Chapter 7: A Ray of Hope

More than three hours later, Colonel Yu Hongyang stormed angrily out of the conference room, and the soldiers waiting at the door couldn't help but admire Long Fei. To dare anger a colonel like that—there were probably few company commanders in the entire Northwest Military District who could pull off such a feat.

“Yu, calm down. Like this, the impression isn’t good,” the political commissar followed at his side, softly attempting to soothe him.

“Hmph, that brat, he doesn’t know what’s good for him. When I get back, I’ll remove his unit from the roster. Let him do as he pleases!” Yu Hongyang walked a few paces, then stopped and declared loudly.

“All right, let’s go,” the commissar tugged at him, leading the way to the main gate.

They had come expecting that, after so long, Long Fei would have mellowed, and this visit was meant to offer him a way out. Yet to their surprise, Long Fei was as stubborn as ever, impervious to persuasion. They spoke for over three hours and still couldn’t win him over.

In truth, Yu Hongyang was reluctant to disband First Company. This unit carried his own memories of youth, though he kept those feelings buried deep. A soldier’s duty is to obey orders; what could a colonel do against a directive from the Military Commission? Moreover, with society’s rapid technological progress, the army must abandon outdated practices to keep pace with the times.

When the cavalry was abolished years ago, many reacted with extreme measures, but even that couldn’t stem the tide of reform.

“Hmm, Tang, that soldier over there, why does his silhouette look so familiar?” As they neared the gate, Yu Hongyang spotted Gu Jianfeng standing by the car and turned to ask the commissar.

“You’re right, he does look familiar.” Hearing Yu’s comment, the commissar scrutinized the figure and indeed found him familiar.

Gu Jianfeng, who had been waiting so long he felt the flowers bloom and wither several times, was finally overcome with a hint of weariness—at last, he saw the main figures arrive.

He jogged over to Yu Hongyang and the commissar, snapped to attention, and saluted. “Colonel, Commissar!”

“So it’s you! Are you adjusting well since coming back?” Yu Hongyang smiled at Gu Jianfeng.

Others might not know the story, but as the border regiment’s colonel, Yu Hongyang was well aware of every detail. Seeing Gu Jianfeng, he didn’t quite know what to say.

When Wang Ping passed the Sirius selection, Yu Hongyang had expected it—Wang Ping had shone from the start, immediately catching his eye, and step by step had never disappointed him. Aside from Long Fei, no one could match his achievements.

But Gu Jianfeng’s success had shocked both Yu Hongyang and Tang Jingtong. Especially when they saw his scores—they could scarcely believe it.

Such results, even in a rookie camp just through the Sirius selection, would rank among the top in the elite Sirius Special Forces.

At the time, Yu Hongyang regretted it deeply—he had let such a promising soldier slip away. Yet at the same time, he was glad for Gu Jianfeng, who had found his own path.

“Colonel, I’m adapting well,” Gu Jianfeng replied loudly.

“You’re still not honest with me, are you? Come on, this isn’t a formal occasion—relax a little!” Yu Hongyang punched Gu Jianfeng lightly in the chest and smiled.

“It’s quiet here. I like it,” Gu Jianfeng said with a smile.

“So, what brings you to me?” Yu Hongyang asked directly.

“Colonel, Commissar, I’d like to plead once for First Company. Before the platoon leader sacrificed himself, he entrusted Baiyi to me—I don’t want Baiyi to be left without a home,” Gu Jianfeng requested.

“The entire border regiment, the whole Northwest Military District—isn’t that Baiyi’s home? How could he not have a home?” Yu Hongyang shot him a look.

“Military dogs are like people—the older they get, the more they yearn to return home. I’m asking for a favor for these old dogs of First Company,” Gu Jianfeng’s voice was gentle, but his tone unwavering.

“You don’t need to play the emotional card with me. The army must move forward—these trends are inevitable. I can’t grant your request,” Yu Hongyang’s voice softened, and he sighed inwardly.

“But Colonel—” Gu Jianfeng started, only to be interrupted.

“A soldier’s duty is to obey orders. Do I need to teach you that all over again?” Yu Hongyang said loudly.

“No room for compromise?” Gu Jianfeng pressed.

“There’s one way. In half a year, there will be a military dog competition in the Northwest District. If your company achieves a good result, I’ll promise not to disband First Company.”

Yu Hongyang had meant this as a way to silence Gu Jianfeng, but unexpectedly, Gu Jianfeng seized on it immediately.

“Agreed! You mustn’t go back on your word, Colonel!” Gu Jianfeng said happily.

“Oh, so you’re setting a trap for me? What if your team doesn’t get a result?” Yu Hongyang looked at him.

“I can’t speak for others, but if we get no results, I’ll go to the regiment to tend pigs!” Gu Jianfeng declared loudly.

“Using you to tend pigs? That’s like killing a chicken with a bull’s knife. But if you don’t achieve, you must help me train a sniper platoon!” Yu Hongyang laughed.

“Agreed, it’s a deal!” Gu Jianfeng grinned. No matter what, First Company was safe for now.

On the road, Tang Jingtong smiled at Yu Hongyang, “Yu, that was quite the clever move, wasn’t it?”

Yu Hongyang burst out laughing. “I was just wondering how to broach the subject—never thought he’d walk right into it!”

“Colonel, Commissar, what are you talking about? Why can’t I understand a thing?” the driver couldn’t help but ask.

“To win a place in our district’s military dog competition, you need qualified dogs. First Company now is all retired veterans—they might not even be allowed to compete,” Yu Hongyang explained.

“I heard Baiyi, the decorated dog, just had another litter. Maybe that’s their hope,” the driver said.

“A qualified military dog isn’t so easily trained. Right now, the only dog in First Company that qualifies is Canghai, who’s about to retire,” Commissar Tang Jingtong commented.

For some reason, Yu Hongyang felt a growing hope that First Company might succeed. The thought made him chuckle and shake his head.

After seeing off the colonel and commissar, Long Fei had barely rested two minutes before Old Fu came over. “Captain, we’re running low on dog food, and the company’s funds aren’t much either.”