Episode 14 recap: Luo Xiang Qian was disciplined for physically assaulting Sha Kai, and Wu Qiang led the soldiers to the front line.
Upon Wu Qiang's return, he learned that Luo Xiang Qian had actually resorted to violence against Sha Kai. He criticized him severely, but Luo Xiang Qian refused to apologize to Sha Kai. Meanwhile, Sha Kai was preparing to pack his belongings and file a complaint in Chongqing. Zhang Biao hurriedly tried to persuade him not to do so. Luo Xiang Qian felt particularly unlucky for receiving punishment without even having been to the battlefield. He was so angry that he couldn't eat. Wu Qiang advised him not to be emotional and reminded him that whether it was fighting against the US in the Korean War or staying behind to build roads, it was all for the defense of the country and the construction of a new regime.
Unable to tolerate it any longer, Luo Xiang Qian interrupted Wu Qiang and said he understood all the reasoning, but he just couldn't turn the corner. Major Ma personally came to the vanguard company and dealt with Luo Xiang Qian's actions as a company commander physically assaulting someone. Luo Xiang Qian made a self-criticism at the cadre meeting. After seeing the list of soldiers who were staying in the company, Luo Xiang Qian couldn't understand why Dr. Yu was also staying. Major Ma explained that Dr. Yu's husband had already been deployed to the Korean frontlines in the first batch. Zhang Biao, upon hearing this, felt extremely disappointed, realizing that Dr. Yu was already married. That night, Luo Xiang Qian sat alone in the open space feeling sad. Major Ma brought him food and comforted him, telling him to take a broader perspective. Luo Xiang Qian, as a military officer, had not gone to the front lines, but the same was true for Major Ma himself. This showed that the construction of the Chongqing-Chengdu railway and the Korean War were equally important at the central level.
Luo Xiang Qian acknowledged that he understood, but he couldn't bear to be separated from those comrades who were willing to live and die together with him. He took the meal brought by Major Ma and tears started flowing as he ate. Zhang Biao came to see "Er Ganzi" (nickname for Luo Xiang Qian) and the other fellow townspeople and brothers who were waiting for him. Everyone was reluctant to part ways with Zhang Biao. Zhang Biao recalled how they had joined the Kuomintang together, fought against the Japanese invaders together, and then rebelled and joined the People's Liberation Army together. They had walked the same path and formed deep bonds of life and death. He urged his brothers to take care and return safely from the battlefield.
Wu Qiang visited Sha Kai with a can of canned food. The cans were given by the superiors as a token of appreciation for the soldiers going to the Korean War. Wu Qiang gave his portion to Sha Kai and spoke highly of Luo Xiang Qian, urging Sha Kai to forgive him and emphasizing the importance of unity and the prompt completion of the Chongqing-Chengdu railway.
Luo Xiang Qian felt upset that he wasn't approved to go to the Korean War frontlines. He tossed and turned at night, unable to sleep. Wu Qiang knew that he was feeling uneasy and came to have a heart-to-heart talk with him. Luo Xiang Qian sarcastically remarked that Wu Qiang was about to go to the frontlines, so he wouldn't have the chance to get on his nerves or argue with him anymore.
Wu Qiang earnestly said that when he first started working with Luo Xiang Qian, he found him quite bothersome. However, after working together for some time, he got to know Luo Xiang Qian's character, and now that they were going to be separated, he genuinely felt reluctant to part with him.
Luo Xiang Qian took off the amulet around his neck and handed it to Wu Qiang, saying that it was a charm his mother had prayed for him before he joined the military. The battlefield was full of dangers, and Wu Qiang would feel at ease with it. Wu Qiang asked Luo Xiang Qian to recite a quick rhyme for him, intending to leave a button behind, but Luo Xiang Qian stopped him, insisting that Wu Qiang must come back alive.
Wu Qiang was going to lead a portion of the vanguard company back to the regular army and fight abroad. Before leaving, Wu Qiang found it hard to part with the soldiers, and Luo Xiang Qian personally called out the names of the departing soldiers, giving them a final mobilization speech. He mentioned that most of the vanguard company would go to Korea, while a small number would stay behind to build the railway. However, he hoped that wherever they went, they would never forget the glorious traditions of the vanguard company.
The kitchen staff made dumplings for everyone, with dumplings as a farewell gift and noodles as a welcome gesture. Luo Xiang Qian personally fed the soldiers dumplings and told them that when they returned in triumph, their comrades who stayed behind would come to greet them by train. After Wu Qiang led the troops away, Luo Xiang Qian found it difficult to adjust to the days without him. Zhang Biao also felt the same reluctance towards Wu Qiang. Luo Xiang Qian and Zhang Biao had a heartfelt conversation, where Zhang Biao understood that Luo Xiang Qian was not only reluctant to part with their comrades who had fought side by side with them, but also with Wu Qiang, who was like a brother and an excellent instructor.
They encouraged and comforted each other. Luo Xiang Qian stated that since he couldn't go, he would stay and work hard to quickly complete the Chengdu-Chongqing railway. He didn't want to bring shame to his comrades on the frontlines or to their instructor, Wu Qiang. The members of the vanguard company were like fine steel, no matter where they were. Zhang Biao pledged that he would step up in Wu Qiang's absence and work well with Luo Xiang Qian.
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