Chapter 160: Starting To Dig A Huge Pit For Old A
Regiment Commander Wang, while presiding over the discussion of tactics, saw Signal Battalion warriors continuously running over to relay the collected information to the Chief of Staff.
“This time, the enemy we’re facing is very tough—it’s a professional Blue Army unit. Everyone must be psychologically prepared, stay alert, and raise their vigilance.”
Regiment Commander Wang finished explaining the tactical play style and concluded with a reminder and warning.
“A professional Blue Army unit? Heh, how professional? How tough—is it tougher than my Tank Company?” First Battalion Commander said unconvinced.
“First Battalion Commander, you’re wrong about that.”
The Chief of Staff frowned and specifically reminded: “The Blue Army isn’t a traditional unit. The meaning of their appearance is to find the friendly forces’ weaknesses.
Then target those friendly weaknesses for countermeasures, ultimately delivering a fatal blow to friendly forces in the exercise.
To put it bluntly, they’re a professional unit that picks faults and nips at friendly forces’ small flaws. Becoming their opponent is bound to be a real headache.”
The Chief of Staff gently placed the paper full of writing in his hand on the edge of the sand table.
It was all Blue Army-related intelligence!
“From what I know…”
Regiment Commander Wang frowned and added: “This Blue Army unit’s tactics and combat methods—regardless of how advanced they are—can already be confirmed as extremely devious.
So far, four heavy armored units have fallen to them, including two from our T Division.
I hope we don’t follow in their footsteps and can fight with the style unique to our Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment.”
Regiment Commander Wang’s gaze swept over everyone in the whole audience, carrying expectation and also urging, before finally asking: “Everyone, is there anything to add?”
Regiment Commander Wang seemed to be asking everyone, but his gaze fell on Chen Jun.
The reason that in such an important regiment combat meeting, Regiment Commander Wang would set aside the Chief of Staff and other senior leaders and place high hopes only on Chen Jun.
In the confrontation exercise, leading one company to annihilate one battalion wasn’t the absolute reason.
It was merely icing on the cake.
The main reason was Chen Jun’s combined arms theory, which gave Regiment Commander Wang absolute trust in Chen Jun, believing Chen Jun was completely different from others.
Someone who could independently write a combat theory definitely had very solid tactical theory in their brain.
So.
Even though Regiment Commander Wang’s personality was somewhat dictatorial, didn’t like listening to others’ opinions in combat, and had already set the combat plan himself.
At the end, he specifically asked if others had any supplementary opinions.
If Chen Jun weren’t there, the Regiment Commander wouldn’t ask at all.
Everyone sitting there for the meeting wasn’t stupid; they could all see that Regiment Commander Wang was just asking Chen Jun, so basically no one would step forward into this.
Only First Battalion Commander frowned, unwilling to accept this outcome of being ignored.
Before Chen Jun could speak, he stood up first and said loudly: “I think tanks can not only provide support but also conduct position charge operations.
For example, that G67 high ground in the southwest—the slope on the right side is relatively gentle. As long as the tanks maneuver to the right side area, they can completely charge onto the high ground.
Before the tanks charge the high ground, we can also find methods to lower the risk factor, such as having the Artillery Company conduct saturation strikes on the summit position…”
“I don’t think that’s a good method.”
Gao Cheng interrupted First Battalion Commander’s words and said without giving any face: “This is mountainous terrain, not a plain. Tanks charging the high ground is too dangerous.
First, the hillside’s elevation angle is too steep; the tank main gun can’t fire at the mountaintop, losing the firepower advantage and turning into a mere moving iron box.
Second, without prior reconnaissance information, the mountainous forest is dense with too many concealment spots.
You can’t even determine how many anti-tank weapons are hidden in the forest. Charging the position head-on with tanks will only turn them into live targets.”
Though Gao Cheng had low emotional intelligence and didn’t mince words, everything he said was spot on.
First Battalion Commander had wanted to show off and perform in front of the Regiment Commander, but ended up being directly confronted by Gao Cheng, his face turning black with anger.
With a taut face, he retorted: “Company Commander Gao, since my playing style won’t work, what brilliant idea do you have?”
First Battalion Commander wanted to snap back and embarrass Gao Cheng.
“First Battalion Commander sure knows how to seize the opportunity—here it comes!”
Chen Jun, who had been waiting for an opportunity, saw First Battalion Commander liven up the atmosphere and felt delighted inside. He quickly gave Gao Cheng a look.
Gao Cheng confronting First Battalion Commander wasn’t impulsive; he genuinely thought his playing style was bad and had better methods in mind than First Battalion Commander.
So he wasn’t afraid of the retort at all and was ready to spray First Battalion Commander.
At that moment, he suddenly saw Chen Jun’s look. Gao Cheng knew Chen Jun wouldn’t do that lightly; it must be something very important.
Though he didn’t know what Chen Jun intended, out of trust in Chen Jun.
Gao Cheng changed his tone and said: “I wouldn’t dare claim brilliance, but I have a few stupid methods—though no need for me; my Deputy Company Commander is enough.”
He patted Chen Jun’s shoulder, raised his chin smugly, and said: “Old Chen, just say a few words casually.”
“Everyone leaders.”
Chen Jun showed no stage fright, stepped forward smoothly, and said: “The Tank Company charging the position is feasible, but the premise is sufficient reconnaissance.
Confirm the enemy position’s anti-tank forces and conduct targeted cleanup and suppression before letting the tanks charge.
Otherwise, with the high ground charge’s excessive elevation angle, the tank’s weak underbelly will be exposed, making it easy to be destroyed by anti-tank weapons.”
Chen Jun pinpointed the flaws in the playing style and provided remedial methods for those flaws.
First Battalion Commander was left speechless and could only shut his mouth resentfully.
“Deputy Company Commander Chen, your brain really works well. No wonder you started studying military theory in high school—your fundamentals are extremely solid.”
Regiment Commander Wang didn’t stint on praising Chen Jun, drawing waves of envious gazes from the whole audience.
Regiment Commander Wang was a very dominant and proud person—strictly speaking, Gao Cheng was cut from the same cloth, so their personal relationship was so good.
Thus, Regiment Commander Wang rarely looked up to anyone, let alone praised them openly.
“Regiment Commander, you’re too kind. I only know bookish talk on war. I’m showing ugliness in front of all you leaders; please be forgiving if anything is improper.”
Chen Jun was politely courteous first, then abruptly changed style and said: “However, I do have a few clumsy opinions. I think there are a few places needing adjustment. Does the Regiment Commander have interest in hearing them?”
“Hahaha, good. Let’s hear it.” Chen Jun’s straightforwardness deeply appealed to Regiment Commander Wang.
“Then I’ll show my ugliness.”
Chen Jun stepped forward to the first row, looked at everyone neither humbly nor arrogantly, and said: “Just now, the Regiment Commander and Chief of Staff clearly pointed out.
The Blue Army we’re facing this time isn’t an ordinary unit.
It’s a unit created above to test us, specifically to find our loopholes. Their equipment and playing style are definitely more advanced.
As the Group Army’s first Combined Arms Company Deputy Company Commander, I also completed the initial combined arms theory myself.
Assuming I switch positions with the Blue Army and think from their perspective on how to fight this confrontation to defeat the 702 Regiment—what method would I use?
When I think that way, I discover many serious problems.”
Chen Jun’s little technique of switching perspectives immediately made everyone present realize that Chen Jun really had real skills.
At the same time, it stimulated everyone’s curiosity about what those serious problems were.
Including Regiment Commander Wang!
“Many problems? That serious? Then hurry and tell everyone.” Regiment Commander Wang urged.
“For winning this exercise, the key is first to find a method to take out the Red Army command post. To take out the Red Army command post, we must first find the Red Army Headquarters, which requires enemy rear reconnaissance.”
After Chen Jun spoke, he pointed his finger upward, then continued: “Satellites can be used in the sky for reconnaissance, but the command center is camouflaged. Satellite scans basically rely on visuals; the feasibility of this path isn’t high.
Next, at the Blue Army’s level, they definitely have Army Aviation Force for combat.
Whether helicopters or reconnaissance aircraft, high-altitude reconnaissance is easy to expose, detectable by our regiment’s ground radar—the execution difficulty is also very high.
So only the last path remains: dispatch ground troops for enemy rear reconnaissance.
Our 702 Regiment has a professional Reconnaissance Company. The Blue Army, as a unit specialized in picking Red Army flaws, definitely has professional reconnaissance units.
Once Blue Army scouts find the command post, the consequences will be a fatal blow.
So I think the first thing to do is strengthen the protection of the Regiment Command Post to ensure its absolute safety in the confrontation.”
What Chen Jun said was indeed a big problem, but not everyone was convinced.
“Blue Army scouts infiltrate just like that and investigate us as they please? What a joke!”
First Battalion Commander sneered a few times, pointed straight at Chen Jun, and said: “Don’t you have Steel Seventh Company? Your Seventh Company, as our regiment’s Reconnaissance Company, reconnaissance isn’t limited to just reconnaissance. Are your counter-reconnaissance techniques just for show?”
“To be frank, I’m not belittling ourselves—it’s possible we really can’t stop the Blue Army’s reconnaissance forces.” Chen Jun said with a faint smile.
“Is the Blue Army that strong? I don’t believe it. Even if your Reconnaissance Company can’t, there’s still the Signal Company.” First Battalion Commander said confidently.
Chen Jun really wanted to say “frog in a well”—the Blue Army’s old A is a strategic-level special forces unit. If old A comes for reconnaissance, what does 702 Regiment use to block them?
Old A consists of soldier kings from various units, not to mention high-tech aids like night vision goggles.
Steel Seventh Company can’t.
Signal Battalion is even less capable.
But thinking First Battalion Commander just eagerly wanted to show off, not some deep grudge, and they’re from the same regiment—seeing each other often—there’s no need to offend just to show off.
So Chen Jun changed his approach and countered with a question: “May I ask, First Battalion Commander, do you know about special forces?”
“Special forces? How wouldn’t I? That’s where soldier kings gather. But this is just a confrontation—could special forces really participate?” First Battalion Commander had an “I don’t buy it” expression.
“Why not? What if they do? Do you think our command post can stay hidden? Better safe than sorry—this is organized by the Group Army; deploying special forces is very easy.” Chen Jun retorted.
“…”
First Battalion Commander was left speechless. The Group Army deploying special forces really wasn’t difficult.
But being silenced like that left him unconvinced, so he stubbornly took another path: “Even if found, so what? As a heavy armored unit, with tanks and the Artillery Regiment guarding, what can the Blue Army do to me?”
“Do to you? Heh.”
Chen Jun was amused to anger, no longer humble, eyebrows raised sharply as he said: “The Signal Company has fire control radar for warning. The Blue Army heavy artillery indeed only poses a threat and doesn’t have the ability to completely destroy the Red Army command post.
But don’t forget, the Blue Army also has Army Aviation Force, likely equipped with attack helicopters.
Once they fly ultra-low into the radar blind zone and use mountain depressions and valleys for cover to sneak attack the command post, do you still think the command post is safe??”
“Attack helicopters…”
First Battalion Commander stared wide-eyed, murmuring to himself, completely shocked by Chen Jun’s method.
If the Blue Army really used Chen Jun’s playbook, with special forces and Army Aviation Force, the current Red Army defense plan couldn’t stop them at all.
Thinking of the command post being wiped out by the enemy, First Battalion Commander broke out in cold sweat on his back.
After hearing this debate between Chen Jun and First Battalion Commander, everyone’s thinking was opened up, and their expressions became extremely serious.
Before this, no one had thought the Blue Army might have special forces.
They thought with Steel Seventh Company and Signal Company combining inside and out, no one worried about enemy infiltration or the Regiment Command Post being found.
Assuming the Blue Army really fought with Chen Jun’s thinking—first sending special forces to find it, then attack helicopters to sneak attack.
Then how to defend???
From the Regiment Commander down to Gao Cheng, everyone felt a strong sense of crisis.
Chen Jun’s perspective switch really cleared everyone’s minds. Regiment Commander Wang immediately frowned seriously and asked: “Chen Jun, since you thought of it, you definitely have a countermeasure, right?”
“Regiment Commander, nothing escapes your keen eye.”
Chen Jun flattered Regiment Commander Wang a bit to ease the tense atmosphere on site, then said: “The coping method isn’t actually difficult.
We just need a golden cicada sheds its shell to perfectly resolve this potential danger.”
“Golden cicada sheds its shell? How to do it?” Gao Cheng asked impatiently.
“Very simple…”
Chen Jun pointed downward and said: “This place stays the same, but the people here—we must completely replace them all.
Regiment Commander, Chief of Staff, and other Regiment Headquarters personnel all change into ordinary soldiers’ military uniforms. The changed uniforms are worn by other soldiers, who stay in the command post to attract the enemy and make the enemy confirm this is the Regiment Command Post.
To ensure the Regiment Command Post’s absolute safety, the disguised Regiment Command Post officers split into two groups—Regiment Commander and Chief of Staff taking separate paths.
Randomly transferring at irregular times between First Battalion, Second Battalion, and Third Battalion headquarters.
Tactical communication and order issuance all done via radio for remote communication. Only when a full regiment meeting is absolutely necessary do they assemble at the three battalion headquarters.
Achieving complete detachment from the Regiment Command Post camp while still not affecting the Regiment Headquarters’ command of combat.”
