In the vast Gobi, "Populus euphratica" stands erect - officers and soldiers of Qinghekou Border Protection Company, a border defense brigade of the army in the northern theater, patrolled in the harsh winter months, and the cold wind was howling. At 7 a.m., the Qinghekou Border Defense Company of a border defense brigade of the Northern Theater Army was still shrouded in darkness. The instructor Yang Bingcheng packed his bags and prepared to lead the duty unit to the boundary mark 500, which is more than 100 kilometers away from the company, to perform the patrol task. Qinghekou is located in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, in the hinterland of Badain Jaran Desert, and is a place "far away from the sky". The reporter followed the team on duty and looked out of the window. There were barren Gobi and dark mountains everywhere. Walking on the patrol road like a washboard, people bump up and down with the vehicles. Although Sergeant Luo Baishun has walked this road for many times, he still hasn't fully adapted to it. At the same time, his mind was also affected by one thing, that is, to pay tribute to martyr Zhang Liang. That summer, after patrolling on foot for more than four hours, Zhang Liang, a 19-year-old soldier, gave up his only half pot of water to his comrades in arms and sacrificed himself on the border. At the last moment of his life, he still held a weapon in one hand and pointed to the distance in the other... Five years ago, Luo Baishun joined the army and came to the Qinghekou. When he first joined the company, the desolation in his eyes made his heart half bleak. It is the story of martyr Zhang Liang that deeply touched him, and has always inspired him to practice his skills, make contributions to border defense, and defend the border of the motherland. The vehicles stopped and the officers and soldiers came to the tomb of martyr Zhang Liang. Luo Baishun slowly sprinkles the water in the kettle in front of the tombstone to pay tribute to the martyr who died on patrol in a company specific way. His faith in border defense has risen in the hearts of officers and soldiers, and his determination to make contributions to border defense has become increasingly firm. Once again on the patrol road, the unit on duty maintained high vigilance. Although the road was bumpy, the officers and soldiers always focused on searching for abnormalities on the border. When the vehicle drove near a boundary mark, due to the complex terrain, the officers and soldiers turned to foot patrol. In the cold wind, the unit on duty moved forward against the wind, and the reporter heard the voice of officers and soldiers reminding and encouraging each other from time to time. The road under your feet is full of weathered stones, and you will fall down if you are careless. Not far away, the reporter's personal clothes were soaked with sweat. The wind blew, and the cold felt to the bone. The hot breath immediately formed ice crystals on the mask. It was already 1:00 pm when he arrived at the destination. After arranging officers and soldiers to observe, Yang Bingcheng took out the self heating food for individual soldiers. After the steaming food, everyone's physical strength gradually recovered. On the way back, the vehicle tire was accidentally punctured by a sharp stone. The driver Xu Xiaocheng told the reporter: "The road conditions here are poor, the vehicles are worn out, and similar emergencies are often encountered." While talking, he took out tools and quickly changed the tires. After returning to the company, the officers and soldiers reviewed the patrol and prepared for the next patrol. In the interview, the reporter deeply felt that the officers and soldiers, like poplar trees, stood upright in the vast Gobi, guarding the border with loyalty, which explained the responsibility and responsibility of revolutionary soldiers in the new era. (Outlook New Times)