Chapter 69: Convincing the Leader to Go
Furthermore, the art troupe did bring a lot of laughter and joy to the camp.
Even if someone else were to do this, they would help.
"Um."
Lu Xiao responded, pulled a stool and sat down, pinching his eyebrows.
"The document says 'rectification,' not 'disbandment.' That's the crack. We need to find a way to open it up a little bit."
He looked at Su Tang, and the worry in her eyes was obvious.
"Lin Qian and the others...especially Lin Qian, whose household registration is here. If they're laid off, they really have nowhere to go."
Lu Xiao paused and added, "Chang Jia mentioned before that he wanted Jian Qiu to join the art troupe. Jian Qiu is really good at playing the hand harp. If this thing can be accomplished, it might be a good excuse."
Su Tang's eyes lit up: "You mean... let Jianqiu in, and then...?"
"Yeah." Lu Xiao nodded.
"'Rectification' can be understood as adjusting the personnel structure, adding fresh blood, and retaining the backbone. People like Lin Qian, who have strong business capabilities, should naturally be retained. Jian Qiu has special skills and can also be considered a supplement."
"In this way, the art troupe's structure remains, and its nature remains unchanged; it's just a matter of optimizing its personnel."
He said it lightly, but Su Tang knew how much effort and risk were involved.
"Is this... okay? Will the captain agree?"
Su Tang was still a little worried.
Lu Xiao pulled the corners of his mouth and revealed a determined smile: "Let's give it a try. The captain hates it most when his subordinates make trouble. If he hears about today's chaos, he will definitely be furious."
"I told him that rather than forcibly disbanding and causing even greater chaos, it would be better to have a smooth transition and retain the necessary propaganda power. He might not have been unconvinced by this reasoning."
He looked at Su Tang: "Besides, don't we still have you?"
"Me?" Su Tang was stunned.
"If I mess up, won't my wife scold me when I get home?"
Lu Xiao rarely made a joke, and there was a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Su Tang's face flushed with laughter, and the heaviness in her heart inexplicably dissipated a little.
She glared at him: "Go away! Who wants to scold you! I'm just worried about you... Don't be too stubborn, the captain has a bad temper..."
"Don't worry, I know what's going on."
Lu Xiao stood up and stretched his shoulders. "Wife, can you give me something hot to eat? I've been running all night and I'm exhausted."
"I've saved it for you a long time ago. It's warming on the stove!"
Su Tang quickly got up and went to the kitchen.
She knew that Lu Xiao always had a plan for doing things. Since he said he had a way and was willing to explain so much to her, it meant that he was really trying to find a solution.
She believed him.
After a while, Su Tang brought out a bowl of hot noodle dumpling soup with a poached egg on top.
Lu Xiao didn't hesitate and started eating.
Su Tang sat beside him, watching him eat, and said softly, "Lin Qian was scared today and cried several times. If only she could stay...it would be great."
Lu Xiao swallowed the food in his mouth and said "hmm" vaguely but clearly: "Try your best."
The next day, Lu Xiao got up at dawn.
Su Tang also woke up and drowsily found the most formal military uniform for him.
"So early?"
Su Tang rubbed his eyes.
"We should catch up with the leader after he finishes his morning exercise and before he eats breakfast, so we can talk to him."
Lu Xiao said as he buttoned his shirt.
Su Tang didn't ask any more questions, but just stood on tiptoe to help him straighten his collar: "Be careful with your words."
"Know."
Lu Xiao pinched her palm, and the warm touch made him feel at ease.
Lu Xiao went out.
Su Tang was no longer sleepy, so he packed up and prepared to go to the hospital early to see Xiao Zhou and Lin Qian.
In the infirmary, the kerosene lamp was still lit, and the light was dim.
Xiao Zhou was on an IV drip, his fever subsided a little, and he fell into a deep sleep.
Lin Qian was lying on the edge of the bed, also asleep, with wet marks on her eyelashes.
Su Tang walked over quietly and touched Xiao Zhou's forehead. Fortunately, the temperature had dropped.
Just as she was about to put some clothes on Lin Qian, Lin Qian woke up with a start.
"Sister Su Tang..."
Lin Qian's voice was hoarse, and her eyes were swollen like walnuts. "Deputy Battalion Commander Lu...did he go?"
"Yes, I went."
Su Tang nodded and said softly, "Don't worry, Lu Xiao is reliable."
Lin Qian looked at Su Tang's calm face. There was no perfunctory look in her eyes, only complete trust in her man.
This trust, like a small match, ignited a little hope in Lin Qian's cold and desperate heart.
"Sister Su Tang."
Lin Qian sniffed, her voice trembling with hope: "You said... can I really stay?"
Su Tang looked at the sky outside the window which was gradually brightening. Lu Xiao should have met the leader.
She shook Lin Qian's cold hand, her tone calm and powerful:
"Lu Xiao said, try your best."
She paused, her eyes firm. He said he would try his best, but he didn't say it completely. But Su Tang knew that he could do it.
Lu Xiao walked in the morning mist, taking big and steady steps, heading straight for the leader's house.
He knew the regiment commander's unbreakable habits: a morning run at six, home for breakfast at six-thirty, and arriving at the office promptly at seven. It was six-forty now, a perfect time to block people.
Sure enough, as soon as I arrived at the gate of the commander's house, I saw the commander coming back with a towel around his neck, all sweaty.
"Captain!"
Lu Xiao stood at attention and gave a standard military salute.
The head of the group is surnamed Zhao. He is in his early fifties, with a burly build, a square face, thick eyebrows, and an intimidating air without even being angry.
He glanced at Lu Xiao without stopping: "Lu Xiao? So early, is there something urgent?"
The voice was loud and clear, carrying the air of someone who had just finished a morning workout.
"Yes, Captain, this is a matter concerning the art troupe, it's extremely urgent."
Lu Xiao followed him half a step behind and got straight to the point.
Captain Zhao nodded and pushed the door open.
The captain's wife was bringing porridge and steamed buns to the table. Seeing Lu Xiao, she smiled and greeted him, "Xiao Lu, are you here? Have you eaten yet? Let's eat together."
"No, sister-in-law, I need to report some work to the team leader."
Lu Xiao said hurriedly.
Captain Zhao sat down, picked up his bowl of porridge, and gulped down a large mouthful before looking up at him. "Tell me, what happened to the art troupe? I heard there was quite a commotion last night."
"The instructor called early this morning to complain, saying someone was threatening with a weapon?"
His tone was calm, but his eyes were as sharp as a knife.
Lu Xiao's heart trembled. Knowing he couldn't escape it, he simply told the truth: "Captain, there was a commotion. The trigger was the news that the art troupe was disbanding. The girls couldn't accept it for a while and were very emotional."
"The weapon...was a wooden sword used as a rehearsal prop. Comrade Xiao Zhou had a high fever and lost control of his emotions when he picked it up. No actual damage was caused. He has been apprehended and sent to the infirmary."
He paused, observing the regiment commander's expression, and continued, "The instructor handled the situation a bit hastily, almost escalating the conflict. After I arrived, I managed to temporarily stabilize the situation, and everyone returned to the dormitory."
Captain Zhao snorted coldly, breaking off half a steamed bun. "Hmph! Lawless! The disbandment hasn't even been officially announced, and you're already making a scene? And even holding a knife? Have you learned anything about your ideology?"
"I think the instructor is right. This kind of atmosphere should be disbanded!"
He took a big bite of the steamed bun, and his cheeks bulged.
Lu Xiao knew that the captain was speaking in anger, but also as a test.
He straightened his back even more: "Captain, if we disband the group directly, I'm afraid the consequences will be even greater."
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