Chapter 551: Honor, Sharing Half with Him

Lu Yang, Guo Yongwen, and the six members of the Raptor Team, all step forward!

Yes!

The next day, in the morning, on the training ground.

Lu Yang leads a few of them forward and comes to the front of the formation.

He first salutes Xiong Yao, who raises his hand in return, then solemnly says.

"Previously, you cooperated with the Jiao Long Special Operations and excellently completed the Maritime Ambush Operation."

"During the operation you killed and captured several criminals; for maritime anti‑drug efforts and cracking down on drug‑trafficking crimes and other illegal activities, you made outstanding contributions."

"After careful discussion by the brigade leadership, it was decided to award you all a Second‑Class Collective Merit."

Hearing that another Second‑Class Collective Merit was awarded, Ma Qing'an and Gao Feng became especially excited.

This is already the second Second‑Class Collective Merit they have earned in a short time.

Last time it was bomb disposal; this time, it was assisting in drug enforcement.

It truly lives up to the saying, "When a tree is moved it dies, but a person moves and thrives."

Previously they had been worried that after arriving at a new place they would encounter various problems.

But now it seems development is smoother than expected; perhaps they can make a name for themselves here.

Lu Yang, on behalf of the team, expresses gratitude: "Thank you, leaders, for your recognition. We will redouble our efforts and create further brilliance!"

Xiong Yao smiles and says: "Just now we spoke of the collective; now we will pinpoint individuals, especially those who stood out heroically in the operation!"

"Chen Panpan."

"Present."

Chen Panpan quickly straightens their chest, eyes bright and spirited.

Xiong Yao: "In view of Comrade Chen Panpan's heroic performance in the operation, we award them the Four‑Have Soldier commendation!"

He takes out a medal and pins it to Chen Panpan's chest: "A Four‑Have Soldier is an outstanding soldier who has soul, ability, blood, and virtue; you have proven your excellence and bravery through your actions!"

"Comrade Chen Panpan, I hope you continue to work hard, strive for progress; become an outstanding warrior that the people and the nation can rely on!"

Xiong Yao's words, from praise to encouragement and finally elevation, made Chen Panpan's eyes turn completely red.

Stammering, they tried to answer, "I‑I‑I" for a while, but couldn't get a full sentence out.

Lu Yang leads the applause: "Let's all clap, give Chen Panpan a big cheer, and boost their morale!"

"Clap clap clap!"

Applause erupts throughout the venue.

About a hundred people clap enthusiastically together.

Moreover, this is done in front of the brigade's Chief of Staff, and the spectacle is far larger than what they had on the island before.

Chen Panpan wipes their face with a sleeve, and when they open their mouth, the saliva stretches like thin strings.

"I—I, actually, I never imagined that one day I could receive the Four‑Have Outstanding Soldier award; I'm so excited."

"It's okay, take your time, we're waiting for you."

Xiong Yao has a good impression of this honest kid.

Strictly speaking, aside from his own incompetent nephew, he has a good impression of everyone.

He had previously consulted He Zhen Tao about Chen Panpan's military background; she is meek, and when she first joined the company she sought a sense of existence by washing veterans' socks and underwear.

It can be said that she is a child who is innately insecure, very timid, and extremely honest.

For such a soldier to, within two or three years, complete a transfer to non‑commissioned officer, receive the Four‑Have Soldier commendation, and gain universal recognition is not an easy feat.

Chen Panpan stammers: "I want to thank my Squad Leader, Zhou Kaidong; after I transferred to the next company, he has always looked after me."

"Also the Instructor and the Company Commander; they have repeatedly tolerated me and encouraged my progress."

Anyone else? Anyone else?

Kang Changyi keeps glancing over there.

He feels he should have some share of the credit here.

Because back when he was on Iron Foot, he was the First Platoon Leader, and his role was "crucial" to Chen Panpan's progress.

But Chen Panpan went around thanking people and, surprisingly, did not mention his name, instead solemnly saying: "Finally, the person I thank most is our Company Commander Lu Yang; privately, I call him Brother Yang."

"Although I know we can't call each other big brother or second brother in the unit, I truly feel he looks after me like my own older brother."

"Without him, there would be no me today; even though I know he already has a Four‑Have Medal, I still want to give him half of this honor."

All eyes turn to Lu Yang, whose face bears a calm smile.

"The one who should be most thanked is yourself; your willingness to listen, learn, and improve is your greatest virtue."

"If you yourself don't want to move forward and prefer to stay put, no one coming will help."

Lu Yang's words sum up for Chen Panpan, attributing the greatest credit to her own diligence and effort.

Ding Tengfei watches this and recalls how, after he first joined the company, he was assigned to Training Center Class Ten, spending his days idly goofing off.

If at that time Lu Yang hadn't admonished him repeatedly, he might have sunk in the mud, ended his Conscript service, and left the unit.

And after returning home alone, he would have to face a series of problems he couldn't handle: a sudden financial blow, his father being scammed, the family business going bankrupt, his grandfather's death, and so on.

Just thinking about it scares him; fortunately, after listening to Lu Yang's advice, he gradually got back on the right track in the unit.

From Gao Feng's words, the mud that couldn't be propped up became the only remaining flame of the Hard Bone Company's spirit, the last hope.

"Ding Tengfei!"

"Present!"

While Ding Tengfei was dazed, Xiong Yao called his name.

"Comrade Ding Tengfei, you fired at the enemy during the operation, causing them to lose combat capability, thereby eliminating a safety hazard for the mission."

"After careful discussion by the brigade leadership, it was decided to award you a Third‑Class Merit Medal as a reward."

Thank you, commander!

Ding Tengfei saluted excitedly; this was his first personal honor medal.

Although it was only a Third-Class Merit Medal; although Lu Yang had many such medals.

But for him personally, it was of great significance.

He very much wanted to immediately report to the Company Commander, ask if he could call home, tell his parents the good news, and let them share his joy.

The Third-Class Merit Medal was pinned on his chest; Ding Tengfei smiled like a flower: "Chief of Staff, may I ask a question?"

Go ahead.

Is it that earning two Third-Class Merit Medals allows one to be recommended for officer training and enter a military academy?

What, you want to become an officer?

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, a soldier who doesn't want to be an officer is not a good soldier! I promised my parents I would make a name for myself in the army, so I want to become an officer!

Lu Yang turned his head to look.

He Zhen Tao and Gao Feng also showed a strange look in their eyes.

When he first enlisted and underwent inspection, this kid had a baton, a folding knife, and even a small umbrella in his pack.

Back then, if it weren't for the crowd, Zhou Kaidong would have shoved his head into a latrine and stomped on it hard twice.

At that time, He Zhen Tao and Gao Feng even listed this kid as a key focus, a negative example.

As expected, this kid continued to cause trouble, making the New Recruit Company chaotic; he even nearly got discharged for violating regulations.

Yet no one expected that in just two and a half years, Ding Tengfei would change so much; interestingly, what he says now is exactly what Lu Yang said when he first enlisted.

He Zhen Tao felt moved, reflecting that some people go straight ahead, while others take a roundabout path.

If Ding Tengfei had from the start held the same ideas and goals as Lu Yang, instead of wasting two and a half years, his current achievements would be even greater.

Xiong Yao looked at him with a squinting smile: "Ding Tengfei, I know you; you were quite famous in your batch of the New Recruit Company, right?"

Ding Tengfei's face turned red; he hadn't expected that his earlier deceit and trouble-making had spread to the division headquarters.

Lu Yang wanted to say, this is what they mean by 'good news stays home, bad news travels far.'

Xiong Yao also didn't bring up Ding Tengfei's past mistakes in front of so many people.

The army is a great melting pot; soldiers like Ding Tengfei are actually not few; there are many who are even more corrupt and worse than him.

In the end, they also underwent their own transformation and growth in the army, shouldering the responsibility of being a soldier, becoming someone reliable and trustworthy.

Xiong Yao said: "Under normal circumstances, the hard requirement for recommendation to a military academy is two Third-Class Merit Medals or one Second-Class Merit Medal; but note this 'but', this is only the hard requirement."

There are many excellent soldiers in the army; you must become the best among them to have a chance to stand out.

Do you understand what I mean?

Understood!

Ding Tengfei shouted loudly: "I will become the best one!"

Xiong Yao smiled with satisfaction, looking at each soldier below: "Opportunity is equal; it's up to you to seize it! Earn merit, perform well, be evaluated outstanding, even be promoted exceptionally!"

As long as you work hard enough, you can reap the rewards you want!

Yes!

The stirring response echoed across the drill ground.

In the eyes of all officers and soldiers, excitement surged.

At the same time, in the office of the Second Brigade Headquarters.

Brigade Commander Feng Ming sat in his seat, listening to his subordinate's report about the news that the Third Regiment's First Battalion had received commendation.

First he closed his eyes, rubbing his brow in regret, then he angrily pounded the table.

How did they earn merit again?

How is it them earning merit again?

Where do all these merits come from? How is it that only they get them, while we get none?!

The subordinate also didn't know how to respond, only able to say things like 'good luck'.

Feng Ming shouted angrily: "The Third Brigade has already shown off enough; in this exercise, no matter what, we cannot let them have any chance to show off!"

The subordinate lowered his voice: "I have a plan that will make them suffer a crushing defeat!"