In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

On a clear morning in early June, sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains into the small 15-square-meter room.

When Yang Guangming woke up, it was already bright outside. He lay in bed without getting up immediately, his gaze sweeping over the home he had been living in for a month.

Everything in the room felt familiar and comforting. The deep red wardrobe, the neatly arranged toiletries on the dressing table, the washbasin stand in the corner, and the dining table and chairs by the window. Everything was orderly and full of life.

Over the course of the month, he gradually adapted to life in the tenement building.

I get up at 6:30 every morning, wash up in the communal water room, and arrive at the security office at 7:50 sharp to start my day's work. After get off work in the evening, I cook my own meals, sometimes just stir-frying a simple dish, sometimes reheating some cooked food from the storage area.

This regular and peaceful life gave him an unprecedented sense of security.

Today is Tuesday. He went into the mountains yesterday and had a good haul; he personally hunted twenty-seven pheasants and rabbits.

Yang Guangming sat up and began to wash up.

There was movement in the corridor. The sound of a radio playing the morning news could be heard coming from the next room, where Technician Li was working.

Yang Guangming filled a basin with cold water, soaked a towel in it, and vigorously rubbed his face. The cold water stimulated his skin, completely waking him up.

Back in his room, he changed into the hunting team's uniform. The fabric was thick and durable, and it looked very crisp against his skin. He stood in front of the mirror and straightened his collar. The young man in the mirror had a calm gaze, and his face was fuller and his complexion was much healthier than when he first arrived in the city.

Lock the door and go downstairs.

The factory area was quiet in the early morning. I arrived at the security office building and went up to the second floor to the security section office. The door was open, and only Li Daguo was inside, sitting at his desk organizing documents.

"Good morning, Brother Li." Yang Guangming walked in and sat down in his seat.

Li Daguo raised his head, a smile on his face: "The light has arrived? That's quite early."

Yang Guangming picked up a rag and started wiping the table. "Brother Li, you started earlier than me. I was already early, and you've already finished wiping the table."

"If you can't sleep, you'll come early," Li Daguo said, slowing down his movements.

Yang Guangming noticed that Li Daguo seemed somewhat absent-minded today. Usually at this time, he would be either arranging the day's training plan or organizing the records from the mountain trip, but today he was just sitting there with documents in his hands, his gaze somewhat unfocused.

"Brother Li, is something wrong?" Yang Guangming asked tentatively.

Li Daguo shook his head, then nodded, and finally sighed: "I can't quite put my finger on it, I just feel uneasy. Maybe it's because things have been going too smoothly lately, and I have this feeling that something is going to happen."

Yang Guangming understood this feeling. The hunting team had been reaping steady profits for the past few months, and there was progress on the matter of converting them to a permanent staff; everything was moving in a positive direction. But this kind of success could sometimes be unsettling.

"Don't overthink it, Brother Li," Yang Guangming comforted him. "Let's focus on doing our job well, and let the rest take its course."

“Yes, let nature take its course,” Li Daguo repeated, but there was still a hint of uncertainty in his tone.

As the two were talking, the office door was pushed open.

Section Chief Tian walked in. He was dressed neatly in a Zhongshan suit today, his hair was combed meticulously, but his brows were slightly furrowed and his expression was serious.

"Section Chief." Li Daguo and Yang Guangming stood up at the same time.

Section Chief Tian nodded, his gaze sweeping over the two men before finally settling on Yang Guangming: "Guangming, come to my office for a moment."

His voice was lower than usual, and after speaking, he walked straight to the small office in the back room.

Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat. Section Chief Tian had called him aside, and his expression was serious; it probably wasn't anything good.

He glanced at Li Daguo, who also looked at him with a puzzled expression, clearly sensing that something was amiss.

"I'll go for a bit," Yang Guangming said in a low voice, then walked towards Section Chief Tian's office.

Yang Guangming pushed open the door and walked in, then gently closed it behind him.

Section Chief Tian sat behind his desk, not offering him a seat as usual, but silently watching him, a cigarette in his hand, which he did not light.

Yang Guangming sat down in the chair, waiting for the leader to speak.

Section Chief Tian picked up a match from the table, struck it, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled a cloud of bluish-gray smoke. The smoke slowly dissipated in the air, blurring the expression on his face.

"Guangming, you've been in our department for three months now, haven't you?" Section Chief Tian asked, his voice a little hoarse.

"Yes, Section Chief, it's been more than three months," Yang Guangming replied.

"Time flies," Section Chief Tian remarked, taking another drag of his cigarette before slowly exhaling. "You've performed exceptionally well these past three months. The hunting team's catch has increased several times over, the canteen's meat supply is now guaranteed, and the workers all appreciate your efforts."

He paused, then looked at Yang Guangming: "The hunting team is about to be converted into a permanent organization, and you deserve a lot of credit for that."

Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't respond. He knew that Section Chief Tian's elaborate setup was all for the main point.

Section Chief Tian flicked his cigarette ash and lowered his voice: "This morning, the department held a meeting to discuss some personnel issues. Among them was the hunting team."

Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat. He remained calm and asked, "Section Chief, has something gone wrong regarding the hunting team's transition to a permanent position?"

Section Chief Tian shook his head: "No, that's not it. The matter of converting it to a permanent position has been basically decided, and the official document will be issued no later than next month."

He paused, took another drag of his cigarette, and then continued, "The problem lies in the personnel arrangements."

Sunlight shone brightly, his gaze slightly narrowed.

"Some people have raised concerns," Section Chief Tian said slowly, "believing that after the hunting team becomes a permanent organization, Comrade Li Daguo is no longer qualified to serve as the team leader."

There was a brief silence in the office.

Yang Guangming digested the information in those words. He recalled Li Daguo's earlier comment about feeling uneasy, and it seemed there was some truth to it.

"Why?" Yang Guangming asked, his voice still calm. "Captain Li has worked very hard these past three months, and the hunting team's achievements are obvious to all."

“Effort is one thing, qualifications are another.” Section Chief Tian sighed. “Some people have pointed out a few things. First, Li Daguo’s personal abilities are not outstanding. In the hunting team, his catch is indeed higher than that of the other members, but the difference is not significant, and they are basically at the same level. But compared to you, his catch is not worth mentioning at all.”

Yang Guangming wanted to say something, but Section Chief Tian waved his hand, indicating that he should listen first.

"Second, leadership skills. The hunting team's good performance these past few months is mainly due to your joining. Li Daguo has indeed done a good job in overall planning and organization, but he has not demonstrated irreplaceable leadership skills."

Third, and most importantly—qualifications.

Section Chief Tian looked at Yang Guangming and said, "Among the young people in the hunting team, Li Daguo is considered to have seniority. But compared to the cadres in the entire security section, his seniority is quite average."

Once the hunting team leader becomes a permanent, full-time position, he will be a key cadre in the department, with a future potential of up to the rank of first-level clerk—a very promising career path.

He paused for a moment: "Before, the hunting team was a temporary organization, so no one objected to making him the temporary leader. But now that it's a permanent organization, many people have objected to still making him the leader."

Yang Guangming was silent for a moment. He knew that Section Chief Tian was telling the truth. In government agencies, seniority and ability are important factors considered during promotions. Li Daguo did indeed benefit from being a "temporary" team leader; once he was officially promoted, his shortcomings would be exposed.

"This view is not held by a few individuals," Section Chief Tian continued, "but rather by the majority of leaders. I tried my best to persuade them, but it was still rejected."

His voice was tinged with helplessness: "Li Daguo's transfer is a done deal. The transfer order will be issued today. The higher-ups' intention is very clear: this matter must be settled before the hunting team is officially transferred to a permanent staff."

Yang Guangming took a deep breath. He knew that since Section Chief Tian had said that, there was truly no way to salvage the situation.

"Section Chief, I don't think this is fair."

Yang Guangming spoke sincerely, "Although Captain Li's personal achievements are not the most outstanding, he has done a great job in training, coordination, and personnel management. The hunting team's cohesion today is largely due to him. Moreover, we cooperate very well, and a sudden change in personnel would affect our work."

Section Chief Tian listened quietly, then shook his head: "Guangming, I've already given all these reasons at the meeting. But it's no use. The leaders are looking at the big picture and the long term. Everyone knows that Li Daguo's transfer won't affect the hunting team's harvest—because of you."

That last sentence was blunt and cruel.

Yang Guangming was momentarily speechless. He understood what Section Chief Tian meant. In the leaders' eyes, the core of the hunting team was him, Yang Guangming, not Li Daguo. Li Daguo was gone, but as long as he remained, the hunting team's performance wouldn't be affected.

"Where will Captain Li be transferred to? Captain Li has worked hard and made great contributions. Doesn't he deserve any compensation?" Yang Guangming asked.

“There will be compensation,” Section Chief Tian said. “After the transfer, his administrative rank will be promoted by one level. I plan to transfer him to the security team for the time being. The security team is the most important team in our section, and this is the best arrangement I can get.”

Yang Guangming nodded. A promotion to the security team was indeed a form of compensation. But everyone understood that the future prospects of an ordinary member of the security team and the captain of the hunting team were completely different.

"Does Captain Li know?" Yang Guangming asked.

"We haven't officially notified him yet." Section Chief Tian stubbed out his cigarette. "I'll call him in to talk later. You should be mentally prepared."

He paused, looked at Yang Guangming, and said in a serious tone, "Guangming, after Li Daguo is transferred, I will promote you from deputy captain to captain, and put you in charge of all aspects of the hunting team's work."

Yang Guangming had expected this, but hearing it with his own ears still left him with mixed feelings. This position, to some extent, was based on Li Daguo's transfer.

"Section Chief, it's me."

“You don’t need to refuse, and you don’t need to feel guilty,” Section Chief Tian interrupted him. “This is a work requirement, and it’s also a recognition of your abilities. Your contributions are genuine, and no one can say anything about it.”

He stood up, walked to the window, his back to the bright sunlight: "The hunting team belongs to our Security Section. Now that they've achieved something, it's inevitable that others will be envious and want to take credit. But the Security Section can't give up the captain's position. Even if they had to, they could only give up the deputy captain's position."

He turned around, his gaze sharp: "While appointing you directly as team leader will be somewhat difficult, it's not a huge challenge, and I'm confident I can secure it. After all, your situation is different from Li Daguo's—you have real, irreplaceable contributions. Even Director Yu acknowledges that."

Yang Guangming sat up straight: "Thank you for your trust, Section Chief. I will do my best to do my job well."

"That's exactly the attitude we need." Section Chief Tian walked back to his desk and sat down. "So, you have to be strong yourself to succeed. If you live up to my expectations, I'll speak with confidence too. Do a good job, and don't let people laugh at you."

“I understand,” Yang Guangming replied solemnly.

"Alright, you can go out now." Section Chief Tian waved his hand. "Call Li Daguo in."

Yang Guangming stood up, saluted Section Chief Tian, ​​and turned to leave the office.

The door closed softly.

This time, Yang Guangming and Section Chief Tian had a relatively long conversation. After the other team leaders arrived, they processed some documents and went out to run errands.

Inside the large office outside, Li Daguo was still organizing documents, but his movements were clearly distracted, suggesting that he had already heard some rumors beforehand.

As the sun came out, he looked up, his eyes questioning.

Yang Guangming walked up to him and said in a low voice, "Brother Li, the section chief wants you to come in."

Li Daguo paused for a moment. He looked at Yang Guangming's expression, seemed to understand something, and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

"What's meant to happen will happen," he murmured, putting down the documents in his hand, standing up, straightening his clothes, and then walking towards Section Chief Tian's office.

His back looked somewhat heavy at that moment.

As Yang Guangming watched the door close behind Li Daguo, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside him.

Over the course of three months, Li Daguo, though sometimes careless, was straightforward, serious about his work, and caring towards his teammates. The two worked together seamlessly and never had a disagreement.

Now, all of this is about to change because of a transfer order.

Yang Guangming sat down at his desk, picked up a document, but couldn't concentrate on reading it. His gaze kept drifting to the closed door, wondering what the conversation inside was about.

Time passed by minute by minute.

About half an hour later, the door to Section Chief Tian's office opened.

Li Daguo came out.

His face was somewhat pale, but his expression remained relatively calm. Seeing Yang Guangming looking at him, he forced a smile and walked to his seat.

Yang Guangming noticed that Li Daguo's eyes were a little red, but he quickly lowered his head and pretended to organize documents to cover it up.

The office was so quiet it felt almost oppressive.

Yang Guangming hesitated for a moment, then stood up and walked to Li Daguo's desk.

"Brother Li," he began, but didn't know how to continue.

Li Daguo looked up at him, his expression complex. There was disappointment, resentment, and a sense of relief after accepting his fate.

“It’s alright, Guangming. Actually, I was already mentally prepared; I’d heard some rumors beforehand.” He spoke first, his voice a little hoarse. “The section chief told me that I’ll be reporting to the security team tomorrow.”

Although he was mentally prepared, Yang Guangming's heart still skipped a beat when he heard the word "tomorrow." So soon.

"Brother Li, I..." Yang Guangming wanted to say something comforting, but felt that any words would seem inadequate.

Li Daguo waved his hand and comforted him instead: "Don't feel bad. To be honest, if it weren't for you, the hunting team wouldn't have achieved what it has today, let alone become a permanent staff. I'm just benefiting from your help, and I've been able to get a raise so quickly."

He paused, then chuckled self-deprecatingly, "My qualifications are indeed insufficient, and my abilities are only average. It's only right that the leadership transferred me. At least they promoted me one level and transferred me to the security team; Section Chief Tian has already done his best."

Seeing his forced composure, Yang Guangming felt even worse.

He knew that Li Daguo was definitely upset inside, even though he said that. He had built the hunting team from scratch and poured his heart and soul into it, but now he had to leave just as the harvest was about to come.

“Brother Li, let’s have dinner together tonight,” Yang Guangming said. “Let’s invite all the brothers in the team to see you off.”

Li Daguo paused for a moment, then nodded: "Okay. It's time for a get-together. We'll still be in the same department, but not the same team anymore."

“Then it’s settled,” Yang Guangming said. “I’ll make the arrangements.”

"Don't spend too much money, keep it simple," Li Daguo said.

“I know,” Yang Guangming replied.

As they were talking, Section Chief Tian came out of his office. He looked at Li Daguo, his voice softening:

"Da Guo, the transfer order will be officially issued soon. Report to the security team tomorrow, and Captain Zhang Jianjun will arrange your work. You can hand over your work today, mainly some documents for the hunting team."

"Yes, Section Chief." Li Daguo stood up.

"As for the hunting team," Section Chief Tian turned his gaze to Yang Guangming, "starting tomorrow, Comrade Yang Guangming will be temporarily in charge of all work. His position will be clarified once the official documents are issued."

“Yes,” Yang Guangming replied.

Section Chief Tian nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave the office. He seemed somewhat tired today, and his back looked rather heavy.

With Section Chief Tian gone, the atmosphere in the office eased a little.

He Dongliang, who had just returned and stood at the door for a while, came in and patted Li Daguo on the shoulder: "Daguo, don't overthink it. The security team is good too. Captain Zhang is a decent guy and won't treat you badly."

“I know, Captain He,” Li Daguo said with a wry smile, “It’s just… a bit sudden.”

"That's just how it is in government offices," He Dongliang sighed. "But at least you got promoted one level, so it's worth it. So many people have been stuck in the same position for years."

Li Daguo nodded and said nothing more.

Yang Guangming began handing over his work to Li Daguo.

In fact, the work of the hunting team is relatively simple, mainly involving recording hunting trips into the mountains, registering the issuance of firearms and ammunition, and arranging training for team members.

These documents are usually managed by Li Daguo. Although Yang Guangming is familiar with them, he still needs to get to know the details.

The two chatted as they handed over the items.

"Guangming, the hunting team is now in your hands." Li Daguo handed a stack of documents to Yang Guangming, his tone solemn. "These brothers in the team are all excellent. Wang Tiezhu is honest, Zhao Xiaohu is clever but needs to be disciplined, Zhang Jianguo is steady, and Liu Zhiqiang is hardworking. Please take good care of them."

"Don't worry, Brother Li, I will lead the team well," Yang Guangming said earnestly as he took the documents.

“I have nothing to worry about.” Li Daguo smiled. “You are more capable than me, and you are better at handling people and situations. You will definitely lead the hunting team better than I do.”

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Well... there's something I need to remind you of."

"Brother Li, you go ahead."

“After the hunting team becomes a permanent staff, there will definitely be people eyeing the positions of captain and deputy captain.” Li Daguo lowered his voice. “I’ve heard that several people are already making moves. If you want to keep your position as captain without any doubt, you can only rely on your performance.”

"Thank you for reminding me, Brother Li. I'll remember it," Yang Guangming said.

"And another thing," Li Daguo hesitated for a moment, "I won't be in the team anymore, so there are some things I might not be able to tell you. Be careful, fight for what you should fight for, and yield when you should yield. Interpersonal relationships in the organization are complicated; sometimes it's not just about ability, but also about personal connections."

These words are spoken from the heart.

“Brother Li, I’ll be careful,” Yang Guangming said sincerely. “If anything happens in the future, just let me know. Even though we’re not on the same team anymore, we’re still brothers.”

Li Daguo's eyes reddened again. He patted Yang Guangming's shoulder hard and said, "Good brother!"

The handover process continued until noon. The two of them handed over everything that needed to be handed over and said everything that needed to be said.

At lunchtime, Yang Guangming and Li Daguo went to the canteen together. The other members of the hunting team saw them and gathered around.

During the meal, Li Daguo didn't mention the transfer. Yang Guang knew he didn't want to upset everyone, so he didn't say anything more.

In the afternoon, Yang Guangming went to the training ground to lead the team in regular training. Li Daguo went to the security team to familiarize himself with the situation and prepare for reporting for duty tomorrow.

During a training break, Zhao Xiaohu leaned close to Yang Guangming and whispered, "Brother Guangming, is Captain Li going to be transferred? He seemed a bit off today."

Yang Guangming glanced at him: "How did you know?"

"Just guessing. There have been some rumors circulating lately," Zhao Xiaohu said.

Yang Guangming had to admit that although Zhao Xiaohu was young, he was quite clever and perceptive.

"Yes, Captain Li will report to the security team tomorrow." Yang Guangming didn't hide anything. "The transfer order has already been issued."

"Why?" Zhao Xiaohu asked anxiously. "Captain Li was doing a great job, why was he transferred?"

The other team members heard it too and gathered around.

"Exactly, why is Captain Li suddenly being transferred?" Wang Tiezhu asked, his face full of confusion. Yang Guangming looked at the team members who had gathered around and knew that this matter could not be kept secret, so he simply said, "The hunting team is going to be converted into a permanent unit. The higher-ups think that Captain Li's qualifications are not enough to serve as the permanent captain, so they transferred him away. However, he was promoted one rank and transferred to the security team."

"This is so unfair!" Zhao Xiaohu said indignantly. "Captain Li led us for over a year, and now that we've achieved results, they're transferring him away. Isn't this like discarding a used tool after it's done its work?"

“Xiao Hu, you can only say this in private,” Yang Guangming stopped him. “This is an organizational decision, and we can only obey.”

Wang Tiezhu sighed: "That's true, but Captain Li is being treated too unfairly."

Zhang Jianguo, Liu Zhiqiang, and the others nodded in agreement, all feeling indignant on Li Daguo's behalf.

Yang Guangming looked at everyone, feeling a little uneasy. But he knew now was not the time to talk about these things.

“Although Captain Li has been transferred, our hunting team’s work must continue.” Yang Guangming raised his voice. “Starting tomorrow, I will temporarily take charge of the team’s work. Everyone should do a good job in the hunting team; that’s the best way to honor Captain Li.”

Although the team members were not in high spirits, they all nodded and replied, "Don't worry, Vice Captain, we will definitely do our best."

Yang Guangming paused, then looked at everyone: "Captain Li is gone, but the spirit of the hunting team must not be lost. We must continue to work hard and not let Captain Li down!"

"Yes!" Wang Tiezhu was the first to respond, "We can't let Captain Li lose face!"

"We can't let Captain Li lose face!" the other team members said in unison.

The atmosphere brightened again. Yang Guangming secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that Li Daguo's transfer would definitely affect the team's morale. But now it seemed that although everyone felt sorry for Li Daguo, their enthusiasm for work remained.

Training continues.

Yang Guangming led his team in practicing shooting, cross-country running with weights, and wilderness survival skills. He demanded strict adherence to every requirement, leaving no stone unturned.

Training ended at 5:30 PM.

Yang Guangming gathered everyone together: "Tonight at seven o'clock, we'll hold a farewell dinner for Team Leader Li at a small restaurant outside the factory. Everyone come, no one can be left out."

"We'll definitely go!" everyone responded in unison.

"Alright, dismissed. Go back and pack your things, be there on time."

The team members dispersed. Yang Guangming returned to his dormitory, changed into clean clothes, and began preparing for the farewell dinner that evening.

He first went to the "Dongfanghong Restaurant" and booked a private room. This restaurant was not far from the factory area, the prices were reasonable, and the food was good. It was a place where the workers often went to treat themselves occasionally.

After booking a private room, Yang Guangming went to the supply and marketing cooperative and bought five bottles of Fenjiu, which was considered a relatively good wine for that era.

He bought a few extra bottles, since everyone's mood was complicated tonight and they were bound to drink a bit more.

At 6:30, when he arrived at the factory gate, Wang Tiezhu and Zhao Xiaohu were already waiting there. Then Zhang Jianguo, Liu Zhiqiang, Sun Fugui, Zheng Weidong, and others arrived one after another. Soon, all nine members of the hunting team, except for Li Daguo, were present.

"Let's go to the restaurant and wait for Captain Li," Yang Guangming said.

The group arrived at the "Dongfanghong Restaurant". The private room was on the second floor, not large, but it could seat ten people. Yang Guangming asked the waiter to serve a few cold dishes first.

As they were talking, the door to the private room was pushed open, and Li Daguo walked in.

He changed into clean clothes, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a smile on his face, but upon closer inspection, there was still a hint of forcedness in his smile.

"Team Leader Li is here!" Wang Tiezhu was the first to stand up.

"Captain Li!" The other team members also stood up.

Li Daguo waved his hand: "Sit down, everyone sit down. Don't be so polite, you won't be your captain anymore."

These words immediately created a somber atmosphere.

Yang Guangming quickly smoothed things over: "Whether he's the captain or not, Brother Li will always be the elder brother of our hunting team. Come on, Brother Li, take the seat of honor."

He invited Li Daguo to sit in the main seat, and then sat next to him.

"This meal is on me," Yang Guangming said sincerely. "Consider it our hunting team's farewell to Brother Li. Plenty of wine and food, everyone eat and drink to your heart's content!"

"Okay!" everyone responded in unison, and the atmosphere became more lively.

The waiter began serving the hot dishes. Braised carp, scrambled eggs, stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, Mapo tofu, and braised green beans were served one after another. In those days, this was considered a very sumptuous meal.

Yang Guangming opened a bottle of wine and poured one for everyone.

He raised his glass and stood up: "This first glass is for Brother Li. Thank you for taking care of me and guiding me over the past three months. When I first came here, I didn't know anything. It was Brother Li who taught me step by step and helped me get familiar with the work and the team. I will remember this kindness."

Li Daguo also raised his glass, his eyes slightly moist: "Guangming, don't say that. Your arrival is a blessing for the hunting team. I should be thanking you; without you, the hunting team wouldn't be where it is today."

"Brother Li, enough said, it's all in the drink." Yang Guangming downed his drink in one gulp.

Li Daguo also did it.

Next, Wang Tiezhu, Zhao Xiaohu, Zhang Jianguo, and the other team members toasted Li Daguo one by one. Each of them shared their heartfelt words, expressing gratitude, reluctance to part, and blessings.

Li Daguo accepted all offers and drank one cup after another. His face gradually turned red, and he became more talkative.

"Brothers," he said, holding his wine glass, his voice choked with emotion, "to be honest, I'm reluctant to leave you all. The hunting team has been established for over a year, and I've been here since day one. Watching the team grow from nothing to something, watching everyone grow day by day, and now that I have to leave, it's heartbreaking."

"Captain Li." Wang Tiezhu's eyes also reddened.

"But!" Li Daguo raised his voice, "It's a good thing that I'm leaving! Why? Because the hunting team is going to become a permanent unit! This means our efforts haven't been in vain, and our achievements have been recognized!"

He looked at Yang Guangming: "Guangming is capable and competent. I trust him to be the captain! Brothers, we must cooperate well with Guangming in the future and achieve even greater results! Don't let your old captain down!"

"Don't worry, Captain Li!" everyone said in unison.

"Good! Cheers!" Li Daguo downed his drink in one gulp.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively. Everyone reminisced about the fun they had together in the mountains, talked about the thrills of hunting, and discussed their future plans. Laughter, clinking glasses, and chatter filled the small private room.

Watching this scene, Yang Guangming was deeply moved. This was the bond between comrades-in-arms. Although they hadn't known each other for long, they had weathered storms together and achieved success together. This kind of affection was pure and precious.

He noticed that although Li Daguo was smiling, he couldn't hide the disappointment in his eyes.

He knew that Li Daguo was saying nice things, but he must be feeling regretful inside. After all, he had built the hunting team from scratch, and now that they had to leave at the peak of their harvest, no one would feel good about it.

But Li Daguo didn't show it. He kept encouraging everyone, giving instructions to Yang Guangming, and cheering on the team members. This sense of responsibility made Yang Guangming respect him even more.

"Brother Li," Yang Guangming leaned close to Li Daguo and whispered, "If you need anything in the future, just let me know. The hunting team will always be your home."

Li Daguo looked at him and nodded vigorously: "Good brother!"

The meal lasted a long time. Five bottles of baijiu were completely finished, and the food was almost gone. Everyone had drunk a bit too much, but they were still sober.

Zhao Xiaohu held Li Daguo's hand and kept saying, "Captain Li, even after you go to the security team, you must come back to visit often. You still need to come and give us guidance during training."

"Definitely, definitely." Li Daguo patted him on the shoulder.

Wang Tiezhu said in a low voice, "Captain Li, if anyone gives you a hard time after you join the security team, just tell us. We brothers will always be there for you."

Li Daguo laughed and scolded, "Don't worry, we're all in the same department, no one's giving me any attitude."

Zhang Jianguo, Liu Zhiqiang, and a few others also gathered around, saying their goodbyes.

Yang Guangming looked at the time; it was already past nine o'clock at night.

"That's enough for today," he said. "Brother Li has to report to the security team tomorrow, so let's not drink too much. There will be plenty of opportunities to get together in the future."

“Yes, let’s get together often in the future.” Li Daguo stood up, his body swaying slightly.

Yang Guangming quickly helped him up.

"I'm not drunk." Li Daguo waved his hand, but his steps were clearly unsteady.

After settling the bill, Yang Guangming and his teammates escorted Li Daguo back to his dormitory.

Li Daguo's dormitory was in another building of the tenement building, and it was also a single room.

"Captain Li, get some rest," Yang Guangming said softly.

Li Daguo lay on the bed, his eyes half-closed, murmuring, "Guangming, do a good job. Don't let me down."

"Don't worry, Brother Li," Yang Guangming said solemnly.

Stepping out of Li Daguo's dormitory, a night breeze blew by, carrying the coolness of early summer.

The team members stood downstairs and did not leave immediately.

"Vice-captain, no, captain," Wang Tiezhu corrected himself, "what are we going to do now?"

Yang Guangming looked at everyone, and under the moonlight, everyone's face was filled with confusion and reluctance.

"We should train when it's time to train, and go into the mountains when it's time to go into the mountains," Yang Guangming said calmly. "Captain Li is gone, but the hunting team is still here. We need to lead the team even better; that's the best way to honor Captain Li."

He paused, then continued, "Starting tomorrow, everything will proceed as usual. We'll meet at the training ground in the morning. The plan to go into the mountains on Friday remains unchanged. Does everyone have confidence?"

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison, their voices echoing through the night sky.

"Okay, everyone go back and get some rest. See you tomorrow."

The team members dispersed. Yang Guangming stood there, watching their figures disappear into the night, a sense of responsibility welling up inside him.

Starting tomorrow, he will no longer be the vice-captain, but the leader of the team. The future of eight men, and the future of the hunting team, rests on his shoulders.

He turned and walked towards his dormitory.

The next morning, Yang Guangming woke up on time.

After washing up and changing into his uniform, he went to the cafeteria for breakfast as usual, and then went to the training ground.

The team members had all arrived. Wang Tiezhu, Zhao Xiaohu, Zhang Jianguo, and the other three stood there in neat rows.

Yang Guangming walked over, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Report the numbers!" Yang Guangming said in a deep voice.

"One! Two! Three!" The countdown was loud and clear.

"Reporting to the captain, the hunting team should have seven members, and seven members are present. All assembled!" Wang Tiezhu stepped forward to report.

Yang Guangming nodded: "At ease."

He walked to the front of the group and looked at everyone: "Captain Li has already reported to the security team. Starting today, I will act as captain and be responsible for all aspects of the hunting team's work."

The team members listened quietly.

“I know everyone is upset about Captain Li’s transfer. Me too.” Yang Guangming’s voice was calm but firm. “But this is work, this is how the organization arranges things. What we need to do is not complain, not be discouraged, but do our job better, use better results to prove the value of the hunting team, and also prove that the team led by Captain Li is excellent!”

He paused, then raised his voice: "Do you have confidence?"

"Yes!" The voices of seven people came together, breaking the silence of the early morning.

"Alright! Let's begin training! First item: cross-country running with weights! Carry 30-pound sandbags on your backs and run 5 kilometers around the factory area! Let's go!"

The team members acted quickly, shouldered sandbags, lined up, and began running.

Yang Guangming ran in the lead. His steps were steady, and his breathing was even. Behind him, the team members followed closely, and no one fell behind.

After the five-kilometer run, everyone was sweating, but no one complained of being tired. Next came shooting training, obstacle course, and wilderness survival skills practice. Each activity was carried out strictly according to plan.

Yang Guangming noticed that the team members were exceptionally focused during today's training. They strived for perfection in every movement and were completely absorbed in every shot. He knew that they were expressing their respect for Li Daguo and their support for him in this way.

After training ended at noon, Yang Guangming told everyone to rest. He then went to the security office.

Section Chief Tian wasn't in the office; he was probably in a meeting. He Dongliang was there, and seeing Yang Guangming enter, he greeted him with a smile: "Guangming, how's it going? How's your first day as team leader?"

"The pressure is immense," Yang Guangming said honestly.

“That’s normal.” He Dongliang nodded understandingly. “But with your abilities, it shouldn’t be a problem. By the way, there’s something I need to remind you of.”

"Captain He, please speak."

"I heard the documents for making the hunting team a permanent staff should be issued by next week at the latest." He Dongliang lowered his voice. "The deputy captain... could also be the captain. The competition is fierce right now. Several people are already lobbying, all wanting to get the job."

Yang Guangming's heart sank. Li Daguo had reminded him of this problem yesterday as well.

"What's Section Chief Tian's attitude?" he asked.

“Section Chief Tian certainly supports you,” He Dongliang said. “But you also know that sometimes these kinds of things can’t be decided by the section chief alone. There are people in the department and the factory who want to get involved.”

The sun was shining brightly. Hunting teams had become highly sought after, and everyone wanted a piece of the pie.

"Thank you for the reminder, Captain He. I will be careful," Yang Guangming said.

"Well, as long as you know what's going on," He Dongliang patted his shoulder. "But don't worry too much. You're the acting captain now, and your achievements are obvious to all. As long as you can maintain this, no one should be able to compete with you for the captaincy. If others want to compete, they can only try for the vice-captainship."

For the next few days, everything remained the same.

I went into the mountains on Friday and had a good haul. As usual, I hunted more than twenty animals.

We went into the mountains again the following Monday, and the harvest was consistently good. Yang Guangming maintained high efficiency, and the team members cooperated seamlessly.

The impact of Li Daguo's transfer seems to be fading. Everyone is gradually adapting to Yang Guangming's rhythm as team leader, with training, mountain trips, and rest proceeding in an orderly manner.

On Thursday morning, Yang Guangming was organizing the mountain expedition records in his office when Section Chief Tian walked in.

"Guangming, come here for a moment," Section Chief Tian said, looking more relaxed than a few days ago.

Yang Guangming followed him into the small office.

"Sit down." Section Chief Tian sat down behind his desk with a smile on his face. "I have good news."

"Section Chief, please speak."

"The document to transfer the hunting team to a permanent staff has been officially approved." Section Chief Tian took out an official document from his drawer and handed it to Yang Guangming. "Take a look."

Yang Guangming took the document. It was a "Decision on Establishing a Hunting Team as a Permanent Staffing Position" issued by the factory committee of Dongfang Pharmaceutical Factory. The document was short, but the wording was formal, and it was stamped with the factory's large red seal.

The content is clear: it is agreed that the hunting team of the Public Security Section will be established as a permanent staff, with a staff of nine, including one captain and one deputy captain. Comrade Yang Guangming will serve as the captain, with an administrative rank of Level Seven Clerk. The candidate for deputy captain will be decided separately.

Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat when he saw the words "Level 7 Clerk." He was previously a Level 9 clerk, earning thirty yuan a month. A Level 7 clerk was at Administrative Level 25, earning thirty-seven yuan and fifty cents a month. A promotion of two levels at once was quite a reward.

"Thank you, Section Chief!" Yang Guangming said sincerely.

"You earned this yourself." Section Chief Tian waved his hand. "However, the selection of the deputy captain is still pending. There is no consensus at the higher-ups, and it will probably be difficult to reach a consensus in the short term. It seems that the position of deputy captain will remain vacant for some time."

"Also, there's something else," Section Chief Tian continued. "Now that the hunting team is a permanent staff unit, the benefits will increase accordingly. In addition to your salary increase, the team members' allowances will also increase. We'll notify you of the specifics after the finance department has done the calculations."

"Ok."

"Work hard, Guangming," Section Chief Tian said earnestly. "The hunting team is now a permanent staff, and there are more people watching it. You need to lead the team well and achieve even better results so as not to disappoint the leaders' expectations."

"Don't worry, Section Chief, I will definitely do my best," Yang Guangming replied solemnly.

Stepping out of the office, Yang Guangming felt much more at ease. The transfer to a permanent position was finally settled, and his role as team leader was officially confirmed. Next, he would wait for the deputy team leader to take office and for the team's daily management to begin.

Back in the main office, He Dongliang asked with a smile, "Guangming, have the documents arrived?"

"Come down."

He Dongliang continued, "I heard you're a level seven clerk. That's good, you got promoted two levels at once. Your salary will increase by seven yuan and fifty cents, enough to improve your life."

"It's all because the leaders value it," Yang Guangming said.

Next, Yang Guangming went to the training ground and told the team members the news.

"Brothers, the official documents have arrived." He stood at the front of the group, holding the red-headed document in his hand. "From today onwards, the hunting team will be a permanent member of the Public Security Section!"

The team members were stunned for a moment, then burst into cheers.

"Great!"

"Finally, I've been promoted to a permanent position!"

"Now our hunting team is a regular army!"

After everyone quieted down, Yang Guangming continued, "The document clearly states that the hunting team will consist of nine people, with one captain and one deputy captain. I will serve as the captain."

"Congratulations, Captain!" Wang Tiezhu said, leading the way.

"Congratulations, Captain!" the others echoed.

Yang Guangming waved his hand dismissively: "The selection of the vice-captain has not yet been decided. The higher-ups are still studying it. Whoever it is, everyone must cooperate well once he takes office."

Furthermore, once you become a permanent staff member, your compensation will increase. We'll wait for further notice from the finance department.

Yang Guangming then shouted loudly, "Now, let's continue training! We'll have an extra hour of training today to celebrate our official promotion!"

"Yes, sir!" The team members were in high spirits and trained even harder. (End of Chapter)