Chapter 329: Outrageous! A 29-year-old Regiment Commander?
Commander Lin and Brigade Commander Hong were truly coveting Chen Jun.
Before Steel Seventh Battalion arrived at Zhu Rihe exercise, Commander Lin had already heard of Chen Jun’s great reputation and knew quite a bit about his various astonishing deeds.
It was Brigade Commander Hong’s first time serving as a combined arms unit officer, and he felt uneasy in his heart before coming to Zhu Rihe to take office.
In order to lead this combined arms brigade well and break out on this unfamiliar track, Brigade Commander Hong put in a lot of effort and did a lot of homework.
Chen Jun, this “prodigy” who had already established a combined arms company three years earlier, became Brigade Commander Hong’s key target.
He studied all the various plans Chen Jun had submitted, all the theories on combined arms units and combined arms tactics, and Brigade Commander Hong had worn them out flipping through them.
The result was that the more he looked, the more amazed he was, and he grew increasingly fond of Chen Jun.
If there really wasn’t any reason to request personnel, and Chen Jun had already gained quite a reputation in the group army, while Zhu Rihe Base had just started and had no capital, lacking conditions to forcefully demand someone.
Brigade Commander Hong would have personally gone over to pull Chen Jun to serve in the First Blue Army Brigade.
To join hands and create the strongest combined arms brigade together.
Now Zhu Rihe had finally taken initial shape, with enough capital to extend an olive branch, and Chen Jun had also come to Zhu Rihe Base.
It was a perfect once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; missing it would mean regretting it for at least a decade.
How could Brigade Commander Hong and Commander Lin easily give up.
Even though Chen Jun clearly and politely refused, Commander Lin did not give up and continued, “Comrade Chen Jun, excessive modesty is pride. If you’re just a minor talent, then there’s no need for us to do anything. Brigade Commander Hong, don’t you think so.”
Commander Lin used a joking tone to liven up the atmosphere, letting Chen Jun feel his sincerity.
Brigade Commander Hong naturally cooperated highly, unabashedly flattering, “Deputy Battalion Commander Chen, I have been studying you for nearly three years. I have carefully read all your theories on combined arms units.
Your attainments and talent in the military are truly the only ones I have seen in my life. I am very certain and affirmative that you are a person with great talent.
An eagle spreading its wings needs a vast sky; you also need a sufficiently large platform to realize the ambitions in your heart.
Zhu Rihe is the largest combined arms tactics base in the entire army and all of Asia. Only in this place can you, this eagle, spread your wings and soar.”
Brigade Commander Hong’s evaluation of Chen Jun was very high; it was rare for a brigade commander to set aside his status and praise so extravagantly.
In the current era background…
Probably only Chen Jun could receive this!
Commander Lin and Brigade Commander Hong expressed their positions one after another, both giving extremely high affirmation to Chen Jun’s ability; their sincerity was truly maxed out.
If there were no bond from Steel Seventh Company, Chen Jun really might have agreed.
To be highly recognized by the base’s leaders, Chen Jun would definitely be able to fully exert himself here, converting all his lifelong learning into combat effectiveness.
Unfortunately, he had already made a promise earlier; Seventh Company and its brothers had become Chen Jun’s bond.
Therefore, no matter how good the conditions offered, Chen Jun could not be the one to abandon them; for a better future, he would not abandon his old comrades.
So Chen Jun steadied his heart, raised his hand in a salute, and then solemnly said, “Leaders, I am very happy to receive your recognition; this is also the lifelong honor of me, Chen Jun.
But from the first day I joined Seventh Company, my fate has been tightly linked with it. There, not only is there my honor and mission, but also my brothers and family.
Zhu Rihe is indeed a good place, but it is already beyond my reach. If there is a next life, I will definitely come.”
Chen Jun’s words were already very resolute; Commander Lin and Brigade Commander Hong were both stunned for several seconds, unable to believe that Chen Jun would really refuse.
Anyone could clearly see that in the tide of informatization reform, joining Zhu Rihe was equivalent to riding the wave crest; one’s military career would definitely soar, and there was even a chance to reach levels that ordinary people wouldn’t dare dream of.
Yet Chen Jun could resist the temptation, spitting out the immense wealth that was already at his mouth, persisting in guarding his “one-third of an acre” in a small place.
Not to mention Commander Lin and Brigade Commander Hong not understanding, even Man Guangzhi couldn’t comprehend it.
If it weren’t for all the top leaders here, where he had no right to speak, Man Guangzhi would definitely stand up and properly persuade Chen Jun.
Such a good opportunity; don’t miss it.
Commander Lin held back for several seconds, his eyes full of regret and unwillingness, deciding to make one last push and lay out all his trump cards.
“Chen Jun, I admire your integrity, but for the development of the army, I still want to fight for it.
Informatization and digitalization reform is inevitable; combined arms units will inevitably be promoted throughout the army, and this big ship needs a suitable helmsman.
Leading everyone to charge into the era’s tide, forging a kingly division of the new era through thick and thin.
I think you are the most suitable helmsman, and I believe even more that with you joining Zhu Rihe Base, it will definitely enable the entire army to grow rapidly.
Of course, I won’t force you; everything must follow your willingness.
My ability is also limited, and I can’t give you too many privileges. I can only guarantee here that as long as you agree to join Zhu Rihe, I can let you lead a battalion and enjoy deputy regiment level treatment.
And within three years, I guarantee you promotion to deputy brigade commander, and you will have combat command authority.”
When Commander Lin said this, not to mention Man Guangzhi gasping, even the person involved, Chen Jun, was shocked by these conditions.
He had only been deputy battalion commander for half a year, and now with a nod, he could become a deputy regiment level battalion commander.
This was equivalent to jumping two levels again!
Plus the previous four-level jump, adding this two-level jump, it meant Chen Jun had risen six levels in just one year.
From company commander all the way up to deputy regiment commander—it sounded like an exaggerated feat that made people click their tongues.
Even if said out loud, probably few would believe it.
Chen Jun had at least served as a soldier in his previous life; he had never encountered something like rising six levels in a year, let alone it happening to himself.
To say he wasn’t moved.
That would definitely be false.
But as a responsible adult, restraining inner desires and impulses is basic; grass that bends with the wind is doomed not to climb high.
So despite his heart already pounding rapidly, Chen Jun did not immediately agree.
Even Man Guangzhi, who was more anxious than the emperor’s eunuch, was getting impatient for Chen Jun on the side, quietly tugging at Chen Jun’s clothes with his hand.
Hinting for Chen Jun to quickly agree, not to miss this huge opportunity.
Chen Jun was still a few months away from turning twenty-six; even with a second-generation military background as strong as Battalion Commander Gao Cheng in the original drama, at twenty-six he had only reached deputy battalion commander.
Now, as long as Chen Jun nodded, he could become a twenty-six-year-old deputy regiment level cadre.
And he could even at twenty-nine, at less than thirty years old, become a regiment level cadre, and a combined arms unit’s regiment level cadre at that.
A twenty-nine-year-old regiment commander—damn…
This couldn’t even be described with “fierce.”
It was simply insane!
Continuing at this speed, there was absolutely a chance to become the youngest general since the founding of the country.
No wonder Man Guangzhi was completely broken and couldn’t hold back, disregarding the two leaders watching, secretly making small moves to persuade Chen Jun.
And Commander Lin making such a huge promise truly meant he had staked all his capital.
To pull in Chen Jun, he had laid out all his old assets.
If Chen Jun agreed, afterwards, for Commander Lin to fulfill these promises, he would probably have to pay a considerable cost.
However, even if it meant paying a great cost, Commander Lin felt it was very much worth it.
Thus, he looked at Chen Jun with eyes full of anticipation.
The words had already reached this level, so Brigade Commander Hong had no qualification to interject anymore, but this didn’t prevent him from looking at Chen Jun with equal anticipation.
And Brigade Commander Hong felt that Chen Jun would definitely agree; such favorable conditions were once-in-a-lifetime.
Yet in the midst of everyone’s eager gazes, Chen Jun’s firm belief showed no sign of wavering, completely unchanged by external temptations.
He still said powerfully and neither humbly nor arrogantly, “A deputy regiment level at over twenty, a regiment commander under thirty—indeed, there is no reason not to be moved…”
When Chen Jun said this, Commander Lin and Brigade Commander Hong both smiled.
Thinking Chen Jun was going to agree.
Little did they expect Chen Jun’s words to take a sharp turn, his brows furrowing as he fiercely said, “Steel Seventh Company has a saying: never abandon, never give up. This is Seventh Company’s company soul, and also its backbone.
If superiors issue an order for forced transfer, a soldier must obey the order; there’s nothing to say.
But if it’s up to me to choose, even if there’s only a sliver of opportunity, I will not abandon my comrades, nor abandon my old unit.
One day in Steel Seventh Company, a lifetime in it; I will share honor and disgrace with it.”
Chen Jun’s words were filled with righteous passion, his pure heart like blazing flames; everyone present was moved, their eyes showing obvious changes.
Especially Commander Lin and Brigade Commander Hong; even though they wanted Chen Jun so much, they were convinced by Chen Jun’s integrity.
And Man Guangzhi, who had always been influenced by Chen Jun and subconsciously saw him as an idol, completely turned into Chen Jun’s little fanboy.
The future Red Army’s “ghost tormentor” who would become famous throughout the army, the fierce man with the reputation of “leveling Zhu Rihe, capturing Man Guangzhi alive.”
At this moment, his eyes were full of admiration.
Chen Jun took in everyone’s eye changes, seeing that Commander Lin’s resolve was already shaken, and immediately threw out his final trump card.
“Leaders, I am truly sorry to disappoint your favor. To express my apology, I can recommend a talent to you. He is indeed not as good as me now, but his future potential is limitless. With time and cultivation, in the future, he will probably not lose to me.”
When Chen Jun spoke, his eyes sparkled, his words full of affirmation and confidence.
The two leaders were greatly shocked upon hearing this, their expressions changing abruptly at the same time.
“Comrade Chen Jun, since your determination is set, I won’t force it. It’s just that I’m very curious—can you really recommend such a person? If there really is such a person, how could Brigade Commander Hong and I not know?”
Commander Lin actually had some expectation, but his instinct made him not believe it.
He thought it was Chen Jun’s polite excuse after the invitation was declined, words said casually to give them two a way out; not to be taken seriously.
“Hey, Deputy Battalion Commander Chen, since your ambition is not here, let’s drop this matter. Time is about up; let’s go have a casual meal together. No deal but goodwill remains; we will have plenty of opportunities to cooperate in the future.”
Brigade Commander Hong said this and stood up, similarly not believing what Chen Jun said.
Everyone had seen how strong Chen Jun’s strength was; someone who could grow to Chen Jun’s level in the future would definitely already have some fame now.
As people from the combined arms tactics base, it was impossible for them to have missed such talent.
Only Man Guangzhi, who hadn’t spoken, seemed to realize something from Chen Jun’s words, suddenly paling in shock, mouth half-open, eyes full of panic.
With Chen Jun boasting so boldly in front of the leaders, how could it not put immense pressure on Man Guangzhi.
“Leaders, don’t be hasty.”
Chen Jun stopped the two leaders who were about to leave, pointed to Man Guangzhi he had brought, patted his chest and guaranteed, “The person I’m talking about is him. I dare guarantee to you two leaders that his potential is only stronger than what I said, not weaker.”
“Really?”
Commander Lin gave Chen Jun face and didn’t leave, but still held serious doubts.
“Truer than real gold.”
Chen Jun nodded affirmatively, then introduced, “Undergraduate graduate from National University of Defense Technology, graduate from PLA Academy of Military Science, high professional quality, solid basic skills.
During his time as chief staff officer in Steel Seventh Battalion, he could settle down to study diligently and practice hard, and set aside his status to humbly ask questions. From battalion commander to soldiers, all were his learning targets; his progress in all aspects was very fast.
To study combined arms tactics and combined arms units, whenever he had time, he would pester me, humbly learn from me, and picked up quite a few real skills from me.
The reason he is not famous now is mainly because his brilliance was all overshadowed by me.
Under my command and Battalion Commander Gao Cheng’s leadership, Steel Seventh Battalion has covered all aspects; he simply had no chance to display his lifelong talent.
So, I think, rather than letting him be buried in Steel Seventh Battalion, unable to display his lifelong learning, it’s better for him to come to Zhu Rihe to assist you two leaders.
He has now learned fifty percent of my skills; with his high intelligence quotient and excellent character of hardworking study, his future growth is absolutely immeasurable.
With his joining Zhu Rihe Base, it definitely won’t be much worse than if I joined.”
Chen Jun spoke eloquently, finishing a long string, and finally seriously guaranteed, “Leaders, I guarantee with my personal character that there is absolutely no exaggeration; this is my recognition of Comrade Man Guangzhi.
I hope you can accept Man Guangzhi, giving him a sky to display his talent, and also giving your Zhu Rihe one more talented and battle-hardened general.
This is a win-win situation; it’s truly worth you two leaders seriously considering.”
Man Guangzhi had come straight to Steel Seventh Battalion from the academy and truly had no fame outside; Commander Lin originally had no interest.
But after hearing Chen Jun’s introduction, he really became somewhat interested.
Especially since Chen Jun emphasized that Man Guangzhi was personally cultivated by Chen Jun and had learned fifty percent of Chen Jun’s skills; this moved him the most.
Since he couldn’t get the seed player Chen Jun, fishing for a talent recommended by the seed player.
It seemed like a good idea.
It could also be considered not having toiled in vain.
