Chapter 375: Iron‑Forged Camp, Flowing Soldiers

Company Commander, you looking for me?

Seventh Company, Guo Yongwen, fresh from the drill, wore his cap askew, sweat soaking his body, and walked into the office.

Gao Feng tossed him a bottle of cola, and Guo Yongwen didn't hesitate; he unscrewed it and drank it with a glug glug glug.

He even choked his throat, let out a hearty belch, utterly lacking any decorum; there was not a hint of the proper superior‑subordinate bearing between them.

Gao Feng went straight to the point: "Tomorrow it's Seventh Company's turn. I talked it over with the Instructor and decided to let you stay; the two of us will guard the home together, but I still want your input…"

No problem.

Guo Yongwen answered very cheerfully.

As an elder of Seventh Company, standing the final watch is also proper.

You've agreed, no more second thoughts?

What else is there to consider? It's my honor.

You should know that arriving at the Navy a day later puts you a step behind everyone else; the sea training lasts just over three months, and if you fail the assessment, you can't defer to the fifth term and will likely have to shed the uniform and leave…

Guo Yongwen cut him off, straightening his hat: "Company Commander, no need to say all that; staying in the unit is important, and standing the final watch is also important."

"Our Seventh Company soldiers are made of hard bone; I'm confident in myself, and barring any mishap, I will definitely pass the sea training assessment and secure a fifth‑term posting in the Navy."

Gao Feng also placed high hopes on him: "Alright, since you're mentally prepared, that'll do; by the way, there's a communal dinner tonight, let the Cook Squad know…"

Report!

At that moment, someone outside shouted "Report!"

Gao Feng and Guo Yongwen both turned their heads, looking toward the doorway where Ding Tengfei stood.

Come in.

Company Commander, I'd like to request leave.

Leave?

Gao Feng was a bit puzzled.

Guo Yongwen directly mentioned the Whole Company's upcoming reorganization tomorrow, asking what kind of leave he could ask for now.

Ding Tengfei said, "I want to go to Sixth Company to see Lu Yang; these days, he's been holding a company alone, his mood must be very low."

Lately the Whole Company has been busy with adaptive training, busy practicing land‑water equipment, never having time, never being able to attend to him.

So I want to buy something and go see him, stay with him at the end, because I know how painful the feeling of being forgotten can be.

These words made Gao Feng and Guo Yongwen feel very gratified.

Since the incident at home last time, Ding Tengfei has seemed like a different person after returning.

Not only is his training more rigorous, his overall demeanor has undergone a dramatic transformation.

He is thorough in his actions, considers issues comprehensively, especially in small details, handling them with proper form.

Strictly speaking, he already fully possesses all the excellent qualities a company backbone should have.

If it weren't for being stuck at the crucial point of the whole regiment's reorganization, Gao Feng would have already prepared to formally promote him to Squad Leader.

Approved.

Gao Feng took out two hundred yuan from the drawer and slapped it onto the table.

He sponsored him to buy some groceries on the way—some roast chicken, pork head meat, and the like.

Also some biscuits, instant noodles, bread—ready‑to‑eat items for when hunger strikes.

We still have matters at hand, so we won't go; you go alone as the representative.

Alright.

Ding Tengfei took the money but didn't leave.

Seeing him still lingering, Gao Feng, just as he was about to put a cigarette to his mouth, casually extinguished it.

Anything else?

Company Commander, I'd like to submit an application.

Go ahead, tell me.

I want to replace the Platoon Leader, stay with you, and stand the final watch.

Yo yo yo yo!

When Ding Tengfei said that, Gao Feng immediately showed a surprised expression.

This kid actually eavesdropped on us, huh?

Looks like the training succeeded; even I, an old Zhencha Daitui scout, didn't spot the cat outside eavesdropping?

Guo Yongwen, with a teasing tone, also praised Ding Tengfei's professional level.

This kid, as a vehicle‑mounted precision shooter, also possesses some reconnaissance and counter‑reconnaissance abilities.

Although he can't match the elite of the Zhencha Daitui, among ordinary soldiers he's definitely quite good.

It truly fits the old saying in the unit: once a Troublemaker is trained, each one becomes a Soldier King.

Gao Feng lit his cigarette, crossed his legs, and pointed at him: "Tell me your reasons, and I'll consider whether to let you replace Guo Yongwen."

Ding Tengfei said seriously: "First, if Guo can go to the Navy a day earlier, get an extra day of sea training, his odds of staying will increase a bit."

"Second, as I emphasized earlier, I served in Training Detachment Class Ten; I know what that feeling of being forgotten is like."

"Precisely because I understand this, I stay constantly vigilant, so I won't repeat the same mistake and tarnish the reputation of the hard‑bone Seventh Company."

"Finally, when I first arrived at Seventh Company, I was a lump of useless mud that couldn't be propped up; everyone gave me chance after chance, encouraging me to improve."

"So I want to finally contribute to our Seventh Company, fulfill my duty, and stand the final watch for everyone."

How does that sound?

Gao Feng looked at Guo Yongwen, seeking his opinion.

Guo Yongwen grinned: "You're the Company Commander, I'll follow your lead; as long as someone covers my shift, I have no objections."

Gao Feng also laughed: "Since that's the case, you'll take over Guo Yongwen's shift and stand the final watch with me."

"Yes!"

"Alright, go. There's dinner tonight; come back early."

"How about bringing Lu Yang along as well?"

Guo Yongwen's suggestion was immediately rejected by Ding Tengfei.

The reason: they feared Lu Yang would get emotional and end up feeling worse.

Even Gao Feng gave a thumbs‑up to that resolve, praising him for being sensible.

"Go, the earlier you go the earlier you return."

"Yes, Company Commander."

"Now he's truly different from before; you can even see a hint of Lu Yang's shadow."

"Back then, you, Company Commander, said he'd never become Lu Yang, never match that hometown guy."

Gao Feng smoked, laughed and shook his head: "Jade uncut is useless; a person unlearned knows no meaning. No wonder they say a soldier must be forged a hundred times into steel."

"Tell me, if he hadn't met Lu Yang, hadn't met Zhou Kaidong, hadn't met you, what would he be like?"

Guo Yongwen shook his head: "Others are secondary, their help and influence are limited; but without Lu Yang, he'd have taken at least ten more years of detours."

Gao Feng looked up, exhaled smoke: "Ten years, for a soldier, how many tens of years can one have?"

"Company Commander, there's something I've been wanting to ask: will Lu Yang actually go to the Navy with us?"

"That depends on the Division's attitude."

"What does the Division mean now?"

"I don't know."

Gao Feng shook his head: "I'm no worm in a senior officer's gut, but if you're a senior officer and a soldier as outstanding as Lu Yang, would you let go?"

Guo Yongwen shook his head vigorously: "Absolutely, definitely, one hundred percent, I won't let go even if I die!"

Gao Feng shrugged helplessly: "I guess that's the situation now; it depends on the Navy's push and whether the two sides can reach an agreement."

Ding Tengfei hitched a ride with the Third Company Commander, carrying food, and arrived at the Sixth Company gate.

Seeing the Sixth Company gate tightly shut, the empty guardroom, and the barren camp inside, Ding Tengfei's heart inexplicably felt clogged.

He thought that Seventh Company would become like this starting tomorrow, that soon he'd leave this familiar place, that the tough Seventh Company would cease to exist, and that strangers would move in; a baseless sorrow rose in his heart.

After finally finding a sense of belonging, after finally deciding to work hard…

The Third Company Commander sat in the vehicle, sighed silently: "Iron‑clad barracks, ever‑flowing soldiers; first the Sixth Company, then your Seventh Company, and next comes our Third Company."

"They say the Navy's pay is good, they say the seaside scenery is beautiful; to me, even a golden or silver nest can't compare to our 'dog‑den'."

Leaving that remark, the Third Company Commander drove away.

Ding Tengfei gave the gate a gentle push and found it wasn't locked, just closed.

Guarding the barracks is an honorable, arduous, and extremely solitary duty; though, once the next stationed unit arrives, you simply hand the camp over to the incoming company commander.

But this long solitary process will gradually drain a soldier's will, spirit, and condition, quickly reverting him to his original state.

Without a wake‑up call, without comrades urging, without superior orders, without regulations, a person will become lax, decadent, and lazy.

That's why the vast majority of veterans become as fat as a pig within six months after returning.

Without environmental and human constraints, self‑discipline turns into an excruciatingly difficult task,

Gradually, even the former glory and honor of this heroic unit will be eroded by time and forgotten.

Ding Tengfei knows this feeling too well, so when he walks alone through the empty Sixth Company camp, his heart is uneasy.

He fears he'll soon encounter a scruffy, listless, bewildered Lu Yang.

At his current level, he can't handle such a situation nor rekindle the fighting spirit.

Ding Tengfei paced a circuit of the camp but saw no sign of Lu Yang.

He then checked the barracks, the headquarters, the garage, the Cafeteria, and still found no one.

"Strange, where did he run off to? He couldn't have deserted, could he?"

Ding Tengfei imagined Lu Yang completely letting himself go, and cold sweat broke out.

"Don't scare me, Brother Lu, you can't…"

"If even you abandon treatment, then I'll have no confidence in holding a company!"

At that moment, heavy footsteps thudded from afar; Ding Tengfei turned quickly and saw a drenched figure, fully armed, running toward him…