Chapter 318: Chapter 318: I’m Also Very Happy

On the training ground, the entire regiment’s more than 1,500 soldiers were arranged in neat, triangular formations.

Zhong Weiguo stood on the stage at the very front, holding a megaphone high in his hand:

"...The task force led by Camp Commander Lu of the First Battalion has successfully completed the mission assigned by the leadership, protecting vital research findings and scientific personnel. The leadership is therefore issuing a special commendation and award to all members of the task force! Now, will the soldiers from the First Battalion whose names I call please come to the stage to receive your awards!"

"Third Company, Third Platoon, Zhang Jia Ming."

"Second Company, First Platoon, Tang Yuan."

"First Company, Second Platoon, Jiang Peng."

Hearing his name called, Jiang Peng quickly shouted, "Here!" then, beaming, ran out from the ranks and strode toward the stage.

As he passed, all the soldiers in the battalion looked at him with envy.

’He was chosen for a mission only half a year after enlisting and even earned a personal Second-Class Merit. His future is boundless.’

On the stage, the ten soldiers, led by Lu Cheng, stood in a single line with red flowers pinned to their chests.

Zhong Weiguo personally presented the awards to the ten men.

In addition to the Second-Class Merit medal, each person also received an enamel mug printed with "Second-Class Merit" and a cash prize of thirty yuan.

This was the first time in his life Jiang Peng had ever been on stage to receive an award, and he was smiling so much his face could have split.

"Besides the awards today, there is another piece of important good news. To strengthen the management and development of our troops, the leadership has promoted a number of non-commissioned officers with outstanding capabilities and performance after a strict review and assessment. The promotion list has been posted on the bulletin boards of each battalion, so I will not list them one by one. I hope all soldiers will take them as role models, love your posts, train hard, and constantly improve yourselves! Dismissed!"

The troops departed in an orderly fashion, battalion by battalion.

The First Company of the First Battalion was the first to leave, forming two long lines as they marched off the training ground.

Soon it was Jiang Peng’s turn. In front of and behind him were his squad mates, Xu Dazhi and Gao Qiang.

"Jiang Peng, congratulations! A personal Second-Class Merit. You’re the first in our squad to get one. Even the squad leader has only ever earned a Third-Class Merit."

"The way I see it, you should be our squad leader!"

"With Camp Commander Lu as your backer, forget squad leader—even platoon leader would be a piece of cake!"

Jiang Peng shot a sidelong glance at his fawning squad mates, then turned and spotted Zhao Hongbing heading for the exit.

"Reporting to Captain Zhao!!"

Zhao Hongbing turned his head. Recognizing Jiang Peng, he raised an eyebrow and walked over.

"What is it?"

Jiang Peng said loudly, "Xu Dazhi just said I should be our squad leader. And Gao Qiang, he said that with Camp Commander Lu as my backer, forget squad leader, even platoon leader would be a piece of cake. Captain, I’m not well-educated and my brain is slow. I don’t know if what they’re saying is true. Can I really become a squad leader or platoon leader?"

Zhao Hongbing almost laughed out of sheer exasperation.

’You’re tattling right to my face, you little brat. Slow-witted my ass.’

"Whether you can become a squad leader or platoon leader isn’t for Camp Commander Lu or me to decide. It’s up to the leadership. Understand?"

Jiang Peng: "Understood!"

As for Xu Dazhi and Gao Qiang, they got a harsh lecture from Zhao Hongbing and were also punished with making a public self-criticism at the company meeting.

...

Lu Cheng was held back by Zhong Weiguo for a chat. By the time he returned to the battalion area, he found Zhao Hongbing and the other two company captains waiting at the entrance.

Seeing him, the three men excitedly crowded around.

"Camp Commander Lu, congratulations!"

"What ’Camp Commander Lu’? We should be calling you Commander Lu now!"

Lu Cheng frowned at the three of them. "What are you all doing?"

"Camp Commander Lu—no, Commander Lu, you can stop hiding it from us! Your promotion notice has been posted! You’ve been promoted to Regiment Commander!"

Lu Cheng strode to the bulletin board and, sure enough, saw his promotion report.

After holding a meeting for the men of the First Battalion and assigning tasks to Zhao Hongbing and the others, Lu Cheng headed for Zhong Weiguo’s office.

As soon as he left, the entire First Battalion erupted, with everyone happier than they would be at the New Year.

"This is great! We’re being expanded! From now on, we won’t be called the First Battalion anymore, but the New First Regiment!"

"Hey, what do you guys think? If Camp Commander Lu got promoted, shouldn’t the three of us get a little bump up too?"

Zhao Hongbing, Li Lijun, and Sun Jianhua were also filled with anticipation.

They were all at the company level; a promotion would take them to the battalion level.

But no one was happier than Jiang Peng.

’His brother-in-law really became a regiment commander!’

’The pie in the sky his sister drew for him—bah, the promises she made to him—they all came true!’

’Once his brother-in-law was the regiment commander, he could be his adjutant. Just thinking about that life was wonderful.’

All the way to Zhong Weiguo’s office, Lu Cheng was the recipient of countless salutes and gazes of admiration.

’To become a regiment commander at such a young age was so admirable and enviable.’

When he reached the door to Zhong Weiguo’s office, Wang Fugui and Zhang Ziqiang were just coming out.

The look the two men gave Lu Cheng now held a clear trace of complexity and ambiguity.

"Camp Commander Lu, congratulations."

"Next time we meet, we’ll have to call you Commander Lu."

Lu Cheng nodded at the two men, and after exchanging a couple of pleasantries, he entered Zhong Weiguo’s office.

Zhong Weiguo was clearly prepared for his arrival and calmly told him to close the door.

"Commander Zhong, didn’t I already tell you? I can’t take this position as the new regiment commander."

"Whether you can do it or not isn’t my call, it’s the leadership’s call! Do you dare to disobey the leadership’s arrangements? Besides, you don’t have to worry about Xiao Jiang joining you at the base anymore. She’s agreed to it."

After speaking, Zhong Weiguo couldn’t help but show a smug expression, as if he had everything under control. "Are there any other difficulties? You can bring them all up now. If you can’t solve them, the leadership will find a way to solve them for you."

Lu Cheng pressed his lips together for a moment before saying, "Regarding my promotion, I personally have reservations."

After leaving the command post, Lu Cheng went straight to the communications room.

Jiang Moli was just about to head out when she received Lu Cheng’s call.

Today was the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, and there was a lantern festival at People’s Park. She was planning to go with An Hui and Zhu Huanghua to take a look and join in the festivities.

"Moli, I apologize. Last time, when you asked me if I had received any other awards, I lied. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hidden it from you. I deeply reflect on my actions and promise you I will never do it again."

Jiang Moli hadn’t really been dwelling on it, but hearing her husband admit his mistake with such earnestness, the corners of her lips couldn’t help but lift into a smile.

"Seeing as you’re so sincere in your apology, I’ll forgive you this time."

Lu Cheng let out a sigh of relief, his tone softening. "When did you find out about this?"

"A couple of days ago, Sister Wenjuan called me and mentioned it."

"Then why didn’t you tell me you knew?"

"I was waiting for you to confess on your own," Jiang Moli casually tossed the ball back into his court.

Lu Cheng answered honestly, "We’ve discussed the matter of you joining me at the base a few times before. You weren’t willing, and I didn’t want to put you in a difficult position."

Jiang Moli teased, "Aren’t you afraid of missing out on such a great future, then? A regiment commander, mind you. You really don’t care at all?"

"My future is important, of course, but you are just as important. There will be more opportunities to earn merits in the future, but you are one of a kind. In the end, the fact that the leadership had concerns was my problem. I can’t let you be the one to bear that pressure."

’It had to be said, a man’s sense of responsibility was truly reassuring and made one’s heart flutter.’

"Lu Cheng, I believe you could have earned the position of regiment commander on your own merit, but I’m also very happy that I can do something for you."

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