Chapter 260: Chapter 257: Captain Ling Making the Rounds

While handling affairs, Ling Chengyan was almost constantly paying attention to the follow-up arrangements for Yang Hua’s case. She would often find or make up reasons to visit the district office and present herself in front of Political Commissioner He and Chief of Staff Xing every day.

Even the usually joking Chief of Staff Xing couldn’t help but feel helpless, saying to her, “Captain Ling, there’s no need for you to come here every day. I’ll inform you at the first opportunity when there’s news.”

Ling Chengyan readily agreed, “Okay, okay, I’m just here to deliver a document.”

Though she agreed easily, she still kept coming.

Political Commissioner He and Chief of Staff Xing had no choice but to make every effort to relay the issue to higher-ups and fight for Yang Hua’s cause.

A week later, Ling Chengyan went back to Chief of Staff Xing’s office in the district, only to find it empty.

She then turned to Political Commissioner He’s office, but again found it empty.

Checking the time, she took a signed document from her bag and went directly to Han Guangchuan’s office.

Knock, knock, knock, she knocked on the door: “Reporting!”

The door opened, and it was Han Guangchuan’s orderly.

Upon seeing Ling Chengyan, he was momentarily taken aback. As he invited her in, he turned to report to the leader, “It’s Captain Ling.”

Entering the room, Ling Chengyan saw Leader Han, along with Political Commissioner He, Chief of Staff Xing, and other main leaders.

Political Commissioner He grinned and quickly lowered his head to conceal his smile when he saw her.

Chief of Staff Xing rolled his eyes dramatically: even after ’hiding’ in the leader’s office, she still managed to find her way here.

Leader Han was the calmest, greeting her with a kind smile, “What can I do for you, little Han?”

Ling Chengyan hurriedly handed the document to Political Commissioner He at the leader’s desk, explaining, “Leader, our company’s training plan for next month needs your approval. The schedule is rather tight… so I brought it directly.”

Normally, the training plan is first submitted to the political officer, and then Political Commissioner He takes it to the leader for approval. Her last statement was meant for Political Commissioner He.

Chief of Staff Xing couldn’t help but roll his eyes again: She could at least be more convincing with her excuses; who would buy that?

Political Commissioner He shot her a glance, quickly scanning the plan before handing it to Leader Han.

Leader Han took the training plan but didn’t immediately read it. Instead, he gestured to a chair that the orderly had brought over, “Little Ling, sit and talk.”

Ling Chengyan thanked him and sat down, placing her hands naturally on her knees and sitting upright, waiting for the leaders’ instructions.

She realized, roughly, that the decision regarding Yang Hua’s placement must have been made.

Leader Han spoke up, but not about Yang Hua’s matter: “This plan of yours is not required for now, just put it aside…”

Ling Chengyan’s heart tightened as she recalled the basketball match held in the provincial city previously.

In that battle, our army triumphed gloriously, thoroughly defeating the small neighboring country in the south. However, that rabid small country wasn’t subdued and persisted like an annoying pest. After our army withdrew, they trailed behind, continuously harassing the border.

More than two years have passed, but the border conflict hasn’t ended completely, remaining in a stalemate with occasional small-scale border skirmishes and clashes.

The situation is like a toad crawling on one’s foot — it can’t bite, but it nauseates people. Due to the frequent minor conflicts, the border garrison remains stationed. Ling Chengyan has personally experienced that environment and climate, with year-round heat, heavy rain, humidity, pests like snakes, insects, rats, and ants. Even without war casualties, the harsh climate causes discomfort and even severe skin diseases or other illnesses, troubling the stationed officers and soldiers.

It’s not just Ling Chengyan; even He Limin and Xing Jingyun have adopted grave expressions.

Leader Han’s tone was calm but solemn, “The front line requires a select group of outstanding combat personnel from our district for rotation. As a spearhead company in our district, you must be fully prepared for mobilization and psychological readiness.”

Ling Chengyan stood up and saluted, “Yes, sir.”

Leader Han gestured for her to sit and continued, “Yang Hua in your company is an excellent soldier who, at a critical moment, did not fear death and saved many comrades. He is worthy of our praise and learning. Therefore, with the approval of the district leadership, he has been specially awarded a place for further studies. Moreover, he can choose between wartime management and the military medical university.”

Ling Chengyan was so excited that she sprang up, saluting, “Yes. On behalf of Yang Hua, I thank the leaders and the organization.”

Leader Han waved with a smile, while Political Commissioner He finally couldn’t hold back his laughter, and Chief of Staff Xing’s eyes rolled up dramatically, “Alright, you’ve learned what you need to know, now go back.”

This time, Ling Chengyan didn’t hesitate, cheerfully agreeing as she turned and left.

Chief of Staff Xing followed her to the door, whispering a reminder, “Put off the pre-war mobilization until official notice. First, prescreen your candidates; our district has about fifty spots.”

Ling Chengyan was taken aback: only fifty people?

However, she didn’t voice this concern, and after a brief moment of surprise, she solemnly agreed and left.

The district detachment likely means that most soldiers would come from field troops, which are direct forces. Their district troops are akin to ancient garrison soldiers, mainly responsible for regional security defense. In terms of equipment and combat strength, they generally can’t compare with the field army units.

Back at the company HQ, Ling Chengyan first communicated Yang Hua’s situation to Xu Dong. She quickly decided that she and Xu Dong would drive to the provincial city as soon as possible to deliver the good news to Yang Hua. As for which option to choose, it was up to Yang Hua to decide.

Before setting off, she hurried to the finance office to borrow some money.

On this trip to the provincial city, she planned to purchase a batch of emergency medications for mosquito prevention, snake and rodent repellents, diarrhea and dysentery treatment, skin disease management, etc.

She couldn’t manage everyone, but for any of her soldiers selected, she intended to provide an emergency medical kit that would last two to three months.

In terms of combat strength, Xu Dong couldn’t compete with Ling Chengyan, but when it came to strategy and understanding others, he feared no one.

After the Company Commander returned from the district, although there was joy on her face, Xu Dong felt it was merely superficial, masking something underneath. When they reached the provincial city and he saw Ling Chengyan purchasing so many medical supplies, it aroused his suspicion.

Without an official notice, Ling Chengyan couldn’t say much and only mentioned a training plan, preparing to go to the swamp wetlands.

After the Lunar New Year, they had just completed an external training session at the coastal wetland, and it wasn’t possible to schedule another one a month later.

Xu Dong sensed that Ling Chengyan’s words were not sincere, but he did not delve deeper. Being in the military, he naturally understood the confidentiality rules; certain things can’t be discussed before being officially notified.

Yang Hua’s wound recovery was going well, but his spirits were low. The once jovial and somewhat annoying sunny youth had suddenly turned gloomy.

Ling Chengyan, fully aware of Yang Hua’s situation, knew that after being injured, Yang Hua had written to Tang Weiwei (a teacher girlfriend he met during a social event), initiating a breakup.

He felt that, being injured and disabled, he shouldn’t burden someone as good as Tang Weiwei.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep