Chapter 66: Packing the Backpack Is Our Army

"A hard‑hearted regiment, hard‑hearted soldiers, hard‑hearted thoughts, all blazing red…"

In the evening, in front of the steps at the Cafeteria entrance.

The new recruits hoist their throats, spitting as they shout military songs.

The temperature keeps dropping, every breath a puff of white vapor, yet the soldiers' enthusiasm is unusually high.

At first, just arriving at the unit, everyone was pretty annoyed by the pre‑meal song, feeling an inexplicable resistance.

But after a while, if you don't belt out a couple of verses before meals, it really feels lacking, and the food doesn't taste as good.

Moreover, Lu Yang also concluded something: the troops' mindset had changed.

Not that they became more like a soldier, but that they figured out one thing.

Four dishes and a soup, meat and vegetables, plus two staples and a fruit—out in the world, a meal like that would cost twenty to thirty.

Breakfast includes steamed buns, eggs, baozi, and porridge; even cheap, it still costs six or seven yuan.

Three meals a day outside would add up to at least fifty or sixty yuan, but in the unit you spend not a cent—just sing a song and you eat for free.

That deal—so tell me, is it a bargain or not?

In any past life, if there were a place where you could exchange a song for a meal, Lu Yang would sing to death!

After the singing, Gao Feng didn't, as usual, immediately let everyone go inside.

"I'll keep it brief, say a couple of lines, so as not to delay your meal."

"First, I want to commend the Whole Company soldiers; the recent battlefield first‑aid training has been done very well, everyone is diligent."

"Especially some squads, getting up before dawn for training—very hard‑working."

Hearing this, soldiers from a few squads immediately lifted their chins, faces showing delight.

Gao Feng looked at the crowd: "Overall, I'm very satisfied with the results; I hope you continue to keep this enthusiasm."

"Don't train seriously only to pass inspections or assessments; it should be like this at all times."

"The tentative inspection is tomorrow at noon; then everyone should perform well—whether you're a mule or a horse, pull yourself out and strut."

"However, I believe you are all horses, and even thousand‑mile horses!"

Lu Yang originally thought the Company Commander would compare himself to a Bole, but he didn't play by the script.

Gao Feng laughed: "If you are mules, then shouldn't I, as Company Commander, become a mule‑keeper?"

"This New Recruit Company is just a livestock shed—stinky, messy, right?"

The new recruits were amused by the Company Commander's words.

After spending time together, the Company Commander's temper improved a lot compared to the start.

He often cracks little jokes while speaking to liven the atmosphere.

Gao Feng announced: "Since there's an inspection tomorrow, we won't do physical training tonight. After dinner, go back, each squad organize and learn how to Packing the Backpack."

"Then, after roll call ends at nine, we'll go to bathe Platoon by Platoon."

"After bathing, get to bed early and have a warm sleep; what do you think, good or not?"

"Good!"

The new recruits were overjoyed.

It's rare to have no training at night.

And you can take a hot shower, get into the blankets early; just thinking about it feels blissful.

Compared with others' excitement, Lu Yang keenly sensed a hint of something off.

Bathing in the unit isn't very frequent, especially since the New Recruit Company barracks' facilities are aging; heating water each time is especially troublesome.

So usually it's about once a week, but this time only four days have passed.

Could the Company Commander really be that kind?

……

On the way back after dinner, the Third Squad's new recruits wore smiling faces.

Just thinking that tonight there's no physical training gives a holiday‑like joy.

Especially, being able to take a hot shower in the dead of winter is like a divine indulgence.

"Everyone come over, I'll teach you how to Packing the Backpack."

Back in the dormitory, Zhou Kaidong immediately gave a demonstration.

Packing the Backpack is an old tradition of our army.

As the name suggests, it means folding blankets, bedding and such into a backpack shape and carrying it on the back.

The procedure isn't complicated, but it requires some skill; the finished product is often three horizontal and two vertical folds.

Under Zhou Kaidong's dazzling series of moves, the raincoat, overcoat, toiletries were all tightly packed inside.

The rubber‑shoe soles faced outward and were shoved into the rope, and the little yellow bucket was snugly snapped up.

Finally, Zhou Kaidong lifted it like a double‑strap backpack and slung it onto his body.

"That's the entire Packing the Backpack procedure; did you see it clearly?"

"Seen clearly."

"Practice on your own; if you don't understand, raise your hand and ask."

Everyone dispersed, each trying to Packing the Backpack.

First tie the backpack rope into a loop, then this, that, and then other steps.

But as they went on, the steps in their heads started to fragment, forgetting what to do next.

Just as Kong Long and Ding Tengfei were scratching their ears and rubbing their cheeks, their gazes instinctively turned toward Lu Yang.

Unsurprisingly, the Assistant Squad Leader learned the skill as quickly as always; the backpack took shape in one go.

Although it wasn't as tight as the Squad Leader's earlier one, it looked pretty close and could be carried on the body.

Seeing Lu Yang pack the backpack so well on his first try, Zhou Kaidong marveled that this kid's learning talent was truly strong.

He clearly remembered that when he first packed the backpack, he was fumbling all over and got scolded badly by the old squad leader.

One person struggled for two full days to learn how to pack the backpack, whereas Lu Yang only needed to glance at it once to know how.

"Lu Yang, you packed the backpack well; later help guide the others."

"Yes."

Helping others improve together is the responsibility of the assistant squad leader.

Lu Yang started with his bunkmate Ding Tengfei from the upper bunk, giving almost kindergarten-level hands-on instruction.

Because he taught in excessive detail, others couldn't help but gather around to listen.

In this process, Lu Yang would also appropriately add some content to improve upon Zhou Kaidong's earlier teaching.

Watching the backpack gradually take shape, Ding Tengfei suddenly raised a question.

"Why must we pack the backpack? Wouldn't using a snakeskin bag work just as well?"

"And why must we bring blankets, quilts, and a small yellow basin when going to war? Isn't that troublesome?"

Lu Yang turned his head to look at Zhou Kaidong, but Zhou Kaidong just pursed his lips at him.

That means, you go ahead and explain, and I'll see if what you say is right.

Lu Yang actually had a system encyclopedia reminder in his mind, so explaining came easily to him.

"First, the snakeskin bag isn't sturdy; once it gets damaged, it becomes more troublesome."

"Moreover, if you carry a snakeskin bag on the march, overall it looks less like going to war and more like fleeing disaster."

Upon hearing this, everyone seemed to already have a picture in their minds.

Usually having soldiers carry sacks, big and small bundles like rushing to catch a train, it looks rather unimpressive.

"Second, the reason packing the backpack is an old tradition is that it continues the spirit of honor and carries certain symbolic meaning."

"As for why we must bring blankets, quilts, and a small yellow basin, the purpose is to cope with emergency transfers in sudden situations."

"There's a saying: 'The troops don't move, but supplies go first.' Here the 'grass' isn't just for feeding livestock; it's also a necessity for soldiers to keep warm in the field."

"Blankets and quilts can ensure one won't freeze to death in the wild; rubber shoes and raincoats go without saying; the small yellow basin can be used to pile earth, build defensive works, and, if needed, also serve as a container for meals."

Lu Yang's explanation was very thorough; even Zhou Kaidong learned for the first time that the 'grass' in 'the troops don't move, but supplies go first' actually also serves to keep warm.

Ding Tengfei and the others seemed lost in thought, as if they didn't realize from when the training content had shifted from basic physical fitness to combat and practicality.

Tactical movements, crawling forward, are for battlefield survival.

Battlefield first aid care is for saving lives.

Chemical defense training is for responding to chemical attacks.

Packing the backpack is for rapid transfer in emergencies and rushing reinforcements to the battlefield.

All these things together somehow gave the new recruits a feeling, as if war could break out at any moment, a sense of tension and urgency.