The following week saw deputy squad leaders sprouting up like bamboo shoots after a rain.
There were even squads with two or three rotating deputy leaders.
Each squad had entered a period like the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, filled with self-proclaid kings, brief yet glorious.
The new recruit group had entered the era of "reciting regulations"; starting from Monday, besides fixing beddings during rest tis, everyone was reciting regulations. The squad leaders’ slogan was, "Hold onto regulations with one hand, and bedding with the other, grasp both, and make both strong."
Life in Squad Nine, however, was sowhat difficult.
To be accurate, it was a bit oppressive.
Squad Leader Hao received a phone call on Tuesday and did not return until late. When he ca back, Fang Huai, who was sensitive to changes, woke up and noticed a faint sll of alcohol.
Since then, the squad leader’s expression carried a silent stance, not joking anymore during drill practice.
Although there was no change in attitude towards the new recruits, everyone was no fool and could tell that the squad leader was in a foul mood, so they did not dare to joke around either.
Fang Huai felt that sothing was wrong and prodded Hao Chengbin about the response from the Provincial Special Duty Team inadvertently. Hao Chengbin’s expression was off, but he still said it should be okay.
Until yesterday afternoon when the system inexplicably triggered a task: Teach Clerk Huang Yi how to use Excel software.
So, after dinner, Fang Huai carried a regulation book and paced back and forth in front of the Joint Office, passing by the office’s door many tis.
Finally, he was spotted by Squad Leader Huang who was at a loss in front of the computer and was called into the Brigade Departnt.
While passing on his knowledge, Fang Huai caught snippets of conversation intermittently, but the non-commissioned officers seed to avoid him when they found him in the office: they would be chatting when entering the office, but stopped once they saw Fang Huai.
Fang Huai simply waited until the Brigade Departnt was empty and asked Huang Yi.
Huang Yi hesitated for a long while but still sighed and said,
"A few days ago, a cadres from the first company’s provincial brigade visited Wang Lian at the Brigade Departnt and ntioned that Squad Leader Hao seems to have offended soone. It’s been widely spread in the Provincial Brigade, and the transfer is probably not going to happen."
Fang Huai confird his suspicion.
If Hao Chengbin stayed in the new recruit group, the only person he could have offended would be Jiang Peng’s Uncle.
He also wanted to ask if Squad Leader Pan would be transferred to the provincial city—but there were differences in what everyone knew about the matter, and asking would provoke unwarranted speculation and undoubtedly offend others.
Hao Chengbin did not ntion anything about it after he returned that day, and Fang Huai wisely did not ask. Those who probably knew the full story were the few who went to the Chief of Staff’s office that day.
No, in fact, the one who really knew what was going on, was likely the new recruit Jiang Peng.
That evening, after leaving the Brigade Departnt, Fang Huai left Huang Yi with a shortcut key reference sheet, completing his task of teaching Huang Yi.
But Fang Huai imdiately received another task.
[Use your own abilities to resolve Hao Chengbin’s trouble.]
Without a second thought, Fang Huai knew he had to accept it.
Squad Leader Hao had been so good to him, and after all, it was because of him that this issue arose in the first place. How could he not step in when Hao was in trouble?
...
So, today after lunch, Fang Huai hesitated but eventually went over to the entrance of Squad Eight.
When he saw Jiang Peng, he was chatting and laughing with a new recruit as they walked towards the squad, with a regulation book in hand.
"Jiang Peng, I need to ask you sothing," Fang Huai said, stopping him.
Jiang Peng chuckled nervously, "What more do you want to say? I’m not even talking about changing squads anymore, and you still want to trouble ?"
Fang Huai was taken aback.
Then, his mind raced and he tentatively said with a smile, "You know about Han Yong’s background too, right? Can’t contend with it, so what mischief are you up to now?"
Jiang Peng clenched his teeth, but then recalling his uncle’s advice and with a laugh that was more of a force than anger, said,
"Yes, yes, the relationship with General Luo is quite sothing. I’m just a lowly guy, what could I possibly do, right?"
Fang Huai’s pupils shook with realization.
Oh my god, General Han keeps a low profile!
He certainly knew who General Luo was, the next Corps Captain!
With that connection, Vice-director Liu still dares to stir things up?
But wait.
He was only ssing with Hao Chengbin, a non-commissioned officer leading troops; once Chengbin left the new recruit group, he’d have no real ties with Han Yong.
With that thought, Fang Huai once again made a veiled threat.
"Your uncle’s got so nerve, ssing with people like that. Wait and see, I’ll have to teach Han Yong how to appropriately convey his grievances to General Luo."
After saying his piece, he walked away.
"Damn it, what do you an by that!" Panicked, Jiang Peng hurried up and caught Fang Huai.
His uncle had been very clear that day, especially about not ssing with Han Yong anymore.
Unperturbed, Fang Huai walked towards the end of the corridor to an empty spot and then turned around, speaking solemnly.
"What did Squad Leader Hao say about you when you went to see the Chief of Staff?"
Confused about the connection to Han Yong but anxious, Jiang Peng still replied truthfully,
"What could he say? Just not letting switch squads! Said Han Yong was performing well! My uncle didn’t say anything! Did we do anything wrong?"
"What about Squad Leader Pan?"
Jiang Peng imdiately beca guarded, "He hasn’t ssed with ! Just normal training! This isn’t allowed? I must let him ss with , let you vent on , right?"
The once haughty dependent could now voice such grievances, which likely ant he had been properly chastised that day.
Gradually, Fang Huai pieced together the sequence of events.
If Old Pan was indeed heading to the provincial city, then this was a case of a PY transaction, looking after my nephew for , I’ll look after you. If not, it was simply a case of retribution.
It’s just too easy for others to take revenge.
They don’t even need to run to the Command Departnt to interfere with troop transfers. Just by spreading the word that Hao Chengbin doesn’t understand the way things work, the Special Duty team will have to think twice about whether transferring Hao Chengbin is worth it or whether it might offend a leader.
The Command Departnt manages troops, oversees training, while the Political Departnt is in charge of evaluating cadres and their thoughts. When junior officers want a promotion, they have to go through their procedures.
Squadron leaders definitely don’t want to suck up to the leadership and get involved in sabotaging Hao Chengbin. Such moves would make the Squadron Sergeants dissatisfied, too. But with so many concerns, they might have to find a suitable reason to prevent the higher-ups from transferring troops.
However, to obstruct Hao Chengbin’s transfer whilst also getting Pan Zhaohui transferred requires him to co forward and ask the Command Departnt himself, which is much more difficult. By doing so, he’d be openly clashing with the leaders arranging Hao Chengbin’s transfer.
The saying goes, "It’s easy to destroy but hard to build," and that’s exactly the point.
These things might seem convoluted and complicated, but they’re just a drop in the ocean compared to the real scheming of local units.
If it was a Squadron issue, he could handle it; if it was the Command Departnt, then it would be a procedural issue – "personal abilities" completion; this task was practically tailor-made for his uncle.
So it must be just a Squadron issue.
The Special Duty Squad’s Second Squadron didn’t want to offend Vice-director Liu and found an excuse to obstruct Hao Chengbin’s transfer.
Having figured out these key points, Fang Huai left Jiang Peng a puzzle he could mull over until he returned to the squad.
"Alright, I won’t say too much. You seriously need to watch your thoughts; you might even drag your uncle down with you. Be careful," he said with a smile.
Fang Huai walked away hands behind his back, leaving Jiang Peng standing there mind-blown.
...
After taking a leak and returning to the squad, he ran into Hao Chengbin, who had just co back.
"Where have you been?" Hao Chengbin asked casually.
"Reporting, Squad Eight," Fang Huai responded reflexively without thinking.
Hao Chengbin’s expression imdiately furrowed.
"What were you doing in Squad Eight..."
He then felt sothing was amiss and stood up to walk out.
"Co outside with ," he said.
Fang Huai followed him outside.
Looking around to ensure no one was there, Hao Chengbin spoke in a low voice, "Did you hear sothing?"
Fang Huai nodded, saying honestly, "Squad leader, this is all my fault. I’m the one who caused issues with your transfer, so I wanted to help you think of a solution."
"What’s your fault? It’s because so people are unscrupulous!" Hao Chengbin said irritably. "Don’t focus on where you shouldn’t! It’s just that I can’t temporarily go to Special Duty! Their Squadron is participating in the national Grand Martial Arts Competition, and they want to use this vacant non-commissioned officer spot to temporarily transfer a young non-commissioned officer for the eight-man drill!
The squad leader is getting old, he can’t win a spot! It’s also ti to make way!
It’s just for a few months, right?
Once they return, I’ll go there. There’s no need to worry about your affair. I’ve already spoken with them; they will co asking for you!
Special Service Squadron 2 has a full complent of 30 soldiers and should have five new recruit slots. You better put up a good fight for ! By the ti I get there, you need to be the best new recruit, understand?"
Fang Huai’s face crumpled with frustration.
"Squad leader... isn’t the national Grand Martial Arts Competition next September? By the ti it’s over and you transfer, I’ll nearly be a First-class soldier. How would I still qualify as a new recruit?
The excuse these Special Duty cadres have thought up is really rough. You believe that?"
Seeing Fang Huai looking at him as if seeing a fool, Hao Chengbin himself beca confused.
I am comforting you! What do you an by looking at like that?? Do you think I’m naïve?
Hao Chengbin clenched his teeth and let out a sigh, "Rest assured! It was the Leadership from last year’s Corps Martial Arts Competition who personally ntioned it! They can’t block it! Right now, I just don’t want to fall out with them. If they still don’t transfer next year, I’ll go to the Leadership myself!"
Fang Huai felt a pang of sympathy upon hearing this.
It’s precisely because of big-hearted fools like Hao Chengbin that society remains stable.
"No... Squad leader, you know which way the leader’s door opens? How can you be sure that he who has not thought of you for a year, will recognize who you are next year?"
"No way," Hao Chengbin waved impatiently.
"That’s a top leader! Let tell you the truth, he’s a long-term battalion commander and was previously the base director! Next, he might even be the top leader of the whole corps! His word definitely counts!"
Fang Huai was taken aback; this person... sounded familiar.
"Squad leader, he wouldn’t happen to have the surna Zhang, would he?"
Hao Chengbin was shocked, "You know him?"
"Cough," Fang Huai choked on his saliva.
"Don’t know him, don’t know him."
This Squad Leader Hao really is unfortunate!
My uncle... in September... isn’t he gone? Where will he go to reason then?
No, that’s not right.
If it weren’t for , Squad Leader Hao wouldn’t have hit Jiang Peng, and none of this would have happened.
But that’s not right either.
With Jiang Peng’s crappy attitude, he might have gotten beaten over sothing else without ...
Does that an, Hao Chengbin... was he always this unlucky in his past life?
No wonder the system arranged for to co to this squad; we’re birds of a feather!
No, fellow sufferers!
Am I repaying a debt to my uncle?
"Cough, cough, Squad Leader, isn’t it four recruit slots? Why don’t you... also recomnd Han Yong for Special Service Squadron 2?"
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