The hospital is too busy, so I'm going to join the army and become a top soldier!

Chen Gang had just left the training ground, not simply because he was called away by the regimental headquarters to handle miscellaneous matters.

Today, the regiment assigned a trainee platoon leader from a military academy to the recruit company.

Having just been assigned to a company at the military academy, the procedures needed to be handed over, and the deputy company commander, Chen Gang, had to meet him in person.

The new intern platoon leader is named Liang Zheng.

He was 23 years old, looked very young, had a good posture, and was in good physical condition!

Chen Gang also looked at his grades; he had consistently ranked among the top students during his time at military academy!

He carried the sharp edge that military academy students had when they first went to the grassroots level. He walked as if he had been measured with a ruler, his shoulders and back were very straight, and he spoke crisply.

Chen Gang's first impression of the intern platoon leader was quite good.

What young cadres should fear is not having sharpness, but lacking it!

Having a sharp edge means you still have drive in your heart!

He's more likable than some seasoned veterans who just coast along.

However, being too ambitious can easily lead to a simplistic view of training and a misconception of leading troops as simply reading commands from a textbook.

Having spent so many years working at the grassroots level, Chen Gang's talent is immediately apparent.

A newly appointed military academy officer like Liang Zheng certainly doesn't lack ideals, principles, or a sense of discipline.

What they lack is the harsh reality of being beaten down by the chaos of basic training.

After Liang Zheng saluted Chen Gang, his voice was very loud.

"Company Commander Chen, trainee platoon leader Liang Zheng reporting for duty!"

Chen Gang returned the greeting and nodded.

"Okay, once you're here, let's get familiar with the situation first."

When you first arrive at your unit, don't rush to get involved in training. Look around and see how the new recruits are being trained and the training pace of each squad.

If you don't understand something, ask the class monitor and other officers first. Don't jump to conclusions just because you see something.

Liang Zheng immediately replied, "Yes!"

Seeing that he answered decisively, Chen Gang added:

"The recruit training camp is different from the military academy. The textbooks describe the standard conditions, but the training ground is full of real people."

You can't judge who's in good form, who's not, who's working hard, who's slacking off, or who just finished training and needs recovery just by glancing at them.

Liang Zheng remained at attention.

"clear!"

Seeing his energetic demeanor, Chen Gang felt somewhat uneasy.

The kid said he understood, but the "I'm sure I can find the problem" look in his eyes was too obvious.

However, he didn't say much.

Young cadres always have to hit a wall a couple of times before they realize that leading troops at the grassroots level can't rely solely on having a loud voice.

After Chen Gang finished the handover procedures, someone from the regimental headquarters came looking for him.

He then told Liang Zheng to go and walk around the recruit training camp first, to see the dormitories, the parade ground, the training equipment, and the training situation of each class.

After receiving the order, Liang Zheng turned and walked towards the training ground.

Actually, he had already heard some rumors before he came to this recruit training camp.

Someone casually mentioned that there was a recruit in this batch who had pretty strong connections.

Even the regimental headquarters knows that they might receive special attention from them later.

No one went into too much detail about it, and Liang Zheng didn't have time to ask who it was specifically.

The words "connected person" already made him uncomfortable!

He grew up in a poor family, and his parents scrimped and saved to support him.

He himself got into military academy through his grades and tireless efforts.

Therefore, what he disliked most were those who used family connections to get into the military and gain prestige.

In Liang Zheng's mind, the military should emphasize discipline, competence, and, most importantly, fairness!

If you come from a well-off family, that's fine; if you have connections in your family, that's also fine.

But once you get to the training ground, you have to sweat just like everyone else, endure the same training, and meet the same standards!

If someone uses connections to get special treatment, not only will they ruin themselves, but they are also more likely to corrupt the atmosphere of an entire company!

The more Liang Zheng thought about it, the angrier he became.

He had just joined the unit and needed to prove himself.

If there really are people with connections getting special treatment on the training field, then he absolutely cannot turn a blind eye!

So he walked toward the playground, his eyes sharpening even more than before.

Meanwhile, on the playground, Shen Yan had just completed his first 5-kilometer run with a 15-kilogram load.

Unlike ordinary recruits who collapsed on the ground after finishing the run, he did not.

Instead, following his own recovery habits, he first walked slowly with his backpack for a while to gradually regain his breathing.

Then I took off my backpack, sat by the playground for a short massage, and relaxed my shoulders, back and calves.

To those who understand training, this process is a standard recovery and adjustment procedure after high-intensity weighted running.

But Liang Zheng had just arrived at the edge of the playground and knew nothing about any of this.

The scene he was seeing at that moment was very simple.

While the other classes were training, a new recruit sat alone on the edge of the parade ground.

There was also a pretentious backpack next to it!

On the surface, this new recruit did not participate in any drill training.

He even sat there quite smugly, showing none of the tension that ordinary recruits feel when they get caught slacking off.

Liang Zheng's brows furrowed immediately!

What's up with this new recruit?

Instead of training with the group, he sits alone by the playground resting?

Is nobody doing anything about it?

Is this the person with connections?

Then I thought of the "new recruit with very strong connections" I had heard about before I came.

Liang Zheng's anger flared up instantly!

He strode up to Shen Yan, his voice hard.

Which class are you in?

Shen Yan had just finished adjusting his breathing and was about to stretch his shoulders and back.

Suddenly, a voice filled with anger rang out above him.

He looked up and saw a young military officer standing in front of him.

One cent, platoon leader rank!

But Shen Yan was certain that he had never seen this person before.

So he quickly stood up, stood at attention, saluted, and replied:

"Reporting, Platoon Leader, I am Shen Yan, a new recruit from the Second Platoon!"

Liang Zheng saw that his salute and posture were very standard, but his dissatisfaction did not diminish.

"You're a new recruit, not training in formation, but sitting on the edge of the parade ground. Who gave you permission?"

Shen Yan was somewhat bewildered upon hearing this.

He had just finished running 5 kilometers with a 15-kilogram weight and was recovering his strength according to the procedure.

Why did you suddenly end up sitting by the playground?

However, looking at Liang Zheng's rank and age, he quickly guessed that this must be the newly appointed trainee platoon leader.

The original officers and squad leaders of the company all knew that he had been approved by Chen Gang for separate training, so they couldn't possibly ask that question.

So Shen Yan explained:

"Reporting to the platoon leader, my basic drill skills have met the requirements of the recruit company's training."

"It was with Company Commander Chen's approval that I was allowed to go out for physical training alone!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Zheng's expression darkened even further.

Has the queue foundation met the current training requirements?

Did he receive approval from the company commander to undergo separate training?

Why does this sound so familiar?

That's exactly the kind of excuse that people with connections often use when they want to give him special treatment!

Ordinary recruits have only been in the recruit training camp for a few days. Who dares to say that they have already met the basic requirements for marching?

They even train separately?

What's even more outrageous is that you, the one who was singled out for training, are now sitting on the sidelines resting?

Is that correct?

You think I'm easy to fool because you have connections?

The more Liang Zheng looked at Shen Yan, the more suspicious he felt.

Shen Yan, in particular, remained remarkably calm throughout.

When he caught her not following the training, she didn't panic or give a nonsensical explanation; instead, she acted as if it were perfectly normal.

In Liang Zheng's view, this did not seem like the reaction of an ordinary new recruit after being captured.

It's more like they're used to being taken care of and rely on having powerful connections, so they're not afraid of being controlled at all!

"Hmph, others might not dare to mess with you, but I won't tolerate it!"

Liang Zheng asked coldly, "You said you were doing physical training alone, so what were you training just now?"

Shen Yan answered truthfully: "Report, I just completed a 5-kilometer run with a 15-kilogram load and am currently recovering."

Liang Zheng was so angry that he laughed on the spot.

"Carrying 15 kilograms of weight for 5 kilometers?"

He looked Shen Yan up and down, his eyes already showing obvious disbelief.

A new recruit who has only been in the army for a few days runs five kilometers carrying a 15-kilogram load?

How can you stand so steadily after running?

How can he still talk to himself so calmly?

Liang Zheng's first reaction was that this was just bragging, or even a pre-prepared excuse!

Do you think I'm a fool, someone who's easy to fool?

"A new recruit who had only been in the army for a few days was talking about carrying 15 kilograms of weight for 5 kilometers, and he said he was recovering and adjusting."

Do you think that as long as you cite the words "company commander's approval," no one can control you?

Shen Yan: "..."

He really didn't know how to explain it for a moment.

As Liang Zheng spoke, he felt he had grasped a typical example, and his tone became even more forceful.

"Let me tell you, the military isn't a place for people like you to get a taste of success!"

"I don't care what connections you have at home, or who put in a good word for you. Once you're at the training ground, you have to follow the rules!"

"The morale of the military has been corrupted by people like you who have connections!"

"Now, immediately, right now! Get back to your classes and practice in formation!"

Shen Yan was completely dumbfounded.

A person with connections?

Who?

I?

Shen Yan even subconsciously glanced down at himself, then at the 15-kilogram backpack next to him.

How did he, a new recruit who had just run five kilometers carrying fifteen kilograms, suddenly become someone with connections?

Isn't this misunderstanding a bit outrageous?

Meanwhile, the second class continued their training.

Ga Wa has excellent hearing; he can hear distant sounds much more acutely than most people.

Although Liang Zheng didn't shout at the top of his lungs, his voice wasn't quiet either.

The moment the words "connected family" came out, the little boy immediately perked up!

Who told him to love gossip the most?

He didn't look at Shen Yan immediately.

Instead, he quietly stretched out his leg and kicked Wei Shanjia next to him.

Wei Shanjia was practicing drills when he was startled by the kick. He lowered his voice and asked, "Why did you kick me?"

The child looked very serious.

"Friend, something's happened."

Wei Shanjia frowned.

"What's up?"

Ga Wa gestured towards Shen Yan with his lips.

"A new platoon leader has arrived over there, and it looks like he's scolding people with connections."

Wei Shanjia didn't react at first.

"What does it matter to me if someone criticizes someone based on connections?"

Ga Wa looked at him with a very simple and genuine pity in his eyes.

"Friend, they're coming after you, the one with connections. You're going to have a hard time."

Wei Shanjia looked completely bewildered.

"What the heck?"

"What did I do to deserve this punishment?"

Ga Wa continued in a low voice, adding insult to injury: "Aren't you the one who accidentally trespassed into the imperial palace?"

Wei Shanjia's face turned green.

"Shut up!"

"I told you not to mention this!"

The child was completely innocent.

"But when people criticize those who have connections, you're the first person I think of."

Look at Shen Yan, does he look like someone with connections? He's got connections!

Wei Shanjia: "..."

For a moment, he didn't know whether to refute "connections" or "cheating" first.

What's worse, upon closer inspection, he realized he really needed connections within the recruit training camp.

The one who seems most like a nepotism case is actually myself, isn't it?

But now it's Shen Yan who's being scolded?

That's ridiculous!

Wei Shanjia couldn't help but steal a couple of glances in that direction.

A young platoon leader, whom Shen Yan had never seen before, stood in front of him, his face as serious as if he had just caught the biggest cancer in the recruit company.

Shen Yan stood very straight, his expression clearly a little bewildered.

After listening to Ga Wa's explanation, Wei Shanjia finally understood what was going on.

It seems the other person sees Shen Yan as a lazy recruit who relies on connections, and wants to teach Shen Yan a lesson to establish their authority!

Wei Shanjia almost burst out laughing.

Shen Yan?

A person with connections?

Does this new platoon leader have slightly poor eyesight?

If Shen Yan is a relative, then isn't the threshold for the term "relative" a bit too high?

If someone with connections can be this powerful, then the other new recruits who aren't connected must be soaring to great heights!

Wei Shanjia muttered to himself, "This new platoon leader is finished."

The little boy looked at him curiously.

"What's wrong?"

Wei Shanjia's expression was complicated.

"Of all people to insult, he had to insult Shen Yan because he's a crony."

"Shen Yan is our company's treasure. Do you think that petty Chen Gang will let him get away with this?"

Ga Wa thought about it seriously for a moment.

"Hey friend, I'm suddenly starting to feel sorry for our new platoon leader!"

Gao Zhenhai soon noticed the situation at the edge of the playground.

At first, he thought Chen Gang had returned.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out that the person standing in front of Shen Yan was not Chen Gang, but a strange young platoon leader!

Gao Zhenhai immediately understood.

This must be the newly appointed trainee platoon leader!

Gao Zhenhai snorted coldly in his heart.

You're just a lowly intern platoon leader, what gives you the right to train my soldiers like this?

Do you think you're a platoon leader who's getting promoted?

In my eyes, Gao Zhenhai, there is only the company commander, not you, a trainee platoon leader who hasn't even grown a beard yet!

Gao Zhenhai was very angry. He was about to go over and explain, but he had only gone halfway when he heard what the intern platoon leader said.

Then his expression gradually became interesting.

Good guy!

So, is this new platoon leader treating Shen Yan like a relative and training him?

This immediately improved Gao Zhenhai's impression of the new intern platoon leader.

You should know that no matter where you are, it's very offensive to drag your connections into a heated argument!

But this new intern platoon leader was so upright that he wasn't afraid at all of his cronies making things difficult for him.

Gao Zhenhai strongly agrees with this point!

However, he told Shen Yan to go back to the classroom to practice marching.

This almost made Gao Zhenhai lose his composure!

If Shen Yan is considered not to be serious about training, then are there any people in the recruit company who are serious about training?

I just ran five kilometers carrying a 15-kilogram weight, which was 10 seconds faster than yesterday when I carried 10 kilograms.

Is this what you call being lazy?

If this is slacking off, what about the other new recruits?

Still in hibernation, huh?

Gao Zhenhai found it outrageous, but he couldn't just stand by and watch the show.

If he continues to misunderstand in public, the outcome will be ugly.

Just as Gao Zhenhai was about to go over to explain, Chen Gang returned from a distance, having already finished dealing with the matter.

As soon as Chen Gang returned to the training ground, he saw Liang Zheng standing in front of Shen Yan with a very serious expression.

Shen Yan stood ramrod straight, but his expression carried an unusual blankness.

Chen Gang frowned immediately.

He had just sent Liang Zheng around to look around and familiarize him with the situation.

How come this kid found out about Shen Yan in the blink of an eye?