Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 157 Why the rush?

After eating and drinking their fill, the army returned along the same route.

On the brigade headquarters' field, Xiao Liewen gave one last speech before dismissing the team and sending everyone home.

Chen Fan hurriedly ran to the broadcasting station, checked the time, and saw that it was already 3:55. He quickly turned on the equipment and thankfully did not miss the afternoon broadcast.

Zhang Wenliang walked over carrying a rifle and whistled at the falcon perched on top of the cabinet.

Unfortunately, the falcon ignored him and instead took two steps back.

Zhang Wenliang didn't mind and looked at Chen Fan, who was letting out a long breath, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, the time was all calculated in advance, it won't delay your work this afternoon, otherwise Captain Xiao would have let you come back early."

Chen Fan turned his head and smiled, about to speak, when he noticed the gun in the man's hand and asked curiously, "You guys still have training?"

After training, all firearms and ammunition must be stored in the warehouse, which is located in two rooms in the central courtyard.

Chen Fan only learned today that there were actually two armories in this brigade headquarters, and Li Yunlong would definitely be envious if he saw the weapons and ammunition inside.

Zhang Wenliang waved his hand, "That's all, training is over."

He then handed him the rifle, saying, "Didn't you want to be a sharpshooter? Captain Xiao said you can use this to practice."

Ok?
Chen Fan's eyes lit up immediately, but his expression was somewhat doubtful. He couldn't help but point to his own nose and ask, "Are you sure it's for me?"

Zhang Wenliang shoved the gun into his arms and said, "If it wasn't for you, why would I bring it up?"

He paused for a moment, suppressing a laugh, and said, "If you use a good gun to lift bricks, you're likely to break it. But it's different with a scrapped gun; you can lift it however you want. This gun is scrapped and out of bullets, so it's perfect for you to practice holding.

Then, still worried, he added, "Don't you dare try to hide bullets and use this gun, it'll explode!"

Chen Fan's face fell; he knew there was no such good news.

Zhang Wenliang laughed and said, "Hey, hey, don't be dissatisfied. Go and ask around the whole brigade. Apart from me and Captain Xiao, who else has a gun? You are the only one of your kind in the whole brigade."

Chen Fan forced a smile while holding the gun. "Thanks."

Zhang Wenliang waved his hand, "No need, thank Captain Xiao if you want, he gave the order. Oh, by the way, besides holding the gun, you can also practice assembling it, that is, disassembling and reassembling it. Has Xingxiu taught you that?"

Chen Fan nodded immediately, "I've already taught you, and I've also taught you how to disassemble and assemble the Mauser C96 pistol."

The entire militia company had only four pistols, which were held by Xiao Liewen, Zhang Wenliang, Yang Xingxiu, and Zhang Juemin, the barefoot doctor and militia medic. Seeing Chen Fan's curiosity, Yang Xingxiu let him play with the gun for a while, but unfortunately there were too few pistol bullets, so he couldn't fire a few shots to get a feel for it.

As Chen Fan spoke, he squatted down and disassembled the broken Type 56 semi-automatic rifle into its parts, then reassembled it.

Seeing his smooth movements, Zhang Wenliang nodded slightly and smiled, "It's alright, just a little slow. You can practice on your own. Besides speed, you can also try practicing blindfolded gun assembly. Blindfolded gun assembly is designed for use in nighttime combat environments and is very practical. The more you learn and practice, the more likely you are to catch up with me someday."

Which year?

Chen Fan looked at him suspiciously, wanting to correct him whether he had used the wrong word.

Zhang Wenliang waved his hand and left gracefully.

He also had to go home and secretly practice holding the gun, otherwise, just like Xiao Liewen said, if Chen Fan surpassed him in shooting at fixed targets during the next spring training camp, where would he, as the militia company commander, put his face?
We must always stay ahead!

After Zhang Wenliang left, Chen Fan enthusiastically disassembled the gun in his hand.

Although it's said to be scrapped, all the parts of this gun are actually complete; it's just that the rifling of the barrel has been worn down. If the barrel were replaced, it would be a good gun.

He couldn't help but think to himself, "Captain Xiao is so generous! It's a pity he's missing a bayonet; it would be complete with a bayonet."

……

In the front yard, Zhang Wenliang walked into the office and said, "Uncle, I gave him the gun; it's scrapped."

Zhang Changjiang sat behind a desk, picked up a large tea mug, took a sip of water, looked at Xiao Liewen with a puzzled expression, and asked, "Why did you give him a gun?"

Although it's a scrapped gun, it's still a gun. As long as you can find a bullet, you can fire it. The rifling is worn down, so the bullet's trajectory is up to chance.

Or, would it just explode?

Xiao Liewen crossed his legs and said with a smile, "I think this young Chen has some talent. I want to see how far he can learn."

Secretary Yang's eyes flickered slightly as he recalled his daughter's earlier tattling. He glanced at him sideways and said, "Old Xiao, what are you planning? Let me tell you, if you dare send Xiao Chen away, I'll send you away too!"

Zhang Changjiang was stunned for a moment, looking around, "Send them away? Send them where?"

Zhang Wenliang quickly found a corner to sit and watch the show, and even lit a cigarette with relish.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Liewen realized someone had leaked the information and quickly laughed it off, saying, "If we're going to send it now, it's still a long way off."

He then said to Zhang Changjiang, "This is what I'm thinking: if Xiao Chen can help train a group of qualified veterinarians in Lujiawan, wouldn't we be doing each other a great favor?"

Zhang Changjiang clicked his tongue, thought for a moment, and then nodded, "Although, I admit it!"

Although Xiao Chen was the coordinator of the brigade headquarters, and it was his duty to do these things, this did not include training others to become veterinarians, so he had to accept this favor.

Xiao Liewen patted his thigh and said with a smile, "That's right, not only do we have to acknowledge it, but the brigade headquarters also has to acknowledge it. Not only does he dedicate himself selflessly, but he also leads everyone to progress together. He always considers the public good. When we asked him to help train two people, he volunteered to train one for each team. Look at him, what a great young man."

"If someone performs a meritorious service, no matter where they are, they should be rewarded accordingly, right?"

Secretary Yang remained vigilant. "So what?"

Xiao Liewen turned to face him and coughed lightly. "Here's what I'm thinking. Xiao Chen is only 16 years old this year. If he can make solid contributions in the next two years and train a group of backbone members for our Lujiawan, he will be exactly 18 years old in two years. I will vouch for him and send him to the army. What do you think?"

There are three ways to get ahead now: being recommended to school, getting a job, or joining the army. As long as you have the ability and are willing to work hard, you can become an officer through any of these paths. Sending Chen Fan to the army is like giving him a future.

Zhang Changjiang and Secretary Yang exchanged a glance, squinted their eyes and thought for a moment, then said, "You're going to vouch for him? I know it's unlikely, but what if he has questionable background?"

Secretary Yang also advised, "Labor has no distinction of rank, and contribution has no distinction of position. I think it's good for him to stay in Lujiawan."

Xiao Liewen curled his lips, took out his pipe, filled it with tobacco, lit it, took a puff, and then said, "I think you guys are just unwilling to hand over your talents."

Then, looking at Zhang Changjiang, he said, "You said it yourself, 'what if.' He's just a kid, what kind of problem could he possibly have? If he really had some family issues, wouldn't he be allowed to redeem himself through meritorious service? Besides, he hasn't committed any crime."

Then he looked at Secretary Yang and said, “Contribution is not limited by position, but if he really learns my methods, what contribution can he make in Lujiawan? He should go to the battlefield!”
Besides, I'm not sending him away right away. There are still two years left. In two years, whether he'll be good or bad, whether he can achieve anything, and whether it's worth me swallowing my pride and sending him to the army—all of that is uncertain. Why are you in such a hurry?

Hearing this, Secretary Yang chuckled, turned to look at Zhang Changjiang, and said with a smile, "That's right, Xiao Chen is only 16, isn't he? Let's wait two years, let's wait two years before we talk about it."

Zhang Changjiang instantly understood what he meant and nodded in agreement, "That's right, if there really are no problems in two years, we'll vouch for you together."

It's just a matter of dragging it out.

The maximum age for recruiting soldiers is 22. In Lao Xiao's words, what's the rush?

(End of this chapter)