Chapter 42: The Trousers Actually Exposed My Buttocks

Chapter 42: The Trousers That Almost Exposed His Bottom

(I)

"This kid actually says he’s addicted to running!"

As Chen Bo finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.

Was it really that funny? Running could certainly be addictive! Guan Shan held his enamel mug, forced into an awkward smile along with the high-ranking officers. He was quite thirsty, but it didn't seem appropriate to tilt his head back and gulp down water right now.

"That is exactly why this kid is a natural-born signal soldier!" Li Yunlong added with a chuckle.

The Deputy Chief of Staff, noticing Guan Shan's thirst, gestured to him and said, "Drink your water, why are you just holding it?"

"Right, right, have a drink first, then tell us the details!" the Commander added.

Guan Shan’s throat had been parched with nerves for some time. He took the mug, tilted his head back, and drained it in one go. After wiping his mouth, he looked left and right, hesitated, then looked at the Commander and asked, "Where should I start?"

It was a perfectly normal question, yet it triggered another roar of laughter from the officers, staff, and clerks filling the room.

"Where to start?" The Commander pondered for a moment, then pointed at Guan Shan. "You took the grenades from the liaison office. Yes, start from why you took them from there!"

"The grenades? Oh, when we were training, our regimental commander, given our current shortage of firearms and ammunition, made specific tactical deployments. The general idea was to combine firing with explosives, focusing primarily on explosives... I think that was it," Guan Shan explained.

Several officers began pulling out small notebooks to record this.

Zhao Gang and Li Yunlong exchanged a knowing look and pursed their lips; this was something they had refined and polished together while drinking the night before.

The commander of the special task regiment gave Li Yunlong a thumbs-up. "Impressive, Old Li!"

"Just average, just average, haha! Oh, let me introduce him further to the Commander and the other leaders. Comrade Xiao Guan is a top talent we selected during our regiment's grand training. He’s a local lad, his home isn't far, and he’s been in the army for less than half a year. During the Independent Regiment's recent training, his grenade throwing distance and accuracy were in the top three of the entire regiment, and he was first in cross-country running!" Li Yunlong said proudly.

The Commander nodded and said, "Good! Let’s give Comrade Xiao Guan a round of applause!"

The room broke into applause and cheers. Guan Shan offered a military salute in thanks, watching as Li Yunlong grinned so wide his mouth looked like a waistband.

(II)

"Alright, Xiao Guan, continue!" the Deputy Chief of Staff prompted.

"Yes, sir!" Guan Shan continued. "Next was reading the map. I only learned that recently. Both our regimental commander and political commissar guided me. For a few weeks, when I had a leg injury and was doing odd jobs at the headquarters, I also asked the staff officers for advice, and I’m still learning now..."

Everyone nodded frequently.

"The culture of learning among all personnel in the Independent Regiment is excellent. It should be commended, and other units should follow suit!" the Commander instructed, and the Deputy Chief of Staff signaled for a staff officer to record it immediately.

Once the Commander finished, Guan Shan continued: "As for calculating the time, our commissar taught me, and we also have a mapping expert, Teacher Bai. I met him while on a mission and often asked for his advice later. So yesterday, when I heard the militiamen mention that road, I roughly calculated the time..."

Guan Shan followed the general direction agreed upon by Zhao Gang and Li Yunlong the previous night, putting it into his own words as he reported the details to everyone.

"This kid has a decent memory!" Zhao Gang whispered to Li Yunlong.

"Hey, hey, Old Zhao, did you notice? Those guys are staring with wide eyes! I’m telling you, if anyone tries to poach Xiao Shan, you have to stand with me!" Li Yunlong whispered back.

"Who? Who? Why would they poach our soldier? That won't do!" Zhao Gang also became tense.

Guan Shan continued his report. Regarding the part where he didn't dare go down to check after throwing the grenades but instead rushed back to report, he told the truth: "I was too nervous at the time. My palms and feet were sweating, my legs were weak, and I was afraid the Japanese soldiers weren't completely dead. So, I didn't dare go down to check. I just slid down the mountain and ran back to the telephone point to call the commissar and report..."

As he spoke, Guan Shan touched his bruised forehead—a result of falling on the mountain path when his legs gave way.

(III)

"Comrade Guan Shan." The Commander addressed him very formally, and Guan Shan immediately snapped to attention.

"Do you know how many Japanese soldiers your three bundles of cluster grenades killed?" the Commander asked.

Guan Shan shook his head and answered truthfully: "I only found out last night!"

"And do you know the results and casualties of your regiment's 2nd Battalion at the cliff-side blocking position behind Chenjiayu?" the Commander asked again.

"I found out about that last night, too!" Guan Shan looked at Zhao Gang, who turned his face away, unable to hide his sorrow.

Li Yunlong sighed and patted Zhao Gang on the shoulder, whispering, "I'm sorry, Old Zhao. It’s my fault."

After the Commander asked this question, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy once more.

The Commander fell silent for a moment, looked Guan Shan up and down, frowned, and pointed at him. "Turn around and let me see!"

Guan Shan, feeling embarrassed, pulled at the back of his jacket and hesitated before turning halfway around.

The entire room burst into laughter yet again.

It turned out that Guan Shan’s uniform looked fine from the front, but the back was a sorry sight. The fabric was torn in countless places by branches and jagged rocks. He hadn't had time to patch it properly and had only used a needle and thread to make crude, messy stitches that looked like several ugly giant centipedes crawling across his back.

Most importantly, his trousers were worn thin at the seat, also crudely stitched. Had they not been mended, his bare bottom would have been exposed.

"You son of a bitch! You didn't even think to change your pants! Coming here with your butt hanging out, you’ve made me lose all face!" Li Yunlong cursed angrily.

After scolding him, Li Yunlong suddenly felt something was off, as everyone was laughing even harder.

The Commander chuckled a few times, turned to his staff officer, and said, "Xiao Song, I have a set of new, unworn uniforms. Help me get one and give it to Comrade Xiao Guan! Go on, go on, Xiao Song, go take Comrade Xiao Guan to change."

Once Guan Shan left the operations room, holding his trousers, the laughter gradually subsided. The Commander looked up at Li Yunlong and asked, "Li Yunlong, how do you plan to use this soldier in the future?"

"Huh? Use him?" Li Yunlong was stunned and instinctively looked at Zhao Gang.

"Sir, I actually have an idea I’d like to share..." Chen Bo raised his hand to request the floor.

Li Yunlong’s eyes darted, and he interrupted Chen Bo, saying, "Commander, regarding Xiao Guan, isn't he just the right person to assist Chief of Staff Chen with a mission?"

Chen Bo paused, thinking to himself that Li Yunlong wasn't usually this generous!

"Commander, you know that our Independent Regiment suffered a heavy loss at the blocking position behind the mountain yesterday. Since Yang Village, this is yet another blood debt those little Japanese devils owe our Independent Regiment!" Li Yunlong stood straight, his eyes seemingly bloodshot as he spoke.

Everyone turned serious, and Zhao Gang’s expression revealed a fierce intensity.