Chapter 342: Double Joy For Takayama
The winter in the Northern Region is truly exaggerated, with temperatures that easily drop to dozens of degrees below zero, as if able to freeze the entire world, and once frozen, it stays that way for months.
All kinds of major events were temporarily silent, and life in Steel Seventh Battalion proceeded in an orderly manner.
A rare period of complete calm.
However, when time reached March of the new year, all of this changed, not just with the ice and snow gradually melting and all things reviving to welcome spring.
But also those two matters that had been quiet for a long time finally brought new news.
March 4,
Destined to be a special day.
Because during that day, the two things Chen Jun had been thinking about finally had their final resolution, and both were good news.
The documents arrived at 3:05 p.m., two confidential files and one appointment document, delivered by a dedicated person in a dedicated vehicle straight to Regiment Headquarters.
Chen Jun arrived at Regiment Headquarters at 3:21 p.m.
Not alone, with Gao Cheng too.
It wasn’t Chen Jun’s brilliant strategy timing it perfectly, but Regiment Commander Wang saw the unit written on the kraft paper envelope containing the files and knew it must be the matters Chen Jun had been longing for.
So before even opening the files, he sent a civil servant to call Chen Jun over.
Gao Cheng happened to be with Chen Jun, and upon hearing Regiment Commander Wang had an urgent matter to find Chen Jun, it sparked his curiosity, so he came running along.
Actually, even if Gao Cheng hadn’t come on his own, Regiment Commander Wang would have called him to Regiment Headquarters shortly after.
Because he was also the protagonist today!
When Chen Jun and Gao Cheng entered the office, Regiment Commander Wang had already finished reading the two files.
“Haha, good news, great news.”
Regiment Commander Wang was in an extremely pleasant mood at this moment, and upon seeing the two enter, he couldn’t control his emotions, holding the files as he went to the adjacent sofa.
“Regiment Commander, what matter has you so happy, your mouth almost splitting to your ears.”
In front of Regiment Commander Wang, Gao Cheng spoke as casually as ever, even freer than speaking in front of his father, completely without any pressure.
“Could it be news from above?”
Chen Jun had been exchanging with Regiment Commander Wang and knew clearly what matters Regiment Commander Wang was most concerned about now; seeing his expression, he had basically guessed seventy to eighty percent.
Thinking that the matter waited half a year for a result, Chen Jun also became impatient.
“Yes, and not just one matter.”
Regiment Commander Wang nodded but didn’t say it all directly.
Chen Jun, with his appetite whetted, instantly widened his eyes and couldn’t help reaching out proactively: “Regiment Commander, come on, come on, let me see quickly, I really can’t wait any longer, good grief, this wait has been half a year.”
“What’s the matter? What’s with all the mystery, can’t you just say it straight?” Gao Cheng muttered in confusion.
“The files have basically confirmed it; whether this battle can be fought well relates not only to the future of Seventh Zero Two Regiment but also to the fate of Steel Seventh Battalion.”
Regiment Commander Wang put away the smile on his face, became serious, handed over the files and said: “Look at the specific content yourselves, read it carefully.”
Chen Jun and Gao Cheng each took one and hurriedly opened the files to read.
The last remaining one was placed on the table.
What Chen Jun was reading was the formally confirmed dispatch of Steel Seventh Battalion to participate in the large-scale exercise hosted by Russia—”East 2000 Strategic Exercise”.
The rest were various contents related to the exercise.
Specific exercise location and exercise plan, etc., since led by Russian Army, had no records at all, only departure preparation contents written in great detail.
From which month and day to set off, to what equipment and supplies standards to carry, all had detailed regulations.
“Great, finally secured this opportunity; this is the first time since founding that army goes abroad, just this alone is enough to boast for ten years; if we can also perform well in the exercise, let the Russians see the strength of Chinese soldiers, wouldn’t that be…”
Thinking of fiercely beating Russian troops on the exercise ground, letting the Russian Bear know what the king of army is, letting Chinese soldiers shine once again on the world stage, Chen Jun was exceptionally excited.
Winning domestic troops exercises is just proving one’s own strength is stronger than the opponent.
Winning confrontations with foreign troops means both sides represent their own countries, elevating to the national level, which is completely different.
Chen Jun finished reading the file and instantly became excited, his face starting to flush from dopamine stimulation.
On the other side, Gao Cheng finished reading the file in his hand, stimulated even more excitedly than Chen Jun, not only his face red like a monkey’s butt, but even his excited fingers trembling.
He loudly said in excitement: “This isn’t just good, it’s a huge surprise.
Combined Arms Battalion formed complete combat effectiveness only a year and a half ago, and superiors have already begun preparation for expansion into Steel Seventh Battalion, to be formally confirmed after the exercise.
This speed is faster than our battalion’s newest rocket artillery, haha.”
Gao Cheng laughed excitedly.
Since Steel Seventh Battalion’s expansion hasn’t been implemented yet, and this matter is quite confidential, throughout, only Chen Jun and Regiment Commander Wang knew about the expansion.
Including Gao Cheng and Man Guangzhi and others up and down Steel Seventh Battalion, they didn’t know Chen Jun had applied to superiors for expansion.
Gao Cheng, as acting Battalion Commander of Steel Seventh Battalion, with no prior psychological preparation, now suddenly learning such good news.
How could his emotions not be excited!
“Still wait until after the exercise?”
Chen Jun precisely caught the key point from what Gao Cheng said, couldn’t help inwardly teasing: Sure enough, just as I initially thought, superiors ultimately chose this path, using the exercise to test Steel Seventh Battalion.
Whether Steel Seventh Battalion stops at Steel Seventh Battalion, or becomes Steel Seventh Regiment, or even Steel Seventh Brigade…
Success or failure depends on this Russian Army Strategic Exercise!
The Russian Army Strategic Exercise matter wasn’t public yet, Gao Cheng didn’t know about it, seeing only “exercise” written above, he boldly said indifferently: “Isn’t it just one exercise? Steel Seventh Battalion already has no opponents; this isn’t basically saying it’s just going through the motions?”
As the rightful entire army’s strongest battalion, Steel Seventh Battalion, Gao Cheng indeed had the confidence to say this.
“Little Gao, too much confidence isn’t good; this exercise isn’t as simple as you think.” Regiment Commander Wang threw cold water, opened his mouth as if to speak but stopped.
The Russian Army strategic military exercise inviting domestic army to participate, this matter isn’t public at all now.
Chen Jun, as the initiator of Combined Arms Regiment preparation, was already in this circle; Regiment Commander Wang telling him this news wasn’t leaking secrets.
But if telling Gao Cheng, that would be another matter.
“Not as simple as I think?”
Gao Cheng still didn’t take it seriously, full of confidence: “Zhu Rihe and that First Brigade aren’t opponents; who else can fight us?
Even if superiors deliberately increase difficulty, even if letting Steel Seventh Battalion fight just one regiment, I, Gao Cheng, won’t be afraid.”
What is confidence earned through battles.
Gao Cheng is exactly that!
Regiment Commander Wang wanted to tell Gao Cheng that this time it’s not fighting domestically, but going abroad to fight Russians, not the same concept at all.
It’s not that Russian army troops have stronger combat effectiveness than domestic troops.
Mainly Steel Seventh Battalion going to Russia alone, without heaven, earth, or people advantage, and having to follow Russian directing staff arrangements, really very passive.
Ten percent combat power might not even bring out fifty percent.
Not to mention Chinese army understanding of Russian army; the last time was Soviet before victory in the War of Resistance, now decades have passed, what Russian army’s playing style is like, domestically there’s zero experience.
Facing a completely unfamiliar opponent, Steel Seventh Battalion would also fight particularly constrained.
Far less than domestic confrontation exercises, where both sides are armies built in the same system, with some understanding, much simpler to fight.
Therefore.
Even if Russian directing staff is fair and just, without any mischief in between, Steel Seventh Battalion limited by the above two situations, combat power hard to fully release.
So Regiment Commander Wang had no confidence in his heart, worried Steel Seventh Battalion wouldn’t perform well against Russian Army.
“Never mind, the notification file has come, formal order should come down soon; I don’t need to rush this moment, tell Gao Cheng then.”
Regiment Commander Wang decided in his heart, no longer discussing this sensitive topic.
Picked up the file on the table and handed it over: “This file is specially for you; I think after you see it, you’ll definitely be even happier.”
“Ah? Really?”
Gao Cheng with three parts curiosity and seven parts doubt, opened the file and glanced, pupils instantly enlarged, corners of mouth uncontrollably rising.
This was an appointment document.
The content had two parts, each a surprise for Gao Cheng.
The first matter summed up: after this period’s assessment, acting Battalion Commander Gao Cheng’s work is competent, led Steel Seventh Battalion to complete several arduous missions, performed very excellently; now formally appointed as Steel Seventh Battalion Deputy Regiment Level Battalion Commander.
The second matter matched the first; Gao Cheng now already Deputy Regiment Level Battalion Commander, military rank synchronously promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel.
Actually, with Gao Cheng’s current achievements, the “acting” could have been removed long ago.
Note that Gao Cheng as acting Steel Seventh Battalion until now, outstandingly completed the preparation work, passed acceptance confrontation, ultimately formed complete combat effectiveness.
During this, Steel Seventh Battalion’s dispatched overseas competition team even won champion in international special forces event.
Finally in Zhu Rihe’s peak showdown, the Steel Piano Battalion under Gao Cheng’s responsibility crushed Zhu Rihe Blue Army Battalion with absolute strength to win.
These merits piled on one person; if it were someone else, would have been made permanent long ago.
Gao Cheng really promoted a bit too fast; horizontally compared, merits far less than Chen Jun, but promotion speed basically on par with Chen Jun.
Chen Jun from Deputy Company Commander when forming Combined Arms Company, to now becoming Regiment Level Deputy Battalion Commander.
While if Gao Cheng becomes permanent Battalion Commander, equals from Company Commander when forming Combined Arms Company, leaping to become Deputy Regiment Level Combined Arms Battalion Commander.
If really over a year ago, when Chen Jun formally became Deputy Battalion Commander, upper levels also synchronously made him Battalion Commander.
That definitely wouldn’t look good.
Chen Jun’s contributions to the troops, how could Gao Cheng compare; if both at same speed, bound to cause talk.
Gao Cheng’s father clearly understood this, so deliberately delayed over a year.
Let Gao Cheng precipitate through this over one year, perfectly staggered with Chen Jun; now promoting, no one would have objections.
Had to say.
Gao’s Father this move was truly brilliant.
Moreover, before Combined Arms Regiment preparation project initiation, timely adjusting Gao Cheng to Battalion Commander had another clever use—opportunity to compete for Combined Arms Regiment Regiment Commander.
Even stepping back ten thousand steps, competing for Deputy Regiment Commander would be completely without pressure.
This was clever among the clever.
From these various fine operations, Gao’s Father seemed on surface to completely ignore Gao Cheng, throw him to grassroots and never care again.
Actually, Gao’s Father secretly spared no effort, always racking brains to help Gao Cheng.
Without Gao’s Father’s secret fine-tuning, helping Gao Cheng steadily advance, probably would have been overtaken by Chen Jun long ago, becoming Chen Jun’s “subordinate”.
However now even with Gao’s Father helping, all changes showed Gao Cheng was already struggling to keep up.
Chen Jun’s strength was truly too strong and comprehensive; rise speed like sitting on a rocket, unstoppable, surpassing old Company Commander Gao Cheng was only a matter of time.
Chen Jun promoted to Lieutenant Colonel nearly two years earlier than Gao Cheng; if this overseas exercise also establishes great merit.
Returning would inevitably be “Colonel”.
While Gao Cheng just promoted to Lieutenant Colonel now, definitely won’t perform as stunningly as Chen Jun in the exercise, and time won’t allow another promotion upon return.
Plainly said.
Now in Steel Seventh Battalion, Gao Cheng is still Battalion Commander, steadily ahead of Chen Jun by half a head.
When next Combined Arms Regiment forms, whether Gao Cheng can still suppress Chen Jun, who becomes the final Regiment Commander, that puts a big question mark.
Even without a leader father’s background, Chen Jun’s strength is hard enough.
This is his capital!
Of course.
These are all later stories.
Now Chen Jun, Regiment Commander Wang, and Gao Cheng, three sitting in the office reading files, the protagonist absolutely Gao Cheng; he welcomed double celebrations.
“Congratulations, Old Gao, finally made permanent; doesn’t this mean you have to treat us to a good drink?”
Chen Jun had no intent for malicious competition with Gao Cheng; he really liked and admired this old Company Commander; at this moment, his heart was truly happy for Gao Cheng.
With those upsetting matters during previous Combined Arms Battalion formation selecting military chief officer.
Chen Jun really didn’t want this Combined Arms Regiment formation, or even larger scale Combined Arms Brigade, to repeat the same mistakes over selecting suitable military chief officer.
And to avoid repeating mistakes.
The best method is one’s own people qualified to become the military chief officer of the new troops after expansion.
Chen Jun considered himself not qualified yet; Lieutenant Colonel military rank with Deputy Battalion Commander position, for forming Combined Arms Regiment, perhaps could compete for acting Deputy Regiment Commander.
Jumping two levels at once is hard to operate; conventional practice is first use acting as transition.
Chen Jun’s Deputy Battalion Commander, Gao Cheng’s Battalion Commander.
Both came this way.
But to compete for Combined Arms Regiment Regiment Commander, that equals jumping three levels at once, really somewhat exaggerated, almost impossible.
Unless in between establish a few more great merits, to make the capital fuller.
“This overseas exercise is a good opportunity, but if only this once still far from enough; to be able to be Regiment Commander, must add more.”
Chen Jun thought inwardly, pressure really big.
Turning gaze to Gao Cheng, Chen Jun felt that Gao Cheng, now become Deputy Regiment Level, competing for Combined Arms Regiment Regiment Commander seemed much more reasonable.
“If Gao Cheng’s father exerts a bit more effort, and Gao Cheng himself has some standout performance, should have opportunity to compete; if another star on shoulder, reaching Colonel military rank, then basically steady, but…”
Thinking Gao Cheng just promoted Lieutenant Colonel now, wanting to promote to Colonel again in short time.
Difficulty not lower than his own.
Chen Jun really had a bit of headache.
