Fifty-three.
It turned out that a fire had broken out in a wood processing plant near the county town. Thick smoke billowed and heat waves assaulted the people. Although he could vaguely see a few migrant workers frantically fighting the flames in front of a residential building, it was insignificant and useless.
As the wind helped the fire, the flames burned more and more fiercely, and it showed signs of spreading. It was about to engulf the entire processing plant and threaten the other houses, shops, and workshops that were next to it.
At this moment, Tao Zhigang, Sun Nujiang, Zhao Shuang, and Tang Xiaoqiang, who were out of breath from running, arrived at the scene in time.
"Comrade of the People's Liberation Army, please save our children!”
"Yes, comrade of the People's Liberation Army, our child is still upstairs! Please help us save them!"
Immediately after, two women rushed forward and grabbed Tao Zhigang and Sun Nujiang's hands. They knelt on the ground and begged.
"Why? Your child is still upstairs?”Tao Zhigang and Sun Nujiang, who had caused anxiety, asked at the same time.
" Yes, when we woke up to work in the morning, the children were still asleep, so we left them in bed to continue sleeping. But we didn't expect an accident to happen this time. The courtyard suddenly caught fire. As the fire spread, the entire office and dormitory building was sealed in flames, and we couldn't rush up," a husband explained anxiously as he pointed to the upstairs where the children were sleeping.
"Don't worry. We'll think of a way to save your child.”
"Yes, please believe that we will definitely be able to save your child!”
After that, Tao Zhigang and Sun Nujiang comforted the couple, then they led Zhao Shuang and Tang Xiaoqiang into the sea of fire.
However, the intense fire and smoke almost blinded Tao Zhigang, Sun Nujiang, and the rest. They could only rely on the tiny sparks of the fire and smoke to determine their location.
"Tao Banfu, look at how fierce the fire is. It's going to spread upstairs soon. We have to save the child as soon as possible.”Sun Nujiang, who came to the dormitory downstairs, saw the fire and raised the issue to Tao Zhigang.
"Well, yes, we have to hurry up and think of a way to get upstairs!”Tao Zhigang immediately agreed and ordered Zhao Shuang and Tang Xiaoqiang,"Zhao Shuang, Cockroach, quickly find the stairs.”
"Yes, sir!" Zhao Shuang, Tang Xiaoqiang, and the others fumbled around the corner of the stairs. They saw a fierce tongue of fire coming out from inside. The stairs leading upstairs had collapsed from the burning fire. Zhao Shuang and Tang Xiaoqiang had no choice but to return and report,
"Zhigang, we can't do it. The stairs over there have been burned down and we can't go up.”
"That's right, Little Tao. The fire over there is even fiercer than here! Other than the burned staircase, he did not find any other stairs.”
"Oh, then hurry up and come over. Let's discuss and see if we can find another breakthrough point.”Tao Zhigang quickly gathered Zhao Shuang and Tang Xiaoqiang.
"Aiya, I choked to death. I didn't find a staircase inside.”At this moment, Sun Nujiang, who ran out of another smoke, also reported disappointing news to Tao Zhigang.
Tao Zhigang felt more and more anxious as he watched the fire continue to burn. However, he still secretly warned himself that the more critical the situation was, the more he had to keep his head calm.
"Tao Banfu, why don't I go over there and see if there are any more stairs?”Following that, Sun Nujiang pointed to the other side of the building and discussed with Tao Zhigang, wanting to charge over…
" Is there no other way up besides the stairs?" Tao Zhigang thought anxiously as he looked around the roof.
"Sigh, Sun Nujiang, come back quickly!" At this moment, Tao Zhigang suddenly shouted at Sun Nujiang and excitedly called out to Zhao Shuang and Tang Xiaoqiang," Come and see, the passageway has been found-"
It turned out that Tao Zhigang was pleasantly surprised to find a skylight in the ceiling above his head.
"Found the passage? Where was the passageway? Why didn't I see it?"
"Yeah, where did the passage come from? It's just the ceiling."
Following Tao Zhigang's gaze, he looked upstairs at Tang Xiaoqiang and Zhao Shuang, who didn't see anything. He couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Take a closer look at what else is on the ceiling.”Tao Zhigang followed up with another reminder.
"And... It seems to be a skylight.”Zhao Shuang guessed before she fully understood.
"Right, this skylight is the only way to go upstairs.”Tao Zhigang told everyone confidently.
"Cough! Why didn't I think of that?" After Tao Zhigang's reminder, Sun Nujiang suddenly came to his senses and blamed himself. At the same time, he admired Tao Zhigang." Tao Banfu, you are indeed a Scout! His judgment was pretty accurate. I was familiar with the structure of the house here. As long as I went through the skylight and climbed up to the middle of the ceiling, I would have a chance of finding the exit to the upper floor.”
"It's true!" When he heard Sun Nujiang say that there was hope of finding the exit to the upper floor by climbing through the skylight, Tao Zhigang couldn't help but punch Sun Nujiang's chest in excitement.
When he heard Sun Nujiang cry out in pain, Tao Zhigang realized that he had used too much force just now and quickly rubbed him twice.
"Oh, Zhigang, now I understand. So you mean to climb up through this skylight.”At this time, Tang Xiaoqiang also came to his senses and asked Tao Zhigang.
"Yes, I am. You're such a smart person, why did you become stupid this time?”Looking at Tang Xiaoqiang's confused look, Tao Zhigang deliberately teased him," Isn't this skylight a passage? Now you finally understand, right?!”
" Hehe..." Looking at the skylight pointed by Tao Zhigang, Tang Xiaoqiang felt a little embarrassed and scratched the back of his head.
" Hahaha..." Tao Zhigang and Tang Xiaoqiang's teasing made Zhao Shuang and Sun Nujiang, who were present, laugh in amusement, which also eased the tense atmosphere on the field.
"Cough! He finally found the way upstairs.”Tao Zhigang finally heaved a sigh of relief." Alright, we can't delay any longer. We have to quickly climb up the skylight and rush upstairs.”
Then, Zhao Shuang and Sun Nujiang found a few tables and stretched them under the skylight.
"Zhigang, the stage is set up. Let me take the lead.”Zhao Shuang took the lead and was about to step onto the stage.
"No, I'm more flexible than you. Let me take the lead!”Tang Xiaoqiang pulled Zhao Shuang, who had just stepped onto the stage, and was eager to fight for it.
"Look at the two of you. In the past, when you went out to take photos, you had to fight. Now, when you go shopping, you have to fight. Even when you come to the fire, you still have to fight.”Seeing that Tang Xiaoqiang and Zhao Shuang were at a stalemate, Tao Zhigang couldn't help but say,"You guys still know? This wasn't picking up sparrows when they were young, this was putting out a fire! There was danger up there. Although they had probably found the passage, they still had not figured out what was going on inside.”
"That's right. If you can't find the exit upstairs, it'll be troublesome.”Then, Sun Nujiang also took the opportunity to say," Why don't you let me go first? I was born in Fugong area, so I'm more familiar with the structure of the local houses.”
"Alright! Let's not argue. I'll go first. I've learned the reconnaissance business before. I'm quite experienced in surveying terrain and dealing with dangerous situations on the spot.”In order to consider the safety of his comrades, Tao Zhigang finally made the decision to take the lead.
"Mm, Tao Banfu is still more reasonable. Let's not fight anymore. We'll just follow behind.”Seeing that Tao Zhigang had made up his mind, Zhao Shuang chimed in.
"Zhigang, you said that there was danger above and you didn't want us to take the lead. Now that you want to take the lead, you have to pay more attention to your safety.”Tang Xiaoqiang couldn't help but look worried.
"Ah, Xiao Qiang, don't worry. When the time comes, you just have to follow behind me.”Tao Zhigang patted Tang Xiaoqiang's shoulder and comforted him.
"Sun Nujiang, you're a local and are familiar with the structure of the houses here. You'll be in charge of holding the line at the back.”In the end, Tao Zhigang and Sun Nujiang split the work.
"Okay, then." Seeing that Zhao Shuang and Tang Xiaoqiang, who were vying to take the lead, had been persuaded by Tao Banfu to make concessions, Sun Nujiang could only obey and not continue to fight.
Immediately, Tao Zhigang nimbly climbed up the platform, climbed up the skylight, and entered the ceiling mezzanines. It was dark inside, and he couldn't see anything clearly. The smoke was so suffocating..."Then, he couldn't help but cough repeatedly...
"What is it? It was pitch-black inside, and he couldn't see anything clearly. Then you have to be careful and pay attention to your safety. Try to climb along the beam in the middle to prevent some places from collapsing.”At this moment, Sun Nujiang, who was guarding the platform, heard him and reminded him with concern.
Following that, under Tao Zhigang's lead, Tang Xiaoqiang, Zhao Shuang, Sun Nujiang, and the other two climbed up the skylight one by one. They drilled into the ceiling and lay on the beam in the middle. Taking advantage of the small space, they let out the pungent smoke and knelt down. They crawled forward step by step. Gradually, a faint light appeared in the darkness.
"Look, there's light up ahead.”Tang Xiaoqiang immediately took the lead and shouted.
" You're the only one who noticed it. Who didn't?" Zhao Shuang, who was following closely behind, was indignant about being pulled off the table by Tang Xiaoqiang.
"Sigh, Sun Nujiang, looks like we've found the right path today.”At this moment, Tao Zhigang also felt comforted as he spoke loudly to Sun Nujiang, who was holding the line behind the team.
"Yeah, it's really God's blessing that we can save the child.”Then, he heard Sun Nujiang's excited reply.
Facing the light, Tao Zhigang, Sun Nujiang, and the rest finally found the exit and rushed up to the floor.
"Sun Nujiang, you take Zhao Shuang and I'll take Tang Xiaoqiang to search the rooms. We have to find the whereabouts of the two children as soon as possible.”
"Yes, Zhao Shuang, hurry!"
"Xiao Qiang, come here!"
At this time, the flames had spread to the upper floor. Tao Zhigang, Sun Nujiang, and the others braved the smoke and fire as they quickly launched an intense search and rescue operation on the corridor. They kicked open the door or climbed in through the window, carefully searching for traces of the child on the bed.
Suddenly, they heard a child crying from a room, which immediately alerted Tao Zhigang and Tang Xiaoqiang, who were searching nearby.
"Zhigang, I think I heard a child crying.”Tang Xiaoqiang promptly reported to Tao Banfu.
"Hurry up! Decide which room it is and prepare the rescue facilities!”Tao Zhigang urged.
"Oh, Zhigang, it's this room in the middle.”
As Tang Xiaoqiang confirmed that a search party had arrived, Tao Zhigang quickly opened the door and rushed in. Through the smoke, they finally found a two-year-old child on the bed in the room.
Then, Sun Nujiang led Zhao Shuang to another house and found a second child who was only about three years old.
Then, they picked up the two children who were crying from being roasted. Fortunately, they were not burned by the flames. They rushed out of the fire danger zone and gathered together.
"Sun Nujiang, Tang Xiaoqiang, you're in charge of sending the child downstairs.”Tao Zhigang stuffed the rescued child into Tang Xiaoqiang's arms.
"Then you guys…"
"Zhao Shuang and I will stay upstairs to help put out the fire. We need to cut off the fire source that will spread to the nearby houses, shops, and workshops.”Tao Zhigang divided the work and said. Then, he pushed Sun Nujiang hard. The child's life is more important. Don't hesitate anymore.”
Sun Nujiang and Tang Xiaoqiang, who hadn't had time to react, had no choice but to quickly pick up their children and return downstairs after finding a safe route.
At this time, the company's officers and soldiers who had heard the news rushed into the fire with thick smoke billowing out. They began to beat the flames on the piled wood and desperately rushed upstairs.
At this time, Sun Nujiang and Tang Xiaoqiang had safely arrived downstairs with their child in their arms. However, before they could stand firm, they saw the couple who had asked for help from the child rush forward anxiously,"
"Ah, my child!"
"Child, are you alright?
Then, they took the children from Sun Nujiang and Tang Xiaoqiang's arms and held them tightly in their arms. They kissed and looked at them. When they saw that the children with tears in their eyes had already bloomed into smiles and looked very cute, the two couples knelt on the ground one after another and kowtowed to Sun Nujiang and Tang Xiaoqiang in gratitude.
"People's Liberation Army comrades, you are really our great benefactors! If you hadn't arrived in time, our child would have lost his life.”
"Yeah, you guys are really our family's saviors! We don't know how to thank you!”
"There's no need to thank me. This is what our comrades in the People's Liberation Army should do.”Tang Xiaoqiang quickly went forward to help the couple who were kneeling on the ground.
"Alright, you don't have to thank me. The real savior is still upstairs.”Sun Nujiang deliberately pointed upstairs to divert their attention while taking the opportunity to continue to put out the fire with Tang Xiaoqiang.
As the number of firefighters increased and the entire building worked together, the ferocious fire gradually lost its dignity, and the spreading flames were finally completely extinguished.
At this point, Tao Zhigang, Sun Nujiang, Zhao Shuang, Tang Xiaoqiang, and a few other fellow countrymen who were the first to rush up to the floor to save the child had already tasted the feeling of being burned and exhausted. They were carried back to the company by everyone.
As Tao Zhigang, Sun Nujiang, and the others rushed to the scene in time to help the Lisu compatriots rescue their biological children and protect the lives and property of the border people, they showed the spirit of the revolutionary warriors and were deeply appreciated by the local ethnic minorities! He wrote another song of praise for the soldiers and civilians in the border areas.
Fifty-four.
In order to thank the soldiers of the First Company of Border Defense for helping the local rescue and fire fighting, the Fugong local government and the person in charge of the wood processing plant, as well as the parents of the rescued children, rushed to the First Company of Border Defense the next morning. In front of Company Commander Zheng and Instructor Xu, they presented a banner and handed over a letter of thanks.
After that, he asked the company to verify the names of the fire-fighting heroes who did not leave their names and to give them a commendation.
Fifty-five.
According to the feedback of the local masses and the in-depth understanding of the platoon, the company branch decided after discussion that the first few soldiers who rushed to the scene to put out the fire and save the people would be reported and commended.
On this day, Instructor Xu, on behalf of the company, informed Tao Zhigang, Sun Nujiang, Zhao Shuang, Tang Xiaoqiang, who had been confirmed to be the first to arrive at the scene of the fire, to further approve the actual situation of participating in the fire rescue.
"Tao Zhigang, Sun Nujiang, have your injuries improved over the past few days?”Instructor Xu, who was sitting in front of the conference room, asked everyone with concern.
"Reporting to the instructor, it's nothing.”
"Actually, we were only slightly burned.”
Tao Zhigang and Sun Nujiang immediately replied.
"Alright, I called you guys here today to further verify the matter of you participating in the fire rescue a few days ago. "According to reports, on that day of vacation, you went shopping in the county town and heard the border residents calling for the fire. You were the first to rush to the scene of the fire. Then, please tell us about the situation when you put out the fire and saved people.”
At this moment, Secretary Lian, who was next to the instructor, was ready to take notes.
However, no one was willing to talk about it after a long time.
"No matter what, you're not willing to say it, right? Then I'll take attendance next. Tao Zhigang, I remember that you asked me for leave that day to bring people out on the streets.”Out of helplessness, the instructor could only start naming.
"Sigh, Instructor, it's actually nothing.”
"What do you mean nothing? Your act of sacrificing yourself to save others has been praised by the local border people. Not only have you won glory for yourself, but you have also won glory for our border defense company.”
"Isn't this what border guards should do?”
"Don't beat around the bush with me. I want to ask you now. That day, who was the first to find the skylight and lead everyone upstairs to save the child?”
Seeing the instructor's persistent questioning, Tao Zhigang had no choice but to change his target and say,"It was Sun Nujiang and the others who found the skylight first and took the lead to get upstairs to save the child.”
"No! Tao Zhigang was the first to find the skylight and the passage. Then, he led us upstairs to save the child.”Sun Nujiang corrected Tao Zhigang when he saw that Tao Zhigang was trying to be modest.
"That's right! It was Sun Nujiang and the others who first found the skylight and found the passage. Then, they led everyone upstairs to save the child.”Tao Zhigang continued to humbly push Sun Nujiang away.
"No! Tao Zhigang was the one who first found the skylight and the passage, then led us upstairs to save the child.”Sun Nujiang stood up excitedly and insisted.
"Alright, alright, stop arguing. Who can hear you clearly like this?”Seeing the scene of endless debate, the instructor had no choice but to quickly stand up and stop it,"Next, all of you tell me one by one.”
"Instructor, Tao Banfu was the first to find the passage through the skylight and then led us upstairs to save the child.”As soon as the instructor finished speaking, Tang Xiaoqiang of Class Eight finally stood up and told the truth.
"That's right. Tao Banfu was the first to enter the skylight and lead us upstairs to rescue the child.”Following that, Zhao Shuang, the class monitor of Class Five, also confirmed.
"That day, if Tao Banfu hadn't found the skylight in time to find a passage for us, we wouldn't have been able to rush upstairs to save the child.”Then, Sun Nujiang concluded with a deep feeling.
"Cough! Why are you all talking about me? In fact, it was all because of your cooperation that we were able to save the child.”Tao Zhigang humbly replied to everyone. Then, he turned to the instructor and added,"Instructor, don't listen to them. In fact, their performance was more outstanding than mine. If it wasn't for Sun Nujiang's experience in climbing along the ceiling beam, Zhao Banfu, Tang Xiaoqiang, and the others scrambling to climb the floor to save them, I wouldn't have been able to rush upstairs to save the child and cut off the fire source.”
"Well, isn't that good? You can take turns to speak so that people can find out who was the first to find the passage to the skylight and lead everyone to save the child. Why did he have to be so noisy and humble like before, refusing to tell the truth? Did he want to keep this nameless hero from being known? In fact, someone has already told us about your participation in the fire fighting. We just want to verify it with you so that the company can organize the real information and report it to the higher-ups to record your merits and commend you.”
"Ah! This... We really didn't expect this.”
"Yes, we only did what we should do, but the company has to give us such a high honor.”
"This is the highest encouragement and reward the company can give us!”
"We have to continue to work hard and not let down the expectations of the organization's leaders.”
At this moment, Tao Zhigang, Sun Nujiang, Zhao Shuang, and Tang Xiaoqiang, who were sitting together, started discussing excitedly.
Fifty-six.
After a period of vigorous labor production and self-rescue activities, all the officers and soldiers worked together, woke up early and worked hard, and the Fugong First Company finally welcomed a new look. The original barren mountain slope had been mined into the " Flower and Fruit Mountain ", and the old camp had been transformed into a new home.
Especially the logistics supply of the company, which began to improve, including the fruits and vegetables planted, the pigs, sheep and fish raised, and the corn planted in the military reclamation base, all showed a thriving scene.
As the living conditions of the company improved, the standard of food for the soldiers also increased day by day. The hard work and sweat of the soldiers finally received the rewards they deserved.
As the self-rescue work of the border defense company was carried out with great success, it attracted the attention of the leaders of the higher-ups. After some research, it was decided that a special news film crew would come to the scene to film and report. The title seemed to be " The Home of Border Guards."
This special good news quickly spread throughout the border defense camp, making the officers and soldiers feel happy.
For this reason, the company had also made preparations in advance and issued relevant regulations to the commanders to consciously maintain the order of the filming scene, not to rush to shoot the scene at will, and to actively cooperate with the roles in the play.
Following the instructions of the higher-ups, the film crew of 'Border' quickly rushed to the Fugong Border Defense Company of the Nujiang River in the deep valley.
Then, they began to film the border defense line from different angles and angles. Sometimes they took a panoramic view of the company's new appearance, sometimes they took a close-up shot of a group of company orchards picking rich fruits, sometimes they took a close-up shot of the tense basketball game on the company's field, sometimes they took a video of the company's fish pond fishing, sometimes they took a video of the pigs in the company's breeding shed,
Among them, Tao Zhigang, Zhao Shuang, Tang Xiaoqiang, Xu Cao, Fang Xiaoyong, Sun Nujiang, Li Guozhu, Ma Xiaochuan, Luo Baojiang, and others from the mainland were also called to play some roles. This made the young soldiers who had never participated in the filming feel quite honored.
Fifty-seven.
At this moment, Tao Zhigang, who was silently burning incense in the cemetery, had already been roasted until his face was red and tears filled his eyes. However, he was still deeply immersed in the memories of his comrades.
Then, Tao Zhigang went to the mausoleum of Chen Juntao, his comrade who had come from the same company. With a heavy heart, he helped pick up the debris and stones. At the same time, he recalled the painful breakup he had experienced after receiving the " choice " letter from his distant lover, and the deep memories of accepting the company's test and continuing to guard the border.
58.
The bright moon was high in the sky, dotted with stars. As the sun and moon shuttled back and forth, the motherland once again welcomed a mid-autumn night of ten thousand members.
At this moment, the Fugong Company that was stationed at the border of China and Myanmar was also celebrating. Apart from the patrolling personnel who remained at their posts, most of the soldiers in the entire company were gathered in the camp to play cards, play chess, chat, have tea parties, and enjoy the mooncakes distributed by the company.
The bright moon shone brightly and the silver light shone on his hometown and the border. At this moment of enjoyment and happiness, Tao Zhigang, who was in Class One, avoided the reunion with everyone. He leaned on the bed rail near the window and looked at the bright moon outside the window. He was worried and thought about his own thoughts.
He couldn't help but open the silk handkerchief embroidered with mandarin ducks and the jade photo Yao Cuiping had given him before he left. He reminisced about the past, admiring and reminiscing...
However, with the passage of time and the changes in the situation, he felt that his relationship with Yao Cuiping was like the afterglow of the moonlight on the ground, becoming unusually cold.
Even though he hadn't received a letter from Yao Cuiping for a long time, he still tried his best to think positively. Perhaps it was because the journey to the Yunnan border was far away, and there were constant landslides in the mountains, which caused the mail to be delayed. It could also be that Yao Cuiping was graduating this year and was in the midst of studying for exams. She couldn't find the time to write to him. If it was really because of this reason and she didn't do it on purpose, then it was understandable.
Coincidentally, just as Tao Zhigang had been waiting for Yao Cuiping's letter, he finally received a letter from Yao Cuiping on the morning of the second day after the Mid-Autumn Festival. This made him feel both sad and gratified. The sad part was that it was not easy for him to get through the past few days. He was glad that his distant lover had written him a letter after all.
At the same time, it also made him feel how much the soldiers in the army needed to be cared for and nourished by love when they were far away from home and family. It also allowed him to appreciate the profound meaning of Du Fu's poem "Spring Gaze","The beacon fire lasts for three months, and the letter from home is worth ten thousand gold".
Fifty-nine.
Then, Tao Zhigang, who was eager to read the contents of the letter, quietly found a secluded mountain forest near the company. He sat down on a piece of green rock and opened the letter to read it carefully.
However, what made Tao Zhigang dumbfounded was that this wasn't an ordinary letter, nor was it a passionate love letter. It was a " choice " letter that asked him to make a final decision on whether to retire or stay in the army. He had to fight to retire and return to his hometown at the end of the year, or else he would have to break off the engagement and break up.
Looking at the conditions and excuses mentioned in Yao Cuiping's letter, Tao Zhigang was surprised and chewed on it a few times. In the end, he could smell that Yao Cuiping seemed to have released a message that she wanted to break up with him. Tao Zhigang was a little surprised by this.
He recalled that since the Shanghai Garrison Guard was sent to Yunnan to fight, and then transferred to the northwest border of Yunnan to guard the border between China and Myanmar, he gradually adapted to the new difficult living environment through a series of rigorous training such as intensive training and self-rescue. After further investing in the construction of the border areas and participating in the disaster relief of the border residents, he was trained and received the opportunity to perform meritorious deeds. Only then did he finally lay a foundation for progress.
His life as a soldier had entered a critical period. How could he bring up his retirement at this time, give up his efforts in the army, and strive to realize his lofty dream of joining the party organization in the future?
However, from Yao Cuiping's point of view, Tao Zhigang felt that although she had sent him a letter of choice and made a final " decision," it was also in the actual situation that she was facing. She was also making plans for his future. Thinking of the above, when he was sent to Yunnan to participate in the battle, she was indeed worried about him.
Now, she suggested that he apply for retirement as soon as possible, go home and settle down with a job, and reunite with him, so that he wouldn't stay at the border for a long time and suffer from danger, which made her worried. Moreover, she was about to graduate from the foreign language institute she attended. As she grew older and her youth faded, she did not want to delay her marriage any longer. Therefore, this was not unreasonable.
"Cough! Should she retire early and take care of her lover? Or should he continue to stick to the army and realize his life dream?”At this moment, Tao Zhigang, who was deeply caught in a dilemma, couldn't help but walk back and forth in the forest and ask himself,
In the following period of time, Tao Zhigang did not feel happy because of the honor of the company's report, but because of a " choice " letter sent by his lover, his thoughts fluctuated. He constantly revealed abnormal phenomena such as pretending to be sick in the morning exercise, delaying the inspection of the shift, sloppy training, negative labor, and lax discipline.
In addition, she also found that he would sit by the stream near the company until Sunday to relieve his boredom by playing the violin. It was as if his life had fallen into the bottom of the valley.
Because of this, the soldiers in the company were confused and confused, causing them to speculate and discuss. Most of them thought that he was proud and complacent because he had obtained the honor of being remembered, which led to changes in his thinking, slackness in his work, and lax discipline.
Tao Zhigang was very clear about himself. He wasn't proud and complacent because he had received the honor of being remembered. It was because of his distant lover's " choice " letter that caused him to change.
Sixty.
After experiencing a period of pain and torture, Tao Zhigang felt that the marriage relationship he had established with Yao Cuiping was not easy to come by. It was difficult to break up...
Looking back, from the time they established their first love in junior high school, to the time they continued to develop their relationship after graduating from junior high school, to the time they took the exams separately, and then to the time they established their marriage relationship after joining the army. The two of them had gone through many twists and turns. In terms of relationship, they had indeed let Yao Cuiping down for some years and owed her a lot.
Thinking of all this, Tao Zhigang gradually felt guilty and softened his heart. He did not want to continue to go against his wishes and finally decided to submit an application report to the company requesting to retire at the end of the year.
Sixty-one.
However, what surprised Tao Zhigang even more was that just as he was about to request to retire, it happened to be the third quarter of the company branch's recruitment of new party members, and Tao Zhigang happened to be listed on the list of development targets.
On this day, the company branch officially held a meeting to expand the party organization by recruiting new party members.
At the meeting, there was a wide discussion about the two new party members, Tao Zhigang and Tian Guirong. Tian Guirong, the old soldier of the kitchen squad, was voted unanimously by the members of the branch committee. However, when it was time to discuss the class monitor of Class One, Tao Zhigang, there was a sudden change in the atmosphere.
"Ever since Comrade Tao Zhigang was selected to join our border defense company, he has been actively asking for progress, working hard to create conditions, and taking the initiative to get close to the party organization. Especially when he had just arrived in the harsh environment of the frontier, whether it was in the intense combat training or in the busy production and self-rescue, he could be firm in his thoughts, strict in his attitude, not afraid of hardship, hardworking, and able to withstand the beating. Especially when he participated in the local rescue and disaster relief, he showed a heroic and tenacious spirit, which won the praise of the local, military, and border people.
Here, I would like to be Tao Zhigang's sponsor and introduce him to join the Chinese Party as a probationary member.”Platoon Leader Shao, who usually led Tao Zhigang's work and introduced him to the party, first introduced Tao Zhigang's positive performance after he joined the border defense company.
"After listening to Platoon Leader Shao's introduction about Tao Zhigang's positive performance after joining our border defense company, I want to talk about my different views. We admit that Tao Zhigang has performed well since he was transferred to our border defense company. He has even done heroic deeds and has received unanimous praise from the local and border residents as well as the soldiers of the company! However, after he achieved results and received honors, we couldn't help but notice that he had developed a sense of pride and complacency, which led to a significant decline in his work. One after another, he was unwilling to go out for exercise in the morning, delayed the shift at night, perfunctory training, unable to complete his tasks, and lax discipline.
"Therefore, I think that Tao Zhigang's conditions for joining the party are not fully ripe yet. He still needs to be further investigated and trained.”Following Platoon Leader Shao's introduction, Jiang Lianfu, who had led Tao Zhigang to the border company, expressed a different point of view.
After listening to Platoon Leader Shao's introduction and Jiang Lianfu's different opinions, the branch members who were present at the meeting immediately expressed their views and started a heated discussion.
In the end, after a vote by a show of hands, Tao Zhigang was rejected by a minority of votes. He became the next training target for further inspection, and once again brushed past joining the party.
Sixty-two.
After the expansion meeting of the new party member development branch in the third quarter ended, Platoon Leader Shao, who was Tao Zhigang's party member introduction, was entrusted by the branch to take educational and guiding measures against Tao Zhigang's change in thinking. He officially initiated an organizational conversation with him.
On this day, Platoon Leader Shao followed the sound of the zither and went up the mountain behind the barracks. He found Tao Zhigang, who was sitting alone in the forest playing the erhu." Yo, I really can't stand the sound of the zither!" You have quite a foundation."
"Uh, Platoon Leader Shao, why are you here?”Tao Zhigang stopped Gong Xuan when he saw Platoon Leader Shao suddenly come into the forest. He asked with annoyance.
"It was because of your erhu that I came here. The sound of the erhu is really worthy of its name. I heard it from afar. It's quite charming.”Following Tao Zhigang's words, Platoon Leader Shao said humorously.
"Is that so?" Tao Zhigang seemed to feel a little gratified when he heard Platoon Leader Shao talk about the charm of playing the erhu.
"Of course it is." Platoon Leader Shao answered earnestly. Then, he asked with interest," Sigh, the song you played sounded familiar. It sounded like Blind Ah Bing..."
"It's a famous traditional erhu song,'Listening to the Pine', that Blind Ah Bing composed.”Tao Zhigang immediately replied.
"Oh, right, right, right. It's 'Listening to Pine'. It sounded strong and powerful, undulating and deep!”Platoon Leader Shao suddenly remembered and nodded.
"Listening to the Pines is an erhu solo composed by Hua Yanjun in 1939."During the Song Dynasty, Jin Wu was beaten to a corner by Yue Fei. He fled in panic and listened to the voices of the Song Dynasty soldiers. This song is about this story, so it is also known as 'Listening to Song'. However, there was no specific description of the story in this song, nor did it portray the image of Jin Wu's fear, so the statement of "Listening to Song" was somewhat far-fetched.
This song was composed during the Anti-Japanese War. It expressed the composer's hope for victory in the Anti-Japanese War and expressed the composer's resentment against the dark world and a certain spirit of resistance."Listening to the Pine" was bold and unrestrained. The melody was strong and powerful, ups and downs, rapid and changeable, and the theme was distinct and prominent.”Tao Zhigang finally couldn't help but start to talk about the erhu tune with Platoon Leader Shao.
"Then why did the author use the sound of pine trees as the material for this song?”Platoon Leader Shao deliberately used the topic of ancient poetry to guide the content to the theme of educating and enlightening Tao Zhigang.
"The reason why the author wanted to use the sound of pine trees as the material for this song is to show people the unique tenacious quality of survival and the healthy spirit of pine trees through the description of the sound of pine trees.”Tao Zhigang pointed to a pine forest and said,""Look, even though these pine trees have been corroded by the cold and heat, and damaged by the wind and rain, they can still grow lush and full of vitality. Especially when it could maintain its strong and sturdy, majestic and vigorous temperament for a long time! It had become a lofty symbol that people had always praised, praised, and respected.”
"That's right! Therefore, as a frontier revolutionary soldier, we must also have the tenacious quality and noble spirit of the pine tree. No matter in any difficult and difficult situation, or in the bottom of life, we must be able to be firm and unwavering. We must not be arrogant and lose our way forward. That was to achieve what Zheng Xie of the Qing Dynasty said in his poem,'No matter what the wind blows, the green mountains will not relax.'”
Hearing Platoon Leader Shao's metaphor, Tao Zhigang could not help but lower his head and find it difficult to speak.
"Tao Zhigang, I heard that you recently sent an 'application report' to the company asking for retirement?”Platoon Leader Shao finally changed the topic and went straight to the crux of Tao Zhigang's problem.
"Yes."
"What made you suddenly think of retiring this year?”
" No, no reason. Anyway, the war is basically over. I should go back to my hometown..."
"Ever since you were sent to Yunnan to support the front line and then transferred to the border defense company, you have done well in all aspects. This included the training and self-rescue. They were all able to charge forward and not fall behind.
Especially when he helped the border rescue and put out the fire, he was even able to sacrifice himself to save others and create heroic deeds. He was praised by the local people, the border people, and the soldiers of the company. He was also rewarded by the company. Later, he was listed as the key training target of the company's party member development this year. To sum up the progress you've made and the trust you've gained from the leadership organization, don't you think it's hard to come by and you should cherish it?!”Platoon Leader Shao walked back and forth in the forest as he summarized Tao Zhigang's words.
After a short pause, he sat next to Tao Zhigang and continued to enlighten him,"Besides, you're from the mainland, so your level of education is higher than the soldiers who joined the border. Therefore, you've always been regarded as the backbone of the company. However, I didn't expect you to propose retirement at this time. Isn't it going to ruin the foundation of progress and the lofty ideals that I want to achieve in the future?”
When he heard Platoon Leader Shao talk about the company's training and expectations of him, Tao Zhigang felt even more upset." Platoon Leader Shao, I'm really sorry! Here, I would like to thank the leaders of the organization for trusting me and nurturing me. I would also like to thank the company for encouraging me…"
" When you saw the above, you became emotional and requested to be discharged from the army, resulting in lax discipline and a decline in your work. Everyone thought that it was because you had done a heroic deed and were awarded the honor of remembering merits, resulting in arrogance and complacency.”
"That's not true! "Actually, they don't understand my situation. I also have my difficulties..." Tao Zhigang finally couldn't help but say something from the bottom of his heart when he mentioned the doubts and guesses of the platoon soldiers.
"Cough! If you have any difficulties, you should have spilled them out earlier. There's no need to keep it in your heart and hide it from the organization's leaders.”Seeing that Tao Zhigang was beginning to reveal his thoughts, Platoon Leader Shao struck while the iron was hot and urged him.
"It was her who sent me a 'choice letter' and gave me an ultimatum. She asked me to make a choice between retiring from the army and staying in the team. I must return to my hometown at the end of the year, or else I would cancel the engagement and break up with her.”Tao Zhigang began to speak of his true feelings.
" Oh, so you guys already had a boyfriend when you were at home. Now she wants you to retire and go back..."
" Yes, all these years, when I was serving in the army, she was waiting for me at home. In order to get emotional communication, she often kept in contact with me through letters. She even took the time to travel thousands of miles to the army to see me. However, when she returned to real life and saw that other girls had boyfriends accompanying them, or that some of her former classmates and friends had already established a small family, she would feel a sense of loss and suffer from pain. Because of this, she also complained that I shouldn't have chosen to be a soldier and left her too far away. This indeed made me feel a little sorry for her and owe her a lot in terms of feelings.
As she was about to graduate from university and grow older, she didn't want to continue delaying her youth. Therefore, she wanted me to retire from the army as soon as possible and reunite with her.”
"Sigh, that's true. A man should get married when he's old enough, and a woman should get married when she's old enough. However, she should also be able to understand and support each other. She shouldn't have made such a bad decision to force you to choose between retiring and staying in the team. In other words, she was forcing you to retire immediately.”
"Although she was forcing me, I knew that she was also worried about my safety. She was afraid that if I continued to stay at the Yunnan border, I would encounter the danger of casualties, which made her worried. Therefore, he wanted me to retire early and return to his side so that we could both have a sense of security. Besides, we've already been together for so many years, and I can't bear to abandon this relationship.”
"Cough! I can understand that, but both of you have your own difficulties. Especially since you are an outstanding warrior selected from the mainland and have a certain level of culture, you are the talent and backbone of the military strength needed for the construction of our border company. You can actively ask for progress and have outstanding performance. You have also been listed as a key training target for the development of new party members by the branch. Therefore, you have to consider it carefully. You can't just rely on your emotions.
" I've thought about that too, but..."
"But she gave you the final pass this time, so you feel pressured, right?”Platoon Leader Shao seemed a little angry. Then, he sighed and said,"Sigh! Do you know that you were originally listed as the key development target of the new party members in the third quarter of the company branch? Now, it's all ruined by you, and even I, who introduced you, have to suffer.”
" Ah, this..." When he heard Platoon Leader Shao mention the issue of him joining the party, Tao Zhigang realized that he had made a mistake. He began to realize the seriousness of the problem. He immediately felt regret and heartache.
Thinking about the fact that he had not made any breakthrough in his pursuit of political career in the army, and that he had not even joined a party member after serving in the army for a few years, he really felt ashamed. Moreover, he had been striving to join the party organization as soon as possible. This was also the life goal and supreme ideal that he had always dreamed of and longed for. He had worked hard several times and constantly created conditions. After several inspections by Yan Jun, he was listed as the key training target for the development of new party members.
Just as he was about to step into the organization and become a member of the party, he did not expect that a "choice" letter from his lover would cause a change in his mindset, resulting in lax discipline and a decline in his work. He did not withstand the test of the organization and missed the opportunity to join the party again...
Then, Tao Zhigang, who felt guilty, could only express his deep apology to Platoon Leader Shao." Platoon Leader Shao, I'm really sorry..."
Following that, he began to doubt himself. After receiving the " choice " letter from Yao Cuiping, he made the decision to file the retirement report. Was it really wrong? Was it really wrong?!
After talking to Tao Zhigang, Platoon Leader Shao finally figured out the crux of Tao Zhigang's exposed problems and Tao Zhigang's repentance. He reported it to the branch in time.
63.
After a period of painful torture and difficult choices, especially after the heart-to-heart talk with Platoon Leader Shao, Tao Zhigang's thoughts began to change. He resolutely made a decision to temporarily put aside the issue of personal marriage and continue to stay in the army to do a good job.
After that, he changed from the abnormal phenomenon when he was throwing a tantrum and requesting to retire to his usual self. He returned to his usual self and put all his energy into the construction of the border defense company and the work of protecting the border areas. In addition to actively participating in the various collective beneficial activities organized by the company, he could also lead the whole class to cooperate and complete the various tasks assigned by the leader. He only knew how to work all day long. He would never mention his retirement again. It was as if he was using practical actions to prove his awakening and make up for the mistakes he had made some time ago. He gradually left a new and good impression on everyone.
Sixty-four.
As the company entered the work schedule for the second half of the year, it was time to climb the 3,000-meter-high Gaoligong Mountain to inspect the China-Myanmar boundary pillar. This was also the old routine of the border defense company stationed in the Fugong area to complete a major patrol mission from October to June of the following year.
Just like in previous years, before the mission of inspecting the boundary pillars was officially issued, the news had already spread…
Suddenly, the company seemed to be in an uproar. The soldiers of each platoon were boiling over, scrambling to come to the company to report their names. This also gave the company leader a headache.
Of course, there was no lack of people who wanted to go there to train and experience the feeling of climbing mountains. Some wanted to take a look at the boundary pillar to enrich their life experience. Some wanted to take a test and experience the glory and pride of others. There were those who truly wanted to do their part to protect the motherland and leave a mark of youth on the flag of the Republic...
Tao Zhigang, who had gone through a difficult decision and returned to normal, couldn't sit still and went to Instructor Xu's office.
However, when he thought about how he had come here to hand the application for retirement to the instructor when he was in a state of emotional turmoil, he felt extremely guilty and was momentarily speechless.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Tao Zhigang, do you still want to talk to me about retiring?”Instructor Xu asked deliberately as he poured a cup of hot tea for Tao Zhigang.
"Oh, no, no, no! Instructor, I'm not here for this.”Tao Zhigang, who had wanted to join the China-Myanmar boundary pillar patrol, heard Instructor Xu mention his retirement again. He immediately denied it.
"If it's not for this, then what else is there?”
"I... I want to sign up for the China-Myanmar boundary pillar patrol team.”
"Oh, if you want to talk about retirement, I can still talk to you. If you want to talk about patrolling the China-Myanmar boundary pillar, then I have no choice but to skip the discussion.”
"What's wrong? Instructor Xu, are we not qualified to sign up?”
"Tao Zhigang, don't misunderstand. You have to understand what I mean. " It's more troublesome to deal with your situation. Firstly, you have serious thoughts of retiring from the army. The company has sent us a 'retirement application report,' but we haven't finished processing it yet..." As he spoke, Instructor Xu took out Tao Zhigang's 'retirement application report' from the drawer.
"That's what I thought. I don't think about it anymore.”Tao Zhigang glanced at the " application report for retirement " that he had submitted on the table and explained with remorse.
According to the content of the conversation between Platoon Leader Shao and Tao Zhigang, Instructor Xu had a general grasp of the changes in Tao Zhigang's thoughts. Out of responsibility for Tao Zhigang's future growth and considering the needs of the border company construction, Instructor Xu planned to take advantage of Tao Zhigang's desire to join the China-Myanmar boundary pillar patrol team to give him another in-depth psychological guidance.
" I heard that this time, you got emotional and sent a 'Military Dismissal Request Report' to the company. The main reason was that your girlfriend wrote you a 'letter of decision'..."
"Yes." Tao Zhigang felt embarrassed at first, but then he explained with some excitement,"Actually, she didn't just do it for herself. She also cared about me and made plans for my future. That's why I felt like I couldn't avoid it and was in a dilemma..."
"Then you don't have to be in a hurry to choose to retire. You can also apply for family leave from the company first and use the opportunity to meet her when you go back to get in touch with her. See if you can ease Mao Dun's anger and obtain the final understanding and support.”Then, the instructor poured himself a cup of tea and said tactfully.
" That won't do, Instructor. I know what's on her mind. Thinking about how I've been serving in the army for the past few years, she's been waiting for me at home. However, every time she sees other girls in real life with boyfriends by their side, or some of her former classmates and friends who have built a warm little family, she will feel pain and suffering. She will feel wronged and resent me for choosing to be a soldier and being too far away from her. It makes her feel lonely. She had also written me many letters and even traveled thousands of miles to the army to see me. This really made me feel sorry for her. I felt that I had owed her a lot in terms of feelings. Now that I had contacted her and caught up with her, it was almost time for her to graduate. If I still couldn't obey her and make her angry, then she really wouldn't forgive me.”
"Yes, we can understand all of this. Soldiers are also humans. Moreover, you have already extended your service. The company will not force you. If you really want to retire, we'll try our best to help you report it.”After a pause, the instructor calmly reminded him,"But you have to think carefully. Once you make a decision, there's no way to change it.”
" This, this..." Tao Zhigang was at a loss when he heard the instructor's euphemism.
"But you have to look at your future. You're currently under investigation as a development target of the organization. This is also a crucial step in your life. Don't you feel a little regretful if you want to retire immediately? Besides, now is the time for you, the more cultured comrades from the mainland, to stay and participate in the construction of the border company. If you leave here lightly, don't you feel regretful? How could they be worthy of the heroes who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield of the counterattack and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the mudslide?!”Seeing that Tao Zhigang's thoughts had become more enlightened, the instructor took the opportunity to advise him,"So, you have to learn to cherish and firmly grasp yourself.”
When Tao Zhigang heard the instructor mention the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the mountain torrents and mudflows, his heart was instantly touched. His eyes couldn't help but become moist. He recalled the twelve bodies of his comrades that he saw when he rushed to the Gongshan Second Company to deliver the letter. He still felt that it was unforgettable.
Then, Instructor Xu walked up to Tao Zhigang and told him about his personal experience when he was a soldier."When I think back to my time as a soldier, I was afraid that when it was time to retire early, I would feel ashamed when I returned to my hometown. I always thought that I would be able to stay in the army for a few more years before I felt proud. Thinking about how I was a Naxi, and how I was a little older when I joined the army…"
"I didn't know that you were really a Naxi person.”He had heard rumors about Instructor Xu being a Naxi, but based on his appearance, speech, and especially when he communicated with soldiers or wrote articles in the company, he showed a wealth of experience and profound cultural knowledge. He was more Han than Han, and there was no trace of a minority. Tao Zhigang asked in disbelief when he heard Instructor Xu say that he was a Naxi.
"What? Don't you believe me?”Instructor Xu first retorted, then proudly introduced his race,"Don't look down on us Naxi people, they are an amazing race. Although the population was not large and was considered the smallest ethnic group in our country, according to American Anthropological Research, the Naxi people could still be considered the smartest kind of human in the world!”
It was unknown if the instructor was deliberately making up stories for his own people, or if he had seen the real research in some magazine. However, when he thought of Instructor Xu's usual smart and wise appearance, Tao Zhigang could not help but believe in him." No wonder everyone thinks that your IQ is quite high, especially when it comes to literature.
"Look, as you speak, you've deviated from the topic and dragged it back to me.”Seeing that Tao Zhigang was talking about him, Instructor Xu quickly and humbly avoided him. Then, he began to recall his past as a soldier." At that time, I was a minority soldier. I joined the army rather late, and I didn't know anything when I joined the army. I even had to learn Chinese. I was really worried to death. I had no choice but to bite the bullet and rely on my willpower. While learning and mastering various military training techniques, I seized every bit of time to study and learn Chinese. After nearly three years of hard work, I finally mastered the basic knowledge of the Chinese language.”
After a short pause, Instructor Xu turned around and picked up the water bottle. He added some tea for himself and Tao Zhigang, then continued to talk with relish,"At the end of that year, it was my turn to serve in the military for three years. The company officially issued a notice to me to retire and return home. This made me feel unprepared and very sad.
In desperation, I took the initiative to find the company commander and instructor and sincerely expressed my strong desire and determination to stay in the army, stick to the border, and work for another year. After I begged them again and again, they saw that I really couldn't bear to leave the army and that the border company really needed some manpower, so they had no choice but to agree to let me stay for another year. Even in the year that I fulfilled my request to stay in the team, I also felt the pressure on my shoulders.
In order to prove my strength and win glory for the Naxi people, I had to fulfill my duties and strictly demand myself. Usually, besides working hard to complete the normal military training and technical subjects of the company and other tasks, I aimed at the communication and reporting line, which was relatively scarce in the army at that time. I persisted in working hard and took out my spare time to make use of the Chinese language and literature knowledge I had learned above to continuously go deep into the company's basic classes and write some short and concise news articles. They began to appear in the camp tabloids piece by piece, gradually showing their talents..."
At this point, Instructor Xu took a sip of tea to moisten his throat. Then, he pushed his story of his life as a soldier to a climax."Due to his good performance during his extended service in the camp, especially in the aspect of reporting at the grassroots level, he was retained in the camp for another year.
Next, while continuing to cooperate with the camp secret work, he tried to write a large piece of news article.
As the article was published in some of the larger media magazines in the Nujiang Military Division and the Kunming Military Region, it gradually established a small reputation in the regiment. According to my performance in the camp this year and the needs of the regiment's editing and reporting work, the regiment put me back to the original grassroots company and promoted me to be the acting instructor. Finally, I realized that I could root in the border for a long time and stay in the company. I have the desire to write news reports for the grassroots soldiers who are silently contributing to the border defense cause. This also strengthened my determination to stick to the border defense cause and stay in the army for a long time.
In order to make it easier for me to devote myself to the company's work, I went through the procedures for my family members to follow the army and brought my lover and children with me. Later, as the situation in the army developed and the 'Central South Counterattack' was approaching, I was appointed as the company's instructor again, responsible for the entire company's political work. That was why I was fated to become your current instructor.”
Instructor Xu, who had finished explaining his life experience as a soldier, could not help but sigh deeply."Cough! Look at how fast time has passed. In the blink of an eye, I've already become a ten-year-old border veteran.”
After listening to Instructor Xu talk about his personal experience and deep feelings for being a soldier, Tao Zhigang had a new understanding of military service and made a long-term plan to stay in the army and defend the border.
" Instructor, now I understand. I shouldn't have gotten into such a emotional mess with you guys back then…" Tao Zhigang finally stood up in remorse and said to the instructor,""Instructor, please return this 'Military Retired Request Report' to me.”
"What, have you really thought it through?"
"Yes, I've really thought it through!"
"Alright then. I hope that you will become stronger and more mature after experiencing this mental tempering.”Instructor Xu said solemnly as he picked up the " application report for retirement " on the desk and handed it back to Tao Zhigang.
" Then there's another thing. Instructor, look..." Tao Zhigang, who had taken back the 'application for retirement' and then repeated his previous request to the instructor.
"Is there anything else?"
"Also, I want to join..."
"Oh, right! He wanted to join the patrol team for the boundary pillar, right? Look at how clever you are." Instructor Xu chuckled and slapped Tao Zhigang on the back of his head. Then, she poured cold water on him and said,"I advise you not to argue about this matter anymore."”
"Why shouldn't we fight? No, I want to participate in one." Tao Zhigang seemed like a child as he said stubbornly, while pleading with the instructor," Sigh, instructor, please let me join one.”
"It's not that I don't want you to join us, but considering that you're from the mainland, not only do you lack experience in inspecting boundary pillars, you've also never climbed such a high mountain. Therefore, I think it's more suitable for the border warriors to go.”
"Instructor, you're looking down on us. So what if we're from the mainland? Haven't we already gone through all kinds of intensive military training in the mountains for such a long time?”
"However, the patrol of the boundary pillars this time is different from the usual intensive military training in the mountains. Other than the tight time, heavy tasks, and difficult climbing, we have to eat dry food, live in tents, and sleep in the wind. We have to patrol the boundary pillars at the top of the mountain.”
"Then I'm not afraid either. As long as others can do it, I can do it too! Isn't it just climbing a mountain?"
"It's just climbing a mountain. It's easy for you to say. The Gaoligong Mountain that the boundary pillar patrol climbed this time is much more difficult than climbing those small mountains in front of our house! Not only was the journey difficult, but there was also a time limit. When climbing a mountain peak that was three to four thousand meters high, one had to prevent the thin air and lack of oxygen from causing discomfort due to the high altitude. In addition, one had to be prepared for unexpected battles.”
"Instructor, hearing what you said, it's quite thrilling and magical. Then I have to go up and experience it.”Tao Zhigang said with some humor, then insisted on continuing to plead,"Instructor, just promise me that you'll give me another chance to pull myself together.”
Seeing Tao Zhigang's sincere and persistent attitude and his strong desire to fight, Instructor Xu pondered for a while and decided to give him another chance to cheer up. The instructor finally agreed happily,"Alright then, you go back first. Wait for me to meet up with the company commander and discuss it again. I'll give you a satisfactory answer then.”
Tao Zhigang ran back to his class happily when he heard the meaning behind the instructor's words.
After the education and transformation of the company's party branch, the intense mental struggle, and the painful self-reflection, Tao Zhigang finally came to his senses. He realized that he had signed up to come to the Yunnan border defense in order to support the front line and participate in the war. He was filial to the motherland and dedicated his youth to realize his lofty ideals. He joined the sacred party organization and became a glorious revolutionary vanguard! But now, how could he change his mind and choose to retire because of his girlfriend's " choice " letter? Moreover, it was indeed too narrow-minded and selfish to raise personal problems and stir up emotions when he had achieved meritorious service and received rewards. As a soldier, he had to listen to the call of the party at all times and places, especially when it conflicted with collective interests. He should not care about personal gains and losses.
At the same time, Tao Zhigang also became more and more sensitive to the growing distance between him and Yao Cuiping. As time passed, the environment changed, especially the path they chose. It was inevitable that the relationship between the two would not change. Tao Zhigang saw the potential crisis in this marriage and it was difficult to continue. He couldn't help but think about giving up on this unrealistic marriage. Experience told him that giving up was often a better way to get rid of it. Therefore, he resolutely made a decision to put aside his marriage and not retire. He insisted on staying in the border areas. After experiencing this battle of thoughts and choices, Tao Zhigang felt like he had experienced a battle without smoke. It was also full of solemnity and fierceness.
In order not to delay Yao Cuiping's youth, Tao Zhigang finally mustered up the courage to formally reply to Yao Cuiping with a heartbreaking " break of diplomatic relations " letter, thus explaining his thoughts and the path he wanted to stick to in life.
Sixty-five.
After sending a letter to his lover Yao Cuiping, Tao Zhigang put all his energy into the company's mission to join the China-Myanmar border pillar patrol team.
After careful selection by the company, more than 10 people, including Li Guozhu, Ma Xiaochuan, Sun Nujiang, Tang Xiaoqiang, Tao Zhigang, etc., who had relatively good physical fitness and excellent military skills, and took into account the factors of the mainland and border areas, were finally confirmed. Together with Instructor Xu and Jiang Lianfu, who were responsible for leading the team, a total of 12 people officially formed a China-Myanmar boundary pillar patrol team.
According to the instructions of the higher-ups and the assigned tasks, the entire team of the China-Myanmar border pillar patrol team, who had brought dry rations, water bottles, guns and ammunition, began to set off under the leadership of Instructor Xu and Jiang Lianfu.
They quickly arrived at the entrance of the Yaping Passage that led to the boundary pillar in Stone Moon Village of Fugong County. Then, they climbed up the rugged Yaping Passage that was located at the high end of Gaoligong Mountain.
Yaping was the local Lisu language, which meant "cliff". Along the way, there were not only high mountains and steep slopes, but also ravines. There were often poisonous insects, snakes, ants, and wild animals. Every patrol seemed to have to withstand a life-and-death test. However, when they thought that they were guarding the peace of the motherland and the happiness of the people, they immediately mustered the courage to never fear or retreat. They overcame unimaginable difficulties and insisted on silently patrolling the border line of the motherland.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。