Chapter 330: Awarding First-class Merit, Preparing The “combined Arms Regiment”
Zhu Rihe Base is inherently a special existence, not something one can enter with just a few words, especially important command-type senior talent.
Commander Lin couldn’t just take Chen Jun’s word for it and hastily make this decision.
After all, Man Guangzhi isn’t like Chen Jun, who has already built fame through his strength; he is a talent recognized by the entire army, renowned without need for verification.
Whether Man Guangzhi truly has potential, whether he is as Chen Jun described.
Further investigation is still needed afterward to confirm that Man Guangzhi’s relevant situation is basically true, before Commander Lin can decide to accept Man Guangzhi.
So Commander Lin used a delaying tactic, stood up with a smile and said, “Alright, since it’s a talent you recommended, I definitely have to note it here.
It’s really late now; dinner is about to turn into late-night snack. Let’s go eat first; we can’t let you go back on an empty stomach, haha.”
As soon as Commander Lin finished speaking, Brigade Commander Hong chimed in from the side, “Yes, yes, let’s go eat first.”
Chen Jun knew this matter couldn’t be rushed. Since the seed had already been planted, whether it would sprout later would depend on Man Guangzhi’s fate.
So he didn’t say anything more, followed along, and headed to the canteen.
Man Guangzhi stood up in a daze, following behind Chen Jun. Happiness came too suddenly, leaving him unable to process it for a moment.
He was completely stunned!
In this dazed state, he followed Chen Jun, dazedly finished a belated dinner, and dazedly returned to the camp.
It wasn’t until evening, lying in bed, recalling the events of the night.
Man Guangzhi still felt like he was dreaming.
Chen Jun gave up the tremendous wealth within reach and proactively handed this great opportunity to him, giving him a true stage to display his talents.
This sounded unrealistic, yet it was real.
……
The next day.
The Steel Seventh Battalion, having won the confrontation exercise, embarked on its honorable return journey, with military reports about this confrontation spreading everywhere simultaneously.
The Blue Army, undefeated in dozens of consecutive battles, actually lost the final one to the Steel Seventh Battalion.
Once this news spread, it was like a thunderbolt from the blue.
It shocked the entire army.
Both sides were equally “advanced” products under military reform, with both having only one battalion’s troops, making it seem extremely fair.
But anyone could see that the Blue Army held overwhelming advantages.
With the Central Military Commission personally backing it, free access to the entire army’s resources, confronting on their usual training ground, and possessing the most advanced equipment.
In terms of timing, location, and people, the Blue Army had all the advantages.
If the Blue Army Combined Arms Battalion was born from myriad favors, then the Steel Seventh Battalion, originating from the grassroots troops’ lowest level, was just a grassroots outfit.
It was like a university student from Tsinghua University versus one from a no-name college competing in an academic match at Tsinghua.
The no-name college student actually defeated the Tsinghua student.
This was truly jaw-dropping!
Because the final result was so exaggerated, it caused a massive reaction across the entire army; almost the whole army was discussing this that day.
“The Blue Army had already won nearly thirty games before, each reportedly very easily. The Steel Seventh Battalion actually won? What exactly is their background?”
“The best record before this was two battalions barely tying; the Steel Seventh Battalion just won like that?”
“Is the Steel Seventh Battalion that awesome? We hadn’t heard much about them before. Where did they come from? Who can produce such an awesome troops?”
“How did they win? I really can’t figure it out; I want to visit them personally.”
……
Other military regions had all lost to Zhu Rihe, so they naturally acknowledged the strength of Zhu Rihe Blue Army, hence the shock at losing to the Steel Seventh Battalion.
In contrast, the Capital Military Region, as their own people, had long been aware of the Steel Seventh Battalion.
Upon learning the victory news from the military report, they were immensely proud, praising it effusively as if they had participated themselves.
Especially T Division Commander Ye Zhengjun and Political Commissar Zhou Yunhai, whose smiles wouldn’t fade.
The Steel Seventh Battalion was a unit under T Division; for it to win at the entire army level brought honor to T Division.
The two had basically done nothing, yet merit came knocking at their door.
There was nothing more comfortable in the world.
In their good mood, their biggest worry was what kind of award to give the Steel Seventh Battalion for bringing more honor to the division this time.
Especially as the greatest meritorious official, Chen Jun, who had already earned first-class merit, second-class merit, and third-class merit.
Not only had he earned them all.
They were also on cooldown.
The rule of only once every two years was irrelevant for most soldiers, as they couldn’t achieve it.
But for Chen Jun, it truly became a restriction, a maximum one.
Because first-class merit, second-class merit, and third-class merit were all simultaneously in a two-year cooldown CD; this exaggerated to bizarre situation was probably only possible for Chen Jun in the entire army.
Fortunately, it didn’t give Ye Zhengjun a headache in the end, because the superiors were even more positive.
The Zhu Rihe Blue Army swept through the seven major war zones of the entire army; as the last to appear, the Capital War Zone leaders truly faced immense pressure.
The leaders also cared about face; no one wanted to lose it.
They had thought if the Steel Seventh Battalion desperately tied, the Capital War Zone leaders would be very satisfied and give them major commendations upon return.
Unexpectedly, the Steel Seventh Battalion’s performance was so stunning, even thrashing the military-backed Blue Army.
This was truly relieving.
It greatly boosted the Capital Military Region’s prestige.
So the delighted war zone commanders were not stingy with this commendation for the Steel Seventh Battalion, starting off with a collective first-class merit for it.
As the only Red Army Battalion to defeat the Blue Army in an entire army-level exercise, and the Blue Army had defeated all Red Army Battalions, equivalent to taking first in the entire army.
The Steel Seventh Battalion earning this collective first-class merit was well-deserved, with no objections.
Gao Cheng, as the Steel Seventh Battalion Commander and its highest military chief officer, naturally deserved the greatest credit for the honors his troops earned.
So Gao Cheng received individual second-class merit, adding another military medal to his splendid collection.
While Chen Jun was the actual combat commander, and his merit accounted for at least half of this confrontation victory, this was internal Steel Seventh Battalion task allocation.
Moreover, Chen Jun was truly beyond mortals; second-class merit was currently on cooldown, so they couldn’t give it even if they wanted to.
The top merit had to go to Gao Cheng.
However, setting aside surface rules, everyone knew Chen Jun was the greatest meritorious official; the war zone commanders hadn’t forgotten him.
Unable to give first, second, or third-class merits, and honorary titles not high enough level, they couldn’t skimp on commendations.
They gave two at once.
War zone-level commendation honors, with actual value not less than first-class merit, were fitting for Chen Jun’s comeback in this confrontation exercise.
For Chen Jun personally, he had earned all kinds of merits and commendations, long numb to them.
Except for honorary titles, he felt nothing for the rest.
What he valued more was that this confrontation exercise allowed a legitimate victory over the Blue Army, equivalent to the best proof of strength.
Proving how strong the Steel Seventh Battalion was, thoroughly gaining recognition from leaders at all levels.
Only then could Chen Jun proceed to the next step—
The Combined Arms Battalion was mature; it was time to form a Combined Arms Regiment.
They were about to cross the millennium threshold; Chen Jun hoped to get the Combined Arms Regiment preparations underway after the millennium.
So he urgently needed an opportunity to strive for preparation for a Combined Arms Regiment from superior leaders.
Chen Jun had long written the Combined Arms Regiment plan and carried it everywhere, ready to seize any opportunity.
Although the Combined Arms Battalion already had independent combat capability, to have strategic-level influence, it must become a Combined Arms Regiment.
Only combined arms units at the regiment level could truly dominate a campaign.
Upgrading from fighting tactics to fighting strategy!
By toppling the Zhu Rihe Blue Army through hard power this time, Chen Jun sensed his opportunity had arrived; unexpectedly, his premonition was spot on.
While the Steel Seventh Battalion was en route back by train, it received an order from division headquarters.
All Steel Seventh Battalion troops return to base; he and Gao Cheng, representing the battalion headquarters leadership, would go to Capital War Zone Headquarters to earn merit and receive awards.
After the grand award ceremony, the opportunity Chen Jun wanted truly arrived.
Although the military region senior leader only made a brief appearance and spoke at the award ceremony, a familiar face was at the same table during the celebration banquet.
This person was Chen Deming, with whom he had a brief encounter before, who had come to watch the assessment exercise.
As a war zone deputy commander-level senior leader, he had highly valued Chen Jun back then and wanted to transfer him to a more suitable place.
Almost all leaders who had seen Chen Jun’s abilities wanted to pull him under their command.
Unfortunately, the outcome was always the same.
They would all be rejected by Chen Jun.
At that time, although Chen Deming failed to recruit him, he thought Chen Jun was still in the war zone after all, and there would be plenty of opportunities later if he had talent.
So Chen Deming didn’t force it then, and the matter passed.
Unexpectedly, just a year later, Chen Jun had reappeared before him through his own hard power.
This truly amazed Chen Deming!
Having a good impression of Chen Jun to begin with, and now with Chen Jun earning great merit for the Capital Military Region, Chen Deming appreciated him even more.
So he specially appeared here, personally hosting the Steel Seventh Battalion’s celebration banquet.
Originally, for the Steel Seventh Battalion’s level, the war zone Political Department director personally leading would already be fully appropriate.
Chen Deming’s exceptional appearance here gave Chen Jun a precious opportunity.
Chen Jun, who had long planned this in his heart, naturally wouldn’t miss such a good chance; during the banquet, he intentionally hinted at wanting a private talk with Chen Deming, implying it was a matter above Combined Arms Battalion level.
Chen Deming already had a good impression of Chen Jun; young yet already a lieutenant colonel, with exceptional military field talent, absolutely a promising talent.
Hearing it was a matter above Combined Arms Battalion thoroughly sparked his curiosity.
So after the celebration banquet ended, Chen Deming left first, then sent a civil servant to specially call Chen Jun to his office.
“Good day, sir.”
After knocking and entering, Chen Jun stood at attention and saluted, even more spirited in front of the senior leader.
“Alright, no need to be so formal in private; sit down and let’s talk slowly.”
Chen Deming didn’t stand to return the salute; at his level, it wasn’t necessary. Being casual made the atmosphere more relaxed; he gestured from the sofa for Chen Jun to sit opposite.
The accompanying civil servant needed no instruction and immediately brought two cups of tea.
He placed them down and withdrew, closing the door behind him.
“This is our second meeting; I really like you, kid, especially that sharp spirit, energy, and mind in your eyes—very good.”
Chen Deming’s personality was relatively easygoing; after a few amiable opening remarks, the atmosphere became even more cordial.
He then got to the point: “Combined Arms Battalion—you did a great job with it, kid. Tactics mature, playing style fierce; ordinary people really can’t handle you.
Winning at Zhu Rihe this time truly brought face to our war zone.
If you hadn’t just earned first-class merit recently, with this performance, the war zone Political Department folks would have reported first-class merit for you, haha.”
Thinking of Chen Jun’s first-class merit still on CD, Chen Deming’s gaze toward him couldn’t help but turn a bit strange.
In wartime, it would be fine—continuous first-class merits aren’t rare—but in peacetime, that’s a bit demonic.
“Sir, if I didn’t get this first-class merit, I can get it next year.”
Chen Jun answered seriously, leaving Chen Deming stunned for a full two seconds.
He then burst out laughing: “Youth is great—full of vigor, vitality, drive; even first-class merit can be pre-ordered, haha.”
If someone else said that like Chen Jun, Chen Deming would criticize them—
Young people can’t aim too high or be too arrogant.
But thinking of the honors Chen Jun had already earned, and seeing the medals on his chest during the award ceremony—too many, almost no room left on his clothes.
Left side fully covered, right side only a small space left; at a glance, no clothes visible, just the dazzling medals gleaming under the sunlight.
The war zone deputy political commissar in charge of pinning medals nearly couldn’t find space on the clothes.
That scene…
Was a bit too “luxurious.”
For such a super awesome powerhouse, saying he could earn first-class merit next year wasn’t bragging; Chen Deming had to concede.
Facing such a once-in-a-century, all-around-maxed octagonal genius, nothing happening to him seemed surprising to Chen Deming.
Thinking of how this demonic talent had strongly requested a talk with him this time, Chen Deming’s curiosity peaked even more.
Ignoring everything else, he went straight to the point: “At the celebration banquet earlier, you told me you had something about matters above Combined Arms Battalion to discuss with me. What exactly is it? Explain it to me in detail.”
