Chapter 19: Solemn Oath

"Look at what you're saying, are you still being so polite with me here? It's like coming to your own home! Speaking of which, when have I ever been polite at your place? Fourth, do you still remember how I used to rummage through your cabinets for food as soon as I got to your house? No matter how well you hid things, I could always find them."

"Tch, you still have the nerve to say that," Fourth, Gong Jianjun, immediately scoffed at Chen Geng's words, his face full of disdain. "Do you think you found them? That was all my mom setting aside for you... I really don't know who the real son is between us. My mom wouldn't even let me eat those good things, but she fed them all to you..."

"That's right," Chen Geng said with a smug look. "Not only is she your mom, but she's also my mom, so it's only natural that she would set things aside for me..."

In 1985, although many industrial sectors still hadn't abolished the rationing system, daily life was no longer heavily dependent on coupons. With a lot of money in his hands, Chen Geng certainly wasn't going to let his stomach suffer. The table was almost entirely meat, with only a few vegetables and tofu.

The opportunity to eat meat to one's heart's content was rare, and with Chen Geng frequently urging them to drink, the brothers quickly got heated up. They took off their shirts, bared their chests, and gathered around the stove, eating and drinking while boasting. The slightly awkward atmosphere when they first met quickly dissipated in the midst of their banter, and along with it, the meat on the table disappeared rapidly.

The atmosphere was getting lively.

"Without hiding anything from you guys, the reason I dared to come back is because you guys are all still together..."

Chen Geng had just started speaking when the eldest, Song Yuhang, swallowed a thick piece of fatty meat and, without even looking at Chen Geng, swept his hand over the heads of the others and said, "Third, I know what you want to say, but you don't need to say anything. You know the situation of each of us. I'm the best off, working as a small clerk in the government office. Second and Fifth are still waiting for job placements, and Fourth is just a regular worker. Our four brothers are in this situation, basically just getting by.

"But you're different. You could have stayed in the capital and enjoyed a good life, but you still came back. The fact that you're thinking of us brothers makes us all very happy. There's no need to say more. Although we brothers don't have much ability, if you need any help, just speak up, and no one will say no. That's the meaning, so don't say anything else."

"Good!"

Chen Geng nodded heavily. "No need to say anything more. Come on, brothers, let's finish this cup!"

Brothers in arms, fathers and sons in battle. Now he had both. What was there to be afraid of? When he decided to come back, Chen Geng was actually quite anxious, but at this moment, he was filled with unprecedented confidence.

"Good, cheers!"

Suddenly, a timid and clear voice came from the door: "Brother Chen Geng, I heard you're back. Are you at home?"

Hearing the clear, crisp voice outside, the four brothers, who were eating with bare chests and sweating profusely, suddenly froze, all turning to look at Chen Geng with a hint of mischief in their eyes.

At this moment, the floodgates of memory opened, and the image of the lifelong unmarried, melancholic girl suddenly appeared in Chen Geng's mind. He coughed heavily: "Cough, cough..."

Hearing Chen Geng's cough, the clear, crisp voice immediately became excited. As she walked in, her eyes immediately fell on Chen Geng, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, Brother Chen Geng, you really came back! When did you get home?"

"Only a short while ago," Chen Geng tried to act as if nothing was wrong, coughed twice, and asked, "Qianmo, aren't you in class today?"

"Hehe... Brother Chen Geng, have you forgotten? We're on summer break." Standing beside Chen Geng, Qianmo laughed.

"Look at my brain, I forgot about that..." Chen Geng awkwardly patted his forehead and said, "Qianmo, have you eaten? Go get a bowl from the cabinet, and we'll eat together."

Glancing quickly at the brothers, Qianmo said softly, "Thank you, Brother Yuhang, I just finished eating..."

Looking at Chen Geng and Qianmo, Song Yuhang smiled mischievously. "Qianmo, even if you've eaten, you can still have some more. Consider it a welcome back for Third." He then nudged Zhang Xiangyang, who was sitting next to him, and winked, saying, "Second, you still have no sense of the situation after all this time. Quickly make some space, go get a chair, and let Qianmo sit next to Third, and help him with the food."

The phrase "sit next to Third" was incredibly powerful. Without a word, Qianmo lowered her head and obediently walked to the cabinet.

The brothers' eyes darted back and forth between Chen Geng and Qianmo, and someone chuckled. Chen Geng suddenly felt that the laughter was incredibly despicable.

Chen Geng was speechless: "You animals..."

When Chen Geng reported to the Political Department of the military region, he was surprised to find that the leader handling his procedures was none other than Deputy Political Commissar Li Xueshan, who had a good relationship with Director Li Jianguo.

Clearly, Li Jianguo had already spoken to him. Deputy Political Commissar Li treated Chen Geng as if he were his own grandson, his face practically saying, "Ancestor, please stay!"

To persuade Chen Geng to stay in the military region's headquarters, Deputy Political Commissar Li used every trick in the book: "Let me tell you, the leaders of the military region held a special meeting for you. As long as you're willing to stay, you'll immediately enjoy the benefits of a battalion-level officer. Three years! I guarantee it, in three years at most, you'll be promoted to regimental level!"

The leaders of the East China Military Region were really going all out to keep Chen Geng.

Chen Hongjun, standing to the side, was envious and excited: I've been a soldier all my life, and I'm only a battalion-level officer now. It's not clear when I'll be promoted to regimental level, but this brat just needs to nod, and in three years, he'll be a solid regimental-level officer. I must have been living like a dog all these years.

Chen Hongjun was frustrated, but the bigwigs of the military region were even more frustrated. If Chen Geng were not just a newly graduated student, who, according to regulations, could only be given a company-level position, the bigwigs of the military region would not have been so stingy as to only offer a regimental-level position. However, with 5000 years of history being a history of exploiting loopholes, there are always ways to work around policies. A solution had already been found: although the regulations state that Chen Geng is a company-level officer, that's fine; he can enjoy the benefits of a battalion-level officer.

Enjoying the benefits of a higher rank while holding a lower rank is a solution only we, with 5000 years of history of exploiting loopholes, could come up with.

Chen Geng smiled, yes, he smiled inwardly... Only a fool would really laugh at this moment... On the surface, he looked incredibly moved: "Thank you, leaders, for your trust. However, I still want to apply what I've learned and do some practical work with the knowledge I've gained over the years. Moreover, my personality is not well-suited for administrative work, so..."

Chen Hongjun interjected at the right moment, saying dejectedly, "Comrade, this brat is just so stubborn. Before coming, Director Li even tried to persuade this little rascal, saying that if he was willing to stay in the capital, he would help transfer him to the Military Commission, but this little rascal refused, truly a hopeless case."

At this point, although Deputy Political Commissar Li was quite regretful, since Chen Geng was determined to go down, he wouldn't force him. However, since the Third Military Equipment Repair Factory of the military region was still under his jurisdiction, he felt a bit better: "Since Comrade Chen Geng wants to apply what he's learned, let it be. It's good for young people to do some practical work. However, if there's anything the military region needs, you can't refuse."

Chen Geng breathed a sigh of relief and quickly saluted Deputy Political Commissar Li, saying loudly, "Report, Comrade, I am a soldier under your command and a brick of the revolution, ready to be moved wherever needed!"

"Still 'a brick of the revolution, ready to be moved wherever needed,' sounds good, but why didn't you want to come to the military region's headquarters when I asked?" Deputy Political Commissar Li teased.

"Hehe..." Chen Geng scratched his head awkwardly.

"Alright, as revolutionary soldiers, we must unconditionally follow the arrangements of our superiors, but we must also respect the personal wishes of our comrades," Deputy Political Commissar Li waved his hand. As a bigwig in the military region, he had the grace to say, "Comrade Chen Geng, I now announce your appointment on behalf of the Political Department of the East China Military Region."

"Yes!" Chen Geng stood up straight and answered loudly.

Seeing Chen Geng's upright posture, Deputy Political Commissar Li was a bit surprised: Good lad, he still has the look of a soldier.

"I, Li Xueshan, Deputy Political Commissar of the Political Department of the East China Military Region, hereby announce the appointment of Comrade Chen Geng, a company-level officer, enjoying the benefits of a battalion-level officer, as the Deputy Factory Manager of the Third Military Equipment Repair Factory of the East China Military Region. You are to take up your post within three days of receiving this order. July 26, 1985. Comrade Chen Geng, accept your appointment."

After loudly reading out the appointment, Deputy Political Commissar Li extended the appointment letter and said solemnly.

"Yes!" Chen Geng responded loudly, took a step forward, and solemnly accepted the appointment letter with both hands, saying excitedly, "Thank you for the trust of the organization. I will remember my mission, love the Party, love the country, love the people, and serve the people wholeheartedly, never letting the country and the people down!"

PS: The final oath is not exactly like this. To better fit the book, I made a small adjustment. I hope brothers with military service experience will not mind.

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