OBS Chapter 402 Northwest Desert!
Chapter 402 Northwest Desert!
"What a load of rubbish about emotional foundation!"
Zhong Yuemin, annoyed, directly exposed the truth.
"Do you think I don't know what kind of person you are, Staff Officer Zhang? Back in your day, you were a tough guy who'd stare at any girl and be unable to walk past her. What are you pretending to be so reserved for?"
Marry first, fall in love later, and you can live the same life.
Look at me and Xiaobai, back then we also... cough..."
He realized his words were inappropriate halfway through, quickly stopped, and picked up his wine glass.
"Just hurry up and get things settled! Don't keep me worrying about your marriage!"
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The next day, before leaving the military region, I was summoned for tea by Commander Li again, to receive his instruction. I'd been there at least thirty or forty times in the past few years, and was already very familiar with the route.
Knock on the door, "Report!"
From inside came Commander Li's calm voice: "Come in."
Zhong Yuemin pushed open the door and entered, standing at attention and saluting: "Greetings, Commander!"
Necessary procedures are still necessary.
Commander Li was bent over his large desk reviewing documents, not even looking up, when he spoke in the casual tone of an elder to a younger person.
"Yuemin is here. Please have a seat and wait for me to finish approving this document."
"Yes!"
Zhong Yuemin responded and, without any hesitation, walked familiarly to the coffee table, picked up the thermos and tea canister, brewed himself a strong cup of tea, then found a comfortable armchair, crossed his legs, sipped it slowly, and waited patiently.
The atmosphere was more like being in one's own living room than in one's boss's office.
About ten minutes later, Commander Li finally put down his pen, closed his folder, rubbed his temples, stood up, and walked around the desk.
Seeing this, Zhong Yuemin immediately put down his teacup, stood up, and casually poured a cup for the leader as well, handing it over while saying familiarly:
"Uncle Li, no offense, but you are a military commander, yet the tea you serve to your guests is really subpar."
I'll bring you some good stuff later—Tieguanyin, Longjing, Pu'er…which would you like to try? I guarantee you'll get to try something new.”
Commander Li took the teacup, looked at the young man's relaxed and smug expression, and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.
She sat down on the sofa opposite him, deliberately put on a stern face, and pointed at him with her finger.
"Yuemin, I have to say, you've got some nerve, kid."
Even if your division commander or regimental commander came to my office, they would have to stand respectfully and report to me without daring to breathe too loudly.
You've got the nerve to treat this place like your own home?
Making tea, sitting down, crossing your legs—you're more familiar with the whole process than I am. Don't you have any respect for me, your commander?"
Upon hearing this, Zhong Yuemin not only didn't tense up, but grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. He sat back down, leaning slightly forward, and retorted with a hint of slyness,
"Uncle Li, you've really wronged me!"
My respect for you is heartfelt and genuine. I don't think superficial flattery or compliments are necessary, and you're not the type to care about such empty formalities.
If I were to act like a quail in front of you, that would be too formal and would only make you feel distant and unhappy. I'm just trying to please you!
Commander Li chuckled and scolded, "This brat, he really doesn't follow the usual path." He picked up his teacup, blew on the tea leaves, took a sip, and then put it back on the coffee table.
"I called you here today for no other reason than..."
When the conversation turned to business, Commander Li stared intently at Zhong Yuemin, his smile vanishing.
"When you get there, you can't let our army down. Our army has fifty or sixty thousand men, and after layers of selection, only the three of you were chosen. You are truly one in a million, the cream of the crop."
During a previous meeting, other army commanders were bragging about their men, and I couldn't fall behind, right? But they went on to exaggerate, praising you three, especially you, Zhong Yuemin, to the skies.
"If you don't live up to my expectations and make a name for yourself over there, then come slinking back home like a mule, I'll see if I let you off the hook!"
Zhong Yuemin touched his nose, thinking to himself that this was too much to ask. They could brag all they wanted, but they were expected to take the blame. Looking again at the leader's cloudy yet shrewd eyes, a hint of cunning flashed across them; he seemed like a cunning old fox.
They have ill intentions!
"I know you're capable, quick-witted, and skilled in combat; you're a formidable fighter, but..."
Commander Li then changed the subject, adding a warning...
"Don't be arrogant or complacent. Let me tell you, those who were recommended by various units and ultimately selected to participate in this training camp are the best of the best from each military region and branch of service—the elite soldiers."
Without some real, untold skill, thinking you can get in through back channels or connections? No way!
"You better keep your tail between your legs, study hard, practice hard, and don't swagger around like that, understand?"
Zhong Yuemin was also helpless, thinking to himself that it didn't have a tail, and wasn't a monkey.
His playful smile vanished, he straightened his back, and nodded earnestly:
"Don't worry, sir, I understand. I promise I won't let you down, nor will I let our army down!"
He had a question in his mind all along, and took this opportunity to ask, "Uncle Li, why was this special forces training camp chosen to be in a place like the northwestern desert? What kind of training is this? Why are you making such a fuss about it?"
Upon hearing this, Commander Li merely gave him a deep look, shook his head, and remained silent. After a while, he said meaningfully:
"You ask me, I don't know either. You'll find out the specifics when you get there. Don't ask now, just follow orders."
This wasn't a perfunctory response; it was the truth. The higher-ups only required the selection of the best soldiers in the army. As for the specifics of their duties, even he, as the army commander, had no idea. The level of secrecy was top secret, the highest level of national confidentiality.
Seeing that the leader was so tight-lipped, Zhong Yuemin's doubts deepened, but he didn't ask any more questions. After saying goodbye to the leader, Zhong Yuemin, Zhang Haiyang, and Ning Wei packed their simple belongings and boarded the train heading west...
The green train roared away, leaving behind familiar camps and towns. The scenery outside the window gradually changed from lush green to yellowish-brown, eventually plunging into the vast, desolate, and unknown northwestern desert...
After a two-day, two-night train journey, I arrived in Lanzhou, Gansu, and then continued north, passing through Wuwei, Jinchang, Zhangye, and Jiayuguan. Looking out the train window, the scenery grew increasingly desolate.
Beyond the Gobi Desert lies nothing but sand and dust. Occasionally, a few clumps of tenacious camel thorns can be seen, standing out starkly against the wind and sand.
All that could be seen was desolation.
Zhang Haiyang said:
"Yuemin, where the hell have we been taken? It feels like we've been exiled to the frontier!"
Zhong Yuemin shook his head, "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?!"
Looking at the scene outside, I was reminded of my experience working in the Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi. In the blink of an eye, nearly ten years have passed.
The sight of this place brings back so many memories; time really flies!