A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

"Your military foreign language instructor, Liang, said your English level is fine, it's always been quite good. You can communicate fluently with foreign military competitors in international competitions, and your English combat report was even rated as an excellent example by the organizing committee. How come you haven't even passed the CET-6 (College English Test Band 6)?" the dean asked, somewhat puzzled.

Song Hongfei felt a little embarrassed, thinking to himself: "Dean, this is completely different. Communication is communication, and spoken English is spoken English. Listening and speaking aren't like those exams where you nitpick over every single word. These Chinese-style English exams always throw around things like the different ways to write the character '回' (hui), focusing on those kinds of words. I've personally tested it on foreign military cadets, and they were completely baffled."

But these were just thoughts; Song Hongfei certainly didn't dare say them aloud to the dean. He simply stood up even straighter.

The dean then added, "I understand. You haven't even registered for the CET-6 exam yet?"

"What, have you been too busy to have time, or do you think it's unimportant and unnecessary?" The dean stared at him, a little angry. "This is utter nonsense! You have achieved some results, but remember there are always people better than you, and there's always someone stronger than you. You've already entered the doctoral stage; do you even know the regulations and standards for the comprehensive evaluation and ranking of military academies?"

“These are the rules, these are the standards! Whether it’s evaluating excellence or recognizing advanced individuals, there are different standards and regulations for each!” The dean stood up, walked to the window next to his desk, turned around, and stared intently at Song Hongfei.

"Our school is the most famous comprehensive university in the entire army. Cultivating compound talents who are skilled in both command and technology, and who can command, manage, and understand technology has always been our school's mission. The PLA's joint operations reform is imperative, and your batch of cadets is our school's pilot project."

"Now some departments are getting angry and trying to use this against you, do you know that? They're very particular about every little thing! And you, you don't even seem to care?!" The dean seemed genuinely angry, his tone stern. "I'm asking you, who are you? Is this for yourself? You're a soldier! This is for the honor of soldiers! For the honor of the collective!"

Song Hongfei didn't dare utter a sound and stood ramrod straight.

"The military isn't detached from reality; it's part of society too. It's full of all sorts of people, social dynamics, and undercurrents," the dean said slowly, his tone softening slightly. "Every college and department is vying for awards and honors, especially since it affects future job assignments and career prospects. Some people are going to great lengths to use that to their advantage! Are you aware of that?"

The dean looked at Song Hongfei meaningfully: "The school leaders even specifically asked me to find out about this."

Song Hongfei dared not utter a sound. This general, with his illustrious war record, had always been their revered combat hero and their most respected old commander. At this moment, he even felt a pang of regret: the commander was so busy, with so many things to worry about, how could he let the commander worry about such a trivial matter as his own?

"Our military's combined arms reform is imminent and poised to launch. You will shoulder the heavy responsibility of this reform and building a strong military in the future." The dean said solemnly, "If anyone is dissatisfied, we'll beat them until they are! This is your task. Can you complete it?!"

"Yes, sir! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!" Song Hongfei stood at attention and answered loudly.

Dean Liu stared intently at Song Hongfei, still expressionless. He nodded, his expression gradually softening.

Recalling what Dean Liu had just said, Song Hongfei asked, "Commander, is the 'combined arms brigade-combined arms battalion' reform about to begin?"

"Don't ask me anything. I don't know anything about this. This is a matter for the leaders of the Central Military Commission to consider." The dean suddenly smiled slyly and said, "Sit down and talk."

Song Hongfei finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After Song Hongfei left, Director Luo from the college office walked in and said with a smile, "What a scolding! Dean Liu really cares about this Song Hongfei."

"This kid, I'm using a heavy hammer on a loud drum," the dean laughed.

He thought for a moment, then said to Director Luo, "You should pay more attention to the other departments. As for the university, that's how it should be handled..."

Song Hongfei left the dean's office feeling somewhat depressed. He was now genuinely regretting not taking the CET-6 exam when he had already passed CET-4 in his undergraduate studies.

I never really took it seriously before. Ever since I joined the "X System" R&D team in the second semester of my sophomore year, I've completely neglected it, busy researching, spending time in the library, doing research, writing papers, and doing internships and practical work in the military. Now that I'm a PhD student, will taking this exam make me a laughingstock and embarrass him, who always brags about being a top student?

Despite his frustration, he still needed to take it seriously. Never fight a battle unprepared – that has always been Song Hongfei's principle. He went back and consulted with his junior classmates, obtaining the review materials they had used. What would be on the exam, how would it be structured, and how should one answer? Targeted preparation was essential; he even knew the different ways to write the character "回" (hui).

Song Hongfei found a review book and, taking advantage of the fact that he had nothing to do today and the weather was nice, quietly slipped into the school's grove and started reading.

As he was watching, two butterflies suddenly appeared from nowhere, exceptionally beautiful, fluttering and dancing around him. Song Hongfei was fascinated; these two butterflies were so beautiful and unique, he had never seen anything like them before. They flew around him with graceful movements, tracing the most mysterious paths, like two little sprites who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, seemingly trying to communicate with him.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering across their colorful wings, making them sparkle like mesmerizing crystals—so beautiful, so magical and dazzling. As they continued to flutter their wings, it was as if countless colorful, shimmering specks of light were being scattered in mid-air, floating around them.

He felt incredibly amazed and couldn't resist reaching out to touch a point of light floating in front of him. The point of light didn't have the texture of actual touch, nor did it stay on his finger like a firefly as he had expected. Instead, it flashed and disappeared the instant he touched it, as if it had burrowed into his finger.

Immediately afterwards, he felt something wonderful suddenly appear clearly in his mind, as if those colorful points of light spread out and turned into halos, rippling outwards like waves, creating a colorful dreamlike realm in his mind.

Oh dear, what's wrong with me? It's early spring, March, and the weather is still chilly. Are there butterflies at this time of year?

Am I dreaming? Or am I like Zhuangzi dreaming he was a butterfly?

Song Hongfei's consciousness gradually blurred: "Who are you? Are you looking for me?"