Chapter 2
Squad Leader! At this moment, someone interjected, "If we strike at Hill 7, won't that mean we are hitting Old Street?"
However, I must say that I have indeed done it. I recall having killed a person earlier; that scene occasionally resurfaces in my mind. I believe I will never be able to forget it in this lifetime
Alright
He nodded towards the scar-faced man beside me and introduced, "The squad leader, nicknamed Scar, is also from Fujian like you, and has excellent military qualities. You are fellow townsmen, so you should exchange combat experiences more often. Now is the time when our country needs us, and we must not disappoint the expectations of our country and the people..."
Comrade! Little Stone approached with a grin, snatched the rifle from my hands, and demonstrated: "Press down like this, ten rounds of ammunition, with a bayonet at the front, just pull the trigger and it will come out... this is how you shoot..."
Eliminate all the Japanese invaders
Scarface said to me earnestly: "Comrade Yang Xuefeng, it is unacceptable to slack off on the battlefield! You should learn more from your fellow comrades! Ah!"
Concerning matters of life and death, how could I dare to put on a brave face?
... ...
Old Street No. 7 Heights? Hearing this, my heart couldn't help but skip a beat
Helplessly, I found a place to sit down and took a look at the rifle in my hand
"I say, comrade!" The scarred tiger glared at me and interrupted, saying, "Why do you always think about slacking off? What do you mean by saying the gun won't fire? Didn't you just fire it a moment ago? You even killed a Vietnamese soldier, didn't you?"
I remember the old man once mentioned that when our troops were attacking the old street, one division's main force was used to engage the enemy head-on, while a regiment's troops maneuvered around the enemy's frontal defenses to infiltrate the enemy's rear in the Xiaocao area, thereby rendering the enemy's frontal line meaningless
Everyone! Gather! At this moment, a soldier with a slim build and dark complexion, carrying a pistol at his waist, approached us and shouted.
This strategy was originally sound, but in the Xiaocao region, there are seven unnamed highlands of varying sizes, and there was an issue with the numbering of these highlands. In simple terms, the highlands numbered 1 to 7 as designated by the command post were different from those numbered 1 to 7 by the frontline troops, resulting in all the artillery shells landing on our own troops during the preparation for bombardment
Name
Scar handed me a rifle and lowered his voice, saying: "You lost your gun on the road, so I got you another one. Next time, be more careful. As a soldier, losing your weapon is a serious mistake!"
I can only smile bitterly in my heart, fearing that before I become a veteran, I will meet the King of Hell.
While speaking, he struck a shooting pose in front of me, which elicited a burst of laughter from the other soldiers
I was brought before a soldier, who was said to be an instructor and was wearing glasses, by Scarface. He asked a whole bunch of questions while writing on the roster. After a while, he finished asking and pointed to a position on the roster, saying: "Here, sign your name!"
With the command "Dismissed," the team became busy; some were checking their equipment, some were organizing their luggage, and others were whispering to each other, seemingly discussing how to approach the battle... Only I sat there dazed on a rock, unsure of what to do.
Defeat Vietnamese revisionism
And this! The scarred man dragged me in front of a bearded fellow: "He was originally just a pig butcher. Isn't it the same to achieve merit on the battlefield? After one battle, he stabbed down more than a dozen enemies with his bayonet!"
Yang Xuefeng
Only the small stone turned red in the face, hurriedly returned the gun to me and fled like a monkey
Who doesn't know about face? ... But you want me to carry a gun and go to war, to kill people ...? ... You say I, who have never even killed a chicken, can do this job?
This is probably the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle, as I heard from an old man that this is the standard rifle of our army. It is called the Type 56 because it was equipped in 1956, and soldiers are accustomed to referring to it as the Type 56 semi. Considering that it would be relied upon for survival on the battlefield, I took out a magazine to load it, but after searching everywhere, I couldn't find the entry point.
Eliminate all the Japanese invaders
Upon hearing the command from the platoon leader, the soldiers sprang up from the ground as if they were equipped with springs, quickly forming a line. I could not remain seated alone, so I had no choice but to stand up slowly and join them.
Ah? Upon hearing this, the scene of that Japanese soldier's head exploding in front of me reappeared in my mind, and my stomach couldn't help but churn violently again
You..." Scar, furious, pointed his finger at me several times: "Kid, I warn you! None of us in the second squad are cowards. If you bring shame to us, I won't let you off easily!
Zhang Dapeng! The scarred man raised his head and said: "Introduce your combat experience to Comrade Yang Xuefeng!"
"Squad leader!" When the instructors walked away, I clung to a glimmer of hope and said to the scarred man: "Look... am I really cut out to be a soldier? I can't even shoot a gun. This unit won't be any different with or without me..."
If this were the old me, I would have gathered a group of friends to demand an explanation. But now? Those people are all soldiers, and here I am, all alone. As the saying goes, two fists cannot fight against four hands; demanding an explanation from them would only be a futile endeavor
Isn't that so? Scar replied with some excitement, "Comrades, let's put in some extra effort; tonight we will camp in the old street!"
Hello, comrade! The man with the cheeky beard stood up clumsily, speaking shyly like a young girl getting into a sedan chair: "My name is Zhang Dapeng, and my comrades all call me Bayonet!"
"Do your best!" After a lengthy speech, the instructor patted me on the shoulder and said, "Comrade Yang Xuefeng, you will follow the second squad leader from now on"
Fujian
Indeed! Our little stone has also become a master!
I wanted to say something, but ultimately I swallowed my words. I knew that the instructor was the person responsible for political work in the military, and if I spoke in front of him, the only outcome would be either undergoing ideological education or writing a profound self-criticism.
... ...
Place of origin
... ...
I responded succinctly with a sound of agreement
Come on! Little Stone, how long have you been shooting?
Do not be too nervous! Scar said nonchalantly, "Fighting is just that, once you experience it, you become familiar. Everyone has had moments of fear; after a few battles, you naturally become a veteran!"
He spoke curtly and ignored me, walking to the side with a stern face to sulk by himself. I thought to myself that he must be cursing under his breath, wondering how he ended up with a soldier like me, who is both cowardly and lacking in pride.
This is terrible, I can't help but let out a long sigh in my heart. Just a moment ago, I was thinking of deliberately creating something substandard to get myself kicked out, but now it seems I have fallen right into their trap.
"Have I made a grave mistake?" I couldn't help but feel a surge of energy as I listened. "Squad Leader, what can be done about this serious error? You... you can punish me!"
Down with all reactionaries
In fact, there is nothing much to say! The bayonet scratched its head and thought for a long time before replying: "I lack education and cannot share any experiences... Well, I just treat the enemy like pigs and kill them..."
Hello, comrade! The young warrior stood up with a smile: "My name is Wang Shilei, and everyone calls me Little Stone!"
As I wrote my name above, the instructor, with a meaningful expression, put away the notebook and said: "Comrade Yang Xuefeng, welcome to join our 14th Army, 40th Division, 118th Regiment, 1st Battalion, 1st Company. As a soldier of the People's Liberation Army, I hope you will carry forward the spirit of our revolutionary soldiers who are not afraid of hardship and sacrifice in the battles to come..."
However, this seems to be normal. I seem to recall an old man mentioning that the Self-Defense Counterattack War was chaotic due to insufficient preparation time. Some units had been engaged at the front for several days while others were still en route. Those who arrived could not find their own units, so they randomly joined another unit to receive ammunition and charged forward. Some even died in battle without anyone knowing their names. It was precisely for this reason that the enemy could easily infiltrate our ranks by simply changing into military uniforms. Those who arrived could not find their own units, so they randomly joined another unit to receive ammunition and charged forward. Some even died in battle without anyone knowing their names. It was precisely for this reason that the enemy could easily infiltrate our ranks by simply changing into military uniforms.
... ...
It cannot be such a coincidence that I find myself here; thinking of this made me shiver involuntarily
Look at them! Scarface doesn't care about any of this. He dragged me to the middle of the troops and pointed at a young soldier, saying: "Do you know how old he is? He will only turn eighteen after the New Year. Just a few days ago, he couldn't even shoot, and now he's on the battlefield just the same"
But do I really want it this way
"Attention... At ease!" After the company commander shouted a series of commands, he placed his hands on his hips and called out: "Comrades! In the previous battle, due to insufficient preparation, we did not perform well. However, the soldiers displayed great courage and did not bring shame to our company. The higher-ups, considering our difficulties, have agreed to provide us with ten minutes of artillery support. This time, we must not disappoint them; we must seize the high ground in front of us with determination and report our outstanding achievements to the people of our motherland and to the Central Committee!" The higher-ups, considering our difficulties, have agreed to provide us with ten minutes of artillery support. This time, we must not disappoint them; we must seize the high ground in front of us with determination and report our outstanding achievements to the people of our motherland and to the Central Committee!"
Later, I learned that this lean warrior was our company commander. It is said that he was an excellent farmer, and during the period of large-scale production, the troops he led were always able to complete their tasks both quickly and efficiently. As a result, he was promoted from a low-ranking soldier to company commander. Upon hearing this, I was taken aback. An excellent farmer? Is it really the case that one becomes a company commander simply because they are good at farming?
What? I was momentarily taken aback. Is it really that easy to join the army and become a soldier? Just a moment ago, I was still contemplating whether to review some documents!
The warriors shouted in perfect unison, yet to my ears, this shout... how could it sound so awkward!
With a loud bang, the surrounding soldiers were all amused by these words, bursting into laughter.
Young man! I don't know when Scar walked up to me, handed me a cigarette, and said: "When the time comes, stay by my side; whatever I do, you will do as well. Do you understand?"
It is now 10:05! The lean warrior glanced at his watch and said, "The main assault will begin promptly at 10:30. Comrades, take this time to rest well and gather your strength to eliminate all the enemy troops!"
Upon hearing this, I could only respond with a bitter smile. What about the expectations of my country and its people? And what will happen to my own expectations?
I did not say anything either, as I sensed a kind of disdain in the way those soldiers looked at me. I also knew that their mockery of the small stone was, in fact, a mockery of me.