Chapter 62: Red-header Document From The Regiment
The recruits felt that the company’s chief officers weren’t all stern-faced; there were also mild-mannered smiling cadres, making the atmosphere less tense than before.
The political instructor handled thought work, while the company commander handled military affairs.
One played the good cop, the other the bad cop.
This was our military’s unique dual chief officer system, a one-of-a-kind existence globally, witnessing and laying the foundation for our military’s path to strength.
The company’s two chief officers had both finished their speeches on stage; next came the most important part—
awarding the Steel Seventh Company’s unique honor numbers!
Company Commander Gao Cheng held a document and walked to the front of the stage, calling out each of the seven newcomers about to join today one by one, having them step forward to stand in a row at the front of the formation.
Six recruits went up for the company entry ceremony; everyone was psychologically prepared.
But Chen Jun was also on the list, which truly caught everyone off guard.
But then they thought again.
Reviewing Chen Jun’s changes over these four months, especially leading his platoon to break records in the new recruit company, everyone felt there was no issue at all.
If even Chen Jun couldn’t end his probation early, then no cadet would qualify.
Gao Cheng came down from the stage via the stairs and walked to the rightmost recruit in the formation, pounding his right fist heavily on his chest.
He roared loudly at the recruit: “You, Steel Seventh Company’s 4942nd recruit—remember this number; this is your honor, and even more so, your mission.”
Then he went to the second recruit, pounding his chest heavily again and roaring loudly: “You, the 4943rd recruit—it will accompany you for life.”
Next came the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth.
When Cheng Cai was awarded the 4947th honor, Gao Cheng didn’t leave right away like with the others; instead, he pulled a red box from his pocket.
He opened it and took out an honor medal, solemnly pinning it on Cheng Cai’s chest.
Seeing the words “Third-class Merit” on the medal, everyone in the formation showed envious looks, and Cheng Cai’s eyes brimmed with irrepressible ecstasy and pride.
Even though he had known about the third-class merit in advance, having it actually pinned on his chest still made it hard to suppress his excitement.
The political instructor also came down at this moment, handing Cheng Cai a bright red honor certificate with a smile, offering congratulations and anticipation.
“Cheng Cai, you performed well in the new recruit company—this is what you deserve, but I don’t want to see you get proud. I hope this third-class merit is just the beginning, and that you’ll reach new heights in Seventh Company from now on.”
For Cheng Cai, this top-performing recruit, though Gao Cheng only said a few brief words, for someone not given to praise like Gao Cheng, this was already the highest expectation.
“Thank you, Company Commander, for helping me earn the third-class merit. I will redouble my efforts, train hard in Steel Seventh Company, carry forward the fine traditions of the martyrs, be strict with myself, keep forging ahead, win more honors for the company, live up to your high expectations, and become an excellent new-style soldier.”
Gao Cheng was adept at delivering official speeches; even in this solemn setting, he spoke fluently without any hesitation or stage fright.
Though Cheng Cai’s words seemed a bit deliberate, Gao Cheng, who cherished talent, didn’t find it inappropriate and instead greatly admired Cheng Cai’s courage and eloquence.
“Talk is cheap—do it, and that’s a real man.”
Gao Cheng patted Cheng Cai’s shoulders twice, finally arriving in front of the last “newcomer.”
Unlike with the previous six recruits, where he had been stern-faced throughout, when Gao Cheng reached Chen Jun, he smiled as brightly as spring flowers blooming.
“Chen Jun, I, Gao Cheng, keep my word—what I say, I do.”
Gao Cheng smiled as he pulled a kraft paper-wrapped document from behind the folder and handed it to Chen Jun, saying: “I went specially to the regiment for this document.
Congratulations, Comrade Chen Jun—your probation ends early; you are now a member of Steel Seventh Company.
From this moment on, you are Steel Seventh Company’s 4941st warrior. I hereby formally appoint you platoon leader of First Platoon, responsible for First Platoon’s training and work.
I hope in your future work and life, you won’t let down the regiment’s expectations and favor toward you.”
After Gao Cheng finished, he led the applause, and the others joined in with congratulations.
“Clap clap…”
The applause erupted!
Chen Jun, who had already achieved certain results in Seventh Company and built sufficient influence, was now publicly announced as First Platoon’s platoon leader—there was no one dissatisfied.
The enthusiastic applause represented approval; Chen Jun’s selection as platoon leader was well-deserved.
Even though Chen Jun’s goal was captain deputy company commander, becoming platoon leader was a natural step, and being able to take the post early still made him very happy.
As the enthusiastic applause gradually died down.
Chen Jun took the document, saluted solemnly, and said resolutely: “Guaranteed to complete the mission.”
Unlike Cheng Cai’s lengthy rhetoric, these simple six words put Gao Cheng even more at ease.
It was an indescribable feeling.
If Cheng Cai’s words made Gao Cheng happy and gave him sufficient expectations without absolute confidence, just hoping he could deliver.
Then Chen Jun’s words were entirely different; Gao Cheng didn’t even need to hope—his instinct told him—
Chen Jun would do exactly what he said!
“Come with me, up on stage.”
Gao Cheng gestured toward the stage, deliberately announcing publicly that from this moment, Chen Jun was already Steel Seventh Company’s officer.
Walking from the formation below to the main stage above signified completing the identity transition.
No matter how the veterans had addressed Chen Jun before, from now on they had to change—not just calling him platoon leader or Platoon Leader Chen, but giving him the respect due a platoon leader.
Chen Jun had come down from a high position and knew what it meant to wield both grace and authority.
Officers and soldiers should bond closely, but not become indistinguishable; the proper distance between officers and soldiers couldn’t be lacking.
Otherwise, it would be hard to control lax soldier discipline, which wasn’t conducive to the development of officer-soldier relations.
This was the way to command soldiers!
Chen Jun could handle being division commander with ease; being a platoon leader was like Zhang Fei eating bean sprouts—nothing to it at all. He followed Gao Cheng confidently onto the stage.
Seeing Chen Jun adapt so quickly, Gao Cheng was surprised but felt even more admiration.
The company entry ceremony had now proceeded almost to the end; only the final coda remained, and this important cleanup still required Company Commander Gao Cheng to handle personally.
“Begin, bring out the company flag.”
With Gao Cheng’s command, Shi Jin and Wu Liu Yi—who had at some point left the formation, each carrying a flag—returned to the front of the formation.
The two stood in a row, raised the flags high, and marched past the front of the formation in goose step.
As they strode forward, the company flags in their hands fluttered in the wind, the yellow characters on the flags gleaming in the sunlight.
Blood-bathed Vanguard Steel Seventh Company!
Armored Tiger Steel Seventh Company!
The two company flags forged by the predecessors’ fresh blood carried an extraordinary powerful aura, inspiring awe and respect as they passed before the formation.
