From the 7th Steel Company to the Synthetic Division

Chu Zhangang implied that the Steel Seventh Brigade's previous victory did not mean anything; the ultimate winner of this showdown would be the one who had the last laugh.

I firmly believe that once the 909th Brigade completes this round of training, it will definitely win when it encounters the 7th Steel Brigade again.

Ding Kai wasn't that quick-witted and failed to grasp Chu Zhangang's deeper meaning in time. He still wanted to show off his literary skills and continue discussing the two lines of poetry.

Chu Zhangang immediately changed the subject, saying, "I wonder what my old classmate of mine has been up to lately."

He recruited three staff officers from the 7th Steel Brigade as advisors, saying he wanted to conduct some kind of academic research on foreign militaries. He spends all his time on the training field; I'm really worried about his health.”

Chu Zhangang spoke with such sincerity that only he himself knew whether it was genuine or not.

Chu Zhangang's acting skills are at the level of an award-winning actor!
"The 708th Brigade has been quite mysterious lately, with all information from the outside world blocked. I can't find out what Wang Kezheng is up to."

Ding Kai abruptly changed the subject, saying, "However, I have heard that the order for his transfer to the rank of division commander seems to be coming down soon."

"Really?"

Chu Zhangang seemed pleasantly surprised and said, "You know, this guy, he didn't even tell me about such a great thing. It's a shame we're old classmates."

However, judging by the timeline, it's about time to announce it; if it's delayed any longer, he'll reach the age limit.

As he spoke, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and laughed, "My old classmate has something good to do but doesn't remember me. Looks like I'll have to call and bother him, haha."

Chu Zhangang excitedly made the call, but no one answered.

This made Chu Zhan even more confused!
However, the truth from Wang Kezheng's side was pretty much the same as what Ding Kai said, and Ding Kai's inside information was finally reliable for once.

Wang Kezheng not only received orders to be promoted to division commander, but also the transfer of the deputy chief of staff of the army.

However, unlike Chu Zhangang, Wang Kezheng was not overjoyed at the prospect of taking the position and did not abandon the 909th Brigade to rush to the post.

Instead, he did something extraordinary: he actually submitted a resignation letter to He Yazhou.

The political commissar signed it, and then it was sent to the army group.

When He Yazhou received the resignation report, he was shocked and his face changed drastically. In order to find out the reason, he patiently read through the entire report.

To the Party Committee of the Theater Command:
First of all, I would like to thank the Party organization for its trust in appointing me to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army.

During the "Decisive Battle 2001" exercise, I, then the commander of the 708th Brigade, was captured in a battle against the Steel 7th Brigade. My brigade suffered a major defeat. Although I was a defeated general, I felt that it was just a momentary oversight and did not pay enough attention to it.

After reviewing the summary report compiled by the Seventh Steel Brigade, I suddenly realized what had happened, as if waking from a dream.

The advanced combat concepts and highly information-based reconnaissance and analysis of the 7th Steel Brigade made me realize my serious shortcomings in ability.

My traditional understanding and mindset of the mechanized age have not been completely broken through, resulting in outdated concepts and a lack of correct understanding of potential wars.

I feel inadequate to shoulder this heavy responsibility, and hereby apply to resign from my position as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, while continuing to serve as the Commander of the 708th Brigade, in order to gain experience. I hope the Party Committee will approve my application.

Yours sincerely.

Applicant: Wang Kezheng.

"Snapped."

He Yazhou slammed the report on the table and said loudly, clearly bewildered, "Wang Kezheng, what are you doing? This is utter nonsense!"

"I've thought it through, this isn't nonsense," Wang Kezheng said calmly.

"Isn't this just nonsense? What's the point of your report resigning as deputy chief of staff? Do you know what a great opportunity this is?" He Yazhou was exasperated and genuinely worried for Wang Ke.

Wang Kezheng is nearing the end of his term, and his opportunities are dwindling.

If he can't get up there this time, who knows if he'll have another chance next time? At Wang Kezheng's age, he has no way out.

What if the next exercise doesn't go well, or the army group can't free up space next time?

After all, positions in an army group are filled by a specific person.

When Wang Kezheng's term of service is over, even if his performance is outstanding, he may still be unable to compete with younger officers and end his military career with regret.

Because there are so many uncertainties involved, missing an opportunity could mean missing out for a lifetime.

That explains why He Yazhou was so anxious and angry.

However, Wang Kezheng was a traditional soldier, and traditional soldiers are very stubborn and single-minded. Making this decision was also very difficult for him, but once he had made it, he would never change it easily.

Therefore, facing the angry He Yazhou, Wang Kezheng calmly explained: "The specific reasons are already clearly stated in the report. The appointment of the deputy chief of staff does not need to be announced to the public."

"Let me serve another full year as commander of the 708th Brigade. Training is just starting to improve; I absolutely cannot leave now."

Wang Kezheng truly treated the 708th Brigade as his home, doing everything solely for the sake of the unit and never considering personal gain.

Given the current situation of the 708th Brigade, which has just adopted the new era training concepts from the Steel Seventh Brigade, the entire unit is making great strides in a positive direction.

If Wang Kezheng were to leave at this point, no one could guarantee that the new brigade commander would continue to uphold this principle.

If the new brigade commander has his own ideas and wants the troops to train in his way, then all of Wang Kezheng's efforts will be in vain.

This is what Wang Kezhen was most worried about, which is why she made this decision.

"Last time, the announcement of your promotion was delayed by six months because you received a warning, which was considered a fair punishment. Now that your promotion is about to be announced, you're rejecting it?"

He Yazhou paced back and forth anxiously, saying, "I checked for you. You only have three days left until the deadline. Do you know what that means?"
Resigning now? Isn't that incredibly foolish? Have you lost your mind?
I advise you not to submit this report. Leave yourself some room for maneuver. I'll go to the military headquarters immediately to see the military leader and explain your situation to him.

After finishing his sentence, He Yazhou walked towards the door, preparing to deal with the matter immediately.

He Yazhou's idea was that even if he didn't want to leave the 708th Brigade, he shouldn't submit his resignation report; he could negotiate with the military leadership again.

He Yazhou had only taken two steps when Wang Kezheng's resolute words came from behind him.

"Then there's no need to go. I'm completely resigned to it."

"you you you……"

He Yazhou was so angry that he pointed at Wang Kezheng, but he didn't know how to curse him. In the end, he was so angry that he tore the report to pieces.

"Tearing it up won't do any good. It's still on the computer. I've already reported it to the army commander of the theater command."

Wang Kezheng spoke in a calm and collected manner, as if it were none of his business, and added with a touch of sarcasm, "It's really strange today; even the political commissar has moments of losing his composure."

"Hey~~"

He Yazhou sighed a few times, walked to the sofa with a blank expression, and sat down heavily, saying, "Old Wang, since you've already reported it to the war zone leaders, why did you show it to me? Are you playing with me for fun?"

“You’re my political commissar, a party official in our brigade. You’re in charge of me, so I have to let you know that,” Wang Kezheng said with a faint smile.

“I can’t control you,” He Yazhou said angrily. “You can’t control me, but you can control the whole brigade. I’m part of the whole brigade, so naturally I’m under your control.”

Wang Kezheng knew that He Yazhou meant well, and he was happy to have such a partner. He got up, poured a cup of tea, and personally served it to He Yazhou.

He said with deep emotion, "Old He, I notified you as soon as possible because I hoped you could cooperate with me."

"Find someone else to help you," He Yazhou said irritably.

"I know you mean well, don't be angry, my old friend," Wang Kezheng comforted him with a smile.

“I’ve been running around to the theater army and the group army for your order, afraid that any delay would put you in a bad position. Now that the commander has agreed, everything is on track. The director of the political department will come to the army tomorrow to read out the order. And you, at this critical juncture, you resign. It’s completely unnecessary.”

He Yazhou was so angry that his throat was parched. He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and said hurriedly, "Not to mention that others will think you are putting on a show, you yourself are not behaving properly towards your sister-in-law and son."

"Are you done talking? Now it's time to hear what I have to say."

Wang Kezheng remained calm and composed, with a smile on his face, and said sincerely, "I specifically called you here because I wanted to discuss with you how to help me deceive my superiors and cover up the truth."

"What? Deceiving superiors and concealing the truth?" He Yazhou's eyes widened in disbelief.

“I’m definitely not going to be the deputy chief of staff of the army, but I have parents and wife to support, and all the officers and soldiers in the brigade to care for. I don’t want them to know about this, at least not for a considerable period of time, so as not to cause any trouble or raise any messy questions.”

After Wang Kezheng finished explaining, his expression changed, and he said in a firm and resolute tone: "During this period, I hope that the entire brigade will have only one goal."

That means focusing our energy, giving it our all, and working diligently to do a good job in the next phase of training.

Whether our 708th Brigade can successfully transform depends on the training we do in this period. It's crucial, and I really hope you can help me.

Wang Kezheng spoke very sincerely and earnestly, and He Yazhou also knew the importance of this period.

Seeing that the matter was already settled and could not be changed, he could only say helplessly, "How can I help you?"

"I hope you can help me put in a good word with the military leadership and try to persuade me to stay in my position as commander of the 708th Brigade for another year," Wang Kezheng said sincerely.

"You still have a grudge in your heart. Do you want to finish this battle to turn things around?" He Yazhou said with red eyes.

"Correct."

Wang Kezheng nodded heavily and said, "I, Wang Kezheng, do not want to leave the 708th Brigade with a defeat and a disgrace, and I do not want to leave the blame to the successor brigade commander."

If I just leave like this, my conscience won't allow it. In that case, I'll always feel inferior to all the officers and soldiers in the entire group.

"Think about it, if I can't even manage the training of a single brigade, how can I have the face to guide the military training of the entire army group? Tell me, if you asked me to be the deputy chief of staff of an army, would I have the face to accept the position?"

Wang Kezheng spoke loudly, and every word echoed throughout the office.

He Yazhou wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

Because Wang Kezheng was indeed right.

Unless Wang Kezheng is willing to abandon his pride and act solely from a selfish perspective, regardless of how others view him.

But Wang Kezheng could never do that; he was a man who valued his reputation more than his life.

Therefore, He Yazhou could not refute it.

Wang Kezheng saw that He Yazhou hadn't said anything, but his eyes softened, and he pleaded, "Old He, good brother, I'm begging you."

He Yazhou was extremely upset, and his eyes were already red and swollen.

But he knew better what kind of person Wang Kezheng was, and there was no point in trying to persuade him any further. He could only grit his teeth and slowly nod.

Since it was Wang Kezheng's choice to fight a brilliant comeback and wash away the stains on his own people, it was already a decision he had made.

As Wang Kezheng's long-time partner and like-minded brother, He Yazhou had to help him out so that he would have no regrets in life.

……

half a month later.

The 7th Steel Brigade's spring training exercise was approved, and the order was issued directly from the war zone to the brigade headquarters.

The 7th Steel Brigade, which had been preparing for this for some time, completed its pre-march preparations at an extremely fast pace and officially embarked on its large-scale training journey two days later.

The journey is a full 1,500 kilometers and will take several days.

It also became part of the training.

The veterans of the 7th Steel Brigade had participated in exercises before and were familiar with Chenghai City. The Red Army had done the same 1,500-kilometer march before, so they didn't think much of it.

Only the more than one hundred new recruits who joined later, college students recruited from various universities, had many thoughts about the journey of more than a thousand kilometers.

After the last combat exercise, the college student recruits have all passed the intensive training.

Even the most unstable and unreliable player, Hod, survived the training camp and has shown considerable improvement in his emotional and mental state during recent training sessions.

It seems that Cheng Cai's words had an effect, as Hord became much more motivated in his training than before.

More than 100 college student recruits have been assigned to various companies based on their majors and corresponding military branches.

Huo De was assigned to the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Company, while Ai Jia successfully became a member of the Special Operations Company.

Say something.

Aijia is quite a capable woman.

A single female soldier entered the special operations company and, without receiving any special privileges, managed to completely adapt to life and training, and was able to keep up with the training.

This result not only surprised Hong Yi, but even Chen Jun couldn't help but look at him with new respect.

of course.

Then again.

The special operations company has a higher standard of living. The dormitory is a standard four-person room with a private bathroom where you can take a shower and use the toilet.

This one point alone solved the biggest problem for Ai Jia, a female soldier.

As for training, that all depends on perseverance.

Whether they can persevere to the end is still uncertain.

After all, the special operations courses in recruit training are only at the entry level, and the training required to become a real special forces soldier is hellish.

Upon arriving at the company, she would be subjected to grueling training; no one knew if Ai Jia could endure it. (End of Chapter)