Chapter 243: Revolutionary Soldiers Are Bricks: Move Them Wherever Needed

Company office, inside.

The platoon leaders were murmuring to each other, discussing.

As the door was pushed open, Company Commander Ma Qing'an and Instructor He Zhen Tao entered one after another.

Everyone, including Lu Yang, instantly stood up and shouted "Company Commander, hello", "Instructor, hello".

"Sit down."

He Zhen Tao pressed his hand down, telling everyone to sit.

Ma Qing'an set the folder in his hand down, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"We haven't held a company affairs meeting in a long time; I called everyone here today because there are two main matters."

"First, to convey the higher‑up's directive: Revolutionary soldiers are like bricks; wherever needed, move them there."

"Some time ago, the big guys probably heard rumors that the Division will deepen reforms next year."

"Here, I can tell you with certainty that the news is true. Next year, some units will indeed be transferred to the Navy to expand maritime forces."

The people below sat upright, their faces showing neither surprise nor delight.

They had indeed heard of this news long ago.

Even if it couldn't be confirmed, they knew it couldn't be baseless.

Because ever since Instructor Pan Yuan was transferred to the Navy, a strong signal had already been given.

The state will draw elite Army troops to vigorously build a maritime defense system; this is a national defense need and the inevitable trend of future development.

"The sea is beautiful and vast; but whether we will actually wear Navy uniforms remains an open question for now."

"I know some are willing, but more people still refuse to leave this land."

"But I want to say, if our company is selected, we must obey the order."

"Yes!"

Lu Yang and the others responded with a low roar.

Revolutionary soldiers are bricks; wherever needed, move them there.

From one place to another; from one service branch to another, there will inevitably be some maladjustment.

But the soldiers' extraordinary willpower can help them quickly adapt to the new environment, meeting the defense needs of the new era.

He Zhen Tao continued, "This matter has no definite outcome yet, so we don't need to tell the soldiers below for now, lest conflicting emotions arise and affect training."

"Perhaps we will be the batch that stays behind, perhaps we will become the vanguard for expanding Navy strength."

"But regardless of the final outcome, the unchanging thing is the resolve to sacrifice for the country and the people."

Lu Yang: "Instructor, I want to know, if the Sixth Company is selected to expand Navy forces, can we all be transferred?"

Lu Yang's question struck a chord in everyone present.

The brothers of the Sixth Company are of one mind; they want to go together or stay together.

The least acceptable thing is to pull some away and leave the rest behind.

He Zhen Tao hesitated briefly, then told the truth: "I know everyone is concerned about this. From what I understand, if selected to expand Navy forces, at least one third may face early discharge."

His words caused an uproar in the room.

No one expected the situation to be worse than imagined.

The whole company has a little over a hundred soldiers; one third is over thirty people.

That means for every three men, one must go; the base number is simply too high.

Ma Qing'an said sternly, "Quiet! The reason we tell you this early is to give everyone a mental preparation, so that when the time comes you won't be fighting for life one by one!"

"You are the backbone of the company, you should understand what it means to select the best among the best, and be clear that the essence of expanding Navy forces is to strengthen the maritime defense system!"

"However, rest assured, the higher-ups intend to use next year's regiment‑level combat exercise results as the criterion, selecting mid‑tier units as reform pilots."

"The Navy needs to expand, but our Army cannot pour all its resources into it, risking everything to support it."

"Otherwise, the strength of our entire Division would be severely reduced."

The Company Commander's briefing allowed Lu Yang and the others to breathe a sigh of relief.

The Division cannot allow all its top soldiers to be transferred.

Thus, its own vitality would be greatly damaged, and the whole Division might be rendered ineffective.

The way to meet Navy construction needs without harming the Army is to use mid‑rank units to "fill the quota".

That is, the better Special Third Regiment performs in next year's regiment‑level combat exercises, the more stable its situation will be.

This is why the Sixth Company began early to comprehensively improve the military literacy of its rank‑and‑file soldiers.

Only by raising the company's combat power can they ensure they handle upcoming challenges with ease.

Ma Qing'an continued, "Additionally, higher‑up directives require strengthening the recent stage's confidentiality regulations and education. Last week, a logistics support company of the 441st Regiment had a malicious incident leaking unit secrets."

"The person involved has been discharged from the military and dealt with severely; I hope everyone will take this as a warning and strengthen education and management of rank‑and‑file soldiers."

"Especially at this critical moment, such situations must never occur; once discovered, they will be punished without exception."

Ma Qing'an's gaze fell on Lu Yang, meaning he should go back and remind Kang Changyi.

Although earlier he had reported the matter of a female online friend on his phone.

But it's not the fear of ten thousand, it's the fear of a once‑in‑a‑while; extra caution is needed.

Lu Yang nodded slightly, indicating understanding, and said he would go back to talk with Kang Changyi.

Ma Qing'an turned the folder to the next page: "Next month, the regiment will enlist new soldiers. The enlistment season is also the discharge season, and the list of personnel to be discharged has been roughly set."

"The forms to apply to stay in the unit have already been submitted; this year's retention difficulty will be greater than in previous years, but the Instructor and I will definitely strive to secure it."

"Next, let's discuss personnel changes."

"Lu Yang."

Ma Qing'an: "Originally, the Regiment Commander had you temporarily act as Platoon Leader, but given your diligent work, we have decided to continue having you act as First Platoon Leader. Strive to take the promotion exam next year and become a formal officer instead of an acting one."

Lu Yang: "Yes."

"Cheng Jun."

"Present."

"For this new training, our company will have you as the representative; once you get there, you will serve as the squad leader of the Fourth Squad, Second Platoon, and also hold the position of Platoon Leader."

"Yes."

He Zhen Tao looked at him and said: "After the new training ends, you should report to the battalion headquarters logistics; this will perfectly allow you to take over the Director of Affairs position."

Cheng Jun nodded: "Understood."

Actually, he should only be in the fourth term next year, but he's taking on the fifth term as well.

But considering the opportunity was really slim, he early on secured a fallback for himself.

Simply, he directly transferred to logistics to serve as Director of Affairs before his fourth-term non-commissioned officer service even ended.

This way, he doesn't have to worry about staying in the unit, and can continue to serve and shine there.

Zhou Kaidong's gaze toward Cheng Jun couldn't hide his envy, but after all, that favorable treatment was also earned through his own strength.

Although he thought his performance since enlistment was not bad, in terms of ability there still existed some gaps compared to a true Soldier King.

And it is precisely this seemingly trivial gap that can eliminate many people.

The unit is sometimes like society: the higher you go, the fiercer the competition, and the fewer the opportunities.

"Third Squad, Kang Changyi, appointed to the position of clerk."

"Assistant Squad Leader of the Fifth Squad, Li Jiang, appointed to the position of Squad Leader of the Fifth Squad."

"After Cheng Jun leaves, Sun Chen will serve as the Squad Leader of the Sixth Squad; Liu Ziqiang will serve as the Assistant Squad Leader of the Sixth Squad..."

After announcing the personnel changes and subsequent work arrangements, Ma Qing'an looked at everyone.

"Regarding this week's outstanding squad leader selection and outstanding hygiene model selection, I propose we still choose Zhou Kaidong. Everyone, any objections?"

"None."

"Alright, then today's meeting will end here."

"Just as everyone stood up, preparing to disperse the meeting."

"Zhou Kaidong's voice interrupted everyone's actions."

"I have an objection."

"??"

"Everyone turned their gazes toward him."

"The Company Commander and the Instructor furrowed their brows."

"Lu Yang also looked at him, seeming to know what he wanted to say."

Zhou Kaidong said with a bitter smile: "Company Commander, Instructor, I have been elected outstanding squad leader and various models for five consecutive weeks— isn't that too fake?"

Ma Qing'an glared at him: "Whether it's fake or not, just make it look good in the report!"

He Zhen Tao: "No need to quibble over these details; your excellence is recognized by the whole company; just by bringing out Lu Yang this soldier, you have made an indispensable contribution."

Zhou Kaidong glanced at Lu Yang, shook his head: "I know everyone wants to give me credit, help me stay in the unit, but this is too unfair to others. I still want to rely on my own efforts to strive for this opportunity!"