Starting from the deputy company commander of the Soldier Assault Team

Zhang Anbang was one of the faster runners in the entire team. He took the initiative to scout ahead for the soldiers behind him. However, although he had just developed a good physique, his physical reserves were not as abundant as those of the veterans.

When we reached the rest stop, we were exhausted and panting heavily.

Running in the mountains is a completely different experience from running on a flat track. Fortunately, as of now, no soldiers in the Seventh Steel Company have fallen behind and have all reached the rest point.

During the 20-minute break, everyone replenished their fluids, had a quick bite to eat, and adjusted their gear if it felt uncomfortable.

Wu Liuyi, who was in the lead, looked at Zhang Anbang with great curiosity. Zhang Anbang had looked exhausted just now, but after only ten minutes of rest, he seemed to have recovered quite a bit.

How to put it? It's like a patient who has been bedridden for a long time suddenly experiencing a brief moment of lucidity before death. Wu Liuyi shook his head, trying to shake off the jumbled thoughts in his mind.

This deputy company commander seems to have some skills. No wonder he was able to come directly to the Steel Seventh Company as deputy company commander. As the main force company of the regiment, the Steel Seventh Company couldn't possibly send an incompetent person.

Seeing the deputy company commander still jumping around and paying attention to the condition of each soldier, Wu Liuyi really thought this deputy company commander was good. When Zhang Anbang turned his head in this direction, he gave him a thumbs up.

After the break, the group continued their journey. Zhang Anbang estimated that they were about three kilometers away from their target, and victory was in sight. It was already 8 p.m.

However, this last point is also the most difficult, because the soldiers' physical strength is almost exhausted. Some soldiers in the class who are slightly weaker have started to have their comrades help them carry some of the equipment.

With only two kilometers to go until the finish line, and the lights from the sanitation team at the finish line already visible, the accident occurred.

Liu Chao, another private first class in the third squad, tripped over an obstacle and lost his balance, rolling away quite a distance.

Zhang Anbang and Shi Jin, who were looking back at the situation, quickly ran over.

The bones are fine; it's an acute soft tissue injury. It's probably due to a sprain when you landed, which caused damage to the ligaments, tendons, synovium, and other soft tissues around the ankle joint, resulting in swelling.

"You definitely can't run anymore in this condition," Zhang Anbang asked. "Liu Chao, we're almost at the finish line. You can't run anymore. Wait here for a bit, and we'll come back with a stretcher to pick you up when we reach the finish line, okay?"

Liu Chao shook his head vigorously, "No, Deputy Company Commander, if I stop here, I haven't completed my mission. I'll crawl to the finish line, even if I have to. I'm made of the tough bones of our Steel Seventh Company."

Upon hearing this, Wu Liuyi, who had just arrived, gave a thumbs-up and said, "Well done, you're a real man. Give me your gear and backpack."

Indeed, Wu Liuyi is a man of steel, and he admires men as tenacious as steel the most. That's why Zhang Anbang, who had been training like crazy, quickly gained his approval, not because of his identity, but because of his hard work.

Gan Xiaoning came over and silently took away some of the equipment, weighing about seven or eight kilograms. Wu Liuyi carried the rest on his own back.

Zhang Anbang and Shi Jin exchanged a glance and nodded to each other.

The two of them lifted Liu Chao up and ran towards the finish line with him.

Liu Chao had originally planned to limp towards the finish line on his own, and if necessary, he would crawl there. But now he was being carried along by his squad leader and deputy company commander.

This made him feel even worse, because his carelessness had dragged his comrades down.

Liu Chao, panting heavily, said, "Deputy Company Commander, Squad Leader, put me down. I can manage on my own. I can do it."

"Kid, what are you thinking? I haven't been in the Seventh Company for long, but I know our motto is 'Never abandon, never give up.' How come we haven't abandoned you yet, and you're already giving up?" Zhang Anbang didn't offer any words of comfort; instead, his tone was somewhat sarcastic.

Shi Jin spoke much better, "Liu Chao, don't worry, our third squad is a team. The squad leader and the deputy platoon leader are together, they'll definitely get you there. Don't talk, save your energy, look, we're not far from the finish line."

Looking at his comrades who were surpassing him one by one, Liu Chao thought about how his platoon's overall performance would be ranked lower because of him. For the soldiers of the Steel Seventh Company who valued honor, this was really hard to accept.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice choked with sobs, "I...I..."

Zhang Anbang turned to look at Liu Chao, whose eyes were red-rimmed, and smiled. "Don't cry. Your class monitor and I are with you. We'll wash your socks together, okay?"

"Yes, the class monitor will shower with you. Almost there, hang in there, we'll be there soon." Shi Jin encouraged gently.

Wu Liuyi had already reached the finish line, unloaded all his backpack gear, and strode back to take over from Zhang Anbang, who was now panting heavily.

Zhang Anbang took a breath. "Come on, follow me, Steel Seventh Company, kill!"

The soldiers were exhausted, but upon hearing this shout, they roared, "Steel Seventh Company, kill!" Gao Cheng, who was holding the political instructor hostage with his squad leader, felt his parched body revitalized upon hearing the commotion.

"Company commander,...huff...put me down...huff...you rush...over there first,...huff...come back...to pick me up, you're the company commander...you go first." Hong Xingguo panted heavily.

"What, are you expecting me, the company commander, to lead the way in abandoning my comrades? Stop talking, Lao Hong, we're almost at the finish line."

Accompanied by shouts of "Steel Seventh Company, kill!", at 8:50, all the soldiers finally reached the finish line and collapsed to the ground, staggering about.

The medical team quickly came over, took over Liu Chao's case, and applied ice.

Zhang Anbang took a few breaths, drank some water, and quickly threw himself back into helping the cooks dig a stove.

Don't assume that the cookhouse staff just cooks at the company headquarters; those with average skills won't get into the cookhouse.

Right now, the soldiers in the combat squad are resting on the spot, while the soldiers in the cook squad are still digging the soil with entrenching tools and setting up pots to cook.

When the cooks had finished their work and the aroma of food was faintly wafting through the air, the soldiers had recovered a bit and immediately began setting up camp.

The tents were all brought by the squads in collaboration. With the soldiers' efforts, the tents were quickly erected, and once the camp was set up, the mess hall's meals were ready.

The soldiers sat together, enjoying the delicious food and chatting, feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness.

After everyone finished eating, Gao Cheng stood up with a smile and said, "Comrades, listen to me. We did a very good job on this cross-country run with heavy loads."

As for how good it is? Well, we arrived ten minutes earlier than scheduled, which means that the strength of our Steel Seventh Company has taken another step forward. No matter who comes, we can crush them to death.

Let's all give each other a round of applause and cheer ourselves on!

The soldiers cheered and applauded excitedly. Gao Cheng was like that, possessing a leadership charisma that was hard for others to match. Especially in a tough company like the Steel Seventh Company, he was a perfect fit.

After the soldiers went to rest, Gao Cheng came over and said, "Deputy Company Commander, let's have a chat."

Zhang Anbang was delighted; this proud son of a military family should now fully acknowledge him.

Zhang Anbang pulled out a crumpled cigarette case from his pocket. Luckily, it was wrapped in a waterproof bag, so the crumpling didn't affect smoking. He took out a slightly bent cigarette and handed it over, saying, "Let's chat then."

He lit one himself by the light of Gao Cheng's cigarette, took a satisfying drag, and this was the first time he had smoked in more than two months since his rebirth. His physical fitness had improved remarkably, so he was rewarding himself.

"Company commander, what are you planning to talk about?"

"Zhang Anbang, you know, I initially looked down on you. Even though I knew you were a talented person with two degrees, I stubbornly believed that you were just here to gain prestige, and I even tried to find ways to squeeze you out."

"I can tell. You wear your heart on your sleeve. I'm not blind, how could I not see it?"

"You've really impressed me lately. You went from being as weak as a chick at the beginning to being third from the bottom in the whole company now. Your stamina, in particular, surprised me today."

"When you get back, don't stay at the post anymore. Come back and participate in the company's work." Gao Cheng looked at him very sincerely.

"This is nothing. Just wait and see. In another six months, I will definitely get first place in all subjects in the whole company. I am very confident."

As for ending the stationing, that won't do. I promised to station every station once, and I have to finish that. Otherwise, not only will the soldiers in the company think, but I myself won't be able to justify it.

"Men are men of their word. The work in the company is the same as before. You and the political instructor will have to work harder." Zhang Anbang replied just as earnestly.

"Ha, you're getting all worked up over me. Well, I'll wait and see. If you can do it, then I'll be impressed."

If you want to continue working at the grassroots level, then go ahead. A tall building starts from the ground up; it won't hurt for you to learn more about the grassroots.

As for the company's affairs, before you came, the instructor and I were doing just fine, so you don't need to worry about it.

Also, go back and ask Shi Jin. Let's hold your induction ceremony here tomorrow morning. I'll personally preside over it.

Gao Cheng stubbed out his cigarette. "Let's go. You don't hold a grudge?"

"Holding a grudge? What grudge?" Zhang Anbang replied with a smile.