Chapter 193: Order From Military District Headquarters
The next morning.
T Division Headquarters meeting room.
The chief officers of the 701 Regiment, 702 Regiment, 703 Regiment, Artillery Regiment, Army Aviation Brigade, and Division Reconnaissance Battalion—all of them without exception—gathered here.
At a glance, they were all colonels, each with a more serious expression than the last.
Everyone knew the theme of this meeting, but no one knew whose home the military reform knife would fall on, or in what way it would come down.
The unknown is often the most frightening.
Everyone could only carry their uneasy hearts up and down, waiting in this tense and anxious meeting atmosphere for the big knife that was about to fall.
Not long after.
The Division Commander and Political Commissar pushed the door open together and walked straight to the main seat at the front.
“Attention!”
With one order.
All the officers present stood up sharply, except Regiment Commander Wang, who was a beat slow.
Regiment Commander Wang’s emotions were inexplicably uneasy, making it impossible for him to concentrate. He had just zoned out while sitting there, so his reaction was a bit slow.
Fortunately, the venue atmosphere was extremely heavy, and everyone present was preoccupied with their own concerns.
They couldn’t even take care of themselves, let alone have the mood to care about others.
“I am very grateful for everyone’s support of my work, which gives me more confidence. Thank you, please sit.”
The Division Commander walked to the main seat, first saluted, then smiled and expressed thanks, then took off his hat and put it on the table, pulled out the chair, and sat down.
The smile on the Division Commander’s face was very out of tune with the heavy atmosphere on site.
The people present couldn’t understand what it meant, and didn’t know how the Division Commander could still be happy. The regiments below were being demilitarized, which was equivalent to also demilitarizing T Division.
Regiment Commander Wang, who was already uneasy, frowned even more as he looked at the Division Commander.
“The main topic of today’s meeting, I believe everyone already knows. I won’t repeat it. Let’s get straight to the point.”
The Division Commander gave a simple opening remark, then went straight to the theme: “The era is progressing, technology is developing, and the form of warfare is also upgrading.
Reform is an inevitable trend and imperative. If we don’t want to be eliminated, we must keep improving.
Before this, we have reformed several times, all major reforms that touched the bones. Each time we started nervously, but the results were good, with combat effectiveness growing rapidly.
From relying on two legs to run to motorized, then from motorized to semi-mechanized, from semi-mechanized to mechanized.
Now, a new era has arrived. The entire army must transition from mechanized to the informatization era, a completely unfamiliar new era.
You have hesitation, nervousness, doubts—I can understand all that, but that’s not a reason, right?”
The Division Commander paused specially here, his gaze slowly sweeping from left to right, allowing all the chief officers present to absorb what he said.
Only then did he continue: “Actually, most of you have experienced this situation before. You’re not unfamiliar with reform—in fact, you’re very familiar with it.
Frankly speaking, every reform process is not easy; it can even be described as difficult.
But does difficulty mean we shrink back? Does difficulty mean we get defeated? Does the glorious history and honor of our army allow us to do that?
No!!
We must carry forward the hardworking and enduring spirit of our army, face difficulties head-on and solve problems—that’s what we must do.”
As the Division Commander spoke, his fingers tapped the table, the crisp thumping sounds reaching everyone’s ears like thunder, sobering the mind.
The low, oppressive atmosphere in the venue was greatly eased because of this.
“I know what you’re all worried about and concerned about—nothing more than the issue of who stays and who goes, which is also inevitable.”
As the Division Commander spoke, his gaze glanced at Regiment Commander Wang, then quickly shifted away.
He continued: “In the previous reform processes, we sent away many old troops, including many glorious ones with history.
From a personal emotional perspective, you don’t want them to go, and I even less so.
But for the long-term development of the troops, to adapt to modern warfare forms, from a macro perspective, we must do this.
The old ones, even if they are confirmed to be the best, we must still do this.
Because we only need the most suitable. Anything that doesn’t fit national conditions and modernization, no matter how good, we must bear the pain to part with.”
The Division Commander’s words cut to the heart, each sentence sincere from the depths of his heart.
His eyes, full of emotion, were a bit redder.
All the battalion and regiment-level chief officers on site were moved by the Division Commander’s words, realizing the huge impact of informatization. They must—and could only—accept the military reform.
If they stubbornly clung to the old and refused new things, they would definitely be eliminated by the world in the future.
The Qing government that closed its doors to the world.
It was a bloody example right in front of them!
The Division Commander attacked from both emotional and realistic aspects, using objective and subjective dual-channel analysis to make everyone present realize the inevitability of military reform.
He then entered the core—how exactly the knife would fall.
“The military region’s document has come down. To steadily advance the military reform, it has been decided to first adopt a pilot in our division, then promote it comprehensively.”
At this point, the Division Commander looked at Regiment Commander Wang again and called his name: “Regiment Commander Wang.”
“Here!”
Regiment Commander Wang stood up, expressionless.
Being a pilot was equivalent to being the first experimental subject to be cut. His regiment becoming an experimental subject—any regiment commander would be in a bad mood.
The other regiment commanders, hearing the 702 Regiment named, knew that this time it was the 702 Regiment getting the knife.
They all secretly breathed a sigh of relief!
Strangely, the Division Commander raised a smile again, stood up, walked to Regiment Commander Wang’s side, and said: “The military region didn’t specify which regiment, but after a meeting of the division party committee, it was unanimously decided that the 702 Regiment would be the pilot unit.
This Sword Operation confrontation exercise has already exposed the biggest problem with our infantry regiments now, which is the lack of information confrontation capability.
So, to strengthen your 702 Regiment and also to meet the demands of informatized warfare.
The military region has decided to form an Electronic Warfare Company, and it’s the only all-officer company in the entire group army, to replace your regiment’s current Sixth Company.
The Great Merit Sixth Company is a historical honor troop—we all know that, and I know you’ll find it difficult too.
But I hope you can support my work. Whatever difficulties you have, just tell me. As long as it’s doable, I’ll find a way for you.”
Regiment Commander Wang, who originally thought it would cut to the main artery, really relaxed when he heard that the one being disbanded was the Great Merit Sixth Company.
However, the Great Merit Sixth Company being disbanded still made Regiment Commander Wang quite uncomfortable.
The combat effectiveness of the Eighth Company, Ninth Company, and Tenth Company was much worse than the Sixth Company, and their performance in this exercise was actually worse than the Sixth Company.
Yet the companies with weaker strength remained, while the current strongest Armored Infantry Company was disbanded.
Regiment Commander Wang found it hard to understand and felt very uncomfortable inside.
But his personality kept him from questioning it on the spot or asking the Division Commander for an explanation. Plus, with the Seventh Company still there, he was already quite satisfied.
So he just replied loudly with an expressionless face: “I have no difficulties. It’s my duty.”
The Division Commander could tell Regiment Commander Wang was in a bad mood, and the smile in his eyes grew even stronger, his highly raised corners of the mouth almost unable to be suppressed.
Regiment Commander Wang had his back to the Division Commander and couldn’t see his expression, but the participating chief officers opposite could all see it.
The fog in their minds grew thicker.
Couldn’t understand.
Completely couldn’t understand.
“Can you overcome it?”
The Division Commander patted Regiment Commander Wang’s shoulder, seemingly ready to tease this old comrade a bit more.
“Yes, we can overcome it.”
Regiment Commander Wang answered quickly, without a second’s hesitation.
“Good, very good. Worthy of the 702 Regiment. I really like your ability to get things done.”
The Division Commander had held it in for so long that he couldn’t hold it anymore. With a full face of smiles, he said again: “Oh, by the way, there’s one more thing, also for your 702 Regiment.
The military region has approved the division-level proposal for forming a new type of troop establishment—the Combined Arms Battalion—and decided to pilot it in your 702 Regiment as well.
Regiment Commander Wang, your task this time is heavy. Do you have the confidence to complete it?”
As soon as the Division Commander released this big move, it immediately caused a sensation in the entire venue, with everyone’s expressions becoming incredibly rich.
The performance of the Steel Seventh Company in the confrontation exercise was something everyone had seen with their own eyes—fiercely impressive.
This was just a company-level combined arms unit, yet it could play such a huge role in regiment-level combat, almost dominating the entire exercise’s victory or defeat.
Now upgrading from company to battalion level—wouldn’t that dominate division-level combat?
This was a surefire killer weapon!
Whichever regiment got this killer weapon would without exception become the ace of the entire division, even having a place in the entire group army.
All those present were chief officers of their respective regiments—who wouldn’t want to secure a Combined Arms Battalion for themselves.
Yet the reversal was so bizarre.
Just now, everyone had been secretly rejoicing that the military reform pilot wasn’t using their own regiment as the guinea pig, so they could enjoy the achievements after the experiment succeeded.
But now they discovered that the pilot unit came with such a huge “reward” afterward.
The other regiment chief officers, who had been secretly delighted, now truly felt like crying without tears, only regretting why they weren’t the commander of the 702 Regiment.
And Regiment Commander Wang, who had just been emotional, immediately performed a “Sichuan Opera face change” for everyone.
In just a short second, from an unwilling, expressionless face, it switched to grinning with squinted eyes.
“Really? The Combined Arms Battalion pilot is really placed in our 702 Regiment?”
Regiment Commander Wang stared wide-eyed, full of disbelief.
More than a month ago, while chatting with Chen Jun in the car, Regiment Commander Wang had specifically asked about this, hoping the Combined Arms Battalion would land in the 702 Regiment.
Unexpectedly.
Now the dream had come true.
This was the one big thing Regiment Commander Wang had been thinking about day and night these past few months, the most important one.
None other.
“Look at you. You’re clearly from Wuhan, but your face change is faster than Sichuan Opera. With that bitter and deeply resentful look just now—if you weren’t willing to accept it, I was even thinking of switching to another regiment.”
The Division Commander had fished for a long time, just waiting for this moment, and burst out laughing as he looked at Regiment Commander Wang.
“Willing, I’m very willing. Division Commander, put it in our regiment. Our regiment is very suitable. I also have full confidence and guarantee to complete this task, without failing the division or the military region’s trust in our regiment.”
Regiment Commander Wang, afraid the Division Commander would go back on his word, immediately patted his chest and made the guarantee.
“Good, I believe you.”
The Division Commander patted Regiment Commander Wang’s shoulder again and said with satisfaction: “After you go back, quickly produce a specific plan, including the site selection for the Combined Arms Battalion headquarters, personnel selection, etc.—all must be implemented one by one.
The Electronic Warfare Company is expected to move into your regiment’s Sixth Company camp in January next year.
The military region’s document has explicitly stated that the new Electronic Warfare Company is part of the Combined Arms Battalion, and moving into the Sixth Company camp is only temporary.
The Combined Arms Battalion is a brand-new establishment model and requires building a new camp to house it.
Once your plan is submitted, the division will hand it to the military region for detailed discussion, confirmation of supplies, funding, etc. needed for the Combined Arms Battalion—it will take some time.
So, you must have the plan ready by the end of December. Can you do it?”
“Yes!”
Regiment Commander Wang nodded heavily.
He himself definitely couldn’t do it, but his confidence came from the fact that there was someone in the regiment named Chen Jun, who could handle all these issues.
The Division Commander also believed Regiment Commander Wang could do it, because he knew Chen Jun was the main force.
Regiment Commander Wang only needed to play a supporting role, wholeheartedly assist Chen Jun on the side, and provide everything needed—Chen Jun would definitely complete the task.
And stepping back ten thousand steps…
The plan submitted by the 702 Regiment wasn’t necessarily the final one. It would still need to go through the division and military region to resolve any potential issues in between, and Chen Jun would have time to perfect it later.
With the Combined Arms Battalion pilot work arranged, the Division Commander saw the other regiment chief officers looking eager.
He also drew a pie for them all.
“Comrades, the higher-ups attach great importance to this Combined Arms Battalion. If the pilot succeeds and passes the assessment, it won’t just be the 702 Regiment—our entire T Division might be planned as a pilot area.
At that time, the new Combined Arms Battalion establishment will be replicated in every one of your regiments.
So, I hope everyone will actively participate and cooperate positively in the formation of this Combined Arms Battalion, as well as the subsequent related preparation work.”
The purpose of the Division Commander specially saying this was to give the other regiments a heads-up in advance.
After all, the preliminary plan submitted by Chen Jun mentioned the brand-new concept of an all-NCO battalion. If the military region really approved it, the 702 Regiment alone couldn’t do it.
Unless all the NCOs of the 702 Regiment were gathered into the Combined Arms Battalion.
But that was impossible.
Doing so would drain the entire 702 Regiment, leaving the other companies without mid-level NCO backbones, basically rendering the 702 Regiment useless.
So, the strength of the entire division must be combined, with the other regiments sharing some of the task.
With dozens of companies across the entire division, as long as a few NCOs came from each, it basically wouldn’t greatly affect combat effectiveness.
But if there were no benefits at all, and they had to draw elites from their own regiment to help another regiment form a Combined Arms Battalion.
These regiment commanders would definitely have opinions.
When Old A’s Tie Lu came to the 702 Regiment to ask for people, Regiment Commander Wang treasured them tightly and didn’t let go of a single one.
T Division’s other regiment commanders were the same.
Even if they didn’t dare openly resist the division’s orders, they would play tricks behind the scenes, sending the worst NCOs, which would greatly affect the Combined Arms Battalion’s formation.
The Division Commander gave them this advance warning here and also drew a big pie.
Not saying it would completely avoid it, but at least they wouldn’t be so resistant.
As for whether they could pull together the personnel later, and get elite NCOs from the other regiments, that would depend on whether the future Combined Arms Battalion commander had the ability.
The division and military region could only issue orders and give sufficient authority.
The specific actual operations would still depend on the individual.
And the other regiment commanders and political commissars present, upon hearing the Division Commander say that the Combined Arms Battalion would be promoted across the entire division and that their regiments also had a chance to form one.
Their originally dejected expressions instantly changed, replaced by excited anticipation.
