Chapter 38: The Company Commander Comes To Poach Talent
In the blink of an eye.
Three months for the new recruits were almost over, and the subjects for the seventeen new recruits had basically been taught, with just one week left until the graduation assessment.
The squad leaders of each class were the most nervous at this time, all seizing the last moments to work overtime in order to help their own new recruits score well.
Not only did they lead the new recruits in reviewing each assessment subject, but they also taught the new recruits the precautions for each subject, striving to get the new recruits to perform at their best.
The political instructor also organized thought classes multiple times to relieve pressure and organize the mindset for the new recruits.
The three platoon leaders were the busiest at this time, needing to prepare various things needed for the graduation assessment with the clerk, and also communicate with the three squads under them.
Company Commander Gao Cheng was originally the most relaxed, but now he was equally busy.
Not busy with anything else, but busy with receiving visitors.
New recruit training was about to end soon. Although the graduation assessment hadn’t started yet, after nearly three months of interaction, everyone basically had a sense of which soldiers were good and which were poor.
Squad leaders and platoon leaders from various companies would feedback the corresponding information to their own companies.
The company cadres who wanted good soldier seedlings couldn’t sit still anymore and began to come up with ideas one after another, flocking to the new recruit company in waves.
And sure enough.
Gao Cheng had just sent away the First Company commander when the Third Company Commander came running over right after.
The Third Company Commander was also a straightforward person with no twists and turns. After greeting upon meeting, he got straight to the point, taking out a pack of Huazi and stuffing it into Gao Cheng’s pocket.
The one who eats people’s food is soft-mouthed, the one who takes people’s hands is short-handed.
Gao Cheng certainly wouldn’t foolishly fall for it. He blocked it with his hand and said righteously, “Old Third, Huazi cigarettes are good, but they’re not distributed like this. You don’t have that much foundation. Take it back and return it before it’s opened.”
A pack of Huazi cost more than half a month’s salary for a company commander; this gift was truly not ordinary.
“I find you’re so distant now? You weren’t like this before. Has our relationship become so estranged now?”
The Third Company Commander didn’t give up easily. While speaking, he continued to force it into Gao Cheng’s hand.
“No, why would I be distant with you? We’re the best brothers, aren’t we? Mainly, the timing isn’t right now. I can’t accept yours today, absolutely not.”
Gao Cheng continued to refuse and suggested, “Here’s an idea: wait until the new recruits join the company. Then, let alone one pack, I’ll accept even ten from you.”
“Once the new recruits have joined the company, why the hell would I give any?”
The Third Company Commander knew his intention had been seen through and there was no point in continuing. He withdrew his hand and said, “Old Seven, don’t try to get fat in one bite. Just secretly rejoice in your heart. You’ll regret it someday.”
Finding a way to back down, he left a harsh remark, and the Third Company Commander turned and strode away.
“Alright, alright, I’m waiting, Old Third, I’m waiting.”
Gao Cheng watched the Third Company Commander leave dejectedly and couldn’t help but laugh smugly.
The Third Company Commander hadn’t gained any advantage from Gao Cheng, but since he was already here, he had no intention of leaving just like that. He had other concerns.
Out of Gao Cheng’s line of sight, he turned a corner at the parade ground and headed straight for the political instructor’s room.
New recruit company Political Instructor He Hongtao was the Third Company’s political instructor. The Third Company Commander naturally had an inside man, making it more convenient for him to get things done than other companies.
Since there was no chance with the new recruits—the new recruit company commander had priority selection rights for new recruit assignments.
Then he’d give up on the new recruits and go for someone he had a chance to move.
For example, Chen Jun.
Although Chen Jun hadn’t been here long since crossing over and hadn’t yet appeared in any big scenes, let alone left any fame or influence.
But his performance in the new recruit company was extraordinary to any discerning eye.
He Hongtao, as a cadre who could go to the local area to receive recruits and a veteran political instructor of many years, actually had very strong skills in judging people.
Previously, on the shooting range, he had asked Gao Cheng for someone, but Gao Cheng had flatly refused.
But He Hongtao hadn’t given up!
Soon after, he called the Third Company Commander and told him all about the new recruit company’s situation, as well as his guesses and judgments about Chen Jun.
Good soldier seedlings attract competition.
Good cadre seedlings are equally coveted.
The Third Company Commander’s special trip to the new recruit company this time—building relations, giving gifts, and asking Gao Cheng for new recruits was one thing; his second main purpose was aimed at Chen Jun.
He even deliberately avoided Gao Cheng’s sight to prevent him from sneaking around and poaching talent.
The Third Company Commander deliberately avoided the higher-ups’ line of sight and sneaked to the political instructor’s room, then had He Hongtao call Chen Jun over alone.
As long as he created space for a private conversation with Chen Jun, Old Third was confident he could poach him.
This confidence came from the fact that Chen Jun was still a cadet soldier!
During the cadet soldier probationary period, before military rank was issued, before the regiment officially issued appointment documents, and before assuming any position in the company.
Cadet soldiers did not belong to any company, so they would be rejected by the veteran soldier backbones of the probationary company.
While having this disadvantage, cadet soldiers could also gain the benefit of not being a benefit—that was great autonomy to decide which company to serve in.
This autonomy didn’t mean they could go to whichever company they wanted.
Rather, when several companies simultaneously extended olive branches and reported to the regiment requesting personnel, the cadet soldier had the right to decide autonomously which company to go to.
Even during the one-year probationary period, if other company chief officers requested personnel, the cadet could switch companies for probation.
Of course.
If no company actively wanted the cadet soldier, this autonomous choice right would automatically expire—no one wanted them, so where would they have the qualification to choose.
They could only follow the regiment’s allocation.
Whichever company they were assigned to was it.
In both cases, the chief officer of the probationary company had no right to force the cadet soldier to stay; it had to be based primarily on the cadet soldier’s wishes.
The Third Company Commander was exploiting this loophole, wanting to strike a harsh blow at Gao Cheng.
Since you, Gao Cheng, started it by not giving face and not assigning me good soldier seedlings, then on the fifteenth, I’ll make you regret it by poaching your excellent platoon leader.
When Gao Cheng heard the threat earlier, he hadn’t even imagined Old Third had this move.
At this moment, in a great mood, he was already playing basketball.
Completely unaware that crisis had arrived!
The Third Company Commander really was a straightforward person. If he had any dissatisfaction, he wouldn’t wait for later—he’d settle it today and was already prepared to increase the chips.
He would bring out all the chips he could offer and was determined to secure Chen Jun.
“Platoon Leader Chen, the political instructor wants you to come to his place. He has an urgent matter to see you about.”
Chen Jun was in his own room, seizing every moment to fitness train. He had just finished two sets of 100 push-ups when the clerk came running over.
“Got it, I’ll change clothes and go.”
Chen Jun didn’t know what the political instructor wanted him for, so he took off the physical training uniform he had just put on, changed into training uniform, and ran to the political instructor’s room.
“Knock knock knock.”
“Report.”
First knock on the door, then report—standard troops procedure.
