Chapter 20: Liu Shuanggui is Transferred to a Civilian Post

The sound of synchronized marching footsteps echoed in the distance.

“Damn, these people never miss a chance to watch a good show,” Zhao Zhigang remarked, glancing over.

The battalion commanders of the second and third battalions had arrived, bringing their soldiers with them.

“Old Li, is this what you meant?” asked Xu Gang, the commander of the second battalion, looking at Li Jinghao.

“You got it,” Li Jinghao replied.

“Haha, of course, we’re brothers who’ve shared the same grave,” Sheng Li, the commander of the third battalion, chuckled.

The instructors of the second and third battalions looked at Zhao Zhigang, realizing that nobody could control anyone else; they could only go along with it.

“Where’s Liu Shuanggui? Is he not here yet?” At this point, Major General Chen and Political Commissar Cao had also arrived.

“Major General, Commissar,” everyone stood in unison and saluted.

Major General Chen waved his hand dismissively.

Commissar Cao turned his gaze toward Li Jinghao and, speaking in a voice that only the leading officers could hear, said, “Take it easy on him, he’s still a battalion commander.”

“Understood, we’ll complete the task,” Li Jinghao replied, saluting.

“Heh, this kid,” Commissar Cao laughed, as if this had become his command.

At that moment, Liu Shuanggui arrived, following Xu Zhengqing.

Xu Zhengqing saluted Major General Chen, Commissar Cao, and the battalion commanders, then returned to his position in line.

“Major General, Commissar, how could I possibly beat Li Jinghao? He…” Liu Shuanggui began to complain.

“Liu, are you saying you can’t even compete with a mere company commander?” Commissar Cao’s stern gaze landed on him. He had noticed that Liu Shuanggui, a battalion commander, was so far gone that he couldn’t even manage a proper military salute.

“Major General, Commissar,” Liu Shuanggui quickly saluted.

“Liu Shuanggui, it was Li Jinghao who challenged you. You know the rules of our military district. Commissar and I are just here to observe,” Major General Chen said, his tone clearly indicating he didn’t want to get involved in this matter.

It was high time that Liu Shuanggui was dealt with. He had been in the position of battalion commander for ten years, accomplishing nothing but flattering those in power and currying favor. He held the position but couldn’t even manage his own soldiers, and he felt entitled to more.

“Liu, since the first day I joined the Southwest Military District, you’ve been the battalion commander. Now, I’ve been in the army for 9 years, and you’re still a battalion commander. Well, I’m also a battalion commander now, so today, I’m going to challenge my old battalion commander.” Li Jinghao’s words caused a suppressed chuckle to spread among the group. Liu Shuanggui’s face flushed, turning red and green with anger.

Li Jinghao made a gesture, inviting him to begin.

Liu Shuanggui, already enraged by Li Jinghao’s words, rushed forward with a punch. But Li Jinghao simply dodged lightly, hooking his leg and executing a throw. Liu Shuanggui fell flat on the ground with a thud.

“That must hurt!” Xu Gang said, wincing in sympathy for Liu Shuanggui.

Both Major General Chen and Commissar Cao turned their gaze toward him.

“Ahem,” Xu Gang awkwardly cleared his throat, realizing he had forgotten where he was.

“Li Jinghao, you’re going too far,” Liu Shuanggui groaned, struggling to get up from the ground.

“All units of the first, second, and third battalions, disband!” Major General Chen commanded.

“Yes, sir!”

After a while, the company commanders, along with the soldiers, dispersed, and only General Chen, Political Commissar Cao, and several battalion commanders and instructors remained on the training ground.

“Liu Shuanggui, you were one of the agricultural soldiers I personally trained back then. Though you may not have the skill of someone like Cheng Jinghao, who has been through many battles, you have fought on the battlefield, killed bandits, and even dealt with border outbreaks.”

“Our Southwestern Military District is located at the border with HuaY, where border chaos happens every year, and the number of special forces battles is countless. On the plateau, the local people are living tough lives. What have you done for the country and the people these years? Do you feel at peace with the almost hundred you receive every month in allowances?”

General Chen pointed at Liu Shuanggui and questioned him.

“All you know is to flatter those above and trample on those beneath you. You even wish to pull down young officers of the same rank. Do you deserve to be a soldier of the Hua Kingdom?”

“Since you’re no longer suited for the Southwestern Military District, we will transfer you to a civilian position in another area,” General Chen glanced at Liu Shuanggui and walked away.

Political Commissar Cao shook his head as he looked at Liu Shuanggui. What had become of this once promising officer? What did he think he was doing?

[Originally, they had planned to force Liu Shuanggui to retire, but after checking online, it turns out officers can’t be forced into retirement.]

“You all can go now.” Political Commissar Cao addressed Cheng Jinghao and the others.

“Yes.” Everyone saluted and left the training ground.

What exactly had happened with Liu Shuanggui’s political review was something Cheng Jinghao and the others didn’t know, and frankly, they had no interest in it.

“This time, General Chen’s move was swift and decisive,” Zhao Zhigang was the first to speak when it was just him and Cheng Jinghao left.

“I was just the gun,” Cheng Jinghao made a shooting gesture.

“Wasn’t it you who volunteered to step up?”

“People like him, and his wife too, are prime targets for infiltration by special agents. We can’t take the risk,” Cheng Jinghao said, his tone serious. “Those two are ticking time bombs in the entire military district.”

“You’re right. There’s been movement at the border again,” Zhao Zhigang said, looking at him. “Maybe we’ll be called into action soon.”

“We’ll wait for the news,” Cheng Jinghao replied with a glance at him.

The two of them made their way to another training field, and the conversation ended, switching to training.

A few days later, when the first battalion’s reward was given out alongside their allowances, it was also the day Liu Shuanggui and his family left the Southwestern Military District.

After collecting his allowance, Cheng Jinghao returned five yuan to Zhao Zhigang, and the rest he gave to Lin Momo.

“How much is it?” Lin Momo asked.

“You can count it yourself. Oh, I returned five yuan to Zhao Zhigang for the hairpin I bought for you last time,” Cheng Jinghao explained.

“126.3 is the allowance. What’s the rest?” Lin Momo asked.

“100 is last month’s bonus from my original unit, 30 is the subsidy for your brown sugar and ginger, and 20 is the bonus from the last harvest operation I organized,” Cheng Jinghao clarified.

“My subsidy is more than your bonus? Just for some brown sugar and ginger?”

“We don’t take a single penny from the people,” Cheng Jinghao patted Lin Momo’s head.

“On the plateau, the value of this ginger far exceeds that 30 yuan. Many drivers along this highland road survive just because of a piece of ginger.”

“Cheng Jinghao, do you think we can keep the money from my original unit? Will it feel wrong if we do?” Lin Momo looked at Cheng Jinghao with some unease.

“Where did our original unit go? Why are we here?”

“Momo, us being here is no accident. When my original unit disappeared, the last thing I heard in my mind was: ‘Your mission in this world is complete.’”

“What does that mean? Isn’t it just that my mission is next?” Cheng Jinghao said.

Lin Momo looked at him in shock. “I heard the same words in my mind.”

“So don’t worry about it. We’re here now, and we’re safe. Let’s live well as we are. Why can’t we keep the money?” Cheng Jinghao gave her shoulder a gentle pat.

He would walk the path of his original unit, continuing to protect the country. But what about Momo’s mission? Cheng Jinghao didn’t voice his doubts. If he could, he would help her complete it, but he only hoped that this life she lived would be happy and peaceful!