Military career: Starting with a recruitment letter

Chapter 318 The Transfer Order: This Path Is Still Off Track
noon.

In the Chen family's courtyard, there were several old-fashioned wooden tables borrowed from their neighbors. When leaders came to the countryside to offer their condolences, they usually didn't eat in the village.

But this time was different. Perhaps because they had heard that Chen Mo was going to take his family to live in Jinyang, everyone became much more easygoing.

Liu Wenhua, Dou Wei, Cao Deming, Pu Guoqiang and the others didn't really refuse. They moved their stools and sat around a table, just like when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Even after the food was prepared, several leaders got up to help. Chen Mo was assigned to the main table to eat with the leaders along with the village chief.

The meal was simple: steamed buns, stewed vegetables with fatty pork, and rice porridge. This was considered a very high standard of living in the countryside.

Even within the military, many grassroots units cannot guarantee that every meal meets this standard.

Watching the village chief running around taking care of everything, refilling tea and asking if anyone needed anything else, made it difficult for everyone at the table to eat in peace. Chen Mo also followed along, running around doing errands.

Liu Wenhua smiled and said, "Hey, Lao Zheng, sit down and eat properly. Don't try to be special."

"It's just a simple meal, sit down and eat properly."

"Hey! Hey!"

The village chief agreed and then refilled the tea on the table before sitting down obediently.

With no one around, Liu Wenhua took a large, yellowish steamed bun from the basket, broke it in half, kept one half for himself, and handed the other half to Chen Mo.

"Thank you, leader."

Chen Mo smiled and accepted it. The steamed buns from his hometown were particularly large and thick. People who didn't do farm work or had small appetites really couldn't finish a whole one.

However, the fact that the secretary was able to give me half of his money is considered a special favor.

"No need to thank me. A strong young man should eat more. When I was your age, there was a shortage of food so I couldn't eat as much as I wanted. Otherwise, three or five of these steamed buns wouldn't be enough for me."

"I'm getting old now," Liu Wenhua said with a sigh, looking at Chen Mo. "You young people of your generation are already quite fortunate."

"Yes, the country is developing well, and the Party is leading well."

Chen Mo echoed his sentiments.

The other people at the table couldn't get a word in edgewise; they just listened to the old man and the child chatting idly.

"Xiao Chen."

"To!"

"Don't be so reserved." Liu Huawen waved his hand. "I heard from Xiao Cao and the others that you're planning to bring your family to live in Jinyang this time?"

"Yes, our military region's Political Commissar Liao specially approved an apartment in the family compound, which can be used to settle down the job and the younger siblings' schooling."

Chen Mo's words were much more detailed than the information the Armed Forces Department had gathered.

After all, the military region couldn't possibly discuss matters concerning the Blue Army Battalion of the Armored Regiment with local officials; they could simply notify them to cooperate.

But none of the people present had a simple role.

The rank of the military region's political commissar here is undoubtedly much higher than that of everyone else present.

However, allocating housing in military family compounds is not so easy.

In recent years, with the shift towards mechanization, other aspects of welfare have been neglected to varying degrees, something these people are well aware of.

Even many high-ranking officers in the military region's family compound might not be able to get a house of a suitable size. Chen Mo, a major, would need at least a two-bedroom apartment if he brought his parents, younger brother, and younger sister with him.

Even a three-bedroom apartment—that's the treatment for someone from a regimental commander to a deputy division commander.

To put it bluntly, even Liu Huawen himself couldn't get a three-bedroom apartment, and that's in a place where conditions are already quite good.

The political commissar can make decisions and promise resettlement jobs, and Chen Mo even brought bodyguards with him this time.

Liu Huawen guessed that the people here must be involved in a mission with a certain level of secrecy.

And the level involved is not low.

He had no intention of gossiping or digging into the details, but since such a talent had emerged from his jurisdiction, he naturally had to come and see for himself.

After understanding the situation.

Liu Huawen pondered for a while, then looked at Chen Mo's house, where the eaves and courtyard walls were covered with woven corn.

Each corn stalk, taller than a person, was laid out to dry. With all the wheat handed over to the state, each household could only keep a little food and seeds, so corn was the most important food.

"So, Lao Dong, your armed forces department has gone to the grain station these past two days to waive the Chen family's share of grain payments for this year and in the future."

"Then go to the county's civil affairs department to collect some subsidies, as much as possible. This year's wheat has already been planted, and next year's harvest is still uncertain. The Chen family has all gone to Jinyang and definitely won't be able to come back in time, so collect next year's subsidies as well."

"As for the land, the land belonging to Xiao Chen's family will first be managed by the village branch. Whether you cultivate it yourselves or lease it to other villagers, apart from the public grain payable, you must give Xiao Chen's family some grain every year. If they really can't come back, then convert it into money according to the highest grain price and mail it to Jinyang."

“The village and the armed forces department often come to check on the houses here, clean them, and repair them when necessary. If there are any expenses, they apply to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.”

“Our children are working hard away from home, so we need to make proper arrangements at home so they can come back anytime and stay whenever they want.”

With Liu Huawen speaking up, there were no obstacles.

In addition, the family can receive a considerable subsidy.

"By the way, have you convinced your family?" Liu Huawen asked, then looked at Chen Mo.

"It should be fine." Chen Mo put down his chopsticks and smiled, "If you're talking about letting my parents go and enjoy a life of luxury, then definitely not."

“But if it’s about my younger siblings going to school and having access to resources in big cities, then there’s no problem.”

"Ha ha!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Huawen laughed a few times: "Yes, the older generation always puts the children first in everything they do. Jinyang is not the same as home, so you'll have to visit more places and help take care of them to help them adapt."

“Having lived in the countryside your whole life, it can be quite difficult to make a living in the city if you suddenly move there.”

"Yes, thank you for your concern, I understand."

Chen Mo replied in a low voice.

He wanted to help more, to help his family adjust, and to stay with his parents for a longer period of time.

But with such heavy responsibilities on his shoulders, there are many things he cannot decide.

After lunch.

The county leaders did not stay long. Before leaving, Liu Huawen also pulled Chen's parents aside and gave them some advice on what to pay attention to when living in a big city.

At the same time, it was also mentioned that the corn should be disposed of as soon as possible, while everyone is at home, so that it can be tidied up and that any needs should be communicated to the county.

This time.

The villagers, who had nothing else to do, all knew that Old Chen's family was going to move to a big city.

This has certainly aroused the envy of many people.

They repeatedly praised the Chen family for raising such a good son, saying that joining the army meant he was promising.

Chen Mo had only been back for a day, and he was already tired of hearing these compliments. His smile seemed glued on.

However, there are benefits.

After the leaders left, the villagers who had come to watch the spectacle gradually dispersed, and Chen Xuejun finally made up his mind to go and live in Jinyang with his eldest son.

in the afternoon.

Chen Mo, Chen Feng, and even little Chen Jing were all gathered around the large winnowing basket, picking out corn kernels with their hands.

Chen Xuejun would take some clean corn to town to grind it into cornmeal, divide it into many small cloth bags, and deliver them to the families who had frequently invited him to work over the years.

Although I did carpentry work for someone, I received wages and meals, so I didn't owe anything.

But Chen Xuejun is a kind-hearted person. No matter what, the family's expenses and raising the children in the past few years were all made possible by the trust of these people who were willing to give them work.

One cannot live without a conscience.

As for families like Fourth Master's, Chen Mo used to want to join the army, so he helped them run errands and prepare gifts. He also introduced them to jobs quite often.

Chen Xuejun not only sent cornmeal, but also an old hen that lays eggs, as well as some snacks and canned goods.

Chen Mo simply watched, occasionally offering assistance, but did not stop it.

He knew his father's temperament. This sudden trip to the big city to deliver gifts wasn't just about returning favors and expressing gratitude; it was mainly because his father was unsettled.

I need to do something to calm down.

Chen Xuejun is indeed an honest man, but he is not pedantic. Those who have helped his family are practically handing out the roster to each household.

Those who haven't helped include Chen Mo's second uncle and aunt's family, with whom he has basically had no contact since getting married.

Even a few years ago, my second uncle tried to trick his family into lending him money to start a factory, but when they refused, they almost became enemies.

Chen Xuejun didn't give them a single grain of food.

Over the next few days, life gradually calmed down. The younger sister and Chen Feng went to school, and Chen Mo changed into casual clothes. Occasionally, relatives or uncles from the same clan would come to visit.

Some of them genuinely came to help with tasks like harvesting corn and tidying up the house. Their families were quite generous, and they would let them take something with them when they left.

Some are simply looking to take advantage of others.

Thinking that the whole family was going to live in a big city, they wanted to move some tables and chairs, or even get rid of the laying hens.

Chen Xuejun wouldn't even open the door. Occasionally, if he didn't notice and walked into the yard, his father would speak coldly and ignore him.

In short.

There are many trivial matters, but being by her parents' side and picking up her younger sister from school every day, Chen Mo feels that life is quite comfortable.

As for his father's attitude towards different people, Chen Mo had no intention of interfering or trying to dissuade him.

My father is in poor health and can only do odd jobs to earn money to make ends meet. There is a lack of labor in the family, so my mother does most of the farm work.

I've suffered countless hardships and endured countless cold shoulders from loved ones over the years.

Differential treatment is understandable. However, Chen Mo himself has been quite unaccustomed to the sudden free time these past few days. He basically goes to the town post office every other day to call the camp and ask about the situation.

The Jinyang Taishan Sergeant Academy remains unchanged. According to Cheng Dong, people from other military regions have been coming to study there every day for the past seven or eight days.

Many people also inquired about the battalion commander.

However, they were all stopped outside the camp gate. For those of higher rank, such as colonels and senior colonels, since they couldn't be forcibly stopped, the troops were pulled out for training.

In short, the principle is to not give anyone too many opportunities to communicate with the soldiers and officers in the battalion.

There are only two things worth paying attention to.

First, at the Sergeant Academy, most of the personnel from the training department have been evacuated. The principal is now the commander-in-chief of the military region, while the political commissar remains the political commissar of the military region.

The instructors at the Shicheng Army Academy who teach there, as well as some veteran sergeants in the military, have not been replaced, although it is said that the major military region is in discussions about it.

The issues concerning the future enrollment of cadets at the Sergeant Academy, course classification, and graduation certificates have been put on the agenda.

After all, future teaching cannot be modeled after the scale of the Blue Army camp, where learning and training are done simultaneously.

Not every commander can be like Chen Mo, able to quickly build up one combat-ready blue army battalion after another.

for this.

Chen Mo agreed. He had considered similar issues before, but many things were beyond his control, such as the joint logistics mechanism and the certificates from the sergeant academy.

Even if he has ideas, he can't change anything.

Reform and progress are not things that can be accomplished overnight; they require a lot of time to develop. All good ideas and pilot projects can only be implemented within the camp.

The second thing, and the one that surprised Chen Mo the most, was...

That is, the commander of the 7th Armored Brigade has changed. The former chief of staff, Feng Yunqian, has been promoted to brigade commander, which is nothing unusual.

Chief of Staff Feng was already quite senior, having served in the 7th Armored Brigade for many years, and his promotion from regimental commander to deputy division commander was not surprising.

What Chen Mo didn't expect was that Wei Jin'an, the original brigade commander of the 7th Armored Brigade, was transferred to the Jinyang Military Headquarters as deputy chief of staff.

As the former battalion commander of the demonstration battalion and a frequent visitor to the Jinyang Military Region, Chen Mo naturally knew that the deputy chief of staff was about to retire.

Furthermore, there are many brigade-level units in the military region, such as the 7th Armored Brigade, Artillery Brigade, Anti-aircraft Artillery Brigade, Motorized Infantry Brigade, Mechanized Infantry Brigade, etc. So many brigade-level units are eyeing the soon-to-be-vacated division-level positions.

According to Chen Mo's estimate.

Wei Lü has a chance to advance, but the chances are not very high. Even if ranked by seniority, he would have a hard time making it into the top three.

At least Feng Hongbing, the brigade commander of the Xiaocheng Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade, had more seniority than Wei Jin'an, who became brigade commander after the Seventh Division was disbanded.

Because Wei Lü had only been the brigade commander for a short time, and the 7th Tanzanian Division had only been disbanded for a little over a year.

What surprised Chen Mo even more was...

The former deputy chief of staff will need another month or two to be transferred to logistics for six months before being demobilized.

In other words, this past month or two should have been a time for all units to strive for excellence and make a good impression.

But suddenly, a Cheng Yaojin appeared out of nowhere: the deputy chief of staff was transferred ahead of schedule, and Wei Brigade was put in charge ahead of schedule.

This left Chen Mo somewhat bewildered.

He remembered very clearly in his previous life that Feng Hongbing, the brigade commander of the anti-aircraft artillery brigade, had served as the deputy chief of staff.

But if he gets promoted this time, it might actually be a bad thing.

However, it is not necessarily.

Although Chen Mo wasn't in the military region, he vaguely sensed that something was amiss.

Just as the armored regiment was being reassigned after receiving its designation, the Kyoto Military Region suddenly began to prioritize the NCO Academy, resulting in a significantly higher efficiency in personnel transfers than usual.

Chen Mo certainly wouldn't believe there was no connection behind it.

However, he hasn't figured out the specific connection yet.

Life returned to normal.

Chen Mo's parents were always busy with family matters, and all he did was help out and take care of the children.

I stayed at home for a full seventeen days.

Around 10 a.m. on October 27th, the temperature in my hometown started to drop recently.

Most cotton-padded coats in the 1990s were handmade, unlike those made by machines in later generations, where the cotton wadding was more evenly distributed and they were warmer.

Artificial cotton-padded clothes may look thick, but they are not warm to wear. In addition, winters come early and are much colder in this era.

Before December, Chen Mo lit a brazier in the house, held a water cup in his hand, and sat around the brazier with Chen Jing, roasting potatoes and sweet potatoes.

He was busy turning things over with the fire tongs when Xu Dong strode into the main room, glanced at Xiao Chenjing squatting on the ground, and said in a low voice, "Chen Ying, the military region is calling."

"We're asking how things are going at home. If everything is settled, we'll get you to Jinyang as soon as possible. The armored regiment has received notice to start loading onto military trains; they're being redeployed."

"The village chief came to our house?"

Chen Mo jumped up with a "whoosh," finally receiving the news. After staying at home for so long, eating, drinking, and sleeping all day, he felt like he was regressing.

"No." Xu Dong shook his head slightly.

"How can the military region contact you?" Chen Mo was taken aback. The radio communication in the military vehicle couldn't connect such a long distance.

"The security bureau has satellite phones."

As Xu Dong spoke, he took a green lump out of his pocket and waved it in front of Chen Mo.

"Holy shit?!"

For a fleeting moment, Chen Mo felt an urge to punch someone.

Damn it, lately, in order not to bother the village chief, he's been frequently going to the town post office to make phone calls.

That bastard Xu Dong always follows me around, but he's never mentioned having a phone number.

"Why didn't you say you had a phone call sooner?" Chen Mo snatched the light green phone.

"You didn't ask me."

Xu Dong shrugged and pointed to the phone, saying, "Go find a place to wait in the wasteland behind the village. The military region will probably call again in about ten minutes."

At first, Xu Dong remained calm and did not feel that he had done anything wrong.

Chen Mo hadn't asked how they got in touch with their superiors.

But watching Chen Mo holding the phone, he just kept his head down and smiled, turning it over and over to study it.

Xu Dong suddenly felt a sense of unease.

This dog scholar is a notorious troublemaker in the military region; from now on, he and the others will all have to follow the armored regiment.

Could it be that they're plotting revenge?

Xu Dong had some doubts.

"Thanks."

After Chen Mo saw what the satellite phone looked like, he waved his hand to say thank you and turned to walk outside.

This kid dares to play tricks on people. Chen Mo added another mark to his mind and decided to transfer him to another post soon.

Once we get back to the Ironclad Regiment, hmph.
He told Chen Jing to stay inside for a while.

Chen Mo quickly went to the wheat field behind the village and waited for about three or four minutes.

Jingle Bell.

The moment the phone rang, Chen Mo pressed the answer button.

"Battalion Commander Chen." The deep voice of Political Commissar Liao Hongjun came first from the other end of the microphone.

"Here!" Chen Mo puffed out his chest: "Greetings, Commander."

"Hehe, you've had a good rest at home, haven't you?"

Inside the office of the political commissar of the Jinyang Military Region.

Liao Hongjun sat in his office chair, holding the microphone and said with a smile, "The headquarters has issued an order that your armored regiment must immediately proceed to the armored training ground in Zhurihe Town in the north for training."

"The soldiers in the regiment have already set off. You should prepare to come back and get there as soon as possible."

"The environment there is quite harsh, so you need to be mentally prepared."

"The houses in the family compound are ready. Let's set off as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

hang up the phone.

Chen Mo looked towards the northeast and sighed inwardly.

The transfer was mentioned in different ways – sometimes in the southwest, sometimes in the northwest. He guessed it would be to Zhurihe, but he wasn't sure.

I never imagined I'd actually have to go.

If I go to this place for two years, will I ever be able to come back?

Chen Mo shook his head; he was genuinely uncertain.

According to his previous plan, fully integrating into the Blue Team was not what he had hoped for.

But now, it seems that I'm going further and further astray.

(End of this chapter)