Chapter 28: Finalizing the Selections

At night, in the small meeting room of the reconnaissance company, the officers were gathered for a meeting.

On the center of the oval conference table lay the ranking list of the candidates for the upcoming selection. The room was thick with the acrid smell of cigarette smoke. Company Commander Miao, Political Instructor Wang, and Platoon Leader Chen Guotao, along with several other officers, sat around the table with grave expressions, the heavy smokers among them puffing away one cigarette after another.

Political Instructor Wang looked at everyone and said, "Let’s hear it. What are your thoughts on the candidates on this list?"

Chen Guotao looked at the list and replied, "I have no personal opinion. Let’s go by the performance results."

There were only five spots allocated for this training selection. Su Yang and Sun Weihao from his platoon were ranked first and second respectively; based on merit, they were definitely going.

Instructor Wang sighed impatiently. "I’m talking about Jiang Xuexie from the third platoon, and Zhuang Yan. Which one should we send? Jiang Xuexie’s performance is only sixth, but his first term as a non-commissioned officer is ending this year. If he doesn't go through the training camp, he’ll have little chance of being promoted to a second term. After all, our company has a limited number of second-term spots."

"Instructor, it’s true that Jiang Xuexie will struggle to compete with other first-term NCOs for a second term if he hasn't attended the training camp. But it wouldn't be right to keep Zhuang Yan from going either. His results are better than Jiang’s. If we don't send Zhuang Yan, what will the soldiers think of us?" Chen Guotao expressed his concern. He understood the instructor's dilemma—from the instructor's perspective, he had to try his best to secure retention opportunities for the veterans, but the morale of the new recruits could not be ignored either.

"I object! Zhuang Yan’s training results are decent, but they’re only marginally better than Jiang Xuexie’s." The second platoon leader spoke up in opposition. Jiang Xuexie was his soldier, and he naturally wanted to protect him. He then shifted his tone. "Having good training scores is one thing, but the reconnaissance training camp is meant to cultivate future grassroots leaders, excellent scouts, and potential squad leaders. A squad leader is the 'mother of the army'; being good at training alone isn't enough. Look at his time in the recruit company—Zhuang Yan was back-talking and even fought his squad leader. In terms of ideology and conduct, he’s hardly an advanced soldier. There are plenty of people better than him. What if he goes to the training camp and embarrasses our 'Night Tiger' Reconnaissance Company?"

Instructor Wang looked at Commander Miao. "Old Miao, I know you favor this kid. His results are good, but the second platoon leader is right. Being good at training but poor in ideology is unacceptable. Didn't you tell me yourself that this kid didn't even want to participate at first and you had to force him? Look at his ideological awareness—it’s not up to par. I think we should send Jiang."

Commander Miao’s eyes widened, and he snapped, "The Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company has always been defined by its performance. If our training is subpar and we go to the camp, do you want them to think our reputation is unearned?"

"Besides, the incident with the squad leader was back in the recruit company. I had Old Pao provoke him on purpose, so that doesn't count for much. As for his personality, he may be stubborn, but he’s sharp-witted. That’s the kind of material a scout needs."

Instructor Wang remained firm. "With Su Yang there, we won't be seen as unearned. I believe even the elite scouts from other regiments have few who can match Su Yang."

Seeing the two leaders at an impasse, Chen Guotao quickly interjected, "Instructor, Commander, arguing like this won't solve anything. Why don't we ask for Zhuang Yan’s opinion? We can explain the situation to him. If he insists on going, we’ll let him. If he’s willing to give it up, we can find a way to compensate him, perhaps with the upcoming communications specialist training."

"What kind of compensation is that? Can it compare to the scout training camp?" Commander Miao disagreed. He had recruited Zhuang Yan to mold him into the finest scout for the special forces selection, not to be a mere communications clerk.

Chen Guotao explained, "Commander Miao, it’s like this: Zhuang Yan told me the reason he joined the army was to find his girlfriend. I heard she’s also in our group army, working as a medic. Most medics are assigned to the group army hospital, and the communications training is held at the army headquarters. If Zhuang Yan goes, he might be able to find her. He’d surely be happy with that."

"A real man should focus on being a good soldier, not wallowing in petty romance all day," Commander Miao muttered with a dark face, but he knew Chen Guotao made a valid point and fell silent.

***

"Platoon Leader Chen, is that true? Are you sure that by attending the communications training I can find my girlfriend?" In the barracks, Xiao Zhuang grabbed Chen Guotao, asking with excitement.

"I can't guarantee it. I’m just thinking that if your girlfriend is a medic in the group army hospital, you might run into her while training at headquarters." Chen Guotao pulled his hand away and shook his head, not giving a definitive answer.

"That's enough for me! Xiao Ying is indeed a medic. I only knew she was assigned to the same group army as me, but I didn't know where." Zhuang Yan was overjoyed, his usual gloom swept away.

"So, you’re certain you won't attend the scout training camp?" Chen Guotao looked at him, sighing inwardly for Commander Miao. This kid’s mindset was still far from that of a true soldier; he wondered when Commander Miao would be able to change him.

"Platoon Leader, I didn't want to go in the first place. It was Commander Miao who insisted. Since there’s a veteran who needs this opportunity, I’ll give it to him," Zhuang Yan stated firmly. He didn't care about the spot; he only knew he had a chance to see his girlfriend.

***

The next evening, after training and dinner, the soldiers gathered to sing a couple of songs before the company commander’s customary address. Everyone stretched their necks, quietly waiting for the important news. Every soldier in the reconnaissance company knew this was a pivotal moment.

In the formation, Su Yang stood with the first squad, listening intently to Commander Miao.

"You veterans, you’re a disgrace! After training for so long, you let a recruit who’s only been in the company for a few months take first place. If I were you, I’d find a piece of tofu and smash my head against it!"

"From today on, veterans and recruits alike will undergo extra training! If I see anyone slacking off, thinking their seniority protects them, just wait and see how I deal with you."

Using yesterday’s competition as leverage, Commander Miao habitually turned up the pressure, leaving the veterans too ashamed to look up. After the reprimand, he pulled out the list they had discussed.

"I’m announcing an important message today. After careful deliberation by the company leadership, we have finalized the list for this year’s division-level reconnaissance training camp—"

The moment he finished, the soldiers looked up, listening intently.

"First Platoon, First Squad, Sun Weihao!"

"Present!"

"First Platoon, First Squad, Su Yang!"

"Present!"

***

"Damn, Su Yang is truly a beast! He gets to go to the training camp. Doesn't that mean when he gets back, he’s a lock for squad leader next year?"

"Squad leader? Are you kidding? Look at the books Su Yang reads every day. He’s aiming for military academy. Maybe he’ll end up like Platoon Leader Chen, wearing a rank insignia."

"Is it really that easy to get into military academy?"

"That’s for you. He’s a high school graduate! Besides, Su Yang already has a third-class merit. If he gets another one, he can be promoted to officer even if he doesn't make it to the academy."

"What about Xiao Zhuang? He ranked fifth, why isn't he going? He’s a college student, too."

"Forget it. He’s just here to serve two years before going back to school. Why would he stay in the military? If you were a college student, would you?"

"That's true, I guess."

The soldiers ignored discipline, whispering among themselves. Commander Miao seemed to have expected this and didn't immediately enforce silence. Instead, he waved his hand and shouted, "Everyone except those selected for the training camp, dismissed for dinner!"

Su Yang glanced at Zhuang Yan with some surprise, but saw no sign of unhappiness; instead, he walked toward the cafeteria as if he didn't care at all.

"The five of you, go prepare yourselves well. No matter what, you must bring back good results from the training camp. Show the other regiments that the reputation of the 'Night Tiger' Reconnaissance Company isn't just talk. Do you understand?" Commander Miao scanned the five of them, then fixed his gaze on Su Yang.

Su Yang understood his intent and shouted, "Understood!"

"Good. Be ready to head out in a week." Having said this, he led the platoon leaders into the cafeteria.