Chapter 21: Training Begins, Trouble Ensues!

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“Now, I hereby declare the opening ceremony of the C Regiment Recruit Camp, First Recruit Company training officially begins.”

On the parade ground, standing before the ranks of Chu An and the others was the unfamiliar officer who had just directed everyone to gather here.

Well, not entirely unfamiliar—he was the one who distributed clothes and mosquito nets earlier.

It was just that the recruits didn’t yet know his rank or name.

Without hesitation, he started clapping first.

Naturally, Chu An and the others followed suit politely, joining in the applause.

“Next, please welcome the instructor to address everyone!”

The officer still made no self-introduction.

The applause rose again.

At the same time, a man in his thirties standing beside Tong Lianzhong approached the group with a slight smile.

He raised his hand in a virtual gesture to signal everyone to stop clapping before speaking.

“My name is Ge Bing. I am honored to serve as the instructor of our First Recruit Company.

The next three months will be spent together with all of you.

I hope everyone will cooperate with me in our work.

Naturally, as your instructor, I will do my utmost to solve any troubles within my capability...”

Instructor Ge spoke gently, smiling throughout. His speech was brief—less than two minutes—but left a very good impression on everyone.

However, when it was Tong Lianzhong’s turn to speak, before he even uttered a word, the warm and relaxed atmosphere created by the instructor vanished instantly.

His face was stern.

Standing before everyone, he remained silent for a moment, scanning the recruits with a grave expression.

“I am not your instructor!”

That was Tong Lianzhong’s first sentence—not an introduction.

Many recruits’ hearts tightened on the spot.

He then continued in a deep voice: “Your instructor has a good temper, is well-educated, and cultured.

But I am different—I am a rough man. Sometimes when I lose my temper, I tend to get physical.

Therefore, during your time in my company, for the next three months, you must obey orders without question, no matter what I say!”

He paused, then suddenly widened his eyes and shouted, “Did you all hear that?”

Some recruits were startled by his outburst.

But once they recovered, every recruit responded immediately: “Yes, sir!”

“Haven’t you eaten?” he barked.

“Yes, sir!” This time the voices were barely loud enough but uneven.

Tong Lianzhong’s face darkened further.

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His gaze sharp as an eagle, his expression ruthless: “I reckon your meal today was eaten in vain!

Let me ask you one last time—if you behave like this again, tonight’s dinner will be sent to the Second Company as an extra meal!”

At that moment, seeing Tong Lianzhong’s complete change of face, Chu An couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Of course! He had known the previous warm smile was fake.

Look, they’d just been assigned to their companies, and his face had already changed.

Thinking back, Tong Lianzhong had not been like this before. Chu An vividly recalled the passionate expression on his face during a home visit back in their hometown...

Of course, now he wasn’t targeting Chu An personally.

He was addressing everyone.

“Did you hear me?”

He shouted again.

This time, the recruits shouted back in perfect unison: “Yes, sir!”

“Hmph, that’s more like it!”

Tong Lianzhong clasped his hands behind his back, scanning the crowd as he continued shouting: “As soldiers, your voices must be loud and confident. You must know—you are men, male soldiers, not women!”

After a brief pause, he suddenly ordered: “About face!”

The recruits became a bit flustered, some turning out of sync.

Chu An even found himself facing another recruit directly as they turned.

But no one intervened.

The squad leaders standing on both sides said nothing, and the company commander and instructor standing behind them also remained silent.

After all, they hadn’t yet undergone formal military training.

In a moment, everyone completed the turn and could see the Second Company gathered on the track opposite the parade ground.

“Listen carefully to my command. When I say ‘Begin,’ I want everyone to shout at the top of your lungs: ‘First Company! First Company! Number One Company!’”

Clearly, many recruits of the First Company were puzzled.

What was this about?

The Second Company was right there, also gathered, and even now, Chu An and the others could hear them shouting “Yes, sir!” in unison just like themselves.

But no matter what they thought, Tong Lianzhong spoke again.

This time, not to the recruits.

He looked at the veteran squad leaders: “Watch your own squads closely. Anyone who doesn’t shout loud enough, I want them singled out!”

“Yes, sir!”

The veteran leaders responded in unison.

Then they moved to the side of the formation, facing the recruits, staring intently.

Chu An caught a glimpse of Old Wang standing nearby, looking a bit speechless.

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How had no one realized Old Tong was this tough before?

This was trouble brewing!

It was obvious—if they shouted across to the opposite company like this, how could the other side not respond?

And once the other side responded, it would be over.

The days ahead would be a frenzy of competition.

Everything would be measured against the other company, who would surely do the same.

Standards would keep rising.

For the leaders and commanders of both companies, this was certainly a good thing.

But for them, the recruits undergoing training, it would be miserable.

As a modern man, Chu An fully understood what competition and over-exertion meant.

“Ready!”

At that moment, ignoring Chu An’s inner thoughts, Tong Lianzhong shouted.

Immediately, the recruits prepared themselves.

Some took deep breaths; others clenched their fists tightly.

For these simple young men of this era, many were leaving home for the first time, and most had never interacted with outsiders beyond their village.

They had no understanding of human malice.

Now, Chu An looked around and saw many recruits filled with enthusiasm, daring and unafraid.

Of course—they were young and spirited.

They loved stirring things up.

They had no idea yet what kind of price they would pay later for this.

Naturally, Chu An knew, but he dared not hold back.

Even if he didn’t shout, it wouldn’t change anything.

On the contrary, if Old Wang noticed he wasn’t shouting loudly enough, he might be in trouble later.

So, when Tong Lianzhong gave the command to start, Chu An opened his mouth wide and shouted:

“First Company! First Company! Number One Company!”

“Again! Louder!” Tong Lianzhong bellowed.

Immediately, all the recruits strained their voices and shouted again.

Across the parade ground, the recruits of the opposing company visibly froze, many turning their heads now.

But only for a moment—then their company commander lost his temper.

After Chu An’s group shouted for the third time, the entire opposing company turned around.

...