From the 7th Steel Company to the Synthetic Division

The information Ding Kai collected from the battalions and companies below the brigade was indeed consistent with the current state of the 909th Brigade, and its core key information was highlighted in this passage.

That means we must reform our training methods in order to have any chance of defeating the Steel Seventh Brigade in the future.

However, when these words reached Chu Zhangang's ears, they took on a completely different meaning. He misinterpreted them and used them as an outlet for his venting.

He slammed his fist on the table and cursed, "Yes, it's this Steel Seventh Brigade, it's all his fault."

If it weren't for the so-called specialized hypothetical enemy, and if this digitalized combined arms brigade hadn't appeared out of nowhere, our training would have always been very successful.

Now, after just one exercise with the 7th Steel Brigade, we've ended up in this situation. Don't you think this is the 7th Steel Brigade's fault?

Huh? You can understand it that way?

Ding Kai was stunned after hearing this, standing there dumbfounded, not knowing how to respond.

"I think the problem isn't with the 7th Steel Brigade, but with ourselves. We haven't changed many of our concepts and ideas. I believe we haven't focused on real combat to find our own problems."

Xu Xiaocun had decided to take drastic measures and continue to stand up to Chu Zhangang head-on, showing him no respect whatsoever.

"What would happen if we weren't facing the Steel Seventh Brigade this time, but instead directly confronted the 708th Brigade? Have you thought about that?" Chu Zhangang challenged.

"Why would we want to confront the 708th Brigade? What's the point of fighting them?" Xu Xiaocun asked rhetorically.

"Since you're asking me this, it proves that you definitely haven't thought about it, but I have."

Chu Zhangang perked up, beaming with excitement, and said, "A showdown between the South China Tiger and the North China Tiger is truly a contest of strength between two modern infantry brigades."

"Even in defeat, we can be honorable when we play against a master. We can win, but we can also afford to lose gracefully. I'll accept defeat gracefully."

Seeing that things had come to this critical juncture, Chu Zhangang was still making excuses. Xu Xiaocun was truly heartbroken and said painfully, "Old Chu, wake up! We did not defeat the hypothetical enemy force that you look down on. They only have half a brigade's strength."

How can you still spout such nonsense, stubbornly refusing to admit defeat like a skinny donkey trying to pull out a hard dump? Don't you find it pathetic?

Xu Xiaocun was genuinely angry.

I feel extremely disappointed that the army has a brigade commander like Chu Zhangang who is arrogant, completely deaf to the opinions of others, and only cares about his own personal gains and losses.

"Heh, tragic? What is tragic?" Chu Zhangang said, glaring at him defiantly.

"It is precisely this kind of erroneous understanding of yours that hinders the liberation of thought among the officers and soldiers of the 909th Brigade, and prevents them from recognizing the importance and inevitability of training reform," Xu Xiaocun criticized sternly.

"you……"

"What's wrong with me?"

Xu Xiaocun interrupted loudly, "Do you think I'm wrong?"

"I think you're not just arguing for the sake of arguing, you're deliberately targeting me."

Chu Zhangang slammed his hand on the table and stood up angrily, saying, "I reserve my opinion. If it is my responsibility, I will not shirk it. If it is my mistake, I will write a self-criticism."

However, the 909th Brigade is not as you imagine, terminally ill and beyond saving. I will stand by my own opinion for the honor of the 909th Brigade.

The meeting is over; there's no need to continue. I'm leaving.

As soon as Chu Zhang finished speaking, he walked towards the gate, his anger blazing like a powder keg.

"Brigade Commander, where are you going?" Ding Kai asked hurriedly with concern.

"The Second Battalion's sea training exercise," Chu Zhangang said, his steps never faltering.

"I haven't said the meeting is adjourned yet."

Xu Xiaocun slammed his hand on the table and reprimanded Chu Zhangang in an extremely stern tone.

"Brigadier, I... I still have something to say. Why don't you stay and listen to me? Is that alright?"

Ding Kai quickly stood up to smooth things over. He noticed that Chu Zhangang was indeed startled by Xu Xiaocun's angry rebuke and stopped walking away.

She even took the initiative to pull Chu Zhangang back to sit down on the chair next to him, as Chu Zhangang was too proud to leave.

Chu Zhangang was not afraid of the political commissar.

It's not that I'm afraid of Party officials.

If Chu Zhangang really dares to take a hard line, and Xu Xiaocun is truly determined to write a report and submit it, then Chu Zhangang will definitely be the one who suffers the most in the end.

Party disciplinary action is too lenient!

Ding Kai pulled Chu Zhangang to sit down, and after a few seconds, seeing that Xu Xiaocun didn't seem inclined to speak, the atmosphere in the room became extremely tense.

He could only step forward and say with a forced smile, "Um, Political Commissar, may I say it?"

Xu Xiaocun took a deep breath with a dark expression and nodded in response. In order to ease the tension between the two parties, Ding Kai decided to take the blame himself.

"As the chief of staff, I am in charge of training. Any problems in training are my responsibility, and I must reflect on them."

Hong Yi and Zhu Rongsheng both talked to me about their ideas for training and reform, and they both came up with some new and specific training plans.

I looked at it, but I felt it wasn't quite right. There were some unsafe aspects, so I sent it back to them for revisions.

I wanted to wait until things were more mature before reporting to the brigade's Party committee. I felt that it was my fault for not implementing this work properly, and it had nothing to do with the brigade commander.

Ding Kai took the initiative to take all the responsibility, but Chu Zhangang, who was in a fit of anger, did not accept it and said coldly, "Whether you report it or not, I know. It's not your responsibility."

Got it!
As soon as Chu Zhangang said this, Ding Kai was embarrassed by the rebuttal, and the atmosphere in the room became tense again.

Fortunately, the meeting room door opened at that moment, and Deputy Brigade Commander Zhu Rongsheng, who had been late, walked in, explaining as he entered, "I heard your meeting wasn't over yet, so I rushed over."

“Rongsheng, you’ve come at the right time. Tell me your thoughts,” Xu Xiaocun said.

"okay."

Zhu Rongsheng sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the meeting room. When he arrived at the meeting room earlier, he could hear the arguing from a distance outside the door.

He knew it must be the political commissar who was throwing a tantrum, trying to correct the unhealthy trend.

This is a rare opportunity!
So before he could even sit down, he simply stood next to the table and said, "Let's not talk about the distant ideas for now, let's just talk about the tasks the brigade commander gave us today."

Several train commanders and I revised the training plan. Everyone came up with many good ideas, and we combined these ideas to prepare two plans and set several small goals, mainly focusing on targeted intensive training.

Come, look.

Zhu Rongsheng opened the military computer he had brought and showed the files on it, saying, "The first plan is for the first group to practice on the beach, without taking the vehicles out to sea, to aim and fire at floating beacons. This is mainly for the shooters to train."

The second group is maritime driving training, which mainly involves the vehicle commander, driver, communications, and observation personnel going to sea for training.

The second option is to bring back several highly skilled drivers and gunners who have already retired to serve as temporary instructors. I've already called them, and they were all very happy to hear that the military needs them and are willing to cooperate unconditionally.

After being berated by Xu Xiaocun, Chu Zhangang became more cautious and calmer. He wanted to ease the tension, as continuing the stalemate would only do him harm.

Upon hearing Zhu Rongsheng's proposal, he readily stepped forward and said, "What we lack are instructors with practical experience in naval warfare. This would indeed solve our immediate problem. By the way, is Wang Jinman, a retired soldier from the Second Battalion, coming over?"

“He’s already agreed. He’ll be leaving today and flying over,” Zhu Rongsheng replied.

"Great, great! As long as he comes, there won't be any problems. He's an excellent first-class tank commander, a first-class gunner, and our model instructor. With him guiding the training, everything will be perfect."

Chu Zhangang patted Zhu Rongsheng on the shoulder with delight and said, "Great job, Deputy Brigade Commander Zhu. I didn't expect you to come up with this idea. Inviting retired veterans is absolutely brilliant."

"I just thought of it by chance."

Zhu Rongsheng was pleased to be praised and said with a smile, "I think our new recruits either lack technical skills or have too little practical experience."

So I thought, why don't I call Wang Jinman and the other veterans, explain the current situation of the unit, and ask them how to handle special sea conditions?

As a result, Wang Jinman told me that the matter was very complicated and couldn't be explained in a few words over the phone, so he suggested I come over in person. That's how the second plan came about.

The large-scale troop reduction under the information technology reform has resulted in the reduction of all units in the entire army.

Many of the veterans and officers who were laid off were not due to a lack of technical skills or abilities, but rather the inevitability of the reforms that forced them to leave.

Especially for the 909th Brigade, which was converted from a division to a brigade, even more soldiers need to be laid off.

Many of these veterans have extensive naval combat experience, but they left the military due to various reasons such as organizational downsizing, advanced age, reduced learning ability, and a lack of available positions.

The 909th Brigade urgently needs to improve its naval combat capabilities. Bringing back veterans with naval combat experience to serve as instructors can effectively solve this problem.

"It's still my old comrades from the 909th Brigade who have the strongest bond with me. With their help, passing the leadership's inspection and assessment this time won't be a problem," Chu Zhangang said confidently.

"Back then, we didn't want to let them go either. Training and fighting depend on talented people, but unfortunately... sigh." Xu Xiaocun sighed with emotion.

The wheels of time keep turning.

There are many things he can't control.

Just like the Steel Seventh Company in the original story, no one wanted such an elite unit to be disbanded, but the times demanded it, so concessions had to be made.

"However, this is only a temporary measure, not a long-term solution. If the training system is not reformed, simply dealing with it all day will only be a temporary fix and not a permanent solution."

Zhu Rongsheng's words were loaded with implications for Chu Zhangang, and he even specifically asked, "Brigade Commander, what do you think of my plan?"

"Haha, great, very good."

Chu Zhangang could tell that Zhu Rongsheng was making veiled accusations, but now that Political Commissar Xu Xiaocun was backing Zhu Rongsheng, Chu Zhangang couldn't afford to turn against him again. He could only choose to soften his stance first and let things calm down before making any further moves.

"Alright, that's enough from you, Brigade Commander. I'll head back to the naval training ground now. You can continue the meeting." Zhu Rongsheng packed up his laptop and got up to leave.

"Go."

Chu Zhangang didn't want to offend Zhu Rongsheng any further, so he took the initiative to pat him on the shoulder and see him off.

However, Zhu Rongsheng suddenly stopped at the door, turned around abruptly, and looked at everyone seriously, saying, "Brigade Commander, Political Commissar, Chief of Staff, I have something to say, but I don't know if it's appropriate to say it."

Chu Zhangang frowned, sensing something was wrong, and the forced smile on his face froze.

Xu Xiaocun directly voiced his support, saying, "Rongsheng, this is a Standing Committee meeting, and you are one of the Party Committee members. You can speak freely."

In a brigade-level meeting, the brigade commander undoubtedly has the most say.

Therefore, Xu Xiaocun specifically pointed out that it was the Standing Committee meeting, implying that the brigade commander's words were meaningless here, and as long as he, the secretary, was present, Zhu Rongsheng could say whatever he wanted.

Zhu Rongsheng naturally understood the hidden meaning; the political commissar's support allowed him to completely put aside his concerns.

"We must put aside our pride, admit defeat, and stop deceiving ourselves."

After Zhu Rongsheng finished speaking solemnly and solemnly, he even straightened his chest and gave a standard military salute to show his firm attitude towards the matter before opening the door and walking out.

As Zhu Rongsheng disappeared outside the door, the three people left inside had different expressions.

Chu Zhangang stood there expressionless, as if petrified.

Ding Kai seemed to be deep in thought.

Xu Xiaocun knew exactly what was going on, his gaze fixed on Chu Zhangang, who had his back to him, with a mixture of hope and helplessness in his eyes.

It's been a long time.

"Self-deception?" Chu Zhangang muttered to himself, but he wasn't as angry as before.

“Old Chu, I think what you’re saying, though crude, makes a lot of sense. You really should think about what it means to deceive yourself,” Xu Xiaocun advised.

……

The office of the theater chief of staff.

Chief of Staff Shen sat in his office chair, his eyes fixed on the computer screen on his desk, where a post on the military intranet forum that he found very interesting.

Chief of Staff Shen didn't actually know who wrote the post.

However, this did not prevent Chief of Staff Shen from debating with the poster on the forum, sharing their understanding of modern warfare.

"I have always maintained that our army cannot wait until the enemy invades our country to know what the enemy is like. We must let our troops know what future wars will look like and how they will be fought."

Upon seeing the new reply, Chief of Staff Shen immediately typed a rebuttal.

"Paranoia. Modern warfare happens every day. Even if you haven't eaten pork, haven't you seen pigs run? What do the enemy's tactics have to do with us?"

Meanwhile, Chen Jun, sitting on the other side of the computer, was unaware that Chief of Staff Shen was sitting opposite him.

Seeing these words in response was unacceptable to him, and he immediately retorted: "Although the Gulf War was a wake-up call for us, there are still all sorts of terrorist attacks and wars."

It does allow us to see the progress of modern warfare, as well as some of its development trends and directions.

But we are all outsiders after all. Our sources of information are limited to news reports and television footage, and these are inevitably filtered remnants. The true situation will certainly not be reported.

Trying to find all the core secrets of the war's leaders online is simply wishful thinking.

Very few contemporary Chinese soldiers have actually been to the battlefield. The cruelty of the battlefield, the suddenness of war, and the uncertainty of the battle situation are all things that are most unfamiliar to us.

Only after experiencing the cruelty of war and learning lessons from mistakes made in blood and tears can our troops grow into a true army.

Even if we cannot wage war, we must find ways to break through in this area, to find alternative methods, rather than sticking to old ways. (End of Chapter)