In March, the so-called iron-clad barracks with flowing soldiers, the replacent of the old with the new is a necessary process to keep the military alive and vibrant. Every year, soldiers of certain age retire, making way for new blood. Thus, a red-headed docunt was issued in the military, and the list of this year’s replacents needs to be put on the agenda.
Qi Taiguo was appointed to assist in managing the affairs, mainly responsible for the screening of the replacent list this ti.
This wasn’t unexpected. He had known this would happen since last year. Besides those who reached the age limit, there were the unproductive ones, and just like the general list before, Chen Shouwang’s na was also on it.
"So, he’s definitely going to be cut?" Cheng Su asked in shock after hearing Qi Taiguo’s words.
"It’s not completely set yet. Most of the list is submitted by lower levels, then screened level by level. If there are no issues on my side, I mark the nas and pass it up, and that basically sets it!" Qi Taiguo said.
"So, your checkpoint is quite critical then?"
Qi Taiguo nodded, "You could say that!"
Cheng Su thought for a mont and said, "Then you should be careful! I’m afraid soone might approach you to pull strings!"
Qi Taiguo was taken aback, "Pull what strings?"
"The finalizing of the list is done on your end. Those who don’t want to demobilize might sowhat co to ask you for favors, right?" Cheng Su said.
Qi Taiguo didn’t consider this before, and said, "Nonsense, how can relationships sort this out? It’s all about overall quality for the replacents, especially for those who have aged. The country needs to maintain robust combat capability, so it naturally has to replace the old, weak, sick, or disabled. Pull strings? Does it an to keep those who can’t distinguish left from right, or those injured?"
Cheng Su, seeing his agitation, said calmly, "I’m just reminding you, given the country’s condition!"
Qi Taiguo’s face darkened, and after thinking for a while, he said, "I’ll go to the unit and sort things out. Don’t wait for to eat." He said this and left with big strides without waiting for Cheng Su to reply.
Cheng Su sighed, rubbed his belly, and said, "Your dad is so straightforward, not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing!"
...
Chen Shouwang returned ho with a dejected look, slumped down, and his entire spirit seed to have been drained, with a vacant stare.
He hadn’t expected that his na would be on this year’s downsizing list. Being cut, what else could he do? He was nearly forty this year, had been in the army for decades, and had never learned any other livelihood skills. What could he do?
If he no longer served in the army, would he go back to the countryside to farm? Hualing would probably take their son and leave him, right?
Chen Shouwang felt inexplicable fear, held his face with his hands, at a loss, and deeply regretted.
If he hadn’t taken the wrong step back then, wouldn’t his na be on the list now?
Unable to resist resentnt and regret, he tightly gripped his hair and tugged at it.
Hualing entered with a basket, hissing from the cold air, and said, "It’s already March, and it’s still so cold outside. The weather is really abnormal."
Chen Shouwang said nothing.
Hualing changed into slippers, hung up her bag, didn’t hear a reply from Chen Shouwang, so she turned back to look and frowned, "Why are you hanging your head like that?"
Chen Shouwang stared blankly at her, not knowing what to say.
Seeing this, Hualing’s face dropped, "I’m asking you a question; cat got your tongue?"
"I..." Chen Shouwang swallowed and said, "My na is on this year’s military personnel replacent list!"
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