A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

The visitor was none other than "Old Cat," a renowned tactics instructor at West Point.

"Old Cat" strode majestically across the scene, his two stern eyes sweeping over the crowd, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

After a moment, "Old Cat" spoke up, scolding, "West Point's rules strictly forbid drinking alcohol! You knowingly violated them?!"

"Old Cat's" expression was unpredictable, and his strictness was well-known throughout West Point.

Everyone was too afraid to speak, only feeling a chill run down their spines, secretly alarmed: "Drinking is strictly prohibited at the military academy. We've been caught red-handed by Old Cat. This is serious trouble. We're definitely going to be severely punished by him..."

"Old Cat" was as shrewd as an old fox; it seemed nothing at West Point could escape his notice. In fact, Old Cat had already seen through everything that Song Hongfei and his group were up to when they came here.

However, all three of them were excellent in military skills and conduct. There were no large carnivores in these mountains and dense forests. Even if there were a few, they would probably be eaten by the three of them. There would be no problems. "Old Cat" was very relieved.

Today, "Old Cat" discovered that Musk and several others had quietly followed Song Hongfei and his group out. He couldn't help but feel a little worried. These two rival groups, who had been fighting at West Point for years, seemed to have made peace after he had taught them a lesson in their last "bayonet fight." "Old Cat" thought about it and still couldn't rest easy, so he quietly followed them as well.

He observed from afar with his binoculars for a long time, and only when he saw that both sides were singing and dancing peacefully did he feel relieved.

Then, "Old Cat" thought to himself: I've come all this way with my heart pounding, I can't let this trip be in vain.

Thus, "Old Cat" revealed his whereabouts.

The mantis catches the cicada, and the oriole is behind.

"You've started such a huge fire, are you planning to burn down the entire forest?!" Old Cat shouted.

He looked around at their handiwork: a standard smokeless marching stove, which looked like it had been dug some time ago. There were several stone-built stoves, with steaming, fragrant pots and pans bubbling inside helmets. Several roaring fires were roasting various foods. On the ground, in hands, and in mouths, there were all sorts of delicacies, and a few bottles of wine...

"These kids seem like they can cause a lot of trouble!" he thought to himself.

The more "old cat" looked, the more curious it seemed to become. It even twitched its high nose, as if it couldn't resist taking a sniff.

After a moment, his expression softened slightly. His eyes darted around, and he suddenly asked seriously, "Chinese food?"

Song Hongfei almost spat out the mouthful of chicken soup he was holding!

Everyone suddenly felt an urge to laugh, but dared not let it out loud, struggling to hold it in.

Wang Zhi, unable to bear the discomfort any longer, forced down the chicken leg he was still chewing. Composing himself, he stood at attention and said in a solemn voice, "Reporting, Instructor, we are conducting wilderness survival training! Please... uh... provide guidance!"

Wang Zhi, who usually seems the most refined and polite, is surprisingly glib. He even manages to make a request or report sound like an invitation.

Old Cat's previously tense face suddenly broke into a smile, and he said, "Relax, everyone! Hmm, this field stove is well dug!"

He sniffed again and said, "Mmm, smells delicious!"

This made everyone burst into laughter, and their previously anxious hearts finally settled down.

Teachers and students alike are filled with joy!

Let's enjoy a delicious meal together!

"Old Cat" boasted to everyone with great enthusiasm: Back in the day, during the long standoff on the Marne River in World War I, they also cooked things in the trenches using their helmets!

"Old Cat" was already intoxicated by the tempting Chinese food, savoring it with gusto and constantly praising it:

“Chinese food, very good!”

Of course, raising a glass together is not allowed.

The prohibition of alcohol in military academies is an ironclad rule, and the instructor "Old Cat" never budged on this point.

Even the most exhilarating joy must eventually come to an end.

The remaining bottles of wine, one unopened and the other half-full, were all confiscated by Lao Mao without hesitation, citing the "no alcohol allowed in military academies" rule.

"Old Cat" laughed heartily, mounted his horse, and galloped away with a "clatter, clatter, clatter".

After walking a distance, he looked around and, seeing no one, quietly took out a bottle of wine, took a swig, and immediately became intoxicated.

What defines a good relationship? What makes someone a true buddy?

According to Zhang Yi, it means: "Only when you eat chicken stew with mushrooms from the same pot does it count!"

Wang Zhixi said with a smug grin, "Haha, this time Old Cat is really indebted to someone who feeds him."

The three of them chuckled.

"What do you mean?" Musk and the others were completely confused, so Wang Zhi explained it to them.

Everyone was overjoyed, thinking that everything was alright.

However, their troubles began on Monday.

That afternoon, Lao Mao lured Song Hongfei and his team of students out under the guise of "field training exercises."

"Old Cat" said leisurely, "Today, we're going to train in digging smokeless cooking stoves! Oh, we all know that trainees Song Hongfei and Zhang Yi have always been excellent at earthwork. Now, let them dig a standard smokeless stove as a demonstration!"

Song Hongfei and Zhang Yi immediately groaned inwardly: digging a stove wasn't too tiring, but it wasn't fun either. Most importantly, judging from the current situation, they had no idea what the old cat was up to.

The other trainees secretly chuckled as they watched the two men dig away.

That cunning old cat had definitely chosen this spot carefully. It was undeveloped land, the soil was a bit hard, and it was difficult to work with the short entrenching tool. It took the two of them a lot of effort to finish digging.

"Old Cat" first gave everyone a critique, then said, "Oh, not bad, very good! Now, everyone has to dig one according to the standard. Those that don't meet the standard are unqualified. Keep digging until you meet the standard!"

Finally, he added, "Song Hongfei and Zhang Yi, it seems you two are more capable than the others. Each of you dig five!"

Song Hongfei and Zhang Yi were immediately dumbfounded, inwardly lamenting their misfortune, and their faces fell in worry.

Among the trainees, those who were well-informed had already figured out what had happened: Song Hongfei and his group had secretly gone out for drinks over the weekend and were caught red-handed by Lao Mao. This was their punishment.

The old cat's leisurely voice came again: "Just a reminder to everyone, it's getting late. If you dig too slowly, you might miss dinner at the restaurant."

So everyone quickly got to digging.

Everyone else had gradually finished, and Old Cat inspected and approved them. Those who passed all went home happily. On the work site, fewer and fewer people remained until only Song Hongfei and Zhang Yi were still digging. Old Cat found them the hardest spot, with some sand and gravel mixed in with the soil.

As dusk approached, Zhang Yi said quietly with a bitter face, "It's over, there's no food for today."

Song Hongfei, also panting heavily, said, "That old cat is a cunning old fox. He always finds a way to deal with you, leaving you speechless."

"Old Cat" completely ignored the two of them. Seeing that it was time for dinner, he leisurely went off on his own.

The remaining two stared at each other, speechless.

What else can I say? We still have to dig, so let's save our energy digging!

Just as the two were about to finish, it got dark. It seemed they really wouldn't have any food this time, and both of them wore miserable expressions.

Unexpectedly, "Old Cat" reappeared leisurely at this moment. He tossed each person a lunchbox and a bottle of water, without even checking how well the two had dug their smokeless stove.

The two were overjoyed and began to wolf down their food, digging five stoves in the process, as they were indeed starving.

The sky is already ablaze with dazzling starlight.

"Old Cat" watched them finish eating quietly and said, "Hongfei, Zhang Yi, it seems you two are indeed very capable. Tell me, why do you work so hard at West Point?"

Song Hongfei and Zhang Yi looked at each other, neither of them expecting that the old cat would say something like that. Did he want to have a heart-to-heart talk with them?

Zhang Yi answered loudly, "Reporting, sir! To become an outstanding soldier and serve the country!"

Song Hongfei replied, "My motherland is suffering from the bullying and aggression of foreign powers. We study hard for the rise of the Chinese nation!"

Old Cat looked at the two sincere-looking young men, nodded heavily, and remained silent, seemingly quite shocked himself.

That night, under a sky full of dazzling stars, they talked for a long time.