Chapter 171: Old A Big Boss Tielu Gets Alarmed!
“Company Commander Gao, it’s the middle of the night, and you’ve brought your troops in looking like this to the regiment. What exactly are you trying to do? The regiment is already chaotic enough; don’t add more trouble for us.”
The Chief of Staff thought the arrivals were all Steel Seventh Company’s warriors and frowned, sternly reprimanding them.
This was still considering Gao Cheng’s special status.
If it were any other company commander fooling around at this time, he would have been cursed out thoroughly.
The Blue Army and Red Army are all Chinese soldiers; without military uniforms, there’s not much difference between the two sides, and it’s impossible to judge Red Army or Blue Army by physique.
The Red Army isn’t without warriors with good physiques; it’s just not like every Blue Army soldier has one.
The Chief of Staff mistook them at first glance, and Regiment Commander Wang didn’t think that way either, both assuming Gao Cheng was playing tricks.
After all, Gao Cheng had the guts for that!
He criticized helplessly yet seriously: “Gao Cheng, I don’t know what scheme you’re plotting or what trick you’re playing this time. It’s not a good moment now. Take your people and leave; we’ll talk about anything tomorrow.”
The other regiment staff officers and Third Battalion Headquarters personnel didn’t recognize them as Blue Army either. The way they looked at Gao Cheng and the others was like the expression of “the whole world has suffered under Qin for so long.”
Gao Cheng strutted horizontally across the regiment’s sixteen companies; his personality was too sharp and exposed.
He wasn’t very likable to begin with.
“Regiment Commander, are you sure you want me to take them away? If I really do, we need to make it clear upfront—you can’t regret it later.”
Daring to bargain with the regiment commander in this situation—probably only Gao Cheng would do that.
The regiment commander was a seasoned veteran who knew Gao Cheng’s personality like the back of his hand. Seeing Gao Cheng so smug, he finally reacted.
From his understanding of Gao Cheng, though Gao Cheng was dominant and loved showing off, he never boasted without real substance.
Now that Gao Cheng was so calm, there was only one answer.
This group of shorts-wearing men in front of him were absolutely not Seventh Company people; their origins were anything but simple.
In this uninhabited jungle depths within a hundred miles, the only ones Gao Cheng would take so seriously with simple origins were that group opposite who’d fought all day without showing up—mysterious and unscrupulous Blue Army.
“Blue Army??”
These two words leaped into his mind. Regiment Commander Wang, whose face had been dark with full anger, had all emotions swept away, leaving only incredulous wide-eyed shock.
Pointing at this group of face-painted men, his tone rose two octaves in astonishment: “You’re not trying to tell me that they… are Blue Army you captured??”
Blue Army??
The Blue Army they’d fought all day without seeing, yet caused heavy losses to their side?
Everyone on site, including the Chief of Staff, heard Regiment Commander Wang’s guess, and their minds buzzed collectively, eyes widening a full circle.
“Mm-hmm.”
Gao Cheng didn’t speak, arrogantly nodding and humming two nasal sounds.
But Gao Cheng’s simple two nasal sounds became a thunderbolt on a clear day in this tent, stunning everyone present.
In just yesterday’s battle, Second Battalion’s four companies’ troop losses added up to over two hundred.
Over twenty percent of the entire regiment’s combat troops!
As a mechanized heavy armored regiment, 702 Regiment already had logistics personnel taking up a large portion; the overly high logistics ratio had always been a defect of heavy armored units.
Actual combat personnel numbered less than a thousand.
Losing one-fifth on the first day already counted as heavy losses.
Yet at such a huge cost of one-fifth, they hadn’t even brought back a single Blue Army “corpse,” not even knowing what Blue Army looked like.
That was the main reason Regiment Commander Wang had a headache and couldn’t sleep in the middle of the night.
But now?
Gao Cheng quietly brought eleven, claiming all eleven were Blue Army. One company achieved what the entire regiment couldn’t.
For people with no psychological preparation,
It wasn’t just a surprise; it was downright frightening.
Too exaggerated!
Because the impact was too great, the entire battalion headquarters fell silent for over five seconds, followed by an outburst of discussion like a tidal surge.
“My goodness, eleven, a full eleven. How did Seventh Company manage that?”
“As expected of the division’s first reorganized company. This combat effectiveness is truly unmatched. Other companies caught none, but Seventh Company quietly nabbed a squad plus one more. No wonder they’re pushing military reform.”
“Is this the combat power of a combined arms company? It completely subverts my cognition. Too exaggerated.”
“I heard Blue Army even takes their dead away. To make Blue Army leave people behind, there’s only one possibility… Seventh Company routed a Blue Army unit.”
Boom~
Third Battalion Commander’s final words were like a thunderbolt on a clear day.
“Steel Seventh Company routed Blue Army?”
Everyone looked at each other, realizing the value of those words.
Regiment Commander Wang, who’d only heard of being beaten by Blue Army in every way and nearly driven mad by them, heard that his own company could actually flip Blue Army.
His knife-sharp brows shot up fiercely, excitedly asking in agitation: “Gao Cheng, how did they come about? Did you really crush a Blue Army unit? Win a victory?”
Regiment Commander Wang desperately needed a victory now to soothe his uneasy heart.
So his eyes were full of anticipation!
“Yes, indeed…”
“Come on, come on, tell us quickly. What’s the story? How did you do it?”
Regiment Commander Wang impatiently interrupted Gao Cheng, pulling him to sit at the nearby table, even taking out a lighter to light Gao Cheng’s cigarette.
As expected of a true-tempered man.
As long as you win battles for me, the regiment commander will personally light your smoke.
If Gao Cheng had personally led the team to capture them, even participating himself, Gao Cheng would accept the regiment commander’s personal lighting without batting an eye or blushing.
Unfortunately, just over ten minutes ago, he was no different from everyone present.
To put it bluntly.
Actually, Gao Cheng himself didn’t know exactly what happened; he was too excited at the time, only thinking of coming to the regiment to show off, forgetting to ask Third Platoon Leader for details.
Now seeing Regiment Commander Wang’s eager gaze and the curious looks around,
Gao Cheng nearly lost his composure.
Good thing Gao Cheng was worldly; his brain reacted faster than most, promptly and cleverly thinking of a method.
“Our company headquarters formulated the combat plan. I was in charge of commanding from company headquarters for coordination. Deputy Company Commander Chen Jun led the execution. The deputy company commander hasn’t returned yet. Third Platoon Leader brought the people back; he’s clearer on it than me.”
Gao Cheng finished methodically, beckoning to Third Platoon Leader nearby: “Third Platoon Leader, come here. Tell the regiment commander well how you did it.”
“Yes!”
Third Platoon Leader saluted, his voice very loud.
As the lowest-level officer, it was his first time reporting in front of regiment leaders, which put great pressure on him but also excited him greatly.
Because standing before the regiment commander, Chief of Staff, and others was already a tremendous honor.
Let alone making a report on such an important matter.
To leave a good impression before the leaders and perform well on his first appearance before regiment leaders, Third Platoon Leader took two deep breaths to calm his emotions.
Then he recounted everything that happened tonight from start to finish to the leaders present.
This ambush was thrilling to begin with; no embellishment needed—telling it raw was captivating enough.
The regiment commander and others exclaimed in admiration repeatedly.
Especially when describing Deputy Company Commander Chen Jun leading the ambush, Blue Army charging headlong into the ambush circle, and at Chen Jun’s order, using a flare to disrupt Blue Army formation.
Then dozens of guns firing together, sending Blue Army into chaos.
Everyone present’s emotions were stirred, fully immersing themselves in this attack, as if they were part of it, viciously beating the unscrupulous Blue Army and venting all the day’s humiliation.
That feeling was just too refreshing, exciting everyone until their faces flushed.
And as everyone’s emotions built stronger, savoring this rare Red Army great victory, they were all convinced by Deputy Company Commander Chen Jun’s imaginative tactical play.
Admiring Chen Jun’s courage and boldness even more!
Blue Army’s strength was obvious to all. In such a situation of enemy strong and us weak, few deputy company commanders had Chen Jun’s courage to proactively ambush.
Because if this ambush failed, the consequences would be very serious.
After all, Chen Jun had stated at the regiment meeting to stick to steady defense of positions, not allowing other companies to go out and fight Blue Army.
Yet he himself took most of a company out, not just to fight Blue Army but to their position rear.
In a sense…
Chen Jun had disobeyed regiment headquarters orders!
Even as a reconnaissance unit where Steel Seventh Company needed to take risks, post-incident punishment wouldn’t be light.
But punishment was inevitable!
Though these were afterthoughts and fundamentally impossible now.
Because victory erases all flaws. The moment Deputy Company Commander Chen Jun’s ambush succeeded, everything would turn toward him.
No one would pursue that minor non-issue in the perfection.
Moreover, this perfect victory thoroughly established Chen Jun’s absolute status in 702 Regiment, unshakable by anyone.
After this battle.
Chen Jun was Steel Seventh Company’s deputy company commander and 702 Regiment’s decision-making Chief of Staff.
The real regiment Chief of Staff exclaimed—
“Done for, I’m just a figurehead now!”
With Deputy Company Commander Chen Jun conquering the regiment commander, Chief of Staff, and all regiment leaders through a perfect battle, his status rocketed like a rocket.
After Third Platoon Leader vividly finished recounting the ambush battle, all regiment leaders including the regiment commander were shocked into discussing for a full half hour.
They still weren’t satisfied!
The battle Chen Jun organized tonight was destined to become a classic in Seventh Zero Two Regiment.
Not to mention epic history, at least recorded in regiment history.
If Political Instructor Hong Xingguo hadn’t reported that Chen Jun had already led the team back,
With emotions fully aroused and urgently wanting to counterattack, Regiment Commander Wang immediately called Chen Jun to regiment headquarters for a meeting, forcing the discussion to stop.
The crowd, stimulated to have no sleepiness left, could probably chat another hour.
When Deputy Company Commander Chen Jun rushed over by vehicle and reported entering the battalion headquarters tent, everyone’s gazes toward him completely changed.
Previously, they just appreciated Chen Jun as talented, a good seedling worth cultivating.
Their gazes were those of superiors looking at subordinates!
After all, everyone was a two-pip colonel; there was still a sense of superiority toward junior officers.
Now, everyone’s gazes toward Chen Jun shifted from appreciation to admiration and conviction, genuine acknowledgment and submission to Chen Jun’s strength.
Gazes from superiors to subordinates became the respect for peers.
Treating Chen Jun as an equal-level existence.
This huge shift in identity and status was instantly felt by Chen Jun, the old-timer who’d been in the troops for decades.
Thus.
His mouth corners upturned; he smiled.
Through this exercise, the goals he aimed to achieve were being accomplished step by step.
With recognition from the regiment’s leaders, as long as he took this exercise, the path to upgrading combined arms company to combined arms battalion would be half-paved.
“Deputy Company Commander Chen, you’ve finally arrived. The battle you fought tonight was brilliant, helping us 702 vent our anger—truly exhilarating.”
Regiment Commander Wang personally stepped forward two paces to welcome Chen Jun, opening with high praise.
Then he held Chen Jun’s hand, facing all cadres present: “Look, everyone look. This is the kind of excellent cadre we need. Though he’s still very young, you all should learn from him…”
Chen Jun had become Regiment Commander Wang’s favorite, praising nonstop for nearly two minutes, almost praising him to the skies.
The regiment and battalion cadres present all chimed in, cooperating with the regiment commander to praise Chen Jun.
The battalion headquarters atmosphere was indescribably lively!
Compared to when Gao Cheng first arrived, it was worlds apart.
After praising Chen Jun thoroughly from head to toe, Regiment Commander Wang, following “use the capable more,” pulled Chen Jun to do the “heavy lifting.”
“Deputy Company Commander Chen, you have a knack for dealing with Blue Army. You should know our regiment’s situation clearly. What do you think our next step should be?”
Regiment Commander Wang adopted a humble attitude; others looked at Chen Jun expectantly too.
In troops, strength rules!
Even the highest leader must listen to those who can win battles.
Across the regiment’s sixteen companies up and down, only Chen Jun had beaten Blue Army. With this clear battle record, anyone would submit.
Gao Cheng, as Steel Seventh Company’s company commander, seeing Chen Jun steal his spotlight, felt not the slightest discomfort.
He even secretly rejoiced, feeling exceptionally proud.
After all, a military genius like Chen Jun rising in their Steel Seventh Company meant he was someone Gao Cheng had brought up.
Having such an awesome little brother, how could the eldest brother not feel proud?
And Chen Jun, now the regiment’s tactical core, faced the expectant gazes of all regiment cadres without tension from the immense pressure.
He smiled faintly and calmly said: “Regiment Commander, after today’s battle, though our losses were heavy, our gains were equally great.
First, we can confirm Blue Army ground forces are few in number, taking an elite, high technology route.
Their individual soldier combat effectiveness is stronger, with various advanced combat equipment, especially maximizing combat power in jungle.
But we, as a heavy armored regiment, are restricted by terrain from mechanized large-unit operations, weakening our combat power by at least half.
In this enemy-strong-us-weak situation, fighting them in jungle, our armored infantry can only abandon vehicles and fight on foot, utterly unable to match Blue Army.
So the first thing we must do is avoid repeating the same mistake.
In all subsequent tactics, never engage Blue Army in forests again. Remaining armored infantry must hunker down in positions.
Resolutely execute using tanks to charge and open paths, with armored infantry controlling positions tactical thinking.”
Chen Jun first discussed defense, using this as the starting point. Only by securing defense could they consider offense.
If they couldn’t even hold positions, what offense was there?
“Deputy Company Commander Chen, your combat thinking is completely correct. I fully agree.”
Regiment Commander Wang first affirmed Chen Jun’s thinking, then scanned the whole audience.
With a warning tone: “The muddleheaded Ninth Company Commander and Tenth Company Commander—I already dealt with them, sending them to positions to re-experience being a soldier.”
Thinking of Ninth Company Commander and Tenth Company Commander’s mistakes, Second Battalion Commander was so angry he wanted to beat them.
Good thing Regiment Commander Wang only mentioned it briefly, not dragging it to him as battalion commander; otherwise, he wouldn’t have an easy night.
After warning everyone present, Regiment Commander Wang asked Chen Jun: “Since Blue Army takes elite route, dead-guarding highland is no big issue.
But just defending isn’t viable. How do you think we should attack best?
Also, no news on Blue Army command post; Signal Company hasn’t intercepted any communications. Thus, it relies on your Reconnaissance Company.”
“Regiment Commander.”
Gao Cheng proactively responded: “Our Seventh Company’s Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad has already set out overnight, deep into enemy rear to find Blue Army command post. If no accidents, there’ll be news in at most two days.”
“Oh? That’s good. To beat Blue Army, we must find the command post—only relying on your Seventh Company. Hope you won’t disappoint me.” Regiment Commander Wang said seriously.
“Regiment Commander, I dare not say absolute certainty, but seventy percent grasp we have. After all…”
Chen Jun said this, grinning: “Tonight’s ambush was mainly to snag equipment. Blue Army gear made me too envious.
The plan went very smoothly. Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad has all switched to Blue Army equipment. With the most advanced gear, they’ll achieve twice the result with half the effort.”
“Oh?”
The Chief of Staff suddenly understood, teasingly laughing: “No wonder Blue Army soldiers were stripped bare, even shoes taken, left only in shorts, so much I didn’t recognize them.
Turns out it was your ploy—no guns or cannons, enemies make them for us, haha.”
This phrase was widely known; everyone present had heard it. Thinking of Chen Jun robbing Blue Army, they all couldn’t help laughing.
“Young man, what a brain—coming up with such a sly idea, haha.”
Regiment Commander Wang laughed heartily in relief, then said to Chen Jun: “Come on, continue. Tell us tomorrow’s arrangement.”
“Tomorrow I want to take a risk, fish a bit. Wonder if Regiment Commander you are willing.” Chen Jun said astonishingly.
“Adventure fishing?”
Everyone was drawn by this novel phrasing; Regiment Commander Wang eagerly asked: “How so? Come on, elaborate in detail.”
“My idea is this…”
Chen Jun came to the battalion headquarters’ miniature sand table and began explaining his envisioned playstyle and tactics.
Meanwhile, the heavily pitted Blue Army had followed Yuan Lang back to old A temporary camp, then hopped on off-road vehicles straight to rear Blue Army Command Post.
Tonight Yuan Lang leading Third Company had gains but also met the most miserable defeat in history.
On the way back, Yuan Lang reported to command post. Tie Lu learned Red Army had an expert who consecutively broke “undefeated general” Yuan Lang’s setups.
Immediately piqued with curiosity, he had Yuan Lang come personally overnight to report face-to-face.
