719: Chapter 719 A Seventh-Rank Official Before the Prime Minister's Gate

He Dong's eyes carefully scanned the light screen line by line, committing every appointment to memory. The more he read, the more shocked he became, and the more he admired Li Yang's boldness.

After finishing the entire proposal, he immediately stood up straight and spoke to Li Yang in a firm tone.

"Commander, in my opinion, this personnel arrangement is very appropriate, with almost no oversights. The regimental and Deputy Regimental Commanders of our division are all battle-hardened backbones capable of standing on their own. Promoting them to division and Deputy Division Commanders will not only make the most of their talents but also allow us to firmly control the newly expanded units."

He knew better than anyone that with the Independent Military Region newly established, people's minds were unsettled, the external environment was complex, and the local administrative system was resistant.

As the Commander, Li Yang had to establish absolute control in the shortest time possible.

Placing his old subordinates, whom he had personally trained, into key positions was both a reward for their service and a way to consolidate military power.

Otherwise, even if he held a high position, without trusted aides controlling the troops, he would eventually be sidelined and become a Commander in name only.

Li Yang nodded slightly, agreeing with He Dong's assessment, his tone carrying a sense of openness and sincerity.

"Yes, I thought so too. This expansion is a rare Opportunity with many positions available. Rather than giving key roles to outsiders I don't know or trust, I'd rather give them to the old comrades who have been through life and death with me for so many years."

He knew that this practice of prioritizing his inner circle might seem like 'nepotism' or 'favoritism' to outsiders, but Li Yang knew the caliber of his Nineteenth Division's officers very well.

Those who had reached the positions of regimental or Deputy Regimental Commander had all proven themselves in real combat; they were capable, responsible, and had strong moral principles.

People with poor character or those who sought shortcuts could never survive in his Nineteenth Division; he would have cleared them out long ago without mercy.

Promoting his own people was, in essence, promoting those who were both reliable and capable.

Thinking of this, Li Yang suddenly turned his head, his gaze falling on Pal, who stood silently and steadily by his side. With sincere concern and a desire to promote him, Li Yang asked.

"By the way, Pal, I wanted to ask you—what are your plans? Do you want to go down and lead a unit yourself, perhaps as the division Commander of a newly formed division?"

Pal was a veteran who had followed Li Yang from the very bottom. He was loyal, steady, and had strong execution, never wavering in his devotion.

Now that a once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity for expansion and promotion had arrived, Li Yang put him at the top of his core consideration list, sincerely wanting to push his old subordinate forward.

Hearing this, He Dong became excited and discreetly gave Pal a frantic look, his eyes clearly saying:

"Agree quickly! Don't hesitate!"

Everyone knew that Pal had worked tirelessly for Li Yang for many years, but because he had always stayed by Li Yang's side doing support work, his military rank remained at the colonel rank, and he had never held a substantive command position.

But now, with just a nod, he could skip the long promotion ladder and ascend from the colonel rank to a General Officer in one step, commanding a whole division. This was a massive Opportunity that countless soldiers could never hope for in their entire lives.

However, to the utter surprise of both Li Yang and He Dong, after a brief silence, Pal shook his head slightly and said something completely unexpected.

"Captain Li Yang, I've thought it over carefully. I still wish to remain by your side and simply be your adjutant."

As soon as those words were spoken, Li Yang was momentarily stunned, a look of surprise crossing his face.

He had originally thought Pal would accept the appointment as division Commander without hesitation.

This was a golden Opportunity to leap directly from a Field Grade Officer to a General Officer and command a military force—a career path that countless people would fight tooth and nail for.

Even He Dong, standing nearby, was stunned, his face full of confusion, clearly not understanding why Pal would give up such a great Opportunity.

Seeing their surprised expressions, Pal remained as steady and honest as ever, his tone sincere and firm.

Coming back to his senses, Li Yang couldn't help but look at Pal with a teasing smile, raising an eyebrow.

"Adjutant? What, you don't want to be a division Commander? Do you want to skip the steps and become my Deputy Commander?"

As soon as the joke was made, Pal's expression changed instantly. He hurriedly waved his hands in panic, shaking his head like a rattle, his tone becoming urgent.

"No, no, no! Captain, please don't joke like that. I could never handle such a heavy responsibility as Deputy Commander! I just want to stay by your side and handle daily affairs, being your right-hand man, just like I am now."

He was truly startled by Li Yang's teasing; he had no ambition for high office and instead knew the limits of his own abilities very well.

Having followed Li Yang through years of battles across the south and north, Pal understood his own strengths and weaknesses better than anyone.

If he were asked to coordinate details, handle official business, convey orders, and maintain the operation of the Headquarters, he could do it flawlessly and reliably.

But to lead an entire division into battle, coordinate the overall situation, and stand on his own like He Dong—he knew he lacked that kind of boldness and command talent.

For him, rather than going out to lead on his own and facing immense pressure, staying safely by Li Yang's side as an adjutant was the most suitable and correct choice.

Moreover, Pal understood a certain truth better than anyone.

A prime minister's gatekeeper is a seventh-rank official.

He was Li Yang's most trusted and closest adjutant. Throughout the Independent Military Region, no one would look down on him just because he was only an adjutant.

Out of respect for the master, as long as Li Yang was there, even if he was nominally just an ordinary adjutant, everyone would treat him with courtesy and respect.

He wouldn't lack power, status, or a sense of security. In fact, he would be more comfortable and secure than if he were a division Commander in a thankless position.

Seeing Pal's serious and sincere expression, Li Yang understood his thoughts. He didn't force the matter, but simply patted Pal's shoulder, his eyes full of appreciation and approval.

"Alright, alright. Since you don't want to go down and lead a unit on your own, then stay by my side as my adjutant. I really can't do without you here."

To be honest, Li Yang had secretly harbored such a concern.

For so many years, Pal had been his closest assistant, handling the dual roles of adjutant and Confidential Secretary. From conveying military orders to coordinating daily affairs, he handled everything in an orderly and reliable manner.

If he really let Pal go to serve as a division Commander, Li Yang would truly feel out of sorts for a while, as if he had lost his right hand.

Even if a professional and capable person took over, and there were no slip-ups in the work, the position of adjutant involved core secrets, daily scheduling, and personal trust. Ultimately, it was most secure and reliable to have one's own people who were known through and through and absolutely loyal.