Chapter 38: Gold always shines, and the reputation has spread!
In the blink of an eye, another month had passed. Throughout this month, each day was spent in training. The squad leader found various ways to challenge them, and the platoon leader and company commander seemed unwilling to be idle. Several times in the early morning or late at night, they unexpectedly sounded the wake-up call for a surprise assembly.
The first time, Chen Ming and his companions even thought that the neighboring squad was really attacking, and they needed to go up and defend. Unexpectedly, upon reaching downstairs, they were greeted by the smiling faces of the platoon leader and others. While evaluating their rapid response, they emphasized the essence of being a soldier—always ready for duty. Even on one’s wedding night, they were reminded that they had to return to the unit if a call came.
At that time, the tired recruits couldn’t comprehend such dedication. However, many years later, they realized that the motto “answer the call” had become deeply ingrained in their mentality.
Besides training, Chen Ming didn’t forget the system’s check-ins on his rest days. Each time, he led the team to the computer room. After the incident with Fatty being caught, they became extra cautious during these visits. Nevertheless, they successfully completed four check-ins this month, receiving “Tactical Skill Mastery,” “Bomb Throwing Skill Mastery,” “Insight +50%,” and “Physical Endurance +50%” from the system.
Armed with these skills, Chen Ming’s performance in subsequent training became increasingly impressive. In tactical skill exercises, he could flawlessly execute tasks after just a casual demonstration by the squad leader. During one session, the squad leader hinted at retiring, leaving Chen Ming in charge.
As for the insight boost of +50%, Chen Ming seldom used it in training, but it proved invaluable during visits to the computer room on rest days. His keen insight allowed him to anticipate patrols and evade them.
The +50% boost in physical endurance was also beneficial. It propelled him effortlessly through various physical training sessions, making arduous activities seem no different from regular jogging.
With the recruiting period drawing to a close, other squad leaders admired Chen Ming’s abilities. Company commanders and platoon leaders eyed him, eager to have such a standout soldier under their command. After gaining proficiency in bomb-throwing, Chen Ming’s precision in a training session attracted attention. Even some squad leaders felt inadequate compared to him.
Despite efforts to keep Chen Ming’s achievements low-key, news spread within the recruit company and even to other companies in the brigade. Company commanders extended invitations to Lin Changfeng, hoping to lure Chen Ming away.
Lin Changfeng was well aware of their intentions. Invitations were not just about observing. They hoped that Lin Changfeng would invite them reciprocally, allowing them to assess Chen Ming’s authenticity.
Knowing that if they discovered Chen Ming, they would spare no effort to recruit him, Lin Changfeng understood the increased competition he would face. Looking at the piles of invitation letters, Lin Changfeng wanted to set them ablaze but thought he would have to keep in touch in the future, so he resisted burning them.
“Before, having an information department was fine, but now so many companies are joining. Damn, can’t they cultivate their elite soldiers? They want to snatch talents from my mouth. I’ll bite you all to death!”
Lin Changfeng was increasingly angry. When no one was around several times, he expressed his frustration aloud. Moreover, he heard that as Chen Ming’s fame grew, the information department, which first proposed snatching people, secretly monitored Chen Ming’s movements.
Although it may sound exaggerated, it’s the reality. The military is a place that admires strength. Any officer wishes to have good soldiers under their command. Good soldiers can bring honor to the unit in various competitions and exercises. Gaining honor in the military is not a simple matter, and having more honors makes other units look up to you.
Therefore, the outstanding recruits in the second company of recruits became sought after by other companies.
One morning, after the morning exercises, everyone, under the squad leader’s lead, gathered in an open space instead of going to the tactical training ground. Their squad and all recruits from the second company were assembled in the open space.
“Squad deputy, what are we doing here?” Yu Jun looked puzzled at the grand scene.
Convening the entire company like this was not common, and they feared something unusual might happen, introducing even more extreme training. Now that they had finally adapted to various physical and tactical training, they didn’t want anything more extreme.
He Dong, in contrast to Yu Jun’s pessimism, was much more optimistic. “Could it be another barbecue gathering? Hey, this time, I must eat more.”
He Xue rolled his eyes. “You’re just thinking about eating!”
The squad leader in front coughed twice. Chen Ming immediately understood and whispered, “Quiet!”
The three platoon leaders and the company commander walked to the front with everyone gathered.
Seeing the recruits who had transformed from immature youths into soldiers after two months of training, the company commander smiled, “I remember when you first joined, the weather was hot. Now, after two months, it’s getting cooler. There’s not much time left until the end of the recruit period, and you’ll become official soldiers.”
The recruits listened with determination in their eyes. There was only one more month, and they would achieve true transformation.
After a pause, the company commander emphasized, “Today, we will have live ammunition target training!”