Xiang Mianmian had a headache. It had been two days since the mission was issued, and she still hadn't figured out a way to complete it.
She even took the risk of going to the black market, but couldn't find a suitable job.
After school in the afternoon, Xiang Mianmian had no intention of going home with her schoolbag on her back. She was thinking about completing her task.
After wandering around the county town, she accidentally walked to the gate of the match factory and saw a shift change in the guard booth, with a group of heroic soldiers taking up their posts.
As usual, she licked Yan first. The brothers were so handsome, she could do any of them!
Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind, and Xiang Mianmian thought excitedly: "Yes, joining the army! How could I forget that this is a job that suits Xiang Lihua!"
But she hesitated. It seemed that there was a war abroad in the 1960s, but she couldn't remember the specific year and country. What if there were casualties?
But with Xiang Lihua's physical fitness and ability to dominate the mountains, it would be a shame if he didn't join the army.
She hesitated for a long time, but when she returned home she still didn't mention the matter of joining the army. After all, she didn't want her fourth brother to lose his life more than to fail the mission.
If the mission fails, there will be no reward, but if you lose your life, you will never get it back.
Now is not like the millennium when we experienced many years of peace. The country has not yet fully demonstrated its military power, and many countries' impression of China is still stuck in the late Qing Dynasty.
Other countries think that attacking China is like attacking their own backyard, which is open to entry and exit at will, so there are constant frictions on the border.
Even Xiang Mianmian, who doesn’t pay much attention to history, knows about the Yugoslav Embassy incident in 1999. Just think about it, even in the millennium, they had to endure it!
Besides, it’s only been 65 years, alas.
In the new era, conscription only lasts for two years, and the basic casualty rate is very low. It is okay to serve in the army, and there is no need to worry about personal safety. It is common to be discharged in one piece.
It’s not like that now, the disability rate among soldiers is quite high.
To make her conscience feel better, she simply kept silent on the matter, pretending that she had never thought of this approach.
Unexpectedly, when Xiang Lihua returned home for dinner, he himself brought up the matter at the table: "Mom, I want to join the army."
He has always been nonchalant, but now he is extremely serious, and it is obvious that he is not talking casually.
Zhang Jidi immediately objected, angrily saying, "No! I can support you if you stay home and don't work. Why would you join the army?!"
She planned many paths for her son, but the only one she chose was not military service because it was too dangerous.
How many years has the country been established? When she was a child, she saw so many people die. Zhang Jidi was very selfish. She just wanted her son and daughter to be by her side and not leave her.
A mother cannot bear to see her child die before her.
Xiang Lihua's eyes were firm. "I saw an article in the national newspaper about recruiting soldiers to fight against the US and aid Yue. I think I'm suitable. I've already signed up and passed the physical examination. I'm just waiting for the political review and acceptance!"
He acted first and reported later, having already thought about the consequences.
At home, his two older brothers can take care of the elders, and his older sisters are always by his side. He has nothing to worry about, and he has no burden in serving his country in the army!
After hearing this, Zhang Jidi rushed over and beat him up: "You bastard, you...are you trying to piss me off to death?!"
Xiang Liguo and Xiang Lidang didn't expect their mother to hit anyone, so they could only try to stop her: "Mom, calm down. My brother wants to join the army and has passed the physical examination. If he doesn't go, he'll be a deserter."
They didn't want their brother to go to the army, but there were always people talking about the fate of deserters, so who would dare not go?
Zhang Jidi didn't care about that. She grabbed Xiang Lihua's shoulders and said hysterically, "I don't care! You can't go. I'm the boss of this family. I won't give you the household registration book!"
If she had to choose, she would rather her son go to the countryside than let Xiang Lihua join the army.
There are retired soldiers in the county town. Zhang Jidi has heard that some of them have missing arms and legs, some have returned with an urn, but very few of them come back intact!
Who doesn’t worry about something happening to their child?
Zhang Jidi would rather his son go to the countryside to work, even if he could not see him for several years and even if he had to endure hardships. At least he would be safe and someone would not have to bring his urn home one day.
But Xiang Lihua was as stubborn as ever: "Mom, I must go. I saw soldiers training at the match factory and secretly followed them a long time ago. They all said I was a good candidate."
This kid didn't do it on a whim; it was premeditated.
Realizing this, Zhang Jidi's eyes filled with tears, and veins popped out of his neck. "Get out! Get out! You're joining the army just because you don't recognize me as your mother!"
Xiang Lihua was not that stupid. He knelt on the ground without saying a word, allowing his mother to blame, beat and scold him.
His expression was silent and firm.
Zhang Jidi's tantrum was completely useless, Xiang Lihua was determined to join the army.
After beating and scolding his son until very late, Zhang Jidi no longer had the energy to continue and went back to his room without paying any attention to his son.
Xiang Mianmian could only follow her wandering mother into the room and carefully persuade her, "Mom, why don't you agree to let Fourth Brother join the army?"
Zhang Jidi was silent for a long time, then said in a hoarse voice: "What do you know, kid? The battlefield is so dangerous, you can lose your life at any time."
How could Xiang Mianmian not know? She had already made up her mind not to complete this task, but the determination in Xiang Lihua's eyes burned her eyes.
His face showed that he must join the army.
Xiang Mianmian had no choice but to say, "Things are different now than when the country was founded. We have a strong army and a large number of people. Fourth Brother may not necessarily go to the border. Maybe he can be assigned to the match factory nearby?"
After all, he is just a new recruit. He shouldn't be sent to the front line right away, right?
Zhang Jidi thought about it and shook his head: "Don't plead for him. Go out and tell him to give up this idea. I won't give him the household registration book."
She stood up, locked the box containing the household registration book, and kicked her little daughter out as well.
Xiang Mianmian came out and spread her hands towards Xiang Lihua, looking apologetic. She said there was nothing she could do to help.
Xiang Lihua was not surprised. His mother was like that. Once she made up her mind, it would not be changed. However, he still thanked Xiang Mianmian.
Xiang Mianmian was very curious: "Fourth brother, why do you suddenly want to join the army?"
"It wasn't sudden. I wanted to go a year ago, but I wasn't old enough at the time. I was catching wild game in the mountains and saw them training, so I started to learn from them. I didn't expect I had some talent."
Xiang Lihua kept talking about the jokes he made while stealing the skills, but the soldiers were not stupid and they soon realized that this kid had some talent.
When shooting birds in the mountains, accuracy, concealment, and patience are all essential, and counter-reconnaissance is also required when necessary. Aren’t these the typical attributes of a sniper?
Although most children play bird hunting, no one can do what Xiang Lihua does, not only filling his friends' stomachs but also bringing the birds home.
The military personnel just took him out for some training as a joke, but within a few days, this kid became as good as a veteran. He is really a good material!
"The recruitment age was originally 16, and I still had six months left. A few days ago, it was lowered to 15, so I immediately signed up for the physical exam. The only thing left is the household registration and political review."
Xiang Lihua's always cheerful face was full of longing, and Xiang Mianmian knew that it was over and no one could persuade him.
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