In the two accompanying vehicles behind sat the Nationalist government's Minister of Military Administration, Chen Cheng, and Chief of the General Staff, He Yingqin.
At this moment, the recruits' gazes were riveted entirely on Chiang Kai-shek, leaving them no attention to spare for the two grand figures behind him. The moment Chiang ascended the speaker's podium, thunderous applause erupted from below.
This was also the first time Zhu Shiqing and Fang Wenjian had ever seen the nation's leader in person. When Chiang tipped his hat and raised a hand in greeting to the crowd, the atmosphere in the encampment reached a crescendo. The roar of applause seemed to echo through the distant mountain ravines. Below the platform, He Yingqin and Chen Cheng waited, murmuring to each other from time to time.
"Gentlemen."
Speaking with his Zhejiang-accented official Mandarin, Chiang began his address.
"Today we gather here in our capital, Nanjing, to carry forth the dying wish of our late Premier, to open a new chapter for our China and for the Three Principles of the People!"
...
It had to be said that when it came to winning the loyalty of his subordinates, Chiang possessed a distinct personal charisma.
In his speech, there was both an emphasis on defending home and country and rejuvenating the nation, as well as promises of bright futures, promotions, and riches.
All of this left the young men below with blood coursing hot through their veins, itching to throw themselves onto the battlefield to slay the enemy that very second.
Amidst the impassioned fervor of the assembly, Zhu Shiqing felt his own blood boil. Whether the man on stage was Generalissimo Chiang or not hardly seemed to matter; even if it had been Sun Beifeng stepping onto that platform, raising an arm to call out slogans of resistance against Japan and national salvation, everyone present would have been equally stirred to action.
"Shiqing, do you think I'm dreaming?" Fang Wenjian's eyes were squinted into slits, a man genuinely walking on air.
Just like passing the imperial examinations in ancient times, what young lad could resist the allure of making a name for himself and bringing glory to his ancestors?
Zhu Shiqing sighed. Sympathetic though he was, he still gave Fang Wenjian a sharp kick, jolting him so hard his eyes popped wide open.
"Snap out of it. The officialdom is like a battlefield. Take half of what the high officials say and throw the other half away, or you won't even know how you lost your life!"
"I'm just letting myself enjoy it a little." Fang Wenjian was hardly ignorant of how these things worked, but glancing down at his yellowish-green training uniform, he couldn't hold back the joy in his heart.
As prominent figures in the army, Chen Cheng and He Yingqin also delivered speeches in turn, announcing that the corps commander for this session of the NCO Program would be none other than Ming Quan.
Near noon, Chiang departed, followed by the two military and political dignitaries. The NCO Program was formally handed over into Ming Quan's care.
As the man directly responsible for this hundred-man unit, Ming Quan was well aware of what he was up against. In the future, these men might become pillars of regional armies, the sharpest minds matching wits against the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters, or even senior officials of the nation...
Yet at this moment, this was a gathering ground for the powerful and privileged, a den of well-connected cronies, a gilded finishing school for relatives of the regime's elite. Molding these hundred men into something worthwhile would be no easy feat.
Meanwhile, the unit's "chronic malady" abruptly flared up on the ground floor of the dormitory building.
"Fuck you! We've all got two eyes and a nose—what the hell gives you the right to a room all to yourself?!"
Zhu Shiqing and Fang Wenjian, having just checked the room assignment roster, were chatting as they walked when a furious roar suddenly erupted in front of the building ahead. Looking over, they saw a brawl in full swing—seven or eight men tangled together in a violent scuffle, impossible to tell who was trying to break it up and who was joining in.
"Because your fucking life is cheap, that's why!"
The man pinned beneath bellowed, grabbing a brick lying nearby and swinging it upward. It instantly smashed into the fellow on top, drawing blood from his head. Sensing disaster, Zhu Shiqing immediately tossed his rucksack aside and dragged Fang Wenjian forward to break up the fight.
"Stop fucking fighting!"
Fang Wenjian let out a thunderous roar. Barreling through the shoving crowd, he shoved aside the tangled mass of men and hauled the bleeding recruit out from the scrum.
Zhu Shiqing dashed up right behind him to catch the poor fellow, who rolled back his eyes and slumped unconscious into his arms.
"What's this? What's this?! You brought fucking backup, huh?!"
The hotheaded brute clutching the brick jumped up from the ground, spewing curses. Seeing two newcomers meddling, a wave of senseless fury flared inside him. Losing all control of his mouth, he jabbed a finger at Zhu Shiqing and snarled, "Another fucking pretty boy! How the hell does the General Staff recruit such cowards?"
The other recruits stopped to watch, whispering among themselves or pointing fingers, but keeping a safe distance.
As it turned out, the three young punks who had jumped into the fray now stepped behind the brute.
So after all that, not a single one had been trying to break up the fight—they were all backing this reckless thug?
Having already stared death in the face, Zhu Shiqing was hardly rattled by a scene like this. Ignoring the thug's provocation, he said calmly to Fang Wenjian, "Wenjian, go fetch some water quickly, and bring Director Ming while you're at it."
"I'd like to see anyone fucking try!"
Fang Wenjian nodded and was just about to leave when the thug blocked his path. The three behind him moved to surround Fang Wenjian as well.
"Fang Wenjian, what the fuck are you standing there for? Did all that training go to waste?!"
Zhu Shiqing hollered at the top of his lungs. He could tell this prick was bad news—a spoiled bully spoiling for a fight, and almost certainly with some backing at home. Scum like this needed to be put in their place!
Hearing Zhu Shiqing's words was like taking the reins off a wild horse. Fang Wenjian was thrilled. He hastily stripped off his uniform tunic—this was the very first time outside that he could openly show off his martial skills.
To catch bandits, capture their ringleader first. Fang Wenjian's hand shot out with a whoosh, clamping directly onto the thug's throat. Driving his body forward with the momentum, he took the man down. The brute had never imagined Fang Wenjian would actually dare strike; before he could call on his lackeys, his windpipe was seized. Deprived of air, his face flushed crimson. His legs buckled beneath him, and Fang Wenjian slammed him flat against the ground.
It all happened so fast. The three bystanders started to jump in to help, but a bark from Fang Wenjian froze them in their tracks. After a moment's hesitation, they remained rooted to the spot.
The onlookers watching the spectacle panicked. One scrawny recruit suddenly blurted out, "Stop! Don't hit him! He's Committee Member Zhu's nephew!"
Zhu Shiqing caught this immediately. He raised a hand, signaling Fang Wenjian to go straight to Ming Quan and not linger. Only then did Fang Wenjian let go, lightly patting the dust off himself before heading off to find Ming Quan.
Choked within an inch of his life, the thug couldn't even stand, feeling as though he'd almost met his maker. Even so, his mouth didn't stop: "You cowardly bastard, ambushing me! Don't you fucking walk away! Stay right there if you've got the balls!"
Spitting fierce threats though he was, he lacked the strength to give chase, ultimately collapsing on his rear and panting heavily.
As the commotion died down, the youngster who had shouted earlier crept forward to relieve Zhu Shiqing, helping support the unconscious recruit. As he took over, he whispered, "Brother, you've got guts, daring to mess with this devil."
Zhu Shiqing didn't feel anything special about it. He merely asked, "Why did he hurt him in the first place?"
"Pushed too far, that's why. Spoiled young master's temper—insisted on having a four-man room all to himself. The other fellow was stubborn as a mule, too, and actually argued back. One thing led to another, fists started flying, and who would've thought that lord would grab a brick and go for the kill..."
One man demanding a four-man room to himself?
What kind of nonsense was this? Zhu Shiqing felt utterly helpless. This was a military camp, full of grown men, and instead of caring about anything of substance, they were squabbling over petty trifles like this.
"Director Ming is here!"
Ming Quan arrived accompanied by an army medic, who quickly tended to the scene and carried the injured recruit away. Fang Wenjian returned with them, taking his place beside Zhu Shiqing like a bodyguard.
Ming Quan surveyed the scene. Before he could even think, a loud wail pierced the air:
"Brother Ming, you have to stand up for me! They used underhanded tricks to jump me! My spine was almost snapped in half by that bastard!"
The haughty young master, arrogant just moments ago, had completely transformed, practically rolling on the ground throwing a tantrum.
Chapter 19