Father, you've been drafted four times already, please spare us!

"What's going on? Hey, what's wrong? Are you trying to kill yourself?!"

The office was filled with smoke, making it almost as grand as the Queen Mother of the West's Peach Banquet.

Chen Nian almost choked as soon as he entered the door, and quickly opened the window.

Zhang Zheng looked rather grim, and Lao Ge also had a worried expression.

"I'm being transferred."

Old Zhang's voice was hoarse, as if he had a ten-year-old phlegm stuck in his throat.

"Go to the 2nd Battalion of the 172nd Regiment as deputy battalion commander."

"I heard Lu Yao mention it, how come it's so sudden? I didn't receive any information about it beforehand."

Chen Nian sat on the sofa, stroking his chin, feeling that there was something wrong with this whole thing.

"My former battalion commander was transferred to the 172nd Regiment as political commissar. He was new there and lacked experience, so he hoped I could go and help him."

Zhang Zheng paused for a moment, then frowned deeply, a hint of pain in his expression:

"He recommended me for the position of company commander. Now that he's spoken to me for the first time, I can't refuse!"

Chen Nian nodded, agreeing with Zhang Zheng's statement.

In the military, old superiors and leaders are like gods. The relationship between the two is not only that of leader and subordinate, but also that of mentor and apprentice. Zhang Zheng could not refuse such kindness in helping him.

"You've been promoted to deputy battalion commander! Isn't that a good thing? Why do you all look so bitter and resentful?"

Zhang Zheng glanced at Chen Nian but said nothing.

Old Ge sighed and replied:

"Normally, this would be a good thing, but right now, with Lao Zhang leading the new recruits and the new recruit skills competition, it's almost inevitable that our company will win some awards in the competition because of you!"

"Being able to make a name for himself in such a big competition, it's certain that Lao Zhang will be promoted. But now that he's being transferred, it means that Lao Zhang will lose this opportunity, and his future resume will not have such a remarkable achievement."

"In the short term, Lao Zhang has indeed been promoted, but in the long run, it would be better for him to stay in the company!"

"Moreover, they only gave me the position of deputy battalion commander, to be honest..."

Chen Nian nodded in agreement after hearing Lao Ge's explanation:

"Indeed, looking at it that way, it's better to stay in the company!"

At this point, Chen Nian paused, his brows furrowing slightly:

"You seem to have overlooked one problem!"

Old Zhang and Old Ge simultaneously looked up at Chen Nian:

"What's the problem?"

"Who orchestrated this?"

Old Zhang and Old Ge exchanged a glance, their eyes narrowing as they looked at Chen Nian:

"What do you mean by that?"

Chen Nian did not explain, but simply said:

"I tend to think the worst. This all happened so suddenly, and you didn't receive any prior notice, Lao Zhang. Isn't that suspicious?"

"To be honest, in my eyes, this is incredibly bizarre!"

"Someone's causing trouble in there!"

Old Zhang and Old Ge exchanged a glance and said in unison:

"Old Cheng?"

"But what's the point of him doing this?"

"To frame me? To pave the way for his son?"

"Isn't the price for that deputy battalion commander position a bit too high?"

Chen Nian scoffed:

"You? You're overthinking it. They weren't even here for you!"

"Who do you think you are, Lao Zhang? You're just a muscle-bound brute. If Lao Cheng wanted to target you, he would have transferred you away the moment you signed Wang Shifeng's application!"

"Old Cheng's plan is brilliant!"

Chen Nian muttered to himself.

On the way here, Chen Nian kept thinking that if Lao Zhang had known he was going to be transferred, he would have told him long ago.

The fact that they only notified me now means that Lao Zhang didn't know beforehand!

The fact that this happened so suddenly means that someone must have deliberately arranged it.

As for who arranged it, it's easy to guess. Someone like Lao Zhang wouldn't actively flatter superiors or bully subordinates, or do anything maneuvering. Otherwise, he wouldn't have remained stagnant for so many years.

Given Cheng Yongkang's "superior" performance these past few days, the only one who could make Lao Zhang move was Lao Cheng.

Move Old Zhang away, then let your own people come down, take the spoils of the competition, and pave the way for your son!

Those who come down from the ranks, having the experience of the major competition, will definitely have better prospects for promotion than Lao Zhang.

With this multi-pronged approach, the only price Lao Cheng had to pay was the position of deputy battalion commander.

As expected of Old Cheng, this move is much better than his son's!

"I still don't understand!"

Old Zhang frowned.

"If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it anymore. If your future plans involve climbing the ranks, then I advise you to give up that idea. You're not young anymore. Getting a deputy battalion commander position and then becoming a battalion commander before retiring would be pretty good!"

"Your decision not to take sides or curry favor with the superiors is the best outcome for you!"

Chen Nian didn't intend to tell Lao Zhang what he had guessed, because it wouldn't change anything anyway. The current outcome might not be a bad thing for Lao Zhang!

As for someone wanting to reap the benefits, they'll have to ask Chen Nian if he agrees!

Old Ge could tell that Chen Nian didn't want to say more, so he simply spoke up to comfort him:

"Chen Nian is right. For people like us, without connections or backing, sometimes this outcome isn't necessarily a bad thing!"

Chen Nian smiled. After all, he's an instructor.

"Also, don't blame your old commander. His position is what it is; his word doesn't count in your affairs!"

"Let's assume for now that he's sincere!"

Old Zhang gave a wry smile. He had spent his entire life in the army, always believing that he could simply work diligently, serve the country, train more new recruits, and be a good cog in the machine.

But he never expected that at this age he would get involved in such a thing.

"Sigh, I don't really care about myself. I'm old enough to have a more relaxed attitude, but I'm worried about you all!"

"If I leave, who will tolerate your behavior and let you run wild?"

Old Zhang looked at Chen Nian.

Chen Nian replied quite bluntly:

"Don't worry, I'll only get better off after you leave. The new company commander will value me more than you did; he might even bring me a gift!"

Zhang Zheng was taken aback, then pointed at Chen Nian and laughed and scolded:

"You little rascal, you're a perfectly fine young man, it's just a shame you have a mouth. It would be so much better if you were mute!"

Old Ge gave Chen Nian a deep look. He had figured it out. The new company commander would definitely value Chen Nian more because he needed Chen Nian to help him train his troops and help him get a higher ranking in the competition!

Only in this way can his resume be more impressive, and Lao Cheng's efforts be more cost-effective!

This is an open conspiracy, there's no way to solve it!

"Alright, that's enough. Those who aren't in a position shouldn't concern themselves with its affairs. I'm leaving anyway, so why should I worry about the raging floods behind me!"

Zhang Zheng had also come to terms with it and shouted something very insightful.

"That's the right way to think. Life is only about 30,000 days long. Every day you live is a bonus. Sometimes, being a little oblivious, like you are, might not be a bad thing!"

"Get lost!"

"I've never heard a kind word from you!"

"When are you leaving?"

Chen Nian suddenly asked a question.

Suddenly, the relaxed atmosphere in the office vanished, replaced by a somber mood.

"tomorrow!"

"Is it in such a hurry?"

"Sigh, the documents have been issued; Lao Ge will handle the handover of work!"

"Let's throw you a farewell party tonight!"

"Forget it, the soldiers need to train, and I don't want this to disrupt their training!"

Chen Nian scoffed:

"You're overthinking it. The soldiers will only thank you for giving them this chance to relax!"

"Hahaha!"

Lao Ge and Chen Nian burst into laughter at the same time.

But the atmosphere in the office didn't seem to ease; after the laughter, there was still silence.

"I don't like goodbyes, so I'll just slip away quietly!"

"After I leave, you all need to cooperate well with the new company commander..."

"Xie Fei may be unreliable, but he's hardworking. Chen Nian, you should mentor him..."

"Jin Shun, he's good in every way, it's just that he sometimes overthinks things..."

"Wang Shifeng, if there's a chance, I'd like you to try and persuade him to join the special forces with you. His personality might be hard for another company commander to handle..."

Old Zhang, like a mother hen, kept nagging Chen Nian about the situation of each squad leader and even each new recruit. These soldiers were like his children, whom he had watched grow up.

"Why don't we let them give you a ride?"

"Forget it!"

"Chen Nian, take good care of them!"

"Old Ge, take good care of Chen Nian!"