Chapter 261: System Detects Host Is Too Eager to Progress!

"Old Wang, be honest, does your regiment have any special information channels?"

"Otherwise, how is it such a coincidence that right after the division emphasized security and secrecy, you immediately caught a spy?"

"I recall your great‑uncle on your mother's side used to be a criminal police officer; does your family have someone in the public security system?"

"If you have any info, spill it to us; we'll definitely return the favor later!"

In the division headquarters grand hall, Special Third Regiment Regiment Commander Wang Zhongxi and the regiment's Political Commissar Tan Yuanzhou had arrived early to wait.

Seeing the two with smiles and radiant looks, the other regiment commanders couldn't help but step forward to seek advice.

Not long ago, at a meeting convened by the Division Chief of Staff, the issue of leaking information was just emphasized.

The focus was a criticism of the 441st Regiment, followed by praise for the Special Third Regiment's foresight and advance planning.

Just a few days ago, a young soldier from the Iron Foot Company of the Special Third Regiment chased a car by hand outside the division headquarters building and subdued two foreign spies, and the story spread like wildfire.

And today, the division's commendation ceremony is specially prepared for the Iron Foot Company of the Special Third Regiment.

Such treatment and honor truly make them green with envy.

Because this is not merely simple praise, but a concrete achievement.

At the level of regiment commander, to move upward and advance, one must produce results.

It happens to be at this critical juncture of military reform; the more merit one earns, the more secure one's position in the division, and the harder it is to be selected.

Although the Navy side offers good benefits and meals, once you're used to one place, who would want to be transferred that far to start over and readjust?

Cross‑branch adaptation sounds simple, but in practice it's extremely difficult.

From rank‑and‑file soldier to commander, everything must be relearned, and the rhythm readjusted.

A slight slackening could turn a formerly excellent Army unit into a lagging tail in the Navy.

Therefore, everyone wants to seek advice from the Special Third Regiment; to strive to become the division's backbone, the batch that remains.

Wang Zhongxi, smiling broadly: "I can find such people, it's just that I'm luckier, like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse."

Tan Yuanzhou added: "Mainly, our regiment's regular ideological education is strict, the soldiers' vigilance is high, plus a bit of luck."

Even though both speak the truth, the other regiment commanders simply don't believe it.

Perhaps it's because Regiment Commander Qiu of the 441st Regiment is a negative example, or perhaps because we're at the critical point of reform.

Thus, everyone is especially sensitive to the Special Third Regiment's meritorious deeds and more willing to believe that Regiment Commander Wang has his special information channels.

Wang Zhongxi and his companion, knowing their explanations wouldn't make sense, simply stopped explaining; sometimes being forced to create a bit of mystery also helps the work's progress.

At this moment, Lu Yang and the others, led by Ma Qing'an, walked into the hall.

The hall was solemn and majestic, with red carpet and red flags; it had two levels, but only the lower one was currently in use.

The venue was filled with people—officers, Non‑commissioned Officers, and Conscripts—all representatives sent from other regiments, plus soldiers from the division.

Lu Yang, in the back row, saw two familiar faces, both from the 441st Regiment.

The Tibetan youngster Zaxi Nima, who always wore a hint of rouge, still had a dazed, absent‑minded look.

Next to him, Zhao Chuanwu instantly spotted Lu Yang, raised his arm, and waved hello.

Lu Yang also tilted his chin toward them, smiled in response, and then followed the line forward.

After entering the hall, Tan Yuanzhou stepped forward to greet them and led them toward the front‑row seats.

Ma Qing'an was startled by the seating arrangement: "Political Commissar, the first and second rows are always reserved for division leadership and regiment commanders; can we just sit on the side?"

Tan Yuanzhou told him to relax: "You are the core of this commendation ceremony, so you should sit at the front and you have the right to do so."

"Yes."

Having received explicit permission, Ma Qing'an immediately ordered the soldiers to sit.

The Sixth Company soldiers, once seated, were unusually excited, their hearts pounding rapidly.

Because it was their first time attending a division‑level commendation meeting, and they were placed in the front row, such a position.

Here the distance to the stage was so close that you didn't need to squint to see the small placards on the stage bearing each title.

"Division commander, Division Political Commissar, Division Political Department Director, Division Chief of Staff… My goodness, all big leaders!"

"I—I'm so nervous, I get scared just seeing the regiment commander normally; now seeing so many senior leaders, I want to pee!"

"When I first arrived I wanted to poop, but I held it back! We have to hold on; the whole division is watching our company, we absolutely cannot make a fool of ourselves at the crucial moment!"

After sitting down, Lu Yang's gaze curiously scanned the surroundings.

The last time he saw so many people was at the division's martial competition arena.

Back then he was just an ordinary participant, but this time he became a central figure.

No wonder the troops value merit and honor so highly; with such a level of courtesy, which soldier can truly live up to the word "merit"?

"Squad Leader, you don't look well?"

Lu Yang looked to his right at the pale, stiff Zhou Kaidong and asked with concern.

Zhou Kaidong pressed both hands against his trouser seams, cleared his throat and said, "I don't know why, I'm just inexplicably nervous. It's my first time being this close to the stage, facing so many senior leaders at once."

Lu Yang, Zhou Kaidong, and Kang Changyi sat in the first row with the Regiment Commander.

The seats in this hall have no small desk in front; they're just seats.

Thus, the first row faces the stage's leaders without any obstruction.

Posture, demeanor, and subtle expressions can all be fully observed by the leaders.

Although Zhou Kaidong has served for years, this scale of ceremony was his first, so nervousness was inevitable.

Kang Changyi, on the other hand, was carefree, excited beyond excitement: "Stay steady, don't panic; those leaders may have higher ranks, longer service, and broader experience, but they're just ordinary people."

"They also have to eat and sleep, and sometimes suffer constipation and can't pass stool."

Lu Yang burst out laughing at his comment: "Hope you can still be that carefree when you see your uncle later."

Wang Zhongxi, hearing this, smiled warmly, feeling that Kang Changyi had changed a lot in the past half‑year.

His words were more down‑to‑earth, no longer the naive, arrogant tone of a fresh academy graduate.

This is the unit's honing and growth of a soldier.

Tan Yuanzhou instead turned his head, glared at him hard, indicating he should not speak out of turn.

Especially such coarse language—if the senior on the stage hears it, he'll beat the crap out of him!

With the side gate of the hall opening, the scene instantly fell silent.

A square‑faced major, striding like a tiger, led a group of school‑level officers onto the stage.

"Stand up!"

A loud shout rang out.

Everyone below, regardless of rank, rose.

Even the sound of chairs springing up was oddly uniform.

This is a soldier: fully embodying unity, orderliness, consistency, and discipline.

Everyone raised their hands in salute; the square‑faced major returned a military salute and sat in the central seat marked for the Division commander.

This was Lu Yang's first time seeing a Division commander, and also his first genuine close‑up view of a living general.

Just at the first glance, Lu Yang's soul was drawn away by the golden wheat ears and shining star on the commander's shoulder.

Army Major General!

The lowest rank is proper Division level, the highest is deputy Army level!

Even after discharge and transfer to civilian life, the administrative rank must be at least deputy department level!

Lu Yang's eyes flashed with zeal, his throat involuntarily began to swallow, as if he had found his life's ultimate goal!

Those bureaucratic novels constantly feature power peaks, starting from low‑level civil servants; but he intends to prove his path as a low‑rank soldier, write a military legend, and achieve flourishing martial destiny!

【System detected the host is too eager to improve!】

【A soldier who doesn't want to become a general is not a good soldier! Host, please promptly promote officers, unlock more system modules, and officially begin a new chapter of your military career!】