A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

West Point Military Academy encapsulates its expectations for each student in its world-renowned motto: Duty, Honor, Country.

MacArthur, a 1903 graduate and later West Point Superintendent, once said: "Duty, honor, country, these three sacred words devoutly determine what you should do, what you can do, and what you will do," which is the most brilliant interpretation of this motto.

These three words were also deeply imprinted in Song Hongfei's heart.

At West Point, Song Hongfei had to complete his academic studies and military training while conducting research on ordnance technology, designing and precisely calculating firearms. He also had to manufacture or commission arsenals to produce prototypes and guns. He was busy every day.

Time waits for no one, and we must seize every minute; the time left for China is not much.

Song Hongfei continuously sent the core findings of his research back to China through a special secret channel.

The newly appointed Director of the Ordnance Department of the Ministry of Military Affairs of Huaxia Kingdom, Yu Dawei, organized a capable team to conduct research, experiments and applications. Yu Dawei secretly established the Ballistics Research Institute in Langshan, outside Nanjing, and personally served as its director to conduct tests and research on the internal and external trajectories of guns and cannons and the firing of gunpowder.

The construction of related supporting industries in China, such as steel, metallurgy, power, and machinery, is also proceeding in an orderly and intensive manner.

The National Military Council of China specially developed the highest-level dedicated communication code for this purpose. Radio waves carried secrets and were busy being transmitted across the ocean, carrying with them the fervent love and expectations of the people for this country.

As long as you are heading in the right direction and you are moving towards your goal with unwavering determination, you will eventually reach your destination, no matter how slow or difficult the journey may be!

Time flies, and my four-year West Point career has come to an end.

Song Hongfei, a student from China, won first place with an unbelievable score of 99.5. This is an unprecedented achievement, and everyone believes that no one will ever be able to achieve such an amazing result again!

This mythical legend has been passed down and reenacted among successive generations of West Point cadets.

The previous record holder was none other than the famous MacArthur. MacArthur set a West Point record with a score of 98.15, a score that has remained unmatched for 30 years.

Until this year, this record was broken by Song Hongfei.

This news immediately caused a sensation throughout the United States. When General Douglas MacArthur, the former West Point record holder and then Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, learned about it from the overwhelming number of newspapers, he was shocked and exclaimed repeatedly, "This is a miracle! Incredible, unbelievable!"

Only MacArthur could truly understand how difficult and incredible it was to achieve such a high score at the rigorous and demanding West Point Military Academy. He knew all too well how much talent and effort was required.

MacArthur was particularly aware that since he became the superintendent of West Point in 1919 and implemented a series of reforms, the curriculum and examination methods and difficulty of West Point had greatly increased, and he once thought that no one would ever be able to achieve the high scores he had previously achieved.

But he never expected that this student from China would achieve such high results. How could he not be shocked!

That year, the top figures in the U.S. Army, the White House, and Congress realized they had encountered an unprecedented problem—the top graduate of West Point was a foreign student, an international student from China!

West Point Military Academy didn't see anything wrong with it, because West Point has always believed in meritocracy and only admires the strong; the strong rule!

However, some members of Congress who are prejudiced and discriminatory against people of Asian descent felt it was a loss of face, especially since the "Sayer Award," which represents the best students, was being awarded to a foreigner, and a person of Asian descent at that. Where was America's face?

This was unprecedented, and high-ranking officials felt it damaged the prestige and dignity of the United States. Stubborn members of parliament debated it for a long time.

Evan Musk's father, Elon Musk Sr., a congressman, was the most opposed. His son had won first place last year by a very narrow margin over cadet brigade commander Thorpe, which made Musk proud all year.

At this moment, Elon Musk is shouting the loudest: "Where is our dignity? Where is our national character?"

As a weak country that has long been bullied by foreign powers, China is naturally looked down upon by the United States. The high-ranking officials in the US political and military circles have always looked down on Chinese soldiers. However, this time, Song Hongfei and other Chinese students have given the US high-ranking officials a new understanding of China and its soldiers.

This matter was passed back and forth between West Point, Congress, and the White House several times. In the end, it was Roosevelt, who had just been elected President of the United States that year, who was more open-minded. He proposed that "the United States, which aims to stand at the top of the world's leading powers, should embrace the best talents with an open and inclusive mind."

Ultimately, the decision was made only after President Roosevelt insisted despite strong opposition.

In late May, a graduation ceremony was being held on the picturesque parade ground of West Point Military Academy.

President Roosevelt personally presented Song Hongfei, the Chinese student who won first place, with a graduation certificate and the "Sayer Award" named after the fifth superintendent of West Point, Thayer, the "father of West Point." He also awarded Song Hongfei the "Sayer's Sword," a symbol of the highest honor—awarded to the most outstanding person at West Point, which is the highest honor at West Point!

More than 4 graduates, wearing rings symbolizing honor, received their graduation certificates, which they had earned through four years of hard work and dedication.

West Point's graduation rings originated in 1835, a cultural tradition left by President Sayer. Every graduating senior receives a commemorative ring during Ring Week, and the design of each ring is chosen by the students themselves.

Upon graduation, West Point cadets are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the Army, with the most outstanding cadets potentially receiving the rank of First Lieutenant. In recognition of Song Hongfei's exceptional achievements, President Roosevelt awarded him the honorary rank of First Lieutenant of the United States Army.

Thunderous applause! Cheers from the entire audience!

All the West Point cadets and instructors responded with the warmest applause and cheers!

Some people are envious, while others are jealous. Everyone has jealousy; it's human nature and unavoidable.

But absolutely no one is dissatisfied, and no one questions it.

Everyone believed that Song Hongfei deserved the highest honor, and if the most outstanding student of this year's cohort had to be chosen, it would undoubtedly be Song Hongfei.

This talented student from China won the highest honor and earned the respect and admiration of everyone through his hard work and strength.

He also proved to the world that what foreigners can do, Chinese people can also do, and that Chinese people are in no way inferior to any foreigner!

Another student from Huaxia, Zhang Yi, graduated with a ranking of 98th.

More than 300 graduates excitedly threw their caps high into the air, hugged each other, cheered and congratulated one another. Family members who came to the ceremony to witness the event offered their cheers and blessings to their outstanding relatives, sharing in the joy.

This is a time to celebrate victory and revel in glory!

After graduating from West Point, Zhang Yi entered Citadel Military Academy in South Carolina to study artillery. A year and a half later, after completing his studies and returning to China, Zhang Yi was recruited by Gui Yongqing, the commander of the Central Military Academy Training Corps, and served as the company commander of the 3rd Company of the Training Corps' Sergeant Battalion, with the rank of Major in the Army Artillery.

For Song Hongfei, this glorious moment marks the end of his four-year West Point career and the beginning of another journey—MIT, where he is about to embark on yet another expedition.