Chapter 28: Work
"Is there such a possibility? But the likelihood is only five percent. Mainly because the Zhejiang dialect is difficult to learn and speak. Even Chinese people can't get it right, let alone the Japanese. As long as those who speak the Zhejiang dialect, only seventy to eighty percent of them are genuine. If he's not from Zhejiang, we can investigate him. If there's no problem found, we won't lose much."
"Yeah! We're not without resources. Wasting some manpower is nothing."
Wang Hong left, and Zhou Lin, feeling tired, lay down in his clothes and quickly entered the realm of dreams.
The next morning at ten o'clock, Wang Xi came to announce the decision: Zhou Lin's confinement time was over, and he could leave.
Back at his residence, Zhou Lin took a shower, changed into winter clothing, and went to the office.
Zhou Lin was a staff trainee, so he naturally went to the staff office.
The staff office head was a man in his forties, round-faced with small eyes. He was quite friendly to Zhou Lin.
Amid his busyness, he took the time to assign a seat to Zhou Lin.
This seat was by the window, where the morning sun shone onto the desk. Zhou Lin was quite satisfied.
After gathering his office supplies and settling into his seat, the office head came again, asking Zhou Lin to go to the chief of staff's office.
Once inside the chief of staff's office, after giving a report, Zhou Lin entered the office.
"Close the door," said the chief of staff.
Zhou Lin went back to close the office door.
Approaching the desk, Zhou Lin sat down and asked, "Chief of staff, what's the matter?"
Chief Huang said, "You were too heavy-handed yesterday. You left a person severely injured. He has to stay in the hospital for a month. Because of this, the Deputy Chief got angry and wanted to take action against you. I stopped him. Unexpectedly, the chief also spoke up for you."
Zhou Lin guessed that Chief Huang probably knew about what happened with Xie Tingting in the confinement room last night.
"I and Deputy Chief Xie Tingting are college classmates."
"Ah, I see."
Zhou Lin asked, "Does the person I beat up yesterday have any backing?"
"He is from Deputy Chief He's faction."
So that's it.
"I knew it! He deliberately provoked me, wanting to trouble me!"
Chief Huang laughed, "He wanted to save face for himself. Who would have thought you would strike directly? With that one move, you made many who wanted to trouble you think twice. Nobody wants to get beaten."
Zhou Lin said directly, "It's a warning to others to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys."
"I guessed that was your plan. So, I didn't intervene, let them handle it. In the Political Department, they can't make much trouble."
Zhou Lin thought of something, "Uncle Huang, I'm new here, and I don't know the ins and outs. Can you tell me about the situation in each group? Who belongs to whom? With some understanding, I can be more cautious in the future."
Chief Huang praised, "You're a promising talent. I'll tell you."
Listening to Chief Huang's introduction, Zhou Lin finally understood the situation in the Seventh Division.
Initially, the Seventh Division was formed by three local groups. Chief Xie was the leader of the largest local group, and he had studied military science in Japan. So, he held a dominant position in the Seventh Division.
The two deputy chiefs were the leaders of the other two local groups.
Chief Huang was directly assigned by the military.
However, after arriving, Chief Huang allied with Chief Xie. Together, they suppressed the other two deputy chiefs, who couldn't lift their heads.
In resistance, the two deputy chiefs also united.
One regiment belonged to Chief Xie's original old unit. Therefore, the regiment leader, deputy regiment leader, and staff officer were all Chief Xie's people.
The Second Regiment was Deputy Chief He's local group. The regiment leader and deputy regiment leader were Deputy Chief He's people, and the staff officer was Chief Huang's person. The three company commanders of the Second Regiment were staunch supporters of Deputy Chief He.
Lieutenant Zhou Lin was the guard platoon leader of the Second Regiment.
In the Second Regiment, the main officers were Deputy Chief He's people.
The Third Regiment's leader was Deputy Chief Kuang's person. However, due to recent infiltrations, one of the three battalions in the Third Regiment leaned towards Chief Xie.
The Chief of Staff of the Third Regiment was also Chief Huang's person.
The Chief of the Guard Company, the Chief of the Reconnaissance Company, and the Chief of the Artillery Battalion were all Chief Xie's people.
The Logistics Department head was Chief Xie's person, the deputy head was Deputy Chief Kuang's person. The Chief of Staff was Chief Huang's person, and the Political Department head operated independently.
After listening for more than half an hour, Zhou Lin finally understood.
"In the future, I won't be in the dark anymore."
Back in the office, Zhou Lin sat there in a daze.
He was just a staff trainee. Positively, he was a staff member; negatively, he was a handyman.
However, who would dare to let Zhou Lin do odd jobs? Unless you're willing to take a punch to the face.
With nothing to do, Zhou Lin smoked and drank tea. The cigarettes were his own, and the tea was public.
Zhou Lin thought about it. The Deputy Head of Logistics was Deputy Chief Kuang's person. He remembered that he was one of the survivors.
These regiment leaders, battalion commanders, and company commanders, no matter whose people they were, in the end, all sacrificed on the front lines.
They still had the integrity of the Chinese people; not a single one surrendered!
Thinking about this, Zhou Lin's impression of them improved.
Internal struggles were internal struggles, but when it came to national crisis, everyone united against the enemy. Therefore, they were heroes!
In the future, he should refrain from acting rashly!
But who would dare to provoke Zhou Lin in the future?
Just as Zhou Lin was lost in thought, Xie Tingting arrived.
She asked Zhou Lin, "Are you daydreaming too?"
Zhou Lin didn't understand.
Xie Tingting said, "I'm the same as you! They won't let me do anything, so I just sit there daydreaming. Later, I got tired of daydreaming, so I started reading to pass the time."
Zhou Lin asked, "Which department are you in?"
"The Division Propaganda Department."
Zhou Lin nodded, "That department originally had nothing to do; I guess daydreaming isn't just you."
Xie Tingting giggled, "You got it right. As soon as we start working, everyone reads. When the boss asks, they say they're learning from books to prepare for future work."
Zhou Lin said, "That's a clever excuse."
Looking at the busy people in the office, Xie Tingting said, "You're busy here. Why not go help?"
"I didn't study military science. I'm clueless about these things. If I help, it'll only make things busier."
At this moment, the Chief of Staff, passing by, said, "Your awareness is quite high. Even if you don't understand, for now, you can learn. I have a few books in my office. I can let you read them. Learn from them, and you'll be able to lead in no time."
Zhou Lin quickly said, "Thank you, Chief."
Xie Tingting envied, "I want to learn too."
Zhou Lin said, "Tell Chief you're interested in military affairs. Ask him to transfer you to the staff office. That way, we can learn from each other, and we won't become idlers."
"You're the idler! I'm just a rookie."
Xie Tingting went to request Chief, and Chief surprisingly agreed.
Perhaps he thought that women could also be staff members, and being a staff member was stronger than being a propaganda officer.
A day later, Xie Tingting was transferred to the staff office.
The Chief of Staff now had two students, Zhou Lin and Xie Tingting.
(End of this chapter)