From the 7th Steel Company to the Synthetic Division

Hong Yi is now at odds with Chu Zhangang and has prepared for the worst, ignoring orders to conduct parachute training, which is giving Xu Xiaocun a headache.

"I know about this."

Xu Xiaocun took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and then put them back on, saying, "Hong Yi told me about this. He plans to do it in one squadron first, and he invited paratrooper experts and engineers from the parachute factory to design the plan. I think his preparations are quite thorough."

It's easy to tell from these words that Xu Xiaocun is on Hong Yi's side. With just a few casual words, he cleared Hong Yi of the blame for disobeying orders.

"Only one squadron? Don't think I don't know I've just been turning a blind eye all along."

Chu Zhangang snorted and continued, "Of the more than 300 soldiers in the entire brigade, 230 have already mastered the 300-meter low-altitude parachute technique. This is not something that just one company is doing; it's clearly a case of feigning one thing while secretly doing another."

If he doesn't cause any accidents, then I'll consider him lucky. But if something does happen, should I know or not?

Next, he demanded that the brigade issue low-altitude parachute qualification certificates. Who would dare to issue them? I'm being lenient by not pursuing this matter; how dare he try to force me out?

Therefore, I'm even less likely to approve his plan this time.

"Typhoon season is almost here, and all these training exercises he's been doing must stop. My refusal to approve it is a demand for him to stop, but he completely doesn't understand and continues to act recklessly."

Chu Zhangang's emotions are quite complicated right now; how to deal with Hong Yi has become a hot potato for him.

"He feels his talents are going to waste, and his ambitions are going to go to waste, so he wants to apply for a career change. You won't let him train..."

"Hey~"

Chu Zhangang interrupted Xu Xiaocun directly, saying, "No matter how talented you are, if you don't know how to restrain yourself and how to assess the situation, you're just a useless talent, completely meaningless."

I suggest you try to persuade him not to rush into dangerous training.

As long as he cooperates with my training plan, I will definitely find a way to promote him to colonel within a year. Once he is promoted to colonel, it will be a whole new world for him.

They act like their backside is on fire, as if if they don't get things done today, they'll be fighting tomorrow.

People like him are just too unrealistic, always immersed in their idealistic world, thinking they're the smartest person in the world. You really need to give him a good talking-to.

Chu Zhangang's eyebrows were furrowed, and he looked like he was about to die of worry.

"Hahaha."

Xu Xiaocun was amused by Chu Zhangang's expression, and he genuinely wanted to resolve the conflict between the two, which was very important for the entire 909th Brigade.

So he patted Chu Zhangang on the shoulder and agreed, "Okay, I'll try to find a way to talk to him again."

……

708th Brigade Headquarters.

A military vehicle slowly pulled up at the gate, and an elderly man with gray hair, leaning on a cane, wearing a white t-shirt and military green pants, slowly stepped out of the vehicle.

Beside him was a second-class sergeant who carefully helped him all the way to the main gate.

"I am Meng Huainan, and I would like to see your brigade commander."

The old man walked to the gate with a smile and saluted the guard on duty.

Despite his advanced age, his salute remained impeccable.

"Greetings, sir. Please wait a moment, I will report immediately."

Seeing the old man's extraordinary demeanor, his civilian clothes, and the fact that he was being cared for by his orderly, the guard guessed that he must be a former commander and dared not slack off in the slightest.

He immediately ran back to the sentry post and used a landline to call the duty room of the officers.

Just as the guard went to make a phone call, Meng Huainan walked up to another guard and asked him kindly, "Young comrade, when did you enlist?"

"Reporting to the commander, I enlisted last November and reported to the 708th Brigade this February," the new recruit answered loudly.

"Where is your hometown?" Meng Huainan asked.

"Ji'an, Jiangxi," the new recruit answered at the top of his lungs, afraid that speaking too softly would displease his superiors.

"Oh, Ji'an, Jiangxi? Great, our unit came from Ji'an."

Meng Huainan had a deep affection for this place and was about to chat with the new recruits and sentries for a few more minutes when he saw a major rushing over.

He approached him, saluted, and said, "Good morning, sir. I am Staff Officer Jin on duty."

The brigade commander is leading troops in training at the training ground. Please come to the reception room to rest for a while. I will call the training ground immediately and inform the brigade commander to return as soon as possible.

"Your brigade commander isn't in the camp?" Meng Huainan was surprised.

"The brigade commander, political commissar, and chief of staff have all been leading training exercises at the training ground to improve the combat effectiveness of the troops, and they haven't been back for a week."

Staff Officer Jin was quite eloquent, and he highlighted the hard work of the brigade commanders at just the right time.

“The training ground is only about 20 kilometers from the barracks, why can’t you come back? Staying at the training ground all the time is too tiring,” Meng Huainan said with great concern.

"Old Commander, in order to be closer to actual combat, the brigade has a new regulation: if a training subject cannot be completed in one day, it must be carried out according to the requirements of field training, and we must camp and eat in the field," Staff Officer Jin explained.

"I see, okay."

Meng Huainan understood the reason for the matter and walked towards the gate with his cane.

"Old Chief, this way."

Staff Officer Jin, being very sensible, jogged a few steps to the side to lead the way, guiding Meng Huainan to the reception area to rest.

A few minutes later.

The call reached the duty room at the training ground, and the officer on duty immediately relayed the message to Wang Kezheng, who was leading the training.

"The headmaster is here? And he specifically asked to see me? This looks bad, the old man is here to settle scores with me." Wang Kezheng's heart trembled.

Wang Kezheng was genuinely afraid of his old commander who had personally formed the 708th Division.

Just like students are afraid of their teachers.

"The old commander came without prior notice or invitation. Did he hear something?" Political Commissar He Yazhou, who was standing nearby, also frowned.

"The old man must have known about the defeat of the 708 Political and Brigade for a long time. He called last time. I didn't expect him to come in person."

Wang Kezheng felt a chill run down his spine and suggested, "Old He, how about this, you go and deal with it first, just say I'm directing live-fire target practice and can't leave."

Wang Kezheng was genuinely afraid of being scolded by his old superior, after all, the last exercise was such a humiliating defeat.

He felt very guilty!

"Alright, I'll go and find out what the teacher is up to first. If he's not here specifically to settle scores with you, then you can come back and see him. But if he really is here to skin you alive, then you're on your own."

He Yazhou could understand Wang Kezheng's feelings, but this was all he could do to help.

After saying that, he walked out of the command room.

Only Wang Kezheng, whose mind was completely in turmoil and who had no intention of leading or training the troops, and his staff officers and others, who were just watching helplessly, remained. However, less than four seconds later, Wang Kezheng suddenly rushed out in a hurry.

"Lao He, Lao He."

Wang Kezheng caught up with He Yazhou and said seriously, "If the old man wants to see the military history museum, you must not take him there. You absolutely cannot let him go."

"Why?" He Yazhou asked, puzzled.

“You know the old man’s temper. I’m telling you the truth. If he sees the Monument to Shame, he might just smash his head against it and die,” Wang Kezheng said fearfully.

"Oh, yes, yes, yes."

He Yazhou also remembered this matter and realized its seriousness. He said very seriously, "Then I will try not to mention the military history museum. He is very familiar with the military history museum and probably won't go there specifically."

"It's settled then, okay? Remember that," Wang Kezheng repeatedly reminded him.

"it is good."

He Yazhou nodded heavily before getting into the car and speeding towards the camp.

708 Brigade Reception Room.

The old leader's friendly and amiable demeanor while chatting in front of the gate had completely vanished, replaced by a dark, menacing face, as if he were about to jump up and strike someone.

Staff Officer Jin stood carefully beside him, too frightened to even breathe.

When He Yazhou rushed back in a panic, he opened the door and saw the old commander sitting there with a dark face. He was so frightened that he shuddered.

The old leader's stern face and intense aura are something most people simply can't handle.

But now that we're inside, we can't just run away.

He Yazhou could only swallow a few times to moisten his unusually dry throat, force a smile, and walk over, suppressing his inner panic.

"Teacher, what brings you here?"

When He Yazhou approached with a fawning smile, the old commander didn't give him a friendly look. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Wang Kezheng wasn't coming over, so his face darkened even more.

The voice said coldly, "Where is Wang Kezheng?"

"He's at the training field; he hasn't finished one training exercise yet, so he can't leave for a while. He specifically asked me to represent him and all the officers and soldiers of the brigade..."

"Stop!"

The old leader interrupted He Yazhou's explanation and said expressionlessly, "I don't need your warm welcome. I've been waiting for you here for a long time."

"Teacher, it's so wrong of us to keep you waiting here..."

Why is he afraid of me?

The old commander locked his tiger-like eyes on He Yazhou, interrupting him again and forcefully pressing him: "Why are you hiding from me? Do you think I'm going to skin him alive? I'm just a retired old man. I'm just passing by the gate of the Teachers' Department. It's perfectly reasonable for me to come and pay my respects to Brigade Commander Wang, isn't it?"

"Of course, it's perfectly reasonable, very reasonable."

He Yazhou smiled broadly and agreed, then asked with a sly grin, "Commander, you really just happened to be passing by? You're looking for Commander Wang, is there nothing else?"

“I’ve been away from the 708th Brigade for so many years, and I’ve been retired for so many years. I don’t have any say in the 708th Brigade anymore; it’s your little territory. Why should I meddle in so many other people’s business? Alright, your brigade commander is busy and doesn’t have time to see this old man. I’d better leave.”

The old leader is indeed a seasoned veteran; his methods of forcing the emperor to resign are truly masterful.

This unexpected and forceful move terrified He Yazhou, who quickly went over to stop him, saying, "Teacher, you can't leave! Dinner is about to start. Have a meal before you go."

If the teacher were to return to his old unit, leaving with a belly full of anger.

That would probably turn the world upside down.

"It's just a meal, huh? I've never eaten before? Don't I have anywhere to eat? You guys don't welcome me, right? I'll go eat at the 707th Brigade next door. I served as the chief of staff there for two years. When the old chief of staff comes back, how can I not have a meal? How can I not see their brigade commander?"

After finishing his sentence, the old leader walked outside again, his complaints almost tangible, as he unleashed a torrent of grievances outside.

"No, no, teacher."

He Yazhou stopped him again in a panic. If the teacher came back, there would be no food left, and they would have to go to the neighboring inn to eat. If word got out, it would become a big joke.

So He Yazhou not only forcibly stopped him, but also persuaded him with great emotion: "You are the first division commander of our old 708th Division. If you go back to your old unit and don't even get a meal, how can I explain to the leaders above? How can I explain to the officers and soldiers of the whole brigade?"
I'll call the training ground right away. No matter if training is over or not, and no matter how busy Commander Wang is, he must come back to have this meal with you.

He Yazhou had made his point clear, which meant the old leader had achieved his desired outcome.

So the old leader didn't leave, he just stood there.

Seeing that things had taken a turn for the better, He Yazhou immediately went along with it, saying, "Teacher, please sit down and have some tea. Take a break and I'll go make the call now."

After saying that, he quickly walked to the door and said to Staff Officer Jin, who was guarding the door, "Go in and keep the old commander company. Make sure to keep an eye on him and don't let him leave."

"Yes."

Staff Officer Jin nodded repeatedly.

He Yazhou jogged to the cadre duty room, used the phone there to call the training ground duty room, and got through to Wang Kezheng, who was waiting on the other end.

"Come back quickly. Old Meng is just passing through. The cooks have prepared his meal. He loves dumplings and scallions the most. They're looking for pancakes. He won't eat if you don't come back."

He Yazhou is caught in the middle, which is really difficult. He has to keep the old commander on the other side in check, and he has to coax the brigade commander on this side back.

"It's better if he doesn't eat it. Let him take it with him. I'll come back after he leaves," Wang Kezheng said happily.

"No, please don't! If Elder Meng leaves without finishing this meal, the reputation of our 708th Brigade will be completely ruined. That would be even more shameful than losing a battle," He Yazhou said seriously.

"Is it really that bad?" Wang Kezheng questioned.

"Not that much?"

He Yazhou raised his voice and said, "Do you know where Old Meng would eat if he didn't eat here? He would eat at the 707 Brigade next door."

If he really goes next door and eats that meal, do you know how serious the consequences will be?
Within three days, the entire army group, and even the entire theater army, would know that the current commander of the 708th Brigade had forgotten his roots. The old leader couldn't even get a meal when he returned to his old unit and had to go to the neighboring unit to freeload.

Just imagine how bad our 708th Brigade's reputation would become if word got out.

Also, when the head teacher used to come, he walked with a straight back and full of energy, but this time... sigh, he can't seem to let go of his crutches.

He Yazhou explained the pros and cons in detail, finally making Wang Kezheng realize the seriousness of the matter.

In particular, He Yazhou's last words were like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, exploding suddenly in Wang Kezheng's mind.

Even though the old commander can barely walk, he still cares about the troops.

How could he, as a brigade commander, shirk his responsibilities? How could he possibly live up to the painstaking efforts of his old commander?

"No, I have to go back, or something terrible will happen."

Wang Kezheng slapped his thigh, disregarding everything else, and ran outside. (End of Chapter)