Volume One, Chapter 48: The Soldier Who Wept

The audience was enveloped in silence.

Yet, from their expressions, it was clear that everyone present—including the leaders seated in the front row—felt a certain lack of enthusiasm.

At that moment, a middle-aged man sitting beside Yang He smiled at him.

“Old Yang, it’s the same program every year. You have to help me out. The soldiers aren’t the only ones bored—even I’m tired of it. Couldn’t we at least have a new song?”

The speaker was Yu Zhiwei, the highest-ranking official in the Jiangxia Military District.

“I know military songs are hard to compose, but repeating the same thing year after year really isn’t meaningful,” Yu continued.

Yang He’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Old Yu, you can rest easy. This year I’ve found you a new song, guaranteed to suit your tastes.”

“Is that true?” Yu Zhiwei was surprised; he hadn’t expected a new song at all.

Just then, the host on stage announced the next act: Jiang Yu.

“He’s about to perform. Why not hear it for yourself?” Yang He flashed a mysterious smile.

Yu Zhiwei grew curious. “We Soldiers?” he wondered aloud.

It really was a new song.

Military songs are notoriously difficult to write; otherwise, there would have been more worthy pieces performed on stage over the years. The appearance of a new one immediately piqued his interest.

Under his curious gaze, a young man stepped onto the stage.

Jiang Yu, dressed in green military attire, stood beside the microphone, his posture erect, his smile calm.

The audience below began to murmur among themselves.

The stage lights came on!

With the lights shining down, everyone began to marvel—this young man looked strikingly handsome in uniform!

Standing there, he seemed to command the entire stage.

Yu Zhiwei frowned, surprised that Yang He had invited such a young performer.

He had to admit, the youth looked dignified and impressive in uniform.

But...

“Old Yang, this young man isn’t going to dance around the stage like some shaman, is he? We can’t have anything strange or outlandish here,” Yu said.

“Trust me!” Yang He replied with confidence. “He’ll surprise you!”

Seeing the confidence in his old friend’s expression, Yu Zhiwei straightened in his seat, ready to appreciate the performance.

Jiang Yu picked up the microphone, looked out at the audience, and his lips curled into a slight smile.

A grand, sweeping background music began to play.

“We, we are soldiers!”

“We, we are soldiers!”

“Soldiers, soldiers!”

The background music alone gave off an imposing, majestic aura, as if it soared to the heavens, sending chills down everyone’s spine.

And when the audience heard those four words, combined with the images of various branches of the military projected behind the stage, a surge of pride swept through them.

This setup was Jiang Yu’s own idea; he had personally coordinated the lighting with the teachers.

The prelude ended.

Jiang Yu opened his mouth slowly.

A clear and resonant voice rang out.

All the actors backstage stared in shock at the young man at the front of the stage.

So professional—his voice was so powerful.

“We, we are soldiers—what makes us different?”

“Because we wear simple, humble uniforms.”

“We, we are soldiers—what makes us different?”

“Since leaving our hometown, it’s rare to see our parents.”

Just these two lines left the bigwigs in the audience stunned.

They had never heard anything like it.

It was truly a new song.

After the first verse, all eyes in the hall were drawn to him.

For the first time, they heard such crisp, spirited music, as if a battalion of soldiers stood tall and proud before them.

Soon, the backdrop displayed images of soldiers standing upright and formidable.

Wu Yang, in that moment, felt as if he were one of them.

Everyone seemed no longer to be listening to a song, but to a company of soldiers undergoing inspection.

Some wore green uniforms, some white, some blue.

But they all shared one identity.

Soldiers!

Yang He watched Jiang Yu on stage with satisfaction.

“A fine song!” Yu Zhiwei’s eyes lit up. The melody was strong yet gentle—a touch of tenderness within steel. “Old Yang, where did you find this singer? The song has real substance.”

“Excellent—the opening lines express what’s in every soldier’s heart.”

After saying this, Yu Zhiwei sighed.

The soldier beside him, tasked with his protection, heard those two lines and his eyes suddenly reddened. Since leaving their hometown, it’s rare to see their parents.

Just two lines sang out the softest part of their hearts. The voice was powerful, but the emotion it carried spread to every corner of the hall.

Since joining the army, many had not returned home for years, had not seen their families in a very long time.

But for the sake of their country, they had to set aside family for now, donning simple uniforms and carrying rifles, always ready.

The leader noticed the soldier’s expression.

“How long have you been in the army, Xiao He?”

“Reporting, sir, three years.”

“How long since you’ve seen your parents?”

The soldier paused. “Reporting, sir, it’s been three years…”

“You’ve endured much. After this Army Day, I’ll discuss with the regimental and company officers about letting soldiers return home in batches to see their parents.”

Hearing this, the soldier’s eyes immediately reddened. “Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!”

...

“We say we’re different, but we’re really the same.”

“All in the prime of youth, all passionate sons.”

“We say we’re different, but we’re really the same.”

“Our footprints remain, across mountains and rivers long!”

Yes, they are ordinary sons, but they have given their best years to the nation.

To defend the motherland, their footsteps have traversed every inch of its land.

The opening lines comforted the soldiers.

But as the lyrics progressed, the melody soared.

There was no distinction of verse and chorus—only emotions rising in waves.

It struck the hearts of every soldier present.

“We soldiers are truly different!”

“With our heads resting beneath the border’s moon, our bodies wrapped in rain, snow, and frost.”

“We soldiers are truly different.”

“For the peace of the nation, we grip our guns tightly!”

They are ordinary sons of China, but not ordinary at all.

The vast land needs their protection; they rest beneath the border moon, face wind and snow, all so that more families may enjoy happiness together.

For the country, for the people, they hold their rifles firmly.

The lyrics, simple and direct, sang out a soldier’s duty and resignation.

Every soldier present felt it deeply, their eyes reddening.

It was magnificent—the feeling was extraordinary!

Most military songs nowadays are about unity between the army and civilians, or sentimental farewells to home and country.

Those songs are not bad, but how many truly resonate?

Few evoke genuine feeling.

Today, that changed.