A part of the Kharzisk Group was transferred to Donetsk to take on peripheral defense duties, and the artillery company Gao Yang and his team were searching for was stationed right next to the Kharzisk Group’s first battalion. So, Gao Yang’s team just happened to co across it.
As they walked forward, the Wizard whispered, "Is Vorvitsky the one you promoted to company commander?"
Gao Yang whispered back, "That’s right, that college student showed extraordinary bravery, so I directly made him the company commander. How has he been performing?"
The Wizard nodded and whispered, "His mind is quite calm. Though he doesn’t seem like material for the army, he’s undoubtedly a natural soldier. However, he’s very unsuitable for being an officer; not cut out to lead troops. His performance as a company commander isn’t great."
Gao Yang imdiately felt at ease and chuckled, "Oh? Not performing well, huh? It’s understandable, after all, he went straight from being a college student to a company commander."
The Wizard wouldn’t continue Gao Yang’s topic. As they reached a farmhouse serving as the company’s command post, Vorvitsky was already waiting outside.
Vorvitsky still had that bamboo-like appearance, wearing glasses, standing in front of Gao Yang and his team looking refined and scholarly — definitely not like a company commander.
"Sir, hello, Colonel Ram, it’s good to see you again."
Even when saluting, Vorvitsky was elegant, completely lacking the imposing deanor typical of officers.
But Gao Yang rembered that this bamboo-thin college student soldier, with fourteen rockets, had destroyed three tanks and three armored cars in rain of bullets, proving bravery has nothing to do with appearance.
Returning a salute, the Wizard asked in a deep voice, "Anything unusual here?"
"No, sir."
The Wizard gestured dismissively, "The enemy might have a new offensive, stay vigilant. We’re going to the artillery site, just passing through here. Since all’s clear, get back to work."
"Yes, sir."
"Wait, wait!"
Gao Yang stopped Vorvitsky from leaving, eagerly saying, "It’s been a while, let’s chat a bit before you go, Vorvitsky. I’ve heard you’re doing great, which makes happy."
Vorvitsky shyly smiled and said, "Thanks to your promotion, sir, I have to do my best."
Gao Yang nodded, patting Vorvitsky on the shoulder, chuckling, "Any thoughts on being a company commander?"
Vorvitsky smiled back, a bit awkwardly, "No thoughts, really. Just that the pressure is much greater than before, having to be responsible for many brothers’ lives — the pressure increases."
Gao Yang nodded, "That’s true..."
Before Gao Yang could finish, the Wizard suddenly cut in, "Mr. Ram, we need to head to the artillery site, don’t waste ti."
Gao Yang glanced at the Wizard, noticing nothing unusual, and gestured dismissively, "No rush, no rush. Do you mind?"
"Yes."
Gao Yang imdiately said, "Alright, I’ll say a couple more words and we’ll go, don’t rush ."
The Wizard spread his hands, and Gao Yang quickly turned to Vorvitsky, "I think you should move to a place more suited for you, would you consider..."
"Mr. Ram!"
The Wizard raised his voice sternly, "We should get going."
Just as Gao Yang was about to speak further, the Wizard grabbed his arm and turned to Vorvitsky, "I need to speak with Colonel Ram, please wait."
Afterward, the Wizard forcefully led Gao Yang aside, whispering, "I know what you plan to do. You can’t! Your agreent with our captain was for an artillery platoon, and that ans you can only pick people from the artillery, not infantry, especially officers!"
"I said an artillery platoon, but I didn’t specify it had to be from the artillery. Can’t I let Vorvitsky command my artillery?"
"Infantry officer isn’t part of the deal."
"Yes, exactly, which ans there’s no prohibition on choosing an infantry officer, isn’t that correct?"
"Mr. Ram! Mind your status, your actions are disgraceful!"
"Who’s disgraceful? Who is?! You’re the one blocking the agreed-upon contract; who’s really disgraceful, Wizard? Let remind you, that company commander is my promotion, my discovery, I raised him from a lowly private to a company commander. You say he’s not cut out for commanding, so why stop from taking him away?"
The Wizard was at a loss for words, while Gao Yang disdainfully said, "Speechless? Had you said he was okay as a company commander, I wouldn’t have thought of anything, but since you say he’s not cut out, then why make him a commander and transfer him here? Hmph, you’re clever, but clever can lead to mistakes."
The Wizard sighed heavily, muttering, "In any case, you can’t take him, he’s part of our long-term plans and very important."
Gao Yang patted the Wizard’s shoulder, smiling, "Don’t worry, maybe he won’t want to leave, you’re showing too much urgency, buddy."
The Wizard snapped, "Who knows what shaless thods you’ll resort to."
Gao Yang considered for a mont, whispering, "Alright, I’ll offer a million a year salary as a condition. If he wants to join , you can’t stop him. If he refuses, I absolutely won’t offer any other conditions, agreed?"
The Wizard was furious, "How many can refuse a million a year salary in this world? Hmph! Nouveau riche! Using your wealth to throw money at people, huh."
Gao Yang laughed, "Ah, indeed, I love when people call a nouveau riche, it’s my aspiration. Plus, I love using money to throw around, don’t agree? Use your own money then."
The Wizard exhaled, disgruntled, "Shaless! A maximum salary of one hundred thousand dollars a year!"
"One hundred thousand? That’s nothing, how could I even say that to him? He’s an officer, commands troops, these days, what’s the most valuable? Talent! Only eighty thousand is the bare minimum I’ll offer!"
The Wizard grabbed Gao Yang’s arm, exasperated, "Twenty thousand a year — that’s the max. For Ukrainians, this offer is absurd, buddy. You can’t take all our talented people. If you insist on such extre offers, I won’t continue introducing the outstanding ones to you. Don’t forget your primary goal, buddy!"
Gao Yang frowned, "Twenty thousand? Twenty thousand is easily refused, fifty thousand then."
"Twenty thousand! Only twenty thousand! Vorvitsky won’t agree, and you cannot offer any other terms!"
Seeing the Wizard really upset, Gao Yang thought about it, reluctantly said, "Fine, I’ll offer a twenty thousand annual salary, if he wants to follow , you can’t obstruct him, agreed."
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