From the 7th Steel Company to the Synthetic Division

Chen Jun received a personal honorary title and was promoted again in rank, from lieutenant colonel to colonel, turning "empty fame" into real value.

This must be considered a very happy event.

Originally, Chen Jun applied to prepare a combined arms regiment, but the higher-level leaders had a bolder idea and added a level, turning it into a deputy division-level combined arms brigade.

This can be considered a happy event.

However, from the perspective of expansion, the combined arms brigade is not so good for Chen Jun.

Chen Jun's original plan has been completely disrupted, and how to retain command of the combined arms brigade has become the primary issue that needs to be addressed.

Both Gao Cheng and Regiment Commander Wang experienced the combined arms battalion and the series of troubles brought about by the sudden appearance of Sun Dongping.

They noticed Chen Jun frowning and realized the problem.

My heart sank.

Most of the initial joy had faded.

As the old saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined, and that's really true. If we can't come up with a good countermeasure in time, the transformation of the combined unit into a combined brigade could really turn into a "disaster".

Especially since Gao Cheng is now the commander of the combined arms battalion, the thought of having his achievements stolen when the brigade is expanded makes him even more upset.

With a deep frown, he said, "Commander, Old Chen, if this matter isn't handled properly, it will really be a big problem."

The documents for the combined arms brigade have been issued, and that cannot be changed. But after all these years of hard work, we can't just hand it all over to others.

We must prepare in advance; the brigade commander's position must be in our hands.

After Gao Cheng finished speaking, he seemed to realize that his words were inappropriate and sounded a bit too utilitarian, so he added: "Let me make it clear first, I am not trying to gain fame or profit, nor am I greedy for the position of brigade commander. I just don't want to work for nothing."

We, the combined arms battalion, know better than anyone outside how difficult the journey has been. All that effort, only to have it fall into the hands of others, to have our work benefit them—I'm truly unwilling to accept this."

The deeper one's feelings for the Seventh Steel Battalion, the more unwilling one will feel at this moment.

Chen Jun and Regiment Commander Wang felt the same way.

After a moment of silence, Commander Wang picked up a cigarette case, took out a cigarette for himself, and tossed one to Gao Cheng. He lit it, took a puff, and slowly exhaled, saying, "Xiao Gao, I understand how you feel."

From the original Steel Seventh Company to the current Steel Seventh Battalion, you have led it for nine years.

Not to mention that, under your leadership, the 7th Steel Battalion has already achieved outstanding results and remarkable achievements, becoming the strongest combined arms combat unit in the entire army.

Just look at the years you spent in the Seventh Steel Battalion; this relationship is something you can't let go of.

But…"

Commander Wang paused here, took a puff of his cigarette and exhaled before continuing, "Given our relationship, there's no need for official pleasantries or formalities."

A combined arms brigade is a deputy division-level unit. It's practically impossible for a battalion commander like you to become a brigade commander.

As for Chen Jun, if it's a combined arms regiment, then he has no problem being the regimental commander.

Xiao Gao, you've been the leader for so many years, it's not bad to let Chen Jun be the regimental commander and you be his deputy. Taking turns is a good idea.

But now it's a combined arms brigade, so things are harder to say. Even if Chen Jun's rank is now high enough, the difference in their positions is significant, making it unlikely under normal circumstances.

Neither Gao Cheng nor Chen Jun had any objection to Commander Wang's judgment.

Jumping directly from deputy battalion commander to brigade commander involves too many rank changes; there are five ranks involved, which is quite exaggerated.

Even if the higher-ups wanted to groom Chen Jun, they probably couldn't do something so outrageous.

and so.

That's why Commander Wang was so certain.

"Commander, your analysis is indeed very insightful."

Chen Jun agreed with Commander Wang's assessment, and frowned, saying, "The higher-ups directly set up a combined arms brigade, which disrupted my plans. If we don't want others to steal our credit, Lao Gao and I will be in some trouble."

However, it's not entirely hopeless. If we work together, I have a method we can try, and the success rate should be quite high.

"any solution?"

"My method?"

Gao Cheng and Commander Wang asked Chen Jun urgently at almost the same time.

"The solution is ..."

Chen Jun raised an eyebrow and smiled, then pointed at the regimental commander and said, "Let the regimental commander be the brigade commander. You are perfectly capable of handling both the rank and the position."

"I?"

Commander Wang paused for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, "If I could, I would be willing to take up this banner first and help you two little guys through this transition period."

Even if I had the will, I didn't have the ability.

Don't forget, the position of battalion commander was already fiercely contested by outsiders, and the competition for brigade commander will only be even greater now.

I know my own limitations very well. I should be able to manage as a deputy division commander in a regular army unit.

But as for the commander of a combined arms brigade, I'm far from qualified. Not only do I lack the ability to lead combined arms troops, but my old bones can't take any more strain.

Commander Wang felt truly bitter as he spoke, regretting that he wasn't ten years younger.

If he were only in his thirties or forties now, and continued to follow the genius Chen Jun in leading the combined arms unit, Wang Qingrui wouldn't be failing to keep up with his old friend Gao's pace.

The chances of becoming a soldier or something are very high.

Unfortunately, Wang Qingrui is now over fifty years old. In this high-tech era, an informationized integrated combat force is not something an old man like him can lead.

In addition to personal ability and age, there are other factors that also limit Wang Qingrui from becoming a brigade commander.

This factor...

Chen Jun and Gao Cheng, including Commander Wang himself, knew this from the very beginning.

The 7th Steel Battalion was to be expanded into a combined arms brigade, and the 702nd Regiment became the basic unit for the expansion. In other words, the 7th Steel Battalion "swallowed up" the 702nd Regiment.

It was destined that the 702nd Regiment would be abolished, becoming one of the units that disappeared in the wave of reform.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese military has undergone several rounds of reforms. If army groups can be disbanded, then the disbandment of divisions and regiments is perfectly normal.

Normally, when the 702nd Regiment is disbanded and reorganized into a combined arms brigade, the regimental commander and political commissar would be transferred or demobilized.

As for why they didn't stay...

In most cases, this would not be done because it involves many "special things".

To give a simple example, if the old commanders of the decommissioned troops stay to lead the new troops, wouldn't that be the same old thing in a new guise? It's still the same group of people, and the way they lead troops will ultimately remain the same.

What then is the point of reorganizing the new troops?
Moreover, this involves many human issues. Although the military strictly prohibits forming cliques, some things cannot be stopped simply by saying so.

If the old commander stays, the veterans will follow him, making it difficult to implement new policies in the new units. As for the issue of demobilization...

Commander Wang led the "super fierce general" Steel Seventh Battalion. With such an invincible buff, it's definitely impossible for him to be demobilized.

With this buff, Commander Wang could easily become a division commander.

Even if I can't become a general.

Retiring as a senior colonel would be a breeze.

Therefore, without any external interference, it is highly likely that Commander Wang will simply follow the trend and be promoted one rank in this wave of expansion of the Seventh Steel Battalion.

He was to become the deputy division commander of a division-level unit, or the deputy commander of a local military sub-district.

When Commander Wang received the documents for the landing of the combined arms brigade, part of his joy came from the realization that after all this time, he was finally about to move.

He never even entertained the thought, for a second, that he could stay and become the brigade commander of the combined arms brigade.

Commander Wang was still self-aware.

Now that he heard that Chen Jun wanted to use him as a breakthrough point, Commander Wang realized how difficult it would be to do so, which is why he immediately thought that this method would not work.

Gao Cheng didn't speak at first, but frowned and remained silent for a long time.

After Chen Jun and Regiment Commander Wang had spoken for a while, he finally interjected and said seriously, "I agree with what Old Chen said, because this is our only option."

If you, as the regimental commander, can't take the brigade commander position, the two of us can at best become deputy brigade commander and chief of staff.

That would likely result in some parachuted-in guy reaping all the benefits of the painstakingly assembled combined arms brigade, getting a huge advantage without doing anything.

Moreover, who knows what kind of character the newcomer will have? If he's like Sun Dongping back then, the trouble he'll cause will only be bigger.

It was bad enough that the combined arms battalion almost made a fool of itself; if the combined arms brigade did, it would be a disgrace to the entire army.

As Gao Cheng spoke, it was as if he could see it all. The combined arms brigade had been established for two or three years but had no combat capability, wasting a lot of manpower and resources, and in the end it was still a mess.

Then came the scene where he was secretly laughed at by the entire army, making him feel utterly ashamed.

His face immediately turned ashen!
Gao Cheng is a man who cares most about his reputation. He would do anything for it. If something so shameful happened, it would be worse than death for him.

Commander Wang was also worried about such a thing happening, even though he would have already been transferred by then.

But Gao Cheng was someone he had watched grow up, and Chen Jun was someone he had promoted and mentored. In his heart, the two of them were practically like his own sons.

Commander Wang was naturally not feeling good about the possibility of his own son getting into big trouble in the future.

His face tightened up!
Chen Jun saw that Commander Wang had realized the problem, and that they had no way out.

He raised his voice slightly and said, "Commander, Lao Gao, things have come to this point. We have no way out but to fight a desperate battle with our backs to the wall."

The three of us should go down and use our connections to try and work together in this direction.

We must try, no, we absolutely must, to keep the regimental commander in the brigade and make him the brigade commander. If that's not possible, we must at least try to make him the acting brigade commander to buy some time.

In any case, forming a combined arms brigade is no small matter, from the initial preparations to the deployment of personnel and equipment, and finally to the formation of initial combat capability.

This whole process will take at least a year, and normally it will take a year and a half to two years.

If we can secure one or two years, we can try to move up the ranks.

If I could really advance a step or two further, once the combined arms brigade passes inspection and is officially incorporated into the unit, I wouldn't be without a chance to compete for the brigade commander position.

Chen Jun's speech was a bit long, but it can be summarized into two points.

Delay the time and try to get promoted.

Gao Cheng, whose face had turned pale, suddenly showed a hint of anticipation after hearing Chen Jun's plan. He said impatiently, "Great, great, great! This is a good idea. As long as we can buy time, we can find an opportunity."

If he could have a year or two to recover, Gao Cheng believed he could definitely make further progress.

If we could raise his rank to colonel, given Gao Cheng's current position as deputy regimental-level battalion commander, it wouldn't be impossible to do so.

For example, he could first serve as an acting brigade commander as a transitional role.

You should know that when Gao Cheng took over the Seventh Steel Battalion, he was a major and deputy battalion commander who used this tactic to get the job. At worst, the combined arms brigade can use the same tactic again.

Anyway, I'll act as an agent until I've accumulated enough seniority and rank, and then I'll be promoted to a permanent position.

This isn't a loophole; it's simply a rule of the military.

"As expected of you, Chen Jun, you're really quick-witted."

After listening, Commander Wang felt there was a chance, and said with a hint of expectation in his eyes, "I definitely have no chance of becoming a formal brigade commander, but I can try to become a temporary brigade commander during the preparation and formation period. I think there might be a way."

After all, the formation of the combined arms brigade was originally Chen Jun's responsibility, and the brigade commander was only responsible for overall coordination. It didn't matter who the brigade commander was.

"I, Wang Qingrui, have served as a regimental commander for so many years; it wasn't for nothing, haha."

The more Commander Wang talked, the more confident he became, and the more he felt that this method would work. He couldn't help but laugh at the thought that he could also be a combined arms brigade commander.

Even if it's just a temporary brigade commander role, it's a rare opportunity for Regiment Commander Wang.

The military values ​​resumes highly.

If Commander Wang has experience leading a combined arms brigade, especially during the crucial component preparation period, that would undoubtedly become his most valuable asset.

When Jinzhen becomes a division commander in the future, he will definitely be able to gain a lot of points.

after all.

There are a lot of division commanders in the regiment, but very few combined arms brigade commanders.

“Alright, since you both agree, let’s each figure out a way. Whatever method we use, as long as it’s reasonable, we’ll use it. Hopefully, we can get this sorted out before the official documents are issued,” Chen Jun said.

Gao Cheng and Commander Wang have agreed on a story, so now it's up to each of them to use their own unique abilities.

Who Gao Cheng and Commander Wang will go to next, and what methods they will use to achieve this goal, is a matter for the two of them to discuss in private.

They wouldn't bring up the matter of using connections and back channels, and Chen Jun wouldn't ask about it.

Chen Jun may not have any connections to leverage, but as the applicant for the combined arms regiment and the main person in charge of expanding the combined arms brigade, he has his own special methods.

Write a proposal for the preparation of a combined arms brigade to Chen Deming, the old commander who is in charge of liaison with the theater command.

This is Chen Jun's right!
Among the many suggestions for the preparation of the combined arms brigade, adding a specially designated clause that is custom-made is also a reasonable right of Chen Jun.

Chen Jun's reasons were also quite valid...

The expanded combined arms brigade is based on the 702nd Regiment. In order to better carry out the work, it is recommended that Wang Qingrui, the former commander of the 702nd Regiment, serve as the temporary brigade commander during the preparation period.

Wang Qingrui was familiar with everything about the 702nd Regiment and had always been the direct leader of the 7th Steel Battalion.

Absolutely capable of handling this job to the fullest extent! (End of Chapter)