The memory of Guan Yushu

Chen He

When I was 18 years old, with the yearning for a uniform, I resolutely chose the camouflage color journey of life. . To this day, I still clearly remember the scene on the day I left my hometown. In the sea of ??people, we carried huge red flowers and walked into the train bound for the army. We kept talking to our friends around us and thinking about our future "camouflage career." Looking back out the window, among the bustling crowd, I immediately saw the tall elm tree on the edge of the village. The fragrance of elm money and the slightly bitter taste came to my mouth, and my excited heart suddenly felt sour.

Ulmus elm is the samara of the Ulmus elm tree. They are small in shape, like money, and white in color. They are named because they are round and thin like coins. Although Yuqian is inconspicuous, it is rich in nutrients. It is not only delicious, but also can prevent diseases and provide health care. In years of famine, it is a kind of food that can save people's lives.

When I was a child, when the spring breeze awakened everything, children would go in groups to pick elm coins. Some people walked in front carrying baskets, while others walked behind carrying iron hooks. The joy of walking and playing is more pleasant than the spring breeze blowing on your face.

Yuqian is sweet and delicious, crunchy and sweet. The most convenient thing is that it can be picked and eaten raw. We picked the elm coins with hooks and put them in our mouths. The mouth is full of sweet and fresh taste. At that time, I thought that if there was a smell in spring, it would probably be the fragrance of eucalyptus.

After picking the elm coins and returning home to her mother, she will start preparing for her "elm coin feast". My mother can make all kinds of delicacies with elm money. What impressed me the most are her two specialties.

The first is a bowl of Yuqian porridge. Mother will first remove the stems of the elm leaves, screen out the branches and debris, wash them with clean water, drain them and set aside. Then add water to the soup pot, add rice to cook porridge, and add Yuqian when the rice is about to be cooked. Then simmer for a few minutes, and a pot of fragrant hot porridge will come out of the oven. Next is a dish of cold yuqian. After washing and filtering the elm money, add chopped green onion and coriander, supplemented by a small amount of salt, soy sauce, and a small amount of vinegar. After evenly stirring, you will have a plate of green and green cold elm money, which is fragrant and delicious and unique. That simple taste has become the best memory of my childhood in spring.

After wandering all the way, I stepped into the military camp. After entering, the squad leader asked me about my home address and some personal information, and then my comrades brought me foot-washing water. The squad leader said kindly: "Quickly soak your feet to relieve fatigue." I was at a loss and listened stupidly. Then he brought noodles again: "You must be hungry along the way. Eat some quickly and take a rest after eating." I nodded, and when I lay on the bed, I felt warm in my heart.

With a rapid whistle, I woke up from my sleep. I just heard someone outside say, gathering. I thought to myself, what is a collection? Watching them hurriedly put on their hats and tie their belts and leave the row house, I was at a loss to follow suit. Outside the row house, a group of people were lining up quickly. Then, the squad leader gave the command: turn right and run. Everyone immediately started running around the row house. I was very weak at that time. After running for two steps, I felt difficulty breathing. I was dizzy and leaned against the elm tree in front of the row house. This was how I spent my first day in the army.

The thick elm tree in front of the barracks is taller than the one in my hometown, and it also carries many memories for me.

I remember that every time we ran a 5-kilometer test, the squad leader would always set the end point at the elm tree. At that time, due to my poor physical fitness, I was always unable to reach the finish line, and I dragged the class back again and again in the assessment. From then on, I secretly made up my mind to catch up with my physical fitness.

Since then, I got up at 4 o'clock every morning and arrived at the playground on time to practice more by myself. Only the elm tree knew the sweat I had shed in those early morning light. The morning air was filled with dew, and there were still chills on the training ground. When I was exhausted, I sat under a tree and shouted, telling myself loudly: As a soldier, you must put the collective honor above your head!

A month later, I finally achieved excellent results in the assessment. I came to the elm tree and shed tears silently. These are tears of joy, not only because I am no longer a hindrance to the collective, but also because I finally believe that I can be like a tall and straight elm tree, sheltering people from wind and rain, bearing numerous fruits, and helping those in need.

One year when the troops were training abroad, supplies and materials were not kept up in time. While everyone was worrying, I looked at the trees full of elm trees and suddenly had an idea. I stated my idea of ??making elm money rice to the company commander, and the company commander said "ok" three times, and then everyone picked a lot of elm money. In front of Quanlian, I showed off the Yuqian feast I made. Everyone in the company ate that Yuqian meal with gusto. That became my most unique memory in the army.

(This article was published in the "Long March Supplement" edition of the "Liberation Army Daily" on April 22, 2022, and the content was slightly deleted)

Published on WeChat of the People's Liberation Army Daily

Broadcaster: Liu Jingyi

Editor: Du Yuxin