Chapter 17: Training

In the medical room, Xiao Zhuang and Lao Pao woke up simultaneously; seeing Lao Pao more exhausted than himself, Xiao Zhuang sighed:

“Sergeant Lao Pao, why did you push yourself? You don’t have my strength or the platoon leader’s—why take sixty jin of weight?”

Hearing Xiao Zhuang’s words, Lao Pao turned red with embarrassment: “Who said I was pushing myself? I just didn’t eat breakfast this morning—otherwise I wouldn’t have collapsed.”

Hearing Lao Pao keep denying it, Xiao Zhuang didn’t call him out, but said calmly: “When I was being carried to the medical room, I vaguely heard a thunderous shout.”

“Never abandon, never give up.”

Lao Pao said with deep meaning: At first meeting, he’d thought this new platoon leader had no real ability—just good at empty words.

If it came to a contest, he’d definitely be stronger; it was precisely because of this rebellious spirit that no platoon leader in the Night Tigers Recon Company wanted him.

As a seasoned soldier, he could only choose to become the company clerk.

In his view, the military was a place for the strong—not for men like Guo Jing, who only spoke kind words but had no real ability.

In this five-kilometer cross-country test, he’d eagerly wanted to surpass Guo Jing.

When he turned back enthusiastically to look at Guo Jing, who was lagging behind the entire company,

and saw the fourfold load on his back—eighty jin—he felt his pride and contempt shatter completely.

He lost—utterly lost—in both strength and spirit; he hurried back to help the lagging recruits carry their loads.

After picking up two men’s loads, his own burden reached sixty jin, while Guo Jing carried a full hundred jin.

Looking at Lao Pao, who was lost in thought, Xiao Zhuang said seriously: “Sergeant, I truly believe now you’d take a bullet for us on the battlefield.”

“What? Still don’t believe me? I, Lao Pao, keep my word—every spit, every nail.”

Lao Pao immediately got angry.

“Don’t get mad, don’t get mad, Sergeant Lao Pao—I already believe you!”

Xiao Zhuang quickly flattered him.

Lao Pao snorted and turned over to lie down, but inwardly thought: “I believe you’d take a bullet for me too.”

Meanwhile, at the Iron Fist Regiment, Commander Kang, seeing Nie Huaishang, excitedly asked: “You’re the one who beat Fan Tianlei? Tell me how you did it.”

Seeing this gossiping Commander Kang, Nie Huaishang felt a twinge of awkwardness but still recounted the truth.

Hearing how Nie Huaishang silenced Fan Tianlei and successfully took men from under his command, Commander Kang slammed his fist on the table in approval.

“Good. You’re the new recruit company commander this month. If you do well, I’ll make you commander of the Sharpshooter Fourth Company.”

Commander Kang made the decision on the spot; the merit of outmaneuvering Black Cat was enough to promote Nie Huaishang one rank—but the Sharpshooter Fourth Company was the Iron Fist Regiment’s elite unit.

“Um, Commander Kang, you should think this over carefully.”

Nie Huaishang felt he ought to remind Commander Kang.

“Forget everything else—just for taking men from Fan Tianlei, I respect you.”

“So how did you become company commander? That doesn’t make sense—military academy graduates are usually lieutenants. To be a company commander, your rank isn’t high enough.”

Gong Jian, the political instructor, asked curiously.

“I assisted the military in capturing the K2 organization’s leader, Black Cat—I’m now a captain.”

Nie Huaishang explained; of course, “assisted” was just politeness—Black Cat’s downfall was primarily Nie Huaishang’s doing.

But even assisting the military in capturing Black Cat was a major achievement, since Black Cat was internationally notorious.

“Looks like our Iron Fist Regiment has gained two more elite soldiers.”

Gong Jian praised him; though the man was young, his record was no weaker than his own as a veteran.

As for Zhang Xiaofan, he was appointed deputy company commander of the new recruit company.

“Holy shit, Huaishang, you’re here too?”

He Chenguang and Wang Yanbing stepped forward to punch Nie Huaishang in the chest, but Gong Jian shouted them to stop.

“What are you doing? This is a military camp, not Liangshan Marsh—do you have any discipline? This is your company commander!”

Hearing Gong Jian, He Chenguang was stunned; Wang Yanbing stammered:

“My god, you’re a company commander right after graduation? Huaishang, you’re amazing!”

Li Erniu was also shocked: “Huaishang, you’re already a captain right after graduation?”

Nie Huaishang just smiled at their astonishment: “Enough. Let’s talk personal matters later—here in the camp, we still follow military discipline.”

“Yes, Company Commander!”

The three saluted Nie Huaishang in unison and marched off.

Watching them leave, Nie Huaishang said to Gong Jian beside him: “Those three are good soldiers. I want to reserve three slots for them—we’ll regret it if we don’t.”

“You’re the company commander—I follow your lead.”

Gong Jian didn’t refuse.

Nie Huaishang felt a surge of excitement—he hadn’t expected to become commander of the Sharpshooter Fourth Company so soon after joining the Iron Fist Regiment.

But how should he use the condition he won from Fan Tianlei? He’d use it later—at the regional competition—by capturing Fan Tianlei alive.

If he really tried to weasel out then, they wouldn’t be gentle.

After getting familiar with camp procedures, Nie Huaishang summoned the three out; they were about to salute when he stopped them:

“Enough—there’s no company commander here now, only your good brother Nie Huaishang.”

Hearing this, the three excitedly asked:

“Huaishang, I thought military academy grads max out at deputy company commander—how’d you become company commander?”

“Huaishang, why are you in the same company as us?”

“Alright, I’ll answer you now.”

Nie Huaishang replied gently.

He told them about assisting the military in capturing Black Cat; after hearing it, He Chenguang and Wang Yanbing looked regretful.

He Chenguang immediately said:

“Huaishang, you’re not being fair—why didn’t you call me? My shooting and hand-to-hand aren’t bad.”

“Yeah, Huaishang, you’re not being fair—I could’ve helped too,” Wang Yanbing added, equally regretful.

Nie Huaishang apologized sincerely:

“Sorry—it happened suddenly. I had to act fast and couldn’t call you.”

“As for why I’m here—it’s because I’m keeping my promise to you: to form the best company.”

At this, the four exchanged knowing smiles.

On the other side, Xiao Zhuang and the others were proceeding orderly under Guo Jing’s leadership.

To avoid dragging down their comrades, every soldier trained desperately.

By the fourth day, the entire platoon had passed the passing threshold.

Though this was partly due to many soldiers like Xiao Zhuang and Lao Pao helping others.

But the platoon’s overall improvement was undeniable—and most precious of all, the platoon had already begun to develop cohesion.

But the overall strength of the entire squad has clearly improved, and what’s most valuable is that this squad has already begun to develop cohesion.