Chapter 113 - 70: A Change in Victim for a Beating

"Fifth Company, let’s have one! Fifth Company, let’s have one!" The entire playground resounded with roars like waves crashing against the mountains, even the basketball hoops with their rubber frames seemed to respond to the surge of sound.

The atmosphere was incredibly intense.

On Sunday, after a whole day of basketball games which ended by three in the afternoon, Fifth Company emerged as the champion.

However, the Chief of Staff felt that there needed to be more heat on this cold winter afternoon, and so he arranged for each company on the playground to sing.

He even generously declared: First place, the Brigade Department’s overall points increase by one!

That’s like adding one point to every squad!

The referees were from the Regiment Department on the sidelines!

This time, everyone was targeting Fifth Company.

At the entrance, two of the top three squads on the scoreboards belonged to Fifth Company, whose overall points were also sitting comfortably in first place.

The Seventh Company had it rough though.

Despite having the top-scoring Squad Nine, their overall performance was only third best.

Let’s not even talk about the worst-performing First, Second, and Third Company, they’re always the first to be inspected by the Leadership, leaving them with no time to prepare.

With half a month gone by, each company was anxious to score points.

So everyone targeted Fifth Company, because those guys were always damn first!

The Seventh Company had even ordered that if they lost the singing today, during tomorrow’s study class, everyone would take turns singing "Qinghai-Tibet Plateau" in the original key!

Fang Huai could reach the high notes, but he was still loudly joining in the shouting.

He might have been able to sing, but he sure didn’t want to listen!

The formations from each company gave their all, giddy with excitement, with the company leaders and instructors acting as commanders.

The Seventh Company’s instructor wasn’t there.

Company Leader Wang Jian had somehow procured a small flag, and, like an energetic macaque, he was jumping up and down at the front for half a day without relief. His naturally thin eyebrows now seemed to merge with his eyes from fatigue, looking like he had grown four eyebrows.

Wang Jian turned back to look and then walked straight to Fang Huai, passing the small flag over, "Fang Huai, I can’t shout anymore, want to give it a try?"

Fang Huai was startled, "Company Leader, if you can’t shout, you should call a squad leader instead..."

Wang Jian smiled, "Then can you call a squad leader over for me?"

Fang Huai turned to look.

Dammit, the squad leaders of Seventh Company were changing into basketball jerseys and playing ball with the other companies at the back half of the playground, and two others, who knew where they got the chair from, were sitting back-to-front, fast asleep.

Sleeping soundly in such chaos, you could tell it was a skill passed down from their school days.

Yue Tao on the side though, was excited and reached out to grab the flag, "Company Leader, let me! It would be an honor!"

"You do shit!" Wang Jian dodged with his hand.

If he started shouting nonsense, they wouldn’t score any points, but they’d surely end up with shit all over.

No wonder he had faith in Fang Huai; Fang Huai now had political backing.

Aside from his performance and talent, there were his uncle and the Regiment as well.

Just today, the Chief of Staff had notified him that after some time, Fang Huai might often need to take leaves of absence, or even have him sign some leave slips in advance in case of urgent matters.

Wang Jian was baffled at the time, what? A new recruit... frequently taking leave?

The Chief of Staff was usually too lazy to explain, but remembering that Fang Huai had sung in his presence, he casually mentioned: Fang Huai’s singing might be promoted through the whole corps channels, he would go out for production work.

Wang Jian understood that Fang Huai might become famous, very famous.

...

"Alright, I’ll do it."

Seeing Wang Jian really could not continue, and with a touch of shyness, Fang Huai took the command flag.

Moving to the front, he looked back at everyone, lifted the flag in his hand, signaling command.

Immediately after, the momentum shifted.

Fang Huai felt that wearing the new recruit jacket, without any insignia, wasn’t imposing enough, so he took off the jacket to reveal the green sweater underneath.

Then, he stood on the chair where Wang Jian had previously set.

Many recognized him as the hero who had beaten up Battalion Commander Zhang, and they started whispering excitedly among themselves.

On the playground, nine companies were arranged into a rectangle, and at that moment, Fourth Company launched an assault against Seventh Company.

"Seventh Company, sing! Once you’re done, Fifth Company will sing!"

Fang Huai didn’t hesitate, swinging the flag and bellowing.

"If you want me to sing, then I will sing, where should I put my pride?"

Those behind him, thinking it sounded about right, joined in, "If you want me to sing! Then I will sing! Where should I put my pride?"

The other side retorted, "Machine gun, two legs, shooting Seventh Company to a silent freeze!"

Fang Huai immediately countered, "If I want you to sing, and you won’t, then the opposing command is good for naught!"

Oh boy, directly targeting the commander!

The aggressiveness instantly surged, even the new recruits began to shout.

"If I want you to sing! And you won’t! Opposing command! Good for naught!" With the shouts, a burst of laughter followed.

Fang Huai didn’t stop there, seizing the moment while the opposing commander was still fumbling for words, he waved the flag and roared on.

"Fourth Company can’t make a peep, if no one sings, we will lead!"

Now led by a mocking commander, Seventh Company’s morale soared.

"Fourth Company can’t make a peep! If no one sings, we will lead!"

Fang Huai quickly turned and shouted, "Do you know ’Conquer’?

The recruits were already excited, "Yes!"

"Great! Change the word ’被’ to ’把’!

Just like this, I’ll conquer you, cutting off all escape routes!

These two lines, sing!"

After Fang Huai said it, he waved the flag, and while the commander of Fourth Company was shouting out lyrics, Seventh Company’s voices submerged his.

"Just like this, I’ll conquer you! Cutting off all escape routes!"

Fang Huai continued with the next two lines, "My mood is steady, your decision is hasty!"

"My mood is steady, your decision is hasty!"

After finishing, more laughter erupted.

Fang Huai clearly saw that the opposing commander was bewildered and turning back to conspire with another cadre, but before they had a chance, he removed his hat and waved wildly towards Fourth Company.

"Change command! Change command! Change command!"

The recruits, always up for a good laugh, immediately imitated Fang Huai.

A wave of collective mockery.

...

The range attack slowly unfolded.

One afternoon, an hour after the singing competition had started, everyone was feeling fatigued, except for the Seventh Company. Fang Huai’s banter was relentless—he taunted this one, mocked that one, his attacks viciously strong. And once he started, there were no breaks; one line after another left the opposing commander speechless.

"The opposing commander can’t open his mouth, his head’s empty, like it’s filled with water!"

"Trying to compete with me? You’re out of your league. Where does the Sixth Company’s commander rank?"

"I don’t believe a word you say, the Fifth Company’s commander’s lines aren’t tough!"

"The Third Company’s commander’s got a blocked head, hands on hips in anger, just like a little princess!"

When other people called out for a challenger, Fang Huai would bluntly shout back, "Change for another."

Military singing slogans are all about staying on point without using foul language, and Fang Huai was always skirting the edge of the rules. He kept changing his lines, leading Seventh Company in mockery with gleeful taunts. Occasionally, when he did sing, everyone supported him with vocal cords straining to the breaking point.

The contest of morale had slowly turned into a battle of the commanders’ abilities.

Those who didn’t have a couple of fresh lines were too embarrassed to call out anymore.

Phrases like "Charge, charge, charge, don’t be like an old man; fast, fast, fast, don’t be like an old woman," were outdated.

The new recruits of the Seventh Company were thrilled as Fang Huai consecutively brought down four commanders.

Especially the Fifth Company, which, after being mocked by Fang Huai several times, was confused and resorted to leading with "When Your Long Hair Brushes My Rifle" to show their skill.

However, the song was too slow, and just as their commander began, Fang Huai quickly retorted with another taunt: "The Fifth Company’s commander has no spirit! Only knows how to sing ’Sweet Honey’!"

With Fang Huai’s memory and quick wit, even without training, he could probably have a rap battle with a hip-hop artist and manage to trade insults for a good ten minutes.

The Fifth Company’s commander was directly rendered speechless.

Subconsciously trying to start over, he mixed up the words: "When your rifle... brushes over my rifle, sing!"

"When your rifle brushes over my rifle..."

Fifth Company’s new recruits, used to following orders, thought their commander had changed the lyrics and sang along until everyone fell silent.

Rifles brushing against rifles?... They were ready for a bayonet duel!

A few seconds later, laughter erupted across the field.

Midway through, Wang Jian, feeling rested, wanted to take his turn, but realizing he had nothing to compete with and that Seventh Company’s current form would surely lead to him being mercilessly taunted, he simply gave up.

The Chief of Staff sat beside a table in the middle, absolutely delighted with what he heard.

This kid is truly talented, able to write songs and all!

All afternoon, the lines were never repeated, and single-handedly, he updated the version of the singing slogans!

A staff officer beside him found this amusing and even began taking notes halfway through.

Even the squad leaders who had played basketball with the Seventh Company began to stand behind Fang Huai to hear him selling his calls.

After a while, the Chief of Staff, noticing the time was right, blew a whistle and stepped into the center of the gathered playground.

With a smile yet resonating loudly enough to echo, he asked, "Who do you think won?"

Everyone’s gaze turned to the young man standing on the bench in his green sweater.

He was damn talented.

Some companies, though, continued their struggle here and there.

"Fifth Company is the best!"

"Second Company won!"

But all of a sudden, Fang Huai was again waving his small flag!

The Seventh Company was instantly reinvigorated.

Everyone else deflated: Damn, he’s at it again!

Fang Huai shouted, "Chief of Staff, hear me out, does our voice resonate or not?"

The Seventh Company roared back, "Chief of Staff! Hear me out! Does our voice! Resonate or not!"

The entire field was rendered speechless.

He was the uncrowned king.

The Chief of Staff also had a small flag in his hand, and with a wave toward the Seventh Company, he declared loudly.

"Seventh Company wins! Salute to the Seventh Company!"

"Study!" came the scattered responses.

Unsatisfied, the Chief of Staff bellowed, "What, you haven’t eaten? Do you believe I’ll make you sing the mealtime song thirty times in front of the mess hall?",

"Again! Salute to the Seventh Company!"

The response was louder this time: "Study!"

The Seventh Company began to cheer "ao" as a group gathered around Fang Huai, lifting him up and tossing him into the air.

Fang Huai was initially frightened but soon found it enjoyable. He closed his eyes to savor this dazzling youthful moment he had never experienced before.

...

Seventh Company’s joy fell from the skies as they surpassed the Fourth Company by 0.5 points in total score, claiming the second spot.

Returning to their companies that day, the company leaders and instructors were too ashamed to scold the new recruits.

It was clear to everyone that it was the commanders who had lost, humiliated into silence, their confidence shattered.

At dinner, a handful of commanders who had been rendered mute by Fang Huai learned that the one leading the Seventh Company that afternoon was a new recruit and immediately planned to gang up on Seventh Company to settle scores.

They approached Wang Jian, demanding fiercely that he hand over the new recruit who had commanded that afternoon.

But when Wang Jian, with an embarrassed smile, pointed towards Squad Nine’s table: "Go ahead, drag him out and give him a beating! It’s that guy from yesterday... Zhang Zhongting’s nephew! You all saw him yesterday, right?"

A bunch of cadres looked over to see a table where a non-commissioned officer with a red patch was happily serving food to a new recruit.

One of the younger cadres asked, "We’ve seen him? Who is Zhang Zhongting?"

A cadre from the provincial brigade took a gulp of water: "The colonel who came yesterday, our deputy regimental commander!"

"Damn... I recognize him, he’s the new recruit Colonel Huang called out yesterday!"

"Eh..."

The group scattered, spitting in disgust.

"Dammit, such bad luck!"

...

After lunch, Wang Jian and Hao Chengbin called Fang Huai out to have a chat.

...

In the evening, just as the squad meeting was about to start,

the Regiment Department below started blowing whistles.

"All companies, to the study rooms for assembly!"

The entire floor started to shake—when the Regiment Department called for assembly in the study rooms, every old soldier who had ever led troops knew what was happening.