Chapter 167: Ambush
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
The flag could not fall when a person died, but the flag had to be raised when a person died!
These were the words of Wu Jianfeng to Wang Ye after he carried the flag.
Feeling extremely helpless, Wang Ye could only respond with a resounding “Yes.”
A gentle breeze brushed past, causing the flag to flutter.
Skipping breakfast and morning exercises, the team set off under Wu Jianfeng’s command, with Wang Ye leading the way while carrying the flag.
They walked tirelessly until dawn, covering almost an hour and a half.
They encountered no one along the way because they had been directly guided up the mountain upon leaving.
The path existed, but it wasn’t paved with cement. Following the mountain road, the cool morning breeze tousled the flag that Wang Ye was carrying.
Naturally, the flag, which had initially felt nearly weightless, suddenly became several times heavier due to the wind, becoming quite a burden.
“Class monitor, how much longer?
Weren’t they supposed to have breakfast ready for us up ahead?
Why haven’t we reached there yet?”
A voice from Class One sounded from behind.
“Almost there, we’ll be there soon!”
“Class Monitor, you’ve said that four times already. Can you please tell the truth?”
Resentment colored the words of the recruit who spoke.
Wang Ye couldn’t help but chuckle at their adorable naivety. Even now, that recruit still believed the class monitor’s words without question. He wouldn’t have bothered asking himself.
His laughter was short-lived as his stomach rumbled. Hunger had caught up with him.
And he was tired too. His hands ached, and his shoulders throbbed.
It had been an hour and a half, and they had been moving quickly through the middle, covering only half an hour’s distance.
Wang Ye wasn’t entirely certain about the distance they had covered, but he estimated it was about eight to nine kilometers.
On this long mountain road, he carried not only a heavy load but also the flag.
Even with Wang Ye’s above-average physical strength, the burden was becoming overwhelming.
He couldn’t help but wonder how the recruit who carried the flag during training managed to endure.
Of course, Wang Ye was unaware that he could change the flag bearer if he couldn’t bear it any longer. If he had reached his limit, the company commander and others would have selected another person.
Nevertheless, Wang Ye persisted without showing signs of faltering.
While Wu Jianfeng was surprised by Wang Ye’s tenacity, he hid his astonishment, allowing Wang Ye to carry on.
He wanted to see when Wang Ye would eventually give in.
If Wang Ye had known about this test, he would’ve been tempted to kick Wu Jianfeng.
What a trap!
Simultaneously, as Wang Ye and the others battled hunger and fatigue while moving forward…
Less than a kilometer ahead, a mountain path led to an open space between two hills. An off-road vehicle was parked there, alongside a wheeled food truck.
The aroma of food wafted through the air.
Veterans from the kitchen were cheerfully chatting and working nearby. They weren’t in a rush to serve breakfast, allowing them to savor the moment.
Several veterans from the fourth Company sat next to them, relishing their own breakfasts.
“Alright, alright, time to work. The recruits are almost here. Our turn is coming!” A first-class soldier descended from the mountain where Wang Ye and his group were located.
Upon hearing his words, the veterans who were chatting and eating finished their food promptly, leaving no leftovers.
“Let’s go!”
They left swiftly, wasting no time.
“Hehe, do you think these newbies will be stupefied later?”
Two groups of seasoned soldiers divided themselves onto the hillsides, one on the opposite hill and the other on the hill Wang Ye’s group was approaching.
Their distance was around 70 to 80 meters.
Communicating via walkie-talkies, they laughed and conversed as they dug holes in the ground.
Hmm… They were planting explosives.
To clarify, these were pure explosive bags without any shrapnel, not TNT, but a traditional bundled explosive bag.
They buried them swiftly.
On both sides of the hills, seasoned soldiers chatted cheerfully over their walkie-talkies.
Some hadn’t finished their breakfast and stashed buns in their pockets, munching on them now.
After five to six minutes, a voice echoed from the eastern side of the mountain. “Charge! Charge!”
“I smell food. Comrades, charge!”
The new recruits were approaching.
Under Wang Ye’s lead, the team dashed down the mountain via the narrow path.
It was needless to say that upon spotting the food truck, their legs suddenly felt invigorated, and the pain and numbness seemed to vanish.
The drive to eat was stronger.
In no time, the group surged forward, carrying the flag under Wang Ye’s guidance.
“Watch out for oncoming cars! Be cautious when crossing the road!” Kang Hua’s voice sounded from behind.
He ran alongside the others.
Ahead, Wu Jianfeng led the way, as always.
Upon reaching the vicinity of the food truck, he blew a whistle.
“Line up!”
Even while eating, soldiers adhered to discipline. They didn’t rush in chaotically but rather formed a neat line for breakfast.
It wasn’t as lavish as their camp meals.
The breakfast selection was modest: steamed buns, mantou, steamed rolls, a bottle of milk, and either an apple or a banana.
There were no lunchboxes; just plastic bags.
“Alright, i’ll take the flag now. Go ahead and have breakfast!”
Fortunately, Wu Jianfeng showed some consideration. Observing the recruits queuing up for breakfast, he smiled and extended his hand, ready to take the flag.
Without hesitation, Wang Ye handed over the flagpole.
He didn’t even think about keeping it for himself.
However, it was impossible at this moment. After finishing breakfast, he would surely have to take up the flag again.
Wang Ye took five buns prepared by the kitchen, along with two steamed buns, an apple, and a milk bottle.
“Once you’re done, come over. Where are you going? Why don’t you bring your breakfast here? I haven’t even picked mine up yet!”
Wang Ye collected his breakfast, intending to return to Class Five.
But Wu Jianfeng’s direct statement crushed his plan.
“What’s the rush? You’re eating breakfast with the flag in your arms, sitting there. I haven’t even picked up my food yet!”
Wang Ye, though somewhat annoyed, held back his words.
This was the military, and carrying the flag was an honor.
You couldn’t simply let it go.
So, even if the task was arduous, he had to bear it.
Holding the flag, Wang Ye settled onto the dew-dampened grass without much concern. A little dampness on his pants wouldn’t matter; they’d dry off once he got up and moved.
Sipping milk through a straw, Wang Ye began to eat.
“Class monitor, is that all?
Hehe, I can’t hold it anymore!” On the hillside, behind the mounds, a voice sounded over the walkie-talkie held by one of the veterans.
One of the first-term corporals immediately responded, “Wait, the company commander hasn’t signaled yet.”
He was eager to proceed, but acting prematurely could lead to severe consequences.
They didn’t have to wait for long, though.
Wu Jianfeng was the last to acquire his breakfast. He reached for a cigarette instead of food, placing it between his lips.
“Click!”
“The company commander’s signal!”
On both hillsides, Sixth Brother, concealed in hiding, saw the spark on Wu Jianfeng’s cigarette.
He couldn’t contain his excitement.
Two individuals from each side hurriedly made their way to the explosives’ location.
They lit the fuses.
“Hiss!”
The fuses ignited.
Seasoned soldiers dashed forth.
In the open space beside the road, many recruits were still engrossed in their breakfast.
Wang Ye had just consumed a bun, sipped some milk, and was about to dig into another bun. He glanced over at Wu Jianfeng.
“What’s with him? Lighting a cigarette while eating breakfast and even digging his ear… What kind of person does that!”
Wang Ye muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear.
Boom! Boom!