After a twelve-hour long-distance train ride from Xibin, Yang Ji and Jiu Ling finally arrived at Dingling, 900 kilometers away, in the morning of the next day.

Dingling is the second largest city in Ota Prefecture, located in the southwest of the mainland, close to the central area of the federal territory, backed by steep mountains, about 50 kilometers south of the suburbs of the Dingling foothills stretch to the west for thousands of miles, the mountains are majestic, become a natural barrier, the arid west wind of the desert is blocked abroad, so that a large area of land north of Zhongzhou is sunny and dry, the precipitation is stable year after year, half of the grain in the whole territory of the federation is produced in the north of the thousands of miles of fertile fields, Dingling has also become a thoroughfare in the federation because of its convenient geographical location in the middle.

The tomb fell in the eyes of Yang Ji, which was very different from Xibin.

There are no high-rise buildings, and the neat and spacious streets are flanked by pleasing eaves and arches, wooden houses, stone bridges, and streams, which are interspersed with modern buildings, and the bright colors of the golden and fiery red of the maple trees form a picture of the city that has never been seen before.

"Well, it's beautiful, isn't it? Dingling's urban design was designed by the genius designer Jerfa 200 years ago, during the founding period of the Federation. His architectural attainments are not only reflected in Dingling, you will know if you go to more places in the future. “

Jiu Ling could see that he was in a very good mood, and explained to Yang Ji with a smile.

They walked all the way from Watergate Street, the most lively street in the city, to a long alley, on the mottled bluestone road, the street was lined with all kinds of shops, the eaves swayed with jingling wind chimes, there were teahouses, medicine shops, bamboo weaving and woodware, selling snacks... The bustling crowd in this narrow alley seems to be very lively, full of the noisy vitality of the small streets.

Randomly find a small restaurant to sit down, and the two plan to rest.

The food was served after a while, a plate of fried dough sticks was a beautiful burnt yellow, dipped in fresh soy sauce to taste even more delicious, Jiuling sprinkled a pinch of verdant green onions on the big bowl of bean curd, shook his head and sighed: "This is the spring water bean curd that can only be eaten in Dingling." There is a mountain spring ten miles outside Dingling, the spring water is sweet and clear, and the tofu flower ordered with it will also bring a sweet taste, which can be called a must here. “

"I didn't expect you to know a lot, and I don't know where you're from?"

Jiuling skillfully poured a spoonful of light soy sauce, accompanied by tempeh, green and red peppers, crushed peanuts and sesame leaves, and finally drizzled with sesame oil, a bowl of fragrant salted bean curd was presented in front of you.

"Changjing people. In Changjing, don't say it's a bowl of tofu flowers, as long as you have money, there is nothing that you can't buy, but I always feel a little sorry for the lack of the taste of this spring water. ”

"Oh my God, it's so delicious!" Yang Ji tasted it and exclaimed.

"If I have money in the future, I will buy a bowl of bean curd every day and eat meat buns. ”

"Look at how you haven't seen the world, huh...... The big meat bun is here, let's eat it. The corners of Jiuling's mouth couldn't help but rise.

As soon as the meat buns came out of the steamer to the table, he took a bite of the steaming soy milk, and fine beads of sweat appeared on Yang Ji's head, sweeping away the fatigue of the night.

"I heard that Changjing's sons and brothers are all flying and domineering, but I didn't expect you to be different from the rumors. “

Hearing Yang Ji say this, Jiu Ling slapped the table and said: "How can we and other talented people be mixed up with those idle people! Let's put it this way, the more famous the family, the stricter the discipline of their descendants, and Changjing is the land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and you need to be cautious everywhere in your words and things, if you accidentally offend some people who should not be offended, the destruction of the family will only be in an instant." “

After listening carefully, Yang Ji put down the spoon and wiped his mouth, and said, "I don't like Changjing. ”

Jiu Ling looked up at him incredulously, as surprised as if he had met a hillbilly for the first time.

"Why?"

"It's complicated, it's too tiring. ”

After a pause, Yang Ji continued: "Isn't it good to simply live? The closer you are to power, the easier it is to be unfair. “

This sentence was a little strange, but Jiu Ling understood.

"You say that, it's because you haven't gotten it, and justice is always in the hands of a few, and you'll understand it one day. “

After a pause, Jiu Ling suddenly smiled and said, "Actually, I don't like it either, but the reason is different from yours." ”

Yang Ji didn't speak, he seemed to understand but didn't understand.

The conversation ended, and the two of them finished paying for breakfast, but their pockets were empty.

"It's hard for a penny to beat a hero, it's really the first time I've realized it so profoundly. ”

Jiuling and Yang Ji walked side by side on the trail and sighed.

"There is the building in front of us, the one with the flag. Yang pointed to the gray and inconspicuous single-storey building not far away.

Entering the door, I found that the internal space of the building was very abundant, and there was a wide long table facing the door at the entrance, with registration forms and some promotional materials, and there did not seem to be many people in the early morning, and the hall seemed to be a little empty.

After filling out the registration form, the two walked down the corridor through the hall to a wide playground, only to know that there was something inside. There were many young men standing in rows in the playground, and a tall officer in front of them was shouting something to them.

The black officer's scalp was shaved black and blue, and he was nearly two meters tall, with high bulging cuffs that vaguely showed off his strong muscular strength, and epaulettes on broad shoulders with three shining silver stars embedded in them.

"I'm your test officer, Second Lieutenant James, and I'm in charge of this recruit!"

"The recruitment period is half a month, and you are lucky to catch up with the last day! All candidates who pass the trial ceremony in the morning can enter the second round of competition in the afternoon, and all the winners will be qualified for promotion......

Yang Ji couldn't help but sigh when he saw hundreds of people lined up in front of him: "There are so many people participating, I thought no one had signed up in the hall just now." “

Jiu Ling lowered his voice and explained: "Although the selection of the Zhenxi Army is harsh and the conditions are very difficult, the salary is very high. As long as you can enter the main organization, you can arrange a stable job after retiring with this resume, not only will you have a secure life for the rest of your life, but you will also have additional military subsidies, just for this point, a large number of people will come to sign up every year. “

At this time, Second Lieutenant James explained a few more precautions related to the test, pointed to a stack of weight-bearing backpacks on the playground and shouted: "One for each person, run eight kilometers around the playground, forty weight-bearing push-ups, complete it in one hour, and qualify for the second round." Come on, little creams!"

Yang Ji put a heavy backpack on his back, feeling that the weight was about fifteen kilograms, the test was not very difficult, and it was also a big challenge for ordinary people, but after washing the marrow, his physique has exceeded that of ordinary people, so it is naturally not a problem.

As time went on, a few people completed the test, but many more sat on the ground exhausted, their lungs twitching hard, eager to squeeze every breath of air out of it.

"I knew you kid could, but I didn't expect you to do it so quickly. Nine Collar bared half of his head from behind him and praised.

"I'm just average, you're the real monster, it's only twenty minutes to complete the prescribed project!" Yang Ji glared in return.

"That's not all I have. Jiu Ling smiled triumphantly.

There was no doubt that the Nine Collar was not only the first to complete it, but it was also a monster in terms of time, and even the black ensign couldn't help but look at him a few more times.

"Congratulations to all of you on entering the afternoon match, and we look forward to your better performances. Second Lieutenant Jaime glanced meaningfully at Nine Collars and turned to walk away.

As the afternoon came, the remaining forty men were divided into groups by Second Lieutenant James for a melee competition.

"The last thing you have to do is very simple, just knock out your opponent in the way I just said!"

"This is the only way for you to advance, come on, little creams!"

Ensign Jaime watched the confrontation that was becoming increasingly tense, and the corners of his mouth opened a satisfied arc, revealing his white and dazzling teeth.