Chapter 60: The Notice Arrives
Miao Lian scanned the young lads in front of him with his tiger-like eyes. He dared to pat his chest and guarantee to everyone that these were top-notch young lads, his pride!
“What a pity…”
Thinking that he was about to transfer out of service, Miao Lian’s gaze became somewhat dim.
Miao Lian fastened his military belt and strode like a dragon and tiger to the front of the formation, scanning familiar faces. As soon as he opened his mouth, an iron-blooded aura of clashing weapons and charging cavalry rushed forth.
“Comrades!”
All the soldiers in the company instinctively stood at ease.
Miao Lian said no more. He knew the soldiers didn’t want to hear his nonsense now, so he simply opened the folder in his hand and waved it to everyone.
“The document has come down.”
Glancing up at the excited officers and soldiers, Miao Lian didn’t keep them in suspense and directly lowered his head to read the document:
“Order! Southeast War Zone various field troops reconnaissance department（ division）team: According to the unified deployment of the Military Region Headquarters, the annual Special Forces Soldier selection training camp is about to begin!
The training camp members participating in the selection will be assessed and recommended by each reconnaissance department（ division）team themselves. After comprehensive assessment and selection by our Military Region Wolf Fang Special Forces Detachment, the outstanding ones will enter the Wolf Fang Special Forces Detachment to continue serving!
This order, Southeast War Zone Command Intelligence Department.”
After listening to the document read by Miao Lian, the scouts excitedly watched their company commander.
They were waiting for the company commander to speak. They knew they were about to participate in the Special Forces selection.
This was the aspiration of all officers and soldiers in the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company for the Southeast Military Region’s Special Forces—Wolf Fang. They were just a microcosm of the scouts’ aspiration for the Special Forces.
Miao Lian put down the document and looked once more at the excited soldiers, feeling a myriad of emotions in his heart.
He didn’t know how many could successfully be selected into the Wolf Fang Special Forces Detachment. He knew exactly how low the selection rate for Wolf Fang was.
He hoped the young lads could withstand the pressure.
“Comrades! The moment to test whether you are excellent scouts has arrived!
As the saying goes, whether it’s a mule or a horse, take it out for a walk. Don’t just brag in front of me all day!
Claiming to be tough guys! Do you think I’m old?
Bullying me because I’m not as fast as you in running or as strong as you in fighting? Little rascals, you’re still far from it!
Let me tell you, every one of you is not as agile as I was when I was young!
I tell you, whoever can stand out among the hundreds of thousands of combat troops in the Military Region and become a Special Forces black beret Special Forces soldier, only then will I acknowledge you as a tough guy!”
After hearing Miao Lian’s speech, the scouts were all stirred to boiling blood, including Chang Ning.
He originally thought that since he knew the plot, he definitely wouldn’t feel immersed in this situation. Unexpectedly, on site, he was stirred to boiling blood by Miao Lian’s words, itching to go to the training camp right away to prove he was a tough guy.
Seeing the timing was right, Miao Lian knew stimulating them further would be overdoing it, so he shouted loudly: “Reconnaissance Company!”
The scouts roared loudly: “Kill! Kill! Kill!”
“I’ll be waiting for everyone’s training camp application forms in the office. Dismissed!”
After the formation was dismissed, except for Xiao Zhuang, everyone else’s expressions showed more or less excitement.
Only Xiao Zhuang remained unchanged from beginning to end. He truly didn’t understand why everyone was so enthusiastic about joining Wolf Fang.
Upon receiving the notice, the soldiers’ training enthusiasm in the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company was ignited.
The training ground was full of soldiers who signed up for the training camp practicing on their own, while Xiao Zhuang wandered aimlessly on the sports field alone.
At the combat training ground, Chang Ning and Xi Wa were vigorously practicing kicking in front of the sandbag, with Lao Pao guiding them on the side.
Xiao Zhuang unknowingly walked here. He sat sullenly alone by the sand pit watching his two comrades train, just quietly watching without speaking.
“Squad Leader, I’ll take a break!”
Chang Ning took off his sanda gloves and ran to Xiao Zhuang. He had seen Xiao Zhuang when he first arrived.
“What’s wrong, Xiao Zhuang?”
“Why do you all want to participate in Wolf Fang training camp? What’s so good about being a Special Forces soldier?”
Xiao Zhuang said sullenly. He was the only one in the entire company not practicing extra, feeling like he was isolated by everyone.
“Xiao Zhuang, you can’t stay in the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company forever.
The barracks are made of iron, but the soldiers flow like water.
You’re not young anymore. It’s time to plan for your future.
If you want to stay in the barracks, I suggest you participate in this selection. Due to its special nature, the Special Forces have relatively fast promotions.
On the contrary, if you don’t want to stay in the unit, pretend I didn’t say these words.
But in life, no matter what, you have to achieve something. Even if not for yourself, think about your girlfriend.
Besides, you are the soldier Miao Lian favors the most. If Miao Lian knew his most favored soldier wasn’t participating in the training camp, how heartbroken he’d be.
According to the grapevine, Miao Lian is about to transfer out of service soon. You don’t want him to leave with regrets, do you?
You know, his life’s greatest regret is not entering Wolf Fang.
I’ve said all there is to say. Think it over yourself.”
Chang Ning patted Xiao Zhuang’s shoulder, picked up the gloves beside him, put them on, and started punching the sandbag again.
He felt his combat experience bar was about to appear. He needed to work hard.
The amount of information in Chang Ning’s words was too much—life, Xiao Ying, and finally Miao Lian transferring out of service—it directly disrupted his thinking.
Xiao Zhuang’s mind was now full of Chang Ning’s words. For a moment, he became dazed. He needed to sort everything out.
……
In the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company company headquarters office, Miao Lian was reviewing documents. Recently, reforms were being initiated from above.
Their Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company, as the regiment’s spearhead, was unfortunately selected as a pilot. Some matters needed his review and signature.
“Report!” Xiao Zhuang shouted from outside the door.
“Come in.”
Hearing the report, Miao Lian knew it was Xiao Zhuang, but he was very busy now and didn’t have time to pay attention to him.
Xiao Zhuang walked into the office and placed the application forms on the table: “Miao Lian, these are the application forms from each platoon to participate in the Special Forces selection training camp.”
Miao Lian hummed in acknowledgment, flipped through them casually with a face full of gratification: “These little rascals are very enthusiastic about signing up! Where’s your application form?”
“Here it is.”
Xiao Zhuang pulled out his application form from the bottom and handed it to Miao Lian.
Miao Lian was extremely surprised inwardly that Xiao Zhuang was participating in the Special Forces selection training camp. He thought he’d have to persuade him a lot to change his mind.
He knew this favored soldier of his all too well—he was a stubborn donkey that wouldn’t move unless beaten and would back up if pulled!
But as long as Xiao Zhuang was participating, he was relieved.
Thinking of this, Miao Lian glanced at Xiao Zhuang’s application form and then let him leave.
Xiao Zhuang let out a long breath after leaving the office, thinking to himself that luckily Chang Ning reminded him, or he’d have gotten scolded again.
Seeing Xiao Zhuang come out of the office, Chang Ning took off his sanda gloves, walked over, and said: “How did it go?”
“You’re too amazing. How did you know Miao Lian would ask about my application form?”
Xiao Zhuang recounted what happened in the office to Chang Ning with a face full of relief.
“I guessed.”
Chang Ning certainly couldn’t tell Xiao Zhuang he knew the plot, so he just made up some analysis casually. Unexpectedly, Xiao Zhuang actually believed it.
Participating in Wolf Fang’s selection training camp wasn’t just about writing an application form. There were quota limits, so the company would first conduct internal screening.
The screening content was all training projects for scouts. The top ten in comprehensive scores after these projects could participate in Wolf Fang’s training camp.
Chang Ning participated in the selection with his comrades. Although everyone could see his military quality, he still had to participate in the selection.
Chang Ning was happy to participate. It was just like training. The body is like a machine—if not used, it rusts easily.
In the company’s final internal martial arts assessment, Xiao Zhuang ranked tenth in comprehensive scores.
And Chang Ning, with the system giving him a boost, naturally ranked first.
The two of them and eight other comrades represented the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company to attend the Military Region’s annual Special Forces selection training camp.
On the day of departure, the weather was somewhat overcast. The Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company flag fluttered loudly in the wind.
The reconnaissance company officers and soldiers were divided into two ranks. The first rank was the ten in camouflage uniforms, steel helmets on their heads, rifles in their arms, representing the company in the training camp.
The second rank was the scouts in regular uniforms. Miao Lian was also in regular uniform, with his military belt fastened, standing solemnly at the front of the formation.
After confirming the numbers, he said loudly: “Comrades! The annual Military Region Special Forces training camp is about to begin again, and these ten comrades in front will represent our Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company to accept the cruel training selection!
Becoming a Special Forces soldier is the supreme honor for a scout!
Comrades, the honor of Special Forces soldiers awaits the comrades. The honor of Special Forces soldiers awaits you!
The honor of black beret elite soldiers awaits you!
A more arduous military career also awaits you! Wish you a smooth journey!”
After Miao Lian finished speaking, he took the lead in saluting Chang Ning and the other soldiers participating in the training camp. The soldiers immediately stood at attention and returned the salute.
Miao Lian lowered his hand and then ordered: “Board the vehicles!”
Chen Pai didn’t participate, so Chang Ning was the highest ranking among the ten. He stepped out of the formation and commanded the other nine: “Training Camp, right—face! Double time—march!”
The training camp members obeyed the command, turned right, and double-timed to the truck.
The truck slowly started up. Miao Lian led the other reconnaissance company officers and soldiers in seeing them off.
At this moment, Miao Lian suddenly roared: “Reconnaissance Company—”
From this “Reconnaissance Company,” Chang Ning could tell Miao Lian had used all his strength; his voice was even somewhat hoarse.
At this moment, whether the soldiers on the vehicle participating in the Wolf Fang selection training camp or the officers and soldiers below, everyone roared together: “Kill—Kill—Kill—”
Three shouts of “kill” resounded through the skies. Chang Ning thus left, left the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company, the place where his military career began.
And this shout with all his might was also the last slogan Miao Lian uttered in Night Tiger…
The truck wound along the mountain road. Special Forces soldiers wearing black berets were setting up checkpoints on the mountain road, ready to intercept the rookies coming to the training camp at any time.
After the Special Forces soldiers set up “Military Restricted Area” signs not far from the checkpoint, the truck carrying the soldiers participating in the selection slowly approached the alert line and came to a stop.
A Special Forces soldier walked expressionlessly toward the truck and roared: “All personnel participating in the training camp, get off immediately. Change vehicles.”
