From the 7th Steel Company to the Synthetic Division

The battalion commanders were leading their troops in intense training when they suddenly received orders to end the intensive training ahead of schedule, and they began to feel a little resentful.

The reason is that they are going to participate in a combat exercise, and it is a tri-service confrontation that has never been done before.

Everyone became excited.

Large-scale training can solidify fighting spirit, make up for skill deficiencies, make soldiers more comprehensive in combat, and enhance the overall combat effectiveness of the troops.

However, compared to conducting live-fire exercises and actually fighting the enemy with real weapons.

The latter is clearly more motivating.

The soldiers of the 7th Steel Brigade were highly motivated and quickly entered combat readiness, while the brigade's higher-ups were full of confidence.

Therefore, even though the exercise site was more than 400 kilometers away, the entire 7th Steel Brigade arrived at the exercise site ahead of schedule.

Guided by the staff of the directing department, the 7th Steel Brigade, which arrived at the exercise site at noon, successfully completed its check-in by nightfall.

After dinner, the brigade's senior officers were summoned to a meeting where they were informed of the relevant matters in detail.

Because many of the rules of this exercise were quite unique, Chen Jun and his group, returning under the cover of night, couldn't help but chat about it on their way back.

"This exercise is quite interesting. We set strict rules as soon as we arrived: the training sites of each participating unit are not exercise areas. No unit may enter the training area by means of sneak attacks or infiltration. Otherwise, they will be dealt with seriously, and the commanding officer in charge will be dismissed."

Hong Yi has participated in dozens of exercises, but this is the first time he has heard of such a regulation.

It just didn't feel right to him no matter how he thought about it!

"It sounds like this is targeting us. Is it because we've been raiding their base too many times, doing it every time we have a drill, and they're scared of us?" Gao Cheng guessed with a wicked smile.

Now that you mention it, it's actually quite possible.

Hong Yi recalled what had happened back then and said with lingering fear, "You guys pulled off that move during the last exercise so cleverly that you even captured Political Commissar Xu Xiaocun alive."

"We always sneak into enemy bases during every exercise; it's really become a hallmark of our Steel Seventh Brigade, haha," Ma Tianxiang said with a laugh.

"The director's arrangement is good. This way, no one can pull off a base-raiding tactic, and we don't have to keep protecting our backs. We can have more energy to spare. Besides, our Steel Seventh Brigade has more than just base-raiding tactics," Chen Jun said confidently.

“I think this is actually a good idea. Attacking someone’s backyard is somewhat dishonorable, while defeating them head-on is more meaningful,” Tian Baoguo said.

"If it weren't for this strict rule, I'm afraid we wouldn't even be able to hold onto this camp. The Mountain Eagle Brigade and the Tsunami Assault Brigade can be singled out by the Navy and Air Force, and their combat power is far superior to that of ordinary troops. We must not underestimate them," Wang Qingrui earnestly reminded them.

"Report to the brigade commander: We just received a report from the reconnaissance company that they have captured a spy in our camp and are interrogating him."

Just as Chen Jun and his group were chatting and laughing and had just stepped into their own camp gate, Tuo Yonggang, who had been waiting there, immediately ran up to report.

"They've started so soon? That's pretty fast."

Chen Jun was surprised by the speed of his two opponents, realizing that these two troops were indeed extraordinary. He then asked, "Have you found out where they came from?"

"They are from the Airborne Mountain Eagle Brigade, dressed in civilian clothes."

After answering Chen Jun, Tuo Yonggang added, "I had the reconnaissance company send out several reconnaissance teams to investigate the surrounding terrain and landforms, and that's how we found this person."

He was riding a motorcycle around near our base when our men went up to question him. They found that he didn't speak with a local accent, so they detained him.

A search revealed that he was carrying a paratrooper sergeant's badge.

Tuo Yonggang briefly explained the whole story, and the brigade's senior officers basically understood what was going on and also discovered some problems.

"Is there concrete evidence that he is a spy?" Hong Yi asked seriously.

If there is no direct evidence that the person arrested was there to spy, and that he simply happened to be riding a motorcycle outside the camp, then the situation is unclear.

When the Mountain Eagle Brigade comes to demand the people back, there's a real possibility they'll turn around and accuse them.

The 7th Steel Brigade had only been at the exercise field for one day when they detained the Mountain Eagle Brigade members without any evidence. If this were to be reported, it would indeed cause a lot of trouble.

Everyone present was aware of the stakes involved, so when Hong Yi asked the question, everyone's eyes sharpened, and they looked at Tuo Yonggang expectantly.

"Have."

Tuo Yonggang nodded calmly and said, "We found a lot of photos of our base on his phone. There were not only full-view photos of the various military camps in our base, but also photos of various armored vehicles."

"Leaving aside the fact that we're so far from the Mountain Eagle Brigade's base, there's no way we could have gotten lost and wandered over here. Just these photos on his phone are enough to confirm his identity as a spy."

"It's good that there's evidence." Hong Yi nodded in satisfaction.

Tuo Yonggang then added, "However, he has not admitted that he was a spy sent by the Air Force. He explained that their company commander discovered a new unit had arrived here, but did not know which unit it was."

So I specifically asked him to come over and take a look, and then report back after understanding the situation.

The reconnaissance company is still interrogating him. Why don't the commanders go over and interrogate him together? We can decide whether to treat him as a prisoner or release him.

Tuo Yonggang has been promoted relatively quickly and is now a major and deputy battalion commander.

But everyone present was a high-ranking member of the brigade's Party Committee, and even the battalion commander had no say in the matter. As the deputy battalion commander, he naturally had to be more reserved in his attitude.

"Chief of Staff Chen, what do you think is the appropriate way to handle this?"

As the brigade commander, Wang Qingrui had the most say, but he voluntarily relinquished that right to Chen Jun.

"Ah."

Chen Jun didn't stand on ceremony. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "We're new here and don't know the situation. We're not even sure if we're friend or foe."

They might even become allies with the Mountain Eagle Brigade later on, so there's really no need to offend them now.

However, while the person will definitely be released—we can't detain them indefinitely—we can't just let them go without making them do some work.

"Make him do the work? What do you mean?"

Chen Jun's words were indeed a bit mysterious, leaving Gao Cheng and the others present confused.

"How about this."

Instead of answering everyone's questions, Chen Jun directly gave instructions, saying, "Judging from the current time, the spy from the Mountain Eagle Brigade was probably arrested before dinner, so he definitely didn't have dinner."

You can arrange for a few quick-thinking soldiers to have the cooks prepare some food for him and invite him to a meal.

"Guests are always welcome. Make friends with him, and then subtly convey a message that we were temporarily transferred here to provide support for the expert team, not to conduct exercises."

When Chen Jun said those last words, the previously confused crowd suddenly brightened up.

They all secretly gave Chen Jun a thumbs up.

As expected of a top-notch psychological warfare expert, just throwing out this fake or real hypnotic smoke will definitely confuse the high-ranking officers of the Mountain Eagle Brigade for quite a while.

As long as the Mountain Eagle Brigade can't figure out the origins of the Steel Seventh Brigade, it's a good thing for the Steel Seventh Brigade.

It will be easier to proceed with the exercise next.

"Do as Chief of Staff Chen says, go quickly."

Wang Qingrui was completely convinced by Chen Jun's plan and handed it over to Tuo Yonggang without hesitation.

"Yes!" Tuo Yonggang also admired Chen Jun's resourcefulness and quickly turned around and ran out.

"The show is about to begin, everyone, do you want to go and see it together?" Chen Jun looked at the crowd and a wicked smile appeared on his lips.

“Old Chen, I had the same idea. We’re on the same page, haha.” Gao Cheng was the first to respond.

"Nothing major is happening tonight, and the higher-ups haven't assigned any tasks yet. Since we're all just killing time, let's all go and join in the fun."

Wang Qingrui even expressed his opinion to everyone present, saying that they should just treat it as a way to get some fresh air when they were bored.

Since the brigade commander had given the order, no one would refuse.

soon.

Chen Jun, Wang Qingrui, and their group arrived at the special operations battalion's mess hall, entered the tent, and drew the curtain to await the show.

The main dining hall was divided into two sections, an inner and an outer one, separated by a curtain.

The outdoor canteen has a larger area, exceeding 80 square meters, and can serve a whole platoon at the same time, with one table and chairs for each class.

The inner room is less than 30 square meters and is mainly used by cadres for meals.

It's not that cadres should be given special treatment, but the number of tents at the site is limited, especially these large tents, which also need to serve other purposes temporarily.

Besides serving meals, this room in the canteen also serves as the meeting room for the senior officers of the special operations battalion headquarters.

If a large meeting is needed, the curtain between the two tents can be completely removed and combined to form a large conference room.

The entire company came in for a meeting, and there was absolutely no pressure.

If we squeeze in a bit, two companies are enough.

Its main feature is its versatility, which is one of the characteristics of the military.

After Chen Jun and his group sat down inside, there was a curtain separating them from the outside, but as long as no one spoke inside, they could hear each other clearly outside.

I waited for less than ten minutes.

A commotion arose outside.

"Squad Leader Hong, is this all you've prepared? We're here to entertain our Air Force elder brothers."

"No way, this is just an appetizer to whet your appetite. The main dishes will be served soon, and I guarantee you'll have a great time."

"Alright, then thank you for your hard work, Squad Leader Hong."

"Come, come, sit down, don't be shy."

……

After a burst of noise, the people who came in were seated at the dining table.

Although Chen Jun and the others inside couldn't see anyone, they could recognize them by their voices because they knew the people who had arranged the reception very well.

The one called Master Hong is clearly Hong Yi.

Hong Yi, the battalion commander and deputy chief of staff of the special operations battalion, was worried that the cooks' acting skills were not good enough, so he temporarily took on the role of the cook's squad leader.

The people Tuo Yonggang arranged to entertain were his most trusted old partners, the three musketeers who had always been together and worked together most seamlessly.

Xu Sanduo, Cheng Cai, and Wu Liuyi.

In order to better blend in and allow the Air Force spies to lower their guard, all three of them deliberately did not wear coats.

Wearing only a physical training uniform, their rank insignia are not visible, so it won't put pressure on the Air Force sergeant spies.

"Our conditions are very limited. The soldiers can only eat these ordinary dishes every day. Please bear with us and just have a little bit."

The table was laden with a variety of dishes, something rarely seen in the army, yet Cheng Cai spoke very modestly, as if he were being disrespectful.

"These are considered limited conditions? This is like trying something new!"

The air force sergeant was so surprised by the delicious food on the table that his mouth watered.

You should know that they have been here for combat training for almost a month now. Since they are training outside, their diet is relatively simple.

Most of the time, they ate dry rations, and even eating a large pot of stew had become a luxury.

But now?

In front of him was a table full of stir-fried dishes, each one cooked in a small wok, the aroma of which made his mouth water.

This was incredibly tempting to him; it was practically the most delicious delicacy in the world.

"We specifically arranged the hospitality for the expert group. As for the food, the conditions were slightly better. These dishes were just modified in style and served in a different way, all to satisfy the leaders."

Cheng Cai was the most eloquent person and also the most skilled in acting. With just these words, he began to complete the task assigned to him without even realizing it.

"You can eat such good food even during a military exercise? You guys who are in charge of logistics are being way too extravagant."

The air force sergeant was very surprised and actually began to believe it.

"These things are actually not expensive. They are just some of the dishes we usually eat. We put a little thought into them to take care of the health of our leaders."

Wu Liuyi followed Cheng Cai's line of thinking, further solidifying the image of an air force sergeant.

"Come, come, try my specialty. This is my signature dish. You all have to finish it. Only when you're full can you win the battle."

Hong Yi then brought over a tray, and several more fragrant stir-fried dishes were placed on the table.

"Come on, eat up, don't be shy."

"Try this, the beef looks so tender."

"It's nothing, don't be shy, eat up, we're all brothers in the army, eat as much as you want."

……

Cheng Cai and his two companions chimed in, each offering their own sweet talk and flattery.

"These are all top-notch dishes, I'm in for a treat."

Looking at the various delicious dishes on the table, the air force sergeant swallowed several mouthfuls of saliva.

“We are the unit that provides special support for the expert group. The expert group consists of high-ranking leaders, so the reception is naturally of a high standard. We are just taking advantage of their position. You are lucky to have come today.”

To get closer to him, Cheng Cai even sat down next to the Air Force sergeant and patted him on the shoulder while talking, acting like they were best buddies.

"These guys are really good actors, and they completed the mission very efficiently."

Inside the cafeteria, Wang Qingrui and Tian Baoguo exchanged a glance, both thinking the same thing, and a smile crept onto their lips. (End of Chapter)