In March, the so-called iron-clad barracks with flowing soldiers, the replacement 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 document was issued in the military, and the list of this yearâs replacements needs to be put on the agenda.
Qi Taiguo was appointed to assist in managing the affairs, mainly responsible for the screening of the replacement list this time.
This wasnât 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 Shouwangâs name was also on it.
"So, heâs definitely going to be cut?" Cheng Su asked in shock after hearing Qi Taiguoâs words.
"Itâs 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 names 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 moment and said, "Then you should be careful! Iâm afraid someone 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 donât want to demobilize might somewhat come to ask you for favors, right?" Cheng Su said.
Qi Taiguo didnât consider this before, and said, "Nonsense, how can relationships sort this out? Itâs all about overall quality for the replacements, 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 mean to keep those who canât distinguish left from right, or those injured?"
Cheng Su, seeing his agitation, said calmly, "Iâm just reminding you, given the countryâs condition!"
Qi Taiguoâs face darkened, and after thinking for a while, he said, "Iâll go to the unit and sort things out. Donât wait for me 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 thatâs a good thing or a bad thing!"
...
Chen Shouwang returned home with a dejected look, slumped down, and his entire spirit seemed to have been drained, with a vacant stare.
He hadnât expected that his name would be on this yearâs 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 hadnât taken the wrong step back then, wouldnât his name be on the list now?
Unable to resist resentment and regret, he tightly gripped his hair and tugged at it.
Hualing entered with a basket, hissing from the cold air, and said, "Itâs already March, and itâs still so cold outside. The weather is really abnormal."
Chen Shouwang said nothing.
Hualing changed into slippers, hung up her bag, didnât 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, Hualingâs face dropped, "Iâm asking you a question; cat got your tongue?"
"I..." Chen Shouwang swallowed and said, "My name is on this yearâs military personnel replacement list!"