Chapter 133: Firepower Platoon, Battle Ready!
“Perfect timing.”
Wu Liu Yi was even more excited than Xie Chong; a stubborn person has an even stronger desire for victory.
He immediately reported again: “Calling Platoon Leader Chen, new situation ahead—vehicles are rapidly approaching the center line, distance about three hundred meters.
High probability it’s a Blue Army convoy; number of personnel temporarily unknown.”
“Received, conceal in place, continue monitoring, wait for us to link up, over.”
Chen Jun issued the order to the frontline team, then said to Shi Jin and the others: “Wu Liu Yi and them have spotted the enemy; it must be Red Third Company people.
They thought the same as us, both wanting to control this center line first.
Since they’ve delivered themselves to our door, this fish absolutely cannot be allowed to slip away—take him down first, score an opening victory.
Everyone follow me in a bit; without my order, no one move rashly. Understood?”
“Understood!”
The Reconnaissance Squad members replied in unison.
“Good.”
Chen Jun stood up, waved his hand, and said: “Move out.”
……
Confrontation Exercise Command Center.
The analyst responsible for confrontation commentary took out two small flags and placed them on the sand table, announcing loudly: “Latest update from the directing staff frontline: a Red Army squad has taken the lead in reaching the center line of the confrontation zone.
According to information provided by the Red Army before the confrontation, this squad is the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad after synthesized modification, currently undertaking frontline reconnaissance mission.
Several members in the squad participated in the Division Grand Competition; the one in command is Chen Jun.
Chen Jun, First Lieutenant rank, First Platoon Platoon Leader of Seventh Company, with extremely outstanding personal ability…”
The analyst emphasized and introduced Chen Jun’s personal resume and honors to the leaders present, intending to highlight Chen Jun’s importance.
The Chief of Staff was naturally very familiar with Chen Jun.
During the Division Grand Competition, with his near-flawless all-around player stance, Chen Jun achieved an unprecedented nine consecutive wins.
Not only did he shatter the Division Record, he even broke the All-Army Record.
The Division Chief of Staff couldn’t be unfamiliar even if he tried.
Back then, he and the Regiment Chief of Staff had the same idea, both wanting to poach this suddenly emerged dark horse genius Chen Jun to the Division Headquarters for key cultivation.
Unfortunately, in the end, considering Regiment Commander Wang and Gao Cheng’s background, they gave up the idea.
702 Regiment had been beaten into shape for so many years; it finally produced an excellent young talent.
If they forcibly poached him away, with Regiment Commander Wang’s famously stubborn temper across the entire Division, he might turn the Division upside down.
Learning that Chen Jun was personally leading the Reconnaissance Squad on the attack, the Chief of Staff couldn’t help but feel a bit more anticipation.
But then hearing the analyst continue, not only had the Red Army arrived, but Blue Army Red Third Company’s two main force squads had also reached nearby the center line.
The distance between both sides was rapidly closing; high probability the military exercise’s first battle would erupt.
The Chief of Staff’s mouth curved up even more, unable to suppress his curiosity as he said: “I’m extremely looking forward to it: a Red Army Reconnaissance Squad encountering a Blue Army two main force squads.
Facing double their own numbers, with the opponent holding the latest infantry fighting vehicles, superior in both firepower and defense—what will the Red Army Reconnaissance Squad do?”
A regular Reconnaissance Squad encountering this would definitely stealthily observe to gather intelligence, then return with it.
But Steel Seventh Company claims to be after synthesized reform; if they react the same as an ordinary Reconnaissance Squad, it would be a huge disappointment.
No difference from regular troops—what’s the point of all that effort on synthesized modification?
“With inferior firepower and troops, the Red Army has no chance; only option is gather intel and run.” A staff officer from the Division analyzed.
“If the Red Army Reconnaissance Squad gets scared off, then there’s probably nothing to see.” The Chief of Staff laughed.
“Chief of Staff, since I dared invite you all here, my Steel Seventh Company under me will definitely perform differently; the outcome won’t disappoint you.”
With the Division leaders not optimistic, Regiment Commander Wang personally stood up for Steel Seventh Company.
“Good, since Regiment Commander Wang is so confident, let’s wait and see what tricks this so-called synthesized tactics Reconnaissance Squad can play, whether it can give us a real treat for the eyes.”
The Division Chief of Staff came to witness, not to nitpick, so he didn’t dampen Regiment Commander Wang’s enthusiasm.
Even his own inner thoughts were more anticipating Steel Seventh Company’s performance to impress him, rather than coming for nothing with no gains.
……
In the time the leaders were discussing, Chen Jun had already led the reconnaissance squad forward, arriving at the small hill on the left side of the center line.
At this time, Red Third Company’s two armored infantry squads had also arrived at the position to the right of the center line.
The distance between both sides was less than a hundred meters.
At such close range, Chen Jun could clearly see that the two squads Red Third Company brought were standard 86 infantry fighting vehicle squads.
Ten-man squad configuration plus rocket launcher, plus the new infantry fighting vehicle’s own defense and heavy firepower.
It could be called the current strongest combat squad form in our army!
The Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad had already abandoned the armored personnel carrier; whether in mobility or heavy firepower, it was completely incomparable to the infantry fighting vehicle squad.
Once discovered by the Blue Army in this situation, they would face devastating strikes.
Under the infantry fighting vehicle’s pursuit and strikes, on this Loess Plateau with no obstacles, the Red Army Reconnaissance Squad wouldn’t even have a chance to escape.
Synthesized modification is only an upgrade to tactical play, not turning warriors into superhumans.
Fortunately, Chen Jun wasn’t like Gao Cheng above.
He didn’t like assault battles like Gao Cheng; his brain filled with special operations and synthesized concepts gave him countless methods to handle the situation at hand.
Seeing Red Third Company completely unaware they were exposed, starting to adjust positions and deploy troops on the center line.
Chen Jun’s mouth curved slightly; he already had a plan.
Synthesized troops aren’t just flexible tactically; their configurations are more refined and diverse, and most importantly, firepower has been greatly enhanced.
Since they had absolute firepower advantage, they could simply leverage that to win easily.
In the blink of an eye.
Ten minutes passed.
“Platoon Leader Chen, when do we act? Should I snipe a few of them first?”
Seeing they’d waited half a day with no action, the impatient Cheng Cai, raring to go, ran over hugging his polished 85-style.
The desire to perform in his eyes had swelled to the brink of explosion.
“Yeah, we gotta move quick, hit ’em with a head blow while they’re not settled, let them see how awesome we are.” Gan Xiao Ning chimed in.
“All you know is fight; where’s your brain? Did you listen to what Platoon Leader Chen taught in class?” Wu Liu Yi scolded sharply.
“Remember, we’re scouts now; the mission is completely different from before—change your mindset, don’t let Platoon Leader Chen teach you for nothing.”
Shi Jin didn’t scold like Wu Liu Yi, but also solemnly reminded everyone.
Gan Xiao Ning, accustomed to the old assault company playstyle, and Cheng Cai, who got carried away wanting to show off, finally reacted after the reminder.
They all knew they’d made a mistake again, could only awkwardly scratch their heads and laugh to cover it.
It wasn’t their fault for being so eager; they’d prepared for over half a year front and back, all that hard work just waiting for this moment.
Seeing the big fish and meat right in front of them, starved for half a year but unable to take a bite.
It really felt frustrating!
“The tactical concepts I taught you in class—you not only have to listen, have to remember, but remember them in your brain, fully absorb and integrate them, not listen and forget, fight just wherever pointed without your own thoughts.
Combined arms operations is the future trend; what I teach you will benefit you for life. I don’t want to see you make the same mistake twice.”
Chen Jun’s voice wasn’t loud, tone not very stern.
But the authority he exuded made Cheng Cai and others involuntarily serious, minds ringing like an alarm bell had been struck.
First actual combat simulation confrontation exercise, impossible not to make any mistakes.
So Chen Jun just gave a reminder, didn’t dwell on it.
After reminding the ones who erred, Chen Jun’s expression instantly changed, like a chameleon, baring even white teeth as he smiled: “War values speed, but sometimes no need to rush.
Lift the fishing rod too fast, scares the fish away, can’t catch them all at once.
What we do now is wait, right here enjoy watching them toil right in front of us—let them finish deploying troops into position, isn’t that pretty interesting?
When the fish calms down, starts resting, most relaxed moment, then…”
Chen Jun smiled even brighter, eyes gleaming with unease that made Gan Xiaolin and others’ backs chill: “We give them a grand gift, let them feel what it’s like to die unclear how— isn’t that more interesting?”
“…”
Wu Liu Yi and Cheng Cai and others were startled, speechless for a moment.
But at the same time.
Thinking of the grand gift Chen Jun mentioned, they couldn’t control it, waves rising from deep inside, surging with excited anticipation.
……
Confrontation Military Exercise Command Center.
“What’s this Red Army Reconnaissance Squad doing? Why, upon discovering the Blue Army frontline troops, neither immediately report intel back to company headquarters nor take any action—even the other two platoons stay in place?”
The Chief of Staff stared at the small red flag on the sand table, truly unable to figure out what tricks Steel Seventh Company was playing; unable to guess made him irritable.
As the “brain” of a full divisional unit, needing to assist the Division Commander in formulating combat plans during war, a Chief of Staff proficient in all tactics.
Yet unable to fathom a mere company—no, a grassroots squad’s war intentions.
Anyone would feel uncomfortable!
“Yeah, this is a golden opportunity, cooked duck delivered to the mouth.”
Another Division training staff officer couldn’t hold back, frowning: “Red Army two platoons right behind; just bring them up, eating Blue Army two squads easy.
But now letting the Blue Army squads build defenses—if wait till Blue Army two squads complete defense, then eating them won’t be so simple.
Even bringing up both platoons fully, to gnaw down this Blue Army meat, at least lose a squad.”
The staff officers from the Division had never seen combined arms operations, didn’t understand combined arms combat, couldn’t see through Chen Jun’s ploy.
Couldn’t see through, very irritating.
Even aim was off!
While Regiment Commander Wang, who had read Chen Jun’s combined arms combat theory—and currently the only one in the Division who read the full theory, and would read it whenever free.
Combining his many years of combat experience—after all, not wasted twenty-plus years in the troops—and the equipment Gao Cheng got from the Regiment, plus the rear tactical platoon and firepower platoon positions, distance to the center line.
Regiment Commander Wang seemed to get it!
Became the only one in the entire command post who figured out what Chen Jun was playing at.
Thinking of what was coming next, subverting everyone’s conventional cognition of grassroots company-level troop combat methods, making everyone present’s jaws drop.
Regiment Commander Wang’s heart suddenly heated up; knowing but deliberately not saying, teasing: “No need to rush; the good show is about to start.”
“Still a good show? Heh.”
The Chief of Staff was getting more confused the more he watched, feeling like he’d jumped into a tangled ball of yarn, completely unable to understand what he was seeing.
But that didn’t matter.
Because the scene about to appear would truly subvert his cognition of grassroots companies.
……
Another half hour plus passed.
Red Third Company’s two squads that got off the vehicles had found advantageous terrain, using armored vehicles as core to build a defense line.
Intending to block the Red Army troops trying to kill over at this key position.
Third Company Commander also believed his two main force squads could definitely hold the center line with the defense line; even if not, could withdraw anytime.
Could fight, could defend, could run.
This was the advantage of mechanized armored infantry!
As one of the Regiment’s most excellent main force companies, the first company to field 86-style infantry fighting vehicle squads, Red Third Company was the Regiment’s strongest mechanized armored infantry company.
No others!!
However, just as Third Company’s two squads completed defense, feeling all preparations ready, just waiting for Red Army to deliver themselves for a head blow.
Chen Jun, who had waited front and back nearly an hour, at this moment picked up the individual radio microphone.
“Calling Steel Factory, calling Steel Factory, this is Vanguard, attack timing arrived, about to launch attack on Blue Army, request permission, over.”
“Steel Factory received, permission granted, over.”
Gao Cheng issued the order to Chen Jun, microphone not yet down, excitedly said: “Prepared over half a year, finally assessment moment—really makes one anticipate, Political Instructor, you think we can win this battle?”
Gao Cheng’s words weren’t really asking, but seeking resonance from like-minded.
“Definitely; we worked hard half a year, even gave up rest period, all for today—so this battle not only win, but win brilliantly.”
Political Instructor Hong Xingguo was flushed with excitement, inner agitation no less than Gao Cheng’s.
“Hahaha, right, must win brilliantly, make Old Third speechless in defeat, let the leaders from Division see what a combined arms company is.”
Gao Cheng clenched his fist; just as words fell, heard from individual radio Chen Jun, as frontline commander, issue the first combat order.
“Calling Three Cannon, battle prep, require you set up guns within two minutes, saturation strike, target coordinates…”
As Chen Jun’s order reached the firepower platoon, the firepower platoon’s three infantry fighting vehicles that had stopped there half a day, rear doors opened simultaneously.
Warriors carrying 100 mortars surged down, quickly finding positions to set up.
Half a year’s training achievements fully displayed at this moment.
Fast! Precise! Efficient!
Six 100-millimeter caliber mortars, in just one minute stood erect in two rows; under gunner’s operation, adjusted firing data.
Finally all aimed uniformly at center line direction; loaders held shells ready nearby.
Just waiting for platoon leader’s order, six guns would fire together.
With Red Third Company’s mere two squads’ troops, even with terrain and shelters as cover, even with armored vehicles protecting, absolutely couldn’t withstand two rounds of shells.
Twelve 100-millimeter heavy artillery shells down, that patch of ground could be shaved off a layer raw.
