Chapter 10: Miao Lian's Scheme

“Everyone performed quite well. As for those who didn’t do as well, don’t worry—there will be plenty of opportunities for live-fire exercises in the future!”

In front of the barracks, the new recruits company commander was reviewing the day’s live-fire shooting results.

“And regarding the matter of Squad One’s loss today, discussing or spreading rumors about it is strictly forbidden.”

Amidst the commander’s stern voice, the recruits stifled their laughter and glanced toward Zheng Sanpao standing at the front of the formation.

“Did you understand?” Captain Song shouted loudly.

“Yes, sir!” the recruits responded in unison.

“Good. Except for Su Yang, everyone else is dismissed!” With that, Captain Song waved his hand, sending the group away.

After the others left, Captain Song looked at Su Yang and smiled. “Come on, let’s go to my office for a chat.”

“Yes, Captain.” Su Yang, a bit puzzled by the captain’s tone, followed obediently.

Soon enough, Su Yang understood the reason.

“Su Yang, as the squad deputy, you need to unite your comrades properly and make sure today’s incident doesn’t affect their morale,” Captain Song said leisurely, hands clasped behind his back as they walked.

“Yes, Captain. I will keep that in mind.”

Su Yang was amused and helpless. He had thought his performance was good enough to stop Zheng Sanpao from picking on Zhuang Yan.

But even a small breeze can bring subtle changes.

Since Zhuang Yan hit the coin, the veteran sergeant was naturally held accountable and had to do two hundred push-ups in front of the entire new recruits company.

For the recruits, this was a cause for applause—after all, the veteran sergeants had been scolding them relentlessly.

“Alright, just be mindful. You did very well today. Write a shooting reflection and submit it to the instructor when the time comes!”

Captain Song, seeing that Su Yang understood, no longer dwelled on the veteran sergeant’s matter and shifted to discussing Su Yang’s reward for scoring a perfect hundred on the target.

“Yes, Captain. I’ll write it right away!”

Captain Song approached a military vehicle and nodded, then suddenly seemed to recall something and turned to Su Yang. “By the way, Su Yang, soon you’ll be assigned to a unit. Do you have a preference?”

Su Yang thought for a moment, then replied shyly, “Report, Captain, I haven’t decided yet. Right now, all my focus is on the competition.”

He clearly understood Captain Song’s meaning—it was an invitation to join his unit.

Captain Song’s unit was artillery, a high-tech branch. For an average high school graduate, joining artillery would be an excellent choice, especially since university graduates were rare then.

High school or even middle school graduates formed the main force of the army, and the military desperately needed recruits with higher education to accelerate modernization.

The desert war a few years prior had awakened the military leadership to this need.

To promote mechanization and informatization, the army required many recruits with solid educational backgrounds.

University students were hard to come by, making high school graduates the most sought-after soldiers.

If Su Yang joined the artillery unit, he would have a promising future.

However, coming from the future, Su Yang knew the situation of the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company, so naturally, that was his first choice.

But he couldn’t say this to Captain Song outright—it would be like slapping the captain in the face, given how well Captain Song treated him.

“You kid, be honest. Do you think I’m going to eat you alive?” Captain Song’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Su Yang, resigned, decided to be truthful. “Report, Captain, I heard that soldiers from the reconnaissance company have a high chance of entering special forces, and I enlisted with the special forces in mind.”

Captain Song loosened his collar irritably. “Who told you that? What nonsense! If the Night Tiger Recon Company can get into the special forces, so can we. As long as you pass the training and selection, anyone from any branch can join.”

He continued, “Su Yang, I heard you’re planning to take the military academy exam. Listen, if you want to go to the academy, you should come to our artillery unit. Our army is transforming, and we need a lot of technical officers. The competition for technical positions is not as fierce as in the reconnaissance company.”

His tone grew more passionate.

“Those reconnaissance bastards spread rumors, making it seem like it’s easier for their guys to get into special forces. But I didn’t see any of them make it during last year’s selection.”

Su Yang felt a bit bitter. Being outstanding and then poached wasn’t necessarily a blessing—it often brought enemies.

So he said, “Captain, this is just my personal thought. I have no prejudice against any branch. When the superior commands, I’ll go wherever I’m assigned.”

“After all, a soldier’s duty is to obey orders. There’s a saying: I’m just a brick in the organization—wherever I’m needed, I’ll be moved.”

Captain Song was silent for a moment after hearing Su Yang’s words.

Then, looking somewhat relieved, he said, “I overreacted. Su Yang, don’t overthink it. I’m just annoyed with the reconnaissance company’s officers, not you. Wherever you go, I’ll respect your decision. As long as you work hard, I’ll be proud of you—I am, after all, your new recruits company commander.”

He waved his hand. “Go now. Make sure to unite your squad and assist Squad Leader Zheng.”

“Yes, sir!” Su Yang turned and left.

...

In the Night Tiger Company conference room, Company Commander Miao flipped through a small notebook, writing and drawing. After a while, he looked up at the three squad leaders sent by the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company to train the new recruits.

“The time to assign new recruits is coming soon. You know why I arranged for you to train them.”

Zheng Sanpao and the other two nodded seriously.

Miao pulled out a list from the notebook and handed it to them.

Zheng Sanpao opened it—it was the new recruits list, with some names circled and marked.

“They’ve been training for two months now. Tell me, which of your soldiers are promising?”

After speaking, Miao wiped his eyes with a towel.

Zheng Sanpao was silent for a moment before reporting, “Captain, you know our squad’s situation well. One soldier is outstanding and well-disciplined. As for Zhuang Yan, you’ve seen him for yourself.”

The other two squad leaders also reported on their squads.

Miao squinted and smiled. “Su Yang and little Zhuang are indeed good. As for ‘well-disciplined,’ maybe you haven’t pushed them hard enough. I don’t care what methods you use, but you need to train them properly—just don’t crush their fighting spirit.”

“With so many watching, I think it’ll be tough to snatch those two from you,” Miao said with determination.

“Captain, I don’t think that’s necessary for Su Yang. He’s very proactive with good awareness. What you used on Zhuang Yan won’t work on him, and I doubt anyone can break Zhuang’s spirit,” Zheng Sanpao replied.

Miao thought a moment before saying, “Alright then. I’ll try to get someone from the regiment to help with Su Yang. As for Zhuang Yan, Squad Leader One, I know you lost him in the new recruits company, but that’s nothing compared to the reconnaissance company’s honor.”

“Yes, Captain.” Zheng Sanpao was somewhat helpless. He didn’t want to deal with Zhuang Yan, but Miao’s orders left him no choice.