Special Forces: From the very beginning, I can upgrade the entry

Chapter Seven: Model Soldiers and Rebel Recruits—The Making of Warriors

Drip, drip, drip…

In the southeastern military camp, the weather was unforgiving.

After a heavy snowfall, the sky had opened up once more, drenching the training grounds in torrential rain. Outside the mess hall, the recruits of Squad One stood in formation, holding their food trays, their bodies soaked to the bone. At the front, Zheng Sanpao, clad in a raincoat, surveyed them coldly. Then, in a stern voice, he issued his order:

“Tip out the water in your trays. Now.”

Splash!

Without hesitation, all nine recruits dumped out the rainwater that had pooled in their trays.

Zheng Sanpao’s voice remained harsh and unyielding.

“Let me tell you something.”

“On the battlefield, it won’t be rain you’re standing in.”

“It’ll be bullets. It’ll be artillery shells.”

“When your trays are full again, you can eat.”

With that, he turned on his heel and walked into the mess hall.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

As his figure disappeared, the recruits stood motionless, faces full of misery.

“This man is a tyrant!”

Zhuang Yan gritted his teeth.

“If my mother knew I couldn’t even eat properly, she’d cry her eyes out…”

Wuuuu…

Chen Xiwa’s face crumpled, tears mixing with the rain as he sobbed.@@novelbin@@

“Alright, alright, stop crying.”

Even Zhuang Yan shuddered at the sight.

“I can’t take this anymore…”

Chen Xiwa’s weeping intensified, his wails echoing through the downpour.

And he wasn’t the only one.

Apart from Lin Yi and Zhuang Yan, the other recruits broke down completely, their tears hidden beneath the rain.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Inside a nearby office, Battalion Commander Miao Yidao watched the scene unfold through a pair of binoculars. His lips curled into a satisfied smile.

“Report!”

Platoon Leader Chen Guotao entered, a file in hand.

“Commander, here’s the training plan for First Platoon.”

“Leave it on my desk.”

Miao Yidao didn’t look away from the window.

“Yes, sir.”

Chen Guotao placed the file down, then curiously leaned forward to see what his commander was watching. His face twisted in exasperation.

“Sir, you really have time to watch new recruits cry?”

Miao Yidao laughed.

“Not all of them.”

He lowered the binoculars, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Two recruits aren’t crying.”

Chen Guotao instantly knew who he meant.

“Commander, you’ve taken a liking to that troublemaker, haven’t you?”

Miao Yidao chuckled knowingly.

“A rebellious soldier, once disciplined, becomes the sharpest blade.”

His voice deepened.

“Lin Yi requires no guidance—he’s a born leader.”

“But Zhuang Yan… a recruit like him needs to be forged in fire.”

“Between the two, I enjoy training soldiers like Zhuang Yan more.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Back at the mess hall entrance, the recruits still stood in the rain.

Zhuang Yan finally lost patience, his frustration spilling over.

“Crying won’t change anything!”

His voice cut through the rain, silencing the others.

“Do you want to let that demon sergeant look down on us?”

“A soldier’s duty is to obey orders!”

“You’re not civilians anymore!”

“Do you think war stops just because you’re hungry?”

His words rang true—but it was Lin Yi’s calm, unwavering voice that truly settled them.

“Come on. Let’s sing.”

He turned to Zhuang Yan.

“Xiao Zhuang, start us off.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Zhuang Yan hesitated for a brief moment.

Then, inexplicably, he obeyed.

“The power of unity!”

“Ready—sing!”

“The power of unity! The power of unity!”

“This power is iron, this power is steel—stronger than iron, stronger than steel!”

“We march towards the enemy, let all oppressive forces perish!”

Their voices grew louder, rising above the pounding rain.

Even the office-bound officers could hear their defiant song.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Watching from the shadows, Zheng Sanpao finally stepped forward.

The squad fell silent, waiting.

They knew—this wasn’t over.

“Lin Yi. Zhuang Yan.”

“Tip out your trays.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lin Yi poured out his rain-filled tray, his expression calm and unreadable.

Clang!

Zhuang Yan, however, let his tray fall to the ground, jaw clenched in frustration.

Zheng Sanpao didn’t react.

Instead, he simply turned to the rest of the squad.

“The rest of you—go inside and eat.”

The recruits hurried inside, not daring to hesitate.

But as they did, Zheng Sanpao stepped closer to Zhuang Yan.

His voice dropped to a near whisper.

“Do you know why I ordered you to tip out your trays?”

Zhuang Yan remained silent, seething. Zheng Sanpao’s gaze didn’t waver.

“Because you violated formation discipline.”

“And in this army, that means punishment.”

His words were absolute.

“You will stand here until your trays are full.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving only Lin Yi and Zhuang Yan standing in the rain.

Lin Yi stood still as a statue, his tray slowly filling with rain.

Beside him, Zhuang Yan gritted his teeth, before finally picking up his fallen tray.

His hands clenched around the metal, but he stood firm.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Inside the mess hall, the recruits devoured their food, their hunger overpowering their exhaustion.

Chen Xiwa clutched two steamed buns, keeping them safe from the others.

He rushed outside, pressing them into Lin Yi and Zhuang Yan’s hands.

“Eat something!”

“That bastard sergeant is gone now!”

“He won’t see!”

But neither Lin Yi nor Zhuang Yan moved.

They stood their ground, waiting for their trays to fill.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Finally—

“They’re full!”

Chen Xiwa cheered, his face lighting up with relief.

Zhuang Yan exhaled sharply, his smile filled with exhaustion and victory.

Just as he was about to step forward—

Beep! Beep!

A whistle cut through the air.

“Fall in!”

Zheng Sanpao’s voice boomed once more.

“Ahhh!!”

Chen Xiwa stomped his foot in frustration. But this time—

As the recruits formed their ranks under the fading light, they stood with sharp precision. No hesitation. No complaints. No wasted movement. For the first time, they were becoming soldiers. And across the entire Southeastern Military District, no other recruit squad had transformed this quickly.