In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 194 Ninth Detachment
(I was writing this yesterday because I had a cold and was a bit out of sorts. Thank you to the readers who pointed out the problems. I have corrected them and I am very sorry.)
An hour later, Lu Zhao finally completed all the formalities and obtained all the information and details about the Ninth Detachment.

The Ninth Detachment has 800 personnel and consists of three battalions, two duty battalions, one mobile battalion, and several directly subordinate companies.

Thirty people died last year, and fifty-one were discharged due to injuries. The casualty rate of a single detachment has reached 10%.

In addition to the difficult task of persuading people to leave, Lu Zhao also had to prepare to replenish personnel and reorganize squads and companies.

He didn't know if the Ninth Detachment was the most elite detachment, but the current situation was that about a quarter of the personnel had to be laid off.

These people were either over thirty-five years old, severely injured, or at the bottom of their life development range.

No matter how much you contribute or how hard you work, if your life development doesn't meet the standards and you don't achieve the growth expected by the Federation, you will be asked to leave and transferred to another unit.

Only by constantly replenishing the ranks with fresh blood can the combat effectiveness of the troops be guaranteed.

Lu Zhao sighed, "In this situation, I could probably get in even without connections."

If there hadn't been any issues with being asked to leave, then the position of the head of the Special Counter-Strike Force would have been extremely desirable.

But with this task of persuading people to quit, even the captains of that brigade probably don't want to do it anymore.

This is too offensive and hurtful.

I don't know if Lao Liu really doesn't consider me an outsider, but instead assigns me this most difficult task.

At this time, his attendant had also arrived at the main administration building and had been waiting for a long time.

As a regimental-level cadre, Lu Zhao had his own official car, a personal attendant, and a liaison officer.

The service staff is responsible for providing living support, including cleaning and tidying the dormitory, assisting with meals, delivering laundry, and other daily tasks.

The liaison officer is more like a secretary, and can handle the vast majority of work-related matters on behalf of the staff.

His attendant was an ordinary-looking man with bronze skin, wearing camouflage clothing.

Lu Zhao saw the cracked calluses on his hands, which were like rocks, and could roughly judge the other party's supernatural abilities.

The most useful sequence of supernatural powers below the moderate level is the earth-type supernatural powers of the five elements. Most of them can petrify the skin, defend against slashes, and also provide a certain boost to strength.

While it offers limited protection against gunshot wounds, wearing heavy body armor can provide greater protection, and the petrified skin can also reduce the impact of bullets.

The Earth element of the Five Elements has gained favor with the military due to its universality, stability, and large quantity.

A weak-level supernatural power, at most a fire-type power, could spit fire, and might even burn the user. A wood-type power would mostly control or accelerate the growth of a small plant, a water-type power would control a very small body of water, and a metal-type power would emit light.

In comparison, petrified skin is much more practical and stable.

"Reporting! Corporal Wei Ruiyang reporting for duty!"

Wei Ruiyang stood at attention and saluted, while also looking at the handsome officer in front of him with curiosity.

The celebrity who appeared on television in January turned out to be their new leader.

Lu Zhao returned the salute, then took the documents and walked outside, saying, "Our detachment is in the South Railway District, which is an industrial area and quite close to the Confederate District. How is the security situation there usually?"

The special counter-terrorism units under the public security system are different from the military. Their main responsibility is to maintain regional stability. Generally speaking, one detachment is responsible for the security of a city.

For example, the Special Counter-Strike Unit in Fangshi.

Cangwu City covers a vast area. After ten years of development and expansion, it is more like the Tokyo metropolitan area in its previous life than a city, or even larger.

It is a super city cluster with a population of over 100 million, excluding the Confederate District, and encompasses one-third of the entire Namhae West Province.

Any one of the districts is larger than Fangchenggang City.

Wei Ruiyang trailed slightly behind and replied, "The South Iron District borders the Confederate District, and the security situation is not optimistic. According to statistics, there are ten murders every day. This is only what has been discovered; there are likely many more that have not been discovered."

Lu Zhao asked, "What groups typically commit crimes?"

"Most of the gangsters are of Chinese descent and are unemployed people who are unwilling to work. The local residents who can work in the South Rail District are less likely to cause trouble."

"why?"

"Because we recruited skilled workers who have certain skills."

The two chatted as they got into a military jeep. Wei Ruiyang drove away from the Special Countermeasures Brigade and headed towards the South Railway District.

Lu Zhao asked, "Who has the highest prestige, the strongest ability, and the most seniority in the brigade right now?"

Wherever there are people, there are social circles; and wherever there are social circles, small groups inevitably emerge.

Within a detachment of 800 men, there are bound to be small factions.

In a better situation, there are small groups among them; in a worse situation, a small faction has emerged that "unifies the world."

What I least want to see when I'm trying to persuade people to leave is the existence of these small factions. If they unite and cause trouble, it will be a huge problem.

"Uh……"

Wei Ruiyang did not answer immediately, and seemed somewhat hesitant.

He was afraid that Lu Zhao wanted to intimidate people.

Moreover, there have been rumors lately that some people will be persuaded to quit, which has caused widespread anxiety.

Lu Zhao said calmly, "Xiao Wei, I'm not going to leave after just two days as the new detachment leader. Answer the question; I'm not a bandit, do you think I'm going to eat him?"

"Yes."

Wei Ruiyang replied, "The most senior member of the brigade is the captain of the first battalion, the most prestigious member is the captain of the second battalion, and the most capable member is the captain of the third battalion."

Lu Zhao recalled the documents in his hand, which contained the names and information of all the officers.

Yu Fusheng from the First Duty Brigade, Li He from the Second Duty Brigade, and Cao Yang, Captain of the Mobile Brigade,

Apart from Cao Yang, the other two will be advised to leave, as Yu Fusheng is too old at thirty-six.

It wouldn't matter in other units, but the Special Counter-Strike Force doesn't support "old people." Anyone over 35 years old without a third rank would be advised to retire or be transferred to civilian work.

Li's right arm was severed last year, and after its recovery, he was not as good as before, and his life development progress did not meet the standards.

As the squad leader, Lu Zhao has higher requirements; if someone doesn't reach level three before the age of thirty, they will be advised to leave.

He asked, "The military is a place where strength matters, so why doesn't the strongest person have high prestige?"

Wei Ruiyang said, "Uh... to tell you the truth, but please don't say I told you. Although Captain Cao is strong, he is domineering and autocratic. No one says it openly, but we've been complaining about it for a long time in private."

"What about the other two?"

"Captain Yu is a good person; he took good care of me when I was in recruit training. Captain Li is fair and just, and he has the best treatment in the brigade. He also helps everyone with things outside the military. Whenever something happens at home, we ask him for help."

Lu Zhao noted it down.

Yu is the father figure in the team, Li is the mother figure, and Cao is a typical troublemaker.

If Cao had been persuaded to quit, that would be the best solution. However, his life development is quite good; he has already broken through four of the five barriers, and reaching the third tier in the future is not a problem.

Yu Fusheng and Li He are in a bit of trouble. If they are unwilling to be persuaded to leave, it could easily cause a disturbance among the soldiers.

Even if they were willing, the soldiers would probably have emotional reactions due to personal feelings.

We should start with Cao Yang and try to get the cooperation of a brigade.

If all else fails, then we'll have to ask our master for help. He's an expert at manipulating people.

Lu Zhao looked out the window. The surrounding street scene had gradually turned into factories, and a pungent smell filled the air, making people cough involuntarily.

The sky is always gray, as if reflecting the underlying tone of the times, a touch of gray.
-
The Ninth Detachment's barracks.

In the regimental headquarters building, Yu Fusheng, Cao Yang, and Li He gathered in the conference room. The atmosphere was somewhat silent.

At the beginning of the year, the detachment commander was killed in action, and Yu Fusheng took over as the acting detachment commander. He was not officially appointed until March, and the military headquarters instead gave Yu Fusheng a New Year's leave, allowing him, the detachment's top commander, to go home for the holidays.

At that moment, Yu Fusheng knew that he was going to be asked to leave the company.

Normally, when a detachment commander is killed, the battalion commander of the same detachment usually takes over.

There is a high probability that a temporary appointment will be formalized, while failure to be formalized means that one is prepared to be asked to resign.

Three days ago, they received news that a new detachment leader was about to take office.

This caused a huge uproar within the brigade at the time.

Cao Yang was a soldier trained by Yu Fusheng. At twenty-eight years old, he was full of vigor and righteous indignation. He slammed his fist on the table and said, "Old Yu, when that new detachment commander arrives, I'll protect you!"

Yu Fusheng said helplessly, "How can you protect yourself? Go up and punch the detachment commander a couple of times? We're in the military, we have to follow discipline and obey orders. Don't get yourself into trouble."

Cao Yang said, "I'll have the soldiers write a petition together to try and get you to serve for another two years. I've seen people do that in previous years."

"I wonder which rich kid he is. The military is not a place for him to play the game of connections."

Yu Fusheng sensed Cao Yang's hostility and reminded him, "Xiao Cao, don't say things like that again. He's our superior, no matter what. And didn't you see the reports? He fought his way up in the border region."

Cao Yang said, "Maybe he went there to gain experience, otherwise how could he have given a speech on the anniversary of the Great Patriotic War?"

Yu Fusheng had no way to refute this statement.

The Great Patriotic War Remembrance Day has been quite criticized over the years.

Armed units such as the military and special operations forces all have internal propaganda outlets such as military newspapers and regimental newspapers.

The heroic deeds of the combat heroes will certainly be reported.

But every time everyone thinks a certain war hero should speak, it's usually an unknown person. Those with connections investigate and find out he's a second-generation rich kid.

It's impossible for everyone to say they have no complaints.

It can be said that the morale of the military has been corrupted, partly due to the spokesperson's issues.

Li He was more rational and said, "Even if Lu Zhao has a background, his merits should be genuine. When he was awarded the First-Class Merit, you can only say that there are more suitable people than him, not that he is not qualified."

"Speaking of connections, who doesn't have connections? Who among us hasn't been helped by someone?"

Cao Yang knew he was in the wrong, but he couldn't save face, so he said, "Then what about him, a major, taking over as detachment commander?"

Special counter-insurgency units are generally staffed by lieutenant colonels and colonels; major is indeed a lower rank, but it still meets the standards.

This shows that Lu Zhao has a close relationship with him.

Li He immediately understood, but didn't want to argue with this fool, so he said, "Our priority now is to persuade him to leave. Captain Yu also has a first-class merit, so the military should make an exception for him."

Upon hearing this, Yu Fusheng couldn't help but ponder.

If he could, he really didn't want to leave.

He spent six years in the special operations force, rising from a farm boy with no background to become a second-tier superhuman, breaking through three barriers and possessing a moderate supernatural power.

These are all resources for special operations forces.

Only by staying here can he have a chance to become a third-tier transcendent. If he goes outside, he might be stuck here for the rest of his life.

I am already thirty-six years old, and in a few more years I will be forty. My vital energy and blood are beginning to decline.

If he were to leave now, he might only be able to take a minor, unfilled position as a clerk. Even if he went to other departments within the security system, there wouldn't be enough resources to help him break through to the third tier.

A first-class merit is merely a stepping stone to the third rank, not a guarantee of admission.

He said, "Then I'll leave it to you. I don't ask for much, I just ask to stay for two more years."

Li He and Cao Yang both assured him that they would definitely support him in this matter.

Their request wasn't unreasonable; they just wanted to stay for two more years. I'm sure the newly appointed branch captain wouldn't hold a grudge over such a small matter.

Otherwise, how could he take over the work of the detachment?

An hour later, the three arrived at the entrance of the regimental headquarters building, where they waited with all the officers of the detachment.

After about ten minutes, a military jeep pulled up.

The driver got out of the car first, and before he could open the door for the new detachment commander, a handsome officer stepped out.

Seeing this, Yu Fusheng inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

You can get a general idea of ​​a person's personality from their daily behavior.

The fact that this new leader was able to step down on his own means either he hasn't been in power long, or he doesn't care much about these formalities.

Either way, they are undoubtedly easier to talk to than seasoned veterans.

Lu Zhao sized up the three of them, and the others sized him up as well.

Cao Yang from the Mobile Brigade looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze. He wanted to see how capable this famous squad leader really was, given how much he'd been hyped up lately.

He may look a bit handsome, but his life development level isn't as high as mine.

Li He remained neither humble nor arrogant.

Yu Fusheng smiled warmly and stepped forward to shake hands, saying in a friendly tone, "Captain Lu, you must be tired from your journey. I've been looking forward to your arrival."

Lu Zhao shook hands and said, "Captain Yu, I've heard so much about you. From now on, we'll be comrades fighting side by side."

His gaze then turned to Li He and Cao Yang beside him, and he took the initiative to extend his hand.

"Captain Li, Captain Cao."

Lu Zhao accurately called out the two men's surnames, which surprised them somewhat.

Few leaders know about the brigade before they come to the brigade. Most just come to the site and ask them to introduce themselves.

At the federal level, Lu Zhao's work ethic is certainly encouraged, but who wants to accommodate others when they hold great power? And who isn't above others?
Li He stepped forward and shook hands, saying, "Hello, Captain Lu."

"Hello."

Lu Zhao made a note of this Li He.

He felt that this person might be the most difficult to deal with; people who can hide their true nature are different.

He then turned and shook hands with Cao Yang, whose grip was very strong; it was unclear whether it was intentional.

Where did this hothead come from?

Lu Zhao was surprised, but not entirely unexpected.

The military is the place with the most troublemakers. When you're a junior soldier, you might be a troublemaker and get disciplined, but you might still be a troublemaker later on.

This is the type of person who remembers the good but not the bad.

"Captain Lu, hello..."

Cao Yang's voice was loud and clear, but when he said "good," his voice became distorted.

A sharp pain shot through his palm, but the unparalleled strength made him straighten his fingers.

(End of this chapter)