NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18 - Praise from the Company Commander: this method is worth promoting throughout the Company!
Chapter 18: Praise from the Company Commander: this method is worth promoting throughout the Company!
The sound of reading aloud echoed throughout the entire building. Monitors from other classes curiously poked their heads out, each person’s eyes filled with surprise. Downstairs, Company Commander Lin Changfeng and Instructor Wang Fei walked side by side. They had intended to inspect the dormitory building but were greeted by the sound of enthusiastic reading.
Following the sound, they stood in front of Room 202. The squad leader of the neighboring Room 203 observed from outside and saluted upon seeing the company commander and instructor.
After reciprocating the salute, they gestured towards the door of Room 202, asking, “What’s going on?”
The squad leader of Room 203 looked puzzled and said, “I don’t know; it suddenly started.”
Instructor Wang Fei, listening to the reading inside, chuckled and commented, “Reading regulations aloud to elevate ideological awareness?”
Perplexed, Company Commander Lin Changfeng pushed open the door and entered. Li Long, upon seeing them, quickly stood up and saluted. The other recruits followed suit.
After the greetings, the company commander gestured for them to finish and turned to Li Long, asking, “What were you doing?”
Li Long hesitated, then asked Chen Ming to explain. Chen Ming clarified, introducing the concept of “Crazy English” and explaining the benefits of reading aloud for memory enhancement.
Impressed, Company Commander Lin Changfeng said, “Your innovative approach is commendable. Let’s implement this throughout the company. If it proves effective, our Recruit Company Two will surpass the others in regulations.”
Towards the end of the recruit training, an assessment would cover various aspects, including rules and regulations. The results would determine the recruits’ future paths. If Chen Ming’s method worked and spread throughout the company, they would gain an advantage in regulations.
Excited about the potential, the company commander instructed Chen Ming to lead the recruits using the “Crazy English” method for regulation memorization.
Chen Ming saluted and promised to fulfill the task. Pleased, the company commander patted him on the shoulder and said, “Do well!”
Later, the company commander and instructor went downstairs, and the squad leader blew the assembly whistle. The instructor, armed with a horn, directed everyone to bring their rule books when going downstairs.
The entire recruit building buzzed with activity and a sense of urgency in a moment. After returning to the dormitory, numerous individuals promptly removed their coats, preparing to take showers.
When the assembly whistle blew, everyone hurried into action—putting on clothes, slipping into shoes, and descending for the assembly. Approximately ten minutes later, the recruits of the entire company stood in orderly formation, having completed the assembly downstairs.
Many bewildered faces among the recruits reflected uncertainty about what had happened. Some with vivid imaginations even wondered if something had gone wrong with the pleasant days they were experiencing.
The company commander stood at the forefront, announcing, “Starting today, every night from 8:00 to 9:00, for one hour, assemble here to recite regulations with Comrade Chen Ming.”
Afterwards, the company commander turned towards Chen Ming and said, “Comrade Chen Ming, step forward.”
Chen Ming emerged from behind the squad leader, walking to the company commander amidst the attention of everyone.
“Isn’t this the lad who was punished with a run yesterday?”
Some whispered, recalling the four individuals who were made to run ten laps by the squad leader the previous day, a spectacle witnessed by many.
What puzzled them even more was why someone punished just yesterday suddenly received attention from the company commander. Moreover, he was entrusted to lead their studies. The company commander observed Chen Ming’s approach, nodding silently in approval. It required courage to walk confidently under the scrutiny of so many.
“Alright, for the next hour, it’s in your hands,” declared the company commander before turning away, joining the instructor at a distance to observe Chen Ming.
Turning around, facing countless pairs of eyes, Chen Ming’s expression remained unchanged. In his previous life, he served as a cadre in the university’s propaganda department. He encountered the learning method of “Crazy English” during his senior year while preparing for the CET-4 exam. Being a cadre required speaking on stage, honing his mental fortitude and courage. Thus, facing this situation was just a small challenge for him.
Standing before all the recruits, assuming the role of an instructor, Chen Ming surveyed them and shouted, “Do you find yourselves getting drowsy as soon as you open a book? Does seeing a thick book of regulations make you think it’s impossible to memorize?”
Listening to his words, the recruits exchanged glances.
“Damn, he understands this too?”
“If it weren’t for the difficulty in reading, my grades would be excellent!”
“Can we please stop memorizing regulations? This thick book might as well be the death of me.”
The recruits nodded in agreement. Chen Ming had accurately identified their struggles in studying – feeling drowsy and finding the regulations too challenging to memorize.
“It’s okay!” Chen Ming shouted, “If you can’t memorize it, the method is wrong. Next, follow my method to recite the rules and regulations. I guarantee that after some time, you will see results!”
Everyone was shocked, furrowing their brows and looking at Chen Ming with a hint of disbelief.
“Open the first page of the first chapter of the regulations,” Chen Ming directed, flipping his copy under the lamplight. He had them read aloud together.
As everyone began to open their books and read, their voices were low – perhaps due to exhaustion or a lack of enthusiasm.
Observing this, Chen Ming shouted, “The voices are too low. I can’t hear them!”
The reading voices gradually increased, but they were still not loud enough.
Chen Ming shouted again, “Have you all not eaten? Shout louder for me!”
Now, they began to shout, each word resounding with determination.
Chen Ming roared, “Louder! Have none of you eaten? Give me a louder voice!”
At this point, they started to shout with increased volume, their voices almost vibrating through the night sky.