Rebirth in the Dragon Kingdom: The Strongest Blade

On the morning of the third day after the Battle of Eagle's Beak Cliff, Lin Zhe sat at the simple desk in the outpost, three newly completed reports spread out in front of him. Outside the window, the mountain mist was dissipating, and the morning light shone through the glass onto the neat handwriting.

The report was handwritten because the outpost didn't have a typewriter. But every piece of data, every formula, and every diagram was as meticulous as if it were printed. This was a habit cultivated from thirty-five years of military research work in his previous life.

The first report, titled "Technical Recommendations for Improving the Individual Communication System of Border Troops," detailed Lin Zhe's analysis of the shortcomings of existing communication equipment—unstable signals, susceptibility to terrain interference, short battery life, and complex operation. He then proposed an improvement plan: employing frequency hopping technology to combat interference, optimizing antenna design to enhance signal strength, and improving circuitry to reduce power consumption. Although limited by the technological conditions of this era, he couldn't directly utilize the digital communication systems of his previous life, his proposed improvements could at least double the performance of existing equipment.

The second report, titled "Miniaturization and Performance Enhancement Solution for Infrared Thermal Imagers," details the crucial role Lin Zhe played in this operation, but also highlighted its shortcomings: large size, heavy weight, low image resolution, and poor battery life. In the report, Lin Zhe designed a completely new optical structure and circuit scheme that could reduce the size of existing equipment by 40%, triple the resolution, and double the battery life. More importantly, he proposed a simplified manufacturing process that could significantly reduce production costs.

The third report, "Performance Optimization and Maintenance Manual for Low-Light Night Vision Devices," is the most practical. Lin Zhe not only proposed technical improvement plans but also detailed troubleshooting methods and simple repair procedures for common malfunctions. He wrote, "Border troops face harsh environments and high equipment damage rates, but the repair cycle is long. If frontline soldiers master basic maintenance skills, the availability of equipment can be significantly improved."

After writing the last word, Lin Zhe put down his pen and rubbed his aching wrist. These three reports had taken him two whole days, during which he still managed to complete his patrols and training missions as usual. The soldiers at the outpost only knew that the deputy company commander was writing something, but they didn't know what he was writing.

"Deputy Company Commander, breakfast is ready." Xiao Zhao peeked in and saw the thick stack of manuscript papers on the table. "You've been staying up all night again?"

"It's nothing." Lin Zhe put the report into three file folders. "Xiao Zhao, is there a car to the regimental headquarters today?"

"There will be a supply truck this afternoon."

"Okay, please give these to the driver and make sure they are delivered to the regimental headquarters' confidential office."

Xiao Zhao took the file folder, glanced at the label—"Top Secret Technical Advice"—and replied with a solemn expression, "Yes, sir!"

Lin Zhe walked to the window and gazed at the distant mountains. He knew what these three reports meant in this era. If they could be adopted and promoted, they would directly enhance the combat effectiveness of frontline troops and reduce unnecessary casualties. But he wasn't sure if they would garner sufficient attention.

After all, he was just a deputy company commander of a border defense company, a nineteen-year-old lieutenant.

The following days passed as usual. Lin Zhe continued to lead his soldiers in training and patrols, while incorporating more practical combat skills into their daily routines. He designed a jungle warfare training program that included covert approach, squad coordination, and emergency response, making it highly targeted.

"Deputy Company Commander, where did you learn this training method?" Old Zhou asked, wiping his sweat after a training session. "It's even more practical than what I learned in the reconnaissance company."

"It's a combination of some foreign military data and my own thoughts," Lin Zhe answered vaguely. Actually, this was a training method Lin Zhe had seen in his previous life.

A week later, the commendation order from the regimental headquarters arrived one morning. The entire company assembled on the training ground, and Wang Dashan read out the order:

"...In the Battle of Eagle's Beak Cliff, the Second Platoon of the Reconnaissance Company and the soldiers of the outpost fought bravely and successfully annihilated an armed drug trafficking gang, seizing a large quantity of drugs and weapons, making an outstanding contribution to maintaining border security. After deliberation by the regiment's Party Committee, it was decided to award the Second Platoon of the Reconnaissance Company a collective second-class merit, and to award Lin Zhe, Wang Daliu, Zhao Xiaogang, and seven other comrades an individual third-class merit..."

Thunderous applause erupted. As Lin Zhe went on stage to accept the award, the soldiers below looked on with admiration. Just over two months ago, they were still questioning this "student officer"; now, Lin Zhe had earned everyone's respect through his abilities.

After the commendation ceremony, Political Commissar Zhou Wenbin specifically sought out Lin Zhe: "Lin, well done! The regiment has already reported your performance, and I expect the military region will also award you."

"Thank you, Political Commissar. This is all thanks to everyone," Lin Zhe said modestly.

"Don't be arrogant or impatient, good!" Zhou Wenbin patted him on the shoulder. "By the way, I've forwarded the reports you sent to the regimental headquarters to the military region. Although I don't understand the technology, they seem to be of high quality."

Lin Zhe's heart skipped a beat: "Political Commissar, has the military region given any feedback?"

"Not at the moment. Such technical suggestions require expert review, which is a lengthy process," Zhou Wenbin said. "But rest assured, the military region will definitely take good suggestions seriously."

Meanwhile, at the Southwest Military Region headquarters, 300 kilometers away.

The atmosphere in the office of Lieutenant General Chen Jianfeng, commander of the military region, was somewhat unusual. The 55-year-old general was frowning as he looked at the three reports on his desk. He didn't understand technology, but judging from the professionalism and detailed data in the reports, these were definitely not ordinary technical suggestions.

"Xiao Liu, invite Director Li from the research institute over," Chen Jianfeng said to his secretary.

Half an hour later, an elderly man with thick glasses and gray hair hurried into the office. He was Li Wei, the director of the Military Technology Research Institute of the Military Region, holding the rank of Major General (Technical).

"Commander, you wanted to see me?"

"Old Li, take a look at these documents." Chen Jianfeng pushed the report over. "It was written by the deputy company commander of a border defense company. I don't know anything about technology, so you can take a look at it."

Li Wei adjusted his glasses and picked up the first report. At first, his expression was casual, but after reading a few lines, his face gradually became serious. He read faster and faster, his fingers unconsciously gliding across the paper, muttering to himself:

"Frequency hopping technology...this idea...antenna optimization...power consumption control..."

After reading the first copy, he took a deep breath and grabbed the second. This time, he stood up abruptly from his chair.

"Miniaturization of infrared thermal imaging...this optical structure design...my goodness, this idea is ingenious! And this simplified manufacturing process, if feasible, could reduce costs by more than half!"

He read the third report almost in one go. As he put down the last page, Li Wei's hand trembled slightly.

"Commander, who wrote these reports?" His voice was somewhat agitated.

"A deputy company commander of a border defense company, named Lin Zhe. Why, is he valuable?"

"Valuable? More than just valuable!" Li Wei excitedly waved the report. "Commander, let me put it this way: if this individual soldier communication improvement plan can be implemented, the communication efficiency of our front-line troops can be increased threefold! On the battlefield, a one-second faster order transmission could save several lives!"

He picked up the second report: "This thermal imager solution is even more amazing! Do you know how much a thermal imager costs these days? Two hundred thousand! And they often malfunction. With this improved solution, the cost can be reduced to below eighty thousand, while performance can be enhanced! What does this mean? It means we can equip more frontline troops with these devices!"

"And this night vision goggle maintenance manual," Li Weiguo said, flipping through the third report. "It's so useful! A lot of our equipment doesn't break down from use, it breaks down from improper maintenance. If frontline soldiers mastered these maintenance skills, the equipment's operational readiness rate could increase by at least 30%!"

Chen Jianfeng's expression turned serious. He had originally thought this was just ordinary technical advice, but he hadn't expected Li Wei to give it such high praise.

"Old Li, are you sure? Are all these plans feasible?"

"It's 100% feasible!" Li Wei declared decisively. "And I dare say, the people who wrote these reports are at least national-level experts! Commander, where is Comrade Lin Zhe? I want to see him immediately!"

Chen Jianfeng pressed the internal intercom button: "Xiao Liu, check all the information on Lin Zhe, the deputy company commander of the reconnaissance company of the 127th Border Regiment, immediately!"

Ten minutes later, a file was placed on Chen Jianfeng's desk. He and Li Weiguo reviewed it together:

Lin Zhe, male, 19 years old, from Jinghua City.

Education: National University of Defense Technology, graduated early by completing four years of study in one year with excellent grades.

Family background: Father Lin Guodong (Mayor of Jinghua City), Mother Su Wan (entrepreneur), Grandfather Lin Weiguo (founding general).

Military service experience: He volunteered to join the Southwest Border Defense Force and is currently the deputy company commander (lieutenant) of the reconnaissance company of the 127th Regiment.

Meritorious service record: He was awarded a third-class merit for his excellent command in the Battle of Eagle Beak Cliff, in which he personally killed four armed men.

"What a promising talent..." Chen Jianfeng looked at the file, his eyes gleaming. "National University of Defense Technology, graduated in one year, volunteered for border defense, earned merit in his first combat mission, and has such profound technical skills... Old Li, our military region has a hidden gem!"

Li Wei also lamented, "Commander, it's such a waste to keep such a talent in the border defense company! He should be transferred to the research institute; his ideas need a professional team to realize them."

Chen Jianfeng pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "No rush. Old Li, have you thought about this? How can a nineteen-year-old master such advanced technology? The National University of Defense Technology is good, but it can't teach to this level. Also, why did he volunteer to come to the toughest border defense post?"

"You mean...?"

"This kid is something else." Chen Jianfeng pointed to the three characters "Lin Weiguo" on the file. "The grandson of a founding major general, the son of the mayor, yet he chose the most arduous path. And look at his performance—a combat expert, strong command ability, and now he's showing top-notch technical talent... Old Li, this isn't an ordinary young man."

Li Wei asked thoughtfully, "Then, Commander, what are your plans?"

"Let's hold off for now," Chen Jianfeng decided. "Take these technical solutions back to the research institute for evaluation. If they're feasible, initiate research and development immediately. As for Lin Zhe... let him continue his training at the border. Whether he's a dragon or a worm, time will tell."

He paused, then added, "However, we can offer him some support. Send him a thank-you letter in the name of the research institute, acknowledging his contributions. Also, allocate special funds to his company for equipment maintenance and training."

"Understood." Li Wei nodded. "Commander, I have another request—could you allow me to establish direct contact with Comrade Lin Zhe? There are some technical details I'd like to consult him about."

Chen Jianfeng thought for a moment and said, "Okay. But be careful not to interfere with his work."

Three days later, an official letter from the military region's research institute arrived at the Eagle's Beak Cliff outpost. Also delivered were a batch of new equipment and 50,000 yuan in special funds.

Wang Dashan stared wide-eyed at the official letter: "Lin Zhe, what...what exactly did you write to the military region? The director of the research institute personally wrote you a thank-you letter!"

Lin Zhe took the letter and quickly glanced through it. The letter highly praised his three reports, stated that experts had been organized to review them, and invited him to "maintain communication on technical details."

"It's just some technical advice," Lin Zhe said casually.

"Some suggestions?" Wang Dashan pointed to the equipment list that accompanied the letter. "Look, ten sets of brand-new communication equipment, five night vision goggles, and fifty thousand yuan! We've never received so much good stuff all at once!"

The news spread quickly. The soldiers gathered around the new equipment, thrilled. What made them even prouder was that these changes were brought about by a report from their deputy company commander.

"Deputy Company Commander, you're amazing!" Xiao Zhao exclaimed, touching the brand-new night vision goggles. "These are so much lighter than the ones we used to have!"

Lin Zhe inspected the new equipment, feeling somewhat gratified. Although the technological level of this era was limited, the performance of these improved equipment was indeed significantly enhanced.

That evening, Lin Zhe replied to Li Wei's letter under the lamp. He provided detailed answers to several technical questions raised by the research institute and included some supplementary suggestions. At the end of the letter, he wrote:

"...Thank you for taking my suggestions seriously, sir. As a border guard, I deeply understand the importance of equipment to combat effectiveness. These suggestions stem from actual combat needs and I hope they can serve actual combat. If possible, I hope to have the opportunity to participate in subsequent testing and improvement work, because only frontline officers and soldiers truly understand the actual usage of equipment..."

Lin Zhe paused his writing at this point. He knew these three reports were just the beginning. The world's military technology was far behind, and he had so much to contribute.

But everything must proceed gradually. Weapon improvements, tactical innovations, and the modernization of command systems... all require the right timing.

Outside the window, the border night sky was twinkling with stars. Lin Zhe put away the letter and walked out of the dormitory.

On the training field, several soldiers were testing new equipment. Upon seeing Lin Zhe, they all stood at attention: "Deputy Company Commander!"

"Continue." Lin Zhe nodded. "You need to get used to the new equipment so that it can be used to its fullest potential in critical moments."

"yes!"

Standing atop the outpost, Lin Zhe gazed towards the border. In this life, his journey was far from over. From the border defense company to a broader stage, from improving equipment to driving change throughout the entire army...

But no matter how far he goes, he will never forget his original aspiration—to become a true soldier and protect this country.