sovbooks Chapter 0118: Yuan Lang: The Adversity I Deliberately Created for You
Chapter 0118: Yuan Lang: The Adversity I Deliberately Created for You
Zheng Yingqi shrugged: "There's not much to explain—it's nothing more than man-made adversity and desperate situations to test us."
The other ten people did not easily accept Zheng Yingqi's explanation; no explanation could easily erase the despair and torment they had suffered over the past three months.
Yuan Lang shook his head, smiled wryly at Zheng Yingqi, and said, "You're just not a good commentator—" Then he addressed the crowd:
"Okay, tell me about my bad points."
"I know that in your eyes, I'm the kind of utterly wicked, evil guy—yes, and so is he (pointing at Qi Huan), just as bad an instructor as I am. Isn't that right?"
Yuan Lang asked a question in return, but no one answered. However, they all had a unified answer in their hearts: Qi Huan's evil was merely vicious and malevolent, but your evil was rotten to the bone and evil to the core.
Yuan Lang didn't mind, tapped the table, and said, "Let me ask you a question first: what is a special forces unit?"
He then answered himself: "Is it an army composed of the best of the best soldiers? Is it a group of people who can fight so well that other units cry for their mothers? Is it a group of people who are fearless and undaunted by death?"
"Both, and neither!"
"War is adversity, and special forces stand at the forefront of war. Fighting against overwhelming odds is the norm, and fighting desperately in dire situations is their mission. There is no front or rear, and they often operate among enemy ranks—that is the adversity within adversity! To complete missions in such adversity, excellence and fearlessness alone are not enough, far from enough."
"So, what kind of mindset do members of special forces need?"
"What kind of mindset is needed to fight back bravely and emerge unscathed from the most desperate adversity?"
Yuan Lang stared at the eleven people present, but no one answered his question.
"In this long period of peace, the country is our backing, and the people are our source. In the army, we have squad leaders, platoon leaders, and company commanders to protect us, and we are provided with ample supplies. Which of you has ever experienced true adversity? Being isolated, helpless, and alone?"
"No, that's why I'm giving you as much real adversity as possible, like these past three months. That's the point."
Yuan Lang continued, "You all want to join Old A, right?"
Upon hearing this question, some people nodded hesitantly, some remained silent, but others nodded decisively.
Yuan Lang: "The preliminary selection process has made this an ideal that has already been realized—just like the farewell party when you left your old unit, it has become a fait accompli."
"Then, here you encountered a very painful reality: a group of instructors who disappointed you, even more brutal training methods, no comfort, no support, not even ideals or hope, until you despaired."
"And those who emerge from such adversity are the ones I need."
Silence. Everyone was silent.
Zheng Yingqi sighed inwardly, realizing that he lacked the same mindset as others, so did he count as a half-finished product?
After a long pause, Wu Zhe said, "I can understand part of what you're saying, but I still remain skeptical about what I've seen."
"You only believe what you see—but that's okay, you have plenty of time to understand." Yuan Lang replied, then turned to Zheng Yingqi and asked:
"And what about you? I think I've always underestimated you—the first time we met, you kidnapped me; the second time we met, your guard company easily captured four old A soldiers; the third time we met, you upheld the spirit of the Steel Seventh Company, never abandoning or giving up; and from the fourth time until now, you've always held your head high, proudly accepting all the torment."
"I don't understand your mentality at all, because in my opinion, you are always the winner when facing Old A, so why can you accept the humiliation of the loser here? And you saw through the desperate situation I carefully created from the very beginning."
Yuan Lang's words revealed the meaning of the word "interest" that everyone had been puzzled about.
If it weren't for their lingering influence, everyone except Cheng Cai and Xu Sanduo, who knew the truth, would probably have exclaimed in surprise.
Zheng Yingqi said seriously, "May I answer your question first?"
Which question?
"What are special forces?"
"Okay, go ahead," Yuan Lang said, feigning a listening posture.
Zheng Yingqi took a deep breath and said, "You said that special forces are people who can fight bravely in desperate situations and still escape unscathed. But what I think is that special forces are the kind of troops that can get the highest benefit at the lowest cost. And this kind of behavior itself means greater risk. Among the means to offset the risk, the only one that soldiers can control is to strengthen themselves to an unlimited extent."
From mindset to combat skills, from intellect to consciousness. Every aspect must be infinitely strengthened to maximize survival in dire situations.
"Answer my last question: what was your mindset when you endured these three months of torment? After all, in my opinion, you were the winner in all three encounters with Old A." Yuan Lang didn't comment on Zheng Yingqi's answer, but instead pressed for more details.
Zheng Yingqi replied, "I don't know what your opinion is about the Old A losing to me—do you know how excellent the reorganized Seventh Company was? Of the more than 100 people in the T Division who participated in the selection, more than 30 came from the Steel Seventh Company before the reorganization, and of the four who were finally selected, the three who have persisted to this day are still all from the old Seventh Company."
This outstanding company, which I still remember vividly, suffered a casualty ratio of 1 to 8 in the exercise. You said at the time that your estimate was 1 to 25, or even zero casualties—in your eyes it was a victory for the Seventh Company, but it was a defeat we can never forget.
I never underestimated the Old A unit. In fact, because of their defeat, I was filled with awe and anticipation for them. From beginning to end, I maintained a learning attitude because I knew that a unit that could defeat the Steel Seventh Company so decisively was an outstanding, top-tier unit.
Yuan Lang liked it more and more as he listened. When Zheng Yingqi finished speaking, he clapped. The only awkward thing was that he was the only one clapping among the 13 people present.
The others were actually in shock. Before that incident at the firing range, Tuo Yonggang and Wu Zhe had heard Zheng Yingqi mention the 1:8 casualty ratio, but at the time they both thought Zheng Yingqi was exaggerating because they didn't believe it or dared to believe it.
But now, they have no choice but to believe!
The name "Steel Seventh Company" was deeply imprinted in their minds—they were curious about what kind of company it was.
It was a very long conversation, so long that the dishes on the table got cold. Yuan Lang concluded: "In short, you have plenty of time to get to know this place, and I believe you won't be disappointed—alright, I have something to do, so I'll be going now."
He jumped up, chuckled, and left the cafeteria. At that moment, Qi Huan said, "Eat up—are you waiting for me to offer you toasts?"
It was still the same stiff tone as before, familiar yet warm, at least more acceptable than Yuan Lang's gentle manner.
On this day, everyone thought they were now in the elite unit, the only pity being that there was no welcoming ceremony, except for this table full of dishes.