Chapter Nine: Walking Twenty-Five Kilometers

Liu Xiaojie glanced at me twice upon realizing I wasn’t the one leading the team, but said nothing. Soon enough, all the first-year classes had assembled. Only then did the school leaders and more than a dozen soldiers in crisp uniforms make their entrance, full of vigor.

Standing in the center, a man blew into the microphone to test it. Once he was satisfied, he began to speak: “Respected instructors, teachers, and students, good morning to you all.”

“On this vibrant morning, we have gathered here for one reason: today marks the beginning of your military training. I must emphasize a few points.”

“For this training, I require every first-year student to participate. At enrollment, your homeroom teachers have already confirmed that there are no students with disabilities, nor any with heart or lung conditions that would prevent intense physical activity. So, for those thinking of making excuses to escape this training, you’d best settle down and participate earnestly.” The principal paused, his gaze sweeping from one side of the field to the other.

“Today is the mobilization meeting for new students’ military training. Here, I…”

“Military training is your very first lesson upon entering high school, and will become one of the most precious experiences in your life’s journey.”

“…"

“Finally, I wish all of you success in your training and hope you complete your tasks with excellence. Thank you!” The principal gave a slight bow.

Thunderous applause erupted. I thought, perhaps this excitement stemmed from a young person’s longing for challenges and new experiences. But after a full day of training, who knows what the mood would be.

“Now, let us invite our Chief Instructor, Lieutenant Hua Wannian, to say a few words.”

Knowing that the next speaker would be the chief instructor who would accompany us for a month, the boys and girls applauded with extra enthusiasm—out of admiration for soldiers, and perhaps a touch of fear that lukewarm applause might earn them a month of hardship.

“Dear students, hello. I am your Chief Instructor, Hua Wannian. Seeing your youthful energy fills me with confidence in our nation’s future…”

“Your military training began the moment you stepped onto this field. Today’s program: a 25-kilometer march to the training camp.”

As soon as Hua Wannian finished, the entire student body was in an uproar.

Twenty-five kilometers—twenty-five thousand meters—even by car that would take forty minutes. To walk it, especially while carrying heavy loads, would be utterly exhausting.

“Order! Order!” The Dean of Students adjusted his glasses and used the microphone to call for quiet again and again before the students’ voices finally subsided, though whispers still persisted.

“Given that girls generally have less physical endurance than boys, the school will provide buses to take the girls eight kilometers ahead. Girls, do not think about carrying things for the boys, because once you get off the bus, you’ll need to start marching—and everything you carry must be your own. Now, each class, organize yourselves: girls, step out; boys, form your units and prepare to depart.” After this, the chief instructor’s words seemed to lighten the girls’ expressions. The boys, though envious, said nothing—out of pride, none would suggest riding the bus.

“Yan Ruyu, you lead the boys; Qiao Yue, take care of the girls. Each group of boys or girls from two classes will have one instructor. Listen to your instructor on the way and be careful.” With these quick instructions, Liu Xiaojie was promptly shooed away by the approaching instructor.

“Girls from Class 3 and 4, step forward. Count off and follow me.” The instructor wasted no words, simply issuing the command, and soon both classes’ girls were on their way.

The remaining boys from our two classes instinctively formed four columns.

“You’ve done well. Now, with me, right turn—double time, march!” The instructor who took over was about my height, his face darkened from constant training, thick brows sharp as a blade, and deep eyes set in a square jaw that exuded authority.

Since we were all boys, there was no hesitation—we broke into a run as ordered.

At first, it wasn’t too bad, but after just over five hundred meters, some were already gasping for breath.

“Quick march!” At this, the instructor mercifully allowed us to switch to walking.

“Are all the men in this unit real men?” the instructor suddenly asked as we walked.

Though we weren’t quite sure what he meant, we mumbled our responses.

“Talking so softly—are you all women? Louder, I can’t hear you!” The instructor’s icy gaze swept over us.

No sixteen- or seventeen-year-old boy could take that kind of challenge in stride; we shouted back, “Yes!”

“I’ll ask again: are all the men in this unit real men?”

“Yes!”

“Louder!”

“Yes!!”

“Good. Now, let me ask—do you have the confidence to be the first to reach the camp?” As the instructor posed this, most remained silent.

Only a few answered.

“Looks like someone lied earlier. Out of nearly forty, only a few have the confidence to be first. Those who do, step forward—I want to see who the real men are.”

A classic provocation. Those who had wavered or lacked confidence now all stepped forward in unison.

“Very well. Seems there are no cowards in my unit. Let’s set a small goal first: catch up to the slowest girls’ group within two hours. Everyone, double time—let’s see if there are any who aren’t real men here.”

Under the black-faced instructor’s provocation, we boys, full of pent-up pride, ran with all our might.

But no matter how much youthful bravado we mustered, after sprinting two kilometers with heavy packs, we were all spent.

“Quick march!” At last, the black-faced instructor called for us to walk.

“Look back—there are people chasing us. Before long, they might overtake us.”

“What is a real man? Anyone know?” the instructor asked in a deep voice.

“A man is a real man,” someone in the group replied.

“In the future, remember to say ‘report’ before you speak. Understand?”

“Report, Instructor, understood.”

“Very good. Just now, a student said a man is a real man. Anyone else have another idea? Speak.”

“Report, Instructor!” Ma Liang shouted.

“Go ahead.”

With permission, Ma Liang declared, “I think a real man is someone like you, Instructor—you can run this far without even being out of breath.”

The instructor chuckled. “Ha, you sure know how to flatter.”

Seeing his words had an effect, Ma Liang grinned as well.

But the instructor’s face changed in an instant. “What you said isn’t wrong, but in the army, the thing we despise most is flattery.”