Military career: Starting with a recruitment letter

Chapter 253 Reunion with an Old Friend, the Quick-witted Xiaoman
When Chen Mo arrived at the military region, the future was uncertain, and he himself was not sure how this matter would end.

After all, seeking external assistance through the Academy of Military Sciences was only a temporary decision, and it remains to be seen whether it will play a decisive role or whether it will be able to suppress the leaders who came to question us today.

These are all unknowns.

Now that the matter is resolved, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

As Chen Mo emerged from the military administration building, he rubbed his forehead, feeling utterly exhausted.

Dealing with these old men for most of the day is more tiring than running ten kilometers. Even speaking is not as comfortable as usual, and I have to think things through carefully.

It's really tiring.

"Then, Chen Ying, I'll go back and pack my things first. See you later."

"Okay, no rush, we'll meet at the gate later."

"can."

Fang Peijun, who came out with him, greeted him and hurriedly left in the direction of the Political Department.

Wang Jianyong, who had been waiting downstairs for a long time, saw the scholar come out.

He quickly ran up to Chen Mo, carefully observed his expression to make sure he hadn't noticed anything, and then asked, "Battalion Commander, what did the higher-ups say this time?"

"Can you give us the people?"

"It's not a big problem."

Chen Mo smiled and pointed to the gate in the distance: "The military region has assigned us an instructor, someone from the Political Department's Propaganda Bureau. Drive the car to the gate and wait there."

"We'll take the instructor back with us later."

"Alright, all set!!"

The mere fact that political officers were assigned to the demonstration camp speaks volumes, even without detailed explanation.

At least at the military region level, the issue of battalion building has begun to receive real attention.

Chen Mo was not as optimistic as Wang Jianyong.

After Fang Peijun arrived with his luggage, he sat in the back seat, pondering the next steps of the construction.

Once a large number of officers and key personnel are in place, the battalion-level organizational structure can be established.

If nothing unexpected happens along the way, the camp will change rapidly in the next few months. With no shortage of equipment and personnel, the unit will surely present a bustling scene.

Construction, integration, and streamlining are the key tasks going forward.

However, there are also quite a few difficulties.

The sergeant academy continues to use the Taishan base. Even if the academy's area is expanded, it will be difficult to support the logistics, equipment, personnel, funding, and division of detachments and other issues involved in the entire battalion.

In addition, I have been busy with the core personnel matters recently and have not had time to go to the academy to check on the expansion. I have not even properly planned the barracks of the assigned howitzer battalion.

Just think about the problems we'll face later.

Chen Mo was completely overwhelmed. To figure out what to do next, he had to prioritize and determine which aspect was the most efficient and had the highest weight.

Thinking of places that sparked interest.

Chen Mo simply found a notebook in the car and, using a pencil, listed dozens of tasks, big and small, that needed to be done, as if he were writing a work diary.

Fang Peijun, sitting to the side, watched intently, but he didn't tilt his head too much, trying his best not to make any noise that might disrupt Chen Mo's train of thought.

Wang Jianyong sat in the driver's seat and drove, occasionally turning his head to look at the cooperation between the two people in the back seat.

Seeing their perfect understanding, even he breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest, in Lao Wang's impression, although Xiucai usually seemed easygoing, he was too stubborn.

They often act on a whim.

If the political cadres assigned from above cannot guarantee smooth cooperation, and the two disagree on something, it could lead to a situation where...

The camp, which had just begun to gather some activity, is likely to fall into a new predicament once again.

There's nothing wrong with long-term partners, but in the initial adjustment period, someone always needs to be firm while someone else has to back down to ensure the work goes smoothly.

When Chen Mo set off for the military region, it was still morning. By the time he returned, it was almost dark, but he was still in time for dinner.

The vehicle stopped in front of the administration building.

Chen Mo got out of the car, holding a notebook in his hand, and casually instructed, "Squad leader, please arrange accommodation for the instructor below."

"Then remember to register with the company commander, and when you have time, take the political instructor around the camp and explain the situation."

"I'll go find Commander Wang."

"Okay, don't worry."

Wang Jianyong patted his chest, responding as if making a guarantee.

Chen Mo nodded to Fang Peijun, then turned and ran towards the administration building.

If all the companies are in place and need joint training and command, Chen Mo believes he is quite adept at that.

Having previous experience leading the Blue Army battalion, it wasn't too difficult for them to manage.

But when it comes to the problems in the early days of the camp, Chen Mo is not an expert. Anyway, there are senior colonels of the division level in the camp who just eat and drink here all day long.

If you don't use it, you won't use it.

Based on the principle that it's never a bad thing to ask for advice, Chen Mo went to find Wang Songhe, but hadn't even reached Wang's office yet.

I ran into Man Xuexi, who was carrying an aluminum lunchbox and strolling downstairs, looking like he was going to eat.

"Why are you eating so late? Doesn't the cafeteria have utensils? You can eat there."

Chen Mo casually greeted them and was about to continue upstairs when Man Xuexi asked in confusion, "Battalion Commander, what are you going upstairs for?"

"Looking for Commander Wang," Chen Mo replied.

"Then you have to go to the cafeteria."

Upon learning that the battalion commander wanted to see Wang Songhe, Man Xuexi helplessly waved the lunchbox in his hand: "Commander Wang has a family member visiting him. I heard it's his daughter."

"Almost everyone in our camp is just wandering around the mess hall right now."

"Old Wang's daughter?" Chen Mo blurted out upon hearing this, no longer addressing her as "commander."

Speaking of Wang Songhe's daughter, Chen Mo did have a vague impression of her. He seemed to have coordinated the purchase of a can of tea before, which was given to him by this girl.

I almost got beaten up back then; that old man really dotes on his daughter.

"How did she end up in our camp?" Chen Mo asked, somewhat curious.

"I don't know." Man Xuexi shook his head: "I heard that he was admitted to Jinyang Medical University this year. He just finished his military training at the beginning of the summer vacation and came here after a two-day break."

"Jinyang Medical University."

Upon hearing the name of the academy, Chen Mo was visibly startled and stood frozen in place.

He was quite familiar with this college.

In his previous life in 02, he had just achieved some success in a war debate competition and was taken to the military region by his old leader.

I met a female comrade in the military training team.

At that time, the information system was in its infancy, and the first batch of national defense students were about to graduate and join the armed forces. The military region strongly encouraged highly educated talents to join the army.

In addition to national defense students, they also promote military recruitment policies in major universities and encourage college students to join the army.

The woman Chen Mo knew was a member of the military region's second training team in 02. She had also entered Jinyang Medical University in 1999 and joined the army in 02 in response to the national call.

I remember it was September when Chen Mo, who was only 22 years old, was chosen by the leader and brought to the confidential department to serve as a confidential secretary.

He was truly a young man who achieved great success at a young age, full of vigor and ambition, and he walked with an air of confidence.

When he went to the training team to retrieve the files, he lacked experience and did not call anyone in advance. When he arrived, there was no one on duty.

Chen Mo sat on the curb of the flower bed in the guard training team's area, waiting and watching the second team train.

During a break in the second team, several female comrades went to rest under the shade of a tree. A trainee named Wang Luyi stared at him for a long time.

Even now, decades later.

Chen Mo still remembers it clearly: the female trainee asked him if he was from Team One, and why there were officers from the training team here.

I was bored at the time, so I chatted with the other person for a long time, and we even exchanged phone numbers before parting.

We didn't keep in touch much during that time.

After the training in the medical corps ended, Wang Luyi was assigned to the logistics medical team. Due to his educational background, he was easily promoted to officer in the environment at that time.

When Wang Luyi was awarded the rank of lieutenant, Chen Mo was already a captain. Wang Luyi even brought beer and some snacks and went to the headquarters to celebrate his promotion.

However, at that time, the old leader was no longer in the army.

Chen Mo, the once glamorous confidential secretary, was just an ordinary cadre in the organization.

I was feeling rather down, and I barely made it to the appointment. I even needed a female colleague to comfort me.

later.

Chen Mo was promoted to major step by step according to his years of service. Wang Luyi did a good job in the medical team, and his rank in the logistics department was already rising quickly.

The other party caught up with them.

However, Chen Mo was already disheartened at that time. The years of being a marginal figure in the organization had created a huge sense of loss in him.

Just as the organization was undergoing restructuring, Chen Mo submitted his application to transfer to civilian work. Many of his former friends advised him not to leave the military.

The government job is easy and at least it's a secure job. Even if I have to transfer to civilian work, I'll have to wait a few more years and see if I can be promoted to lieutenant colonel before I can leave.

If you go to a local area, you can get a decent job with a better salary.

Wang Luyi also came over to persuade them, more than once. But it was no use.

After his demobilization application was approved, Chen Mo bought some beer and Xiao Cai went to say goodbye to Wang Luyi.

That was the only time he treated everyone to a meal in several years.

It wasn't that Chen Mo was stingy; it was just that, for him, there was nothing to celebrate.

There's a reason why young people often fail to achieve their goals; it can easily lead to complete despondency.

That night, the two talked a lot, even touching on the topic of marriage.

However, Chen Mo deserted that time, without responding or making any promises. After dawn, he carried his luggage back to his hometown and went to work in the department where he was transferred to civilian work.

In the year after my demobilization.

Wang Luyi contacted him very frequently, offering words of comfort and guidance, and subtly inquiring about his marital life.

Later, Chen Mo could not bear the thought of becoming a marginalized figure again after leaving the military, so he resolutely resigned and went south to work.

This departure completely severed all contact with Wang Luyi.

He lived half his life in a daze, never returning home and never contacting those he cared about, until he heard the devastating news of his old leader's death.

But back then, he was also a top soldier in the Iron-Foot Company and a confidential secretary in the military region's confidential department.

He was once full of vigor and had his moments of glory.

Suddenly recalling the past, even today, Chen Mo's heart still flutters with a touch of emotion.

"Battalion commander? Battalion commander?!"

While Chen Mo was lost in thought, Man Xuexi waved a large black hand in front of his eyes and grinned, saying, "What are you thinking about, Battalion Commander? Why don't you go see Commander Wang's daughter?"

“I heard from other comrades that he’s quite handsome and about your age. If all else fails, you can talk to Commander Wang and ask him to be your father-in-law.”

Chen Mo was only distracted when he heard about Jinyang Medical University. After all, men always have fantasies about those they didn't get and those they gave up on for their own reasons.

Upon hearing Man Xuexi say that he should recognize Wang Songhe as his father-in-law.

Chen Mo's memories vanished in an instant, and he chuckled, "Don't talk nonsense. I'd rather fight the 61st Division than try to get involved with him."

There was one more thing he wanted to say, but he was too embarrassed to say it.

That means if he were to pursue this marriage, the way he used to beat up the 61st Division would soon come true for him.

Chen Mo wasn't a pedantic person. He was already in his forties and didn't feel embarrassed to talk about love. It was purely because of his personal entanglement with Lao Wang.

"Then let's go, Battalion Commander. Since you don't plan to marry into this family anyway, there's no harm in going to take a look."

Man Xuexi dragged Chen Mo downstairs.

He originally wanted to ask the battalion commander about what he had gained from his trip to the military region.

Unfortunately, the timing was bad; along the way, all the people we encountered were cadres and soldiers returning from the canteen.

People kept greeting him.

This has made it so that I'm too busy studying to ask detailed questions.

The two arrived at the camp canteen. Although the situation wasn't as exaggerated as Man Xuexi had described, there were indeed quite a few soldiers sitting around round tables, chatting and laughing as they ate.

By this time, the early autumn in Hedong had swept away the last trace of summer's heat, leaving only coolness and comfort.

There were quite a few people in the cafeteria, but unlike before, when eating there felt like being in a sauna, with everyone drenched in sweat.

"Hello, Battalion Commander!!"

"Hello, Battalion Commander!!"

Upon seeing Chen Mo enter the canteen, many veterans from the reconnaissance company shouted and jeering, partly out of politeness and partly to establish the scholar's authority.

After all, more and more new people will be joining the camp in the future. Only if these veterans show enough respect can the newcomers be more easily guided.

Hearing the greetings from everyone, Chen Mo nodded but didn't respond.

Their eyes searched for Wang Songhe's figure.

Just when Chen Mo thought the old man had left the cafeteria, he turned around and found him in the corner on the southeast side of the cafeteria.

A girl wearing a denim jacket was sitting there, her hair tied in a ponytail. Even though she was sitting, you could still tell that she was about 1.7 meters tall.

Girls with such a silhouette are almost always quite good-looking.

The unit's canteen was full of people in military uniforms eating there, so when someone in civilian clothes suddenly appeared, he stood out.

Chen Mo glanced at the figure from behind and felt that he looked somewhat familiar, but before he could get closer...

A soldier sitting nearby, eating, shouted again, "Good morning, Battalion Commander!!"

The loud voice caught the attention of the person sitting in the southeast corner, who subconsciously turned his head to look in Chen Mo's direction.

A face that wasn't exactly stunningly beautiful, but certainly not bad-looking, oval-shaped, faced Chen Mo.

Her clear black and white eyes seemed to hold surprise, her delicate eyebrows were framed by glossy lips from the fruit she had just eaten.

Wang Luyi, it really is her.

Their eyes met, and Chen Mo opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

He was 100% certain that the woman in front of him was Wang Luyi, only that she was fairer-skinned, younger, and more energetic than he remembered.

But when he encountered her, Chen Mo handled it with ease, unlike when he saw his former boss and lost his composure.

"Are you the battalion commander? You're so young!" Wang Lu asked in surprise.

Chen Mo smiled and nodded.

Ignoring the little girl's gaze, Wang Songhe stood up from his seat like a protective buffalo.

The usually stern and authoritative leader.

Now they're watching him like he's a thief.

This made Chen Mo feel resentful. Damn it, I didn't do anything wrong.

Is it really like this?

However, he did not show it on his face. He sat down at the dining table naturally and handed the camp construction plan that he had registered on the way back to Wang Songhe, saying, "Commander, the military region said that they can coordinate key personnel, and some people should be transferred over soon."

"Please take a look at the construction plan and see if there are any problems. I have no experience in this area."

Looking at the drug addict in front of him, who was so serious, Wang Songhe realized he had been overthinking things.

But for some reason, he just felt that this kid coming over wouldn't be anything good.

When it came to serious matters, Wang Songhe carefully reviewed the notebook, but instead of answering Chen Mo's question, he asked in return, "Jianying, your approach is correct."

"It's like this 9th Company of the 1st Battalion. You can't build the entire company all at once. Whether it's the backbone, the officers, or the soldiers, it's impossible to do it all at the same time."

"You need to have a focus, just like when you're building a camp. Which company do you plan to build first?"

“An armored infantry company and a tank company, I guess.” Chen Mo replied without hesitation, “Both of these companies have company commanders, and in a few days, twelve Type 98 main battle tanks may arrive.”

"Let the armored troops get moving first. Armored vehicles are easy to apply for. The other students in the academy will serve as infantry and conduct unarmed mobility training. If there are not enough personnel, put all the people into these two companies first and develop them little by little."

"Yes, that's a very fair assessment."

Wang Songhe nodded, approving of Chen Mo's plan: "Since you want to build armored infantry companies and tank companies first, then that's the way to build an armored battalion."

"Don't expand the organization too much before the equipment and personnel are fully in place. Even if there are two companies of 500 people, we are not afraid. As long as we successfully build these two companies, we can transfer a large number of people to form a third and fourth company."

"You can't get fat in one bite. Take it one step at a time, plan for two years, and do it step by step. You can do it."

"Thank you, Chief!!"

Chen Mo stood up and saluted.

What Wang Songhe just said aligns with his plans. The reason he came to ask was simply to reassure him.

Old Wang may be a bit wicked, but he's quite decisive when it comes to serious matters and has no malicious intentions.

"Then, sir, you should have dinner with your family first. I'll go now."

Chen Mo looked at Wang Luyi and nodded again, then turned and moved to another table.

Nobody took this seriously.

I treated it as just a very ordinary question.

Man Xuexi, who had been following Chen Mo around, watched with great interest.

He noticed that when the battalion commander was communicating with Division Commander Wang, the division commander's daughter rarely took her eyes off the battalion commander.

Not only that.

While eating, her knees were always pointing in the direction of the battalion commander, showing that she was learning, even though she spent a lot of time reading.

These subtle actions can reflect some of one's subconscious mind.

If he hadn't known their backgrounds and that the battalion commander and the girl in front of him didn't actually know each other, he would have suspected that they had met before.

Otherwise, why would you give a stranger the feeling that the two of you are very familiar with each other?

"This might actually work."

A slight smile graced Man Xuexi's dark, honest face.

Military life is too monotonous. If the battalion commander could really put in some effort, he might be able to stir up a lot of discussion in the camp.

Even though it's a big deal, it's still a happy occasion.

The camp definitely needs to be built, but personal issues are a big problem too.

(End of this chapter)