Chapter 347: Russian General Stunned!
Fang Zijian had already reached the tent entrance, as if he suddenly thought of something.
He stopped abruptly.
Turning around, he said to Chen Jun, “Deputy Battalion Commander Chen, organize everyone’s opinions and thoughts. Tomorrow morning after breakfast, come with me to the Russian directing staff.”
“Yes, Leader.”
Chen Jun saluted and replied resolutely.
Although Fang Zijian didn’t directly explain why he wanted Chen Jun to come with him, Chen Jun could basically guess the purpose.
Nothing else.
Fang Zijian must have chickened out and had no confidence at all.
At last night’s meeting, Fang Zijian didn’t raise any objections, so the plan must have already been submitted by now, and changing it wouldn’t be that easy.
The directing staff headquarters for the Oriental 2000 strategic exercise isn’t at this Chugor Training Ground.
This is just one of nine exercise grounds.
The one deployed here is just a branch of the directing staff, specifically responsible for coordinating and organizing the army forces’ exercise, with the person in charge being Russian Major General Andrei.
At this point, wanting to change the combat plan, the branch no longer has the ability to handle it.
It must be escalated to headquarters for processing.
To first persuade the person in charge, Major General Andrei, then go through the trouble of contacting headquarters to explain the situation, and then modify the exercise plan.
Even if it’s just the army exercise portion, it probably won’t be an easy matter.
Fang Zijian is just a cadre from the JW agency, not very knowledgeable about leading troops in combat, let alone the ins and outs of combined arms units.
He had no confidence at all about this trip and couldn’t think of any method to persuade Major General Andrei.
He could only ask the “big shot” Chen Jun to step in!
Although Chen Jun was a dozen years younger and just a lieutenant colonel deputy battalion commander, Chen Jun had repeatedly gained fame across the entire army and had quite a reputation in the Central Military Commission.
As the military person in charge for this trip, Fang Zijian had not only heard of Chen Jun’s “legend” but had also specifically pulled Chen Jun’s file to review before departure.
That splendid resume that left people dumbfounded truly made Fang Zijian have to concede.
“He’s practically a monster.”
That was what Fang Zijian blurted out in shock after reading Chen Jun’s file.
Having already planted the seed in his heart, now facing a problem he couldn’t solve himself, he naturally thought of having Chen Jun handle it.
However, considering face, after all, Chen Jun still called him Leader.
A leader couldn’t show weakness, so it wasn’t good to directly ask Chen Jun for help.
That’s why, when leaving, he put on an official business-like demeanor and used an order to have Chen Jun go with him to handle it.
This way, he preserved his personal face while achieving his goal.
Chen Jun, fully aware of this, wouldn’t be so lacking in emotional intelligence as to expose it. After all, the guy was from JW—not for the monk’s sake, but for the Buddha’s.
Not to mention, Chen Jun himself very much hoped to strive for more conveniences for Steel Seventh Battalion.
Dancing in shackles was truly uncomfortable!
Fang Zijian left relatively early, and to maximize freedom tomorrow, Gao Cheng gathered everyone to brainstorm ideas for Chen Jun.
The goal was for Chen Jun to persuade the person in charge, Major General Andrei, at the directing staff tomorrow.
Chen Jun wasn’t arrogant; he calmly discussed carefully with everyone, seriously analyzed the situation, drew inferences, and gained quite a few insights.
…
The next day.
After eating breakfast, Chen Jun proactively found Fang Zijian. With only the two of them present privately, Fang Zijian had no concerns like at yesterday’s meeting.
At this critical juncture, he couldn’t worry about face anymore. Before setting off, he said a lot to Chen Jun and asked him many questions.
Feeling fully prepared, Fang Zijian then brought the translator and Chen Jun by car to the building where the directing staff branch was located.
Because they had called ahead to make an appointment, the guard at the entrance didn’t stop them.
The three drove downstairs, parked the car, and then, led by a Russian officer, smoothly arrived at an office.
When pushing open the door and entering the office, they found Major General Andrei already sitting in a chair.
Around 50 years old, slightly balding in the front, tall and slightly overweight, he had a very commanding presence sitting there.
Chen Jun quickly analyzed the situation observed upon entry in his mind, converting it into useful information data.
“General Andrei, sorry to disturb you.”
Fang Zijian greeted first, with the accompanying translator providing almost simultaneous translation.
“Come, have a seat over here.”
Major General Andrei gestured toward the sofa area, walking over while enthusiastically saying, “Senior Colonel comrade, I’m very pleased that you’ve come to find me. Whatever it is, just say it. If I can do it, I certainly will help you.”
To reach the general level, Andrei’s emotional intelligence and IQ were undoubtedly high.
“Then thank you in advance.”
Fang Zijian’s rank was one level below the other’s, so he spoke very politely, thanking first before making the request: “I’ve come specifically to find you for one main thing.
After our internal serious discussion, your formulated exercise plan is overall fine; we have no objections.
However, regarding our Chinese forces’ participating troops, we unanimously believe the original plan isn’t very suitable and hope to adjust it according to our requirements.”
Fang Zijian explained clearly and logically, summarizing the ins and outs, and only then made the request; the language and logic were flawless.
The Russian translator who came from domestic was also very professional, basically translating word for word.
“Readjust the exercise plan?”
Andrei, whose face had been full of smiles, frowned slightly at the request and said puzzledly, “If you had issues with the plan, why didn’t you mention it at yesterday’s meeting? I asked you then.”
Andrei’s words were very direct, making Fang Zijian truly very awkward.
Fang Zijian didn’t understand exercises or combat; his task from superiors for this trip was basically just to liaise between sides, acting as a mouthpiece.
If anyone was to blame, it could only be the superiors for not explaining things clearly.
If he had known it wasn’t just liaising but also representing the Chinese side at the meeting to decide many matters for the Chinese forces’ participation.
Fang Zijian would definitely have done his homework beforehand, at least gathering Steel Seventh Battalion’s leadership for a meeting first.
But were the superiors really wrong?
Actually, no.
Because this was the first time army forces participated in an overseas exercise since the founding of the country; no one had experience, not even anyone to learn from.
In complete darkness, issues with the arrangement were normal.
At this point, there was no way to hold anyone accountable.
Quickly solving the problem was the urgent priority.
Faced with Andrei’s direct questioning, Fang Zijian felt awkward but couldn’t say outright that it was because he was clueless at the time and thus raised no opinions.
He could only use a roundabout way to save himself: “You didn’t notify us in advance that we needed to decide on the plan at the meeting, so we hadn’t held a discussion beforehand.
I couldn’t represent the entire Steel Seventh Battalion, so I didn’t express views at the venue.
After the meeting ended and we returned to camp, I immediately gathered everyone at the fastest speed for a meeting. After our discussion, we indeed found issues, so we urgently contacted you, hoping for some adjustments.”
Before the meeting, the Russian directing staff indeed hadn’t notified the Chinese forces of the meeting contents; that was truly a mistake on the Russian side’s work.
Major General Andrei, knowing he was at fault, didn’t dwell on the topic and decided to first test the waters.
“What aspects do you have opinions on? Tell me.”
He neither immediately agreed nor refused, first clarifying the matter—this was indeed the most effective way; Andrei had real skills.
“It’s like this…”
Seeing Andrei more amenable than expected, Fang Zijian immediately pressed the advantage: “Drawing up a script in advance for the exercise is one way of conducting it; that’s fine in itself. We have no objections if the Russian army wants to use this method.
However, the unit we’re sending has never done scripted acting; they’ve always only done live-force confrontation and may not adapt well.
So, we hope to change the rules to let our forces play freely, showcasing our army’s excellent quality and superior style.
If they don’t have to follow the Red Army commander’s scheduling, that would be even better.”
Fang Zijian didn’t know much about leading troops in battle but was well-versed in the Chinese art of “haggling,” knowing to start with a big lion’s mouth before bargaining.
Raise the demands as high as possible first, then negotiate down to get what you want.
“Let your combined arms battalion play freely, not under Red Army Headquarters’ dispatch? No, no, no, that’s impossible. Since the Chinese forces are part of the Red Army, they must obey the commander’s orders.”
Major General Andrei unsurprisingly refused, and his attitude was very firm.
In Andrei’s view.
This was the Russian army forces’ strategic exercise, so naturally everything followed the Russian army forces’ ideas and obeyed the Russian commander’s orders.
If the Chinese army wasn’t under Russian control at all, wouldn’t that deny the Russian army’s command ability?
That was absolutely unacceptable, something he couldn’t tolerate.
Fang Zijian had anticipated before coming that General Andrei wouldn’t accept this demand.
But as invited guests, the Chinese side couldn’t be given zero face by the Russian army, nor would they dare rashly offend the Chinese delegation.
If it affected relations between the two countries, a mere major general like Andrei couldn’t bear it.
So the next part was the most critical, with both sides engaging in verbal battles based on their situations—a tug-of-war was inevitable.
Fang Zijian didn’t understand exercises or combat well, so discussing it would definitely constrain him.
Thus, after Andrei clearly refused, Fang Zijian didn’t confront him directly but immediately pushed Chen Jun forward.
He proactively introduced to Andrei, “Chen Jun, our Chinese forces’ combat commander. He represents our forces and has come specifically to negotiate with you.”
After introducing Chen Jun’s identity and waiting for the translator to convey it to General Andrei.
He then gave the translator a look, signaling him to stand by Chen Jun for convenient translation next. But the next scene left him stunned.
“Hello, General Andrei. On behalf of all warriors of our Chinese Steel Seventh Battalion, I extend greetings to you.”
Chen Jun spoke in authentic, native-level Russian, even smoother than the translator beside him. If you closed your eyes, you’d think it was a Russian.
Chen Jun suddenly showing this skill left Fang Zijian dumbfounded on the spot.
He couldn’t believe it.
The file stated that on the training ground, his personal ability was nearly impeccable, his cultural accomplishment extremely perverted, and he was already proficient in English.
The file didn’t record his Russian level, yet it had reached such a high proficiency.
With Chen Jun’s native Russian, he could be a professional translator without any issue—even a top-tier one.
“Is there anything this freak can’t do in this world?”
Fang Zijian swallowed hard, moistening his extremely dry throat. His gaze at Chen Jun was like looking at a monster.
An all-around octagonal monster.
The professional translator, who had taken two steps, stopped upon hearing Chen Jun’s fluent Russian, his eyes full of shock.
The rest was self-deprecation; as a professional translator, he was inferior to a grassroots officer.
The quickest to react was Andrei.
Originally, hearing Fang Zijian suddenly introduce Chen Jun, assigning a mere lieutenant colonel to deal with a general like him, he was actually quite displeased.
International dealings emphasize “rank” greatly; what rank deals with what rank is an unwritten rule.
Having a general arrive and assigning a lieutenant colonel to receive him.
That was very rude.
But upon hearing Chen Jun’s fluent, authentic, proper Russian, General Andrei was first surprised, then his expression quickly turned from cloudy to sunny.
Chen Jun speaking fluent Russian sparked good impression in General Andrei.
It felt just like a foreigner coming to China and speaking very fluent Chinese—you’d instinctively feel favorable.
Compared to foreigners who only speak foreign languages, you’d prefer to interact with those who speak Chinese.
“Your Russian is excellent.”
General Andrei gave a thumbs up, then happily said, “You’re the Chinese forces’ commander, and you speak Russian— that’s great.
This way, you won’t need a translator and can communicate directly with the Red Army during the exercise; it’ll be much more convenient.”
“Deputy Battalion Commander Chen, you hid this well.”
After reacting, Fang Zijian happily said, “This old Russian has a good impression of you. Hurry and push harder to win him over.”
“Mm.”
Chen Jun nodded slightly and said to Andrei, “Comrade General, I will definitely do my utmost to lead the troops in participating in this exercise.
But your formulated exercise plan will indeed trouble our forces greatly.
Our playing style is completely different from yours, and we’ve never cooperated with your army before. I have reason to believe the Red Army commander cannot effectively command our forces.
I’m not questioning his command ability; it’s just that he doesn’t understand what a combined arms battalion is…
