I enlisted four times! My former unit blacklisted me.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Jianfeng grabbed his military cap and put it on his head. He hurriedly walked out the door, his face no longer showing any of the leisure he had just displayed.

"Let's go! Hurry to the first brigade! Who knows what kind of trouble they might uncover if we're too late!"

Shen Yan frowned: "Old Lin, why didn't Zheng Tao give us a heads-up before inviting people over? It was so sudden, the staff wasn't prepared at all."

"Does giving prior notice count as a surprise inspection?" Lin Jianfeng was both angry and helpless. "That kid, why did he have to go and make connections for no reason! If he actually gets the award, that's fine, but if he ruins the 'advanced worker' award because of this, I'll deal with him!"

The sound of their footsteps echoed hurriedly in the empty corridor. Their good mood, which had just been filled with anticipation of being recognized and rewarded, had long been shattered by the Apple phone that had been smashed.

…………

Meanwhile, in the special operations squadron's rest area, there was a brief period of calm after the chaos of battle.

Having just received a notice from headquarters that the military police were coming for a surprise inspection, a group of rough men hurriedly tidied up for about ten minutes, finally managing to put away most of the visible snacks, novels, and casual clothes.

Zheng Tao was squatting on the ground, wiping the mud off his training shoes with a rag, humming a little tune, looking completely unconcerned.

"What's the panic? He's just a military police officer. Our special operations squadron has a tough reputation; are we afraid of him checking us?"

"How do I usually demand of you? Housekeeping, military appearance, discipline—everything must be done to the highest standards. It's good that he's coming to inspect; let the comrades in the garrison see what level our Fierce Tiger Detachment's special operations squadron is at."

Wang Rui leaned against the sandbag, twirling a lighter in his hand, and joked with a smile, "Yes, yes, you, Deputy Captain Zheng, are a good leader. When they arrive later, have a good chat with them and try to get our squadron recognized as an advanced model, Dangdang."

As the two were talking, the messenger rushed in from outside, stumbling and crawling.

"Vice Captain! Captain Wang! Something terrible has happened!"

Zheng Tao: "What's the panic? The inspectors are downstairs? Look at you guys, so pathetic."

"No!" the communications officer gasped for breath. "Headquarters called! They said... said the military police who came were invited by you, Deputy Captain!"

"The squad leader told us to quickly clear out all the contraband, not even a single cigarette ash! He also said... he also said that when the people come later, you should plead with them, asking them to be lenient out of consideration for our old acquaintance!"

"The squad leader said he'd try to gain another half hour, so we should hurry!"

Zheng Tao looked completely bewildered.

"I invited you?"

He pointed to his nose, his face filled with disbelief: "I invited the military police? How come I didn't know?"

Wang Rui raised an eyebrow: "Really? When did you get to know people from the garrison? I'm with you every day, how come I didn't know?"

"How should I know!"

Zheng Teng retorted urgently, "Why would I invite the military police over for no reason? Do you think I'm bored? Would I hire someone to investigate me?"

The special forces soldiers who were packing up their things were also stunned. They all stopped what they were doing and looked at each other.

"What? The vice-captain invited the military police?"

"Really? The vice-captain hates the military police the most, why would he invite them?"

"Oh no, oh no, has the vice-captain been bewitched? Of all people to ask, why didn't they just call the military police..."

The buzzing of voices was giving Zheng Tao a headache.

"Shut up, all of you!" he roared, frowning as he racked his brains. "Wait a minute, let me think...where have I seen military police recently?"

He frowned as he reviewed the past two months of outings, training camps, and exercises, then suddenly slapped his thigh.

"broken!"

Wang Rui quickly asked, "What's wrong? You really remembered?"

"Last month, during a field training exercise!" Zheng Tao said with a wry smile, "Right at the entrance of the training ground, we encountered a military police vehicle from the garrison, which came to check military discipline."

"They were very polite to me at the time, saying that our special operations squadron looked tough. I casually replied, 'Of course, our Fierce Tiger Detachment has the best work style in the entire military region. You are welcome to come to the detachment to guide our work when you have time.'"

"I was just being polite! It was just a formality! Who knew they'd take it seriously!"

Wang Rui laughed in anger on the spot:

"Zheng Tao, Zheng Tao, you always love to brag, and now you've gotten yourself into trouble! They're here with the criteria for performance evaluation. If they find anything wrong, not only will you get scolded, but the entire team's 'Advanced Personnel Award' will be revoked!"

Zheng Tao's face turned green.

How could he have imagined this!

It's just that we bumped into each other during field training and exchanged a few polite words, right?

Shouldn't the normal procedure be "Come visit when you have time" or "Definitely" and then forget about it?

Why would anyone actually come to my door?!

Are they also carrying out their roles as military inspectors, checking conduct and evaluating performance?

This is going to be the death of me!

"Deputy Captain, what do we do now?" an old soldier asked with a bitter face. "I still have half a box of instant noodles hidden under my bed. Should I go bury it on the back hill now?"

"I also have a martial arts novel hidden in my training equipment case. Is it safe?"

"Is my bottle of chili sauce... considered a contraband?"

The group of people were talking all at once, and Zheng Tao's head was throbbing from listening.

"Hide! Hide in the most secluded places!"

"No! It's destruction!"

"Throw everything away! Keep nothing!"

"Hurry up!"

"yes!"

The group scattered instantly, like mice moving house, carrying all sorts of bottles, jars, books, and snacks as they ran towards the garbage station.

Zheng Tao stood there, feeling extremely uneasy.

It’s over.

This time, things have gotten really out of hand.

They came here to be "models of conduct," and if anything is discovered, Zheng Tao will become the eternal sinner of the brigade.

plead?

What kind of favor are you asking for?

He had only met the person once and didn't even know their surname or given name. How could he plead for them?

"Hey, Lao Wang,"

"What am I going to say when they get here? I can't exactly say, 'Don't take what I said last time seriously,' can I?"

Wang Rui also sighed and said, "It's alright. Just use your usual skills in disciplining people, reason with them and appeal to their emotions, and try to get leniency."

"If all else fails, just play the victim and say that grassroots training is tough, and that it's not easy for soldiers to make small mistakes. Please, comrade, be lenient."

Zheng Tao's lips twitched.

Playing the victim?

When has Zheng Tao ever tried to play the victim?

But when he thought of the squad leader's face, as black as the bottom of a pot, and the yellow plaque for being recognized as an advanced squad at the end of the year, he gritted his teeth.

It's terrible, so be it!

It's better than getting punished!

He straightened his uniform, smoothed his hair, took a deep breath, and struck a pose as if he were ready to die.

"Come on! Follow me to the door and wait!"

"Remember this, everyone better be up to par! Stand up straight and sit down properly. Anyone who dares to mess things up will be in for a world of hurt!"