Chapter 99: If a Person Has No Dreams, What's the Difference from a Salted Fish?

"This question, I've thought about it before; most people want to be a Squad Leader, they have to go through it somewhere. But I think......"

Cheng Jun paused, smiled at him: "I think you probably don't need that. The day you came here, you slogged a six‑hour load‑bearing run; the subjects in the training unit can't really hold you."

"Usually the training unit's program is four months, some units six months. What you learn is just that—how to be a good Squad Leader."

"For ordinary twists and turns, that place is Yama's hall, the Gate of Ghosts. For you, it's just the water being a bit hot, that's all."

Cheng Jun's answer is based on his many years of observation and his knowledge of the various units.

He asked Wan Baoshan about Lu Yang's situation, and even went to the New Recruit Company to talk with Zhou Kaidong.

When he compiled all the information, he finally understood why that recruit was sent by Company Commander Gao Feng to the sniper training team before basic training even ended.

Lu Yang is outstanding—not just ordinary outstanding; his performance in the New Recruit Company is more like a Squad Leader than Squad Leader Zhou Kaidong himself.

He can pull that guy called Ding Tengfei, a bit of a troublemaker, back from the wrong path and handle the relationship between the Squad Leader and comrades properly.

From internal sanitation to drill movements, battlefield first aid, and even human affairs......

Lu Yang can polish his shooting, reinforce his military skills, and be more than capable as an Acting Platoon Leader.

Go to the training unit?

Isn't that just a waste of time, a delay?

It's like the top student of the Rocket Squad being forced back into a regular squad to "review" together.

"Of course, that's just my personal view." Cheng Jun added: "It depends on what your superiors decide later. But from the Seventh Company Commander's attitude, he's got you nailed."

"If you go back to the lower company and follow him, he'll definitely be reluctant to send you to the training unit."

"If they do send you, it'll be to the Division's professional military skill training, where the experts gather and you can truly learn something and broaden your horizons!"

Lu Yang: "What if I'm sent to the Group Army?"

Cheng Jun slapped his hat: "Thinking blindly! The New Recruit Company hasn't even finished, and you want to run to the Group Army? Even someone of my and Guo Yongwen's level aren't qualified!"

Lu Yang laughed heartily, adjusted his hat: "People need dreams, otherwise what's the difference from a salted fish?"

"Indeed, people need ideals." Cheng Jun steered the conversation back: "Actually, the problem your Squad Leader Zhou Kaidong faces is the same as Guo Yongwen's—stay or leave."

"Both of them are Soldier Kings, both are good soldiers, their skills forged by the army; who would be willing to shed that uniform and become a civilian again?"

Lu Yang looked at the Phase‑Four Non‑commissioned Officer rank on his shoulder—"two thick straps, two guns"—and asked curiously: "And you......"

Cheng Jun smiled: "I'm different; my temperament is more laid‑back, slower. If I can't win, I don't fight; I'll file a report later and transfer to Logistics."

"Just checking the Warehouse, issuing supplies, counting inventory—it's pretty good. Right now I enjoy this unhurried, leisurely army life."

He glanced at Lu Yang, self‑deprecatingly: "Do you think I'm a bit unambitious, not seeking advancement?"

Lu Yang shook his head: "Everyone thinks differently, wants different things; it's all dedication, no hierarchy."

Cheng Jun laughed heartily: "Talking with you is truly comfortable; you're far more mature than peers, even more so than us thirty‑something folks, seeing more openly and clearly."

"Lu Yang, you have talent, diligence, hard work, you learn quickly; in the future more young people like you will pour into the army."

"But some join, some stay, which means some must leave, some must go; that's inevitable—the army can't accommodate that many people."

"Before 2003, military life was truly comfortable; as long as you didn't make mistakes, didn't cause trouble, and didn't actively apply for discharge, you could stay indefinitely."

"But not anymore; now it's a competitive elimination system, selecting the best among the best......"

He loaded four magazines for Lu Yang and handed them over: "Come on, youngster. After you finish these, go to the Cafeteria for a meal; after that, the 81 Bar is waiting for you."

"Believe me, when the training team ends and you return to the New Recruit Company, you'll view those batch‑mates with a completely new perspective."

Lu Yang brushed his mouth, nodded vigorously, then lay down and resumed his aimed shooting.

Only, compared with the afternoon, shooting after dusk was much harder.

Even though the range had lights, the glaring floodlights caused the scope to fill with a series of halos.

He simply shifted his gaze away from the scope, and his eyes felt a bit more comfortable.

Lu Yang didn't fire immediately; he watched Cheng Jun's departing back, thinking a lot inside.

As a Phase‑Four veteran, Cheng Jun has been in the army for over a decade; his experience is extensive.

He can, as someone who's been there, say so much to me; Lu Yang is very grateful.

But he knows Zhou Kaidong is definitely involved, after all I was a recruit brought up by Old Zhou.

Army life is like a candy bar you ate earlier: it starts a bit tough; but there's bitterness and sweetness, flavor and taste, with a peanut‑caramel core.

Every upward struggle is uplifting and hopeful, but if you can't get over the hurdles on the road, you can only pack up and leave.

Lu Yang knows every soldier will one day shed the uniform and leave, and clearly understands that everyone you meet will eventually go through birth, aging, illness, and death.

But how to live a brilliant life, and how to, as a veteran, experience different military lives, is what Lu Yang should do now.

He must draw experience from predecessors and plan properly how the road ahead should go.

One must step firmly and solidly to walk smoothly and run fast.

Lu Yang discards distractions, shaking off the chaotic thoughts in his head.

He pulls the bolt, focusing all his attention as he presses his eyes against the scope again, adapting to the range's shifting light.

His finger rhythmically pulls the trigger; the bullet is thrust out by flame, spiraling at high speed through the bullseye.

This time, his shoulder is steadier, his grip more stable; with a settled mind his shots are more accurate.

On the western side, on the steps before the Cafeteria, a figure stood there silently watching.

Listening to the echoing bang‑bang of guns on the range, watching the silhouette still prone on the firing line.

Guo Yongwen seemed to be looking at his younger self, just out of the company, full of vigor, charging forward with all his might.

"Have you eaten?"

Cheng Jun walked over from not far away, greeting Guo Yongwen.

Guo Yongwen nodded: "Did you tell him? After you finish shooting, come eat."

Cheng Jun: "I told him, that box of ammo will take at least an hour or so to finish."

"No problem, I had the Cook Squad keep the dishes in a warming box; you can eat anytime."

Tsk tsk tsk, so meticulous? Aren't you pretty annoyed with him? Aren't you afraid that after he takes over the Seventh Company, he'll bump you out of your spot and become the Company Commander's favorite?

Guo Yongwen didn't argue this time, as if he had reached a compromise with himself; he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, cupped it with his hand, lit it, and took a drag.

"If he bumps you, let him bump you. The record's there—it's meant for people to surpass, right?"

"What, have you changed your nature?"

Guo Yongwen exhaled a puff of smoke: "I've opened up, and I've come to understand. The higher‑ups are slow to make me regular for their own reasons; I didn't study hard when I was in school, now I need a diploma and I'm anxious—what was I doing earlier?"

"Forget it, this soldier—how can he not be? Acting Platoon Leader is fine too; at least it satisfies the craving of 'being an officer.'"

"At least I'm stronger than you; we're both fourth‑phase sergeants. You haven't even managed to get an acting position, at most you're called a veteran comrade."

Cheng Jun's eyes widened: "What the hell, you say you've opened up? Clearly you're starting to downgrade, so where's my horse‑riding kick now!"

Guo Yongwen laughed: "Just tell me, is that so? I've at least earned a second‑class merit and a third‑class merit, while you only have a commendation plus a couple of third‑class merits. Coming out of the same batch of the New Recruit Company, aren't I far more impressive than you!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're awesome, Battalion Commander Guo is the best!" Cheng Jun changed tone and asked: "By the way, what about you and your partner, what did you say, have you made up?"

Guo Yongwen sighed, took off his hat and vigorously scratched his scalp, sending snowflakes fluttering everywhere.

"This time the whole thing got a bit weird; I can't get in touch with her at all."

"I used the public phone; her mother heard my voice and hung up immediately."

"So I wanted to write a letter back, apologize properly, but after holding it in for a while, I could only manage two characters!"

Cheng Jun asked: "Which two characters?"

Guo Yongwen: "Cui Fen."

"......."

You just managed to squeeze out a name!