Personal witness of the gathering of old comrades

I have been transferred from the army to my hometown for more than ten years. I often receive invitations from old comrades to get together and always find excuses to avoid them. This is not because I am conceited, mainly because I am tired of the hypocrisy that is common in the wine market, and secondly, I can't drink. Going to the party without drinking, wouldn't it spoil the host's fun and thin the feelings of his comrades?

Not long ago, an old comrade-in-arms of a neighbor invited me to a party, so I had to bite the bullet and go to the party. Pushing open his door, the old comrades are seated, and there is only one vacancy at the big round table, waiting for me to come to the banquet. A heat wave suddenly swept over my mind. Oh, some of these old comrades who returned to China before me haven't seen each other for several years, and some haven't seen each other for more than ten years, but they still haven't forgotten me, a comrade-in-arms who has lived with them in the company for less than a year.

The booze started. There is no grandiose speech by the host, and there is no rhetoric from the guests. The food is not delicious, but it is also rich and delicious. The wine is not high-grade and expensive, but it is also mellow and attractive. Enjoy what you can drink, enjoy what you can't drink, and take your time. In a relaxed and casual atmosphere, everyone recovered the liveliness and naivety of their youth, which made me feel as if I had returned to the unforgettable company life 30 years ago. It was winter in the late sixties. We came to the military camp of a coastal city in the north by a train of tin cars filled with stuffy cans. Although it was not the baptism of blood and fire that greeted us at that time, it was also unimaginable hard training. Southern recruits who are used to eating rice at home should eat pickles at least twice a day. During the three or nine days of camping training and standing guard at MINUS 20 degrees, the cold wind cracked the skin and froze the hands and feet. Some comrades-in-arms secretly cried their noses and even pressed the bed board. However, not long after, we not only adapted to the tense and hard life in the northern military camp, but also many comrades became the backbone of military training, and some even made contributions and joined the party. This depends not only on the care and guidance of leaders and veteran comrades, but also on the tenacity and dexterity of Jiangnan people, and on the mutual help and encouragement of fellow people. Some things are still deeply in my memory.

On the cold night when the north wind roared, the horn of the emergency assembly dragged us out of the hot bed, and the troops marched on the rugged mountain road. I carried a two-watt walkie-talkie weighing more than 40 kilograms, plus a gun, and I was caught in the queue and ran out of breath. After running for more than half an hour, I finally want to catch a hill. At this time, I was sweating all over, even my cotton-padded clothes were soaked, and my body was wobbly. I really didn't have the strength to rush to the mountain. Suddenly, a powerful hand holding a walkie-talkie pushed me up the hill and cheered me on with a brisk and powerful local accent. With his encouragement, I finally rushed to the top of the mountain with Comrade Quan Lian. Unfortunately, due to darkness and my negligence, I didn't find out which comrade-in-arms helped me. Ask after dawn, and no one will admit it.

Another time, I camped and trained in my hometown in winter. I accidentally dropped the bucket into the well when I was fetching water for the landlord. I remember it was a snowy day. I've been fishing for a long time and my hands are numb with cold. I couldn't catch it, and I almost cried. At this time, a comrade-in-arms passed by and came to help without saying anything. He also fished for a long time and finally fished out the bucket. At this time, we both became snowmen, and his teeth were fighting the cold. ...

Eight months later, I reluctantly bid farewell to the first battalion after enlisting and my lovely comrades in this barracks, and was ordered to work in the military organs at higher levels. 18 suddenly passed by. I have traveled to many military camps and made countless comrades-in-arms, but I can't forget the short-lived friendship in the company life.

Now, we have all returned to the hot land of raising us, emitting our own light and heat in different posts in building our hometown. We have passed the age of no doubt. Everyone has a hard job, elderly parents, underage children, housework and a difficult book to read. Today's gathering of old comrades can put all this aside. Here, no matter the position, anyone can call him by his first name, or his real name, or even a nickname. In the past, he used to be a respectable "gentleman". In order to grab a piece of lean meat, he deliberately made a fool of himself or played tricks on the table and was punished. Everyone can sweetly recall an unforgettable friendship in the past, or expose each other's little-known history, or make a few complaints about the present disadvantages, or even say a few hilarious rude words. Among all of us, I forgot the troubles of trifles and the tiredness of work. Of course, when everyone is on the wine table, it is inevitable to discuss which comrade-in-arms did a good job, and he must be invited to treat him next time; Which comrade-in-arms is now in an important position, but he is a little hot-headed, so we should remind him; Which comrade-in-arms has a hard life and needs everyone's help. When the cups and plates on the table are messy, some people who are drunk will rush into the room and spread their clothes on the bed for a while. When they are free, they will throw two old kings or lean on the sofa to chat for a while. Finally, after fighting for each other, we will decide who will be the host next time and disperse separately.

Oh, it's a rare gathering of old comrades. Looking forward to the next time.