In the command center, Zhou Yinglong said earnestly to Zhang Xiaoman, "When I handed in the battle report yesterday, the commander gave you a commendation today. Special cases are given special treatment during wartime. This shows that the commander values you very much."
Zhang Xiaoman looked flattered. "What did the commander say?"
"It's like this. In fact, your previous rank was already half a rank higher than your current rank. But because the Razor Sharp Company is a reinforced company, your position has not changed even though your salary has increased." Zhou Yinglong said, "Since you've performed a meritorious deed again, the Personnel Division is going to talk to you."
Zhang Xiaoman already knew what was going on. "I'm not leaving the Razor Sharp Company!"
Zhou Yinglong was taken aback. "That's a good thing. Why aren't you happy about it?"
"Our Razor Sharp Company is currently fighting a tough battle. What would happen if I, the company commander, were to leave? Even if I were to be transferred, I'd have to wait until the war is over. "Zhang Xiaoman raised his voice and shouted.
"What are you shouting for?" Zhou Yinglong said unhappily, "We're just asking for your opinion. It was supposed to be a good thing, but what did you turn it into?"
"Battalion Commander, does the commander want me to make room for Ren Xiaosu? That's fine too. You can make me a soldier in the Razor Sharp Company. "Zhang Xiaoman said," I'm willing to let him be the company commander, but I won't leave the Razor Sharp Company. "
Zhou Yinglong was at a loss for words. For example, people like Zhang Xiaoman who were unwilling to be promoted or even demoted rather than leave the company would probably only exist in the troops of Fortress 178.
However, Zhou Yinglong said, "Then just continue being the commander of the Razor Sharp Company. This matter has nothing to do with Ren Xiaosu. Your company has already received the commendation, and the entire company is getting a third-class citation, except for him."
"Why?" Zhang Xiaoman was shocked. "Just because he was chosen by the commander, he's being treated so harshly?"
This time, Zhang Xiaoman was really stunned. He had thought he was being transferred to make room for Ren Xiaosu, even though he thought Ren Xiaosu would not be promoted so quickly.
But in the end, it was the other way around. All of them were rewarded, and only Ren Xiaosu got nothing.
"Alright, we can't figure out the commander's thoughts. You should go back first. We'll hold the award ceremony tonight." Zhou Yinglong waved his hand.
Zhang Xiaoman returned to the company absent-mindedly and continued to lead everyone in running exercises. However, everyone could tell that Zhang Xiaoman had something on his mind.
"Captain, did you get scolded by the battalion commander?" Jiao Xiaochen asked. "I keep having the feeling that something's on your mind."
Zhang Xiaoman said, "Because we took down Mt. Dingyuan and Mt. Guan, the commander-in-chief decided to give each of us a third-class merit."
"That's a good thing." Jiao Xiaochen was overjoyed. "Our Razor Sharp Company might all become officers after the war."
"What's so good about it?" Zhang Xiaoman said, "Only Ren Xiaosu doesn't have this third-class merit."
As soon as he said that, everyone was stunned. "Why? Even if Ren Xiaosu didn't really mention himself in the report, why didn't he get a third-class merit when the entire company got it? Could there be something wrong with the report? Why don't we get the battalion commander to write a new battle report? "
"Yeah, let's go look for the commander-in-chief! This isn't fair! "
"Ren Xiaosu risked his life for the sake of the company's mission. Even if you let him and the others climb up that mountain, they wouldn't be able to do much damage to the bandit lair, right?" Jiao Xiaochen said anxiously, "He should've been the one with the most credit in this battle!"
Everyone looked at Ren Xiaosu. However, Ren Xiaosu smiled and said, "It's fine. I don't have much use for the merit anyway. You don't have to help me look for the commander-in-chief. Didn't y 'all say that it's a soldier's duty to obey orders in the troops? They can do whatever they want with the higher-ups. We just have to follow their orders."
Zhang Xiaoman felt like iron did not meet his expectations and said, "You have to fight for this yourself!"
"What's there to fight for?" Ren Xiaosu smiled and continued running forward. "Hurry up and do your jogging. Otherwise, we won't be able to make it in time for dinner."
Everyone looked at one another and did not know what to say.
…
The award ceremony at night was more important. The FOB was treating it as a mobilization meeting to boost the morale of the troops.
However, Zhang Xiaoman gathered all the soldiers of the Razor Sharp Company except for Ren Xiaosu. "Listen up, all of you. We're writing this joint letter to protest against the commander-in-chief's actions. If the commander-in-chief isn't happy about it, I'm afraid all of you won't have a future in the military."
"I don't believe it. The commander-in-chief isn't that kind of person. He'll listen to our suggestions." Jiao Xiaochen denied. "I'll sign it anyway. This credit must go to Ren Xiaosu. If Ren Xiaosu doesn't want to fight for it, we'll fight for it on his behalf."
Zhang Xiaoman said, "Alright, I'll write it. You can all sign it!"
The group of rough-looking men lowered their heads and pondered how to write the letter of protest. It was really making things difficult for them.
At this moment, Zhang Jinglin had arrived at the FOB and was having a meeting with all the commanders of the fighting forces. Just as they were discussing how to cross the Beiwan River at the front line, an orderly came in from outside and whispered to him, "All the sergeants of the Razor Sharp Company are here. They say they're representing the entire Razor Sharp Company to send a letter of protest."
Zhang Jinglin smiled. "Didn't we just say that we're going to award them with a third-class citation? What's there to protest about? Let them in."
The other commanders whispered, "Commander, should we head out first?"
"No need." Zhang Jinglin shook his head. "Let's hear what our brothers from the Razor Sharp Company have to protest about."
Zhang Xiaoman, Jiao Xiaochen, and the other sergeants were brought into the command tent. Zhang Jinglin said with a smile, "Tell us, what does our hero who won the first battle want to protest about?"
"This is our letter of protest." Zhang Xiaoman handed a crumpled piece of paper to Zhang Jinglin. "We feel that Ren Xiaosu was treated unfairly, so we'd like to rewrite the battle report. He's the main contributor to this battle."
"Oh." Zhang Jinglin nodded and looked at the letter of protest. It was also signed by all the soldiers of the Razor Sharp Company. He said, "Y 'all are saying that you falsified the battle report and that you, Zhang Xiaoman, and Jiao Xiaochen, have falsely claimed military credit?"
Zhang Xiaoman clenched his teeth and said, "Commander, even if you punish us, we'll accept it. But Ren Xiaosu really did meritorious service. You can't just give all of us a third-class citation and forget about him. Isn't that a slap to our faces?"
Zhang Jinglin said calmly, "We're only looking at the facts and not the people involved. Falsifying the battle report and falsely claiming military credit will result in all of you being stripped of your third-class citation. Even if you're heroes, there's no exception. As for the incident with Ren Xiaosu, I'm aware of it."
Zhang Xiaoman and the others were a little confused. What did he mean by they were aware of it?
After that, they were led out of the tent by the orderlies. Zhang Jinglin threw the letter of protest to the other commanders with a smile. "Have a look at it."
Zhou Yinglong, who was sitting at the back, thought to himself, 'Commander Zhang looks like he's in a good mood. By throwing this letter of protest to the other commanders, he's clearly trying to tell them what his chosen Ren Xiaosu had done.'
He was just a soldier who had just joined the company. What did he have to make his comrades put up a third-class citation to protest on his behalf?
Ren Xiaosu was much more popular in the Razor Sharp Company than they had imagined.
If you were a ray of light, you would eventually encounter the other rays of light behind the dark thunderclouds.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
