Starting from the deputy company commander of the Soldier Assault Team

After all the new recruits have put on their rank insignia, they return to the designated location and organize their ranks.

He Hongtao immediately ordered, "All new recruits, face the military flag—and swear an oath!"

All new recruits turned towards the military flag, raised their right hands, clenched their fists above their shoulders, and the political instructor led the oath, which all the recruits in the company repeated: "I am a soldier of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, I solemnly swear:"

Obey the leadership of the Communist Party of China and serve the people wholeheartedly.

Obey orders, strictly observe discipline, and fight bravely;

Fearless of sacrifice, loyal to duty, hardworking, honing skills to kill the enemy, and determined to complete missions;

Under no circumstances will I betray my country or desert the army.

The "March of the Chinese People's Liberation Army" was playing from the stereo, its oaths and melody intertwining, stirring the blood of the listeners.

This is different from the oath Zhang Anbang took when he joined the army in his previous life. It is the 97 version of the oath, which was the same in his previous life, except that Zhang Anbang took the 10 version of the oath, which emphasized the fighting spirit.

After retiring in his previous life, he heard that there had been 25 changes, including the addition of keeping secrets. These changes all revolved around the principle of the Party commanding the gun and serving the people wholeheartedly, adapting to the military needs of the new era.

After the oath-taking ceremony, the platoon leader on duty called out, "Please welcome Comrade Cheng Cai, the representative of the new recruits, to speak!"

Wu Liuyi pinned a small red flower, representing an outstanding new recruit, on Cheng Cai's head. Then, Cheng Cai, dressed in a neat training uniform, came to the front of the line, stood at attention, and saluted.

"Respected commander, dear comrades:"

Hello everyone! I am Private Cheng Cai! Today, I feel both excited and honored to stand here and speak on behalf of all the new recruits!

Three months ago, we were just ordinary young people from all over the country, entering the recruit training camp with longing for the military.

……

On behalf of all the new recruits, I would like to say to the company commander, political instructor, deputy company commander, and all squad leaders: Thank you! You have worked hard!

……

I will always remember what my squad leader said: "If you're going to be a soldier, be the best soldier; train until you develop exceptional skills!"

Here, on behalf of all the new recruits, I solemnly declare: no matter which unit or position we are assigned to, we will carry on the fine traditions of the recruit training company and maintain our enthusiasm for training!

……

Commanders, please rest assured! Squad leaders, please rest assured! We will certainly live up to your expectations and prove with our actions that we are qualified soldiers of the People's Liberation Army!

That concludes my remarks!

……

"Dismissed. Each class, take your belongings back."

Led by their squad leaders, the entire company quickly returned to their dormitories, packed their backpacks that morning, and prepared to leave the recruits' dormitory where they had lived for three months, embarking on another chapter of their military journey.

beep.

As the assembly whistle blew, the new recruits, with their backpacks on, quickly assembled on the training ground.

At this moment, five vehicles are quietly parked on one side of the training ground: three military trucks, one bus, and one Iveco light passenger vehicle.

Under the national flag, Gao Cheng, He Hongtao, and Zhang Anbang stood upright on the rostrum.

Shi Jin jogged out of formation. "Reporting, Company Commander, the recruits have assembled. One hundred and twenty men were expected, and one hundred and twenty are present. Please give further instructions!"

"At ease!"

"Yes." Shi Jin turned around and gave the order, but this time Shi Jin did not return to the formation. Instead, he stood on both sides of the formation with the veteran squad leaders of each squad.

The recruits looked at the five vehicles on one side and whispered among themselves. Even though they had been punished many times in the past three months for talking in the ranks, they still couldn't suppress their curiosity when they saw the clearly different vehicles.

"Squad leader, why are the vehicles that came to pick up the soldiers different?" Yan Yu, standing next to Cheng Cai, asked in a low voice.

Xu Sanduo was also curious, but because the lesson of being scolded for talking in the ranks was too profound, he didn't dare to speak. When he heard Yan Yu's question was the same as his own, he quickly perked up his ears and listened attentively.

Cheng Cai grinned. "Is that even a question? Okay, let's get on the luxury bus. Okay, let's get on the big truck."

Xu Sanduo listened to Cheng Cai's words and looked at the luxury bus with longing.

Gao Cheng glanced down from the platform, and Shi Jin immediately spoke up, "Mind your discipline. No talking in the ranks."

Immediately, the entire queue became quiet.

Gao Cheng began, "Let me explain. Next, we'll be dividing up the troops. Wherever you're assigned, remember to do your job well, understand?"

"clear."

Zhang Anbang then stepped forward and opened the folder that would determine the fate of the entire company; inside was the list of soldiers to be deployed.

"Hao Yifei." "Here." "Car number two." "Yes, sir."

"Jia Honglin." "Here." "Car number one." "Yes, sir."

"Han Bing." "Here." "Car number five." "Yes, sir."

"Li Yan." "Here." "Car number one." "Yes, sir."

"Wang Dan." "Here." "Car number five." "Yes, sir."

"Liu Hanxuan." "Here." "Car number one." "Yes, sir."

"Yu Meng." "Here." "Car number five." "Yes, sir."

"Yanyu." "Here." "Car number five." "Yes, sir."

Cheng Cai was a little stunned, and his face suddenly turned a bit ugly. As a fellow recruit, especially as the deputy squad leader, he knew Yan Yu's strength and performance. Yan Yu was only at a lower-middle level in the entire recruit company. How could he have gotten on the luxury bus?

The next assignment left Cheng Cai even more confused.

Zhang Anbang's loud voice rang out next, "Xu Sanduo." "Here." "Car number five." "Yes, sir."

When Xu Sanduo heard that he was in car number five, he grinned and showed his big white teeth again. Cheng Cai turned to look at Xu Sanduo in disbelief. At this moment, his heart was in turmoil. Could it be that Xu Sanduo had really gone to the good company because of Platoon Leader Shi?

Xu Sanduo had no idea what his fellow villagers would think. With a happy expression, he picked up the Type 87 single-soldier canvas satchel that was on the ground, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and ran excitedly toward vehicle number five.

Completely unaware of his comrade's satchel at his feet, he tripped and stumbled, not falling, but landing unsteadily in front of the podium.

Gao Cheng frowned and glanced at Xu Sanduo. "Thank goodness this guy wasn't assigned to my Seventh Company," he thought. "What are you fighting over? Can't you be a little more disciplined?"

Gao Cheng's tone wasn't exactly harsh, after all, he was in a good mood. He let those who were welcome into his house, and those he didn't want into his house.

Normally, Xu Sanduo would have bowed his head at Gao Cheng's words, but he was in a good mood at the moment and responded loudly, "Yes," before turning to his fellow villager and grinning before getting into the car.

Little did he know that his fellow villager was feeling incredibly downcast, as if a storm was brewing in his heart.

The assignment call continued, "Guo Zhen." "Here." "Car number one."

"Wang Xiaopeng." "Here." "Car number three."

"Zheng Qi." "Here." "Car number one."

"Lu Hao." "Here." "Car number three."

……

As more and more people were called out, Cheng Cai's expression grew increasingly grim.

As the venue became increasingly spacious, Zhang Anbang stopped calling roll and gestured to Gao Cheng and He Hongtao.

The two grinned, and He Hongtao then turned and went to vehicle number five, watching the new recruits file onto the vehicle.

Gao Cheng waved to Wu Liuyi.

Wu Liuyi immediately ran to the front of the line, raised a fist, and said, "Attention, use me as the reference point, move closer, and face forward."

As Gao Cheng and Zhang Anbang came down the steps, Wu Liuyi's loud voice rang out, "Reporting, Company Commander, the new recruits have assembled. Please give instructions!"

The two returned the greeting, and Gao Cheng, in high spirits, waved his hand, "Let's get going, let's set off."

"Yes, sir." After replying, Wu Liuyi ordered, "Pick your bags, march!"

Shi Jin and Wu Liuyi led the way, turning left. The support trucks for the Seventh Company weren't there, but the new recruits didn't know that.

Xu Sanduo sat on the luxury bus, calling out Cheng Cai's name softly and waving excitedly at him.

In the queue, Cheng Cai had a gloomy face and pouted aggrievedly. He couldn't understand why Xu Sanduo had boarded the luxury bus, while the outstanding Cheng Cai was now shouting slogans and not knowing where he was going.

Zhang Anbang found it somewhat amusing to see Cheng Cai's aggrieved and almost tearful expression; the more shrewd a person is, the more likely they are to get stuck on trivial matters.

If Cheng Cai's mind wasn't entirely focused on the troop transport vehicle, he would have noticed, with just a little attention, that those who remained were all the top performers from the recruit training camp.

Now, Xu Sanduo's future has changed thanks to his instigation. As for Cheng Cai, Zhang Anbang thinks he will most likely follow the same old path. Unlike Xu Sanduo, Cheng Cai is too shrewd and the kind of person who listens to advice but doesn't believe it until he hits a wall himself.

Seeing Zhang Anbang staring into the distance, Gao Cheng patted him on the shoulder. "Hey, what are you daydreaming about? Give it to me."

"Uh," Zhang Anbang said helplessly, scratching his head. He took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed one to Gao Cheng.

"That's more like it. The crops that have been planted for three months are now ready to be harvested and stored. It's time to go home."

"Yes, Company Commander, it's lucky we're on the same side. Otherwise, if I were any other company commander, I definitely wouldn't have agreed to this split-up tactic."

"Haha, the Seventh Steel Company is really strong, so naturally the replacements must be the strongest among the new recruits."

"By the way, Lao Hong called to inform us that the three of you have been awarded a second-class merit for your rescue. The award ceremony will be held at the regimental headquarters in a few days. Haha, you truly are soldiers of our Steel Seventh Company."

Looking at Gao Cheng's spirited appearance, Zhang Anbang recalled how Gao Cheng had cried bitterly after the Seventh Company was reorganized. Indeed, people with different personalities have to experience different setbacks to truly grow up.