scissors must not face the victim, to avoid accidental secondary injury......"

Even though only head and facial bandaging were demonstrated, the veteran soldiers of the Cook Squad were fully convinced and clapped vigorously.

"Comrade Lu Yang, as a new recruit, I must praise you! Your bandaging skill is truly outstanding!"

"Who did you learn this craft from? I dare say the vast majority of veterans can't bandage as well as you!"

"Bandaging well is secondary; the details matter. When we first learned, no one ever told us the front part of the scissors shouldn't point at a person!"

"Otherwise how could we say details decide success or failure, and how could anyone earn a badge from the Regiment Commander?"

The veterans clapped loudly, exchanging praises, making Lu Yang a bit embarrassed.

Zhou Kaidong also burst into laughter, even though his own battlefield first aid level is still not as good as Lu Yang's.

But these are his troops; seeing Lu Yang praised by the veterans made him feel quite pleased.

"Alright, you stay here; I'm leaving first."

"Got it."

Just as Zhou Kaidong took his first step away, Lu Yang was surrounded by the veteran soldiers of the Cook Squad.

"Lu Yang, where did you learn this first aid knowledge? Did you practice it before joining the unit?"

"No, I just went to the Tuan Bu last month to fetch water and skimmed the battlefield first aid manual in advance."

"Just by flipping the book, you learned it?"

"Uh-huh."

"Damn, this isn't a scholar at all, this is clearly a genius! So, can you just flip a recipe and be able to cook?"

"Probably not that easy?"

"What if you have a talent in this area? Come on, come on, step onto the stove and try, hold this big ladle and give it a go!"

Lu Yang was pushed by the group to the front of the stove, forced to flip an empty pot twice.

Then the veterans displayed expressions of awe.

Because Lu Yang's pot‑flipping posture was perfectly correct, even showing a hint of professionalism.

At that point, the veterans liked him immensely, as if they'd found a natural prodigy.

The new recruit in Sixth Squad who has a chef's certificate could flip pots and ladles without surprise, but that soldier only knows how to stir‑fry, his military training and academic exams are a mess, and he's a bit dull and clumsy.

But Lu Yang is different; he's genuinely all‑round, mastering whatever he sees, excelling at whatever he learns.

Lu Yang felt a bit helpless under the veterans' enthusiastic excitement; it's just flipping a pot, why such jubilation?

If someone found a steel pipe and performed a couple of hot dances, wouldn't you all just take off?

Lu Yang quickly called a halt: "Squad Leaders, I'm here to teach battlefield first aid; why are we still flipping pots?"

The Cook Squad Leader slapped his head, laughing heartily: "Right, right, the important matters first! Everyone, seize the time to improve hygiene, study earnestly from the new recruit!"

"Yes!"

"Comrade Lu Yang, sit there, have an orange and some yogurt; we'll be ready in a moment."

"Xiao Liu, go wash the trays for Third Squad; their squad doesn't need to stay on duty today."

Seeing Lu Yang surrounded like the moon cradled by countless stars, Senior Private Liu Cheng's envious tears were about to fall.

Having been in the Cook Squad for so long, the veterans never let him onto the stove; he was always stuck with washing, picking, and chopping duties.

They're all supposed to be soldiers, so why is the gap between people so huge?!