Ghosts Sing Before the Taoist's Gate

Hao Chengbin was completely confused.

His family had all served in the military, so physical training was normal.

Knowing some basic military common sense was also normal.

But to say that Fang Huai's father even made him memorize the Regulations and Ordinances, wasn't that a bit too much?

"Fang Huai, you go first tonight. We'll talk about memorizing the book tomorrow when you get back. Memorize as much as you can."

"Yes, Squad Leader!"

In the afternoon, the sky became even clearer.

However, Lu Zexian's frown deepened.

The soldiers on the entire training ground, wearing their everyday uniforms and peaked caps, finally looked like real soldiers. Their expressions were serious and focused, not wanting to be unworthy of their newly changed clothes.

"Lu Zexian, close-order drill! One command, one movement. I told you to hold your head high and chest out, why are you looking at the sky? You're the lead soldier, if you lift your chin that high, how can the people behind you align their peripheral vision?"

"Slap."

Lu Zexian's head was lightly hit by his peaked cap.

Yue Tao chuckled, "Pfft."

"Squad Leader, ever since Fang Huai said he was going to sacrifice his life to the heavens today, the sky started clearing up! He's calculating how many more years he has to live!"

The other new recruits couldn't hold back anymore, their bodies trembling.

"Slap, slap!"

This time, it was two peaked caps.

"Yue Tao, How are you? How old are you?" Hao Chengbin also felt like laughing, but he maintained a stern expression.

"Wow, Squad Leader, you speak English too? What does that mean?" Yue Tao hugged his head, looking like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.

Those who understood were already laughing openly.

Hao Chengbin immediately kicked Yue Tao in the backside and shouted, "I said!"

"What!"

"Damn it!"

"It's you!"

Everyone laughed. In fact, even Fang Huai's initial impression of Yue Tao had changed somewhat over the past few days.

This guy, although he deserved a beating, wasn't really someone who deserved a harsh one. His optimistic attitude and his "acceptance of fate" towards his environment really made it hard to get angry at him.

He was the life of the revolutionary team.

After being hit on the left cheek, he would grin and offer his right cheek, his attitude towards life being that he couldn't live without being a little cheeky.

"I'm telling you all! In the new recruit regiment, we only do three things!"

Hao Chengbin felt the atmosphere was too relaxed. He walked to the front of the formation, extending three fingers with a hint of seriousness.

"First, cultivate drill discipline."

"Second, cultivate life discipline."

"Third, cultivate obedience to orders!"

"In formation, I let you relax, not run wild! I'll reiterate, as long as you are in formation and there is no order to dismiss, if you laugh, you can only laugh in your heart!

Any action that others can see or hear, even passing gas, requires a report!"

"Report!" Yue Tao shouted loudly.

"Speak!"

"Squad Leader, isn't the new recruit regiment training every day? Why are we only doing three things?"

Hao Chengbin sneered, "Aren't you all looking forward to being assigned to a unit every day? You'll know the intensity of the training here when you get assigned!

Of course, some of you might be 'dragon-slaying soldiers' who can't handle the training. You might go to be sentries, or join the Mess Hall Squad. As long as you don't become an annoying soldier who contributes nothing and causes trouble every day, you can still have a pleasant two years in the military.

Not everyone in the military can handle training. If you handle interpersonal relationships well, are diligent and hardworking, and do your job well, you can still be well-liked!

All of this must be based on obeying orders!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Peng again.

"Report, Squad Leader! I obeyed!" Jiang Peng shouted loudly, feeling wronged.

Hao Chengbin put his hands behind his back and smiled, "Young man, let me tell you another principle. I suspect you're not using evidence. Don't try to play games with me. If you can make my eyes, which have been in the military for ten years, feel comfortable and pleased when looking at you, then it means you've grown."

Actually, Hao Chengbin spent a lot of time paying attention to Jiang Peng. Firstly, he was afraid he would spread rumors outside, and secondly, he saw potential in him.

If Jiang Peng worked hard in the military, he could be a good prospect. On any single aspect, he was acceptable. However, he was only outstanding among the new recruits. If he kept comparing himself to Fang Huai, it would be difficult for him to stand out.

Fang Huai's overall perspective and composure when facing challenges were something even Hao Chengbin admitted he couldn't match.

Jiang Peng unexpectedly spoke up again.

"Squad leader, Fang Huai's family are all soldiers, they've trained him, and he's been training longer than all of us. It's not fair for us to compare ourselves to him!

When I joined the army, I wanted to bring honor to my family too. My uncle works in the fire department, and when I came, he told me to do a good job! I want him to see my achievements. Why can he fight for that honor, but I can't?"

Jiang Peng was probably desperate, and he laid everything out in the open.

Fang Huai's family are all soldiers, and I have connections too, so what?

The new recruits looked surprised.

We have soldiers with connections in our squad too!

Hao Chengbin narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, his mind quickly recalling the past. His tone turned cold.

"That day, Fang Huai and I were talking outside the squad room. Were you eavesdropping?"

Lu Zexian immediately exposed him, "Squad leader, every time you talk with Fang Huai outside, Jiang Peng goes to the door to listen!"

Hao Chengbin nodded with a cold laugh, walked up to Jiang Peng, stared him in the eye, and said coldly, "Who gave you the authority to eavesdrop?"

Jiang Peng started to panic.

He wasn't stupid. If this went badly, he might get beaten. He said in a flustered manner, "Squad leader... I wasn't eavesdropping! I overheard it by accident!"

Hao Chengbin stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled and walked back to his position commanding the formation, shouting loudly.

"Fang Huai!"

"Here!" Fang Huai immediately stepped forward.

"You're the deputy squad leader. How do you think this should be handled?"

"Reporting, Squad Leader. Punishment is necessary! I suggest a five-kilometer run! Or 100 standard push-ups!"

Fang Huai had no intention of playing it down or hesitating at all.

Hao Chengbin definitely didn't make him deputy squad leader to be a people-pleaser.

Moreover, Jiang Peng's behavior had touched a nerve for him.

In his previous life, after he entered society, he had his chances for promotion repeatedly taken away by these people with connections.

"Did you hear that? The deputy squad leader's orders. Go execute them." Hao Chengbin said calmly.

He didn't step forward and slap him directly. Instead, he chose this method. One reason was to see Fang Huai's decision, and the other was to humiliate Jiang Peng in this way.

Jiang Peng's expression changed repeatedly, feeling like his face was burning.

Having Fang Huai punish him, he had lost all face.

"Reporting, Squad Leader! I'm not convinced!"

Hao Chengbin angrily retorted, "If you're not convinced, take off your clothes and get lost! Refusing to follow orders, who do you think you are? What right do you have to be unconvinced?"

Jiang Peng finally lost his mind, "This is disguised corporal punishment! I'm going to report you to the company!"

Hao Chengbin immediately pointed to the middle of the training ground.

"Go ahead and report after you finish running! If you don't follow orders, then don't stay in this squad. Get lost and go to the Flying Tigers Squad! They need people there! Ninth Squad doesn't welcome you!

If you want to call your connections, then go to the company commander! If he lets you call, then go ahead and call! Report me! Let your connections come find trouble with me!

Do you want me to tell you which squadron I'm in?"

Everyone looked in the direction Hao Chengbin pointed and saw that only Han Yong from the Eighth Squad seemed to be standing in the middle of the training ground. This "Old Man Han" didn't seem to care about being watched, and the Regimental Headquarters had even given him a stool to sit on comfortably.

In just one day, two people couldn't take it and quit the Flying Tigers Squad to return to training.

Squad Leader Hao's move was ruthless!

No, it was the regiment that was ruthless.

They were all seventeen or eighteen, not even twenty-five, hot-blooded young men. Who could withstand being pointed at like this?

Han Yong... probably inherited his family's business background, so he had thicker skin.

Seeing the center of the training ground, Jiang Peng suddenly felt that joining the army had been a mistake. The glory of a soldier he had yearned for, being admired by his girlfriend, respected by society...

It was all fake.

After arriving, he was ordered around like a dog, and now he was going to be punished by a new recruit who joined the army in the same year as him.

"Fine, I'll go! I will definitely report you!"

After saying that, Jiang Peng actually broke away from the formation and walked towards the middle of the training ground.

The further he walked, the more he regretted it.

He regretted coming here.

If he had gone to work back then, why would he be suffering like this? He should be preparing to get off work and enjoy the weekend!

If he were outside, his internship would be almost over! With his own efforts, he would definitely be promoted and get a raise soon. He would earn at least over two thousand a month, wouldn't that be better than suffering this?

He wanted to prove himself to those roommates and student council members who had ostracized him in college!

Let them see these fellow recruits!

Especially that Fang Huai, what's so great about him? What can he do besides being a soldier? He's just a high school student; out in the real world, no decent big company would even glance at his resume!

After walking a few steps.

"Halt! You, soldier!"

A Captain called out to him and walked over, hands behind his back.

Jiang Peng stopped, feeling a glimmer of hope.

One stripe, one pip – he must be from Regimental Headquarters. He could report this.

The Captain asked, "Why are you walking around the training ground alone? Where's your squad leader?"

"Reporting, sir! I'm from the Seventh Company, Ninth Squad! Our squad leader, Hao Chengbin, wants to give me corporal punishment! I don't agree! So he sent me here!"

Jiang Peng said indignantly, pointing towards where Han Yong was. He continued to pour out his grievances, "Sir, it's not that I can't handle training, I just don't want to be treated unfairly..."

"Oh? From Old Hao's squad? Hao's squad leader actually managed to produce a Flying Tigers Squad?"

The Captain interrupted him with a strange smile on his face. Then he turned and called out loudly.

"Jin Can! Come quickly! You have a new comrade under your command! You've formed a duo now, hurry up!"

The sheer volume of his voice drew the attention of several companies nearby.

Jiang Peng felt gazes from all directions, his breathing becoming rapid. He knew the mockery within those looks. Just a few hours ago, he was one of those people casting the glances.

For some reason, he remembered what the Chief of Staff had said.

"Showing your face or making a fool of yourself – it depends on your performance!"

His sense of grievance gradually turned into anger.

These recruits, they're all in it together! A bunch of snakes and rats!

Only by reporting can he maintain his dignity!

Ninth Squad's formation drill.

During a physical education class, everyone noticed that Jiang Peng was missing from the center of the training ground.

Hao Chengbin glanced at the center of the training ground, realizing what might have happened. He turned and said, "Jiang Peng might have gone to report. Regimental Headquarters might come to question you later. For Jiang Peng's situation, just tell them the truth, understand?"

Fang Huai immediately understood Hao Chengbin's intention and said loudly, "Don't worry, Squad Leader! If he says you hit us, he's definitely lying! He's just trying to get revenge!"

He said this for everyone to hear.

After that, everyone else needed to state their position.

"Right! When did he hit us? The Squad Leader is educating us! The Squad Leader is great!" Yue Tao chimed in as usual.

The others remained silent.

Fang Huai thought for a moment, then looked at Lu Zexian, who had been disciplined the most severely before. He said, "Lu Zexian, we're all brothers in the same squad. You state your position first! Has the Squad Leader ever hit us?"

Lu Zexian sneered and looked towards the center of the training ground.

"No matter what happens to me, I won't be like that kind of person! Always being sarcastic, like a Japanese interpreter!"

"What about Little Dot?" Fang Huai continued to ask.

Peng Yingqirui clearly didn't know what to say and stammered for a long time.

"I... I already cut ties with him last time!"

Hao Chengbin smiled and shook his head, "Alright! I just said they might question you! Keep training!"

"The Company Commander is here!" Zhao Bing suddenly said.

Wang Jian rushed over from the entrance of the training ground.

"Old Hao! The Chief of Staff wants to see you!" Wang Jian ran closer, glanced at the new recruits, and didn't say much else.

Hao Chengbin said somewhat irritably, "Wants to see me? I'm with the new recruits! How can I leave?"

"Oh, come on, let's go, let's go. I've already asked Yang Hui to bring the Sixth Squad over. He'll help you look after them!"

Wang Jian, with a look of persuasion, pulled Hao Chengbin along. Then he turned back and called out.

"Oh, and Fang Huai, you come too!"

"He's the nephew of Deputy Director Liu from the Provincial City Detachment's Political Department... He's related to Deputy Director Liu's wife's family. He calls him uncle. Deputy Director Liu and the Chief of Staff were comrades from the same squadron..."

"He's saying you used corporal punishment on him, that you favor Fang Huai, and that you slapped him the morning before last..."

"Now he's just throwing a tantrum, demanding to quit or be transferred to another squad."

Wang Jian told Hao Chengbin the situation as they walked. Remembering something, he turned to look at Fang Huai.

"By the way, Fang Huai, are you and the new recruits in the squad isolating him, not talking to him?"

"What business is it of his!"

Hao Chengbin immediately defended him.

"This soldier has a problem with his mindset! He's running to other squads spreading rumors! What, you think you're so great just because you have an uncle who's a deputy director? Does he think he's the crown prince? Does the Chief of Staff have to give him face?

If this Deputy Director Liu teaches his child like this, then at worst, I'm not going to Guiyang anymore!"

"What are you talking about!" Wang Jian said speechlessly.

"I'm just telling you what Jiang Peng just said so you're prepared! His family hasn't made a statement yet! The Chief of Staff hasn't notified his family at all! But if you say that a new recruit reported you for hitting a soldier, saying he was treated unfairly, how can he not get involved?"

As he spoke, his tone softened a bit.

"Old Hei knows these things very well. He's just doing his job. He'll give you a slap on the wrist, say a couple of words, and that'll be it. You're also familiar with the Chief of Staff, he won't do anything drastic!"

Wang Jian knew very well about Hao Chengbin's disciplining of new recruits. Yue Tao was also brought back to the Ninth Squad by him. This Jiang Peng was probably just caught in the crossfire and was using it as an excuse.

If this really came to light, he, as the company commander, would be implicated for allowing the beating of soldiers.

Fang Huai's mind was also racing.

Was this Jiang Peng's uncle also from the Provincial City Detachment?

Deputy Director... if you think about it, he was his uncle's subordinate.

Since it had escalated to the point of wanting to discharge a soldier, should he call his uncle to mediate?

Forget it, it wasn't his place to step in, and he didn't have the qualifications to do so.

And even if his uncle was the Corps Commander, he wouldn't let a new recruit use the phone.

The three of them, each lost in their own thoughts, arrived at the Regimental Headquarters office on the third floor of the New Recruit Building.

As soon as they reached the door, voices came from inside.

"Discharge, why discharge? Did your uncle send you here to be a deserter, to be sent back?

He's in political work!

It's like the saying, 'A carpenter's house has no stool to sit on, a Taoist priest's door has ghosts singing!'

Since you chose this line of work, if you don't put in the hard work and endure some grievances, how can you succeed?

You say you want to prove yourself, then go ask your uncle how much hardship we endured when we were in the squadron back then, and how we studied. When the squadron had to respond to incidents or train, they didn't have time to supervise our studies, so we could only memorize books while on duty in the sentry box at night!"

Wang Jian and Hao Chengbin outside the door exchanged a look and knocked.

"Report!"