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nChapter 432: Division, New Recruits End

nTranslator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

n“Tomorrow, we’ll be splitting our forces. It’s been nearly three months since we’ve been working together with Jiang Huai, and I want to express my gratitude for all your cooperation during this time!”

nInside the company office, Jiang Huai stood by the desk, smiling as he distributed cigarettes to everyone.

n“Company Commander, no need to be so polite!”

n“Yeah! Company Commander, you’ve been a tremendous support to our work over these three months!”

nOne by one, the seasoned soldiers spoke with smiles on their faces.

nThis was a farewell gathering. After tonight, the new recruits would be heading to Lian, and everyone would naturally be returning to their original company.

nAfter handing out the cigarettes, Jiang Huai smiled and continued, “Without going into details, we’ve saved a lot of trouble this year. So, let’s go out together later, have a good drink, and enjoy some great food. It’s been a meaningful collaboration!”

n“Sounds great!”

nEveryone nodded in agreement.

nTonight, the new recruits’ company had organized a barbecue party.

nIn fact, preparations were already underway outside.

nUnder the guidance of experienced soldiers from the mess hall, the new recruits were busy preparing barbecue ingredients.

nThis was an experience Wang Ye and his group had missed out on last year.

nMainly because this year, the new recruits’ company compressed the schedule, combining training and assessment.

nAfter returning, there was really no need for the platoon leaders and company commanders to do much in terms of the final division of troops.

nIt was all about waiting, waiting for the division orders from the regiment. Once the division orders came through, their job would be done.

nAs usual, the new recruits’ company commander had some authority in the division, and other companies would usually try to win favor in the hopes of recruiting some talented soldiers. However, this year, that situation wasn’t going to happen.

nOf course, Jiang Huai had been mentally prepared for this from the beginning. When he took charge of the troops, he knew he was just a lubricant, easing the tensions and competition among the three battalions.

n“I never expected that our new recruits’ company would get to have a drink. Seriously, it’s touching!”

n“Yeah! It feels surreal. We didn’t even get to drink during the New Year. 1 thought we’d have to wait until after we moved to Lian, but here we are!”

nAt night, on the training ground, there was no one on the running track.

nEveryone was gathered around a bonfire, with barbecue grills set up around them, sitting on the ground.

nBarbecue and drinks flowed freely into the night.

nThere wasn’t much alcohol to go around; each new recruit had just one bottle of beer. However, it was enough to bring joy to the newly sober soldiers who had refrained from drinking for three months.

nPerhaps the only downside today was that even though the ban on alcohol had been lifted for the new recruits, smoking was still not allowed.

nThis was mainly because smoking was strictly prohibited during the new recruit period, and the platoon leaders couldn’t easily go against the rules in public. However, once everyone returned to their dormitories, as long as the platoon leaders weren’t overly strict and traditional, they would often indulge the recruits in this little desire.

nFor example, in Class Five’s dormitory after the evening party, Wang Ye took out some cigarettes and started distributing them to the new recruits who were sitting neatly on their beds and small stools.

n“Over the past three months, you guys haven’t been very demanding. Except for Li Jun and Duan Wei, who don’t smoke, the rest of you never had a chance to come to me for cigarettes.

nBut on the last night before parting ways, I’ll be generous.

nCome on, one for each of you. Of course, if you don’t smoke, there’s no pressure!”

nWhile handing out cigarettes, Wang Ye smiled and said something that hit home for most of the new recruits in Class Five.

nHonestly, when they first arrived and heard the two conditions Wang Ye mentioned for getting cigarettes from him, they felt a bit of excitement and self-assuredness.

nOf course, many of them didn’t aim to surpass Wang Ye in every aspect; they just wanted to excel in some specific aspect to outdo him.

nThey thought that nobody could be perfect in every way, and surely the seasoned soldiers had their weaknesses.

nHowever, they soon realized that they had been too young and naive back then.

nWhat two conditions were they talking about?

nThere was only one condition: to secure the first place in the entire company in a single category.

nThe other condition was essentially a dead end.

nIt was quite frustrating.

nBut they had no choice. Those who smoked had to endure three months of forced abstinence from cigarettes.

nNow, some of the recruits who used to smoke were holding the cigarettes Wang Ye had given them, with expressions that seemed like they were about to cry. “Class leader, 1 finally got your cigarettes!”

n“Haha, fulfilling a dream, huh?” Wang Ye laughed.

nThe recruit nodded vigorously. “Exactly! When you mentioned those two conditions back then, I was determined to get a cigarette from you. 1 didn’t want to wait until today!”

nWang Ye chuckled, “Well, you didn’t get it through your abilities, I can tell you that much! Let me tell you, don’t bring this up after we move to Lian; I can’t afford to lose face over this.”

nSpeaking of this, Wang Ye looked around at the new recruits in the dormitory. “Remember this well after we split, unless you can achieve the first place in the company, bury the fact that 1 was your class leader deep in your guts and never tell a soul!” Wang Ye pretended to be stern.

nThis statement immediately caused a freeze in the expressions of the new recruits in the dormitory.

nWho even thinks about claiming the first place in the company before knowing which company they’ll be assigned to?

nWho in their right mind would dare to say something like that? Perhaps Li Jun had some confidence, considering his aptitude.

nDuan Wei was good with subjects like ideology and culture, which counted for something.

nIn terms of overall performance, even Han Yi was ahead of him.

nAs for the others, it was hard to imagine them claiming the first place in the new recruits’ company, let alone in their future company.

n“It looks like 1 can only keep this secret until 1 finish my service!” one of the new recruits said dryly.

nSomeone nearby chuckled.

nThey were in the same boat.

nWang Ye continued with a smile, “Lack of ambition, don’t you know how to strive for improvement? Look at Han Yi, initially, his performance wasn’t outstanding either, but now? He ranked fifth in the entire company during the final assessment!”

n“Hehe, Class Leader, it’s all thanks to your excellent teaching!” Han Yi immediately responded with some flattery.

nWang Ye looked at him and said with a smile, “I’ve taught all of you the same way; you’re the one who put in the effort!”

n“Hehe!” Han Yi grinned.

nIn reality, he had worked hard to get to where he was today.

nAnd now, he had proven himself.

nAt least, the platoon leader of the seventh platoon must be regretting his decisions by now.

nIn fact, after Han Yi’s performance improved, the seventh platoon leader had approached him twice.

nHe asked if he wanted to return to the seventh platoon and even offered some incentives.

nAfter all, while both the second platoon and the seventh platoon belonged to the second battalion, the priorities for transferring soldiers led by different veteran soldiers to various companies were different.

nFor example, the elite soldiers led by Wang Ye and Zhou Qi in the fifth and sixth platoons would have priority in transferring to the fourth company. The elite soldiers led by the seventh and eighth platoon leaders would have priority in transferring to their own company.

nIn this situation, with Han Yi performing so well lately and being transferred to Class Five, he would eventually go to the fourth company. This didn’t just upset the seventh platoon leader; even their company commander would be furious!

nUnfortunately, Han Yi was definitely not going back.

nHe had joined Class Five and voluntarily put in extra hours of training, even tackling the subjects he used to dislike. Why?

nIt was all about pride.

nHe wanted to prove that he had self-reflective and that he was still right.

n“Alright, come on, those who smoke, light up your cigarettes. Those who don’t smoke, keep this one as a memento!”

nWang Ye took out a lighter and lit their cigarettes one by one.

nLast year, Ye Sanshi had done the same before they split, and this year, he followed suit.

n“Li Hua, Zhang Qingyi, Wen Xiaolong…”

nAfter a delayed wake-up call by half an hour, everyone was ordered to pack up and gather downstairs.

nNow, after Wang Ye finished organizing the squad, Jiang Huai took out the troop assignment orders sent by the regiment and began to read them aloud.

nNearby, representatives from each company had already arrived.

nAs each name was called, after it was read out, a cadre came over and directly escorted the person away.

nBy the way, the veteran soldiers originally from that company would also follow along.

n“Li Jun, Duan Wei, Pang Wen…”

nFinally, it was the turn of the soldiers going to the fourth company. Jiang Huai read out eight names in total, with only three from Class Five but five from Class Six!

nEach platoon leader was responsible for some of the soldiers assigned to artillery and heavy machine gun platoons, as well as logistics, so it was impossible to retain all of their own soldiers.

nIn fact, some platoon leaders might not even want all of them. After all, not every soldier was suitable for combat units, and some were indeed not up to par.

n“Over here!” A second lieutenant platoon leader from the fourth company called out with a smile from outside the formation.

nAt that moment, among those standing at attention, Li Jun, Duan Wei, and three others looked at Wang Ye, who was still standing behind Jiang Huai, grinning happily.

nWang Ye also smiled and then moved away from behind Jiang Huai.

nHe was going to report to the Criminal Investigation Company, but nobody had asked him to go with the new recruits. So, he planned to make a quick visit to the fourth company first.

nAccompany the new recruits and also meet old comrades.

nIn the afternoon, he would head to the Criminal Investigation Company.

nAt this moment, among the remaining members of Class Five, Han Yi clenched his fist tightly.

nHe also wanted to go with Wang Ye.

nIn his current understanding, Wang Ye had done him an immense favor. Wang Ye had transformed his life; otherwise, he wouldn’t have returned home, potentially facing severe consequences, and even if he had stayed in the military, things wouldn’t have gone as smoothly.

nUnlike now, where he could make his original platoon leader bow his head.

nHowever, when the names were called, his name wasn’t on the list.

nHis fist clenched tightly, and he felt a sense of frustration, but he couldn’t do anything about it.

nHe was a soldier, and the three months of basic training had instilled the value of obedience deep into his bones.

nAt this moment, Wang Ye had actually noticed Han Yi’s expression and even made eye contact with him.

nWang Ye smiled and nodded at him, leaving Han Yi somewhat puzzled.

nWang Ye had checked the troop assignment list earlier, and he knew that he had been selected to go to the Criminal Investigation Company.

nOf course, he hadn’t told Han Yi about this or mentioned that he was also going to the Criminal Investigation Company.

nHe wanted to surprise him a bit.

n“Let’s go!”

nThe deputy platoon leader from the fourth company, who came to pick up the recruits, was named Wang Ye. They knew each other but weren’t particularly close.

nThe former platoon leader, Wang Ye, smiled at Wang Ye and said these words, to which Wang Ye nodded in response.

nThere was no need to wait for everyone to finish dividing the troops.

nOnce they knew which company they were assigned to, they could leave directly, saving everyone from lingering and getting too sentimental.

n“Class Leader!”

nWang Ye, Zhou Qi, and the former platoon leader walked ahead of the formation, and from behind, someone called out excitedly.

nEven without turning around, Wang Ye knew it was Li Jun.

nHe turned back and smiled.

nWang Ye also hadn’t mentioned to them that he was going to the Criminal Investigation Company.

nThat’s how it was. He wasn’t their nanny, and they weren’t babies. In the end, taking them to the fourth company before parting ways was already a decent way to say goodbye.

nThe journey continued in silence, and Wang Ye and the former platoon leader didn’t take them to the canteen.

nThey exited from the gate of the new recruits’ company and then entered through the gate of the regiment’s headquarters, making their way to the fourth company.

nThe sounds of drums and gongs echoed once again.

nThis filled the eight new recruits arriving at the fourth company with excitement.

nZheng Ke and the instructor personally welcomed them.

nThen, they were divided into their respective platoons.

nAll eight new recruits were dispersed, and Class Eight kept one.

nHowever, it wasn’t one of the recruits Wang Ye had brought; it was one of the top-notch new recruits from Zhou Qi’s Class Six..

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