In 1959, what's wrong with me pedaling a tricycle?

Wang Xingguo pointed to the clothes in his hand and asked cautiously, "Director... does putting on this uniform mean I'm going to be sent to the army for three years of training? Let's discuss it. Can I stay in our fuel transportation department and not go to the army for training? My son is still several months away from being two years old..."

Hearing Wang Xingguo's words, Director Ma was both amused and exasperated. He laughed and scolded, "You little rascal, all you do is spout nonsense! Hurry up and put your clothes on, the commander is waiting to award you a medal!"

Wang Xingguo was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened and he said, "What? The commander is going to award me a medal? Section Chief, did I hear that right?"

Director Ma told him impatiently to change his clothes quickly. After Wang Xingguo changed, he helped him tidy up and said with satisfaction, "Not bad, you look very smart in this! Let's go, let's go to the medal awarding ceremony. Besides you, there are two other people receiving medals this time."

Wang Xingguo finally believed that it wasn't that his "wild boar" hunting had been discovered, but that he was really going to be officially transferred to the military and awarded a medal.

After following Director Ma for seven or eight minutes, we arrived at the lobby of a three-story building.

The conferment ceremony was held in Conference Room 5 of the Oil Transportation Department. A portrait of the Chairman was hanging on the wall, and a simple red banner was stretched overhead that read "Ceremony for Conferring Military Ranks to Officers".

Led by a colonel, the group sang a military song in unison. The senior colonel who conferred ranks on Wang Xingguo and two others, holding the red-headed order from the General Political Department, loudly read out, word by word: "Comrade Wang Xingguo, transferred from a local administrative cadre to active duty in the army, is appointed as a full regimental commander. With the approval of the General Political Department, he is awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel in the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China."

Wang Xingguo stepped forward, stood at attention meticulously, and raised his hand in salute.

The senior colonel handed over his officer's certificate and a set of two-stripe, two-star lieutenant colonel shoulder insignia with both hands. Wang Xingguo accepted them with both hands, saluted the senior colonel, and then returned to the ranks.

The three men stepped forward one by one to complete the conferment of ranks. Wang Xingguo was still a little dizzy even after it was over.

Back when he was working at the night market, he once fantasized about becoming a bureau chief.

Later, he became the head of the fourth transportation section. Although it didn't sound as impressive as the director's position, he wasn't disappointed.

His work ID used to say he was a deputy regimental commander, but at that time his affiliation hadn't been fully transferred to the military, so although he could be loosely referred to as Deputy Regimental Commander Wang, he wasn't really one.

That certificate was just like a reserve officer's certificate, but now it has been officially recognized and he has become a full-fledged regimental commander.

Wang Xingguo's mind was racing with all sorts of chaotic thoughts, the most frequent of which was that he really wanted to shout, "Where's my Italian cannon? Let's blast those Japanese devils to smithereens!"

Director Ma patted Wang Xingguo on the shoulder and said with a smile, "What's wrong? You're so excited you're stunned. You're still young and have a bright future ahead of you. You can't get this excited every time."

After thinking for a moment, Wang Xingguo couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Director, I don't understand, why is that?"

Director Ma asked, puzzled, "What do you mean, 'why'? Can't you speak more clearly?"

Wang Xingguo rubbed his nose, a little embarrassed, and said, "I don't think I've done anything special, so why am I being rewarded all of a sudden?"

Director Ma gave Wang Xingguo a strange look. It turned out that this rascal didn't know how valuable the things he brought back were. No wonder he was so clueless.

He knew the specifics of the matter because a senior colonel from the General Political Department explained it to him. This matter was not suitable to be discussed with outsiders; otherwise, he would not have known that this guy had done such a big thing.

He said earnestly, "Alright, there's not much to say about this. Anyway, if the higher-ups think you're capable, it proves that you've performed well enough and deserve this rank."

After saying that, he remembered something and said to Wang Xingguo, "You won't need two certificates anymore. Return your administrative work permit. From now on, you'll only have military identification."

Wang Xingguo asked in surprise, "Director, is this appropriate?"

Director Ma explained, "We used to issue you two work permits because it was more convenient for you to work; having a military work permit was easier. But now that you are all military personnel, you no longer need to do that."

"But those who know me already know I've transferred to the military. Won't that affect our secrecy?"

"It won't have any impact. Anyway, your job record won't list our unit, it will only say a certain logistics support unit. That's the only way to keep it confidential."

Director Ma led Wang Xingguo to complete the formalities. After completing the procedures for transferring to the military, Wang Xingguo went to the military supply depot and retrieved a large pile of supplies for officers.

The brownish-green summer uniform made of tussah silk is the one he's wearing now; they also issued him an extra set for easy replacement. He also received a woolen winter uniform, riding breeches and a woolen overcoat, a peaked cap, a brown leather belt, and two pairs of shiny black officer's shoes. Except for the winter uniform, he received two sets of summer uniforms.

There were also cotton quilts and mattresses, military mosquito nets, enamel mugs printed with the characters "August 1st", and a leather officer's satchel.

Wang Xingguo was a little excited. After leaving the oil freight office, he rode his bicycle home, carrying a bunch of things.

It's a bit of a pity that he wasn't a regimental commander, otherwise he could have been called "commander" by the soldiers in his own regiment.

Although he held the rank of regimental commander, his official position was still the head of the Fourth Transportation Section, so everyone would only call him Section Chief Wang according to his position.

Wang Xingguo felt this was a real pity.

When Wang Xingguo returned to the compound in his military uniform, it caused a sensation. Even the security personnel came forward with smiles to congratulate him.

Although Wang Xingguo's shoulder insignia weren't sewn on, his army academy officer uniform was unmistakable, and everyone could tell what was going on at a glance.

Li Xiuping was overjoyed to see Wang Xingguo in his military uniform.

Women of this era most want to marry military officers or cadres.

Wang Xingguo had now become an officer, and Li Xiuping was incredibly gentle and affectionate. After all, the military uniform looked really neat and tidy on Wang Xingguo!

A group of people pulled Wang Xingguo aside to look him over, they were so happy for him. Li Xiuping's pride was evident, but soon as she was his wife, she realized that Wang Xingguo had just returned from a business trip and must be hungry, so she hurriedly went to cook for him.

Wang Xingguo picked up Wang Chengan and Wang Jianhua, one in each arm, and played with them for a while.

Because this business trip wasn't long, the two little ones weren't shy around strangers, so I didn't have to coax them like last time.

Shen's mother asked happily, "Xingguo, what rank are you at now? Can you tell me?"

Holding his two children, Wang Xingguo explained cheerfully, "Auntie, I'm now a regimental-level officer, but my job position hasn't changed; I still need to travel for work."

Mother Shen nodded repeatedly and said, "It's good that you're on a business trip. It proves that you can make contributions while on a business trip. Otherwise, how could you become such a high-ranking officer? Among all our relatives in the Shen family, Xingguo, you are the most successful and have the highest rank."