"Birthday cake" on a snowy mountain at an altitude of more than 5400 meters

Xinhua News Agency, Urumqi, May 19 Title: "Birthday Cake" on a Snowy Mountain At An Altitude of More Than 5400 Meters

Niu Chengmeng, Liu Xiaohong

One morning a few days ago, after Yang Leiwen, a corporal of a composite regiment of the Xinjiang Military Region finished training, he was pulled up by squad leader Qi Yongjian before he could unload his combat equipment. "Go, go to the restaurant tent to help fix the TV!"

When Yang Leiwen walked into the restaurant tent, he saw the whole class of comrades gathered around a table, and a birthday cake was placed on the table. It's not so much a cake as it is a large loaf of bread — an irregular cylindrical "cake" about 20 centimeters high, with a burnt yellow surface and varying colors.

Everyone sang a happy birthday song together. Yang Leiwen suddenly realized: It turns out that today is his birthday!

Yang Leiwen was a non-commissioned officer recruited directly from the academy last year, and he had been with his comrades-in-arms for less than a year. But he trained hard, studied professional skills, and was willing to help others, which was unanimously recognized by everyone.

In fact, this birthday planning began a few days ago.

On that day, the squad leader Qi Yongjian separated Yang Leiwen and called other comrades-in-arms to a meeting. "In a few days, it will be Yang Leiwen's birthday, and I wonder if we can use the existing conditions to celebrate him."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone raised their hands in agreement and came up with ideas, some people wanted to make longevity noodles, and some people wanted to fry a few hometown dishes. But Qi Yongjian's words poured cold water on everyone: there is no birthday cake!

Yes, since the troops were stationed in the snowy plateau at an altitude of more than 5400 meters, they have been "isolated from the world" in the harsh natural environment, and it is difficult to see a stranger, let alone buy a cake!

For several days, no one thought of a countermeasure. One day at lunch, when Qi Yongjian was serving rice, he saw the rice cooker, patted his head, and smiled: "Just use it!"

When the cooking team leader heard the reason, he immediately said: "If you want things to give things, you want people to give people, and the cooking class fully cooperates!" ”

Therefore, early in the morning of his birthday, Qi Yongjian and his comrades-in-arms, under the guidance of the cooking team leader, personally made cakes with an electric rice cooker. Finally, at lunchtime, a fragrant "cake" and some dishes came out of the pot one after another.

In the tent of the restaurant, Yang Leiwen distributed the "cake" to his comrades-in-arms. "I didn't expect that the 'cake' was also wrapped in raisins and cashew nuts." Yang Leiwen said. Later, it was learned that these dried fruits were "sponsored" by the comrades of the Friendly Neighbor Combat Squad.

Just after eating the "cake", comrade-in-arms Hua Bufan brought a bowl of noodles: "How can there be less longevity noodles for a birthday!" Try the longevity instant noodles I cooked for you with a poached egg! ”

In the laughter of his comrades-in-arms, Yang Leiwen gulped down the noodles, and the corners of his eyes gradually became moist... "I was particularly touched, this is the most beautiful cake of all my birthdays." It was also the most memorable birthday of my life. Yang Leiwen said.

In front of you is the border line of the motherland, and behind you are the lights of thousands of homes. This group of officers and men trained their troops to prepare for war and defended the country in an environment with harsh natural conditions, and although they were in a difficult situation, they were so optimistic...

Source: People's Liberation Army Branch of Xinhua News Agency