Soldiers Assault: Starting from the 7th Steel Company

Chapter 181 An Accident Occurred
Liu Biwu may have realized later that what he said was inappropriate, but since he had already said it, it was absolutely impossible for him to say anything in public.

So when he was entertained at the banquet later, he took the initiative to raise his glass to apologize to the other party. Fortunately, the other party was a pure soldier and quite generous, so the matter was put behind him.

During the banquet, the other party specifically requested that He Chenguang be brought along, so He Chenguang could only sit at the very end of the table.

Logically, this is the place where you drink the most, because your position determines how much you drink. Sitting at the end of the table, you should definitely raise your glass to toast others. Since you're toasting, there's no reason not to drink to your heart's content.

He Chenguang wasn't intimidated at all; everyone in his family had a huge capacity for alcohol. When Chen Jiang came, he even asked him how much he could drink.

He replied that three bottles wouldn't be a problem.

This left Chen Jiang speechless.

When soldiers talk about their alcohol tolerance, they're not talking about beer or anything like that; it's almost always baijiu (Chinese liquor).

And he said he wanted three bottles, but actually...
However, to Chen Jiang's surprise at the banquet, He Chenguang didn't have a chance to offer a toast at all. Instead, he was blocked in his seat by a group of naval officers.

Even though He Chenguang had a very high alcohol tolerance, he couldn't withstand the relentless barrage of drinks from so many people. Just as He Chenguang was starting to feel a bit tipsy, the opposing chief of staff actually went over to offer him a toast.

He's a high-ranking military officer, why would he offer a toast to a private?

Moreover, he took a huge gulp, leaving He Chenguang with no choice but to resolutely down the entire glass of baijiu in front of everyone.

He was already a little tipsy, and now that he'd downed such a large glass of wine, he was feeling quite dizzy.

At that moment, the other person quietly approached and asked, "Want to come work for us? I can guarantee you a promotion!"

Because the other person's voice was very soft, the others didn't hear it; only Chen Jiang's perception ability was astonishing.

Hey!
This is such a familiar scenario?
Why are these people poaching people so openly in front of everyone?
Yuan Lang did the same thing a few years ago, but Chen Jiang and Xu Sanduo both gave perfect answers. How will He Chenguang respond?

After all, the chief of staff personally guaranteeing a promotion is a very tempting offer.

Although his grandfather was powerful, he would never lend a hand in this kind of problem; otherwise, he wouldn't have been allowed to serve as a private.

From He Chenguang's slightly shocked expression, Chen Jiang could tell that he was still conscious and had indeed heard clearly. With the other party smiling, he stood at attention and, in his slurred speech, said something very arrogant: "Thank you for your kind words, sir, but I will definitely be promoted to officer in the Seventh Company!"

Although he didn't say much, his words were very meaningful, and Liu Biwu, who was far away, understood them and could guess what the other party had said.

Fine, I've been treating you to good food and drinks, and you guys are trying to steal my clients?
However, he couldn't directly break off relations, since the other party was a "brother" unit that his superiors had instructed him to treat well. So he could only have someone quickly help He Chenguang back to the company to avoid the awkward situation that followed.

Wu Zhe couldn't hold his liquor, and soon he was passed out on the table. Chen Jiang didn't even have a chance to say a few words to him. Seeing that both sides had drunk enough, they had no choice but to part ways.

After the naval personnel left, Liu Biwu's face darkened, and he cursed in frustration.

The others were furious when they heard about it.

"Damn it, why do they all like to poach people from our unit? Back in the day, the Old A team also poached Chen Jiang and Xu Sanduo from my unit." Gao Cheng couldn't help but swear.

"Huh? Is that so?" Liu Biwu was the division chief of staff at the time, so he had no idea about these details.

After Gao Cheng finished explaining, Liu Biwu became even angrier. "Damn it, do they really think our division is their vegetable garden, where they can dig up any good vegetables that grow there?"

He turned and glanced at Long Kaifeng. "You should be good at discovering such outstanding talents. Good soldiers should be promoted even if it's against the rules! Look, wasn't Chen Jiang promoted even if it was against the rules?"

Long Kaifeng was stunned when he heard this, and cursed inwardly, "How can these be the same?"

Chen Jiang received a second-class merit award and had the support of a high-ranking leader, while He Chenguang didn't even receive a third-class merit award.

"Commander, He Chenguang hasn't even received a third-class merit yet, and promotion requires..."

"Kaifeng, why are you so stubborn? A third-class merit award can be obtained by utilizing all available resources! Look at this competition, I think it's perfectly feasible! You submit the application, and I'll approve it!" Liu Biwu was really going all out to retain talent.

This time it was the Navy, but what about next time? What if that A-team comes to poach people again?
We can't send all our best soldiers out; our own troops need to undergo digital reforms, and talents like He Chenguang must be retained.

With the division commander's approval, He Chenguang's third-class merit was a sure thing. He was currently vomiting profusely in the toilet of the Seventh Company. Even with a high alcohol tolerance, he couldn't keep up with this amount of drinking.

Fortunately, He Chenguang's physical condition was indeed outstanding. After sleeping for one night, he completely recovered.

The naval personnel had already left. Chen Jiang, being Wu Zhe's old comrade-in-arms, went to see them off. Wu Zhe apologized to Chen Jiang upon parting. He later heard about He Chenguang's incident, but he was drunk and had no idea what was going on.

Chen Jiang smiled faintly. So what if he knew? Can an arm twist a thigh?

The two agreed that if Chen Jiang's troops ever came to the East China Sea Fleet for training or anything like that, they should contact Wu Zhe.

After seeing Wu Zhe and the others off, Chen Jiang immediately rushed to the Seventh Company's camp according to the instructions of the division commander. The Seventh Company was already training on the training field.

Upon seeing Chen Jiang arrive, Jiang Fahui immediately jogged over to inquire about any instructions.
Chen Jiang simply asked, "Is this your training intensity?"

Jiang Fahui was somewhat confused. "Report, our Seventh Company has always maintained this intensity. The Eighth and Ninth Companies are the same."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiang was immediately enraged.

"Why must the Seventh Company be the same as other companies? The old Steel Seventh Company had to be better than other companies in everything. The training volume and training standards were completely different, which gave rise to the elite company of the whole regiment."

"If the training standards are lax, then the overall combat effectiveness of the company will naturally be low."

Chen Jiang's analysis pinpointed the problems within the Seventh Company.

In fact, Jiang Fahui was aware of this, but as a company commander, his own military skills were just so-so. Did he think he was already dragging others down, yet he still had the nerve to ask others to raise their standards?
It was this kind of thinking that led to the fact that the training standards of the Seventh Company were actually not as good as those of the Eighth and Ninth Companies. If the training could not keep up, how could the assessment results be good?
"Everyone assemble!"

Chen Jiang knew that Jiang Fahui was not a very qualified company commander, but he couldn't replace him, so he could only set an example for him himself.

Chen Jiang stood in the center of the training ground, his sharp eyes scanning the rapidly assembling soldiers of the Seventh Company.

His gaze lingered on He Chenguang for a moment—this private, who had been completely drunk yesterday, was now standing ramrod straight, showing no trace of his hangover from the previous night.

"Tell me about it!"

brush~
Everyone stand at attention and listen attentively.

“I don’t care what your training was like in the past. But starting today, I’m going to set a rule for you: all training subjects will be doubled in intensity and raised in standard!” Although military discipline requires them not to whisper to each other, several soldiers still looked like they had no will to live.

It's impossible not to suffer when you go from the comfortable training environment of the past to the training environment of the former Steel Seventh Company. But this painful period is the foundation and key to whether the Seventh Company can carry forward its glory again.

"He Chenguang!"

Chen Jiang's voice was like a drawn military knife.

“Here!” He Chenguang stepped forward.

"You're in charge of finishing up." Chen Jiang's order surprised everyone, because according to convention, the elite soldiers should be leading the way.

"Attention, everyone! Five-kilometer armed cross-country run, starting now!"

After the troops set off, Jiang jogged to catch up with Chen Jiang: "Deputy Battalion Commander, this..."

"Company Commander Jiang," Chen Jiang slowed his pace, "Do you know why your own performance isn't improving?" He glanced at the soldiers who were already panting heavily, "because you're comparing yourself to the weakest members of the company."

After Chen Jiang finished speaking, he started running forward as a role model, instructing everyone as he ran.
"Pay attention to your breathing and rhythm while running. To run more comfortably, you need to learn to use your hips to drive your thighs, instead of using your legs directly. Otherwise, you'll get sore very quickly. Yes, that soldier, use this position, between your waist and buttocks, there should be a feeling of pushing forward!"

When he saw that several soldiers were breathing very rapidly, he ran over to them and said, “Pay attention to the rhythm of your breathing. Don’t breathe too fast, and don’t change your rhythm easily, as this will make you tired easily. I suggest breathing in every three steps and exhaling every three steps. You should have a regular rhythm. A steady pace is the most energy-efficient.”

"Come on, if you can't take it anymore, give me the gun!"

When the platoon leaders and squad leaders in the company saw the battalion commander carrying a gun for a soldier, they instantly felt a strange sense of humiliation and rushed over to snatch the soldiers' weapons and ammunition away.

Those soldiers who were already in bad shape cried when they saw this, and charged forward with all their might.

Under the shade of trees by the training field in the distance, Liu Biwu and Long Kaifeng were already standing there.

The instructor's eyes, however, remained fixed on the training field.

“Kaifeng, look at that He Chenguang,” Liu Biwu suddenly said.

He Chenguang, who was lagging behind, was pulling two exhausted comrades forward with one in each hand, while he carried three people's water bottles and several Type 95 automatic rifles on his back.

Long Kaifeng's eyes lit up: "This kid already has some leadership skills."

"Hmm, I think we can arrange for him to be a deputy squad leader! When the conditions are right, we can make him an acting squad leader." Liu Biwu knew that the probability of a private becoming a squad leader in the army was extremely small, but he was willing to spend any amount of money on an elite soldier.

Just now, he efficiently approved the request to award He Chenguang a third-class merit.

The comments section above contained a line of bold, flowing handwriting: "Agreed. Hope you will continue your efforts and bring further glory to the entire division and even the entire army group! — Liu Biwu."

"Yes!" Long Kaifeng also shared this sentiment.

"Deputy Battalion Commander Chen is really good. It's rare that as the military commander of the First Battalion, he can still train with the soldiers. And you can tell that he was really good when he was in the army!" Liu Biwu is now gradually realizing Chen Jiang's extraordinary abilities.

After the morning training session ended, Chen Jiang called Jiang Fahui to his office.

Both of them were drenched in sweat and covered in sweat residue, but neither of them showed any intention of resting.

“Starting tomorrow, the Seventh Company will implement tiered training.” Chen Jiang handed over a training plan he had drafted. “Those who meet the physical fitness standards will have extra training in tactical coordination, while those who do not will be formed into an intensive class, led by elites such as He Chenguang for special training.”

Jiang's expression changed: "This is not in accordance with regulations. There seems to be no precedent for a private leading training."

"How did the Steel Seventh Company become famous back then?" Chen Jiang suddenly asked. "By daring to do things that others dared not do!" He tossed over a document. "He Chenguang's third-class merit has been approved by the division commander."

The document clearly bore Liu Biwu's handwritten signature.

Ignoring Jiang's stunned expression, Chen Jiang said, "To tell you the truth, I was also a private back then, but I was also an acting squad leader. What's so strange about that? We're in the army, and it's all about the capable rising and the weak falling. Do you understand?"

When Jiang Fahui heard Chen Jiang's words, his heart sank. He could tell that the last sentence was directed at him, implying that if he couldn't produce good results, he would probably be replaced.

At dawn the next day, the whistle for an emergency assembly pierced the morning mist.

All the soldiers of the Seventh Company rushed to the training ground at top speed. Chen Jiang, in full military uniform, stood at the front of the formation.
After Jiang finished assembling the team, he jogged up to Chen Jiang and reported loudly,

"Deputy Battalion Commander, the Seventh Company should have 107 men, and 107 men are present. Please give instructions!"

Chen Jiang returned the salute.
"Take a break!"

"Yes!"

"Everyone take a break!"

"Tell me about it!"

"Our mission today is infantry fighting vehicle coordinated operations. All platoons and squads must pay close attention to training safety!" He thought for a moment and then emphasized again, "All platoon leaders, squad leaders, and key personnel must fully play their leading and exemplary role and lead the new soldiers in training and improvement!"

Infantry fighting vehicle coordination was originally a specialty of the Steel Seventh Company. Later, it was reorganized and the personnel were replaced, but the equipment remained, so the combat mode was still the same as before.

Chen Jiang still remembers how Xu Sanduo couldn't squeeze into the cramped back door of the car, and how he bumped his head all over.

At Jiang's command, all personnel boarded the vehicles and headed to the infantry fighting vehicle range for coordinated operations. Today's exercise was not complicated; it involved infantrymen riding in armored vehicles to a designated target area, then disembarking and charging together.

Everything went smoothly at first, but problems arose during the coordinated assault phase.

"Ah~"

A heart-wrenching scream rang out.
Chen Jiang immediately sensed something was wrong and ran over to check. He discovered that a new recruit's leg was trapped under the tracks of an infantry fighting vehicle.

The scene was a bloody mess, a truly horrific sight.

"What are you all standing there for? Get him to the military hospital for emergency treatment right now!" Chen Jiang roared.

(End of this chapter)