Chapter 31: Rebuking the Crowd

"Go on, go on!"
"I'm starting to realize your acting skills are extraordinary. Did you graduate from the Film Academy?"
Yu Hongyang shot Gu Jianfeng a glare as he spoke.
"Commander, how can you say that about your own soldier?"
"I offer my unwavering loyalty to the motherland. Now that I've reached the age for marriage, I wish to find a partner, marry, and have children—is that so wrong?"
Gu Jianfeng protested, sounding aggrieved.
"Stop pretending to be pitiful. Train this squad of snipers for me, and I'll find you one!"
"I have an old comrade whose daughter is unmatched in looks—fair skin, beautiful face, long legs, big eyes, straight nose, perfect figure, and most importantly, she's virtuous!"
Yu Hongyang grinned as he spoke to Gu Jianfeng.
"Commander, I have principles!"
"Don't think you can tempt me with this trick—am I so easily swayed?"
"But... could you give me her contact information first?"
Gu Jianfeng leaned in, asking shamelessly.
"Out!"
"If you don't get me a full sniper squad, don't even dream about it!"
Yu Hongyang had finally found Gu Jianfeng's weakness, and his smile grew even brighter.
"Commander, do you think snipers are cabbages at the market? You can't just train one overnight."
"To cultivate a good sniper requires tremendous effort."
"With just our regiment, training a whole sniper squad seems nearly impossible!"
Gu Jianfeng explained.
"At the very least, get me a class!"
"My old comrade's daughter is also at marriageable age. Her family is lining up suitors. If you wait too long, don't blame me for not warning you!"
Yu Hongyang smiled.
"Ha, are you moonlighting as a screenwriter? Empty words—who believes them?"
Gu Jianfeng shot him another glare.
"You refuse to act before you see the prize, huh?"
"Alright, I'll show you her photo."
Yu Hongyang took out his phone, flipped to a picture, and handed it to Gu Jianfeng.
"Wow!"
Gu Jianfeng couldn't help but drool, though he quickly sucked it back in.
Beautiful!
Truly beautiful!
So beautiful it was intoxicating.

"Her mother was the flower of our military district. With a mother like that, how could the daughter be anything less?"
Yu Hongyang beamed.
"Commander, I think training snipers is difficult, but not impossible!"
"For the regiment's performance in the year-end exercises, I'm willing to sacrifice myself for the greater good!"
Gu Jianfeng straightened his chest, speaking righteously.
"I'm not pressuring you—take your time to consider, I have plenty."
"I heard tonight she's being introduced to a returned overseas suitor—young, wealthy. They're setting up a dinner, and I'll be there to check him out. I'm heading out for a meal soon, so I'm not in a hurry."
Yu Hongyang spoke lightly.
"No, Commander, this is important! How can you not be in a hurry?"
"The exercises are just around the corner. We must act quickly!"
Gu Jianfeng hurriedly grabbed Yu Hongyang's arm, panicked.
"Well, now I suddenly feel that overseas returnee isn't right for her either!"
As soon as Yu Hongyang finished, the two men laughed together, sly as foxes.
"Commander, give me the information on your preferred candidates. I'll review them. Training a whole squad is too much—I'll start with a class!"
Gu Jianfeng spoke earnestly.
Yu Hongyang thought for a moment, then nodded gently.
Snipers are forged with bullets, and training a qualified sniper costs nearly as much as a pilot.
Again and again, it's been proven that an elite sniper can truly change the outcome of a battle.
-------------------------------------
And so, the dog selection contest ended abruptly.
But the perfect ending brought joy to all.
The military dog named Heavenly General from First Company suddenly became famous in the Border Regiment's military dog unit.
Yet Yu Hongyang instructed everyone to keep this a secret.
Why?
He understood well the wisdom of not flaunting one's wealth.
If others covet it, it's never a good thing.
On the way back, the First Company was filled with laughter and banter.
They had succeeded.
Despite being underestimated by everyone;
Despite being misunderstood by everyone;
Even when they themselves felt lost.
They had truly done it.
Long Fei fell asleep, despite the noisy bus, resting deeply.
From the moment he sat down, sleep had overtaken him.

Over the years, Long Fei had often awakened in the middle of the night, staring alone at the stars outside the window.
He had taken countless sedatives, but nothing worked.
The doctor said he suffered from anxiety and advised him to give up military life, but the stubborn Long Fei refused.
He carried the honor of First Company alone, forging ahead in the desolate Gobi, lost and unable to see the horizon.

"Is everyone happy?"
Gu Jianfeng asked the group.
"Happy!"
Every face wore a cheerful smile.
"Look at you, so easily pleased? Next time, don't say I trained you—I'm embarrassed!"
Gu Jianfeng dumped a basin of icy water over everyone on the bus.
"Brother Feng, wasn't this half-year's preparation all for today?"
Xue Meng timidly asked.
"I spent all this energy just so you could defeat the dog training squad?"
"Let me tell you, you little rascals, if you don't win first place in the military dog skills contest this time, I'll skin you alive!"
Gu Jianfeng swept his gaze over them, speaking coolly.
"I heard there are many experts in this contest. Can we really do it?"
Xue Meng asked again.
"Xue Meng, you're a tall man, stand proud—why are you acting so timid lately?"
"Men face death head-on—if you don't die, you'll live forever!"
"Experts or not, is your head just for show?"
"Everyone has two shoulders and one head—who has extra parts? What are you afraid of?"
"Even as a soldier, you must be the best, the most outstanding one!"
Gu Jianfeng looked at them as if he hated their lack of ambition.
It wasn't that he was picking on them.
Arrogance leads to defeat—an eternal truth.
These soldiers had too little experience;
A minor victory could distract them, making it hard to move forward.
Constant reminders were necessary.
As the saying goes, good steel is forged, and good soldiers are made through tough love.
They were all youthful and proud;
If that pride wasn't curbed, it could cost them their lives on the battlefield.
This was the lesson Gu Jianfeng had learned through years of blood and tears.