Chapter 188: You’ll Have The Right To Speak After You Win
Tie Lu waited at the Regiment Command Post for Chen Jun to return, Yuan Lang waited at the Steel Seventh Company Company Headquarters for Chen Jun to return, both of them adopting the stance of not leaving without seeing the person.
The Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad returned separately from Tie Lu, and happened to run into Yuan Lang waiting at the Company Headquarters.
“What’s going on here??”
Having just parted from the Blue Army Colonel a few minutes ago, they returned to the Company Headquarters and ran into another Blue Army Lieutenant Colonel officer, leaving Shi Jin, Wu Liu Yi, and the others all dumbfounded.
They could only instinctively salute Yuan Lang and greet him, saying “Leader good.”
“Mm.”
Yuan Lang nodded in response, sitting on the ammunition box without standing up, looking at Shi Jin and the others with slight thought, and guessing as he asked: “You all are the Reconnaissance Squad that infiltrated the Blue Army enemy rear and found the Blue Army Command Post?”
“Yes, Leader, we have completed the mission and are now reporting back to the company.” Shi Jin answered.
“You’re quite capable, huh?”
Yuan Lang took a drag on his cigarette and slowly exhaled, his line of sight sweeping over the Reconnaissance Squad members.
The serious Shi Jin, the stern Wu Liu Yi, the grinning and fawning Bai Tie Jun, the pretentiously profound Cheng Cai, the curiously looking around Gan Xiao Ning, the head-down sneaking glances Xu Sanduo, the face full of confusion Xie Chong…
Looking at this group that couldn’t exactly be called crooked melons and split dates, but completely lacked the fierce image of elite troops, Yuan Lang’s brows involuntarily furrowed.
He had carefully set up such a big trap, bringing the old A squadron where everyone was a Soldier King.
And they lost to this group?
Yuan Lang couldn’t believe it, it felt awful, just like eating a pile of shit.
And it was the runny kind, stuck to his teeth.
Especially that short little guy with his head down, no matter how Yuan Lang looked at him, he seemed very punchable.
He couldn’t help shouting: “Hey, you, the one rolling your eyes, why are you looking at me with such a cheap gaze? Do you dislike me? Want to hit me?”
“Me? Are you asking me?”
Xu Sanduo blankly pointed at himself, his eyes wandering left and right in confusion.
“Besides you rolling your eyes, who else?” Yuan Lang said speechlessly.
“Ah? I… I didn’t roll my eyes, this is how I always look.” Xu Sanduo stammered an explanation; indeed, this was how he usually was.
“Ho, you always do this? Not tiring?”
Yuan Lang playfully imitated Xu Sanduo by lowering his head, rolling his lower eye whites and shaking his head, making Gan Xiao Ning and others want to laugh but not daring to, their faces turning red from holding it in.
“I… I…”
“Alright, stop with the ‘I I I’, talking to you is really tiring.”
Yuan Lang interrupted Xu Sanduo’s words. Although he thought Xu Sanduo was pretty dumb, for some reason, he inexplicably found him interesting, feeling like something would happen with him in the future.
So he simply asked: “Hey, tell me, what’s your name.”
“Report Leader, he is called Xu Sanduo.”
Cheng Cai loudly answered on behalf of Xu Sanduo. On one hand, to relieve Xu Sanduo’s tension, and on the other, to show off in front of the leader.
Liking the spotlight, seeking attention, competitive.
Cheng Cai hadn’t changed these traits!
“Does he have a nickname like ‘rolling eyes’? Or ‘stubborn’? I think it suits him, haha.” Yuan Lang laughed.
“I, I often mess up, I’m very stupid.” Xu Sanduo murmured with his head down.
“Why are you so brave in admitting faults? Do you think this is fun?” Yuan Lang stood up, walked over, and stared at Xu Sanduo as he asked.
“Because, because I always do things wrong.” Xu Sanduo answered very seriously.
“Brave in admitting faults, good kid, rare indeed. I really should give you a ‘three good student’ certificate.” Yuan Lang laughed heartily.
It was unclear if it was sarcasm or praise.
“I’m not a good kid, I’m very stupid. My friend Cheng Cai is the good kid, he’s the genius. You should give the certificate to him.” Xu Sanduo earnestly corrected.
“Hahaha.”
Yuan Lang found Xu Sanduo more and more interesting. It was his first time meeting such a pure soldier, and inexplicably, he had a good impression.
Then he continued: “Genius? What genius? Is he here?”
“He is, he is Cheng Cai.”
Shi Jin also thought Cheng Cai was excellent and stood up to give him a push.
“Oh? You? How excellent?”
Yuan Lang put one hand on his waist looking at Cheng Cai, took a drag from the cigarette in his mouth.
“Report Leader.”
Cheng Cai stepped forward and spoke eloquently: “I am the Steel Seventh Company’s most excellent sniper. In last year’s regiment and division-level mid-year Grand Competition.
I won the regiment’s strongest new recruit, division’s excellent new recruit, one Third-class Merit, two Collective Second-class Merits…”
Cheng Cai listed them like treasures, each indeed very impressive.
“Yo, the company’s most excellent sniper? Quite a few awards, huh. So, in this Confrontation Exercise, what was your performance?” Yuan Lang asked with interest.
Old A was about to start selections, and he needed to find excellent old A seedlings.
“…”
Cheng Cai was a bit awkward, then self-defended: “As the Vanguard Reconnaissance Squad’s sniper, in this exercise, my task was to find the Blue Army Command Post. Under the Platoon Leader’s lead, we successfully completed the mission.
Though I didn’t kill any, if given the chance, I could definitely take out at least five.”
“At least five? Big talk.”
Yuan Lang grabbed Cheng Cai’s hand, opened the palm to look at the calluses on his fingers, immediately got the measure, and his mouth curved up.
“Your squad is quite interesting, and indeed has some skills. Interested in trying out with me? If you pass the Training Camp, staying with me would be way more interesting than here.”
Infiltrating dozens of kilometers into the Blue Army enemy rear was the strongest proof of strength. Yuan Lang was really eyeing the Reconnaissance Squad.
“Report Leader, we are born as Steel Seventh Company soldiers, and die as Steel Seventh Company souls.”
Shi Jin answered without hesitation.
“Is this your answer too?”
Yuan Lang’s gaze skipped over the rejecting Shi Jin to the other nine behind.
“Your Blue Army is just so-so. Want to recruit? Don’t you need to win first?” Gao Cheng suddenly appeared, interrupting Yuan Lang’s plan.
“Win?”
A glint flashed in Yuan Lang’s eyes. He didn’t continue poaching in front of the Company Commander, turned and smiled: “Your soldiers are interesting.”
“What are you standing around for, go rest. We’ll have a feast later to celebrate. Seventh Company had a big win, tonight we drink freely.”
Gao Cheng waved at Shi Jin and others, telling them to leave quickly to avoid being poached, and subtly jabbed at Yuan Lang.
“Fine, lost this time, nothing to say. But if I win next time, don’t blame me.”
Yuan Lang also spoke with implications.
Hinting that Steel Seventh Company barely won this time, he Yuan Lang had no face to poach, but next time he’d make them convinced.
Then he’d take who he wants his way.
Gao Cheng heard the meaning but didn’t call it out or argue, just lifted his head and chin slightly, giving Yuan Lang a victor’s stance.
As if telling Yuan Lang, don’t talk about the future; I’m the winner now.
At that moment.
Chaotic footsteps came from the front corner. Yuan Lang and Gao Cheng both looked over.
A group of soldiers under moonlight, running in neat running formation, standard formation, full aura, heading towards the camp.
“Running back from there is seven kilometers, just over half an hour, still keeping formation. Stamina is decent.”
Yuan Lang squinted, somewhat acknowledging Steel Seventh Company’s strength.
As for who he came for, though never met, by battlefield instinct, Yuan Lang targeted the tall leader.
Only this burly tall guy gave him a different aura.
“Haha, Deputy Company Commander is back. Cookhouse, feast preparations can start.”
Gao Cheng saw the main force return, his bad mood from poaching attempts instantly dispelled. Happily ordering the Cookhouse, he strode up to welcome his triumphant troops.
“One two one, at ease, dress right…”
“Parade rest, attention~”
Chen Jun organized the formation, turned to report to Gao Cheng: “Report Company Commander Comrade, outbound mission squads and platoons assembled. Should be 53, actual Awaiting orders.”
“Go change equipment, prepare for feast. Dismissed.”
Gao Cheng returned salute and ordered.
“Yes~”
Chen Jun saluted, turned, and commanded: “Dismissed.”
“Kill!”
Steel Seventh Company’s five squads shouted slogan and dispersed to squads.
They all saw Yuan Lang standing nearby, staring at Chen Jun unblinkingly, casting curious puzzled looks.
Chen Jun, knowing Yuan Lang well, was even more sensitive, noticing him early.
Yuan Lang, seeing Chen Jun personally leading, turning Qi Huan’s two old A squads’ advantage to none, with more casualties than Steel Seventh Company.
Grew even more curious about Chen Jun.
Old A vs regular infantry company conservatively achieves 1:25 combat loss ratio. Ten old A threaten a full company.
Equivalent to 1 vs 10!
Chen Jun with half company beat two full old A squads, making Qi Huan jump but helpless.
Force ratio only 1:5, regular company beats special forces squad.
If war at this ratio, all Red Army with this strength, all special forces disbanded.
After all.
One special forces soldier to 1 vs 10 costs 1:20 or 30 funding, huge cost to “gild.”
If after such cost, can’t beat two regulars.
No need to exist.
Yuan Lang knew all this well, knew Steel Seventh Company’s win over old A wasn’t the company itself.
Root cause was this tall First Lieutenant.
Under intense curiosity, Yuan Lang didn’t put on airs, walked to Chen Jun after dismissal.
“I’m Yuan Lang, nice to meet you.”
To leave good impression for later moves, Yuan Lang smiled faintly, slightly raised head to extend hand to Chen Jun.
Chen Jun too tall, Yuan Lang had to look up.
“Leader good, I’m Chen Jun, Seventh Reconnaissance Combined Arms Company Deputy Company Commander.”
Chen Jun saluted first, then shook hands, calm expression, relaxed posture, exuding confident image.
As the saying goes.
Expert shows, you know.
Chen Jun’s entrance made Yuan Lang’s eyes light up. Instinct told him, met the legendary “born soldier.”
Extreme talent craving, talent-as-life pursuit, made his rarely rippling heart excited.
Heartbeat accelerated.
Surprise too sudden, Yuan Lang couldn’t control emotions, intentions too obvious.
Gao Cheng nearby saw, crisis awareness triggered.
With precedent, Gao Cheng feared Yuan Lang scheming to poach Chen Jun.
Quickly interjected: “Alright, Leader, you’ve seen the man. Time’s late, we have feast. No send-off.”
Yuan Lang saw Gao Cheng so protective, starting to usher before he spoke.
Couldn’t help laughing, teased: “You play protective hen well, but I’m not hawk. Why so scared? Can’t snatch a grown man?”
“Not sure, some have bad intentions, must guard.” Gao Cheng no face given.
“Alright, relax. Rest assured, not taking anyone today. Just chat, few words then go.”
Yuan Lang amused by Gao Cheng’s tension, patted chest guaranteeing.
Indeed couldn’t take anyway.
“Hmph.”
Gao Cheng snorted, didn’t speak or leave, lit a cigarette, stance of watching.
“Chen Jun, Army Command Academy grad right? These tactics and playing style from Combined Arms Tactics major?” Yuan Lang probed.
“Report Leader, some from school, most self-taught. I love researching this.” Chen Jun’s explanation standard.
“School teaches knowledge, battlefield needs knowledge plus experience.”
Yuan Lang pointed key, squinted at Chen Jun giving pressure, seriously asked: “Red Army’s many tactics this time from you.
Very curious, academy faction, just joined company under two years, no actual combat experience. Where from?”
…
Yuan Lang used rhetoric to pry info from Chen Jun, probe his bottom via exchange.
Chen Jun seemed green, actually veteran bird.
Not easy to trick.
The two played dialogue duel, meanwhile Tie Lu waited half day at command post, smoked several, Regiment Commander Wang no move.
Tie Lu old fox, observe facial expressions skill top-notch.
Saw Regiment Commander Wang’s stance, knew old buddy protecting calf, didn’t want him seeing Chen Jun.
Fear poached!
Not just Regiment Commander Wang.
Across army most troops same, excellent soldier seedlings treasured, kept for own contributions, not dug by others.
Since Regiment Commander Wang wouldn’t let see, Tie Lu realized self-solution.
No waste time, slipped out unnoticed, asked random soldier outside.
Colonel regiment-level leader asking directions, warriors dared not neglect.
Tie Lu easily found Steel Seventh Company camp location, plus used status for off-road vehicle.
Drove himself straight to Steel Seventh Company.
Insisting if no guide, find self, self-reliance.
Regiment Commander Wang watched Tie Lu, noticed gone in under two minutes, knew going for Chen Jun.
Heart startled.
Ignored all else, called Chief of Staff and regiment staff, large group rushed Steel Seventh Company.
As if two seconds late, Chen Jun poached.
Talk needs quiet.
More people, more chaos, harder talk.
Thus Tie Lu front foot arrived Steel Seventh Company, found Yuan Lang chatting with Chen Jun, just proper greet.
Back foot Regiment Commander Wang’s large group surged over.
Like fight about start.
Regiment Commander Wang and Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment folks treasured Chen Jun so, a First Lieutenant such status proved much.
Tie Lu saw grand scene, basically knew.
Clear large group here, deep chat impossible, no point staying.
Simply took Yuan Lang, drove back Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment Command Post.
There captured helicopter, fly back camp.
However.
Though Tie Lu didn’t chat much with Chen Jun, leaving with Yuan Lang, left specific words.
“Very welcome to my troops, this your place.”
Chen Jun heard Tie Lu’s hint, under Regiment Commander Wang tense gaze, replied very short but high lethality.
“Win me first.”
Hearing Chen Jun, Regiment Commander Wang smiled.
Mind settled!
Tie Lu and Yuan Lang smiled too, appreciated Chen Jun’s edge. Tie Lu direct: “Won’t make you wait long.”
Also obvious hint.
Meaning next he’d make Chen Jun convinced join A team, quickest rematch.
Then beat Chen Jun, make willing follow.
Chen Jun no more words.
Just smiled, meaning not panicked, await that day.
…
Tie Lu and Yuan Lang’s recruitment storm ended with departure, next Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment’s revelry.
As five Confrontation’s heavy equipment regiment, only tying Blue Army.
Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment exposed many fatal issues in exercise, but draw acceptable result.
So deserved grand revelry night.
Others celebrated via feasts at company camps.
Chen Jun, exercise big hero, personally invited by Regiment Commander Wang to regiment HQ, camp-level+ cadres only regiment feast.
Gao Cheng, Steel Seventh Company top command, big contributions in exercise.
Mainly close ties, borrowed Chen Jun’s light.
Gao Cheng also invited, with Chen Jun only two company-level cadres at table with Regiment Commander.
Received everyone’s enthusiastic toasts.
Large Green Bottles like free, poured at Chen Jun and Gao Cheng.
Chen Jun via this regiment feast, this Mountain Confrontation Exercise, solidified status in Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment.
Personal prestige peaked, none doubted Chen Jun’s ability.
Steel Seventh Company, exercise primary meritorious, got special treatment others didn’t.
Chief of Staff personally repped regiment HQ, came Steel Seventh Company feast.
Raised full glass, toasted whole company.
Dry in one go!
Such special treatment, Chief of Staff personal toast, Steel Seventh Company warriors inwardly proud.
Deeply proud as Steel Seventh Company member.
Steel Seventh Company honor and sense of mission from this moment shattered ceiling, fused life with company.
Tie Lu helicopter out, asked Yuan Lang on chopper: “Before I came, you chatted awhile. Want know your evaluation?”
Facing Tie Lu formal ask, Yuan Lang no think, four words—
“Deep unfathomable!”
Tie Lu knew Yuan Lang’s people-reading well.
Yuan Lang couldn’t see through, “deep unfathomable” meant truly excellent, maybe rival Yuan Lang.
Such stunning genius now before him.
Tie Lu heart hotter.
Couldn’t help restless!
