A courtyard house; Li Yunlong, a subordinate of the deputy director of Harbin Military Engineering I

The next morning, Sun Bing came to report that the relevant personnel of the Corps headquarters had sent them a telegram, and that the main personnel of the Corps would still be the same as those in the Yunnan Provincial Military Region, but with minor adjustments.

The 15th Army was Zhang Renfeng's direct subordinate, so it had to be included. As for the other two armies, they could only be chosen from other field armies. The original 13th and 14th Armies were responsible for border affairs in Yunnan Province. With such a long border and the security of the entire province, it would be impossible to manage without two armies.

After listening to the report, Zhang Renfeng put it on the table and sighed inwardly.

This is the worst part of being the deputy of an old brigade commander—you never have a core force, you're always a firefighter, and Zhang Renfeng naturally became the deputy brigade commander.

Looking back, when the 386th Brigade was transferred to the Taiyue Column, Li Yunlong's troops and Kong Jie's troops were all transferred away. After the Battle of Western Henan, they were transferred to the Third Field Army, and some of them left the pass after the end of the War of Resistance Against Japan.

The Fourth Army Corps was later disbanded, and now the Third Army Corps has been formed, so it's a fresh start.

But this also reflects the old brigade commander's awesomeness... No matter what unit you are transferred from or how senior you are, he can always keep them in check and command them.

According to the three-corps organization of the parallel world, it should be composed of the 12th, 15th and 60th Armies, which are respectively from the original First Field Army, Second Field Army and Fourth Field Army.

Especially the 60th Army, which included the 180th Division, which in the original history caused a tragedy.

Now that Zhang Renfeng knew about this matter in advance, he wouldn't let such a thing happen again.

As required by the Central Military Commission, the scope of this troop deployment is set in the Southwest Military Region. This matter needs to be carefully considered. We can't just look at whether the staffing is full or not; we have to look at whether the troops are strong and whether the commanding officers are reliable.

"Commander, the communications officer will be here soon." After reporting, Sun Bing stood there without leaving, fidgeting with his feet, looking as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Zhang Renfeng put the report away, looked up at him, and said, "Xiao Sun, tell me what's on your mind. Do you want to go to a grassroots unit?"

Sun Bing scratched his head and grinned, "Yes!"

"Sigh." Zhang Renfeng shook his head helplessly.

The position of guard is generally difficult to hold for a long time. As young people, seeing soldiers of the same seniority and age making achievements in the company, who wouldn't feel envious?

They have no idea of ​​the importance of positions like bodyguards and secretaries to leaders. The perspective and vision they gain by following their leaders are something that they could never earn by working in a grassroots unit for many years.

But young people always need experience; you can't force them to stay. Zhang Renfeng smiled and said:

"Alright, once the 15th Army moves to the Northeast, you can go to the company and become a squad leader. Just don't die."

"If you don't bring me some military merits, I'm sending you back to Handong..."

"Yes!" Sun Bing snapped to attention, saluted, and smiled like it was New Year's Day. He then turned and ran out.

No sooner had Sun Bing left than the old brigade commander's signature booming voice rang out from the courtyard: "Comrade Renfeng, up so early? Didn't you cook today?"

Zhang Renfeng walked out of the main house with a look of disgust, watching the old brigade commander stroll over from the neighboring No. 41 courtyard with his hands behind his back, as if he were visiting his own backyard.

That guy was really shameless yesterday. He sat down as soon as he came in and ate two bowls of rice. Before leaving, he even grabbed a few pieces of meat, like a starving ghost reincarnated.

"No, they went back last night," Zhang Renfeng said irritably.

The old brigade commander walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile:

"Let's go, we're going to Director Nie's house today, I guarantee you'll be able to bring your wife home. Oh my, this huge new house should be welcoming its mistress."

Before Zhang Renfeng could reply, the sound of a car engine came from the alley entrance, and a jeep stopped in front of No. 43.

The car door opened, and a tall figure stepped out. He pushed up his glasses, and despite wearing a military uniform, his refined and scholarly air was undeniable.

He glanced at the house number, then turned to the guard beside him and asked, "Does Renfeng live here?"

"Yes!"

The man shook his head, glanced at the number 41 next door, and muttered, "Number 43, is that number 41 over there? How can this Brigade Commander Chen be so cunning? Renfeng is the organization's Renfeng, when did it become Brigade Commander Chen's Renfeng?"

He stepped inside.

Brigade Commander Chen was still chatting and joking in the courtyard when he heard the commotion. He turned around, froze, and snapped to attention, saluting, "Commander! Wait, what brings you here?"

This is none other than Commander Liu of the 129th Division, who has worked with the old political commissar for more than ten years. What's puzzling is, shouldn't he have gone to establish the Nanjing Military Academy?

Why are you here at this time?

He is the most refined and cultured leader, can you believe it?

When I parted ways with the old political commissar.

He left his photo with the political commissar!

So exciting!!

"Hmph!" Division Commander Liu said sternly, his gaze sweeping over Brigade Commander Chen's face. "If I hadn't come, wouldn't Renfeng have been bullied terribly by you? You're not a child anymore, you can't just keep taking advantage of Renfeng, can you?"

Brigade Commander Chen laughed heartily, a smile spreading across his face: "Oh, Commander, I don't like what you're saying. I'm just showing concern for our young comrades—"

Zhang Renfeng quickly stepped forward, snapped to attention, and saluted: "Commander!"

Division Commander Liu raised his hand, looked him up and down, and the seriousness on his face slowly melted away, replaced by a gentle smile: "Oh, the brigade commander can come, but I can't? Haha, I heard some of the younger comrades are looking for partners, so I'm just doing this on someone's behalf, aren't I?"

Upon hearing this, Brigade Commander Chen panicked and rushed forward, saying, "No, Commander, are you trying to steal my matchmaker job? No way! Absolutely not!"

Commander Liu smiled and said calmly, "Among the commanders of the main regiments of the 129th Division, only Renfeng is single. The others all have children old enough to run errands. This is our dereliction of duty as leaders. I'll handle this matter today."

Brigade Commander Chen's face turned black; he stood there looking like he'd swallowed a fly.

Division Commander Liu beckoned to Zhang Renfeng: "Come on, Renfeng, I'll go with you. As for your brigade commander—"

He turned to look at Brigade Commander Chen, "If you're not feeling well, don't run around. Go home and rest!"

Brigade Commander Chen stomped his feet in anger: "This is too much! This is too much!"

Zhang Renfeng suppressed a laugh and followed Commander Liu. When they reached the courtyard gate, he glanced back at Brigade Commander Chen and uttered three words: "Incompetent."

Not satisfied, he added, "Useless!"

Brigade Commander Chen was absolutely furious, jumping up and down and shouting, "Zhang brat, I'll fucking—"

Before he could finish speaking, the head instructor turned around and glared at him: "What? You're bullying Renfeng right in front of me? Hmph, looks like I haven't been teaching you enough. Here's what I'll do: I'll write a report and you can come to my military academy for retraining."

Brigade Commander Chen was on the verge of tears; his reputation as a perennial matchmaker had been shattered today.

This kid is such a hypocrite, taking advantage of his young age to act weak everywhere.

Damn!

Despite being so impulsive and hot-tempered, he acts like a pushover in front of his boss, stammering, "I, I freaking..."

In the car, Zhang Renfeng sat in the passenger seat, and Commander Liu sat in the back seat. The two remained silent the entire way.

The car drove through the gray, gloomy streets of Beiping in winter, and pedestrians on the roadside hurried past with their necks hunched over.

Finally, the teacher spoke first: "What's wrong? Are you nervous?"

Zhang Renfeng turned around and smiled: "A little."

"Don't be nervous! We're going to talk about love, not business."

The teacher leaned back in his chair, his tone relaxed, "You've met that girl from Xiyue before, what's the rush?"

Zhang Renfeng was indeed feeling a little uneasy.

Last night, Sister Fu said that Zhang Xiyue had a good impression of him, but he tossed and turned all night and still couldn't remember what good impression he had left on her.

All he remembered was that the girl was tall and thin, with two braids, standing next to Director Nie serving tea and water. He didn't even get to say a few words to her.

Seeing that he remained silent, the instructor changed the subject: "I heard you're forming the Third Army Corps. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Zhang Renfeng, not expecting someone to offer him a pillow when he was dozing off, immediately perked up: "Teacher, it's true!"

Upon hearing this, the teacher burst into laughter and patted the back of the seat in front of him.

"You're practically a master of martial arts, adept at using an opponent's momentum. You've inherited a lot of my skills. Here you go, consider it a wedding gift for you."

Zhang Renfeng didn't stand on ceremony and turned around, saying seriously:

"The current battle has entered its third phase. In reality, the most likely outcome is a stalemate along the 38th parallel."

From the formation of our Third Army Corps to our entry into North Korea, I think it should be around March next year.

In the face of the Allied forces' heavy artillery fire, playing defensively was tantamount to risking the lives of soldiers.

But if we're playing defensively, it involves earthmoving, so I'd like some veterans who are good at that.

He paused for a moment, organizing his thoughts, "Commander, I'd like to transfer Li Yunlong's troops here. Although his division is in East China, they started out fighting defensive battles back in Taiyue. I personally taught them how to use cat-ear tunnels and other tunnel operations."

As you know, after the Battle of Guanjia'nao, we discovered that the Japanese had used foxholes to build defensive fortifications, causing us heavy losses. I studied this topic at the time and wrote a detailed report.

Later, it was promoted in the Taihang Mountains. Li Yunlong complained about how troublesome it was, but he practiced it more diligently than anyone else.

After listening, the instructor nodded approvingly: "Little devil Zhang, you're so clever, you've already set your sights on the old unit. Alright, I'll help you think of a way later."

He thought for a moment, then slapped his thigh: "How stupid! Go find your future father-in-law! He's the acting chief of staff; transferring a division is just a matter of a word from him!"

Zhang Renfeng was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening.

Yes, Director Nie is currently the acting chief of staff of the Central Military Commission. Transferring an army from East China to the Southwest Military Region is really not a big deal for him.

"Teacher, how come I didn't think of this idea?" Zhang Renfeng scratched his head.

"You were so nervous about meeting your future father-in-law that you couldn't think straight," the teacher said with a long laugh and a shake of his head.

The car turned into a quiet alley and stopped in front of a gray brick courtyard wall.

But Zhang Renfeng noticed a slightly worn black sedan parked at the entrance of the alley. The license plate was military-controlled, and it was a special car assigned to high-ranking cadres, indicating that Director Nie was indeed at home today.

Zhang Renfeng took a deep breath and reached for the car door.

The teacher called out to him from behind, "Hey, where are you going?"

Zhang Renfeng turned around: "Getting off the bus?"

"You come to our house for the first time and don't bring anything. What kind of behavior is that?" The teacher shook his head with a look of disgust, bent down and pulled a long cloth bag from under the back seat. "Here, I prepared everything for you."

Zhang Renfeng took the cloth bag, opened it, and found a tennis racket inside, with a wooden frame and gut stitching, in very good condition.

He paused for a moment, realizing he recognized the racket all too well—it was the same one he used to play with the old political commissar when he had nothing else to do.

The former political commissar and Director Nie, who had studied in France, all enjoyed playing tennis. Director Nie was said to have been a goalkeeper when he was in high school, and tennis was one of his favorite sports.

"Teacher, what is this...?" Zhang Renfeng felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

"Take it, just a small token of appreciation." The head teacher waved his hand. "I'm the one who taught you how to play tennis. Even though you're terrible at it, at least you can hold your own against Old Nie. It's better to cater to his interests than to bring two bottles of wine and a bag of snacks."

Zhang Renfeng gripped the racket bag, a surge of emotion welling up inside him.

He started following the old political commissar when he was ten years old, learning to fight, to read, and to be a good person. These old leaders took turns teaching him.

The old political commissar taught him courage on the battlefield, Brigade Commander Chen taught him temperament for leading troops into battle, and Division Commander Liu taught him the sense of propriety in doing things and the wisdom of leveraging external forces.

These days, even matters like proposing marriage are meticulously planned out for him by his teachers and elders.

Is this one of the advantages of being young?