Chapter 56

The soldiers could rest, but He Zhijun and Fan Tianlei could not; instead, they immediately summoned Chen Shanming and Gong Jian for a meeting.

Translation: The soldiers could rest, but He Zhijun and Fan Tianlei could not; instead, they immediately summoned Chen Shanming and Gong Jian for a meeting.

The soldiers could rest, but He Zhijun and Fan Tianlei could not rest; instead, they immediately summoned Chen Shanming and Gong Jian for a meeting.

Ok.

The main agenda of the meeting consisted of two items.

Translation: The meeting had two main agenda items:

First, in ten days the warriors will need to send personnel to the Warrior School to participate in this session's study.

Translation: First, in ten days the Warriors will send personnel to attend this session at the Warrior School;

Second, finalize the members of the Red Cell Group and arrange the next steps for the trainees who were not selected.

Translation: Second, finalizing the Red Blood Cell Group's members and arranging the next steps for the trainees who did not make the cut.

These two matters seem unrelated, but in fact they are the same thing.

Translation: These two matters seem unrelated, but in fact they are the same thing.

The personnel being sent to the Warrior School for study this time are exactly the members of the Red Cell Group.

Translation: The personnel being sent to the Warrior School for study this time are exactly the members of the Red Blood Cell Group.

And there are only four spots available for the study.

Translation: And there are only four slots for study.

As for who will get these four spots, He Zhijun and Fan Tianlei already have candidates in mind, but they have not yet decided on the final size of the Red Cell Group.

Translation: As for who will get these four slots, He Zhijun and Fan Tianlei already have candidates in mind, but they have not yet decided on the final size of the Red Blood Cell Group.

Fan Tianlei's view is to keep the personnel within ten people, including the squad leader Chen Shanming and the instructor Gong Jian.

Translation: Fan Tianlei's view is to keep the personnel within ten, including Chen Shanming as group leader and Gong Jian as training instructor.

He Zhijun, on the other hand, prefers to maintain the current personnel strength, which can be further divided into two action teams, thereby fostering competitiveness.

Translation: He Zhijun, on the other hand, leans toward maintaining the current manpower structure, which can be further split into two action teams, thereby fostering competitiveness.

As for the warriors who were not selected, they have always felt they should not simply be sent back to their original companies.

Translation: As for those who failed to make the cut, they have always felt they should not simply be sent back to their original companies.

Given their current abilities, they have already reached the basic standard for special forces; sending them back like this would indeed be a shame.

Translation: Given their current abilities, they have already reached the basic standard for special forces; sending them back would be a real shame.

If they receive further training, they could gradually be added to the special forces of the Wolf Fang Special Operations Brigade.

Translation: If they receive further training, they could gradually be integrated into the special forces of the Wolf Fang Special Forces Brigade.

After Chen Shanming and Gong Jian entered the room, He Zhijun directly placed a list in front of them and spoke first: "This time the Warrior School has allocated these spots, and the higher command has given them all to our Wolf Fang; these four soldiers are the ones I agreed upon with the chief of staff. Take a look—do you have any objections?"

Translation: After Chen Shanming and Gong Jian entered the room, He Zhijun directly placed a list before them and spoke first: "This time the Warrior School's allocated slots have all been given to us, the Wolf Fang; these four soldiers are what I agreed on with the chief of staff—take a look, any objections?"

In fact, there's no need to look at the list; Chen Shanming and Gong Jian can already guess who the four individuals proposed by the two of them are.

Translation: In fact, there's no need to look at that list; Chen Shanming and Gong Jian can already guess who the four individuals proposed by those two are.

The abilities of Liu Xiaotian, He Chen Guang, Wang Yanbing, and Li Niun are obvious; sending them would leave no one able to raise any substantiated objection.

Translation: The abilities of Liu Xiaotian, He Chen Guang, Wang Yanbing, and Li Erniu are obvious to all; sending them would leave no one able to raise any substantive objection.

However, Gong Jian feels a bit of pain in his heart.

Translation: Only, Gong Jian's heart ached a little.

Because, of the four people on the list, three come from the Sharpshooter Fourth Company.

Translation: Because, three of the four names on the list come from the Sharpshooter Fourth Company.

It's not easy to have caught such promising seedlings!

Translation: What a fine seedling, hard-won!

Of course, it's just a slight pang.

Translation: Of course, it was just a brief pang.

Gong Jian fully understands what the bigger picture entails.

Translation: Gong Jian knows very well what the bigger picture entails.

Regarding the final size of the Red Cell Group, after Chen Shanming briefly communicated with Gong Jian, they both agreed that Fan Tianlei's plan was the most suitable.

Translation: Regarding the final size of the Red Blood Cell Group, after Chen Shanming briefly consulted with Gong Jian, they both agreed that Fan Tianlei's plan was the most suitable.

The reason is that the Wolf Fang Special Operations Brigade is itself a special forces unit; the purpose of forming the Red Cell Group is to create an elite unit among elites.

Translation: The reason is: the Wolf Fang Special Forces Brigade is itself a special forces unit, and the purpose of forming the Red Blood Cell Group is to create an elite within the elite.

This demands that its members possess innate advantages that guarantee ample room for future improvement.

Translation: This demands that its members possess innate advantages that guarantee ample room for future improvement.

Such soldiers are extremely rare.

Translation: Such soldiers are exceedingly rare.

If we were to merely ensure numbers by lowering quality standards, the significance of forming this Red Cell Group would be lost.

Translation: If we merely ensured numbers by lowering quality standards, the point of forming the Red Blood Cell Group would vanish.

If that were the case, we could simply split the directly affiliated special forces battalion into several action teams to stimulate competition among the soldiers; of course, if there were enough soldiers meeting the Red Cell Group's criteria, they would both hope for a slightly larger establishment.

Translation: If that were the case, we could simply split a few action teams from the directly affiliated special forces battalion—wouldn't that likewise stir competitive spirit among the soldiers? Of course, if there were enough soldiers meeting the Red Blood Cell Group's criteria, they would both wish the establishment could be a bit larger.

However, the fact is that aside from these four young people on the list, the other trainees, despite working hard, would likely struggle to reach higher standards through even more intense training.

Translation: But the fact is, aside from those four youths on the list, the other trainees, though hardworking, would likely struggle to reach higher standards through even tougher training.

This is the limitation of innate conditions.

Translation: This is the limitation of innate conditions.

After over two hours of analysis and discussion, He Zhijun ultimately gave up his own opinion and agreed to further reduce the Red Cell Group's establishment. The names of the four young people—Liu Xiaotian, He Chen Guang, Wang Yanbing, and Li Niun—plus Song Kaifei, Xu Tianlong, Gong Jian, and Chen Shanming—eight individuals in total—constitute the final roster of the Red Cell Group.

Translation: After over two hours of analysis and discussion, He Zhijun finally set aside his own opinion and agreed to further reduce the Red Blood Cell Group's roster. The names of these four youths—Liu Xiaotian, He Chen Guang, Wang Yanbing, Li Erniu—and Song Kaifei, Xu Tianlong, Gong Jian, Chen Shanming—eight in total—constitute the final membership list of the Red Blood Cell Group.

As for the twenty trainees who were not selected, they will remain in the brigade's centralized training until they reach their highest attainable level.

Translation: As for the twenty trainees who did not make the cut, they will remain in centralized training at the brigade headquarters until they reach their personal peak.

The list of the four individuals who will attend the Warrior School in ten days was unanimously approved at the very start of the meeting.

Translation: As for the list of the four who will attend the Warrior School in ten days, it was unanimously approved at the very start of the meeting.

As they were preparing to adjourn, He Zhijun suggested that the decisions on several matters not be announced to the trainees for the time being, allowing them to enjoy their holiday happily before being informed.

Translation: As they were preparing to adjourn, He Zhijun suggested that the decisions on several matters not be announced to the trainees for now, letting them enjoy their holiday happily before any word is given.

As for Liu Xiaotian and the other three, they also need not "sharpen their spears before battle"; they will take vacation together with the others and then proceed directly to the Warrior School.

Translation: As for Liu Xiaotian and his three companions, they need not "sharpen their spears on the battlefield"; they will take leave together with the others and then proceed directly to the Warrior School.

From enrollment to graduation takes six to eight months, and these four youngsters will truly have to shed several layers of skin.

Translation: From enrollment to graduation takes six to eight months, and these four youths will truly have to shed several layers of skin.

Before that, letting them relax a bit is perfectly fine.

Translation: Until then, letting them relax a bit is perfectly fine.

However, if those four leaders, who are wholeheartedly thinking of those young people, were to know that these kids have already let loose, they would probably immediately order the vacation canceled.

Translation: But if those four leaders, who are wholeheartedly looking out for those youths, knew that these kids have already let loose, they would probably immediately order the holiday canceled.

Using alcohol pots pilfered from the mess hall to hot‑pot lamb, buying dumplings from a small stall outside the wall, and even having two bottles of bulk white liquor…

Translation: Using alcohol pots pilfered from the mess hall to hot‑pot mutton, buying dumplings from a small stall outside the courtyard wall, and even two bottles of bulk baijiu…

Even if others say nothing, just talking about Liu Xiaotian, He Chen Guang, Wang Yanbing, and Li Niun—these four brats—they ought to be locked up in the confinement cell, sobered up, and dragged straight onto the training ground!

Translation: Never mind what others say; just speaking of Liu Xiaotian, He Chen Guang, Wang Yanbing, and Li Erniu—these four brats ought to be thrown straight into the confinement cell, sobered up, and marched straight onto the training ground!

Because others merely relax within the permitted limits, whereas these four have actually done the three things mentioned above.

Translation: Because others merely relax within the permitted limits, whereas these four of them are actually doing the three things mentioned above.

Alcohol is one of the five major issues in the military and is strictly prohibited.

Translation: Alcohol, in the military, is one of the five major prohibited issues, strictly banned.

Even during rest periods, aside from family‑visit leave when they are off‑base, drinking alcohol is not allowed.

Translation: Even during off‑hours, aside from family‑visit leave when they are not in the unit, drinking is not allowed.

However, as long as it isn't caught on the spot, drinking a little during off‑time usually goes unnoticed.

Translation: However, as long as it isn't caught on the spot, having a drink during off‑hours usually draws no attention.

Moreover, what Liu Xiaotian and the others drank counts as a nerve‑calming drink.

Translation: Moreover, what Liu Xiaotian and his companions drank counts as a nerve‑steadying dram.

After all, this is a live‑fire mission, and it's the first time for all four of them.

Translation: After all, this is a live‑ammo mission, and it's the first time for all four of them.

After consuming two liquor of alcohol, Wang Yanbing visibly entered a sort of state, placed his hand on Liu Xiaotian's shoulder, and with a hint of admiration in his eyes said, "Xiaotian, today I am completely convinced of you! You kid, you're born to be a special forces soldier!"

Translation: After downing two liang of liquor, Wang Yanbing visibly entered a state, placed his hand on Liu Xiaotian's shoulder, his eyes glimmering with admiration: "Xiaotian, today I'm utterly convinced of you! You're born to be special forces material!"

Then he embellished and gave a detailed recount of Liu Xiaotian's firefight in that alley with the two henchmen of the scorpion.

Translation: Then he embellished the account of Liu Xiaotian's firefight in that alley with the two lackeys of Xiezi, recounting it in vivid detail.

At that moment, Liu Xiaotian genuinely admired that guy's eloquence.

Translation: At that moment, Liu Xiaotian genuinely admired the guy's eloquence.

Because when he arrived, Liu Xiaotian was already handling the scene, and what he knew of the process was just a brief account Liu Xiaotian had given him.

Translation: Because by the time he arrived, Liu Xiaotian had already been handling the scene, and what he knew was merely a brief summary Liu Xiaotian had given him.

But now, what this guy describes sounds as if he had personally experienced and witnessed it.

Translation: But now his narration feels as if he had personally experienced and witnessed it.

Moreover, the situation he describes hardly deviates from the facts.

Translation: Moreover, what he described hardly deviates from the facts.

Li Niun, with two panda‑like dark circles under his eyes, also looked admiringly: "Xiaotian, I also admire you!"

Translation: Li Erniu, sporting two panda‑dark circles, looked admiringly: "Xiaotian, I also admire you!

Besides, I also need to thank you for letting me vent my anger on the boxing ring!

Translation: Besides, I owe you thanks for letting me vent my frustrations on the boxing ring!"

Saying this, Li Niun picked up his cup and downed the two liquor of white liquor in one gulp.

Translation: Saying this, Li Erniu lifted his cup and downed the two liang of baijiu in one gulp.

It's clear that he gritted his teeth to swallow it, nearly spitting it out, but Li Niun forced it down and even swallowed back the small amount that had come up his throat.

Translation: It's clear he gritted his teeth to swallow it, nearly spitting it out, but Li Erniu held it back, even swallowing the small amount that had refluxed from his throat.

In today's society, alcohol has become synonymous with "mistakes," yet because it has been passed down for thousands of years, its value and meaning are still worth savoring carefully…

Translation: Alcohol in today's society is practically synonymous with "mistakes," yet since it has been passed down for thousands of years, its value and meaning are still worth savoring…

(End of chapter)