Chapter 51: Composite Company Activation Preheat!
The Deputy Regiment Commander heard that a new recruit had scored 50 rings, and he sprang up from his chair with a whoosh, his eyes lighting up brightly. Clapping his hands in great delight, he said: “Good, very good! This trip today was truly worthwhile.
If I remember correctly, the 702 Regiment new recruit camp has never produced a new recruit with a perfect shooting score before. This is the first time—worth celebrating, Old Seven.”
The Deputy Regiment Commander’s mood was great, but Gao Cheng’s was even better, feeling unprecedentedly comfortable. He smiled smugly and said: “Deputy Regiment Commander, this grand show didn’t disappoint you, did it?”
“You boy, not only did you hide it really deeply, but your mouth was also too tight. The new recruit company has such a great new recruit, yet you didn’t leak even a bit of information. You gave me a huge surprise.” The Deputy Regiment Commander laughed and scolded.
“Since the Deputy Regiment Commander is so happy, then isn’t it…”
Gao Cheng didn’t ask too nakedly on purpose; he deliberately stopped halfway through his words, and after a few seconds, continued: “I heard that scoring 50 rings in the new recruit graduation assessment shooting will get approval for a third-class merit from the regiment. Is there such a thing?”
He clearly knew there was such a policy, yet Gao Cheng deliberately pretended not to know and asked.
Compared to directly going to the regiment to demand it, which would seem too utilitarian, he changed to asking as a way to remind, which was indeed much higher emotional intelligence.
Facts proved it.
The straightforward Gao Cheng could actually be tactful too.
“Old Seven, our 702 Regiment has produced a sharpshooter. With such a great seedling, we must focus on cultivating him. Rest assured, nothing that should be given will be withheld.”
The Deputy Regiment Commander didn’t have direct decision-making power himself, and similarly used a more tactful way to respond.
It was like agreeing.
Yet also like not agreeing.
This way, it was much easier for the Deputy Regiment Commander to handle. If he could get the third-class merit application approved, these words would fit perfectly; if not, there would be other ways to brush it off.
Gao Cheng knew he couldn’t be too deliberate or forceful, after all, the man was the Deputy Regiment Commander.
Since there was a clear response, he didn’t say anything more.
He quietly waited for things to ferment!
Compared to the Deputy Regiment Commander, who although surprised, could still control his emotions, and handled Gao Cheng’s timely hint rationally.
It fully demonstrated the seasoned maturity of a Deputy Regiment Commander in dealing with people.
Zhang, the officer who had just been transferred to the propaganda section not long ago, was inherently engaged in news media, so his emotions were even richer. At this moment, they had been completely ignited.
“Perfect, perfect material! It can absolutely be written into the best report. I’m really too excited. I haven’t had this feeling for a long time, haha. I can already foresee the entire regiment boiling over this report, haha.”
Officer Zhang was so excited that he danced and laughed, talking and chuckling, then seemed to remember something.
His expression changed.
Staring at Chen Jun eagerly, he asked: “Platoon Leader Chen, you’re the platoon leader of Second Platoon, so you must be very familiar with this new recruit who scored 50 rings and set a regiment record, right?
Can you give me a detailed introduction? I really need this new recruit’s information—very urgently, really. I’m already impatient.”
“Of course, I’m very familiar with him.”
Chen Jun needed Officer Zhang to promote him to complete his Shi Jin rescue plan.
Incidentally, he would also mold Cheng Cai into a sharpshooter, making him the strongest weapon under his command, and pave the way in advance for transforming Steel Seventh Company.
To turn Steel Seventh Company into a combined arms company, completing this most crucial first step.
Improving his own strength was certainly important, but propaganda work absolutely could not be neglected.
Officer Zhang proactively asking Chen Jun for information was like perfectly hitting the muzzle—each getting what they needed in a perfect match.
“This new recruit Cheng Cai, he comes from a place called Xià Róngshù Village in Luoyang, Henan. Initially, it was Shi Jin, who is now his new recruit Fifth Squad squad leader, who personally did the home visit for him as the troop reception cadre…”
Chen Jun’s eloquence went without saying—it was honed over three lifetimes. When he spoke, it was vivid, full of expression and emotion.
Because he was introducing with a purpose, under the premise of keeping Cheng Cai’s information real, he maximized highlighting Shi Jin’s importance.
Making Shi Jin the “key benefactor” in Cheng Cai’s growth and transformation all the way, ultimately becoming a perfect sharpshooter.
In reality, Chen Jun, who played an even greater role in the shooting and could be said to have had a key effect, deliberately completely erased his own merit.
Under Chen Jun’s deliberate language guidance, Officer Zhang really developed a strong interest in Shi Jin.
As an intellectual who wielded the pen, Officer Zhang understood better than most that great steeds are common, but great judges of horses are rare—the importance of a good benefactor.
So after understanding Cheng Cai’s information, pen and notebook in hand, he eagerly asked about Shi Jin’s situation.
Shi Jin, as Seventh Company’s best old squad leader, had no merits or honors on his personal resume. Laid out in writing, there really wasn’t much to see.
But if introduced verbally, the highlights on Shi Jin were plentiful.
Chen Jun, as a transmigrator, through the plot and various materials from forums, could be said to be the person in this world who understood Shi Jin the most.
Plus, Chen Jun knew what news studies were about—what had selling points and appeal.
Thus, in Officer Zhang’s mind, Shi Jin became a diligent leader of soldiers, who proactively gave honors to his comrades, remained unknown for years without seeking any reward—a three-hundred-sixty-degree flawless good squad leader.
Officer Zhang was deeply moved after hearing it, exclaiming that this was the true backbone squad leader spirit. Such a good squad leader absolutely could not be buried; his deeds must be reported.
Letting more people know what selflessness means, what the fine tradition of mutual help is.
After gushing half a day of praise nonstop, Officer Zhang clearly still wasn’t satisfied and requested of Chen Jun: “Platoon Leader Chen, I still need you to help with something.”
“As long as I can do it, just say it.” Chen Jun readily agreed.
“I still need you to help make a connection. I want to interview Comrade Shi Jin and Comrade Cheng Cai separately, to understand them more deeply.” Officer Zhang said sincerely.
“No problem, leave it to me.”
Chen Jun patted his chest in promise, but the next second, he changed tack: “Only, not right now.”
“Why?” Officer Zhang grew anxious.
“Because the shooting isn’t over yet! We have to wait until everyone has finished shooting, until the inspection assessment is officially over, and back at the company I can arrange it. Plus, there’s another surprise about to come out.” Chen Jun explained.
“Aiya, look at my head—too happy, I forgot about that. Then we’ll wait until we get back. Anyway, there’s still time today.”
Officer Zhang slapped his forehead with an apologetic laugh, then asked curiously: “As for the other surprise, I really can’t guess what it is??”
“You’ve got so many important people, you forget things. Didn’t we just say, if the whole platoon shoots excellently, that’s also good material—could make the regimental newspaper headline. Good things aren’t too many; how can you miss it, right?” Chen Jun smiled.
“Yes, yes, yes, there is that. Now it’s Sixth Squad up there, right? Then I need to take some good shots.”
Before, when Chen Jun mentioned this, Officer Zhang didn’t believe it at all, but now there was a one hundred and eighty degrees reversal, and he immediately picked up the camera to shoot again.
