Ace Troops Episode 25 Recap
> Ace Troops Recap
Gao Liang, Jiang Weixing, and Niu Mancang gathered in the backyard one evening, enjoying Gao Liang's homemade braised chicken. Gu Yiye, who typically avoided such social activities, was absent, a fact his friends had grown accustomed to. As they ate, they discussed their post-graduation aspirations.
Niu Mancang, having majored in quartermaster services, initially hoped for a role in the logistics department of agencies but acknowledged the difficulty of securing such positions, expecting to ultimately serve as a quartermaster in a company. Jiang Weixing, aiming for a career in journalism, expressed his desire to write and publish books, though he confessed a lingering reluctance to leave the military and a wish to train new recruits.
In contrast, Gao Liang declared his firm intention to return to the military to lead troops in his familiar and challenging reconnaissance specialty. Gu Yiye shared this resolve, driven by his original commitment to the Night Tiger Company. One friend noted Gu Yiye was "a tough guy." Leading up to graduation, the military academy organized two major exercises: the "Red Wolf," simulating real combat reconnaissance, and the "White Wolf," designed to test animalistic instincts and survival will.
Gao Liang and Xia Lin chose the "Red Wolf" exercise, where they spent over a hundred hours lurking in the wilderness. Their coordinated efforts successfully subdued the "hunters," earning them high commendation. Gao Liang himself admitted to sending a false signal during the exercise to challenge the limits of his team. Meanwhile, Gu Yiye, who was not specialized in reconnaissance, opted for the "White Wolf" exercise.
He endured days alone in the forest, effortlessly neutralizing "Yeti" adversaries by either consuming their beef jerky or burning their pants. Eventually, the frustrated "Yeti" soldiers complained to the chiefs, recounting how Gu Yiye, acting like a "beast," fashioned a stone knife and ate a rat raw in front of them, threatening to cut off their ears if they revived again.
Li Shaobing, discussing the exercises, clarified that while Gao Liang and Xia Lin were top talents in reconnaissance, Gu Yiye's unconventional approach in the White Wolf exercise was meant to tackle his weaknesses, even though it wouldn't count for his academic record. Li Shaobing praised Gu Yiye for choosing this path, recognizing his unique vision beyond utilitarian gains. After three arduous years of study, both Gao Liang and Xia Lin successfully completed their reconnaissance major.
Gao Liang's exceptional performance earned him the unit's sole "Outstanding Student" certificate, marking a triumphant end to his military academy tenure. Although headquarters leaders had specifically requested Gao Liang, Li Shaobing intervened. When confronted by an angry Gao Liang, Li Shaobing revealed that Zheng Yuan, Gao Liang's former Division Commander and now Deputy Army Commander of Army A, had issued a directive for Gao Liang to "return to him," prohibiting any other assignment.
To justify this, Li Shaobing falsely reported Gao Liang as having schizophrenia, damaging his reputation. As compensation, Gao Liang's certificate would allow him to bypass the rank of second lieutenant and directly become a first lieutenant upon graduation. Meanwhile, Jiang Nanzheng engaged in a heartfelt conversation with Han Chunyu.
Han Chunyu shared that when Jiang Nanzheng and Gu Yiye broke up, Gao Liang had expressed a desire to openly pursue Jiang Nanzheng, a statement Han Chunyu had understood as Gao Liang's gentle rejection of her own feelings. Han Chunyu acknowledged that she and Gao Liang were never truly compatible, knowing his heart belonged to Jiang Nanzheng, but she had wanted to try regardless. She now considered Gao Liang a dear brother and found contentment in that bond.
Jiang Nanzheng, reflecting on her experiences, articulated a more profound understanding of life, believing that there were emotions even more beautiful and significant than romantic love, especially the deep comradeship forged through shared life-and-death experiences. She stressed the importance of cherishing what one already possessed rather than constantly craving the unattainable. That evening, at the graduation dance, Han Chunyu had clearly moved on, accepting Xia Lin, and they danced together joyfully.
The next morning, Jiang Nanzheng visited Gao Liang in his dormitory, playfully chiding him about his past declaration of publicly pursuing her. She teased him about his newfound "expertise" in love, which she heard he used to help others. Gao Liang, in response, described romance as a "goal-oriented war" with strategic elements of attack and defense.
When asked if he had used such tactics on her, Gao Liang declared that he would use "all the atomic bombs in the world to blow your heart open," leaving Jiang Nanzheng blushing. She noted his transformation from a naive young man to a smoother talker. As they departed the campus together, Jiang Nanzheng revealed she had already checked and they were scheduled to take the same train.
They visited the beach, reminiscing about a trip five years prior, and Jiang Nanzheng confirmed she still treasured a tiger cowrie from that day. Gao Liang reaffirmed his unwavering love for her. Then, unable to keep a secret he had held for years, Gao Liang disclosed the true reason behind Gu Yiye's breakup with Jiang Nanzheng: it was not the reason Gu Yiye had stated, but rather his profound sense of responsibility towards Zhang Fei's family.
With Zhang Fei’s mother gravely ill and Axiu struggling to care for their young child alone, Gu Yiye made the agonizing decision to step in, choosing to support them. Jiang Nanzheng acknowledged she "knew," reflecting that "the truth is like a sword, drawing a thin wound, but reality is like a blunt knife, bringing wrenching pains."
She expressed that knowing the truth changed nothing regarding the family's plight and respected Gu Yiye's unspoken burden, seeing their mutual understanding as a form of "nobility" she cherished. She chose not to confront him. Three years later, Song Jianshe, now the acting regimental commander of Regiment 720, congratulated Zheng Yuan on his promotion to Army Commander of Army A.
Song Jianshe then requested the transfer of Gao Liang, currently a reconnaissance deputy company commander, to command the Ninth Company in Regiment 720. He had previously approached Division Commander Chen Dashan, but Chen Dashan deferred to Zheng Yuan, citing that Gao Liang was Zheng Yuan's protégé. Song Jianshe argued that with the critical Red Arrow Exercise approaching, the Ninth Company, a model unit, needed Gao Liang's strong leadership.
He also highlighted that Gao Liang had served as a deputy company commander for four years, a period too long for his career progression, and that others feared proposing his promotion to Zheng Yuan due to Zheng Yuan's strict principles regarding his close associates. Zheng Yuan, recognizing the validity of the arguments, reluctantly approved the transfer. Soon after, Jiang Nanzheng visited Gao Liang, attracting the curious gazes of soldiers.
Gao Liang, now confirmed as the new commander of the Ninth Company, learned from Jiang Nanzheng that Zheng Yuan had personally picked her up when she visited. Gao Liang also mentioned that Song Jianshe was awaiting confirmation as full regimental commander after the Red Arrow Exercise. Jiang Nanzheng shared her plans for further studies at the National University of Defense Technology, focusing on computer and information networks to bridge the army's technological gaps, an ambition that greatly impressed Gao Liang.
Gao Liang reiterated his desire to pursue her, asking for a proper farewell. Jiang Nanzheng thanked him for his consistent kindness but then playfully revealed her intention to "marry" information technology, indicating her focus was on her career rather than romance.
During their conversation, Gao Liang also updated Jiang Nanzheng on Gu Yiye, noting his excellent command of the Night Tiger Company, but that he and Axiu remained unmarried due to a three-year mourning period for Zhang Fei’s mother, which had just concluded. On his way to the Ninth Company, Gao Liang encountered Wang Xiaolei, a Ninth Company soldier, suffering from heatstroke.
Gao Liang immediately provided first aid and learned that Wang Xiaolei and another soldier had been sent "on holiday" to go fishing by their company commander because their poor boxing and shooting skills might negatively impact inspections, despite their value to the company’s ping-pong team. Upon arriving at the Ninth Company, Gao Liang reported to Chen Dashan, who praised his value and dedication.
However, their meeting was cut short by a call from Zheng Yuan, and they quickly departed to greet him at the training ground. Zheng Yuan's inspection revealed significant training deficiencies in the Ninth Company. Gao Liang fearlessly challenged Chen Dashan’s excuses, advocating for more live-fire training before the Red Arrow Exercise. That evening, Zheng Yuan spoke privately with Gao Liang, cautioning him against being overly confrontational with superiors but agreeing with his stance against superficial training.
Zheng Yuan spoke of a "peace disease" afflicting many in the army, leading them to prioritize appearances over combat readiness. He told Gao Liang that his role was to fight "a war far from the battlefield," a challenge more arduous than actual combat, emphasizing that training must always be for real war. Before dismissing him, Gao Liang discreetly asked Zheng Yuan about Jiang Nanzheng's relationship status.
Zheng Yuan, amused and exasperated, chided Gao Liang for his "peace disease" in matters of the heart and stated that no father would willingly "send his daughter to another man." The following morning, Qin Hanyong arrived at Regiment 700, where he was surprised to find Li Shaobing, who had volunteered to return to the grassroots from Infantry College, humorously implying that the "old Division Commander" had given him a "green light."
Gu Yiye, the current commander of the Night Tiger Company, enthusiastically welcomed Qin Hanyong. Qin Hanyong noted the significance of their meeting as old and current commanders of the Night Tiger Company, a detail Gu Yiye precisely corrected, stating it was the first handshake between the 28th and 32nd commanders.
