The next day, the company commander called Ashan to the company office to complete the reporting procedures. He arrived at the office, located somewhere on South Taiwu Mountain, in a military vehicle. There, the senior supply sergeant issued him a full set of personal military gear, including a carbine rifle.
After gearing up and putting on a steel helmet, Ashan followed the senior sergeant to familiarize himself with the outposts and the bunkers where his fellow soldiers were stationed. Since the combat engineer company spent most of its time outside building fortifications, the bunkers were often empty. The senior sergeant explained, "The combat engineer company has combat duties. In peacetime, we build fortifications. In wartime, we fight—clearing the way for the troops during an advance and covering their retreat by destroying structures."
Ashan thought to himself, "Why was I assigned to such a thankless unit?" But outwardly, he nodded in agreement. Finally, the senior sergeant asked Ashan to fill out a "farewell message" form. Puzzled, Ashan asked what it was for. The sergeant smiled and said, "It's to leave your final words. Every soldier on the front lines has to fill one out. If you die in service to your country, it’ll come in handy."
Ashan thought it was a bit grim to be writing a farewell message at such a young age, but then, with a sense of duty, he solemnly penned his message. It went something like: "I come from a military family, and as the son of a general, I have always taken pride in the fact that military blood runs in my veins. After over twenty years of my country’s nurturing, I now stand on the front lines to fulfill my duty to defend it. I am ready to sacrifice my life for my country, so I will not disappoint my parents or my nation."
The senior sergeant gave him a thumbs-up and said, "Good man! The unit needs patriotic young people like you. Well done!"
Soon, word spread about "the new officer with a general's blood." But Ashan proved himself worthy of his military heritage. Whether in combat drills, leading troops, or working on construction projects, he excelled. Even the veteran sergeants had to change their previously dismissive attitude toward college-trained officers.
第二天，連長叫阿三到連部去完成報到手續。隨著軍車來到了南太武山某處的連部，阿三向負責補給的老士官長領了整套的個人軍事裝備，包括了一支卡賓槍。
整裝後戴了鋼盔，隨著老士官長熟悉陣地及連上弟兄駐紮的碉堡。因為工兵連大多時間是在外構築工事，所以碉堡經常都是空著的。老士官說明道：「戰鬥工兵連是有戰鬥任務的工兵。平時負責構工，戰時則執行戰鬥任務，進攻時為部隊開路，撤退時為部隊殿後做破壞的工作。」
阿三一聽心想，怎麼會給派到這種吃力不討好的部隊來，不過表面上仍然諾諾稱是。最後老士官長要阿三填一份留言資料，阿三搞不懂這是作什麼用的。老士官長笑了笑說：「就是留下你的遺言，在前線每位官兵都得填的，如果為國犧牲時就派上用場了。」
阿三心想，年紀輕輕就要留下遺言，真是有點那個。不過心意一轉就正氣凜然寫下了留言，大意是：「吾身為軍人子弟，將門之後，一向以體內流的是軍人的血液為榮。今日有幸於國家栽培廿餘載之後，站在最前線盡保家衛國之責，當隨時抱著為國犧牲之決心，才不愧對父母與國家。」
老士官長看了豎起大姆指直稱：「好小子！部隊就需要你這種愛國的熱血青年，了不起！」
於是「那位流著將軍血液的預官」就在連隊裏傳了開來。不過阿三不愧為將門虎子，無論軍事動作，帶兵操練或土木構工都不含糊。連老士官們都不得不把以往輕視大專預官的觀念改正過來。
