In February 1981, Gao Qianming, an educated youth who went to the countryside at the same time, was demobilized and returned to Wuhan after five years of military service. When I met an old friend, I was extremely excited. I had endless words to say and endless love for me. I was

In February 1981, Gao Qianming, an intellectual young man who went to the countryside at the same time, was demobilized and returned to Wuhan after five years of military service. When I met an old friend, I was extremely excited. I had endless words to say and endless love for me. I was very affectionate and gave me two copper wine glasses as a souvenir. The two copper wine glasses have unique characteristics. They are made from old shell casings of machine guns of airplanes and fighter jets, and are turned by machine tools. They are exquisite and beautiful, and have special commemorative significance.

In October 1973, we responded to Chairman Mao’s great call for intellectual youths to go to the countryside and receive re-education from corrupt lower-middle peasants. I came to the Fenggang Commune Forest Farm in Hong'an County, Hubei Province. There are more than 40 people in this forest farm, including more than 20 educated youths from Wuhan and more than 20 rural youths. There is a party branch with a secretary and a field director. Farming is self-sufficient during the busy farming season, and the golden ears of rice in the rice fields flutter in the wind, growing gratifyingly. During the off-farm period, trees are planted and cultivated, and green forests line the hillsides and grow luxuriantly. After several years of eating, living and working together in the countryside, the intellectual young people have established deep feelings for each other.

In December 1975, military recruitment began, and young people of rural school age and educated youth who went to the countryside actively signed up. It is the duty and obligation of every aspiring young man to sign up to join the army and serve in the border and defense of the country. On the recommendation of the field leader, five people participated in the physical examination and all passed the physical examination, including me.

Half a month later, the recruitment notice came and three people were recruited. It was expected that I was not admitted and failed the political examination. Because of my father's historical issues, in July 1939, I graduated from Huangpu Military Academy, the 14th batch of the Troops Department, and later served in the National Army Automobile Corps. In that era, people were recruiting, enrolling students, and joining the army. Political background and family background play a large role in determining a person's destiny, as everyone who has experienced it knows clearly.

A few days later, two educated youth comrades and a rural youth put on green military uniforms and walked to the distant military camp. All forest farm personnel held a farewell party. Welcome them to join the army and go to a certain unit of the Guangzhou Air Force. Looking at their retreating figures wearing military uniforms and carrying backpacks, I felt a sense of loss. I might not have a military career and a glorious history of joining the army. But the revolutionary division of labor is different. Doing your job well is also a contribution to the motherland.

I have collected these two copper wine glasses for 40 years. Whenever I see them, I yearn for that era in my heart. Under the scorching sun, wind, snow and severe cold, inspired by the spirit of learning from Dazhai in agriculture across the country, in the vast countryside, fighting against the sky and the earth, in the hard work, life and study, the unforgettable years of educated youth and everything they experienced.