Chapter 51: A Gathering of Talents

Cao Muhua strolled over to the scorer, took down the scoreboards for both teams, and placed them in front of everyone. With evident pride, he declared, “What more is there to say? The final scores at the cut-off time are right here.”

Yan Song, furious, strode over and pointed at the scoreboard. “Company Commander! That last point came at the exact moment as the signal flare!”

Wang Ji raised his hand, silencing the agitated soldiers.

“Commander, how should this last point be judged? The decision is yours,” he said.

Chen Yukai forced an awkward smile. Just now, as he’d noticed Wang Ji’s unusual movements and turned to exchange glances with him, the final point and the signal flare had occurred simultaneously.

So, in truth, he wasn't clear on the details.

“Ahem! To be precise, this point is debatable. Why don't we let everyone here vote on it?” Chen Yukai handed the decision over to all present.

Cao Muhua jumped up and, without the slightest courtesy, retorted, “Commander Chen, with everyone watching, your blatant bias is hard for anyone to accept!”

“You—” Chen Yukai was so angered by Cao Muhua’s attitude that his face turned green.

Wang Ji, however, stood up and gave Cao Muhua a slight smile. “There's no need for the trouble. We lost this match.”

“Company Commander Wang! Why?”

Everyone turned to Wang Ji in confusion.

“I said, we’ve already lost,” Wang Ji repeated, his tone cold and unyielding.

Chen Yukai gave a helpless smile and announced, “In that case, the shooting contest goes to the Second Company!”

“Hahaha! At last, Wang Ji, you show some self-awareness!” Cao Muhua grinned in triumph, letting loose a torrent of boasting.

Wang Ji remained silent, stepping calmly up to Cao Muhua until only half a meter separated them. He regarded him with a steady gaze.

After a long moment, Cao Muhua, unnerved by Wang Ji’s stare, involuntarily took half a step back.

Wang Ji gave a low, scornful laugh and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, said, “Whether or not your people sabotaged my operation this time, you’d better enjoy your good days while they last, Cao Muhua.”

Cao Muhua was startled by Wang Ji’s words, thinking his scheme had been seen through. He forced himself to sound fierce, though his heart was unsteady. “Wang Ji! Don’t get too cocky! I’m not one to be frightened off. If you can’t lose, don’t play!”

“Commander! Did you hear that? Wang Ji is openly threatening the safety of military personnel!” he called out.

Chen Yukai coughed, pulling Wang Ji aside. He said directly, “The second match goes to Second Company. The overall score is now one to one.”

“Next, I announce the third event: over the course of one month, whichever side first obtains a higher-level crystal core will be declared the winner!”

Wang Ji agreed without hesitation, leading the still-indignant Yan Song and the other soldiers briskly away from the abandoned village.

Cao Muhua lowered his head in brief contemplation, then, wearing an air of supreme confidence, bade farewell to Chen Yukai and swaggered back to base with his men.

On the way, Yan Song, still bristling, said, “Company Commander, I swear I wasn’t lying—the last point should have been ours!”

Wang Ji replied calmly, “The outcome of this match no longer matters. Just now, I received word—our industrial district was infiltrated. Eight dead, seventeen wounded!”

Upon hearing this, Yan Song froze, sobered, pressed his lips together, and stepped hard on the gas. The vehicle shot toward the industrial district like an arrow.

As soon as Wang Ji got out of the car, Li Chengming, his face clouded, came forward first.

“Company Commander, I failed in my duty. The thieves broke into the industrial district, causing heavy casualties. Please punish me!”

Wang Ji patted his shoulder in encouragement. “Chengming, don’t blame yourself. Security is your responsibility, yes, but I’ve seen the footage and reports—those two were professional elite operatives. The fault isn’t yours. Still, we must strengthen security at all vital areas to ensure nothing like this happens again.”

Though still ashamed, Li Chengming’s anger flared. He saluted solemnly. “Thank you for understanding, Company Commander!”

“Tell me, how have you handled the aftermath?” Wang Ji led the way inside.

Xiao Liu, at his side, finally found his voice. “Company Commander, the families of the deceased have been notified, and the compensation and benefits will be distributed today. Repairs to the damaged facilities should be completed in a day or two.”

Wang Ji relaxed slightly and continued, “How’s Liang Jingyang? Any injuries at the communications center—Li Qing and the others?”

“No, the communications center is intact. Old Liang’s arm was hurt, but it’s been treated and isn’t serious.”

“Good. Get everyone to the meeting room in the communications center. We’re having a meeting.”

A short while later, the senior officers of the Independent Company sat grim-faced in the communications building's meeting room, quietly awaiting Wang Ji’s address.

Wang Ji sat at the head for nearly half an hour in silent thought. At last, he looked up, sweeping his eyes over his subdued subordinates, and couldn’t help but find it amusing.

“All right. What’s done is done. This is no time for blame. I’ve called you here today to announce major reforms.”

The group finally relaxed a little. Wang Ji’s silence had weighed on them more than ever.

“First, military reform! Zhao Xiaoquan and Li Chengming are promoted to deputy company commanders! Zhao Xiaoquan, you’ll oversee all matters of the infantry company, with Yan Song as your deputy. The infantry will be expanded by a hundred men to a total of two hundred fifty, divided into five platoons—three infantry, one artillery, and one guard platoon. The exact appointments will be announced soon.”

“Yes, Company Commander! We will not fail you!”

Haozi and Yan Song exchanged a serious glance, pledging their commitment.

“Li Chengming, you’ll be responsible for all reconnaissance matters, with Zhao Wu as your deputy. The reconnaissance platoon remains as before. Additionally, two new units are established: the Intelligence Center and the Security Guard Force.”

“The Intelligence Center can draw on the resources of Cui Dazhou, He Guangsheng, and others. You’re to begin by monitoring everything happening inside the base. Any incident at level A or above must be reported to me regularly! Draft the regulations as soon as possible—I want to see the Intelligence Center’s efficiency.”

“The Security Guard Force will be based on the current militia, with more recruits and double the training to improve their skills in all areas.”

Li Chengming gave a wry smile. “Company Commander, just Zhao Wu and I—we might not be up to the task.”

Fresh from a harsh lesson, he spoke with caution.

Wang Ji glanced around. “Liu Shanye! Go help Li Chengming manage the Security Guard Force.”

Liu Shanye stood up, a little nervous. “Me? Am I up to it?”

“If I say you are, you are. You’ll report directly to Li Chengming, who’ll help you. You’ll have a staff of five hundred, and you must quickly raise their skills. They will take turns training with the regular troops every day, understand?”

Wang Ji knew Liu Shanye’s abilities well—he might lack initiative, but he was reliable and perfect for internal affairs.

Xiao Liu, looking pained, spoke up, “Company Commander, if Brother Liu leaves, I’ll be short-staffed again.”

Wang Ji could only give a similarly rueful smile. Would they have to recruit openly once more?

“Company Commander, if you trust me, I’ve been observing some promising people and can recommend them to everyone,” said Chen Lin.

Wang Ji’s eyes lit up as he turned to Chen Lin. This quiet secretary’s abilities were indeed impressive—she’d anticipated what leadership had not.

“First, there’s a young woman named Lin Xuezhu, a former graduate student in business administration with outstanding competence, currently working under me. I recommend her to Xiao Liu.”

“Then Lin Dongxin, thirty-seven, former security company executive…”

“Li Xin, thirty-four, former hotel lobby manager…”

“Xie Zihao, twenty-seven…”

“Yan Fenqi, twenty-one…”

…

“These are the talents I’ve assessed recently. They’re all people who identify with our mission. If there are no objections, I can arrange meetings as soon as tomorrow.”

Chen Lin put down her tablet with composure, only to find everyone silently staring at her, a blush climbing her cheeks.

“Ah! Sorry, I talked too much.”

Wang Ji regarded her with newfound appreciation. “True talent is right at our side, isn’t it?”

“Indeed! Haha, I’d say Sister Chen is a top-tier talent herself!”

“Company Commander, maybe you should transfer Chen Lin to our market division!” Xiao Liu’s eyes sparkled at Chen Lin, impressed by her unexpected thoroughness.

“That won’t do. I hereby appoint Chen Lin as my chief secretary! Her salary is doubled, and she’ll enjoy the rank of platoon leader,” Wang Ji decided on the spot.

“Next, the second matter—security upgrades. First, regarding the industrial zone intrusion, I take responsibility myself. Our security at each location has been far too lax.”

Wang Ji’s words made Li Chengming and Xiao Liu lower their heads; they were most closely tied to the incident.

Wang Ji set his tablet on the table, tapped it, and a holographic projection of their controlled areas appeared.

“Starting today, the patrol perimeter around the administration building, training camp, and industrial district will be extended by fifty meters. Barbed wire and landmines will be installed. The red-marked areas will have machine gun posts. Patrol routes are displayed here—the frequency must increase, and all entries and exits will undergo two security checks.”

“Li Chengming, I’ve sent this data to your computer. Implement these measures as soon as possible, understood?”

Seeing such a meticulous security plan, Li Chengming nodded with determination.

“With such detailed plans and resources, if I can’t do the job, I’ll hang up my uniform and go farm!”

“Good. The second part is this: everyone here is a core member of our force. From today, you’ll be escorted by two guards at all times and have a dedicated communication channel to report to the Intelligence Center. Personnel assignments and schedules will be handled by Haozi’s guard platoon. In special cases, more guards can be assigned as needed.”

Given that even the personal safety of local power brokers couldn’t be guaranteed within the base, everyone accepted Wang Ji’s arrangements with silent gratitude.