Zhu Tian: Beginning to Cross the Changjin Lake

Chapter 48: Promotion!
In the woods at the foot of the mountain, Wu Qianli leaned against a big tree with a tattered notebook on his knees. On it was recorded the names, dates of birth, and places of origin of all the soldiers in the Seventh Company since its establishment.

The names of some soldiers were circled in red pen, with the date and place of death written behind them.

Wu Qianli's right hand kept shaking. The half-broken pencil in his hand was as heavy as a mountain. Wu Qianli clenched his teeth, but was unable to hold this small half of the pencil steady.

The strong man had red eyes and tears welled up in his eyes.

He tremblingly drew a square around a name, and then wrote a line of small words behind it: 1950.11, Changjin Lake.

After Wu Qianli finished writing, he raised his head, leaned it against the tree, and tried hard to hold back the tears.

As a veteran, Wu Qianli has experienced this kind of thing countless times, but when he thought of so many comrades who were still standing in front of him alive yesterday but now fell forever in the cold Changjin Lake area, Wu Qianli still couldn't help feeling heartbroken.

Wu Qianli completed the task with great difficulty and carefully put the notebook into the pocket of his shirt.

Wu Qianli took a deep breath and his mood instantly calmed down, because there were more important things waiting for him to do.

At this time, Mei Sheng walked over and patted Wu Qianli on the shoulder.

"Several wounded have been sent to the field hospital."

"But our conditions are limited now. In this icy and snowy place, I'm afraid many of the wounded..."

Wu Qianli stood up and said, "The enemy can use helicopters to quickly transport the wounded to the rear hospitals. I'm afraid many of our wounded won't be able to be sent to the rear hospitals in time."

"But I believe that this situation will definitely improve. Once we defeat the enemy, recover the lost territory of the Northern Dynasty, and gain a firm foothold in the Northern Dynasty, the situation will definitely get better and better."

"What we have to do now is to defeat them. Tonight our Seventh Company will serve as the spearhead company of the entire regiment. This is not an easy task!"

"How are the soldiers preparing?"

Meisheng said: "There were quite a few casualties last night. Each platoon has made some adjustments and is now ready."

"It's just that... the squad leader of the third squad died, and the deputy squad leader was seriously injured and sent to the field hospital."

"Now there are only six people left in the class."

Wu Qianli pondered for a moment and said, "Then let Li Guotao be the squad leader! I think you mean the same thing, right?"

Meisheng smiled slightly and said, "Li Guotao is a smart boy. He is a good candidate."

"Before, his performance in all aspects was too poor, and it was difficult to convince the public even if he was promoted, but now it is different."

"This kid has performed very well in the past few days. With his military achievements, it is more than enough to promote him to the position of squad leader."

"Besides, among the remaining few people, Li Guotao is the most suitable."

Wu Qianli nodded and said, "That's settled then. I believe the other people won't have any objections."

"I believe that this kid Li Guotao still has this ability."

"it is good!"

Mei Sheng responded and turned and left.

Not long after Mei Sheng walked out, he saw Yu Congrong, Li Guotao and a few others quietly slipping down the hillside.

Meisheng walked over and shouted, "Yu Congrong, Li Guotao, you two come here."

The two of them walked over immediately.

"What's up, instructor?"

Mei Sheng looked at the two people in front of him and said seriously, "After discussion and decision by the company, Comrade Li Guotao is now officially appointed as the squad leader of the third squad of the first platoon."

When Li Guotao heard this, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and asked cautiously: "Does this count as a promotion for me?"

Mei Sheng smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course." Yu Congrong smiled and said, "I have no objection."

"Boy, work hard in the future!"

Yu Congrong smiled and patted Li Guotao on the shoulder.

"Here……"

Li Guotao suddenly felt a little overwhelmed.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to be an official. After all, he still has a mission to become the company commander of the seventh company. If he wants to become a company commander, he has to move up step by step.

But the higher the position, the greater the responsibility.

Even though he was just a squad leader, he was responsible for the lives of all the soldiers in the class. Li Guotao was not mentally prepared and was really worried that he would not do well.

Mei Sheng patted Li Guotao on the shoulder and said with a smile: "The company commander and I both believe that you have the ability, and we believe that you can be a good squad leader."

"With you in the squad, there are only six people left. You are the most suitable person to be the squad leader."

"Come on, do it well!"

Li Guotao took a deep breath and said, "Please rest assured, Company Commander and Instructor, I will definitely be a good squad leader."

Li Guotao was originally a soldier of the third squad, but in these two battles, Li Guotao was basically used as the sharpshooter in the company, so most of the time, he did not fight with the soldiers of the third squad.

However, Li Guotao had stayed in the Seventh Company for almost a year, so he was very familiar with the remaining soldiers in the Third Class.

Last night, the third squad suffered heavy casualties, and with Li Guotao, there were only six people left.

The remaining five are Gu Cangzhou, Li Chizheng, Long Guoqing, Li Maocai, and Wei Qianjin.

Mei Sheng brought Yu Congrong and Li Guotao together to gather the soldiers of the third squad and publicly announced the appointment.

Mei Sheng smiled and said, "Now please ask squad leader Li to say a few words to everyone."

The five guys all clapped and looked at Li Guotao with smiles on their faces.

What kind of look is that? It's obvious that you want to make fun of me.

However, it can also be seen that the five of them have no objection to this appointment.

It seems that in the past two days, relying on his powerful strength, he has conquered these soldiers of the third shift.

The rules of the army are very simple. If you are strong, you will naturally be convincing. If you are not strong, no one will pay attention to you.

Looking at these familiar comrades, Li Guotao decisively gave up his plan to deliver an impassioned inaugural speech.

Li Guotao said seriously: "I only have one word to say."

"Tonight, our Seventh Company will serve as the spearhead company of the entire regiment to launch a general attack on Xinxingli. I will lead our Third Squad as the spearhead squad of our company to directly attack the enemy's corps headquarters in Xinxingli and capture the leader of the Polar Bear Regiment, McLean, alive."

"Doesn't this Polar Bear Group call itself the elite? I'm fighting against the elite."

Well, Li Guotao also admitted that he was just a small squad leader but he performed with the aura of a division commander.

But this is not important.

Most people like Gu Cangzhou also thought that Li Guotao was bragging, but they believed in their own strength. They really believed that they might be able to rush directly into the US military regiment headquarters and capture the US military commander alive.

The Seventh Company had done this kind of thing more than once during the War of Liberation.

Although the enemies they faced this time were more powerful, in the eyes of these fearless warriors, all enemies were paper tigers.

(End of this chapter)