Chapter 156: Reorganization Takes Effect, Double Joys Arrive!
“Platoon Leader Chen, congratulations on becoming the deputy company commander. From now on, the way we address each other must change.”
Gao Cheng said excitedly as he drove, “Let’s stick to the old rules. From now on, you’ll call me Old Gao, and I’ll call you Old Chen. No problem, right?”
The way our country’s unit cadres address each other is very distinctive and has formed its own style.
For colleagues at the same level or in the same department who have a good relationship, regardless of age, they generally add “Old” before the surname as a form of address.
For example, the company commander calls the political instructor Old Hong, and the political instructor calls Company Commander Gao Cheng “Old Gao.”
It feels very friendly and also distinguishing.
“Company Commander, this deputy company commander position is still in its infancy. Is it a bit too early to change our address now?” Chen Jun said with a smile.
Popping champagne halfway through, what if it’s wrong?
How awkward would that be?
“No mistake.”
Gao Cheng patted his chest and said confidently, “Not to mention that you already qualified for an exceptional promotion by breaking the all-army record and winning a second-class merit in the year-end grand competition.
Just this division’s confrontation exercise, its great success is absolutely due to your primary contribution. All the credit is yours, and I won’t fight you for it.
Furthermore, our Seventh Company has always been short of a deputy position, and the deputy company commander has been vacant. Since there’s word from above, this matter is definitely settled.”
Gao Cheng’s reasoning was sound and well-founded, making it strange if he wasn’t appointed deputy company commander.
He then added, “Old Chen, when you receive the appointment order and return to the company, for such a good thing, you must treat me and Old Hong to a meal, right?”
“If it really happens, I’ll treat the whole company.”
Chen Jun was not a stingy person and boldly made a promise on the spot.
“Alright, it’s a deal then.”
It was rare to be able to treat Chen Jun, and Gao Cheng laughed heartily.
Regimental Headquarters was not far from Steel Seventh Company, only a ten-minute walk, and even faster by car, just three to five minutes.
While chatting and laughing.
The car had already arrived at Regimental Headquarters.
Gao Cheng was very familiar with the various departments of Regimental Headquarters. He parked the car in the open space in front of the Regimental Headquarters building and took the lead in heading inside.
“Greetings, Commander!”
The guards on duty at the entrance of the Regimental Headquarters building stood up and saluted, but they did not stop to inquire or register them, indicating that they had been notified in advance.
Gao Cheng strode to the second floor and stopped outside the office labeled “Political Department.”
He originally intended to push the door and enter directly. He had no habit of knocking when going to the Regimental Commander’s office; he always pushed the door open and went straight in.
However.
Perhaps for Chen Jun’s sake, he uncharacteristically adhered to the rules, stood at the door, knocked a few times, and then loudly called out, “Report.”
“Come in.”
A response quickly came from inside the room; the voice sounded to be around forty years old.
“Come.”
Gao Cheng beckoned Chen Jun to follow him in, exuding an air of a senior looking out for him.
Chen Jun was actually very familiar with the Regimental Headquarters of the 702 Regiment. In his previous life, he had “sourced” from here many times and was very familiar with Director Ye of the Political Department.
Of course.
This was his first time in the Political Department in this life, so he couldn’t appear too familiar. He decided to just go with the flow and followed Gao Cheng in.
Upon entering, he discovered that besides Director Ye, Regimental Commander Wang and the Political Commissar were also sitting on the sofa nearby.
“Greetings, Commanders.”
Gao Cheng stood by the door and saluted, then specifically greeted them, “Regimental Commander, Political Commissar, why are you both here? Could it be that you specifically came?”
With Gao Cheng leading the way, Chen Jun had fewer things to worry about.
He just needed to follow and salute!
“The Political Commissar and I indeed came specifically. It’s the first time our regiment has received a direct order from the division to appoint a grassroots deputy company commander. It’s a rare event, so we came to take a look, and you two arrived.” Regimental Commander Wang said with a smile.
When the division’s order reaches the regiment, the regimental commander is not the first to know.
Especially at the level of grassroots companies, many matters concerning the appointment and removal of company and platoon leaders are not communicated to the regimental commander and do not require the regimental commander’s handling.
Therefore, the regimental commander generally wouldn’t concern himself with minor matters like a platoon leader being promoted to deputy company commander.
Chen Jun was an exception!
It was precisely because of Chen Jun’s current importance that the regimental commander attached such significance and personally inquired.
Gao Cheng heard the Regimental Commander personally mention the appointment of a deputy company commander, confirming his guess was correct. He specifically turned his head to give Chen Jun a look.
Meaning, “See? I wasn’t wrong, was I?”
Chen Jun, upon learning that he was indeed being promoted to deputy company commander, finally put his hanging heart at ease and was genuinely happy to have achieved his goal in advance.
After all, once he crossed the threshold of deputy company commander, he could start preparing to become a company commander.
“It’s indeed rare for the Division Commander to personally approve it. Seeing the document, I realized it was Comrade Chen Jun. With that, everything seems to fall into place, and the regiment is saved some trouble. Haha.”
The Political Commissar also said with a look of relief, his words carrying two other meanings.
First, it implied that Chen Jun had influence at the division level, and he must cherish his reputation.
Second, it implied that the regiment also attached great importance to Chen Jun. They were already going through the relevant procedures, and it wasn’t that they were inactive, but that the division had acted first.
Now, the division’s ability to issue direct orders held higher implicit value than the regiment’s, which was undoubtedly a better way for Chen Jun.
“Comrade Chen Jun, Comrade Gao Cheng, you’ve arrived quite quickly. Come and have a seat.”
Director Ye’s face was filled with a gentle smile, clearly very satisfied with these two young cadres from the 702 Regiment, Gao Cheng and Chen Jun.
With the person involved and the person in charge present, as soon as Chen Jun sat down on the sofa, Director Ye produced the order.
“Comrade Chen Jun…”
Seeing the kraft paper document bag that Director Ye was holding, and as he opened it and walked towards him, Chen Jun immediately understood and quickly stood up at attention.
“This is the appointment order, personally signed by the Division Commander, officially appointing you as the deputy company commander of Steel Seventh Company. I hope that in your new post, you will continue to carry forward the fine traditions of our army and maintain a style of enduring hardship…”
Director Ye spoke very seriously, as if he were conveying a sacred mission.
“Living under the red flag, growing up in the spring breeze, defending the country and protecting the people is my mission. I will dedicate my life to it.”
Amidst the congratulatory gazes of everyone, Chen Jun solemnly extended his hands to receive the appointment order and raised his hand in a clean and powerful military salute.
From the moment he received the appointment order, it signified that Platoon Leader Chen had evolved into Deputy Company Commander Chen.
His position was higher, and his responsibilities were greater.
The mission he shouldered was even more heavy, and he was now completely bound to the fate of Steel Seventh Company.
“Congratulations, Old Chen, haha.”
Gao Cheng was the first to offer his congratulations, his joy genuine.
It is rare to find a true friend in life.
Moreover, this like-minded friend was also a capable subordinate.
“Chen Jun, now that you’ve become deputy company commander, your burden will be even heavier. I hope you will not disappoint the expectations of the division commander and the cultivation of the regiment.” Regimental Commander Wang said with a profound tone.
“Steel Seventh Company is now the focus of the entire division. Every move you make will be closely watched. You must continue to achieve new successes while also managing your life and work details carefully and not make any fundamental mistakes.”
The Political Commissar’s words were not only for Chen Jun but also for Gao Cheng.
They were told not to become arrogant and complacent.
A little success can make one become conceited, even to the point of losing oneself, which is a hurdle for young cadres, almost a common ailment.
The Political Commissar did not want Chen Jun and Gao Cheng to make such mistakes, so he brought them up specifically at this time.
“Understood, Commander.” Chen Jun said solemnly.
“Don’t worry, Political Commissar, although I, Gao Cheng, am competitive, I will never act recklessly.”
Gao Cheng patted his chest to give his assurance, then, eager to return to the company to celebrate, he volunteered, “Distinguished Commanders, if there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving now. There are simply too many matters at the company.”
Gao Cheng was the only one with the audacity to try and slip away from the Regimental Commander.
“You rascal, you’re so busy every day, and you can never sit still when you come to the regiment, like your butt has nails. Can’t you stay a while longer and chat with us old folks?” Regimental Commander Wang playfully scolded.
The Political Commissar remained silent, merely smiling, seemingly accustomed to Gao Cheng’s style.
“Oh my, Company Commander Gao, you can’t leave yet. The matter is only half done, and there’s something even better. Don’t you want it?” Director Ye teased.
“Ah? There’s something even better?”
Gao Cheng’s curiosity was piqued. He took two quick strides to Director Ye and eagerly asked, “What is it? Could it be that the formal order for the combined arms company has come down?”
The best thing that could happen at this stage, better than Chen Jun’s promotion, was the order for the reorganization of the combined arms company, Gao Cheng thought.
“Oh, you guessed it already? It seems nothing can be hidden from you.”
Director Ye smiled and turned towards the desk. Regimental Commander Wang and the Political Commissar’s expressions didn’t change much, indicating they already knew.
“The order has really come down?”
Gao Cheng hadn’t expected to guess correctly. He was so surprised that his voice changed a few notes.
“The Division Commander is truly swift. To get things done this quickly, this kind of efficiency is enough to make many functional units grovel in apology.”
This news also made Chen Jun very happy, and he silently praised the Division Commander.
Director Ye took out the folder but did not hand it directly to Gao Cheng, nor did he announce the order publicly. Instead, he first handed it to Regimental Commander Wang.
This was because the document had been brought by the Regimental Commander, who had just glanced at it while waiting for Chen Jun.
The reorganization of troops was the responsibility of the Regimental Headquarters, not within the purview of the Political Department.
Regimental Commander Wang stood up, took the document bag, opened it, and took out the document to announce, “Notice from the T Infantry Division of the 84th Group Army of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army regarding the overall adjustment plan for the establishment of the Seventh Armored Reconnaissance Company…”
Chen Jun and Gao Cheng immediately straightened up, adopting the most dignified and serious attitude, and listened to Regimental Commander Wang read the order.
“All regiments, battalions, directly subordinate companies, and all departments of the headquarters, in accordance with General Staff Headquarters Yellow 1997 Red No. 75, Purple Regarding the reorganization of the Seventh Armored Reconnaissance Company of the 702 Regiment of the T Infantry Division of the Capital Theater Command Army into the Seventh Reconnaissance Combined Arms Company…”
Regimental Commander Wang read the outline at the beginning of the reorganization order in a deep voice.
Then, he handed the order document to Gao Cheng and solemnly instructed him, “The order has been issued, and the implementation plan has not been detailed, giving you a great deal of latitude to carry it out yourselves.
This is the trust of our superiors, and even more so, an expectation. We hope that Steel Seventh Company, under your leadership, will become the vanguard of reform for our regiment and a benchmark for the entire division.”
“Gao Cheng, Company Commander of Steel Seventh Company, guarantees to complete the mission and will not fail the expectations of the commanders.”
Gao Cheng solemnly extended his hands and replied with powerful resolve.
“Good, I believe you can do it.”
Regimental Commander Wang patted Gao Cheng on the shoulder, his gaze specifically falling on Chen Jun.
…
He originally thought it was just an order for the deputy company commander’s promotion, but unexpectedly, there was an even bigger surprise: the combined arms company establishment for Steel Seventh Company had finally been approved.
It could be called double happiness!
When Gao Cheng and Chen Jun, carrying the division’s orders, drove back to the company excitedly and showed the order to Political Instructor Hong Xingguo.
The Political Instructor, who initially just wanted to congratulate Chen Jun, was stunned for three seconds upon opening the document and seeing it was an order to reorganize into a combined arms company.
“Old Gao? We did it, we succeeded?”
After he reacted, he was so surprised that his hands holding the document trembled, and he even rubbed his eyes.
To see if he was mistaken and if what he was seeing was real.
“We did it, Old Hong. From now on, we’ll be called the Seventh Reconnaissance Combined Arms Company. It’s the first combined arms unit in the entire division, and possibly the first formally implemented combined arms company in the entire army. What do you think, are we strong?” Gao Cheng said excitedly.
“We are at the forefront of reform, forging our own modernized path, and are in the first echelon of the modernization reform of the entire army. We must be strong, haha.”
Hong Xingguo excitedly took out a cigarette, wanting to light one to calm his emotions, but after fumbling for a lighter for a long time, he simply threw the cigarette away.
He said impatiently, “Old Gao, quickly, assemble the whole company. Steel Seventh Company’s successful self-transformation is due to the hard work of the soldiers.
Now that we have such good news, we must share it with everyone quickly so everyone can be happy.”
From independently transforming into a combined arms company, to conquering the regiment and division through two confrontation exercises, to finally receiving the official order and recognition.
The journey was indeed not easy, and everyone had put in too much effort.
This joy is worth sharing with everyone!
“Right, right.”
On this auspicious day of double happiness, Gao Cheng, in his excitement, had forgotten this. He quickly said, “Old Chen, go tell the duty officer to assemble the whole company on the large parade ground.”
“Got it!”
Chen Jun was also very excited now. It was hard not to be excited about such an important matter.
After all, from the moment he transmigrated to this world, he had only thought about keeping Steel Seventh Company alive and had the idea of building it up.
Initially, Chen Jun was completely on his own, with no confidence at all.
He could only take it one step at a time.
Now that the combined arms company was officially established, it meant Chen Jun had successfully taken the first step and overcome the difficult initial stage of starting anything.
This was very meaningful for Chen Jun.
It not only meant that half of his plan had succeeded but also served as a milestone in his life.
