Chapter 417: How About You Be Company Commander?

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Is this military camp your home? If you want to be a soldier, be one. If you can’t, then go home. Do you want to be a deserter?” Wang Ye scolded Han Yi, glaring at him.

“N-No, Platoon Leader, I…” Han Yi faced the possibility of his Class leader’s outburst, but when confronted by Wang Ye, he had no temper. His face turned red, and he stammered.

“What about me? Shut up and get out!” Wang Ye didn’t wait for him to speak and scolded him again.

At this moment, Han Yi bit his lip, looked at Wang Ye, then glanced at his own Class leader. Finally, with a red face and a thick neck, he turned and walked out of Class Seven.

Indeed, he didn’t respect his Class leader, but as for Wang Ye, as he had said, he respected him a lot.

This was a Class leader and platoon leader who took the lead and worked with the new recruits no matter what they did.

Perhaps he was strict, and he often scolded people, but Wang Ye set high standards for his subordinates.

In this situation, even if everyone cursed him in their hearts, called him a maniac, no one dared to disrespect him.

Watching him leave, Wang Ye’s gaze fell on Class Seven leader, whose face was still pale. “Class Seven leader, write a report, and explain in detail why this happened!”

Class Seven leader was a non-commissioned officer, and he was also a veteran who had been in the army for five years and had already led a group of new recruits once.

But now, facing Wang Ye’s words, although his face was pale, he could only respond with a simple “Yes.”

Hearing his response, Wang Ye didn’t look at him anymore, he turned to the remaining new recruits in Class Seven.

“This noon, you will lie down on your beds for a rest, and you are not allowed to make any noise to disturb your Class leader while he’s writing. Understand?”

“Yes!

II

The remaining nine new recruits in Class Seven immediately responded.

Although they were getting some rest, there was no hint of happiness on their faces right now.

Because something like this had happened in their Class, they were all worried about what would happen next.

They had been in the military for some time now, and they understood the unconventional saying that “unity is strength.” They had been eating from the same pot since the first day of training.

So now, they were concerned about the possibility of being unfairly punished.

Of course, Wang Ye certainly didn’t have that intention right now.

Class Seven leader might have it in his mind, but after this incident, Wang Ye would definitely not let him act recklessly again.

Psychological issues of new recruits must be taken into account.

During training, the instructors repeatedly emphasized this when it came to handling new recruits.

Transforming from an outspoken and individualistic civilian into a qualified soldier was a painful process for a new recruit.

Perhaps, when they looked back on the life and training in the new recruits’ platoon after they moved on to their regular units, they would think that it wasn’t that difficult, and they might even consider the training intensity as enjoyable.

But that was when they had already transformed into soldiers.

Right now, during their time in the new recruits’ platoon, these considerations were crucial.

The problem of trainees deserting during basic training is a recurring issue in the new recruits’ platoon, and it happens every year.

After dealing with the members of Class Seven, Wang Ye was about to turn around when someone blocked the door.

“Platoon Leader Wang!”

The instructor had heard the commotion and arrived.

Wang Ye looked at him and said, “It’s not a big deal. I’ve handled it within the class. I’ll have a chat with this one outside. Instructor, I’ll report to you later!”

“Alright!”

The instructor nodded; if Wang Ye could handle it, that was the best outcome.

Wang Ye walked out through the door where the instructor had retreated.

He looked at Han Yi, who still had a frustrated expression.

“Follow me!”

Young men, especially at this stage, were sensitive about their reputation.

So Wang Ye didn’t plan to discuss anything with him here.

He led Han Yi downstairs.

During the descent, Wang Ye was contemplating how to deal with Han Yi.

In the new recruits’ platoon, especially at the beginning, some incidents were unavoidable.

Sneaking cigarettes, defying Class leaders, wasting food during meals, struggling to keep up with training…

These were recurring issues that happened almost every year.

However, it was the first time that a new recruit had openly defied the Class leader within his own platoon.

Listening to the footsteps behind him…

To be honest, at this moment, Wang Ye felt a bit of a headache.

He had already warned the other Class leaders in the second platoon not to constantly compare themselves with his own class and its new recruits.

When he led his own class, he could set the example because he was Wang Ye himself. And no matter what he did, he did it together with them.

In such a situation, even if the new recruits were tired and scolded, they had no complaints.

Furthermore, although Wang Ye had high expectations, he also provided rewards and punishments.

For example, now the entire new recruits’ platoon was required to get up at 4:00 AM to fold their blankets, but some of the better performers in Class Five could now get up at 5:00 AM.

There was also the issue of formation. If they did well, they could get some extra rest time, and Wang Ye would even buy some drinks as rewards.

Strict, with high demands.

But Wang Ye’s original intention was to use himself as the standard, continuously stimulate and unleash their potential, and then apply his systematic teaching methods along with the competitive spirit among the new recruits to effectively improve their performance.

Of course, Wang Ye was still a platoon leader, so he didn’t withhold his experiences and techniques from the other classes in the second platoon.

When he discussed these things, he did it with the entire platoon.

However, their Class leader was not him, after all.

They didn’t have Wang Ye’s abilities, and some of the techniques and experiences Wang Ye mentioned might be unfamiliar to them. However, they were eager to show results, so during training, they resorted to increasing intensity and used examples from Class Five and Wang Ye.

Wang Ye had already warned them about this situation.

But, even though they agreed on the surface, in practice, due to their competitiveness, they didn’t follow through.

Well… mainly because they didn’t know how to change.

The culture within the second platoon, or the entire company, had completely transformed due to the consistently improving performance of Wang Ye’s Class Five.

The military was naturally a place where people constantly compared themselves, and this was even more encouraged in the new recruits’ platoon.

If they couldn’t compete with Class Five every day, how would they stay motivated? How could they avoid extra duties?

“Close the door!”

Entering the platoon leader’s duty room, Wang Ye turned to Han Yi, who had followed him in, and gave an order.

After giving the order, Wang Ye sat down at the desk inside.

Looking at Han Yi closing the door with a gloomy expression, Wang Ye took out a cigarette from his pocket.

He didn’t provide one to Han Yi.

This guy didn’t need a heart-to-heart talk with a cigarette, and his behavior today didn’t warrant encouragement through cigarettes.

*Click!* He lit a cigarette for himself.

Wang Ye put the cigarette and lighter on the desk and then looked at Han Yi again. “Do you still want to be a good soldier or not?”

Han Yi, it turns out, was one of the troublemakers among this year’s batch of new recruits.

On the second day of training, he was caught smoking in secret.

His resentment toward Class Seven leader might have been one of the reasons that led to today’s outburst, probably stemming from when he was made to drink cigarette tea.

“Sir, if I may,” Han Yi said in a subdued voice, looking at Wang Ye with determination. But he hastily added, “But, Platoon Leader, 1 don’t want to stay in Class Seven anymore. 1 want to transfer to your platoon. Our Class leader may not be as capable as you, but he pushes us even harder than your Class Five. Moreover, he punishes us physically and verbally. I can’t take it!”

“We also have verbal reprimands and physical punishments in my platoon!” Wang Ye replied directly.

He was telling the truth; he scolded them daily, and as for punishment, that was a given.

However, when it came to physical punishment, Wang Ye mostly just gave them a smack on the hat brim or kicked their butts when he was truly angry. He wouldn’t actually beat them up.

“I know, but Platoon Leader, you have the ability, and you are willing to endure hardships with everyone. 1 can accept being punished and scolded for not keeping up with your pace. But our Class leader constantly uses you as an example to pressure us. The key point is, can he even do what he demands from us? He can’t even do it himself, yet he keeps pressuring us with your example. 1 can’t accept it!” Han Yi’s words became more impassioned as he spoke.

Listening to him, Wang Ye couldn’t help but feel a bit troubled.

Han Yi, who had openly defied his Class leader today, had developed significant resistance towards Class Seven leader. This was a practical situation that needed to be considered.

Forcing the issue down wouldn’t work.

Trying to mediate the situation forcefully as a platoon leader could potentially lead to even bigger problems afterward.

H

So, here’s what we’ll do. Later, you’ll apologize to Class Seven leader, and then 1’11 transfer you to my Class Five!” Wang Ye looked at him and eventually made this decision.

Han Yi was stunned for a moment. He didn’t expect Wang Ye to agree.

In fact, when he erupted earlier, he had decided that he could just quit the military if things got too difficult. He knew that during the new recruits’ platoon, there was a period when recruits could voluntarily leave the military. Even though quitting had its reputation and consequences, he couldn’t care less at this point.

However, he didn’t anticipate that when Wang Ye called him over, there were no physical punishments or harsh words, and he actually agreed to let him transfer to the Class Five.

“Alright, Platoon Leader, rest assured, 1’11 definitely be a good soldier in the Class Five!” Han Yi quickly expressed his willingness after coming back to his senses.

Wang Ye looked at him and said, “I hope you’ll do what you say. Once you’re in my platoon, don’t think 1’11 give you a second chance, do you understand?”

Han Yi spoke solemnly, “Yes, I promise there won’t be a second chance!”

Wang Ye nodded.

After shaking off the ash from his cigarette, he reached for a piece of paper and a pen on the desk.

“There’s paper and a pen here. Write down all the details of the incident for me, right here. Finish it and hand it over to me later!”

“Yes!”

“How did it go?”

The instructor had been waiting at the door.

Wang Ye looked at him, sighed, and shook his head slightly with a wry smile.

Then, Wang Ye briefly explained the situation to him.

H

It’s indeed a problem! And this issue can’t be left unchecked any longer!” The instructor had a serious expression.

“Come, let’s go to my office to discuss this!”

Today, it was just one Han Yi, but this phenomenon was present throughout the entire company.

As mentioned earlier, the root of the problem lay with Wang Ye.

However, it couldn’t be said that Wang Ye was in the wrong.

In the military, what mattered was combat readiness and producing good soldiers. If Wang Ye’s training methods could produce better soldiers, then it was his ability.

Oh, the kind of company commander I’ve become!” In the company commander’s office, when Jiang Huai, who had been waiting there, learned about the situation, he sighed helplessly.

Looking at Wang Ye, he suddenly spoke again, “How about I report to the regiment, and we switch roles? 1 feel like maybe switching positions could solve all the problems. You lead the platoon, and 1 take charge of the Class!”

Wang Ye looked at him, suddenly at a loss for words.

The instructor immediately laughed and scolded, “What nonsense are you saying!”

This method actually sounded feasible.

After all, if Wang Ye became the company commander and didn’t lead a platoon, he would be responsible for the entire company’s performance.

Instead of just focusing on improving his own platoon and driving the others crazy.

However, the problem was that even though this might solve the issue, Jiang Huai couldn’t do it.

Unless he planned to retire as a deputy company commander in the future, he couldn’t take on this role.

Voluntarily relinquishing command would be like passing the buck, and it would mean that he couldn’t handle the responsibilities of being a platoon leader in a new recruits’ platoon.

What did that imply?

In the eyes of higher-ups, it would mean that he lacked the ability to fulfill the role..