Chapter 196: Real Bullets, Complete Assessment
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
On that night, insomnia plagued some individuals in class five as well.
Despite the fatigue from the day’s training, this experience differed from their previous training sessions.
The thought of not throwing the grenade could potentially cost him his life!
Recalling the determination from earlier, a few of the more reserved recruits began to feel uneasy.
This wasn’t like marksmanship.
Marksmanship wouldn’t harm him, but if he didn’t handle the grenade properly, it could truly be fatal.
Not everyone had grown up in rural areas with exposure to cow dung. Some city-raised children might have never encountered it.
Although they had spent the past two days playing with firecrackers, after all, firecrackers were just firecrackers.
The night was unusually hushed.
At six o’clock, the outside sky retained its gray hue.
As the wake-up call resonated, and after rising and dressing, instead of rushing everyone downstairs as usual, he posed a question, “Have you thought this through?”
No one responded.
All eyes were fixed on them.
Wang Ye didn’t immediately voice his thoughts. He didn’t want to pressurize the others prematurely.
“Reporting, class monitor, I’m in!”
Finally, the first voice to break the silence was Qin Li’s.
Wang Ye turned his gaze toward Qin Li, but this wasn’t surprising. Qin Li had demonstrated considerable skill in handling firecrackers earlier.
“Reporting, class monitor, I’m participating too!”
“Report…”
One after another, Wang Ye was among the last to speak, alongside Zhang Ping’an.
Of course, Zhang Ping’an was also participating.
At that moment, a blush swept across Zhang Ping’an’s face. Ye Sanshi noticed and consoled him once more, “It’s alright. Regardless of how adept you become at throwing a grenade, it won’t replace your cooking skills. Revolutionary missions aren’t the sole measure of importance. Everyone has a role that suits them. There’s no need to force yourself.”
Ye Sanshi’s words rang true.
After the morning exercise session concluded.
Before Wu Jianfeng began to address the recruits, a few class monitors summoned several individuals to step forward.
Among them was Zhang Ping’an, totaling three people in all.
It wasn’t a large number, but it wasn’t meager either.
After all, this exercise centered around throwing a grenade.
Wang Ye glanced at them. At that moment, the three who stood to the side displayed a hint of embarrassment, their faces reddening. They felt so mortified that they couldn’t lift their heads to meet the gazes of their peers.
Wang Ye’s gaze remained on them for a moment before shifting away.
He didn’t hold them in contempt.
The fact that they had joined the military and persisted thus far was proof of their masculinity. If they faced internal struggles now, it was perfectly acceptable for them not to partake.
In the end, not every role in the military necessitated combat.
Perhaps frontline engagement wasn’t their calling, but they could serve as valuable logistical support.
The military wasn’t solely comprised of frontline fighters. Each individual would excel in their own sphere.
“Very well, the three of you can return to the dormitory for now!” Wu Jianfeng turned his attention to the trio and announced.
In an instant, the three recruits, their cheeks flushed with embarrassment, lowered their heads and made their way back.
Truthfully, they were relieved to leave the spotlight behind.
After the departure of the three recruits,
Wu Jianfeng turned to face the entire formation of recruits. “I’ll ask you one last time. Is there anyone who chooses not to participate?
Rest assured, no one will look down on you. If you’re not inclined to take part, then don’t force it. Just step out and head upstairs!”
Silence prevailed as no one responded.
Though some might still be feeling apprehensive, once a decision was made, very few would reconsider at this juncture.
“Very well. Since no one has stepped forward, let’s proceed to the training ground!”
Wu Jianfeng didn’t linger with further words.
The three new recruits had just left for upstairs; their voices would still carry down if he spoke more here. They were already quite embarrassed, and adding to it wouldn’t be beneficial.
However, upon reaching the training ground, Wu Jianfeng resumed speaking, “This is the final opportunity. Don’t feel pressured or anxious. If you’re truly anxious, you can stand up now.
Grenade throwing wasn’t a matter to take lightly. Extreme nervousness could hinder one’s performance, driven by a fear of embarrassment.
This is about responsibility for yourself, and it’s my responsibility as well!”
Wu Jianfeng spoke earnestly.
In reality, at this moment, Wu Jianfeng earnestly wished that no one would persist against their inclinations.
After all, he had to ensure security afterward!
If there were individuals who struggled with the task but still insisted on participating, it could lead to complications if something went awry.
Yet, still, not a word was uttered.
Wu Jianfeng refrained from further speech.
He walked toward a spot behind a wall.
Adjacent to this spot was a pit with sandbags.
Wu Jianfeng positioned himself beside it.
As for the new recruits, they couldn’t form a line based on shifts like they did yesterday. Instead, they stood behind another wall of bunkers, about seventy or eighty meters away.
Following the guidance of the seasoned squad leaders, when the first squad was ready, a soldier would step into the waiting area across from them to receive a grenade. With both hands holding it, guided by a platoon leader, they would then proceed to Wu Jianfeng’s side.
“Bang!”
The first grenade detonated.
There weren’t any significant shifts or alterations. In truth, it was simpler than tossing firecrackers the previous day.
Lighting firecrackers required a lighter, while grenades only needed the safety pin to be removed before tossing.
Furthermore, today’s grenade throwing didn’t demand much technique or strength, unlike the previous exercises with wooden grenades.
In this iteration, a person stood behind a wall. Wu Jianfeng would grasp your right hand directly and guide you to raise the grenade with your right hand.
Then, he instructed you to extract the safety pin and launch the fragmentation grenade over the wall into the training area on the other side.
It wasn’t a matter of throwing it far, but rather getting it over the wall.
Essentially, this was training for courage.
One after another,
Class Two, Class Three…
Two hours later, Wang Ye successfully threw the grenade.
He didn’t feel much about it. Merely tossing it away left Wang Ye feeling a tad dissatisfied.
There was just one throw. If only he could throw a few more, or better yet, if there were a fish pond right in front of him…
Of course, such a scenario was outlandish.
The barrage of throws continued.
By the time Class Eight came around, the sun was at its peak. Wang Ye placed a hand on his stomach, realizing he was hungry.
Tossing the grenade was an instant action, yet there was still the downtime between tosses.
Each person took their turn, and time seemed to drag on.
At this point, Wang Ye mused that it might be past eleven, and yet the rotation wasn’t complete.
Massaging his stomach, he glanced at Wu Jianfeng.
Wang Ye had a recollection of this soldier.
Originally part of Class Three, he was moved to Class Eight after alternating with Yan Zhiming and Deng Hai.
At this very moment, he clutched a grenade in his right hand. After Wu Jianfeng released his grip, he pulled the safety pin with his left hand and hurled it forward.
“Hmm?”
Wang Ye’s eyes widened, and his heart seemed to leap into his throat.
This was because the fragmentation grenade he had thrown hadn’t landed on the training ground behind the wall. Instead, it had fallen atop the sandbags before him.
“Damn!”
Wu Jianfeng’s scalp prickled. In a split second, he seized the startled recruit, locking an arm around his neck while diving into a nearby pit with sandbags.
“Bang!”
An explosion reverberated from the sandbags. Instantly, chaos erupted on the training ground.
An incident had occurred, the last thing anyone wished to happen.
The instructor, who had been seated, firing grenades, hastily rose and dashed over.
“Company Commander!”
“Fuck!” Curses could be heard as veterans sprinted toward the scene.
The entire morning had transpired, seven classes had concluded their rotations, and even the eighth was nearing its conclusion.
They anticipated a smooth session with the Grenade Tossing Club today, but they didn’t expect such a mishap…
“I’m alright!”
In the following moment, Wu Jianfeng rose from the sandbag pit.
He rubbed his head, donned his helmet, and barked at the instructor.
Then, he directed his attention to the approaching veterans and yelled, “It’s fine. No need to rush over.”
After uttering that, he crouched once more. In the next breath, he extended a hand to help up another recruit.
Only then did he stand, and a companion beside him jumped into the pit.
In the succeeding moment, he ducked back down.
“Fuck, how did you even throw it? Are you trying to kill me?”
The monitor of Class Eight was on the verge of losing it.
Wu Jianfeng had declared that there was no need for anyone to approach, yet he disregarded that entirely. He leaped in and kicked the sandbags.
In that tense moment, a furious roar erupted as the recruit who was kicked into the bulletproof pit remained utterly silent.
He was shaken to his core.
However, Wu Jianfeng ushered Class Eight back, reprimanding, “Enough, quiet down. Everything is fine, isn’t it?”
In reality, he still felt shaken.
Nevertheless, prior to hurling live ordnance, he had mentally prepared himself for accidents.
Thus, despite his heart racing, he didn’t allow the Class Eight monitor to spiral into further frenzy.
Once again, he assisted the shaken recruit to stand.
ii
It’s all good now. Apologize to him!”
“Company Commander!”
“I said apologize!” Wu Jianfeng’s gaze bore into him.
“Yes, sir! I’m sorry!” The Class Eight monitor offered an angry apology.
“Alright, come on, get back up!” Wu Jianfeng supported the recruit whose legs quivered and whose face had gone pale from fright, ushering him into the bulletproof pit.
Above, the instructor extended his hand to help him.
Throughout the entire sequence, the recruit remained mute.
He was thoroughly rattled.
Indeed, he was anxious just now. Upon witnessing the grenade land on the sandbag, panic had overwhelmed him, and he believed he was done for. Even after the explosion, he hadn’t yet recovered.
“Are you really alright?” The instructor, his own nerves still taut, asked Wu Jianfeng again, concern etched across his face.
He was clearly still in a state of shock.
“Yes, I’m fine!” Wu Jianfeng nodded and shifted his gaze to the recruit being supported by Kang Hua. “Take him away first!”
“Understood!”
The instructor nodded, recognizing that this recruit was far from stable and required immediate attention to calm his nerves.
Though he had committed a grave error this time, it was a blessing that he was unharmed.
However, this appeasement was just a temporary measure. After this incident, the recruit’s future in the military was effectively obliterated.
He was destined to be a soldier for the next two years.
Furthermore, he wouldn’t be assigned to any frontline units or even important logistical divisions during this period.
The incident carried severe consequences.
“Company commander!” The Eighth Squad Leader didn’t follow them. He called out, an air of embarrassment surrounding him. After all, this soldier was under his care.
Exhaling deeply, Wu Jianfeng shot him a glance but refrained from saying anything. He strode directly toward where Wang Ye and the remaining recruits were positioned.
Continuing the training today was out of the question.
Given the incident that had just occurred, those who hadn’t yet thrown might be even more fraught with anxiety. It was better to cease for now, to prevent any further mishaps.
He needed to first gather the recruits who hadn’t yet thrown. Subsequently, he would have their squad leaders and instructors reassure them, providing necessary psychological support. After confirming their readiness, the remaining recruits would be permitted to toss grenades in two days’ time.
“Alright, it’s concluded. It was an accident, merely that. We’re soldiers. As I mentioned when I had you pen down a farewell letter the day before yesterday, we’re subject to potential dangers anytime, anywhere. So, don’t let it overly distress you!”
Back in the dormitory, Ye Sanshi convened a meeting with the entire group.
Concluding his statement, he cast his gaze across the assembly and continued, “Of course, we can’t simply ignore this episode. It’s a lesson.
While we can’t guarantee we won’t face accidents, we must ensure we don’t actively invite them!”
Pausing for a moment, he surveyed the solemn countenances before him and gentled his tone. “Alright, let’s move away from this topic. Class Five has voted this time around, and I won’t withhold information any longer.
Next Monday, each of you will undergo the recruit company’s graduation assessment.”
Ye Sanshi deftly redirected the conversation, introducing a topic that resonated deeply with everyone.
His approach was effective, capturing the attention of the entire group.
While it was common knowledge that the three-month recruit training period was drawing to a close, Ye Sanshi had refrained from specifying a precise timeframe when questioned before. Instead, he advised them to be ready at all times, ensuring that they’d be informed of the timing prior to the assessment.
Yet, here he was, abruptly unveiling the announcement.
Surveying the attentive faces before him, Ye Sanshi pressed on with a resolute demeanor. “Let’s center our focus on this. You’re left with only one week. Utilize it wisely for training. It’s the foremost challenge before you.
The outcome of this assessment will directly influence the path your company takes.”