The Red Era: Living in Seclusion in a Siheyuan as a Boss

Chapter 681 Accepting the Mission!!!

Zhang Jincheng stood up without hesitation, snapped to attention, and said in a loud voice, "Reporting to the commander, I don't need to think about it. As long as the motherland and the people need me, I can give up everything to complete the mission!"

"Hehehe, Comrade Zhang Jincheng truly deserves to be called an outstanding special forces soldier."

But you don't need to rush to answer me. I'll give you another day to think it over carefully.

"If you still haven't changed your mind after a day, I'll tell you the details of the mission." Brigade Chief of Staff He Qiu was very satisfied with Zhang Jincheng's attitude, so he said with a smile.

Zhang Jincheng, however, said with unwavering determination, "Please rest assured, sir, I will not change my mind. As a soldier, I am ready to dedicate myself to the motherland at any time and in any place!"

"Comrade Zhang Jincheng, I also believe in you, and I believe in the unwavering loyalty of our soldiers to the motherland."

This day also serves as a period of mental adjustment for you, allowing you to be fully prepared psychologically.

You must understand that this is not a mission carried out domestically. Everything you face is unpredictable, and your life could be in danger at any moment.

Furthermore, I want to emphasize again that this mission must be kept strictly confidential.

"Yes!"

"Alright, we'll be going now. I'll come find you again in a few days." With that, Chief of Staff He Qiu stood up and walked out of the tent with Lin Xiaoxue.

After meeting with the chief of staff and inspecting the "Tri-Amphibious Squadron," the group boarded a Z-10 attack helicopter and returned to the brigade headquarters.

Zhang Jincheng stood silently, watching the helicopter gradually disappear into the horizon. He didn't move for a long time, and the chief of staff's words echoed in his ears again:
"This is an extremely dangerous mission. Not only is it dangerous, but you also have to endure humiliation and suffer misunderstandings from your family, friends, and comrades."

Zhang Jin said he was no longer a novice; he had carried out many important missions.

From these words, it is clear that the chief of staff must have wanted him to infiltrate the "Kim Jong-il region" under a very special identity.

Entering the heart of the enemy, the slightest mistake could mean losing one's life in a foreign land.

Although danger is nothing to a passionate young man like Zhang Jincheng.

However, being misunderstood by relatives, friends, and comrades is an extremely unbearable pain.

Zhang Jin said he was still unsure what kind of misunderstanding might arise, but he could guess that it wouldn't be a normal situation.

The next day.

The "Tri-Amphibious Squadron" continued a new round of field reconnaissance training.

This primeval forest in the southwest is like a thick, water-soaked, dark green velvet cloth, completely covering the undulating mountains.

The air was so thick it was almost viscous, a strange mix of stale leaves, soil, and some unknown wildflowers, sweet yet fishy, ​​pressing heavily on the chests of everyone who entered.

Li Rui, the newest member of the "Poker" squad of the "Tri-Amphibious Squadron" and nicknamed "Red Heart 3", is currently trapped in this dark green hell.

The camouflage uniform was already soaked with sweat, and the oppressive dampness had caused white alkalinity to form on it, clinging tightly to the skin. Every step felt like tearing apart the sticky tape.

Beneath Li Rui's feet lay a thick layer of humus, soft and slippery to the touch, each step requiring immense physical exertion.

The gnarled, tangled roots of the towering ancient trees resemble the claws of a giant beast, relentlessly hindering their progress.

The dense canopy of trees overhead intertwined, sparingly filtering down only a few dim patches of light, making the forest appear exceptionally dark and oppressive.

This is the core area of ​​the "Tri-Amphibious Squadron" comprehensive field training camp.

There were no walls, no barracks, only endless trees and vines, and lurking "enemies"—poisonous insects, miasma, unseen swamps, and even more terrifying, the various "surprises" carefully laid out by the "veterans."

"Cheer up, everyone! This isn't a park!" Sergeant Chen Gang, codenamed "King of Diamonds," spoke in a hoarse voice that pierced the stuffy air and reached everyone's ears like steel needles.

His face was covered in thick paint, revealing only a pair of sharp, eagle-like eyes that warily scanned his surroundings.

The barrel of Chen Gang's QBU-88 sniper rifle was splattered with mud, and his camouflage uniform had a tear on the shoulder from some kind of thorny vine.

"Proceed according to the map, target point C, arrive before dark."

Be vigilant! Enemy activity could occur at any moment! Remember, here, relaxation means elimination, or even... death.

Li Rui licked his chapped lips, and salty beads of sweat slid into the corner of his mouth.

He forced himself to look away from the blood-soaked, swollen red leech on his arm and stared intently at the compass and the blurry contour lines on the map.

All I could hear was the incessant chirping of cicadas, the strange cries of unknown birds in the distance, and the constant buzzing of swarms of mosquitoes.

The last crumbs of compressed biscuits in the supply bag had been scattered among some moss while climbing a slippery, steep slope.

Li Rui took a deep breath, the damp, rotten air making his throat itch.

This dense forest is a living, malevolent, and enormous labyrinth and testing ground.

Every step was on the edge of physical and mental limits.

And the training has only just begun.

Suddenly, the scout in charge of clearing the way, nicknamed "Ace of Spades," abruptly crouched down and raised his fist high—the standard stop-and-go hand signal.

Li Rui's heart leaped into his throat, and his fingers instinctively tightened on the cold trigger.

What lies behind the dense ferns? Is it a trap set by the instructors? Or is it an even more primal "accident" born from this primeval jungle itself?
The gesture of the "Ace of Spades" in front of him was like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing Li Rui's fatigue and causing adrenaline to surge into his veins.

Almost instinctively, he crouched down, knelt on one knee, and pressed his weight onto the nearest thick tree trunk, quickly pointing his gun in the direction the scout was alerting.

Chen Gang, nicknamed "King of Diamonds," moved silently to Li Rui's side like a leopard poised to pounce, his sharp gaze piercing through layers of massive fern leaves and hanging aerial roots.

Dead silence.

Even the annoying chirping of cicadas and buzzing of mosquitoes had disappeared, leaving only the pounding of my heart and the noise of my blood rushing to my eardrums.

The air was as thick as solidified glue, and every breath carried the smell of rust.

"Crack-!"

It wasn't a wild animal; it was a sound created by humans!

Almost simultaneously, from the depths of the dense forest at the three o'clock position, several well-camouflaged vines were suddenly pulled up, and several pieces of rotten wood covered in thick mud swung over with a whoosh! This was merely a feint!
The real danger comes from above and from both sides!

"Enemy attack! Feint at three o'clock! Nine o'clock, twelve o'clock, six o'clock! Crossfire!" Chen Gang's roar exploded in the deathly silence, his voice distorted by extreme tension.

"Ta-ta-ta! Ta-ta-ta!"

Gunshots (training rounds, laser beams) rang out simultaneously from three directions, accompanied by a piercing whistling sound.

The bullets whistled through the branches and leaves, causing leaves to fall and mud to splatter everywhere.

Li Rui felt a chill run down his spine and abruptly pulled his head back. A training bullet "thudded" into the tree trunk he had just been leaning against, only an inch away from his helmet, sending bark fragments flying everywhere.

"Take cover! Counterattack! Suppress the nine o'clock position!" Chen Gang's command was concise and powerful. His Type 88 sniper rifle was already pointed at the twelve o'clock position, where the greatest threat was, and he steadily pulled the trigger.

"Bang!" A distinctive sniper rifle shot rang out.

Li Rui forced himself to suppress his fear, took a deep breath of the air filled with the smell of gunpowder and decaying leaves, and suddenly leaned forward, pulling the trigger towards the violently shaking bushes at the nine o'clock position.

"Rat-a-tat-tat!" The sound of a Type 95 rifle rang out.

He could feel the sweat running into his eyes, burning with pain, but he dared not blink.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw another teammate, "Plum Blossom Five," being "hit" by a laser beam shot from the side. The sensor on his helmet emitted red smoke. Frustrated, he punched the ground and lay down as required, "dying."

The "poker" team didn't have time to be sad.

"Grenade!" someone shouted.

A dark green cylinder, emitting hissing white smoke, rolled in an arc to the edge of the depression where they were hiding.

"Scatter!" Chen Gang roared, while simultaneously kicking the simulated grenade away.

But the grenade landed in a tricky spot, at too close range!

At the critical moment, Li Rui felt a tremendous force slam into his back—it was Chen Gang!

The sergeant tackled him with his entire body, pinning him down and turning his back to the direction of the explosion!

"Boom!" A muffled explosion (a low-explosive sonic grenade used in training) followed, and the shockwave, carrying dirt and debris, slammed into the ground.

The strong smell of gunpowder made Li Rui cough violently.

He struggled to lift his head and saw the laser receiver on Chen Gang's helmet flashing a blinding red light, with a wisp of smoke representing "death" slowly rising.

"Captain Chen!" Li Rui cried out, his voice hoarse.

Chen Gang released him, sat up, wiped the mud off his face, and gave Li Rui a complicated look, a mixture of helplessness and barely perceptible approval. He pointed to the smoke on his helmet, then to Li Rui, made a "shush" and "hurry up" gesture, then leaned against the tree trunk, closed his eyes, and pretended to be a "dead man."

This is the rule.

The ambush came quickly and went quickly.

The gunfire suddenly stopped.

Several figures dressed in the same camouflage, with even more bizarre face paint, emerged from the depths of the dense forest like ghosts, their movements swift and silent.

One of them walked up to the "fallen" team member and Chen Gang, and coldly checked the sensor status.

The leader, a man of imposing build and eyes like icy blades, glanced at the remaining Li Rui and another teammate who was still shaken and had red marks marked as "scratches" on his arms. His lips seemed to twitch slightly, but it was unclear whether it was mockery or something else.

He looked in Li Rui's direction and said in a hoarse, low voice, "Oh ho, not bad, there are still some who slipped through the net."

After saying that, with a wave of his hand, several "Blue Team" members disappeared quickly behind the impenetrable green barrier as if they had never been there.

The thick smoke gradually dissipated, leaving only a pungent smell and a mess.

Wait until the training is over.

The teammate who was "killed" sat on the ground dejectedly.

Chen Gang opened his eyes, looked at the frustrated Li Rui, and offered no comfort, only the cold truth: "Remember this feeling."

In the real jungle, a moment's hesitation can cost you your life.

If that grenade had been a live bullet, we'd both be mincemeat by now.

Looking at the yellow smoke on the sergeant's helmet and then at the mud stuck to his gun barrel, Li Rui felt a wave of nausea wash over him.

The bitterness of failure and the humiliation of being scorned are more unbearable than the sucking blood of leeches.

He suddenly bent over and began to gag violently, but only managed to vomit a few mouthfuls of sour water.

……

The next day, Zhang Jin said he did not personally lead the team to training.

In the morning, Captain Liu Xiaotao and Lin Xiaoxue drove a "Warrior" off-road vehicle to find him.

Zhang Jin was watching the team members train on the monitor inside the tent when he saw the team leader, Liu Xiaotao, walk in. He immediately stood up and offered him a seat.

Liu Xiaotao waved his hand, "Comrade Zhang Jincheng, what are your thoughts on the task proposed by the Chief of Staff?"

"I will resolutely obey the commander's arrangements and resolutely complete the mission!" Zhang Jin replied with a snap to attention.

"Very good. Hand over your work here and come with us immediately," Liu Xiaotao ordered.

"Captain, do I need some time?"

"I'll give you half a day at most."

Zhang Jin immediately called the instructor over, handed over the work, and then got into the off-road vehicle and left the training camp.

The "Warrior" off-road vehicle travels on the winding and rugged mountain road.

This military off-road vehicle is a new generation of equipment developed by Beijing Automotive Group for the military.

The "Warrior" was renowned for its superior performance, reliable power system, and advanced technology as soon as it was introduced. It was suitable for diverse military applications and quickly replaced other miscellaneous military vehicles.

The "Warrior" produced by "Beijing Automobile Group" boasts excellent off-road performance: it adopts a non-independent suspension drive axle, providing good off-road capabilities; it can start in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius; it can wade through water up to 80 centimeters deep; the bottom of the vehicle can withstand the power of a 4-kilogram TNT explosion; and it can defend against 5.56 mm caliber rifle bullets.

The powertrain features a 2.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine with a maximum output of 95kW and a maximum torque of 320Nm.

It employs direct injection technology and an aluminum alloy cylinder head to ensure durability and high efficiency.

Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, it offers precise handling...

The "Warrior" military vehicle excels in power, handling, comfort, and safety, making it suitable for high-intensity military missions.

They traversed mountains and valleys as if walking on flat ground.

This highway was carved out of the mountainside, with cliffs on one side and ravines on the other. Many sections were in dangerous terrain. Zhang Jincheng judged that it was heading towards the border.

The people in the car remained silent. After getting into the car, Captain Liu Xiaotao closed his eyes to rest.

Zhang Jin said he didn't feel comfortable asking, and looked out the window at the cliffs and forests that flashed by, guessing where they were going.

They were heading to a secret base of our army, which is responsible for the defense command of thousands of kilometers of border in this region.

This military base was established under Liu Zhiye's design, and it has achieved tremendous results over the past decade or so.

Liu Wu, the brigade commander of the "Black Panther Special Forces Brigade" and the director of the regional direct investigation bureau, regarded this base as his forward command post for cracking down on "flour traffickers," and he personally sat here to direct the entire operation.

After driving for about an hour, the "Warrior" off-road vehicle turned into a small ravine.

The entrance to the ravine was guarded by fully armed guards. Although the "Warrior's License Plate" was a military plate, the guards still strictly checked the documents of everyone in the car before letting them pass.

After entering, Zhang Jin realized that the ravine was very wide, lush and green, filled with dense trees and weeds. Fresh air entered the car through the windows, making it very pleasant.

The "Warrior Vehicle" drove through the ditch for about ten more minutes, and then a small basin appeared in front of it.

There are many reinforced concrete buildings hidden under the shade of trees, which are obviously military barracks.

Upon entering the base, they underwent another check by guards and finally stopped in front of a mountain.

Captain Liu Xiaotao got out of the car, followed closely by Zhang Jincheng and Lin Xiaoxue, who went with him to a cave hidden at the foot of the mountain.

The cave is spacious, with reinforced concrete walls, bright ceiling lights, and good ventilation, so you don't feel stuffy at all when you walk inside.

Not far inside, cave entrances appear on both sides.

There were many soldiers coming and going inside, and Zhang Jincheng guessed that this must be an important military base.

After walking more than a hundred meters through the passage, Liu Xiaotao led Zhang Jincheng and the others into a huge cave.

Judging from the scene inside, this is probably the command center.

The front of the hall features an electronic display screen, while the walls on both sides display electronic maps with countless flashing traffic lights.

In the center of the hall is a giant sand table, which shows the actual terrain of the southwest side of the Xia Kingdom.

On a workbench on one side of the hall, there were more than a dozen telephones of various colors, and several duty officers were busy at work.

Two leaders stood on the sand table in the middle, deep in thought as they looked at it.

Even though they were facing away from the entrance of the cave, Zhang Jincheng recognized them at a glance as Brigade Commander Liu Wu and Chief of Staff He Qiu.

"Reporting to the leaders, Comrade Zhang Jincheng has arrived," Liu Xiaotao and the other leader said loudly.

Although the three of them are brothers and childhood friends, this is the military, and rules must be followed.

The two leaders turned around, and Zhang Jincheng snapped to attention and saluted, saying, "Greetings, sirs!"

"Hello, Comrade Zhang Jincheng, I can tell from your expression that you've made up your mind," Liu Wu said with a smile.

“Yes, sir. I have made up my mind. I am willing to sacrifice everything for the motherland,” Zhang Jin said resolutely.

Chief of Staff He Qiu nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. Comrade Zhang Jincheng, come this way." With that, he picked up a small laser emitter and walked to the huge map on one side of the hall.

He Qiu gently pressed on the map, and a clear red dot appeared on it.

Chief of Staff He Qiu pointed to the map and said to everyone present, "This is our location. This is the closest permanent command post of our border troops to the border line."

The vast primeval forest opposite us is the infamous 'Kim Jong-un region,' with over a thousand kilometers of our border border adjacent to it.

Moreover, most of the borders are deserted mountains or dense primeval forests.

This "flour smuggler's" activities provided favorable natural protection, but also brought great difficulties to our efforts to ban flour...

At this point, Chief of Staff He Qiu moved the laser red dot to an area outside the border and continued, "The Jinsan area borders us and is controlled by four local armed groups. Each of them has more than a thousand troops and their weapons and equipment are relatively sophisticated."

Of these four factions, three maintain good relations with us and never sell "fans" to our country.

But the remaining one…”

(End of this chapter)