Everywhere is a Trap

During lunch, none of the squad leaders were present.

The Company Commander went from squad to squad, informing them that the squad leaders were in a meeting and that each squad should lead themselves downstairs for assembly.

As they were singing the mealtime song, the Chief of Staff arrived. He had the duty officer lead everyone in singing all the military songs they had recently learned before allowing them to enter. The new recruits, thoroughly intimidated from the day's training, thought the Chief of Staff was displeased and sang with all their might, their voices cracking and wailing.

Fang Huai knew the Chief of Staff was there to implement the higher-ups' directives and strengthen political and ideological education.

Upon entering the mess hall, the Regimental Headquarters duty officer shouted loudly in the center.

"None of the squad leaders are here today! New recruits, eat freely! After the meal, Company Commanders and clerks will lead their companies back!"

After saying this, it was as if he hadn't said anything at all. No one dared to pick up their chopsticks.

The people at the table for Squad Nine stared at Fang Huai.

Fang Huai felt a bit helpless. He was about to tell everyone to start eating, but seeing that many squads in the mess hall hadn't started, he thought for a moment and said, "Maybe we should wait a bit longer. The squad leaders might come to eat too, and many squads haven't started yet."

Yue Tao asked curiously, "They don't have assistant squad leaders. Since our squad leader isn't here, you're in charge, Fang Huai. You can just tell us to start eating!"

Fang Huai rolled his eyes. "You talk too much. Haven't you been disciplined enough today? If you want to eat, you can start first!"

When Yue Tao thought about how Fang Huai had reminded everyone to shower quickly that morning, but he himself had foolishly ignored it, he sheepishly stopped moving.

When Fang Huai spoke, his words carried more weight than the squad leaders!

Not long after, a staff officer from the Regimental Headquarters saw that many people still hadn't picked up their chopsticks and stood up again, shouting, "Didn't you hear? Eat!"

Some people started eating, but some new recruits who hadn't picked up their chopsticks still looked at each other, pondering one question.

Who is more important, the squad leader or the staff officer?

Of course, the squad leader is more important!

The squad leader can discipline me, but would the staff officer dare?

Only the Company Commander can give us orders when the squad leader is absent!

In the eyes of the new recruits, the hierarchy of power was probably ranked in reverse order, with the exception that this rule didn't apply once you reached the Chief of Staff level.

The main reason was that everyone knew the squad leaders were also afraid of the Chief of Staff.

It was an awkward situation.

The Chief of Staff, the person with the highest authority, saw that the new recruits had left after singing and the Regimental Headquarters staff officer could only accept the reality that even his farts made no noise. He said helplessly, "All companies, Company Commanders and Political Instructors, please guide the new recruits to start eating!"

The company officers, who had been standing still, preparing to fully witness the Regimental Headquarters staff officer's predicament, now had to act when he directly gave the order.

The Regimental staff officer couldn't trouble the new recruits, but he could certainly trouble the Company Commanders. After all, the monthly work reports and attendance records were approved by him.

The company officers went from table to table, greeting the recruits. They were surprised to find that even when the Company Commander and Political Instructor spoke, some squads still wouldn't listen. They had to explain with stern faces: Since the squad leader is absent, company orders can be issued across ranks!

Finally, all the new recruits started eating, but when they began, they still looked at each other, none wanting to be the first to pick up their chopsticks.

In the Seventh Company, Wang Jian persuaded each squad one by one. When he reached Squad Nine, he just glanced at them and called out to Fang Huai.

"Fang Huai, get them to eat!"

Then he left.

Fang Huai looked around. Everyone else was eating, so he didn't stand on ceremony. He casually scooped a large spoonful of sliced meat into Han Yong's bowl and then waved his hand.

"Let's eat!"

Han Yong was delighted. "Thanks, Assistant Squad Leader!"

Everyone else was stunned.

Yue Tao, while grabbing for meat, yelled, "Damn it, Fang Huai, did you take Han Yong's watch? Why are you giving him so much meat?"

Fang Huai didn't pay attention. He scooped a spoonful of Mapo Tofu into his bowl, then gave Han Yong another large spoonful. After shoveling a couple of mouthfuls of rice, he said slowly, "Han Yong is going to join the evening training next week. It's not easy for him, is it? When the assessments come and everyone's performance improves, and the squad leader is happy, do you think you'll miss out on meat?

The Regimental Headquarters really values progress. Han Yong was even in the Flying Tigers Squad before. If he can train well in our squad and improve, what kind of leadership does that show? Wouldn't the Chief of Staff praise our squad leader highly? Then, I'll talk to the squad leader about everyone's efforts... you understand, right?"

Yue Tao's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly.

"I understand, I understand!"

No one else voiced any objections. With Fang Huai's persuasion and Hao Chengbin's encouragement, they had developed some sense of unity.

Fang Huai's words immediately put pressure on Han Yong.

But Han Yong couldn't say much. After all, the care he received from this squad was far greater than from Squad Eight, and he really liked this harmonious atmosphere.

Fang Huai turned to Peng Yingqirui and smiled.

"Little guy, do you want some special treatment? Want to join us for evening training?"

Peng Yingqirui immediately shook his head in terror, clasped his hands, and said, "Squad Leader Fang, please just let me sleep soundly in bed. Don't even think about me! I thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

Zhao Bing put on a pained expression, rolling his eyes slightly.

"Squad Leader Fang... my training results aren't too bad either. Han Yong ate all the meat, and I... I can't keep up!"

Fang Huai was taken aback.

Your physical training results are already amazing in our squad. What do you mean by "not too bad"?

If you consider yourself "not too bad," does that make everyone else here trash?

He put down his chopsticks and said, "Stop being so sarcastic. Have some ambition. Come with me to the company headquarters for meat tonight!"

Chen Zhongqiang heard this and got anxious, preparing to speak.

Fang Huai shot him a look. "Say it later."

Seeing Fang Huai's serious expression, Zhao Bing generously waved his hand. "Forget it. I don't know how to use computers, and I can't handle the data. It's enough that you're thinking of me. Training is my own business; you don't need to motivate me. Just tell me some interesting stories about being a soldier when you have time. I love listening."

Fang Huai shook his head and smiled. This Zhao Bing was truly suited to be a soldier; even his name seemed to fit his destiny.

"Then Yue Tao and I will go. We'll comfort your injured feelings today. Everyone takes turns, okay?"

Yue Tao loved this kind of special treatment that others didn't get. He immediately chuckled, "Okay! I knew you were a good guy!"

"Eat quickly, there's one minute left."

Back in the barracks, Fang Huai directly opened the box under the bed frame where the bedding was kept and rummaged around inside.

He stood up and motioned for Chen Zhongqiang to go out.

He looked around and handed the cigarettes and lighter in his hand to Chen Zhongqiang.

"I got these cigarettes from Squad Leader Huang yesterday, and I swiped this lighter from the company headquarters. After you're done, throw them out the window. Don't implicate me. Finish them before the squad leader gets back and clean up after yourself.

Today, none of the squad leaders are here, so there's no risk. This is a one-time thing.

I'll keep watch here for the company commander and squad leaders. I'll shout if they come. Hurry up and smoke."

Chen Zhongqiang heard this and hesitated, feeling like he was making Fang Huai do something wrong.

He knew how hard Fang Huai had worked to maintain his image.

"Maybe... I'll wait for next time..." Chen Zhongqiang stammered.

Fang Huai impatiently said, "What are you hesitating for? You went to the minefield even when I was watching you so closely before. Are you not going to smoke today when the squad leader isn't even here? Just remember to clean up afterward!"

Chen Zhongqiang nodded, pocketed the cigarettes and lighter like a spy, looked around, and went into the restroom.

He came out after washing his hands for a long time.

Before the two returned to the barracks, Chen Zhongqiang said firmly, "From now on, if the squad leader doesn't issue cigarettes, I won't smoke."

Fang Huai laughed, "Got a guilty conscience?"

"If something happens, it'll implicate you, and the psychological pressure is too damn high."

"Good that you understand. If you get caught, you'll implicate the whole squad, and it's the squad's points that get deducted."

At six-thirty, Sun Lianhai, who was on duty, returned, and Fang Huai organized everyone to learn a military song.

Zhao Bing liked the song "The Motherland Will Not Forget" the most.

Wang Jian heard the Ninth Company singing and thought Hao Chengbin had returned. He opened the door to take a look, realized it was Fang Huai organizing them, and just said, "Come to the company headquarters by eight o'clock," before leaving.

Fang Huai was gradually becoming a name that could truly exercise some of the squad leader's authority.

Soon, the singing from the neighboring Eighth Company also seemed to challenge them. Zhang Yinzhang led the singing of the universally known "Unity is Strength," but their voices were scattered, clearly showing that no one in the neighboring class respected each other.

Moreover, it sounded terrible. Without unity, there was no strength.

This forced Company Commander Wang to make another trip. He opened the door to the Eighth Company and roared.

"They are learning a new song! Don't imitate them blindly! Memorize your materials properly! Your squad leader will check you next week!"

His voice was quite clear, and everyone in the Ninth Company listening found it hilarious.

Around seven o'clock, voices and footsteps could be heard in the corridor, and the squad leaders had returned.

When a group of non-commissioned officers, a group of second lieutenants, and a group of colonels walked towards you, you could tell the difference just by listening to their conversations with your eyes closed.

When NCOs chatted, they were mostly laughing boisterously, talking about everything under the sun, from cats and dogs, with occasional loud, even wild bursts of laughter, and perhaps some jumping around.

When second lieutenants chatted, they would often say things like "your unit" or "our unit," mostly complaining about being inspected again today or which leader had assigned what task tomorrow. They walked with less noise and fewer swear words.

Colonels mostly made "uh-huh" sounds, their voices were loud, and they used many interjections. You couldn't hear them walking.

The group of squad leaders outside the door didn't seem to enter their respective barracks but went to the company headquarters diagonally opposite.

The first thing they did upon returning was to find the company commander to understand the movements of the new recruits in their squads today.

Ten minutes later, the door opened.

"Good morning, Squad Leader!" everyone quickly stood up.

The moment Hao Chengbin entered, a torrent of curses came from the squad not far away.

"Who the hell told you to eat by yourselves? Huh? Who gave the order?"

Everyone heard it clearly and felt a pang of fear.

Not eating was not allowed, but eating too early was also not allowed! They had to wait for the Company Commander to persuade them before they could eat!

The army really was full of traps everywhere!

"Young men, you performed well today."

Hao Chengbin, however, was smiling, clearly having figured out how the Ninth Squad had performed today.

No one spoke.

Hao Chengbin lit a cigarette and said with a smile.

"You all had a rough time showering today, didn't you? How many kicks did you take?"

Everyone looked at each other blankly.

Seeing Hao Chengbin's relaxed demeanor, Fang Huai actually wanted to say to him, "You all got chewed out by the Regimental Commander today, didn't you? You had a meeting that lasted over three hours."

Never mind, never mind. Little Hao was young and full of fire. This old man couldn't handle it.

Hao Chengbin glanced at everyone, then took another drag from his cigarette, and his expression turned a bit more serious.

"This shouldn't happen again. Those few squad leaders were also disciplined today; one of them can't even go to driving school anymore.

You guys are fortunate. When we were recruits, we were dragged by our pack straps to walk and jump during showers... But this routine is indeed not good. The squad leader apologizes to you all."