Chapter 257: Landing! Seventh Assault Combined Battalion!
All the senior leaders above division level present were experienced and worldly people who had seen great scenes, yet they were still shocked by the theater commander’s words.
It was enough to show how great this temptation was.
As the person being “tempted,” Chen Jun, no matter how calm and seasoned his mentality was, had his resolve broken in this situation.
Chen Jun had encountered leaders at the theater level in his life before.
After all, he was someone who had lived several lifetimes.
But being personally spotted by a senior leader and recruited to become a subordinate “blessing from the heavens” like this was something Chen Jun had truly never experienced.
With Chen Jun’s understanding of the troops, he naturally knew how much help this would be to him.
Setting aside the other subsequent benefits.
Just the conditions already promised right now, things that would be his as soon as he nodded.
Even with the group army leader’s background, in the original plot, it took Gao Cheng a full three years to climb from company commander to deputy battalion commander of the division reconnaissance battalion.
Even now with Chen Jun’s help, during which he earned quite a few team and personal honors, Gao Cheng had only become a battalion-level deputy battalion commander.
But now, as soon as Chen Jun nodded, he could immediately become a deputy battalion commander.
And very likely a battalion-level one at that.
It must be known that Zhu Rihe was also developing combined arms units, and they were building the largest scale combined arms brigade, so the combined arms battalions below would inevitably be reinforced battalions.
The battalion positions in a reinforced battalion were one level higher, equivalent to Chen Jun’s deputy battalion commander being the same as Gao Cheng’s.
In other words, Chen Jun could catch up to Gao Cheng, who took a full three years, in less than half a year, promoted two levels to stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
From coming down from the military academy as a private soldier, probation for half a year then platoon leader, less than a year to deputy company commander, over a year more to company commander, half a year to jump levels becoming battalion-level cadre, all added up just over three years.
This speed absolutely broke the group army record.
Even riding a rocket wouldn’t suffice to describe it.
Anyone facing such a huge temptation, being able to jump directly from company-level cadre to battalion-level cadre, skipping at least five to ten years of struggle.
They would definitely agree without hesitation, seizing this rare heaven-sent opportunity.
However, Chen Jun was the exception.
No matter how much this temptation moved him, no matter how rare this opportunity was for him, it could not shake the bottom line in his heart.
Remembering Steel Seventh Company’s company soul—
Never abandon! Never give up!
Leading Steel Seventh Company charging forward all the way, becoming the most dazzling pearl.
So after a brief moment of surprise, Chen Jun collected his scattered emotions and seriously and solemnly replied: “Thank you for the senior leader’s favor, I still hope to stay in Steel Seventh Company and continue to develop in the combined arms battalion.”
“Ah???”
Everyone was stunned.
They felt that the things that shocked them in their lifetime added up weren’t as many as what Chen Jun and Gao Cheng brought them in these short few minutes today.
They couldn’t understand why Chen Jun would give up such a good opportunity right in front of him.
Regiment Commander Wang was getting anxious watching from the side.
If it weren’t for so many leaders present, making it inconvenient to overstep, he definitely would have found Chen Jun to properly persuade him again.
The theater commander was also very surprised, not expecting Chen Jun to reject such a good opportunity.
He involuntarily restrained his expression, couldn’t help frowning, and said again: “Do you want to think about it some more? Or go back and think for a few days, then give me your reply later, I think that’s fine too.”
The theater commander really liked Chen Jun, so even after the refusal, he didn’t give up.
Unfortunately.
Chen Jun’s willpower was extremely firm; he never easily changed decisions he had made, especially those concerning his own bottom line.
So even with the theater commander retaining him again, Chen Jun still firmly said: “I am a Steel Seventh Company man, one day is a lifetime.
The Steel Seventh Company spirit of never abandon, never give up, every Steel Seventh Company soldier will engrave these six words, making them the bones of Steel Seventh Company.
As Steel Seventh Company’s company commander, I must even more be the example for the whole company.
Alive as a Steel Seventh Company man, dead as a Steel Seventh Company ghost.”
Chen Jun spoke these words powerfully, every word like gold clanging to the ground, heavily striking everyone’s soul, making all their eyes tremble.
“Good never abandon never give up, good Steel Seventh Company bones, good.”
The theater commander called good several times; he was truly moved by Chen Jun’s integrity and courage, and at the same time grew even more fond of him.
Military ability too strong, ideological quality too solid, a firm heart, and such a young cadre.
Simply one in a million!
The theater commander had been in the troops for decades and had seen all sorts of talents, even many who were outstanding performers in the entire army.
Yet someone as special as Chen Jun, he had truly never seen before.
His talent-regret heart was truly stirred.
But even so, he didn’t want to force him, knowing Chen Jun’s attitude was already very firm, so he didn’t say anything more.
His face once again raised a kind smile, patted Chen Jun’s arm and said: “Good, everyone has their own goals, I respect your choice.
I am Chen Deming. If you have the chance to come to the capital’s western suburbs military region compound, you are welcome anytime to find me, have tea and chat.”
The theater commander proactively giving his name represented willingness for private exchange with Chen Jun.
It showed how much he liked him.
The division and army level cadres watching from the side saw that this little captain actually received an invitation for tea from the senior leader.
This was an “opportunity” that others could only yearn for but not attain, one that could play a big role at crucial moments.
Chen Jun naturally understood the implications and didn’t miss this great opportunity.
He immediately replied powerfully: “Thank you, senior leader. I will definitely double my efforts to strive to qualify to go to the theater command soon, not letting down your favor.”
“Good, I believe it. We will meet again soon.”
Chen Deming smiled meaningfully, then said to everyone: “Everyone has worked hard today. Since the exercise is now over, I have other official duties, so I’ll take my leave first.”
After speaking, Chen Deming walked outside, and others all greeted the leader to go slowly.
The military region deputy army commander gave a few instructions, telling the exercise person in charge to handle the follow-up matters well, then trotted a few steps to catch up with Chen Deming.
The military region’s leaders had just left when a crowd of division-level leaders surged forward.
“Congratulations, Regiment Commander Wang, your performance in this exercise was really great.”
“Old Ye, you’ve picked up a treasure. This young comrade, so young yet with such performance, is bound to be extraordinary in the future.”
“Company Commander Chen, you could stay calm with the theater commander’s invitation; it really makes me admire you.”
“Congratulations, Old Ye. The exercise passed smoothly; this entire army’s first combined arms battalion is probably secured. It really makes us envious.”
“Old Ye, I heard your combined arms battalion was created by this Comrade Chen Jun. Lend him to me? We also want to build a combined arms battalion.”
“You wish. This young comrade is now hot to the touch; where would it be your turn? Haha.”
……
Surrounded by a large group of people flattering him, various overt and covert overtures, T Division Commander Ye Zhengjun, who usually had a stern unsmiling face, couldn’t hold it anymore this time.
He hadn’t felt this proud in so many years as division commander; this feeling really made one exhilarated.
His whole body felt light and floating.
He couldn’t control the urge to laugh!
Regiment Commander Wang, taking advantage of the division commander being surrounded, quietly pulled Chen Jun outside the tent, stern-faced rebuking him for being foolish and missing a good opportunity.
Telling him to hurry and chase after Chen Deming before he got far, to talk again.
To change his mind and go be deputy battalion commander.
Despite Chen Jun’s deep attachment to Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment, willing to give up better opportunities to stick to it, making Regiment Commander Wang Qing Rui very happy inside.
But the more Chen Jun did this, the more guilty Wang felt.
He truly didn’t want to hold Chen Jun back!
As a veteran regiment commander who had been stuck in the position for nearly a decade without moving, he understood better how hard every step forward was.
With a chance to jump two levels right in front of him, Regiment Commander Wang truly didn’t want Chen Jun to miss it.
Moreover, the place he was going to was no ordinary one; it was a “national-level project” directly involving the Military Commission General Staff Headquarters, with better development prospects there.
Regiment Commander Wang believed with Chen Jun’s ability, going there he could absolutely soar.
Within at most ten years, he could surpass him.
Become regiment commander before thirty-five, then division commander around forty, having a chance to take over a group army before fifty.
And as long as he reached group army before fifty, in the future there would be opportunity to charge toward theater command.
Regiment Commander Wang really wanted to see Chen Jun accomplish what he couldn’t in his lifetime; even in old age, he could point at the television and proudly say—
“Come, good grandson, see that? That big uncle on TV was a soldier under Grandpa back then.”
Regiment Commander Wang truly cared for Chen Jun from the bottom of his heart, the affection deeper and thicker than for his own son, completely setting aside his own interests.
However, Chen Jun’s dream was already fixed, from the moment he came to this world.
So no matter how much Regiment Commander Wang scolded, Chen Jun still didn’t change his original intention, firmly sticking to his choice to stay in Steel Seventh Company.
Seeing no way to change Chen Jun’s decision, Regiment Commander Wang was truly helpless.
“You silly boy…”
Finally, Regiment Commander Wang laughed and cursed, then looked at Chen Jun and laughed together.
This laugh…
Represented many things!
……
The acceptance confrontation ended with the Red Army crushing victory, Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment singing the triumphant song of victory, grandly returning to the original garrison.
To celebrate this confrontation victory, Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment was immersed in jubilation.
Under Regiment Commander Wang’s personal order and instruction, all troops under the regiment held celebratory feast for two consecutive days, the scene more grand and lively than the New Year.
And as the great meritorious official of this exercise, Chen Jun became the most popular person.
Not only invited by the regiment to attend meetings and speak, but commendations and praises from the regiment and division came like they were free, stack after stack carried back by Chen Jun.
The third-class merit badges and medals on his service uniform suddenly added a full three more.
Plus the previous third-class merit, second-class merit, and various collective and personal honor medals, etc., added up to over twenty.
The left side of Chen Jun’s service uniform wasn’t enough to hang them anymore, opening the big shot privilege of hanging on the right side.
At Chen Jun’s speed of earning medals, probably before officially becoming combined arms battalion commander, the entire front of the uniform wouldn’t have enough space.
Becoming the shiniest star in regiment headquarters and division headquarters, and upon return a honored guest in each company.
During the two-day full regiment feast, Chen Jun hardly stayed in his own Steel Seventh Company, spending the whole time in other companies.
Drink in this company, then that one, over a dozen companies taking turns.
Thanks to Chen Jun’s extraordinary physical fitness, otherwise two consecutive days of drinking like this would definitely land him in the hospital for a week.
Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment was exceptionally lively, all immersed in the joy of victory.
The group army wasn’t idle these two days either.
Now that the combined arms battalion had passed the acceptance confrontation exercise, next was to formally establish it as a real part of Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment.
Due to the special nature of the combined arms battalion, the procedures to follow were very complex.
Even some procedures the group army couldn’t decide on its own, needing to organize into documents and report to the theater for approval.
When all procedures were completed, even taking the special fast track with full green lights.
Time was already ten days later!
The official red-header document from the group army was escorted by military region personnel driving to T Division.
And not just dropping the document at T Division and leaving, but per the military region top leader’s order, going to Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment to personally hand it to the regiment commander for receipt.
Division Commander Ye Zhengjun also knew how important this moment was for T Division.
To witness the formal establishment of the combined arms battalion, he actually set aside all official duties temporarily, personally leading people by car to Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment.
Regiment Commander Wang, who had received the news in advance, knew today would be an important day for Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment.
With incomparable excitement and exhilaration, he assembled all company and battalion level cadres and regiment headquarters, all gathered in the regiment for the welcome.
He even organized the signal company and drum team to line the road outside the gate for welcome with music.
With a welcome team of nearly three hundred people, grandly welcoming T Division Commander Ye Zhengjun and the group army leaders, into Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment’s large meeting room.
Once all cadres were seated below, the division commander and group army leaders took seats on the grandstand.
The final step of the pilot combined arms battalion establishment procedure officially began.
“Today is a very important day, not only opening a new chapter for Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment, but also a new starting point for our entire T Division…”
Division Commander Ye Zhengjun took the lead with opening remarks, then the formal establishment procedure began.
“Practicing modernized development, promoting informatization reform, the era is developing, the army also needs progress. Current facts have proven that combined arms units are one feasible direction, and the pilot work has been very successful…”
The military region leader delivered a long string of official rhetoric, then announced the first order from the military region.
Perhaps because it originated from Steel Seventh Company expansion, or Steel Seventh Company’s role in the combined arms battalion was too important, the designation granted to the pilot combined arms battalion was very special—
Called “Seventh Assault Combined Arms Battalion”!
