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

"Sergeant Cheng Yongkang is appointed as the assistant chief instructor for the training competition!"

"Comrade Cheng Yongkang is an observer during the recruit training. He knows more details about the competition than we do. Appointing him as an assistant is twofold: first, to relieve Chief Instructor Chen Nian's workload, and second, to make our training more adaptable to the requirements of the competition!"

"There's a saying that goes, 'Even last-minute preparation can be effective.' The competition is only a month away. From what I know, other recruit companies have already started special training for it. If we want to achieve a respectable result, we can't afford to fall behind!"

"That's all for now, meeting adjourned!"

In the morning, the entire company held a meeting. After Lao Ge announced Zhang Xingong's appointment, he asked Zhang Xingong to speak.

Zhang Xingong quickly adapted to his role and reported the decisions made at the meeting when he first arrived to all the officers and soldiers in the company.

Yes, Zhang Xingong used the word "report".

Chen Nian had not expected Cheng Yongkang's appointment.

He thought that Zhang Xingong had just arrived at the Fifth Company of New Recruits, and even if he wanted to take credit, he would at least put on a show and endure it for a few days. But he didn't expect that on the second day after Zhang Xingong arrived, he would promote Cheng Yongkang to the position of assistant.

This appointment did not require a meeting, as it was a position specially created by the company for the large-scale competition.

Just like Chen Nian did back then, Zhang Zheng and Lao Ge communicated and announced the appointment.

Zhang Xingong's actions now prove that he is very familiar with the situation of the Fifth Company of New Recruits.

But an outsider can find loopholes as soon as he arrives. Either he has read Zhang Zheng's report to his superiors, or someone has already sided with Zhang Xingong.

Neither of these situations is what Chen Nian wants to see.

"Instructor Chen, wait a moment."

After the meeting ended, each class went out for training, and Zhang Xingong called out to Chen Nian.

"Hmm? Company Commander Zhang? What can I do for you?"

Chen Nian narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression somewhat amused.

"I dare not presume to offer guidance. Who would dare utter the word 'guidance' when it comes to Instructor Chen Nian?"

In a single sentence, Chen Nian defined Zhang Xingong as a "smiling tiger."

"hehe."

Chen Nian smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Zhang Xingong's compliment.

"Instructor Chen Nian, the appointment of Sergeant Cheng Yongkang was a last-minute decision, and I apologize for not being able to inform you immediately."

Zhang Xingong adopted a humble posture, but in Chen Nian's eyes, it was nothing more than a smile hiding a knife.

If you truly feel apologetic, why did you issue this appointment in the first place?

Chen Nian smiled and stared at Zhang Xingong silently.

"Instructor Chen Nian, Cheng Yongkang's appointment wasn't decided by me alone. First, someone made the decision on our behalf, and as his subordinates, we had no choice. Second, Cheng Yongkang does possess a lot of information about the new recruit competition that we don't know about. This information is crucial and will directly affect our company's performance in the competition, so..."

Zhang Xingong's explanation was very frank, but it was not convincing at all to Chen Nian.

Sensing Chen Nian's dissatisfaction, Zhang Xingong immediately added:

"However, Instructor Chen Nian can rest assured about one thing: in training, the entire company, including myself, will follow Instructor Chen Nian's command. Cheng Yongkang's role is merely to provide the information he knows, and he will not interfere with your decision-making."

Chen Nian nodded, too lazy to say anything more to Zhang Xingong.

Since Zhang Zheng left, if it weren't for Lao Ge, Chen Nian would have quit.

To love a company is to love the people in that company even more.

Now that the person is gone, Chen Nian's feelings for the Fifth Company of New Recruits have faded somewhat.

Chen Nian dared to pat his chest and say that he had lived up to the expectations of every soldier in the Fifth Company of New Recruits!

He has taught all the skills and details he has mastered that can assist in the training of new recruits to these squad leaders and new recruits.

The master leads you through the door, but the practice is up to you.

Chen Nian is not a nanny; he has already sown the seeds. As for what kind of fruit will grow, whether it will be a sweet fruit or a bitter fruit, that depends on the individuals involved.

As for Lao Ge, Chen Nian also had his own ideas about his arrangements; he wanted Lao Ge to leave the Fifth Company.

Old Ge was involved in Cheng Yongkang's dismissal back then, and he continued to work for Wang Shifeng afterward. Now that Zhang Zheng has left and Zhang Xingong has arrived, if Old Cheng uses some tactics against Old Ge, then Old Ge...

"It's okay, I don't mind!"

After saying that, Chen Nian turned and left.

Behind him, Zhang Xingong looked at Chen Nian's back with a sinister gaze.

"That's quite unique!"

"However, if they can't be used by me, then I can only..."

Zhang Xingong did not linger and turned to walk towards his office.

As soon as Chen Nian arrived at the training ground, Cheng Yongkang intercepted him:

"Instructor Chen, to be honest, I'm not entirely clear on the reasons for this appointment, but since it has already happened, let's stick to the facts. I won't interfere with the training; I'll leave it entirely to Instructor Chen's instructions."

"I'll still be in charge of the cooking and cleaning duties. When Instructor Chen has time, we can discuss the details of the competition, and I can share the information I have with him!"

Cheng Yongkang spoke sincerely and was earnest in his attitude.

Chen Nian burst out laughing.

Haha, if you treat me like a tool, you definitely won't interfere with the training!

"Are you done talking?"

"Forget about communication. Just compile a report with the information you have, and I'll adjust the training plan accordingly!"

"I have something to do, so I'll leave it at that!"

After saying that, Chen Nian didn't even give Cheng Yongkang a second chance to speak, and walked away directly.

Now, he feels nauseous whenever he sees Cheng Yongkang and Zhang Xingong.

They're birds of a feather, except Zhang Xingong is a bit more cunning than Cheng Yongkang.

He needs to go and discuss this with Lao Ge. Letting Zhang Xingong reap the rewards is definitely not Chen Nian's style.

Bing was trained by Lao Zhang, Lao Ge, and Chen Nian together. Now Lao Zhang has been transferred and Xiao Zhang has come. Chen Nian and Lao Zhang have a good relationship, so how could he possibly watch Xiao Zhang act recklessly?

That was the "legacy" that Lao Zhang left him, and he had to protect it.

...

"Old Ge, why didn't you say anything at the meeting today?"

Inside the office, Lao Ge's eyebrows drooped, and he looked very dejected, without any energy or spirit.

"Hehe, Zhang Xingong came to see me last night!"

"Oh? What did he say to you?"

Old Ge stared intently out the window:

"He instructed me to focus on the ideological and political education of the new recruits, and to entrust you with full responsibility for their training!"

Chen Nian stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and instantly realized that Zhang Xingong's intentions were impure:

"He's trying to sow discord between you and me!"

Old Ge nodded:

"Sigh, I've lost all motivation. I don't understand why a perfectly good recruit training camp suddenly became such a mess!"

My heart is feeling a little cold!

"Old Ge, is that what you're thinking..."

Before he could finish speaking, there was a knock on the door.

"Enter!"

Xie Fei walked in with his head hanging low.

"What's up?"

Chen Nian asked a question.

Xie Fei stammered for a long time before finally managing to utter this sentence:

"Last night, Company Commander Zhang came to see me!"