Chapter 225: You Guys Fight Over Battalion Commander, What’s That Got To Do With Me, Chen Jun?
Who the combined arms battalion commander position will go to can be said to be the biggest suspense of the second stage.
The final result that Regiment Commander Wang wants, apart from that bit of selfishness in taking care of his own people, the various concerns he has are actually the same as Chen Jun’s.
Chen Jun is very confident that in this era, no one understands combined arms units better than him.
So what he fears most is a “know-it-all”!
From the perspective and viewpoint of people in this era, as long as they haven’t been completely convinced by Chen Jun, even if they know the combined arms battalion is Chen Jun’s masterpiece, they will still have doubts about Chen Jun, or refuse to believe it.
Everyone lives in the same environment, has access to the same information, all under the same big background—why should what you say definitely be right?
Especially those with more extraordinary backgrounds will have even greater doubts about Chen Jun.
Everyone is human, so why am I inferior to him?
This one sentence is enough to describe it!
If a parachuted cadre really becomes battalion commander, it proves he is capable. The more talented a person is, the more ambitious they are, the less willing they are to lag behind others.
And since he is completely unfamiliar with Chen Jun, he will definitely have similar thoughts.
Even if he knows in advance how excellent Chen Jun is, even if he gives Chen Jun enough respect on the surface, behind the scenes he will definitely compete with Chen Jun.
He absolutely cannot tolerate the entire army’s first combined arms battalion commander having his limelight stolen by his subordinate Chen Jun.
Chen Jun is concerned about this factor and similarly does not want the combined arms battalion commander position to ultimately be taken by a candidate sent from the group army.
He is more inclined toward one of their own becoming battalion commander.
So after having lunch with the regiment commander, they basically reached a consensus.
Chen Jun subtly indicated to Regiment Commander Wang that once the battalion commander candidates in the regiment are selected, he will do his utmost to help him secure the battalion commander position.
If he could know in advance how the selection would be done, Chen Jun’s chances would be even higher.
Unfortunately, the final selection method is in the hands of the group army higher command, which has been holding onto it without releasing or announcing it.
This made Chen Jun feel faintly uneasy inside, sensing that it’s not that simple.
But this is a matter for group army higher command, and with Chen Jun’s current status, he is powerless to do anything about it. He can only set it aside for now and focus his energy on selecting the candidates.
After ending the chat with Regiment Commander Wang, Chen Jun thought that voting would only happen tomorrow, and there was nothing else today, so he might as well return to Steel Seventh Company.
He had been out for several months, and he really missed the old guys in Seventh Company a bit.
As a result, just as he parted ways with Regiment Commander Wang outside the canteen, a jeep stopped in front of him, and the car door was quickly opened from inside.
Because his height exceeded the jeep’s roof, Chen Jun couldn’t see who was sitting inside.
He thought it was arranged by Regiment Commander Wang in advance to let him take this car back to Steel Seventh Company, and he had forgotten to tell him earlier while chatting.
But then the person inside spoke, making him realize things weren’t that simple.
“Comrade Chen Jun, are you heading back to Seventh Company? I’m returning to battalion headquarters and happened to run into you—why don’t you ride with me? I’m going that way anyway?”
The person speaking inside the car had already leaned toward the right side, but Chen Jun was too tall to see his face.
However, just from the voice, Chen Jun could recognize him.
It was First Battalion Commander!
First Battalion headquarters is on the north side of the base, while Steel Seventh Company’s barracks area is on the east side. They are not exactly going in opposite directions, but definitely not on the same route at all.
Chen Jun even strongly suspected that First Battalion Commander had been waiting nearby all along.
The intention behind First Battalion Commander’s action was already very obvious.
“A proper battalion commander lowering his status, actually waiting outside specifically for a deputy company commander like me for over an hour—truly going to great lengths.”
Chen Jun originally didn’t want to get in the car, after all, he was still a cadre from Second Battalion.
But thinking that First Battalion Commander had waited so long, rejecting him would be too disrespectful and make it awkward for him, leading to tensions in future interactions.
So after a brief consideration, he decided to get into First Battalion Commander’s car.
“Comrade Chen Jun, you truly deserve to be the regiment commander’s favorite. I’ve been in Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment for so long, yet I’ve never had a private dinner with the regiment commander—I’m truly quite envious.”
First Battalion Commander was very socially adept and didn’t get straight to the point right away.
Instead, he chose to chat first to warm up the atmosphere.
Chen Jun was also someone with extremely high emotional intelligence. Since First Battalion Commander hadn’t spelled it out, he wouldn’t jump in himself and just followed along with the conversation.
The driver was clearly given specific instructions, driving extremely steadily the whole way.
So steady that the speed was less than twenty kilometers per hour.
Even without carefully checking, anyone familiar with the base could tell at a glance that his route was off.
He deliberately took a big detour from outside, just to buy time.
And it was precisely because the driver was secretly dragging out the time that First Battalion Commander could be so at ease, chatting idly with Chen Jun for a long time before getting to the main topic.
He asked Chen Jun what thoughts and insights he had about the combined arms battalion commander candidates.
Chen Jun’s response wasn’t aimed at anyone; he just said whatever came to mind, clearly stating: “I don’t have too many opinions. As long as you let me build the combined arms battalion without giving me too much input, that’s fine.”
First Battalion Commander truly had high emotional intelligence, knowing to intercept Chen Jun halfway.
His intelligence quotient was equally up to par.
Although Chen Jun didn’t say it directly, he instantly gleaned from Chen Jun’s words exactly what kind of battalion commander Chen Jun wanted most.
To put it bluntly.
Chen Jun wanted someone who wouldn’t meddle, who could sit comfortably in the office drinking tea, just lying flat and reaping the victories.
He didn’t need a hardworking, ambitious, smart, and competitive good battalion commander.
And First Battalion Commander had a clear sense of his own limitations. He knew very well how the combined arms battalion came about and that no one could match Chen Jun’s ability in this area.
He was aiming for the position for the achievements, not to make a big show of leading the combined arms battalion.
He didn’t have the ability to lead it anyway!
In other words, he could perfectly match with Chen Jun, with absolutely no conflicts between them, allowing Chen Jun to fully showcase his talents.
First Battalion Commander immediately seized this point, using mutual benefit as the entry point to start saying some suggestive words.
He firmly stated that combined arms tactics would be left entirely to Chen Jun, and if he could become combined arms battalion commander, he would fully respect Chen Jun’s decisions.
He even said that the training staff officer position in the combined arms battalion headquarters belonged to no one but Chen Jun.
This was essentially hinting to Chen Jun that if he became combined arms battalion commander, he would find a way to get Chen Jun into battalion headquarters as that training staff officer.
As a deputy regiment level unit, the chief staff officer in the combined arms battalion was standard regiment level.
And with the chief staff officer at the core, the battalion level staff group typically included four major operations staff officers for firepower, training, intelligence, logistics, etc., responsible for managing various aspects of the combined arms battalion.
Therefore, the four major operations staff officers in the combined arms battalion started at deputy battalion commander level.
This meant Chen Jun would jump straight from deputy company commander to deputy battalion commander, skipping two levels at once—an temptation that was not small.
Unfortunately, First Battalion Commander had miscalculated on one point: he didn’t expect Chen Jun to be completely uninterested.
Because Chen Jun firmly believed that with his strength and ability, he didn’t need to worry about military rank or position; he would rocket upward on his own.
Did he need someone else’s help?
Not at all!
That said, First Battalion Commander’s stance of not interfering with Chen Jun’s work and his clear self-positioning still satisfied Chen Jun quite a bit.
But the undercurrents among the candidates had only just begun, and as a key figure, Chen Jun couldn’t casually take a stand.
So even though First Battalion Commander had gone this far, Chen Jun didn’t clearly express any opinion, sticking to muddling through.
After a round of Tai Chi in the urban area, the car finally arrived at Seventh Company’s main entrance.
First Battalion Commander didn’t gain any support from Chen Jun and felt a bit regretful inside, but what can’t be done shouldn’t be forced.
Thinking that Chen Jun hadn’t shown any dislike either, that was at least some psychological comfort.
Chen Jun thought he had escaped First Battalion Commander’s entanglement and could relax back in the Seventh Company family, sitting down to chat with Shi Jin, Gao Cheng, and others.
No need for big topics—just chatting about life over the past few months would be great.
Chatting with old friends is the best way to relax one’s mood.
But no sooner had he stepped through Seventh Company’s gate than today’s duty sentry—not only with exceptionally sharp ears but also very keen eyes—”Iron Plate” White came running over.
“Report, Deputy Company Commander! The battalion commander is waiting for you in the company commander’s office. He told me to notify you immediately upon seeing you and go to the company commander’s office.”
White Tie Jun had a lot he wanted to say to Chen Jun, but with the order, he could only salute and report.
He poured all the enthusiasm for welcoming Chen Jun home into an intense gaze from his eyes, staring at Chen Jun with his round eyes.
“Alright, got it.”
Chen Jun tossed his luggage to White Tie Jun, pinched his skinny face, then strode through the gate toward the company commander’s office on the second floor.
White Tie Jun, who got Chen Jun’s luggage, was as happy as if he had won five million.
He quickly ran toward Chen Jun’s dormitory.
Chen Jun had unparalleled prestige in Steel Seventh Company, and the warriors all respected him greatly, wanting to repay him in any way they could.
Being able to help Chen Jun in any aspect was an honor for the warriors.
With White Tie Jun, this little imp, handling things like making the bed, folding the quilt, and organizing housekeeping, Chen Jun felt completely at ease.
But just half a minute ago he had parted with First Battalion Commander, and now Second Battalion Commander was waiting here.
Chen Jun felt his head throbbing just thinking about it!
Clearly, the combined arms battalion commander position had nothing to do with a minor deputy company commander like him; they weren’t even in the same world.
Yet he ended up the busiest—how could Chen Jun not laugh wryly?
Unfortunately, it was his own old battalion commander, so no matter how unwilling Chen Jun was inside, out of social graces, he couldn’t refuse to give face.
He could only shake his head to clear his thoughts, adjust his state, and head to Gao Cheng’s office.
The three people who had been chatting animatedly inside immediately shifted their focus upon seeing Chen Jun enter, even Second Battalion Commander standing up.
He proactively came over to greet Chen Jun, with a smile even warmer than First Battalion Commander’s.
Seeing the smile on Second Battalion Commander Li Fuguo’s face, Chen Jun instantly thought of First Battalion Commander and understood what the upcoming conversation would be about.
His head buzzed and swelled again!
Gao Cheng clearly anticipated what would come next. His personality didn’t like getting involved in such matters, so he gave Chen Jun a “you’re on your own” look.
Then, claiming there was some urgent matter in the company to handle, he ditched Chen Jun and slipped away.
Chen Jun felt helpless but had no choice.
Under Political Instructor Hong Xingguo’s mediation, he pretended the chat with First Battalion Commander hadn’t happened and sat down on the sofa with Second Battalion Commander to talk.
As Chen Jun expected, the core of the chat was still the combined arms battalion commander matter.
Even the content was similar.
All of it was indirect probing of Chen Jun’s thoughts, then expressing his own stance, and finally guaranteeing what he would do if he became battalion commander.
Overall, it was basically the same as what First Battalion Commander said, just a matter of rhetoric.
For example, First Battalion Commander guaranteed no interference with Chen Jun, while Second Battalion Commander pledged full support for Chen Jun, giving him free rein to perform.
He even proposed inviting Chen Jun to the Second Battalion officers’ internal dinner that evening.
That was the core key!
First Battalion Commander had also invited Chen Jun to dinner, but Chen Jun had politely declined. Now with Second Battalion Commander’s invitation, Chen Jun really couldn’t refuse.
The reason both battalion commanders inviting Chen Jun to dinner was the most important core key.
Was that as long as Chen Jun appeared at the dining table, it would send a signal to everyone that Chen Jun defaulted to supporting that battalion commander.
With Chen Jun’s influence in Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment, it could absolutely play a crucial role.
Not just the cadres eating together on the spot—even the news spreading to other battalions could influence the choices of main officers in those companies.
After all.
The company main officers below couldn’t compete for combined arms battalion commander themselves, so their most urgent demand changed: they just wanted Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment to become stronger.
And Chen Jun being able to lead Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment to grow stronger was already an indisputable fact.
With that fact as the major premise, following Chen Jun’s lead to choose the final team would absolutely not go wrong for the selected candidate.
Chen Jun knew his own influence, which was why he had rejected First Battalion Commander at the time.
But facing his old battalion commander’s earnest invitation—after all, they had worked together for nearly three years—Chen Jun really couldn’t bear to refuse.
Plus, over the years since Chen Jun came to Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment, Second Battalion Commander hadn’t had any standout performances, but at least he was diligent and conscientious.
Chen Jun had long known Second Battalion Commander’s character and personality inside out.
Compared to other battalion commanders.
Second Battalion Commander was obviously more suitable as a candidate—at least more suitable from Chen Jun’s perspective.
So Chen Jun stopped declining and agreed to Second Battalion Commander’s invitation, effectively taking a stand in support of Second Battalion Commander as a candidate.
Second Battalion Commander, having gotten Chen Jun’s stance, left Steel Seventh Company fully satisfied.
Chen Jun thought that was the end of it, but later that afternoon, Third Battalion Commander came over under the pretext of discussing the artillery air defense company for the combined arms battalion with Chen Jun, explicitly stating he wanted to have a chat.
The artillery air defense company matter could be decided at the regiment level and didn’t need him, a battalion commander, to intervene—this pretext was clearly a guise.
Chen Jun was truly fed up and could only ask Company Commander Gao Cheng to help reject him.
Saying he wasn’t in the company.
Gao Cheng’s response was even more straightforward, directly telling Third Battalion Commander that Chen Jun had been called to Second Battalion headquarters by Second Battalion Commander and had something to discuss that evening.
Hearing that Chen Jun had already gone to Second Battalion headquarters, Third Battalion Commander’s brows immediately furrowed.
But he didn’t flare up.
He then found an excuse and headed back the way he came.
The news that Chen Jun had gone to Second Battalion headquarters quickly spread.
And as the news spread, the undercurrent storm swirling around Chen Jun finally came to a close, ushering in another, even fiercer storm.
