The Road Home

Chapter 29

On this first day reporting in for duty, Lu Yanchen's superior did not give him any sort of breather.

On the timetable, Lu Yanchen had been slotted for a full morning of classes. According to what he had interpreted, the higher-ups had basically not even considered the potential problem that he, this former commander of the counter-terrorism squadron, would not come in to report for work. It was as if it was meant to be; he needed to be here, and he without a doubt would come.

Amongst the several military instructors was an old friend of Lu Yanchen's. This person was missing an arm, which had been lost in approximately the year 2000 while carrying out a bomb disposal operation in a dessert shop in Changsha. When Lu Yanchen stepped in, that person was leisurely sipping tea, and catching sight of Lu Yanchen, he was gleeful. "Commander Lu, you're here. We're waiting only for you." After saying this, he nudged over the document of rules and regulations that he had been holding and stated, "Ten minutes. Memorize it all. The higher-ups already said today that you're going to be leading the charge to meet the new trainees, so you'll need to first memorize this."

Lu Yanchen gave a nod of greeting to the several other military instructors, all of whom had whole and intact bodies and limbs, and allowed his gaze to sweep over them as well.

Ten minutes later.

The broiling sunlight fell on his eyelids. Seventy people were standing at attention, waiting.

The majority of these were young men. Only on the far right was there a row of young women.

At the front of the drill grounds, six men garbed in simple black jackets and wearing the exact same style of black hat, unadorned of any logo, strode up in front of everyone and then came to a standstill, forming a row. Their postures were slightly more casual than those trainees', but in the shadows beneath the brim of their hats, those six different faces were all very stern.

From the right side of the line, Lu Yanchen stepped forward in front of the trainees.

With his back to the other training instructors, he faced these top-performing trainees who were before him now.

"All, the six of us are the six instructors who will be teaching and training your class for this term. You may address us as 'Drillmaster' or 'Teacher.' As for myself, my surname is Lu, Lu Yanchen. The timetable you received has my name on it. Today is our first time meeting one another. During the next eight months of this training period, you will get to know me better. What's to follow are some long-winded words. They are all written in black and white in the rules and regulations, but right now I must recite every last word or else the several of us are going to have our pay deducted."

Quite a few people in the group before him wanted to laugh, but they forced themselves to hold it in.

"This is not military academy, so the requirements will be relatively more relaxed. Listen well, remember these, and commit them to memory." The corner of Lu Yanchen's lips also seemed to carry hints of a smile, but very soon those disappeared. "First is dress. During the training period, uniforms must be worn. Uniforms are required to be a complete set. It is not permissible to intermix uniforms of different seasons to wear. During class, everyone shall wear standard leather dress shoes. Slippers, cloth types of shoes, or bare feet are not acceptable. Leather shoes shall be brown or black. Men's heels shall not be higher than three centimetres; women's heels shall not be higher than four centimetes. White or patterned socks are not allowed be worn. Shoes must be kept polished and clean.

"As for uniforms, we allow them to be changed out during season-change periods. From March 1 to 5, you are to switch to spring uniforms; from May 1 to 5, switch to summer uniforms; from October 1 to 5, switch to spring-autumn uniforms; and from December 1 to 5, switch to winter uniforms. During all group activities, everyone's attire must be the same.