Chapter 35: Cultivating The “top Enforcer”
The Second Platoon’s first squad, the Fourth Squad, made a stunning debut, showing a completely different scene from the First Platoon.
The three squads of the First Platoon all shot very slowly, hesitating and aiming for a long time, and by the time all ten new recruits finished, the fastest squad had exceeded one and a half minutes.
The Fourth Squad new recruits were much more decisive, finishing all shots and reporting in less than a minute.
By the time the target inspector reported the results over the walkie-talkie, the Fourth Squad’s results crushed the previous three squads, elevating the overall level by a notch.
Among the ten new recruits, five had three shots on target, four had four shots on target, and the remaining one actually had five shots.
The previous three squads combined didn’t have a single excellent result, with the best being four shots on target, yet the Fourth Squad suddenly produced a five shots on target.
Gao Cheng, hearing the Fourth Squad’s result, momentarily thought he had misheard.
He pulled out the walkie-talkie and ordered, “Report the Fourth Squad’s results again.”
“Got it, Company Commander.”
The target inspector reported again: “Target number one, three shots; target number two, four shots… target number six, five shots 35 rings… target number ten, four shots. Reporting complete.”
This five shots on target’s ring count wasn’t high, not even reaching the company’s passing line.
But for new recruits’ first time shooting live rounds, getting all five bullets on target was impressive, with ring count not being the core metric.
At most, it was just icing on the cake!
“Old Seven, the Fourth Squad is impressive. On their first time at the shooting range, half are on the passing line, and one has five shots on target.”
Confirming the Fourth Squad’s results were this awesome, Political Instructor He Hongtao was extremely excited, like it was a holiday, his face full of smiles.
“Jin Dashan really knows how to lead soldiers. Bringing him out to train new recruits was the right choice, haha.”
Gao Cheng was even more excited, gesturing animatedly.
While the Company Commander and Political Instructor excitedly discussed, Squad Leader Jin Dashan couldn’t contain himself and stood up shouting loudly.
“Not bad, not bad, great results. You didn’t lose face for me. I’ll treat you all to drinks when we get back.”
Seeing Jin Dashan’s excited look, Shi Jin and Wu Liu Yi watched enviously, feeling even greater pressure in their hearts.
With the Fourth Squad’s results so outstanding, if the Fifth Squad and Sixth Squad didn’t perform well, they wouldn’t have the face to see the Company Commander.
“The Fourth Squad did great, setting a good start. Our squad can’t lose face either, but everyone, don’t be nervous. Remember the key points Platoon Leader and I taught you in training. Play normally, and you’ll definitely be fine.”
Shi Jin first reassured the Fifth Squad members, then gave the order: “Squad Deputy Leader, take them over.”
“Yes!”
Finally, it was their turn. Cheng Cai stood up confidently and issued the command: “Fifth Squad, attention. Dress right, eyes front, right face, double time march.”
Under Cheng Cai’s proficient drill commands, under Shi Jin’s anticipatory and nervous gaze.
The Fifth Squad arrived at the preparation area to receive bullets. Once the Fourth Squad withdrew from the shooting range, Cheng Cai still led the team, bringing them to the shooting positions.
Shi Jin was Steel Seventh Company’s best squad leader. With the soldiers he trained now on the range, Company Commander Gao Cheng paid extra attention.
He had been chatting with the Political Instructor while watching before, but now he stopped chatting, focusing all attention on the shooting range.
Chen Jun was also very focused on the Fifth Squad.
The future Steel Seventh Company number one sharpshooter he had carefully cultivated was about to fire his first bullet in life, starting his journey as a sniper.
Only someone who could stun the whole audience on their first try qualified as a genius.
Chen Jun had high expectations for Cheng Cai. For other new recruits, five shots on target was the ceiling, but for him, it was just the baseline. Ring count was what Chen Jun pursued.
The company’s shooting standard was 45 rings out of five for excellent. A genius new recruit had to meet the veteran soldiers’ standard.
That was Chen Jun’s expectation for Cheng Cai.
Even the Fourth Squad new recruits hit 35 rings. If Cheng Cai couldn’t even reach 45 rings, Chen Jun would be very disappointed in him.
Cheng Cai himself was now full of ambition, setting his goal above 40 rings.
Because he wanted to be first!
To surpass the Fourth Squad’s 35 rings!
“Prone posture—load bullets.”
Hearing Chen Jun’s shooting command, the Fifth Squad new recruits began moving.
Cheng Cai followed the action essentials, prone down, completing the sequence from retrieving the rifle to loading, finally resting the rifle’s front end on the sandbag support.
Recalling the various techniques Chen Jun and Shi Jin taught him, he began the pre-preparation for shouldering and aiming.
Feet spread about 40 degrees, elbows out supporting on the ground in triangular formation, rifle aligned vertically to the ground, butt plate against the right shoulder pocket, natural cheek weld, bore axis slightly aligned with the right side of the body…
All the aiming essentials and skills flashed like a marquee in Cheng Cai’s mind, helping him adjust his body to the optimal state.
“Commence firing.”
Chen Jun gave the order, entering shooting time.
Xu Sanduo, used to Cheng Cai’s help, actually turned his head to look at Cheng Cai before firing, but saw Cheng Cai focused on aiming with no time for him, so he turned back.
“Bang~”
The new recruit to Xu Sanduo’s right fired first. The gunshot was much louder than Xu Sanduo imagined, startling him into a little shudder.
The sound of his own shot was small, but the gunshot from beside was louder.
Startled, Xu Sanduo settled down, no longer distracted looking around, and honestly began aiming at the target to shoot.
“Xu Bing Wang, who hasn’t awakened yet, is really dumb. He even has time to look at others during shooting.”
Chen Jun saw all of Xu Sanduo’s actions. Even knowing Xu Sanduo’s nature, he was still amused by his silliness and laughed.
But when Cheng Cai fired his first shot, Chen Jun’s attention was drawn over.
100-meter prone with support wasn’t very difficult. If Chen Jun shot himself, he could do double taps without pressure, easily hitting full rings.
But for someone shooting the range for the first time, 50 rings was a legendary existence.
Chen Jun didn’t expect Cheng Cai to hit 50 rings. As long as he remembered the essentials taught, followed procedures, hitting above 45 rings would suffice.
Cheng Cai didn’t disgrace his talent, nor waste Chen Jun’s efforts.
Seeing the state of his first bullet fired, Chen Jun, with experience of millions of shots, showed a satisfied smile.
“Gun steady after firing, no wobble, state calm and unhurried. No need to watch the later shots; it’s bound to be close. First time at the range with this feel—not unworthy of a supporting character with protagonist talent.”
An expert knows right away. Even if Cheng Cai wasn’t an expert yet, Chen Jun could tell at a glance.
As for how many rings Xu Sanduo hit, Chen Jun didn’t care at all. Anyway, Xu Sanduo’s arrangements for the next half year weren’t in Chen Jun’s plan.
How to cultivate Cheng Cai into the top gunman was what Chen Jun was focused on at this stage.
