Chapter 134: Hot-blooded, I’m a Little Overwhelmed

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“I vow to cherish this equipment as if it were my own life. 1 solemnly commit to strictly enforcing the equipment management regulations, and to operate, use, and maintain it with utmost care…”

Around nine o’clock in the morning, as Wu Jianfeng led the oath, the recruits who had just received the 81st bar made a solemn pledge of gun ownership.

Despite a restless night, the entire company of recruits displayed fatigue with dark circles and red, swollen eyelids. However, their voices were resounding with newfound vigor.

This newfound strength emanated from the steel spears they now held in their hands.

Before having guns, they considered themselves mere trainees. Despite daily drills, they felt like complaining and were filled with thoughts of escaping and giving up, envious of the guy who had fought back against the instructor earlier.

But as they gripped those steel spears, they felt the weight and coldness of the metal, and their hearts underwent a transformation.

“I am truly a soldier.”

“Mom, I’ve got a gun!”

“From now on, I will protect our country!”

Such were the thoughts of these warriors.

Yes, with guns in their possession, even without bullets, they could rightfully call themselves soldiers.

On the sidelines, the seasoned soldiers who had just handed over the guns during the training watched the rookies, witnessing their excitement as their faces turned red with newfound pride.

Some people couldn’t help but sigh, while others had a nostalgic gleam in their eyes.

There was a time when they stood just like these new recruits before them.

The moment they held the gun, they felt like they were reborn.

And now?

They couldn’t wait to avoid touching that thing every day.

Carrying everything for a five-kilometer run and a four-hundred-meter obstacle course was a burden. The problem was that the equipment weighed 3.5 kilograms.

Although this little weight might not be significant for a seasoned soldier, being able to handle it, even if it’s less than a pound, was considered an achievement. Not to mention when it’s seven pounds, sometimes requiring it to be carried in hand or held…

After the oath, Wu Jianfeng looked at everyone.

It was evident that he was pleased with the expressions of the recruits.

“Soldiers, the moment you pick up your guns, you must remember that you are protectors of our nation.

Being a soldier is not just about wielding weapons; it’s about shouldering the responsibility of defending our country.”

He gazed around at the crowd, pausing for a moment before continuing, “I know that many of you will remove your military uniforms in two years and return to civilian life.

But what 1 want to emphasize is that no matter what the future holds, at this moment, you are soldiers with steel guns.

Behind us are our motherland, our parents, our brothers, sisters, and fellow citizens.

Our duty is to protect them and stand against any adversaries.

Let our motherland, our parents, brothers, sisters, fellow citizens, and even yourselves after retirement, enjoy a peaceful and secure life.

This is the mission of a soldier, and it is your mission now.”

Wu Jianfeng’s gaze intensified as he addressed the crowd, his voice resonating with determination. “I hope each of you can embrace this mission wholeheartedly. Remember it, be loyal to it, and dedicate yourselves to it!”

“Yes, sir! 1 will shoulder the mission, remember the mission, be loyal to the mission, dedicate myself to the mission, and never falter in fulfilling it!”

This time, not only the recruits but also the veteran squad leaders joined in the resounding chant.

In that moment, Wang Ye couldn’t discern the thoughts of others, but he felt an overwhelming surge of excitement within himself.

The atmosphere had reached its peak.

To be honest, even if he were about to head to the battlefield, Wang Ye wouldn’t feel fear. Instead, he would be eager to charge ahead and confront the enemy with his gun.

His blood was boiling with an indomitable spirit.

As the military song echoed and came to an end, the gun ceremony, lasting over an hour, also concluded. The entire company was not sent to the training ground afterward; instead, they were brought back to the front of their dormitory and dismissed, each guided back by their respective squad leaders. Naturally, sleep was out of the question.

Moreover, the current group of recruits was far too excited to even think about sleeping.

They had just received their guns.

Each recruit held onto their firearms as if they were newlywed spouses.

“Hehe, pretty excited, huh?” Ye Sanshi asked with a smile as they returned to the dormitory.

“Hehe, you bet, squad leader! I’ve been dreaming about this day for so many years. 1 used to love playing with toy guns when 1 was young, and now 1 finally have a real one!” Liang Fan replied, his hand lovingly caressing the gun. The expression on his face was nothing short of joyous.

Yet, no one mocked him at that moment.

Because they all felt the same way.

“Don’t mess around. Who told you to disengage the safety!” Ye Sanshi’s face turned serious, and Zhang Ping’an felt slightly embarrassed.

Thankfully, it was Ye Sanshi who caught him. If it were anyone else, he would have likely been scolded or even reprimanded.

Zhang Ping’an composed himself, suppressed his excitement, and obeyed Ye Sanshi’s command. “Yes, sir!”

Zhang Ping’an quickly returned the part he had moved to its original position as instructed by Ye Sanshi.

Ye Sanshi scanned the crowd with a stern expression before addressing them again. “Let me make this clear: you are not children anymore. Guns are not toys. They are our weapons, the essence of a soldier’s life, and at the same time, they can take the lives of others. When we handle guns, we must strictly adhere to the safety rules of weapon operation.”

He paused and then looked at Zhang Ping’an. “You disengaged the safety just now. You should never touch that position again without orders.”

Ye Sanshi had a different tone towards Zhang Ping’an this time. He realized that he might have been too harsh earlier, and now he was trying to explain things more calmly.

Qin Li and the others couldn’t help but envy Zhang Ping’an’s luck. Why didn’t they choose to be chefs and come to the army instead?

However, Ye Sanshi didn’t care about what others thought. He was biased toward Zhang Ping’an. If anyone had objections, they could complain after they finished their training. But for now, they should keep quiet and obey.

He addressed everyone again with a serious expression, “Remember, guns are not toys. In the future, when you hold a gun, the safety must always be on without any exceptions. 1 will check it regularly, as will the platoon leader and company commander. If you fail to comply, be prepared for the consequences!”

His words sent shivers down everyone’s spines. Even those who had been toying with their guns immediately stopped.

“Alright, Wang Ye!”

“Here!”

Wang Ye stood upright with his gun in his arms.

“Give me the gun. Go outside and wait for orders.”

“Yes, sir!”

Without hesitation, Wang Ye stepped forward and handed his gun to Ye Sanshi as instructed.

At that moment, a shout came from outside, calling for one person from each class to step forward. Wang Ye headed downstairs, where he encountered a veteran he hadn’t seen before. Despite the unfamiliar face, Wang Ye knew that he needed to follow the order.

Before long, representatives from each of the nine classes gathered outside the dormitory building.

“I’m the armament officer. I have the equipment you need. Come and get your stuff,” the armory officer announced without introducing himself, but his friendly demeanor contrasted with the seriousness of the class monitor.

With a smile, he led the group to a door on the left side of the first floor that had never been opened before.

Pushing it open, he revealed small wooden boxes inside. Each box had a number corresponding to their class number.

Though the recruits were curious about what was inside, the officer didn’t explain. Without hesitation, they each grabbed their respective boxes and carried them away.