Chapter 157: Breaking the Team Record, Wu Jianfeng1 s Support
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Alright… Alright… Company commander… I… I’m fine…”
On the grass beside the 400-meter obstacle course, Wang Ye lay flat on the ground.
At this moment, his hands firmly grasped the grass at his side, and his feet were stretched out.
He had no choice!
The rigorous massage from the military came once again.
“Haha, you rascal, still complaining? I’m the company commander, and I’m giving you a massage. Which new recruit gets such treatment?”
Wu Jianfeng burst into hearty laughter.
Well… He was indeed pressing down, but he was using both hands to pin Wang Ye down, preventing him from rising. Then, he employed his knees to press and knead Wang Ye’s leg muscles.
That sensation was far more agonizing than the 400-meter obstacle course Wang Ye had just completed.
“Really… That’s fantastic… I’m fine now!”
Wang Ye started to exert all his strength in an attempt to break free.
Despite having received this massage numerous times before, every instance of this darn massage provoked intense resistance from Wang Ye.
Naturally, he wasn’t the only one.
There was likely no one in the recruit company who didn’t resist this darn massage.
It was just too uncomfortable.
Even though the results were positive, the pain endured during the massage was unbearable!
“Haha, it’s all right, it’s all right. You’ve already completed four four-hundred-meter runs this morning.”
Wu Jianfeng grinned.
It was hard not to feel elated!
Because today, he had witnessed history being made by the Iron Bones Hero Regiment.
The four-hundred-meter obstacle record had been shattered by the recruits under his guidance.
Although Wang Ye hadn’t broken the record during the first round when the regiment commander was present, he had only missed it by a little over 0.10 seconds. Eventually, with their encouragement, Wang Ye made a comeback and completed it twice.
Furthermore, both times, he began in a kneeling position.
In order to help Wang Ye recover, Wu Jianfeng even took the initiative to procure Red Bull for him.
However, Wang Ye still fell short on the second attempt.
It was the third try, but it only marginally surpassed the previous historical record of 1 minute 29.24 seconds, reaching 1 minute 29.21 seconds.
The regiment commander had already departed by this point.
Yet, Wang Ye had already won the admiration of everyone.
Well… Perhaps the Chief of Staff wasn’t exceedingly pleased.
Because his heart was aching.
In fact, he had second thoughts a few times just now and even reached out to Wu Jianfeng.
However, Wu Jianfeng didn’t give him any chance at all. He had barely opened his mouth to protest, and Wu Jianfeng had swiftly interjected.
“Chief of Staff, you’ve already given me your word.”
The Chief of Staff was left speechless.
At that moment, Wu Jianfeng was truly overjoyed.
Although Wang Ye had only broken the team’s historical record, a team record was still a record, after all.
Wang Ye’s name would now be etched into the annals of the team’s history.
Simultaneously, as the company commander of Wang Ye’s recruit company, he also shared in the honor.
After all, Wang Ye had achieved this feat during his time in the recruit company.
A moment of glory!
“Indeed… Alright…I’m done.” Wang Ye exerted a strenuous effort and finally managed to roll to the side, escaping Wu Jianfeng’s clutches that seemed almost demonic.
“Haha, you youngster, you’re quite resilient!” Wu Jianfeng reprimanded him with a grin, although he too took a seat on the spot and refrained from pressing Wang Ye any further.
Lying somewhat incapacitated on the grass, Wang Ye permitted Wu Jianfeng to continue speaking.
He didn’t have the urge to converse further.
He required some time to alleviate the discomfort from being pressed down upon.
“Kid, you’ve earned a third-class merit now. The most significant hurdle for you to be recommended to the military academy is no longer an issue.
Moving forward, once you depart from the company, you must persistently endeavor. I’ll reserve a spot for you to join the company next year.
Additionally, you must uphold your standards and swiftly enhance your military skills after leaving the company.
Should 1 find your progress satisfactory, I’ll assign you to the instructional team this year. Upon your emergence from there, I shall appoint you as the class monitor!”
“All?”
Wang Ye turned around, caught off guard. He hadn’t anticipated such benevolence from Wu Jianfeng.
Wasn’t this arrangement incredibly favorable?
Wu Jianfeng leaned back, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth as he gazed at the sky. “In the military, age holds significant importance, particularly for officers.
Hence, as long as you put in the effort, I’ll bestow upon you the title of vice-class monitor for May and June of this year, before enlisting you into the instructional team.
Once you return from your time there, I’ll formally appoint you as the class monitor.
By doing so, you’ll fulfill the criteria for guaranteed admission by the middle of next year.”
“This… It won’t contravene regulations, will it?”
Wang Ye sat up, inquiring cautiously.
He did not wish for Wu Jianfeng to disregard regulations and inadvertently bring harm upon himself.
“Haha!” Wu Jianfeng chuckled, turning his head. “What’s illegal about this? Only those who possess the capability can achieve this. You’re not breaking the rules; you’re adhering to them, just expediting a minor matter.”
“If you didn’t have those two third-class merits, who would go to such lengths for you?” he continued after a brief pause.
“But you do.”
Once more gazing towards the horizon, Wu Jianfeng resumed his discourse. “In truth, in any military organization, unless you’re under a highly inflexible commander, this would be the norm.
It’s the same old adage. A soldier, particularly an officer, and an officer during times of peace, can afford to be a year younger.
In this regard, I’m at a disadvantage!”
Wu Jianfeng ended with a note of helplessness.
His words were sincere. Having crossed the threshold of thirty years, he still retained the rank of a company commander. It wasn’t due to incompetence; rather, it was because he had graduated from the military school at the age of twenty-eight.
It was a late start.
He fully recognized the leverage that age could confer.
Naturally, now that Wang Ye had met the prerequisites, he saw no harm in offering additional benefits.
Certainly, it was predominantly owing to Wang Ye himself.
He had shattered the record for the entire 400-meter circuit.
Not to mention other considerations, if he were to welcome Wang Ye into his 4th Company at present, which soldier would dare to question it?
Might was the sole persuasion in the military.
Even though Wang Ye was just a fresh recruit without any accolades as yet, his prowess was sufficient to command admiration. No one would raise an objection if Wu Jianfeng extended his assistance to him.
It might even be said that Wu Jianfeng was a commendable company commander, one who looked out for his troops’ interests.
On the contrary, if Wang Ye lacked the competence, even if he contributed, it wouldn’t be grounded in his ability. For instance, his prior act of valor didn’t qualify for a third-class contribution; it was in fact a second-class achievement. Even Wu Jianfeng wouldn’t advocate such a course.
They would simply work to hasten Wang Ye’s training, pushing him to catch up with the curriculum, striving for his promotion to sergeant within his first year. They wouldn’t attempt to enroll him in military school for his second year.
Since the individual himself wouldn’t possess absolute competence, the other soldiers below wouldn’t respect his authority, even if he’d earned accolades.
They might acknowledge his merits, but they wouldn’t be swayed by such an approach.
Even if they seemed persuaded on the surface, their hearts wouldn’t be fully convinced.
After a few more moments of rest, Wu Jianfeng turned around and gave a gentle kick to the still incapacitated Wang Ye. “Alright, get up. Are you planning to nap here? Or do you genuinely want me to carry you back?”
“Hehe, maybe it’s because you didn’t stand up either.”
Wang Ye hastened to rise.
However, while the suggestion seemed tempting, his stomach was slightly protesting its emptiness.
And as for the idea of being carried…
He brushed that aside. Even if he were willing to be carried, she probably wouldn’t be agreeable either!
It was akin to him being disabled.
Soon, Wu Jianfeng also rose to his feet. He guided Wang Ye back through the camp, leading him from the service center to their recruit company’s vicinity.
“Oh, by the way, let me offer you a word of advice. Don’t put any nonsense in the recruit Q&A tonight. Despite its anonymity, there are certain matters you need to take to avoid getting into trouble!”
As they were parting ways, Wu Jianfeng suddenly pivoted back toward Wang Ye, imparting these words of caution.
“All?”
“All!” Wang Ye echoed, though Wu Jianfeng had already turned away. Nevertheless, his voice lingered in the air.
“This is my way of acknowledging your commendable performance today.
Yet, let me caution you – I’m sharing this only with you. If a third party becomes privy to this information, even if your class monitor refrains from penalizing you, 1 won’t hesitate to impose the punishment myself!”
“Uh…”
Wang Ye stood there, flabbergasted. What on earth was the “recruit question and answer”? And to think, Wu Jianfeng was utilizing this as a reward?
He felt perplexed, but a notion quickly dawned on him.
Nevertheless, pondering this matter was fruitless at this juncture. His stomach was growling with hunger, and dinner was upon them. The utmost priority was to hasten back and convene for the evening meal.