1035: Chapter One Thousand and Nineteen: Caprice 1035: Chapter One Thousand and Nineteen: Caprice The final two groups arrived; the pace of the two teams was nearly identical.
Since the last group to finish would be entirely eliminated, these last two groups became the focus of everyone’s attention.
In a situation where no one wanted to be eliminated, yet one group had to be, the last two groups needed to compete directly against each other.
Running for the second time, their physical strength was almost drained.
In each group, there were at least two people who had never undergone long-distance running training before, so there were two people in each group who simply couldn’t run.
They were only moving forward by being dragged and pulled by those who still had the energy.
It was indeed a coincidence that the two groups were virtually tied.
One of those groups was a six-person team with two very strong individuals, and the two weakest members were also in this group.
As they neared the finish line, both groups began a desperate sprint.
But as fate would have it, when they started to sprint, both teams were still close together.
Yet as they drew nearer to the finish line, the six-person group gradually began to pull ahead.
Such moments are always thrilling.
Those who had finished first lay exhausted on the ground, unable to move, but the onlookers began cheering for the last two groups.
But the group with no spare energy was falling behind, now three or four meters behind.
Facing total elimination, a soldier in the five-person group, being dragged and pushed by four of his teammates, cried out with a sobbing voice, “I give up!
I give up!
Let me go, you run, if four of you pass, you win!”
The others in the five-person group looked at each other, hesitant.
That’s when the exhausted soldier shouted again, “Go!
Are you going to get eliminated with me?
There’s no point, let me go, rush for it!”
The four still hesitated, but then the one pushing from behind let go of his hands.
After a shout, they left the physically spent soldier and dashed forward with all their remaining strength.
Seeing what should have been a touching and tragic scene, Ludwig slapped his bald head and exclaimed loudly, “Ha, these fools are done for, they’re getting eliminated.”
Having let go of their burden, the four-man team picked up speed and quickly overtook the other team, which still had two burdens to carry.
Seeing themselves being overtaken, the two people being dragged made a desperate choice.
“Let go of me, overtake them!”
“I give up, chase after them!”
Within the six-person group, three of the remaining four hesitated.
But just then, someone pulling at the front shouted, “Shut up!
If we’re going to pass, we’ll pass together!
If we’re going to be eliminated, then we’ll all be eliminated together!”
Seeing the four ahead running farther and farther away, the six-person team slowed down significantly and despaired.
Even though they kept running, it was apparent that their speed was dropping.
That’s when the same person who had spoken out before yelled, “Rush!
Everyone rush!
It’s not time to give up yet, charge!”
Four people crossed the finish line, and then, the entire six-person team eventually made it over the finish line.
Gao Yang stood up and walked over to the several people lying past the finish line.
After glancing at them, he extended his hand towards the six-person group and said, “You passed the test.”
After saying that, Gao Yang pointed to the four who had crossed the finish line first and said, “You are eliminated, go home.”
One person struggled to rise from the ground and shouted at Gao Yang, “On what grounds!”
Gao Yang shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands, saying, “No reason, you are just eliminated, that is all.”
The soldier was furious.
Farouk and Dani both kept their mouths shut, not uttering a word.
The major, however, approached Gao Yang and said in a low voice, “Didn’t you set the rules?
How can you just change the rules arbitrarily?
That’s not right.”
Gao Yang spread his hands again and said, “There’s nothing wrong with it.
I take who I like, and I don’t take who I don’t.
That’s easy to understand.”
The major replied in a low voice, “But this isn’t fair to them.
They made a sacrifice.
I think this is too cruel.”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “Fair?
When you’re on the battlefield, will you still talk to me about fairness?
If I choose him for a mission that is certain to be deadly, instead of someone else, isn’t that unfair to him?
As for cruelty, heh.”
After shaking his head, Gao Yang turned to the soldier sitting on the ground with a look of grievance and said, “That person, the one you abandoned, can I consider him as having fallen in battle?
If you were on a mission where sacrifices had to be made to achieve the objective, whether he chose to sacrifice himself willingly or you chose to abandon him, I would say nothing.
War is cruel, it is ruthless!
But this was just a test, and the worst outcome you faced was just being eliminated.
In this situation, you chose to abandon your comrade, so don’t complain about why you got eliminated.
That’s it.”
After explaining to the soldiers who were dissatisfied and to the Major, Gao Yang turned around and asked Eileen, “How about it?
Are there any suitable ones left?”
During the first round of running, Li Jinfang had run back quickly with those who were fast while Eileen had returned with those who were slower at the back.
Eileen pointed out four people, saying, “These four finished within an hour and a half.
They lack physical strength and training, but they are resolute.
We can start by training them to see.”
Still short on men, the first batch brought in for testing was already the best, so Gao Yang had no choice but to lower the standards.
He chuckled bitterly and asked, “Did I announce the rest were eliminated?
How many persisted and made it back?”
Faru shouted, “A total of nine people!”
Gao Yang waved his hand and said, “Let them all train.
We’ll weed out those who really can’t handle it during the training process.
Consider them as reservists.
Let’s do that.”
It was like cooking, with ingredients either insufficient or subpar, yet one still had to try and make do with what was available.
As for those who performed well but were eliminated after more tests and those who weren’t physically fit enough to make the second test but could still continue training, that was an issue to take up with Gao Yang.
Gao Yang too faced a reluctant choice; those who lacked physical fitness but were lucky enough to make it to the next round would be observed during training before deciding whether they stay or go.
The first selection had ended, and Gao Yang whispered to the Major, “Make the most of today and try to get the second phase done.
Take all these people back with you.
Separate those selected and don’t let them contact soldiers who will participate in the upcoming selection.
If some tricks get out, they’ll be no use.
Prepare them proper military uniforms and the weapons you plan to use.
I’ll think about the other equipment.
Once everyone is selected, we’ll discuss the details.
Is that alright?”
The Major nodded and said, “No problem.
I’ll arrange that right away, get the initial work done quickly, as the General wishes.”
Gao Yang smacked his lips and added, “One more thing, since their training is handled by the Russians, is it possible to let them train at another base?
Once they’re nearly trained, they can directly join here.
Can that work?”
The Major pondered a moment before immediately shaking his head: “No, that’s definitely not possible.”
Well-known people fear getting noticed for good performance, and Gao Yang was helpless.
He could only nod and say, “Alright, then think about what to do next.
I’ve got nothing more to say.”
The Major nodded, then signaled to help the soldiers who were too exhausted to move and left to hurry for another selection.
Once the Major was gone and the crowd, with no more spectacle to watch, had dispersed, Gao Yang nodded at Dani and Gilanor, then said to Faru, “Come with me for a moment; I have something I want to talk to you about.”
Gao Yang and Faru entered his office, and after gesturing for Faru to sit, Gao Yang said straightforwardly, “I took on all the matters within your purview; I hope you’re not upset.”
Faru’s face turned grim, and after hearing what Gao Yang said, he shook his head with a wry smile, “No, not at all.”
Gao Yang coughed and continued, “Here’s the thing.
Today’s incident was actually your responsibility, but I took it upon myself to take it over.
Um, I plan to continue standing in for you this afternoon…”
Faru gestured with his hand and interrupted, “Ram, I understand what you mean.”
Gao Yang stopped talking as Faru let out a long sigh, then quietly said, “Thank you, Ram.
I get your idea.
Actually, when I knew I could only select from the men sent to us and had to be ready for battle within a month, I felt utterly hopeless.
At that moment, I thought my future was ruined.
I would either die with them or end with a heavy casualty figure and fail.
If the failure was too dreadful, I might even face execution.”
Gao nodded, “It’s good that you understand.
Here’s my thought: I’m always going to leave, sooner or later.
You can push as much responsibility onto me as possible.
However, I’d recommend you resign from your current position as soon as possible.
It’s like being roasted on a volcano’s edge – I’m not optimistic about the outcome if you stay.
Buddy, you need to plan ahead.”
Faru shook his head, his expression serious while looking at Gao, “I understand what you’re saying and appreciate your concern.
Thanks.
At first, my thoughts were the same as yours: to quickly get rid of this seemingly glorious but dangerous position.
But now, I’ve changed my mind.
I’m staying.
I want to lead my troops and forge a future.”
Gao spread his hands, “Have you made up your mind?”
Faru nodded, “Yes, I’ve decided.
I don’t want to be a deserter.
I want to take up my responsibility.”
Gao viewed Faru’s future pessimistically, he spoke in a deep voice, “I suggest you think it over again.
I find your decision very unwise.”
Faru sighed, “Let’s try and see how it goes.
Also, I’m an Alawite too.”
Gao leaned against the chair back, spread his hands helplessly, and sighed, “Alright, I understand.
You handle the selection this afternoon, buddy.
There’s nothing more to say.
Do a good job and good luck.” (To be continued.
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