Chapter 262: Reunion With Xu Sanduo, Chengcai, And Wu Liuqi
Chen Jun had reached a cooperation agreement with Captain Tie on his side, while on the other side, Tuo Yonggang and the others who had checked into the Pumpkin Building were also assigned to eight dormitories respectively.
And they also welcomed old friends!
The A Brigade base is a fully enclosed restricted area, with basically no outsiders coming in on normal days. Tuo Yonggang and this large group suddenly appearing here made them the center of attention wherever they went.
Moreover, since they were all eliminated trainees, it even more intensely sparked heated discussions among the old A members at the base.
The news that the eliminated cadets had now returned spread like a tornado, quickly circulating through word of mouth and soon spreading throughout the entire base.
Wu Zhe and the others, who had been training here for nearly half a year and were already familiar with the place, were thrilled beyond measure upon learning that Tuo Yonggang had returned.
It just so happened that it was already noon, time for lunch break and meals.
Wu Zhe couldn’t wait any longer and eagerly called Wu Liu Yi, Cheng Cai, and Xu Sanduo, rushing over excitedly to find Tuo Yonggang, who was organizing his bedding.
“39, how did you come back? Could it be that the Smiling Tiger recruited you back again?” Wu Zhe pushed open the door and eagerly asked.
Because he was too excited, he habitually used the original cadet number.
Wu Zhe truly hoped Tuo Yonggang could return. Tuo Yonggang was the first person he met after arriving at A Brigade, and also the one he got along with best.
That kind of daring resistance between officers was different from the honest and straightforward non-commissioned officers like Xu Sanduo.
“Weren’t you with our company commander at Seventh Company? How did you end up back here now? Does that mean you’ve really come back again?”
Cheng Cai had just finished frowning and speaking when Xu Sanduo said in his honest and naive way: “Huh? We were all preparing to go back, why did you come back? Seventh Company is much better than here. Don’t you like it there?”
“Sigh, what are you all talking about.”
Seeing the three of them chattering away upon entering, it left Tuo Yonggang amused and exasperated.
He had to quickly explain: “I was doing great at Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment. Who said I was leaving? This time I came back to learn special training.”
“What? Can A Brigade do external training? I’ve never heard of that.” Wu Zhe said in shock.
The longer one stayed at A Brigade, the clearer it was what kind of existence A Brigade was in the entire Group Army—it was absolutely the ceiling.
Helping external troops with special training was something that had never happened before.
“I don’t know the specifics either. Anyway, I just came over with Deputy Battalion Commander Chen. This matter doesn’t seem difficult for him.”
Tuo Yonggang said with a playful raise of his eyebrows, acting like he was just following the big shot.
“Deputy Battalion Commander Chen? What background does he have to be so powerful?” Wu Zhe asked curiously.
Someone who could make the mighty A Brigade make an exception and give him such face—not only was Wu Zhe very curious, but Wu Liu Yi and Xu Sanduo were no exceptions either.
Because before the two of them came here, Chen Jun was still just a company commander at that time.
Only half a year had passed, so it was impossible for him to directly become deputy battalion commander. Therefore, neither of them thought of Chen Jun.
“Who else could it be? With such a big face, of course it’s our company commander, also Acting Deputy Battalion Commander Chen Jun,” Tuo Yonggang said proudly.
“You’re talking about Assistant Instructor Chen? He was just company commander back then. Promoted to deputy battalion commander in half a year? That’s rising so fast?”
Wu Zhe’s eyes widened instantly. He had truly never seen anyone promoted so quickly; it completely exceeded his conventional cognition.
“Look at how surprised you are. If you stayed at Steel Seventh Battalion for a while, you’d know that whatever strange things happen to him are all normal. There’s no need to doubt it at all.”
Tuo Yonggang thought about how he was personally poached by such an awesome superior, and felt pretty awesome himself, perking up all over.
“It seems your company commander really is different from the rest,” Wu Zhe conceded.
As a 23-year-old major officer, he had never admired anyone before, but now he genuinely admired Chen Jun a bit.
Meanwhile, after hearing Tuo Yonggang’s words, Xu Sanduo, Cheng Cai, and Wu Liu Yi’s reactions were different.
“Huh? Our company commander became deputy battalion commander? Then what about the old company commander now? Could he be battalion commander? Such big changes in half a year?”
Xu Sanduo stared with his pure and innocent big eyes, full of admiration and curiosity.
“You just said Steel Seventh Battalion? Not Steel Seventh Company? What’s going on?” Cheng Cai’s focus was different, and he eagerly asked.
“Yeah, what’s the deal with Steel Seventh Battalion?” Wu Liu Yi followed up.
Wu Liu Yi and the other two had been undergoing special forces training at A Brigade as newcomers during this time, striving to transform from ordinary soldiers into special forces soldiers as quickly as possible.
And A Brigade, as a top-secret confidentiality unit, prohibited anyone from using personal communication tools.
Even Yuan Lang couldn’t!
So Wu Liu Yi, Cheng Cai, and Xu Sanduo had no idea what had happened in Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment during this time.
And in Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment over this past half year plus, a lot had indeed happened.
Too many changes, too fast.
“Steel Seventh Company expanded into Steel Seventh Battalion long ago. You’ve been here getting beaten and don’t know about outside events, which is normal. Let me tell you, you missed out big time by not participating. Just think about…”
Tuo Yonggang saw those four pairs of eager eyes and began passionately pouring out his story.
Tuo Yonggang’s storytelling skills were average, but the content was just too exciting, with ups and downs that captivated Wu Zhe and the others.
Feeling the whole regiment fighting together for victory, feeling various tactics competing on the battlefield.
The more Wu Zhe listened, the more moved he became!
Compared to the complete lack of dignity at A Brigade, even now as a member, still being trained like a beast of burden every day.
The unity from top to bottom at Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment, striving toward goals with comradeship and passion, made Wu Zhe yearn for it.
And Cheng Cai, Xu Sanduo, and Wu Liu Yi, hearing how fast their old unit had changed, felt like they were about to fall behind the rhythm.
That heart already eager to go home became even more restless.
Just as Tuo Yonggang had recounted as completely as possible the major events related to Steel Seventh Battalion that had occurred in Seventh Hundred and Second Regiment recently.
Chen Jun, who occupied a huge portion in Tuo Yonggang’s words and was the absolute core protagonist.
Walked in with a beaming smile.
“Hey, what are you guys chatting about, so happily? I didn’t even need to search; I just followed the voices here.”
Chen Jun’s voice was like magic, instantly capturing everyone’s attention the moment he appeared.
Wu Liu Yi, Cheng Cai, and Xu Sanduo turned their heads and, seeing Chen Jun whom they hadn’t seen in half a year, their eyes filled with ecstasy and excitement. They hurriedly greeted him.
“Company commander, how did you come?” Xu Sanduo grinned, showing a mouthful of big white teeth.
Cheng Cai smacked the back of Xu Sanduo’s head and seriously corrected: “What company commander? You idiot, didn’t 39 just say? Call him deputy battalion commander quickly.”
“Com… Deputy Battalion Commander, good.”
Wu Liu Yi’s reaction was the most formal, standing at attention and saluting properly.
Straightforward in actions, stubborn in principles.
This was both Wu Liu Yi’s strength and weakness.
“What deputy battalion commander? I’m just taking a concurrent job at Battalion Headquarters. My main job is still company commander. Calling me company commander is fine.”
Chen Jun smiled casually and continued: “You three, are you adapting to training here? Is there anything you need my help with?”
“No, we’re good. Guarantee mission completion, won’t disgrace Seventh Company.” Wu Liu Yi answered powerfully.
“The training is fine, but when can we go back? We’ve been out so long; I miss the squad leader, miss everyone.”
If others said this, it might be pretentious, but for Xu Sanduo, it was definitely genuine.
“We came here to learn, already prepared to endure hardship. Please rest assured, company commander. We’ll overcome difficulties, complete the tasks you assigned, learn well, and go back to build the company.”
Cheng Cai always had the best eloquence, speaking in his usual polished way.
“Very good, well said.”
Chen Jun nodded in satisfaction and instructed: “The opportunity to learn at A Brigade is precious. There really are many things worth learning here.
I hope you cherish it, train hard to improve yourselves, become excellent special forces soldiers. I’m waiting for you back at the company to hold a celebration banquet.”
As their direct superior, Chen Jun couldn’t speak as casually as when they were squadmates.
So after encouraging the three to train hard, thinking of the upcoming newcomer final assessment, he specifically called Cheng Cai out alone.
He didn’t directly tell Cheng Cai clearly that there was a final assessment next.
Because telling Cheng Cai in advance what would happen would allow him to prepare psychologically ahead, which wouldn’t help his growth at all.
It might even backfire.
Moreover, A Brigade’s final assessment simulated life-and-death crucial moments, how an old A would choose between life and death.
For any soldier, it was a rare opportunity for improvement.
Most importantly, Chen Jun wanted to know, after he intervened and so many things happened in the original plot, invisibly influencing Cheng Cai in many ways.
He was very much looking forward to what the result of A Brigade’s final assessment would be with his butterfly wings.
Xu Sanduo, Wu Liu Yi, and Cheng Cai—these three warriors from Steel Seventh Company—what kind of answer sheet they could produce in the assessment.
Precisely because in the original plot, Cheng Cai made the most serious mistake in this assessment.
So Chen Jun specifically called Cheng Cai out. Though he didn’t directly remind him to be careful, he still gave him a few specific words.
“I know A Brigade’s training is extremely tough, every day very grueling.
But as a soldier defending the country and protecting the people, sometimes don’t overvalue life and death, don’t overvalue gains and losses. Remember the mission borne by the uniform you’re wearing.
Cheng Cai, you have talent and work hard. I believe you’ll become an excellent Chinese soldier, and your future path will go further than Xu Sanduo’s. So, don’t betray my trust in you.”
After finishing, Chen Jun patted Cheng Cai’s shoulder and gave him an affirming look.
Cheng Cai still didn’t know this was Chen Jun’s hint for the upcoming assessment, thinking it was Chen Jun’s care in wanting to cultivate him.
Plus, in Cheng Cai’s mind, Chen Jun had long become a spiritual mentor-like existence.
Every word Chen Jun said, Cheng Cai would remember.
That Chen Jun specifically called him out for earnest instructions made Cheng Cai feel warm inside while firming his determination not to let Chen Jun down.
After saluting a standard military salute, he said firmly with powerful words: “Guarantee mission completion. Even through mountains of knives and seas of fire, I’ll persist to the end.”
“Good, remember what you said.”
Chen Jun’s mouth curved into a smile, satisfied: “Time’s about right. Taking this opportunity, let’s sit down and have a meal together.
Go call the others to the canteen. I’ll go over there and wait for you first.”
…
Chen Jun had arranged Shi Jin’s life to the most perfect position. As long as the world didn’t end, Shi Jin’s second half of life would absolutely be wonderful.
For the remaining Steel Seventh Company guys, Chen Jun would also plan for them.
Among them, Cheng Cai, Wu Liu Yi, and Xu Sanduo—these three roles with heavy ink in the original plot—Chen Jun had already mapped out their routes.
He hadn’t brought them back yet only because the time hadn’t come.
When the timing arrived.
Chen Jun would naturally make arrangements.
Calling the three together for lunch was also the only time Chen Jun might have to reunite with them during this trip to A Brigade.
Because with Chen Jun’s high IQ, it wasn’t hard to guess that Tie Lu had personally asked him to stay for a while.
That definitely meant there was something unsolvable that needed Chen Jun to handle personally—something even Yuan Lang couldn’t solve, so it would definitely take time.
And the facts were just as Chen Jun had guessed.
Chen Jun had just finished lunch and stepped out of the canteen, not even exchanging a few words with Wu Liu Yi and the others, when Yuan Lang brought Qi Huan over.
He had Qi Huan take Xu Sanduo and the three away to continue afternoon training.
While he pulled Chen Jun to the Kill House.
Yuan Lang had recognized the huge value of CQB tactics in urban counter-terrorism and close-quarters battle, and the Kill House was the core setup for practicing CQB.
So he immediately set about building the Kill House and first gathered personnel for training.
However, no matter how high the enthusiasm, it couldn’t solve the technical problems.
The most critical scene setups in the Kill House, along with various clearing tactical commands and formations, covered too broad a range.
Even later generation professionals might make mistakes, let alone Yuan Lang, a “rookie” who had never touched it.
It really was very laborious, with very poor results.
Although giving Yuan Lang enough time to learn, with his monstrous IQ, he could definitely solve it eventually, but what A Brigade lacked most now was time.
Steel Seventh Battalion had acceptance assessment upon landing, and A Brigade similarly had pressure from superiors’ assessments.
To complete CQB training as quickly as possible, Yuan Lang was willing to swallow his pride and invite this great power Chen Jun over.
To have Chen Jun help guide the training and accelerate progress across various trainings.
