Chapter 4: Come to our unit, and I'll find you a wife.

"Hey... Isn't it because Uncle Chen is an active-duty soldier?" Ma Chao looked at Chen Hongjun and said excitedly, "You don't know yet, but the National Defense Department didn't recruit a single person from our school this year. They lost face all the way to the Third Ring Road. I heard their minister was so angry that he slammed the table and cursed, saying if they couldn't recruit anyone, he would fire those responsible for recruitment. With all this, how could they not be anxious? Uncle Chen is an active-duty officer, and they have such a good opportunity, why wouldn't they use it?"

Ma Chao spoke with enthusiasm, but Chen Geng listened in silence, feeling speechless. The National Defense Department couldn't recruit anyone from Huqing University? This is really... In the future, when college students would break their heads to join the National Defense Program, who would believe that the National Defense Department couldn't recruit anyone from the university?

Chen Geng turned to look at his father and said, "So they decided to come to me?"

"How else would you explain it?" Ma Chao countered.

Fine, Chen Geng immediately conceded: As long as the people in charge of recruitment at the National Defense Department aren't idiots, they would definitely use the opportunity that his father is an active-duty officer.

Seeing that Chen Geng seemed to be genuinely considering it, Ma Chao became anxious and quickly asked, "Third, what are you thinking? You're not really planning to give up the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Council, and other units to go to the National Defense Department, are you?"

Before Chen Geng could speak, Chen Hongjun, excited, slapped him hard on the back. "The National Defense Department! Son, I think the National Defense Department is great!"

Ma Chao didn't respond but gave Chen Geng a covert look: Third, is your dad... okay in the head?

Chen Geng, not wanting to say anything in front of his father, glared at Ma Chao: What do you mean?

Just as he was about to speak, a voice full of enthusiasm sounded behind him, "Hello, are you Chen Geng? Could I have a few minutes of your time?"

Speak of the devil, and he appears. The people from the National Defense Department have arrived.

"Leaders, you're too polite," Chen Geng turned around and said politely, "I've seen both of you at the recruitment point. Yes, you both hope I choose the National Defense Department, right?"

Chen Geng's demeanor was calm, even curious as he observed the people in front of him. The National Defense Department, a place of immense prestige, the former Chen Geng had never dealt with such a prestigious department. He always thought that people from these government offices were extremely arrogant and high-handed, but Wang Fusheng and Li Jianguo gave him a different impression. Perhaps to leave a good impression on the students, these two were typical gentle middle-aged men, wearing glasses, and exuding a cultured and refined air, giving a very good first impression.

If there was any difference between them and the people from other units recruiting at Huqing, it was their green military uniforms with four pockets, symbolizing their officer status. Compared to the people from other departments, they had a certain aura of heroism, a characteristic unique to soldiers.

Li Jianguo and Wang Fusheng exchanged a glance, both surprised: This student has strong psychological resilience.

Chen Hongjun, however, subconsciously became nervous and restrained in front of the leaders from the National Defense Department. Indeed, as the saying goes, a dog from the capital is always more prestigious than a person in the provinces.

"That's right. Let me introduce myself first. I'm Li Jianguo, and this is my colleague Wang Fusheng." Li Jianguo and Wang Fusheng nodded. Chen Geng didn't show any obvious signs of rejection, which was a good sign. The two quickly exchanged a glance, both feeling excited.

After a brief pause, Li Jianguo said, "Chen Geng, our People's Army has just won a great war on the southwestern border. The modernization of the army is in full swing, and we urgently need young people like you to join us..."

Chen Geng's face always carried a smile that made people feel comfortable. At this moment, the smile had a hint of shyness, as if he was somewhat moved.

Seeing that Chen Geng seemed to be somewhat interested, before Chen Geng could react, Ma Chao became anxious. "Third, are you serious? You really want to go to the National Defense Department?"

As Chen Geng's "second brother" and a roommate, Ma Chao felt it was his responsibility and duty to help his third brother make the right decision about his future, and not to be easily swayed by others.

Ignoring the presence of others, Ma Chao urgently pulled Chen Geng aside and said in a low voice, "Third, your job is a matter that will affect your entire life. You need to think carefully before making a decision. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Mechanical Industry, the State Council... which of these units that are vying to have you is not better than the National Defense Department? Especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, haven't you seen how red their eyes get when they look at you? I heard they even went to the principal to get you to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Oh, and I heard the school is considering keeping you on campus... Which of these units is not better than going to the National Defense Department? Although going to the National Defense Department is a way to contribute to the country, going to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or staying on campus is also a way to contribute to the country, isn't it?"

Ma Chao's words were not without reason. For the graduates of Huqing University in 1985, the future was a vast blue sea. There were only places they didn't want to go, not places they couldn't go. Even the Central Committee and the General Office of the Central Committee, how many Huqing students haven't gone there? In Ma Chao's view, going to the National Defense Department would be a waste of the skills Third had worked so hard to acquire.

Being told to their face that their unit wasn't good, Li Jianguo and Wang Fusheng felt awkward.

But even Li Jianguo and Wang Fusheng had to admit that although the National Defense Department was a powerful department, it was still far behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Council, and even the General Office of the Central Committee.

But the problem was that it was one thing to acknowledge this gap in their hearts, but saying it out loud was a slap in the face. Li Jianguo's lips twitched, and he finally couldn't hold back. "Student, although what you said is true, no matter which unit you go to, you are contributing to the country. We believe that if Chen Geng goes to the State Council or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his prospects will definitely be better than in our National Defense Department. However, Chen Geng's situation is different. He is the son of a soldier and grew up in the military. Our People's Army emphasizes the spirit of putting the people first and enjoying the fruits of labor later. We support Chen Geng if he wants to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but coming to our National Defense Department is not a bad choice. What do you think?"

Ma Chao's face turned red.

The 1980s were an era of extreme openness, but even in this era of openness, the spirit of dedication was still a widely recognized and accepted universal value. His ideological awareness was indeed low.

Chen Hongjun listened, nodding excitedly, with a look of "I am a soldier, and I am proud!" However, he remembered the previous incident where he almost beat his son, so he held back and didn't speak.

After talking about the spirit of dedication, Li Jianguo changed the topic. "Of course, dedication is one thing, but we can't just talk about dedication without rewards. Chen Geng, you grew up in the military, so I won't go into detail about the benefits of food, clothing, housing, and transportation. I'll just say this: if you come to our National Defense Department and complete the military training organized for you, you will immediately become a company-level officer. I guarantee a promotion to battalion-level within two years and to regiment-level within five years. When you get married, we will definitely provide you with a three-bedroom apartment."

In this era, talking only about dedication wasn't enough; there had to be tangible benefits.

The other person was indeed the best at following up, adding, "By the way, Chen Geng, do you have a girlfriend? If not, just tell me which girl from the song and dance troupes or cultural troupes you like, and I'll introduce you. I guarantee they are all beautiful."

The military had an advantage that no other unit could match: the numerous song and dance troupes. The reason for this is not something we need to explore, but we all know that the girls who make it into these troupes are all extremely excellent. Young men naturally admire young women, and such beautiful girls would make any boy's heart flutter.

Moreover, in this era, there were no artificial beauties, only natural beauties, unlike the artificial beauties of later times who had undergone countless surgeries.

Ma Chao, who had just been encouraging Chen Geng not to choose the National Security Department, was somewhat moved by the mention of "cultural troupes": The beautiful girls from the military's cultural troupes and song and dance troupes... How will Third choose?

After careful consideration, Ma Chao realized that going to the National Defense Department wasn't that bad. Although it wasn't the best choice, the conditions were not bad. It was still one of the powerful central ministries, and the benefits would not be lacking. Most importantly, there were not many excellent college students willing to go to the National Defense Department, which meant that if Third chose to go there, he would be highly regarded and have more opportunities. Additionally, with Third's father being an active-duty officer, it would give the impression that "he is one of us," which would be very beneficial for his future development...

After this calculation, Ma Chao felt that although the National Defense Department wasn't the best choice for Third, it wasn't a bad choice.

Chen Geng didn't keep everyone waiting for long. Under the varied gazes of the others, he spoke, "First, I thank both of you for your consideration. To be honest, I am somewhat overwhelmed by the attention you and the country have given me..."